Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NOMA With Guaranteed Weak User QoS: Design and Analysis

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) in the power domain serves multiple users at the same time and frequency slot. The significance of NOMA is its ability to increase the sum rate of the system and serve more users relative to orthogonal techniques. In this paper, we look at the high rate NOMA implementations where a single beamforming vector is shared by multiple users in the same cluster in a NOMA zero-forcing beamforming (NOMA-ZFBF) system. In order to maintain user fairness, it is important to guarantee the quality of service (QoS) of all clustered users. First, considering a target signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) for the weak user, i.e., guaranteeing the weak user’s QoS (W-QoS), we propose a simple W-QoS-based NOMA (W-QoS NOMA) algorithm for NOMA cluster formation and power allocation that always exceeds the time division multiple access rates. Second, the correlation between the users plays a vital role during NOMA cluster formation in NOMA-ZFBF system. Therefore, we integrate the proposed W-QoS with partially correlated user clustering algorithms in order to analyze the effect of using the W-QoS technique. The numerical results confirm that the integration of W-QoS with partially correlated user clustering algorithms improves the sum capacity of the system. Third, considering an arbitrary correlation between users, we derive the signal to noise ratio (SNR)/SINR expressions of strong and weak users. These expressions show the importance of correlation factor which has a higher impact on the power penalty of the strong user, which in turn affects the clustering rate. Finally, we devise a mathematical technique using a perfectly correlated channel for the strong and weak users in each NOMA cluster to derive the exact SNR/SINR distributions of singletons, strong, and weak users. This gives a closed form expression for the expected sum rate, which gives an upper bound on performance. Furthermore, we investigate how close that realistic partially correlated user clustering can get to this bound.
Ground-based Paα narrow-band imaging of local luminous infrared galaxies. II. Bulge structure and star formation activity

We present properties of two types of bulges (classical- and pseudo- bulges) in 20 luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) observed in the near infrared of the $H$, $K_s$ and 1.91$\mu$m narrow-band targeting at the hydrogen Pa$\alpha$ emission line by the University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO) 1.0 m telescope. To classify the two types of bulges, we first perform a two-dimensional bulge-disk decomposition analysis in the $K_\mathrm{s}$-band images. The result shows a tentative bimodal distribution of Sersic indices with a separation at $\log(n_b)\sim0.5$, which is consistent with that of classical and normal galaxies. We next measure extents of the distribution of star forming regions in Pa$\alpha$ emission line images, normalized with the size of the bulges, and find that they decrease with increasing Sersic indices. These results suggest that star-forming galaxies with classical bulges have compact star forming regions concentrated within the bulges, while those with pseudobulges have extended star forming regions beyond the bulges, suggesting that there are different formation scenarios at work in classical and pseudobulges.
Surgical fixation with K-wires versus plaster casting in the treatment of dorsally displaced distal radius fractures: protocol for Distal Radius Acute Fracture Fixation Trial 2 (DRAFFT 2)

Introduction Optimal management of distal radius fractures in adults remains controversial. Previous evidence and current clinical guidelines tell us that, if a closed reduction of a dorsally displaced fracture is possible, Kirschner wires (K-wires) are the preferred form of surgical fixation. However, the question remains whether there is any need to perform surgical fixation following a successful closed reduction, or is a simple plaster cast as effective? This is the protocol for a randomised controlled trial of manipulation and surgical fixation with K-wires versus manipulation and casting in the treatment of dorsally displaced distal radius fractures. Methods and analysis Adult patients with an acute dorsally displaced fracture of the distal radius are potentially eligible to take part. Prior to surgery, baseline demographic data, radiographs, data on pain/function using the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation Score (PRWE) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) will be collected. A randomisation sequence, stratified by centre, intra-articular extension of the fracture and age, will be administered via a secure web-based service. Each patient will be randomly allocated to either ‘manipulation and surgical fixation with K-wires’ or ‘manipulation and plaster casting’. A clinical assessment, radiographs and records of early complications will be recorded at 6 weeks. PRWE and HRQoL outcome data will be collected at 3, 6 and 12 months post-randomisation. Further information will be requested with regard to healthcare resource use and any complications. Ethics and Dissemination The National Research Ethic Committee approved this study on 6 October 2016 (16/SC/0462). The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment monograph and a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal will be submitted on completion of the trial. The results of this trial will substantially inform clinical practice on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the treatment of this injury. Trial registration number ISRCTN11980540; Pre-results.
Cost-effectiveness of a home-based group educational programme on renal replacement therapies: a study protocol

