Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fast Approximate Nearest Neighbors with Automatic Algorithm Configuration

For many computer vision problems, the most time consuming component consists of nearest neighbor matching in high-dimensional spaces. There are no known exact algorithms for solving these high-dimensional problems that are faster than linear search. Approximate algorithms are known to provide large speedups with only minor loss in accuracy, but many such algorithms have been published with only minimal guidance on selecting an algorithm and its parameters for any given problem. In this paper, we describe a system that answers the question, “What is the fastest approximate nearest-neighbor algorithm for my data? ” Our system will take any given dataset and desired degree of precision and use these to automatically determine the best algorithm and parameter values. We also describe a new algorithm that applies priority search on hierarchical k-means trees, which we have found to provide the best known performance on many datasets. After testing a range of alternatives, we have found that multiple randomized k-d trees provide the best performance for other datasets. We are releasing public domain code that implements these approaches. This library provides about one order of magnitude improvement in query time over the best previously available software and provides fully automated parameter selection.
Optimized Necrotic Enteritis Model Producing Clinical and Subclinical Infection of Clostridium perfringens in Broiler Chickens

Abstract In this study we assessed the roles of Eimeria infection and dietary manipulation (feeding a diet with a high level of fishmeal) in an Australian necrotic enteritis (NE) challenge model in broiler chickens. An experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that Eimeria infection and dietary manipulation, i.e., inclusion of fishmeal in the diet, are necessary to induce NE experimentally. The results showed that the combination of Eimeria administration and fishmeal feeding had a significant effect on induction of clinical and subclinical Clostridium perfringens infection. The majority of the mortality that occurred during the second week of the trial was due to an NE outbreak following the C. perfringens challenge. The mortality rate of the birds was 12.00% for the high-fishmeal (HFM; 500 g/kg) group and 9.33% for the low-fishmeal (LFM; 250 g/kg) group when the birds were subjected to C. perfringens and Eimeria. Fishmeal alone did not induce significant mortality in birds challenged only with C. perfringens but showed a significantly higher C. perfringens count than the non-fishmeal (NFM) control group. Eimeria administration had a significant effect on NE-related mortality but did not have an effect on the C. perfringens count. In accordance with the time course of bird mortality, it can be determined that of the 3 successive days of oral gavage with C. perfringens, the first inoculation was essential for inducing NE, but the third had no additional effect on NE-related mortality. Also, reducing the fishmeal level from 500 to 250 g/kg had no negative impact on the reproducibility of the model. It may be concluded that NE can be consistently induced under experimental conditions by feeding broilers a diet containing 250 g/kg fishmeal, using a single inoculation with low numbers of Eimeria, administering one or two oral C. perfringens inoculations, and maintaining appropriate ambient temperatures and diets.
Direct Exploration of the Role of the Ventral Anterior Temporal Lobe in Semantic Memory: Cortical Stimulation and Local Field Potential Evidence From Subdural Grid Electrodes

Semantic memory is a crucial higher cortical function that codes the meaning of objects and words, and when impaired after neurological damage, patients are left with significant disability. Investigations of semantic dementia have implicated the anterior temporal lobe (ATL) region, in general, as crucial for multimodal semantic memory. The potentially crucial role of the ventral ATL subregion has been emphasized by recent functional neuroimaging studies, but the necessity of this precise area has not been selectively tested. The implantation of subdural electrode grids over this subregion, for the presurgical assessment of patients with partial epilepsy or brain tumor, offers the dual yet rare opportunities to record cortical local field potentials while participants complete semantic tasks and to stimulate the functionally identified regions in the same participants to evaluate the necessity of these areas in semantic processing. Across 6 patients, and utilizing a variety of semantic assessments, we evaluated and confirmed that the anterior fusiform/inferior temporal gyrus is crucial in multimodal, receptive, and expressive, semantic processing.
[Surgical results of uni- and bilateral congenital and traumatic cataract in infancy to adolescence].

