Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robot System Assistant (RoSA): Towards Intuitive Multi-Modal and Multi-Device Human-Robot Interaction

This paper presents an implementation of RoSA, a Robot System Assistant, for safe and intuitive human-machine interaction. The interaction modalities were chosen and previously reviewed using a Wizard of Oz study emphasizing a strong propensity for speech and pointing gestures. Based on these findings, we design and implement a new multi-modal system for contactless human-machine interaction based on speech, facial, and gesture recognition. We evaluate our proposed system in an extensive study with multiple subjects to examine the user experience and interaction efficiency. It reports that our method achieves similar usability scores compared to the entirely human remote-controlled robot interaction in our Wizard of Oz study. Furthermore, our framework’s implementation is based on the Robot Operating System (ROS), allowing modularity and extendability for our multi-device and multi-user method.
Software security patches -- Audit, deployment and hot update

Due to its ever growing complexity, software is and will probably never be 100% bug-free and secure. Therefore in most cases, software companies publish updates regularly. For the lack of time or care, or maybe because stopping an applica- tion is annoying, such updates are rarely, if ever, deployed on users' machines. We propose an integrated tool allowing system administrators to deploy critical security updates on the fly on applications running remotely and without the intervention of the end-user. Our approach is based on Arachne, an aspect weaving system that dynamically rewrites binary code. Hence applications are still running while they are updated. Our second tool Minerve integrates Arachne within the standard updating process: Minerve takes a patch produced by diff, a tool that lists textual differences between two versions of a file, and eventually builds a dynamic patch that can later be woven to update the application on the fly. In addition, by translating patches into aspects and thus generating a more abstract presentation of the changes, Minerve eases auditing tasks.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Thermal Conductivity of Germanene Nanoribbons (GeNR) with Armchair and Zigzag Chirality

Germanene, an allotrope of germanium which is a two dimensional material with sp2 hybridization, has almost the same properties with graphene except for its buckled structure. In this study, germanium nanoribbon (GeNR) is use for it is still a new material for nanoscale level of research. In this paper, we investigate the effect of chirality on the thermal conductivity of zigzag GeNR (ZGeNR) and armchair GeNR (AGeNR) chiralities using equilibrium molecular dynamics with varied lengths at fixed temperature and varied temperatures at fixed length. The simulations were carried out in Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS) using Tersoff potential for the Ge-Ge interactions. The thermal conductivity is calculated using Green-Kubo method. It is found that the chirality can affect the thermal conductivity of GeNR. Our results show that thermal conductivity of AGeNR is higher than ZGeNR in both increasing temperatures and lengths similar to the thermal conductivity behavior obtained in silicene nanoribbons [Int. J. Mech. Mater. Des. 9 (2013) 105].
Quantitative atomic order characterization of a Mn2FeAl Heusler epitaxial thin film

In this work, we investigate the effect of anti-site disorder on the half-metallic properties of a Mn2FeAl Heusler alloy thin film. The film was grown on TiN-buffered MgO 001 substrates via magnetron sputtering. A detailed structural characterization using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and anomalous XRD showed that the film crystallizes in the partially disordered L21 B structure with 33% disorder between the Mn(B) and Al(D) sites. We measure a positive anisotropic magnetoresistance in the film, which is an indication of non-half metallic behaviour. Our x-ray magnetic circular dichroism sum rules analysis shows that Mn carries the magnetic moment in the film, with a positive Fe moment. Experimentally determined moments correspond most closely with those found by density functional calculated for the L21 B structure with Mn(B) and Al(D) site disorder, matching the experimental structural analysis. We thus attribute the deviation from half-metallic behaviour to the formation of the L21 B structure. To realize a half-metallic Mn2FeAl film it is important that the inverse Heusler XA structure is stabilized with minimal anti-site atomic disorder.
English Medium Instruction in Multilingual Classroom of Community Schools of Nepal

Multilingualism and multilingual classroom are the reality of language education in Nepal. Teaching in multilingual classroom is both fascinating and challenging for teachers. The article aims at exploring how the monolingual ideology over English language teaching has created a gap between the linguistic capital of learners and the authoritative pedagogical practices of teachers. Taking case of a community school in Lalitpur district, I investigate the practices of teaching English to multilingual learners in a community school and explore pertinent issues of monolingual practices in a multilingual classroom. I draw data from informal telephonic talk to a subject teacher selecting purposively and observe the instructional practices in the linguistically diversified classroom. The article makes two major claims regarding the excessive use of monolingual teaching kills the inner potentialities of learners and suggests embodying multilingual pedagogy to foster learners’ epistemic growth in a natural and comfortable environment. The teachers should transform themselves to bring change and innovation in course of their pedagogical journey. Such kind of innovation is only feasible if teachers construct and reconstruct their pedagogical assumptions as of the need of learners. So that diversified learners are addressed properly in their knowledge gaining content. It further informs that immense investigation on language classrooms to bring a paradigm shift in English language education is essential in the days to go.
Nonstudent Young Men Put Students at High Risk of HIV Acquisition in Guangxi, China: A Phylogenetic Analysis of Surveillance Data

