Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatments for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: A network meta-analysis and indirect comparisons versus dabigatran etexilate

Summary Patients with atrial fibrillation at moderate to high risk of stroke are not always anticoagulated despite a lack of contraindications to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) like warfarin. These patients are treated with aspirin, aspirin-clopidogrel combination therapy or even receive no thromboprophylaxis. The oral direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran etexilate 150 mg BID and 110 mg BID, might represent an alternative for these patients; however, no head-to-head clinical trial data exist versus these alternative treatments. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to indirectly compare dabigatran etexilate with antiplatelets and placebo. Compared with placebo, dabigatran etexilate 150 mg BID was estimated to significantly reduce the risk of any stroke (ischaemic and haemorrhagic) by 75% (relative risk [RR] 0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12–0.51), ischaemic stroke by 77% (RR 0.23; 95% CI 0.14–0.38), systemic embolism by 83% (RR 0.17; 95% CI 0.05–0.50) and mortality by 36% (RR 0.64; 95% CI 0.45–0.91). Dabigatran etexilate 150 mg BID was estimated to significantly reduce the risk of any stroke compared with aspirin monotherapy by 63% (RR 0.37; 95% CI 0.20–0.69) and aspirin plus clopidogrel by 61% (RR 0.39; 95% CI 0.21–0.72). Trends toward reduced risk with both dabigatran etexilate regimens were found for most clinical outcomes. Relative risk estimates of dabigatran etexilate versus adjusted-dose VKAs within the NMA were consistent with results from the head-to-head randomised trial of these two strategies. Indirect evidence suggests treatment with dabigatran etexilate offers benefit for the prevention of stroke, systemic embolism and mortality over antiplatelets and placebo. There was no indication of increased intracranial or extracranial haemorrhage with dabigatran etexilate compared to antiplatelet agents.
A MUSIC STRUCTURE INFERENCE ALGORITHM BASED ON MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Music structure refers to the description of the long term organization of a music piece through a sequence of structural segments. A structural segment can be defined by its structural borders (a start time, an end time) and a label reflecting the similarity of its music content compared to the other segments'. Its duration is typically around 16 s and more. This document presents the music structure estimation system submitted to MIREX's structural segmentation task in 2012. It is composed of three steps : feature extraction, structural border estimation and segment labeling. First, the system produces a sequence of chroma vectors expressed at the snap scale. This sequence is used to calculate a segmentation criterion based on a morphological model of the structural segments. The structural border estimation is performed by searching the segmentation with lowest cost, which combines this criterion and a regularity constraint. The segments are then labeled by clustering according to their similarity, through the minimization of an adaptive model selection criterion.
Dynamic resource allocation strategy for frequency-based passive optical networks

Dynamic resource allocation presents a key issue in passive optical networks (PONs) for efficient and fair utilization of system resources in order to ensure leveled quality-of-service (QoS) requirements. This paper investigates the problem of power and bandwidth allocation for the maximization of the worst weighted capacity/rate in frequency-based PONs. By deriving a convex optimization problem, we propose an optimization algorithm which gives an upper bound of the weighted capacity and maintains the fairness related to users' capacity requirements. In addition, the theoretical analysis is applied to practical scenarios by taking the discrete nature of modulation techniques into account. An allocation strategy in terms of discrete optimization is presented to improve user weighted transmission rate. Numerical results validate the convergence and the performance of the proposed resource allocation strategy, which is consistent with the analytical results.
Lark: Coordinating Co-located Collaboration with Information Visualization

Large multi-touch displays are expanding the possibilities of multiple-coordinated views by allowing multiple people to interact with data in concert or independently. We present Lark, a system that facilitates the coordination of interactions with information visualizations on shared digital workspaces. We focus on supporting this coordination according to four main criteria: scoped interaction, temporal flexibility, spatial flexibility, and changing collaboration styles. These are achieved by integrating a representation of the information visualization pipeline into the shared workspace, thus explicitly indicating coordination points on data, representation, presentation, and view levels. This integrated meta-visualization supports both the awareness of how views are linked and the freedom to work in concert or independently. Lark incorporates these four main criteria into a coherent visualization collaboration interaction environment by providing direct visual and algorithmic support for the coordination of data analysis actions over shared large displays.
Exploiting the routing flexibility for energy/performance aware mapping of regular NoC architectures

In this paper we present an algorithm which automatically maps the IPs onto a generic regular Network on Chip (NoC) architecture and constructs a deadlock-free deterministic routing function such that the total communication energy is minimized. At the same time, the performance of the resulting communication system is guaranteed to satisfy the specified constraints through bandwidth reservation. As the main contribution, we first formulate the problem of energy/performance aware mapping, in a topological sense, and show how the routing flexibility can be exploited to expand the solution space and improve the solution quality An efficient branch-and-bound algorithm is then described to solve this problem. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is very fast, and significant energy savings can be achieved. For instance, for a complex video/audio application, 51.7% energy savings have been observed, on average, compared to an ad-hoc implementation.
Caprylic and Polygalacturonic Acid Combinations for Eradication of Microbial Organisms Embedded in Biofilm

