Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Health-related Internet Use in Germany

Summary Objective: An eHealth survey was conducted in a major Bavarian region in order to evaluate health-related Internet use in Germany. Methods: A specific questionnaire was developed by the authors to collect sociodemographic data as well as data on general and health-related Internet use. This questionnaire was distributed to patients visiting medical practices in the above mentioned Bavarian region. Results: Whereas many Internet users look for health-related information and products on the Internet, more advanced web-based techniques such as chat rooms and electronic patient records are hardly used. Conclusions: Although modern information technologies have the potential to enable citizens to handle their own health-related information in a self-determined and informed manner, at present the general population in Germany is hardly taking this opportunity.
Retrieval of ice cloud properties using an optimal estimation algorithm and MODIS infrared observations: 1. Forward model, error analysis, and information content

An optimal estimation (OE) retrieval method is developed to infer three ice cloud properties simultaneously: optical thickness (τ), effective radius (reff), and cloud top height (h). This method is based on a fast radiative transfer (RT) model and infrared (IR) observations from the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). This study conducts thorough error and information content analyses to understand the error propagation and performance of retrievals from various MODIS band combinations under different cloud/atmosphere states. Specifically, the algorithm takes into account four error sources: measurement uncertainty, fast RT model uncertainty, uncertainties in ancillary data sets (e.g., atmospheric state), and assumed ice crystal habit uncertainties. It is found that the ancillary and ice crystal habit error sources dominate the MODIS IR retrieval uncertainty and cannot be ignored. The information content analysis shows that for a given ice cloud, the use of four MODIS IR observations is sufficient to retrieve the three cloud properties. However, the selection of MODIS IR bands that provide the most information and their order of importance varies with both the ice cloud properties and the ambient atmospheric and the surface states. As a result, this study suggests the inclusion of all MODIS IR bands in practice since little a priori information is available.
Discounting with Imperfect Collateral: Non-cash Collateralized Derivatives Valuation and Collateral Optimization

Cash collateral is perfect in that it provides simultaneous counterparty credit risk protection and derivatives funding. Securities are imperfect collateral, because of collateral segregation or differences in CSA haircuts and repo haircuts. Moreover, the collateral rate term structure is not observable in the repo market, for derivatives netting sets are perpetual while repo tenors are typically in months. This article synthesizes these effects into a derivative financing rate that replaces the risk-free discount rate. A break-even repo formulae is employed to supply non-observable collateral rates, enabling collateral liquidity value adjustment (LVA) to be computed. A linear programming problem of maximizing LVA under liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) constraint is formulated as a core algorithm of collateral optimization. Numerical examples show that LVA could be sizable for long average duration, deep in or out of the money swap portfolios.
Detection of sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia causing abnormalities in thin smear of human blood sample using image processing

About 3.2 million people suffer from sickle-cell disease. Aim of this paper is to detect sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia. The proposed method involves acquisition of the thin blood smear microscopic images, pre-processing by applying median filter, segmentation of overlapping erythrocytes using marker-controlled watershed segmentation, applying morphological operations to enhance the image, extraction of features such as metric value, aspect ratio, radial signature and its variance, and finally training the K-nearest neighbor classifier to test the images. The algorithm processes the infected cells increasing the speed, effectiveness and efficiency of training and testing. The K-Nearest Neighbour classifier is trained with 100 images to detect three different types of distorted erythrocytes namely sickle cells, dacrocytes and elliptocytes responsible for sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia with an accuracy of 80.6% and sensitivity of 87.6%.
Comparison of multi-phase SAB converters vs. multi-phase SRC converters

This paper presents a novel comparative study of two multi-phase medium-frequency (MF) dc-dc converters: a single-active-bridge (SAB) and series-resonant-converter (SRC). Moreover, a new parametric model of SAB converters is developed, where the number of phases is a parameter within the expressions. The analytical comparison is verified with simulation and experimental results, using PLECS software and a 10kW/20kHz/500V laboratory prototype.
Logit Analysis for Predicting the Bankruptcy of Albanian Retail Firms

