Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke. Potential contributing factors in the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Recent studies suggest that thrombolytic therapy may be of benefit to patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, the treatment also carries a significant risk of hemorrhagic transformation (HT). The purpose of this study was to select potential contributors to HT. METHODS We provide an explanatory analysis of the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS) data. ECASS was a multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in ischemic stroke, within 6 hours of symptom onset, which enrolled 620 patients. HTs were classified into either hemorrhagic infarction or parenchymal hemorrhage according to their CT scan appearance. We used logistic regression analysis to select potential contributing factors to each type of HT. RESULTS The severity of initial clinical deficit (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6 to 4.0) and the presence of early ischemic changes on CT scan (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 2.3 to 5.3) were associated with increased risk of hemorrhagic infarction. Increasing age (in decades; OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.7) and treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 2.1 to 6.1) were related to the risk of parenchymal hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS Since all potential contributing factors are readily discernible upon hospital admission, they should be used to improve selection of patients into future studies.
SWIFT: A System With Incentives For Trading

In this paper, we present the design of a credit-based trading mechanism for peer-to-peer file sharing networks. We divide files into verifiable pieces; every peer interested in a file requests these pieces individually from the peers it is connected to. Our goal is to build a mechanism that supports fair large scale distribution in which downloads are fast, with low startup latency. We build a trading model in which peers use a pairwise currency to reconcile trading differences with each other and examine various trading strategies that peers can adopt. We show through analysis and simulation that peers who contribute to the network and take risks receive the most benefit in return. Our simulations demonstrate that peers who set high upload rates receive high download rates in return, but free-riders download very slowly compared to peers who upload. Finally, we propose a default trading strategy that is good for both the network as a whole and the peer employing it: deviating from that strategy yields little or no advantage for the peer.
Traffic Classification Method by Combination of Host Behaviour and Statistical Approach

Traffic classification, one of the most active fields in Internet traffic research, is the substructure of network design and management. Generally, there are four techniques to identify the traffic, port-based, payload-based, flow statistic-based, and host-based approaches. In this paper, a hybrid method to classify the traffic was proposed combining the host behaviour and the Affinity Propagation (AP) algorithm. Simple features in the statistical process were selected at the first stage of classification; then, the initial classification results and the host behaviour model were combined to generate the final results. The host behaviour model was updated by the feedback of previous classification. The combining classification approach was evaluated on two real traces. The results indicated that the proposed technique offered improved performance compared with BLINC and independent AP algorithms
Will Decision Support in Medications Order Entry Save Money? A Return On Investment Analysis of the Case of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority

The computerized medications order entry system currently used in the public hospitals of Hong Kong does not have decision support features. Plans are underway to add decision support to this system to alert physicians on drug-allergy conflicts, drug-lab result conflicts, drug-drug interactions and atypical dosages. A return on investment analysis is done on this enhancement, both as an examination of whether there is a positive return on the investment and as a contribution to the ongoing discussion of the use of return on investment models in health care information technology investments. It is estimated that the addition of decision support will reduce adverse drug events by 4.2 - 8.4%. Based on this estimate, a total net saving of $44,000 - $586,000 is expected over five years. The breakeven period is estimated to be between two to four years.
Refraction and recognition: Literary multilingualism in translation

Texts foregrounding different languages pose unusual challenges for translators and translation scholars alike. This article seeks to provide some insights into what happens to multilingual literature in translation. First, Antoine Berman? s writings on translation are used to reframe questions of semantic loss in terms of the ideological underpinnings of translation as a cultural practice. This leads to a wider consideration of contextual aspects involved in the ? refraction? of foreign languages, such as the translating literature? s relative position in the ? World Republic of Letters? (Casanova). Drawing on a Canadian case-study (Marie-Claire Blais in English translation), it is suggested that asymmetrical relations between dominating and dominated literatures need not be negative per se, but can lead to the recognition of minority writers.
Interaction and presentation techniques for situated visualization

