Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust multi-object tracking based on higher-order graph and min-cost flow network

Tracking-by-detection framework has been applied to most multi-object tracking algorithms, which consider the similarity measure between detection responses or tracks in a limited temporal window. This paper firstly construct the tracking model as a higher-order graph, exploiting higher-order information consistent with many objects in the temporal domain. And then the high order similarities between objects are applied in the flow network, thereby computing the optimal tracklets according to the minimum cost of the flow network. Extensive experiments on various challenging datasets of DETRAC, prove that the proposed algorithm performs have great performance in comparison with other methods.
Analysis of Neisseria meningitidis class 3 outer membrane protein gene variable regions and type identification using genetic techniques

The class 3 porin proteins of Neisseria meningitidis stimulate bactericidal antibodies and express serotype-specific antigenic epitopes. Sequence analysis of porB genes for the class 3 proteins revealed regions of variability that map to surface-exposed loops. To evaluate the relationship between serotype and variable-region (VR) genotype, sequences from the 11 class 3-expressing serotype strains and 3 additional serotype 4 strains were analyzed by molecular techniques. Multiple-sequence alignment revealed a limited number of unique sequences at each of four VRs (VR1 to VR4), ranging from four unique sequences at VR1 to seven sequence patterns at VR2 and VR4. Serotype-specific VR sequences were found in each of the four VRs, suggesting that each VR has immunologic importance. Five serotypes had at least one VR sequence that was unique. Three serotypes which had sequences in common with other serotypes at each VR were distinguished by examining multiple VRs. Serotype 3 was identical to serotype 19 at each VR, and serotype 8 was identical to serotype 18 at each VR. Serotypes 4 and 21 were identical at VR1 and significantly different at VR3 and VR4. A subpopulation of serotype 4 strains with a unique VR2 sequence was identified. The serotypes which were grouped with closely related or identical sequences at one VR were grouped with different serotypes at other VRs consistent with the pattern of genetic mosaicism described for the porA (class 1 protein) gene. Hybridization assays demonstrated the ability to identify VR genotypes and distinguish serotypes using biotin-labelled oligonucleotide probes. This information may be useful in strain selection for vaccine development, in epidemiologic studies to determine the prevalence of the individual VR genotype (especially among nonserotypeable strains) and, combined with PCR, in the identification of culture-negative suspected meningococcal cases.
Bearing estimation in a Ricean channel .I. Inherent accuracy limitations

This paper considers the problem of estimating the bearing of a single, far-field source using passive sensor array measurements when the spatial propagation channel formed between the source and the array may be described as "Ricean. " Such a channel consists of a direct, line-of-sight (LOS) component as well as an indirect, nonline-of-sight (NLOS) component due to scattering. A parametric description of the resulting spatial propagation channel is presented. A related source-bearing estimation problem is formulated, and the associated Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) is evaluated. The bound is used to study the relationship among the bearing estimation problems under the Ricean (LOS/NLOS), point source (LOS), and scattered source (NLOS) models. Exact and simplified approximate forms of the bound are derived explicitly in terms of the point source and scattered source CRLBs. A number of properties of the bound are presented. In particular, it is shown that the bound is a monotonically decreasing function of the Rice factor (the ratio of the LOS component power to the NLOS component power). This implies that for a given signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the CRLB is bounded from below by the point source bound and bounded from above by the scattered source bound. It is also shown that given a NLOS component, the addition of a LOS component necessarily makes the bearing estimation problem easier. On the other hand, given an LOS component, the addition of an NLOS component does not necessarily make the bearing estimation problem easier (and may even make it harder). Lastly, the CRLB for estimation of the Rice factor is considered, and some of its properties are studied.
Coping strategies in clinical practice: The nursing students’ lived experience