The logit analysis is one of the more recent and advanced techniques, used in social sciences to model discrete results. The basis of this analysis is the theory of discrete choice. This theory has to do with the sense of discrete behavioral responses of individuals' actions and market economy the government when faced with two or more results. First, we have analyzed the theoretical and practical characteristics of the logit model and its application in various economic fields. Second, we have examined a sample of 30 retail firms who are active in the period 2010-2012 – 30 companies had had their shares permanently suspended or delisted because of a default. According to the characteristics of commercial businesses, in our study are taken into account many financial ratios, to be representative of the financial situation of these businesses. In this study, we concluded that from the 22 financial ratios taken in consideration only 8 are statistically important. As in many other studies carried out previously for the phenomenon of bankruptcy prediction was confirmed that the financial statements received from the financial statements of businesses serve to forecast this phenomenon. Logit analysis recorded an improvement in the reliability and accuracy of forecasting the phenomenon of bankruptcy compared with multivariate discriminatory analysis. Logit analysis is more reliable because it requires the assumption of normal distribution of variables, which is one of the basic assumptions of the multivariate discriminatory analysis. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2016. v5n3s1p137
Chasers of the Lost Data: Turning content management systems into gaming platforms

This paper briefly presents our Information Retrieval and Indexing System (IRIS), and how it adapts to support game engine components. We describe a conceptual game, Chasers of the Lost Data, to demonstrate how pervasive games elements interact with content and user context detection, enabling a broad range of game applications. The presented game combines physical, sensorial and contextual information with personal content and inject this information into the game world in forms of game chases. This game allows personal content of players to be enhanced by new sets of metadata from different point of views (other players). This result in an improved content management, search and recommendation system while being more resonant fun experiences for the users.
Efficacy of Iron-Fortified Ultra Rice in Improving the Iron Status of Women in Mexico

Background Universal fortification of staple foods with iron has been widely promoted as a cost-effective strategy to reduce iron deficiency in developing-country populations. Nonetheless, relatively few efficacy trials have been reported to date to demonstrate impact on iron status. The Ultra Rice technology provides a means of delivering fortificant iron via rice. Objective The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of rice fortified with microencapsulated, micronized iron pyrophosphate to improve the iron status of women in Mexico in a randomized, controlled intervention trial. Methods Nonpregnant, nonlactating women 18 to 49 years of age were recruited from six factories. The women received a daily portion of cooked rice 5 days per week for a period of 6 months, before and after which iron status indicators were determined in venous blood samples. Results The average intake of iron from the fortificant was 13 mg/day. Mean plasma ferritin concentration and estimated body iron stores were significantly higher, and transferrin receptors were lower, in the iron-fortified rice group following the intervention. Mean hemoglobin concentration also increased in the treatment group, but the increase was significant only when the analysis was restricted to those with baseline hemoglobin < 12.8 g/dL. The absolute reduction in anemia and iron deficiency was 10.3 and 15.1 percentage points, respectively. Total iron intake from fortificant was a significant covariate of change in body iron stores. The overall prevalence of anemia was reduced by 80%. Conclusions Fortification of rice with iron using this technology is an efficacious strategy for preventing iron deficiency.
Comparison of Pulmonary Inflammatory Mediators in Preterm Infants Treated with Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation or High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation 1

Ventilated preterm infants prone to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia have been shown to have increased inflammatory mediators in their tracheal aspirates. High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is thought to be less traumatic than intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) in premature infants with surfactant deficiency, and therefore may reduce the inflammatory response in tracheobronchial aspirates. We randomized 76 premature infants requiring mechanical ventilation (birth weight 420-1830 g, median 840 g, gestational age 23 3/7 to 29 2/7 wk, median 26 4/7 to receive either an IPPV with a high rate (60-80/min) and low peak pressures, or an HFOV aiming at an optimization of lung volume, within 1 h of intubation. Tracheal aspirates were systematically collected during the first 10 d of life and analyzed for albumin, IL-8, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and the secretory component (SC) for IgA as a reference protein. Bacterially colonized samples were excluded. On the treatment d 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10, the resulting median values of albumin (milligrams/mg of SC) were 28, 23, 24, 18, and 10, in IPPV-ventilated infants, and 33, 28, 18, 25, and 39 in HFOV-ventilated infants, respectively. Median IL-8 values (nanograms/mg of SC) were 671, 736, 705, 1362, and 1879 (IPPV) and 874, 1713, 1029, 1426, and 1823 (HFOV), respectively, and median LTB4 values (nanograms/mg of SC) were 26, 13, 27, 22, and 11 (IPPV) and 15, 12, 7, 12, and 16 (HFOV), respectively. Values were similar in IPPV- and HFOV-ventilated infants, and no significant differences were noted. We conclude that HFOV, when compared with a high rate low pressure IPPV, does not reduce concentrations of albumin, IL-8, and LTB4 in tracheal aspirates of preterm infants requiring mechanical ventilation.
Linking R&D and Marketing for Innovation: A Literature Review

