Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypertension and intracerebral hemorrhage in Brazzaville

Hypertension is not only an important risk factor, but also an important cause of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Its high prevalence in Africa reflects a high incidence of cerebral hemorrhage ranging from 30% to 60% against 10% to 20% in industrialized countries. The aim of our study was to determine the role of hypertension before the onset of intracerebral hemorrhage and its variations during the first three months. This was a longitudinal study conducted at the University Hospital of Brazzaville from 1st January to 31st August 2012 with all patients admitted for intracerebral hemorrhage. Patients with subarachnoid or pure intraventricular hemorrhage were excluded. The study variables were: history of hypertension, knowledge of its history, treatment, blood pressure on admission and during the first 3 months and the relationship between blood pressure and evolution. Statistical analysis was performed using the software SPSSS 16.1. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. During the study 261 patients were hospitalized for stroke, of which 82 (31.42%) were for intracerebral hemorrhage. The mean age was 55 ± 11 years and sex ratio of 2 men:1 woman. Hypertension was found in 80.5% of cases, of which 65.2% had known hypertension, but 82.6% had discontinued treatment. The mean systolic blood pressure was 194 ± 41 mm Hg and diastolic 104 ± 20 mm Hg. The location was deep in 85.71%. The normalization of blood pressure was obtained from the second week. After adjusting for confounders using logistic analysis, only uncontrolled hypertension was associated significantly and independently associated with a higher mortality rate (p = 0.042).
An approach to teaching the writing of literature reviews [Online]

Students face difficulties in writing literature reviews that relate in particular to limited knowledge of the genre (Bruce, 1992; E. Turner, 2005). While there has been valuable research relating to genre and discourse analysis of the literature review (such as Bunton, 2002; Kwan, 2006; O’Connell and Jin, 2001), there is a lack of research into the effectiveness of published writing support programmes. Furthermore, with exceptions such as Ridley (2000) and Swales and Lindemann (2002), there is little explicit advice on how to approach the teaching of the literature review. This paper reports on one of two studies described at the 4th International EATAW conference 2007. It describes an evaluation of the effectiveness of an approach at a New Zealand university to teaching the writing of literature reviews. It focuses on a 15-hour unit of teaching as part of a six-day EAL graduate writing course. The study found clear evidence of improvement in all areas that were targeted.
Unsupervised morph segmentation and statistical language models for vocabulary expansion

This work explores the use of unsupervised morph segmentation along with statistical language models for the task of vocabulary expansion. Unsupervised vocabulary expansion has large potential for improving vocabulary coverage and performance in different natural language processing tasks, especially in less-resourced settings on morphologically rich languages. We propose a combination of unsupervised morph segmentation and statistical language models and evaluate on languages from the Babel corpus. The method is shown to perform well for all the evaluated languages when compared to the previous work on the task.
Genetic Control of Susceptibility to Candida albicans in SM/J Mice

In the immunocompromised host, invasive infection with the fungal pathogen Candida albicans is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Sporadic cases in otherwise normal individuals are rare, and they are thought to be associated with genetic predisposition. Using a mouse model of systemic infection with C. albicans, we identified the SM/J mouse strain as unusually susceptible to infection. Genetic linkage studies in informative [C57BL/6JxSM/J]F2 mice identified a major locus on distal chromosome 15, given the appellation Carg5, that regulates C. albicans replication in SM/J mice. Cellular and molecular immunophenotyping experiments, as well as functional studies in purified cell populations from SM/J and C57BL/6J, and in [C57BL/6JxSM/J]F2 mice fixed for homozygous or heterozygous Carg5 alleles, indicate that Carg5-regulated susceptibility in SM/J is associated with a complex defect in the myeloid compartment of these mice. SM/J neutrophils express lower levels of Ly6G, and importantly, they show significantly reduced production of reactive oxygen species in response to stimulation with fMLF and PMA. Likewise, CD11b+Ly6G−Ly6Chi inflammatory monocytes were present at lower levels in the blood of infected SM/J, recruited less efficiently at the site of infection, and displayed blunted oxidative burst. Studies in F2 mice establish strong correlations between Carg5 alleles, Ly6G expression, production of serum CCL2 (MCP-1), and susceptibility to C. albicans. Genomic DNA sequencing of chromatin immunoprecipitated for myeloid proinflammatory transcription factors IRF1, IRF8, STAT1 and NF-κB, as well as RNA sequencing, were used to develop a “myeloid inflammatory score” and systematically analyze and prioritize potential candidate genes in the Carg5 interval.
Ontological manifestation of product risk in service oriented environment

