Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural Acceleration for General-Purpose Approximate Programs

This paper describes a learning-based approach to the acceleration of approximate programs. We describe the \emph{Parrot transformation}, a program transformation that selects and trains a neural network to mimic a region of imperative code. After the learning phase, the compiler replaces the original code with an invocation of a low-power accelerator called a \emph{neural processing unit} (NPU). The NPU is tightly coupled to the processor pipeline to accelerate small code regions. Since neural networks produce inherently approximate results, we define a programming model that allows programmers to identify approximable code regions -- code that can produce imprecise but acceptable results. Offloading approximable code regions to NPUs is faster and more energy efficient than executing the original code. For a set of diverse applications, NPU acceleration provides whole-application speedup of 2.3x and energy savings of 3.0x on average with quality loss of at most 9.6%.
A look at the topology of convolutional neural networks

Convolutional neural networks (CNN’s) are powerful and widely used tools. However, their interpretability is far from ideal. In this paper we use topological data analysis to investigate what various CNN’s learn. We show that the weights of convolutional layers at depths from 1 through 13 learn simple global structures. We also demonstrate the change of the simple structures over the course of training. In particular, we define and analyze the spaces of spatial filters of convolutional layers and show the recurrence, among all networks, depths, and during training, of a simple circle consisting of rotating edges, as well as a less recurring unanticipated complex circle that combines lines, edges, and non-linear patterns. We train over a thousand CNN’s on MNIST and CIFAR-10, as well as use VGG-networks pretrained on ImageNet.
A Novel Approach for Athlete Profiling: The Unilateral Dynamic Strength Index.

Bishop, C, Read, P, Lake, J, Loturco, I, and Turner, A. A novel approach for athlete profiling: The unilateral dynamic strength index. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The Dynamic Strength Index (DSI) provides a ratio of the peak force an athlete can produce in both isometric and ballistic tasks. Although the DSI measured during bilateral tests has been examined, unilateral DSI scores have not been reported to date and thus was the aim of the present study. Twenty-eight recreational sport athletes performed 3 trials of a unilateral isometric squat and countermovement jump (CMJ) to measure peak force in each task across 2 separate test sessions. The unilateral DSI was calculated using both left vs. right and dominant vs. nondominant limbs. Good to excellent reliability was shown in the isometric squat (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.86-0.96; coefficient of variation [CV] ≤ 5.7%) and the CMJ (ICC = 0.83-0.93; CV ≤ 5.8%) on both limbs. The DSI showed moderate to good reliability (ICC = 0.71-0.79; CV = 7.54-11.9%). Dynamic Strength Index scores of 0.52-0.55 and 0.55-0.59 were reported on the left and right limbs, respectively, with no significant differences reported between limbs. A significant difference (p = 0.04) was seen for the CMJ between left and right during the second test session only. The dominant and nondominant limbs reported mean DSI scores of 0.53-0.57, and significant differences were evident between limbs in both the isometric squat and CMJ (p < 0.01). This study provides normative data for the unilateral DSI and indicates acceptable levels of reliability, whereas the consistency of individual measures of peak force can be considered good when quantified unilaterally.
Data-Driven Modeling of Cholinergic Modulation of Neural Microcircuits: Bridging Neurons, Synapses and Network Activity

Neuromodulators, such as acetylcholine (ACh), control information processing in neural microcircuits by regulating neuronal and synaptic physiology. Computational models and simulations enable predictions on the potential role of ACh in reconfiguring network activity. As a prelude into investigating how the cellular and synaptic effects of ACh collectively influence emergent network dynamics, we developed a data-driven framework incorporating phenomenological models of the physiology of cholinergic modulation of neocortical cells and synapses. The first-draft models were integrated into a biologically detailed tissue model of neocortical microcircuitry to investigate the effects of levels of ACh on diverse neuron types and synapses, and consequently on emergent network activity. Preliminary simulations from the framework, which was not tuned to reproduce any specific ACh-induced network effects, not only corroborate the long-standing notion that ACh desynchronizes spontaneous network activity, but also predict that a dose-dependent activation of ACh gives rise to a spectrum of neocortical network activity. We show that low levels of ACh, such as during non-rapid eye movement (nREM) sleep, drive microcircuit activity into slow oscillations and network synchrony, whereas high ACh concentrations, such as during wakefulness and REM sleep, govern fast oscillations and network asynchrony. In addition, spontaneous network activity modulated by ACh levels shape spike-time cross-correlations across distinct neuronal populations in strikingly different ways. These effects are likely due to the regulation of neurons and synapses caused by increasing levels of ACh, which enhances cellular excitability and decreases the efficacy of local synaptic transmission. We conclude by discussing future directions to refine the biological accuracy of the framework, which will extend its utility and foster the development of hypotheses to investigate the role of neuromodulators in neural information processing.
Impact of an HIV Care Coordination Program on Durable Viral Suppression

