Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systematic evaluation of rating scales for impairment and disability in Parkinson's disease

We assessed the clinometric characteristics of rating scales used for the evaluation of motor impairment and disability of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), conducting a systematic review of PD rating scales published from 1960 to the present. Thirty studies describing clinometrics of 11 rating scales used for PD were identified. Outcome measures included validity (including factor structure), reliability (internal consistency, inter‐rater, and intrarater) and responsiveness. We traced three impairment scales (Webster, Columbia University Rating Scale [CURS] and Parkinson's Disease Impairment Scale), four disability scales (Schwab and England, Northwestern University Disability Scale [NUDS], Intermediate Scale for Assessment of PD, and Extensive Disability Scale), and four scales evaluating both impairment and disability (New York University, University of California Los Angeles, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale [UPDRS], and Short Parkinson Evaluation Scale). The scales showed large differences in the extent of representation of items related to signs considered responsive to dopaminergic treatment or to those signs that appear late in the disease course and lack responsiveness to treatment. Regardless of the scale, there was a conspicuous lack of consistency concerning inter‐rater reliability of bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity. Overall disability items displayed moderate to good inter‐rater reliability. The available evidence shows that CURS, NUDS, and UPDRS have moderate to good reliability and validity. In contrast to their widespread clinical use for assessment of impairment and disability in PD, the majority of the rating scales have either not been subjected to an extensive clinometric evaluation or have demonstrated clinometric shortcomings. The CURS, NUDS, and UPDRS are the most evaluated, valid, and reliable scales currently available. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
'Main' girlfriends, girlfriends, marriage, and money: the social context of HIV risk behaviour in sub-Saharan Africa.

Research on African societies documents the magnitude of the AIDS epidemic, and shows that at younger ages women are more likely to be affected than men. Young African women are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection because sexual relations with men are an important means to achieve social and economic status, and for some women they are necessary for survival. Many African adolescents and young adults engage in premarital sexual relationships, either sequentially or simultaneously. Unmarried African males commonly have a 'main' girlfriend whom they expect to marry, and one or more other girlfriends, for whom there are no such expectations; some females have similar strategies. This study uses focus-group data from Cameroun to describe popular types of premarital sexual relationships, and to examine gender differentials in the motivations for engaging in such relationships and in perceptions of the factors that affect the marriage prospects of these premarital relationships. Economic need leads many young women to use premarital sexual relations for economic support, despite high levels of HIV infection. These findings help inform policy-makers and program managers in Africa about gender differentials in the motivations for engaging in premarital sexual unions, which in turn can help improve the design and implementation of social and health policies and programs.
Microcosm TNG: a distributed architecture to support reflexive hypermedia applications

Microcosm: The Next Generation (TNG) is an open, distributed hypermedia system with a design that represents a significant departure from the Microcosm architecture 2. This system embodies an alternative model to facilitate the dynamic construction of hierarchies of distributed hypermedia applications. This paper will present the ”reflexive model” and provide an appreciation of the Microcosm TNG framework through which this model is realised.
Runtime Adaptation of Application Execution under Thermal and Power Constraints in Massively Parallel Processor Arrays

Massively Parallel Processor Arrays (MPPAs) can be nicely used in portable devices such as tablets and smartphones. However, applications running on mobile platforms require a certain performance level or quality (e.g., high-resolution image processing) that need to be satisfied while adhering to a certain power budget and temperature threshold. As a solution to the aforementioned challenges, we consider a resource-aware computing paradigm to exploit runtime adaptation without violating any thermal and/or power constraint in a programmable MPPA. For estimating the power consumption, we developed a mathematical model based on the post-synthesis implementation of an MPPA in different CMOS technologies while the temperature variation was emulated. We showcase our hardware/software mechanism to load new, on-the-fly configurations into the accelerator, considering quality/throughput tradeoffs for image processing applications. The results show that the average power consumption of a Sobel and Laplace operators using different number of processing elements amounts to 1.24 mW and 10.35 mW, respectively. Furthermore, only 1.64 μs are necessary for configuring a class of MPPA running at 550 MHz.
Leptospirosis‐associated acute kidney injury: penicillin at the late stage is still controversial

What is known and Objective: Some antimicrobial agents are active in vitro against Leptospiras. The use of penicillins at the late stage of leptospirosis is still controversial. We aimed to evaluate the use of penicillin in patients with leptospirosis‐associated acute kidney injury (AKI).
A Descriptive View of Human Self{Corrections as Basis of a Constructive Approach to Automatic Self{Corrections during Incremental Generation submitted to the Computational Psycholinguistics workshop