Risk is omnipresent in all the interactions that we carry out. Quantifying and making risk-based assessments and decisions is very important especially in the case of business interactions. However in the existing literature there is no ontological manifestation of risk and its related concepts. In this paper, we propose an ontological manifestation of risk. Subsequently it is extended to derive an ontological manifestation of product risk.
E-commerce and fair exchange - The problem of item validation

Fair exchange protocols have been widely studied since their proposal, but are still not implemented on most e-commerce transactions available. For several types of digital items (e-goods), the current e-commerce business models fail to provide fairness to customers. The item validation problem is a critical step in fair exchange, and is yet to receive the proper attention from researchers. We believe these issues should be addressed in a comprehensive and integrated fashion before fair exchange protocols can be effectively deployed in the marketplace. This is the aim of our research, and drawing attention to these problems and possible solutions is the goal of this paper.
Ownership Structure and Debt Leverage : Empirical Test of a Trade-Off Hypothesis on French Firms 1

Debt may help to manage type II corporate agency co nfli ts because it is easier for controlling shareholders to modify the leverage ratio than to m odify their share of capital. A sample of 112 firms listed on the French stock market over th period 1998-2009 is empirically tested. It supports an inverted U-shape relationship between s hareholders' ownership and leverage. At low levels of ownership, controlling shareholders u se more debt in order to inflate their stake in capital and to resist unfriendly takeovers attem pts. When ownership reaches a certain point, controlling shareholders' objectives further conver ge with those of outside shareholders. Moreover, financial distress will prompt controllin g shareholders to reduce the firm's leverage ratio. Empirically, it is shown that the inflection point where the sign of the relationship between ownership and debt changes is around 40%. D ebts may help in curbing private appropriation and appears also as a governance vari able. JEL: G3/ G32/G34
Drowsiness Detection Based on Eyelid Movement

Fatigue driving easily causes traffic accidents. drowsiness is an important hint of Fatigue. A novel drowsiness detection algorithms based on eyelid movement is proposed in the paper. The cascaded classifiers algorithm is used to detect driver's face and the diamond searching algorithm used to trace the face. A simple feature is then extracted from temporal difference image and used to analyze rules of eyelid movement in drowsiness. Furthermore, three criterions are also presented and used to judge whether a driver is drowsy or not. Experimental results show that this new algorithm achieves a satisfied performance for drowsiness detection.
Fluorescence, reflectance, and light-scattering spectroscopy for evaluating dysplasia in patients with Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The aim of this study was to assess the potential of 3 spectroscopic techniques (fluorescence, reflectance, and light-scattering spectroscopy) individually and in combination, for evaluating low- and high-grade dysplasia in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE). METHODS Fluorescence spectra at 11 excitation wavelengths and a reflectance spectrum were acquired in approximately 1 second from each site before biopsy using an optical fiber probe. The measured fluorescence spectra were combined with the reflectance spectra to extract the intrinsic tissue fluorescence. The reflectance spectra provided morphologic information about the bulk tissue, whereas light-scattering spectroscopy was used to determine cell nuclear crowding and enlargement in Barrett's epithelium. RESULTS Significant differences were observed between dysplastic and nondysplastic BE in terms of intrinsic fluorescence, bulk scattering properties, and levels of epithelial cell nuclear crowding and enlargement. The combination of all 3 techniques resulted in superior sensitivity and specificity for separating high-grade from non-high-grade and dysplastic from nondysplastic epithelium. CONCLUSIONS Intrinsic fluorescence, reflectance, and light-scattering spectroscopies provide complementary information about biochemical and morphologic changes that occur during the development of dysplasia. The combination of these techniques (Tri-Modal Spectroscopy) can serve as an excellent tool for the evaluation of dysplasia in BE.
Variable rate adaptive trellis coded QAM for high bandwidth efficiency applications in Rayleigh fading channels

