Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychological interventions for cancer patients to enhance the quality of life.

Although the thrust of the nation's cancer objectives for the year 2000 is prevention and screening, each year approximately 1 million Americans are diagnosed and must cope with the disease and treatments. They do so with the aid of family, friends, and the health care system, but accumulating data suggest that psychological interventions may be important for reducing emotional distress, enhancing coping, and improving "adjustment. " Experimental and quasi-experimental studies of psychological interventions are reviewed, and discussion of treatment components and mechanism is offered. A final section discusses future research directions and challenges to scientific advance.
Differential activation and inhibition of human platelet thrombin receptors by structurally distinct α-, β- and γ-thrombin

The development of drugs to neutralize the action of thrombin has to date focused on the α form of the protease. It is generally agreed that inactive prothrombin is proteolytically converted to active α-thrombin which may be further hydrolyzed to β- and γ-thrombin. While all three forms of the enzyme retain catalytic activities, only α-thrombin is presumed to be physiologically important. The β- and γ-thrombin are presumed to be degradation products of no physiological significance. Our demonstration that β- and γ-thrombin selectively activate PAR-4 in this and a previous report (J. Biol. Chem. 276, 21173–21183, 2001) necessitates a reevaluation of how we view their physiological roles and how we approach the pharmacological regulation of their actions. β-Thrombin, like γ-thrombin, at nM levels selectively activates PAR-4. This was demonstrated by full retention of aggregatory activity with platelets whose PAR-1 and GP Ib receptors were inactivated. Furthermore, the β-thrombin response was abrogated by desensitizing platelets with suboptimal levels of the thrombin receptor activating peptide for PAR-4 (TRAP-4). For β-thrombin and γ-thrombin to have a physiological role, it is necessary to show they can be generated under physiological conditions. We demonstrate, for the first time, that α-thrombin is hydrolyzed in less than 1 min by activated factor X at physiological pH, in vitro. This implies that α-thrombin may be rapidly converted to β-thrombin and/or γ-thrombin in vivo in the proper microenvironment. The differential activation of the three platelet thrombin receptors by α-, β- and γ-thrombin implies selective structural variations between these thrombin species. Structural differences are likely to account for the marked differential responses observed with the antithrombotic, hirudin, which inhibits α-thrombin, is a slightly weaker inhibitor of β- thrombin and a very weak inhibitor of γ-thrombin-induced platelet aggregations. The converse order of inhibition is observed with the physiological protease inhibitor, α1-antitrypsin. Finally, a non-traditional inhibitor, histone-1, selectively inhibits only β- and γ-thrombin, primarily at the receptor level of PAR-4 rather than on the thrombin molecule. Trypsin, like β- and γ-thrombin, activates PAR-4 and is also inactive with TRAP-4 desensitized platelets. Therefore, it was reasoned that trypsin would be more structurally similar to γ-thrombin than to α-thrombin. The analysis of the crystalline structures of α-, γ-thrombin and trypsin from the databases confirm that this is the case. These findings should help to elucidate structure-function relationships of the different thrombins and may aid in the development of new anti-thrombotic drugs.
The Impact of Brand Equity on Purchase Intensions with Modertaing Role of Subjective Norms

During the past couple of decades, brand equity has emerged as one of the key concepts in marketing. Literature concerned with consumer brand relationship is calling for more studies in order to increase understanding of brand equity dimensions. Therefore, this study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by investigates the impact of brand equity, on consumers' brand purchase intention. We propose that subjective norms play a moderating role in this relationship. The data were gathered from 197 respondents from the twin cities of Pakistan: Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Results make known that subjective norms are found to positively moderate the relationship between brand equity and consumers' brand purchase intention. The study findings support for the hypotheses. Some managerial implications for retailer were also discussed.
Image classification system based on deep learning applied to the recognition of traffic signs for intelligent robotic vehicle navigation purposes

This paper presents a system for classifying images based on Deep Learning and applied in the recognition of traffic signals aiming to increase road safety increased road safety using autonomous and semi-autonomous intelligent robotic vehicles. This Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) is a system created to automate vehicles, but also to help the human drivers to increase safety and the respect of traffic rules while driving the car. The system must be able to classify several different traffic signs (e.g. maximum speed allowed, stop, slow down, turn ahead, pedestrian), thus helping to make navigation within the local traffic rules. The obtained results are promising and very satisfactory, where we get 97.24% of test accuracy in a well known traffic sign benchmark dataset (INI — German Traffic Sign Benchmark).
7.2 to 1 ultra-wideband dual-linear polarized phased array with 60° scanning

