nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Functioning free muscle transfer for the restoration of elbow flexion in brachial plexus injury patients.
Venue: Injury

Restoration of elbow function in traumatic brachial plexus injury patients remains the priority in the reconstruction of the involved extremity. In cases of complete nerve root injuries and in delayed cases, the only option for elbow reconstruction is the functional free muscle transfer. The purpose of this paper was to present the clinical outcomes and complications of functioning free muscle transfers using the gracilis muscle for the restoration of elbow flexion in brachial plexus injury patients in a tertiary institution from January 1, 2005 to  2014.  A retrospective review of all patients who had functioning free muscle transfers for elbow flexion was done with a minimum of 12 months follow up. Outcome measures were elbow flexion in terms of range of motion in degrees, muscle strength of the transferred muscle, VAS (visual analogue scale) for pain, postoperative DASH scores and complications of the procedure.  There were 39 males and three females. The average age at the time of surgery was 28.6 (SD, 8.5) years. The average delay to surgery was 16 months (range, 3 120 months) The flap success rate for viability was achieved in 38 of 42 patients. The average follow up for the 38 patients was 30 months (range, 12 103 months, SD 19 months) Success rate of at least M3/5 muscle strength was achieved in 37 of 42 patients with an average range of elbow flexion of 107deg (SD, 20.4deg) The average post operative VAS for pain was 3.6 (SD, 3.0) The average post operative DASH score was 43.09 (SD, 14.9) There were a total of 10 minor complications and five major complications.  Functioning free muscle transfer using the gracilis muscle was a reliable procedure in the restoration of elbow flexion in patients with incomplete brachial plexus injury treated beyond 6 months from the time of injury and in patients with complete injuries.
High prevalence of neuropathic pain in the hand of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury: a cross sectional study.
Venue: Arquivos de neuro psiquiatria

To describe the pain profile of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury.  We enrolled 65 patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. The Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire was used to classify pain and the SF 36 was used to evaluate quality of life.  The patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury were predominantly young male victims of motorcycle accidents. Pain was present in 75.4% of the individuals and 79% presented with neuropathic pain, mostly located in the hands (30.41% The use of auxiliary devices (p 0.05) and marital status (p 0.03) were both independent predictors of pain. Pain also impacted negatively on the quality of life (p 0.001)  Pain is frequent in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. Despite the peripheral nervous system injury, nociceptive pain is not unusual. Pain evaluation, including validated instruments, is essential to guide optimal clinical management of patients with the condition.
Internal Control System and Financial Performance in Non Governmental Organisations in Uganda: A Case Study of International Union for Conservation of Nature

The study set out to investigate the role of internal control system in the financial performance of non governmental organisations in Uganda. Specifically the study sought to establish the effect of control environment on the financial performance of International Union for Conservation of Nature, to investigate the effect of control activities on the financial performance of International Union for Conservation of Nature, and to examine the significance of monitoring on the financial performance of International Union for Conservation of Nature. The findings of the study revealed a significant relationship between control environment, control activities, monitoring, and financial performance. The study recommended that control environment, control activities, and monitoring should be enhanced in order to further improve the financial performance of International Union for Conservation of Nature. Additionally, performance standards should be established and communicated to employees of International Union for Conservation of Nature in a bid to improve financial performance.
Tourism and house prices in Italy

Evaluating the impact of tourism on housing prices is an important endeavor, but the usual empirical approach is to estimate a single regression model with house price as a function of tourism and other variables. This approach does not allow for individual heterogeneity. In this article, the authors apply a latent class model to estimate the impact of tourism activities on housing prices in Italy. In particular, they allow for three different unobservable classes or regimes, permitting the impact of tourism on house prices to differ across classes. In other words, they allow for unobservable heterogeneity. The empirical results do support the existence of three classes of house price regressions. Using two different indices of tourism activity, for certain cities (about 21 48% of the sample) increases in tourism activity increase housing prices and for other cities (8 17% increases in tourism activity decreases housing prices. For approximately half of the sample, increases in tourism activity have no impact on housing prices.
Design and characterisation of advanced pseudo ductile unidirectional thin ply carbon/epoxy glass/epoxy hybrid composites

A comprehensive set of thin ply pseudo ductile unidirectional interlayer hybrid composite materials comprising S glass and a variety of thin carbon prepregs was designed and characterised. Unique elastic yielding hardening type stress strain responses similar to those of ductile metals were achieved through fragmentation and stable pull out of the carbon layers, generating a range of initial moduli, pseudo yield strains, plateau stresses and pseudo ductile strains for the various configurations. The typical failure modes of thin ply hybrid composites were highlighted in four series of stress strain graphs obtained for the same materials with different carbon layer thicknesses. The predicted failure modes agreed well with the experimental results and demonstrated the merit of our two step design framework based on (i) simple analytical criteria and (ii) novel damage mode maps.
Policing Predictive Policing

