Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Brachytherapy of the prostate].

OBJECTIVE To present our results with brachytherapy in the treatment of localized cancer of the prostate. METHODS From September 1999 to April 2000, 20 patients with T1 and T2 cancer of the prostate were treated with brachytherapy. The method utilized is described and the results are presented. The advantages of iodine-125 implantation using transrectal ultrasound are discussed. RESULTS The morbidity was low and were mild irritative symptoms of the lower urinary tract that were managed without difficulty with medical treatment. Determination of PSA three months after the procedure showed good results in 80% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS There is an increasing number of cases diagnosed with localized cancer of the prostate. Good results have been achieved with radical surgery and radiotherapy. Although the number of patients with 10 years follow-up is small, brachytherapy of the prostate has achieved good results with a low morbidity. This therapeutic modality should be offered to the patient with localized cancer of the prostate and the patient allowed to decide on the type of treatment.
Language dominance determined by magnetic source imaging

Objective: To evaluate the validity of data derived from magnetic source imaging (MSI) regarding cerebral dominance for language in patients with intractable seizure disorder.Method:— The authors performed functional imaging of the receptive language cortex using a whole-head neuromagnetometer in 26 consecutive epilepsy patients who also underwent the intracarotid amobarbital (Wada) procedure. During MSI recordings, patients engaged in a word recognition task. This task was shown previously to activate language areas in normal adults as well as in patients who undergo intraoperative language mapping, allowing confirmation of MSI findings. Language laterality indices were formed for both the Wada and the MSI procedures. In addition, clinical judgments regarding cerebral dominance for language were made using the two methods by independent raters. Results: Cluster analysis indicated excellent agreement between the quantitative MSI and Wada indices. Rater judgments showed almost complete agreement as well. Conclusion: MSI is a promising method for determining cerebral dominance for language.
Electronic packaging for solid-state lighting

This talk addresses the developing field of solid-state lighting (SSL). The use of high-power light-emitting diode (HB-LED) in lighting is generally called SSL. We shall start with a review of the current status of SSL technology and its potential impact to our society. As in any solid-state and semiconductor electronics application, packaging technology plays an important role in the solid-state lighting component as well. We shall provide a review of current electronic package solutions and issues. We shall conclude the talk with our view on the future developments in solid-state lighting.
Towards an autonomous decentralized orchestration system

Orchestrating workflows needed for modern scientific data analysis presents a significant research challenge: they are typically executed in a centralized manner such that all data pass through a single compute server known as the engine, which causes unnecessary network traffic that leads to a performance bottleneck. This paper presents a scalable decentralized orchestration system that relies on a functional, high‐level data coordination language for executing workflows. This system consists of distributed execution engines, each of which is responsible for executing part of the overall workflow. It exploits parallelism in the workflow by partitioning it into smaller sub‐workflows and determines the most appropriate engines to execute them using network resource monitoring and placement analysis. This permits the computation logic of the workflow to be moved towards the services providing the data, which improves the overall execution time. The system supports data‐driven execution that allows each sub‐workflow to be executed as soon as the data needed for its execution become available from other sources. Therefore, a scheduling mechanism is not required to manage the order in which the sub‐workflows are orchestrated. This paper provides an evaluation of the proposed system, which demonstrates that decentralized orchestration provides scalability over centralized orchestration. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neural mechanisms underlying freedom to choose an object

Previous brain imaging studies identified the neural networks underlying free choice of self‐initiated actions. In contrast, the neural mechanisms underlying free choice of external objects remain to be elucidated. In this event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging study, participants had to choose one out of two different single‐colored target squares presented at two of three possible locations. In 50% of the trials the choice was either free or specified, which was indicated by a preceding cue. In order to disentangle processes associated with object choice from those related to motor responses, object‐response mapping was orthogonally varied. Processes related to the freedom of choice were isolated by means of an adaptive algorithm: based on the subjects individual choices in the free trials, specified trials were continuously generated in a way that matched the free trials in all aspects but the freedom to choose the object. Comparing free and specified trials revealed enhanced neural activity of a bilateral symmetrical network including the dorsolateral prefrontal, medial frontal, and medial parietal cortex. This network overlaps with that shown previously to be associated with free motor selection. It includes the pre‐supplementary motor area (pre‐SMA), suggesting that this area is rather associated with a supramodal function of initiating choice than with a specific motor function. Neural activity specifically associated with the freedom to choose an object was found bilaterally in the lateral superior parietal cortex. A psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis showed increased functional connectivity of this area with bilateral areas of the extrastriate visual cortex. Hum Brain Mapp, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Social Acceptance and Efficiency of the Application of Masking Agents in Urban Areas

