Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Update on percutaneous intervention for left main coronary artery stenosis

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using drug-eluting stents (DES) is currently considered as a viable alternative to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) for selected patients with left main coronary artery disease. The updated results of the landmark randomized trials comparing CABG versus PCI demonstrated comparable 5-year outcomes and are in line with the current guidelines that designate PCI as a reasonable treatment in this disease subset. Given that the completed randomized trials did not include contemporary DESs, the upcoming results of the ongoing trials evaluating the performance of new-generation DES compared with CABG (such as the EXCEL trial), may further help to clarify the current role and future recommendations of PCI for left main coronary artery disease. Apart from the recent stent technology, further improvements in outcomes after PCI may be possible when it is used with an integrated approach that combines functional concepts for decision-making, adjunctive imaging support and optimal pharmacotherapies.
The Complexity of Extracting Knowledge in Big Data

Big data is extremely large data set data in the range of exabytes and the volume of data cannot be processed efficiently with the traditional technology in term of storing, manage and process. With the technologies appear, big data has attracted many researchers to extract knowledge from it. The knowledge can be produced in making a decision. However, there are some issues existed in extracting the important knowledge such as in storing the data, managing the data and processing the data in extracting useful information since its relate with volume, velocity and variety. Therefore, this paper is attempting to list all the possible knowledge that can be extracted from big data as well as discuss the previous researches in knowledge extraction from the huge amount of data. The problem in extracting important knowledge will be examined thoroughly and by identifying the significant problems in knowledge extraction the best knowledge from big data could be revealed. The techniques in analysing big data will be also discussed in the next section
Removal of crystal violet dye by a novel adsorbent derived from waste active sludge used in wastewater treatment

This study dealt with preparation of the activated carbon derived from active sludge as an adsorbent for the adsorption of crystal violet (CV) from aqueous solution. The waste active sludge was activated chemically with KOH and carbonized to get activated carbon with a large surface area and a high porosity. The activated carbon was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) instrument, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Adsorption of CV from aqueous solution onto the activated carbon was investigated under varying conditions, such as adsorbent dosage (1–6 g/L), solution pH (4–9), contact time period (0–150 min), initial dye concentration (20–100 mg/L), and temperature (25–55 °C). 4.0 g/L of adsorbent dosage was chosen as the optimum level due to having a high removal rate (96.2%) (initial CV concentration 60 mg/L; 150 rpm; pH 6; 25 °C). The adsorption kinetic and adsorption isotherms were well described by the pseudo second order kinetic and the Freundlich isotherm model, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption is a spontaneous process and favored at higher temperatures. The results show that the activated carbon derived from active sludge could be employed as a low-cost material for the removal of CV dye.
Survival rate of IMZ implants: a prospective 10-year analysis.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the success of IMZ implants after prosthodontic rehabilitation. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective study analysis was made of the treatment results for 541 patients after the insertion of a total of 1,250 IMZ implants at 2 practicing dentists' offices over a period of 13 years. The most frequent treatment situations were insertion in the totally edentulous lower jaw (44.1%) and in a distal edentulous region (37.6%). The statistical survival rate assessment was made using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The results were compared with the cumulative survival rates for all implants during a period of 10 years. RESULTS At 5 years after insertion, 96.0% of all implants were in situ and noninflamed; after 10 years, the survival rate was 82.4%. For both the upper and the lower jaw, better results were recorded in the posterior part of the jaw than in the anterior part. CONCLUSIONS The IMZ implant system showed a good 10-year-survival rate.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-Like Traits and Distractibility in the Visual Periphery

We examined the performance of nonclinical subjects with high and low levels of self-reported attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like traits in a novel distractibility paradigm with far peripheral visual distractors, the likely origin of many distractors in everyday life. Subjects were tested on a Sustained Attention to Response Task with distractors appearing before some of the target or nontarget stimuli. When the distractors appeared 80 ms before the targets or nontargets, participants with high levels of ADHD-like traits were less affected in their reaction times than those with lower levels. Reducing the distractor-target or nontarget interval to 10 ms removed the reaction time advantage for the high group. We suggest that at 80 ms, the distractors were cueing the arrival of the target or nontarget, and that those with high levels of ADHD-like traits were more sensitive to the cues. Increased sensitivity to stimuli in the visual periphery is consistent with hyperresponsiveness at the level of the superior colliculus.
Migraine and motion sickness independently contribute to visual discomfort