There is a need for non-antibiotic, antimicrobial compositions with low toxicity capable of broad-spectrum eradication of pathogenic biofilms in food preparation and healthcare settings. In this study we demonstrated complete biofilm eradication within 60 min with synergistic combinations of caprylic and polygalacturonic (PG) acids in an in vitro biofilm eradication model against representative hospital and foodborne infectious pathogen biofilms (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enteritidis). Antimicrobial synergy against biofilms was demonstrated by quantifying viable organisms remaining in biofilms exposed to caprylic acid alone, PG acid alone, or combinations of the two. The combinations also synergistically inhibited growth of planktonic organisms. Toxicity of the combination was assessed in vitro on L929 fibroblasts incubated with extracts of caprylic and PG acid combinations using the Alamar Blue metabolic activity assay and the Trypan Blue exclusion cell viability assay. The extracts did not produce cytotoxic responses relative to untreated control fibroblasts.
Antitermination of amidase expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is controlled by a novel cytoplasmic amide‐binding protein.

Amide‐inducible expression of the aliphatic amidase system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be reconstituted in Escherichia coli with only the amidase structural gene amiE, the negative regulator amiC and the positive regulator amiR, a transcription antitermination factor. Complementation experiments in E. coli suggest that negative control of amidase expression by AmiC is mediated by a protein‐protein interaction with AmiR. Purified AmiC binds acetamide with a KD of 3.7 microM in equilibrium dialysis studies, and therefore AmiC appears to be the sensory partner of the AmiC/AmiR pair of regulatory proteins, responding to the presence of amides. Sequence analysis techniques suggest that AmiC is a member of the structural family of periplasmic binding proteins, but has a distinct and novel cytoplasmic role.
Biology of RUNX2 and Cleidocranial Dysplasia

Abstract Three features of cleidocranial dysplasia that are not always appreciated are hypoplastic iliac wings, short stature, and brachydactyly. Because of the pelvic abnormality, pregnant women may require a cesarean delivery. Short stature and brachydactyly indicate more generalized skeletal abnormalities. These are derived from endochondral and intramembranous ossification, but the distinction between these 2 processes is oversimplified because both processes are involved in long bone and clavicular development. Two sections follow: the biology of RUNX2 and the nature of haploinsufficiency in RUNX2 mutations for cleidocranial dysplasia.
HLA-DR alleles differ in their ability to present staphylococcal enterotoxins to T cells

Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) have been shown to bind to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II proteins and stimulate T cells in a V beta-specific manner, and these V beta specificities for various SEs have been well documented in mice and humans. This study was undertaken in order to examine the ability of human class II molecules to present SEs to human and murine T cell hybridomas. Using a panel of transfectants expressing individual HLA class II antigens, we have shown that HLA-DR alleles differ in their ability to bind and present SEs. Since the HLA-DR proteins share a common alpha chain, these results indicate that the polymorphic beta chain plays an important role in SE binding and presentation to T cells. In addition, we have shown that human class II isotypes markedly differ in their ability to present SEs. The results of this study should provide information on the region of MHC class II molecules that interacts with foreign, and perhaps self, super-antigens.
The Effects of Pesticides on the Bioluminescent Brittle Star Amphipholis squamata: Implications for Future Regulation

Author(s): Roberson, Megan Lee | Abstract: Pesticide use is increasing worldwide. Thousands of pounds of active ingredients are used annually in the United States alone. While the use of these pesticides is prolific, our knowledge of the impacts they have on non-target species, ecosystems, and even our own bodies is lacking. This study aims to provide a better understanding of the sub-lethal effects of some of the most common pesticides on the bioluminescent brittle star Amphipholis squamata. This animal’s ability to produce light via its nervous system provides a new way to measure sub-lethal toxicity as opposed to traditional LC50 tests. Brittle stars were exposed to different concentrations of atrazine, cypermethrin, fipronil and glyphosate for one week. Changes in light production and intensity were measured. All treatments of each pesticide showed differences in all measures of light relative to those of the control. Exposure to these pesticides at very small concentrations of 10 µg/L and 1 µg/L also resulted in death in the majority of treatments. The results from this study can be used to inform regulation of these pesticides, and provide better insight into the consequences of pesticides in agricultural and urban runoff.
Long-Term Maintenance of Channel Distribution in a Central Pattern Generator Neuron by Neuromodulatory Inputs Revealed by Decentralization in Organ Culture

