Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Critical appraisal of the estimation of body composition via two‐, three‐, and four‐compartment models

This review explores the robustness of the assumptions underpinning the two‐ (fat mass [FM], fat‐free mass [FFM]), three‐ (FM; total body water [TBW], fat free dry solid), and four‐ (FM; TBW; bone mineral [BM], residual) compartment models of body composition. The measurement of body density (BD) via underwater weighing (UWW) and TBW via isotopic dilution are the two most frequently used two‐compartment techniques. The former assumes that the FM and FFM have densities of 0.9007 g/cm3 and 1.1000 g/cm3, respectively, while the latter uses a FFM hydration constant. Although both techniques can estimate body composition precisely (technical error of measurement [TEM]: UWW = 0.4 %BF; TBW = 0.6 %BF), the validity of these estimates is adversely affected by biological variability in the assumed percentages for the FFM components (TBW = 73.72%; protein = 19.41%; BM = 5.63%; non‐BM = 1.24%). The three‐compartment model, which incorporates measures of BD and TBW, greatly increases validity by removing errors relating to variability in TBW, which comprises the largest percentage of the FFM and is furthermore acutely variable. The four‐compartment model marginally improves on the three‐compartment model by additionally controlling for BM, which displays less variability than the TBW component of the FFM. The three‐ and four‐compartment models therefore provide more valid estimates of body composition than the two‐compartment model, and this increased accuracy is not offset by propagation of errors (TEM = 0.7 %BF for both models) from the combinations of multiple measurements (BD, TBW, BM). Am. J. Hum. Biol. 11:175–185, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Time and regime dependence of foreign exchange exposure: Working paper series--10-11

In this paper, we extend Francis, Hasan, and Hunter (2008) and Stacks and Wei (2005) by simultaneously taking into account the time and the regime dependence of foreign exchange exposure in a reduced-form framework. Specifically, we use a random coefficient model and the quantile regression technique invented by Koenker and Bassett (1978) to examine the currency exposure of 30 US industry portfolios. We find that all 30 industry portfolios exhibit significant foreign exchange exposure. Therefore, our results support Francis, Hasan, and Hunter (2008) and Stacks and Wei (2005), and suggest that the methodological weakness, not hedging, explains the insignificance of currency risk in previous studies.
Efficacy, safety and tolerability of rasagiline as adjunctive therapy in elderly patients with Parkinson’s disease

Background: Rasagiline, an MAO‐B inhibitor, is indicated for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this post hoc analysis, the efficacy, safety and tolerability of rasagiline as an adjunct to levodopa were compared with placebo in elderly (≥70 years) and younger (<70 years) patients with PD.
ASR systems in Noisy Environment : Analysis and Solutions for Increasing Noise Robustness

This paper deals with the analysis of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) suitable for usage within noisy environment and suggests optimum configuration under various noisy conditions. The behavior of standard parameterization techniques was analyzed from the viewpoint of robustness against background noise. It was done for Melfrequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC), Perceptual linear predictive (PLP) coefficients, and their modified forms combining main blocks of PLP and MFCC. The second part is devoted to the analysis and contribution of modified techniques containing frequency-domain noise suppression and voice activity detection. The above-mentioned techniques were tested with signals in real noisy environment within Czech digit recognition task and AURORA databases. Finally, the contribution of special VAD selective training and MLLR adaptation of acoustic models were studied for various signal features.
An RCT comparing patient-centred outcome variables of guided surgery (bone or mucosa supported) with conventional implant placement.

AIM To assess in a randomized study the patient-centred outcome of two guided surgery systems (mucosa or bone supported) compared to conventional implant placement, in fully edentulous patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-nine patients (72 jaws) with edentulous maxillas and/ or mandibles, were consecutively recruited and randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups. Outcome measures were the Dutch version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ-DLV), the Health-related quality of life instrument (HRQOL), visual analogue scales (VAS), the duration of the procedure, and the analgesic doses taken each day. RESULTS Three hundred and fourteen implants were placed successfully. No statistical differences could be shown between treatment groups on pain response (MPQ-DLV), treatment perception (VAS) or number or kind of pain killers. For the HRQOLI-instrument, a significant difference was found between the Materialise Mucosa and Materialise Bone group at day 1 (p = 0.02) and day 2 (p = 0.01). For the duration of the surgery, a statistical difference (p = 0.005) was found between the Materialise mucosa and the Mental group, in favour of the first. CONCLUSION In this study little difference could be found in the patient outcome variables of the different treatment groups. However there was a tendency for patients treated with conventional flapped implant placement to experience the pain for a longer period of time.
Statistical Analysis of Massive AIS Trajectories Using Gaussian Mixture Models

