Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving the Extraction of Clinical Concepts from Clinical Records

Essential information relevant to medical problems, tests, and treatments is often expressed in patient clinical records with natural language, making their processing a daunting task for automated systems. One of the steps towards alleviating this problem is concept extraction. In this work, we proposed a machine learning-based named entity recognition system to extract clinical concepts from patient discharge summaries and progress notes without the need for any external knowledge resources. Three preand post-processing methods were investigated, i.e. truecasing, abbreviation disambiguation, and distributional thesaurus lookup, the individual annotation results of which were combined into a final annotation set using two refinement schemes. While truecasing and abbreviation disambiguation capture the inflectional morphology of words, the distributional thesaurus lookup allows for statistics-based similarity matching. We achieved a maximum F-score of 0.7586 and 0.8444 for exact and inexact matching, respectively. Our results show that truecasing and annotation combination are the enhancements which best increase the system performance, whereas abbreviation disambiguation and distributional thesaurus lookup bring about insignificant improvements.
Self Monitoring, Goal Driven Autonomy Agents

The growing abundance of autonomous systems is driving the need for robust performance. Most current systems are not fully autonomous and often fail when placed in real environments. Via self-monitoring, agents can identify when their own, or externally given, boundaries are violated, thereby increasing their performance and reliability. Specifically, self-monitoring is the identification of unexpected situations that either (1) prohibit the agent from reaching its goal(s) or (2) result in the agent acting outside of its boundaries. Increasingly complex and open environments warrant the use of such robust autonomy (e.g., self-driving cars, delivery drones, and all types of future digital and physical assistants). The techniques presented herein advance the current state of the art in self-monitoring, demonstrating improved performance in a variety of challenging domains. In the aforementioned domains, there is an inability to plan for all possible situations. In many cases all aspects of a domain are not known beforehand, and, even if they were, the cost of encoding them is high. Self-monitoring agents are able to identify and then respond to previously unexpected situations, or never-before-encountered situations.
Extension of SCTP for Concurrent Multi-Path Transfer with Parallel Subflows

With its new features such as multi-homing and multi-streaming the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) has become a promising candidate as a general-purpose transport layer protocol. Multi-homing in an SCTP association can make concurrent multi-path transfer an appealing candidate to satisfy the ever increasing user demands for bandwidth. Multiple streams provide an aggregation mechanism to accommodate heterogeneous objects, which belong to the same application but may require different QoS from the network. However, the current approach lacks an internal mechanism to support preferential treatment among its streams for concurrent multi-path transfer. In this paper, we introduce WM2-SCTP (Wireless Multi-path Multi-flow - Stream Control Transmission Protocol), a transport layer solution for concurrent multi-path transfer with parallel subflows. WM2-SCTP aims at exploiting SCTP's multi-homing and multi-streaming capability by grouping SCTP streams into subflows based on their required QoS and selecting best paths for each subflow to improve data transfer rates. The results show that under different scenarios WM2-SCTP, can effectively enhance transmission efficiency.
Transducin Duplicates in the Zebrafish Retina and Pineal Complex: Differential Specialisation after the Teleost Tetraploidisation

Gene duplications provide raw materials that can be selected for functional adaptations by evolutionary mechanisms. We describe here the results of 350 million years of evolution of three functionally related gene families: the alpha, beta and gamma subunits of transducins, the G protein involved in vision. Early vertebrate tetraploidisations resulted in separate transducin heterotrimers: gnat1/gnb1/gngt1 for rods, and gnat2/gnb3/gngt2 for cones. The teleost-specific tetraploidisation generated additional duplicates for gnb1, gnb3 and gngt2. We report here that the duplicates have undergone several types of subfunctionalisation or neofunctionalisation in the zebrafish. We have found that gnb1a and gnb1b are co-expressed at different levels in rods; gnb3a and gnb3b have undergone compartmentalisation restricting gnb3b to the dorsal and medial retina, however, gnb3a expression was detected only at very low levels in both larvae and adult retina; gngt2b expression is restricted to the dorsal and medial retina, whereas gngt2a is expressed ventrally. This dorsoventral distinction could be an adaptation to protect the lower part of the retina from intense light damage. The ontogenetic analysis shows earlier onset of expression in the pineal complex than in the retina, in accordance with its earlier maturation. Additionally, gnb1a but not gnb1b is expressed in the pineal complex, and gnb3b and gngt2b are transiently expressed in the pineal during ontogeny, thus showing partial temporal subfunctionalisation. These retina-pineal distinctions presumably reflect their distinct functional roles in vision and circadian rhythmicity. In summary, this study describes several functional differences between transducin gene duplicates resulting from the teleost-specific tetraploidisation.
Do Himalayan treelines respond to recent climate change? An evaluation of sensitivity indicators

