Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anymore, It’s on Twitter

Positive anymore is recognized as a feature of some dialects of English. However, because positive anymore occurs infrequently in conversational speech, studies have generally relied on grammaticality judgments. This article takes advantage of the massive corpus of speech-like text available on the social media platform Twitter to study productions of positive anymore in American English. More than 80,000 tweets containing anymore were collected over one month from areas around five Midland cities and three non-Midland cities. Tweets were coded for 20 types of negative polarity item (NPI) triggers and for the position of anymore within clauses. Results confirm that, in the context of American regional Englishes, positive anymore is a distinctive feature of the Midland. However, results also show intraregional differences within the Midland, with anymore being produced more frequently in Pittsburgh and less frequently in the western Midland cities of Kansas City and St. Louis. Midland cities also show increased incidence of anymore with several NPI triggers that should license NPIs in all dialects, suggesting that these ostensibly ordinary NPI triggers may affect or be affected by the use of anymore in positive polarity contexts. More generally, this research models ways that productions of positive anymore and other low-frequency linguistic variables might be studied through media like Twitter.
A Driver Steering Model With Personalized Desired Path Generation

With the increase in driver assistance systems, driver models are becoming more important to vehicle control, driving safety, and performance. To make these driver assistance systems better cooperate with human drivers, the driver models need to be able to predict human driving behaviors and distinguish among different drivers. In this paper, a combined driver model consisting of a compensatory transfer function and an anticipatory component based on road geometry is integrated with the design of the individual driver's desired path. The proposed driver model parameters are obtained from human subject test data collected in a driving simulator. It has been shown that the proposed combined driver model is able to replicate each driver's steering wheel angle signals for a variety of maneuvers at different vehicle speeds. The driver model is then validated by first using a polynomial to interpolate the driver model and desired path parameters for an intermediate speed. It is also validated by comparing two different drivers' model parameter sets to show that each driver has a unique set of parameters. The final validation is to show that the proposed individual driver's desired path offers more accurate steering wheel fits than the previous geometric centerline.
Agency problems in indirect real estate investing

Real estate is of increasing importance in the asset allocation of institutional investors. As direct real estate investments are very management intensive and need a great deal of market know how, institutional investors are shifting more and more of their real estate investments to indirect forms. There are two general forms of indirect real estate investing, listed and non-listed. Especially in the second case agency problems increase for the investors, as only very limited data is available to compare different investment options, there are no quick exit options and so far no benchmarks exist for this sector. The paper highlights the different forms of agency problems in indirect real estate investing and shows how institutions, like corporate governance and INREV, are able to alleviate these problems.
Effect of SIVmac infection on plasmacytoid and CD1c+ myeloid dendritic cells in cynomolgus macaques

Dendritic cells (DCs) are known to be essential for the induction and regulation of immune responses. Non‐human primates are essential in biomedical research and contribute to our understanding of the involvement of DCs in human infectious diseases. However, no direct single‐platform method for quantifying DC precursors has yet been optimized in macaques to give accurate absolute blood counts of these rare‐event cell populations in the blood. We adapted a rapid whole‐blood assay for the absolute quantification of DCs in cynomolgous macaques by four‐colour flow cytometry, using a single‐platform assay compatible with human blood. Cynomolgus macaque plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and CD1c+ myeloid DCs (CD1c+ mDCs) were quantified in the blood of 34 healthy macaques and the results obtained were compared with those for blood samples from 11 healthy humans. In addition, circulating absolute numbers of pDCs were quantified in cynomolgus macaques chronically infected with SIVmac. During infection, pDC counts decreased whereas circulating CD1c+ mDC counts increased. Information regarding absolute pDC and mDC counts in non‐human primates may improve our understanding of the role of these cells in SIV/HIV infection and in other infectious diseases.
Structural synthesis of 'parallel' robots generating spatial translation

Presents a tool, based on the mathematical group theory, for the synthesis of new parallel structure robots. By the kinematic principle of displacement subgroups intersection a family of 3 degrees of freedom robots for pure spatial translation movements is conceived. One of the many possible implementations is also given as an example. <<ETX>>
2007 universal myocardial infarction definition change criteria for risk stratification by use of a high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I assay.