Background: To assess long-term effectiveness of an intensive and comprehensive Ryan White Part A-funded HIV Care Coordination Program recruiting people living with HIV with a history of suboptimal HIV care outcomes. Methods: We merged programmatic data on CCP clients with surveillance data on all adults diagnosed with HIV. Using propensity score matching, we identified a contemporaneous, non–CCP-exposed comparison group. Durable viral suppression (DVS) was defined as regular viral load (VL) monitoring and all VLs ⩽200 copies per milliliter in months 13–36 of follow-up. Results: Ninety percent of the combined cohort (N = 12,414) had ≥1 VL ⩽200 during the follow-up period (December 1, 2009–March 31, 2016), and nearly all had routine VL monitoring, but only 36.8% had DVS. Although DVS did not differ overall (relative risk: 0.99, 95% confidence interval: 0.95 to 1.03), CCP clients without any VL suppression (VLS) in the 12-month pre-enrollment showed higher DVS versus “usual care” recipients (21.3% versus 18.4%; relative risk: 1.16, 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 1.29). Conclusions: Enrollment in an intensive intervention modestly improved DVS among those unsuppressed before CCP enrollment. This program shows promise for meeting treatment-as-prevention goals and advancing progress along the HIV care continuum, if people without evidence of VLS are prioritized for CCP enrollment over those with recent evidence of VLS. Low overall DVS (<40%) levels underscore a need for focused adherence maintenance interventions, in a context of high treatment access.
Efficacy of hyaluronic acid after knee arthroscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of hyaluronic acid on functional recovery and pain control in patients following knee arthroscopy. DESIGN A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to explore the efficacy of hyaluronic acid following knee arthroscopy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of hyaluronic acid in knee arthroscopy were included. A meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model. RESULTS Six RCTs involving 310 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control intervention following knee arthroscopy, hyaluronic acid treatment was found to significantly increase Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores (mean difference 11.43; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 1.39-21.47; p = 0.03), but had no impact on pain scores at 2 weeks (mean difference -0.16; 95% CI -0.81-0.49; p = 0.63), pain scores at 6 weeks (mean difference 0.01; 95% CI -0.86-0.89; p = 0.98), pain scores at 12 weeks (mean difference -0.51; 95% CI -1.56-0.53; p = 0.34). In addition, pain on motion was significantly reduced after knee arthroscopy (risk ratio (RR) 0.22; 95% CI 0.06-0.79; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION Compared with control intervention after knee arthroscopy, hyaluronic acid treatment was found to significantly improve WOMAC score and decrease pain on motion, but had no substantial influence on pain scores at 2, 6 and 12 weeks after knee arthroscopy.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome With Isolated Involving Infratentorial Structures

