Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incidence and clinical features of patients with peritoneal dialysis peritonitis complicated by bacteremia

Abstract The standard treatment of peritoneal dialysis peritonitis (PD peritonitis) is intraperitoneal antibiotic therapy. In patients with PD peritonitis complicated by bacteremia, intraperitoneal antibiotics combined with elective removal of the infected intraperitoneal catheter may be inadequate. We collected data of all patients with PD peritonitis admitted to Chi-Mei Medical Center during a 4-year period. We reviewed the medical records of the study cohort and collected their in-hospital details. Patients with positive blood culture results were assigned to the bacteremia group, whereas those with negative blood culture results were assigned to the peritonitis-only group. We discovered that 11.0% of patients with PD peritonitis had bacteremia complications, and immunocompromised comorbidities were more common in the bacteremia group than in the peritonitis-only group (66.7% vs 37.2%, P = .022). Additionally, the bacteremia group exhibited higher temperatures, greater respiratory rates, and lower serum sodium levels than the peritonitis-only group (temperature, 37.7 vs 37.2 °C, P = .014; respiratory rate, 19.1 vs 17.9 rate/min, P = .008; serum sodium level, 130.3 vs 132.7 mEq/L, P = .031). No mortality was found in patients with PD peritonitis complicated by bacteremia after intravenous and intraperitoneal antibiotic therapy. More than 1 in 10 patients with PD peritonitis was complicated by bacteremia, which resulted in extensive systemic derangements. Patients with immunocompromised comorbidities carried a higher risk of developing bacteremia, resulting in prolonged hospital stays. Combination of intraperitoneal and intravenous antibiotics therapies achieved fair prognoses in patients with PD peritonitis complicated by bacteremia.
Diet and Physical Activity of Korean Female Adolescents in Their Peer Networks

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the diet and physical activity behaviors of female adolescents and their friends within classroom-based peer networks in Korea. DESIGN Complete social network analysis was used to examine the influence of classroom-based peers on adolescents' diets and physical activity. Data were collected by self-report from 99 female adolescents in three classrooms. METHODS Diet and physical activity behaviors were measured using the Adolescent Food Habit Checklist, food frequency questions, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Female adolescents were asked to nominate close friends within their classroom. Descriptive statistics for diet and physical activity were generated; social network data were analyzed using social network analysis. FINDINGS Most participants were normal-weight, 18-year-old adolescents. Across three classrooms, adolescents' dietary behaviors were connected with those of their classroom-based peer networks; however, similar outcomes were not identified for physical activity. CONCLUSIONS Clusters of diet behaviors for Korean female adolescents were identified in classroom-based peer networks. Developing interventions based on these shared behaviors could be effective in improving these behaviors. Additional studies should explore potential barriers to physical activity for Korean female adolescents and their classroom-based peers. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The current study found that Korean female adolescents' dietary behaviors were associated with their peers'. Healthcare providers should consider involving peers when developing interventions to improve the diet of Korean female adolescents.
Application of PCA method to weather prediction task

A method of short-term weather forecasting based on artificial neural networks is presented. Each training sample consists of a date information combined with meteorological data from the last three days gathered at the meteorological station in Miami, USA. The prediction goal is the next day's temperature. Prediction system is built based on multilayer perceptron network trained with backpropagation algorithm with momentum. The average prediction error of the network on the test set equals 1.12/spl deg/C. The average percentage prediction error is equal to 5.72%. The results are very encouraging and provide a promise for further exploration of the issue. The so-called correlation ratio /spl delta/ between predicted and real changes (trends) is equal to 0.7136. Relatively high value of /spl delta/ additionally confirms good quality of presented results. Experimental results of application of the principal component analysis method at the stage of pre-processing of the input data are also presented. In that case the average prediction error and the average percentage prediction error are equal to 1.41/spl deg/C and 7.93%, respectively. In order to explain the reasons of the poorer results obtained with the PCA method a closer look at the principal components defined by the network is presented. Possible reasons of the PCA failure are pointed out.
Test course navette de 20 metres amb etapes d’un minut. Una idea original que fa 30 anys que dura

