Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extended Analysis of Binary Adjustment Algorithms

Congestion control in the Internet relies on binary adjustment algorithms. For example, Transmis- sion Control Protocol (TCP) in its congestion avoidance mode behaves similarly to Additive-Increase Multiplicative- Decrease (AIMD) algorithm. Chiu and Jain offer a theo- retical justification for choosing AIMD: among stable lin- ear algorithms, AIMD ensures the quickest convergence to maxmin-fair states. Whereas Chiu-Jain model rests on a well-known unrealistic assumption of uniform feedback, more precise analytic characterizations of TCP behavior are developed and validated. In particular, the advanced the- ory and experiments agree that TCP congestion control does not converge to maxmin fairness. However, despite the re- cent progress in TCP feedback modeling, it is still common to use Chiu-Jain model for comparison of binary adjust- ment algorithms. This paper argues against such practice. We provide evidence that due to the incorrect assumption of uniform feedback, Chiu-Jain model is not suitable for trust- worthy conclusions about properties of an adjustment al- gorithm. We emphasize that until algorithms are analyzed with a more realistic feedback model, optimal choice of a binary adjustment algorithm will remain an open problem.
Fasting Respiratory Quotient as a Predictor of Long-Term Weight Changes in Non-Obese Women

Background/Aims: The identification of metabolic and environmental predictors of excess body fat is still far from being achieved. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether respiratory quotient in non-obese women is a predictor of body weight changes after a 6-year follow-up period. Methods: Forty-three non-obese healthy women participated in the study. Their baseline general characteristics were: age 40.5 ± 12.8 years; height 159 ± 7 cm; weight 61.8 ± 10.1 kg, and body mass index (BMI) 24.4 ± 3.8 kg/m². At baseline basal metabolic rate and respiratory quotient were determined by indirect calorimetry, while weight and BMI were recorded at the first observation and after the 3- and 6-year follow-ups. Results: At the first observation basal metabolic rate was 5,360 ± 713 kJ/day and respiratory quotient 0.850 ± 0.052. After 6 years, with weight changes equal to 1.4 ± 4.5 kg, baseline respiratory quotient was a significant predictor (p < 0.05) of changes in body weight or BMI together with baseline BMI. Conclusions: This follow-up study confirms that a high respiratory quotient (measured on free diet) predisposes to weight gain, especially in women with the highest baseline respiratory quotient (above the 90th percentile of the distribution for this variable).
[PSI+] prion generation in yeast: characterization of the ‘strain’ difference

The yeast cytoplasmically‐inherited nonsense suppressor [PSI+] determinant is presumed to be a manifestation of the aggregated prion‐like state of the Sup35 protein. Overexpression of the Sup35 protein induces generation of [PSI+] determinants with various suppressor efficiency and mitotic stabilities. Here, we demonstrate that the relative frequency of appearance of [PSI+] with different properties depends on the SUP35 allele used to induce their generation. The difference in properties of [PSI+] determinants was preserved after their transmission from one yeast strain to another. This difference correlated with variation in properties of the Sup35 protein. A novel type of prion instability was observed: some [PSI+] with weak suppressor efficiency could convert spontaneously into strong suppressor determinants. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peto's paradox and the promise of comparative oncology

The past several decades have seen a paradigm shift with the integration of evolutionary thinking into studying cancer. The evolutionary lens is most commonly employed in understanding cancer emergence, tumour growth and metastasis, but there is an increasing realization that cancer defences both between tissues within the individual and between species have been influenced by natural selection. This special issue focuses on discoveries of these deeper evolutionary phenomena in the emerging area of ‘comparative oncology’. Comparing cancer dynamics in different tissues or species can lead to insights into how biology and ecology have led to differences in carcinogenesis, and the diversity, incidence and lethality of cancers. In this introduction to the special issue, we review the history of the field and outline how the contributions use empirical, comparative and theoretical approaches to address the processes and patterns associated with ‘Peto's paradox’, the lack of a statistical relationship of cancer incidence with body size and longevity. This burgeoning area of research can help us understand that cancer is not only a disease but is also a driving force in biological systems and species life histories. Comparative oncology will be key to understanding globally important health issues, including cancer epidemiology, prevention and improved therapies.
Chronic Pain with Neuropathic Characteristics in Diabetic Patients: A French Cross-Sectional Study

