Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ACUTE MACULAR NEURORETINOPATHY: Long-Term Insights Revealed by Multimodal Imaging

Purpose: To report the structural and functional changes in acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) and their long-term evolution. Multimodal retinal imaging was acquired, including Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), infrared (IR) reflectance, and near IR autofluorescence (NIA). Methods: In this retrospective observational case series, detailed clinical history and multimodal imaging are reported in eight patients with AMN. Manual segmentation of the Fourier domain OCT volume scans was done in one patient with the largest AMN lesion to yield retinal sublayer topographic maps. Results: Two patients were seen within the first 1 to 2 days of symptoms, and both showed outer nuclear and outer plexiform layer hyperreflectivity. Both patients developed enlargement of the lesion over the first week on IR reflectance imaging with a corresponding lateral extension of the outer retinal disruption on Fourier domain OCT. Thinning of the outer nuclear layer persisted in all patients with lesions >100 &mgr;m width, and in one patient this thinning worsened over the course of follow-up, as noted on the sublayer maps. This structural abnormality correlated with long-term functional deficits, persisting up to 14 months after the initial episode. Infrared reflectance highlights the lesion best, and abnormalities on near IR autofluorescence may be present. Conclusion: Acute macular neuroretinopathy acutely affects the outer nuclear and plexiform layers manifesting as OCT hyperreflectivity. The hallmark long-term changes are outer nuclear thinning on Fourier domain OCT and a fading dark lesion on IR reflectance imaging. These changes correspond to focal disruption of the outer segment/retinal pigment epithelium junction on OCT, and not the inner segment/outer segment junction, as previously reported. Optical coherence tomography and near IR autofluorescence abnormalities suggest previously unrecognized melanin and retinal pigment epithelium derangements in this condition.
CLUSTERING OF FUNCTIONALLY RELATED GENES IN SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM.

at least three of which seem to have specific functions that can be accounted for in terms of three hypothetical "bithorax" substances. Thus, these genes compose a coordinated cluster that may be regarded as one operon. Other, similar clusters have been detected. If adequate evidence of functional differentiation is obtained to establish each member of such a cluster as belonging to an independent gene locus, then it will appear that clustering similar to that observed in S. typhimurium exists also in D. melanogaster.
2D omnidirectional navigation of a biped robot based on an egocentric orbit following

This paper addresses an omnidirectional locomotion control to make a biped robot walk back and forth, turn to any direction, move sideways and carry out them seamlessly. This is achieved by integrating smooth-path-tracking and lateral walking controllers that have been proposed by the authors, which is not straightforward because the path tracking is designed to converge to a referential path while the lateral walking aims to go away from the path. It can be avoided by extending the path-tracking controller to consecutively redraw the orbit that passes the middle of the feet. The proposed controller is designed completely in the robot-centric frame, namely, all the references and the manipulated variables are represented from the robot's viewpoint so that the operator can issue the referential values in the first-person view. Additionally, as the robot is ruled by neither a plan of footsteps nor time-dependent trajectories, it can flexibly respond to various perturbations. The validity of the proposed controller is investigated through computer simulations and an application to navigation of the robot is also shown.
Upward and Onward: Can Staff Appraise Their Managers?

Upward appraisal involves staff having a formal input into their manager’s or supervisor’s performance appraisal. Reviews the rationale for the adoption of upward appraisal systems for manager’s, and identifies a number of key factors likely to contribute towards the more widespread use of upward appraisal. Describes upward appraisal systems in practice, reviewing what they are used for, who is appraised, what is appraised, and how the appraisals are conducted. Then discusses the effectiveness of upward appraisal, paying particular attention to its acceptability to managers, subordinates and trade unions. Finally, considers whether the transplant of what is largely an American practice can be more widely achieved in the UK and proposes some areas for future research.
L2 p-Forms and Ricci flow with bounded curvature on manifolds