Analytical sensitivity is an important determinant of the diagnostic power of cardiac troponin (cTn)1 for diagnosing myocardial infarction (1)(2). Increased cTn only partially fulfills the criteria to document acute injury, however, because a change (increase/decrease) in biomarker concentration is required (1). A recent study of a contemporary sensitive, guideline-acceptable cTnI assay suggested that change criteria improved risk stratification because it improved the specificity of cTnI in the study for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (2). Data about the use of change criteria are only beginning to emerge (2). Furthermore, as assay performance improves and more diagnostic companies proceed to develop the second- and third-generation high-sensitivity (hs) assays (3), each must be validated with these criteria. Moreover, there remains no consensus on the criteria to define a changing pattern for cTn assays in clinical use, or for the new hs-cTn assays. One approach has been to use criteria for change obtained from the 2007 universal myocardial infarction (MI) definition (1). This was recently used in a comparison of a sensitive cTnI assay [AccuTnI; refer to Apple (3) for assay designation] against a research third-generation hs assay (hs-cTnI) for early detection of myocardial injury (4). In the present study, we assessed if the criteria for change used in the previous study (4) also add to risk stratification with this hs-cTnI assay. In a cohort of unique subjects (n = 257) presenting with chest pain to an emergency department at a community hospital in 1996, we obtained time of symptom onset, with …
A New Gγ-Globin Variant Causing Low Oxygen Affinity: Hb F-Brugine/Feldkirch [Gγ105(G7)Leu→His; HBG2: c.317T>A]

Abstract In two unrelated families, several newborns developed cyanosis within the first days of life. For all of them, consecutive arterial blood gas analyses showed a right shift of the saturation curve, suggesting the presence of a hemoglobin (Hb) variant. A new Gγ-globin variant was detected, namely Gγ105(G7)Leu → His; HBG2: c.317T > A, that we named Hb F-Brugine/Feldkirch after the place of origin of the two families. This T to A conversion results in a leucine to histidine amino acid change at codon 105 of the Gγ-globin gene and caused a Hb variant with lowered oxygen affinity. The γ to β switch proceeded normally.
Effect of self-triage on waiting times at a walk-in sexual health clinic

Background and methodology Lengthy waiting times can be a major problem in walk-in sexual health clinics. They are stressful for both patients and staff and may lead to clients with significant health issues leaving the department before being seen by a clinician. A self-triage system may help reduce waiting times and duplication of work, improve patient pathways and decrease wasted visits. This paper describes implementation of a self-triage system in two busy sexual and reproductive health clinics. Patients were asked to complete a self-assessment form on registration to determine the reason for attendance. This then enabled patients to be directed to the most appropriate specialist or clinical service. The benefits of this approach were determined by measuring patient waiting times, reduction in unnecessary specialist review together with patient acceptability as tested by a patient satisfaction survey. The ease of comprehension of the triage form was also assessed by an independent readers' panel. Results A total of 193 patients were recruited over a 4-month period from November 2004 to February 2005. Patients from the November and December clinics were assigned to the 'traditional treatment' arm, with patients at subsequent clinics being assigned to the 'self-triage' system. Waiting times were collected by the receptionist and clinic staff. Ninety six patients followed the traditional route, 97 the new self-triage system. Sixty-nine (35.8%) patients completed the satisfaction survey. The self-triage system significantly reduced waiting time from 40 (22, 60) to 23 (10, 40) minutes [results expressed as median (interquartile range)]. There was a non-significant reduction in the proportion of patients seeing two clinicians from 21% to 13% (p = 0.17). Satisfaction levels were not significantly altered (95% compared to 97% satisfied, p = 0.64). The readers' panel found the triage form both easy to understand and to complete. Conclusions Self-triage can effectively reduce clinic waiting times and allow better organisation of resources. Urgent cases can be prioritised. This process appears to be acceptable to and understandable by patients.
Radon transform: A different perspective on planar array synthesis

In this paper the Radon transform is used to study planar arrays. It is shown that the Radon transform (in its discrete version) and the associated projection-slice theorem define interesting relations between the array factor and the amplitude coefficients of a planar array. These relations are used to develop a synthesis procedure for 2D arrays that have a pencil beam shaped array factor with the same shape (apart an angular scaling factor) on any plane through the boresight direction. With respect to previously known methods the Radon transform thus provides a different perspective, to the aforementioned planar array synthesis. The various steps of such a procedure are reported. The output of the synthesis procedure is the set of real amplitude coefficients for the array. The limitations on the applicability of the synthesis procedure are explained, and finally two examples are reported to show its application.
Seasonal Physiology of the Wild Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is a canid omnivore with autumnal fattening and winter sleep. Farmraised raccoon dogs have elevated plasma leptin and growth hormone levels in the winter and depressed plasma cortisol and insulin concentrations during wintertime food deprivation. However, these parameters were not previously tested in the wild population. In the present study 37 wild raccoon dogs were sampled at different seasons and diverse biochemical variables were determined. The results mostly confirmed previous observations on farmraised raccoon dogs. The liver glycogen stores increased during the autumnal fattening period but were low in the winter. The liver glycogen phosphorylase activity decreased but lipase activity increased in the winter indicating the use of fat as the principal metabolic fuel. The plasma insulin concentrations were low in the winter allowing the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue. Low wintertime cortisol and thyroid hormone levels could contribute to protein sparing. Unlike on farms, wild raccoon dogs did not show seasonal fluctuations in their plasma ghrelin or growth hormone levels. The observed physiological phenomena emphasise the adaptation of the species to long periods of food scarcity in the winter.
Decreased Thymic Output Accounts for Decreased Naive T Cell Numbers in Children with Down Syndrome

