Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proportional Switching in First-in, First-out Networks

We consider a family of discrete time multihop switched queueing networks where each packet moves along a fixed route. In this setting, BackPressure is the canonical choice of scheduling policy; this policy has the virtues of possessing a maximal stability region and not requiring explicit knowledge of traffic arrival rates. BackPressure has certain structural weaknesses because implementation requires information about each route, and queueing delays can grow super-linearly with route length. For large networks, where packets over many routes are processed by a queue, or where packets over a route are processed by many queues, these limitations can be prohibitive. In this article, we introduce a scheduling policy for first-in, first-out networks, the ProportionalScheduler, which is based on the proportional fairness criterion. We show that, like BackPressure, the ProportionalScheduler has a maximal stability region and does not require explicit knowledge of traffic arrival rates. The ProportionalSchedule.
Review of Histologic Results of Vaginal Hysterectomy Specimens Done for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: 4 year retrospective Cross Sectional Study

Back ground: Pelvic organ prolapse is a health concern affecting millions of women worldwide. It can severely affect a woman’s quality of life by limiting physical, social, psychological and sexual function. Significant numbers of women in Ethiopia are also suffering from such problem, even at the young age. Vaginal hysterectomy with pelvic floor repair is one of the frequently performed surgeries in treating women who have completed their family and are not particular about preserving menstrual function. It is a routine practice to send all these hysterectomy specimens for further histopathologic analysis, to look for the presence of incidental pathologic findings. But routine pathologic examination is inappropriately time consuming, costly, and contributes little if anything to the further management of the patient. This study aims to review the histologic results of vaginal hysterectomy specimens done for POP. Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the histologic results of vaginal hysterectomy specimens done for pelvic organ prolapse. Methods: A facility based cross sectional study was done to review the histologic results of vaginal hysterectomy specimens that are done only for uterovaginal prolapse. The study was conducted in Tikur Anbesa Specilized Hospital, Department of Pathology. Four years (Sept 2009 Sept 2013) computer saved data and patients medical records were used to analyze the result. The data was entered, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS 17.0 statistical software. Results: Out of the 306 vaginal hysterectomy specimens, histologic analysis was done to all of the cervical tissues (100%). But histological analysis done only to 4 (1.3%) and 7 (1.9%) of the myometrial and the endometrial tissues respectively, because, according to the protocol of the Department of Pathology, tissues other than the cervix will undergo histologic analysis only if they are found to be abnormal on gross examination. Out of the 306 specimens, only 10(3.2%) show abnormalities on gross examination. On histologic examination, including the cervix, 40(13.1%) of the specimens had pathologic findings of which only 4(1.3%) were clinically significant, all of which were precancerous cervical lesions, the rest were benign lesions. Conclusion and recommendation: The proportion of histologically analyzed parts of the specimen subjected is very low which probably resulted in the reduction in the incidence of overall incidental pathologic abnormalities in this study. Appropriate and complete histologic evaluation of each part of the specimens should be undertaken to get a base line data and help make decisions in the future whether subjecting specimen for routine histopathological analysis after vaginal hysterectomy should be practiced or not.
The Role and Effectiveness of Coaching in Increasing Self-Efficacy and Employability Efforts of Higher Education Students

The purpose of this quasi-experimental, longitudinal mixed-methods research was to examine the link between coaching, self-efficacy and the employability efforts of students from a widening participation university (a university which aim to offer education to students regardless of their socioeconomic status, income, age, disability or ethnicity) in the United Kingdom. It investigated effectiveness of coaching in increasing students’ career decision self-efficacy, outcome expectations and their employability efforts. This study also examined what aspects of coaching relationship are most effective in changing students’ career self-efficacy beliefs, outcome expectations and employability efforts. It explored impact of gender, ethnicity, perceived social support, socioeconomic status, cultural influences and gender role models on students’ employability efforts. It used Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) as the main theoretical framework as SCCT recognizes the links between psychological and social effects of gender and ethnicity, the social-cultural environment and career opportunity structures. The research analyzed the above factors in the context of the changing role of Higher Education. It explored a need for the widening participation universities in the United Kingdom to address the issues of gender, ethnicity, perceived social support, socioeconomic status, cultural influences and gender role models in their employability strategy. It positions coaching as an employability-enhancing strategic tool.
The vitamin D3 receptor and retinoid X receptors in psoriatic skin: the receptor levels correlate with the receptor binding to DNA

