Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A link quality estimation model for energy-efficient wireless sensor networks

Understanding fluctuations of link quality in a wireless sensor network is useful for different reasons. For example, nodes can determine when and for how long they should transmit packets, so that they can reduce packet loss rate and the cost of retransmission (delay as well as power consumption). However, because the quality of a link depends on many factors, it cannot be known except in a probabilistic sense. In this paper we estimate the expected duration in which the quality of a specific link remains stable using the conditional distribution function of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of received acknowledgment packets. We employ the expected duration to determine how long nodes should transmit packet in burst and how long they should refrain from contention. To develop our model, we deployed Imote2 sensor platforms in indoor and outdoor places and transmitted more than 70, 000 packets. We transmitted additional 16,900 packets to test our model. 90% of the time, our approach resulted in high packet delivery compared with the case in which packets were transmitted without knowledge of link quality fluctuations.
Associations Between Substance Use and Sexual Risk Among Very Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

Objective: To determine if an association exists in young men who have sex with men (MSM) between being under the influence of alcohol or drugs during sex and participation in sexual behaviors which increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Study Design: A total of 3492 young MSM were interviewed through the Young Men’s Survey, an anonymous, cross-sectional, multisite, venue-based survey conducted from 1994 through 1998 at 194 public venues frequented by MSM aged 15 to 22 years in 7 US cities. Results: The majority of young MSM reported both receptive and insertive anal intercourse, and of these, approximately half reported not using condoms. Report of unprotected receptive anal intercourse at least once in the prior 6 months was associated with being under the influence of alcohol (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2–1.8), cocaine (AOR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.1–2.2), amphetamines (AOR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.1–2.0) or marijuana during sex (AOR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.1–1.6). Report of unprotected insertive anal intercourse at least once in the prior 6 months was associated with being under the influence of alcohol (AOR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.0–1.5), cocaine (AOR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.1–2.0) or amphetamines (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.4–2.6). Conclusions: HIV prevention strategies for young MSM need to incorporate substance use risk reduction.
Computational Approaches to Stochastic Vehicle Routing Problems

We report computational test results for several graph-based a priori heuristics for the Euclidean plane versions of two well-known stochastic optimization problems, the probabilistic traveling salesman problem (PTSP) and the probabilistic (or stochastic) vehicle routing problem (PVRP). These heuristics are termed a priori because they design vehicle routes prior to realization of demands. Our tests compare the quality of such solutions to sample averages of a posteriori solutions of the deterministic realizations---the underlying TSPs and VRPs. Our results indicate that the simplest implementations give average cost performance within 5% of the latter, while the best implementations show a gap of only about 1%. Since running times are modest, we conclude that the a priori approaches offer a large potential benefit to the practitioner seeking to obtain good performance in a situation where solving repeated deterministic instances of the TSP or VRP is impractical or otherwise undesirable.
The Facial Skeleton in Patients with Osteoporosis: A Field for Disease Signs and Treatment Complications

Osteoporosis affects all bones, including those of the facial skeleton. To date the facial bones have not drawn much attention due to the minimal probability of morbid fractures. Hearing and dentition loss due to osteoporosis has been reported. New research findings suggest that radiologic examination of the facial skeleton can be a cost-effective adjunct to complement the early diagnosis and the follow up of osteoporosis patients. Bone-mass preservation treatments have been associated with osteomyelitis of the jawbones, a condition commonly described as osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ). The facial skeleton, where alimentary tract mucosa attaches directly to periosteum and teeth which lie in their sockets of alveolar bone, is an area unique for the early detection of osteoporosis but also for the prevention of treatment-associated complications. We review facial bone involvement in patients with osteoporosis and we present data that make the multidisciplinary approach of these patients more appealing for both practitioners and dentists. With regard to ONJ, a tabular summary with currently available evidence is provided to facilitate multidisciplinary practice coordination for the treatment of patients receiving bisphosphonates.
AGENT-BASED MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS

Socio-technical systems are characterized by high structural and behavioral complexities, which impede understanding and modeling of such systems. In particular, reciprocal relations between diverse local system processes that determine global system dynamics are not well understood. In this article we focus on the problem of establishing relations between cognitive processes that determine the social dynamics of an actor in a socio-technical system. To address this problem, a formal, integrated, agent-based modeling approach is proposed. The approach provides rich analysis possibilities of qualitative and quantitative properties, specified at local (agent) and global (system) levels. An application of the approach in the context of a subway evacuation case is described in the article.
FROMS: Feedback Routing for Optimizing Multiple Sinks in WSN with Reinforcement Learning

