Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wrongly interpreted icteric syndrome in outpatient practice

We present three cases of patients with icteric syndrome and various symptoms, misdiagnosed for acute viral hepatitis and targeting an infectious clinic. In all three cases, important differential diagnosis laboratory and instrumental examinations have been disregarded and the patients are diagnosed only on the basis of questioning and physical examination. We encourage the use of laboratory tests and accessible and non-invasive imaging methods such as abdominal ultrasound, in outpatient settings, before making a definitive diagnosis.
Review of the temporal recommendation system with matrix factorization

The temporal recommendation system (TRS) is designed for providing users with an accurate prediction based on the history of their behaviour during a precise time. Most TRS approaches use matrix factorization and collaborative filtering, which are primarily based on the distribution of the user preferences. Recently, TRS has gained significant attention because it improves the accuracy of prediction. This is because since the temporal drift in the user preferences is observed, users' preferences within the short term and long term can be utilized to predict the best item to be recommended. Several existing review papers have focused on the general problems of the recommendation system (RS) and similarity measures, and they refer to recent improvements based on three recommendation strategies which are user rating, tagging and trust values. However, there is a lack of recent review papers of TRS with rating score strategy, especially in terms of learning factorization features of temporal terms. This paper fills this gap and highlights the issues and challenges for both general and temporal RS techniques. The prediction approaches based on collaborative filtering technique are reviewed depending on the behaviour of users and items. The challenges and approaches of temporal-based RS are discussed. This review includes the matrix factorization approaches that are integrated with such temporal factors as long-term preferences, short-term preferences, decay, and drift. The outcome of this review prioritizes guidance to focus on matrix factorization, temporal terms and drifting of users' preferences.
AI-based Monitoring and Response System for Hospital Preparedness towards COVID-19 in Southeast Asia

This research paper proposes a COVID-19 monitoring and response system to identify the surge in the volume of patients at hospitals and shortage of critical equipment like ventilators in South-east Asian countries, to understand the burden on health facilities. This can help authorities in these regions with resource planning measures to redirect resources to the regions identified by the model. Due to the lack of publicly available data on the influx of patients in hospitals, or the shortage of equipment, ICU units or hospital beds that regions in these countries might be facing, we leverage Twitter data for gleaning this information. The approach has yielded accurate results for states in India, and we are working on validating the model for the remaining countries so that it can serve as a reliable tool for authorities to monitor the burden on hospitals.
One-dimensional moiré superlattices and flat bands in collapsed chiral carbon nanotubes.

We demonstrate that one-dimensional moiré patterns, analogous to those found in twisted bilayer graphene, can arise in collapsed chiral carbon nanotubes. Resorting to a combination of approaches, namely, molecular dynamics to obtain the relaxed geometries and tight-binding calculations validated against ab initio modeling, we find that magic angle physics occur in collapsed carbon nanotubes. Velocity reduction, flat bands and localization in AA regions with diminishing moiré angle are revealed, showing a magic angle close to 1º. From the spatial extension of the AA regions and the width of the flat bands, we estimate that many-body interactions in these systems are stronger than in twisted bilayer graphene. Chiral collapsed carbon nanotubes stand out as promising candidates to explore many-body effects and superconductivity in low dimensions, emerging as the one-dimensional analogues of twisted bilayer graphene.
Sufficient conditions for adiabaticity in open quantum systems

The adiabatic approximation exhibits wide applicability in quantum mechanics, providing a simple approach for nontransitional dynamics in quantum systems governed by slowly varying time-dependent Hamiltonians. However, the standard adiabatic theorem is specifically derived for closed quantum systems. In a realistic open system scenario, the inevitable system-reservoir interaction must be taken into account, which strongly impacts the generalization of the adiabatic behavior. In this paper, we introduce sufficient conditions for the adiabatic approximation in open quantum systems. These conditions are simple yet general, providing a suitable instrument to investigate adiabaticity for arbitrary initial mixed states evolving under time local master equations. We first illustrate our results by showing that the adiabatic approximation for open systems is compatible with the description of quantum thermodynamics at thermal equilibrium, where irreversible entropy production is vanishing. We also apply our sufficient conditions as a tool in quantum control, evaluating the adiabatic behavior for the Hamiltonians of both the Deutsch algorithm and the Landau-Zener model under decoherence.
Multicell Massive MIMO: Downlink Rate Analysis With Linear Processing Under Ricean Fading

