Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of a Nationwide Antibiotic Restriction Program on Antibiotic Usage and Resistance against Nosocomial Pathogens in Turkey

Purpose: Antimicrobial resistance among microorganisms is a global concern. In 2003, a nationwide antibiotic restriction program (NARP) was released in Turkey. In this study we evaluated the effect of NARP on antibiotic consumption, antimicrobial resistance, and cost. Materials and Methods: The data obtained from all of the four university hospitals, and one referral tertiary-care educational state hospital in Ankara. Antimicrobial resistance profiles of 14,233 selected microorganisms all grown in blood cultures and antibiotic consumption from 2001 to 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: A negative correlation was observed between the ceftriaxone consumption and the prevalence of ceftriaxone resistant E.coli and Klebsiella spp. (rho:-0.395, p:0.332 and rho:-0.627, p:0.037, respectively). The decreased usage of carbapenems was correlated with decreased carbapenems-resistant Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp (rho:0.155, p:0.712 and rho:0.180, p:0.668, respectively for imipenem). Methicillin resistance rates of S.aureus were decreased from 44% to 41%. After two years of NARP 5,389,155.82 USD saving occurred. Conclusion: NARP is effective in lowering the costs and antibiotic resistance.
Solar and Supplemental UV‐B Radiation Effects in Lemon Peel UV‐B‐absorbing Compound Content—Seasonal Variations

Effects of solar and supplemental UV‐B radiation on UV‐B‐absorbing compounds and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulations in the peel of lemons collected in summer and winter were analyzed. UV‐B‐absorbing compounds were higher in flavedo than in albedo tissue in both seasons; however, the highest values were observed in summer. These compounds were also higher in outer than in inner flavedo surface. Lemons were categorized as sun‐, semisun‐ and shaded‐lemon according to localization inside the tree canopy. Depending on‐tree localization UV‐B‐absorbing compounds were higher in flavedo of sun‐lemon than in semisun‐ and shaded‐lemon. Supplementary UV‐B radiation (22 kJ m−2 day−1 UV‐BBE) induced UV‐B‐absorbing compound synthesis in on‐tree and postharvest lemons. Two minutes of supplemental UV‐B irradiation in summer lemons produced a strong increment (300%) of UV‐B‐absorbing compound content, whereas in winter lemons a slight increase (30%) was observed only after 3 min of irradiation. By contrast, UV‐B‐absorbing compound accumulation was not observed in albedo. MDA accumulation showed approximately a similar trend of UV‐B‐absorbing compounds. According to our results, solar UV‐B was not required for UV‐B‐absorbing compound accumulation in lemon peel. Relationships between UV‐B‐absorbing compounds, MDA, reactive oxygen species and pathogen protection are also discussed.
The Debate on Alternatives for Monetary Policy in Australia

Debate on the monetary-policy framework can be viewed as taking place at two distinct levels. At one level, there is debate about the appropriate choice of policy system from a range of conceptually distinct alternatives such as inflation targets, nominal-income targets, money targets, fixed exchange rates, and various more radical schemes. The other level of debate is that occurring within some broadly accepted system, concerning the system’s detailed parameters and design features – in the case of inflation targeting, this covers issues like the time-frame, the design of pre-commitment mechanisms and the scope to be allowed for business-cycle stabilisation within the policy framework.
Towards making accessible human-interaction proofs more secure and usable

Human-Interaction Proof (HIP) systems are widely used to prevent malicious acts of abusers. Legitimate users, however, are not satisfied with their ease of use. The response of Google to the complaints of difficulty in solving audio reCAPTCHAs was to introduce a much simpler version. But now we are back at the position where we have an accessible and usable but insecure solution. In this work, we propose a pure-text HIP system as an attempt to satisfy accessibility, security, usability requirements altogether. We conduct a user study involving 31 blind or partially sighted users which compares the usability of our pure-text HIP system (SMARTCHA) against Google's new audio reCAPTCHA. The results of the user study show that visually impaired users enjoy solving SMARTCHA more and prefer it against audio reCAPTCHA.
Stereological tools in biomedical research.

