Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adoption of ICT in Rural Medical General Practices in Australia: An Actor-Network Study

ICT has been used in medical General Practice throughout Australia now for some years, but although most General Practices make use of ICT for administrative purposes such as billing, prescribing and medical records, many individual General Practitioners themselves do not make full use of these ICT systems for clinical purposes. The decisions taken in the adoption of ICT in general practice are very complex, and involve many actors, both human and non-human. This means that actor-network theory offers a most suitable framework for its analysis. This article investigates how GPs in a rural Division of General Practice not far from Melbourne considered the adoption and use of ICT. The study reported in the article shows that, rather than characteristics of the technology itself, it is often seemingly unimportant human issues that determine if and how ICT is used in General Practice.
Measuring the return to online advertising: Estimation and inference of endogenous treatment effects

In this paper we aim to conduct inference on the “lift” effect generated by an online advertisement display: specifically we want to analyze if the presence of the brand ad among the advertisements on the page increases the overall number of consumer clicks on that page. A distinctive feature of online advertising is that the ad displays are highly targeted- the advertising platform evaluates the (unconditional) probability of each consumer clicking on a given ad which leads to a higher probability of displaying the ads that have a higher a priori estimated probability of click. As a result, inferring the causal effect of the ad display on the page clicks by a given consumer from typical observational data is difficult. To address this we use the large scale of our dataset and propose a multi-step estimator that focuses on the tails of the consumer distribution to estimate the true causal effect of an ad display. This “identification at infinity” (Chamberlain (1986)) approach alleviates the need for independent experimental randomization but results in nonstandard asymptotics. To validate our estimates, we use a set of large scale randomized controlled experiments that Microsoft has run on its advertising platform. Our dataset has a large number of observations and a large number of variables and we employ LASSO to perform variable selection. Our non-experimental estimates turn out to be quite close to the results of the randomized controlled trials.
Role of the commissures in interhemispheric temporal judgments.

A man who had undergone forebrain commissurotomy (L.B.) and a man with agenesis of the corpus callosum (R.B.) judged whether pairs of spatially separated lights were successive or simultaneous. Stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs) were 0, 17, 33, 50, 67, 83, 117, and 150 ms. When the lights were in opposite visual fields, the SOA at which the discrimination first reached a level significantly above chance was 150 ms for L.B. , 67 ms for R.B. , and 33 ms for "normal" participants. Results parallel evidence from reaction time studies in which estimates of interhemispheric transfer time for callosal agenesis patients lie between those of normal controls and those with surgical section of the forebrain commissures. L.B. also showed a left-visual-field deficit in the discrimination, though it was less marked than his deficit with bilateral presentations.
Exploring Human Computation and Social Computing to Inform the Design Process

Although several standards, recommendations and guidelines have been used to assist designers in their tasks, much of the design choices still rely heavily on the designer’s experience. In this work we argue that complex choices about interface elements (e.g. images, icons, sounds) could have the help of the users themselves to inform the designer ́s choices. The paper situates the contribution in the intersection of the human computation and social computing fields, showing a preliminary survey of related work. Moreover, we illustrate the idea with an instantiation of an environment for designers, within the frontiers of human computation and social computing.
Web service clustering using text mining techniques

The idea of a decentralised, self-organising service-oriented architecture seems to be more and more plausible than the traditional registry-based ones in view of the success of the web and the reluctance in taking up web service technologies. Automatically clustering Web Service Description Language (WSDL) files on the web into functionally similar homogeneous service groups can be seen as a bootstrapping step for creating a service search engine and, at the same time, reducing the search space for service discovery. This paper proposes techniques to automatically gather, discover and integrate features related to a set of WSDL files and cluster them into naturally occurring service groups. Despite the lack of a common platform for assessing the performance of web service cluster discovery, our initial experiments using real-world WSDL files demonstrated the great potential of the proposed techniques.
Stellar masses and star formation histories for 105 galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

We develop a new method to constrain the star formation histories, dust attenuation and stellar masses of galaxies. It is based on two stellar absorption-line indices, the 4000-A break strength and the Balmer absorption-line index Hδ A . Together, these indices allow us to constrain the mean stellar ages of galaxies and the fractional stellar mass formed in bursts over the past few Gyr. A comparison with broad-band photometry then yields estimates of dust attenuation and of stellar mass. We generate a large library of Monte Carlo realizations of different star formation histories, including starbursts of varying strength and a range of metallicities. We use this library to generate median likelihood estimates of burst mass fractions, dust attenuation strengths, stellar masses and stellar mass-to-light ratios for a sample of 122 808 galaxies drawn from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The typical 95 per cent confidence range in our estimated stellar masses is ′40 per cent. We study how the stellar mass-to-light ratios of galaxies vary as a function of absolute magnitude, concentration index and photometric passband and how dust attenuation varies as a function of absolute magnitude and 4000-A break strength. We also calculate how the total stellar mass of the present Universe is distributed over galaxies as a function of their mass, size, concentration, colour, burst mass fraction and surface mass density. We find that most of the stellar mass in the local Universe resides in galaxies that have, to within a factor of approximately 2, stellar masses ∼5 x 10 1 0 M O . , half-light radii ∼3 kpc and half-light surface mass densities ∼10 9 M O . kpc - 2 . The distribution of D n (4000) is strongly bimodal, showing a clear division between galaxies dominated by old stellar populations and galaxies with more recent star formation.
Hybrid-integrated ECDL for precision Rubidium spectroscopy in space

