Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An update on the use of rational functions for photogrammetric restitution

This paper reviews the status of the use of rational functions models for photogrammetry. A major review was published at the ISPRS Congress in Amsterdam, and since then many more tests have been carried out to determine the accuracy of the method, particularly for setting up Images from the Ikonos sensor. Software for doing this is available on a number of digital photogrammetric systems. The paper reviews the published work and concludes that accurate results can be obtained from using rational function models, but that there is no evidence that the method is likely to replace traditional rigorous methods.
Decreases in Ventricular Volume Correlate with Decreases in Ventricular Pressure in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Patients Who Experienced Clinical Improvement after Implantation with Adjustable Valve Shunts

OBJECTIVE:This retrospective study examined whether changes in ventricular volume correspond with changes in adjustable valve pressure settings in a cohort of patients who received shunts to treat idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. We also examined whether these pressure–volume curves and other patient variables would co-occur with a positive clinical response to shunting. METHODS:We selected 51 patients diagnosed with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus who had undergone implantation of a Codman Hakim programmable valve (Medos S.A., Le Locle, Switzerland). Clinical data were gathered from the patients’ records and clinical notes by an investigator blinded to patients’ ventricular volumes. Ventricular volume was measured using 3D Slicer, an image analysis and interactive visualization software package developed and maintained at the Surgical Planning Laboratory at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. RESULTS:Eighty-six percent of patients with gait disturbance at presentation showed improvement of this symptom, 70% experienced improvement in incontinence, and 69% experienced improvement in dementia. For the group showing 100% clinical improvement, the correlation coefficient of average changes in valve pressure over time (ΔP/ΔT) and average changes in ventricular volume over time (ΔV/ΔT) were high at 0.843 (P < 0.05). For the group experiencing no or only partial improvement, the correlation coefficient was 0.257 (P = 0.32), indicating no correlation between average ΔV/ΔT and average ΔP/ΔT for each patient. CONCLUSION:This was a carefully analyzed modeling study of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus treatment made possible only by adjustable valve technology. With careful volumetric analysis, we found that changes in ventricular volume correlated with adjustments in valve pressure settings for those patients who improved clinically after shunting. This suggests that positive clinical responders retained parenchymal elasticity, emphasizing the importance of dynamic changes in this cohort.
A Credit Cycle Model of Bank Loans and Corporate Bonds : A Bank Capital View

This paper investigates macroeconomic effects of bank regulation in a continuoustime macro-finance framework with both bond-financing and bank-financing. Risky firms appreciate bank credit because banks are efficient at liquidating assets for troubled firms. However, risky firms must pay the risk premium for banks’ exposure to aggregate risks. Our framework captures the feature that the cost of bank-financing endogenously fluctuates and the fact that bond-financing is less volatile and cyclical than bank-financing. We show that if bank regulation is to raise the marginal funding cost for banks, these financial intermediaries transfer most of the incremental cost to their borrowers. Hence, risky firms switch to bond-financing due to the raised loan rate. Although financial stability improves, the average productivity declines. The impact of bank regulation on economic growth is unclear because more bond-financing leads to more inefficient liquidation. Overall, bank regulation benefits the real sector and hurts financial intermediaries.
Factors Influencing Physical Activity Behavior among Iranian Women with Type 2 Diabetes Using the Extended Theory of Reasoned Action

