Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NetVLAD: CNN Architecture for Weakly Supervised Place Recognition

We tackle the problem of large scale visual place recognition, where the task is to quickly and accurately recognize the location of a given query photograph. We present the following three principal contributions. First, we develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture that is trainable in an end-to-end manner directly for the place recognition task. The main component of this architecture, NetVLAD, is a new generalized VLAD layer, inspired by the "Vector of Locally Aggregated Descriptors" image representation commonly used in image retrieval. The layer is readily pluggable into any CNN architecture and amenable to training via backpropagation. Second, we develop a training procedure, based on a new weakly supervised ranking loss, to learn parameters of the architecture in an end-to-end manner from images depicting the same places over time downloaded from Google Street View Time Machine. Finally, we show that the proposed architecture significantly outperforms non-learnt image representations and off-the-shelf CNN descriptors on two challenging place recognition benchmarks, and improves over current state of-the-art compact image representations on standard image retrieval benchmarks.
Cognitive development, clinical knowledge, and clinical experience related to diagnostic ability.

PURPOSE To examine the relationship among cognitive development, clinical knowledge, and clinical experience in nursing students. METHODS A survey of junior and senior baccalaureate nursing students from three Midwestern colleges (N = 55). FINDINGS Students' diagnostic ability increased as they gained clinical experience and clinical knowledge. However, students failed to identify many nursing diagnoses and demonstrated only moderate levels of cognitive development. CONCLUSIONS Nurse educators and nursing students need to change their approaches to teaching and learning to enhance students' diagnostic ability and cognitive development.
Stabilisation of perturbed chains of integrators using Lyapunov-based homogeneous controllers

ABSTRACT In this paper, we present a Lyapunov-based homogeneous controller for the stabilisation of a perturbed chain of integrators of arbitrary order r ≥ 1. The proposed controller is based on homogeneous controller for stabilisation of pure chain of integrators. The control of homogeneity degree is also introduced and various controllers are designed using this concept, namely a bounded-controller with minimum amplitude of discontinuous control and a controller with globally fixed-time convergence. The performance of the controller is validated through simulations.
Human Occupations and Climate Change in the Puna de Atacama, Chile

Widespread evidence for human occupation of the Atacama Desert, 20° to 25°S in northern Chile, has been found from 13,000 calibrated 14C years before the present (cal yr B.P.) to 9500 cal yr B.P., and again after 4500 cal yr B.P. Initial human occupation coincided with a change from very dry environments to humid environments. More than 39 open early Archaic campsites at elevations above 3600 meters show that hunters lived around late glacial/early Holocene paleolakes on the Altiplano. Cessation of the use of the sites between 9500 and 4500 cal yr B.P. is associated with drying of the lakes. The mid-Holocene collapse of human occupation is also recorded in cave deposits. One cave contained Pleistocene fauna associated with human artifacts. Faunal diversity was highest during the humid early Holocene.
Quality of life and self-esteem of patients with chronic ulcers

OBJECTIVE: To assess the Quality of Life and the Self-Esteem of patients with chronic ulcers. METHODS: Analytical and cross-sectional study. One hundred and fifty patients were assessed for six months, among them seventy-five patients with chronic ulcers. Patients over 18 years of age were included, male and female, hospitalized and assisted at outpatient care centers, with intact cognition. RESULTS: Patients with ulcers were predominantly male (p<0.002). In both groups, the average age was 62 and the most prevalent illness was hypertension (32%). The worst Functional Capacity score was observed in the group without ulcers (p=0.003); the group with ulcers registered the worst score for the Vitality aspect (p=0.042). CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic ulcers had the worst Quality of Life in relation to activity, little energy and willingness to carry out the Activities of Daily Living. The ulcers, however, did not affect the self-esteem of these patients.
The Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences of Clonality for Plant Mating