Organotypic cultures of the lobster (Homarus gammarus) stomatogastric nervous system (STNS) were used to assess changes in membrane properties of neurons of the pyloric motor pattern-generating network in the long-term absence of neuromodulatory inputs to the stomatogastric ganglion (STG). Specifically, we investigated decentralization-induced changes in the distribution and density of the transient outward current,IA, which is encoded within the STG by the shal gene and plays an important role in shaping rhythmic bursting of pyloric neurons. Using an antibody against lobster shal K+ channels, we found shal immunoreactivity in the membranes of neuritic processes, but not somata, of STG neurons in 5 d cultured STNS with intact modulatory inputs. However, in 5 d decentralized STG, shal immunoreactivity was still seen in primary neurites but was likewise present in a subset of STG somata. Among the neurons displaying this altered shal localization was the pyloric dilator (PD) neuron, which remained rhythmically active in 5 d decentralized STG. Two-electrode voltage clamp was used to compare IA in synaptically isolated PD neurons in long-term decentralized STG and nondecentralized controls. Although the voltage dependence and kinetics ofIA changed little with decentralization, the maximal conductance of IA in PD neurons increased by 43.4%. This increase was consistent with the decentralization-induced increase in shal protein expression, indicating an alteration in the density and distribution of functional A-channels. Our results suggest that, in addition to the short-term regulation of network function, modulatory inputs may also play a role, either directly or indirectly, in controlling channel number and distribution, thereby maintaining the biophysical character of neuronal targets on a long-term basis.
Bayesian Combination of Crowd-Based Tweet Sentiment Analysis Judgments

In this paper we describe the probabilistic model that we used in the CrowdScale – Shared Task Challenge 2013 for processing the CrowdFlower dataset, which consists of a collection of crowdsourced text sentiment judgments. Specifically, the dataset includes 569,786 sentiment judgments for 98,979 tweets, discussing the weather, collected from 1,960 judges. The challenge is to compute the most reliable estimate of the true sentiment of each tweet from the judgment set while taking into account possible noise and biases of the judges and other properties of the text contained in the tweets. To address this challenge, we developed a Bayesian model, which is able to infer the true sentiment of the tweets by combining signals from both the crowd labels and words in the tweets. The model represents the reliability of each judge using a confusion matrix model and the likelihood of each dictionary word belonging to a certain sentiment class using a mixture of bag of words models. Both these models are combined together to learn the latent true tweet sentiments. We discuss our scalable model implementation using the Infer.NET framework, and our preliminary results which show that our model performs better than the majority
The European Large Area ISO Survey — II. Mid-infrared extragalactic source counts

We present preliminary source counts at 6. 7µm and 15µm from the Preliminary Analysis of the European Large Area ISO survey, with limiting flux densities of � 2mJy at 15µm and � 1mJy at 6. 7µm. We separate the stellar contribution from the extragalactic using identifications with APM sources made with the likelihood ratio technique. We quantify the completeness and reliability of our source extraction using (a) repeated observations over small areas, (b) cross-IDs with stars of known spectral type, (c) detections of the point spread function wings around bright sources, (d) comparison with independent algorithms. Flux calibration at 15µm was performed using stellar identifications; the calibration does not agree with the pre-flight estimates, probably due to effects of detector hysteresis and photometric aperture correction. The 6. 7µm extragalactic counts are broadly reproduced in the Pearson & Rowan-Robinson model, but the Franceschini et al. (1997) model underpredicts the observed source density by � 0.5 1 dex, though the photometry at 6. 7µm is still preliminary. At 15µm the extragalactic counts are in excellent agreement with the predictions of the Pearson & Rowan-Robinson (1996), Franceschini et al. (1994), Guiderdoni et al. (1997) and the evolving models of Xu et al. (1998), over 7 orders of magnitude in 15µm flux density. The counts agree with other estimates from the ISOCAM instrument at overlapping flux densities (Elbaz et al. 1999), provided a consistent flux calibration is used.
mLUX: Usability and User Experience Development Framework for M-Learning

In this paper, we propose the mLUX framework, a model based on the user-centered design (UCD) framework, which is specifically for the development of m-learning applications. We present the results of four case studies conducted to develop m-learning applications in which the proposed mLUX framework was applied. The main goal of the proposed mLUX framework is to ensure that the stakeholders, especially students, recognize that m-learning applications are learning media that fulfill their essential educational requirements. We begin by reviewing the literature on the contributions to mobile learning usability made in various conferences and journals from 2002 to 2010. This review helped identify and recognize the methodology used to develop mobile learning applications during this period. Based on the literature review, as the empirical case studies, four m-learning applications are examined to demonstrate the performance of the proposed framework for the development of m-learning applications. We apply three distinct measurement criteria to assess the performances of the mLUX framework. This paper also argues that emotional factors, such as the user’s enjoyment, adjustability, and reliability, are significant design issues in m-learning.
Pregnancy is detected via odour in a wild cooperative breeder

