Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Chaîne Opératoire Approach in Middle Paleolithic Archaeology

Since the pioneering days of Paleolithic archaeology in western Europe, the making of stone tools has received special attention. Numerous studies were aimed at creating systematic typologies of artifacts based on descriptions of their technical features and morphological attributes. Recently, the concept of chaîne opératoire, or “operational sequence” (sometimes called “core reduction sequence”), borrowed from French social anthropologists, has been introduced into the study of Old World prehistory. Its conceptual framework is focused on the recognition of the overall technology and the practical skills of the prehistoric knapper in employing a particular technique responsible for the transformation of raw material to tools. Although the stone objects of all periods received attention, those of the Middle Paleolithic—due to issues such as the significance of lithic variability in retouched tools, the demise of the Neanderthals, or the emergence of “modern behavior”—have been at the forefront. This paper discusses the definition of chaîne opératoire and its practice and demonstrates that as a system of classification, it is overformalized and provides but an illusion of reading the minds of prehistoric knappers. The need to pay more attention to the recognition of patterning in the technological information is essential if we wish to go beyond a formal type list of knapping products. We argue that an elaborate, complex typology of core reduction products and discrete chaînes opératoires is an approach that impedes informed behavioral interpretations by forcing a rigid framework of “technical” definitions on the prehistoric lithic technologies.
When a Date Changes from Fun to Dangerous

Women's ability to perceive risk of acquaintance sexual assault is key to decreasing its likelihood. This study examined the relationship between women's recognition of known situational risk factors and global perceived risk, prior victimization, and drinking habits. Women consistently distinguished between clear and ambiguous situational risk factors although these were not related to perceived global risk. They also manifested positivity bias, the tendency to underestimate their own risk of being assaulted relative to other women. Both prior victimization and drinking habits were related to risk judgments. This study raises important issues concerning developing effective defensive strategies for combating sexual assault.
Analysis of proteomic changes associated with sperm capacitation through the combined use of IPG‐strip pre‐fractionation followed by RP chromatography LC‐MS/MS analysis

Following ejaculation, mammalian spermatozoa undergo an obligatory process known as capacitation, which enables these cells to bind to and fertilize an oocyte. Since spermatozoa are transcriptionally and translationally silent, the functional metamorphosis of these cells during capacitation is accomplished entirely by PTMs. Despite the importance of this process, very few studies have attempted to define the precise nature of the proteomic changes that allow spermatozoa to attain a capacitated state. Here we report the use of an IPG‐strip pre‐fractionation approach to isolate and purify tryptic peptides derived from mouse spermatozoa exhibiting varying degrees of capacitation. Following focusing, the strips were cut into 1 cm segments, the peptides extracted and run into a mass spectrometer. Label‐free, quantitative analysis of proteomic changes associated with capacitation was then performed. In total, we found 210 significant peptide changes. Of these, we could conclusively interpret the tandem mass spectra of 71 peptides, corresponding to 52 protein changes during capacitation. Many proteins including VDAC2, Fascin‐3 and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) have not previously been implicated in this process. To validate our data, we were able to show significant upregulation of SORD activity during capacitation, suggesting that the polyol pathway is activated during this process.
c‐erbB‐2 and ras expression levels in breast cancer are correlated and show a co‐operative association with unfavorable clinical outcome

c‐erbB‐2 and ras expression was measured on tumor extracts from 132 human primary breast carcinomas, by immunoblotting analysis. Expression of the c‐erbB‐2‐encoded p 185 protein was observed in 39% of the samples and found to correlate with c‐erbB‐2 gene amplification, detected by Southern analysis in 19 of the 77 available tumor DNAs. P185 expression was linked to the absence of progesterone receptors, but it was not related to lymph‐node status or to other clinico‐pathological parameters. Levels of the ras‐encoded p2l proteins higher than in normal breast tissues were found in 71% of the samples. No significant correlation was seen between p21 level and the available clinical parameters. Conversely, there was a strong positive correlation between p2l and p185 levels. Analysis of follow‐up data revealed that p185 expression was associated with a shorter time to relapse and death. Most notably, the contemporaneous expression of p 185 and of high p21 levels was more effective than p185 expression alone in identifying cases with poor prognosis. The prognostic value of p185/p21 co‐expression was particularly significant in progesterone‐receptor‐positive tumors. Our data suggest that c‐erbB‐2 and ras may act synergistically to endow breast‐tumor cells with a highly aggressive phenotype.
Optimization of Discrete Markov Random Fields via Dual Decomposition ∗