In this paper, we study the evolution of L2 p-forms under Ricci flow with bounded curvature on a complete non-compact or a compact Riemannian manifold. We show that under curvature pinching conditions on such a manifold, the L2 norm of a smooth p-form is non-increasing along the Ricci flow. The L^{\infty} norm is showed to have monotonicity property too.
Taming Space: Drug use, HIV, and homemaking in Downtown Eastside Vancouver

This article explores ideas of home and place making that bear on the narrated realities of 14 women who are drug users living with HIV in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. ‘Taming Space’ refers to the negotiations, transgressions and accommodations they make within particular spatial regimes. As residents of a ‘skid row’ district, research participants work to reconcile personal identities within representations of stigmatized space. As the subjects of epidemiological enquiry, clients of public health services and recipients of harm reduction initiatives, women both resist and acquiesce to the parameters of medicalized space. Housing and social service policies further demarcate spatial orders, especially framing women's options for mobility and homemaking. Finally, as street-involved persons they are subject to the often contradictory socio-spatial codes of street drug sociality. Drawing on the concept of turning points, I analyze the diverse narratives of these women as they flesh out particular dynamics of space and identity within broader structural contexts of colonialism, public health and poverty.
Astaxanthin, a Carotenoid, Stimulates Immune Responses by Enhancing IFN-γ and IL-2 Secretion in Primary Cultured Lymphocytes in Vitro and ex Vivo

Astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant carotenoid, plays a major role in modulating the immune response. In this study, we examined the immunomodulatory effects of astaxanthin on cytokine production in primary cultured lymphocytes both in vitro and ex vivo. Direct administration of astaxanthin (70–300 nM) did not produce cytotoxicity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 µg/ mL)- or concanavalin A (Con A, 10 µg/ mL)-activated lymphocytes, whereas astaxanthin alone at 300 nM induced proliferation of splenic lymphocytes (p < 0.05) in vitro. Although astaxanthin, alone or with Con A, had no apparent effect on interferon (INF-γ) and interleukin (IL-2) production in primary cultured lymphocytes, it enhanced LPS-induced INF-γ production. In an ex vivo experiment, oral administration of astaxanthin (0.28, 1.4 and 7 mg/kg/day) for 14 days did not cause alterations in the body or spleen weights of mice and also was not toxic to lymphocyte cells derived from the mice. Moreover, treatment with astaxanthin significantly increased LPS-induced lymphocyte proliferation ex vivo but not Con A-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation ex vivo. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis revealed that administration of astaxanthin significantly enhanced INF-γ production in response to both LPS and Con A stimulation, whereas IL-2 production increased only in response to Con A stimulation. Also, astaxanthin treatment alone significantly increased IL-2 production in lymphocytes derived from mice, but did not significantly change production of INF-γ. These findings suggest that astaxanthin modulates lymphocytic immune responses in vitro, and that it partly exerts its ex vivo immunomodulatory effects by increasing INF-γ and IL-2 production without inducing cytotoxicity.
User-centric traffic optimization in residential software defined networks

Software defined networking (SDN) provides a centralized control framework with real-time control of network components, residential customer routers in particular, that allows automated per-user bandwidth allocation. However, employing dynamic traffic shaping for efficient bandwidth utilization among residential users is a challenging task. In this context, understanding application usage requirements for each individual user and translating them into network policies requires expertise beyond most residential users. This paper proposes a user-centric traffic optimization scheme by profiling users based on their application trends recorded using generic NetFlow records, in order to provide a better view of per user utilization. We also propose an SDN traffic monitoring and management application for implementing Linux-based hierarchical token bucket (HTB) queues customized for individual user profiles in real-time, according to user-defined priorities. The traffic management scheme scales well under both upstream and downstream network congestion by dynamically allocating dedicated bandwidth to users based on their profile priority, resulting in a decreased packet loss and latency for a selected set of high priority users.
Causal attributions, causal dimensions, and affective reactions to success and failure

