Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prescribing for children – taste and palatability affect adherence to antibiotics: a review

The taste of an antibiotic is often not taken into account by practitioners, although there is significant evidence to show palatability correlates strongly with adherence. Many parents will be familiar with the difficulties of convincing young children to take bitter, unfamiliar medicine. Certain drugs, for example flucloxacillin, are so unpalatable that they should not be prescribed as syrups without prior ‘taste testing’ in an individual child, while others, such as oral cephalosporins, are accepted very well although they are more expensive with a broader antimicrobial spectrum than may be strictly necessary. Palatability is important in the broader context of global child health as regards the successful treatment of malaria, HIV and dehydration. The hidden cost of poor adherence resulting treatment failure, complications and the development of drug resistance cannot be over emphasised. Prescribing should involve parents, children and practitioners in an open discussion around the most suitable, palatable formulations for successful treatment outcomes.
Feline Host Range of Canine parvovirus: Recent Emergence of New Antigenic Types in Cats

Since the emergence of Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) in the late 1970s, CPV-2 has evolved consecutively new antigenic types, CPV-2a and 2b. Although CPV-2 did not have a feline host range, CPV-2a and 2b appear to have gained the ability to replicate in cats. Recent investigations demonstrate the prevalence of CPV-2a and 2b infection in a wide range of cat populations. We illustrate the pathogenic potential of CPV in cats and assesses the risk caused by CPV variants.
Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery with a single channel versus conventional laparoscopic varicocele ligation: a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of single channel laparoscopy in the treatment of patients with varicocele. PATIENTS AND METHODS Ninety patients with clinically palpable varicoceles were randomly assigned to receive laparoendoscopic single-site with a single channel varicocele ligation (LESS[sc]-VL) (n=45) or conventional transperitoneal laparoscopic varicocele ligation (CTL-VL) (n=45). Patient characteristics, perioperative details, total procedural cost, time to return to work, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, semen parameters, and cosmetic results were recorded. RESULTS There were no differences in operative time (P=0.102), postoperative hospitalization time (P=0.130), total cost (P=0.112), or postoperative complications (P>0.05) between the two groups. Time to return to normal activities was shorter in the LESS(sc)-VL group than that in the CTL-VL group (P=0.018). The mean of all semen parameters were improved statistically 3 months after ligation (P<0.001). The VAS incision pain score was significantly lower 6 and 24 hours after surgery in patients who underwent LESS(sc)-VL(P<0.05). Patients who underwent LESS(sc)-VL had a better cosmetic result, reflected by both the verbal response scale and the numeric scale (P=0.008 and P=0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS LESS(sc)-VL is a safe and effective minimally invasive surgical alternative for varicocelectomy. Compared with CTL-VL, LESS(sc)-VL may decrease postoperative pain and hide the surgical incision better within the umbilicus.
An Efficient Frontier in Organization Design 1

This paper presents a method to analyze a broad range of decision-making organizational forms that lie between the hierarchy and the polyarchy. The method predicts Type I and II errors, speed, cost, and proportion of good projects approved for each organizational form. The model has far reaching implications, as all organizations have to decide how centralized or decentralized they are going to be. One important result is that not all organizations are efficient; some organizational forms should always be preferred over others. Some implications of the model are discussed in light of the organization design and the innovation literature.
Robust Subspace Clustering via Thresholding

The problem of clustering noisy and incompletely observed high-dimensional data points into a union of low-dimensional subspaces and a set of outliers is considered. The number of subspaces, their dimensions, and their orientations are assumed unknown. We propose a simple low-complexity subspace clustering algorithm, which applies spectral clustering to an adjacency matrix obtained by thresholding the correlations between data points. In other words, the adjacency matrix is constructed from the nearest neighbors of each data point in spherical distance. A statistical performance analysis shows that the algorithm exhibits robustness to additive noise and succeeds even when the subspaces intersect. Specifically, our results reveal an explicit tradeoff between the affinity of the subspaces and the tolerable noise level. We furthermore prove that the algorithm succeeds even when the data points are incompletely observed with the number of missing entries allowed to be (up to a log-factor) linear in the ambient dimension. We also propose a simple scheme that provably detects outliers, and we present numerical results on real and synthetic data.
PCB Exposure and in Vivo CYP1A2 Activity among Native Americans

