Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving BDD Variable Ordering Using Abstract BDDs and Sampling

Variable ordering for BDDs has been extensively investigated. Recently, sampling based ordering techniques have been proposed to overcome problems with structure based static ordering methods and sifting based dynamic reordering techniques. However, existing sampling techniques can lead to an unacceptably large deviation in the size of the final BDD. In this paper, we propose a sampling technique based on abstract BDDs (aBDDs) that does not suffer from this problem. This new technique has been implemented and consistently creates high quality variable orderings for both combinational as well as sequential functions. Experimental results show that for many applications our approach is significantly superior to existing techniques.
Transcutaneous measurement of glomerular filtration rate using FITC-sinistrin in rats.

BACKGROUND Inulin/sinistrin (I/S) clearance is a gold standard for an accurate assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Here we describe and validate an approach for a transcutaneous determination of GFR by using fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labelled sinistrin (FITC-S) in rats. METHODS Using a small animal imager, fluorescence is measured over the depilated ear of a rat after the injection of FITC-S. The decay curve of fluorescence is used for the calculation of half-life and GFR. The thus obtained transcutaneous data were validated by simultaneously performed enzymatic and fluorometric measurements in plasma of both FITC-S and sinistrin. RESULTS The results of enzymatic sinistrin determination versus transcutaneous half-life of FITC-S or plasma fluorescence correlated well with each other (R(2) > 0.90). Furthermore, Bland-Altman analyses proved a good degree of agreement of the three methods used. The measurements performed in healthy animals as well as different models of renal failure demonstrate its appropriateness in a wide range of renal function. CONCLUSIONS The transcutaneous method described offers a precise assessment of GFR in small animals. As neither blood and/or urine sampling nor time-consuming lab work is required, GFR can be determined immediately after the clearance procedure is finished. This method, therefore, simplifies and fastens GFR determinations in small lab animals compared to conventional bolus clearance techniques based on blood sampling. A low-cost device for the measurement of transcutaneous fluorescence intensity over time is under construction.
The coming out process : an exploratory study of famiies with more than one LGBQ sibling

The purpose of this study was to explore families in which there are more than one Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Queer identified sibling, specifically looking at the coming out process as influenced by another LGBQ sibling. Twelve semi-structured, exploratory interviews were conducted with six sibling sets, aimed at exploring the perceived impact of having a LGBQ sibling with regards to revealing one’s sexual identity. All of the participants in this study reported experiencing some level of anxiety and/or fear before coming out, regardless of having an LGBQ sibling. The majority of participants in this study reported feeling closer to their LGBQ sibling after coming out. Of the six sibling participants in this study who came out first, all reported that they believed they made it easier for their sibling to come out. The majority of siblings who came out second (66%, n=4) claim that having a sibling who had already disclosed their LGBQ identity made it harder for them to come out themselves. For second siblings to come out, a common response in this study was fear and worry in anticipation that their parents would take it hard having not just one, but two gay identified children. Further findings regarding sibling aggregation of homosexuality, coming out, family response, and sibling relationship are discussed and compared to current relevant literature. This study concludes with a discussion of the limitations of this study, implications for social work and recommendations for future research. THE COMING OUT PROCESS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF FAMILIES WITH MORE THAN ONE LGBQ SIBLING A project based upon an independent investigation, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work.
Seduced by Affluence

Abstract Normative standards of affluence may function as a seductive ideal. Normative standards of affluence reflect a fantasy of material comfort that the ordinarily successful person possesses that enables him or her to live a happy life. Failing to live up to this standard evokes feelings of longing, resentment, envy, and shame. Yet attaining normative standards of affluence may be severely disillusioning. One discovers that in the compulsive pursuit of normative standards of affluence many other values may have been sadly sacrificed, leading to a sense of self-betrayal. This dynamic may be enacted in the analytic situation as bourgeois bohemian patients are treated by bourgeois bohemian analysts.
Calcium waves occur as Drosophila oocytes activate

