Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Optimal State Dependent Haptic Guidance Controller via a Hard Rein

The aim of this paper is to improve the optimality and accuracy of techniques to guide a human in limited visibility and auditory conditions such as in fire-fighting in warehouses or similar environments. At present, breathing apparatus (BA) wearing fire-fighters move in teams following walls. Due to limited visibility and high noise in the oxygen masks, they predominantly depend on haptic communication through reins. An intelligent agent (man/machine) with full environment perceptual capabilities is an alternative to enhance navigation in such unfavorable environments, just like a dog guiding a blind person. This paper proposes an optimal state-dependent control policy to guide a follower with limited environmental perception, by an intelligent and environmentally perceptive agent. Based on experimental systems identification and numerical simulations on human demonstrations from eight pairs of participants, we show that the guiding agent and the follower experience learning for a optimal stable state-dependent novel 3rd and 2nd order auto regressive predictive and reactive control policies respectively. Our findings provide a novel theoretical basis to design advanced human-robot interaction algorithms in a variety of cases that require the assistance of a robot to perceive the environment by a human counterpart.
Structured analysis using hierarchical predicate transition nets

In previous work, a methodology for constructing hierarchical and structured high-level Petri net specifications has been developed. The authors further explore and refine the methodology for using hierarchical high-level Petri nets in systems analysis. The approach has adapted the results from the data flow diagram method and its application to modern systems analysis. The major steps and the associated techniques of the approach are presented and demonstrated through a library system. <<ETX>>
Effect of ApoE ε4 Allele on Visual Evoked Potentials and Resultant Flow Coupling in Patients With Alzheimer

The apolipoprotein E ε4 (ApoE ε4) allele is a strong susceptibility factor for Alzheimer disease, which promotes neurodegeneration and cerebrovascular dysfunction. To address this issue in more detail, we simultaneously obtained visual evoked potentials and resultant hemodynamic responses in newly diagnosed Alzheimer patients without signs of vascular lesions on a cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Patients were grouped according to ApoE genotype (n = 19 ApoE ε4 carrier and n = 12 noncarrier). ApoE ε4 carrier had significantly longer peak latencies and a trend to higher interpeak latencies of late potential components. Potential amplitudes and hemodynamic responses were similar in both groups. At the incidental stage of disease process, it appears that the ApoE ε4 allele mainly promotes neuronal dysfunction rather than aggravates neurovascular dysfunction. Studies with larger patient samples are warranted to corroborate the first findings.
Accuracy in Scoring Vignettes Using the Mini Mental State Examination and the Short Orientation Memory Concentration Test

Objective: To compare the accuracy in scoring of vignettes of 2 cognitive screening tests—the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Short Orientation Memory Concentration Test (S-OMC). Design: Within group comparison. Setting: Academic institution. Participants: A total of 74 student nurses. Method: Participants received instruction on the scoring of each test and were then asked to score 6 videotaped clinical vignettes. Main Outcome Measures: Scores allocated by participants on the vignettes for the MMSE and S-OMC. Results: The proportion of participants assigning the correct total score to the vignettes was low (MMSE 53.2%, S-OMC 66.7%), and the difference in accuracy between tests was significant (P = .005). The total scores that were assigned resulted in misclassification across all 4 caseness cutoffs within each test (MMSE 0.9%-5.9%; S-OMC 1.4%-2.7%). The differences in correct caseness placement between the 2 tests were significant only for the moderate impairment cutoff, where the S-OMC achieved greater correct caseness placement. Conclusions: The high proportion of scoring mistakes overall has implications for the use of both the tests in routine clinical practice but in particular for the MMSE. An increased awareness is needed in clinical settings and among tests developers, of the likelihood of, and implications arising from, variations in scoring accuracy. In the current study, the S-OMC was scored more accurately than the MMSE.
Construção de base de dados nacional de pacientes em tratamento dialítico no Sistema Único de Saúde, 2000-2012

