Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of crop rotation and land fragmentation on farm productivity in Albania

We estimate the impact of land fragmentation and crop rotation on farm productivity in rural Albania. We employ stochastic production frontier estimation approach and Tobit regression on survey data collected among farm households in Albania in 2013. Our estimates suggest that land fragmentation improves farm efficiency likely because it allows a better use of household labour during the production seasons. Our estimates also suggest that crop rotation increases farm efficiency. However, the land fragmentation dominates the crop rotation in impacting farm efficiency.
Diagnosis of a Peritonsillar Abscess by Transcutaneous Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Abstract We report a case of a pediatric patient with an initial diagnosis of peritonsillar cellulitis made by otolaryngology. The findings from a subsequent transcutaneous point-of-care ultrasound by a pediatric emergency physician directly affected the decision to perform needle aspiration. Sonographic characteristics of a peritonsillar abscess may be helpful in the prompt diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess.
The Multi-tenant Pattern

Traditional multi-user applications are designed to provide the same functional and non-functional responses to all the users. However, customers of the contemporary applications may have different expectations from the application. To design an application with the ability to meet diverse requirements of customers, is a recurring problem in various domains including software applications. This paper presents a pattern called “Multi-tenant” that can be employed to cater such diverse set of requirements. We present a reference architecture of the pattern along with examples and known uses. Our analysis of the various use cases shows that the pattern is useful in designing applications for heterogeneous consumers.
Learning by doing and learning through play: an exploration of interactivity in virtual environments for children

The development of interactive, participatory, multisensoryenvironments that combine the physical with the virtual comes as anatural continuation to the computer game industrys constant racefor more exciting user experiences. Specialized theme parks andvarious other leisure and entertainment centers worldwide areembracing the interactive promise that games have made usersexpect. This is not a trend limited to the entertainment domain;non-formal learning environments for children are also followingthis path, backed up by a theoretical notion of play as a coreactivity in a childs development. In this article we explore acentral thread in learning, play, as well as an essentialcharacteristic of virtual reality environments: interactivity. Acritical review of examples of immersive virtual reality worldscreated for children, with particular attention given to the roleand nature of interactivity, is attempted. Interactivity isexamined in relation to learning, play, narrative, and tocharacteristics inherent in virtual reality, such as immersion,presence, and the creation of illusion.
Mitogen-Regulated RSK2-CBP Interaction Controls Their Kinase and Acetylase Activities

ABSTRACT The protein kinase ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) has been implicated in phosphorylation of transcription factor CREB and histone H3 in response to mitogenic stimulation by epidermal growth factor. Binding of phospho-CREB to the coactivator CBP allows gene activation through recruitment of the basal transcriptional machinery. Acetylation of H3 by histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activities, such as the one carried by CBP, has been functionally coupled to H3 phosphorylation. While various lines of evidence indicate that coupled histone acetylation and phosphorylation may act in concert to induce chromatin remodeling events facilitating gene activation, little is known about the coupling of the two processes at the signaling level. Here we show that CBP and RSK2 are associated in a complex in quiescent cells and that they dissociate within a few minutes upon mitogenic stimulus. CBP preferentially interacts with unphosphorylated RSK2 in a complex where both RSK2 kinase activity and CBP acetylase activity are inhibited. Dissociation is dependent on phosphorylation of RSK2 on Ser227 and results in stimulation of both kinase and HAT activities. We propose a model in which dynamic formation and dissociation of the CBP-RSK2 complex in response to mitogenic stimulation allow regulated phosphorylation and acetylation of specific substrates, leading to coordinated modulation of gene expression.
Fertility change in Sri Lanka since the war: an analysis of the experience of different districts.

Using statistics from the censuses of 1946 1953 1963 and 1971 and from vital registration changes in fertility in Sri Lanka as a whole and in its 19 administrative districts were examined. For the whole island the level of fertility in 1953 was about the same as in 1946. However this apparent stability concealed quite substantial increases in fertility in a number of districts. It is argued that these were very probably caused by the eradication of malaria. Between 1953 and 1963 fertility declined somewhat in Sri Lanka as a whole. However this was due to structural changes rather than to any decline in marital fertility which apparently rose slightly. An analysis of the district figures indicated that this was due to increases in marital fertility among Ceylon Tamils and Ceylon Moors (and possibly Indian Tamils too). However it remains doubtful whether there were indeed genuine increases in marital fertility during this period or only improvements in the completeness of birth registration. Between 1963 and 1971 fertility declined still further in Sri Lanka and although increasing age at marriage was a very important factor there were unmistakable signs of declining marital fertility during this period. (authors)
Comparison of Quantitative Imaging Devices and Subjective Optic Nerve Head Assessment by General Ophthalmologists to Differentiate Normal From Glaucomatous Eyes

