Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A General Approach for Filter Bank Design Using Optimization

A method to design filter banks using optimization is presented. The design objectives are to achieve perfect reconstruction and have the analysis filters satisfying some prescribed frequency specifications. The approach is based on formulating the design problem as an optimization problem with a performance index which consists of a term depending on perfect reconstruction and a term depending on the magnitude specifications for the analysis filters. Perfect reconstruction for FIR analysis and synthesis filters is formulated as a set of linear equations using z-domain analysis. The proposed method is applicable to uniform (including critically sampled and over sampled) and non-uniform filter banks (for sampling rates forming a compatible set as well as non-compatible set). Design examples illustrate the performance of the proposed method.
Replication study of the association between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and two estrogen receptor genes

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common disorder with a strong genetic predisposition. Associations between AIS and common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in estrogen receptor genes have been reported. rs9340799 in the gene for estrogen receptor α (ESR1) is reported to be associated with curve severity in Japanese and with AIS predisposition and curve severity in Chinese. In addition, rs1256120 in the gene for estrogen receptor β (ESR2) is reported to be associated with AIS predisposition and curve severity in Chinese. However, the sample sizes of these previous studies were small, and the associations of these SNPs have not been replicated. To examine the association between AIS and estrogen receptor genes, we investigated the association of rs9340799 and rs1256120 with AIS predisposition and curve severity using a large Japanese population, consisting of 798 AIS patients and 637 sex‐matched controls. We found no association of either SNP with AIS predisposition or curve severity in the Japanese population. Considering the statistical power of the present study and the limitations of the previous reports, we conclude that the associations of rs9340799 and rs1256120 with AIS predisposition and curve severity are negative. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:834–837
Thermally induced interface degradation in (111) Si/SiO2 traced by electron spin resonance.

Thermal post-oxidation interface degradation in (111) Si/Si${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ has been isolated by electron-spin resonance (ESR) as a permanent ${P}_{b}$ (Si \ensuremath{\equiv} ${\mathrm{Si}}_{3}$) interface defect creation. This process, initiating from \ensuremath{\sim}640 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C onward, reveals interface breakdown on an atomic scale as interfacial SiO bond rupture. The crucial creation step has been isolated as thermal cycling in an O-free ambient. Once created, the new ${P}_{b}$ system exhibits similar fully reversible H passivation-depassivation kinetics as the preexisting one, naturally introduced during oxidation. ESR is herewith raised to a powerful probe for Si/Si${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ degradation.
Determinants of disability in everyday activities differ in primary and cervicogenic headaches and in low back pain

Abstract The aim of this study was to test whether the association between disability and depressive symptoms in patients with cervicogenic headache is similar to that found in primary headaches or to the pattern found in low back pain. During a 2‐year period, 716 consecutive patients with the clinical diagnosis of cervicogenic headache (n = 182), low back pain (n = 116), migraine (n = 231), tension‐type headache (n = 176), and cluster headache (n = 11) filled in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Disability was scored by the migraine disability score questionnaire reflecting the number of days with lost or decreased work, household and social activities. Non‐parametric tests and multiple general regression were used for statistical analysis. In multivariate testing, significant independent determinants of disability were pain frequency, pain intensity and the severity of depressive symptoms in migraine and tension‐type headache; pain frequency and the BDI score in cervicogenic headache, and pain frequency alone in low back pain. Disability is related to pain frequency in all pain syndromes evaluated in the present study. The level of disability is associated with the severity of pain only in primary headaches, but not in pain syndromes of vertebral origin (cervicogenic headache and low back pain). Disability is associated with the severity of depressive symptoms in all headache types but not in low back pain. Both the location and the etiology of pain have importance in determining the interrelationship between pain characteristics, depression and disability.
Forecasting Errors, Directional Accuracy and Profitability of Currency Trading: The Case of EUR/USD Exchange Rate

We provide a comprehensive study of out-of-sample forecasts for the EUR/USD exchange rate based on multivariate macroeconomic models and forecast combinations. We use profit maximization measures based on directional accuracy and trading strategies in addition to standard loss minimization measures. When comparing predictive accuracy and profit measures, data snooping bias free tests are used. The results indicate that forecast combinations, in particular those based on principal components of forecasts, help to improve over benchmark trading strategies, although the excess return per unit of deviation is limited.
The North American Spine Society Lumbar Spine Outcome Assessment Instrument: Reliability and Validity Tests

