Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Improved Cellular Automata-Based Classifier with Soft Decision

Classification has been successfully applying in problems in a variety of fields, such as science, business, engineering, and industry. Unfortunately, the classifier coping with nonconforming binary patterns are rare. To deal with nonconforming pattern in binary Cellular Automata-based Classifier (CAC) had been proposed. However, CAC faces several limitations that need to improve. First, the rule ordering process in CAC which used Genetic Algorithm (GA) is unable to handle high dimensional complex problems. Second, finding decision boundaries is quite rough when dealing with ambiguous data. To deal with these problems, therefore, we propose a new classifier, called Cellular Automata-Based Classifier with Soft Decision (CAS). We replace the GA with the promising optimization algorithm, called Butterfly Optimization, for the rule ordering process. Subsequently, we improve the classification performance by augmenting a Soft-Decision step. This Soft-Decision step uses the pruning method to create a soft decision table, which efficiently serves for filtering useless data. Finally, to verify the classification performance of the proposed method, ten datasets consisting of conforming and nonconforming patterns are experimented in comparison with the promising classifiers including CAC, Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Naive Bayes, and Deep Learning using K-fold cross-validation. In this regard, CAS provides the promising results.
Surgical Correction of Scoliosis in Children with Severe Congenital Heart Disease and Palliated Single Ventricle Physiology

This study describes the largest cohort to date of single ventricle patients undergoing surgical correction of scoliosis. Twelve patients experienced postoperative complications (52%); there were no deaths, cerebrovascular events, adverse perioperative cardiac complications, or wound infections. Operative blood loss may be reduced by routine use of tranexamic acid. Study Design. Case series. Objective. In this study we focus on this group, and describe the largest cohort to date of single ventricle patients undergoing surgical correction of scoliosis at a single institution. Summary of Background Data. Outcomes of spinal surgery for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) have evolved and most affected patients have uncomplicated procedures. The risk of perioperative complications remains highest in patients with single ventricle (“Fontan") physiology. Methods. We reviewed patients with single ventricle CHD and operative scoliosis repair over a 25-year span. Patients who had undergone a Fontan, bidirectional Glenn, and/or Kawashima procedure before operative scoliosis repair were included. Patients were excluded if they lacked preoperative cardiac care and/or sufficient medical history at our institution. Results. Twenty-three patients were included. The average age at surgery was 13.6 years (range, 5–23). Seventy percent of the cohort was female (16/23). The majority of patients underwent a Fontan before scoliosis surgery (20/23, 87%). Patients without intraoperative tranexamic acid (TXA) had a 67% complication rate (8/12) versus 36% (4/11) in those with intraoperative TXA (P = 0.29). There was a significant difference in estimated blood loss by weight (cc/kg) between non-TXA and TXA patients (P = 0.016). Twelve patients experienced complications (52%), all of which occurred postoperatively. There were no deaths, cerebrovascular events, adverse perioperative cardiac or hemodynamic complications, or wound infections. Using the Clavien-Dindo-Sink classification for postoperative complications, four patients had serious adverse events, including one permanent neurologic deficit. Conclusion. Spinal surgery for scoliosis has been performed in selected patients with single ventricle physiology at a single institution without mortality for 25 years. Operative blood loss may be reduced by routine use of TXA. Complications occur most commonly in the postoperative period, and can include pleural effusion. Level of Evidence: 4
Impact of Banking and Non-Banking Investments on Performance of Nepalese Commercial Banks

This study examines the impact of banking and non-banking investments on the performance of Nepalese commercial banks during the period from 2006/07 to 2015/16. Applying the correlation and panel data regression, the study finds that among the multiple independent banking and non-banking investments variables taken for analysis like: investments, loan and advances, cash balance and provision for possible losses. For the study, descriptive and causal analysis along with correlation analysis and panel data analysis is used. Also, step-wise regression is used in the study. All the independent variables had a negative relationship with the dependent variables’ performance of banks: Tobin’s q.
A comparison of three learning methods to predict N2O fluxes and N leaching

The environmental costs of intensive farming activities are often under-estimated or not included into rural development plans, even though they play an important role in addressing future society's needs. This paper focuses on the use of statistical learning methods to predict N2O emissions and N leaching under several conservative scenarios, in order to provide an alternative approach to deterministic models on a macro-scale. To that aim, three learning methods, namely neural networks (multilayer perceptrons), SVM and random forests, are compared and provide accurate solutions.
Human–Robot Interaction and Sexbots: A Systematic Literature Review

At present, sexual robots have become a new paradigm of social robots. In this paper, we developed a systematic literature review about sexual robots (sexbots). To do this, we used the Scopus and WoS databases to answer different research questions regarding the design, interaction, and gender and ethical approaches from 1980 until 2020. In our review, we found a male bias in this discipline, and in recent years, articles have shown that user opinion has become more relevant. Some insights and recommendations on gender and ethics in designing sexual robots were also made.
Pediatric Patients' and Parents' Perspectives of Unsedated Transnasal Endoscopy in Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.

