Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CRF-based bibliography extraction from reference strings using a small amount of training data

The effective use of digital libraries demands maintenance of bibliographic databases. Useful bibliographic information appears in the reference fields of academic papers, so we are developing a method for automatic extraction of bibliographic information from reference strings using a conditional random field (CRF). However, at least a few hundred reference strings are necessary to learn an accurate CRF. In this paper, we propose active learning and transfer learning techniques to reduce the required training data for CRFs. We evaluate extraction accuracies and the associated training cost by experiments.
eview Hierarchy of Expert Performance

Expert performance can be quantified by examining reliability and biasability between and within experts, and teasing apart their observations from their conclusions. I utilize these parameters to develop a Hierarchy of Expert Performance (HEP) that includes eight distinct levels. Using this hierarchy I evaluate and quantify the performance of forensic experts, a highly specialized domain that plays a critical role in the criminal justice system. Evaluating expert performance within HEP enables the identification of weaknesses in expert performance, and enables the comparison of experts across domains. HEP also provides theoretical and applied insights into expertise. © 2016 Society for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights
An Immersed Boundary Approach for Sensitivity Analysis of Fluid-structure Interactions

1. Abstract Gradient-based optimization algorithms are highly advantageous for computer intensive simulations such as fluidstructure interaction (FSI) problems. Typical simulation involves solution of the Navier-Stokes equations and their response sensitivities. Due to the use of body conformal meshes, mesh topology modification is required in structural shape optimization; however, this can be time consuming for complex structural boundaries. In this research, we introduce a method based on adding force terms to the Navier-Stokes equations to decouple the solid boundary definition from the mesh. Therefore, the governing equations can be solved on a Cartesian grid with efficient solvers. Decoupling the solid boundary from the mesh enables us to deform the solid domain without mesh modification allowing a significant reduction in computational costs. To calculate the sensitivity response of the system, the continuum sensitivity method is developed. Force terms are used to represent the solid boundaries and convective terms are removed in boundary conditions sensitivity equations because the boundaries do not depend on domain configuration. The methodology is verified using the sensitivity of laminar flow over a Joukowsky airfoil with respect to change in camber radius. The force terms are applied using the regularized Heaviside function to satisfy the no-slip condition in the solid domain. 2.
Nitrogen Stress Affects the Turnover and Size of Nitrogen Pools Supplying Leaf Growth in a Grass1[C][W][OPEN]

Nitrogen stress has strong effects on the size and turnover of nitrogen pools supplying leaf growth of a grass but does not alter the relative contributions of currently assimilated and remobilized nitrogen for leaf growth. The effect of nitrogen (N) stress on the pool system supplying currently assimilated and (re)mobilized N for leaf growth of a grass was explored by dynamic 15N labeling, assessment of total and labeled N import into leaf growth zones, and compartmental analysis of the label import data. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) plants, grown with low or high levels of N fertilization, were labeled with 15NO3−/14NO3− from 2 h to more than 20 d. In both treatments, the tracer time course in N imported into the growth zones fitted a two-pool model (r2 > 0.99). This consisted of a “substrate pool,” which received N from current uptake and supplied the growth zone, and a recycling/mobilizing “store,” which exchanged with the substrate pool. N deficiency halved the leaf elongation rate, decreased N import into the growth zone, lengthened the delay between tracer uptake and its arrival in the growth zone (2.2 h versus 0.9 h), slowed the turnover of the substrate pool (half-life of 3.2 h versus 0.6 h), and increased its size (12.4 μg versus 5.9 μg). The store contained the equivalent of approximately 10 times (low N) and approximately five times (high N) the total daily N import into the growth zone. Its turnover agreed with that of protein turnover. Remarkably, the relative contribution of mobilization to leaf growth was large and similar (approximately 45%) in both treatments. We conclude that turnover and size of the substrate pool are related to the sink strength of the growth zone, whereas the contribution of the store is influenced by partitioning between sinks.
[Cytoprotective effect of blueberry extracts against oxidative damage of rat hippocampal neurons induced by H2O2].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect of blueberry extract (BE, 25% anthocyanins) against oxidative damage in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons induced by H2O2. METHODS Rat hippocampal neurons were randomly assigned to control group, H2O2 group and BE pretreatment groups, BE at six different doses (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 40 microg/ml) and then exposed to 50 micromol/L H2O2 for twenty-four hours. To selecte the most fittest concentration of BE by testing viability of neurons and activity of LDH. Then MDA concentration, SOD activity and neuronal apoptosis were(checked) measured. RESULTS (1) Compared with H2O2 group, the hippocampal cell viabilities in the 0.1, 1.0 and 10 microg/ml BE groups were significantly increased from 57.44% to 78.42%, 87.71% and 72.40% separately. The activity of LDH in BE groups at varied concentrations (0.1, 1.0 and 10 microg/ml) was significiantly lower than that in H2O2 group. It was found that 1 microg/ml BE had the furthest protective effect against oxidative damage in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons induced by H2O2. (2) The concentration of MDA and the rate of neuronal apoptosis of BE group (1 microg/ml) were much lower than H2O2 group, while SOD activity was much higher. CONCLUSION Proper dose of BE has remarkable protective effect against oxidative stress in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons induced by H2O2, the mechanism may be related to decreasing the neuronal apoptosis and enhancing the antioxidation of hippocampal neurons.
Towards Usability Guidelines for the Design of Effective Arabic Websites: Design Practices and Lessons Focusing on Font and Image usage

