Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Semantics-Enhanced Task-Oriented Dialogue Translation: A Case Study on Hotel Booking

We showcase TODAY, a semantics-enhanced task-oriented dialogue translation system, whose novelties are: (i) task-oriented named entity (NE) definition and a hybrid strategy for NE recognition and translation; and (ii) a novel grounded semantic method for dialogue understanding and task-order management. TODAY is a case-study demo which can efficiently and accurately assist customers and agents in different languages to reach an agreement in a dialogue for the hotel booking.
A new extraction method of characteristic parameters of a coupled transmission line

This paper suggests a new extraction method of the characteristic parameters of a coupled transmission line, which is structured like a microstrip line. A coupled line coupler that has −20dB coupling at the center frequency 1.5GHz is used for the extraction of the characteristic parameters. First, it extracts the characteristic parameters using the simulation results of the coupler. The paper shows the accuracy of this extraction method by comparing the results of EM simulation with the results of circuit simulation using the extracted characteristic parameters.
Development and characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis)

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), an important vector of infectious diseases in humans and animals. Four multiplexed panels comprising the loci were developed and 45 ticks collected from two raccoons (Procyon lotor) were genotyped. The number of alleles per locus ranged from nine to 30, and single locus heterozygosities ranged from 0.18 to 0.93. Data generated using these markers will further our understanding of factors affecting gene flow in D. variabilis, thus helping to elucidate the transmission dynamics of diseases associated with this vector.
Fiber-optic nanorefractometer based on one-dimensional photonic-bandgap structures with two defects

A theoretical analysis of a fiber-optic photonic-bandgap (PBG)-based nanorefractometer is presented. Changes up to 11.2 dB in the optical output power in an index of refraction range of 1.7 with a sensitivity of 1.5/spl middot/10/sup -4/ have been demonstrated. The design is based on a one-dimensional PBG structure with two defects, which originates two defect states inside the bandgap. These states correspond to two localized modes in the defects. By selecting adequate parameters, the frequency of one of the localized modes can be fixed at the same time that its peak amplitude varies with the refractive index of the defect associated to the other localized mode. The refractive index of the defect associated to the localized mode that has been fixed in frequency remains constant. This enables a detection scheme based on a simple photodetector instead of an optical spectrum analyzer, as usual. The thickness of the defect whose refractive index varies determines the variation range of the transmitted power amplitude peak of the localized mode fixed at a concrete frequency. In addition, an analysis of the nonlinear dependence on the refractive index of the peak-transmitted power of the localized mode fixed at a concrete frequency is presented.
[Treatment of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni with praziquantel].

Ninety-four patients, 22 males and 72 females, from 11 to 71 years old, with an average of 25 years, presenting the hepatosplenic form of Schistosomiasis mansoni were treated with a new anthelmintic drug — praziquantel — to investigate its efficacy and tolerance. In addition to the hepatosplenic form of the disease, 14 patients had the cardio-pulmonary hypertensive or cyanotic form and 16 had already been submitted to splenectomy. Two oral doses — 1 x 30 and 2 x 25 mg/kg body weight — were compared. Side-effects were noticed during the first two days following the drug administration but usually of mild intensity and short duration. The most frequent and, at times, more severe were abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea, headache, dizziness and nausea. Fever was present in 19.2% of the cases and urticaria and pruritus in two patients. The laboratorial investigation of liver function showed, in some cases, slight enzymatic alterations (AST, ALT, y GT) 24 hours after medication, but without any major significance. No urinary, blood glucose or hematological changes have been detected, except, for the commonly seen increase of eosinophyls on the 7th and 30th day, related to the death of parasites inside the organism. Likewise, no abnormality was noticed in the electroencephalografic study. In the electrocardiogram it was observed in two patients a slight and transitory modification on the ventricular repolarization. With regard to the parasitological cure, it was observed in 62 patients Who have finished the 6 months control period, a total cure rate of 80.6%. With 30 mg/kg single dose this cure rate was 76.7% and with 25 mg/kg b.i. d. 84.4%. The non-cured patients, on the other hand, have shown a marked reduction in the number of S. mansoni eggs eliminated in the feces. Furthermore, five of these patients Were retreated six or more months afterwards with the same initial dose, achieving 100% negative stool examinations. The Authors believe that administering a higher dose, like 60 mg/kg, it would be possible to accomplish, in addition to good tolerance, a greater percentage of parasitological cure. The long-term clinical and laboratory improvement, observed 6 and 12 months after treatment, is worthy of note.
Magnetization switching in energy assisted recording

