Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frequency and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Enterococcal Strains Isolated from Patients of Different Departments of a University Teaching Hospital in Wrocław Częstość izolacji i lekowrażliwość szczepów z rodzaju Enterococcus pochodzących od pacjentów hospitalizowanych w klinikach Akademickiego Szpita

Background. Strains of Enterococcus have in recent years become one of the most frequent etiology factors in nosocomial infections, both in children and adults. The biggest threat are the strains resistant to glycopeptide and to high level aminoglycosides Objectives. Estimation of frequency of isolation and drug susceptibility of enterococci obtained from differen clin− ical samples from patients from University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Wroclaw. Material and Methods. One thousand nine hundred thirty three (1933) strains of Enterococcus isolated from patients from different clinic of UTH were enrolled in this study. Frequency of isolation of enteroccocci in rela− tion to general number of strains (N = 12435) and in relation to Gram−positive bacteria (5581) collected in period 1.01. 2006–28.02. 2007 was determined. Susceptibility to ampicillin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, van− comycin and teicoplanin was estimated. Results. More than 2/3 of enterococci were isolated in pediatric wards. Highest number of strains was isolated from children from the Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation (23.6%), from Pediatric and Gastroenterology Hospital (20.6) and from adults from Gastroenterology Hospital (11.4%). Most frequently ente− rococci were obtained from stool and urine. Twenty strains were isolated from blood, 5 from cerebrospinal fluid and 11 strains from other physiological sterile fluids. Fiftheen strains were resistant to vancomicin, all of which belonged to the species E. faecium and were obtained from nephrology department patients (1 child and 14 adults). The percentage of HLGR strains reached 23,6% in the E. faecalis group and 40.3% in E. faecium group. E. fae− calis strains were more susceptible to to ampicillin (97,3% i 3,4% respectively) and less susceptible to doxycycline (28.0% i 67.6% respectively). Conclusions. Isolation of VRE strains from Nefrological Departments suggest necessity monitoring of glycopep− tide susceptibility among strains obtained as from urine as other clinical samples especially from stool (VRE col− onization) (Adv Clin Exp Med 2008, 17, 3, 259–268).
A longitudinal study of physical activity and menstrual cycle characteristics in healthy Norwegian women – The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study

Background : Long menstrual cycles have been associated with anovulation, infertility and spontaneous abortion. Elite athletes have been found at risk of menstrual dysfunction. We evaluated the longitudinal association between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and menstrual function in healthy non-athletic women. Methods: A population-based health survey (HUNT 1) was conducted during 1984-1986 in Nord-Trondelag county, Norway, with follow-up in 1995-1997 (HUNT 2). The current study included 3,097 women, 25 years old. Women, 20-25 years old at baseline who were active most days had increased odds of short cycles, more bleeding days and increased odds of having irregular cycles, OR=4.7; 95% CI = 1.2-18.0). Number of bleeding days decreased with longer duration (p<0.05) and higher intensity (p=0.065) in young women. Adjustment for BMI did not affect the results. Conclusion : Leisure time physical activity may affect menstrual function, although in our study, the results were modified by age
Joint Singing Voice Separation and F0 Estimation with Deep U-Net Architectures

Vocal source separation and fundamental frequency estimation in music are tightly related tasks. The outputs of vocal source separation systems have previously been used as inputs to vocal fundamental frequency estimation systems; conversely, vocal fundamental frequency has been used as side information to improve vocal source separation. In this paper, we propose several different approaches for jointly separating vocals and estimating fundamental frequency. We show that joint learning is advantageous for these tasks, and that a stacked architecture which first performs vocal separation outperforms the other configurations considered. Furthermore, the best joint model achieves state-of-the-art results for vocal -$f_{0}$ estimation on the iKala dataset. Finally, we highlight the importance of performing polyphonic, rather than monophonic vocal- $f_{0}$ estimation for many real-world cases.
Monitoring and Classification of Emotions in Elderly People

Daily, people have access to various multimedia content, that can change their emotional state and it can cause an increase in their heart rate. These emotional changes are troubling in the elderly people. Thus, this work aims to classify emotions by machine learning and monitor the emotions of the elderly through the measurement of heart rate, using portable sensors of low cost and easily to use. For this, a framework is implemented, which presents to the user messages of attention and danger according to emotion and heart rate when video contents are presented to the elderly people. Also, the audio transcription of the videos are performed and the sentiment analysis is performed. Thus, when detecting a sudden increase in heart rate and the video presents a negative sentiment polarity, then the proposed solution presents a video of calm or happy content, according to the user's pre-registered preference. The experimental results showed that the classification system performed by a deep learning model obtained values of 97% of accuracy for classifying the disgust emotion and the heart rate level decreased with the proposed framework. Additionally, 93.75% of the users considered the system efficient.
Narrowband Powerline Communication Measurement and Analysis in the Low Voltage Distribution Network

