Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dialogue Acts: One or More Dimensions?

This report surveys the main theories of dialogue and communica- tion that have been used to devise dialogue act tagsets, distinguishing theories that deal with a speciflc level of communication from theo- ries that integrate several levels. The report proceeds to analyse four dialogue act tagsets that have been used to annotate large scale dia- logue corpora (damsl, swbd-damsl, icsi-mrda and maltus), paying particular attention to the difierence between the range of possible combinations of tags and the range of combinations that do occur in the hand-labelled data. The problem of the dimensionality of tagsets is then introduced, and discussed in relation with other factors that in∞uence the perfor- mance of automatic dialogue act taggers. After a brief discussion of em- pirical arguments relevant to the dimensionality problem, derived from human and automatic labelling experiments, the report proposes a syn- thesis of guidelines for the deflnition of dialogue act tagsets, based on multi-dimensional theoretical inspiration, and cross-dimensional con- straints and the notion of dominant utterance-function, in order to reduce the search for automatic dialogue act taggers. As a compromise between the divergent needs for theoretical ground- ing and tagging accuracy, the Dominant Function Approximation pro- poses that automatic dialogue act taggers could focus initially on flnd- ing the main dialogue function of each utterance. This approximation is shown to be empirically acceptable and to have signiflcant practical relevance.
A loop closure technique for monocular SLAM with locally planar landmarks

We propose a loop closure detection technique for a monocular SLAM system proposed in [1], which uses planar landmarks to describe 3-D environments. In [1], the camera state and the landmark plane normal is represented as SE(3) and SO(3), respectively, which are both Lie group. Loop closing techniques for feature map which consist of Lie group elements should consider the geometrical properties of Lie group.
Third Generation Tsunami scenario matrix for the Portuguese Tsunami Early Warning System

In Portugal, the Instituto de Meteorologia (IM) is the institution responsible for the Portuguese seismic network and it is the candidate to host the Portuguese Tsunami Warning System. One critical component of the system is the scenario database and the Tsunami Analysis Tool that help the operator to take decisions during the course of the event. This paper describes the progress done since 2008 conducting to the 3rd generation of the scenario database that provides a higher resolution modeling at the coastline for the whole North Atlantic. The 3rd generation scenarios are initiated by a simulation domain with a coarse bathymetry cell size (2 min). This initial calculation establishes the adequate initial and boundary conditions to 3 other domain calculations with a much finer cell size (0.25 min). The high-resolution calculation is performed only close to the coast in order to reduce the CPU time.
Evidence That Complement Protein C1q Interacts with C-Reactive Protein through Its Globular Head Region1

C1q acts as the recognition unit of the first complement component, C1, and binds to immunoglobulins IgG and IgM, as well as to non-Ig ligands, such as C-reactive protein (CRP). IgG and IgM are recognized via the globular head regions of C1q (C1qGR), whereas CRP has been postulated to interact with the collagen-like region (C1qCLR). In the present study, we used a series of nine mAbs to C1q, five directed against C1qGR and four against C1qCLR, to inhibit the interaction of C1q with CRP. The F(ab′)2 of each of the five mAbs directed against C1qGR inhibited binding of C1q to polymerized IgG. These five mAbs also successfully inhibited the interaction of C1q with CRP. Moreover, these five mAbs inhibited C1 activation by CRP as well as by polymerized IgG in vitro. In contrast, none of the four mAbs against C1qCLR inhibited C1q interaction with CRP or IgG, or could reduce activation of complement by CRP or polymerized IgG. These results provide the first evidence that the interaction of C1q with CRP or IgG involves sites located in the C1qGR, whereas sites in the CLR do not seem to be involved in the physiological interaction of C1q with CRP.
Pattern Stability and Error Correction During In-Phase and Antiphase Four-Ball Juggling