A new message-passing scheme for MRF optimization is propos ed in this paper. This scheme inherits better theoretical properties than all oth er state-of-the-art message passing methods and in practice performs equally well/outperforms them. It is based on the very powerful technique of Dual Decomposition [1] and leads to an elegant and ge neral framework for understanding/designing message-passing algorithms that can provid e new insights into existing techniques. Promising experimental results and comparisons with the st ate of the art demonstrate the extreme theoretical and practical potentials of our approach. Key-words: Markov Random Fields, Dual Decomposition, Linear Programm ing, Optimization. ∗ This is a pending submission to the IEEE International Confer ence on Computer Vision 2007 (ICCV’07). † nikos.komodakis@ecp.fr, komod@csd.uoc. gr Ecole Centrale de Paris, University of Crete ‡ nikos.paragios@ecp.fr Ecole Centrale de Paris § tziritas@csd.uoc. gr University of Crete Optimisation de Champs de Markov via Décomposition Duale Résumé : Dans cet article, nous proposons un nouveau schéma de propag ation de messages pour l’optimisation de champs de Markov. Ce schéma hérite de meil leures propriétés théoriques que toute autre méthode de propagation de messages décrite dans l’éta t de l’ rt. En pratique, notre schéma a au moins d’aussi bon résultats que ces méthodes, sinon meil leurs. Il est basé sur la technique puissante de la décomposition duale et mène à un cadre élégan t et é éral pour la compréhension et la conception d’algorithmes de propagation de messages qui pe uvent fournir de nouvelles perspectives pour les techniques existantes. Les résultats expérimenta ux prometteurs et les comparaisons avec l’état de l’art démontrent le potentiel théorique et pratiq ue extrême de notre approche. Mots-clés : Champs de Markov, Décomposition duale, Programmation liné aire, Optimisation. Optimization of Discrete Markov Random Fields via Dual Deco mp sition 3
Apical infarct via septal collateralization complicating transluminal alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Transluminal alcohol septal ablation (TASH) for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is an acceptable alternative to septal myectomy in selected patients. Procedural success rates and complications are equivalent or superior to surgical myectomy. The most common adverse outcome following the alcohol-induced septal infarction is high-degree heart block requiring a pacemaker. As commonly practiced, alcohol injection into the first septal artery produces a controlled and localized infarction confined to the hypertrophied intraventricular septum. Inadvertent infarctions of distal myocardium due to alcohol extravasation, however, have been described. Herein we describe acute occlusion of the distal anterior descending coronary artery with subsequent apical infarction due to septal artery collateralization during TASH for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).
Alveolar echinococcosis localized in the liver, lung and brain.

chinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by the larval forms of echinococci. It has two main forms as the unilocular cystic form that is more commonly seen and caused by E. granulosus and the alveolar form that is rarely seen and caused by E. multilocularis. E. multilocularis usually contaminates from foxes and sometimes contaminates from domestic animals as dogs and cats to humans and usually affects the liver. Progression of alveolar echinococcosis is more severe and agressive. It can metastise to the lungs, brain and bones. We present a case of alveolar echinococcosis that was initially thought to be a lymphomatous infiltration but then determined to infect the liver, lung and brain in a patient with a large T-cell lymphoma.
Effects of temperature and host cell genetic characteristics on the replication of the lipid-containing bacteriophage PR4 in Escherichia coli

