Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical assessment of the osteoarthritis patient.

It is becoming apparent that the disease process of osteoarthritis should be regarded separately from the clinical syndrome of joint pain, use-related stiffness and disability. The latter may best be approached as a chronic regional pain disorder that requires attention to physical, psychological and social factors as well as those related to the disease process. This chapter sets out to look at some of the practical implications of taking this view for the clinical assessment. Starting with the syndrome of hip, knee or hand pain in older adults in the community, we consider what leads people to consult, what the important features to assess might be, the role of imaging in the clinical assessment of osteoarthritis, and finally how a management plan could be formulated. The usefulness of assessing clinical osteoarthritis as a regional pain disorder is uncertain. Even if this were demonstrated, the concept of osteoarthritis as a structural disease should be retained as an integral part.
Predictive-space vector PWM current control method for asymmetrical dual three-phase induction motor drives

The interest in multiphase drives has re-emerged in the last decade, being the asymmetrical dual three-phase induction motor drive one of the most popular options. Predictive control techniques, already implemented in three-phase drives, have been recently adapted to the multiphase case. Schemes proposed so far have demonstrated high performance at the expenses of a higher degree of computational cost and ill-defined switching frequency. In this study, a predictive space vector PWM (SVPWM) current control technique with fixed switching frequency is proposed for asymmetrical dual three-phase AC drives. Fast torque and current response are achieved similar to those obtained using conventional predictive current control techniques. Electrical noise suppression is favoured as in PWM current control methods. Experimental results are provided to examine the benefits of the proposed control method.
Understanding E-Waste Management in Developing Countries: Building Sustainability in the Indian ICT Sector

Management of e-waste is a growing problem for developing countries; one that may undermine the sustainability of ICT use if not addressed. In this paper, we focus on a somewhat under-emphasised group that contributes significantly to developing country e-waste: local organisational consumers of ICT. Although thought to create the majority of e-waste, the factors shaping the e-waste decisions of this group are not well understood.This paper therefore builds a model of e-waste strategies and e-waste strategy determinants from the environmental management literature. It applies this model to a key e-waste producer ? the ICT services sector in India ? drawing qualitative fieldwork-based case studies from a mix of very large and small/medium firms.While the former have been proactive in their e-waste strategy, the SMEs are characterised as indifferent to e-waste; a divergence explained by the very different strengths of determining factors to which they are subject. In turn, those factors relate to the size of these ICT consumers and the nature of value chains into which they are placed. Understanding these determinants can help us plan better e-waste interventions; a point illustrated through critique of recently-introduced legislation.
Counterpoint: Is pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic monitoring of calcineurin inhibition therapy necessary?

Individual dose adjustment of cyclosporine (CsA)1 and tacrolimus (TAC), which are critical-dose drugs widely used in transplantation, is important not only to prevent acute rejection but also to prolong graft (and patient) survival. New therapeutic regimens such as calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-sparing strategies have recently strengthened the need for fine individual dose adjustment of these drugs. A good treatment-personalization strategy should employ a marker or a set of markers with (a) strong relationships with therapeutic and/or adverse effects; (b) low intraindividual variability; (c) established, and ideally, validated target values; and (d) easy and fast measurement. So far, dose individualization has mainly been based on pharmacokinetics, which monitors the handling of the drug by the body. Pharmacodynamics (PD), which focuses on the biologic effect of the drug on its target(1), might also be useful as a replacement or an adjunct. Early on in the use of CsA, monitoring of the predose (trough, C) concentration became the standard of care(2). However, no trial has been conducted in transplantation patients to determine whether C monitoring is superior to no therapeutic monitoring with respect to efficacy or toxicity(2), and conducting such a trial now would not be ethically acceptable given the obvious improvements brought to transplantation patients by therapeutic drug monitoring. However, it has long been recognized that the results of C monitoring are suboptimal, and retrospective analysis of transplantation populations monitored on C has shown that the full interdose area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0–12h), abbreviated AUCs (AUC0–6h or AUC0–4h), and Cmax (maximum concentration) have stronger links with the residual inefficacy or toxicity episodes than C. Because of the impracticability of routine AUC0–12h monitoring, limited sampling strategies have been proposed as a more practical approach. In 2002, the CONCERT (Consensus …
Variable block size segmentation for image compression using stochastic models

In this paper, a new variable size block segmentation for image compression is proposed. The decision whether the given image block is homogeneous or not is based on the model selection criterion. More specifically, calculating the log-likelihoods for all pre-determined region segmentations with the given image data, we apply a modified AIC criterion to select a best match. If the selected pattern turns out to be a texture or an edge, we further divide the given image block to yield a variable size block segmentation. Since the proposed algorithm takes into account the contextual information as well as the block variance for the classification, it can differentiate a texture from an edge. Moreover, due to the pre-determined block segmentations, we can further differentiate vertical, horizontal, or diagonal edges.
FAILURE OF ERYTHROMYCIN ESTOLATE THERAPY IN IN UTERO SYPHILIS.

