Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Methods in Treatment of Upper Calyceal Stones of 10-20 mm.

OBJECTIVE To compare the success and complication rates and advantages and disadvantages of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) methods for the upper calyceal renal stones between 10 and 20 mm. MATERIALS AND METHODS The files of 124 patients who had upper calyceal renal stones in diameter 10-20 mm were analyzed retrospectively. Sixty-one patients were randomized as Group 1 and 63 as Group 2. The parameters as success and complication rates, fluoroscopy and operation times, preoperative and postoperative hemogram (Hb) levels, and need of blood transfusion were saved and then groups compared. Complication rates and need of second procedure numbers between groups were evaluated according to modified Clavien classification. RESULTS Demographic features and success and complication rates between groups were similar. Hospitalization time was 1.0 ± 0.1 day for Group 1 and 2.3 ± 1.4 days for Group 2. When preoperative and postoperative Hb difference was evaluated, 0.1 ± 0.3 mg/dL decrease was noticed for Group 1 and 1.6 ± 0.8 mg/dL decrease for Group 2. Mean operation time for Group 1 was 53.6 ± 15.1 minutes and mean fluoroscopy time was 20.1 ± 8.9 seconds for Group 1; for Group 2, these values were 67.8 ± 16.2 minutes and 53 ± 15.0 seconds, respectively. As a result, mean operation time and fluoroscopy time, hospitalization time, and Hb decrease levels were found less and as statistically significant for Group 1. CONCLUSION RIRS and PNL methods both have the same success and complication rates for upper calyceal renal stones between 10 and 20 mm. However, we think that RIRS method should be preferred for suitable patients because it is a more noninvasive method and has advantages of some operation parameters over PNL.
Performance approximation of a multi-base station slotted ALOHA for wireless LAN's

It has been reported that the capture effect can improve the performance of slotted ALOHA systems. Further improvement can be expected when the number of base stations is increased. The performance of such slotted ALOHA systems with multiple base stations is analyzed with the aid of the equilibrium point analysis. Not only the capture effect but also the packet dropping due to the finite number of retransmission trials are taken into account. The numerical results indicate that the finite number of retransmission trials mainly contributes to the improvement of the packet dropping probability in the range of the light input traffic, while the number of base stations mainly contributes to the improvement of the overall throughput and the average transmission delay in the range of the heavy input traffic. >
PLL/DLL System Noise Analysis for Low Jitter Clock Synthesizer Design

This paper presents an analytical model for timing jitter accumulation in ring-oscillator based phase-locked-loops (PLL). The timing jitter of the system is shown to depend on the jitter in the ring-oscillalor and an accumulation factor which is inversely proportional to the bandwidth of the phase-locked-loop. Further analysis shows that for delay-locked-loops (DLL), which use an inverter delay chain that is not configured as a ring-oscillator, there is no noise enhancement since noise jitter events do not contribute to the starting point of the next clock cycle. Finally, theoretical predictions for overall jiter are compared to behavioral simulations with good agreement.
Noise sources in microelectromechanical systems

It is well known that several mechanisms of noise generation appear in microelectronic devices, causing thermal noise, shot noise, generation-recombination noise and 1/f noise. Besides of these noises, in the case of microelectromechanical systems specific additional noises appear as a consequence of the fact that the "building blocks" (microcantilevers or membranes) of micromechanical systems have very small geometrical dimensions and mass. Most often these noises are the consequences of temperature fluctuations caused by dissipative processes in various vibrational structures within the micromechanical systems. This work presents methodology of calculation of noises characteristic microelectromechanical systems and apples it to calculation of limiting performances of accelerometers, sensing probe cantilevers and thermal infrared detectors.
Advances in Dengue Vaccine: A Review Study

