Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Focus Group Results to Inform Preschool Childhood Obesity Prevention Programming

Objective. This study about maternal feeding practices and beliefs was conducted as background for the development of a childhood obesity prevention program for multi-ethnic parents in the USA receiving services from a federal government supplemental nutrition program for low-income mothers. Design. Using a grounded theory approach, focus groups were conducted with low-income African American, white non-Hispanic (i.e. the majority Caucasian American population), Hispanic and Vietnamese parents to collect cross-cultural perspectives on: (a) infant and child feeding practices, (b) childhood overweight, (c) healthy dietary intake, (d) physical activity and inactivity, and (e) infant feeding information sources. Results. A content analysis of the data yielded three main themes common to all four groups: (a) lack of awareness of the relationship between increased physical activity and health, (b) the use of food to influence behavior, and (c) the loss of parental control over feeding when a child starts child care or school, and revealed perspectives on age-appropriate food, infant satiety, overweight and information sources that were specific to each group. Conclusion. Interventions that enhance parent self-efficacy that build on themes that are specific to ethnic groups toward preventing childhood obesity are needed. There is also a need for culturally appropriate information for governmental nutrition programs that is in the client's own language and takes into account ethnic differences in beliefs and traditions.
Symmetry and Asymmetry of MIMO Fading Channels

We consider ergodic coherent MIMO channels, and characterize the optimal input distribution under general distributions of the fading matrix. We describe how symmetries in the fading matrix distribution and the constraint set, described naturally with group structures, imply the symmetric properties of the optimal input distribution. We use this approach to give a general condition under which the white Gaussian input is optimal, and to compute the optimal input for MISO Ricean channel. In contrast, we also investigate the Kronecker mod el, in which case we show how an asymmetric structure in the problem is also preserved in the optimal input, leading to a new water filling solution.
Immunogenicity of a Reduced Schedule of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Healthy Infants and Correlates of Protection for Serotype 6B in the United Kingdom

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was introduced in the United Kingdom immunization schedule in September 2006. This study was conducted to establish the immunogenicity of licensed PCV (Prevenar) at a reduced, 2 priming dose schedule (2+1) and to evaluate functional responses in the context of vaccine effectiveness. Methods: Infants were randomized to receive PCV at 2 and 3 months or 2 and 4 months of age. Boosters were administered at the same time as Haemophilus influenzae type B/meningococcal C conjugate and Measles, Mumps and Rubella or with Measles, Mumps and Rubella alone (www.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00197808). Results: PCV at 2/3 months of age was poorly immunogenic and recruitment to this arm was terminated. PCV at 2/4 months of age resulted in lower than expected responses to serotypes 6B and 23F. Functional analysis of serotype 6B by OPA revealed that an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay cutoff of 0.2 &mgr;g/mL was a better predictor of OPA positivity than a cut off of 0.35 &mgr;g/mL. PCV booster responses were excellent and no interference from concomitant vaccines was noted. Conclusions: An interval of at least 8 weeks is required when starting PCV vaccination at 2 months of age although not all serotypes are equally immunogenic. Correlates of protection derived from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay values may not be equally appropriate for all serotypes as illustrated by results for 6B in this study.
Trigeminal Neuralgia: Evaluation of the Relationship Between the Region of Neuralgic Manifestation and the Site of Neurovascular Compression Under Endoscopy

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the relationship among the pain region, branches of trigeminal nerve, and the neurovascular compression (NVC) location. A total of 123 consecutive patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) underwent endoscope-assisted microvascular decompression according to positive preoperative tomographic angiography. V2 alone was in 51 cases and V3 alone was in 64 cases. The location of NVC was classified into cranial, caudal, medial, or lateral sites. Some patients with multiple regions were recorded as medial + cranial, lateral + cranial, medial + caudal, and lateral + caudal. Twenty-eight (71.8%) of 39 patients with TN (V2) had their NVC at the medial site of the nerve. Twenty-seven (64.3%) of 42 patients with TN (V3) had their NVC at the lateral site of the nerve. There was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.0011 < 0.01, &khgr;2 test). Sixteen (69.6%) of 23 patients with TN(V2) had their NVC at the cranial site of the nerve. Thirty-four (69.4%) of 49 patients with TN (V3) had their NVC at the caudal site of the nerve. There was no statistical difference (P = 0.3097 > 0.01). Evaluation of the relationship between the pain region and the NVC location by endoscopic images during microvascular decompression is more accurate. The second branch is mostly distributed in the medial area, and third branch is mainly distributed in the lateral area.
A membrane cytoskeleton from Dictyostelium discoideum. III. Plasma membrane fragments bind predominantly to the sides of actin filaments