Als 30 anys de la seva publicacio, el test course navette de 20 m amb etapes d’un minut (20m-SRT) continua sent el test mes utilitzat mundialment, tant en les arees de salut, com en l’escolar i esportiva. Aixo es degut a la funcionalitat del mesurament, la validesa en un rang ampli d’edats i poblacions, la fiabilitat i la sensibilitat. Tanmateix, el motiu principal de la seva aplicabilitat es degut a la idea general de correr en un espai reduit de 20 m, sense que calgui utilitzar una pista d’atletisme. Aquest article te com a objectiu revisar els treballs d’investigacio mes rellevants del test de resistencia cardiorespiratoria (20m-SRT) publicats al llarg dels darrers 30 anys i la seva aplicabilitat en el camp.
A Survey on Key Distribution Schemes in Wireless Sensor Networks

in this paper, we propose the criteria and classifications of key management schemes in wireless sensor networks, and provide a survey on the key distribution management schemes including basic key pre-distribution schemes, polynomial based key distribution schemes, location based key distribution schemes and key management in hierarchy networks, and make a discuss and analysis of different key management schemes. Finally, we indicate the new research directions of key management schemes in wireless sensor networks. Keywords-Wireless Sensor Networks(WSNs); key management; Key Pre-distribution; security
Production of Podophyllotoxin by Plant Tissue Cultures of Juniperus virginiana

Plant tissue cultures are a potential source of secondary metabolites. However, their production, when compared with intact plants, is usually lower. Phenylalanine, a biogenetic precursor of podophyllotoxin, was used to stimulate podophyllotoxin production in callus and suspension cultures of Juniperus virginiana L. The best phenylalanine effect on podophyllotoxin production was manifested in three-years-old callus cultures after a 21-days application of a 10 mmol/L concentration. A podophyllotoxin content of 0.15 mg/g DW was determined, which was about 400% higher in comparison with the control. The maximum content (0.48 mg/g DW) in newly derived suspension cultures (the 4th passage) was induced by 14-days application of a 1 mmol/L concentration; this was about 243% higher than the control. In one-year-old suspension cultures the highest podophyllotoxin content (0.56 mg/g DW) was recorded also after 14-days application of a 1 mmol/L concentration; this was about 211% higher than in the control cultures.
Work and Timing of First Live Births in New Zealand

In this paper we have used data from a nationally representative sample survey of New Zealand women (N=2673) aged between 20 and 59 years. We employ life-table technique and proportional hazard modelling to assess the role of individual and group level variables in determining the timing of first live births. This study suggests that a woman's decision to work and to have children and when to have them are intimately linked. While the age at which women obtain their first job has not changed much over the generations the age of the mother when her first child was born has risen considerably over recent generations. The result has been a widening period of time between the first job and the first child (for both Maori and non-Maori). Our analysis suggests that the number of years a woman has worked is very closely associated with when she has her first child having worked increases the chances of having a child, but as the work experience lengthens so this chance declines.
Integrated Analysis of Longitudinal Tumor Burden Data

The first part of this thesis introduces a new statistical method to estimate parameter values in a mixed population consisting of both singleand biphasic longitudinal trajectories. This proposed model is capable of categorizing patients according to their longitudinal relationships and estimating the associated parameters of interest, while accounting for between-patient variability. We applied this method to a large phase III randomized trial and found significant differences in patients between different treatment cohorts and within the same treatment cohort, in terms of their longitudinal relationships, with the majority of patients displaying complex bi-phasic trends. In the second part of this thesis, we designed a dynamical system model to explain the observed bi-phasic longitudinal trends and their implications for the underlying cancer biology. We found that a hybrid model encompassing both hierarchical cellular model and clonal expansion model is needed to explain the observed bi-phasic patterns. The third part of this thesis explores the effects of proliferative patterns in colon crypt on crypt stability and rates of somatic evolution.
Leading professional development in education

This book provides a rich range of case studies and theoretical and methodological perspectives on the practical leadership tasks that underpin educational change. Section 1 focuses on the nature of professional learning and the policy context in which educational reform takes place. Section 2 explores the forms of leadership relevant to the differing contexts of professional development. Section 3 explores mentoring, peer coaching, team and group work. These processes are examined through international experience and by reference to work in other professions. Section 4 analyses the experience of evidence based work in medicine and the health service and the potential of applying this to education. The section reviews contested views on this theme. Section 5 looks at the potential role that interactive technologies can play in professional development.
Providing Security to Cloud Computing through MAC

Cloud computing is the use of computing resources (hardware and software) that are delivered as a service over a network (typically the Internet). The name comes from the use of a cloud-shaped symbol as an abstraction for the complex infrastructure it contains in system diagrams. Cloud computing entrusts remote services with a user's data, software and computation. Cloud computing share distributed resources via network in the open environment thus it makes security problems. So we are in great need of encrypting the data. We proposed a method to build a trusted computing environment for Cloud Computing system by providing Secure cross platform in to Cloud Computing system though MAC. In this paper some important security services are including like authentication, encryption and decryption are provided in Cloud Computing system.
Application of turbo codes for discrete multi-tone modulation schemes

