Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Approaches towards Building a Banking Assistant

Banking process has been very complicated since years. People often want to enquire about bank’s policies on the bank counter and since the policies are sometimes confusing, it takes time for them to understand the policy and thus, the process. This paper presents two approaches - one using Natural Language Processing techniques and other using AIML, a popular language for building chatbots - for building banking assistant which can solve people’s queries and also carry out certain banking tasks, thus avoiding loss of efficiency and loss of precious time of the people. The paper is aimed at providing interface to the users which enables communication for solving their queries and completing their tasks, thus saving their time and reducing any possible confusion.
Genotype replacement within serotype 23F Streptococcus pneumoniae in Beijing, China: characterization of serotype 23F

SUMMARY We investigated the genetic structure of 99 isolates of serotype 23F Streptococcus pneumoniae from children with acute respiratory infections collected over two periods from 1997 to 2006, and 2010. All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and amoxicillin–clavulanic acid; 97 were resistant to erythromycin, 95 of which carried the ermB gene and two carried both mefA/E and ermB genes. Multidrug resistance to three or more classes of antibiotics was exhibited by 90 isolates. Sequence types ST342 and ST81 were the most frequent in 1997–2006 and 2010, respectively. All CC81 isolates were non-susceptible to β-lactam antibiotics and had higher minimum inhibitory concentration values for penicillin than other clone complexes and sequence types. The increased β-lactam antibiotic resistance may have resulted from the replacement of multidrug-resistant clones related to ST81. Long-term studies on S. pneumoniae serotype 23F, especially the ST81 clone, should be conducted to better understand the epidemiological picture of this pathogen in China.
Severe pulmonary disease in association with Crohn's disease in a 13‐year‐old girl

Pulmonary manifestations of Crohn's disease are infrequent in adults and even less common in children. Our literature search found only a few cases of Crohn's disease causing pulmonary manifestations in children. We report on the case of a 13‐year‐old girl in whom severe pulmonary disease was found four years after the onset of Crohn's disease. Open lung biopsy uncovered bronchiolitis obliterans and granulomatous lung disease. Aggressive treatment has yielded gradual improvement. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing the association, the differential diagnosis, and treatment implications. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2000; 29:151–154. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Low Temperature Rectifying Junctions for Crossbar Non-Volatile Memory Devices

ZnO-based Schottky junctions fabricated at low temperature are proposed as selectors for crossbar non-volatile memory devices. Rectifying ratio over 10 7 and forward current density as high as 10 4 A/cm 2 are reported. Results of the integration with NiO based switching memory elements are also shown.
malaria mosquitoes Complex environmental drivers of immunity and resistance in Supplementary data tml

Supplementary data tml http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing. org/content/suppl/2013/09/13/rspb.2013. 2030.DC1. h "Data Supplement" References http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing. org/content/280/1770/20132030.full. html#ref-list-1 This article cites 67 articles, 15 of which can be accessed free This article is free to access Subject collections (134 articles) molecular biology  (17 articles) immunology  (1427 articles) ecology  Articles on similar topics can be found in the following collections
Implication of Umbilical Cord in Preeclampsia

Objectives: To investigate the role of biochemical changes in the umbilical cord and placenta in developing preeclampsia (PE). Subjects and Methods: Thirty women with PE and 15 healthy pregnant women as controls were enrolled in this study. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (sVEGFR-1), platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), neutrophil elastase and nitric oxide (NO) were measured. Results: Both serum (maternal and fetal) and tissue (placenta and umbilical cord) levels of VEGF, sVEGFR-1, PD-ECGF and neutrophil elastase were significantly increased, whereas NO was significantly decreased (except placental tissue showed no changes) in preeclamptic patients. The cord serum level of PD-ECGF was significantly higher in severe PE compared to mild PE and normal pregnant women. The placental and cord tissue levels of PD-ECGF and neutrophil elastase were significantly higher in severe PE, while the cord tissue level of NO was significantly lower in severe PE. Conclusion: Our data showed that umbilical cord vessels and stroma can serve as an additional source of vasoactive and angiogenic substances that contribute to the biochemical changes occurring in PE.
orrective algorithm in LASIK patients with hick corneas