The lipid-containing bacteriophage PR4 is of special intest because it can replicate in various gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, that carry one of a group of drug resistance plasmids. PR4 grown in E. coli strain PS2R contains about 10% lipid by weight, with the negatively charged phospholipid phosphatidylglycerol being the most abundant lipid in the virion. We now report the following. (i) PR4 attaches to E. coli with an attachment rate constant of Ka approximately 6.2 X 10(-10) ml/min, which is about twice that of the enveloped phage phi6 (to Pseudomonas phaseolicola), but a factor of 5 less than that of phage PM2 (to Pseudomonas BAL-31). (ii) Use of an E. coli glycerol auxotroph indicated that a normal amount of PR4 replication occurs only if glycerol starvation (inhibition of all phospholipid synthesis) begins no earlier than about halfway through the lytic cycle. (iii) Use of an E. coli fatty acid synthesis temperature-sensitive mutant and an E. coli phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis temperature-sensitive mutant indicate that PR4 replication can occur in the absence of either normal fatty acid synthesis or normal phospholipid synthesis if the infection takes place prior to the termination of overall cell growth and the onset of cell death, (iv) Whereas PR4 burst size in nutrient media at 30 degrees C to 42%C is about 40, the burst size at 20 degrees C is less than 3, Temperature-shift experiments show that the temperature late in infection determines the burst size.
The efficacy of exercise as an intervention to treat recurrent nonspecific low back pain in adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a specific 8-week exercise rehabilitation program as an intervention to treat recurrent nonspecific low back pain in adolescents. A randomized controlled trial involving 54 adolescents (14.6 +/- 0.6 years) who suffered from recurrent nonspecific low back pain participated in either the exercise rehabilitation program or a control condition. Pre- and postintervention measures of low back pain status and biological risk indicators were taken. Two-way mixed ANOVA was conducted and significance was set at p < . 01. Significant improvement was noted in the exercise rehabilitation group for perceived severity of pain (effect size 1.47) and number of occasions missing physical activity (effect size 0.99). Significant improvement in the exercise rehabilitation group for sit-and-reach performance, hip range of motion, lumbar sagittal mobility (modified Schöber), and number of sit-ups in 60 s were also identified. In conclusion, the specific exercise program appeared to provide positive benefits for adolescents suffering from recurrent nonspecific low back pain. Further evaluation is required to evaluate the effectiveness of the exercise rehabilitation program in relation to other interventions and to assess the long-term effectiveness.
Thermal analysis of multibarrier interior PM synchronous Machine using lumped parameter model

This paper presents a lumped-parameter thermal model for a multi-barrier interior PM synchronous machine. The model consists of a network of 12 thermal resistances that make it possible to estimate temperatures at 9 critical points inside the machine including the stator end windings, rotor magnets, and the bearings. The details of the model are presented and two machines are analyzed, including a 6 kW 12-pole automotive starter/alternator and a 0.5 kW 4-pole electric water pump machine. The lumped-parameter model results for both machines demonstrate good agreement with results obtained using detailed thermal finite element analysis.
NATURE OF THE PLATELET DEFECT IN THE WISKOTT‐ALDRICH SYNDROME *

The thrombocytopenia in patients with the Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome was found to be due to increased platelet destruction caused by an intracorpuscular cell defect. Multiple abnormalities of platelet structure, function, and metabolism were also observed. Platelet adhesiveness to collagen, and platelet aggregation with ADP, collagen, and epinephrine were reduced or absent in the affected patients and partially depressed also in the clinically normal female carrier. Of various biochemical alterations, the decrease in platelet glycogen and in hexokinase activity were most prominent. The latter defect was, however, not rate limiting. Although these platelets were capable of phagocytosis, the typical metabolic reaction to it, with increase in the citric acid cycle activity, did not occur. This reaction was severely depressed also when other aggregating stimuli such as ADP, collagen, and epinephrine were used. Thrombin, on the other hand, could produce both aggregation and stimulation of the citric acid cycle. It is concluded that platelets in the Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome have a basic defect in energy metabolism. Although there is no intrinsic block in anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis, stimulation of the citric acid cycle does not occur with common aggregating (and degranulating) agents, most probably because a physiologic “regulator” of this metabolic pathway, the energy of which is indispensable for normal platelet aggregation, is lacking or is not made available. Thrombin can either liberate or substitute for such regulator.
“No-Contact” Interventions for Unhealthy College Drinking

