Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Burden of tuberculosis in Kampala, Uganda.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and incidence of tuberculosis in one of Uganda's poor peri-urban areas. METHODS Multi-stage sampling was used to select a sample of households whose members were evaluated for presence of signs and/or symptoms of active tuberculosis; history of tuberculosis treatment; and relevant demographic, socioeconomic, and household environment characteristics. Patients with suspected tuberculosis underwent standardized evaluation for active disease. FINDINGS A sample of 263 households with 1142 individuals was evaluated. Nineteen people were classified as having had tuberculosis during the one-year reference period (May 2001-April 2002): nine (47%) cases already had been diagnosed through the health care system, while 10 cases (53%) were diagnosed through the survey. The prevalences for all forms of tuberculosis and for sputum smear-positive tuberculosis were 14.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.8-20.3) and 4.4 (CI = 0.83-7.89) per thousand, respectively. The incidences for all forms of tuberculosis and for sputum smear-positive tuberculosis were 9.2 (CI = 3.97-14.4) and 3.7 (CI = 0.39-6.95) per thousand per year, respectively. CONCLUSION The rate of tuberculosis in this peri-urban community was exceptionally high and may be underestimated by current surveillance systems. The need for interventions aimed at reducing tuberculosis transmission in this, and other similar communities with high case rates, is urgent.
Comparing Alternative Output-Gap Estimators: A Monte Carlo Approach

The author evaluates the ability of a variety of output-gap estimators to accurately measure the output gap in a model economy. A small estimated model of the Canadian economy is used to generate artificial data. Using output and inflation data generated by this model, the author uses each output-gap estimation methodology to construct an estimate of the true output gap. He then evaluates the methodologies by comparing their respective estimates of the output gap with the true gap. The estimators are evaluated on the basis of correlations between the actual and estimated output gap, as well as the root-mean-squared estimation error. The author also varies the properties of potential output and the output gap in the data-generating process to test the robustness of his results. His findings indicate that an estimator that combines the Hodrick-Prescott filter with a Blanchard-Quah structural vector autoregression (SVAR) yields an estimate that is accurate compared with competing methods at the end-of-sample. He also finds that the performance of the SVAR relative to that of other methodologies is quite robust to violations in the identifying assumptions of the SVAR.
On the Symmetry of the Distribution of k-Crossings and k-Nestings in Graphs

This note contains two results on the distribution of $k$-crossings and $k$-nestings in graphs. On the positive side, we exhibit a class of graphs for which there are as many $k$-noncrossing $2$-nonnesting graphs as $k$-nonnesting $2$-noncrossing graphs. This class consists of the graphs on $[n]$ where each vertex $x$ is joined to at most one vertex $y$ with $y
An Improved Voltage Compensation Approach in a Droop-Controlled DC Power System for the More Electric Aircraft

This paper proposes an improved voltage regulation method in a multisource-based dc electrical power system in the more electric aircraft. The proposed approach, which can be used in terrestrial dc microgrids as well, effectively improves the load sharing accuracy under high droop gain circumstance with consideration of cable impedance. Since no extra communication line and controllers are required, it is easily implemented and also increases the system modularity and reliability. By using the proposed approach, the dc transmission losses can be reduced and the system stability is not deteriorated for normal and fault scenarios. In this paper, optimal droop gain settings are investigated and the selection of individual droop gains as well as the proportional power sharing ratio has been described. Simulation and experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Essential minerals and phytic acid in legumes with reference to their nutritive and medicinal properties.

Three commonly used legumes, Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. , Phaseolus lunatus Linn. , and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn. , were subjected to determine their minerals and phytic acid contents to correlate their nutritional and medicinal properties. To quantify essential minerals, atomic absorption spectroscopic method, while for phytic acid estimation, spectrophotometric method was used. Presence of Fe, Mg, Mn, P and Zn were recorded in good quantities, Ca and Cu in moderate, while K in small quantity in the seed flours of all the three tested legumes. Maximum Fe and Zn content (0.38 and 0.40 mg/g) were recorded in P. vulgaris, while M. uniflorum delivered high content of Mg, Mn, P and Ca (0.21, 0.20, 77.94 and 0.04 mg/g) and 0.04 mg/g Cu was recorded in P. lunatus. The highest level of phytic acid (37.00 mg/g) was recorded in M. uniflorum at 519 nm. The estimated quantities of minerals and phytic acid provide a good opportunity to draw a conclusion that all the three tested legumes could potentially be used as food to achieve nutritional and health related functional benefits.
Effect of Soil Mineralogy and Pore-Water Chemistry on the Electrical Resistivity of Saturated Soils

