Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stein Variational Gradient Descent-Based Detection for Random Access with Preambles in MTC

Traditional preamble detection algorithms have low accuracy in the grant-based random access scheme in massive machine-type communication (mMTC). We present a novel preamble detection algorithm based on Stein variational gradient descent (SVGD) at the second step of the random access procedure. It efficiently leverages deterministic updates of particles for continuous inference. To further enhance the performance of the SVGD detector, especially in a dense user scenario, we propose a normalized SVGD detector with momentum. It utilizes the momentum and a bias correction term to reduce the preamble estimation errors during the gradient descent process. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm performs better than Markov Chain Monte Carlo-based approaches in terms of detection accuracy.
Understanding the Kinetic Energy Deposition within Molecular Clouds

According to the structures traced by 13CO spectral lines within 12CO molecular clouds (MCs), we investigate the contributions of their internal gas motions and relative motions to the total velocity dispersions of 12CO MCs. Our samples of 2851 12CO MCs harbor a total of 9556 individual 13CO structures, among which 1848 MCs (∼65%) have one individual 13CO structure and the other 1003 MCs (∼35%) have multiple 13CO structures. We find that the contribution of the relative motion between 13CO structures ( σ13CO,re ) is larger than that from their internal gas motion ( σ13CO,in ) in ∼62% of 1003 MCs in the “Multiple” regime. In addition, we find that σ13CO,re tends to increase with the total velocity dispersion ( σ12CO,tot ) in our samples, especially for MCs with multiple 13CO structures. This result provides a manifestation of macroturbulence within MCs, which gradually becomes the dominant way of storing kinetic energy along with the development of MC scales.
RNN Controller for Lane-Keeping Systems with Robustness and Safety Verification

This paper proposes a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) controller for lane-keeping systems, effectively handling model uncertainties and disturbances. First, quadratic constraints cover the nonlinearities brought by the RNN controller, and the linear fractional transformation method models the dynamics of system uncertainties. Second, we prove the robust stability of the lane-keeping system in the presence of uncertain vehicle speed using a linear matrix inequality. Then, we define a reachable set for the lane-keeping system. Finally, to confirm the safety of the lane-keeping system with tracking error bound, we formulate semidefinite programming to approximate the outer set of the reachable set. Numerical experiments demonstrate that this approach confirms the stabilizing RNN controller and validates the safety with an untrained dataset with untrained varying road curvatures.
HLA class I associations with the severity of COVID-19 disease in the United Arab Emirates

SARS-CoV-2 appears to induce diverse innate and adaptive immune responses, resulting in different clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Due to their function in presenting viral peptides and initiating the adaptive immune response, certain Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) alleles may influence the susceptibility to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, 92 COVID-19 patients from 15 different nationalities, with mild (n = 30), moderate (n = 35), and severe (n = 27) SARS-CoV-2 infection, living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were genotyped for the Class I HLA -A, -C, and -B alleles using next-generation sequencing (NGS) between the period of May 2020 to June 2020. Alleles and inferred haplotype frequencies in the hospitalized patient group (those with moderate to severe disease, n = 62) were compared to non-hospitalized patients (mild or asymptomatic, n = 30). An interesting trend was noted between the severity of COVID-19 and the HLA-C*04 (P = 0.0077) as well as HLA-B*35 (P = 0.0051) alleles. The class I haplotype HLA-C*04-B*35 was also significantly associated (P = 0.0049). The involvement of inflammation, HLA-C*04, and HLA-B*35 in COVID-19 severity highlights the potential roles of both the adaptive and innate immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. Both alleles have been linked to several respiratory diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension along with infections caused by the coronavirus and influenza. This study, therefore, supports the potential use of HLA testing in prioritizing public healthcare interventions for patients at risk of COVID-19 infection and disease progression, in addition to providing personalized immunotherapeutic targets.
PERFECT: Personalized Exercise Recommendation Framework and architECTure

Background: There are indisputable health benefits to physical activity (PA). By collecting and displaying individual exercise behaviors via wearable trackers, the Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile health (mHealth) have made it possible to correlate users' physiological data and daily activity information with their fitness requirements. Objective: This study aimed to recommend personalized exercise to non-pregnant subjects to increase their physical activity level. Methods: We developed smartphone and smartwatch applications to collect, monitor, and recommend exercises using a contextual multi-arm bandit framework. Twenty female college students were recruited to test this mHealth exercise program. Results: Our findings indicated an increase in daily exercise duration (P < .001), with average satisfaction scores for the walking and recommendation system components of 4.31 (0.60) and 3.69 (0.95), respectively, on a scale of 1 to 5. In addition, participants' confidence in their capacity to complete the suggested walking exercises safely and the study's ability to satisfy their needs for physical activity both received average scores of over 4. Conclusions: A new era of mHealth systems has been ushered in by developments in the Internet of Things and wearable devices. Personalization of physical activity recommendations using such wearables has the potential to improve user engagement and performance. In this paper, we presented an exercise recommendation system based on reinforcement learning that uses biomarkers and the user's context to recommend a unique walking exercise that enhances the user's aerobic capacity.
Real‐life experience with a generic formulation of lumacaftor‐ivacaftor in patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most frequent recessive autosomal disorder in the Caucasian population. It is caused by mutations that result in a deficient or dysfunctional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein activity. Among CFTR modulators, potentiator compounds increase channel opening, whereas corrector compounds increase CFTR quantity in the cell surface.
Long‐term effectiveness of eculizumab: Data from the International PNH Registry