OBJETIVO:descrever os procedimentos de criacao da base de dados nacional dos pacientes em tratamento dialitico pelo Sistema Unico de Saude (SUS). METODOS:efetuou-se relacionamento deterministico e probabilistico dos registros de Autorizacao de Procedimentos de Alta Complexidade (APAC) entre 2000 e 2012, utilizando-se o Statistical Analysis System(SAS) e o Fine-Grained Records Integration and Linkage Tool(FRIL). RESULTADOS:concatenou-se 14.200 arquivos e identificou-se 38.038. 040 registros; destes, 17.534 (0,046%) foram excluidos por nao preenchimento das variaveis 'Cadastro de Pessoa Fisica' (CPF) e 'Cartao Nacional de Saude' (CNS) e 100.432 (0,264%) por referirem a campanha de cirurgia de catarata; no periodo, 351.076 individuos iniciaram tratamento dialitico e 280.667 (79,9%) permaneceram no SUS por tres meses ou mais de tratamento.CONCLUSOES:a metodologia utilizada permitiu a construcao de uma base de dados para monitoramento dos individuos em tratamento dialitico no SUS, podendo ser util para outras enfermidades cujos tratamentos sao registrados na APAC.
Biased Graphs .III. Chromatic and Dichromatic Invariants

Abstract A biased graph Ω consists of a graph Γ and a class of circles in Γ (edge sets of simple, closed paths), called balanced, such that no theta subgraph contains exactly two balanced circles. An edge set is balanced if (simplifying slightly) every circle in it is balanced. Biased graphs generalize ordinary graphs, which behave like biased graphs in which every circle is balanced. We define and study the chromatic, dichromatic, and Whitney number polynomials of a biased graph, which generalize those of an ordinary graph. We employ an algebraic definition since not all biased graphs can be colored. We show that the polynomials enjoy many properties that are familiar in ordinary graph theory, such as convolutional and partition expansions, close connections with the bias and lift matroids of Ω, and deletion-contraction invariance of the dichromatic polynomial. They also have the novel feature of being reducible to more readily computable related polynomials that have no analogs in ordinary graph theory. We apply our results to evaluate Whitney numbers and other invariants of the bias and lift matroids, to characterize the biased graphs which have an unbalanced edge at every node and whose bias matroid is a series-parallel network, and to calculate the invariants of some types of biased graphs, such as those where no circle is balanced and some which are similar to Dowling lattices and classical root systems. For the latter we also characterize supersolvability, a matroid property which implies the characteristic polynomial has positive integral roots.
Direct and Indirect Assessments of Activities of Daily Living in Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer Disease

Background: There is limited information about the functional profile of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). Objective: To compare direct and indirect assessments of activities of daily living (ADLs) in bvFTD and Alzheimer disease (AD) and their relationship with cognitive performance. Methods: In all, 20 patients with bvFTD, 30 patients with AD, and 34 normal controls (NCs), matched for age, education, and severity of dementia, completed the Direct Assessment of Functional Performance (DAFS-BR) and usual cognitive measures. The Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) was completed by caregivers. Results: In DAFS-BR, patients with bvFTD and AD had similar performance but lower than NCs. In DAD, there were no significant differences for effective performance, but patients with bvFTD had lower scores for initiation and planning/organization. Patients with bvFTD were less impaired than AD in cognition. Conclusion: Functional changes in bvFTD seem to be better documented by indirect measures.
Depression and Cognitive Function in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A 1-Year Follow-Up Study

