Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bi-modal Human Machine Interface for Controlling an Intelligent Wheelchair

This paper presents a bi-modal human machine interface (HMI) alternative for hands-free control of an electric powered wheelchair (EPW) by means of head movements and facial expressions. The head movements and the facial expressions are detected by using the gyroscope and the cognitiv suite of the Emotiv EPOC sensor, respectively. By employing the cognitiv suite, the user can choose his/her most comfortable facial expressions. Three head movements are used to stop the wheelchair and display the turning commands in the graphical interface (GI) of the HMI, while two facial expressions are employed to move forward the wheelchair and confirm the execution of the turning command displayed on the GI of the HMI. By doing this, the user is free of turning his/her head while the wheelchair is being controlled without the execution of an undesired command. Two subjects have tested the proposed HMI by operating a wheelchair in an indoor environment. Furthermore, five facial expressions have been tested in order to determine that the users can employ different facial expressions for executing the control commands on the wheelchair. The preliminary experiments reveal that our HMI is reliable for operating the wheelchair.
Comparison of the Toxicity of I‐653 and Isoflurane in Rats: A Test of the Effect of Repeated Anesthesia and Use of Dry Soda Lime

The low solubility and high stability of the new volatile anesthetic, I-653, suggest that this agent should have little or no toxic effect. This hypothesis was tested using repeated exposures to I-653, to isoflurane, or to no anesthetic. For 2 consecutive weeks, groups of 16 rats each were subjected to a total of six 2-hr exposures to 100% oxygen and 1.6 MAC I-653, isoflurane, or no anesthetic. Twenty-four hours after the last exposure, the rats were killed by administration of 100% carbon dioxide and then autopsied. Specimens were taken from brain, pituitary, lung, heart, duodenum, pancreas, kidney, and liver. No tissue damage attributable to either anesthetic was found nor was weight gain affected.
Multibody Interactions in Coarse-Graining Schemes for Extended Systems

In this paper we address the role of multibody interactions for the coarse-grained approximation of stochastic lattice systems. Such interaction potentials are often not included in coarse-graining schemes, as they can be computationally expensive. The multibody interactions are obtained from the error expansion of the reference measure which is, in many cases, chosen as a Gibbs measure corresponding to a local mean-field approximation. We identify the parameter $\epsilon$ that characterizes the level of approximation and its relation to the underlying interaction potential. The error analysis suggests strategies to overcome the computational costs due to evaluations of multibody interactions by additional approximation steps with controlled errors. We present numerical examples demonstrating that the inclusion of multibody interactions shows substantial improvement in dynamical simulations, e.g., of rare events and metastability in phase transitions regimes.
Gene Expression Phenotypes of Atherosclerosis

Objective—Fulfilling the promise of personalized medicine by developing individualized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis will depend on a detailed understanding of the genes and gene variants that contribute to disease susceptibility and progression. To that end, our group has developed a nonbiased approach congruent with the multigenic concept of complex diseases by identifying gene expression patterns highly associated with disease states in human target tissues. Methods and Results—We have analyzed a collection of human aorta samples with varying degrees of atherosclerosis to identify gene expression patterns that predict a disease state or potential susceptibility. We find gene expression signatures that relate to each of these disease measures and are reliable and robust in predicting the classification for new samples with >93% in each analysis. The genes that provide the predictive power include many previously suspected to play a role in atherosclerosis and additional genes without prior association with atherosclerosis. Conclusion—Hence, we are reporting a novel method for generating a molecular phenotype of disease and then identifying genes whose discriminatory capability strongly implicates their potential roles in human atherosclerosis.
The Morphological Classification of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: Concordance among Observers and Clinical Correlations

Summary. The degree of concordance in the morphological classification of ALL was assessed by the FAB group after two successive reviews of 200 and 100 slides respectively. As a result, a simple scoring system for types L1 and L2 is proposed based on the following four features: (1) nuclear cytoplasmic ratio, (2) presence, prominence and frequency of nucleoli, (3) regularity of nuclear membrane outline, and (4) cell size. By this method, the overall concordance by seven observers (agreement of 7:0 or 6:1 only) increased from 63% to 84%.
Content-Based Positioning in Learning Networks

Positioning in learning networks is a process that assists learners in finding a starting point and an efficient route in the network that will foster their competence building. In order to avoid labor-intense routines in the network we explore computational approaches to services such as positioning that are based on the contents of the learning network and the behavior of those participating in it, rather than in predefined procedures and (meta) data. We present a content-based approach to positioning that uses latent semantic analysis to compare learner portfolios to contents offered in the learning network. Initial results indicate the feasibility of the approach, but a number of important caveats are discussed
Sleep fragmentation differentially modifies EEG delta power during slow wave sleep in socially isolated and paired mice

