Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Environmental Variables on Baylisascaris procyonis Infection in Raccoons

Abstract: Baylisascaris procyonis is a zoonotic nematode commonly found in raccoons (Procyon lotor). Human-altered landscapes can support dense populations of raccoons, increasing the potential for interaction between humans and these animals. We used raccoon feces provided by licensed fur trappers to investigate environmental variables that influence prevalence of B. procyonis at 2 sites in Wisconsin. Trappers submitted raccoon feces to us, along with information on sex, age (juvenile and adult), and approximate trap location for each animal. We used zinc sulfate (1.18 specific gravity) flotation to detect B. procyonis eggs in approximately 1 g of fecal matter from each host. We used ArcView software to determine the distance of each trap location to an urban area as determined by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2000. We compared the habitat components in buffered home ranges (0.805 km around trap locations) of infected animals with those from uninfected animals using Mann-Whitney U-tests (P < 0.05). Variables investigated were human population, road density, housing units per census block, and land cover, including area of agriculture, forest, developed, shrubland, water, and grassland. We positively identified eggs in 64.9% of the animals sampled. Raccoons infected with B. procyonis had significantly larger area of agricultural habitats and significantly smaller areas of forested habitats in buffered home ranges than uninfected individuals. We found that raccoons near Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are commonly infected with B. procyonis, indicating that public education regarding protection from disease is warranted.
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

ABSTRACT– A self‐assessment scale has been developed and found to be a reliable instrument for detecting states of depression and anxiety in the setting of an hospital medical outpatient clinic. The anxiety and depressive subscales are also valid measures of severity of the emotional disorder. It is suggested that the introduction of the scales into general hospital practice would facilitate the large task of detection and management of emotional disorder in patients under investigation and treatment in medical and surgical departments.
Automation of Subjective Video Quality Measurements

Quality of Experience is utterly important in Communication Systems, especially in audiovisual services. Audio and video quality, as perceived by the users, is one of the most important aspects that affect the Quality of Experience. The most accurate methods for measuring the perceived audio and video quality of a video clip are the subjective tests, where the video sequences are presented to different viewers, and opinions are averaged. Subjective measurements are also necessary to develop and calibrate objective models for video quality estimation. Different methods for performing these tests are standardized, and normally require many manual setups, data-entry and/or special hardware devices. This paper presents the design, development and deployment of a software based system to automate the subjective tests for video quality measurement. The application is available for download and use for the academic community.
Understanding the structure and role of academics' ego-networks on social networking sites

Academic social networking sites (SNS) seek to bring the benefits of online networking to an academic audience. Currently, the two largest sites are Academia.edu and ResearchGate. The ability to make connections to others is a defining affordance of SNS, but what are the characteristics of the network structures being facilitated by academic SNS, and how does this relate to their professional use by academics? This study addressed this question through mixed methods social network analysis. First, an online survey was conducted to gain contextual data and recruit participants (n = 528). Second, ego-networks were drawn up for a sub-sample of 55 academics (reflecting a range of job positions and disciplines). Ego-networks were sampled from an academic SNS and Twitter for each participant. Third, co-interpretive interviews were held with 18 participants, to understand the significance of the structures and how the networks were constructed. Academic SNS networks were smaller and more highly clustered; Twitter networks were larger and more diffuse. Communities within networks are more frequently defined by institutions and research interests on academic SNS, compared to research topics and personal interests on Twitter. Emerging themes link network structure to differences in how academics conceptualise and use the sites. Academic SNS are regarded as a more formal academic identity, akin to a business card, or used as a personal repository. Twitter is viewed as a space where personal and professional are mixed, similar to a conference coffee break. Academic SNS replicate existing professional connections, Twitter reinforces existing professional relationships and fosters novel connections. Several strategies underpinning academics’ use of the sites were identified, including: circumventing institutional constraints; extending academic space; finding a niche; promotion and impact; and academic freedom. These themes also provide a bridge between academic identity development online and formal academic identity and institutional roles.
Ion Parametric Resonance: Resolving the Signal-to-Noise-Ratio Paradox

Lednev's (14) “possible mechanisms for the influence of weak magnetic fields on biological system” involved two parallel magnetic fields, one constant and one oscillatory in the ELF (extremely low-frequency) range. The suggested ion resonances (IPR) were termed “impossible” by Adair (123) even after they were demonstrated in a rat-nerve (PC-12) cell culture by Blackman et al. (11). The “signal-to-noise-ratio” paradox (introduced by the author) is resolved by taking account of the coherent absorption of the ELF energy and showing how the energy of several trillion ELF photons can free a single ion from its trap on the surface of a cell of the culture.
Classification algorithm for edible mushroom identification

