Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generating Engagement Behaviors in Human-Robot Interaction

Based on a study of the engagement process between humans, I have developed models for four types of connection events involving gesture and speech: directed gaze, mutual facial gaze, adjacency pairs and backchannels. I have developed and validated a reusable Robot Operating System (ROS) module that supports engagement between a human and a humanoid robot by generating appropriate connection events. The module implements policies for adding gaze and pointing gestures to referring phrases (including deictic and anaphoric references), performing end-of-turn gazes, responding to human-initiated connection events and maintaining engagement. The module also provides an abstract interface for receiving information from a collaboration manager using the Behavior Markup Language (BML) and exchanges information with a previously developed engagement recognition module. This thesis also describes a Behavior Markup Language (BML) realizer that has been developed for use in robotic applications. Instead of the existing fixed-timing algorithms used with virtual agents, this realizer uses an event-driven architecture, based on Petri nets, to ensure each behavior is synchronized in the presence of unpredictable variability in robot motor systems. The implementation is robot independent, open-source and uses the Robot Operating System (ROS).
Novel spatiotemporal image reconstruction for high resolution PET imaging in neuroscience

Positron emission tomography is a widely used medical imaging modality, which provides 3-dimensional images about the spatial distribution of a positron emitting radionuclide that is intravenously injected into the human body. Several physiological processes can be monitored in vivo by tagging appropriate biological molecule with a positron emitting isotope. PET is typically applied on glucose metabolism studies for cancer diagnosis, blood flow imaging and a wide range of neuroscience applications. Useful quantitative information about several biochemical processes can be extracted by the acquired data, which are usually stored as a set of parallel projections. Quantification in emission tomography is a powerful means towards improved prognosis, differential diagnosis and therapeutic management. However, accurate quantification requires appropriate corrections to the measured projection data. In this chapter a brief overview of the fundamentals of PET imaging will be given, with respect to the underlying physics, data acquisition and organisation. In addition, a discription of the high resolution research tomograph, which was extensively used for the purposes of this thesis will also be given. Finally, basic corrections that are applied on the acquired projection data are also discussed. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the reader to the terminology and the concepts often used during data acquisition and storage, rather than presenting a comprehensive review of current methods.
The Moderating Role of Checks- and-Balances and Monitoring Mechanisms in the Degree of Strategic Aggressiveness - A Case Study of Chinese Listed Software and IT Services Industry

Due to several cases of bankruptcy caused by uncontrolled corporate expansion due to rapid economic development in China in recent years, this paper takes listed companies in China's software and IT service industry as a research sample from 2018-2021 and uses PROCESS V3.5 developed by [1] to explore the moderating effects of checks-and-balances and supervisory mechanisms on the degree of strategic aggressiveness. Among the check-and-balance mechanisms include the degree of separation of powers, the degree of equity checks-and-balances, the ratio of independent directors, and duality. Based on the empirical results, two conclusions of this paper are summarized: 1. The degree of separation of powers has a positive moderating effect on the degree of strategic activism and investment efficiency, especially when the degree of separation of powers is at a low to medium level. 2. When the general manager and the chairman of the board of directors are the same person, there is a negative moderating effect between the degree of strategic aggressiveness and investment efficiency. The higher the degree of strategic aggressiveness, the investment efficiency will be significantly reduced if the chairman and general manager are combined into one person. Based on the above research results, this paper puts forward corresponding suggestions for enterprises.
Optimized Sugar-Free Citrus Lemon Juice Fermentation Efficiency and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of the Fermented Juice