Background: The coexistence of depression with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) seems to increase the risk of dementia. However, the explanations of that relationship have been inconsistent. We investigated cognitive profiles in patients with MCI with and without depression and whether changes in depression symptoms affect cognition longitudinally. Methods: For the study, 161 patients with MCI were divided into a depressed group (D+) and a nondepressed group (D−). After 1 year, we redivided the original D− group into D− and newly developed depression (Dd) groups and the D+ group into improved depression (Di) and nonimproved depression (Dn) groups. Neuropsychological tests assessing depression and cognitive domains were performed at baseline and follow-up. Results: When age-adjusted, the D+ group showed significantly poorer performance in general cognition and some subtests regarding memory, executive function, and attention. At the 1-year follow-up, changes in the calculation test (P = .005) and Controlled Oral Word Test (COWAT; P = .048) were significantly different between groups. Only the Di group showed significant improvement in calculation. The Dn group showed significant decrement in COWAT that was significantly different from that of the Di group, which showed no significant change. Discussion: Patients with depression having MCI showed poorer cognitive function than nondepressed patients with MCI in some cognitive domains. Improvement in depression was related to improvement or prevention of decline in cognitive measures.
Énumération des cartes pointées sur une surface orientable de genre quelconque en fonction des nombres de sommets et de faces

Dans cet article, nous explicitons la forme generale des series generatrices des cartes pointees sur une surface orientable, enumerees en fonction des nombres de sommets et de faces. Toutes ces series generatrices sont des series rationnelles d'un unique systeme parametrique des variables denombrant les sommets et les faces. Nous explicitons ces series dans le cas des cartes pointees de genre 0, 1, 2 et 3. Les solutions pour les genres 2 et 3 sont deux resultats nouveaux sur les cartes. De plus, la forme generale proposee pour ces series precise celle de E. A. Bender et al., en repondant notamment a une question laissee ouverte dans deux articles de ces auteurs.We give here general formulas for the generating functions counting rooted maps on an orientable surface by number of vertices and faces. All these generating functions appear to be rational functions of the same parametric system of the variables counting the number of vertices and faces. We make explicit these functions for rooted maps of genus 0, 1, 2, and 3. The solutions for genus 2 and 3 are new results about maps. Moreover, our general formulas refine these of E. A. Bender et al., answering a question left open in their articles on this subject.
Wheat ω-5 gliadin is a major allergen in children with immediate allergy to ingested wheat☆☆☆

Abstract Background: Sensitization to wheat by ingestion can lead to food allergy symptoms and wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Sensitization by inhalation causes bakers' asthma and rhinitis. Wheat allergens have been characterized at the molecular level in bakers' asthma and in wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis, in which ω-5 gliadin (Tri a 19) is a major allergen. However, little information is available regarding allergens responsible for hypersensitivity reactions to ingested wheat in children. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether children with allergy to ingested wheat have IgE antibodies to ω-5 gliadin. Methods: Sera were obtained from 40 children (mean age, 2.5 years; range, 0.7-8.2 years) with suspected wheat allergy who presented with atopic dermatitis and/or gastrointestinal and/or respiratory symptoms. Wheat allergy was diagnosed with open or double-blinded, placebo-controlled oral wheat challenge. Wheat ω-5 gliadin was purified by reversed-phase chromatography, and serum IgE antibodies to ω-5 gliadin were measured by means of ELISA. In vivo reactivity was studied by skin prick testing. Control sera were obtained from 22 children with no evidence of food allergies. Results: In oral wheat challenge, 19 children (48%) reacted with immediate and 8 children (20%) with delayed hypersensitivity symptoms. Sixteen (84%) of the children with immediate symptoms had IgE antibodies to purified ω-5 gliadin in ELISA. In contrast, IgE antibodies to ω-5 gliadin were not detected in any of the children with delayed or negative challenge test results or in the control children. The diagnostic specificity and positive predictive value of ω-5 gliadin ELISA were each 100% for immediate challenge reactions. Skin prick testing with ω-5 gliadin was positive in 6 of 7 children with immediate challenge symptoms and negative in 2 children with delayed challenge symptoms. Conclusion: The results of this study show that ω-5 gliadin is a significant allergen in young children with immediate allergic reactions to ingested wheat. IgE testing with ω-5 gliadin could be used to reduce the need for oral wheat challenges in children. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;108:634-8.)
Trees and Streets as Drivers of Urban Stormwater Nutrient Pollution.

