Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Angiographic Assessment of Coronary Stenoses: A Review of the Techniques

This article reviews the fundamental techniques to quantify the physiological severity of (coronary) stenoses. Although a wide survey of different techniques and applications is provided, the focus of this review is on: 1) the assessment of the immediate effect of the stenoses on blood flow (i.e., the hemodynamic severity), and not on the assessment of the pathology of the vessel itself; 2) the flow reserve methods to defining the physiological severity of stenoses; and 3) the determination of blood flow and tissue perfusion by X-ray angiography (a short survey of other imaging modalities is provided as well). Although the practical implementation of the techniques is illustrated by applying them to coronary stenoses, most of the issues involved are of interest in other application areas (using other imaging modalities) as well. This review consists of four parts. The first part deals with the definition of stenoses severity; the second part with tracer kinetic theory necessary to determine flows by imaging; the third part focusses on (cardiac) imaging modalities, with an emphasis on X-ray angiography; and the last part illustrates the practical implementation of the techniques in cardiology.
Online estimation of inter-channel phase differences using non-negative matrix factorization

Estimating non-linearities in phase differences between channel pairs of a multi-channel audio recording in a reverberant environment provides more precise spatial information that yields direct improvement in signal enhancement, as we show for the case of source separation. In this study, we propose an online method for estimating inter-channel phase differences (IPDs) that do not linearly depend on frequency. For this task, we use short term cross-correlation features between the input channels and extract the non-linear IPDs as well as a measure of activation for each source using non-negative matrix factorization. Our evaluation shows that the proposed method outperforms a state-of-the-art approach based on linear phase differences by 9.4% relative improvement in signal-to-interference ratio on average. Furthermore, increasing the window length of temporal context used for the decomposition increases the source separation accuracy, which converges to the accuracy of the offline method.
Local Search Techniques for Temporal Planning in LPG

We present some techniques for planning in temporal domains specified with the recent standard languange PDDL2.1. These techniques are implemented in LPG, a fully-automated system that took part in the third International Planning Competition (Toulouse, 2002) showing excellent performance. The planner is based on a stochastic local search method and on a graph-based representation called "Temporal Action Graphs" (TA-graphs). In this paper we present some new heuristics to guide the search in LPG using this representation. An experimental analysis of the performance of LPG on a large set of test problems used in the competition shows that our techniques can be very effective, and that often our planner outperforms all other fully-automated temporal planners that took part in the contest.
Probiotics and broiler growth performance: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Abstract 1. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of probiotics on the growth performance of broilers. PubMed, Scopus and Scholar Google databases were searched in all languages from 1980 to 2012. The studies in the meta-analysis were only selected if they were randomised and controlled experiments using broilers without apparent disease and the results were published in peer-reviewed journals. 2. A total of 48 and 46 studies were included to assess probiotic effects on body weight gain (BWG) and feed efficiency (FE), respectively. Probiotics increased BWG compared to controls (SMD = 0.661, 95% CI 0.499 to 0.822) and improved FE (SMD = − 0.281, 95% CI −0.404 to −0.157) in the pooled standardised mean difference random effect model, considering the source of heterogeneity and publication biases. However, there are evidences of publication bias and heterogeneity, so the results of this meta-analysis should be considered with caution. Applying the Duval and Tweedie’s trim-and-fill methods, the adjusted value for BWG was 0.0594 (95% CI −0.122 to 0.242), and the adjusted value for FE did not show any modifications. 3. The meta-analysis showed that application of probiotics via water resulted in greater BGW and FE than administration through the feed. The effect was not related to the use of mono-strain or multi-strain probiotics, although it may depend on the strain used. The number of broilers and the duration of the experiments had an impact on the outcomes. 4. Additional studies should be conducted with the aim to identify the covariates which can explain the differences in the estimated effect sizes.
Neck Pain Is Often a Part of Widespread Pain and Is Associated With Reduced Functioning

Study Design. Cross-sectional, population-based postal survey. Objective. To investigate the relationship between neck pain, pain in other sites and functioning. Summary of Background Data. Neck pain is one of the most commonly reported musculoskeletal pain sites, and people with neck pain often report pain in other pain sites. Reduced functioning is associated with widespread pain. The relationship between neck pain with and without pain from other pain sites and functioning has not been described. Methods. In 2004, a questionnaire about musculoskeletal pain and functioning was sent to 7 birth cohorts in Ullensaker municipality in Norway, to which 3325 of 6108 persons (54.4%) responded. Musculoskeletal symptoms were registered using the Standard Nordic Questionnaire. Neck pain was categorized as localized neck pain (neck), regional neck pain (neck, shoulder, head, upper back), neck pain as part of scattered pain (1–3 other pain sites and not regional), or widespread pain (neck and ≥4 other pain sites). Functional status was assessed using the Norwegian Function Assessment Scale. Results. The 1-week prevalence of any neck pain was 34.4% (95% CI, 32.8–36.0). Localized neck pain was reported by only 1.4% of our population. Neck pain was most often regional (15.9%) or part of widespread pain (14.8%). People with neck pain as part of widespread pain had reduced function compared with any other group with neck pain. Conclusion. Localized neck pain was rare, and neck pain was almost always a part of either regional or widespread pain. Research on neck pain and functioning that do not assess other pain sites may miss a crucial dimension.
A INFLUÊNCIA DO CAPITAL PSICOLÓGICO NO BEM ESTAR DE TRABALHADORES: ESTUDO COM OPERADORES DE CAIXA DE SUPERMERCADOS