Data from the International PNH Registry (NCT01374360) were used to estimate the overall survival and first occurrence of thromboembolic events/major adverse vascular events (TEs/MAVEs) for eculizumab‐treated patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) compared with a contemporaneous untreated cohort.
Benzene Amide Ether Scaffold is Active against Non-replicating and Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis

New drugs to treat tuberculosis which target intractable bacterial populations are required to develop shorter and more effective treatment regimens. The benzene amide ether scaffold has activity against intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but low activity against extracellular, actively replicating M. tuberculosis. We determined that these molecules have bactericidal activity against non-replicating M. tuberculosis but not actively replicating bacteria. Exposure to compounds depleted ATP levels in non-replicating bacteria and increased the oxygen consumption rate; a subset of molecules led to the accumulation of intrabacterial reactive oxygen species. A comprehensive screen of M. tuberculosis strains identified a number of under-expressing strains as more sensitive to compounds under replicating conditions including QcrA and QcrB hypomorphs. We determined the global gene expression profile after compound treatment for both replicating and nutrient-starved M. tuberculosis. We saw compound-dependent changes in the expression of genes involved in energy metabolism under both conditions. Taken together, our data suggest that the scaffold targets respiration in M. tuberculosis.
Machine learning approaches for forest classification and change analysis using multi-temporal Landsat TM images over Huntington Wildlife Forest

This research investigated three machine learning approaches – decision trees, random forest, and support vector machines – to classify local forest communities at the Huntington Wildlife Forest (HWF), located in the central Adirondack Mountains of New York State, and to identify forest type change over a 20-year period using multi-temporal Landsat satellite Thematic Mapper (TM) data. Because some forest species are sensitive to topographic characteristics, three terrain correction methods – C correction, statistical–empirical (SE) correction, and Variable Empirical Coefficient Algorithm (VECA) – were utilized to account for the topographic effects. Results show that the topographic correction slightly improved the classification accuracy although the improvement was not significant based on the McNemar test. Random forest and support vector machines produced higher classification accuracies than decision trees. Besides, random forest- and support vector machine-based multi-temporal classifications better reflected the forest type change seen in the reference data. In addition, topographic features such as elevation and aspect played important roles in characterizing the forest type changes.
Modulation of facial muscle responses by another person’s presence and affiliative touch during affective image viewing

ABSTRACT Stimulating CT-afferents by forearm caresses produces the subjective experience of pleasantness in the receiver and modulates subjective evaluations of viewed affective images. Receiving touch from another person includes the social element of another person’s presence, which has been found to influence affective image evaluations without involving touch. The current study investigated whether these modulations translate to facial muscle responses associated with positive and negative affect across touch-involving and mere presence conditions. Female participants (N = 40, M(age) = 22.4, SD = 5.3) watched affective images (neutral, positive, negative) while facial electromyography was recorded (sites: zygomaticus, corrugator). Results from ANOVAs showed that providing touch to another person or oneself modulated zygomaticus site responses when viewing positive images. Providing CT-afferent stimulating touch (i.e., forearm caresses) to another person or oneself dampened the positive affective facial muscle response to positive affective images. Providing touch to another person generally increased corrugator facial muscle activity related to negative affect. Receiving touch did not modulate affective facial muscle responses during the viewing of affective images but may have effects on later cognitive processes. Together, previously reported social and touch modulations of subjective evaluations of affective images do not translate to facial muscle responses during affective image viewing, which were differentially modulated.
Can progressive resistance training twice a week improve mobility, muscle strength, and quality of life in very elderly nursing-home residents with impaired mobility? A pilot study

