Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Christmas in America: A History

The manger or Macy's? Americans might well wonder which is the real shrine of Christmas, as they take part each year in a mix of churchgoing, shopping, and family togetherness. But the history of Christmas cannot be summed up so easily as the commercialization of a sacred day. As Penne Restad reveals in this marvelous new book, it has always been an ambiguous meld of sacred thoughts and worldly actions-- as well as a fascinating reflection of our changing society. In Christmas in America, Restad brilliantly captures the rise and transformation of our most universal national holiday. In colonial times, it was celebrated either as an utterly solemn or a wildly social event--if it was celebrated at all. Virginians hunted, danced, and feasted. City dwellers flooded the streets in raucous demonstrations. Puritan New Englanders denounced the whole affair. Restad shows that as times changed, Christmas changed--and grew in popularity. In the early 1800s, New York served as an epicenter of the newly emerging holiday, drawing on its roots as a Dutch colony (St. Nicholas was particularly popular in the Netherlands, even after the Reformation), and aided by such men as Washington Irving. In 1822, another New Yorker named Clement Clarke Moore penned a poem now known as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," virtually inventing the modern Santa Claus. Well-to-do townspeople displayed a German novelty, the decorated fir tree, in their parlors; an enterprising printer discovered the money to be made from Christmas cards; and a hodgepodge of year-end celebrations began to coalesce around December 25 and the figure of Santa. The homecoming significance of the holiday increased with the Civil War, and by the end of the nineteenth century a full- fledged national holiday had materialized, forged out of borrowed and invented custom alike, and driven by a passion for gift-giving. In the twentieth century, Christmas seeped into every niche of our conscious and unconscious lives to become a festival of epic proportions. Indeed, Restad carries the story through to our own time, unwrapping the messages hidden inside countless movies, books, and television shows, revealing the inescapable presence--and ambiguous meaning--of Christmas in contemporary culture. Filled with colorful detail and shining insight, Christmas in America reveals not only much about the emergence of the holiday, but also what our celebrations tell us about ourselves. From drunken revelry along colonial curbstones to family rituals around the tree, from Thomas Nast drawing the semiofficial portrait of St. Nick to the making of the film Home Alone, Restad's sparkling account offers much to amuse and ponder.
Fuzzy speed and steering control of an AGV

The development of techniques for lateral and longitudinal control of vehicles has become an important and active research topic in the face of emerging markets for advanced autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) and mobile robots. In this respect, there has been much literature published, although not so much on the actual performance of such controllers in a practical setting. The primary focus in this paper is on the development and actual implementation of intelligent and stable fuzzy proportional derivative-proportional integral (PD-PI) controllers for steering and speed control of an AGV. The AGV used in this study is an electrically powered golf car, suitably modified for autonomous navigation and control. The use of fuzzy logic for control law synthesis, among other things, facilitates the incorporation of control heuristics, while guaranteeing stability, uncoupling steering control from speed control and providing for easy incorporation of a braking controller. Through experimentation, the designed controllers are demonstrated to be insensitive to parametric uncertainty, load and parameter fluctuations and, most importantly, amenable to real-time implementation. The performance of the proposed uncoupled direct fuzzy PD/PI control schemes for this particular outdoor AGV is also compared against conventional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed fuzzy logic controllers, which are synthesized from a variable structure systems viewpoint, also outperform conventional PID schemes, particularly in tracking accuracy, steady-state error, control chatter and robustness.
Haemorheological factors and myocardial reperfusion in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary coronary intervention.

INTRODUCTION The no-reperfusion phenomenon occurs in a considerable number of patients despite restoration of the infarct-related artery (IRA) patency. Factors responsible for this phenomenon include myocardial structural changes, whereas haemorheological parameters that significantly contribute to microvascular resistance, have not been studied so far. AIM To determine the possible relationship between blood and plasma viscosity, red blood cell aggregation and their deformability, and myocardial reperfusion following effective mechanical intervention of IRA. METHODS The analysis included 23 patients with myocardial infarction treated with primary coronary angioplasty with resultant TIMI (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction) grade 3 flow. Myocardial reperfusion was found effective if myocardial perfusion grade (MPG) was 3. Blood and plasma viscosity were assessed using a Brookfield rotation viscometer. Red blood cell aggregation and deformability were measured with a Laser Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer (LORCA). Patients were divided into two groups with respect to obtained MPG: reperfusion group (14 subjects) and no-reperfusion group (9 patients). RESULTS Corrected whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity were significantly higher in the no-reperfusion group and exceeded the values obtained in the reperfused patients by 14% (p <0.05) and 10.5% (p <0.01), respectively. Red blood cell deformability index at shear stress ranging from 1.75 Pa to 60.03 Pa was significantly lower in the no-reperfusion group. Red blood cell aggregation index was significantly higher (by 14.3%, p <0.05), whereas aggregation halftime was significantly shorter (by 58%, p <0.05) in the no-reperfusion group. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that haemorheological disturbances may be an important factor contributing to no-reperfusion after effective mechanical opening of IRA.
Long-term histological and electrophysiological results of an inactive epiretinal electrode array implantation in dogs.