Levando em consideracao a complexidade dos ambientes de trabalho modernos que exige maior absorcao e dedicacao por parte de seus ocupantes, este estudo busca analisar as relacoes entre capital psicologico e o bem-estar no trabalho dos operadores de caixa de supermercado. Os participantes foram 41 trabalhadores que atuam em supermercados na cidade de Araguaina/TO. Como instrumento para coleta de dados foi utilizado um questionario de autopreenchimento composto de quatro escalas que mediram as variaveis da pesquisa. A presente pesquisa se propos a apresentar, interpretar e discutir as relacoes entre as variaveis, como tambem, testar as hipoteses referentes ao modelo conceitual proposto, por meio de uma pesquisa de natureza transversal com abordagem quantitativa, cujos dados coletados foram analisados por aplicacao de tecnicas estatisticas parametricas calculos de estatisticas descritivas: medias, desvio padrao e correlacoes; calculos de estatisticas multivariadas: analises de regressoes lineares multiplas pelo metodo ( enter por meio do software SPSS, versao 18.0). Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que os niveis das tres dimensoes de bem-estar no trabalho estao correlacionados. Confirmou-se tambem, o capital psicologico como preditor direto das dimensoes de bem-estar no trabalho satisfacao no trabalho e envolvimento com o trabalho. Por fim, este trabalho evidenciou que trabalhadores com um capital psicologico elevado tendem a manter vinculos com seu trabalho e com sua organizacao empregadora, os quais representam bem-estar no trabalho.
Training techniques to obtain fault-tolerant neural networks

This paper addresses methods of improving the fault tolerance of feedforward neural nets. The first method is to coerce weights to have low magnitudes during the backpropagation training process, since fault tolerance is degraded by the use of high magnitude weights; at the same time, additional hidden nodes are added dynamically to the network to ensure that desired performance can be obtained. The second method is to add artificial faults to various components (nodes and links) of a network: during training. The third method is to repeatedly remove nodes that do not significantly affect the network: output, and then add new nodes that share the load of the more critical nodes in the network. Experimental results have shown that these methods can obtain better robustness than backpropagation training, and compare favorably with other approaches. <<ETX>>
Stepping up, stepping back, being pushed, and stepping away: The process of making treatment decisions for children with cancer by parents who no longer live together

The purpose of this study was to describe the process of treatment decision making for parents of children with cancer who no longer lived together. Fifteen biological parents and stepparents of eight children with cancer who had made a major treatment decision in the past were interviewed. Using grounded theory techniques, the process of stepping up, stepping back, being pushed, and stepping away in making treatment decisions was described by parents. The process depicted differing levels of parent involvement based on the parent's position in the family, involvement with the child before diagnosis, and stage of treatment. Psychosocial consequences for biological parent were linked to their decision making responsibility for the ill child. Stepparent effects were linked to interpersonal conflicts amongst the parents. Parents described a largely adaptive process of making treatment decisions for their children with cancer; including the additional burdens and challenges they faced because of their specific family circumstances. The findings from this study have implications for helping to better prepare nurses and other health care providers to care for similar families.
Linear relationship between the volume of hypertrophic chondrocytes and the rate of longitudinal bone growth in growth plates

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that hypertrophic cell volume varies directly with the rate of longitudinal bone growth. The volume of hypertrophic chondrocytes (using stereological techniques) and longitudinal bone growth per 24 h (using oxytetracycline labeling techniques) were measured in the proximal and distal radial growth plates and the proximal and distal tibial growth plates of 21‐ and 35‐day‐old hooded rats and 21‐ and 35‐day‐old Yucatan pigs. We demonstrated a high coefficient of correlation (rats 0.98, pigs 0.83) between the final volume of hypertrophic chondrocytes and the rate of longitudinal bone growth over a wide range of growth rates and volumes of hypertrophic chondrocytes. In addition, we demonstrated a positive linear relationship between the rate of longitudinal bone growth and the final volume of hypertrophic chondrocytes. The slope of the regression line was different for rats than for pigs. The relationship was independent of the location of the growth plate in the animal and the age of the animal. The data suggest that mechanisms regulating volume changes in hypertrophic chondrocytes may exist and that chondrocytic volume increase is a major determinant of the rate of longitudinal bone growth. However, the relative contribution of cellular hypertrophy to longitudinal bone growth may be different in rats than in pigs.
Management of Multilevel, Multiclient Cache Hierarchies with Application Hints

