Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Sounds to Present and Manage Information in Computers

The auditive modality, such as speech, signals and natural sounds, is one of the most important ways to present and communicate information. However, in computer interfaces the possibilities of auditive modality have been almost totally neglected. Usually the audio consists of simple signals (beeps and clicks) or background music. The present paper outlines some of the possibilities in presenting and managing information in computers by using audio from the perspective of the semiotic theory of signs. Auditive interfaces can be especially useful for people with visual or kinaesthetic disabilities, as well as in places and with devices when the visual-kinaesthetic using of the machine is difficult, for example while on the move or with small display devices.
Liposuction is an effective treatment for lipedema–results of a study with 25 patients

Background: Lipedema is a painful, genetically induced abnormal deposition of subcutaneous fat in the extremities of almost exclusively women. The pathogenesis is unknown and no curative treatment is available. Conservative therapy consisting of lymphatic drainage and compression stockings is often recommended, but is only effective against the edema. Some patients show a short‐term improvement when treated in this way. The removal of the increased fat tissue of lipedema has become possible by employing advanced liposuction techniques which utilize vibrating microcannulas under tumescent local anesthesia. The effectiveness of this approach to lipedema is the subject of this study. Patients and Methods: 25 patients were examined before liposuction and six months thereafter. The survey included the measurement of the volume of the legs and several parameters of typical pain and discomfort. The parameters were measured using visual analogue scales (VAS, scale 0–10). Results: The volume of the leg was reduced by 6.99 %. Pain, as the predominant symptom in lipedema, was significantly reduced from 7.2 ± 2.2 to 2.1 ± 2.1 (p < 0.001). Quality of life as a measure of the psychological strain caused by lipedema improved from 8.7 ± 1.7 to 3.6 ± 2.5 (p < 0.001). Other parameters also showed a significant improvement and the over‐all severity score improved in all patients.
Detection of Ehrlichia spp. in the Blood of Wild White-Tailed Deer in Missouri by PCR Assay and Serologic Analysis

ABSTRACT Blood samples collected from wild deer in Missouri in November of 2000 and 2001 were positive by PCR assays for Ehrlichiachaffeensis (50 of 217; 23%), Ehrlichiaewingii (44 of 217; 20%), and Anaplasma species (214 of 217; 99%). Nucleotide sequences of selected amplicons from the assay for anaplasma matched sequences of the white-tailed deer agent. Serologic analysis of 112 deer sampled in 2000 showed a very high prevalence of antibodies to E. chaffeensis (97 of 112; 87%) and a low prevalence of antibodies reactive with Anaplasmaphagocytophila (2 of 112; 2%).
A Schrödinger Equation for Solving the Riemann Hypothesis

The Hamiltonian of a quantum mechanical system has an affiliated spectrum. If this spectrum is the sequence of prime numbers, a connection between quantum mechanics and the nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function can be made. In this case, the Riemann zeta function is analogous to chaotic quantum systems, as the harmonic oscillator is for integrable quantum systems. Such quantum Riemann zeta function analogies have led to the Bender-Brody-M\"uller (BBM) conjecture, which involves a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian that maps to the zeros of the Riemann zeta function. If the BBM Hamiltonian can be shown to be Hermitian, then the Riemann Hypothesis follows. As such, herein we perform a symmetrization procedure of the BBM Hamiltonian to obtain a unique Hermitian Hamiltonian that maps to the zeros of the analytic continuation of the Riemann zeta function, and provide an analytical expression for the eigenvalues of the results. The holomorphicity of the resulting eigenvalues is examined. Moreover, a second quantization of the resulting Schr\"odinger equation is performed, and a convergent solution for the nontrivial zeros of the analytic continuation of the Riemann zeta function is obtained. Finally, from the holomorphicity of the eigenvalues it is shown that the real part of every nontrivial zero of the Riemann zeta function converges at $\sigma=1/2$.
Older fathers' children have lower evolutionary fitness across four centuries and in four populations

