Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maximum normalized spacing for efficient visual clustering

In this paper, for efficient clustering of visual image data that have arbitrary mixture distributions, we propose a simple distance metric learning method called Maximum Normalized Spacing (MNS) which is a generalized principle based on Maximum Spacing [12] and Minimum Spanning Tree (MST). The proposed Normalized Spacing (NS) can be viewed as a kind of adaptive distance metric for contextual dissimilarity measure which takes into account the local distribution of the data vectors. Image clustering is a difficult task because there are multiple nonlinear manifolds embedded in the data space. Many of the existing clustering methods often fail to learn the whole structure of the multiple manifolds and they are usually not very effective. Combining both the internal and external statistics of clusters to capture the density structure of manifolds, MNS is capable of efficient and effective solving the clustering problem for the complex multi-manifold datasets in arbitrary metric spaces. We apply this MNS method into the practical problem of multi-view image clustering and obtain good results which are helpful for image browsing systems. Using the COIL-20 [19] and COIL-100 [18] multi-view image databases, our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed MNS clustering method and this clustering method is more efficient than the traditional clustering methods.
Primary Care Provider-Delivered Smoking Cessation Interventions and Smoking Cessation Among Participants in the National Lung Screening Trial.

IMPORTANCE The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) found a reduction in lung cancer mortality among participants screened with low-dose computed tomography vs chest radiography. In February 2015, Medicare announced its decision to cover annual lung screening for patients with a significant smoking history. These guidelines promote smoking cessation treatment as an adjunct to screening, but the frequency and effectiveness of clinician-delivered smoking cessation interventions delivered after lung screening are unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine the association between the reported clinician-delivered 5As (ask, advise, assess, assist [talk about quitting or recommend stop-smoking medications or recommend counseling], and arrange follow-up) after lung screening and smoking behavior changes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A matched case-control study (cases were quitters and controls were continued smokers) of 3336 NLST participants who were smokers at enrollment examined participants' rates and patterns of 5A delivery after a lung screen and reported smoking cessation behaviors. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Prevalence of the clinician-delivered 5As and associated smoking cessation after lung screening. RESULTS Delivery of the 5As 1 year after screening were as follows: ask, 77.2%; advise, 75.6%; assess, 63.4%; assist, 56.4%; and arrange follow-up, 10.4%. Receipt of ask, advise, and assess was not significantly associated with quitting in multivariate models that adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, screening results, nicotine dependence, and motivation to quit. Assist was associated with a 40% increase in the odds of quitting (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.21-1.63), and arrange was associated with a 46% increase in the odds of quitting (odds ratio, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.19-1.79). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Assist and arrange follow-up delivered by primary care providers to smokers who were participating in the NLST were associated with increased quitting; less intensive interventions (ask, advise, and assess) were not. However, rates of assist and arrange follow-up were relatively low. Our findings confirm the need for and benefit of clinicians taking more active intervention steps in helping patients who undergo screening to quit smoking.
Applying multiplayer role based learning in engineering education: Three case studies to analyze the impact on students’ performance

In this paper we present some results obtained in an ongoing research project aimed at developing a collaborative 3D fantasy virtual learning scenario (which we have given the name Nucleo) for teaching subjects related to computer programming in engineering education and technical schools. Our system has three basic objectives. The first is to induce a change in the students' attitude towards study by placing them at the center of the learning experience. The second is to increase students’ motivation by bringing multimedia formats, content interactivity and the aesthetics currently preferred by engineering students into the learning scenario, while at the same time, maintaining a clear focus on the curriculum’s learning objectives. The third is to provide a learning environment that simulates the way people work in teams in a real-life professional context, focusing on developing basic teamwork abilities and important soft and social skills. The system is currently being tested as several engineering educational contexts to prove some basic hypothesis. Here we describe the main features of our system, the results obtained in three different cases of study and a discussion about what conclusions can be drawn from them.
Evidence for Increasing Levels of Cynicism and Anxiety in College Freshman Classes.

To determine if there has been a deterioration of idealism and a growth of anxiety and cynicism in college students, seven of the ten freshman classes entering the same college between 1959 and 1968 were administered either the Philosophies of Human Nature Scale, the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, or both during the first week on campus. Separate analyses of males and females in five classes between 1962-1968 indicated significant increases in more recent classes in regard to cynicism and distrust of human nature. Similarly, comparisons of six classes between 1959-1968 indicated a significant linear increase in anxiety from earlier to more recent classes. 1 This paper was written to fulfill research requirements for Psychology 398, George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville, Tennessee, May, 1969. Portions of the data presented here were presented at the American Psychological Association convention, Washington, D.C., September, 1969. (Wrightsman, 'Icor ti L. S., and Baker, N.J. Where have all the idealistic, imperturbable fresh'Cr men gone? Proceedings, 77th Annual Convention, American Psychological Associa= tion, 1969, pp. 299-300.) \%1)
Mapping the Binding between the Tetraspanin Molecule (Sjc23) of Schistosoma japonicum and Human Non-Immune IgG