Significance This paper reports the first visualization of calcium dynamics in Drosophila eggs in vivo and in vitro, demonstrating that a calcium wave is a conserved feature of egg activation (the process by which a mature egg becomes able to initiate embryo development). In vertebrates and echinoderms, the fertilizing sperm triggers egg activation by inducing calcium release from the egg’s internal stores, causing wave(s) of increased calcium to sweep across the egg. However, insect eggs activate without fertilization. We show that a wave of increased calcium occurs during activation of Drosophila eggs. The wave is induced during ovulation by influx of calcium into the egg through mechanosensitive ion channels. Release of calcium from intracellular stores is required for wave propagation. Egg activation is the process by which a mature oocyte becomes capable of supporting embryo development. In vertebrates and echinoderms, activation is induced by fertilization. Molecules introduced into the egg by the sperm trigger progressive release of intracellular calcium stores in the oocyte. Calcium wave(s) spread through the oocyte and induce completion of meiosis, new macromolecular synthesis, and modification of the vitelline envelope to prevent polyspermy. However, arthropod eggs activate without fertilization: in the insects examined, eggs activate as they move through the female’s reproductive tract. Here, we show that a calcium wave is, nevertheless, characteristic of egg activation in Drosophila. This calcium rise requires influx of calcium from the external environment and is induced as the egg is ovulated. Pressure on the oocyte (or swelling by the oocyte) can induce a calcium rise through the action of mechanosensitive ion channels. Visualization of calcium fluxes in activating eggs in oviducts shows a wave of increased calcium initiating at one or both oocyte poles and spreading across the oocyte. In vitro, waves also spread inward from oocyte pole(s). Wave propagation requires the IP3 system. Thus, although a fertilizing sperm is not necessary for egg activation in Drosophila, the characteristic of increased cytosolic calcium levels spreading through the egg is conserved. Because many downstream signaling effectors are conserved in Drosophila, this system offers the unique perspective of egg activation events due solely to maternal components.
A distributed algorithm for virtual traffic lights with IEEE 802.11p

A virtual traffic light (VTL) is a mechanism that allows vehicles to autonomously solve priorities at road junctions in the absence of fixed infrastructures (i.e., conventional traffic lights). To develop an effective VTL system, communication between vehicles is a crucial factor and can be handled either using cellular infrastructure or adopting a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication paradigm. In this paper we present the design, the implementation, and the field trial of a VTL which exploits V2V communications based on IEEE 802.11p. Specif-ically, we propose a decentralized algorithm, that adopts both broadcast signaling and unicast messages to assign priorities to the vehicles approaching intersections, thus preventing accidents and reducing traffic congestions. The algorithm has been tested both in a controlled laboratory environment and in a field trial with equipped vehicles.
STELLAR FORENSICS - II. MILLISECOND PULSAR BINARIES

We use the grid of models described in Paper I to analyse those millisecond pulsar binaries whose secondaries have been studied optically. In particular, we find cooling ages for these binary systems that range from < 1 to ∼ 15 Gyr. Comparison of cooling ages and characteristic spin-down ages allows us to constrain the initial spin periods and spin-up histories for individual systems, showing that at least some millisecond pulsars had sub-Eddington accretion rates and long magnetic field decay times.
Income Uncertainty and Precautionary Saving: Evidence from Household Rotating Panel Data

The aim of this paper is to analyse precautionary saving associated with income risk over the last two decades in Spain; some empirical evidence seems to point to the extension of temporary job contracts in those years as an important source of uncertainty for Spanish households. I use a rotating panel, the Spanish family expenditure survey, to model income dynamics and consumption growth.
A sampling theorem for stationary (wide sense) stochastic processes.

where g is of bounded variation on [-h-/2, h-1/2] and the jumps of g at the endpoints, if any, are equal [3]. This result, or some variant of it, is known in the communications art as the sampling theorem [12]; it is widely usod in information theory [4]. In the present paper we seek conditions under which the random variables x(t) of a stationary (wide sense) stochastic process Ix(t), -oo 0 is to be regarded throughout as a nfxed preassigned number. ) The problem is a simple one, intuitively speaking. Suppose process x contains a component aie2lriXlt at frequency Xi; this component contributes to the samples the quantities
The case of male volleyball players team cohesion in Turkey

The purpose of this study was to investigate the case of team cohesion of male volleyball players in line with the variables of age, status of a national player, the year of playing volleyball and success status in their branches in Turkey. The sample of the study includes 105 male volleyball players who attend Star Men Volleyball Turkey Championship, organized in Ankara in 23 to 28 July, 2014. The data which concerns team cohesion was gathered through the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) in Team Sports. In this study, according to the results of analysis that concerns the sub-dimensions of team cohesion, significant difference was found between following items: according to the status of a national player variable, individual attraction to group-task level with group integration-social level (t=2.91, sd= 103, p=0.00; t=2,22, sd=103, p=0.02); according to the year of playing volleyball variable, group integration-task level (F(4,100) = 2.87, p<0.05); according to the success status in their branches in Turkey variable, group integration-task level (F(2.102)= 3.88, p<0.05). In addition, it was found that there was a significant positive relationship between players’ success status in their branches in Turkey and their success in their own teams compared to other players (r=0.70). Results were discussed in line with findings and suggestions were offered. Key words: Team cohesion, volleyball player, success.
Comparison of different coil positions for ventilation monitoring with contact-less magnetic impedance measurements

