Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a Non-Contact Nurse Call System by Image Processing of Eye Movement

This paper proposes a nurse call system driven by image processing of user’s eye movements. The system consisting of a computer, a camera, two light emitting diode (LED) lamps and a speaker is capable of non-contact/non-constraint operation. A user moves his/her eyes according to the predetermined specific pattern, then, the system extracts those pattern of eye movements from the image. After detecting those pattern, the system makes a buzzing sound as same as the role of call button at bedside in hospital. During the system execution, a user can always grasp a current situation of the system operation as flashing pattern of two LED lamps. Construction and evaluation of the algorithm for detecting eye movement pattern from the image were done by using the data recorded from normal healthy subjects. Developed prototype system was used in a subject with movement disorders caused from nerve degeneration. Operation of the system by the subject was accomplished to be in a satisfactory level. Further improvement of the system was expected in the contribution to the communication aid for patients with various movement disorders.
Hemodynamic Measurement Using Four-Dimensional Phase-Contrast MRI: Quantification of Hemodynamic Parameters and Clinical Applications

Recent improvements have been made to the use of time-resolved, three-dimensional phase-contrast (PC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is also named four-dimensional (4D) PC-MRI or 4D flow MRI, in the investigation of spatial and temporal variations in hemodynamic features in cardiovascular blood flow. The present article reviews the principle and analytical procedures of 4D PC-MRI. Various fluid dynamic biomarkers for possible clinical usage are also described, including wall shear stress, turbulent kinetic energy, and relative pressure. Lastly, this article provides an overview of the clinical applications of 4D PC-MRI in various cardiovascular regions.
Enzymological Characterization of Recombinant XenopusDG42, A Vertebrate Hyaluronan Synthase*

We have characterized the hyaluronan (HA) synthase activity of the Xenopus DG42 gene product in vitro. The recombinant enzyme produced in yeast does not possess a nascent HA chain and, therefore, is an ideal model system for kinetic studies of the synthase’s glycosyltransferase activity. The enzymatic rate was optimal from pH 7.6 to 8.1. Only the authentic sugar nucleotide precursors, UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), were utilized to produce a large molecular weight polymer. UDP-glucose or the galactose epimers of the normal substrates did not substitute. The Michaelis constant, K m , of recombinant DG42 in membranes was 60 ± 20 and 235 ± 40 μm for UDP-GlcA and UDP-GlcNAc, respectively, which is comparable to values obtained previously from membranes derived from vertebrate cells. The apparent energy of activation for HA elongation is about 15 kilocalories/mol. DG42 polymerizes HA at average rates of about 80 to 110 monosaccharides/s in vitro. The resulting HA polysaccharide possessed molecular weights spanning 2 × 106-107 Da, corresponding to about 104 sugar residues. This is the first report characterizing a defined eukaryotic enzyme that can produce a glycosaminoglycan.
Recurrent hypoglycaemia in a type 2 diabetes patient – diagnostic difficulties

Hypoglycaemia is the most frequent acute complication of diabetes, regardless of the type of diabetes and the treatment method. Hormonally active tumours of the pancreas, insulinomas, which belong to digestive tract neuroendocrine tumours, constitute one of the less frequent causes of hypoglycaemia. This paper presents a case of a 60-year-old type 2 diabetes patient with recurrent hypoglycaemic events, in whom an insulin-secreting hepatic neuroendocrine tumour was diagnosed. We suggest performing a diagnostic workup taking into consideration insulinoma in patients with diabetes who experience frequent otherwise inexplicable hypoglycaemic events, particularly when they recur despite decreased dose or discontinuation of hypoglycaemic agents.
Simulation based FAB scheduler: SeePlan®

In a typical FAB factory, various types of products are produced around the clock. Complex constraints and re-entrant flows make it difficult for a human scheduler to generate a production schedule based on his/her experience and knowledge. This paper introduces a simulation based FAB scheduler, SeePlan®, which was developed by the authors. A Korea based semi-conductor and LCD maker designated SeePlan as a standard advanced planning and scheduling solution and has used in several FAB factories around the world.
A Joint 3D-2D Based Method for Free Space Detection on Roads