Abstract. Climate warming is expected to induce treelines to advance to higher elevations. Empirical studies in diverse mountain ranges, however, give evidence of both advancing alpine treelines and rather insignificant responses. The inconsistency of findings suggests distinct differences in the sensitivity of global treelines to recent climate change. It is still unclear where Himalayan treeline ecotones are located along the response gradient from rapid dynamics to apparently complete inertia. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge regarding sensitivity and response of Himalayan treelines to climate warming, based on extensive field observations, published results in the widely scattered literature, and novel data from ongoing research of the present authors. Several sensitivity indicators such as treeline type, treeline form, seed-based regeneration, and growth patterns are evaluated. Since most Himalayan treelines are anthropogenically depressed, observed advances are largely the result of land use change. Near-natural treelines are usually krummholz treelines, which are relatively unresponsive to climate change. Nevertheless, intense recruitment of treeline trees suggests a great potential for future treeline advance. Competitive abilities of seedlings within krummholz thickets and dwarf scrub heaths will be a major source of variation in treeline dynamics. Tree growth–climate relationships show mature treeline trees to be responsive to temperature change, in particular in winter and pre-monsoon seasons. High pre-monsoon temperature trends will most likely drive tree growth performance in the western and central Himalaya. Ecological niche modelling suggests that bioclimatic conditions for a range expansion of treeline trees will be created during coming decades.
Comparison of newly developed anti-bone morphogenetic protein 4 llama-derived antibodies with commercially available BMP4 inhibitors

ABSTRACT Due to improved understanding of the role of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) in an increasing number of diseases, the development of selective inhibitors of BMP4 is an attractive therapeutic option. The currently available BMP4 inhibitors are not suitable as therapeutics because of their low specificity and low effectiveness. Here, we compared newly generated anti-BMP4 llama-derived antibodies (VHHs) with 3 different types of commercially available BMP4 inhibitors, natural antagonists, small molecule BMPR inhibitors and conventional anti-BMP4 monoclonal antibodies. We found that the anti-BMP4 VHHs were as effective as the natural antagonist or small molecule inhibitors, but had higher specificity. We also showed that commercial anti-BMP4 antibodies were inferior in terms of both specificity and effectiveness. These findings might result from the fact that the VHHs C4C4 and C8C8 target a small region within the BMPR1 epitope of BMP4, whereas the commercial antibodies target other areas of the BMP4 molecule. Our results show that the newly developed anti-BMP4 VHHs are promising antibodies with better specificity and effectivity for inhibition of BMP4, making them an attractive tool for research and for therapeutic applications.
Accounting and change in the financial services sector: the case of activity-based costing in a Portuguese bank

This thesis aims to trace the development of management accounting systems (MAS) in a Portuguese bank, where an activity-based costing system (ABC) was trialled for implementation, as a means to improving the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of employee activity. The culture of banking in Portugal has changed significantly over the last 25 years, but at the same time there are older traditions which remain strong. The purpose of this research was to study how an imported MAS like ABC is developed and disseminated within a Portuguese banking context. The research can be classified as a longitudinal study of organisational change using a single case study. Although based in the interpretive tradition since it is concerned with actors' perceptions, interpretations and beliefs, it also draws on a Foucault-inspired critical framework of the kind developed in the work of Hoskin and Macve (e.g. 1986, 1988, 1994, 2000), and in the research into the financial sector undertaken by Morgan and Sturdy (2000). The particular model developed here is designed to enable the exploration of the effect of accounting practices on change from three perspectives - changing structures, changing discourses and the effect of both of these processes on power relations. It also draws on Fligstein's (1991) institutional framework to understand change in terms of the interplay across three relevant institutional contexts - the organisational field, the state, and the existing strategy and structure of the bank. The research draws on the literature and on primary data, including 41 in-depth, semi-structured interviews, and documentary and archive data. The main contributions of the research are related to the increase of visibility and perceived importance of accounting in the banking sector, and how accounting is significant beyond its technical roles. The study provides new insights into how management accounting practices, along with other organisational systems, play an important role in questioning, visualising, analysing, and measuring implemented strategies.
Adiabatic and isocurvature perturbations from inflation: Power spectra and consistency relations

We study adiabatic and isocurvature perturbations produced during a period of cosmological inflation. We compute the power spectra and cross spectra of the curvature and isocurvature modes, as well as the tensor perturbation spectrum in terms of the slow-roll parameters. We provide two consistency relations for the amplitudes and spectral indices of the corresponding power spectra. These relations represent a definite prediction and a test of inflationary models which should be adopted when studying cosmological perturbations through the Cosmic Microwave Background in forthcoming satellite experiments.
An Understanding of the Impact of Gamification on Purchase Intentions

