Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving Query Expansion Using Wikipedia

Query expansion is one of important technologies used to improve retrieval efficiency. Many studies focus on query expansion with relationships between terms only extracted from the single local domain corpus. In fact, because the single local domain corpus is relatively small, there exist many no-landing terms which have no candidates for query expansion resulting in low retrieval performance. Therefore, to address such problem, relationships between terms captured from Wikipedia are superimposed to the basic Markov network that pre-built using the local domain corpus. A new larger Markov network is formed with more and richer relationships for each term. A graph mining technology, clique, is implemented to measure inter-relationships in Markov network for query expansion. The proposed techniques of superimposed Markov network and clique-based query expansion are benefit to improve precision and recall of information retrieval and to reduce the risk of topic drift.
The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus – a potential target for integrative treatment of autonomic dysfunction

Background: The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) has emerged as one of the most important autonomic control centers in the brain, with neurons playing essential roles in controlling stress, metabolism, growth, reproduction, immune and other more traditional autonomic functions (gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular). Objectives: Traditionally the PVN was viewed as a nucleus in which afferent inputs from other regions were faithfully translated into changes in single specific outputs, whether neuroendocrine or autonomic. Here we present data which suggest that the PVN plays significant and essential roles in integrating multiple sources of afferent input and sculpting an integrated autonomic output by concurrently modifying the excitability of multiple output pathways. In addition, we highlight recent work that suggests that dysfunction of such intranuclear integrative circuitry contributes to the pathology of conditions such as hypertension and congestive heart failure. Conclusions: This review highlights data showing that individual afferent inputs (subfornical organ), signaling molecules (orexins, adiponectin), and interneurons (glutamate/GABA), all have the potential to influence (and thus coordinate) multiple PVN output pathways. We also highlight recent studies showing that modifications in this integrated circuitry may play significant roles in the pathology of diseases such as congestive heart failure and hypertension.
Harmonic State-Space Model of a Controlled TCR

This paper presents a harmonic state-space (HSS) model of a three-phase thyristor-controlled reactor (TCR) in a voltage-control application. In using the HSS description, the importance of incorporating the effect of harmonic interaction on the dynamics of a power system containing a TCR or other flexible ac transmission system controllers is illustrated. Although nonlinear in nature, the significant effect of switching instant variation is included in the linearized model. The model size is minimized with the selection of the minimum necessary set of harmonic frequencies. To validate the HSS models, the steady-state harmonics and the step response were validated with a PSCAD/EMTDC simulation.
SEMANTIC AND ABSTRACTION CONTENT OF ART IMAGES

In this paper the semantic and abstraction content of art images is studied. Different techniques for search in art image repositories are analyzed and new ones are proposed. The content-based retrieval process integrates the search on different components, linked in XML structures. Some experiments over 200 paintings of six Israel contemporary artists are done and analyzed.
Validation studies of the health improvement network (THIN) database for pharmacoepidemiology research

The Health Improvement Network (THIN) is a new medical records database that contains records from general practices some of which have or continue to participate in the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) and others that never participated in GPRD. We sought to replicate in THIN well‐established associations from the medical literature and to compare results from the GPRD practices to the non‐GPRD practices within THIN.
Using a New Measurement to Evaluate Pain Relief Among Cancer Inpatients with Clinically Significant Pain Based on a Nursing Information System: A Three-Year Hospital-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE Developing a new measurement index is the first step in evaluating pain relief outcomes. Although the percentage difference in pain intensity (%PID) is the most popular indicator, this indicator does not take into account the goal of pain relief. Therefore, the aims of this study were to develop a pain relief index (PRI) for outcome evaluation and to examine the index using demographic characteristics of cancer inpatients with clinically significant pain. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING A national hospital. SUBJECTS All cancer inpatients. METHODS Pain intensity was assessed using a numerical rating scale, a faces pain scale or the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Behavioral Tool. Using a nursing information system, a pain score database containing data from 2011 through 2013 was analyzed. RESULTS Cancer patients representing 93,812 hospitalizations were considered in this study. We focused on cancer patients for whom the worst pain intensity (WPI) was ≥ 4 points. PRI values of -62.02% to -72.55% were observed in the WPI ≥ 7 and 4 ≤ WPI ≤ 6 groups. Significant (P < 0.05) effects on PRI values were observed among patients who were > 65 years old, those who were admitted to the medicine or gynecology and those who had a hospital stay > 30 days. CONCLUSION This hospital-based study demonstrated that the PRI is an effective and valid measure for evaluating outcome data using an electronic nursing information system. We will further define the meaningful range of percentage difference in PRI from various perspectives.
Speed-up Multi-modal Near Duplicate Image Detection