In this paper, we address the problem of road segmentation and free space detection in the context of autonomous driving. Traditional methods either use 3-dimensional (3D) cues such as point clouds obtained from LIDAR, RADAR or stereo cameras or 2-dimensional (2D) cues such as lane markings, road boundaries and object detection. Typical 3D point clouds do not have enough resolution to detect fine differences in heights such as between road and pavement. Image based 2D cues fail when encountering uneven road textures such as due to shadows, potholes, lane markings or road restoration. We propose a novel free road space detection technique combining both 2D and 3D cues. In particular, we use CNN based road segmentation from 2D images and plane/box fitting on sparse depth data obtained from SLAM as priors to formulate an energy minimization using conditional random field (CRF), for road pixels classification. While the CNN learns the road texture and is unaffected by depth boundaries, the 3D information helps in overcoming texture based classification failures. Finally, we use the obtained road segmentation with the 3D depth data from monocular SLAM to detect the free space for the navigation purposes. Our experiments on KITTI odometry dataset [12], Camvid dataset [7] as well as videos captured by us validate the superiority of the proposed approach over the state of the art.
Nonlinear Canonical Correlation Analysis of fMRI Signals Using HDR Models

A nonlinear canonical correlation analysis (CCA) for detecting neural activation in fMRI data is proposed in this paper. We use the BOLD response based on the HDR models with various parameters as reference signals. Instead of characterizing the relationship between the paradigm and time series using the oversimplified linear model, we employ the kernel trick that maps the intensities of the voxels within a small cubic at each time point into a high-dimensional kernel space, where the linear combinations correspond to nonlinear ones in the original space. The experimental results show that the proposed nonlinear CCA can improve the detection performance of traditional linear CCA
Detecting and Statistically Correcting Sample Selection Bias

ABSTRACT Researchers seldom realize 100% participation for any research study. If participants and non-participants are systematically different, substantive results may be biased in unknown ways, and external or internal validity may be compromised. Typically social work researchers use bivariate tests to detect selection bias (e.g., χ2 to compare the race of participants and non-participants). Occasionally multiple regression methods are used (e.g., logistic regression with participation/non-participation as the dependent variable). Neither of these methods can be used to correct substantive results for selection bias. Sample selection models are a well-developed class of econometric models that can be used to detect and correct for selection bias, but these are rarely used in social work research. Sample selection models can help further social work research by providing researchers with methods of detecting and correcting sample selection bias.
The implementation of k-means partitioning algorithm in HOPACH clustering method

Hierarchical Ordered Partitioning And Collapsing Hybrid (HOPACH) is one of the powerful clustering methods which combine the strengths of partitioning and agglomerative clustering methods. Several partition clustering methods such as PAM, K-Means, SOM, or other partitioning algorithms can be used in the partitioning process. This process is followed by the ordering steps, then continued with the agglomerative process. The number of main clusters is determined by MSS (Mean Split Silhouette) value. MSS is used to measure the heterogeneity of the clustering result. The lower the MSS value, the more homogenous each cluster members. We select the number of clusters from the clustering results with minimum MSS. In this implementation of HOPACH, we incorporate k-Means partitioning algorithm in this HOPACH clustering method, to cluster and analyze 136 DNA sequences of Ebola viruses. The clustering process is started with collecting DNA sequences of Ebola viruses from GenBank, then followed by performing features extraction of these DNA sequences using N-Mers frequency. The extraction results are compiled to be a features matrix and normalized using the min-max normalization with the interval [0, 1] as an input data to generate genetic distance matrix using Euclidian distance. The genetic distance matrix is used in partitioning process by the K-Means algorithm in HOPACH clustering. As the results, we obtained 8 clusters with minimum MSS (Mean Split Silhouette) 0.50266. The clustering process in this article uses the open source program R.
Sustained releasing sponge-like 3D scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications

Tissue engineering (TE) is envisaged to play a vital role in improving quality of life by restoring, maintaining or enhancing tissue and organ functions. TE scaffolds that are two-dimensional in structure suffer from undesirable issues, such as pore blockage, and do not closely mimic the native extra-cellular matrix in tissues. Significant efforts have therefore been channeled to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds using various techniques, especially electrospinning. In this study, we propose a modified one-step electrospinning process to arrive at a 3D scaffold with highly interconnected pores. Using a blend of poly (L-lactide)/polycaprolactone/poly (ethylene oxide), this mechanically viable, sponge-like 3D scaffold exhibited sufficiently large pores and enabled cell penetration beyond 500 μm. Dexamethasone (Dex) was loaded into the fibers and a sustained drug release was achieved. Further, the potential of this Dex-loaded 3D scaffold was evaluated for upregulation of osteogenic genes with mesenchymal stem cells. The as-produced Dex-loaded 3D scaffold possesses a unique intertwined sub-micron fibrous morphology that can be tailored for use in bone tissue engineering and beyond.
AUTOMATED WORD PUZZLE GENERATION USING TOPIC MODELS AND SEMANTIC RELATEDNESS MEASURES

We propose a knowledge-lean method to generate word puzzles from unstructured and unannotated document collections. The presented method is capable of generating three types of puzzles: odd one out, choose the related word, and separate the topics. The difficulty of the puzzles can be adjusted. The algorithm is based on topic models, semantic similarity, and network capacity. Puzzles of two difficulty levels are generated: begin- ner and intermediate. Beginner puzzles could be suitable for, e.g., beginner language learners. Intermediate puzzles require more, often specific knowl- edge to solve. Domain-specific puzzles are generated from a corpus of NIPS proceedings. The presented method is capable of helping puzzle designers compile a collection of word puzzles in a semi-automated manner. In this setting, the method is utilized to produce a great number of puzzles. Puz- zle designers can choose and maybe modify the ones they want to include in the collection.
norpA and itpr mutants reveal roles for phospholipase C and inositol (1,4,5)- trisphosphate receptor in Drosophila melanogaster renal function

SUMMARY Mutants of norpA, encoding phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ), and itpr, encoding inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), both attenuate response to diuretic peptides of Drosophila melanogaster renal (Malpighian) tubules. Intact tubules from norpA mutants severely reduced diuresis stimulated by the principal cell- and stellate cell-specific neuropeptides, CAP2b and Drosophila leucokinin (Drosokinin), respectively, suggesting a role for PLCβ in both these cell types. Measurement of IP3 production in wild-type tubules and in Drosokinin-receptor-transfected S2 cells stimulated with CAP2b and Drosokinin, respectively, confirmed that both neuropeptides elevate IP3 levels. In itpr hypomorphs, basal IP3 levels are lower, although CAP2b-stimulated IP3 levels are not significantly reduced compared with wild type. However, CAP2b-stimulated fluid transport is significantly reduced in itpr alleles. Rescue of the itpr90B.0 allele with wild-type itpr restores CAP2b-stimulated fluid transport levels to wild type. Drosokinin-stimulated fluid transport is also reduced in homozygous and heteroallelic itpr mutants. Measurements of cytosolic calcium levels in intact tubules of wild-type and itpr mutants using targeted expression of the calcium reporter, aequorin, show that mutations in itpr attenuated both CAP2b- and Drosokinin-stimulated calcium responses. The reductions in calcium signals are associated with corresponding reductions in fluid transport rates. Thus, we describe a role for norpA and itpr in renal epithelia and show that both CAP2b and Drosokinin are PLCβ-dependent, IP3-mobilising neuropeptides in Drosophila. IP3R contributes to the calcium signalling cascades initiated by these peptides in both principal and stellate cells.
The use of alanine scanning mutagenesis to determine the role of the N-terminus of the regulatory chain in the heterotropic mechanism of Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamoylase.

