Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Branch and Bound Method for Min-dist Location Selection Queries

Given a set of clients and a set of existing facilities, the min-dist location selection query returns a location from a given set of potential locations for establishing a new facility so that the average distance between a client and her nearest facility is minimized. This type of queries has a wide range of applications in marketing, decision support systems, urban development simulations and massively multiplayer online games. The computational cost of a naive algorithm, which sequentially scans all the potential locations, is too high to process this type of queries in real time. Motivated by this, we propose a branch and bound algorithm that exploits geometric properties of the data objects and early prunes unpromising potential locations from consideration to achieve a higher query processing efficiency. We conduct a detailed cost analysis and extensive experiments to validate the efficiency of the branch and bound algorithm. The results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the naive algorithm constantly.
STRATEGIES OF USING SURFACTANT: RESULTS OF THE FIRST POLISH NATIONAL SURVEY OF DAILY PRACTICE.

BACKGROUND The efficiency of routine practices in the management of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) have never been systematically investigated in Poland. OBJECTIVE To evaluate RDS treatment policies and short-term outcomes in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed medical records of premature neonates ≤ 32 weeks' gestation, diagnosed with RDS in level-2 and level-3 referral centers. Collected data: comprised clinical variables, antenatal corticosteroids, respiratory support, surfactant (SFT) policies and short-term outcomes. RESULTS Data of 987 infants from 53 NICUs were analyzed. The median gestational age was 29 weeks (range 22-32) and birth weight 1190 g (range 340-2860). Infants requiring SFT had significantly lower exposure to antenatal corticosteroids (75%) vs. those managed without SFT (83%, p = 0.006). SFT was given to 59% infants in level-3 NICUs and 40% in level-2. There was significant variability of SFT use between level 2 and level 3 NICU. (9% to 100%). Poractant alfa was most commonly used (97%) in the median initial dose of 170 mg/kg (IQR 120-200). Single application was most frequent (79.8%). SFT administration methods were endotracheal instillation in babies maintained on mechanical ventilation (68.0%), INSURE (27.6%) and minimally-invasive delivery (MIST) 4.4%. Early rescue treatment remained core SFTstrategy (57.4% cases), while prophylaxis accounted for only 13.3% cases. CONCLUSIONS There is considerable variation in the frequency of use of surfactant in Polish neonatal centers. Traditional intratracheal instillation with subsequent mechanical ventilation dominates, although newer methods INSURE and MIST are becoming increasingly popular. Early rescue SFT is a predominant strategy, which conforms to current standards. The rate of antenatal corticosteroids remains too low.
Shared oligodendrocyte lineage gene expression in gliomas and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells.

OBJECT Gliomas (astrocytic and oligodendroglial) are the most frequently occurring primary neoplasms in the central nervous system (CNS). Histological classification, which can be performed to distinguish astrocytomas from oligodendrogliomas, is essentially based on pathological features and has great prognostic and therapeutic value but lacks reproducibility. Specific markers of cell lineage, especially those f or oligodendrogliomas, are still lacking. The oligodendrocyte lineage (OLIG) genes, transcriptional factors of the basic helix-loop-helix family, have been recently identified in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in the CNS of developing and adult rodents. Data from a few studies have shown in a small series of brain tumors that OLIG genes characterize oligodendrogliomas. To search for a differential expression of the OLIG genes in subgroups of brain tumors, the authors investigated OLIG1 and OLIG2 gene expression. METHODS Using semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the authors analyzed a series of 89 tumors (71 astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors, eight ependymomas, three medulloblastomas, four meningiomas, and three schwannomas) and normal human brain tissue samples. It was demonstrated that OLIG gene expression was largely limited to glial tumors, that is, astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. A very low level was detected in ependymomas, whereas other tumors lacked OLIG gene expression altogether. Surprisingly, OLIG1 and OLIG2 expressionwas not limited to oligodendroglial tumors, but was observed in astrocytic lesions as well, independent of tumor grade. Interestingly, these genes were expressed at the highest level in pilocytic astrocytomas according to semiquantitative RT-PCR results, which were confirmed on dot blot analysis. In situ hybridization showed that the OLIG2 gene was expressed by tumor cells in pilocytic astrocytomas as well as those in oligodendrogliomas. CONCLUSIONS The OLIG genes are additional markers shared by all gliomas andOPCs. These markers may help to classify gliomas, to improve understanding of their histogenesis, and to identify new therapeutic targets.
Capsular Outcomes After Pediatric Cataract Surgery Without Intraocular Lens Implantation

