Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Levothyroxine supplementation on assisted reproduction technology (ART) outcomes in women with subtle hypothyroidism: a retrospective study

Abstract The need for treating subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in women undergoing assisted reproduction technology (ART) is under debate. Moreover, it is known that controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) protocols may impair the thyroidal axis. Therefore, we evaluated if levothyroxine (L-T4) supplementation in SCH women before undergoing ART positively affects the main reproductive outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed in vitro fertilization (IVF) data of 4147 women submitted to 6545 cycles in a tertiary care IVF Center (January 2009–December 2014). L-T4 (1.4–2.0 mcg/kg) treatment was offered to all women with a pre-cycle TSH >2.5 mIU/L before starting COH and main ART outcomes were compared in euthyroid and L-T4-treated women undergoing ART. Among 4147 women, 1074 (26%) were affected by SCH and were treated with L-T4 before COH was started. No statistically significant differences among L-T4-treated and euthyroid women group were observed regarding pregnancy rate, respectively, per cycle (27.67% vs 26.37%; p = .314) and per embryo transfer (30.13% vs 29.17%; p = .489), live birth rate, respectively, per cycle (21.58% vs 20.38%; p = .304) and per embryo transfer (23.49 vs 22.54%; p = .449) and the rest of primary and secondary efficacy endpoints. Early L-T4 treatment for infertile women with a subtle thyroid dysfunction may mitigate and protect from the negative effects of SCH in the setting of ART, and may preventively overcome also the negative impact of COH on thyroidal axis. 摘要 目前对于接受辅助生殖技术（ART）的妇女治疗亚临床甲状腺功能减退症（SCH）的必要性是有争议的。 此外, 已知的控制性超促排卵（COH）方案可能损害甲状腺轴。 因此, 我们评估了在接受ART之前, 对SCH女性补充左旋甲状腺素（L-T4）是否会对辅助生殖结局产生积极影响。 我们回顾性分析了在一家三级医疗IVF中心（2009年1月至2014年12月）接受了6545个周期的4147名女性的体外受精（IVF）数据。 在开始COH之前, 对所有TSH> 2.5 mIU / L的女性提供L-T4（1.4-2.0 mcg / kg）治疗, 比较甲状腺功能正常和接受L-T4治疗的女性的ART结局。 在4147名女性中, 有1074名（26％）诊断为SCH, 并在开始COH之前接受L-T4治疗。 L-T4治疗组和甲状腺功能正常组女性的妊娠率在每个周期（27.67％vs 26.37％; p = . 314）和每次胚胎移植（30.13％vs 29.17％; p =. 489）中的差异均无统计学意义。 活产率分别为每个周期（21.58％vs 20.38％; p = . 304）和每次胚胎移植（23.49 vs 22.54％; p = . 449）, 差异无统计学意义。 其余的主要和次要疗效终点之间的差异均无统计学意义。 对于具有亚临床甲状腺功能减退的不孕妇女, 早期L-T4治疗可以减轻SCH对ART治疗中的负面影响, 并且还可以预防性地减少COH对甲状腺轴的负面影响。
IMIX: In-Process Memory Isolation EXtension

Memory-corruption attacks have been subject to extensive research in the latest decades. Researchers demonstrated sophisticated attack techniques, such as (just-in-time/blind) return-oriented programming and counterfeit object-oriented programming, which enable the attacker to execute arbitrary code and data-oriented attacks that are commonly used for privilege escalation. At the same time, the research community proposed a number of effective defense techniques. In particular, control-ﬂow integrity (CFI), code-pointer integrity (CPI), and ﬁne-grained code randomization are effective mitigation techniques against code-reuse attacks. All of these techniques require strong memory isolation. For example, CFI’s shadow stack, CPI’s safe-region, and the randomization secret must be protected from adversaries able to perform arbitrary read-write accesses. In this paper we propose IMIX, a lightweight, in-process memory isolation extension for the Intel-based x86 CPUs. Our solution extends the x86 ISA with a new memory-access permission to mark memory pages as security sensitive . These memory pages can then only be accessed with a newly introduced instruction. Unlike previous work, IMIX is not tailored towards a speciﬁc defense (technique) but can be leveraged as a primitive to protect the data of a wide variety of memory-corruption defenses. We provide a proof of concept of IMIX us-ing Intel’s Simulation and Analysis Engine. We extend Clang/LLVM to include our new instruction, and enhance CPI by protecting CPI’s safe region using IMIX.
Oscillatory Correlates of Control over Working Memory Gating and Updating: An EEG Study Using the Reference-back Paradigm

