Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding Neural Networks for Machine Learning using Microsoft Neural Network Algorithm

A Neural Network refers to a simple computing system that consists of some highly fixed and interconnected processing elements. All the neural networks appear as a set of layers. The layers of the neural networks have some interconnected nodes that make up the activation function. In this research, focus is on the Microsoft Neural System Algorithm. The Microsoft Neural System Algorithm is a simple implementation of the adaptable and popular neural networks that are used in the machine learning. The algorithm operates through the testing of every possible state of the inputs that attribute against all the possible states of some predictable calculating of probabilities for all the combinations on the training data. For instance, the neural networks can be used to write a computer program that will recognize some handwritten digits. Later in the study the artificial neural networks are discussed. In the artificial neural networks, no multiple central processors exist. Most of them consist of the learning rules that are used for the modification of weight that connect them to the input patterns that present them continuously. From the study, it is clear that the Microsoft neural network viewers can be used to work and see with the data models that correlate with the outputs and the inputs. Through this utilization a custom viewer can then explore the model structure of a Microsoft neural network quickly. The neural networks can be used to recognize some handwritten digits. In this case consider a sequence that is written as 505762. Several individuals will basically recognize the digits as 505762. Such an ease might be deceptive. In all the hemispheres of the human brain, people have the primary visual cortex that is also known as the v1. The v1 contains 140 million neurons that have 10 billion connections between them. On the other hand the human vision has a series of visual cortices of v2, v3, v4 and v5 that help in recognizing more difficult image processing. Therefore our heads are used as the supercomputers. It is not easy to recognize the handwritten digits. Humans have therefore come up with the neural networks to help in recognizing handwritten digits so that they can make sense to what is being done unconsciously. In this case, the neural networks help in sampling data, distributing and invoking it into simple values.
Effect of Incubation at Overwintering Temperatures on the Replication of West Nile Virus in New York Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract We examined the effect of simulated overwintering temperatures on West Nile (WN) virus replication in Culex pipiens L. derived from mosquitoes collected during the autumn 1999 WN epizootic in New York. The WN virus was a strain isolated from a dead crow also collected during this outbreak. Virus was recovered from most mosquitoes held exclusively at 26°C. In contrast, none of the mosquitoes held exclusively at the lower temperatures had detectable infections. When mosquitoes were transferred to 26°C after being held at 10°C for 21–42 d, infection and dissemination rates increased with increased incubation at 26°C. Future studies involving the attempted isolation of WN virus from overwintering mosquitoes may benefit from holding the mosquitoes at 26°C before testing for infectious virus.
Sequences within an upstream activation site in the yeast enolase gene ENO2 modulate repression of ENO2 expression in strains carrying a null mutation in the positive regulatory gene GCR1

Transcription of the yeast enolase gene ENO2 is reduced 20- to 50-fold in strains carrying a null mutation in the positive regulatory gene GCR1. A small deletion mutation within one of two upstream activation sites (UAS elements) in the 5'-flanking region of ENO2 permitted wild-type levels of ENO2 gene expression in a strain carrying the gcr1 null mutation. These data show that sequences required for UAS element activity in GCR1 strains were required to repress ENO2 expression in a gcr1 strain. Protein factors that specifically bound to this UAS/repression site were identified. We show that the DNA-binding protein ABFI (autonomously replicating sequence-binding factor) is the major protein which binds the UAS/repression site. Minor DNA-binding activities that interact specifically with the UAS/repression site were also identified and may correspond to proteolytic breakdown products of ABFI. None of the observed binding activities were encoded by the GCR1 structural gene. A double-stranded oligonucleotide that included the UAS/repression site activated transcription of UAS-less ENO1 and ENO2 gene cassettes in vivo to wild-type levels in strains carrying the GCR1 allele as well as the gcr1 null mutation. These latter data show that the UAS/repression site is sufficient for transcriptional activation but is not sufficient to repress transcription of the enolase genes in a gcr1 genetic background.
Do psychologically-minded clients expect more from counselling?

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between psychological mindedness and clients' expectations about counselling. DESIGN A cross-sectional design was employed to assess correlations among study variables. METHODS Participants were 104 counselling-centre clients at a mid-size, Southwestern US university. Participant volunteers filled out the Psychological Mindedness Scale, life orientation test-revised (LOT-R), and the expectations-about-counselling questionnaire. RESULTS Clients who reported higher levels of psychological mindedness (PM) reported greater expectations of self-involvement in counselling and greater expectations of positive outcome. In contrast, PM was not significantly related to clients' expectations about their counsellors' in-session behaviour or to expectations about their counsellors' general personality style. Dispositional optimism (LOT-R) did not play a major role in the relationship between PM and expectations about counselling. CONCLUSIONS High PM clients do seem to expect more from counselling than low PM clients, particularly in terms of self-involvement in the process and with respect to positive outcome. Consequently, therapists should consider assessing clients' PM, expectations, and the relationship between PM and expectations.
METAMORPHOPSIA AND ITS QUANTIFICATION

