Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Benzodiazepine and opioid use and the duration of intensive care unit delirium in an older population*

Objective:There is a high prevalence of delirium in older medical intensive care unit (ICU) patients and delirium is associated with adverse outcomes. We need to identify modifiable risk factors for delirium, such as medication use, in the ICU. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of benzodiazepine or opioid use on the duration of ICU delirium in an older medical population. Design:Prospective cohort study. Setting:Fourteen-bed medical intensive care unit in an urban university teaching hospital. Patients:304 consecutive admissions age 60 and older. Interventions:None. Main Outcome Measurements:The main outcome measure was duration of ICU delirium, specifically the first episode of ICU delirium. Patients were assessed daily for delirium with the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU and a validated chart review method. Our main predictor was receiving benzodiazepines or opioids during ICU stay. A multivariable model was developed using Poisson rate regression. Results:Delirium occurred in 239 of 304 patients (79%). The median duration of ICU delirium was 3 days with a range of 1–33 days. In a multivariable regression model, receipt of a benzodiazepine or opioid (rate ratio [RR] 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27–2.10) was associated with increased delirium duration. Other variables associated with delirium duration in this analysis include preexisting dementia (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.07–1.33), receipt of haloperidol (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.21–1.50), and severity of illness (RR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.02). Conclusions:The use of benzodiazepines or opioids in the ICU is associated with longer duration of a first episode of delirium. Receipt of these medications may represent modifiable risk factors for delirium. Clinicians caring for ICU patients should carefully evaluate the need for benzodiazepines, opioids, and haloperidol.
VIP36, a novel component of glycolipid rafts and exocytic carrier vesicles in epithelial cells.

In simple epithelial cells, apical and basolateral proteins and lipids in transit to the cell surface are sorted in the trans‐Golgi network. We have recently isolated detergent‐insoluble complexes from Madin‐Darby canine kidney cells that are enriched in glycosphingolipids, apical cargo and a subset of the proteins of the exocytic carrier vesicles. The vesicular proteins are thought to be involved in protein sorting and include VIP21‐caveolin. The vesicular protein VIP36 (36 kDa vesicular integral membrane protein) has been purified from a CHAPS‐insoluble residue and a cDNA encoding VIP36 has been isolated. The N‐terminal 31 kDa luminal/exoplasmic domain of the encoded protein shows homology to leguminous plant lectins. The transiently expressed protein is localized to the Golgi apparatus, endosomal and vesicular structures and the plasma membrane, as predicted for a protein involved in transport between the Golgi and the cell surface. It is diffusely localized on the plasma membrane but can be redistributed by antibody modulation into caveolae and clathrin‐coated pits. We speculate that VIP36 binds to sugar residues of glycosphingolipids and/or glycosylphosphatidyl‐inositol anchors and might provide a link between the extracellular/luminal face of glycolipid rafts and the cytoplasmic protein segregation machinery.
Two-tone unmasking and suppression in a forward-masking situation.

A forward‐masking situation was investigated where more energy added to the masker decreased the threshold of the signal. The signal was a single sinusoid. The masker contained two frequency components: one at the same frequency as the signal, and one at a variable frequency. For certain frequencies and intensities of this variable masker component the threshold of the signal was lower than if that component were not present.This decrease in threshold is unmasking. Unmasking is interpreted as being caused by the suppression of the fixed masker component by the variable masker component, thus producing less masking at the signal frequency. The basic pattern of masking and ummasking was qualitatively similar to the pattern of pulsation thresholds observed by Houtgast [Acustica 29, 168‐179 (1973). Unmasking was not observed at absolute threshold or in a simultaneous masking situation. Unmasking was observed at all signal frequencies tested (0.5–6.0 kHz) and was not dependent on the phase of the masker compon.
Network failure–aware redundant virtual machine placement in a cloud data center

Cloud has become a very popular infrastructure for many smart city applications. A growing number of smart city applications from all over the world are deployed on the clouds. However, node failure events from the cloud data center have negative impact on the performance of smart city applications. Survivable virtual machine placement has been proposed by the researchers to enhance the service reliability. Because of the ignorance of switch failure, current survivable virtual machine placement approaches cannot achieve the best effect. In this paper, we study to enhance the service reliability by designing a novel network failure–aware redundant virtual machine placement approach in a cloud data center. Firstly, we formulate the network failure–aware redundant virtual machine placement problem as an integer nonlinear programming problem and prove that the problem is NP‐hard. Secondly, we propose a heuristic algorithm to solve the problem. Finally, extensive simulation results show the effectiveness of our algorithm.
FOUR WEEKS OF OPTIMAL LOAD BALLISTIC RESISTANCE TRAINING AT THE END OF SEASON ATTENUATES DECLINING JUMP PERFORMANCE OF WOMEN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS

Anecdotal and research evidence is that vertical jump performance declines over the competitive volleyball season. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a short period of ballistic resistance training would attenuate this loss. Fourteen collegiate women volleyball players were trained for 11 weeks with periodized traditional and ballistic resistance training. There was a 5.4% decrease (p < 0.05) in approach jump and reach height during the traditional training period (start of season to midseason), and a 5.3% increase (p < 0.05) during the ballistic training period (midseason to end of season), but values were not different from start to end of season. These changes in overall jump performance were reflective of changes in underlying neuromuscular performance variables: in particular, power output and peak velocity during loaded jump squats, countermovement jumps, and drop jumps. During the first 7 weeks of traditional heavy resistance training, it appears that the neuromuscular system is depressed, perhaps by the combination of training, game play, and skills practice precluding adequate recovery. Introduction of a novel training stimulus in the form of ballistic jump squats and reduction of heavy resistance training of the leg extensors stimulated a rebound in performance, in some cases to exceed the athlete's ability at the start of the season. Periodization of in-season training programs similar to that used in this study may provide volleyball players with good vertical jump performance for the crucial end-of-season games.
Laser Based Spatial Spine Curve Determination in Scoliosis

We present the development of a novel method for the automatic determination of a spatial spine curve based on the measured 3D shape of the human back (automatic curve) with the 3D laser profilometer. The measuring system is based on a line laser triangulation, its measuring range at the distance of 1 m is 300×700×500 mm, the measurement takes about 10 seconds and the single point measurement accuracy is 0.1 mm. The method allows us to compare an automatically determined spatial spine curve with a spatial curve, determined by the physician (reference curve) with the method of root mean square deviation (RMSD) in the frontal and sagittal plane. To validate the method both automatic and reference curve were compared on one subject in three different upright postures with arms in positions: 1. arms released beside the body, 2. upper arm in the horizontal position and forearm in vertical position upwards, 3. arms vertically at full stretch upwards. The results showed that the repeatability of the presented method for all three postures in the frontal and sagittal planes was 0.9 mm and 0.2 mm, respectively, thus allowing to assess a valid quantitative analysis of spine curve course on the surface of the human back regardless of the human upright posture.
Summary statement on screening for prostate cancer in Europe

The European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) showed that Prostate‐Specific Antigen (PSA) based screening results in a significant prostate cancer mortality reduction. Although there are concerns on overdiagnosis and overtreatment, it has been shown that the benefits can outweigh the harms if screening is stopped in older ages to prevent overdiagnosis. A limited screening program (for example screening at ages 55–59 years), including active surveillance for men with low‐risk tumors, can even be cost‐saving, compared with testing in an opportunistic setting in the wrong ages, as currently in Europe. Further improvements are expected in the use of active surveillance and in discrimination between indolent and significant disease due to new biomarkers and magnetic resonance imaging. However, these future developments are no reason to postpone feasibility studies of high‐quality PSA screening and reduce opportunistic testing at old ages.
Leadership U . S . Electoral Politics

Formal work on the electoral model often suggests that parties or candidates should locate themselves at the electoral center (or origin). Recent research has found no evidence of such convergence. In order to explain non-convergence, the stochastic electoral model is extended by including various kind of valences, some of which are based on individual and electoral perceptions. These electoral perceptions can be inuenced by the contributions made by activist groups to the various parties. We present this formal activist model and then discuss the US presidential election in 2008 and the midterm US election in 2010 in order to evaluate the inuence of activist groups, such as the so-called "Tea Party. " As an application of the model, we discuss the continuing realignment of US politics that has that has occurred since the end of the nineteenth century as a result of conict between activist coalitions. JEL classi cation: H10
Amisulpride versus moclobemide in treatment of clozapine-induced hypersalivation

Abstract Objectives. Previous publications demonstrated substitute benzamides as effective agents in treatment of clozapine-induced sialorrhea (CIS). The aim of this study was to compare efficacy of amisulpride and moclobemide (both from the substitute benzamide group) in controlling, or at least minimizing, CIS. Methods. The study was designed as a 6-week, two-center, fixed-dose, comparison study of 400 mg/day of amisulpride versus 300 mg/day of moclobemide as an adjunctive treatment in 53 schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder patients (diagnosed according to DSM-IV) suffering from CIS. The patients were treated with each medication during 2 weeks, followed by a washout period of 2 weeks. Primary outcome measures included the reduction in the five-point Nocturnal Hypersalivation Rating Scale (NHRS). Secondary outcomes included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Manic State Assessment Scale, and Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS). Results. Both amisulpride and moclobemide were very effective in reducing CIS. Almost 74% of patients treated with amisulpride and 83% of patients treated with moclobemide showed some level of improvement on NHRS. Only in one patient treated with amisulpride, CIS worsened. Conclusions. Both medications were safe and effective as treatment of CIS. Although moclobemide exceeded amisulpride in antisalivation activity, treatment of CIS with amisulpride leads to improvement in psychotic symptoms.
A new approach to species determination for yeast strains: DNA microarray‐based comparative genomic hybridization using a yeast DNA microarray with 6000 genes