This paper investigates the downlink (DL) rate of multicell massive multiuser multiple-input and multiple-output systems over Ricean fading channels that takes into account channel estimation errors. To acquire channel state information at all users, beamforming training (BT) is examined. Considering both maximum-ratio transmission (MRT) and zero forcing, this paper derives closed-form expressions on the lower bound of the achievable rates for two cases, with or without BT. With the obtained expressions, Bernoulli's inequality is invoked to find the ranges for the length of DL pilots such that the sum spectral efficiency of the scheme with BT is superior to that of the scheme without BT, and vice versa. Various power scaling laws concerning DL data and pilot transmit powers and uplink pilot transmit power are analyzed. Numerical results corroborate the accuracy of the closed-form expressions. In particular, the results show that employing BT with MRT processing is only preferred in environments having a high signal-to-noise ratio, low mobility, and small Ricean $K$-factors.
+TV4E: An Interactive Television Platform as a Support to Broadcast Information about Social Services

In the last decades almost all countries face the increasing of elderly population [1]. Given these recent changes, there have been appearing a several number of gerontechnologies to enhance seniors’ quality of life. In this context and despite the strong investment from the Governments to disseminate services like distance help or provision of medical information, the level of success is still very low. Possibly this failure is due to the fact that most of these approaches requires the user to search for the information (a "pull-oriented" activity from the user's perspective) rather than a "push-oriented" where the user receives the information. Television (TV) is one of the privileged resources to reach the general population, but it is an even more powerful way to achieve older people, limited to their home or in institutional context, due to the fact that almost all seniors are familiar with a TV set. Elderly are commonly in a disadvantaged position, for not knowing how to access public and social services they can benefit from (e.g. medication discounts, medical appointments, etc.). Regarding this, it is being developed an iTV platform (+TV4E) which aims to disseminate information about public and social services for seniors, by interrupting the visualization of linear TV content with audio-visual content about these services. In order to broadcast the information that elderly viewer most need and want to receive, it will defined a set of user profiles. The profiles’ definition will be achieved throughout a set of selection phases, and the first phase involves the definition of the individuals that will be able to interact with the +TV4E. In this paper is presented a set of criteria for the first filtration of users who can benefit from this type of iTV services and the respective services that they can be interested in receive information about.
COVID-19 in Smokeless Tobacco Habitués: Increased Susceptibility and Transmission

As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues to sweep across the globe, the world is responding by implementing public awareness campaigns, social distancing measures, and other preventive strategies to arrest the spread of this lethal disease. Infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exacts a heavy toll on patients with existing comorbidities. Smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption is of particular concern in countries in South Asia with high population densities, as it facilitates exposure to SARS-CoV-2 within or between communities by the act of public spitting. Salivary droplets generated in this act are a potential threat because they can transmit this airborne infection. Moreover, large gatherings at tobacco retail outlets, frequent hand-to-mouth contact, and sharing of apparatus by SLT habitués could also aid in increasing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. SLT-induced higher expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors along with the presence of furin in the oral mucosa and dysfunctional immune responses among SLT habitués increase viral dissemination and an individual’s susceptibility to COVID-19. Issuing rigorous regulations to restrict the use of various forms of SLT products and the obnoxious act of spitting in public can assist in arresting the spread of COVID-19. Widespread education campaigns enlightening the community regarding the adverse effects of SLT consumption and its relationship with COVID-19, along with providing effective assistance to quit for those who are addicted, would decrease the spread of COVID-19.
Regionale Typisierung: Was Ausbildungsmärkte vergleichbar macht

