Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Handwritten Text Recognition for Bengali

Handwritten text recognition of Bengali is a difficult task because of complex character shapes due to the presence of modified/compound characters as well as zone-wise writing styles of different individuals. Most of the research published so far on Bengali handwriting recognition deals with either isolated character recognition or isolated word recognition, and just a few papers have researched on recognition of continuous handwritten Bengali. In this paper we present a research on continuous handwritten Bengali. We follow a classical line-based recognition approach with a system based on hidden Markov models and n-gram language models. These models are trained with automatic methods from annotated data. We research both on the maximum likelihood approach and the minimum error phone approach for training the optical models. We also research on the use of word-based language models and character-based language models. This last approach allow us to deal with the out-of-vocabulary word problem in the test when the training set is of limited size. From the experiments we obtained encouraging results.
Randomised positive control trial of NSAID and antimicrobial treatment for calf fever caused by pneumonia

One hundred and fifty-four preweaning calves were followed between May and October 2015. Calves were fitted with continuous monitoring temperature probes (TempVerified FeverTag), programmed so a flashing light emitting diode (LED) light was triggered following six hours of a sustained ear canal temperature of ≥39.7°C. A total of 83 calves (61.9 per cent) developed undifferentiated fever, with a presumptive diagnosis of pneumonia through exclusion of other calf diseases. Once fever was detected, calves were randomly allocated to treatment groups. Calves in group 1 (NSAID) received 2 mg/kg flunixin meglumine (Allevinix, Merial) for three consecutive days and group 2 (antimicrobial) received 6 mg/kg gamithromycin (Zactran, Merial). If fever persisted for 72 hours after the initial treatment, calves were given further treatment (group 1 received antimicrobial and group 2 received NSAID). Calves in group 1 (NSAID) were five times more likely (P=0.002) to require a second treatment (the antimicrobial) after 72 hours to resolve the fever compared with the need to give group 2 (antimicrobial) calves a second treatment (NSAID). This demonstrates the importance of ongoing monitoring and follow-up of calves with respiratory disease. However, of calves with fever in group 1 (NSAID), 25.7 per cent showed resolution following NSAID-only treatment with no detrimental effect on the development of repeated fever or daily live weight gain. This suggests that NSAID alone may be a useful first-line treatment, provided adequate attention is given to ongoing monitoring to identify those cases that require additional antimicrobial treatment.
Effect of the combination of crude extracts of Penicillium griseofulvum and Fusarium graminearum containing patulin and zearalenone on rumen microbial fermentation and on their metabolism in continuous culture fermenters

Six single-flow continuous cultures were used to study the effects of the mycotoxins patulin (PAT) and zearalenone (ZEN) alone or in combination on rumen microbial fermentation. In each of the four 7-d periods, the fermenters were supplemented in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two levels of PAT (0 and 20 mg/l) and three levels of ZEN (0, 5 and 10 mg/l). The treatments did not affect the apparent and true digestibility of organic matter. PAT alone decreased the digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) (p < 0.01), but in the presence of 5 or 10 mg/l of ZEN, there were no effects of PAT. In contrast, the digestibility of NDF and ADF was decreased at 10 mg/l of ZEN in the absence of PAT (p < 0.05). The pH of the fermenters increased after 2 and 3 d of PAT treatment (p < 0.01). PAT decreased the concentration of total volatile acids (VFA), the molar proportion of acetate and the acetate:proportionate ratio (p < 0.01). The molar concentrations of other VFA were unchanged. Ammonia N (NH3–N) flow increased (p < 0.05) and there was a tendency to a higher NH3–N concentration (p < 0.1) in fermenters with PAT. Total N, non-ammonia N and bacterial N as well as efficiency of microbial protein synthesis and efficiency of N utilisation were not affected by treatments. PAT was nearly completely degraded during incubation. The mean recovery of ZEN, α-zearalenol and β-zearalenol expressed as a proportion of administered ZEN was less than 50% in effluents from fermenters receiving only ZEN and ZEN plus PAT, respectively. With exception of fibre digestion, the co-administration of PAT and ZEN did not elicit interaction effects on most measured parameters of rumen metabolism.
Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 (TCF7L2) Is Associated With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Interacts With Adiposity to Alter Insulin Secretion in Mexican Americans

