Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Duration of Implantable Cardiac Monitoring and Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Purpose Current guidelines do not provide firm directions on atrial fibrillation (AF) screening after ischemic stroke (IS). We sought to investigate the association of implantable cardiac monitoring (ICM) duration with the yield of AF detection in IS patients. Methods We included studies reporting AF detection rates by ICM in IS patients with negative initial AF screening. We excluded studies reporting prolonged cardiac monitoring with devices other than ICM, not providing AF detection rates or monitoring duration, and reporting overlapping data for the same population. The random-effects model was used for all pooled estimates and meta-regression analyses. Results We included 28 studies (4,531 patients, mean age 65 years). In meta-regression analyses, the proportion of AF detection by ICM was independently associated with monitoring duration (coefficient=0.015; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.005 to 0.024) and mean patient age (coefficient=0.009; 95% CI, 0.003 to 0.015). No associations were detected with other patient characteristics, including IS subtype (cryptogenic vs. embolic stroke of undetermined source) or time from IS onset to CM implantation. In subgroup analyses, significant differences (P<0.001) in the AF detection rates were found for ICM duration (<6 months: 5% [95% CI, 3% to 6%]; ≥6 and ≤12 months: 21% [95% CI, 16% to 25%]; >12 and ≤24 months: 26% [95% CI, 22% to 31%]; >24 months: 34% [95% CI, 29% to 39%]). Conclusions Extended duration of ICM monitoring and increased patient age are factors that substantially increase AF detection in IS patients with initial negative AF screening.
Comprehensive Analytic Performance Assessment and K-means based Multicast Routing Algorithm and Architecture for 3D-NoC of Spiking Neurons

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) are artificial neural network models that more closely mimic biological neural networks. In addition to neuronal and synaptic state, SNNs incorporate the variant time scale into their computational model. Since each neuron in these networks is connected to thousands of others, high bandwidth is required. Moreover, since the spike times are used to encode information in SNN, very low communication latency is also needed. The 2D-NoC was used as a solution to provide a scalable interconnection fabric in large-scale parallel SNN systems. The 3D-ICs have also attracted a lot of attention as a potential solution to resolve the interconnect bottleneck. The combination of these two emerging technologies provides a new horizon for IC designs to satisfy the high requirements of low power and small footprint in emerging AI applications. In this work, we first present a comprehensive analytical model to analyze the performance of 3D mesh NoC over variants of different SNN topologies and communications protocols. Second, we present an architecture and a low-latency spike routing algorithm, named shortest path K-means based multicast (SP-KMCR), for three-dimensional NoC of spiking neurons (3DNoC-SNN). The proposed system was validated based on an RTL-level implementation, while area/power analysis was performed using 45nm CMOS technology.
Intracorporeal or Extracorporeal Ileocolic Anastomosis After Laparoscopic Right Colectomy: A Double-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to determine whether there are clinically relevant differences in outcomes between laparoscopic right colectomy (LRC) with intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis (IIA) and LRC with extracorporeal IA (EIA). BACKGROUND IIA and EIA are 2 well-established techniques for restoration of bowel continuity after LRC. There are no high-quality studies demonstrating the superiority of one anastomotic technique over the other. METHODS This is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial comparing the outcomes of LRC with IIA and LRC with EIA in patients with a benign or malignant right-sided colon neoplasm. Primary endpoint was length of hospital stay (LOS). This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03045107. RESULTS A total of 140 patients were randomized and analyzed. Median operative time was comparable in IIA versus EIA group {130 [interquartile range (IQR) 105-195] vs 130 (IQR 110-180) min; P = 0.770} and no intraoperative complications occurred. The quicker recovery of bowel function after IIA than EIA [gas: 2 (IQR 2-3) vs 3 (IQR 2-3) days, P = 0.003; stool: 4 (IQR 3-5) vs 4.5 (IQR 3-5) days, P = 0.032] was not reflected in any advantage in the primary endpoint: median LOS was similar in the 2 groups [6 (IQR 5-7) vs 6 (IQR 5-8) days; P = 0.839]. No significant differences were observed in the number of lymph nodes harvested, length of skin incision, 30-day morbidity (17.1% vs 15.7%, P = 0.823), reoperation rate, and readmission rate between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS LRC with IIA is associated with earlier recovery of postoperative bowel function than LRC with EIA; however, it does not reflect into a shorter LOS.
Alleria