BACKGROUND Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an increasingly common inflammatory disease of the esophagus. Diagnosis and management are based on the histological presence of eosinophils in the esophageal mucosa, often requiring multiple endoscopies with sedation. Unsedated transnasal endoscopy (TNE), an alternative method of assessing the mucosa without the risks of sedation, is now being performed in the pediatric population. This is the first qualitative study on pediatric patients' and parents' experiences with TNE. AIM To describe pediatric patients' and parents' experiences of TNE with the goal of refining TNE protocols to improve the clinical experience. METHODS We used a qualitative descriptive approach that included in-depth, semi-structured interviews with patients and parents following completion of TNE. Interviews continued until we reached thematic saturation. We analyzed data using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS A total of 21 interviews were completed. We identified four themes: Appeal of TNE; Expectations and Preparation for TNE; Tolerance of TNE; and Evaluation of TNE. Perceived positive aspects of TNE were: no exposure to intravenous anesthesia; helpful and clear preparation for the procedure with a demonstration video and physician phone call; distraction during TNE with virtual reality goggles and a stress ball; parent able to accompany the patient; and TNE requiring less time than an EGD. Negative aspects included patient stress prior to TNE, patient dislike of nasal spray taste and sensation, and discomfort during the TNE procedure. CONCLUSION The overall perception of TNE among our participants was positive. Study data will allow pediatric gastroenterologists the opportunity to improve both preparation for and comfort during TNE.
Demonstration-Guided Deep Reinforcement Learning of Control Policies for Dexterous Human-Robot Interaction

In this paper, we propose a method for training control policies for human-robot interactions such as handshakes or hand claps via Deep Reinforcement Learning. The policy controls a humanoid Shadow Dexterous Hand, attached to a robot arm. We propose a parameterizable multi-objective reward function that allows learning of a variety of interactions without changing the reward structure. The parameters of the reward function are estimated directly from motion capture data of human-human interactions in order to produce policies that are perceived as being natural and human-like by observers. We evaluate our method on three significantly different hand interactions: handshake, hand clap and finger touch. We provide detailed analysis of the proposed reward function and the resulting policies and conduct a large-scale user study, indicating that our policy produces natural looking motions.
Warm dark matter as a solution to the small scale crisis: New constraints from high redshift Lyman-α forest data

We present updated constraints on the free-streaming of warm dark matter (WDM) particles derived from an analysis of the Lyman-� flux power spectrum measured from high-resolution spectra of 25 z > 4 quasars obtained with the Keck High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer (HIRES) and the Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle (MIKE) spectrograph. We utilize a new suite of high-resolution hydrodynamical simulations that explore WDM masses of 1, 2 and 4 keV (assuming the WDM consists of thermal relics), along with different physically motivated thermal histories. We carefully address different sources of systematic error that may affect our final results and perform an analysis of the Lyman-� flux power with conservative error estimates. By using a method that samples the multi-dimensional astrophysical and cosmological parameter space, we obtain a lower limit mWDM � 3.3 keV (2�) for warm dark matter particles in the form of early decoupled thermal relics. Adding the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Lyman-� flux power spectrum does not improve this limit. Thermal relics of masses 1 keV, 2 keV and 2.5 keV are disfavoured by the data at about the 9�, 4� and 3� C.L. , respectively. Our analysis disfavours WDM models where there is a suppression in the linear matter power spectrum at (non-linear) scales corresponding to k = 10h/Mpc which
The Impact of Temperature and Humidity on the Performance and Physiology of Laying Hens

