Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early results of a Canadian laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy experience.

BACKGROUND Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a relatively new bariatric procedure with a number of advantages compared with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. However, SG also has a number of disadvantages and associated risks. We sought to examine perioperative complications and outcomes of laparoscopic SG (LSG) in a single major Canadian bariatric surgery centre (Victoria, BC). METHODS Since June 2008, LSG has been performed at our centre and we reviewed the cases of all patients. We conducted a retrospective chart review in April 2010. RESULTS Thirty-four patients had LSG, and none was lost to follow-up. Indications for LSG over other bariatric procedures were patient preference (n=28), severe obesity with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 60 kg/m(2) (n=5) and severe upper abdominal adhesions (n=1). All but 1 of the cohort were women, and the average age was 48 (standard deviation [SD] 11) years. Preoperatively, the average BMI was 50.3 (SD 7.7) kg/m(2). Preoperative obesity-related comorbidity rates were 56% (n=19) for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 50% (n=17) for hypertension, 32% (n=11) for dys lipidemia, 62% (n=21) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), 62% (n=21) for knee and/or hip pain and 44% (n=15) for depression and/or anxiety. The mean duration of surgery was 74 (SD 21) minutes. There were 2 major perioperative complications: 1 staple line leak and 1 staple line hemorrhage. The median stay in hospital was 1 day. Postoperative upper gastrointestinal imaging studies were conducted in 11 patients; 1 was positive for staple line leak. Histopathology on the excised gastric segments revealed chronic helicobacter pylori gastritis in 2 patients and small gastrointestinal stromal tumours in 1 patient. The mean postoperative follow-up interval was 10 months. Weight loss averaged 27.4 (SD 9.0) kg. Overall weight loss was 3.3 (SD 1.8) kg/month. Resolution occurred in 74% of patients with T2DM, 53% with hypertension, 45% with dyslipidemia, 76% with OSA, 38% with joint pain and 20% with depression/anxiety. Overall satisfaction was rated as excellent by 68% of patients, good by 29% and poor by 3% of patients. CONCLUSION Preliminary analysis of our experience with LSG indicates that this is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of obesity.
DISCUSSING SEXUAL HEALTH TOPICS WITH SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL CLIENTS: AN EXPLORATION OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTITIONERS’ PREPAREDNESS

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . iv LIST OF TABLES . vii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Problem Formulation. 1 Purpose of the Study . 3 Significance of the Project for Social Work Practice . 4 CHAPTER TWO:LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction . 6 Human Sexuality as Vital Part of Life . 6 Inadequate or Limited Training . 7 Relationship Between Mental Health and Sexual Health . 8 Theories Guiding Conceptualization . 9 Summary . 11 CHAPTER THREE: METHODS Introduction . 12 Study Design . 12 Sampling . 13 Data Collection and Instruments . 13 Procedures . 14 Protection of Human Subjects . 15 Data Analysis . 15
Neural Mechanisms of Decision Making and the Personal Level

Can findings from psychology and cognitive neuroscience about the neural mechanisms involved in decision-making can tell us anything useful about the commonly-understood mental phenomenon of making voluntary choices? Two philosophical objections are considered. First, that the neural data is subpersonal, and so cannot enter into illuminating explanations of personal level phenomena like voluntary action. Secondly, that mental properties are multiply realized in the brain in such a way as to make them insusceptible to neuroscientific study. The paper argues that both objections would be weakened by the discovery of empirical generalisations connecting subpersonal properties with the personal level. It gives three case studies that furnish evidence to that effect. It argues that the existence of such interrelations are consistent with a plausible construal of the personal-subpersonal distinction. Furthermore, there is no reason to suppose that the notion subpersonal representation relied on in cognitive neuroscience illicitly imports personal-level phenomena like consciousness or normativity, or is otherwise explanatorily problematic.
Association between the instrumented timed up and go test and cognitive function, fear of falling and quality of life in community dwelling people with dementia

