Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Capacity of Known Interference Channel

In this paper, we investigate the capacity of a known interference channel, where a transmitter sends information to a receiver in the presence of a block-fading interference link, and the receiver knows the interference data but not the channel gain of the interference link. An upper bound and a lower bound for the capacity of this known interference channel are derived. Specifically, the capacity lower bound is achieved by a blind known interference cancellation (BKIC) scheme, which can remove the interference without the knowledge of the interference channel gain. We further show that the achievable lower bound of BKIC can approach the upper bound in high SNR regime. Our results show that the lack of the knowledge of the channel gain of the interfering link causes only a small fractional loss of degrees of freedom (capacity prelog).
Quality of randomized controlled trials reporting in the treatment of sarcomas.

PURPOSE Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) represent the best evidence in oncology practice. The aim of this study was to assess the reporting quality of sarcoma RCTs and to identify significant predictors of quality. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two investigators searched MEDLINE for pediatric and adult bone and soft tissue sarcoma RCTs published between January 1988 and December 2008. The quality of each report was assessed by using a 15-point overall reporting quality score based on 15 items from the revised Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement (overall quality score [OQS] range, 0 to 15 points). Concealment of allocation, appropriate blinding, and analysis according to intention-to-treat principle were assessed separately because of their crucial methodologic importance by using a 3-point key methodologic index score (MIS; range, 0 to 3). RESULTS We retrieved 72 relevant RCTs that included 16,029 patients. The median OQS was 9.5. Allocation concealment, blinding, and analysis by intent to treat were reported only in 21 (29%), nine (12.5%), and 23 (32%) of the 72 RCTs, respectively. The median MIS was 1 with a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 2. On multivariate analysis, publication after 1996 and high impact factor remained independent and significant predictors of improved OQS. The sole variable associated with improved MIS was the publication of chemotherapy-only trials. CONCLUSION Although the overall quality of sarcoma RCTs reporting has improved over time, reporting of key methodologic issues remains poor. This may lead to biased interpretation of sarcoma trial results.
Fairness-Aware Energy-Efficient Resource Allocation for AF Co-Operative OFDMA Networks

In this paper, we adopt an energy-efficiency (EE) metric, named worst-EE, that is suitable for EE fairness optimization in the uplink transmission of amplify-and-forward (AF) cooperative orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) networks. More specifically, we assign subcarriers and allocate powers for mobile and relay stations in order to maximize the worst-EE, i.e., to maximize the EE of the mobile station (MS) with the lowest EE value, subject to MSs transmit power, relay station (RS) transmit power, and MSs quality-of-service (QoS) constraints. The formulated primal max-min optimization problem is nonconvex fractional mixed integer nonlinear program, i.e., NP-hard to solve. We provide a novel optimization framework that studies the structure of the primal problem and prove that the dual min-max optimization problem attains the same optimal solution of the primal problem. Additionally, we propose a modified Dinkelbach algorithm, named dual Dinkelbach, to achieve the optimal solution of the dual problem in a polynomial time complexity. We further exploit the structure of the obtained optimal solution and develop a low complexity suboptimal heuristic. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm to improve the network performance in terms of fairness between MSs, worst-EE, and average network transmission rate when compared to traditional schemes that maximize the EE of the whole network. Presented results also show that the suboptimal heuristic balances the achieved performance and the computational complexity.
Greener Data Exchange in the Cloud: A Coding-Based Optimization for Big Data Processing