PurposeTo compare the ability of subjective assessment of optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) by general ophthalmologists and by a glaucoma expert with objective measurements by optical coherence tomography (Stratus OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc), confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (HRT III; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany), and scanning laser polarimetry (GDx enhanced corneal compensation; Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc, Dublin, CA) in discriminating glaucomatous and normal eyes. MethodsSixty-one glaucomatous and 57 normal eyes of 118 subjects were included in the study. Three independent general ophthalmologists and 1 glaucoma expert evaluated ONH stereophotographs. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed for each imaging technique and sensitivity at fixed specificity was estimated. Comparisons of areas under these curves (aROCs) and agreement (k) were determined between stereophoto grading and best parameter from each technique. ResultsBest parameter from each technique showed larger aROC (Stratus OCT RNFL=0.92; Stratus OCT ONH vertical integrated area=0.86; Stratus OCT macular thickness=0.82; GDx enhanced corneal compensation=0.91; HRT3 global cup-to-disc area ratio=0.83; HRT3 glaucoma probability score numeric score=0.83) compared with stereophotograph grading by general ophthalmologists (0.80) in separating glaucomatous and normal eyes. Glaucoma expert stereophoto grading provided equal or larger aROC (0.92) than best parameter of each computerized imaging device. Stereophoto evaluated by a glaucoma expert showed better agreement with best parameter of each quantitative imaging technique in classifying eyes either as glaucomatous or normal compared with stereophoto grading by general ophthalmologists. The combination of subjective assessment of the optic disc by general ophthalmologists with RNFL objective parameters improved identification of glaucoma patients in a larger proportion than the combination of these objective parameters with subjective assessment of the optic disc by a glaucoma expert (29.5% vs. 19.7%, respectively). ConclusionsDiagnostic ability of all imaging techniques showed better performance than subjective assessment of the ONH by general ophthalmologists, but not by a glaucoma expert. Objective RNFL measurements may provide improvement in glaucoma detection when combined with subjective assessment of the optic disc by general ophthalmologists or by a glaucoma expert.
Integrated DNA copy number and methylation profiling of lymphoid neoplasms using a single array

Changes in DNA copy number (CN) and DNA methylation represent important aberrations for lymphomas and other cancers. Here, for the first time, we show that the Illumina Infinium Methylation (IIM) assay, although not originally designed for CN profiling, is able to estimate CN changes. We compared the IIM CN profiles to those obtained with a standard technique in a series of diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas: the profiles showed a high degree of consensus. The demonstration of CN profiling as an additional function of the IIM assay may impact the choice of platform for methylation profiling of haematological and solid tumours.
Multiresolution codes for scene categorization

The development of fast and reliable image classification algorithms is mandatory for modern image applications involving large databases. Biological systems seem to have the ability to categorize complex scenes in an accurate and very fast way. Our aim is to develop an architecture that leads to similar performances in computer vision. In this work, we present a coding method based on some principles inspired from biology that achieves a fast classification of complex visual scenes. A signature vector is extracted from the visual scene by a multi-scale filtering obtained through a bank of Gabor filters. These vectors constitute the inputs of a radial basis function network. The first connection layer implements a recoding of the filter outputs. The second one achieves a linear separation of the classes in the space of coding. We showed that an incremental approach in which each class is learned separately outperforms a more global one in which we tried to learn all classes together. According to the considered image category, the subset of features leading to the best result could be different, suggesting the use of feature vectors adapted to each image category. However, one of the major results of our study is that the signature vector we used, albeit very simple to compute, contains enough information to allow a correct image classification.
Physiology of the Eyelid Motor System

The eyelid motor system represents an excellent experimental model for the study of reflex and learned motor responses. Eyelid responses can be recorded quantitatively with the search coil in a magnetic‐field technique. Stimuli able to evoke reflex blinks (air puffs, flashes of light, tones) can also be controlled quantitatively. Eyelid movements can be classified as spontaneous, passive (such as those following eye saccades), reflex, and acquired with classical conditioning procedures. Information is available regarding the firing activity of brainstem motoneuronal pools (abducens, accessory abducens, and facial motoneurons) involved in these types of eyelid response. In particular, facial motoneurons present different encoding properties for the generation of reflex against learned eyelid responses. In cats, accessory abducens motoneurons are involved only in reflex (but not in learned) blinks. The recent description of the complete organization of premotoneuronal pathways related to eyelid motorics opens new experimental possibilities for the study of this particular motor system.
WebPSN: a web server for high-throughput investigation of structural communication in biomacromolecules