Narrowband Power Line Communication technology is widely used in Smart Grids applications as a communication infrastructure for managing and controlling the electricity network. PLC is considered as a promising technology for data transmission, because it can be deployed over existing outdoor power lines with low cost and quick deployment. However, this medium is hostile to transfer high frequency communication signals. To enable this data communication in the Tunisian Low Voltage distribution network and design a reliable PLC, it is important to have a comprehensive knowledge of the channel characteristics such as noise level, impedance, and attenuation. This paper describes an experimental measurement methodology and gives analysis of results in the frequency range from 9 to 500 kHz in various sites located in Tunisia. Results show performance of PLC system on the LV distribution network. This study will be helpful to design a device for PLC applications.
Intratherapist Reliability in the Rating of Scapula Posture in Multiple Planes of Reference

Background. Evaluation of scapular posture is a fundamental component in the clinical evaluation of the upper quadrant. This study examined the intrarater reliability of scapular posture ratings. Methods. A test-retest reliability investigation was undertaken with one week between assessment sessions. At each session physical therapists conducted visual assessments of scapula posture (relative to the thorax) in five different scapula postural planes (plane of scapula, sagittal plane, transverse plane, horizontal plane, and vertical plane). These five plane ratings were performed for four different scapular posture perturbating conditions (rest, isometric shoulder; flexion, abduction, and external rotation). Results. A total of 100 complete scapular posture ratings (50 left, 50 right) were undertaken at each assessment. The observed agreement between the test and retest postural plane ratings ranged from 59% to 87%; 16 of the 20 plane-condition combinations exceeded 75% observed agreement. Kappa (and prevalence adjusted bias adjusted kappa) values were inconsistent across the postural planes and perturbating conditions. Conclusions. This investigation generally revealed fair to moderate intrarater reliability in the rating of scapular posture by visual inspection. However, enough disagreement between assessments was present to warrant caution when interpreting perceived changes in scapula position between longitudinal assessments using visual inspection alone.
Compressed sensing for the extraction of atrial fibrillation patterns from surface electrocardiograms

The non invasive analysis of atrial fibrillation (AF) arrhythmia represents a challenge nowadays. The fibrillatory pattern of AF, known as f-wave, is partially masked by the ventricular activity of the heartbeat in the surface electrocardiogram (ECG). Classical techniques aiming to extract the f-wave are based on average beat subtraction (ABS) or blind source separation (BSS). They present limitations in performance and require long ECG records as well as multi-channel records in the case of BSS. The originality of the present work consists in exploiting the sparsity of the atrial activity (AA) signal in the frequency domain to extract the fullf-wave using a recent data acquisition technique called compressed sensing (CS). The present contribution takes a step forward in the extraction of the f-wave by exploiting the time rather than the space dimension. We intend to recover the AA signal with a variant of CS where classical random sampling is replaced by a block sampling scheme. Our breakthrough finding consists in the ability of our method to accurately extract the AA from a short ECG record of just one heartbeat, with a normalized mean squared error of 15%, which is unfeasible with ABS, BSS and other variants that require longer observation windows.
Heuristic Inference of Model Transformation Definitions from Type Mappings

Developers of model transformations are often required to produce verbose transformation definitions. This verbosity results from the need to link the elements of the target model explicitly by initializing their features, which requires developers to handwrite large amounts of repetitive transformation instructions. Whereas existing hybrid transformation languages automate the application of rules, they do not save developers from these boilerplate instructions. In this paper, we demonstrate that a large fraction of such instructions can be intelligently inferred from a set of simple mappings between the source and target types of a transformation. On this basis, we propose a heuristic inference mechanism to augment such type mappings with additional mappings for the initialization of features, thereby saving developers from the need to handwrite boilerplate instructions. We showcase the ability of our mechanism to reduce the verbosity of transformations using four case studies.
COMPARING TWO MODES OF EXERCISE TRAINING WITH DIFFERENT INTENSITY ON BODY COMPOSITION IN OBESE YOUNG GIRLS