The objective of this study was to evaluate, in patients with migraine and healthy volunteers, with and without a history of motion sickness, the degree of discomfort elicited by drifting striped patterns. Eighteen healthy volunteers (HV) and 30 migraine patients participated in the study. Discomfort was greater in migraine patients than in HV, and in individuals with a history of motion sickness than in those without, but the effect of history of migraine was independent of history of motion sickness. Generalized Estimating Equations models for binary correlated data revealed that these differences did not depend on levels of duty cycle, spatial and temporal frequencies. Visual discomfort in migraine patients was associated with worse performance. There was a significant correlation between median degree of discomfort across conditions and number of migraine attacks in the past month. Discomfort to drifting striped patterns may be related to central sensitization in migraine patients.
A simple, scalable and provably stable explicit rate computation scheme for flow control in communication networks

This paper describes fast rate computation (FASTRAC), an explicit rate flow control algorithm for available bit rate (ABR) traffic. Using digital control theory, we develop a simple rate controller for the ABR flow control process. We prove that the controller is stable, fair to all participating sources and configurable with respect to responsiveness. The analysis presented shows that stability of the flow control process depends primarily on two factors, the control update rate and the feedback delay. The implementation of the proposed algorithm is much simpler than other fair rate allocation algorithms. The proposed algorithm demonstrates the ability to scale with speed, distance, different feedback delays, number of users, and number of nodes while remaining robust, efficient, and fair under stressing and dynamic traffic conditions. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Are Fiscal Adjustments Less Successful in Decentralized Governments?

A common political claim is that decentralized governments undermine policy makers' ability to fight fiscal imbalance. This paper examines how different fiscal institutions influence the likelihood of a successful fiscal adjustment. Using a panel of the Swiss cantons from 1981 to 2001, we first analyze the episodes of tight fiscal policy and their macroeconomic consequences. Then, we empirically investigate the determinants of successful long-lasting deficit reductions. Contrary to the popular claim, we find that fiscal decentralization increases the probability of a successful fiscal consolidation. In addition, the results point to an important role of intergovernmental grants and of the circumstances, in particular the size of fiscal imbalance in the years before the consolidation, in determining a successful adjustment policy. Furthermore, coalition governments and large parliaments are less likely to implement successful fiscal stabilizations. Finally, there is some weak evidence that spending cuts are more promising in reaching a long-lasting fiscal adjustment than revenue increases.
Backpacks. Several factors likely to influence design and usage: a systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to answer three questions: 1) what is the best backpack positioning on the spine; 2) what are the human effects of front packs and double packs compared to backpacks; and 3) what is best shoulder strap design. METHODS A systematic review of the literature using eight databases was carried out. Studies relevant to backpack design were retrieved. Two independent reviewers assessed the papers; a third party was used for consensus decisions. Descriptive characteristics, type of research design and level of evidence of papers were evaluated with a view to pooling data. The trials were also quality appraised using a modified Crombie tool. RESULTS Thirty papers met the inclusion criteria. There were similarities in methods of measurement between some papers but subject's age group, tasks performed and backpack usages were so different between studies that it prevented data pooling and made it difficult to draw firm generic conclusions. Subsequent qualitative analysis shows that there are conflicting results on best backpack placement and shoulder strap design but front packs and double packs provide better posture than backpacks. CONCLUSIONS Some recommendations for best practice design are made for children and adults based on elements of design and correct spinal placement.
Thin-film devices fabricated with benzocyclobutene adhesive wafer bonding

In this paper, we present and elaborate on die to wafer bonding technology with benzocyclobutene (BCB). This technology allows to fabricate a variety of reliable waferbonded components in a fairly simple way using only standard cleanroom equipment. We demonstrate the fabrication of passive devices such as microring resonators, as well as active components such as lasers and LEDs. We show good performance of these devices by presenting measurements of their characteristics. Furthermore, these devices were subjected to damp-heat testing, demonstrating the good quality of the BCB-bonding procedure. Finally, due to the low thermal conductivity of BCB, thermal management needs some attention. We present an analysis of the thermal problem and suggest a possible solution.
ML-Gov: a machine learning enhanced integrated CPU-GPU DVFS governor for mobile gaming

Modern heterogeneous CPU-GPU based mobile architectures that execute intensive mobile games and other graphics applications use software governors to achieve high performance with energy-efficiency. For dynamic and diverse gaming workloads on heterogeneous platforms, existing governors typically utilize statistical or heuristic models assuming linear relationships for a small set of mobile games, resulting in high prediction errors. To overcome these limitations, we propose ML-Gov: a machine learning enhanced integrated CPU-GPU governor that builds tree-based piecewise linear models offline, and deploys these models for online estimation into an integrated CPU-GPU Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling (DVFS) governor. Our experiments on a test set of 20 mobile games exhibiting diverse characteristics show that our governor achieved significant energy efficiency gains of over 10% improvements on average in energy-per-frame with a surprising-but-modest 3% improvement in Frames-per-Second (FPS) performance, compared to a typical state-of-the-art governor that employs simple linear regression models.
Promising though not yet proven: Emerging strategies to promote myocardial salvage