Abstract This phenomenological study was designed to understand the lived experience of nursing students coping with the demands of their clinical practice. The Husserlian phenomenological approach was used. The data revealed several strategies that fourteen student nurses utilised to cope with the demands of their undergraduate clinical program. The participants discussed having a strong determination to complete their course and talking things over with family, friends, and other students as means of helping them get through it. They considered that only other nursing students could really understand the experience of being a student nurse. Therefore, a very effective student grapevine operated in their undergraduate program. The grapevine was used to disseminate information about all aspects of the course. Other strategies discussed by the participants were ‘playing the game’ and doing only what was necessary to complete the undergraduate program. This paper describes the learning strategies used by nursing students during their clinical practice, which has implications for clinical teachers and schools of nursing.
Cell size modulation by CDC25 and RAS2 genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A detailed kinetic analysis of the cell cycle of cdc25-1, RAS2Val-19, or cdc25-1/RAS2Val-19 mutants during exponential growth is presented. At the permissive temperature (24 degrees C), cdc25-1 cells show a longer G1/unbudded phase of the cell cycle and have a smaller critical cell size required for budding without changing the growth rate in comparison to an isogenic wild type. The RAS2Val-19 mutation efficiently suppresses the ts growth defect of the cdc25-1 mutant at 36 degrees C and the increase of G1 phase at 24 degrees C. Moreover, it causes a marked increase of the critical cell mass required to enter into a new cell division cycle compared with that of the wild type. Since the critical cell mass is physiologically modulated by nutritional conditions, we have also studied the behavior of these mutants in different media. The increase in cell size caused by the RAS2Val-19 mutation is evident in all tested growth conditions, while the effect of cdc25-1 is apparently more pronounced in rich culture media. CDC25 and RAS2 gene products have been showed to control cell growth by regulating the cyclic AMP metabolic pathway. Experimental evidence reported herein suggests that the modulation of the critical cell size by CDC25 and RAS2 may involve adenylate cyclase.
Confirmatory factor analysis of the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS) among adolescent athletes

The aim of the present study was to examine the factorial validity of the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS; Thomas et al., 1999) among adolescent athletes using confirmatory factor analysis. The TOPS was designed to assess eight psychological strategies used in competition (i.e. activation, automaticity, emotional control, goal-setting, imagery, negative thinking, relaxation and self-talk,) and eight used in practice (the same strategies except negative thinking is replaced by attentional control). National-level athletes (n = 584) completed the 64-item TOPS during training camps. Fit indices provided partial support for the overall measurement model for the competition items (robust comparative fit index = 0.92, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.88, root mean square error of approximation = 0.05) but minimal support for the training items (robust comparative fit index = 0.86, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.81, root mean square error of approximation = 0.06). For the competition items, the automaticity, goal-setting, relaxation and self-talk scales showed good fit, whereas the activation, emotional control, imagery and negative thinking scales did not. For the practice items, the attentional control, emotional control, goal-setting, imagery and self-talk scales showed good fit, whereas the activation, automaticity and relaxation scales did not. Overall, it appears that the factorial validity of the TOPS for use with adolescents is questionable at present and further development is required.
Development of a tourism recommender system

Nowadays, many people rely on online services to plan a trip. However, they are usually faced with the problem of being supplied with lots of information. In consequence, they have to invest a great deal of time to decide what to visit, when, etc. This huge amount of possibilities available on the net makes it difficult for users to discern the more interesting offers from the rest. As a result, the more appealing offers can go unnoticed. In order to improve the tourist experience, recommender systems offer personalised information to users. In other words, the system selects the more suitable and adequate offers for users and offers activities appropriate to their profile. In this thesis, we present the EnoSigTur system, a smart recommender system for tourists interested in experiences related to the wine sector. It has been developed in the Parc Cientific i Tecnologic de Turisme i Oci of Vila-seca with the collaboration of researchers in the Universitat Rovira i Virgili. Trough a web application, the system allows users to know wine production activities available in the region of Tarragona. Users just have to indicate their interests in general terms and the system will select the more convenient activities for them. EnoSigTur is capable of modifying the initial information of the users preferences by studying the interaction between the user and the system, and offering them more adjusted recommendations. This system also allows users to plan a trip by providing advanced planning services; for example, date, length of the trip, etc. A mobile phone application will permit users to monitor the planned trip while it is taking place. EnoSigTur is designed to supply a user-friendly and flexible service either to visitors with a superficial knowledge of the wine production area, or to experienced visitors who have already been in contact with these types of activities. Moreover, as we suggested before, it provides personalised recommendations according to users interests, gives clients the necessary tools to plan the trip and makes it possible for them to discover other activities in the region. In the following chapters we will deal with the main problems that tourism presents in terms of information search and decision-making processes. We will also present the recommender systems and the ontology, so that the reader will be able to grasp the gist of the project. Finally, we will give details of our recommender system.
Radiographic assessment of patellofemoral osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES--To determine the feasibility of assessing patellofemoral osteoarthritis using the 'skyline' view and to compare its reproducibility with the standard lateral view. METHODS--Fifty patients attending a rheumatology outpatient department with osteoarthritis of the knee had standard radiographs taken of both knees: standing weightbearing anteroposterior; lateral supine radiograph in 30 degrees of flexion; and a skyline view of the patellofemoral joint. After an initial training period using 20 sets of films the remaining 30 sets were read blind by five observers. Intraobserver and interobserver variability was assessed using the kappa statistic. The minimum joint space in each compartment was measured using a ruler. Two views of a single normal subject were measured to determine the effect of knee flexion. RESULTS--The final 30 study films were from 20 women and 10 men, median age 72.5, range 18-91 years. A grading system comprising assessment of osteophytosis, joint space narrowing, sclerosis, cysts, and attrition could easily be applied to the skyline patellofemoral view. Intraobserver reproducibility was better than the interobserver reproducibility for all features. The skyline view performed more reproducibly and over a wider range of categorisation for joint space narrowing than the lateral radiograph. Measurement using a ruler was easy to perform and precise to within 1 mm for the medial tibiofemoral and lateral facet of the patellofemoral joint. In normal knees the degree of flexion significantly affected the measurement. CONCLUSIONS--Radiographic grading of the skyline patellofemoral view is readily achieved, is more reproducible than assessment of the lateral view, and allows more precise localisation of change. Such views should be considered in radiological surveys of osteoarthritis of the knee.
A meta-search group recommendation mechanism based on user intent identification

