Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Fibrin Glue on the Biomechanical Properties of Human Descemet's Membrane

Background Corneal transplantation has rapidly evolved from full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty (PK) to selective tissue corneal transplantation, where only the diseased portions of the patient's corneal tissue are replaced with healthy donor tissue. Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) performed in patients with corneal endothelial dysfunction is one such example where only a single layer of endothelial cells with its basement membrane (10–15 µm in thickness), Descemet's membrane (DM) is replaced. It is challenging to replace this membrane due to its intrinsic property to roll in an aqueous environment. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of fibrin glue (FG) on the biomechanical properties of DM using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and relates these properties to membrane folding propensity. Methodology/Principal Findings Fibrin glue was sprayed using the EasySpray applicator system, and the biomechanical properties of human DM were determined by AFM. We studied the changes in the “rolling up” tendency of DM by examining the changes in the elasticity and flexural rigidity after the application of FG. Surface topography was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and AFM imaging. Treatment with FG not only stabilized and stiffened DM but also led to a significant increase in hysteresis of the glue-treated membrane. In addition, flexural or bending rigidity values also increased in FG-treated membranes. Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that fibrin glue provides rigidity to the DM/endothelial cell complex that may aid in subsequent manipulation by maintaining tissue integrity.
Regulating Vendor-Client Workarounds: An Information Brokering Approach

Many organizations now source tasks from shared service units (SSUs). SSUs are dedicated centers, focused on a particular business function, which delivers common and standardized services, from a central point, to different parts of the organization (Fielt et al. 2014; Gospel & Sako 2010; Gartner 2013). Shared service models have become increasingly popular with large multinationals including General Electric, Unilever, and more recently Vodafone and Diageo (Davis 2005). A typical SSU provides services back to its internal clients more efficiently and at a reduced cost (Herbert & Seal 2012). SSUs are expected to improve existing processes and service delivery (Fielt et al. 2014), deliver new services (KPMG 2014), and even generate revenue (Lacity & Fox 2008), whilst at the same time continuing to drive down costs for the larger organization. Increasingly, many SSUs themselves are turning to outsourcing to gain benefits of labor arbitrage, access to new skills, and to free up internal SSU resources for value-adding activities (KPMG 2014).
Power delivery and locomotion of untethered microactuators

The ability for a device to locomote freely on a surface requires the ability to deliver power in a way that does not restrain the device's motion. This paper presents a MEMS actuator that operates free of any physically restraining tethers. We show how a capacitive coupling can be used to deliver power to untethered MEMS devices, independently of the position and orientation of those devices. Then, we provide a simple mechanical release process for detaching these MEMS devices from the fabrication substrate once chemical processing is complete. To produce these untethered microactuators in a batch-compatible manner while leveraging existing MEMS infrastructure, we have devised a novel postprocessing sequence for a standard MEMS multiproject wafer process. Through the use of this sequence, we show how to add, post hoc , a layer of dielectric between two previously deposited polysilicon films. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of these techniques through the successful fabrication and operation of untethered scratch drive actuators. Locomotion of these actuators is controlled by frequency modulation, and the devices achieve maximum speeds of over 1.5 mm/s.
Using machine learning to design a flexible LOC counter

The results of counting the size of programs in terms of Lines-of-Code (LOC) depends on the rules used for counting (i.e. definition of which lines should be counted). In the majority of the measurement tools, the rules are statically coded in the tool and the users of the measurement tools do not know which lines were counted and which were not. The goal of our research is to investigate how to use machine learning to teach a measurement tool which lines should be counted and which should not. Our interest is to identify which parameters of the learning algorithm can be used to classify lines to be counted. Our research is based on the design science research methodology where we construct a measurement tool based on machine learning and evaluate it based on open source programs. As a training set, we use industry professionals to classify which lines should be counted. The results show that classifying the lines as to be counted or not has an average accuracy varying between 0.90 and 0.99 measured as Matthew's Correlation Coefficient and between 95% and nearly 100% measured as the percentage of correctly classified lines. Based on the results we conclude that using machine learning algorithms as the core of modern measurement instruments has a large potential and should be explored further.
Some Notions of Entropy for Cryptography ∗