Near-duplicate image detection is a necessary operation to refine image search results for efficient user exploration. The existences of large amounts of near duplicates require fast and accurate automatic near-duplicate detection methods. We have designed a coarse-to-fine near duplicate detection framework to speed-up the process and a multi-modal integra-tion scheme for accurate detection. The duplicate pairs are detected with both global feature (partition based color his-togram) and local feature (CPAM and SIFT Bag-of-Word model). The experiment results on large scale data set proved the effectiveness of the proposed design.
Outcome of premature thelarche: relation to puberty and final height

BACKGROUND There is a debate about the possible progression of idiopathic premature thelarche towards precocious or early puberty. OBJECTIVE To evaluate height and age at onset of puberty in a group of girls with a history of idiopathic premature thelarche. STUDY DESIGN The height and age at onset of puberty of 42 girls now over 10 years of age who were diagnosed with isolated premature thelarche before the age of 3 years were evaluated. RESULTS Menarche was reached before or at 11 years of age in 13.5% of this group of girls. This percentage of early menarche was higher than would be expected from historical controls in the general population, but was consistent with maternal age of menarche. The mean (SD) height of the girls (n = 15) who achieved adult height was 162.9 (6.3) cm, which was slightly higher than the mean (SD) relative midparental height (160.7 (6.7) cm). CONCLUSIONS Isolated premature thelarche with onset before 3 years of age progresses towards precocious puberty, although this was consistent with the maternal age of menarche. Furthermore, adult height was normal when compared with population norms in all patients.
An approach of halal poultry meat comparison based on mean-shift segmentation

This study describes a method to identify slaughtered poultry based on Islamic way. This is done based on evaluation the meat color in order to determine if the poultry is slaughtered based on Islamic way or vice versa. Firstly, the intensity color level that represented the chest meat of the poultry is determined under controlled illumination and camera positioning. Next, LUV color space is used to determine the color tone of the pixel based on mean shift method. Initial results showed that the proposed method that based on mean shift segmentation proven that Halal flesh images owned extremely high value of U component as compared to Non-halal flesh. Thus the proposed method is capable to identify poultry slaughtered using Islamic Law or otherwise.
Is leg length a biomarker of childhood conditions in older Chinese women? The Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

Objective: In developed western populations longer legs have been shown to be a biomarker of better early childhood conditions. It was hypothesised that in transitioning populations better childhood conditions may bring forward puberty and thus decrease leg length, counteracting the overall positive effect of a favourable childhood environment on leg growth. Design: Structural equation modelling was used to assess the interrelationship of age, education, father’s job, age of menarche and leg length in a cross-sectional sample of 7273 Chinese women aged at least 50 years from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study. Results: Leg length had no significant association with education or father’s occupation on bivariable testing. After including age of menarche in the model, education was associated with longer legs (0.45 cm longer per 10 years of education, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.71). Education was also associated with younger age of menarche (1.21 years younger per 10 years of education, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.34), which was in turn associated with shorter legs (0.23 cm shorter per year of menarche earlier, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.27). Conclusions: In older Chinese women leg length is not a universal biomarker of childhood conditions, when proxied by her educational level and father’s occupation. Nutritionally driven epigenetic influences operating over generations may constrain growth in very recently developed populations. Given the impact of childhood conditions on health, and the dearth of long-term records outside the industrialised world, a greater understanding of the influences on growth in the developing world is required.
An Investigation on the Effects of Wall Parameters on the Indoor Wireless Propagations

The type of the construction materials of the interior walls of the indoor environments plays a great role in the propagation of the transmitted signals inside the buildings. A comparison of calculated and simulated Fresnel reflection and transmitted coefficients at 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz for a variety of typical exterior building surfaces has been achieved. The effect of the different types of wall on the path loss prediction had been conducted by using a ray tracing program with real time reflection and refraction phenomena.
An empirical trial of multi-dimensional in-process measurement and feedback on a governmental multi-vendor software project

Government procured multi-vendor software development projects can use project measurement based on empirical software engineering concepts to measure progress and guide project management. This paper reports on experimental use of multi-dimensional project measurement and feedback in a consortium-based development project. The paper describes measurement functions, analyses, and intermediate results from the project. Two empirical software engineering research and investigation organizations, the Empirical Approach to Software Engineering (EASE) project and the Software Engineering Center (SEC) Japan are conducting the experiment, supported by the government. The target of the development project is an experimental Probe Information Platform for automotive information in the field of Public Information Systems. The trial suggests that multi-dimensional measurements along with the empirical concept are highly useful for projects using the consortium method with no main contractor.
Noise reduction for interpolations based on pilot-block averaging in DVB-T receivers