Optimal working memory (WM) functioning depends on a control mechanism that balances between maintenance and updating by closing or opening the gate to WM, respectively. Here, we examined the neural oscillation correlates of WM updating and of the control processes involved in gating. The reference-back paradigm was employed to manipulate gate opening, gate closing, and updating independently and examine how the control functions involved in these processes are mapped to oscillatory EEG activity. The results established that different oscillatory patterns were associated with the control process related to gate opening than in gate closing. During the time of gate closing, a relative increase in theta power was observed over midfrontal electrodes. This theta response is a known EEG signature of cognitive control that is proposed here to reflect reactive conflict resolution, achieved by closing the gate when facing irrelevant information. On the other hand, proactive gate opening in preparation for relevant information was associated with an increase in relative delta power over parietal-occipital electrodes. Finally, WM updating was associated with relative increase in delta power over midfrontal electrodes, suggesting a functional role of delta oscillations in WM updating.
Residual Cone Structure in Patients With X-Linked Cone Opsin Mutations

Purpose To assess residual cone structure in subjects with mutations in exon 2, 3, and 4 of the OPN1LW or OPN1MW opsin. Methods Thirteen males had their OPN1LW/OPN1MW opsin genes characterized. The cone mosaic was imaged using both confocal and nonconfocal split-detection adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO), and retinal thickness was evaluated using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Six subjects completed serial imaging over a maximum period of 18 months and cone density was measured across imaging sessions. Results Ten subjects had an OPN1LW/OPN1MW “interchange” opsin mutation designated as LIAVA or LVAVA, which both introduce exon 3 splicing defects leading to a lack of functional photopigment in cones expressing LIAVA and greatly reduced functional photopigment in cones expressing LVAVA. Despite disrupted cone reflectivity and reduced numerosity, residual inner segments could be visualized. Similar patterns were observed in individuals with an exon 2 insertion, or an exon 4 splice defect, both of which are also expected to produce cones that are devoid of functional opsin protein. OCT revealed variably reduced retinal thickness. A significant inverse relationship was found between the proportion of waveguiding cones and axial length. Conclusions Split-detection imaging revealed that the altered appearance of the cone mosaic in confocal images for subjects with exon 2, 3, and 4 mutations was generally due to disrupted waveguiding, rather than structural loss, making them possible candidates for gene therapy to restore cone function. The relative fraction of waveguiding cones was highly variable across subjects, which appears to influence emmetropization in these subjects.
Zika Virus Seropositivity in 1–4-Year-Old Children, Indonesia, 2014

We assessed Zika virus seroprevalence among healthy 1–4-year-old children using a serum sample collection assembled in 2014 representing 30 urban sites across Indonesia. Of 662 samples, 9.1% were Zika virus seropositive, suggesting widespread recent Zika virus transmission and immunity. Larger studies are needed to better determine endemicity in Indonesia.
Baseline morphological characteristics as predictors of final visual acuity in patients with branch retinal vein occlusions: MARVEL report no. 3

