Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials on the Efficacy of Di'ao Xinxuekang Capsule and Isosorbide Dinitrate in Treating Angina Pectoris

Objective. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on di'ao xinxuekang capsule (XXK) in treating angina pectoris were published only in Chinese and have not been systematically reviewed particularly for comparing XXK with isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN). This study aims to provide a comprehensive PRISMA compliant and internationally accessible systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacies of XXK and ISDN in treating angina pectoris. Methods. The RCTs published between 1989 and 2011 on XXK and ISDN in treating angina pectoris were selected according to specific criteria. Meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the symptomatic (SYMPTOMS) and electrocardiographic (ECG) improvements after treatment. Odds ratios (OR) were used to measure effect sizes. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and metaregression were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results. Results. Seven RCTs with 550 participants were eligible. Overall ORs for comparing XXK with ISDN were 4.11 (95% CI : 2.57, 6.55) in SYMPTOMS and 2.37 (95% CI : 1.46, 3.84) in ECG. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and metaregression found no significant dependence of overall ORs upon specific study characteristics. Conclusion. The meta-analysis of eligible but limited RCTs demonstrates that XXK seems to be more effective than ISDN in treating angina pectoris. Further RCTs of high quality are warranted to be conducted for update of the results of this meta-analysis.
Complex Genetic Effects in Quantitative Trait Locus Identification: A Computationally Tractable Random Model for Use in F2 Populations

Methodology for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) has focused primarily on treating the QTL as a fixed effect. These methods differ from the usual models of genetic variation that treat genetic effects as random. Computationally expensive methods that allow QTL to be treated as random have been explicitly developed for additive genetic and dominance effects. By extending these methods with a variance component method (VCM), multiple QTL can be mapped. We focused on an F2 crossbred population derived from inbred lines and estimated effects for each individual and their corresponding marker-derived genetic covariances. We present extensions to pairwise epistatic effects, which are computationally intensive because a great many individual effects must be estimated. But by replacing individual genetic effects with average genetic effects for each marker class, genetic covariances are approximated. This substantially reduces the computational burden by reducing the dimensions of covariance matrices of genetic effects, resulting in a remarkable gain in the speed of estimating the variance components and evaluating the residual log-likelihood. Preliminary results from simulations indicate competitiveness of the reduced model with multiple-interval mapping, regression interval mapping, and VCM with individual genetic effects in its estimated QTL positions and experimental power.
Sparse Matrix Multiplication On An Associative Processor

Sparse matrix multiplication is an important component of linear algebra computations. Implementing sparse matrix multiplication on an associative processor (AP) enables high level of parallelism, where a row of one matrix is multiplied in parallel with the entire second matrix, and where the execution time of vector dot product does not depend on the vector size. Four sparse matrix multiplication algorithms are explored in this paper, combining AP and baseline CPU processing to various levels. They are evaluated by simulation on a large set of sparse matrices. The computational complexity of sparse matrix multiplication on AP is shown to be an O(nnz) where nnz is the number of nonzero elements. The AP is found to be especially efficient in binary sparse matrix multiplication. AP outperforms conventional solutions in power efficiency.
Fabrication of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) field-effect transistor (FET) biosensor

Due to their unique electrical, geometrical, mechanical and biocompatible properties, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are attractive materials for the construction of nanoscale field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors. At present, biosensors based on CNTFET are required in various applications, including clinical diagnostics, environmental testing, food analysis, and bioterrorism detection technologies. In this paper, we report the fabrication of carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNTFETs), by applying AC Dielectrophoresis (ACDEP) method to deposit and align SWNTs across the source and drain of CNTFETs to form the conductive channel. By controlling the experimental condition, we can connect the electrodes with many bundles of SWNTs, and with the transfer characteristics, we known the fabricated FET has good performance in electronic properties.
Distributed particle filter for target tracking in wireless sensor network

In this paper, distributed particle filter for target tracking in wireless sensor network was proposed. The key issue of distributed particle filter is sensor selection. Because of the limited resources, the fusion of the observation by the selected sensor must reduce uncertainty of the target state distribution without receiving any actual sensor observations. Our sensor selection is computationally much simpler than other sensor selection approaches. Simulation results show that our approach can reach very well performance for target tracking.
Comparison of multilevel converter-based STATCOMs

Multilevel converters have become the real option for high voltage and current applications for power systems, especially for FACTS controllers. The Static Compensator (STATCOM) is a shunt-type device which can be used to control reactive power in a network as of its many advantages such as fast speed, compact footprint and small harmonics. In this work a comparison between two of the most promising multilevel converter-based STATCOM has been performed: Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) and Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC).
Unexpected Contributions of Sea Spray and Lake Spray Aerosol to Inland Particulate Matter

