Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Schizophrenia: The Epidemiological Horizon

Introduction Sources of variation in the epidemiology of schizophrenia related to the method of investigation Descriptive epidemiology and demography of schizophrenia Analytical epidemiology of schizophrenia: risk factors, exposures, and antecedents Prospects for epidemiology in the search for the causes of schizophrenia References © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Capacity scaling in dual-antenna-array wireless systems

Wireless systems using multi-element antenna arrays simultaneously at the both transmitter and receiver promise a much higher capacity than conventional systems. Previous studies have shown that single-user systems employing n-element transmit and receive arrays can achieve a capacity proportional to n, assuming independent Rayleigh fading between pairs of antenna elements. We explore the capacity of dual-antenna-array systems via theoretical analysis and simulation experiments. We present expressions for the asymptotic growth rate of capacity with n for both independent and correlated fading cases; the latter is derived under some assumptions about the fading correlation structure. We show that the capacity growth is linear in n in both the independent and correlated cases, but the growth rate is smaller in the latter case. We compare the predictions of our asymptotic theory to the capacities of channels simulated using ray tracing, and find good agreement even for moderate n, i.e., 1/spl les/n/spl les/16. Our results address both the cases when the transmitter does and does not know the channel realization.
Practice Guide to the Early Years Developmental Journal

The Early Years Developmental Journal is intended as a useful resource for practitioners when monitoring progress, supporting assessments and providing a basis for communicating with parents and other practitioners. In particular it can support the statutory early years progress assessment and child health monitoring when a child is around 2 years of age. It is closely linked with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Development Matters and with the Personal Child Health Record (PCHR or ‘red book’). The Journal is also suitable for older children with special educational needs and disabilities, depending on their developmental level, and therefore the Journal’s Steps have also been mapped onto P scales for use in schools. Views from practitioners from different sectors were sought and taken into consideration during the development stage of the Early Years Developmental Journal. However, it is recognised that practitioners may have different priorities and requirements from such a resource than parents. This Practice Guide to the Early Years Developmental Journal has been produced to support practitioners and parents joint working in practice. In this document, there is supplementary information that both practitioners and parents may find useful along with the Early Years Developmental Journal Record, a single page Developmental Profile and a table that maps the Developmental Steps to approximate age ranges.
Efficient Outlier Detection for High-Dimensional Data

How to tackle high dimensionality of data effectively and efficiently is still a challenging issue in machine learning. Identifying anomalous objects from given data has a broad range of real-world applications. Although many classical outlier detection or ranking algorithms have been witnessed during the past years, the high-dimensional problem, as well as the size of neighborhood, in outlier detection have not yet attracted sufficient attention. The former may trigger the distance concentration problem that the distances of observations in high-dimensional space tend to be indiscernible, whereas the latter requires appropriate values for parameters, making models high complex and more sensitive. To partially circumvent these problems, especially the high dimensionality, we introduce a concept called local projection score (LPS) to represent deviation degree of an observation to its neighbors. The LPS is obtained from the neighborhood information by the technique of low-rank approximation. The observation with high LPS is a promising candidate of outlier in high probability. Based on this notion, we propose an efficient and effective outlier detection algorithm, which is also robust to the parameter ${k}$ of ${k}$ nearest neighbors. Extensive evaluation experiments conducted on twelve public real-world data sets with five popular outlier detection algorithms show that the performance of the proposed method is competitive and promising.
Learning strategies in interpreting text: From comprehension to illustration

Learning strategies can be described as behaviours and thoughts a learner engages in during learning that are aimed at gaining knowledge. Learners are, to use Mayer’s (1996) constructivist definition, ‘sense makers’. We can therefore position this to mean that, if learners are sense makers, then learning strategies are essentially cognitive processes used when learners are striving to make sense out of newly presented material. This paper intends to demonstrate that such thoughts and behaviours can be made explicit and that students can co-ordinate the basic cognitive processes of selecting, organising and integrating. I will discuss two learning strategies which were developed during three cycles of an action research enquiry with a group of illustration students. While each cycle had its own particular structure and aims, the main task, that of illustrating a passage of expository text into an illustration was a constant factor. The first learning strategy involved assisting students develop ‘macropropositions’—personal understandings of the gist or essence of a text (Louwerse and Graesser, 2006; Armbruster, Anderson and Ostertag, 1987; Van Dijk & Kintsch, 1983). The second learning strategy used a form of induction categorised as analogical reasoning (Holyoak, 2005; Sloman and Lagnado, 2005). Both strategies were combined to illustrate the expository text extract. The data suggests that design students benefit from a structured approach to learning, where thinking processes and approaches can be identified and accessible for other learning situations. The research methodology is based on semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, developmental design (including student notes) and final design output. All student names used are pseudonyms. The text extract from ‘Through the Magic Door’ an essay Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, (1907) has been included as it provides context to analysis outcomes, student comments and design outputs. Keywords: Action Research; Illustration; Macrostructures; Analogical Reasoning; Learning Strategies
Simultaneous recognition of distant talking speech of multiple sound sources based on 3-D N-best search algorithm