Purpose: To determine the predictive values of baseline optical coherence tomography (OCT) abnormalities on 12-month visual acuity changes in eyes with macular edema (ME) caused by branch retinal vein occlusions (BRVO). Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of data from 75 participants in the 12-month MARVEL trial. OCT abnormalities at baseline, including ganglion cell layer cystoid spaces (GCL), intraretinal hyper-reflective dots, and central subfield thickness (CST), were correlated with improvements in visual acuity and the number of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections required using a multivariate regression model. Results: Eyes with baseline CST > 500 μm had greater visual gains compared to those with CST <500 μm (+21.09 vs +16.08 letters, P = 0.04). Eyes with hyper-reflective dots (+13.97 vs +19.93 letters, P = 0.02), and GCL cysts (+9.8 vs +18.9, P = 0.003) had inferior gains in visual acuity. Neurosensory macular detachments at the baseline did not affect gains in visual acuity. Ninety percent of the gain in visual acuity was recorded after two injections and was maintained until month 12. Conclusion: Baseline OCT of <500 μm, hyper-reflective dots, and GCL cystoid spaces are associated with poorer gains in visual acuity. Most of the visual gain occurs after two injections.
Impact of D-Flip-Flop Architectures and Designs on Single-Event Upset Induced by Heavy Ions

This paper highlights the impact of design on the single-event upset (SEU) sensitivity of D-flip-flops (DFFs) used in a readout circuit (ROIC) under heavy ions. New experimental data obtained at the University of Louvain for several designs are presented. The single-event effect (SEE) prediction tool multi-scale single event phenomena predictive platform is used to investigate the failure occurrences at the circuit level as a function of the design. In some cases, design specificities allow for increasing in the SEU robustness of the DFF. However, it appeared that cryogenic temperatures limit the impact of the design on the SEU sensitivity of DFFs. The results show a very limited impact of the temperature on the SEU occurrence, independent of the layout. These results are consistent with the experimental data presented in recent works regarding single-event transient and single-event functional interrupt. These results allow for performing irradiation tests of complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor IR detector (ROIC) at room temperature instead of cooling down the device during the SEE measurements.
An Improved Approach for Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Digital Mammography

Breast cancer keeps on being a major medical problem among women around the world. Early detection of breast cancer can expand the treatment options and consequently would increase the surviving possibilities for patients. In this paper, a new Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) system is proposed for breast cancer diagnosis in digital mammography. An improved technique for feature extraction based on Wavelet-Based Contourlet Transform (WBCT) is investigated to obtain the features of the Region of Interest (ROI), allowing for accuracy improvement over other standard approaches. Aiming to reduce the features dimensions, we have proposed a hybrid feature selection approach in which the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and the Support Vector Machine (SVM) are combined along with the Mutual Information (MI) in order to select the best combination of tumor indicators, with maximal discriminative ability. The Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is also investigated instead of GA for performance evaluation of both methods. The selected features are then submitted to the kernel SVM classifier and its performance is compared with the traditional machine learning classification techniques. The diagnosis accuracy of the implemented CAD system is demonstrated by investigating several experimental datasets and comparing the results with other diagnosis approaches. The results show that the proposed CAD system (WBCT + GA-SVM-MI + kernel SVM) is superior over other techniques in terms of the classification accuracy (97.5% for normal-abnormal and 96% for benign-malignant), while keeping the computational requirements as low as possible.
Friction of sea ice

Static and kinetic friction play a fundamental role in sea-ice mechanics. The coefficient of static friction increases with hold time under normal load and is modelled in terms of creep and fracture of asperities in contact. The coefficient of kinetic friction exhibits velocity strengthening at lower speeds and velocity weakening at intermediate speeds. Strengthening is modelled in terms of asperity creep and hardness; weakening is modelled in terms of a progressive increase in the true area of contact wetted by meltwater produced through frictional heating. The concept is introduced of contact size distribution in which the smallest contacts melt first, leading to the onset of weakening; the largest melt last, leading to a third regime of kinetic friction and again to strengthening where hydrodynamics governs. Neither the static nor the kinetic coefficient is significantly affected by the presence of sea water. The paper closes with a few implications for sea-ice mechanics. The paper is based largely upon a critical review of the literature, but includes a more quantitative, physics-based analysis of velocity strengthening and a new analysis of velocity weakening that incorporates parameters that describe the (proposed) fractal character of the sliding interface. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Modelling of sea-ice phenomena’.
Family perception of and experience with family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: An integrative review