Indonesia has 13% species of mushroom in the world but there is a very limited study on determining edible or poisonous mushroom. Classification process of poisonous mushroom or not will be easily conducted by learning machine using mining data as one of the ways to extract computer assisted knowledge. Currently, there are three comparisons of the best classification algorithms in data mining, namely: Decision Tree (C4.5), NaïveBayes and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The study method used is experiment with assisted tool of WEKA that has been testing in the comparison of the three algorithms. To conduct the testing, it is used the mushroom data of Agaricus and Lepiota family. The mushroom data were taken from The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms, in UCI machine learning repository. Results of the testing indicate that the C4.5 algorithm has the same accuracy level to the SVM by 100% however, from the speed aspect, process of the C4.5 algorithm is faster than the SVM.
Effect of vitamin A and its derivatives on collagen production and chemotactic response of fibroblasts

Vitamin A and several other retinoids were added to fibroblast cultures in order to study possible alterations in biochemical properties and cellular responsiveness. The proliferation of cells was inhibited as the concentration of retinoids increased from 10‐9 to 10‐5mol/l. Synthesis of non‐collagenous proteins and production of both type I and type III collagen were decreased. The onset of type III collagen synthesis by tendon fibroblasts in culture was delayed. Furthermore, the chemotactic response of fibroblasts to fibroblast‐conditioned medium was markedly reduced in the presence of retinoids (10−6 to 10−12 mol/l).
Design and development of closed loop model of an adjustable speed Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor drive using PI controller

This paper deals with the development of closed loop model of an adjustable speed Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) drive fed from a voltage source inverter operating under 180° conduction mode, self synchronized with the rotor position information is represented. An automated closed loop adjustable speed PMSM drive can be achieved by employing a speed controller, to which the information about the reference speed and actual speed should be available. The incorporation of Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) strategy establishes near sinusoidal armature phase currents and comparatively less torque ripples without sacrificing torque/weight ratio. In this closed loop model of PMSM drive, the information about reference speed is provided to a speed controller, to ensure that actual drive speed tracks the reference speed with ideally zero steady state speed error. Design of the speed controller and current controller will be incorporated in order to achieve the desired performance of the closed loop model of PMSM drive accordingly. Therefore classical PI controller is chosen for such a closed loop adjustable speed PMSM drive for the performance optimization.
Transmission performance of hybrid WDM-FSO system for using diversity multiplexing in the presence of optical nonlinearities and fading