Background and objective: Sleep fragmentation (SF) is an important constituent of many sleep disorders. Sleep rebound following sleep disruption is regulated by homeostatic processes that also are influenced by stress and social isolation stress has not been studied in context of sleep disruption. We investigated interactions between social isolation and SF on sleep-wakefulness and delta EEG power during SWS in mice. Methods: C57/BLJ adult male mice were exposed to 6 h SF using a custom-designed apparatus that elicits minimal stress, along with telemetric polygraphic recordings for 24h. In paired or isolated mice, baseline recordings were followed by SF (every 2 min), for 6h. Results and conclusions: In contrast with other published methods that induce sleep disruption, SF procedures were void of increased serum corticosterone. SF in both paired and socially isolated mice elicited an increase in slow wave sleep (SWS) and REM, and a decrease in wake during the dark period. However, there was no change in total time (24 h) in wake or SWS in both the groups. SF also induced reduced sleep latencies following arousal. EEG delta power during SWS was significantly attenuated in isolated animals when compared to the paired group. Social interactions exert important effects on sleep structure and homeostasis, as evidenced by sleep latency and delta power of the EEG, the latter serving as a surrogate indicator of sleepiness. Social isolation may negatively affect the quality of sleep, even when total sleep time is unaffected, and experimental paradigms that induce sleep restriction should take into consideration the underlying effects of isolation on sleep.
Interactive Surface Composition Based on Arduino in Multi-Display Environments

Multi-display environments (MDEs) are becoming increasingly common. They combine numerous displays in a variety of physical arrangements to support a wide range of tasks and interactions. In this context, we are investigating how to support the dynamic reconfiguration of devices by users. For instance how users can seamlessly add new displays in the environment and how the overall interaction space can be adapted accordingly. We present an architecture based on a Web server and websockets that enables rapid pairing of devices (local or remote), and simple magnetic switches to provide location awareness of devices relative to each others. We apply this concept to a simple game, whose world can be extended by holding devices next to each other.
Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and interleukin 1β polymorphism predispose to CpG island methylation in gastric cancer

Interleukin1β (IL1β) is upregulated in the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection.1 IL1β polymorphisms with T/T and T/C genotypes enhance IL1β production, and are associated with an increased risk of H pylori -induced hypochlorhydria2 and gastric cancer.3 The relationship between H pylori and CpG island methylation has been repeatedly reported.4–6 It has been reported that IL1β can modulate CpG island methylation through activation of DNA methyltransferase and hence repress gene expression.7 We therefore hypothesised that patients with H pylori infection and IL1 polymorphism, by the production of IL1β, are predisposed to gastric cancer development through the CpG island methylation pathway. We obtained surgical specimens and their corresponding peripheral blood from 98 consecutive patients with gastric cancer admitted to Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. This study was approved by the ethics committee. The …
NanoStylus: Enhancing Input on Ultra-Small Displays with a Finger-Mounted Stylus

Due to their limited input area, ultra-small devices, such as smartwatches, are even more prone to occlusion or the fat finger problem, than their larger counterparts, such as smart phones, tablets, and tabletop displays. We present NanoStylus -- a finger-mounted fine-tip stylus that enables fast and accurate pointing on a smartwatch with almost no occlusion. The NanoStylus is built from the circuitry of an active capacitive stylus, and mounted within a custom 3D-printed thimble-shaped housing unit. A sensor strip is mounted on each side of the device to enable additional gestures. A user study shows that NanoStylus reduces error rate by 80%, compared to traditional touch interaction and by 45%, compared to a traditional stylus. This high precision pointing capability, coupled with the implemented gesture sensing, gives us the opportunity to explore a rich set of interactive applications on a smartwatch form factor.
Standing secure amidst a falling world? Practitioner understandings of old age in responses to a case vignette

The specialist knowledge and skills of health and social care practitioners working with older people are often unacknowledged. This paper examines an important aspect of specialist knowledge, the understandings of ageing and old age that underpin practice in a society where negative assumptions about old age and older people are widespread. These understandings were explored through analysis of data from 30 interviews with health and social care practitioners working with older people at risk of falling. The interviews centred on a case vignette and the analysis presented here focuses on respondents' perceptions of the scenario and of the reluctance of its subject, a 79-year-old woman, to seek help after a fall. The findings suggest that practitioners' understandings of older people are grounded in practice and personal experience, with little evidence of the use of theoretical or research-based knowledge of ageing and old age. This suggests that the potential for formal knowledge of ageing to support reflective and empowering practice with older people has yet to be fully exploited. The paper concludes with a discussion of the relevance to interprofessional practice of gerontological theory and research and suggestions for further research.
The effects of early language enrichment