UNLABELLED We developed a mixed Protein Structure Network (PSN) and Elastic Network Model-Normal Mode Analysis (ENM-NMA)-based strategy (i.e. PSN-ENM) to investigate structural communication in biomacromolecules. The approach starts from a Protein Structure Graph and searches for all shortest communication pathways between user-specified residues. The graph is computed on a single preferably high-resolution structure. Information on system's dynamics is supplied by ENM-NMA. The PSN-ENM methodology is made of multiple steps both in the setup and analysis stages, which may discourage inexperienced users. To facilitate its usage, we implemented WebPSN, a freely available web server that allows the user to easily setup the calculation, perform post-processing analyses and both visualize and download numerical and 3D representations of the output. Speed and accuracy make this server suitable to investigate structural communication, including allosterism, in large sets of bio-macromolecular systems. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The WebPSN server is freely available at http://webpsn.hpc. unimore.it.
Inorganic mineral materials for insulation in buildings

Abstract: Insulating products made from natural and/or synthetic mineral raw materials dominate the insulation market in Europe. Owing to their overall cost/performance ratio or their special product properties, mineral wool products for building insulation have gained the largest market share. Products such as mineral wool, cellular glass and expanded perlite are specified by harmonized European standards, while the niche-type products have either a manufacturer-specific European or national technical approval to prove to the consumer the fulfilment of regulatory requirements for the particular application.
Meta-Analysis of General Bacterial Subclades in Whole-Genome Phylogenies Using Tree Topology Profiling

In the last two decades, a large number of whole-genome phylogenies have been inferred to reconstruct the Tree of Life (ToL). Underlying data models range from gene or functionality content in species to phylogenetic gene family trees and multiple sequence alignments of concatenated protein sequences. Diversity in data models together with the use of different tree reconstruction techniques, disruptive biological effects and the steadily increasing number of genomes have led to a huge diversity in published phylogenies. Comparison of those and, moreover, identification of the impact of inference properties (underlying data model, inference technique) on particular reconstructions is almost impossible. In this work, we introduce tree topology profiling as a method to compare already published whole-genome phylogenies. This method requires visual determination of the particular topology in a drawn whole-genome phylogeny for a set of particular bacterial clans. For each clan, neighborhoods to other bacteria are collected into a catalogue of generalized alternative topologies. Particular topology alternatives found for an ordered list of bacterial clans reveal a topology profile that represents the analyzed phylogeny. To simulate the inhomogeneity of published gene content phylogenies we generate a set of seven phylogenies using different inference techniques and the SYSTERS-PhyloMatrix data model. After tree topology profiling on in total 54 selected published and newly inferred phylogenies, we separate artefactual from biologically meaningful phylogenies and associate particular inference results (phylogenies) with inference background (inference techniques as well as data models). Topological relationships of particular bacterial species groups are presented. With this work we introduce tree topology profiling into the scientific field of comparative phylogenomics.
Analysis of Public Datasets for Wearable Fall Detection Systems

Due to the boom of wireless handheld devices such as smartwatches and smartphones, wearable Fall Detection Systems (FDSs) have become a major focus of attention among the research community during the last years. The effectiveness of a wearable FDS must be contrasted against a wide variety of measurements obtained from inertial sensors during the occurrence of falls and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). In this regard, the access to public databases constitutes the basis for an open and systematic assessment of fall detection techniques. This paper reviews and appraises twelve existing available data repositories containing measurements of ADLs and emulated falls envisaged for the evaluation of fall detection algorithms in wearable FDSs. The analysis of the found datasets is performed in a comprehensive way, taking into account the multiple factors involved in the definition of the testbeds deployed for the generation of the mobility samples. The study of the traces brings to light the lack of a common experimental benchmarking procedure and, consequently, the large heterogeneity of the datasets from a number of perspectives (length and number of samples, typology of the emulated falls and ADLs, characteristics of the test subjects, features and positions of the sensors, etc.). Concerning this, the statistical analysis of the samples reveals the impact of the sensor range on the reliability of the traces. In addition, the study evidences the importance of the selection of the ADLs and the need of categorizing the ADLs depending on the intensity of the movements in order to evaluate the capability of a certain detection algorithm to discriminate falls from ADLs.
Hippocampal Seizure and Secondary Epileptogenesis in the “Kindled” Cat Preparations

The behavioral, electrographic and transference characteristics were investigated in hippocampal kindled cats. All animals developed generalized convulsions following daily hippocampal stimulation (mean 51.8 days). A distinct sequence of behavioral events was observed prior to the seizure and classified into six stages. Motor seizure manifestations appeared along with the emergence of an entirely independent after-discharge and interictal discharge in the bilateral globus pallidus (GP) and amygdala (AM). Secondary site convulsions were triggered with initial stimulation in the GP, contralateral dorsal hippocampus and in most AM sites. This finding suggests that after the primary site was kindled, these previously unstimulated secondary structures attained a response potency equal to that of the primary site. Furthermore, the "all-or nothing" response was confirmed both in the primary and secondary site convulsions.
The Evaluation of Hyperferritinemia: An Updated Strategy Based on Advances in Detecting Genetic Abnormalities