Many flowering plants exhibit dual reproductive modes, producing both sexual and asexual offspring. The commonest form of asexual reproduction is clonal growth, in which vegetative modules (ramets) are produced by the parental genotype (genet). In plants, sexual and asexual reproduction usually occur simultaneously, and this can lead to allocation trade-offs and antagonism between reproductive modes. Our review considers the ecological and evolutionary consequences of functional interactions between clonal reproduction and pollination and mating. Clonal reproduction is commonly associated with mass flowering, restricted pollen dispersal, and geitonogamous self-pollination, processes that can result in inbreeding depression and pollen discounting. We review evidence for the correlated evolution of clonality and sexual systems, particularly self-incompatibility, and identify several floral mechanisms that function to reduce mating costs by limiting selfing and pollen discounting. We conclude by discussing t.
Consanguinity among the Kuwaiti population

A total of 5,007 Kuwaitis were ascertained to study the incidence of consanguineous marriages during 1983. The rate of consanguineous mating was found to be 54.3% with estimated population incidence rates 52.9 to 55.7%. First cousin marriages were the most frequent type. The average inbreeding coefficient was 0.0219 which could be considered high.
Helmet Use and Injury Patterns in Motorcycle-Related Trauma.

Administrative, technical, or material support: Holcomb, Graham. Study supervision: Hawn. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported. Funding/Support: This study is supported by a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Grant (IIR 09-347). Dr Holcomb is supported by grant T32 HS013852-11 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Dr Richman is supported by a Department of Veterans Affairs Career Development Award. Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The Department of Veterans Affairs had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, or interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication. Previous Presentation: This paper was presented at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Association of VA Surgeons; May 3, 2015; Miami Beach, Florida. 1. Fleisher LA, Fleischmann KE, Auerbach AD, et al; American College of Cardiology; American Heart Association. 2014 ACC/AHA guideline on perioperative cardiovascular evaluation and management of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on practice guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;64(22):e77-e137. 2. Iversen LH, Antonsen S, Laurberg S, Lautrup MD. Therapeutic delay reduces survival of rectal cancer but not of colonic cancer. Br J Surg. 2009;96(10):1183-1189. 3. Simunovic M, Rempel E, Thériault ME, et al. Influence of delays to nonemergent colon cancer surgery on operative mortality, disease-specific survival and overall survival. Can J Surg. 2009;52(4):E79-E86. 4. Holcomb CN, Graham LA, Richman JS, Itani KM, Maddox TM, Hawn MT. The incremental risk of coronary stents on postoperative adverse events: a matched cohort study [published online April 17, 2015]. Ann Surg. doi:10.1097/SLA . 0000000000001246. 5. Jackson GL, Melton LD, Abbott DH, et al. Quality of nonmetastatic colorectal cancer care in the Department of Veterans Affairs. J Clin Oncol. 2010;28(19): 3176-3181. 6. Paulson EC, Fu X, Epstein AJ. Location and timing of care for colon cancer patients in the VA Health System. J Surg Res. 2013;183(2):639-644.
COUSIN MARRIAGE IN SOUTH-WESTERN ENGLAND IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

Summary Knowledge of inbreeding levels in historical times is necessary to estimate the health consequences of past inbreeding, and to contextualize the current public debate about cousin marriage in Britain. This research aims to calculate the level of cousin marriage using the intensive technique of multi-source parish reconstitution and to determine whether village organization, religion and occupational class influenced the level of consanguineous marriage. A wide variety of documentary sources were used to create extensive pedigrees of spouses in over 800 marriages in the 19th century in the rural villages of Stourton and Kilmington. The closed village of Stourton had higher levels of inbreeding than the open village of Kilmington. Catholics had lower rates of 1st cousin marriage but higher rates of 2nd cousin marriage than Protestants. Farmers had higher levels of 1st cousin marriage than labourers. The levels of consanguinity in south-western Wiltshire in the 19th century were related to the economic structure of the villages and the religion and social class of the spouses.
A Good Death for Residents of Long-Term Care