Predictive policing is sweeping the nation, promising the holy grail of policing preventing crime before it happens. Police have embraced predictive analytics and data driven metrics to improve law enforcement tactics, practice, and strategy. Predictive "hot spots" become targets for intensive police surveillance. Targeted "hot people" become suspects. In big cities and small towns, data based predictions drive police patrol schedules. Risk assessment algorithms target suspicious individuals. Increased data collection fuels a growing feedback loop requiring more robust data crunching systems.All of these predictive innovations share one thing in common: a belief that crime can be understood by identifying and analyzing crime patterns and risk factors. The insight that risk can be isolated, analyzed, and forecast to deter criminal behavior has led to the creation of a new industry of predictive policing companies. Small start ups and huge technology corporations are contracting with cities to provide predictive services. New products designed to study crime, social media patterns, and other clues are in development. Federal grants are financing pilot projects. Cities are investing millions in unproven predictive software. And, at this particular moment in American history with a heightened awareness of racial disparity in the criminal justice system, predictive policing has been promoted as a data driven, race neutral, objective solution to the failed policing policies of the past. Predictive policing raises profound questions about the nature of predictive analytics and the attached article is the first sustained practical and theoretical critique of predictive policing. Questions of data collection, methodology, transparency, accountability, security, vision, and practical implementation emerge from this move toward actuarial justice. Building off a wealth of theoretical insights from scholars who have addressed the rise of risk assessment throughout the criminal justice system, this article provides an analytical framework to police not just predictive policing, but all future predictive technologies.
Gain scheduled composite nonlinear feedback control of an exothermic chemical reactor
Venue: 2016 European Control Conference (ECC)

This paper studies gain scheduled composite nonlinear feedback (CNF) control of a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) Inside the reactor, an exothermic chemical reaction occurs, which is commanded from high to low residual concentration. During the transition, the reaction dynamics change through stable unstable stable chain while the residual concentration decreases. Therefore, appropriate cooling is necessary to stabilize the reaction, and to prevent a thermal runaway and overheating of the CSTR. A full state gain scheduled CNF controller is designed for adjusting the coolant temperature of the CSTR. A traditional gain scheduled cascade controller and a gain scheduled model predictive controller (MPC) are also fabricated for comparison. The simulation results show that the closed loop system using CNF controller is able to offer the best tracking performance as measured by the integral of absolute error (IAE) criterion. In addition, the CNF controller needs fewer scheduled tuning parameters as opposed to the cascade structure.
Real time facial tracking in virtual reality
Venue: SIGGRAPH ASIA VR Showcase

Virtual reality (VR) emerges as the next social computing platform. For realizing immersive social interactions, projecting facial expressions onto the virtual avatar a crucial component. This is a challenge in VR as it requires capturing the facial motions behind the VR head mounted displays (HMDs) In this paper, we present a real time facial expression tracking system in VR HMDs. The core of the system is a 3D camera attached to the HMDs, capturing motions on the lower half of the face, which enables users to track and retarget their facial animations in real time onto CG avatars. The system is capable of capturing 20 facial expression parameters and transfer it onto the 3D character in real time.
Plataforma Middleware para la Gestion Datos de WSN de Manera Interoperable

En el presente trabajo se presenta una plataforma middleware para la gestion de datos obtenidos de redes de sensores inalambricos (WSN) como parte indisoluble de Internet de las Cosas, permitiendo la publicacion de resultados en formatos interoperables. El middleware se ha utilizado en varios casos de estudio, como la interaccion con la industria del Te y otros en comun con la intendencia municipal, facilitando la recoleccion de residuos, detectando a aquellos que ameriten ser recogidos, en la senda de proyectos convergentes con Smart Cities. La plataforma es una linea dentro del proyecto denominado "Diseno de arquitecturas de soporte a la Internet del futuro y Ambientes Inteligentes para su Aplicacion en Ciudades Inteligentes Fase II" de la Universidad Gaston Dachary.
Pre clinical evaluation of eight DOTA coupled gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRP R) ligands for in vivo targeting of receptor expressing tumors
Venue: EJNMMI Research

