Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
One-year outcomes and predictors of mortality after MitraClip therapy in contemporary clinical practice: results from the German transcatheter mitral valve interventions registry

Abstract Aims The transcatheter mitral valve interventions (TRAMI) registry was established in order to assess safety and efficacy of catheter-based mitral valve interventional techniques in Germany, and prospectively enrolled 828 MitraClip patients (median age 76 years, median log. EuroSCORE I 20.0%) between August 2010 and July 2013. We present the 1-year outcome in this MitraClip cohort—which is the largest published to date. Methods and results Seven forty-nine patients (90.5%) were available for 1-year follow-up and included in the following analyses. Mortality, major adverse cardiovascular event rates, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes were recorded. Predictors of 1-year mortality were identified by multivariate analysis using a Cox regression model with stepwise forward selection. The 1-year mortality was 20.3%. At 1 year, 63.3% of TRAMI patients pertained to NYHA functional classes I or II (compared with 11.0% at baseline), and self-rated health status (on EuroQuol visual analogue scale) also improved significantly by 10 points. Importantly, a significant proportion of patients regained the complete independence in self-care after MitraClip implantation (independence in 74.0 vs. 58.6% at baseline, P = 0.005). Predictors of 1-year mortality were NYHA class IV (hazard ratio, HR 1.62, P = 0.02), anaemia (HR 2.44, P = 0.02), previous aortic valve intervention (HR 2.12, P = 0.002), serum creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dL (HR 1.77, P = 0.002), peripheral artery disease (HR 2.12, P = 0.0003), left ventricular ejection fraction <30% (HR 1.58, P = 0.01), severe tricuspid regurgitation (HR 1.84, P = 0.003), and procedural failure (defined as operator-reported failure, conversion to surgery, failure of clip placement, or residual post-procedural severe mitral regurgitation) (HR 4.36, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Treatment of significant MR with MitraClip resulted in significant clinical improvements in a high proportion of TRAMI patients after 12 months. In the TRAMI cohort, the failure of procedural success exhibited the highest hazard ratio concerning the prediction of 1-year mortality.
Mathematical & Statistical Techniques for Dimension Reduction of High Dimensional Data: A Selective Survey

It is found from studies that the sizes of realworld databases are usually very large. This is basically due to the excessive number of features or due to the huge number of instances or both. It may not give appropriate results on analysing the data considering this excessive feature space. Reduction in the data size can help the data mining tools to work efficiently. One such type of techniques is reducing the size by decreasing the number of features for easy and efficient analysis of data. There are different ways for achieving this goal, such as determine the relative importance of the features and then select a subset of important features which can be achieved in various ways, for example, by feature selection or feature extraction. In this paper, a study on the existing statistical and mathematical techniques used in dimensionality reduction is carried out. It also discusses some influential algorithms in this field. KeywordsData, Dimension Reduction, Feature Selection, PCA, Factor Analysis
Cost-Sensitive Strategies for Data Imbalance in Bug Severity Classification: Experimental Results

Context: Software Bug Severity Classification can help to improve the software bug triaging process. However, severity levels present a high-level of data imbalance that needs to be taken into account. Aim: We investigate cost-sensitive strategies in multi-class bug severity classification to counteract data imbalance. Method: We transform datasets from three severity classification papers to a common format, totaling 17 projects. We test different cost sensitive strategies to penalize majority classes. We adopt a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier that we also compare to a baseline "majority class" classifier. Results: A model weighting classes based on the inverse of instance frequencies yields a statistically significant improvement (low effect size) over the standard unweighted SVM model in the assembled dataset. Conclusions: Data imbalance should be taken more into consideration in future severity classification research papers.
Some Implications of Low Power Wireless to IP Networking

We examine and outline challenges in IPv6 routing over low-power wireless personal area networks (PANs). We present empirical measurements and analysis of an increasingly popular PAN link layer, 802.15. 4. We show that over short periods 802.15. 4 exhibits bimodal connectivity, but over longer periods has many intermediate links. We quantify how synchonous acknowledgments affect common lowpower routing metrics, such as ETX. We identify metrics for detecting modal changes in link quality. We explore how these behaviors affect IP routing and IPv6 requirements, such as route selection and maintenance, sub-IP fragmentation and assembly, and packet scheduling.
Characterisation of electrodeposited Ni–Zr coatings prepared at different current densities

