Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A general construction scheme for unit quaternion curves with simple high order derivatives

This paper proposes a new class of unit quaternion curves in 3 . A general method is developed that transforms a curve in 3 (defined as a weighted sum of basis functions) into its unit quaternion analogue in 3 . Applying the method to well-known spline curves (such as B´ ezier, Hermite, and B-spline curves), we are able to construct various unit quaternion curves which share many important differential properties with their original curves. Many of our naive common beliefs in geometry break down even in the simple non-Euclidean space 3 or 3 . For example, the de Casteljau type construction of cubic B-spline quaternion curves does not preserve 2 -continuity [10]. Through the use of decomposition into simple primitive quaternion curves, our quaternion curves preserve most of the algebraic and differential properties of the original spline curves.
Partial Evaluation, Part 1 CS701

This lecture concerns partial evaluation. Comparisons are made between partial evaluation and compiling. Two principles are given that help determine when to use partial evaluation. We show how a partial evaluator can be used to translate a program from one language L 2 into another language L 1 even if the partial evaluator’s capabilities are limited so that its input is an L 1 program and its output is an L 1 program.
Mutational and Comparative Analysis of Streptolysin O, an Oxygen-labile Streptococcal Hemolysin

The structural gene of streptolysin O was cloned from Streptococcus pyogenes strain Sa and S. equisimilis H46A, and the nucleotide sequences were compared with those of strain Richards. To obtain the minimal active fragment of the toxin and to elucidate structure-function relationships in hemolytic function, streptolysin O mutants deleted in N- and C-terminal regions were constructed. Internal amino acid residues were also replaced by introduction of point mutations. Analyses of these mutants showed that considerable activity was retained even after deletion of the N-terminal 107 residues, but genetic removal of the ultimate C-terminal residue resulted in a marked decrease in hemolytic function. By removal in succession, hemolytic activity declined exponentially, and only 0.002% of the activity remained after deletion of the C-terminal four residues. Nucleotide replacement experiments indicated pivotal roles of I202, V217, D324-L325, V339, and H469 residues in hemolysis.
A Constraint Specification Approach to Building Flexible Workflows

Process support systems, such as workflows, are being used in a variety of domains. However, most areas of application have focused on traditional production-style processes, which are characterised by predictability and repetitiveness. Application in non-traditional domains with highly flexible process is still largely unexplored. Such flexible processes are characterised by lack of ability to completely predefine and/or an explosive number of alternatives. Accordingly we define flexibility as the ability of the process to execute on the basis of a partially defined model where the full specification is made at runtime and may be unique to each instance. In this paper, we will present an approach to building workflow models for such processes. We will present our approach in the context of a non-traditional domain for workflow, deployment, which is, degree programs in tertiary institutes. The primary motivation behind our approach is to provide the ability to model flexible processes without introducing non-standard modelling constructs. This ensures that the correctness and verification of the language is preserved. We propose to build workflow schemas from a standard set of modelling constructs and given process constraints. We identify the fundamental requirements for constraint specification and classify them into selection, termination and build constraints. We will detail the specification of these constraints in a relational model. Finally, we will demonstrate the dynamic building of instance specific workflow models on the basis of these constraints.
Asset and Liability Management: Recent Advances

Institute of Statistics and Mathematical Economics, School of Economics, University of Karlsruhe, Kollegium am Schloss, Bau II, 20.12, R210, Postfach 6980, D-76128, Karlsruhe, Germany. E-mail: rachev@lsoe.uni-karlsruhe.de Abstract Asset and liability management is the simultaneous consideration of assets and liabilities in strategic investment planning. The asset and liability management models in the literature are reviewed with an emphasis on the recently developed approaches. In most of the recent models, the uncertainty is described by a representative set of scenarios. The validity of the Gaussian assumption in scenario generation is questioned, and stable Paretian distribution is suggested as an alternative hypothesis.
Properties of somata of spinal dorsal root ganglion cells differ according to peripheral receptor innervated.