We present an ultra-wideband dual-linear polarized phased array that scans down to 60° in both E and H planes. The dual-linear polarized array employs a tightly coupled dipole array (TCDA) topology that achieves an ultra-wide bandwidth from 2.5GHz to 18GHz (7.2:1) with total a height less than 12mm (λlow/10). The array consists of cross-located tightly coupled dipoles and is integrated with a folded Marchand balun that serve as an impedance transformer and a feeding network. To improve scanning performance, the traditional dielectric superstrate is replaced with a frequency selective surface (FSS) structure that facilitates fabrication process. The developed TCDA scans down to 60° in both E and H plane across the entire 7.2:1 band with voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) VSWR<4. Corresponding port-to-port isolation is kept at less than 20dB at broadside and when scanning.
Fast Video Stabilization in the Compressed Domain

Video stabilization is an important technique in present day digital cameras as most of the cameras are hand-held, mounted on moving platforms or subjected to atmospheric vibrations. Motion estimation is a bottleneck in the stabilization pipeline as it consumes about 90% of the processing time. In this paper we propose to perform the stabilization task in the compressed domain using the motion information readily available in the compressed bit stream. The motion vector based global motion estimation technique is used to estimate the camera motion parameters from the block motion vectors. Smoothing of the motion parameters to retain the desired motion is performed using a gaussian filter followed by motion compensation to construct the stabilized frame. The focus of our work is on using the information in coded video streams to reduce the computational complexity and processing time. We compare the proposed scheme with existing pixel domain counterparts and show how it achieves speedup in processing time at the same time maintaining satisfactory stabilization performance.
Counterparty Credit Risk Pricing and Measurement of Swaption Portfolios

This paper introduces a technique for pricing and risk measurement of portfolios containing swaption contracts in the presence of counterparty credit risk, under general market model and volatility assumptions. An implementation of the radial basis function (RBF) method for solving Black–Scholes-type partial differential equations (PDEs) is proposed that takes advantage of the high degree of intercurve correlation present in term-structure models. TheRBF–PDEtechnique is first used to price the swaptions in the absence of credit risk. As a by-product of this solution process, sets of RBF expansions for the value of each swaption at each time point are determined. These expansions, which can be evaluated in milliseconds, can then be incorporated into simulations for credit value adjustment and potential future exposure calculation. Several examples are shown that involve solving PDEs in as many as forty-eight spatial dimensions under both lognormal and local volatility.
Analyzing Mast Cell Development and Function Using Mice Carrying Mutations at W/c‐kit or SI/MGF (SCF) Loci

Mast cells have been implicated in a wide variety of biological responses, but identifying the nature and importance of the mast cell's specific contributions to these reactions has been difficult. W/Wv mice have mutations affecting the c-kit tyrosine kinase receptor which is encoded at the W locus and which is necessary for normal mast cell development. In W/Wv mice, the cells which ordinarily give rise to normal mast cell populations do not adequately respond to a major migration, survival, proliferation and maturation factor expressed in the microenvironments where mast cells ordinarily develop: the c-kit receptor ligand, SCF. As a result, W/Wv mice virtually lack tissue mast cells. However, adoptive transfer to W/Wv mice of immature mast cells derived in vitro from the bone marrow cells of the congenic normal (+/+) mice selectively repairs the mast cell deficiency of the W/Wv recipients. These "mast cell knock-in" mice can be used to analyze the expression of biological responses in tissues which differ only because they do or do not contain populations of mast cells. This approach permits identification and quantification of the specific contributions of the mast cell to biological responses expressed in the skin, gastrointestinal tract and other anatomical sites, and also greatly facilitates analysis of the mechanisms by which mast cells influence these responses.
An investigation into the demographics and motivations of students studying for a chiropractic degree.

Objective : This research aimed to investigate motivations for studying chiropractic, and to determine what students look for in a course/college and potential barriers to studying chiropractic. Methods : The study design was a cross-sectional survey. Following IRB/Ethical approval, a paper-based questionnaire was distributed to students at McTimoney College of Chiropractic. Demographic data were compared to another chiropractic college in the United Kingdom. Results : The questionnaire response rate was 70.8% (n = 121). Motivating factors for studying chiropractic included a desire to help others (54.5%, n = 66), with 44.6% (n = 54) attracted by chiropractic's holistic, drugless approach to health. Previous help from chiropractic influenced 55.4% (n = 67) and 22.3% (n = 27) felt chiropractic had "changed their life. " Just over half of the respondents (55.4%, n = 67) viewed the ability to work while studying as extremely important and 73.6% (n = 89) said they could not have studied chiropractic without this. Conclusion : Previous help from chiropractic care was a common motivation for studying chiropractic. The ability to work while studying was seen as vital by many students and, without it, the vast majority felt they could not have studied chiropractic.
Adaptive gain optimization of a C-Band reflectarray with phase tunable elements