Stereological studies are more and more frequent in literature, particularly in the development/evolution, pathology, and neurosciences areas. The stereology challenge is to understand the structural inner three-dimensional arrangement based on the analysis of the structure slices only showing two-dimensional information. Cavalieri and Scherle's methods to estimate volume, and Buffon's needle problem, are commented in the stereological context. A group of actions is needed to appropriately quantify morphological structures (unbiased and reproducibly), e.g. sampling, isotropic and uniform randomly sections (Delesse's principle), and updated stereological tools (disector, fractionator, nucleator, etc). Through the correct stereology use, a quantitative study with little effort could be performed: efficiency in stereology means a minimum slices sample counting (little work), low cost (slices preparation), but good accuracy. In the present text, a short review of the main stereological tools is done as a background basis to non-expert scientists.
Classifier Combination for Contextual Idiom Detection Without Labelled Data

We propose a novel unsupervised approach for distinguishing literal and non-literal use of idiomatic expressions. Our model combines an unsupervised and a supervised classifier. The former bases its decision on the cohesive structure of the context and labels training data for the latter, which can then take a larger feature space into account. We show that a combination of both classifiers leads to significant improvements over using the unsupervised classifier alone.
Application of Wavelet Packet Energy Spectrum to Extract the Feature of the Pulse Signal

The wavelet packet is presented as a new kind of multi-scale analysis technique followed Wavelet analysis. The fundamental and its realization arithmetic of the wavelet packet analysis method are described in this paper. A new application approach of the wavelet packed method on extracting the feature of the pulse signal from energy distributing angle is expatiated. It is convenient for the microchip to process and judge by using the wavelet packet analysis method to make the pulse signals quantized and analyzed. Kinds of experiments are simulated in the lab and the experiments prove that it is a more convenient and accurate method to extract the feature of the pulse signal which is based on wavelet packed-energy spectrum analysis.
Ov D Epa Rtment O F E Co No Mics, Ucl a Jo Seph T a O -y I W a Ng D Epa Rtment O F E Co No Mics, Ucl a O Cto Ber 2 0 0 3

e rc o mmunic a tio n a nd B o unde d R a tio na lity in Stra te g ic Info rma tio n T ra nsmissio n G a me s: A n Ex p e rime nta l Inv e stig a tio n Abstract Since Crawford and Sob el (1982), th e th eory of strategic inform ation transm ission h as fou nd a wid e range of ap p lications and h as b ecom e increasingly im p ortant in th e literatu re. In th is p ap er we cond u ct lab oratory ex p erim ents to test th is th eory. O u r ex p erim ental resu lts strongly su p p ort th e b asic insigh t of th e th eory , nam ely , th at less inform ation is transm itted wh en p references of th e send er and th e receiv er d iv erge. M oreov er, th e av erage p ay off s for th e send ers, th e receiv ers, and th e ov erall su b ject p op u lation are v ery close to th ose p red icted b y th e m ost inform ativ e eq u ilib riu m. Howev er, th e ev id ence sh ows th at su b jects consistently ov ercom m u nicate in th at th e send ers' m essages are m ore inform ativ e ab ou t th e tru e states of th e world and th at th e receiv ers rely m ore on th e send ers' m essages in ch oosing actions, com p ared with wh at th e th eory allows in th e m ost inform ativ e eq u ilib riu m. T h ese fi nd ings are rob u st to certain v ariations of p ay off p aram eters and noisy signals. In ad d ition, we d o not fi nd any clear learning eff ect in ou r d ata. T o u nd erstand th e ov ercom m u nication p h enom enon, we u se two p op u lar ap p roach es of b ou nd ed rationality : b eh av ior …
Safety and security in schools in KwaZulu-Natal

This article is based on research conducted on the topic: Safety and security in schools: The case of KwaZulu-Natal. For the research project a purposive sample consisting of secondary school learners, teachers, school governing body chairpersons and principals were selected from the rural and township schools used in this study to explore the views of respondents about the state of safety and security in their school environments. The research was grounded in the social interpretive tradition, using an ethnographic research design, with one-on-one and focus group interviews. Data were analysed using critical discourse analysis to construct the main theme: namely, safety within schools. The findings indicated that learners and teachers are not safe in their schools. Lack of safety and security is characterised by the vulnerability of schools with regard to issues such as fighting, violent murders, sexual harassment, stabbings, the use of derogatory language and threats. It is argued that there is an urgent need to address the concerns of the participants.
Cross-word sub-word units for low-resource keyword spotting

We investigate the use of sub-word lexical units for the detection of out-of-vocabulary (OOV) keywords in the keyword spotting task. Sub-word units based on morphological decomposition and character ngrams are compared. In particular, we examine the benefit of sub-word units that cross word boundaries. Experiments are performed on the IARPA Babel Turkish dataset. Our results demonstrate that cross-word subword units achieve similar performance on OOV keywords as other types of sub-word units, but can be combined to produce further gains. We also show that sub-word units can be used to improve detection of in-vocabulary keywords. System combination provides a 18% relative gain in ATWV with the best two systems, and 25% with the best three systems.
Ultrasound bladder vibrometry method for measuring viscoelasticity of the bladder wall

