Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Risks of Aprotinin and Tranexamic Acid in Cardiac Surgery: A One-Year Follow-Up of 1188 Consecutive Patients

BACKGROUND:Our aim was to investigate postoperative complications and mortality after administration of aprotinin compared to tranexamic acid in an unselected, consecutive cohort. METHODS:Perioperative data from consecutive cardiac surgery patients were prospectively collected between September 2005 and June 2006 in a university-affiliated clinic (n = 1188). During the first 5 mo, 596 patients received aprotinin (Group A); in the next 5 mo, 592 patients were treated with tranexamic acid (Group T). Except for antifibrinolytic therapy, the anesthetic and surgical protocols remained unchanged. RESULTS:The pre- and intraoperative variables were comparable between the treatment groups. Postoperatively, a significantly higher incidence of seizures was found in Group T (4.6% vs 1.2%, P < 0.001). This difference was also significant in the primary valve surgery and the high risk surgery subgroups (7.9% vs 1.2%, P = 0.003; 7.3% vs 2.4%, P = 0.035, respectively). Persistent atrial fibrillation (7.9% vs 2.3%, P = 0.020) and renal failure (9.7% vs 1.7%, P = 0.002) were also more common in Group T, in the primary valve surgery subgroup. On the contrary, among primary coronary artery bypass surgery patients, there were more acute myocardial infarctions and renal dysfunction in Group A (5.8% vs 2.0%, P = 0.027; 22.5% vs 15.2%, P = 0.036, respectively). The 1-yr mortality was significantly higher after aprotinin treatment in the high risk surgery group (17.7% vs 9.8%, P = 0.034). CONCLUSION:Both antifibrinolytic drugs bear the risk of adverse outcome depending on the type of cardiac surgery. Administration of aprotinin should be avoided in coronary artery bypass graft and high risk patients, whereas administration of tranexamic acid is not recommended in valve surgery.
A Graph-Based Cooperative Scheduling Scheme for Vehicular Networks

Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications are considered to be a significant step forward toward a highly secure and efficient intelligent transportation system. In this paper, we propose the use of graph theory to formulate the problem of cooperative communications scheduling in vehicular networks. In lieu of exhaustive search with intractable complexity for the maximum sum rate (MSR), we propose a bipartite-graph-based (BG) scheduling scheme to allocate the vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and V2V links for both single-hop and dual-hop communications. The Kuhn–Munkres (KM) algorithm is adopted to solve the problem of maximum weighted matching (MWM) of the constructed BG. Simulation results indicate that the proposed scheme performs extremely close to the optimal scheme and results in better fairness among vehicle users with considerably lower computational complexity. Moreover, cooperative communications can improve both the throughput and spectral efficiency (SE) of vehicular networks.
Robust watermarking to geometric distortion based on image normalization and texture classification

In this paper, we present a robust watermarking method against geometric distortions and several attacks of signal processing. In the proposed watermarking method, image normalization is used to get geometric invariant feature and watermark embedding and detection are carried out in the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) domain. Texture based image block classification in DCT domain is also used to get major watermark imperceptibility. The proposed watermarking scheme is a public watermarking, where the original image is not available in the watermark detection stage. The experimental results show the watermark imperceptibility and robustness against geometric distortion such as rotation, scaling and various other Affine Transformation, and common signal processing attacks, such as JPEG compression and noise contamination. Also the comparison with the prior methods shows better performance of the proposed method.
Expression and prognostic significance of cyclin B1 and cyclin A in non‐small cell lung cancer

Aims: Aberrant expression of cell cycle regulators has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many neoplasms, including non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim was to examine the expression and prognostic value of cyclin B1 and cyclin A, key regulators of the G2/M checkpoint of the cell cycle, in NSCLC and bronchial precursor lesions.
Scheduling Multisource Divisible Loads on Arbitrary Networks