BackgroundOverexpression of the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRP R) has been documented in several human neoplasms such as breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer. There is growing interest in developing radiolabeled peptide based ligands toward these receptors for the purpose of in vivo imaging and radionuclide therapy of GRP R overexpressing tumors. A number of different peptide sequences, isotopes, and labeling methods have been proposed for this purpose. The aim of this work is to perform a direct side by side comparison of different GRP R binding peptides utilizing a single labeling strategy to identify the most suitable peptide sequence.MethodsSolid phase synthesis of eight derivatives (BN1 8) designed based on literature analysis was carried out. Peptides were coupled to the DOTA chelator through a PEG4 spacer at the N terminus. Derivatives were characterized for serum stability, binding affinity on PC 3 human prostate cancer cells, biodistribution in tumor bearing mice, and gamma camera imaging at 1, 6, and 24 h after injection.ResultsSerum stability was quite variable among the different compounds with half lives ranging from 16 to 400 min at 37 degC. All compounds tested showed Kd values in the nanomolar range with the exception of BN3 that showed no binding. Biodistribution and imaging studies carried out for compounds BN1, BN4, BN7, and BN8 showed targeting of the GRP R positive tumors and the pancreas. The BN8 compound (DOTA PEG DPhe Gln Trp Ala Val NMeGly His Sta Leu NH2) showed high affinity, the longest serum stability, and the highest target to background ratios in biodistribution and imaging experiments among the compounds tested.ConclusionsOur results indicate that the NMeGly for Gly substitution and the Sta Leu substitution at the C terminus confer high serum stability while maintaining high receptor affinity, resulting in biodistribution properties that outperform those of the other peptides.
Multi objective control chart design optimization using NSGA III and MOPSO enhanced with DEA and TOPSIS
Venue: Expert Syst. Appl.

We use NSGA III and MOPSO algorithms to solve a multi objective X bar control chart design problem.NSGA III and MOPSO are modified to handle a constrained multi objective problem with discrete and continuous variables.Four DEA models are proposed to reduce the number of Pareto optimal solutions to a manageable size.TOPSIS is used to prioritize the efficient optimal solutions.Several metrics are used to compare the performance of NSGA III and MOPSO algorithms. X bar control charts are widely used to monitor and control business and manufacturing processes. This study considers an X bar control chart design problem with multiple and often conflicting objectives, including the expected time the process remains in statistical control status, the type I error, and the detection power. An integrated multi objective algorithm is proposed for optimizing economical control chart design. We applied multi objective optimization methods founded on the reference points based non dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA III) and a multi objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm to efficiently solve the optimization problem. Then, two different multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) methods, including data envelopment analysis (DEA) and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) are used to reduce the number of Pareto optimal solutions to a manageable size. Four DEA methods compare the optimal solutions based on relative efficiency, and then the TOPSIS method ranks the efficient optimal solutions. Several metrics are used to compare the performance of the NSGA III and MOPSO algorithms. In addition, the DEA and TOPSIS methods are used to compare the performance of NSGA III and MOPSO. A well known case study is formulated and solved to demonstrate the applicability and exhibit the efficacy of the proposed optimization algorithm. In addition, several numerical examples are developed to compare the NSGA III and MOPSO algorithms. Results show that NSGA III performs better in generating efficient optimal solutions.
Taking critical ontology seriously: implications for political science methodology

To be 'critical' has become fashionable among social scientists in various disciplines. Only a few decades ago, the prefix 'critical' was almost automatically associated with Western Marxism and in particular the Frankfurt School. Today, the term critical is no longer limited to a single theoretical approach, but pertains to a vast range of approaches, including feminist, reflexive, postcolonial, postmodern or poststructuralist studies, and studies committed to a post positivist epistemology more generally. But what does critical social science actually mean? Which implications does critical research have for fundamental questions of ontology (the central premises on the constitutive elements that underpin social reality) epistemology (the assumptions about how knowledge about this reality can be produced) and methodology (how this knowledge is gathered and ordered) This chapter offers a primer on a few core dimensions of critical social science and its central premises. It discusses first what critical social science is not, and clarifies key differences between what is commonly referred to as 'mainstream' and 'critical' social science perspectives. It addresses the role of normative claims and identifies the emancipatory commitment inherent in critical approaches as a distinguishing feature. Drawing on critical realism as an illustration of a philosophy of science and as a critical ontology, the chapter then engages with meta theoretical questions about why critical perspectives privilege ontology over epistemology that is, why we need to accept that social reality is constituted by complex power relations that evolve from a constant dialectical interplay of structure and agency over time, and that these power relations are revealed in both ideational and material dimensions. To illustrate what a critical 'way of knowing' looks like, critical feminist perspectives in political science are highlighted as concrete examples. In the concluding part, we emphasize the core arguments for indeed taking critical ontology seriously, and outline avenues for further engagement and debate.
A Primer On Postmodernism