Background Findings of most studies indicate that the only way to control diabetes and prevent its debilitating effects is through the continuous performance of self-care behaviors. Physical activity is a non-pharmacological method of diabetes treatment and because of its positive effects on diabetic patients, it is being increasingly considered by researchers and practitioners. This study aimed at determining factors influencing physical activity among diabetic women in Iran, using the extended theory of reasoned action in Iran. Methods A sample of 352 women with type 2 diabetes, referring to a Diabetes Clinic in Khoy, Iran, participated in the study. Appropriate instruments were designed to measure the desired variables (knowledge of diabetes, personal beliefs, subjective norms, perceived self-efficacy, behavioral intention and physical activity behavior). The reliability and validity of the instruments were examined and approved. Statistical analyses of the study were conducted by inferential statistical techniques (independent t-test, correlations and regressions) using the SPSS package. Results The findings of this investigation indicated that among the constructs of the model, self efficacy was the strongest predictor of intentions among women with type 2 diabetes and both directly and indirectly affected physical activity. In addition to self efficacy, diabetic patients' physical activity also was influenced by other variables of the model and sociodemographic factors. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the high ability of the theory of reasoned action extended by self-efficacy in forecasting and explaining physical activity can be a base for educational intervention. Educational interventions based on the proposed model are necessary for improving diabetics' physical activity behavior and controlling disease.
Monotonic interpolating curves by using rational cubic ball interpolation

This paper discusses the monotonicity preserving of monotone data by using rational cubic Ball interpolant with four parameters. The sufficient condition for the monotonicity of the rational interpolant will be derived on two of the parameters meanwhile the remaining two are free parameters that can be used to modify the final shape of the monotonic interpolating curves. The degree smoothness achieved is 1 C . The first derivative is estimated by using arithmetic mean method (AMM) and geometric mean method (GMM). Several numerical results will be presented including comparison with existing scheme. From the numerical results, rational cubic Ball gives visually pleasing results.
Demand Curves for Stocks Do Slope Down: New Evidence from an Index Weights Adjustment

Weights in the Toronto Stock Exchange 300 index are determined by the market values of the included stocks' public floats. In November 1996, the exchange implemented a previously announced revision of its definition of the public float. This revision, which increased the floats and the index weights of 31 stocks, conveyed no information and had no effect on the legal duties of shareholders. Affected stocks experienced statistically significant excess returns of 2.3 percent during the event week, and no price reversal occurred as trading volume returned to normal levels. These findings support downward sloping demand curves for stocks.
The 5-year-olds' index, the GOSLON Yardstick index, and the modified Huddart/Bodenham index among children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate: A methodological study

Background: The function of many orthodontic indices is to assess occlusion in patients born with a cleft. The aim of this study was to assess the intra- and interexaminer reliability for the 5-year-olds' (5YO) index, the GOSLON Yardstick index, and the modified Huddart/Bodenham (MHB) index in dental casts of children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP); a further aim is to compare the indices to each other. Methods: Forty dental casts from 5-year-old nonsyndromic patients with complete UCLP who had undergone primary surgery at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden, were examined by two examiners: one orthodontic specialist and one general dentist. Results: Intraexaminer reliability for 5YO and MHB had a substantial (κ: 0.61–0.80) to almost perfect agreement ( κ: 0.81–1.00) and GOSLON Yardstick moderate (κ: 0.41–0.60) to almost perfect agreement. Grouped teeth or single-tooth MHB had an almost perfect agreement for both examiners. Interexaminer reliability for 5YO had a moderate agreement, whereas GOSLON Yardstick and MHB had a fair agreement (κ: 0.21–0.40). Grouped teeth or single-tooth MHB had an almost perfect agreement. Conclusions: The 5YO index illustrates the occlusion and has a high degree of reliability for an experienced orthodontist. The GOSLON Yardstick also illustrates the occlusion, but reliability between assessments is lower. MHB index can be used with a high degree of reliability when categorized as grouped or single tooth, but the judgment of total occlusion is more uncertain.
Centriolar satellites assemble centrosomal microcephaly proteins to recruit CDK2 and promote centriole duplication