Among mammals, scent has long been known to encode oestrus; however, in many species, detecting pregnancy may also be important in terms of both competition and mate-choice. Here, we show, through odour presentation experiments, that pregnancy is discernible via scent by both sexes in the cooperatively breeding banded mongoose, Mungos mungo. Males spent more time investigating and were more likely to scent mark the odours of non-pregnant females, compared to pregnant females. Females showed increased levels of scent marking when odours were of the same reproductive state as themselves. These results present the first direct demonstration that pregnancy is detectable via scent in wild cooperative breeders. Detecting pregnancy may be particularly important in cooperative breeders as, in addition to the competition between males for receptive mates, there is also intense competition between females for access to alloparental care. Consequently, dominant females benefit from targeting reproductive suppression towards subordinates that represent direct threats, such as pregnant females.
Gauge-gravity duals with a holomorphic dilaton

We consider configurations of D7-branes and whole and fractional D3-branes with N=2 supersymmetry. On the supergravity side these have a warp factor, three-form flux and a nonconstant dilaton. We discuss general IIB solutions of this type and then obtain the specific solutions for the D7/D3 system. On the gauge side the D7-branes add matter in the fundamental representation of the D3-brane gauge theory. We find that the gauge and supergravity metrics on moduli space agree. However, in many cases the supergravity curvature is large even when the gauge theory is strongly coupled. In these cases we argue that the useful supergravity dual must be a IIA configuration.
Polyvalent Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle‐Aptamer Bioconjugates Target Breast Cancer Cells

Spatiotemporal control over the delivery of therapeutic agents is an outstanding challenge to cancer treatment. By taking advantage of recent advances in DNA aptamer biology and mesoporous silica nanotechnology, we report a general approach to design and fabricate controlled release drug delivery systems that are able to effectively target cancer cells. Specifically, polyvalent mesoporous silica nanocarriers‐aptamer bioconjugates were constructed; the high‐surface‐area nanoporous core allowed high drug loading and the surface‐conjugated aptamer facilitated the nanoparticle targeting of nucleolin overexpressed MCF‐7 cells. The efficient cancer‐cell‐specific fluorescent imaging and drug delivery of the bioconjugates outline the great potential for therapeutic applications.
A Knowledge Recommend System Based on User Model

The content and searching method of knowledge base are lack of the consideration of user requirements, it is difficult for the user to select the knowledge satisfy with the user requirements from candidate set of a lot of knowledge items. So, we propose a new knowledge recommend system based on user model. According to the corresponding relationship between user model and the knowledge attributes, the satisfaction degree of user requirements for the candidate knowledge can be calculated by the model. To describe our model, the connotation and design method of the user model are introduced, and the architecture of knowledge recommend system based on the user model is presented. Furthermore, the method of knowledge representation and design based on attributes is proposed and the feasibility of the knowledge recommends system prototype is verified too. By using traditional data mining techniques to obtain the user identity and structure of knowledge, the proposed method can be applied to build the knowledge user database to improve the knowledge service quality. Keyword: User Model, Knowledge, Property, Recommend System
Dynamic Root of Trust in Trusted Computing

In this paper we introduce basic knowledge of Trusted Computing briefly. And then, we describe attack towards trusted computing system, and also discuss vulnerability of modern trusted computing system. We will exam two solutions, which can be named under using ’dynamic root of trust’, for these problems. Generally, it will change the ’old’ architecture of ’static root of trust’-based trusted computing system by leveraging new feature provided by new chips of AMD and Intel. We also summary these solutions with a discussion of their benefits and drawbacks compare with formal methods. Finally, for the drawbacks, we propose some methods to im-
Enhancing the SysLab System Model with State

In this report, the SysLab system model is complemented in different ways: State-box models are provided through timed port automata, for which an operational and a corresponding denotational semantics are given. Composition is defined for components modeled in the state-box view as well as for components modeled in the black-box view. This composition is well-defined for networks of infinitely many components. To show the applicability of the model, several examples are given.
The use of UAVs for monitoring land degradation

Land degradation is one of the causes of desertification of drylands in the Mediterranean. UAVs can be used to monitor and document the various variables that cause desertification in drylands, including overgrazing, aridity, vegetation loss, etc. This paper examines the use of UAVs and accompanying sensors to monitor overgrazing, vegetation stress and aridity in the study area. UAV images can be used to generate digital elevation models (DEMs) to examine the changes in microtopography as well as ortho-photos were used to detect changes in vegetation patterns. The combined data of the digital elevation models and the orthophotos can be used to identify the mechanisms for desertification in the study area.