The binding between sonicated Dictyostelium discoideum plasma membrane fragments and F-actin on Sephacryl S-1000 beads was found to be competitively inhibited by myosin subfragment-1. This inhibition is MgATP-sensitive, exhibits a Ki of approximately 5 X 10(-8) M, and is reciprocal, since membranes inhibit the binding of 125I-heavy meromyosin to F-actin on beads. These experiments demonstrate that membrane binding and S-1 binding to F-actin on beads are mutually exclusive and, therefore, that the membrane fragments bind predominantly to the sides, rather than to the ends, of the actin filaments. This conclusion is supported by electron micrographs that show many lateral associations between membrane fragments and bead- associated actin filaments. Such lateral associations could play an important role in the organization and lateral movement of membrane proteins by the cytomusculature.
Efficient Large Numbers Karatsuba-Ofman Multiplier Designs for Embedded Systems

— Long number multiplications (n ≥ 128-bit) are a primitive in most cryptosystems. They can be performed better by using Karatsuba-Ofman technique. This algorithm is easy to parallelize on workstation network and on distributed memory, and it’s known as the practical method of choice. Multiplying long numbers using Karatsuba-Ofman algorithm is fast but is highly recursive. In this paper, we propose different designs of implementing Karatsuba-Ofman multiplier. A mixture of sequential and combinational system design techniques involving pipelining is applied to our proposed designs. Multiplying large numbers can be adapted flexibly to time, area and power criteria. Computationally and occupation constrained in embedded systems such as: smart cards, mobile phones…, multiplication of finite field elements can be achieved more efficiently. The proposed designs are compared to other existing techniques. Mathematical models (Area (n), Delay (n)) of our proposed designs are also elaborated and evaluated on different FPGAs devices.
On-line motion-feedforward pose recognition invariant for dynamic hand-eye motion

This paper presents a pose measurement method of a 3D object detected by hand-eye cameras. We propose a motion-feedforward (MFF) method to improve visual recognition dynamics, which become worse by disturbing hand-eye motion during visual servoing of the robot manipulator. The MFF method is used to compensate the fictional target motions in the camera view induced by the end-effectorpsilas motion, so the pose recognition can be assumed invariant for dynamic hand-eye motion. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed by simulations of objectpsilas 3D pose recognition being affected by dynamical oscillations of hand-eye cameras.
Development of a Reliable GADSAH Model for Differentiating AFP-negative Hepatic Benign and Malignant Occupying Lesions

Purpose Developing a high-value, convenient, and validated differential diagnosis model to differentiate alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) negative hepatic occupying lesions and assist clinicians in early identification and intervention. Patients and Methods A total of 340 patients with AFP-negative hepatic occupying lesions who were admitted to the Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital between August 2021 and April 2023 were included in the final retrospective analysis. The data were randomly divided into training and validation sets in a 7:3 ratio after performing multiple interpolations. In the training set, laboratory variables and models were screened using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis, comparison of five machine learning algorithms, and univariate, as well as multivariate logistic regression analysis. A diagnostic prediction nomogram model was developed. We evaluated and validated the model using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, calibration curve analysis, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results We identified six significant predictive factors from the results of multivariate logistic analysis in the training set and incorporated them into the nomogram model for diagnosing AFP-negative hepatic malignant occupying lesions (HMOL). The diagnostic nomogram, including gender, age, des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP), serum ferritin (SF), AFP, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), achieved an area under the curve of 0.905 discriminated patients with HMOL from those with benign occupying lesions. Additionally, calibration curves demonstrated the close alignment between the nomogram predictions and the ideal curve, along with the consistency between predictions and actual results. Moreover, the DCA curves illustrated indicated benefit for all patients. These finding were confirmed by the validation set. Conclusion The GADSAH model specifically targets the discrimination of malignant and benign liver lesions in AFP-negative patients. It offers a noninvasive, cost-effective, and efficient approach for diagnosing such cases.
Observability quadratic normal form for discrete-time systems

This note deals with quadratic observability normal form for nonlinear discrete-time single-input-single-output (SISO) system. First of all, the main concept of quadratic equivalence with respect to the observability property, is introduced for discrete-time systems. Subsequently, normal form structure for discrete time system is developed for system with unobservable linear approximation in one direction. Finally, the effect of the so-called resonant terms on the observer design and synchronization of chaotic systems is pointed out in an illustrative example.
Differential Regulation of Cytokine Release and Leukocyte Migration by Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Primary Human Lung Alveolar Type II Epithelial Cells and Macrophages1