1. Intracellular recordings were made in the somata of dorsal root ganglion cells in the L7 or S1 DRG in cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. The properties of the action potentials (amplitude, duration, peak rate of rise), duration of afterhyperpolarization (AHP), magnitude of inward rectification, and axonal conduction velocity were measured. The adequate stimulus was determined, and the extent to which these properties are correlated was investigated. 2. All cells with receptive fields could be classified as mechanoreceptors. Most cells with A-beta-axons (greater than 36 m/s) could be activated by gentle mechanical stimulation but a small minority with conduction velocity in the low end of the A-beta-range were nociceptors. Cells with A-delta-axons (2-36 m/s) innervated either the very sensitive Down hair follicles (D-hairs) or high-threshold mechanoreceptors (HTMRs). In addition a group of A-delta-fibers was found for which no receptive field could be described. Their spikes, AHPs, and membrane properties were indistinguishable from those of cells supplying HTMRs (see below) and they were lumped together with A-delta-HTMRs. 3. A-beta-neurons exhibited smaller, briefer spikes than A-delta-neurons, even those supplying D-hairs. Peak rate of rise (dV/dt)max and inward rectification were significantly larger in A-beta-cells than in A-delta s, whereas AHP duration and input resistance were smaller. However, the values of these parameters in cells of a given conduction velocity range were generally associated with receptor type. 4. A-delta-HTMRs exhibited spikes of greater amplitude and duration, longer AHP duration, and smaller inward rectification than D-hairs. The long duration of these spikes was due largely to a prominent hump on their descending limb. Input resistance was similar in both groups of cells. 5. A-beta-HTMRs differed from A-beta-cells innervating low threshold receptors in the same general way that A-delta-HTMRs differed from D-hairs. However, A-beta-LTMRs supplying different receptor types (e.g., slowly adapting type I, Pacinian corpuscles, etc.) exhibited no correlation between receptor type and electrophysiology of the soma. 6. These differences in spike parameters occur at the level of the membrane rather than in the degree of somal invasion because the largest amplitude spikes also exhibited the slowest time course (i.e., in HTMRs). Systematic variation in AHP duration and inward rectification also suggest differences in the proportions of ionic channel types among these cells. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Lossy source coding using belief propagation and soft-decimation over LDGM codes

This paper focus on the lossy compression of a binary symmetric source. We propose a new algorithm for binary quantization over low density generator matrix (LDGM) codes. The proposed algorithm is a modified version of the belief propagation (BP) algorithm used in the channel coding framework and has linear complexity in the code block length. We also provide a common framework under which the proposed algorithm and some previously proposed algorithms fit. Simulation results show that our scheme achieves close to state-of-the-art performance with reduced complexity.
A Middle-Range Theory of Self-Care of Chronic Illness

Nearly 50% of adults have one or more chronic illnesses. Self-care is considered essential in the management of chronic illness, but the elements of self-care in this context have not been specified in a middle-range theory. This article describes a middle-range theory of self-care that addresses the process of maintaining health with health promoting practices within the context of the management required of a chronic illness. The key concepts include self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management. Assumptions and propositions of the theory are specified. Factors influencing self-care including experience, skill, motivation, culture, confidence, habits, function, cognition, support from others, and access to care are described.
Managing the complexity of a dynamic biofilm.

BACKGROUND This article provides an overview of the history of oral microbiology, a discussion of dental plaque as both a microbial community and a biofilm, and a review of the measures available to control the oral microflora. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED The authors reviewed the literature related to oral microbiology and associated infectious diseases. They also examined articles that detailed the structure and physiology of biofilms, including dental plaque biofilms. CONCLUSIONS Biofilms cannot be eliminated. The pathogenic nature of the dental plaque biofilm can be diminished in the oral cavity by reducing the bioburden and effectively maintaining a normal oral flora via oral hygiene procedures that include daily toothbrushing, flossing and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthrinse. An oral hygiene regimen that includes rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthrinse is a practical approach to the prevention and management of periodontal diseases. This strategy may have wider benefits when the link between periodontal disease and certain systemic diseases is considered. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS An effective oral hygiene regimen can help control dental plaque biofilm and associated periodontal diseases.
REVIEW: Recent advances in the diagnosis and classification of myeloid neoplasms – comments on the 2008 WHO classification