Introduction Living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) is the optimal treatment for most patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, there are numerous patients who cannot find a living kidney donor. Randomised controlled trials have shown that home-based education for patients with ESRD and their family/friends leads to four times more LDKTs. This educational intervention is currently being implemented in eight hospitals in the Netherlands. Supervision and quality assessment are being employed to maintain the quality of the intervention. In this study, we aim to: (1) conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of the educational programme and its quality assurance system; (2) investigate the relationship between the quality of the implementation of the intervention and the outcomes knowledge, communication and LDKT activities; and (3) investigate policy implications. Methods and design Patients with ESRD who do not have a living kidney donor are eligible to receive the home-based educational intervention. This is carried out by allied health transplantation professionals and psychologists across eight hospitals in the Netherlands. The cost-effectiveness analysis will be conducted with a Markov model. Cost data will be obtained from the literature. We will obtain the quality of life data from the patients who participate in the educational programme. Questionnaires on knowledge and communication will be used to measure the outcomes of the programme. Data on LDKT activities will be obtained from medical records up to 24 months after the education. A protocol adherence measure will be assessed by a third party by means of a telephone interview with the patients and the invitees. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was obtained through all participating hospitals. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. Results of the cost-effectiveness of the educational programme will also be disseminated to the Dutch National Health Care Institute. Trial registration number NL6529
Performance measurement of pension strategies: a case study of Danish life-cycle products

The Danish pension market of life-cycle products have expanded considerably since its introduction in the beginning of the millennium. The market is maturing and pensioners have the choice between a wide area of different products. It is therefore about time that financial insurance technology is developed to guide the performance measurement of available products. In this paper we develop a simple first version of such a method and we investigate life-cycle products recommended on the web of the four biggest commercial Danish pension companies on one day in February 2007. All considered products are outperformed by trivial benchmark products with constant stock proportion over time. Our approach is the following: for each life-cycle product we first find a trivial benchmark product with the same longterm risk and then we compare the long-term return of the two equivalent products. We primarily consider value at risk (VaR) and tail VaR as risk measures, but we also include a study where the fair value of an interest guarantee is used as risk measure. We consider both long-term mean returns and long-term median returns. We hope that our new method will be regarded as a first step toward a scientifically based ranking of the quality of pension products.
Finsler spacetime geometry in physics

Finsler geometry naturally appears in the description of various physical systems. In this review, I divide the emergence of Finsler geometry in physics into three categories: dual description of dispersion relations, most general geometric clock and geometry being compatible with the relevant Ehlers–Pirani–Schild axioms. As Finsler geometry is a straightforward generalization of Riemannian geometry there are many attempts to use it as generalized geometry of spacetime in physics. However, this generalization is subtle due to the existence of non-trivial null directions. I review how a pseudo-Finsler spacetime geometry can be defined such that it provides a precise notion of causal curves, observers and their measurements as well as a gravitational field equation determining the Finslerian spacetime geometry dynamically. The construction of such Finsler spacetimes lays the foundation for comparing their predictions with observations, in astrophysics as well as in laboratory experiments.
Correlations of neck ultrasound and pathology in cervical lymph node of papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract Background: High-resolution sonography is becoming a method of choice for the detection and diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The purpose of this study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of neck ultrasound (US) in the detection of lymph node metastases from PTC. Methods: Data for all patients with papillary thyroid cancers and preoperative neck US were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnostic accuracy of US was determined according to whether histologically confirmed cancer was present in surgical cervical lymph node specimens. Results: A total of 206 patients (149 central and 57 central and lateral lymph nodes dissection) were included. Their mean age was 56 years (14–88 years). Central and lateral lymph nodes were involved in 68% (n = 141 patients; 141/206) and 60% (n = 34 patients; 34/57) of cases, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of US in predicting papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) metastasis in the central neck were 69%, 71%, 84% and 51% respectively, and in the lateral neck were 85%, 65%, 78% and 75% respectively. Conclusions: Preoperative neck US is a valuable tool in the detection of cervical lymph node metastases from papillary thyroid cancer and can provide reliable information to assist in surgical management.
Lower limb muscle synergies during walking after stroke: a systematic review