This paper presents a brief and (necessarily) incomplete survey of some notions of entropy that have been recently used in the analysis of cryptographic constructions. It focuses on minentropy and its extensions to the cases when the adversary has correlated information and/or is computationally bounded. It also presents results that can be used to bound such entropy and apply it to the analysis of cryptographic constructions. 1 Information-Theoretic Case In many contexts, particularly in security-related ones, the ability to guess the value of a random variable (in a single attempt) is an important measures of the variable’s quality. This ability is captured by the following notion. Definition 1. A random variable X has min-entropy k, denoted H∞(X) = k, if max x Pr[X = x] = 2−k. Randomness extractors were defined to work with any distribution that has min-entropy [NZ96]. Moreover, strong extractors (whose outputs are nearly uniform even the presence of the seed) produce outputs that have, with high probability over the choice of seed, almost maximal minentropy. Lemma 1 ([CKOR10]). If Ext : N × I → {0, 1}` is a (k, ε)-strong extractor with inputs from a set N and seeds from a distribution I, and X is a random variable taking values in N with H∞(X) ≥ k, then H∞(Ext(X; i)) ≥ `− 1 with probability at least 1− 2`ε over the choice of the seed i. A less demanding notion is sometimes more suitable and allows for better analysis of constructions, because one can “pretend” to work with a very close distribution Y that has more min-entropy: Definition 2 ([RW04]). A random variable X has ε-smooth min-entropy k if max Y : SD(X,Y )≤ε H∞(Y ) = k (here, SD (X, Y ) is the usual statistical distance, defined as maxT Pr[X ∈ T ]− Pr[Y ∈ T ]). ∗A slightly updated and corrected version of [Rey11]
An Object-oriented Design and Push Web Server based Framework for Physical Object Interactions and Services

One of the substantial issues in ubiquitous computing is the automatic processing of information from real world objects and enabling their interactions in the background. This scenario requires a framework on which such information processing and object interaction can be supported. This article presents our research progress in developing a framework based on the object-oriented design approach and the use of a push web server. With the concept of object abstraction, an object can hide its internal structure from the outside world, which can make the object secure. Moreover, object interaction can be conducted via message exchanges, which makes the interface simple and standardized and the heterogeneous objects can be easily handled as well. Instead of using the traditional pull web server, a push web server, i.e., Comet, which runs on top of HTTP protocol is used to exchange messages. To this, object interactions can be operated smoothly and seamlessly in real time with shorter delay.
Conflict Handling for Autonomic Systems

Technological advances in recent years lead to the miniaturization of a whole arsenal of different sensors. They can be used to offer new services in eHealth applications, smart homes, robotics or smart cities. With the increasing diversity and the cooperation needed between these sensors in order to provide the best possible services to the user the systems that use the data coming from these sensors need to be able to handle conflicting information and thus also conflicting actions. In this paper we propose an approach that uses Hidden Markov Models in a first step to analyse the incoming data and in a second step uses a rule engine in order to handle the occurring conflicts.
Immersion Versus Transcendence

Research indicates that words activate high-level construal (processing that highlights central, goal-relevant features of events) whereas pictures activate low-level construal (processing that highlights idiosyncratic, peripheral features). We examine how these differences between words and pictures impact evaluative associations. Research has demonstrated that high-level relative to low-level construal promotes evaluative associations that enhance self-control, promoting associations that link smaller proximal rewards (temptations) with negativity and larger-distal rewards (goals) with positivity. Examining dieting as a self-control conflict, we find that words promote sensitivity to goal-relevant dimension of stimuli (i.e., health) while pictures promote sensitivity to temptation-relevant dimension of stimuli (i.e., taste) among those concerned with dieting in a single-category implicit association test (SC-IAT). An additional study finds that changing the presentation format of the IAT from pictures to words increases the tendency to associate temptations (i.e., desserts) with negativity among those concerned with dieting. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Image stabilization and mosaicking using the overlapped basis optical flow field

Image stabilization and image mosaicking are fundamental image sequence operations that compensate for camera motion. Stabilization is a precursor to background deletion, region of interest extraction, motion discontinuity estimation and video compression. The effectiveness of an end-to-end algorithm is closely tied to the stabilization accuracy of the input sequence, which in turn depends upon (i) the accuracy of the estimated motion in the scene, (ii) the choice and compliance of the global motion model and (iii) the camera calibration. We deal with (i) and demonstrate the merits of a robust technique for computing optical flow, using overlapped basis functions proposed by Srinivasan and Chellappa (see CAR-TR-845, Univ. of Maryland, 1996). In this technique, we regularize the ill-conditioned gradient constraint equation by modeling optical flow as a linear combination of an overlapped set of basis functions. The solution, which can be shown to be optimal, is obtained by a numerically stable sparse matrix inversion, giving a reliable flow field estimate over a large fraction of the frame. We employ an iterated least squares method for consolidating the local model parameters into a global model, for which we choose a six parameter affine transformation. We argue that our flow field model offers a higher accuracy and robustness than conventional optical flow techniques, and is well suited for image stabilization and mosaicking.
An alternative procedure for type synthesis of parallel mechanisms

