Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss among survivors of neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Western Canadian ECMO Follow-up Group.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in 2-5-year-old survivors with neonatal respiratory failure due to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with or without the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). STUDY DESIGN The study design was a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal outcome study of consecutively surviving neonates admitted to a single tertiary intensive care unit. SETTING The study was conducted at four audiologic departments affiliated with tertiary-level intensive care follow-up programs. PATIENTS Thirty-seven surviving children receiving neonatal intensive care from February 1989 through January 1995 for neonatal respiratory failure due to CDH were studied. Excluded were 15 children with early death and I child lost to follow-up. INTERVENTION The initial treatment depended on the severity of neonatal respiratory failure: ECMO-treated (n=31, 20 survivors) (death before ECMO initiation, 2) and non-ECMO treated (n=20, 17 survivors, another survivor lost to follow-up). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Early childhood audiologic test results were measured. RESULTS Sensorineural hearing loss was found in almost 60% of subjects: ECMO-treated, 12 (60%) of 20; non-ECMO-treated, 10 (59%) of 17. Of the 22 children with SNHL, 16 had mild- to-moderate low-frequency sloping to moderate-to-severe high-frequency loss. Of the remaining, six had severe-to-profound loss at 500 Hz and above. Seventeen children had normal responses to sound as newborns or in infancy. Five children were not tested. Documented progression was found in nine children. Twenty children currently are using amplification, and 2 have had cochlear implantation. CONCLUSIONS Of children with CDH in this area presenting early with severe neonatal respiratory failure, SNHL developed in 60% by 2-5 years of life. Ongoing monitoring of the hearing status of children with CDH is imperative.
A Review of Relation Classification with Convolutional Neural Network

Relation classification is one of the important research issues in the field of Natural Language Processing (NLP). It is a crucial intermediate step in complex knowledge intensive applications like automatic knowledgebase construction, question answering, textual entailment, search engine etc. Recently neural network has given state of art results in various relation extraction tasks without depending much on manually engineered features. In this paper we present brief review on different model that has been proposed for relation classification and compare their results
lectron irradiation-enhanced water and hydrocarbon adsorption in UV lithography devices

The accumulation of water and hydrocarbons molecules on pure Au smooth surfaces were monitored during 100 eV electron bombardment at various beam current levels. Our studies showed that these low energy electrons could accelerate the physical adsorption processes of the gaseous contaminant molecules on the mirror surface. The 100 eV electron beam was used to provide a rough simulation of the secondary electrons generated during the interaction between the EUV beam at 13.5 nm wavelength and the mirror surface in an EUVL device. The adsorption enhancement phenomenon was explained
Knowledge management contribution measurement model

Presently it is easy to verify the high value of knowledge as one of the most important factors that generate wealth for organizations.There are some difficulties in measuring the contribution that knowledge management can provide to the companies’ results.Therefore it is possible to verify how complicated it is to structure a measurement model related to the benefits provided by the actions involved with the creation, registering, dissemination and sharing of knowledge.The objective of this article is to show a case study about the development of a knowledge management contribution measurement model in a Brazilian engineering and construction company.
Induction of Lymphocyte Apoptosis in Rat Liver Allograft by Adenoviral Gene Transfection of Human Interleukin-10

Background/Aims: Gene therapy can provide a possible avenue in organ transplantation to treat acute allograft rejection. This study was designed to investigate the effect of adenovirus-mediated human IL-10 (hIL-10) gene transfer on the apoptosis of infiltrating lymphocytes and examine the efficacy of hIL-10 gene transfer in combination with subtherapeutic doses of cyclosporine A (CsA) in a rat liver transplantation model. Methods: Inbred male DA and LEW rats were used for liver donors and recipients, respectively. The rats were divided into saline, Ad-lacZ, CsA, Ad-hIL-10 and Ad-hIL-10 + CsA groups. Graft survival, histopathological, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry were performed in liver specimens obtained from different time points after transplantation in the 5 groups. Results: Ad-hIL-10 pretreatment inhibited allograft rejection, prolonged the survival of hepatic allografts, and downregulated the expression of IFN-γ and IL-2 mRNA, with simultaneous upregulation of IL-4 mRNA. In addition, Ad-hIL-10 pretreatment upregulated the expression of Fas mRNA in the isolated graft-infiltrating lymphocytes and induced graft-infiltrating lymphocyte apoptosis. A single subtherapeutic dose of CsA acted synergistically with it. Conclusion: hIL-10 gene therapy induced alloreactive lymphocyte apoptosis via Fas/FasL pathway. hIL-10 gene transfection in combination with subtherapeutic doses of CsA facilitates the long-term survival of liver grafts.
Reconstruction of Architectural Scenes from Uncalibrated Photos and Maps

