Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robot-Assisted Sleeve Gastrectomy in Morbidly Obese Versus Super Obese Patients

Background and Objectives: This study evaluates our technique for robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy for morbidly obese and super obese patients and our outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy at a single center was performed. The procedure was performed with the da Vinci Si HD Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, California). The staple line was imbricated with No. 2-0 polydioxanone in all cases. The super obese (body mass index ≥50 kg/m2) subset of patients was compared with the morbidly obese group in terms of demographic characteristics, comorbidities, operative times, perioperative complications, and excess body weight loss. Results: A total of 35 patients (15 female and 20 male patients) with a mean body mass index of 48.17 ± 11.7 kg/m2 underwent robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy. Of these patients, 11 were super obese and 24 were morbidly obese. The mean operative time was 116.3 ± 24.7 minutes, and the mean docking time was 8.9 ± 5.4 minutes. Mean blood loss was 19.36 ± 4.62 mL, and there were no complications, conversions, or perioperative deaths. When compared with the morbidly obese patients, the super obese patients showed no significant difference in operative time, blood loss, and length of hospital stay. There was a steep decline in operating room times after 10 cases of robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy. Conclusion: This study shows the feasibility and safety of robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy. Robotic assistance might help overcome the operative difficulties encountered in super obese patients. It shows a rapid reduction in operative times with the growing experience of the entire operative team. Robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy can be a good procedure by which to introduce robotics in a bariatric surgery center before going on to perform Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and revision procedures.
Chandra constraints on the thermal conduction in the intracluster plasma of A2142

In this Letter, we use the recent Chandra observation of A2142 reported by Markevitch et al. to put constraints on thermal conduction in the intracluster plasma. We show that the observed sharp temperature gradient requires that classical conductivity has to be reduced at least by a factor of between 250 and 2500. The result provides a direct constraint on an important physical process relevant to the gas in the cores of clusters of galaxies.
Social structure, relationships and reproduction in quasi-family networks: brokering circular migration of Vietnamese sex workers to Singapore

ABSTRACT This article proposes an ethnographic examination of the inner workings of unsanctioned informal networks that facilitate the circular migration and labour of Vietnamese sex workers to Singapore. These operations are coordinated by brokers who sell migration services to their clients. I conceptualise them as ‘quasi-family networks’ because kinship bonds, the fact that brokers (‘mothers’) and sex workers (‘daughters’) operate under the framework of a family ethos which allows them to establish intimate and unequal relationships, and socialising and reproductive processes inscribed in the family form, are defining structural features. The study of these organisational and operational traits allows us to consider a new network model in the field of transnational unsanctioned migration for sex work, and to discuss issues of network structure, adaptability and reproduction in repressive market environments in relation to the family form.
Something old, something new: Some processes for dialect change in Sweden

The traditional dialects of Sweden are changing. In order to investigate how these changes may be proceeding, the use of traditional dialect and new linguistic features have been analyzed in three separate dialect areas: Inland West Sweden, Coastal West Sweden and Torsby in Northern Värmland. The focus is on how much of the traditional dialect used in the mid-20th century is still in use in each location, and what is replacing it in the process of change; this is done by analyzing speakers’ realizations of a total of 137 traditional dialect variables and 18 new variables. In some locations, dialects are leveling towards the standard, more or less rapidly. In others, there is a clear dialect shift to the urban Gothenburg variety or to the use of a combilect, which is a mix of traditional dialect variants, standard variants, new variants and urban variants. Similarities and differences between these separate processes are discussed, with special attention given to the reasons behind dialect change.
Special Educational Need Coordinator (SENCO) wellbeing : a mixed methods exploration of workplace demands and effective coping actions

Occupational stress (OS) presents a significant threat to teachers’ wellbeing. High levels of OS can impact multiple areas, including teachers’ health, job-performance, schools’ financial resources, and pupils’ wellbeing. Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) play a critical role in coordinating provision for pupils with special educational needs, and represent a group that have received little research attention in relation to OS and wellbeing. This research adopted a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design to explore the extent, causes, and means of effectively managing OS in the SENCO role. The role that educational psychologists (EPs) can play in supporting SENCOs to manage OS was also explored. 38 practicing SENCOs from a local authority in the West Midlands, England, participated in the study. Participant views were gathered using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, and were analysed via descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. 84% of participants reported to find the role ‘moderately stressful’, ‘very stressful’ or ‘extremely stressful’. Factors which were perceived to cause OS a. ) most frequently, and b. ) to the greatest extent were identified. These were diverse and included those related to workload and resource availability, as well as those related to the status of the role, and relational and emotional factors. Approaches that enabled participants to cope well with OS, despite facing high workplace demands were also identified, as were means through which educational psychologists could support SENCOs in managing OS. Participants’ beliefs about the role, relationships, cognitive resources, and the culture and systems within their school were instrumental in coping with OS. It was perceived that EPs could support SENCOs in managing OS through contact, working in a child and school-centred manner, and through facilitating problem-solving. Findings are discussed in relation to extant literature, and implications for theory and educational psychology practice are also highlighted.
VALE, a switched ethernet for virtual machines

