Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recovery, responsiveness and interpretability of patient-reported outcome measures after surgery for Dupuytren’s disease

This prospective cohort study investigated the responsiveness and interpretability of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Unité Rhumatologique des Affections de la Main (URAM) outcome measures for assessing recovery after fasciectomy and dermofasciectomy for Dupuytren’s disease. DASH outcome scores at 1 year were significantly better than at 6 weeks, suggesting that recovery is not complete by 6 weeks. Of the 101 patients recruited to the DASH cohort, 71 completed preoperative, 6 week and 1 year postoperative DASH scores; 68 of them completed preoperative and 1 year postoperative DASH scores and an external anchor question. In the URAM cohort, 30/44 completed the preoperative and the 1 year postoperative URAM scores and the anchor question. The DASH score exhibited moderate responsiveness but poor interpretability on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, such that a minimal important change could not be estimated. The URAM score showed acceptable responsiveness, and an MIC of 10.5 on receiver operating characteristic analysis. Level of evidence: II
An Overview of the Impact of National Culture on the Adoption of Mobile Commerce

The predictions that mobile technologies would greatly benefit both firms and individuals have now come under increasing scrutiny. Some of the authors suggest that the industry must move beyond “nice-to-have” services and devise new “must-have” services that positively affect people’s lives (Jarvenpaa, et al. 2003). Others believe that mobile commerce is facing many obstacles as an emerging market, this is particularly so in some countries such as United States (Venkatesh et al, 2003). This study provides a brief overview of the literature on the impact of national culture on the adoption of mobile commerce. The study focuses on Singapore, Japan, UK and Germany.
Unsynchronized translational and rotational diffusion of nanocargo on a living cell membrane.

A robust high-speed and high-precision single nanoparticle translational and rotational tracking method has been developed to directly monitor the interactions between transferrin-modified nanocargos (gold nanorods) and the membrane proteins prior to endocytosis. This approach shows that the translational and rotational diffusions of nanocargos on living cell membranes are unsynchronized in space and in time.
Incorporating organelle correlations into semi-supervised learning for protein subcellular localization prediction

MOTIVATION Bioimages of subcellular protein distribution as a new data source have attracted much attention in the field of automated prediction of proteins subcellular localization. Performance of existing systems is significantly limited by the small number of high-quality images with explicit annotations, resulting in the small sample size learning problem. This limitation is more serious for the multi-location proteins that co-exist at two or more organelles, because it is difficult to accurately annotate those proteins by biological experiments or automated systems. RESULTS In this study, we designed a new protein subcellular localization prediction pipeline aiming to deal with the small sample size learning and multi-location proteins annotation problems. Five semi-supervised algorithms that can make use of lower-quality data were integrated, and a new multi-label classification approach by incorporating the correlations among different organelles in cells was proposed. The organelle correlations were modeled by the Bayesian network, and the topology of the correlation graph was used to guide the order of binary classifiers training in the multi-label classification to reflect the label dependence relationship. The proposed protocol was applied on both immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence images, and our experimental results demonstrated its efficiency. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The datasets and code are available at: www.csbio. sjtu.edu. cn/bioinf/CorrASemiB CONTACT: hbshen@sjtu.edu. cn SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Fingerprint-Based Near-Duplicate Document Detection with Applications to SNS Spam Detection

Social networking has been used widely by millions of people over the world. It has become the most popular way for people who want to connect and interact online with their friends. Currently, there are many social networking sites, for instance, Facebook, My Space, and Twitter, with a huge number of active users. Therefore, they are also good places for spammers or cheaters who want to steal the personal information of users or advertise their products. Recently, many proposed methods are applied to detect spam comments on social networks with different techniques. In this paper, we propose a similarity-based method that combines fingerprinting technique with trie-tree data structure and meet-in-the-middle approach in order to achieve a higher accuracy in spam comments detection. Using our proposed approach, we are able to detect around 98% spam comments in our dataset.
Increasing Student Practical Experience with the Hurdle of Large Class Sizes

Many students entering Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering (MME) at the University of Waterloo (UWaterloo) have limited hands-on skills and lack practical technical knowledge. Student surveys cite a desire for increased practical experience within the curriculum. This paper presents an initiative to address this issue. A keychain project was designed to involve all first year MME students in a practical (hands-on) activity that would foster competence with machinery. This objective proved difficult to implement due to large student enrollment, where scheduling, supervision, and resources were all significant challenges. However, as a result of this experience, over 400 engineering students were provided early exposure to the Student Machine Shop, creating a desire and confidence to pursue additional experience. This program is expected to continue at UWaterloo and become a component of a wider engineering clinic initiative. The methodology and key takeaways will be discussed herein.
Ontology-Driven Relation Extraction by Pattern Discovery

