Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shifting place of death among children with complex chronic conditions in the United States, 1989-2003.

CONTEXT The place where children with complex chronic conditions are dying may be shifting toward residential homes due to the evolving epidemiology of life-threatening childhood conditions, advances in home-based medical technology, and changes in attitudes about pediatric palliative care and hospice services. OBJECTIVES To determine whether pediatric deaths attributed to complex chronic conditions are increasingly occurring in the home and to assess race and ethnicity disparities in the location of death. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective national-level case series drawn from the National Center for Health Statistics' Multiple Cause of Death Files spanning 1989-2003. Participants included all deceased individuals aged 19 years or younger with a complex chronic condition excluding injury and noncomplex chronic conditions (as classified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision or International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Place where death occurred. RESULTS Among the 22.1% of deaths (198 160 of 896 509 total deaths) attributed to a complex chronic condition between 1989 and 2003, the percentage of individuals dying at home increased significantly (P<.001) over time for infants (aged <1 year) (4.9% in 1989 and 7.3% in 2003); 1- to 9-year-olds (17.9% and 30.7%); and for 10- to 19-year-olds (18.4% and 32.2%). Adjusting for decedent characteristics, the odds of dying at home increased significantly each year (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.04) and were reduced among both black and Hispanic decedents (odds ratio, 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.52 and odds ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.50-0.54, respectively) compared with white decedents. CONCLUSIONS Children who die with underlying complex chronic conditions increasingly are dying at home. Racial and ethnic disparities regarding place of death may represent important limitations and opportunities for improvement in the current systems of pediatric chronic and palliative care.
Monte Carlo simulation and global optimization without parameters.

We propose a new ensemble for Monte Carlo simulations, in which each state is assigned a statistical weight $1/k$, where $k$ is the number of states with smaller or equal energy. This ensemble has robust ergodicity properties and gives significant weight to the ground state, making it effective for hard optimization problems. It can be used to find free energies at all temperatures and picks up aspects of critical behaviour (if present) without any parameter tuning. We test it on the travelling salesperson problem, the Edwards-Anderson spin glass and the triangular antiferromagnet.
Communication constraints in the state agreement problem

The interrelationship between control and communication theory is becoming of fundamental importance in many distributed control systems. Particular examples are systems comprised of multiple agents. When it comes to coordinately control a group of autonomous mobile agents in order to achieve a common task, communication constraints impose limits on the achievable control performance. In this paper we consider a widely studied problem in the robotics and control communities, called consensus or state agreement problem. The aim of the paper is to characterize the relationship between the amount of information exchanged by the agents and the rate of convergence to the agreement. Time-invariant communication networks that exhibit particular symmetries are shown to yield slow convergence if the amount of information exchanged does not scale with the number of agents. On the other hand, we show that, randomly time-varying communication networks allow very fast convergence rates. The last part of the paper is devoted to the study of time-invariant communication networks with logarithmic quantized data exchange among the agents. It is shown that, by adding quantized data links to the network, the control performance significantly improves with little growth of the required communication effort.
On number fields with given ramification

Abstract Let E be a CM number field and let S be a finite set of primes of E containing the primes dividing a given prime number l and another prime u split above the maximal totally real subfield of E. If ES denotes a maximal algebraic extension of E which is unramified outside S, we show that the natural maps $\mathrm {Gal}(\overline {E_u}/E_u) \longrightarrow \mathrm {Gal}(E_S/E)$ are injective. We discuss generalizations of this result.
Capacity of a Cellular Radio System Using a Narrowband Multiuser Detector

With a narrowband multiuser detector (MUD), multiple users can simultaneously share the same chan- nel without using a bandwidth expanding signature code when suficient power differences at the receiver are main- tained. In this paper we assess the capacity gain that can be achieved in a hypothetical cellular system with centralized power control, using a narrowband MUD based on succes- sive cancellation. The power control algorithm is adapted to multiple users per channel in a cell. Simulation results are presented for two heuristic CIR based channel assign- ment schemes. The MUD allows for a substantial capacity gain due to a tighter packing of users in a channel. The observed gain compared to a conventional single user per channel system, ranges from 1.4 to 5 for cluster sizes C = 1 and 7, respectively.
Model-based synthesis for diagnostic neuro-classifiers

The paper presents certain approach, based on model (group of model-based methods), in the synthesis of neuro-classifier used to design a diagnostic system of an exemplary process model. As learning patterns for neural network the input/output signal samples from the process were used (method III) as well as the parameters of ARX model (method I) and eigenvalues of process model (method II). There were considered two types of the process, i.e. operating nominally (without any faults) and in the presence of some selected faults. The considered diagnostic system with neuro-classifiers has been tested to verify the correctness of its actions towards fault detection and isolation.
Specific antigrowth effect of interferon on mouse cells transformed by murine sarcoma virus.

