Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Torture and intelligence in the War on Terror: The struggle over strategic political communication

This paper presents part of a wider project analysing agenda-building (Rogers and Dearing, 1988) regarding the use of torture to extract intelligence from security detainees across the War on Terror (2001–2011) (Bakir, forthcoming). Using a case study methodology, the project analyses strategic political communication (Manheim, 1991) concerning the torture issue, emanating from the Bush and Obama administrations in the US, and the Blair, Brown and Cameron–Clegg administrations in the UK; alongside an evaluation of three main mechanisms of resistance – political, media and lay-public. Political mechanisms comprise unauthorized leaks and official investigations. Media mechanisms comprise investigative journalism, and tele-diplomacy effects resulting from real-time technologies like satellite TV (the CNN effect (Winseck, 1992; Livingston, 1997)) and the internet (the YouTube effect (Naím, 2007)). Lay-public mechanisms comprise NonGovernmental Organization (NGO) activity, and activities that constitute sousveillance (watching from below). As the most recent of the mechanisms of resistance to strategic political communication, the wider project pays particular attention to evaluating sousveillance’s resistive actuality (Bakir, forthcoming). Mann (2004, 2005) identifies two types of sousveillance: personal sousveillance (the sharing of everyday human-centred information, capture as manifested online in websites like YouTube) and hierarchical sousveillance (a more legally or politically-motivated watching of the institutional watchers, as manifested in websites like WikiLeaks). Given that the War on Terror unfolds across a media ecology of Web 2.0, this architecture of mass participation potentially facilitates sousveillance – as demonstrated by the use of Facebook in the 2011 Arab Spring revolutions. While sousveillance can be highly impactful in subverting strategic political communication, as indicated by the Abu Ghraib torture photos, and the mobile
Mapping hidden water pipelines using a mobile sensor droplet

This study presents several extensions to our previous work on the PipeProbe system, a mobile sensor system for identifying the spatial topology of hidden water pipelines (i.e., non-moldable pipes such as copper and PVC) behind walls or under floors [Lai et al. 2010]. The PipeProbe system works by dropping a tiny wireless sensor capsule into the source of a water pipeline. As the PipeProbe capsule traverses the pipelines, it gathers and transmits pressure and angular velocity readings. Through spatiotemporal analysis of these sensor readings, the proposed algorithm locates all turning points in the pipelines and maps their 3D spatial topology. This study expands upon previous research by developing new sensing techniques that identify variable-diameter pipes and differentiate 90-degree pipe turns from 45-degree pipe bends.
Merging algorithms for enterprise search

Effective enterprise search must draw on a number of sources---for example web pages, telephone directories, and databases. Doing this means we need a way to make a single sorted list from results of very different types. Many merging algorithms have been proposed but none have been applied to this, realistic, application. We report the results of an experiment which simulates heterogeneous enterprise retrieval, in a university setting, and uses multi-grade expert judgements to compare merging algorithms. Merging algorithms considered include several variants of round-robin, several methods proposed by Rasolofo et al. in the Current News Metasearcher, and four novel variations including a learned multi-weight method. We find that the round-robin methods and one of the Rasolofo methods perform significantly worse than others. The GDS_TS method of Rasolofo achieves the highest average NDCG@10 score but the differences between it and the other GDS_methods, local reranking, and the multi-weight method were not significant.
Face Recognition Using Eigen faces By ANN with Resilient Back propagation Algorithm

- Faces represent complex, multidimensional, meaningful visual stimuli and developing a computational model for face recognition is difficult [1]. In this paper we propose a new approach to detect the human faces quickly and efficiently by using Eigen faces technique along with ANN using resilient back propagation algorithm. In this process the face structure can be converted into Eigen values. The eigenfaces including implemented Jacobi’s method for eigenvalues and eigenvectors has been performed. And all the trained database images are learned by using proposed approach. Now test the original image given as input to the network, it detects the face of human quickly and more efficiently than previously existing techniques.
Dynamics of Clinical and Environmental Vibrio parahaemolyticus Strains during Seafood-Related Summer Diarrhea Outbreaks in Southern Chile