Abstract Little research has been done on the topic of end-of-life care in long-term care settings to identify important themes regarding end-of-life care structures, processes, and outcomes. This study utilized data gathered in a stratified, random sample of 437 family members of residents who died in 31 nursing homes (NHs) and 199 residential care/assisted living facilities. Structural components of care including staffing adequacy, training, and consistence as well as facility environment and size were important factors for family members interviewed. “Being there” and manner of care delivery (e.g., staff attitudes/empathy) were major elements in the process of care. These factors were mentioned more than direct care, Hospice, or resident preferences. Family members identified themes of [dying at] home and being comfortable and clean as important outcomes of care. These identified structural components, processes, and outcomes have implications for the role of social workers in these settings despite that social work support is notably absent in these findings.
Bolus Metoclopramide Does Not Enhance Morphine Analgesia After Cesarean Section

Intravenous metoclopramide potentiates the analgesic effects of opioids in postoperative patients.We speculate that increased spinal concentrations of acetylcholine from metoclopramide-induced acetylcholinesterase inhibition is the mechanism responsible for enhanced morphine analgesia from metoclopramide. Sixty patients undergoing elective cesarean section with subarachnoid anesthesia were randomized to receive either 20 mg metoclopramide or saline intravenously 30-60 min prior to subarachnoid injection. Prior to subarachnoid injection of local anesthetic, 2 mL of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was aspirated for cholinesterase activity measurement. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain were obtained prior to drug administration, at first patient request for analgesia, and at discharge from the postanesthesia care unit. Total morphine use was recorded in the recovery room and for 24 h postoperatively. There were no significant differences in VAS scores, morphine use, or CSF cholinesterase activity between groups. CSF cholinesterase activity was similar to values in nonpregnant patients demonstrated previously. This study failed to confirm the morphine-enhancing action of 20 mg intravenous metoclopramide in postoperative patients. Furthermore, this dose of metoclopramide does not inhibit CSF acetylcholinesterase. (Anesth Analg 1996;82:1033-5)
When should a liver resection be performed in patients with liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumours? A systematic review with practice recommendations.

AIM To determine the benefits and risks of hepatic resection versus non-resectional liver-directed treatments in patients with potentially resectable neuroendocrine liver metastases. METHODS A systematic review identified 1594 reports which alluded to a possible liver resection for neuroendocrine tumour metastases, of which 38 reports (all retrospective), comprising 3425 patients, were relevant. RESULTS Thirty studies reported resection alone, and 16 studies reported overall survival (OS). Only two studies addressed quality-of-life (QoL) issues. Five-year overall survival was reported at 41-100%, whereas 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 5-54%. We identified no robust evidence that a liver resection was superior to any other liver-directed therapies in improving OS or PFS. There was no evidence to support the use of a R2 resection (debulking), with or without tumour ablation, to improve either OS or QoL. There was little evidence to guide sequencing of surgery for patients presenting in Stage IV with resectable disease, and none to support a resection of asymptomatic primary tumours in the presence of non-resectable liver metastases. CONCLUSION Low-level recommendations are offered to assist in the management of patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases, along with recommendations for future studies.
High power in-line pseudoelliptic evanescent mode filter using series lumped capacitors

A compact in-line pseudoelliptic evanescent mode filter for high power and wide spectrum applications is presented in this paper. The filter employs series lumped capacitors between adjacent resonators. Such capacitors are properly combined with the series distributed inductance of the evanescent mode sections so as to provide independently controlled transmission zeros. The proposed approach does not require any inductive wire connections between resonators and preserves the wide spurious free stopband characteristic typical of conventional in-line all-pole evanescent mode filters. The experimental results, including temperature and power tests, of a sixth order 11% fractional bandwidth prototype designed at 1.8 GHz with two symmetrically placed transmission zeros are reported.
Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) made by a novel "reverse fabrication process"