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have low numbers of naive T cells and abnormal thymus development and function. Because next to thymic production, peripheral proliferation greatly contributes to naive T cell generation in healthy children, we examined the cause of reduced naive T cell numbers in children with DS. Compared with aged matched controls, the total number of signal joint TCR excision circles (sjTREC) per ml blood was reduced in DS. Reduced frequencies and absolute numbers of protein tyrosine kinase 7-positive recent thymic emigrants, but similar levels of naive T cell apoptosis and Ag-driven activation in DS, suggested that reduced thymic output and not increased peripheral loss of naive T cells caused the reduced sjTREC numbers. We found no support for defective peripheral generation of naive T cells in DS. In DS the naive T cells responded to IL-7 and, based on Ki-67 expression, had similar proliferation rates as in healthy controls. sjTREC content per naive CD8+ T cells was not increased, but even decreased, pointing to increased survival or peripheral generation of naive T cells in DS. In conclusion, we show in this study that reduced thymic output, but not reduced peripheral generation nor increased loss of naive T cells, results in the low naive T cell numbers found in DS.
Efficient Forwarding With Power Saving and Load Balancing In Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy efficiency is still a challenging issue in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Balancing nodes’ activities and duty cycling are efficient ways that could enhance WSN’s performances. In this paper the authors introduce a new asynchronous power saving mechanism that provides an adaptive duty cycle and a minimum overhead to achieve load balancing and energy saving. This mechanism relies on two basic functions: an asynchronous duty cycling for activity balancing and a lightweight geographic routing. Extensive simulations showed the effectiveness of the proposed approach in terms of residual energy, energy consumption balancing and packet delivery ratio. Efficient Forwarding With Power Saving and Load Balancing In Wireless Sensor Networks Hanen Idoudi, National School of Computer Science, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia
Analysis of the agreement between the Fortius cycling ergometer and the PowerTap powermeter PO during time trials of 6 and 30 min

It is common to use laboratory tests to evaluate the capacity of competitive cyclists. These tests can be used to predict cycling performance or evaluate training effects. One of the major biomechanical cycling performance determinants is the power output (PO). Thus, this parameter must be measured in standardised laboratory conditions. Different stationary and mobile cycle ergometers can be used for tests to perform the PO. Stationary bicycle ergometers can be electromagnetically braked (e.g. Velodyne, Lode Excalibur), friction braked (e.g. Monark) or air braked (e.g. Kingcycle; Paton and Hopkins 2001; Bertucci et al. 2011). It is essential to use an ergometer that provides a valid and reliable measure of PO to detect small effects on the performance variation and to compare the results with other ergometers within an acceptable range of technical error. In this condition, it is very important that the new ergometer is scientifically tested and compared with a powermeter previously tested and considered as a reference. Recently, a new ergometer was used by the competitive cyclists, coaches and researchers: the Fortius Virtual Reality cycle trainer (Tacx B.V., Wassenaar, the Netherlands). This ergometer is a stationary powermeter that can be used in laboratory conditions. The unit consists of a brushless motor attached to a drum which, when it is in contact with the rear tyre of an individual’s bicycle, creates resistance by acting as a generator-/dynamo-converting power to alternating current. The Fortius trainer can simulate ‘real life’ riding conditions through the integration of GPS course design and a patented motor-driven brake that allows the ability to coast during both flat and downhill riding (Peiffer and Losco 2011). The great advantages of this device are the possibility to simulate the real ascent and characteristics of a race. The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between the Fortius ergometer PO measurements and the PowerTap powermeter (CycleOps, Madison, WI, USA), considered as one of the references for thePOmeasurements.
International initiatives in agricultural R&D: the changing fortunes of the CGIAR.

Introduction Many believe that agricultural productivity growth, driven by research-induced technical change, is essential to long-run economic development. Consequently, a strategy of agriculture-led development has been a critical element in aid and economic-development policy around the world since World War II. An important component of this strategy has been the progressive development of the system of international agricultural research centers (IARCs) known as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR, or CG for short), in conjunction with and as a complement to the national agricultural research systems (NARSs) in developing countries. When the CG was formed in 1971, 16 donors committed $20.7 million annually to found and foster research in four centers with headquarters in Mexico, the Philippines, Colombia, and Nigeria. In 2004, the CG spent about $425 million (including $19 million for so-called Challenge Programs), which it received from 63 members representing 22 industrial countries, 24 transitioning and developing countries, 13 international and regional organizations, and 4 foundations, supplemented by funds that totaled $16 million from Center-generated income and other sources. The CG now supports the work of 15 international agricultural research centers, with a combined total in 2004 of 1,063 internationally recruited staff and just over 6,700 locally recruited scientific and support staff.
Deferasirox chelation therapy in patients with transfusion‐dependent MDS: a ‘real‐world’ report from two regional Italian registries: Gruppo Romano Mielodisplasie and Registro Basilicata