Increase in bladder stiffness could be associated with various pathophysiologic conditions. Measuring bladder viscoelasticity could be an important step towards understanding various disease processes and improving patient care. Here, we introduce ultrasound bladder vibrometry (UBV), a novel method for rapid and noninvasive measurement of bladder wall viscoelasticity. UBV uses acoustic radiation force to excite mechanical waves in the bladder wall and track the motion using ultrasound pulse-echo techniques. Fourier domain analysis of the tissue motion versus time is used to calculate the phase velocity dispersion (change of phase velocity as a function of frequency). The measured phase velocity dispersion is fit with the antisymmetric Lamb wave model to estimate tissue elasticity and viscosity. We used finite element analysis of viscoelastic plate deformation to investigate the effect of curvature on Lamb wave dispersion and showed that the effects of curvature are negligible. The feasibility of the UBV technique was demonstrated in ex vivo and in vivo settings. Elasticity and viscosity of excised pig at various filling volumes (V) and pressures (p) were found to be µ1 = 9.6 kPa and µ2 = 0.2 Pa s (V = 187 ml and p = 8.6 mmHg), µ1 = 48.7 kPa and µ2 = 3.5 Pa s (V = 267 ml and p = 17.6 mmHg), and µ1 = 106.9 kPa and µ2 = 1.5 Pa s (V = 327 ml and p = 27.6 mmHg) respectively. Transabdominal measurements in an anesthetized pig found values of bladder elasticity µ1 = 26.1 kPa and viscosity µ2 = 0.9 Pa s and demonstrate the ability of UBV to perform in vivo measurements. The results presented in this paper introduce a novel technique for measuring mechanical properties of the bladder and lay the foundation for further investigation of the effects of pathology on bladder viscoelasticity.
An efficient predicting delay algorithm for short jobs

Traditional delay scheduling algorithm processes the task scheduling through a fixed time waiting threshold to achieve better data locality. However, this fixed manner often leads to low resource utilization and job performance degradation, especially for short jobs. This paper proposes a predicting delay scheduling algorithm, called P-Delay. P-Delay leverages both the job characteristic and dynamic resource availability to accelerate the short job execution. It provides a dynamic delay scheduling by comparing the transferring cost with the predicted waiting cost to make reasonable wait. Experimental results show that P-Delay can achieve a speedup of 1.45× for short jobs than traditional Delay Scheduling algorithm.
Amidst Nanotechnology’s Molecular Landscapes

The common scientific metaphor linking microscopic phenomena to new or subvisible worlds in images and text has also been used to describe nanoscale phenomena. However, on closer examination, some images of the nanoscale reveal a shift away from the trope’s association with microscopic worlds and toward participatory, computer-generated worlds. This shift articulates different relations between the nanoscale and the macroscopic scale, relations that also affect how we position ourselves in relation to nanoscale phenomena and so affect the formation of nanotechnology. These different relations also create different ways to understand the nanoscale, scientific communication, and the shaping of scientific knowledge.
Evaluation of Performance Degradation in HPC Applications with VM Consolidation

This paper investigates the performance degradation in application programs running on virtual machines (VMs) in a physical computing server with a focus on HPC applications. We select three benchmarks as the expected workload in a data center: HPC applications, database applications, and web server applications. Then, we put VMs executing two application programs together in a physical computing server and evaluate the performance degradation in each application program. We also investigate the resource consumption in each application program and the reason for the performance degradation. The experimental results indicate that the interference among VMs executing two HPC application programs with high memory usage and high network I/O in the physical computing server significantly degrades the application performance.
Using Supply Functions for Offering Generation into an Electricity Market

In this paper, we study strategies for generators making offers into electricity markets in circumstances where demand is unknown in advance. We concentrate on a model with smooth supply functions and derive conditions under which a single supply function can represent an optimal response to the offers of the other market participants over a range of demands. In order to apply this approach in practice, it may be necessary to approximate the supply functions of other players. We derive bounds on the loss in revenue that occurs in comparison with the exact supply function response, when a generator uses an approximation both for its own supply function and for the supply functions of other players. We also demonstrate the existence of symmetric supply-function equilibria.
Using Interval-Based Systems to Measure Behavior in Early Childhood Special Education and Early Intervention

The purpose of this article is to summarize the current literature on the accuracy and reliability of interval systems using data from previously published experimental studies that used either human observations of behavior or computer simulations. Although multiple comparison studies provided mathematical adjustments or modifications to interval systems, recommendations were often noted as impractical or inefficient for use by early intervention/early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) practitioners. Based on the review of previous comparisons, none of the interval systems were accurate estimates of frequency; thus, event recording should be used to measure counts of behavior in early childhood settings. Momentary time sampling (MTS) may be appropriate and feasible for estimating duration, but only if random error is considered; partial (PIR) and whole interval recording (WIR) systems are inappropriate unless a statistical correction procedure is devised. Recommendations for using interval-based systems in applied research with young children with disabilities are provided.
Maternal Well-Being