The Arabic websites constitute 1% of the web content with more than 225 million viewers and 41% Internet penetration. However, there is a lack of design guidelines related to the selection and use of appropriate font type and size and images in Arabic websites. Both text and images are vital multimedia components of websites and thereby were selected for investigation in this study. The herein paper performed an in-depth inspection of font and image design practices within 73 most visited Arabic websites in Saudi Arabia according to Alexa Internet ranking in the first quarter of 2019. Our exhaustive analysis showed discrepancies between the international design recommendations and the actual design of Arabic websites. There was a considerable variation and inconsistency in using font types and sizes between and within the Arabic websites. Arabic Droid Kufi was used mostly for styling page titles and navigation menus, whilst Tahoma was used for styling paragraphs. The font size of the Arabic text ranged from 12 to 16 pixels, which may lead to poor readability. Images were used heavily in the Arabic websites causing prolonged site loading times. Moreover, the images strongly reflected the dimensions of the Saudi culture, especially collectivism and masculinity. Current Arabic web design practices are compared against the findings from past studies about international designs and lessons aiming at ameliorating the Arabic web design are inferred.
Molecular mimicry between a uveitopathogenic site of S-antigen and viral peptides. Induction of experimental autoimmune uveitis in Lewis rats.

S-Antigen (S-Ag) is a well characterized 45,000 m.w. photoreceptor cell protein. When injected into susceptible animal species, including primates, it induces an experimental autoimmune uveitis, a predominantly T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of the retina and uveal tract of the eye, and of the pineal gland. In this study we found an amino acid sequence homology between a uveitopathogenic site of S-Ag, several viral proteins and one additional nonviral protein. An experimental autoimmune uveitis and pinealitis was induced in Lewis rats with these different synthetic peptides, corresponding to the amino sequence of hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase, gag-pol polyprotein of Baboon endogenous virus and gag-pol polyprotein of AKV murine leukemia virus and potato proteinase inhibitor IIa, which contain three or more consecutive amino acids identical to peptide M in S-Ag. Lymph node cells from rats immunized with either peptide M or the different synthetic peptides showed a significant degree of cross-reaction. Mononuclear cells from monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) immunized with peptide M also showed significant proliferation when incubated with either peptide M or synthetic peptides as measured by in vitro lymphocyte mitogenesis assay using [3H]TdR. Based on our findings we conclude that a viral infection may sensitize the mononuclear cells that can cross-react with self proteins by a mechanism termed molecular mimicry. Tissue injury from the resultant autoantigenic event can take place in the absence of the infectious virus that initiated the immune response.
Transfer origins in the conjugative Enterococcus faecalis plasmids pAD1 and pAM373: identification of the pAD1 nic site, a specific relaxase and a possible TraG‐like protein

The Enterococcus faecalis conjugative plasmids pAD1 and pAM373 encode a mating response to the peptide sex pheromones cAD1 and cAM373 respectively. Sequence determination of both plasmids has recently been completed with strong similarity evident over many of the structural genes related to conjugation. pAD1 has two origins of transfer, with oriT1 being located within the repA determinant, whereas the more efficiently utilized oriT2 is located between orf53 and orf57, two genes found in the present study to be essential for conjugation. We have found a similarly located oriT to be present in pAM373. oriT2 corresponds to about 285 bp based on its ability to facilitate mobilization by pAD1 when ligated to the shuttle vector pAM401; however, it was not mobilized by pAM373. In contrast, a similarly ligated fragment containing the oriT of pAM373 did not facilitate mobilization by pAD1 but was efficiently mobilized by pAM373. The oriT sites of the two plasmids each contained a homologous large inverted repeat (spanning about 140 bp) adjacent to a series of non‐homologous short (6 bp) direct repeats. A hybrid construction containing the inverted repeat of pAM373 and direct repeats of pAD1 was mobilized efficiently by pAD1 but not by pAM373, indicating a significantly greater degree of specificity is associated with the direct repeats. Mutational (deletion) analyses of the pAD1 oriT2 inverted repeat structure suggested its importance in facilitating transfer or perhaps ligation of the ends of the newly transferred DNA strand. Analyses showed that Orf57 (to be called TraX) is the relaxase, which was found to induce a specific nick in the large inverted repeat inside oriT; the protein also facilitated site‐specific recombination between two oriT2 sites. Orf53 (to be called TraW) exhibits certain structural similarities to TraG‐like proteins, although there is little overall homology.
Sixty seconds on . . . solanezumab