This paper proposes a noise-reduction method to improve the channel-estimation performance in DVB-T receivers. Pilot-insertion type approximation and pilot-block averaging are employed to reduce noise effect. Computer simulation shows that the proposed method improves the estimation performance by more than 1 dB in terms of the SER after equalization
κ‐Opioid receptors in the infralimbic cortex modulate the cardiovascular responses to acute stress

What is the central question of this study? A brief experience of stress can cause structural remodelling in the infralimbic cortex. In the present study, we addressed the potential role played by opioidergic neurotransmission in the infralimbic cortex in the modulation of stress‐evoked autonomic responses. What is the main finding and its importance? Using the restraint stress model, we showed that infralimbic cortex κ‐opioid receptors, but not μ‐ and δ‐opioid receptors, modulate stress‐evoked cardiovascular responses.
A knowledge exchange perspective of technology transfer

A major challenge for global firms is to become more efficient and effective in the technology transfer process in order to leverage existing resources and minimize redundancies in effort. In response, network organizational forms have emerged as a means to enhance technology transfer. Of particular importance in the push toward network forms is the proliferation of newly integrated computer and communication technologies offering capabilities to overcome time and distance constraints. In order to make progress toward understanding the technology transfer process, we develop an integrated conceptual framework. Our framework presents a dynamic knowledge exchange perspective of technology transfer. A series of research propositions are presented as a basis for future empirical research.
Deglycosylation of anti-ß amyloid antibodies inhibits microglia activation in BV-2 cellular model

Immunotherapy has become a strategy for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, by inducing antibody response to amyloid-ß peptide (AßP) or by passive administration of anti-AßP antibodies. Clearance of amyloid plaques involves interaction of immunoglobulin Fc receptor (FcR)-expressing microglia and antibodyopsonized Aß deposits, stimulating phagocytosis but may promote neuroinflammation. Carbohydrate moiety of Fc of the immunoglobulin G molecule plays a significant role in modulating binding to FcR and its effector functions. Here, we enzymatically removed Fc glycan from monoclonal antibody 196 raised against AßP. Antigen binding ability and in vitro stability of deglycosylated antibody were unaffected by deglycosylation. M oreover, the deglycosylated antibody exhibits low affinity to FcR on microglial BV-2 cells and has limited ability to mediate microglial chemotaxis and antibodydependent cytotoxicity compared to native antibody. These data suggest that deglycosylation of anti-Aß antibodies before in vivo administration might prevent microglial overactivation, thus reducing the risk of neuroinflammatory response during passive immunization.
Evaluation of the Corneal Topographic Characteristics of Keratoconus With Orbscan II in Patients With and Without Atopy

Purpose: To analyze the differences in corneal topography in keratoconus patients with and without atopy. Methods: In the Beyoglu Eye Research and Training Hospital Refractive Surgery Department, corneal examination with the Orbscan II device (Bausch & Lomb) was done to all patients between May and June 2004 who were diagnosed as keratoconus with corneal topography findings and who did not have any surgical procedure. The atopy grading was done according to the criteria of the UK Atopy Study Group (1994). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of atopy. The Orbscan findings of the 2 groups were compared. Results: Among 70 keratoconus patients, 33 patients had partial or full atopy. Sixty-six eyes of the 33 patients were classified as the atopic group, whereas 74 eyes of the remaining 37 patients were classified as the control group. The mean age of the patients was 27.7 ± 9.5 years in the atopic group and 26.9 ± 9.5 years in the control group. The central corneal thickness was 428.5 ± 37.1 μm in the atopic group and 491.8 ± 56.3 μm in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean central and thinnest corneal pachymetric readings, the distance of thinnest point to corneal center, anterior and posterior elevation values, distances of the anterior and posterior elevation to the central cornea, and irregularity indexes in the 2 groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study shows that corneal topographic and pachymetric characteristics of keratoconus may be different in atopic eyes from those in nonatopic eyes. Atopic keratoconus patients could possibly be evaluated as a separate entity in keratoconus disease.
Update on ventilator-associated pneumonia

