Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual Attention and Expertise for Forensic Signature Analysis

ABSTRACT: Eye tracking was used to measure visual attention of nine forensic document examiners (FDEs) and 12 control subjects on a blind signature comparison trial. Subjects evaluated 32 questioned signatures (16 genuine, eight disguised, and eight forged) which were compared, on screen, with four known signatures of the specimen provider while their eye movements, response times, and opinions were recorded. FDEs' opinions were significantly more accurate than controls, providing further evidence of FDE expertise. Both control and FDE subjects looked at signature features in a very similar way and the difference in the accuracy of their opinions can be accounted for by different cognitive processing of the visual information that they extract from the images. In a separate experiment the FDEs re‐examined a reordered set of the same 32 questioned signatures. In this phase each signature was presented for only 100 msec to test if eye movements are relevant in forming opinions; performance significantly dropped, but not to chance levels indicating that the examination process comprises a combination of both global and local feature extraction strategies.
Differences among human immunodeficiency virus strains in their capacities to induce cytolysis or persistent infection of a lymphoblastoid cell line immortalized by Epstein-Barr virus

Four strains of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) manifest consistent differences in biologic behavior after infection of the X50-7 line of human umbilical cord lymphocytes immortalized by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Some dilutions of the first strain examined, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III B, which is derived from a pool of patient isolates propagated in H9 cells, caused transient cytopathic effects (CPE) followed by recovery of a subpopulation of X50-7 cells which became virus carrier cultures. Other dilutions of the same virus stock completely lysed X50-7 cells. Two other strains, RF2 and YW, both from individual patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, always induced complete cytolysis of X50-7 cells at all dilutions which infected the cells. However, RF2 did establish persistent infection of H9 cells. A fourth strain, PH1-MN, from a child with acquired immune deficiency syndrome-related complex, induced only transient CPE in X50-7 and H9 cells, which thereafter always recovered to form carrier cultures. For all four strains, the dilutions of HIV stocks which caused CPE corresponded to dilutions which resulted in the detection of HIV polypeptides by immunoblot. Cytolysis in HIV-infected X50-7 cells was accompanied by a decrease in the amount of EBV nuclear antigen; however, HIV infection did not induce EBV replication. Thus CPE in X50-7 cells is due to replication of HIV per se and not to activation of EBV. The observations indicate that there are differences in the cytolytic properties of HIVs and that these differences are influenced by the target cell.
Bowtie plasmonic nanoantenna arrays for polarimetric optical biosensing

We report on the first polarimetric plasmonic biosensor based on arrays of bowtie nanoantennas. Using the Finite Element Method (FEM) the phase retardation between the components of light polarized parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the nanoantennas is studied. After optimizing them for high volumetric sensitivity at a wavelength of 780 nm, sensitivities ~5 rad/RIU are obtained, corresponding to a detection limit ~10-7 RIU when using the polarimetric readout platform. Surface sensitivity values resulted from studies of phase retardation changes from a coverage of bioreceptors and analytes.
An Updated Interdisciplinary Clinical Pathway for CRPS: Report of an Expert Panel

Abstract: The goal of treatment in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is to improve function, relieve pain, and achieve remission. Current guidelines recommend interdisciplinary management, emphasizing 3 core treatment elements: pain management, rehabilitation, and psychological therapy. Although the best therapeutic regimen or the ideal progression through these modalities has not yet been established, increasing evidence suggests that some cases are refractory to conservative measures and require flexible application of the various treatments as well as earlier consideration of interventions such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS). While existing treatment guidelines have attempted to address the comprehensive management of CRPS, all fail to provide guidance for contingent management in response to a sudden change in the patient's medical status. This paper reviews the current pathophysiology as it is known, reviews the purported treatments, and provides a modified clinical pathway (guideline) that attempts to expand the scope of previous guidelines.
Functionality maps of binding sites: A multiple copy simultaneous search method