Abstract Background We sought to identify students and their sexual partners in a molecular transmission network. Methods We obtained 5996 HIV protease and reverse transcriptase gene sequences in Guangxi (165 from students and 5831 from the general populations) and the relevant demographic data. We constructed a molecular transmission network and introduced a permutation test to assess the robust genetic linkages. We calculated the centrality measures to describe the transmission patterns in clusters. Results At the network level, 68 (41.2%) students fell within the network across 43 (8.1%) clusters. Of 141 genetic linkages between students and their partners, only 25 (17.7%) occurred within students. Students were more likely than random permutations to link to other students (odds ratio [OR], 7.2; P < .001), private company employees aged 16–24 years (OR, 3.3; P = .01), private company or government employees aged 25–49 years (OR, 1.7; P = .03), and freelancers or unemployed individuals aged 16–24 years (OR, 5.0; P < .001). At the cluster level, the median age of nonstudents directly linked to students (interquartile range) was 25 (22–30) years, and 80.3% of them had a high school or higher education background. Compared with students, they showed a significantly higher median degree (4.0 vs 2.0; P < .001) but an equivalent median Eigenvector Centrality (0.83 vs 0.81; P = .60). Conclusions The tendency of genetic linkage between students and nonstudent young men and their important position in the HIV transmission network emphasizes the urgent need for 2-pronged public health interventions based on both school and society.
Multiscale Tail Risk Connectedness of Global Stock Markets: A LASSO-Based Network Topology Approach

Due to the advent of deglobalization and regional integration, this article aims to adopt LASSO-based network connectedness to estimate the multiscale tail risk spillover effects of global stock markets. The results show that tail risk varies across frequencies and shocks. In static analysis, the risk is centered mostly on the developed European and North American markets at a low frequency (long term), and regionalization is imposed on the moderate frequency (midterm). Moreover, emerging markets could be sources of risk spillover, especially at the highest frequency (short term) where there is no absolute risk center. In dynamic analysis, we use rolling window estimation and find that different frequencies identify distinct episodes of shocks, which provides us with the reason for the diverse risk centers at different time scales in static analysis. Our findings provide heterogeneous financial practitioners, regulators, and investors with diverse characteristics of stock markets under multiple time horizons and help them operate their own trading strategies.
Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the University of California San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire in patients with interstitial lung disease

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the reliability, internal consistency and validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the University of California San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (UCSD SOBQ) in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods: Patients with ILD completed the questionnaire at three different time points, one week apart, with the assistance of two independent assessors. Intra- and inter-rater reliability were analysed via the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Internal consistency was assessed with the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. For the validity analysis, associations between variables were assessed with Spearman’s or Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Thirty patients with ILD (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, asbestosis or non-specific interstitial pneumonia) were included (15 men; mean age, 59 ± 10 years; DLCO: 46 [33-64] % predicted). UCSD SOBQ scores showed excellent agreement and internal consistency in the intra-rater analysis (ICC: 0.93 [0.85-0.97]; Cronbach alpha: 0.95) and in the inter-rater analysis (ICC: 0.95 [0.89-0.97]; Cronbach alpha: 0.95), as well as correlating significantly with dyspnoea (as assessed by the Medical Research Council scale; r = 0.56); Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey domains bodily pain, general health, vitality and physical functioning (−0.40 ≤ r ≤ −0.74); six-minute walk distance (r = −0.38); and quadriceps muscle strength (r = −0.41). Conclusions: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the UCSD SOBQ is valid, is reliable and has internal consistency in patients with ILD in Brazil.
A methodology for bus network design

