Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incidence, Duration, and Reappearance of Type-Specific Cervical Human Papillomavirus Infections in Young Women

Background: We describe the incidence and duration of cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection episodes along with the risk of infection reappearance following a period of nondetection. Methods: Women (1,788) ages 16 to 23 years underwent cytologic testing and PCR-based testing of cervical swab samples for HPV DNA (HPV-16/18/31/33/35/45/52/58/59) at ∼6-month intervals for up to 4 years in the context of a phase 3 clinical trial (placebo arm). HPV type–specific incidence rates were estimated per 100 person-years. Duration of type-specific cervical infection episodes and risk of reappearance following a period of nondetection were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Results: HPV-16 exhibited the highest (5.9), and HPV-35 and HPV-33 exhibited the lowest (1.0) incidence rates per 100 person-years. Mean cervical infection durations ranged from 13 months for HPV-59 to 20 months for HPV-16 and 58 (with ongoing infections censored at the time of treatment, if done). The risk of cervical infection reappearance within ∼3 years following a period of nondetection ranged from 0% to 16% across HPV types, with a mean of 8%. Limited evidence was found for a role of false-positive HPV tests, missed infections that were above the threshold for detection, or new acquisition of infection in accounting for patterns of infection reappearance. Conclusions: Incidence of high-risk cervical infection was observed to vary considerably more across HPV types than infection duration. A nontrivial proportion of women exhibited infection reappearance following a period of nondetection, with a potential explanation for many such events observed within this analysis being a return to detectable levels of a previously acquired infection. Impact: The risk of HPV infection reappearance following a period of nondetection has not been previously reported for individual HPV types, and this study finds that a nontrivial proportion of infected women exhibit reappearances. Future studies could ascertain subject-level factors that potentially modify the risk of infection reappearance. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(6); 1585–94. ©2010 AACR.
Cooperative Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning-Based Co-optimization of Cores, Caches, and On-chip Network

Modern multi-core systems provide huge computational capabilities, which can be used to run multiple processes concurrently. To achieve the best possible performance within limited power budgets, the various system resources need to be allocated effectively. Any mismatch between runtime resource requirement and allocation leads to a sub-optimal energy-delay product (EDP). Different optimization techniques exist for addressing the problem of mismatch between the dynamic requirement and runtime allocation of the system resources. Choosing between multiple optimizations at runtime is complex due to the non-additive effects, making the scenario suitable for the application of machine learning techniques. We present a novel method, Machine Learned Machines (MLM), by using online reinforcement learning (RL) to perform dynamic partitioning of the last level cache (LLC), along with dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) of the core and uncore (interconnection network and LLC). We have proposed and evaluated three different MLM co-optimization techniques based on independent and cooperative multi-agent learners. We show that the co-optimization results in a much lower system EDP than any of the techniques applied individually. We explore various RL models targeted toward optimization of different system metrics and study their effects on a system EDP, system throughput (STP), and Fairness. The various proposed techniques have been extensively evaluated with a mix of 20 workloads on a 4-core system using Spec2006 benchmarks. We have further evaluated our cooperative MLM techniques on a 16-core system. The results show an average of 20.5% and 19.1% system EDP improvement on a 4-core and 16-core system, respectively, with limited degradation of STP and Fairness.
On detecting differences between groups

Understanding the differences between contrasting groups is a fundamental task in data analysis. This realization has led to the development of a new special purpose data mining technique, contrast-set mining. We undertook a study with a retail collaborator to compare contrast-set mining with existing rule-discovery techniques. To our surprise we observed that straightforward application of an existing commercial rule-discovery system, Magnum Opus, could successfully perform the contrast-set-mining task. This led to the realization that contrast-set mining is a special case of the more general rule-discovery task. We present the results of our study together with a proof of this conclusion.
A systematic review of ultrasonography in osteoarthritis