Primary microcephaly (MCPH) associated proteins CDK5RAP2, CEP152, WDR62 and CEP63 colocalize at the centrosome. We found that they interact to promote centriole duplication and form a hierarchy in which each is required to localize another to the centrosome, with CDK5RAP2 at the apex, and CEP152, WDR62 and CEP63 at sequentially lower positions. MCPH proteins interact with distinct centriolar satellite proteins; CDK5RAP2 interacts with SPAG5 and CEP72, CEP152 with CEP131, WDR62 with MOONRAKER, and CEP63 with CEP90 and CCDC14. These satellite proteins localize their cognate MCPH interactors to centrosomes and also promote centriole duplication. Consistent with a role for satellites in microcephaly, homozygous mutations in one satellite gene, CEP90, may cause MCPH. The satellite proteins, with the exception of CCDC14, and MCPH proteins promote centriole duplication by recruiting CDK2 to the centrosome. Thus, centriolar satellites build a MCPH complex critical for human neurodevelopment that promotes CDK2 centrosomal localization and centriole duplication. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.07519. 001
Serum Mannan-Binding Lectin in Egyptian Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C: Its Relation to Disease Progression and Response to Treatment

Background Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major worldwide public health problem. Egypt has the highest prevalence of adult HCV infection in the world, averaging 15%–25% in rural communities. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a liver-derived pluripotent serum lectin that plays a role in the innate immune system of the host. It is an acute-phase protein that is involved in the activation of the classical complement pathway. MBL may play a defensive role in HCV infection. Objectives To investigate the relationship between MBL concentration and HCV infection in Egyptian patients suffering chronic hepatitis C. Patients and Methods Serum samples obtained from 35 Egyptian hepatitis C patients and 30 normal controls were assayed for MBL. MBL concentrations were correlated to disease characteristics and treatment response. Results Serum MBL was significantly higher in HCV patients than in controls, but no relationship was found between MBL concentration and disease progression in terms of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation. Responders to interferon (INF)-based therapy had significantly higher serum MBL than non-responders. Conclusions We found no association between serum MBL concentration and progression of HCV related liver disease. Responders to INF-based therapy had significantly higher serum MBL than non-responders.
Life between Clocks: Daily Temporal Patterns of Human Chronotypes

Human behavior shows large interindividual variation in temporal organization. Extreme “larks” wake up when extreme “owls” fall asleep. These chronotypes are attributed to differences in the circadian clock, and in animals, the genetic basis of similar phenotypic differences is well established. To better understand the genetic basis of temporal organization in humans, the authors developed a questionnaire to document individual sleep times, self-reported light exposure, and self-assessed chronotype, considering work and free days separately. This report summarizes the results of 500 questionnaires completed in a pilot study. Individual sleep times show large differences between work and free days, except for extreme early types. During the workweek, late chronotypes accumulate considerable sleep debt, for which they compensate on free days by lengthening their sleep by several hours. For all chronotypes, the amount of time spent outdoors in broad daylight significantly affects the timing of sleep: Increased self-reported light exposure advances sleep. The timing of self-selected sleep is multifactorial, including genetic disposition, sleep debt accumulated on workdays, and light exposure. Thus, accurate assessment of genetic chronotypes has to incorporate all of these parameters. The dependence of human chronotype on light, that is, on the amplitude of the light:dark signal, follows the known characteristics of circadian systems in all other experimental organisms. Our results predict that the timing of sleep has changed during industrialization and that a majority of humans are sleep deprived during the workweek. The implications are far ranging concerning learning, memory, vigilance, performance, and quality of life.
A COMPARISON OF LİFE SKİLL LEVELS BETWEEN STUDENTS OF EDUCATİON FACULTY AND STUDENTS OF PEDAGOGİCAL FORMATİON: THE CASE OF MUSTAFA KEMAL UNİVERSİTY, TURKEY