Previous research has indicated that two different aspects of causal attribution processes, causal attributions and causal dimensions, are determinants of affective reactions to success and failure. Three different models of the relation between these two components of attribution processes and affective reactions are proposed. These models were empirically tested in two studies. Study I used an experimental methodology requiring subjects to imagine themselves in different achievement situations, whereas Study 2 involved affective reactions to performance on a midterm examination. Results from these studies indicated that causal attributions and causal dimensions had joint and independent effects on affective reactions to success and failure. The implications of these findings for a theoretical model of the relation between attribution processes and affect are discussed. Imagine yourself in the following situation: You have just received in the mail the reviews of a paper you recently submitted. Quickly you open the envelope and read the editor's comments, only to discover that your paper has been rejected. As you continue reading the reviews of you work, you find that the criticisms by the reviewers were either relatively minor or already addressed in your paper.
Evaluation of a new optimisation algorithm for rigid registration of MRI data

We propose to use a recently introduced optimisation method in the context of rigid registration of medical images. This optimisation method, introduced by Powell and called NEWUOA, is compared with two other widely used algorithms: Powell's direction set and Nelder-Mead's downhill simplex method. This paper performs a comparative evaluation of the performances of these algorithms to optimise different image similarity measures for different mono- and multi-modal registrations. Images from the BrainWeb project are used as a gold standard for validation purposes. This paper exhibits that the proposed optimisation algorithm is more robust, more accurate and faster than the two other methods.
Social ranking: uncovering relevant content using tag-based recommender systems

Social (or folksonomic) tagging has become a very popular way to describe, categorise, search, discover and navigate content within Web 2.0 websites. Unlike taxonomies, which overimpose a hierarchical categorisation of content, folksonomies empower end users by enabling them to freely create and choose the categories (in this case, tags) that best describe some content. However, as tags are informally defined, continually changing, and ungoverned, social tagging has often been criticised for lowering, rather than increasing, the efficiency of searching, due to the number of synonyms, homonyms, polysemy, as well as the heterogeneity of users and the noise they introduce. In this paper, we propose Social Ranking, a method that exploits recommender system techniques to increase the efficiency of searches within Web 2.0. We measure users' similarity based on their past tag activity. We infer tags' relationships based on their association to content. We then propose a mechanism to answer a user's query that ranks (recommends) content based on the inferred semantic distance of the query to the tags associated to such content, weighted by the similarity of the querying user to the users who created those tags. A thorough evaluation conducted on the CiteULike dataset demonstrates that Social Ranking neatly improves coverage, while not compromising on accuracy.
Study of Conformal Switchable Antenna System on Cylindrical Surface for Isotropic Coverage

A conformal switchable antenna system mounted on a cylindrical surface is proposed, simulated, prototyped and measured. The antenna system is composed of several tri-polarization antennas operating at 2.4 GHz band. It is shown that this antenna system realizes a quasi-isotropic pattern without any nulls over a complete spherical surface. Specifically, it is shown that by using three tri-polarization antennas and switching among them, a complete spherical coverage could be achieved without any nulls and with a power gain larger than 2.5 dBi over more than 90 percent of a spherical surface surrounding the antenna system. Furthermore, it is shown that the performance of the antenna system does not deteriorate with the increase in the diameter of the mounting cylinder, thus facilitating the implementation of the proposed design in many applications including telemetry, satellites, and aircraft. Both simulation and experimental results of the radiation patterns are presented in this paper.
Effect of alendronate on fracture healing and bone remodeling in dogs

