Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Arm-cranking muscle power and arm isometric muscle strength are independent predictors of all-cause mortality in men.

Poor muscle strength is associated with mortality, presumably due to low muscle mass. Notably, muscle power declines more rapidly than muscle strength with increasing age, which may be related to more complex central nervous system movement control. We examined arm-cranking power against four workloads and isometric strength measured in the upper extremities of 993 men longitudinally tested over a 25-yr period. Muscle mass was estimated by using 24-h creatinine excretion; physical activity was assessed by self-reported questionnaire. Muscle power and strength were modeled by time by using mixed-effects models, which developed regression equations for each individual. The first derivative of these equations estimated rate of change in strength or power at each evaluation. Survival analyses, using the counting method, examined the impact of strength, power, and their rates of change on all-cause mortality while adjusting for age. Arm-cranking power [relative risk (rr) = 0.984 per 100 kg.m. min(-1), P < 0.001] was a stronger predictor of mortality than was arm strength (rr = 0.986 per 10 kg, P = not significant), whereas rate of power change (rr = 0.989 per 100 kg.min(-1). yr(-1)) and rate of arm strength change (rr = 0.888 per 10 kg/yr) were risks independent of the power or strength levels. The impacts of power and strength were partially independent of muscle mass and physical activity. The risk of mortality was similar across the four power workloads (rr = 0.93-0.96 per 100 kg.m.min(-1)), whereas the lowest load generated less than one-half the power as the higher loads. Arm-cranking power is a risk factor for mortality, independent of muscle strength, physical activity, and muscle mass. The impact is found with loads that do not generate maximal power, suggesting an important role for motor coordination and speed of movement.
Pathologic response to induction chemotherapy in locally advanced carcinoma of the breast: a determinant of outcome.

BACKGROUND The prognosis for patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the breast remains poor. This study examines the pathologic evidence of response of the mammary tumor and axillary nodes after preoperative chemotherapy. We sought to determine if there was a relationship between the histologic response and clinical outcome. STUDY DESIGN Between 1987 and 1992, 36 patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the breast received three cycles of chemotherapy after incisional biopsy. Modified radical mastectomy was then performed. The breast and axillary nodes were examined pathologically for therapeutic effect and a grading scale was assigned. Postoperatively, patients received completion chemotherapy with the same agents used preoperatively followed by radiation therapy to the chest wall. RESULTS Fourteen tumors (39 percent) showed near total therapeutic effect, five (14 percent) showed greater than 50 percent but less than total effect, 12 (33 percent) showed less than 50 percent effect, and five (14 percent) showed no effect. Nodal positivity was seen in 61 percent of the patients. Overall clinical response to induction chemotherapy was seen in 86 percent of the patients. There was poor correlation between clinical and pathologic response. Only 50 percent of the patients with complete clinical response were pathologically free of disease. Patients with excellent pathologic therapeutic response had a 79 percent overall five-year survival rate compared with 34 percent for tumors with a lesser response. This was irrespective of nodal status. While pathologic response was critical in determining outcome, clinical response was not. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that patients whose tumors have the best pathologic response to induction chemotherapy experience the best outcome.
An adaptive grid for graph-based segmentation in retinal OCT

Graph-based methods for retinal layer segmentation have proven to be popular due to their efficiency and accuracy. These methods build a graph with nodes at each voxel location and use edges connecting nodes to encode the hard constraints of each layer's thickness and smoothness. In this work, we explore deforming the regular voxel grid to allow adjacent vertices in the graph to more closely follow the natural curvature of the retina. This deformed grid is constructed by fixing node locations based on a regression model of each layer's thickness relative to the overall retina thickness, thus we generate a subject specific grid. Graph vertices are not at voxel locations, which allows for control over the resolution that the graph represents. By incorporating soft constraints between adjacent nodes, segmentation on this grid will favor smoothly varying surfaces consistent with the shape of the retina. Our final segmentation method then follows our previous work. Boundary probabilities are estimated using a random forest classifier followed by an optimal graph search algorithm on the new adaptive grid to produce a final segmentation. Our method is shown to produce a more consistent segmentation with an overall accuracy of 3.38 μm across all boundaries.
The impact of executive function on response to cognitive behavioral therapy in late‐life depression

Late‐life depression (LLD) is a common and debilitating condition among older adults. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has strong empirical support for the treatment of depression in all ages, including in LLD. In teaching patients to identify, monitor, and challenge negative patterns in their thinking, CBT for LLD relies heavily on cognitive processes and, in particular, executive functioning, such as planning, sequencing, organizing, and selectively inhibiting information. It may be that the effectiveness of CBT lies in its ability to train these cognitive areas.
STRUCTURAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PERCEIVED RISK AND CONSUMERS UNWILLINGNESS TO BUY HOME APPLIANCES ONLINE WITH MODERATION OF ONLINE CONSUMER REVIEWS