It is unknown whether vitamin D3 analogues improve psoriasis by overcoming an intrinsic abnormality of the vitamin D3 signalling pathway in psoriatic skin. The effects of vitamin D3 are mediated through the vitamin D3 receptor (VDR). The VDR heterodimerizes with another transcriptional regulator, preferentially the retinoid X receptor (RXR). In the present study the levels of VDR and RXR in involved and uninvolved psoriatic skin were determined by immunoblotting, and the binding of the VDR–RXR complex to a vitamin D3 response element (VDRE) consisting of two hexanucleotides spaced by three nucleotides (DR‐3) by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The levels of VDR were similar in involved and uninvolved skin. RXRα, but neither RXRβ nor RXRγ, was detectable. The RXRα levels were slightly lower in involved psoriatic skin than in uninvolved psoriatic skin, but this difference was statistically insignificant. The binding of VDR–RXR to the DR‐3 VDRE was similar in uninvolved and involved psoriatic skin. Furthermore, there was a strong linear correlation between the levels of both VDR and RXRα and their binding to DNA. In conclusion, the initial part of the vitamin D3 signalling pathway involving receptor levels and receptor binding to DNA is normal in involved psoriatic skin.
Prolyl hydroxylase inhibition corrects functional iron deficiency and inflammation‐induced anaemia in rats

Small‐molecule inhibitors of prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) enzymes are a novel target for the treatment of anaemia and functional iron deficiency (FID). Other than being orally bioavailable, the differentiation of PHD inhibitors from recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) has not been demonstrated.
A Novel Utility-Based Handover Decision Policy for a Two-Tier HetNets

HetNets have attracted many attentions these last five years, as they are a promising solution to improve network capacity and indoor coverage. In these emerging networks, technical challenges remain, principally user mobility management through handover decision. Consequently, we propose a novel utility-based handover algorithm to improve the performance of the mobility management in a two-tier network, where a mobile user (MU) enters the coverage of a femtocell. The main idea of the approach is the design of new utility functions through a specific quality of service (QoS)- aware objective function. Thse utility functions are used to compute optimally the handover offset in a given handover decision policy. The main purpose of the offset is to counterbalance the large asymmetry in the transmit power of macrocell and femtocell. Then, we bring some performance comparison on our handover approach vs. proposed approaches in literature and get results in terms of expected reference signal received power (RSRP), assignment probabilities to the macro base station (MBS) and to the femto base station (FBS), handover probability and the number of resulting handoffs. Numerical results show a considerable gain of more than 90% related to the user assignment probability to FBS while the number of handoffs remains acceptable.
Age, Gender, Comorbidity, and the MDS-UPDRS: Results from a Population-Based Study

Background: Understanding sources of variation in International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) scores is essential for planning clinical trials in Parkinson's disease and interpreting studies of mild parkinsonian signs. Methods: We describe the characteristics of the MDS-UPDRS in a population-based sample of individuals without parkinsonism. Multiple linear regression and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to examine potential associations. Results: Among 194 consecutive individuals without parkinsonism, the mean total MDS-UPDRS score was 12.5 (SD 9.8). Sixty-nine percent (134/193) had motor examination (Part III) scores of 2 or more, 16% (30/194) had scores of 10 or more. Female sex, arthritis or spondylosis, diabetes mellitus, and essential tremor were found to be associated with statistically significant increases in MDS-UPDRS Part III scores. For every 10-year increase in age, the Part III score was greater on average by 2.2 (1.5-2.8). Conclusions: Elevated MDS-UPDRS scores are common in the general population. The overall burden of motor signs of parkinsonism is especially high in older age groups, in women, and in those with particular comorbidities. Whether this represents evidence of a subclinical neurodegenerative process or the effect of comorbid conditions requires further examination.
Breastfeeding Attitudes, Intention, and Initiation in Low-Income Women: the Effect of the Best Start Program

This study compared breastfeeding attitudes, intention, and initiation among low-income women exposed or not exposed to the Best Start program. A between- (experimental vs control group) and within-factor (pretest vs posttest) repeated measures design was employed. A nonprobability sample of 54 subjects was randomly assigned to a control group (n = 28) or an experimental group (n = 26). Using the Breastfeeding Attrition Prediction Tool, statistically significant group by time interaction effects were found for negative breastfeeding sentiment, positive breastfeeding sentiment, and breastfeeding control scales. Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly increased positive breastfeeding sentiment (P < .01), decreased negative breastfeeding sentiment (P < .01), and increased breastfeeding control (P < .01) from pretest to posttest. Following exposure to the Best Start program, subjects in the experimental group showed statistically significantly higher breastfeeding intention and initiation than did those in the control group. Practical implications are discussed. J Hum Lact. 20(3):300-305.
The Incidence of λ Boötis Stars via an Extension of the MK Spectral Classification System to Very Young A-Type Stars

