Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptively applying modus ponens in conditional logics of normality

This paper presents an adaptive logic enhancement of conditional logics of normality that allows for defeasible applications of Modus Ponens to conditionals. In addition to the possibilities these logics already offer in terms of reasoning about conditionals, this way they are enriched by the ability to perform default inferencing. The idea is to apply Modus Ponens defeasibly to a conditional and a fact on the condition that it is ‘safe' to do so concerning the factual and conditional knowledge at hand. It is for instance not safe if the given information describes exceptional circumstances: although birds usually fly, penguins are exceptional to this rule. The two adaptive standard strategies are shown to correspond to different intuitions, a skeptical and a credulous reasoning type, which manifest themselves in the handling of so-called floating conclusions.
Invariant Natural Killer T Cells Regulate Breast Cancer Response to Radiation and CTLA-4 Blockade

Purpose: Immunoregulatory and suppressive mechanisms represent major obstacles to the success of immunotherapy in cancer patients. We have shown that the combination of radiotherapy to the primary tumor and CTL-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) blockade induces antitumor immunity, inhibiting metastases and extending the survival of mice bearing the poorly immunogenic and highly metastatic 4T1 mammary carcinoma. Similarly to patients with metastatic cancer, however, mice were seldom cured. Here we tested the hypothesis that invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, a subset with unique regulatory functions, can regulate the response to radiotherapy and CTLA-4 blockade. Experimental Design: The growth of 4T1 primary tumors and lung metastases was compared in wild-type and iNKT cell–deficient (iNKT-/-) mice. Treatment was started on day 13 when the primary tumors were palpable. Mice received radiotherapy to the primary tumor in two doses of 12 Gy in combination or not with 9H10 monoclonal antibody against CTLA-4. Response to treatment was assessed by measuring primary tumor growth delay/regression, survival, and number of lung metastases. Results: The response to radiotherapy plus 9H10 was markedly enhanced in the absence of iNKT cells, with 50% of iNKT-/- versus 0% of wild-type mice showing complete tumor regression, long-term survival, and resistance to a challenge with 4T1 cells. Administration of the iNKT cell activator α-galactosylceramide did not enhance the response of wild-type mice to radiotherapy plus 9H10. Tumor-infiltrating iNKT cells were markedly reduced in wild-type mice treated with radiotherapy plus 9H10. Conclusions: iNKT cells play a major role in regulating the response to treatment with local radiotherapy and CTLA-4 blockade.
FICHA LIMPA E A RESPOSTA CONGRESSUAL: COMPORTAMENTO LEGISLATIVO E PROCESSO DECISÓRIO

O artigo expoe analise, no âmbito da Câmara dos Deputados, sobre o comportamento parlamentar e sobre os processos decisorios subjacentes a tramitacao do projeto de lei que culminou com a edicao da Lei Complementar no 135/2010, intitulada Lei da Ficha Limpa. Para tanto, busca, nas pesquisas e estudos sobre o comportamento legislativo, substrato teorico que auxilie a compreensao dos aspectos relacionados ao comportamento congressual, bem como a dos processos decisorios associados a deliberacao da materia. Apoiado na premissa neoinstitucionalista, sob a otica da escolha racional, conclui-se que determinadas circunstâncias e fatores (a exemplo da influencia da midia, da pressao popular, da atuacao de atores estrategicos no processo legislativo) tenderam a moldar a dinâmica decisoria que viabilizou a construcao das maiorias necessarias a aprovacao do projeto. Tais circunstâncias parecem ter alterado a relacao custo/beneficio que estrutura, como tendencia, a logica da preferencia parlamentar – conexao eleitoral ou preocupacao com a reputacao da carreira politica.
Expressional regulation of the angiopoietin-1 and -2 and the endothelial-specific receptor tyrosine kinase Tie2 in adrenal atrophy: a study of adrenocorticotropin-induced repair.

