Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of an impairment-based individualized rehabilitation program using an iPad-based software platform

The delivery of tablet-based rehabilitation for individuals with post-stroke aphasia is relatively new, therefore, this study examined the effectiveness of an iPad-based therapy to demonstrate improvement in specific therapy tasks and how the tasks affect overall language and cognitive skills. Fifty-one individuals with aphasia due to a stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) were recruited to use an iPad-based software platform, Constant Therapy, for a 10 week therapy program. Participants were split into an experimental (N = 42) and control (N = 9) group. Both experimental and control participants received a 1 h clinic session with a clinician once a week, the experimental participants additionally practiced the therapy at home. Participants did not differ in the duration of the therapy and both groups of participants showed improvement over time in the tasks used for the therapy. However, experimental participants used the application more often and showed greater changes in accuracy and latency on the tasks than the control participants; experimental participants' severity level at baseline as measured by standardized tests of language and cognitive skills were a factor in improvement on the tasks. Subgroups of task co-improvement appear to occur between different language tasks, between different cognitive tasks, and across both domains. Finally, experimental participants showed more significant and positive changes due to therapy in their standardized tests than control participants. These results provide preliminary evidence for the usefulness of a tablet-based platform to deliver tailored language and cognitive therapy to individuals with aphasia.
Estimation of measles vaccine efficacy and critical vaccination coverage in a highly vaccinated population

Measles is a highly infectious disease that has been targeted for elimination from four WHO regions. Whether and under which conditions this goal is feasible is, however, uncertain since outbreaks have been documented in populations with high vaccination coverage (more than 90%). Here, we use the example of a large outbreak in a German public school to show how estimates of key epidemiological parameters such as the basic reproduction number (R0), vaccine efficacy (VES) and critical vaccination coverage (pc) can be obtained from partially observed outbreaks in highly vaccinated populations. Our analyses rely on Bayesian methods of inference based on the final size distribution of outbreak size, and use data which are easily collected. For the German public school the analyses indicate that the basic reproduction number of measles is higher than previously thought (, 95% credible interval: 23.6–40.4), that the vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection (, 95% credible interval: 0.993–0.999), and that a vaccination coverage in excess of 95 per cent may be necessary to achieve herd immunity (, 95% credible interval: 0.961–0.978). We discuss the implications for measles elimination from highly vaccinated populations.
Análise da adoção de práticas lean em empresas brasileiras: um estudo exploratório

O presente artigo investiga a adoção da Produção Enxuta em empresas brasileiras a partir das premissas do Lean Manufacturing Model. O trabalho foi desenvolvido considerando o construto Produção Enxuta por intermédio de 65 (sessenta e cinco) variáveis que caracterizam o Lean agrupadas em 8 (oito) dimensões de análise: custos, controle de produção, fluxo contínuo, setup, nivelamento e balanceamento da produção, autonomação de processos, padronização das operações e pessoas. O estágio da adoção do lean nas empresas foi identificado a partir do levantamento com diretores, gerentes, supervisores, engenheiros encarregados e analistas. Para o estudo, foi utilizado um instrumento de coleta de dados do tipo questionário estruturado não disfarçado com assertivas contemplando diversos aspectos do modelo Lean. O grau de concordância com a assertiva era assinalado com a utilização da escala resultante de uma combinação da escala Staepel com a escala Likert com 10 (dez) pontos. Os dados obtidos foram analisados com o uso da estatística descritiva.
Parallel Best-First Search: Optimal and Suboptimal Solutions

To harness modern multi-core processors, it is imperative to develop parallel versions of fundamental algorithms. In this paper, we present a general approach to best-first heuristic search in a shared-memory setting. Each thread attempts to expand the most promising nodes. By using abstraction to partition the state space, we detect duplicate states while avoiding lock contention. We allow speculative expansions when necessary to keep threads busy. We identify and fix potential livelock conditions. In an empirical comparison on STRIPS planning, grid pathfinding, and sliding tile puzzle problems using an 8-core machine, we show that A* implemented in our framework yields faster search performance than previous parallel search proposals. We also demonstrate that our approach extends easily to other best-first searches, such as weighted A* and anytime heuristic search.
A 1.8V fully differential CMOS low noise amplifier with a special care for mixer input stage

