Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sparse Combinatorial Group Testing for Low-Energy Massive Random Access

We present random access schemes for machine-type communication where a massive number of low-energy wireless devices want to occasionally transmit short information packets. We focus on the device discovery problem, with extensions to joint discovery and data transmission as well as data transmission without communicating device identities. We formulate this problem as a combinatorial group testing one, where the goal is to exactly identify the set of at most $d$ defective items from a pool of $n$ items. We translate the energy constraint at the physical layer to a constraint on the number of tests each item can participate in, and study the resulting "sparse" combinatorial group testing problem. In our sparse setting, we restrict the number of tests each item can participate in by $w_{\max}$. It is easy to observe that if $w_{\max} \leq d$, then we must have $t=n$; i.e., testing every item individually is optimal. We show that if $w_{\max}=d+1$, the number of tests decreases suddenly from $t=n$ to $t = (d+1)\sqrt{n}$. More generally, if $w_{\max}=ld+1$ for any positive integer $l$ such that $ld+1 \leq \sqrt[l+1]{n}$, we can achieve $t=(ld+1)n^{1/(l+1)}$ using Kautz and Singleton's construction with a particular choice of field size. We also prove a nearly matching lower bound which shows that $t = \Omega(d^{2/l+1}n^{1/(l+1)})$. This shows that in the sparse setting $t$ is a fractional power of $n$, rather than logarithmic in $n$ as in the classical setting. Since encoding and decoding efficiency can be just as important as energy efficiency, we demonstrate that our construction can be decoded in (poly$(d) + O(t)$)-time and each entry in any codeword can be computed in space poly$(\log n)$. This shows that our construction not only (nearly) achieves the fundamental lower bound, but also does that with a favorable encoding and decoding complexity.
The Impact of Residual Neuromuscular Blockade, Oversedation, and Hypothermia on Adverse Respiratory Events in a Postanesthetic Care Unit: A Prospective Study of Prevalence, Predictors, and Outcomes

BACKGROUND:Residual neuromuscular blockade (RNMB) has been linked to adverse respiratory events (AREs) in the postanesthetic care unit (PACU). However, these events are often not attributed to RNMB by anesthesiologists because they may also be precipitated by other factors including obstructive sleep apnea, opioids, or hypnotic agents. Many anesthesiologists believe RNMB occurs infrequently and is rarely associated with adverse outcomes. This study evaluated the prevalence and predictors of RNMB and AREs. METHODS:This prospective cohort study included 599 adult patients undergoing general anesthesia who received neuromuscular blocking agents. Baseline demographic, surgical, and anesthetic variables were collected. RNMB was defined as a train-of-four ratio below 0.90 measured by electromyography on admission to the PACU. AREs were defined based on the modified Murphy’s criteria. RESULTS:RNMB was present in 186 patients (31% [95% confidence interval (CI), 27%–35%]) on admission to the PACU. One or more AREs were experienced by 97 patients (16% [95% CI 13–19]). AREs were more frequent in patients with RNMB (21% vs 14%, P = .033). RNMB was significantly associated with age (adjusted relative risk [RR], 1.17 [95% CI, 1.06–1.29] per 10-year increase), type of operation (adjusted RR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.34–0.99] for laparoscopic surgery compared with open abdominal surgery), and duration of operation (adjusted RR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.39–0.86] for ≥90 minutes compared with <90 minutes). Using multivariate logistic regression, AREs were found to be independently associated with decreased level of consciousness (adjusted RR, 4.76 [95% CI, 1.49–6.76] for unrousable/unconscious compared with alert/awake) and lower core temperature (adjusted RR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.04–1.92] per 1°C decrease). Although univariate analysis found a significant association between AREs and RNMB, the significance became borderline after adjusting for other covariates (adjusted RR, 1.46 [95% CI, 0.99–2.08]). CONCLUSIONS:The prevalence of RNMB in the PACU was >30%. Older age, open abdominal surgery, and duration of operation <90 minutes were associated with increased risk of RNMB in our patients. Our RR estimate for AREs was highest for depressed level of consciousness. When AREs occur in the PACU, potentially preventable causes including RNMB, hypothermia, and reduced level of consciousness should be readily identified and treated appropriately. Delaying extubation until the patient is awake and responsive may reduce AREs.
High‐precision determination of the changing isotopic composition of atmospheric N2O from 1990 to 2002