In this work, Zr particles reinforced Ni–Zr composite coatings were prepared by eletrodeposition from a Watts bath at different current densities. The effects of current density on the surface morphology, composition, texture, grain size, microstrain, hardness, residual stresses and corrosion resistance of the composite coatings were investigated in detail. The results showed that the Zr particle contents in the coatings increased with reducing current densities and have an effect on the microstructures and the properties of the composite coatings. As the current densities decreased, the (200) preferred orientation of the coating changed to the random orientation or the slight (111) preferred orientation and the grain size decreased. The residual stress and hardness of the composite coatings increased with reducing current densities. The corrosion resistance of coatings increased with reducing current densities and attained the best corrosion resistance at 2 A dm−2.
S100A8/A9, a key mediator for positive feedback growth stimulation of normal human keratinocytes

S100A8 and S100A9 are known to be up‐regulated in hyperproliferative and psoriatic epidermis, but their function in epidermal keratinocytes remains largely unknown. Here we show that (1) S100A8 and S100A9 are secreted by cultured normal human keratinocytes (NHK) in a cytokine‐dependent manner, (2) when applied to NHK, recombinant S100A8/A9 (a 1:1 mixture of S100A8 and S100A9) induced expression of a number of cytokine genes such as IL‐8/CXCL8, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL3, CCL20, IL‐6, and TNFα that are known to be up‐regulated in psoriatic epidermis, (3) the S100A8/A9‐induced cytokines in turn enhanced production and secretion of S100A8 and S100A9 by NHK, and (4) S100A8 and S100A8/A9 stimulated the growth of NHK at a concentration as low as 1 ng/ml. These results indicate the presence of a positive feedback loop for growth stimulation involving S100A8/A9 and cytokines in human epidermal keratinocytes, implicating the relevance of the positive feedback loop to the etiology of hyperproliferative skin diseases, including psoriasis. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 453–464, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interfacial transport processes and rheology

Interfacial rheology and its applications basic properties of interfacial transport processes interfacial transport of momentum interfacial transport of species measurement of dynamic interfacial tension and dilatational elasticity measurement of interfacial shear viscosity measurement of the interfacial pilatational viscosity measurement of non-Newtonian interfacial theological behaviour interfacial stability foam rheology a surface-excess theory of interfacial transport processes surface-excess transport of momentum surface-excess transport of species a line-excess theory of equilibrium line tension.
High-strength Al_87Ni_8La_5 bulk alloy produced by spark plasma sintering of gas atomized powders

In situ devitrification and consolidation of gas atomized Al_87Ni_8La_5 glassy powders into highly dense bulk specimens was carried out by spark plasma sintering. Room temperature compression tests of the consolidated bulk material reveal remarkable mechanical properties, namely, high compression strength of 930 MPa combined with plastic strain exceeding 25%. These findings demonstrate that the combined devitrification and consolidation of glassy precursors by spark plasma sintering is a suitable method for the production of Al-based materials characterized by high strength and considerable plastic deformation.
The wisdom in tweetonomies: acquiring latent conceptual structures from social awareness streams

Although one might argue that little wisdom can be conveyed in messages of 140 characters or less, this paper sets out to explore whether the aggregation of messages in social awareness streams, such as Twitter, conveys meaningful information about a given domain. As a research community, we know little about the structural and semantic properties of such streams, and how they can be analyzed, characterized and used. This paper introduces a network-theoretic model of social awareness stream, a so-called "tweetonomy", together with a set of stream-based measures that allow researchers to systematically define and compare different stream aggregations. We apply the model and measures to a dataset acquired from Twitter to study emerging semantics in selected streams. The network-theoretic model and the corresponding measures introduced in this paper are relevant for researchers interested in information retrieval and ontology learning from social awareness streams. Our empirical findings demonstrate that different social awareness stream aggregations exhibit interesting differences, making them amenable for different applications.
Single-element and linear-array transducer design for ultrasound biomicroscopy

Ceramic ultrasonic transducers with a frequency response <50MHz using lead zirconate titanate (PZT) layers in the 5-4Otm range have been difficult to achieve by bulk or thin film techniques. Advances in the production of small sized PZT ceramic powder allow the development ofthinner ceramic layers for this application. Sol gel composite thin film technology also provides a new technique for producing ceramic coatings of a thickness that successfully bridges the gap between traditional thin film and bulk techniques. So! gel composite PZT layers of 5-7Om have been coated on substrates (aluminum, platinized silicon, stainless steel, . .) that can withstand the thermal processing of the ceramic. The thickness mode response of a thin piezoelectric layer supported by a thick substrate has been modeled from first principles using complex material constants. The LevenbergMarquart non linear regression technique has been used to extract the thickness mode elastic stiffness, dielectric constant and piezoelectric constant of the PZT, and the elastic stiffness of the substrate from the layered structure. This non-destructive technique allows for a reliable assessment of the quality of a coating prior to the fabrication of a transducer. The elastic stiffness of the substrate is not lossy enough for the required broadband response of an imaging transducer. However, aluminum can be preferentially etched, releasing the ceramic coating. Therefore it is possible to transfer the PZT film to a more suitable backing material. A processing sequence for single element PZT transducers in the frequency range of 50-200MHz has been developed. Characterization of transducers has been performed using pulse-echo techniques and by creating real time B-scan images of agar phantoms and biological tissue. Methods for patterning the PZT composite coatings are being developed with the intent to fabricate a linear array in the 40-60 MHz frequency range. Due to the very fine patterning and high concentration of cuts required for a high aspect ratio linear array, the limits of conventional etching techniques are surpassed. Laser micromachining using a frequency doubled Nd:YAG and a KrF excimer laser have the ability to pattern the array structure. In both cases, laser cuts <1Om wide have been achieved.
Learning of demonstrated grasping skills by stereoscopic tracking of human head configuration

