Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Throughput-aware dynamic sensitivity control algorithm for next generation WLAN system

Increasing use of IEEE 802.11 WLAN specifications has resulted in dense deployment of access points (AP) to provide service to stations (STA). Dynamic sensitivity control (DSC) technology, which adjusts the carrier sense threshold (CST) to encourage more APs and STAs to transmit simultaneously, is considered an effective approach to improve the throughput in densely-deployed WLAN networks. The DSC algorithm should take into account both the increase of transmission opportunity, and the possible transmission rate degradation of related links caused by the consequent interference. Conventional algorithms, which set the CST value to allow simultaneous transmission only when a required signal to interference plus noise ratio (usually for a high transmission rate) can be guaranteed, are too conservative to improve the throughput. In this paper, we propose a novel DSC algorithm that enables simultaneous transmissions which lead to improved system throughput even when the transmission rate is degraded. Since whether system throughput can be improved by simultaneous transmission is different for each communication link, we set different CST values for different links instead of setting just one common CST value. We first formulate the throughput of each downlink as a function of related links' CST, and then search a set of CST values for these links to maximize the system throughput. A heuristic procedure is adopted in our algorithm to reduce calculation complexity. From numerical simulation results, it is shown that our algorithm can improve the system throughput by up to 30% when compared to a conventional algorithm.
Gender Shades: Intersectional Accuracy Disparities in Commercial Gender Classification

Recent studies demonstrate that machine learning algorithms can discriminate based on classes like race and gender. In this work, we present an approach to evaluate bias present in automated facial analysis algorithms and datasets with respect to phenotypic subgroups. Using the dermatologist approved Fitzpatrick Skin Type classiﬁcation system, we characterize the gender and skin type distribution of two facial analysis benchmarks, IJB-A and Adience. We ﬁnd that these datasets are overwhelm-ingly composed of lighter-skinned subjects (79 . 6% for IJB-A and 86 . 2% for Adience) and introduce a new facial analysis dataset which is balanced by gender and skin type. We evaluate 3 commercial gender classiﬁcation systems using our dataset and show that darker-skinned females are the most misclassiﬁed group (with error rates of up to 34 . 7%). The maximum error rate for lighter-skinned males is 0 . 8%. The substantial disparities in the accuracy of classifying darker females, lighter females, darker males, and lighter males in gender classiﬁcation systems require urgent attention if commercial companies are to build genuinely fair, transparent and accountable facial analysis algorithms.
Evolved Policy Gradients

We propose a metalearning approach for learning gradient-based reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms. The idea is to evolve a differentiable loss function, such that an agent, which optimizes its policy to minimize this loss, will achieve high rewards. The loss is parametrized via temporal convolutions over the agent's experience. Because this loss is highly flexible in its ability to take into account the agent's history, it enables fast task learning. Empirical results show that our evolved policy gradient algorithm (EPG) achieves faster learning on several randomized environments compared to an off-the-shelf policy gradient method. We also demonstrate that EPG's learned loss can generalize to out-of-distribution test time tasks, and exhibits qualitatively different behavior from other popular metalearning algorithms.
Attenuated accumulation of regulatory T cells and reduced production of interleukin 10 lead to the exacerbation of tissue injury in a mouse model of acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a pathological condition that involves diffuse lung injury and severe hypoxemia caused by pulmonary and systemic diseases. We have established a mouse model of severe ARDS, developed by intratracheal injection of α‐galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer), an activator of natural killer T (NKT) cells, followed by LPS. In the present study, we used this model to investigate the regulatory mechanism in the early inflammatory response during acute lung injury. In α‐GalCer/LPS‐treated mice, the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and the expression of a Treg cell‐tropic chemokine, secondary lymphoid‐tissue chemokine (SLC), in the lungs was significantly lower than in mice treated with LPS alone. Giving recombinant (r)SLC increased the number of Treg cells in α‐GalCer/LPS‐treated mice. Treatment with anti‐IFN‐γ mAb enhanced the expression of SLC and the accumulation of Treg cells in the lungs of α‐GalCer/LPS‐treated mice, whereas giving recombinant (r)IFN‐γ reduced the number of Treg cells in mice treated with LPS alone. IL‐10 production was significantly lower in α‐GalCer/LPS‐treated mice than in mice treated with LPS alone. Giving rIL‐10 prolonged survival and attenuated lung injury as a result of reduced production of inflammatory cytokines (such as IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ) and chemokines (including MCP‐1, RANTES, IP‐10, Mig, MIP‐2, and KC) in α‐GalCer/LPS‐treated mice. Treatment with anti‐IFN‐γ mAb enhanced IL‐10 production in α‐GalCer/LPS‐treated mice. These results suggest that the attenuated accumulation of Treg cells may be involved in the development of severe ARDS through a reduction in the synthesis of IL‐10.
Correlation between different DNA period-3 signals: An analytical study for exons prediction