Compact, single-mode, narrow linewidth, and continuously tuneable diode lasers find important application in optical metrology and atomic physics [1]. Currently, activities are moving towards carrying out quantum optics precision experiments under zero-gravity conditions [2] of a drop tower or in space. These experiments require lasers that meet the spectroscopic needs but simultaneously can operate reliably under the harsh conditions of a deployment in space.
Digital art, HCI and environmental awareness evaluating play with fire

Play with Fire (PWF) is an interactive installation challenging its participants to ignite generative fires over live streaming video of forests. The installation is designed to raise awareness towards sustainability issues such as climate change and forest fires. PWF initially presents its audience with a mashup of forest fire news, followed by playful interaction with fire and forests through a gestural interface. Finally, it connects to its audience mobile phones granting access to a user specific web application depicting the forest they burnt, regenerating in real-time. The forest will take from some months to years to revolve to its original state, depending on the user's performance. In this paper we address the problem of evaluating whether environmental awareness can be achieved through such a controversial installation, and approach the challenges and benefits of using HCI techniques in Digital Arts. Furthermore, we describe the evaluation of PWF in four different contexts and present preliminary results.
Direct visual servoing using network-synchronized cameras and Kalman filter

A distributed camera system using off-the-shelf components is presented that demonstrates the capability to perform high-speed vision feedback suitable for applications such as direct visual servoing. The limitation of 60 Hz video sample rates is overcome by using multiple RS-170 cameras synchronized over a network to capture at different instants in time. Each camera node has its own computer that processes video at field rates to determine the pose of a planar robot joint using eigenspace methods. Position information is fed back over a network to a master computer to perform direct visual servoing. The resulting vision feedback from the multiple cameras uses a Kalman filter to estimate position and to model the vision computation and transport delays. Computer simulation results are provided as the number of cameras are varied. Finally, real-time experimental results are presented that verify the approach using a network of four cameras performing direct visual servoing of a simple planar robot.
The impact of operational intellectual capital on lean practices

The purpose of this study is to investigate how synergies between operational intellectual capital (OIC) and lean practices emerge. In particular, the authors explore three knowledge based resource dimensions: human capital (HUC), structural capital (STC) and social capital (SOC). This study aims to examine a research framework relating knowledge-based resources, lean practices and operational performance. Our findings highlight the importance of leveraging a system of complementary knowledge based resource dimensions and addresses the need for the reformulation of lean implementation theory in terms of the emergent knowledge-based view of the firm.
Robust Remote Homology Detection by Feature Based Profile Hidden Markov Models

The detection of remote homologies is of major importance for molecular biology applications like drug discovery. The problem is still very challenging even for state-of-the-art probabilistic models of protein families, namely Profile HMMs. In order to improve remote homology detection we propose feature based semi-continuous Profile HMMs. Based on a richer sequence representation consisting of features which capture the biochemical properties of residues in their local context, family specific semi-continuous models are estimated completely data-driven. Additionally, for substantially reducing the number of false predictions an explicit rejection model is estimated. Both the family specific semi-continuous Profile HMM and the non-target model are competitively evaluated. In the experimental evaluation of superfamily based screening of the SCOP database we demonstrate that semi-continuous Profile HMMs significantly outperform their discrete counterparts. Using the rejection model the number of false positive predictions could be reduced substantially which is an important prerequisite for target identification applications.
A three‐gene expression signature model to predict clinical outcome of clear cell renal carcinoma

Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) are morphologically and genetically heterogeneous tumors and present diverse clinical courses. We developed a scoring system using levels of gene expression to predict the outcome for clear cell RCC patients. We selected differentially expressed genes from the DNA microarray data of 27 clear cell RCCs; 16 were metastasis phenotypes and 11 were not. We compared the selected gene set with previously published data and identified 33 overlapping genes closely associated with patient outcome. We selected the 12 top‐ranked genes and confirmed the level of expression using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that 3 genes—vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB), and regulator of G‐protein signaling 5 (RGS5)—were the most tightly associated with cancer‐specific survival and that higher expression of the 3 genes correlated with better outcome. A formula for an outcome predictor was generated from integration of the measurements of the expression levels of the 3 genes. Multivariate Cox models combined with a split‐sample cross‐validation method in a cohort of 386 clear cell RCC patients demonstrated that the derived score for outcome prediction was an independent predictor in cancer‐specific survival tests. The accuracy of the prediction of cancer death after nephrectomy was improved by the inclusion of this score in receiver operating characteristic analysis from multivariate logistic regression models, suggesting that a scoring system based on the expression levels of these 3 genes is useful in the prediction of survival for patients with clear cell RCC. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fixed cycle Huffman decoding instruction for multi-format decoder

A dedicated instruction for Huffman decoding being performed in a fixed cycle is proposed. To do this, Huffman table mapping algorithm is also proposed. It supports various types of Huffman code and optimum mapping table size can be set for the various configuration modes. Proposed instruction is applied to reconfigurable processor of VLIW/CGA architecture operating at up to 1GHz using 35nm CMOS technology and can decode a symbol in 5 cycles.
Establishing normative voice-related quality of life scores within the pediatric otolaryngology population.

OBJECTIVE To establish normative values for voice-related quality of life across a broad pediatric otolaryngology population using the Pediatric Voice Outcome Survey (PVOS). DESIGN Longitudinal study. SETTING Multiphysician outpatient pediatric otolaryngology practice. METHODS The PVOS was completed by 385 parents of children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years. Of the 385 parents, 75 were readministered the instrument 2 weeks after no intervention had been provided. Data were collected regarding the patients' age, main diagnosis, and operative intervention. RESULTS The PVOS demonstrated robust internal consistency with an overall Cronbach alpha value of.70. Test-retest reliability demonstrated a weighted kappa value of 0.89 (95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.95) The mean +/- SD converted score (based on a 0-100 scale) for the overall population was 80.5 +/- 19.9. Converted PVOS scores are provided for each subpopulation according to main diagnosis. The PVOS scores varied significantly according to age (P<.05) and preoperative and postoperative status following adenoidectomy (P<.05). CONCLUSION The PVOS represents a valid and reliable instrument to measure voice-related quality of life in a broad pediatric otolaryngology population.
Integrating the Face Verification Algorithm Into the Smart Card System

Using a biometrics to authenticate a person’s identity has several advantages over the present practices of Personal Identification Number stored in smart cards. However, there is an open issue of integrating biometrics into the smart cards. Typical verification algorithms by using biometrics may not be executed in real-time on the resource-constrained smart cards. In this paper, we propose a real-time automatic face verification system using Support Vector Machine(SVM) and Principal Component Analysis(PCA) to overcome this open issue. In our system, face detection and feature extraction steps which require relatively high computing power are performed in the host. In the card, not only the user’s feature vector is stored but also the verification step is performed without any data leakage. Based on our performance analysis, the smart card can be designed such that the face verification algorithm can be executed in real-time. Key-Words: Face Verification, Face Detection, Smart Card
Magnetic particle swarm optimization with estimation of distribution

The magnetic particle swarm (MPS) algorithm is an approach based on the phenomenon dipole repulsion by a magnetic field. In this paper, a new version of this algorithm, which employs an estimation of distribution step as an additional search heuristic, is proposed and applied to seven well-known test functions for 30-dimensional, 120-dimensional and 1000-dimensional search spaces. The performance of the new approach is compared to that of benchmark differential evolution and estimation of distribution methods, and the results reveal its potential in terms of multimodal search in the context of complex optimization tasks.
Effects of teaching resourcefulness skills to elders

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of learned resourcefulness training (LRT) on health of elders in retirement communities (RCs). In a clinical trial, 46 elders in four randomly selected RCs received resourcefulness training and were compared to 43 elders in four RCs who participated in a focused reflection reminiscence (FRR) group. The two groups were similar at baseline. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed no changes on anxiety or depression over time; however, both were significantly correlated with functional status (r's = 0.29 and 0.35, p's < 0.01), self-assessed health (r's = −0.18 and −0.26, p's < 0.05), and resourcefulness (r's = −0.24 and −0.21, p's < 0.05). Although main effects for group were not significant, interaction effects of group and time on self-assessed health and functional status were found. These findings suggest that although teaching resourcefulness to groups of elders in RCs may have beneficial effects on improving their perception of health and functioning over time, significant effects on mental health may not be apparent.
CYTOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY NOCARDIOSIS IN AN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PATIENT