The rise of the cloud and distributed data-intensive (big data) applications puts pressure on data center networks due to the movement of massive volumes of data. Reducing the volume of communication is pivotal for embracing greener data exchange by efficient utilization of network resources. This paper proposes the use of mixing technique, spate coding, working in tandem with software-defined network control as a means of dynamically-controlled reduction in volume of communication. We introduce motivating real-world use-cases, and present a novel spate coding algorithm for the data center networks. We also analyze the computational complexity of the general problem of minimizing the volume of communication in a distributed data center application without degrading the rate of information exchange, and provide theoretical limits of such schemes. Moreover, we proceed to bridge the gap between theory and practice by performing a proof-of-concept implementation of the proposed system in a real world data center. We use Hadoop MapReduce, the most widely used big data processing framework, as our target. The experimental results employing two of industry standard benchmarks show the advantage of our proposed system compared to a vanilla Hadoop implementation, an in-network combiner, and Combine-N-Code. The proposed coding-based scheme shows performance improvement in terms of volume of communication (up to 62%), goodput (up to 76%), disk utilization (up to 38%), and the number of bits that can be transmitted per Joule of energy (up to 200%).
Phase II study of irinotecan and temozolomide in children with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma: a Children's Oncology Group study.

PURPOSE This phase II study was conducted to determine the response rate associated with use of irinotecan and temozolomide for children with relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma measurable by cross-sectional imaging (stratum 1) or assessable by bone marrow aspirate/biopsy or metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan (stratum 2) received irinotecan (10 mg/m(2)/dose 5 days a week for 2 weeks) and temozolomide (100 mg/m(2)/dose for 5 days) every 3 weeks. Response was assessed after three and six courses using International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria. Of the first 25 evaluable patients on a given stratum, five or more patients with complete or partial responses were required to conclude that further study would be merited. RESULTS Fifty-five eligible patients were enrolled. The objective response rate was 15%. Fourteen patients (50%) on stratum 1 and 15 patients (56%) on stratum 2 had stable disease. Objective responses were observed in three of the first 25 evaluable patients on stratum 1 and five of the first 25 evaluable patients on stratum 2. Less than 6% of patients experienced ≥ grade 3 diarrhea. Although neutropenia was observed, less than 10% of patients developed evidence of infection while neutropenic. CONCLUSION The combination of irinotecan and temozolomide was well tolerated. The objective response rate of 19% in stratum 2 suggests that this combination may be effective for patients with neuroblastoma detectable by MIBG or marrow analysis. Although fewer objective responses were observed in patients with disease measurable by computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, patients in both strata seem to have derived clinical benefit from this therapy.
Reporting of serious adverse drug reactions of targeted anticancer agents in pivotal phase III clinical trials.

PURPOSE Oncologists prescribe anticancer drugs based on results of phase III randomized clinical trials (RCTs), but some safety concerns appear only later in updated drug labels. Here, we analyze adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of targeted anticancer agents from updated drug labels and their reporting in corresponding pivotal RCTs. METHODS We searched the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Web site for approved targeted anticancer drugs with updates of their labels related to safety in 2008 and 2009 and at least one RCT referenced in the updated drug label. For each drug, serious ADRs, including potentially fatal ADRs, were identified from the updated label. Published reports of RCTs referenced in the label were searched to determine whether they described these ADRs. RESULTS We identified 12 eligible targeted anticancer agents with 36 corresponding RCTs referenced in updated drug labels. There were 76 serious ADRs reported in updated drug labels, and 50% (n = 38) were potentially fatal. Of these, 39% (n = 30) of all serious ADRs and 39% (n = 15) of potentially fatal ADRs were not described in any published report of RCTs, whereas 49% and 58%, respectively, were not described in initial drug labels. After a median 4.3 years between initial approval and update of drug labels, 42% (n = 5) of targeted cancer agents acquired one or more boxed warnings (the highest level of FDA alert). CONCLUSION Published reports of pivotal RCTs and initial drug labels contain limited information about serious ADRs of targeted anticancer agents. Rare but serious ADRs may be important causes of morbidity and mortality in general oncologic practice.
MSPlayer: Multi-Source and Multi-Path Video Streaming

