Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of louse-borne relapsing fever in Ethiopian children and adults

Abstract Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is endemic in Ethiopia. The epidemiological and clinical aspects of LBRF and the differences between the infection in children and that in adults were investigated in a rural hospital in Ethiopia. During the 5-year study (1997-2002), 197 patients had a confirmed diagnosis of LBRF. Most (62.1%) of the cases were children under 15 years of age. The adult cases (i.e. those aged ≥15 years) were far more likely to present with headache (76.9% v. 40%; P <0.001), musculo-skeletal pains (61.5% v. 30.5%; P <0.001), dizziness (64% v. 39%; P =0.002) and bleeding (16.9% v. 3.8%; P =0.005) than the paediatric. The overall level of case fatality was 6.4%. Death appeared to be significantly associated with adulthood (P =0.01), delay in consultation (P =0.026) and the presence of vomiting (P =0.023). LBRF is clearly still a public-health problem in Ethiopia, where the clinical manifestations of the disease differ according to the age of the case.
Closed Geodesics on Certain Surfaces of Revolution

Abstract. Recently I. Mladenov and J. Oprea have investigated a number of surfaces of revolution, and in particular, developed numerical shooting methods to investigate geodesics on those surfaces, which in turn led them to raise some questions concerning closed geodesics on those surfaces. Here we develop explicit formulae, usually in terms of elliptic integrals, that permit us to answer the questions. The computations are based of course on the classical Clairaut’s formulae, and a major point is to demonstrate that explicit computations can be made. A closed geodesic on a surface of revolution oscillates q times across the equator of the surface, while winding p times around the axis of rotation. Call the pair (p, q) the type of the geodesic. In particular, the permitted types are explicitly determined for the investigated surfaces.
Elastic properties and microstructure of LPCVD polysilicon films

This paper investigates the influence of film thickness, high-temperature annealing and doping by ion implantation on Young's modulus and the residual stress of LPCVD polysilicon. Films with thicknesses between 100 nm and 800 nm were deposited at with a pressure of 100 mTorr. For annealing investigations, films were annealed in a nitrogen atmosphere for 2 hours at temperatures between 600 and . The implantation doses of boron and phosphorus varied between and . This corresponds to a doping concentration of and . Young's modulus and the residual stress were determined by load-deflection measurements with suspended membranes and by the use of ultrasonic surface waves. The microstructure of the film and grain size was studied by TEM analyses and texture variations were investigated by x-ray deflection. Although Young's modulus was found to be very stable, it showed a small dependence on film thickness and annealing temperature. It varied between 151 GPa and 166 GPa. The residual stress could be strongly influenced by film thickness (-420 MPa to -295 MPa), annealing temperature (-350 MPa to -20 MPa) and ion implantation (-560 MPa to +30 MPa). The as-deposited film always showed compressive stress, a pronounced texture and a grain size of around 55 nm. Strong correlations between the variations of the elastic properties and the variations in the film thickness, annealing temperature, grain size, mass density and refractive index were found. These correlations and the observed microstructure are used to develop a model for the origin of the compressive stress and for the mechanism of stress variation. A theoretical value for Young's modulus of textured polySi was calculated and corresponds well with the measured values.
Replicated Softmax: an Undirected Topic Model

We introduce a two-layer undirected graphical model, called a "Replicated Softmax", that can be used to model and automatically extract low-dimensional latent semantic representations from a large unstructured collection of documents. We present efficient learning and inference algorithms for this model, and show how a Monte-Carlo based method, Annealed Importance Sampling, can be used to produce an accurate estimate of the log-probability the model assigns to test data. This allows us to demonstrate that the proposed model is able to generalize much better compared to Latent Dirichlet Allocation in terms of both the log-probability of held-out documents and the retrieval accuracy.
An evaluation of inter-vehicle ad hoc networks based on realistic vehicular traces

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) using WLAN tech-nology have recently received considerable attention. The evaluation of VANET routing protocols often involves simulators since management and operation of a large number of real vehicular nodes is expensive. We study the behavior of routing protocols in VANETs by using mobility information obtained from a microscopic vehicular traffic simulator that is based on the on the real road maps of Switzerland. The performance of AODV and GPSR is significantly in uenced by the choice of mobility model, and we observe a significantly reduced packet delivery ratio when employing the realistic traffic simulator to control mobility of nodes. To address the performance limitations of communication pro-tocols in VANETs, we investigate two improvements that increase the packet delivery ratio and reduce the delay until the first packet arrives. The traces used in this study are available for public download.
Pretreatments and enzymatic hydrolysis of grass straws for ethanol production in the Pacific Northwest U.S.

