Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Natural language processing for social inclusion : a text simplification architecture for different literacy levels

Text simplification is a research area of Natural Language Processing, whose goal is to maximize text comprehension through simplification of its linguistic structure. This paper presents our approach for Brazilian Portuguese text simplification. As people have different literacy levels, we take that into account when generating simplified texts. We propose an architecture for text simplification composed by two layers: the first is a machine-learning system who learns from manually simplified texts the appropriate degree of simplification according to a given literacy level; and the second is a rule-based system that executes the actual simplification of the sentences, following the recommendations from the first layer. Resumo. A Simplificação Textual é uma área de pesquisa do Processamento de Lı́ngua Natural cujo objetivo é maximizar a compreensão de textos escritos via simplificação de sua estrutura linguı́stica. Este artigo apresenta nossa abordagem para simplificação de textos em português do Brasil. Como as pessoas possuem nı́veis diferentes de letramento, levamos isso em consideração na geração de textos simplificados. Propomos uma arquitetura para simplificação de textos composta de dois nı́veis: o primeiro é um sistema baseado em aprendizado de máquina que aprende a partir de textos simplificados manualmente o nı́vel apropriado de simplificação de acordo com um dado nı́vel de letramento; e o segundo é um sistema baseado em regras que executa a simplificação propriamente dita das sentenças, seguindo recomendações vindas do primeiro nı́vel.
Energy Driven Adaptivity in Stream Parallel Computations

Determining the right amount of resources needed for a given computation is a critical problem. In many cases, computing systems are configured to use an amount of resources to manage high load peaks even though this cause energy waste when the resources are not fully utilised. To avoid this problem, adaptive approaches are used to dynamically increase/decrease computational resources depending on the real needs. A different approach based on Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) is emerging as a possible alternative solution to reduce energy consumption of idle CPUs by lowering their frequencies. In this work, we propose to tackle the problem in stream parallel computations by using both the classic adaptivity concepts and the possibility provided by modern CPUs to dynamically change their frequency. We validate our approach showing a real network application that performs Deep Packet Inspection over network traffic. We are able to manage bandwidth changing over time, guaranteeing minimal packet loss during reconfiguration and minimal energy consumption.
Simultaneous timing-driven placement and duplication

Logic duplication is an effective method for improving circuit performance. In this paper we present an algorithm named SPD that performs simultaneous placement and duplication to minimize the longest path delay. We introduce the notion of feasible region and super feasible region to improve the critical path monotonicity from a global perspective. We introduce a constrained gain graph to perform optimal incremental legalization under complex constraints. We also formulate a timing-constrained global redundancy removal problem and propose a heuristic solution. Our SPD algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art FPGA placement flow (T-VPack + VPR) with an average reduction of up to 27% in longest path estimate delay and 18% in routed delay. The increase in overall runtime is less than 2% and the increase in area is less than 1%.
Infants' contribution to the achievement of joint reference.

This research examines whether infants actively contribute to the achievement of joint reference. One possibility is that infants tend to link a a label with whichever object they are focused on when they hear the label. If so, infants would make a mapping error when an adult labels a different object than the one occupying their focus. Alternatively, infants may be able to use a speaker's nonverbal cues (e.g., line of regard) to interpret the reference of novel labels. This ability would allow infants to avoid errors when adult labels conflict with infants' focus. 64 16-19-month-olds were taught new labels for novel toys in 2 situations. In follow-in labeling, the experimenter looked at and labeled a toy at which infants were already looking. In discrepant labeling, the experimenter looked at and labeled a different toy than the one occupying infants' focus. Infants' responses to subsequent comprehension questions revealed that they (a) successfully learned the labels introduced during follow-in labeling, and (b) displayed no tendency to make mapping errors after discrepant labeling. Thus infants of only 16 to 19 months understand that a speaker's nonverbal cues are relevant to the reference of object labels; they already can contribute to the social coordination involved in achieving joint reference.
Smooth contour estimation in data-driven pitch modelling

Apple's next-generation text-to-speech (TTS) system in MacOS X uses a superpositional pitch model, comprising a relatively smooth underlying F0 contour and a separate contribution from the in uence of the phonetic segments. This paper focuses on the data-driven modelling of the underlying contour, based on electroglottographic signals obtained from a corpus of reiterant speech. F0 extraction from such signals leads to more accurate characteristic shapes, as objectively illustrated by a typically low mean absolute frequency deviation (between 2 and 3 Hz) between original and synthetic F0 contours. This in turn supports a better (both more complete and more realistic) model of F0 behavior. Experimental results illustrate the improved prosodic representation resulting from this F0 model.
Expression, regulation and clinical significance of bone morphogenetic protein 6 in esophageal squamous‐cell carcinoma