Higher paternal age at offspring conception increases de novo genetic mutations (Kong et al., 2012). Based on evolutionary genetic theory we predicted that the offspring of older fathers would be less likely to survive and reproduce, i.e. have lower fitness. In a sibling control study, we find clear support for negative paternal age effects on offspring survival, mating and reproductive success across four large populations with an aggregate N > 1.3 million in main analyses. Compared to a sibling born when the father was 10 years younger, individuals had 4-13% fewer surviving children in the four populations. Three populations were pre-industrial (1670-1850) Western populations and showed a pattern of paternal age effects across the offspring’s lifespan. In 20th-century Sweden, we found no negative paternal age effects on child survival or marriage odds. Effects survived tests for competing explanations, including maternal age and parental loss. To the extent that we succeeded in isolating a mutation-driven effect of paternal age, our results can be understood to show that de novo mutations reduce offspring fitness across populations and time. We can use this understanding to predict the effect of increasingly delayed reproduction on offspring genetic load, mortality and fertility.
Comparative evaluation of the fracture resistances of endodontically treated teeth filled using five different root canal filling systems.

AIM The aim of this study was to compare the fracture resistances of teeth filled using different root canal sealers and rials. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and twenty single rooted mandibular human incisor teeth with single canals were divided into 5 experimental groups of 20 teeth with 2 control groups of 10 teeth each. After root canal shaping using K3 rotary instruments, root canals were filled as follows: Group 1: (-) control, Group 2: (+) control, Group 3: Gutta-percha/AH Plus, Group 4: Thermafil/AH Plus, Group 5: Resilon/Epiphany self-etch (Epiphany SE), Group 6: Gutta-percha/Epiphany SE ve Group 7: EndoREZ sealer/EndoREZ cone. After the root canal sealers set, the apical 4 mm. portions of the specimens were embedded in cold curing acrylic and a fracture resistance test was applied in a universal testing machine. The load at which fracture occurred was recorded for each group and statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's honestly significant difference tests. RESULTS Resilon/Epiphany SE ve EndoREZ sealer/EndoREZ cone groups had lower fracture resistances compared with the negative control group consisted of teeth without root canal shaping (P < 0.05). Gutta-percha/AH Plus, Thermafil/AH Plus and Gutta-percha/Epiphany SE groups showed similar fracture resistances (P > 0.05). The fracture resistance of the instrumented, but unfilled positive control group was significantly lower compared with (-) control, Gutta-percha/AH Plus, Thermafil/AH Plus (P < 0.01) and Gutta-percha/Epiphany SE (P < 0.05) groups. There were no significant differences between the fracture resistances of the Resilon/Epiphany SE and EndoREZ sealer/EndoREZ cone and positive control groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Root canal shaping procedures decrease the fracture resistance of teeth, and lateral condensation performed with AH Plus sealer and Gutta-percha and the Thermafil technique were found to be more successful.
On the optimal selection of motors and transmissions for electromechanical and robotic systems

