Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decision fusion with corrupted reports in multi-sensor networks: A game-theoretic approach

Decision fusion in adversarial setting is receiving increasing attention due to its relevance in several applications including sensor networks, cognitive radio, social networks, distributed network monitoring. In most cases, a fusion center has to make a decision based on the reports provided by local agents, e.g. the nodes of a multi-sensor network. In this paper, we consider a setup in which the fusion center makes its decision on the status of an observed system by relying on the decisions made by a pool of local nodes and by taking into account the possibility that some nodes maliciously corrupt their reports to induce a decision error. We do so by casting the problem into a game-theoretic framework and looking for the existence of an equilibrium point defining the optimum strategies for the fusion center and the malicious nodes. We analyze two different strategies for the fusion center: a strategy recently introduced by Varshney et al. in a cognitive radio setup and a new approach based on soft identification of malicious nodes. The superior performance of the new decision scheme are demonstrated by resorting to the game-theoretic framework introduced previously.
The Risk Avoidance Partnership: Training Active Drug Users as Peer Health Advocates

Efforts have expanded to create AIDS prevention programs for drug users that consider the social context and interpersonal relationships within which risky practices take place. The Risk Avoidance Partnership (RAP) project is designed to train active drug users as peer/public health advocates (PHAs) to bring a structured, peer-led intervention into the sites where they and their drug-using social networks use illicit drugs. The RAP peer health advocacy training curriculum and peer-led intervention promote harm reduction among drug users and support drug-user organization to reduce infectious disease and other harm in the context of injection drug use, crack cocaine use, and sexual activity. Initial findings suggest that RAP PHAs perceive a significant positive role change in themselves while conducting health advocacy work and willingly and successfully carry the peer-led intervention into locations of high-risk drug activity to deliver it to their peers even in the absence of project staff support.
Interpreting and Evaluating Meta-Analysis

This article offers some guidelines for interpreting and evaluating meta-analytic reviews of research. The fundamental goals of metaanalysis are to combine results across studies to yield an overall estimate of effect and to compare effects between studies in order to understand moderating factors. Suggestions are made for what readers should look for in a meta-analysis, and a discussion is provided of several issues that are not often explicitly addressed: choice of unit of analysis, fixed versus random effects, the meaning of heterogeneity, determination of when contrasts are appropriate, and the choice of measure of central tendency. We recommend that readers adopt a skeptical attitude about the results of meta-analysis, particularly when only complex analyses are reported.
Sutureless aortic valve replacement: catheter-based transapical versus direct transaortic implantation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY Catheter-based aortic valve implantation leaves the calcified native leaflets in the aortic root. Upon valve deployment, the leaflets are pushed to the side, potentially compromising coronary perfusion, exerting pressure on the conduction system, and limiting the maximum effective orifice area. The study aim was to evaluate the perioperative outcome of an alternative self-expanding sutureless valve that is inserted via a conventional aortotomy, allowing for complete debridement of any calcified native aortic leaflets and annulus. METHODS A total of 56 patients, all of which required bioprosthetic valve replacement for aortic valve stenosis, was included in the study. Twenty-nine patients underwent isolated catheter-based transapical aortic valve implantation using the Edwards SAPIEN prosthesis, while 27 patients underwent direct transaortic valve replacement, using the self-expandable ATS 3F Enable prosthesis. Implantation of the latter device utilized cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), such that debridement of the calcified native leaflets was possible in all cases. The in-hospital echocardiographic findings and routine blood laboratory parameters of all patients were evaluated to determine the clinical outcome. RESULTS The 30-day mortality was 17% in the transapical group and 11% in the transaortic group. Two conversions were performed in each group. One valve migration, one complete heart block and two cases of coronary obstruction occurred in the transapical group. The implantation times were 8 min in the transapical group and 10 min in the transaortic group. Four paravalvular leaks occurred in the transapical group, but none occurred in the transaortic group. CONCLUSION Aortic valve replacement can be performed safely using either sutureless device. The transaortic approach has the additional advantage of allowing for the resection of native leaflets and for the performance of concomitant procedures. Laboratory investigations demonstrated an elevated creatine kinase MB fraction in the transapical group and comparable inflammatory parameters between groups, despite the use of CPB in the transaortic group.
Activation of human effector cells by different bacterial toxins (leukocidin, alveolysin, and erythrogenic toxin A): generation of interleukin-8

