Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serodiagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis using a combination of antigens.

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) by conventional methods such as culture and microscopy has low sensitivity and requires an invasive procedure. A simple rapid serological test would be of great value. METHODS Six antigens (ESAT-6, Ag85A, TB10.4, Rv3881c, lipoarabinomannan (LAM) and Ara6-BSA) were tested in an ELISA to detect antigen specific IgG and IgM antibodies in sera from 54 culture and histology-confirmed tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBLN) patients, among whom four were HIV seropositive, sera from 25 smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients, 15 culture and histology-negative lymphadenitis (non-TBLN) patients (n=15) and 22 healthy controls (HCs). RESULTS The sensitivities of the antigens for the detection of IgG in sera of TBLN patients ranged from 4 to 30 %. Specificities ranged from 91 to 100 % with sera from HCs. Sensitivities of the antigens for detection of IgM ranged from 0 to 15 % and specificities ranged from 91 to 100 %. LAM was the most potent antigen followed by ESAT-6 and Rv3881c for detection of IgG. However, the sensitivity for antigen specific IgG antibody detection was improved when LAM was combined with ESAT-6 and Rv3881c.The sensitivity was 54 % and the specificity 91 %. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that the combined use of LAM, ESAT-6 and Rv3881c for the detection of IgG in sera of TBLN patients could be a supplement to microscopy of fine- needle aspirate (FNA) to diagnose EPTB.
Theory of rodent navigation based on interacting representations of space

We present a computational theory of navigation in rodents based on interacting representations of place, head direction, and local view. An associated computer model is able to replicate a variety of behavioral and neurophysiological results from the rodent navigation literature. The theory and model generate predictions that are testable with current technologies. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Conceptions and Misconceptions about Computational Thinking among Italian Primary School Teachers

Many advanced countries are recognizing more and more the importance of teaching computing, in some cases even as early as in primary school. "Computational thinking" is the term often used to denote the conceptual core of computer science or "the way a computer scientist thinks", as Wing put it. Such term - given also the lack of a widely accepted definition - has become a "buzzword" meaning different things to different people. We investigated the Italian primary school teachers' conceptions about computational thinking by analyzing the results of a survey (N=972) conducted in the context of "Programma il Futuro" project. Teachers have been asked to provide a definition of computational thinking and to answer three additional related closed-ended questions. The analysis shows that, while almost half of teachers (43.4%) have included in their definitions some fundamental elements of computational thinking, very few (10.8%) have been able to provide an acceptably complete definition. On a more positive note, the majority is aware that computational thinking is not characterized by coding or by the use of information technology.
Objective Quality Assessment for Image Retargeting Based on Perceptual Geometric Distortion and Information Loss

Image retargeting techniques aim to obtain retargeted images with different sizes or aspect ratios for various display screens. Various content-aware image retargeting algorithms have been proposed recently. However, there is still no effective objective metric for visual quality assessment of retargeted images. In this paper, we propose a novel full-reference objective metric for assessing visual quality of a retargeted image based on perceptual geometric distortion and information loss. The proposed metric measures the geometric distortion of a retargeted image based on the local variance of SIFT flow vector fields of the image. Furthermore, a visual saliency map is derived to characterize human perception of the geometric distortion. Besides, the information loss in the retargeted image, which is estimated based on the saliency map, is also taken into account in the proposed metric. Subjective tests are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed metric. Our experimental results show the good consistency between the proposed objective metric and the subjective rankings.
Association between Local Traffic-Generated Air Pollution and Preeclampsia and Preterm Delivery in the South Coast Air Basin of California

Background Preeclampsia is a major complication of pregnancy that can lead to substantial maternal and perinatal morbidity, mortality, and preterm birth. Increasing evidence suggests that air pollution adversely affects pregnancy outcomes. Yet few studies have examined how local traffic-generated emissions affect preeclampsia in addition to preterm birth. Objectives We examined effects of residential exposure to local traffic-generated air pollution on preeclampsia and preterm delivery (PTD). Methods We identified 81,186 singleton birth records from four hospitals (1997–2006) in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, California (USA). We used a line-source dispersion model (CALINE4) to estimate individual exposure to local traffic-generated nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter < 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) across the entire pregnancy. We used logistic regression to estimate effects of air pollution exposures on preeclampsia, PTD (gestational age < 37 weeks), moderate PTD (MPTD; gestational age < 35 weeks), and very PTD (VPTD; gestational age < 30 weeks). Results We observed elevated risks for preeclampsia and preterm birth from maternal exposure to local traffic-generated NOx and PM2.5. The risk of preeclampsia increased 33% [odds ratio (OR) = 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18–1.49] and 42% (OR = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.26–1.59) for the highest NOx and PM2.5 exposure quartiles, respectively. The risk of VPTD increased 128% (OR = 2.28; 95% CI, 2.15–2.42) and 81% (OR = 1.81; 95% CI, 1.71–1.92) for women in the highest NOx and PM2.5 exposure quartiles, respectively. Conclusion Exposure to local traffic-generated air pollution during pregnancy increases the risk of preeclampsia and preterm birth in Southern California women. These results provide further evidence that air pollution is associated with adverse reproductive outcomes.
A lightweight user tracking method for app providers