A fully differential low noise amplifier with a special care for mixer input stage is presented. It considers mixer input stage to comply with DC bias condition of low noise amplifier output without bias tee using a common-mode feedback circuitry (CMFB). The proposed fully differential low noise amplifier is focused on the 915MHz an unlicensed frequency ISM band communication. This low noise amplifier is fabricated on CMOS 0.18-mum technology. Measured results show 19.2dB power gain, 2.7dB noise figure (NF), -8.6dBm output P1dB and 2.2dBm OIP3. Furthermore, power gain varies from 17.3dB to 19.5dB and also output PldB changes from -19.5dBm to -6dBm according to the reference voltage which is engaged to CMFB. This fully differential low noise amplifier consumes 1.7mA current at 1.8V supply voltage
A novel interaction between FRMD7 and CASK: evidence for a causal role in idiopathic infantile nystagmus

Idiopathic infantile nystagmus (IIN) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder of eye movement that can be caused by mutations in the FRMD7 gene that encodes a FERM domain protein. FRMD7 is expressed in the brain and knock-down studies suggest it plays a role in neurite extension through modulation of the actin cytoskeleton, yet little is known about its precise molecular function and the effects of IIN mutations. Here, we studied four IIN-associated missense mutants and found them to have diverse effects on FRMD7 expression and cytoplasmic localization. The C271Y mutant accumulates in the nucleus, possibly due to disruption of a nuclear export sequence located downstream of the FERM-adjacent domain. While overexpression of wild-type FRMD7 promotes neurite outgrowth, mutants reduce this effect to differing degrees and the nuclear localizing C271Y mutant acts in a dominant-negative manner to inhibit neurite formation. To gain insight into FRMD7 molecular function, we used an IP-MS approach and identified the multi-domain plasma membrane scaffolding protein, CASK, as a FRMD7 interactor. Importantly, CASK promotes FRMD7 co-localization at the plasma membrane, where it enhances CASK-induced neurite length, whereas IIN-associated FRMD7 mutations impair all of these features. Mutations in CASK cause X-linked mental retardation. Patients with C-terminal CASK mutations also present with nystagmus and, strikingly, we show that these mutations specifically disrupt interaction with FRMD7. Together, our data strongly support a model whereby CASK recruits FRMD7 to the plasma membrane to promote neurite outgrowth during development of the oculomotor neural network and that defects in this interaction result in nystagmus.
Modeling MAC layer for powerline communications networks

The usage of electrical power distribution networks for voice and data transmission, called Powerline Communications, becomes nowadays more and more attractive, particularly in the telecommunication access area. The most important reasons for that are the deregulation of the telecommunication market and a fact that the access networks are still property of former monopolistic companies. In this work, first we analyze a PLC network and system structure as well as a disturbance scenario in powerline networks. After that, we define a logical structure of the powerline MAC layer and propose the reservation MAC protocols for the usage in the PLC network which provides collision free data transmission. This makes possible better network utilization and realization of QoS guarantees which can make PLC networks competitive to other access technologies.
A Meta-Analysis of Interventions to Promote Self-Determination for Students With Disabilities