Cytochrome P-450 1A2 (CYP1A2) is an enzyme involved in the metabolic activation of some carcinogens and is believed to be induced by xenobiotics. Very few studies, however, have investigated the association between environmental exposures and in vivo CYP1A2 activity in humans. To address this issue, a study was conducted of CYP1A2 activity among Native Americans exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the consumption of fish from the St. Lawrence River. At the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne (in New York and in Ontario and Quebec, Canada), 103 adults were interviewed, and they donated blood for serum PCB analysis and underwent the caffeine breath test (CBT), a safe and noninvasive procedure that uses caffeine as a probe for CYP1A2 activity in vivo. The results supported the findings of other studies that CBT values are higher among smokers and men and lower among women who use oral contraceptives. Despite a relatively low average total PCB body burden in this population, the sum of serum levels for nine mono- or di-ortho-substituted PCB congeners showed positive associations with CBT values (p = 0.052 wet weight and p = 0.029 lipid adjusted), as did toxic equivalent quantities (TEQs; p = 0.091 for wet weight and 0.048 for lipid adjusted). Regarding individual congeners, serum levels of PCB-153, PCB-170, and PCB-180 were significantly correlated with CBT values. The results support the notion that CYP1A2 activity may be a marker of an early biological effect of exposure to PCBs in humans and that the CBT may be a useful tool to monitor such effects.
Time-varying threshold integral pulse frequency modulation

Several methods have been proposed so far for the analysis of the integral pulse frequency modulation (IPFM) model and detecting its corresponding physiological information. Most of these methods rely on the low-pass filtering method to extract the modulating signal of the model. In this paper, the authors present an entirely new approach based on vector space theory. The new method is developed for a more comprehensive form of the IPFM model, namely the time-varying threshold integral pulse frequency modulation (TVTIPFM) model. The new method decomposes the driving signals of the TVTIPFM model into a series of orthogonal basis functions and constructs a matrix identity through which the input signals can be obtained by a parametric solution. As a particular case, the authors apply this method to R-R intervals of the SA node to discriminate between its autonomic nervous modulation and the stretch induced effect.
A Comparison of Sample-Path-Based Simulation-Optimization and Stochastic Decomposition for Multi-Location Transshipment Problems

Because of its applicability, as well as its generality, research in the area of simulation-optimization continues to attract significant attention. These methods, most of which rely on the statistically motivated search techniques, are at their best when very little is known about the structure of the function (e.g., function evaluations are treated as "blackbox" function-calls). In some applications such as the one discussed in this paper, objective function values may be obtained through linear/network flow optimization models. In such cases, the objective function may be convex, and in such circumstances, very large instances can be solved using stochastic programming techniques. This paper presents a computational case for using such techniques, whenever applicable
Active Atmosphere-Ecosystem Exchange of the Vast Majority of Detected Volatile Organic Compounds

Two-Way Street Most studies of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in the atmosphere, which play important roles in atmospheric chemistry, have concentrated on dominant species such as isoprene. There are thousands of other classes of VOCs, and how they are exchanged between the biosphere and the atmosphere is unclear. Park et al. (p. 643) measured the fluxes of more than 500 types of VOCs using a highly sensitive type of mass spectrometry and an absolute value eddy covariance method. The majority of these species were actively exchanged between the atmosphere and the biosphere, with more than a quarter showing net deposition. These results should help to improve air quality and global climate models, and strengthen our understanding of atmospheric VOC chemistry. Many volatile organic compounds emitted by vegetation are actively exchanged between plants and the atmosphere. Numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exist in Earth’s atmosphere, most of which originate from biogenic emissions. Despite VOCs’ critical role in tropospheric chemistry, studies for evaluating their atmosphere-ecosystem exchange (emission and deposition) have been limited to a few dominant compounds owing to a lack of appropriate measurement techniques. Using a high–mass resolution proton transfer reaction–time of flight–mass spectrometer and an absolute value eddy-covariance method, we directly measured 186 organic ions with net deposition, and 494 that have bidirectional flux. This observation of active atmosphere-ecosystem exchange of the vast majority of detected VOCs poses a challenge to current emission, air quality, and global climate models, which do not account for this extremely large range of compounds. This observation also provides new insight for understanding the atmospheric VOC budget.
Sharp Estimates on Minimum Travelling Wave Speed of Reaction Diffusion Systems Modelling Autocatalysis

This article studies propagating wave fronts in an isothermal chemical reaction $ A + 2B \rightarrow 3B$ involving two chemical species, a reactant A and an autocatalyst B, whose diffusion coefficients, $D_A$ and $D_B$, are unequal due to different molecular weights and/or sizes. Explicit bounds $v_*$ and $v^*$ that depend on $D_B/D_A$ are derived such that there is a unique travelling wave of every speed $v \geq v^*$ and there does not exist any travelling wave of speed $v<v_*$. New to the literature, it is shown that $v_*\propto v^* \propto D_B/ D_A$ when $D_B \leq D_A $. Furthermore, when $D_A \leq D_B$, it is shown rigorously that there exists a $v_{\min}$ such that there is a travelling wave of speed v if and only $v \geq v_{\min}$. Estimates on $v_{\min}$ significantly improve those of early works. The framework is built upon general isothermal autocatalytic chemical reactions $A + n B \rightarrow (n+1) B$ of arbitrary order $n \geq 1$.
The Capacity Region of p -Transmitter/ q -Receiver Multiple-Access Channels With Common Information