Typical neuroimaging findings of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome include symmetrical white matter edema in subcortical white matter of bilateral occipital and parietal lobes, although variations do occur and more and more attention is being focused upon disease of infratentorial-isolated involved posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. In this article, we described 1 case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with isolated infratentorial brain involvement and reviewed the literature to identify an additional 36 cases in the PubMed database. We used various search terms, such as “brainstem/cerebella/spinal posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome,” “brainstem/cerebella/spinal reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome,” “brainstem/cerebella/spinal hypertensive encephalopathy,” “infratentorial posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome,” and “posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome variant. ” Then, we systematically analyzed the clinical and imaging characteristics of the 37 cases and found that posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with isolated involving infratentorial structures predominantly affect male patients compared with typical posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. The presence of extremely high blood pressure at onset is essential to the development of infratentorial-isolated involved posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. A relatively high rate of hydrocephalus and spinal cord involvement can be a distinctive feature of this kind of variant. Symptoms and outcomes are basically similar to typical posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.
Indigenous Health Curriculum and Health Professional Learners: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background: Globally, an estimated 370 million Indigenous peoples reside in more than 70 countries with these people commonly experiencing health care access inequity. Purpose: This systematic review aimed to examine the impact of Indigenous health care curriculum on entry-level health professional learners in preparation to deliver equitable health care. Methods: Seventeen articles were identified and analyzed for: context; study design; study measures, teaching and learning delivery mode, content and duration; positive and negative learner reactions; learning gained and article quality was assessed using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument. Results: Most included studies described face-to-face delivery along with blended learning combining a placement in an Indigenous setting, stand-alone placements and digital learning. Descriptions of learning gained covered five domains: remembering, understanding, self-knowledge, perspective and application relating mostly to cultural awareness. Factors contributing to positive learner reactions included attitude, environment, educator skill, pedagogy and opportunities. Factors contributing to negative learner reactions included attitude and environment. Conclusions: There is a need to further explore how health professional graduates are prepared to work in Indigenous health and the appropriate measures to do this. There is opportunity to learn more about Indigenous health teaching and learning across learning domains, in mainstream clinical placements and in digital learning.
Thermal Ablation of Mucosal Defect Margins Reduces Adenoma Recurrence After Colonic Endoscopic Mucosal Resection.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Colorectal cancer (CRC) can be prevented by colonoscopy and polypectomy. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is performed to remove large laterally spreading colonic lesions that have a high risk of progression to CRC. Endoscopically invisible micro-adenomas at the margins of the EMR site might contribute to adenoma recurrence, which occurs in 15% to 30% of patients who undergo surveillance. We aimed to determine the efficacy of adjuvant thermal ablation of the EMR mucosal defect margin in reducing polyp recurrence. METHODS We performed a prospective study of 390 patients with large laterally spreading colonic lesions (≥ 20 mm, n = 416) referred for EMR at 4 tertiary centers in Australia. After complete lesion excision by EMR, lesions were randomly assigned to thermal ablation of the post-EMR mucosal defect margin (n = 210) or no additional treatment (controls, n = 206). We performed surveillance colonoscopies with standardized photo documentation and biopsies of the scar after 5 to 6 months. Patient, procedure, and lesion characteristics were similar between the groups. The primary endpoint was detection of lesion recurrence at first surveillance colonoscopy. RESULTS A significantly lower proportion of patients who received thermal ablation of the post-EMR mucosal defect margin had evidence of recurrence at first surveillance colonoscopy (10/192, 5.2%) than controls (37/176, 21.0%) (P < .001). The relative risk of recurrence in the thermal ablation group was 0.25 compared with the control group (95% confidence interval 0.13-0.48). Rates of adverse events were similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS In a multicenter randomized trial, thermal ablation of the post-EMR mucosal defect margin significantly reduced polyp recurrence at first surveillance colonoscopy, compared with no additional treatment. Routine implementation of this simple and safe technique could increase the utility of EMR, decrease surveillance burdens, and reduce morbidity and mortality from CRC. ClinicalTrials.gov no: NCT01789749.
Focusing on What Matters: Restructuring the Presentation of Bayesian Reasoning Problems

We propose that a mismatch in problem presentation and question structures may promote errors on Bayesian reasoning problems. In this task, people determine the likelihood that a positive test actually indicates the presence of a condition. Research has shown that people routinely fail to correctly identify this positive predictive value (PPV). We point out that the typical problem structure is likely to confuse reasoners by focusing on the incorrect reference class for answering this diagnostic question; instead, providing the anchor needed to address the diagnostic question about sensitivity (SEN). Results of two experiments are described in which participants answer diagnostic questions using problems presented with congruent or incongruent reference classes. Aligning reference classes eases both representational and computational difficulties, increasing the proportion who were consistently accurate to an unprecedented 93% on PPV questions, and 69% on SEN questions. Analysis of response components from incongruent problems indicated that many errors reflect difficulties in identifying and applying appropriate values from the problem, which are prerequisite processes that contribute to computational errors. We conclude with a discussion of the need, especially in applied settings and on initial exposure, to adopt problem presentations to guide, rather than confuse, the organization and use of diagnostic information.
Stress and quality of life in parents of children with phenylketonuria.

BACKGROUND Phenylketonuria is a hereditary disease caused by the lack or deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase enzyme activity. Parents of children with phenylketonuria undergo significant stress during their childcare years. They are also responsible for controlling their children's dietary treatment and this may affect their quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between stress and quality of life in parents of children with phenylketonuria. METHODS The present cross-sectional study is a correlation-analytical research performed on parents of children with phenylketonuria in Kerman province in Iran in 2017. In total, 124 parents were chosen by consensus method. Parents completed the perceived stress scale and quality of life (SF36). SPSS software version 18 (https://www.presidion.com/software/ibm-spss-trial-downloads/) was used to analyze the data. RESULTS Total scores of stress and quality of life were 28.81 ± 8.74 and 45.97 ± 21.22. There was a significant negative correlation between quality of life and perceived stress (p < 0.001 and ρ = -0.58). CONCLUSION Parents of children with phenylketonuria have moderate quality of life and relatively high stress. The medical community and authorities should take steps to improve the quality of life and reduce stress experienced by parents of children with phenylketonuria.
Efficacy of tocilizumab monotherapy after response to combined tocilizumab and methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the randomised JUST-ACT study.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the JUST-ACT study was to assess whether the add-on effect of tocilizumab (TCZ) to background methotrexate (MTX) observed in MTX-inadequate responders with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), would be sustained when MTX is withdrawn. METHODS A double-blind, parallel-group, phase 3 study in biologic-naïve RA patients with a disease activity score 28 (DAS28)>3.2 despite MTX which were treated with TCZ+MTX for an initial 16-week period. Patients who at week 16 achieved low disease activity (LDA) (DAS28≤3.2) were randomised to continue with TCZ+MTX or switch to TCZ + placebo (PBO) for an additional 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in DAS28-ESR from the randomisation at week 16 to week 28. Non-inferiority was confirmed if the upper limit of the two-sided 95%CI for the treatment difference between TCZ+MTX and TCZ monotherapy groups was lower than the selected non-inferiority margin of 0.6. RESULTS 261 patients completed the first 16 weeks of TCZ+MTX treatment and 165 were randomised (83 to TCZ+MTX and 82 to TCZ+PBO). For the primary endpoint, the adjusted treatment difference (95% CI) in mean change of DAS28-ESR was -0.06 (-0.40 to 0.27), and therefore the non-inferiority of switching to TCZ monotherapy versus continuing with TCZ+MTX was demonstrated. In both treatment groups, the percentage of patients in clinical remission from 16 to 28 weeks was similar as were the improvements in disease activity, functional disability and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS In MTX non-responder patients achieving LDA with TCZ+MTX, switching to TCZ monotherapy is non-inferior to continuing the combination.
Enriched Environment Facilitates Anxiolytic Efficacy Driven by Deep-Brain Stimulation of Medial Prefrontal Cortex