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is an automatic tracking system which has been widely applied in the fields of intelligent transportation systems, e.g., collision avoidance, navigation, maritime supervision and management. Compare with other positioning systems, e.g., very high frequency (VHF) and radar, AIS can conquer the human errors and it is almost not affected by the external environment. To make better use of the AIS data, it is necessary to statistically analyze the massive AIS trajectories. The statistical results could make us better understand the potential properties of AIS trajectories. It is well known that most current practical applications are strongly dependent on the geometrical structures of AIS trajectories. In this paper, a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) is introduced to investigate the longitude and latitude differences of AIS trajectory data. The parameters of GMM are estimated using the Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm. The experimental results have illustrated the superior performance of our proposed method.
The Effectiveness of Holistic Marketing and Word-of-Mouth Communication on Purchasing Decision at Pt Asuransi Central Asia Branch Office of Tiang Bendera West Jakarta

Holistic marketing is a marketing concept that defines an overall corporate entity. Word-of-mouth communication is one way to spread rumors. Word-of-mouth communication is also the most ancient marketing strategy that is still widely implemented until now. The objectives of this research are: 1) to determine the effect of holistic marketing on purchasing decision, 2) to determine the effect of word-of-mouth communication on purchasing decision, 3) to determine the effect of holistic and word-of-mouth communication on purchasing decision. This research applied quantitative data collection method which was carried out through questionnaire distribution and literature studies. Based on the testing results of hypothesis 1, the holistic marketing variable (X1) and purchasing decision (Y) do not have a significant correlation because the sig. value (p) = 0.000 < 0.01. Based on the testing results of hypothesis 2, word-of-mouth communication (X2) and purchasing decisions (Y) have a significant correlation because the sig. value (p) = 0.000 < 0.01. Based on the testing results of hypothesis 3, holistic marketing (X1) and word-of-mouth communication (X2) variables on the purchasing decision variable (Y) are simultaneously and significantly related. The contribution of holistic marketing and word-of-mouth communication variables on purchasing decision is 86.1% and the remaining 13.9% is affected by other variables.
Gaussian mixture model based moving object detection from video sequence

Usually, the video based moving object detection deal with non-stationary image stream that changes over time. Robust and Real time moving object tracking is a problematic issue in computer vision research area. We examine the difficulties of video based detection of object and step by step we analyze these issues. We had applied different approaches on video sequence and difficulties, which is faced in that is resolve through Gaussian Mixture model.
The development of facial identity discrimination through learned attention.

Learned attention models of perceptual discrimination predict that with age, sensitivity will increase for dimensions of stimuli useful for discrimination. We tested this prediction by examining the face dimensions 4- to 6-month-olds (n = 77), 9- to 12-month-olds (n = 66), and adults (n = 73) use for discriminating human, monkey, and sheep faces systematically varying in outer features (contour), inner features (eyes, mouth), or configuration (feature spacing). We controlled interindividual variability across species by varying faces within natural ranges and measured stimulus variability using computational image similarity. We found the most improvement with age in human face discrimination, and older participants discriminated more species and used more facial properties for discrimination, consistent with learned attention models. Older infants and adults discriminated human, monkey, and sheep faces; however, they used different facial properties for primates and sheep. Learned attention models may provide insight into the mechanisms underlying perceptual narrowing.
Seroprevalence of Seven Zoonotic Infections in Nunavik, Quebec (Canada)

In Nunavik, common practices and food habits such as consumption of raw meat and untreated water place the Inuit at risk for contracting zoonotic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of seven zoonotic infections among the permanent residents of Nunavik. The study was conducted in the fall 2004 as part of the Nunavik Health Survey. Blood samples from adults aged 18–74 years (n = 917) were collected and analysed for the presence of antibodies against Trichinella spp. , Toxocara canis, Echinococcus granulosus, Brucella spp. , Coxiella burnetii, Leptospira spp. and Francisella tularensis. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, traditional activities, drinking water supply and nutrition was gathered using english/inuktitut bilingual questionnaires. The chi‐squared test was used to evaluate associations between seropositivity and other measured variables. Statistically significant variables were included in a multivariate logistic regression model to control for confounding factors. Estimated seroprevalences were 8.3% for E. granulosus, 3.9% for T. canis, 5.9% for Leptospira spp. and 18.9% for F. tularensis. Seroprevalence was ≤1% for Trichinella spiralis, Brucella spp. and C. burnetii. For most infections, seropositivity tended to increase with age. In multivariate analyses, seroprevalence was positively (i.e. directly) associated with age and residence in the Ungava coast area for F. tularensis; age and residence in the Hudson coast area for T. canis; female gender, lower level of schooling and frequent cleaning of water reservoirs for E. granulosus. No risk factor for Leptospira spp. infection was identified. No associations were detected with regards to food habits or environmental exposures. A small but significant portion of the Nunavik population has serologic evidence of exposure to at least one of the pathogenic microorganisms investigated. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms for transmission of zoonotic infections and their potential reservoirs in Nunavik.
Modeling Trans-Pacific Transport using Hemispheric CMAQ during
April 2010: Part 1. Model Evaluation and Air Mass Characterization
for the Estimation of Stratospheric Intrusion on Tropospheric Ozone