With this paper we describe an ontology-driven system that performs relation extraction over textual data. The system exploits expert knowledge of the domain, including lexical resources, in the form of an ontology to drive the extraction of patterns using manually annotated texts. Such patterns are then applied in order to identify candidates for relation extraction. Paired with basic, reliable named-entity-level text annotation, this results in the discovery of relations among entities in Italian newspaper articles. In the paper, we describe the system and measure its performance.
A new formulation of fast diminished-one multioperand modulo 2/sup n/+1 adder

We introduce a new concept of composite carry-save adders with complementary end-around carry (CCSA with CEAC) to model the multioperand modulo 2/sup n/+1 adder. The CCSA with CEAC is a combination of CSA with EAC and a constant residue counter, where the latter is used to account for the intrinsic residues generated by the diminished-one modulo 2/sup n/+1 additions at various levels of the multioperand modulo adder (MOMA). With the proposed reduction rules, we prove that the companion residue counter tree can be eliminated. The resultant architecture is a universal structure for the diminished-one multioperand modulo 2/sup n/+1 adder, consisting of only a CSA with CEAC tree and a 2-input diminished-one adder. The latter can be implemented by any of the efficient solutions reported in the literature, which make the proposed structure operates as fast as the high-speed modulo 2/sup n/-1 MOMA.
Increasing the bandwidth of patch antennas

A wideband (23.3%) microstrip patch antenna is designed and simulated. Radiating elements are symmetric and non-symmetrically distributed slits around the outer sections of the patch antenna. Design steps and the various trials on the geometry of the patch are explained in detail and presented in figures. Excitation is a single probe feed. The antenna can be used for 3G Wireless Networks in UMTS Band and IEEE S-band.
Novel Multi-Service Datacasting Scheme over DTMB System

To efficiently accommodate the terrestrial broadcasting service and the mobile service within the same spectrum over Chinese Digital Television Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcasting (DTMB) system, a novel multi-service datacasting scheme in a backward compatible manner is proposed in this paper. In this scheme, an equivalent QAM (E-QAM) mapping method is adopted for mobile services. Moreover, to reduce the impact of the larger peak to average power ratio (PAPR)caused by the E-QAM, a random constellation extension (RCE)technique is further proposed. Both theoretical analysis and computer simulation show that this scheme not only supports the normal reception of the traditional terrestrial broadcasting service in DTMB receivers, but also provides better mobile reception performance at acceptable spectral efficiency penalty.
Vibrio cholerae Classical Biotype Strains Reveal Distinct Signatures in Mexico

ABSTRACT Vibrio cholerae O1 classical (CL) biotype caused the fifth and sixth pandemics, and probably the earlier cholera pandemics, before the El Tor (ET) biotype initiated the seventh pandemic in Asia in the 1970s by completely displacing the CL biotype. Although the CL biotype was thought to be extinct in Asia and although it had never been reported from Latin America, V. cholerae CL and ET biotypes, including a hybrid ET, were found associated with areas of cholera endemicity in Mexico between 1991 and 1997. In this study, CL biotype strains isolated from areas of cholera endemicity in Mexico between 1983 and 1997 were characterized in terms of major phenotypic and genetic traits and compared with CL biotype strains isolated in Bangladesh between 1962 and 1989. According to sero- and biotyping data, all V. cholerae strains tested had the major phenotypic and genotypic characteristics specific for the CL biotype. Antibiograms revealed the majority of the Bangladeshi strains to be resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, furazolidone, ampicillin, and gentamicin, while the Mexican strains were sensitive to all of these drugs, as well as to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and tetracycline. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of NotI-digested genomic DNA revealed characteristic banding patterns for all of the CL biotype strains although the Mexican strains differed from the Bangladeshi strains in 1 to 2 DNA bands. The difference was subtle but consistent, as confirmed by the subclustering patterns in the PFGE-based dendrogram, and can serve as a regional signature, suggesting the pre-1991 existence and evolution of the CL biotype strains in the Americas, independent from Asia.
On the Splitting Trick and Wavelet Frame Packets

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the "splitting trick" which splits, for example, the half-shifts of a function into the shifts of two functions. When a Riesz basis of a shift-invariant subspace is split, the optimal bounds of the resulting Riesz basis are obtained. Most importantly, by the splitting trick we built wavelet frame packets as orthogonal wavelet packets constructed by Coifman and Meyer. Their algorithms for finding best basis for a function also apply to our setting.
A subband approach to time-scale expansion of complex acoustic signals

A new approach to time-scale expansion of short-duration complex acoustic signals is introduced. Using a subband signal representation, channel phases are selected to preserve a desired time-scaled temporal envelope. The phase representation is derived from locations of events that occur within filter bank outputs. A frame-based generalization of the method imposes phase consistency across consecutive synthesis frames. The method is applied to synthetic and actual complex acoustic signals consisting of closely spaced rapidly damped sine waves. Time-frequency resolution limitations are discussed.
A 1-V, 1-MS/s, 88-dB sigma-delta modulator in 0.13-/spl mu/m digital CMOS technology

A low-voltage switched-capacitor fourth-order /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ modulator using full feed-forward is introduced. It has two advantages: the unity signal transfer function and reduced signal swings inside the /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ loop. These features greatly relax the DC gain and output swing requirements for OTAs in the deep submicron CMOS /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ modulator. With careful signal scaling, signal swings inside the loop can be suppressed to less than 50% of the reference voltage, which is highly desirable by low-voltage designs. Implemented by a 0.13-/spl mu/m pure digital CMOS technology, the /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ modulator achieves 1-MS/s conversion speed and 88-dB DR with 7.4-mW power dissipation under 1.0-V power supply voltage.
Function evaluation by table look-up and addition

We describe a general approach decomposing a function into a sum of functions, each with a smaller input site than the original. Hence we can map such functions with essentially the same precision using small ROM tables and adders. We derive an easy method to compute the worst case error for many elementary functions and an error bound for the rest. Important applications are reciprocals, logarithms, exponentials and others. <<ETX>>
Analysis of Inverter-Voltage Influence on Distributed MPPT Architecture Performance

More and more distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) architectures, based on a dc-dc converter for every single photovoltaic (PV) panel, are being released and launched to the market as an alternative to traditional MPPT configurations. Ideally, they can solve any mismatching problem, but actually, this is not always feasible. This paper analyzes the static performance of this kind of architectures in order to determine the key factors to bear in mind in the design of the system. Above all, this paper points out the inverter-voltage influence on the overall performance of the PV system.
Study on phase shifted fiber Bragg grating spatial sensing properties to ultrasonic wave at arbitrary excitation angle

Taking into account the birefringence effect, the sensing models of phase shifted fiber Bragg grating (PS-FBG) under ultrasonic wave from arbitrary excitation angle were established, and its reflection spectrums were analyzed by simulation based on the transfer matrix principle. Under the excitation of transverse ultrasound, the PS-FBG sharp dip was split into two peaks due to birefringence, the split point spacing increased with the transverse force; under the effect of the ultrasonic wave from random angle, the PS-FBG signal intensity and the ultrasonic excitation angle presented a Cosine curve with two peaks in the middle. Finally, the relevant conclusions were verified by experiments and 12.11MHz ultrasonic wave was obtained by PS-FBG.
Adaptive fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm for a radial basis function network

This paper presents a new recursive hybrid algorithm for training a radial basis function (RBF) network. The algorithm consists of a proposed clustering algorithm to position the RBF centres and the Givens least-squares algorithm to estimate the weights. This paper begins with a discussion about the problems of clustering in positioning RBF centres. Then a new clustering algorithm called adaptive fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm is proposed to reduce the problems. The capability of the proposed algorithm was tested to model three data sets: one simulated and two real data sets. It was found that the algorithm provided good performance. The performance of the algorithm was then compared with adaptive k-means, non-adaptive k-means and non-adaptive fuzzy cmeans clustering algorithms. Overall performance of the RBF network that used the proposed clustering algorithm was found to be much better than those that used other clustering algorithms. Simulation results also revealed that the algorithm was not sensitive to initial centres.
Autoradiographic and SPECT imaging of cerebral opioid receptors with an iodine‐123 labeled analogue of diprenorphine