PURPOSE In a retrospective study the question to be answered is if and at what time unilateral and/or bilateral congenital cataracts have to undergo surgical treatment and from what age of life lens implantation, also after traumatic cataract, is effective. MATERIAL AND METHODS The inquiry includes 75 patients who were treated by lensectomy at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Zürich, before the end of the 20th year of their life in the period of 1985-1990. Of the test group, 26 patients had congenital cataracts (14 unilateral and 12 bilateral), 30 patients had traumatic cataracts and 19 patients had developmental cataracts of various etiology. RESULTS Congenital cataract. Patients with bilateral cataracts had better visual results than those with unilateral cataracts. The amblyopic risk is relatively small. For infants, being children under the age of one year, the test group until 1990 is not large enough to declare a valid test group. Depending on various indications of surgery, in cases with monocular lens opacity a higher visual acuity is reached if surgery is performed between the 5th and the 15th year (acuity 0.4-1.0) versus before the 5th year (acuity 0.4). Cases with a posterior chamber lens implant have better visual results than those without. Cataracta varia (cataract after birth). Unilateral and bilateral surgical procedures are always justified, where possible with an intraocular lens (IOL). Traumatic cataract. Successful results occur, as soon as an IOL can be implanted. CONCLUSION Unilateral congenital cataracts have to be surgically treated. In individual cases, astonishing results are possible, particularly in cases with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV). The extent and type of the lenticular opacity determines the indication and the timeframe of the surgical procedures. Knowledge about the growth of the eye-ball, experiences to date and the easing of rehabilitation by implantation of a posterior chamber lens, justify its application after the age of 18 months.
Combined Effects of Child and Adult Elevated Blood Pressure on Subclinical Atherosclerosis: The International Childhood Cardiovascular Cohort Consortium

Background— Elevated blood pressure (BP) levels in childhood have been associated with subsequent atherosclerosis. However, it is uncertain whether this risk is attenuated in individuals who acquire normal BP by adulthood. The present study examined the effect of child and adult BP levels on carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in adulthood. Methods and Results— The cohort consisted of 4210 participants from 4 prospective studies (mean follow-up, 23 years). Childhood elevated BP was defined according to the tables from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program. In adulthood, BP was classified as elevated for individuals with systolic BP ≥120 mm Hg, diastolic BP ≥80 mm Hg or with self-reported use of antihypertensive medications. Carotid artery IMT was measured in the left common carotid artery. High IMT was defined as an IMT ≥90th percentile according to age-, sex-, race-, and cohort-specific levels. Individuals with persistently elevated BP and individuals with normal childhood BP, but elevated adult BP had increased risk of high carotid artery IMT (relative risk [95% confidence interval]) 1.82[1.47–2.38] and 1.57[1.22–2.02], respectively) in comparison with individuals with normal child and adult BP. In contrast, individuals with elevated BP as children but not as adults did not have significantly increased risk (1.24[0.92–1.67]). In addition, these individuals had a lower risk of increased carotid artery IMT (0.66[0.50–0.88]) in compared with those with persistently elevated BP. The results were consistent when controlling for age, sex, and adiposity and when different BP definitions were applied. Conclusions— Individuals with persistently elevated BP from childhood to adulthood had increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis. This risk was reduced if elevated BP during childhood resolved by adulthood.
MicroRNA-939 inhibits cell proliferation via targeting LRSAM1 in Hirschsprung’s disease

