Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Administration of Subcutaneous Buffered Lidocaine Prior to Breast Lymphoscintigraphy Reduces Pain Without Decreasing Lymph Node Visualization

Breast lymphoscintigraphy using 99mTc-sulfur colloid (99mTc-SC) is well established in clinical practice for staging patients with breast carcinoma. Nearly all patients report having pain during the procedure. However, techniques used to minimize pain during breast lymphoscintigraphy are highly variable across institutions. Our study was to determine whether anesthetizing the skin with sodium bicarbonatehether–buffered lidocaine before performing breast lymphoscintigraphy reduced the pain experienced by the patients. The second objective of this study was to evaluate whether anesthetizing the skin with buffered lidocaine changed visualization of lymph nodes. Methods: This prospective, patient-masked and randomized study involved performing breast lymphoscintigraphy in a control group and experimental group of female breast cancer patients. The control group did not receive skin anesthetic before 99mTc-SC injections, whereas the experimental group first underwent skin anesthesia with an injection of 2% sodium bicarbonate–buffered lidocaine. All patients were asked to rate their pain levels, using the National Institutes of Health pain scale, before the procedure and immediately after the injections. The change in pain from baseline was compared between the 2 groups. After the injections, scintigraphic imaging of the axilla was performed, and the number of axillary lymph nodes visualized was recorded. Results: No significant difference was found in preprocedural baseline pain from the control group, compared with the experimental group. There was a statistically significant difference in the increase in pain experienced during the procedure between the control group and the experimental group (P = 0.009). There was no significant difference in the detection of lymph nodes between the control and experimental groups (P = 0.56). Conclusion: The results from our study indicate that injecting subcutaneous buffered lidocaine before intradermal injection of 99mTc-SC for breast lymphoscintigraphy significantly decreases patient pain without interfering with lymph node visualization.
REAL-TIME, ADAPTIVE LEARNING VIA PARAMETERIZED EXPECTATIONS

We explore real-time adaptive nonlinear learning dynamics in stochastic macroeconomic systems. Rather than linearizing nonlinear Euler equations where expectations play a role around a steady state, we instead approximate the nonlinear expected values using the method of parameterized expectations. Further, we assume that these approximated expectations are updated in real time as new data become available. We argue that this method of real-time parameterized expectations learning provides a plausible alternative to real-time adaptive learning dynamics under linearized versions of the same nonlinear system, and we provide a comparison of the two approaches.
Modern ointment base technology. II. Comparative evaluation of bases.

Selection of the base for an ointment should be made only after comparative evaluations of many factors, among which are: (a) drug-release characteristics, (b) consistency and body as defined by viscosity, tube extrusion pressure, penetrometer readings, spreadability, and effect of increased solids, (c) physical and chemical stability, and (d) handling and manufacturing characteristics. Methods for measuring some of these properties are described, and by such methods commonly used ointment bases are compared.
Land-Surface Emissivity Retrieval in MSG–SEVIRI TIR Channels Using MODIS Data

A procedure is presented that allows using information from the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor to improve the quality of emissivity maps for the Meteosat Second Generation/Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) currently in use as input to a generalized split window (SW) algorithm for land-surface temperature (LST) retrievals in the operational chain of the Satellite Application Facility on Land Surface Analysis (LSA SAF). Information from MODIS is incorporated by means of linear regression models expressing emissivity in SEVIRI thermal-infrared channels as a linear combination of emissivities in MODIS bands. The linear models are applied to the MODIS emissivity product MOD11C3, and a comparison is performed with the operational LSA-SAF product. Special attention is devoted to the semiarid and arid regions of North Africa where emissivity is highly variable. When compared with the new emissivity maps, the LSA-SAF product displays more uniform emissivity values over these regions, leading to higher retrievals for all channels (bias around 0.03) except for IR3.9 (bias from -0.05 to -0.08). The root-mean-square error (RMSE) varies from 0.06 to 0.09 (0.02 to 0.03) for IR3.9 (IR10.8 and IR12.0) and is about 0.06 for IR8.7. The impact on LST is assessed by comparing the retrievals from a SW algorithm using as input the following: 1) the SEVIRI emissivity LSA-SAF product and 2) SEVIRI emissivity maps from MOD11C3. The uncertainty in the LSA-SAF emissivity product results into LST values with bias ranging from -0.4 to -1.0 K and RMSE around 1.6 K. The new emissivity maps based on MODIS data may be an alternative to the standard LSA-SAF emissivity product over semiarid and arid areas, which cover 26% of the land surfaces within the SEVIRI full disk.
Lifetime Pesticide Use and Telomere Shortening among Male Pesticide Applicators in the Agricultural Health Study

Background: Telomere length (TL) in surrogate tissues may be influenced by environmental exposures. Objective: We aimed to determine whether lifetime pesticides use is associated with buccal cell TL. Methods: We examined buccal cell TL in relation to lifetime use of 48 pesticides for 1,234 cancer-free white male pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a prospective cohort study of 57,310 licensed pesticide applicators. Participants provided detailed information on lifetime use of 50 pesticides at enrollment (1993–1997). Buccal cells were collected from 1999 to 2006. Relative telomere length (RTL) was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. We used linear regression modeling to evaluate the associations between specific pesticides and the logarithm of RTL, adjusting for age at buccal cell collection, state of residence, applicator license type, chewing tobacco use, and total lifetime days of all pesticide use. Results: The mean RTL for participants decreased significantly in association with increased lifetime days of pesticide use for alachlor (p = 0.002), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D; p = 0.004), metolachlor (p = 0.01), trifluralin (p = 0.05), permethrin (for animal application) (p = 0.02), and toxaphene (p = 0.04). A similar pattern of RTL shortening was observed with the metric lifetime intensity-weighted days of pesticide use. For dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), we observed significant RTL shortening for lifetime intensity-weighted days (p = 0.04), but not for lifetime days of DDT use (p = 0.08). No significant RTL lengthening was observed for any pesticide. Conclusion: Seven pesticides previously associated with cancer risk in the epidemiologic literature were inversely associated with RTL in buccal cell DNA among cancer-free pesticide applicators. Replication of these findings is needed because we cannot rule out chance or fully rule out bias.
Selecting Performance Measures: "Objective" versus "Subjective" Measurement

The distinction between "objective" and "subjective" measurement is neither meaningful nor useful in human performance studies. All measurement in science and technology is necessarily filled with subjective elements, whether in selecting measures or in collecting, analyzing, or interpreting data. Empirical examples taken from several domains related to human factors show instances in which self-report (subjective) measures may be essential. Amodel process is suggested for selecting performance measures.
Semiparametric Estimation of Lifetime Equivalence Scales

Pashardes (1991) and Banks et al. (1994) use parametric methods to estimate lifetime equivalence scales. Their approaches put parametric restrictions on the differences in within-period expenditure needs across household types, the intertemporal allocation of expenditure, and the shapes of commodity demand equations. This paper puts parametric structure only on the differences in within-period expenditure needs across household types. This implies structure on the intertemporal allocation of expenditure, but leaves the shapes of commodity demand equations unrestricted. Semiparametric methods are used to estimate within-period and lifetime equivalence scales with Canadian expenditure data, and to test the restrictions imposed on within-period expenditure functions. Estimated lifetime equivalence scales are similar in size to those estimated by Banks et al. (1994) and exhibit equal lifetime costs for first and second children. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three Stochastic Models On Discrete Structures

To My Parents and My Sisters Acknowledgements First and above all, I praise God, the most merciful, for providing me the opportunity to step in one of the most beautiful areas in the world of science, Probability and Statistics. To be able to step strong in this way, I have also been supported by many people to whom I would like to express my sincerest gratitude. This thesis in its current form, would not have been possible without the guidance, continued support, patience and the help of my thesis advisor, Antar Bandyopadhyay. I would like to sincerely thank him for his warm encouragement, thoughtful guidance, critical comments and correction of the thesis. I am also extremely indebted to him for helping me to accomplish my research work. It has been an honor for me to be his first graduate student. I wish to express my deepest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to Rahul Roy, a truly great teacher and a wonderful person. Although I call him Rahul-da, as an elder brother, but I am grateful to him for being more like a father to me. I would like to acknowledge him not only for being an excellent teacher, but for his constructive suggestions and criticism and also for offering me valuable advice. His constant support through all stages of my stay in India, excellent care and generous invitations to his house will always remain unforgettable. Staying In India will always be an unforgettable memory since I had too many wonderful experiences. Describing my visit of India is impossible to sum up in few lines of few pages. " This is indeed India; the land of dreams and romance, of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty, of splendor and rags, of palaces and hovels, of famine and pestilence, of genii and giants and Aladdin lamps, of tigers and elephants, the cobra and the jungle, the country of a thousand nations and a hundred tongues, of a thousand religions and two million gods, cradle of the human race, birthplace of human speech, mother of history, grandmother of legend, great-grandmother of tradition, whose yesterdays bear date with the mouldering antiquities of the rest of the nations, the one sole country under the sun that is endowed with an imperishable interest for alien prince and alien peasant, for lettered and ignorant, wise and fool, rich and poor, bond and free, the one land that all men …
Automation of Armored Four Wheel Counter Steer Vehicles