There is no doubt that innovation takes creativity and vision. But is this sufficient for commercial success? Can the vision of a handful of technologists be clear enough to produce products that will appeal to millions? In most cases this is a difficult proposition. And as products become more sophisticated, greater demands are put on those involved in product development. The technical skills required to produce most products today requires a high degree of specialization. This can leave R&D personnel disconnected from customers. The solution is to create a stronger link between R&D and marketing. There are, however, numerous barriers to creating this strong link. These can include, but are not limited to, organizational difficulties and cultural differences. In the case of new product development this can be detrimental, limiting the innovativeness of the company. Therefore, it is proposed that the innovativeness as well as the commercial success of products depends on the strength of the linkage between R&D and marketing. This paper explores the existing literature to validate this statement, explain the difficulties with integrating R&D and marketing, and presents methods for improving the relationship
The Dilemma of Phage Taxonomy Illustrated by Comparative Genomics of Sfi21-Like Siphoviridae in Lactic Acid Bacteria

ABSTRACT The complete genome sequences of two dairy phages, Streptococcus thermophilus phage 7201 and Lactobacillus casei phage A2, are reported. Comparative genomics reveals that both phages are members of the recently proposed Sfi21-like genus of Siphoviridae, a widely distributed phage type in low-GC-content gram-positive bacteria. Graded relatedness, the hallmark of evolving biological systems, was observed when different Sfi21-like phages were compared. Across the structural module, the graded relatedness was represented by a high level of DNA sequence similarity or protein sequence similarity, or a shared gene map in the absence of sequence relatedness. This varying range of relatedness was found within Sfi21-like phages from a single species as demonstrated by the different prophages harbored by Lactococcus lactis strain IL1403. A systematic dot plot analysis with 11 complete L. lactis phage genome sequences revealed a clear separation of all temperate phages from two classes of virulent phages. The temperate lactococcal phages share DNA sequence homology in a patchwise fashion over the nonstructural gene cluster. With respect to structural genes, four DNA homology groups could be defined within temperate L. lactis phages. Closely related structural modules for all four DNA homology groups were detected in phages from Streptococcus or Listeria, suggesting that they represent distinct evolutionary lineages that have not uniquely evolved in L. lactis. It seems reasonable to base phage taxonomy on data from comparative genomics. However, the peculiar modular nature of phage evolution creates ambiguities in the definition of phage taxa by comparative genomics. For example, depending on the module on which the classification is based, temperate lactococcal phages can be classified as a single phage species, as four distinct phage species, or as two if not three different phage genera. We propose to base phage taxonomy on comparative genomics of a single structural gene module (head or tail genes). This partially phylogeny-based taxonomical system still mirrors some aspects of the current International Committee on Taxonomy in Virology classification system. In this system the currently sequenced lactococcal phages would be grouped into five genera: c2-, sk1, Sfi11-, r1t-, and Sfi21-like phages.
Effects of hypoproteinemia and increased vascular pressure on lung fluid balance in sheep.

We compared the effects of a sustained decrease in plasma oncotic pressure on lung fluid balance with those of an increase in vascular pressure in six unanesthetized sheep. Initial plasma protein concentration of 58.0 +/- 2.2 (SE) mg/ml was quickly reduced to 34.0 +/- 1.4 mg/ml via plasmapheresis and held at this value for 24 h. Red cells were returned with lactated Ringer solution infused at a rate adjusted to maintain central venous pressure; cardiac output and pulmonary vascular pressures also remained at base line. Steady-state lymph flows increased from a base-line value of 8.8 +/- 3.2 to 20.1 +/- 5.6 ml/h, while the lymph-to-plasma protein concentration ratio ( [L/P] ) decreased from 0.65 +/- 0.03 to 0.44 +/- 0.04. Decreased lymph protein resulted in reestablishment of base-line plasma-to-lymph oncotic gradient. The increased lymph flow was not the result of increased filtration forces, since all vascular pressures and the oncotic gradient were unchanged; nor was it due entirely to increased surface area since [L/P] was decreased. The decrease in plasma oncotic pressure, delta pi P, was twice as effective at increasing lymph flow (1.66 ml X h-1 X mmHg-1, delta pi P) as an equivalent increase in microvascular pressure, delta PC, at normal plasma protein concentration (0.82 ml X h-1 X mmHg-1, delta PC). Elevation of microvascular pressure during hypoproteinemia had a greater effect on lymph flow (1.44 ml X h-1 X mmHg-1, delta PC) than at normal plasma protein concentration. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Logical model design of database for integrating R-tree and levels of detail