Sea spray aerosol (SSA) and lake spray aerosol (LSA) from wave breaking contribute to particulate matter (PM) in coastal regions near oceans and freshwater lakes, respectively. However, SSA and LSA contributions to atmospheric aerosol populations in inland regions are poorly understood because of difficulties differentiating them from other inland sources when using bulk particle measurements. Herein, we show that SSA and LSA episodically contribute to atmospheric aerosol populations at a rural site in northern Michigan >700 and >25 km from the nearest seawater and Great Lakes sources, respectively. During July 2014, individual SSA and LSA particles were identified by single-particle mass spectrometry and electron microscopy and then combined with air mass trajectory analysis for source apportionment. SSA comprised up to 33 and 20% of PM mass (0.5–2.0 μm) during two multiday transport events from Hudson Bay and a 3% average background outside these periods. LSA transported from Lake Michigan reached a max.
Total mortality inequality in Scotland: the case for measuring lifespan variation

Lifespan variation captures variation in age at death within a population as opposed to the inequality in average health that exists between populations. Higher lifespan variation equates to greater total inequality and is negatively correlated with life expectancy. Lifespan variation has not previously been measured for Scotland, where life expectancy and mortality rates are the worst in Western Europe. Routinely measuring lifespan variation in Scotland contributes to understanding the extent, and changing nature, of mortality inequalities. Lifespan variation estimates were calculated using data from the Human Mortality Database and from Census population estimates, vital events data and the Carstairs Score. Analyses included joinpoint regression, Age-specific decomposition, Monte Carlo simulation, slope index of inequality, relative index of inequality, and Age-cause specific decomposition. Males in Scotland experience the highest level of lifespan variation in Western Europe, increasing since the 1980s: the longest sustained increasing trend found in Western Europe. Increasing mortality rates across working adult ages account for Scotland’s diverging trend. This age pattern of mortality was not evident in England and Wales. Lifespan variation for males in the most deprived quintile was higher in 2011 than in 1981 and the socioeconomic gradient steepened. Premature deaths from external causes of death accounted for an increasing proportion of lifespan variation inequalities. Without tackling the root causes of social inequality Scotland may struggle to reduce total inequality and improve its lifespan variation ranking within Western Europe.
Establishing a Clinical Service for the Management of Sports-Related Concussions.

The clinical management of sports-related concussions is a specialized area of interest with a lack of empirical findings regarding best practice approaches. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Concussion Program was the first of its kind; 13 years after its inception, it remains a leader in the clinical management and research of sports-related concussions. This article outlines the essential components of a successful clinical service for the management of sports-related concussions, using the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Concussion Program as a case example. Drawing on both empirical evidence and anecdotal conclusions from this high-volume clinical practice, this article provides a detailed account of the inner workings of a multidisciplinary concussion clinic with a comprehensive approach to the management of sports-related concussions. A detailed description of the evaluation process and an in-depth analysis of targeted clinical pathways and subtypes of sports-related concussions effectively set the stage for a comprehensive understanding of the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation model used in Pittsburgh today.
Integrating Gaze Direction and Expression in Preferences for Attractive Faces

Few studies have investigated how physical and social facial cues are integrated in the formation of face preferences. Here we show that expression differentially qualifies the strength of attractiveness preferences for faces with direct and averted gaze. For judgments of faces with direct gaze, attractiveness preferences were stronger for smiling faces than for faces with neutral expressions. By contrast, for judgments of faces with averted gaze, attractiveness preferences were stronger for faces with neutral expressions than for smiling faces. Because expressions can differ in meaning depending on whether they are directed toward or away from oneself, it is only by integrating gaze direction, facial expression, and physical attractiveness that one can unambiguously identify the most attractive individuals who are likely to reciprocate one's own social interest.
The Alzheimer's Disease-Associated Amyloid β-Protein Is an Antimicrobial Peptide

Background The amyloid β-protein (Aβ) is believed to be the key mediator of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Aβ is most often characterized as an incidental catabolic byproduct that lacks a normal physiological role. However, Aβ has been shown to be a specific ligand for a number of different receptors and other molecules, transported by complex trafficking pathways, modulated in response to a variety of environmental stressors, and able to induce pro-inflammatory activities. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we provide data supporting an in vivo function for Aβ as an antimicrobial peptide (AMP). Experiments used established in vitro assays to compare antimicrobial activities of Aβ and LL-37, an archetypical human AMP. Findings reveal that Aβ exerts antimicrobial activity against eight common and clinically relevant microorganisms with a potency equivalent to, and in some cases greater than, LL-37. Furthermore, we show that AD whole brain homogenates have significantly higher antimicrobial activity than aged matched non-AD samples and that AMP action correlates with tissue Aβ levels. Consistent with Aβ-mediated activity, the increased antimicrobial action was ablated by immunodepletion of AD brain homogenates with anti-Aβ antibodies. Conclusions/Significance Our findings suggest Aβ is a hitherto unrecognized AMP that may normally function in the innate immune system. This finding stands in stark contrast to current models of Aβ-mediated pathology and has important implications for ongoing and future AD treatment strategies.
OFDM power loading using limited feedback