A new method is proposed for determining energetically favorable positions and orientations for functional groups on the surface of proteins with known three‐dimensional structure. From 1,000 to 5,000 copies of a functional group are randomly placed in the site and subjected to simultaneous energy minimization and/or quenched molecular dynamics. The resulting functionality maps of a protein receptor site, which can take account of its flexibility, can be used for the analysis of protein ligand interactions and rational drug design. Application of the method to the sialic acid binding site of the influenza coat protein, hemagglutinin, yields functional group minima that correspond with those of the ligand in a cocrystal structure.
Segmented attenuation correction using artificial neural networks in positron tomography

The measured attenuation correction technique is widely used in cardiac positron tomographic studies. However, the success of this technique is limited because of insufficient counting statistics achievable in practical transmission scan times, and of the scattered radiation in transmission measurement which leads to an underestimation of the attenuation coefficients. In this work, a segmented attenuation correction technique has been developed that uses artificial neural networks. The technique has been validated in phantoms and verified in human studies. The results indicate that attenuation coefficients measured in the segmented transmission image are accurate and reproducible. Activity concentrations measured in the reconstructed emission image can also be recovered accurately using this new technique. The accuracy of the technique is subject independent and insensitive to scatter contamination in the transmission data. This technique has the potential of reducing the transmission scan time, and satisfactory results are obtained if the transmission data contain about 400 000 true counts per plane. It can predict accurately the value of any attenuation coefficient in the range from air to water in a transmission image with or without scatter correction.
Coupled quantum dot–ring structures by droplet epitaxy

The fabrication, by pure self-assembly, of GaAs/AlGaAs dot–ring quantum nanostructures is presented. The growth is performed via droplet epitaxy, which allows for the fine control, through As flux and substrate temperature, of the crystallization kinetics of nanometer scale metallic Ga reservoirs deposited on the surface. Such a procedure permits the combination of quantum dots and quantum rings into a single, multi-functional, complex quantum nanostructure.
Impaired stimulus‐response coupling in association with increased growth rate of HL60 cells

Impairments in the respiratory burst and stimulus‐response coupling were studied with respect to the increased rate of cell replication that occurred in HL60 cells during repetitive passages in cell culture. During a 45‐week period of culture, HL60 cells developed a progressive increase in rate of replication. Concomitantly, undifferentiated cells developed an impairment in ATP‐induced calcium mobilization. The percentage of cells that could be differentiated with dimethyl sulfoxide progressively diminished. Differentiated cells developed an impairment in both the respiratory burst and secretion of β‐glucuronidase. In addition, regulation of the respiratory burst by cAMP agonists including isoproterenol, adenosine, and prostaglandin E2 was reduced in rapidly proliferating cells. Thus, multiple changes in stimulus‐response coupling occur during cell culture in association with an increase in rate of cell replication. It may be important to recognize progressive impairments in cell function in studies using repetitive samples of HL60 cells from a continuously maintained cell population. The observed impairments in stimulus‐response coupling may be relevant to unregulated cell growth in neoplastic disease.
A simple method for assessing if weight loss is greater or less than 10%

Growth, the paradigm marker of wellbeing in childhood, can be difficult to assess in the first two weeks of life. Some loss of weight is usual in the first few days, and distinguishing this from pathological weight loss can be difficult. Most paediatricians and midwives would become concerned if a baby lost greater than 10% of birth weight or, had failed to regain birth weight by 10 days of age. Failure of breast feeding is becoming increasingly recognised as a …
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in High School Baseball Players