Purpose of reviewTo highlight the importance of escalating pathogen resistance in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) along with diagnostic and treatment implications. Recent findingsIn a period of rising bacterial resistance, VAP remains an important infection occurring in critically ill patients. Risk factors for multidrug-resistant pathogens depend on both local epidemiology and host factors. New diagnostic techniques and antimicrobials can help with rapid bacterial identification and timely and appropriate treatment while avoiding emergence of bacterial resistance. SummaryClinicians should be aware of risk factors for multidrug-resistant pathogens causing VAP and also of particularities of diagnosis and treatment of this important clinical entity.
Variants able to cause growth hormone deficiency syndrome are present within the disease-nil WE strain of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Persistent infection of C3H/St mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) strain Armstrong leads to disordered growth and hypoglycemia. Both host and viral determinants contribute to this growth hormone (GH) deficiency syndrome (GHDS). Development of the GHDS correlates with the virus's ability to replicate in the GH-producing cells and cause reduced levels of GH synthesis. LCMV strain WE infects few GH-producing cells and does not cause GHDS in C3H/St mice. We show here that clonal variants isolated from the GHDS-nil WE population are able to replicate at high levels in GH-producing cells and cause GHDS in C3H/St mice. These variants are stably maintained, but phenotypically silent, within the GHDS-nil WE population.
Urban Aerosol Toxicity: The Influence of Particle Size

The basic thesis developed herein is that particle size is an extremely important parameter to consider when assessing the potential toxicity of species present in urban aerosols, and that surface adsorption or condensation greatly promotes toxicity. In the majority of cases this means that particles that are less than 1 �. m in size are of primary importance. Special significance is attached to the organic constitutents of aerosols. Many of these are known or potential carcinogens and most predominate in extremely small particles which become deposited almost exclusively in the lung.
Dietary patterns and breast cancer risk in Asian American women 1 – 3

Background: The role of diet as a cause of breast cancer in Asian Americans has not been adequately studied. Objective: We investigated the association between dietary patterns and breast cancer risk in Asian Americans. Design: This population-based case-control study in Los Angeles County compared dietary patterns between 1248 Asian American women with incident breast cancer and 1148 age-, ethnicity-, and neighborhood-matched controls. The relation between dietary patterns and serum concentrations of estrogens, androgens, and sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) was investigated in 2172 postmenopausal control women. Results: We used a scoring method proposed by Trichopoulou et al (1) and found that adherence to a Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with risk; the odds ratio (OR) was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.44, 0.95) in women with the highest scores ( 8; most adherent) compared with those with the lowest scores (0–3; P for trend 1⁄4 0.009), after adjustment for key covariates. We also used factor analysis and identified 3 dietary patterns (Western-meat/starch, ethnic-meat/ starch, and vegetables/soy). In a combined index of the 3 patterns, women who were high consumers of Western and ethnic meat/ starch and low consumers of the vegetables/soy diets showed the highest risk (OR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.40, 3.42; P for trend 1⁄4 0.0005). SHBG concentrations were 23% lower in women with a high intake of the meat/starch pattern and a low intake of the vegetables/soy pattern than in those with a low intake of the meat/starch pattern and a high intake of the vegetables/soy pattern (P for trend 1⁄4 0.069). Conclusion: Our results suggest that a diet characterized by a low intake of meat/starches and a high intake of legumes is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer in Asian Americans. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;89:1145–54.
A novel high-speed broad wavelength InAlAs/InGaAs Schottky barrier photodiode for 0.4 to 1.6 mu m detection

A high-speed, broadband InAlAs/InGaAs graded superlattice Schottky barrier photodiode with useful spectral response extending from 0.4 to 1.6 mu m is demonstrated. The top, wide-bandgap n-In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As epilayer absorbs photons in the visible to near-infrared, with peak response occurring around 0.8 mu m; the bottom n-In/sub 0.53/Ga/sub 0.47/As epilayer absorbs photons in the 1.0 to 1.6 mu m wavelength regime, with peak response occurring at 1.3 mu m. The photodiode has a responsivity of 0.34 A/W at 0.8 mu m and 0.42 A/W at 1.3 mu m. Excellent dark I-V characteristics with a reverse leakage current of <1.2 nA and junction capacitance of <0.1 pF at -5 V have been achieved. <<ETX>>
Biological insect control using "Metarhizium anisopliae": morphological, molecular, and ecological aspects

Microbial control of insects is based on the rational use of pathogens to maintain environmentally balanced pest population levels, and Metarhizium anisopliae has been the most studied and most utilized fungal species for that purpose. The natural genetic variability of entomopathogenic fungi is considered one of the principal advantages of microbial insect control. The inter- and intraspecific variability and the genetic diversity and population structures of Metarhizium and other entomopathogenic fungi have been examined using ITS-RFLP, ISSR, and ISSP molecular markers. The persistence of M. anisopliae in the soil and its possible effects on the structures of resident microbial communities must be considered when selecting isolates for biological insect control.