Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Use of Biologically Related Model (Eclipse) for the Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy Planning of Nasopharyngeal Carcinomas

Purpose Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is the most common treatment technique for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Physical quantities such as dose/dose-volume parameters are used conventionally for IMRT optimization. The use of biological related models has been proposed and can be a new trend. This work was to assess the performance of the biologically based IMRT optimization model installed in a popular commercial treatment planning system (Eclipse) as compared to its dose/dose volume optimization model when employed in the clinical environment for NPC cases. Methods Ten patients of early stage NPC and ten of advanced stage NPC were selected for this study. IMRT plans optimized using biological related approach (BBTP) were compared to their corresponding plans optimized using the dose/dose volume based approach (DVTP). Plan evaluation was performed using both biological indices and physical dose indices such as tumor control probability (TCP), normal tissue complication probability (NTCP), target coverage, conformity, dose homogeneity and doses to organs at risk. The comparison results of the more complex advanced stage cases were reported separately from those of the simpler early stage cases. Results The target coverage and conformity were comparable between the two approaches, with BBTP plans producing more hot spots. For the primary targets, BBTP plans produced comparable TCP for the early stage cases and higher TCP for the advanced stage cases. BBTP plans reduced the volume of parotid glands receiving doses of above 40 Gy compared to DVTP plans. The NTCP of parotid glands produced by BBTP were 8.0±5.8 and 7.9±8.7 for early and advanced stage cases, respectively, while those of DVTP were 21.3±8.3 and 24.4±12.8, respectively. There were no significant differences in the NTCP values between the two approaches for the serial organs. Conclusions Our results showed that the BBTP approach could be a potential alternative approach to the DVTP approach for NPC.
A Synthetic Workload Generation Technique for Stress Testing Session-Based Systems

Enterprise applications are often business critical but lack effective synthetic workload generation techniques to evaluate performance. These workloads are characterized by sessions of interdependent requests that often cause and exploit dynamically generated responses. Interrequest dependencies must be reflected in synthetic workloads for these systems to exercise application functions correctly. This poses significant challenges for automating the construction of representative synthetic workloads and manipulating workload characteristics for sensitivity analyses. This paper presents a technique to overcome these problems. Given request logs for a system under study, the technique automatically creates a synthetic workload that has specified characteristics and maintains the correct interrequest dependencies. The technique is demonstrated through a case study involving a TPC-W e-commerce system. Results show that incorrect performance results can be obtained by neglecting interrequest dependencies, thereby highlighting the value of our technique. The study also exploits our technique to investigate the impact of several workload characteristics on system performance. Results establish that high variability in the distributions of session length, session idle times, and request service times can cause increased contention among sessions, leading to poor system responsiveness. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first results of this kind for a session-based system. We believe our technique is of value for studies where fine control over workload is essential
Blood pressure response during treadmill testing as a risk factor for new-onset hypertension. The Framingham heart study.

BACKGROUND Although systolic blood pressure (SBP) response to exercise has been shown to predict subsequent hypertension in small samples of men, this association has not been studied in a large population-based sample of middle-aged men and women. The purpose of this study was to examine, in normotensive subjects, the relations of SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during the exercise and recovery periods of a graded treadmill test to the risk of developing new-onset hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS BP data from exercise testing in 1026 men and 1284 women (mean age, 42+/-10 years; range, 20 to 69 years) from the Framingham Offspring Study who were normotensive at baseline were related to the incidence of hypertension 8 years later. New-onset hypertension, defined as an SBP >/=140 mm Hg or DBP >/=90 mm Hg or the initiation of antihypertensive drug treatment, occurred in 228 men (22%) and 207 women (16%). Exaggerated SBP (Ex-SBP 2) and DBP (Ex-DBP 2) response and delayed recovery of SBP (R-SBP 3) and DBP (R-DBP 3) were defined as an age-adjusted BP greater than the 95th percentile during the second stage of exercise and third minute of recovery, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, Ex-DBP 2 was highly predictive of incident hypertension in both men (OR, 4.16; 95% CI, 2.15, 8.05) and women (OR, 2.17; CI, 1.19, 3.96). R-SBP 3 was predictive of hypertension in men in a multivariable model that included exercise duration and peak exercise BP (OR, 1.92; CI, 1.00, 3.69). Baseline resting SBP (chi2, 23.4 in men and 34.7 in women) and DBP (chi2, 11.3 in men and 13.1 in women) had stronger associations with new-onset hypertension than exercise DBP (chi2, 16.4 in men and 6.1 in women) and recovery SBP (chi2, 6.5 in men and 2.1 in women) responses. CONCLUSIONS An exaggerated DBP response to exercise was predictive of risk for new-onset hypertension in normotensive men and women. An elevated recovery SBP was predictive of hypertension in men. These findings may reflect subtle pathophysiological features in the preclinical stage of hypertension.
Single-Item Self-Esteem Scale: Brazilian Adaptation and Relationship with Personality and Prosocial Behavior