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multifunctional cytokines. BMP‐6 is involved in early steps of keratinogenesis. Esophageal squamous‐cell carcinoma often shows abnormal keratinization. The aim of this study was to examine the expression and regulation of BMP‐6 in esophageal carcinoma and to determine the relationship of its expression with tumor characteristics and survival. Avidin‐biotin‐peroxidase staining was performed using paraffin‐wax‐embedded tumor specimens collected from 172 patients with esophageal squamous‐cell carcinoma, who underwent potentially curative surgery. Expression of BMP‐6 and EGF‐receptor in the esophageal‐squamous‐cell‐carcinoma cell line COLO‐680N and the hypopharyngeal‐squamous‐cell‐carcinoma cell line FaDu was assayed with specific RT‐PCR. In standard cell‐cultivation conditions, COLO‐680N and FaDu cells showed distinct expression of BMP‐6, whereas in serum‐free conditions BMP‐6 expression was hardly detectable. The addition of EGF or EGF‐related growth factors could elevate BMP‐6 mRNA content. Immunohistochemically, all 172 tumors exhibited cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for BMP‐6. The content of BMP‐6 protein was inversely correlated with tumor differentiation (p < 0.01). Univariate survival analysis revealed that 74 patients with tumors of low immunoreactivity had higher 2‐year and 5‐year survival rates (50.0%/27.7%) than 75 patients with tumors of high immunoreactive scores (33.3%/21.6%). (p < 0.05). We conclude that BMP‐6 is expressed in esophageal squamous‐cell carcinoma. EGF‐receptor activation is crucial for regulation of BMP‐6 expression. BMP‐6 protein content is correlated with the grade of tumor‐cell differentiation and may add to indications of poor prognosis. Int. J. Cancer 83:38–44, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function: construct validity and correlation with the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory

The Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function (Melbourne Assessment) is an evaluation tool that objectively measures upper‐extremity function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study investigates how well performance on the Melbourne Assessment relates to the child's actual performance in functional tasks. Eighteen children with CP (5 to 14 years of age; nine males, nine females) were assessed using the Melbourne Assessment and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Five children had spastic quadriplegia, eight had spastic diplegia, two had spastic hemiplegia and diplegia, two had athetosis, and one had hypotonic quadriplegia with mobile ventilator dependence. Children's performances were statistically correlated using Spearman's rho to establish the relation between these tools. Very high correlation coefficients were calculated between the Melbourne Assessment and self‐care (0.939) and mobility domains (0.783) of the PEDI and the overall functional skills section of the PEDI (0.718). The Melbourne Assessment demonstrates excellent construct validity for upper limb functioning.
Stroke Parameterization

We present a novel algorithm for generating a planar parameterization of the region surrounding a curve embedded in a 3D surface, which we call a stroke parameterization. The technique, which extends the well‐known Discrete Exponential Map [ SGW06 ], uses the same basic geometric transformations and hence is both efficient and easy‐to‐implement. We also handle self‐intersecting curves, for which a 1–1 map between the original surface and the plane is not possible. Stroke parameterizations provide an ideal coordinate space for solving a variety of computer graphics problems. We present applications including tiling texture and displacement along 3D brush strokes, procedural texturing along 3D paths, and user‐guided crease extraction.
Neurovegetative disorders of perimenopausal women treated with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 625 mg)

Abstract The study evaluated the effect of DHA 625 mg in women who experience menopausal symptoms, on sexuality and quality of life (QoL), and on the auditory brainstem response (ABR). Forty-two perimenopausal women were enrolled. The Kupperman Index (KI) was used to evaluate menopause symptoms. The Short Form-36 (SF-36), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) were used to assess QoL, sexual function, and sexual distress, respectively. Auditory evoked potentials to measure the ABR. The study had one follow-up at 6 months. The women reported an improvement in the KI total score (p < .001). Moreover, women reported QoL improvements in all the psychological categories (p < .001), but not in physical categories (p = NS). FSFI and FSDS total scores increased (p < .01) and the FSDS score decreased (p < .01), mainly due to arousal (p < .03) and lubrication (p < .05) sexual aspects. The ABR wave latencies were lower than the baseline values (p < .05). DHA could be effective in modulating some perimenopausal symptoms in women and, consequently could contribute to improve their QoL and sexual life. Finally, DHA seems to have a direct activity on the neuronal conduction time into the audiological system.
Relationship of adherence to pediatric asthma morbidity among inner-city children.