We present aspects of an interdisciplinary approach to incremental syntactic generation that integrates research in Psycholinguistics, Computational Linguistics, Artiicial Intelligence , and Computer Science. An extensive corpus analysis of self{corrections in spontaneous dialogs serves as a basis for an advanced model for situated generation that has been implemented in the system PERFECTION. We observed models of human language performance and utilized lexicalized grammars even for the representation of a subset of the phenomena of spontaneous speech. Our generation model adopted techniques for reason maintenance, object{oriented concurrent programming, and incremental processing.
Nanowires formed in anodic oxide nanotemplates

A simple electrochemical method is described for producing metal or semiconductor nanowires with diameters in the continuous range 10 to 200 nm. The technique involves a three-step process that begins with the electrochemical generation of an aluminum oxide template with uniform nanometer-sized pores, followed by the deposition of metal or semiconductor in them. The nanowires are then exposed for study or device fabrication by etching back the oxide matrix. Examples of cadmium nanowires fabricated by this technique are shown.
Births to teenagers in the United States, 1940-2000.

OBJECTIVES This report presents trends in national birth rates for teenagers, with particular focus on the decade of the 1990s. The percent change in rates for 1991-2000 is presented for the United States, and the change for 1991-99 is presented for States. METHODS Tabular and graphical descriptions of the trends in teenage birth rates for the Nation and each State, by age group, race, and Hispanic origin, are discussed. RESULTS Birth rates for teenagers 15-19 years generally declined in the United States since the late 1950s, except for a brief, but steep, upward climb in the late 1980s until 1991. The 2000 rate (49 births per 1,000) is about half the peak rate recorded in 1957 (96 per 1,000). Still the U.S. rate is considerably higher than rates for other developed countries. During the 1990s rate declines were especially large for black teenagers. State-specific rates fell significantly in all States for ages 15-19 and 15-17 years, and in all but three States for ages 18-19 years. Overall the range of decline in State rates for ages 15-19 years was 11 to 36 percent. For teenagers 15-17 years, the range of decline by State was 13 to 43 percent. Reductions by State were largest for black teenagers 15-19 years, with rates falling 40 percent or more in seven States. The factors accounting for these declines include decreased sexual activity reflecting changing attitudes towards premarital sex, increases in condom use, and adoption of newly available hormonal contraception, implants, and injectables.
Motivating and Keeping Software Developers

Addresses the needs of those who are responsible for managing or leading computing professionals. This article is about motivating and rewarding software developers. This is especially difficult in a competitive job market that emphasizes high salaries and multiple opportunities for each software developer. Two important issues you need to handle are: making certain that developers understand their roles; and keeping developers happy, using either rewards or incentives. Management usually reacts to a wave of departing developers rather than proactively doing the right things to make certain that developers don't even think about leaving. Do the right thing now. To motivate and keep developers: (1) define a product delivery process and clear roles; (2) reward-don't use incentives; (3) set goals and make career plans on a regular basis; and (4) compensate to keep people.
On the integration of skilled robot motions for productivity in manufacturing

Robots used in manufacturing today are tailored to their tasks by system integration based on expert knowledge concerning both production and machine control. For upcoming new generations of even more flexible robot solutions, in applications such as dexterous assembly, the robot setup and programming gets even more challenging. Reuse of solutions in terms of parameters, controls, process tuning, and of software modules in general then gets increasingly important. There has been valuable progress within reuse of automation solutions when machines comply with standards and behave according to nominal models. However, more flexible robots with sensor-based manipulation skills and cognitive functions for human interaction are far too complex to manage, and solutions are rarely reusable since knowledge is either implicit in imperative software or not captured in machine readable form. We propose techniques that build on existing knowledge by converting structured data into an RDF-based knowledge base. By enhancements of industrial control systems and available engineering tools, such knowledge can be gradually extended as part of the interaction during the definition of the robot task.
Reconfigurable liquid crystal dispersing element for a computed tomography imaging spectrometer

A Computed Tomography Imaging Spectrometer (CTIS) is an imaging spectrometer which can acquire a multi-spectral data set in a single snapshot (one focal plane array integration time) with no moving parts. Currently, CTIS instruments use a specially designed computer generated hologram (CGH) to disperse the light from a given spectral band into a grid of diffraction orders. The capabilities of the CTIS instrument can be greatly improved by replacing the static CGH dispersing element with a reconfigurable liquid crystal spatial light modulator. The liquid crystal spatial light modulator is tuned electronically, enabling the CTIS to remain a non-scanning imaging spectrometer with no moving parts. The ability to rapidly reconfigure the dispersing element of the CTIS allows the spectral and spatial resolution to change by varying the number of diffraction orders, diffraction efficiency, etc. In this work, we present the initial results of using a fully addressable, 2-D liquid crystal spatial light modulator as the dispersing element in a CTIS instrument.
Research on Optimal Aspergillus Saccharifying Cassava Residues Technology by Response Surface