We analyzed the transcription and release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) from human polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs) and a lymphocyte-monocyte-basophil (LMB) cell population stimulated for different time periods (30 min to 16 h) with pore-forming bacterial toxins (Panton-Valentine leukocidin [Luk-PV] and alveolysin [Alv]) as well as with the erythrogenic toxin A (ETA) as a superantigen. At high toxin concentrations (500 ng/10(7) cells), Luk-PV and Alv led to a decreased IL-8 generation from LMBs within the first 30 min; with PMNs, a slight increase in IL-8 release was observed. Under these conditions, stimulation with ETA did not lead to an altered cellular IL-8 release. At lower concentrations (5 and 0.5 ng/10(7) cells), all three toxins led to a continuous increase (over 16 h) in IL-8 release and IL-8 mRNA expression of PMNs and LMBs. Preincubation of the cells with the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors lavendustin A and tyrphostin 25 led to a reduction of the toxin-mediated effects on IL-8 release and IL-8 mRNA expression when Luk-PV and Alv were used as stimuli. In contrast, IL-8 synthesis in cells which were stimulated with ETA was not influenced by protein tyrosine kinase inhibition. From our data, one may suggest that multiple pathways for IL-8 production are operative in human leukocytes.
Additional categories of sleep-related eating disorders and the current status of treatment.

Sleep-related eating disorders distinct from daytime eating disorders have recently been shown to be associated with sleepwalking (SW), periodic limb movement (PLM) disorder and triazolam abuse in a series of 19 adults. We now report eight other primary or combined etiologies identified by clinical evaluations and polysomnographic monitoring of 19 additional adults (mean age 40 years; 58% female): i) obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with eating during apnea-induced confusional arousals (n = 3); ii) OSA-PLM disorder (n = 1); iii) familial SW and sleep-related eating (n = 2); iv) SW-PLM disorder (n = 1); v) SW-irregular sleep/wake pattern disorder (n = 1); vi) familial restless legs syndrome and sleep-related eating (n = 2); vii) anorexia nervosa with nocturnal bulimia (n = 2) and viii) amitriptyline treatment of migraines (n = 1). In our cumulative series of 38 patients (excluding six with simple obesity from daytime overeating), 44% were overweight (i.e. > 20% excess weight) from sleep-related eating. Nightly sleep-related binge eating (without hunger or purging) had occurred in 84% of patients. Onset of sleep-related eating was also closely linked with i) acute stress involving reality-based concerns about the safety of family members or about relationship problems (n = 6), ii) abstinence from alcohol and opiate/cocaine abuse (n = 2) and iii) cessation of cigarette smoking (n = 2). Current treatment data indicate a primary role of dopaminergic agents (carbidopa/L-dopa; bromocriptine), often combined with codeine and clonazepam, in controlling most cases involving SW and/or PLM disorder. Fluoxetine was effective in two of three patients. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy controlled sleep-related eating in two OSA patients.
An evaluation of the conduct of the online quiz at a public university in Malaysia

This study evaluated the use of the online quiz as part of the formative assessment for Mandarin as a third language (MTL). A questionnaire was designed to investigate three aspects, namely, academic honesty, students' satisfaction in doing the online quiz, and students' preference between the online quiz and the manual quiz. Two hundred and nineteen (219) MTL students who studied in three different levels of the Mandarin course answered the questionnaire in May 2013. The findings indicated that more than half of the students received help from course mates while answering the online quiz. Overall, students from all levels were very happy to have the online quiz as part of the assessment. They strongly recommended that future students should also be given the online quiz as there are more pros than cons in having the online quiz as compared to having the manual quiz. However, students were reluctant to do the online quiz in the computer labs of their faculties. Nonetheless, this study proposes a solution to control misconduct during the online quiz. The most effective way is to have the online quiz done in the computer lab of the faculty under the supervision of a lecturer. Some detailed steps to conduct the online quiz have been outlined in the paper.
Neuroprotection against Spinal Cord Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury Induced by Different Ischemic Postconditioning Methods: Roles of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase–Akt and Extracellular Signal–regulated Kinase

Background:The authors compared the neuroprotective effects induced by two ischemic postconditioning methods and sought to determine the roles of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–Akt and extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) in this neuroprotection. Methods:Spinal cord ischemia was induced in rabbits by occlusion of the infrarenal aorta with a balloon catheter for 25 min. Postconditioning was accomplished by either five cycles of 1-min occlusion and 1-min reperfusion (standard postconditioning) or control of the perfusion pressure between 45 and 55 mmHg at the first 10 min of reperfusion (modified postconditioning). Motor function was assessed with the Tarlov score during a 28-day observation period. Histologic examination of lumbar spinal cords was performed. Expressions of Akt and ERK in the spinal cord were evaluated by Western blot. Results:Compared with the controls, the two postconditioning methods markedly increased Tarlov scores 1, 3, 7, and 28 days after spinal cord ischemia and number of intact motor neurons in the lumbar spinal cord. No significant difference in Tarlov scores and number of intact motor neurons was detected between the two postconditioning method groups. The two postconditioning methods enhanced the expressions of phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK in spinal cords. The neuroprotective effects and the increases in phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK were abolished by administration of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–Akt inhibitor LY-294002 or ERK inhibitor PD-98059. Conclusions:The two postconditioning methods possess comparable neuroprotective effects on the spinal cord and share a common molecular mechanism, in which phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and ERK pathways play crucial roles.
Acute exacerbation and hepatitis B virus clearance after emergence of YMDD motif mutation during lamivudine therapy