Since 2013, Google and Apple no longer allow app providers to use the persistent device identifiers (Android ID and UDID) for user tracking on mobile devices. Other tracking options provoke either severe privacy concerns, need additional hardware or are only practicable by a limited number of companies. In this paper, we present a lightweight method that overcomes these weaknesses by using the set of installed apps on a device to create a unique fingerprint. The method was evaluated in a field study with 2410 users and 175,658 installed apps in total. The sets of these installed apps are unique in 99.75% of all inspected users. Furthermore, by reducing the granularity from apps to app categories to lessen users' privacy concerns, the results remain highly unique with an identification rate of 96.22%. Since the information of installed apps and app categories on each device is freely available for any app developer, the method is a valuable instrument for app providers.
WASP (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein) gene mutations and phenotype

Purpose of reviewWiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT), characterized by chronic microthrombocytopenia with and without immunodeficiency, are caused by mutations of the WAS protein (WASP) gene. WASP has been reported to interact with many cytoplasmic molecules linking cellular signaling to the actin cytoskeleton. In this review we will focus on recent molecular findings that provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of this complex disease and explore the correlation of genotype and clinical phenotype. Recent findingsRecent investigations have provided evidence that WASP and several related proteins are involved in the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton by activating Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerization. This function is controlled mainly by a small GTPase Cdc42. Activated GTP-bound Cdc42 dissociates the intramolecular autoinhibitory loop formation of WASP. In addition, WASP is involved in cytoplasmic signaling by its interaction with a variety of adaptor molecules or kinases and serves as a link to actin reorganization, which is important for immunological synapse formation, cell trafficking and motility. Tyrosine or serine phosphorylation of WASP increases the actin polymerization activity of WASP via Arp2/3. Mutation analysis of WAS/XLT patients has provided evidence for a strong correlation between phenotype and genotype. Gene therapy for WASP-deficient human lymphocytes and Wasp-deficient mice was performed successfully. SummaryThe study of WASP and its mutations has led to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the syndrome (thrombocytopenia, immunodeficiency, atopic dermatitis, autoimmune and malignant diseases) and the mechanisms required for cell mobility, cell-cell interaction and cytoplasmic signaling, as well as thrombopoiesis and maintenance of the number of platelets.
Single motor unit activity in relation to pulsatile motor output in human finger movements

1 Forty‐six single motor units in the common finger extensor, superficial finger flexor, and first dorsal interosseus muscles were recorded with intramuscular wire electrodes while subjects made voluntary flexion and extension finger movements at a single metacarpo‐phalangeal joint. 2 Motor unit firing was analysed in relation to the 8‐10 Hz discontinuities which previously have been shown to characterize these movements. Statistical time‐ and frequency‐domain analyses of the activity of individual motor units in relation to the discontinuities showed that when the muscle was the agonist, all motor units in the common finger extensor muscle, and all units except one in the flexor muscles exhibited significant frequency modulation of their discharge in close temporal association with the joint acceleration. On the other hand, motor unit firing rate was not related to the frequency of the discontinuities. When the muscle recorded from was the antagonist, 21 of the 25 active units exhibited a similar frequency modulation. 3 When angular movement velocity was increased from 4 to 25 deg s−1, the strength of motor unit frequency modulation increased. Peak coherence between motor unit activity and acceleration increased by 74 %, on average, in the common finger extensor units. 4 The findings rule out a tentative mechanism attributing the discontinuities to newly recruited motor units firing at circa 8‐10 Hz. Instead, a coherent 8‐10 Hz input to the agonist and antagonist motoneurone pools is implied.
Agricultural pesticide residues of farm runoff in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

The objectives of this study were to determine environmental occurrence and concentrations of selected currently-used-pesticides and some transformation products in agricultural farms in the Okanagan Valley (OKV), and to conduct a simple risk assessment of environmental pesticides levels detected in OKV on non-target aquatic organisms. The OKV is the tree fruit country of the Province of British Columbia where considerable amount of pesticides are applied annually. Water, sediment and soil samples were collected at eleven sites in early June and late September following rainfall events and/or extended periods of irrigation from drainage ditches and/or from small streams. Undisturbed reference sites were also sampled. Study results showed that forty of the eighty chemicals analyzed, including organochlorine, nitrogen-containing and organophosphate pesticides commonly used for OKV crops, were detected in runoff and small stream water samples. Among which, endosulfan-sulfate was the most frequently detected chemical. Also, azinophos-methyl (0.699–25.5 ng/L), diazinon (0.088–214 ng/L) exceeded, and α-, β- endosulfan, endosulfan sulphate approached the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life.
A Parallel Method for Generalized Eigenvalue Problems Based on Multi-core Platform