ethods: Tonometric and pachymetric measurements were made on 14 patients (28 eyes) before and after LASIK surgery. The selected patients were required to have average or above average postoperative central corneal thickness values in both eyes (not less than 545 m). Preoperatively, all patients had CCT and GAT measurements taken. Postoperatively patients had CCT, GAT, and dynamic contour tonometric (DCT) measurements taken.
The 30 year TAMSAT African Rainfall Climatology And Time series (TARCAT) data set

African societies are dependent on rainfall for agricultural and other water‐dependent activities, yet rainfall is extremely variable in both space and time and reoccurring water shocks, such as drought, can have considerable social and economic impacts. To help improve our knowledge of the rainfall climate, we have constructed a 30 year (1983–2012), temporally consistent rainfall data set for Africa known as TARCAT (Tropical Applications of Meteorology using SATellite and ground‐based observations (TAMSAT) African Rainfall Climatology And Time series) using archived Meteosat thermal infrared imagery, calibrated against rain gauge records collated from numerous African agencies. TARCAT has been produced at 10 day (dekad) scale at a spatial resolution of 0.0375°. An intercomparison of TARCAT from 1983 to 2010 with six long‐term precipitation data sets indicates that TARCAT replicates the spatial and seasonal rainfall patterns and interannual variability well, with correlation coefficients of 0.85 and 0.70 with the Climate Research Unit and Global Precipitation Climatology Centre gridded‐gauge analyses respectively in the interannual variability of the Africa‐wide mean monthly rainfall. The design of the algorithm for drought monitoring leads to TARCAT underestimating the Africa‐wide mean annual rainfall on average by −0.37 mm d−1 (21%) compared to other data sets. As the TARCAT rainfall estimates are historically calibrated across large climatically homogeneous regions, the data can provide users with robust estimates of climate related risk, even in regions where gauge records are inconsistent in time.
Saccular Dysfunction in Low-Frequency Age-Related Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Objective: To estimate the relationship between saccular dysfunction and low frequency age-related sensorineural hearing loss (a-SNHL). Methods: In this case-control study, sixty old men volunteers evaluated met inclusion criteria. They presented to the audiology department of Hamadan University of medical sciences (Hamadan, Iran). After history taking, all of audiological tests done on same. Results: The comparison of the mean latencies and the mean peak-to-peak amplitudes of the cVEMPs in two groups had significant differences (P < 0.05). The control group with mild high tone hearing loss (normal pure tone thresholds in low to mid frequencies) had normal cVEMPs findings. The case subjects with flat audiogram had abnormal cVEMPs results. Conclusion: Sound sensitivity of the saccule tended to decline when a-SNHL in low frequencies increased. The weakening in cochlear and saccular function of aging may reveal the mechanical failure of both structures, which include the insufficiency of physical properties of the cochlea and the otolithic organ.
Determination of the Length of Sedimentation Reaction (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) in Non-Anticoagulated Blood with the Microtest 1

Abstract The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), now more appropriately referred to as the “length of sedimentation reaction in blood (LSRB)”, remains the most widely used laboratory test for monitoring the course of infections, inflammatory diseases and some types of cancer. Thanks to the several recently developed methods for the measurement of this reaction, the safety and reliability of LSRB testing procedures have improved. The method for LSRB measurement recommended by the International Council for Standardization in Hematology (ICSH) and the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) is based on the traditional Westergren method, using EDTA-anticoagulated samples. The present paper describes and evaluates a procedure for LSRB measurement with a new manual system, the Microtest 1, which requires only 30 μl of blood and is optimal for pediatric use. Microtest 1 results correlated satisfactorily with the ICSH recommended method (r=0.88, 95% CI 0.84–0.91; y=3.45+0.85x), had no significant bias (2.15, 95% CI −0.32–4.63) and had an imprecision of less than 7% for the reference range values. In addition, the results obtained with the Microtest 1 in “native” whole blood were comparable with those obtained with the reference method in K3EDTA and sodium citrate-anticoagulated specimens; (bias = 1.19, 95% CI −1.78 to 4.16 for K3EDTA-anticoagulated samples and bias = 2.43, 95% CI –0.58 to 5.44 for sodium citrate-anticoagulated samples).
The effect of glaucoma on the optical attenuation coefficient of the retinal nerve fiber layer in spectral domain optical coherence tomography images.