Purpose: To discuss and analyze the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying metamorphopsia, the nature of adaptational mechanisms to this symptom, the development and clinical utility of tests of metamorphopsia, and to discuss the cost-effectiveness of screening populations at risk of exudative age-related macular degeneration using such tests. Methods: A primary literature search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted for articles covering the mechanisms and/or tests of metamorphopsia. Results: A number of possible mechanisms of metamorphopsia were identified in addition to lateral photoreceptor displacement. These included disorders of image formation, changes in effective axial length, and pathology of the visual pathways and centers. The simplest tests of metamorphopsia rely on highly subjective assessments of regular patterns, as exemplified by Amsler grids. Such tests seem to offer poor sensitivity when used in real-life home-monitoring situations. Newer tests such as so-called preferential hyperacuity perimetry may offer more robust paradigms to assess the perception of distortion but suffer from an inherent disadvantage of being unable to precisely correlate function to structure. The recently published findings of the AREDS2-HOME trial suggest that formalized monitoring of visual function using a preferential hyperacuity perimetry task results in detection of exudative age-related macular degeneration when vision is better-preserved. A cost-benefit analysis using the data from the AREDS2-HOME trial suggests that the calculated cost of screening per letter gained/saved is $3,351 per year. Conclusion: Metamorphopsia is an important symptom in retinal disease and may occur through a variety of mechanisms. Although the human visual system is exquisitely sensitive to metamorphopsia, commonly used tests of this symptom may be unreliable in real-life conditions. Newer tests of metamorphopsia such as preferential hyperacuity perimetry may improve early detection rates of exudative age-related macular degeneration in at-risk populations.
Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) as a novel target for allergic asthma and rhinitis

Allergic asthma and rhinitis are prevalent diseases in the modern world, both marked by inflammation of the airways. The spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) plays a critical role in the regulation of such immune and inflammatory responses. Although Syk is best known as a key component of immunoreceptor signalling complexes in leukocytes, recent studies demonstrated Syk expression in cells outside the haematopoietic lineage. Moreover, in recent years, it has been established that Syk is involved in various signalling cascades including those originating from integrin and cytokine receptors. Thus, Syk likely has a much wider biological role than previously recognised. Specific inhibition of Syk using aerosolised antisense oligonucleotides in liposome complexes significantly decreased lung inflammatory responses in experimental asthma and acute lung injury models. In addition, pharmacological inhibitors of Syk have been recently developed with potential for use as therapeutics. However, in the development and the rational delivery of drugs targeting Syk, it is important to consider the multiple cell types that express this kinase and the potential effects of its inhibition on various physiological functions. This review focuses on the recent data and the emerging ideas about Syk as a therapeutic target.
Bacterial endotoxin retention by inline intravenous filters.

Filters used in i.v. administration sets were tested for their ability to retain bacterial endotoxins for up to 96 hours of continuous infusion. Inline filters composed of cellulose ester, polyacrylate, polypropylene, polyethylene, or Posidyne Nylon 66 were used during continuous infusion of 5% dextrose injection at 83 mL/hr. One milliliter of inoculum containing 10(8) Escherichia coli was injected through a port upstream from the filter. A bacterial filter was used to monitor the sterility of effluent from the inline filters. The effluent was tested with limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) that could detect endotoxin concentrations greater than 50 pg/mL. A control solution was monitored for viability of the bacteria throughout the course of the study, and positive endotoxin controls were used to confirm the sensitivity of the LAL. Samples of effluent were tested at 0, 4, 19, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Effluent from all filters was sterile throughout the study. LAL assay indicated that only the effluent from filters containing Posidyne Nylon 66 was free of endotoxins for 96 hours. Effluent from the other filters contained endotoxins immediately after injection of the E. coli. Of the inline filters tested, only the one composed of Posidyne Nylon 66 was able to retain E. coli endotoxin for 96 hours. Further study is needed with E. coli and other microorganisms that are likely contaminants of i.v. infusions.
Comparative genomic hybridization reveals a specific pattern of chromosomal gains and losses during the genesis of colorectal tumors