ABSTRACT Seafood consumption-related diarrhea became prevalent in Chile when the pandemic strain of Vibrio parahaemolyticus serotype O3:K6 reached a region in the south of Chile (Region de los Lagos) where approximately 80% of the country's seafood is produced. In spite of the large outbreaks of clinical infection, the load of V. parahaemolyticus in shellfish of this region is relatively low. The pandemic strain constitutes a small but relatively stable group of a diverse V. parahaemolyticus population, composed of at least 28 genetic groups. Outbreaks in Region de los Lagos began in 2004 and reached a peak in 2005 with 3,725 clinical cases, all associated with the pandemic strain. After 2005, reported cases steadily decreased to a total of 477 cases in 2007. At that time, 40% of the clinical cases were associated with a pandemic strain of a different serotype (O3:K59), and 27% were related to V. parahaemolyticus isolates unrelated to the pandemic strain. In the results published here, we report that in the summer of 2008, when reported cases unexpectedly increased from 477 to 1,143, 98% of the clinical cases were associated with the pandemic strain serotype O3:K6, a change from 2007. Nevertheless, in 2009, when clinical cases decreased to 441, only 64% were related to the pandemic strain; the remaining cases were related to a nonpandemic tdh- and trh-negative strain first identified in shellfish in 2006. Overall, our observations indicate that the pandemic strain has become a relatively stable subpopulation and that when the number of diarrhea cases related to the pandemic strain is low, previously undetected V. parahaemolyticus pathogenic strains become evident.
The importance of modeling epileptic seizure dynamics as spatio-temporal patterns

The occurrence of seizures is the common feature across the spectrum of epileptic disorders. We describe how the use of mechanistic neural population models leads to novel insight into the dynamic mechanisms underlying two important types of epileptic seizures. We specifically stress the need for a spatio-temporal description of the rhythms to deal with the complexity of the pathophenotype. Adapted to functional and structural patient data, the macroscopic models may allow a patient-specific description of seizures and prediction of treatment outcome.
Phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor beta subunit creates a tight binding site for phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase.

The beta subunit of the platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) coprecipitates with a phosphatidyl‐inositol 3 kinase activity (PI3K) following stimulation of cells by PDGF. Mutagenesis of a tyrosine (Y) phosphorylation site, Y751, in the PDGFR, greatly reduces PI3K, consistent with the possibility that phosphorylation of Y751 signals association of PI3K. To test this we have reconstituted the binding of the PDGFR beta subunit and PI3K in vitro. Binding is rapid, saturable and requires phosphorylation of the PDGFR at Y751, but does not require PDGF‐dependent phosphorylation of PI3K. To test which portions of the PDGFR are important for binding, we used an antibody to a small region of the receptor that includes Y751. This antibody blocked in vitro binding of PI3K to the receptor, while an antiserum to the C‐terminus of the receptor had no effect on binding of PI3K. In addition, we found that PDGF stimulation of a cell results in the association of essentially all the PI3K activity with cellular PDGFRs. These data suggest that PI3K is a specific ligand for PDGF receptors that are phosphorylated at Y751.
Electrospun PCL in Vitro: a Microstructural Basis for Mechanical Property Changes

Polymeric tissue-engineering scaffolds must provide mechanical support while host-appropriate cells populate the structure and deposit extracellular matrix (ECM) components specific to the organ targeted for replacement. Even though this concept is widely shared, changes in polymer modulus and other mechanical properties versus biological exposure are largely unknown. This work shows that specific interactions of biological milieu with electrospun scaffolds can exert control over scaffold modulus. The net effects of biological and non-biological environments on electrospun structures following 7 and 28 days of in vitro exposure are established. Reduction of modulus, ultimate tensile strength and elongation occurs without the apparent involvement of classic hydrolysis mechanisms. We describe this phenomenon as deposition-induced inhibition of nanofiber rearrangement. This phenomenon shows that both mechanical and morphological characterization of electrospun structure under load in biological environments is required to tailor scaffold design to pursue specific tissue-engineering goals.
Transmission of a signal that synchronizes cell movements in swarms of Myxococcus xanthus

Significance Multicellular organisms, by necessity, form highly organized structures. The mechanisms required to construct these often dynamic structures are a challenge to understand. Myxococcus xanthus, a soil bacterium, builds two large structures: growing swarms and fruiting bodies. Because the cells are genetically identical, they rely on regulating protein activity and the levels of gene expression. Moreover, the long, flexible, rod-shaped cells modify each others’ behavior when they collide. By examining development of a Myxococcus swarm, testable rules can be proposed that rely only on cell behavior and cell–cell contact signaling. The mechanisms used by this prokaryote to form complex, dynamic multicellular structures might have been adapted for Hedgehog and Wnt morphogenetic signaling in animals. We offer evidence for a signal that synchronizes the behavior of hundreds of Myxococcus xanthus cells in a growing swarm. Swarms are driven to expand by the periodic reversing of direction by members. By using time-lapse photomicroscopy, two organized multicellular elements of the swarm were analyzed: single-layered, rectangular rafts and round, multilayered mounds. Rafts of hundreds of cells with their long axes aligned in parallel enlarge as individual cells from the neighborhood join them from either side. Rafts can also add a second layer piece by piece. By repeating layer additions to a raft and rounding each layer, a regular multilayered mound can be formed. About an hour after a five-layered mound had formed, all of the cells from its top layer descended to the periphery of the fourth layer, both rapidly and synchronously. Following the first synchronized descent and spaced at constant time intervals, a new fifth layer was (re)constructed from fourth-layer cells, in very close proximity to its old position and with a number of cells similar to that before the “explosive” descent. This unexpected series of changes in mound structure can be explained by the spread of a signal that synchronizes the reversals of large groups of individual cells.
Defect Tracing System Based on Orthogonal Defect Classification

