Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Face Detection Algorithms for the Bank Client Identity Verification

Abstract Results of investigation of face detection algorithms efficiency in the banking client visual verification system are presented. The video recordings were made in real conditions met in three bank operating outlets employing a miniature industrial USB camera. The aim of the experiments was to check the practical usability of the face detection method in the biometric bank client verification system. The main assumption was to provide a simplified as much as possible user interaction with the application. Applied algorithms for face detection are described and achieved results of face detection in the real bank environment conditions are presented. Practical limitations of the application based on encountered problems are discussed.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Acute Optic Neuritis

Background and Methods. The use of corticosteroids to treat optic neuritis is controversial. At 15 clinical centers, we randomly assigned 457 patients with acute optic neuritis to receive oral prednisone (1 mg per kilogram of body weight per day) for 14 days; intravenous methylprednisolone (1 g per day) for 3 days, followed by oral prednisone (1 mg per kilogram per day) for 11 days; or oral placebo for 14 days. Visual function was assessed over a six-month follow-up period. Results. Visual function recovered faster in the group receiving intravenous methylprednisolone than in the placebo group; this was particularly true for the reversal of visual-field defects (P = 0.0001). Although the differences between the groups decreased with time, at six months the group that received intravenous methylprednisolone still had slightly better visual fields (P = 0.054), contrast sensitivity (P = 0.026), and color vision (P = 0.033) but not better visual acuity (P = 0.66). The outcome in the oral-prednisone group did .
EMG activity and knee joint torque evoked by microstimulation of the cat L6 spinal cord

The knee extensor and flexor EMG activity evoked by microstimulation of the cat L6 spinal cord were recorded while simultaneously monitoring the knee joint extension and flexion torques. Single fine-tipped (200 to 400 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ surface area) activated iridium microelectrode was implanted in the left side of the L6 spinal cord. Large extension torque was produced by microstimulation in the ventral horn and small flexion torque was produced by microstimulation in the dorsal horn. The extensor EMG was much larger than the flexor EMG when large extension torque was produced. The flexor EMG was just slightly larger than the extensor EMG and both were small when small flexion torque was produced. When extension torque was generated, the extensor EMG increased rapidly with increasing stimulus intensity while the flexor EMG remained at almost the same level. These results showed that the L6 spinal cord of the cat is more effective in generating extension torque than flexion torque and that hindlimb flexor and extensor EMG is correlated with torque. Microstimulation of the spinal cord is a potential method to restore the low limb function for patients with spinal cord injuries.
A study of postoperative anxiety and depression among patients with intestinal stomas

Introduction and objectives Psychological well-being has a significant impact on the quality of life of stoma patients, but more emphasis should be given to this aspect. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the level of depression and anxiety in a cohort of ostomy patients. Materials and methods A cross sectional study was conducted among 40 patients followed up at a single tertiary care unit. Median follow-up was 37 months (range: 6-183). Demographic and ostomy related variables were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) questionnaire, which are validated tools, were used to assess depression and anxiety respectively. Associations were established using Mann-Whitney U test. Results
MOLECULAR DETECTION OF INSERTION SEQUENCE 6110 OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS AND TUBERCULOUS PLEURITIS IN ANBAR GOVERNORATE, WEST OF IRAQ