ERYTHROMYCIN is the most frequently administered antibiotic for the treatment of syphilis in patients with known penicillin allergy. Studies leading to current recommendations of optimum dosages of this drug in various stages of syphilis have been conducted in the Houston Social Hygiene Clinic, but its use during pregnancy has not yet been adequately evaluated. The observation of one patient in our study, who had a good serologic response to treatment with 15 gm of erythromycin estolate (Ilosone), but bore an infant who died of congenital syphilis, is the subject of this report. Report of a Case The mother, 16 years of age, gravida II, para I, in approximately the sixth month of pregnancy, had a perigenital, palmar, and plantar maculopapular rash. The clinical diagnosis, secondary syphilis, was supported by a Venereal Disease Research Laboratories slide test (flocculation test using the Atlantic VDRL's specific antigen) reactive at 64 dilutions. Because of
Abnormal Behavior Detection Using Trajectory Analysis in Camera Sensor Networks

Camera sensor networks have developed as a new technology for the wide-area video surveillance. In view of the limited power and computational capability of the camera nodes, the paper presents an abnormal behavior detection approach which is convenient and available for camera sensor networks. Trajectory analysis and anomaly modeling are carried out by single-node processing, whereas anomaly detection is performed by multinode voting. The main contributions of the proposed method are summarized as follows. First, target trajectories are reconstructed and represented as symbol sequences. Second, the sequences are taken into account using Markov model for building the transition probability matrix which can be used to automatically analyze abnormal behavior. Third, the final decision of anomaly detection is made through the majority voting of local results of individual camera nodes. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively estimate typical abnormal behaviors in real scenes.
CUSTOMERS’ PERCEIVED VALUE OF COMPLEMENTARY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ON THE INTERNET AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS

The Internet opens the opportunity for businesses to enter to a new market and create a fierce competition among them. To gain competitive advantages and survive, e-businesses need to deliver value to their customers.This study investigates the impact of product and service complementarities offered by Business-to-Consumers-businesses on customer value and evaluates the influence of this perceived value on future customer behavior. An experiment was used a 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 between-subjects factorial design including four factors: product component, product range, online services, and offline services. Sixteen interactive travel websites were created to closely mimic the design of real travel websites. Results from 272 experimental subjects revealed that subjects perceived online services and product range offerings to be of greater value when the offering was bundled with a greater number of offline services rather than limited offline services. Additionally, a positive relationship between customers’ perceived value and their future behaviors was found.
A centralized control of movements using a collision avoidance algorithm for a swarm of autonomous agents

This work proposes a method for moving a swarm of autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to accomplish an specific task. The approach uses a centralized strategy which considers a trajectory calculation and collision avoidance. The solution was implemented in a simulated scenario as well as in a real controlled environment using a swarm of nano drones, together with a setup supported by a motion capture system. The solution was tested while planting virtual seeds in a field composed by a grid of points that represent the places to be sown. Experiments were performed for measuring completion times and attempts to prevent impacts in order to test the effectiveness, scalability and stability of the solution as well as the robustness of the collision avoidance algorithm while increasing the number of agents to perform the task.
Active Motion High Dynamic Range Imaging for digital still camera

Active Motion High Dynamic Range Imaging (HDRI) is a new artifact-free HDRI technology for a consumer digital still camera. This technology allows us to optimize capturing time and to remove motion artifacts by a camera motion and a moving object. To optimize the capturing time, the key component of our approach is a dual-brightness mapping to detect and compensate the artifacts with just two images. This paper shows that the proposed HDRI approach effectively corrects the artifacts.
Biological properties of Shigella flexneri 2A toxin and its serological relationship to Shigella dysenteriae 1 toxin

A toxin extracted from heat-inactivated, alkaline-treated Shigella flexneri 2a showed biological properties similar to those of Shigella dysenteria 1 toxin. The S, flexneri 2a toxin was lethal to mice, enterotoxic for ileal loops of rabbits, and cytotoxic for HeLa cells. A serological relationship between S. flexneri 2a and S. dysenteriae 1 toxin was shown with cross neutralization tests.
Prevalent Low-Frequency Oscillation of Heart Rate: Novel Predictor of Mortality After Myocardial Infarction