DNA–DNA hybridization is known as the superior method in the elucidation of relationships between closely related taxa, such as species and strain. For species determination we propose a new DNA–DNA hybridization method: the DNA microarray‐based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) method, using a yeast DNA microarray with approximately 6000 genes. The genome from a yeast strain as a sample strain (Sample) was labelled with Cy3‐dye and hybridized to a single DNA microarray, together with the Cy5‐labelled genome of S. cerevisiae S288C as a reference strain (Reference). The log2 ratio values {log2[Cy3(Sample)/Cy5(Reference)]: Ratio} of signal intensities of all the gene spots were estimated and divided into the following groups: Ratio ≤ −1; −1 < Ratio < 1; 1 ≤ Ratio. The hybridization profiles of the genomes of type strains belonging to the genus Saccharomyces were significantly different from that of S. cerevisiae S288C. The Ratio‐based grouping allowed us to discriminate between some species from S. cerevisiae more clearly. Furthermore, cluster analysis discriminated between closely related species and strains. Using this method, we were able to not only perform species determination but also to obtain information on alternation in gene copy number of such gene amplifications and deletions with single‐gene resolution. These observations indicated that DNA microarray‐based CGH is a powerful system for species determination and comparative genome analysis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling of Programming and Read Performance in Phase-Change Memories—Part II: Program Disturb and Mixed-Scaling Approach

The scaling analysis of phase-change memory (PCM) cells is an essential step toward validation as a competitive technology in terms of array density and current consumption. While the current scaling has been addressed in a companion paper, we focus here on the thermal crosstalk, namely, the temperature increase in 1 bit in the array while an adjacent cell is being programmed by a high-current reset pulse. This parasitic heating may lead to partial crystallization in the amorphous phase and to a consequent resistance decrease after cycling. Our analysis shows that the thermal crosstalk strongly depends on the scaling approach used, e.g., isotropic or nonisotropic scaling. A new mixed-scaling option for PCM cells is proposed, which provides the maximum decrease of programming current compatible with the reliability requirements deriving from the thermal crosstalk. The effects of this new scaling approach on the programmed volume and data retention are finally addressed.
The Kain–Fritsch Convective Parameterization: An Update

Numerous modifications to the Kain‐Fritsch convective parameterization have been implemented over the last decade. These modifications are described, and the motivating factors for the changes are discussed. Most changes were inspired by feedback from users of the scheme (primarily numerical modelers) and interpreters of the model output (mainly operational forecasters). The specific formulation of the modifications evolved from an effort to produce desired effects in numerical weather prediction while also rendering the scheme more faithful to observations and cloud-resolving modeling studies.
Heart failure therapy: testosterone replacement and its implications.

This editorial refers to ‘Testosterone therapy in men with moderate severity heart failure: a double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial’† by C.J. Malkin et al . , on page 57 Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a serious health care problem, associated with a high hospitalization rate and poor prognosis. CHF treatment means modern combination therapy, nevertheless, its associated mortality is higher than that of most cancers. Patients with CHF also have a poor quality-of-life. The majority of today's therapeutic knowledge is based on evidence from large-scale multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trials. During the last 20 years, a remarkable evolution of therapeutic concepts has taken place with ACE-inhibitors, beta-blockers, and aldosterone receptor antagonists marking milestones of CHF therapy.1 The therapeutic targets in patients with CHF are two-fold: first, an increase of life expectancy, and, secondly, improvements in quality-of-life. First, prolongation of lifespan can be reached if the progression of the disease can be stopped, delayed, reversed, or if the risk for sudden cardiac death can be reduced. Secondly, and equally important is to keep patients with CHF in a good quality-of-life.1 Quality-of-life can be increased in CHF if therapeutic interventions lead to a reduction of exertional dyspnoea, to the cessation of peripheral or central oedema, and/or to an improvement of exercise capacity. Malkin et al . 2 followed the latter approach, focusing on testosterone as an important determinant of anabolic function that is impaired in CHF and linked to reduced exercise tolerance. In their randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single-centre trial, 76 male patients with moderate severity of CHF were included (age 63 vs. 65 years, LVEF 34% vs. 33%, BMI 28 vs. 28 kg/m2, BNP 206 vs. … *Corresponding author. Tel: +49 30 450 676 815; fax: +49 30 450 553 949. E-mail address : mathias.rauchhaus{at}charite.de
Dendrite-like self-assembly of magnetite nanoparticles on porous silicon.

