Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the role of requirements in understanding and managing technical debt

Technical debt is the trading of long-term software quality in favor of short-term expediency. While the concept has traditionally been applied to tradeoffs at the code and architecture phases, it also manifests itself in the system requirements analysis phase. Little attention has been paid to requirements over time in software: requirements are often badly out of synch with the implementation, or not used at all. However, requirements are the ultimate validation of project success, since they are the manifestation of the stakeholder's desires for the system. In this position paper, we define technical debt in requirements as the distance between the implementation and the actual state of the world. We highlight how a requirements modeling tool, RE-KOMBINE, makes requirements, domain constraints and implementation first-class concerns. RE-KOMBINE represents technical debt using the notion of optimal solutions to a requirements problem. We show how this interpretation of technical debt may be useful in deciding how much requirements analysis is sufficient.
A method for distribution control of aerial ultrasound radiation pressure for remote vibrotactile display

We propose a calculation method for phase and amplitude of ultrasound transducers in arrays, which are supposed to generate proper spatial distribution of radiation pressure on users' skin corresponding to vibrotactile sensation conveyed to users. The phased array technique has been applied for ultrasound transducer array and converged energy in a focus of magnified amplitude in the air has been successfully generated as well as vibrotactile stimulation in a point. In this paper we expand that phasing scheme for a single focus to arbitrary three-dimensional distribution amplitude with transducers located in three-dimensional disposition. We verify the validity of our method with numerical experiments.
Mainlobe Jamming Suppression Using Improved Frequency Diverse Array with MIMO Radar

Frequency diverse array (FDA) has attracted much attention in recent years due to its range-angle-dependent beampattern. Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar can offer waveform diversity to increase the virtual aperture length for azimuth coherent focus processing in radar imaging. Combining the advantages of FDA and MIMO radar, FDA-MIMO radar can steer multiple beams to different targets in the same line of sight (LOS) of radar with different waveforms. In this paper, an improved FDA model with the logistic map is proposed to get the aperiodic and range-angle uncoupling beampattern. Based on the proposed FDA, combining the FDA-MIMO radar, the waveform and chirp rate jitter techniques are adopted to mainlobe jamming suppression. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
An adaptive postprocessing technique for the reduction of color bleeding in DCT-coded images

We propose a new postprocessing technique developed specifically for the reduction of color bleeding in DCT-coded color images. The proposed algorithm, based on a complete analysis of this particular kind of distortion, is used to identify and reduce color bleeding artifacts while attempting to preserve the sharpness of the reconstructed images. Simulation results show that the method successfully reduces color bleeding in reconstructed images and improves the visual quality, both objectively and subjectively.
Prenatal Brain Imaging in Isolated vs. Complicated Club Foot: A Cohort Study

Abstract Purpose: Talipes equinovarus (TEV) is a common birth defect. Differentiation between isolated and complex TEV is fundamental due to its effect on prognosis. Association between TEV and poor neurological outcome is more prominent in complex cases and highlights the significance of brain evaluation. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the contribution of fetal brain MRI to sonographic evaluation. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study we evaluated charts of all pregnant patients referred for fetal brain MRI due to fetal TEV between 1/1/2011 and 12/31/14 in a single tertiary referral center. Isolated and complex TEV were differentiated according to associated anomalies. Brain US and MRI results were compared. Results: 28 pregnant patients were included with an average gestation and parity of 2.5 and 1.5, respectively. Both isolated and complicated TEV groups included 14 fetuses after initial TEV diagnosis on anatomical survey. Brain sonography and MRI were normal among 12/14 patients with isolated TEV while two patients were later diagnosed with mild ventriculomegaly. US brain evaluation has revealed pathologic findings in 4 (28.6 %) cases in the complicated TEV group, while MRI demonstrated abnormal findings in 8 (57.1 %) fetuses with notable severity diversity. In 6 cases, MRI diagnosed additional pathologies which were not demonstrated by US. Conclusion: Brain fetal MRI is an efficient tool during antenatal evaluation of complicated TEV with a high percentage of additional findings not demonstrated songraphically while its efficacy in isolated cases is in doubt. The current study expands the relevance of fetal brain MRI in cases of non-CNS anomalies.
A one-step large-scale method for T- and B-cell depletion of mobilized PBSC for allogeneic transplantation.

