Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Size at Birth, Fasting Glucose and Insulin Levels and Insulin Resistance in Adult Twins

Abstract Studies in singletons have found an association between birthweight and Type 2 diabetes in adult life. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this association could also be seen in twins. 59 monozygotic (MZ) and 69 dizygotic (DZ) same-sex twin pairs aged 19–50 years and 89 singleton controls matched for age, gestational age, gender, maternal age and parity were recruited from a local obstetric database. Associations between adult glucose, HbA1C and insulin levels and insulin resistance and birthweight were assessed by linear regression with adjustment for confounding variables. Twins were significantly lighter at birth than singleton controls, but there were no significant differences in adult weight, glucose, HbA1C and insulin levels or insulin resistance between twins and controls. The relationship between birthweight and fasting glucose and insulin levels, and insulin resistance was not significantly different from zero in either twins or controls, but birthweight was significantly negatively associated with HbA1C only in controls. There was no evidence of a difference between MZ and DZ twins in unpaired or within-pair analysis. These results provide little evidence that low birthweight in twins increases the risk of impaired glucose-insulin metabolism in young adults or that genetic factors can account for the association observed in singletons.
Learning Methods of Recurrent Spiking Neural Networks

In an artificial Spiking Neural Network (SNN) the information processing and transmission are carried out by spike trains in a manner similar to the generic biological neurons. Recently it has been reported that they are computationally more powerful than the conventional neural networks. Yet, there are no well defined efficient methods for learning due to their rather intricately discontinuous and nonlinear mechanisms. In this paper, we consider a recurrent SNN constructed with integrate-and-fire type spiking neurons. First we propose a learning method such that the SNN possesses desired transient responses (spike-train outputs) by changing the synaptic weights. Further by including periodic state conditions we propose a learning method such that the SNN possesses desired oscillatory responses (limit cycle spike train) by changing both the synaptic weights and the initial conditions. Simulation examples are also provided to verify the efficiency and the applicability of the proposed algorithm.
Hinting as a Tactic in One-on-One Tutoring

One-on-one tutoring is a particularly effective mode of instruction, and we have studied the behavior of expert tutors in such a setting. A tactic commonly used by our expert tutors is hinting, that is, the prompting of a student to recollect information presumed to be known to him or her, or the prompting of a student to make an inference needed to solve a problem or answer a question, or both. Hints may directly convey information or may point to information the student already possesses. Another tactic prompts the student in a step-by-step manner (in a directed line of reasoning) to an answer. Our tutors generated 315 hints and directed lines of reasoning in 30 hr of tutoring. The surface structure of hints is complex and varied, reflecting, in part, the fact that the utterances making up hints often serve multiple functions. Hinting is triggered by student errors but ceases when it appears that the student is unable to respond appropriately. Hints encourage the student to engage in active cognitive pr.
Environmental, maternal, and child factors which contribute to early childhood caries: a unifying conceptual model.

Objectives. Although the general pathways connecting the external social environment and child risk factors of early childhood caries (ECC) have been previously identified, the maternal and other links to ECC are not well understood. The aim of this paper is to propose a unifying conceptual model that ties together the broad social environmental, maternal, and child factors that are commonly associated with ECC.
Software forensics: old methods for a new science

Over the past few years there has been a renewed interest in the science of software authorship identification; this area of research has been termed 'software forensics'. This paper examines the range of possible measures that can be used to establish commonality and variance in programmer style, with a view to determining program authorship. It also describes some applications of these techniques, particularly for establishing the originator of programs in cases of security breach, plagiarism and computer fraud.
Decision support for ARMA model identification using hierarchically organized neural networks

To resolve the difficulties in autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model identification, the extended sample autocorrelation function (ESACF) is adopted as a feature extractor, and the multilayered backpropagation network (MLBPN) is used as a pattern classifier. To improve the classification power of MLBPNs, a hierarchically organized neural network is proposed, which consists of an AR network and many small-sized MA networks. The output of the AR network determines the AR order of a time series, and designates the MA network which will give the MA order. A step-by-step training strategy is also suggested so that the learned MPBPNs can effectively classify ESACF patterns contaminated by a high level of noise. The experiment with the artificially generated test data and real world data showed promising results. <<ETX>>
Inference in topic models: sparsity and trade-off