Background Schistosomal parasites can establish parasitization in a human host for decades; evasion of host immunorecognition including surface masking by acquisition of host serum components is one of the strategies explored by the parasites. Parasite molecules anchored on the membrane are the main elements in the interaction. Sjc23, a member of the tetraspanin (TSP) family of Schistosoma japonicum, was previously found to be highly immunogenic and regarded as a vaccine candidate against schistosomiasis. However, studies indicated that immunization with Sjc23 generated rapid antibody responses which were less protective than that with other antigens. The biological function of this membrane-anchored molecule has not been defined after decades of vaccination studies. Methodology and Principal Findings In this study, we explored affinity pull-down and peptide competition assays to investigate the potential binding between Sjc23 molecule and human non-immune IgG. We determined that Sjc23 could bind human non-immune IgG and the binding was through the interaction of the large extra-cellular domain (LED) of Sjc23 (named Sjc23-LED) with the Fc domain of human IgG. Sjc23 had no affinity to other immunoglobulin types. Affinity precipitation (pull-down assay) in the presence of overlapping peptides further pinpointed to a 9-amino acid motif within Sjc23-LED that mediated the binding to human IgG. Conclusion and Significance S. japonicum parasites cloak themselves through interaction with human non-immune IgG, and a member of the tetraspanin family, Sjc23, mediated the acquisition of human IgG via the interaction of a motif of 9 amino acids with the Fc domain of the IgG molecule. The consequence of this interaction will likely benefit parasitism of S. japonicum by evasion of host immune recognition or immunoresponses. This is the first report that an epitope of schistosomal ligand and its immunoglobulin receptor are defined, which provides further evidence of immune evasion strategy adopted by S. japonicum.
Classifying 'Drug-likeness' with Kernel-Based Learning Methods

In this article we report about a successful application of modern machine learning technology, namely Support Vector Machines, to the problem of assessing the 'drug-likeness' of a chemical from a given set of descriptors of the substance. We were able to drastically improve the recent result by Byvatov et al. (2003) on this task and achieved an error rate of about 7% on unseen compounds using Support Vector Machines. We see a very high potential of such machine learning techniques for a variety of computational chemistry problems that occur in the drug discovery and drug design process.
Consensus guidelines for sustained neuromuscular blockade in critically ill children

Background: The United Kingdom Paediatric Intensive Care Society Sedation, Analgesia and Neuromuscular Blockade Working Group is a multidisciplinary expert panel created to produce consensus guidelines on sedation, analgesia and neuromuscular blockade in critically ill children and forward knowledge in these areas. Neuromuscular blockade is recognized as an important element in the care of the critically ill and adult clinical practice guidelines in this area have been available for several years. However, similar clinical practice guidelines have not previously been produced for the critically ill pediatric patient.
Assessment of iron deficiency in US preschool children and nonpregnant females of childbearing age: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006.