With regard to the important role of motors and transmissions in the performance of electromechanical and robotic systems, this paper intends to provide a solution for the problem of selection of these components for a general load case. Appropriate objectives are formulated, and by the use of them, a procedure is suggested to compare the performance of different motors for a specified task. Moreover, considering different limitations, the range for feasible transmission ratios is analytically obtained and suggestions for choosing a transmission ratio from this range, and if available, motor torque constant, are provided. As a case study, the methods are applied to the problem of actuator design for a legged robot.
Decoding the Traumatic Memory among Women with PTSD: Implications for Neurocircuitry Models of PTSD and Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized by intrusive recall of the traumatic memory. While numerous studies have investigated the neural processing mechanisms engaged during trauma memory recall in PTSD, these analyses have only focused on group-level contrasts that reveal little about the predictive validity of the identified brain regions. By contrast, a multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) approach towards identifying the neural mechanisms engaged during trauma memory recall would entail testing whether a multivariate set of brain regions is reliably predictive of (i.e., discriminates) whether an individual is engaging in trauma or non-trauma memory recall. Here, we use a MVPA approach to test 1) whether trauma memory vs neutral memory recall can be predicted reliably using a multivariate set of brain regions among women with PTSD related to assaultive violence exposure (N=16), 2) the methodological parameters (e.g., spatial smoothing, number of memory recall repetitions, etc.) that optimize classification accuracy and reproducibility of the feature weight spatial maps, and 3) the correspondence between brain regions that discriminate trauma memory recall and the brain regions predicted by neurocircuitry models of PTSD. Cross-validation classification accuracy was significantly above chance for all methodological permutations tested; mean accuracy across participants was 76% for the methodological parameters selected as optimal for both efficiency and accuracy. Classification accuracy was significantly better for a voxel-wise approach relative to voxels within restricted regions-of-interest (ROIs); classification accuracy did not differ when using PTSD-related ROIs compared to randomly generated ROIs. ROI-based analyses suggested the reliable involvement of the left hippocampus in discriminating memory recall across participants and that the contribution of the left amygdala to the decision function was dependent upon PTSD symptom severity. These results have methodological implications for real-time fMRI neurofeedback of the trauma memory in PTSD and conceptual implications for neurocircuitry models of PTSD that attempt to explain core neural processing mechanisms mediating PTSD.
Electron mobility in thin In0.53Ga0.47As channel

Channel thickness Tch dependence of electron mobility μκρρ in thin In<inf>0.53</inf>Ga<inf>0.47</inf>As channels was investigated at temperatures T from 35 to 300 K using conventional parametric and pulsed I<inf>D</inf>-measurements, including a novel technique with time resolution down to 10 ns. It is show that accurate mobility measurements can be obtained using low T and/or fast pulsed measurements, thus avoiding significant underestimations of μκρρ due to charge trapping with slow/parametric measurements. Furthermore, annealing is demonstrated to strongly suppress charge trapping, which results in μ<inf>κρρ</inf> = 1015 cm<sup>2</sup>/Vs at T<inf>ch</inf> = 7.1 nm, carrier density Ns = 3 × 10<sup>12</sup> cm<sup>−2</sup>, and T = 300 K. We demonstrate that room-temperature μκρρ degrades by less than 10% as T<inf>ch</inf> is scaled from 300 nm down to 7 nm, thus indicating that there is no “mobility bottleneck” down to T<inf>ch</inf> = 7 nm.
Spectral matching techniques (SMTs) and automated cropland classification algorithms (ACCAs) for mapping croplands of Australia using MODIS 250-m time-series (2000–2015) data

ABSTRACT Mapping croplands, including fallow areas, are an important measure to determine the quantity of food that is produced, where they are produced, and when they are produced (e.g. seasonality). Furthermore, croplands are known as water guzzlers by consuming anywhere between 70% and 90% of all human water use globally. Given these facts and the increase in global population to nearly 10 billion by the year 2050, the need for routine, rapid, and automated cropland mapping year-after-year and/or season-after-season is of great importance. The overarching goal of this study was to generate standard and routine cropland products, year-after-year, over very large areas through the use of two novel methods: (a) quantitative spectral matching techniques (QSMTs) applied at continental level and (b) rule-based Automated Cropland Classification Algorithm (ACCA) with the ability to hind-cast, now-cast, and future-cast. Australia was chosen for the study given its extensive croplands, rich history of agriculture, and yet nonexistent routine yearly generated cropland products using multi-temporal remote sensing. This research produced three distinct cropland products using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 250-m normalized difference vegetation index 16-day composite time-series data for 16 years: 2000 through 2015. The products consisted of: (1) cropland extent/areas versus cropland fallow areas, (2) irrigated versus rainfed croplands, and (3) cropping intensities: single, double, and continuous cropping. An accurate reference cropland product (RCP) for the year 2014 (RCP2014) produced using QSMT was used as a knowledge base to train and develop the ACCA algorithm that was then applied to the MODIS time-series data for the years 2000–2015. A comparison between the ACCA-derived cropland products (ACPs) for the year 2014 (ACP2014) versus RCP2014 provided an overall agreement of 89.4% (kappa = 0.814) with six classes: (a) producer’s accuracies varying between 72% and 90% and (b) user’s accuracies varying between 79% and 90%. ACPs for the individual years 2000–2013 and 2015 (ACP2000–ACP2013, ACP2015) showed very strong similarities with several other studies. The extent and vigor of the Australian croplands versus cropland fallows were accurately captured by the ACCA algorithm for the years 2000–2015, thus highlighting the value of the study in food security analysis. The ACCA algorithm and the cropland products are released through http://croplands.org/app/map and http://geography.wr. usgs.gov/science/croplands/algorithms/australia_250m. html
“On‐demand” treatment with Thrombopoietin mimetics as “bridge to recovery” from chemotherapy in chronic immune thrombocytopenia patients with cancer. A single centre experience in nine patients

