Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE BODILY ACTION RESEARCH OF RAY L. BIRDWHISTELL AND PAUL EKMAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR ORAL INTERPRETATION THEORY.

The purpose of this study was to compare the philosophical stance, terminology, methodology, and research findings of two representative and influential investigators in the field of nonverbal behavior, Ray L. Birdwhistell and Paul Ekman, drawing theoretical implications and practical applications for oral interpretation. The study found that while Birdwhistell has maintained that all nonverbal behavior is culturally learned and must be examined within the communication gestalt, Ekman has emphasized the innate, universal, and expressive elements of bodily movement, especially that of the face. Ekman has recognized the role of cultural learning, however. It was found that neither Birdwhistell's nor Ekman's research has rendered support for any of the theoretical approaches to nonverbal behavior which oral interpreters have entertained in the past. However, it was found that Birdwhistell's and Ekman's approaches to nonverbal behavior do justify a more deliberate training strategy in oral interpretation. It was found that Ekman's external variable research methodology which encompasses both indicative and communicative methods offers more chance of generating meaningful and useful research in oral interpretation than does Birdwhistell's structural approach. It was also found that Ekman's constructs of emblem, illustrator, regulator, adaptor, and affect display offer the most workable vocabulary with which to discuss and elucidate nonverbal behavior, and that Ekman's research which is continually updating and expanding these categories illuminates concepts with which oral interpretation scholars have been grappling for years.
The influence of stunted body size on the reproductive ecology of bluegill Lepomis macrochirus

Although stunting is a common phenomenon in fish populations, the consequences of stunted body size on the reproductive ecology of individuals has received little attention. The present study compares the reproductive ecology of bluegill in established stunted and non-stunted populations. Three ponds (two non-stunted and one stunted) were monitored for spawning activity throughout the summer. Parental male bluegill from both non-stunted populations were older, larger, and had greater mating success (number of eggs or fry within nests) than parental males in the stunted population. Stunted bluegill also experienced a shortened reproductive season owing to the delay in onset of spawning. The present study demonstrates that individual size and population size structure can have a marked influence on the reproductive ecology of bluegill.
Inbreeding and Genetic Diversity in Three Imported Swine Breeds in China Using Pedigree Data

The accumulation of inbreeding and the loss of genetic diversity is a potential problem in the modern swine breeds in China. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the pedigrees of Chinese Duroc (CD), Landrace (CL) and Yorkshire (CY) swine to estimate the past and current rates of inbreeding, and to identify the main causes of genetic diversity loss. Pedigree files from CD, CL and CY containing, 4529, 16,776 and 22,600 records, respectively, were analyzed. Pedigree completeness indexes of the three breeds, accounting for one generation back, were 83.72, 93.93 and 93.59%, respectively. The estimated average annual inbreeding rates for CD, CL and CY in recent three years were 0.21, 0.19 and 0.13%, respectively. The estimated average percentage of genetic diversity loss within each breed in recent three years was about 8.92, 2.19, and 3.36%, respectively. The average relative proportion of genetic diversity loss due to unequal contributions of founders in CD, CL and CY was 69.09, 57.95 and 60.57%, and due to random genetic drift was 30.91, 42.05 and 39.43%, respectively. The estimated current effective population size for CD, CL and CY was 76, 117 and 202, respectively. Therefore, CD has been found to have lost considerable genetic diversity, demanding priority for optimizing the selection and mating to control future coancestry and inbreeding. Unequal contribution of founders was a major cause of genetic diversity loss in Chinese swine breeds and random genetic drift also showed substantial impact on the loss of diversity.
Shifted focus of bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with suspected thoracic malignancy: an analysis of 224 patients.

BACKGROUND Bronchoscopies are extensively adopted for diagnosing and staging thoracic malignancies, but studies are missing as how to keep the process streamlined and more efficient. To evaluate current role of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for cancer and possible infection diagnosis when practicing comprehensive bronchoscopy for patients suspected with thoracic malignancy, and provide foundation for possible practice modification. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed a prospectively kept database of immunocompetent patients undergoing bronchoscopy for suspected non-hematologic malignancies. Clinical, radiographic data, bronchoscopic sampling techniques and diagnostic results were recorded. Initially undiagnostic patients were followed up for 2 years for a definitive diagnosis. RESULTS Of 224 patients included, 179 (79.9%) were confirmed with active thoracic malignancies. BAL diagnostic yield of cancer based on different radiographic characters of target lesion are as follow: isolated lymphadenopathies 0%, central lesions 45.5%, peripheral masses (diameter ≥3 cm) 21.4%, peripheral large nodules (2≤ diameter <3 cm) 15.8%, and peripheral small nodules (diameter <2 cm) 7.1%, while composite bronchoscopy achieved diagnostic yield of 93.3%, 95.5%, 91.7%, 76.9%, and 66.7% in corresponding lesion types. No cancer was diagnosed solely by BAL-cytology. Proportions of patients with positive BAL culture did not differ significantly between patients with and without pre-test suspicion for infections (P=0.199). In multivariable analysis, infections were associated with age ≥75 (OR 3.0; 95% CI: 1.29-7.06), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 2.7; 95% CI: 1.14-6.26) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR 4.5; 95% CI: 1.90-10.44). CONCLUSIONS Omitting BAL cytology in settings of comprehensive bronchoscopy may not compromise cancer diagnosis. For patients primarily suspected with thoracic malignancy, performing BAL culture only based on clinical suspicion could miss important infectious etiology.
Information Coverage Maximization in Social Networks