Lamivudine is a potent inhibitor of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, but its long‐term use may be associated with HBV tyrosine‐methionine‐aspartate‐aspartate (YMDD) motif mutation. To examine the clinical features and course after emergence of YMDD mutants, 55 patients who received lamivudine therapy over 104 weeks at our unit were assayed for YMDD mutation(s). Thirty‐two of them were found to have the YMDD mutation. They continued lamivudine therapy and were followed up weekly or biweekly if clinically indicated. Thirty (93.7%) of them showed elevation of alanine transaminase (ALT), and 13 (40.6%) experienced acute exacerbation at 4 to 94 weeks (median, 24 weeks) after emergence of the YMDD mutant. The incidence of exacerbation is much higher than 4.3% in patients without the YMDD mutation (P = .003). Compared with patients without exacerbation, patients with exacerbation had a significantly higher serum HBV‐DNA level after emergence of the YMDD mutant (P < .005). Before exacerbation, serum HBV‐DNA level was rising to its peak, followed by the peaking of ALT (247‐2,010 U/L) 1 to 4 weeks later. Three patients developed hepatic decompensation, but then in association with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion, recovered. Of the 12 evaluable patients, 8 (75%) showed HBeAg seroconversion, and 3 showed mutant clearance within 1 to 5 months after exacerbation. In contrast, none of the patients without exacerbation showed HBeAg seroconversion (P < .001). These results indicate that acute exacerbations may occur after emergence of the YMDD mutation. The incidence, clinicopathological features, and subsequent course, and possibly the underlying immune mechanisms, are similar to those of wild‐type HBV chronic infection. Because severe hepatitis may occur, patients should be followed carefully once the YMDD mutant emerges.
Efficacy of cryotherapy associated with laser therapy for decreasing severity of melphalan‐induced oral mucositis during hematological stem‐cell transplantation: a prospective clinical study

Melphalan followed by hematopoietic stem‐cell transplantation (HSCT) is the standard treatment for multiple myeloma and other hematopoietic neoplasms. However, high doses of melphalan cause severe oral mucositis (OM). The objective was to verify the efficacy of cryotherapy plus laser therapy on reduction of OM severity. HSCT patients undergoing melphalan chemotherapy (n = 71) were randomly divided into two groups according to OM treatment: oral cryotherapy performed with ice chips for 1 h 35 min followed by low‐level laser therapy (InGaAIP, 660 nm, 40 mW, 6 J/cm2) (n = 54) and laser therapy alone with the same protocol (n = 17). A control group (n = 33) was composed of HSCT patients treated with melphalan who received no specific treatment for OM. OM scores and clinical information were collected from D0 to D + 11. The cryotherapy/laser therapy group showed the lowest OM scores (maximum Grade I) and the lowest mean number of days (8 days) with OM in comparison with the other groups (p < 0.001). OM Grades III and IV were present with high frequency only in the control group. The association of cryotherapy with laser therapy was effective in reducing OM severity in HSCT patients who underwent melphalan conditioning. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functions of Code-Switching in Tweets: An Annotation Framework and Some Initial Experiments

Code-Switching (CS) between two languages is extremely common in communities with societal multilingualism where speakers switch between two or more languages when interacting with each other. CS has been extensively studied in spoken language by linguists for several decades but with the popularity of social-media and less formal Computer Mediated Communication, we now see a big rise in the use of CS in the text form. This poses interesting challenges and a need for computational processing of such code-switched data. As with any Computational Linguistic analysis and Natural Language Processing tools and applications, we need annotated data for understanding, processing, and generation of code-switched language. In this study, we focus on CS between English and Hindi Tweets extracted from the Twitter stream of Hindi-English bilinguals. We present an annotation scheme for annotating the pragmatic functions of CS in Hindi-English (Hi-En) code-switched tweets based on a linguistic analysis and some initial experiments.
Engaging individuals to be effective collectives : a ganzian analysis of leader/follower relationships in times of challenge