AbstractThe electrical characteristics of soil-water mixtures reflect the soil type, ionic concentration, surface conduction, fluid saturation, porosity, and pore connectivity of the mixtures. Archie’s law commonly is used to analyze the electrical resistivity measurement results of soil-water mixtures. This paper explores the pore-fluid effect on Archie’s law. Experimental tests were performed on sand and clay specimens to measure the variation in their electrical resistivity at different porosities and for different electrical resistivities of the pore fluid. The results demonstrate that the sand specimens (i.e., low specific surface soil) have a unique Archie’s law curve; however, the clay specimens (i.e., high specific surface soil) have an inconsistent Archie’s law curve owing to the surface conduction induced by the double layer of clay particles. In particular, Archie’s law should be applied and analyzed cautiously when high specific surface soils are subjected to pore fluids with high electrical r.
Time allocation of a set of radars in a multitarget environment

The question tackled here is the time allocation of radars in a multitarget environment. At a given time radars can only observe a limited part of the space; it is therefore necessary to move their axis with respect to time, in order to be able to explore the overall space facing them. Such sensors are used to detect, to locate and to identify targets which are in their surrounding aerial space. In this paper we focus on the detection schema when several targets need to be detected by a set of delocalized radars. This work is based on the modelling of the radar detection performances in terms of probability of detection and on the optimization of a criterion based on detection probabilities. This optimization leads to the derivation of allocation strategies and is made for several contexts and several hypotheses about the targets locations.
Source water assessment and nonpoint sources of acutely toxic contaminants: A review of research related to survival and transport of Cryptosporidium parvum

Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (PL‐930123) in 1996 required that public water supply managers identify potential sources of contamination within contributing areas. Nonpoint sources of acutely toxic microbial contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium parvum, challenge current approaches to source identification and management as a first step toward developing management plans for public water supply protection. Little may be known about survival and transport in the field environment, prescribed practices may not be designed to manage such substances, and infective stages may be present in vast numbers and may resist water treatment and disinfection processes. This review summarizes research related to survival and transport of C. parvum oocysts, as an example of an acutely toxic contaminant with nonpoint sources in animal agriculture. It discusses ∥1) significance of infected domesticated animals as potential sources of C. parvum, (2) laboratory and field studies of survival and transport, and (3) approaches to source control in the context of public health protection.
Overview: Disease Management

Improving health care quality and reducing costs are attractive selling points for disease management (DM) programs. DM is widely used by insurers and employers, with revenues approaching $2 billion a year (Mattke, Seid, and Ma, 2007). The appeal of DM has spread beyond the private sector and is increasingly being considered, if not adopted, by public payers. The growing chronic disease burden, expanding emphasis on the importance of life-style related conditions such as obesity, and escalating heath care costs present challenges that DM purports to address. There are a wide array of DM programs and specific intervention services, some integrated into care delivery settings and others primarily telephonic. Some DM programs' focus is limited to disease-specific support. Others take a broader, holistic, care management approach. This has enhanced appeal when managing populations with multiple comorbidities. A more recent focus for the industry is population health, extending the disease-specific and multiple conditions approaches to incorporate wellness management of entire populations, even those without chronic conditions. There is no single definition of DM's interventions. Interventions are not just program specific, but person specific and also often vary with each contact. Programs may seek to improve adherence to evidence based prevention and treatment guidelines, working with providers and/or with patients to improve care. Other general strategies in DM include patient education aimed at improving self care and adherence to treatment plans, and to communicate with health care providers. Some programs include additional supports such as coordinating or providing transportation, medication, or social support services. Similarly, target populations can vary dramatically. Questions remain as to what criteria identify the optimal population to benefit from DM. Is it the highest cost group, a specific set of diagnoses, a particular utilization pattern, or some combination of these factors? Are there other subpopulations where the benefit is minimal or non-existent that should be excluded? DM providers working with Medicare populations have remarked on the challenges of multiple comorbidities, especially cognitive impairment, and general frailty of the population. That care is delivered by many different providers for conditions that are often long-standing is often in contrast to younger, healthier populations. Overlaying this are the added complexities of other social service needs, low literacy levels, and financial issues. The structure of the public sector programs often differs as well. Issues such as the timeliness of claims or other utilization data and the inability for real-time notification of hospital admission may require altering the DM approach. The monthly management fees paid in the Medicare demonstrations reported in this issue require considerable savings from utilization (averaging $100-$200 per beneficiary per month) to break even.
German fricatives: coda devoicing or positional faithfulness?*

Abstract In this paper we show how Jessen & Ringen's (2002) analysis of voicing in German stops can be extended to account for the voicing of German fricatives. It is argued that while stops in German contrast for the feature [spread glottis], fricatives contrast for [voice] (and [spread glottis]). Our analysis, which involves presonorant faithfulness, is compared to an analysis with coda devoicing. We show that the two analyses make crucially different predictions, and present experimental evidence in support of the presonorant faithfulness analysis. The experimental results show considerable variation, which can be accommodated in our OT analysis.
BAC array CGH distinguishes mutually exclusive alterations that define clinicogenetic subtypes of gliomas