In this paper we introduce an extension to the MK system of spectral classification that allows the precise classification of pre–main-sequence (PMS) A-type stars, including most Herbig Ae stars. This classification scheme characterizes the star by a standard MK type, the presence and strength of emission and/or shell lines, and the strength of the Balmer decrement. It can be used to summarize temporal spectral changes in PMS A-type stars, and to search for peculiar types. We have used this scheme to classify 38 Herbig Ae stars as well as 22 PMS stars in the young open clusters NGC 2264, NGC 7160, and IC 348. We have also used this extended system to search for λ Boötis stars among PMS A-type stars. We have found one definite λ Boötis star among the Ae stars, and one marginal λ Boötis star in NGC 2264, yielding statistics not significantly different from those of the λ Boötis stars in the field. This, in addition to other considerations from previous studies, leads us to conclude that the λ Boötis mechanism is operable from very early ages (PMS) to well into the main-sequence life (a few times 108 yr) of only 2%–3% of A-type stars.
Trimeric, Coiled-coil Extension on Peptide Fusion Inhibitor of HIV-1 Influences Selection of Resistance Pathways*

Background: N-terminal, heptad repeat (HR1) peptides of HIV envelope glycoprotein form coiled-coil oligomers that inhibit viral entry, but the targets are unclear. Results: An HR1 peptide stabilized as a trimer preferentially selects one resistance pathway, whereas the same unrestrained peptide selects two pathways. Conclusion: Stabilizing the trimer affects development of resistance. Significance: These findings inform inhibitor design and provide insights into virus entry. Peptides corresponding to N- and C-terminal heptad repeat regions (HR1 and HR2, respectively) of viral fusion proteins can block infection of viruses in a dominant negative manner by interfering with refolding of the viral HR1 and HR2 to form a six-helix bundle (6HB) that drives fusion between viral and host cell membranes. The 6HB of the HIV gp41 (endogenous bundle) consists of an HR1 coiled-coil trimer with grooves lined by antiparallel HR2 helices. HR1 peptides form coiled-coil oligomers that may bind to gp41 HR2 as trimers to form a heterologous 6HB (inhibitor bundle) or to gp41 HR1 as monomers or dimers to form a heterologous coiled coil. To gain insights into mechanisms of Env entry and inhibition by HR1 peptides, we compared resistance to a peptide corresponding to 36 residues in gp41 HR1 (N36) and the same peptide with a coiled-coil trimerization domain fused to its N terminus (IZN36) that stabilizes the trimer and increases inhibitor potency (Eckert, D. M., and Kim, P. S. (2001) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98, 11187–11192). Whereas N36 selected two genetic pathways with equal probability, each defined by an early mutation in either HR1 or HR2, IZN36 preferentially selected the HR1 pathway. Both pathways conferred cross-resistance to both peptides. Each HR mutation enhanced the thermostability of the endogenous 6HB, potentially allowing the virus to simultaneously escape inhibitors targeting either gp41 HR1 or HR2. These findings inform inhibitor design and identify regions of plasticity in the highly conserved gp41 that modulate virus entry and escape from HR1 peptide inhibitors.
Psychosocial QOL is an independent predictor of overall survival in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma

Only few studies have analyzed quality of life (QOL) and its association with prognosis in patients with multiple myeloma. We studied QOL at start of conventional treatment to evaluate the impact of symptomatic myeloma on QOL and to determine the prognostic significance of various dimensions of QOL. Our study provided further evidence of the significant impairment of QOL in patients with multiple myeloma at onset of therapy. Furthermore, our data showed a closer correlation between the more physical QOL scales such as pain, fatigue, physical functioning and global QOL with the activity of the disease than between psychosocial dimensions such as role, emotional, social, and cognitive functioning and the status of the disease. Multivariate analyses including each a QOL scale and known prognostic parameters (response to therapy, creatinine level, calcium, LDH, Hb, β2‐microglobulin, and albumin) revealed a marked difference in the prognostic significance between psychosocial and other QOL scales. All psychosocial dimensions of QOL were found to be independent prognostic factors, while physical QOL and global QOL were eliminated by disease‐associated prognosticators. Taken together, QOL was found to be significantly impaired in myeloma patients at start of therapy. Psychosocial, but not physical dimensions of QOL were found to be independent prognostic factors.
Headache Management in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Headache is the most common presenting symptom in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), typically reported in over 90% of patients. Table 1 lists the common features and associated symptoms of headaches secondary to IIH. The headache due to IIH is frequently most severe and different in quality compared with prior headaches. In a case series of 63 patients with IIH, Wall reported 92% of patients complained of headache. Of those who experienced headache, 72% of patients rated their headache as the most prominent symptom, and 78% reported headache as the initial symptom related to their diagnosis. Seventy-three percent of patients with headache reported daily symptoms. In a prospective study of 50 patients with IIH, 85% of patients with headache described the headache as pulsatile, and 83% reported the pain gradually increased in intensity. Sixty-three percent of patients reported the headache could be unilateral at times, and headaches typically lasted >1 hour in 89% of patients. Head pain was reported to be either generalized or focal, with half of patients reporting retrobulbar pain and 22% endorsing worsening pain with extraocular movements. Nearly two thirds of patients reported that headache awakened them from sleep. Classically, head pain related to elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is thought to worsen with maneuvers that increase ICP, such as lying down, bending over, coughing, or Valsalva maneuvers. However, only a minority of patients noted worsening of pain with bending over, standing, coughing, or sneezing in Wall’s extensive case series. The pressure-related headache of IIH often has characteristics more common in migraine, including nausea/vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia. A recent study assessed the presence of allodynia in IIH
Family Physicians Report Considerable Interest in, but Limited Use of, Telehealth Services