BACKGROUND The presence of T and B cells in allogeneic grafts contributes to GvHD and to EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disease (LPD). Depletion of T and B cells from the graft decreases the risk of these complications. METHODS T and B cells were depleted from mobilized peripheral stem cells from volunteer donors (n=5) using anti-CD3 and anti-CD19 Abs conjugated to magnetic microbeads, and the CliniMACS device. The function of the stem cells after depletion was evaluated using colony assays and non-obese diabetic (NOD)/SCID repopulating experiments. RESULTS The mean mononuclear cell (MNC) count prior to T- and B-cell depletion was 2.19x10(10) (range 1.48-3.53). After depletion, the mean percentage of contaminating T cells was 0.02% (range 0.01-0.04%) with a mean log(10) depletion of 3.4 (range 3-3.8). The mean percentage of contaminating B cells was 0.1% (range 0.01-0.4%) with a mean log(10) depletion of 2.2 (range 1.4-3). The mean recovery of CD3- and CD19-negative MNCs after depletion was 70% (range 54-88%) and the mean recovery of CD34(+) stem cells was 69% (range 52-98%). The mean number of natural killer (NK) cells after T- and B-cell depletion was 5.2x10(8) (range 2-10x10(8)). In vitro colony assays and in vivo NOD/SCID repopulation assays showed no negative impact of this method on the function of the hematopoietic stem cells. DISCUSSION Our results show that the CliniMACS system can be used to efficiently deplete PBSC of T and B cells simultaneously, without adverse effect on the graft.
Simultaneous Assay of Felbamate plus Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, and Their Metabolites by Liquid Chromatography with Mobile Phase Optimization

Felbamate is an investigational antiepileptic drug (AED) in clinical trials. A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous analysis of felbamate, phenytoin (PHT), 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin, carbamazepine (CBZ), carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, and carbamazepine-10,11-diol in serum was developed by a mobile phase optimization technique. Capacity factors for the compounds of interest and 12 other AEDs and metabolites were determined with mixtures of methanol, acetonitrile, or tetrahydrofuran and a 0.01 M ammonium phosphate buffer, pH 6.5, on a reversed-phase C8 column. An optimized mobile phase composition was determined that could separate the compounds of interest and three internal standards in <15 min. Serum was extracted with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (2:1) after addition of three internal standards. The method was validated for within-day and between-day precision and accuracy for the six compounds. Coefficients of variation were generally <10% at all concentrations and <5% in the typical therapeutic range for each compound. The lower limit of detection was estimated at 0.2 μg/ml for CBZ and its metabolites and 0.5 μg/ml for felbamate and PHT. For felbamate, the lowest point on the standard curve was 1.88 μg/ml with a between-day variability of 10.3%. The assay was used to determine the serum concentrations of PHT and CBZ and its metabolites in a subject before, during, and after felbamate therapy.
Do All Acute Stroke Patients Receiving tPA Require ICU Admission?

Background Limited resources warrant investigating models for predicting which stroke tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) patients benefit from admission to neurologic intensive care unit (neuroICU). Methods This model classifies patients who on day 1 of their ICU admission are predicted to receive one or more of 30 subsequent active life supporting treatments. Two groups of patients were compared: low risk monitor (LRM) (patients who did not receive active treatment (AT) on the first day and whose risk of ever receiving active treatment was ≤ 10%) and AT (patients who received at least one treatment on any day of their ICU admission). Results Compared to LRM group (21 patients), AT group (59 patients) had similar age (75 ± 13 vs. 72 ± 17, P = 0.4), similar gender (male: 56% vs. 52%, P = 0.8), similar National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS, 16 ± 9 vs. 14 ± 8, P = 0.4), and higher Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III scores (62 ± 26 vs. 41 ± 15, P = 0.0008). Compared to LRM group, AT group had longer ICU length of stay (4.5 ± 4.4 vs. 2.5 ± 1.3, P = 0.04), higher ICU mortality (22% vs. 4.7% (one patient DNR/hospice); OR: 5.6; 95% CI: 0.7 - 46.0; P = 0.1), and higher hospital mortality (36% vs. 4.7%; OR: 11; 95% CI: 1.4 - 88.0; P = 0.02). Conclusion The outcome of LRM patients with stroke post-tPA suggests that they may not require admission to a formal neuroICU, improving resource use and reducing costs.
"Value Appropriation, Search Frictions, and Secondary Markets"