Dengue virus (DENV) is a vector-borne viral disease that cause more human morbidity and mortality worldwide than any other arthropod-borne virus. It is estimated that 3.97 billion people living in 128 countries are at risk of dengue, 400 million infections annually, and 96 million asymptomatic cases occurring every year [1-4]. Four closely related dengue serotypes cause the disease: DENV-1 to -4. Serotype specific differences in clinical manifestations have been reported. In a cross-sectional study, Balmaseda et al. [5] reported that among hospitalized children in Nicaragua over 3 years period DENV-2 was associated with more shock and internal hemorrhage while DENV-1 was associated with increased vascular permeability. Furthermore, DENV-1 was associated with more hospitalized primary dengue cases and more primary DENV infection with severe manifestations. Others reported that DENV-2 and DENV-3 may cause more severe diseases than the other serotypes and that DENV-4 is associated with milder illness [6-12]. Certain genotypes within particular serotypes are associated with epidemics of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) vs. classic dengue [11,13]. Aedes aegypt mosquitoes are the primary vectors of DENV throughout the tropics [14]. DENV infection is categorized as asymptomatic infection, subclinical infection, undifferentiated fever, dengue fever, DHF with or without dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and other severe forms of dengue. DHF is characterized by fever, bleeding diathesis, and a tendency to develop a potentially fatal shock syndrome. Clinical manifestations of dengue infection range from mild dengue fever to severe plasma leakage with hemorrhagic manifestations. Thrombocytopenia is an important finding in patients with dengue. A study reported that platelet count of dengue patients can be normal or abnormally high or low. This should be used for future diagnosis [15-17]. Management of dengue patient is to have good fluid replacement therapy until recovery of platelet. Multiple factors have been suggested to contribute to severe dengue such as secondary infections, age, viral load and infecting serotype and genotype [6-8]. Dengue infection is spreading at an alarming rate around the globe and statistics shows that the disease has increased dramatically since 1980, with epidemics occurring in both eastern and western Africa [18,19]. The WHO statistics indicates that 2.4% of the global burden of dengue hemorrhagic fever is in Africa and one-fifth of the populations are at risk [17].
Derzeitiger Stand der elektronischen „kontinuierlichen“ Augendruckmessung

Zusammenfassung Der intraokulare Druck (IOD) wird üblicherweise punktuell und meist 1-mal, selten mehrmals, während der Ordinationszeiten im Sitzen mit unterschiedlichen Geräten gemessen. Für Diagnostik, Progressionsbeurteilung und Therapieentscheidung bei Glaukomen kann dies zu wenig sein, da der IOD kein statischer Messwert ist, sondern über kurze und lange Zeitabschnitte unterschiedlich hohen Schwankungen (Fluktuationen) unterliegt. Deshalb ist der Wunsch nach häufigerer oder sogar kontinuierlicher Messung gerechtfertigt. Dies kann mit Selbsttonometern erfolgen (wird in dieser Übersicht nicht diskutiert) oder mittels elektronischer Hilfsmittel wie Sensoren im Auge (invasiv; in Intraokularlinse, im Sulcus ciliaris, auf der Iris, in der Hinter- oder Vorderkammer, suprachorioidal oder subkonjuktival) bzw. auf dem Auge (nicht invasiv; Sensorkontaktlinse) verwirklicht werden. Trotz zahlreicher technischer Errungenschaften und Miniaturisierungen gibt es noch keine routinemäßig anwendbare kontinuierliche Messtechnik (weder invasiv noch nicht invasiv), die Entwicklung dahin ist jedoch bereits weit fortgeschritten.
Multiview video coding for 3D telepresence

Telepresence refers to a human/machine system in which the human operator feels physically present at a remote site. Telepresence systems have high potential in various applications of consumer entertainment. To achieve telepresence, stereoscopic and multiview video that can give the viewers the 3D feeling are required. The major obstacle for telepresence systems is the extremely large amount of data associated with it. Efficient compression of multiview video sequences has become an integral and important part of any practical telepresence system. To code the multiview video sequences efficiently, both the view redundancy among the sequences and the temporal redundancy inside each sequence need to be exploited and reduced, which can be achieved using disparity and motion compensation, respectively. The coding efficiency can be further improved by jointly estimating and optimizing motion and disparity fields. In this thesis, we develope several novel algorithms and two complete encoders for multiview video coding (MVC). The major contributions can be summarized in three aspects. In particular, we first propose an edge-preserving regularization scheme to calculate either 1D disparity fields or 2D motion fields. After confirming its performance by comparing with the existing algorithms, the separate regularization scheme is extended to a joint estimation scheme that calculates two disparity fields and two motion fields for two successive image pairs simultaneously. Secondly, we develop an MPEG-4 compatible multiview video encoder which integrates with the joint disparity and motion estimation scheme. Besides, various aspects of the encoder are investigated, including a comparative study of several view-level frame prediction structures and the rate control algorithm for multiview video coding. Thirdly, we propose a framework of scalable MVC using 4D wavelet. The waveletiii ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library
Evaluation of the performance of a fuzzy optimal power flow algorithm