The authors studied pattern stability and error correction during in-phase and antiphase 4-ball fountain juggling. To obtain ball trajectories, they made and digitized high-speed film recordings of 4 highly skilled participants juggling at 3 different heights (and thus different frequencies). From those ball trajectories, the authors determined and analyzed critical events (i.e., toss, zenith, catch, and toss onset) in terms of variability of point estimates of relative phase and temporal correlations. Contrary to common findings on basic instances of rhythmic interlimb coordination, in-phase and antiphase patterns were equally variable (i.e., stable). Consistent with previous findings, however, pattern stability decreased with increasing frequency. In contrast to previous results for 3-ball cascade juggling, negative lag-one correlations for catch-catch intervals were absent, but the authors obtained evidence for error corrections between catches and toss onsets. That finding may have reflected participants' high skill level, which yielded smaller errors that allowed for corrections later in the hand cycle.
Comparison of Point Similarity Measures for Atlas-based Registration of MRI Brain Images

High-dimensional deformable registration of MRI brain images is presented here. The deformation is driven by local forces estimated from point similarities based on joint histogram and with the use of prior information obtained from tissue probability maps available in selected commonly used brain atlases. Three point similarity measures are tested in an experiment with data obtained from standard Simulated Brain Database
Green Suppliers Evaluation by Fuzzy Clustering and TOPSIS Suppliers

According to the concept of green supply chain, in this paper, we introduce a multi-method multiple criteria approach to develop more appropriate green supplier programs and practices. In reality, investigation into this field of study has just begun. We propose a combination of new fuzzy clustering means (FCM) better than the traditional clustering method and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approaches for different suppliers’ performance evaluation and their relationship with business, organizational attributes and performance outcomes, identifying a set of guidelines that help make investment more judicious and efficient. Practical research implications of this work are shown in detail in the paper. Although the intention of methodology results from sustainability concerns, this method can also be applied in other areas where making decisions is based on a large sets of data.
Laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile-associated gastrointestinal disease: comparison of a monoclonal antibody enzyme immunoassay for toxins A and B with a monoclonal antibody enzyme immunoassay for toxin A only and two cytotoxicity assays

A total of 320 stool specimens obtained from 262 patients suspected of having Clostridium difficile-associated gastrointestinal disease were examined with two cytotoxicity assays (CTAs) and two commercially available enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). The CTAs were an in-house-developed procedure (University of Massachusetts Medical Center [UMMC], Worcester, Mass.) and a commercial test (Bartels CTA; Baxter Healthcare Corp., West Sacramento, Calif.). One EIA was a monoclonal antibody-based assay for C. difficile toxins A and B (Cambridge Biotech Corp. [CBC], Worcester, Mass.). The other EIA employed monoclonal antibodies directed against only toxin A (Meridian Diagnostics, Cincinnati, Ohio). True-positive and true-negative results were defined on the basis of the results of the four assays, clinical assessments of patients, and the results of other laboratory tests. The sensitivities of the four assays were as follows: Bartels CTA, 100%; UMMC CTA, 97.2%; CBC EIA, 84.5%; and Meridian EIA, 69.0%. The Bartels CTA demonstrated a specificity of 99.2%. The other three assays had a specificity of 100%.
Grouping of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia†

A wide range of behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD) are common in dementia, and it has been suggested that groups of correlated symptoms should be studied together. Here, we describe the groups of BPSD that have been identified in the literature and how they have been used to study associations, burden, treatment and underlying biology.
Indigenous New Zealand honeys exhibit multiple anti-inflammatory activities

Recent evidence suggests a potential role for honeys in mediating clinical inflammation and tissue damage. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of a selection of previously untested indigenous New Zealand (NZ) honeys. We found that several, but not all, New Zealand rewarewa, manuka and kanuka honey samples exhibited potent, dose-dependent reduction of human neutrophil superoxide production in vitro. This inhibitory activity did not correlate with levels of known phenolic-based free radical scavengers. Furthermore, the active honeys did not scavenge superoxide generated in a cell-free xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay. In C57BL/6 J mice, topical application of manuka and rewarewa honey samples with the highest in vitro activity suppressed arachidonic acid-induced ear oedema, and rewarewa honey suppressed both oedema and leukocyte (monocyte and neutrophil) infiltration. Together, these findings demonstrate that some indigenous NZ honeys exhibit clinically relevant anti-inflammatory activity. Further investigation is warranted to identify the active component(s) and mechanisms responsible for these activities and to determine potential applications for anti-inflammatory honeys in the topical treatment of clinical inflammation.
A Novel Design Flow for a Security-Driven Synthesis of Side-Channel Hardened Cryptographic Modules