For monitoring the health status of individuals, proper monitoring of ventilation is desirable. Therefore, a continuous measurement technique is an advantage for many patients since it allows personal home care scenarios. As an example, monitoring of elderly people at home could enable them to live in their familiar environment on their own with the safety of a continuous monitoring. Therefore, a measurement technique without the restriction of mobility is required. Since it is possible to monitor ventilation with magnetic impedance measurements without conductive contact, this technique is well suited for the mentioned scenario. Integrated in a chair, a person's health state could be monitored in many situations, e.g. during meals, while watching TV or reading a book. In this paper, we compare different positions of coil arrays for a magnetic impedance measurement system integrated in a chair in order to monitor ventilation continuously. For limiting the costs and technical complexity of the magnetic impedance measurement system, we have a focus on coil configurations with one RF channel. To limit the needed space and thickness of the array in the backrest, planar gradiometer coil setups are investigated. All measurements will be performed with a new developed portable magnetic impedance measurement system and a standard office chair.
Aspects of the mean residual life order for weighted distributions

In this paper, we first provide conditions for preservation of the mean residual life (mrl) order under weighting. Then we apply the obtained results to establish our results about preservation of the decreasing mrl class by weighted distributions. In addition, we present some results for comparing the original random variable to its weighted version in terms of the mrl order. Also, some examples are given to illustrate the results.
Neurobehavioral Sequelae of Traumatic Brain Injury Neurobehavioral Sequelae of Traumatic Brain Injury

Recognition and early, accurate diagnosis of neurobehavioral TBI sequelae are important in reducing the severity of postinjury symptoms. Because the neuropathology of TBI is diffuse and affects many areas of the brain, a multiplicity of neurobehavioral symptoms is common after TBI. This makes study of the post-TBI population challenging and may be the reason for the relatively few studies about treating neurobehavioral symptoms after TBI. Although the following classification breaks down the manifestations of TBI according to psychiatric symptom dimensions that have an intuitive correlation with specific psychiatric interventions, a typical patient may require a multimedication intervention to treat symptoms on various dimensions. On the other hand, after reviewing the following reasonable treatment options, a knowledgeable physician may choose a medication that targets multiple neurobehavioral sequelae of TBI. However, medical management represents only one facet of the treatment of TBI; optimal treatment often will also require cognitive rehabilitation, behavioral training, counseling, and other individualized therapeutic modalities. Cognitive Dysfunction after TBI Memory impairment Memory impairment is a common problem after TBI. The sensitivity of the hippocampus to physiologic stress and the mesial temporal predisposition to injury caused by the sphenoidal bony protuberances probably play a role. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have demonstrated promising results in the treatment of memory dysfunction after TBI. Donepezil (Aricept, Eisai/Pfizer) has been the most-studied acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Zhang and colleagues 1 conducted a prospective randomized controlled study of donepezil in brain-injured patients in which significant improvements were achieved during the treatment phases on both memory and concentration measures. Several other nonrandomized studies have evaluated cognitive impairment secondary to TBI and the open-label use of donepezil. 2-7 These studies also support the finding that donezepil improves overall memory and attention. Diminished alertness, apathy, and amotivation Diminished alertness, apathy, and lack of motivation are common symptoms, particularly after diffuse axonal injury and bifrontal lobe injury. Patients often will not seek treatment themselves; however, family members will usually bring the patient in for evaluation because of a decline in function. Patients even may present as abulic. Amantadine (Symmetrel, Endo) is a dopaminergic medication that has been studied as a treatment for patients with TBI. It was initially proposed as a treatment because the frontal lobes are rich in dopaminergic neurons. Therefore, maximizing dopamine function in patients with bifrontal injury may result in improved function. A prospective randomized controlled study, conducted by Meythaler and colleagues, 8 investigated the use of amantadine in patients …
Orthotopic Heart Transplantation in Patients with Univentricular Physiology

