Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Algorithm for Real-Time Multiple Open-Circuit Fault Diagnosis in Voltage-Fed PWM Motor Drives by the Reference Current Errors

Three-phase inverters are currently utilized in an enormous variety of industrial applications, including variable-speed ac drives. However, due to their complexity and exposure to several stresses, they are prone to suffer critical failures. Accordingly, this paper presents a novel diagnostic algorithm that allows the real-time detection and localization of multiple power switch open-circuit faults in inverter-fed ac motor drives. The proposed method is quite simple and just requires the measured motor phase currents and their corresponding reference signals, already available from the main control system, therefore avoiding the use of additional sensors and hardware. Several experimental results using a vector-controlled permanent-magnet synchronous motor drive are presented, showing the diagnostic algorithm effectiveness, its relatively fast detection time, and its robustness against false alarms.
Optimizing communication between medical professionals and people living with dementia

ABSTRACT Background: A growing body of research evidence indicates that improving communication with people living with dementia (PLWD) has a positive effect on their quality of life. Policy initiatives internationally highlight the prevalence of poor communication practices in care environments in general and medical contexts in particular as priority areas for improvement. Currently available communication interventions exhibit shortcomings, and their application remains unusual. Methods: A spectrum of multidisciplinary professional and lay stakeholders, including PLWD, took part in an iterative consultation process in the UK. This aimed to develop a communications advice package which would meet their needs, and involved observation of practice in a variety of care contexts and semi-structured focus group and individual interviews. Results: Lay participants reported dissatisfaction with current communicative practices, particularly during contact with medical professionals. Both lay and professional participants reported general dissatisfaction with currently available communication advice. An agreed version of a dementia toolkit for effective communication (DEMTEC) was produced. This consists of three “levels”. The foundation Level 1 details beliefs about the psychosocial effects of dementia on communication, as well as empowering approaches to communication involving PLWD. Level 2 consists of practical considerations and advice in eight key areas. Level 3 uses case studies to show how the principles and advice in preceding levels are applicable to individuals in different care contexts and at different stages of dementia. Conclusion: The project has produced a free-to-users instrument that is empirically supported and adaptable to individual PLWD and to a range of health, care and sociocultural environments.
Noise robustness in speech to speech translation

This paper describes various noise robustness issues in a speech-to-speech translation system. We present quantitative measures for noise robustness in the context of speech recognition accuracy and speech-to-speech translation performance. To enhance noise immunity, we explore two approaches to improve the overall speech-to-speech translation performance. First, a multi-style training technique is used to tackle the issue of environmental degradation at the acoustic model level. Second, a pre-processing technique, CDCN, is exploited to compensate for the acoustic distortion at the signal level. Further improvement can be obtained by combining both schemes. In addition to recognition accuracy for speech recognition, this paper studies and examines how closely speech recognition accuracy is related the overall speech-to-speech recognition. When we apply the proposed schemes to an English-to-Chinese translation task, the word error rate for our speech recognition subsystem is substantially reduced by 28% relative, to 13.2% from 18.9% for test data of 15dB SNR. The corresponding BLEU score improves to 0.478 from 0.43 for the overall speech-to-speech translation. Similar improvements are also observed for a lower SNR condition. Full Paper
Optimized Cooperative Dynamic Coverage in Mixed Sensor Networks