The so-called DNA period-3 signals are significant indicators for exons locations in DNA sequences. However, the sole dependence on one period-3 signal to identify exons locations in a DNA sequence provides limited performance. It has been recently shown that exons prediction performance can be improved by employing multiple different period-3 signals. In this paper, we aim to justify the reason of this improvement by investigating the correlation between different DNA period- 3 signals. For this purpose, we utilize Pearson's correlation coefficient. Moreover, we examine another configuration of employing multiple period-3 signals for exons prediction that is not handled in previous work. MATLAB simulation is conducted on the HMR195 genomic dataset utilizing the ROC curve as a performance evaluation tool. The results reveal an average weak correlation of 12% between period-3 signals obtained by using different numeric mapping schemes. Consequently, employing those period-3 signals simultaneously provides better exons prediction performance as compared to employing either of them solely. On the other hand, the results show an average strong correlation of 80% between period-3 signals obtained by using different period-3 detection methods. Thus, the participation of those period-3 signals simultaneously does not provide a significant improvement in exons prediction performance as they carry similar information.
Spectroscopic biomarkers of motor cortex developmental plasticity in hemiparetic children after perinatal stroke

Perinatal stroke causes hemiparetic cerebral palsy and lifelong motor disability. Bilateral motor cortices are key hubs within the motor network and their neurophysiology determines clinical function. Establishing biomarkers of motor cortex function is imperative for developing and evaluating restorative interventional strategies. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) quantifies metabolite concentrations indicative of underlying neuronal health and metabolism in vivo. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐guided MRS to investigate motor cortex metabolism in children with perinatal stroke. Children aged 6–18 years with MRI‐confirmed perinatal stroke and hemiparetic cerebral palsy were recruited from a population‐based cohort. Metabolite concentrations were assessed using a PRESS sequence (3T, TE = 30 ms, voxel = 4 cc). Voxel location was guided by functional MRI activations during finger tapping tasks. Spectra were analysed using LCModel. Metabolites were quantified, cerebral spinal fluid corrected and compared between groups (ANCOVA) controlling for age. Associations with clinical motor performance (Assisting Hand, Melbourne, Box‐and‐Blocks) were assessed. Fifty‐two participants were studied (19 arterial, 14 venous, 19 control). Stroke participants demonstrated differences between lesioned and nonlesioned motor cortex N‐acetyl‐aspartate [NAA mean concentration = 10.8 ± 1.9 vs. 12.0 ± 1.2, P < 0.01], creatine [Cre 8.0 ± 0.9 vs. 7.4 ± 0.9, P < 0.05] and myo‐Inositol [Ins 6.5 ± 0.84 vs. 5.8 ± 1.1, P < 0.01]. Lesioned motor cortex NAA and creatine were strongly correlated with motor performance in children with arterial but not venous strokes. Interrogation of motor cortex by fMRI‐guided MRS is feasible in children with perinatal stroke. Metabolite differences between hemispheres, stroke types and correlations with motor performance support functional relevance. MRS may be valuable in understanding the neurophysiology of developmental neuroplasticity in cerebral palsy. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1574–1587, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultrasound-based renal sympathetic denervation for the treatment of therapy-resistant hypertension: a single-center experience

Introduction: The effectiveness of renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) as a treatment for therapy-resistant hypertension has been doubted as the Simplicity-HTN-3 trial was unable to show any treatment benefit over sham procedure. This might partly be explained by a high procedural variability in treatment with radiofrequency-based catheters. Recently, newer systems for RDN, like ultrasound-based devices, have been introduced into practice. To date however, data on their effectiveness for the treatment of resistant hypertension are scarce. We sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an ultrasound-based, balloon-irrigated RDN catheter in a larger single-center cohort. Methods: Patients with therapy-resistant hypertension [average blood pressure (BP) >135 mmHg SBP or >90 mmHg DBP in ambulatory BP measurement despite at least three antihypertensive drugs, including at least one diuretic] underwent ultrasound-based RDN. Treatment effect was assessed by comparing BP values at baseline and 3 months after the procedure. Patients underwent renal artery duplex sonography or MRI before and after RDN to exclude renal artery stenosis. Results: Fifty consecutive patients underwent ultrasound-based RDN, of which 25 had undergone an unsuccessful radiofrequency RDN before. Mean SBP change at 3 months was −9.7 ± 12.6/−10.6 ± 13.7/−8.2 ± 15.2 mmHg (ambulatory 24-h mean/daytime/night, P < 0.001 for all) and DBP changed by −5.1 ± 7.4/−5.8 ± 7.8/−3.9 ± 10.3 mmHg (P ⩽ 0.001/<0.001/0.01). No new renal artery stenosis could be detected after RDN. Conclusion: Ultrasound-based RDN seems to be well tolerated and effective for the treatment of patients with therapy-resistant hypertension.
Developmental origin of limb size variation in lizards