The objective of this correlational study was to test the psychometric properties of convergent validity of the Single-Item SelfEsteem Scale (SISES). The correlation between the SISES and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), which also measures self-esteem, and with scales that measure other variables (personality and prosocial behaviors) was also tested. A total of 203 students, aged 18 to 58 years (M=23.49, SD= 5.84), from public and private universities in the city of João Pessoa, participated in the study. The Pro-Socialness Scale (PSS), the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI), the SISES, the RSE, and a demographic questionnaire were used. The results showed that the Portuguese version of the SISES presents satisfactory validity. Therefore, as this study shows a correlation between self-esteem and personality traits and socio-demographic variables, it contributes to the scientific literature in this field and provides an alternative for measuring self-esteem.
Optimal Asymmetric and Maximized Adaptive Power Management Protocols for Clustered Ad Hoc Wireless Networks

IEEE 802.11 is currently the most popular medium access control (MAC) standard for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). On the other hand, clustering in MANETs is a promising technique to ensure the scalability of various communication protocols. Thus, we propose an optimal asymmetric and maximized adaptive power management protocol, called OAMA, for 802.11-based clustered MANETs, which has the following attractive features. 1) Given the length of schedule repetition interval (SRI), the duty cycles of both clusterheads and members reach the theoretical minimum. 2) Under the minimum duty cycle constraints, the numbers of tunable SRIs for clusterheads and members reach the theoretical maximum. 3) By means of factor-correlative coterie-plane product, OAMA guarantees bounded-time neighbor discovery between the clusterhead and its member, and between all clusterheads, regardless of stations' individual SRIs and the schedule offset between neighboring stations. 4) The time complexity of OAMA neighbor maintenance is O(1). 5) OAMA adopts a cross-layer SRI adjustment scheme such that stations can adaptively tune the values of SRI to maximize energy conservation according to flow timeliness requirements. Both theoretical analyses and simulation results show that OAMA substantially outperforms existing power management protocols for clustered MANETs, including AQEC [2] and ACQ [14], in terms of duty cycle, adaptiveness, data delay dropped ratio, network lifetime, and end-to-end energy throughput.
Compassion on University Degree Programmes at a UK University: The Neuroscience of Effective Group work

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Absolute vs. Relative Notion of Wealth Changes

This paper discusses solutions derived from lottery experiments using two alternative assumptions: that people perceive wealth changes as absolute amounts of money; and that people consider wealth changes as a proportion of some reference value dependant on the context of the problem under consideration. The former assumption leads to the design of Prospect Theory, the latter - to a solution closely resembling the utility function hypothesized by Markowitz (1952). This paper presents several crucial arguments for the latter approach and provides strong arguments for rejecting the Prospect Theory paradigm.
How Vulnerable is Rural Community towards Climate Change? A Case Study of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Climate change has affected both agricultural production and people's livelihood, whether onand off-farm. Community whose livelihood depends on natural resource, such as rural community, tends to be vulnerable to climate change. This research aims to measure rural communities' vulnerability to climate change in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia. Three districts in the province are surveyed, namely Sleman, Gunungkidul, and Bantul, by interviewing the community members. Community vulnerability is then enumerated using a livelihood vulnerability index (LVI). The result shows that Yogyakarta Province is generally not vulnerable toward climate change. At the smaller level, Gunungkidul district is relatively as not vulnerable to climate change as Sleman.
Near Maximum Likelihood Synchronization for Filter Bank Multicarrier Systems

Filter bank multicarrier (FBMC) systems have recently been proposed as superior alternative to the conventional orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, for certain applications. In this letter, we suggest a new preamble for FBMC systems and for it develop a near maximum likelihood joint channel, carrier frequency, and timing phase estimation method. The superior performance of our design over those already in the literature is shown through computer simulations.
Class III Restoration of Anterior Primary Teeth: In Vitro Retention Comparison of Conventional, Modified and Air-abrasion Treated Preparations

Background and aims. Anterior esthetic restoration is challenging in pediatric dentistry, due to limited durability and poor retention of the restoration.This study assessed the effect of air abrasion on tensile failure load of composite class III restorations using different preparation techniques. Materials and methods. 100 extracted human anterior primary teeth were divided, based on the preparation methods, into four groups each consisting of 25 subjects : conventional (A), labial surface bevel (B), conventional + air abrasion (C), and labial surface bevel + air abrasion (D). After restoring cavities, tensile failure load of samples was measured in Newton by Universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm per minute. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests using SPSS software. Results. There were statistically significant differences between groups A and C (P = 0.003), groups A and B (P & 0.001), groups A and D (P & 0.001), groups B and C (P = 0.028), groups B and D (P = 0.027), and also groups C and D (P& 0.001). Group D demonstrated the highest mean tensile failure load. Conclusion. Labial surface bevel treated by air abrasion showed significantly more retention of composite restoration.
Superior efficacy of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate aerosol foam versus ointment in patients with psoriasis vulgaris – A randomized phase II study