Scheduling multisource divisible loads is a challenging task as different sources should cooperate and share their computing power with others to balance their loads and minimize total computational time. In this study, we attempt to address a generalized divisible load scheduling problem for handling loads from multiple sources on arbitrary networks. This problem is all the more challenging as 1) the topology is arbitrary, 2) in such networks, it is difficult to decide from which source and which route a processing node should receive loads, and 3) processing nodes must be allocated to different sources when they become available. We study two distinct cases of interest, static case and dynamic case, and propose two novel strategies, referred to as static scheduling strategy (SSS) and dynamic scheduling strategy (DSS), respectively. Both strategies work in an iterative fashion. In each iteration, they will use a novel graph partitioning (GP) scheme to partition the network such that each source in the network gains a portion of network resources and then these sources cooperate to process their loads. We analyze the performance of DSS using queuing theory and derive upper bounds on a load's average waiting time and a source's average queue length. We use simulation to verify the usefulness and effectiveness of SSS and DSS. Our findings reveal an interesting ¿load insensitive¿ propertyof SSS and also verify the theoretical upper bound of average queue length at each source in the dynamic case.
Estimating genome-wide IBD sharing from SNP data via an efficient hidden Markov model of LD with application to gene mapping

Motivation: Association analysis is the method of choice for studying complex multifactorial diseases. The premise of this method is that affected persons contain some common genomic regions with similar SNP alleles and such areas will be found in this analysis. An important disadvantage of GWA studies is that it does not distinguish between genomic areas that are inherited from a common ancestor [identical by descent (IBD)] and areas that are identical merely by state [identical by state (IBS)]. Clearly, areas that can be marked with higher probability as IBD and have the same correlation with the disease status of identical areas that are more probably only IBS, are better candidates to be causative, and yet this distinction is not encoded in standard association analysis. Results: We develop a factorial hidden Markov model-based algorithm for computing genome-wide IBD sharing. The algorithm accepts as input SNP data of measured individuals and estimates the probability of IBD at each locus for every pair of individuals. For two g-degree relatives, when g≥8, the computation yields a precision of IBD tagging of over 50% higher than previous methods for 95% recall. Our algorithm uses a first-order Markovian model for the linkage disequilibrium process and employs a reduction of the state space of the inheritance vector from being exponential in g to quadratic. The higher accuracy along with the reduced time complexity marks our method as a feasible means for IBD mapping in practical scenarios. Availability: A software implementation, called IBDMAP, is freely available at http://bioinfo.cs. technion.ac. il/IBDmap. Contact: sberco@gmail.com
Associations among correlates of schedule adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART): A path analysis of a sample of crack cocaine using sexually active African–Americans with HIV infection

Abstract Adherence to HIV medication regimens is a function of multiple dimensions including psychological functioning, social support, adherence self-efficacy and optimism regarding treatment. Active substance use can also negatively affect adherence. An understanding of the nature of the associations among the correlates of adherence can better inform the design of interventions to improve adherence. This study developed an exploratory path model of schedule adherence using data from a sample 130 African-American HIV-positive crack cocaine users on highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART). This model was based on the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping developed by Lazarus and Folkman. Following the theory, the effects of psychological distress on schedule adherence were mediated by patients’ relationship with their doctor and optimism towards antiretroviral treatment. Adherence was also associated with patients’ self-efficacy regarding their medical regimen which, in turn, was associated with their social support.
Relationship between accreditation scores and the public disclosure of accreditation reports: a cross sectional study

