Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Calcification of Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Innominate Arteries of ApoE-Deficient Mice: Potential Role of Chondrocyte-Like Cells

Objective—Advanced atherosclerotic lesions in the innominate arteries of chow-fed apolipoprotein E–deficient mice become highly calcified with 100% frequency by 75 weeks of age. The time course, cell types, and mechanism(s) associated with calcification were investigated. Methods and Results—The deposition of hydroxyapatite is preceded by the formation of fibro-fatty nodules that are populated by cells that morphologically resemble chondrocytes. These cells are spatially associated with small deposits of hydroxyapatite in animals between 45 and 60 weeks of age. Immunocytochemical analyses with antibodies recognizing known chondrocyte proteins show that these cells express the same proteins as chondrocytes within developing bone. Histological and electron microscopic analyses of lesions from animals between 45 and 60 weeks of age show that the chondrocyte-like cells are surrounded by dense connective tissue that stains positive for type II collagen. Nanocrystals of hydroxyapatite can be seen within matrix vesicles derived from the chondrocyte-like cells. In mice between 75 and 104 weeks of age, the lesions have significantly reduced cellularity and contain large calcium deposits. The few remaining chondrocyte-like cells are located adjacent to or within the large areas of calcification. Conclusions—Calcification of advanced lesions in chow-fed apolipoprotein E–deficient mice occurs reproducibly in mice between 45 and 75 weeks of age. The deposition of hydroxyapatite is mediated by chondrocytes, which suggests that the mechanism of calcification may in part recapitulate the process of endochondral bone formation.
Continuous and dynamically equilibrated one-legged running experiments: Motion generation and indirect force feedback control

This paper is aimed at presenting a framework that consists of a pattern generator and a controller, which are combined together to realize continuous and dynamically equilibrated running motion on a 4-link 3-DoF one-legged robot with no passively compliant elements. Initially, we make use of a pattern generator to synthesize dynamically-consistent running trajectories in which the rotational inertia and the associated angular momentum term are characterized. As for the controller, ground reaction force constraints are imposed to the system indirectly. For this purpose, joint torque values that are corresponding to horizontal and vertical force errors are computed. Subsequently, they are inserted to an admittance filter block to obtain the associated joint displacements. These joint displacements are then fed-back to local servo controllers to implement indirect force feedback control in an actively compliant manner. Additionally, friction compensation and foot orientation controller blocks are added to enhance the system performance. In order to validate the method, running experiments are conducted on the actual one-legged robot. As the result, we satisfactorily obtained continuous, dynamically equilibrated and repetitive running cycles.
Buckets strike back: improved parallel shortest-paths

We study the average-case complexity of the parallel single-source shortest path (SSSP) problem, assuming arbitrary directed graphs with n nodes, m edges, and independent random edge weights uniformly distributed in [0, 1]. We provide a new bucket-based parallel SSSP algorithm that runs in T=O(log2 n·mini{2i·L+|Vi|}) average-case time using O(n+m+T) work on a PRAM, where L denotes the maximum shortest-path weight and |Vi| is the number of graph vertices with in-degree at least 2i. All previous algorithms either required more time or more work. The minimum performance gain is a logarithmic factor improvement; on certain graph classes, accelerations by factors of more than n0.4 can be achieved. The algorithm also allows adaptation to distributed memory machines.
Visual impairment and some of ocular problem in nursing home residents

We decided to conduct a study to determine the prevalence of visual impairment, blindness, refractive errors, and other visual functions in nursing homes of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 133 elderly persons were selected from seven nursing homes using proportional-to-size random sampling. A Snellen chart was used to measure visual acuity (VA). Refraction was measured in all participants using autorefractometry and retinoscopy. A cover test was applied to assess ocular deviation. Stereopsis, color vision, and contrast sensitivity were evaluated with distance glasses. The prevalence (95% confidence interval [CI]) of visual impairment (VI) (<20/60), low vision (<20/60 to <20/400), and blindness (⩽20/400) was 41.88% (32.81–50.95), 32.48% (23.87–41.09), and 9.40% (4.03–14.77), respectively, based on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The prevalence of myopia (spherical equivalent (SE) < −0.5 D), hyperopia (SE < 0.5 D), and astigmatism (cylindrical power < 0.5 D) was 53.50% (44.19–62.58), 36.84% (28.38–46.19), and 86.84% (79.17–91.97), respectively. VI and refractive errors had no association with age and sex (p-value > .05 for all). The prevalence of other ocular diseases was as follows: cataract 66.06% (57.02–75.09), glaucoma 1.52% (1.85–5.40), one eyed caused by injury 6.10% (2.67–11.67), and corneal opacity 3.81% (1.25–8.68). The prevalence of VI was 4–20 times and the prevalence of cataract was 3–4 times higher in NHRs compared with community-dwelling older people, indicating the grave situation of vision in these people. It is necessary to conduct further studies to find the reasons behind this disparity and perform interventions, including periodic and screening examinations upon entry to nursing homes to decrease the burden of ocular diseases in NHRs.
Efficient Andness-Directed Importance Weighted Averaging Operators