OBJECTIVES Morbidity from asthma among children is one of the most important US health concerns. This study examines the relationship of baseline nonadherence to subsequent asthma morbidity among inner-city children. METHODS A multisite, prospective, longitudinal panel study was conducted of 1199 children who were aged 4 to 9 years and had asthma and their caregivers, most of whom were parents, in emergency departments and clinics at 8 research centers in 7 US metropolitan inner-city areas. Nine morbidity indicators were collected at 3, 6, and 9 months after baseline, including hospitalizations, unscheduled visits, days of wheeze/cough, and days of reduced activities. RESULTS Children whose caregivers scored high on a new measure, Admitted Nonadherence, experienced significantly worse morbidity on 8 of the 9 measures. Children who scored high on a new Risk for Nonadherence measure experienced significantly worse morbidity on all 9 morbidity measures. Multiple and logistic regressions found that the adherence measures had independent significant effects on morbidity. Combining the measures improved estimates of morbidity: children whose caregivers were poor on either adherence measure had worse morbidity than those with good adherence on both, eg, rate of hospitalization was twice as high, they missed more than twice as much school, had poorer overall functioning, and experienced more days of wheezing and more restricted days of activity. CONCLUSIONS Risk for Nonadherence and Admitted Nonadherence independently and jointly predicted subsequent asthma morbidity. Targeting risks for nonadherence may be an effective intervention strategy. Most risks can be controlled by physicians through reducing the complexity of asthma regimens, communicating effectively with caregivers about medication use, and correcting family misconceptions about asthma medication side effects.
Learning Task-Optimal Registration Cost Functions for Localizing Cytoarchitecture and Function in the Cerebral Cortex

Image registration is typically formulated as an optimization problem with multiple tunable, manually set parameters. We present a principled framework for learning thousands of parameters of registration cost functions, such as a spatially-varying tradeoff between the image dissimilarity and regularization terms. Our approach belongs to the classic machine learning framework of model selection by optimization of cross-validation error. This second layer of optimization of cross-validation error over and above registration selects parameters in the registration cost function that result in good registration as measured by the performance of the specific application in a training data set. Much research effort has been devoted to developing generic registration algorithms, which are then specialized to particular imaging modalities, particular imaging targets and particular postregistration analyses. Our framework allows for a systematic adaptation of generic registration cost functions to specific applications by learning the “free” parameters in the cost functions. Here, we consider the application of localizing underlying cytoarchitecture and functional regions in the cerebral cortex by alignment of cortical folding. Most previous work assumes that perfectly registering the macro-anatomy also perfectly aligns the underlying cortical function even though macro-anatomy does not completely predict brain function. In contrast, we learn 1) optimal weights on different cortical folds or 2) optimal cortical folding template in the generic weighted sum of squared differences dissimilarity measure for the localization task. We demonstrate state-of-the-art localization results in both histological and functional magnetic resonance imaging data sets.
Discern: Towards the Automatic Discovery of Software Contracts

Design by contract is a practical methodology for evolving code together with its specification; it helps prevent many errors, and catch others close to their sources. Unfortunately, writing (and maintaining) contracts requires a non-trivial investment of time and effort. We are developing a tool, called Discern, to statically analyze existing programs and discover draft contracts for them. Discern works by propagating weakest preconditions and strongest postconditions through the code. Known pre- and postconditions of operations used in the code help refine the contract; conversely, new assertions discovered can be propagated to clients of the method being analyzed. As usual, loops make the analysis difficult; heuristics are used to recognize the most common loop forms and extract useful information about them. Discern uses a library containing specifications of the most-used language libraries. With the manual addition of one postcondition and tagging of 3 assertions as invariants, Discern computed the correct preconditions for all but one method of Java's Vector class, and similar results were obtained for StringBuffer
Differentiation of Pasteurella multocida subspecies multocida isolates from the respiratory system of pigs by using polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting technique.

PCR fingerprinting technique was applied to subtype 44 Pasteurella multocida subspecies multocida (P.m.sp.m.) isolates from the respiratory system of pigs. Two single primers were tested for their abilities to generate individual fingerprints by using PCR. Primer 1 (core sequence of the M13 phage) grouped the 44 P.m. sp.m. strains into five distinct fingerprinting profiles, while primer 2 ((GACA)4) grouped them into seven profiles. The results suggest that PCR fingerprinting is an efficient technique to detect DNA polymorphism in the species P.m. sp.m. This technique could be used to differentiate P.m. sp.m. strains of the same capsular serotype.
Progressive, Irreversible Loss of Vision: Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina

Summary In our highly visual society, a genetic disease that gradually dims one’s vision must be seen as a cruel and debilitating disease. One such disease is the gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina (GA), an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding the mitochondrial enzyme ornithine aminotransferase (OAT). GA is characterized by early onset myopia and nightblindness followed by cataracts and progressive loss of peripheral vision culminating in complete blindness. More than 60 mutations in the gene coding for OAT cause the 150 known cases of GA by an unknown mechanism. Clinical genetic tests are available and should be carried out if there is a family history of the disease, as early dietary restriction of arginine and clinical doses of vitamin B6 slow its progression. Experiments in cultured epidermal keratinocytes show promise towards gene therapy for GA. Future research should be geared towards understanding the molecular basis of GA and finding a permanent cure.
Diffuse Axonal Injury in Head Trauma

Background:Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is one of the most common and important pathologic features of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The susceptibility of axons to mechanical injury appears to be due to both their viscoelastic properties and their high organization in white matter tracts. Although axons are supple under normal conditions, they become brittle when exposed to rapid deformations associated with brain trauma. Accordingly, rapid stretch of axons can damage the axonal cytoskeleton resulting in a loss of elasticity and impairment of axoplasmic transport. Subsequent swelling of the axon occurs in discrete bulb formations or in elongated varicosities that accumulate transported proteins. Calcium entry into damaged axons is thought to initiate further damage by the activation of proteases. Ultimately, swollen axons may become disconnected and contribute to additional neuropathologic changes in brain tissue. DAI may largely account for the clinical manifestations of brain trauma. However, DAI is extremely difficult to detect noninvasively and is poorly defined as clinical syndrome. Conclusions:Future advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of DAI will be dependent on our collective understanding of injury biomechanics, temporal axonal pathophysiology, and its role in patient outcome.
Sketching, scaffolding, and inking: a visual history for interactive 3D modeling

Inspired by the comic-book production pipeline, a method is proposed for integrating visual aspects of the sketching process into 3D sketch-based modeling systems. In particular, artist-drawn construction aids called visual scaffolding are explored. Two scaffolding components which simulate elements of pencil sketching, geometric massing and eraser marks, are integrated into a rendering pipeline which also includes a suite of new object-space techniques for high-fidelity pen-and-ink depiction of implicit surfaces. Based on a hybrid, hierarchical approach which leverages both the implicit surface definition and an underlying coarse tessellation, new methods are described for computing silhouettes, suggestive contours, surface stippling, and surfel-based visibility culling. These techniques are real-time but require no pre-computation, allowing them to be applied to dynamic hierarchical implicit surfaces, and are demonstrated in ShapeShop, an interactive sketch-based modeling tool. The result is a real-time display pipeline which composites these novel scaffolding and pen-and-ink techniques to depict a visual history of the modeling process.
Combination antiretroviral therapy and the risk of myocardial infarction

Address reprint requests to Dr. Jens D. Lundgren, DAD Coordinating Center, Copenhagen HIV Program, Section 044, Hvidovre University Hospital, 2650 Copenhagen, Denmark, or at jdl@cphiv.dk (Dr. Lundgren). *The members of the DAD study group are listed in the Appendix. N Engl J Med 2003;349:1993-2003. Copyright © 2003 Massachusetts Medical Society. background It remains controversial whether exposure to combination antiretroviral treatment increases the risk of myocardial infarction.
Females and Males Contribute in Opposite Ways to the Evolution of Gene Order in Drosophila

An intriguing association between the spatial layout of chromosomes within nuclei and the evolution of chromosome gene order was recently uncovered. Chromosome regions with conserved gene order in the Drosophila genus are larger if they interact with the inner side of the nuclear envelope in D. melanogaster somatic cells. This observation opens a new door to understand the evolution of chromosomes in the light of the dynamics of the spatial layout of chromosomes and the way double-strand breaks are repaired in D. melanogaster germ lines. Chromosome regions at the nuclear periphery in somatic cell nuclei relocate to more internal locations of male germ line cell nuclei, which might prefer a gene order-preserving mechanism to repair double-strand breaks. Conversely, chromosome regions at the nuclear periphery in somatic cells keep their location in female germ line cell nuclei, which might be inaccessible for cellular machinery that causes gene order-disrupting chromosome rearrangements. Thus, the gene order stability for genome regions at the periphery of somatic cell nuclei might result from the active repair of double-strand breaks using conservative mechanisms in male germ line cells, and the passive inaccessibility for gene order-disrupting factors at the periphery of nuclei of female germ line cells. In the present article, I find evidence consistent with a DNA break repair-based differential contribution of both D. melanogaster germ lines to the stability/disruption of gene order. The importance of germ line differences for the layout of chromosomes and DNA break repair strategies with regard to other genomic patterns is briefly discussed.