The number of new genes implicated in iron metabolism has dramatically increased during the last few years. Alterations of these genes may cause hyperferritinemia associated or not with iron overload. Correct assignment of the specific disorder of iron metabolism requires the identification of the causative gene mutation. Here, we propose a rational strategy that allows targeting the gene(s) to be screened for a diagnostic purpose. This strategy relies on the age of onset of the disease, the type of clinical symptoms, the biochemical profile (elevated or normal serum transferrin saturation (TfSat)), the presence or not of visceral iron excess, and the mode of inheritance (autosomal recessive or dominant). Then, two main entities can be differentiated: genetic (adult or juvenile) hemochromatosis characterized by elevated TfSat, and hereditary hyperferritinemias where TfSat is normal (or only slightly modified). Adult genetic hemochromatosis (GH) is related mainly to mutations of the HFE gene, and exceptionally to mutations of the TFR2 gene. Juvenile GH is a rare condition related principally to mutations of the HJV gene coding for hemojuvelin, and rarely to mutations of the HAMP gene coding for hepcidin. Hereditary hyperferritinemias are linked to mutations of three genes: the L-ferritin gene responsible for the hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome (without iron overload), the ferroportin gene leading to a dominant form of iron overload, and the ceruloplasmin (CP) gene corresponding to an iron overload syndrome with neurological symptoms. The proposed strategic approach may change with the identification of other genes involved in iron metabolism.
A fully integrated Hall sensor microsystem with current-mode output

This paper presents a fully integrated Hall sensor microsystem with a current-mode output. The system operates in open-loop and includes a Hall sensor with internal biasing, a fully differential front-end, a preamplifier chain and a voltage-to-current converter (V-I). The effects of the V-I block on the sensitivity drift of the system are analyzed and a current biasing of the Hall cells is proposed so that the current output feature adds no drift to the microsystem sensitivity. The whole microsystem is integrated in a 0. 35μm CMOS technology. It occupies an area of 11.55mm2. The sensitivity drift of the system is characterized, and shows that the V-I does not degrade the overall sensitivity drift of the system.
The Role of Home-Visiting Programs in Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect

Kimberly Howard and Jeanne Brooks-Gunn examine home visiting, an increasingly popular method for delivering services for families, as a strategy for preventing child abuse and neglect. They focus on early interventions because infants are at greater risk for child abuse and neglect than are older children. In their article, Howard and Brooks-Gunn take a close look at evaluations of nine home-visiting programs: the Nurse-Family Partnership, Hawaii Healthy Start, Healthy Families America, the Comprehensive Child Development Program, Early Head Start, the Infant Health and Development Program, the Early Start Program in New Zealand, a demonstration program in Queensland, Australia, and a program for depressed mothers of infants in the Netherlands. They examine outcomes related to parenting and child well-being, including abuse and neglect. Howard and Brooks-Gunn conclude that, overall, researchers have found little evidence that home-visiting programs directly prevent child abuse and neglect. But home visits can impart positive benefits to families by way of influencing maternal parenting practices, the quality of the child’s home environment, and children’s development. And improved parenting skills, say the authors, would likely be associated with improved child well-being and corresponding decreases in maltreatment over time. Howard and Brooks-Gunn also report that the programs have their greatest benefits for low-income, first-time adolescent mothers. Theorists and policy makers alike believe strongly that home visiting can be a beneficial and cost-effective strategy for providing services to families and children. If home-visiting programs are to have their maximum impact, service providers must follow carefully the guidelines mandated by the respective programs, use professional staff whose credentials are consistent with program goals, intervene prenatally with at-risk populations, and carry out the programs with fidelity to their theoretical models.
CS-2011-07 Saliency and Localization by Nested Window Search

We model salient objects in images as being surrounded by more edges than they have in their interior, and address their detection by an algorithm that searches for optimal nested pairs of rectangular windows. The window that maximizes the sum of edge scores within the picture-frame like region between the two rectangles is returned. The space of all pairs of nested rectangles is a subset of R8, too large for exhaustive search even with branch and bound. We therefore restrict the geometry of the nested window pair and give an efficient algorithm to do the search in O(n1.5) running time for an image of n pixels. We demonstrate through experiments that nested window search is useful and fast in localizing objects of interest in a completely unsupervised way. Supervised classification may benefit from nested window search as well.