This paper investigates the capacity problem for some multiple-access scenarios with cooperative transmitters. First, a general Multiple-Access Channel (MAC) with common information, i.e., a scenario where p transmitters send private messages and also a common message to q receivers and each receiver decodes all of the messages, is considered. The capacity region of the discrete memoryless channel is characterized. Then, the general Gaussian fading MAC with common information wherein partial Channel State Information (CSI) is available at the transmitters (CSIT) and perfect CSI is available at the receivers (CSIR) is investigated. A coding theorem is proved for this model that yields an exact characterization of the throughput capacity region. Finally, a two-transmitter/one-receiver Gaussian fading MAC with conferencing encoders with partial CSIT and perfect CSIR is studied and its capacity region is determined. For the Gaussian fading models with CSIR only (transmitters have no access to CSIT), some numerical examples and simulation results are provided for Rayleigh fading.
L'-band AGPM vector vortex coronagraph's first light on VLT/NACO. Discovery of a late-type companion

Context. High contrast imaging has thoroughly combed through the limited search space accessible with first-generation ground-based adaptive optics instruments and the Hubble Space Telescope. Only a few objects were discovered, and many non-detections reported and statistically interpreted. The field is now in need of a technological breakthrough. Aims. Our aim is to open a new search space with first-generation systems such as NACO at the Very Large Telescope, by providing ground-breaking inner working angle (IWA) capabilities in the L′ band. The L′ band is a sweet spot for high contrast coronagraphy since the planet-to-star brightness ratio is favorable, while the Strehl ratio is naturally higher. Methods. An annular groove phase mask (AGPM) vector vortex coronagraph optimized for the L′ band made from diamond subwavelength gratings was manufactured and qualified in the lab. The AGPM enables high contrast imaging at very small IWA, potentially being the key to unexplored discovery space. Results. Here we present the installation and successful on-sky tests of an L'-band AGPM coronagraph on NACO. Using angular differential imaging, which is well suited to the rotational symmetry of the AGPM, we demonstrated a ΔL′ > 7.5 mag contrast from an IWA ≃ 0. "09 onwards, during average seeing conditions, and for total integration times of a few hundred seconds.
Classical and Quantum Algorithms for the Boolean Satisfiability Problem

This paper presents a complete algorithmic study of the decision Boolean Satisfiability Problem under the classical computation and quantum computation theories. The paper depicts deterministic and probabilistic algorithms, propositions of their properties and the main result is that the problem has not an efficient algorithm (NP is not P). Novel quantum algorithms and propositions depict that the complexity by quantum computation approach for solving the Boolean Satisfiability Problem or any NP problem is lineal time.
An efficient algorithm for statistical minimization of total power under timing yield constraints

Power minimization under variability is formulated as a rigorous statistical robust optimization program with a guarantee of power and timing yields. Both power and timing metrics are treated probabilistically. Power reduction is performed by simultaneous sizing and dual threshold voltage assignment. An extremely fast run-time is achieved by casting the problem as a second-order conic problem and solving it using efficient interior-point optimization methods. When compared to the deterministic optimization, the new algorithm, on average, reduces static power by 31% and total power by 17% without the loss of parametric yield. The run time on a variety of public and industrial benchmarks is 30/spl times/ faster than other known statistical power minimization algorithms.
Parametric inference in the large data limit using maximally informative models

Motivated by data-rich experiments in transcriptional regulation and sensory neuro-science, we consider the following general problem in statistical inference. When exposed to a high-dimensional signal S, a system of interest computes a representation R of that signal which is then observed through a noisy measurement M. From a large number of signals and measurements, we wish to infer the “filter” that maps S to R. However, the standard method for solving such problems, likelihood-based inference, requires perfect a priori knowledge of the “noise function” mapping R to M. In practice such noise functions are usually known only approximately, if at all, and using an incorrect noise function will typically bias the inferred filter. Here we show that, in the large data limit, this need for a pre-characterized noise function can be circumvented by searching for filters that instead maximize the mutual information I[M; R] between observed measurements and predicted representations. Moreover, if the correct filter lies within the space of filters being explored, maximizing mutual information becomes equivalent to simultaneously maximizing every dependence measure that satisfies the Data Processing Inequality. It is important to note that maximizing mutual information will typically leave a small number of directions in parameter space unconstrained. We term these directions “diffeomorphic modes” and present an equation that allows these modes to be derived systematically. The presence of diffeomorphic modes reflects a fundamental and nontrivial substructure within parameter space, one that is obscured by standard likelihood-based inference.
Sequence-based exon prediction around the synaptophysin locus reveals a gene-rich area containing novel genes in human proximal Xp.

