Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delivering cost savings and environmental benefits with hybrid power

In the developing world electrical grids are still unavailable in many areas, and when they are available their reliability is sometime a major concern for telecom operators who have wireless sites. The choice of a reliable method of generating the power for those sites is of course vital for the operation of the Base Transceiver Station, but this choice can also have significant impact on the site operating costs. The selection of the energy source can also impact the site's environmental footprint at a time when the wireless industry is striving to reduce CO2 emissions to limit climate change. In Sub-Saharan Africa for example, off-grid sites are usually powered by two diesel generators operating alternately to ensure a reliable power source. Such a solution, greedy in fuel, results in high operating costs and, for the more remote sites, the refueling and periodic maintenance of the generators creates logistical problems and results in significant additional expenditure. Hybrid systems, with a diesel generator combined with a dedicated cycling battery operating alternately can reduce operating costs for fuel and maintenance by up to 66%, while also cutting CO2 emissions in the same range. A complete hybrid system of this type will be packed in an "energy container" to offer a turnkey solution for easy and quick installation in more remote locations. To ensure the lowest Total Cost of Ownership of the hybrid solution, the different sub-systems such as genset, rectifier, controller and battery must be carefully selected and sized to permit the highest system efficiency. The use of a battery technology with a proven high level of reliability will allow a single diesel generator to be used. This will maintain system reliability while reducing capital expenditure, with part of the cost of the battery being covered by the elimination of the second generator. The addition of solar panels or possibly a wind turbine enable an increase in cycling time and will consequently extend the calendar life of the battery and generator while also increasing the environmental benefits. This paper discusses technical aspects such as application needs, complete system design and optimization, and advanced battery, rectifier and controller choices. It also covers laboratory testing to optimize the operating profile and field trials for validation. Results of the different tests are also analyzed and discussed. The paper also includes a Total Cost of Ownership analysis of the hybrid system proposed in comparison to existing systems with two diesel generators.
Adverse non-drug-related complaints by healthy volunteers in Phase I studies compared to the healthy general population.

OBJECTIVE Some complaints that are reported as adverse drug reactions by healthy subjects during participation in Phase I studies are common complaints in healthy individuals from the normal population. The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of complaints in a group of 192 healthy volunteers in Phase I studies with a control group of 112 healthy subjects who matched the Phase I group participants in terms of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and to investigate the relationship between some psychological factors and the incidence of complaints. METHODS Both groups completed a questionnaire on the incidence of complaints during the previous 2 - 4 weeks. Trait anxiety was assessed by the trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), depressive mood by the Beck's Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and perceived self-efficacy by the Self-Efficacy Scale (SES). RESULTS Compared to the control group, Phase I volunteers presented a significantly lower incidence of stomach pain, back pain, limb or joint pain, headaches, fainting spells, palpitations, shortness of breath, constipation, loose stools or diarrhea, nausea, gas or indigestion, feeling nervous or anxious, feeling restless, getting tired very easily, muscle tension, aches, or soreness, and concentration difficulties. Significant positive correlations were found between the STAI-T and BDI-II scores and the incidence of several complaints; inversely, the SES score correlated negatively with several complaints. CONCLUSION The incidence of complaints in healthy subjects is not of a random character and depends on psychological characteristics. Volunteers in Phase I studies are a self-selected sample with a lower tendency to report non-drug-related adverse events than their peers from the general population. The impact of this self-selection bias on the assessment of tolerability during Phase I studies deserves further evaluation.
Coffee consumption, rheumatoid factor, and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND Recent epidemiological studies have suggested that smoking is a risk factor for rheumatoid factor (RF) positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Being overweight, high serum cholesterol, and dietary factors have in some studies been found to be associated with the risk of RA. No attention, however, has been paid to coffee consumption as a risk determinant, though it is a shared covariate of the alleged risk factors. OBJECTIVES This study aimed at examining coffee consumption for its associations with RF positivity and with the risk of RA. METHODS Coffee consumption was studied, firstly, for its association with RF (sensitised sheep cell agglutination titre ⩾128) in a cross sectional survey of 6809 subjects with no clinical arthritis, and secondly, for its prediction of RA in a cohort of 18 981 men and women who had neither arthritis nor a history of it at the baseline examination in 1973–76. Up to late 1989, 126 subjects of the cohort study had developed RA, of whom, 89 were positive for RF by the time of diagnosis. RESULTS In the cross sectional survey the number of cups of coffee drunk daily was directly proportional to the prevalence of RF positivity. Adjusted for age and sex this association was significant (p value for linear trend, 0.008), but after further adjustment for smoking the linear trend declined below significance (p=0.06). In the cohort study there was an association between coffee consumption and the risk of RF positive RA that was not due to age, sex, level of education, smoking, alcohol intake, body mass index, or serum cholesterol. After adjustment for these potential confounders the users of four or more cups a day still had a relative risk of 2.20 (95% confidence interval 1.13 to 4.27) for developing RF positive RA compared with those drinking less. Coffee consumption did not predict the development of RF negative RA. CONCLUSION Coffee consumption may be a risk factor for RA, possibly through mechanisms contributing to the production of RF. This hypothesis remains to be tested in further studies.
Reengineering relational databases to object-oriented: constructing the class hierarchy and migrating the data