OBJECTIVE The objective was to consider family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) from the perspective of the family member. BACKGROUND FPDR has been a topic of interest internationally since the first report of this practice more than 25 years ago. Worldwide, many studies have provided insight into the perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs); however, there is limited research on the perspective and experiences of family members. DESIGN An integrative review was conducted. An electronic database search was conducted for the years from 1994-2017. METHODS The Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PyschINFO, Academic Search, SocINDEX, PubMed, ProQuest databases and Google Scholar were searched. Search terms were family perceptions, family presence and resuscitation. RESULTS Twelve reviews met inclusion criteria. Findings suggest that family members view family presence as a fundamental right. Family members involved in a FPDR experience reported that their presence benefitted the patient and healthcare team. In an international sample of studies, family presence overall was viewed positively by family members and they voiced wanting to be given an option to be present during a loved one's resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS Findings support that family members' desire for FPDR; however, the literature reflects that HCPs do not always embrace the practice of FPDR. Stronger educational preparation of nurses and other HCPs related to FPDR is warranted. Policy initiatives include the formulation of policies that allow family presence during resuscitation of a family member. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The findings are relevant for a clinical practice that promotes a more family-centred approach to allowing FPDR. Creating policy and providing FPDR education for HCPs based on evidence provide more consistency in clinical practice and help to eliminate the moral distress experienced by clinical nurses forced to make difficult decisions during a stressful event.
A review of discrete element simulation of ice–structure interaction

Sea ice loads on marine structures are caused by the failure process of ice against the structure. The failure process is affected by both the structure and the ice, thus is called ice–structure interaction. Many ice failure processes, including ice failure against inclined or vertical offshore structures, are composed of large numbers of discrete failure events which lead to the formation of piles of ice blocks. Such failure processes have been successfully studied by using the discrete element method (DEM). In addition, ice appears in nature often as discrete floes; either as single floes, ice floe fields or as parts of ridges. DEM has also been successfully applied to study the formation and deformation of these ice features, and the interactions of ships and structures with them. This paper gives a review of the use of DEM in studying ice–structure interaction, with emphasis on the lessons learned about the behaviour of sea ice as a discontinuous medium. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Modelling of sea-ice phenomena’.
Consumption frequency of added sugars and UK children's dental caries

OBJECTIVES To examine the association between consumption frequency of foods and drinks with added sugar and dental caries experience in the permanent teeth of 12- and 15-year-old children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, using the Children's Dental Health Survey 2013 (CDHS) data. METHODS Four thousand nine hundred and fifty children aged 12 and 15 have the following information available: daily consumption frequency of foods and drinks with added sugar, tooth-brushing frequency, dental attendance, and water-drinking frequency. The children's dental caries experience was available as a DMFT score (number of decayed, missing, filled permanent teeth). A zero-inflated negative binomial model (ZINB) was used to fit the DMFT score. RESULTS Lower socioeconomic status (SES), nonregular dental check-ups, and low water-drinking frequency were associated with higher consumption frequency of added sugar (all P < 0.05). The consumption frequency of both drinks and foods with added sugar also differed by region (P < 0.001), and children who more frequently consumed foods with added sugars also consumed drinks with added sugars more often (P < 0.001). Using the Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial model, DMFT scores were not associated with consumption frequency of added sugars for children with caries (DMFT > 0), but the chance of being free of obvious caries (DMFT = 0) was lower for children with high frequency (≥4) of sugar-added foods than for children reported to have a sugar-free diet (OR = 0.5, 95% CI [0.3, 0.8]). CONCLUSIONS Consumption frequency of added sugars was associated with dental caries and a number of child demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Children who consume foods and drinks with added sugar more frequently are more likely to develop dental caries, but higher consumption frequency of drinking water in fluoridated areas might reduce dental caries. The findings add to the evidence for the association between children's dental caries and added sugar consumption.
Towards Fine Grained Network Flow Prediction