The location of the first seven residues of the regulatory chain of Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamoylase has been identified by X-ray crystallography to be near the binding site of the regulatory nucleotides. In order to determine the function of the N-terminus of the regulatory chain of aspartate transcarbamoylase in heterotropic regulation, alanine scanning mutagenesis was used. Specifically, Thr2r, His3r, Asp4r, Asn5r, Lys6r and Leu7r were each replaced with alanine. Analyses of these mutant enzymes indicate that none of these substitutions significantly alter the catalytic properties of the enzyme. However, three of the mutant enzymes, Asp4r-->Ala, Lys6r-->Ala and Leu7r-->Ala, exhibited notable changes in their response to the regulatory nucleotides, while mutations at Thr2r, His3r and Asn5r exhibited only minor changes in their heterotropic responses. For the Asp4r-->Ala enzyme, the responses to ATP and CTP were reduced approximately 30 and 40% respectively, compared with the wild-type enzyme. For the Lys6r-->Ala enzyme, the response to ATP was reduced approximately 70%, while the CTP response was reduced approximately 50%. In the case of the Leu7r-->Ala enzyme, a 30 and 20% reduction in response to ATP and CTP respectively, was observed. The synergistic inhibition by UTP in the presence of CTP for the Lys6r-->Ala enzyme was reduced approximately 40% compared with that of the wild type enzyme. For the Leu7r-->Ala enzyme, the synergistic inhibition was abolished. In addition, UTP decreased the CTP binding affinity of the Leu7r-->Ala enzyme. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Sun-Protective Clothing

Background: Topical sunscreens have been used for many years on exposed areas (i.e., hands, face) to protect the skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. Most people do not use sunscreens on their bodies when they are wearing clothes. An average weight cotton T shirt gives only a sun protection factor (SPF) of 7. This is inadequate protection when out of doors. Therefore, clothing with adequate sunscreening properties should be worn. Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the factors in clothing fabrics that contribute to or detract from blocking ultraviolet radiation and to recommend criteria for establishing a standard for sunprotective clothing. Method: The study involves a review of the dermatologic and textile literature to identify various factors in fabrics that contribute to blocking ultraviolet radiation through textiles. Conclusion: For fabrics, the term ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) is used as the measure of ultraviolet radiation penetration through the fabric. The UPF of a fabric depends upon fiber content and weave, fabric colour, finishing processes, and the presence of additives. The performance of a fabric depends upon stretching, shrinkage, hydration, laundering, and wear of the fabric over time. Based upon these criteria the minimum CDA standard UPF for clothing should be 40 to 50+.
Analytical Evaluation of Surface-Mounted PMSG Performances Connected to a Diode Rectifier

This paper analyzes some operational issues of three-phase surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs) connected to a diode rectifier. This simple configuration coupled to a single-switch dc-dc converter is used in small-scale wind energy conversion systems, as well as in energy harvesting systems, to reduce costs. The diode rectifier causes an intrinsic limit for the maximum convertible power, which is related to the load impedance matching, and additional joule losses due to the distorted currents. By using an analytical steady-state model of the rectifier and of the PMSG, this paper discusses how to achieve two particularly meaningful operating conditions characterized respectively by the maximum power transfer and the maximum power per ampere. The theory is validated by simulation and test results on a prototype.
Combining acoustic and electric stimulation in the service of speech recognition