In this paper, a parallel method for solving generalized eigenvalue problem based on multi-core platform is presented, which can provide parts of the eigenpairs in parallel. Compared with traditional numerical method, the parallel method in this paper using numerical integration, numerical experiments are implemented with a quad-core computer under the programming environment of Matlab parallel toolbox. The problems of computing the frequencies of a plane wing and aircraft pylon are taken as examples, which show the efficiency and applicability of our scheme.
Entry of Escherichia coli into stationary phase is indicated by endogenous and exogenous accumulation of nucleobases

Endogenous and exogenous accumulation of nucleobases was observed when Escherichia coli entered the stationary phase. The onset of the stationary phase was accompanied by excretion of uracil and xanthine. Except for uracil and xanthine, other nucleobases (except for minor amounts of hypoxanthine), nucleosides, and nucleotides (except for cyclic AMP) were not detected in significant amounts in the culture medium. In addition to exogenous accumulation of nucleobases, stationary-phase cells increased the endogenous concentrations of free nucleobases. In contrast to extracellular nucleobases, hypoxanthine was the dominating intracellular nucleobase and xanthine was present only in minor concentrations inside the cells. Excretion of nucleobases was always connected to declining growth rates. It was observed in response to entry into the stationary phase independent of the initial cause of the cessation of cell growth (e.g., starvation for essential nutrients). In addition, transient accumulation of exogenous nucleobases was observed during perturbations of balanced growth conditions such as energy source downshifts. The nucleobases uracil and xanthine are the final breakdown products of pyrimidine (uracil and cytosine) and purine (adenine and guanine) bases, respectively. Hypoxanthine is the primary degradation product of adenine, which is further oxidized to xanthine. The endogenous and exogenous accumulation of these nucleobases in response to entry into the stationary phase is attributed to degradation of rRNA.
Three Kinds of Idealization

Philosophers of science increasingly recognize the importance of idealization, the intentional introduction of approximate or false information into scientific theories. The literature of the past twenty years contains a number of accounts of idealization which provide differing characterizations of this practice and differing justifications for it. There is thus little consensus on some of the most basic questions about idealization, such as: What exactly constitutes idealization? Is idealization compatible with realism? Are idealization and abstraction distinct? Should theorists work to eliminate idealizations as science progresses? Are there rules governing the rational use of idealization, or should a theorist’s intuition alone guide the process? Despite the variation in characterizations and justification of idealization, some consensus has clustered around three types of positions, or three kinds of idealization. But as with many other dimensions of scientific practice, what scientists call idealization and how they justify the practice it is multifaceted. I will argue that the reason the philosophical literature has sustained three kinds of accounts is because all three kinds of idealization play important roles in scientific research traditions. There is no single purpose for idealization and hence there is not a single set of rules that theorists ought to follow when idealizing. While all three kinds of idealization can be found in scientific practice, they share enough in common that they can be characterized and studied in a unified way. The key is to focus not just on the practice and products of idealization, but on the goals governing and guiding it. I call these goals the representational ideals of theorizing and although they vary between the three kinds of idealization, attending to them gives a more unified picture of the practice.
Effect of endogenous nitric oxide on hyperoxia and tumor necrosis factor-&agr;-induced leukosequestration and proinflammatory cytokine release in rat airways