Over the last few decades, computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools have been developed and improved in order to ensure a short time-to-market in the chip design business. Up to now, these design tools do not yet support an integrated design strategy for the development of side-channel-resistant hardware implementations. In order to close this gap, a novel framework named AMASIVE (Adaptable Modular Autonomous SIde-Channel Vulnerability Evaluator) was developed. It supports the designer in implementing devices hardened against power attacks by exploiting novel security-driven synthesis methods. The article at hand can be seen as the second of the two contributions that address the AMASIVE framework. While the first one describes how the framework automatically detects vulnerabilities against power attacks, the second one explains how a design can be hardened in an automatic way by means of appropriate countermeasures, which are tailored to the identified weaknesses. In addition to the theoretical introduction of the fundamental concepts, we demonstrate an application to the hardening of a complete hardware implementation of the block cipher PRESENT.
Tulasnein and Podospirone from the Coprophilous Xylariaceous Fungus Podosordaria tulasnei

Tulasnein (1), a new metabolite with strong antimicrobial and weaker cytotoxic and phytotoxic activity, was isolated from culture filtrates of three strains of the xylariaceous coprophilous fungus Podosordaria tulasnei. The producing strains were identified by their rhizomorphs and by ITS rDNA sequence analysis. A second new metabolite, podospirone (2), was also produced by all three strains whereas the weakly cytotoxic (+)-3,4-anhydroshikimic acid methyl ester (3) was detected in only one strain.
Coping with suicide: a perspective from Scotland: Invited commentary on… Coping with a coroner’s Inquest

SuMMARY Procedures following suicide differ in Scotland from elsewhere in the UK and we describe the investigation of deaths by procurators fiscal and fatal accident inquiries that may ensue. Higher Scottish suicide rates, and possible reasons for these, are mentioned. Suicide risk cannot be accurately quantified in individual patients but psychiatrists should take the view that good management can collectively reduce the risk among all patients. We comment on practical and emotional issues for clinicians who are coping with the suicide of a patient.
The List-Decoding Size of Fourier-Sparse Boolean Functions

A function defined on the Boolean hypercube is <i>k</i>-<i>Fourier-sparse</i> if it has at most <i>k</i> nonzero Fourier coefficients. For a function <i>f</i>: F<sub>2</sub><sup>n</sup> → R and parameters <i>k</i> and <i>d</i>, we prove a strong upper bound on the number of <i>k</i>-Fourier-sparse Boolean functions that disagree with <i>f</i> on at most <i>d</i> inputs. Our bound implies that the number of uniform and independent random samples needed for learning the class of <i>k</i>-Fourier-sparse Boolean functions on <i>n</i> variables exactly is at most <i>O</i>(<i>n</i> · <i>k</i>log <i>k</i>). As an application, we prove an upper bound on the query complexity of testing Booleanity of Fourier-sparse functions. Our bound is tight up to a logarithmic factor and quadratically improves on a result due to Gur and Tamuz [2013].
Elevated Cardiac Troponin I in Sepsis and Septic Shock: No Evidence for Thrombus Associated Myocardial Necrosis