This thesis develops a methodology for solving the bus network design problem (BNDP) in which one seeks to determine the best configuration of bus routes and their frequencies, given information on the bus transit demand, the street network, the available resources and the operational constraints. The proposed methodology follows a heuristic approach and consists of two main components route generation (RG) and vehicle allocation (VA) that are implemented in a single automated design procedure. The proposed methodology addresses the principal shortcomings of previous heuristic approaches to the BNDP and is characterized by its ability to (1) incorporate the fleet size constraint within the route generation process, (2) identify the major trip patterns in the demand matrix for guidance in the route configuration, and (3) solve the BNDP using a general network design or a transit center network design. The RG procedure is based on the concept of route skeletons which consist of three nodes two termini and one intermediate node that are expanded into full routes by means of nodal insertions. RG creates one route at a time and estimates the number of buses required on the network after each route is generated. If the vehicle estimate is less than the available fleet size, an additional route is generated and the network is reevaluated; otherwise, VA is initiated. VA calculates the minimum number of buses required on each route so as to satisfy the loading feasibility and passenger assignment constraints. Surplus buses remaining after the minimum vehicle requirement is determined may be allocated on the network to improve its overall performance, or used by RG to create additional routes. The proposed methodology and automated design procedure are applied to a case study in San Juan, Puerto Rico where a major restructuring of the bus system using a transit center concept has been proposed. Solutions produced by the proposed methodology are compared with the proposed transit center route plan. Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Nigel H. M. Wilson Title: Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Incidence and Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Prospective Study

(1) Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). (2) Methods: The aim was to identify the incidence, severity, and risk factors for AKI during the first 100 days after allo-HSCT; we performed a prospective observational study on 135 consecutive patients. (3) Results: The mean age was 38.3 ± 11.9 years (50.6% females), AKI developed in 93 patients (68.9%), the median time of appearance was 28 days, and the mean serum creatinine at the time of AKI was 1.8 ± 0.8 mg/dL. A total of 36 (38.7%) patients developed stage 1 AKI, 33 (35.5%) patients developed stage 2, and 24 (25.8%) patients developed stage 3; eight (8.6%) patients required temporary hemodialysis, and the mortality rate in these patients was 87.5%. Death was twice as frequent in the AKI subgroup, without statistical significance. Cyclosporine overdose (HR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.45–3.85, p = 0.001), tacrolimus overdose (HR = 4.72, 95% CI: 2.22–10.01, p < 0.001), acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) (HR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.13–3.40, p = 0.01), and CRP level (HR = 1.009, 95% CI: 1.007–1.10, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for AKI. Sepsis (HR = 5.37, 95% CI: 1.75–16.48, p = 0.003) and sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HR = 5.10, 95% CI: 2.02–12.85, p = 0.001) were found as independent risk factors for AKI stage 3. (4) Conclusions: AKI occurs with high incidence and increased severity after allo-HSCT. Careful monitoring of calcineurin inhibitors and proper management of sepsis may reduce this risk.
Compression wood formation and pith eccentricity in Picea abies L. depending on selected site-related factors: Detection of compression wood by its spectral properties in reflected light

Studies have shown that the formation of compression wood is a negative gravitropic reaction of the coniferous tree. It is interpreted as serving the tree in recovering from a displacement in order to regain its original orientation in space. For the stem this would be the vertical orientation which it can hardly regain. The observed correction is often limited to the apical meristem leading to the appearance of a sweep. Therefore, compression wood formation can be considered as being a reaction to an external stress which is putting a strain on the tree. A profound knowledge of compression wood distribution could lead to a better understanding of the interaction of ecological factors and the growth or reaction of trees in response to them. In this study the effects of potential external factors on displacement and consequently compression wood formation are investigated. Trees from sites with different slopes and exposure to the prevailing wind directions are examined for their compression wood distribution and eccentric radial increment using a new hyperspectral image analysis method. The compression wood distribution in stems of Norway spruce is described and the detection of an inter-annual time series in the formation of compression wood is analysed. Material One of the objectives of this study is to describe the distribution of the compression wood in the stem of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and to examine the possible impacts of slope and exposure to the prevailing wind direction on the compression wood formation. Therefore the sites were selected to be as similar as possible, differing only in slope and exposure. In total, trees from five sites were sampled, all of which are located in southwestern Germany in the growth region “Black Forest” and “Baar-Wutach”. The sites belong to the submontane to highmontane altitudinal, there climate is suitable for Norway spruce. One of the sites is almost level with a slope of 1°. Two sites could be said to be strongly inclined with slopes of 10° and 17°, whereas the last two sites with 25° and 29° are considered steep. Of the two pairs of sites on the inclined slopes, one site on each is exposed to the south-west, against the prevailing wind direction, and the other to the northeast. Summarised data for the description of the five different sites are listed in Table 1. The wind data are taken from measurement stations of the DWD - German Weather Service and
Estimating the sample size of sham-controlled randomized controlled trials using existing evidence