Magnetization switching in energy assisted recording is examined using micromagnetic simulations. Heat assisted and microwave assisted recording are compared. The high frequency magnetic field used in microwave assisted recording can be used to reduce the switching field or the switching time, but the optimum frequencies have opposite trends as a function of temperature. In heat assisted recording the switching times at temperatures near to the Curie temperature are about half the room temperature value. In recording simulations heat assisted recording was able to write the highest quality tracks and has the potential to be able to write on media with much higher anisotropy than microwave assisted recording.
Detection of Dehalococcoides spp. by Peptide Nucleic Acid Fluorescent in situ Hybridization

Chlorinated solvents including tetrachloroethene (perchloroethene and trichloroethene), are widely used industrial solvents. Improper use and disposal of these chemicals has led to a widespread contamination. Anaerobic treatment technologies that utilize Dehalococcoides spp. can be an effective tool to remediate these contaminated sites. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop, optimize and validate peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes for the detection of Dehalococcoides spp. in both pure and mixed cultures. PNA probes were designed by adapting previously published DNA probes targeting the region of the point mutations described for discriminating between the Dehalococcoides spp. strain CBDB1 and strain 195 lineages. Different fixation, hybridization and washing procedures were tested. The results indicated that the PNA probes hybridized specifically and with a high sensitivity to their corresponding lineages, and that the PNA probes developed during this work can be used in a duplex assay to distinguish between strain CBDB1 and strain 195 lineages, even in complex mixed cultures. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of using PNA fluorescence in situ hybridization to distinguish between two metabolically and genetically distinct Dehalococcoides strains, and they can have strong implications in the monitoring and differentiation of Dehalococcoides populations in laboratory cultures and at contaminated sites.
Racial and Gender Disparities in Receipt of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Persist in a Multistate Sample of HIV Patients in 2001

Background: National data from the mid-1990s demonstrated that many eligible patients did not receive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and that racial and gender disparities existed in HAART receipt. We examined whether demographic disparities in the use of HAART persist in 2001 and if outpatient care is associated with HAART utilization. Methods: Demographic, clinical, and pharmacy utilization data were collected from 10 US HIV primary care sites in the HIV Research Network (HIVRN). Using multivariate logistic regression, we examined demographic and clinical differences associated with receipt of HAART and the association of outpatient utilization with HAART. Results: In our cohort in 2001, 84% of patients received HAART and 66% had 4 or more outpatient visits during calendar year (CY) 2001. Of those with 2 or more CD4 counts below 350 cells/mm3 in 2001, 91% received HAART; 82% of those with 1 CD4 test result below 350 cells/mm3 received HAART; and 77% of those with no CD4 counts below 350 cells/mm3 received HAART. Adjusting for care site in multivariate analyses, age >40 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.13), male gender (AOR = 1.23), Medicaid coverage (AOR = 1.16), Medicare coverage (AOR = 1.73), having 1 or more CD4 counts less than 350 cells/mm3 (AOR = 1.33), and having 4 or more outpatient visits in a year (OR = 1.34) were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of HAART. African Americans (odds ratio [OR] = 0.84) and those with an injection drug use risk factor (OR = 0.86) were less likely to receive HAART. Conclusions: Although the overall prevalence of HAART has increased since the mid-1990s, demographic disparities in HAART receipt persist. Our results support attempts to increase access to care and frequency of outpatient visits for underutilizing groups as well as increased efforts to reduce persistent disparities in women, African Americans, and injection drug users (IDUs).
Disparities in Treatment of Patients with Inoperable Stage I Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Population-Based Analysis

Background: Patients unable to receive surgery for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can undergo conventional radiotherapy (ConvRT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), or no treatment (NoTx). This study assessed patterns of care and disparities in the receipt of each of these treatments. Methods: The study included patients in the National Cancer Database from 2003 to 2011 with T1-T2N0M0 inoperable lung cancer (n = 39,822). Logistic regressions were performed to determine predictors of receiving any radiation versus NoTx and for receiving SBRT versus ConvRT. Results: Treatment with radiation was significantly less likely in blacks (odds ratio, OR 0.65) and Hispanics (OR 0.42) compared with whites. Treatment with SBRT versus ConvRT was more likely in an academic research program (OR 2.62) and a high-volume facility (OR 7.00) compared with community cancer programs or low-volume facilities. In 2011, use of SBRT, ConvRT, and NoTx was 25%, 28%, and 46% for patients in a community cancer center versus 68%, 11%, and 21%, respectively, in an academic center (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: There were marked institutional and socioeconomic variations in the treatment of inoperable stage I NSCLC. These results suggest that removal of barriers to receive radiation therapy and particularly improved access to SBRT may meaningfully improve survival in this disease.
Expert System for Sintering Process Control based on the Information about solid-fuel Flow Composition

Usually, the solid-fuel flow of an iron ore sinter plant consists of different types of the solid-fuels, which differ from each other. Information about the composition of the solid-fuel flow usually comes every 8-24 hours. It can be clearly seen that this information cannot be used to control the sintering process in real time. Due to this, we propose an expert system which uses indirect measurements from the process in order to obtain the composition of the solid-fuel flow by solving an optimization task. Then this information can be used to control the sintering process. The proposed technique can be successfully used to improve sinter quality and reduce the amount of solid-fuel used by the process. Keywords—sintering process, particle swarm optimization, optimal control, expert system, solid-fuel
Subgingival minocycline hydrochloride ointment in moderate to severe chronic adult periodontitis: a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, multicenter study.

