Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Colloids in a bacterial bath: simulations and experiments

We present a joint experimental and computational study of the effect of bacterial motion on micron-scale colloids contained in a two-dimensional suspension of B. subtilis. With respect to previous work using E. coli, here we introduce a novel experimental set-up that allows us to realise a two-dimensional bacterial suspension insensitive to either evaporation or fluid flow. By analysing the mean square displacements of both bacteria and colloids, we confirm the existence of a crossover from super-diffusive behaviour at short time scales to normal diffusion at longer times. We also study the same two-dimensional system by means of numerical simulations, using a suspension of self-propelled dumbbells or the Vicsek model, which has been previously used to study the dynamics of active particles. Our numerical results obtained with both models are in broad agreement with the experimental trends, but only the dumbbell simulations can match the experimental data quantitatively. The level of agreement we find suggests that steric interactions due to collisions are important players in determining collective motion of the bacterial bath, and should complement hydrodynamic interactions in experiments.
Regieren Algorithmen? Über den sanften Einfluss algorithmischer Modelle

Empfohlene Zitierung / Suggested Citation: Herder, Janosik: Regieren Algorithmen? Über den sanften Einfluss algorithmischer Modelle. In: Mohabbat Kar, Resa (Ed.) ; Thapa, Basanta E. P. (Ed.) ; Parycek, Peter (Ed.) ; Fraunhofer-Institut für Offene Kommunikationssysteme FOKUS, Kompetenzzentrum Öffentliche IT (ÖFIT) (Ed.): (Un)berechenbar? Algorithmen und Automatisierung in Staat und Gesellschaft. Berlin, 2018. ISBN 978-3-9818892-5-3, 179-203. https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168ssoar-57547-2
A two-stage model for blog feed search

We consider blog feed search: identifying relevant blogs for a given topic. An individual's search behavior often involves a combination of exploratory behavior triggered by salient features of the information objects being examined plus goal-directed in-depth information seeking behavior. We present a two-stage blog feed search model that directly builds on this insight. We first rank blog posts for a given topic, and use their parent blogs as selection of blogs that we rank using a blog-based model.
RECOGNIZING TEXTUAL ENTAILMENT BY THEOREM PROVING APPROACH

We present two original methods for recognizing textual infer- ence. First, is a modifled resolution method, used in theorem proving, such that some linguistic considerations are introduced in uniflcation of two atoms. Some recent methods of transforming texts in logic forms are used. Second, is based on semantic relations in text, as presented in WordNet. Both methods provide comparable results.
Fourth European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL-4): Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Parainfluenza Virus, Metapneumovirus, Rhinovirus, and Coronavirus

Respiratory viruses have been recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with leukemia and those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The risk for lower respiratory tract infections and a fatal outcome appears to depend on the intrinsic virulence of the specific community-acquired respiratory virus as well as factors specific to the patient, the underlying disease, and its treatment.
A Review of Approaches for the Design of Li-Ion BMS Estimation Functions Revue de différentes approches pour l’estimation de l’état de charge de batteries Li-ion

A Review of Approaches for the Design of Li-Ion BMS Estimation Functions —T his paper aims at comparing different approaches for the estimation of the state of charge of lithium-ion batteries. The main advantages as well as the critical points of the considered techniques are analyzed, highlighting the impact of the cell model precision and complexity on the estimator performance. Among others, the electrical equivalent circuit based technique is selected for further development. The results of a complete procedure from the cell characterization to the online estimation are illus- trated. The experimental tests based on the data collected on batteries testing facilities of IFP Energies nouvelles show that the proposed strategy allows a satisfying state of charge real time estimation.
Nociception after intraperitoneal injection of a sodium pentobarbitone formulation with and without lidocaine in rats quantified by expression of neuronal c-fos in the spinal cord – a preliminary study

After a search on Medline, it appears that intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbitone is often used for anaesthesia and euthanasia of rodents. In the present pilot study in rats, spinal nociception after intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbitone, with and without lidocaine, was examined by estimation of the number of c-fos-expressing neurones in the spinal dorsal horn. One group of rats received an intraperitoneal injection of 0.4 mL/kg sodium pentobarbitone (100 mg/mL; n = 4). Another group of rats received a similar intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbitone formulated with lidocaine 10 mg/mL (n = 4); a control group received a similar intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% saline (n = 4). After 3 h, the animals were re-anaesthetized and perfused with 4% formaldehyde, and the spinal cord was collected and processed by immunohistochemistry for stereological quantification of the number of neurones with c-fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI). Intraperitoneal injection of the sodium pentobarbitone formulation caused a significantly increased number of neurones with FLI in the spinal cord (3930 ± 247; mean ± SEM; P < 0.001) compared with the saline control group (765 ± 131). The lidocaine added to the sodium pentobarbitone formulation significantly reduced the number to 2716 ± 393 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbitone caused a significant increase in nociception which was lowered by adding lidocaine to the formulation, although it was still significantly higher than the control level. Further studies are needed with the aim of optimizing the lidocaine concentration and also to examine the effect of the combination of lidocaine with a long-acting local anaesthetic agent, e.g. bupivacaine.
Clinical and pathological study of ischaemic neuropathy.