Purpose: Little is known about the attitudes toward and adoption of telehealth services among family physicians (FPs), the largest primary care physician group. We conducted a national survey of FPs, randomly sampled from membership organization files, to investigate use of and barriers to using telehealth services. Methods: Using bivariate analyses, we examined how telehealth usage affected FPs' identified barriers to using telehealth services. Logistic regressions show the factors associated both with using telehealth services and with barriers to using telehealth services. Results: Surveys reached 4980 FPs; 1557 surveys were eligible for analysis (31% response rate). Among FPs, 15% reported using telehealth services during 2014. After controlling for the characteristics of the physicians and their practice, FPs who were based in a rural setting, worked in a practice owned by an integrated health system or other ownership structure, and provided hospital/urgent/emergency care were more likely to use telehealth. Physician and practice characteristics by telehealth use status, sex of the physician, practice location, years in practice, care provided, and practice ownership were associated with the barriers identified. Conclusions: Telehealth use was limited among FPs. Many of the barriers to using telehealth services cited by FPs are amenable to policy modification.
Yoga, Mindfulness and Interpersonal Relationship

Previous studies have found that the practice of yoga is related to physical and mental health benefits in the yoga practitioner. Research has not yet studied how yoga practice may influence the practitioners’ interpersonal relationships after the change in mental and health benefits occurs within the self. This study examined how the practice of yoga in real life was positively related to relationship satisfaction and relationship commitment through the mediating variables of stress, mindfulness, authentic self (cognitive variables) and authenticity in relationships (behavioral variable). Two hundred participants were surveyed and one hundred and twenty-two of the participants had never practiced yoga, while seventy-six participants indicated that they had practiced yoga. The goal of this study was to see if those who practiced yoga before had higher levels of relationship satisfaction and relationship commitment then those who had not practiced yoga. Results indicated that those who practiced yoga differed from those who did not, by having higher levels of relationship satisfaction, p=. 000. An unexpected finding of the study was that the practice of yoga in real life was significantly related to the meditating variables of stress, p = . 000, mindfulness p = . 089, and authentic self p=. 001, rather than attending yoga class itself. Going to yoga class was significantly related to the practice of yoga in real life, p=. 000. So, yoga in real life was used as the independent variable instead of attending yoga class. These results indicate that the practice of yoga in real life leads the individual to become less stressed, more mindful, and more in-tune with their authentic self, and these changes in the individual were all significantly related to relationship satisfaction but not relationship commitment. The behavioral variable of authenticity in relationships mediated the relationship between yoga in real life and relationship commitment and satisfaction p=. 000, but it was negatively related to relationship commitment and satisfaction. These findings suggest that being authentic in your relationship is negatively related to the individuals satisfaction and commitment levels, partners satisfaction and commitment levels were not examined in this study and it may provide a clearer reasoning for this result. This study suggests that going to yoga class leads the practitioner to practice aspects of yoga in real life and those who practice yoga in real life are more satisfied in their romantic relationships.
Changes of choroidal thickness after phacoemulsification.

We read with interest the recent article by Pierru et al. published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. The authors measured the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) of 115 eyes before and after phacoemulsification by using enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography (EDIOCT). In a prospective study, they stated that the SFCT significantly increased after surgery. We congratulate and applaud their interesting and important work, but we believe that some concerns must be addressed: