Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Evidence-Based Approach in Assigning Patients to Nurses

Purpose: This article presents a data-integrated simulation based method to evaluate patient-to-nurse assignments ahead of a shift. Unlike patient classification systems, which just estimate the workload, this simulation tool quantifies the workload of nurses by simulating individual nurse’s workflow for the entire shift. Design: To enable building the simulation model, the nurse workflow data was collected from a north Texas hospital for six months. The observational workflow data for six months was continuously collected via locating devices that were embedded with the nurse badges. Methods: After collecting and processing the data, a data-mining model called classification and regression trees (CART) was fitted to the data. Based on the historical data on nurse workflow, the CART model unearthed patterns in nurse workflow for different patient-to-nurse assignments. A simulation code was written to repeatedly sample from CART to predict the workflow of nurses for the entire shift ahead of time. Findings/ Conclusion: Generating 1000 scenarios of nurse workflow for the entire shift took only fewer than three minutes. Hence, it is possible to implement the simulation on an actual care unit to quantify workload and evaluate balance in workload among nurses. Introduction of this simulation tool enable charge nurses and hospital management to adapt evidence-based practice in assigning patients to nurses by using performance measures from the simulation.
Value creation, ICT, and co-production in public sector: bureaucracy, opensourcing and crowdsourcing

This paper contributes to the e-government literature discussing the role of ICTs as enabler of different modes of production of public services. E-government developments are often associated with organization transformations aimed to increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of the internal production of public services or to facilitate the exchange of information and the coordination among different public organizations. However, ICTs can also enable the co-production of public services allowing citizens or non-public organizations, such as NGOs, social enterprises or private companies to co-produce public services with public sector organizations. ICTs can generate new relationships and dynamics that involve actors and resources outside public organizations modifying the ways by which the value embedded in the services is produced. This paper critically describes and compares four ICTs mediated modes of public services production and discusses the two alternative logics of public service production underpinning these four modes of public service production. The paper further discusses the organizational configurations behind each of the ICTs mediated modes of production.
Prediction of Protein-Protein Interactions Based on Real-Valued Phylogenetic Profiles Using Partial Correlation Coefficient

The improvement of computational prediction method for protein-protein interactions (PPI) through genome comparisons is an important issue in bioinformatics. The phylogenetic profile method [2] has previously been developed for predicting protein functions and discovering specific PPI. This method basically stems from an assumption that interacting protein pairs are likely to have similar patterns of gene inheritance under the evolutionary restriction depending on PPI. Consider (n+1) different organisms whose genomes are completely sequenced. Suppose that one of the organisms has m genes in the genome, presence or absence of the orthologous gene for each of the m genes is examined for the remaining n organisms. If we assign an integer 1 to the presence and in integer 0 to the absence, we can construct an n-dimensional bit vector for a gene, each element of which corresponds to one of the n organisms. The bit vector is called a phylogenetic profile of the gene. When a pair of genes shares the same or similar bit patterns in their phylogenetic profiles, the gene products are predicted to interact each other. One of the recent progresses for phylogenetic profile method is the development of real-valued profiles [1]. The profiles are represented by continuous numerical values such as sequence alignment scores or its p-values instead of binary values. This method enables us to evaluate the similarity between profiles as Pearson’s correlation coefficient. When a correlation coefficient matrix is given, the detailed information about the interactions between the variables is obtained by calculating the partial correlation coefficient matrix. In our previous work, we have shown that partial correlation coefficient is a useful statistical measure for predicting PPI with high accuracy [3]. In this paper, we developed a new method to predict PPI by using the partial correlation coefficients in order to improve the accuracy of the phylogenetic profile method based on the continuous numerical values. The ability of our method to predict PPI was tested by using real-valued phylogenetic profile constructed from the comparison of completely sequenced genomes. The result suggested that our method could improve the accuracy of the prediction of PPI.
Volatility Transmission between the stock and Currency Markets in Emerging Asia: the Impact of the Global Financial Crisis

This paper examines volatility spillovers between the stock and currency markets of ten Asian economies in the period 2003 to 2014. To carry out this analysis, a multivariate asymmetric GARCH model is used. In general, our results present evidence of bidirectional volatility spillovers between both markets, independently of the individual country’s level of development. Additionally, our findings show that the global financial crisis has had mixed effects on the volatility transmission patterns. Overall, our results suggest that exchange rate policies and investment decisions should not be implemented without first taking into consideration the links between the stock and currency markets.
Decision-Making for Ecological Reservoir Operation Based on Lamda Fuzzy Measures