Importance weighted averaging is a central information processing task in multicriteria decision problems of many kinds, such that selection, classification, object recognition, query answering, and information retrieval. These problems are characterized by a query, i.e., a set of importance weighted criteria, and a set of options queried. While each criterion determines a ranking of the options, the task of the averaging operator is essentially to aggregate these rankings into an overall ranking under the consideration of the criterion importance. We present a class of such operators, based on the power means, namely the Andness-directed Importance Weighted Averaging (AIWA) operators. The operators are equipped with an approximate andness measure allowing an easy, direct control of the andness in the unit interval. The aggregation behavior of the operators appears to be similar to that of importance weighted maximum entropy OWA operators. However, AIWA operators aggregates n arguments (criterion satisfaction values) in O(n) time as opposed to O(n log n) time for OWA operators. An interesting property provided by AIWA operators is decomposability, allowing us to consider new or improved criteria without recomputing with all arguments. Overall, the AIWA operators appear to be effective as andness controlled, importance weighted averaging operators, as well as easy to apply and computationally efficient.
Cooperative Received Signal Strength-Based Sensor Localization With Unknown Transmit Powers

Cooperative localization (also known as sensor network localization) using received signal strength (RSS) measurements when the source transmit powers are different and unknown is investigated. Previous studies were based on the assumption that the transmit powers of source nodes are the same and perfectly known which is not practical. In this paper, the source transmit powers are considered as nuisance parameters and estimated along with the source locations. The corresponding Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB) of the problem is derived. To find the maximum likelihood (ML) estimator, it is necessary to solve a nonlinear and nonconvex optimization problem, which is computationally complex. To avoid the difficulty in solving the ML estimator, we derive a novel semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxation technique by converting the ML minimization problem into a convex problem which can be solved efficiently. The algorithm requires only an estimate of the path loss exponent (PLE). We initially assume that perfect knowledge of the PLE is available, but we then examine the effect of imperfect knowledge of the PLE on the proposed SDP algorithm. The complexity analyses of the proposed algorithms are also studied in detail. Computer simulations showing the remarkable performance of the proposed SDP algorithm are presented.
Career and Technical Education at a Crossroads: A Delphi Study.

Career and Technical Education at a Crossroads: A Delphi Study Michael W. Cutright Career and technical education in the United States has reached a critical juncture. A three round Delphi method was used to determine a consensus on the future events of career and technical education to better inform educational decision makers. Forty-one individual experts in the field were invited to serve as panelists for the Delphi study and 19 agreed to participate. The first round asked the panel to respond to a general statement about their views of the future of career and technical education. In Round Two, the panel of experts provided feedback by rating each event regarding the time frame in which it will occur, the desirability should it occur and the impact if it does occur. Round Three consisted of reaching a consensus and defending minority opinions. The events for which consensus was achieved led to constructed scenarios of the future of career and technical education. Compilation of expert responses forecast several important events. Among those were the demand for CTE students to exit programs with a nationally recognized industry certification will become the norm. There will be a blending of academic and technical programs of study which will result in an increased interest in CTE. Policy and practice must begin to address the issue of allowing CTE to continue as the dumping ground for students who cannot succeed in the general education classroom. Career and technical education will be called upon to retrain America’s workforce as the economy continues to change. iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the memory of my grandmother, Julya B. Cutright. One of the most valuable lessons she taught me was to never give up.
Interruptibility prediction for ubiquitous systems: conventions and new directions from a growing field

When should a machine attempt to communicate with a user? This is a historical problem that has been studied since the rise of personal computing. More recently, the emergence of pervasive technologies such as the smartphone have extended the problem to be ever-present in our daily lives, opening up new opportunities for context awareness through data collection and reasoning. Complementary to this there has been increasing interest in techniques to intelligently synchronise interruptions with human behaviour and cognition. However, it is increasingly challenging to categorise new developments, which are often scenario specific or scope a problem with particular unique features. In this paper we present a meta-analysis of this area, decomposing and comparing historical and recent works that seek to understand and predict how users will perceive and respond to interruptions. In doing so we identify research gaps, questions and opportunities that characterise this important emerging field for pervasive technology.
Clopidogrel withdrawal: Is there a “rebound” phenomenon?