Gamification is a diverse application of game elements implemented by firms in various circumstances to motivate customers for frequent and loyal patronage. Due to the advancement of information and telecommunication technologies, more dynamic and interactive gamified experiences have been developed as strategies to retain customers and encourage repeat purchasing. As the increasing application of social and mobile games plays important trends in culture today, enterprises need to understand the value of adding the elements of games into customer’s every encounter. This study consolidates the different gamification design elements and demographics to explore purchase intentions of customers of different types. We reviewed the literature about game design and identified seven motivational elements that have been incorporated in the design of gamification. Using case analysis, we verified these elements and proposed hypotheses about gamification design for customers of different attributes. Further study is planned to test the hypotheses by collecting responses from 500 participants regarding their perceptions of the elements of the gamification activities. It’s hoped that the findings can provide a basis for enterprises to leverage the emerging strategy properly.
Flowering Time Diversification and Dispersal in Central Eurasian Wild Wheat Aegilops tauschii Coss.: Genealogical and Ecological Framework

Timing of flowering is a reproductive trait that has significant impact on fitness in plants. In contrast to recent advances in understanding the molecular basis of floral transition, few empirical studies have addressed questions concerning population processes of flowering time diversification within species. We analyzed chloroplast DNA genealogical structure of flowering time variation in central Eurasian wild wheat Aegilops tauschii Coss. using 200 accessions that represent the entire species range. Flowering time measured as days from germination to flowering varied from 144.0 to 190.0 days (average 161.3 days) among accessions in a common garden/greenhouse experiment. Subsequent genealogical and statistical analyses showed that (1) there exist significant longitudinal and latitudinal clines in flowering time at the species level, (2) the early-flowering phenotype evolved in two intraspecific lineages, (3) in Asia, winter temperature was an environmental factor that affected the longitudinal clinal pattern of flowering time variation, and (4) in Transcaucasus-Middle East, some latitudinal factors affected the geographic pattern of flowering time variation. On the basis of palaeoclimatic, biogeographic, and genetic evidence, the northern part of current species' range [which was within the temperate desert vegetation (TDV) zone at the Last Glacial Maximum] is hypothesized to have harbored species refugia. Postglacial southward dispersal from the TDV zone seems to have been driven by lineages that evolved short-flowering-time phenotypes through different genetic mechanisms in Transcaucasus-Middle East and Asia.
Morphological Filter Assisted Low Amplitude Impulse Detector

This paper presents a novel morphological filter-assisted threshold detector aimed at detecting very low amplitude impulses in a wide-sense stationary noise environment. A one-dimensional morphological filter is applied as a second stage processor to a conventional threshold detector which is set to operate with a much lower threshold level as a consequence. This algorithm was developed to improve the detection of impulses from high voltage switchgear; however, it can easily be ported to other areas requiring similar sensitive impulse detection sensitivities
Comments on the String dual to N=1 SQCD

We study the String dual to N = 1 SQCD deformed by a quartic superpotential in the quark superfields. We present a unified view of the previous results in the literature and find new exact solutions and new asymptotic solutions. Then we study the Physics encoded in these backgrounds, giving among other things a resolution to an old puzzle related to the beta function and a sufficient criteria for screening. We also extend our results to the SO(Nc) case where we present a candidate for the Wilson loop in the spinorial representation. Various aspects of this line of research are critically analyzed. c.h. badajoz@swansea.ac. uk c.nunez@swansea.ac. uk i.papadimitriou@swansea.ac. uk
Creating educational equity for indigenous students through significant organisational change

Kormilda College is a day and Boarding school located in Darwin, the capital city of Australia's Northern Territory. A significant percentage of the students come from over forty Indigenous remote communities across Australia's Top End. In an effort to increase Indigenous educational engagement through student leadership opportunities, a review of the pastoral care model was undertaken from a social justice perspective. Through quantitative and qualitative research analysis, incorporating a model of Change Theory, significant organisational change was implemented at the commencement of the 2012 school year. This paper will explore student experiences through a case study approach.
IFN-γ Plays a Unique Role in Protection against Low Virulent Trypanosoma cruzi Strain

Background T. cruzi strains have been divided into six discrete typing units (DTUs) according to their genetic background. These groups are designated T. cruzi I to VI. In this context, amastigotes from G strain (T. cruzi I) are highly infective in vitro and show no parasitemia in vivo. Here we aimed to understand why amastigotes from G strain are highly infective in vitro and do not contribute for a patent in vivo infection. Methodology/Principal Findings Our in vitro studies demonstrated the first evidence that IFN-γ would be associated to the low virulence of G strain in vivo. After intraperitoneal amastigotes inoculation in wild-type and knockout mice for TNF-α, Nod2, Myd88, iNOS, IL-12p40, IL-18, CD4, CD8 and IFN-γ we found that the latter is crucial for controlling infection by G strain amastigotes. Conclusions/Significance Our results showed that amastigotes from G strain are highly infective in vitro but did not contribute for a patent infection in vivo due to its susceptibility to IFN-γ production by host immune cells. These data are useful to understand the mechanisms underlying the contrasting behavior of different T. cruzi groups for in vitro and in vivo infection.
Brassinosteroids and Plant Steroid Hormone Signaling Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at www.plantcell.org/cgi/doi/10.1105/tpc.001461.