The growth rate of NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts transformed by the Moloney strain of murine sarcoma virus was investigated following interferon (IFN) treatment. These cells were found to be sensitive to the antigrowth effect of IFN as indicated by a slower growth rate in its presence. The effect was most efficiently expressed when cells were grown at low serum concentrations, e.g., 2.5%. Likewise, IFN treatment caused a reduction in the rate of DNA synthesis as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. In contrast, these effects were observed only to a very minor extent with uninfected NIH/3T3 cells or with NIH/3T3 cells chronically infected with murine leukemia virus. In addition, IFN treatment significantly decreased the cloning efficiency of murine sarcoma virus-transformed cells in semi-solid agar. Furthermore, an even stronger effect on the cloning efficiency was observed in liquid medium supplied with 2.5% serum, indicating a direct inhibitory effect on the growth of these cells. Under these conditions, NIH/3T3 or NIH/3T3(MLV) cells remained unaffected by IFN treatment, nor was this effect evident when the transformed cells were grown in the presence of 10% serum. A 4-fold increase in the level of (2'-5')oligoadenylate synthetase following IFN treatment was observed in murine sarcoma virus-transformed cells as compared to either NIH/3T3 or NIH/3T3(MLV) cells.
Digital alienation as the foundation of online privacy concerns

The term 'digital alienation' is used in critical IS research to refer to manifestations of alienation online. This paper explores the difficulties of using a traditional Marxist analysis to account for digital alienation. The problem is that the activity people undertake online does not look coerced or estranged from the creator's individuality, both of which are typically seen as necessary for the production of alienation. As a result of this apparent difficulty, much of the research has focused on the relationship between digital alienation and digital labour. This paper attempts to overcome these difficulties by discarding the traditional approach. We argue one can better understand digital alienation by focusing on the relationship between user intent and technical infrastructure, rather than concerns with labour. Under the existing economic model dominating the internet, free services are financed by recording user activity and then using the products of this commercial surveillance to sell information about people to others. We show how the real harm in current online business models is that commercial surveillance is being used to commodify private life. Seeking to define personal data in more precise terms, we will introduce two new concepts necessary for a detailed discussion of any ethical issues regarding personal data - the digital shadow and the digital persona. We will then show how affordances in current online systems are tuned to commodification of the user's personality. We will then explore the nature of online surveillance and show how affordances combine with the surveillance economy to produce digital alienation.
New insights into reliability of electrostatic capacitive RF MEMS switches

Among other reliability concerns, the dielectric charging is considered the major failure mechanism which hinders the commercialization of electrostatic capacitive radio frequency micro-electro-mechanical systems (RF MEMS) switches. In this study, Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) surface potential measurements have been employed to study this phenomenon. Several novel KPFM-based characterization methods have been proposed to investigate the charging in bare dielectric films, metal–insulator–metal (MIM) capacitors, and MEMS switches, and the results from these methods have been correlated. The used dielectric material is plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) silicon nitride. The SiNx films have been charged by using a biased atomic force microscope (AFM) tip or by electrically stressing MIM capacitors and MEMS switches. The influence of several parameters on the dielectric charging has been studied: dielectric film thickness, deposition conditions, and under layers. Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) material characterization techniques have been used to determine the chemical bonds and compositions, respectively, of the SiNx films. The data from the physical material characterization have been correlated to the KPFM results. The study provides an accurate understanding of the charging/discharging processes in dielectric films implemented in electrostatic MEMS devices.
International Conference on Computational Intelligence: Modeling, Techniques and Applications (CIMTA) 2013 A Region-to-Pixel Based Multi-sensor Image Fusion

A region based multi-sensor image fusion approach is proposed in this paper. At the initial stage of our algorithm, noise is suppressed from the input images by applying a 3× 3 lter mask. In the next phase, regions are segmented from the input images by computing similarity map image followed by marker based watershed algorithm. Thereafter, regions are fused by computing the relative importance of a pixel in the region. Here, the relative importance of a pixel in the region is calculated as the second central moment of that pixel in the neighborhood with respect to the asymmetry or skewness of the whole region. After that a decision map is implemented based on the relative importance of a pixel in the region for fusion of the two correspondence regions. Finally, all the fused regions are combined to produce a nal fused image. To check the robustness of our algorithm, we have tested it on 120 multi-sensor image pairs collected from Manchester University UK database and compared with some state-of-the-art region based fusion techniques. The experimental result shows the superiority of our proposed method in terms of visual and objective perception evaluation indexes. c
Reducing InfoVis cluttering through non uniform sampling, displacement, and user perception