Over two decades, six studies evaluated the effects of a home‐based early language program on the development of 101 infants. Parents engaged in enrichment activities with their infants over a one‐year period that began when the infants were between three and 13 months of age. Participants from families with varied levels of education were selected to examine the effects of enrichment in language, problem‐solving or gross‐motor experiences on their development. These studies investigated the use of the program by Cantonese‐speaking and Italian‐speaking immigrant parents, at‐risk Afro‐Caribbean immigrant parents and economically advantaged English‐speaking parents. Positive effects were obtained on measures of language and general intellectual abilities at program termination at the end of a one‐year intervention period and on school performance, interviews, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Revised, Scholastic Aptitude Test, motivational and self‐esteem questionnaires administered to some participants between the ages of 15 and 22 years.
Hospital outpatients are satisfactory for case-control studies on cancer and diet in China: a comparison of population versus hospital controls.

BACKGROUND To investigate the internal validity of a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed for use in Chinese women and to compare habitual dietary intakes between population and hospital controls measured by the FFQ. MATERIALS AND METHODS A quantitative FFQ and a short food habit questionnaire (SFHQ) were developed and adapted for cancer and nutritional studies. Habitual dietary intakes were assessed in 814 Chinese women aged 18-81 years (407 outpatients and 407 population controls) by face-to-face interview using the FFQ in Shenyang, Northeast China in 2009-2010. The Goldberg formula (ratio of energy intake to basal metabolic rate, EI/BMR) was used to assess the validity of the FFQ. Correlation analyses compared the SFHQ variables with those of the quantitative FFQ. Differences in dietary intakes between hospital and population controls were investigated. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained using conditional logistic regression analyses. RESULTS The partial correlation coefficients were moderate to high (0.42 to 0.80; all p<0.05) for preserved food intake, fat consumption and tea drinking variables between the SFHQ and the FFQ. The average EI/BMR was 1.93 with 88.5% of subjects exceeding the Goldberg cut-off value of 1.35. Hospital controls were comparable to population controls in consumption of 17 measured food groups and mean daily intakes of energy and selected nutrients. CONCLUSIONS The FFQ had reasonable validity to measure habitual dietary intakes of Chinese women. Hospital outpatients provide a satisfactory control group for food consumption and intakes of energy and nutrients measured by the FFQ in a Chinese hospital setting.
CoExist: overcoming aversion to change

Programmers make many changes to the program to eventually find a good solution for a given task. In this course of change, every intermediate development state can of value, when, for example, a promising ideas suddenly turn out inappropriate or the interplay of objects turns out more complex than initially expected before making changes. Programmers would benefit from tool support that provides immediate access to source code and run-time of previous development states of interest. We present IDE extensions, implemented for Squeak/Smalltalk, to preserve, retrieve, and work with this information. With such tool support, programmers can work without worries because they can rely on tools that help them with whatever their explorations will reveal. They no longer have to follow certain best practices only to avoid undesired consequences of hanging code.
Econometric analysis to evaluate the effect of community-based health insurance on reducing informal self-care in Burkina Faso

Objective This study examines the role of community-based health insurance (CBHI) in influencing health-seeking behaviour in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Community-based health insurance was introduced in Nouna district, Burkina Faso, in 2004 with the goal to improve access to contracted providers based at primary- and secondary-level facilities. The paper specifically examines the effect of CBHI enrolment on reducing the prevalence of seeking modern and traditional methods of self-treatment as the first choice in care among the insured population. Methods Three stages of analysis were adopted to measure this effect. First, propensity score matching was used to minimize the observed baseline differences between the insured and uninsured populations. Second, through matching the average treatment effect on the treated, the effect of insurance enrolment on health-seeking behaviour was estimated. Finally, multinomial logistic regression was applied to model demand for available health care options, including no treatment, traditional self-treatment, modern self-treatment, traditional healers and facility-based care. Results For the first choice in care sought, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of self-treatment among the insured and uninsured populations, reaching over 55% for each group. When comparing the alternative option of no treatment, CBHI played no significant role in reducing the demand for self-care (either traditional or modern) or utilization of traditional healers, while it did significantly increase consumption of facility-based care. The average treatment effect on the treated was insignificant for traditional self-care, modern self-care and traditional healer, but was significant with a positive effect for use of facility care. Discussion While CBHI does have a positive impact on facility care utilization, its effect on reducing the prevalence of self-care is limited. The policy recommendations for improving the CBHI scheme’s responsiveness to population health care demand should incorporate community-based initiatives that offer attractive and appropriate alternatives to self-care.
A stratified sampling technique based on correlation feature selection method for heart disease risk prediction system