Study Design A cross‐sectional study of a convenience sample of lumbar spine patients, with a subsample followed for retest reliability. Objectives To assess the instrument's reliability, validity, and acceptability to patients. Summary of Background Data Patients with eight diagnoses, four before surgery and four after surgery, were recruited from six orthopedic practices to test the questionnaire. Methods One hundred sixty‐seven patients were approached through the physician's office, yielding 136 usable questionnaires (84%) and 24‐hour retests on 64 patients. Results The questionnaire took about 20 minutes to administer and was acceptable to patients. The lumbar spine pain and disability and neurogenic symptoms subscales discriminated among patient groups as hypothesized and showed significantly better scores for patients independently judged successful by their physicians after surgery. Test‐retest reliability and internal reliability were high (range, 0.85‐0.97). Sample sizes of 20‐37 would be needed to detect a 20% difference between two groups (alpha, 0.05; beta, 0.20). Conclusions The questionnaire should be considered for monitoring of individual patient's progress in treatment and for clinical trials.
Iranian caregivers, silent mediums in caring for relatives suffering from cancer

BACKGROUND Poor interaction of treatment personnel with patients' families leads to informational contrast in families, which may ultimately increase the tension and pressure in these conditions. Considering the necessity of caregivers' contribution for an optimized treatment, continuation of care, and supporting patients, and with regard to caregivers' important role, and also considering the emphasis placed by previous studies on the significance of the caregivers' experiences and as there are a limited number of studies on eastern countries, the present study attempts to justify caregivers' understanding of their own needs for interaction with the treatment team. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study is a qualitative research conducted through a content analysis method with an inductive approach. 23 familial caregivers of breast cancer patients from Seyed-Al-Shohada and ayat- ollah khan sari Hospital of Isfahan and Arak were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and field notes. The content was read for several iterations and units of meaning and primary codes were extracted, and then categories were extracted based on the centrality and similarity of meanings. RESULTS Four categories were extracted: a) caregivers' contribution and acknowledging them in the treatment system, b) training in efficient caregiving, c) efficient interaction of the medical team with caregivers, and d) easy and dynamic access to the medical services. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study showed that family caregivers should cooperate and interact with the medical team. They also need training from the medical team on caregiving to cancer patients. An understanding of caregivers' experiences and needs in their interaction with the medical team and identifying their needs as an important aspect in cancer care system assists in designing evidence-based healthcare interventions and a comprehensive family-cantered care program.
White Cancer Patients' Perception of Gender and Ethnic Differences in Pain Experience

Not considering cancer patients' own views and experience with pain, especially gender and ethnic differences in their cancer pain experience, was reported to be a major contributor to the miscommunication that frequently results in inadequate cancer pain management. The purpose of this study was to explore white cancer patients' perception of gender and ethnic differences in pain experience through an online forum. This was a descriptive qualitative study among 29 white cancer patients based on a feminist approach. Nine topics related to cancer pain experience were used. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis: 5 themes were identified. First, the participants perceived that pain accompanies cancer throughout the diagnosis and treatment process. Second, the specific characteristics of the participants' individual culture and their view of pain and cancer could result in different cancer pain experiences even among white cancer patients. Third, the participants complained that women's pain was not taken seriously by healthcare providers. Fourth, the participants reported highly individualized pain experience with emotional pain. Finally, the participants wanted to have a control of their own pain management process. Based on the findings, implications for nursing research and practice are proposed.
LiDAR‐derived snowpack data sets from mixed conifer forests across the Western United States

Airborne‐based Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) offers the potential to measure snow depth and vegetation structure at high spatial resolution over large extents and thereby increase our ability to quantify snow water resources. Here we present airborne LiDAR data products at four Critical Zone Observatories (CZO) in the Western United States: Jemez River Basin, NM, Boulder Creek Watershed, CO, Kings River Experimental Watershed, CA, and Wolverton Basin, CA. We make publicly available snow depth data products (1 m2 resolution) derived from LiDAR with an estimated accuracy of <30 cm compared to limited in situ snow depth observations.
The C . elegans Microtubule Severing Complex MEI-1 / MEI-2 Katanin Interacts Differently with Two Superficially Redundant β-tubulin Isotypes

1 Genes and Development Research Group and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada 2 Present address: Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, D-01307 Dresden, Germany 3 Address correspondence to: Paul E. Mains Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada e-mail: mains@ucalgary.ca phone: (403) 220-7997 fax: (403) 270-0737
Housing Cooperatives in Zimbabwe: A Contribution to Women's Shelter and Development?