Abstract : Lincoln Laboratory automated four Husky Mark III mine-detection vehicles, the worlds first autonomous vehicles to steer using a novel localizing ground-penetrating radar (LGPR). At nine tons, these autonomous vehicles are some of the largest to be put into combat operations to date. The vehicle is guided by a novel derivation of the pure pursuit steering algorithm adapted to a proportional four-wheel-counter-steer system. Localization data provided by the LGPR is centered on the forward mounted array. The autopilot system was designed and implemented with an operator ease-of-use approach, allowing the simple transition between manual control and autonomous operation.
The Phonetics of Fortis and Lenis Consonants in Itunyoso Trique

This paper discusses the phonetic properties of the fortis–lenis distinction in San Martín Itunyoso Trique (Oto-Manguean). Discussions of the fortis–lenis contrast in related languages argue that it may instead be considered a geminate–singleton contrast. However, lenis obstruents are frequently realized with voicing and spirantization. These phenomena have led other researchers to argue against reanalyzing “fortis–lenis” contrasts as consonant length contrasts. In the first of two experiments, I show that the primary phonetic correlate of the fortis–lenis contrast in Itunyoso Trique is duration. Fortis obstruents are additionally realized with a glottal spreading gesture, which is absent in lenis obstruents. In the second experiment, I show that durational changes, due to speech rate, account for variable patterns of spirantization and partial voicing. Abstract features of articulatory effort are not necessary to account for the phonetic variation in lenis obstruents in Trique. This analysis argues in favor of considering the consonantal contrast in Trique as one based on consonant length and glottal features. The findings are discussed in relation to gestural models of speech production and to patterns within other Oto-Manguean languages.
Distributed form management

An open architecture for distributed form management is described. The model employs object-orientation in describing organizational units as well as individual users as entities with uniform external interfaces. Each entity is represented by an autonomous user agent which operates on local and migrating forms. The form concept encapsulates data, layout, and rules into a unified object which is the basic unit of presentation, processing, storage, and communication. All functionality of the system appears in rules of form classes and all data in instances of these form classes. This approach applies the techniques of computer supported cooperative work to provide a flexible mechanism for interpersonal, intraoffice, and interoffice procedures. The main challenge is to organize the collaboration without affecting the autonomy of individual user agents. In this respect, the contribution of the model is the mechanism for form migration. The dynamic integration of forms into different agents is solved with the coordinated interchange of form classes. A specific inheritance scheme provides the desired flexibility by separating the interrelated private and public form operations within each agent. The paper first describes the architecture by starting from a single agent and moving progressively towards a set of cooperating agents. Then an agent implementation called PAGES is described, experiences reported, and the open issues discussed. A typical distributed ordering procedure is used as an example throughout the text.
A CD31-derived peptide prevents angiotensin II-induced atherosclerosis progression and aneurysm formation.

AIMS The loss of the inhibitory receptor CD31 on peripheral T lymphocytes is associated with the incidence of atherosclerotic complications such as abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in patients and plaque thrombosis in mice. However, we have recently discovered that a small fragment of extracellular CD31 remains expressed on the surface of the apparently 'CD31-negative' T-cells and that it is possible to restore the CD31-mediated T-cell inhibition in vivo by using a synthetic CD31-derived peptide. Here, we wanted to evaluate the therapeutic potential of the peptide in an experimental model of accelerated atherosclerosis and AAA formation. METHODS AND RESULTS The effect of the murine CD31-derived peptide (aa 551-574, 1.5 mg/kg/day, sc) was evaluated on the extent of atherosclerotic plaques and the incidence of AAA in 28-week-old apolipoprotein E knockout mice (male, n ≥ 8/group) submitted to chronic angiotensin II infusion. The therapeutic mechanisms of the peptide were assessed by evaluating its effect on immune cell functions in vivo and in vitro. The prevalence of angiotensin II-induced AAA correlated with the loss of extracellular CD31 on T-cells. CD31 peptide treatment reduced both aneurysm formation and plaque size (P < 0.05 vs. control). Protection was associated with reduced perivascular leucocyte infiltration and T-cell activation in vivo. Functional in vitro studies showed that the peptide is able to suppress both T-cell and macrophage activation. CONCLUSION CD31 peptides could represent a new class of drugs intended to prevent the inflammatory cell processes, such as those underlying progression of atherosclerosis and development of AAA.
Bounding Distributed Energy Balancing Schemes for WSNs via Modular Subgames

This paper studies means of archiving energy balance in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) as criterion to increase network lifetime. While protocols for balancing energy through centralized computation have been established, effective solutions for more realistic distributed settings are still an open research field. In this work, we present a novel approach for balancing energy in WSNs in a distributed manner by solving a sequence of modular strategic subgames. In addition, we prove theoretical bounds for its solution quality. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to explicitly provide theoretical bounds for distributed WSN energy balancing schemes. We do so by formulating two specific routing games in which sensor nodes act as strategic agents with interests in energy balance. The first formulated game is a monotone utility game and by exploiting and adapting some existing results, we can prove a meaningful relative bound for its solution value via our distributed modular subgames scheme under realistic conditions. For the second game we provide an absolute bound. We round up our theoretical results by an experimental evaluation, where our modular subgames scheme shows increased performance compared to state-of-the-art algorithms.
Design of sparse relative sensing networks

