Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional laser-based classification in outdoor environments

Robotics research strives for deploying autonomous systems in populated environments, such as inner city tra ffic. Autonomous cars need a reliable collision avoidance, but also an object recognition to distinguish di fferent classes of tra ffic participants. For both tasks, fast three-dimensional laser range sensors generating multiple accurate laser range scans per second, each consisting of a vast number of laser points, are often employed. In this thesis, we investigate and develop classification algorithms that allow us to automa tically assign semantic labels to laser scans. We mainly face two challenges: (1) we h ave to ensure consistent and correct classification results and (2) we must e fficiently process a vast number of laser points per scan. In consideration of these challenges, we cove r b th stages of classification — the feature extraction from laser range scans and the clas sifi ation model that maps from the features to semantic labels. As for the feature extraction, we contribute by thoroughly evaluating importa nt state-ofthe-art histogram descriptors. We investigate critical parameters of the de scriptors and experimentally show for the first time that the classification performance can be s ignificantly improved using a large support radius and a global reference frame. As for learning the classification model, we contribute with new algorithms that impr ove the classification e fficiency and accuracy. Our first approach aims at deriving a consisten t point-wise interpretation of the whole laser range scan. By combining e fficient similaritypreserving hashing and multiple linear classifiers, we considerably improve the consistency of label assignments, requiring only minimal computational overhead compare d to a single linear classifier. In the last part of the thesis, we aim at classifying objects represented by segments. We propose a novel hierarchical segmentation approach comprising multiple sta ges and a novel mixture classification model of multiple bag-of-words vocabularies. We demon strate superior performance of both approaches compared to their single component counterparts using challenging real world datasets.
Using LPP and SFL for document query optimization

To efficiently cope with document query optimization problem, an efficient document query optimization algorithm based on locality preserving projection(LPP) and shuffled frog leaping(SFL) algorithm is presented in this paper. The document discriminant features are first extracted by the LPP algorithm, then the SFL algorithm is used to retrieval relevant documents based on the extracted features. Extensive experimental results show that the proposed algorithm achieves much better performance than other conventional document query optimization algorithms.
Epidemiological investigations of abortions due to Neospora caninum on Swiss dairy farms

Abortions apparently due to Neospora caninum in two Swiss dairy herds were investigated by means of a PCR and ELISA, and other potential causes were eliminated. In addition, a case-control study of 24 case herds and 24 control herds indicated that N caninum-associated abortions were more likely to occur in herds with antibodies to Coxiella bumetii (with an odds ratio [OR] of 3.38 with a 95 per cent confidence interval [cl] of 1.82 to 6.22), whereas the likelihood was less in herds with antibodies to Leptospira species (OR 0.34, 95 per cent ci 0.13 to 0.75), or in herds with antibodies to bovine viral diarrhoea (BvD) virus (OR 0.75, 95 per cent ci 0.56 to 1.00), or Chiamydia psittaci (OR 0.18,95 per cent ci 0.09 to 0.35), or in herds in which BVD virus had been isolated from an aborted fetus (OR 0.11, 95 per cent ci 0.02 to 0.58).
Familial pyloric stenosis associated with developmental delays.

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is the second most common condition requiring surgical intervention in the first year of life, surpassed only by inguinal herniorrhaphy (1). It is well known that surgical correction is highly successful, with resolution of the symptoms in the majority of cases. The most common postoperative complication is gastroesophageal reflux. The risk of recurrent pyloric stenosis requiring a repeat operation is 1% to 4% (1,2–4). IHPS is inherited by a multifactorial threshold model, and the generalized occurrence risk for siblings is 5% to 9%. Associated congenital anomalies are reported in 6% to 20% of patients with pyloric stenosis (1). One study reported concurrent anomalies in up to 30% of males with pyloric stenosis (5). We report three brothers aged 4 years, 2 years and 7 months with pyloric stenosis, gastroesophageal reflux requiring Nissen fundoplication, dysmorphic features and developmental delays. Two of the siblings required reoperation for persistent symptoms of pyloric stenosis. The third boy is 5 months old; although he had a Nissen fundoplication for reflux, he had not shown signs of recurrent pyloric stenosis at the time of this report. The findings reported in these siblings are not associated with a recognizable or described syndrome.
The Immunohistochemical Diagnosis of Mesothelioma: A Comparative Study of Epithelioid Mesothelioma and Lung Adenocarcinoma