Expansion of tree cover is a major management goal in cities because of the substantial benefits provided to people, and potentially to water quality through reduction of stormwater volume by interception. However, few studies have addressed the full range of potential impacts of trees on urban runoff, which includes deposition of nutrient-rich leaf litter onto streets connected to storm drains. We analyzed the influence of trees on stormwater nitrogen and phosphorus export across 19 urban watersheds in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, U.S.A. , and at the scale of individual streets within one residential watershed. Stormwater nutrient concentrations were highly variable across watersheds and strongly related to tree canopy over streets, especially for phosphorus. Stormwater nutrient loads were primarily related to road density, the dominant control over runoff volume. Street canopy exerted opposing effects on loading, where elevated nutrient concentrations from trees near roads outweighed the weak influence of trees on runoff reduction. These results demonstrate that vegetation near streets contributes substantially to stormwater nutrient pollution, and therefore to eutrophication of urban surface waters. Urban landscape design and management that account for trees as nutrient pollution sources could improve water quality outcomes, while allowing cities to enjoy the myriad benefits of urban forests.
Adaptation to Spinal Cord Injury for Families Post-Injury

Based on the Roy adaptation model, this cross-sectional study was conducted with 15 spinal cord injured individuals and their family members to examine the physical, emotional, functional, and social components of adaptation to spinal cord injury at 1 year (n = 7 dyads) and 3 years (n = 8 dyads) post-injury. Findings indicate that spinal cord injured individuals and their family members, regardless of time since the initial injury, have a moderate level of adaptation and adjustment to spinal cord injury. The data suggested that adaptation to spinal cord injury during the first 3 years can be enhanced by providing ongoing social and educational support for not only the injured individuals, but also their family members.
Basic Grade Occupational Therapists: A Descriptive Evaluation of a Community Rotation Scheme

Difficulties in recruiting staff to National Health Service (NHS) facilities have been noted in the literature and, among occupational therapists, this problem is particularly acute in urban areas. One inner-city NHS trust responded to this difficulty by establishing a rotation scheme that allowed basic grade occupational therapists to gain experience in a range of community-based posts. There appear to be few precedents for such a scheme and the experience of newly qualified staff in non-traditional settings is rarely documented in the literature. The present study sought to evaluate the basic grade community rotation scheme in terms of the postholders' perceptions. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered which elicited their views on role clarity, multidisciplinary working practices, access to professional support, levels of occupational stress and job satisfaction. The findings indicate a number of benefits from the community rotation scheme, such as the development of autonomous practice and the varied nature of the work. Disadvantages were also evident, such as a lack of role clarity and the tendency for generic working practices to emerge within multidisciplinary teams. The findings are considered in relation to the literature and the implications for further investigation are discussed. It is concluded that further work is needed in this area to facilitate the recruitment and retention of current and future practitioners.
Limitations of Self-Care in Reducing the Risk of Lymphedema

The purpose of this study was to examine patient perceptions of limitations related to self-care measures to reduce lymphedema risk following breast cancer surgery. Secondary analysis of survey data from a companion study to a study piloting a behavioral-educational intervention was conducted to examine the specific limitations in performing lymphedema risk-reduction self-care measures. Findings suggest a more comprehensive approach is needed if patients are to engage in self-care actions to reduce lymphedema risk. Understanding the concepts of self-care and personal support interventions that include motivational interviewing can help nurses design supportive-educative care systems that assist patients in overcoming limitations in the estimative, transitional, and productive phases of self-care necessary to reduce lymphedema risk.
High-Grade Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Cervix