We report a novel fabrication process of a cMUT array based on the electrostatic effect and realized by silicon micromachining technique. Several fabrication technologies for 1D and 2D cMUT have been presented in the last ten years, differing from each other in the materials used and the process steps involved. They all have in common the presence of micro-holes on the surface of the transducer necessary to evacuate the cavities under the membranes or, in the 2D array, to electrically connect upper to lower pads and to allow the electrical connection to external circuits. The authors of the present work designed and realized a cMUT transducer using a new concept. In the standard process, successive layers are deposited on the silicon wafer up to the silicon nitride structural layer of the micro membranes; our different approach consists in inverting the function of each layer and to build the cMUT capacitive cell starting from the membrane, made of LPCVD silicon nitride coating the silicon wafer, up to the bottom electrode and the backplate. By working on the back of the device, there is no need to use holes in the structural silicon nitride layer to evacuate the cavities and the pads for the electrical connections are on the bottom surface of the device.
Genetic divergence in Eucalyptus spp. clones by molecular RAPD markers

The genetic divergence in 20 Eucalyptus spp. clones was evaluated by multivariate techniques based on 167 RAPD markers, of which 155 were polymorphic and 12 monomorphic. The measures of genetic distances were obtained by the arithmetic complement of the coefficients of Jaccard and of Sorenso-Nei and Li and evaluated by the hierarchical methods of Single Linkage clustering and Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA). Independent of the dissimilarity coefficient, the greatest divergence was found between clones 7 and 17 and the smallest between the clones 11 and 14. Clone clustering was little influenced by the applied procedure so that, adopting the same percentage of divergence, the UPGMA identified two groups less for the coefficient of Sorenso-Nei and Li. The clones evidenced considerable genetic divergence, which is partly associated to the origin of the study material. The clusters formed by the UPGMA clustering algorithm associated to the arithmetic complement of Jaccard were most consistent.
[The morphological, immunophenotypical and cytogenetic characteristics study of blast crisis in chronic myeloid leukemia].

OBJECTIVE To explore the morphological, immunophenotypical and cytogenetic (MIC) characteristics of chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis (CML-BC). METHODS Marrow cells from 31 CML-BC patients were studied by bone marrow smears with morphological and cytochemical stain analysis. Immunophenotypic analysis was performed by micro blood method and flow cytometry. Cytogenetic analysis was performed using bone marrow cells prepared directly and or after 24 hours culture. RHG banding was used for karyotypic analysis. RESULTS 23 patients (74.2%) were found to have myeloid blast crisis. 5 cases (16.1%) had a B-lymphoid immunophenotype and 4 of them expressed myeloid associated antigens at the same time. Another 3 cases were classified as acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL 1 patient) and acute myeloid -lymphoid leukemia (AMLL 2 patients) with B and myeloid markers expression. A significant proportion (67.7%) of blast crisis cases were CD(34) positive. CD(34) was expressed in 80.0% of lymphoid and 65.2% of myeloid BC. Analysis of the relationship between CD(7) and CD(34) expression in blasts of myeloid crisis showed their dual expression in 8/23 (34.8%) of the cases. Cytogenetic analysis indicated that 14/27 (51.9%) of the patients had developed secondary cytogenetic abnormalities in addition to the Ph chromosome. These newly emerging abnormalities included a trisomy 8 in 3 patients, a double Ph chromosome in 3 patients, an iso chromosome 17q in 2 patients, loss of Y chromosome in 1 patent and other complicated translocation in 5 patients. CONCLUSION Blast crisis of CML is a kind of disease of stem cell. The differentiation of blast cell is blocked in the early stage. The prognosis of such patients is poor. MIC showed its important values in diagnosis, judgement of prognosis and determination of therapeutic protocol of CML-BC.
Spanning Generations—Appointment Reminder Preferences Among Patients With Rheumatic Diseases

