Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cost-Effectiveness of a Short Message Service Intervention to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes from Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Aims. To investigate the costs and cost-effectiveness of a short message service (SMS) intervention to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Methods. A Markov model was developed to simulate the cost and effectiveness outcomes of the SMS intervention and usual clinical practice from the health provider's perspective. The direct programme costs and the two-year SMS intervention costs were evaluated in subjects with IGT. All costs were expressed in 2011 US dollars. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated as cost per T2DM onset prevented, cost per life year gained, and cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Results. Within the two-year trial period, the net intervention cost of the SMS group was $42.03 per subject. The SMS intervention managed to reduce 5.05% onset of diabetes, resulting in saving $118.39 per subject over two years. In the lifetime model, the SMS intervention dominated the control by gaining an additional 0.071 QALY and saving $1020.35 per person. The SMS intervention remained dominant in all sensitivity analyses. Conclusions. The SMS intervention for IGT subjects had the superiority of lower monetary cost and a considerable improvement in preventing or delaying the T2DM onset. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01556880.
Trust-building mechanisms in a coopetition relationship: a case study design

Purpose From social network theory, this study aims to understand how trust is built in a coopetition relationship. Design/methodology/approach A case study of a qualitative nature was carried out using several semi-structured interviews with managers of two Brazilian firms involved in a dyadic coopetition relationship. Findings Based on the empirical evidence, five categories/themes resulted for understanding trust-building mechanisms: mutual dependence, previous experience and reputation, awareness of the risks of opportunistic behaviour, contractual agreement and dynamic process. The juridical sphere, contractual agreement, was the only one identified in the study where firm representatives presented discordant positions, referring specifically to contractual relations of the terms of the agreement. Practical implications The results of this study provide some suggestions for managers. First, before beginning interaction in a coopetition relationship, it is necessary to assess whether the coopetition relation meets the required conditions for interaction to take place. Second, the results suggest that firms should make provision against members of both organizations making the relationship vulnerable to acts of opportunism. Originality/value This case study is innovative because it reveals manifestations that could help to enhance knowledge of how organizations build trust in dyadic coopetition relationships.
The Autocovariance Least Squares Technique for GPS Interference/Jamming Detection

Abstract In this paper, the Autocovariance Least Squares (ALS) technique is proposed for detecting the Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements’ interference or jamming. The interference is modeled by a moderate increase in the measurements noise covariance matrix while jamming is modeled by a larger increase in the measurements noise covariance matrix. The method makes use of the dynamics of the system measured by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and the propagated residual of an ultra-tightly coupled GPS/IMU Extended Kalman filter (EKF) to form a bank of statistics used to estimate the GPS measurement-noise covariance. Simulated scenarios of different levels of noise magnitude are applied and the proposed method is used to estimate the GPS pseudorange noise covariance matrix. Results are presented at the end of the paper to show the accuracy of the proposed algorithm. The algorithm presented in this paper is vital for high-integrity operation of autonomous navigation systems.
POSER: Parametric Orchestral Sonification of EEG in Real-Time for the Self-Regulation of Brain States

Abstract — We introduce a device for the parametric sonification of electroencephalographic (EEG) data. Implemented in the Thought-Translation-Device TTD (a brain-computer interface designed for the communication with completely paralyzed patients), the device allows auditory feedback of multiple EEG characteristics in real time. In particular, each of 6 frequency bands is assigned an instrument of a MIDI device. The time-dependent parameters extracted from each frequency band modulate the timing, pitch and volume of the instrument. In a pilot study we tested the ability of subjects to perform a simple discrimination task using this parametric sonification in real time. Index Terms — Brain-computer interface (BCI); feedback; electroencephalogram (EEG); parametric sonification. I. I NTRODUCTION O be able to interact with brain signals using a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), it is required to achieve control over some parameter of cerebral activity. It was shown that self-regulation of electroencephalogram (EEG) can be used as a channel for information transfer out of the brain [1]. In particular, slow cortical potentials (SCP) can be self-regulated in an SCP feedback paradigm using the Thought-Translation-Device (TTD) [1]; [2]; [3]. The TTD was the first BCI that enabled completely paralyzed patients to generate written messages with their brain activity. Sterman [4] reported the ability of humans to voluntarily control the sensory motor rhythm (µ-rhythm) which desynchronizes when imagining a hand movement. Wolpaw et al. [5] and Pfurtscheller et al. [6] developed BCIs with µ-rhythm control for verbal communication and robot control. All studies mentioned use visual feedback training. Recently Hinterberger et al. [7] presented a comparative study of visual and simple auditory feedback for learning of SCP self-regulation. It was found that
An adaptive neuro-fuzzy approach for semantic analysis of broadcast soccer video

