Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mono-segment fixation method versus short-segment fixation methods, in treatment of mono-segmental lumbar tuberculosis; using titanium mesh cage with interbody fusion retrospective case-control study.

Background ： 1/3rd-2/3rd of the remaining vertebral height can hold and withstand the standard pedicle screws; some surgeons have adopted affected vertebral fixation to avoid the complications of both long and short segment fixation during surgical correction of lumbar tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to compare efficacy of mono-segment-fixation versus the short-segment fixation methods with the use of titanium mesh-cage (TMCs) and interbody fusion in the treatment of mono-segmental lumbar spinal TB via single stage posterior-only approach. Methods ： A retrospective review was done among 34 lumbar spinal TB patients. These patients underwent debridement, interbody fusion with (TMCs) by either Mono-segment fixation or short-segment fixation methods. Eighteen patients underwent mono-segment fixation method, group (A). While 16 patients underwent short-segment fixation method, group (B). Fusion, deformity correction, and decompression were done within the affected segment in group (A), while for group (B) fusion extended one level above and below the affected vertebrae . Operation time, intra-operative blood loss, degree of deformity correction and neurological functions were analyzed. Results: Comparing group (A) vs (B), average operation time in minutes (mins) for group A was 144.2±16.5, group B was 170.3 ± 25.0 (P=0.001). Average intraoperative blood loss in milliliter (mls) was 502.8±151.9 for group (A) and 742.5±143.2 for group (B) (p ˂0.05). The mean cobb’s angle between group A versus group B; preoperative was 23.8 ± 6.5 0 vs 22.2±9.2 0 (p=0.6), immediate post operatively was 8.0±3.5 0 vs 8.3±5.7 0 (p=0.847) and at final follow-up was 8.9±3.1 0 vs 9.2 ± 5.9 0 (p=0.866) respectively. Correction rate between group (A) vs group (B) was 15.7±3.8 0 vs 13.9±5.5 0 (p=0.285) and loss of correction was 1.2±0.7 0 vs 1.1±0.7 (p=0.817) respectively. No significant differences in neurological recovery between the two groups were founds. Conclusion: Under precise conditions: mono-segment fixation method, debridement, interbody fusion with TMCs, and posterior instrumentation can effectively reconstruct the spine, maintain stability and correct kyphosis deformity similar to short-segment fixation method. Also, it can relieve pain and improve neurological symptoms. When used in combination with anti-TB chemotherapy in the treatment of mono-segmental lumbar TB via a single-stage posterior-only approach.
Book review "Errors and Intelligence in Computer-Assisted Language Learning: Parsers and Pedagogues"

<p>Heift, T. & Schulze, M. (2007)<br />Errors and Intelligence in Computer-Assisted Language Learning: Parsers and Pedagogues<br />Series: Routledge Studies in Computer-Assisted Language Learning<br />New York: Routledge<br />ISBN: 978-0-415-36191-0 (304 pages)</p>
Qualitative and quantitative pedestrian research in NSW

The current pedestrian study has been designed to include a review of the existing literature, an observational study of pedestrian and driver behaviour and a survey of attitudes and self-reported behaviours regarding pedestrian safety. This survey is being undertaken on behalf of the RTA by AMR Interactive, and complements an earlier observational study. Previous qualitative research identified a range of issues relating to pedestrian safety, including the behaviour of drivers at pedestrian crossings, risk taking by both drivers and pedestrians, and a road system which is perceived to favour motorists. This current attitudinal research will enable us to further explore community attitudes and behaviours towards pedestrian safety, and to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to pedestrian crashes. This paper will outline the methodologies utilised in the pilot observational study and the attitudinal survey, and will discuss the preliminary findings that were available at the time of writing. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E216178.
Static and Dynamic Software Quality Metric Tools