Background: Ultrasonography has been increasingly utilised to aid the understanding and management of rheumatic conditions. In recent years there has been a focus on the validity and utility of ultrasonography in demonstrating joint pathology, although this has largely focused on inflammatory arthritis. Aims: To undertake a systematic review of the published literature evaluating ultrasonography as an assessment tool in osteoarthritis. Methods: Medline and Pubmed were searched to identify original manuscripts, published before June 2008, utilising ultrasonography to assess the joints of cohorts of subjects with osteoarthritis. Data were extracted from manuscripts meeting the inclusion criteria, with a particular focus on the pathology imaged, the definitions used, scoring systems and their metric properties. Results: Forty-seven studies were identified that utilised ultrasonography to assess structural pathology in osteoarthritis. Doppler function was only assessed in 10 studies and contrast agents in one. There was heterogeneity with regard to the pathology examined, the definition of pathology, quantification and the reporting of these factors. There was also a lack of construct and criterion validity and data demonstrating reliability and sensitivity to change. Conclusions: Whereas there is increasing evidence of the validity of ultrasonography in detecting structural pathology in inflammatory arthritis, more work is required to develop standardised definitions of pathology and to demonstrate the validity of ultrasonography in osteoarthritis.
Fundamental and Innovations in Plasma Assisted Diffusion of Nitrogen and Carbon in Austenitic Stainless Steels and Related Alloys

An improvement of the surface properties of austenitic stainless steels and nickel-based alloys is obtained by low temperature plasma assisted nitriding (PAN), plasma assisted carburizing (PAC) and plasma assisted nitrocarburizing (PANC). At low temperature, PAN treatment produces a peculiar phase usually called expanded austenite, S phase, m phase or γ N phase. Replacing nitrogen by hydrocarbon for conducting a low temperature PAC gives a carburized layer containing the carbon expanded austenite phase (γc). These two phases can simultaneously be obtained by combining hydrocarbon and nitrogen in the gas phase through a low temperature PANC. Several fundamental aspects concerning the expanded austenite phases are presented in this paper.
Transmission of low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus of subtype H6N2 from chickens to Pekin ducks and Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

In this experiment we evaluated the transmission characteristics of a chicken-adapted low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV) of subtype H6N2, from infected chickens to Japanese quail and Pekin ducks, which are commonly sold in live bird markets located in Southern California. The layout of the cages and bird-handling practices were similar to those found in Southern California live bird markets. Five out of 20 chickens were inoculated with LPAIV H6N2, and placed in direct contact with five chickens and in indirect contact with 10 chickens, 10 Japanese quail and 10 Pekin ducks. Transmission of LPAIV was followed in each bird daily for 15 days post inoculation by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction testing of oropharyngeal and cloacal swab samples. This strain of H6N2 LPAIV, isolated from commercial poultry in California, was transmitted to chickens, quail, and ducks from chickens. An antibody response was detected in ducks by haemagglutination inhibition tests, but avian influenza virus was only detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in one duck. Avian influenza virus was detected in quail (5 and 7 days post inoculation) before chickens (8 and 9 days post inoculation), all of which were in indirect contact with infected chickens; however, this difference was not statistically significant.
Cyt1A from Bacillus thuringiensisSynergizes Activity of Bacillus sphaericus againstAedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

ABSTRACT Bacillus sphaericus is a mosquitocidal bacterium recently developed as a commercial larvicide that is used worldwide to control pestiferous and vector mosquitoes. Whereas B. sphaericus is highly active against larvae of Culexand Anopheles mosquitoes, it is virtually nontoxic toAedes aegypti, an important vector species. In the present study, we evaluated the capacity of the cytolytic protein Cyt1A fromBacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis to enhance the toxicity of B. sphaericus toward A. aegypti. Various combinations of these two materials were evaluated, and all were highly toxic. A ratio of 10:1 of B. sphaericus to Cyt1A was 3,600-fold more toxic to A. aegypti than B. sphaericus alone. Statistical analysis showed this high activity was due to synergism between the Cyt1A toxin and B. sphaericus. These results suggest that Cyt1A could be useful in expanding the host range of B. sphaericus.
Immune modulation of Prevotella intermedia colonization in squirrel monkeys