With the increase of the software complexity, the defect measurement becomes a task of high priority. We give a new software defect analytical methodology based on orthogonal classification. This method has two folds. Then a set of orthogonal defect classification (ODC) reference model is given which includes activity, trigger, severity, origin, content and type of defect. In the end, it gives a support tool and concrete workflow of defect tracing. In contrast with the traditional method, this method not only has the advantages of popularity, haleness and low cost, but also improves the accuracy of identifying defects notably. Thus it offers a strong support for the prevention of defects in software products.
Preventive effect of beta-adrenoceptor blockade on glucocorticoid-induced memory retrieval deficits.

OBJECTIVE Elevated glucocorticoid levels impair retrieval of emotional information, and animal studies indicate that this effect depends on concurrent emotional arousal-induced increases in noradrenergic transmission within the brain. The authors investigated whether the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol blocks glucocorticoid-induced memory retrieval impairments in human subjects. METHOD In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 42 healthy volunteers were presented a set of words with variable emotionality and asked to learn them for recall. A day later, cortisone (25 mg), propranolol (40 mg), or both drugs were administered orally 1 hour before a free-recall test. RESULTS Cortisone selectively impaired the recall of emotionally arousing words by 42%. This impairment was blocked by the concurrent administration of propranolol. Propranolol alone did not affect recall of either emotional or neutral words. CONCLUSIONS A pharmacological blockade of beta-adrenoceptors prevents glucocorticoid-induced memory retrieval deficits in human subjects. This finding may have important implications for the treatment of memory deficits in hypercortisolemic states, such as stress and depression.
A Broadband Differentially Fed Dual-Polarized Planar Antenna

A novel broadband differentially fed dual-polarized planar antenna is proposed in this communication. The antenna is composed of two dual-dipole elements, each of which is differentially fed by two coaxial cables through a short stub. Four pairs of parasitic elements are introduced to enhance the bandwidth. Both the dual-dipole elements and the parasitic elements are etched on the same substrate, making the antenna feature a planar configuration. The antenna achieves a 15-dB differential impedance bandwidth of 45% (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\vert S_{\mathrm{ dd11}}\vert < -15$ </tex-math></inline-formula> dB), a high isolation of 45 dB, an antenna gain of ~9 dBi, and a half-power beamwidth of 65° ± 8°.
A Study of Incidence of AKI in Critically Ill Patients

Background: There have been many studies to estimate the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients. However, results were variable due to the non-usage of uniform criteria and retrospective design of most studies. There are no new studies from the developing countries looking at AKI in these patients since adoption of uniform Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria. Methods: In this prospective observational study from a tertiary care hospital in India, we enrolled 100 consecutively admitted critically ill patients and followed them during hospital stay. AKI was defined by AKIN criteria. Both the groups of patients, those who developed AKI and those who did not develop AKI, were then followed during the course of their hospital stay. Results: AKI occurred in 33 patients with an incidence rate of 17.3 per person year. Thirty-one out of 33 (93.9%) patients died in the AKI group, whereas 31 out of 67 (53.7%) patients died in the non-AKI group. Independent risk factors for AKI were older age (adjusted relative risk (RR) = 4.42, 95% CI = 2.57–5.23), septic shock (adjusted RR = 2.82, 95% CI = 1.43–3.80), prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation (adjusted RR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.09–3.6), higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score (adjusted RR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.28–4.13), and higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (adjusted RR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.04–4.08). Development of AKI was an independent risk factor for mortality (adjusted RR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.25–1.84). Conclusion: Older patients, those with septic shock, and those requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation had increased risk for AKI. AKI was an independent predictor of mortality.
Understanding change and continuity in residential energy consumption

Practice theory has recently emerged within consumer studies as a promising approach that shifts focus from the individual consumer towards the collective aspects of consumption, and from spectacular and conspicuous dimensions of consumption towards routine and mundane aspects of consumption. Practice theory is, however, not a commonly agreed upon theory, but more like an approach, or a turn within contemporary social theory. When using practice theory in consumer studies, there are thus several conditions that need further clarification. The focus in this article is on how change and continuity in practices can be understood in practice theory. Discussions will include the balance between routinization and reflectivity as well as ways to understand the role of new technology in introducing change in consumer practices. One aspect of this is a discussion on how to include technologies and other types of material consumer goods in practice theory. Case studies on household energy consumption are used as an empirical basis for these discussions. Looking at household energy consumption through the theoretical lens of practice theory necessitates discussion on whether energy consumption should be viewed as one single practice or part of several different practices. The latter stimulates questioning on how these different consumer practices are related to each other horizontally and vertically, as parallel practices or as different levels of practices, and whether changes in one practice affect (or refrain from affecting) other related consumer practices, whether through reflexivity, routines or the materiality of consumer goods.
Secreted Semaphorins Modulate Synaptic Transmission in the Adult Hippocampus