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate capsular outcomes 12 months after pediatric cataract surgery without intraocular lens implantation via qualitative classification and quantitative measurement.This study is a cross-sectional study that was approved by the institutional review board of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.Digital coaxial retro-illumination photographs of 329 aphakic pediatric eyes were obtained 12 months after pediatric cataract surgery without intraocular lens implantation. Capsule digital coaxial retro-illumination photographs were divided as follows: anterior capsule opening area (ACOA), posterior capsule opening area (PCOA), and posterior capsule opening opacity (PCOO). Capsular outcomes were qualitatively classified into 3 types based on the PCOO: Type I—capsule with mild opacification but no invasion into the capsule opening; Type II—capsule with moderate opacification accompanied by contraction of the ACOA and invasion to the occluding part of the PCOA; and Type III—capsule with severe opacification accompanied by total occlusion of the PCOA. Software was developed to quantitatively measure the ACOA, PCOA, and PCOO using standardized DCRPs. The relationships between the accurate intraoperative anterior and posterior capsulorhexis sizes and the qualitative capsular types were statistically analyzed.The DCRPs of 315 aphakic eyes (95.8%) of 191 children were included. Capsular outcomes were classified into 3 types: Type I—120 eyes (38.1%); Type II—157 eyes (49.8%); Type III—38 eyes (12.1%). The scores of the capsular outcomes were negatively correlated with intraoperative anterior capsulorhexis size (R = −0.572, P < 0.001), but no significant correlation with intraoperative posterior capsulorhexis size (R = −0.16, P = 0.122) was observed. The ACOA significantly decreased from Type I to Type II to Type III, the PCOA increased in size from Type I to Type II, and the PCOO increased from Type II to Type III (all P < 0.05). Capsular outcomes after pediatric cataract surgery can be qualitatively classified and quantitatively measured by acquisition, division, definition, and user-friendly software analyses of high-quality digital coaxial retro-illumination photographs.
Classification of convulsive psychogenic non-epileptic seizures using histogram of oriented motion of accelerometry signals

A seizure is caused due to sudden surge of electrical activity within the brain. There is another class of seizures called psychogenic non-epileptic seizure (PNES) that mimics epilepsy, but is caused due to underlying psychology. The diagnosis of PNES is done using video-electroencephalography monitoring (VEM), which is a resource intensive process. Recently, accelerometers have been shown to be effective in classification of epileptic and non-epileptic seizures. In this work, we propose a novel feature called histogram of oriented motion (HOOM) extracted from accelerometer signals for classification of convulsive PNES. An automated algorithm based on HOOM is proposed. The algorithm showed a high sensitivity of (93.33%) and an overall accuracy of (80%) in classifying convulsive PNES.
Stability of uncertain piecewise affine systems with time-delay

This paper addresses the problem of robust stability of piecewise affine (PWA) uncertain systems with unknown time-varying delay in the state. It is assumed that the uncertainty is norm-bounded and that upper bounds on the state delay and its rate of change are available. A set of linear matrix inequalities (LMI) is derived providing sufficient conditions for the stability of the system. These conditions depend on the upper bound of the delay. The main contributions of the paper are as follows. First, new delay-dependent LMI conditions are derived for the stability of PWA time-delay systems. Second, the stability conditions are extended to the case of uncertain PWA time-delay systems. Numerical examples are presented to show the effectiveness of the approach.
Rate-Constrained Wireless Networks With Fading Channels: Interference-Limited and Noise-Limited Regimes