Increasing energy demand and rising petroleum prices necessitate development of alternative energy resources. Bioethanol, an important renewable transportation fuel, has been considered as one of the most promising alternatives to petroleum. The grass seed production industry in the Pacific Northwest produces about 2 Mt per year of grass straw as a coproduct. Various species of grasses, with yields of up to 5 tons per acre and containing up to 35% cellulose, are potential feedstocks for ethanol production. Three common grass seed crops, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) and bentgrass (Agrostis sp.), were investigated as feedstocks for ethanol production. Composition analysis was performed using standard NREL laboratory analytical procedures. The grasses were pretreated at 10% solid loading at 180°C for 15 min using hot water, dilute acid, or dilute alkali. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of untreated and pretreated grasses were used to visually analyze structural changes in the biomass after pretreatment. Both untreated and pretreated grass straw was enzymatically hydrolyzed at 50°C for 120 h. All pretreatments were effective in increasing enzymatic digestibility of pretreated straw compared to untreated samples. For all experimental conditions investigated, most of the hydrolysis (>80%) was completed in the first 48 h. No single pretreatment gave the maximum hydrolysis yield for all grasses. Potential maximum ethanol yields for tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and bentgrass were 360, 297, and 276 L ton-1 of biomass, respectively.
Local vs global energy minimization methods: Application to stereo matching

Energy minimization is often the key point of solving problems in computer vision. For decades, many methods have been proposed (deterministic, stochastic,…). Some can only reach local minimum and others strong local minimum close to the optimal solution (global minimum). Since beginning of 21th century, minimization based on Graph theory have been generalized to find global minimum of multi-labeling problems. In this work, we study deterministic local minimization methods (Iterative Conditional Modes and Direct Descent Energy), and a stochastic global minimization with an improved Simulated Annealing algorithm. A new approach formulation to help local minimization to converge to a minimum closed to the global one is proposed. This method combines local and global energy constraints in an multiresolution way. We focus on stereo matching application. The improved Simulated Annealing proved to reach global minimum as good as Graph based minimization methods. Promising results of proposed local minimization methods are obtained on Middlebury Stereo database compare to global methods.
Breastfeeding: A Potential Excretion Route for Mothers and Implications for Infant Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Acids

Background: The presence of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in breast milk has been documented, but their lactational transfer has been rarely studied. Determination of the elimination rates of these chemicals during breastfeeding is important and critical for assessing exposure in mothers and infants. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between breastfeeding and maternal serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). For a subset of the population, for whom we also have their infants’ measurements, we investigated associations of breastfeeding with infant serum PFAA concentrations. Methods: The present analysis included 633 women from the C8 Science Panel Study who had a child < 3.5 years of age and who provided blood samples and reported detailed information on breastfeeding at the time of survey. PFAA serum concentrations were available for all mothers and 8% (n = 49) of the infants. Maternal and infant serum concentrations were regressed on duration of breastfeeding. Results: Each month of breastfeeding was associated with lower maternal serum concentrations of PFOA (–3%; 95% CI: –5, –2%), PFOS (–3%; 95% CI: –3, –2%), PFNA (–2%; 95% CI: –2, –1%), and PFHxS (–1%; 95% CI: –2, 0%). The infant PFOA and PFOS serum concentrations were 6% (95% CI: 1, 10%) and 4% (95% CI: 1, 7%) higher per month of breastfeeding. Conclusions: Breast milk is the optimal food for infants, but is also a PFAA excretion route for lactating mothers and exposure route for nursing infants. Citation: Mondal D, Weldon RH, Armstrong BG, Gibson LJ, Lopez-Espinosa MJ, Shin HM, Fletcher T. 2014. Breastfeeding: a potential excretion route for mothers and implications for infant exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids. Environ Health Perspect 122:187–192; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1306613
Extending technology usage models to interactive hedonic technologies: a theoretical model and empirical test

Abstract. Much of our prior knowledge of information systems (IS) usage is based on utilitarian systems such as personal productivity software and organizational applications. However, new generations of systems, such as online video games (OVGs), have since emerged that aim at enhancing users' hedonic outcomes like entertainment rather than utilitarian outcomes such as productivity. Prior models of utilitarian system usage provide a limited understanding of one's usage of hedonic systems, given the motivational differences between using these two types of systems. Theoretical modifications instead are required to extend the current models to hedonic systems. Expanding the research on attitude theories, we propose an initial model for usage of interactive hedonic systems, replacing perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use with perceived enjoyment and social image as the core cognitive drivers of usage, and further linking these beliefs to different technological attributes. The initial model is empirically validated using a survey of OVG usage among 485 student subjects. For IS usage research, this paper proposes and validates one of the earliest usage models of hedonic systems. For practitioners, this study provides some guidelines for manufacturers of hedonic systems on how to derive the most return on their system development efforts.
Churn prediction for high-value players in casual social games

