Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of antigen and two molecular methods for the detection of Clostridium difficile toxins

Abstract Background: Clostridium difficile (CD) is considered an important cause of diarrhoea associated with the antimicrobial treatment of infections. The pathogenicity of CD is due to toxins A and B, produced by toxigenic CD strains. Methods: We evaluated 3 methods for detecting CD toxins: the RIDASCREEN® enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (R-Biopharm) – one detecting toxins directly in the stool specimens and another detecting toxins from isolated CD strains – and 2 molecular methods, the illumigene™ loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay (Meridian) and RIDA®GENE polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (R-Biopharm), as direct identification methods from stool specimens. Toxigenic culture (TC) was used as the reference method. Results: Altogether 884 stool samples were analyzed, of which 253 (29%) were positive by TC. Six hundred and seventy-two specimens were tested by RIDASCREEN EIA, 430 were tested with the illumigene LAMP assay, and 212 were tested with the RIDA GENE PCR assay. CD toxin A and B antigen tests by EIA were very insensitive, both directly from stool specimens (2 series; 57–61%) and in isolated CD strains (53%); consequently the negative predictive value remained low (84–93% and 91%, respectively). Specificity, however, was very good at 98–100%. The 2 molecular methods detected CD toxin genes excellently and equally, resulting in sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values of 98%, 100%, 100%, and 98%, respectively. Conclusions: Both molecular assays were easy to use, rapid, sensitive, and specific for the detection of toxigenic CD strains.
Anglophone Perceptions Of Arabic Syllable Structure

This chapter uses a novel empirical method based on incongruent audiovisual speech data to highlight the mediating role that syllabic structure plays in speech perception. To emphasize the internalization of the syllable, the chapter describes experiments probing the differences between Arabophones and Anglophones in the mental models mediating perception. The two groups respond differently to English and Arabic incongruent speech stimuli, and the chapter argues that the contrasting behavior reflects a basic difference in the internal syllabic structure engaged during perception. McGurk fusion studies have been accumulating in many laboratories for more than thirty years. With appropriate statistical analysis, experiments on the McGurk effect have been successful in probing syllabic structure. The chapter also uses Arabic words; these were real words for speakers of Arabic, but nonce words for the English speakers with no knowledge of Arabic. Keywords: anglophone perceptions; Arabic syllable structure; arabophones; McGurk effect
Integrating agility in the cs curriculum: practices through values

Pair programming is probably the best known agile practice. Although controversial in both industry and academe, its use in education has been increasing, particularly in CS1. While some instructors fear that students may get a ‘free ride’ when pairing, empirical evidence shows that this is not the case. CS1 students who pair do as well in CS2 as students who worked by themselves in CS1, even when working alone in CS2 [1]. Pairing in CS1 leads to greater retention in the CS major, and also shows promise at reducing the gender gap in computing – the increase in retention among paired students is greater for women than it is for men [2].
Flat Broadband Chaos in Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers Subject to Chaotic Optical Injection

Four schemes for the generation of chaos in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) by optical feedback and/or optical injection have been evaluated experimentally. The experimental results show that the preferred scheme is to effect chaotic optical injection into a stable operating VCSEL. This is an effective method to generate a flat broad-bandwidth chaotic signal with the bandwidth of the chaotic signal being enhanced by more than four times compared with that obtained using optical feedback. In addition, the chaotic signal generated by chaotic optical injection has a flat power spectrum. If a continuous wave (CW) signal is injected into a chaotic VCSEL, the bandwidth of chaos can also be enhanced, but less than that using the preferred scheme. Moreover, the spectrum in this case is not very flat. For CW optical injection into a CW VCSEL, the power spectrum of the chaos has many peaks and so is not suitable for applications in chaotic optical communication and random number generation. Injecting chaotic light into a chaotic VCSEL provides little enhancement of the chaos bandwidth.
A Reliable QoS Routing Protocol for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks with Multi-Path Strategy

A mobile ad hoc network (MANET) consists of a set of mobile hosts. The mobile hosts are capable of communicating with each other without the assistance of base stations. A MANET with a high rate of topology change makes routing especially unstable. However, stability is an important issue, especially for routing with a quality of service (QoS) provision. In this paper, we propose a reliable on-demand multi-path QoS routing (RMQR) protocol for MANETs. In this scheme, we examine the QoS routing problem associated with searching for a reliable multi-path (or uni-path) QoS route from a source node to a destination node in a MANET. The route must satisfy certain bandwidth requirements. We determine the link expiration time between two connected mobile nodes by using Global Positioning System (GPS). Then we use two parameters, the link expiration time and the number of hops, to select a routing path with low latency and high stability. Simulation results show that the proposed RMQR scheme outperforms Lin's (2001) and Liao's (2002) schemes especially in a high mobility environment
The impact of Sure Start local programmes on seven year olds and their families