The fourth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloid neoplasms refined the criteria for some previously described myeloid neoplasms and recognized several new entities based on recent elucidation of molecular pathogenesis, identification of new diagnostic and prognostic markers, and progress in clinical management. Protein tyrosine kinase abnormalities, including translocations or mutations involving ABL1, JAK2, MPL, KIT, PDGFRA, PDGFRB, and FGFR1, have been used as the basis for classifying myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Two new entities ‐ refractory cytopenia with unilineage dysplasia and refractory cytopenia of childhood have been added to the group of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and ‘refractory anemia with excess blasts‐1’ has been redefined to emphasize the prognostic significance of increased blasts in the peripheral blood. A list of cytogenetic abnormalities has been introduced as presumptive evidence of MDS in cases with refractory cytopenia but without morphologic evidence of dysplasia. The subgroup ‘acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with recurrent genetic abnormalities’ has been expanded to include more molecular genetic aberrations. The entity ‘AML with multilineage dysplasia’ specified in the 2001 WHO classification has been renamed ‘AML with myelodysplasia‐related changes’ to include not only cases with significant multilineage dysplasia but also patients with a history of MDS or myelodysplasia‐related cytogenetic abnormalities. The term ‘therapy‐related myeloid neoplasms’ is used to cover the spectrum of disorders previously known as t‐AML, t‐MDS, or t‐MDS/MPN occurring as complications of cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. In this review, we summarize many of these important changes and discuss some of the diagnostic challenges that remain.
Vascular complications of the lower extremities in diabetic patients on peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND Diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are at high risk for developing foot complications and few have studied this complication in the diabetic patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). The purpose of this study was to examine peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in diabetic patients with ESRD, who are being treated with PD, and to identify those factors that may contribute to its development. PATIENTS We reviewed retrospectively the charts of 71 diabetic patients who started PD between January 1999 and January 2006, inclusive, and recorded their demographic data, their treatment regimens, their complications and the results of biochemical investigation(s) at the beginning and throughout their follow-up period. All patients were under the care of a chiropodist who examined them at regular intervals and more often when needed. We divided the patients into two groups with respect to the presence of complications in the lower extremities, such as ulcers, open wounds, osteomyelitis, necrotizing or gangrenous lesions, and amputations, intermittent claudication and/or the presence on an imaging examination of changes in the leg vessels consistent with vascular disease. RESULTS 33 of the 71 patients had some type of a foot lesion. There were 8 amputations in the course of 176 patient-years (2 double amputations), or 1 amputation per 30 PD patient-years. Those patients with foot complications were treated more frequently with CCPD (p<0.05), more often had peripheral neuropathy (p<0.002), as well as coronary artery disease (p<0.044). They had lower serum albumin (p<0.005), significantly higher serum phosphorus (p<0.047) and they received higher doses of erythropoietin (p<0.042). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding sex, age at initiation of PD, type of diabetes, use of insulin, levels of HbA(1c), body mass index (BMI), presence of retinopathy, cerebral vascular disease, hyperlipidemia, smoking, rate of transplantation, rate of drop-out from PD, time-averaged Kt/V, creatinine clearance, serum calcium, Ca x P and intact PTH. In a multiple logistics regression model, only peripheral neuropathy and hypoalbuminemia were independently associated with the development of lower-extremity complications (p<0.0066 and p <0.026, respectively). One-, two- and three-year cumulative survival of the whole group was 91.5%, 78.8% and 69%, respectively. Patients with foot lesions had a lower survival than those without. Interestingly though, those patients, who had had an amputation, survived as long as those patients, who did not have foot complications at all. CONCLUSION In conclusion, compared to reports in the literature, our diabetic patients on PD had a lower rate of foot complications and amputation probably because of early intervention by our chiropodist. This fact stresses the need for constant and expert monitoring of the condition of the diabetic patient's feet, especially in those with low serum albumin and peripheral neuropathy.
TEMPERATURA APARENTE DE SUPERFÍCIE NA BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO RIO TAVARES, FLORIANÓPOLIS

Tendo em vista a rapida urbanizacao durante as duas ultimas decadas da cidade de Florianopolis (SC), o objetivo do estudo foi analisar as variacoes nas caracteristicas de temperatura aparente da superficie (Tas) obtidas via procedimentos matematicos a partir de imagens do satelite Landsat 5 TM, para a regiao da Bacia Hidrografica do Rio Tavares, em decorrencia das modificacoes em superficie impostas pelo desenvolvimento urbano da regiao ao longo das decadas de 1990 e 2000. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que a bacia apresentou uma diminuicao nas areas dominadas pelas classes de Mata Atlântica, solo exposto ou vegetacao rasteira e corpos hidricos, como consequencia da expansao das atividades e areas urbanas. Este estudo concluiu que as porcoes da bacia que apresentaram maior Tas estao associadas a areas de maior urbanizacao e ausencia de vegetacao expressiva, demonstrando a influencia das caracteristicas dos materiais que recobrem a superficie no balanco de calor do meio fisico.
The Importance of Teacher Quality As A Key Determinant of Students’ Experiences and Outcomes of Schooling

Much of the traditional and prevailing dogmas surrounding 'factors' affecting students' experiences and outcomes of schooling throughout their primary and secondary years - especially socio-cultural and socio-economic factors - are now understood to be products of methodological and statistical artefact, and amount to little more than 'religious' adherence to the moribund ideologies of biological and social determinism. Moreover, post-modernist perspectives espoused by academics promoting the de- construction of gender-specific pedagogy and 'middle-class' curricula, are equally unhelpful. Above all, a good deal of this 'discourse' is not supported by findings from evidence-based research. In this paper, key findings are presented highlighting 'real' effects from recent and emerging local and international research on educational effectiveness. For example, whereas students' literacy skills, general academic achievements, attitudes, behaviors and experiences of schooling are influenced by their background and intake characteristics - the magnitude of these effects pale into insignificance compared with class/teacher effects. That is, the quality of teaching and learning provision are by far the most salient influences on students' cognitive, affective, and behavioral outcomes of schooling - regardless of their gender or backgrounds. Indeed, findings from the related local and international evidence-based research indicate that 'what matters most' is quality teachers and teaching, supported by strategic teacher professional development!
Linkworkers in Antenatal Care: Facilitators of Equal Opportunities in Health Provision or Salves for the Management Conscience?