In this paper, we have theoretically analyzed the transmission performance of wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) free-space optical communication (FSO) link in the presence of optical and wireless nonlinearities. In order to mitigate the nonlinearities due to atmospheric turbulence and optical path, spatial multiplexing technique has been utilized in conjunction with advanced modulation formats like CS-RZ, QPSK and, DSPK and QAM has been employed. A complete theoretical model and simulation study has been carried out. Our analysis shows that modulation formats QAM, DPSK and QPSK outperforms CS-RZ in the presence of strong and medium turbulence. The analysis further shows that using spatial multiplexing (MIMO), QAM has 5.1 dB advantage over CS-RZ and 1.6 dB over DPSK and QPSK modulations at FEC threshold 3.8×10−3. The WDM-FSO system can transport wireless signal upto 36 Km at the FEC threshold.
Is chronic fatigue syndrome associated with platelet activation?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating condition that has no known aetiology or pathophysiology. Recent investigations by other workers have suggested that individuals with CFS may have a hypercoagulable state. This study investigated various aspects of platelet activation and function in 17 patients with CFS and in 16 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. Platelet aggregation, platelet volume and coagulation tests were performed. Platelet aggregation was investigated by means of the photometric changes using citrated platelet-rich plasma, whole blood aggregation was calculated as the percentage fall in single platelet counts and the coagulation tests were performed on an automatic microcentrifugal analyser.A trend was observed for the patients to have lower aggregation results and a reduced mean platelet volume. However, this only reached statistical significance for one result; the rate of the aggregation slope by 1.0 μg/ml collagen [CFS patients, 18 (9–28) versus controls, 32.5 (19–36); Mann–Whitney U test, P = 0.029]. No significant differences were found for any of the measurements of coagulation.These results are in contrast to previously reported findings. However, due to the heterogeneous nature of the disease, and the resulting lifestyles of the patients, caution should be taken when comparing one group of patients with another. Nevertheless, we certainly found no evidence of increased platelet activation or of a hypercoagulable state in patients with CFS and, on the basis of these results, anti-platelet or anti-coagulant therapy is not warranted.
The role of audit quality in firm valuation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of audit quality on the value relevance of earnings and book value. Because joint audit is mandated for all Kuwait Stock Exchange-listed firms, it is hypothesized that the higher the quality of the audit team (as measured by the number of Big 4 audit firms in the joint audit team), the higher the value relevance of earnings and book values for equity valuation. Design/methodology/approach Consistent with prior research, the value relevance of earnings and book value is measured by the adjusted R2 derived from the Ohlson’s 1995 regression model. The number of Big 4 audit firms represented on the firm’s audit team is used as a proxy for audit quality. Three tiers of audit quality exist, namely, two non-Big 4 audit firms, one Big 4 and one non-Big 4 audit firms or two Big 4 audit firms. To address this paper’s objective, the association between audit quality and the value relevance of earnings and book value were examined using four approaches. The final sample consists of 1,836 firm-year observations and covers fiscal years from a 12-year period (2002-2013). Findings Taken together, the four approaches used collectively provide empirical evidence that audit quality positively and significantly affects the value relevance of accounting measures to market participants. Importantly, the results reveal significant variations in the value relevance of earnings and book value jointly across the three possible auditor combinations. Research limitations/implications Although using auditor size as a proxy for audit quality is well established in the auditing literature, a limitation of that proxy is that it measures audit quality dichotomously, which implicitly assumes a homogeneous level of audit quality within each group. Practical implications The findings show the importance of high-quality and rigorous external audits in improving the value relevance of accounting information. Originality/value This study contributes to the extent literature on audit quality by exploring the role of audit quality in a unique institutional setting that imposes mandatory joint audits. Although prior studies have investigated the effect of joint audit pair choice on earnings management and audit fee premium, this study is the first to investigate the effect of joint audit pair choice on the value relevance of accounting information.
Children affected by maternal HIV/AIDS: Feasibility and acceptability trial of the Children United with Buddies (CUB) intervention

Past research has shown that young children affected by maternal HIV present with elevated stress/anxiety and negative well-being. This pilot intervention for children aged 7–14 affected by maternal HIV targeted improving positive child–mother communication, improving HIV/AIDS knowledge and reducing anxiety (especially related to transmission), and lessening feelings of stigma. Each of the three child intervention sessions included behavioral skills training and a themed craft exercise; mothers attended an open discussion group while the children attended their sessions. Study participants were 37 child–mother pairs. The study design was a randomized two-group pretest-posttest experimental design. The intervention sessions were audiotaped for transcription. Results showed significant decreases in anxiety and worry for children in the intervention group, and increases in happiness and knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS transmission. Intervention group mothers reported greater social support. Qualitative findings for the intervention group children and mothers also support these findings. Early intervention reduces child stress, and may affect longer-term outcomes.
Money and Inflation in India: Evidence from P‐Star Model

This study uses P&#8208;star model to examine the role of money in explaining inflation in India. In particular, we compare the performance of traditional Phillips curve approach against P&#8208;star model in forecasting inflation. Moreover, the study estimates P&#8208;star model using the alternative measures of money such as simple sum and Divisia M3, to examine the relevance of aggregation theoretic monetary aggregates in explaining inflation. The empirical results indicate that P&#8208;star model with real money gap has an edge over traditional Phillips curve approach in forecasting inflation. More importantly, we found that the P&#8208;star model estimated with Divisia real money gap performs better than its simple sum counterpart. These empirical findings suggest that the changes in real money gap play a crucial role in explaining inflation in India.
Asymmetric Distributional Similarity Measures to Recognize Textual Entailment by Generality. (Mesures de similarité distributionnelle asymétrique pour la détection de l'implication textuelle par généralité)