Social networks, due to their popularity, have been studied extensively these years. A rich body of these studies is related to influence maximization, which aims to select a set of seed nodes for maximizing the expected number of active nodes at the end of the process. However, the set of active nodes can not fully represent the true coverage of information propagation. A node may be informed of the information when any of its neighbours become active and try to activate it, though this node (namely informed node) is still inactive. Therefore, we need to consider both active nodes and informed nodes that are aware of the information when we study the coverage of information propagation in a network. Along this line, in this paper we propose a new problem called Information Coverage Maximization that aims to maximize the expected number of both active nodes and informed ones. After we prove that this problem is NP-hard and submodular in the independent cascade model and the linear threshold model, we design two algorithms to solve it. Extensive experiments on three real-world data sets demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithms.
Inhibition of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) release from mast cells by the anti‐inflammatory drugs, sodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium

TNF‐α is a cytokine thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and in several other inflammatory conditions. Given recent evidence that mast cells (MC) are an important source of TNF‐α, we investigated the effects of two anti‐inflammatory drugs, nedocromil sodium (NED) and sodium cromoglycate (SCG). on rat MC‐derived TNF‐α. We established that at least 2h pretreatment with NED or SCG followed by washing was required to inhibit TNF‐α‐dependent cytotoxicity by rat peritoneal MC (PMC). A maximum inhibition of TNF‐α occurred after 6h treatment. The inhibitory effect of NED and SCG (10−5 10−3 M) was concentration‐dependent (20‐37% for NED and 16‐37% for SCG). The time‐course analysis and the use of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, provided strong evidence that new protein synthesis by the MC is required for this inhibitory effect. Furthermore, 24h treatment with I mM NED inhibited the levels of mRNA for TNF‐α by 59‐83%. In addition to the effect on TNF‐α‐dependent cytotoxicity by MC, 20min pretreatment with 10−4M NED and SCG inhibited antigen‐stimulated TNF‐α release (6h) by 42% and 48%, respectively. Interestingly, the functionally distinct intestinal mucosal MC (IMMC) is unresponsive to these drugs with regard to histamine secretion. However, as with PMC, 2h pretreatment with NED or SCG inhibited TNF‐α‐dependent cytotoxicity by IMMC. These effects may be important in the action of these drugs in vivo in the late phase reaction in asthma or other inflammatory conditions.
Nonlinear Relations of Blood Pressure to Cognitive Function: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

This investigation examined cross-sectional and longitudinal relations, both linear and nonlinear, of blood pressure (BP) and its interaction with demographic and lifestyle variables to a broad spectrum of cognitive functions. Eight hundred forty-seven participants (503 men and 344 women) from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging completed tests of verbal and nonverbal memory, attention, perceptuo-motor speed, executive functions, and confrontation naming, and clinical assessment of BP on 1 to 7 occasions over 11 years. Mixed-effects regression models, adjusted for age, education, gender, alcohol consumption, smoking status, depression scores, and use of antihypertensive medications, revealed nonlinear relations of systolic BP with longitudinal change on tests of nonverbal memory and confrontation naming; cognitive decline was apparent among older (80 years) individuals with higher systolic BP. Cross-sectional findings, across testing sessions, indicated moderated U- and J-shaped relations between BP and cognitive function. Both high and low diastolic BP were associated with poorer performance on tests of executive function and confrontation naming among less-educated persons; with tests of perceptuo-motor speed and confrontation naming among nonmedicated (antihypertensives) individuals; and with executive function among older individuals. Cross-sectional linear relations included higher systolic BP and poorer nonverbal memory in nondrinkers, and higher diastolic BP and poorer working memory among less-educated individuals. Results indicate that cross-sectional and longitudinal relations of BP to cognitive function are predominantly nonlinear and moderated by age, education, and antihypertensive medications. Careful monitoring and treatment of both high and low BP levels may be critical to the preservation of cognitive function.
Are African Countries Richer Than They Are Developed? A Multidimensional Analysis of Well-Being