We examine how reduction of search frictions in secondary markets affects the ability of incumbents in primary markets to appropriate value. We argue that the effect depends on the relative strength of the added value and cannibalization effects, which in turn is contingent on the separability of the secondary and primary markets. Consistent with this argument, we show that following the entry of Craigslist, an intermediary facilitating concert ticket transactions, shows by artists with low popularity exhibit a significant decrease in prices, while shows by artists with high popularity exhibit a significant increase in prices. In addition, we find that some promoters actively limit venue capacity in periods following Craigslist’s entry.
Second-Order Cyclostationarity of BT-SCLD Signals: Theoretical Developments and Applications to Signal Classification and Blind Parameter Estimation

This paper investigates the second-order cyclostationarity of block transmitted-single carrier linearly digitally modulated (BT-SCLD) signals, and its applications to signal classification and blind (non-data aided) parameter estimation. Analytical closed-form expressions are derived for the cyclic autocorrelation function (CAF), cyclic spectrum (CS), complementary CAF (CCAF), complementary CS (CCS), and corresponding cycle frequencies (CFs). Furthermore, the conditions for avoiding aliasing in the cycle and spectral frequency domains are obtained. Based on these findings, we propose algorithms for classifying BT-SCLD, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and SCLD signals, and for the blind estimation of the BT-SCLD block transmission parameters. Simulation and laboratory experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms under low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), short sensing times, and various channel conditions. Furthermore, these algorithms have the advantage of not requiring the recovery of carrier, waveform, and symbol timing information, or the estimation of signal and noise powers.
Prevalence of Q-T interval dispersion in type 1 diabetes and its relation with cardiac ischemia : the EURODIAB IDDM Complications Study Group.

OBJECTIVE The interlead variation in duration of the Q-T interval on the surface electrocardiogram (Q-T interval dispersion [QTd]) has been shown to predict mortality in type 2 diabetic patients. We evaluated the prevalence of QTd prolongation in the EURODIAB population and its relation to corrected Q-T interval (QTc), sex, age, duration of diabetes, blood glucose control, and complications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS; A total of 3,042 type 1 diabetic patients were studied. QTc was calculated according to the Bazett's formula; QTc > 0.44 s was considered abnormally prolonged. QTd was calculated using the difference between the maximum and the minimum QTc in any thoracic lead. QTd >0.080 s was considered abnormally prolonged. RESULTS The prevalence of an increased QTd was 7%. A significant relation was observed between QTd prolongation and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05). A higher prevalence of QTd prolongation was observed in patients with ischemic heart disease (P = 0.004), whereas no relationship was observed with retinopathy, albumin excretion rate, or measures of somatic and autonomic neuropathy. QTc and QTd were significantly related (P = 0.001); however, a proportion of patients with normal QTd showed a prolonged QTc (>0.44 s). CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 1 diabetes, QTd is associated with ischemic heart disease and diastolic blood pressure but not neuropathy. Although QTd is statistically related to duration of QTc, increased QTd and increased QTc identify different patients, and their predictive value deserves prospective evaluation.
Follow-Me services framework using the session initiation protocol