Objective: To explore relationships between the instrumented timed up and go test (iTUG) and the following risk factors for falls: cognitive functioning, fear of falling (FoF), and quality of life (QoL) in people with dementia. Methods: 83 community-dwelling older adults with dementia (mean±sd age 78.00±7.96 years; 60.2% male) completed an interview to capture global cognition (Mini-Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Evaluation), FoF (Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale) and QoL (ICEpopCAPability measure for Older people). Participants completed an iTUG whilst wearing an inertial sensor on their trunk. Linear accelerations and rotational velocities demarcated sub-phases of the iTUG. Relationships were explored through correlations and regression modelling. Results: Cognition was related to duration of walking sub-phases and total time to complete iTUG (r=0.25-0.28) suggesting gait speed was related to cognition. FoF was most strongly related to turning velocity (r=0.39-0.44), but also to sit-to-stand, gait sub-phases and total time to complete iTUG. Sub-phases explained 27% of the variance in FoF. There were no correlations between iTUG and QoL. Conclusions: Cognition and FoF were related to time to complete walking sub-phases but FoF was more closely related to turning velocity and standing acceleration. iTUG may offer unique insights into motor behaviour in people with dementia.
Physical and Performance Changes in Rugby Union Female Student-Athletes Over 31-and 52-Weeks

Only two papers have been published on physical and/or performance characteristics for women Rugby Union (RU) players and no data is available for Academy/ developing women RU student-athletes. The objective of this paper was to investigate, using descriptive statistics, the potential enhancement of physical and performance variables of New Zealand Women RU Academy student-athletes (NZWRUSA) over a 31-weekpremier league season and over 52-weeks, and compare this data with previous publications. Players trained 25hours per week, with an additional 12 to 15hours being scheduled for team practices and game play. Data collection was scheduled for set intervals. Over the Otago Rugby Football Union premier league season (weeks 1-31) mean data illustrated an increase in body weight(trivial Cohn’s effect size (ES/d)) with concurrent performance enhancement in all but one performance variable, ES ranging between trivial (d = 0.08) and large (d = 2.44). Over 52-weeks of training, body weight increase was again accompanied with improvements in all performance parameters except the two sprints, with large ES difference in lower extremity power (d = 1.49), upper body strength-bench press (d = 1.44), and anaerobic endurance effort (d = 2.37). Physical and performance enhancement, over a 31-week competitive-season and over 52-weeks, is possible even with an increase in body weight.
Combination of two-dimensional cochleogram and spectrogram features for deep learning-based ASR

This paper explores the use of auditory features based on cochleograms; two dimensional speech features derived from gammatone filters within the convolutional neural network (CNN) framework. Furthermore, we also propose various possibilities to combine cochleogram features with log-mel filter banks or spectrogram features. In particular, we combine within low and high levels of CNN framework which we refer to as low-level and high-level feature combination. As comparison, we also construct the similar configuration with deep neural network (DNN). Performance was evaluated in the framework of hybrid neural network - hidden Markov model (NN-HMM) system on TIMIT phoneme sequence recognition task. The results reveal that cochleogram-spectrogram feature combination provides significant advantages. The best accuracy was obtained by high-level combination of two dimensional cochleogram-spectrogram features using CNN, achieved up to 8.2% relative phoneme error rate (PER) reduction from CNN single features or 19.7% relative PER reduction from DNN single features.
Cognitive synergy in groups and group-to-individual transfer of decision-making competencies

In a field study (148 participants organized in 38 groups) we tested the effect of group synergy and one's position in relation to the collaborative zone of proximal development (CZPD) on the change of individual decision-making competencies. We used two parallel sets of decision tasks reported in previous research to test rationality and we evaluated individual decision-making competencies in the pre-group and post-group conditions as well as group rationality (as an emergent group level phenomenon). We used multilevel modeling to analyze the data and the results showed that members of synergetic groups had a higher cognitive gain as compared to members of non-synergetic groups, while highly rational members (members above the CZPD) had lower cognitive gains compared to less rational group members (members situated below the CZPD). These insights extend the literature on group-to-individual transfer of learning and have important practical implications as they show that group dynamics influence the development of individual decision-making competencies.
VisFlowConnect: netflow visualizations of link relationships for security situational awareness