Background Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a common digestive disease caused by impaired development of neural crest cells. Some studies have revealed the roles of microRNA (miRNA) in various diseases. But the function of miRNA in HSCR needs further investigation. Methods We adopted qRT-PCR and immunoblot analyses to explore the relative expression of miR-939 and LRSAM1 in 80 HSCR bowel tissues and 80 normal bowel tissues. CCK-8 assay, transwell assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the function of miR-939 by overexpression of miR-939 in 293T, SK-N-BE(2), SH-SY5Y cell lines. The direct connection between miR-939 and LRSAM1 was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. We also investigated the autophagy level via immunoblot analyses. Results Mir-939 was significantly upregulated in HSCR tissues with decreased expression of LRSAM1. Overexpression of miR-939 suppressed cell proliferation without affecting cell apoptosis, cell cycle or cell migration. And LRSAM1 exerted similar function. Autophagy was impaired in HSCR tissues compared with control samples. Mir-939 did not inhibit the autophagy although it decreased the expression of LRSAM1. Conclusions Our study shows the potential function of mir-939 through regulating LRSAM1 in HSCR and infers that autophagy may also confer the risk of HSCR.
Distributed Flooding-based Storage Algorithms for Large-scale Sensor Networks

In this paper we propose distributed flooding-based storage algorithms for large-scale wireless sensor networks. Assume a wireless sensor network with $n$ nodes that have limited power, memory, and bandwidth. Each node is capable of both sensing and storing data. Such sensor nodes might disappear from the network due to failures or battery depletion. Hence it is desired to design efficient schemes to collect data from these $n$ nodes. We propose two distributed storage algorithms (DSA's) that utilize network flooding to solve this problem. In the first algorithm, DSA-I, we assume that every node utilizes network flooding to disseminate its data throughout the network using a mixing time of approximately O(n). We show that this algorithm is efficient in terms of the encoding and decoding operations. In the second algorithm, DSA-II, we assume that the total number of nodes is not known to every sensor; hence dissemination of the data does not depend on $n$. The encoding operations in this case take $O(C\mu^2)$, where $\mu$ is the mean degree of the network graph and $C$ is a system parameter. We evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms through analysis and simulation, and show that their performance matches the derived theoretical results.
Chromosome band 9p21 is frequently altered in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors: Studies of CDKN2A and other genes of the pRB pathway

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are frequently associated with the disease neurofibromatosis type 1. Only few recurrent cytogenetic changes have been reported, including rearrangements of the short arm of chromosome 9. By fluorescence in situ hybridization with a centromere 9 probe, and by allelic imbalance studies with seven 9p21–23 markers in nine familial and three sporadic MPNSTs, we found interstitial deletions that supported CDKN2A as a possible target gene. Nine MPNSTs showed aberrations of CDKN2A by Southern blot analyses, and in four of these, expression of CDKN2A could not be detected by Northern blot analysis. No mutations of CDKN2A were identified by sequencing of the coding region, and gene inactivation by promoter methylation was not found. In the 9p allelic imbalance studies, a novel allele was detected at one locus in one tumor. Analyses of additional markers (n = 8) excluded mismatch repair deficiency as an important mechanism in the genesis of these tumors. The tumors were analyzed further for alterations in other candidate cell cycle‐associated genes. In total, 11/12 MPNSTs showed DNA changes in one or more of the genes CDKN2A, CDKN2B, RB1, CDK4, MDM2, and CCND2. The present study suggests that disruption of the pRB pathway is common in MPNST, and that dose reduction of CDKN2A is particularly frequent and contributes to MPNST development. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 26:151–160, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Insights into Structure-Activity Relationships of Somatostatin Analogs Containing Mesitylalanine

The non-natural amino acid mesitylalanine (2,4,6-trimethyl-L-phenylalanine; Msa) has an electron-richer and a more conformationally restricted side-chain than that of its natural phenylalanine counterpart. Taking these properties into account, we have synthesized ten somatostatin analogs containing Msa residues in different key positions to modify the intrinsic conformational flexibility of the natural hormone. We have measured the binding affinity of these analogs and correlated it with the main conformations they populate in solution. NMR and computational analysis revealed that analogs containing one Msa residue were conformationally more restricted than somatostatin under similar experimental conditions. Furthermore, we were able to characterize the presence of a hairpin at the pharmacophore region and a non-covalent interaction between aromatic residues 6 and 11. In all cases, the inclusion of a D-Trp in the eighth position further stabilized the main conformation. Some of these peptides bound selectively to one or two somatostatin receptors with similar or even higher affinity than the natural hormone. However, we also found that multiple incorporations of Msa residues increased the life span of the peptides in serum but with a loss of conformational rigidity and binding affinity.
Detection of HPV related oropharyngeal cancer in oral rinse specimens