Topic models are popular for modeling discrete data (e.g., texts, images, videos, links), and provide an efficient way to discover hidden structures/semantics in massive data. One of the core problems in this field is the posterior inference for individual data instances. This problem is particularly important in streaming environments, but is often intractable. In this paper, we investigate the use of the Frank-Wolfe algorithm (FW) for recovering sparse solutions to posterior inference. From detailed elucidation of both theoretical and practical aspects, FW exhibits many interesting properties which are beneficial to topic modeling. We then employ FW to design fast methods, including ML-FW, for learning latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) at large scales. Extensive experiments show that to reach the same predictiveness level, ML-FW can perform tens to thousand times faster than existing state-of-the-art methods for learning LDA from massive/streaming data.
Trabekulotomie ab interno (Trabectome) – Kumulierte klinische Ergebnisse eines großen Glaukomkollektivs

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: Das Ziel der Studie war es, den drucksenkenden Effekt und die Reduktion der antiglaukomatösen Therapie durch die Trabekulotomie ab interno (Trabectome) zu evaluieren und die Einsatzmöglichkeit im klinischen Alltag zu bewerten. Patienten und Methoden: 296 Augen (n = 296 Patienten) mit diagnostiziertem primärem Offenwinkelglaukom (PCOWG) und Pseudoexfoliationsglaukom (PEX) wurden in die Studie von 06/2012 bis 06/2014 eingeschlossen. Bei zeitgleichem Vorliegen einer Katarakt wurde die Trabectomeoperation mit einer Phakoemulsifikation (Phako) und IOL-Implantation kombiniert. Zur statistischen Auswertung wurden 4 Gruppen gebildet (Gruppe 1 = Trabectome bei PCOWG, Gruppe 2 = Trabectome bei PEX, Gruppe 3 = Trabectome + Phako bei PCOWG, Gruppe 4 = Trabectome + Phako bei PEX). IOD-Messungen und die Zahl der antiglaukomatösen Medikation wurde bei jedem Follow-up über 1 Jahr erhoben. Ergebnisse: In Gruppe 1 und 2 betrug der mittlere IOD präoperativ 19,8 ± 5,9 mmHg und 23,7 ± 9,5 mmHg. Es zeigte sich eine signifikante IOD-Reduktion auf 14,8 ± 3,2 mmHg (p = 0,001) und 14,0 ± 3,3 mmHg (p = 0,046) 1 Jahr postoperativ. Die Anzahl der topischen Glaukommedikamente sank auf 2,1 ± 1,2 (p = 0,004) und 2,4 ± 1,2 (p = 0,593) nach 1 Jahr Follow-up in Gruppe 1 und 2. Der mittlere IOD präoperativ betrug 19,2 ± 4,0 mmHg und 23,2 ± 9,2 mmHg in der Gruppe 3 und 4. Eine signifikante IOD-Reduktion auf 11,8 ± 3,1 mmHg (p < 0,01) und 12,6 ± 1,1 mmHg (p = 0,043) zeigte sich 1 Jahr postoperativ. Die Anzahl der topischen Glaukommedikamente änderte sich auf 2,3 ± 1,4 (p = 0,469) und 1,4 ± 0,8 (p = 0,102) nach 1 Jahr Follow-up, jeweils für das PCOWG und PEX. In der Gruppe Trabectome + Phako PCOWG in Korrelation zur Gruppe Trabectome PCOWG konnte ein signifikanter Unterschied bez. der IOD-Senkung nach 1 Jahr postoperativ (p = 0,017) erhoben werden. In der Gruppe Trabectome + Phako PEX vs. Gruppe Trabectome PEX konnte kein signifikanter Unterschied (p = 0,678) demonstriert werden. Es traten keine schwerwiegenden postoperativen Komplikationen auf. Schlussfolgerung: Die Trabekulotomie ab interno (Trabectome) konnte eine signifikante Drucksenkung nach 1 Jahr Nachuntersuchung in allen Subgruppen erzielen. Aufgrund des geringen Nebenwirkungsspektrums kann das Trabectome als zuverlässiges und komplikationsarmes Verfahren zur IOD-Reduktion bei milden und moderaten Glaukomstadien im Klinikalltag eingesetzt werden.
Design and simulation of an image-based fuzzy tracking controller for a wheeled mobile robot