Parallel advancements in surgical technique, preoperative and postoperative care, as well as a better understanding of physiology in patients with duct-dependent pulmonary or systemic circulation and a functional single ventricle, have led to superb results in staged palliation of most complex congenital heart disease (CHD) [1]. The Fontan procedure and its technical modifications have resulted in markedly improved outcomes of patients with single ventricle anatomy [2,3,4]. The improved early survival has led to an exponential increase of the proportion of Fontan patients surviving long into adolescence and young adulthood [5]. Improved early and late survival has not yet abolished late mortality secondary to myocardial failure, therefore increasing the referrals for cardiac transplantation [6]. Interstage attrition [7] is moreover expected in staged palliation towards completion of a Fontan-type circulation, while Fontan failure represents a growing indication for heart transplantation [8]. Heart transplantation has therefore become the potential “fourth stage” [9] or a possible alternative to a high-risk Fontan operation [10] in a strategy of staged palliation for single ventricle physiology. Heart transplant barely accounts for 16% of pediatric solid organ transplants [11]. The thirteenth official pediatric heart transplantation report- 2010 [11] indicates that pediatric recipients received only 12.5% of the total reported heart transplants worldwide. Congenital heart disease is not only the most common recipient diagnosis, but also the most powerful predictor of 1-year mortality after OHT. Results of orthotopic heart transplantations (OHT) for failing single ventricle physiology are mixed. Some authors advocate excellent early and mid-term survival after OHT for failing Fontan [9], while others suggest that rescue-OHT after failing Fontan seems unwarranted [10]. Moreover, OHT outcome appears to be different according to the surgical staging towards the Fontan operation and surgical technique of Fontan completion [12]. The focus of this report is a complete review of the recent literature on OHT for failing single ventricles, outlining the clinical issues affecting Fontan failure, OHT listing and OHT outcome. These data are endorsed reporting our experience with OHT for failing single ventricle physiology in recent years.
Extracolonic findings with the PillCam Colon: is panendoscopy with capsule endoscopy closer?

Background and study aims: Colon capsules display images from the moment they are ingested, making the study of other extracolonic areas possible. The aim of this study was to analyze the significance of these extracolonic findings. Patients and methods: In this single-center, prospective study, 165 patients underwent colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) between September 2009 and October 2012 to rule out colonic pathology. Images were recorded, without interruptions, from the moment the capsule was ingested until its battery ran out. The study was deemed complete when the capsule had traveled from the esophagus to excretion or until the hemorrhoidal plexus was observed. Results: CCE was used for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening (81.2 %), to investigate for chronic diarrhea (9.7 %) and chronic iron deficiency anemia (6.1 %), and for patients with incomplete colonoscopy (3.0 %). The capsule returned findings in the esophagus in 52.1 % of patients, in the stomach in 45.5 % of patients, and in the small bowel in 70.7 % of patients, with the findings being considered relevant in 4.9 %, 9.7 %, and 22.6 % of patients, respectively. The whole extent of the digestive tract was fully recorded in 86.1 % of patients and the Z line could be fully observed in 57.6 % of patients. There were no adverse events. Conclusions: CCE allows the recording of images from almost the whole extent of the digestive tract in most patients, enabling relevant pathologies to be identified in extracolonic areas, particularly the small bowel. Technical and procedural improvements are still necessary in order to achieve better observation of the stomach and esophagus.
HIV Suppression among Patients on Treatment in Vietnam: A Review of HIV Viral Load Testing in a Public Urban Clinic in Ho Chi Minh City

Background. There are few reports of HIV viral load (VL) testing among patients on ART in Vietnam. Methods. From a public clinic in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), we reviewed cases of VL measurements from adults on ART. Results. We identified 228 cases. Median age was 30 years (27–34), 85% were male, and 77% had a history of IDU. The mean ART duration was 26 months (95% CI 25–27); d4T/3TC/NVP was the most common regimen. Viral suppression was seen in 160/228 (70%). Viremia (>1000 copies/mL) was associated with prior ART exposure (OR 5.68, P < .0001) and immunologic failure (OR 4.69, P = .0001). Targeted testing accounted for 13% of cases, only half of which yielded viremia. Conclusion. We demonstrate a high HIV suppression rate among patients on ART in HCMC, Vietnam. In this setting, routine testing detects viremia missed by targeted testing.
Partially Observed, Multi-objective Markov Games

The intent of this research is to generate a set of non-dominated policies from which one of two agents (the leader) can select a most preferred policy to control a dynamic system that is also affected by the control decisions of the other agent (the follower). The problem is described by an infinite horizon, partially observed Markov game (POMG). At each decision epoch, each agent knows: its past and present states, its past actions, and noise corrupted observations of the other agent's past and present states. The actions of each agent are determined at each decision epoch based on these data. The leader considers multiple objectives in selecting its policy. The follower considers a single objective in selecting its policy with complete knowledge of and in response to the policy selected by the leader. This leader-follower assumption allows the POMG to be transformed into a specially structured, partially observed Markov decision process (POMDP). This POMDP is used to determine the follower's best response policy. A multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) is used to create the next generation of leader policies based on the fitness measures of each leader policy in the current generation. Computing a fitness measure for a leader policy requires a value determination calculation, given the leader policy and the follower's best response policy. The policies from which the leader can select a most preferred policy are the non-dominated policies of the final generation of leader policies created by the MOGA. An example is presented that illustrates how these results can be used to support a manager of a liquid egg production process (the leader) in selecting a sequence of actions to best control this process over time, given that there is an attacker (the follower) who seeks to contaminate the liquid egg production process with a chemical or biological toxin.