Formanyyears anumberofworkers havestudied therelation between arterial occlusion orcompression inman,produced byvarious pathological processes, andperipheral nerveabnormality. The wholesubject was authoritatively reviewed by Richards (1951). Thereisampleevidence, clinical, histological, andelectrical, that ischaemia ofanerve hasan adverse effect uponit.Persisting nerve damagefromischaemia maybeproduced byarterial injury (Tinel, 1917; Holmes, Highet andSeddon, 1944), byembolism (Blackwood, 1944; Haimovici, 1950), bychronic occlusive arterial disease (Joffroy andAchard, 1889; Priestley, 1931; Hutchinson and Liversedge, 1956; Gairns, Garven, andSmith, 1960), bypolyarteritis nodosa(KemohanandWoltman, 1938), andbyother, rarer, causes. Experimentally
Towards improving the performance of speaker recognition systems

This paper studies the contribution of different phones in speech data towards improving the performance of text/language independent speaker recognition systems. This work is motivated by the fact that the removal of silence segments from the speech data improves the system performance significantly as it does not contain any speaker-specific information. It is also clear from the literature that not all the phones in the speech data contains equal amount of speaker-specific information in it and the performance of the speaker recognition systems depends on this information. In addition to the silence segments, our work empirically finds 18 other diluent phones that has minimum speaker discrimination capability. We propose to use a preprocessing stage that identifies all non-informative set of phones recursively and removes them along with silence segments. Results show that using phones removed preprocessed data in state-of-the-art i-vector system outperforms the baseline i-vector system. We report absolute improvements of 1%, 1%, 2%, 2% and 1% in EER for test set collected through channels of Digital Voice Recorder, Headset, Mobile Phone 1, Mobile Phone 2 and Tablet PC respectively on IITG-MV database.
Link prediction using probabilistic group models of network structure

Modeling of complex networks is a crucial task such as in biology and social sciences. A large number of researches have been conducted for such a problem; however, most of them require explicit, specific prior knowledge on target networks. On the other hand, a few recent works on multinomial mixture models presented that those models do not require such explicit prior knowledge and turned out to be effective for the task of group detection of vertices such as in social networks. This paper focuses on another task, link prediction in such complex networks, using a Bayesian multinomial mixture model, which assumes unobservable prior distributions over multinomial mixtures based on network structure and are estimated using Bayesian inference via Gibbs sampling. We demonstrate that link prediction performance was significantly improved using this method, compared to five conventional methods, through experiments using a metabolic network and a co-authorship network.
The Dictyostelium gelation factor shares a putative actin binding site with alpha-actinins and dystrophin and also has a rod domain containing six 100-residue motifs that appear to have a cross-beta conformation

The 120-kD gelation factor and alpha-actinin are among the most abundant F-actin cross-linking proteins in Dictyostelium discoideum. Both molecules are homodimers and have extended rod-like configurations that are respectively approximately 35 and 40 nm long. Here we report the complete cDNA sequence of the 120-kD gelation factor which codes for a protein of 857 amino acids. Its calculated molecular mass is 92.2 kD which is considerably smaller than suggested by its mobility in SDS- PAGE. Analysis of the sequence shows a region that is highly homologous to D. discoideum alpha-actinin, chicken fibroblast alpha-actinin, and human dystrophin. This conserved domain probably represents an actin binding site that is connected to the rod-forming part of the molecule via a highly charged stretch of amino acids. Whereas the sequence of alpha-actinin (Noegel, A., W. Witke, and M. Schleicher. 1987. FEBS [Fed. Eur. Biochem. Soc.] Lett. 221:391-396) suggests that the extended rod domain of the molecule is based on four spectrin-like repeats with high alpha-helix potential, the rod domain of the 120-kD gelation factor is constructed from six 100-residue repeats that have a high content of glycine and proline residues and which, in contrast to alpha- actinin, do not appear to have a high alpha-helical content. These repeats show a distinctive pattern of regions that have high beta-sheet potential alternating with short zones rich in residues with a high potential for turns. This observation suggests that each 100-residue motif has a cross-beta conformation with approximately nine sheets arranged perpendicular to the long axis of the molecule. In the high beta-potential zones every second residue is often hydrophobic. In a cross-beta structure, this pattern would result in one side of the domain having a surface rich in hydrophobic side chains which could account for the dimerization of the 120-kD gelation factor subunits.
The Community Integration Questionnaire: Factor Structure Across Racial/Ethnic Groups in Persons With Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective:To examine the factor structure and construct validity of the Community Integration Questionnaire, a widely used measure of community participation among individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), among 3 racial/ethnic groups. Design:Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Setting:Enrollment in acute inpatient TBI rehabilitation with follow-up at 1 year after injury. Participants:A total of 1756 persons with TBI enrolled in the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) national Database. Main Outcome Measure:Community Integration Questionnaire at 1 year after injury. Results:The goodness of fit for the factor structure of the Community Integration Questionnaire, separating items into Home Competency, Social Integration, and Productive Activity, was satisfactory for whites but not for blacks or Hispanics. Conclusions:Clinicians and researchers should take race/ethnicity into account when utilizing measures of community integration.
Neurocognitive functions in pathological gambling: a comparison with alcohol dependence, Tourette syndrome and normal controls.