Application analysis and simulation tools are used extensively by embedded system designers to improve existing optimization techniques or develop new ones. We propose the Alleria framework to make it easier for designers to comprehensively collect critical information such as virtual and physical memory addresses, accessed values, and thread schedules about one or more target applications. Such profilers often incur substantial performance overheads that are orders of magnitude larger than native execution time. We discuss how that overhead can be significantly reduced using a novel profiling mechanism called adaptive profiling. We develop a heuristic-based adaptive profiling mechanism and evaluate its performance using single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. The proposed technique can improve profiling throughput by up to 145% and by 37% on an average, enabling Alleria to be used to comprehensively profile applications with a throughput of over 3 million instructions per second.
Detection and management of atypical femur fractures.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article summarizes the risk factors for atypical femur fractures (AFF), discusses current and emerging imaging modalities for early identification of AFF, and offers recommendations for prevention and management of AFFs based on the current concepts. RECENT FINDINGS Antiresorptive therapies are widely recommended for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Despite their well established effectiveness to reduce fracture risk, emerging concerns related to potential adverse effects have led to a substantial decline in the use of bisphosphonates. Although, the pathogenesis of AFF has not yet been elucidated, the bulk of evidence supports that the well known therapeutic benefits of bisphosphonate far outweigh the relatively low risk of AFFs. Recommendations for early identification of patients at risk for AFF using radiographic imaging have been established. Consensus on the management of AFF and osteoporosis in patients with AFF needs to be formulated. SUMMARY AFF is a rare event associated with long-term bisphosphonate therapy, which represents an apparent paradox in the management of osteoporosis. Improved understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms will be helpful in further refining of screening guidelines and standardization of management and treatment strategies.
The Preoperative Inflammatory Status Affects the Clinical Outcome in Cardiac Surgery

Aims: There are many reasons for the increase in post-operative mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing surgery. In fact, an activated inflammatory state before cardiac surgery, can potentially worsen the patient’s prognosis and the effects of this preoperative inflammatory state in the medium-term remains unknown. Methods: There were 470 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery, and were divided in three groups according to the median values of preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen (FBG): The first group was the low inflammatory status group (LIS) with 161 patients (CRP < 0.39 mg/dL and FBG < 366 mg/dL); the second was the medium inflammatory status group (MIS) with 150 patients (CRP < 0.39 mg/dL and FBG ≥ 366 mg/dL or CRP ≥ 0.39 mg/dL and FBG < 366 mg/dL,); and the third was the high inflammatory status group (HIS) with 159 patients (CRP ≥ 0.39 mg/dL and FBG ≥ 366 mg/dL,). Results: The parameters to be considered for the patients before surgery were similar between the three groups except, however, for age, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the presence of arterial hypertension. The operative mortality was not significantly different between the groups (LIS = 2.5%, MIS = 6%, HIS = 6.9%, p = 0.16) while mortality for sepsis was significantly different (LIS = 0%, MIS = 1.3%, HIS = 3.7%, p = 0.03). The infections were more frequent in the HIS group (p = 0.0002). The HIS group resulted in an independent risk factor for infections (relative risk (RR) = 3.1, confidence interval (CI) = 1.2–7.9, p = 0.02). During the 48-months follow-up, survival was lower for the HIS patients. This HIS group (RR = 2.39, CI = 1.03–5.53, p = 0.05) and LVEF (RR = 0.96, CI = 0.92–0.99, p = 0.04) resulted in independent risk factors for mortality during the follow-up. Conclusions: The patients undergoing cardiac surgery with a preoperative highly activated inflammatory status are at a higher risk of post-operative infections. Furthermore, during the intermediate follow-up, the preoperative highly activated inflammatory status and LVEF resulted in independent risk factors for mortality.
DLX6-AS1 promotes cell proliferation, migration and EMT of gastric cancer through FUS-regulated MAP4K1

ABSTRACT Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most prevalent carcinoma resulting in cancer-related deaths in the world, with differences among geographic areas. Although the incidence and mortality rates of GC in Asia are decreasing, the search for diverse and effective therapies of GC is still needed to be fully inquired. The present research explored the expression pattern, functional role and underlying mechanism of DLX6-AS1 in GC. Firstly, we measured DLX6-AS1 expression in GC and then found the elevated level of DLX6-AS1. To further inspect the function role of DLX6-AS1 involved in GC, we performed lost-of-function assays. The silencing of DLX6-AS1 suppressed cell proliferation, migration and EMT process of GC cells. Subsequently, we uncovered that MAP4K1 was also up-regulated in GC and could be positively regulated by DLX6-AS1. Moreover, MAP4K1 down-regulation similarly inhibited GC progression. In addition, DLX6-AS1 stabilized MAP4K1 via modulating FUS. In summary, DLX6-AS1 modulated GC progression through FUS-regulated MAP4K1. Our paper exposed the role and regulatory mechanism of DLX6-AS1 in GC, which suggested a novel and valid therapy for GC patients.
A hormone receptor pathway cell-autonomously delays neuron morphological aging by suppressing endocytosis