This paper presents an approach for automatic annotation of soccer video based on the semantic events occurred inside it. The goal of this paper is to propose a flexible system that can be able to be used with minimum reliance on predefined patterns in event detection process. To achieve this goal, we propose a fuzzy inference system (FIS) implemented in the framework of an adaptive neural network which combines the self-learning capability of neural networks with explicit knowledge representation and precision of fuzzy based classification systems. This method provides the capability for fuzzy systems to learn information about a set of data in order to determine the parameters of membership functions (MFs) automatically and generate a set of fuzzy rules that best allow the FIS to track the input/output data. The proposed method is multimodal and employs statistical information from a set of audiovisual features that are organized in a hierarchical structure as input and produces semantic concepts corresponding to the occurred events. Experimental results conducted on a large set of soccer videos demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Anonymization of Statistical Data

Abstract In the modern digital society, personal information about individuals can be collected, stored, shared and disseminated much more easily and freely. Such data can be released in “macrodata” form, reporting aggregated information, or in “microdata” form, reporting specific information on individual respondents. To ensure proper privacy of individuals as well of public and private organizations, it is then important to protect possible sensitive information in the original dataset from either direct or indirect disclosure. In this paper, we characterize macrodata and microdata releases and then focus on microdata protection. We provide a characterization of the main microdata protection techniques and describe recent solutions for protecting microdata against identity and attribute disclosure, discussing some open issues that need to be investigated. Zusammenfassung In der modernen digitalen Gesellschaft können personenbezogene Daten über Betroffene viel einfacher erhoben, gespeichert, geteilt und verbreitet werden. Solche Daten können entweder im Format von “Macrodaten”, welche aggregierte Informationen darstellen, oder alternativ im Format von “Microdaten”, welche spezifische Informationen über Betroffene berichten, veröffentlicht werden. Um ein angemessenes Maß an Datenschutz für die Betroffenen sowie für öffentliche und private Organisationen garantieren zu können, ist es wichtig, sensitive Informationen in der originalen Datenbasis vor direkter oder indirekter Veröffentlichung zu schützen. In diesem Artikel charakterisieren wir Macrodaten- und Microdaten-Freigaben und beschäftigen uns dann schwerpunktmäßig mit dem Schutz von Microdaten. Wir beschreiben die wichtigsten Techniken zum Schutze von Microdaten, inklusive der neusten Lösungsansätze zum Schutze von Microdaten gegen Identitäts- und Attributpreisgabe, und diskutieren offene Probleme in diesem Zusammenhang, die adressiert werden müssen.
Building the initial chain of the proteins through de novo modeling of the cryo-electron microscopy volume data at the medium resolutions

Cryo-electron Microscopy (cryoEM) is an advanced imaging technique that produces volume maps at different resolutions. This technique is capable of visualizing large molecular complexes such as viruses and ribosomes. At the medium resolutions, such as 5 to 10Å, the location and orientation of the secondary structure elements (SSEs) can be computationally identified. However, there is no registration between the detected SSEs and the protein sequence, and therefore it is challenging to derive the atomic structure from such volume data. We present, in this paper, the preliminary results of the full-atom protein chains using our de novo modeling framework. The framework has multiple components including the ranking of topologies, the construction of helices and loops along the density traces, and the energy evaluation of the structure. A test containing thirteen simulated density maps and two experimentally derived density maps show that the true topology was ranked among the top 35 of the huge topological space. The best atomic model of the true topology was ranked within the top 40 for twelve of the fifteen proteins tested. The average backbone RMSD100 of these models is about 4Å for the fifteen proteins.
ACTION-BASED ROAD HORIZONTAL SHAPE RECOGNITION

This paper presents a new action-based shape model concept for road horizontal shape recognition using monocular color image obtained by vehicle-mounted camera. It classifies the road horizontal shape into straight, curve, curve-in and curve-out four models in order to obtain the simple road shape description relating to the vehicle control actions directly. Contrary to other road shape recognition methods, this approach is simpler, faster and directly relating to vehicle control actions, by taking the driving experiences of human being and the highway construction rules into account. Experiments on synthetic images and real outdoor road scenes show the effectiveness of this approach.
Performance Evaluation of Logistics Based on Fuzzy Neural Network

According to the principles of selecting evaluation indicators, an evaluation indicator system of logistics performance is built at first. Next, a fuzzy neural network model is established according to its performance indicator system, which has a multi-input and single-output structure. Then, Matlab7.0 is used to analyze empirical sample data. At last, the training results show it is suitable for performance evaluation of logistics.
AN ALTERNATIVE MECHANISM FOR THE PROPERDIN SYSTEM