Objective Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of distal chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus and its impact on quality of life, mood, anxiety, sleep and healthcare utilization. Methods In total, 885 patients were screened and 766 diabetic patients (38.7% with type 1 diabetes mellitus, 44.8% women, mean age: 57.2±14.9 years) were enrolled consecutively over a three-month period in this observational study by 85 diabetes specialists working in a hospital department or in private practice. All the patients completed a series of questionnaires for the detection of chronic pain (i.e. daily pain for more than three months) in the lower limbs and assessment of health-related quality of life (Medical Outcomes Short Form 12 scale), sleep disturbances (MOS sleep scale), depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale). Patients with chronic pain were also assessed with the 7-item DN4-interview questionnaire, the monofilament test and the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI). Results The overall prevalence of chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics was 20.3% [95% CI 17.4–23.1]. The MNSI examination score suggested that pain was related to polyneuropathy, in 80.1% of these patients (89.5% of those with bilateral pain). Patients with chronic pain had a poorer quality of life and more sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression than patients without pain and the presence of neuropathic characteristics was predictive of such impairments. Only 38.6% of the patients had received appropriate treatment for neuropathic pain. Conclusions Chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics concerns one in five diabetic patients, has a significant impact on quality of life and is not adequately managed. The close correlation between the DN4 questionnaire and MNSI results suggests that screening tools for neuropathic pain could be used in daily practice for the identification of painful diabetic polyneuropathy.
On the existence of global solutions for T 3-Gowdy spacetimes with stringy matter

We show a global existence theorem for the Einstein-matter equations of T3-Gowdy symmetric spacetimes with stringy matter. The areal time coordinate is used. It is shown that this spacetime has a crushing singularity into the past. From these results we can show that the spacetime is foliated by compact hypersurfaces of constant mean curvature.
Collaboration with drug treatment by schizophrenic patients with and without psychoeducational training: results of a 1‐year follow‐up

Within a controlled prospective intervention study, schizophrenic outpatients randomly assigned to four treatment groups and one control group were assessed with regard to collaboration with drug treatment. In total, 39.3% of 84 regular attenders of the psychoeducational training programme and 26.6% of 64 control patients reported having persuaded their psychiatrists to modify their medication prescriptions. A total of 8.3% and 7.8%, respectively, modified their medication on their own initiative, although with subsequent approval by the psychiatrist, and 20.2% and 15.6%, respectively, modified their medication after consulting their psychiatrist. With regard to medication management, the groups did not differ either at post‐treatment or at follow‐up. At follow‐up, regular attenders showed a reduced fear of side‐effects, increased confidence in their medication and stable confidence in their physician. Among the control subjects, confidence in the medication and in their physician declined, and fear of side‐effects increased. Psychoeducational training therefore led to an optimization of patients' attitudes toward treatment, but not to changes in medication management.
Effects of alcohol tax increases on alcohol-related disease mortality in Alaska: time-series analyses from 1976 to 2004.

OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effects of tax increases on alcoholic beverages in 1983 and 2002 on alcohol-related disease mortality in Alaska. METHODS We used a quasi-experimental design with quarterly measures of mortality from 1976 though 2004, and we included other states for comparison. Our statistical approach combined an autoregressive integrated moving average model with structural parameters in interrupted time-series models. RESULTS We observed statistically significant reductions in the numbers and rates of deaths caused by alcohol-related disease beginning immediately after the 1983 and 2002 alcohol tax increases in Alaska. In terms of effect size, the reductions were -29% (Cohen's d = -0.57) and -11% (Cohen's d = -0.52) for the 2 tax increases. Statistical tests of temporary-effect models versus long-term-effect models showed little dissipation of the effect over time. CONCLUSIONS Increases in alcohol excise tax rates were associated with immediate and sustained reductions in alcohol-related disease mortality in Alaska. Reductions in mortality occurred after 2 tax increases almost 20 years apart. Taxing alcoholic beverages is an effective public health strategy for reducing the burden of alcohol-related disease.
Exploring factors influencing smoking behaviour in Malaysia.

OBJECTIVE The objective of present study is to investigate the determinants of smoking behaviour among adults in Malaysia. METHOD Findings of the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-3) by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, were used. The sample consisted of 34,539 observations. A logistic regression model was thus applied to estimate the probability to participate in smoking. RESULTS Age, income, gender, marital status, ethnicity, employment status, residential area, education, lifestyle and health status were statistically significant in affecting the likelihood of smoking. Specifically, youngsters, low income earners, males, unmarried individuals, Malays, employed individuals, rural residents and primary educated individuals were more likely to smoke. CONCLUSION In conclusion, socio-demographic, lifestyle and health factors have significant impacts on smoking participation in Malaysia. Based on these empirical findings, several policy implications are suggested.
Maximal cliques structure for cocomparability graphs and applications

A cocomparability graph is a graph whose complement admits a transitive orientation. An interval graph is the intersection graph of a family of intervals on the real line. In this paper we investigate the relationships between interval and cocomparabil-ity graphs. This study is motivated by recent results [5, 13] that show that for some problems, the algorithm used on interval graphs can also be used with small modifications on cocomparability graphs. Many of these algorithms are based on graph searches that preserve cocomparability orderings. First we propose a characterization of cocomparability graphs via a lattice structure on the set of their maximal cliques. Using this characterization we can prove that every maximal interval subgraph of a cocomparability graph G is also a maximal chordal subgraph of G. Although the size of this lattice of maximal cliques can be exponential in the size of the graph, it can be used as a framework to design and prove algorithms on cocomparability graphs. In particular we show that a new graph search, namely Local Maximal Neighborhood Search (LocalMNS) leads to an O(n + mlogn) time algorithm to find a maximal interval subgraph of a cocomparability graph. Similarly we propose a linear time algorithm to compute all simplicial vertices in a cocomparability graph. In both cases we improve on the current state of knowledge.
The quantum FFT can be classically simulated

In this note we describe a simple and intriguing observation: the quantum Fourier transform (QFT) over Zq, which is considered the most “quantum” part of Shor’s algorithm, can in fact be simulated efficiently by classical computers. More precisely, we observe that the QFT can be performed by a circuit of poly-logarithmic path-width, if the circuit is allowed to apply not only unitary gates but also general linear gates. Recalling the results of Markov and Shi [9] and Jozsa [7] which provided classical simulations of such circuits in time exponential in the tree-width, this implies the result stated in the title. Classical simulations of the FFT are of course meaningless when applied to classical input strings on which their result is already known; Our observation might be interesting only in the context in which the QFT is used as a subroutine and applied to more interesting superpositions. We discuss the reasons why this idea seems to fail to provide an efficient classical simulation of the entire factoring algorithm. In the course of proving our observation, we provide two alternative proofs of the results of [9, 7] which we use. One proof is very similar in spirit to that of [9] but is more visual, and is based on a graph parameter which we call the “bubble width”, tightly related to the path- and tree-width. The other proof is based on connections to the Jones polynomial; It is very short, if one is willing to rely on several known results.
The In Vivo Granulopoietic Response to Dexamethasone Injection Is Abolished in Perforin-Deficient Mutant Mice and Corrected by Lymphocyte Transfer from Nonsensitized Wild-Type Donors

Exogenously administered glucocorticoids enhance eosinophil and neutrophil granulocyte production from murine bone-marrow. A hematological response dependent on endogenous glucocorticoids underlies bone-marrow eosinophilia induced by trauma or allergic sensitization/challenge. We detected a defect in granulopoiesis in nonsensitized, perforin-deficient mice. In steady-state conditions, perforin- (Pfp-) deficient mice showed significantly decreased bone-marrow and blood eosinophil and neutrophil counts, and colony formation in response to GM-CSF, relative to wild-type controls of comparable age and/or weight. By contrast, peripheral blood or spleen total cell and lymphocyte numbers were not affected by perforin deficiency. Dexamethasone enhanced colony formation by GM-CSF-stimulated progenitors from wild-type controls, but not Pfp mice. Dexamethasone injection increased bone-marrow eosinophil and neutrophil counts in wild-type controls, but not Pfp mice. Because perforin is expressed in effector lymphocytes, we examined whether this defect would be corrected by transferring wild-type lymphocytes into perforin-deficient recipients. Short-term reconstitution of the response to dexamethasone was separately achieved for eosinophils and neutrophils by transfer of distinct populations of splenic lymphocytes from nonsensitized wild-type donors. Transfer of the same amount of splenic lymphocytes from perforin-deficient donors was ineffective. This demonstrates that the perforin-dependent, granulopoietic response to dexamethasone can be restored by transfer of innate lymphocyte subpopulations.
Ridge preservation with the use of Bio-Oss collagen: A 6-month study in the dog.

BACKGROUND In previous short-term studies, it was observed that while the placement of biomaterial in alveolar sockets may promote bone formation and ridge preservation, the graft may in fact also delay healing. AIM The objective of the present experiment was to evaluate the more long-term effect on hard tissue formation and the amount of ridge augmentation that can occur by the placement of a xenogeneic graft in extraction sockets of dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five beagle dogs were used. The third mandibular premolars were hemi-sected. The distal roots were carefully removed. A graft consisting of Bio-Oss collagen was placed in one socket while the contra-lateral site was left without grafting. After 6 months of healing, the dogs were euthanized and biopsies were sampled. From each experimental site, four ground sections - two from the mesial root and two from the healed socket - were prepared, stained and examined under a microscope. RESULTS The placement of Bio-Oss collagen in the fresh extraction socket served as a scaffold for tissue modeling but did not enhance new bone formation. In comparison with the non-grafted sites, the dimension of the alveolar process as well as the profile of the ridge was better preserved in Bio-Oss-grafted sites. CONCLUSION The placement of a biomaterial in an extraction socket may modify modeling and counteract marginal ridge contraction that occurs following tooth removal.
Anaemia and its functional consequences in cancer patients: current challenges in management and prospects for improving therapy