In many respects, reptile hatchlings are fully functional, albeit miniature, adults. This means that the adult morphology must emerge during embryonic development. This insight emphasizes the connection between the mechanisms that generate phenotypic variation during embryonic development and the action of selection on post‐hatching individuals. To determine when species‐specific differences in limb and tail lengths emerge during embryonic development, we compared allometric patterns of early limb growth of four distantly related species of lizards. The major questions addressed were whether early embryonic limb and tail growth is characterized by the gradual (continuous allometry) or by the abrupt emergence (transpositional allometry) of size differences among species. Our observations supported transpositional allometry of both limbs and tails. Species‐specific differences in limb and tail length were exhibited when limb and tail buds first protruded from the body wall. Genes known to be associated with early limb development of tetrapods are obvious targets for studies on the genetic mechanisms that determine interspecific differences in relative limb length. Broadly comparative studies of gene regulation would facilitate understanding of the mechanisms underlying adaptive variation in limb size, including limb reduction and loss, of squamate reptiles.
Status of serum vitamin B12 and folate in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in China

Background/Aims Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) primarily involves the intestinal tract and can affect vitamin absorption. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies in patients with IBD, and to identify the risk factors associated with abnormal serum vitamin B12 and folate levels. Methods We evaluated the medical records of 195 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 62 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and selected 118 healthy subjects for the control group. Results There were more CD patients with vitamin B12 deficiency than UC patients (14.9% vs. 3.2%, P=0.014) and controls (14.9% vs. 4.2%, P=0.003). The prevalence of folate deficiency was higher in CD patients than in controls (13.3% vs. 3.4%, P=0.004). There were no significant differences in the serum vitamin B12 and folate statuses of the UC and control groups. Patients with prior ileal or ileocolic resection showed a higher prevalence of abnormal vitamin B12 levels than those without prior resection (n=6/16, n=23/179; P=0.018). A disease duration within 5 years was a risk factor of abnormal folate levels in CD patients. Conclusions This study showed that vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies were more common in patients with CD than in UC patients and controls. Prior ileal or ileocolonic resection was a risk factor of serum vitamin B12 abnormalities, and a disease duration within 5 years was a risk factor of low serum folate levels in CD patients.
A Triad of Cardioid Sensors in Orthogonal Orientation and Spatial Collocation—Its Spatial-Matched-Filter-Type Beam-Pattern

This paper proposes a new configuration of acoustic sensors—the collocation of three cardioid sensors in perpendicular orientation, in order to increase the mainlobe-to-sidelobe height ratio (possibly to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\infty$</tex-math></inline-formula>). This paper will analyze such a proposed triad's “spatial matched filter” beam-pattern that is independent of the frequency/spectrum of the incident signals. Specifically, this paper will analytically derive the mainlobe's pointing error in azimuth-elevation, the mainlobe's two-dimensional beam “width,” the necessary and sufficient conditions for a sidelobe to exist, the mainlobe-to-sidelobe height ratio, and the array gain. These above characteristics depend on the cardioids’ “cardiodicity parameter” and on the beam's nominal “look direction. ”
High-Quality Complete Genome Sequences of Three Bovine Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O177:H- (fliCH25) Isolates Harboring Virulent stx2 and Multiple Plasmids

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) bacteria are zoonotic pathogens. We report here the high-quality complete genome sequences of three STEC O177:H- (fliCH25) strains, SMN152SH1, SMN013SH2, and SMN197SH3. The assembled genomes consisted of one optical map-verified circular chromosome for each strain, plus two plasmids for SMN013SH2 and three plasmids for SMN152SH1 and SMN197SH3, respectively.
Intravenous thrombolysis before endovascular therapy for large vessel strokes can lead to significantly higher hospital costs without improving outcomes