PURPOSE Short-term pattern electrical stimulation of the retina via multielectrode arrays in humans blind from photoreceptor loss has shown that ambulatory vision and limited character recognition is possible. To develop an implantable retinal prosthesis that would provide useful vision, these results need to be sustained over a prolonged period of retinal electrical stimulation. As a first step toward this goal, the biocompatibility and the feasibility of surgically implanting an electrically inactive electrode array onto the retinal surface was tested. METHODS A 5 x 5 electrode array (25 platinum disc-shaped electrodes in a silicone matrix) was implanted onto the retinal surface using retinal tacks in each of the 4 mixed-breed sighted dogs. Color fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, electroretinography, and visual evoked potentials were obtained preoperatively, at 1-week intervals for 2 weeks postoperatively, then at 2-week intervals up to 2 months postoperatively, and thereafter at 1-month intervals. One dog was killed at 2 months after implantation and a second dog after 3 months of implantation. Histologic evaluation of the retinas was performed. The remaining two dogs continue to be followed beyond 6 months after the implantation surgery. RESULTS No retinal detachment, infection, or uncontrolled intraocular bleeding occurred in any of the animals. Retinal tacks and the retinal array remained firmly affixed to the retina throughout the follow-up period. Hyperpigmentation of the retinal pigment epithelium was observed only around the site of retinal tack insertion. No fibrous encapsulation of the implant or intraocular inflammation was visible. A- and b-wave amplitudes of the electroretinogram were depressed at the first postoperative week testing but recovered over the ensuing 1 week and were not statistically different from the normal unoperated fellow eye throughout the postoperative period. N1 and P1 wave amplitudes of the visual evoked potentials were not significantly different from the normal fellow eyes at any of the postoperative test intervals. Fluorescein angiography showed that the entire retina including the area under the electrode array remained well perfused. Similarly, histologic evaluation revealed near total preservation of the retina underlying the electrode array. CONCLUSIONS Implantation of an electrode array on the epiretinal side (i.e., side closest to the ganglion cell layer) is surgically feasible, with insignificant damage to the underlying retina. The platinum and silicone arrays as well as the metal tacks are biocompatible. With the success of implanting an electrically inactive device onto the retinal surface for prolonged periods, the effects of long-term retinal electrical stimulation are now ready to be tested as the next step toward developing a prototype retinal prosthesis for human use.
Role of sympathetic cotransmitter galanin on autonomic balance in heart failure: an active player or a bystander?

Objective: Galanin, a cotransmitter similar to neuropeptide Y (NPY), aggravates autonomic imbalance in systolic heart failure (HF) by attenuating vagal tonus after burst sympathetic activity. In animal HF models, galanin antagonists have improved cardiac function. To determine whether galanin is a promising therapeutic target in HF, we studied its concentrations in HF patients and evaluated its correlation with NPY, markers of humoral activity such as pro-BNP and copeptin, and echocardiographic parameters of HF severity. Methods: After recording demographic and echocardiographic characteristics of 87 individuals (57 HF patients and 30 control subjects), fasting serum concentrations of galanin, NPY, copeptin, and pro-BNP were determined. Results: Unlike pro-BNP, copeptin, and NPY, which were significantly elevated in HF patients (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.001, respectively), galanin was similar in HF patients and control subjects (p=0.9). NPY correlated with the echocardiographic parameters of HF severity (r=–0.22, p=0.03 for EF; r=0.3, p=0.005 for Tei index of RV; r=–0.23, p=0.03 for TAPSE; and r=0.24, p=0.024 for E/e¢) and pro-BNP (r=0.22, p=0.046). NPY levels were also associated with beta blocker (BB) use, wherein BB significantly decreased NPY in both HF patients and control subjects. Galanin correlated with humoral biomarkers, pro-BNP and copeptin (r=0.39, p<0.001 and r=0.41, p<0.001, respectively). Although current smoking, BB therapy, pro-BNP, copeptin, and body mass index were associated with galanin in univariate analyses, the multiple linear regression model revealed that pro-BNP was the only significant determinant of galanin levels in HF patients. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the role of NPY in autonomic balance and suggest that galanin is associated with the proadrenergic state, but its role in HF in humans remains unclear.
Classification of Motor Activities through Derivative Dynamic Time Warping applied on Accelerometer Data