In this paper an improved DC fuzzy optimal power flow (FOPF) model for power system planning purposes formulated as a multi-parametric programming problem is briefly presented. This model uses fuzzy set theory concepts to represent information about loads expressed in a subjective way by experts or integrating a certain degree of uncertainty about the future. The proposed algorithm has a heuristic nature so that it is important to evaluate the quality of the derived membership functions. A sampling procedure is used to build membership functions to be compared with the ones obtained using the FOPF algorithm. In the paper results obtained for two networks based on the IEEE 24 and 30 bus test systems are presented and discussed. <<ETX>>
Teaching computer-assisted qualitative data analysis to new users: NUD•IST demonstrations and workshops

Qualitative researchers have used computers to facilitate data analysis for more than a decade. The development of software specifically designed for qualitative data analysis (QDA) represents a newer, and more specialized, form of computer application. Progress in software development has been rapid and has been accompanied by tremendous expansion in interest among researchers. Persons experienced with QDA software often find themselves in demand to assist others in learning to use various programs. This paper was prepared to offer some insights into the ways in which demonstrations and workshops can be provided to familiarize users with software for QDA, especially the popular program NUD•IST.
Clinical Study on Electro Acupuncture plus Interferential Current Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder that causes extreme fatigue but without a clear reason, accompanied by impaired memory, sleep disorders, poor concentration, headache, muscle and joint aches, tender lymph nodes in neck or armpit, low fever, a sore throat, and post-exertion malaise, as well as mental symptoms lasting at least 6 months, in absence of abnormal findings in physical or lab examinations [1]. With the increase of rhythm of life and stress brought by competition, the prevalence rate of CFS has also been increasing. The persistent fatigue and pain seriously affect the physical and mental health of people, and thus, CFS has attracted wide attention in the recent years [2]. According to the statistics, the incidence rate has approached 10%-20% in white-collar workers [3]. Currently, the pathogenesis of CFS is undefined, and there is no specific treatment protocol brought up yet. Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy has been broadly applied in the treatment of CFS [47]. Recently, rehabilitation science has adopted interferential current therapy (ICT) in treating CFS and has achieved accurate therapeutic efficacy. We used electroacupuncture and ICT in the treatment of CFS, and the report is given as follows. Materials and Methods
Variable-precision reaching definitions analysis

Ascertaining the reaching definitions from the source code can give views of the linkages in that source code. These views can aid source code analyses, such as impact analysis and program slicing, and can assist in the reverse engineering and re-engineering of large legacy systems. Maintainers like to do such activities interactively and value fast responses from program analysis tools. Therefore the control of the trade-off between accuracy and efficiency should be given to the maintainer. Since some real world programs, especially in languages like C, make much use of pointers, and efficient points-to analysis should be integrated within the computation of the data dependencies during the process of ascertaining the reaching definitions. This paper proposes three different approaches to the analysis of the reaching definitions based on different levels of precision, reflecting differences in their sensitivity to the calling context and the control flow. The least precise approach produces an overestimate by an average of 41% of data dependencies compared to the approach with the highest degree of precision. The result for the least precise approach is conservative because all detectable data dependencies are included, and is far faster than the more precise approaches. Runs on a test suite show an almost 2000 to 1 reduction in execution time by the least precise approach compared with the most precise approach. The intermediate approach is more than 30 times faster than the most precise approach, and much more precise than the least precise one (an average of 2% extra dependencies compared to the most precise approach). Therefore, while on medium size systems the intermediate approach could be a good compromise, on large systems the least precise approach becomes extremely valuable, being the only one feasible. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BUG LOCALIZATIONWITH CALL GRAPH REDUCTION

Software quality is the major concern in modern industries. Software is never released bug free if tested extensively. The most challenging job in software industries is to locate bugs automatically and fix them before release. One of the dynamic techniques to automated bug localization is the usage of call graph. Call graph generated from source code is quite large which is usually complex. Various call graph reduction techniques exist which has some limitations and strengths. In this paper, a novel technique has been proposed, by which call graph is reduced without any loss of information and changing its basic structure. The resulted reduced call graph gives better structure with more information and earlier bug localization. Keywords--Introduction, Bug localization, Call graph, Call graph reduction.
A process model for the maintenance of large space systems software