This paper considers the problem of designing sparse relative sensing networks (RSN) subject to a given ℌ∞-performance constraint. The topology design considers homogeneous and heterogeneous agents over weighted graphs. We develop a computationally efficient formulation of the sparse topology design via a convex ℓ1-relaxation. This makes the proposed algorithm attractive for practical applications. We also demonstrate how this relaxation can be used to embed additional performance criteria, such as maximization of the algebraic connectivity of the RSN.
Levels of emotional awareness: A model for conceptualizing and measuring emotion‐centered structural change

The need to establish the efficacy of psychoanalytic long‐term treatments has promoted efforts to operationalize psychic structure and structural change as key elements of psychoanalytic treatments and their outcomes. Current, promising measures of structural change, however, require extensive interviews and rater training. The purpose of this paper is to present the theory and measurement of Levels of Emotional Awareness (LEA) and to illustrate its use based on clinical case vignettes. The LEA model lays out a developmental trajectory of affective processing, akin to Piaget’s theory of sensory–cognitive development, from implicit to explicit processing. Unlike other current assessments of psychic structure (Scales of Psychological Capacities, Reflective Functioning, Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnostics) requiring intensive rater and interviewer training, it is easily assessed based on a self‐report performance test. The LEA model conceptualizes a basic psychological capacity, affect processing. As we will illustrate using two case vignettes, by operationalizing implicit and explicit modes of affect processing, it provides a clinical measure of emotional awareness that is highly pertinent to the ongoing psychoanalytic debate on the nature and mechanisms of structural change.
Segmentation of 3D Meshes Usingp-Spectral Clustering

In this paper, we propose a new approach to get the optimal segmentation of a 3D mesh as a human can perceive using the minima rule and spectral clustering. This method is fully unsupervised and provides a hierarchical segmentation via recursive cuts. We introduce a new concept of the adjacency matrix based on cognitive studies. We also introduce the use of one-spectral clustering which leads to the optimal Cheeger cut value.
Decay behavior of surface charge on gamma-ray irradiated epoxy resin

Epoxy resin (ER) laminate was employed as sample to investigate the effects of gamma-ray irradiation on dynamic behavior of surface charge decay. Before the test, the samples were irradiated in air up to 100 kGy and then up to 1000 kGy with dosage rate of 10 kGy / h by using a 60Co gamma-source. The experiment was carried out at room temperature with relative humidity of ~ 50%. The sample surface was corona charged by applying dc voltage of ± 4 kV between needle-plate electrodes. An electrostatic voltmeter was employed to measure the surface charge. Obtained results show that with the increase of the radiation dose, the dissipation time of surface charge tends to decrease, which indicates that the charge decay is accelerated by the irradiation. It is suggested that the charge decay behavior is dependent upon the trap characteristics and moisture absorption at surface layer that are altered by the radiation induced chemical reactions.
French as a Second Language Teacher Candidates’ Conceptions of Allophone Students and Students With Learning Difficulties

Abstract The diversity of Canada’s French as a second language (FSL) student population is increasing with the growing numbers of Allophones and students with learning difficulties. Educational communities in FSL, however, are struggling to meet the needs of such populations. This study considered the views of 15 teacher candidates as expressed in interviews at the conclusion of their teacher education program. Through the lens of sociocultural theory, we explore the everyday and scientific conceptions developed by the teacher candidates about the aforementioned student populations. Few candidates reported learning about both student populations in their teacher education program, but nearly all worked with at least one of these student populations during their practica, possibly raising questions about the relevancy and currency of the curricula of some FSL teacher education programs. Resume Les programmes de francais langue seconde (FLS) accueillent une population de plus en plus diversifiee a cause d’une croissance du nombre d’eleves allophones et d’eleves ayant des troubles d’apprentissage. Cependant, les communautes educatives de FLS ont du mal a repondre efficacement aux besoins de ces eleves. Cette etude a examine les resultats d’entretiens avec 15 candidats a l’enseignement a la fin de leur annee de formation universitaire. En employant une perspective socioculturelle, nous avons considere les conceptions quotidiennes et scientifiques que les candidats ont developpees envers ces eleves pendant cette periode. Peu d’etudiants ont indique avoir appris les besoins de ces eleves au cours de leur formation universitaire, mais presque tous les participants ont travaille avec au moins un eleve provenant de ces groupes dans un programme de FLS lors de leurs stages en salle de classe. Il se peut donc que ces resultats soulevent des questions par rapport a la credibilite et a la pertinence des programmes de preparation a l’enseignement.