A network of n wireless communication links is considered in a Rayleigh fading environment. It is assumed that each link can be active and transmit with a constant power P or remain silent. The objective is to maximize the number of active links such that each active link can transmit with a constant rate λ. In a Rayleigh fading environment, an upper bound is derived that shows the number of active links scales at most like 1/λ log n. To obtain a lower bound, a decentralized link activation strategy is described and analyzed. It is shown that for small values of λ, the number of supported links by this strategy meets the upper bound; however, as λ grows, this number becomes far below the upper bound. To shrink the gap between the upper bound and the achievability result, a modified link activation strategy is proposed and analyzed based on some results from random graph theory. It is shown that this modified strategy performs very close to the optimum. Specifically, this strategy is asymptotically almost surely optimum when λ approaches ∞ or 0. It turns out that the optimality results are obtained in an interference-limited regime. It is demonstrated that, by proper selection of the algorithm parameters, the proposed scheme also allows the network to operate in a noise-limited regime in which the transmission rates can be adjusted by the transmission powers. The price for this flexibility is a decrease in the throughput scaling law by a multiplicative factor of loglogn. Finally, both decentralized and centralized schemes are evaluated in a distance-dependent fading environment with a path loss exponent of m and are shown to achieve throughput that scale like Θ( n(m/m+2) log n ) and Θ(n[(m(2)+2m)/( m(2)+2m+4)]), respectively.
Typhoon damage on a shallow mesophotic reef in Okinawa, Japan

Little is known about effects of large storm systems on mesophotic reefs. This study reports on how Typhoon 17 (Jelawat) affected Ryugu Reef on Okinawa-jima, Japan in September 2012. Benthic communities were surveyed before and after the typhoon using line intercept transect method. Comparison of the benthic assemblages showed highly significant differences in coral coverage at depths of 25–32 m before and after Typhoon 17. A large deep stand of Pachyseris foliosa was apparently less resistant to the storm than the shallower high diversity area of this reef. Contradictory to common perception, this research shows that large foliose corals at deeper depths are just as susceptible to typhoon damage as shallower branching corals. However, descriptive functional group analyses resulted in only minor changes after the disturbance, suggesting the high likelihood of recovery and the high resilience capacity of this mesophotic reef.
IL-17 Induces Monocyte Migration in Rheumatoid Arthritis1

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease which is in part mediated by the migration of monocytes from blood to RA synovial tissue, where they differentiate into macrophages and secrete inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The T cell cytokine IL-17 is expressed in the RA synovial tissue and synovial fluid. To better understand the mechanism by which IL-17 might promote inflammation, its role in monocyte trafficking was examined. In vivo, IL-17 mediates monocyte migration into sponges implanted into SCID mice. In vitro, IL-17 was chemotactic, not chemokinetic, for monocytes at the concentrations detected in the RA synovial fluid. Further, IL-17-induced monocyte migration was mediated by ligation to IL-17RA and RC expressed on monocytes and was mediated through p38MAPK signaling. Finally, neutralization of IL-17 in RA synovial fluid or its receptors on monocytes significantly reduced monocyte migration mediated by RA synovial fluid. These observations suggest that IL-17 may be important in recruiting monocytes into the joints of patients with RA, supporting IL-17 as a therapeutic target in RA.
Degradation of poly(3-hydroxyoctanoic acid) [P(3HO)] by bacteria: purification and properties of a P(3HO) depolymerase from Pseudomonas fluorescens GK13