OBJECTIVE— Variation in transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene has been shown to be associated with type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related quantitative traits. We examined variation in a 0.1-Mb region surrounding marker DG10S478 for association with diabetes-related quantitative traits in 132 Mexican-American families of a proband with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— Study participants were phenotyped by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and an intravenous glucose tolerance test and by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan for percentage of body fat. Of the 42 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyped, 15 were identified. RESULTS— On univariate analysis, none of the SNPs showed association with diabetes-related quantitative traits. However, rs12255372 showed association with 30′ Δinsulin (OGTT 30′ min fasting insulin) in an interaction with percentage of body fat (Bonferroni-corrected P = 0.027). The effect of adiposity to increase 30′ Δinsulin was greater in subjects with the T allele. This interaction was not associated with acute insulin response to intravenous glucose. rs12255372 also showed an association with β-cell compensation for insulin resistance based on 30′ Δinsulin in an interaction with percentage of body fat (Bonferroni-corrected P = 0.014). rs12255372 was also associated with GDM (odds ratio [OR] 2.49 [95% CI 1.17–5.31]; P = 0.018) in our case-control sample. CONCLUSIONS— We conclude that variation in TCF7L2 is associated with GDM and interacts with adiposity to alter insulin secretion in Mexican Americans. Our observations partly explain the increased ORs observed in previous associated studies when analyses were restricted to lean subjects and the variability in quantitative trait association results.
Adaptation to new user interactively using dynamically calculated principal components for user-specific human-robot interaction

This paper presents an algorithm for interactive adaptation to new user using dynamically calculated principal components. In this algorithm, new user is adapted based on the matching score of face recognition method that use dynamically calculated eigenvectors and eigenvalues from known training face dataset. User adaptation method measures the trueness of known and unknown person using the recognition result from specific number of consecutive face images. If the value of trueness for un-known person is greater than specific threshold then the robot informs the person is unknown and asks the person name and culture information to preserve in the knowledge-base through interaction. In case of known person the system greets with that person based on his/her predefined culture. The system increments the training face dataset by including any unknown face image and subsequently recalculates the eigenvectors and eigenvalues to form new PCA. The algorithm is tested by implementing a human-robot greeting scenario with a mobile robot.
On the experimental determination of the nitrogen content of thermally upgraded electrical papers

In this paper, the nature of thermally upgraded Kraft electrical insulating papers and their characterization by measurement of nitrogen content is discussed. A historical context and explanation of the basics of the various chemical methods used to measure nitrogen content in electrical papers is presented. The Kjeldahl and Dumas methods for quantifying nitrogen content were compared using six insulating papers in different laboratories in an effort to correlate the results obtained with both techniques. The results provide an insight into the viability of the Dumas combustion method as a proposed industry standard test for measuring the nitrogen content of paper. Moreover, data on the accuracy, reproducibility, and repeatability of the Dumas method is provided for the analysis of thermally upgraded electrical papers.
Safety of long-term tacrolimus therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: an open-label, uncontrolled study in non-elderly patients

In this study we focused on the safety of long-term tacrolimus therapy in non-elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated with tacrolimus or mizoribine in a previous double-blind study. The patients received oral tacrolimus at a dose ≤3 mg once daily for 76 weeks. The safety analysis population included 115 patients aged 20–64 years. Adverse drug reactions presented as symptomatic events in 39 patients (33.9%), laboratory abnormalities in 38 patients (33.0%), and infections in 19 patients (16.5%). The major reactions were gastrointestinal disorders and hypertension as symptomatic events, increases of creatinine, urinary N-acetyl-β-d-glucosamidase and hemoglobin A1C as laboratory abnormalities, and the common cold syndrome as infections. After 76 weeks of tacrolimus treatment, the ACR20 response rates of patients who had also received tacrolimus during the preceding double-blind study was 61.5% (compared with the status at baseline in the preceding study). The corresponding response rate for patients who had previously received mizoribine was 66.0%. The mean blood concentration of tacrolimus was 3.8–4.8 ng/mL. In conclusion, safety profiles of tacrolimus treatment for long-term seems to be similar to those of previous studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Artificial immune system based intrusion detection in a distributed hierarchical network architecture of smart grid