One main challenge for the design of networks is that traffic load is not generally known in advance. This makes it hard to adequately devote resources such as to best prevent or mitigate bottlenecks. While several authors have shown how to predict traffic in a coarse grained manner by aggregating flows, fine grained prediction of traffic at the level of individual flows, including bursty traffic, is widely considered to be impossible. This paper shows, to the best of our knowledge, the first approach to fine grained per flow traffic prediction. In short, we introduce the Frequency-based Kernel Kalman Filter (FKKF), which predicts individual flows' behavior based on measurements. Our FKKF relies on the well known Kalman Filter in combination with a kernel to support the prediction of non linear functions. Furthermore we change the operating space from time to frequency space. In this space, into which we transform the input data via a Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT), the peak structures of flows can be predicted after gleaning their key characteristics, with a Principal Component Analysis (PCA), from past and ongoing flows that stem from the same socket-to-socket connection. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on popular benchmark traces from a university data center. Our approach predicts traffic on average across 17 out of 20 groups of flows with an average prediction error of 6.43% around 0.49 (average) seconds in advance, whilst existing coarse grained approaches exhibit prediction errors of 77% at best.
Replication Study: A Cross-Country Field Observation Study of Real World PIN Usage at ATMs and in Various Electronic Payment Scenarios

In this paper, we describe the study we carried out to replicate and extend the field observation study of real world ATM use carried out by De Luca et al., published at the SOUPS conference in 2010 [10]. Replicating De Luca et al.’s study, we observed PIN shielding rates at ATMs in Germany. We then extended their research by conducting a similar field observation study in Sweden and the United Kingdom. Moreover, in addition to observing ATM users (withdrawing), we also observed electronic payment scenarios requiring PIN entry. Altogether, we gathered data related to 930 observations. Similar to De Luca et al., we conducted follow-up interviews, the better to interpret our findings. We were able to confirm De Luca et al.’s findings with respect to low PIN shielding incidence during ATM cash withdrawals, with no significant differences between shielding rates across the three countries. PIN shielding incidence during electronic payment scenarios was significantly lower than incidence during ATM withdrawal scenarios in both the United Kingdom and Sweden. Shielding levels in Germany were similar during both withdrawal and payment scenarios. We conclude the paper by suggesting a number of explanations for the differences in shielding that our study revealed.
p62-Dependent Phase Separation of Patient-Derived KEAP1 Mutations and NRF2

Cancer-derived loss-of-function mutations in the KEAP1 tumor suppressor gene stabilize the NRF2 transcription factor, resulting in a prosurvival gene expression program that alters cellular metabolism and neutralizes oxidative stress. In a recent genotype-phenotype study, we classified 40% of KEAP1 mutations as ANCHOR mutants. ABSTRACT Cancer-derived loss-of-function mutations in the KEAP1 tumor suppressor gene stabilize the NRF2 transcription factor, resulting in a prosurvival gene expression program that alters cellular metabolism and neutralizes oxidative stress. In a recent genotype-phenotype study, we classified 40% of KEAP1 mutations as ANCHOR mutants. By immunoprecipitation, these mutants bind more NRF2 than wild-type KEAP1 and ubiquitylate NRF2, but they are incapable of promoting NRF2 degradation. BioID-based protein interaction studies confirmed increased abundance of NRF2 within the KEAP1 ANCHOR mutant complexes, with no other statistically significant changes to the complexes. Discrete molecular dynamic simulation modeling and limited proteolysis suggest that the ANCHOR mutations stabilize residues in KEAP1 that contact NRF2. The modeling supports an intramolecular salt bridge between the R470C ANCHOR mutation and E493; mutation of the E493 residue confirmed the model, resulting in the ANCHOR phenotype. In live cells, the KEAP1 R320Q and R470C ANCHOR mutants colocalize with NRF2, p62/SQSTM1, and polyubiquitin in structured spherical droplets that rapidly fuse and dissolve. Transmission electron microscopy coupled with confocal fluorescent imaging revealed membraneless phase-separated biomolecular condensates. We present a model wherein ANCHOR mutations form p62-dependent biomolecular condensates that may represent a transitional state between impaired proteasomal degradation and autophagy.