Every day we move through a sea of invisible information. As computation, sensing, and display become more mobile and distributed, interaction shifts from our desktop to our environment. This shift changes how we interact with our surroundings, creating the opportunity for situated visualization —visual representation of data presented in its spatial and semantic context. This dissertation contributes novel interaction and presentation techniques for situated visualization in three research areas: mobile visualization, objects as context, and scenes as context. In support of this research, we make further contributions by developing algorithms, architectures, and working artifacts. For mobile visualization, we present results from a field study and task analysis of botanists performing species identification in the field. We develop an iteratively designed, extensible Electronic Field Guide (EFG) system and architecture, a conceptual data model, and interface (LeafView) for mobile visualization. Field experiments show improved identification speed and interaction efficacy. Next, we explore spatially- and semantically-driven situated visualization using objects as context in head-worn augmented reality (AR). We develop and evaluate tangible AR and head-movement controlled AR interaction techniques. In interviews following lab experiments, participants reported improved speed for inspection and comparison and a preference for tangible AR. Building on this work, we design, develop, and evaluate visualization and activation techniques for discovering and learning gestures for these user interfaces ( Visual Hints). Lab experiments show preference for visual hints that combine overlaid graphics and animation. In addition, we investigate menu techniques, activated by shaking an object, for interacting with visualizations (Shake Menus). We compare display-, object-, and world-referenced coordinate systems for presentation of menu options. Lab experiments show increased speed and accuracy when using the display-referenced coordinate system. Finally, we present techniques for spatially-driven visualization in the context of physical scenes. Based on our field study of site visits by urban designers, a hand-held AR visualization tool (SiteLens) embodying these techniques enables interaction with invisible aspects of urban sites, such as georeferenced sensor data. Field experiments provide evidence for new insights derived from situated visualization, preference for specific representations, and improved interaction with data using a novel stabilization algorithm.
Building Visual Summaries of Clusters of Trajectories

A big problem in analysis of movement data (trajectories of moving agents) is how to visualize clusters of trajectories so as to have an overview of all clusters and to be able to compare different clusters. Clusters of trajectories are not disjoint in space but intersect and overlap. Hence, they need to be shown separately in multiple small displays. Such displays can be legible only if the clusters are presented in a schematized form. We suggest a method for building schematic representations of clusters of trajectories. The method transforms trajectories into aggregate flows between areas. The areas are automatically defined on the basis of the spatial distribution of the characteristic points from the trajectories. We use numeric measures of the abstraction quality and techniques for controlling the quality.
Shoulder function and 3-dimensional kinematics in people with shoulder impingement syndrome before and after a 6-week exercise program.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common condition and is often managed with an exercise program. The purpose of this study was to examine an exercise program in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. Specifically, the purpose was to identify changes that might occur in 3-dimensional scapular kinematics, physical impairments, and functional limitations. SUBJECTS Fifty-nine patients with impingement syndrome were recruited, and 39 patients successfully completed the 6-week rehabilitation program and follow-up testing. Impingement was defined as having at least 3 of 6 predefined clinical signs or symptoms. METHODS Subjects were assessed before and after a 6-week rehabilitation program and again at 6 months. Pain, satisfaction, and function were measured using the University of Pennsylvania Shoulder Scale. Range of motion, isometric muscle force, and 3-dimensional scapular kinematic data also were collected. Subjects were given a progressive exercise program that included resistive strengthening, stretching, and postural exercises that were done daily at home. Subjects also were given shoulder education related to anatomy, the basic mechanics of impingement, and strategies for reducing load on the shoulder. Each subject attended one physical therapy session per week for a 6-week period, primarily for monitoring and upgrading the exercise program. Pretest and posttest scores were compared using paired t tests and repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS Passive range of motion increased for both external and internal rotation but not for elevation. Abduction external and internal rotation force all increased. There were no differences in scapular kinematics. Improvements were found for pain, satisfaction, and shoulder function and for Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores related to physical function. At 6-month follow-up, improvements made in pain, satisfaction, and function were maintained. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The use of this exercise protocol in the management of shoulder impingement syndrome may have a positive impact on patients' impairments and functional limitations. Our findings suggest a relatively simple exercise program combined with patient education may be effective and, therefore, merits study in a larger trial using a control group. Changes in scapular kinematics did not appear to be a primary mechanism underlying improvement in symptoms and function.
Equivalent linear observer-based tracker for stochastic chaotic system with delays and disturbances

Based on the state-space self-tuning control methodology, a unified method for determining the equivalent linear observer-based tracker for a stochastic chaotic system with input and state delays and deterministic disturbances is developed. In this approach, an equivalent linear observer is obtained for the concerned complex system, which may have unknown system parameters, system and measurement noises, and inaccessible system states. More precisely, an equivalent delay-free system is obtained in the estimating process of the self-tuning control loop, and then a linear controller and an observer are designed. The proposed method significantly simplifies the design and the implementation procedures of the tracker.
Red Blood Cells Play a Role in Reverse Cholesterol Transport