Bacterial colonization is a secondary feature of many lung disorders associated with elevated cytokine levels and increased leukocyte recruitment. We hypothesized that, alongside macrophages, the epithelium would be an important source of these mediators. We investigated the effect of LPS (0, 10, 100, and 1000 ng/ml LPS, up to 24 h) on primary human lung macrophages and alveolar type II epithelial cells (ATII; isolated from resected lung tissue). Although macrophages produced higher levels of the cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β (p < 0.0001), ATII cells produced higher levels of chemokines MCP-1, IL-8, and growth-related oncogene α (p < 0.001), in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Macrophage (but not ATII cell) responses to LPS required activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling cascades; phosphorylated ERK1/2 was constitutively up-regulated in ATII cells. Blocking Abs to TNF-α and IL-1β during LPS exposure showed that ATII cell (not macrophage) MCP-1 release depended on the autocrine effects of IL-1β and TNF-α (p < 0.003, 24 h). ATII cell release of IL-6 depended on autocrine effects of TNF-α (p < 0.006, 24 h). Macrophage IL-6 release was most effectively inhibited when both TNF-α and IL-1β were blocked (p < 0.03, 24 h). Conditioned media from ATII cells stimulated more leukocyte migration in vitro than conditioned media from macrophages (p < 0.0002). These results show differential activation of cytokine and chemokine release by ATII cells and macrophages following LPS exposure. Activated alveolar epithelium is an important source of chemokines that orchestrate leukocyte migration to the peripheral lung; early release of TNF-α and IL-1β by stimulated macrophages may contribute to alveolar epithelial cell activation and chemokine production.
The influential factors for the variation of data sensitivity in ubiquitous social networking

Ubiquitous social networking services offer new opportunities for developing advantageous relationships by uncovering hidden connections that people share with others nearby. As sharing of personal information is an intrinsic part of ubiquitous social networking, these services are subject to crucial privacy threats. In order to contribute to the design of privacy management systems, we present results of a mixed methods study that investigated the influential factors for the variation of human data sensitivity upon different circumstances. The results indicate that the users' information sensitivity is decreasing inversely proportionally to the relevance of data disclosure for initiation of relationships with others. We suggest privacy designers should take into account the purpose of disclosure and environment as primary indexes for data disclosure. Other influential factors, i.e. activity, mood, location familiarity, number of previous encounters and mutual friends, were also discovered to influence participants' data disclosure, but as factors of secondary importance.
Probabilistic Goal Recognition in Interactive Narrative Environments

Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in interactive narrative-centered virtual environments for education, training, and entertainment. Narrative environments dynamically craft engaging story-based experiences for users, who are themselves active participants in unfolding stories. A key challenge posed by interactive narrative is recognizing users' goals so that narrative planners can dynamically orchestrate plot elements and character actions to create rich, customized stories. In this paper we present an inductive approach to predicting users' goals by learning probabilistic goal recognition models. This approach has been evaluated in a narrative environment for the domain of microbiology in which the user plays the role of a medical detective solving a science mystery. An empirical evaluation of goal recognition based on n-gram models and Bayesian networks suggests that the models offer significant predictive power.
Maximizing the Spread of Cascades Using Network Design

We introduce a new optimization framework to maximize the expected spread of cascades in networks. Our model allows a rich set of actions that directly manipulate cascade dynamics by adding nodes or edges to the network. Our motivating application is one in spatial conservation planning, where cade models the dispersal of wild animals through a fragmented landscape. We propose a mixed integer programming (MIP) formulation that combines elements from network design and stochastic optimization. Our approach results in solutions with stochastic optimality guarantees and points to conservation strategies that are fundamentally different from naive approaches.
Pengaruh Book Tax Differences Terhadap Kualitas Laba Pada Perusahaan Sektor Barang Konsumsi Di Indonesia

This research aimed to determine the effect of book tax differences to the quality of earnings on the next period in manufacturing companies in the customer goods industry sectors listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) from 2010 to 2013. The types of data used in this research was quantitative data methods with descriptive analysis testing, and statistical analysis was linear regression. The sampling methods used was purposive sampling. The result of this research indicate that large positive book tax differences is not significant effect on the quality of earnings. Companies with large positive book tax differences not shown to have lower persistence than firms with small book tax differences. Large negative book tax differences is significant effect on the quality or earnings. Companies with large negative book tax differences shown to have lower persistence than firms with small book tax difference
Terminal Velocity of a Bubble Rise in a Liquid