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a practical broadband signaling technique for use in multipath fading channels. Over the past ten years, research has shown that power loading, where the power allocations on the OFDM frequency tones are jointly optimized, can improve error rate or capacity performance. The implementation of power loading, however, is dependent on the presence of complete forward link channel knowledge at the transmitter. In systems using frequency division duplexing (FDD), this assumption is unrealistic. In this paper, we propose power loading for OFDM symbols using a limited number of feedback bits sent from the receiver to the transmitter. The power loading vector is designed at the receiver, which is assumed to have perfect knowledge of the forward link channel, and conveyed back to the transmitter over a limited rate feedback channel. To allow for the vector to be represented by a small number of bits, the power loading vector is restricted to lie in a finite set, or codebook, of power loading vectors. This codebook is designed offline and known a priori to both the transmitter and receiver. We present two power allocation selection algorithms that optimize the probability of symbol error and capacity, respectively. Simulation results show that the proposed limited feedback techniques provide performance close to full channel knowledge power loading.
Participation in clinical trials among women living with HIV in Canada. Canadian Women's HIV Study Group.

BACKGROUND To describe participation in clinical trials among HIV-positive women enrolled since 1993 in the Canadian Women's HIV Study, a prospective open cohort study. METHODS All HIV-positive women being followed at hospital-based or community-based clinics at 28 sites in 11 Canadian cities were eligible to participate in the Canadian Women's HIV Study. Baseline and follow-up information was collected for 413 women every 6 months by study nurses using standardized questionnaires. Data included sociodemographic variables, HIV exposure group, CD4 count, disease classification, use of antiretroviral therapies and participation in clinical trials. RESULTS At study intake 15.0% (62/413) of the women had participated in a clinical trial; an additional 8.5% (35/413) participated during a median follow-up of 18 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that the following factors were independently associated with participation in a clinical trial: white race (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.38, p = 0.001), current use of antiretroviral therapy (adjusted OR 2.01, p = 0.008), completion of secondary school (adjusted OR 1.97, p = 0.024) and residence in the Prairies or Atlantic provinces (adjusted OR 1.98, p = 0.043). INTERPRETATION Although the overall clinical trial participation rate of 23.5% was relatively high among HIV-positive women, injection drug users were underrepresented in this study population, and non-white women, women who did not complete high school and women not receiving antiretroviral therapy were less likely than white women, women of higher education and women receiving antiretroviral therapy to participate in clinical trials in Canada. Because of the importance of trial participants being representative of the population for which therapeutic agents are intended, HIV clinical trials must recruit women with lower literacy levels, non-white women, women not receiving antiretroviral therapy and women who are injection drug users to ensure generalizability of research findings. Further study is needed to assess factors that act as barriers and motivators to women's participation in HIV clinical trials.
Prevention and Treatment of Life-Threatening Bleeding After Thyroid Surgery