Online video streaming through mobile devices has become extremely popular nowadays. YouTube, for example, reported that the percentage of its traffic streaming to mobile devices has soared from 6% to more than 40% over the past two years. Moreover, people are constantly seeking to stream high-quality videos for better experience while often suffering from limited bandwidth. With the rapid deployment of content delivery networks, popular videos are now replicated at different sites, and users can stream over-the-top videos from close-by sources with low latency. Aggregating bandwidth for high definition video streaming has become possible as mobile devices, nowadays, are equipped with multiple wireless interfaces (e.g., WiFi and 3G/4G). We propose a client-based video streaming solution, MSPlayer, that takes advantage of multiple video sources and leverages multiple network paths through different interfaces. MSPlayer reduces start-up latency and provides robust data transport with high video quality in mobile scenarios. We experimentally demonstrate our solution on a test bed and through the YouTube video service.
The benefits of electronic diaries in understanding the experience of health

Most clinicians and researchers have relied on patient or participant self-reported health information to overcome the constraints of eliciting these data in a clinic or laboratory setting. For example, time-dependent behaviours (eg, waking body temperature), or some sensitive or personal behaviour (eg, substance use or sexual behaviours) are difficult to directly observe in formal settings.1 Additionally, clinic-based or lab-based data collection may fail to capture how an individual's own ‘native’ circumstances and subjective experiences determine or modify a health behaviour.2 ,3 At the same time, it is important to safeguard the anonymity and confidentiality of self-reported information, as individuals may provide inaccurate data if they feel these elements have been breached.3 The use of electronic diaries has become an increasingly common data collection approach to maximise the ecological validity and the security of self-reported health information. Considerable diversity has evolved over the past decade in how electronic diaries are structured, in how frequently they are completed, and in the health phenomena they are used to study. As evidenced by their use to understand sexual behaviour,4 smoking cessation5 and substance use,6 asthma management7 seizure prediction,8 psychological state and disease symptomatology in old age,9 paediatric arthritis pain,10 and emotional regulation,11 electronic diaries can be a flexible and powerful way to intimately connect to the health experiences of others. In this issue, Stalgaitis and Glick's12 systematic review of web-based diaries for understanding sexual risk …
New water soluble and luminescent platinum(II) compounds, vapochromic behavior of [K(H2O)][Pt(bzq)(CN)2], new examples of the influence of the counterion on the photophysical properties of d8 square-planar complexes.

This work describes the synthesis of compounds [Pt(C=N)(NCMe) 2]ClO 4 (C=N = 7,8-benzoquinolinato (bzq), 2-phenylpyridinato (ppy)) and their use as precursors for the preparation of the cyanido complexes [Pt(C=N)(CN) 2] (-), which were isolated as the potassium, [K(H 2O)][Pt(C=N)(CN) 2] [C=N = bzq ( 3a), ppy ( 4a)], and the tetrabutylammonium, NBu 4[Pt(C=N)(CN) 2] [C=N = bzq ( 5), ppy ( 6)], salts. The difference in the cation has an influence on the solubility, color, and emission properties of these compounds. Compounds 5 and 6 are yellow and soluble in organic solvents, while the potassium salts are also soluble in water and exhibit two forms: the water-containing [K(H 2O)][Pt(C=N)(CN) 2] [C=N = bzq ( 3a), ppy ( 4a)] complexes and the anhydrous ones K[Pt(C=N)(CN) 2] [C=N = bzq ( 3b), ppy ( 4b)], the former being strongly colored [red ( 3a) or purple ( 4a)] and the latter being yellow. Compounds 3a and 4a transform reversibly into the yellow, 3b and 4b, compounds upon desorption/ reabsorption of water molecules from the environment. The red solid, 3a, also exhibits vapochromic behavior when it is exposed to volatile organic compounds, the shortest response times being those observed for methanol and ethanol. UV-vis and emission spectra of all compounds were recorded both in solution and in the solid state. In methanol solution, the difference in the cation causes no differences in the absorption nor in the emission spectra, which is as expected for the monomer species. However, in the solid state, the differences are notable. For both the red ( 3a) and purple ( 4a) compounds, a prominent absorption, which has maxima at about 550 nm and is responsible for their intense colors, as well as a structureless emission at lambda > 700 nm that suffers a significant red-shift upon cooling, are due to (1,3)MMLCT (= metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer) [dsigma*(Pt) --> pi*(C=N)] transitions characteristic of linear-chain platinum complexes with short Pt.Pt contacts. Time-dependent density-functional theory calculations on complex 5 and the X-ray diffraction study on compound [K(OCMe 2) 2][Pt(ppy)(CN) 2] ( 4c) are also included.
Declining incidence of contralateral breast cancer in the United States from 1975 to 2006.