This evaluation found that living in a Sure Start Local Programme (SSLP) area was associated with positive impacts on 5 of the 14 outcomes investigated. The analysis of the most recent data shows beneficial effects for almost all children and families living in SSLP areas and provides almost no evidence of adverse effects on population sub-groups such as workless or lone-parent families. These results are in marked contrast to the findings of the initial study published in 2005. Although methodological variations may account for differences in findings across the two phases of the evaluation, the researchers argue that it is eminently possible that the differing results accurately reflect the contrasting experiences of SSLP children and families in the two phases. They argue that the three-year-olds in the latest study have benefited from exposure to more mature and developed local programmes throughout their young lives.
Semantic Indexing of Medical Learning Objects: Medical Students' Usage of a Semantic Network

Background The Semantically Annotated Media (SAM) project aims to provide a flexible platform for searching, browsing, and indexing medical learning objects (MLOs) based on a semantic network derived from established classification systems. Primarily, SAM supports the Aachen emedia skills lab, but SAM is ready for indexing distributed content and the Simple Knowledge Organizing System standard provides a means for easily upgrading or even exchanging SAM’s semantic network. There is a lack of research addressing the usability of MLO indexes or search portals like SAM and the user behavior with such platforms. Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the usability of SAM by investigating characteristic user behavior of medical students accessing MLOs via SAM. Methods In this study, we chose a mixed-methods approach. Lean usability testing was combined with usability inspection by having the participants complete four typical usage scenarios before filling out a questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on the IsoMetrics usability inventory. Direct user interaction with SAM (mouse clicks and pages accessed) was logged. Results The study analyzed the typical usage patterns and habits of students using a semantic network for accessing MLOs. Four scenarios capturing characteristics of typical tasks to be solved by using SAM yielded high ratings of usability items and showed good results concerning the consistency of indexing by different users. Long-tail phenomena emerge as they are typical for a collaborative Web 2.0 platform. Suitable but nonetheless rarely used keywords were assigned to MLOs by some users. Conclusions It is possible to develop a Web-based tool with high usability and acceptance for indexing and retrieval of MLOs. SAM can be applied to indexing multicentered repositories of MLOs collaboratively.
Altered EEG responses to ethanol in adult rats exposed to ethanol during adolescence.

BACKGROUND Adolescent ethanol (EtOH) exposure is a significant health concern due to the potential long-term effects of EtOH on the developing brain. However, few studies have assessed how exposure to EtOH during adolescence influences the response of adults to EtOH after a long period of withdrawal. This study was designed to assess long-term changes in EEG activity after EtOH challenge in adult rats exposed to EtOH during adolescence. METHODS Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 24) were exposed to EtOH vapor for 5 days (12 hr/day) between postnatal days 35 and 40. After maturing to adulthood, rats were implanted with cortical, amygdalar, and hippocampal electrodes. Then EEG activity after EtOH challenge (0.0-1.5 g/kg) was assessed. RESULTS There were no EEG differences between groups under baseline or vehicle conditions, but EtOH did have differential behavioral and electrophysiological effects when adolescent ethanol-exposed rats were compared with controls. After 1.5 g/kg EtOH, ethanol-exposed rats displayed decreased behavioral indexes of intoxication. In addition, EtOH significantly increased 4 to 6 Hz power in the hippocampus and parietal cortex of the control group but had no effect on 4 to 6 Hz power in the ethanol-exposed group in either of these brain regions. EtOH produced maximal increases in cortical EEG variability in control rats after 1.5 g/kg EtOH but produced maximal increases in cortical EEG variability in ethanol-exposed rats after 1.0 g/kg EtOH. As a result, ethanol-induced increases in EEG variability after 1.5 g/kg ethanol were blunted in the ethanol-exposed group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate persistent and brain-region-specific changes in the neurobehavioral effects of acute EtOH challenge in adult rats exposed to EtOH during adolescence in the absence of baseline neurophysiological differences. Decreased EEG responses to high doses of EtOH combined with decreased behavioral measures of intoxication suggest that adolescent ethanol exposure produces long-lasting tolerance to the sedative effects of ethanol.
Logspace Versions of the Theorems of Bodlaender and Courcelle

Bodlaender's Theorem states that for every k there is a linear-time algorithm that decides whether an input graph has tree width k and, if so, computes a width-k tree composition. Courcelle's Theorem builds on Bodlaender's Theorem and states that for every monadic second-order formula φ and for every k there is a linear-time algorithm that decides whether a given logical structure A of tree width at most k satisfies φ. We prove that both theorems still hold when "linear time" is replaced by "logarithmic space. " The transfer of the powerful theoretical framework of monadic second-order logic and bounded tree width to logarithmic space allows us to settle a number of both old and recent open problems in the log space world.
Modulation of Force during Locomotion: Differential Action of Crustacean Cardioactive Peptide on Power-Stroke and Return- Stroke Motor Neurons

Crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) elicited expression of the motor pattern that drives coordinated swimmeret beating in crayfish and modulated this pattern in a dose-dependent manner. In each ganglion that innervates swimmerets, neurons with CCAP-like immunoreactivity sent processes to the lateral neuropils, which contain branches of swimmeret motor neurons and the local pattern-generating circuits. CCAP affected each of the four functional groups of motor neurons, power-stroke excitors (PSE), return-stroke excitors (RSE), power-stroke inhibitors (PSI), and return-stroke inhibitors (RSI), that innervate each swimmeret. When CCAP was superfused, the membrane potentials of these neurons began to oscillate periodically about their mean potentials. The mean potentials of PSE and RSI neurons depolarized, and some of these neurons began to fire during each depolarization. Both intensity and durations of PSE bursts increased significantly. The mean potentials of RSE and PSI neurons hyperpolarized, and these neurons were less likely to fire during each depolarization. When CCAP was superfused in a low Ca2+ saline that blocked chemical transmission, these changes in mean potential persisted, but the periodic oscillations disappeared. These results are evidence that CCAP acts at two levels: activation of local premotor circuits and direct modulation of swimmeret motor neurons. The action on motor neurons is differential; PSEs and RSIs are excited, but RSEs and PSIs are inhibited. The consequences of this selectivity are to increase intensity of bursts of impulses that excite power-stroke muscles.
The usability of transparent overview layers

Viewports into large visual workspaces are sometimes supplemented by a separate window that displays a miniaturized overview of the entire workspace. Instead of this separate window, we have layered a transparent version of the overview atop the viewport. Because the overview fills the display, it becomes the largest size possible. An exploratory study indicates that people can use this unusual system, where they switch between layers when performing a construction task.
On Causal Discovery in the Presence of Changing Causal Models

It is commonplace to encounter nonstationary data, of which the underlying generating process may change over time or across domains. The nonstationarity presents both challenges and opportunities for causal discovery. In this paper we propose a principled framework to handle nonstationarity, and develop some methods to address three important questions. First, we propose an enhanced constraint-based method to detect variables whose local mechanisms are nonstationary and recover the skeleton of the causal structure over observed variables. Second, we present a way to determine some causal directions by taking advantage of information carried by changing distributions. Third, we develop a method for visualizing the nonstationarity of causal modules. Experimental results on various synthetic and real-world data sets are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of our methods.
Estimation of the Serial Interval for Pandemic Influenza (pH1N1) in the Most Southern Province of Argentina

Background: A retrospective cohort study, in the context of household transmission, to estimate the serial interval (SI) of pH1N1 influenza in the island of Tierra del Fuego was carried out. Methods: We collected data from the epidemiological surveillance system during disease outbreak in Ushuaia and Rio Grande, the two main cities of the southernmost province of Argentina. Only the records of patients and households with a positive result of RT-PCR assay for pH1N1 virus were used. Results: A total of 283 laboratory confirmed cases were detected, from 550 samples analyzed. Hospitalizations were necessary in 13.8% of patients, yet no deaths were reported. Complete data of household contacts were available in 13 patients. We calculated an SI of 2.0 days (95% CI = 1.5 – 2.6 days), fitting to a log-normal distribution, the one that presented the best adjustment. Conclusion: These results were consistent with estimates of SI calculated from Mexico, but lower than estimations from Canada, Germany and USA. We discuss these differences in relation to limitations of the current study design.
A maximum weight constrained path cover algorithm for graph-based multitarget tracking

In graph-based target tracking, vertices represent measurements and/or tracklets and edges represent allowable associations. Therefore a solution with a set of tracks is simply a vertex-disjoint path cover of the graph. Under certain (path independence) conditions, the tracking problem can be transformed into one of finding the maximum weight vertex-disjoint path cover of a directed acyclic graph, which can be efficiently solved using maximum weight bipartite matching or minimum cost network flow algorithms. However, attribute information often leads to path dependence. In this paper we consider an associated graph theoretic problem of finding the maximum weight vertex-disjoint path cover under the constraint that a given pair of vertices have to be on the same path. We show that the greedy algorithm is not optimal, and conjecture that the problem is nondeterministic polynomial-time hard (NP-hard). This motivates us to seek efficient algorithms for special classes of graphs that can be used as subroutines in a general algorithm. We present an efficient optimal algorithm for trellis graphs, and indicate how it can be used as a building block in a search algorithm for the general case.
Development of a Reading Accessibility Index Using the MNREAD Acuity Chart.