Yes, another drug has failed in phase III trials. This one is solanezumab, whose demise was a three act drama that’s finally seen the curtain fall.1 2 3 Not really. Alzheimer’s disease is the graveyard of drug discovery. One study found that of 244 compounds tested between 2000 and 2014 only one was ever licensed, a failure rate of 99.6%. 4 Or …
Phenotypic and functional characterisation of ovine mesenchymal stem cells: application to a cartilage defect model

Background: Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are of particular interest for their potential clinical use in cartilage engineering, but a consistent model is missing in large animals. Objective: In the absence of any detailed study reporting a complete characterisation of the mesenchymal cells isolated from sheep bone marrow, we fully characterised adherent stromal cells and developed a pre-clinical model of cartilage engineering by implantation of autologous MSC in the Merinos sheep. Methods: Ovine MSC (oMSC) were isolated from bone marrow, expanded and further characterised according to the recently proposed definition of the MSC. The experimental model consists of partial-thickness lesions created in the inner part of the patellae of the posterior legs. Lesions were filled with oMSC with or without chitosan, with or without transforming growth factor (TGF)β-3, in a fibrin clot. Results: oMSC were shown to display the three main characteristics of MSC: adherence to plastic, phenotypic profile (positive for CD44, CD105, vimentin and negative for CD34 and CD45), and trilineage differentiation potential. We also report two other important functional characteristics of MSC: support of long-term haematopoiesis and immunosuppressive capacity. In vivo, 2 months after implantation the histological analysis revealed chondrocyte-like cells surrounded by a hyaline-like cartilaginous matrix that was integrated to the host cartilage when oMSC were combined with chitosan and TGFβ-3. Conclusions: This study provides for the first time a strong characterisation of oMSC and establishes the basis for a model of cartilage engineering in a large animal.
CY-ICER 2012 Teaching culture in Taiwan ' s EFL classroom

Foreign language educators have long advocated that language and culture should be integrated in the language classroom. Eastern and Western cultures are quite different and sometimes while using the same language form, they are expressing different meaning. This study will examine how culture is integrated into the EFL classroom at college level. The purposes of this research are (1) to investigate the learning of culture in English as foreign language classrooms for college level students, (2) to explore the factors influencing EFL students learning, and (3) to compare the difference between Chinese and Western cultures. It is hoped that this study will help curriculum planners, English teachers and textbook writers to stress on the importance of teaching culture. By enhancing an awareness of the role of culture in language instruction, this study seeks to promote its inclusion in EFL curriculum. Finally, this study will provide a basis for future research in the area of culture and EFL instruction.
Toward 1Gfps: Evolution of ultra-high-speed image sensors -ISIS, BSI, multi-collection gates, and 3D-stacking-

Evolution of ultra-high-speed image sensors is reviewed. Currently, the highest frame rate achieved by a solid-state image sensor is 16.7 Mfps, while the target of this project is 1 Gfps. To achieve this target, we propose an image sensing unit consisting of CCD pixels and a CMOS driver circuit, whereas the pixel has multiple collection gates, and the driver comprises a ring oscillator with XNOR circuits. The sensor and the driver are mounted on different IC chips by 3D stacking. Simulations confirm that the proposed technology achieves the target. In ultra-high-speed imaging, sensitivity is crucial. A technique to achieve very high sensitivity is also proposed.
Lifetime panic-depression comorbidity in the National Comorbidity Survey. Association with symptoms, impairment, course and help-seeking.