Remarkable advances in our ability to achieve early and sustained culprit vessel patency in acute myocardial infarction have been satisfying, but our enthusiasm must be tempered by the knowledge that the overall treatment strategy often leaves an inadequate long term clinical result. Early success of percutaneous therapy as judged at angiography does not ensure recovery of normal left ventricular function, the most important determinant of survival in acute myocardial infarction. That congestive heart failure and death still complicate apparently successful percutaneous procedures underscores the need to develop novel therapies which salvage jeopardized myocardium, limit infarct size and preserve left ventricular function. An ever‐increasing body of data demonstrates a multifactorial mechanism of myocyte injury and microvascular collapse and also demonstrates that these injuries seem to have a profound impact on long‐term outcomes. Given these findings, microvascular protection during the acute event has become the focus of a variety of emerging technologies. The goal of these mechanical and pharmacologic therapies is the restoration of normal metabolic function at the myocyte level. The acute pathologic mechanisms which contribute to sustained left ventricular dysfunction despite angiographically successful revascularization will be reviewed as will be several strategies being developed to counter these pathologic mechanisms. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Research and development disclosure information on internet by multinational corporations

This article focuses on R&D disclosure information on internet by multinational corporations. We tried to identify factors that influence the internet R&D disclosure of these corporations. An index of R&D disclosure is constructed based on analysis of the websites of 145 corporations from 20 countries, selected from the Fortune Global 500 list, at March 2009. Several hypotheses about associations between that index and 11 independent variables are tested. These independent variables comprise both company-specific internal factors and external factors related to the environmental context of the company. Our findings show that internationality degree, industry type, firm size and R&D intensity are the main factors that explain the differences in the extent of corporate R&D disclosure on the internet.
Efficient packet scheduling technique for data merging in wireless sensor networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) has become a popular research topic due to its resource constraints. Energy consumption and transmission delay is crucial requirement to be handled to enhance the popularity of WSNs. In order to overcome these issues, we have proposed an Efficient Packet Scheduling Technique for Data Merging in WSNs. Packet scheduling is done by using three levels of priority queue and to reduce the transmission delay. Real-time data packets are placed in high priority queue and Non real-time data packets based on local or remote data are placed on other queues. In this paper, we have used Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) scheme to efficiently determine the priority of the packet at each level and transmit the data packets from lower level to higher level through intermediate nodes. To reduce the number of transmission, efficient data merge technique is used to merge the data packet in intermediate nodes which has same destination node. Data merge utilize the maximum packet size by appending the merged packets with received packets till the maximum packet size or maximum waiting time is reached. Real- time data packets are directly forwarded to the next node without applying data merge. The performance is evaluated under various metrics like packet delivery ratio, packet drop, energy consumption and delay based on changing the number of nodes and transmission rate. Our results show significant reduction in various performance metrics
Assessment of Oral Health Related Quality of Life Among Completely Edentulous Patients in Western India by Using GOHAI.

BACKGROUND Quality of life in elderly is a very sensitive issue. It is important to know if the dental problems, general health and dental treatment have an impact on the quality of life in elderly. The elderly population has a typical set of mind regarding their oral health. This study examines the trends in patients' behavioral patterns due to tooth loss, suggestive of some change in quality of life. AIMS The purpose of this study was to identify and acknowledge the problems of completely edentulous patients and their relationship to the Quality of Life (QOL). Also, the study was aimed at exploring the changes in global self-rated general health between the pre and post-treatment scores. SETTINGS AND DESIGN This is a randomized controlled clinical trial study which is done to evaluate the problems in the elderly and quality of life as long as their oral health is concerned. It is conducted on a group of people representing the elderly population with complete edentulism. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty three patients with mean age 69.41 who needed dentures were investigated before and after 6 months of their treatment by administration of GOHAI (Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index) scale. Comparison between Pre & Post-treatment values of various scores were done with McNemar-Bowker Test. Quantitative data was represented using Mean ± SD and Median, IQR (Interquartile range). Analysis of Pre & Post-treatment quantitative data was done using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. RESULTS The results of the present study showed GOHAI scores increased from 28.90 + 7.28 to 42.19 + 7.60 (p=highly significant). There was a significant change in the quality of life in elderly after their prosthodontic rehabilitation, though the self rated general health did not show any significant improvement. CONCLUSION It is the responsibility of the entire dental fraternity to understand the needs of elderly associated to their oral health. It is important to evaluate and assess the psychological effects of tooth loss on their quality of life. A thorough investigation is necessary before and after the dental/prosthodontic care.
Individual biovolume of some dominant copepod species in coastal waters off Buenos Aires Province, Argentine Sea