An externally actuated valve assembly especially suitable for use in liquid chromatography is disclosed herein. This assembly is designed to control the flow rate of a fluid through an elastomeric conduit by acting on a relatively long section of the conduit in a way which varies the cross-sectional configuration of its passageway, preferably in a uniform manner along the entire length of the passageway, in order to vary the flow rate of fluid therethrough a corresponding amount.
A multiple UAV system for vision-based search and localization

The contribution of this paper is an experimentally verified real-time algorithm for combined probabilistic search and track using multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Distributed data fusion provides a framework for multiple sensors to search for a target and accurately estimate its position. Vision based sensing is employed, using fixed downward-looking cameras. These sensors are modeled to include vehicle state uncertainty and produce an estimate update regardless of whether the target is detected in the frame or not. This allows for a single framework for searching or tracking, and requires non-linear representations of the target position probability density function (PDF) and the sensor model. While a grid-based system for Bayesian estimation was used for the flight demonstrations, the use of a particle filter solution has also been examined. Multi-aircraft flight experiments demonstrate vision-based localization of a stationary target with estimated error co- variance on the order of meters. This capability for real-time distributed estimation will be a necessary component for future research in information-theoretic control.
A polymorphic L 1 retroposon insertion in the centromere of the human Y chromosome

Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK, 1Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 2Unit of Human Genetics, School of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia, 3Auckland Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand, 4Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, India, 5Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell’Uomo, Università ‘La Sapienza’, Roma, Italy, 6Department of Cell Biology, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy, 7Biomedical and Genetic Engineering Laboratories, PO Box 2891, Islamabad, Pakistan, 8Forensic Laboratory for DNA Research, MGC-Department of Human and Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9503, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
Building driver's trust in lane change assistance systems by adapting to driver's uncertainty states

Driver's uncertainty during decision-making in overtaking results in long reaction times and potentially dangerous lane change maneuvers. Current lane change assistance systems focus on safety assessments providing either too conservative or excessive warnings, which influence driver's acceptance and trust in these systems. Inspired by the emancipation theory of trust, we expect systems providing information adapted to driver's uncertainty states to simultaneously help to reduce long reaction times and build the overall trust in automation. In previous work, we presented an adaptive lane change assistance system based on this concept utilizing a probabilistic model of driver's uncertainty. In this paper, we investigate whether the proposed system is able to improve reaction times and build trust in the automation as expected. A simulator study was conducted to compare the proposed system with an unassisted baseline and three reference systems not adaptive to driver's uncertainty. The results show while all systems reduce reaction times compared to the baseline, the proposed adaptive system is the most trusted and accepted.
Purchase Intention of Foreign Products

The current research aims to investigate various factors that influence consumers’ intention of buying foreign products. The data were collected by means of self-structured questionnaires from a total of 260 Bangladeshi consumers residing in the two major cities of the country, Dhaka and Chittagong. At the initial stage, statistical analyses, particularly descriptive analysis as well as exploratory factor analysis, were conducted using SPSS, after which structural equation modeling was run by using AMOS. The findings have established that brand image and quality of foreign products carry significant positive influence on purchase intention of foreign products. However, religiosity leaves a significant negative effect on the purchase intention of foreign products. Furthermore, findings have also revealed that the image of the country of origin carries a significant positive effect on brand image but ethnocentrism carries a significant negative effect on perceptions about the quality of foreign products in their purchase intention. The major contribution of the current study is that it focuses on Bangladesh, as there is a vacuum in contemporary literature on this topic in the context of Bangladeshi consumers. The findings derived from the study could facilitate marketers in the creation of effective marketing strategies and at the same time are also valuable for academicians as well as consumers at large.
Calcium channel blockers, NOS1AP, and heart-rate-corrected QT prolongation