Aging and obesity make humans more prone to cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome diseases, leading to several serious health conditions, including hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, and sleep disturbance. This study aimed to explore the hypolipidemic effect of fermented citrus lemon juice using a hyperlipidemic hamster model. The sugar-free lemon juice’s fermentation was optimized, and the characteristics of fresh and fermented lemon juice (FLJ) were evaluated and compared, which contained polyphenols and superoxide dismutase-like activity. Results showed that the absorption and utilization efficiency of FLJ was higher compared with the unfermented lemon juice. This study’s prefermentation efficiency evaluation found that 21–30 days of bacterial DMS32004 and DMS32005 fermentation of fresh lemon juice provided the best fermentation benefits, and 21-day FLJ was applied as a remedy after the efficiency compassion. After six weeks of feeding, the total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) values in the blood and liver of the FLJ treatment groups were decreased compared with the high-fat diet (HFD) group. In addition, the blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly reduced in the FLJ treatment groups compared with the HFD group. In contrast, the blood high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) to LDL-C ratio increased considerably in the FLJ treatment groups, and the total to HDL ratio was significantly lower than in the HFD group. Compared with the HFD group, the TC content in the FLJ treatment groups’ feces increased significantly. This study demonstrated that the sugar-free fermentation method and fermentation cycle management provided FLJ with the potential to regulate blood lipids. Further research and verification will be carried out to isolate specific substances from the FLJ and identify their mechanisms of action.
Third-line treatment patterns in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: a retrospective analysis of real-world data in Canada

There is an increasing demand for real-world data pertaining to the usage of cancer treatments, especially in settings where no standard treatment is specifically recommended. This study presents the first real-world analysis of third-line treatment patterns in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients in Canada. The purpose was to assess evolution of clinical practice and identify unmet needs in post-second-line therapy. Retrospective data from medical records of 66 patients who received third-line treatment before 31st October 2018, and data from 56 patients who received third-line treatment after this date, extracted from the Personalize My Treatment (PMT) cancer patient registry, were analyzed. In the first cohort, the study revealed heterogeneity in the third-line setting, with trastuzumab, lapatinib, and T-DM1 being the main treatment options. Even though data were collected before the wide availability of tucatinib, neratinib and trastuzumab deruxtecan in Canada, the PMT cohort revealed the emergence of new therapeutic combinations and a shift from lapatinib usage to T-DM1 choice was observed. These findings underscore the evolving nature of third-line treatment strategies in Canada, a facet that is intrinsically tied to the availability of new drugs. The absence of a consensus on post-second-line treatment highlights the pressing need for more efficient therapeutic alternatives beyond the currently available options. This study not only offers valuable insights into the present landscape of third-line treatment in Canada but validates the significance and effectiveness of the PMT registry as a tool for generating pan-Canadian real-world evidence in oncology and its capacity to provide information on evolution of therapeutic practices.
Towards Efficient Multi-Channel Data Broadcast for Multimedia Streams

Multi-channel data broadcast attracts increasingly focus in recent years. For the complex and large multimedia data like images, audios, and videos etc, multi-channel data broadcast is a promising approach to mitigate various limitations of data dissemination in mobile environment, such as narrow bandwidth, unreliable connections, and battery limitation. However, existing data broadcast schemes are inefficient for employing multiple channels. In this paper, we present five novel multimedia data broadcast schemes (SDAA, ISDAA, LDAA, AEA, and COA) specifically designed for wireless multichannel communications. The key idea behind those schemes is to utilize SVC (Scalable Video Coding) to generate data segments with different qualities and implement indexing and channel assignment to minimize the expected waiting time for clients. In terms of waiting time minimization, we prove theoretically that SDAA is a $\tfrac{4}{3}$43-approximation algorithm and ISDAA is a $\tfrac{6}{5}$65-approximation algorithm for global allocation, and AEA can achieve locally optimal solution. We show that integrating SDAA and AEA form a best schedule for practical applications. We provide numerical experiments by using a SVC dataset and a YouTube dataset to evaluate the system performance and prove the efficiency of our schemes. We also propose a multiple video broadcast framework and analyze its performance.
On the origin, physical basis and numerical stability of creep life equations