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this systematic review was to determine the number of muscle synergies and the distribution of muscle weightings in stroke patients during gait. Material and Methods: This review is registered on PROSPERO (number: CRD42018088701) and is written following the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was conducted using following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Naric, Cochrane and PEDro. Methodological quality was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and data extraction (subject characteristics, outcome measures and walking protocols) was performed by two independent researchers. The amount and structure of the muscle synergies were the two main outcome measures. Results: In total, ten studies were included in this review. While four synergies are common in healthy controls, stroke patients often showed less synergies during gait. Synergies were determined by the number of muscles measured which varied greatly between studies. Only Tibialis Anterior, Soleus, Gastrocnemius and Rectus Femoris were assessed in all studies. Conclusions: A consensus regarding the amount and composition of muscle synergies in stroke patients is difficult. The majority observed three to four muscle synergies. The decrease in amount of synergies can be explained by merging of synergies, often seen in hip/knee extensors with plantar flexors and hip/knee extensors with knee flexors. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Muscle synergy analyses are a powerful tool for assessing and classifying neurological deficits. A decreased amount of muscle synergies is related to impaired motor function. Differences in coordinated muscle activity was seen in the paretic and non-paretic side. Merging was often seen in hip/knee extensors with plantar flexors and hip/knee extensors with knee flexors.
Risk of inflammatory bowel disease after Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter concisus infection: a population-based cohort study

Abstract Objectives: In this population-based cohort study, we aimed to examine the risk of IBD following a positive stool culture with Campylobacter jejuni or Campylobacter concisus, as well as following culture-negative stool testing. Materials and methods: Patients with a first-time positive stool culture with C. jejuni or C. concisus, as well as negative stool testing, from 2009 through 2013 in North Denmark Region, Denmark, were identified. Patients diagnosed with IBD during follow-up (to 1 March 2018) were identified using national registries. For each case, we selected ten population comparisons matched by age, gender, and calendar-time. Results: We identified 1693 patients with C. jejuni, 910 C. concisus-positive patients, and 11,383 patients with culture-negative stools. During the first year of follow-up C. jejuni-positive patients had higher risk of IBD (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3–3.7) compared to population comparisons, but not after exclusion of the first year (HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.5–2.3). Campylobacter concisus-positive patients and culture-negative patients had similar risk of IBD (HR 12.9, 95% CI 7.2–22.9 and HR 8.7, 95% CI 7.5–10.2), during the first year, which decreased to (HR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3–8.5 and HR 3.2, 95% CI 2.6–4.0) after exclusion of the first year. Conclusions: This study does not support exposure of C. jejuni or C. concisus infection as a causal trigger in subsequent development of IBD, since culture-negative patients had similar risk for IBD on long term follow-up. Additional studies including C. concisus exposures for an evaluation of the specific risk of IBD are needed.
Reduced inter-observer and intra-observer delineation variation in esophageal cancer radiotherapy by use of fiducial markers

Abstract Objective: Delineation variation of esophageal tumors remains a large source of geometric uncertainty. In the present study, we investigated the inter- and intra-observer variation in esophageal gross tumor volume (GTV) delineation and the impact of endoscopically implanted fiducial markers on these variations. Material/Methods: Ten esophageal cancer patients with at least two markers endoscopically implanted at the cranial and caudal tumor borders and visible on the planning computed tomography (pCT) were included in this study. Five dedicated gastrointestinal radiation oncologists independently delineated GTVs on the pCT without markers and with markers. The GTV was first delineated on pCTs where markers were digitally removed and next on the original pCT with markers. Both delineation series were executed twice to determine intra-observer variation. For both the inter- and intra-observer analyses, the generalized conformity index (CIgen), and the standard deviation (SD) of the distances between delineated surfaces (i.e., overall, longitudinal, and radial SDs) were calculated. Linear mixed-effect models were used to compare the without and with markers series (α = 0.05). Results: Both the inter- and intra-observer CIgen were significantly larger in the series with markers than in the series without markers (p < .001). For the series without markers vs. with markers, the inter-observer overall SD, longitudinal SD, and radial SD was 0.63 cm vs. 0.22 cm, 1.44 cm vs. 0.42 cm, and 0.26 cm vs. 0.18 cm, respectively (p < .05); moreover, the intra-observer overall SD, longitudinal SD, and radial SD was 0.45 cm vs. 0.26 cm, 1.10 cm vs. 0.41 cm, and 0.22 cm vs. 0.15 cm, respectively (p < .05). Conclusion: The presence of markers at the cranial and caudal tumor borders significantly reduced both inter- and intra-observer GTV delineation variation, especially in the longitudinal direction. Our results endorse the use of markers in GTV delineation for esophageal cancer patients.
Mitigating the Impact of Field and Image Registration Errors through Spatial Aggregation