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), a newly discovered ligand of the endothelial-specific tyrosine kinase receptor Tie-2, has been found to promote cell survival, vascular maturation, and stabilization, and to function in concert with vascular endothelial growth factor. Adrenal gland has an intense capillary network that regulation remains to be documented. Recently, we demonstrated that vascular endothelial growth factor, and its receptors are expressed in mouse adrenal in vivo, but no detailed study on Ang expression in the adrenal has been reported. The present study shows the expression of Tie2 receptors, Ang-1, and its endogenous antagonist, Ang-2 in mouse adrenal in vivo. Immunohistochemistry disclosed that Tie2 colocalized with platelet-endothelial-cell-adhesion-molecule in endothelial cells from normal mouse adrenal. Daily administration of dexamethasone (DEX) (0.5 mg/100 g body weight.d) for 6 d in mice, decreased steroidogenic function of adrenal as shown by inhibition of the 36-kDa ACTH receptor protein expression, and decreased plasma corticosterone level [control from 465 +/- 35 ng/ml to 114 +/- 18 ng/ml in DEX group (P < 0.001)]. Using semiquantitative RT-PCR, we demonstrate that DEX treatment down regulates Ang-1 mRNA levels by 3- to 4-fold. No significant changes in Ang-2 were detected between control and DEX groups, resulting in an altered Ang-2 to Ang-1 relative ratio. The Tie2 receptor was also found to be down-regulated in DEX group at both mRNA and protein level. ACTH was found to play a causal role in DEX-induced decrease in Ang-1/Tie2 system, because 7 d treatment with long acting 1-39 ACTH (30 IU/kg x d) increased Ang-1, Tie2 expression, and plasma corticosterone back to control levels. These results reinforce the role of ACTH in the regulation of angiogenic factors in adrenal gland and suggest that the Ang/Tie2 system might represent a key player for stabilization of adrenal endothelium.
Endoscopically Placed Nasogastrojejunal Feeding Tubes: A Safe Route for Enteral Nutrition in Patients with Hepatic Encephalopathy

Patients with hepatic encephalopathy are at particular risk for aspiration when given oral or gastric feedings. An ideal strategy might combine distal enteral feeding with proximal gastric decompression, which is offered by a nasogastrojejunal (NGJ) feeding tube. One objective was to determine the efficacy and safety of endoscopically placed NGJ feeding tubes in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Charts of patients who underwent NGJ tube placements between April 1997 and January 2000 were retrospectively reviewed. Two endoscopic techniques (“push” and “pull”) were used. Eighteen patients (nine male and nine female) underwent 32 procedures. Twelve patients had undergone liver transplantation, four had decompensated cirrhosis, and two had fulminant hepatic failure. Twenty procedures used the push technique and 12 required the pull technique. The insertion time was shorter for the push technique compared with the pull technique (21.8 vs 39.6 min, P < 0.05). Enteral feedings were begun at an average of 5.2 hours after tube placement. The tubes remained in place for an average of 13.9 days. Complications related to the NGJ tubes included self-removal in eight, tube clogging in five, proximal migration in four, and intraduodenal migration of the gastric port in one. No aspiration episodes occurred. We conclude that NGJ feeding tubes may be placed endoscopically as a bedside procedure for patients with hepatic encephalopathy and provide a safe, efficacious, and rapid route for enteral nutrition in these patients.
Seafloor obstacle detection by sidescan sonar scanlines for submarine cable construction