The ability to detect and predict poor software quality is of major importance to software engineers, managers, and quality assurance organizations. Poor software quality leads to increased development costs and expensive maintenance. With so much attention on exacerbated budgetary constraints, a viable alternative is necessary. Software quality metrics are designed for this purpose. Metrics measure aspects of code or PDL representations, and can be collected and used throughout the life cycle [RAMC85].
Aplicabilidade da metodologia lean na organização dos serviços de saúde: uma revisão integrativa

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar os estudos científicos que descrevam a sistematização da aplicabilidade da metodologia Lean na organização de serviços de saúde. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de artigos publicados em português, inglês ou espanhol, disponíveis na íntegra nas bases PUBMED, CINAHL, EMBASE e LILACS, MEDLINE. Foram utilizados os descritores “Leanmethodology”; “Leanhealthcare”; “healthservice”; “organizations”; “administration” e palavras-chave com o booleano “AND” e “OR”, respectivamente, sendo selecionados e analisados nove estudos. A análise dos manuscritos selecionados possibilitou na elaboração de uma categoria: Aplicabilidade da metodologia Lean nos serviços/processos na saúde: objetivos e equipes de projeto de melhoria. Concluiu-se que a aplicação da metodologia Lean não oferece apenas um resultado específico, podendo ir além do que se deseja alcançar com os objetivos previamente e traçados, já que os serviços de saúde são organizados, criados ou reestruturados de forma padronizada, com um corpo de colaboradores capacitados, visando identificar e eliminar resíduos, desperdícios e evitar retrabalho.
Automated Code Review for Fault Injection

The software quality relies, among others, on security. In the smartcards domain assumed throughout this paper, the focus is on security. Smartcards are embedded systems that contain sensitive information. Code review is one of the most efficient evaluation techniques applied to smartcards. It is used for the examination of the smartcard source code in order to find security weak points. Since the code review is expensive, time-consuming and error-prone when done manually, we developed an application that is performing this process automatically. According to our knowledge, this automation of the code review process for smartcards is an innovative approach. In this study, we use our application to identify the smartcard software vulnerabilities in order to further exploit them using fault injection. Fault injection is one of the most common attacks against smartcards. The developed application was evaluated and validated based on a test-suite composed of smartcard programs. The test-suite is composed of 12 smartcard programs that are based on defensive programming patterns against fault injection attacks. We were able to identify 15 vulnerability types in the test-suite. The success rate of the identified vulnerabilities from the test programs varies between 30% and 100%. As a result, we believe that the application will be a significant factor in evaluating the smartcard software.
Mécanismes d'action d'un extrait protéique du lactosérum bovin sur les fonctions du neutrophile humain

Bovine whey proteins have positive effects for health in different pathologies. Moreover, studies have shown that these proteins can modulate the immune system by acting on lymphocytes and macrophages. Innate immunity is the principal arm of immunitary responses which play an essential role in host defence. Neutrophils, the key players of innate immunity, are the first cells that encounter pathogens in order to eliminate them. However the study of the impact of whey proteins on neutrophils is still in its infancy. In this work we investigated the effects and the mechanisms of action of a bovine whey protein extract (WPE) on human neutrophils. The effect of WPE was also evaluated in an in vivo study using TNBS induced colitis, an animal model with a high participation of neutrophils. WPE is a powerful priming agent for human neutrophils and increases their primary functions (oxidative burst, phagocytosis, degranulation, chemotaxis) in response to subsequent stimulation. WPE has retarded direct effects on neutrophils by stimulating a selective production of cytokines (IL-ip, IL-IRa, TNF-a, IL-6) and chemokines (IL-8, MlP-la, MIP-ip). We demonstrated that the amount of IL-IRa stimulated by WPE can abrogate up to 60% of the biologic activity of IL-1 p. The mechanisms through which WPE or its active compounds (P-LG, a-LA) prime and increase the production of certain mediators involve the translocation to the plasma membrane of the NADPH oxidase subunit p47 and the activation of p38and ERK1/ERK2MAPK and NF-kB pathways. Furthermore, P-LG induced cacium mobilisation via a Ga, protein coupled receptor present on human neutrophils. In vivo, WPE ameliorated TNBS-induced inflammation with efficacy ranging from 8 to 240 mg/kg/d. This work provided insight on the role and the mechanisms of action of bovine whey proteins on the innate immune system, and more specifically on neutrophils. The eventually ientification of a receptor for p-LG, could represent a potential therapeutic target to improve body defence capacity.
An Improvised Method for Process Synchronization using One Process Code and it’s Applications in Operating System