Morales Meseguer, IMIB-Arrixaca, UCAM, Murcia, Haematology Department, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Haematology Department, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Haematology Department, Institut Catal a d’Oncologia-Hospital Duran i Reynals, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Haematology Department, Hospital Clı́nico, Santiago de Compostela, Haematology Department, Institut Catal a d’Oncologia-Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Badalona, Haematology Department, Hospital Ram on y Cajal, Madrid, Haematology Department, Hospital Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Haematology Department, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Haematology Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Haematology Department, Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, Haematology Department, Hospital Son Espases, Mallorca, Haematology Department, Hospital de Jerez, C adiz, Haematology Department, Hospital Dr. Negrı́n, Las Palmas, Haematology Department, Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella, Haematology Department, Hospital La Fe, IIS La Fe, Valencia, and Haemotherapy and Haemostasis Department, Hospital Clı́nic, Barcelona, Spain E-mail: hernandez_jca@gva.es
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Screening and New Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer (PCa)

Abstract PSA screening reduces PCa-mortality but the disadvantages overdiagnosis and overtreatment require multivariable risk-prediction tools to select appropriate treatment or active surveillance. This review explains the differences between the two largest screening trials and discusses the drawbacks of screening and its meta-analysisxs. The current American and European screening strategies are described. Nonetheless, PSA is one of the most widely used tumor markers and strongly correlates with the risk of harboring PCa. However, while PSA has limitations for PCa detection with its low specificity there are several potential biomarkers presented in this review with utility for PCa currently being studied. There is an urgent need for new biomarkers especially to detect clinically significant and aggressive PCa. From all PSA-based markers, the FDA-approved prostate health index (phi) shows improved specificity over percent free and total PSA. Another kallikrein panel, 4K, which includes KLK2 has recently shown promise in clinical research studies but has not yet undergone formal validation studies. In urine, prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) has also been validated and approved by the FDA for its utility to detect PCa. The potential correlation of PCA3 with cancer aggressiveness requires more clinical studies. The detection of the fusion of androgen-regulated genes with genes of the regulatory transcription factors in tissue of ~50% of all PCa-patients is a milestone in PCa research. A combination of the urinary assays for TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion and PCA3 shows an improved accuracy for PCa detection. Overall, the field of PCa biomarker discovery is very exciting and prospective.
Computational Identification of Novel Amino-Acid Interactions in HIV Gag via Correlated Evolution

Pairs of amino acid positions that evolve in a correlated manner are proposed to play important roles in protein structure or function. Methods to detect them might fare better with families for which sequences of thousands of closely related homologs are available than families with only a few distant relatives. We applied co-evolution analysis to thousands of sequences of HIV Gag, finding that the most significantly co-evolving positions are proximal in the quaternary structures of the viral capsid. A reduction in infectivity caused by mutating one member of a significant pair could be rescued by a compensatory mutation of the other.
Chronic morpho-functional damage as a consequence of transient ischemia/reperfusion injury of the small bowel.

