Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On-demand self-adaptive data analytics in large-scale decentralized networks

The Internet of Things empowers citizens to interconnect their devices, such as smart phones, into large-scale participatory decentralized networks, which they can use to make real-time collective measurements as public good, for instance, crowd-sourcing the monitoring of traffic in a city. This approach is an alternative to big data analytics systems that are often expensive to access, privacy-intrusive and allow discriminatory and profiling actions over citizens' data. On the contrary, large-scale decentralized networks are complex to manage and collective measurements, i.e. computations of aggregation functions, need to encounter several dynamics such as continuously changing input data streams and highly varying temporal demand for access to the collective measurements. This paper proposes a highly reactive self-adaptation model to tackle the challenge of dynamic computational demand in large-scale decentralized in-network aggregation. The self-adaptation process makes nodes self-aware about other nodes that join and leave the network and therefore it makes them capable of self-orchestrating the communication to improve accuracy and minimize communication cost. The model is simple, yet agile. This is shown when applied in DIAS, the Dynamic Intelligent Aggregation Service without introducing architectural changes. Evaluation using data from a real-world smart grid pilot project as well as extreme demand profiles that scale up and down the demand 50% on average confirm the cost-effectiveness of in-network aggregation empowered by self-adaptation. The findings are confirmed both in simulation and a large-scale live deployment in a cluster infrastructure with 3000 independent Java virtual machines each running a DIAS node. Overall, the results encourage new promising pathways towards the broader adoption of self-adaptive participatory data analytics in large-scale decentralized networks.
Study on design of Brushless Doubly-Fed Machine with a new type rotor

The Brushless Doubly-Fed Machine is a novel AC speed regulation machine developed in recent years, its performance has the relationship with the transformation efficiency of rotor magnetic-field pole numbers. Optimizing the design of rotor structure is the fundamental way to increase the transformation efficiency. By analyzing the salient pole rotor's characteristics, a new analogous salient pole reluctance rotor was designed. That is to add n(p+q) deep troughs on the basis of common salient pole reluctance rotor structure. Accordingly, the rotor was divided into p+q magnetic poles. It is known from comparative analysis of the motor magnetic field by the finite element method that the new rotor structure works better than the common salient pole rotor in terms of the magnetic poles modulation effect, which increased the magnetic transformation efficiency greatly. The BDFM with new rotor has the advantages of simple structure, easy to manufacture, asynchronous operation in single-fed state, high reliability and high magnetic transformation efficiency.
A Bayesian Approach to a General Regression Model for ROC Curves

A fully Bayesian approach to a general nonlinear ordinal regression model for ROC- curve analysis is presented. Samples from the marginal posterior distributions of the model parameters are obtained by a Markov-chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique— Gibbs sampling. These samples facilitate the calculation of point estimates and cred ible regions as well as inferences for the associated areas under the ROC curves. The analysis of an example using freely available software shows that the use of nonin formative vague prior distributions for all model parameters yields posterior summary statistics very similar to the conventional maximum-likelihood estimates. Clinically im portant advantages of this Bayesian approach are: the possible inclusion of prior knowl edge and beliefs into the ROC analysis (via the prior distributions), the possible cal culation of the posterior predictive distribution of a future patient outcome, and the potential to address questions such as: "What is the probability that a certain diagnostic test is better in one setting than in another? " Key words: ROC curve; diagnostic test; ordinal regression; Bayesian methods; MCMC; Gibbs sampling; maximum likelihood (Med Decis Making 1998;18:436-443)
Multidisciplinary assessment measure for individuals with disorders of consciousness

Abstract Objective: This study introduces the Comprehensive Assessment Measure for the Minimally Responsive Individual (CAMMRI) and reports on its development, inter-rater reliability, construct validity and clinical value. Methods: A multidisciplinary team of therapists developed this measure, which comprises 12 sub-tests that examine three main areas: Response to the Environment, Motor Control and Communication and Swallowing. The sub-tests are scored using a 7-point scale; sub-tests can also be administered individually. The measure was administered during a pilot project and then 1 year later to 12 adult clients with severe acquired brain injury at a long-term rehabilitation programme. The age range of the participants was 18–65 years; individuals were 1.5–10 years post-injury. Results: Comparison measures included the Western Neuro Sensory Stimulation Profile (WNSSP), the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) and the Chedoke McMaster Impairment Inventory (CMII). Inter-rater reliability of each sub-test ranged from 0.87–1.0, with an average of 0.90 in the first year of the assessments. Conclusion: Validity data supported the use of the CAMMRI for minimally conscious adults with ABI to measure behavioural changes and plan treatment for this population. Future research should focus on using this measure with other neurological populations.
Efficient transgene expression from naked DNA delivered into an arterio‐venous fistula model for kidney dialysis