Purpose To determine the effects of progressive resistance training on mobility, muscle strength, and quality of life in nursing-home residents with impaired mobility. Methods Nursing-home residents aged 77 years and older with impaired mobility were recruited in Berlin, Germany. The eight-week exercise program consisted of progressive resistance training twice a week. Mobility (primary outcome) was assessed with the Elderly Mobility Scale (zero = worst, 20 = best) at baseline and after 8 weeks. Muscle strength (secondary outcome) was determined by the eight-repetition maximum. The Short Form-36 Health Survey was used to assess quality of life. Results Of the 15 participants (mean age 84 years, range 77–97 years), ten completed the 8-week program. Mobility (Elderly Mobility Scale mean ± standard deviation pre 14.1 ± 3.2 and post 17.5 ± 3.6; P = 0.005) as well as muscle strength of upper and lower limbs improved (from 62% at chest press up to 108% at leg extension machine), whereas most quality of life subscales did not show considerable change. Conclusion Resistance training twice a week over 2 months seemed to considerably improve mobility and muscle strength in persons aged 77–97 years with impaired mobility.
Impact of hepatitis B birth dose on immune response in Pakistani children: an open-label, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial, implications for achieving SDG target

Abstract Background Despite presence of hyperendemic areas, the national immunisation schedule in Pakistan does not include a hepatitis B birth dose, placing newborns at an additional risk of acquiring hepatitis B. This study aimed to assess the impact of adding hepatitis B birth dose in existing national vaccination schedule. Methods An open label, randomised controlled non-inferiority trial enrolled 296 healthy near-term mothers to intervention and control groups. Newborns in the intervention group received a hepatitis B birth dose along with routine immunisation vaccines, while control group newborns received vaccinations under the national schedule. Seroprotection was measured and compared at birth and 8 weeks after administering the third dose of pentavalent vaccine. The risk ratio of seroprotection was computed and compared with the delta value set at 5%. Results The study found that 95.8% of infants in the intervention group achieved seroprotection, which was significantly higher than the control group’s 58.7%. The difference in risk ratio of seroprotection was 1.62 (CI95: 1.37–1.93), with the upper limit of the CI below the delta margin, confirming non-inferiority. The time interval between birth and the first hepatitis B immunisation shot was a predictor of seroprotection, with an odds ratio of 1.79 (CI95: 1.01–2.9). Conclusion Our study indicates that adding a hepatitis B birth dose to the immunisation schedule in Pakistan is non-inferior to the existing one. This can also contribute towards Pakistan’s achievement of the SDG target of reducing hepatitis B surface antigen seroprevalence in children under 5 years of age. Trial Registration Number NCT04870021
Burden of healthcare-associated infections in Italy: incidence, attributable mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from a nationwide study, 2016

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are an increasing public health threat. Measuring disease burden in disability adjusted life-years (DALYs) allows to combine morbidity and mortality in one figure, as it represents the summation of years lived with disability and years of life lost. Aim: To evaluate the incidence, attributable deaths and burden of the most significant HAIs in Italy. Methods: Prevalence data from the study sample of the 2016 national national Point Prevalence Survey of HAIs in acute-care settings were used to estimate the incidence of five HAIs. The methodology from the Burden of Communicable Diseases in Europe (BCoDE)-project was employed for DALY calculations, adapting the disease models to the Italian population. Findings: We estimated a total of 643,620.11 (95% uncertainty interval, UI 615,796.77 – 671,144.41) new yearly cases of HAIs and 29,437.58 (95% UI 27,338.47 – 31,848.93) deaths in Italy in 2016. The total annual DALYs were estimated to be 426 427.54 (95% UI 376,030.94 – 479,478.14), corresponding to 702.53 DALYs (95% UI 575.22 – 844.66) per 100,000 general population. HA BSI accounted for the majority of total DALYs (59%), HAP for 29%, SSI for 9%, CDI for 2% and UTI accounted for less than 1% of total DALYs.
Developing Theory of Public Involvement in Landscape Planning

Public involvement has been recognised as a fundamental aspect of landscape planning for over 40 years, and has been more recently legitimised in policy through the European Landscape Convention. However, the practice of public involvement in landscape planning remains questionable. In this thesis I develop the argument that failure in public involvement is founded on a weakness in theoretical understanding within the discipline. Consequently I argue for a strengthening of the theoretical base underpinning public involvement in landscape planning, and seek to contribute to the development of this theory. The research which this thesis builds on examines how public involvement is theorised and practised in landscape planning. The empirical material which supports this analysis has been gathered by examining landscape assessments, which are identified as a key moment in the landscape planning process. I use landscape character assessments, undertaken in England, as a case for analysing how practitioners engage the public and handle their multiple values. In this thesis I expose the dynamics between theory and practice within landscape planning. I argue that an ambiguity in the discipline is created by the presence of plural understandings of landscape. In particular, two contrasting theorisations of landscape drive a gap between the rhetoric of practice, and its conduct. The first theorisation, expressed in the ELC and forming the rhetoric of practice, identifies landscape as a dynamic, holistic entity dependent on perceptions. The second theorisation which is operationalised in the conduct of practice is an objective outsiders’ view, where landscape is understood as a physical surface. I further argue that this confusion relates to a weakness of substantive theory in the landscape planning discipline. Practice builds on procedural theories which have weak substantive grounding, brought about by the discipline being driven and developed by practice, and falling back on an objective outsiders' view of landscape. Such a view of landscape means that landscape planners lack adequate tools for handling the diverse and dynamic values which are experienced in landscape, and therefore have no sound basis for dealing with conflicting values. This thesis contributes to an understanding of the dynamics of landscape planning, and begins to develop a theoretical position, with landscape as a democratic entity as the focus for public involvement. The thesis explores the implications of the theorisation of a democratising landscape for the discipline of landscape planning.
Applicability and usefulness of the stakeholder strategy matrix for Applicability and usefulness of the stakeholder strategy matrix for festival management festival management

