Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utility of Tissue Doppler Imaging in the Echocardiographic Evaluation of Left and Right Ventricular Function in Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease with or without Pulmonary Hypertension

Background In human medicine, right ventricular (RV) functional parameters represent a tool for risk stratification in patients with congestive heart failure caused by left heart disease. Little is known about RV alterations in dogs with left‐sided cardiac disorders. Objectives To assess RV and left ventricular (LV) function in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) with or without pulmonary hypertension (PH). Animals One‐hundred and fourteen dogs: 28 healthy controls and 86 dogs with MMVD at different stages. Methods Prospective observational study. Animals were classified as healthy or having MMVD at different stages of severity and according to presence or absence of PH. Twenty‐eight morphological, echo‐Doppler, and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) variables were measured and comparison among groups and correlations between LV and RV parameters were studied. Results No differences were found among groups regarding RV echo‐Doppler and TDI variables. Sixteen significant correlations were found between RV TDI and left heart echocardiographic variables. Dogs with PH had significantly higher transmitral E wave peak velocity and higher E/eʹ ratio of septal (sMV) and lateral (pMV) mitral annulus. These 2 variables were found to predict presence of PH with a sensitivity of 84 and 72%, and a specificity of 71 and 80% at cut‐off values of 10 and 9.33 for sMV E/eʹ and pMV E/eʹ, respectively. Conclusions and clinical importance No association between variables of RV function and different MMVD stage and severity of PH could be detected. Some relationships were found between echocardiographic variables of right and left ventricular function.
Combination of multiple images for flash re-lightning

This paper introduces a novel way to combine multiple images of the same scene in order to improve the visual appearance. Especially, images taken with the flash often contain artifacts such as too strong flash illumination and too dark background. The nature of the ambient lightning can be combined back with other image features. Two or more flash/no-flash images are combined to a spatially adaptive mixture image that represents the essential features of the images. No assumptions are made on which images contribute to the result. The lightning, shadows, and colors are a blind combination of the input images. The new method uses the principal component analysis (PCA) to find an optimal fusing factors for the images in order to compute the resulting image. The images are decomposed and processed using PCA to find out the local adaptive principal component. Image decomposition prior to PCA makes it possible for both coarse and fine image features to be fused. Also other camera parameters than the flash can be varied. For instance, if images with multiple focus settings are fused by the new APC (adaptive principal combination) method, the resulting mixture image depicts an extended depth of focus.
A Scalable Jointree Algorithm for Diagnosability

Diagnosability is an essential property that determines how accurate any diagnostic reasoning can be on a system given any sequence of observations. An unobservable fault event in a discrete-event system is diagnosable iff its occurrence can always be deduced once sufficiently many subsequent observable events have occurred. A classical approach to diagnosability checking constructs a finite state machine known as a twin plant for the system. which has a critical path iff some fault event is not diagnosable. Recent work attempts to avoid the often impractical construction of the global twin plant by exploiting system structure. Specifically, local twin plants are constructed for components of the system, and synchronized with each other until diagnosability is decided. Unfortunately, synchronization of twin plants can remain a bottleneck for large systems; in the worst case, in particular, all local twin plants would be synchronized, again producing the global twin plant. We solve the diagnosability problem in a way that exploits the distributed nature of realistic systems. In our algorithm consistency among twin plants is achieved by message passing on a jointree. Scalability is significantly improved as the messages computed are generally much smaller than the synchronized product of the twin plants involved. Moreover we use an iterative procedure to search for a subset of the jointree that is sufficient to decide diagnosability. Finally, our algorithm is scalable in practice: it provides an approximate and useful solution if the computational resources are not sufficient.
Towards new measures of information retrieval evaluation

All of the methods currently used to assess information retrieval (IR) systems have limitations in their ability to measure how well users are able to acquire information. We utilized a new approach to assessing information obtained, based on a short-answer test given to senior medical students. Students took the ten-question test and then searched one of two IR systems on the five questions for which they were least certain of their answer Our results showed that pre-searching scores on the test were low but that searching yielded a high proportion of answers with both systems. These methods are able to measure information obtained, and will be used in subsequent studies to assess differences among IR systems.
Conditional Random Field for tracking user behavior based on his eye's movements

Conditional Random Fields offer some advantages over traditional models for sequence labeling. These conditional models have mainly been introduced up to now in the information retrieval context for information extraction or POS-tagging tasks. This paper investigates the use of these models for signal processing and segmentation. In this context, the input we consider is a signal that is represented as a sequence of real-valued feature vectors and the training is performed using only partially labeled data. We propose a few models for dealing with such signals and provide experimental results on the data from the eye movement challenge.
Can the third dredge-up extinguish hot-bottom burning in massive AGB stars?