Steroids play a role as essential hormones in plants as well as in animals. Plants produce numerous steroids and sterols, some of which are recognized as hormones in animals ([Geuns, 1978][1]; [Jones and Roddick, 1988][2]). Brassinolide (BL) is the most bioactive form of the growth-promoting plant
Evaluation of Hearing Results in Otosclerotic Patients after Stapedectomy

Introduction: Otosclerosis one of the most common causes of conductive hearing loss is more common in females and in their middle ages. It is usually a bilateral and progressive disease. Surgical operation is suggested as the exclusive management of otosclerosis. This study aims to evaluate the hearing results after stapedectomy in otosclerotic patients in Ahwaz. Materials and Methods: In this case series study, the records of otosclerotic patients who had undergone stapedectomy or stapedotomy in Imam Khomeini and Apadana Hospitals of Ahwaz, Iran during 1997-2007 were evaluated. All the operations were performed by a single surgeon (first author). Data were analyzed using SPSS and descriptive statistical tests. Results: One hundred ninety seven patients were included in this study. 66.8% were female and the age range was 20-40 years. The affected ears were reported as follows: right ear (65%), left ear (35%) and bilateral (18%). ABG was reported as less than 10db in 63.9% of patients; between 10 to 20db in 29.99% and more than 20db in 5%. Surgical complications were observed in 4.5% of patients (1.5% intraoperatively and 3% postoperatively). Discussion: Saccular dysfunction seems to be an important finding in SSNHL. Although it is more prevalent in the patients with vertigo, it can be found in the non-dizzy cases. VEMP disturbance in SSNHL shows more extensive pathological involvement. Conclusion: Just like previously conducted studies, satisfactory surgical outcomes with rare complications were observed in the appropriate population under study.
Creating dynamic capabilities to increase customer value

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the strategic management literature by identifying possible combinations of three organizational capabilities (market orientation, knowledge management, and customer relationship management). It seeks to analyze the potential interaction between them that would lead to the creation of superior customer value.Design/methodology/approach – The research question is: “If the customer demands superior value, how should a firm combine its existing capabilities in order to offer this superior value? ”Findings – It is clear that one should turn to dynamic capabilities to explain the connection between the interaction of these three capabilities and superior customer value. Firms are aware of the customers' demand for superior value and need to know how to combine their existing capabilities to offer this superior value.Practical implications – A possible way of increasing the value created for the customer is proposed, which is a key factor for the increasing.
Mark-Recapture and Mark-Resight Methods for Estimating Abundance with Remote Cameras: A Carnivore Case Study

Abundance estimation of carnivore populations is difficult and has prompted the use of non-invasive detection methods, such as remotely-triggered cameras, to collect data. To analyze photo data, studies focusing on carnivores with unique pelage patterns have utilized a mark-recapture framework and studies of carnivores without unique pelage patterns have used a mark-resight framework. We compared mark-resight and mark-recapture estimation methods to estimate bobcat (Lynx rufus) population sizes, which motivated the development of a new "hybrid" mark-resight model as an alternative to traditional methods. We deployed a sampling grid of 30 cameras throughout the urban southern California study area. Additionally, we physically captured and marked a subset of the bobcat population with GPS telemetry collars. Since we could identify individual bobcats with photos of unique pelage patterns and a subset of the population was physically marked, we were able to use traditional mark-recapture and mark-resight methods, as well as the new “hybrid” mark-resight model we developed to estimate bobcat abundance. We recorded 109 bobcat photos during 4,669 camera nights and physically marked 27 bobcats with GPS telemetry collars. Abundance estimates produced by the traditional mark-recapture, traditional mark-resight, and “hybrid” mark-resight methods were similar, however precision differed depending on the models used. Traditional mark-recapture and mark-resight estimates were relatively imprecise with percent confidence interval lengths exceeding 100% of point estimates. Hybrid mark-resight models produced better precision with percent confidence intervals not exceeding 57%. The increased precision of the hybrid mark-resight method stems from utilizing the complete encounter histories of physically marked individuals (including those never detected by a camera trap) and the encounter histories of naturally marked individuals detected at camera traps. This new estimator may be particularly useful for estimating abundance of uniquely identifiable species that are difficult to sample using camera traps alone.