Twenty-five gram-negative bacteria and one gram-positive bacterium capable of growing on poly(3-hydroxyoctanoic acid) [P(3HO)] as the sole source of carbon and energy were isolated from various soils, lake water, and activated sludge. Most of the isolates degraded only P(3HO) and copolymers of medium-chain-length (MCL) hydroxyalkanoic acids (HA). Except for the gram-positive strain, which was able to hydrolyze P(3HO) and poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) [P(3HB)], no isolate was able to degrade polymers of short-chain-length HA, such as P(3HB) or poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HV)]. All strains utilized a large variety of monomeric substrates for growth. All gram-negative strains, but not the gram-positive strain, accumulated poly(hydroxyalkanoic acids) (PHA), consisting of MCL HA, if they were cultivated under accumulation conditions. One strain, which was identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens GK13 (biovar V), was selected and the extracellular P(3HO) depolymerase of this strain was purified from the culture medium of P(3HO)-grown cells by chromatography with Octyl-Sepharose CL4B and by gel filtration with Superose 12. The relative molecular weights of the native and sodium dodecyl sulfate-treated enzymes were 48,000 and 25,000, respectively. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed P(3HO), copolymers of MCL HA, and para-nitrophenyl esters of fatty acids. P(3HB), P(3HV), and characteristic substrates for lipases, such as Tween 80 or triolein, were not hydrolyzed. The P(3HO) depolymerase of P. fluorescens GK13 was insensitive to phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and dithioerythritol, unlike other PHA depolymerases. The dimeric ester of 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid was identified as the main product of enzymatic hydrolysis of P(3HO). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Two Closely Related but Distinct Retroviruses Are Associated with Walleye Discrete Epidermal Hyperplasia

ABSTRACT Walleye discrete epidermal hyperplasia (WEH) is a hyperproliferative skin disease that is prevalent on adult walleye fish throughout North America. We have identified two retroviruses associated with WEH, designated here as walleye epidermal hyperplasia virus type 1 and type 2 (WEHV1 and WEHV2), that are closely related to one another (77% identity) and to walleye dermal sarcoma virus (64% identity) within the polymerase region. WEHV1 and/or WEHV2 viral DNA was readily detected by PCR in hyperplastic tissue samples, but only low levels of viral DNA were detected in uninvolved skin. Southern blot analysis showed one to three copies of integrated WEHV2 viral DNA in lesions but did not detect WEHV2 viral DNA in uninvolved skin from the same fish. Northern blots detected abundant levels of WEHV1 and/or WEHV2 virion RNA transcripts of approximately 13 kb in hyperplastic tissue, but virion RNA was not observed in uninvolved skin and muscle. These results suggest that WEHV1 and WEHV2 are the causative agents of discrete epidermal hyperplasia.
Policy Iterations on the Hamilton–Jacobi–Isaacs Equation for $H_{\infty}$ State Feedback Control With Input Saturation

An Hinfin suboptimal state feedback controller for constrained input systems is derived using the Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs (HJI) equation of a corresponding zero-sum game that uses a special quasi-norm to encode the constraints on the input. The unique saddle point in feedback strategy form is derived. Using policy iterations on both players, the HJI equation is broken into a sequence of differential equations linear in the cost for which closed-form solutions are easier to obtain. Policy iterations on the disturbance are shown to converge to the available storage function of the associated L2-gain dissipative dynamics. The resulting constrained optimal control feedback strategy has the largest domain of validity within which L2-performance for a given gamma is guaranteed
5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor modulates opioid-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance in mice.