The pathological classification of gliomas constitutes a critical step of the clinical management of patients, yet it is frequently challenging. To assess the relationship between genetic abnormalities and clinicopathological characteristics, we have performed a genetic and clinical analysis of a series of gliomas. A total of 112 gliomas were analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization on a BAC array with a 1 megabase resolution. Altered regions were identified and correlation analysis enabled to retrieve significant associations and exclusions. Whole chromosomes (chrs) 1p and 19q losses with centromeric breakpoints and EGFR high level amplification were found to be mutually exclusive, permitting identification of 3 distinct, nonoverlapping groups of tumors with striking clinicopathological differences. Type A tumors with chrs 1p and 19q codeletion exhibited an oligodendroglial phenotype and a longer patient survival. Type B tumors were characterized by EGFR amplification. They harbored a WHO high grade of malignancy and a short patient survival. Finally, type C tumors displayed none of the previous patterns but the presence of chr 7 gain, chr 9p deletion and/or chr 10 loss. It included astrocytic tumors in patients younger than in type B and whose prognosis was highly dependent upon the number of alterations. A multivariate analysis based on a Cox model shows that age, WHO grade and genomic type provide complementary prognostic informations. Finally, our results highlight the potential of a whole‐genome analysis as an additional diagnostic in cases of unclear conventional genetic findings. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of Fairtrade: Evidence, shaping factors, and future pathways

What is the evidence base for the impact of Fairtrade and how and why is the impact agenda evolving? We explore issues of design and the use of theories of change in mapping impact pathways as part of evaluations. We outline some of the findings on the different dimensions of impact (e.g. household income, livelihoods and quality of life, organizational, wider community and economy impacts), as well as environmental, empowerment, and gender impacts. This analysis draws upon a meta-review which analysed studies available in 2009 and also on more recently published studies. Finally, we identify the five key factors shaping the impact of Fairtrade and the implications for the impact assessment agenda.
Spine radiography in the evaluation of back and neck pain in an orthopaedic emergency clinic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Despite the recommendations of national and international societies for the treatment of patients with acute neck and back pain, still too many radiologic examinations were performed. The purpose of this study was to analyze and optimize diagnostics and treatment of patients with acute back pain. METHODS The medical records of 484 patients presented to the emergency clinic with acute neck or back pain were analyzed for clinical history, physical examination, radiographic findings and therapy. RESULTS Radiographs of the lumbar, cervical, or thoracic spine were performed in 338 cases (70%). Radiographs were normal in 142 patients (42%) and degenerative changes were identified in 123 patients (36%). Only 2 patients (0.4%) had radiographic findings that had direct therapeutic relevance: 1 patient with metastatic disease and 1 patient with posttraumatic C1-C2 instability. For most patients without sensorimotor deficits and absent specific indications for radiography (“red flags”), therapy was not affected by the results of radiography. CONCLUSIONS Plain radiography of the spine was unnecessary in most patients initially evaluated with non-specific acute back pain and does not improve the clinical outcome. The implementation of national and international guidelines is a slow process, but helps to reduce costs and to protect patients from unnecessary ionizing radiation exposure.
Sparse sound field decomposition with multichannel extension of complex NMF

A sparse sound field decomposition method using prior information on source signals in the time-frequency domain is proposed. Sparse sound field decomposition has been proved to be effective for various acoustic signal processing applications. Current methods for sparse decomposition are based only on the spatial sparsity of the source distribution. However, it can be assumed that possible source signals to be decomposed are approximately known in advance. To exploit this prior information, we incorporated the complex nonnegative factorization model into sparse sound field decomposition. Since the magnitude spectrum of the possible source signals can be trained in advance, accuracy of the sparse decomposition can be improved even when the source signals are highly correlated and the sources are in a highly noisy environment. In addition, the proposed decomposition algorithm is derived using the auxiliary function method. Numerical experiments indicated that the sparse decomposition performance was significantly improved using the proposed method.
Supplemental Information : Asymmetries in blue-yellow color perception and in the color of “ the dress ”

Color calculations. Color was defined and manipulated in a standard cone-excitation space defined by opposing signals in the long vs. medium-wave cone photoreceptors (LM) or the short vs. L and M cones (S) at constant luminance [S1, 2] (Figure S1A). The two axes were scaled to roughly equate sensitivity [S3]. Note that in this space a given color can be represented by a vector relative to the gray origin whose length corresponds to chromatic contrast and direction to hue angle. Inverted colors have the same length and luminance but are rotated 180 deg in the color plane. For images, the gray level was assumed to reflect equal RGB values and thus the white balance for the monitor, which should also approximate the adapted state for the observer. Stimuli in the psychophysical experiments assumed an arbitrary nominal white point corresponding to the chromaticity of Illuminant C (CIE 1931 x,y = 0.31,0.316). This is a slightly blue-biased chromaticity compared to other standard illuminants [S4] but is typical of average achromatic loci of observers (which vary widely across individuals and conditions [S5, 6]),
Error Decay of (Almost) Consistent Signal Estimations From Quantized Gaussian Random Projections