Sen’s capability approach inspired a new conception of development and succeeded in the Human Development Index (HDI). On the basis of HDI critics, we propose to enlarge the number of variables and we use 9 indicators of Standard of Living and 9 indicators of Quality of Life that allows measuring two components of well-being and that can be divided into various fields (health, education, environment, etc.) to provide a finest measurement of poverty. The empirical results for 170 countries in 2000 are based on two different multidimensional analysis of poverty, the Totally Fuzzy Analysis and the Factorial Analysis of Correspondences. The conclusions depend on the considered method but are generally similar. The paper focuses on the African continent and shows that some countries are “richer” than “developed” or inversely. The correlation matrix between different indicators reveals that education is a key variable for defining poverty. Comparisons extended with HDI classification and GDP per capita classification prove that monetary poverty is related with all other dimensions of poverty and that the HDI takes into account its essential dimension even if it can’t be used to reduce some specific aspects as our original index. Resume L’approche des « capabilites » de Sen a inspire une nouvelle conception du developpement et a abouti a l’Indice du Developpement Humain (IDH). Sur la base des critiques de l’IDH, nous proposons d’elargir le nombre de variables et d’utiliser 9 indicateurs de Niveau de Vie et 9 indicateurs de Qualite de Vie permettant de mesurer deux elements du bien etre et pouvant etre divises en divers domaines (sante, education, environnement, etc) pour fournir une mesure plus fine de la pauvrete. Les resultats empiriques pour 170 pays en 2000 sont bases sur deux differentes analyses multidimensionnelles de la pauvrete, la « Totally Fuzzy Analysis » issue de la logique floue et l’Analyse Factorielle des Correspondances. Les conclusions dependent de la methode consideree mais sont generalement similaires. Le papier se focalise sur le continent africain et montre que certains pays sont plus « riches » qu’ils ne sont « developpes » ou inversement. La matrice des correlations entre les differents indicateurs revele que l’education est une variable cle pour definir la pauvrete. Les comparaisons etendues avec la classification selon l’IDH et la classification selon le PIB par tete prouvent que la pauvrete monetaire est liee a toutes les autres dimensions de la pauvrete et que l’IDH prend en compte sa dimension essentielle meme s’il ne peut pas etre utilise pour reduire certains aspects specifiques comme notre indice original. ∗ berenger@unice.fr, Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, University of Nice and a.chouchane@afdb.org, Research Economist, Research Division, Development Research Department (PDRE), African Development Bank. The authors are very grateful to Bernhard Gunter for his encouragement, his helpful comments and the valuable inputs he provided. They retain responsibility for any errors.
Speech-Based Interaction with In-Vehicle Computers: The Effect of Speech-Based E-Mail on Drivers' Attention to the Roadway

As computer applications for cars emerge, a speech-based interface offers an appealing alternative to the visually demanding direct manipulation interface. However, speech-based systems may pose cognitive demands that could undermine driving safety. This study used a car-following task to evaluate how a speechbased e-mail system affects drivers' response to the periodic braking of a lead vehicle. The study included 24 drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 years. A baseline condition with no e-mail system was compared with a simple and a complex e-mail system in both simple and complex driving environments. The results show a 30% (310 ms) increase in reaction time when the speech-based system is used. Subjective workload ratings and probe questions also indicate that speechbased interaction introduces a significant cognitive load, which was highest for the complex e-mail system. These data show that a speech-based interface is not a panacea that eliminates the potential distraction of in-vehicle computers. Actual or potential applications of this research include design of in-vehicle information systems and evaluation of their contributions to driver distraction.
Comparison of Wilkinson Power Divider and Gysel Power Divider Using Ads® for the Frequency Range of 3 Ghz