INTRODUCTION The prevailing notion is that ischemia reperfusion injury of the small bowel induces transient changes that resolve within a few days post-occurrence. However, chronic injury has been described following a single ischemia reperfusion in the kidney. We proceeded to ascertain if a similar outcome is also witnessed in the small bowel. MATERIALS AND METHODS ACI rats (n=32) underwent 1, 2 or 3 episodes of ischemia reperfusion by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 45 minutes at 7-day intervals. Control groups included sham-operated (n=6) or non-operated (n=5) rats. Morphology was examined at day ninety post-ischemia reperfusion and immunostaining was used to evaluate macrophage infiltration, microvascular distribution, and apoptosis. RT-PCR was used to evaluate expression of Inter-Cellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), Insulin Growth Factor-I (IGF-1), and Insulin Growth Factor-I Receptor (IGF-R). Intestinal function was evaluated by D-xylose performed 24 hours and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after reperfusion. RESULTS Chronic morphologic changes were observed with degeneration of crypts, endothelial damage, matrix degeneration, and heightened lymphocyte degeneration within the Payer's patches. Major structural changes were characterized by villous atrophy from partial to total. The grade of histological injuries was significantly increased (P<0.001) after multiple ischemia reperfusion episodes. A higher number of apoptotic cells (P<0.001) and a prominent macrophage infiltration (P<0.05) was also witnessed. Altered expression of ICAM-1, TGF-beta, and IGF-1 was observed. At 24 hours after ischemia reperfusion D-xylose absorption was diminished, returning to baseline values within 4 weeks and becoming abnormal again at 8 and 12 weeks (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Unlike the prevailing conviction, these data demonstrate that transient ischemia reperfusion repeated injuries of the small bowel result in chronic intestinal damage.
The detrimental effects of air on silage.

The most important single factor which influences the efficiency with which forage crops are conserved as silage is the degree of anaerobiosis achieved in the completed silo. Air trapped in the crop at harvesting stage and the time of ensiling will have an insignificant effect on the nutrient status of feed. During silo filling operations, however, respiratory activities of the plant material, and more important, those of aerobic microorganisms can result in considerable heat generation and loss of digestibility.
Modeling Opportunistic Data Delivery in Dynamic Wireless Networks

In this work we examine data delivery in dynamic wireless ad hoc networks that exchange packets opportunistically. Legacy mobile ad hoc network (MANET) protocols send packets along a predetermined path between a source and a destination. Node mobility, however, may create network partitions and a multi-hop link may not be present at the onset. Such node mobility may instead be leveraged to create an asynchronous path between a source and destination enabling opportunistic message exchange. In this work we propose an analytic model for this data exchange by defining a node's probability to forward packets to an encountered node. Drawing on results from mobility studies, we derive the statistics on the packet exchange and packet delivery performance for opportunistic networks. This model is validated for several simulation scenarios. The work provides a foundation for a one-to-one performance comparison of existing opportunistic forwarding protocols.
Shared vision promotes family firm performance

A clear picture of the influential drivers of private family firm performance has proven to be an elusive target. The unique characteristics of private family owned firms necessitate a broader, non-financial approach to reveal firm performance drivers. This research study sought to specify and evaluate the themes that distinguish successful family firms from less successful family firms. In addition, this study explored the possibility that these themes collectively form an effective organizational culture that improves longer-term firm performance. At an organizational level of analysis, research findings identified four significant variables: Shared Vision (PNS), Role Clarity (RCL), Confidence in Management (CON), and Professional Networking (OLN) that positively impacted family firm financial performance. Shared Vision exhibited the strongest positive influence among the significant factors. In addition, Family Functionality (APGAR), the functional integrity of the family itself, exhibited a significant supporting role. Taken together, the variables collectively represent an effective family business culture (EFBC) that positively impacted the long-term financial sustainability of family owned firms. The index of effective family business culture also exhibited potential as a predictive non-financial model of family firm performance.