Image processing algorithms and fuzzy logic method are used to design a visual tracking controller for mobile robot navigation. In this paper, a wheeled mobile robot is equipped with a camera for detecting its task space. The grabbed environmental images are treated using image recognition processing to obtain target's size and position. The images are treated using input membership functions as the fuzzy logic controller input. The recognized target's size and position are input into a fuzzy logic controller in which fuzzy rules are used for inference. The inference results are output to the defuzzifier to obtain a physical control signal to control the mobile robot's movement. The velocity and direction of the mobile robot are the output of fuzzy logic controller. The differences in velocities for two wheels are used to control the robot's movement directions. The fuzzy logic controller outputs the control commands to drive the mobile robot to reach a position 50cm front of the target location. The simulation results verify that the proposed FLC is effective in navigating the mobile robot to track a moving target.
The Research Data Centre for Education (FDZ Bildung): Qualitative Data in the Context of a Social Science Triangulation of Methods

In the course of large-scale international school achievement assessments (PISA, TIMSS etc.) and subject to the triangulation of methods, qualitative micro-genetic studies such as video-graphic observations of lessons serve to deepen gained insights and differentiate them, to reach a more comprehensive view of phenomena and thus come to a more appropriate understanding of a subject domain. Against this background, qualitative video studies have become significantly more relevant in educational research in the last ten years, particularly in the field of research on school quality and instruction.
Collaborative 3D Product Development with Multiple Levels of Detail in Visualization of Design Features

This research develops a novel representation scheme for collaborative 3D product development with multiple levels of detail (LODs) based on integration of feature model and 2D meshes. Different features are selectively hidden in the product model from certain collaborators, depending on their individual authorities and actual requirements in collaboration. The feature switch face is used to control display/hiding of each feature. A tree-like data structure is introduced for characterizing the feature hierarchy, 2D mesh, and the relations of each feature to the switch faces and LODs in a product model. Algorithms are also provided for quick generation of the mesh data from the data structure for displaying the 3D model corresponding to any LOD. An agent-based system, which allows multi-user synchronous collaborative 3D assembly over the Internet, is implemented to demonstrate the effectiveness of this work. A real scenario of 3D mold design using the system shows that the proposed LOD concept enhances the security of information sharing and the efficiency of data transmission while ensures the practicality in network-based 3D design collaboration.
Contribution of OX40/OX40 ligand interaction to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

OX40 ligand (OX40L) and OX40 (CD134) are a pair of cell surface molecules belonging to the TNF/TNF receptor family. Interaction of OX40L with its receptor OX40 is thought to be important in T cell activation through T cell/antigen‐presenting cell interaction. However, involvement of these molecules in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. To explore the contribution of OX40/OX40L interaction to the pathogenesis of RA in vivo, we evaluated the effect of a neutralizing anti‐OX40L monoclonal antibody (mAb) on the development of collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1 mice as an animal model for RA. Administration of anti‐OX40L mAb into type II collagen (CII) ‐immunized DBA/1 mice dramatically ameliorated the disease severity. In vivo treatment with anti‐OX40L mAb did not inhibit the expansion of CII‐reactive T cells, but suppressed IFN‐γ and anti‐CII IgG2a production. Therefore, OX40/OX40L interaction appears to play a critical role in the development of CIA by enhancing Th1‐type autoimmune response. In addition, T lymphocytes in synovial fluid and synovial tissue from RA patients expressed OX40, while OX40L was expressed on sublining cells in synovial tissue. These results indicate that OX40/OX40L interaction may play a critical role in the development of RA.
Dynamic dexterity of redundant manipulators