In the context of tele-monitoring, great interest is presently devoted to physical activity, mainly of elderly or people with disabilities. In this context, many researchers studied the recognition of activities of daily living by using accelerometers. The present work proposes a novel algorithm for activity recognition that considers the variability in movement speed, by using dynamic programming. This objective is realized by means of a matching and recognition technique that determines the distance between the signal input and a set of previously defined templates. Two different approaches are here presented, one based on Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) and the other based on the Derivative Dynamic Time Warping (DDTW). The algorithm was applied to the recognition of gait, climbing and descending stairs, using a biaxial accelerometer placed on the shin. The results on DDTW, obtained by using only one sensor channel on the shin showed an average recognition score of 95%, higher than the values obtained with DTW (around 85%). Both DTW and DDTW consistently show higher classification rate than classical Linear Time Warping (LTW).
Linking Task Analysis to Information Relevance

Objective: The main objective of this study is to present a methodology for computing information relevance. Background: Relevance is a pervasive term used in several domains, such as pragmatics, information science, and psychology. Quantifying the relevance of information can be helpful in effective display design. Displays should be designed so that the more relevant information is more easily accessed. Method: This procedure focuses on computing the relevance of a piece of information by taking into account three aspects of tasks that use the information: the number of different tasks that make use of the information, the frequency of occurrence of those tasks, and the criticality of those tasks. The methodology can be used to compute the aggregate relevance of a piece of information for a particular component of a system or for the entire system. This methodology was illustrated using the domain of air traffic control (ATC). Results: In support of the validity of the methodology, we were able to confirm the value of weather information and traffic information in ATC towers. Conclusion: The method can be used to derive information relevance, a characteristic of information that has implications for display design for any domain. Application: Designers can use information about aggregate relevance to design information displays that feature the most relevant information.
Sleep quality and methylation status of selected tumor suppressor genes among nurses and midwives

ABSTRACT Chronic sleep restriction may affect metabolism, hormone secretion patterns and inflammatory responses. Limited reports suggest also epigenetic effects, such as changes in DNA methylation profiles. The study aims to assess the potential association between poor sleep quality or sleep duration and the levels of 5-methylcytosine in the promoter regions of selected tumor suppressor genes. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 710 nurses and midwives aged 40–60 years. Data from interviews regarding sleep habits and potential confounders were used. The methylation status of tumor suppressor genes was determined via qMSP reactions using DNA samples derived from leucocytes. No significant findings were observed in the total study population or in the two subgroups of women stratified by the current system of work. A borderline significance association was observed between a shorter duration of sleep and an increased methylation level in CDKN2A among day working nurses and midwives. Further studies are warranted to explore this under-investigated topic.
Cartographie des dérangements de séries phosphatées par mesures de résistivités électriques

Situe dans le grand bassin des Oulad Abdoun, le gisement de Sidi Chennane a ete retenu pour prendre la releve du gisement du Grand Daoui. Ce gisement phosphatier presente des discontinuites appelees communement « derangements » qui affectent totalement et/ou partiellement la succession habituelle de la serie phosphatee. Steriles, generalement tres durs et detectables uniquement lors de la foration, ces « derangements » ainsi definis perturbent considerablement les chaines cinematiques d'exploitation tout en biaisant les calculs de reserve . Les methodes directes telles les coupes de puits et les indices de surface (comme les lambeaux de dalle a thersitees) se sont averees insuffisantes et non adaptees pour la reconnaissance de ces discontinuites. Les transformations chimiques operees au niveau du « derangement » couplees a l'examen des lithofacies, a la teneur en argiles et a la durete de celui-ci, attestent de l'existence d'un contraste de resistivite electrique entre la serie phosphatee normale de resistivite comprise entre 80 et 150 Ώm et les « derangements » de resistivite superieure a 200 Ώm pouvant atteindre les 1000 Ώm. Dans ce contexte specifique, a la demande du Groupe Office Cherifien des Phosphates une campagne geophysique de prospection electrique en courant continu a ete realisee. Couvrant un panneau de 50 ha, cette etude pilote avait pour objectif de cartographier et de delimiter en surface les zones anomaliques correspondant aux « derangements ». Trois cartes de resistivite ont ainsi ete realisees avec un dispositif Schlumberger afin de circonscrire les zones anomaliques. Les longueurs de ligne AB=40m, AB=80m et AB=120m ont ete utilisees pour cibler des « derangements » situes sur des profondeurs moyennes comprises entre 15 et 40 m. Les mesures de resistivite ont ete realisees avec un RESISTIVIMETRE SYSCAL2 DE BRGM-INSTRUMENTS aux nœuds d' une maille de dimensions 20x5 m. Les cartes de resistivites ont ete dressees avec le logiciel Surfer(Win32) V.6. 04 de Golden Sofware. L'analyse et l'interpretation des cartes de resistivite permettent d'optimiser le calcul des reserves. Journal des Sciences Pour l'Ingenieur Vol. 6, 2006: 1-10
Infant feeding and growth trajectory patterns in childhood and body composition in young adulthood.