In medical, data mining method can be utilized by the physicians to improve clinical diagnosis. In this paper a stratified approach named Correlation Feature Selection Stratified Sampling (CFS-SS) has been introduced. This method is applied to medical diagnosis heart disease risk prediction system. By using this proposed system the attributes are grouped together into homogenous sub groups, before sampling the strata will be mutually exclusive, every attribute will be assigned to only one stratum. The original dataset is given to the filter Correlation based feature selection (CFS) system. The output of the system will be the efficiently achieved without stratified sampling. Stratified sampling of all the sub sets are put together in such a manner that subset of same group size will be in one group by using CFS-SS. The efficiency of proposed system (CFS-SS) is better than existing system (CFS). Key wordsCFS, CFS-SS, SVM, NB & DT.
A 13.56MHz class e power amplifier for inductively coupled DC supply with 95% power added efficiency (PAE)

Recent development of GaN power transistors with blocking voltages up to 650V enables novel power electronics applications with outstanding performance in high-frequency operation. This paper demonstrates a class E power amplifier with 13.56MHz switching frequency for inductively coupled DC power supplies. Continuous wave output power up to 200W is achieved with 95% Power Added Efficiency (PAE).
Ancestry of the Iban Is Predominantly Southeast Asian: Genetic Evidence from Autosomal, Mitochondrial, and Y Chromosomes

Humans reached present-day Island Southeast Asia (ISEA) in one of the first major human migrations out of Africa. Population movements in the millennia following this initial settlement are thought to have greatly influenced the genetic makeup of current inhabitants, yet the extent attributed to different events is not clear. Recent studies suggest that south-to-north gene flow largely influenced present-day patterns of genetic variation in Southeast Asian populations and that late Pleistocene and early Holocene migrations from Southeast Asia are responsible for a substantial proportion of ISEA ancestry. Archaeological and linguistic evidence suggests that the ancestors of present-day inhabitants came mainly from north-to-south migrations from Taiwan and throughout ISEA approximately 4,000 years ago. We report a large-scale genetic analysis of human variation in the Iban population from the Malaysian state of Sarawak in northwestern Borneo, located in the center of ISEA. Genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers analyzed here suggest that the Iban exhibit greatest genetic similarity to Indonesian and mainland Southeast Asian populations. The most common non-recombining Y (NRY) and mitochondrial (mt) DNA haplogroups present in the Iban are associated with populations of Southeast Asia. We conclude that migrations from Southeast Asia made a large contribution to Iban ancestry, although evidence of potential gene flow from Taiwan is also seen in uniparentally inherited marker data.
Reconstruction of nuclear receptor network reveals that NR2E3 is a novel upstream regulator of ESR1 in breast cancer

ESR1 is one of the most important transcription factors and therapeutic targets in breast cancer. By applying systems‐level re‐analysis of publicly available gene expression data, we uncovered a potential regulator of ESR1. We demonstrated that orphan nuclear receptor NR2E3 regulates ESR1 via direct binding to the ESR1 promoter with concomitant recruitment of PIAS3 to the promoter in breast cancer cells, and is essential for physiological cellular activity of ESR1 in estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive breast cancer cells. Moreover, expression of NR2E3 was significantly associated with recurrence‐free survival and a favourable response to tamoxifen treatment in women with ER‐positive breast cancer. Our results provide mechanistic insights on the regulation of ESR1 by NR2E3 and the clinical relevance of NR2E3 in breast cancer.
The Rorschach Extended Aggression Scores

The Extended Aggression Scores were developed to quantify the aggressive Rorschach imagery produced by violent Antisocial Personality Disordered (ASPD; American Psychiatric Association, 1980) offenders. Despite their histories of real world violence, these subjects produced few Aggressive Movement (AG; Exner, 1993) responses. Why didn’t violent children, adolescents, and adults produce more AG responses? Considering their expression of uncensored pleasurable affect when relating their aggressive acts during their interviews, conscious censoring (Exner, 1993; Meloy, 1988) did not adequately explain the paucity of AG responses among sentenced adults. Why would they describe their violent acts with pride and bravado during an interview and subsequently censor AG on the Rorschach? Conscious censoring among the Conduct Disorder (CD) children and adolescents, who frequently produced sexual content, seemed an equally unlikely explanation (Gacono, 1997). Earlier Rorschach research (Holt & Havel, 1960; Rapaport, G.