This paper provides new error bounds on consistent reconstruction methods for signals observed from quantized random projections. Those signal estimation techniques guarantee a perfect matching between the available quantized data and a new observation of the estimated signal under the same sensing model. Focusing on dithered uniform scalar quantization of resolution δ > 0, we prove first that, given a Gaussian random frame of RN with M vectors, the worst-case ℓ2-error of consistent signal reconstruction decays with high probability as O((N/M) log(M/√N)) uniformly for all signals of the unit ball BN ⊂ RN. Up to a log factor, this matches a known lower bound in Ω(N/M) and former empirical validations in O(N/M). Equivalently, if M exceeds a minimal number of frame coefficients growing like O((N)/(ε0) log(√N)/(E0)), any vectors in BN with M identical quantized projections are at most E0 apart with high probability. Second, in the context of quantized compressed sensing with M Gaussian random measurements and under the same scalar quantization scheme, consistent reconstructions of K-sparse signals of RN have a worst case error that decreases with high probability as O((K)/(M) log(MN)/(√K3)) uniformly for all such signals. Finally, we show that the proximity of vectors whose quantized random projections are only approximately consistent can still be bounded with high probability. A certain level of corruption is thus allowed in the quantization process, up to the appearance of a systematic bias in the reconstruction error of (almost) consistent signal estimates.
Abnormal glucose metabolism in the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE Three thalamic nuclei--the mediodorsal nucleus, pulvinar, and centromedian nucleus--each have unique reciprocal circuitry with cortical and subcortical areas known to be affected in schizophrenia. To determine if the disorder is also associated with dysfunction in the mediodorsal nucleus, pulvinar, and centromedian nucleus, relative glucose metabolism in these regions was measured in a large group of unmedicated patients with schizophrenia. METHOD [18F]-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) and matching T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained for 41 unmedicated patients with schizophrenia and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. The PET and MRI images for each subject were coregistered, and the whole thalamus, mediodorsal nucleus, pulvinar, and centromedian nucleus were traced on the MRI image. Relative glucose metabolism in these regions was assessed. RESULTS Patients with schizophrenia showed significantly lower relative glucose metabolism in the mediodorsal nucleus and the centromedian nucleus and significantly higher relative glucose metabolism in the pulvinar, compared with the healthy subjects. Lower relative glucose metabolism in the total thalamus, mediodorsal nucleus, and pulvinar was associated with greater overall clinical symptoms as measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Lower relative glucose metabolism in the pulvinar was associated with more hallucinations and more positive symptoms, while lower relative glucose metabolism in the mediodorsal nucleus was associated with more negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that patients with schizophrenia exhibit dysfunction in thalamic subdivisions with distinct cortical connections and that these thalamic subdivisions have specific associations with clinical symptoms.
Adaptive Synchronization between Different Chaotic Systems with Unknown Parameters

This article deals with synchronization between different chaotic systems such as Genesio-Tesi and Qi system using adaptive control method. Based on Lyapunov stability theory, the synchronization between a pair of chaotic systems with fully unknown parameters is derived. An adaptive control law and a parameter update rule for unknown parameters are designed such that the chaotic Qi system is controlled to be the chaotic Genesio-Tesi system. Numerical simulation results which are carried out using MATLAB, show that the adaptive control method is effective, easy to implement and reliable for synchronizing of the considered chaotic systems.
Temporal Change in Fallout 137Cs in Terrestrial and Aquatic Systems: A Whole Ecosystem Approach

During the years after a nuclear accident, the bioavailability and environmental mobility of radiocesium declines markedly, resulting in large changes in contamination of foodstuffs, vegetation, and surface waters. Predicting such changes is crucial to the determination of potential doses to affected populations and therefore to the implementation of radiological countermeasures. We have analyzed 77 data sets of radiocesium (137Cs) activity concentrations in milk, vegetation, and surface waters after the Chernobyl accident. Our results show that the rate of decline in 137Cs during the years after Chernobyl is remarkably consistent in all three ecosystem components, having a mean effective half-life, Teff ≈ 2 years. By comparing changes in 137Cs availability with rates of diffusion of 40K (a close analogue) into the lattice of an illitic clay (1) we have, for the first time, directly linked changes in the environmental availability of 137Cs to fixation processes at a mechanistic level. These changes are co.