R-tree is very significant for spatial database. Moreover, levels of detail(LOD) is an important feature of 3D scene. This paper puts forward a logical model method for Integration of R-tree and LOD, which can efficiently realize the query function for LOD model and spatial objects. A database physical scheme is also designed to store R-tree and LOD. In the model, R-tree is extended into 3D space. This method can greatly improve performance of 3d visualization and management, which will be of great benefit to the practice of 3D GIS.
The Impact of Nonphysician Clinicians

Health care is changing rapidly. Unacceptable variations in service access and quality of health care and pressures to contain costs have led to the redefinition of professional roles. The roles of nonphysician clinicians (nurses, physician assistants, and pharmacists) have been extended to the medical domain. It is expected that such revision of roles will improve health care effectiveness and efficiency. The evidence suggests that nonphysician clinicians working as substitutes or supplements for physicians in defined areas of care can maintain and often improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients. The effect on health care costs is mixed, with savings dependent on the context of care and specific nature of role revision. The evidence base underpinning these conclusions is strongest for nurses with a marked paucity of research into pharmacists and physician assistants. More robust evaluative studies into role revision are needed, particularly with regard to economic impacts, before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
Subharmonics determination method based on binary successive approximation feed forward artificial neural network: a preliminary study

A feedforward artificial neural network has been realized and trained to individualize subharmonics frequencies in an electric network. The adopted sampling window is fixed in 20 ms correspondent to a period of the fundamental frequency of 50 Hz, nevertheless the net is able to identify the subharmonics frequencies even if their period is not completed. The particular binary successive approximation structure realized for the ANN forecasts the scalability of the same net so allowing to recognize the subharmonics with a prefixed resolution. The net has been widely tested on synthesized signals.
A critical analysis of the new politics of fuel poverty in England

A household is fuel poor when it is unable to afford the level of energy services required to allow its members to live a decent life. From 2010 to 2015, the UK government transformed the politics of fuel poverty, with a new definition (‘Low income, high costs’ or LIHC), indicators and targets. Using a subjectivity framework to analyse the government documentation around LIHC, I find that: a distinction between poverty and fuel poverty is reinforced by the new politics, resulting in energy efficiency measures being prioritised as the appropriate solution. The austerity maxim of ‘helping those most in need’ is threaded through this new politics, belying an acceptance that not all fuel poverty can be alleviated. Further, LIHC underplays the role of changing energy costs, which now have no impact on the headline indicator. I argue that this new politics is symbolic, and unlikely to have positive impacts for most fuel poor households.
Application of FEM-BIE for scattering from dielectric objects buried under a rough surface

This paper presents a hybrid method combining the finite element method (FEM) with the boundary integral equation (BIE) for two dimensional (2D) scattering from dielectric objects buried under the rough surface. In the hybrid method, one boundary integral equation is adopt to depict the scattering above the rough surface on the basis of Green's function. Based on the domain decomposition technique, the computational region below the rough ground is divided into multiple isolated interior regions containing each object and the exterior region. Finite element formulations are only applied inside interior regions to derive a set of linear systems, and another boundary integral formula is developed below the rough surface which also act as the boundary constraints of the FEM regions. Compared with traditional FEM based on perfectly matched layer (PML), the hybrid technique presented here is highly efficient in terms of computational memory, time, and versatility.
Impact of Ménière's Disease on Quality of Life

Objective To describe health-related quality of life among patients with Ménière's disease in whom conventional therapy failed and who requested further medical intervention. Study Design Pretreatment interviews to establish baseline quality of life characteristics before medical intervention. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients 19 adult patients, 12 women and 7 men, whose ages ranged from 32 to 83 years. Interventions Pretreatment baseline interviews. Main Outcome Measures Quality of Well-being Scale, SF-12 Physical and SF-12 Mental scores, Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale. Results The Quality of Well-being score (0.561) indicated a loss of well-being from 1 to 0.561 = 43.9% in patients with Ménière's disease as compared with people with no symptoms and full functional status. The hypothesis that Quality of Well-being scores on days on which patients had symptoms characteristic of acute Ménière's disease episodes were lower than Quality of Well-being scores on days on which they did not report such symptoms was supported (p = 0.000). The reported SF-12 Physical mean score (38.9) was greater than 1 standard deviation below the general mean of 50, and the SF-12 Mental score (44.2) was 0.5 standard deviation below the general mean of 50. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale score was 23, with a score 16 or greater indicating clinically significant depression. Conclusions The results suggest that the condition of patients with Ménière's disease may be measured by these instruments, that the instruments are in substantial agreement about the serious impairment in patients' quality of life, and that the days with acute episodes of Ménière's disease symptoms are significantly worse than the days without such symptoms. Treating physicians indicated surprise at the breadth and the level of debilitation characteristic of these patients with Ménière's disease.