The growing popularity of virtual machines is pushing the demand for high performance communication between them. Past solutions have seen the use of hardware assistance, in the form of "PCI passthrough" (dedicating parts of physical NICs to each virtual machine) and even bouncing traffic through physical switches to handle data forwarding and replication. In this paper we show that, with a proper design, very high speed communication between virtual machines can be achieved completely in software. Our architecture, called VALE, implements a Virtual Local Ethernet that can be used by virtual machines, such as QEMU, KVM and others, as well as by regular processes. VALE achieves a throughput of over 17 million packets per second (Mpps) between host processes, and over 2 Mpps between QEMU instances, without any hardware assistance. VALE is available for both FreeBSD and Linux hosts, and is implemented as a kernel module that extends our recently proposed netmap framework, and uses similar techniques to achieve high packet rates.
Analysis and optimization of the performance of OFDM on frequency-selective time-selective fading channels

In mobile radio communication, the fading channels generally exhibit both time-selectivity and frequency-selectivity. Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing has been proposed to combat the frequency-selectivity, but its performance is also affected by the time-selectivity. We investigate how various parameters, such as the number of carriers, the guard time length, and the sampling offset between receiver and transmitter, affect the system performance. Further, we determine the optimum values of the above parameters, which minimize the degradation of the signal to-noise ratio at the input of the decision device.
Adaptation to Turkish and Reliability Study of the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R).

INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease characterized by progressive degeneration of the motor neurons. It is difficult to define the severity of the clinical findings of this destructive disease owing to its rapid progression, which presents serious alterations in a short time even in the same patient. The present study was designed to evaulate the validity of the Turkish version of the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), which has been used in various countries for measuring the functional status of ALS patients. METHODS The ALSFRS-R scores of 41 ALS patients (24 male), in any stages of illness, were simultaneously assessed by two physicians. The functional status of the patients (motor system, bulbar, and pulmonary functions) was evaluated under 12 titles. In every subtitle, the functional status was evaluated as 0 for the worst functional status and 4 for the best functional status. The mean differentials for both subtitles and global scores and the 95% confidence bounds of these means were detected. The coherence was defined as the states in which the coefficient is above 0.80 and is statistically significant. RESULTS From the data obtained, the correlation between the two physicians was found to be statistically significant (p=0.000) in terms of the means of both subtitles and total scores. CONCLUSION It was shown in the present study that in the clinical follow-up of the disease, the Turkish version of ALSFRS-R is a simple, reliable, and easily applicable.
A Supramodal Neural Network for Speech and Gesture Semantics: An fMRI Study

In a natural setting, speech is often accompanied by gestures. As language, speech-accompanying iconic gestures to some extent convey semantic information. However, if comprehension of the information contained in both the auditory and visual modality depends on same or different brain-networks is quite unknown. In this fMRI study, we aimed at identifying the cortical areas engaged in supramodal processing of semantic information. BOLD changes were recorded in 18 healthy right-handed male subjects watching video clips showing an actor who either performed speech (S, acoustic) or gestures (G, visual) in more (+) or less (−) meaningful varieties. In the experimental conditions familiar speech or isolated iconic gestures were presented; during the visual control condition the volunteers watched meaningless gestures (G−), while during the acoustic control condition a foreign language was presented (S−). The conjunction of the visual and acoustic semantic processing revealed activations extending from the left inferior frontal gyrus to the precentral gyrus, and included bilateral posterior temporal regions. We conclude that proclaiming this frontotemporal network the brain's core language system is to take too narrow a view. Our results rather indicate that these regions constitute a supramodal semantic processing network.
Storing Sequences in Binary Tournament-Based Neural Networks

