Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time-varying versus time-invariant finite-length MMSE-DFE on stationary dispersive channels

A time-varying structure and a time-invariant structure for the finite-length minimum-mean-square-error decision feedback equalizer (MMSE-DFE) are presented and their performances are compared on a stationary channel impaired by intersymbol interference (ISI) and additive Gaussian noise. The time-varying structure has an innovations error sequence but incurs a throughput loss on ISI channels because of its block-processing nature. Conditions under which the time-invariant structure exhibits near-optimal performance are described. Both structures converge to the canonical MMSE-DFE of Cioffi et al. (see ibid., vol.43, p.2582-94, 1995 and vol.43, p.2595-2604, 1995) as their filters' lengths become infinite.
Characterization of cytotoxic, hemolytic Aeromonas caviae clinical isolates and their identification by determining presence of a unique hemolysin gene

Aeromonas caviae has recently been recognized as an important enteropathogen and its hemolysin is purported to be one of the virulence factors, In this study, a total of 80 clinical isolates of Aeromonas spp. were investigated by PCR with synthetic oligonucleotides targeting a cloned hemolysin-encoding sequence from an A. caviae isolate of clinical origin. Of the 35 clinical A. caviae isolates tested, only 6 contained the target sequence.
Optimal Allocation of Index Insurance Intervals for Commodities

The objective of this research is to incorporate the relationship between forage yields and rainfall levels to find optimal weights on insurance intervals using Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Rainfall Index (PRF-RI) insurance. Unlike earlier models, actuarial fairness of the insurance product is assumed. Historical rainfall index and hay yield data are used to calculate returns and generate an efficient frontier using Markowitz Portfolio Theory. Analysis of several counties in South Dakota demonstrates that the May-June and July-August intervals are important months for managing forage production risk. Sensitivity analysis included changing coverage levels, productivity factors, and the subsidy level. It is demonstrated that a producer enrolling in PRF-RI would earn higher returns per acre with lower risk compared to not using the subsidized insurance. Without the premium subsidy the mean returns from the optimal portfolio are lower, but the risk reduction remains.
The FDI Behaviour of polish Companies: Equity Based Entry Modes and their Impact on Performance

The purpose of this paper is to show how joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries contribute to building companiesâ€™ competitiveness. It begins with a brief discussion of the theoretical approach to foreign direct investment (equity based modes). Next, the authors present the results of research carried out among Polish companies investing abroad during the period 2007-2008 by a team of researchers from Nicolaus Copernicus University. The research focuses on two main FDI entry modes and attempts to identify the relative impact of the entry mode on the competitiveness of investors. Although the level of international involvement of polish investors is still relatively low, their awareness of the benefits from internationalization is growing. Factors that may influence the choice of entry mode are studied, including the target host country, the economic activity of the company, the FDI diversification mode and the number of investment projects undertaken by a company, the latter a measure we take to reflect the international experience of the respondents. The research is also the first to highlight how the contribution to competitive potential may vary depending on the ownership structure adopted, offering a comparison of the relative benefits accruing as a result of internationalisation among companies operating on the basis of solo equity (wholly owned subsidiary or branch office), joint ventures or a mixed strategy.
3D printing of a thin-wall soft and monolithic gripper using fused filament fabrication

Soft materials have been incorporated in the design of robotic systems particularly as a damper, cover or contact pads. With the emergence of soft robotics, which focuses on robotic devices partially or entirely made of soft materials, robotic systems with high deformability, conformability and biomimicry can be realized. By pushing the limits of low cost 3D printing, this study focuses on designing and fabricating low cost, thin-wall, airtight, soft and monolithic fingers and a fully compliant gripper as a one-piece robotic device. Fused filament fabrication method was used to 3D print the soft monolithic fingers and gripper. Their bending and blocking force capabilities were experimentally evaluated. The proposed method can be used not only to 3D print fully compliant inflatable soft robots using a low cost additive fabrication method but also all-in-one piece soft robots ready to operate out of one-step fabrication such as soft grippers and mobile assistive devices with major advantages of low cost, underactuated, and more importantly compliant and highly conformable.
Receipt and Perceived Helpfulness of Mental Illness Information: Findings from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