The safety and efficacy of subgingivally-applied 2% minocycline ointment was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind study of 103 adults with moderate to severe periodontitis. Two groups were compared; one received the test minocycline ointment and the other a vehicle control. Both groups had scaling and root planing at baseline, after which the test or control ointments were applied with an applicator into the periodontal pockets at baseline, and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Assessment of clinical response was made by measuring probing depth and probing attachment level and gingival bleeding. These measurements were made at baseline prior to scaling and root planing, and at weeks 4 and 12. Microbiological assessment of the subgingival flora was carried out with DNA probes at baseline, and at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 12 to identify and quantify Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Subgingival minocycline ointment resulted in statistically significantly greater reduction of P. gingivalis at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 12; P. intermedia at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 12; and A. actinomycetemcomitans at weeks 6 and 12. Probing depth reductions were seen for both groups at weeks 4 and 12; however, this reduction was statistically significantly greater in subjects treated with minocycline ointment. Reduction in gingival index and probing attachment gain were seen in both groups, however, the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cache Memory Simulators: A Comparative Study

Many computer architecture and organization instructors are turning to simulators with visualization as teaching aids. Many simulators have already been developed and made freely available on the Internet. It is beneficial to document and organize these simulators to all instructors of computer architecture and organization courses to take full advantage of this time-saving resource conveniently. This paper describes and analyzes three cache memory simulators. These cache memory simulators can be used with the popular computer architecture and organization textbooks. Our document of these cache memory simulators and comparative evaluation of their usability may provide computer architecture instructors with insight in selecting appropriate cache memory simulators to satisfy their pedagogical needs.
Cer1p Functions as a Molecular Chaperone in the Endoplasmic Reticulum of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT Cer1p/Lhs1p/Ssi1p is a novel Hsp70-related protein that is important for the translocation of a subset of proteins into the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae endoplasmic reticulum. Cer1p has very limited amino acid identity to the hsp70 chaperone family in the N-terminal ATPase domain but lacks homology to the highly conserved hsp70 peptide binding domain. The role of Cer1p in protein folding and translocation was assessed. Deletion of CER1 slowed the folding of reduced pro-carboxypeptidase Y (pro-CPY) approximately twofold in yeast. In wild-type yeast under reducing conditions, pro-CPY can be found in a complex with Cer1p, while partially purified Cer1p is able to bind directly to peptides. Together, this suggests that Cer1p has a chaperoning activity required for proper refolding of denatured pro-CPY which is mediated by direct interaction with the unfolded polypeptide. Cer1p peptide binding and oligomerization could be disrupted by addition of ATP, confirming that Cer1p possesses a functional ATP binding site, much like Kar2p and other members of the hsp70 family. Interestingly, replacing the signal sequence of aCER1-dependent protein with that of aCER1-independent protein did not relieve the requirement ofCER1 for import. This result suggests that an interaction with the mature portion of the protein also is important for the translocation role of Cer1p. The CER1 RNA levels increase at lower temperatures. In addition, the effects of deletion on folding and translocation are more severe at lower temperatures. Therefore, these results suggest that Cer1p provides an additional chaperoning activity in processes known to require Kar2p. However, there appears to be a greater requirement for Cer1p chaperone activity at lower temperatures.
Differentiation between subpopulations of a polychromatic damselfly with respect to morph frequencies, but not neutral genetic markers

The damselfly, Nehalennia irene (Hagen), has two distinct female colour morphs. Individuals of one morph have male‐like colouration and pattern (androchromes), whereas gynochromes are different from males and androchromes in these respects. In several damselflies, such female‐limited polychromatism is attributable to a single genetic locus. We developed six polymorphic genetic markers, which were codominant, to test for genetic differentiation in N. irene, collected from two sites located 8 km from one another in eastern Ontario, Canada. Based on three censuses spanning a 10 year period (1992–2001), morph ratios differed consistently and significantly between these two sites. However, subpopulations at these sites were not genetically differentiated with respect to the putatively neutral markers. Our results suggest that site differences in morph ratios of female N. irene cannot be explained by genetic drift, but are consistent with spatially variable selection operating on different morphs, perhaps mediated by male density. Alternatively, morph type may be a plastic trait and cues for induction may differ between sites.
Negotiating Stances Used With Minority Suppliers: A Research Note