Anaemia is a common occurrence in patients with cancer and contributes to the clinical symptomatology and reduced quality of life (QOL) seen in cancer patients. Many aspects of reduced QOL, including fatigue, are known to be associated with suboptimally low levels of haemoglobin. Even mild-to-moderate anaemia adversely affects patient-reported QOL parameters. Red blood cell transfusions are associated with many real and perceived risks, inconveniences, costs, and only temporary benefits. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is an effective therapy to increase haemoglobin values in over half of anaemic cancer patients receiving concurrent chemotherapy. These increased haemoglobin values are closely correlated with improvements in QOL. Despite these objectively defined benefits, less than 50% of anaemic patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy receive rHuEPO, in contrast to patients with chronic renal failure on dialysis, where anaemia is universally and aggressively treated to more optimal haemoglobin values. However, there are several barriers that may limit more widespread use of rHuEPO. These include inconvenience associated with frequent dosing; failure of a large proportion (40 to 50%) of patients to respond; relatively slow time to response; absence of reliable early indicators of response; and current lack of rigorous pharmacoeconomic data demonstrating cost-effectiveness. Darbepoetin alfa is a novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein (NESP) that is biochemically distinct from rHuEPO, and which has been proven to stimulate red blood cell production. The molecule has a 3-fold longer half-life and increased biological activity that will allow less frequent dosing, facilitating improved management of the anaemia of cancer. With this new option for therapy, further avenues of investigation should lead to renewed interest in the clinical benefits of optimal haemoglobin levels for patients with cancer. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign
Verbal Learning and Memory After Cochlear Implantation in Postlingually Deaf Adults: Some New Findings with the CVLT-II

Objectives: Despite the importance of verbal learning and memory in speech and language processing, this domain of cognitive functioning has been virtually ignored in clinical studies of hearing loss and cochlear implants in both adults and children. In this article, we report the results of two studies that used a newly developed visually based version of the California Verbal Learning Test–Second Edition (CVLT-II), a well-known normed neuropsychological measure of verbal learning and memory. Design: The first study established the validity and feasibility of a computer-controlled visual version of the CVLT-II, which eliminates the effects of audibility of spoken stimuli, in groups of young normal-hearing and older normal-hearing (ONH) adults. A second study was then carried out using the visual CVLT-II format with a group of older postlingually deaf experienced cochlear implant (ECI) users (N = 25) and a group of ONH controls (N = 25) who were matched to ECI users for age, socioeconomic status, and nonverbal IQ. In addition to the visual CVLT-II, subjects provided data on demographics, hearing history, nonverbal IQ, reading fluency, vocabulary, and short-term memory span for visually presented digits. ECI participants were also tested for speech recognition in quiet. Results: The ECI and ONH groups did not differ on most measures of verbal learning and memory obtained with the visual CVLT-II, but deficits were identified in ECI participants that were related to recency recall, the buildup of proactive interference, and retrieval-induced forgetting. Within the ECI group, nonverbal fluid IQ, reading fluency, and resistance to the buildup of proactive interference from the CVLT-II consistently predicted better speech recognition outcomes. Conclusions: Results from this study suggest that several underlying foundational neurocognitive abilities are related to core speech perception outcomes after implantation in older adults. Implications of these findings for explaining individual differences and variability and predicting speech recognition outcomes after implantation are discussed.
Gender-Related Differences in Hypnosis-Based Treatments for Smoking: A Follow-up Meta-Analysis

Abstract In an earlier meta-analysis of 12 studies using hypnosis-based treatments for smoking cessation, we provided preliminary evidence that males fare better than females when trying to quit smoking (Green, Lynn, & Montgomery, 2006). By excluding studies that reported no gender differences, but failed to report final outcome-statistics-by-gender, our previous conclusion may have overestimated the role of gender in hypnosis-based smoking cessation treatment. In the present analysis, we included 12 additional studies that reported no gender differences, but failed to report final outcome-by-gender statistics. Across each of these studies, we calculated identical success rates for male and female participants and then added these results to our database. Among all 24 groups of participants who completed hypnosis-based treatment for smoking, we found a small but significant effect for male participants being more successful in quitting smoking relative to females. Specific suggestions for tailoring hypnosis smoking cessation programs to take gender differences into account are discussed.