Recommendation mechanism is one of the most important applications for web service, and it has also been widely used in the field of information retrieval. However, traditional recommender system cannot be deployed directly in the meta-search environment. This is because that the meta-search environment doesn't have data resources owned by traditional search engines such as Internet corpus. In the process of the research on the intelligent method and technology of meta-search engine based on Agent, according to its features and user query log, this paper proposes a recommendation mechanism based on user intent identification, which builds both the common task blackboard model and the query-flow graph model in order to make full use of user behavior information generated under meta-search engine environment. Finally, the application of the mechanism in the intelligent meta-search engine based on Agent and the test data are given, which prove the mechanism to a certain extent.
Empirical validation of the Insomnia Severity Index in cancer patients

Despite the elevated prevalence of insomnia in cancer patients, there is a lack of brief validated instruments for the evaluation of this particular problem in this population. The goal of this study is to empirically validate the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and to evaluate its ability to screen insomnia in 1670 cancer patients. The results support the internal consistency and temporal stability of the ISI. Its two‐component factor structure is clear and stable between different cancer diagnoses. The construct validity of that instrument is also supported by correlations obtained with various measures of sleep and one measure of quality of life. The ISI is also sensitive to therapeutic changes. A clinical cut‐off score of 8 on the ISI is associated with optimal sensitivity and specificity for the detection of sleep difficulties. In conclusion, the ISI appears to be an excellent evaluation and screening tool in the context of cancer. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rational Design of a New Self‐Codelivery System from Redox‐Sensitive Camptothecin–Cytarabine Conjugate Assembly for Effectively Synergistic Anticancer Therapy

Herein, two careful selected anticancer drugs camptothecin (CPT) and cytarabine (Ara‐C) with different biological action mechanisms and different water solubility are conjugated together through a glutathione (GSH) cleavable disulfide bond to construct a redox‐sensitive drug–drug conjugate, which can self‐assemble into nanoparticles, thus notably improving the water solubility of CPT and the cell membrane permeability of Ara‐C. Compared with free drugs, the self‐assembled CPT‐ss‐Ara nanoparticles can concentrate in tumor tissues through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, then they can be rapidly internalized by tumor cells and degrade into free drugs for killing the tumor cells when exposed to the reductive environment (GSH) of tumor cells, thereby reducing the injury to normal cells. Meanwhile, the CPT‐ss‐Ara nanoparticles can effectively protect CPT and Ara‐C molecules from biological inactivation before their arrival in tumor microenvironment since free CPT and Ara‐C are easy to partly lose their therapy efficacy due to their structure degradation in blood circulation. The in vitro and in vivo anticancer experimental results indicate that simultaneous release of free CPT and Ara‐C can realize synergistic chemotherapy effects, thus markedly improve their anticancer activity. Therefore, our designed carrier‐free, redox‐sensitive CPT‐ss‐Ara nanoparticles might have promising clinical application to combat cancers.
Validation of the sterilization procedure of allogeneic avital bone transplants using peracetic acid-ethanol.

Different procedures are available to inactivate bacteria and fungi, including their spores, as well as viruses in human bone transplants. The most efficient methods are considered to be gamma irradiation and thermal inactivation as well as chemical sterilization methods like the peracetic acid-ethanol treatment (PES). Following national and international standards or draft standards, the antimicrobial effectiveness of this procedure was evaluated. Due to the standardizable size as well as the clinical relevance, defatted human spongiosa cuboids (15x15x15 mm) served as model system. After treatment with PES for 2 and 4 hours, respectively, the titre of living micro-organisms was determined in the supernatant and the cuboid. A reduction in the titre of viable micro-organisms below the detection level (reduction factor >5 log10) was already achieved after an incubation time of 2 hours (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium sporogenes, Mycobacterium terrae, Candida albicans as well as spores of Bacillus subtilis). No viable micro-organisms could be detected in any of the PES-treated test cuboids. Spores of Aspergillus niger were also completely inactivated. The PES procedure proved to be a reliable method for the sterilization of human bone transplants derived from spongiosa.
Arnheim's Gestalt theory of visual balance: Examining the compositional structure of art photographs and abstract images