Background The majority of patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) are due to HPV infection. At present, there are no reliable tests for screening HPV in patients with OPSCC. The objective of this study was to assess the Cobas® HPV Test on oral rinse specimens as an early, non-invasive tool for HPV-related OPSCC. Methods Oral rinse specimens were collected from 187 patients (45 with OPSCC, 61 with oral cavity SCC (OCSCC) and 81 control patients who had benign or malignant thyroid nodules) treated at MSKCC. The Cobas® HPV Test was used to detect 14 high-risk HPV types in these samples. Performance of the HPV Test was correlated with p16 tumor immunohistochemistry as gold standard. Results 91.1% of the oropharynx cancer patients had p16 positive tumors compared to 3.3% of oral cavity cancer. Of the 81 control patients, 79 (97.5%) had no HPV in their oral rinse giving a specificity of the HPV test of 98%. For the combined oral cavity oropharynx cancer cohort, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the HPV Test were 79.1%, 90.5%, 85.0% and 86.4% respectively when p16 immunohistochemistry was used as the reference. Conclusion The Cobas® HPV Test on oral rinse is a highly specific and potentially sensitive test for oropharyngeal cancer and may be a potentially useful screening test for early oropharyngeal cancer. Impact We describe an oral rinse test for the detection of HPV related oropharyngeal cancer.
Hand use and patterns of joint involvement in osteoarthritis. A comparison of female dentists and teachers.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effect of mechanical stress on finger osteoarthritis (OA) by comparing women from two occupations with different hand load but the same socio-economic grade, and to investigate whether hand load may affect the pattern of joint involvement in OA. METHODS Radiographs of both hands of 295 dentists and 248 teachers were examined. Each interphalangeal (distal, proximal and thumb interphalangeal) and the metacarpophalangeal joints were graded (0 = no OA, 4 = severe OA) separately by using reference images. The co-involvement of different hand joints was analysed by logistic regression. RESULTS The distal interphalangeal joints were the most frequently involved joints. The non-dominant hand was more frequently affected by OA of grade 2 or more than the dominant hand. The prevalence of OA of grade 2 or more in any finger joint and also in any distal interphalangeal joint was higher among the teachers compared with the dentists (59 vs 48%, P = 0.020 and 58 vs 47%, P < 0.010 respectively). Finger OA showed more clustering in the ring and little fingers and more row clustering and symmetry in the teachers than in the dentists [age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-2.23, OR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.28-2.64, and OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.38-2.86 respectively]. The OR of more severe OA (grade 3 or more) in the right-hand thumb and the index and middle fingers was significantly elevated among the dentists compared with the teachers (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.03-6.59). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that finger OA in middle-aged women is highly prevalent and often polyarticular. Hand use may have a protective effect on finger joint OA, whereas continuing joint overload may lead to joint impairment.
Discovering mental toughness : a qualitative study of mental toughness in elite athletes

What is mental toughness? This research draws on the experience of elite athletes and coaches to unearth a conceptualisation and definition of mental toughness. The interviews of 33 elite athletes and coaches (including 25 current or former elite athletes, of whom 15 had achieved an Olympic Gold Medal or World Champion status) were transcribed verbatim and analysed qualitatively to reveal underpinning components of mental toughness. Mental toughness is multi-dimensional and consists of twelve components, including: self-efficacy, potential, mental selfconcept, task familiarity, value, personal bests, goal commitment, perseverance, task focus, positivity, stress minimisation, and positive comparisons. Mental toughness is defined as an unshakeable perseverance and conviction towards some goal despite pressure or adversity. This conceptualisation of mental toughness provides a platform from which instruments of measurement can be developed.
Accuracy of 50‐g glucose challenge test to detect International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria‐defined hyperglycemia