In the anatomy of Process Management [1] , which is the fundamental functionality of operating system, for the execution of any process some resources are to be required to accomplished the task. Now the resources shared and unshared in nature. For unshared resources there will be no overhead, processes must wait for that resource, if it will allocate to some other process and when some other process released that resource, then it will be allocate to this one. But when if the resources will come under the category of shared resource , now here we faced some overhead , each processes have similar right to accomplish that resource in similar manner , here many processes conflicts , now a one main challenges comes into existence , and we required to synchronize that processes with respect to these resources.So we have already some code for process synchronization [1] which ensures the two main fundamental objectivity of process synchronization [1] are preserves, that is Mutual Exclusion and Progress, but all code, which would developed previously that were write for two processes for process synchronization, which called “The two process code method for Process Synchronization” and it’s also applied on any two processes at a time but not homogeneous manner. A two separate code would write for any two processes at a time which ensure Mutual Exclusion and Progress, but here we do this by using only one code, which guarantee to synchronize any processes and also preserves or ensures the two main fundamental objectivity of Process Synchronization [1] which is Mutual Exclusion and Progress.
Quantifying the first flush phenomenon

Removing the first millimetres before rainwater is diverted to a store is a much-used method for ensuring high water quality in rainwater harvesting systems. Such first-flush systems rely on the initial rain to partly wash the roof before runoff water is allowed in the store. While there is almost universal acceptance that this is beneficial, there is no agreement on just how much water should be diverted or indeed whether the diversion should be based on volume, depth or rainfall intensity. This paper presents an analysis of first-flush based on theory used for calculating dirt loads in urban drainage. The first flush-phenomenon is found to match that theory, which results in the rule-of-thumb contamination is halved for each mm of rainfall flushed away.
Effect of a limited access to water on water consumption, feed intake and growth of fattening rabbits.

The aim of this trial was to study the effect of water restriction on feed intake for 336 rabbits from 32 to 62 days of age. Rabbits were housed in cages of 7 rabbits. There was 4 treatments (12 cages per treatment) which differed only by the time of access to water. In the control group, the rabbits were given water ad libitum, in the 3 other groups, the rabbits were given water during 1h30, 2h30 or 4h per day at the end of the light period (4 pm). Water consumption decreased respectively to 62%, 72% and 87% of the ad libitum level (201ml/day/rabbit). Feed intake decreased (P<0.0001) respectively to 78%, 83% and 87% of the ad libitum level (129g/day/rabbit). Thus, a limited access to drinking water allowed to reproduce feed restriction. From 62 to 69 days of age, all rabbits were given water ad libitum. At slaughter, only rabbits with limited access to water during 1h30 from 32 to 62 days were significantly lighter than the rabbits of the control group, the weight difference was of 135g (P=0.031).
A Bayesian approach to robust identification: application to fault detection

In the Control Engineering field, the so-called Robust Identification techniques deal with the problem of obtaining not only a nominal model of the plant, but also an estimate of the uncertainty associated to the nominal model. Such model of uncertainty is typically characterized as a region in the parameter space or as an uncertainty band around the frequency response of the nominal model. Uncertainty models have been widely used in the design of robust controllers and, recently, their use in model-based fault detection procedures is increasing. In this later case, consistency between new measurements and the uncertainty region is checked. When an inconsistency is found, the existence of a fault is decided. There exist two main approaches to the modeling of model uncertainty: the deterministic/worst case methods and the stochastic/probabilistic methods. At present, there are a number of different methods, e.g., model error modeling, set-membership identification and non-stationary stochastic embedding. In this dissertation we summarize the main procedures and illustrate their results by means of several examples of the literature. As contribution we propose a Bayesian methodology to solve the robust identification problem. The approach is highly unifying since many robust identification techniques can be interpreted as particular cases of the Bayesian framework. Also, the methodology can deal with non-linear structures such as the ones derived from the use of observers. The obtained Bayesian uncertainty models are used to detect faults in a quadruple-tank process and in a three-bladed wind turbine.
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)

Individual fish growth depends on internal populati on factors such as phenotypic variability as well as external factors such as past environmen tal conditions (temperature, food) and selective mortality (predation or fishing). In the anchovy, growth in the first year is key to population dynamics as it determines the potential energy allocated to reproduction as well as the capacity to occupy off-shore habitats. Further, in the recent past, the anchovy in the bay of Biscay has experienced collapse and recovery and th e role played by growth in this history is unknown. Since 2001 with the spring acoustic survey s ries PelGas, we have monitored individual fish growth by measuring in the otolith e increments between annual rings, in addition to age determination. These data now allow t analyse the growth patterns in the population as well as the effects of environmental p rameters and fishing on the apparent growth of individuals. We show that growth is relat d to a spatial pattern where smaller and lower growing individuals are more coastal than off -shore larger and faster growers. We evidence a temperature effect on the growth pattern where warm years are also those of faster growth. In contrast, fishing does not seem to affec t the apparent growth. We also account for the variability of growth between individuals, whic has stayed high throughout the series. The study implies a spatial substructure and segreg ation in this population where particular habitats could have played a fundamental role for t he recovery of the population after its collapse.
The Soundscape: Our Sonic Environment and the Tuning of the World

Schafer advocates soundscape study, or interdisciplinary research on the sonic environment that combines science, society, and the arts. Extensively quoting literature, he gives an historical overview of the changing soundscape, from a graceful state of nature to a heavily industrialised society filled with noise pollution. Explaining the notation and classification of sound, he gives exercises to develop sensitivity towards the acoustic ecology. Glossary. Bibl. 17 p. Index 5 p.
PRAGMA: A Partial-Reconfigurable Audio Platform

As the area of applications for Field Programmable Gate Arrays, or FPGAs, continues to expand, designers are searching for new methods to enhance the flexibility and efficiency of these devices. A technique called Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration is based on a principle of reconfiguring a small region of the FPGA, while the remainder of the device remains operational. This thesis will investigate the current status of the field of dynamic partial reconfiguration and select the most promising technique for implementation. A proof-of-concept system will be designed and implemented using the selected technique in order to clearly uncover the properties and possibilities of dynamic partial reconfiguration. The implemented system is an audio processor, capable of manipulating sound through the use of several filters. All filters can be replaced while the system remains functional by performing partial reconfiguration. As such, this system also provides a platform upon which new filters can be designed and tested. The MOLEN polymorphic processor is a processor architecture that supports the notion of partial reconfiguration. The technique for partial reconfiguration selected in this thesis will be tested for compatibility with the existing implementation of the MOLEN processor.
Performance Improvement of High Power High Efficiency AlGaN/GaN HEMT based on the Process Design of Experiment Approach

Ultimately, the transistor power performance parameters depend on initial epitaxial material characteristics, device geometry and process parameters. This work presents a systematic research based on the design of experiment (DoE) approach by using minimal number of wafers. Factors of the DoE were few crucial process steps and process flow sequence. Different ohmic contacts alloying ambience, variation of surface treatment before SiN passivation and different sequence of the SiN passivation step in the process flow were evaluated. The optimal process flow was realized on 3" wafers. Pout of 6 W/mm, PAE 70% and 15dB gain at Sband for 0.2 mm device was measured at 30 V VD that is good aligned with state-of-the art results [3].
Culture of porcine Vascular Wall - Mesenchymal Stem Cells on 3D biodegradable highly porous mineral doped Poly (α-hydroxy) acids scaffolds

Background Vascularization is a crucial factor when approaching any engineered tissue. Hybrid biomaterials composed of biodegradable synthetic polymers and inorganic materials showed suitable properties for biomedical application. Being Vascular Wall – Mesenchymal Stem Cells derived from pig thoracic aorta (pVW-MSCs) an excellent in vitro model to study vascular remodelling due to their strong angiogenic attitude, the aim of the present study was to demonstrate the angiogenic potential of experimental highly porous scaffolds based on polylactic acid (PLA) or poly-e-caprolactone (PCL) doped with calcium silicates (CaSi) and dicalcium phosphate dehydrated (DCPD), namely PLA-10CaSi-10DCPD and PCL-10CaSi-10DCPD. Results The results obtained clearly demonstrated that the cells colonized the scaffolds and were metabolically active. Moreover cells, grown in these 3D systems, showed the typical gene expression profile they have in control 2D culture, although with some main quantitative differences. DAPI staining and immunofluorescence assay confirmed cellular presence on both scaffolds, however pVW-MSCs cultured in PLA-10CaSi-10DCPD showed an individual cellular growth, in contrast, in PCL-10CaSi-10DCPD scaffolds pVW-MSCs grew in spherical clusters. Conclusion In conclusion, the property of the experimental scaffolds demonstrated the suitability of the scaffolds to be colonized by vascular stem cells for new vessels formation and a potential application in tissue regeneration for biomedical purpose.
Energy harvesting Wheel Speed Sensor

This thesis presents a prototype energy harvesting autonomous sensor, called the Autonomous Wheel Speed Sensor (AWSS), that is targeted for operation in the Electronic Braking System (EBS) of vehicles. In order to monitor the rotational state of a wheel, the EBS currently uses a passive Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) which is a variable reluctance electromagnetic transducer. In the existing EBS setup, one WSS is used per wheel, each of which is connected to the EBS system using extensive cabling. This project presents the first successful attempt at converting the WSS into an energy harvesting wireless wheel speed sensor or in other words an Autonomous Wheel Speed Sensor (AWSS), which provides information about the rotational state of the wheel to the EBS system over a wireless link. Unlike most wireless sensors which use batteries, the AWSS employs energy harvesting to power itself by simultaneously using the WSS electromagnetic transducer as an energy harvester as well as a sensor. By thus making an autonomous WSS, the amount of cables in the existing WSS assembly can be reduced, leading to savings in material, assembly and maintenance costs. The self-powered prototype AWSS successfully implements periodic wireless transmission of the wheel speed along with near real-time wheel lock detection, at a duty cycle of less than The AWSS has been built using readily available COTS components and uses a proprietary low-power standard for wireless communication. The prototype AWSS implemented in this project successfully demonstrates that the WSS is capable of being used as an energy harvesting transducer. In the experimental setup used in this project, the WSS yields harvestable power of for speed ranges of. This opens up the possibility of using the variable reluctance sensor setup to harvest energy from any rotational assembly and use this harvested energy to power autonomous sensors. This prototype system is intended for operation in AB Volvo vehicle applications and the project is a partnership between Chalmers University of Technology and Volvo Group Trucks Technology – Advanced Technology and Research, Goteborg, Sweden. Keywords: energy harvesting sensor, wheel speed sensor, variable reluctance sensor
The role of quality feedback for perceived service dependability

This contribution highlights the role of quality feedback for perceived service dependability and summarises some related work done within the workpackage WP.JRA. 6.1 (Quality of Service from the users' perspective and feedback mechanisms for quality control) of the European FP6 Network of Excellence EuroNGI (Next Generation Internet). Different types of feedback are classified and discussed. The presentation also points out need and directions for more research in this domain.