ABSTRACT In this paper several aspects of single line minimum creep rate and time to rupture models are examined that have not been discussed previously in the literature – the origin and boundary condition behaviour of some models; and the existence and relevance (for industrial applications) of temperature turnback. It is found that some published time to rupture models will predict very finite times to rupture at zero stress and temperatures of industrial use of the alloys, and that temperature turnback is mathematically possible even with physics-based models, but unlike stress turnback, the conditions at which temperature turnback would occur are usually of no physical or industrial relevance.
Phenotypic plasticity of grain yield in oat and its association with agronomic and phenological traits

Oat production in Australia needs to expand into new, low rainfall regions to meet increasing domestic and international demand for both grain and hay. The objectives of this study were to (i) quantify and compare grain yield plasticity of oat entries in contrasting environments; (ii) relate yield plasticity with yield under favourable (90 th percentile) and stressful conditions (10 th percentile); (iii) study the associations between yield, agronomic and phenological traits. Variance ratio as a measure of yield plasticity was quantified for 29 entries in nine environments resulting from the combination of locations and seasons. Entries included advanced breeding lines, released varieties of grain, hay and grazing types which vary in yield, height, growth habit and maturity. Yield was affected by all three sources of variation: environment, genotype and their interaction (all P<0.0001). Yield plasticity ranged from 0.26 to 1.38 and correlated with 90 th percentile yield, ranging from 2.3 to 5.5 t ha -1 (R 2 =0.78; P<0.0001) and 10 th percentile yield, ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 t ha -1 (R 2 =0.30; P=0.0096). Residual analysis revealed that varieties with GS60 (anthesis) <1430 o Cd (base temperature = 0 C) were above average in both high and low yielding conditions. Grain varieties out yielded grazing and hay varieties. Plant height was significantly influenced by all the sources of variation (P<0.0001). Plasticity of height ranged from 0.43 to 1.64 and correlated with 90 th percentile (R 2 =0.57; P<0.0001). Average plant height across the environments ranged from 45 to 99 cm and non-linearly correlated with yield. Plasticity of plant height negatively correlated with yield plasticity.
HLA frequency distribution of the Portuguese bone marrow donor registry

Introduction The Portuguese donor Registry of CEDACE was the fifth largest per capita bone marrow donor Registry of the WMDA as of 2019 and has yet to be thoroughly analyzed. We aimed to characterize its various aspects, including demographics and HLA allele and haplotype frequencies, to evaluate the genetic matching propensity score and ultimately further develop it. Methods We described and compared characteristics of the donor population with census data and used an Expectation-Maximization algorithm and analyses of molecular variance to assess haplotype frequencies and establish phylogenetic distances between regions and districts within the country. Results We identified 396545 donors, corresponding to 3.85% of the Portuguese population; the median donor age was 39 years, with 60.4% of female donors. Most donors were Portuguese nationals, although 40 other nationalities were present, with a significant proportion of donors from Brazil and Portuguese-speaking African Countries; almost all donors self-reported as Western, with the second largest group reporting African ancestry. There was an asymmetric contribution of donors from different districts and regions, with most coming from coastal districts and few from the southern districts and autonomous regions; foreign and self-declared non-Western donors were mainly located in the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon and the South. Although most donors were typed in three loci (HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1), only 44% were also typed in HLA-C, 1.28% in HLA-DQB1 and only 0.77% in all five loci and in high-resolution. There were varying allele and haplotype frequencies across districts and regions, with the most common three loci, low-resolution haplotypes, being HLA-A*01~B*08~DRB1*03, A*29~B*44~DRB1*07 and HLA-A*02~B*44~DRB1*04; some haplotypes were more prevalent in the South, others in the North and a few in the autonomous regions; African and foreign donors presented relevant differences in haplotype frequency distributions, including rare haplotypes of potential interest. We also report on four loci, low-resolution frequency distributions. Using AMOVA, we compared genetic distances between districts and regions, which recapitulated the country's geography. Discussion Our analysis showed potential paths to optimization of the Registry, including increasing the male donor pool and focusing on underrepresented districts and particular populations of interest, such as donors from Portuguese-speaking African countries.
Development of the Ferry and Ro-Ro Industry in an Uncertain Environment