We report a case of pulmonary nocardiosis in an immunosuppressed patient having vasculitis who presented with fever, cough and chest pain. A suspicion of nocardiosis was made on auramine O staining of material procured by CT guided Þ ne needle aspiration cytology right lung. ModiÞ ed Ziehl-Neelsen staining was useful in conÞ rming the diagnosis. The patient showed remarkable recovery after treatment with co-trimoxazole. Quick identiÞ cation of this uncommon pathogen in the cytological material using special stains helped in timely diagnosis and successful treatment of the patient.
Effect of Adjunctive Aripiprazole on Sexual Dysfunction in Schizophrenia: A Preliminary Open-Label Study

Abstract Introduction: Although adjunctive aripiprazole improves hyperprolactinemia, sufficient evidence for its effects on sexual dysfunction has not been obtained. We assessed the usefulness of adjunctive aripiprazole for schizophrenia with sexual dysfunction. Methods: 22 Japanese schizophrenia patients with antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia and sexual dysfunction were enrolled, and 19 of them completed the study. Aripiprazole was administrated in a flexible titration schedule to participants according to the judgment of each doctor, and patients were followed for 24 weeks. Serum prolactin, Clinical Global Impression Scales-Severity (CGI-S), and Nagoya Sexual Function Questionnaire (NSFQ) were measured at baseline and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks. Results: Prolactin at week 4 and later was significantly lower than that at baseline. Compared to baseline, we observed a significant improvement in total sexual dysfunction as measured by NSFQ at week 8 and later. In males, erectile dysfunction was significantly reduced at week 24. In females, menstrual irregularity and galactorrhea were significantly reduced at week 24. CGI-S did not significantly change. Discussion: Although the small sample size is a limitation in this study, adjunctive aripiprazole may be useful treatment for sexual dysfunction including hyperprolactinemia in schizophrenia.
DRIVING ANGER AND AGGRESSIVE TENDENCY : THE MODERATING ROLE OF EMOTION REGULATION STRATEGY

The aim of the present study was to examine the moderating role of habitual emotion regulation strategy on the relation between driving anger and aggressive tendency. Three hundred and fourteen Romanian drivers participated in the study. Significant relations between cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, experiential avoidance, driving anger, and aggression were obtained. Furthermore, we obtained a moderation effect of expressive suppression on the relation between driving anger and aggressive tendency, suggesting that drivers who habitually suppress their emotions tend to respond in a more aggressive manner when experiencing high driving anger.
Relative transcriptional activities of SAA1 promoters polymorphic at position −13(T/C): Potential association between increased transcription and amyloidosis

The risk associated with the serum amyloid A (SAA) 1 gene and developing AA-amyloidosis is still controversial. In familial Mediterranean fever or Caucasoid rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the SAA1.1 allele is a risk factor for the development of AA-amyloidosis. However, individuals with the SAA1.3 allele are susceptible to AA-amyloidosis in the Japanese RA population, but those with the SAA1.1 are not. Previous reports have indicated that the − 13T/C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the 5’-flanking region of SAA1 appears to be a better marker of AA-amyloidosis than the exon-3 based haplotype, i.e., SAA1.1 or SAA1.3, in both Japanese and American Caucasian populations. So far, it is unknown why the − 13T SNP increases the amyloidogenicity of the patients. In the present study, a luciferase reporter gene assay showed that the transcriptional activity of the SAA1 having the − 13T-containing promoter was significantly higher than activities of those with − 13C-containing promoters (Fisher's protected least significance difference test). We suggest that having the − 13T SNP in the SAA1 promoter correlates with the amyloidogenicity in part as a result of this increased transcriptional activity.
Development and characterization of a cell line for large‐scale, serum‐free production of recombinant adeno‐associated viral vectors

One of the major limitations to the use of adeno‐associated virus (AAV) vectors for gene therapy has been the difficulty in producing enough vector to supply a clinical trial. More than 20 000 roller bottles may be required to generate AAV by the traditional transient transfection process to treat 50 patients. A scalable AAV producer cell line grown in serum‐free media will meet the needs for the manufacture of AAV gene therapeutics.
Optimization of synchronous reluctance machines for high power factor

This article proposes a methodology for an adequate design of a 3-levels flux barriers rotor of a synchronous reluctance machine (SR), in order to obtain the highest performances. For that, this study seeks to determine the optimal shape of the flux barriers and at the same time the best current supply of the stator windings. The methodology applied consists in a double optimization: the search for the best rotor geometry and the determination of the best suited electrical control. This approach is applied on 3 types of rotor architecture: the classic SR, the (ferrite) permanent magnet assisted SR and the Dual Phase rotor SR. The design of flux barriers-SR is a very intricate problem, because many variables (geometric and electric) are involved and in addition, the physical aspects appearing in this kind of structure are strongly nonlinear, so that physical quantities have to be evaluated by means of Finite Element Analyses.