Promoting self-determination is critical to enabling young people to achieve education-related goals and positive postschool employment, community participation, and quality of life outcomes. By developing skills associated with self-determination such as choice-making, decision-making, problem solving, goal setting and attainment, planning, self-management, self-advocacy, self-awareness, and self-knowledge, students with disabilities are better prepared to make purposeful decisions and choices. We conducted a meta-analysis of the literature on interventions to promote self-determination and associated skills with students with disabilities in the school context. We analyzed the types of interventions, populations of students with whom they were implemented, outcomes, and rigor of research. Results demonstrated that interventions to promote self-determination can be effective for students across grade levels, disability labels, and settings. There remains a need for increased focus on promoting self-determination within inclusive, general education settings with students with and without disabilities and of diverse backgrounds. Future researchers should also focus on the rigor of methodological design and associated reporting when conducting school-based research. Additional implications for research and practice are discussed.
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF CANCER CONTROL STUDIES USING THE SAS SYSTEM

This paper focuses on the details of study design, data elements and analytical methods necessary for oncology clinical trials when the primary endpoint involves symptom control rather than treatment outcome. We will present work carried out on previous North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) Cancer Control (CC) clinical trials which involved standard and novel results which were obtainable via SAS code. Measurement issues with respect to pain, stomatitis, and other quality of life related endpoints will be highlighted. Considerations involved in determining clinical significance, and related power calculations, for these types of endpoints will be presented.
Do Interventions Contain Infor Mation? Evidence from the Australian Foreign Exchange Market

In 1993, the political uncertainty regarding the passage of the Federal Budget through the Senate was reflected in the foreign exchange market. During August and September 1993, the Australian dollar depreciated by 7.5%. We present the results of a case study of the impact of official intervention and the infor Mation available to the market participants on the Australian dollar value over this period. We use daily data on the volume of intervention, the movement of the dollar and Reserve Bank of Australia announcements on intervention to consider the relative importance of infor Mation in the market. Our results indicate that the infor Mational content of interventions is a major factor in the success of intervention policy.
Segmentation of Telugu Touching Conjunct Consonants Using Overlapping Bounding

Telugu is an ancient historic language. It is spoken by about 84.6 million people of Andhra Pradesh. The script has circular orthography with few horizontal and slant strokes. Huge literature exists for this language in printed form which needs to be preserved by scanning and converting it into editable form. Segmentation of touching characters is a major issue in any OCR system. Segmenting the words into individual glyphs by Connected Component Analysis yields poor results due to touching characters. Touching conjunct consonants is the major component which needs to be properly addressed for improving the accuracy of an OCR system. In this paper an overlapping bounding box approach is presented for segmenting the conjunct consonants along with an algorithm for identifying the correct touching location. An accuracy rate of 91.27% is achieved.
Lacking Resilience or Mounting Resistance? Interpreting the Actions of Indigenous and Immigrant Youth Within TeachFirst New Zealand

This article draws on qualitative data collected in New Zealand over a 6-month period to examine how participants in and involved with TeachFirst New Zealand (TFNZ) rely on notions of grit and resilience to explain the underachievement of their Māori and Pasifika students. I aim to illustrate that participants face pressure not only to instill resilience in their students but also to enact resilience themselves as they face repeated failures and frustrations in the urban and rural contexts in which they teach. Although participants could interpret their students’ refusal to adhere to classroom norms as modes of resistance against schooling practices that have perpetuated colonial legacies, instead they frame students as passive and apathetic recipients of content rather than as agentic actors within their education.
A vignette of Illumina Methylation Analyzer ( IMA )

3 An example of workflow 2 3.1 Loading data . 2 3.2 Data preprocessing . 3 3.3 Differential statistical analysis . 4 3.3.1 Site level analysis . 5 3.3.2 Region level analysis . 5 3.4 Annotation . 6 3.5 Analysis of the methylation on user-selected CpG sites or regions . 7 3.6 Adjusting confounding factors . 8
Towards rapid generation and visualisation of large 3D urban landscapes for mobile device navigation