A high bandwidth efficiency variable rate adaptive channel coding scheme, ATCQAM, is proposed. Known pilot symbols are transmitted periodically to aid demodulation. Past channel states are fed back to the transmitter with delay. Current channel state is then predicted at the transmitter to decide on the appropriate modulation mode for the current symbol. At good channel states, high level modulation is used to boost up the average throughput. At bad channel states, low level modulation is used to increase error protection. By matching the variable modulation level with a variable rate channel coder, the physical bandwidth is maintained constant. Design issues for the ATCQAM are considered. The effects of finite feedback delay, finite interleaving depth and mobile speed are investigated.
Research on Fault Diagnosis and Protect Model for DC Traction Power Supply System Based on Traveling Wave Theory

The paper analyses the limitation of the differentiation i-delta I protection method. It puts forward traveling wave protection method for the DC power supply system that is based on interrelated characteristics of the traveling wave and the unit impedance of the transmission line. The traveling wave protection method overcomes the disadvantage of the traditional method in which the protection action is affected by the overall impedance of the circuit, and thus improves the reliability and sensibility of the relay protection system. A great number of field tests are carried out and the research results are satisfactory
Estimation of AR and ARMA models by stochastic complexity

In this paper the stochastic complexity criterion is applied to estimation of the order in AR and ARMA models. The power of the criterion for short strings is illustrated by simulations. It requires an integral of the square root of Fisher information, which is done by Monte Carlo technique. The stochastic complexity, which is the negative logarithm of the Normalized Maximum Likelihood universal density function, is given. Also, exact asymptotic formulas for the Fisher information matrix are derived.
An Original Flow Diversion Device for the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: Evaluation in the Rabbit Elastase-Induced Model

Background and Purpose— The potential for successful treatment of intracranial aneurysms by flow diversion is gradually being recognized in the clinical setting; however, the devices currently available (stents) are not designed for flow diversion. We evaluate the long-term response of an appropriately designed flow diversion device in producing thrombotic occlusion of experimental aneurysms. Methods— Three different configurations of an original flow diversion device were implanted across thirty elastase-induced aneurysm models in rabbits. Ten animals per device configuration were followed-up for 3 weeks (n=3), 3 months (n=3), or 6 months (n=4), and tissue explanted postsacrifice was sent for histology. The temporal variation in angiographic contrast intensity within each aneurysm was fitted with a mathematical model to quantify the alteration in local hemodynamics caused by the implanted device. A predictive index, called the washout coefficient, was constructed to estimate long-term aneurysm occlusion probabilities immediately after treatment with any flow diversion device. Results— The device with a porosity of 70% and pore density of 18 pores/mm2 performed better at occluding aneurysms than devices with 70% porosity, 12 pores/mm2 and 65% porosity, 14 pores/mm2. A value of the washout coefficient less than 30 predicted greater than 97% angiographic aneurysm occlusion over a period of 6 months with a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 82%. Conclusions— The flow diversion devices effected successful and stable aneurysm occlusion. Pore density, rather than porosity, may be the critical factor modulating efficacy of such devices.
Modeling and parameter identification of rheological object based on FE method and nonlinear optimization

