Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Games and enculturation: A cross-cultural analysis of cooperative goal structures in Austronesian games

While most animals play, only humans play games. As animal play serves to teach offspring important life-skills in a safe scenario, human games might, in similar ways, teach important culturally relevant skills. Humans in all cultures play games; however, it is not clear whether variation in the characteristics of games across cultural groups is related to group-level attributes. Here we investigate specifically whether the cooperativeness of games covaries with socio-ecological differences across cultural groups. We hypothesize that cultural groups that engage in frequent inter-group conflict, cooperative sustenance acquisition, or that have less stratified social structures, might more frequently play cooperative games as compared to groups that do not share these characteristics. To test these hypotheses, we gathered data from the ethnographic record on 25 ethnolinguistic groups in the Austronesian language family. We show that cultural groups with higher levels of inter-group conflict and cooperative land-based hunting play cooperative games more frequently than other groups. Additionally, cultural groups with higher levels of intra-group conflict play competitive games more frequently than other groups. These findings indicate that games are not randomly distributed among cultures, but rather relate to the socio-ecological settings of the cultural groups that practice them. We argue that games serve as training grounds for group-specific norms and values and thereby have an important function in enculturation during childhood. Moreover, games might server an important role in the maintenance of cultural diversity.
The CMU TransTac 2007 eyes-free two-way speech-to-speech translation system

The paper describes our portable two-way speech-tospeech translation system using a completely eyesfree/hands-free user interface. This system translates between the language pair English and Iraqi Arabic as well as between English and Farsi, and was built within the framework of the DARPA TransTac program. The Farsi language support was developed within a 90-day period, testing our ability to rapidly support new languages. The paper gives an overview of the system’s components along with the individual component objective measures and a discussion of issues relevant for the overall usage of the system. We found that usability, flexibility, and robustness serve as severe constraints on system architecture and design.
Identifying and measuring management deficiency in non-profit associations.

The need to measure the performance of non-profit committees has been recognised for over 30 years primarily because of the direct relationship between committee performance and association performance but also because identifying management strengths and weaknesses across a range of performance factors forms the basis for an effective management development programme. The results of past studies are generally inconclusive leading to a lack of consensus as to which is the best approach. The objective for this study was to demonstrate that a heuristic methodology does produce an acceptable, approximate solution to the measurement of individual management performance in a non-profit committee. Testing established that the heuristic model produced a satisfactory solution and was able to provide a detailed assessment of management strengths and weaknesses across a wide range of factors. The solution produced by the model was validated by demonstrating that there was an alignment of the results produced by the heuristic model and those obtained by an alternate method. Analysis of the results obtained from a sample of non-profit committee members provided clear evidence that management skills, management experience, relevant knowledge and commitment are key competencies for non-profit committee members. The level of deficiency in these factors will directly affect the level of individual and committee management deficiency. A direct, positive relationship between age and management performance was also identified. The findings suggest that, in general, the competencies required to manage the affairs of smaller non-profit associations are concentrated in one or two individuals. Within these individuals, a high level of experience gained from years of serving on the committee, combined with the accumulated knowledge of the association’s culture, norms and management processes, forms the means by which the association is managed. This research provides a platform from which the scope of the model can be extended to make it applicable to larger associations and provide global access to the model through the development of an on-line application. The heuristic methodology employed in this study could be used to find a solution to another important problem in the non-profit field: measuring the performance of a non-profit association in achieving its objectives.
Cortistatin regulates fibrosis and myofibroblast activation in experimental hepatotoxic‐ and cholestatic‐induced liver injury

Liver fibrosis induced by chronic hepatic injury remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Identification of susceptibility/prognosis factors and new therapeutic tools for treating hepatic fibrotic disorders are urgent medical needs. Cortistatin is a neuropeptide with potent anti‐inflammatory and anti‐fibrotic activities in lung that binds to receptors that are expressed in liver fibroblasts and hepatic stellate cells. We evaluated the capacity of cortistatin to regulate liver fibrosis.
A New Computerized System for Piercing and Bending Progressive Die Design

A Progressive die is used to transform flat strips of sheet metal into a formed part. This transformation is performed progressively by a series of stations that cut and bend the material into a desired shape. The progressive dies reduce the time and cost of producing complex sheet metal components. The design and manufacture of these dies are difficult. CAD/CAM systems have been proved very useful tools for this task. In this paper, a new system for design of the piercing and bending progressive die is described. In this system, piercing and bending operation are separated and the sequencing of each type is done individually. In this system first sequence of the piercing stations are determined then bending operations are sequenced based on a classification and fuzzy algorithm. Also, neural network systems are used to determine final angle of bends and die parameters. The capability of the system is shown using a sheet metal component.
A SPICE model for Si microstrip detectors and read-out electronics

