Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How do pain and function vary with compartmental distribution and severity of radiographic knee osteoarthritis?

OBJECTIVES In radiographic OA (ROA) of the knee, how does radiographic severity and pattern of compartmental involvement influence symptoms? METHODS Population-based study of 819 adults aged > or =50 yrs with knee pain. The severity of knee pain and function were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities scale. Three radiographic views of the knees were obtained. RESULTS Seven hundred and seventy-seven participants were eligible (mean age 65.5 yrs, 357 males). Higher ROA severity in each of the tibiofemoral (TF) and patellofemoral (PF) compartments was independently associated with higher mean pain scores (TF: F(2, 700) = 9.0, P < 0.0001, PF: F(2, 700) = 12.7, P < 0.0001). The same pattern was found for mean function scores (TF: F(2, 705) = 7.1, P = 0.001, PF: F(2, 705) = 15.9, P < 0.0001). If either the TF or PF compartment was affected by moderate/severe OA, the added presence of OA in the other compartment did not increase the mean pain or function scores. CONCLUSIONS It is the severity of radiographic disease within a compartment, rather than the distribution of radiographic disease between compartments that is associated with symptoms. ROA in the PF joint is associated with symptoms, emphasizing the importance of radiographic changes in his joint.
Towards Ideal Semantics for Analyzing Stream Reasoning

The rise of smart applications has drawn interest to logical reasoning over data streams. Recently, different query languages and stream processing/reasoning engines were proposed in different communities. However, due to a lack of theoretical foundations, the expressivity and semantics of these diverse approaches are given only informally. Towards clear specifications and means for analytic study, a formal framework is needed to define their semantics in precise terms. To this end, we present a first step towards an ideal semantics that allows for exact descriptions and comparisons of stream reasoning systems.
The Idiap Speaker Recognition Evaluation System at NIST SRE 2012

In this paper, we present the Idiap Research Institute submission to the 2012 NIST Speaker Recognition Evaluation. Our system is based on the Inter-Session Variability (ISV) modelling technique. The implementation of the system relies on Bob, a free signal processing and machine learning toolbox developed at Idiap. The NIST official results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach, especially on added noise data.
Termination Detection for Synchronous Algorithms in P Systems

—We continue the research on termination detection for synchronous algorithms in P systems [1]. This paper is the ﬁrst attempt to relate the classical deﬁnitions of process status and activation assumptions in the usual distributed computing framework to P systems. We validate our approach by modelling a well-known synchronous termination detection algorithm, the Dijkstra-Feijen-Van Gasteren (DFG) algorithm, and its application to synchronous BFS (SynchBFS) algorithm in P systems. A separation of concerns (SoC) P system design of this application is provided, by using our previous proposal, complex state symbols and parallel composition with interaction [1]. We newly propose semantics that is required for matching variables on components of complex state symbols. Our resulting formal P system achieves the same runtime as the DFG algorithm and shows substantially smaller program size than the high-level informal pseudocodes of the DFG algorithm.
Validating Second-Order Mutation at System Level

Mutation has been recognized to be an effective software testing technique. It is based on the insertion of artificial faults in the system under test (SUT) by means of a set of mutation operators. Different operators can mutate each program statement in several ways, which may produce a huge number of mutants. This leads to very high costs for test case execution and result analysis. Several works have approached techniques for cost reduction in mutation testing, like n-order mutation where each mutant contains n artificial faults instead of one. There are two approaches to n-order mutation: increasing the effectiveness of mutation by searching for good n-order mutants, and decreasing the costs of mutation testing by reducing the mutants set through the combination of the first-order mutants into n-order mutants. This paper is focused on the second approach. However, this second use entails a risk: the possibility of leaving undiscovered faults in the SUT, which may distort the perception of the test suite quality. This paper describes an empirical study of different combination strategies to compose second-order mutants at system level as well as a cost-risk analysis of n-order mutation at system level.
Survey of Detection , Diagnosis , and Fault Tolerance Methods in FPGAs

FPGAs are important in many different applications, and represent a lot of money in the computer engineering community. They are highly reconfigurable, and thus highly complex. FPGAs must work reliably, and so methods of detection, diagnosis, and fault tolerance have been found to make sure that FPGAs work when they are needed, regardless of present circumstances. Methods of detection include concurrent error detection and roving test. Methods of diagnosis include BIST, application dependent, and partial diagnosis focused methods. Methods for fault tolerance were found that cover single and multi-FPGA systems, as well as for systems experiencing singular faults or multiple faults at once.
UK DRAFFT: a randomised controlled trial of percutaneous fixation with Kirschner wires versus volar locking-plate fixation in the treatment of adult patients with a dorsally displaced fracture of the distal radius.

