Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Orthogonal Matching Pursuit for Enhanced Recovery of Sparse Geological Structures With the Ensemble Kalman Filter

Estimating the locations and the structures of subsurface channels holds significant importance for forecasting the subsurface flow and reservoir productivity. These channels exhibit high permeability and are easily contrasted from the low-permeability rock formations in their surroundings. This enables formulating the flow channels estimation problem as a sparse field recovery problem. The ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is a widely used technique for the estimation and calibration of subsurface reservoir model parameters, such as permeability. However, the conventional EnKF framework does not provide an efficient mechanism to incorporate prior information on the wide varieties of subsurface geological structures, and often fails to recover and preserve flow channel structures. Recent works in the area of compressed sensing (CS) have shown that estimating in a sparse domain, using algorithms such as the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP), may significantly improve the estimation quality when dealing with such problems. We propose two new, and computationally efficient, algorithms combining OMP with the EnKF to improve the estimation and recovery of the subsurface geological channels. Numerical experiments suggest that the proposed algorithms provide efficient mechanisms to incorporate and preserve structural information in the EnKF and result in significant improvements in recovering flow channel structures.
Helmholtz resonance in a piezoelectric–hydraulic pump-based hybrid actuator

This paper demonstrates that a hydraulically acting Helmholtz resonator can exist in a piezoelectric–hydraulic pump (PHP) based hybrid actuator, which in turn affects the volumetric efficiency of the PHP. The simulation and experimental results illustrate the effect of Helmholtz resonance on the flow rate performance of the PHP. The study also shows how to shift the Helmholtz resonant frequency to a higher value through changing parameters such as the cylinder diameter and the effective bulk modulus of the working fluid, which will improve the volumetric efficiency and broaden the operating frequency range of the PHP actuator.
Differential Recognition of Tachistoscopically Presented English and Hebrew Words in Right and Left Visual Fields

In this study, the role of lateral cerebral dominance in the consistent finding of lower tachistoscopic thresholds in the right than in the left visual field for alphabetic material was tested for readers of Hebrew and English. Twenty Israeli Ss were presented with Hebrew and English three-letter words, printed vertically, through a monocular tachistoscope, displaced to left or right of fixation by 2°21′. Ten American Ss were also tested for three-letter English words, under similar conditions. Significantly lower thresholds in the right field were found for both groups and for both languages, despite the fact that Hebrew, unlike English, is read from right to left. These findings tend to support the hypothesis that alphabetic stimuli arriving in the major cerebral hemisphere are more readily recognized than similar stimuli arriving in the hemisphere contralateral to the language areas.
ONE-YEAR SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF INTRAVITREAL TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF MACULAR EDEMA SECONDARY TO CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) as treatment for macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods: A retrospective review was performed of data for 40 consecutive patients (40 eyes) with CRVO and macular edema treated with IVTA at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (Miami, FL). Results: Median duration of symptoms before the first injection was 3 months (range, 1 day to 8 years). Median Snellen visual acuity was 20/400 at baseline (range, 20/60 to light perception; n = 40), 20/300 at 1 month (P = 0.010; n = 37), 20/300 at 3 months (P = 0.007; n = 33), 20/400 at 6 months (P = 0.726; n = 28), and 8/200 at 1 year (P = 0.569; n = 17). Vision improved by ≥3 lines in 21% of eyes at 1 month, 27% at 3 months, 14% at 6 months, and 12% at 1 year. Visual acuity was unchanged from baseline in 71% of eyes at 6 months and 1 year. By 1 year, 50% of eyes received more than one injection (mean = 1.6 injections; range 1–4 injections). Overall, intraocular pressure increased by ≥10 mmHg in 24% of eyes at 1 year. Trabeculectomy was performed on 2 of 12 eyes with preexisting open-angle glaucoma. Conclusion: IVTA can substantially improve vision in some patients, but most patients have stable visual acuity compared with baseline at 1 year despite repeated injections.
SPTA: A proposed algorithm for thinning binary patterns