: Purpose: The prime objective of the article is to analyse and demonstrate the importance of ferry and ro-ro services as essential links in regional supply chains in the Baltic Sea Region. The detailed objective is to analyse the activities of the operators in selected markets in the face of the necessity to adapt to changing external drivers. Design/Methodology/Approach: To accomplish the objectives, the following research methods were used, literature review, desk research and in-depth analysis. The author conducted also in-depth interviews. Desk research and in-depth analysis were based on the data collected from the ShipPax Information and operators reports. The interviews were carried out with three shipowners, two of them are ferry companies, the latter operates ferries and pure roros. Findings: Research revealed lack of current publications on ferry and ro-ro business activity in the context of dynamic and changing factors influencing the ferry affecting operators during last four years. Practical Implications: The article emphasizes that there are so many factors that can potentially driver or derail the performance of the ferry industry, at the moment incertitude and caution are the two foremost considerations guiding the forecast. Economic reality will ultimately be the prime factor in the performance of the ferry and ro-ro industry. Current incertitude in the global economic outlook and all its discontents, such as inflation, oil prices and consumer good prices post a threat to the sector Originality/Value: The literature researching the ferry shipping is not extensive, it includes a relatively small number of scientific articles. Most of the research concerns the years before COVID-2019 pandemic which has become the first of negative factors. There are few current studies on the functioning of the ferry and ro-ro sectors, the activity of which for the last four years has been significantly impacted by changes that occurred in the external environment. The article fills the research gap in the ferry and ro-ro sector studies.
Impacto de diferentes métodos de poda da videira ‘Niágara Branca’ cultivada na região do Planalto Norte Catarinense

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de dois métodos de poda invernal nos índices produtivos e na qualidade da uva ‘Niágara Branca’ cultivada na região do Planalto Norte Catarinense. O experimento foi realizado nas safras 2019 e 2020, em vinhedo da variedade Niágara Branca, situado em Canoinhas, SC. Os tratamentos consistiram em dois diferentes sistemas de poda: poda curta, deixando-se esporões com duas gemas, e poda mista, deixando-se varas com quatro gemas e esporões contendo duas gemas para renovação no ano seguinte. Avaliou-se índices vegetativos, produtivos, arquitetura de cachos e maturação tecnológica. O método de poda apresenta influência nas características produtivas e qualitativas da videira ‘Niágara Branca’, sendo que a adoção da poda mista resulta em maior número de ramos planta-¹, maior número de cachos planta-1, maior massa de cacho-1, maior número de bagas cacho-1, o que consequentemente propicia incremento dos índices produtivos. Plantas submetidas a poda mista, produção média de 5,5 e 11,2 kg planta-1, nas safras 2018 e 2019, respectivamente, enquanto plantas submetidas à poda curta obtiveram produção média de 1,9 e 7,2 kg planta-1. Desta forma a poda mista é recomendada para a videira ‘Niágara Branca’ cultivada na região do Planalto Norte Catarinense, sem que ocorra comprometimento da qualidade da uva.
Interactions among vegetation, climate, and herbivory control greenhouse gas fluxes in a subarctic coastal wetland