In the domain of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), information routing is both a fundamental and challenging problem. In this work, we describe how information local to each node can be shared without overhead as feedback to neighboring nodes, enabling efficient routing to multiple sinks. Such a situation arises in WSNs with multiple, possibly mobile users collecting data from a monitored area. We formulate the problem as a reinforcement learning task, and apply Q-Routing techniques to derive a solution. Evaluation of the resulting FROMS protocol demonstrates its ability to significantly decrease the network overhead over existing approaches.
Supraliminal But Not Subliminal Distracters Bias Working Memory Recall

Information of which observers are not consciously aware can nevertheless influence perceptual processes. Whether subliminal information might exert an influence on working memory (WM) representations is less clear, and relatively few studies have examined the interactions between subliminal and supraliminal information in WM. We present 3 experiments examining this issue. Experiments 1a and b replicated the finding that orientation stimuli can influence behavior subliminally in a visuomotor priming task. Experiments 2 and 3 used the same orientation stimuli, but participants had to remember a target orientation and report it back by adjusting a probe orientation after a memory delay. Before or after presentation of the target orientation, a subliminal or supraliminal distracter orientation was presented that was either irrelevant for task completion and never had to be reported (Experiment 2), or was relevant for task completion because it had to be reported on some trials (Experiment 3). In both experiments, presentation of a supraliminal distracter influenced WM recall of the target orientation. When the distracter was presented subliminally, however, there was no bias in orientation recall. These results suggest that information stored in WM is protected from influences of subliminal stimuli, while online information processing is modulated by subliminal information.
Review of A Large Clinical Series: Association of Cumulative Fluid Balance on Outcome in Acute Lung Injury: A Retrospective Review of the ARDSnet Tidal Volume Study Cohort

Objective: To evaluate the independent influence of fluid balance on outcomes for patients with acute lung injury. Design: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study conducted between March 1996 and March 1999. Setting: The study involved 10 academic clinical centers (with 24 hospitals and 75 Intensive Care Units). Patients: All patients for whom fluid balance data existed (844) from the 902 patients enrolled in the National Heart Lung Blood Institute's ARDS Network ventilator-tidal volume trial. Interventions: The study had no interventions. Measurements/Results: On the first day of study enrollment, 683 patients were, on average, more than 3.5 L in positive fluid balance compared to 161 patients in negative fluid balance (P < .001). Cumulative negative fluid balance on day 4 of the study was associated with an independently lower hospital mortality (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.28-0.89; P < .001) more ventilator and intensive care unit—free days. Conclusions: Negative cumulative fluid balance at day 4 of acute lung injury is associated with significantly lower mortality, independent of other measures of severity of illness.
Clinical Features of Obstructive Sleep Apnea That Determine Its High Prevalence in Resistant Hypertension

Purpose Resistant hypertension (HTN) occurs in 15-20% of treated hypertensive patients, and 70-80% of resistant hypertensive patients have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The characteristics of resistant HTN that predispose patients to OSA have not been reported. Therefore, we aimed to determine the clinical, laboratory, and polysomnographic features of resistant HTN that are significantly associated with OSA. Materials and Methods Hypertensive patients (n=475) who underwent portable polysomnography were enrolled. The patients were categorized into controlled (n=410) and resistant HTN (n=65) groups. The risk factors for the occurrence of OSA in controlled and resistant hypertensive patients were compared, and independent risk factors that are associated with OSA were analyzed. Results Out of 475 patients, 359 (75.6%) were diagnosed with OSA. The prevalence of OSA in resistant HTN was 87.7%, which was significantly higher than that in controlled HTN (73.7%). Age, body mass index, neck circumference, waist circumference, and hip circumference were significantly higher in OSA. However, stepwise multivariate analyses revealed that resistant HTN was not an independent risk factor of OSA. Conclusion The higher prevalence and severity of OSA in resistant HTN may be due to the association of risk factors that are common to both conditions.
Extended-Release Dexmethylphenidate 30 mg/d Versus 20 mg/d: Duration of Attention, Behavior, and Performance Benefits in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective This study aimed to compare the effects of dexmethylphenidate (D-MPH) extended-release (ER) 30 mg and D-MPH–ER 20 mg on attention, behavior, and performance in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Methods In a randomized, double-blind, 3-period-by-3-treatment, crossover study, children aged 6 to 12 years with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder stabilized on methylphenidate (40–60 mg/d) or D-MPH (20–30 mg/d) received D-MPH–ER 20 mg/d, 30 mg/d, and placebo for 7 days each (final dose of each treatment period administered in a laboratory classroom). Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham (SKAMP) Combined (Attention and Deportment) rating scale and Permanent Product Measure of Performance (PERMP) math test assessments were conducted at baseline and 3, 6, 9, 10, 11, and 12 hours postdose. Results A total of 165 children (94 boys; mean age, 9.6 years) were randomized (162 included in intent-to-treat analyses). Significant improvements were noted for D-MPH–ER 30 mg over D-MPH–ER 20 mg at various late time points on the SKAMP scales (Combined scores at 9, 10, 11, and 12 hours postdose; Attention scores at 10, 11, and 12 hours postdose; deportment scores at 9 and 12 hours postdose). The PERMP math test–attempted and –correct scores (change from predose) were significantly higher with D-MPH–ER 30 mg than with D-MPH–ER 20 mg at 10, 11, and 12 hours postdose. Both D-MPH–ER doses were superior to placebo at all time points. Conclusions D-MPH–ER 30 mg was superior to D-MPH–ER 20 mg at later time points in the day, suggesting that higher doses of D-MPH–ER may be more effective later in the day.
Risk Factors for Autistic Disorder: A Case-Control Study