This paper addresses the question of how housing cooperatives might contribute to women's shelter and development by presenting some of the results of a study of five urban housing co-operatives conducted in Zimbabwe. The differences between three male-only and two mixed-gender organisations are described and evidence is presented which suggests that housing co-ops hold potential as providers of sheller for women and other low-income groups. The nature of women's membership and participation in the co-ops is discussed and suggestions provided on how housing cooperatives could improve women's access to shelter, while also playing a role in women's social development. While there have been some investigations of the situation of individual women and their access to housing in the urban areas of Zimbabwe and other southern African countries (Schlyter, 1988, 1989; Larsson, 1989) there has been liule study of the potential role which housing cooperatives could play in improving women's access to housing and related services. At the same time, while some formal research in Zimbabwe has focused on women in co-operatives (Chinemana, 1987) and women in producer co-operatives (Smith, 1987), there have been no studies of the relationship between housing co-operatives and women's development. This paper examines the potential contribution of housing co-operatives in Zimbabwe to women's shelter and development by presenting some of the findings of a study conducted in 1989-90 of five housing co-operatives in Harare and Bulawayo. This is accomplished by describing and comparing three workplacebased male-only housing co-ops and two community-based mixed-gender co-ops. + A longer version of this paper was originally presented at a Conference on "Shelter, Women and Development: First and Third World Perspectives", held at the College of Architecture and Urban Planning of the Univesity of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, May 7-9,1992.
Endoscopic ablation of Barrett's oesophagus: a randomized‐controlled trial of photodynamic therapy vs. argon plasma coagulation

Background : Barrett's oesophagus is the major risk factor for oesophageal adenocarcinoma. 5‐Aminlevulinic acid‐induced photodynamic therapy and argon plasma coagulation have been shown to be effective for ablating Barrett's oesophagus, but a comparative trial of these two modalities has not been reported.
Social Relationships and the Emergence of Social Networks

In complex social systems such as those of many mammals, including humans, groups (and hence ego-centric social networks) are commonly structured in discrete layers. We describe a computational model for the development of social relationships based on agents' strategies for social interaction that favour more less-intense, or fewer more-intense partners. A trust-related process controls the formation and decay of relationships as a function of interaction frequency, the history of interaction, and the agents' strategies. A good fit of the observed layers of human social networks was found across a range of model parameter settings. Social interaction strategies which favour interacting with existing strong ties or a time-variant strategy produced more observation-conformant results than strategies favouring more weak relationships. Strong-tie strategies spread in populations under a range of fitness conditions favouring wellbeing, whereas weak-tie strategies spread when fitness favours foraging for food. The implications for modelling the emergence of social relationships in complex structured social networks are discussed.
Anaerobic and aerobic responses of males and females to rope skipping.

Six male and six female subjects performed maximal bicycle ergometer work and skipped rope at selected rates. Measures included oxygen uptake (VO2), oxygen debt (VO2 debt), blood lactate, and heart rate (HR). Mean values for males for the maximum test and while skipping at 120, 140, and 160 turns . min-1 were, respectively: VO2-50.2, 38.3, 39.7, and 44.3 ml . kg-1 . min-1; HR-185, 166, 168, and 178 beats . min-1; VO2 debt--5.70, 3.65, 3.50, and 4.04 liter; and lactate--12.7, 7.4, 7.6, and 9.2 mM . 1(-1). For females: VO2--42.8, 39.8, 39.4, and 39.4 ml . kg-1 . min-1; HR--185, 181, 181, and 181 beats . min-1; VO2 debt--4.71, 4.27, 4.22, and 4.15 liter; and lactate--11.5, 11.5, 12.2, and 11.9 mM . l-1. No significant differences were found between treatments for females for any measure. Rope skipping placed high demands on both aerobic (females, 92% VO2max, males, 76-88%) and anaerobic capacities (females, 100-106% lactate values after maximum bicycle exercise; males, 58-72%). In males, who did not reach VO2max during rope skipping, it was verified that the VO2 requirement does not increase with skipping rate over a relatively wide range, but that extremely high rates do require more energy from both aerobic and anaerobic sources. Differences in tolerance of males and females to rope skipping were attributed to the lower aerobic power and higher body fat of females.
Cryptogenic multifocal ulcerous stenosing enteritis (CMUSE), and neuromuscular and vascular hamartoma (NMVH): two sides of the same coin?

Multifocal stenosing enteritis, not related to Crohn’s disease or drug intake, has been described under two different terms: “cryptogenic multifocal ulcerous stenosing enteritis” (CMUSE) and “neuromuscular and vascular hamartoma” (NMVH). We present three new cases of this condition and argue that the two terms reflect the same disease entity. Although etiology and pathogenesis of the disease remain largely unclear, obliterative vascular changes may play an important role.
Effects of Systemic Hemodynamics on Flow within Vascular Accesses Used for Hemodialysis