Simple Summary The present study investigated whether the temperature-humidity index (THI) influences the production parameters and physiology of laying hens. Two environmental conditions combining high temperature with low relative humidity (TLHH75) or vice versa (THHL75), with the same THI value (75), were considered. The same THI value indicated equal thermal stress for laying hens. Neither TLHH75 nor THHL75 affected laying performance, including egg production, egg weight, and egg mass, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, plasma biochemical parameters, and stress indicators. Our study suggests that laying hens exposed to the same THI values will receive similar thermal stresses. The results of this study will serve as a scientific basis for management decisions and handling laying hens under thermally challenging conditions. Abstract We investigated the effect of different ambient temperatures and relative humidity (RH) with the same temperature-humidity indices (THI) on laying performance, egg quality, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio), corticosterone (CORT) concentration in blood, yolk, and albumen, and plasma biochemical parameters of laying hens. Commercial hens (Hy-Line Brown; n = 120), aged 60 weeks, were allocated to two environmental chambers. Laying hens were subjected to either one of two thermal treatments—26 °C and 70% RH (TLHH75) or 30 °C and 30% RH (THHL75) for 28 days—with the same THI of 75. Neither TLHH75 nor THHL75 affected laying performance, including egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (p > 0.05). Plasma biochemical parameters such as total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus were not altered by the environmental treatments (p > 0.05). As for stress indicators, both environmental regimes failed to affect blood H/L ratio and CORT levels in plasma, yolk, and albumen (p > 0.05), although albumen CORT levels were elevated (p < 0.05) in TLHH75 group at day 7. Hence, our study suggests that laying hens performed and responded similarly when exposed to either TLHH75 or THHL75 characterized by the same THI. These results can serve as a scientific basis for management decisions and handling laying hens under thermally challenging conditions.
High Maternal Omega-3 Supplementation Dysregulates Body Weight and Leptin in Newborn Male and Female Rats: Implications for Hypothalamic Developmental Programming

Maternal diet is critical for offspring development and long-term health. Here we investigated the effects of a poor maternal diet pre-conception and during pregnancy on metabolic outcomes and the developing hypothalamus in male and female offspring at birth. We hypothesised that offspring born to dams fed a diet high in fat and sugar (HFSD) peri-pregnancy will have disrupted metabolic outcomes. We also determined if these HFSD-related effects could be reversed by a shift to a healthier diet post-conception, in particular to a diet high in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 PUFAs), since ω3 PUFAs are considered essential for normal neurodevelopment. Unexpectedly, our data show that there are minimal negative effects of maternal HFSD on newborn pups. On the other hand, consumption of an ω3-replete diet during pregnancy altered several developmental parameters. As such, pups born to high-ω3-fed dams weighed less for their length, had reduced circulating leptin, and also displayed sex-specific disruption in the expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides. Collectively, our study shows that maternal intake of a diet rich in ω3 PUFAs during pregnancy may be detrimental for some metabolic developmental outcomes in the offspring. These data indicate the importance of a balanced dietary intake in pregnancy and highlight the need for further research into the impact of maternal ω3 intake on offspring development and long-term health.
Engaging Students with Multiple Representations of Mathematical Models

and ABSTRACT Mathematical models of computation such as Turing Machines, Pushdown Automata and Finite Automata can be adequately represented in a tabular form. However, students tend to engage and participate actively when multiple representations including transition graphs, tabular forms and coded strings are used for discussing pertinent issues. These representations can be mutually translated to each other without any loss of formal properties. This paper reports on experiments with multiple representations of Turing Machines for modeling dynamic aspects. Student participation was found to be significantly higher when graphical representations were given using transition graphs in addition to other representations. Most learners liked multiple representations of Turing Machines even when the standard tabular representation was good enough for explaining fundamental aspects of information processing. preferred multiple representations of a Turing Machine to one representation in a web-based learning environment. The representations of the Turing Machine were used as a supplement to introductory onsite math foundations of computer science course on the following website: http://www.asethome. org/mathfoundations/tmd/. Applications of Turing Machines in other fields were discussed using different representations. Software design tools based on statecharts proposed by David Harel have been very popular for modeling dynamic aspects of software. Statecharts are simplified Turing Machines presented in a graphical notation that is appropriate for explaining software design and development features in an intuitive way.
Impact of the Rotavirus Vaccination Program in Norway After Four Years With High Coverage.

BACKGROUND Use of rotavirus vaccines worldwide since 2006 has led to a significant impact on the burden of rotavirus disease. However, only a third of European countries have introduced rotavirus vaccination in their immunization programs. In October 2014, rotavirus vaccination was introduced for Norwegian infants under strict age restrictions. Exclusive use of the monovalent rotavirus vaccine (RV1) and high vaccination coverage from the beginning enabled evaluation of the impact of this vaccine during the first 4 years after introduction. METHODS Prospective laboratory-based surveillance among children <5 years of age hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis at 5 Norwegian hospitals was used to assess the vaccine effectiveness of 2 vaccine doses against rotavirus hospitalization in a case-control study. We used community controls selected from the national population-based immunization registry, and test-negative controls recruited through hospital surveillance. We also assessed the vaccine impact by using time-series analysis of retrospectively collected registry data on acute gastroenteritis in primary and hospital care during 2009-2018. RESULTS Vaccine effectiveness against rotavirus-confirmed hospitalization was 76% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 34%-91%) using test-negative controls, and 75% (95% CI: 44%-88%) using community controls. In the postvaccine period, acute gastroenteritis hospitalizations in children <5 years were reduced by 45% compared with the prevaccine years (adjusted incidence rate ratios 0.55; 95% CI: 0.49-0.61). Reduction in hospitalizations was also seen in cohorts not eligible for vaccination. Rates in primary care decreased to a lesser degree. CONCLUSIONS Four years after introduction of rotavirus vaccination in the national childhood immunization program, we recorded a substantial reduction in the number of children hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis in Norway, attributable to a high vaccine effectiveness.
treatment of migraine patients has changed ☆