We highlight the joint torque optimization problem of redundant manipulators and introduce a new concept, dynamic dexterity, for controller design. Similar to the kinematic dexterity, the measure for the robotic mechanism design, dynamic dexterity, can serve as an important criteria for the design of redundant manipulator controller. Clearly, kinematic dexterity is intrinsic to a robotic mechanism, it can also be used as a measure of controller design for redundant manipulator. However, the only geometric relation with robotic mechanism limits its capacity to serve as a criterion for controller design. Some other fateful factors should be considered simultaneously in controller design, and they are included in the new dynamic dexterity criteria. Theoretical analysis and simulation have shown that dynamic dexterity is very useful for the controller design.
Visible differences predictor: an algorithm for the assessment of image fidelity

Image fidelity is the subset of overall image quality that specifically addresses the visual equivalence of two images. This paper describes an algorithm for determining whether the goal of image fidelity is met as a function of display parameters and viewing conditions. Using a digital image processing approach, this algorithm is intended for the design and analysis of image processing algorithms, imaging systems, and imaging media. The visual model, which is the central component of the algorithm, is comprised of three parts: an amplitude nonlinearity, a contrast sensitivity function, and a hierarchy of detection mechanisms.
Issues in Multivariate Cluster Analysis

Using a Monte Carlo simulation, the research in this article addresses two key questions about the accuracy of cluster analysis in reproducing a known true cluster model. First, how is the accuracy affected by different ways of measuring interunit similarity; in this case, different ways of using principal components analysis. Second, how is the accuracy affected by the quality of the characteristics data and by different procedures for handling missing information? The results indicate that using principal components analysis is superior to not using it and that the choice of how to utilize the principal components results may be critical. The results also indicate that the impact of data quality differences may be minimal, but that there are important differentials among the procedures for handling missing data.
Influence of Pelvicaliceal Anatomy on Stone Clearance After Flexible Ureteroscopy and Holmium Laser Lithotripsy for Large Renal Stones.

PURPOSE This study was performed to evaluate the impact of pelvicaliceal anatomy on stone clearance in patients with remnant fragments in the lower pole after flexible ureteroscopy and holmium laser lithotripsy (fURSL) for renal stones >15 mm. PATIENTS AND METHODS This retrospective study included 67 patients with radiopaque residual fragments (>2 mm) in the lower pole after fURSL for large renal stones (>15 mm). The preoperative infundibular length (IL), infundibular width (IW), infundibulopelvic angle (IPA), and caliceal pelvic height (CPH) were measured using intravenous urography. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine whether any of these measurements affected stone clearance. RESULTS Of the 67 patients, 55 (82.1%) were stone free (SF) 3 months after fURSL. The anatomic factors significantly favorable for an SF status were a short IL, broad IW, wide IPA, and low CPH. On multivariate analysis, the IPA had a significant influence on an SF status after fURSL (p=0.010). An IPA <30° was a negative risk factor (p=0.019). Postoperative complications occurred in nine patients (13.4%), including Clavien grade I complications in two patients (2.9%), grade II in six patients (8.9%), and grade IIIa in one patient (1.8%). Almost all complications were minor. CONCLUSIONS An IPA <30° is the only negative risk factor for stone clearance after fURSL for large renal stones according to our multivariate analysis. Additional studies are required to further evaluate the characteristics of the pelvicaliceal anatomy influencing stone clearance.
Library Instruction in the Digital Age

ABSTRACT Updating her 2003 article in Reference Services Review (“The Future of Reference: Get Real! ” Reference Services Review 3(1), 2003, 39–42, DOI: 10.1108/00907320310460898), the author emphasizes the need to get a good sense of what one's users’ priorities are, concentrating efforts on successful tools researchers will actually use; responding to changes that have taken place in research and scholarship; devising instruction for use in actual environments, spaces, and timeframes; focusing on local user needs; and working to influence user-centered design of library online systems.
Optimizing detection of road furniture (pole-like object) in Mobile Laser Scanner data

Abstract. Due to the road safety problem is becoming more and more serious recent years, existing road safety assessment by using automatic method is necessary. Meanwhile, since the pole-like objects have large effect on road safety and are in high demand as facilities to be managed, the automatic pole-like objects extraction is becoming a hot issue. As a result, a robust, quick and automatic pole-like object detection algorithm in MLS data is proposed in this paper. Two datasets are tested to show performance of the proposed algorithm, it demonstrates that it is feasible to detect tree with an overall accuracy of over 92% and other pole-like object of 72% in dataset A and 82% of tree points and 75% of other pole points in dataset B.
A 900 MHz transceiver chip set for dual-mode cellular radio mobile terminals