The object-oriented data model is predicted to be the heart of the next generation of database systems. Users want to move from old legacy databases into applying this new technology that provides extensibility and flexibility in maintenance. However, a major limitation on the wide acceptance of object-oriented databases is the amount of time and money invested on existing database applications, which are based on conventional legacy systems. Users do not want to loose the huge amounts of data present in conventional databases. This paper presents a novel approach to transform a given conventional database into an object-oriented database. It is assumed that the necessary characteristics of the conventional database to be re-engineered are known and available. The source of these characteristics might be the data dictionary and/or an expert in the given conventional database. We implemented a system that builds an understanding of a given conventional database by taking these characteristics as input and produces the corresponding object-oriented database as output. The system derives a graph that summarizes the conceptual model. Links in the graph are classified into inheritance links and aggregation links. This classification leads to the class hierarchy. Finally, we handle the migration of data from the conventional database to the constructed object-oriented database.
Human Health: New Directions for the Next Millennium

Scientific discourse is vital to the positive health agenda. We are grateful, therefore, to our commentators for their probing questions and observations. These provide an opportunity to clarify, elaborate, and in some instances restate the essential messages of our positive health formulation. We organize our responses thematically around 10 key issues prominent in the reactions of the reviewers. These are also central to the promotion, scientifically and practically, of true human health, which is fundamentally more than the absence of illness. The themes are:
A Landsat surface reflectance dataset for North America, 1990-2000

The Landsat Ecosystem Disturbance Adaptive Processing System (LEDAPS) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center has processed and released 2100 Landsat Thematic Mapper and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus surface reflectance scenes, providing 30-m resolution wall-to-wall reflectance coverage for North America for epochs centered on 1990 and 2000. This dataset can support decadal assessments of environmental and land-cover change, production of reflectance-based biophysical products, and applications that merge reflectance data from multiple sensors [e.g., the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer, Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)]. The raw imagery was obtained from the orthorectified Landsat GeoCover dataset, purchased by NASA from the Earth Satellite Corporation. Through the LEDAPS project, these data were calibrated, converted to top-of-atmosphere reflectance, and then atmospherically corrected using the MODIS/6S methodology. Initial comparisons with ground-based optical thickness measurements and simultaneously acquired MODIS imagery indicate comparable uncertainty in Landsat surface reflectance compared to the standard MODIS reflectance product (the greater of 0.5% absolute reflectance or 5% of the recorded reflectance value). The rapid automated nature of the processing stream also paves the way for routine high-level products from future Landsat sensors.
The situational argument: do midwives agree or acquiesce with senior staff?