We have developed a SPICE model of silicon microstrip detector and its read-out electronics. The SPICE model of an AC-coupled single-sided polysilicon-biased silicon microstrip detector has been implemented by using a RC network containing up to 19 strips. The main parameters of this model have been determined by direct comparison with DC and AC measurements. The simulated interstrip and coupling impedance and phase angle are in good agreement with experimental results, up to a frequency of 1 MHz. We have used the PreShape 32 as our read-out chip for both the simulation and the measurements. It consists of a charge sensitive preamplifier followed by a shaper and a buffer. A current pulse, simulating the charge signal of an ionizing particle, has been applied to one end of a single strip. Its propagation along the strips and the read-out electronics has been experimentally studied and compared to the SPICE results in order to assess the quality of the model. The SPICE parameters have-been adjusted to fit the experimental results obtained for the configuration where every strip is connected to the read-out electronics and kept the same for the different read-out configurations we have considered. By adding 2 further capacitances simulating the parasitic contributions between the read-out channels of the PS32 chip, a satisfactory matching between the experimental data and the simulated curves has been reached on both rising and trailing edges of the signal. Such agreement deteriorates only for strips far from the strip where the signal has been applied.
Optimization Design of Vehicle Front Suspension Structure Parameters Using DOE Method

Based on Multi-body system Dynamic theory, front suspension model is established by using ADAMS/Car, and then the validation is finished according to suspension K&C test project. Through the model simulation, the sensitivity of structure parameters to suspension kinematics characteristics has been analyzed and then the most sensnetive ones have been sorted out. The suspension structure geometry parameters are optimized by the application of DOE method based on virtual prototype technology. The parallel travel simulation results are as follows: the values of camber angle, toe angle, kingpin inclination angle, steer angle and lift/dive are reduced, and the values of caster angle are increased slightly with the optimized suspension. Consequently, the optimized suspension is more conducive to vehicle handling stability compared with the original one. This optimization design method provides the technical support for suspension positive development.
Infectious morbidity of speculum versus digital examinations in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objective To estimate the effect of speculum examination only versus digital cervical examination on maternal infectious morbidity in women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and methods We explored MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies comparing the rate of a composite maternal infectious morbidity (either chorioamnionitis, endometritis or both) in women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes that underwent a speculum only versus digital cervical examination at the time of diagnosis. Two reviewers separately ascertained studies, obtained data, and gauged study quality. The rate of a composite maternal infectious morbidity (either chorioamnionitis, endometritis or both) were compared and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Results Four cohort studies, reporting on 1213 women were identified. The median point prevalence of the composite maternal infectious morbidity was 26% (interquartile range 15–35%) in women who had a speculum examination only compared to 33% (interquartile range 22–42%) in women who underwent a digital examination. The overall maternal composite infectious morbidity rate in women that had a speculum examination only was less compared to women that had undergone a digital examination (pooled OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.58–0.98, I 2 17%). The weighted mean length of latency in women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes was longer in individuals evaluated by speculum only versus digital examination, 6.6 d versus 2.9 d (mean difference 4.5 d, 95% CI 1.4 to 7.8, I 2 99%). Conclusion Speculum examination only in women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes is associated with less maternal infectious morbidity and longer latency periods.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy induces transcriptome changes in elderly: a prospective trial

Introduction: Aging is characterized by the progressive loss of physiological capacity. Changes in gene expression can alter activity in defined age-related molecular pathways leading to cellular aging and increased aging disease susceptibility. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) affects gene expression in normal, non-pathological, aging adults. Methods: Thirty-five healthy independently living adults, aged 64 and older, were enrolled to receive 60 daily HBOT exposures. Whole blood samples were collected at baseline, at the 30th and 60th HBOT session, and 1–2 weeks following the last session. Differential gene expression analysis was performed. Results: Following 60 sessions of HBOT, 1342 genes and 570 genes were differently up- and downregulated (1912 total), respectively (p < 0.01 FDR), compared to baseline. Out of which, five genes were downregulated with a >1.5-fold change: ABCA13 (FC = −2.28), DNAJ6 (FC = −2.16), HBG2 (FC = −1.56), PDXDC1 (FC = −1.53), RANBP17 (FC = −1.75). Two weeks post-HBOT, ABCA13 expression was significantly downregulated with a >1.5fold change (FC = −1.54, p = 0.008). In conclusion, for the first time in humans, the study provides direct evidence of HBOT is associated with transcriptome changes in whole-blood samples. Our results demonstrate significant changes in gene expression of normal aging population.
The progress of sub-pixel imaging methods

This paper reviews the Sub-pixel imaging technology principles, characteristics, the current development status at home and abroad and the latest research developments. As Sub-pixel imaging technology has achieved the advantages of high resolution of optical remote sensor, flexible working ways and being miniaturized with no moving parts. The imaging system is suitable for the application of space remote sensor. Its application prospect is very extensive. It is quite possible to be the research development direction of future space optical remote sensing technology.
Reduced sensitivity of the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant to monoclonal antibodies and neutralizing antibodies induced by infection and vaccination