Multilevel caching, common in many storage configurations, introduces new challenges to traditional cache management: data must be kept in the appropriate cache and replication avoided across the various cache levels. Additional challenges are introduced when the lower levels of the hierarchy are shared by multiple clients. Sharing can have both positive and negative effects. While data fetched by one client can be used by another client without incurring additional delays, clients competing for cache buffers can evict each other’s blocks and interfere with exclusive caching schemes. We present a global noncentralized, dynamic and informed management policy for multiple levels of cache, accessed by multiple clients. Our algorithm, MC2, combines local, per client management with a global, system-wide scheme, to emphasize the positive effects of sharing and reduce the negative ones. Our local management scheme, Karma, uses readily available information about the client’s future access profile to save the most valuable blocks, and to choose the best replacement policy for them. The global scheme uses the same information to divide the shared cache space between clients, and to manage this space. Exclusive caching is maintained for nonshared data and is disabled when sharing is identified. Previous studies have partially addressed these challenges through minor changes to the storage interface. We show that all these challenges can in fact be addressed by combining minor interface changes with smart allocation and replacement policies. We show the superiority of our approach through comparison to existing solutions, including LRU, ARC, MultiQ, LRU-SP, and Demote, as well as a lower bound on optimal I/O response times. Our simulation results demonstrate better cache performance than all other solutions and up to 87% better performance than LRU on representative workloads.
Guaranteeing multiple QoSs in differentiated services Internet

In this paper, we propose a new architecture for guaranteeing the multiple Quality of Services (QoSs) in Differentiated Service Internet. We take into account the IETF's Differentiated Service (DiffServ) architecture as well as the QoS requirements of each user application. The main focus lies in the modeling and performance evaluation of the prioritized packet service scheme in the core router which supports weighted priority services in the packet with three service classes defined in IETF: EF (Expedited forwarding), AF (Assured forwarding) and DF (Default forwarding) PHB (Per Hop Behavior). Via simulation experiments we discuss the implication of the proposed scheme.
Neural Mechanisms of Pain: an Overview

There are two essential components of pain: discriminative and affective. The discriminative component includes the ability to identify the stimulus as originating from somatic or visceral tissue, determine some of the physical properties of the stimulus, and localize it in space, time, and along a continuum of intensities. The affective component is the experience of aversiveness which motivates escape, avoidance, and protective behavior. Both of these components of pain were acknowledged by Sir Charles Sherrington (1947) and must be considered in any discussion of the neurophysiological basis of pain. The neural mechanisms subserving discrimination and affect are different and may be differentially affected by drugs or surgical procedures. A consideration of pain mechanisms must also include the neural systems modulating pain, for it is well known that pain can be profoundly influenced by other somatic stimuli and by attentional, emotional, and cognitive factors. A thorough and detailed discussion of pain mechanisms is beyond the scope of this brief overview, but I will cover major features of the neural mechanisms currently thought to underlie the discriminative and affective dimensions of pain and the mechanisms by which pain may be modulated.
Effects of Abscisin II on Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Activity in Excised Bean Axes.

L-Pihenylalfan,ine ammonlia-lyase 4.3. 1.5 (PAL) catalyzes the deamination of phenylalianine to traniscinnamic acid in planits (8). Since thiis may be the initi,al reaction on the pathway from phenvlalan! ine to a wide variety o,f pheniolic compounds, PAL may play an imporitanit regula,tory role (10). Several reports have re,cently appeared in the literature concerning the contro,l of thi,s enzyme, particularly wiith regard to the effects o,f light (4, 6, 11, 13, 16). Abscis'in II is a recently descn:bed plant hormone, the exogenioutts application of wh,ich has been reponted to promote absoissio,n and dormancy, inhibit cell e,longatbion, and to anitagonize the g:bberell'ic ac,id-induced synthesis of a-amyl! ase and amin,o acid release in barley aleurone layers (2, 12). This repo,rt describes the effects of DL,-abEsciisin II on thc development and , retentio,n of PAI, activity in excised bean axes and dil'sculss'es the resu]lts olbtained in co,njrunotion with the effecits o,f cyclioheximide and actiniomycin D.
Outcomes After Treatment of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Among Women With HIV