Comparative genomic hybridization was used to screen the DNA extracted from histologically defined tissue sections from consecutive stages of colorectal carcinogenesis for chromosomal aberrations. No aberrations were detected in normal epithelium (n = 14). Gain of chromosome 7 occurred as a single event in low‐grade adenomas (n = 14). In high‐grade adenomas (n = 12), an overrepresentation of chromosomes 7 and 20 was present in 30% of the cases analyzed. The transition to colon carcinomas (n = 16) was characterized by the emergence of multiple chromosomal aberrations. Chromosomes 1, 13, and 20 and chromosome arms 7p and 8q were frequently gained, whereas chromosome 4 and chromosome arms 8p and 18q were recurrently underrepresented. The same tissue sections that were used for CGH were analyzed by means of DNA‐ploidy measurements and immunohistochemical staining to quantify proliferative activity and p21/WAF‐I and TP53 expression. We observed that crude aneuploidy and increased proliferative activity are early events in colorectal carcinogenesis, followed by TP53 overexpression and the acquisition of recurrent chromosomal gains and losses during the progression from high‐grade adenomas to invasive carcinomas. Genes Chromosom Cancer (1996). © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Finding your funny bone. Incorporating humour into medical practice.

BACKGROUND Many people confuse seriousness with professionalism. Humour enables you to separate who you are from the difficult work you do. OBJECTIVE To illustrate ways humour and fun can be incorporated into day to day working life. DISCUSSION People are more productive, cooperative and flexible when they have fun at work. Becoming a humour consumer of tapes, jokes, TV shows, movies or funny books, strengthens your sense of humour, relieves stress and improves relationships.
Smoke‐induced microRNA and related proteome alterations. Modulation by chemopreventive agents

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has important consequences on gene and protein expression since a single miRNA targets a number of genes simultaneously. This article provides a review of published data and ongoing studies regarding the effects of cigarette smoke (CS), either mainstream (MCS) or environmental (ECS), on the expression of miRNAs and related proteins. The results generated in mice, rats, and humans provided evidence that exposure to CS results in an intense dysregulation of miRNA expression in the respiratory tract, which is mainly oriented in the sense of downregulation. In parallel, there was an upregulation of proteins targeted by the downregulated miRNAs. These trends reflect an attempt to defend the respiratory tract by means of antioxidant mechanisms, detoxification of carcinogens, DNA repair, anti‐inflammatory pathways, apoptosis, etc. However, a long‐lasting exposure to CS causes irreversible miRNA alterations that activate carcinogenic mechanisms, such as modulation of oncogenes and oncosuppressor genes, cell proliferation, recruitment of undifferentiated stem cells, inflammation, inhibition of intercellular communications, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. The miRNA alterations induced by CS in the lung of mice and rats are similar to those observed in the human respiratory tract. Since a number of miRNAs that are modulated by CS and/or chemopreventive agents are subjected to single nucleotide polymorphisms in humans, they can be evaluated according to toxicogenomic/pharmacogenomics approaches. A variety of cancer chemopreventive agents tested in our laboratory modulated both baseline and CS‐related miRNA and proteome alterations, thus contributing to evaluate both safety and efficacy of dietary and pharmacological agents.
Mayo's Older Americans Normative Studies: Age- and IQ-Adjusted Norms for the Auditory Verbal Learning Test and the Visual Spatial Learning Test

ABSTRACT Although normative data sets for standardized neuropsychometric instruments frequently feature adjustments for subject variables, there are reasons to believe that improvements in interpretive accuracy that result from such adjustments are less than optimal. In particular, years of education may be less closely associated with test performances than is overall intellectual functioning. In this last of four reanalyses of results from the Mayo Clinic's Older Americans Normative Studies (MOANS) databases, age-adjusted scores for the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and the Visual Spatial Learning Test were found to be more strongly related to Mayo age-adjusted WAIS-R Full Scale IQ scores (rs = .150 to .395) than to education (rs = .060 to .236) for healthy older examinees between 56 and 99 years of age. Although AVLT-FSIQ correlations were greatest at moderate levels of intelligence, VSLT-FSIQ correlations consistently increased in strength as intelligence increased (cf. Dodrill, 1997 1999). Based on these results, we present tables of age- and IQ-adjusted percentile equivalents of Mayo age-adjusted AVLT index scores and MOANS age-adjusted AVLT and VSLT scaled scores for ten age ranges and either seven (AVLT) or five (VSLT) IQ ranges.
Wearable Autonomous Wireless Electro-encephalography System Fully Powered by Human Body Heat

A wearable, wireless 2-channel electro-encephalography (EEG) system has been realized which functions fully autonomously, without any batteries. It is fully powered by human body heat using a thermo-electric generator which can produce over 2 mW at 23degC. It uses two of IMECpsilas ultra-low power biopotential electronics chips to record high-quality EEG signals. The whole system consumes only 0.8 mW, while sampling and transmitting 2 channels of 12-bit EEG data continuously at 256 Hz. Previous work has shown body-heat powered sensors such as a wireless temperature sensor or pulse oximeter with a low transmission duty cycle, but never before a continuously acquiring and transmitting system with complete power autonomy has been demonstrated.
The Effect of Meteorological Elements on Continuing Heavy Air Pollution: A Case Study in the Chengdu Area during the 2014 Spring Festival