ABSTRACT Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants have continued to emerge in diverse geographic locations with a temporal distribution. The Lambda variant containing multiple mutations in the spike protein, has thus far appeared mainly in South America. The variant harbours two mutations in the receptor binding domain, L452Q and F490S, which may change its infectivity and antigenicity to neutralizing antibodies. In this study, we constructed 10 pseudoviruses to study the Lambda variant and each individual amino acid mutation's effect on viral function, and used eight cell lines to study variant infectivity. In total, 12 monoclonal antibodies, 14 convalescent sera, and 23 immunized sera induced by mRNA vaccines, inactivated vaccine, and adenovirus type 5 vector vaccine were used to study the antigenicity of the Lambda variant. We found that compared with the D614G reference strain, Lambda demonstrated enhanced infectivity of Calu-3 and LLC-MK2 cells by 3.3-fold and 1.6-fold, respectively. Notably, the sensitivity of the Lambda variant to 5 of 12 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, 9G11, AM180, R126, X593, and AbG3, was substantially diminished. Furthermore, convalescent- and vaccine-immunized sera showed on average 1.3–2.5-fold lower neutralizing titres against the Lambda variant. Single mutation analysis revealed that this reduction in neutralization was caused by L452Q and F490S mutations. Collectively, the reduced neutralization ability of the Lambda variant suggests that the efficacy of monoclonal antibodies and vaccines may be compromised during the current pandemic.
Pharmacological prevention of renal ischemia–reperfusion injury in a rat model

Renal ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. It remains a leading cause of acute kidney injury and is therefore an important issue in trauma and renal transplant surgery. Various pharmaceutical agents have been used in an attempt to dampen the harmful effects of IRI but few have been shown to be useful clinically. Riluzole, Lidocaine and Lamotrigine have been demonstrated to show anti‐ischaemic properties in other organs; however, their use has not been tested in the kidneys. We investigated Riluzole, Lidocaine and Lamotrigine for their preventive effects of renal IRI using a rat model.
FILTERING TECHNIQUES FOR ECG SIGNAL PROCESSING

ECG is the graphical recording of the electrical activity of the heart and recognized biological signal used for clinical diagnosis. The ECG signal is very sensitive in nature, and even if small noise mixed with original signal the various characteristics of the signal changes. The signal voltage level is as low as 0.5 to 5mV and is susceptible to artifacts that are larger than it. The frequency components of a human's ECG signal fall into the range of 0.05 to 100Hz and as far as the noise is concerned; the muscle movements, mains current and ambient electromagnetic interference generate it. Hence filtering remains an important issue, as data corrupted with noise must either filter or discarded. This paper discusses different filtering techniques used in ECG signal preprocessing and their implementation in a
A New Measurement and Analysis Method for A Third Order Phase Locked Loop (PLL) Transfer Function

this paper, we extend our previous work on the 2 nd order phase locked loop (PLL) measurement and analysis methodology (1) to cover the 3 rd order PLL case (2). The general form of the 3 rd order PLL closed loop transfer function is first derived and its noise, tracking, and acquisition performances are studied. Then, a novel frequency domain based model curve fitting method is proposed to obtain the 3 rd order PLL transfer function measurement through a time interval analyzer (TIA) (3). The proposed method is scalable in terms of PLL order and backward compatible to the existing 2 nd order PLL case. Supported by lab measured PLL data, the performance of the proposed method is shown to be well suited for practical applications.
Distortion bounds for broadcasting with bandwidth expansion

We consider the problem of transmitting a Gaussian source over a Gaussian broadcast channel with p>1 channel uses per source sample. Our goal is to minimize simultaneously the squared-error distortion D/sub 1/ at receiver 1 (connected to the good channel) and D/sub 2/ at receiver 2 (connected to the bad channel). The distortion region, defined as the set of all simultaneously-achievable distortion pairs (D/sub 1/, D/sub 2/), is yet unknown. A separation-based system, consisting of a successive refinement source encoder followed by a broadcast channel encoder, is suboptimal. A variant of the problem is that of sending a Gaussian source over an AWGN channel, where the SNR is unknown except that SNR>SNR/sub min/ where SNR/sub min/ is known. In these conditions, the distortion cannot decay faster than 1/(SNR) as the SNR improves.
Õpetajate-õpilaste interaktsioon ja sisuloome suhtlusportaalides: õpetajate arvamused ja kogemused