In this paper, we present the follow-me services framework that provides connected ubiquitous services. This follow-me services framework keeps the service session based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The service session of the follow-me services framework is preserved even though an end-user moves from one computing environment to others. For getting the follow-me services, all that he has to do is to carry a small mobile pad, such as PDA or Cellular phone, which shows a list of devices that he can use as I/O devices of the on-going service session. He does not have to re-setup the session. When he clicks and selects the proper device among the devices listed on the pad, the session is immediately migrated to the selected device. In this paper, we describe the design of follow-me services framework based on SIP and X.10 that supports both the user mobility and service session preservation in the ubiquitous wired/wireless network environment.
Introducing a pro-vitamin A rich staple crop : analysis of decision making along the orange fleshed sweetpotato value chain in Uganda

This thesis critically examines the determinants of uptake of pro vitamin A-rich sweetpotato along the value chain in Uganda and examines the role of a marketing component in a food biofortification intervention. It is conceptualised within the value chain and adoption decision theory. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods of social investigation, this thesis: i) evaluates the factors that influence producers to grow Orange Fleshed Sweetpotato (OFSP) for sale, ii) assesses the factors influencing trader decisions to sell OFSP, iii) analyses factors determining acceptability and repeat purchase of OFSP by consumers, and iv) evaluates the role of marketing in a biofortification intervention. The thesis identifies both generic and specific factors influencing uptake of OFSP. Generic factors include: access to productive resources; previous experiences in marketing other crops; and importance of the crop. The specific factors were the role of the Reaching End Users (REU) project; the attributes of OFSP; price and profitability; the possibility of selling OFSP vines; and availability of OFSP roots. Six possible roles for marketing in a biofortification programme have been identified. These are: changing the perception of the crop, increasing uptake and adoption, exploring alternative uses, stimulating rural entrepreneurship, increasing availability and creating awareness and demand for the crop. It is recommended that biofortification interventions should have a marketing component, there is need to target mothers and children. Initial market development should focus on small market outlets. It is important to increase availability of OFSP and awareness of its benefits to human health along the value chain. Further research could focus on marketing of other types of biofortified crops, understanding variety specific drivers of OFSP and options for their promotion to specific end-users, developing and dissemination OFSP varieties with longer in-ground storage traits, and understanding the role of informal trade in driving uptake of biofortified crops.
Retinal cell type expression specificity of HIV‐1‐derived gene transfer vectors upon subretinal injection in the adult rat: influence of pseudotyping and promoter

Gene therapy, and particularly gene restoration, is currently a great hope for non‐curable hereditary retinal degeneration. Clinical applications require a gene transfer vector capable of accurately targeting particular cell types in the retina. To develop such a vector, we compared the expression of a reporter gene after subretinal injections of lentiviral constructs of various pseudotypes and with the transgene expression driven by various promoters.
Stochastic Properties Of Cross-Sectional Financial Data

Financial data may be viewed as random variables which (imperfectly) reveal information about a firm's financial and operating activities. ' Inferences based on such information from cross-sectional financial data will be dependent upon the characteristics of the underlying stochastic processes generating these data and whether these can be identified. Deakin [1976] conducted a comprehensive study of the stochastic properties of financial ratios. After examining the cross-sectional distribution of 11 ratios over the 1953-72 period for large populations of manufacturing firms, he concluded that the typical normality hypothesis had to be rejected, except perhaps for the debt/asset ratio. One possible reason for the absence of normality in financial data is a failure to achieve appropriate factorial control. Cross-sectional financial data can be affected by many systematic factors. For example, a firm's current assets generally depend on its size, its industry's credit practice, the nature of its output market, its current
Age‐Dependent Changes in the β‐Adrenoceptor—G‐Protein(s)—Adenylyl Cyclase System in Human Right Atrium