Colonization of the gingival crevice by black-pigmented Porphyromonas or Prevotella spp. (BP/P), including Porphyromonas gingivalis (formerly Bacteroides gingivalis) and Prevotella intermedia (formerly Bacteroides intermedius), is thought to be an important ecological event which may result in the destruction of connective tissues supporting the teeth. Theoretically, periodontal diseases could be prevented if these or other periodontal pathogenic microorganisms did not colonize the subgingival area. The humoral immune response is one mechanism which may modulate bacterial colonization in the gingival crevice. In the present study, we tested the effect of systemic humoral immunity on subgingival colonization by indigenous P. intermedia in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus). Animals rendered essentially free of detectable BP/P by a single scaling, 10 days of tetracycline therapy, and toothbrushing three times per week were immunized with P. intermedia 1447 or were sham immunized with phosphate-buffered saline. Subsequently, all oral hygiene procedures were discontinued and five teeth in one quadrant were ligated with bacterium-soaked suture material to facilitate BP/P colonization. Immunization resulted in a significant increase in the level of immunoglobulin G anti-P. intermedia antibody in serum. Two weeks after ligation was initiated, P. intermedia could be detected in five of six sham-immunized and three of six immunized animals. Immunization was associated with a reduction in the emergence of indigenous P. intermedia in the gingival crevice.
Usage of EduBlogs Among Malaysian Secondary School Students

Most of the western countries integrated Edublogs in their instruction process (Morris, 2015). However the Malaysian education setting blogs usage is still in early stages. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the technology acceptance level through UTAUT model. The research was conducted on 53 Form 4 secondary schools students from Kual Muda District. All the students studying science subject and exposed to Edublogs during instruction. A set of questionnaire which is adapted from Venkatesh et al. (2003) was used to collect data and then analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS software. The results revealed that Performance Expectancy, Social Influence and Facilitating Conditions have significant positive effect on Behavioral Intention. The R2 value 0.412 reflects that 41.2% of the variance in Behavioral Intention can be explained by Performance Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions and Effort Expectancy. It is expected that this study will help teachers and students integrate Edublog technology in teaching and learning process. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n5p500
Estimation of respiration rate using an accelerometer and thermal camera in eGlasses

Respiration rate is a very important vital sign. Different methods of respiration rate measurement or estimation have been developed. However, especially interesting are those that enable remote and unobtrusive monitoring. In this study, we investigated the use of smart glasses for the estimation of respiration rate especially useful for indoors applications. Two methods were analyzed. The first one is based on measurements of respiration-related body movements using an accelerometer. The second one uses the thermal camera to observe temperature changes in the nostril region. For both methods signals were extracted, filtered and processed using two different respiration rate estimators. Both methods were validated during experiments with the participation of volunteers using the respiration belt as a reference measurement method. Results proved that for both methods it is possible to reliable estimate the respiration rate with Root Mean Square Error lower than 2 breaths per minute, which is sufficient for medical screening.
Activation of the Hedgehog pathway in pilocytic astrocytomas

