Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HyFinBall: a two-handed, hybrid 2D/3D desktop VR interface for multi-dimensional visualization

This paper presents the concept, working prototype and design space of a two-handed, hybrid spatial user interface for minimally immersive desktop VR targeted at multi-dimensional visualizations. The user interface supports dual button balls (6DOF isotonic controllers with multiple buttons) which automatically switch between 6DOF mode (xyz + yaw,pitch,roll) and planar-3DOF mode (xy + yaw) upon contacting the desktop. The mode switch automatically switches a button ball’s visual representation between a 3D cursor and a mouse-like 2D cursor while also switching the available user interaction techniques (ITs) between 3D and 2D ITs. Further, the small form factor of the button ball allows the user to engage in 2D multi-touch or 3D gestures without releasing and re-acquiring the device. We call the device and hybrid interface the HyFinBall interface which is an abbreviation for ‘Hybrid Finger Ball. ’ We describe the user interface (hardware and software), the design space, as well as preliminary results of a formal user study. This is done in the context of a rich, visual analytics interface containing coordinated views with 2D and 3D visualizations and interactions
Proteoglycan‐induced changes in T1ρ‐relaxation of articular cartilage at 4T

Proteoglycan (PG) depletion‐induced changes in T1ρ (spin‐lattice relaxation in rotating frame) relaxation and dispersion in articular cartilage were studied at 4T. Using a spin‐lock cluster pre‐encoded fast spin echo sequence, T1ρ maps of healthy bovine specimens and specimens that were subjected to PG depletion were computed at varying spin‐lock frequencies. Sequential PG depletion was induced by trypsinization of cartilage for varying amounts of time. Results demonstrated that over 50% depletion of PG from bovine articular cartilage resulted in average T1ρ increases from 110–170 ms. Regression analysis of the data showed a strong correlation (R2 = 0.987) between changes in PG and T1ρ. T1ρ values were highest at the superficial zone and decreased gradually in the middle zone and again showed an increasing trend in the region near the subchondral bone. The potentials of this method in detecting early degenerative changes of cartilage are discussed. Also, T1ρ‐dispersion changes as a function of PG depletion are described. Magn Reson Med 46:419–423, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The accuracy of self-efficacy beliefs in outdoor education

In the present era of outcome assessment and accountability, self-efficacy is a popular outcome measure in outdoor and adventure education. Self-efficacy beliefs are context specific perceptions an individual possesses about a likelihood of success in future tasks and are related to well-being confidence, and persistence. However, recent research findings refute the traditional view that more is better, when it comes to selfefficacy beliefs. Specifically, findings indicate that these beliefs can be inaccurate and can easily become inflated resulting in decreases in motivation and performance. Outdoor and adventure-based education is one such context to avoid the inflation of selfefficacy beliefs due to the physical and educational consequences associated with failure (e.g., psychological harm, injury, or death). The following research examined a proposed seven factor structure of outdoor education practice. Exploratory factor analysis results (N = 303) indicated a 23-item, 5factor structure which included (a) instruction and assessment, (b) outdoor classroom management, (c) technical skill, (d) interpersonal skill, and (e) environmental integration. Confirmatory factor analysis (N = 200) examined the fit of this model. Results indicated an acceptable fit with strong internal consistency and convergent validity for the Teaching Outdoor Education Self-Efficacy Scale with 22 items (TOE-SES 22). Subsequent research examined the effects of a monitoring intervention on the accuracy of teaching outdoor education self-efficacy beliefs. Treatment group participants on National Outdoor Leadership School Instructor Courses predicted their performance (a self-efficacy belief) before teaching a course topic, self-assessed that performance, and compared the accuracy of their predictions and self-assessments to an expert evaluation of their performance. Results indicated outdoor educators-in-training integrated this information and calibrated their TOESE beliefs better than the control group. Attending to the accuracy of teacher self-efficacy beliefs early in an educator’s career may help him approach or avoid tasks when appropriate and ultimately, direct him toward developing the skills he is lacking. Teaching outdoor education is a complex task involving several factors, monitoring interventions are a strategy outdoor educator trainers should consider in their efforts to help emerging outdoor educators hone a complex set of skills to effectively and safely teach in the outdoors.
Interleukin-17-producing T cells in lupus

