Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Entropy of Teager Energy in Wavelet-domain algorithm applied in note onset detection

Note segmentation is a crucial step in content-based musical signal analysis and processing. Considering the characters of multi-resolution of wavelet transform, anti-noise performance of TEO (Teager Energy Operator) and good statistical performance of information entropy, this paper combined this three features and proposed a novel note onset detection algorithm—Entropy of Teager Energy in Wavelet-domain (ETEW). Compared with the Adaptive Sub-band Spectrum Entropy (ASSE) which was a typical and effective note onset detection algorithm, the detection curve obtained from ETEW was smoother and the note boundaries were more obvious, which led to a 10% increase in the note segmentation accuracy. Especially for pieces played by percussion instruments, the results would be better. The experiment data set contained several groups played by 7 different kinds of instruments and had 2000 notes in total. Experiments indicated that the advantages of ETEW became much prominent when pieces were played by a variety of instruments or accompanied by background music. What's more, the anti-noise performance was improved in a great extent especially with lower SNR.
The influence of endocrine effects of adjuvant therapy on quality of life outcomes in younger breast cancer survivors.

SIGNIFICANCE There are 2.2 million breast cancer survivors, and approximately 25%-30% of newly diagnosed women each year are <50 years of age. Adjuvant therapy has prolonged survival, but the quality of that survival is influenced by persistent and late effects of therapy. Knowledge of treatment outcomes will assist in the design of interventions to prevent or manage persistent and late effects in survivors. PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to review the incidence of gonadal toxicity associated with adjuvant chemotherapy, side effects of endocrine therapy, quality of life outcomes, fertility concerns, and options to preserve fertility in young (<35 years) and young midlife (35-50 years) breast cancer survivors. RESULTS Alkylating agent-based chemotherapy causes destruction of primordial follicles and impairment of follicular maturation resulting in temporary preservation of menses, reversible amenorrhea, irregular menses (perimenopause), or irreversible amenorrhea (ovarian failure--menopause). Younger women have a lower risk for amenorrhea with chemotherapy because of sufficient follicular stores, although the gonadal toxicity will result in an earlier than expected menopause. Premature menopause is associated with poorer quality of life, decreased sexual functioning, menopausal symptom distress, psychosocial distress related to fertility concerns, infertility, and uncertainty about late effects of premature menopause. Routine discussion about the menopausal experience, risks for infertility, and fertility preservation options is recommended. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE This review identified adverse treatment outcomes for young and young midlife breast cancer survivors that can be minimized or prevented with targeted interventions.
Integrated photoacoustic, confocal, and two-photon microscope

Abstract. The invention of green fluorescent protein and other molecular fluorescent probes has promoted applications of confocal and two-photon fluorescence microscopy in biology and medicine. However, exogenous fluorescence contrast agents may affect cellular structure and function, and fluorescence microscopy cannot image nonfluorescent chromophores. We overcome this limitation by integrating optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy into a modern Olympus IX81 confocal, two-photon, fluorescence microscope setup to provide complementary, label-free, optical absorption contrast. Automatically coregistered images can be generated from the same sample. Imaging applications in ophthalmology, developmental biology, and plant science are demonstrated. For the first time, in a familiar microscopic fluorescence imaging setting, this trimodality microscope provides a platform for future biological and medical discoveries.
Electromyographic analysis of muscles across the elbow joint

An electromyographic (EMG) technique was developed to study simultaneously the eight major elbow muscles in five normal subjects. Recordings of EMG activity in elbow muscles were obtained while the elbow joint was subjected to resisted flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction functions. The results indicate that activity in the the major elbow muscles is determined by the size of the resultant flexion and extension moments created about the elbow joint, but not by varus and valgus moments. These results support the hypothesis that determination of muscle force about a joint depends on joint constraint, namely, the degree of freedom, the resultant joint forces and moments due to externally applied load, and also the function of the muscle, i.e., the line of action of the muscle that crosses the joint. The data may be used to further refine the calculation of muscle force distribution across the elbow joint.
From Forest to Farm: Systematic Review of Cultivar Feeding by Chimpanzees – Management Implications for Wildlife in Anthropogenic Landscapes

