Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Absolute monocytosis at diagnosis correlates with survival in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma—possible link with monocytic myeloid‐derived suppressor cells

Some patients with lymphoma have monocytosis at diagnosis, but its significance is unclear. The recently recognized subpopulation, monocytic myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (M‐MDSCs), has immunoregulatory function, suppresses host anti‐tumour immunity and plays a role in cancer tolerance. Data from 91 untreated patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were evaluated for monocytosis >1000/mm3 at diagnosis and its significance compared with a number of well‐established prognostic factors for DLBCL including age, stage, gender, B symptoms, extranodal sites, LDH and CRP levels, bone marrow involvement and International Prognostic Index (IPI) score. In 23 of these patients with DLBCL and 15 healthy controls, the proportion of M‐MDSCs in the peripheral blood was determined by flow cytometry. Monocytosis was found in 17.6% of the patient cohort examined. In the multivariate analysis, bone marrow involvement, IPI score and monocytosis were the only independent prognostic factors seen to be associated with decreased progression free and overall survival. Patients with DLBCL had on average increased M‐MDSCs counts at diagnosis compared with controls, which returned to normal after achieving remission. In conclusion, monocytosis was identified as an independent prognostic factor in DLBCL and correlated with worse overall survival. The significant increases in the M‐MDSCs pool observed in some of the cases examined may possibly help to explain why monocytosis is associated with poor outcome in these patients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive random sampling for traffic load measurement

Traffic measurement and monitoring is an important component of network QoS management and traffic engineering. With high-speed Internet links, efficient and effective packet sampling techniques for traffic measurement are not only desirable, but increasingly becoming a necessity. In this paper, we propose and analyze an adaptive random packet sampling technique for traffic load measurement. In particular, we address the problem of bounding sampling error within a pre-specified tolerance level. Using real network traffic traces, we show that the proposed adaptive random sampling technique indeed produces the desired accuracy, while also yielding significant reduction in the amount of traffic samples.
Subjective and Objective Parameters of the Adult Female Voice after Cricotracheal Resection and Dilation

Objectives: We compared the voice outcomes after cricotracheal resection (CTR) and airway dilation in adult women. Methods: We performed long-term comprehensive voice assessments in 23 adult women treated for laryngotracheal stenosis, including acoustic and perceptual measurements of voice, videostroboscopy, the Voice Handicap Index, and an open-ended subjective questionnaire. Results: Voice measures were abnormal in both groups. Objective pitch and loudness measurements were significantly more impaired after CTR than after dilation. Perceptual ratings of voice were worse after CTR than after dilation, particularly with regard to breathiness, pitch, and loudness. The CTR group was more likely to report a voice disorder, reported significantly more voice symptoms, and had higher voice handicap scores. Videostroboscopy was frequently abnormal in both groups, with more evidence of vocal hyperfunction after CTR. Self-ratings of breathing and swallowing were generally high in both groups, but voice satisfaction was rated lower after CTR. Conclusions: Voice was more significantly negatively impacted by CTR than by dilation. Surprisingly, many individuals in both groups reported improvements — A finding that possibly highlights the impact of laryngotracheal stenosis on airflow and vocal function before surgery. The importance of patient selection and preoperative counseling is emphasized, along with the potential need for voice therapy.
Cloud manufacturing – a critical review of recent development and future trends

There is an ongoing paradigm shift in manufacturing, in which the modern manufacturing industry is changing towards global manufacturing networks and supply chains. This will lead to the flexible usage of different globally distributed, scalable and sustainable, service-oriented manufacturing systems and resources. Combining recently emerged technologies, such as Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, Semantic Web, service-oriented technologies, virtualisation and advanced high-performance computing technologies, with advanced manufacturing models and information technologies, Cloud Manufacturing is a new manufacturing paradigm built on resource sharing, supporting and driving this change. It is envisioned that companies in all sectors of manufacturing will be able to package their resources and know-hows in the Cloud, making them conveniently available for others through pay-as-you-go, which is also timely and economically attractive. Resources, e.g. manufacturing software tools, applications, knowledge and fabrication capabilities and equipment, will then be made accessible to presumptive consumers on a worldwide basis. Cloud Manufacturing has been in focus for a great deal of research interest and suggested applications during recent years, by both industrial and academic communities. After surveying a vast array of available publications, this paper presents an up-to-date literature review together with identified outstanding research issues, and future trends and directions within Cloud Manufacturing.
In Vitro Activities of Panduratin A against Clinical Staphylococcus Strains

ABSTRACT In vitro antistaphylococcal activities of panduratin A, a natural chalcone compound isolated from Kaempferia pandurata Roxb, were compared to those of commonly used antimicrobials against clinical staphylococcal isolates. Panduratin A had a MIC at which 90% of bacteria were inhibited of 1 μg/ml for clinical staphylococcal isolates and generally was more potent than commonly used antimicrobials.
Backstepping control with sliding mode estimation for a hexacopter

This paper presents the dynamic nonlinear model and the design of a controller for a hexarotor aerial robot. The control algorithm is based on the backstepping technique and it is applied to the trajectory tracking problem. The wind parameters resulting from the aerodynamic forces and moments acting on the hexacopter are estimated via a sliding mode observer with the super twisting algorithm in order to ensure robustness against aerial external disturbances and parameter variations. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed controller are tested in a simulation study taking into account external disturbances which are function of time.
Self-monitoring personality at work: a meta-analytic investigation of construct validity.

The validity of self-monitoring personality in organizational settings was examined. Meta-analyses were conducted (136 samples; total N = 23,191) investigating the relationship between self-monitoring personality and work-related variables, as well as the reliability of various self-monitoring measures. Results suggest that self-monitoring has relevance for understanding many organizational concerns, including job performance and leadership emergence. Sample-weighted mean differences favoring male respondents were also noted, suggesting that the sex-related effects for self-monitoring may partially explain noted disparities between men and women at higher organizational levels (i.e., the glass ceiling). Theory building and additional research are needed to better understand the construct-related inferences about self-monitoring personality, especially in terms of the performance, leadership, and attitudes of those at top organizational levels.
SHIELD: A software hardware design methodology for security and reliability of MPSoCs

Security of MPSoCs is an emerging area of concern in embedded systems. Security is jeopardized by code injection attacks, which are the most common types of software attacks. Previous attempts to detect code injection in MPSoCs have been burdened with significant performance overheads. In this work, we present a hardware/software methodology "SHIELD" to detect code injection attacks in MPSoCs. SHIELD instruments the software programs running on application processors in the MPSoC and also extracts control flow and basic block execution time information for runtime checking. We employ a dedicated security processor (monitor processor) to supervise the application processors on the MPSoC. Custom hardware is designed and used in the monitor and application processors. The monitor processor uses the custom hardware to rapidly analyze information communicated to it from the application processors at runtime. We have implemented SHIELD on a commercial extensible processor (Xtensa LX2) and tested it on a multiprocessor JPEG encoder program. In addition to code injection attacks, the system is also able to detect 83% of bit flips errors in the control flow instructions. The experiments show that SHIELD produces systems with runtime which is at least 9 times faster than the previous solution. SHIELD incurs a runtime (clock cycles) performance overhead of only 6.6% and an area overhead of 26.9%, when compared to a non-secure system.
Effects of Naltrexone on Cognition in a Treatment Study of Patients with Schizophrenia and Comorbid Alcohol Dependence

ABSTRACT Deficits in frontal lobe functioning are common to both schizophrenia and alcohol dependence and have been associated with problems with memory and attention. Objectives: The first objective of this study was to examine the effect of naltrexone treatment on cognition in patients with schizophrenia and comorbid alcohol dependence. The second objective was to assess whether changes in drinking patterns were related to changes in cognitive functioning. Methods: Outpatients with schizophrenia and alcohol dependence (n = 30) were randomized (double-blind) to either naltrexone or placebo for 12 weeks to treat their alcohol dependence. After the initial 12 weeks of treatment they were offered the option of open-label naltrexone for an additional 12 weeks (8 patients continued on naltrexone, and 6 switched from placebo to naltrexone). Alcohol use, symptoms of schizophrenia, memory and attention were assessed at baseline, at week 12 and week 24. Results: The results showed that naltrexone had no effect on cognitive functioning for patients with alcohol dependence and schizophrenia, and there was no relationship between change in alcohol consumption and change in cognitive functioning in patients with alcohol dependence and schizophrenia. Conclusions: Naltrexone can be used safely for alcohol reduction in patients with schizophrenia and comorbid alcohol dependence.
The Neuroanatomical and Neurophysiological Basis of Learning

&NA; The physiological basis of learning is memory The established facts about memory, the memory systems, and learning are presented along with relevant theories currently proposed. Additionally, current physiological theory about cognition is examined. Specifically, the functions of the memory systems in cognition and the function of the frontal lobes in goal orientation and elaboration of thought are addressed Implications for neuroscience nursing practice are drawn.
Identification of Bioactivating Enzymes Involved in the Hydrolysis of Laninamivir Octanoate, a Long-Acting Neuraminidase Inhibitor, in Human Pulmonary Tissue

Laninamivir octanoate (LO) is an octanoyl ester prodrug of the neuraminidase inhibitor laninamivir. After inhaled administration, LO exhibits clinical efficacy for both treatment and prophylaxis of influenza virus infection, resulting from hydrolytic bioactivation into its pharmacologically active metabolite laninamivir in the pulmonary tissue. In this study, we focused on the identification of LO-hydrolyzing enzymes from human pulmonary tissue extract using proteomic correlation profiling—a technology integration of traditional biochemistry and proteomics. In a single elution step by gel-filtration chromatography, LO-hydrolyzing activity was separated into two distinct peaks, designated as peak I and peak II. By mass spectrometry, 1160 and 1003 proteins were identified and quantitated for peak I and peak II, respectively, and enzyme candidates were ranked based on the correlation coefficient between the enzyme activity and the proteomic profiles. Among proteins with a high correlation value, S-formylglutathione hydrolase (esterase D; ESD) and acyl-protein thioesterase 1 (APT1) were selected as the most likely candidates for peak I and peak II, respectively, which was confirmed by LO-hydrolyzing activity of recombinant proteins. In the case of peak II, LO-hydrolyzing activity was completely inhibited by treatment with a specific APT1 inhibitor, palmostatin B. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that both enzymes were mainly localized in the pulmonary epithelia, a primary site of influenza virus infection. These findings demonstrate that ESD and APT1 are key enzymes responsible for the bioactivation of LO in human pulmonary tissue.
Surface thermophysical properties determination of OSIRIS-REx target asteroid (101955) Bennu

In this work, we investigate the thermophysical properties of OSIRIS-REx target asteroid (101955) Bennu (hereafter Bennu), where thermal inertia plays an important role in understanding the nature of the asteroid's surface, and will definitely provide substantial information for the sampling return mission. Using a thermophysical model incorporating, the recently updated 3D radar-derived shape model and mid-infrared observations of Spitzer-PUI, Spitzer-IRAC, Herschel/PACS and ESO VLT/VISIR, we derive the surface thermophysical properties of Bennu. The asteroid has an effective diameter of 510(-40)(+6) m, a geometry albedo of 0.047(-0.0011)(+0.0083), a roughness fraction of 0.04(-0.04)(+0.26) and thermal inertia of 240(-60)(+440) Jm(-2) s(-0.5) K-1 for a best-fitting solution at 1 sigma level. The best-estimate thermal inertia indicates that fine-grained regolith may cover a large area of Bennu's surface, with a grain size that may range from 1.3 to 31 mm, and our outcome further supports that Bennu would be a suitable target for the OSIRIS-REx mission to return samples from the asteroid to Earth.
DELINEATING AND CHARTING THE SYSTEMATIC APPROACH OF HRD PROCESS

The purpose of this paper is to delineate the systematic approach of HRD process. Specifically, the systematic process of ‘why’, ‘how’, ‘where’, and the ‘when’ of HRD will be deliberated. A review of the relevant literature was conducted both manually and through the computerised database. This paper presents a systematic process flow chart of each step in the HRD process. This review will contribute to the HRD literature in which the ‘why’, ‘how’, ‘where’ and the ‘when’ of the HRD process is charted and modelled.
Longitudinal influence of alcohol and marijuana use on academic performance in college students

Background Alcohol and marijuana are the two most abused substances in US colleges. However, research on the combined influence (cross sectional or longitudinal) of these substances on academic performance is currently scant. Methods Data were derived from the longitudinal 2-year Brain and Alcohol Research in College Students (BARCS) study including 1142 freshman students who completed monthly marijuana use and alcohol consumption surveys. Subjects were classified into data-driven groups based on their alcohol and marijuana consumption. A linear mixed-model (LMM) was employed using this grouping factor to predict grade point average (GPA), adjusted for a variety of socio-demographic and clinical factors. Results Three data-driven clusters emerged: 1) No/low users of both, 2) medium-high alcohol/no-low marijuana, and 3) medium-high users of both substances. Individual cluster derivations between consecutive semesters remained stable. No significant interaction between clusters and semester (time) was noted. Post-hoc analysis suggest that at the outset, compared to sober peers, students using moderate to high levels of alcohol and low marijuana demonstrate lower GPAs, but this difference becomes non-significant over time. In contrast, students consuming both substances at moderate-to-high levels score significantly lower at both the outset and across the 2-year investigation period. Our follow-up analysis also indicate that when students curtailed their substance use over time they had significantly higher academic GPA compared to those who remained stable in their substance use patterns over the two year period. Conclusions Overall, our study validates and extends the current literature by providing important implications of concurrent alcohol and marijuana use on academic achievement in college.
Discrete-time neural block control for a doubly fed induction generator

This paper proposes a control scheme based on the discrete-time block control technique using sliding modes, for a doubly fed induction generator connected to an infinity bus. In order to obtain the generator mathematical model, it is proposed to use a recurrent high order neural network (RHONN) identifier, which is trained with an extended Kalman filter (EFK) algorithm. Parameter changes are applied to test the scheme robustness. Its performance is illustrated via simulations.
Magical Ideation and Right-Sided Hemispatial Inattention on a Spatial Working Memory Task: Influences of Sex and Handedness

A correlation between magical ideation scores and the size of relative right-sided hemispatial inattention was previously reported for healthy right-handed men performing a tactile line-bisection task. To re-investigate this relation, a computerized version of Corsi's Block-Tapping Test was used to test working memory. In this version, different numbers of cubes are simultaneously displayed on a screen, and after the cubes disappear the subject is asked to designate the cubes' locations on a grid as quickly as possible. 98 healthy medical students were divided into four groups on the basis of their handedness and sex in the following way: right-handed men, right-handed women, non right-handed men, and nonright-handed women. Each subject performed the test once with the right hand and once with the left hand. Accuracy and Neglect scores were computed for the two hemispaces separately. Also, all subjects filled in the Magical Ideation Scale which asks for hallucination-like experiences and delusion-like beliefs. In all groups a significant right-sided inattention was found when subjects performed with the right hand. Magical Ideation scores were significantly correlated with Neglect in the right hemispace for the right-handed women when the right hand was used. For the nonright-handed men, when the right hand was used, a significant negative correlation between Magical Ideation scores and Neglect scores in the left hemispace was found. Our findings support the previous study in some aspects and suggest that the correlation between hemispatial inattention and proneness to schizotypy in normal subjects is restricted to right-hand performance.
Premotor transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) affects primary motor excitability in humans

Recent studies have shown that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the premotor cortex (PM) modifies the excitability of the ipsilateral primary motor cortex (M1). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a new method to induce neuroplasticity in humans non‐invasively. tDCS generates neuroplasticity directly in the cortical area under the electrode, but might also induce effects in distant brain areas, caused by activity modulation of interconnected areas. However, this has not yet been tested electrophysiologically. We aimed to study whether premotor tDCS can modify the excitability of the ipsilateral M1 via cortico‐cortical connectivity. Sixteen subjects received cathodal and anodal tDCS of the PM and eight subjects of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Premotor anodal, but not premotor cathodal or prefrontal tDCS, modified selectively short intracortical inhibition/intracortical facilitation (SICI/ICF), while motor thresholds, single test‐pulse motor‐evoked potential and input–output curves were stable throughout the experiments. Specifically, anodal tDCS decreased intracortical inhibition and increased paired‐pulse excitability. The selective influence of premotor tDCS on intracortical excitability of the ipsilateral M1 suggests a connectivity‐driven effect of tDCS on remote cortical areas. Moreover, this finding indirectly substantiates the efficacy of tDCS to modulate premotor excitability, which might be of interest for applications in diseases accompanied by pathological premotor activity.
Ultra-High-Pressure Balloon Angioplasty for Treatment of Resistant Stenoses Within or Adjacent to Previously Implanted Pulmonary Arterial Stents

Background—Stents are essential tools in the management of pulmonary arterial (PA) stenosis in patients with congenital heart disease. Although stents can usually be reexpanded as children grow, resistant in-stent or peri-stent obstruction can complicate the management of PA stents. Angioplasty with ultra-high-pressure (UHP) balloons may facilitate successful treatment of stent-associated PA stenoses that are resistant to high-pressure dilation. Methods and Results—We reviewed patients who underwent UHP angioplasty of in-stent or peri-stent PA stenoses that were resistant to high-pressure redilation. A resistant stenosis was defined as a residual balloon waist during high-pressure redilation of the stent, along with a pressure gradient and/or angiographic stenosis. Thirty-four lesions in 29 patients, including 8 with multiple concentric, overlapping, or adjacent stents, were included. The median age at UHP angioplasty was 9 years, and a median of 4 years had elapsed since unsuccessful high-pressure angioplasty. Thirty-one of the 34 (91% [81% to 100%]) UHP angioplasty procedures were successful in relieving the resistant stenosis. Balloon:waist diameter ratios were conservative (median 1.26), reflecting the ability of UHP balloons to “fracture” nearly all obstructions. After UHP dilation, lesion diameter increased by a median of 3.1 mm (36%), significantly more than after previous high-pressure dilation (1.3 mm, 19%; P<0.001). In 5 lesions, UHP angioplasty fractured the stent, allowing further vessel expansion. There were no vascular or other complications. Conclusions—UHP angioplasty was safe and effective for treatment of stent-related resistant PA stenosis in this series; the ability to fracture maximally expanded stents may extend the utility of stents in the pediatric population.
Best Practices in Predicting and Encouraging Student Persistence and Achievement Online

Four research studies of students and faculty engaged in fully online undergraduate courses are analyzed to generate best practices for teaching and learning online. These studies investigated the relationship of student background variables and online behaviors to student persistence and achievement in the online environment. Over 500 students enrolled in lower division, undergraduate courses offered online were included in the analyses. The courses were designed by faculty and instructional design experts and met standards of quality course design established by the offering colleges and universities. By combining the results of the study, guidelines for advising students and faculty for success in the online environment emerged.