The crucial importance of molecular opacities in modelling the evolution of AGB stars at varying surface C/O ratio has been highlighted in Marigo (2002). The inadequacy of solar-scaled opacities when applied to models of carbon stars has been shown, and hence the need for correctly coupling the molecular opacities to the current surface chemical composition of AGB stars. The aim of the present follow-up study is to investigate the effects of variable molecular opacities on the evolutionary properties of luminous AGB stars with massive envelopes, i.e. with initial masses from ≈ 3.5 $M_{\odot}$ to 5-8 $M_{\odot}$, which are predicted to experience both the third dredge-up and hot-bottom burning. It is found that if the dredge-up of carbon is efficient enough to lead to an early transition from C/O 1, then hot-bottom burning may be weakened, extinguished, or even prevented. The physical conditions for this occurrence are analysed and a few theoretical and observational implications are discussed. Importantly, it is found that the inclusion of variable molecular opacities could significantly change the current predictions for the chemical yields contributed by intermediate-mass AGB stars, with M $\simeq$ 3.5-4.0 $M_{\odot}$, that make as much as ~30-50% of all stars expected to undergo hot-bottom burning.
Monte Carlo European Options Pricing Implementation Using Various Industry Library Solutions

Monte Carlo simulation is one of the recognized numerical tools for pricing derivative securities, particularly flexible and useful for complex models of real markets. The goal of this article is to compare performance advantages and simplicity of using random number generators available in some industrial numerical libraries. For that purpose a simple and well-known Black-Scholes option pricing model, is used as a framework for illustrating the option pricing use. The paper is intended for software developers interested in efficient implementations of Monte Carlo simulations.
Deletion of F4L (ribonucleotide reductase) in vaccinia virus produces a selective oncolytic virus and promotes anti‐tumor immunity with superior safety in bladder cancer models

Bladder cancer has a recurrence rate of up to 80% and many patients require multiple treatments that often fail, eventually leading to disease progression. In particular, standard of care for high‐grade disease, Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), fails in 30% of patients. We have generated a novel oncolytic vaccinia virus (VACV) by mutating the F4L gene that encodes the virus homolog of the cell‐cycle‐regulated small subunit of ribonucleotide reductase (RRM2). The F4L‐deleted VACVs are highly attenuated in normal tissues, and since cancer cells commonly express elevated RRM2 levels, have tumor‐selective replication and cell killing. These F4L‐deleted VACVs replicated selectively in immune‐competent rat AY‐27 and xenografted human RT112‐luc orthotopic bladder cancer models, causing significant tumor regression or complete ablation with no toxicity. It was also observed that rats cured of AY‐27 tumors by VACV treatment developed anti‐tumor immunity as evidenced by tumor rejection upon challenge and by ex vivo cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte assays. Finally, F4L‐deleted VACVs replicated in primary human bladder cancer explants. Our findings demonstrate the enhanced safety and selectivity of F4L‐deleted VACVs, with application as a promising therapy for patients with BCG‐refractory cancers and immune dysregulation.
Unitary Quantum Lattice Gas Algorithms for Quantum to Classical Turbulence

Using a set of interleaved unitary collision-stream operators, a three-dimensional (3D) quantum lattice gas algorithm is devised which, on taking moments, recovers the Gross-Pitaevskii (GP) equation. If a zero-temperature Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is trapped in an a magnetic well, the evolution of the ground-state wave function satisfies the scalar GP equation, while if the BEC is trapped in an optical trap the ground-state wave function satisfies spin or GP equations. Quantum turbulence is studied in a scalar GP system on 5,7603 grid yielding not only the classical Kolmogorov k-5/3 cascade but also the quantum vortex k-3 spectrum. For a certain class of initial conditions, one finds an intermittent loss of tangled quantum vortices as the vortex cores attain minimal size, and thus prevent the Kelvin wave cascade (due to helical wave-wave coupling on the vortex). A coupled set of GP equations are solved for spin or BEC. Skrymions, which describe topologically-linked quantum vortices, are examined. One finds, for certain initial conditions that the incompressible kinetic energy spectrum for the condensate component of a vortex ring core rapidly departs from the k-3 linear quantum vortex spectrum.
Speed & torque vector control of induction motors with Fuzzy Logic Controller