Purpose. Obesity is currently a serious, worldwide public health problem and a lifelong disease requiring early intervention before adulthood . This study compares the effects of high intensity aerobic training (HIAT) and Moderate intensity aerobic training (MIAT) after four and eight weeks on body composition in girls’ obese students. Methods. The present study includes 21 obese female students (fat percent 36% and BMI: 29.6%) randomly placed in three same groups, HIAT (n =7), MIAT (n =7) and control (n =6). Body composition (weight, body mass index, fat percentage, body fat mass, lean body mass and waist to hip ratio) in the students was measured using Bioimpedance before, in the middle and after 8 weeks of exercise. The exercises were done three days a week with interval high intensity (85-95% HR peak) and continuous moderate intensity (50 -70 % HR peak) respectively for 33 and 41 minutes with the same energy expenditure on the treadmill. To data analysis, parametric methods were used (t - paired and ANOVA) at significance level of α=0.05. Results. Results showed that although HIAT reduced the mentioned items in body composition in each of the testing processes, but this reduction was not significant, while the MIAT significantly decreased fat percentage, fat mass and WHR after 8 weeks. It also reduced other items except body lean mass but, they were non-significant. The significant difference was observed in body fat mass and fat percentage after 8 weeks between MIAT and HIAT. Comparing MIAT and control groups showed that significant difference in fat mass after 4 and 8 weeks and in fat percentage after 8 weeks. Conclusions. Research results indicates that the MIAT causes further changes in body composition compared to the HIAT, although, during activity, HIAT fat oxidation rate was significantly improved after 8 weeks.
Simulation of Lightning Current Distributions in a realistic Human Head Model

There is evidence that humans can survive a direct lightning strike in the head. The formation of a flashover outside of human body might be a reason for the survival. However, the current density distribution inside the human head and the formation of the flashover are not well investigated. Established computer models neglect the geometric and dielectric properties of interior head structures and the flashover channel. This paper presents first FEM simulations of a direct lightning strike in a realistic eight compartment human head model and compares cases of no flashover and flashover. In case of no flashover the current primarily flowed in the CSF (43 %) and the scalp (42 %). Grey and white matter were less exposed with 4.8 % and 5.4 %. In case of flashover more than 99 % of the current flowed in the flashover channel and only a very small amount in the interior structures of the head. We conclude that four main effects contribute to the survival rate of 70–90 % after lightning strike: (1) the formation of the flashover, (2) the insulating effect of neurocranium (3) the channelling effect of CSF and (4) the low current density exposition in those brain regions which are crucial for controlling vital functions.
Studies on the molecular epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of avian mycobacteriosis

Studies on the Molecular Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment of Avian Mycobacteriosis. (December 2007) Miguel Daniel Saggese, B.S, University of Buenos Aires; M.S., University of Minnesota Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Ian Tizard Dr. David Phalen We investigated the molecular epidemiology, differential susceptibility to infection and disease, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of avian mycobacteriosis in captive ringneck doves (Streptopelia risoria) and in the endangered white-winged duck (Cairina scutulata), both naturally infected with Mycobacterium a. avium. Our studies in doves demonstrated lower susceptibility to infection and less severity of lesions in the white color morph compared with the non-white. Genetic mechanisms of immunity to mycobacteriosis may be contributing or determining these differences. Given that the genes that code for white coloration are sex linked in birds, it is very likely that the gene or genes modulating this different immune response to M. a. avium infection in these doves could be associated to these loci or at least located in the same sexual (Z) chromosome, as the association with white color suggest. In the same birds, spleen biopsies followed by liver biopsies had the greatest potential for the diagnosis of mycobacteriosis by the demonstration of acid-fast organisms. Additional
Resource Allocation-Based PAPR Analysis in Uplink SCMA-OFDM Systems

Sparse code multiple access (SCMA) is a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) uplink solution that overloads resource elements (RE’s) with more than one user. Given the success of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, SCMA will likely be deployed as a multiple access scheme over OFDM, called an SCMA-OFDM system. One of the major challenges with OFDM systems is the high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) problem, which is typically studied through the PAPR statistics for a system with a large number of independently modulated sub-carriers (SCs). In the context of SCMA systems, the PAPR problem has been studied before through the SCMA codebook design for certain narrowband scenarios, applicable more for low-rate users. However, we show that for high-rate users in wideband systems, it is more meaningful to study the PAPR statistics. In this paper, we highlight some novel aspects to the PAPR statistics for SCMA-OFDM systems that is different from the vast body of existing PAPR literature in the context of traditional OFDM systems. The main difference lies in the fact that the SCs are not independently modulated in SCMA-OFDM systems. Instead, the SCMA codebook uses multi-dimensional constellations, leading to a statistical dependency between the data carrying SCs. Further, the SCMA codebook dictates that an UL user can only transmit on a subset of the available SCs. We highlight the joint effect of the two major factors that influence the PAPR statistics - the phase bias in the multi-dimensional constellation design along with the resource allocation strategy. The choice of modulation scheme and SC allocation strategy are static configuration options, thus allowing for PAPR reduction opportunities in SCMA-OFDM systems through the setting of static configuration parameters. Compared to the class of PAPR reduction techniques in the OFDM literature that rely on multiple signalling and probabilistic techniques, these gains come with no computational overhead. In this paper, we also examine these PAPR reduction techniques and their applicability to SCMA-OFDM systems.
Indoor Concentrations of PM10 and Factors Influencing Its Concentrations in Day Care Centres in Bangkok, Thailand