Predicting when players will leave a game creates a unique opportunity to increase players' lifetime and revenue contribution. Players can be incentivized to stay, strategically cross-linked to other games in the company's portfolio or, as a last resort, be passed on to other companies through in-game advertisement. This paper focuses on predicting churn for highvalue players of casual social games and attempts to assess the business impact that can be derived from a predictive churn model. We compare the prediction performance of four common classification algorithms over two casual social games, each with millions of players. Furthermore, we implement a hidden Markov model to explicitly address temporal dynamics. We find that a neural network achieves the best prediction performance in terms of area under curve (AUC). In addition, to assess the business value of churn prediction, we design and implement an A/B test on one of the games, using free in-game currency as an incentive to retain players. Test results indicate that contacting players shortly before the predicted churn event substantially improves the effectiveness of communication with players. They further show that giving out free in-game currency does not significantly impact the churn rate or monetization of players. This suggests that players can only be retained by remarkably changing their gameplay experience ahead of the churn event and that cross-linking may be the more effective measure to deal with churning players.
Correlation of Changes in the Outer-Zone Relativistic-Electron Population with Upstream Solar Wind Measurements

A study has been made of the correlation of the population of relativistic electrons in the outer-zone magnetosphere with the properties of the solar wind (speed, density, magnetic field) during a solar minimum period. The study is based upon observations made in the Spring of 1995 with sensors aboard 1994-026 and WIND. It is found that a large relativistic electron enhancement depends upon a substantial solarwind speed increase associated with precursor solar-wind density enhancement, and, in particular, upon a southward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field.
Maternal Gestational Cortisol and Testosterone Are Associated with Trade-Offs in Offspring Sex and Number in a Free-Living Rodent (Urocitellus richardsonii)

The adaptive manipulation of offspring sex and number has been of considerable interest to ecologists and evolutionary biologists. The physiological mechanisms that translate maternal condition and environmental cues into adaptive responses in offspring sex and number, however, remain obscure. In mammals, research into the mechanisms responsible for adaptive sex allocation has focused on two major endocrine axes: the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and glucocorticoids, and the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis and sex steroids, particularly testosterone. While stress-induced activation of the HPA axis provides an intuitive model for sex ratio and litter size adjustment, plasma glucocorticoids exist in both bound and free fractions, and may be acting indirectly, for example by affecting plasma glucose levels. Furthermore, in female mammals, activation of the HPA axis stimulates the secretion of adrenal testosterone in addition to glucocorticoids (GCs). To begin to untangle these physiological mechanisms influencing offspring sex and number, we simultaneously examined fecal glucocorticoid metabolites, free and bound plasma cortisol, free testosterone, and plasma glucose concentration during both gestation and lactation in a free-living rodent (Urocitellus richardsonii). We also collected data on offspring sex and litter size from focal females and from a larger study population. Consistent with previous work in this population, we found evidence for a trade-off between offspring sex and number, as well as positive and negative correlations between glucocorticoids and sex ratio and litter size, respectively, during gestation (but not lactation). We also observed a negative relationship between testosterone and litter size during gestation (but not lactation), but no effect of glucose on either sex ratio or litter size. Our findings highlight the importance of binding proteins, cross-talk between endocrine systems, and temporal windows in the regulation of trade-offs in offspring sex and number.
Impaired fasting glucose in hypertensive patients: prevalence and cross-sectional analysis of associations with cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is frequently present in hypertensive patients and might be induced or aggravated by antihypertensive treatment. However, it is unclear whether IFG is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study in 1,810 hypertensive patients and recorded the presence of IFG, coronary heart disease (CHD), and ischemic stroke. RESULTS IFG was present in 567 patients (31.3%). The prevalence of CHD or ischemic stroke did not differ between patients with IFG and in patients with serum glucose levels <100 mg/dL. Among patients with IFG, 267 (47.0%) were on β-blockers, diuretics, or both β-blockers and diuretics. The prevalence of CHD was numerically but not significantly higher in patients with IFG treated with β-blockers or both β-blockers and diuretics than in patients with IFG treated with diuretics or not treated with either β-blockers or diuretics and patients with serum glucose levels <100 mg/dL (11.1%, 13.6%, 1.4%, 3.7%, and 5.9%, respectively; P=not significant). The prevalence of ischemic stroke did not differ among these groups. CONCLUSIONS IFG does not appear to be associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease in hypertensive patients, regardless if it is associated with the antihypertensive treatment or not.
Acute anti-ischemic effect of testosterone in men with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND The role of testosterone on the development of coronary artery disease in men is controversial. The evidence that men have a greater incidence of coronary artery disease than women of a similar age suggests a possible causal role of testosterone. Conversely, recent studies have shown that the hormone improves endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary arteries in men. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of acute administration of testosterone on exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in men. METHODS AND RESULTS After withdrawal of antianginal therapy, 14 men (mean age, 58+/-4 years) with coronary artery disease underwent 3 exercise tests according to the modified Bruce protocol on 3 different days (baseline and either testosterone or placebo given in a random order). The exercise tests were performed 30 minutes after administration of testosterone (2.5 mg IV in 5 minutes) or placebo. All patients showed at least 1-mm ST-segment depression during the baseline exercise test and after placebo, whereas only 10 patients had a positive exercise test after testosterone. Chest pain during exercise was reported by 12 patients during baseline and placebo exercise tests and by 8 patients after testosterone. Compared with placebo, testosterone increased time to 1-mm ST-segment depression (579+/-204 versus 471+/-210 seconds; P<0. 01) and total exercise time (631+/-180 versus 541+/-204 seconds; P<0. 01). Testosterone significantly increased heart rate at the onset of 1-mm ST-segment depression (135+/-12 versus 123+/-14 bpm; P<0.01) and at peak exercise (140+/-12 versus 132+/-12 bpm; P<0.01) and the rate-pressure product at the onset of 1-mm ST-segment depression (24 213+/-3750 versus 21 619+/-3542 mm Hgxbpm; P<0.05) and at peak exercise (26 746+/-3109 versus 22 527+/-5443 mm Hgxbpm; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Short-term administration of testosterone induces a beneficial effect on exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in men with coronary artery disease. This effect may be related to a direct coronary-relaxing effect.
Student Perceptions of Learning Management Systems in a University Environment: Yahoo Groups vs Blackboard