Accurate identification and early diagnosis of tuberculosis especially latent and active infection is the key to prevention of the disease. This study was conducted to detect the accuracy of conventional and real time polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum and blood samples using 123 bp gene of repetitive insertion sequence 6110 (IS 6110) of bacterial genome and tuberculous pleuritis using pleural effusion. Sixty five patients who have clinical suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis, fifty patients with suspicion of TB pleurisy and twenty patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease as control were studied during the period from April, 2012 to December, 2015. They were admitted to Department of Internal Medicine in Ramadi Teaching Hospital and Clinical Private. EDTA-Peripheral blood and sputum samples had been taken from patient with pulmonary tuberculosis. Also, pleural effusion was obtained from patients with tuberculous pleuritis. They were subjected to DNA extraction, amplification of the target DNA by conventional PCR and qualitative real time PCR. Of the 65 sputum samples from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 37 (56.9%) were AFB smear-positive. Of these, 32 (86.5%) and ? (94.6%) were positive for PCR and RTPCR respectively. Further, out of 28 negative smear, 7 (25%) and 8 (28.6%) smears were PCR and RTPCR positive respectively. Further, in peripheral blood based PCR study, out of 37 patients whose sputum were positive by AFB smear, only 25 (67.6%) of them were positive for PCR. Peripheral blood based PCR and RT-PCR essays were negative for all AFB smear negative cases. In suspected tuberculous pleuritis, 8 (16%), 9 (18%) patients reveal positive result for both of conventional and real time PCR respectively. Also, all twenty spontaneous sputum samples (controls)were negative for PCR. The study concluded that PCR provides a sensitive and specific means for laboratory diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and qualitative real time PCR is a more confirmatory test but the molecular diagnosis of the tuberculosis should be based on the combined analysis of baciloscopia, clinical manifestations and therapeutic proves. Further, it was concluded that PCR and RT-PCR basedperipheral blood leukocytes is of little value for specific diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Regarding tuberculous pleuritis, PCR test revealed low sensitivity and high specificity using pleural fluid. The sensitivity was higher in cases in which the bacillary load was high-in acid fast bacilli-positive samples.
Focus and Emphasis Constructions in Cameroon English Creative Writing

This paper examines the various linguistic features used by Cameroonian writers of English expression in order to mark focus and emphasis, with reference to thirteen literary works of five prominent Cameroonian writers namely, Linus T. Asong, Shadrach A. Ambanasom, Francis B. Nyamnjoh, Eugene Konyuy and Ngoran Tardzenyuy. The findings of the study reveal that these writers make use of thematised deixis and phrases, emphatic deixis, pronoun copying or double subject constructions, emphasis with “pronoun (subject) + tell+ pronoun (object)” and reduplication in order to mark focus and emphasis. It is also found that, though with different patterns, some of the focus and emphasis constructions found in Cameroonian literary works are also attested in the works of other writers of the “outer circle”. This can be attributed to two main factors: the influence of Cameroonian writers of English expression by other African writers and the fact that Cameroonian writers, like other African writers are influenced by their background languages (Bantu languages) which display a lot of similarities.
QUALIDADE DE VIDA DA ENFERMAGEM EM TERAPIA INTENSIVA ADULTO, NEONATAL E PEDIÁTRICA / Quality of life in intensive care nursing adult, neonatal and pediatric

A pesquisa avalia e compara a qualidade de vida de profissionais de enfermagem em duas unidades de terapia intensiva, adulta, neonatal e pediatrica, em um hospital geral, estressores vivenciados e repercussoes na assistencia ao paciente. E quantitativa, descritiva, transversal, realizada em um hospital do noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Participaram 27 trabalhadores da UTI Adulto e 19 da Neonatal e Pediatrica. Instrumentos de coleta de dados foram WHOQOL – bref, dados sociodemograficos e duas questoes abertas. A maioria e mulher, 25 a 35 anos, casadas, avaliam qualidade de vida como boa. Quanto aos estressores, constata-se semelhanca nas duas equipes e reconhecem que repercutem na assistencia. Importante a implementacao de programas de formacao continuada para producao de saude nas equipes, qualidade da assistencia e na organizacao.
Knowledge of foot care in people with diabetes in a tertiary care setting

Background. The objective of this study was to investigate levels of foot care knowledge among patients attending the diabetes clinic at Pretoria Academic Hospital by comparing the knowledge of patients with ‘at risk’ feet (ARF) to those with ‘normal/not at risk’ feet (NARF) and so assess whether the education effort by the clinic is effective. Methods. Patients attending the clinic completed an interviewer-assisted questionnaire with 11 questions concerning foot care knowledge. A knowledge score for each patient was calculated. Results. Possible scores ranged from 4 to 11 (maximum 11). The mean score for the ARF group was 8.9 (standard deviation (SD) 1.4) (range 4–11) compared with 8.9 (SD 1.4) for the NARF group (range 5–11) (p>0.05). The most substantial difference between the two groups was that the ARF group gave 20% more correct answers than the NARF group with regard to frequency of foot inspection (daily) (p=0.025). Conclusions. Both groups of patients had a reasonable knowledge regarding foot care. The patients at risk were more aware of the need for daily foot inspection.
Arbeidsmarkttrajecten van vrouwen met een migratie-achtergrond voor en na de geboorte van een eerste kind