Clutter affects almost any kind of visual technique and can obscure the structure present in the data even in small datasets, making it hard for users to find patterns and reveal relationships. In this paper we present a general strategy to analyze and reduce clutter using a special kind of sampling, together with an ad-hoc displacement technique and perceptual issues collected through a user study. The method, defined for 2D scatter plots, is flexible enough to be used in quite different contexts. In particular, in this paper we prove its usefulness against scatter plot, radviz, and parallel coordinates visualizations.
Identifying the intellectual structure of risk management studies

To explore the intellectual structure of risk management research in the last twelve years, the most crucial publications, most influential scholars, as well as the correlations among the publications of these scholars were identified. In this study, bibliometric techniques (citation analysis and cocitation analysis) were used to investigate the intellectual pillars of the risk management literature. By analyzing 28,415 citations of 815 articles regarding risk managment, published from 2002 to 2013 and obtained from the Science Citation Index and Social Sciences Citation Index databases, a knowledge network of risk management studies was mapped. The mapping results can be used to help identify the direction of risk management research and provide a valuable tool for researchers to access the literature in this field.
On Obtaining Fuzzy Rule Base from Ensemble of Takagi-Sugeno Systems

Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems are very common learning systems. The paper is about building classification ensembles from them and merging resulting rule bases. When merged, the rule base is more intelligible and easier to process. The merging is possible thanks to a modification of TS systems. Numerical simulations show that the modified systems perform very well
Optimization of Equational Logic Programs using Abstract Narrowing ∗

Solving equations in equational theories is a relevant programming paradigm which integrates logic and equational programming into one unified framework. Efficient methods based on narrowing strategies to solve systems of equations have been devised. In this work, we define an abstract narrower for equational theories which can be used to obtain a finite description of the set of solutions. We define a generic technique of loop detection to ensure termination of our method. We prove that the set of answers computed by the abstract narrower has the property that each concrete solution of the set of equations is an instance of one of the substitutions in the answer set. We also introduce a parallel composition operator which can be used to perform computations and analysis incrementally in a Constraint Equational setting and show that the test of satisfiability in this setting can be done in parallel. Then, we define several applications of the framework. On one hand, we show a refined, but still complete, equation solving procedure which allows us to reduce the branching factor. On the other hand, we show how groundness and sharing information can be derived from the partial solutions of the abstract narrower. Finally, we give some benchmarks which show the usefulness of the method.
Development of a tracking method for augmented reality applied to NPP maintenance work and its experimental evaluation

Nuclear power plants (NPP) must be maintained periodically. The maintenance efficiency must be improved and human error must be reduced simultaneously to improve NPPs' competitive capability in electricity markets. Although Augmented Reality (AR) offers great possibilities to support NPP maintenance work, some difficulties exist for application of AR to actual work support because current AR systems cannot be implemented in NPP environments without technical improvement. Problems exist such as recognition distance, tracking accuracy, and a complex working environment when applying AR to NPP field work support. Considerable extension of tracking distance and improvement of accuracy are particularly desired because NPPs are large-scale indoor environments. This study designed a linecode marker, a new type of paper-based marker, along with recognition and tracking algorithms for it to resolve these problems. In contrast to conventional paper-based markers, such as square markers and circle markers, the linecode marker is not merely easier to set up in complex industrial environments: it also enables the use of AR in industrial plants because of its considerable tracking-performance improvement. To evaluate tracking accuracy, the trackable distance, and the tracking speed of the proposed tracking method, an evaluation experiment was conducted in a large room. The experiment results show that the tracking distance is extended extremely over that of the traditional marker-based tracking method: tracking accuracy improved to 20 cm in 10 m distance. The running speed can be as fast as 15 frames per second with a laptop.
cAMP-mediated inhibition of intracellular particle movement and actin reorganization in Dictyostelium