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of endogenous nitric oxide on hyperoxia and tumor necrosis factor-&agr;-induced leukosequestration and proinflammatory cytokine release in rat airways. DesignProspective, randomized, controlled animal study. SettingExperimental laboratory. SubjectsMale Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 350–500 g. InterventionsThe rats were pretreated with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg) or saline intravenously 4–6 mins before intratracheal administration of tumor necrosis factor-&agr;, 95% oxygen, or both, when the vasopressor effect of L-NAME had reached a plateau. Measurements and Main ResultsBronchoalveolar lavage fluid was recovered from the airway of rats after exposure to 95% oxygen and tumor necrosis factor-&agr; for 6 hrs under ventilator support. Neutrophils in lavage fluid were isolated and examined for the inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by flow-cytometric assay. Tumor necrosis factor-&agr; and interleukin-1&bgr; in lavage fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The percentage of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar fluid was significantly higher in rats exposed to hyperoxia + tumor necrosis factor-&agr; (29.7 ± 12.5%) compared with rats with hyperoxia (16.3 ± 1.2%), tumor necrosis factor-&agr; (4.2 ± 1.1%), or room air (5.0 ± 1.8%) alone (p < .05). Rats exposed to hyperoxia + tumor necrosis factor-&agr; had significantly higher concentrations of inducible nitric oxide synthase of neutrophils (350.1 ± 75.7 mean fluorescence intensity), compared with rats with hyperoxia (64.9 ± 1.6 mean fluorescence intensity), tumor necrosis factor-&agr; (102.6 ± 15.3 mean fluorescence intensity), or room air (111.2 ± 25.8 mean fluorescence intensity) alone (p < .05). Rats exposed to hyperoxia + tumor necrosis factor-&agr; significantly produced higher concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-&agr; and interleukin-1&bgr;, compared with rats with tumor necrosis factor-&agr;, hyperoxia, or room air alone. Hyperoxia + tumor necrosis factor-&agr; also significantly increased growth-related oncogene/cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (GRO/CINC)-1 in bronchoalveolar fluid, compared with those receiving tumor necrosis factor-&agr; alone, hyperoxia alone, or room air alone. L-NAME significantly enhanced the percentage of neutrophil recovery and the production of tumor necrosis factor-&agr;, interleukin-1&bgr;, and GRO/CINC-1 in airways compared with the corresponding hyperoxia + tumor necrosis factor-&agr; treatment alone. ConclusionsEndogenous nitric oxide may be an important endogenous inhibitor of hyperoxia + tumor necrosis factor-&agr;-induced leukocyte recruitment and subsequently tumor necrosis factor-&agr;, interleukin-1&bgr;, and GRO/CINC-1 release.
Theory of mind and inhibitory control in three cultures: Conflict inhibition predicts false belief understanding in Germany, Costa Rica and Cameroon

This study investigates the relationship of theory of mind and inhibitory control in three samples from Europe, Africa and Latin America differing in relevant socioeconomic and psychological background. The relationship between false belief understanding and inhibitory control was tested using samples of 3 to 5 year-old preschoolers from Germany (N = 116), Costa Rica (N = 82) and Cameroon (N = 116). Inhibitory control and theory of mind were examined using test batteries. Age, gender, siblings, language understanding and mother's education were controlled. Results of regression analyses controlling for moderating effects of culture show a culture-independent relation between conflict inhibition and false belief understanding while delay inhibition is not a significant predictor for false belief understanding across cultures. Conflict inhibition is discussed as a universal developmental prerequisite for the development of theory of mind in the preschool years.
System-Level Impact of Multi-User Diversity in SISO and MIMO-based Cellular Systems

We quantify cell-wide mean throughputs of single-input-single-output (SISO) and multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO)-based cellular systems which employ multi-user diversity (MuD). Our study considers several practical and useful system-level design dimensions, including: number of transmit/receive antennas; antenna-pattern (omni-directional or sectorized); degree of error-protection (Shannon coding, no coding or intermediate coding strategies); allowable constellation size; Rician $\kappa$-factor; number of users and schedluling algorithm (Greedy (i.e. MAX C/I), Proportional Fair, or Equal Grade of Service) in single-cell (noise-limited) and multi-cell (co-channel-interference-limited) environments. We also provide a comparison between single-user systems having excess receive antennas and multi-user diversity systems with no excess receive antennas. Both strategies improve signal quality. Since economic costs of RF chains, mobile size and form factor limit the number of antennas a mobile receiver can have, multi-user diversity can be a more practical option. We observe that MuD with only a few scheduled users leads to comparable throughputs as receivers with excess receive antennas. By quantifying the average throughput gains that accrue from using multi-user SISO and MIMO-based cellular systems, this study serves the needs of operators to assess these promising technologies.
Estimation of Maize Yield at Spatial Level Using DSSAT Crop Simulation Model

Crop simulation models are often used to characterize, develop and assess field crop production practices. The present study was carried out to estimate the yield of maize under Ariyalur and Perambalur districts. A method has been developed to use DSSAT (Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer) models to estimate maize yield spatially. In this study, one of the DSSAT crop simulation model, CERES-Maize was employed to estimate maize yield during kharif 2017 under Ariyalur and Perambalur districts. To simulate the yield, DSSAT required datasets of crop growth and management, daily weather data and soil data. The simulated yield was validated using the observed data from farmers’ fields. The agreement between DSSAT simulated and observed yield was 90.4 per cent with R 2 and RMSE of 0.502 and 538.6 kg ha -1 respectively. These results indicate that maize yield can be estimated spatially using the DSSAT crop simulation model.
Application research of PhysX engine in virtual environment

PhysX is a powerful commercial physics engine, with which the virtual environment has more realistic sensation for users. This paper research on the PhysX physics engine, and designs a main framework with OGRE graphic engine. The core parts of process have been analyzed in details. Finally, avirtual scene with physical characteristics is given. The research has established the foundation of the virtual environment, and will promote the applications of the PhysX engine.