A large number of immunohistochemical markers that can facilitate the distinction between epithelioid pleural mesotheliomas and pulmonary peripheral adenocarcinomas have recently become available. The aim of this study is to compare the value of these new markers with others that are already commonly used for this purpose and to determine which are, at present, the best for discriminating between these malignancies. Sixty epithelioid mesotheliomas and 50 lung adenocarcinomas were investigated for expression of the following markers: calretinin, cytokeratin 5/6, WT1, thrombomodulin, mesothelin, CD44S, HBME-1, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, MOC-31, thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), BG-8 (Lewisy), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), Ber-EP4, B72.3 (TAG-72), leu-M1 (CD15), CA19-9, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), and vimentin. All (100%) of the mesotheliomas reacted for calretinin, cytokeratin 5/6, and mesothelin, 93% for WT1, 93% for EMA, 85% for HBME-1, 77% for thrombomodulin; 73% for CD44S, 73% for N-cadherin, 55% for vimentin, 40% for E-cadherin, 18% for Ber-EP4, 8% for MOC-31, 7% for BG-8, and none for CEA, B72.3, leu-M1, TTF-1, or CA19-9. Of the adenocarcinomas, 100% were positive for MOC-31, Ber-EP4, and EMA, 96% for BG-8, 88% for CEA, 88% for E-cadherin, 84% for B72.3, 74% for TTF-1, 72% for leu-M1, 68% for HBME-1, 48% for CD44S, 48% for CA19-9, 38% for mesothelin, 38% for vimentin, 30% for N-cadherin, 14% for thrombomodulin, 8% for calretinin, 2% for cytokeratin 5/6, and none for WT1. After analyzing the results, it is concluded that calretinin, cytokeratin 5/6, and WT1 are the best positive markers for differentiating epithelioid malignant mesothelioma from pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The best discriminators among the antibodies considered to be negative markers for mesothelioma are CEA, MOC-31, Ber-EP4, BG-8, and B72.3. A panel of four markers (two positive and two negative) selected based upon availability and which ones yield good staining results in a given laboratory is recommended. Because of their specificity and sensitivity for mesotheliomas, the best combination appears to be calretinin and cytokeratin 5/6 (or WT1) for the positive markers and CEA and MOC-31 (or B72.3, Ber-EP4, or BG-8) for the negative markers. An extensive and detailed review of the literature is also provided.
Open, randomized, phase II study of single-agent gemcitabine and docetaxel as first- and second-line treatment in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND Chemotherapy has been widely accepted as standard for palliation in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Gemcitabine and docetaxel are active as single agents. Our previous experience indicates that single-agent therapy, if given sequentially, could be an alternative to doublet combination chemotherapy and that sequence and schedule matter. PATIENTS AND METHODS Chemotherapy-naive patients with stage IIIB-IV non-small-cell lung cancer were randomized to receive first-line 3-weekly gemcitabine or docetaxel. At progression, patients received second-line therapy with the other agent. Treatment was considered feasible if 30% of the evaluable patients had > or = 2 cycles of first-line and 2 cycles of second-line therapy and patient survival was > or = 7 months from the start of treatment. For efficacy, time to progression, overall survival, response, and quality of life were analyzed. RESULTS Three hundred thirty patients received gemcitabine followed by docetaxel or docetaxel followed by gemcitabine. Treatment was feasible for 60 patients (38%) with gemcitabine followed by docetaxel and for 80 patients (49%) with docetaxel followed by gemcitabine; treatment favored docetaxel followed by gemcitabine (P = 0.03539). Median survival for gemcitabine followed by docetaxel and docetaxel followed by gemcitabine was 6.3 months and 8.6 months, and 1-year survival rate was 28% and 31%, respectively. Objective response rates were < or = 10% for both treatment strategies. Quality of life was significantly better in gemcitabine followed by docetaxel (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION Single-agent gemcitabine and docetaxel are feasible as defined for both sequences but treatment favors docetaxel followed by gemcitabine. Thus, it is reasonable to state that single-agent therapy given sequentially might be a candidate for palliation and therefore should be investigated in comparison with combination therapy.
The Development of Elasmobranch Fishes.