BACKGROUND Most prior studies of panic-depression comorbidity have been limited methodologically by use of small clinical samples and incomplete analyses. AIMS General population data were used to study the association of lifetime and recent (12 months) panic-depression comorbidity with symptom severity, impairment, course and help-seeking in the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). METHOD The NCS is a nationally representative survey of the prevalences and correlates of major DSM-III-R disorders in the US household population. RESULTS Strong lifetime and current comorbidity were found between panic and depression. Comorbidity was associated with greater symptom severity, persistence, role impairment, suicidality and help-seeking, with many findings persisting after controlling for additional comorbid diagnoses. Findings did not differ according to which disorder was chronologically primary. CONCLUSIONS Both lifetime and current panic-depression comorbidity are markers for more severe, persistent and disabling illness. Neither additional comorbid diagnoses nor the primary-secondary distinction were important moderators of these associations.
OCRL1 Mutations in Dent 2 Patients Suggest a Mechanism for Phenotypic Variability

Background/Aims: Dent disease is an X-linked renal proximal tubulopathy associated with mutations in CLCN5 (Dent 1) or OCRL1 (Dent 2). OCRL1 mutations also cause the oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe. Methods: Dent patients with normal sequence for CLCN5 were sequenced for mutations in OCRL1. By analyzing these and all other OCRL1 mutations reported, a model relating OCRL1 mutations to the resulting disease (Dent 2 or Lowe’s) was developed. Results: Six boys with Dent disease had novel OCRL1 mutations: two missense (R301H, G304E) and four mutations predicted to produce premature termination codons (L56DfsX1, S149X, P161PfsX3, and M170IfsX1). These include one of the original patients reported by Dent and Friedman. Slit lamp examinations revealed early cataracts in only one boy with normal vision. None of these Dent 2 patients had metabolic acidosis; 3 had mild mental retardation. Analysis of all known OCRL1 mutations show that Dent 2 mutations fall into two classes that do not overlap with Lowe mutations. Bioinformatics analyses identified expressed OCRL1 splice variants that help explain the variability of those clinical features that distinguish Dent disease from Lowe syndrome. Conclusions:OCRL1 mutations can cause the renal phenotype of Dent disease, without acidosis or the dramatic eye abnormalities typical of Lowe syndrome. We propose a model to explain the phenotypic variability between Dent 2 and Lowe’s based on distinctly different classes of mutations in OCRL1 producing splice variants.
Neural-Attentional Architectures for Deep Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning in Varying Environments

Many potential applications of reinforcement learning (RL) in the real world involve interacting with other agents whose numbers vary over time. We propose new neural architectures for these multi-agent RL problems. In contrast to other methods of training an individual, discrete policy for each agent and then enforcing cooperation through some additional inter-policy mechanism, we propose learning multi-agent relationships at the policy level by using an attentional architecture. In our method, all agents share the same policy, but independently apply it in their own context to aggregate the other agents’ state information when selecting their next action. The structure of our architectures allow them to be applied on environments with varying numbers of agents. We demonstrate our architecture on a benchmark multi-agent autonomous vehicle coordination problem, obtaining superior results to a full-knowledge, fully-centralized reference solution, and significantly outperforming it when scaling to large numbers of agents.
Exploring Visual Guidance in 360-degree Videos

360-degree videos offer a novel viewing experience with the ability to explore virtual environments much more freely than before. Technologies and aesthetics behind this approach of film-making are not yet fully developed. The newly gained freedom creates challenges and new methods have to be established to guide users through narratives. This work provides an overview of methods to guide users visually and contributes insights from an experiment exploring visual guidance in 360-degree videos with regard to task performance and user preferences. In addition, smartphone and HMD are used as output devices to examine possible differences. The results show that using viewers preferred HMD over smartphone and visual guidance over its absence. Overall, the Object to Follow method performed best, followed by the Person to Follow method. Based on the results, we defined a set of guidelines for drawing the viewers’ attention in 360-degree videos.
ECTS Spring term 2018

Emotional events are often better preserved in memory than events without an emotional component. Emotional stimuli benefit from capturing and holding the attention of a perceiver to a higher degree than more emotion-neutral stimuli. Arousal associated with experiencing emotionally valenced stimuli or situations affects every major stage in creating, maintaining and retrieving lasting memories. Presented in this thesis were models delineating the behavioral and neurological mechanisms that might explain arousal-induced effects on subsequent memory outcome. Based on a study of relevant literature, findings were presented in this thesis that highlight amygdala activation as crucial for the enhancement of memory generally associated with emotional arousal. The amygdala modulates processing in other areas of the brain involved in memory. Heightened levels of norepinephrine, stemming from sympathetic nervous system activation, underlies observable arousal-induced memory effects and seem to be a crucial component in enabling glucocorticoid augmentation of memory. Arousal seems to further amplify the biased competition between stimuli that favors the neural representation of motivationally relevant stimuli and stimuli of a sensory salient nature. The aim of this thesis was to outline the impact of emotional arousal on different stages of memory processing, including processes for memory formation, strengthening of memory traces, and eventual subsequent retrieval.