Microstrip reflectarray antennas are currently considered for satellite missions requiring low cost, small stowage volume during launch and lightweight solutions. An essential characteristic of this kind of antenna is the possibility of having a steerable main beam due to the reflectarray's phase-tunable elements. The tunable units could be made of varactors diodes, as described in (Riel and Laurin, 2005). Following this work, a planar array prototype of 5x6 elements was used to demonstrate beam steering capability, but unexpected differences of 2 dB or more were noted between the measured and expected gains. It was conjectured that this loss could be attributed to non-optimal phase profiles imposed on the elements, possibly resulting from variability in the diodes, non-constant angle of incidence, fabrication errors, etc. The object of this paper is to implement an adaptive gain optimization and determine to what level the unexpected losses can be compensated by tuning all the scattering cells.
Assessment of the repeatability in an automatic methodology for hyperemia grading in the bulbar conjunctiva

When the vessels of the bulbar conjunctiva get congested with blood, a characteristic red hue appears in the area. This symptom is known as hyperemia, and can be an early indicator of certain pathologies. Therefore, a prompt diagnosis is desirable in order to minimize both medical and economic repercussions. A fully automatic methodology for hyperemia grading in the bulbar conjunctiva was developed, by means of image processing and machine learning techniques. As there is a wide range of illumination, contrast, and focus issues in the images that specialists use to perform the grading, a repeatability analysis is necessary. Thus, the validation of each step of the methodology was performed, analyzing how variations in the images are translated to the results, and comparing them to the optometrist's measurements. Our results prove the robustness of our methodology to various conditions. Moreover, the differences in the automatic outputs are similar to the optometrist's ones.
An Electromagnetic Localization and Orientation Method Based on Rotating Magnetic Dipole

The electromagnetic localization and orientation method is based on 2-axis generation and 3-axis sensing of a quasi-static magnetic field. Two mutually orthogonal coils fed with phase-quadrature signals comprise the excitation source, which is equal to a rotating magnetic dipole. Using the amplitude and phase information of the sensing signals from the 3-axis sensing coils, the position of the sensor can be calculated directly by simple and explicit analytical expressions, then the orientations of the sensor can be determined by using rotation matrix. In this paper, a novel method is proposed to realize the direct calculation, which is easy and fast to determine the position and orientation of the 3-axis sensor in a single period of excitation. Experimental results demonstrate a promising performance of this method.
Development of the Alexithymia Scale for Children: A Preliminary Study

The Alexithymia Scale for Children-Teacher Form was developed with a sample of 286 elementary schoolchildren. The validity and reliability of the measure were supported by factor analytic structure, relatively high internal consistency, test-retest correlation over 2 mo. , and correlations of . 24 to . 39 with scores on the Yatabe-Guilford Personality Test. Factor analysis yielded two factors related to alexithymia, Difficulty in Describing Feelings and Difficulty Relating to Others. Alexithymia constructs such as a paucity of fantasy life and externally oriented thinking were not recorded.
What influences online deliberation? A wikipedia study

In this paper we describe a study aimed at evaluating and improving the quality of online deliberation. We consider the rationales used by participants in deletion discussions on Wikipedia in terms of the literature on democratic and online deliberation and collaborative information quality. Our findings suggest that most participants in these discussions were concerned with the notability and credibility of the topics presented for deletion, and that most presented rationales rooted in established site policies. We found that factors like article topic and unanimity (or lack thereof) were among the factors that tended to affect the outcome of the debate. Our results also suggested that the blackout of the site in response to the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) law affected the decisions of deletion debates that occurred close to the event. We conclude by suggesting implications of this study for broader considerations of online information quality and democratic deliberation.
Acute human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.