Abstract. Trans-Pacific transport has been recognized as a potential source of air pollutants over the U.S.A. The state-of-the-science Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) Modeling System has recently been extended for hemispheric-scale modeling applications (referred to as H-CMAQ). In this study, H-CMAQ is applied to study the trans-Pacific transport during April 2010. The results will be presented in two continuous papers. In this part 1 paper, model evaluation for tropospheric ozone (O3) is presented. Observations at the surface, by ozonesondes and airplane, and by satellite across the northern hemisphere are used to evaluate the model performance for O3. H-CMAQ is able to capture surface and boundary layer (defined as surface to 750 hPa) O3 with a normalized mean bias (NMB) of −10 %; however, a systematic underestimation with an NMB up to −30 % is found in the free troposphere (defined as 750–250 hPa). The surface and aloft relative humidity (RH) showed a positive bias around NMB of +10 % or greater. In addition, a new air mass characterization method is developed to distinguish influences of stratosphere-troposphere transport (STT) from the effects of photochemistry on O3 levels. Potential vorticity (PV) is used to diagnose air masses of stratospheric origin and related to RH in order to characterize stratospheric air masses. The tropopause location is determined using a PV threshold value of 2.0 PVU (1 PVU = 10−6 m2 K kg−1 s−1). The constructed PV-RH relationship indicates that PV of 2.0 PVU generally corresponds to RHs of 30–40 %. The air mass characterization method is then developed based on the ratio of O3 and an inert tracer indicating stratospheric O3 to examine the importance of photochemistry, and the PV-RH relationship is used to determine stratospheric intrusions. Over the U.S.A. , STT impacts show large day-to-day variations, and STT impacts can either originate from the same air mass over the entire U.S.A. with an eastward movement, or stem from different air masses at different locations. The relationship between surface O3 mixing ratios and estimated stratospheric air masses in the troposphere show a negative slope, indicating that high surface O3 values are primarily affected by other factors (i.e., emissions), whereas this relationship shows an almost flat slope at elevated sites, indicating that STT has a near constant impact at elevated sites. Based on this newly established air mass characterization technique, this study can contribute to understand the role of STT, and also the implied importance of emissions leading to high surface O3. Further research focused on emissions is discussed in a subsequent part 2 paper.
Design and construction of a realistic digital brain phantom

After conception and implementation of any new medical image processing algorithm, validation is an important step to ensure that the procedure fulfils all requirements set forth at the initial design stage. Although the algorithm must be evaluated on real data, a comprehensive validation requires the additional use of simulated data since it is impossible to establish ground truth with in vivo data. Experiments with simulated data permit controlled evaluation over a wide range of conditions (e.g., different levels of noise, contrast, intensity artefacts, or geometric distortion). Such considerations have become increasingly important with the rapid growth of neuroimaging, i.e., computational analysis of brain structure and function using brain scanning methods such as positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Since simple objects such as ellipsoids or parallelepipedes do not reflect the complexity of natural brain anatomy, the authors present the design and creation of a realistic, high-resolution, digital, volumetric phantom of the human brain. This three-dimensional digital brain phantom is made up of ten volumetric data sets that define the spatial distribution for different tissues (e.g., grey matter, white matter, muscle, skin, etc.), where voxel intensity is proportional to the fraction of tissue within the voxel. The digital brain phantom can be used to simulate tomographic images of the head. Since the contribution of each tissue type to each voxel in the brain phantom is known, it can be used as the gold standard to test analysis algorithms such as classification procedures which seek to identify the tissue "type" of each image voxel. Furthermore, since the same anatomical phantom may be used to drive simulators for different modalities, it is the ideal tool to test intermodality registration algorithms. The brain phantom and simulated MR images have been made publicly available on the Internet (http://www.bic.mni.mcgill.ca/brainweb).
Research on Heat Stress of Rice in China : Progress and Prospect