There are many kinds of deformable objects in our living life. Some of them such as human tissues, human organs, and food exhibit rheological behaviors when they are subject to external force. In surgery simulation and food engineering, we need to simulate or control such behaviors. In this paper, four-element model associated with finite element (FE) method was employed to model rheological deformation. This model can reach a good approximation of rheological force response when the object experience a standard strain input. An identification approach for estimating physical parameters of rheological deformation was presented based on 2D FE simulation and nonlinear optimization. This identification method aimed at minimizing the difference of force response between the simulation and experiment by using nonlinear least square method. Finally, experiments and identification results were given and both modeling and identification method were validated by comparing the results of simulation and experiments.
Power Efficient Large Matrices Multiplication by Load Scheduling on Multi-core and GPU Platform with CUDA

Power efficiency is one of the most important issues in high performance computing (HPC) interrelated to both software and hardware. Power dissipation of a program lies on algorithm design and power features of the computer components on which the program runs. In this work, we measure and model the power consumption of large matrices multiplication on multi-core CPU and GPU platform. By incorporating major physical power constrains of hardware components with the analysis of program execution behaviors, we approach to save the overall power consumption by using multithreading CPU to control two GPU devices computing in parallel synchronously. By implementing above method on real system, we show that it can save 22% of energy and speedup the kernel execution time by 71%, compare with solving the same large matrices multiplication using single CPU and GPU combination.
An Experiment on the Effects of Engagement and Representation in Program Animation Perception

When visualization tools utilized in computer science education have been evaluated empirically, the results have been controversial. The extent to which the tools have beneﬁted learning has remained unclear, as well as the ways through which the beneﬁt has been achieved. In our research, we have chosen to vary type of students’ engagement and representation of the visualization tool in a series of experiments, in order to investigate the phenomena taking place during individual viewing of visualizations. In the current experiment, we varied student engagement using two different tasks to perform during viewing; data ﬂow task (D) and control ﬂow task (C). Representation of visualization was varied by using two versions of the program ani-mator; one with special images and animation, and one without. The results show that while the distribution of visual attention of the participants performing task D was steady throughout the time, the participants performing task C focused their visual attention at the beginning almost solely on the code, and increased their visual attention to the other parts of the visualization on the second half of the viewing. The participants performing task D also beneﬁted most from the tool, at least regarding programming knowledge.
Expression and Activity of Metalloproteinases in Depression

Background Depression is one of the most common mental disorders and often co-exists with somatic diseases. The most probable cause of comorbidity is a generalized inflammatory process that occurs in both depression and somatic diseases. Matrix metalloproteinases MMPs play a role in modulating inflammation and their impact in many inflammatory diseases has been investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate gene expression for selected polymorphisms of MMP-2 (C-735T), MMP-7 (A-181G), and MMP-9 (T-1702A, C1562T), which have been confirmed to participate in development of depression, and TIMP-2 (G-418C, tissue inhibitor of MMP). Activity variability of pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 was measured in a group of people with depression and a group of healthy individuals. Material/Methods The examined population comprised 142 individuals suffering from depression and 100 individuals who formed a control group (CG). Designations were carried out for MMP-2 (C-735T), MMP-7 (A-181G), MMP-9 (T-1702A, C1562T), and TIMP-2 (G-418C). Results For all examined and tested MMPs and for TIMP-2, gene expression at the mRNA level was higher in patients with depression than in the CG. Similar results were recorded for gene expression at the protein level, while expression on the protein level for TIMP-2 was higher in the CG. Change in activity of MMP-2 and pro-MMP-2 was statistically more significant in the group with depression. The opposite result was recorded for MMP-9 and pro-MMP-9, in which the change in activity was statistically more significant in the CG. Conclusions Changes in MMPs and TIMP expression may be a common element in, or perhaps even a marker for, recurrent depressive disorders and somatic diseases.
Drivers and Consequences of Frustration When Using Social Networking Services: A Quantitative Analysis of Facebook Users