PURPOSE To demonstrate the effect of glaucoma on the optical attenuation coefficient of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) images. METHODS We analyzed images of the peripapillary areas in 10 healthy and 30 glaucomatous eyes (mild, moderate, and advanced glaucoma, 10 eyes each), scanned with the Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Dossenheim, Germany). To calculate the RNFL attenuation coefficient (μ(att)), determined by the scattering properties of the RNFL, we used a model that normalized the reflectivity of the RNFL by the retinal pigment epithelium. The analysis was performed at four preset locations at 1.3 and 1.7 mm from the center of the optic nerve head (ONH) (i.e., temporally, superiorly, nasally, and inferiorly) and on averages per eye. To assess the structure-function relationship, we correlated the μ(att) to the mean deviation (MD) in standard automated perimetry. RESULTS The μ(att) of the RNFL decreased up to 40% with increasing disease severity, on average as well as in each location around the ONH (Jonckheere-Terpstra test, P < 0.019 in all tests). The μ(att) of the RNFL depended significantly on the location around the ONH in all eyes (Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.014) and was lowest nasally from the ONH. The μ(att) correlated significantly with the MD in SAP (R(2) = 0.337). CONCLUSIONS The measurements clearly demonstrated that the μ(att) of the RNFL decreased with increasing disease severity. The RNFL attenuation coefficient may serve as a new method to quantify glaucoma in SD-OCT images.
Embedding classical communication topologies in the OPAM architecture

The authors present a novel method for embedding parallel programs of multiple processes exhibiting classical communication topologies into optical parallel architecture model (OPAM) parallel architecture. OPAM consists of a large number of processors that are connected by a two level, crossbar based interconnection network. The authors show the mapping of parallel programs using graph contraction methods. Classical communication topologies such as rings, trees, two dimensional grids, etc. are considered. Using the OPAM concept with these embedding techniques can save communication latency in large parallel processing interconnection networks. <<ETX>>
A PMSM drive design with inverter-stage soft-switching hysteresis current control and space vector modulation for two-level operation of a Very Sparse Matrix Converter

Discussed in this paper is a 3-phase adjustable speed AC drive (ASD) system employing a Very Sparse Matrix Converter (VSMC) feeding a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM). Such a system may be used in many conventional applications (e.g. traction, pumping, mills, kilns) and has substantial benefits for sustainable system applications such as building HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) where ventilation using a variable speed drive can greatly reduce net energy input. The VSMC is a bidirectional converter, with no dc-link energy storage element, consisting of 12 IGBTs (or other power devices), capable of drawing sinusoidal current from the supply. Hysteresis current control (HCC) may be employed so that a near-sinusoidal AC output current can be obtained while satisfying the torque load or speed load requirements. In conventional ASDs hard-switching can produce undesirable harmonics and losses. However, in this paper a new HCC-based space vector modulation (SVM) technique employing soft-switching is applied to the inverter stage of a VSMC with careful selection of a zero voltage vector (ZVV). As discussed in this paper, vector selection depends on the location of the current error vector instead of motor back emf prediction with no need for current derivatives. A simulation of a 3-phase VSMC drive and 40 KW PMSM is presented to verify the validity of the proposed new switching technique using the MATLAB SIMULINK package.
Enhanced vision flight deck technology for commercial aircraft low-visibility surface operations