Comprehensive decision-making for reservoir operation is a complex multi-hierarchy and multi-index evaluation problem. In order to apply fuzzy measure to decision-making in ecological reservoir operation, authors establish the index system and fuzzy measure evaluation model, and the empirical analysis on samples of data from five schemes of ecological reservoir operation is conducted. Fuzzy measure possesses two main features, i.e., the correlativity of comprehensively considering evaluation index and the subjectivity of defining the value of evaluation index, thus both evaluation purpose and demand of high-level decision-maker can be implemented by means of determining the value of fuzzy measurement λ and the extent of regarding the evaluation index as important. The case study shows that the model and corresponding method are scientific and practical, and can heighten decision-making reliability for ecological reservoir operation.
Source-Channel Communication in One-Helper Problem

We consider the m-helper problem for the special case of m = 1 where one source provides partial side information to the fusion center (FC) to help reconstruction of the main source signal. Both sources communicate information about their observations to the FC through an orthogonal multiple access channel (MAC) without cooperating with each other. We characterize the optimal tradeoff between the transmission cost, i.e., power, and the distortion D using Shannon's separation source and channel coding theorem. We show that the separation approach outperforms the analog forwarding approach in the 1- helper problem. We also determine the optimal power scheduling to minimize the total power consumption in the network.
The challenges of automated methods for integrating systems

Automated methods for integrating systems (AMIS) have been presented as a new approach to solving the dilemmas of multiple and uncoordinated standards, ontologies, legacy systems and the ever-growing cost of traditional integration. This paper explores the challenges of automated methods as well as the promises most likely to fail. By identifying the challenges, we can focus our effort on the areas that are most promising. We may also contribute to clearing away the hype that distracts, misleads, and ultimately wastes money and labor that is better spent elsewhere.
The Virtual Pediatric Airways Workbench

The Virtual Pediatric Airways Workbench (VPAW) is a patient-centered surgical planning software system targeted to pediatric patients with airway obstruction. VPAW provides an intuitive surgical planning interface for clinicians and supports quantitative analysis regarding prospective surgeries to aid clinicians deciding on potential surgical intervention. VPAW enables a full surgical planning pipeline, including importing DICOM images, segmenting the airway, interactive 3D editing of airway geometries to express potential surgical treatment planning options, and creating input files for offline geometric analysis and computational fluid dynamics simulations for evaluation of surgical outcomes. In this paper, we describe the VPAW system and its use in one case study with a clinician to successfully describe an intended surgery outcome.
UTS submission to Google YouTube-8M Challenge 2017

In this paper, we present our solution to Google YouTube-8M Video Classification Challenge 2017. We leveraged both video-level and frame-level features in the submission. For video-level classification, we simply used a 200-mixture Mixture of Experts (MoE) layer, which achieves GAP 0.802 on the validation set with a single model. For frame-level classification, we utilized several variants of recurrent neural networks, sequence aggregation with attention mechanism and 1D convolutional models. We achieved GAP 0.8408 on the private testing set with the ensemble model. The source code of our models can be found in \url{this https URL}.
The Sensitivity of Daily Temperature Variability and Extremes to Dataset Choice

AbstractRobust conclusions regarding changes in the temperature distribution rely on the accuracy and reliability of the input datasets used. Differences between methodologies and datasets in previous studies add uncertainty when comparing and quantifying findings. Here, the authors investigate the sensitivity of assessing global and regional temperature variability and extremes over 1980–2014 in gridded datasets of daily temperature anomalies. A gridded in situ–based dataset, Hadley Centre Global Historical Climatology Network–Daily (HadGHCND), is compared against several commonly used reanalysis products by assessing both the entire distribution and the tails of the distribution. Empirical probability distribution functions show sensitivity to the input dataset when estimating aspects such as standard deviation and skewness, with the mean showing robust results for most regions, irrespective of dataset choice. Standard deviation is especially sensitive, with larger disagreements between datasets for som.
Drawing Design Futures for Shape-Changing Interfaces

Shape-Changing interfaces have the potential to change the world by giving tangible form to computational interactions: but what will we use them for, and what are the implications of adopting such technologies? This doctorate investigates the current breadth of research prototypes, their classifications, limitations and possibilities -- with the ultimate goal of informing application design and usage for shape-change. The interdisciplinary nature of this enquiry employs mixed methodologies such as sketching user scenarios and creating design fictions to inform the field, whilst public facing workshops allow for fresh perspectives on future design and use cases.
Algorithmic Randomness with Probabilistic Strategies and Intermediate Success