While new ways of organizing exchange have become prominent in business-to-business markets, the function of corporate minority supplier purchasing programs in this changing organizational environment has received scant attention. Specifically, the extent to which the present structure of minority supplier purchasing programs enhances -- or deters -- the creation of strategic partnerships, impacts the way buyers and suppliers interact, and ultimately determines the efficacy of these exchange relationships has not been sufficiently addressed in the literature. The present study examines the relationship between the minority supplier categorization (versus those not classified as such) and the negotiation stances that purchasing agents undertake with these suppliers. Data were collected using a mail survey of university purchasing agents. The purchasing agents were asked to select a supplier which is a participant in his or her organization's minority supplier purchasing program and answer questions about a recent negotiation with that supplier. For purposes of comparison, a random sample of purchasing agents was asked to respond with regard to negotiations with a supplier which was not a participant in any of the organization's supplier purchasing programs. Cluster analysis was used to examine the negotiation stances used by the purchasing agents.
Attributing Authorship of Revisioned Content Technical Report UCSC-SOE-12-21

A considerable portion of web content, from wikis to collaboratively edited documents, to code posted online, is revisioned. We consider the problem of attributing authorship to such revisioned content, and we develop scalable attribution algorithms that can be applied to very large bodies of revisioned content, such as the English Wikipedia. Since content can be deleted, only to be later re-inserted, we introduce a notion of authorship that requires comparing each new revision with the entire set of past revisions. For each portion of content in the newest revision, we search the entire history for content matches that are statistically unlikely to occur spontaneously, thus denoting common origin. We use these matches to compute the earliest possible attribution of each word (or each token) of the new content. We show that this “earliest plausible attribution” can be computed efficiently via compact summaries of the past revision history. This leads to an algorithm that runs in time proportional to the sum of the size of the most recent revision, and the total amount of change (edit work) in the revision history. This amount of change is typically much smaller than the total size of all past revisions. The resulting algorithm can scale to very large repositories of revisioned content, as we show via experimental data over the English Wikipedia.
“Emergency” laryngectomy and stomal recurrence

The data on 281 patients who underwent surgical therapy for laryngeal carcinoma from 1976 through 1984 were reviewed, revealing 16 patients who presented with an impending obstruction of the airway that was treated by an “emergency” laryngectomy. A review of the patients in our series did not reveal any serious complications from the procedure and it has allowed effective management of these advanced neoplasms.
Biological Flocculant MBF-28 Used for Gas Oil Wastewater Treatment

A novel bioflocculant-producing bacterial strain B-28 was screened from contaminative soils by gas oil wastewater. The optimum carbon sources, nitrogen sources, metal ions and initial pH were glucose, yeast extract, 2ml 0.1% FeCl3 and 6-8, respectively. And at the optimal couture conditions, flocculating activity reached its maximum flocculating activity of 97.2% at 72h. This indicated that the bioflocculant MBF-28 was produced by biosynthesis during its growth. Composition analysis and FT-IR analysis showed that the biopolymer mainly contains polysaccharid. In addition, when take 2.0 ml 0.1% FeCl3 and 1.5 ml crude fermentation liquid of strain B-28 to 100 ml gas field wastewater and pH of the system was adjusted to 4-6. The mixture was then performed under 160rpm for 60s and slowly mixing speed of 40rpm for 160s, and then kept still for 20-40 min. The removal of COD and chroma were 64.5% and 84.8%, respectively.
Kinetics of urea exchange in air-filled and fluid-filled rat lungs.

Urea has been used as an indicator for estimating 1) the dilution of epithelial lining fluid (ELF) that occurs during bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and 2) the permeability-surface area product (PS) of the pulmonary endothelium to this solute. Because relatively little is known about how urea equilibrates with fluid in the lung tissues and airspaces, we have undertaken a study of the kinetics of movement from the vasculature into the tissues of isolated, perfused rat lungs. Although instillation of 5 ml of 154 mM saline into the airspaces of this preparation increased the calculated extravascular volume of 3HOH from 0.64 +/- 0.23 to 2.10 +/- 0.58 ml (SE, n = 6) during a single transit through the pulmonary circulation, it did not have a detectable effect on the distribution of [14C]urea in the lung tissues. However, leakage of [14C]urea into saline within the airspaces was detected during constant infusions: concentrations in the airspace fluid reached 1.1 +/- 0.2% of those in the perfusate by 90 s and 1.90 +/- 0.2% at 120 s, levels that would significantly reduce estimates of the dilution of ELF by BAL. In contrast, concentrations of 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acetic acid (DTPA) in the airspaces remained < 0.2% of those in the perfusate, suggesting that 99mTc-DTPA may be a superior indicator for estimating dilution of ELF by BAL. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)