Engaging and formulating stronger working relationships within public, private and political organizations is a complex, fluid and challenging task for individuals in all positions, especially those in positions of authority and leadership. This research focuses on the engagement of people as a ‘wicked’ problem amongst middle to senior managers and some political figures. This problem is particularly apparent when individuals work across silos, in partnerships, within blame cultures, and through periods of challenge and change, especially in relation to budget cuts and constant restructuring. Using Grounded Theory (Charmaz, 2012; Glaser and Strauss, 1967; Strauss and Corbin, 1994), the empirical data collated for the Warwick Commission on Elected Mayors and City Leadership (2012)1 was initially used. This initial data set provided insights and what Glaser and Strauss (1968) call ‘hunches’ into the issue of politically engaging with the citizen, producing several examples where city leaders had engaged innovatively with the citizen. To build on these ‘hunches’ further research was conducted during facilitated sessions in leadership development, identifying conversations with middle to senior managers around engaging teams, employees and partners. Three specific cases were identified and researched to examine why some organizations are failing in engaging their employees, identifying and highlighting some of the barriers preventing learning, dissent and effective change. These three cases of disorganization were compared and contrasted against three further empirical cases of organization where engagement, relationships, learning and dissent are acceptable and encouraged. Focusing on studying ‘the space between’ leaders and followers ‘to advance knowledge of relational leadership’ engaging ‘across disciplines and perspectives (Uhl-Bien, 2012: xiv - xv), the research question being addressed is ‘how can the complex, iterative processes of relationships help re-engage individual actors in a collective to tackle challenges? ’ Upon analysis of the data and the literature from various disciplines (including Leadership Studies, Social Movements and Collective Identity, and Communication Studies), a heuristic framework ‘Beyond the Collective’ was constructed. Using the work of Ganz (2010) around ‘Public Narrative’ and his practical experiences working with social movements, the framework expands on his use of storytelling to understand how a collective of individuals can grapple with their problems by using New Beginnings, to Build Common Purpose for Action and Collectively Learn for the future.
Presenting features of inflammatory bowel disease in Great Britain and Ireland

Background: Reports from individual referral centres suggest that a significant proportion of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) present after prolonged delays and with impaired growth. Aims: To prospectively document the presenting features, delay in presentation, disease localisation, and growth in newly diagnosed cases of IBD. Methods: For 13 months, between June 1998 and June 1999, 3247 paediatricians, adult gastroenterologists, and surgeons across the UK and Ireland were prospectively surveyed each month and asked to report every newly diagnosed case of childhood IBD. Results: A total of 739 new IBD cases aged less than 16 years were identified. Only one quarter of Crohn’s disease (CD) cases presented with the “classic triad” of diarrhoea, weight loss, and abdominal pain; nearly half did not report diarrhoea. The median delay from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 5 months (mean 11 months), with one fifth having symptoms of more than one year. Delays were most common in CD and in younger children. Short stature was noted only in those with CD and not with ulcerative colitis. One fifth of CD cases had disease activity in the jejunum and this group had significantly reduced stature. Ileo-colonic involvement was documented in most CD cases, with only a small minority having isolated ileal or isolated colonic disease. Pan-colitis was reported in most UC cases, with very few having only an isolated proctitis. Conclusions: Many children are diagnosed after prolonged delays and have growth failure. Improved knowledge of the presenting features of IBD, and earlier investigation of suspected cases, may help reduce the delays noted.
Deceleration area of fetal heart rate trace and fetal acidemia at delivery: A case–control study

Objective. To assess the correlation between the total deceleration area of the fetal heart rate (FHR) pre-delivery trace and intrapartum fetal acid–base status in a low risk population. Study design. We analyzed the electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) traces of 26 pregnancies with fetuses presenting acidemia at delivery and those of thirty controls. All laboring patients had at least 1 hour of EFM without interruption. The deceleration area was calculated, after digital analysis, with Autocad System 2004. Results. We found that the number of decelerations (8.03 ± 3.77 vs. 4.64 ± 3.84) and the total deceleration area/hour (35.56 ± 11.87 vs. 17.81 ± 9.38) were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. Conclusions. Our results show that quantitative analysis of the deceleration areas by digitized cardiotocography may have a discriminative capacity to predict fetal acidemia at delivery.
Re-examining the Determinants of Non-Performing Loans in Ghana’s Banking Industry: Role of the 2007–2009 Financial Crisis

ABSTRACT This paper uses robust econometric methods to estimate the determinants of non-performing loans (NPLs) with a specific focus on the role of the 2007–2009 financial crisis in explaining NPLs in the banking industry of Ghana. Findings suggest that non-performing loans are significantly affected by bank-specific, industry, and macroeconomic variables. We observed heterogeneity in the determinants of NPLs for sub-samples of the data. The effect of the financial crisis on NPLs is observed to be conditional on the level of credit risk in our sub-sample analysis. The results from the impulse response corroborate that of the regression estimation.