The advent of the smart grid promises to usher in an era that will bring intelligence, efficiency, and optimality to the power grid. Most of these changes will occur as an Internet-like communications network is superimposed on top of the current power grid using wireless technologies including 802.15. 4, 802.11, and the Zigbee protocol. Each of these will expose the power grid to cyber security threats. In order to address this issue, this work proposes a Distributed Intrusion Detection System for Smart Grids (SGDIDS) by developing and deploying an intelligent module, the Analyzing Module (AM) in the multiple layers of smart grids. Multiple AMs will be embedded at each level of the smart grid — the home area network (HAN), neighborhood area network (NAN), and the Wide Area Network (WAN) — where they will use Artificial Immune System (AIS) to detect and classify malicious data and possible cyber attacks. AMs at each level will be trained using data that is relevant to their level and will also be able to communicate in order to improve detection. Simulation results demonstrate that this is a promising methodology for identifying malicious network traffic and improving system security.
Regulation of KCNQ1/KCNE1 by β-catenin

Abstract β-catenin, a multifunctional protein expressed in all tissues including the heart stimulates the expression of several genes important for cell proliferation. Signaling involving ß-catenin participates in directing cardiac development and in the pathophysiology of cardiac hypertrophy. Nothing is known, however, on the role of β-catenin in the regulation of cardiac ion channels. The present study explored the functional interaction of β-catenin and KCNE1/KCNQ1, the K+ channel complex underlying the slowly activating outwardly rectifying K+ current. To this end, KCNE1/KCNQ1 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes with and without β-catenin and the depolarization (up to + 80 mV) induced current (IKs) was determined using the two-electrode voltage clamp. As a result, β-catenin enhanced IKs by 30%. The effect of β-catenin on IKs was not affected by actinomycin D (10 μM), an inhibitor of transcription, indicating that β-catenin was not effective as transcription factor. Confocal microscopy revealed that β-catenin enhanced the KCNE1/KCNQ1 protein abundance in the cell membrane. Exposure of the oocytes to brefeldin A (5 μM), an inhibitor of vesicle insertion, was followed by a decline of IKs, which was then similar in oocytes expressing KCNE1/KCNQ1 together with β-catenin and in oocytes expressing KCNE1/KCNQ1 alone. In conclusion, β-catenin enhances IKs by increasing the KCNE1/KCNQ1 protein abundance in the cell membrane, an effect requiring vesicle insertion into the cell membrane.
Trust Matters – Social Capital in Herding Cooperation in Finland

Abstract Reindeer herding is a nature-based livelihood of the indigenous Sámi people in northern parts of Europe and Russia. During the last decades, reindeer herding has become a more significant issue in the context of the market economy: the livelihood has transformed toward entrepreneurship, and the subsidies demand growth in the scale of herding. According to the national administration, the market values are highlighted. However, for herders, market economies are only one part of their livelihood. Another important part is their experience of reindeer herding as a way of life; for many reindeer herders trust in their livelihood and the social relations associated with their way of life are of equal or greater importance than economic aspects. In this paper, the role of social trust in the changing process of reindeer herding is discussed. Inherited tacit and cultural knowledge, as a part of social capital, strengthen reindeer herders’ experience of trust.
Pseudoexfoliation: An Ocular Finding with Possible Systemic Implications.