Objective: To examine the association between accreditation scores and the disclosure of accreditation reports. Design: A cross sectional study. Setting: Hospitals participating in an accreditation programme in Japan. Participants: 547 of the 817 hospitals accredited by the Japan Council for Quality Health Care (JCQHC) by January 2003. Main outcome measures: Data on participation in public disclosure of accreditation reports through the JCQHC website were obtained from the JCQHC database. Comments on the disclosure were obtained using a questionnaire based survey. Results: A total of 508 (93%) of the participating hospitals disclosed their accreditation reports on the JCQHC website. Public hospitals were significantly more committed to public disclosure than private hospitals, and larger hospitals were significantly more likely to participate in public disclosure than smaller hospitals. Accreditation scores were positively related to the public disclosure of hospital accreditation reports. Scores for patient focused care and efforts to meet community needs were significantly higher in actively disclosing hospitals than in non-disclosing hospitals. Among the large hospitals, scores for safety management were significantly higher in hospitals advocating disclosure than in non-disclosing hospitals. Conclusions: There was a positive correlation between accreditation scores and public disclosure. Our results suggest that the public disclosure of accreditation reports should be encouraged to improve public accountability and the quality of care. Future studies should investigate the interaction between public disclosure, processes and outcomes.
Enhanced Cortical Connectivity in Absolute Pitch Musicians: A Model for Local Hyperconnectivity

Connectivity in the human brain has received increased scientific interest in recent years. Although connection disorders can affect perception, production, learning, and memory, few studies have associated brain connectivity with graded variations in human behavior, especially among normal individuals. One group of normal individuals who possess unique characteristics in both behavior and brain structure is absolute pitch (AP) musicians, who can name the appropriate pitch class of any given tone without a reference. Using diffusion tensor imaging and tractography, we observed hyperconnectivity in bilateral superior temporal lobe structures linked to AP possession. Furthermore, volume of tracts connecting left superior temporal gyrus to left middle temporal gyrus predicted AP performance. These findings extend previous reports of exaggerated temporal lobe asymmetry, may explain the higher incidence of AP in special populations, and may provide a model for understanding the heightened connectivity that is thought to underlie savant skills and cases of exceptional creativity.
Zero-forcing frequency domain equalization for DMT systems with insufficient guard interval

A generalized discrete multitone (GDMT) scheme, that not only uses the guard interval, but also redundancy in the frequency domain for equalization, has been introduced recently (Trautmann, S. and Fliege, N.J., IEEE Commun. Letters, vol.6, no.1, p.34-6, 2002; IEEE J. on Selected Areas of Commun., vol.20, no.5, p.987-96, 2002; Karp, T. et al., Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. on Commun., p.1646-50, 2002). Instead of assigning all redundancy in the time domain, it allows taking advantage of unused subcarriers to remove ISI and ICI. We calculate the signal-to-noise ratio for each subcarrier for the zero-forcing equalizer proposed in Karp et al. From there, we derive a new adaptive loading algorithm that optimally chooses the length of the guard interval and the position of unused subcarriers. The cost function applied for the adaptive loading algorithm is the achievable data rate at a fixed error probability.
A robust pipeline for logo detection

We present a method for detecting appearances of logos in low-resolution video sequences. The method is based on matching of SIFT descriptors, plus several heuristics. The logos must come from a small database of possible logos. The emphasis is not on speed but on reliability, although the method can be executed in real time using a parallel computer.
Gender difference in myogenic tone of rat arterioles is due to estrogen-induced, enhanced release of NO.