Absolute value of access flow (QA) and change in flow (&Dgr;QA) over time are major determinants of access patency. However, QA may change in response to variation in systemic hemodynamics among dialysis sessions. We examined the effect of mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), and segmental resistances (R) on QA. Access flow and CO (L/min) were determined by Transonic ultrasound dilution. Static intra-access pressures (mm Hg) at the arterial segment (AS) and venous segment (VS) were determined with the access unoccluded. During access occlusion (O), the AS pressure was equated to arterial pressure (MAPO), whereas the VS pressure reflected venous pressure (VP). Total and segmental vascular resistances (mm Hg-min/L) were calculated as &Dgr;P/Q.We studied 58 arteriovenous (AV) grafts and 35 autologous AV fistulae (AVF) with measurements on two or more occasions in 43 grafts and 25 AVF. MAPC differed from MAPO by >20 mm Hg in 22% of patients. AS (58 ± 2 vs. 31 ± 2) and VS (40 ± 1 vs. 25 ± 2) were greater in grafts than in AVF, whereas VP was equal. Access flow (0.91 ± 0.03 vs. 0.91 ± 0.05 L/min), cardiac output (5.1 ± 0.1 vs. 5.5 ± 0.2 L/min), and total access resistance (115 ± 5 vs. 110 ± 6) were equal in grafts and AVF, but non-access systemic R was lower in patients with AVF that those with grafts (26 ± 1 vs. 30 ± 1). AS and VS resistances were greater in AVF than grafts (87 ± 6 vs. 54 ± 3 and 37 ± 3 vs. 16 ± 3). Multivariate analysis indicated that CO and ipsilateral MAPO affected flow in both access types. In grafts, all three access resistance elements, AS, VS, and total independently influenced flow, whereas in AVF, the VS did not. Unexpectedly, the ratio of systemic to access resistance also influenced access flow. The pressure in the venous system draining the access affected access flow in AVF but not grafts.We conclude that the hemodynamics of grafts and AVF differ. Cardiac output, MAP, and the arterial segment resistance influence QA in both access types and need to be considered when evaluating QA as part of the trend analysis for detecting access dysfunction.
Adaptive Predictive Control With Recurrent Neural Network for Industrial Processes: An Application to Temperature Control of a Variable-Frequency Oil-Cooling Machine

An adaptive predictive control with recurrent neural network prediction for industrial processes is presented. The neural predictive control law with integral action is derived based on the minimization of a modified predictive performance criterion. The stability and steady-state performance of the closed-loop control system are well studied. Numerical simulations reveal that the proposed control gives satisfactory tracking and disturbance rejection performance for two illustrative nonlinear systems with time-delay. Experimental results for temperature control of a variable-frequency oil-cooling process show the efficacy of the proposed method for industrial processes with set-points changes and load disturbances.
Inactivation and activation of Ras by the neurotrophin receptor p75

The neurotrophin receptor p75 induces neurotrophic and/or apoptotic signalling pathways and can also cooperate with the neurotrophic Trk receptor tyrosine kinases. Its intracellular part encloses a so‐called ‘death domain’ with a segment similar to the wasp venom mastoparan which binds small GTPases such as Rho. To study possible interactions of p75 and Ras (and Rho) we used wild‐type and mutant genes of p75 stably expressed by MDCK cells which normally have neither Trk nor p75. We found that p75 can directly bind the GTPases Ras and Rho and that the unstimulated p75 inactivates total cellular Ras through a differential influence on the dissociation of GDP and GTP from Ras and an exchange of bound Ras·GDP for free Ras·GTP. These properties of p75 could also be demonstrated in vitro and should therefore be cell type‐independent. Stimulation of p75 with nerve growth factor causes Ras activation via adapter proteins known from Trk signalling and induces rapid outgrowth of cellular processes. Both inactivation and activation of Ras by p75 are controlled by the phosphorylation state of the receptor's two intracellular tyrosines. p75 also influences Rho activation and inactivation, and the combined interactions of the receptor with the two GTPases Ras and Rho can regulate neurite formation in an efficient, synergistic way.
Variational method for wide area surveillance

In this paper, a novel variational method is introduced for multi-object tracking in a network of cameras. In a camera network, objects are tracked by each camera using any of conventional algorithms and their tracks are extracted. Each extracted track is called a tracklet. The extracted tracklets are the inputs to our proposed method. Our objective in this paper is to associate the corresponding tracklets of an object and present the persistent trace of all objects. The association is formulated and solved using a variational energy function, which is based on appearance and motion model of objects. The optimization is realized by, first converting the variational energy function into an Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) employing the Euler-Lagrange equation; then, the ODE is solved by numerical methods. The proposed method is evaluated on three well known real datasets and one synthetic dataset. The performance of our method is compared with the state of the art methods, employing the conventional metrics and under less restrictive assumption, and superiority of our method is demonstrated.