BACKGROUND A new index to determine body iron promises a simpler approach to monitoring iron deficiency (ID) prevalence. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to compare ID defined as body iron <0 mg/kg and calculated from the log ratio of transferrin receptor to ferritin (the body iron model) to ID defined as >/=2 of 3 abnormal concentrations in ferritin, transferrin saturation, or erythrocyte protoporphyrin (the ferritin model). DESIGN We used measures of iron status and inflammation from 486 children aged 1-2 y, 848 children aged 3-5 y, and 3742 nonpregnant females aged 12-49 y from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006. RESULTS ID prevalences (+/-SE) based on the body iron model in children (1-2 and 3-5 y) and in females (12-19 and 20-49 y) were 14.4 +/- 1.9%, 3.7 +/- 0.8%, 9.3 +/- 1.0%, and 9.2 +/- 1.6%, respectively. ID prevalences based on the ferritin model in children (3-5 y) and females (12-19 and 20-49 y) were 4.5 +/- 0.9%, 15.6 +/- 1.2%, and 15.7 +/- 0.8%, respectively. The kappa statistics for agreement between the 2 models were 0.5-0.7. Among females (12-49 y) the positive predictive values of ID based on the body iron model and the ferritin model for identifying anemia were 43 +/- 3% and 30 +/- 2%, respectively, whereas negative predictive values did not differ. C-reactive protein was elevated in 28.8 +/- 3.1% of females with ID by the ferritin model but not by the body iron model and in 0% of persons with ID by the body iron model but not by the ferritin model. CONCLUSIONS The agreement between the 2 indexes was fair to good. Among females, the body iron model produced lower estimates of ID prevalence, better predicted anemia, and appeared to be less affected by inflammation than the ferritin model.
Neuro-ophthalmic features of cerebral venous obstruction.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the neuro-ophthalmologic manifestations of impaired cranial venous outflow. DESIGN A retrospective study of 20 patients who developed increased intracranial pressure as the result of impaired cerebral drainage. SETTING Three neuro-ophthalmologic referral centers. PATIENTS Ten patients had noncompressive thrombosis of sagittal or lateral sinuses (noncompressive group), four had compression of the sagittal sinus or jugular veins (compressive group), and six had transient sinus thrombosis following surgical procedures (iatrogenic group). INTERVENTIONS Medical and/or surgical treatment of increased intracranial pressure and of underlying conditions predisposing to venous obstruction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Symptoms (headache and esodeviation) and signs (visual acuity, visual fields, and optic disc appearance) of increased intracranial pressure. RESULTS Headache was more severe, esodeviation was more prevalent, and onset was more abrupt in the noncompressive group than in the compressive and iatrogenic groups. Among the 10 patients with noncompressive thrombosis, factors predisposing to thrombosis were present in seven patients but sometimes overlooked. Following treatment, visual outcome was generally favorable in all three groups. All patients had 20/30 or better visual acuity in at least one eye, and substantial visual field loss was present in both eyes of only two patients. CONCLUSIONS The clinical manifestation of impaired cerebral venous outflow vary depending on the underlying mechanism. Although most patients maintain good vision, more aggressive treatment is sometimes indicated in patients with thrombosis or compression. The abrupt onset and marked severity of symptoms in patients with thrombosis should help to differentiate these patients from those with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
CYP2D6: novel genomic structures and alleles

Objective CYP2D6 is a polymorphic gene. It has been observed to be deleted, to be duplicated and to undergo recombination events involving the CYP2D7 pseudogene and surrounding sequences. The objective of this study was to discover the genomic structure of CYP2D6 recombinants that interfere with clinical genotyping platforms that are available today. Methods Clinical samples containing rare homozygous CYP2D6 alleles, ambiguous readouts, and those with duplication signals and two different alleles were analyzed by long-range PCR amplification of individual genes, PCR fragment analysis, allele-specific primer extension assay, and DNA sequencing to characterize alleles and genomic structure. Results Novel alleles, genomic structures, and the DNA sequence of these structures are described. Interestingly, in 49 of 50 DNA samples that had CYP2D6 gene duplications or multiplications where two alleles were detected, the chromosome containing the duplication or multiplication had identical tandem alleles. Conclusion Several new CYP2D6 alleles and genomic structures are described which will be useful for CYP2D6 genotyping. The findings suggest that the recombination events responsible for CYP2D6 duplications and multiplications are because of mechanisms other than interchromosomal crossover during meiosis.
Comparison of allometric scaling methods for normalizing strength, power, and speeed in American football players.

AIM Assessments of physical abilities are consistently and systematically done in American football in order to determine progress and effectiveness of conditioning programs. Typically, such assessment are recorded as absolute values without regard to the influence of body mass (BM) on the performance variables. METHOD Test results were collected on NCAA football players (mean + SD: age = 20.1+1.3, mass=107.38+20.30 kg, height=186.76+8.6 cm). Players were categorized into seven weight groups. Data by weight groups were compared by absolute and by allometrically scaled values for 1-RM squat (N.=566), vertical jump (N.=581), and 40 yd (36.58 m) sprint (N.=560) over a seven-year period. RESULTS Results of ANOVAs yielded significant (P<0.05) and a near linear pattern of absolute strength by BM. Allometrically scaled 1-RM squat resulted in normalized data void of significant wt group differences while allometrically scaled power and speed did not normalize data to the point that the data could be compared regardless of BM. CONCLUSION Results suggest that it may be possible to determine if an athlete falls within an a normal range of the established standards derived from allometric scaling for the 1-RM squat. However, caution should be taken when applying allometric scaling for power and speed. It is suggested that additional research look into the possibility of adjusting the exponent (performance variable x BMx) to better reflect a normalized condition for more accurate comparisons of athletes.
Quantitative biochemical differences between tumor and host as a basis for cancer chemotherapy. V. Niacin and 6-aminonicotinamide.