This study aims to examine the effect of perceived risk factors (i.e. perceived performance risk, financial risk, time-loss risk, psychological risk and source risk) on consumers' unwillingness to buy home appliances online. The moderation of online consumer reviews with the relationship between perceived risk and consumers' unwillingness to buy home appliances online is also investigated. Results via the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique revealed that perceived performance risk influences consumers' likelihood of not buying home appliances online, as the consumers are themselves unable to touch, see and hear the product. Online consumer reviews have also been found to moderate this relationship. The present study provides important practical contributions that allow retailers and internet marketers to understand consumers' perceptions and behaviours regarding consumer risk perception and to determine which type of risk is most important to address in order to increase the consumers' likelihood of buying home appliances online. This paper also presents a direction for future research.
Utility of Intraductal Ultrasonography as a Diagnostic Tool in Patients with Early Distal Cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS It is difficult to diagnose cholangiocarcinoma in the early stages because most patients present with jaundice, which is generally thought to be the most important symptom at diagnosis. Despite improvements to surgical instruments and techniques, these rates are not quite satisfactory. Intraductal ultrasound (IDUS) is easy to handle due to the wire-guided, thin-caliber, and high-frequency probe. The purpose of the present study was to assess the efficacy of IDUS as a diagnostic tool for patients with early distal cholangiocarcinoma. METHODOLOGY We enrolled 23 with early distal cholangiocarcinoma. The cholangiography and IDUS findings were retrospectively analyzed. The morphology of the tumors detected by IDUS was also classified including localized wall thickening, polypoid lesion, and sessile tumor. RESULTS The morphologies on IDUS were as follows: five (21.7%) localized wall thickenings, five (21.7%) polypoid lesions, and 13 (56.5%) sessile tumors. CONCLUSIONS Since forceps biopsy complemented by IDUS can substantially improve the diagnostic rate, pathological investigations should be performed simultaneously after detection by IDUS. We believe that noninvasive modalities should be followed by IDUS and used as a decisive approach to distinguish between benign and malignant status.
A clinical study of 406 sinus augmentations with 100% anorganic bovine bone.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study is to evaluate the use of anorganic bovine bone (ABB) associated with a collagen membrane (CM) for a sinus graft by means of clinical, histologic, and radiographic parameters in cases with bone availability < or =7 mm. A preliminary evaluation consisted of a clinical examination, computed tomography (CT), and a panoramic x-ray. METHODS Ninety-two patients requiring bilateral sinus grafts and 222 requiring unilateral procedures (total: 406 sinuses) participated in this study. A total of 1,025 implants were placed in the grafted sinuses. A total of 118 implants were placed simultaneously with the sinus graft (one stage), and 907 implants were placed in a subsequent surgery (two stages), 6 to 12 months after the graft was performed. In seven cases, a biopsy was harvested for histomorphometric analysis. Recall appointments were scheduled every 6 months, and panoramic and periapical x-rays were required every year for 3 years. RESULTS Among 1,025 implants, 19 were lost (survival rate: 98.1%). The difference in survival rates for implants placed in native bone < or =3 mm (98.1%), >3 to < or =5 mm (98.6%), and >5 to < or =7 mm (97.0%) was not statistically significant (P = 0.3408). The survival rates for implants with rough and machined surfaces (98.6% and 97.0%, respectively) were not statistically significant (P = 0.0840). The histomorphometric analysis showed new bone formation (39.0% +/- 12%), marrow space (52.9% +/- 9.3%), and residual ABB (8% +/- 2.7%). CONCLUSION Our results indicated that 1,025 implants placed in sinuses grafted exclusively with ABB combined with CM led to an excellent and predictable survival rate of 98.1%.
Binary-Real Coded Genetic Algorithm Based k -Means Clustering for Unit Commitment Problem

This paper presents a new algorithm for solving unit commitment (UC) problems using a binary-real coded genetic algorithm based on k-means clustering technique. UC is a NP-hard nonlinear mixed-integer optimization problem, encountered as one of the toughest problems in power systems, in which some power generating units are to be scheduled in such a way that the forecasted demand is met at minimum production cost over a time horizon. In the proposed algorithm, the algorithm integrates the main features of a binary-real coded genetic algorithm (GA) and k-means clustering technique. The binary coded GA is used to obtain a feasible commitment schedule for each generating unit; while the power amounts generated by committed units are determined by using real coded GA for the feasible commitment obtained in each interval. k-means clustering algorithm divides population into a specific number of subpopulations with dynamic size. In this way, using k-means clustering algorithm allows the use of different GA operators with the whole population and avoids the local problem minima. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is validated on a test power system available in the literature. The proposed algorithm performance is found quite satisfactory in comparison with the previously reported results.
An Intelligent Optimization Method for Vortex-Induced Vibration Reducing and Performance Improving in a Large Francis Turbine

