Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complexity-Matching Universal Signal Estimation in Compressed Sensing

We study the compressed sensing (CS) signal estimation problem where an input signal is measured via a linear matrix multiplication under additive noise. While this setup usually assumes sparsity or compressibility in the input signal during recovery, the signal structure that can be leveraged is often not known a priori. In this paper, we consider universal CS recovery, where the statistics of a stationary ergodic signal source are estimated simultaneously with the signal itself. Inspired by Kolmogorov complexity and minimum description length, we focus on a maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation framework that leverages universal priors to match the complexity of the source. Our framework can also be applied to general linear inverse problems where more measurements than in CS might be needed. We provide theoretical results that support the algorithmic feasibility of universal MAP estimation using a Markov chain Monte Carlo implementation, which is computationally challenging. We incorporate some techniques to accelerate the algorithm while providing comparable and in many cases better reconstruction quality than existing algorithms. Experimental results show the promise of universality in CS, particularly for low-complexity sources that do not exhibit standard sparsity or compressibility.
Methylphenidate and behavior modification in children with ADHD and comorbid ODD or CD: main and incremental effects across settings.

OBJECTIVE Although the combination of methylphenidate (MPH) and behavior modification (BMOD) has been advocated to enhance clinical outcome for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid disruptive disorders, few group studies have been conducted. This study evaluates the separate and incremental effects of these modalities on rating scale and observational measures in multiple settings. METHOD Sixteen of 22 children with ADHD and comorbid disruptive disorder completed a randomized, placebo-controlled study examining the separate and incremental effects of 2 doses of MPH and BMOD during a partial hospitalization program. Of the 6 who did not complete the study, 2 children developed significant side effects. For the 16 who did complete the study, effects were examined on measures of symptom ratings, behavioral frequencies, and stimulant side effects across program activities. RESULTS Based on alpha-adjusted analyses of variance, there were several main effects of MPH and BMOD on ADHD symptoms, oppositional behavior, and positive social behavior, with certain effects unique to each intervention and setting. One incremental effect each was found for MPH (positive mood/behavior) and BMOD (negative behavior). MPH and BMOD were associated with few side effects. Effect sizes for each intervention showed considerable variability in clinical response. CONCLUSIONS That MPH and BMOD had certain unique main and incremental effects extends findings supporting their combination and suggests that integrated studies evaluate multiple dimensions of functioning and in novel settings (e.g., home, school). The incorporation of other intervention components in combined treatments may be warranted to enhance clinical efficacy.
Quality of family planning services in Northwest Ethiopia

Background : The unmet need for family planning services in Ethiopia is believed to be high (36%) while the already available services do not appear to be optimally used by potential clients. It is thus expected that an assessment and improvement of the quality of family planning services could enhance family planning services utilization. Objectives : The aim of this study is to assess the quality of family planning services provision in terms of clients' perspectives, technical competence and interpersonal relations of providers and resources for the provision of effective family planning services. Methods : A cross sectional study that employed exit interviews with clients, service - provider interviews, observations of client- provider interactions and an assessment of the availability of the necessary resources was conducted in one hospital, two health centers, two health stations, and one non-governmental clinic operating in north west Ethiopia. Results : Two hundred seventy clients and 14 service providers were interviewed while another 86 client- provider interactions observations also made. The majority of the clients (66.3%) responded that there was no adequate privacy in service provision sessions. About 18% said that it was difficult to understand the service provider or that she or he did not hold any discussions at all. Communication and privacy was worse in government institutions compared to the NGO clinic included in this study (P Conclusions : Several aspects of the quality of services observed by this study need to be improved and measures should also be taken to improve the provision of family planning services through training and maintaining adequate resources. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 19(3) 2005: 195-202
The impact of a normoglycemic management protocol on clinical outcomes in the trauma intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine if protocol-driven normoglycemic management in trauma patients affected glucose control, ventilator-associated pneumonia, surgical-site infection, and inpatient mortality. METHODS A prospective, consecutive-series, historically controlled study design evaluated protocol-driven normoglycemic management among trauma patients at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Those mechanically ventilated > or =24 hours and > or =15 years of age were included. A glycemic-control protocol required insulin infusion therapy for glucose >110 mg/dL. Control patients included those who met criteria, were admitted the year preceding protocol implementation, and had hyperglycemia treated at the physician's discretion. RESULTS Eight hundred eighteen patients met study criteria; 383 were managed without protocol; 435 underwent protocol. The protocol group had lower glucose levels 7 of 14 days measured. After admission, both groups had mean daily glucose levels <150 mg/dL. No difference in pneumonia (31.6% vs 34.5%; p = .413), surgical infection (5.0% vs 5.7%; p = .645) or mortality (12.3% vs 13.1%; p = .722) occurred between groups. If one episode of blood glucose level was > or =150 mg/dL (n = 638; 78.0%), outcomes were worse: higher daily glucose levels for 14 days after admission (p < .001), pneumonia rates (35.9% vs 23.3%; p = .002), and mortality (14.6% vs 6.1%; p = .002). One or more days of glucose > or =150 mg/dL had a 2- to 3-fold increase in the odds of death. Protocol use in these patients was not associated with outcome improvement. CONCLUSIONS Protocol-driven management decreased glucose levels 7 of 14 days after admission without outcome change. One or more glucose levels > or =150 mg/dL were associated with worse outcome.
Encapsulation of Coriander Essential Oil in Beta-Cyclodextrin: Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties Evaluation