AIMS Neurocognitive functions in pathological gambling have relevance for the aetiology and treatment of this disorder, yet are poorly understood. This study therefore investigated neurocognitive impairments of executive functions in a group of carefully screened Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM-IV-TR) pathological gamblers. Performance was compared to a group of normal control participants. To study the specificity of these neurocognitive deficits, a substance dependence group (alcohol dependence) and an impulse control disorder group (Tourette syndrome) were included. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Addiction and general mental health treatment centres. PARTICIPANTS Forty-nine pathological gamblers, 48 abstinent alcohol-dependent patients, 46 participants with Tourette syndrome and 49 normal control participants. MEASUREMENTS A comprehensive neuropsychological battery measuring executive functions as well as basic cognitive functions. FINDINGS Both the pathological gambling and the alcohol dependent groups were characterized by diminished performance on inhibition, time estimation, cognitive flexibility and planning tasks. The Tourette syndrome group showed deficits only on inhibition tasks. Basic cognitive functions were intact in all clinical groups. Comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, antisocial personality disorder and nicotine dependence influenced the impaired functions of the clinical groups only minimally. CONCLUSIONS Carefully screened groups of pathological gamblers and alcohol dependents were characterized by diminished executive functioning, suggesting a dysfunction of frontal lobe circuitry in these disorders. The resemblance between the pathological gambling group and the alcohol dependence group suggests a common neurocognitive aetiology for these disorders. Psychosocial treatment of these disorders could benefit from assessing and targeting deficits in executive functions, as they probably influence the course of these disorders negatively.
Replication Validity of Initial Association Studies: A Comparison between Psychiatry, Neurology and Four Somatic Diseases

Context There are growing concerns about effect size inflation and replication validity of association studies, but few observational investigations have explored the extent of these problems. Objective Using meta-analyses to measure the reliability of initial studies and explore whether this varies across biomedical domains and study types (cognitive/behavioral, brain imaging, genetic and “others”). Methods We analyzed 663 meta-analyses describing associations between markers or risk factors and 12 pathologies within three biomedical domains (psychiatry, neurology and four somatic diseases). We collected the effect size, sample size, publication year and Impact Factor of initial studies, largest studies (i.e., with the largest sample size) and the corresponding meta-analyses. Initial studies were considered as replicated if they were in nominal agreement with meta-analyses and if their effect size inflation was below 100%. Results Nominal agreement between initial studies and meta-analyses regarding the presence of a significant effect was not better than chance in psychiatry, whereas it was somewhat better in neurology and somatic diseases. Whereas effect sizes reported by largest studies and meta-analyses were similar, most of those reported by initial studies were inflated. Among the 256 initial studies reporting a significant effect (p<0.05) and paired with significant meta-analyses, 97 effect sizes were inflated by more than 100%. Nominal agreement and effect size inflation varied with the biomedical domain and study type. Indeed, the replication rate of initial studies reporting a significant effect ranged from 6.3% for genetic studies in psychiatry to 86.4% for cognitive/behavioral studies. Comparison between eight subgroups shows that replication rate decreases with sample size and “true” effect size. We observed no evidence of association between replication rate and publication year or Impact Factor. Conclusion The differences in reliability between biological psychiatry, neurology and somatic diseases suggest that there is room for improvement, at least in some subdomains.
Syllable weight in monolingual and heritage Spanish

Abstract This study presents two experiments employing a naming task that test the modulation of stress assignment by syllable structure in Spanish. The first replicates the findings of a previous study in which words containing arguably heavy penultimate diphthongs provoke higher error rates than putatively light monophthong controls when marked for antepenultimate stress. This result is interpreted as support for quantity sensitivity in the language. This experiment also replicates a subtler finding of differential patterning between rising and falling diphthong in their interaction with Spanish stress, suggesting gradient sensitivity to patterns in the lexicon. The second experiment presents the results of an identical task with Spanish-English heritage speakers in which the general effect of syllable weight is replicated, while the effect of diphthong type does not emerge. An analysis of error types suggests that varying levels of reading proficiency among heritage speakers may have led to the lack of the latter result, while still revealing sensitivity to frequencies in the lexicon. The combined results are offered as further evidence of quantity sensitivity among both monolingual and bilingual speakers of Spanish and provide further data in the understudied subfield of heritage phonotactics.
Evolution of Intelligent Systems Architectures : What Should Be Measured ?