In this paper, a new methodology is proposed to reduce the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) and improve the performance of the stay vane in a 200-MW Francis turbine. The process can be divided into two parts. Firstly, a diagnosis method for stay vane vibration based on field experiments and a finite element method (FEM) is presented. It is found that the resonance between the Karman vortex and the stay vane is the main cause for the undesired vibration. Then, we focus on establishing an intelligent optimization model of the stay vane’s trailing edge profile. To this end, an approach combining factorial experiments, extreme learning machine (ELM) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) is implemented. Three kinds of improved profiles of the stay vane are proposed and compared. Finally, the profile with a Donaldson trailing edge is adopted as the best solution for the stay vane, and verifications such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, structural analysis and fatigue analysis are performed to validate the optimized geometry.
22FFL: A high performance and ultra low power FinFET technology for mobile and RF applications

A FinFET technology named 22FFL has been developed that combines high-performance, ultra-low power logic and RF transistors as well as single-pattern backend flow for the first time. High performance transistors exhibit 57%/87% higher NMOS/PMOS drive current compared to the previously reported 22nm technology [1]. New ultra-low power logic devices are introduced that reduce bit cell leakage by 28x compared to a regular SRAM cell enabling a new 6T low-leakage SRAM with bit cell leakage of sub 1pA/cell. An RF device with optimized layout has been developed and shows excellent fT/fMAX of (230GHz/284GHz) and (238GHz/242GHz) for NMOS and PMOS respectively.
Effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy by the frequency of revascularization procedures in ischemic cardiomyopathy patients.

BACKGROUND It is not known whether the number of revascularizations modifies clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) implanted with cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) vs. an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)-only. METHODS In Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial-Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT-CRT), we evaluated the effect of CRT-D vs. ICD-only on heart failure (HF) or death, on ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF) or death, and on reverse remodeling in 592 ICM patients with left bundle branch block, by the number of pre-enrollment revascularizations (0, 1 or ≥ 2 revascularizations). RESULTS There was a risk reduction of HF/death with CRT-D vs. ICD-only in all three sub-groups: ICM with no need for revascularization (HR 0.51 [0.26-1.02]; p = 0.055), ICM with 1 revascularization (HR 0.45 [0.30-0.70]; p < 0.001), and ICM with 2 or more revas-cularizations (HR 0.37 [0.20-0.66]; p < 0.001). Similarly, there was a risk reduction of VT/ /VF/death with CRT-D vs. ICD-only in patients with no need for revascularization (HR 0.55 [0.31-0.99]; p = 0.044); with 1 revascularization (HR 0.77 [0.51-1.18]; p = 0.23); or with ≥ 2 revascularizations (HR 0.63 [0.34-1.17]; p = 0.14). There was a similar degree of left ventricular reverse remodeling in all three subgroups (p > 0.05 for LVESV, LVEDV, and LAV percent change at 1-year follow-up). CONCLUSIONS In ICM patients, CRT-D is associated with a reduction in HF or death and VT/VF or death - irrespective of the frequency of pre-enrollment revascularization procedures - and is accompanied by a similar degree of beneficial left ventricular reverse remodeling.
Performance in waveform quantization

The quantization noise and dynamic range of commonly known analog/digital converters or modulators are computed from the equations derived by analyzing the generalized quantizer which deploys integer coefficient transversal filters. The results show that signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) curves for high sampling frequency do not have a constant slope of one. At a low signal level, the S/N curve has a slope of 1.5. From the results, equations to approximate S/N curves in the linear region are derived. They can be used to plot a S/N curve for any sampling frequency and any number of quantization steps. >
Identification of an Immunogenic CTL Epitope of HIFPH3 for Immunotherapy of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: CD8+ CTLs have an essential role in immune response against tumor. Although tumor-associated antigens have been identified in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), few of these are commonly shared and investigated as therapeutic targets in the clinical medicine. In this report, we show that HIFPH3, a member of prolyl hydroxylases that function as oxygen sensor, is a novel tumor antigen and HIFPH3-specific CTLs are induced from peripheral blood lymphocytes of RCC patients. Experimental Design: Expression of HIFPH3 was examined by reverse transcription-PCR and immunostaining with anti-HIFPH3 antibody. To identify HLA-A24-restricted T-cell epitopes of HIFPH3, eight peptides were selected from the amino acid sequence of this protein and screened for their binding affinity to HLA-A24. Peptide-specific CTLs were induced by stimulating peripheral blood lymphocytes of HLA-A24-positive RCC patients with these peptides in vitro. HLA-A24-restricted cytotoxicity of the CTLs against HIFPH3+ RCC lines was assessed by chromium release assay. Results: HIFPH3 was overexpressed in many RCC cell lines and primary RCC tissues, whereas it was not detectable in normal adult tissues by reverse transcription-PCR. Of the eight peptides that contained HLA-A24-binding motif, HIFPH3-8 peptide (amino acid sequence, RYAMTVWYF) could induce the peptide-specific CTLs from 3 of 6 patients with HIFPH3-positive RCC. Furthermore, HIFPH3-8 peptide-specific CTLs showed cytotoxicity against HIFPH3+ RCC cell lines in a HLA-A24-restricted manner. Conclusions: HIFPH3 may be a target antigen in immunotherapy for RCC and HIFPH3-8 peptide could be used as a peptide vaccine for HLA-A*2402+/HIFPH3+ RCC patients.
Coping with Demographic Change in Job Markets: How Age Diversity Management Contributes to Organisational Performance