[1] High-precision nitrous oxide (N2O) concentration and isotope ratio measurements have been carried out on archived air samples from the Antarctic station Neumayer covering the period 1990–2002. The results show that the increase in the N2O mixing ratio over this period is accompanied by a significant decrease in the heavy isotope content. The temporal isotope trends amount to (−0.040 ± 0.003)‰/yr for δ15N (the average of both nitrogen positions) and (−0.021 ± 0.003)‰/yr for δ18O. The individual trends for the terminal (position 1) and central (position 2) nitrogen atoms within the N2O molecule are (−0.064 ± 0.016)‰/yr for 1δ15N and (−0.014 ± 0.016)‰/yr for 2δ15N. The average 15N and 18O trends compare well with recent results from measurements on air extracted from polar firn and ice, confirming earlier estimates that isotopically depleted N2O, mainly from soil emissions, is responsible for a large fraction of the observed N2O increase in the atmosphere. The position-dependent 15N determinations show a strong difference between the two positions. This is in disagreement with the firn and ice core data, which imply similar fractionations at both positions.
Epigenetic Chromatin Silencing

differentiation. The role of histone modifications and organization of DNA into heterochromatin and euchromatin regions in eukaryotic gene regulation is well recognized. We study a model of chromatin silencing in budding yeast. We analyze the phase space of the system and study the conditions under which it becomes bistable, allowing for different (activated vs. silenced) epigenetic states. Our model helps us to understand the phenotype of some mutants. We are also performing experiment and analyzing single cell gene expression data to verify qualitative features of our model.
An Analysis of Event-Agnostic Features for Rumour Classification in Twitter

Recently, much attention has been given to models for identifying rumors in social media. Features that are helpful for automatic inference of credibility, veracity, reliability of information have been described. The ultimate goal is to train classification models that are able to recognize future high-impact rumors as early as possible, before the event unfolds. The generalization power of the models is greatly hindered by the domain-dependent distributions of the features, an issue insufficiently discussed. Here we study a large dataset consisting of rumor and non-rumor tweets commenting on nine breakingnews stories taking place in different locations of the world. We found that the distribution of most features are specific to the event and that this bias naturally affects the performance of the model. The analysis of the domain-specific feature distributions is insightful and hints to the distinct characteristics of the underlying social network for different countries, social groups, cultures and others.
MRI measures show significant cerebellar gray matter volume loss in multiple sclerosis and are associated with cerebellar dysfunction

Background Regional atrophy measures may offer useful information about the causes of specific clinical deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective To determine the magnitude of cerebellar gray and white matter (GM and WM) atrophy in patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) and MS, and their role in clinical manifestations of cerebellar damage. Methods T1-weighted volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 73 patients [29 CIS, 33 relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), 11 secondary progressive MS (SPMS)] was compared with 25 controls. GM and WM regions were generated using SPM5 and cerebellar regions delineated. Linear regression was used to investigate differences in tissue-specific cerebellar volumes between groups and the association with clinical measures. Results Mean cerebellar GM volume (CGMV) was 100.1 cm3 in controls, 96.4 cm3 in CIS patients, 91.8 cm3 in RRMS patients, and 88.8 cm3 in SPMS patients. Mean cerebellar WM volumes (CWMV) were 21.3 cm3, 20.4 cm3, 19.9 cm3, and 18.8 cm3, respectively. CGMV was reduced by 4.8 cm3 (P = 0.054) in RRMS patients, and 8.5 cm3 (P = 0.012) in SPMS patients, relative to controls. Only patients with SPMS showed a borderline significant reduction in CWMV compared with controls (mean 2.1 cm3, P = 0.053). CGMV was significantly smaller in patients assessed as having cerebellar dysfunction compared with patients who had normal cerebellar function. Significant associations of CGMV and CWMV with performance on the nine-hole peg test were also observed. Conclusion Clinically relevant GM atrophy occurs in the cerebellum of MS patients and is more prominent than WM atrophy. As such, it may provide complementary data to other regional atrophy and intrinsic tissue measures.
Role of Nanodiamonds in Drug Delivery and Stem Cell Therapy