To determine the accuracy of the 50‐g glucose challenge test (GCT) in detecting hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) across a range of glucose thresholds relative to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups diagnostic criteria, and to determine the accuracy of the 50‐g GCT among patients with different risk status.
Muscle cross sectional area and grip torque contraction types are similarly related to pQCT derived bone strength indices in the radii of older healthy adults.

OBJECTIVES We sought to identify the variance in radius bone strength indices explained by forearm muscle cross sectional area (MCSA) and isometric (ISO), concentric (CON), or eccentric (ECC) grip torque in healthy men and postmenopausal women when gender and body size were controlled for. Additionally we assessed variance in various grip contractions explained by MCSA. METHODS pQCT estimated bone strength of the radius and forearm MCSA were measured from 45 healthy adults (59.4-/+7.2 yrs). Isokinetic dynamometry was used to assess peak grip torque. Regressions were adjusted for gender and radius length. RESULTS Peak grip torques were not independent predictors (p>0.05) of distal radius bone strength in compression (bone strength index; BSI(c)) when gender was included in the prediction model. Gender was not a contributor to any model that included MCSA (p>0.05). At the diaphysis all torque measures, MCSA, gender, and length, significantly contributed to predict similar portions (79-80%) of the stress strain index (SSI(p); strength in torsion). MCSA accounted for 68-76% of variance in grip torque (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS When estimating radius bone strength, forearm MCSA is a comparable predictor to CON, ISO, and ECC grip torques and is also a good surrogate of these contraction types.
Coronal Heating by Collision and Cancellation of Magnetic Elements

A model is proposed for the coronal response to the interaction between randomly moving photospheric magnetic flux elements. In this model the collision between two elements of opposing signs results in reconnection and the appearance of an X-ray bright point. A section of quiet Sun on which elements are distributed and moving randomly will contain a number of X-ray bright points. The model combines a distribution of element sizes, random velocities of the elements, and a model for pair-wise collisions. This results in quantitative predictions for surface density of X-ray bright points, the distribution of their luminosities, and their contribution to the total heat flux in the quiet Sun. The predictions depend principally on the densities of flux elements of each sign B̄ + and B̄ -, the average element size , and the random velocity v0. The predicted heat flux, FXBP = 0.1 B̄+ B̄-v0, is in rough agreement with published observational studies of X-ray bright points but well below the flux required to supply heat to the quiet Sun corona. Other predictions of the model are similarly consistent with published studies.
Transvenous Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices and Hemodialysis Catheters: Recommendations to Curtail a Potentially Lethal Combination

Abnormal renal function is an independent risk factor for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection. The risk of CIED infection increases as the degree of renal dysfunction worsens with the highest risk observed in patients with stage V chronic kidney disease. A significant portion of these patients use a tunneled hemodialysis catheter (TDC) for dialysis therapy. These devices are associated with very high rates of catheter‐related bacteremia (1.6–5.5 episodes of bacteremia per 1000 catheter days), and have been known to cause infection of CIED indwelling in the bloodstream. In this context, the cardiac device is exposed to the risk of infection due to the presence of renal failure and episodes of bacteremia related to TDCs. Both increase the risk of CIED infection. Once infected, a cardiac rhythm device carries a marked increase in morbidity and mortality. In this context, the combination of a TDC and a CIED indwelling in the bloodstream becomes a potentially deadly combination. Recent data have emphasized that epicardial CIED implantation reduces cardiac device infection in TDC patients. This report highlights the risk of CIED infection in renal patients, presents TDC’s contribution to the cardiac device infection, and suggests recommendations to minimize the risk of CIED infection in chronic hemodialysis patients dialyzing with a TDC.