Summary Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is routinely indicated in patients with acute coronary syndromes and following percutaneous coronary intervention to reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality and ischaemic events. Although clinical guidelines recommend aspirin lifelong and clopidogrel for between one and 12 months, depending upon the indication, the optimal duration of clopidogrel therapy actually remains contentious. Premature cessation of clopidogrel in patients receiving drug-eluting stents is a clear risk factor for stent thrombosis, but recent clinical studies have also demonstrated a link between “appropriate” cessation of clopidogrel and clustering of adverse clinical events. It has been suggested that this may be due to a “rebound” prothrombotic and/ or proinflammatory response associated with clopidogrel withdrawal. This review will examine the defini- tion and concept of a “rebound” phenomenon associated with clopidogrel cessation as well as the likely mechanisms behind this effect. Within the context of clinical event clustering after clopidogrel cessation, we will also discuss (i) the clinical importance of clopidogrel and the increasing uncertainty surrounding optimal duration of therapy, (ii) the antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory properties of clopidogrel and, in particular, its influence on arachidonic acid pathways traditionally thought to be mediated predominantly by aspirin and (iii) the role of newer, more potent antiplatelet agents and potential changes to anti-platelet therapy prescribing guidelines in the future.
Plate tectonic controls on atmospheric CO2 levels since the Triassic

Significance Although plate tectonics is generally considered to be the main contributor of CO2 production, despite decades of paleoproxy and solid-earth research, this very first-order assumption remains unproven. Based on estimates of total subduction-zone lengths, from a combined analysis of seismic tomography models and plate tectonic reconstructions, we have bridged a major gap between solid-earth sciences and the atmosphere and biosphere sciences by providing understanding of one of the most fundamental controls of climate: variation of plate tectonic activity of our planet. By using the subduction zone length input into the GEOCARBSULF climate model, we obtain a better fit with atmospheric CO2 proxies compared with previously used plate tectonic assumptions. Climate trends on timescales of 10s to 100s of millions of years are controlled by changes in solar luminosity, continent distribution, and atmosphere composition. Plate tectonics affect geography, but also atmosphere composition through volcanic degassing of CO2 at subduction zones and midocean ridges. So far, such degassing estimates were based on reconstructions of ocean floor production for the last 150 My and indirectly, through sea level inversion before 150 My. Here we quantitatively estimate CO2 degassing by reconstructing lithosphere subduction evolution, using recent advances in combining global plate reconstructions and present-day structure of the mantle. First, we estimate that since the Triassic (250–200 My) until the present, the total paleosubduction-zone length reached up to ∼200% of the present-day value. Comparing our subduction-zone lengths with previously reconstructed ocean-crust production rates over the past 140 My suggests average global subduction rates have been constant, ∼6 cm/y: Higher ocean-crust production is associated with longer total subduction length. We compute a strontium isotope record based on subduction-zone length, which agrees well with geological records supporting the validity of our approach: The total subduction-zone length is proportional to the summed arc and ridge volcanic CO2 production and thereby to global volcanic degassing at plate boundaries. We therefore use our degassing curve as input for the GEOCARBSULF model to estimate atmospheric CO2 levels since the Triassic. Our calculated CO2 levels for the mid Mesozoic differ from previous modeling results and are more consistent with available proxy data.
Clinical and Environmental Isolates of Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 1 Cannot Be Distinguished by Sequence Analysis of Two Surface Protein Genes and Three Housekeeping Genes

ABSTRACT We used gene sequencing to determine whether clinical (sporadic, epidemic, and endemic) and environmental isolates of Legionella pneumophila serogroup (sg) 1 belong to specific lineages. A total of 178 clinical and environmental L. pneumophila sg 1 isolates, defined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and epidemiological data as sporadic, epidemic, or endemic, were analyzed for polymorphisms in five gene fragments. The fragments belonged to three housekeeping genes (coding for aconitase [acn], aspartate-β-semialdehyde dehydrogenase [asd], and RNA polymerase β subunit [rpoB]) and two surface protein genes (coding for the macrophage infectivity potentiator [mip] and the major outer membrane protein [mompS]). The phylogenetic tree inferred from sequence polymorphisms of the five genes identified two large clusters, one consisting of 133 poorly differentiated strains and containing two smaller clusters (10 and 2 strains) unrelated to each other and the other consisting of 42 strains. Clinical and environmental isolates could not be distinguished on this basis, and no link between genetic background and epidemiological type was found, suggesting that other factors are responsible for differences in pathogenicity.
A Study on Application of Artificial Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm in Pattern Recognition

Image processing is an emerging field and lots of research had been performed for the past few years. Image processing has various techniques which are image segmentation, enhancement, feature extraction, classification, restoration, image generation etc. pattern recognition is an important part of image processing system. The aim of this paper is to study the use of artificial neural network and genetic algorithm in pattern recognition. Artificial neural network helps in training process where as the selection of various parameters for pattern recognition can be done in an optimized way by the genetic algorithm.
Empirical evaluation of the agile process lifecycle management framework