Purpose of reviewInterleukin-17 (IL-17) has emerged as a key cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In this article, we review recently produced evidence obtained in patients and murine models of lupus that link increased IL-17 production with lupus pathology and discuss the potential roles IL-17 may play in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Recent findingsIL-17 may promote autoantibody production and IL-17-producing cells are found in afflicted organs in humans and lupus-prone mice. TH17 and CD3+CD4−CD8− cells are expanded in systemic lupus erythematosus patients and account for the increased production of IL-17. Genetic silencing of genes involved in the increased production of IL-17 in lupus-prone mice as well as treatment of mice with lupus using biologic agents that result in decreased IL-17 production leads invariably to disease mitigation. SummaryThe presented evidence strongly argues for the introduction of IL-17-suppressing biologics in the treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
[Human placental alkaline phosphatase (hPLAP) is the most frequently elevated serum marker in testicular cancer].

BACKGROUND Testicular cancer is the most frequent cancer in patients between 20 and 40 years of age. Cure rates are very high due to standardised operative treatment as well as additional chemotherapy and radiotherapy according to -histological subtype and tumour stage. Histological subtypes are seminoma, non-seminoma and mixed tumours (partly seminoma and partly non-seminoma). The aim of this study was to determine the value of different tumour markers in the primary diagnosis of testicular cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a retrospective study we investigated 152 consecutive patients with testicular cancer as well as 75 patients with benign scrotal conditions. In all patients the tumour markers human alkaline phosphatase (hPLAP), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured. Statistical analyses included descriptive analysis, boxplots, fourfold table, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calculation of confidence intervals and analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS 145 patients with a mean age of 34.3 years were eligible. There were 72 seminomas, 33 non-seminomas and 40 mixed tumours with 69% of patients being in Lugano stage I, 19% in stage II and 11% in stage III. hPLAP, AFP and hCG were statistically significantly higher in patients with testicular cancer compared to patients with benign scrotal conditions (p < 0.005). hPLAP showed the best sensitivity/specificity (51.1%/84.0%) followed by AFP (35.7%/97.1%), hCG (32.6%/98.6%) and LDH (31.4%/97.8%). ROC analysis demonstrated no difference between hPLAP, AFP and hCG in the specificity range of 80-100%. However, a combination of hPLAP, AFP and hCG provided statistically significantly better results than single markers (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION hPLAP is the most often elevated marker in the serum of patients with testicular cancer and potentially demonstrates a significant benefit for therapy monitoring. In our opinion there is a need to debate the consideration of hPLAP in the usual guide-lines of the cancer societies. The unspecific elevation in smokers must be considered. In this regard, reference values of hPLAP depending on smoking habits could be a solution, but valid data are not yet available.
Knowledge-based System Development with Scripting Technology: A Recommender System Example

The core functionality of many knowledge-based systems is built with the help of special-purpose software components and programming environments such as rule engines or Prolog interpreters. Other parts of the application – like the Web interface – are however built with “standard” software development technology like Java which means that not only the corresponding interfaces and data exchange mechanisms between the components have to be developed, but also that the software developers have to work with different technologies or even programming paradigms. In this paper we show how recent “scripting” extensions in a programming language like Java can be exploited to develop highly flexible and extensible knowledge-intensive applications. The different advantages of such an approach are discussed based on the experiences gained from developing a scripting-based software library for building knowledge-based recommender applications.
Resource Sharing of Underlaying Device-to-Device and Uplink Cellular Communications