Hoewel de werkzaamheid van moeders in Belgie relatief hoog ligt, is dit voor moeders met een migratie-achtergrond vaak niet het geval. Aan de hand van longitudinale data van de Kruispuntbank en het Rijksregister wordt onderzocht hoe arbeidsmarkttrajecten rond de geboorte van een eerste kind verschillen naargelang de herkomst van de moeder, en of de transitie naar ouderschap een groter effect heeft op de werkzaamheid van vrouwen met een migratie-achtergrond dan het geval is bij Belgische vrouwen.
Adaptive trellis coded MQAM and power optimization for OFDM transmission

We propose an adaptive trellis coded modulation orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ATCM-OFDM) scheme to provide high rate transmission with high spectral efficiency for an indoor environment. Our objective is to minimize the overall transmit power in each OFDM transmission by optimizing the power distribution, the code rate and modulation scheme in each OFDM subchannel so as to maintain a constant data transmission rate and a fixed bit error rate (BER). In the simulation, the ATCM-OFDM scheme can achieve more than 7 dB power reduction compared with the OFDM scheme using fixed TCM.
ON KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION AND DECISION MAKING UNDER UNCERTAINTY

Designing systems with the ability to make optimal decision u der uncertainty is one of the goals of artificial intelligence. However, in many appli cat ons the design of optimal planners is complicated due to imprecise inputs and uncerta in outputs resulting from stochastic dynamics. Partially Observable Markov Decision Pr ocesses (POMDPs) provide a rich mathematical framework to model these kinds of problem s. However, the high computational demand of solution methods for POMDPs is a drawba ck for applying them in practice. In this thesis, we present a two-fold approach for improving the tractability of POMDP planning. First, we focus on designing good heuristics for P OMDP approximation algorithms. We aim to scale up the efficiency of a class of POMDP app roximations called point-based planning methods by designing a good planning s pace. We study the effect of three properties of reachable belief state points that ma y influence the performance of point-based approximation methods. Second, we investigat e approaches to designing good controllers using an alternative representation of system with partial observability called Predictive State Representation (PSR). This part of the the sis advocates the usefulness and practicality of PSRs in planning under uncertainty. We also attempt to move some useful characteristics of the PSR model, which has a predictive vie w of the world, to the POMDP model, which has a probabilistic view of the hidden states of the world. We propose a planning algorithm motivated by the connections between th two models.
Optimized Star Plot as Decision Aids: Applications of Maximum Resolution Topology.