Background Elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is frequently observed in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. However, the mechanisms underlying cTnI release in these patients are still unknown. To date no data regarding coagulation disturbances as a possible mechanism for cTnI release during sepsis are available. Methodology/Principal Findings Consecutive patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis or septic shock without evidence of an acute coronary syndrome were analyzed. Coagulation parameters (clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT), maximum clot firmness (MCF), α-angle) were assessed in native whole blood samples, and using specific activators to evaluate the extrinsic and intrinsic as well as the fibrin component of the coagulation pathway with the use of rotational thrombelastometry (ROTEM). Thirty-eight patients were included and 22 (58%) were cTnI-positive. Baseline characteristics between TnI-positive and -negative patients were similar. The CT, CFT, MCF and the α-angle were similar between the groups with trends towards shorter CT in the extrinsic and fibrin activation. Conclusions/Significance We found no differences in coagulation parameters analyzed with rotational thrombelastometry between cTnI-positive and -negative patients with SIRS, severe sepsis, and septic shock. These findings suggest that pathophysiological mechanisms other than thrombus-associated myocardial damage might play a major role, including reversible myocardial membrane leakage and/or cytokine mediated apoptosis in these patients.
Polarimetric Analysis of Bistatic SAR Images From Polar Decomposition: A Quaternion Approach

This paper focuses on polar decomposition, which is based on the quaternion formalism, in single-look and multilook synthetic aperture radar polarimetry. Polar decomposition is used to decompose a bistatic or monostatic polarimetric scattering matrix into a product of a Hermitian matrix (boost) and a unitary matrix (rotation). After an overview of polar decomposition principle and quaternion properties, coherent (single-look complex) and incoherent (multilook) polar decompositions are discussed. In single-look polar decomposition, we introduce the boost parameter and the rotation parameter with the purpose of classifying scattering mechanisms of different natures. New relationships between these geometrical parameters and the scattering matrix elements are obtained. We also briefly reexamine the standard coherent polarimetric target decomposition algorithms in the light of quaternions. Next, an original use of polar decomposition for incoherent polarimetric imaging is proposed, which leads to the definition of the multilook boost parameter and of the degree of polarization dispersion. Subsequently, a new approach is presented, which consists in decomposing the scattering matrix into boost and rotation components before vectorization, then in averaging to generate boost and rotation coherency matrices separately. This leads to new inferred parameters: the boost and rotation entropies, and the concurrent dominant scattering mechanisms. The link between these new parameters and standard polarimetric invariants from the Cloude and Pottier decomposition is discussed. Eventually, the multilook extension of polar decomposition may allow this to be applied to the classification of remote sensing data. In this framework, a set of five parameters reducing to four in the monostatic case can be considered.
2.9 A Background calibration technique to control bandwidth in digital PLLs

The bandwidth of a phased-locked loop (PLL) is dependent on several analog parameters that are subject to process, temperature and voltage spreads, as well as to variations along the frequency-tuning range. Even in digital PLLs, which rely on a digital loop filter, the bandwidth still depends on the gains of two mixed-signal building blocks, namely the time/digital converter (TDC) and the digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO), that have conversion characteristics that are not well-controlled. The situation is even more cumbersome employing a singlebit TDC, often referred to as bang-bang phase detector (BBPD), where the linearized gain is inversely proportional to the input jitter [1]. An accurate and repeatable value of the PLL bandwidth, and in the general of the frequency response, is essential to meet several specifications, such as stability margin, settling time, jitter and spur level. When the PLL is operated as a direct frequency modulator with pre-emphasis of the modulation signal, the accuracy requirement of the frequency response is even more demanding [2]. Previously disclosed methods to control PLL bandwidth require a modulation signal to be injected into the loop [2], compensate the gain variations of just a single block (e.g., VCO [3] or BBPD [4]), or operate in the foreground [5]. This paper presents a digital PLL employing a digital background normalization of loop gain, which makes it independent of any analog variable (except for the reference frequency, which often is available from an accurate source). This method requires no injection of additional test signals and operates at a low rate, achieving low-noise and low-power operation, and also is suitable even for bangbang PLLs.
Improved translation efficiency of injected mRNA during early embryonic development

Injection techniques are a powerful approach to study gene function in fish and frog model systems. In particular, in vitro transcribed mRNA is broadly used for such misexpression experiments. Sequence elements flanking the coding region, such as untranslated repeats and polyadenylation sequences, are known to affect the stability and the translation efficiency of mRNA. Here we show that in early embryos, poly(A) signals strongly contribute to the activity of the injected mRNA. Of interest, they only marginally affect mRNA stability, whereas the translation efficiency is dramatically enhanced. Combination of a poly(A) tail and an SV40 late poly(A) signal leads to highly synergistic effects of the two elements for injected mRNA. Compared with established vector systems, we detected a 20‐fold improvement for mRNA derived from the novel transcription vector pMC. Developmental Dynamics 235:3370–3378, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integrin-targeted nano-sized polymeric systems for paclitaxel conjugation: a comparative study