Background: In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the power is often ‘reverse engineered’ based on the number of participants that can realistically be achieved. An attractive alternative is planning a new trial conditional on the available evidence; a design of particular interest in RCTs that use a sham control arm (sham-RCTs). Methods: We explore the design of sham-RCTs, the role of sequential meta-analysis and conditional planning in a systematic review of renal sympathetic denervation for patients with arterial hypertension. The main efficacy endpoint was mean change in 24-hour systolic blood pressure. We performed sequential meta-analysis to identify the time point where the null hypothesis would be rejected in a prospective scenario. Evidence-based conditional sample size calculations were performed based on fixed-effect meta-analysis. Results: In total, six sham-RCTs (981 participants) were identified. The first RCT was considerably larger (535 participants) than those subsequently published (median sample size of 80). All trial sample sizes were calculated assuming an unrealistically large intervention effect which resulted in low power when each study is considered as a stand-alone experiment. Sequential meta-analysis provided firm evidence against the null hypothesis with the synthesis of the first four trials (755 patients, cumulative mean difference -2.75 (95%CI -4.93 to -0.58) favoring the active intervention)). Conditional planning resulted in much larger sample sizes compared to those in the original trials, due to overoptimistic expected effects made by the investigators in individual trials, and potentially a time-effect association. Conclusions: Sequential meta-analysis of sham-RCTs can reach conclusive findings earlier and hence avoid exposing patients to sham-related risks. Conditional planning of new sham-RCTs poses important challenges as many surgical/minimally invasive procedures improve over time, the intervention effect is expected to increase in new studies and this violates the underlying assumptions. Unless this is accounted for, conditional planning will not improve the design of sham-RCTs.
Satellite passive microwave sea-ice concentration data set intercomparison using Landsat data

Abstract. We report on results of an intercomparison of 10 global sea-ice concentration (SIC) data products at 12.5 to 50.0 km grid resolution from satellite passive microwave (PMW) observations. For this we use SIC estimated from >350 images acquired in the visible–near-infrared frequency range by the joint National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and United States Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat sensor during the years 2003–2011 and 2013–2015. Conditions covered are late winter/early spring in the Northern Hemisphere and from late winter through fall freeze-up in the Southern Hemisphere. Among the products investigated are the four products of the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) Ocean and Sea Ice Satellite Application Facility (OSI SAF) and European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI) algorithms SICCI-2 and OSI-450. We stress the importance to consider intercomparison results across the entire SIC range instead of focusing on overall mean differences and to take into account known biases in PMW SIC products, e.g., for thin ice. We find superior linear agreement between PMW SIC and Landsat SIC for the 25 and the 50 km SICCI-2 products in both hemispheres. We discuss quantitatively various uncertainty sources of the evaluation carried out. First, depending on the number of mixed ocean–ice Landsat pixels classified erroneously as ice only, our Landsat SIC is found to be biased high. This applies to some of our Southern Hemisphere data, promotes an overly large fraction of Landsat SIC underestimation by PMW SIC products, and renders PMW SIC products overestimating Landsat SIC particularly problematic. Secondly, our main results are based on SIC data truncated to the range 0 % to 100 %. We demonstrate using non-truncated SIC values, where possible, can considerably improve linear agreement between PMW and Landsat SIC. Thirdly, we investigate the impact of filters often used to clean up the final products from spurious SIC over open water due to weather effects and along coastlines due to land spillover. Benefiting from the possibility to switch on or off certain filters in the SICCI-2 and OSI-450 products, we quantify the impact land spillover filtering can have on evaluation results as shown in this paper.
Sensitivity and Specificity of the Unité Rhumatologique Des Affections De La Main (URAM) Scale for Dupuytren Contracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses

Background: Unité Rhumatologique des Affections de la Main (URAM) is a novel and disease-specific questionnaire for Dupuytren contracture, a fibroproliferative disease that affects hands causing progressive contracture in flexion of the fingers. Objectives: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the URAM scale in Dupuytren contracture. Materials and Methods: We performed meta-analyses of 10 articles published in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and in various grey literature databases that describe the use of the URAM and Tubiana scales to assess treatment outcomes in Dupuytren contracture. We built three models: a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model to determine the optimal threshold for defining Dupuytren contracture, a difference in means model to assess the magnitude of the effect of different treatment modalities, and a meta-regression model to determine the effect on patient quality of life questionnaires such as the URAM, according to variations in Tubiana scores after treatment. Results: The HSROC and bivariate models showed a sensitivity of 80.23% (95% CI: 75.66 to 84.14) and an overall specificity of 2.61% (95% CI: 1.11 to 6.05). The second model showed an overall difference in means of 1.95 (95% CI: -2.86 to -1.04) for partial fasciectomy and collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) injections, and -1.30 (95% CI: -1.77 to -0.83) for partial fasciectomy, and -2.75 (95% CI: -4.73 to -0.78) for CCH. The coefficient obtained in the meta-regression model was -1.666 (95% CI: -4.183 to 0.851). Conclusion: The URAM scale is highly sensitive to changes in Dupuytren contracture but has low specificity. It also showed a strong correlation with worsening of finger contracture as measured by the Tubiana scale.