By the stage when the external gills have become conspicuous objects, the rudiments of the greater number of the important organs of the body are definitely established. Owing to this fact the first appearance of the external gills forms a very convenient break in the Elasmobranch development; and in the present section the history is carried on to the period of this occurrence. While the last chapter dealt for the most part with the formation of the main organic systems from the three embryonic layers, the present one has for its subject the gradual differentiation of these systems into individual organs. In treating of the development of the separate organs a divergence from the plan of the last chapter becomes necessary, and the following arrangement has been substituted for it. First of all an account is given of the development of the external epiblast, which is followed by a description of the organs derived from the mesoblast and of the notochord. The development of the head and whole nervous system will be dealt with in a succeeding chapter, and a separate chapter will be devoted both to the alimentary tract and the vascular system.
Elderly suicide rates: cross-national comparisons of trends over a 10-year period

ABSTRACT Background: Studies examining trends in elderly suicide rates over time reported a decline, an increase and no change. A cross-national study was undertaken to examine the current status of trends over time in elderly suicide rates because previous cross-national studies were well over a decade old. Methods: Trends in suicide rates for males and females in the age-bands 65–74 years and 75+ years over a 10-year period were examined using data from the World Health Organization website for all the listed countries. Results: The main findings were: (1) elderly suicide rates either declined or remained unchanged over the 10-year period in most countries; and, (2) suicide rates in both sexes in both the age-bands, over the 10-year period, declined in several European countries, and remained unchanged in several Central and South American countries, Eastern European countries and countries of the former Soviet Union. Conclusions: Potential explanations for regional and cross-national variations in trends over time in elderly suicide rates include cross-national differences in trends over time in the prevalence of mental illness in the elderly, socioeconomic factors, cultural factors, the availability of appropriate healthcare services, and public health initiatives to improve the detection and treatment of mental illness, mental health and suicide prevention.
The role of MNCs in developing best practices in HRM

The paper analyzes the role of contemporary multinational companies in the overall development of HRM field through investigating their role in developing best practices in HRM. Using the lens of four different strategies for managing employees in subsidiaries of multinational companies (manipulative, exportive, adaptive and integrative strategy), the paper considers the impact those strategies have on the way HR practices are being transferred and/or developed within a multinational company. Drawing upon results from a qualitative research, the paper discusses the processes and the scope of each strategy’s contribution to the development of best practices in HRM, and ultimately how multinational companies shape the overall HRM field.
Gender comparison of hip muscle activity during single-leg landing.

STUDY DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. OBJECTIVES To determine whether gender differences in electromyographic (EMG) activity of hip-stabilizing muscles are present during single-leg landing. BACKGROUND Numerous factors may explain the greater rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in female athletes. However, gender differences in hip muscle activity during dynamic events have not been well characterized. METHODS AND MEASURES Twenty-two Division I collegiate athletes (13 female, 9 male) performed drop landings from 30.5- and 45.8-cm heights. Surface EMG was used to examine relative muscle activity from 200 milliseconds prior to initial contact to 250 milliseconds postcontact. Peak and mean values for each muscle (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, rectus femoris) in each time epoch were analyzed using 2 x 2 (group by height) analyses of variance (ANOVAs) to determine significance. RESULTS Females demonstrated lower gluteus maximus peak (mean +/- SD, 69.5 +/- 30.2 versus 98.0 +/- 33.4 percent maximum voluntary contraction [%MVIC]; P= .019) and mean (mean +/- SD, 37.5 +/- 15.6 versus 53.9 +/- 18.0 %MVIC; P = .018) muscle activation during the postcontact phase of landing than males. Furthermore, females demonstrated greater peak rectus femoris activity during the precontact phase (mean +/- SD, 33.6 +/- 18.5 versus 18.7 +/- 8.2 %MVIC; P = .029). A positive effect of drop height on relative activity of all muscles was observed during both phases (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS Females utilize different muscular activation patterns compared to males (ie, decreased gluteus maximus and increased rectus femoris muscle activity) during landing maneuvers. Decreased hip muscle activity and increased quadriceps activity may be important contributors to the increased susceptibility of female athletes to noncontact ACL injuries.
Energy comparative analysis of MPPT techniques for PV system using interleaved soft-switching boost converter