Evidence is presented that phenomena ascribed to the properdin system may be explained in terms of classical antibody (Ab) in combination with three of the components of complement (C'), i.e., C'1, C'4, and C'2 respectively. The results suggest that the complex of properdin (P) with zymosan (Z) represents a mixture of Z·Ab, Z·Ab·C'1, 4, Z·Ab-C'1, 4, 2, and Z·Ab·C'1, 4, 2 in a decayed state. The purported preferential reactivity of Z with the third component of C' (C'3) is not supported by the present experiments in which Z was reacted with C' in both guinea pig and human sera. Approximately the same number of reactive units of C'1, 4 and of C'3 were inactivated by Z, as well as by D. pneumoniae and a washed specific precipitate of bovine albumin-anti-albumin. The latter evidence that small amounts of antigen-antibody complex fix significant amounts of C'3 stands in contrast with the classical concept that C'3 is not fixed in ordinary complement fixation reaction. The observed reactivity of C'3 is explained on the basis of the present use of essentially undiluted serum as a source of C'3 and of 37° as the temperature for fixation. Ancillary data indicate that purified properdin contains Ab. In the presence of a chelating agent and at 0° properdin agglutinated Z granules. Measurements of nitrogen (N) uptake by Z suggest that 0.25 µg. N were contributed by solutions stated to contain 1 unit of properdin. The broad spectrum of reactivity or cross-reactivity of the Ab in normal serum is likely due to the wide distribution in nature of closely related polysaccharides. Further immunochemical studies are necessary to establish definitively the origin and mode of action in "natural resistance" of antibodies reactive with these polysaccharides.
Nonstrict Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning for Interactive Systems and Robots

Conversational systems and robots that use reinforcement learning for policy optimization in large domains often face the problem of limited scalability. This problem has been addressed either by using function approximation techniques that estimate the approximate true value function of a policy or by using a hierarchical decomposition of a learning task into subtasks. We present a novel approach for dialogue policy optimization that combines the benefits of both hierarchical control and function approximation and that allows flexible transitions between dialogue subtasks to give human users more control over the dialogue. To this end, each reinforcement learning agent in the hierarchy is extended with a subtask transition function and a dynamic state space to allow flexible switching between subdialogues. In addition, the subtask policies are represented with linear function approximation in order to generalize the decision making to situations unseen in training. Our proposed approach is evaluated in an interactive conversational robot that learns to play quiz games. Experimental results, using simulation and real users, provide evidence that our proposed approach can lead to more flexible (natural) interactions than strict hierarchical control and that it is preferred by human users.
Nicotine dependence and psychiatric disorders in the United States: results from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions.

BACKGROUND No information is available on the co-occurrence of DSM-IV nicotine dependence and Axis I and II psychiatric disorders in the US population. OBJECTIVES To present national data on the co-occurrence of current DSM-IV nicotine dependence and other psychiatric disorders by sex and to estimate the burden of all US tobacco consumption carried by nicotine-dependent and psychiatrically ill individuals. DESIGN Face-to-face interviews. SETTING The United States. PARTICIPANTS Household and group-quarters adults (N = 43 093). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence and comorbidity of current nicotine dependence and Axis I and II disorders and the percentage of cigarettes consumed in the United States among psychiatrically vulnerable subgroups. RESULTS Among US adults, 12.8% (95% confidence interval, 12.0-13.6) were nicotine dependent. Associations between nicotine dependence and specific Axis I and II disorders were all strong and statistically significant (P<.05) in the total population and among men and women. Nicotine-dependent individuals made up only 12.8% (95% confidence interval, 12.0-13.6) of the population yet consumed 57.5% of all cigarettes smoked in the United States. Nicotine-dependent individuals with a comorbid psychiatric disorder made up 7.1% (95% confidence interval, 6.6-7.6) of the population yet consumed 34.2% of all cigarettes smoked in the United States. CONCLUSIONS Nicotine-dependent and psychiatrically ill individuals consume about 70% of all cigarettes smoked in the United States. The results of this study highlight the importance of focusing smoking cessation efforts on individuals who are nicotine dependent, individuals who have psychiatric disorders, and individuals who have comorbid nicotine dependence and other psychiatric disorders. Further, awareness of industry segmentation strategies can improve smoking cessation efforts of clinicians and other health professionals among all smokers and especially among the most vulnerable.
On the number of rectangular partitions

How many ways can a rectangle be partitioned into smaller ones? We study two variants of this problem: when the partitions are constrained to lie on n given points (no two of which are corectilinear), and when there are no such constraints and all we require is that the number of (non-intersecting) segments is n. In the first case, when the order (permutation) of the points conforms with a certain property, the number of partitions is the (n + 1)st Baxter number, B(n + 1); the number of permutations conforming with the property is the (n - 1)st Schröder number; and the number of guillotine partitions is the nth Schröder number. In the second case, it is known [22] that the number of partitions and the number of guillotine partitions correspond to the Baxter and Schröder numbers, respectively. Our contribution is a bijection between permutations and partitions. Our results provide interesting and new geometric interpretations to both Baxter and Schröder numbers and suggest insights regarding the intricacies of the interrelations.
The flip side of galaxy formation: a combined model of galaxy formation and cluster heating