Summary 6-Aminonicotinamide (6-AN), a potent niacin antagonist, was observed to exert strong antitumor activity against the mammary Adenocarcinoma 755 grown in C57BL mice. This effect was completely reversed by the concomitant administration of nicotinamide. Tumor regression occurred with levels of the drug (3.0–4.0 mg/kg) which caused marked weight loss (approximately 20 per cent). With lower doses, a carcinostatic effect was noted with less marked weight loss. The combination of 8-azaguanine with this lower dose of 6-AN resulted in tumor regression without appreciable host weight loss. The addition of testosterone to this double combination further reduced weight loss without changing the degree of tumor regression. Differential biochemical effects with two niacin antagonists, 6-AN and 2-ethylamino-1,3,4-thiadiazole (TD) have been noted. TD increased DPN in various tissues, whereas 6-AN had little or no effect. The antitumor activity of 6-AN suggests that a new class of compounds bears study as potential cancerocidal agents.
Physiological Regulation of Maternal Behavior in Heifers: Roles of Genital Stimulation, Intracerebral Oxytocin Release, and Ovarian Steroids1

Abstract We tested the hypotheses that 1) epidural anesthesia at parturition would block both peripheral and central release of oxytocin and eliminate the development of maternal behavior in primiparous heifers and 2) estradiol priming, genital stimulation, and appropriate neonatal stimuli would induce maternal behavior in nulliparous heifers. In experiment 1, primiparous crossbred heifers (n = 13) with cannulas in the third cerebroventricle (IIIV) were assigned randomly to receive epidural treatments of saline (SAL; n = 6) or lidocaine HCl (EPI; n = 7) at the onset of labor induced between Days 270 and 280 of gestation. Epidural anesthesia blocked (P < 0.001) both central and peripheral release of oxytocin and markedly reduced (P < 0.05) or eliminated licking behaviors during a 3-h period following parturition as compared with SAL. Following approximately 1 wk of controlled daily suckling, during which calves were permitted access only to the inguinal region of their dams (three times daily for 10 min each time), a second maternal behavior test was performed. Although licking behavior remained markedly reduced (P < 0.001) in the EPI compared with the SAL groups, all heifers accepted their calf at the udder. In experiments 2–4, neither estradiol priming in ovariectomized heifers nor estradiol plus progesterone in intact heifers resulted in an induction of maternal behaviors following genital stimulation and presentation of a neonate wetted with amniotic fluid. Pelvic sensory deficits apparently block oxytocin release and disturb both short-latency and long-term maternal behaviors but do not result ultimately in rejection of the calf. Combinations of hormonal, sensory, olfactory, and visual cues observed previously to induce maternal behavior in nulliparous ewes do not appear adequate for induction of maternal behavior in nulliparous heifers.
On-line collision avoidance for redundant manipulators

A simple and robust approach to online collision avoidance for kinematically redundant manipulators is presented. The scheme represents obstacles as inequality constraints in the manipulator workspace and ensures that these inequalities are satisfied while the end-effector tracks the desired trajectory. The control scheme is the damped-least-squares formulation of the configuration control approach implemented as a kinematic controller. Computer simulation results are given for a seven-degree-of-freedom redundant arm and demonstrate the collision-avoidance capability for reaching inside a truss structure. Experimental results confirming that the approach provides a simple and effective method for online collision avoidance are presented. <<ETX>>
Network Security Via Explicit Consent

Securing real-world operating systems is hard; dropping packets headed to those systems is easy. Thus, network-layer defenses have become indispensable to end-host security. Unfortunately, most defenses inflict collateral damage, require hardware modification, or necessitate coordination between organizations’ administrators. Yet, for all that, each defense addresses only a subset of attacks. This paper describes ICING, a network layer that allows all stakeholders (senders, receivers, and providers) to deploy new network defenses unilaterally, with enough precision to avoid collateral damage, and without further hardware modification. ICING captures many prior network-layer defenses within a coherent framework: for a packet to flow from sender to receiver, every entity along the path must have consented to the entire path. To enforce this property, ICING’s data plane must address a key challenge: how mutually distrustful realms that cannot rely on per-packet or per-flow public key cryptography ensure that packets follow their purported paths. We demonstrate ICING’s technical feasibility with a prototype that forwards at over 2 Gbit/s.
Improving anal cancer screening in an ambulatory HIV clinic: experience from a quality improvement initiative.

Evidence suggests that persons living with HIV (PLWH) are at increased risk for anal cancer. Early detection of anal cancer is an important prevention measure, but screening rates have been low. This report describes the experience of a quality improvement initiative to increase anal cancer screening at an HIV-specialty clinic. Chart reviews were conducted for three time periods: baseline year, prior to program discussion; transition year, during planning; and implementation year, during program availability. Odds ratios using Fisher's exact test showed that the odds of receiving anal cancer screening increased significantly in the transition year, odds ratio (OR) = 2.859, 95% confidence interval (CI): [1.798; 4.546], Fisher's z = 4.40, p < 0.0001, and in the implementation year, OR = 7.446, 95% CI: [4.783; 11.588], Fisher's z > 8.2, p < 0.0001. Patients and clinicians reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. Referring clinicians were also more likely to discuss anal cancer screening.