von Guido Heineck, Corinna Kleinert und Alexander Vosseler  Für den Vergleich regionaler Ar­ beitsmärkte verwendet die Bun­ desagentur für Arbeit seit 2003 wissenschaftlich basierte Typisie­ rungen. Mit der gleichen Methodik hat nun das IAB eine Typisierung regionaler Ausbildungsmärkte ent­ wickelt.  Im Mittelpunkt der Typisierung stehen die Übergangsquoten in be­ triebliche Berufsausbildung, weil hier eine marktförmige Organisa­ tion gegeben ist und die BA einen Vermittlungsauftrag hat.  Es zeigen sich große regionale Disparitäten, die beim Einsatz von Übergangsmaßnahmen und außer­ betrieblicher Ausbildung berück­ sichtigt werden sollten.  Wie gut Ausbildungsmärkte funk­ tionieren, hängt stark von exogenen regionalen Strukturen ab. Teilweise sind allerdings andere Faktoren als bei den Arbeitsmärkten bedeutsam.  Besonders wichtige Einflussgrö­ ßen sind der Anteil von Großbetrie­ ben in den umliegenden Regionen, die Arbeitslosenquote und der Ter­ tiarisierungsgrad der Ausbildungs­ betriebe vor Ort.  Mithilfe der Determinanten der Übergangsquoten wurden die Re­ gionen in Deutschland typisiert. Insgesamt lassen sich die 174 Ar­ beitsagenturbezirke in zwölf Aus­ bildungsmarkttypen einteilen, die zu vier Übergruppen zusammenge­ fasst werden können. Eine vom IAB neu entwickelte Typisierung erlaubt es erstmals, Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede von regionalen Ausbil­ dungsmärkten abzubilden. Vor allem die Arbeitslosenquote und die Struktur der Ausbildungsbetriebe vor Ort haben Ein­ fluss darauf, wie vielen Jugendlichen in einer Region der Übergang in betriebliche Ausbildung gelingt. Bundesweit lassen sich zwölf regionale Ausbildungsmarkt­ typen unterscheiden.
Field Germination and Survival of Experimentally Introduced Metal Hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens (Brassicaceae) Across a Soil Metal Gradient

Abstract Noccaea caerulescens (formerly Thlaspi caerulescens, Brassicaceae) is a model species for studying the genetics and physiology of metal hyperaccumulation and is economically valuable for phytoremediation. Its growth and survival under varying natural conditions remain relatively unstudied but such information would be essential for assessing the effectiveness and potential ecological impacts of using N. caerulescens for phytoremediation. In this study, we experimentally introduced N. caerulescens seeds and seedlings to three sites with zinc- and cadmium-contaminated mine tailings in southwestern Colorado. We observed its germination, growth, and survival at three distances from the tailings (‘locations’) and with and without native vegetation removal to assess its establishment potential. Overall plant growth was slow and plants did not reach reproductive stage after three growing seasons, but plant performance did vary by site and location. High soil copper concentrations in the tailings at one site greatly reduced plant survival, whereas high plant-available zinc in the tailings increased survival and growth at the other two sites. Presence of native vegetation had a facilitative effect on early growth and survival of germinated seedlings. Our results suggest N. caerulescens is unlikely to become invasive if introduced to similar high elevation sites for phytoremediation. However, our finding that plants can survive on low-metal soils, combined with the species' high reproductive potential, warrants further research to examine its ability to establish at other field sites.
A Flexible and Modular Body-Machine Interface for Individuals Living with Severe Disabilities