Patients with kidney failure frequently require the formation of an arterio‐venous fistula (AVF) in which a vein is connected to an artery resulting in arterialization of the vein to allow adequate blood flow into an external ‘artificial kidney’. In most patients, neo‐intimal hyperplasia (NIH) ensues, causing narrowing and subsequent occlusion of the vein, leading to significant morbidity. The cellular events causing venous NIH may serve as ideal targets for molecular‐based therapies. However, therapeutic gene delivery into the vascular system is seriously impeded by problems related to the low efficacy and toxicity of targeted viral vector delivery.
Expression of c‐fos in the ovine brain following different types of stress, or central administration of corticotrophin‐releasing hormone

Expression of c‐fos protein was examined in the brains of sheep (n = 2 per treatment) subjected to physical stress in a transport simulator, the psychological stress of isolation, insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia or intracerebroventricular (I.C.V.) injection of ovine corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH). As control procedures, two sheep were given I.C. V. injections of saline and one animal received no treatment. Fos expression was induced in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus by transport simulation, isolation and hypoglycaemia, and also in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus by hypoglycaemia. Labelled nuclei were also seen in the brainstem in the region of the area postrema following transport simulation, isolation and insulin treatments. These results indicate that c‐fos expression in the ovine CNS is a useful marker for the identification of brain regions activated by stressors.
Early Adoption of Dabigatran and Its Dosing in US Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Results From the Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

Background Dabigatran is a novel oral anticoagulant approved for thromboprophylaxis in atrial fibrillation. Adoption patterns of this new agent in community practice are unknown. Methods and Results We studied patterns of dabigatran use among patients enrolled in the Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (ORBIT‐AF) Registry between June 2010 and August 2011 and followed for 12 months. Among 9974 atrial fibrillation patients included, 1217 (12%) were treated with dabigatran during the study. Overall, patients receiving dabigatran were younger (median age 72 versus 75 years, P<0.0001), more likely to be white (92% versus 89%, P=0.005), more likely to have private insurance (33% versus 25%, P<0.0001), and less likely to have prior cardiovascular disease (4% versus 33%, P<0.0001). They had more new‐onset atrial fibrillation (8.8% versus 4.1%, P<0.0001), lower CHADS2 scores (estimated risk based on the presence of congestive heart failure, hypertension, aged ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, and prior stroke or transient ischemic attack; mean 2.0 versus 2.3, P<0.0001), and lower Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation scores (mean 2.4 versus 2.8, P<0.0001). More than half (n=14/25, 56%) of patients with severe kidney disease were not prescribed reduced dosing, whereas 10% (n=91/920) with preserved renal function received lower dosing. Among patients not on dabigatran at baseline, 8% had dabigatran initiated during follow‐up. Patient education was significantly associated with switching from warfarin to dabigatran (adjusted odds ratio for postgraduate 1.73, P=0.007), whereas antiarrhythmic drug use significantly correlated with de novo adoption of dabigatran (adjusted odds ratio 2.4, P<0.0001). Conclusions Patients receiving dabigatran were younger and at a lower risk of stroke and bleeding. Patients appeared to drive switching from warfarin, whereas clinical characteristics influenced de novo start of dabigatran. These data suggest cautious early uptake of dabigatran, and more careful attention to dosing adjustments is warranted. Clinical Trial Registration URL: Clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01165710.
Role of Elastin in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Small Mesenteric Artery Remodelling

Chronic hypertension is associated with resistance artery remodelling and mechanical alterations. However, the contribution of elastin has not been thoroughly studied. Our objective was to evaluate the role of elastin in vascular remodelling of mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). MRA segments from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and SHR were pressurised under passive conditions at a range of physiological pressures with pressure myography. Confocal microscopy was used to determine differences in the quantity and organisation of elastin in intact pressure‐fixed arteries. To assess the contribution of elastin to MRA structure and mechanics, myograph‐mounted vessels were studied before and after elastase incubation. When compared with WKY, MRA from SHR showed: (1) a smaller lumen, (2) decreased distensibility at low pressures, (3) a leftward shift of the stress‐strain relationship, (4) redistribution of elastin within the internal elastic lamina (IEL) leading to smaller fenestrae but no change in fenestrae number or elastin amount. Elastase incubation (1) fragmented the structure of IEL in a concentration‐dependent fashion, (2) abolished all the structural and mechanical differences between strains, and (3) decreased distensibility at low pressures. The study shows the overriding role of elastin in determining vascular dimensions and mechanical properties in a resistance artery. In addition, it informs hypertensive remodelling. MRA remodelling and increased stiffness are accompanied by elastin restructuring within the IEL and elastin degradation reverses structural and mechanical alterations of SHR MRA. Differences in elastin organisation are, therefore, a central element in small artery remodelling in hypertension.
GAP‐43 mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampal and parahippocampal region during the course of epileptogenesis in rats