ABSTRACT The distribution of mental illness information is a crucial element of mental health promotion initiatives. We assessed the receipt and perceived helpfulness of such information in Australia. Data from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing indicated that, during the year prior to the survey, 33.7% of Australians received mental illness information; of these, 51.2% found it helpful. Among people with a mental disorder, 46.1% received information; of these, 67.4% found it helpful. Non-English speakers and the socially disadvantaged were less likely to receive mental illness information. Older and less educated respondents were less likely to both receive mental illness information and find it helpful. Mental health service users were more likely to receive mental illness information perceived as helpful than those who had not accessed such services. Better targeted information interventions are required to ensure those most likely to benefit receive mental illness-related information.
Optimization of Price, Default Ratio and Capital under Regulatory Criterion of Maximizing Social Benefit

Abstract In this paper, we explore the optimal price, default ratio, and capital for insurance companies under social welfare maximization from regulators' perspective. From comparisons of cases under symmetric and asymmetric information in the insurance market, we find that an optimal regulatory objective should be set to maximize social benefit and induce fair benefit distribution in a transparent insurance market, and direct regulation on capital constraint can increase insurance demand and shareholders' benefits in a non-transparent market.
Risk Factors Predicting Refractoriness in Epileptic Children with Partial Seizures

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the risk factors associated with intractability to therapy in childhood epilepsy. Fifty children with intractable epilepsy as evidenced by at least 1 epileptic fit per month were included in the study group, whereas the control group consisted of children who did not experience any recurrent seizure for at least 1 year at the time of the study. A χ 2 test was used to evaluate the relationship between the test variables for the 2 groups, and the estimated relative risk (odds ratio) for each variable was calculated. The risk factors were subsequently determined by logistic multiple regression analysis. Univariate analysis showed that mental retardation, neurological abnormality, neuroradiological abnormality, perinatal anoxia, neonatal convulsion, presence of status epilepticus, and symptomatic etiology were significant risk factors for the development of refractory epilepsy (P < .05). For multivariate logistic regression analysis, age at seizure onset, status epilepticus, mixed type of seizures, and history of frequent seizures (more than once a month) were all found to be significant and independent risk factors for refractory epilepsy, and the number of drugs used in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < .05). In line with these findings, it was concluded that children who present with epilepsy and have these risk factors should be referred to a center where epileptic surgery is carried out without delay.
Evaluation of percutaneous ethanol injections in benign thyroid nodules.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We evaluated 120 patients with benign thyroid nodules. Patients underwent evaluation of serum TSH and free T4, cervical ultrasound, and thyroid scintigraphy (in those with suppressed TSH levels). The application of sterile ethanol 99% was guided by ultrasound, with the injected volume amounting to one-third of the nodule volume. Response was considered complete (reduction of 90%); partial (reduction between 50 and 90%); or none (reduction of < 50%). Autonomous nodules were evaluated for normalization of TSH levels. RESULTS Among the nodules studied, 30.8% were solid, 56.7% were mixed, 12.5% were cystic, and 21.6% were hyperfunctioning. The initial volume of the treated nodules ranged from 0.9 to 74.8 mL (mean 13.1 ± 12.4 mL). We performed 1-8 sessions of PEI, applying an average of 6.2 mL of ethanol for patient. After 2 years of follow-up, 17% of patients achieved a complete response (94% reduction); 53%, a partial response (70% reduction); and 30%, no response. A reduction in the volume of autonomous nodules was noted in 70% of cases, and 54% had a normalized value of TSH. The main side effect is local pain, lasting less than 24 hours in most cases. CONCLUSION This study showed that PEI is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of benign, solid or mixed thyroid nodules. Most cases resulted in significant reduction in nodule volume, with normalization of thyroid function.
Development and Analysis of Speech Recognition Systems for Assamese Language Using HTK