In this paper we consider the problem of reconstructing architectural scenes from multiple photographs taken from arbitrarily viewpoints. The original contribution of this work is the use of a map as a source of geometric constraints in order to obtain in a fast and simple way a detailed model of a scene. We suppose images are uncalibrated and have at least one planar structure as a faqade for exploiting the planar homography induced between world plane and image to calculate a first estimation of the projection matrix. Estimations are improved by using correspondences between images and map. We show how these simple constraints can be used to calibrate the cameras and recover the projection matrices for each viewpoint. Finally, triangulation is used to recover 3D models of the scene and to visualise new viewpoints. Our approach needs minimal a priori information about the camera being used. A working system has been designed and implemented to allow the user to interactively build a model from uncalibrated images from arbitrary viewpoints and a simple map.
Demand Sensitive Model for Tuning Price Over Satellite Digital Multimedia Broadcast System

In this paper an integrated satellite-terrestrial network architecture offering SDMB (Satellite Digital Multimedia Broadcast) services to mobile users through the satellite or terrestrial UMTS segment, is studied to test a novel Demand Sensitive Model (DSM). The DSM is proposed for tuning price service over SDMB system to offer a price discount to large amount of users while maintaining profit for the service provider. The simulations have been carried out to show the goodness of the proposed model within the system architecture; moreover the model, based on simple parameters, is very flexible and can be easily integrated in a "Price Adapter" module making the offered service attractive for end users and in the same time profitable for the satellite operator
Status review and extinction assessment of Cook Inlet belugas (Delphinapterus leucas)

This report does not constitute a publication and is for information only. All data herein are to be considered provisional. (Delphinapterus leucas) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA); the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recommended that a Status Review be conducted to incorporate new scientific findings available since the publication of a scientific review in 2000 in the journal Marine Fisheries Review 62 (3). list Cook Inlet belugas as endangered under the ESA. After reviewing the information contained in the petition, as well as other scientific information readily available, NMFS determined the petitioned action may be warranted. Within 12 months of the date of the petition, NMFS must make one of the following findings: 1) the petitioned action is not warranted; 2) the petitioned action is warranted and the Secretary of Commerce will publish in the Federal Register (FR) a proposed regulation to implement the action pursuant to 50 CFR 424.16; or 3) the petitioned action is warranted, but (A) the immediate proposal and timely promulgation of a regulation to implement the petitioned action is precluded because of other pending proposals to list, delist, or reclassify species; and (B) expeditious progress is being made to list, delist, or reclassify qualified species, in which case such findings shall be promptly published in the FR. This Status Review provides a summary of the best available science to aid NMFS policy makers in this process. Since the mid-1990s, 96% to 100% of the observed Cook Inlet belugas have congregated in the upper Inlet in shallow areas near river mouths—they were only occasionally found in the central or southern portions of the Inlet during the summer months. It is unknown if this contracted distribution is a result of changing habitat, prey concentration, predator avoidance, or a more acute reduction of the population into all but a small number of preferred habitat areas. This concentration of belugas in the northernmost portion of Cook Inlet appears to be a fairly consistent pattern from June to October. Data from tagged whales (14 tags between July and March 2000-03) show that belugas use the upper Inlet intensively between summer and late autumn, but during winter months they also disperse to mid-Inlet offshore waters. Tagged whales and extensive surveys both within Cook Inlet and in the Gulf of Alaska indicate that belugas do not have a seasonal migration in and out of the Inlet. Yakutat Bay is the …
GIS Based Analysis of Agroclimate Land Suitability for Banana Plants in Bali Province, Indonesia

The need for bananas in Bali far exceeds the production. To obtain optimal production according to their genetic potential, the development of banana cultivation should be preceded by a land suitability evaluation study. This study aims to evaluate the land suitability based on agroecological parameters such as rainfall, altitude, dry month, slope, and considering current land use. The results showed that 257.467 ha or 46.16% of the area of Bali Province has the potential to be planted with bananas. Buleleng Regency has the widest area for the development of banana plants, followed by Karangasem, Tabanan, Jembrana and Bangli. Denpasar town has the smallest suitable area. Based on the observed agroclimate parameters, slope is the most severe limiting factor in banana cultivation, while rainfall, altitude, and dry months are not significant limiting factors. Recommended land use for the development of banana plants is garden, grass, rain-fed rice field, scrub, bare land, and moor.
Crystal structure of 2-methylamino-3-nitro-4-p-tolylpyrano[3,2-c]chromen-5(4H)-one