Despite the development of brief efficacious interventions, they are not reaching a large proportion of college students who continue to drink in a manner that puts them at risk for harm. Recent efforts have attempted to address this issue through the development of brief alcohol interventions that may be more broadly disseminated to college students. Researchers have adapted a variety of approaches to print and computer-based modalities that do not require direct real-time contact with an interventionist. The goal of this paper is to review the empirical evidence for the utility of these brief alcohol interventions that are delivered without direct real-time contact. A systematic review of this research suggests that “no-contact” interventions are feasible and may have efficacy. Further research is needed to understand the duration of these effects, mechanisms of change, moderators of outcome, and how to enhance the effectiveness of these approaches.
Analysis of an 11·6 kb Region from the Right Arm of Chromosome VII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Between the RAD2 and the MES1 Genes Reveals the Presence of Three New Genes

Sequence analysis of an 11 628 bp DNA segment from the right arm of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome VII revealed the presence of the 5′ end of the RAD2 gene, the MES1 gene and six open reading frames (ORFs) each longer than 300 bp. Four of these ORFs are expressed genes, as indicated by transcript analysis. One of them, YGR261c, which specifies a putative β‐adaptine, corresponds to gene YKS5, which has recently been identified as a suppressor of loss of casein kinase 1 function. The remaining three ORFs are new genes; of these, YGR260w encodes a protein showing similarity to the S. cerevisiae allantoate permease and YGR262c specifies a putative protein kinase. The sequence has been deposited in the EMBL data library under Accession Number Y07777. ©1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behaviors: Relationships to Adherence and Metabolic Control in Persons with Type I Diabetes

The Diabetes Family Behavior Checklist (DFBC) was administered to 54 adults and 18 adolescents (<19 yr of age) with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Subjects and family members completed parallel forms of the DFBC at initial and 6-mo follow-up home interviews. During each of these periods, adherence was assessed via self-report, 1 wk of self-monitoring, and 24-h dietary recalls. The results showed reliable differences between adolescents and adults. More negative interactions with family members were reported by adolescents and their family members, and adolescents were in poorer metabolic control. For adults but not adolescents, negative DFBC scores were prospectively predictive of poorer regimen adherence over the 6-mo interval for measures of glucose testing, insulin injection, and dietary adherence. In addition, higher negative DFBC scores for adults were marginally associated with higher HbA, levels (P < 0.10). We conclude that the DFBC is a promising measure of family interaction related specifically to the IDDM regimen and that, for adults, higher levels of nonsupportive family behaviors may be related to reduced regimen adherence and poor control, DIABETES CARE 1986-,
Improved continuation load flow to enhance maximum loadability estimation

The continuation power flow method is widely used to estimate the maximum loadability of the power system as well as to study the power system voltage stability. This method performance including the convergence level and the computation time and burden is noticeably dependent on the step size control. Thus, an optimum step size control should be chosen for each specific application. To enhance the method, an iterative predictor stage based on Tellegen's theorem and adjoint networks is added to the algorithm of the continuation power flow method. Simulation studies on the IEEE 30-bus system reveals the proposed approach leads to more robust and accurate results as compared with the conventional continuation power flow method.
Evidence for a secretory form of the cellular prion protein.