This study concerns midwives' obedience/conformity to direction from a senior person. We sought to identify whether midwives just went along with what a midwife at management level suggested, or instead altered their views to match. In the first condition, a postal Social Influence Scale‐Midwifery (SIS‐M) measured and scored 209 midwives' private responses to 10 clinical questions. In a second condition, a senior midwife successfully influenced 60 of these midwives to alter their SIS‐M decisions to agree with her suggested correct responses. In a third condition, a postal condition again measured the midwives private SIS‐M responses. The aim was to elicit whether the midwives' simply complied with the senior midwife's suggestions during interview or actually changed their opinions to match hers. A 3 (E (lowest grade), F (middle grade) & G (sister grade)) × 3 (above conditions) ANOVA found a significant main effect for conditions (F(2, 94) = 151.87, p = 0.001) with higher scores in the interview condition when the senior midwife passively influenced participant responses. Results inform that the interview manipulation had no lasting social influence effect, consistent with Milgram's transient situational argument. That is, in the presence of senior staff, midwives' decisions are profoundly influenced.
Estimation of Thigh Muscle Mass With Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Older Adults and People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background and Purpose: Quantifying muscle mass is an essential part of physical therapy assessment, particularly in older adults and in people with chronic conditions associated with muscle atrophy. The purposes of this study were to examine the relationship between muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and volume by use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to compare anthropometric estimations of midthigh CSA with measurements obtained from MRI. Subjects and Methods: Twenty older adults who were healthy and 20 people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), matched for age, sex, and body mass index, underwent MRI to obtain measurements of thigh muscle CSA and volume. Anthropometric measurements (skinfold thickness and thigh circumference) were used to estimate midthigh CSA. Results: Muscle volumes were significantly lower in the people with COPD than in the older adults who were healthy. Moderate to high correlations were found between midthigh CSA and volume in both groups (r=.61–.94). Anthropometric measurements tended to overestimate midthigh CSA in both the people with COPD (estimated CSA=64.9±17.8; actual CSA=48.3±10.2 cm2) and the older adults who were healthy (estimated quadriceps femoris muscle CSA=65.0±14.0; actual CSA=56.8±13.5 cm2). Furthermore, the estimated quadriceps femoris muscle CSAs were not sensitive enough to detect a difference in muscle size between people with COPD and controls. Thigh circumference alone was not different between groups and showed only low to moderate correlations with muscle volume (r=.19–.47). Discussion and Conclusion: Muscle CSA measured from a single slice provides a good indication of volume, but the most representative slice should be chosen on the basis of the muscle group of interest. Thigh circumference is not correlated with muscle volume and, therefore, should not be used as an indicator of muscle size. The development of population-specific reference equations for estimating muscle CSA from anthropometric measurements is warranted.
Grasp affordances from multi-fingered tactile exploration using dynamic potential fields

In this paper, we address the problem of tactile exploration and subsequent extraction of grasp hypotheses for unknown objects with a multi-fingered anthropomorphic robot hand. We present extensions on our tactile exploration strategy for unknown objects based on a dynamic potential field approach resulting in selective exploration in regions of interest. In the subsequent feature extraction, faces found in the object model are considered to generate grasp affordances. Candidate grasps are validated in a four stage filtering pipeline to eliminate impossible grasps. To evaluate our approach, experiments were carried out in a detailed physics simulation using models of the five-finger hand and the test objects.
Attitudes Toward Data Analysis: Nature and Measurement

This work aims to construct one scale of attitudes towards data analysis using the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior. The theoretical model was defined with three dimensions (Intention of Behavior, Self Efficacy and Subjective Norms). A 15 items questionnaire was created and validation evidences were gathered in a sample comprised by 278 students of Psychology. In the validation process, content evidences and internal evidences were analyzed. Relations among partial scales with gender and number of exam sessions were studied, as well as their predictive power. The R2 was 23.4. Self Efficacy was the variable with major weigh, whereas Subjective Norms were not significant.
Cardiac tamponade occurred after endoscopic submucosal dissection: conservative management of the esophagopericardial fistula

We describe the case of an esophagopericardial fistula generated after endoscopic submucosal dissection in a patient affected by a superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma immediately treated with percutaneous pericardial drainage and placement of a partially covered self‐expanding metal stent that has been removed using the stent‐in‐stent technique after 35 days.
Working through the allotment

Using photography and critical reflection, this article explores the relationship between contemporary allotments and paid employment in the UK, making connections to contemporary debates about the future of work. Via interview data and portraits of plotholders in Newcastle upon Tyne it considers how allotments fit into working lives and the challenges and satisfactions they represent. The project critically reflects on the social theory surrounding work and leisure, looking at the interplay between emancipation and submission that epitomises modern leisure time. It argues that allotments represent a complex discourse on rebellion against and accommodation of an intensified labour process, which can inform discussion about how best to spend our time.
Distributed spectral decomposition in networks by complex diffusion and quantum random walk

In this paper we address the problem of finding top k eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors of symmetric graph matrices in networks in a distributed way. We propose a novel idea called complex power iterations in order to decompose the eigenvalues and eigenvectors at node level, analogous to time-frequency analysis in signal processing. At each node, eigenvalues correspond to the frequencies of spectral peaks and respective eigenvector components are the amplitudes at those points. Based on complex power iterations and motivated from fluid diffusion processes in networks, we devise distributed algorithms with different orders of approximation. We also introduce a Monte Carlo technique with gossiping which substantially reduces the computational overhead. An equivalent parallel random walk algorithm is also presented. We validate the algorithms with simulations on real-world networks. Our formulation of the spectral decomposition can be easily adapted to a simple algorithm based on quantum random walks. With the advent of quantum computing, the proposed quantum algorithm will be extremely useful.
An environmental space based approach to assessing the environmental impact of household consumption