Acute human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is a transient symptomatic illness associated with high-titer HIV-1 replication and a robust and expansive immunologic response to the invading pathogen. From 40 to 90 percent of new HIV-1 infections are associated with symptomatic illness. This syndrome is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, since HIV-1 antibodies are usually not detected during the early phase of infection. The diagnosis of acute HIV-1 infection requires a high index of clinical suspicion and correct use of specific diagnostic laboratory tests. Accurate early diagnosis is now particularly important because of the potential clinical benefit of early antiretroviral .
Distributed Computing in Reconfigurable Picosatellite Networks

This paper presents the results of a research project, which aims to develop enabling technologies for future distributed space architectures based on flexible, reconfigurable, evolvable, and intelligent multi-spacecraft sensing networks. One important goal of the project is to propose a distributed computing platform over wireless inter-satellite links. The paper discusses initial results on the application of distributed computing technologies to future networked constellations of picosatellites.
Weighted Energy Efficient Clustering Hierarchy for Multi-hop Communication in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks are constrained in terms of energy resources and therefore require efficient energy management during collection, processing, aggregation, communication and eventual utilization of sensor's data in several customized applications related to healthcare, group and habitat monitoring, security and surveillance etc. Cluster based hierarchical routing is known to be superior than flat routing as all nodes in the cluster send their data to cluster head for forwarding to base station. Existing cluster based hierarchical routing protocols either assume the direct communication between cluster heads and base station or through multi-hops in some scenarios. In this paper, a new energy efficient hierarchical clustering and multi-hop communication protocol has been presented. Simulation results confirm the superiority of proposed protocol as compared to standard LEACH protocol and it's variants in terms of average lifetime, dissipation of energy and effect of node density in wireless sensor networks.
Knockdown of BAMBI inhibits β-catenin and transforming growth factor β to suppress metastasis of gastric cancer cells.

The upregulation of bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane‑bound inhibitor (BAMBI) has been observed in several types of malignant cancer, including thyroid, ovarian, liver and colorectal cancer. However, the pathological role and the regulatory mechanism of BAMBI in gastric cancer remain to be elucidated. The present study revealed that the expression of BAMBI was upregulated in gastric cancer tissue, and was correlated with tumor metastasis, disease recurrence and low survival rates in patients. Knockdown of BAMBI in aggressive gastric cancer cell lines significantly inhibited their malignant behavior, including in vitro invasion and cell proliferation. β‑catenin expression was downregulated as a result of knocking down of BAMBI, and TGF-β was downregulated in a similar manner. These results demonstrated the association between BAMBI expression and gastric cancer progression, and indicate a promising direction for developing novel strategies to improve the prognosis and therapy of gastric cancer.
Distribution of intraocular pressure and its determinants in an Iranian adult population.

AIM To determine the distribution of intraocular pressure (IOP) and its determinants in an Iranian population. METHODS In a cross-sectional survey, random cluster sampling was conducted from the 40-64 years old population of Shahroud, in the north of Iran. All participants had optometry and ophthalmic exams. IOP was determined using the Goldmann tonometry method and biometric components were measured. RESULTS Of the 6311 people selected for the study, 5190 (82.2%) participated. The mean age of the participants was 50.9±6.2y and 58.7% of them were female. Mean IOP was 12.87±2.27 mm Hg. In this study 0.3% of the participants had an IOP higher than 21 mm Hg. The multiple linear regression model revealed that sex (Coef=-0.30; 95% CI: -0.43 to -0.17), diabetes (Coef=0.43; 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.67), high systolic blood pressure (Coef=0.02; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.02), high body mass index (BMI) (Coef=0.03; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.04), higher education (Coef=0.02, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.04), thicker central corneal thickness (Coef=0.01; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.02), and myopic shift in spherical equivalent (Coef=-0.14; 95% CI: -0.18 to -0.10) significantly correlated with high IOP. CONCLUSION The IOP in this 40-64 years old population is low overall. In the north of Iran, average IOP is statistically significantly correlated with female sex, diabetes, higher BMI, systolic blood pressure, higher education, thicker cornea, and myopic refractive error.
On Symmetric Left Bi-Derivations in BCI-Algebras

The notion of symmetric left bi-derivation of a BCI-algebra X is introduced, and related properties are investigated. Some results on componentwise regular and d-regular symmetric left bi-derivations are obtained. Finally, characterizations of a p-semisimple BCI-algebra are explored, and it is proved that, in a p-semisimple BCI-algebra, F is a symmetric left bi-derivation if and only if it is a symmetric bi-derivation.
Accurate noise level estimation through Singular Values and linear regression

Accurate estimation of noise level in digital images is of critical importance prior to application of denoising techniques in the areas of image processing and computer vision. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for estimation of noise level using: (i) Singular values of noisy image from rear end of Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) subspaces (in order to restrict the influence of image content), and (ii) Use of linear regression technique for determination of content dependent parameter which widens the application scope of the proposed method. The experimental results substantiate the robust behavior of the proposed approach over a wide range of image content and reliable estimation of noise level.