Crop-raiding is a major source of conflict between people and wildlife globally, impacting local livelihoods and impeding conservation. Conflict mitigation strategies that target problematic wildlife behaviours such as crop-raiding are notoriously difficult to develop for large-bodied, cognitively complex species. Many crop-raiders are generalist feeders. In more ecologically specialised species crop-type selection is not random and evidence-based management requires a good understanding of species' ecology and crop feeding habits. Comprehensive species-wide studies of crop consumption by endangered wildlife are lacking but are important for managing human–wildlife conflict. We conducted a comprehensive literature search of crop feeding records by wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), a ripe-fruit specialist. We assessed quantitatively patterns of crop selection in relation to species-specific feeding behaviour, agricultural exposure, and crop availability. Crop consumption by chimpanzees is widespread in tropical Africa. Chimpanzees were recorded to eat a considerable range of cultivars (51 plant parts from 36 species). Crop part selection reflected a species-typical preference for fruit. Crops widely distributed in chimpanzee range countries were eaten at more sites than sparsely distributed crops. We identified ‘high’ and ‘low’ conflict crops according to their attractiveness to chimpanzees, taking account of their importance as cash crops and/or staple foods to people. Most (86%) high conflict crops were fruits, compared to 13% of low conflict crops. Some widely farmed cash or staple crops were seldom or never eaten by chimpanzees. Information about which crops are most frequently consumed and which are ignored has enormous potential for aiding on-the-ground stakeholders (i.e. farmers, wildlife managers, and conservation and agricultural extension practitioners) develop sustainable wildlife management schemes for ecologically specialised and protected species in anthropogenic habitats. However, the economic and subsistence needs of local people, and the crop-raiding behaviour of sympatric wildlife, must be considered when assessing suitability of particular crops for conflict prevention and mitigation.
Information flows in customer-oriented service development process

The aim of this thesis is to demonstrate the importance of information sharing and communication in the service development process in order to ensure that the customer expectations are commonly understood. The study examines how the stakeholders are behaving in a service development process environment and how the process is supporting flows of information across functions within the case company. The aim is to gain an understanding of the current state of the information flows in the service development process in the case company and to identify improvement areas and methods to remove the information flow barriers between the stakeholders. In order to support the empirical part of the thesis the theoretical framework discusses two main concepts: customer-oriented service development and organizational information management, which are closely related. This thesis has characteristics of a case study as it investigates a service development process and its information flows in a case company. The emphasis is to gain understanding of the object through meaningful data gathering from different sources and in the case study the data collecting methods are observation, written material analysis and unstructured interview. This study provides an insight on the service development process from the perspective of information flow by demonstrating the state of the information sharing and communication between the stakeholders.
Synthesis and characterization of Bioglass-based bone grafts with Gelatine substitution for biomedical applications.

BACKGROUND Syntesizing alternative bone graft materials are important in biomedical applications. Their morphology, mechanical properties and cell viability plays an important role in tissue engineering. OBJECTIVE Bioglass (B) based bone grafts with Gelatin (G) substitution were syntesized via the sol-gel method and were compared with various Gelatin and Bioglass concentrations (wt%). METHODS Syntesized bone grafts were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to show the structural and morphological changes of the fabricated B-based bone grafts. RESULTS It was demonstrated that the concentration of pore size increased with increasing amounts of Gelatin in wt%. The biograft-B40G20 produced the highest flexture strength and hardness. Increasing the pore size caused a decrease in hardness and flexture stress of B-based biografts. CONCLUSIONS Cell viability tests were conducted on the fabricated biografts and it was shown that the cell viability increased in fabricated B-based bone grafts.
Socialinis kapitalas ir politinis dalyvavimas Lietuvoje

The wide resonance achieved by the notion of social capital among social scientists suggests that the term serve important purposes of analysis in current social thought. The focus of the study was the impact of social capital on political participation in Lithuania. The method of study was survey sample data and scientific literature analysis. The results of analysis reflects rather weak relationship between certain social capital dimensions and political participation, what could be a result of past communist legacy: persistence of friendship networks, closed nature of social networks, low level of interpersonal and institutional trust. Data analysis confirm an assumption that social capital dimensions have the bigger impact on collective political acts than on individual political acts. Membership in nongovernmental organizations has the biggest impact on collective political actions and it supports Putnam’s social capital theory. Frequency of conversations on political and social matters has the biggest impact on individual collective acts and rather low on collective acts.
Importance of Local Proliferation in the Expanding Kupffer Cell Population of Rat Liver After Zymosan Stimulation and Partial Hepatectomy

Partial hepatectomy and a single intravenous injection of zymosan were used to provoke expansion of the Kupffer cell population in rat liver. The number of Kupffer cells per microscopic field increased exponentially for 4 to 5 days after either stimulation. During this exponential growth phase, high mitotic activity of Kupffer cells was observed.
A NS-3 module for LTE UE energy consumption

NS-3 has evolved into a very popular simulator platform for networking research studies. As energy consumed by LTE user equipment (UE) is of keen interest to researchers working in wireless networks, they often analyze the energy consumed by a UE when running network simulations. Thus, there is a stringent need for the underlying simulator to have an energy consumption model, but NS-3 currently does not have a LTE UE energy expenditure module. In literature, the LTE UE energy expenditure is profiled and modeled for a commercial UE. A corresponding implementation of the same is needed in NS-3. In this paper, we present the design and implementation details of LTE UE energy model in NS-3 and then validate it by running various experiments. Our implementation of LTE UE energy consumption model yields the expected power profile in our experiments with varying scheduling of resources to UEs. We made the LTE UE energy module code open [2] for the research community to get benefited.
Frozen shoulder: evidence and a proposed model guiding rehabilitation.