IMPORTANCE We define a Reading Accessibility Index for evaluating reading in individuals with normal and low vision. OBJECTIVE To compare the Reading Accessibility Index with data from the Impact of Cataracts on Mobility (ICOM) study. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This investigation was a secondary data analysis from the ICOM study performed between July 1, 2014, and September 20, 2015, at 12 eye clinics in Alabama from October 1, 1994, through March 31, 1996. Participants were 321 adults with cataract (n = 92), pseudophakia (n = 131), or natural crystalline lenses without cataract (n = 98). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The Reading Accessibility Index (hereafter referred to using the abbreviation ACC for the first 3 letters of Accessibility) is defined as an individual's mean reading speed measured across the 10 largest print sizes on the MNREAD Acuity Chart (Precision Vision) (0.4-1.3 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution at 40 cm), normalized by 200 words per minute, which was the mean value for a group of 365 normally sighted young adults. The ACC is a single-value measure that captures an individual's range of accessible print sizes and reading fluency within this range. RESULTS The study cohort comprised 321 participants. Their age range was 55 to 85 years, and 157 (48.9%) were female. The ACCs for the ICOM study participants ranged from 0.19 to 1.33, where 1.00 is the mean value for normally sighted young adults. The ACC for the cataract group (mean [SD], 0.65 [0.18]) was significantly lower than that for the pseudophakia group (mean [SD], 0.77 [0.16]) and the control group (mean [SD], 0.76 [0.19]) (P < .001 for both). The correlation between the ACC and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity (r = -0.22) and Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity (r = 0.20) was weaker than that with a reading-related measure of instrumental activities of daily living (r = -0.60) (P < .001 for both). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The ACC represents an individual's access to text across the range of print sizes found in everyday life. Its calculation does not rely on curve fitting and provides a direct comparison with the performance of normally sighted individuals. Changes in an individual's ACC might be used to evaluate the effect of ophthalmic treatment, rehabilitation programs, or assistive technology on reading accessibility. Data from the ICOM study show that the ACC reflects characteristics of reading performance in everyday life and is sensitive to improved reading accessibility for pseudophakic eyes.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle Model Predictive Control Torque-Split Strategy Incorporating Engine Transient Characteristics

This paper presents a model predictive control (MPC) torque-split strategy that incorporates diesel engine transient characteristics for parallel hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrains. To improve HEV fuel efficiency, torque split between the diesel engine and the electric motor and the decision as to whether the engine should be on or off are important. For HEV applications where the engines experience frequent transient operations, including start-stop, the effect of the engine transient characteristics on the overall HEV powertrain fuel economy becomes more pronounced. In this paper, by incorporating an experimentally validated real-time-capable transient diesel-engine model into the MPC torque-split method, the engine transient characteristics can be well reflected on the HEV powertrain supervisory control decisions. Simulation studies based on an HEV model with actual system parameters and an experimentally validated diesel-engine model indicate that the proposed MPC supervisory strategy considering diesel engine transient characteristics possesses superior equivalent fuel efficiency while maintaining HEV driving performance.
Clustering WSDL Documents to Bootstrap the Discovery of Web Services

The increasing use of the Web for everyday tasks is making Web services an essential part of the Internet customer's daily life. Users query the Internet for a required Web service and get back a set of Web services that may or may not satisfy their request. To get the most relevant Web services that fulfill the user's request, the user has to construct the request using the keywords that best describe the user's objective and match correctly with the Web Service name or location. Clustering Web services based on function similarities would greatly boost the ability of Web services search engines to retrieve the most relevant Web services. This paper proposes a novel technique to mine Web Service Description Language (WSDL) documents and cluster them into functionally similar Web service groups. The application of our approach to real Web services description files has shown good performance for clustering Web services based on function similarity, as a predecessor step to retrieving the relevant Web services for a user request by search engines.
Clone detection in automotive model-based development

Model-based development is becoming an increasingly common development methodology. In important domains like embedded systems already major parts of the code are generated from models specified with domain-specific modelling languages. Hence, such models are nowadays an integral part of the software development and maintenance process and therefore have a major economic and strategic value for the software-developing organisations. Nevertheless almost no work has been done on a quality defect that is known to seriously hamper maintenance productivity in classic code-based development. This paper presents an approach for the automatic detection of clones in large models as they are used in model-based development of control systems. The approach is based on graph theory and hence can be applied to most graphical data-flow languages. An industrial case study demonstrates the applicability of our approach for the detection of clones in Matlab/Simulink models that are widely used in model-based development of embedded systems in the automotive domain.