This article considers the problem of improving the dynamic coverage and event detection time of mixed wireless sensor networks (WSNs). We consider mixed WSNs that consist of sparse static sensor deployments and mobile sensors that move continuously to monitor uncovered (vacant) areas in the sensor field. Mobile sensors move autonomously and cooperatively by executing a path planning algorithm. Using a simplified scenario, the article derives the optimal path strategy for a single mobile sensor to search two nonconnected uncovered regions with the minimum average detection delay or with the maximum dynamic coverage. The resulting optimal strategy confirms that it is better to search areas that are less likely to hide a target but are located closer to the mobile node, rather than heading toward the most likely area. Based on the insights gained from the simplified scenario and the theory of coverage processes, the article proposes a surrogate method to approximate the best searching neighborhood radius (a design parameter of the path planning algorithm) that optimizes the dynamic coverage and event detection time capabilities of mixed WSN deployments. Extensive simulation results indicate that this approach can achieve very good results, both for a single and for multiple collaborating mobile sensors.
Anastrozole versus tamoxifen treatment in postmenopausal women with endocrine-responsive breast cancer and tamoxifen-induced endometrial pathology.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of switching from adjuvant tamoxifen to anastrozole (Arimidex) treatment in postmenopausal women with endocrine-responsive breast cancer and histologically proven tamoxifen-induced benign endometrial pathology. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Two hundred twenty-six postmenopausal women who had received adjuvant tamoxifen 20 mg/d (> or =12 months, < or =48 months) and developed abnormal vaginal bleeding and/or an asymptomatic endometrial thickness >10 mm [measured by transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS)] were subjected to hysteroscopy and dilation and curettage (D&C). Thereafter, 171 patients were randomized in a phase III study to continue tamoxifen treatment (n = 88) or switch to anastrozole 1 mg/d (n = 83). Patients were monitored for < or =42 months using TVUS at 6-monthly intervals. RESULTS: At study entry, there were no significant differences in vaginal bleeding, endometrial thickness, and histologic findings between the two treatment groups. Throughout the treatment period, there was no significant difference in recurrent vaginal bleeding between groups [anastrozole, 4 of 83 (4.8%); tamoxifen, 9 of 88 (10.2%); P = 0.18]. Six months after randomization, the mean endometrial thickness for patients who switched to anastrozole was significantly reduced compared with those who continued tamoxifen treatment (P < 0.0001). Significantly fewer anastrozole patients required a repeat hysteroscopy and D&C compared with those on tamoxifen [4 of 83 (4.8%) and 29 of 88 (33.0%), respectively; P < 0.0001]. Repeat hysteroscopy and D&C revealed endometrial atrophy in all 4 cases in the anastrozole group and 14 polyps, 8 hyperplasias, and 7 atrophies in the tamoxifen group. CONCLUSIONS: Switching from tamoxifen to anastrozole treatment significantly reduced the need for a second hysteroscopy and D&C due to recurrent vaginal bleeding or thickening of the endometrium in postmenopausal breast cancer patients with tamoxifen-induced endometrial abnormalities.
A Novel Fusion Approach Based on the Global Consistency Criterion to Fusing Multiple Segmentations

In this paper, we introduce a new fusion model whose objective is to fuse multiple region-based segmentation maps to get a final better segmentation result. The suggested new fusion model is based on an energy function originated from the global consistency error (GCE), a perceptual measure which takes into account the inherent multiscale nature of an image segmentation by measuring the level of refinement existing between two spatial partitions. Combined with a region merging/splitting prior, this new energy-based fusion model of label fields allows to define an interesting penalized likelihood estimation procedure based on the GCE criterion with which the fusion of basic, rapidly-computed segmentation results appears as a relevant alternative compared with other (possibly complex) segmentation techniques proposed in the image segmentation field. The performance of our fusion model was evaluated on the Berkeley dataset including various segmentations given by humans (manual ground truth segmentations). The obtained results clearly demonstrate the efficiency of this fusion model.
Early Dual Versus Mono Antiplatelet Therapy for Acute Non-Cardioembolic Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background— Emerging studies suggest that early administration of dual antiplatelet therapy may be better than monotherapy for prevention of early recurrent stroke and cardiovascular outcomes in acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA). We performed a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials evaluating dual versus mono antiplatelet therapy for acute noncardioembolic ischemic stroke or TIA. Methods and Results— We assessed randomized, controlled trials investigating dual versus mono antiplatelet therapy published up to November 2012 and the CHANCE trial (Clopidogrel in High-risk patients with Acute Non-disabling Cerebrovascular Events), for efficacy and safety outcomes in adult patients with acute noncardioembolic ischemic stroke or TIA with treatment initiated within 3 days of ictus. In total, 14 studies of 9012 patients were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Dual antiplatelet therapy significantly reduced risk of stroke recurrence (risk ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.60–0.80; P<0.001) and the composite outcome of stroke, TIA, acute coronary syndrome, and all death (risk ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.63–0.81; P<0.001) when compared with monotherapy, and nonsignificantly increased risk of major bleeding (risk ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.70–2.59, P=0.37). Analyses restricted to the CHANCE Trial or the 7 double-blind randomized, controlled trials showed similar results. Conclusions— For patients with acute noncardioembolic ischemic stroke or TIA, dual therapy was more effective than monotherapy in reducing risks of early recurrent stroke. The results of the CHANCE study are consistent with previous studies done in other parts of the world.
vCRIB: Virtualized Rule Management in the Cloud

Cloud operators increasingly need many fine-grained rules to better control individual network flows for various management tasks. While previous approaches have advocated placing rules either on hypervisors or switches, we argue that future data centers would benefit from leveraging rule processing capabilities at both for better scalability and performance. In this paper, we propose vCRIB, a virtualized Cloud Rule Information Base that allows operators to freely define different management policies without the need to consider underlying resource constraints. The challenge in our approach is the design of a vCRIB manager that automatically partitions and places rules at both hypervisors and switches to achieve a good trade-off between resource usage and performance.
Effects of berberine and red yeast on proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of human subjects