BACKGROUND In high-income countries, 6% of all women will have sustained a fracture of the wrist (distal radius) by the age of 80 years and 9% by the age of 90 years. Advances in orthopaedic surgery have improved the outcome for patients: many such fractures can be treated in a plaster cast alone, but others require surgical fixation to hold the bone in place while they heal. The existing evidence suggests that modern locking-plate fixation provides improved functional outcomes, but costs more than traditional wire fixation. METHODS In this multicentre trial, we randomly assigned 461 adult patients having surgery for an acute dorsally displaced fracture of the distal radius to either percutaneous Kirschner-wire fixation or locking-plate fixation. The primary outcome measure was the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation© (PRWE) questionnaire at 12 months after the fracture. In this surgical trial, neither the patients nor the surgeons could be blind to the intervention. We also collected information on complications and combined costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) to assess cost-effectiveness. RESULTS The baseline characteristics of the two groups were well balanced and over 90% of patients completed follow-up. Both groups of patients recovered wrist function by 12 months. There was no clinically relevant difference in the PRWE questionnaire score at 3 months, 6 months or 12 months [difference at 12 months: -1.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) -4.5 to 1.8; p=0.398]. There was no difference in the number of complications in each group and small differences in QALY gains (0.008; 95% CI -0.001 to 0.018); Kirschner-wire fixation represents a cost-saving intervention (-£727; 95% CI -£588 to -£865), particularly in younger patients. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to the existing literature, and against the increasing use of locking-plate fixation, this trial shows that there is no difference between Kirschner wires and volar locking plates for patients with dorsally displaced fractures of the distal radius. A Kirschner-wire fixation is less expensive and quicker to perform. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN31379280. FUNDING This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 19, No. 17. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
Placement experience and learning motivations in higher education

Purpose – Placement-based learning is claimed to benefit educational outcomes in undergraduate programmes, with students gaining employability skills and the application of skill-sets in “real world” situations. Most courses incorporate experiential learning; however, work placements remain exclusive to the aims of the academic programme. The purpose of this paper is to explore the changing learning motivations between students enroled on: a practical-based programme, involving work placement (BA adventure education (Ad Ed)); and a study-based programme (BSc sport and exercise science (SES)). In addition, motivation was examined between courses at each year. Design/methodology/approach – A 44 item Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire was completed by first and final year undergraduates studying BA Ad Ed and BSc SES courses in the academic year 2011/2012. Questionnaires were triangulated with focus groups, lecturer observations and statistical analyses. Findings – Learning motivation was influenced by: knowledge of academic grades; link between theoretical content and work experience; opportunity for reflection; and multidisciplinary nature of degree programmes. Furthermore, the majority of final year Ad Ed students showed understanding of the job market, degree transferability and career availability upon graduation. Originality/value – Where placement experience prepares British undergraduate learners for employment and provides insight into career demand, placements may also demotivate, particularly where careers do not necessitate degree qualification.
Motion dynamics and control of a planetary rover with slip-based traction model

This paper investigates kinetic behavior of a planetary rover with attention to tire-soil traction mechanics and articulated body dynamics, and thereby study the control when the rover travels over natural rough terrain. Experiments are carried out with a rover test bed to observe the physical phenomena of soils and to model the traction mechanics, using the tire slip ratio as a state variable. The relationship of load-traction factor versus the slip ratio is modeled theoretically then verified by experiments, as well as specific parameters to characterize the soil are identified. A dynamic simulation model is developed considering the characteristics of wheel actuators, the mechanics of tire-soil traction, and the articulated body dynamics of a suspension mechanism. Simulations are carried out to be compared with the corresponding experimental data and verified to represent the physical behavior of a rover. Finally, a control method is proposed and tested. The proposed method keeps the slip ratio within a small value and limits excessive tire force, so that the rover can successfully traverse over the obstacle without digging the soil or being stuck.
Virtual Environment Training System for Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients with Unilateral Neglect: Crossing the Virtual Street

In this paper, we propose a system for training of stroke patients with unilateral neglect by using technology of virtual reality (VR). The proposed system is designed to compensate for unilateral neglect. This system contains the calibration of unilateral neglect and the training of this disease. The calibration procedure is implemented by aligning the virtual object at a subjective middle line. The training procedure is implemented by completing the missions that are used to keep the virtual avatar safe during crossing the street in a virtual environment. The results of this study show that the proposed system is effective to train unilateral neglect. The left to right ratio scores extracted from this system gradually decrease as the sessions of training are repeated. To validate the VR system parameters, the parameters are analyzed by correlation with those of traditional unilateral neglect assessment methods (such as the line bisection test and the cancellation test).
Functional vs. multi-VDD testing of RF circuits