Background—This study evaluates a novel method for postinfarction risk stratification based on frequency-domain characteristics of heart rate variability (HRV) in 24-hour Holter recordings. Methods and Results—A new risk predictor, prevalent low-frequency oscillation (PLF), was determined in the placebo population of the European Myocardial Infarction Amiodarone Trial (EMIAT). Frequencies of peaks detected in 5-minute low-frequency HRV spectra were averaged to obtain the PLF index. PLF ≥0.1 Hz was the strongest univariate predictor of all-cause mortality associated with relative risk of 6.4 (95% CI, 3.9 to 10.6; P<10−12). In a multivariate Cox’s regression model including clinical risk factors, mean RR interval, HRV index, low- and high-frequency HRV spectral power, and heart rate turbulence, PLF was the most powerful mortality predictor, with a relative risk of 4.6 (95% CI, 2.2 to 9.3; P=0.00003). Predictive power of PLF was blindly validated in the population of the Autonomic Tone and Reflexes After Myocardial Infarction (ATRAMI) trial. PLF ≥0.1 Hz was associated with univariate relative risk of 6.1 (95% CI, 2.9 to 12.9; P<10−5) for cardiac mortality or resuscitated cardiac arrest. In multivariate Cox’s regression model including age, left ventricular ejection fraction, baroreflex sensitivity, mean RR interval, standard deviation of normal RR intervals, low- and high-frequency HRV spectral power, and heart rate turbulence, only left ventricular ejection fraction and PLF were significant predictors, with relative risks of 4.2 (95% CI, 1.5 to 11.7; P=0.007) and 3.6 (95% CI, 1.3 to 10.5; P=0.02), respectively. Conclusions—An innovative analysis of frequency-domain HRV, which characterizes the distribution of spectral power within the low-frequency band, is a potent and independent risk stratifier in postinfarction patients.
Localized perforation of the cell wall by a major autolysin: atl gene products and the onset of penicillin-induced lysis of Staphylococcus aureus

We investigated the cell surface localization of the atl gene products of Staphylococcus aureus exposed to a lytic concentration (4 MIC) of penicillin G (PCG) by means of immunoelectron microscopy using anti-62-kDa N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine amidase or anti-51-kDa endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase immunoglobulin G. Protein A-gold conjugates reacting with antigen-antibody complex localized at sites of defects of the cell wall at the nascent cross wall. Anti-62-kDa N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine amidase or anti-51-kDa endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase immunoglobulin G inhibited the decreased turbidity caused by PCG-induced lysis and the formation of defects in the wall. The autolysis-defective mutant, S. aureus RUSAL2 (atl::Tn551), exposed to 4 MIC of PCG resisted autolysis and formation of the wall defect. These results suggest that activation or deregulation of the atl gene products at localized sites where formation of new cross wall was disturbed by PCG causes small defects in the cell wall in situ, eventually leading to general autolysis.
Can You Measure the ROI of Your Social Media Marketing

This paper argues that social media metrics should be captured as customer investments in marketers’ social media efforts and that applications considered in concert with performance objectives drive the choice of metrics. Motivating this approach are the “four c’s” that drive consumer use of social media. These include the connections consumers make with each other, the user-generated content they create, their consumption of other users’ content and their control of their own online experiences. Social media metrics that are linked to three broad social media performance objectives are identified for eight general categories of social media applications and the paths managers have for improving social media effectiveness that rely on using these metrics are discussed.
A ubiquitous system supporting game-based inquiry learning

This study incorporates the strategies of inquiry and games to achieve ubiquitous learning on mobile devices equipped with an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader. From the infrastructure aspect, communication and cooperative learning are supported by mobile technology, GPS and GIS. From a learners' viewpoint, the game-based inquiry learning theory is used to design the guiding activities. Finally, from the aspect of learning resources, interactive learning objects are designed to enhance motivation and interest in learning. Assessing the performance of the proposed system, a questionnaire analysis is conducted. Findings show that the research scale is highly reliable and that all assumptions made are valid.
Comparative Study on Speckle Noise Suppression Techniques for Ultrasound Images

In medical image processing, image denoising has become a very essential exercise all through the diagnose. Negotiation between the preservation of useful diagnostic information and noise suppression must be treasured in medical images. In certain cases, for instance in Ultrasound images, the noise can restrain information which is valuable for the general practitioner. The success of ultrasonic examination depends on the Image quality. In case of ultrasonic images a special type of acoustic noise, technically known as speckle noise, is the major factor of image quality degradation. Many denoising techniques have been proposed for effective suppression of speckle noise. This paper presents the performance analysis of various schemes for suppressing speckle noise in Ultrasound images in terms of the assessment parameters PSNR and Equivalent Number of Looks (ENL).
Bedside nurse-to-nurse handoff promotes patient safety.