Context The use of nanotechnology in medicine and more specifically drug delivery is set to spread rapidly. Currently many substances are under investigation for drug delivery and more specifically for cancer therapy. Evidence Acquisition Nanodiamonds (NDs) have contributed significantly in the development of highly efficient and successful drug delivery systems, and in stem cell therapy. Drug delivery through NDs is an intricate and complex process that deserves special attention to unravel underlying molecular mechanisms in order to overcome certain bottlenecks associated with it. It has already been established that NDs based drug delivery systems have excellent biocompatibility, nontoxicity, photostability and facile surface functionalization properties. Results There is mounting evidence that suggests that such conjugated delivery systems well retain the properties of nanoparticles like small size, large surface area to volume ratio that provide greater biocatalytic activity to the attached drug in terms of selectivity, loading and stability. Conclusions NDs based drug delivery systems may form the basis for the development of effective novel drug delivery vehicles with salient features that may facilitate their utility in fluorescence imaging, target specificity and sustainedrelease.
Lumbar puncture in pediatric oncology: conscious sedation vs. general anesthesia.

BACKGROUND Lumbar punctures (LP) generally have been performed with conscious sedation (CS) but are increasingly performed using general anesthesia (GA) owing to the belief that this is less distressing. The aim of this study was to compare these two methods concerning distress, discomfort, pain, well-being and security after the LP, and problems with the LP. PROCEDURE Twenty-five children with cancer participated in this prospective, randomized, crossover study. Children, parents, and nurses completed a visual analogue scale questionnaire to evaluate the efficacy of CS and GA. In addition, sedation and anesthesia protocols were reviewed. RESULTS The two methods seemed to be equivalent concerning distress, discomfort, pain, well-being and security after the procedure, and procedure problems. Most children (80%), parents (66%), and nurses (58%) preferred LP in CS. However, the LP was not performed in CS in five cases because the child did not cooperate. Younger children less often preferred CS. CONCLUSIONS Outcomes for CS and GA in LP were similar. Although there were failures with the CS model, most preferred it to GA. LP in CS also saved time and medical resources. An alternative approach would be to have a pediatric anesthesiologist available at the oncology ward for these elective LPs to provide the sedation or anesthesia required by each individual.
Catheter Survival During Long-Term Insulin Therapy With an Implanted Programmable Pump

OBJECTIVE To survey catheter complications and to analyze catheter survival during long-term intraperitoneal and intravenous insulin therapy with an implanted programmable pump with a sideport. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Catheter occlusions were documented by measuring dynamic catheter resistance. Catheter migrations or breaks were demonstrated by × ray. When flushing the catheter with buffer solution through the sideport failed to clear the occlusion, catheters were replaced or laparoscopy was performed for the excision of fibrous tissue growth. Broken or migrated catheters were replaced. RESULTS Occlusions were the most common catheter complications, and the majority of them (79% intraperitoneal and 84% intravenous) were cleared by flushing the catheter. Survival at 3 years was significantly higher for intraperitoneal catheters compared with intravenous catheters (60% intraperitoneal and 22% intravenous). CONCLUSIONS Nonsurgical management of catheter occlusions contributed to extend catheter lifetime. Intraperitoneal catheters have a lower morbidity and a higher survival than intravenous catheters.
Does Information Intensity Matter for Stock Returns? Evidence from Form 8-K Filings