☆ Presentations: Ruzek MA, Richman P, Eskin B, Alleg Treatment of Migraines Has Changed Significantly Since 1 Emerg Med. May 2017, Volume 24, Supplement 1, Page S19 Eskin B, Richman P. Temporal Trends in Emergency Departm (abstract) Academic Emerg Med. May 2015, Volume 22, Sup ⁎ Corresponding author at: Morristown Medical C Morristown, NJ 07960, United States of America. E-mail address: jallegra@gmail.com (J.R. Allegra).
An improved simulation routine for modelling coherent high-energy proton interactions with bent crystals

The planes in crystalline solids can constrain the directions that charged particles take as they pass through. Physicists can use this "channelling" property of crystals to steer particle beams. In a bent crystal, for example, channelled particles follow the bend and can change their direction. Experiments are being carried out to study in detail this phenomenon. The UA9 collaboration is using high energy protons and heavy ions beams from the SPS accelerator at CERN to verify the possibility of using bent crystals as primary collimators in high energy hadron colliders like the LHC. Simulations have been developed to model the coherent interaction with crystal planes. The goal of the thesis is indeed to analyze the data and develop an improved simulation routine to better describe the data’s subtleties, in particular the transition between the volume reflection and amorphous modes of beam interaction with the crystal.
Empty Creditors and Distressed Exchanges

Empty creditors – bondholders who insure against default using credit default swap (CDS) contracts, face incentives to holdout from distressed exchanges (DEs) of debt that aim to avoid bankruptcy because their payoffs are higher in bankruptcy. We provide direct evidence that empty creditors act on these incentives and holdout from DEs. Furthermore, we provide evidence that firms structure and execute DEs to mitigate empty creditor holdout, and by doing so, successfully reduce debt through the DE and avoid bankruptcy. Our evidence indicates that the firm’s response to empty creditor holdout is critical to understanding the role of CDS and empty creditors in distress resolution.
Speed Versus Efficacy: Quantifying Potential Tradeoffs in COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment

The global effort to develop a vaccine for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has already produced 2 candidates, each requiring 2 doses, with reported efficacies exceeding 90% The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorization for both vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) Their reported efficacies greatly exceed the 50% threshold the FDA cited in a June 2020 guidance document Additional vaccine candidates at earlier stages of development hold the promise of single dosing, simpler storage requirements, and more rapid immunity after vaccination Here, a study that aims to quantify the speed-versus-efficacy tradeoff using a previously published model of a COVID-19 vaccination program is offered
Treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent by Poly(L-Lactic Acid)-Poly(Ethylene Glycol)/Silica Membrane

Biodegradable membrane technology has received an increasing interest in many fields of applications exclusively to preserve the earth. A renewable polymer such as poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) often being introduced with reinforcement material to improve the characteristics of membranes itself. Herein, this study highlights the development of membrane from poly(L-lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLLA-PEG) copolymer with silica (SiO2) in the treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME) wastewater. We hypothesized that the incorporation of SiO2 as a nanofiller promoted PLLA-PEG/ SiO2 membrane to have a porous and higher number of pores on the membrane surface. Therefore, the effect of silica amount added in the PLLA-PEG copolymer membrane was also investigated and examined by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Based on FTIR analysis, the presence of the urethane (-NHCOO-) functional group indicated the formation of PLLAPEG copolymer and SEM micrographs showed porous surface on the membranes with increasing pores size in a favor of SiO2 amount added. Also, the surface wettability of membranes was evaluated through water contact angle which render hydrophilic characteristics. These membranes were subsequently applied for POME filtration where the test resulted in significant discolouration of POME. Furthermore, the high percentage removal efficiency of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solid (TSS) up to 99.5% empowers the treated POME wastewater to be within the range set by the Malaysian Department of the Environment.
The boomerang effect of psychological interventions

Abstract Research has found that teaching people about psychological biases can help counteract biased behavior. On the other hand, due to the innate need for preservation of a positive self-image, it is likely that teaching people about biases they hold, may cause a boomerang effect in cases where being associated with a specific bias implies negative social connotations. In the three studies below we examine situations in which psychological bias implies negatively associated behavior, and show that teaching people about bias in those contexts can be counterproductive.