Background and Aims: Obesity is a condition associated with chronic or acute inflammatory response characterized by an increase of proinflammatory cytokine levels. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) migrate in adipose tissue inducing synthesis and secretion of adipocytokines as IL-6 and TNF-α. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of berberine (a natural alkaloid) and red yeast (a natural antioxidant) on IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines release and gene expression, in circulating lipopolisaccarides (LPS) stimulated PBMCs. Methods and Results: PBMCs isolated from whole blood of healthy donors were stimulated with LPS to induce cytokines production; simultaneously cells were treated with increasing doses of berberine and red yeast. The substances were administered alone or in association. IL-6 and TNF-α protein levels in the culture medium and their mRNA levels were assessed by ELISA and real time PCR, respectively. Berberine and red yeast treatment prevented the LPS induction of IL-6 release in the culture medium of PBMCs. In addition, berberine plus red yeast treatment showed a synergic inhibitory effect on IL-6 release at low concentration. Berberine and red yeast showed an inhibitory effect also on LPS induction of TNF-α release exerting a synergic effect mainly at high concentrations. On the contrary, berberine and red yeast did not significantly affect IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels induced by LPS. In this case, only concomitant treatment of PBMCs with high doses of berberine and red yeast inhibits LPS induced IL-6 or TNF-α mRNA levels. Conclusions: The results of our study show that both berberine and red yeast were able to carry out anti-inflammatory action through an inhibition of proinflammatory IL-6 and TNF-α protein release. Moreover, when given in combination these substances were able to inhibit IL-6 and TNF-α gene expression in PBMCs activated by LPS. Therefore, these substances could represent a useful pharmacological treatment to reduce the proinflammatory status accompanied with obesity.
Is Sen's Capability Approach an Adequate Basis for Considering Human Development?

Sen's capability approach (SCA) has supported valuable work on Human Development (HD). It has brought attention to a much wider range of information on people's freedoms and well-being than in most earlier economic planning; but it also has troubling features and requires modification and enrichment. This paper first identifies the approach's components, the contributions of the HD Reports, and the doubts about whether SCA has a sufficient conception of human personhood to sustain work on HD beyond finding indices superior to GDP. It then examines SCA's central concepts. The concepts of capability and functioning lead us to consider both possibilities and outcomes, but their definition and use has been confusing. Besides Sen's opportunity concept of 'capability' we must distinguish skills and potentials; and distinguish levels and types of 'functioning'. To understand both consumerism and what can motivate and drive more humanly fulfilling development, we must elaborate different aspects and sources of 'well-being' and the content and requirements of 'agency', more than in Sen's chosen strategy. SCA's priority category of opportunity-capability must be read as a measure of personal advantage relevant in many public policy situations, rather than as a theory of well-being; and its concept of freedom must be partnered by concepts of reason and need.
Diatom silica, an emerging biomaterial for energy conversion and storage

Diatom silica, a 3-dimensional (3D) natural biomaterial generated from single cell algae with unique nano- and micro-morphologies and patterns is shown to have several exceptional structural, mechanical, optical, photonics, transport, and chemical properties optimized through millions of years of evolution. Diatom nanotechnology, a new research field, emerged recently to explore and apply this material and its properties across numerous fields including biology, biophotonics, nanofluidics, molecular separation, sensors, biosensors, adsorption, drug delivery, nanofabrications, and energy. Due to its unique 3D porous hierarchical architecture, high surface area and ability to be combined or converted to other conductive and semiconductive nanomaterials, diatom silica received significant research attraction as a low cost natural electrode material for energy storage and production. Herein, we present the recent development in this field, showing new concepts using diatom-based composites for energy applications in supercapacitors, batteries, solar cells and other energy based devices.
Acute doxorubicin cardiotoxicity involves cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Despite well-documented cardiotoxic effects, doxorubicin remains a major anticancer agent. To study the role of myocardial apoptosis following doxorubicin administration, male Wistar rats were exposed to 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg of i.p. doxorubicin and terminated on days 1-7 in groups of five. Doxorubicin caused a significant (P < 0.001) and dose-dependent induction of cardiomyocyte apoptosis at 24-48 h after the injection. Repeated injections of 2.5 mg/kg given every other day resulted in peaks of apoptosis at 24 h after each injection. However, no additive effect of repeated dosing was noted. In histological samples, alterations in the cytoskeletal apparatus with focal loss of contractile elements were seen after a single injection. Myocyte necrosis was absent. Thus, acute doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity involves cardiomyocyte apoptosis, a potentially preventable form of myocardial tissue loss.
In Vivo Manganese Exposure Modulates Erk, Akt and Darpp-32 in the Striatum of Developing Rats, and Impairs Their Motor Function