A chip set for compact transceivers meeting IS54 dual-mode cellular telephone standards is described. It consists of a direct up-conversion modulator and a double conversion receiver in a 12-GHz super-self-aligned bipolar process. It is operated from a 5-V power supply, and the total power dissipation is 310 mW. Both circuits can be put into a power-down mode with a maximum off-current of 10 mu A. The modulator chip is 4.1 mm/sup 2/, and the receiver chip is 4.9 mm/sup 2/. <<ETX>>
Audio fingerprinting based on local energy centroid

Audio fingerprint is an effective representation of an audio signal using low-level features and can be used to identify unlabeled audio based on its content. In this paper, we introduce a robust audio feature, local energy centroid (LEC), which can represent the energy conglomeration degree of the relative small region in the spectrum. Our audio fingerprint is generated based on the LEC feature which is conducive to enhance the robustness of system. In audio retrieval processing, an improved scoring strategy is proposed to resist the linear speed change. Experimental results show that the new fingerprinting system is quite robust in the present of noise and the proposed method can achieve satisfying recognition accuracy.
Assessment of 3PL Providers for Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials (hazmat) production and transportation have been increasing continuously. Especially, as they could harm people and environment during hazmat transportation, the firms tend to give hazmat transportation and other logistic activities to third party logistics (3PL) providers. Although there are many studies on hazmat, to the best of our knowledge we have not met the studies on 3PL provider selection for hazmat. Therefore, the aim of this study is to propose an assessment multi criteria decision making (MCDM) model for the selection of 3PL provider for hazmat. In this model, fuzzy decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) is used to weight of criteria. Fuzzy DEMATEL is a comprehensive technique to build and analyze a structural model involving causal relationships among complex criteria. Fuzzy TOPSIS is utilized to assess the alternatives. To show applicability and effectiveness of the proposed model, an illustrative example is presented in our study.
Adaptive sensor for chemical analysis

Using our experience in signal processing and optimization of complex systems we propose a new method to adaptive sensing of chemical content of vegetations. This framework is demonstrated for different agricultural plants using the neural network algorithm for classification of spectral curves and adaptive filtration. Utilization of characteristics of leaf reflectance spectrum, which are a relative characteristic of the light reflected from canopies, makes it possible to avoid the necessity of measuring the 100% reflectance standard and to provide the high resistance of the method to distorting factors in particular to soil reflectance contribution. For utilization of the method the numerical algorithms is proposed. Various estimation problems will be considered to illustrate the computational aspects of the proposed method. The software is based on digital filter, optimization approach and neural network algorithm for classification of chemical components. Supporting software for data management, storage, signal processing will be development. A concept of an intelligent sensor is considered.
Nicht ganz dasselbe: Krankheitsvorstellungen von Burnout und Depression in der Allgemeinbevölkerung

Zusammenfassung Ziel: Herauszufinden, welche Krankheits- und Ursachenvorstellungen in der deutschen Allgemeinbevölkerung mit den Begriffen Burnout und Depression verbunden sind. Methode: Repräsentative Bevölkerungsumfrage in Deutschland 2011 unter Verwendung einer ungelabelten Fallvignette Depression. Ergebnis: Vererbung als Ursache ist eher mit der Bezeichnung Depression, beruflicher Stress eher mit der Bezeichnung Burnout assoziiert. Einordnung der Symptome als Extremform normaler Alltagserfahrungen ist ebenfalls mit der Bezeichnung Burnout verbunden. Schlussfolgerung: Der Burnout-Begriff ist mit spezifischen Krankheitsvorstellungen assoziiert, weist aber auch Überschneidungen mit dem Begriff Depression auf.
The Computer Implementation of Econometric Model

Based on the application of software like MATLAB and Excel etc., the article gives focus on the detailed implementation of economic model. The article introduces the basic knowledge of econometric model and model building method, elaborates on the application of econometric model in survival model, and gives example on how to estimate undetermined parameters with a complete set of data. Keywords-Economic model, Survival model, Computer application