Neurons have a lifespan that parallels that of the organism and are largely irreplaceable. Their unusually long lifespan predisposes neurons to neurodegenerative disease. We sought to identify physiological mechanisms that delay neuron aging in Caenorhabditis elegans by asking how neuron morphological aging is arrested in the long-lived, alternate organismal state, the dauer diapause. We find that a hormone signaling pathway, the abnormal DAuer Formation (DAF) 12 nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) pathway, functions cell-intrinsically in the dauer diapause to arrest neuron morphological aging, and that same pathway can be cell-autonomously manipulated during normal organismal aging to delay neuron morphological aging. This delayed aging is mediated by suppressing constitutive endocytosis, which alters the subcellular localization of the actin regulator T cell lymphoma Invasion And Metastasis 1 (TIAM-1), thereby decreasing age-dependent neurite growth. Intriguingly, we show that suppressed endocytosis appears to be a general feature of cells in diapause, suggestive that this may be a mechanism to halt the growth and other age-related programs supported by most endosome recycling.
Neuropsychological functioning in ageing retired NFL players: a critical review

Abstract Recent discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in former National Football League (NFL) players has led to a surge of papers investigating cognitive functioning in these former athletes. This critical review of the literature focused on the neuropsychological functioning in these ageing athletes, and included 22 articles published between 2013 and 2019, of which 13 reported on neuroradiological imaging and four focused on dose-response relationships of repetitive head injury on cognitive outcomes. Four studies suggest higher prevalence of MCI and neurodegenerative disease among NFL retirees, although a quantifiable risk and prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in these players remains unknown. Decreased verbal memory has been found in some players across multiple studies, though with unknown clinical significance due to small sample sizes, unreported effect sizes, and absence of longitudinal data. Studies investigating a dose-response relationship between cognitive decline and head injury have generated mixed findings utilizing various measures of head injury exposure. Neuroradiological findings are inconsistent, but suggest that some NFL players may be at greater risk for reduced white matter integrity. Future research is needed to understand the relationship between sports-related concussions and the risk of long-term cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease in ageing NFL players.
End-user and clinician perspectives on the viability of wearable functional electrical stimulation garments after stroke and spinal cord injury

Abstract Purpose Functional electrical stimulation (FES), through repetitive training (FES-therapy) or continuous assistance (neuro-prosthesis), can restore motor function after paralysis due to spinal cord injury or stroke. With current technology, patients are often incapable of independently applying FES, thereby limiting its use. Novel FES-garments with embedded stimulation electrodes were developed in collaboration with Myant, Canada, to address this problem. The purpose of this study was to collect the views of future end-users to inform the refinement of the device design and to obtain insights on subsequent commercialization of this rehabilitation and assistive technology. Methods A qualitative study was undertaken to determine the needs of potential users (patients and clinicians; n = 19). Participant took part in interviews or focus groups after a presentation of the garments. An inductive content analysis was used to generate the themes from the data and identify data saturation. Results The identified themes and sub-themes were: (1) User Perspectives: users' characteristics (needs, limitations), expected benefits (beliefs), and anticipated problems (fears); (2) Device Design: technical features, usability, and disadvantages of the garment, cables, stimulator, software, and interface; (3) Acquisition Process: organizational procedures (acquisition and adoption steps); and (4) Business Model: financial and strategic aspects to facilitate commercialization and support users. Conclusions The insights obtained from end-users and clinicians provide guidelines to optimize the development of novel FES-garments, and strategies for bringing the device to the market. The themes identified can serve to inform other rehabilitation and assistive technology developers with processes and ideas on how to meet these groups’ needs. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Participants with neurological paralysis have interest and critical views on new rehabilitation and assistive technology, and the repercussions of using new technologies to address their function, health and wellbeing. The FES-garment design presented appeared acceptable to the end-users, pending resolution of certain shortcomings (wiring, operating duration, robustness, easiness to don and doff). End-users and clinicians had specific views regarding the acquisition process of new technologies (training, customization, and follow-up/support), which are important to take into consideration to ensure broad stakeholders uptake.
Photosystem Biogenesis Is Localized to the Translation Zone in the Chloroplast of Chlamydomonas