In this paper a procedural 3D modelling solution for mobile devices is presented based on scripting algorithms allowing for both the automatic and also semi-automatic creation of photorealistic quality virtual urban content. The combination of aerial images, GIS data, 2D ground maps and terrestrial photographs as input data coupled with a user-friendly customized interface permits the automatic and interactive generation of large-scale, accurate, georeferenced and fully-textured 3D virtual city content, content that can be specially optimized for use with mobile devices but also with navigational tasks in mind. Furthermore, a user-centred mobile virtual reality (VR) visualisation and interaction tool operating on PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) for pedestrian navigation is also discussed. Via this engine, the import and display of various navigational file formats (2D and 3D) is supported, including a comprehensive front-end user-friendly graphical user interface providing immersive virtual 3D navigation.
Analyzing Power Variability of DDR 3 Dual Inline Memory Modules

Variability in modern digital integrated circuits is emerging as an important area of research as it can cause profound impacts on chip performance and power consumption. We found that memory power consumption in a mainstream Atom-based computer can be as much as 18.5% of the total system power. We investigated the power consumption of DDR3 SDRAM DIMMs, finding that power usage in memory is heavily dependent both on operation type (write, read, and idle) as well as data. A low-level benchmark was constructed for DIMM power consumption to analyze power variability in mainstream memory products from various vendors and suppliers. Temperature had little effect (on the order of 1-3%) across the -50C to 50C range. Variations between specimens of the same model and different models of the same vendor were on the order of 5-15%. In the scope of all tested modules, deviations were up to approximately 20% in write and idle power. Furthermore, we found that capacity has a direct effect on power consumption of a DIMM. These power deviations could be exploited by an operating system to improve overall system power efficiency, particularly for memory-bottlenecked systems and applications. We propose several possible approaches to implement power and variability-aware modifications to a kernel. Keywords-DDR3; DRAM; DIMM; variability; variabilityaware; power-aware; kernel
Distribution of 56↑Ni Yields of Type Ia Supernovae and its Implication for Progenitors

The amount of Ni-56 produced in Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) explosion is probably the most important physical parameter underlying the observed correlation of SN Ia luminosities with their light curves. Based on an empirical relation between the Ni-56 mass and the light curve parameter Delta m(15), we obtained rough estimates of the Ni-56 mass for a large sample of nearby SNe Ia with the aim of exploring the diversity in SN Ia. We found that the derived Ni-56 masses for different SNe Ia could vary by a factor of ten (e.g., M-Ni = 0.1 - 1.3 M(D), which cannot be explained in terms of the standard Chandrasekhar-mass model (with a 56Ni mass production of 0.4 - 0.8 M-circle dot). Different explosion and/or progenitor models are clearly required for various SNe Ia, in particular, for those extremely nickel-poor and nickel-rich producers. The nickel-rich (with M-Ni > 0.8 M-circle dot) SNe Ia are very luminous and may have massive progenitors exceeding the Chandrasekhar-mass limit since extra progenitor fuel is required to produce more Ni-56 to power the light curve. This is also consistent with the finding that the intrinsically bright SNe Ia prefer to occur in stellar environments of young and massive stars. For example, 75% SNe Ia in spirals have Delta m(15) < 1.2 while this ratio is only 18% in E/S0 galaxies. The nickel-poor SNe Ia (with M-Ni < 0.2 M-circle dot) may invoke the sub-Chandrasekhar model, as most of them were found in early-type E/SO galaxies dominated by the older and low-mass stellar populations. This indicates that SNe Ia in spiral and E/SO galaxies have progenitors of different properties.
AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO HYPERSPECTRAL FEATURE EXTRACTION