The availability of solar energy varies widely with ambient temperature and different atmospheric conditions and hence the maximum power point (MPP) of photovoltaic system (PV) system is not stable. Therefore, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers are needed to operate the PV at its MPP. This work presents an evaluation of four different MPPT techniques for PV system such as perturb and observation (P&O), incremental conductance (INC), fuzzy logic controller (FLC), and genetic algorithm (GA). These MPPT techniques are implemented in an interleaved soft switching boosts converter (ISSBC) and performance comparison is made for these four MPPT algorithms in terms of parameters like global peak, tracking speed and power extraction. These algorithms are methodically investigated by means of simulation and a projected efficiency estimate method of experimentation. The simulation and hardware results show that GA algorithm is outperforming than the other algorithms.
On Phase Transitions to Cooperation in the Prisoner's Dilemma

Game theory formalizes certain interactions between physical particles or between living beings in biology, sociology, and economics and quantifies the outcomes by payoffs. The prisoner's dilemma (PD) describes situations in which it is profitable if everybody cooperates rather than defects (free rides or cheats), but as cooperation is risky and defection is tempting, the expected outcome is defection. Nevertheless, some biological and social mechanisms can support cooperation by effectively transforming the payoffs. Here, we study the related phase transitions, which can be of first order (discontinuous) or of second order (continuous), implying a variety of different routes to cooperation. After classifying the transitions into cases of equilibrium displacement, equilibrium selection, and equilibrium creation, we show that a transition to cooperation may take place even if the stationary states and the eigenvalues of the replicator equation for the PD stay unchanged. Our example is based on adaptive group pressure, which makes the payoffs dependent on the endogenous dynamics in the population. The resulting bistability can invert the expected outcome in favor of cooperation.
A novel dielectric resonator antenna with new mode and feeding structure

A rectangular dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) with TE<sup>x</sup>δ01 mode is proposed in this paper. Since the uniform field distribution over the main radiating aperture, it has about 6.68 dB gain at θ=0°. The designed antenna is fed at the upper side that has the potential to integrate with chip in millimeter-wave frequency band.
Rwanda’s Model Prehospital Emergency Care Service: A Two-year Review of Patient Demographics and Injury Patterns in Kigali

Abstract Introduction Injury is responsible for nearly five million annual deaths worldwide, and nearly 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Reliable clinical data detailing the epidemiology of injury are necessary for improved care delivery, but they are lacking in these regions. Methods A retrospective review of the Service d’Aide Medicale Urgente (SAMU; Kigali, Rwanda) prehospital database for patients with traumatic injury-related conditions from December 2012 through November 2014 was conducted. Chi-squared analysis, binomial probability test, and student’s t-test were used, where appropriate, to describe patient demographics, injury patterns, and temporal and geographic trends of injuries. Results In the two-year period, 3,357 patients were managed by SAMU for traumatic injuries. Males were 76.5% of the study population, and the median age of all injured patients was 29 years (IQR=23-35). The most common causes of injury were road traffic crashes (RTCs; 73.4%), stabbings/cuts (11.1%), and falls (9.4%), and the most common anatomic regions injured were the head (55.7%), lower (45.0%) extremities, and upper (27.0%) extremities. Almost one-fourth of injured patients suffered a fracture (24.9%). The most common mechanism of injury for adults was motorcycle-related RTCs (61.4%), whereas children were more commonly injured as pedestrians (59.8%). Centrally located sectors within Kigali represented common areas for RTCs. Conclusions These data support the call for focused injury prevention strategies, some of which already are underway in Rwanda. Further research on care processes and clinical outcomes for injured patients may help identify avenues for improved care delivery. EnumahS, ScottJW, MaineR, UwitonzeE, NyinawankusiJD, RivielloR, ByiringiroJC, KabagemaI, JayaramanS. Rwanda’s model prehospital emergency care service: a two-year review of patient demographics and injury patterns in Kigali. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(6):614–620.
The effect of the ret- mutation on the normal development of the central and parasympathetic nervous systems.