Meteorological conditions significantly influence air pollution. The Chengdu plain, with few external pollution sources and homogeneous meteorological conditions, is a natural lab to study the effects of meteorological elements on the diffusion and dissipation of pollutants. Large-scale and long-duration haze events occurred all over China during the Spring Festival in 2014. This study tries to detect the characteristics and the formation mechanisms of this haze event in the Chengdu area using air quality and the meteorological monitoring of this event. The results showed that, when considering the concentration changes of the primary pollutant, this haze event could be divided into three stages: Stage 1, the concentration of all pollutions increased; Stage 2, the concentration of gaseous pollutants decreased, while that of particulate matter increased; Stage 3, the concentration of all pollutants decreased. Adverse atmospheric circulation, unfavorable meteorological conditions (lower air temperature and wind speed, higher air pressure and relative humidity), a frequently occurring inversion layer (with a strong intensity and lower bottom), and the low height of the mixing layer resulted in this haze. This study suggests that not only surface meteorological factors, but also the boundary layer structure, played an important role in the vertical diffusion of the pollutants.
Cellular prion protein function in copper homeostasis and redox signalling at the synapse

The fundamental physiological function of native cellular prion (PrPC) remains unknown. Herein, the most salient observations as regards prion physiology are critically evaluated. These include: (i) the role of PrPC in copper homeostasis, particularly at the pre‐synaptic membrane; (ii) involvement of PrPC in neuronal calcium disturbances; and (iii) the neuroprotective properties of PrPC in response to copper and oxidative stress. Ultimately, a tentative hypothesis of basic prion function is derived, namely that PrPC acts as a sensor for copper and/or free radical stimuli, thereby triggering intracellular calcium signals that finally translate into modulation of synaptic transmission and maintenance of neuronal integrity.
Geometric-invariant robust watermarking through constellation matching in the frequency domain

So far digital watermarking has been indicated as the most feasible answer for multimedia copyright protection issues, though many problems, especially regarding aspects of robustness against geometrical attacks, have not been completely and adequately solved yet. Robustness against geometric manipulations has been dealt with by inserting, together with the watermark, a synchronization template to be used later in the detection phase, to determine if a geometric distortion occurred and invert it before looking for the mark. A novel technique is presented, which, by exploiting the theory of geometric invariants, inserts a watermark intrinsically resistant to this sort of manipulations, thus avoiding the need of a synchronization pattern. Preliminary experimental results proving the goodness of the methodology are discussed along with some implementation problems due to the computational complexity.
Identification of Tetrahydronorharmane (Tetrahydro-β-carboline) in Human Blood Platelets

The present paper shows that tetrahydronorharmane (tetrahydro-beta-carboline) exists in human platelets. The concentration of tetrahydronorharmane in platelets from 10 ml platelet rich plasma was in the range of 9.3 to 25.6 pmol (n=8). Ingestion of tryptamine hydrochloride (n=4) three times daily for three consecutive days and of 19.6 mmol D,L-tryptophan (n=7) the evening (10 p.m.) before the blood collection did not lead to an increase of tetrahydronorharmane in platelets.
Role of acquired immune deficiency syndrome-defining conditions in human immunodeficiency virus-associated wasting.

To evaluate the contribution of acquired immune deficiency syndrome-defining conditions (ADCs) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated wasting, we analyzed longitudinal data from 671 participants in a nutrition and HIV cohort study. Data on ADCs, height, and weight were collected at baseline and during 6 monthly study visits. The frequency of ADCs decreased over time, but the relative risk (RR) of wasting (decrease in body mass index [BMI] to <20 kg/m(2)) increased with a history of >1 ADC; the RR of wasting increased 1.3-fold with each additional historical ADC. Any ADC during the 6 months prior to a study visit was associated with a decrease in BMI to <20 kg/m(2). The risk of wasting increased 2.7-fold with each additional recent ADC. These risks were not altered when adjusted for socioeconomic status, CD4 cell count, energy intake, or baseline BMI. Although ADCs contribute to the development of wasting, their contribution is relatively small.
Analysis of functional output-controllability of time-invariant Composite linear systems

Small perturbations of simple eigenvalues with a change of parameters is a problem of general interest in applied mathematics. The aim of this work is to study the behavior of a simple eigenvalue of singular linear system family E(p)x'_ = A(p)x + B(p)u; y = C(p)x smoothly dependent on real parameters p = (p1,., pn).