Background Few reports have discussed life-threatening bleeding that occurs postoperatively in patients who have undergone thyroid surgery. In this article, we discuss the causes, treatment measures, and possible ways of preventing this severe complication. Material/Methods From Jan 2002 to Dec 2014 we retrospectively analyzed 7 patients who developed life-threatening bleeding after undergoing thyroid surgery at our center. Results Among the group of 7 patients, there was 1 case of superior thyroid artery hemorrhage (STAH), 5 cases of carotid blowout syndrome (CBS), and 1 case of tracheo-innominate fistula (TIF). The STAH was caused by unreliable ligation. All the cases of CBS and TIF were caused by surgical wound infection. Six patients were transferred to the operating room immediately; open surgical treatment was performed on these 6 patients. Out of these 6 patients, 1 patient did not survive the operation, and hemorrhage was successfully controlled in 3 patients. The remaining 2 patients again experienced bleeding even after undergoing open surgery. Only 1 patient developed long-term neurological complications. Conclusions Infection is the most common cause of life-threatening bleeding that occurs postoperatively in some patients who have undergone thyroid surgery. Early surgical intervention can save the lives of these patients without causing any severe neurological complications.
CT colonography: value of scanning in both the supine and prone positions.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of CT colonography when patients were imaged in both the supine and prone positions. We evaluated whether imaging in two positions decreased the number of collapsed colonic segments and increased sensitivity for polyp detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-three patients underwent CT colonography in both the supine and prone positions. Colonic distention for each of the 46 scans was graded. Adequacy of distention for either position alone was compared with that of the combination of the two positions. Polyp data revealed by colonoscopy were reviewed, and the CT data were then retrospectively reviewed for polyp detection. RESULTS When each scan was considered alone without benefit of the scan obtained in the opposite position, 27 (58.7%) of 46 scans showed inadequate distention. When scans obtained in both positions were considered together, 20 (87.0%) of 23 patients had adequate distention with the grading system used. However, this value increased to 23 (100%) of 23 patients when the reasons for inadequate distention in the three patients were considered. Of the 27 polyps detected with colonoscopy, 21 (77.8%) were also detected retrospectively with CT colonography. Colonoscopy showed 20 polyps that were 5 mm or larger; nineteen (95.0%) of these 20 polyps were also detected retrospectively with CT colonography, nine (47.4%) of which were seen in only one position. CONCLUSION Use of both the supine and prone positions for patients undergoing CT colonography improves evaluation of the colon and increases sensitivity for polyp detection.
Application of Clustering for Unsupervised Language Learning

We describe a method for automatically learning word similarity from a corpus. We constructed feature vectors for words according to their appearance in different dependency paths in parse trees of corpus sentences. Clustering the huge amount of raw data costs too much time and memory, so we devised techniques to make the problem tractable. We used PCA to reduce the dimensionality of the feature space, and we devised a partitioned hierarchical clustering approach where we split the data set and gradually cluster and recombine the partitions. We succeeded in clustering a huge amount of word data with very reasonable time and memory cost.
20mW, 125 Msps, 10 bit Pipelined ADC in 65nm Standard Digital CMOS Process

This paper describes a novel low power 10-bit 125 Msps pipelined ADC implemented in 65 nm standard digital CMOS process. Proposed ADC implements 2.5 b/stage with amplifier shared between consecutive stages, achieves best in class FOM of 0.27 pJ/step with conversion power of 0.16 mW/Msps. The ADC amplifier employs novel techniques of adaptive biasing and cross coupled compensation to achieve improved settling behavior with significant power efficiency. This ADC occupies 0.13mm area and achieves maximum 0.3 LSB DNL and 0.6 LSB INL along with 9.26 ENOB at 125 Msps dissipating 20 mW power from 1.2v supply.
Developing a Global CRM Strategy

While the managerial rationale for adopting customer relationship management (CRM) has been fairly well articulated in the literature, research on strategy development is scant. Moreover, reports of “CRM failures” in the popular business press have done little to inspire confidence. To date, what little research has been conducted in the area of CRM strategy development has been confined to a single country (often the U.S.). Global CRM strategy development issues have yet to be specifically addressed, particularly which elements of CRM strategy should be centralised/decentralised. The present study examines the complexities of global CRM strategy using the case of a leading financial services company. Interviews are conducted in 20 countries. Global Head Office and external IT consultant perspectives are also considered. Our findings confirm that a hybrid approach has wide practical appeal and that subsidiary orientation towards centralisation/decentralisation is moderated by firm/market size and sophistication. © 2007, IGI Global. All rights reserved.
Large-Scale Impact of the Cosmological Population of Expanding Radio Galaxies

We seek to compute the fraction of the volume of the universe filled by expanding cocoons of the cosmological population of radio galaxies over the Hubble time as well as the magnetic field infused by them, in order to assess their importance in the cosmic evolution of the universe. Using N-body ΛCDM simulations, radio galaxies distributed according to the observed radio luminosity function are allowed to evolve in a cosmological volume as using well-defined prescriptions for their expansion. We find that the radio galaxies permeate 10%-30% of the total volume with ~10−8 G magnetic field by the present epoch.
Estimating Partisan Bias of the Electoral College Under Proposed Changes in Elector Apportionment

Abstract In the election for President of the United States, the Electoral College is the body whose members vote to elect the President directly. Each state sends a number of delegates equal to its total number of representatives and senators in Congress; all but two states (Nebraska and Maine) assign electors pledged to the candidate that wins the state’s plurality vote. We investigate the effect on presidential elections if states were to assign their electoral votes according to results in each congressional district, and conclude that the direct popular vote and the current electoral college are both substantially fairer compared to those alternatives where states would have divided their electoral votes by congressional district.