A new skeletonization algorithm called the safe-point thinning algorithm (SPTA) is proposed that is suitable for binary patterns. The SPTA is informally explained and is also defined in a formal algorithmic manner. The experimental performance of the SPTA is compared with 14 other skeletonization algorithms that have been proposed by other researchers. Results show that SPTA is the fastest and that it produces skeletons of good quality.
Evaluation of the Significance of Circulating Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

OBJECTIVES: This study in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) investigated whether acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) and clinically stable COPD (CSCOPD) are associated with changes in circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, and whether changes in IGF-1 and CRP levels are related to changes in the indicators of malnutrition and muscle wasting. METHODS: A total of 61 patients with AECOPD, 43 patients with CSCOPD and 20 healthy age-matched controls were included in the study. Circulating IGF-1 and CRP levels, together with erythrocyte sedimentation rate and indicators of malnutrition and muscle wasting, were measured in all the study participants. RESULTS: Circulating IGF-1 levels were significantly lower and CRP levels significantly higher in COPD patients than in controls. In addition, IGF-1 levels were significantly lower and CRP levels significantly higher in AECOPD patients than in CSCOPD patients. In COPD patients, indicators of malnutrition and muscle wasting (weight, body mass index, thigh circumference and albumin level) were significantly positively correlated with logIGF-1; thigh circumference and albumin level were significantly inversely correlated with logCRP. CONCLUSION: Circulating IGF-1 and CRP levels may have potential as indicators of exacerbation, malnutrition and muscle wasting in patients with COPD.
Stent Grafts for Thoracic Aortic Pathology: Single-Center Experience in Western Australia

The purpose of this article is to report a single-center experience in treating thoracic aortic pathology with stent grafts. This is a retrospective review of cases done within a period of 30 months. Between January 2002 and May 2004, 12 patients were treated in our institution with thoracic stent grafts (n = 12) for various clinical conditions. There were seven men and five women. Three patients required emergency treatment (n = 3), two for aortic transection and one for iatrogenic injury during lung biopsy. Others were treated electively (n = 9). All patients were high risk for open surgery. There was one perioperative death, with a patient with multiple trauma succumbing to head injury 4 weeks after stent graft insertion. There was no incidence of paraplegia. Three patients underwent bypass surgery in the neck to achieve an adequate proximal seal zone prior to stent grafting. One patient with an aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta required an extension limb below the original graft for an increase in sac size, possibly owing to endotension. Renal failure occurred in one patient and resolved without dialysis. One patient died 18 months after her procedure, possibly owing to aneurysm expansion. Stent grafts are a viable alternative to open surgery for thoracic aortic pathology in high-risk individuals. Visceral and spinal cord ischemia is less prevalent with stent grafts compared with open surgery. The short-term results are promising. Long-term follow-up is awaited. Stent grafts might have greater impact in the thoracic aorta than the abdominal aorta for which they were initially developed.
Comparing SMarty and PLUS for Variability Identification and Representation at Product-Line UML Class Level: A Controlled Quasi-Experiment

Although variability management is one of the main activities of software product lines, current literature provides almost no empirical evaluations on variability management approaches based on UML. This paper aims at experimentally comparing two approaches and picks SMarty and PLUS as representative examples. Such comparison takes into account their effectiveness of expressing correctly and incorrectly variabilities in UML class diagrams. We used a 2×2 factorial design for this study. We calculated and analyzed data from participants using the T-Test. The Spearman technique supported correlation of the effectiveness of the approaches and the participants prior variability knowledge. In general, PLUS was more effective than SMarty. Generalization of results is not possible as this is an incipient evidence of PLUS and SMarty effectiveness based on graduate students and lecturers. However, counting on students and lecturers provides several contributions as we discuss in this paper.
Covariate Imbalance and Adjustment for Logistic Regression Analysis of Clinical Trial Data