Abstract The aim of the study was the encapsulation of coriander essential oil (EO) in β -cyclodextrin in order to obtain a complex which can be use as food additive. The EO was extracted through hydrodistillation from Coriandrum sativum L seeds. Gas-chromatographic analysis of coriander essential oil revealed eight components in concentrations over 1%. The encapsulated complex EO/ β -CD was prepared using the co-precipitation method. The antioxidant activity of encapsulated product revealed a total phenol content (TPC) of 7.4±0.81 mg GAE/100g and an inhibition of the DPPH radicals ranging between 87.89%±2.54 and 79.77%±1.74 for a concentration of 30 µg·mL -1 coriander EO. The values of the IC50 parameter determined for the coriander EO, coriander EO/ β -CD complex, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid (AAc) showed that the free or encapsulated coriander EO has a better antioxidant activity than the chemical antioxidants. Antimicrobial activity of EO/ β -CD complex exhibited antifungal activity.
L'actionnaire comme apporteur de ressources cognitives

L’approche juridicofinanciere dominante de la structure de propriete et de la gouvernance des entreprises est fondee sur l’hypothese de separation totale entre les actionnaires et les dirigeants rarement verifiee, notamment dans les nations europeennes. Cette approche repose sur les analyses initiales de Berle et Means et sur la theorie de l’agence, qui conduisent, sur la base d’hypotheses tres reductrices, a supposer que les actionnaires n’assument qu’une fonction financiere se limitant a l’apport de capitaux et a l’assomption du risque financier. Cette conception possedant un pouvoir explicatif faible au vu des structures reelles d’actionnariat, le present article propose de prendre en compte le role cognitif que les actionnaires conservent le plus souvent de facon a proposer un modele explicatif plus satisfaisant de ces structures. Une telle modelisation s’inscrit egalement dans les developpements visant a proposer une theorie de la gouvernance elargie aux considerations cognitives.
Anterior Segment Analysis and Intraocular Pressure Elevation after Penetrating Keratoplasty and Posterior Lamellar Endothelial Keratoplasty

Background: Peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) is a common problem after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and leads to intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation. This study examines the risk factors for IOP elevation and post-keratoplasty glaucoma. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of 47 eyes following PK and of 65 eyes following Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) between 2009 and 2011. The assessment included preoperative history of corneal disease and glaucoma, response to treatment, IOP, and visual acuity. Irido-trabecular contacts (ITC), the angle opening distance (AOD 500) and the anterior chamber angle (ACA 500) were calculated. Results: The incidences of IOP elevation and post-keratoplasty glaucoma were 27-36% and 10-29%, respectively. The incidence did not differ significantly between both procedures. Pre-existing glaucoma increased the risk for developing IOP elevation and post-DSEK glaucoma. Eyes with bullous keratopathy (BK) developed significantly more IOP elevation (p = 0.01, d.f. = 1, χ2 = 6.11) and post-keratoplasty glaucoma (p = 0.01, d.f. = 1, χ2 = 6.22) than eyes with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. Eyes with ITC developed post-keratoplasty glaucoma significantly more often than eyes without ITC (p = 0.01, d.f. = 1, χ2 = 6.63). Conclusion: IOP elevation and post-keratoplasty glaucoma showed a high incidence. Risk factors like pre-existing glaucoma, BK and PAS elevated the rate of IOP elevation and post-keratoplasty glaucoma for both procedures. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
The Use of a New Diode Laser for Hair Removal