We present a visualization design to enhance the ability of an administrator to detect and investigate anomalous traffic between a local network and external domains. Central to the design is a parallel axes view which displays NetFlow records as links between two machines or domains while employing a variety of visual cues to assist the user. We describe several filtering options that can be employed to hide uninteresting or innocuous traffic such that the user can focus his or her attention on the more unusual network flows. This design is implemented in the form of VisFlowConnect, a prototype application which we used to study the effectiveness of our visualization approach. Using VisFlowConnect, we were able to discover a variety of interesting network traffic patterns. Some of these were harmless, normal behavior, but some were malicious attacks against machines on the network.
Impact on Neurological Recovery of Transforaminal Debridement and Interbody Fusion versus Transpedicular Decompression in Combination with Pedicle Screw Instrumentation for Treating Thoracic and Lumbar Spinal Tuberculosis

Study Design Retrospective study. Purpose To compare the neurological outcome of transforaminal debridement and interbody fusion with transpedicular decompression for treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis. Overview of Literature Few articles have addressed the impact of neurological recovery in patients with tuberculosis who were treated by two different operative methods via the posterior-only approach. Methods Clinical and radiographic results of one-stage posterior instrumented spinal fusion for treatment of tuberculous spondylodiscitis with neurological deficits were reviewed and analyzed from 2009 to 2013. The extensive (E) group consisted of patients who received transforaminal debridement and interbody fusion, whereas transpedicular decompression was performed on limited (L) group. Rapid recovery was improvement of at least one Frankel grade within 6 weeks after operation. Otherwise, it was slow recovery. Results All 39 patients had improved neurological signs. The median follow-up period was 24 months. Proportionately younger patients (under 65 years of age) received extensive surgery (15 of 18, 83.3% vs. 11 of 21, 52.4%; p=0.04). The mean operative time and blood loss in the group E were higher than in the group L (both p<0.01). With regard to type of procedure, especially at thoracic and thoracolumbar spine, patients who underwent extensive surgery had rapid neurological recovery significantly different from those of limited surgery (p=0.01; Relative Risk, 3.06; 95% Confidence Interval, 1.13 to 8.29). Conclusions Transforaminal debridement and interbody fusion provides more rapid neurological recovery in patients with thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis compared to transpedicular decompression.
Randomized Rounding in the Presence of a Cardinality Constraint

We consider the problem of generating randomized roundings that satisfy a single cardinality constraint and admit Chernoff-type large deviation bounds for weighted sums of the variables. That this can be done efficiently was proven by Srinivasan [2001], a different approach was later given by the first author [Doerr 2006]. In this work, we (a) present an improved version of the bitwise derandomization given by Doerr, (b) give the first derandomization of Srinivasan's tree-based randomized approach and prove its correctness, and (c) experimentally compare the resulting algorithms. Our experiments show that adding a single cardinality constraint typically reduces the rounding errors and only moderately increases the running times. In general, our derandomization of the tree-based approach is superior to the derandomized bitwise one, while the two randomized versions produce very similar rounding errors. When implementing the derandomized tree-based approach, however, the choice of the tree is important.
Volatility in Equilibrium: Asymmetries and Dynamic Dependencies

Stock market volatility clusters in time, appears fractionally integrated, carries a risk premium, and exhibits asymmetric leverage effects relative to returns. At the same time, the volatility risk premium, defined by the difference between the risk-neutral and objective expectations of the volatility, is distinctly less persistent and appears short-memory. This paper develops the first internally consistent equilibrium based explanation for all of these empirical facts. The model is cast in continuous-time and entirely self-contained, involving non-separable recursive preferences. Our empirical investigations are made possible through the use of newly available high-frequency intra-day data for the VIX volatility index, along with corresponding high-frequency data for the S&P 500 aggregate market portfolio. We show that the qualitative implications from the new theoretical model match remarkably well with the distinct shapes and patterns in the sample auto-correlations and dynamic cross-correlations in the returns and volatilities observed in the data.
How common are long gamma-ray bursts in the local Universe?