Objective This study aimed to determine the appointment reminder preferences of patients presenting to rheumatology clinics. Methods An anonymous, self-directed survey was given to all patients attending our rheumatology clinic. Patients indicated age and reminder preferences in modality and timing. Patients were then divided into generational age groups as follows: generation Y (18–28 years), generation X (29–49 years), baby boomers (50–67 years), the silent generation (68–85 years), and the GI generation (≥86 years). Overall preferences, as well as preferences by generational age groups, were determined. Results A total of 1000 survey forms were distributed among the patients; 949 were collected for a response rate of 94.9%. Of these 949 survey forms, we analyzed 637 (67.1%) and excluded 312 (32.9%). Of all patients, 99.5% viewed appointment reminders favorably. Most (72%, n = 461) of the patients surveyed indicated that they would prefer the timing of their reminder to be 4 days or less before their clinic appointment; 16% (n = 100) preferred timing between 5 and 7 days; another 12% (n = 77) of the patients indicated that they would prefer 8 days or longer in advance. Overall, the most preferred reminder modality was a telephone call (52%, n = 333). The least preferred modality overall was short message service (SMS)/text messaging (4%, n = 27). The most popular option selected in generation Y was text/SMS reminders, and patients belonging to that generational age group were more likely than any other group to favor text/SMS reminders (P < 0.0001). Conclusions Improved rheumatology clinic attendance would be beneficial given the need for disease assessment and medication monitoring. Most patients view appointment reminders favorably; however, no studies have assessed the modality and timing preferences of patients in a US rheumatology clinic. Modality, but not timing, preferences vary with generational age. The preference for newer modalities such as text/SMS reminder was predominately observed in the patients of generation Y, a population prone to clinic nonattendance.
Characterization of the permselective properties of excised human skin during iontophoresis.

The iontophoretic and passive transport of [3H]mannitol, 22Na+, 36Cl-, and 45Ca++ across excised human cadaver skin was studied using diffusion cells. The anode (+) was placed in the side of the diffusion cell facing the epidermis and the cathode (-) was placed in the side facing the dermis, and current densities at 0, 0.078, 0.16, and 0.23 mA.cm-2 were investigated. The results showed that mannitol and Na+ were transported preferentially by anodal (+) iontophoresis, Cl- was transported by cathodal (-) iontophoresis, and all respective fluxes were approximately proportional to the applied current density. When the skin was present as a membrane barrier between the two diffusion cell chambers the voltage induced flux of Na+ was found to be higher than its free solution value, and that of Cl- was lower. Taken together these results suggest that the skin is a permselective membrane and exists with an "apparent" net negative charge at the free solution pH of 7.4. During iontophoresis this permselectivity leads to current-induced volume flow, which provides a primary mechanism for the transport for a polar uncharged molecule such as mannitol. When Ca++ is substituted for Na+ on the side of the diffusion cell facing the epidermis, the Cl- flux from the dermal side is enhanced with a portion of the remaining charge being carried by Ca++. The mannitol flux from the epidermal side was decreased under these conditions. This implies that Ca++ alters the anion/cation flux ratio in the excised tissue, possibly by binding to fixed negative charges in the membrane, with the result that the volume flow is decreased. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Impact of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols on postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing routine hepatectomy: review of the current evidence.

BACKGROUND Enhanced recovery protocols are widely used in many areas of general surgery but had a limited penetration in perioperative management of patients undergoing liver resection. Recently, multiple publications described application of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program to hepatectomy patients but their definitive role is not established or accepted by hepatobiliary surgeons. METHODS A comprehensive literature review of published series in English language medical sources detailing ERAS program application for hepatectomy for the period of 2006-2016 is performed. RESULTS ERAS protocols are feasible and safe. They reduce length of stay in patients undergoing routine hepatectomy without negative impact on morbidity and mortality. There is potential for reduction of Clavien grade I-II complications, while major and surgical complications are similar to traditional care management group. CONCLUSIONS Application of ERAS program to patient undergoing hepatectomy reduces length of hospital stay without affecting perioperative morbidity or mortality and may represent a new standard of care for patients undergoing routine liver resection.