Unsustainable consumption and production patterns are one of the key driving forces behind the unsustainable development of the World. The environmental impact of household consumption is a matter of regular reporting, either based on an economywide analysis with households as a sector of final demand, or on household economics using consumption statistics. However, it can be shown that neither SNA based accounting nor household economics provide the proper instruments to assess the environmental impact of household decision making. An alternative way of assessing the contribution of households to the total environmental pressures is suggested. For this behalf, an alternative life cycle wide environmental impact assessment scheme is suggested covering the major pressures on the environment caused by household decision, except for toxicity related effects. It is based on the environmental space concept, measuring energy consumption, material flows and land use. For the latter, a simple but sufficient ordinal classification scheme is presented. Using the SNA approach, the main clusters of consumption can be identified, and when combined with the household focussed analysis their influence potentials can be assessed. The methodology is described in some detail and used to analyse the environmental relevance of the main clusters of household consumption. Other applications of the methodology are briefly discussed.
Building Scaffolds in the Field: The Benefits and Challenges of Teacher Candidate Peer Mentorship

This paper details the perspectives of teacher candidates who participated in a paired practicum peer mentorship program. A total of 227 dyads of novice first year and mentor second or third year concurrent education students took part in a program that was developed with the intent of providing scaffolding through opportunities to engage in reciprocal learning. Of the 454 potential study participants, 166 elected to complete anonymous electronic post-program surveys documenting their perceptions of the benefits and challenges of this field experience model. Findings indicated that the majority perceived the practicum peer mentorship program to provide increased support through reciprocal learning and collegial collaboration, which enhanced their confidence and professional growth. Challenges included adjusting to the paradigm shift of paired practicum experiences, which necessitates deviating from perceptions of teaching as independent practice and developing contextual supports in collaboration with school board partners. The findings and implications may provide direction for teacher educators seeking to implement paired practicum experiences in attempts to scaffold candidates’ growth and promote their enculturation into collaborative communities of professional practice.
Normative values for the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Fear Questionnaire, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, and Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory.

Community norms are reported for the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI ; A. T. Beck, N. Epstein, G. Brown, & R. A. Steer, 1988), Fear Questionnaire (FQ ; I. M. Marks & A. Mathews, 1979), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ ; T. J. Meyer, M. L. Miller, R. L. Metzger, & T. D. Borkovec, 1990), and Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI ; S. M. Turner, D. C. Beidel, C. V. Dancu, & M. A. Stanley, 1989). The demographic profile of the samples closely matched the 1990 U.S. national census. On the SPAI, women scored higher than men on the Agoraphobia subscale, and the lowest income group scored higher than higher income participants on the Difference and Social Phobia subscales. Participants under 45 years of age exceeded those aged 45-65 on the BAI, the PSWQ, and FQ Social Phobia, Blood/Injury, and Total Phobia scores. Percentile scores are provided for all measures, as well as discussion oftheir usefulness for assessing clinical significance of therapy outcomes.
Tumor-associated neutrophils display a distinct N1 profile following TGFβ modulation: A transcriptomics analysis of pro- vs. antitumor TANs

ABSTRACT It is becoming increasingly clear that tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) play an important role in cancer biology, through direct impact on tumor growth and by recruitment of other cells types into the tumor. The function of neutrophils in cancer has been the subject of seemingly contradicting reports, pointing toward a dual role played by TANs in tumor progression. The existence of multiple neutrophil subsets, as well as phenotypic modulation of the neutrophils by various factors in the tumor microenvironment, has been shown. TGFβ plays a significant role in the determination of neutrophils' phenotype, by shifting the balance from an antitumor (N1) toward a more permissive (N2) phenotype. The full range of mechanisms responsible for the pro- vs. antitumor effects of TANs has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, the ability to identify the different neutrophil subpopulations in the tumor is critical in order to understand TANs evolution and contribution throughout tumor progression. Using a transcriptomic approach, we identified alternations in gene expression profile following TGFβ inhibition. We show that N1 and N2 TANs represent distinct subpopulations with different transcriptional signatures and both differ from naive bone marrow neutrophils. The analysis highlights a clear difference in pathways involved in neutrophil function such as cytoskeletal organization and antigen presentation, as well as alterations in chemokine profile, eventually affecting their effect on tumor cells and tumor growth. These data highlights several potential new pathways and mechanisms by which neutrophils can influence both the tumor cells and the adaptive immune system.