The two closest Gamma-Ray Bursts so far detected (GRBs980425 & 060218) were both under-luminous, spectrally soft, long duration bursts with smooth, single-peaked light curves. Only of the order of 100 GRBs have measured redshifts, and there are, for example, 2704 GRBs in the BATSE catalogue alone. It is therefore plausible that other nearby GRBs have been observed but not identified as relatively nearby. Here we search for statistical correlations between BATSE long duration GRBs and galaxy samples with recession velocities v 6 11,000km s 1 (z = 0.0367,� 155 Mpc) selected from two catalogues of nearby galaxies. We also examine the correlations using burst sub-samples restricted to those with properties similar to the two known nearby bursts. Our results show correlation of the entire long GRB sample to remain consistent with zero out to the highest radii considered whereas a sub-sample selected to be low fluence, spectrally soft, with smooth single-peaked light curves (177 bursts) demonstrates increased correlation with galaxies within � 155 Mpc. The measured correlation (28%±16% of the sample) suggests that BATSE observed between 2 and 9 long duration GRBs per year similar to, and from within similar distances to GRBs980425 and 060218. This implies an observed local rate density (to BATSE limits) of 700 ± 360 Gpc 3 yr 1 within 155 Mpc.
Prevalence factors associated with hypertension in Rukungiri district, Uganda--a community-based study.

BACKGROUND Hypertension is a growing public health problem in Uganda and Africa as a whole. We conducted a study to determine the prevalence and identify factors associated withy hypertension among residents of the rural district of Rukungiri, Uganda. METHODS A community-based cross-sectional study design was used to conduct this study. Between January and February 2006, a random sample of consenting district residents, aged 20 years or older were enrolled to participate in this study. Trained research assistants administered a standardized questionnaire and performed the physical measurements. The questionnaire collected data on demographics, social economic and exposure history to various potential risk factors for hypertension. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) equal or greater than 140mmHg and/or diastolic BP equal or greater than 90mmHg, and/or being on regular anti-hypertensive therapy. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with hypertension. RESULTS Of the 842 study participants, 252 were hypertensive. The age-standardized prevalence of hypertension was 30.5%, with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) of 26.6 - 34.3%. Factors found to be associated with hypertension included: past alcohol use, Odds Ratio (OR)=2.28, [1.42 - 3.64], present alcohol use OR=1.64 [1.12 - 2.43], being overweight OR=1.95 [1.37 - 2.79], obesity OR=5.07 [2.79 - 9.21], female sex OR=1.44 [1.03 - 2.06], having attained tertiary education OR=1.91 [1.03 - 3.56], and older age OR=1.42 [1.27 - 1.59]). CONCLUSION The prevalence of hypertension in this rural Ugandan district is relatively high. The findings confirm the growing concern about hypertension as a public health problem in Uganda. More studies are however required to determine the distribution and determinants of hypertension in other parts of the country.
Visualization of test information to assist fault localization

One of the most expensive and time-consuming components of the debugging process is locating the errors or faults. To locate faults, developers must identify statements involved in failures and select suspicious statements that might contain faults. The paper presents a technique that uses visualization to assist with these tasks. The technique uses color to visually map the participation of each program statement in the outcome of the execution of the program with a test suite, consisting of both passed and failed test cases. Based on this visual mapping, a user can inspect the statements in the program, identify statements involved in failures, and locate potentially faulty statements. The paper also describes a prototype tool that implements our technique along with a set of empirical studies that use the tool for evaluation of the technique. The empirical studies show that, for the subject we studied, the technique can be effective in helping a user locate faults in a program.
Mechanics of the hysteretic large strain behavior of mussel byssus threads