Pilocytic astrocytoma is commonly viewed as a benign lesion. However, disease onset is most prevalent in the first two decades of life, and children are often left with residual or recurrent disease and significant morbidity. The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway regulates the growth of higher WHO grade gliomas, and in this study, we have evaluated the activation and operational status of this regulatory pathway in pilocytic astrocytomas. Expression levels of the Hh pathway transcriptional target PTCH were elevated in 45% of tumor specimens analyzed (ages 1–22 years) and correlated inversely with patient age. Evaluation of a tissue array revealed oligodendroglioma-like features, pilomyxoid features, infiltration, and necrosis more commonly in specimens from younger patients (below the median patient age of 10 years). Immunohistochemical staining for the Hh pathway components PTCH and GLI1 and the proliferation marker Ki67 demonstrated that patients diagnosed before the age of 10 had higher staining indices than those diagnosed after the age of 10. A significant correlation between Ki67 and PTCH and GLI1 staining indices was measured, and 86% of Ki67-positive cells also expressed PTCH. The operational status of the Hh pathway was confirmed in primary cell culture and could be modulated in a manner consistent with a ligand-dependent mechanism. Taken together, these findings suggest that Hh pathway activation is common in pediatric pilocytic astrocytomas and may be associated with younger age at diagnosis and tumor growth.
Studies on Serum Micro-mineral, Hormone and Vitamin Profile and Its Effect on Production and Therapeutic Management of Buffaloes in Haryana State of India

A survey was conducted in certain parts of Haryana to record the prevalence of micro mineral deficiency in buffaloes. The prevalence of soil Cu, Co, Zn and Fe deficiency was 55.26%, 6.9%, 59.12% and 7.89% respectively. While that of fodder Cu, Co, Zn and Fe was 60.64%, 6.7%, 61.22% and 11.37% respectively. The overall prevalence of serum Cu, Co, Zn and Fe deficiency in Haryana was 59.2%, 19.1%, 59.2% and 19.9% respectively. The correlation co-efficient of Cu, Co, Zn and Fe in soil, fodder and serum was significant in most of the cases the values were above 0.8. Blood examination revealed significant decrease in haemoglobin and TEC level. However, no variation in level of TLC were observed in mineral deficient buffaloes. In micro mineral deficiency, thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) levels were decreased in buffaloes. Marginally lower concentration of vitamin A and E were observed in mineral deficient buffaloes in Haryana. The highest deficiency of micro minerals was 61.76% in copper at Ambala followed by 65.86% in zinc at Rhotak. For therapeutic studies a mineral mixture was prepared according to defiency obtained and fed to three groups of animals. Observation was recorded on 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. Group A consist of normal healthy animals and group B mineral deficient animal untreated and group C mineral deficient animal, treated with prepared mineral mixture. 25 gram of mineral mixture was fed daily along with normal ration. There was increase in body weight, milk yield, haemoglobin concentration and total erythrocyte level in group C animals when compared to group B animals. The milk yield in group C animals increased to 6.970±0.41 after 60th day of supplement in comparison to 0 day where it was 5.910±0.37, similarly the body wt. of group C animals increased from 129.42±01.13 (at 0 day) to 159.31±03.61 at 60th day of treatment. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 4 : 519-528)
Analysis of a free-running synchronization artifact correction for MV-imaging with aSi:H flat panels.