UNLABELLED Nurse-to-nurse beside handoff allows the oncoming nurse to visualize the patient and ask questions of the previous nurse. It encourages pateints to be involved actively in their care and allows standardized communication between nursing shifts. BACKGROUND Patient handoff between nurses at shift change has been an important process in clinical nursing practice, allowing nurses to exchange necessary patient information to ensure continuity of care and patient safety. Bedside handoff allows the patient the ability to contribute to his or her plan of care. It also allows the oncoming nurse an opportunity to visualize the patient and ask questions. This is critical in meeting the Joint Commission's 2009 National Patient Safety Goals. It encourages patients to be involved actively in their care and it implements standardized handoff communication between nursing shifts. Bedside handoff promotes patient safety and allows an opportunity for patients to correct misconceptions. METHODS A convenience sample of 60 patients was enrolled, 30 before the practice change and 30 after the change. All nursing staff were invited to participate. Both patients and staff were given self-designed surveys before and after the practice change. RESULTS Fifteen nurses with a mean of 2 years in the profession completed the pre- and post-survey. A majority of staff were not satisfied with the current shift change report, but statistical improvement was achieved after the practice change. Also, statistical improvement was achieved with patients' satisfaction with involvement in their plan of care. CONCLUSIONS Use of bedside nursing handoff promotes staff accountability, two-person IV medication reconciliation, and patient satisfaction.
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

The chronic cholestatic liver disease primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is characterised histologically by damage to, and subsequent loss of, the biliary epithelial cells (BEC) lining the small intra-hepatic bile ducts. Bile duct damage in affected portal tracts is accompanied by a T-cell rich mononuclear cell infiltrate with granuloma formation. The condition is progressive in both histological and clinical terms. Histologically, early florid duct lesions are followed by progressive bile duct loss and the development of biliary cirrhosis (often with loss, in late stage disease, of the more characteristic histological features and the development of a rather bland ductopenic picture). In clinical terms patients with late stage disease can present with the characteristic features of end-stage liver disease (portal hypertension and hepato-cellular failure), although synthetic function typically remains well preserved until the very end stages of the process. The other characteristic symptoms of PBC are cholestatic itch and profound fatigue which can develop at any stage in the disease process and which do not specifically associate with histological or biochemical disease severity. It was first appreciated in the 1950s that PBC patients demonstrate a significant degree of immune autoreactivity, with the vast majority of patients (.95% in all series) demonstrating significant autoantibody titres. These observations, together with the more recently characterised T-cell autoreactivity, associations with classical autoimmune disease and immuno-genetic associations have led to the view that PBC has a significant autoimmune component to its pathogenesis. The principal autoantibody responses seen in PBC are directed at specific mitochondrial (anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA)) and nuclear autoantigens (anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA)). Mitochondrial Autoantibodies
Beam shaping using slot arrays

Tapered amplitude distributions are popularly used to generate narrow beams with specified side lobes. There exits several tapers for the above purpose. The line source patterns and those of discrete radiators and those of arrays of isotropic radiators are found to be almost identical. This is true for large arrays. By introducing the suitable phase distributions it has been possible to convert narrow beams into desired shapes. In the present work, a suitable non linear phase distribution is numerically evaluated for different arrays to produce the above desired patterns. The shaped beam patterns are computed for arrays of slots. The patterns are presented in sinthetas-domain for both small and large arrays. The data presented in this paper is extremely useful for array designer in pattern synthesis.
Cross-correlation-based image matching of coins

Grey-scale multiresolution cross-correlation, combined with Canny edge detection algorithms, has been proposed and investigated for relatively simple and efficient coin recognition and matching algorithm. First experiments and investigations of the proposed solution show promising results. Also an overview of the alternative or complimentary image matching by support vector machines algorithm has been given in the paper. Finally, ideas for further improvement of the efficiency of the proposed solution are discussed.
Trust, good faith and synergy within Franchising

This paper contributes to existing franchising thought in three major ways. Firstly, synergy between the franchisee and the franchisor is achievable. Synergy occurs when the output of a group is greater than the sum of the individual effort. Secondly, the research reveals initial insight into how synergy can be achieved; synergy requires the essential elements of trust and good faith. Finally, the construct of good faith is compared with the construct of bad faith, compounded by the franchise culture. At one polar extreme, trust and good faith produce synergy. However, at the polar opposite, distrust and actions of bad faith result in dysfunction. Many authors have researched problems such as trust and distrust through the lens of agency theory (Jensen and Meckling, 1976) with the findings of this research building on existing thought. Qualitative data in the form of in-depth interviews with franchising experts. The overarching goal of this research is to gain further understanding of how the constructs fit together as well as provide managerial insight that can preempt franchising relationship failure and increase franchise synergy.
Peritoneal Sclerosis in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients Dialyzed Exclusively with Lactate-Buffered Dialysate

Peritoneal sclerosis occurred in two patients treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) using only lactate-buffered dialysate. Both patients had recurrent peritonitis and the second patient had multiple, minor abdominal operations. Patients receiving lactate-buffered CAPD are not immune from peritoneal sclerosis. Recurrent peritonitis and repeated abdominal surgery might be important causative factors.