Many biological materials have been shown to demonstrate remarkable physical properties, outperforming even the most widely-used synthetics. This study investigates mussel byssal threads, the attachment appendage of aquatic mussels, which are here shown to exhibit a remarkable ability to withstand very large resilient yet dissipative stretches (A > 4) without failing. These threads were dissected into separate regions: proximal (proximal to the mussel) and distal; the sections were then tested in tension in both monotonic and cyclic tests at varying nominal strain rates. These tests demonstrated that each section displayed different properties, and that the behavior of each section was dependent on that section's microstructure. This microstructure, as demonstrated by Hassenkam et. al. (2004), consists of tiny banana-shaped filament bundles, with molecular folded domain ends. It is demonstrated that as the thread is stretched these bundles straighten and the ends unfold, increasing the tension-free length of the filaments. Further stretching is required to load this new length and to release more of the folded domains. Upon unloading these bundles refold, with the refolding being time dependent i.e. as more time elapses between unloading and reloading more of the domains refold. A model for the stress-strain behavior of the threads, based mainly upon this unfolding, is developed. This model captures both the rate-dependence of the material and the thread behavior in loading, unloading, and reloading for both the distal and proximal thread section. Thesis Supervisor: Mary C. Boyce Title: Kendall Family Professor of Mechanical Engineering Table of
Automatic detection of surface defects on rolled steel using Computer Vision and Artificial Neural Networks

This work addresses the problem of automated visual inspection of surface defects on rolled steel, by using Computer Vision and Artificial Neural Networks. In recent years, the increasing throughput in the steel industry has become the visual inspection a critical production bottleneck. In this scenario, to assure a high rolled steel quality, novel sensor-based technologies have been developed. Unlike most common techniques, which are frequently based on manual estimations that lead to significant time and financial constraints, we present an automatic system based on (i) image analysis techniques, such as, Hough Transform to classify three defects with well-defined geometric shapes: welding, clamp and identification hole and (ii) two well-known feature extraction techniques: Principal Component Analysis and Self-Organizing Maps to classify three defects with complex shapes, specifically, oxidation, exfoliation and waveform defect. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our system, we tested it on challenging real-world datasets, acquired in a rolling mill of the steel company ArcelorMittal. The system was successfully validated, achieving overall accuracy of 87% and demonstrating its high potential to be applied in real scenarios.
Deconstructing thin clients

Recent advances in highly-available communication and collaborative algorithms do not necessarily obviate the need for the lookaside buffer. Given the current status of efficient theory, cyberneticists daringly desire the investigation of object-oriented languages, which embodies the essential principles of networking. We propose an analysis of lambda calculus, which we call Tannin.
Pallas: Semantic-Aware Checking for Finding Deep Bugs in Fast Path

Software optimization is constantly a serious concern for developing high-performance systems. To accelerate the workflow execution of a specific functionality, software developers usually define and implement a fast path to speed up the critical and commonly executed functions in the workflow. However, producing a bug-free fast path is nontrivial. Our study on the Linux kernel discloses that a committed fast path can have up to 19 follow-up patches for bug fixing, and most of them are deep semantic bugs, which are difficult to be pinpointed by existing bug-finding tools. In this paper, we present such a new category of software bugs based on our fast-path bug study across various system software including virtual memory manager, file systems, network, and device drivers. We investigate their root causes and identify five error-prone aspects in a fast path: path state, trigger condition, path output, fault handling, and assistant data structure. We find that many of the deep bugs can be prevented by applying static analysis incorporating simple semantic information. We extract a set of rules based on our findings and build a toolkit PALLAS to check fast-path bugs. The evaluation results show that PALLAS can effectively reveal fast-path bugs in a variety of systems including Linux kernel, mobile operating system, software-defined networking system, and web browser.