In order to reveal axonal rewiring in the hippocampal and parahippocampal regions after status epilepticus, we investigated the temporal evolution of growth‐associated protein‐43 (GAP‐43) mRNA and protein expression in two rat models of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). Status epilepticus (SE) was induced by electrical stimulation of the angular bundle or by intraperitoneal kainic acid (KA) injections. Despite increased GAP‐43 mRNA expression in dentate granule cells at 24 h after SE, GAP‐43 protein expression in the inner molecular layer (IML) of the dentate gyrus decreased progressively after 24 h after SE in both models. Nevertheless robust mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) was evident in the IML of chronic epileptic rats. Remaining GAP‐43 protein expression in the IML in chronic epileptic rats did not correlate with the extent of MFS, but with the number of surviving hilar neurons. In the parahippocampal region, GAP‐43 mRNA expression was decreased in layer III of the medial entorhinal area (MEAIII) in parallel with extensive neuronal loss in this layer. There was a tendency of GAP‐43 mRNA up‐regulation in the presubiculum, a region that projects to MEAIII. With regard to this parahippocampal region, however, changes in GAP‐43 mRNA expression were not followed by protein changes. The presence of the presynaptic protein GAP‐43 in a neurodegenerated MEAIII indicates that fibers still project to this layer. Whether reorganization of fibers has occurred in this region after SE needs to be investigated with tools other than GAP‐43.
Ownership structure and the performance of Chinese-listed firms after the share reform: latest evidence from the manufacturing sector

This paper investigates the relationship between ownership structure and the financial performance of Chinese manufacturing firms after the implementation of the 2005 reform of tradable and non-tradable shares. Using data from 2011 to 2014 and hand-collected ownership information, the results highlight that ownership concentration and the level of legal person shareholdings have a positive effect on firm performance. They also indicate that the level of state and individual investor shareholdings does not improve company performance. The relationship between the level of state and legal person shareholdings and firm performance is not linear and, in the simultaneous presence of these two ownership types, the dominance of one of the two drives the overall effect. The paper also shows that the 2005 reform has increased ownership dispersion, but has not changed the relationship between the type of dominant shareholder and firm performance highlighted in earlier studies.
Triple semicircular canal plugging: a novel modality for the treatment of intractable Meniere’s disease

Abstract Conclusions: TSCP, which can reduce vertiginous symptoms in patients with intractable MD, represents an effective therapy for this disorder. Objective: To explore the long-term efficacy of triple semicircular canal plugging (TSCP) in the treatment of intractable Meniere’s disease (MD). Methods: Seventy-nine patients diagnosed with unilateral MD referred to a vertigo clinic of the hospital between December 2010 and December 2013 were included in this study for retrospective analysis. TSCP was performed in the affected ear for each patient. Vertigo control and auditory function were measured. Pure tone audiometry, caloric test, and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) were performed in 2-year follow-up. Thirty-six MD patients, who accepted endolymphatic sac decompression (ESD) operation were selected as a comparison group. Results: The total control rate of vertigo in the TSCP group was 98.7% in the 2-year follow-up, with a complete control rate of 81.0% and substantial control rate of 17.7%. The rate of hearing preservation was 70.9%. The total control rate of vertigo in the ESD operation group was 72.2%. The vertigo control rate of TSCP was significantly higher than that of ESD operation. Twenty-four months after treatment, canal paresis was found in the operation side of all patients of TSCP by means of caloric test.
Geometric Routing on Flat Names for ICN

This paper presents Griffin, a scheme of geometric routing on flat names to conduct massive content distribution and retrieval. A tree-based metric space T is proposed according to the concept of hierarchical division of symbol space. In Griffin, the network topology is embedded into the T-space, and content names are mapped to the T-space. Content publication and retrieval are supported by geometric routing in the T-space. Different from previous embedding schemes, Griffin constructs the T-space according to the network topology before embedding. In contrast to prior name resolution schemes, Griffin operates directly on the network topology without establishing an overlay. The correctness of Griffin is proved by the greediness of geometric routing. The experiments by simulation demonstrate that Griffin is efficient and scalable.
Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis: Incidence, analysis of risk factors, and clinical outcomes in 108 consecutive patients treated at a single institution

Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT) can lead to serious morbidity and may be potentially fatal. We reviewed our experience with this entity over a 4‐year period, to determine the following: 1) incidence and type of thrombosis in patients with heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), 2) clinical consequences of thrombosis, i.e., amputation, cerebrovascular accidents and death, 3) risk factors associated with development of thrombosis, and 4) impact of therapy on clinical outcomes in patients with HITT. Between 1991–1994, 108 patients were diagnosed to have HIT by heparin‐induced platelet aggregation test. Thirty‐two (29%) of these developed thrombotic complications, of which 20 were venous, 8 arterial, and 4 both. Five of the 32 died, 3 underwent amputations, and 3 had cerebrovascular accidents. The patients who developed thrombotic complications, when compared to those with HIT alone, were older (68.7 ± 11.5 vs. 63.3 ± 16 years, P = .05), had more severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count 46,300 ± 30,400/mm3 vs. 62,500 ± 34,400/mm3, P = .02), and developed it earlier (6.0 ± 2.9 vs. 7.4 ± 3.1 days, P = .03). Multivariate analysis showed that severity of thrombocytopenia and early fall in platelet count were independent risk factors for development of thrombotic complications. We did not find an association between development of thrombosis and clinical events (myocardial infarction, cardiac procedures or surgery, noncardiac surgery, and sepsis) that occurred immediately prior to onset of thrombocytopenia. Heparin was stopped in all 32 patients with HITT. Six received no additional therapy, and one received a single dose of aspirin. Three of these 7 died. The other 25 received anticoagulant or multiagent therapy, with 2 deaths. The death rate was lower in those who were treated with anticoagulant or multiagent therapy (P = .05). We conclude that: 1) Thrombotic complications occur in about 29% of hospitalized patients who develop HIT. 2) Early, severe fall in platelet count in elderly patients receiving heparin appears to be associated with development of thrombotic complications. 3) Our data do not show an association between development of thrombotic complications and clinical events immediately preceding the diagnosis of HIT. 4) In addition to discontinuation of heparin, anticoagulant or thrombolytic therapy should be considered in patients with HITT. Am. J. Hematol. 56:12–16, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In Vivo and In Vitro Studies in a 46, XY Phenotypically Female Infant with 17-Ketosteroid Reductase Deficiency

A 46, XY phenotypically female infant with 17-ketosteroid reductase (17-KSR) showed normal plasma androgens for chromosomal sex shortly after birth, but did not show the physiologic testosterone rise. One intramuscular injection with human chorionic gonadotropin resulted in high ratios between androstenedione/testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone/delta 5-androstenediol, confirming the diagnosis. In spermatic vein plasma similarly elevated ratios were found. A urinary steroid profile revealed elevated levels of metabolites of 17-OH-progesterone and androstenedione. In vitro studies in testicular tissue showed a decreased capacity of 17-ketosteroid reductase, the reduction capacity being more affected than the oxidation capacity. The activity of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase was slightly increased. The serial analysis of plasma androgens provides more insight in the natural history of 17-ketosteroid reductase.
Patterns of genomic variation in Coho salmon following reintroduction to the interior Columbia River

Abstract Coho salmon were extirpated in the mid‐20th century from the interior reaches of the Columbia River but were reintroduced with relatively abundant source stocks from the lower Columbia River near the Pacific coast. Reintroduction of Coho salmon to the interior Columbia River (Wenatchee River) using lower river stocks placed selective pressures on the new colonizers due to substantial differences with their original habitat such as migration distance and navigation of six additional hydropower dams. We used restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐seq) to genotype 5,392 SNPs in reintroduced Coho salmon in the Wenatchee River over four generations to test for signals of temporal structure and adaptive variation. Temporal genetic structure among the three broodlines of reintroduced fish was evident among the initial return years (2000, 2001, and 2002) and their descendants, which indicated levels of reproductive isolation among broodlines. Signals of adaptive variation were detected from multiple outlier tests and identified candidate genes for further study. This study illustrated that genetic variation and structure of reintroduced populations are likely to reflect source stocks for multiple generations but may shift over time once established in nature.
Using the travel cost method to value visits and stigma in connection with ARV adherence in Uganda

ABSTRACT This article uses the travel cost method to value both client visits to collect antiretroviral therapy (ARV) and stigma, which prevents ARV adherence. Using a representative sample for Uganda initiated specifically for this study, we found a willingness to pay (WTP) valuation for visits made in the range of US$14–US$17 and a willingness to accept (WTA) valuation of US$25 for visits missed. The valuations for stigma based on a novel measure of stigma using a new estimation method were close to the valuations for visits. These valuations can be used to estimate the benefits to carry out cost–benefit analyses (CBAs) of interventions aimed at increasing ARV coverage and adherence.