BACKGROUND Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES) is a common age-related disorder affecting 60-70 million people worldwide. Patients with PES have abnormal production and deposition of fibrillar material in the anterior chamber of the eye. These exfoliated fibrils, easily detected by ocular slit-lamp examination, have also been found to exist systematically in the skin, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. Recently, myriad studies have associated PES with systemic conditions such as increased vascular risk, risk of dementia and inflammatory state. We review here the most current literature on the systemic implications of PES. Our aim is to encourage further studies on this important clinical entity.
Physiological and Perceived Exertion Responses at Intermittent Critical Power and Intermittent Maximal Lactate Steady State

Okuno, NM, Perandini, LAB, Bishop, D, Simões, HG, Pereira, G, Berthoin, S, Kokubun, E, and Nakamura, FY. Physiological and perceived exertion responses at intermittent critical power and intermittent maximal lactate steady state. J Strength Cond Res 25(7): 2053-2058, 2011—The aim of this study was to compare the power outputs of the intermittent critical power (CPi) with the intermittent maximal lactate steady state (MLSSi) and to compare the physiological and perceptual responses exercising at CPi and MLSSi. Ten subjects performed intermittent trials on a cycle ergometer to determine CPi and MLSSi using 30:30 seconds of effort and pause. The oxygen uptake (&OV0312;o2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration ([Lac]), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) responses were compared during 30-minute cycling at CPi and MLSSi. The CPi (267 ± 45 W) was similar to MLSSi (254 ± 39 W), and they were correlated (r = 0.88; p < 0.05). The &OV0312;o2 and HR responses stabilized throughout exercising at CPi (2.52 ± 0.52 L·min−1; 156 ± 8 b·min−1) and MLSSi (2.41 ± 0.32 L·min−1; 152 ± 10 b·min−1). These physiological variables were similar between conditions. However, the [Lac] and RPE were higher from the middle to the end of exercise duration at CPi ([Lac] = 6.9 ± 2.6 mM; RPE = 17.1 ± 2.1 a.u.) compared to MLSSi ([Lac] = 5.1 ± 0.9 mM; RPE = 15.7 ± 1.8 a.u.). Therefore, CPi intensity determined from 30:30 seconds of effort and rest periods on a cycle ergometer is equivalent to the MLSSi, and there is a physiological steady state throughout both exercise intensities, although the [Lac] and RPE responses at CPi are higher than at MLSSi. Thus, the CPi and MLSSi may be used as tools for intermittent training evaluation and prescription.
The evolutionary strategies of plant defenses have a dynamic impact on the adaptations and interactions of vectors and pathogens

Plants have evolved and diversified to reduce the damages imposed by infectious pathogens and herbivorous insects. Living in a sedentary lifestyle, plants are constantly adapting to their environment. They employ various strategies to increase performance and fitness. Thus, plants developed cost‐effective strategies to defend against specific insects and pathogens. Plant defense, however, imposes selective pressure on insects and pathogens. This selective pressure provides incentives for pathogens and insects to diversify and develop strategies to counter plant defense. This results in an evolutionary arms race among plants, pathogens and insects. The ever‐changing adaptations and physiological alterations among these organisms make studying plant–vector–pathogen interactions a challenging and fascinating field. Studying plant defense and plant protection requires knowledge of the relationship among organisms and the adaptive strategies each organism utilize. Therefore, this review focuses on the integral parts of plant–vector–pathogen interactions in order to understand the factors that affect plant defense and disease development. The review addresses plant–vector–pathogen co‐evolution, plant defense strategies, specificity of plant defenses and plant–vector–pathogen interactions. Improving the comprehension of these factors will provide a multi‐dimensional perspective for the future research in pest and disease management.
Analytical determination of optimal split ratio for high-speed permanent magnet brushless motors

Split ratio is an important parameter for permanent magnet brushless motors (PMBLM) since it have significant influence on torque and loss. The split ratio of low-speed PMBLM has been optimized analytically in existing papers, while the iron loss is neglected. However, the iron loss in high-speed PMBLM can not be neglected. The split ratio and the maximum flux density in the stator iron is relate to both the copper loss and the iron loss closely. The split ratio, togerther with the maximum flux density in the stator iron, is optimized for maximum torque. An analytical model to determine the optimal combination of the split ratio and the maximum flux density in the stator iron for high-speed PMBLM is proposed in this paper. The analytical results are verified by finite element analysis.
Polynomial Jump-Diffusion Models