Remotely sensed data are commonly used as predictor variables in spatially explicit models depicting landscape characteristics of interest (response) across broad extents, at relatively fine resolution. To create these models, variables are spatially registered to a known coordinate system and used to link responses with predictor variable values. Inherently, this linking process introduces measurement error into the response and predictors, which in the latter case causes attenuation bias. Through simulations, our findings indicate that the spatial correlation of response and predictor variables and their corresponding spatial registration (co-registration) errors can have a substantial impact on the bias and accuracy of linear models. Additionally, in this study we evaluate spatial aggregation as a mechanism to minimize the impact of co-registration errors, assess the impact of subsampling within the extent of sample units, and provide a technique that can be used to both determine the extent of an observational unit needed to minimize the impact of co-registration and quantify the amount of error potentially introduced into predictive models.
OUTCOME OF MANAGEMENT OF INFERIOR OBLIQUE INCLUSION SYNDROME ASSOCIATED WITH *Mahmoud

Purpose: with recurrent strabismus. Methods: deviation (residual or recurrent exotropia or esotropia) with abnormal vertical deviation (hypotropia or hypertropia) that suspect inferior oblique inclusion or diagno was managed with release of inferior oblique along with appropriate horizontal muscle surgery. Results: positions from 15±7.3 PD to 7.5 ±4.3 (P<0.001) in patients with hypotropia and from 16±6.3PD to 8.5 ±3.6 (P<0.001) in patients with hypertropia, with stability of ocula months. Inferior oblique muscle was released only without recession or anteriorization in 8 patients (36.2%) and recessed from1mm to 4mm in 7patients (31.8%) and anteriorization was done in 7 patients (31.8%). Conclusion: only in cases with partial inclusion with low scores of fibrosis. Limitation of vertical movement could not be completely resolved in cases with total inclusion with marke inclusion is preventable complication if taken in consideration during surgery on the lateral rectus muscle.
United we stand, divided we fall: the failure of an accounting information system in a major radiology provider

This article explores the way in which a major Australian radiology organization implemented a complex accounting information system and how workers in the 72 radiology practices that had to use it resisted the change. The study reports on the issues that led to the circumvention of the system by individuals and, after only three years, complete withdrawal of the accounting information system by the parent organization. This article has implications for firms in the health care and other sectors considering implementing new accounting information systems. Organizations need to incorporate change management techniques and provide open communication to all stakeholders to minimize disruption and potential problems.
The choice agenda in European health systems: the role of middle-class demands

Choice for patients, over varying aspects of healthcare, is becoming an increasingly common feature in Europe, especially in tax-funded healthcare systems. This paper investigates patients’ choice of healthcare provider. The middle class, in countries implementing choice reforms, is shown to have a pronounced preference for the availability of choice as a component of a quality healthcare system. Important implications of this for theory and policy are discussed.
Energy-Efficient Strategy for Placement of Online Services on Dynamic Availability Resources in Volunteer Cloud

Cloud computing is regarded as the best generation of computation that relies on shared computing resources rather than having local servers or personal devices to handle different applications. Knowing that, from one side, computing resources can be dynamically allocated according to consumer requirements and from the other side, virtual machine deployment preferences has an important role in Cloud computing for improving resource use. In this paper, we propose an online placement strategy of services on dynamic availability resources in order to reduce energy consumption. Dynamic deployment of services is a key issue of Cloud computing; there are still many areas to be studied, especially for dynamic environments. Unlike the infrastructure topology of the traditional Clouds, i.e. the data centers to which users are connected, in the volunteer Cloud, users and data centers can process multiple requests. Indeed, the volunteer nodes are useful for the Cloud elasticity. However, they are not usually available. The dynamic availability is one of the biggest concerns for the consumers. In addition, live migration of services is a widely used technique for dynamically allocating resources in a volunteer Cloud to overcome such issue. In this work, we investigate the problem of energy efficient online task allocation in volunteer Cloud environment, where the dynamic services can be allocated to a set of dynamic availability resources. We propose through this paper an online heuristic called Dynamic Shortest Path Strategy (DSPS) in order to generate a good planning that minimizes the energy consumption of applications. Our contribution respects various constraints such as availability, capacity of machines and duplications factor of applications. A series of experiments are illustrated to validate the potential of our approach.