Objective—Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) involves the removal of cholesterol from peripheral tissue for excretion in the feces. Here, we determined whether red blood cells (RBCs) can contribute to RCT. Methods and Results—We performed a series of studies in apolipoprotein AI-deficient mice where the high-density lipoprotein–mediated pathway of RCT is greatly diminished. RBCs carried a higher fraction of whole blood cholesterol than plasma in apolipoprotein AI-deficient mice, and as least as much of the labeled cholesterol derived from injected foam cells appeared in RBCs compared with plasma. To determine whether RBCs mediate RCT to the fecal compartment, we measured RCT in anemic and control apolipoprotein AI-deficient mice and found that anemia decreased RCT to the feces by over 35% after correcting for fecal mass. Transfusion of [3H]cholesterol-labeled RBCs led to robust delivery of the labeled cholesterol to the feces in apolipoprotein AI-deficient hosts. In wild-type mice, the majority of the blood cholesterol mass, as well as [3H]cholesterol derived from the injected foam cells, was found in plasma, and anemia did not significantly alter RCT to the feces after correction for fecal mass. Conclusions—The RBC cholesterol pool is dynamic and facilitates RCT of peripheral cholesterol to the feces, particularly in the low high-density lipoprotein state.
Perceptual Watermarking for 3D Stereoscopic Video Using Depth Information

Three dimensional (3D) video technologies have made noticeable progress and become common. The 3D videos using depth image based rendering (DIBR) technique are getting the spotlight due to its visual reality, however, they are exposed to illegal distribution. To protect 3D video contents from copyright infringement, a 3D video watermarking scheme can be employed. Since 3D display itself may give rise to unnatural artifacts and arouse visual fatigue to audiences, the imperceptibility is considered as the most significant factor. In this paper, a 3D video watermarking which focuses on perceptual embedding is introduced. The proposed scheme exploits visual characteristics, motion on z-axis and pixels to be hidden by rendering, from depth information. For evaluating the proposed scheme, a stereoscopic display environment is set and the mean opinion score (MOS) is measured as a subjective quality measure for the watermarked 3D videos. Experimental results prove that our proposed scheme has less affect on the perceptibility when watching 3D videos. Also, the proposed method is robust against lossy compression and adding Gaussian noise.
The Influence of Religiosity on Reaction to Alcohol Advertisements and Current Drinking Among Seventh and Eighth Graders

This study explored the impact of religiosity on adolescent perceptions of alcohol-related advertising. Data were collected via a survey administered to 972 seventh and eighth graders at 6 schools in 2 western states. Students who reported being less religious were more likely to believe alcohol ads reflect reality, present situations similar to their own lives, and use characters who possess desirable traits worth emulating more so than those who reported being more religious. Less religious students were also more likely to believe that drinking is a normal part of teenage life and that it brings about positive outcomes. Hierarchical logistic regression indicated that those respondents who reported being less religious were more likely to have consumed an alcoholic beverage in the 30-day period prior to the administration of the survey than those who reported being more religious.
Troponin criteria for myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND The universal definition of myocardial infarction specifies creatine kinase-MB fraction (CKMB) or troponin values more than 3 times the 99th percentile of the upper reference limit as diagnostic after percutaneous coronary intervention, with a preference for the use of troponin. METHODS Outcomes of 4930 patients with elective coronary stent placement between July 1, 2004, and September 30, 2007, as part of the EVENT (Evaluation of Drug Eluting Stents and Ischemic Events) registry were analyzed to test the association between 1-year mortality and postprocedure elevation of either CKMB or troponin. All values were normalized to the individual clinical center myocardial infarction diagnostic levels. RESULTS Myocardial infarction occurred in 7.2% of patients by the CKMB criteria and in 24.3% of patients by the troponin criteria of greater than 3 times the diagnostic level. Both CKMB (hazard ratio [HR], 1.38; 95% CI, 1.22-1.55) and troponin (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.18-1.54) as continuous values were associated with 1-year mortality. The mortality effect of a more than 3-fold increase was greater for CKMB (adjusted HR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.5-4.1) than for troponin (adjusted HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.5). A troponin threshold more than 20 times the diagnostic level provided similar frequency (7.0%) and mortality risk (adjusted HR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.6-4.3) as a 3-fold increase in CKMB. A regression spline model of the relationship between troponin and 1-year mortality demonstrated that the hazard of mortality increased from 1.02 at 3-fold to 1.67 at 20-fold troponin elevation. CONCLUSION Troponin and CKMB elevations after percutaneous coronary intervention are associated with increased 1-year mortality rates, but thresholds for similar event frequency and mortality hazard are much higher for troponin than for CKMB.
Attitude towards Business Ethics: Examining the Influence of Religiosity, Gender and Education Levels