Artikli eesmark on anda ulevaade opetajate arvamustest ja kogemustest, mis puudutavad opetajate ja opilaste interaktsiooni ja sisuloomet suhtlusportaalides. Fookusgrupi intervjuudes nelja kooli keskkooliopetajatega ( N = 21) uuriti, milliseid erinevusi on opetajad taheldanud enda ja opilaste loodud veebisisus ning millistel juhtudel ja mil viisil on opetajad pidanud vajalikuks opilaste suhtlusportaalide postitustele reageerida. Muu hulgas sooviti teada, millistele alustele tugineb opetaja-opilase suhtlusportaali soprus ning kas opetajad tunnevad vajadust sotsiaalmeedia suhtlust suunavate kaitumisjuhiste jarele. Intervjuude kvalitatiivsest sisuanaluusist nahtub, et opetajate arvates jagavad opilased suhtlusportaalides liigselt privaatset infot, mistottu pidasid nad enda kohuseks ebasobivaid postitusi margates opilaste sisuloomesse sekkuda. Opetajad votsid ka suhtlusportaalides endale opilaste harija ja mentori rolli ning soovisid oma veebikaitumisega pakkuda eeskuju, samas ei adunud nad taiel maaral opetaja-opilase veebisuhtluse voimalikke tagajargi. Opetaja-opilase veebisuhtlust reguleerivate kaitumisjuhiste jarele aga vajadust ei nahtud. Uuringu tulemused viitavad veebisisu loomega kaasnevatele polvkondlikele erinevustele ning avavad opetajate-opilaste probleeme suhtlusportaali auditooriumi tajumisel. Summary
COOPERATIVE MICROMANIPULATORS FOR 3D MICROMANIPULATION AND ASSEMBLY

In this paper we demonstrate coordinated control of multiple micromanipulators for use in automated 3D micromanipulation and assembly tasks. We build on our previous work on caging micromanipulation by using a similar methodology and extend it to the 3D case. Simultaneous movements of the coordinated micromanipulators normal to the caging polygon allows for the transition of 2D planar micro-caging grasps to micro-force closure grasps suitable for 3D micro-transporting tasks. Experimental results illustrate the success and accuracies of both the micro-grasps’ transitions and 3D pick-and-place tasks. Finally, the new 3D transportation primitive is used in conjunction with our previous 2D micromanipulation primitives and an encoded XY stage to semi-autonomously execute some representative 3D microassembly tasks. © 2012 ASME
Optimization of radiogram thresholding procedure

This study deals with the automated segmentation of radiographic pictures, which is an important task in the process of automatic weld defect recognition. Generally, the process of radiogram binarisation is controlled by several parameters, the selection of which is a very demanding task that strongly influences the overall results. This paper presents an algorithm for an automatic selection thresholding method as well as its parameters using genetic programming techniques. The proposed method could be applied as part of the industrial process of automatic radiogram analysis. Optymalizacja procedury progowania radiogramow Streszczenie Praca porusza zagadnienia związane z procesem automatycznej obrobki i analizy cyfrowych zdjec radiograficznych polączen spawanych. W pracy zaprezentowano metode doboru parametrow progowania zdjec radiograficznych celem ekstrakcji obiektow – potencjalnych niezgodności spawalniczych. Dobor optymalnych parametrow procedury progowania dokonywany jest za pomocą techniki programowania genetycznego.
Relevance of VEGF and CD147 in different SARS‐CoV‐2 positive digestive tracts characterized by thrombotic damage

Several evidence suggests that, in addition to the respiratory tract, also the gastrointestinal tract is a main site of severe acute respiratory syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection, as an example of a multi‐organ vascular damage, likely associated with poor prognosis. To assess mechanisms SARS‐CoV‐2 responsible of tissue infection and vascular injury, correlating with thrombotic damage, specimens of the digestive tract positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein were analyzed deriving from three patients, negative to naso‐oro‐pharyngeal swab for SARS‐CoV‐2. These COVID‐19–negative patients came to clinical observation due to urgent abdominal surgery that removed different sections of the digestive tract after thrombotic events. Immunohistochemical for the expression of SARS‐CoV‐2 combined with a panel of SARS‐CoV‐2 related proteins angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 receptor, cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147), human leukocyte antigen‐G (HLA‐G), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 was performed. Tissue samples were also evaluated by electron microscopy for ultrastructural virus localization and cell characterization. The damage of the tissue was assessed by ultrastructural analysis. It has been observed that CD147 expression levels correlate with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection extent, vascular damage and an increased expression of VEGF and thrombosis. The confirmation of CD147 co‐localization with SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike protein binding on gastrointestinal tissues and the reduction of the infection level in intestinal epithelial cells after CD147 neutralization, suggest CD147 as a possible key factor for viral susceptibility of gastrointestinal tissue. The presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection of gastrointestinal tissue might be consequently implicated in abdominal thrombosis, where VEGF might mediate the vascular damage.