Cassava residues were taken as main raw material, Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus usamii were chosen as glucoamylase preparation, and response surface was used to optimize and analyze saccharification temperature, pH, rate of enzyme and total amount of Aspergillus (g/100g cassava residues) so order to find out the best operation conditon for cassava residues saccharification. It was found that the best operation condition for Aspergillus to saccharify cassava residues were as follows: saccharification temperature 70°C, pH 4, ratio of Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus usamii was 3:9, total amount of Aspergillus 10%, and it turned out to be a total reducing sugar content of 2.70g/L.
Speech and music classification using hybrid Form of spectrogram and fourier transformation

This paper presents the technique for feature extraction to classify speech and music audio data. The combination of image processing and signal processing is used to classify audio data. There are three main steps. First, the audio data is segments and transformed to spectrogram image and then apply image processing methods to find the salient characteristics on the spectrogram image. The next step transforms the salient spectrogram image using 2-dimensional Fourier Transform and then calculates the energy of signal at the specific frequencies to form the feature vector. Next, in classification process, Support Vector Machine is used as bi-classification tool. The method is tested on an audio database containing 510 instances with 1.5 seconds length of each. The experimental results show that the acceptable classification accuracy of our proposed technique is achieved.
The prioritization and categorization method (PCM) process evaluation at Ericsson: a case study

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate and evaluate the prioritization and categorization method (PCM), which facilitates the active participation of process stakeholders (managers, owners, customers) in process assessments. Stakeholders evaluate processes in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and relevance against certain contextual business and industry factors. This collective evaluation serves as a foundation for the management decision-making process regarding process improvement and redesign. Design/methodology/approach: The PCM is examined based on a case study at Ericsson. In total, 55 stakeholders, representing different organizational levels and functions, assessed eight core processes. Follow-up interviews and feedback after the evaluation sessions were collected for triangulation purpose. Findings: The PCM helps Ericsson evaluate its processes within business context and industry environments. The results show that, to realize seamless end-to-end processes in the eight assessed processes, Ericsson has to make a greater effort to improve its process structures, governance and culture for fulfilling the needs of future business. Ericsson Steering Group is satisfied with the insights provided and has decided to train more stakeholders to use PCM. Research limitations/implications: This research is based on a single case within a specific organizational setting. The results may not be necessary generalizable to other business and industry settings. Organizations need to configure PCM in consideration of their own processes and business contingencies to explore and fulfil their process improvement purposes. Originality/value: This paper presents a new context-aware, easy-to-use and holistic method for business process management (BPM), the PCM. The method requires the active engagement of stakeholders, it focusses on developing dynamic BPM capabilities and fully embeds organizational contingencies and contextual factors in the decision-making regarding BPM. This paper contributes a novel method to explorative BPM.
The Dissociative Processing Style: A Cognitive Organization Activated by Perceived or Actual Threat in Clinical Dissociators

SUMMARY This paper proposes a cognitive organization that operates during times of perceived or actual threat in individuals with dissociative psychopathology. This organization, referred to as the dissociative processing style (DPS), serves as a threat monitoring system. It is characterized by (1) a shift from selective attention processing to multiple streams of information processing, (2) weakened cognitive inhibitory functioning which allows these streams to be operational and (3) the directing of awareness towards some and away from other information streams. Whilst DPS activation has the potential for adaptive and protective functions, it also heightens the likelihood of dissociative symptom experience and dissociation itself. Dissociation is understood as a failure to integrate encoded information from multiple input streams. The DPS is argued to be activated by top-down processes which signal danger, such as the appraisal of contextual cues. A clinical example is used to highlight the characteristics of the DPS.
JPEG-matched data filling of sparse images

To efficiently compress rasterized compound documents, an encoder must be content-adaptive. Content adaptivity may be achieved by using a layered approach. In such an approach, a compound image is segmented into layers and then the appropriate encoders are employed to compress these layers individually. A major factor in using these standard encoders efficiently is to match the layer characteristics to these of the encoder by using data filling techniques to fill-in the initially sparse layers. In this work, we propose a sub-optimal non-linear projections scheme that efficiently matches the baseline JPEG coder in compressing background layers, leading to smaller files with better image quality.
Design of Proportional-Integral-Retarded (PIR) Controllers for Second-Order LTI Systems