BACKGROUND Diode and long-pulse 1064 Nd:YAG lasers, because of their long wavelengths and extended pulse durations, have gained popularity over the last several years for photoepilation in individuals with dark skin phenotypes. OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical efficacy and histologic features of a new 810-nm diode laser in the treatment of unwanted hair in individuals with Fitzpatrick skin types II–IV. METHODS Twenty-four female subjects (mean age, 33; range, 17–53) were treated three times at monthly intervals with the MeDioStarâ diode laser (Zeiss-Meditech, Jenna, Germany): wavelength 810 nm, spot size 12 mm, pulse duration 50 msec; fluence 25–35 J. Patients had skin types II–IV and light to dark brown hair. Hair counts were carried out using handheld magnifiers at baseline and at months 1, 2, 3, and 6. Six individuals had biopsies taken after treatment and at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS A mean hair removal efficiency of 74% and 79% was noted at 3 and 6 months, respectively, and was best in those individuals with skin type III. Hair counts after treatment and at last follow-up were significantly lower when compared with the baseline counts (P < 0.0001). Histologic analysis revealed a range from early catagen induction to complete follicular destruction. CONCLUSIONS This study supports the clinical photoepilatory efficiency of a new 810-nm diode laser in producing 70% clinical hair removal efficiency at 6 months. Histopathologic evaluation suggests that this decrease in hair counts is probably secondary to heat trauma to the follicular epithelium, resulting in complete follicular destruction and stopping of anagen phase.
Prenatal alcohol consumption and fetal growth restriction: potentiation effect by concomitant smoking.

INTRODUCTION This study investigates whether maternal cigarette smoking modifies the association between alcohol use in pregnancy and the risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) delivery. METHOD We employed linked vital statistics data of singleton births in the state of Missouri covering the period 1989 through 1997 (N = 655,758). Multivariate logistic regression was used to generate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for SGA associated with maternal alcohol intake. A subanalysis was conducted to assess the impact of the interaction of alcohol consumption and tobacco use on SGA. RESULTS About 2% of mothers (n = 14,444) reported consuming alcohol during pregnancy, and approximately 4% of SGA births occurred among these mothers. Women who consumed alcohol during pregnancy had a 20% greater risk for delivering an SGA infant than mothers who abstained (AOR = 1.2; CI = 1.1-1.3). The relative risk for SGA birth rose as the reported number of drinks consumed per week increased (trend p < .0001). The relative risk of delivering an SGA infant was consistently higher among women who reported both drinking alcohol and using tobacco products in pregnancy as compared to women who were drinkers but nonsmokers. The greatest risk was among women who smoked and consumed five or more drinks per week (AOR = 4.8, CI = 4.2-5.5). DISCUSSION Our findings suggest significant interaction between prenatal alcohol consumption and smoking on the risk of delivering an SGA infant and highlight the relevance of developing "dual message" health education programs that would stress the deleterious effect of joint exposure to alcohol and nicotine in pregnancy.
Placenta Thickness Measurements during Gestational Age Progress

The placenta thickness has a relationship with fetal growth, since it is the only one way of his feeding. The objective of the study was to compare the fetal age progress and the placenta thickness in Saudi pregnant women. In a cross sectional descriptive study, one thousand pregnant women with mean age of 29 years old, were examined by ultrasound imaging. Inclusion criteria was Saudi pregnant women of normal pregnancy, exclusion criteria included fetal or maternal disorders. 3.5MHz, 5MHz convex probes and 7-10 MHz linear probe were used to examine the participants and to get the required measurements of placenta thickness and gestational age (GA) through measuring the biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC) and femoral length (FL). In the (12 th -25 th ), (26 th -36 th ) and (37 th -40 th ) Weeks the GA were; 18.9 ± 4.2, 33.2 ± 2.9 and 38.1± 0.89 respectively. While the placenta thickness measurements were; 23.1mm ± 5.5, 35.0 mm ± 6.2 and 39.6 mm ± 7.0 respectively for the same periods. The highest frequency of placenta grading was Grade2 which is (36.0% of 1000). The highest frequency of placental location was Anterior Fundal which is (22.1% of 1000). There was strong statistical association between the increasing of placenta thickness and the GA, P = 0.000. The placenta thickness measurements can be carried on consideration with the other GA measurements parameters.
Characterization and Source Identification of PM10-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Urban Air of Tianjin, China

ABSTRACTPM10 samples were collected at six sampling sites in city center of Tianjin from April 2008 to January 2009. The concentrations of 17 selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM10 were quantified. Spatial and seasonal variations of PAHs were characterized. The dominant PAHs in PM10 samples were fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, phenanthrene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, anthracene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene, accounting for above 85% of total PAHs. The total PAHs concentrations of the six sampling sites ranged from 23.4 to 513 ng/m3. Spatial variations were predominantly due to the different strengths of source emission. The total PAHs concentrations at Dongli Monitoring Station (DL) site and Beichen Science and Technology Park (BC) site were higher than those at other four sites in heating period, while those at Meijiang community (MJ) site and Beichen Science and Technology Park (BC) site were higher in no-heating period. Higher PAHs concentrations during heating period and lower concentrations during no-heating period were observed at the six sampling sites, which may be caused by the stronger emissions from stationary combustion sources in heating period and the quicker air dispersion, washout effects, photo-degradation and higher percentage in the air in vapor phase in no-heating period. The PAHs concentrations in gaseous phase were predicted with gas/particle partition model, and the BaP and BaP equivalency results indicated that the health risk of gas and particle phase PAHs to human in Tianjin were higher than that in other cities. The contributions from potential sources to PAHs in PM10 were estimated by the diagnostic ratios between PAHs and principal component analysis (PCA). In whole sampling period, coal combustion was found to the predominant contributor of PM10-bound PAHs, followed by vehicles emission and wood combustion.
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) gag DNA-Vaccinated Rhesus Monkeys Develop Secondary Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Responses and Control Viral Replication after Pathogenic SIV Infection