Thank you for reading a primer on postmodernism. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have search numerous times for their chosen books like this a primer on postmodernism, but end up in malicious downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they juggled with some malicious virus inside their desktop computer. a primer on postmodernism is available in our digital library an online access to it is set as public so you can get it instantly. Our books collection hosts in multiple countries, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Merely said, the a primer on postmodernism is universally compatible with any devices to read.
Handoff management scheme based on frame loss rate and RSSI prediction for IEEE 802.11 networks
Venue: 2016 International Symposium on Wireless Communication Systems (ISWCS)

This paper proposes a frame loss rate (FLR) and received signal strength indicator (RSSI) prediction based handoff management scheme to reduce the ping pong effect caused by the purely RSSI based handoff decision schemes in IEEE 802.11 networks. The proposed scheme is performed by each mobile station (MS) in a decentralized manner. In the proposed scheme, the FLR information is used as handoff trigger criterion. To perceive the change trends of wireless link thus reducing the target AP selection time, the proposed scheme adopts polynomial regression based RSSI prediction approach. The predicted RSSI together with FLR information is used for target access point (AP) selection. Moreover, we construct neighboring AP information list (NAIL) for MSs to store the above information. Therefore, the proposed scheme can also be called NAIL based handoff management scheme. The results indicate that the proposed scheme can effectively reduce the invalid handoffs and avoid the ping pong effect.
Ogretmen Adaylarinin Bilimsel Epistemolojik Inanclarinin Bazi Degiskenler Acisindan Incelenmesi: Matematik Ve Sosyal Bilgiler Ogretmenligi Ornegi

Bu calismada; ogretmen adaylarinin bilimsel epistemolojik inanclarinin cinsiyet, sinif, bolum ve fakulte degis kenlerine gore farklilasip farklilasmadiginin tespit edilmesi amaclanmistir. Survey yonteminin kullanildigi calismada veri toplama araci olarak Pomeroy (1993) tarafindan gelistirilen, Deryakulu ve Bikmaz tarafindan Turkceye uyarlanan Bilimsel Epistemolojik Inanclar olcegi kullanilmistir. Calismanin orneklemi, Dicle Universitesi Ziya Gokalp Egitim Fakultesinin ortaogretim matematik ogretmenligi ve ilkogretim sosyal bilgiler ogretmenligi ile matematik ogretmen ligi formasyon programinda ogrenim goren toplam 317 ogretmen adayindan olusmaktadir. Arastirmanin sonunda or neklemden elde edilen veriler nicel bir yaklasimla betimsel olarak analiz edilmistir. Yapilan analiz sonuclarina gore ogretmen adaylarinin geleneksel bilimsel anlayislarinin sinif, bolum ve fakulte acisindan anlamli duzeyde farklilastigi gorulmustur. Bolum degiskenine gore matematik ogretmeni adaylarinin, fakulte degiskenine gore fen fakultesi mezu nu ogretmen adaylarinin, sinif degiskenine gore birinci sinif ogretmen adaylarinin daha yuksek geleneksel epistemo lojik inanca sahip olduklari gorulmustur.
Adapting Agile in a Globally Distributed Software Development
Venue: 2016 49th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS)

This paper describes the journey of adapting Agile Scrum in a project, referred here as Global Configurator Project (GCP) where the project members are distributed across locations in Germany, India, and U. S. Here, we will be discussing about the practices like new taxonomy on scrum roles, scaling scrum with actually using Scrum of scrums and evolving cross functional multi skilled and self managed feature team from silos components teams. This paper also measures the impact of our practices on communication and collaboration at the project level. This paper will be useful for scrum masters, product owners, and project managers while adapting Scrum.
Agile project management methodology applied in non software development industry

Agile Project Management is a popular method within the Software Development area, and has been pointed as responsible to deliver faster projects where change is accepted and uncertainty managed. Nonetheless, the positive impact on communication where different areas must work together, collaborating and eliminating formal and heavy procedures .Although, those benefits are outstanding in the past years and other Industry sectors that are not software related, started to adopt and adapt the practices into their projects in order to have better results. This research proposes to explore trough qualitative analysis the effectiveness of the method and how metrics as budget, time and quality have been achieved. Additionally in what way communication have evolved within these teams and how physical environment can affect it. Professionals from different sector using Agile in their project, where a final deliverable is not a software, were involved in this investigation. From data collected generalisation and conclusions were developed based on statements and literature. There is an overall consensus that Agile it is effective in decreasing lead time on these projects, delivering high customer satisfaction, with minor deviations presented in the budget metric. Communication within team have presented positive improvements, followed by personal development. Investment on physical environment and team organisations played an important role in this outcome. The practices can also benefit non software sector, although some similarities in the nature of the project are needed such as release in slots, constant change, and flexibility in scope and most important is people mind set to embrace and make methodology succeed. Professionals must bear in mind that transition and implementation requires training, change management and especially high executive support in order to bring agility to all levels in the organisation for solid results.