Background: Growth patterns of breastfed and formula-fed infants may differ, with formula-fed infants growing more rapidly than breastfed infants into childhood and adulthood.Objective: Our objectives were to identify growth patterns and investigate early nutritional programming potential on growth patterns at 6 y and on body composition at 20 y.Design: The West Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study and 3 European cohort studies (European Childhood Obesity Trial, Norwegian Human Milk Study, and Prevention of Coeliac Disease) that collaborate in the European Union-funded Early Nutrition project combined, harmonized, and pooled data on full breastfeeding, anthropometry, and body composition. Latent growth mixture modeling was applied to identify growth patterns among the 6708 individual growth trajectories. The association of full breastfeeding for <3 mo compared with ≥3 mo with the identified trajectory classes was assessed by logistic regression. Differences in body composition at 20 y among the identified trajectory classes were tested by analysis of variance.Results: Three body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) trajectory patterns were identified and labeled as follows-class 1: persistent, accelerating, rapid growth (5%); class 2: early, nonpersistent, rapid growth (40%); and class 3: normative growth (55%). A shorter duration of full breastfeeding for <3 mo was associated with being in rapid-growth class 1 (OR: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.48, 4.79) and class 2 (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.51, 2.55) rather than the normative-growth class 3 after adjustment for covariates. Both rapid-growth classes showed significant associations with body composition at 20 y (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Full breastfeeding for <3 mo compared with ≥3 mo may be associated with rapid growth in early childhood and body composition in young adulthood. Rapid-growth patterns in early childhood could be a mediating link between infant feeding and long-term obesity risk.
A novel approach to improving recombinant factor VIIa activity with a preserved platelet preparation

Recombinant activated factor VII (NovoSeven, rFVIIa) is used to abrogate bleeding in haemophiliacs with inhibitors and is hypothesised to work by increasing activated factor X generation on the platelet surface. We hypothesised that rFVIIa activity could be increased by the co‐addition of platelet procoagulant surface. This study characterised the ability of a rehydrated, lyophilised (RL) platelet preparation to increase rFVIIa activity in haemophilic conditions. RL platelets supported thrombin generation in the presence of factors VIII and IX but, in the absence of factors VIII and IX, thrombin generation was significantly reduced. RL platelets supported rFVIIa‐mediated thrombin generation in a rFVIIa‐concentration dependent manner. In a cell‐based in vitro model of haemophilia, the presence of RL platelets increased the rFVIIa‐dependent thrombin generation rate 2.8‐fold compared with rFVIIa alone. Similarly, the addition of RL platelets plus rFVIIa to the in vitro model of haemophilia and to haemophilic platelet‐rich plasma shortened the onset of clot formation and increased clot stability in a fibrinolytic environment versus rFVIIa alone. These results suggest that RL platelets can support rFVIIa‐mediated thrombin generation, and that co‐administration of RL platelets with rFVIIa may increase the efficacy of rFVIIa in some patients.
View synthesis and 3D reconstruction of piecewise planar scenes using intersection lines between the planes

A linear algorithm for synthesizing new views of piecewise planar objects without making an explicit 3D reconstruction is proposed, together with a simple algorithm for 3D reconstruction of the scene. It is shown how this can be done using only one image and information about the projection of the intersection lines between the object planes. These could either be estimated manually or more automatically using at least one more image. No calibration information is needed. A main idea in the paper is to work with textured planes. A patch in one image, corresponding to a planar surface in the scene, is transformed to a patch in another image by a homography. The generalized eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the homographies have geometrical interpretations that are used in the algorithms. To generate a new image, we calculate the homographies for each plane to the new image. The textures can then easily be mapped to the new image. The reconstruction is given as the equation of each plane in the corresponding homography to a certain image.
Evolutionary model of a population of DNA sequences through the interaction with an environment and its application to speciation analysis

In this study, we construct an evolutionary model of a population of DNA sequences interacting with the surrounding environment on the topological monoid A* of strings on the alphabet A = { a, c, g, t }. A partial differential equation governing the evolution of the DNA population is derived as a kind of diffusion equation on A*. Analyzing the constructed model in a theoretical manner, we present conditions for sympatric speciation, the possibility of which continues to be discussed. It is shown that under other same conditions one condition determines whether sympatric speciation occurs or the DNA population continues to move around randomly in a subset of A*. We next demonstrate that the population maintains a kind of equlibrium state under certain conditions. In this situation, the population remains nearly unchanged and does not differentiate even if it can differentiate into others. Furthermore, we calculate the probability of sympatric speciation and the time expected to elapse before it.