This study proposes an online seafloor obstacle detection method using sonar scanlines for submarine cable construction application. It is necessary to find out the obstacles, such as natural or linear artificial reefs and out of service cables or pipelines on the seabed along the proposed corridors of cable route for future route design jobs. And sonar system is almost the popular tool for this kind of survey. The sidescan sonar (SSS) produces an image representation by the backscattering and reflection of signals to show the seabed morphology and features. A seafloor feature searching and detecting method in the article using sonar scanlines instead of sonar images is developed to reduce the computation and speed up the processing. There are three steps of the procedure. Firstly, a pre-processing step is applied to filter the data and to reduce computation time. Then, a detector is designed to detect the obstacle by a scanline and represent obstacles with different classification. Finally, every individual scanlines are located and corrected on an obstacle map for further application. An experimental result conducted on a combined seafloor with muddy, sandy and rocky seabed was demonstrated to show every individual obstacle locations and its track on the chart automatically. The proposed detecting method implement online because of it provide efficient than traditional image processing method. The map of obstacles on the proposed corridors is useful for future route design, clearance and pre-lay grapnel run jobs. The online detection not only evaluates the efficient of route survey but also saving the funding of submarine construction.
Local Features in Image and Video Processing - Object Class Matching and Video Shot Detection

Jukka Lankinen Local Features in Image and Video Processing Object Class Matching and Video Shot Detection Lappeenranta, 2014 97 p. Acta Universitatis Lappeenrantaensis (576) Diss. Lappeenranta University of Technology ISBN 978-952-265-592-9 ISBN 978-952-265-593-6 (PDF) ISSN-L 1456-4491 ISSN 1456-4491 The usage of digital content, such as video clips and images, has increased dramatically during the last decade. Local image features have been applied increasingly in various image and video retrieval applications. This thesis evaluates local features and applies them to image and video processing tasks. The results of the study show that 1) the performance of di erent local feature detector and descriptor methods vary signi cantly in object class matching, 2) local features can be applied in image alignment with superior results against the state-of-the-art, 3) the local feature based shot boundary detection method produces promising results, and 4) the local feature based hierarchical video summarization method shows promising new new research direction. In conclusion, this thesis presents the local features as a powerful tool in many applications and the imminent future work should concentrate on improving the quality of the local features.
Visual-spatial ability and interpretation of three-dimensional information in radiographs.

OBJECTIVES To investigate whether skill in the interpretation of three-dimensional (3D) information in radiographs utilizing the parallax phenomenon is associated with visual-spatial ability and whether development of this skill is related to visual-spatial ability. METHODS Eighty-six individuals with a median age of 25 years participated in the study. It was organized into three parts: (1) assessment before training, (2) training in object depth localization utilizing parallax and (3) assessment after training. Before training, visual-spatial ability was assessed with a mental rotation test, MRT-A; skill in interpreting 3D information was assessed with two specifically designed proficiency tests: a radiography test, which assessed the ability to interpret 3D information in radiographs utilizing motion parallax and a principle test which assessed understanding of the principles of motion parallax. After training, skill in interpreting 3D information was reassessed. Improvement was defined as the difference between test scores after training and before training. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the effect of student and training characteristics on proficiency test results and improvement. RESULTS Radiography test results after training and improvement of radiography test results were significantly associated with MRT-A scores (P<0.001 and P=0.020, respectively). Principle test results were high before training and did not improve after training. The test results were associated with MRT-A both before (P=0.009) and after training (P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS Understanding of the parallax phenomenon is associated with visual-spatial ability. Development of the skill to interpret 3D information in radiographs utilizing parallax is facilitated for individuals with high visual-spatial ability.
Evaluation of Antitumor Activity of Cuscuta Reflexa Roxb (Cuscutaceae) Against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma in Swiss Albino Mice