In this paper a novel approach to learning by demonstration (LbD) is presented. A multimodal service robot is taught grasping skills by a human instructor who demonstrates a grasping action. Our approach contributes novel solutions to the aspects of robustly tracking the demonstrator's hands in real time as well as to the transformation of tracking results into grasping skills. To track the demonstrator's hands in stereoscopic images a mean-shift-like algorithm is adapted. For the very first time this algorithm is applied to local binary patterns (LBP) and color histograms. To retrieve the hand configuration we use view-based principal component analysis (PCA). To develop grasping skills from tracking results the robot repetitively tracks the demonstrator's grasping actions and transforms the results into three-dimensional self organizing maps (SOMs). The SOMs give a spatial description of the collected data and serve as data structures for a reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm which optimizes trajectories for use by the robot. The approach is applied to a multimodal service robot. Experiments show the effectiveness of the LBP-enhanced mean-shift-like tracking and the robustness of LbD based on SOMs and RL
The Multi-LDI: an Image Based Rendering Approach for Interaction, Navigation, and Visualization in Complex Vitrual Environments

In this paper, we present a new data structure for image-based rendering: the multi LDI. The multi LDI consists of a number of Layered Depth Images (LDI) covering a hemisphere of possible viewing angles. It allows compact image-based storage and fast rendering of large and complex scenes, while supporting rendering from large range of viewing directions. Since the internal occlusion in each LDI is very small, and only one of the LDIs in the multi LDI is rendered at a time, the rendering cost is significantly reduced compared to geometry-based rendering and even compared to other image-based rendering methods. Moreover, the single LDIs in the multi LDI can be generated on demand using a number of depth images rendered with an offscreen renderer. We also discuss a comparison of the geometry-based rendering and our image-based method and present some measured rendering times. Furthermore, we describe the utilization of this technique in a complex Virtual Environment (VE) for realizing navigation, visualization, and interaction aids. In particular, we present a multiple viewport technique providing two important features: (1) A sort of history during the modeling process, whereas a live 3D copy of the scene is displayed in a window in front of the user. (2) Different live views of the scene, seen from arbitrary viewpoints, in order to display details occluded in the normal view.
New results on multi-agent system consensus: A graph signal processing perspective

This paper revisits the problem of multi-agent consensus from a graph signal processing perspective. By defining the graph filter from the consensus protocol, we establish the direct relation between average consensus of multi-agent systems and filtering of graph signals. This relation not only provides new insights of the average consensus, it also turns out to be a powerful tool to design effective consensus protocols for uncertain networks, which is difficult to deal with by existing time-domain methods. In this paper, we consider two cases, one is uncertain networks modeled by an estimated Laplacian matrix and a fixed eigenvalue bound, the other is connected graphs with unknown topology. The consensus protocols are designed for both cases based on the protocol filter. Several numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of our methods.
Characterization of the Dual-Active Bridge topology for high-power applications employing a duty-cycle modulation

In the present paper the dual-active bridge topology employing a duty-cycle modulation is studied. The behavior of the converter at steady-state is examined. Additionally, the small-signal model of the topology is presented and the dynamic behavior is examined. Simulations and experimental results are presented. It is worth noticing that the converter is operated under softs-witching conditions in a wide load range.
Understanding Freshness Perception from the Cognitive Mechanisms of Flavor: The Case of Beverages