To examine the effect of alendronate (4‐amino‐1‐hydroxybutylidene bisphosphonate) on fracture repair, the drug was given to mature beagle dogs orogastrically at 2 mg/kg/day for 9 weeks preceding fracture, 16 weeks after fracture, or both before and after fracture (25 weeks). A transverse mid‐diaphyseal fracture of the right radius was surgically induced and was stabilized by external coaptation splinting. Fracture healing and bone remodeling were evaluated by radiography, gross and histological examination, and bone histomorphometry. The mechanical properties of the fracture callus were determined by a four‐point bending test. Radiographs and gross and microscopic examination demonstrated normal bone healing at the fracture site in all dogs. In dogs that received alendronate during the fracture healing period, at 16 weeks the calluses were approximately 2–3 times larger than those in dogs that received a placebo during the healing period. This is consistent with slower callus bone remodeling, an expected pharmacological effect of the compound. Bone histomorphometry demonstrated that treatment with alendronate did not inhibit bone formation or mineralization. Mechanical testing showed that the ultimate load at failure and the flexural rigidity of both the fractured and contralateral intact bone were unaffected by treatment with alendronate. Therefore, in this study, treatment with alendronate before or during fracture healing, or both, resulted in no adverse effects on the union, strength, or mineralization of bone in mature beagle dogs.
Fast and Accurate Prediction via Evidence-Specific MRF Structure

We are interested in speeding up approximate inference in Markov Random Fields (MRFs). We present a new method that uses gates—binary random variables that determine which factors of the MRF to use. Which gates are open depends on the observed evidence; when many gates are closed, the MRF takes on a sparser and faster structure that omits “unnecessary” factors. We train parameters that control the gates, jointly with the ordinary MRF parameters, in order to locally minimize an objective that combines loss and runtime.
Robust Iterative PID Controller Based on Linear Matrix Inequality for a Sample Power System

Abstract — This paper provides the design steps of a robust Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) based iterative multivariable PID controller whose duty is to drive a sample power system that comprises a synchronous generator connected to a large network via a step-up transformer and a transmission line. The generator is equipped with two control-loops, namely, the speed/power (governor) and voltage (exciter). Both loops are lumped in one where the error in the terminal voltage and output active power represent the controller inputs and the generator-exciter voltage and governor-valve position represent its outputs. Multivariable PID is considered here because of its wide use in the industry, simple structure and easy implementation. It is also preferred in plants of higher order that cannot be reduced to lower ones. To improve its robustness to variation in the controlled variables, H ∞ -norm of the system transfer function is used. To show the effectiveness of the controller, divers tests, namely, step/tracking in the controlled variables, and variation in plant parameters, are applied. A comparative study between the proposed controller and a robust H∞ LMI-based output feedback is given by its robustness to disturbance rejection. From the simulation results, the iterative multivariable PID shows superiority.
Predictors of Culinary Students' Satisfaction with Learning

Satisfaction with learning is an important factor in student persistence as well as student success. Surveying students at a culinary college in southern California, the model presented accounts for 29% of the variability in satisfaction with learning with the significant predictors being Engaged Learning and Effort Regulation. Students that are engaged in their studies and apply thoughtful effort to their work achieve better academic outcomes. This model did confirm previous research on engaged learning. However, using the culinary student sample, effort was negatively related to satisfaction. Future research on culinary students will help to further define the characteristics that influence a culinary student's success in school.
INHIBITORNA KONTROLA KAO ČINILAC PROBLEMA U PONAŠANJU KOD DECE SA LAKOM INTELEKTUALNOM OMETENOŠĆU