Neuroendocrine tumor of the uterine cervix is a rare and aggressive malignancy. Despite controversial, multimodal treatment methods, prognosis and treatment outcomes are worst in advanced stages. We report an early-stage case treated with the multimodal approach. The nomenclature proposed for this tumor type in 1997 by the College of American Pathologists still has some points of discussion. As in our case some of the tumors cannot be defined exactly into small or large cell types, and this causes confusion at least for nomenclature purposes. A ‘mixed’ type for this tumor may be appropriate.
Connected Component Labeling on Coarse Grain Parallel Computers: An Experimental Study

Abstract Connected component labeling is a fundamental task in computer vision. This paper presents parallel implementations of connected component labeling for grey level images on the iPSC/2 and iPSC/86O hypercubes, the CM-5, and on the shared memory Encore Multimax multiprocessor. Several partitioning and mapping strategies, including multidimensional divide and conquer, block decomposition, and scatter decomposition, for different multiprocessor sizes, are used. Implementation results, performance evaluation and comparison for all the mapping strategies are reported. The block and scatter decomposition methods are simple to implement given the sequential algorithm, but their performance is sensitive to the distribution of intensity values in the image. The multidimensional divide and conquer method is more difficult to implement, but it performs the best irrespective of the intensity value distribution.
Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Survivorship

The completion of primary treatment for breast cancer has been referred to as a “teachable moment” for health behavior change, suggesting that women are receptive to receiving physical activity counseling. However, the majority of breast cancer survivors are not sufficiently active. Health care providers may play a pivotal role in increasing patients’ physical activity behavior, yet physician counseling for physical activity is not done regularly. One reason for this failure may relate to the limited guidelines put forward to assist health care providers in how best to optimize the benefits of physical activity among breast cancer survivors. To help provide guidelines for physical activity counseling with breast cancer survivors, the authors synthesized evidence-based recommendations based on a review of 30 intervention studies. The evidence on (1) type, (2) intensity, and (3) frequency and duration of physical activity for this population was examined. On the basis of the reviewed studies, the authors find that physical activity programs for breast cancer survivors should include aerobic training at least 3 times/wk for 30 minutes, resistance training 2 to 3 times/wk (6-12 exercises), and flexibility training 3 times/wk for 50 to 60 minutes to obtain health benefits. The provision of these recommendations may facilitate effective and consistent delivery of physical activity counseling to breast cancer survivors.
Routing Function and Deadlock Avoidance in a Star Graph Interconnection Network

Abstract In this paper the properties of paths in a star graph are investigated through the analysis of the corresponding star transposition tree. The general algebraic expression for all shortest paths between any two nodes (routing function) is found, and it is shown that every shortest path consists of a number of subpaths which can be combined in an arbitrary order or even mutually nested. Further, due to the known routing function the deadlock problem is solved using the method of virtual channels. A minimal deterministic routing algorithm is developed which recognizes the structure of the path by extracting subpaths and allows optimal adaptive management of virtual channels. Finally, based on the sufficient number of virtual channels, the minimal fully adaptive routing algorithm is suggested which offers an opportunity to reroute the message a number of times, while maintaining the shortest path between two nodes.
Pathways to Residential Care: Latent Class and Confirmatory Analyses of Adolescents’ Adverse Placement Event Histories

This study aims to develop greater understanding of the preplacement experiences of adolescents who enter residential care through the child welfare system by identifying a discrete set of modal placement histories as indicated by the occurrence of one or more adverse placement events. To this end, we analyze the placement experiences of a sample of 2,542 adolescents entering residential care under the auspices of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) using repeated-measures latent class analysis (RMLCA). We identify six distinct adverse placement event pathways, differentiated by a combination of prevailing event type and the timing of adverse event onset. We find that these pathways are associated with analogous residential care discharge outcomes, that is, discharges that mirror a pathway’s prevailing event type. Moreover, we find that the likelihood of experiencing an analogous discharge is higher for adolescents experiencing pathways characterized by longer persistence than it is for adolescents experiencing pathways characterized by later onset or shorter persistence.