In logistic regression analysis for binary clinical trial data, adjusted treatment effect estimates are often not equivalent to unadjusted estimates in the presence of influential covariates. This article uses simulation to quantify the benefit of covariate adjustment in logistic regression. However, International Conference on Harmonization guidelines suggest that covariate adjustment be prespecified. Unplanned adjusted analyses should be considered secondary. Results suggest that if adjustment is not possible or unplanned in a logistic setting, balance in continuous covariates can alleviate some (but never all) of the shortcomings of unadjusted analyses. The case of log binomial regression is also explored.
Approche agroclimatique de la sécheresse agricole au Maroc

En calculant la moyenne mobile de la production nationale des cereales sur un pas de 5 ans et en utilisant la methode de l’intervalle de confiance d’une regression de cette moyenne en fonction du temps (annees), nous avons determine les annees de secheresse agricole qui ont touche le Maroc entre 1940 et 1995. Ces secheresses sont au nombre de 11 dont 6 ont eu lieu entre 1980 et 1995. Un indice de deficit en production par rapport a la valeur normale, qui est la production en cereales calculee par la regression lineaire, a ete utilise pour estimer leur intensite. Sur le plan climatique, les secheresses ont ete etudiees dans huit grandes regions cerealieres au Maroc. Elles ont ete toujours accompagnees d’un deficit pluviometrique superieur a 20 % et, lorsque ce deficit atteint une moyenne de 37 %, la secheresse devient certaine. La distribution des precipitations dans l’annee semble jouer un role de moindre importance dans l’avenement de la secheresse. Pour la prevision a court terme de la secheresse (debut de la campagne agricole), un indice de deficit pluviometrique relatif a la periode allant de decembre a fevrier s’est revele un bon indicateur de la secheresse.
A composite model of the human postcapillary venule for investigation of microvascular leukocyte recruitment

Neutrophil extravasation occurs across postcapillary venules, structures composed of endothelial cells (ECs), pericytes (PCs), and basement membrane (BM). We constructed composite models of the human postcapillary venule, combining ECs with PCs or PC‐deposited BM, to better study this process. Quiescent and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α)‐activated composites demonstrated in situ‐like expression of cadherins, E‐selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1), platelet‐endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM‐1), CD99, and interleukin 8 (IL‐8). After TNF‐α activation, the ECs supported greater neutrophil adhesion (66.1 vs. 23.7% of input cells) and transmigration (35.1 vs. 7.20% of input cells) than did the PCs, but the composites behaved comparably (no significant difference) to ECs in both assays. TNF‐α‐activated EC‐conditioned medium (CM) increased transmigration across the PCs, whereas TNF‐α‐activated PC‐CM decreased transmigration across the ECs, and culturing on PC‐derived BM decreased both adhesion to and transmigration across the ECs. Anti‐very late antigen 4 (VLA‐4; on neutrophils) inhibited adhesion to TNF‐α‐activated composites, but not to ECs alone. Anti‐CD99 (expressed on all 3 cell types) inhibited transmigration across the composites (14.5% of control) more than across the ECs (39.0% of control), and venular shear stress reduced transmigration across the ECs (17.3% of static) more than across the composites (36.7% of static). These results provide proof of concept that our composite human EC/PC/BM venular construct can reveal new interactions in the inflammatory cascade. —Lauridsen, H. M. , Pober, J. S. , Gonzalez, A. L. A composite model of the human postcapillary venule for investigation of microvascular leukocyte recruitment. FASEB J. 28, 1166–1180 (2014). www.fasebj. org
Prediction, learning, and games

1. Introduction 2. Prediction with expert advice 3. Tight bounds for specific losses 4. Randomized prediction 5. Efficient forecasters for large classes of experts 6. Prediction with limited feedback 7. Prediction and playing games 8. Absolute loss 9. Logarithmic loss 10. Sequential investment 11. Linear pattern recognition 12. Linear classification 13. Appendix.
Motor Imagery EEG Signal Processing and Classification Using Machine Learning Approach