The characteristics of arteriolar myogenic responses of female rats have not been investigated. Thus experiments were conducted on isolated gracilis muscle arterioles (approximately 55 microm diameter) of four groups of 12-wk-old rats: male rats, female rats, ovariectomized female rats with no estrogen replacement (OV), and ovariectomized female rats with estrogen replacement (OV + E2, 50 microg/kg s.c. injection of 17beta-estradiol benzoate every 48 h). Diameter changes in response to increases in perfusion pressure from 20 to 140 mmHg and to various concentrations of substance P (SP, 10(-9)-5 x 10(-8) M) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10(-8)-10(-6) M) were measured before and after administration of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10(-4) M), an inhibitor of NO synthase. Arteriolar diameters of male and OV female rats were significantly less at 60-140 mmHg pressure than those of normal female and OV + E2 female rats (at 80 mmHg, 45.4 +/- 1.8 and 43.1 +/- 2.2 vs. 58.4 +/- 1.6 and 57.3 +/- 1.3%). L-NNA elicited a significantly greater downward shift of pressure-diameter curves in arterioles of normal female and OV + E2 female rats than in arterioles of male and OV female rats (28.6 +/- 4.6 and 30.6 +/- 4.7 vs. 13.2 +/- 0.9 and 10.4 +/- 2.6%). Dilations of arterioles from normal female and OV +/- E2 female rats to SP were significantly greater (by 50-60%) than those from male and OV female rats (20.8 +/- 1.8 and 22.3 +/- 1.9 vs. 13.8 +/- 1.4 and 13.8 +/- 0.6% at 10(-8) M). L-NNA did not affect dilations to SNP but significantly reduced the dilation of arterioles in all groups to SP, more so in arterioles of male and OV female rats than in arterioles of the other two groups. We conclude that pressure-induced myogenic constriction of arterioles of female rats is less pronounced than that of male rats; this is, most likely, due to the enhanced release and/or activity of NO related to the presence of estrogen.
Do the Health Benefits of Boiling Drinking Water Outweigh the Negative Impacts of Increased Indoor Air Pollution Exposure?

Background: Billions of the world's poorest households are faced with the lack of access to both safe drinking water and clean cooking. One solution to microbiologically contaminated water is boiling, often promoted without acknowledging the additional risks incurred from indoor air degradation from using solid fuels. Objectives: This modeling study explores the tradeoff of increased air pollution from boiling drinking water under multiple contamination and fuel use scenarios typical of low-income settings. Methods: We calculated the total change in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from indoor air pollution (IAP) and diarrhea from fecal contamination of drinking water for scenarios of different source water quality, boiling effectiveness, and stove type. We used Uganda and Vietnam, two countries with a high prevalence of water boiling and solid fuel use, as case studies. Results: Boiling drinking water reduced the diarrhea disease burden by a mean of 1110 DALYs and 368 DALYs per 10,000 people for those under and over 5 years of age in Uganda, respectively, for high-risk water quality and the most efficient (lab-level) boiling scenario, with smaller reductions for less contaminated water and ineffective boiling. Similar results were found in Vietnam, though with fewer avoided DALYs in children under 5 due to different demographics. In both countries, for households with high baseline IAP from existing solid fuel use, adding water boiling to cooking on a given stove was associated with a limited increase in IAP DALYs due to the log-linear dose-response curves. Boiling, even at low effectiveness, was associated with net DALY reductions for medium- and high-risk water, even with unclean stoves/fuels. Use of clean stoves coupled with effective boiling significantly reduced total DALYs. Discussion: Boiling water generally resulted in net decreases in DALYs. Future efforts should empirically measure health outcomes from IAP vs. diarrhea associated with boiling drinking water using field studies with different boiling methods and stove types.
Wake Identification and Characterization of a FullScale Wind Energy Converter in Complex Terrainwith Scanning Doppler Wind Lidar Systems

As the resource wind is increasingly exploited to produce electricity, wind energy converter (WEC) deployment expands to more complex terrain such as hilltops or mountain ridges. In that context it is crucial to understand the interaction between the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flow and the WEC in order to predict downstream flow characteristics. In the context of the Perdigao 2017 experiment, the German Aerospace Center performed full-scale wake measurements on a single WEC of type Enercon E82 with three Leosphere Windcube 200S longrange scanning Lidar systems. The experimental setup covers two parallel ridges 1.4km apart, separated by a 200m deep valley. The ridges are oriented in NW-SE direction, perpendicular to the main wind direction, which is SW. Two of the three scanning Lidar systems are positioned downstream of the WEC in line with the main wind direction to span a vertical plane, perpendicular to the ridges, with range-height indicator (RHI) scans. This allows to investigate wake events with single or dual-doppler Lidar techniques. The third Lidar system, which is positioned along the WEC ridge, is used to measure the wake position outside the above mentioned measurement plane. Wake events in three different ABL regimes (neutral, stable and convective) are evaluated with respect to wake position, dispersion, propagation and the wind-speed deficit. It is found that wake position and propagation are strongly influenced by the atmospheric stability, forcing the wake to deviate from hub height, migrating to higher levels for convective regimes. For stable ABL conditions the wake descends into the valley and is clearly detectable up to at least nine rotor diameters downstream of the WEC, in some cases. Furthermore, the coplanar scanning strategy allows to calculate the two-dimensional wind vector in the vertical scanning plane, indicating that vertical wind components with up to 2 m/s play an important role in the interaction between ABL flow and WEC. With the help of the third Lidar system on the WEC ridge, wake meandering can be quantified. This work will provide a thorough analysis of three exemplary measurement days.
Solving Geometry Problems: Combining Text and Diagram Interpretation