A number of reports have highlighted non-English speaking Asian women as being at risk from limited health care provision (eg Whitehead, 1987). Of particular relevance to the present survey is their low uptake of antenatal care which may contribute to the above-average perinatal mortality rates for this group. In an attempt to ameliorate this problem, a Linkworker service was introduced in a number of multi-racial health districts. The survey reported here was an attempt to establish the efficacy of this service. From an initial sample of 30 health districts, 20 replies were obtained which provided some valuable insights on the current status of the Linkworker provision. In summary, the responses indicated that there is a worrying mis-match between client need and service planning, largely because relevant information about supply and demand is not collated. The net result is that many of the at-risk group are still denied the full and appropriate services of the Linkworker. It is concluded that if Linkworker provision is seen as a valuable commodity in enhancing equal opportunities in health care, then the service needs to be systematised. If it is perceived to be of little demonstrable value, then it should be scrapped. In either case, some clear policy decisions are required.
Hypertension and other morbidities with Cushing’s syndrome associated with corticosteroids: a review

Corticosteroids constitute an ideal treatment for various inflammatory and autoimmune disorders due to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions. However, corticosteroids have a considerable number of side effects, including hypertension, diabetes, lipid disorders, sleep apnea, osteoporosis, myopathy, and disorders of coagulation and fibrinolysis, which are components of Cushing’s syndrome (CS). Corticosteroid-induced side effects are dependent on the formulation, route, dose, and time of exposure. However, the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms have not been clearly defined. A large body of evidence supports the role of an imbalance between vasoconstriction and vasodilation with possible links to nitric oxide, prostanoids, angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin, endothelins, catecholamines, neuropeptide Y, and atrial natriuretic peptide. Increased oxidative stress, renin–angiotensin system activation, increased pressor response, metabolic syndrome, and sleep apnea appear to be pathogenetically involved as well. The ideal treatment is the withdrawal of corticosteroids, which is most often impossible due to the exacerbation of the underlying disease. Alternatively, a careful plan, including the proper selection of the formulation, time, and route, should be made, and each side effect should be treated properly. The focus of the research should be to develop synthetic corticosteroids with anti-inflammatory effects but fewer metabolic effects, which so far has been unsuccessful.
Optimal sensor placement and measurement of wind for water quality studies in urban reservoirs

We collaborate with environmental scientists to study the hydrodynamics and water quality in an urban district, where the surface wind distribution is an essential input but undergoes high spatial and temporal variations due to the complex urban landform created by surrounding buildings. In this work, we study an optimal sensor placement scheme to measure the wind distribution over a large urban reservoir with a limited number of wind sensors. Unlike existing sensor placement solutions that assume Gaussian process of target phenomena, this study measures the wind which inherently exhibits strong non-Gaussian yearly distribution. By leveraging the local monsoon characteristics of wind, we segment a year into different monsoon seasons which follow a unique distribution respectively. We also use computational fluid dynamics to learn the spatial correlation of wind in the presence of surrounding buildings. The output of sensor placement is a set of the most informative locations to deploy the wind sensors, based on the readings of which we can accurately predict the wind over the entire reservoir surface in real time. 10 wind sensors are finally deployed around or on the water surface of an urban reservoir. The in-field measurement results of more than 3 months suggest that the proposed sensor placement and spatial prediction approach provides accurate wind measurement which outperforms the state-of-the-art Gaussian model based or interpolation based approaches.
Comparing Urban Vegetation Cover with Summer Land Surface Temperature in the Salt Lake Valley

The climate of urban areas is influenced by the composition and configuration of different land cover types. Urban forests increase human comfort in urban areas by cooling the environment through evapotranspiration and shade. A tradeoff of urban forests in semiarid and arid climates is that they require large quantities of irrigation water to maintain. This study aimed to quantify the relationship between urban vegetation and land surface temperature (LST). Datasets derived from high-resolution lidar and National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) orthoimagery were used in a random forest algorithm to classify urban vegetation, human-made and natural surfaces at a 1-meter scale, in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah. The resulting classification accuracy was 94%. LST was retrieved from an Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) scene captured on a hot, summer day. Percentages of each land cover class were calculated per ASTER pixel. These composition variables were compared to LST using Pearson’s correlation analysis and were also used to create a multiple linear regression model. Percent deciduous tree cover was the variable most strongly correlated with LST, with a correlation coefficient of -0.55. Irrigated low-stature vegetation was also negatively correlated with LST (-0.33). Residuals from the multiple linear regression model varied over space, and additional dates of ASTER imagery are needed to determine whether these second-order spatial patterns are persistent.