High‐latitude ecosystems are experiencing the most rapid climate changes globally, and in many areas these changes are concurrent with shifts in patterns of herbivory. Individually, climate and herbivory are known to influence biosphere‐atmosphere greenhouse gas (GHG) exchange; however, the interactive effects of climate and herbivory in driving GHG fluxes have been poorly quantified, especially in coastal systems that support large populations of migratory waterfowl. We investigated the magnitude and the climatic and physical controls of GHG exchange within the Yukon‐Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska across four distinct vegetation communities formed by herbivory and local microtopography. Net CO2 flux was greatest in the ungrazed Carex meadow community (3.97 ± 0.58 [SE] µmol CO2 m−2 s−1), but CH4 flux was greatest in the grazed community (14.00 ± 6.56 nmol CH4 m−2 s−1). The grazed community is also the only vegetation type where CH4 was a larger contributor than CO2 to overall GHG forcing. We found that vegetation community was an important predictor of CO2 and CH4 exchange, demonstrating that variation in regional gas exchange is best explained when the effect of grazing, determined by the difference between grazed and ungrazed communities, is included. Further, we identified an interaction between temperature and vegetation community, indicating that grazed regions could experience the greatest increases in CH4 emissions with warming. These results suggest that future GHG fluxes could be influenced by both climate and by changes in herbivore population dynamics that expand or contract the vegetation community most responsive to future temperature change.
Analisis Asuhan Keperawatan Pada Pasien Chronic Kidney Disease Dengan Cardiorenal Syndrome di Ruang Intensif Care Unit

Penyakit ginjal dan jantung merupakan penyakit yang memiliki tingkat morbiditas dan mortalitas yang tinggi. Organ ginjal dan jantung memiliki faktor risiko vaskular yang sama dan saling terkait. Disfungsi pada satu organ tersebut akan mempengaruhi satu organ lainnya. Hubungan permasalahan dua organ disebut dengan Cardiorenal Syndrome (CRS). Penanganan intervensi kombinasi ginjal dan jantung membutuhkan analisis yang dalam. Studi kasus ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kasus Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) pada pasien dengan Cardiorenal Syndrome (CRS) di ruang Intensif Care Unit (ICU). Studi kasus ini menggunakan metode case report dengan single case yang dilakukan melalui rangkaian proses asuhan keperawatan berupa pengkajian, perumusan masalah keperawatan, intervensi, implementasi, dan evaluasi keperawatan. Studi kasus ini dilakukan dengan cara memberikan asuhan keperawatan pada pasien CKD di ruang ICU selama 5 hari. Masalah keperawatan utama pada pasien Cardiorenal Syndrome yaitu penurunan curah jantung berhubungan dengan preload dan kontraktilitas. Hasil evaluasi asuhan keperawatan selama 5 hari menunjukkan hemodinamika membaik, nadi perifer teraba agak kuat, takikardia menurun, edema menurun dari derajat 2 menjadi derajat 1, hemoglobin membaik, belum ada hasil pemeriksaan TTE (Transthoracic echocardiography) ulang, dan kesadaran pasien masih soporcoma E2M2Vett. Proses keperawatan yang tepat dapat berkontribusi terhadap perbaikan hemodinamika, penurunan derajat edema, serta perbaikan hemoglobin pasien Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) dengan Cardiorenal Syndrome (CRS).
Lean Six Sigma Studies in Türkiye: A Literature Review

The literature in the field of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is developing in Türkiye as well as over the world. However, theses and papers written in Turkish are waiting to be disseminated. This paper aims to investigate LSS in the Turkish context with the purpose of identifying the current state, gaining insight and exploring future directions. This paper implements the systematic literature review methodology to identify and review all relevant studies in Turkish literature. This paper covers the literature on LSS in Türkiye from 2004 to 2021. As a result, a total of 32 theses and 29 papers were investigated in detail. This paper not only focuses on years, sectors, areas etc. of the studies, but also analyses the contents of papers in relation to enterprise size, project prioritization, and quality tools used in DMAIC phases, and improvements after implementation in terms of descriptive and content analysis. The results show that, although there are many LSS implementations in Turkish context, they could not be shared with global academic area due to the national language usage. LSS implementations have an increasing trend in last years and highly focused on manufacturing sector and large companies. The lack of structured way of applying LSS, especially not using project prioritization and selection methodology takes attention. This paper shows the gaps and future directions in Türkiye for researchers and provides a groundwork to develop a roadmap for Turkish organizations.