This paper presents a hybrid fuzzy logic controller (FLC) with vector-control method for induction motors. The vector-control method has been improved by using FLC instead of a simple PD controller. In this hybrid controller high quality regulation is achieved through utilization of the FLC, while stability of the system during transient and around wide range of operating points are assured through application of the vector-control. The hybrid controller has been validated by applying it to a nonlinear model of the motor.
Hypoalgesic and sympathoexcitatory effects of mobilization with movement for lateral epicondylalgia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Mulligan has proposed the use of mobilization with movement for lateral epicondylalgia. In this study, mobilization with movement for the elbow was examined to determine whether this intervention was capable of inducing physiological effects similar to those reported for some forms of spinal manipulation. PARTICIPANTS Seven women and 17 men (mean age=48.5 years, SD=7.2) with chronic lateral epicondylalgia participated in the study. METHODS A placebo, control, repeated-measures study was conducted to evaluate whether mobilization with movement at the elbow produced concurrent hypoalgesia and sympathoexcitation. RESULTS The treatment demonstrated an initial hypoalgesic effect and concurrent sympathoexcitation. Improvements in pain resulted in increased pain-free grip force and pressure pain thresholds. Sympathoexcitation was indicated by changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and cutaneous sudomotor and vasomotor function. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study showed that a mobilization with movement treatment technique exerted a physiological effect similar to that reported for some spinal manipulations.
CAM : Automating Paper-based Processes in the Developing World

Paper plays a crucial role in many developing world information practices. However, paper-based records are inefficient, error-prone and difficult to aggregate. Therefore we need to link paper with the flexibility of online information systems. A mobile phone is the perfect bridging device. Long battery life, connectivity, solid-state memory, low price and immediate utility make it better suited to developing world conditions than a PC. However, mobile software platforms are difficult to use, difficult to develop for, and make the assumption of ubiquitous connectivity. To address these limitations we present CAM – a framework for developing mobile applications for the rural developing world. CAM applications are accessed by capturing barcodes using the phone camera, or by entering numeric strings with the keypad. Supporting minimal navigation, direct linkage to paper practices and offline multimedia interaction, CAM is uniquely adapted to rural user, application and infrastructure constraints.
Hypoglycemic and High Dosage Effects of Bidens pilosa in Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus

Ethno-pharmaceutical products have received a lot of international attention in the scientific community in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study we determined the anti-diabetic and high dosage effects of Bidens pliosa in type 1 DM (T1DM). Methodology: Thirty rats were divided into six groups and subgrouped into the extract and non extract treatment groups. The extract treated group was subdivided into three groups which received 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/ kg and 800 mg/kg dosage treatments respectively. The blood glucose levels were monitored using a standard glucometer for one month, and biochemical analysis of the two liver function enzymes; Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were carried out at the Institute of Biomedical Research (IBR-KIU-WC) at the end of week IV. The study revealed that Bidens pilosa maintained hypoglycemia for a period of two weeks and this status was lost in subsequent weeks. T1DM rats treated with a dosage of 200 mg/kg showed a better recovery (355.25 - 164.5 mg/dl) of the glucose levels, followed by those that were being treated at 400 mg/kg. The AST and ALT enzymes in blood varied with a mean ± SEM (33.72 ± 32.32 to -7.23 ± 12.61 IU and 22.98 ± 11.12 to 42 ± 38.2 IU, respectively) in both the glibencimide? and in the 800 mg/ kg treatment groups in the study. High dosages of extract were associated (P = 0.049) with increased systemic enzyme leakage. In conclusion, tissue degeneration caused by high levels of the extract was accompanied by leakage of various enzymes (AST and ALT) into the blood, which could be a major etiological factor for the development of secondary systemic pathologies, thus potentially worsening the effects of an existing T1DM prognosis in human patients. The preliminary results indicate that a dose of Bidens pilosa has an anti-diabetic effect for a limited initial duration before starting to cause systemic toxicological effects. It is highly recommended that further investigation into the cellular mechanisms and consequences of any therapy involving Bidens pilosa be carried out.
Deshaking endoscopic video for kymography

The opening and closing of the vocal folds (plica vocalis) at high frequencies is a major source of sound in human speech. Videokymography [Svec and Schutte 1995] is a technique for visualizing the motion of the vocal folds for medical diagnosis: The vibrating folds are filmed with an endoscopic camera pointed into the larynx. The camera records at a high framerate to capture vocal fold vibration (see fig. 1 for example frames). The kymogram used for medical diagnosis is a time-slice image, i.e. an X-t-cut through the X-Y-t image cube of the endoscopic video (fig. 2). The quality and diagnostic interpretability of a kymogram deteriorates significantly if the camera moves relative to the scene as this motion interferes with the vibratory motion of the vocal fold in the kymogram. Therefore, we propose an approach to stabilizing the motion of endoscopic video for kymography.
Anonymous Authentication for Smartcards Jan HAJNÝ