The traditional star plot has been a longstanding means of presenting multivariate data. Its early-days use can be traced back to “star symbol plot” of automobile data for large rays to represent favorable characteristics. Another pioneering use in clinical data is a graphical way of summarizing patient's evolving responses. Since the early 1970s and with the coined name of Kiviat plot or graph, wide-spread use in visualizing computer and program performance has become industrial standard among software engineers. It is ever more so in the modern advance of computer graphics, transformed into popular evaluation tools such as 2/3-D Kiviat graph and 3-D Kiviat tube. Its importance amidst forward technological strides remains largely in its ease of visualization, qualitatively on the basis of the shape of a star plot. In recent years we have staged a series of studies, by focusing of its analysis and topology, resulting in usefulness in the following extensions. First, a (canonical) star plot topology for high-dimensional data visualization is applied to data records of, specifically, multi-attribute dichotomies. Our project on data analysis of on-line auction markets provides such generic sample usage for dimensions identified in constructing a multi-attribute dichotomy to help discern relative empirical advantages to buyers and sellers. The second stage, of data and optimization modeling aspects, bases on the deeper observation that the areas of the plot for the two parts of a dichotomy may be used quantitatively as an aggregate measure of their relative dominance. An optimization GP model is developed to determine a topology − the geometry and the arrangement of dimensions − that maximizes the resolution of this measure with respect to a given set of reference dichotomies. The outcome of this modeling phase * This work is partially supported by the Hong Kong RGC Competitive Earmarked Research Grant (CERG) Award: HKU 7126/05E. Sydney C.K. Chu, James K. Ho, S.S. Lam 42 is what we call an MRT (or Maximum Resolution Topology), that in the sense of maximally discriminating its dichotomy of a set of multi-attribute data records, it is an overall best representation (accompanied by an “optimized” visualization). The third stage is the coding of MRT construction integrated into a spreadsheetstyle decision support system (MRT-DSS). Its ease of use has been promising and robust for diverse applications. Samples of these will conclude the paper as illustrations.
Race and Popular Fantasy Literature: Habits of Whiteness

In Race and Popular Fantasy Literature: Habits of Whiteness, Helen Young explores in depth the notion of race and its representation in Fantasy Literature, a constantly rising sort of narrative in the early 21st century according to the author, that yet maintains procedures of race-blinding or habits of whiteness. The author thus makes a case in favor of unifying prior investigations both within and outside of the academia. To do so, Young contrasts several bibliographical references to sustain her thesis, as well as including several science-fiction and fantasy narratives to illustrate the topic.
Adverse childhood experiences: Non-medical trauma in the context of pediatric chronic illness

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their relationship with psychological distress among adolescents/young adults (AYAs) with and without pediatric chronic medical conditions (CMC). Methods: A matched sample of AYAs with and without a CMC (n = 484, Mage = 19.48, 77.7% female) completed online measures of demographics, ACEs, and anxious/depressive symptoms. Results: AYAs with a CMC were more likely to have experienced an ACE (p < 0.001). Both CMC status and ACEs related to increased distress (ps < 0.001). Moderation showed that ACEs had a stronger effect on depressive symptoms for those without a CMC (p < 0.001). Conclusions: AYAs with a CMC and/or ACEs have increased risk for distress. Trauma-informed health care and assessment of childhood adversity may be important for early detection and intervention.
Healthful food choice in restaurants: the influence of nutrition label and main course context on consumers’ food choices in restaurants

In today’s western society, the number of people with overweight increases. Therefore, stimulating consumers making healthful food choices becomes of great importance. It is still little known about consumers’ actual food choice in restaurants in the context of healthy eating. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of nutrition labels and main course context on consumers’ food choice in restaurants. In a 2(nutrition label: present vs. absent) x 2(context main course: healthy vs. non-healthy) between subject design, 160 respondents had to indicate their starter and dessert choice using a menu card. Context of the main course was found to effect consumers’ starter choice. Namely, a compensation effect occurred when the main course was put into a healthy or non-healthy context. In other words, when consumers perceived the main course as healthy, they selected a non-healthy starter and when consumers perceived the main course as non-healthy, they selected a healthy starter. The compensation effect was not found for dessert choice. Furthermore, nutrition information had no effect on starter and dessert choice, which could be due to the fact that Dutch consumers are not familiar with restaurants providing nutrition labels on their menu cards. Besides, this study showed that consumers hold more positive attitudes towards nutrition information on product packages in comparison to nutrition information on menu cards. It can be concluded that a public information campaign would be helpful to introduce nutrition labels on menu cards and create positive consumers’ attitudes towards these labels. In addition, a public information campaign has to make the consumers aware that following a healthy lifestyle is of great importance. Finally, also restaurants must help and stimulate consumers making healthful food choices by placing healthy dishes and providing nutrition labels on their menu cards. Finally, the portion size of the food served in restaurants must decrease.
Performance Analysis of Distributed MAC Protocols for Wireless Networks