Motor imagery (MI) signals recorded via electroencephalography (EEG) is the most convenient basis for designing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). As MI based BCI provides high degree of freedom, it helps motor disabled people to communicate with the device by performing sequence of MI tasks. But inter-subject variability, extracting user-specific features and increasing accuracy of the classifier is still a challenging task in MI based BCIs. In this work, we propose an approach to overcome the above mentioned issues. The proposed approach follows the pipeline such as channel selection, band-pass filter based CSP (common spatial pattern), feature extraction, feature selection using two different techniques and modeling using Gaussian Naïve Bayes (GNB) classifier. Since the optimal features are selected by feature selection techniques, it helps to overcome inter-subject variability and improves performance of GNB classifier. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed methodology has not been used for MI-based BCI applications. The proposed approach is validated using BCI competition III dataset IVa. The result of our proposed approach is compared with two conventional classifiers such as linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and support vector machine (SVM). The results prove that the proposed method provides an improved accuracy than LDA and SVM classifiers. The proposed method can be further developed to design a reliable and real-time MI-based BCI application.
Manipulations of leg mass and moment of inertia: effects on energy cost of walking.

PURPOSE To investigate effects that independent alterations in limb mass and moment of inertia about a transverse axis through the hip have on metabolic and mechanical power of walking and peak electromyography (EMG) amplitude. It was hypothesized that increases in metabolic cost would parallel increases in mechanical power, and that EMG amplitude would increase with greater limb mass or limb moment of inertia. METHODS Metabolic and mechanical power and lower-extremity EMG were measured on 14 healthy adults walking at 1.5 m.s. Four leg-loading conditions were employed: 1) no load (NL) on the legs; 2) a baseline load (BSLN) condition, with a mean of 2.0 kg per leg distributed on the proximal and distal shank; 3) a load condition with a mean of 2.0 kg per leg distributed on the proximal and distal shank, such that lower-extremity moment of inertia was increased 5% about the hip (MOI5) from the BSLN, but having the same lower-extremity mass as BSLN; and 4) a load condition with a mean of 2.8 kg per leg, concentrated proximally on the shank to increase total lower-extremity mass by 5% (Mass5) from BSLN, but having the same moment of inertia as BSLN. Total subject mass was constant between conditions, as unused leg loads were carried in a waist belt. RESULTS Changes in mechanical power paralleled changes in metabolic cost as hypothesized. Energy cost increased significantly (4.2%) from NL to BSLN, and from BSLN to MOI5 and Mass5 (3.4 and 4.0%, respectively). EMG did not effectively explain changes in metabolic cost. CONCLUSION Independent alterations in limb mass and moment of inertia about the hip joint influence energy cost similarly.
Comparing Price Dispersion on and off the Internet Using Airline Transaction Data

The internet presumably reduces search costs and creates an “efficient” market. Prior research quantifying the dispersion in the electronic market, however, has yielded mixed results. Some recent research has documented very low levels of dispersion in internet attributing it to the use of transaction prices as opposed to posted prices. We revisit this issue using contemporaneous online and offline transaction data for airline tickets including ticket characteristics and medium of sale permitting comparison of online versus offline price dispersion. We find evidence of significantly lower price dispersion on the internet compared to offline market, though some positive dispersion still persists.
Joint modelling of bivariate longitudinal data with informative dropout and left‐censoring, with application to the evolution of CD4+ cell count and HIV RNA viral load in response to treatment of HIV infection

Several methodological issues occur in the context of the longitudinal study of HIV markers evolution. Three of them are of particular importance: (i) correlation between CD4+ T lymphocytes (CD4+) and plasma HIV RNA; (ii) left‐censoring of HIV RNA due to a lower quantification limit; (iii) and potential informative dropout. We propose a likelihood inference for a parametric joint model including a bivariate linear mixed model for the two markers and a lognormal survival model for the time to drop out. We apply the model to data from patients starting antiretroviral treatment in the CASCADE collaboration where all of the three issues needed to be addressed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
B1a B cells require autophagy for metabolic homeostasis and self-renewal