In this paper we present a comparison of the results obtained between functional testing and applying the multi-VDD approach on an RF circuit. The multi-VDD approach incorporates both VDD ramp and DC ramp techniques. The VDD ramp technique has been previously evaluated on standalone devices with good results as presented in J. Pineda de Gyvez et al. (2004) and S. Ozev and A Orailoglu (2001). However, most of the work has been accomplished in the Lab. Here we present results obtained by applying the concepts in a production environment. Correlations between the functional and the multi-VDD methodologies are shown. The studies are conducted using a WLAN 802.11a transceiver
TM-2012-217361 Evaluating Shielding Approaches to Reduce Space Radiation Cancer Risks

iv 1.0 Introduction . 1 2.0 Basic Concepts in Radiation Protection and Shielding . 1 2.1 Shielding of Galactic Cosmic Rays . 2 2.2 Shielding of Solar Particle Events . 7 2.3 Novel and In-situ Shielding Materials . 9 2.4 Shielding Performance Tests . 9 3.0 Cancer Risk Projection Model. 10 3.1 Adjusting U.S. Cancer Rates for Never-Smokers Cancer Estimates . 11 3.2 Space Radiation and Organ Exposures . 13 3.3 Uncertainty Analysis . 19 3.4 Shielding Performance Tests . 21 4.0 Results and Discussion . 22 5.0 Conclusions . 23 6.0 References . 33 Evaluating shielding approaches to reduce space radiation cancer risks (NASA TM-2012-217361). Cucinotta FA, Kim MYH, Chappell LJ. https://three.jsc. nasa.gov/articles/CucinottaKimChappell0512.pdf. Date posted: 06-01-2012.
Beyond g: Assessing the Incremental Validity of the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) Broad Ability Factors on the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities

vi TABLE OF CONTENTS . viii LIST OF TABLES . xi LIST OF FIGURES . xiii Chapter I: Introduction . 1 Evolution of Intelligence Test Theory and Interpretation . 1 Incremental Validity and Hierarchical Multiple Regression . 5 Purpose of the Current Study . 7 Summary . 9 Chapter II: Literature Review . 10 Literature Search . 10 History of Intelligence Theory and the Development of Intelligence Testing . 11 Early Developments . 12 Binet-Simon Scale . 13 S ’ T -Factor Theory . 15 The Rise of Multiple Factor Theories . 20 Fluid-Crystallized Theory . 22 Development of Hierarchical Solutions . 25 Consolidation and Refinement of the Gf-Gc Model . 27 Impact of CHC Theory on Contemporary Test Development . 30 Summary . 35 History of Intelligence Test Interpretation . 36 First wave (1905-1944) . 37 Second Wave (1945-1958) . 38 Third Wave (1959-1996) . 39 Criticisms of Interpretation at the Subtest Level . 41 ix Fourth Wave (1997-Present) . 44 Summary . 51 Incremental Validity of Intelligence Tests . 51 Hierarchical Multiple Regression . 52 Previous Incremental Validity Studies Utilizing Regression Procedures . 54 Collinearity . 58 Regression Communality Analysis . 60 Summary . 63 Gaps Identified in the Literature . 64 Purpose of the Current Study . 66 Importance of Current Study . 67 Research Questions and Hypotheses . 69 Chapter III: Methods . 74 Sample and Participant Selection . 74 Measurement Instrument . 77 Study Variables . 82 Research Design . 84 Power Analysis . 88 Data Analysis Procedures . 89 Permissions and Institutional Approval . 99 Summary . 100 Chapter IV: Results . 101 Univariate Descriptive Statistics and Evaluation of Assumptions . 101 Missing Data Analysis . 104 Incremental Validity of CHC Broad Factors in Predicting IDEA Outcomes . 106 Effects of School Level on the Predictive Validity of the WJ-COG Model . 112 Effect of Gf-Gc Variability on the Incremental Validity of the WJ-COG . 115 Effect of SLODR on the Incremental Validity of the WJ-COG . 118 Assessing Relative Achievement Variance Explained by the WJ-COG Model . 120 Chapter V: Discussion . 125 Support for Research Hypotheses . 126
MAKING INFERENCES ABOUT PARAMETERS

One must know the sampling distribution of the estimator (the statistic used to estimate  I shall use   to stand for the statistic used to estimate  ) to make full use of the estimator. The sampling distribution of a statistic is the distribution that would be obtained if you repeatedly drew samples of a specified size from a specified population and computed   on each sample. In other words, it is the probability distribution of a statistic.
A Design Pattern to Build Executable DSMLs and Associated V&amp;V Tools