Objectives To study whether NOS1AP single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs10494366 T>G and rs10918594 C>G, modify the heart-rate-corrected QT (QTc) prolonging effect of calcium channel blockers. Background Common variation in the NOS1AP gene has been associated with QT interval variation in several large population samples. NOS1 is presumed to influence intracellular calcium. Methods The prospective population-based Rotterdam Study includes 16 603 ECGs from 7565 participants (≥55 years), after exclusion of patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, left and right bundle branch block, as well as carriers of pacemakers. The endpoint was the length of the QTc interval in calcium channel blocker users and non-users with the minor alleles compared with the major alleles (wild type). We used a repeated-measurement analysis, adjusted for all known confounders. Results Use of verapamil was associated with a significant QTc interval prolongation [6.0 ms 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7; 10.2] compared with non-users. Furthermore, users of verapamil with the rs10494366 GG genotype showed significantly more QTc prolongation than users with the TT genotype [25.4 ms (95% CI: 5.9–44.9)] (P value for multiplicative interaction 0.0038). Users of isradipine with the GG genotype showed more QTc prolongation than users with the TT genotype [19.8 ms (95% CI: 1.9–37.7)]; however, SNP rs10494366 did not modify the effect on QTc interval on a multiplicative scale (P=0.3563). SNP rs10918594 showed similar results. Conclusion In conclusion, we showed that the minor alleles of both NOS1AP SNPs significantly potentiate the QTc prolonging effect of verapamil.
Best Parameters Selection for Wavelet Packet-Based Compression of Magnetic Resonance Images

Transmission of compressed medical images is becoming a vital tool in telemedicine. Thus new methods are needed for efficient image compression. This study discovers the best design parameters for a data compression scheme applied to digital magnetic resonance (MR) images. The proposed technique aims at reducing the transmission cost while preserving the diagnostic information. By selecting the wavelet packet's filters, decomposition level, and subbands that are better adapted to the frequency characteristics of the image, one may achieve better image representation in the sense of lower entropy or minimal distortion. Experimental results show that the selection of the best parameters has a dramatic effect on the data compression rate of MR images. In all cases, decomposition at three or four levels with the Coiflet 5 wavelet (Coif 5) results in better compression performance than the other wavelets. Image resolution is found to have a remarkable effect on the compression rate.
Exposure to Different Types of Violence and Subsequent Sexual Risk Behavior among Female STD Clinic Patients: A Latent Class Analysis.

OBJECTIVE Diverse forms of violence, including childhood maltreatment (CM), intimate partner violence (IPV), and exposure to community violence (ECV), have been linked separately with sexual risk behaviors. However, few studies have explored multiple experiences of violence simultaneously in relation to sexual risk-taking, especially in women who are most vulnerable to violent experiences. METHODS Participants were 481 women (66% African American, Mage = 27 years) attending a publicly-funded STD clinic who reported on their past and current experiences with violence and their current sexual risk behavior. We identified patterns of experience with violence using latent class analysis (LCA) and investigated which combinations of experiences were associated with the riskiest sexual outcomes. RESULTS Four classes of women with different experiences of violence were identified: Low Violence (39%), Predominantly ECV (20%), Predominantly CM (23%), and Multiply Victimized (18%). Women in the Multiply Victimized and Predominantly ECV classes reported the highest levels of sexual risk behavior, including more lifetime sexual partners and a greater likelihood of receiving STD treatment and using substances before sex. CONCLUSIONS Women with different patterns of violent experiences differed in their sexual risk behavior. Interventions to reduce sexual risk should address violence against women, focusing on experiences with multiple types of violence and experiences specifically with ECV. Additional research is needed to determine the best ways to address violence in sexual risk reduction interventions.
Peripheral Intravenous Access in Preterm Neonates during Postnatal Stabilization: Feasibility and Safety

Background Current European Guideline for resuscitation recommends a centrally positioned umbilical venous catheter as the best option for administering necessary drugs. Especially in preterm infants, a frequently used alternative is the peripheral venous catheter. Methods Two randomized controlled studies were conducted at the Division of Neonatology, Medical University of Graz. During neonatal resuscitation, a standardized protocol was filled out by an uninvolved observer including time points after birth of all attempts of venous puncture, time point of successful venous puncture, and total number of needed attempts. Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) were measured using pulse oximetry at the right hand/wrist. In each neonate, either NIRO 200NX (Hamamatsu, Japan) or INVOS 5100C (Covidien-Medtronic, USA) were used to measure cerebral tissue oxygenation index (cTOI) and cerebral regional oxygen saturation (crSO2), respectively. SpO2, HR, and cTOI/crSO2 during and 1 min before and after successful venous punctures were analyzed. Results 70 protocols were reviewed. Data of 61 preterm neonates were analyzed. Mean gestational age was 31.5 ± 2.2 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 1,527 ± 541 g. In median, it needed one attempt [interquartile range (IQR) 1–2] to establish a peripheral venous catheter. In median, intravenous (IV) catheterization was successfully established 5 (IQR 4–9) min after birth. SpO2 and cTOI/crSO2 rose significantly following the percentiles during the first 10 min after the birth. HR did not change significantly. Conclusion Peripheral IV catheterization during postnatal stabilization of preterm infants is feasible and successful in most of the cases at first attempt.