Background: Autistic disorder (AD) is one of the most serious psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Identification of relevant risk factors is a main step in disease management. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine probable risk factors for AD. Methods: This case-control study was carried out in the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. By convenience sampling method, 115 children with autism were selected from Rehabilitation Center of Autism Society in Tabriz, Iran. Moreover, 112 children were selected as control. AD was diagnosed based on DSM-IV-TR criteria by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Results: Asthma, epilepsy, microcephaly, hearing / vision impairments, allergy to milk/wheat, side effects of rubella vaccines, and language disorders in the immediate family members including siblings, parents’ low education and lack of breastfeeding were more prevalent in AD children. Based on the logistic regression results, mothers’ low education [Exp (B) = 4.59, CI = 2.13-9.87, P < 0.001] and lack of breastfeeding until the age of two [Exp (B) = 2.91, CI = 1.54-5.50, P < 0.01] were the predictors of AD. Conclusions: Parents’ education and lack of breastfeeding until the age of two could predict AD in children. Improving educational system and increasing families’ awareness about benefits of breastfeeding will be valuable.
The Associations of Job Stress and Organizational Identification with Job Satisfaction among Chinese Police Officers: The Mediating Role of Psychological Capital

Police officers’ job satisfaction is an important issue for police force management, but insufficient research exists on the topic, especially in China. This study aimed to examine the associations of job stress and organizational identification with job satisfaction among Chinese police officers, and particularly the mediating role of psychological capital (PsyCap). A cross-sectional study was conducted in Liaoning Province of China during the period of September–October 2014. A set of self-administered questionnaires was distributed to 2514 police officers, and complete responses were obtained from 2226 participants. The associations among variables in relation to job satisfaction were validated by structural equation modeling. Job stress was negatively associated with job satisfaction, while organizational identification and PsyCap were positively associated with job satisfaction among Chinese police officers. PsyCap mediated the associations of job stress and organizational identification with job satisfaction. Interventions to improve Chinese police officers’ job satisfaction should be developed in the future, especially the enhancement of PsyCap.
Non-Inflammatory Destructive Periodontal Disease

Background: Non-Inflammatory Destructive Periodontal Disease (NIDPD), is a severe destructive periodontal disease, that is characterized by the attachment loss and alveolar bone loss, without signs of the gingival inflammation, and the periodontal pocket development. Objective: Despite the fact that various cases of NIDPD have been reported; their etiology and disease evolution is still indefinite, and therefore, are open for discussion. Method: An NIDPD case was studied in order to demonstrate features of the disease, and discuss the possible etiology and treatment. Results: In this clinical case, the etiology of NIDPD seems to be an association of endogenous opportunist bacteria with anatomical aspects, occlusion pattern, emotional stress and mouth breathing condition. Conclusion: In spite of all cases described in the literature are comparable and may have similar etiology as related in this clinical case, additional research is needed to identify and clarify the role of the etiologic factors which determine the disease.
Turnout in a Small World

This article investigates between-voter interactions in a social network model of turnout. It shows that if 1) there is a small probability that voters imitate the behavior of one of their acquaintances, and 2) individuals are closely connected to others in a population (the "small-world" effect), then a single voting decision may affect dozens of other voters in a "turnout cascade. " If people tend to be ideologically similar to other people they are connected to, then these turnout cascades will produce net favorable results for their favorite candidate. By changing more than one vote with one's own turnout decision, the turnout incentive is thus substantially larger than previously thought. We analyze conditions that are favorable to turnout cascades and show that the effect is consistent with real social network data from Huckfeldt and Sprague's South Bend and Indianapolis-St. Louis election surveys. We also suggest that turnout cascades may help explain over-reporting of turnout and the ubiquitous belief in a duty to vote.
Lattice Point Counting and Height Bounds over Number Fields and Quaternion Algebras