This paper presents and discusses the results of the project named “Jasmin” implemented in Algiers (Algeria) to control the strong odours of the river named Oued El Harrach, one of the largest rivers in the centre of the city, which is polluted with raw sewage and industrial effluents. Pending the achievement of curative solutions, a temporary option for mitigation nuisance odour by masking agents was implemented in the vicinity of the main bridges. The efficiency of this technology has been followed by means of an odour panel with the participation of representatives of all stakeholders. A sociologic study by means of 1000 questionnaires and face-to-face interviews of local populations demonstrated the benefits and the positive outcomes of the attenuation of odour nuisance: 70% of the population is satisfied or very satisfied with the application of masking agents and 96% of respondents support the continuation of the project. In terms of size and public access, the project “Jasmin” is a world first demonstration of odour control in urban areas in developing countries.
Analyses and techniques for phase noise reduction in CMOS Hartley oscillator topology

This paper reports the analyses of the inductive degeneration, noise filter, and optimum current density techniques for phase noise reduction in the CMOS Hartley oscillator circuit topology. The design of the circuit topology is carried out in 28 nm bulk CMOS technology in a range of common conditions adopted also for a previous study on the Colpitts topology, so complementing the previous study on Colpitts topology and allowing a direct comparison between the Hartley and Colpitts topologies. The theoretical analyses of the three techniques are carried out and verified by means of circuit simulations. The results obtained for the inductive degeneration and noise filter show the existence of an optimum inductance for minimum phase noise. Moreover, the results obtained for the optimum bias current density technique applied to a Hartley oscillator circuit topology incorporating either inductive degeneration or noise filter provide the demonstration of the existence of an optimum bias current density for minimum phase noise. Moreover, we will go beyond this important result, by investigating for the first time the relationship with the optimum current density for transistor minimum noise figure and other general results reported in the literature. Overall, the analyses show that the adoption of these techniques may lead to a potential phase noise reduction up to 16 dB at a 1 MHz frequency offset for an oscillation frequency of 10 GHz, with respect to the traditional Hartley topology. Lastly, we report a comparison under common conditions between Colpitts and Hartley topologies implementing the aforementioned techniques, which could, from a designer perspective, be useful to acquiring a few key insights about the circuit design opportunities and focus the design efforts toward specific directions for performance optimizations. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Value of the Mini-Mental State Examination and Informants' Data for the Detection of Dementia in Geriatric Outpatients

The Dutch version of the Mini-Mental State Examination was administered to 138 elderly patients who were referred to a geriatric outpatient clinic for a variety of reasons. An optimal cut-off point of 24/25 was found for the detection of dementia. At this cut-off point, the Mini-Mental State Examination was 87.6% sensitive and 81.6% specific in detecting dementia. The discriminative validity was influenced by education and by the presence of psychiatric disorders other than dementia. Informants' data showed better sensitivity and specificity than the Mini-Mental State Examination for the detection of dementia. The findings suggest that informants' data are a primary source of information for the detection of dementia in geriatric outpatients.
Measurement of Peripheral Muscle Strength in Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE: Reduced maximal, peripheral muscle strength is associated with exercise intolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, it is important to accurately evaluate muscle strength to identify patients with muscle weakness and to prescribe adequate loads for resistance training. The objective here was to systematically identify and summarize the literature on measurement of peripheral muscle strength in individuals with COPD and to make recommendations for strength testing in clinical and research settings. METHODS: A literature search was conducted of electronic databases between 1999 and 2009 of all English language articles utilizing muscle strength measurements. RESULTS: The search resulted in retrieval of 178 articles, of which 66 were reviewed. Isometric muscle strength was measured using handgrip (n = 30), strain gauge (n = 15), computerized dynamometer (n = 13), magnetic stimulation (n = 8), handheld dynamometer (n = 6), or manual testing (n = 3). Isotonic muscle strength was measured using a hydraulic system (n = 3) or 1-repetition maximum (n = 9), and isokinetic muscle strength was measured using computerized dynamometer (n = 16). Methodological issues such as limb position, number of trials, subject familiarization, test instructions, rest periods, and muscle group tested were all identified as important variables to consider when developing a strength-testing protocol. CONCLUSION: Muscle strength has been measured in people with COPD using similar methods as in other clinical populations. Each method presents advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered when selecting the most relevant measure. Standardization of the test procedures is essential in both clinical and research settings to obtain valid and reliable measurements of muscle strength.
COL6A1, the Candidate Gene for Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament, Is Associated With Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis in Japanese