PURPOSE Contralateral breast cancer (CBC) is the most frequent new malignancy among women diagnosed with a first breast cancer. Although temporal trends for first breast cancers have been well studied, trends for CBC are not so well established. PATIENTS AND METHODS We examined temporal trends in CBC incidence using US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1975 to 2006). Data were stratified by estrogen receptor (ER) status of the first breast cancer for the available time period (1990+). We estimated the annual percent change (EAPC) in CBC rates using Poisson regression models adjusted for the age at and time since first breast cancer diagnosis. RESULTS Before 1985, CBC incidence rates were stable (EAPC, 0.27% per year; 95% CI, -0.4 to 0.9), after which they declined with an EAPC of -3.07% per year (95% CI, -3.5 to -2.7). From 1990 forward, the declines were restricted to CBC after an ER-positive cancer (EAPC, -3.18%; 95% CI, -4.2 to -2.2) with no clear decreases after an ER-negative cancer. Estimated current age-specific CBC rates (per 100/year) after an ER-positive first cancer were: 0.45 for first cancers diagnosed before age 30 years and 0.25 to 0.37 for age 30 years or older. Rates after an ER-negative cancer were higher: 1.26 before age 30 years, 0.85 for age 30 to 35 years, and 0.45 to 0.65 for age 40 or older. CONCLUSION Results show a favorable decrease of 3% per year for CBC incidence in the United States since 1985. This overall trend was driven by declining CBC rates after an ER-positive cancer, possibly because of the widespread usage of adjuvant hormone therapies, after the results of the Nolvadex Adjuvant Trial Organisation were published in 1983, and/or other adjuvant treatments.
A validation study of a clinical prediction rule for screening asymptomatic chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections among heterosexuals in British Columbia

Background One component of effective sexually transmitted infections (STIs) control is ensuring those at highest risk of STIs have access to clinical services because terminating transmission in this group will prevent most future cases. Here, we describe the results of a validation study of a clinical prediction rule for identifying individuals at increased risk for chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection derived in Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), against a population of asymptomatic patients attending sexual health clinics in other geographical settings in BC. Methods We examined electronic records (2000–2012) from clinic visits at seven sexual health clinics in geographical locations outside Vancouver. The model's calibration and discrimination were examined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the Hosmer–Lemeshow (H-L) statistic, respectively. We also examined the sensitivity and proportion of patients that would need to be screened at different cut-offs of the risk score. Results The prevalence of infection was 5.3% (n=10 425) in the geographical validation population. The prediction rule showed good performance in this population (AUC, 0.69; H-L p=0.26). Possible risk scores ranged from −2 to 27. We identified a risk score cut-off point of ≥8 that detected cases with a sensitivity of 86% by screening 63% of the geographical validation population. Conclusions The prediction rule showed good generalisability in STI clinics outside of Vancouver with improved discriminative performance compared with temporal validation. The prediction rule has the potential for augmenting triaging services in STI clinics and enhancing targeted testing in population-based screening programmes.
Characterizing levator‐ani muscle stiffness pre‐ and post‐childbirth in European and Polynesian women in New Zealand: a pilot study

The influence of levator‐ani muscles on second‐stage labor is poorly understood. The ability of these muscles to stretch without damage may affect birth outcomes, but little is known about material properties, effects of pregnancy and/or ethnicity on levator‐ani stiffness. There are strong associations between muscle damage and subsequent pelvic floor disorders. This study aimed to quantify levator‐ani muscle stiffness during the third trimester of pregnancy and postpartum in European and Polynesian women. Associations between stiffness, obstetric variables, and the risk of intrapartum levator‐ani injury (avulsion) were investigated.
Successful treatment of postchemotherapy azoospermia with microsurgical testicular sperm extraction: the Weill Cornell experience.