Instituto Tecnologico de Chascomus (INTECH) Copepods are key components in the marine communities because of their important role in the transfer of matter and energy from primary producers to higher trophic levels and in the export of organic matter from the euphotic to deeper layers of the oceans (CALBET et al., 2000). Because of their role as prey for fishes at different stages of development, knowledge of zooplankton abundance and biomass in spatial and temporal scales remains a key element of the marine ecosystem approaches (IRIGOIEN et al., 2009). In fisheries science, accurate estimations of abundance, biomass and production of the different components of the food webs are necessary for the construction and implementation of ecosystem models th(CHRISTENSEN; PAULY, 1992). Paracalanus parvus , Ctenocalanus vanus, Calanoides carinatus and Oithona nana are dominant copepod species (50-100 %) in the coastal waters of the Argentine Sea (RAMIREZ, 1981; VINAS et al., 2002). These copepods play an important role in the pelagic food web as the main prey item for larvae (CIECHOMSKI; WEISS, 1974; VINAS; RAMIREZ, 1996) and juveniles and adults of anchovy (ANGELESCU, 1982; PAJARO, 2002). Thus, an accurate estimation of their biomass and productivity is necessary to quantify the transfer of matter and energy across the planktonic food webs. So far, there is only one regional work in which the individual biomass of copepods has been estimated (FERNANDEZ ARAOZ, 1991) in the Argentine Sea, but early copepodite stages were not included because of the mesh size ( ≥ 220 µm) employed. Our aim was to estimate the individual biomass of all the stages of the above-mentioned copepods by the geometric method and to establish, for each species, significant regression models predicting biovolume from some linear body dimension. Volumetric methods, such as the one employed in the present study, are the only choice if samples are also to be used for taxonomic purposes (POSTEL et al., 2000) and the geometric approach is the only suitable in the case of small-sized zooplankton (OMORI; IKEDA, 1984). The conversion of our results into another biomass proxy from the literature may easily be made. In fact, body wet weight can be derived from measurements of body biovolume by applying a factor of 1 for specific gravity (OMORI and IKEDA, 1984). Dry weight can be obtained by multiplying the wet weight by 0.20 and the carbon content can be considered as 40 % of the dry weight (POSTEL et al., 2000). Samples were obtained on October 18
CARACTERÍSTICAS CLIMÁTICAS E ANÁLISE RÍTMICA APLICADA A EPISÓDIOS EXTREMOS DE PRECIPITAÇÃO E TEMPERATURA NO MUNICÍPIO DE PARANAGUÁ, PR

O estudo do clima, nas diversas escalas, e fundamental para a compreensao da dinâmica de interacao entre fenomenos ambientais e sociais. Nesta perspectiva, o municipio de Paranagua carece de estudos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi realizar uma analise de caracteristicas climaticas e aplicar a analise ritmica a episodios extremos de precipitacao e temperatura, para o municipio de Paranagua, PR. Para tanto, efetuou-se uma analise detalhada dos dados historicos da Estacao Meteorologica Convencional Paranagua (83844), os quais foram comparados a outras series historicas da regiao. Foram selecionados episodios de precipitacao intensa e de temperaturas elevadas, e procedeu-se a analise ritmica para o periodo, atentando-se a repercussao que os eventos tiveram no municipio (enchentes, desastres, etc.). Os principais resultados encontrados foram: a precipitacao media anual para a estacao de Paranagua e de 2.130,3 mm, o periodo mais chuvoso e o verao; a temperatura media e de 21,4°C, sendo fevereiro o mes mais quente e julho o mes mais frio; a direcao predominante dos ventos e Sul (23,6%). A analise ritmica foi realizada para quatro meses, e no periodo analisado, os sistemas atmosfericos predominantes na genese de eventos extremos de precipitacao foram as Zonas de Convergencia de Umidade (ZCOU) e nos eventos de temperatura elevada foi a massa tropical continental.
Black Swans, New Nostradamuses, Voodoo decision theories, and the science of decision making in the face of severe uncertainty

The recent global financial crisis, natural disasters, and ongoing debate on global warming and climate change are a stark reminder of the huge challenges that severe uncertainty presents in decision and policy making. My objective in this paper is to look at some of the issues that need to be taken into account in the modeling and analysis of decision problems that are subject to severe uncertainty, paying special attention to some of the misconceptions that are being promulgated in this area. I also examine two diametrically opposed approaches to uncertainty. One, that emphasizes that the difficulties encountered in the modeling, analysis, and solution of decision problems in the face of severe uncertainty are in fact insurmountable, and another that claims to provide, against all odds, a reliable strategy for a successful handling of situations subject to severe uncertainty.