This paper identifies an important source of variation in U.S. firms' material information flows: their SEC current report filing frequency. Exploiting cross-sectional variation in this novel proxy for information intensity, this paper finds that firms with higher information intensity experience lower future returns and lower future volatilities. The marginal return impact is higher at low levels of information intensity and high levels of prior volatility. On average, an information-intensity-based long-short portfolio generates a return spread of 4.3% per year. After adjusting for the Fama-French three factors and the momentum factor, the abnormal return remains 4.4% per year. These novel findings suggest that, due to the dynamic nature of information arrival, the frequency/quantity of information is an important source affecting the information environment and stock returns of public companies. These findings are consistent with the predictions of a broad class of noisy REE models and estimation risk models and highlight the importance of learning in financial markets with incomplete information.
The determinants of homebase-augmenting and homebase-exploiting Technological activities : some new results on multinationals ’ locational strategies

The aim of this paper is to highlight the factors that explain the choice faced by MNCs between the two main location strategies identified in the literature on internationalization of R&D and related technological activities: home-base-exploiting strategy and home-baseaugmenting strategy. We do this using a large database on the patenting activities of MNCs across a range of different countries. According to our findings, based on logit models, the factors increasing the probability of choosing the home-base-augmenting strategy are: the volume of technological activity (although this effect is very weak), the degree of technological specialization (the opposite of technological diversification) and the nationality of the firm. The estimates show that there is no significant effect of the current level of technological internationalization. 1 An earlier version of this paper was presented at the DIME workshop, Juan-les-Pins (France) 10-11May 2007, and at University of Lodz (Poland), 8 June 2007. We thank B. Suchecki (University of Lodz, Poland) for this help concerning the estimations.
Line bisection and unilateral visual neglect in patients with neurologic impairment

Unilateral visual neglect is a common symptom or sign in patients with lesions of the nondominant hemisphere. Several techniques have been used to demonstrate visual neglect. One such technique—asking a patient to bisect a horizontal line and expecting an estimate of center away from the side neglected—has been used for over 70 years but has not been statistically evaluated. We conducted a formal evaulation of this method and found that under special conditions, line-bisection performance can discriminate between patients with right-hemisphere lesions and patients with diffuse lesions, patients with left-hemisphere lesions, and hospital controls. When used to investigate visual neglect in an individual patient, the line-bisection test should be given in conjunction with other complementary procedures such as symmetric drawings and the Memory-for-Designs Test.
Serum nerve growth factor concentration and its role in the preclinical stage of dementia.

OBJECTIVE Nerve growth factor is important for the development and function of the cholinergic basal forebrain. The authors examined the hypothesis that the concentration of nerve growth factor is lower than normal in the preclinical phase of neurodegenerative dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease. METHOD The serum nerve growth factor concentration of subjects from the Berlin Aging Study and the Berlin Memory Clinic who later developed Alzheimer's disease were compared with those of subjects who were free of dementia and subjects who were already suffering from Alzheimer's disease. RESULTS There were 17 subjects in each group, matched for age and sex. The three groups differed in log-10-transformed mean nerve growth factor concentrations: 1.62 (SD=0.59) for the healthy comparison subjects, 0.92 (SD=0.30) for the subjects with preclinical dementia, and 1.44 (SD=0.61) for the subjects with Alzheimer's disease. CONCLUSIONS These results support the hypothesis of disturbed nerve growth factor regulation in the serum of patients with preclinical Alzheimer's disease. Mechanisms by which these disturbances appear are unclear, but they may reflect the situation in the preclinical Alzheimer's disease brain.
Group C Rotavirus Infection and Infiltration

We recently found many cases of gastroenteritis involving older children and sometimes other members of their families. We suspected epidemiological infiltration of an atypical rotavirus (RV). PAGE analysis of 130 cases in 1985 and 1986 revealed that the RNA profiles were similar to that of group C RV in 12 cases. We performed IEM analysis on one of the strains and found it to be group C. The group C RV was detected for 2 months toward the end of the outbreak of group A RV infection. The ages of the group C RV infected patients were 4 years or older. We also studied the prevalence of antibody to group C in the stored sera that had been collected since 1971. Antibody was seldom found in the sera of patients under 3 years of age but it was found in 20–40% of those who were 4 years or older. The clinical manifestations of the group C RV infection were similar to those of group A, except that body temperature was slightly lower and other symptoms were generally milder.
MONGE SOLUTIONS FOR DISCONTINUOUS HAMILTONIANS