There have been six times of severe heat damages happened to the mid-season rice in Yangtze River Valley (YRV), China during the past 50 years, with the latest one occurred in 2003. It was estimated that the involved acreage of rice in 2003 was about 3 million ha, with a loss of about 5.18 million rice grain yields. The serious heat stress situation in YRV might be closely correlated with the characteristic climatic environment of this area, as well as some hybrid rice cultivars commercialized here which showed likely more susceptible to heat stress. From 2003 on, heat stress of rice in YRV has gradually become a highlight issue in Chinese crop science. The current researches focus on,1) identifying on-farm micro-meteorological factors with heat stress; 2) the meteorological pattern for heat stress weather formation and its forecasting; 3) facilities and methods for germplasms and cultivars screening; 4) breeding-related researches; 5) cellular and biochemical processes underlining heat stress injury.
Heat Transfer and Entropy Generation Abilities of MWCNTs/GNPs Hybrid Nanofluids in Microtubes

Massive improvements in the thermophysical properties of nanofluids over conventional fluids have led to the rapid evolution of using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in the field of heat transfer. In this study, the heat transfer and entropy generation abilities of MWCNTs/GNPs hybrid nanofluids were explored. Experiments on forced convective flow through a brass microtube with 300 µm inner diameter and 0.27 m in length were performed under uniform heat flux. MWCNTs/GNPs hybrid nanofluids were developed by adding 0.035 wt. % GNPs to MWCNTs water-based nanofluids with mass fractions of 0.075–0.125 wt. %. The range of the Reynolds number in this experiment was maintained at Re = 200–500. Results showed that the conventional approach for predicting the heat transfer coefficient was applicable for microtubes. The heat transfer coefficient increased markedly with the use of MWCNTs and MWCNTs/GNPs nanofluids, with increased pressure dropping by 12.4%. Results further showed a reduction by 37.5% in the total entropy generation rate in microtubes for hybrid nanofluids. Overall, MWCNTs/GNPs hybrid nanofluids can be used as alternative fluids in cooling systems for thermal applications.
A first-order simulator to control dioxin emissions: NMCRC-ATMOS

Dioxins are highly toxic halogenated organic compounds formed as an unintentional by-product of many industrial processes involving chlorine and combustion. At the Negev Monte Carlo Research Center (NMCRC) and the Green Processes Center at the Shamoon College of Engineering (SCE), Israel, we have developed a code for the first-order estimation of dioxin emissions from waste incinerators and the subsequent atmospheric dispersion. The NMCRC-ATMOS (Atmospheric Evaluator) program will allow public planners and facility operators to estimate and predict the effect of current and potential waste incineration facilities on nearby population centres. This information can also be used by plant operators to decide whether to run the facilities at maximum capacity based on weather conditions. With the NMCRC-ATMOS tool, the user has the ability to easily establish location-based fallout from the average conditions (both facility and atmospheric) surrounding the waste incineration plant. This program currently focuses on dioxin emissions from waste incinerators, but can eventually be expanded to include other emission sources and atmospheric effects, as well as internet connectivity for real-time data acquisition. NMCRC-ATMOS is a Windows® program that has been tested on Windows XP Service Pack 2 with the . NET Framework 2.0 installed.
Interference Suppressing Receiver Technique for Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

Recent works on ad hoc network study have shown that achievable throughput can be made to scale linearly with the number of receive antennas even if the transmitter has a single antenna. In this paper, we propose a method pursuing robustness in ad hoc network system when the channel state information (CSI) of interferers is unavailable. The non-parametric linear minimum mean square error (MMSE) filter is exploited to achieve large fraction of the MMSE filter transmission capacity employing the perfect covariance matrix information. The key feature ingredient to make our approach effective is to exploit the autocorrelation of received signal, which obtains the covariance matrix information without transmission rate loss. From the numerical results, we show that the proposed scheme brings substantial transmission capacity gain over conventional MMSE filter using sample covariance matrix.
The investigation of shape factors in determining scour depth at culvert outlets

ABSTRACT Excessive scour at the culvert outlets is one of the main reasons for culvert failure. Many research have been proposed to investigate this phenomenon. However, no uniform equation can be found to predict the maximum scour depth in the literature. In the present study, a list of selected equations are tested and compared with experimental measurement. It is found that Valentin equation and Kerenyi equation can yield a good prediction for rectangular culverts. While Liriano and Azamathulla equation can provide better results for circular shape culverts. The impact of densimetric Froude Number (Fd) and flow shallowness (hd/R) on scour depth at culvert outlets is analyzed and presented. One empirical relationship is proposed to estimate the maximum scour depth by including shape factors. The proposed relationship is further tested using extra experimental data, and a good agreement has been noted.