The benefit of device-to-device (D2D) communication hinges on intelligent resource sharing between cellular and D2D users. This letter aims to optimize resource sharing for D2D communication to better utilize uplink resources in a multi-user cellular system with guaranteed quality of normal cellular communications. Despite the nonconvex difficulty, we provide an analytical characterization of the globally optimal resource sharing strategy, and furthermore propose two suboptimal strategies with less complexity. The superiority of the proposed resource sharing strategies is demonstrated through numerical examples.
The etiology of white pox, a lethal disease of the Caribbean elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata

Populations of the shallow-water Caribbean elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, are being decimated by white pox disease, with losses of living cover in the Florida Keys typically in excess of 70%. The rate of tissue loss is rapid, averaging 2.5 cm2⋅day−1, and is greatest during periods of seasonally elevated temperature. In Florida, the spread of white pox fits the contagion model, with nearest neighbors most susceptible to infection. In this report, we identify a common fecal enterobacterium, Serratia marcescens, as the causal agent of white pox. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that a bacterial species associated with the human gut has been shown to be a marine invertebrate pathogen.
Combining Dynamic Logic with Doxastic Modal Logics

AbstractWe prove completeness and decidability results for a family of combinations ofpropositional dynamic logic and unimodal doxastic logics in which the modalitiesmay interact. The kind of interactions we consider include three forms of commut-ing axioms, namely, axioms similar to the axiom of perfect recall and the axiom ofno learning from temporal logic and a Church-Rosser axiom. We investigate theinﬂuence of the substitution rule on the properties of these logics and propose anew semantics for the test operator to avoid unwanted side eﬀects caused by theinteraction of the classic test operator with the extra axioms. Copyright c 2003, University of Manchester. All rights reserved. Reproduction (electronically or byother means) of all or part of this work is permitted for educational or research purposes only, oncondition that no commercial gain is involved.Recent preprints issued by the Department ofComputer Science, ManchesterUniversity, areavailableonWWW viaURL http://www.cs. man.ac. uk/preprints/index.htmlorbyftp fromftp.cs. man.ac. ukin the directory pub/preprints.
Empirical validation of a new visual servoing strategy

The flexibility of computer vision is attractive when designing manipulation systems which must interact with otherwise unsensed objects. However, occlusions introduce significant challenges to the construction of practical vision-based control systems. This paper provides empirical validation of a vision based control strategy that affords guaranteed convergence to a visible goal from essentially any "safe" initial position while maintaining full view of all the feature points along the way. The method applies to first (quasi-static, or "kinematic") and second (Lagrangian or "mechanical") order plants that incorporate an independent actuator for each degree of freedom.
Structure-Property Relationships of Photopolymerizable Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Dimethacrylate Hydrogels

Photopolymerized hydrogels from poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDM) and similar derivatives have been extensively used as scaffolds for tissue regeneration and other biological applications. A systematic investigation into the structure and mechanical properties of PEGDM hydrogels was performed to characterize the relationships between the network structure and gel properties. Gels were prepared from oligomers of different molecular masses (1000−8000 g/mol) at various concentrations. Small-angle neutron scattering was used to characterize the structural features of hydrogels with respect to their semidilute solution precursors. A well-defined structural length scale manifested as a maximum in the scattering intensity was observed for hydrogels derived from high molecular mass PEGDMs and/or high oligomer mass fractions. Mechanical testing showed that PEGDM hydrogels are mechanically robust, consistent with gel structures that contain reinforcing cross-linked clusters. Shear moduli were determined .
Sesgos cognitivos y explicaciones asociadas como factores determinantes de las conductas sexuales de riesgo