fig 1. c-rerexpresslon In transverse (A, B, E) and coronal (C, 0, F) CNS sections. (A) E13.5 mouse embryo. Spinal motor neurons (mns) and dorsal root ganglia j()"g) expressc-l8l1ransatpts. (B) Mesencephalic region of a neonate. Expression is detected In the vemral tegmental area (ViA) and the OOJIofooIt>'nucleus (III). ~q Caudal brain stem region 01a neona1e. Expression Is observed in the dorsal lTIOtor nucleus 01the vagus (dmnx),hypoglossal nucleus (XU), nucleus arnblguos (pm), spII1B.ltrigeminal nudeus (Soli); . retbJlar format'. on (rf) and A1JC1 8dreoer~ ceil groop. (0) Pontine region 01 a neonate. The locus C8fuleus (Ie), ladal (IIII), abducens (Vi)an~ mesencephalic tngttmlnal (MMV) nuclei express c-lBt. (E a.;d F) E12.5 and neonatal midbrain region respectlvety. c-rot staining IS observed in the VTAand substantia nigra (SN). alerent column, including the neural C~f.lt~erived mesencephaF:: trigeminaJ nucleus and the spinal trigeminal nucleus. c. ,et transcripts were also observed in the reticular formajon arid the main monoaminergic systems of the brain stem: serotonergic Md catecholaminergic (dopaminergic, noradrenergic and adrenergic). Among these systems, the highest levels of c-ret expression were detected ir.
Computation of tower surge impedance in transmission line

This paper deals with computation of transmission line tower surge impedance of a twin circuit 220kV transmission line using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The capacitance method was used, but two different ways of computing capacitance were investigated. Computation results were compared with experimental data and other numerical methods. It was shown that the capacitance computed by FEA provides a better estimation of the tower surge impedance than any other methods and also can accommodate complexities such as the presence of guy wires.
Tear meniscus measurement in the diagnosis of dry eye.

PURPOSE Assessment of the tear film meniscus is a quantitative, minimally invasive, direct measurement of tear film quantity. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of tear meniscus parameter measurement in the diagnosis of dry eye. METHODS Tear meniscus radius of curvature, height, width and cross-sectional area (TMC, TMH, TMW, XSA) were determined by photographing an optic section of the inferior tear meniscus (colored with a min volume of fluorescein) at 12 x magnification, and then scanning developed images into a computer analysis program. Fifteen dry eye subjects and 15 age-matched controls were assessed. Dry eye subjects satisfied the criteria of a rose bengal staining score >/= 1, and a mean phenol red thread 15s wetted length </= 10 mm. RESULTS TMC, TMH and XSA were all reduced in magnitude in the dry eye group compared to the control group (mean +/- SD; TMC: 0.314 +/- 0.160 mm vs. 0.545 +/- 0.259 mm, TMH: 0.244 +/- 0.089 mm vs. 0.461 +/- 00.173 mm, XSA: 0.0082 +/- 0.0048 mm2 vs. 0.0176 +/- 0.0103 mm2, ANOVA, p < 0.05). Both TMC and TMH showed good diagnostic accuracy (166.7% and 160% respectively), with a dry eye referent value of </=0.35 mm for each parameter. TMC and TMH also showed strong correlations with the cotton thread test, non-invasive breakup time, and ocular surface staining scores (p < 0.01). TMH was the most powerful predictor of tear film insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS This study has shown tear meniscus assessment to be a useful alternative to existing tests for dry eye.