Summary: With increasing age, cardiac β-adrenoceptor function decreases. To study possible mechanisms underlying this process, we assessed in right atrial appendages from 52 patients of different ages (group A, <20 years, mean age 3.7 ± 1.0 years, n = 20; group B, 20–50 years, mean age, 37.9 ± 2.3 years, n = 9; group C, >50 years, mean age 66.1 ± 1.5 years, n = 23) without apparent heart failure who were undergoing open heart surgery β-adrenoceptor number and subtype distribution (by (- )-[125I]-iodocyanopindolol [ICYP] binding), adenylyl cyclase activity, and Gs- and Gi-protein α-subunits (by quantitative Western blotting). β-Adrenoceptor number in the three groups was not significantly different; in contrast, basal, 10 μM GTP-, 100 μM isoprenaline (ISO), 10 mM NaF-, 100 μM forskolin-, and 10 mM Mn2 + -stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was significantly higher in group A than in group B and was further decreased in group C. Similarly, 100 μM terbutaline-, 100 μM histamine-, and 100 μM 5-HT-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity significantly decreased from group A to group C. Moreover, all these adenylyl cyclase parameters were significantly negatively correlated with the age of the patients. Although Gsα was not altered, Giα in group C was significantly higher than in group A; moreover, there was a weak but significant positive correlation between Giα and the age of the patients. We conclude that an impairment of the activity of the catalytic unit of adenylyl cyclase is involved in the decrease in cardiac β-adrenoceptor function with age; an increase in Giα might contribute further to the reduced p-adrenoceptor function.
Mobile SNS Addiction as A Learned Behavior: A Perspective from Learning Theory

ABSTRACT This study developed an Integrated Learning Model to explain the acquisition of mobile SNS addiction through classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning. 523 participants in mainland China joined the study, which employed PLS-SEM to analyze the survey data. The findings indicate that the three learning models explained most of the variance in mobile SNS addiction. Specifically, use intensity, psychological enhancement, playfulness, and social identity in the Integrated Learning Model were jointly associated with the acquisition of mobile SNS addiction. Multi-group comparisons based on the number of mobile SNSs revealed that the greater the number of mobile SNSs individuals utilized, the stronger the relationship between psychological enhancement generated by them and mobile SNS addiction. Furthermore, the gender comparison unveiled that use intensity was more significantly associated with mobile SNS addiction for females than males whereas social identity was more likely to put males at risk for mobile SNS addiction than females. The study’s findings offer significant contributions to and implications for existing research on mobile SNS addiction and its solutions.
What does the beck depression inventory measure in myocardial infarction patients? a psychometric approach using item response theory and person‐fit

Observed associations between depression following myocardial infarction (MI) and adverse cardiac outcomes could be overestimated due to patients’ tendency to over report somatic depressive symptoms. This study was aimed to investigate this issue with modern psychometrics, using item response theory (IRT) and person‐fit statistics to investigate if the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) measures depression or something else among MI‐patients.
Improved metabolic control in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes: a nationwide prospective 12-year time trends analysis.

BACKGROUND This study estimated temporal trends of metabolic control over 12 years in a national cohort of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Data from the prospective childhood-onset diabetes register, which included 886 case subjects from 0 to 17.99 years of age at diagnosis and at least 1 year of follow-up until the age of 22.99 years, were analyzed using multivariable linear and logistic regression models in the observational period between 2000 and 2011. RESULTS Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) significantly decreased over 12 years, from 78 mmol/mol (interquartile range [IQR], 68-88 mmol/mol) (9.26% [IQR, 8.41-10.24%]) in the year 2000 to 61 mmol/mol (IQR, 55-67 mmol/mol) (7.75% [IQR, 7.20-8.30%]) in the year 2011 (P<0.001). HbA1c was significantly associated with age, treatment modality, and duration of diabetes (P<0.001), with females having on average 1.02% higher HbA1c (P=0.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.005-1.035). The overall use of insulin pumps was 74%. The incidence rate of severe acute complications was low: 1.07 per 100 patient-years for severe diabetic ketoacidosis (95% CI 0.81-1.40) and 1.21 per 100 patient-years for severe (requiring intravenous or intramuscular therapy) hypoglycemia (95% CI 0.81-1.40). CONCLUSIONS The metabolic control of the entire nationwide pediatric type 1 diabetes population significantly improved during the 12-year observational period with a low rate of severe acute complications events. The improvement was associated with the treatment modality. Additional efforts and solutions are necessary to further improve metabolic control and the quality of life of young people with type 1 diabetes.