The paper presents an innovative solution in the field of RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) smartcard authentication. Currently the smartcards are used for many purposes e.g. employee identification, library cards, student cards or even identity credentials. Personal identity is revealed to untrustworthy entities every time we use these cards. Such information could later be used without our knowledge and for harmful reasons like shopping pattern scanning or even movement tracking. We present a communication scheme for keeping one’s identity private in this paper. Although our system provides anonymity, it does not allow users to abuse this feature. The system is based on strong cryptographic primitives that provide features never available before. Besides theoretical design of the anonymous authentication scheme and its analysis we also provide implementation results.
Monetary vs. Fiscal Policy Effects: a Review of the Debate

This paper reviews empirical findings, econometric issues,and theoretical results bearing upon the "monetary vs. fiscal policy" debate that began with the 1963 Friedrnan-Meiselman study.The main substantive conclusions are not very dramatic.The clearest is that an open-market increase in the money stock has a stimulative effect on aggregate demand, a conclusion that in turn implies that a money-financed increase in government expenditures (or reduction in taxes) is more stimulative than it would be if bond financed.This conclusion is based on empirical results obtained from St. Louis-type estimates and large scale economebic models and is supported by theoretical analysis involving both Ricardian and non-Ricardian assumptions. In the case of pure fiscal policy actions -- i.e.,bond-financed tax cutsor bond-financed expenditure increases --theory suggests that the latter should be at least as stimulative as the former and probably to a positive extent; evidence is mixed but not obviously inconsistent with this prediction.With respect to the textbook issue concerning the relative effects of pure monetary and fiscal actions, the evidence seems to support the notion that a sequence of $k open-market purchases, one each period, will be much more stimulative than a single but unreversed $k/period bond-financed increase in expenditures. The importance of this last issue is debatable.
Significant Pattern Mining on Continuous Variables

Significant pattern mining, the search for sets of binary features that are statistically significantly enriched in a class of objects, is of fundamental importance in a wide range of applications from economics to statistical genetics. Still, all existing approaches make the restrictive assumption that the features are binary and require a binarization of continuous data during preprocessing, which often leads to a loss of information. Here, we solve the open problem of significant pattern mining on continuous variables. Our approach detects all patterns that are statistically significantly associated with a class of interest, while rigorously correcting for multiple testing. Key to this approach is the use of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient to represent the frequency of a pattern. Our experiments demonstrate that our novel approach detects true patterns with higher precision and recall than competing methods that require a prior binarization of the data.
The L 2 F Language Recognition System for NIST LRE 2011

This document presents a description of INESC-ID’s Spoken Language Systems Laboratory (L 2 F) Language Recognition systems submitted to the 2011 NIST Language Recognition evaluation. The L 2 F primary system consists of the fusion of six individual sub-systems: four phonotactic sub-systems and two acoustic based sub-systems. The major differences of the submitted LR system with respect to previous L 2 F system submitted to the NIST LRE 2009 campaign are: a) use of SVM discriminative modelling of expected phone counts extracted from lattices in contrast to generative n-gram modelling of phoneme sequences in phonotactic systems, b) development of a single kernel based system of Gaussian supervectors with support vector machine modelling, and c) incorporation of a new i-vector based system with linear generative classifiers. Additionally, two contrastive systems have been submitted. One fundamental particularity of the L 2 F submission is that a relatively small training data set was defined and used for building the several sub-systems. Thus, the “small” training data set permitted fast development and comparison of algorithms and new subsystems.
A Near-Optimal Solution Approach for the Multi-hop Traffic Grooming Problem

In this paper we consider a capacity sizing and routing problem in synchronous digital hierarchy/wavelength division multiplexing networks with nodes having switching capabilities. This problem is well known in the literature as the multi-hop traffic grooming problem and is generally formulated as an integer linear program, which is especially hard to solve when the demand channels are unsplittable and nonuniform. To overcome this difficulty we develop a branching strategy, using a lower bound that is close to the optimal solution. We also devise a reformulation which accelerates branch-and-bound-based solvers. The computational results clearly show that our method is effective in reducing execution time as well as memory consumption, in comparison to traditional methods based on branch-and-bound.
The Role of Peers in the Linkages Between Harsh Parenting and Mental Health Outcomes Among Adolescents from Families At-Risk

ABSTRACT Harsh parenting is associated with adolescent mental health concerns. Peer relationships also importantly influence adolescent mental health outcomes. Although the direct associations between harsh parenting, peer relationships, and adolescent outcomes have been empirically established, less is known about the extent to which peer relationships mediate the associations between harsh parenting and adolescent outcomes. This study tested the links between harsh parenting, peer relationships, and adolescent outcomes among families at-risk for child maltreatment. With a sample of caregivers and adolescents (n = 218), the results of mediation analyses indicated that peer aggression partially mediated the pathway between harsh parenting and externalizing symptoms of both females and males. Additionally, peer rejection partially mediated the links between harsh parenting and internalizing symptoms of both females and males and peer rejection also was a partial mediator of male externalizing symptoms.