How to improve the radio resource utilization and provide better quality-of-service (QoS) is an everlasting challenge to the designers of wireless networks. As an indispensable element of the solution to the above task, medium access control (MAC) protocols coordinate the stations and resolve the channel access contentions so that the scarce radio resources are shared fairly and efficiently among the participating users. With a given physical layer, a properly designed MAC protocol is the key to desired system performance, and directly affects the perceived QoS of end users. Distributed random access protocols are widely used MAC protocols in both infrastructure-based and infrastructureless wireless networks. To understand the characteristics of these protocols, there have been enormous efforts on their performance study by means of analytical modeling in the literature. However, the existing approaches are inflexible to adapt to different protocol variants and traffic situations, due to either many unrealistic assumptions or high complexity. In this thesis, we propose a simple and scalable generic performance analysis framework for a family of carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/ CA) based distributed MAC protocols, regardless of the detailed backoff and channel access policies, with more realistic and fewer assumptions. It provides a systematic approach to the performance study and comparison of diverse MAC protocols in various situations. Developed from the viewpoint of a tagged station, the proposed framework focuses on modeling the backoff and channel access behavior of an individual station. A set of fixed point equations is obtained based on a novel three-level renewal process concept, which leads to the fundamental MAC performance metric, average frame service time. With this result, the important network saturation throughput is then obtained straightforwardly. The above distinctive approach makes the proposed analytical framework unified for both saturated and unsaturated stations.
Revue Generale Sur Les Rhinolithiases : A Propos De 20 Cas

Cette etude rapporte 20 cas de rhinolithiases colliges entre 1990 et 2007. La population concernee surtout des adultes (55% de sexe feminin) ayant le plus souvent des conditions socio-economiques defavorables. Le tableau clinique est simple et non specifique : rhinite obstructive purulente unilaterale et fetide. Des presentations deroutantes sont possibles mais rares (infection sinusienne, oculo-palpebrale). Le diagnostic repose sur l'examen endonasal notamment a l'optique rigide. Le scanner est tres interessant pour un bon bilan loco-regional permettant en particulier de reconnaitre les lesions associees ou sous-jacentes. L'extraction par les voies naturelles le plus souvent sous anesthesie locale etait le procede therapeutique habituel. Les rhinolithes avaient entre 5 et 50 mm de diametre avec seulement 3 corps etranger associes (15 %). Les complications sont rares (epistaxis : 10%) et l'evolution etait le plus souvent favorable. This study reports 20 cases of rhinolithiasis treated between 1990 and 2007. The population concerns especially adults. The symptoms are generally represented by unilateral purulent rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction. The diagnosis is based on clinical examination. The CT-scan precises extension and associated or underlying lesions. The extraction by natural ways, often under local anesthesia, was proceeded as habitual therapeutic. The rhinoliths had between 5 and 50 mm of diameter with only 3 foreign bodies associated (15%). The complications are rare (nasal bleeding: 10%). Keywords : Rhinolithiasis, nasa foreign body, purulent rhinorrhea. Journal Tunisien d'ORL et de chirurgie cervico-faciale Vol. 18 2007: pp. 34-39
The Experiences Of Two Blind Efl Learners In An Ecuadorian NGO, a Case Study

Esta tesis describe los factores contextuales que influyen en la realidad de los discapacitados visuales y ciegos en ecuador. el presente estudio de caso explora el area de adquisicion de un segundo idioma. Se realizo en la region sierra de ecuador, en una organizacion no gubernamental que contribuye al desarrollo de personas ciegas y con discapacidad visual. Tres preguntas de investigacion dirigieron el presente estudio para identificar los factores unicos que ayudan o limitan el proceso de aprendizaje de efl (ingles como lengua extranjera) para los estudiantes ciegos. Esta tesis tiene un paradigma cualitativo. Los sujetos de este estudio de caso fueron dos estudiantes de efl, uno ciego y uno con baja vision. Los mismos fueron entrevistados a profundidad, tambien asistieron a las sesiones del grupo de enfoque con otros estudiantes ciegos de efl y de otras areas, y con profesionales de la institucion mencionada anteriormente.