UNLABELLED PURPOSE; Advances in chemotherapy have led to greater longevity and paternity may be an important consideration for postchemotherapy survivors of childhood cancers. While traditionally considered sterile, men who are azoospermic after chemotherapy can be treated with microdissection testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). PATIENTS AND METHODS Oncologic data, pretreatment hormone profiles, testicular histology, and outcomes of microdissection TESE-ICSI were reviewed. ICSI was performed in a programmed in vitro fertilization cycle using fresh spermatozoa. Embryos were transferred into the uterine cavity on the third day after microinjection. RESULTS Eighty-four microdissection TESE procedures were performed in 73 patients. The mean time elapsed since chemotherapy was 18.6 years (range, 1 to 34 years). Spermatozoa were retrieved in 37% of patients and in 42.9% of overall procedures. A 57.1% fertilization rate (per injected oocyte) was achieved with ICSI allowing a 50% clinical pregnancy rate with a live birth rate of 42% overall. There were 15 deliveries, with a total of 20 children born. Hypospermatogenesis seen on preoperative biopsy was associated with 100% sperm retrieval while exposure to alkylating agents resulted in a significantly lower sperm retrieval rate. Patients with testicular cancer had the highest sperm retrieval rates while patients previously treated for sarcoma had the lowest retrieval rates. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this represents the largest series of postchemotherapy microdissection TESE-ICSI to date. Sperm were retrieved in 37% of patients despite a prevalence of Sertoli cell-only pattern on preoperative biopsy. Although prechemotherapy sperm cryopreservation is recommended, treatment with microdissection TESE and ICSI are effective treatment options for many azoospermic men after chemotherapy.
Disease-related outcomes with long-term follow-up: an updated analysis of the intergroup exemestane study.

PURPOSE Intergroup Exemestane Study (IES), an investigator-led study in 4,724 postmenopausal patients with early-stage breast cancer has demonstrated clinically important benefits from switching adjuvant endocrine therapy after 2 to 3 years of tamoxifen to exemestane. Now, with longer follow-up, a large number of non-breast cancer-related events have been reported. Exploratory analyses describe breast cancer-free survival (BCFS) and explore incidence and patterns of the different competing events. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients who were disease-free after 2 to 3 years of adjuvant tamoxifen were randomly assigned to continue tamoxifen or switch to exemestane to complete 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy. At this planned analysis, the median follow-up was 91 months. Principal analysis focuses on 4,052 patients with estrogen receptor (ER) -positive and 547 with ER-unknown tumors. RESULTS In all, 930 BCFS events have been reported (exemestane, 423; tamoxifen, 507), giving an unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.81 (95% CI, 0.71 to 0.92; P = .001) in favor of exemestane in the ER-positive/ER unknown group. Analysis partitioned at 2.5 years after random assignment showed that the on-treatment benefit of switching to exemestane (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.75; P < .001) was not lost post-treatment, but that there was no additional gain once treatment had ceased (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.10; P = .60). Improvement in overall survival was demonstrated, with 352 deaths in the exemestane group versus 405 deaths in the tamoxifen group (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = .04). Of these, 222 were reported as intercurrent deaths (exemestane, 107; tamoxifen, 115). CONCLUSION The protective effect of switching to exemestane compared with continuing on tamoxifen on risk of relapse or death was maintained for at least 5 years post-treatment and was associated with a continuing beneficial impact on overall survival.