Language analysis is very important for the native speaker to connect with the digital world. Assamese is a relatively unexplored language. In this report, we analyze different aspects of speech-to-text processing, starting from building a speech corpus, defining syllable rules, and finally developing a speech search engine of Assamese. We have collected about 20 hours of speech in three (viz., read, extempore, and conversation) modes and transcribed it. We also discuss some issues and challenges faced during development of the corpus. We have developed an automatic syllabification model with 11 rules for the Assamese language and found an accuracy of more than 95% in our result. We found 12 different syllable patterns where 5 are found most frequent. The maximum length of a syllable found is four letters. With the help of Hidden Markov Model Toolkit (HTK) 3.5, we used deep learning based neural network for our speech recognition model, where we obtained 78.05% accuracy for automatic transcription of Assamese speech.
Prostate Cancer Detection in Older Men with and without Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Population‐Based Study

1. Patterson C, Crescenzi C, Steel K. Hospital use by extremely elderly (nonagenarians): A two year study. J Am Geriatr Soc 1984;32:350–352. 2. Formiga F, López-Soto A, Sacanella E et al. Valoración de la capacidad funcional después de un ingreso hospitalario en pacientes nonagenarios. Med Clin (Barc) 2000;115:695–696. 3. Sager MA, Franke T, Inouye SK et al. Functional outcomes of acute medical illness and hospitalization in older persons. Arch Intern Med 1996;156:645– 652. 4. Narain P, Rubinstein LZ, Wieland GD et al. Predictors of immediate and 6month outcomes in hospitalized elderly patients. The importance of functional status. J Am Geriatr Soc 1988;36:775–783. 5. Creditor MC. Hazards of hospitalization of the elderly. Ann Intern Med 1993;118:219–223. 6. Mahoney FI, Barthel DW. Functional evaluation: The Barthel Index. A simple index of independence useful in scoring improvement in the rehabilitation of the chronically ill. Md State Med J 1965;14:61–65. 7. Charlson ME, Pompei P, Ales KL et al. A new method of classifying prognostic comorbidity in longitudinal studies: Development and validation. J Chronic Dis 1987;40:378–383. 8. Von Strauss E, Pratiglioni L, Viitanen M et al. Morbidity and comorbidity in relation to functional status: A community-based study of the oldest old (90 years). J Am Geriatr Soc 2000;48:1462–1469. 9. Wu AW, Yasui Y, Alzoa C et al. Predicting functional status outcomes in hospitalized patients aged 80 years and older. J Am Geriatr Soc 2000;48:S6–S15. 10. Formiga F, Lopez-Soto A, Sacanella E et al. Mortality and morbidity in nonagenarian patients following hip fracture surgery. Gerontology 2003;49: 41–45.
Influence of Methylphenidate on the Frequency of Stuttering

Background: Recently, a case report described a decrease in frequency of stuttering after intake of methylphenidate (MPH). Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate if this effect could again be reproduced in a population of young healthy male adult persons with developmental stuttering. Methods: A double-blind randomized crossover trial, with a 2-week washout period, including 15 Dutch-speaking young healthy persons with developmental stuttering, assessed the effects of a single dose of 20 mg MPH compared with placebo on stuttering. Dependent and 1-sample t tests were used to detect significant differences. The end point was the number of stutter moments and self-perceived improvement. Results: MPH yielded a significant decrease in the number of stutter moments when reading and speaking (P = 0.002), which was not the case with placebo (P = 0.090). There was a significant improvement from baseline after intake of MPH as compared with placebo (P = 0.003). Self-perceived improvement with MPH was not significantly better as compared with placebo (P = 0.28). Conclusions: This study showed that the participants had an objective statistically significant decrease in the frequency of stuttering with MPH, and this was not the case with placebo. This was also the case for a reduction in stutter moments when reading out loud and speaking spontaneously. However, this result was not subjectively perceived by the participants.
rac-Methyl 2-(2-formyl-4-nitrophenoxy)hexanoate

In the racemic title compound, C14H17NO6, the plane of the ester group of the methyl hexanoate side chain makes a dihedral angle of 80.0 (2)° with the benzene ring, while the nitro group is approximately coplanar with the benzene ring [dihedral angle = 10.3 (2)°]. In the crystal, molecules form weak aromatic C—H⋯Onitro hydrogen-bonding interactions, giving inversion dimers [graph set R 2 2(8)].
Studies on the inhibitory mechanism of iodonium compounds with special reference to neutrophil NADPH oxidase.

Diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and its analogues have been previously shown to react via a radical mechanism whereby an electron is abstracted from a nucleophile to form a radical, which then adds back to the nucleophile to form covalent adducts [Banks (1966) Chem. Rev. 66, 243-266]. We propose that the inhibition of neutrophil NADPH oxidase by DPI occurs via a similar mechanism. A reduced redox centre in the oxidase could serve as electron donor to DPI, and inhibition would occur after direct phenylation of the redox cofactor, or of adjacent amino acid groups by the DPI radical. In the absence of an activatory stimulus, human neutrophil NADPH-oxidase was not inhibited by DPI. The Ki for time-dependent inhibition by DPI of human neutrophil membrane NADPH oxidase was found to be 5.6 microM. Inhibitory potency of DPI was shown to be directly related to rate of enzyme turnover, indicating the need for a reduced redox centre. Adducts were formed between photoreduced flavin (FAD or FMN) and inhibitor (DPI or diphenyliodonium). These were separated by h.p.l.c. and characterized by absorbance spectroscopy, 1H-n.m. r. and fast-atom-bombardment m.s. and found to have properties consistent with substituted 4a,5-dihydroflavins. After incubation of pig neutrophil membranes with DPI, the quantity of recoverable intact flavin was greatly diminished when NADPH was present to initiate oxidase turnover, indicating that the flavin may be the site of DPI activation. These results may provide a common mechanism of action for iodonium compounds as inhibitors of other flavoenzymes.
Revealing and dealing with the “messy stuff”: the role of needs assessment in identifying, negotiating and planning for complex district learning needs

ii Acknowledgements.iii List of Tables.x List of Figures.xi CHAPTER1: INTRODUCTION.1 Viewing Complex Interactions through Systems Thinking.5 Needs Assessment: The Neglected Part of Planning.10 A Systems Framework for Viewing the Needs Assessment Process.12 Negotiating Complexity in Evaluation and Program Planning.14 Statement of the Problem.18 Purpose of the Study.20 Context of the Study.21 Limitations of the Study.24 Overview of this Dissertation.25 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.27 Search Criteria and Makeup of Literature.28 Synthesis of the Literature.32 Origins of Systems Thinking.33 Systems Thinking in Organizations.37 Multiple Systems Approaches.39 Evolution of Systems Thinking.41 Needs Assessment.46 Complexities of Defining Needs.48 Needs Assessment Models.51 Methods of Identifying Needs.55 Data Collection Tools . 60 Program Planning.63 Situating the Study.72 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY.74 Participants.77 Data Collection Procedures.78 Data Analysis Procedures.83 Limitations of the Study.87 Credibility.88 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS.91 Preface.92 Prologue.98 District mission, vision, and strategic PD goal.101 Organizational systems and structures.103 Evaluator characteristics.104 Other contextual factors.105 Scene One: Focusing the Evaluation.107 Walter, Assistant Superintendent.108 Dr. Gwendolyn, University Professor.110 Objectives and Key Questions.112
Swapping Functional Specificity of a MADS Box Protein: Residues Required for Arg80 Regulation of Arginine Metabolism