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the antitumor effect of the chloroform and ethanol extract of the whole plant of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. (Cuscutaceae) in Swiss albino mice against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cell line. Methods: The antitumor activity of the chloroform and ethanol extracts of Cuscuta reflexa was evaluated against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor in mice at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight orally, respectively, while acute oral toxicity studies were performed to determine the safety of the extracts. Briefly, the EAC cells were injected (i.p.) into ninty six mice (divided into 6 numerically equal groups), and after a one-day incubation period, the extracts were administered to the mice daily for 16 days. On day 21, six animals in each group were sacrificed for observation of antitumor activity and the remaining animals were observed to determine host the life span. Antitumor effect was determined by evaluating tumor volume, viable and nonviable tumor cell count and hematological parameters of the host. The standard antitumor used was 5-fluorouracil. Results: Administration of the extracts resulted in a significant ( p < 0.05 ) decrease in tumor volume and viable cell count, but increased non-viable cell count and mean survival time, thereby increasing the life span of the tumor-bearing mice. Restoration of hematological parameters - red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin, white blood cells (WBC) and lymphocyte count - to normal levels in extract-treated mice was also observed. Conclusion: The results suggest that the chloroform and ethanol extracts of C. reflexa exhibit significant antitumor activity in EAC-bearing mice that is comparable to that of the reference standard, 5fluorouracil.
Shiraz : Generating Poetry Based on Narrative Schemas

Poetry is a complex phenomenon, as the auditory and semantic qualities of words and human notions of aesthetic are all considerations when writing a poem. The problem of poetry generation has garnered academic interest among researchers. (Ghazvininejad et al., 2016) describes Hafez, a poetry generation system using an input topic to generate a sonnet related to the input. However, the Hafez system lacks in the ability to write a narrative. We describe Shiraz, an extension of the Hafez system that generates poetry given a narrative schema.
Obtaining multiple separate food sources: behavioural intelligence in the Physarum plasmodium

To evaluate performance in a complex survival task, we studied the morphology of the Physarum plasmodium transportation network when presented with multiple separate food sources. The plasmodium comprises a network of tubular elements through which chemical nutrient, intracellular signals and the viscous body are transported and circulated. When three separate food sources were presented, located at the vertices of a triangle, the tubular network connected them via a short pathway, which was often analogous to the mathematically shortest route known as Steiner's minimum tree (SMT). The other common network shape had high fault tolerance against accidental disconnection of the tubes and was known as cycle (CYC). Pattern selection appeared to be a bistable system involving SMT and CYC. When more than three food sources were presented, the network pattern tended to be a patchwork of SMT and CYC. We therefore concluded that the plasmodium tube network is a well designed and intelligent system.
Organizational factors to the effectiveness of implementing information security management

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the influence of organization factors on the effectiveness of implementing BS7799, an information security management (ISM) standard.Design/methodology/approach – Based on literature review, a research model was formulated by extracting the antecedents of ISM, and an empirical study was conducted to show how the organizational factors influence organizations in carrying out BS7799.Findings – The study result revealed that there were significant impacts of organizational factors, including IT competence of business managers, environment uncertainty, industry type, and organization size, on the effectiveness of implementing ISM.Research limitations/implications – The sample is limited to the organizational factors in Taiwan. It is suggested to replicate this study in other countries to reconfirm the result before adopting its general implications. Owing to the highly intrusive nature of ISM surveys, a cautious approach with rapport and trust is a key success factor in co.
De-anonymizing social networks: Using user interest as a side-channel

Social networks, such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Weibo, have covered a wide range of population throughout the world. People use multiple social networks to enjoy various services as well as share their personal information according to different privacy level. Unlike Facebook and Wechat, in which social connection is more like acquaintance, social networks like Twitter, Instagram, and Weibo represent the social networks in which social link represents interest rather than acquaintance. According to this observation, we propose a community detection method based on interest group, then apply de-anonymization algorithm based on this community. Our experiment shows that this achieves better accuracy than existing de-anonymization algorithm. We conduct several experiments to demonstrate the effect of parameters used in the de-anonymization algorithm.
Hydroxyl Radical Generation Caused by the Reaction of Singlet Oxygen with a Spin Trap, DMPO, Increases Significantly in the Presence of Biological Reductants