Study Design. Genetic screening of collagen 6A1 gene (COL6A1) in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) recruited in Japan and the Czech Republic. Objective. To investigate allelic associations between DISH and nucleotide variants of COL6A1. Summary of Background Data. DISH is a skeletal hyperostotic disease characterized by ligamentous ossification of the anterolateral side of the spine. Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a related disorder with DISH, and COL6A1 was identified as a susceptibility gene to OPLL. COL6A1 was examined for susceptibility in DISH patients from Japan and the Czech Republic. Methods. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms of COL6A1 were genotyped by direct sequencing. The allele frequencies were compared between 97 Japanese DISH patients and 298 Japanese controls, and between 96 Czech DISH patients and 96 Czech controls by &khgr;2 test. Results. The intron 32 (−29) single nucleotide polymorphisms of COL6A1 was significantly associated with the Japanese DISH patients (&khgr;2 = 9.33; P = 0.0022), but not with the Czech DISH patients. Conclusions. Because COL6A1 could be a susceptibility to the occurrence of DISH and OPLL in the Japanese population, we consider that COL6A1 could be responsible for the hyperostotic state, leading to ectopic bone formation in the spinal ligament.
Allotypes associated with B apolipoproteins in rabbits.

Western blot analysis of the alloantisera (i.e., anti-Lpq1, anti-Lpq2, anti-Lpq3, and anti-Lpq4) which defined the three lpq genes of rabbit linkage group VIII showed that they reacted strongly with an apolipoprotein of molecular weight 320,000. They also cross-reacted with an apolipoprotein of molecular weight 220,000. The two apolipoproteins that reacted with the alloantisera were found by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be present in very low density (VLDL), intermediate density (IDL), and low density (LDL) lipoprotein fractions and by Western blot analysis to react with an anti-apolipoprotein B antiserum. These results support the conclusion that the alloantisera react with allotypes associated with the B apolipoproteins. The distribution of the four allotypes among different lipoprotein fractions, however, differed. The quantitative competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA) showed that the Lpq1, Lpq2, and Lpq4 allotypes were found in the highest concentration in VLDL, IDL, and LDL, and in significantly lower concentrations in plasma chylomicrons. The concentrations of these allotypes in high density lipoproteins (HDL) as measured in the ELISA were about 1% of the concentrations found in LDL. The Lpq3 allotype, on the other hand, was present in the highest concentrations only in IDL and LDL and in significantly lower concentrations in VLDL and plasma chylomicrons. Surprisingly, the concentration of the Lpq3 allotype in HDL was 20% of the level found in LDL.
Perceptual masking in multiple sound backgrounds.

Shifts in masked spondee thresholds during several conditions of listening (monaural, homophasic, antiphasic, and with interaural time disparity) in the presence of one to four competing maskers were measured. The maskers used were white noise, white noise modulated four times per second by 10 dB with a 50% duty cycle, the same noise with 75% duty cycle, connected speech by one male talker, and connected speech by a second male talker. Results from three experiments that employed various permutations of the aforementioned conditions are reported. The findings, after equating conditions to equivalent masker levels, were four. First, the modulated noise with 50% duty cycle produced about 3.5 dB less masking than that produced by unmodulated white noise. Second, the modulated noise with 75% duty cycle allowed only about 1 dB less shift than did the unmodulated noise. Third, mixing one speech train with noise (either modulated or unmodulated) induced about 3.2 dB excess masking. This excess is here termed per.
Computing the Duquenne–Guigues basis: an algorithm for choosing the order

This paper presents an algorithm for choosing the order in which pseudo-intents are enumerated when computing the Duquenne–Guigues basis of a formal context. Sets are constructed through the use of a spanning tree to ensure they are all found once. The time and space complexities of the algorithm are empirically evaluated using, respectively, the number of logical closures and the number of sets in memory as measures. It is found that only the space complexity depends on the enumeration order.
Surgical Treatment of Elongated Styloid Process: Experience of 61 Cases

AIM To describe the management of patients with elongated styloid process syndrome (Eagle's syndrome). MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-one patients with elongated styloid process were treated between 2000 and 2005. Computed tomography examination defines those whose symptoms suggest the diagnosis. Patients with styloid processes longer than 25 mm were treated by surgical resection. RESULTS Fifty-seven (93.4%) of 61 patients treated for Eagle's syndrome became asymptomatic after resection. There were no serious complications. CONCLUSION Patients with clinically and radiologically established elongated styloid process can be managed successfully by surgical resection using an external approach.
Political institutions and developmental governance in sub-Saharan Africa