This paper presents a control interface to translate the residual body motions of individuals living with severe disabilities, into control commands for body-machine interaction. A custom, wireless, wearable multi-sensor network is used to collect motion data from multiple points on the body in real-time. The solution proposed successfully leverage electromyography gesture recognition techniques for the recognition of inertial measurement units-based commands (IMU), without the need for cumbersome and noisy surface electrodes. Motion pattern recognition is performed using a computationally inexpensive classifier (Linear Discriminant Analysis) so that the solution can be deployed onto lightweight embedded platforms. Five participants (three able-bodied and two living with upper-body disabilities) presenting different motion limitations (e.g. spasms, reduced motion range) were recruited. They were asked to perform up to 9 different motion classes, including head, shoulder, finger, and foot motions, with respect to their residual functional capacities. The measured prediction performances show an average accuracy of 99.96% for able-bodied individuals and 91.66% for participants with upper-body disabilities. The recorded dataset has also been made available online to the research community. Proof of concept for the real-time use of the system is given through an assembly task replicating activities of daily living using the JACO arm from Kinova Robotics.
Evaluation of risk factors of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) Injury: A prospective comparative analysis

Introduction: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is the most frequently injured knee ligament. Combination of valgus force with internal rotation is the most common mechanism involved in ACL injury. Both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors are responsible for the ACL injury. Purpose: To determine the risk factors causing ACL injury by comparing lower limb anatomical features, ACL size and body mass index (BMI) between ACL deficient and ACL intact knees. Materials and Methods: Mechanical axis deviation from vertical axis, tibiofemoral angle, hip neck-shaft angle, posterior tibial slope, notch width index were compared using radiography. BMI and ultrasonographic (USG) diameter of ACL were also measured for comparison. Results: Among the anatomical lower limb parameters mechanical axis deviation from vertical axis, hip neck shaft angle and tibiofemoral angle showed non-significant (p value>0.05) differences while there were significant differences of femoral notch width index (p= 0.014) and posterior tibial slope angle (p <0.001) between the two groups. ACL diameter (size) and BMI also showed significant differences (p<0.05). ACL deficient knees have higher BMI (mean 25.82 vs 23.33: p<0.001) and lesser diameter (mean 7.31 mm vs 7.99 mm; p<0.001) compared to the ACL intact knees. Conclusion: Higher posterior tibial slope and smaller notch width index are associated with higher risk of ACL injury. Individuals with lesser diameter of ACL or higher BMI have more chances of injury to the ligament.
Automated Quantification of CT Patterns Associated with COVID-19 from Chest CT

Purpose To present a method that automatically segments and quantifies abnormal CT patterns commonly present in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), namely ground glass opacities and consolidations. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, the proposed method takes as input a non-contrasted chest CT and segments the lesions, lungs, and lobes in three dimensions, based on a dataset of 9749 chest CT volumes. The method outputs two combined measures of the severity of lung and lobe involvement, quantifying both the extent of COVID-19 abnormalities and presence of high opacities, based on deep learning and deep reinforcement learning. The first measure of (PO, PHO) is global, while the second of (LSS, LHOS) is lobe-wise. Evaluation of the algorithm is reported on CTs of 200 participants (100 COVID-19 confirmed patients and 100 healthy controls) from institutions from Canada, Europe and the United States collected between 2002-Present (April 2020). Ground truth is established by manual annotations of lesions, lungs, and lobes. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to compare the prediction to the ground truth. Results Pearson correlation coefficient between method prediction and ground truth for COVID-19 cases was calculated as 0.92 for PO (P < .001), 0.97 for PHO (P < .001), 0.91 for LSS (P < .001), 0.90 for LHOS (P < .001). 98 of 100 healthy controls had a predicted PO of less than 1%, 2 had between 1-2%. Automated processing time to compute the severity scores was 10 seconds per case compared to 30 minutes required for manual annotations. Conclusion A new method segments regions of CT abnormalities associated with COVID-19 and computes (PO, PHO), as well as (LSS, LHOS) severity scores.
Vegetación de la Sierra Madre Occidental, México: una síntesis

The Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO) is the largest mountain range in Mexico, extending along more than 1200 km from northeastern Sonora (30°35' N) ca at the US-Mexico border to northern Jalisco (21°00' N) on western Mexico. It includes part of the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, as well as small areas of Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, and Aguascalientes. Of major ecological and economical importance, with a high biological and cultural diversity, this cordilleran complex is not yet well known. For this area, information about the different vegetation types, their elevational ranges, and the climates influencing them, is presented, as is a map showing the geographical distribution of the vegetation types. The area encompasses a confluence of Madrean, Xerophytic Madrean, and Tropical ecosystems. The Madrean region, with temperate and semi-cold climates, includes five vegetation types: pine forest, mixed-conifer forest, pine-oak forest, oak forest and temperate mesophytic forest, as well as communities of primary and secondary chaparral and montane meadow vegetation. The Xerophytic Madrean region, at foothills and eastern branches of the cordillera, has temperate or semi-cold dry climates and a vegetation of oak or pine-oak woodland and evergreen Juniper scrub, with transitions toward the grassland and xerophytic scrub areas of the Mexican high plateau or even to the subtropical scrub at the southern area of the Madrean Archipelago subregion. The Tropical region, entering the SMO through the deep canyons on the western flanks, has warm, semi-warm, and dry-warm climates and a prevalence of tropical deciduous forest and subtropical scrub, with small areas of tropical semideciduous forest. The high species richness of this range can be exemplified with the three physiognomically dominant genera: 24 species of Pinus (46% of the Mexican total), 54 species of Quercus (34%), and 7 species of Arbutus (100%).
bf4: towards bug-free P4 programs

Recent verification work has made advances in finding bugs in P4 programs before deployment, but it requires that the programmer specifies table rules that are possible at runtime[32, 24, 27]. This imposes a specification burden on the programmer, while at the same time failing to guarantee that bugs will not be inserted at runtime by faulty controllers. We present bf4, a novel verification approach for P4 programs that uses a mix of static verification, code changes and runtime checks to ensure that the deployed P4 program is bug free. To achieve this, bf4 uses static analysis to find all possible bugs in the P4 program; for each possible bug, bf4 attempts to find predicates that, when applied to table rules inserted by the controller, make that bug unreachable. If such predicates do not exist, bf4 can change the P4 code and re-run the procedure above. We applied bf4 to a wide range of P4 programs; for all these, bf4 is able to generate controller assertions and propose fixes that guarantee no controller-induced bug is reachable. At runtime, bf4 checks that the controller does not insert faulty rules; when it does, it throws an exception which helps troubleshoot the bug.
Evaluation of Corn Grain Yield and Water Use Efficiency Using Subsurface Drip Irrigation

ABSTRACT Agricultural production greatly benefits New Mexico's economy, yet without irrigation its semi-arid environment has limited production potential. Conserving and efficiently using irrigation water has become critical for sustainable agriculture in the arid and semi-arid southwestern United States. This study was conducted in 2002 and 2003 at the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center in Farmington, NM on a sandy loam soil (soil series Shiprock, Typic Haplargids coarse, loamy, mixed, calcareous, mesic family) to evaluate corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield and water use efficiency (WUE) under subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) with permanent bed culture. Drip tape was placed at 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm below the soil surface. Row-lengths of missing plants were measured to determine percent plant stand. Nutrient levels were monitored through soil and plant tissue sampling. Averaged over both years, highest plant stand, yield, and WUE were obtained from the 15- and 20-cm tape depths. Soil analysis indicated only slight changes in characteristics over the duration of the study. Plant tissue analysis indicated sufficient nutrient content. Ear heights were unaffected by tape depth. Utilization of permanent bed subsurface drip irrigation on sandy loam soil in northwestern New Mexico with tape depth of 15 to 20 cm below soil surface was the most efficient in terms of production and water use efficiency.