An important problem in analytic and geometric combinatorics is estimating the number of lattice points in a compact convex set in a Euclidean space. Such estimates have numerous applications throughout mathematics. In this note, we exhibit applications of a particular estimate of this sort to several counting problems in number theory: counting integral points and units of bounded height over number fields, counting points of bounded height over positive definite quaternion algebras, and counting points of bounded height with a fixed support over global function fields. Our arguments use a collection of height comparison inequalities for heights over a number field and over a quaternion algebra. We also show how these inequalities can be used to obtain existence results for points of bounded height over a quaternion algebra, which constitute non-commutative analogues of variations of the classical Siegel's lemma and Cassels' theorem on small zeros of quadratic forms.
Distress, misperceptions, poor coping and suicidal ideation in psoriatic arthritis: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE PsA is associated with significant distress and can be life-ruining. Reducing distress can improve quality of life and disease outcomes. Quality of life measures broadly identify the extent to which PsA impacts on people's lives but do not enable clinicians to address PsA-specific distress in the setting of the clinic. The aim of this study was to explore people's illness beliefs, emotions and behaviours that relate to living with PsA and account for the distress experienced by those living with this condition. METHODS Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted in the UK with adults with PsA. Interview questions were theoretically informed by the Common-Sense Self-Regulation Model (CS-SRM). Two stages of data analysis, in line with thematic and framework analysis principles, involved coding pre-determined CS-SRM components and identifying any additional emergent themes. Constant comparison techniques allowed for patterns across CS-SRM components to emerge inductively from the data. RESULTS Twenty-four people with PsA participated (54% male; aged 27-71; time since onset ranged between 4 months and 29 years). Four core themes comprising clusters of illness beliefs, emotions and related behaviours emerged accounting for patient distress: restrictions, role of others, resentment and resignation. Suicidal ideation in the sample was commonly expressed and patients feared exponential degeneration of their condition. Patients reported the condition being dismissed or belittled by others and therefore hiding their distress from people around them. CONCLUSION People with PsA experience significant disease-related distress, including suicidal ideation. Misperceptions, ineffective coping styles (e.g. avoidance/blocking) and negative emotions should be actively identified and addressed with people with PsA.
Language independent gender identification

This paper describes a novel technique specifically developed for gender identification which combines acoustic analysis and pitch. Two sets of hidden Markov models, male and female, are matched to the speech using the Viterbi algorithm and the most likely sequence of models with corresponding likelihood scores are produced. Linear discriminant analysis is used to normalise the models and reduce bias towards a particular gender. An enhanced version of the pitch estimation algorithm used for IMBE speech coding is used to give an average pitch estimate for the speaker. The information provided by the acoustic analysis and pitch estimation are combined using a linear classifier to identify the gender of the speech. The system was tested on three British English databases giving less than 1% identification error rate with two seconds of speech. Further tests without optimisation on eleven languages of the OGI database gave error rates less than 5.2% and an average of 2.0%.
Firm Entry and Institutional Lock-in: An Organizational Ecology Analysis of the Global Fashion Design Industry

Few industries are more concentrated than the global fashion industry. We analyse the geography and evolution of the ready-to-wear fashion design industry by looking at the yearly entry rates following an organizational ecology approach. In contrast to earlier studies on manufacturing industries, we find that legitimation effects are local and competition effects are global. This result points to the rapid turnover of ideas in fashion on the one hand and the global demand for fashion apparel on the other hand. We attribute the decline of Paris in the post-war period to 'institutional lock-in', which prevented a ready-to-wear cluster to emerge as vested interested of haute couture designers were threatened. An extended organizational ecology model provides empirical support for this claim.
Nebulized formoterol: a review of clinical efficacy and safety in COPD

A nebulized formulation of formoterol, Perforomist, 20 microg/2 ml, has been available since 2007 for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We review the safety and efficacy data obtained during its development. In a dose-finding study, formoterol inhalation solution (FFIS) was similar to the formoterol originator, Foradil 12 microg DPI (FA) in patients with COPD. In a 12-week efficacy study, FFIS manifested a rapid onset of action and FEV(1) peak, AUC(0-12), and trough levels similar to FA. No loss of efficacy, tachyphylaxis, was observed over 12 weeks of regular administration. In placebo-controlled studies in COPD patients receiving maintenance tiotropium, the addition of FFIS significantly augmented bronchodilation over the 6-week treatment duration, signifying that nebulized formoterol can further improve lung function in patients who are receiving tiotropium without an observed increase in adverse reactions. The safety profile of FFIS during 12-week and 1-year studies revealed adverse events that were similar to those of placebo and FA. Cardiac rhythm studies, including frequent ECGs and Holter monitoring, did not indicate any increase in rate or rhythm disturbances greater than placebo or FA. We conclude that maintenance use of Perforomist is appropriate for patients with COPD who require or prefer a nebulizer for management of their disease.