Various degrees of intelligence evolve in the intelligent systems as a result of their development by the virtue of external design and self-organization. The increase in degree of intelligence is achieved via evolution of its architecture. This paper is intended to establish a conceptual and methodological background required for design and evaluation of performance and the degree of intelligence of intelligent systems. The paradoxical ability to increase redundancy while reducing complexity is described as a hallmark of intelligence. The naturally evolved architectures of intelligence are constructed in such a manner that the tools of complexity reduction do not curb the combinatorial capabilities of the system. 1. Intuitive Approaches to the Concept of Intelligence An attempt is made to approach the concept of intelligence constructively and from the scratch. This analysis is motivated by the need for using the results for constructed (primarily, engineering) intelligent systems and agents. For the author, the Descartes’ problem (of the Mind existing separately from the Body) simply doesn’t exist, because the Mind of the constructed Machine is undoubtedly produced by its Body. Nevertheless, the author doesn’t adhere to the technological paradigm alone. Both the examples of intelligence and its architectures will be discussed for all domains shown in Figure 1. Figure 1. Interrelated domains entering concepts and Figure 1. Techniques linked with and stemming from the concept of intelligence. PSYCHOLOGICAL DOMAIN TECHNOLOGICAL
Potential role of carbon nanoparticles in protection of parathyroid glands in patients with papillary thyroid cancer

AbstractAs a novel type of lymphatic tracer, carbon nanoparticles (CNs) were reported not to stain parathyroid glands (PGs) into black, so it may have a clinical potential in protection of PGs during thyroidectomy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical application and significance of CN in protection of PGs from surrounding tissues.A total of 82 consecutive patients were enrolled into this study and were divided into CN group and control group. Parathyroid function (hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia) was evaluated.The identification rates of PGs (⩽2) and PGs (≥3) were 24.4% and 75.6% in the CN group and 46.3% and 53.7% in the control group, respectively. The difference in the identification rates between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P = 0.038). Pathological results revealed 3 accidental PGs resection occurred in the CN group, whereas 9 accidental PGs removal occurred in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.046). Moreover, the incidence of the patients with hypoparathyroidism was statistically significant between the 2 groups (36.6% in CN group vs 53.7% in control group, P = 0.043) at day 1, but not at day 7 (P = 0.424). CN may have a potential in protecting PGs clinically.
Tobacco and cancer: recent epidemiological evidence.

During the 1950s, the evidence was clearly sufficient to establish the carcinogenicity of tobacco smoking (1). By the end of the 1950s, convincing evidence linking smoking with lung cancer and other cancers had been obtained from case–control and cohort studies, carcinogens had been identified in tobacco smoke, and cigarette smoke condensate had been shown to cause tumors when painted on the skin of mice. Since then, the numbers of deaths attributable to tobacco smoking have sharply increased, reflecting the heavy smoking patterns of previous decades. It has been estimated that tobacco smoking is currently responsible for approximately 30% of all cancer deaths in developed countries, and that if current smoking patterns persist, an epidemic of cancer attributable to tobacco smoking is expected to occur in developing countries (2). In addition, smoking causes even more deaths from vascular, respiratory, and other diseases than from cancer, so that, in total, tobacco smoking is estimated to account for approximately 4–5 million deaths a year worldwide. This number is projected to increase to approximately 10 million a year by 2030. Thus, if current smoking patterns continue, there will be more than 1 billion deaths attributable to tobacco smoking in the 21 century compared with approximately 100 million deaths in the 20 century (2). The only other causes of disease with such rapidly increasing impact are those associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection and, perhaps, obesity in Western countries (2). In this commentary, we review the evidence regarding the carcinogenicity of tobacco smoke that has accumulated during the last 16 years since the publication of Monograph 38 of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 1986 (3) to the updating of that monograph (Monograph 83) in 2002 (4). The evidence now available shows that tobacco smoke is a multipotent carcinogenic mixture that can cause cancer in many different organs. In addition, exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke (i.e., involuntary or passive smoking by persons who do not smoke) is also carcinogenic for the human lung. This commentary, written by the epidemiologists who participated in the 2002 IARC Working Group for the preparation of the IARC Monograph 83 (4), is based on the substantial body of evidence reviewed for that purpose. It represents, however, solely the views of the authors.