This article addresses the question of whether, or under what conditions, democratic institutions contribute to ‘developmental governance’ in sub-Saharan Africa, in forms such as coherent policy formulation, effective public administration, and limited corruption. While few dispute the desirability for Africa of democracy and good governance in theory, many remain sceptical about whether the two necessarily go together in practice. Using a simple framework informed by the new institutional economics, I analyse the impact of political institutions on governance quality in a sample of 38 sub-Saharan African countries. The main finding is that a combination of democratic contestation and institutional restraints on governments' discretionary authority substantially improves developmental governance. Judged against liberal democratic ideals, Africa's emerging democracies have many shortcomings. Yet the article shows that democratic institutions systematically enhance African states' performance as agents of development.
Adolescent quality of life, part II: initial validation of a new instrument.

The psychometric properties of the Youth Quality of Life Instrument-Research Version (YQOL-R) perceptual module are presented. Self-reports were obtained from 236 youth aged 12-18 years with mobility disability, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or without self-reported chronic conditions. Item and factor analyses confirmed the hypothesized conceptual model derived from previous qualitative research. The scales of the YQOL-R showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.77-0.96), reproducibility (ICCs=0.74-0.85), expected associations with other constructs, and ability to distinguish between known groups. The YQOL-R showed sufficient validity to encourage further use.
Indexing of Spatio-Temporal Telemetric Data Based on Adaptive Multi-Dimensional Bucket Index

This paper describes the idea of a multi-dimensional bucket index designed for efficient indexing of telemetric readings. This data structure answers spatio-temporal range queries concerning utility usage within user selected region and time. In addition, it has a capability to adjust to incoming data and therefore is suitable to process data of highly dynamic nature. The paper also presents a stochastic prediction method to estimate utility usage in the near future.
Path-tracking control of bevel-tip needles using Model Predictive Control

The bevel-tip flexible needle is an improvement of the clinical puncture needle and has the potential to reduce surgery traumas and improve puncture accuracy. Due to the nonholonomic kinematics model, it is difficult to drive flexible needles to track a pre-plan path. In this paper, we propose an effective path tracking control method based on Model Predictive Control (MPC). The kinematics model of flexible needles is described firstly, according to which the control method is designed. Then, the path tracking control method is presented in detail. The finite prediction horizon of MPC is extended to infinite in order to obtain a global optimal solution. Due to the nonlinear model, the objective function of receding horizon optimization is also nonlinear, and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is employed to search optimal predictive control series. At last, simulations are conducted and results illustrate that the proposed controller performs well to precisely drive the flexible needle to track a desired path.
(1 + (cid:15) )-Approximate f -Sensitive Distance Oracles

An f-Sensitive Distance Oracle with stretch (cid:11) preprocesses a graph G(V; E) and produces a small data structure that is used to answer subsequent queries. A query is a triple consisting of a set F (cid:26) E of at most f edges, and vertices s and t. The oracle answers a query (F; s; t) by returning a value ~d which is equal to the length of some path between s and t in the graph G n F (the graph obtained from G by discarding all edges in F ). Moreover, ~ d is at most (cid:11) times the length of the shortest path between s and t in G n F. The oracle can also construct a path between s and t in G n F of length ~d. To the best of our knowledge we give the (cid:12)rst nontrivial f-sensitive distance oracle with fast query time and small stretch capable of handling multiple edge failures. Speci(cid:12)cally, for any f = o( logn loglogn ) and a (cid:12)xed (cid:15) > 0 our oracle answers queries (F; s; t) in time e O(1) with (1 + (cid:15)) stretch using a data structure of size n 2+o(1) . For comparison, the na(cid:127)(cid:16)ve alternative requires m f n 2 space for sublinear query time.
Analyzing package-on-package (PoP) reflow assembly interfaces with interconnect gap analysis

The product design and manufacturing processes related to package-on-package (PoP) devices continue to evolve, driven by the needs of mobile device OEMs and their end-user customers. Trends in the semiconductor industry are driving PoP assemblies to be thinner and smaller, while containing more interconnects than ever before. As the components that constitute a PoP device become thinner, with smaller-pitch solder joints, dynamic warpage during the reflow process has more potential to cause problems such as Head-in-Pillow and non-wet opens. This paper presents the latest technology for analyzing the compatibility of the assembled components to predict how well they will reliably solder, by evaluating how well their shapes match at each critical temperature throughout the reflow profile.