Demographic shifts are altering job markets in developed countries. A steady increase in the average age of employees and a decline in the number of young, qualified workers have intensified the war for talent, resulting in highly competitive and dynamic job markets. Using resource dependence theory, this study investigates how organisations respond to such challenges. An investigation of a sample of 153 German companies provides support for the hypotheses that HR managers implement age diversity management in both appraisal and compensation practices as a response to competitive job markets which, in turn, contributes to organisational performance.
Improved MDL Score for Learning of Bayesian Networks

In this paper, we propose two modifications to the original Minimum Description Length (MDL) score for learning of Bayesian networks. The first modification is that the description of network structure is proved to be unnecessary and can be omitted in the total MDL score. The second modification consists in reducing the description length of conditional probability table (CPT). In particular, if a specific variable is fully deterministic given its parents, i.e., the variable will take a certain value with probability one for some configurations of its parents, we show that only the configurations with probability one need to be retained in the CPT of the variable in the MDL score during the learning process of Bayesian networks. We name the MDL score with the above two modifications the Improved MDL score or IMDL score for short. The experimental results of classic Bayesian networks, such as ALARM [2] and ASIA [17], show that the same search algorithm with the IMDL score can identify more reasonable and accurate models than those obtained with the original MDL score.
Consumers’ Motivations for Consumption of Foreign Products: An Empirical Test in the People’s Republic of China

This study seeks to examine the purchasing motives of young Chinese consumers for foreign products in the People’s Republic of China. Specifically, it offers empirical results of young Chinese consumers’ perceptions of brand prestige, brand quality, and brand value as motives for purchasing foreign products. To collect data, a convenience sample of 400 respondents was recruited across four major campuses in a large, major university in Zhejiang, China. Surveys were administrated using personal interviews to ensure quality of data collection. The empirical evidence provides insights into the impact of product category (conspicuous versus inconspicuous products) on consumers’ susceptibility to social influence (high versus low social compliance groups). The results of the analysis are reported, the implications for marketing communications on consumer acceptance for foreign brands are discussed, and suggestions for future research are derived.
Deobfuscation of Packed and Virtualization-Obfuscation Protected Binaries

Code obfuscation techniques are increasingly being used in software for such reasons as protecting trade secret algorithms from competitors and deterring license tampering by those wishing to use the software for free. However, these techniques have also grown in popularity in less legitimate areas, such as protecting malware from detection and reverse engineering. This work examines two such techniques – packing and virtualization-obfuscation – and presents new behavioral approaches to analysis that may be relevant to security analysts whose job it is to defend against malicious code. These approaches are robust against variations in obfuscation algorithms, such as changing encryption keys or virtual instruction byte code. Packing refers to the process of encrypting or compressing an executable file. This process “scrambles” the bytes of the executable so that byte-signature matching algorithms commonly used by anti-virus programs are ineffective. Standard static analysis techniques are similarly ineffective since the actual byte code of the program is hidden until after the program is executed. Dynamic analysis approaches exist, but are vulnerable to dynamic defenses. We detail a static analysis technique that starts by identifying the code used to “unpack” the executable, then uses this unpacker to generate the unpacked code in a form suitable for static analysis. Results show we are able to correctly unpack several encrypted and compressed malware, while still handling several dynamic defenses. Virtualization-obfuscation is a technique that translates the original program into virtual instructions, then builds a customized virtual machine for these instructions. As with packing, the byte-signature of the original program is destroyed. Furthermore, static analysis of the obfuscated program reveals only the structure of the virtual machine, and dynamic analysis produces a dynamic trace where original program instructions are intermixed, and often indistinguishable from, virtual machine instructions. We present a dynamic analysis approach whereby all instructions that affect the external behavior of the program are identified, thus building an approximation of the original program that is observationally equivalent. We achieve good results at both identifying instructions from the original program, as well as eliminating instructions known to be part of the virtual machine.