ABSTRACT The potential contribution of a plasmid DNA construct to vaccine-elicited protective immunity was explored in the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)/macaque model of AIDS. Making use of soluble major histocompatibility class I/peptide tetramers and peptide-specific killing assays to monitor CD8+T-lymphocyte responses to a dominant SIV Gag epitope in genetically selected rhesus monkeys, a codon-optimized SIV gag DNA vaccine construct was shown to elicit a high-frequency SIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response. This CTL response was demonstrable in both peripheral blood and lymph node lymphocytes. Following an intravenous challenge with the highly pathogenic viral isolate SIVsm E660, these vaccinated monkeys developed a secondary CTL response that arose with more rapid kinetics and reached a higher frequency than did the postchallenge CTL response in control plasmid-vaccinated monkeys. While peak plasma SIV RNA levels were comparable in the experimentally and control-vaccinated monkeys during the period of primary infection, the gag plasmid DNA-vaccinated monkeys demonstrated better containment of viral replication by 50 days following SIV challenge. These findings indicate that a plasmid DNA vaccine can elicit SIV-specific CTL responses in rhesus monkeys, and this vaccine-elicited immunity can facilitate the generation of secondary CTL responses and control of viral replication following a pathogenic SIV challenge. These observations suggest that plasmid DNA may prove a useful component of a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 vaccine.
Pregnancy outcome following exposure to shortwaves among female physiotherapists in Israel.

BACKGROUND The findings of the few epidemiological studies on the possible association between shortwave diathermy use by pregnant physiotherapists and adverse pregnancy outcome are inconsistent. We investigated such an association among physiotherapists in Israel. METHODS Individualized data on exposure to shortwaves, ultrasound, and heavy lifting were collected by questionnaires and telephone interviews. RESULTS The 434 studied women included 930 pregnancies: 175 ended in spontaneous abortions, 45 had fetal malformations, 47 were delivered prematurely, and 33 infants had low birth weight. The remaining 630 normal pregnancies comprised the control group. Univariate analysis showed that exposure to shortwaves was associated with a significantly increased odds ratio (O.R.) for congenital malformations (O.R. 2.24, CI 1.27-4.83, P =.006) and low birth weight (O.R. 2.99, CI 1.32-6,79, P =.006). This effect increased in a dose-related manner. After controlling for potential confounding variables, only low birth weight reached statistical significance (O.R. 2.75, CI 1.07-7.04, P =.03). From the potentially confounding variables tested, febrile disease during pregnancy was found to be significantly associated with low birth weight (O.R. 3.37, CI 1.38-8.25, P =.01). CONCLUSIONS The findings of our study suggest that shortwaves have potentially harmful effects on pregnancy outcome, specifically low birth weight.
Effect of genetic selection for milk yield and increased milking frequency on plasma growth hormone and prolactin concentration in Holstein cows.

Fifty Holstein cattle, either second to fourth generation daughters of cows randomly bred to non-commercial sires originating in the Virginia Tech dairy herd (estimated mean PDM84 = -455 kg, control animals), or daughters of cows bred to commercially available sires (mean PDM84 = +368 kg, selection animals), were randomly assigned to be milked twice or thrice daily starting at parturition. Serial blood samples were collected via jugular cannulae at 30, 90 and 200 d post-partum (DPP) during both the first and second lactations. Blood samples were collected for 3 h prior to and 4 h following thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) administration, and were analyzed for growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) concentrations. Dry matter intake, body weight and milk yield and fat content were used to calculate net energy balance (NEB) of animals at each DPP sampling period. Mean plasma GH concentrations were greater (P less than .01) in selection vs control animals both before and after TRH administration, and decreased (P less than .01) with advancing lactation (30 greater than 90 greater than 200 DPP). However, NEB was not influenced by genetic merit, implying that observed differences in GH concentrations were not due to that trait. Plasma PRL concentrations were not affected by genetic merit or DPP, but were greater (P less than .01) in the second vs first lactation. Neither PRL or GH concentrations were affected by frequency of milking. The results support the contention that increased plasma GH concentrations are associated with selection for increased milk yield.