Abstract Background: An aerosol foam formulation of fixed combination calcipotriene 0.005% (as hydrate; Cal) plus betamethasone dipropionate 0.064% (BD) was developed to improve psoriasis treatment. Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of Cal/BD aerosol foam with Cal/BD ointment after 4 weeks. Methods: In this Phase II, multicenter, investigator-blind, 4-week trial, adult patients with psoriasis vulgaris were randomized to Cal/BD aerosol foam, Cal/BD ointment, aerosol foam vehicle or ointment vehicle (3:3:1:1). The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients at week 4 who achieved treatment success (clear or almost clear with at least a two-step improvement) according to the physician’s global assessment of disease severity. Results: In total, 376 patients were randomized. At week 4, significantly more patients using Cal/BD aerosol foam achieved treatment success (54.6% versus 43.0% [ointment]; p = 0.025); mean modified (excluding the head, which was not treated) psoriasis area and severity index score was significantly different between Cal/BD aerosol foam and Cal/BD ointment (mean difference –0.6; p = 0.005). Rapid, continuous itch relief occurred with both active treatments. One adverse drug reaction was reported with Cal/BD aerosol foam (application site itch). Conclusions: Cal/BD aerosol foam demonstrates significantly greater efficacy and similar tolerability compared with Cal/BD ointment for psoriasis treatment.
Association Between Factor VII Polymorphisms and Blood Pressure: The Stanislas Cohort

The purpose this study was to determine whether Arg353Gln and −323Del/Ins polymorphisms of factor VII (FVII) are related to blood pressure levels and hypertension. Subjects were drawn from the Stanislas Cohort, a longitudinal, familial French cohort examined twice since 1994. The “blood pressure study” included 1342 subjects free of medication use that could affect blood pressure. The “hypertension study” included 645 normotensive and 77 hypertensive adult subjects. Association with hypertension was also studied in 547 hypertensives enrolled in a clinical trial and in 624 normotensives drawn from the Stanislas Cohort. In the “blood pressure study,” parents with the 353Gln or −323Ins allele had lower blood pressures than did noncarriers at each examination, independent of covariates (0.01≤P≤0.05, except for diastolic blood pressure [DBP] at baseline, where P=0.103). Similarly significant relations were observed in their offspring (P≤0.05, except for systolic blood pressure [SBP] at 5 years, where P=0.186). In a representative subgroup of 267 individuals, the −323Del/Ins polymorphism was significantly associated with plasma FVII levels in both parents and offspring (P<0.001). FVII levels in plasma were significantly correlated with SBP and DBP in parents but not in offspring. After inclusion of both FVII levels and the −223Del/Ins in the same model in parents, only FVII levels remained significantly associated with SBP and DBP. The “hypertension study” revealed that the 353Gln and −323Ins alleles were related to decreased risk (odds ratio [OR]=0.554, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.362 to 0.848, and OR=0.475, 95% CI, 0.299 to 0.755, respectively). These results suggest that the FVII gene may be a susceptibility locus for hypertension.
Relationship Between Muscle Mass and Insulin Resistance in Cirrhotic Patients with Hepatitis B

Objective: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects over 400 million people in the world and is a major threat despite all measures taken for its prevention. It is one of the most important causes of liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis causes malnutrition as a result of decreased oral intake, both because of the disease itself and multiple other reasons. Studies showed an inverse correlation between muscle mass and insulin resistance. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between insulin resistance, muscle mass, and muscle strength in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis.
Quasi-optimal energy management of range extender buses in presence of changing traffic conditions

Buses and other vehicles with regular routes and stop patterns are an important application field for hybrid electric drives. Given initial and final desired state of charge (SOC) of the battery, the optimal distribution of power between both sources, battery and engine, can be computed off-line for a known driving cycle. In the case of a range extender (REX) with an engine switched between two operating points, the solution boils down to a sequence of engine state changes. However, applying this profile to the vehicle under general traffic conditions proves very inefficient, as the required traction power over time will change strongly according to the actual traffic and load situation. Instead, this paper suggests to use a spatial-domain SOC trajectory based on off-line optimization results as reference quantity, for which simulations indicate a smaller sensitivity to varying traffic conditions. The paper shows the a posteriori computation of an energy efficient control sequence as well as an on-line implementation that utilizes model predictive control (MPC) and a short-term prediction of the future power demand. Evaluation is performed using a detailed nonlinear simulation model and real traffic data where the limited loss of optimality due to changes of traffic but also due to the driver's style is confirmed.
Investigating the Pathogenesis of Severe Malaria: A Multidisciplinary and Cross-Geographical Approach