This paper deals with the simultaneous recognition of distant-talking speech of multiple talkers using the 3D N-best search algorithm. We describe the basic idea of the 3D N-best search and we address two additional techniques implemented into the baseline system. Namely, a path distance-based clustering and a likelihood normalization technique appeared to be necessary in order to build an efficient system for our purpose. In previous works we introduced the results of experiments carried out on simulated data. In this paper we introduce the results of the experiments carried out using reverberated data. The reverberated data are those simulated by the image method and recorded in a real room. The image method was used to find out the accuracy-reverberation time relationship, and the real data was used to evaluate the real performance of our algorithm. The obtained Top 3 results of the simultaneous word accuracy was 73.02% under 162 ms reverberation time and using the image method.
Etude de l'adéquation de l'offre en bois de l'Office national des forêts à la demande de ses acheteurs

L'Office national des forets, comme tout producteur, est confronte a differentes questions concernant l'adequation de son offre de bois a la demande. Des elements de reponse sont apportes a travers une analyse des resultats des ventes aux encheres de l'ONF. L'etude a pour objectif de mettre en avant les principales causes d'invendus en comparant notamment les caracteristiques des lots adjuges et des lots invendus des dix grandes ventes d'automne de bois sur pied de l'annee 2003 qui se sont deroulees en Lorraine.
Effects of a reduction in renal function on cardiovascular structure and function : a prospective study of living kidney donors

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent and recognised as a global public health problem. It has been consistently associated with hypertension and cardiovascular disease; many more patients with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) below 60 ml/min/1.73m2 die from cardiovascular causes than progress to end-stage renal disease. Nevertheless, observational studies of cardiovascular disease in CKD remain hard to interpret because renal impairment is forever accompanied by residual confounding factors. These may include the underlying disease process (e.g. diabetes mellitus), or the complications of CKD, such as hypertension, anaemia, bone mineral disease and inflammation. The prospective study of living kidney donors presented in this work provided an ideal experimental model to assess the longitudinal effects of reduced renal function in healthy subjects without manifest cardiovascular disease. Compared with healthy controls, the modest reduction in GFR in donors accompanying uninephrectomy caused increased left ventricular (LV) mass, LV dysfunction, and increased aortic stiffness. There was no change in blood pressure but there were increases in parathyroid hormone, uric acid and highly sensitive C-reactive protein. The size of the reduction in GFR independently predicted the extent of adverse LV remodelling. Reduced GFR should therefore be regarded as a causative risk factor for LV disease and increased arterial stiffness.
Inclusive Education at the crossroads in Ashanti and BrongAhafo regions in Ghana: Target not achievable by 2015

Purpose: Inclusive education, widely acknowledged as an alternative method of making education accessible to children with special needs, has been piloted for 10 years in selected districts of Ghana. This article aims to discuss the feasibility of implementing it throughout the country, by assessing the inclusive education programme piloted in Ghana’s Ashanti and BrongAhafo regions. Method: One round of in-depth interviews was conducted with 31 participants, to collect data on the issue under study. Participants were officials of Special Education at the national Head Office, District Special Education Coordinators, Resource Teachers, Headmasters and Classroom Teachers of inclusive education. Results: The study findings indicated that the pilot programme did not live upto expectations when faced with challenges such as inaccessible environments, lack of resources, lack of funds, lack of qualified teachers, poor teaching methods and negative attitudes of teachers towards children with disabilities. Conclusion: It is very unrealistic to commence inclusive education programmes unless practical measures are put in place, such as adequate funding from the government and provision of sufficient resources for inclusive schools.
A high bandwidth, low distortion, fully differential amplifier

An amplifier for use in driving an analog to digital converter in an ultra-wideband test system was designed and simulated. The amplifier has differential inputs and outputs and a bandwidth of greater than 500 MHz. According to simulation, the linearity for frequencies above 100 MHz is ten times better than amplifiers currently on the market. The design of this amplifier involved: studying impacts of circuit topology on linearity, creating a schematic design, getting a package model, laying out the die and extracting parasitics, and creating simulation tests. Thesis Supervisor: William Bowhers Title: VI-A Company Thesis Supervisor Thesis Supervisor: Professor Charles Sodini Title: MIT Thesis Supervisor
Reliability study of a containment shell