Inhibitorna kontrola, kao jedan od bazicnih mehanizama egzekutivnih funkcija, je izuzetno važna za adaptivno ponasanje. Mogucnost alteracije i adaptacije ponasanja u razlicitim životnim situacijama u velikoj meri zavisi od mogucnosti inhibicije neželjenih ili neodgovarajucih vidova ponasanja. Istraživanje je sprovedeno s namerom da se utvrdi odnos između inhibitorne kontrole i problema u ponasanju kod dece sa lakom intelektualnom omerenoscu. Uzorkom je obuhvaceno 56 dece sa lakom intelektualnom ometenoscu (IQ 50-70, AS=60,27; SD=7,106)), oba pola, iz cetiri beogradske osnovne skole. Analizom dokumentacije pedagosko-psiholoske službe prikupljeni su podaci o uzrastu i intelektualnim sposobnostima. Podaci o problemima u ponasanju dobijeni su na osnovu standardizovanog intervjua s defektolozima, primenom II dela AAMR Skale adaptivnog funkcionisanja. Inhibitorna kontrola je procenjena Kreni/stani zadatkom, koji se sastoji iz dva dela (konfliktni odgovori i odlaganje odgovora). U statistickoj analizi rezultata je koriscena visefaktorska analiza varijanse (MANOVA). Analizom rezultata nije utvrđen znacajan odnos između skorova na Skali maladaptivnog ponasanja i IQ, pola i uzrasta. Greske konfliktnih odgovora Kreni/stani zadatka nisu statisticki znacajno povezane sa Skalom maladaptivnog ponasanja u celini (Wilks'λ=0,632; F(21)=1,093, p=0,363), kao ni sa pojedinacnim varijablama (p>0,05). Greske odlaganja odgovora imaju statisticki znacajan uticaj na rezultate Skale maladaptivnog ponasanja ('λ=0,463; F(21)=1,942, p=0,012). Utvrđen je statisticki znacajan odnos sa pojedinacnim varijablama (podskalama) Prilagodljivost (F(3)=3,944, p=0,013), Pouzdanost (F(3)=3,576, p=0.020) i Prisilno ponasanje (F(3)=3,721, p=0.017). Sumirajuci rezultate istraživanja, možemo zakljuciti da teskoce odlaganja odgovora znacajno uticu na vidove ponasanja koji su usmereni na izbegavanje pravila, neprikladno ponasanje u grupi, otpor prema autoritetu, nepostovanje javne i privatne imovine, kao i na bizarno ponasanje i samopovređivanje. Kljucne reci: laka intelektualna ometenost, problemi u ponasanju, inhibitorna kontrola, egzekutivne funkcije
Prognostic Significance of CD4+ and CD8+ T Cell Infiltration Within Cancer Cell Nests in Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: The clinicopathological significance of the local spontaneous immune reaction in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of the subtypes of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, both individually and synergistically. Methods: Seventy-six patients with verified histopathological data and complete clinical history were included into the study. We collected 76 paraffin-embedded samples of the primary tumor. The presence of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and compared with commonly recognized prognostic factors. The primary end point analyzed was the overall survival. Results: CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were detected both within the nests of carcinoma and in the stroma, but only the infiltration within cancer cell nests was further analyzed. There was significant positive correlation (Spearman rho test R = 0.282, P = 0.014) between the number of intratumoral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. No correlation was observed between the number of tumor-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the patients' survival. Patients were classified into the following 4 groups (CD4+/CD8+, CD4−/CD8−, CD4+/CD8−, CD4−/CD8+), but none of them correlated with overall survival. Conclusions: These data support the statement that CD4+ and CD8+ T cells cooperate within cancer cell nests, but this spontaneous immune reaction is an individual feature not influencing the prognosis. Intratumoral CD4+ T cells might control or reflect the immune responses against cancer cells, whereas CD8+ T cells do not seem to work as sufficient effectors in tumor tissues.
Genetic mapping of a mutation conferring sensitivity to bacteriophage Mu in Salmonella typhimurium LT2

Two strains of Salmonella typhimurium LT2, SA1475 and MA411, were fortuitously found to be sensitive to bacteriophage Mu. The Mu-sensitivity allele of SA1475 was called musA1 and shown to be linked to the histidine operon both in conjugation and transduction experiments. The Mus allele of MA411 was unlinked to the his region and was tentatively designated musB2. Strains carrying large deletions of the his operon were also tested for Mu sensitivity; those of which the his-rib region is deleted were also sensitive to Mu. Transduction data led to the order zee-2 hisOGDCBAHFIE gnd musA. An Hfr injecting the his operon early (HfrK9) an carrying hisG9424::Tn10 delta 4 delta 11 and musA1 was isolated; this Hfr made it possible to introduce the Mus character into most derivatives of S. typhimurium LT2. Since strain SA1475 is resistant to bacteriophage P1, it could be used to select a new P1-Mu hybrid which has the host range of Mu and the transduction properties of P1.