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a widely used treatment for neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Recently, several studies have used preclinical animal models to suggest that DBS has a potential to improve emotional symptoms in mental disorders such as treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. An important difference between neurodegenerative and emotional disorders is the crucial role of environment in the ontogeny of the latter. Thus, it is important to understand the effects of DBS in the context of environmental variation. In this study, we show that DBS of ventromedial prefrontal cortex reduces anxiety in rats when it is coupled with simultaneous exposure to an enriched environment (EE). In contrast, effects of DBS on anxiety-like behaviors remained equivocal when animals were housed in standard laboratory conditions. These results suggest that the ability of DBS to treat anxiety and related phenotypes can be significantly enhanced by EE opportunities.
Early Literacy Predictors and Second-Grade Outcomes in Children Who Are Hard of Hearing.

This study contrasted the early literacy outcomes of children who are hard of hearing (CHH) with children with normal hearing (CNH). At age 5, prereading skills of oral language, phonological processing, and print knowledge were examined in CHH (N = 180) and CNH (N = 80). The CHH had poorer oral language and phonological processing abilities than the CNH but comparable knowledge of print. At age 8, measures of word reading, and reading comprehension yielded no differences between CHH (N = 108) and CNH (N = 62) except for reading comprehension for the moderately severe CHH. Reading achievement in CHH was found to exceed predictions based on prereading performance. This resilience was associated with gains in oral language during the early school years.
Over-parameterization Improves Generalization in the XOR Detection Problem

Empirical evidence suggests that neural networks with ReLU activations generalize better with over-parameterization. However, there is currently no theoretical analysis that explains this observation. In this work, we study a simplified learning task with over-parameterized convolutional networks that empirically exhibits the same qualitative phenomenon. For this setting, we provide a theoretical analysis of the optimization and generalization performance of gradient descent. Specifically, we prove data-dependent sample complexity bounds which show that over-parameterization improves the generalization performance of gradient descent.
Identification of a distinct imaging phenotype may improve the management of palindromic rheumatism

Objectives To use high-resolution imaging to characterise palindromic rheumatism (PR) and to compare the imaging pattern observed to that seen in new-onset rheumatoid arthritis (NORA). Methods Ultrasound (US) assessment of synovitis, tenosynovitis and non-synovial extracapsular inflammation (ECI) was performed during and between flares in a prospective treatment-naive PR cohort. MRI of the flaring region was performed where possible. For comparison, the same US assessment was also performed in anticyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) positive individuals with musculoskeletal symptoms (CCP+ at risk) and patients with NORA. Results Thirty-one of 79 patients with PR recruited were assessed during a flare. A high frequency of ECI was identified on US; 19/31 (61%) of patients had ECI including 12/19 (63%) in whom ECI was identified in the absence of synovitis. Only 7/31 (23%) patients with PR had synovitis (greyscale ≥1 and power Doppler ≥1) during flare. In the hands/wrists, ECI was more prevalent in PR compared with NORA and CCP+ at risk (65% vs 29 % vs 6%, p<0.05). Furthermore, ECI without synovitis was specific for PR (42% PR vs 4% NORA (p=0.003) and 6% CCP+ at risk (p=0.0012)). Eleven PR flares were captured by MRI, which was more sensitive than US for synovitis and ECI. 8/31 (26%) patients with PR developed RA and had a similar US phenotype to NORA at progression. Conclusion PR has a distinct US pattern characterised by reversible ECI, often without synovitis. In patients presenting with new joint swelling, US may refine management by distinguishing relapsing from persistent arthritis.