In Art and Visual Perception, Rudolf Arnheim, following on from Denman Ross's A Theory of Pure Design, proposed a Gestalt theory of visual composition. The current paper assesses a physicalist interpretation of Arnheim's theory, calculating an image's centre of mass (CoM). Three types of data are used: a large, representative collection of art photographs of recognised quality; croppings by experts and non-experts of photographs; and Ross and Arnheim's procedure of placing a frame around objects such as Arnheim's two black disks. Compared with control images, the CoM of art photographs was closer to an axis (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal), as was the case for photographic croppings. However, stronger, within-image, paired comparison studies, comparing art photographs with the CoM moved on or off an axis (the “gamma-ramp study”), or comparing adjacent croppings on or off an axis (the “spider-web study”), showed no support for the Arnheim-Ross theory. Finally, studies moving a frame around two disks, of different size, greyness, or background, did not support Arnheim's Gestalt theory. Although the detailed results did not support the Arnheim-Ross theory, several significant results were found which clearly require explanation by any adequate theory of the aesthetics of visual composition.
Experimental testing of a DEXA‐derived curved beam model of the proximal femur

This study was designed to test whether, using curved beam theory, a structural model of the proximal femur derived from two‐dimensional dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry could be used to predict femoral strength in an experimental simulation of a fall on the greater trochanter. A set of 22 fresh cadaveric femoral specimens were scanned with use of two‐dimensional dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry and then were tested to failure in a materials testing system, under three‐point loading, with the ground impact vector, aligned within the plane and along the bisector of the femoral neck‐shaft angle. Failure locations generally corresponded to stress peak locations predicted by the curved beam model. Predicted failure loads correlated well with measured failure loads for femoral neck fractures (r = 0.89; percent SE of estimate = 23%) and somewhat less well for intertrochanteric fractures (r = 0.83; percent SE of estimate = 29%). Overall predictions for failure load calculated from the maximum stress peak value over both locations corresponded to measured failure loads with an r value of 0.91 (percent SE of estimate = 21%). This kind of structural approach to the analysis of data for hip bone mass has the potential to provide mechanistic interpretations of the statistical associations frequently shown between conventional bone mineral measures and either hip fracture risk in vivo or bone strength in vitro.
Practices and Procedures to Prevent the Transmission of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in High School Athletes

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are frequent in student athletes and are often caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). We evaluated the awareness of CA-MRSA among high school coaches and athletic directors in Missouri (n = 4,408) and evaluated hygiene practices affecting SSTI transmission. Of 1,642 (37%) respondents, 61% received MRSA educational information during the past year and 32% indicated their school had written guidelines for managing SSTIs in athletes. Coaches and athletic directors aware of written guidelines reported a lower incidence of SSTIs in student athletes (26%) compared to those without written policies (34%, p = .03). When confronted with SSTIs, 49% of respondents referred student athletes to the school nurse or a physician. A relationship exists between school policies for SSTI management and lower incidence of SSTIs. Educational initiatives by school nurses in conjunction with athletic staff may lead to practices that limit SSTIs in this at-risk population.
Assay Methods for the Measurement of Total Homocyst(e)ine in Plasma

Analytical methods to measure plasma total homocyst(e)ine (tHcy) concentrations are reviewed. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorometric detection is the most widely used method to determine plasma tHcy concentrations. Both monobromobimane and ammonium 7-fluorobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-4-sulphonate (SBD-F) are popular thiol-specific fluorogenic agents suitable for tHcy analysis. Monobromobimane has the advantage that it is highly reactive towards thiols, but its hydrolysis products are also fluorogenic, thus necessitating complex chromatography to obtain satisfactory separation between the compounds of interest and interferents. SBD-F does not show fluorescence, thus allowing isocratic separation of SBD-F derivatized thiols. SBD-thiol adducts are light sensitive and require protection against light to ensure reliable results. HPLC with electrochemical detection is also often used and has the advantage that no derivatization of thiols is required prior to detection. A recently reported liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometric assay has the potential to become the reference method for plasma tHcy analysis. Other methods to measure plasma tHcy concentrations include gas-liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and immunoassays. Fluorescence polarization immunoassay compares well with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and may become the method of choice in routine diagnostic clinical chemistry laboratories. Instability of tHcy in whole blood as well as postprandial and orthostatic variation are preanalytical factors that should be accounted for in plasma tHcy analysis. Between-method and between-laboratory variations in serum tHcy analysis are not yet satisfactory; certified reference material and standardization of the plasma tHcy assay will be essential to reduce between-laboratory bias.