Deferasirox (DFX) is an orally administered iron chelator approved for use in patients with transfusion‐dependent iron overload due to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The safety and efficacy of DFX has been explored in clinical trial settings, but there is little data on unselected patients with MDS. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety, compliance, efficacy and effect on haematopoiesis of DFX in a large ‘real‐world’ MDS population. One hundred and eighteen patients with transfusion‐dependent MDS were treated with DFX across 11 centres in Italy. Serum ferritin levels, haematological response, dosing, adverse events and transfusion dependence were recorded at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months following initiation of treatment. DFX reduced mean serum ferritin levels from 1790 to 1140 ng/mL (P < 0.001), with 7.1% of patients achieving transfusion independence. Significant haematological improvement was seen in erythroid (17.6%), platelet (5.9%) and neutrophil counts (7.1%). Adverse events were reported in 47.5% of patients, including gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. Regression analysis showed that higher starting doses of DFX are associated with transfusion independence at 24 months. DFX is a safe, effective treatment for transfusion‐dependent MDS that can lead to transfusion independence and haematological improvement in a subset of patients.
Is estimated glomerular filtration rate superior to serum creatinine in predicting mortality on the waiting list for liver transplantation?

Serum creatinine is an important prognostic indicator in patients on the liver transplant waiting‐list, being a component of the Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. However, creatinine is influenced by age, gender and race, and in this role may disadvantage some individuals. The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) takes into account these variables and may be a superior measure of renal function. Our aim was to examine whether the MDRD 4‐variable, 5‐variable and 6‐variable eGFRs are superior to serum creatinine in predicting 3‐month waiting‐list mortality in patients with end‐stage liver disease. This was a retrospective single‐centre study of 427 adults listed for first liver transplantation. The median listing MDRD 4‐variable, 5‐variable and 6‐variable eGFR was 69, 71 and 73 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. The median listing serum creatinine was 89 μm. MDRD 4‐variable (P = 0.002), 5‐variable (P < 0.001) and 6‐variable eGFR (P < 0.001), and serum creatinine (P < 0.001), were all predictors of mortality on the transplant waiting‐list. Of the three MDRD equations, the 6‐variable eGFR was the better prognostic indicator. The substitution of 6‐variable eGFR for serum creatinine did not improve the prognostic accuracy of the MELD (P = 0.825) and UK score for Patients with End‐Stage Liver Disease (P = 0.781) scores. In conclusion the MDRD eGFR is comparable, but not superior to serum creatinine, in predicting death within 3 months of listing for liver transplantation.
Just What Does Local Mean

Food that is locally produced, marketed, and consumed—termed “local food”—is not a particularly new concept in the U.S. food system. Local food and its proponents have origins in the “Slow Food” movement and organic agriculture, and it is common to hear arguments for a relocalization of the food system. Yet recent interest in local food suggests that the term “local” is being used in new and different ways, and by people and organizations that would have previously had no interest in movements that challenge the mainstream food system.
Managing packaged tourism : relationships, responsibilities and service quality in the inclusive holiday industry

Part 1: Evolution in Structure of Inclusive Holiday Industry Part 2: Analysing the Inclusive Holiday Industry Systems network and stakeholder perspectives on the inclusive holiday industry Service quality in the inclusive holiday industry. Part 3: Marketing and Disributing Inclusive Holidays Creating the market for inclusive holidays Distributing inclusive holidays Part 4: Creating and Operating inclusive holidays Tour operating Air charters in the inclusive holiday systems Part 5: Time Share Industry Time share industry RCI Adding value to time share industry.
A Theoretical and Experimental Study of Silicon Y-Branch Micro-Loop Reflectors

Y-branch micro-loop reflectors based on silicon nano-waveguides are designed, fabricated, and tested for maximizing the reflectivity in this letter. Our theoretical analysis suggests that a maximum reflectivity and a suppressed wavelength-sensitivity can be achieved by optimizing the waveguide dimensions of the Y-branch, given the phase distortion of the Y-branch is eliminated. The micro-loop reflector is fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator wafer, and the experimental results agree with the numerical analysis. The highest reflectivity achieved is 99.1% in the design and 89% in the experiment. This optimized Y-branch micro-loop reflector acts as a high-reflectivity reflector for chip-scale laser systems and integrated optical sensors.