This article examines the applicability and usefulness of the stakeholder strategy matrix in the context of festival management. An extensive literature review gave rise to the development of an online survey. Data for the study were collected from festival managers in the US. This empirical study indicated that internal and external festival stakeholders differ from each other in significant ways, and that different management strategies should be used to manage them. The stakeholder strategy matrix appears to be more effective for the management of internal festival stakeholders and the least effective for managing external festival stakeholders. Based on the results of the study, it can be postulated that the stakeholder strategy matrix can be applied effectively towards managing festival stakeholders and may provide useful management strategies for festival managers when managing their internal and external stakeholders. This is one of the first studies to be conducted in this area, and as such it contributes to the body of knowledge on management strategies for internal and exter-nal festival stakeholders.
Elderly-onset pulmonary sarcoidosis: A radiological approach to diagnosis

Background and aim: The aim was to compare the radiological and clinical characteristics of sarcoidosis between elderly and non-elderly patients. Methods: This retrospective observational study was carried out in patients with sarcoidosis. Elderly-onset sarcoidosis was defined as sarcoidosis diagnosed in patients ≥65 years-old. Patients were stratified by age (≥65 years versus <65 years) and radiological and clinical data were compared between age groups. Results: Of the 163 patients, 38 (23.3%) were in the elderly group and 125 (76.7%) were in the non-elderly group. Elderly patients more frequently demonstrated arthralgia (50% vs. 12.8%, p<0.001), coronary artery disease (15.8% vs. 2.4%, p=0.005), congestive heart failure (13.2% vs. 0.8%, p=0.003), pneumonia (7.9% vs. 0.8%, p=0.04), and pleural fluid (18.4% vs. 0.0%, p<0.001). Clinical remission was significantly more likely in younger patients than in the elderly (76.8% vs. 55.3%, p=0.01). The clinical course to chronic-progressive disease was similar in both groups (p=0.635). Radiologically, lymph nodes measuring 10-25 mm in the short axis (89.5% vs. 72.6%, p=0.032), usual interstitial pneumonia pattern (10.5% vs. 0.8%, p=0.011), and main pulmonary artery diameter above 30 mm (34.2% vs. 16.0%, p=0.014) were significantly more frequent in the elderly group. Elderly patients tended to demonstrate Scadding stage I and II sarcoidosis (39.5% and 31.6%). Conclusions: Presentation of elderly-onset sarcoidosis appears to differ from young-onset sarcoidosis. Radiologically, lymph node enlargement and the pattern of fibrosis may be distinctive.
A systematic review of whole disease models for informing healthcare resource allocation decisions

Background Whole disease models (WDM) are large-scale, system-level models which can evaluate multiple decision questions across an entire care pathway. Whilst this type of model can offer several advantages as a platform for undertaking economic analyses, the availability and quality of existing WDMs is unknown. Objectives This systematic review aimed to identify existing WDMs to explore which disease areas they cover, to critically assess the quality of these models and provide recommendations for future research. Methods An electronic search was performed on multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, the NHS Economic Evaluation Database and the Health Technology Assessment database) on 23rd July 2023. Two independent reviewers selected studies for inclusion. Study quality was assessed using the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) appraisal checklist for economic evaluations. Model characteristics were descriptively summarised. Results Forty-four WDMs were identified, of which thirty-two were developed after 2010. The main disease areas covered by existing WDMs are heart disease, cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome and metabolic disease. The quality of included WDMs is generally low. Common limitations included failure to consider the harms and costs of adverse events (AEs) of interventions, lack of probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) and poor reporting. Conclusions There has been an increase in the number of WDMs since 2010. However, their quality is generally low which means they may require significant modification before they could be re-used, such as modelling AEs of interventions and incorporation of PSA. Sufficient details of the WDMs need to be reported to allow future reuse/adaptation.