Computational time needed for reliability analysis of realistic structural problems as a rule is very high. Improvements in efficiency are critical to allow solution of large realistic problems. The reliability analysis is usually performed using approximate First Order Reliability Method (FORM). Iterative solution procedures of FORM require extensive design sensitivity computations of high accuracy. The design of realistic structures requires computer-based numerical procedures, such as finite element analysis. The design sensitivity gradients are not explicitly available in terms of design variables. The most intensive computational task of design sensitivity computation should be carried out by highly efficient and accurate methods such as discrete design sensitivity analysis. This paper describes requirements for design sensitivity information for reliability analysis. The way of coupling reliability computation with discrete AVM and DDM methods of design sensitivity analysis is pointed out. A computational program developed for layered concrete shells allows one to solve large realistic reliability problems. The reliability study of an RC nuclear containment shell is carried out. Reliability studies show which of the parameters have the highest impact on the reliability of the vessel.
A study of the accuracy of the Bernoulli approximation of the slot occupancy process in high-speed unidirectional-bus networks

Analytical models for unidirectional-bus protocols often employ a Bernoulli process to approximate the occupancy process of the slots on the bus. This approximation, which assumes independence among the statuses of consecutive slots on the bus facilitates analysis; however, it is known to provide inaccurate results, especially for stations located at the downstream end of the bus. In this paper, we quantify this inaccuracy by comparing results from the Bernoulli-based analytical model with results from a simulation model of two different access protocols. We study the Bernoulli-based model as compared to simulation in its ability both to predict network delay behavior and to describe the actual slot occupancy process as characterized by various statistical characteristics. We reveal the inaccuracy of the model as a function of station index and network load, and we identify a characteristic of the slot occupancy pattern not captured by the Bernoulli-based model, that is crucial to more accurately modeling the process for the sake of delay analysis. <<ETX>>
Effect of a prevention programme on the incidence of rugby injuries among 15- and 16-year-old schoolboys

Objective. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of an injury prevention programme on the incidence of rugby injuries (overall, intrinsic and extrinsic injuries) among 15- and 16-year-old schoolboys, over a 2- year period. A secondary aim was to identify the percentage of intrinsic rugby injuries associated with a previous injury history. Design. A non-equivalent experimental-control group design with multiple post-tests. Subjects. A- and B-team rugby players (N =120) from 2 secondary schools in the North West province of South Africa. Intervention. The injury prevention programme was planned according to the physical, motor, biomechanical and postural status of all players. Players in the experimental group received exercises to improve biomechanical and postural deficits identified, as well as drills to address shortcomings in speed, agility, and explosive power. Main outcome measures. Rugby injuries were screened and injury data collected through the use of weekly sportsmedicine clinics. Results. Differences and changes in extrinsic injury incidence in this study could not be attributed to the effect of the prevention programme, and as a result injury trends related to overall injury incidence were inconsistent when the matching experimental and control groups were compared. However, the prevention programme did have a positive effect on the intrinsic injury incidence of both the 15- (d = 1.61) and 16-year-old (d = 0.83) groups during the study period. During the second season there were no intrinsic injuries of a previous nature among both the experimental groups (0%), while in contrast intrinsic injuries of a previous nature still amounted to a significant fraction in both the control groups. Conclusion. The present intervention programme did not have a practically significant effect on the incidence of overall rugby injuries and extrinsic rugby injuries in 15- and 16-year-old schoolboys over a 2-year period. However, in practice the prevention programme did have a significantly positive effect on the incidence of intrinsic rugby injuries among 15- and 16-year-old schoolboys over a period of 2 years. Timely introduction of this programme during the off-season is advised. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 19 (2) 2007: pp. 46-51
Seroepidemiología de la toxoplasmosis en México

This article presents to the results of the National Seroepidemiology Survey with regard to the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Mexico. Some theoretical aspects of the disease are discussed, and the prevalences found in eartler reports are presented. The study measured 29 279 blood samples from persons in all 32 states of Mexico, for both sexes, all ages, and socio-economic groups. The samples were processed by indirect immunoflorescence for antibody titers of 1:16 and 1:128. Positivity levels were stratified by age, sex, socioeconomic level, place of residence, education level, number of persons in the family, state, and with or without rights to care in the social security medical institutions. The results pointed to greater prevalences in the costal areas, in lower socio-economic levels, and a high incidence in women of reproductive age. Also included are a discussion of socio-economic aspects and the potential role of the domestic cat.
Modèle Dynamique Temps-Réel pour l'Animation d'Objets Poly-Articulés dans les Environnements Contraints, Prise en Compte des Contacts Frottants et des Déformations Locales : Application en Robotique Humanoïde et aux Avatars Virtuels