In the racemic title compound, C20H16N2O5, the pyran ring adopts a shallow envelope conformation, with the stereogenic C atom displaced from the other atoms by 0.273 (2) Å. The dihedral angle between the fused-ring system and the pendant p-tolyl group is 87.62 (7)°. The molecular conformation is consolidated by an intramolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond, which generates an S(6) ring. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H⋯O interactions, resulting in [010] chains.
Incentive Mechanisms for Participatory Sensing

Participatory sensing is a powerful paradigm that takes advantage of smartphones to collect and analyze data beyond the scale of what was previously possible. Given that participatory sensing systems rely completely on the users’ willingness to submit up-to-date and accurate information, it is paramount to effectively incentivize users’ active and reliable participation. In this article, we survey existing literature on incentive mechanisms for participatory sensing systems. In particular, we present a taxonomy of existing incentive mechanisms for participatory sensing systems, which are subsequently discussed in depth by comparing and contrasting different approaches. Finally, we discuss an agenda of open research challenges in incentivizing users in participatory sensing.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Case Study of the Distribution of Tablets to First Years at the University of Johannesburg

The digital divide between those more and those less technologically skilled is a reality and has been for many years. This divide is especially prominent in developing countries such as South Africa and in societies that suffer from socio-economic disadvantage. There are many reasons for the continued presence of this divide and these are briefly described in this paper. The negative consequences that flow from this divide, is also briefly discussed. It is not only social and economic deprivation, though, that contribute to the divide. A project at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to provide tablets to first year students is discussed in some detail. The challenges that arose from the implementation of this initiative make it apparent that factors such as psychology and managerial efficiencies also contribute in no small measure to a perpetuation of the divide. A multi-disciplinary approach to the eventual bridging of the divide is proposed. Such an approach takes account of the need to recognize and develop a host of solutions as necessary preconditions for sustainable technological advancement in developing countries.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Learning tone distinction for Mandarin Chinese

We describe the SpeakGoodChinese system that supports beginning students of Mandarin Chinese to produce tones correctly (http://speakgoodchinese.org/). Students pronounce a word spelled in pinyin notation and receive feedback from our system on their production of the tones. The novelty in our approach lies in the use of synthetic reference tone(s) produced from the pinyin notation. Preliminary results indicate a 6% rejection rate for six words, read multiple times, by three reference speakers and less than 15% acceptance rate on incorrectly produced tones on shadowed versions of these words by 8 speakers. With speech from 4 reference speakers collected with a fully functional test application, a rejection rate of less than 15% was achieved.
Optimal Policies for a Dual-Sourcing Inventory Problem with Endogenous Stochastic Leadtimes

We consider a single-product, two-source inventory system with Poisson demand and backlogging. Inventory can be replenished through a normal supply source, which consists of a two-stage tandem queue with exponential production time at each stage. We can also place an emergency order by skipping the first stage, for a fee. There is no fixed order cost. There are linear order, holding and backorder costs. Through a new approach, we obtain optimal ordering policies for the discounted or long-run average cost, and also characterize near-optimal heuristic policies. The approach consists of four steps. The first step is to establish an equivalent system, in the sense that it has the same optimal policy as the original system. The second step is to construct a tandem queueing system, where costs are charged in accord with the equivalent system's cost structure. The third step derives an optimal control of the service rate at each server so as to minimize the tandem queue's system-wide cost. The fourth and final step is to translate the queue's optimal policy to an optimal policy for the equivalent system and hence the original system.
Automated guidance of peg-in-hole assembly tasks for complex-shaped parts

To prevent the failure of peg-in-hole assembly tasks involving geometrically complex parts, a force control-based assembly strategy that takes geometric information into account is required. Therefore, in this study, we propose an assembly strategy for complex-shaped parts which performs force control based on visually-obtained geometric information and CAD models. CAD models are used to obtain geometric information about the parts, and a camera is used to track their position and orientation. In addition, an impedance control scheme is used to control the contact force to avoid excessive force during assembly tasks. The performance of the proposed guidance algorithm was evaluated by a series of experiments using arbitrary complex-shaped parts.
ERP Systems Success: An Integration of IS Success Model and Balanced Scorecard