Specific metabolic programs are activated by immune cells to fulfil their functional roles, which include adaptations to their microenvironment. B1 B cells are tissue-resident, innate-like B cells. They have many distinct properties, such as the capacity to self-renew and the ability to rapidly respond to a limited repertoire of epitopes. The metabolic pathways that support these functions are unknown. We show that B1 B cells are bioenergetically more active than B2 B cells, with higher rates of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, and depend on glycolysis. They acquire exogenous fatty acids, and store lipids in droplet form. Autophagy is differentially activated in B1a B cells, and deletion of the autophagy gene Atg7 leads to a selective loss of B1a B cells due to a failure of self-renewal. Autophagy-deficient B1a B cells downregulate critical metabolic genes and accumulate dysfunctional mitochondria. B1 B cells therefore, have evolved a distinct metabolism adapted to their residence and specific functional properties.
HIPPOCRATE: an intrinsically safe robot for medical applications

We have developed a robotic system to assist doctors when they are moving ultrasonic probes on the patient's skin while exerting a given effort. The probes are used to monitor arteries for cardiovascular disease prevention, namely to reconstruct the 3D profile of arteries. A preliminary feasibility study making use of an industrial robot has been made to validate the force control scheme. It has proven the interest of the robotized approach for such a medical application. In order to comply with safety constraints, a dedicated robotic system HIPPOCRATE has been designed. The paper describes the arm and the controller architectures, with emphasis on design strategies selected to meet safety requirements.
Cost-benefit analysis of a hospital pharmacy bar code solution.

BACKGROUND Bar coding can reduce hospital pharmacy dispensing errors, but it is unclear if the benefits of this technology justify its costs. The purpose of this study was to assess the costs and benefits and determine the return on investment at the institutional level for implementing a pharmacy bar code system. METHODS We performed a cost-benefit analysis of a bar code-assisted medication-dispensing system within a large, academic, nonprofit tertiary care hospital pharmacy. We took the implementing hospital's perspective for a 5-year horizon. The primary outcome was the net financial cost and benefit after 5 years. The secondary outcome was the time until total benefits equaled total costs. Single-variable, 2-variable, and multiple-variable Monte Carlo sensitivity analyses were performed to test the stability of the outcomes. RESULTS In inflation- and time value-adjusted 2005 dollars, total costs during 5 years were $2.24 million ($1.31 million in 1-time costs during the initial 3.5 years and $342 000 per year in recurring costs starting in year 3). The primary benefit was a decrease in adverse drug events from dispensing errors (517 events annually), resulting in an annual savings of $2.20 million. The net benefit after 5 years was $3.49 million. The break-even point for the hospital's investment occurred within 1 year after becoming fully operational. A net benefit was achieved within 10 years under almost all sensitivity scenarios. In the Monte Carlo simulation, the net benefit during 5 years was $3.2 million (95% confidence interval, -$1.2 million to $12.1 million), and the break-even point for return on investment occurred after 51 months (95% confidence interval, 30 to 180 months). CONCLUSION Implementation of a bar code-assisted medication-dispensing system in hospital pharmacies can result in a positive financial return on investment for the health care organization.
Usage and Effect of a Web-Based Intervention for the Prevention of Overweight; a Randomized Controlled Trial

Web-based interventions can be effective in changing behaviour of people faced with health problems. However, it is unclear whether they are effective in preventing health problems like overweight. The aim of this study was to investigate usage and effectiveness of a web-based application to increase healthy behaviour in adults with a healthy weight or slight overweight (BMI 18-28 kg/m2) by means of a Randomized Controlled Trial. A total of 297 respondents were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=147) or the waiting list group (n=150). The intervention group received access to the intervention for 12 weeks. At pre- and post-test we measured dietary and physical activity behaviour (primary outcomes) and BMI, knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, subjective behaviour and insight in behaviour (secondary outcomes). All participants, regardless of randomized group, show improvement in healthy behaviour and subjective assessment of healthy behaviour. People who are older, score higher on dietary behaviour and under-estimate their dietary behaviour are more likely to use the Healthy Weight Assistant (HWA). Using the HWA leads to improvement in physical activity behaviour and insight in this behaviour. Trial Registration: ISRCTN42687923