Ce travail de these presente un simulateur dynamique interactif pour corps poly-articules utilisant des methodes par contraintes pour calculer les efforts d'interaction avec frottements. Ce simulateur est une partie integrante d'un logiciel de prototypage nomme AMELIF. Nous nous interessons a optimiser le calcul de la dynamique pour obtenir des simulations en temps-reel et qui nous permettent de realiser des tâches collaboratives interactives. Nous integrons egalement des modeles de deformations pour pouvoir simuler, d'une part les flexibilites internes presentes sur les robots actuels, et d'autre part les futurs robots munis d'une peau flexible. Notre simulateur a ete valide par differents scenarios de manipulation et de generation de postures.
Using Electronic Daily Reminders to Improve Patient Adherence

On a Home Telehealth (HT) program, by doing a HT session daily, patients have the opportunity to receive education, learn mechanisms by which to manage their chronic diseases, and be monitored daily for the duration of the program by a nurse care coordinator. Many patients, however, do not adhere to doing a daily HT session. This paper describes a quality improvement project looking at 40 Veterans at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System (PVAHCS) and applying an evidence-based practice (EBP) process where electronic daily reminders were implemented to see if that would increase the adherence of doing daily HT sessions. The following PICOT question was utilized: In Veterans participating in the Home Telehealth program at the Phoenix VA Health Care System will implementing electronic daily reminders to document health status improve adherence to the program requirements? After four weeks of the intervention, the average response rate significantly improved from 48.1% to 56.6%. The proportion of participants achieving a minimum of a 70% response rate Post-Intervention was 35.0% and 24 participants (60.0%) increased Home Telehealth response rate from Pre- to Post-Intervention. This cost-effective intervention of implementing electronic daily reminders to Veterans may be the answer to many HT departments struggling to increase the participation rates or adherence of their patients. ideal of
Traffic Flow Dynamics: Data, Models and Simulation

This instructional guide describes the use of simulation and mathematical models in determining traffic flow dynamics. Part 1 focuses on data collection with chapters on trajectory and floating-car data, cross-sectional data, and spatiotemporal reconstruction of the traffic state. Part 2 presents various mathematical models including: continuity equations, the Lighthill–Whitham–Richards Model, macroscopic models, car-following models, lane-changing models, stability analysis, and phase diagrams. Part 3 outlines traffic flow theory applications. Chapters include: travel time estimation, fuel consumption and emissions, and optimization. This textbook includes problems and solutions and an accompanying website, www.traffic-flow-dynamics.org, provides some interactive content.
Neural network fitness functions for a musical IGA

This paper describes recent enhancements to GenJam, a genetic algorithm-based model of a novice jazz musician learning to improvise. After presenting an overview and update of the current interactive version of GenJam, we focus on efforts to augment its human fitness function with a neural network, in an attempt to ease the fitness bottleneck inherent in musical IGAs. Specifically, a cascade correlation technique was used with data taken from populations of musical ideas trained by human mentors interactively. We conclude with a discussion of why this approach failed, and we speculate on approaches that might work.
Clustering-Based Personalization

Recommendation systems have been the most emerging technology in the last decade as one of the key parts in e-commerce ecosystem. Businesses offer a wide variety of items and contents through different channels such as Internet, Smart TVs, Digital Screens, etc. The number of these items sometimes goes over millions for some businesses. Therefore, users can have trouble finding the products that they are looking for. Recommendation systems address this problem by providing powerful methods which enable users to filter through large information and product space based on their preferences. Moreover, users have different preferences. Thus, businesses can employ recommendation systems to target more audiences by addressing them with personalized content. Recent studies show a significant improvement of revenue and conversion rate for recommendation system adopters. Accuracy, scalability, comprehensibility, and data sparsity are main challenges in recommendation systems. Businesses need practical and scalable recommendation models which accurately personalize millions of items for millions of users in real-time. They also prefer comprehensible recommendations to understand how these models target their users. However, data sparsity and lack of enough data about items, users and their interests prevent personalization models to generate accurate recommendations. In Chapter 1, we first describe basic definitions in recommendation systems. We then shortly review our contributions and their importance in this thesis. Then in Chapter 2, we review the major solutions in this context. Traditional recommendation system methods usually make a rating matrix based on the observed ratings of users on items. This rating matrix is then employed in different data mining techniques to predict the unknown rating values based on the known values. In a novel solution, in Chapter 3, we capture the mean interest of the cluster of users on the cluster of items in a cluster-level rating matrix. We first cluster users and items separately based on the known ratings. In a new matrix, we then present the interest of each user clusters on each item clusters by averaging the ratings of users inside each user cluster on the items belonging