Background The incidence of ulnar collateral ligament injury has increased in baseball, especially at the high school level. Hypothesis Ulnar collateral ligament injury in high school baseball players is associated with overuse, high-velocity throwing, early throwing of breaking pitches, and improper warm-ups. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Follow-up physical examination and questionnaire data were collected at an average of 35 months after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction from 27 former high school baseball players. Six potential risk factors were evaluated: year-round throwing, seasonal overuse, event overuse, throwing velocity more than 80 mph, throwing breaking pitches before age 14, and inadequate warm-ups. Results Overall, 74% returned to baseball at the same or higher level. Patients averaged 3 potential risk factors, and 85% demonstrated at least one overuse category. Of the pitchers, the average self-reported fastball velocity was 83 mph, and 67% threw breaking pitches before age 14. Conclusions The success rate of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in high school baseball players is nearly equal to that in more mature groups of throwers. Overuse of the throwing arm and throwing breaking pitches at an early age may be related to their injuries. Special attention should be paid to elite-level teenage pitchers who throw with high velocity.
Robustness of Structural Systems: A new Focus for the Joint Committee on Structural Safety (JCSS)

The importance of robustness as a property of structural systems has been recognised following several structural failures, such as that at Ronan Point in 1968, where the consequences were deemed unacceptable relative to the initiating damage. A variety of research efforts in the past decades have attempted to quantify aspects of robustness such as redundancy and identify design principles that can improve robustness. This paper outlines the progress of recent work by the Joint Committee on Structural Safety (JCSS) to develop comprehensive guidance on assessing and providing robustness in structural systems. Guidance is provided regarding the assessment of robustness in a framework that considers potential hazards to the system, vulnerability of system components, and failure consequences. Several proposed methods for quantifying robustness are reviewed, and guidelines for robust design will be proposed. The document adopts a probabilistic risk assessment framework and includes guidance for decision-making related to robustness.
Using Song Lyrics and Frequency to Predict Genre

In the age of music streaming and crowd sourced artistry, there are thousands of songs and videos being uploaded to services like YouTube and Soundcloud daily. On the other side, millions of consumers are scavenging these websites for new music; currently, many social media services give suggestions to users by genre and type, and uploaded music from the community is often unclassified and cluttered in the amalgamation of media. A potential solution would be a machine learning algorithm that automatically categorizes these songs. By implementing an automatic classifier, music services can give artists the option to publicize large sets of their own music without having to manually select what each song genre falls under. In some cases a song can also be incorrectly classified by the artist, a service like this could correct this problem and avoid delays and complications in music deployment.
Dominant retinitis pigmentosa with reduced penetrance.

A family with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa showing reduced penetrance is described. Reduced penetrance is established in patients who transmitted the gene defect to their offspring but are themselves clinically normal and beyond the age of risk for the disease. The electroretinograms (ERG) demonstrate rod responses reduced in amplitude and delayed in implicit time at an early stage similar to those seen in dominant retinitis pigmentosa with complete penetrance. Cone responses are also delayed in implicit time even when response amplitudes are normal. This cone ERG abnormality has not been found in dominant retinitis pigmentosa with complete penetrance.
Differential tissue targeting and pathogenesis of verotoxins 1 and 2 in the mouse animal model.