Pathways that converge for photosystem biogenesis occur in a specific region of the chloroplast called the T-zone in Chlamydomonas. Intracellular processes can be localized for efficiency or regulation. For example, localized mRNA translation by chloroplastic ribosomes occurs in the biogenesis of PSII, one of the two photosystems of the photosynthetic electron transport chain in the chloroplasts of plants and algae. The biogenesis of PSI and PSII requires the synthesis and assembly of their constituent polypeptide subunits, pigments, and cofactors. Although these biosynthetic pathways are well characterized, less is known about when and where they occur in developing chloroplasts. Here, we used fluorescence microscopy in the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to reveal spatiotemporal organization in photosystem biogenesis. We focused on translation by chloroplastic ribosomes and chlorophyll biosynthesis in two developmental contexts of active photosystem biogenesis: (1) growth of the mature chloroplast and (2) greening of a nonphotosynthetic chloroplast. The results reveal that a translation zone is the primary location of the biogenesis of PSI and PSII. This discretely localized region within the chloroplast contrasts with the distributions of photosystems throughout this organelle and, therefore, is likely a hub where anabolic pathways converge for photosystem biogenesis.
Determinants and heterogeneity of switching costs in IT outsourcing: estimates from firm-level data

ABSTRACT We study how firms decide whether to continue an existing relationship or switch the vendor of outsourced services. Because of incomplete contracts and relationship-specific investments, client organisations may face switching costs, which in some cases may be large enough to render vendor switching an unattractive option. Based on an extensive review of the literature, we develop hypotheses about relationship-, firm-, and market-specific determinants of switching costs. We then develop an econometric model to identify those determinants and their relative importance and estimate the magnitude of switching costs. In the empirical study, we observe accounting data of 1318 US credit unions (CUs) and follow their IT outsourcing choices over 11 years. We find that the largest portion of switching costs is due to relationship- and firm-specific factors, while market-specific variables are much less important. Our estimates suggest that average switching costs account for one-third of the average annual expenditure for professional services. We further highlight that the average hides substantial heterogeneity. Switching costs of CUs that decide to switch vendors are about 50% lower than those of CUs that stay. Looking more closely at stayers, our most conservative estimate of the lock-in effect, i.e., the difference in switching costs of deliberate and non-deliberate stayers, is equivalent to about 70% of the average annual expenditure for professional services.
State of the art and perspectives on traditional and emerging biometrics: A survey

The last three decades have seen a shift and impressive progress in the biometric technologies landscape. Several major real‐world applications of biometrics have been released and are currently being used around the world. At the same time, several new biometrics modalities have emerged and have started making an impact in securing sensitive data, information, and systems. We present in this paper a survey of traditional and emerging biometrics by emphasizing their connection to human body parts, behavior, and cognition. A review of the state of the art in the key technologies is carried out along with a discussion of major applications currently available in the real world.
Performing reproductions to understand the state of reproducibility in current AI research

In the last few years, the issue of reproducibility has gained increased attention in many scientific fields, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). Reproducibility of published results is a key concept of the scientific method, yet recent studies in AI and other computational sciences have shown that many experiments cannot be reproduced, and that current documentation practices are insufficient. In this project, reproductions are attempted of experiments from 30 highly cited papers in AI from recent years. The goal is to provide a better understanding of the state of reproducibility in the field, and identify issues limiting reproductions. Three hypotheses are investigated in the project. First, it is hypothesized that most studies are difficult to reproduce. Secondly, the issues that make reproductions difficult are hypothesized to be similar across different studies. Thirdly, the level of documentation measured for an article is hypothesized to be related to how easily it can be reproduced. From the 30 papers investigated, 22 reproduction attempts were performed, where 10 were partially successful. The results achieved corroborate the first and second hypothesis, and the third hypothesis can neither be rejected nor corroborated. Lastly, this project presents three contributions. The first contribution is the overview of the current state of reproducibility in AI provided by the results of the reproduction attempts. The second is a model for interpreting research articles in AI and estimating the level of documentation provided. The last is a set of categories of issues intended to cover most issues encountered during reproductions.
Demand-Aware Erasure Coding for Distributed Storage Systems

Distributed storage systems provide cloud storage services by storing data on commodity storage servers. Conventionally, data are protected against failures of such commodity servers by replication. Erasure coding consumes less storage overhead than replication to tolerate the same number of failures and thus has been replacing replication in many distributed storage systems. However, with erasure coding, the overhead of reconstructing data from failures also increases significantly. Under the ever-changing workload where data accesses can be highly skewed, it is challenging to deploy erasure coding with appropriate values of parameters to achieve a well trade-off between storage overhead and reconstruction overhead. In this paper, we propose Zebra, a framework that encodes data by their demand into multiple tiers that deploy erasure codes with different values of parameters. Zebra automatically determines the number of such tiers and dynamically assigns erasure codes with optimal values of parameters into corresponding tiers. With Zebra, a flexible trade-off between storage overhead and reconstruction overhead is achieved with multiple tiers. When demand changes, Zebra adjusts itself with a marginal amount of network transfer. We demonstrate that Zebra can work with two representative families of erasure codes in distributed storage systems, Reed-Solomon codes and local reconstruction codes.