[*] S. Balakrishnan, Dr. Y. K. Gun’ko School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 (Ireland) Fax: (+353)1-6712826 E-mail: igounko@tcd.ie Dr. T. S. Perova, Dr. R. A. Moore Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2 (Ireland) Dr. M. Venkatesan School of Physics, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin 2 (Ireland) Dr. A. P. Douvalis Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, P.O. Box 1186, 45110, Ioannina (Greece) Dr. P. Brouke Swinburne University of Technology, PO Box 218, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122 (Australia)
On operational properties of quantitative extensions of λ-calculus

In this thesis we deal with the operational behaviours of two quantitative extensions of pure λ-calculus, namely the algebraic λ-calculus and the probabilistic λ-calculus.In the first part, we study the β-reduction theory of the algebraic λ-calculus, a calculus allowing formal finite linear combinations of λ-terms to be expressed. Although the system enjoys the Church-Rosser property, reduction collapses in presence of negative coefficients. We exhibit a solution to the consequent loss of the notion of (unique) normal form, allowing the definition of a partial, but consistent, term equivalence. We then introduce a variant of β-reduction defined on canonical terms only, which we show partially characterises the previously established notion of normal form. In the process, we prove a factorisation theorem.In the second part, we study bisimulation and context equivalence in a λ-calculus endowed with a probabilistic choice. We show a technique for proving congruence of probabilistic applicative bisimilarity. While the technique follows Howe’s method, some of the technicalities are quite different, relying on non-trivial “disentangling” properties for sets of real numbers. Finally we show that, while bisimilarity is in general strictly finer than context equivalence, coincidence between the two relations is achieved on pure λ-terms. The resulting equality is that induced by Levy-Longo trees, generally accepted as the finest extensional equivalence on pure λ-terms under a lazy regime.
Parameter evaluation of geometric semantic genetic programming in pharmacokinetics

The role of crossover and mutation in genetic programming has been the subject of much debate since the emergence of the field. Recently new genetic operators, called geometric semantic operators, have been introduced. Contrary to standard genetic operators, these operators present the interesting property of inducing a unimodal fitness landscape for every problem that consists in finding a match between inputs and targets. As the definition of these operators is quite recent, their effect on the evolutionary dynamics is still in many senses unknown and deserves to be studied. This paper intends to fill this gap, with a specific focus on applications in the field of pharmacokinetic. Results show that a mixture of semantic crossover and mutation is always beneficial compared to the use of only one of these operators. Furthermore, we show that the best results are obtained using values of the semantic mutation rate which are considerably higher than the ones that are typically used when traditional subtree mutation is employed.
Repairing the Inconsistent Fuzzy Preference Matrix Using Multiobjective PSO

This paper presents a method using multiobjective particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach to improve the consistency matrix in analytic hierarchy process (AHP), called PSOMOF. The purpose of this method is to optimize two objectives which conflict each other, while improving the consistency matrix. They are minimizing consistent ratio (CR) and deviation matrix. This study focuses on fuzzy preference matrix as one model comparison matrix in AHP. Some inconsistent matrices are repaired successfully to be consistent by this method. This proposed method offers some alternative consistent matrices as solutions.
CitizenHelper: A Streaming Analytics System to Mine Citizen and Web Data for Humanitarian Organizations

Vast information available on social media through citizen sensing, complemented by diverse Web sources such as blogs, and news present an unprecedented opportunity for organizations to improve their work practices using such data. We will demo a novel, scalable and interactive streaming analytics system with a collaborative visual dashboard. The proposed system mines heterogeneous information streams from social and web platforms for analyzing real world events in humanitarian domain, along dimensions of information source demographics, time, location, and content summaries. Specific use-cases of gender-based violence and global displacements will be presented to demonstrate contrasting analyses of diverse data sources, unlike existing social computing systems with single data source, in humanitarian domain.
Lipoprotein assembly and secretion by hepatocytes.

Article de synthese sur la formation des lipoproteines chez les mammiferes. Cinetique de la secretion et de l'assemblage hepatiques des lipoproteines. Role du reticulum endoplasmique et de l'appareil de Golgi dans l'assemblage du pool specifique de lipides dans les lipoproteines. Etude de l'effet des acides gras (oleique, linoleique), du cholesterol, des sucres du jeune alimentaire, des hormones (insuline, glucocorticoides) sur la regulation de la secretion. Secretion des lysophospholipides