The widespread use of the internet and communication networks has increased electronic learning (E-Learning) at the expense of face-to-face learning. This increase was supported by the use of learning management systems such as Blackboard, Moodle, and WebCT. Kuwait University introduced the use of Blackboard in 2005 to be used by faculty members in support of their hybrid or blended teaching experience. Before the introduction of Blackboard, many faculty members used and continue to use Yahoo Groups as a simple alternative to learning management systems. This paper measures the perceptions of Kuwait University students of the use of Yahoo Groups as compared to Blackboard across level of education. A total of 102 students participated in the study by answering a structured questionnaire followed by a focus group to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using Yahoo Groups vs. Blackboard. The results showed a great division across level of education, while the great majority of undergraduate students favor the use of Yahoo Groups over Blackboard, a narrow majority of graduate students favor the use of Blackboard. Yahoo Groups scored higher on simplicity, ease of use, and accessibility while Blackboard scored higher on student participation in the discussions and submitting assignments.
Extending the TAM Model to Explore the Factors Affecting Intention to Use Telecare Systems

The purpose of the study is to integrate patient trust with the Technology Acceptance Model in order to explore the usage intention model of Telecare systems. The proposed framework is validated with 365 respondents from Nantou County, which is located in Taiwan. The findings show that patient trust (social trust and institutional trust) has significantly positive effects on the perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness separately, which in turn influence usage intention. This study also confirms that both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are important mediators between patient trust and usage intention. According to the statistical results, the proposed model fits very well for the samples. This study emphasizes that hospital managers should pay more attention to building a trusting relationship between the elderly and caregivers, and improving the quality of the system. The integrative viewpoint implies that a successful telecare system is not only an information system but also a service provider/department to the patients. The findings may be used as a theoretical basis for future research and can also offer empirical foresight to the executives and managers of hospitals when they initially introduce and promote the telecare systems into their surrounding community.
MicroRNA profiling identifies MiR-195 suppresses osteosarcoma cell metastasis by targeting CCND1

Metastasis is a leading cause of mortality for osteosarcoma patients. The molecular pathological mechanism remains to be elucidated. In the previously study, we established two osteosarcoma cell lines with different metastatic potentials. Differential expressed genes and proteins regarding metastatic ability have been identified. MicroRNAs are important regulators in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. In this study, microRNA microarray was used to assess the differential expressed miRNAs level between these two cell lines. One of the top ranked miRNAs-miR-195 was identified highly expressing in lowly metastatic cells. It was showed that over-expression of miR-195 substantially inhibits migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells in vitro and pulmonary metastasis formation in vivo. Meanwhile, CCND1 was identified as the target gene of miR-195 and further studied. More importantly, Using real-time PCR, we evaluated the expression of miR-195 and CCND1 in osteosarcoma samples from 107 frozen biopsy tissues and 99 formalin- or paraformalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Results indicated lowly expressed miR-195 or highly CCND1 correlated with positive overall survival and their expression inverse relate to each other. In summary, our study suggests miR-195 function as a tumor metastasis suppressor gene by down-regulating CCND1 and can be used as a potential target in the treatment of osteosarcoma.