As it is known, buoyancy and drag forces rule bubble’s rise velocity in a liquid column. These forces are strongly dependent on fluid properties, gravity as well as equivalent’s diameter. This study reports a set of bubble rising velocity experiments in a liquid column using water or glycerol. Several records of terminal velocity were obtained. The results show that bubble’s rise terminal velocity is strongly dependent on dynamic viscosity effect. The data set allowed to have some terminal velocities data interval of 8.0 − 32.9 cm/s with Reynolds number interval 1.3 − 7490. The bubble’s movement was recorded with a video camera. The main goal is to present an original set data and results that will be discussed based on two-phase flow’s theory. It will also discussed, the prediction of terminal velocity of a single bubble in liquid, as well as the range of its applicability. In conclusion, this study presents general expressions for the determination of the terminal velocity of isolated gas bubbles of a Reynolds number range, when the fluid proprieties are known. Keywords—Bubbles, terminal velocity, two phase-flow, vertical column.
Modelling effects of root growth and decay on soil water retention and permeability

Plant roots can change the soil water retention curve (SWRC) and saturated permeability (ksat) of vegetated soils. However, there is no model that could capture both the effects of root growth and root decay on these soil hydraulic properties simultaneously. This note proposes a new void ratio function that can model the decrease and increase in soil void ratio due to root occupancy (upon growth) and root shrinkage (upon decay), respectively, in an unsaturated vegetated coarse-grained soil. The function requires two root parameters; namely, root volume ratio and root decay ratio, both of which can be readily measured through root excavation and image-based analysis. The new function is incorporated into a void ratio–dependent SWRC model for predicting the SWRC of vegetated soils. Similarly, the same function can be combined with the Kozeny–Carman equation for predicting ksat. The model prediction is then compared with a set of new field test data and an existing laboratory dataset for a silty sand vegetated with plant species under the family Schefflera. Good agreements are obtained between the measurements and predictions.
Predictive deconvolution of multiple free surface in marine seismic data

The main objective here is to couple a predictionattenuation model based process, with the result analyzed by comparison between the input and the output. The data is described as a random process, and the Wiener-Hopf operator is designed by taking into account a probabilistic distribution for the error difference between the desired and real output (Peacook and Treitel, 1969; Robinson and Treitel, 1969; Robinson, 1984; Makhoul, 1978; Berkhout and Zaanen, 1979; Mesko, 1984). The efforts were not only around the filter theory, but first in the prediction strategy. The infinite possibilities to describe multiple paths are constrained to the amplitude variation due to the reflection and transmission coefficients; that is, these internal coefficients are rather small, as a result the multiple paths have amplitudes small enough to be under the local noise amplitudes. Even thou, the multiple as a noise component can still have a correlation pattern.
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine Communication and Empathy in an Emergency Setting Involving Persons in Crisis

The article presents a study of the interaction between paramedics and parents in cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). We have sought to understand how the parents perceived the paramedics ability to communicate as well as empathise and deal with practical aspects of the situation. We have also sought to understand how the paramedics view their role as professional health workers, and how they think they should interact with persons in crisis. The method used in this study is qualitative and involves semi-structured interview schemes. We conducted twelve interviews – six with parents and six with paramedics. One of our primary findings is that many of the parents interviewed were not satisfied with the paramedics' communication, empathy and ability to take care of the practical aspects of the situation. The interviews have also revealed that there is significant disagreement among paramedics about the interpersonal role of health workers in situations involving people in crisis. The final part of this article includes a discussion of these and other findings. We argue that guidelines that specify threshold conditions for communication and care should be implemented in education and training. The aim of such guidelines should be to make sure that parents of lifeless children are secured a minimum of relevant explanations, information and care. 1. Background This article presents results from a qualitative research project designed to study and understand interpersonal relations in an emergency setting involving persons in crisis. The study has focused on the interaction between par-amedics and parents of children whose deaths were later attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This interaction is very dramatic and difficult. The paramedics normally encounter the parents with the knowledge that they have a lifeless child, and they also know that the parents are undergoing extreme emotional and cognitive stress. Before the arrival of the paramedics and medical doctors, the parents' only contact with the health system is interactive, by way of medical emergency telephone. The aim of our research has been to understand how challenges related to communication, care and empathy are experienced in the interaction between paramedics and parents. The next section clarifies this aim of the project and its wider significance to studies of communication in emergency situations. Section three presents relevant theoretical assumptions and the qualitative method used in the semi-structured interviews with paramedics and parents. Section four presents the main results of the study, which permits …