Information technology (IT) has been viewed by enterprises worldwide as a vital tool in improvingefficiency and competitiveness. In the last decade, many companies have turned to informationsystems, usually known as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, to respond to competitivepressures and market opportunities (Bingi, Sharma and Godla, 1999). The implementation of ERPsystems has grown rapidly world-wide in recent years (Mabert, Soni and Venkataramanan, 2000;van Everdingen, van Hillegersberg and Waarts, 2000; Olhager and Selldin, 2003). ERP systems areintegrated information systems that support value-added processes of enterprises. Based on modularsoftware structure and a centralized database, information flows in manufacturing, finance, sales,distribution as well as human resources processes that can be integrated in real time. The ERP
The role of minimally invasive sublobar resection in pulmonary metastasectomy: a narrative review

Background and Objective: Pulmonary metastases are one of the main causes of pulmonary nodules, especially if they are multiple. Treatment of lung metastases as part of a multidisciplinary approach can sometimes be surgical when certain medical criteria are met, assuming resectability. Currently, the most commonly performed resection to treat metastasis, when indicated, is atypical segmentectomy. However, with technical improvements, other types of lung resections have begun to be performed, such as anatomical segmentectomies, which offer some advantages when patients are correctly selected. The objective of this narrative review is to understand the role of minimally invasive anatomical segmentectomies in the surgical treatment of lung metastases and discuss further future directions. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using terms including “VATS” OR “thoracoscopy”, “RATS” OR “robotic thoracic surgery”, “segmentectomy” OR “sublobar lung resection”, “outcomes”, “pulmonary metascasectomy” and “minimally invasive thoracic surgery”. Included studies were published after 1927 to 2022 and were available in English and Spanish. Key Content and Findings: A growing number of studies indicate us that anatomic sublobar resections are indicated in selected patients taking into account tumor localization and the characteristics of the patients, besides minimally invasive surgery also contributes to this type of surgery an early and intensified recovery with acceptable oncological results and morbidity and mortality comparable to open surgery. We summarize these indications and the role of minimally invasive surgery. Conclusions: Anatomical segmentectomies play an important role in lung metastasis resection, especially in patients with centrally located nodules and poor respiratory lung function. Minimally invasive surgery combined with early and intensified recovery protocols have shown to reduce hospital stay, pleural drainage time, and postoperative pain. These revisions show that minimally invasive segmentectomies can be carried out with the same security as wedge resections. Although the evidence is weak and the results currently available, mainly obtained in retrospective studies, show that segmentectomies are equally valid and useful procedures than wedge resections. However, randomized studies are needed to generalize these conclusions.
Causal Network Inference by Optimal Causation Entropy

The broad abundance of time series data, which is in sharp contrast to limited knowledge of the underlying network dynamic processes that produce such observations, calls for a rigorous and efficient method of causal network inference. Here we develop mathematical theory of causation entropy, an information-theoretic statistic designed for model-free causality inference. For stationary Markov processes, we prove that for a given node in the network, its causal parents form the minimal set of nodes that maximizes causation entropy, a result we refer to as the optimal causation entropy principle. Furthermore, this principle guides us in developing computational and data efficient algorithms for causal network inference based on a two-step discovery and removal algorithm for time series data for a network-coupled dynamical system. Validation in terms of analytical and numerical results for Gaussian processes on large random networks highlights that inference by our algorithm outperforms previous leading meth.
Piecewise smooth affine registration of point-sets with application to DT-MRI brain fiber-data

In this paper we present a variational probabilistic approach to the registration of brain white matter tractographies extracted from DT-MRI scans. Initially, the fibers are projected into a D-dimensional feature space based on the sequence of their spatial coordinates. The alignment of two fiber-sets is considered a probability density estimation problem, where one point-set represents Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) centroids, and the other represents the data points. The transformation parameters are represented as spatially-dependent coefficients of the same invertible affine transformation model. The alignment term of the energy-function is minimized by maximizing the likelihood of correspondence between the data-sets while the smoothness term penalizes spatial changes in the coefficient functions. The energy-function, composed of the alignment and smoothness terms, is minimized using gradient descent optimization. Results of preliminary experiments on inter-subject full-brain data show improvement over global linear (affine) registration schemes.
A comparison of 2-D visualizations of hierarchies

This paper describes two experiments that compare four two-dimensional visualizations of hierarchies: organization chart, icicle plot, treemap, and tree ring. The visualizations are evaluated in the context of decision tree analyses prevalent in data mining applications. The results suggest that either the tree ring or icicle plot is equivalent to the organization chart.