A multi-tone QAM modulation technique suitable for discrete multi-tone (DMT) systems based on the combination of the so called turbo codes and trellis code modulation (TCM) is presented. The advantage of this system is its high coding gain together with the bandwidth efficiency which is suitable for asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) modems for twisted pair wires. Some suggestion is given to combat burst noise, frequency selective noise, or interference in the design of the turbo code. The results are compared to the recommended 16 state 4-dimensional Wei code in the ANSI standard. Simulation results demonstrate substantial coding gain for all QAM modulation levels from 4 QAM to 256 QAM.
Representation and computation of units of translation for machine interpretation of spoken texts

In the spirit of the blackboard technique, the paper proposes to use a layered weighted lattice as the coarsest representation of a unit of translation. Weights on nodes or arcs may be thought of as scores or activation/inhibition factors. At each layer, nodes corresponding to the same input fragment are clustered, and the ones sharing the same class are packed, thus allowing factorized treatment of ambiguities
Bootstrap Voting Experts

BOOTSTRAP VOTING EXPERTS (BVE) is an extension to the VOTING EXPERTS algorithm for unsupervised chunking of sequences. BVE generates a series of segmentations, each of which incorporates knowledge gained from the previous segmentation. We show that this method of bootstrapping improves the performance of VOTING EXPERTS in a variety of unsupervised word segmentation scenarios, and generally improves both precision and recall of the algorithm. We also show that Minimum Description Length (MDL) can be used to choose nearly optimal parameters for VOTING EXPERTS in an unsupervised manner.
Investigations in the Theory of Descriptive Complexity

We consider various formulations of the notion of descriptive complexity. We obtain results relating different proposed definitions of an infinite random binary string. We prove that the set of optimal programs is immune and as a consequence obtain that the descriptive complexity of a program given what it computes is dependent on which formulation of descriptive complexity one is considering. We prove that in a certain strict sense for one formulation of descriptive complexity there is no optimal universal computer. We then develop the notion of descriptive complexity for a subrecursive formalism.
Robotic manipulator trajectory control using neural networks

There are many problems in robotic manipulator control systems due to the increased complexity of the dynamics of robotic manipulators. To overcome these problems, a neural network-based control scheme is described in this paper for robotic manipulators. At present, one of the key problems in designing such a control scheme is how to obtain an efficient training algorithm for learning unknown dynamics. In general cases, however, the approximate models of the controlled robotic manipulators are available. It is believed that the much better learning efficiency of neural networks will be achieved if the prior information can be directly incorporated into the control design. In this paper, the modified conventional backpropagation algorithm and the computed torque method are used for the proposed control scheme.
Manipulation submicronique interactive sous différents environnements de microscopie

Cette these s'inscrit dans le cadre de la manipulation submicronique (de 100nm a 10µm). Les specificites de cette echelle (absence de vision temps reel etde mesure d'efforts) ont conduit l'ISIR a envisager ces thematiques autour de deux plateformes. La premiere, NanoMAD, dediee aux objets de 500nm et plus sous microscope optique. Elle est dotee d'un prehenseur monodigital et d'une mesure des efforts normal et lateral, via un systeme laser/photodiode. La seconde, issue du projet europeen NanoRAC est dediee a la manipulation/caracterisation de nanotubes de carbone sous SEM. Elle est dotee d'une micropince sans capteur d'effort. Pour y remedier, elle est couplee a un environnement virtuel et a une interface haptique afin d'appliquer des deplacements et de ressentir des efforts recrees a partir de differents modeles. Ces plateformes permettent d'etudier differentes methodes de calibration, de manipulation/caracterisation dynamiques, de comparer le ressenti d’efforts reels ou simules.
Distributed detection theory and data fusion

Abstract : Design of distributed order statistic constant false alarm rate (OS-CFAR) detection systems with data fusion was investigated. Its performance for different fusion rules and for a variety of nonhomogeneous backgrounds such as clutter edges and interfering targets was analyzed. Issues related to sampling and quantization in distributed detection systems were addressed. Sampling schemes for signal detection based on Ali-Silvey distance measures were derive. Performance enhancement over uniform sampling was shown. A number of collaborative research projects with Rome Laboratory engineers were carried out. The most notable one was the development of a prototype of an expert system CFAR (ES-CFAR) processor. This processor intelligently selects the CFAR algorithm based upon the observed characteristics of the environment. Substantial performance improvement over a conventional CFAR processor was demonstrated. Distributed detection, Data fusion, Detection theory.
The future of technological law: The machine state