The human Xp11.23-p11.22 interval has been implicated in several inherited diseases including Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome; three forms of X-linked hypercalciuric nephrolithiaisis; and the eye disorders retinitis pigmentosa 2, congenital stationary night blindness, and Aland Island eye disease. In constructing YAC contigs spanning Xp11. 23-p11.22, we have previously shown that the region around the synaptophysin (SYP) gene is refractory to cloning in YACs, but highly stable in cosmids. Preliminary analysis of the latter suggested that this might reflect a high density of coding sequences and we therefore undertook the complete sequencing of a SYP-containing cosmid. Sequence data were extensively analyzed using computer programs such as CENSOR (to mask repeats), BLAST (for homology searches), and GRAIL and GENE-ID (to predict exons). This revealed the presence of 29 putative exons, organized into three genes, in addition to the 7 exons of the complete SYP coding region, all mapping within a 44-kb interval. Two genes are novel, one (CACNA1F) showing high homology to alpha1 subunits of calcium channels, the other (LMO6) encoding a product with significant similarity to LIM-domain proteins. RT-PCR and Northern blot studies confirmed that these loci are indeed transcribed. The third locus is the previously described, but not previously localized, A4 differentiation-dependent gene. Given that the intron-exon boundaries predicted by the analysis are consistent with previous information where available, we have been able to suggest the genomic organization of the novel genes with some confidence. The region has an elevated GC content (>53%), and we identified CpG islands associated with the 5' ends of SYP, A4, and LMO6. The order of loci was Xpter-A4-LMO6-SYP-CACNA1F-Xcen, with intergenic distances ranging from approximately 300 bp to approximately 5 kb. The density of transcribed sequences in this area (>80%) is comparable to that found in the highly gene-rich chromosomal band Xq28. Further studies may aid our understanding of the long-range organization surrounding such gene-enriched regions.
International Conference on Information Systems ( ICIS ) 1-1-2009 When Adoption Brings Addiction : A Use-Diffusion Model for Social Information Systems

Recently there has been a dramatic proliferation on the usage of social networking websites, blogs and other information systems that have a social orientation. However, there is limited research on what drives individual to use such information systems and moreover what are the outcomes of their usage. This paper develops and empirically tests a model of user acceptance of social information systems. Taking into account the particular characteristics of these systems, the proposed model has several features that extend technology acceptance literature. Firstly, instead of the behavioral intention as the key dependent variable, the rate and the variety of use are used in order to model technology acceptance based on the use-diffusion theory. Secondly, exploiting a relational perspective of user-technology interaction the concept of user stickiness with an information system is investigated as usage outcome. Finally, the concept of addiction tendency is proposed to be another outcome modeling the excessive and intensive use of social information systems. In order to empirically test the proposed model a survey with the participation of 456 facebook users is conducted. Results, analyzed with structural equation modeling, confirm study’s hypotheses and show that social information systems could be a new field for theorizing about human behavior and technology.
Glucose production during strenuous exercise in humans: role of epinephrine.

The increase in hepatic glucose production (HGP) that occurs during intense exercise is accompanied by a simultaneous increase in epinephrine, which suggests that epinephrine may be important in regulating HGP. To further investigate this, six trained men were studied twice. The first trial [control (Con)] consisted of 20 min of cycling at 40 ± 1% peak oxygen uptake (V˙o 2 peak) followed by 20 min at 80 ± 2%V˙o 2 peak. During the second trial [epinephrine (Epi)], subjects exercised for 40 min at 41 ± 2%V˙o 2 peak. Epinephrine was infused during the latter 20 min of exercise and resulted in plasma levels similar to those measured during intense exercise in Con. Glucose kinetics were measured using a primed, continuous infusion of [3-3H]glucose. HGP was similar at rest (Con, 11.0 ± 0.5 and Epi, 11.1 ± 0.5 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1). In Con, HGP increased ( P < 0.05) during exercise to 41.0 ± 5.2 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1at 40 min. In Epi, HGP was similar to Con during the first 20 min of exercise. Epinephrine infusion increased ( P < 0.05) HGP to 24.0 ± 2.5 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1at 40 min, although this was less ( P< 0.05) than the value in Con. The results suggest that epinephrine can increase HGP during exercise in trained men; however, epinephrine during intense exercise cannot fully account for the rise in HGP. Other glucoregulatory factors must contribute to the increase in HGP during intense exercise.