In this study drivers and consequences of frustration, a negative emotion when using information technology (IT), are theorized and empirically evaluated in a social networking services (SNS) usage context. For example, when users are frustrated by using SNS they might stop using these services. As the number of users mainly determines the value of SNS this paper focuses on frustration while using SNS. It is assumed that both technology and social aspects of SNS usage determine whether users feel frustrated. Empirical evidence can be provided that perceived enjoyment, envy, information overload, and social overload are antecedents of the sentiment frustration. It is also argued that frustration while using SNS will lead to dissatisfaction and discontinued usage. Based on the empirical evidence for this cohesion the paper discusses its theoretical contribution in terms of that discontinuous usage behavior is a coping strategy applied by users to minimize the frustration sentiment.
SN 2006gy: Discovery of the Most Luminous Supernova Ever Recorded, Powered by the Death of an Extremely Massive Star like η Carinae

We report the discovery and early observations of the peculiar Type IIn supernova (SN) 2006gy in NGC 1260. With a peak visual magnitude of about -22, it is the most luminous supernova ever recorded. Its very slow rise to maximum took ~70 days, and it stayed brighter than -21 mag for about 100 days. It is not yet clear what powers the enormous luminosity and the total radiated energy of ~1051 erg, but we argue that any known mechanism—thermal emission, circumstellar interaction, or 56Ni decay—requires a very massive progenitor star. The circumstellar interaction hypothesis would require truly exceptional conditions around the star, which, in the decades before its death, must have experienced a luminous blue variable (LBV) eruption like the 19th century eruption of η Carinae. However, this scenario fails to explain the weak and unabsorbed soft X-rays detected by Chandra. Radioactive decay of 56Ni may be a less objectionable hypothesis, but it would imply a large Ni mass of ~22 M☉, requiring SN 2006gy to have been a pair-instability supernova where the star's core was obliterated. While this is still uncertain, SN 2006gy is the first supernova for which we have good reason to suspect a pair-instability explosion. Based on a number of lines of evidence, we eliminate the hypothesis that SN 2006gy was a ``Type IIa'' event, that is, a white dwarf exploding inside a hydrogen envelope. Instead, we propose that the progenitor was a very massive evolved object like η Carinae that, contrary to expectations, failed to shed its hydrogen envelope. SN 2006gy implies that some of the most massive stars can explode prematurely during the LBV phase, never becoming Wolf-Rayet stars. SN 2006gy also suggests that they can create brilliant supernovae instead of experiencing ignominious deaths through direct collapse to a black hole. If such a fate is common among the most massive stars, then observable supernovae from Population III stars in the early universe will be more numerous than previously believed.
Nurses' Reflection, Compassion Fatigue, and Work Burnout - A Correlational Analysis

Nurses’ Reflection, Compassion Fatigue, and Work Burnout—A Correlational Analysis by Sarah J. Urban MSN, Pensacola Christian College, 2012 BSN, Pensacola Christian College, 2010 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Nursing
Improved Learning Complexity in Combinatorial Pure Exploration Bandits

We study the problem of combinatorial pure exploration in the stochastic multi-armed bandit problem. We first construct a new measure of complexity that provably characterizes the learning performance of the algorithms we propose for the fixed confidence and the fixed budget setting. We show that this complexity is never higher than the one in existing work and illustrate a number of configurations in which it can be significantly smaller. While in general this improvement comes at the cost of increased computational complexity, we provide a series of examples , including a planning problem, where this extra cost is not significant.
Mean JHK Magnitudes of Fundamental‐Mode Cepheids from Single‐Epoch Observations

We present an empirical method for converting single‐point near‐infrared J, H, and K measurements of fundamental‐mode Cepheids to mean magnitudes, using complete light curves in V or I bands. The algorithm is based on the template light curves in the near‐infrared bandpasses. The mean uncertainty of the method is estimated to about 0.03 mag, which is smaller than the uncertainties obtained in other approaches to the problem in the literature.