UNLABELLED Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis describes the common shoulder condition characterized by painful and limited active and passive range of motion. The etiology of frozen shoulder remains unclear; however, patients typically demonstrate a characteristic history, clinical presentation, and recovery. A classification schema is described, in which primary frozen shoulder and idiopathic adhesive capsulitis are considered identical and not associated with a systemic condition or history of injury. Secondary frozen shoulder is defined by 3 subcategories: systemic, extrinsic, and intrinsic. We also propose another classification system based on the patient's irritability level (low, moderate, and high), that we believe is helpful when making clinical decisions regarding rehabilitation intervention. Nonoperative interventions include patient education, modalities, stretching exercises, joint mobilization, and corticosteroid injections. Glenohumeral intra-articular corticosteroid injections, exercise, and joint mobilization all result in improved short- and long-term outcomes. However, there is strong evidence that glenohumeral intra-articular corticosteroid injections have a significantly greater 4- to 6-week beneficial effect compared to other forms of treatment. A rehabilitation model based on evidence and intervention strategies matched with irritability levels is proposed. Exercise and manual techniques are progressed as the patient's irritability reduces. Response to treatment is based on significant pain relief, improved satisfaction, and return of functional motion. Patients who do not respond or worsen should be referred for an intra-articular corticosteroid injection. Patients who have recalcitrant symptoms and disabling pain may respond to either standard or translational manipulation under anesthesia or arthroscopic release. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 5.
Effects of Age and the Use of Hands-Free Cellular Phones on Driving Behavior and Task Performance

Objective: This study used a driving simulator to investigate the effect of using a Bluetooth hands-free cellular phone earpiece on the driving behavior of two age groups. Methods: Forty-eight participants (24 aged 20–26 and 24 aged 65–73) were examined to assess their performance on the following divided-attention tasks under 2 driving load conditions (high and low): (1) attempting to maintain the speed limit and (2) using a cellular phone while driving. The length of the call conversation (long vs. short) and the conversational content (complex vs. simple) were manipulated as within-subject independent variables. The driving behavior of the participants, their task reaction times and accuracy, and subjective ratings were collected as dependent variables. Results: The results indicate that under low driving loads, short talk times, and simple conversational content, the driving behavior of the participants showed low variance in the vehicle's mean speed. In contrast, complex conversation had a significantly negative impact on driving behavior. Notably, under a low driving load, motorists’ driving behaviors, measured in lateral acceleration, caused significantly smaller variance in complex conversations compared to no call and simple conversations. The use of a hands-free cellular phone affected the performance (acceleration, lane deviation, reaction time, and accuracy) of older drivers significantly more than younger drivers. While performing divided attention tasks, the accuracy of the older drivers was 66.3 percent and that of the younger drivers was 96.3 percent. Although this study did not find a clear impact of cellular phone use on the driving behavior of younger drivers, their divided-attention task reaction times and accuracy were better under no-call than calling conditions. Conclusions: This study indicates that the use of hands-free cellular phones could significantly affect the safety of driving among the older and present risks, although lesser, for younger drivers.
Analisis Keseimbangan Eksternal Indonesia: Pendekatan Intertemporal Model of Current Account

Current account balance has an important role of measuring the direction and the amount of international loan. This study analyzes Indonesian external balance due to its solvency condition of external debt and sustainability of current account balance during 1970{2007 by intertemporal-model approach of current account. The results of cointegration test and bivariate autoregressive (VAR) indicate that solvency condition holds, but not for the sustainability condition of current account balance. It means that Indonesia has capability to payback its external debt. Abstrak Dalam hubungannya dengan utang luar negeri, transaksi berjalan mempunyai peranan penting karena mengukur arah dan besarnya pinjaman internasional. Tulisan ini menganalisis mengenai keseimbangan eksternal Indonesia dengan melihat pada solvency condition atas utang luar negeri dan sustainabilitas neraca transaksi berjalan dengan pendekatan intertemporal model of current account . Data yang digunakan adalah time series tahunan periode 1970--2007. Hasil estimasi menunjukkan bahwa solvency condition Indonesia terpenuhi, artinya Indonesia berada dalam kemampuan membayar kembali utangnya, namun kondisi sustainabilitas neraca transaksi berjalan tidak tercapai.
Exit from Exporting: Does Being a Two-way Trader Matter?