Abstract The generation of rationally designed polymer therapeutics via the conjugation of low molecular weight anti-cancer drugs to water-soluble polymeric nanocarriers aims to improve the therapeutic index. Here, we focus on applying polymer therapeutics to target two cell compartments simultaneously – tumour cells and angiogenic endothelial cells. Comparing different polymeric backbones carrying the same therapeutic agent and targeting moiety may shed light on any correlation between the choice of polymer and the anti-cancer activity of the conjugate. Here, we compared three paclitaxel (PTX)-bound conjugates with poly-l-glutamic acid (PGA, 4.9 mol%), 2-hydroxypropylmethacrylamide (HPMA, 1.2 mol%) copolymer, or polyethyleneglycol (PEG, 1:1 conjugate). PGA and HPMA copolymers are multivalent polymers that allow the conjugation of multiple compounds within the same polymer backbone, while PEG is a bivalent commercially available Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved polymer. We further conjugated PGA–PTX and PEG–PTX with the integrin αvβ3-targeting moiety RGD (5.5 mol% and 1:1 conjugate, respectively). We based our selection on the overexpression of integrin αvβ3 on angiogenic endothelial cells and several types of cancer cells. Our findings suggest that the polymer structure has major effect on the conjugate's activity on different tumour compartments. A multivalent PGA–PTX–E-[c(RGDfK)2] conjugate displayed a stronger inhibitory effect on the endothelial compartment, showing a 50% inhibition of the migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cell cells, while a PTX–PEG–E-[c(RGDfK)2] conjugate possessed enhanced anti-cancer activity on MDA-MB-231 tumour cells (IC50 = 20 nM versus IC50 300 nM for the PGA conjugate).
Proposal of Snubber Circuit to Reduce Problem of Collapsing in BJT due to Overrating

The effect on transistors when maximum collector-emitter voltage under condition base is open (vceo), maximum collector-base voltage under condition emitter is open (vcbo), maximum collector-emitter voltage under condition base is shortened (vces) and maximum collector-base voltage under condition emitter is shortened (vcbs) ratings are got exceeded in two circuits are studied by visual analysis, x-ray examination, electrical examination and microscopic examination. This study helps in increasing the reliability of transistor used in all modern electronic equipments. We have proposed here for the implementation of snubber circuit to reduce the problem mentioned above. The results of visual analysis, electrical examination and microscopic examinations is shown in the form of pictures. Our proposal can be implemented in many house appliances, as common people are generally not aware of this fact of transistor ratings so the accidents due to unawareness can be prevented.
Health & Demographic Surveillance System Profile: The Birbhum population project (Birbhum HDSS).

The Birbhum HDSS was established in 2008 and covers 351 villages in four administrative blocks in rural areas of Birbhum district of West Bengal, India. The project currently follows 54 585 individuals living in 12557 households. The population being followed up is economically underprivileged and socially marginalized. The HDSS, a prospective longitudinal cohort study, has been designed to study changes in population demographic, health and healthcare utilization. In addition to collecting data on vital statistics and antenatal and postnatal tracking, verbal autopsies are being performed. Moreover, periodic surveys capturing socio-demographic and economic conditions have been conducted twice. Data on nutritional status (children as well as adults), non-communicable diseases, smoking etc. have also been collected in special surveys. Currently, intervention studies on anaemia, undernutrition and common preschool childhood morbidities through behavioural changes are under way. For access to the data, a researcher needs to send a request to the Data Manager [suri.shds@gmail.com]. Data are shared in common formats like comma-separated files (csv) or Microsoft Excel (xlsx) or Microsoft Access Database (mdb). The HDSS will soon upgrade its data management system to a more integrated platform, coordinated and guided by INDEPTH data sharing policy.