ABSTRACT Arg80 and Mcm1, two members of the MADS box family of DNA-binding proteins, regulate the metabolism of arginine in association with Arg81, the arginine sensor. In spite of the high degree of sequence conservation between the MADS box domains of the Arg80 and Mcm1 proteins (56 of 81 amino acids), these domains are not interchangeable. To determine which amino acids define the specificity of Arg80, we swapped the amino acids in each secondary-structure element of the Arg80 MADS box domain with the corresponding amino acids of Mcm1 and assayed the ability of these chimeras to regulate arginine-metabolic genes in place of the wild-type Arg80. Also performed was the converse experiment in which each variant residue in the Mcm1 MADS box domain was swapped with the corresponding residue of Arg80 in the context of an Arg80-Mcm1 fusion protein. We show that multiple regions of Arg80 are important for its function. Interestingly, the residues which have important roles in determining the specificity of Arg80 are not those which could contact the DNA but are residues that are likely to be involved in protein interactions. Many of these residues are clustered on one side of the protein, which could serve as an interface for interaction with Arg81 or Mcm1. This interface is distinct from the region used by the Mcm1 and human serum response factor MADS box proteins to interact with their cofactors. It is possible that this alternative interface is used by other MADS box proteins to interact with their cofactors.
Nuclear and Neuropil Aggregates in Huntington’s Disease: Relationship to Neuropathology

The data we report in this study concern the types, location, numbers, forms, and composition of microscopic huntingtin aggregates in brain tissues from humans with different grades of Huntington’s disease (HD). We have developed a fusion protein antibody against the first 256 amino acids that preferentially recognizes aggregated huntingtin and labels many more aggregates in neuronal nuclei, perikarya, and processes in human brain than have been described previously. Using this antibody and human brain tissue ranging from presymptomatic to grade 4, we have compared the numbers and locations of nuclear and neuropil aggregates with the known patterns of neuronal death in HD. We show that neuropil aggregates are much more common than nuclear aggregates and can be present in large numbers before the onset of clinical symptoms. There are also many more aggregates in cortex than in striatum, where they are actually uncommon. Although the striatum is the most affected region in HD, only 1–4% of striatal neurons in all grades of HD have nuclear aggregates. Neuropil aggregates, which we have identified by electron microscopy to occur in dendrites and dendritic spines, could play a role in the known dendritic pathology that occurs in HD. Aggregates increase in size in advanced grades, suggesting that they may persist in neurons that are more likely to survive. Ubiquitination is apparent in only a subset of aggregates, suggesting that ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of aggregates may be late or variable.
Vocalization frequency as a prognostic marker of language development following early cochlear implantation

Despite their potential significance for later linguistic outcomes, early aspects of vocalization had been seriously undervalued in the past, and thus, minimally investigated until relatively recently. The present article sets out to critically examine existing evidence to: i) ascertain whether vocalization frequency (volubility) posits a plausible marker of cochlear implantation success in infancy, and ii) determine the clinical usefulness of post-implementation vocalization frequency data in predicting later language development. Only recent peer-reviewed articles with substantial impact on vocalization growth during the first year of life, examining sound production characteristics of normally hearing (NH) and hearing impaired infants fitted with cochlear implantation (CI) were mentioned. Recorded differences in linguistic performance among NH and CI infants are typically attributed to auditory deprivation. Infants who have undergone late CI, produce fewer syllables (low volubility) and exhibit late-onset babbling, especially those who received their CIs at the age of 12 months or thereafter. Contrarily, early recipients (before the 12-month of age) exhibit higher volubility (more vocalizations), triggered from CI-initiated auditory feedback. In other words, early CI provides infants with early auditory access to speech sounds, leading to advanced forms of babbling and increased post-implementation vocalization frequency. Current findings suggest vocalization frequency as a plausible criterion of the success of early CI. It is argued that vocalization frequency predicts language development and affects habilitation therapy.
Hysteresis Modeling in Transient Analysis of Electric Motors With AlNiCo Magnets

Electric motors fabricated with aluminum-nickel-cobalt (AlNiCo) permanent magnets (PMs) can be operated over a wide speed range, as the strong nonlinear demagnetization characteristics of AlNiCo allow effective and efficient airgap flux control. This paper presents a linear hysteresis model which is derived from the Preisach model for AlNiCo PMs, to be incorporated into the time-stepping finite element method to study the motor performance, especially transient performance, accurately and effectively. The proposed method can significantly reduce the computing time without scarifying the accuracy of the Preisach model. The validity and accuracy of the proposed method are verified by both simulation and experimentation.