NASA Langley Research Center and the FAA collaborated in an effort to evaluate the effect of Enhanced Vision (EV) technology display in a commercial flight deck during low visibility surface operations. Surface operations were simulated at the Memphis, TN (FAA identifier: KMEM) airfield during nighttime with 500 Runway Visual Range (RVR) in a high-fidelity, full-motion simulator. Ten commercial airline flight crews evaluated the efficacy of various EV display locations and parallax and minification effects. The research paper discusses qualitative and quantitative results of the simulation experiment, including the effect of EV display placement on visual attention, as measured by the use of non-obtrusive oculometry and pilot mental workload. The results demonstrated the potential of EV technology to enhance situation awareness which is dependent on the ease of access and location of the displays. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Dimensioning of the IP-Based UTRAN with Multiple Node Bs for Elastic Traffic Using DiffServ QoS

This paper presents dimensioning of an IP-based UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) with multiple Node Bs connected to one RNC, where the applied QoS architecture is based on Differentiated Service (DiffServ) with an integrated Weighted Fair Queue (WFQ) and Strict Priority (SP) scheduling. To provide an appropriate network dimensioning for guaranteeing a desired end-to-end QoS, a general analytical approach is proposed in this paper to dimension the individual links of the Iub interface (between the Node B and the RNC) and furthermore to derive overbooking for the backbone link for elastic traffic. The analytical approach is validated by simulations. Furthermore, based on the proposed analytical approach, important dimensioning rules are summarized. Keywords-UMTS; IP-based UTRAN; Iub; elastic traffic; DiffServ; dimensioning; overbooking
On decomposable random graphs

Decomposable graphs are known for their tedious and complicated Markov update steps. Instead of modelling them directly, this work introduces a class of tree-dependent bipartite graphs that span the projective space of decomposable graphs. This is achieved through dimensionality expansion that causes the graph nodes to be conditionally independent given a latent tree. The Markov update steps are thus remarkably simplified. Structural modelling with tree-dependent bipartite graphs has additional benefits. For example, certain properties that are hardly attainable in the decomposable form are now easily accessible. Moreover, tree-dependent bipartite graphs can extract and model extra information related to sub-clustering dynamics, while currently known models for decomposable graphs do not. Properties of decomposable graphs are also transferable to the expanded dimension, such as the attractive likelihood factorization property. As a result of using the bipartite representation, tools developed for random graphs can be used. Hence, a framework for random tree-dependent bipartite graphs, thereupon for random decomposable graphs, is proposed.
The Subcellular Distribution of GABARAP and Its Ability to Interact with NSF Suggest a Role for This Protein in the Intracellular Transport of GABAA Receptors

GABA(A) receptors the major sites of fast synaptic inhibition in the brain are composed predominately of alpha, beta, and gamma2 subunits. The receptor gamma2 subunit interacts with a 17-kDa microtubule associated protein GABARAP, but the significance of this interaction remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that GABARAP, which immunoprecipitates with GABA(A) receptors, is not found at significant levels within inhibitory synapses, but is enriched within the Golgi apparatus and postsynaptic cisternae. We also demonstrate that GABARAP binds directly to N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF), a protein critical for intracellular membrane trafficking events. NSF and GABARAP complexes could be detected in neurons and these two proteins also colocalize within intracellular membrane compartments. Together our observations suggest that GABARAP may play a role in intracellular GABA(A) receptor transport but not synaptic anchoring, via its ability to interact with NSF. GABARAP may therefore have an important role in the production of GABAergic synapses.
Standardization of Speech Corpus

Speech corpus is the basis for analyzing the characteristics of speech signals and developing speech synthesis and recognition systems. In China, almost all speech research and development affiliations are developing their own speech corpora. We have so many different kinds numbers of Chinese speech corpora that it is important to be able to conveniently share these speech corpora to avoid wasting time and money and to make research work more efficient. The primary goal of this research is to find a standard scheme which can make the corpus be established more efficiently and be used or shared more easily. A huge speech corpus on 10 regional accented Chinese, RASC863 (a Regional Accent Speech Corpus funded by National 863 Project) will be exemplified to illuminate the standardization of speech corpus production.
The impact of murine strain and sex on postnatal development after maternal dietary restriction during pregnancy