Extensive research has been done on new mothers and their well-being post-pregnancy. Particularly, couples’ relationship satisfaction has been shown to diminish as new mothers adjust to their new role (Lawrence, Rothman, Cobb, Rothman, & Bradbury, 2008). The purpose of this study is to look at potential factors play into this possible drop in satisfaction, in an effort to better understand this transition. Study participants included 101 first-time mothers in long-term relationships, with babies between 6 and 12 months old. Through a series of regression analyses, the researchers found that higher levels of differentiation were significantly associated with higher levels of perceived pregnancy health and higher levels of relationship satisfaction. Further, higher levels of perceived pregnancy health are associated with higher levels of relationship satisfaction, and levels of family coping act as a moderator between these two variables. The relational therapeutic implications of these findings are also discussed.
Novel Approach to Live Captioning Through Re-speaking: Tailoring Speech Recognition to Re-speaker's Needs

A novel approach to the live captioning through re-speaking is introduced in this paper. We describe our concept of re-speaking using only one re-speaker with enhanced re-speaker tasks fully integrated to the recognition system and captioning software. New techniques for instant correction of recognition output, punctuation mark introduction or new word addition are presented. Our real-time recognition system of the Czech language with a vocabulary containing more than one million words is described and an architecture of captioning system that we operate is illustrated. Last part of the paper is dedicated to the re-speaker training methodology and a three-level evaluation method of ﬁnal re-speaker’s skills is proposed.
Path‐dependencies, constrained transformations and dynamic agency: An accounting case study informed by both ANT and NIS

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss the compatibility of actor network theory (ANT) and new institutional sociology (NIS) in analysing a case study of accounting change. Design/methodology/approach - This is an interpretive case study. Findings - The Finnish case city experienced several path-dependent changes concerning performance measurement (PM), financial reporting and the adoption of enterprise resource planning system (ERP). New tools such as the ERP have a potential to transform the actors and to change the agency of the actors. Furthermore, the concepts drawing on both ANT and NIS can together enrich analyses of accounting changes. Research limitations/implications - The case analysis suggests guidelines for using ANT and/or NIS in accounting studies. Practical implications - Understanding accounting developments as an intentional and path-dependent process affected and constrained by Originality/value - Being informed by both ANT and NIS improves our understanding of accounting change and stability, serendipity, practice variations, changes beyond the minimum required to satisfy external requirements, and of the continued use of some accounting tools despite their limited functionality. Furthermore, we introduce the concepts dynamic agency and constrained transformation for studies of accounting change.
Positive psychological approaches to therapy

The term positive psychology has become widely used in recent years to refer to the new movement among psychologists who have turned their attention to positive human functioning. In this article we will review what the emerging field of positive psychology tells us about therapeutic practice. The positive psychology movement has led to a questioning of the fundamental assumptions underlying the practice of psychological therapy, and it is our view that the emerging positive psychology research is supportive of those therapeutic approaches which serve to facilitate the client's ability to hear their own inner voice.
Combination of shape-constrained and inflation deformable models with application to the segmentation of the left atrial appendage

This paper introduces a method for the flexible model-based segmentation of the whole heart from 3D CT images. The novelty of the approach is the combination in a single framework of two types of deformable models. The anatomical structures with well defined shapes (like the cardiac chambers) are segmented with deformable models constraining the deforming surface to stay close to some shape prior. On the other hand, structures with highly variable shapes are extracted by locally inflating the deforming surface without strong assumptions on the shape of the object to segment. The proposed method has been applied to the segmentation of the heart of 17 patients. Cardiac chambers and major vessels were segmented using shape-constrained deformable models while the left atrial appendage (LAA) was extracted using the mesh inflation. Qualitatively, the mesh resulting from the inflation adapts well to the difficult shape of the LAA. However, reaching the very tip of this elongated structure remains difficult. These results are numerically confirmed with manually generated reference segmentations.
Particle swarm optimisation of a discontinuous control for a wheeled mobile robot with two trailers

This paper addresses the stabilisation problem of nonholonomic mobile robot with two trailers. A discontinuous control law is built after a suitable change of variables to achieve a quasi-exponential convergence of the system variables to the origin. Particle Swarm Optimisation technique is used to tune the controller parameters for optimised transient performance under constrained control signals. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the presented approach.