In this study, the life skill levels of undergraduate students of Mustafa Kemal University in 2016-2017 academic year were compared to that of students receiving pedagogical formation education in the same term. For this purpose, 75 students receiving pedagogical formation training and 242 undergraduate students, total of 317 students participated in the research. The life skill levels of students were determined by using Life Skills Scale comprising 5 factors, the groups were compared in terms of each factor and total points. Also analysis of gender, age, marital status of parents, the location at which most of the lifespan covered were used as variables to evaluate the change in life skills level, then the groups were compared according to the findings. According to the Descriptional Statistics, ANOVA, Independent Groups t Test results that are evaluated through the obtained data; the “Life Skills”, “Skills of Overcoming Emotions and Stress”, “Emphaty Establishment and Self-awareness Skills”, “Decision-making and Problem solving Skills” “Creative and Critical Thinking Skills” “Communication and Interpersonal Relations Skills” of pedagogical formation students were found to be significantly higher than that of undergraduate students. Besides, it was seen that life skill levels of both groups do not vary with gender, and while the age variable was not functional in the life skill levels of formation students, it was influential in the life skill levels of undergraduate students. The marital status of parents (divorced parents) had significant effect on undergraduate students and no significant effect on pedagogical formation students, the place where most of the lifespan was covered had no significant effect on the life skill levels of both groups of students. Article visualizations:
Fusion fault localizers

Many spectrum-based fault localization techniques have been proposed to measure how likely each program element is the root cause of a program failure. For various bugs, the best technique to localize the bugs may differ due to the characteristics of the buggy programs and their program spectra. In this paper, we leverage the diversity of existing spectrum-based fault localization techniques to better localize bugs using data fusion methods. Our proposed approach consists of three steps: score normalization, technique selection, and data fusion. We investigate two score normalization methods, two technique selection methods, and five data fusion methods resulting in twenty variants of Fusion Localizer. Our approach is bug specific in which the set of techniques to be fused are adaptively selected for each buggy program based on its spectra. Also, it requires no training data, i.e., execution traces of the past buggy programs. We evaluate our approach on a common benchmark dataset and a dataset consisting of real bugs from three medium to large programs. Our evaluation demonstrates that our approach can significantly improve the effectiveness of existing state-of-the-art fault localization techniques. Compared to these state-of-the-art techniques, the best variants of Fusion Localizer can statistically significantly reduce the amount of code to be inspected to find all bugs. Our best variants can increase the proportion of bugs localized when developers only inspect the top 10% most suspicious program elements by more than 10% and increase the number of bugs that can be successfully localized when developers only inspect up to 10 program blocks by more than 20%.
Blade System Design Studies Volume I: Composite Technologies for Large Wind Turbine Blades

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Partnerships for Advanced Component Technologies (WindPACT) program, Global Energy Concepts LLC (GEC) is performing a study concerning innovations in materials, processes and structural configurations for application to wind turbine blades in the multi-megawatt range. The project team for this work includes experts in all areas of wind turbine blade design, analysis, manufacture, and testing. Constraints to cost-effective scaling-up of the current commercial blade designs and manufacturing methods are identified, including self-gravity loads, transportation, and environmental considerations. A trade-off study is performed to evaluate the incremental changes in blade cost, weight, and stiffness for a wide range of composite materials, fabric types, and manufacturing processes. Fiberglass/carbon fiber hybrid blades are identified as having a promising combination of cost, weight, stiffness and fatigue resistance. Vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding, resin film infision, and pre-impregnated materials are identified as having benefits in reduced volatile emissions, higher fiber content, and improved laminate quality relative to the baseline wet lay-up process. Alternative structural designs are identified, including jointed configurations to facilitate transportation. Based on the results to date, recommendations are made for further evaluation and testing under this study to verify the predicted material and structural performance.
Using Alphabet Knowledge to Track the Emergent Literacy Skills of Children in Head Start

Having strong alphabet knowledge early in life is a powerful predictor of long-term reading and academic outcomes. Upon tracking the alphabet knowledge of 172 children enrolled in their first year of Head Start, we identified that most of the children could name fewer than 10 letters at the beginning of the academic year. Approximately, one third of the children with low alphabet knowledge in fall made significant progress and demonstrated mastery of 10 or more letters in spring. For the children who started the year knowing fewer than 10 letters, receptive vocabulary was the best predictor of who would make gains in alphabet knowledge throughout the year. In addition, most children who entered Head Start knowing fewer than 10 letters knew letters from their first names and the letters A, B, or O. Implications for the management of emergent literacy skills for children at-risk for academic difficulties are discussed.
IRAC photometric analysis and the mid‐IR photometric properties of Lyman‐break galaxies