This paper presents a novel hyperspectral feature-extraction toolkit that provides a simple, automated, and accurate approach to materials classification from hyperspectral imagery (HSI). The proposed toolkit is built as an extension to the state-of-the-art technology in automated feature extraction, the Feature Analyst software suite. Feature Analyst uses, along with spectral information, feature characteristics such as spatial association, size, shape, texture, pattern, and shadow in its generic feature extraction process. While current HSI techniques, such as spectral endmember classification, can provide effective materials classification, these methods are slow (or manual), cumbersome, complex for analysts, and are limited to materials classification only. Feature Analyst, on the other hand, has a simple workflow of (a) an analyst providing a few examples, and (b) an advanced software agent classifying the rest of the imagery; however, Feature Analyst does not have effective pre-processing approaches for handling numerous image bands found in HSI. The approach presented in this paper integrates the best of traditional HSI processing with the Feature Analyst approach to produce a powerful new approach that promises to become the new paradigm for HSI materials classification. Experiments presented in this paper show the new approach is (a) accurate, (b) simple, (c) advanced, and (d) exists as a workflow extension to market leading products, such as ArcGIS and ERDAS IMAGINE.
Toward an uncertainty principle for weighted graphs

The uncertainty principle states that a signal cannot be localized both in time and frequency. With the aim of extending this result to signals on graphs, Agaskar & Lu introduce notions of graph and spectral spreads. They show that a graph uncertainty principle holds for some families of unweighted graphs. This principle states that a signal cannot be simultaneously localized both in graph and spectral domains. In this paper, we aim to extend their work to weighted graphs. We show that a naive extension of their definitions leads to inconsistent results such as discontinuity of the graph spread when regarded as a function of the graph structure. To circumvent this problem, we propose another definition of graph spread that relies on an inverse similarity matrix. We also discuss the choice of the distance function that appears in this definition. Finally, we compute and plot uncertainty curves for families of weighted graphs.
Subthalamic span of b oscillations predicts deep brain stimulation efficacy for patients with Parkinson ’ s disease

1 The Interdisciplinary Centre for Neural Computation, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel 2 Department of Medical Neurobiology (Physiology), Canada-Israel Institute for Medical Research, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel 3 Centre for Functional & Restorative Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem 91120, Israel 4 Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg 20246, Germany
Optimizing large-scale MIMO cellular downlink: Multiplexing, diversity, or interference nulling?

A base-station (BS) equipped with multiple antennas can use its spatial dimensions in three ways: (1) serve multiple users to achieve a multiplexing gain, (2) provide diversity to its users, and/or (3) null interference at a chosen subset of out-of-cell users. The main contribution of this paper is to answer the following question: what is the optimal balance between the three competing benefits of multiplexing, diversity and interference nulling? We answer this question in the context of the downlink of a cellular network in which each user chooses its best serving BS, and requests nearby interfering BSs for interference nulling. BSs are equipped with a large number of antennas, serve multiple single-antenna users using zero-forcing beamforming and equal power assignment, and null interference at a subset of out-of-cell users. The remaining spatial dimensions provide transmit diversity. We assume perfect channel state information at the BSs and users. Utilizing tools from stochastic geometry, we show that, surprisingly, to maximize the per-BS ergodic sum rate, at the optimal allocation of spatial resources, interference nulling does not bring tangible benefit. A close-to-optimal strategy is to use none of the spatial resources for interference nulling, while reserving 60% of spatial resources for achieving multiplexing and the rest for providing diversity.
Afro-Descendant Migrants in Santiago, Chile: Stigma Processes and Rhetorical Resistance

This exploratory study seeks to demonstrate the mechanisms which lead to reduced life chances for marginalized groups, as well as to understand how they negotiate stigma perspectives that suggest their identities have been devalued. It provides a qualitative empirical account of the experiences of Afro-descendants presently living in Santiago, Chile, and contributes to the debate on the realities of migrants in Latin America from the perspective of an understudied, often marginalized and excluded population. Forty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with adult migrants of visibly of African-descent (27 female, 22 male) from 4 continents and 15 countries, between April and May 2013. The interviews lasted an average of 25 minutes each and were conducted in Spanish or English. While this study can only provide a snapshot into the lives of some Afro-descendant migrants living in Chile, preliminary findings suggest that this population is experiencing racism and xenophobia, with which they must regularly contend, and that the strategies they employ to cope with their exclusion from society have the effect of both reinterpreting their own realities and contesting the negative stereotypes used to disparage them.