This paper introduces GEOS, the first automated system to solve unaltered SAT geometry questions by combining text understanding and diagram interpretation. We model the problem of understanding geometry questions as submodular optimization, and identify a formal problem description likely to be compatible with both the question text and diagram. GEOS then feeds the description to a geometric solver that attempts to determine the correct answer. In our experiments, GEOS achieves a 49% score on official SAT questions, and a score of 61% on practice questions. 1 Finally, we show that by integrating textual and visual information, GEOS boosts the accuracy of dependency and semantic parsing of the question text.
New Trends in Neutrosophic Theory and Applications 363

The aim of this paper is to introduce a new approach to Mathematical Morphology based on neutrosophic set theory. Basic definitions for neutrosophic morphological operations are extracted and a study of its algebraic properties is presented. In our work we demonstrate that neutrosophic morphological operations inherit properties and restrictions of Fuzzy Mathematical Morphology.
Lane-Level Vehicular Localization Utilizing Smartphones

Lane-level vehicular localization has been regarded as a critical technology component for future vehicle navigation services. Current lane-level vehicular localization systems require dedicated devices, making the systems difficult to popularize. Moreover, most systems depend heavily on continuous accurate GPS data, which may be interfered under specific environments. Efficient lane-level map building is another problem to deal with. In this paper, we propose an integrated system with the capability of map building and lane- level localization using smartphones. This system employs a crowdsourcing-based approach to collect information from multiple sensors (including GPS, orientation sensor and acceleration sensor), such as lane changes and turns. Based on the information, a lane localization schemes is designed using the tool of machine learning. The experimental results show that the proposed system achieves high accuracy of map building and lane-level localization.
Reproductive Ecology of Greater Sage-Grouse in Strawberry Valley, Utah

Reproductive Ecology of Greater Sage-Grouse in Strawberry Valley, Utah Jared Jeffrey Baxter Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, BYU Master of Science Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage-grouse) are a species of conservation concern in the rangelands of western North America due to their dramatic decline over the last half century. Effective conservation and management of sensitive species requires an understanding of how species respond to management actions. We examined two aspects of the reproductive phases of sage-grouse: nest predation, and habitat selection by female sagegrouse with chicks. In Chapter 1, we developed resource selection functions to assess the influence of mechanical treatments of mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata vaseyana) on habitat selection by greater sage-grouse with chicks. Post-treatment sage-grouse showed stronger selection for treatments and treatment edges than did pre-treatment sage-grouse. This altered pattern of selection by sage-grouse with broods suggests mechanical treatments may be a suitable way to increase use of mountain big sagebrush during the brooding period. In Chapter 2, we assessed the effect of habitat edges on nest predation of sage-grouse. The “edge effect” hypothesis states that habitat edges are associated with reduced nest success for birds. We tested the edge effect hypothesis using 155 nest locations from 114 sage-grouse. We derived edge metrics for 11 habitat cover types to determine which variables may have affected nest predation. We found support for the edge effect hypothesis in that nest predation increased with increasing edge density of paved roads. We provide evidence that the edge effect hypothesis may apply to greater sage-grouse and their habitats. Based on our results, we recommend minimizing disturbances that fragment critical nesting habitat of greater sage-grouse.