We present photometric analysis of deep mid-infrared (mid-IR) observations obtained by Spitzer/IRAC covering the fields Q1422+2309, Q2233+1341, DSF2237a,b, HDFN, SSA22a,b and B20902+34, giving the number counts and the depths for each field. In a sample of 751 Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) lying in those fields, 443,448,137 and 152 are identified at 3.6-, 4.5-, 5.8-, 8. 0μm IRAC bands, respectively, expanding their spectral energy distribution to rest-near-IR and revealing that LBGs display a variety of colours. Their rest-near-IR properties are rather inhomogeneous, ranging from those that are bright in IRAC bands and exhibit [R] -[3.6] > 1.5 colours to those that are faint or not detected at all in IRAC bands with [R] -[3.6] < 1.5 colours and these two groups of LBGs are investigated. We compare the mid-IR colours of the LBGs with the colours of star-forming galaxies and we find that LBGs have colours consistent with star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 3. The properties of the LBGs detected in the 8-μm IRAC band (rest-frame K band) are examined separately, showing that they exhibit redder [R] - [3.6] colours than the rest of the population and that although in general, a multiwavelength study is needed to reach more secure results, IRAC 8-μm band can be used as a diagnostic tool, to separate high z, luminous AGN-dominated objects from normal star-forming galaxies at z μ 3.
Comparisons of Transmission Power Control Algorithms in Wireless Body Sensor Systems

In wireless body sensor systems (WB-SNSs), all sensor nodes need energy-efficient techniques due to battery limitations. The transmission power control (TPC) algorithm is a representative technique to reduce energy consumption in WB-SNSs. But the sophisticated control of transmission power is very difficult because of many factors such as sensor placements and human motions. So, we must consider these factors for efficient TPC algorithms. However, previous researches in TPC algorithms have concentrated on just one or two factors in the static environment so that the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is very limited. Therefore, in this paper, we compare previous TPC algorithms with diverse environments. We analyze the received signal strength indication (RSSI) pattern and energy consumption of representative TPC algorithms in view of the interaction of sensor placements and human motions.
Rice Germosprout Extract Protects Erythrocytes from Hemolysis and the Aorta, Brain, Heart, and Liver Tissues from Oxidative Stress In Vitro

Identifying dietary alternatives for artificial antioxidants capable of boosting antihemolytic and antioxidative defense has been an important endeavor in improving human health. In the present study, we studied antihemolytic and antioxidative effects of germosprout (i.e., the germ part along with sprouted stems plus roots) extract prepared from the pregerminated rice. The extract contained considerable amounts of antioxidant β-carotene (414 ± 12 ng/g of extract) and phytochemicals such as total polyphenols (12.0 ± 1.1 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract) and flavonoids (11.0 ± 1.4 mg catechin equivalent/g of extract). The antioxidant potential of the extract was assessed by its DPPH- (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-) free radical scavenging activity where we observed that germosprout extract had considerable antioxidative potentials. To evaluate antihemolytic effect of the extract, freshly prepared erythrocytes were incubated with either peroxynitrite or Fenton's reagent in the absence or presence of the extract. We observed that erythrocytes pretreated with the extract exhibited reduced degree of in vitro hemolysis. To support the proposition that germosprout extract could act as a good antioxidative agent, we also induced in vitro oxidative stress in erythrocyte membranes and in the aorta, brain, heart, and liver tissue homogenates in the presence of the extract. As expected, germosprout extract decreased oxidative stress almost to the same extent as that of vitamin E, as measured by lipid peroxide levels, in all the mentioned tissues. We conclude that rice germosprout extract could be a good natural source of antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress-induced hemolysis and damage of blood vessels and other tissues.