Photosensitizers newly developed for photodynamic therapy of cancer need to be assessed using accurate methods of measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS). Little is known about the characteristics of the reaction of singlet oxygen (1O2) with spin traps, although this knowledge is necessary in electron spin resonance (ESR)/spin trapping. In the present study, we examined the effect of various reductants usually present in biological samples on the reaction of 1O2 with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). The ESR signal of the hydroxyl radical (•OH) adduct of DMPO (DMPO-OH) resulting from 1O2-dependent generation of •OH strengthened remarkably in the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH), 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox), ascorbic acid, NADPH, etc. A similar increase was observed in the photosensitization of uroporphyrin (UP), rose bengal (RB) or methylene blue (MB). Use of 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DEPMPO) as a spin trap significantly lessened the production of its •OH adduct (DEPMPO-OH) in the presence of the reductants. The addition of DMPO to the DEPMPO-spin trapping system remarkably increased the signal intensity of DEPMPO-OH. DMPO-mediated generation of •OH was also confirmed utilizing the hydroxylation of salicylic acid (SA). These results suggest that biological reductants enhance the ESR signal of DMPO-OH produced by DMPO-mediated generation of •OH from 1O2, and that spin trap-mediated •OH generation hardly occurs with DEPMPO.
A Miniature RFID Tag Antenna Design for Metallic Objects Application

This letter proposes a miniature radio frequency identification (RFID) tag antenna design for metallic objects application. The antenna structure consists of two rectangular patches electrically connected through vias to the ground plane and a nonconnected interconductive layer to form an RFID tag antenna that is suitable for mounting on metallic objects. The miniature design is achieved by inserting a conductive layer into the antenna structure to increase the capacitive reactance of the antenna. This causes the self-resonant frequency of the proposed antenna to approach low frequency; therefore, the high imaginary part of the antenna impedance can be obtained with a small-size RFID tag antenna. The experimental tests show that the maximum read range of RFID tag placed on a metallic object is about 1.5 m, and the overall size is 32 times 18 times 3.2 mm3. Simulation and measurement results of the proposed RFID tag antenna are also presented in this letter.
Static Type Determination for C++

Static type determination involves compile time calculation of the type of object a pointer may point to at a particular program point during some execution. We show that the problem of precise interprocedural type determination is NP-hard in the presence of inheritance, virtual methods and pointers. We highlight the signi(cid:12)cance of type determination in improving code e(cid:14)ciency and precision of other static analyses. We present a safe, approximate algorithm for C ++ programs with single level pointers, using the conditional analysis technique [LR91]. We discuss the generalization of our approach to analyze programs with multiple levels of pointer dereferencing.
Subject and agent in emerging grammars: evidence for a change in children's biases

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of two experiments which appear to show that children's linguistic generalizational biases change from a semantically based system to a syntactic-structural system. The experiments use the constituent repetition paradigm of Read & Schreiber (1982). Subjects were trained to repeat the subject noun phrase in orally presented sentences. Preschoolers, but not second-graders, displayed a tendency to repeat the agentive noun phrase (contained in the by-phrase) in semantically irreversible passive sentences. It is argued that the results provide more evidence for a semantic-relational bias in children's early grammars, and that the results also provide support for the notion that children's generalizational biases shift from a semantic relational basis to a syntactic-structural basis some time between the preschool and early grammar school years.
The Perceived Structural Shape of Thin (wire-like) Objects is Different from That of Silhouettes

Observers are faster at judging the position of convex vertices compared to concave vertices. This is believed to be due to an explicit representation of position for visual parts. The best evidence comes from comparing the same contours perceived as either figures or holes, because this is a pure figure – ground reversal (Bertamini and Croucher, 2003 Cognition 87 33 – 54; Bertamini and Mosca, 2004 Perception 33 35 – 48). Specifically, an interaction is present between type of object (object or hole) and shape. One assumption is that the contour of a silhouette is perceived as the rim of a solid object. It follows that a different pattern should be found for thin (wire-like) objects compared to silhouettes. We confirm this difference in three experiments. We argue that this is due to the perceived parts when contours can be interpreted as self-occlusion rims.