An extension to a recently introduced architecture of clique-based neural networks is presented. This extension makes it possible to store sequences with high efficiency. To obtain this property, network connections are provided with orientation and with flexible redundancy carried by both spatial and temporal redundancies, a mechanism of anticipation being introduced in the model. In addition to the sequence storage with high efficiency, this new scheme also offers biological plausibility. In order to achieve accurate sequence retrieval, a double-layered structure combining heteroassociation and autoassociation is also proposed.
Optimality Principles for Conceptual Blending: A First Computational Approach

We propose an implementation of the eight Optimality Principles from the framework of Conceptual Blending, as presented by Fauconnier and Turner (1998). Conceptual Blending explains several cognitive phenomena in the light of the integration of knowledge from different mental spaces onto a single mental space : the Blend. The Optimality Principles express general pressures that compete in the generation of the Blend. The work we present now corresponds to the Constraints module of our computational model of Conceptual Blending, also described in other papers.
AUTOMATIC DIALOG ACT LABELING WITH MINIMAL SUPERVISION

ABSTRACT: For many natural language applications it is desirable to be able to automatically tag utterances according to their discourse function (dialog act), such as statement, question or acknowledgment. We investigate the problem of automatically tagging dialog acts when handlabeled training data is scarce. The tagging paradigm employed is a hidden Markov model in which dialog acts are states and utterances are observations, with N-gram language models as observation models. We show that bootstrapping from a small hand-labeled training set, combined with iterative relabeling of a larger unlabeled data set, is an effective approach for preserving accuracy under conditions of limited hand-labeled training data. The dialog act grammar that models the sequencing of dialog acts is found to be of paramount importance in this approach. We analyze the effect that lack of training data has on different dialog act types, and discuss implications for efficient data annotation.
Color-based image retrieval using binary signatures

We propose two variations of a new image abstraction technique based on signature bit-strings as well as an appropriate similarity metric for color-based image retrieval. Performance evaluation on a heterogeneous database of 20,000 images demonstrated that the proposed technique outperforms well-known approaches while still saving substantial amount of storage space, making it possible to store/search an image database of reasonable size using a few megabytes of main memory (e.g., 4 Mbytes for 100,000 images).
A layered lattice coding scheme for a class of three user Gaussian interference channels

The paper studies a class of three user Gaussian interference channels. A new layered lattice coding scheme is introduced as a transmission strategy. The use of lattice codes allows for an ldquoalignmentrdquo of the interference observed at each receiver. The layered lattice coding is shown to achieve more than one degree of freedom for a class of interference channels and also achieves rates which are better than the rates obtained using the Han-Kobayashi coding scheme.
Analysis of possible genetic risk factors contributing to development of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the Latvian population

Introduction Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a complex disease caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure. Previous genome-wide association studies have reported several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the incidence of ALL. Several variations in genes encoding enzymes involved in carcinogenesis are suggested as being associated with an increased risk of ALL development. Material and methods We enrolled 77 paediatric ALL patients and 122 healthy controls, and in addition parental DNA was also available for 45 probands. SNPs rs10821936 (ARID5B), rs4132601 (IKZF1), rs2239633 (CEBPE), rs3731217 (CDKN2A) and rs1800566 (NQO1) and the presence of GSTT1 and GSTM1 null variants were detected. For statistical analysis the hybrid method of two designs ‘Haplin’ was used as well as linkage disequilibrium for family-based association studies. Results We identified the SNP rs10821936 in the ARID5B gene as being statistically significantly associated with childhood ALL, especially if the C allele is in a homozygous state, relative risk (RR) 4.65, 95% CI: 2.03–10.6, p = 0.0006. Statistically significant differences were not found in other SNPs. We found risk combinations including all five variations, the strongest association being found in a combination where all five genetic variants are in a homozygous state, CCTTTTTTCC, p = 0.032. Conclusions The identified SNP rs10821936 could serve as a potential risk marker for childhood ALL development. Further studies in an independent population are needed for verification.
Knowledge Portals: Components, Functionalities, and Deployment Challenges