Objective. To describe outcomes after treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in women with HIV. Materials and Methods. Women in two prospective cohort studies, the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) and the HIV Epidemiology Research Study (HERS), were followed every 6 months after treatment of CIN using human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and cytology with colposcopy as indicated. Identification of CIN or a squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) within 6 months was defined as treatment failure and later disease as recurrence. Results. Follow-up was available for 170 HIV-seropositive and 15 HIV-seronegative women. Treatment failed in 84 (45%) women (79 HIV seropositive and 5 HIV seronegative). Failure was more likely in women with lower CD4 counts (CD4 < 200 cells/&mgr;L: odds ratio [OR] = 2.96; 95% CI = 1.4-6.2) and detectable HPV DNA (OR 8.20; 95% CI = 1.8-37.4; p = .01). After successful treatment, recurrence-free probabilities at 1,2, 3, and 5 years were . 79, . 64, . 49, and . 34, respectively. HIV-seronegative women were less likely to recur than HIV-seropositive women (p = .03). In multivariable analysis of HIV-positive women, recurrence was more likely among women treated for CIN 2,3 (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.4-4.8), those with CD4 count of less than 200 cells/&mgr;L (HR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.3-6.5) and those with HPV after treatment (HR 2.9; 95% CI = 1.4-6.1); oncogenic HPV was more strongly associated with recurrence than nononcogenic HPV (ptrend = .009). Most failures and recurrences were low grade, but one adenocarcinoma was diagnosed 4.2 years after therapy for CIN 1. Conclusion. Treatment failure and recurrence are common in women with HIV but are usually low grade.
HANDWRITTEN ENGLISH CHARACTER RECOGNITION USING LVQ AND KNN

A Handwritten character recognition (HCR) is an important task of detecting and recognizing in characters from the input digital image and convert it to other equivalent machine editable form. It gives high growth in image processing and pattern recognition. It has big challenges in data interpretation from language identification, bank cheques and conversion of any handwritten document into structural text form. Handwritten character recognition system uses a soft computing method like neural network, having area of research for long time with multiple theories and developed algorithm. Feature Extraction done in character recognition by introducing a new approach, diagonal based feature extraction. We used two Dataset, first one is own database of 26 alphabets, 10 numbers and 5 special characters written by various people and second is standard CEDAR database. The character recognition is carried out by supervised KNN classifier and LVQ. The results show that KNN has better results than LVQ.
Training-Based Synchronization and Demodulation With Low Complexity for UWB Signals

In this paper, we propose a low-complexity data-aided (DA) synchronization and efficient demodulation technique for an ultrawideband (UWB) impulse radio system. Depending on the autocorrelation property of a judiciously chosen training sequence, a redundance-included demodulation template (RDT) can be extracted from the received signal by separating, shifting, and realigning two connected portions in the observation window. After constructing the RDT, two receiver designs are available. One approach is to demodulate transmitted symbols by correlating the RDT in a straightforward manner, which does not require the explicit timing acquisition and, thus, considerably reduces the complexity of the receiver. An alternative approach is accomplished with the assistance of a non-RDT (NRDT). The NRDT-based receiver is able to remove the redundant noisy component of the RDT by acquiring timing offset via a simple synchronization scheme, therefore achieving a better bit error rate (BER) performance. Both the schemes can counteract the effects of interframe interference (IFI) and unknown multipath channels. Furthermore, analytical performance evaluations of the RDT- and NRDT-based receivers are provided. Simulations verify the realistic performance of the proposed receivers in the presence of multiuser interference (MUI) and timing errors.
Fast Scale-Space Feature Representations by Generalized Integral Images

In this paper, we place the integral image-based approach for multi-scale feature construction, popularized by Viola and Jones, into a common framework of understanding. The integral image within this framework represents space variant image filtering with the zero-order B-spline. Given this framework, we propose efficiently computable higher-order B-spline image features based on generalized integral images that have the potential to be more accurate, yet efficient as compared to previous integral image-based efforts.
Evaluation of Negentropy-based Cluster Validation Techniques in Problems with Increasing Dimensionality

The aim of a crisp cluster validity index is to quantify the quality of a given data partition. It allows to select the best partition out of a set of potential ones, and to determine the number of clusters. Recently, negentropy-based cluster validation has been introduced. This new approach seems to perform better than other state of the art techniques, and its computation is quite simple. However, like many other cluster validation approaches, it presents problems when some partition regions have a small number of points. Different heuristics have been proposed to cope with this problem. In this article we systematically analyze the performance of different negentropy-based validation approaches, including a new heuristic, in clustering problems of increasing dimensionality, and compare them to reference criteria such as AIC and BIC. Our results on synthetic data suggest that the newly proposed negentropy-based validation strategy can outperform AIC and BIC when the ratio of the number of points to the dimension is not high, which is a very common situation in most real applications.