Resumen Utilizando el autoinforme como instrumento de recogida de información, se exploró en qué medida ciertos sesgos cognitivos aparecían asociados a situaciones de intimidad sexual, las cuales diferían en el riesgo que comportaban. Participaron en el estudio 149 jóvenes con una edad media de 24 años. La ilusión de invulnerabilidady el falso consenso son los sesgos cognitivos que más frecuentemente aparecen asociados a determinadas conductas de riesgo y en menor medida el sesgo de ignorancia pluralista. La ilusión de invulnerabilidad, expresada por un 75% de los participantes, aparece asociada a una mayor percepción de control y a una mayor gravedad estimada de las consecuencias de mantener relaciones sexuales de riesgo. El sesgo de falso consenso, aplicado a las relaciones prematrimoniales, afecta al 84% de los participantes que han mantenido este tipo de relaciones; estos jóvenes estiman en mayor medida que su experiencia personal es compartida por otros, estiman una actitud favorable hacia esta conducta tanto en ellos mismos como en otras personas y dan una explicación causal interna a esta conducta. Aquellos que muestran ignorancia pluralista tienen menor experiencia en relaciones sexuales ocasionales no protegidas y se perciben más inseguros para plantear el uso del preservativo en sus relaciones futuras. Los resultados obtenidos hacen recomendable la difusión de la existencia de estos sesgos cognitivos dentro de los programas de prevención para jóvenes.
Potent and Specific Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication by RNA Interference

ABSTRACT Synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have been shown to induce the degradation of specific mRNA targets in human cells by inducing RNA interference (RNAi). Here, we demonstrate that siRNA duplexes targeted against the essential Tat and Rev regulatory proteins encoded by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) can specifically block Tat and Rev expression and function. More importantly, we show that these same siRNAs can effectively inhibit HIV-1 gene expression and replication in cell cultures, including those of human T-cell lines and primary lymphocytes. These observations demonstrate that RNAi can effectively block virus replication in human cells and raise the possibility that RNAi could provide an important innate protective response, particularly against viruses that express double-stranded RNAs as part of their replication cycle.
Coeliac disease and psychiatric comorbidity: epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, quality-of-life, and gluten-free diet effects

Abstract Coeliac Disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease in which an environmental factor, gluten, triggers a pathological reaction. It results in intra- and entra-intestinal manifestations of disease, including, most frequently, diarrhoea, weight loss, and anaemia. CD occurs in ∼1% of the western population, being one of the most common autoimmune lifelong disorders, and may present with a variety of psychiatric comorbidities. Psychiatric comorbidity in CD often complicates the diagnosis, reduces the quality-of-life, and worsens the prognosis of affected patients. This review summarizes the epidemiological studies that underline this connection, and focuses on the potential mechanisms related to this comorbility, such as nutritional deficiencies, immune responses, interference in brain processes, and dysfunctions in the gut–brain axis. Factors that play a central role on patients’ quality of life, psychological well-being and adherence are presented. Finally, evidence of regression in psychiatric symptoms following the introduction of a gluten-free diet is underlined as well.
A fuzzy transform approach to face recognition using new classifiers

An attempt has been made in this paper to derive the features using the Bandelet and Shearlet Transforms. The transforms are then modified into fuzzy Bandelet and fuzzy shearlet transforms and the same are then applied on the face AT&T database to extract the fuzzy features. These features are then tested with the standard Support Vector Machine classifier to get the recognition rate of about 95%. We have also used the different similarity distance measures to derive three classifiers and the features extracted from Bandelet, Shearlet Fuzzy bandelet and Fuzzy Shearlet Transforms are then classified with these new classifiers and the results thus obtained have shown better improvement over SVM. The new classifiers established for defining the recognition rate are simple and involves less computation.
“In-Group Love” and “Out-Group Hate” as Motives for Individual Participation in Intergroup Conflict

What motivates individual self-sacrificial behavior in intergroup conflicts? Is it the altruistic desire to help the in-group or the aggressive drive to hurt the out-group? This article introduces a new game paradigm, the intergroup prisoner's dilemma-maximizing difference (IPD-MD) game, designed specifically to distinguish between these two motives. The game involves two groups. Each group member is given a monetary endowment and can decide how much of it to contribute. Contribution can be made to either of two pools, one that benefits the in-group at a personal cost and another that, in addition, harms the out-group. An experiment demonstrated that contributions in the IPD-MD game are made almost exclusively to the cooperative, within-group pool. Moreover, preplay intragroup communication increases intragroup cooperation, but not intergroup competition. These results are compared with those observed in the intergroup prisoner's dilemma game, in which group members' contributions are restricted to the competitive, between-group pool.
Intra-Arterial Blood Pressure Response in Hypertensive Subjects during Low- and High-Intensity Resistance Exercise