Advances in technology will challenge and change the current manner in which legal regulation occurs. It has always been possible to describe governance and law as a form of technology in itself, but the growth of digital technologies provides a new means by which to regulate the population. This article posits the theory that the inherent characteristics of technology will become inherent within the digitisation of law. As law becomes an increasingly digital entity, it will become more concerned with perfect reproduction of law upon the person, and so more encompassing in its scope. In addition, the increasing use of digital technologies in augmented reality, in 3D and 4D printing both in solid and biological matter, poses a fundamental change in the regulatory relationship between the State and the individual – a challenge the State will need to address.
Study on the Low-Dimensional Embedding and the Embedding Dimensionality of Manifold of High-Dimensional Data

Finding meaningful low-dimensional embedded in a high-dimensional space is a classical problem. Isomap is a nonlinear dimensionality reduction method proposed and based on the theory of manifold. It not only can reveal the meaningful low-dimensional structure hidden in the high-dimensional observation data, but can recover the underlying parameter of data lying on a low-dimensional submanifold. Based on the hypothesis that there is an isometric mapping between the data space and the parameter space, Isomap works, but this hypothesis has not been proved. In this paper, the existence of isometric mapping between the manifold in the high-dimensional data space and the parameter space is proved. By distinguishing the intrinsic dimensionality of high-dimensional data space from the manifold dimensionality, and it is proved that the intrinsic dimensionality is the upper bound of the manifold dimensionality in the high-dimensional space in which there is a toroidal manifold. Finally an algorithm is proposed to find the underlying toroidal manifold and judge whether there exists one. The results of experiments on the multi-pose three-dimensional object show that the method is effective.
The relationship between ACL deficiency, functional performance and a break in the isokinetic moment curve of the knee flexors

Changes in the isokinetic moment curve of the knee flexors have been proposed to be associated with functional instability in anterior cruciate ligament deficient (ACLD) patients. The purpose of this study was to assess if this relationship exists between breaks in the knee flexor moment curve and functional instability in an ACLD patient population. The study involved two groups: an asymptomatic control group (n = 20) and a second experimental group (n = 20) diagnosed as having an anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Both groups underwent isokinetic strength assessment of the knee flexors, with the moment curves being inspected for irregularities or breaks. All subjects also completed Lysholm and Tegner questionnaires and had a standardized assessment using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form. The findings of the questionnaires were then correlated with presence of breaks in the torque curve to assess association between these factors. Breaks in the knee flexor moment curve were established to occur in some patients with ACL deficiency; these patients also had lower scores on a variety of functional indices. Further investigation would appear to be warranted on a larger population to establish if the presence of break phenomena in knee flexor torque curves can be used to identify those patients who can and cannot cope with ACL deficiency.
New trends in morphological algorithms

This paper describes some of the most recent algorithmic techniques of mathematical morphology. The classical parallel and sequential methods mostly involve numerous scannings of all the image pixels and are thus inefficient on conventional computers. To get rid of this drawback, the key idea is to consider, at each step, only the pixels whose value may be modified. Two classes of algorithms rely on this principle: the first one realizes an encoding of the object boundaries as loops which are then propagated in the image. The second one embraces the algorithms based on breadth- first image scanning enabled by queues of pixels. The algorithms belonging to these two families are extremely efficient and particularly suited to nonspecialized equipments, since they require random access to the pixels. Moreover, the 'customized' image scannings they are based on allow one to develop more accurate and flexible procedures: for example algorithms for computing exact Euclidean distance functions have been derived from the first class. On the other hand, the queue-based algorithms work in any kind of grid, in the Euclidean and geodesic cases, and extend to any dimension and even to graphs.
EFFICIENT FUZZY PREDICTIVE ALGORITHMS WITH INTEGRATED ECONOMIC OPTIMIZATION: A CASE STUDY

Abstract In the paper model predictive control algorithms with integrated economic optimization based on a nonlinear, fuzzy dynamic control plant models instead of a linear ones are proposed. Such an approach leads to achievement of better control performance. In the proposed algorithms Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy models with step response local models are used. Thanks to such an approach the process model can be obtained in an easy way, as it was demonstrated during the design of the control algorithm for an example MIMO control plant. The results obtained in the example control system clearly illustrate advantages of the proposed fuzzy algorithms.
FACE-TO-FACE COMMUNICATION WITH COMPUTER AGENTS

While computers are becoming more intelligent, current interaction methods, such as keyboards, mice and windows, still limit human-computer interaction to tool-level manipulation. Bringing a communication paradigm to the computer seems a worthy goal, in particular communication that people use every day to interact with each other. This work begins to attack this issue by examining some of the variables that allow people to conduct fluent and reactive turn-taking and give real-time feedback in everyday face-to-face interactions. A central part of this endeavor is the control of a graphical face that can produce some of the behavior exhibited by people in conversation. For the metaphor to be useful, the behavior of such faces has to be believable.