Only ~10 per cent of baryons in the Universe are in the form of stars, yet most models of luminous structure formation have concentrated on the properties of the luminous stellar matter. Such models are now largely successful at reproducing the observed properties of galaxies, including the galaxy luminosity function and the star formation history of the universe. In this paper we focus on the 'flip side' of galaxy formation and investigate the properties of the material that is not presently locked up in galaxies. This 'by-product' of galaxy formation can be observed as an X-ray emitting plasma [the intracluster medium (ICM)] in groups and clusters. Since much of this material has been processed through galaxies, observations of the ICM represent an orthogonal set of constraints on galaxy formation models. In this paper, we attempt to self-consistently model the formation of galaxies and the heating of the ICM. We set out the challenges for such a combined model and demonstrate a possible means of bringing the model into line with both sets of constraints. In this paper, we present a version of the Durham semi-analytic galaxy formation model GALFORM that allows us to investigate the properties of the ICM. As we would expect on the basis of gravitational scaling arguments, the previous model fails to reproduce even the most basic observed properties of the ICM. We present a simple modification to the model to allow for heat input into the ICM from the active galactic nucleus (AGN) 'radio-mode' feedback. This heating acts to expel gas from the X-ray luminous central regions of the host halo. With this modification, the model reproduces the observed gas mass fractions and luminosity–temperature (L–T) relation of groups and clusters. In contrast to simple 'pre-heating' models of the ICM, the model predicts mildly positive evolution of the L–T relation, particularly at low temperatures. The model is energetically plausible, but seems to exceed the observed heating rates of intermediate-temperature clusters. Introducing the heating process into the model requires changes to a number of model parameters in order to retain a good match to the observed galaxy properties. With the revised parameters, the best-fitting luminosity function is comparable to that presented in Bower et al. The new model makes a fundamental step forward, providing a unified model of galaxy and cluster ICM formation. However, the detailed comparison with the data is not completely satisfactory, and we highlight key areas for improvement.
Design of Finite Impulse Response Filters Based on Genetic Algorithm

Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are used to solve many optimization problems in science and engineering such as pattern recognition, robotics, biology, medicine, and many other applications. The aim of this paper is to describe a method of designing Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter using Genetic Algorithm (GA). In this paper, the Genetic Algorithm not only used for searching the optimal coefficients, but also it is used to find the minimum number of Taps, and hence minimize the number of multipliers and adders that can be used in the design of the FIR filter. The Evolutionary Programming is the best search procedure and most powerful than Linear Programming in providing the optimal solution that is desired to minimize the ripple content in both passband and stopband. The algorithm generates a population of genomes that represents the filter coefficient and the number of taps, where new genomes are generated by crossover and mutation operations methods. Our proposed genetic technique has able to give better result compare to other method.The FIR filter design using Genetic Algorithm is simulated using MATLAB programming language version 7.6. 0.324 (R2008a).
Building a Culture of Respect Across Genders: Eliminating Sexual Misconduct

ABSTRACT Clinical staff members at virtually all college counseling centers provide therapy for victims of sexual misconduct experiences such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship violence, and stalking. A number of college counseling center counselors are also involved in primary, secondary, and tertiary sexual assault prevention efforts. This article develops a model of prevention based on the twin principles of affirmative consent and bystander intervention. We begin with a review of research on sexual assault prevention on campus. We then illustrate this model as it was developed and implemented at a particular institution over the past two decades. We provide effectiveness data in the form of event participation rates, satisfaction measures, and learning outcomes to demonstrate the results of this comprehensive approach. Finally, we end with recommendations for further development of prevention efforts.
Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 mutations and Parkinson’s disease: three questions

Mutations in the gene encoding LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) were first identified in 2004 and have since been shown to be the single most common cause of inherited Parkinson's disease. The protein is a large GTP-regulated serine/threonine kinase that additionally contains several protein–protein interaction domains. In the present review, we discuss three important, but unresolved, questions concerning LRRK2. We first ask: what is the normal function of LRRK2? Related to this, we discuss the evidence of LRRK2 activity as a GTPase and as a kinase and the available data on protein–protein interactions. Next we raise the question of how mutations affect LRRK2 function, focusing on some slightly controversial results related to the kinase activity of the protein in a variety of in vitro systems. Finally, we discuss what the possible mechanisms are for LRRK2-mediated neurotoxicity, in the context of known activities of the protein.