PURPOSE Solid state flat panel electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) are widely used for megavolt (MV) photon imaging applications in radiotherapy. In addition to their original purpose in patient position verification, they are convenient to use in quality assurance and dosimetry to verify beam geometry and dose deposition or to perform linear accelerator (linac) calibration procedures. However, native image frames from amorphous silicon (aSi:H) detectors show a range of artifacts which have to be eliminated by proper correction algorithms. When a panel is operated in free-running frame acquisition mode, moving vertical stripes (periodic synchronization artifacts) are a disturbing feature in image frames. Especially for applications in volumetric intensity modulated arc therapy (VMAT) or motion tracking, the synchronization (sync) artifacts are the limiting factor for potential and accuracy since they become even worse at higher frame rates and at lower dose rates, i.e., linac pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs). METHODS The authors introduced a synchronization correction method which is based on a theoretical model describing the interferences of the panel's readout clocking with the linac's dose pulsing. Depending on the applied PRF, a certain number of dose pulses is captured per frame which is readout columnwise, sequentially. The interference of the PRF with the panel readout is responsible for the period and the different gray value levels of the sync stripes, which can be calculated analytically. Sync artifacts can then be eliminated multiplicatively in precorrected frames without additional information about radiation pulse timing. RESULTS For the analysis, three aSi:H EPIDs of various types were investigated with 6 and 15 MV photon beams at varying PRFs of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 pulses per second. Applying the sync correction at panels with gadolinium oxysulfide scintillators improved single frame flood field image quality drastically [improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) up to 66.1 dB for 6 MV and 66.0 dB for 15 MV]. Also for the EPID with a caesium iodide scintillator, the noise for the lower PRFs could be reduced (SNR at 6 MV of up to 56.3 dB and at 15 MV up to 46.7 dB). However, the simplistic readout interference model fails at higher PRFs, where image lag and ghosting effects due to trapped charges in the thin film transistor and scintillator postglowing require additional corrections. CONCLUSIONS The presented free-running sync correction method improves SNR of single frames and enables imaging applications, like low-dose rate imaging at increased image frame rates (e.g., to track moving gold fiducials in the lung). Adaptive image guided radiotherapy protocols become even feasible in VMAT plans. Also simultaneous kilovolt and MV imaging applications can benefit from new possibilities of MV scatter removal in x-ray images.
Concurrent auctions across the supply chain

With the recent technological feasibility of electronic commerce over the Internet, much attention has been given to the design of electronic markets for various types of electronically-tradable goods. Such markets, however, will normally need to function in some relationship with markets for other related goods, usually those downstream or upstream in the supply chain. Thus, for example, an electronic market for rubber tires for trucks, will likely need to be strongly influenced by the rubber market as well as by the truck market.In this paper we design protocols for exchange of information between a sequence of markets along a single supply chain. These protocols allow each of these markets to function separately, while the information exchanged guarantees efficient global behavior across the supply chain. Each market form a link in the supply chain operates as a double auction, where the bids on one side of the double auction come from bidders in the corresponding segment of the industry, and the bids on the other side are synthetically generated by the protocol to express the combined information from all other links in the chain. The double auctions in each of the markets can be of several types, and we study several variants of incentive compatible double auctions, comparing them in terms of their efficiency and of the market revenue.
Comparison of two guideline-concordant antimicrobial combinations in elderly patients hospitalized with severe community-acquired pneumonia*

Objective: Two of the guideline-concordant therapies for severe community-acquired pneumonia are either a beta-lactam and fluoroquinolone or beta-lactam and macrolide. However it is unclear if there is a benefit for one vs. the other for elderly patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia. Design: A retrospective population-based cohort study of patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Setting: Patients admitted to an intensive care unit of any Department of Veterans Affairs hospital during 5-yr period. Patients: We included only those patients >65 yrs of age admitted to the intensive care unit with community-acquired pneumonia who received either beta-lactam + fluoroquinolone or beta-lactam + macrolide antibiotic therapy for pneumonia. Intervention: Not applicable. Measurements: We used multilevel regression models to examine the effect of beta-lactam + fluoroquinolone vs. beta-lactam + macrolide on each of the outcomes after adjusting for potential confounders using propensity scores. Main Results: The cohort consisted of 1,989 patients: 98.5% male and a mean age of 74 yrs. For treatment, 44% of subjects received beta-lactam + fluoroquinolone and 56% received beta-lactam + macrolide. Unadjusted 30-day mortality was 27% for beta-lactam + fluoroquinolone and 24% for beta-lactam + macrolide (p = .11). In the multilevel models, the use of beta-lactam + fluoroquinolone was not significantly associated with 30-day mortality (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 0.85–1.30). However, the use of beta-lactam + fluoroquinolone was significantly associated with increased mean length of stay (incidence rate ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.27–1.33). Conclusions: We found no significant difference for 30-day mortality but did demonstrate an association with increase in length of stay associated with the use of beta-lactam + fluoroquinolone. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the most effective antibiotics regimes for patients with severe pneumonia.