More than a century after the discovery of Plasmodium spp. parasites, the pathogenesis of severe malaria is still not well understood. The majority of malaria cases are caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, which differ in virulence, red blood cell tropism, cytoadhesion of infected erythrocytes, and dormant liver hypnozoite stages. Cerebral malaria coma is one of the most severe manifestations of P. falciparum infection. Insights into its complex pathophysiology are emerging through a combination of autopsy, neuroimaging, parasite binding, and endothelial characterizations. Nevertheless, important questions remain regarding why some patients develop life-threatening conditions while the majority of P. falciparum-infected individuals do not, and why clinical presentations differ between children and adults. For P. vivax, there is renewed recognition of severe malaria, but an understanding of the factors influencing disease severity is limited and remains an important research topic. Shedding light on the underlying disease mechanisms will be necessary to implement effective diagnostic tools for identifying and classifying severe malaria syndromes and developing new therapeutic approaches for severe disease. This review highlights progress and outstanding questions in severe malaria pathophysiology and summarizes key areas of pathogenesis research within the International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research program.
Grouping for Literacy Instruction in Kindergarten and Grade One: The Ecology of Teacher Perceptions and Classroom Practices

Grouping students based on ability has been a longstanding approach to addressing the challenges of instructing diverse student populations; nevertheless, ability grouping has remained a controversial practice, fueling decades-long debate among educational researchers and practitioners alike. Despite the lack of empirical consensus, a common theme emerging across literature is that the broader context of the instructional setting and processes may have more impact on student achievement than ability grouping per se. In light of the mounting research that highlights the importance of literacy learning opportunities afforded to students in the early grades, this study sought to examine the practice of grouping for literacy instruction as an integral element of the encompassing classroom ecology, through in-depth mixed-methods analyses of thirteen primary classrooms across the Greater Toronto Area. The seven Kindergarten and six Grade One participating classrooms were viewed as multi-layered settings that impact students’ early literacy learning through a number of interacting micro-level factors (unique to each setting) shaped by overarching macrosystem influences (province-wide government-mandated policies and programs).
Journal of Experimental Pharmacology Dovepress the Warfarin–cranberry Juice Interaction Revisited: a Systematic in Vitro–in Vivo Evaluation

Background: Cranberry products have been implicated in several case reports to enhance the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. The mechanism could involve inhibition of the hepatic CYP2C9-mediated metabolic clearance of warfarin by components in cranberry. Because dietary/natural substances vary substantially in bioactive ingredient composition, multiple cranberry products were evaluated in vitro before testing this hypothesis in vivo. Methods: The inhibitory effects of five types of cranberry juices were compared with those of water on CYP2C9 activity (S-warfarin 7-hydroxylation) in human liver microsomes (HLM). The most potent juice was compared with water on S/R-warfarin pharmacokinetics in 16 healthy participants given a single dose of warfarin 10 mg. Results: Only one juice inhibited S-warfarin 7-hydroxylation in HLM in a concentration-dependent manner (P , 0.05), from 20% to . 95% at 0.05% to 0.5% juice (v/v), respectively. However, this juice had no effect on the geometric mean AUC 0–∞ and terminal half-life of S/R-warfarin in human subjects. Conclusions: A cranberry juice that inhibited warfarin metabolism in HLM had no effect on warfarin clearance in healthy participants. The lack of an in vitro–in vivo concordance likely reflects the fact that the site of warfarin metabolism (liver) is remote from the site of exposure to the inhibitory components in the cranberry juice (intestine).
Super-Volunteers: Who Are They and How Do We Get One?

This article investigates super-volunteers, defined as individuals who volunteer 10 or more hours per week with a single organization. We conducted interviews with 25 super-volunteers to explore what motivates them to become super-volunteers and how they choose the organizations for which they volunteer. We also interviewed nine volunteer managers to explore the advantages and disadvantages of employing super-volunteers and what best practices they recommend for supervising them. Most super-volunteers in our sample were highly educated and had retired from careers that involved helping and supervising other people. Most decided on their own to pursue volunteering and then searched carefully for an appropriate organization. The super-volunteers chose nonprofits that they thought were effective, matched their values, and were willing to work with them to develop a meaningful and substantive volunteer position. Volunteer managers stated that super-volunteers brought great value to their agencies and had few disadvantages. However, managing super-volunteers did require more flexibility, time, and one-on-one attention than managing regular volunteers.