Freshness perception has received recent consideration in the field of consumer science mainly because of its hedonic dimension, which is assumed to influence consumers’ preference and behavior. However, most studies have considered freshness as a multisensory attribute of food and beverage products without investigating the cognitive mechanisms at hand. In the present review, we endorse a slightly different perspective on freshness. We focus on (i) the multisensory integration processes that underpin freshness perception, and (ii) the top–down factors that influence the explicit attribution of freshness to a product by consumers. To do so, we exploit the recent literature on the cognitive underpinnings of flavor perception as a heuristic to better characterize the mechanisms of freshness perception in the particular case of beverages. We argue that the lack of consideration of particular instances of flavor, such as freshness, has resulted in a lack of consensus about the content and structure of different types of flavor representations. We then enrich these theoretical analyses, with a review of the cognitive mechanisms of flavor perception: from multisensory integration processes to the influence of top–down factors (e.g., attentional and semantic). We conclude that similarly to flavor, freshness perception is characterized by hybrid content, both perceptual and semantic, but that freshness has a higher-degree of specificity than flavor. In particular, contrary to flavor, freshness is characterized by specific functions (e.g., alleviation of oropharyngeal symptoms) and likely differs from flavor with respect to the weighting of each sensory contributor, as well as to its subjective location. Finally, we provide a comprehensive model of the cognitive mechanisms that underlie freshness perception. This model paves the way for further empirical research on particular instances of flavor, and will enable advances in the field of food and beverage cognition.
Ranking of machine learning algorithms based on the performance in classifying DDoS attacks

Network Security has become one of the most important factors to consider as the Internet evolves. The most important attack which affects the availability of service is Distributed Denial of Service. The service disruption may cause substantial financial loss as well as damage to the concerned network system. The traffic patterns exhibited by the DDoS affected traffic can be effectively captured by machine learning algorithms. This paper gives an evaluation and ranking of some of the supervised machine learning algorithms with the aim of reducing type I and type II errors, increasing precision and recall while maintaining detection accuracy. The performance evaluation is done using Multi Criteria Decision Aid software called Visual PROMETHEE. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of ensemble based classifiers especially the ensemble algorithm of Adaboost with Random Forest as the base classifier. Publicly available datasets such as DARPA scenario specific dataset, CAIDA DDoS Attack 2007 and CAIDA Conficker are used to evaluate the algorithms.
Nephrotoxicity of HAART

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and other medical therapies for HIV-related infections have been associated with toxicities. Antiretroviral therapy can contribute to renal dysfunction directly by inducing acute tubular necrosis, acute interstitial nephritis, crystal nephropathy, and renal tubular disorders or indirectly via drug interactions. With the increase in HAART use, clinicians must screen patients for the development of kidney disease especially if the regimen employed increases risk of kidney injury. It is also important that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not denied the best combinations, especially since most drugs can be adjusted based on the estimated GFR. Early detection of risk factors, systematic screening for chronic causes of CKD, and appropriate referrals for kidney disease management should be advocated for improved patient care. The interaction between immunosuppressive therapy and HAART in patients with kidney transplants and the recent endorsement of tenofovir/emtricitabine by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for preexposure prophylaxis bring a new dimension for nephrotoxicity vigilance. This paper summarizes the common antiretroviral drugs associated with nephrotoxicity with particular emphasis on tenofovir and protease inhibitors, their risk factors, and management as well as prevention strategies.
Sharp Curvature of Frontal Lobe White Matter Pathways in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Tract-Based Morphometry Analysis

These authors had previously observed abnormalities in the frontal white matter tracts in autistic children and decided to investigate the curvature of these tracts. Thirty-four autistic and 14 control children were imaged and curvature, fractional anisotropy, and axial and radial diffusivity were assessed in 3 frontal lobe fiber tracts. Higher curvatures were found in autistic subjects than in controls. The authors propose that their findings may be the result of thinner axons in these locations. For more on neural phenotyping of autistic brains, see the Jou et al article. It is becoming clear that white matter tract arrangement and neuronal connectivity may be an important substrate of autism. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Because we had previously observed geometric changes of frontal lobe association pathways in children with ASD, in the present study we analyzed the curvature of these white matter pathways by using an objective TBM analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diffusion tensor imaging was performed in 32 children with ASD and 14 children with typical development. Curvature, FA, AD, and RD of bilateral AF, UF, and gCC were investigated by using the TBM group analysis assessed by PFDR for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Significantly higher curvatures were found in children with ASD, especially at the parietotemporal junction for AF (left, PFDR < .001; right, PFDR < .01), at the frontotemporal junction for UF (left, PFDR < .005; right, PFDR < .03), and at the midline of the gCC (PFDR < .0001). RD was significantly higher in children with ASD at the same bending regions of AF (left, PFDR < .03, right, PFDR < .02), UF (left, PFDR < .04), and gCC (PFDR < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Higher curvature and curvature-dependent RD changes in children with ASD may be the result of higher attenuation of thinner axons in these frontal lobe tracts.