BACKGROUND Both verotoxin (VT)1 and VT2 share the same receptor, globotriaosyl ceramide (Gb(3)). Although VT1 is slightly more cytotoxic in vitro and binds Gb(3) with higher affinity, VT2 is more toxic in mice and may be associated with greater pathology in human infections. In this study we have compared the biodistribution of iodine 125 ((125)I)-VT1 and (125)I-VT2 versus pathology in the mouse. METHODS (125)I-VT1 whole-body autoradiography defined the tissues targeted. VT1 and VT2 tissue distribution, clearance, and tissue binding sites were compared. The effect of a soluble receptor analogue, adamantylGb(3), on VT2/Gb3 binding and in vivo pathology was assessed. RESULTS (125)I-VT1 autoradiography identified the lungs and nasal turbinates as major, previously unrecognized, targets, while kidney cortex and the bone marrow of the spine, long bones, and ribs were also significant targets. VT2 did not target the lung, but accumulated in the kidney to a greater extent than VT1. The serum half-life of VT1 was 2.7 minutes with 90% clearance at 5 minutes, while that of VT2 was 3.9 minutes with only 40% clearance at 5 minutes. The extensive binding of VT1, but not VT2, within the lung correlated with induced lung disease. Extensive hemorrhage into alveoli, edema, alveolitis and neutrophil margination was seen only after VT1 treatment. VT1 targeted lung capillary endothelial cells. Identical tissue binding sites (subsets of proximal/distal tubules and collecting ducts) for VT1 and VT2 were detected by toxin overlay of serial frozen kidney sections. Glucosuria was found to be a new marker of VT1- and VT2-induced renal pathology and positive predictor of outcome in the mouse, consistent with VT-staining of proximal tubules. Lung Gb3 migrated on thin-layer chromatography (TLC) faster than kidney Gb(3), suggesting a different lipid composition. AdamantylGb(3), a soluble Gb(3) analogue, competed effectively for Gb3 binding by VT1 and VT2 in vitro. However, the effect in the mouse model (only measured against VT2, due to the lower LD(50), a concentration required for 50% lethality) was to increase, rather than reduce, pathology and further reduce the VT2 serum clearance rate. Additional renal pathology was seen in VT2 + adamantylGb(3)-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS The lung is a preferential (Gb(3)) "sink" for VT1, which explains the relatively slower clearance of VT2 and subsequent increased VT2 renal targeting and VT2 mortality in this animal model.
Online speaker clustering

This paper describes a set of new algorithms that perform speaker clustering in an online fashion. Unlike typical clustering approaches, the proposed method does not require the presence of all the data before performing clustering. The clustering decision is made as soon as an audio segment is received. Being causal, this method enables low-latency incremental speaker adaptation in online speech-to-text systems. It also gives a speaker tracking and indexing system the ability to label speakers with cluster ID on the fly. We show that the new online speaker clustering method yields better performance compared to the traditional hierarchical speaker clustering. Evaluation metrics for speaker clustering are also discussed.
Patients' consent preferences for research uses of information in electronic medical records: interview and survey data

Abstract Objectives: To assess patients' preferred method of consent for the use of information from electronic medical records for research. Design: Interviews and a structured survey of patients in practices with electronic medical records. Setting: Family practices in southern Ontario, Canada. Participants: 123 patients: 17 were interviewed and 106 completed a survey. Main outcome measures: Patients' opinions and concerns on use of information from their medical records for research and their preferences for method of consent. Results: Most interviewees were willing to allow the use of their information for research purposes, although the majority preferred that consent was sought first. The seeking of consent was considered an important element of respect for the individual. Most interviewees made little distinction between identifiable and anonymised data. Research sponsored by private insurance firms generated the greatest concern, and research sponsored by foundation the least. Sponsorship by drug companies evoked negative responses during interview and positive responses in the survey. Conclusions: Patients are willing to allow information from their medical records to be used for research, but most prefer to be asked for consent either verbally or in writing.
CLIMATE‐DRIVEN DIVERSIFICATION AND PLEISTOCENE REFUGIA IN PHILIPPINE BIRDS: EVIDENCE FROM PHYLOGEOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE AND PALEOENVIRONMENTAL NICHE MODELING

Avian diversification in oceanic archipelagos is largely attributed to isolation across marine barriers. During glacial maxima, lowered sea levels resulted in repeated land connections between islands joined by shallow seas. Consequently, such islands are not expected to show endemism. However, if climate fluctuations simultaneously caused shifts in suitable environmental conditions, limiting populations to refugia, then occurrence on and dispersal across periodic land bridges are not tenable. To assess the degree to which paleoclimate barriers, rather than marine barriers, drove avian diversification in the Philippine Archipelago, we produced ecological niche models for current‐day, glacial maxima, and interglacial climate scenarios to infer potential Pleistocene distributions and paleoclimate barriers. We then tested marine and paleoclimate barriers for correspondence to geographic patterns of population divergence, inferred from DNA sequences from eight codistributed bird species. In all species, deep‐water channels corresponded to zones of genetic differentiation, but six species exhibited deeper divergence associated with a periodic land bridge in the southern Philippines. Ecological niche models for these species identified a common paleoclimate barrier that coincided with deep genetic structure among populations. Although dry land connections joined southern Philippine islands during low sea level stands, unfavorable environmental conditions limited populations within landmasses, resulting in long‐term isolation and genetic differentiation. These results highlight the complex nature of diversification in archipelagos: marine barriers, changes in connectivity due to sea level change, and climate‐induced refugia acted in concert to produce great species diversity and endemism in the Philippines.
Nucleo-cytoplasmic Shuttling of High Risk Human Papillomavirus E2 Proteins Induces Apoptosis*