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe blood pressure responses during resistance exercise in hypertensive subjects and to determine whether an exercise protocol alters these responses. INTRODUCTION: Resistance exercise has been recommended as a complement for aerobic exercise for hypertensive patients. However, blood pressure changes during this kind of exercise have been poorly investigated in hypertensives, despite multiple studies of normotensives demonstrating significant increases in blood pressure. METHODS: Ten hypertensive and ten normotensive subjects performed, in random order, two different exercise protocols, composed by three sets of the knee extension exercise conducted to exhaustion: 40% of the 1-repetition maximum (1RM) with a 45-s rest between sets, and 80% of 1RM with a 90-s rest between sets. Radial intra-arterial blood pressure was measured before and throughout each protocol. RESULTS: Compared with normotensives, hypertensives displayed greater increases in systolic BP during exercise at 80% (+80±3 vs. +62±2 mmHg, P<0.05) and at 40% of 1RM (+75±3 vs. +67±3 mmHg, P<0.05). In both exercise protocols, systolic blood pressure returned to baseline during the rest periods between sets in the normotensives; however, in the hypertensives, BP remained slightly elevated at 40% of 1RM. During rest periods, diastolic blood pressure returned to baseline in hypertensives and dropped below baseline in normotensives. CONCLUSION: Resistance exercise increased systolic blood pressure considerably more in hypertensives than in normotensives, and this increase was greater when lower-intensity exercise was performed to the point of exhaustion.
A Patch Antenna Design for Application in a Phased-Array Head and Neck Hyperthermia Applicator

In this paper, we describe a specifically designed patch antenna that can be used as the basis antenna element of a clinical phased-array head and neck hyperthermia applicator. Using electromagnetic simulations we optimized the dimensions of a probe-fed patch antenna design for operation at 433 MHz. By several optimization steps we could converge to a theoretical reflection of -38 dB and a bandwidth (-15 dB) of 20 MHz (4.6%). Theoretically, the electrical performance of the antenna was satisfactory over a temperature range of 15degC-35degC, and stable for patient-antenna distances to as low as 4 cm. In an experimental cylindrical setup using six elements of the final patch design, we measured the impedance characteristics of the antenna 1) to establish its performance in the applicator and 2) to validate the simulations. For this experimental setup we simulated and measured comparable values: -21 dB reflection at 433 MHz and a bandwidth of 18.5 MHz. On the basis of this study, we anticipate good central interference of the fields of multiple antennas and conclude that this patch antenna design is very suitable for the clinical antenna array. In future research we will verify the electrical performance in a prototype applicator.
Quasinormal modes and stability of a five-dimensional dilatonic black hole

We exactly calculate the quasinormal frequencies of the electromagnetic and Klein–Gordon perturbations propagating in a five-dimensional dilatonic black hole. Furthermore, we exactly find the quasinormal frequencies of the massive Dirac field. Using these results we study the linear stability of this black hole. We compare our results for the quasinormal frequencies and for the linear stability of the five-dimensional black hole with those already published.
The Effects of Information Sharing and Modeling on Teacher Talk and Children's Language During Dramatic Play

iii Acknowledgements. vi List of Tables. xiii Chapter I: Introduction. 14 Pilot Research. 15 Summary. 17 Purpose of Study. 18 Chapter II: Literature Review. 20 Effects of Poverty on Later Language and Academic Success. 20 Adult Language Input and Child Language Development. 23 Vocabulary. 25 Open-ended Questions. 27 Expansions/Extensions. 28 High Quality Child-care and Language. 30 The Need for In-service in Language for Head Start Teachers. 33 Professional Development Programs. 34 Summary: Research Questions and Null Hypotheses. 38 Chapter III: Methods. 44 Setting. 44 Participants. 44 Procedures. 45