The results are given of a study carried out in the framework of the ESF/EPSOM (Eureka Software Factory/European Platform for Software Maintenance) project to analyze the processes of software maintenance followed in the European space industry. First, the authors present a generic process, from which models for usual operational processes can be easily derived. Then, they show how this generic process is to be instantiated, taking as an example a reference organization defined by the European Space Agency. Finally, two variants of this instantiated process are briefly presented, in order to consider emergency and routine situations. <<ETX>>
IMPLEMENTACION DE UN INVERSOR DE TRES NIVELES UTILIZANDO LA MODULACION POR VECTORES ESPACIALES

ABSTRACT ii ABSTRACTii ABSTRACT This thesis presents the study of the space-vector pulse-width modulation of a threelevel voltage-source inverter. Hardware and software are addressed independently t hrough the development of this thesis. Regarding to the hardware, a detailed study of the thr e-level neutral point clamped inverter also known as diode clamped inverter is c arried out. Configuration and operation principles are described in this first pa rt. In a further step an analysis and experimental vali dation of all of the stages comprising an AC electric motor drive are carried out with maj or attention paid to the three-level inverter. Therefore this thesis describes the desi gn and analysis of the rectifier circuit, input filter, topology of the three-level neutral p oint clamped inverter, control circuits of the switching devices and protection circuit of the inverter. Regarding the three-level inverter controller, as a first step the most widely used pulsewidth modulation techniques are studied such as lev el-shifted carrier modulation and the conventional space vector modulation. In additi on, the simplified space vector modulation technique is also analysed, which is the on used to control the three-level inverter. Additionally the different stages needed to develop the SVM computational algorithm are studied. The algorithm is implemented on a Free scal ® DSP56F8037. Finally the algorithm developed is validated experi mentally by controlling the threelevel inverter. Experimental results of controlling the three-level inverter by using the technique of level-shifted carrier modulation imple mented on the development board DS1103 from dSPACE ® are also presented.
A visual interaction system using real-time face tracking

This paper describes a new method for pose estimation of a human face moving abruptly in the real world and its hardware implementation for real-time operation. The virtues of this method are the use of very simple calculation, the correlation among multiple model images, and the absence of any facial features such as facial organs, so that it is very robust and can be easily implemented with simple hardware. <<ETX>>
Students’ Use of Notebook Computers in the College Classroom: Benefits and Pitfalls

This study aims to understand the overall experiences of students who use notebook computers in class by using a qualitative approach. Interview data were collected from 23 Korean college students at a Korean university, who use notebook computers in their classes; the data were analyzed through the constant comparison method. The results from this study can be categorized into two themes: the positive and negative effects of using a notebook computer in class, and different perspectives on the effects of using a notebook computer in class. The positive effects of notebook computer usage were specified as production of lecture notes, performing searches for information, management of learning materials, and effective time management. However, behaviors such as perusing other works not associated with the class were indicated as negative effects. The participants had different perceptions about the effect of notebook computer usage in increasing academic performance, although they were satisfied in their experience with notebook computers in general. These results imply that appropriate methods of technology usage are needed and that the support of an instructor is essential to achieve fully beneficial use of notebook computers in class.
A Preliminary Study Examining Women's Physical Health and Nonmedical Prescription Opioid Use in a Recovering Framework.

BACKGROUND There is a growing need for research on women recovering from nonmedical prescription opioid use. A paradigm shift is to focus on wellness and factors that support, rather than hinder, recovering women. For example, although physical health is impacted by nonmedical prescription opioid use, improved health may be a strength-based factor among recovering women. The aim of this preliminary study was to examine physical health in a recovering framework as women begin recovering from nonmedical prescription opiate use. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study conducted secondary data analysis using self-report data from Kentucky's Targeted Assessment Program (TAP). TAP assesses and provides pretreatment for problems impeding work or interfering with parental responsibilities. Data included 1247 adult women reporting a history of nonmedical prescription opioid use and receiving pretreatment. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses examined whether physical health and access to health services at baseline were associated with substance-related behavior change upon completion of pretreatment. RESULTS Women reporting better physical health and fewer days with no activities due to health barriers were more likely to engage in pretreatment substance-related behavior change [χ2(8) = 34.6, p < 0.05]. However, ∼40% of women reported barriers in accessing healthcare. CONCLUSION Using a recovering framework, women's physical health, as expected, is associated with engagement in pretreatment substance-related behavior change. Ongoing service coordination with practitioners and medical providers should be incorporated into care to meet the need. Future research should continue to examine factors that support recovering women, using a recovering framework.