Objective: To assess the indoor concentrations of particulate matter with size less than10 μm in diameters (PM10). Materials and Methods: PM10 concentrations were monitored for 24 hours in 25 centres in the highpolluted (H) area and 25 centres in the low-polluted (L) area in Bangkok, using Dust Trak Aerosol Monitor Model 8520. The levels of indoor PM10 concentrations in the centres between the two areas were compared. Results: There was no significant difference in PM10 concentrations between the H (75.08μg/m 3 ) and L (69.93μg/m 3 ) area. Day care centres with cooking activities had PM10 concentrations (69.93μg/m 3 ) significantly higher (p-value < 0.01) than those without (45.22μg/m 3 ). There was a positive correlation between PM10 concentrations and number of children complaining about cough in the H area (r = 0.639, p-value < 0.01). Conclusion: Despite no significant difference in indoor PM10 concentrations of day centres between the two areas, more children attending centres in the H area complained about cough than those attending centres in the L area. The study also confirmed that in an indoor environment without smoking, cooking was the most significant source of indoor PM10 concentrations.
A Study on Iterative Decoding With LLR Modulator by Neural Network Using Adjacent Track Information in SMR System

Our previous work focused on a log-likelihood ratio (LLR) computed as the decoding reliability by a posteriori probability (APP) decoder in a two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) system using shingled magnetic recording (SMR). In this article, we propose a neural network LLR modulator to reduce the influence of pattern dependent medium noise and to perform efficiently iterative decoding using a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code. In this study, we clarify that the performance improvement of iterative decoding can be obtained by considering LLRs of the adjacent track bits affecting the decoding bit as the input of the neural network. Furthermore, we clarify that the application of a hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA) selects LLRs by using the adjacent track LLRs affecting the decoding bit and realizes more effective iterative decoding.
CANCER SURVEILLANCE SERIES Recent Trends in Lung Cancer Mortality in the United States

Background: Previous age–period–cohort analyses of lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in the United States have demonstrated a decrease in risk by birth cohort through 1950, consistent with declining trends in smoking prevalence. This study was conducted to examine recent lung cancer trends, including trends among the cohorts born after 1950. Methods: Lung cancer mortality rates from 1970 through 1997 for whites aged 24–83 years and for blacks aged 30–83 years were investigated. Using age–period– cohort analyses with 2-year age and 2-year calendar-period intervals, we examined changes in the slope of the trends in birth-cohort and calendar-period effects. All statistical tests are two-sided. Results: There was an unexpected, statistically significant moderation in the rate of decrease of the birthcohort trend in lung cancer mortality for whites born after 1950, with a corresponding smaller and statistically nonsignificant moderation for blacks. These data are consistent with smoking initiation rates: Rates of both cigarette and marijuana smoking initiation increased for children aged 12–17 years from 1965 through 1977. There was a statistically significant decrease in the slope of the calendar-period trend for lung cancer mortality in 1990 for both whites and blacks that was observed primarily in people 55 years of age and older. Conclusions and Implications: The birth-cohort pattern of lung cancer mortality after 1950 appears to reflect the early impact of teenage cigarette smoking on lung cancer risk in people under the age of 45 years, although a contribution from marijuana smoking cannot be ruled out. This result provides additional support for increasing smoking cessation and prevention programs for teenagers. The calendar-period decrease in lung cancer mortality after 1990 may reflect the long-term benefits of reductions in tobacco carcinogens in cigarettes and increases in smoking cessation beginning around 1960. [J Natl Cancer Inst 2001;93:277–83]
Beam Training Optimization in Millimeter-wave Systems under Beamwidth, Modulation and Coding Constraints

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands have the potential to enable significantly high data rates in wireless systems. In order to overcome intense path loss and severe shadowing in these bands, it is essential to employ directional beams for data transmission. Furthermore, it is known that the mmWave channel incorporates a few number of spatial clusters necessitating additional time to align the corresponding beams with the channel prior to data transmission. This procedure is known as beam training (BT). While a longer BT leads to more directional beams (equivalently higher beamforming gains), there is less time for data communication. In this paper, this trade-off is investigated for a time slotted system under practical constraints such as finite beamwidth resolution and discrete modulation and coding schemes. At each BT time slot, the access point (AP) scans a region of uncertainty by transmitting a probing packet and refines angle of arrival (AoA) estimate based on user equipment (UE) feedback. Given a total number time slots, the objective is to find the optimum allocation between BT and data transmission and a feasible beamwidth for the estimation of AoA at each BT time slot such that the expected throughput is maximized. It is shown that the problem satisfies the optimal substructure property enabling the use of a backward dynamic programming approach to find the optimal solution with polynomial computational complexity. Simulation results reveal that in practical scenarios, the proposed approach outperforms existing techniques such as exhaustive and bisection search.