While many organisations are interested in adopting agile methods suitable to their local circumstances, there is little guidance available on how to do so. To address this important issue, we have developed an agile software process lifecycle management framework (APLM). The APLM framework is intended for use by agile coaches, managers and consultants to facilitate the integration of agile practices into both software project development environments. This paper presents the outcomes of an empirical evaluation of the APLM framework that has been conducted by involving a practitioners' group composed of fourteen experienced agile experts from industry. The main objective of this empirical study is to determine to what extent each component of the agile process lifecycle management (APLM) framework is relevant, valuable and sufficient to achieve its purpose from an industry practitioner's perspective.
Outlying sequence detection in large datasets: Comparison of universal hypothesis testing and clustering

Multiple observation sequences are collected, among which there is a small subset of outliers. A sequence is considered an outlier if the observations therein are generated by a mechanism different from that generating the observations in the majority of sequences. In the universal setting, the goal is to identify all the outliers without any knowledge about the underlying generating mechanisms. In prior work, this problem was studied as a universal hypothesis testing problem, and a generalized likelihood test was constructed and its asymptotic performance characterized. Here a connection is made between the generalized likelihood test and clustering algorithms from machine learning. It is shown that the generalized likelihood test is equivalent to combinatorial clustering over the probability simplex with the Kullback-Leibler divergence being the dissimilarity measure. Applied to synthetic data sets for outlier hypothesis testing, the performance of the generalized likelihood test is shown to be superior to that of a number of other clustering algorithms for sufficiently large sample sizes.
Measuring the success of electronic medical record implementation using electronic and survey data

Computerization of physician practices is increasing. Stakeholders are demanding demonstrated value for their Electronic Medical Record (EMR) implementations. We developed survey tools to measure medical office processes, including administrative and physician tasks pre- and post-EMR implementation. We included variables that were expected to improve with EMR implementation and those that were not expected to improve, as controls. We measured the same processes pre-EMR, at six months and 18 months post-EMR. Time required for most administrative tasks decreased within six months of EMR implementation. Staff time spent on charting increased with time, in keeping with our anecdotal observations that nurses were given more responsibility for charting in many offices. Physician time to chart increased initially by 50%, but went down to original levels by 18 months. However, this may be due to the drop-out of those physicians who had a difficult time charting electronically.
Part-of-speech Sequences and Distribution in a Learner Corpus of English

Computer learner corpora have been widely used by SLA/EFL specialists since mid 1990s to gain better insights into authentic learner language. The work presented in this paper examines the inter-language of Taiwanese learners of English from a part-of-speech sequence perspective. Two pre-tagged corpora (one learner corpus and one native corpus) are involved in this work. The experimental results indicate that there are more than one third of eligible POS trigrams that are never practiced by the Taiwanese learners in their writing and the learners have stronger preference than native speakers in using pronouns, especially right after punctuations, verbs and conjunctions.
Weaning from mechanical ventilation

Weaning covers the entire process of liberating the patient from mechanical support and from the endotracheal tube. Many controversial questions remain concerning the best methods for conducting this process. An International Consensus Conference was held in April 2005 to provide recommendations regarding the management of this process. An 11-member international jury answered five pre-defined questions. 1) What is known about the epidemiology of weaning problems? 2) What is the pathophysiology of weaning failure? 3) What is the usual process of initial weaning from the ventilator? 4) Is there a role for different ventilator modes in more difficult weaning? 5) How should patients with prolonged weaning failure be managed? The main recommendations were as follows. 1) Patients should be categorised into three groups based on the difficulty and duration of the weaning process. 2) Weaning should be considered as early as possible. 3) A spontaneous breathing trial is the major diagnostic test to determine whether patients can be successfully extubated. 4) The initial trial should last 30 min and consist of either T-tube breathing or low levels of pressure support. 5) Pressure support or assist–control ventilation modes should be favoured in patients failing an initial trial/trials. 6) Noninvasive ventilation techniques should be considered in selected patients to shorten the duration of intubation but should not be routinely used as a tool for extubation failure.
RT-level interconnect optimization in DSM regime

We propose global-net clustering based RT-level datapath design methodology. Static timing analysis identifies critical nets and critical primary input/output paths. Net clustering (based shared macro-cells and criticality) yields clusters wherein each cluster has strongly interdependent nets. Clusters and nets within every cluster are prioritized based on number of critical nets, number of nets, and the total macro-cell area. We propose two approaches to generate layouts at RTL: constructive (cluster growth) approach and iterative improvement based (simulated annealing) approach. For datapaths implemented in 0.35 /spl mu/m technology, for both approaches, we achieved an average decrease of 54% in longest wirelength and 53% in overall wirelength.