The objective of this study was to characterize offspring responses to maternal dietary restriction (DR) in two phylogenetically distant strains of mice: A/J and C57BL/6J (B6). Pregnant mice were fed 100% or 70% of ad libitum between 6.5 and 17.5 days (d) gestation. Offspring were fed 100%ad libitum postweaning. All comparisons were made to strain and sex matched controls. Male DR‐B6 offspring initially grew slower than controls; however, by 77d and 182d they were significantly heavier (P < 0.05). Further, they had an increase percentage fat mass (+70%, P < 0.01) by 182d and were glucose intolerant at both 80d (P < 0.001) and 186d (P < 0.05). In contrast, weight, %Fat mass and glucose tolerance in DR‐A/J males during postnatal life were not different from controls. Female DR‐B6 mice showed catch‐up growth during the first 77d of life; however, their weight, %Fat mass and glucose tolerance were not different from controls at 80d and 186d. Although female DR‐A/J were heavier than controls at 182d (P < 0.05), their %Fat mass and glucose tolerance were not different from controls at 182d and 186d. The observed strain and sex differences offer a unique opportunity to begin to define gene–environment interactions that contribute to developmental origins of health and disease.
Exploring the requirements of tabletop interfaces for education

With the advent of situated technologies for collaborative interaction that are based around digital tables, understanding the requirements of such digital tabletops in educational settings is a pressing concern. We conducted a study to observe how small-groups of higher education students collaborate in a pen-and-paper based group authoring and annotation task around a traditional table. The study was primarily concerned with issues that can have an impact on digital tabletop design, in particular, factors that contribute or hinder successful collaboration. By analysing the study within a distributed cognition framework we examined the task, the participants, and the tools. The analysis demonstrated that many factors contributed to effective collaboration around the table. These include: elements of participants' actions (conversations, body position, gaze, gestures, and stylised actions), spatial characteristics of the setting and participant behaviour (dividing the workspace, and the position and orientation of artefacts on the workspace), and the artefacts themselves. These characteristics have been used to establish a set of requirements that must be taken into account when designing a computer system to support digital tabletop interfaces for co-located synchronous collaboration in educational settings.
Formulation and evaluation of transdermal patch of Aceclofenac

The purpose of this research was to develop a matrix-type transdermal therapeutic system containing drug Aceclofenac with different ratios of hydrophilic (hydroxyl propyl cellulose) and hydrophobic (ethyl cellulose) polymeric systems by the solvent evaporation technique by using 15 % w/w of dibutyl phthalate to the polymer weight, incorporated as plasticizer. Different concentrations of oleic acid and isopropyl myristate were used to enhance the transdermal permeation of Aceclofenac. The physicochemical compatibility of the drug and the polymers studied by differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy suggested absence of any incompatibility. Formulated transdermal films were physically evaluated with regard to thickness, weight variation, drug content, flatness, tensile strength, folding endurance, percentage of moisture content and water vapour transmission rate. All prepared formulations indicated good physical stability. In-vitro permeation studies of formulations were performed by using Franz diffusion cells. Formulation prepared with hydrophilic polymer containing permeation enhancer showed best in-vitro skin permeation through rat skin (Wistar albino rat) as compared to all other formulations. The results followed the release profile of Aceclofenac followed mixed zero-order and first-order kinetics in different formulation. However, the release profile of the optimized formulation F9 (r2 = 0.9935 for Higuchi) indicated that the permeation of the drug from the patches was governed by a diffusion mechanism. Formulation F9 showed highest flux among all the formulations and 1.369 fold enhancements in drug permeation. These results indicate that the formulation containing 15 % of oleic acid with 10 % Isopropyl myristate give better penetration of Aceclofenac through rat skin. Keywords: Aceclofenac, Transdermal Film, Permeation enhancer, In-vitro permeation study.