Manganese (Mn) is an essential metal for development and metabolism. However, exposures to high Mn levels may be toxic, especially to the central nervous system (CNS). Neurotoxicity is commonly due to occupational or environmental exposures leading to Mn accumulation in the basal ganglia and a Parkinsonian-like disorder. Younger individuals are more susceptible to Mn toxicity. Moreover, early exposure may represent a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases later in life. The present study was undertaken to investigate the developmental neurotoxicity in an in vivo model of immature rats exposed to Mn (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg; i.p.) from postnatal day 8 (PN8) to PN12. Neurochemical analysis was carried out on PN14. We focused on striatal alterations in intracellular signaling pathways, oxidative stress and cell death. Moreover, motor alterations as a result of early Mn exposure (PN8-12) were evaluated later in life at 3-, 4- and 5-weeks-of-age. Mn altered in a dose-dependent manner the activity of key cell signaling elements. Specifically, Mn increased the phosphorylation of DARPP-32-Thr-34, ERK1/2 and AKT. Additionally, Mn increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and caspase activity, and altered mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and II activities. Mn (10 and 20 mg/kg) also impaired motor coordination in the 3rd, 4th and 5th week of life. Trolox™, an antioxidant, reversed several of the Mn altered parameters, including the increased ROS production and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. However, Trolox™ failed to reverse the Mn (20 mg/kg)-induced increase in AKT phosphorylation and motor deficits. Additionally, Mn (20 mg/kg) decreased the distance, speed and grooming frequency in an open field test; Trolox™ blocked only the decrease of grooming frequency. Taken together, these results establish that short-term exposure to Mn during a specific developmental window (PN8-12) induces metabolic and neurochemical alterations in the striatum that may modulate later-life behavioral changes. Furthermore, some of the molecular and behavioral events, which are perturbed by early Mn exposure are not directly related to the production of oxidative stress.
Representation formalisms for software process modelling

The development of software process models is expected to yield significant benefits to the software engineering community. However, successful modeling requires the identifmation and utilization of a suitable representation formalism which supports the modeling objectives. This paper’ addresses these issues by identifying the objectives of software process modeling, deriving a list of requirements for a representation formalism, and examining some existing formalisms in terms of these objectives and requirements.
Distributed caching of multi-dimensional data in mobile environments

Caching has been an important technique for saving network traffic and reducing response time, especially in mobile environments where bandwidth is often a scarce resource. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for caching multidimensional data in a cluster of mobile devices. In particular, we focus on the most common types of multi-dimensional queries, namely range and k-nearest neighbor queries, by computing a cacheable region for every query, caching the result at the client, and indexing it in an R*-tree at the cluster gateway. Subsequent queries are first issued to the R*-tree and only remainder queries or queries that cannot be guaranteed exact answers are sent to the remote data server. To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first to study caching results from complex multi-dimensional queries (e.g., kNN query) and propose to build an R*-tree on previously fetched query results in a cluster of mobile devices. Rigorous experiments show that our approach significantly reduces network traffic and response time.
Anaemia Associated with Unexplained Occult Blood Loss*

In the course of a study of patients with hypochromic anaemia investigated by this unit (Beveridge, Bannerman, Evanson, and Witts, in preparation) a surprisingly large number were found to have unexplained occult alimentary bleeding. Iron-deficiency anaemia associated with unexplained occult blood loss is a recognized clinical problem and has been referred to in several papers (Heath and Patek, 1937 ; Bedford and Wollner, 1958 ; Bel, 1959 ; Retzlaff, Hagedorn, and Bartholomew, 1961 ; Kay, 1962). However, there is little or no information about the long term prognosis. We therefore report the results of a follow-up study on 68 patients in whom this diagnosis was made.
Two-arm cooperative assembly using force-guided control with adaptive accommodation

A two-arm cooperative assembly (or insertion) algorithm is proposed. As a force-guided control method for the cooperative assembly, the adaptive accommodation controller is adopted since it does not need any complicated contact state analysis nor depends on the geometrical complexity of the assembly parts. Also, the RMRC (resolved motion rate control) method using a relative Jacobian is used to solve inverse kinematics for two manipulators. By using the relative Jacobian, the two cooperative redundant manipulators can be structured as a new single redundant manipulator. The two arms can perform a variety of insertion task by a relative motion between their end effectors. A force/torque sensing model, using an approximated penetration depth calculation algorithm is developed and used to compute a contact force/torque in the graphic assembly simulation. By using the adaptive accommodation controller and the force/torque sensing model, a spatial cooperative assembly tasks have been successfully executed in the graphic simulation. Finally, through a cooperative assembly task experiment using a humanoid robot, CENTAUR, which inserts a spatially bent pin into a hole, its feasibility and applicability are verified.