We consider an Hamilton-Jacobi equation of the form H ( x , D u ) = 0 x ∈ Ω ⊂ ℝ N , ( 1 ) where H(x,p) is assumed Borel measurable and quasi-convex in p. The notion of Monge solution, introduced by Newcomb and Su, is adapted to this setting making use of suitable metric devices. We establish the comparison principle for Monge sub and supersolution, existence and uniqueness for equation ([see full text]) coupled with Dirichlet boundary conditions, and a stability result. The relation among Monge and Lipschitz subsolutions is also discussed.
Bleeding complications in critically ill patients with liver cirrhosis

Background/Aims: Patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) are at risk for critical events leading to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. Coagulopathy in cirrhotic patients is complex and can lead to bleeding as well as thrombosis. The aim of this study was to investigate bleeding complications in critically ill patients with LC admitted to a medical ICU (MICU). Methods: All adult patients admitted to our MICU with a diagnosis of LC from January 2006 to December 2012 were retrospectively assessed. Patients with major bleeding at the time of MICU admission were excluded from the analysis. Results: A total of 205 patients were included in the analysis. The median patient age was 62 years, and 69.3% of the patients were male. The most common reason for MICU admission was acute respiratory failure (45.4%), followed by sepsis (27.3%). Major bleeding occurred in 25 patients (12.2%). The gastrointestinal tract was the most common site of bleeding (64%), followed by the respiratory tract (20%). In a multivariate analysis, a low platelet count at MICU admission (odds ratio [OR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97 to 0.99) and sepsis (OR, 8.35; 95% CI, 1.04 to 67.05) were independent risk factors for major bleeding. The ICU fatality rate was significantly greater among patients with major bleeding (84.0% vs. 58.9%, respectively; p = 0.015). Conclusions: Major bleeding occurred in 12.2% of critically ill cirrhotic patients admitted to the MICU. A low platelet count at MICU admission and sepsis were associated with an increased risk of major bleeding during the MICU stay. Further study is needed to better understand hemostasis in critically ill patients with LC.
Gene Transfer into Neural Cells In Vitro Using Adenoviral Vectors

Adenoviral vectors are excellent vehicles to transfer genes into the nervous system due to their ability to transduce dividing and nondividing cells, their ability to be grown to very high titers, and their relatively large insert capacity. Also, adenoviral vectors can sustain very long‐term transgene expression in the CNS of rodents and in neurons and glial cells in culture. Successful gene transfer into the nervous system is dependent on the development, production, and quality control of vector preparations, which need to be of the highest quality. This unit provides protocols to clone, rescue, amplify, and purify first‐generation adenoviral vectors. Detailed quality control assays are provided to ensure that vector preparations are devoid of contamination from replication‐competent adenovirus and lipopolysaccharides. Also included are methodologies related to adenoviral‐mediated gene transfer into neurons and glial cells in culture, and the analysis of transgene expression using immunocytochemistry, enzymatic assays, and fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 45:4.23. 1‐4.23. 43. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Arterial hypertension and female sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.

PURPOSE To evaluate female sexual dysfunction in hypertensive postmenopausal women and the effects of antihypertensive therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Female sexual dysfunction was assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in three groups of postmenopausal patients: normotensive women (group A: 240 women), hypertensive women without therapy (group B: 220 women), hypertensive women on therapy (group C: 80 women). RESULTS The incidence of female sexual dysfunction was increased in group B compared to groups A and C. Healthy patients showed higher FSFI scores compared to hypertensive patients (groups B and C). Hypertensive-treated patients accounted for higher scores in all items compared to hypertensive patients without therapy. CONCLUSIONS Essential hypertension significantly affects female sexual function. Physicians should recognize and properly manage FSD in hypertensive women.