Abstract The majority of recently implanted, cochlear implant patients can potentially benefit from a hearing aid in the ear contralateral to the implant. When patients combine electric and acoustic stimulation, word recognition in quiet and sentence recognition in noise increase significantly. Several studies suggest that the acoustic information that leads to the increased level of performance resides mostly in the frequency region of the voice fundamental, e.g. 125 Hz for a male voice. Recent studies suggest that this information aids speech recognition in noise by improving the recognition of lexical boundaries or word onsets. In some noise environments, patients with bilateral implants can achieve similar levels of performance as patients who combine electric and acoustic stimulation. Patients who have undergone hearing preservation surgery, and who have electric stimulation from a cochlear implant and who have low-frequency hearing in both the implanted and not-implanted ears, achieve the best performance in a high noise environment. Sumario La mayoría de los usuarios recientes de implante coclear, pueden potencialmente beneficiarse de un auxiliar auditivo en el oído contralateral al implantado. Cuando los pacientes combinan la estimulación eléctrica y acústica, el reconocimiento de palabras en silencio y el reconocimiento de oraciones aumenta significativamente. Algunos estudios sugieren que la información acústica que permite el mayor nivel de rendimiento, reside sobre todo en la región frecuencial de la fundamental de la voz, p.ej. , 125 Hz en la voz masculina. Estudios recientes sugieren que esta información ayuda para reconocer el lenguaje en ruido, mejorando el reconocimiento de las transiciones lexicales que ocurren en el inicio de las palabras. En algunos ambientes, los pacientes con implante bilateral pueden alcanzar niveles similares de rendimiento a los de quienes combinan la estimulación eléctrica con la acústica. Los pacientes que han sido sujetos de cirugía para preservar la audición, y que tienen estimulación eléctrica de un implante coclear y audición en las frecuencias graves tanto en el oído implantado como en el no implantado, alcanzan los mejores rendimientos en ambientes con ruido intenso.
NONEQUILIBRIUM RESPONSE SPECTROSCOPY AND THE MOLECULAR KINETICS OF PROTEINS

Nonequilibrium response spectroscopy is a novel method of analyzing the molecular kinetics of voltage-sensitive proteins that involves measuring of the nonequilibrium response of the molecules to fluctuating fields with large amplitudes and frequencies. This response is exquisitely sensitive to features of the kinetics that are difficult or impossible to resolve by means of more traditional relaxation transient experiments. [S0031-9007(97)04963-6]
BMD in Population‐Based Adult Women Is Associated With Socioeconomic Status

With few exceptions, an inverse relationship exists between social disadvantage and disease. However, there are conflicting data for the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and BMD. The aim of this study was to assess the association between SES and lifestyle exposures in relation to BMD. In a cross‐sectional study conducted using 1494 randomly selected population‐based adult women, we assessed the association between SES and lifestyle exposures in relation to BMD. BMD was measured at multiple anatomical sites by DXA. SES was determined by cross‐referencing residential addresses with Australian Bureau of Statistics 1996 census data for the study region and categorized in quintiles. Lifestyle variables were collected by self‐report. Regression models used to assess the relationship between SES and BMD were adjusted for age, height, weight, dietary calcium, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, hormone therapy, and calcium/vitamin D supplements. Unadjusted BMD differed across SES quintiles (p < 0.05). At each skeletal site and SES index, a consistent peak in adjusted BMD was observed in the mid‐quintiles. Differences in adjusted BMD were observed between SES quintiles 1 and 4 (3–7%) and between quintiles 5 and 4 (2–7%). At the spine, the maximum difference was observed (7.5%). In a subset of women, serum 25(OH)D explained a proportion of the association between SES and BMD (difference remained up to 4.2%). Observed differences in BMD across SES quintiles, consistent across both SES indices, suggest that low BMD may be evident for both the most disadvantaged and most advantaged.
Revenue sources for essential services in Florida: findings and implications for organizing and funding public health.

OBJECTIVES The Florida Public Health Practice-Based Research Network conducted the study of Florida county health departments (CHDs) to assess relationships between self-assessed performance on essential services (ESs) and sources of funding. METHODS Primary data were collected using an online survey based on Public Health Accreditation Board standards for ES. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the relationship of sources and amounts of revenue obtained from the Florida Department of Health financial system to responses to the survey of CHD capacity for ESs. RESULTS Self-assessed CHD performance for each ES varied extensively among the CHDs and across the 10 ESs, ranging from a high of 98% CHDs completely or almost completely meeting the standards for ES 2 (Investigating Problems and Hazards) to a low of 32% completely or almost completely meeting standards for ES 10 (Research/Evidence). Medicaid revenue and fees were positively correlated with some ESs. Per capita revenue support varied extensively among the CHDs. CONCLUSIONS Revenue for ES is decreasing and is heavily reliant on noncategorical (discretionary) revenue. This study has important implications for continued reliance on ES as an organizing construct for public health.