Probabilistic betting strategies provide a method of characterizing algorithmically random sequences, including Martin-Löf random sequences and (partial) computably random sequences. We generalize probabilistic betting strategies to allow probabilistic moves at every step, not just at betting steps; we also consider restricting randomness to binary choices (or, " coin flips "). We prove that these modifications do not change the strength of probabilistic betting strategies. We introduce probabilistic strategies with intermediate success probabilities, and prove some simulation results. We give a new proof of the separation of Martin-Löf randomness and partial computable randomness using probabilistic betting strategies.
Increasing the Recruitment of Neutrophils to the Site of Infection Dramatically Attenuates Borrelia burgdorferi Infectivity1

Borrelia burgdorferi infection causes an initial skin lesion called erythema migrans (EM) in human Lyme disease and in models of monkey and rabbit borreliosis. EM results from the inflammatory response triggered by spirochete replication and likely develops to contain the initial infection but allows bacterial dissemination to occur. The essential lack of neutrophil involvement in EM histopathology prompted us to examine the consequence of increasing their recruitment in the inflammatory response to the Lyme disease agent. B. burgdorferi was modified genetically to constitutively express and secrete the chemokine KC, a neutrophil chemoattractant. After inoculation into the dermis of the murine host, control spirochetes induced an infiltration of macrophages, neutrophils, and basophils within 6 h; however, the recruited neutrophils and basophils were quickly substituted by eosinophils, and the inflammatory response became macrophage dominant by 16 h. Such a response failed to contain the initial infection and allowed the spirochetes to disseminate. In contrast, B. burgdorferi with KC secretion induced an intensive neutrophil infiltration at the inoculation site, and as a result, the host’s ability to control the initial infection was greatly enhanced. Taken together, this study suggests that the failure of sufficient neutrophil recruitment and activation during the initial inflammatory response may allow B. burgdorferi to effectively colonize the mammalian host.
Ischaemic damage of brain microvessels: inherent risks for thrombolytic treatment in stroke

Recent trials of plasminogen activators in acute ischaemic stroke underscore the delicate balance between promise of benefit and risk. Attempts to manage clinical outcome by systemic infusion of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) have so far had mixed success.1 2 The benefits seen in the National Institutes of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS) trial of rt-PA in acute ischaemic stroke were a significant absolute improvement in disability outcome.2 3 However, the risks in that study and in the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS)1 included further disability and mortality associated with haemorrhagic consequences of the plasminogen activator (PA). 1 2 Three recent studies of streptokinase in acute ischaemic stroke were terminated because of safety concerns.4-9 In all five trials, the risk of symptomatic haemorrhage associated with the PA was significantly increased over placebo (table 1). In addition, approaches which effect recanalisation of documented cerebral arterial thrombotic occlusions by intravenous or intra-arterial PA infusion have yet to be rigorously shown to promote overall benefit, although anecdotal evidence suggests that individual patients may improve clinically.10-24 The reasons are practical. The perceived risks, those of angiography and the interventional procedures required for intra-arterial PA delivery, have not been fully evaluated,25 although the relative risks of diagnostic angiography are low.26-28 Clearly, this assessment hides many important differences in PA behaviour, study design and conduct, patient populations, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, disease severity, comorbidity, and a host of other potential contributors. None the less, concerns which may erode the promise of benefit of thrombolytic agents in acute ischaemic stroke include the accentuation of innate risks associated with the evolution of ischaemic injury after the stroke event itself.29-34 These include early mortality caused by severe brain oedema and the development of haemorrhagic transformation which causes clinical deterioration or …
Bottom-Up and Top-Down Controls on Food Webs in Headwater Streams

ii Acknowledgments.iii Chapter 1: Top-down effects of salamanders on macroinvertebrates in fishless headwater streams . 1 Chapter 2: Biofilm biomass in oligotrophic headwater streams: top-down or bottom-up control? 37
The impact of former mining activity on soils and plants in the vicinity of an old mercury mine (Vallalta, Belluno, NE Italy)