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) E2 proteins are the major viral regulators of transcription and replication during the viral life cycle. In addition to these conserved functions, we show that E2 proteins from high risk HPV types 16 and 18, which are associated with cervical cancer, can induce apoptosis. In contrast, E2 proteins from low risk HPV types 6 and 11, which are associated with benign lesions, do not cause cell death. We show that the ability to induce apoptosis is linked to the intracellular localization of the respective E2 proteins rather than to inherent properties of the proteins. Although low risk HPV E2 proteins remain strictly nuclear, high risk HPV E2 proteins are present in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm of expressing cells due to exportin-1 receptor (CRM1)-dependent nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling. Induction of apoptosis is caused by accumulation of E2 in the cytoplasm and involves caspase 8 activation. We speculate that disruption of the E2 gene during viral genome integration in cervical carcinoma provides a means to avoid E2-induced apoptosis and allow initiation of carcinogenesis.
A tenth atp gene and the conserved atpI gene of a Bacillus atp operon have a role in Mg2+ uptake

The atp operon of alkaliphilic Bacillus pseudofirmus OF4, as in most prokaryotes, contains the eight structural genes for the F-ATPase (ATP synthase), which are preceded by an atpI gene that encodes a membrane protein of unknown function. A tenth gene, atpZ, has been found in this operon, which is upstream of and overlapping with atpI. Most Bacillus species, and some other bacteria, possess atpZ homologues. AtpZ is predicted to be a membrane protein with a hairpin topology, and was detected by Western analyses. Deletion of atpZ, atpI, or atpZI from B. pseudofirmus OF4 led to a requirement for a greatly increased concentration of Mg2+ for growth at pH 7.5. Either atpZ, atpI, or atpZI complemented the similar phenotype of a triple mutant of Salmonella typhimurium (MM281), which is deficient in Mg2+ uptake. atpZ and atpI, separately and together, increased the Mg2+-sensitive 45Ca2+ uptake by vesicles of an Escherichia coli mutant that is defective in Ca2+ and Na+ efflux. We hypothesize that AtpZ and AtpI, as homooligomers, and perhaps as heterooligomers, are Mg2+ transporter, Ca2+ transporter, or channel proteins. Such proteins could provide Mg2+, which is required by ATP synthase, and also support charge compensation, when the enzyme is functioning in the hydrolytic direction; e.g., during cytoplasmic pH regulation.
Resistance of 3T3 mouse cells to UV light in relation to excision and transfer of dimers to daughter strands.

--Mouse cells (3T3 line) and human fibroblasts are equally sensitive to U V light. At fluences of 2.s2. 5 J/m2 mouse cells excise only 207; of the pyrimidine dimers as compared to 80% excised by human fibroblasts. This Auence allows 37% survival in both cases. Hence, mouse cells are more resistant to the same burden of unexcised dimers. The reason for this increased tolerance to dimers does not seem to be due to a recombinational mechanism, as judged by the fact that only ca. 5% of the dimers are transferred from parental to daughter strands. The transfer of dimers was measured by the Micrococcus lureus UV endonuclease assay, irradiating cells at G I to avoid artifacts arising from introduction of dimers in nascent strands. The possibility of other mechanisms being involved in the process of tolerance to DNA lesions is discussed.