Textual Entailment aims at capturing major semantic inference needs across applications in Natural Language Processing. Since 2005, in the Textual Entailment recognition (RTE) task, systems are asked to automatically judge whether the meaning of a portion of text, the Text - T, entails the meaning of another text, the Hypothesis - H. This thesis we focus a particular case of entailment, entailment by generality. For us, there are various types of implication, we introduce the paradigm of Textual Entailment by Generality, which can be defined as the entailment from a specific sentence towards a more general sentence, in this context, the Text T entailment Hypothesis H, because H is more general than T. We propose methods unsupervised language-independent for Recognizing Textual Entailment by Generality, for this we present an Informative Asymmetric Measure called the Simplified Asymmetric InfoSimba, which we combine with different asymmetric association measures to recognizingthe specific case of Textual Entailment by Generality.This thesis, we introduce the new concept of implication, implications by generality, in consequence, the new concept of recognition implications by generality, a new direction of research in Natural Language Processing.
Protease-Activated Receptor 1 Inhibition by SCH79797 Attenuates Left Ventricular Remodeling and Profibrotic Activities of Cardiac Fibroblasts

Purpose: Fibroblast activity promotes adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling that underlies the development of ischemic cardiomyopathy. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a potent stimulus for fibrosis, and the extracellular signal-regulated kinases(ERK) 1/2 pathway also contributes to the fibrotic response. The thrombin receptor, protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), has been shown to play an important role in the excessive fibrosis in different tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a PAR1 inhibitor, SCH79797, on cardiac fibrosis, tissue stiffness and postinfarction remodeling, and effects of PAR1 inhibition on thrombin-induced TGF-β and (ERK) 1/2 activities in cardiac fibroblasts. Methods: We used a rat model of myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury, isolated cardiac fibroblasts, and 3-dimensional (3D) cardiac tissue models fabricated to ascertain the contribution of PAR1 activation on cardiac fibrosis and LV remodeling. Results: The PAR1 inhibitor attenuated LV dilation and improved LV systolic function of the reperfused myocardium at 28 days. This improvement was associated with a nonsignificant decrease in scar size (%LV) from 23 ± % in the control group (n = 10) to 16% ± 5.5% in the treated group (n = 9; P = .052). In the short term, the PAR1 inhibitor did not rescue infarct size or LV systolic function after 3 days. The PAR1 inhibition abolished thrombin-mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation, TGF-β and type I procollagen production, matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 activation, myofibroblasts transformation in vitro, and abrogated the remodeling of 3D tissues induced by chronic thrombin treatment. Conclusion: These studies suggest PAR1 inhibition initiated after ischemic injury attenuates adverse LV remodeling through late-stage antifibrotic events.
Future perspectives of the alphasat TDP#5 Telecommunication Experiment

Future High throughput Satellite (HTS) systems, able to support hundreds of gigabit/s or terabit/s connectivity, will require a very large bandwidth availability; this pushes towards the exploitation of the so-called “beyond Ka-band” systems. In particular the use of the Q/V frequency band is foreseen. This paper presents the most important features of the TDP#5 (Technology Demonstration Payload 5) scientific mission that will provide us the opportunity to perform, for the first time, a communication scientific experiment over a Q/V band satellite link.
Development of chemical exchange saturation transfer at 7T

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is a molecular imaging method that has previously been successful at reporting variations in tissue protein and glycogen contents and pH. We have implemented amide proton transfer (APT), a specific form of chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging, at high field (7T) and used it to study healthy human subjects and patients with multiple sclerosis. The effects of static field inhomogeneities were mitigated using a water saturation shift referencing method to center each z‐spectrum on a voxel‐by‐voxel basis. Contrary to results obtained at lower fields, APT imaging at 7T revealed significant contrast between white and gray matters, with a higher APT signal apparent within the white matter. Preliminary studies of multiple sclerosis showed that the APT asymmetry varied with the type of lesion examined. An increase in APT asymmetry relative to healthy tissue was found in some lesions. These results indicate the potential utility of APT at high field as a noninvasive biomarker of white matter pathology, providing complementary information to other MRI methods in current clinical use. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chicken hepatic response to chronic heat stress using integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis

The liver plays a central role in metabolism and is important in maintaining homeostasis throughout the body. This study integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic data to understand how the liver responds under chronic heat stress. Chickens from a rapidly growing broiler line were heat stressed for 8 hours per day for one week and liver samples were collected at 28 days post hatch. Transcriptome analysis reveals changes in genes responsible for cell cycle regulation, DNA replication, and DNA repair along with immune function. Integrating the metabolome and transcriptome data highlighted multiple pathways affected by heat stress including glucose, amino acid, and lipid metabolism along with glutathione production and beta-oxidation.