We develop a comprehensive mathematical framework for polynomial jump-diffusions, which nest affine jump-diffusions and have broad applications in finance. We show that the polynomial property is preserved under exponentiation and subordination. We present a generic method for option pricing based on moment expansions. As an application, we introduce a large class of novel financial asset pricing models that are based on polynomial jump-diffusions.
A study of some efficient numerical techniques used in pricing options under stochastic volatility models

Due to the development of the pricing theory, options, as one of the most important financial derivatives, have become increasingly important in financial markets. The breakthrough of the theory was made by Fischer Black and Myron Scholes in 1973, who proposed a diffusion model with a mathematical formula for pricing European call options. The formula, however, was proven to be not perfect because of the constant volatility assumption made by the authors. Hence the “stochastic volatility models” were established to provide a better fit to the random feature of volatilities. The stochastic volatility models, though, are much more complex and analytical solutions are either unavailable or very difficult to obtain. Besides, since the calculation of a large number of prices is usually required in short time, fast and accurate numerical approaches are in great need. Among all the numerical techniques, Monte Carlo simulations, tree approaches (binomial and trinomial trees) and finite-difference methods are the three key methods that can be applied to almost all option contracts under all existing models. However, each of the three methods has its own advantage and shortcomings. The motivation of this thesis is to explore the three key methods under the more adaptive stochastic volatility model and propose faster algorithms to fit the need from both academia and industry. The thesis is divided into two parts. The first part is composed of Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, in which the three methods for regime-switching models are investigated. Firstly, we discuss the Monte Carlo simulations and the finite difference methods for pricing European options under the regime-switching model in Chapter 3. A comparison is presented for the two methods applied to price European options on stocks having up to four regimes. The numerical performance shows that the Monte Carlo simulation outperforms the CrankNicolson finite difference method even though the option is written on one single underlying stock with two regimes, which is the simplest case. Even though both methods have linear growths, as the number of regimes increases, the computational time of the Crank-Nicolson finite difference scheme grows much faster than that of the Monte Carlo simulation. This verifies that the Monte Carlo simulation is a more efficient numerical approach compared to solving the partial differential equation system numerically.
In vitro attachment and invasion of chicken ovarian granulosa cells by Salmonella enteritidis phage type 8

The attachment and invasion of chicken ovarian granulosa cells by Salmonella enteritidis was examined in vitro. The attachment was inhibited by preincubation of granulosa cells with anti-chicken fibronectin antibody (approximately 70% reduction in attachment) or preincubation with a 14-kDa fimbrial protein isolated from S. enteritidis (68% reduction in attachment). Treatment of bacterial cells with the tetrapeptide RGDS before addition to granulosa cells resulted in inhibition of attachment (60% inhibition when 2 x 10(7) CFU of bacteria was treated with 500 microg of peptide). Treatment with the peptide GRGD resulted in similar magnitude of inhibition, indicating that extracellular matrix proteins play significant roles in the interaction of S. enteritidis with granulosa cells. In contrast, treatment of the bacterial cells with the peptide GRAD did not result in significant inhibition of attachment to the granulosa cells. S. enteritidis was found to attach specifically to fibronectin, collagen IV, and laminin-coated microtiter plate wells, with the rank order of attachment as follows: fibronectin > laminin > collagen IV. Light and transmission electron micrographs of S. enteritidis invasion of granulosa cells showed organisms with or without a surrounding membrane in the cytoplasm of granulosa cells. In some instances, dividing bacterial cells were observed in the cytoplasm. Results of this study demonstrated that S. enteritidis interacts with granulosa cells in a specific manner and can invade and multiply in these cells. The granulosa cell layer of the preovulatory follicles may be a preferred site for the colonization of the chicken ovaries by invasive strains of S. enteritidis.