Exploitation of ore minerals (cinnabar, chalcopyrite, sphalerite) from the old mine in Vallalta (Belluno, NE Italy) has resulted in serious environmental impacts, including the acidification of water, and the contamination of soils and plants. Forty-eight soil samples and four wild plants were examined at four sites in the vicinity of the mine (<100 m), where mine waste was discharged. After digestion with aqua regia, chemical analyses were carried out on both soils and plants by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for potentially harmful elements (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn); the mercury concentration was directly ascertained by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The levels of Ni, Cr, Mn and Zn in the soils were generally below the ‘normal’ levels for uncontaminated sites. Conversely, more than 50% of the examined samples presented Cu and Pb concentrations higher than the phytotoxic level (10 mg kg−1). Iron concentrations exceeded normal values (<300 mg kg−1) in 65% of the examined samples. The mercury concentration was high (6–21 mg kg−1) in all soil samples, mostly above the phytotoxicity limit (10 mg kg−1). Chaerophyllum hirsutum presented the highest Hg levels in roots, up to the phytotoxicity level (10 mg kg−1). Micronutrients Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn showed translocation factors (TFs) of between 0.5 and 1, suggesting that these elements are taken up to a critical concentration and are then arrested in the roots. Iron is less mobile, particularly in C. hirsutum, with the lowest TF of 0.38. The TF for Mn and Hg is >1 in S. nemorum and C. hirsutum; a TF of <0.5 in P. braunii, and particularly in T. officinale, suggests that these metals are most likely to be arrested in their roots. Soil contamination is confined to the proximity (<100 m) of the mine waste. Among the investigated plants, Chaerophyllum seems to be most suitable for phytoremediation of Hg-contaminated sites.
Drug treatment of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is the most common cause of chronic neurologic disability in young adults, with a prevalence of about 1 in 1,000. About 50% of patients are unable to walk without assistance 15 years after onset. As yet, no treatment can halt the accumulation of disability. In recent years, however, there has been substantial progress in understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease and in developing techniques to monitor treatment. Based on this progress, treatments were developed that have a favorable effect on the natural course of the disease (disease-modifying drugs). We discuss the evidence available from large randomized, placebo-controlled studies, and we address several questions that still generate wide interest in relation to treatment with disease-modifying drugs. The treatment of symptoms and rehabilitation, which still remain the mainstay of care of most patients with multiple sclerosis, are not reviewed here. ​here.
An Analytic Approach on End-to-End Packet Error Rate Estimation for Network-on-Chip

Network-on-Chip (NoC) are well-established for scalable on-chip communication, but technology generations of 22~nm and below, as well as aggressive voltage scaling to reduce NoC power consumption, introduce new variability challenges resulting in errors on wires and registers. Based on the probabilities of single bit flips, this paper focuses on the expected end-to-end packet error probabilities in NoC. We investigate the influence of individual bit error probabilities, the number of hops between communication partners, as well as the packet size. To evaluate these parameters, we propose an analytic approach which abstracts technology details of NoC data transport entities, such as links and buffers, and models each entity as a binary symmetric channel (BSC). The proposed probabilistic approach obtains equations for system-level NoC reliability estimates which allow an evaluation without the necessity to deploy time-consuming simulations.
Herbal medicine for management of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD): A systematic review and meta-analysis

Management of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia remains a challenge worldwide. Herbal medicines may play a role in the development of new interventions. To determine effects of herbal medicines for management of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, meta-analysis was conducted of 31 controlled trials (3613 participants). Frequently tested herbal medicines were the Ginkgo biloba leaf extract EGb 761 (seven studies) and the multi-ingredient formula Yokukansan (eight studies). Sixteen studies tested other herbal medicines. Improvements were detected in Neuropsychiatric Inventory scores in EGb 761 groups compared to placebo (MD −3.46 [−5.94, −0.98]; I2 = 93%; n = 1757) and Yokukansan groups compared to no treatment (SMD −0.53 [−0.86, −0.21]; I2 = 0%; n = 150). Cognitive scores were improved in EGb 761 groups while Yokukansan did not appear to affect cognitive function. Of the other herbal medicines, there were improvements in the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and cognitive outcomes in two of four placebo-controlled studies. EGb 761 and Yokukansan appeared safe and well tolerated. Adverse effects and dropouts were not reported consistently for the other herbal medicines. Weaknesses of these included short durations, small sample sizes, lack of blinding and other risks of bias. Well-designed studies are needed to further investigate the reported effects of these interventions on the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
Are the spectra of geometrical operators in Loop Quantum Gravity really discrete

One of the celebrated results of Loop Quantum Gravity (LQG) is the discreteness of the spectrum of geometrical operators such as length, area and volume operators. This is an indication that Planck scale geometry in LQG is discontinuous rather than smooth. However, there is no rigorous proof thereof at present, because the afore mentioned operators are not gauge invariant, they do not commute with the quantum constraints. The relational formalism in the incarnation of Rovelli’s partial and complete observables provides a possible mechanism for turning a non gauge invariant operator into a gauge invariant one. In this paper we investigate whether the spectrum of such a physical, that is gauge invariant, observable can be predicted from the spectrum of the corresponding gauge variant observables. We will not do this in full LQG but rather consider much simpler examples where field theoretical complications are absent. We find, even in those simpler cases, that kinematical discreteness of the spectrum does not necessarily survive at the gauge invariant level. Whether or not this happens depends crucially on how the gauge invariant completion is performed. This indicates that “fundamental discreteness at Planck scale in LQG” is far from established. To prove it, one must provide the detailed construction of gauge invariant versions of geometrical operators.