Background Limited efficacy of IV recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for large vessel occlusions (LVO) raises doubts about its utility prior to endovascular therapy. Purpose To compare outcomes and hospital costs for anterior circulation LVOs (middle cerebral artery, internal carotid artery terminus (ICA-T)) treated with either primary endovascular therapy alone (EV-Only) or bridging therapy (IV+EV)). Methods A single-center retrospective analysis was performed. Clinical and demographic data were collected prospectively and relevant cost data were obtained for each patient in the study. Results 90 consecutive patients were divided into EV-Only (n=52) and IV+EV (n=38) groups. There was no difference in demographics, stroke severity, or clot distribution. The mean (SD) time to presentation was 5:19 (4:30) hours in the EV-Only group and 1:46 (0:52) hours in the IV+EV group (p<0.0001). Recanalization: EV-Only 35 (67%) versus IV+EV 31 (81.6%) (p=0.12). Favorable outcome: EV-Only 26 (50%) versus IV+EV 22 (58%) (p=0.45). For patients presenting within 4.5 hours (n=64): Recanalization: EV-Only 21/26 (81%) versus IV+EV 31/38 (81.6%) (p=0.93). Favorable outcome: EV-Only 14/26 (54%) versus IV+EV 22/38 (58%) (p=0.75). There was no significant difference in rates of hemorrhage, mortality, home discharge, or length of stay. A stent retriever was used in 67 cases (74.4%), with similar recanalization, outcomes, and number of passes in the EV-Only and IV+EV groups. The mean (SD) total hospital cost was $33 810 (13 505) for the EV-Only group and $40 743 (17 177) for the IV+EV group (p=0.02). The direct cost was $23 034 (8786) for the EV-Only group and $28 711 (11 406) for the IV+EV group (p=0.007). These significantly higher costs persisted for the subgroup presenting in <4.5 hours and the stent retriever subgroup. IV rt-PA administration independently predicted higher hospital costs. Conclusions IV rt-PA did not improve recanalization, thrombectomy efficacy, functional outcomes, or length of stay. Combined therapy was associated with significantly higher total and direct hospital costs than endovascular therapy alone.
Intrusions and provoked and spontaneous confabulations on memory tests in Korsakoff's syndrome.

INTRODUCTION Intrusions on verbal memory tests have been used as an index for clinical confabulation. Severe memory impairments in combination with executive dysfunction have been suggested to be the underlying mechanism of confabulation, but to date, this relation is unclear. The aim of this study was (a) to examine the relation between (different types of) intrusions and confabulations in a large sample of confabulating patients with Korsakoff's syndrome (KS) and (b) to investigate whether different measures of executive functioning and memory performance are related to provoked and spontaneous confabulation. METHOD The Dutch version of the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and various executive function and memory tests were administered to a group of 51 confabulating patients with KS. Professional caregivers rated the severity of provoked and spontaneous confabulation behavior of the patients using the Nijmegen-Venray Confabulation List-20 (NVCL-20). RESULTS The total number of intrusions on the CVLT was not related to either provoked or spontaneous confabulation scores. None of the CVLT intrusion scores correlated significantly with any of the confabulation scores, but we did find small-to-medium, positive correlations between unrelated intrusions and both provoked confabulations and spontaneous confabulation. Provoked confabulation behavior was associated with executive dysfunction and poorer memory performances. Spontaneous confabulation was not related to performance on measures of executive function and memory. CONCLUSIONS The total number of intrusions on verbal memory tests and clinical confabulations appear to be different phenomena. Only unrelated intrusions produced on the CVLT might possibly be related to confabulations. The production of provoked, but not spontaneous, confabulation is associated with executive dysfunction and memory deficits.
How many disjoint 2‐edge paths must a cubic graph have?

In this paper we show that every simple cubic graph on n vertices has a set of at least ⌈ n/4 ⌉ disjoint 2‐edge paths and that this bound is sharp. Our proof provides a polynomial time algorithm for finding such a set in a simple cubic graph. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 45: 57–79, 2003
Flow and rent-based opportunity costs of water ecosystem service provision in a complex farming system

Unsustainable land uses present many challenges for securing ecosystem service provision. It is also difficult to estimate the cost of a transition to more sustainable land-management practices for individual landholders. The main cost to landholders is the opportunity costs, the income foregone when changing land use for continued or enhanced ecosystem service provision. Thus accurate estimation of opportunity costs and understanding their distribution are crucial starting points for determining the economic viability and design of any payment for ecosystem services (PES) scheme. We compare two opportunity cost approaches and examine the distribution of these costs for improving drinking water quality in a complex farming system in a Honduran forest catchment. Data for both approaches was collected through a survey applied to upstream catchment landholders. Our results indicate that the direct flow approach and the proxy rent approach provide comparable and consistent opportunity cost estimates. The mean net flow return ha-1 was US$1410, but this estimate was skewed, mainly by exceptionally high coffee returns and negative returns of land uses making a loss. This estimate would imply spending over US$2 million per annum for water conservation, but a revised estimate comes to US$257,057 per annum. Opportunity costs were found to vary according to differences in land use and landholder characteristics. High value cash crops upholding the local economy, such as coffee, entail much higher opportunity costs than for example cattle grazing. These results suggest that discriminate PES payments, that vary according to opportunity costs and thus discriminate between land uses and landholders, are essential. Water quality at our case study site could be managed sustainably by a scheme focusing on high-impact land uses with lower opportunity costs and closer to water sources.