This study aims to explore the influence of religiosity, gender and education levels on attitude towards business ethics. Religiosity has long been regarded as the key determinant in shaping ethical values. The well-established scale of Attitude Towards Business Ethics Questionnaire (ATBEQ) was adapted. Religiosity was measured using the Religious Commitment Inventory Scale (RCI-10). There are two dimensions of religiosity – intrapersonal religiosity and interpersonal religiosity. Results showed that intrapersonal religiosity was a significant determinant to attitude towards business ethics but interpersonal religiosity was not. Comparisons were also made across several demographic characteristics with regards to business ethics. There was no significant difference between gender. Significant difference was found in business ethics across different educational levels.
Exploring the role of the mixed methods practitioner within educational research teams: A cross-case comparison of the research planning process

Abstract This article, involving the comparison of two multi-year mixed methods research studies aimed at enhancing the post-secondary, large-class teaching and learning environments, has as its purpose to illustrate the role of a mixed methods practitioner (MMP) by examining the processes undertaken by the educational research teams. The impetus for this work is the lack of practical application of the legitimation theory espoused in the literature and the need for guiding practices for MMPs working within research teams. A two-stage process of reflecting upon the planning decisions guided the cross-case analysis method involving writing individual accounts for each study followed by a comparison of the studies in terms of key features (e.g., purpose, design) and sources of legitimation (Onwuegbuzie & Johnson, 2006). These findings are discussed in light of implications for conducting mixed methods research in teams specifically focused on the MMP roles as a boundary spanner and issue mediator.
Absenteeism and Accidents in a Dangerous Environment: Empirical Analysis of Underground Coal Mines

Very few studies on absenteeism have examined its consequences. Most studies have focused on its causes. Our study examined the effects or consequences of absenteeism on accidents. Data were gathered from production crews in five underground coal mines. A unique data set was created that traced on a daily basis the absence event, the company's policy on replacement, and the occurrence of an accident. The concept of familiarity was introduced to explain the impact of absenteeism on accidents. The basic data showed that absenteeism increased the chances for accidents in certain categories of unfamiliarity. Implications for manpower policy and absentee research are discussed.
Optimal SIR for an hybrid cellular DS/SFH CDMA system

A hybrid direct‐sequence/slow frequency hopping code‐division multiple‐access (DS/SFH CDMA) system operating in a Rayleigh fading environment is described and its spectral efficiency is estimated in terms of the theoretically achievable average channel capacity (in the sense of information theory) per user. The analysis covers the operation over a broadcast cellular time‐varying link and leads to a simple novel closed‐form expression for the optimal average spread signal‐to‐interference power ratio (SIR) received by each user based on the maximization of the achieved spectral efficiency. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extended Kalman Filter-Based Methods for Pose Estimation Using Visual, Inertial and Magnetic Sensors: Comparative Analysis and Performance Evaluation

In this paper measurements from a monocular vision system are fused with inertial/magnetic measurements from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) rigidly connected to the camera. Two Extended Kalman filters (EKFs) were developed to estimate the pose of the IMU/camera sensor moving relative to a rigid scene (ego-motion), based on a set of fiducials. The two filters were identical as for the state equation and the measurement equations of the inertial/magnetic sensors. The DLT-based EKF exploited visual estimates of the ego-motion using a variant of the Direct Linear Transformation (DLT) method; the error-driven EKF exploited pseudo-measurements based on the projection errors from measured two-dimensional point features to the corresponding three-dimensional fiducials. The two filters were off-line analyzed in different experimental conditions and compared to a purely IMU-based EKF used for estimating the orientation of the IMU/camera sensor. The DLT-based EKF was more accurate than the error-driven EKF, less robust against loss of visual features, and equivalent in terms of computational complexity. Orientation root mean square errors (RMSEs) of 1° (1.5°), and position RMSEs of 3.5 mm (10 mm) were achieved in our experiments by the DLT-based EKF (error-driven EKF); by contrast, orientation RMSEs of 1.6° were achieved by the purely IMU-based EKF.
Closed-form solutions for physically-based shape modeling and recognition

An efficient, physically based solution for recovering a 3-D solid model from collections of 3-D surface measurements is presented. Given a sufficient number of independent measurements, the solution is overconstrained and unique except for rotational symmetries. A physically based object recognition method that allows simple, closed-form comparisons of recovered 3-D solid models is given. The performance of these methods is evaluated using both synthetic and real laser rangefinder data. <<ETX>>