Before addition of cAMP, Dictyostelum amoebae rapidly translocating in buffer are elongate, exhibit expansion zones primarily at the anterior end and filamentous actin (F-actin) localization primarily in the anterior pseudopodia. Intracellular particle movement is primarily in the anterior direction, and the average rate of particle movement is roughly five times the rate of cellular translocation. Within seconds after the addition of 10(-6)M cAMP, there is a dramatic suppression of cellular translocation, an inhibition of pseudopod formation, a freeze in cellular morphology, a dramatic depression in intracellular particle movement, loss of F-actin localization in pseudopodia concomitant with relocalization of F-actin in the general cytoplasmic cortex under the plasma membrane, and a doubling of F-actin content. After 10 s, expansion zones are again visible at the cell perimeter, but they no longer are localized in the original anterior portion of the cell. There is a slight rebound in particle movement after 10 s, but particles with persistent tracks now show no directionality towards the original anterior portion of the cell, as they did before cAMP addition. Finally, in parallel with the resumption of peripheral expansion and the small rebound in particle movement, there is a decrease in total cellular F-actin to the untreated level. The pattern of microtubule organization is unaffected by the addition of cAMP.
Functional Data Classification with Kernel-Induced Random Forests

Scientists and others today often collect samples of curves and other functional data. The multivariate data classification methods cannot be directly used for functional data classification because the curse of dimensionality and difficulty in taking in account the correlation and order of functional data. We extend the kernel-induced random forest method for discriminating functional data by defining kernel functions of two curves. This method is demonstrated by classifying the phoneme data and temporal gene expression data. The simulation study and applications show that the kernel-induced random forest method increases the classification accuracy from the available methods. The kernel-induced random forest method is easy to implement by naive users. It is also appealing in its flexibility to allow users to choose different curve estimation methods and appropriate kernel functions.
Automatic Fiscal Stabilisers in the Euro Area – Simulations with the Nime Model

Meyermans investigates how automatic fiscal stabilisers affect economic activity in the euro area. To this end he applies different shocks to an econometric model of the world economy (NIME) developed at the Belgian Federal Planning Bureau. He compares the adjustment path of the main macroeconomic variables under a regime that allows the automatic fiscal stabilisers to operate fully, with the adjustment path under a regime that tempers the working of the automatic fiscal stabilisers. The author also compares the results for the euro area with those for the United States and Japan. He points out that previous studies of the euro area found that output fluctuations are reduced significantly when automatic stabilisers are allowed to operate. In line with this literature, Meyermans finds that the impact of shocks on output is smaller with fiscal stabilisers. However, he finds that this only holds for shocks of a temporary nature. Moreover, he also notices that these results are obtained under the assumption of a well disciplined government that allows the automatic stabilisers to operate in a downturn and uses the gains in the upturn to reduce the debt.
Ocular Surface Cytotoxicity and Safety Evaluation of Tafluprost, a Recently Developed Anti-Glaucoma Prostaglandin Analog

In vitro cytotoxicity of tafluprost, which is the most recently developed anti-glaucoma prostaglandin (PG) analog, in ocular surface cells is addressed in comparison with other PG analogs. Irrespective of cell lines and models, the cytotoxicity of anti-glaucoma PG eyedrops was primarily related to the concentration of benzalkonium chloride (BAK) contained in the eyedrops as a preservative. Accordingly, preservative-free tafluprost was apparently less cytotoxic than BAK-preserved PG analogs. Furthermore, our study for cytotoxicity assays on ocular cells, conducted by comprehensive investigations covering a variety of concentrations and treatment times, which is termed the cell viability score (CVS) system, demonstrated that 0.001% BAK-preserved tafluprost was not cytotoxic, and suggested that tafluprost may even reduce the cytotoxic effect of BAK. It has been reported that adverse reactions associated with tafluprost in healthy human volunteers and patients with glaucoma include conjunctival hyperemia, eyelid pigmentation, eyelash bristles, and deepening of upper eyelid sulcus. Nonetheless, most clinical studies have demonstrated that not only preservative-free tafluprost but also BAK-preserved tafluprost is well tolerated and safe in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
Optimal design of a hybrid controller for antilock braking systems

Antilock braking systems (ABS) have been developed to reduce tendency of wheel lock and to improve vehicle control during sudden braking especially on slippery road surfaces. The objective of such control is to increase wheel tractive force in the desired direction while maintaining adequate vehicle stability and steerability and also reducing the vehicle stopping distance. In this paper, an optimized hybrid controller using a fuzzy system is proposed for antilock braking systems. The objective function is defined to maintain wheel slip to a desired level so that maximum wheel tractive force and maximum vehicle deceleration are obtained. All components of fuzzy system are optimized using a genetic algorithm and error based optimization technique. The error based global optimization approach is used for fast convergence near optimum point. Simulation results show fast convergence and good performance of the controller for different road conditions