BACKGROUND Opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) and tolerance are challenging maladaptations associated with opioids in managing pain. Recent genetic studies and the existing literature suggest the 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) receptor participates in these phenomena. The location of the relevant receptor populations and the interactions between the 5-HT3 system and other systems controlling OIH and tolerance have not been explored, however. We hypothesized that 5-HT3 receptors modulate OIH and tolerance, and that this modulation involves the control of expression of multiple neurotransmitter and receptor systems. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were exposed to a standardized 4-day morphine administration protocol. The 5-HT3 antagonist ondansetron was administered either during or after the conclusion of morphine administration. Mechanical testing was used to quantify OIH, and thermal tail-flick responses were used to measure morphine tolerance. In other experiments spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion tissues were harvested for analysis of messenger RNA concentrations by real-time polymerase chain reaction or immunochemistry analysis. RESULTS The results showed that (1) systemic or intrathecal injection of ondansetron significantly prevented and reversed OIH, but not local intraplantar injection; (2) systemic or intrathecal injection of ondansetron prevented and reversed tolerance; and (3) ondansetron blocked morphine-induced increases of multiple genes relevant to OIH and tolerance in dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS Morphine acts via a 5-HT3-dependent mechanism to support multiple maladaptations to the chronic administration of morphine. Furthermore, the use of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists may provide a new avenue to prevent or reverse OIH and tolerance associated with chronic opioid use.
Coping with depression in later life: a qualitative study of help-seeking in three ethnic groups

Background. Research suggests high levels of depression and low levels of service use among older adults from UK minority ethnic groups. This study aimed to explore older adults' attitudes and beliefs regarding what would help someone with depression, and to consider how these may facilitate or deter older people from accessing treatment. Method. In-depth individual qualitative interviews were conducted with older adults with depression (treated and untreated) and the non-depressed older population. A multi-cultural approach was used that incorporated the perspectives of 32 black Caribbean, 33 South Asian and 45 white British older adults. Results. Participants felt that the responsibility for combating depression was an internal and individual task with support considered secondary. However, the majority expressed a willingness and desire to discuss psychosocial problems. Within the black Caribbean group, conversing with God through prayer was seen as an effective means of overcoming depression, while a large proportion of South Asian and white British participants identified families as an important source of help. There was wide variation in how older adults construed the role of the general practitioner (GP) and many expressed acute awareness of the demands on GPs' time. Conclusions. Efforts to socialize and remain active may provide a useful and acceptable adjunct to clinical interventions. However, there is a need to communicate that depression often necessitates formal help, and that it is acceptable to voice concerns regarding emotional states in a GP consultation. The findings suggest that older adults would welcome the opportunity to discuss their feelings with health-care professionals.
The impact of voluntary fortification of foods on micronutrient intakes in Irish adults

The objective of this work was to quantify the impact of the voluntary fortification of foods on dietary intakes of vitamins and minerals of Irish adults. Foods that were voluntarily fortified were identified and pre- and post-fortification levels of micronutrients were determined from data supplied by manufacturers and food composition tables. Using food consumption data in 1379 adults aged 18–64 years, estimated using a 7-d food diary during the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey, intakes of micronutrients were determined, both including and excluding the fortification component in foods. Of approximately 3000 foods recorded as consumed, 1·9 % were fortified, mainly breakfast cereals and beverages. Median micronutrient content of fortified foods (FF) ranged from 18–33 % EC RDA per typical serving. Among consumers (65 % of men, 68 % of women), FF contributed, on average, 3·9 % (men) and 5·0 % (women) to mean daily intake (MDI) of energy. Relative to their contribution to MDI of energy, FF contribute a greater % MDI for Fe (men 16, women 19), folate (men 18, women 21), vitamins B1 (men 14, women 16), B2 (men 16, women 18), B6 (men 12, women 15), D (men 5, women 11), B12 (men 5, women 7) and niacin (men 10, women 12). Fortification significantly improved the adequacy of intake of some micronutrients, particularly of riboflavin, folate, vitamin D and Fe in women and did not contribute to an increased risk of adverse effects from excessive intake of any micronutrient.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York Staff Reports Financial Intermediation , Asset Prices , and Macroeconomic Dynamics

We document that financial intermediary balance sheet aggregates contain strong predictive power for excess returns on a broad set of equity, corporate, and Treasury bond portfolios. Our results provide support to the hypothesis that financial intermediary balance sheet quantities matter in the determination of risk premia. We also explore the extent to which the intermediary variables that predict excess returns impact real economic activity. Our findings point to the importance of financing frictions in macroeconomic dynamics and asset pricing.