Knowledge Portals (KPs) are highly integrative Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) that promise to synthesize widely dispersed knowledge and to interconnect individuals in order to provide a ‘one-stop knowledge shop’. Yet, KPs face major challenges in practice, as the intricacies of knowledge exchange are subject to varied individual and social factors. At the same time, growing anecdotal evidence from case studies indicates KPs’ enormous potential. In this paper, we take some initial steps towards a theory for KPs that more distinctly conceptualizes KPs and emphasizes a KP’s role to unify networking and repository KMS features. We describe three major challenges to successful KP deployment: (1) sufficient contribution, (2) favorable organizational culture, and (3) knowledge integration—and validate these as applicable to KPs through a review of 42 empirical papers.
Short-Term Clinical Implications of the Accessory Left Hepatic Artery in Patients Undergoing Radical Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Background To evaluate the prevalence of the accessory left hepatic artery (ALHA; defined as a vessel arising from the left gastric artery, which, together with a typical left hepatic artery, supplies blood to the left lobe of the liver) and its short-term clinical implications in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods Clinical data of 1173 patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopy-assisted radical gastrectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Groups of patients with and without ALHA were compared to identify differences in intraoperative and postoperative variables and changes in liver function. Results Of the 1173 patients, 135 (11.5%) had an ALHA and 1038 (88.5%) did not. There were no significant between-group differences in clinicopathological and intraoperative characteristics, postoperative recovery, and morbidity and mortality rates (P>0.05 each). None of the patients had postoperative symptoms associated with impaired liver function. Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and total bilirubin (TBIL) concentrations were similar preoperatively. TBIL concentrations on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7 were similar (P>0.05), while GOT and GPT activities were higher in the ALHA than in the non-ALHA group on days 1 and 7 (P<0.05), with all three markers similar in the two groups on day 14. In patients without chronic liver disease (CLD), GOT, GPT and TBIL concentrations were similar in patients with and without ALHA; whereas, in patients with CLD, GOT and GPT concentrations on days 1 and 3 and GOT on day 7 were higher in patients with than without ALHA. Conclusion ALHA is a common anomaly that was found in 11.5% of patients. It can be safely severed during radical gastrectomy in patients without CLD, but should be left intact in patients with CLD to prevent liver dysfunction. If severed in the latter, the patient should be monitored and liver-protecting therapy may be necessary.
The structural and size evolution of star-forming galaxies over the last 11 Gyr

We present new results on the evolution of rest-frame blue/UV sizes and Sersic indices of H$\alpha$-selected star-forming galaxies over the last 11 Gyrs. We investigate how the perceived evolution can be affected by a range of biases and systematics such as cosmological dimming and resolution effects. We use GALFIT and an artificial redshifting technique, which includes the luminosity evolution of H$\alpha$-selected galaxies, to quantify the change on the measured structural parameters with redshift. We find typical sizes of 2 to 3 kpc and Sersic indices of n~1.2, close to pure exponential disks all the way from z=2.23 to z=0.4. At z=0 we find typical sizes of 4-5 kpc. Our results show that, when using GALFIT, cosmological dimming has a negligible impact on the derived effective radius for galaxies with n
Earnings Warnings and CEO Welfare

Some CEOs decide voluntarily to issue a warning when they expect a negative earnings surprise. Prior research suggests that warnings contain incremental information beyond actual earnings; warning firms tend to experience permanent earnings decreases. This paper investigates whether compensation committees take warnings into account in setting CEO compensation. We find that warnings are significantly negatively (positively) associated with CEO bonus (option grants), suggesting that compensation committees adjust CEO compensation towards a more high-powered structure after warnings. However, the sensitivity of bonus or option grants to earnings and stock returns is not affected except for bonus sensitivity to stock returns. We also find weak evidence of an increase in forced CEO turnover after warnings, accompanied by a significant increase in its sensitivity to stock returns. This benefits CEOs with higher ability but imposes more risk on other CEOs. These findings provide a partial explanation of why not every CEO facing a negative surprise decides to issue a warning. Our results are robust to various specifications. In particular, the impact of warnings on compensation appears invariant to the timing or the number of warnings. Overall, these findings suggest that the signal from warnings is used in determining CEO compensation and retention.
A rigorous and customizable framework for privacy

In this paper we introduce a new and general privacy framework called Pufferfish. The Pufferfish framework can be used to create new privacy definitions that are customized to the needs of a given application. The goal of Pufferfish is to allow experts in an application domain, who frequently do not have expertise in privacy, to develop rigorous privacy definitions for their data sharing needs. In addition to this, the Pufferfish framework can also be used to study existing privacy definitions. We illustrate the benefits with several applications of this privacy framework: we use it to formalize and prove the statement that differential privacy assumes independence between records, we use it to define and study the notion of composition in a broader context than before, we show how to apply it to protect unbounded continuous attributes and aggregate information, and we show how to use it to rigorously account for prior data releases.