The feasibility of imaging cerebral opioid receptors by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has been established in baboon using a novel analog of diprenorphine (DPN) radiolabeled with iodine‐123. The radioligand, [123I]‐O‐IA‐DPN (C6‐O‐[123I]iodoallyl‐DPN), was prepared in good yield (80%) with high radiochemical purity (>97%) and high specific radioactivity (>2,400 mCi/μmol). In ex vivo autoradiographic studies, with and without naltrexone blockade, [123I]‐O‐IA‐DPN specifically labeled opioid receptors throughout the mouse brain. Nonmetabolized radioligand accounted for >90% of the signal observed in extracts of whole mouse brain. SPECT imaging trials showed that [123I]‐O‐IA‐DPN selectively localized in regions of baboon brain known to have high densities of opioid receptors, such as striatum, thalamus, and temporal cortex. A much lower level of radioligand uptake and retention was noted for cerebellum, a region with few opioid binding sites. Pretreatment with naltrexone (6.5 μmol/kg) blocked [123I]‐O‐IA‐DPN binding in all brain regions. Using naltrexone blockade to define the nonspecific component for a given region of interest, total to nonspecific binding ratios increased linearly (r ≥ 0.98) over the SPECT study with maximal values for striatum (9.8), thalamus (7.1), and temporal cortex (6.9) reached at the last time point investigated (3.5 h). Specific binding for these regions, assessed as the difference between regional SPECT activity for the control and blocked states, proved irreversible over the observation period. By the end of the time course, specific [123I]‐O‐IA‐DPN binding was >85% of total radioactivity in regions rich in opioid receptors and 62% of total radioactivity in cerebellum. The aggregate data are consistent with visualization of multiple opioid receptor types. Thus, [123I]‐O‐IA‐DPN should prove useful for SPECT studies within the constraints imposed by a lack of innate selectivity for a single type of brain opioid receptor. Synapse 29:172–182, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phylogenetic Diversity Analysis of Subterranean Hot Springs in Iceland

ABSTRACT Geothermal energy has been harnessed and used for domestic heating in Iceland. In wells that are typically drilled to a depth of 1,500 to 2,000 m, the temperature of the source water is 50 to 130°C. The bottoms of the boreholes can therefore be regarded as subterranean hot springs and provide a unique opportunity to study the subterranean biosphere. Large volumes of geothermal fluid from five wells and a mixture of geothermal water from 50 geothermal wells (hot tap water) were sampled and concentrated through a 0.2-μm-pore-size filter. Cells were observed in wells RG-39 (91.4°C) and MG-18 (71.8°C) and in hot tap water (76°C), but no cells were detected in wells SN-4, SN-5 (95 to 117°C), and RV-5 (130°C). Archaea and Bacteria were detected by whole-cell fluorescent in situ hybridization. DNAs were extracted from the biomass, and small-subunit rRNA genes (16S rDNAs) were amplified by PCR using primers specific for the Archaea andBacteria domains. The PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The sequence analysis showed 11 new operational taxonomic units (OTUs) out of 14, 3 of which were affiliated with known surface OTUs. Samples from RG-39 and hot tap water were inoculated into enrichment media and incubated at 65 and 85°C. Growth was observed only in media based on geothermal water. 16S rDNA analysis showed enrichments dominated with Desulfurococcales relatives. Two strains belonging to Desulfurococcus mobilis and to theThermus/Deinococcus group were isolated from borehole RG-39. The results indicate that subsurface volcanic zones are an environment that provides a rich subsurface for novel thermophiles.
A Paradigm Shift in Classical Archaeology?

This article, a revised version of the 13th McDonald Lecture given on 21 November 2001, sets the recent and partial transformation in the content and practice of Classical archaeological against the background of Kuhn's well-known work, first published in 1962, on paradigm and revolution in the scientific disciplines. Perhaps the most important question in this context — how would we know when a change in paradigm had taken place? — is harder to answer for a humanities discipline than for a science. But the attempt is made, first to set out a traditional paradigm for the subject; then to give examples of new approaches which seem to satisfy many of Kuhn's criteria for the introduction of a new paradigm; and, more briefly, to show that other approaches, innovatory though they may be, by their nature cannot bring about such a change. Whether a true paradigm shift has been set in motion, the future alone will show.
Electronic textiles for in situ biomechanical measurements

Abstract : This paper describes the benefits of and issues in designing and building an integrated body-worn electronic textile (e-textile) system capable of assessing a suite of biomechanical measures. Unlike laboratory-based systems this system would be worn by a soldier and could be used in a range of environmental conditions. A prototype e-textile developed at Virginia Tech has already shown promising results in de area of gait analysis.
Encuesta por muestreo aleatorio de farmacorresistencia inicial en casos de tuberculosis en América Latina

A randm sample survey of initial drug resistance among tuberculosis cases in Latin America A random sample survey of initial drug resistance among cases of tuberculosis in Latin America was carried out during the second haIf of the 1980s and the early 1990s. A total of 948 cultures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from patients presumed never before to have been treated for tuberculosis were coIlected from 30 randomly selected clusters in Latin America and tested for resistante to isoniazid, streptomycin, rifampicin, ethambutol, and thioacetazone. Initial drug resistance, akhough unevenly distributed, was detected in all the clusters tested and characterized one out of every six tuberculosis cases. Both single and multiple resistance to streptomycin and to isoniazid were the most prevalent forms throughout the region but were not sufficiently frequent to jeopardize significantly the outcome of short-course chemotherapy. However, localized pockets of high drug resistance occurred throughout the region and are cause for concem, especiaUy in the case of rifampicin.