The biogenesis of hamster brain prion protein (PrP) has been studied by expression of RNA transcribed from a full-length PrP cDNA in Xenopus oocytes and cell-free systems. Earlier studies in the wheat germ cell-free system showed that one form of PrP is a transmembrane protein that spans the bilayer at least twice [Hay, B. , Barry, R. A. , Lieberburg, I. , Prusiner, S. B. , & Lingappa, V. R. (1987) Mol. Cell. Biol. 7, 914-920]. We now report that PrP can also exist as a secreted protein. SP6 PrP RNA microinjected into Xenopus oocytes produced two forms of PrP: one that remained in the cell and another that was secreted into the medium. Cell-free translation studies in rabbit reticulocyte lysates supplemented with microsomal membranes gave similar results: while one form of PrP was found as an integral membrane protein spanning the membrane at least twice, another form of PrP was found to be completely translocated to the microsomal membrane vesicle lumen. Both the membrane and secretory forms of PrP appear to be generated from the same pool of nascent chains. The mechanism governing the alternative fates of nascent PrP remains to be elucidated but may have significance for understanding the pathogenesis of scrapie and other prion diseases.
Selection of time series forecasting model, using a combination of linguistic and numerical criteria

One of the problems in forecasting is selection a subset of suitable models, which perform accurate results not only in tested part of time series (TS), but in real forecast. In previous our paper a TS forecasting technique was proposed, where a framework of TS model selection using linguistic and numerical criteria was proposed. To choose a subset of suitable models from a given set of TS models we developed a linguistic description of TS behavior based on identification of TS general tendency. In this paper we focus on extension of a linguistic description of TS behavior and study it's efficiency in out of sample TS part. The study of a proposed framework in forecasting of 91 TS showed the improvement of accuracy in comparison with TS model selection, which used a numerical criterion only.
Outcomes of Penetrating Keratoplasty in Keratoconus

Purpose: Keratoconus (KCN) is one of the most common indications of corneal transplantation in Iran. This study was conducted to determine the outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for KCN in patients operated in a private practice setting from 1994 to 2001. Methods: This longitudinal retrospective study included 164 eyes of 164 patients. Variables included preoperative keratometry, trephination and suturing techniques, donor-recipient disparity, surgical complications, immunologic rejection, graft clarity, postoperative spherical and cylindrical refractive error, keratometry, uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, suture management, and the results of keratorefractive procedures. Results: Patients were followed for a mean period of 33.5 months. Mean postoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) at last follow-up was 0.14 ± 0.11 LogMAR (20/25); mean spherical error and mean corneal astigmatism were −0.61 ± 2.6 and 3.4 ± 1.8 D, respectively. Final visual outcomes were not significantly correlated with trephination and suturing techniques or severity of the ectasia. Although donor-recipient disparity did not affect final astigmatism, more myopic shift was observed with greater disparity, but this finding was not of statistical significance. Overall, 26.8% of the patients required keratorefractive surgery, which resulted in 2.9 D reduction in corneal astigmatism. Immunologic graft rejection occurred in 28% of cases; however, all episodes responded to medical management, and none resulted in graft failure. Conclusion: Penetrating keratoplasty is a safe and effective procedure with remarkable optical and visual outcomes for patients with keratoconus who are contact lens intolerant or have unacceptable corrected visual acuity. Neither severity of the disorder nor trephination and suturing techniques significantly affects final visual outcomes. Less graft-recipient disparity (0.25 versus 0.50 mm) seems to induce less myopic shift.
Tuberculosis of the Spine on Tc-99m MDP Bone Scan: Additional Role of SPECT-CT

Dedicated multislice single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) is useful for accurate anatomic localization and lesion characterization of abnormal findings on planar scintigraphy. We present a case of a 33-year-old woman with a history of low back pain. Lumbar spine radiographs demonstrated irregularity of the superior end plate of L2 with an associated compression fracture. A Tc-99m MDP bone scan was performed given her young age and the absence of a history of trauma. The whole body planar imaging revealed nonspecific findings of diffuse linear increased tracer uptake involving L2. The SPECT-CT findings were in keeping with spinal tuberculosis. This was confirmed with culture of CT-guided aspiration of a left psoas collection, which revealed heavy growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This case highlights the benefits of multislice SPECT-CT imaging in the anatomic localization of increased metabolic activity and provision of additional diagnostic information. This enabled rapid diagnosis and management.