This note presents a design technique for the delay-based controller called proportional integral retarded (PIR), which solves the regulation problem of a general class of stable second-order LTI systems. Using spectral analysis, the technique yields a tuning strategy for the PIR by placing a triple real dominant root for the closed-loop system. This result ultimately guarantees a desired exponential decay rate σd while achieving the PIR tuning as an explicit function of σd and system parameters.
Colchicine as an anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective agent

Introduction: Colchicine has been successfully used for the treatment of neutrophilic disorders such as familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), Behçet disease (BD) and gout. There is a growing interest in its cardiovascular effects. Areas covered: A MEDLINE/PubMed search for English articles published from January 1972 to June 2015 was completed using the following terms: therapy, pharmacokinetics, efficiency, side effects, toxicity, heart, colchicine, inflammation, FMF, amyloidosis, BD, gout, cardiovascular disorders, pericarditis, arrhythmias, inflammation, neutrophils, platelets. Expert opinion: By targeting neutrophils, endothelial cells and platelets, inhibiting mitosis, vascular hyperplasia and fibrosis, colchicine improves outcomes of pericarditis, myocardial ischemia and coronary interventions. Studies in neutrophilic rheumatic diseases and cardiovascular disorders demonstrated that oral colchicine at doses of 0.5 – 2.5 mg/daily is useful for treating pericarditis, myocardial ischemia and coronary occlusion. In rheumatic and cardiovascular disorders, therapeutic doses of the drug reduce C-reactive protein to levels below 2 mg/L, prevent myocardial damage and preserve normal values of atrial and ventricular impulse generation. One of the drug’s frequent side effects is diarrhea, which is treated by diet modification or temporary discontinuation of the therapy. Certain drugs (macrolides, statins), comorbidities and certain genetic factors increase risk of colchicine toxicity.
Running head: LEADERSHIP ANALYSIS: ROUNDING 1 Leadership Analysis: Rounding

This paper will discuss the improvements of patient satisfaction, length of stay, and decreased sentinel events due to the implementation of multidisciplinary rounds. A quality improvement team will be utilized to gather data before and after initiation of multidisciplinary rounds. The data will include patient length of stay, quality indicators, and patient satisfaction. A literature review was performed to analyze current evidence-based practice. Current research on multidisciplinary rounds indicates that improved communication shows an increased standard of care related to patient safety and satisfaction. The implementation and success of multidisciplinary rounds depends greatly on the leadership abilities of those involved.
The Sorting of Female Careers after First Birth: A Competing Risks Analysis of Maternity Leave Duration

A number of contributions have found evidence for motherhood being a critical life event for women's employment careers. This study presents a detailed model for the du- ration of maternity leave in which young mothers can make a transition into a number of states related to employment and unemployment among others. The model incorporates a large number of factors including the legal framework, individual and firm character- istics. We provide a comprehensive picture of the sorting mechanisms that lead to the differentiation of women's employment careers after birth. Our empirical evidence is de- rived from large linked administrative individual labour market data from Germany for a period of three decades. We obtain unprecedented insights how women's skills, the quality of the previous job match, firm level characteristics, labour market conditions and leave legislation are related to the length of maternity duration.
Armchair [3,3] Carbon Nanotube Junctions with Tetrahedral Symmetry

We investigate the structure and stability of armchair [3,3] carbon nanotube junctions. The structures are constructed by opening a fullerene at the core hexagon in the sumanene unit. Series of objects are built up by increasing the tube length. The changes appearing in stability with the tube length is discussed. The geometry optimizations and single point computations (i.e., heat of formation, total energy, and molecular orbital energy levels) are performed by using the PM3 semiempirical quantum-chemical method.
The KIT translation systems for IWSLT 2015

In this paper, we present the KIT systems participating in the TED translation tasks of the IWSLT 2015 machine translation evaluation. We submitted phrase-based translation systems for three directions, namely English! German, German! English, and English! Vietnamese. For the official directions (English! German and German! English), we built systems both for the machine translation (MT) as well as the spoken language translation (SLT) tracks. This year we improved our systems’ performance over last year through n-best list rescoring using neural networkbased translation and language models and novel discriminative models based on different source-side features and classification methods. For the SLT tracks, we used a monolingual translation system to translate the lowercased ASR hypotheses with all punctuation stripped to truecased, punctuated output as a preprocessing step to our usual translation system. In addition to punctuation insertion, we also trained that system for sentence boundary insertion since the SLT’s data this year come with no sentence boundary.