Modulation of synaptic activity is critical for neural circuit function and behavior. The semaphorins are a large, phylogenetically conserved protein family with important roles in neural development. However, semaphorin function in the adult brain has yet to be determined. Here, we show that the coreceptors for secreted semaphorins, the neuropilins, are found at synapses and localize to molecular layers of the adult mouse hippocampus and accessory olfactory cortex. Moreover, application of the secreted semaphorin Sema3F to acute hippocampal slices modulates both the frequency and amplitude of miniature EPSCs in granule cells of the dentate gyrus and pyramidal neurons of CA1. Finally, we show that mice lacking Sema3F are prone to seizures. These results suggest a novel role for semaphorins as synaptic modulators and illustrate the diverse repertoire of these guidance cues in both the formation and function of neural circuits.
Analytical Study of the Effect of the System Geometry on Photon Sensitivity and Depth of Interaction of Positron Emission Mammography

Positron emission mammography (PEM) cameras are novel-dedicated PET systems optimized to image the breast. For these cameras it is essential to achieve an optimum trade-off between sensitivity and spatial resolution and therefore the main challenge for the novel cameras is to improve the sensitivity without degrading the spatial resolution. We carry out an analytical study of the effect of the different detector geometries on the photon sensitivity and the angle of incidence of the detected photons which is related to the DOI effect and therefore to the intrinsic spatial resolution. To this end, dual head detectors were compared to box and different polygon-detector configurations. Our results showed that higher sensitivity and uniformity were found for box and polygon-detector configurations compared to dual-head cameras. Thus, the optimal configuration in terms of sensitivity is a PEM scanner based on a polygon of twelve (dodecagon) or more detectors. We have shown that this configuration is clearly superior to dual-head detectors and slightly higher than box, octagon, and hexagon detectors. Nevertheless, DOI effects are increased for this configuration compared to dual head and box scanners and therefore an accurate compensation for this effect is required.
Developmental Antecedents of Clinical Anxiety in Childhood

Abstract In a retrospective recall study, mothers of 102 clinically anxious children (7–16 years) and 76 nonclinical comparison children completed questionnaires describing several aspects of their child's early life. There were no differences between the groups on several aspects of development such as age of walking, talking and toilet training. However, mothers of anxious children reported a significantly greater number of birth complications, difficulties in the first year, early fears, and general settling difficulties. There were few differences found between anxiety disorders except that children with social phobia were more likely to be first born and tended to spend less time in day care, while children with separation anxiety disorder experienced more stressful life events. The results are described as preliminary evidence for the possible role of several factors in the development of anxiety that now require more detailed investigation.
Coordinating Contracts for Decentralized Supply Chains with Retailer Promotional Effort

In this paper, a risk-neutral manufacturer sells a single product to a risk-neutral retailer. The retailer chooses inventories ex ante and promotional effort ex post. If the wholesale price exceeds marginal production cost, the retailer orders fewer than the joint profit-maximizing inventories. If the manufacturer attempts to coordinate inventories by buying back unsold units, then the retailer's promotional incentives are dulled. Under very general assumptions on the form of the effort function, we show that buy-backs adversely affect supply chain profits, and higher buy-back prices imply lower profits. Also, while a buy-back alone cannot coordinate the channel, coupling buy-backs with promotional cost-sharing agreements (if effort cost is observable), offering unilateral markdown allowances ex post (if demand is observable but not verifiable), or placing additional constraints on the buy-back (if demand is observable and verifiable) does result in coordination. This problem is not limited to returns policies but is shown to hold for a much larger set of contracts. The results are quite robust (e.g., when the retailer chooses effort before observing demand), but coordinating contracts become more problematic if, for example, the retailer also stocks substitutes for the manufacturer's product. Other model extensions are also discussed.
"I know what I have to do, but..." When hypocrisy leads to behavioral change

Hypocrisy procedure has been used to induce behavioral change in a wide variety of areas - water conservation, condom use, donations for homeless people. Hypocrisy implies the articulation of two factors: advocating a prosocial position and being made mindful of failures to behave according to that advocacy. This dissonance leads to a behavioral change which is the most efficient way to restore the self, in line with the self-consistency conception of dissonance. The aim of this study was to refine this procedure in a new setting: road safety area and specifically respect for speed limits. Moreover, we used a feedback threatening versus strengthening people's self-concept. The results suggest that threatening the selfconcept enhances the hypocritical effect.