Wilkinson Power Divider (WPD) and Gysel Power Divider(GPD) are two competing power dividers and a simple comparison between them helps in choosing the technology for particular application. In this paper, the performance of Wilkinson Power Divider and Gysel Power Divider are analyzed based on the insertion loss, return loss, and also the isolation between the output ports. The insertion loss and return loss of GPD is found to be lower about -3.061dB and -13.754dB respectively when compared with WPD at a center frequency of 1.5GHz. These losses of power dividers realized by microstrip line are analyzed with the operating frequency of 3GHz using ADS ® software.
A Walnut Diet Improves Endothelial Function in Hypercholesterolemic Subjects: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Background—Epidemiological studies suggest that nut intake decreases coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Nuts have a cholesterol-lowering effect that partly explains this benefit. Endothelial dysfunction is associated with CAD and its risk factors and is reversed by antioxidants and marine n-3 fatty acids. Walnuts are a rich source of both antioxidants and &agr;-linolenic acid, a plant n-3 fatty acid. Methods and Results—To test the hypothesis that walnut intake will reverse endothelial dysfunction, we randomized in a crossover design 21 hypercholesterolemic men and women to a cholesterol-lowering Mediterranean diet and a diet of similar energy and fat content in which walnuts replaced ≈32% of the energy from monounsaturated fat. Participants followed each diet for 4 weeks. After each intervention, we obtained fasting blood and performed ultrasound measurements of brachial artery vasomotor function. Eighteen subjects completing the protocol had suitable ultrasound studies. Compared with the Mediterranean diet, the walnut diet improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation and reduced levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (P <0.05 for both). Endothelium-independent vasodilation and levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and oxidation biomarkers were similar after each diet. The walnut diet significantly reduced total cholesterol (−4.4±7.4%) and LDL cholesterol (−6.4±10.0%) (P <0.05 for both). Cholesterol reductions correlated with increases of both dietary &agr;-linolenic acid and LDL &ggr;-tocopherol content, and changes of endothelium-dependent vasodilation correlated with those of cholesterol-to-HDL ratios (P <0.05 for all). Conclusions—Substituting walnuts for monounsaturated fat in a Mediterranean diet improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hypercholesterolemic subjects. This finding might explain the cardioprotective effect of nut intake beyond cholesterol lowering.
Preference Erosion and Multilateral Trade Liberalization

Because of concern that OECD tariff reductions will translate into worsening export performance for the least developed countries, trade preferences have proven a stumbling block to developing country support for multilateral liberalization. The authors examine the actual scope for preference erosion, including an econometric assessment of the actual utilization and the scope for erosion estimated by modeling full elimination of OECD tariffs, and hence full most-favored-nation liberalization-based preference erosion. Preferences are underutilized due to administrative burden-estimated to be at least 4 percent on average-reducing the magnitude of erosion costs significantly. For those products where preferences are used (are of value), the primary negative impact follows from erosion of EU preferences. This suggests the erosion problem is primarily bilateral rather than a WTO-based concern.
Computer-related accidental death: an empirical exploration

Despite widespread interest in computer system failures, there have been few systematic, empirical studies of computer-related accidents. 'Risks' reports in the Association for Computing Machinery's Software Engineering Notes provide a basis for investigating computer-related accidental deaths. The total number of such deaths, world-wide, up until the end of 1992 is estimated to be 1,100 ± 1,000. Physical causes (chiefly electromagnetic interference) appear to be implicated in up to 4% of the deaths for which data were available, while 3% involved software error, and about 92% failures in human-computer interaction.
Measuring Efficiency of Secondary Healthcare Providers in Slovenia

Abstract The chief aim of this study was to analyze secondary healthcare providers' efficiency, focusing on the efficiency analysis of Slovene general hospitals. We intended to present a complete picture of technical, allocative, and cost or economic efficiency of general hospitals. Methods We researched the aspects of efficiency with two econometric methods. First, we calculated the necessary quotients of efficiency with the stochastic frontier analyze (SFA), which are realized by econometric evaluation of stochastic frontier functions; then, with the data envelopment analyze (DEA), we calculated the necessary quotients that are based on the linear programming method. Results Results on measures of efficiency showed that the two chosen methods produced two different conclusions. The SFA method concluded Celje General Hospital is the most efficient general hospital, whereas the DEA method concluded Brežice General Hospital was the hospital to be declared as the most efficient hospital. Conclusion Our results are a useful tool that can aid managers, payers, and designers of healthcare policy to better understand how general hospitals operate. The participants can accordingly decide with less difficulty on any further business operations of general hospitals, having the best practices of general hospitals at their disposal.
Data-driven brain MRI segmentation supported on edge confidence and a priori tissue information

Brain magnetic resonance imaging segmentation is accomplished in this work by applying nonparametric density estimation, using the mean shift algorithm in the joint spatial-range domain. The quality of the class boundaries is improved by including an edge confidence map, that represents the confidence of truly being in the presence of a border between adjacent regions; an adjacency graph is then constructed with the labeled regions, and analyzed and pruned to merge adjacent regions. In order to assign image regions to a cerebral tissue type, a spatial normalization between image data and standard probability maps is carried out, so that for each structure a maximum a posteriori probability criterion is applied. The method was applied to synthetic and real images, keeping all parameters constant throughout the process for each type of data. The combination of region segmentation and edge detection proved to be a robust technique, as adequate clusters were automatically identified, regardless of the noise level and bias. In a comparison with reference segmentations, average Tanimoto indexes of 0.90-0.99 were obtained for synthetic data and of 0.59-0.99 for real data, considering gray matter, white matter, and background.