Model executability is now a key concern in model-driven engineering, mainly to support early validation and verification (V&V). Some approaches allow to weave executability into metamodels, defining executable domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs). Model validation can then be achieved by simulation and graphical animation through direct interpretation of the conforming models. Other approaches address model executability by model compilation, allowing to reuse the virtual machines or V&V tools existing in the target domain. Nevertheless, systematic methods are currently not available to help the language designer in the definition of such an execution semantics and related tools. For instance, simulators are mostly hand-crafted in a tool specific manner for each DSML. In this paper, we propose to reify the elements commonly used to support state-based execution in a DSML. We infer a design pattern (called Executable DSML pattern) providing a general reusable solution for the expression of the executability concerns in DSMLs. It favors flexibility and improves reusability in the definition of semantics-based tools for DSMLs. We illustrate how this pattern can be applied to ease the development of V&V tools.
Comparison of Distance Computation Methods in Trained HMM Clustering for Huge-Scale Online Handwritten Chinese Character Recognition

In this paper, we propose a clustering method to solve computing resource problem that may arise in very large scale on-line Chinese character recognition using HMM and structure code. The basic concept of our method is to collect HMMs that have same number of parameters, then to cluster those HMMs. In our system, the number of classes is 98,639, which makes it almost impossible to load all the models in main memory. We load only cluster centers in main memory while the individual HMM is loaded only when it is needed. We got 0.92 sec/char recognition speed and 96.03% 30-candidate recognition accuracy for Kanji, using less than 250 MB RAM for the recognition system.
Feature reduction using mixture model of directional distributions

Text data normally has thousands, or even tens of thousands, of features. This causes the well-known ldquocurse of dimensionalityrdquo in text clustering. Feature reduction techniques have been proposed to address this problem by transforming the text data into much lower dimension, and improving clustering performance. On the other hand, also due to the high dimensional characteristic of text, cosine similarity has been proven to be more suitable than Euclidean distance metric. This suggests modeling text as directional data. In this paper, we propose a novel feature reduction method based on probabilistic mixture model of directional distributions. Empirical results on various benchmark datasets show that our method performs comparably with latent semantic analysis (LSA), and much better than standard methods such as document frequency (DF) and term contribution (TC).
Sensorless sorting of two parts in the plane using programmable force fields

A part that is placed on a massively parallel actuator array can be manipulated by the force generated by a large number of supporting actuators. At a high level of abstraction, this form of nonprehensible distributed manipulation can be modeled using programmable force fields. This paper addresses the problem of manipulating multiple parts using programmable force fields. In particular, given two convex parts in different shapes which are in unknown configurations, we introduce a sequence of force fields that isolates, recognizes, and brings each part to its target configuration without using a sensor. The novelty of the proposed approach lies in the part isolation stage. Our technique uses part interaction under a radial force field as a condition ensuring that both parts will be separated from each other and moved into opposite halves of the plane. Once separated, each part can be processed independently and simultaneously using techniques for handling a single part.
Remarks on generalized Gauss-Bonnet dark energy

The modified gravity with $F(R,G)$ Lagrangian, $G$ is the Gauss-Bonnet invariant, is considered. It is shown that the phantom-divide-line crossing and the deceleration to acceleration transition generally occur in these models. Our results coincide with the known results of $f(R)$-gravity and $f(G)$-gravity models. The contribution of quantum effects to these transitions is calculated, and it is shown that in some special cases where there are no transitions in classical level, quantum contributions can induce transitions. The quantum effects are described via the account of conformal anomaly.
Pole-placement in higher-order sliding-mode control

We show that the well-known formula by Ackermann and Utkin can be generalized to the case of higher-order sliding modes. By interpreting the eigenvalue assignment of the sliding dynamics as a zero-placement problem, the generalization becomes straightforward and the proof is greatly simplified. The generalized formula retains the simplicity of the original one while allowing to construct the sliding variable of a single-input linear time-invariant system in such a way that it has desired relative degree and desired sliding-mode dynamics. The formula can be used as part of a higher-order sliding-mode control design methodology, achieving high accuracy and robustness at the same time.
The ANSER Project: Data Fusion Across Multiple Uninhabited Air Vehicles

The objective of the autonomous navigation and sensing experiment research (ANSER) project is to demonstrate decentralized data fusion (DDF) and simultaneous localization and map building (SLAM) across multiple uninhabited air vehicles (UAVs). To achieve this objective, the project specifies the development of four UAVs, where each UAV houses up to two terrain sensors and an INS/GPS navigation system. The terrain sensors include a scanning radar, laser/vision and standard vision system. The DDF concept has to be shown to be effective both on a single UAV and on multiple UAVs. The proof of the concept will lie in the ability of the DDF structure to conduct multi-target tracking problems as well as SLAM. To obtain this goal, a number of subgoals are required, most of which have never been attempted before on a research level. The objective of this paper is to present these goals as an overview of the ANSER project along with some simulated and real-time results.