Abstract The aim of this paper is to investigate whether the probability of ceasing to export is lower for firms that simultaneously import intermediate inputs and export (vertically specialized firms à la Hummels et al., The nature and growth of vertical specialization in world trade, 2001), once other firm characteristics are controlled for. On the basis of the estimation of a random-effects probit model with panel data, the authors find that the superior characteristics of these types of two-way trading firms (in terms of size, productivity, foreign ownership and skilled labor) explain their greater resistance to losing their status as exporters. However, even when these distinctive traits are controlled for, the effect of sourcing inputs from abroad on export exit is significantly different for large and small firms, playing a role in continuing to export only for the latter. Thus, it seems that small firms which are both importers of intermediates and exporters have an added advantage which enables them to confront the uncertainty of foreign markets in better conditions and translates to a lower likelihood that they will stop exporting.
Cost-effectiveness of coronary angioplasty versus medical treatment: the impact of cost-shifting.

BACKGROUND Coronary angioplasty (PTCA) offers improved symptom control over medical treatment in patients with stable angina and single-vessel disease. However, it is uncertain if PTCA is more cost-effective. Cost-shifting could also influence the provision of PTCA. METHODS Data from the only randomised trial comparing PTCA to medical therapy (ACME study) were used with costs from an Australian teaching hospital to estimate the costs and freedom from angina in 100 patients over three years. The incremental cost-effectiveness of PTCA, and the potential for cost-shifting were also examined. RESULTS Although the total cost of treating 100 patients over three years with PTCA ($678,978) was higher than a medical strategy ($631,078), PTCA was more cost-effective ($10,930 versus $12,682 per patient free of angina). The incremental cost-effectiveness of PTCA ($3875 per extra patient free of angina) was also substantially less than the cost of the medical strategy. These should be considered crude estimates as they were based on limited data on resource use. The hospital could reduce costs by pursuing a medical strategy, but 54% of the savings would result from shifting the cost of treating patients to the Federal Government and patients. By performing PTCA on privately insured rather than Medicare patients, the hospital could shift $29,876 per 100 patients to the Federal government and private insurance funds. CONCLUSIONS From society's perspective, PTCA may be more cost-effective than a medical strategy. However, the financial interests of the hospital are best served by limiting PTCA or restricting PTCA to privately insured patients. Cost-shifting may have a major impact on the provision of PTCA. The costs of providing medical services need to be weighed against the cost of not providing them.
The Development of L2 Spanish Intonation During a Study Abroad Immersion Program in León, Spain: Global Contours and Final Boundary Movements

Abstract The current study is the first technically-principled examination of second language Spanish intonation as it develops in a study abroad context. As such, it aims to identify patterns of development related to overall F0 contours and final boundary movements by creating individual profiles for each L2 learner at the beginning and the end of their stay abroad. Our data come from 5 English-speaking learners of Spanish enrolled in a study abroad immersion program for 7 weeks in León, Spain. We collected data through a computerized production task that elicited three context-based sentence types: declaratives, absolute interrogatives, and pronominal interrogatives. This task was administered once upon arrival to León and again at the end of the 7-week program (approximately 6 weeks elapsed between tasks). In our analysis, we calculated the initial and final tonal levels in addition to the Low and High tones of pitch accents (when applicable). For each learner the most common strategy employed at each recording time was identified. Our findings show that despite individual variation, most L2 learners modify their intonational patterns (i.e. pitch accent and boundary movements) through an increase in frequency of use of their more dominant intonation patterns and/or changes in their final boundary tone inventory.
Online Change-Point Detection of Linear Regression Models

In this paper, we consider the problem of quickly detecting an abrupt change in linear regression models. Specifically, an observer sequentially obtains a sequence of observations, whose underlying linear model changes at an unknown time. Moreover, the pre-change linear model is perfectly known by the observer but the post-change linear model is unknown. The observer aims to design an efficient online algorithm to detect the presence of the change via his sequential observations. Based on different assumptions on the change-point, both non-Bayesian and Bayesian problem formulations are considered. In the non-Bayesian setting, the change-point is modeled as a fixed but unknown constant. Two performance metrics, namely the worst case detection delay and the average run length to false alarm, are adopted to evaluate the performance of detection algorithms. In the Bayesian setting, the change-point is modeled as a geometrically distributed random variable. For this case, the average detection delay and the probability of false alarm are used as performance metrics. We propose a novel algorithm, namely the parallel-sum algorithm, for the purpose of change detection. For both setups, we show that the proposed algorithm has a low computational complexity while still offering a good performance in terms of the performance metrics of the respective setting.