Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Persistence of drug use during imprisonment: relationship of drug type, recency of use and severity of dependence to use of heroin, cocaine and amphetamine in prison.

AIM To investigate the persistence of use of heroin, cocaine and amphetamine drugs during imprisonment, and to identify factors associated with increased levels of persistence. DESIGN The use of heroin, cocaine and amphetamine by current prison inmates has been examined and, in particular, the relationship between drug use within prison and the type of drug used prior to imprisonment, recency of use and severity of dependence. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A randomly selected sample of 1009 adult male prisoners in 13 prisons in England and Wales during 1994/95; structured confidential interviews conducted by independent research staff. Enquiry about prior use of heroin, cocaine or amphetamine focused on three time-periods (ever, last year and last month pre-prison) and the use of these drugs during the first month of imprisonment. FINDINGS A total of 557 (55%) of the 1009 prisoners had used previously one of the three drugs selected for study: 58% had used heroin, 69% cocaine and 75% amphetamine. More than half (59%; 327/557) had used these drugs in the month before the current imprisonment. Drug use in prisons was most likely to occur among those who had used in the month prior to imprisonment. The persistence of heroin use in prison occurred more frequently (70%) than use of cocaine (20%) or amphetamine (15%). Of those using heroin pre-imprisonment, 67% considered they were dependent, compared to 15% and 22%, respectively, for cocaine and amphetamine users. CONCLUSIONS Changes in the drug-taking behaviour of drug users after imprisonment vary according to the type of drug being taken. Prisoners were much more likely to continue to use heroin than either cocaine or amphetamines while in prison. Heroin was most likely to be used by those who had been using heroin during the immediate pre-imprisonment period, and particularly by the two-thirds of heroin users who considered themselves dependent. In view of the high prevalence of prior use of these drugs by individuals currently imprisoned, continuing attention is required to study of their behaviour and of the impact of interventions that may be introduced during or following their incarceration.
Relationship of aortic regurgitant velocity slope and pressure half-time to severity of aortic regurgitation under changing haemodynamic conditions.

The slope and pressure half-time of the aortic regurgitant velocity spectrum have been used as non-invasive markers of regurgitant severity. Recent in vitro and theoretical work, however, has suggested a confounding effect of systemic vascular resistance and left ventricular compliance on these parameters. To study this situation in vivo, we have investigated the determinants of the aortic regurgitant velocity profile in an animal model of aortic regurgitation in which the regurgitation was induced surgically and in which the afterload was varied pharmacologically. Specifically, we examined the relationship of slope and pressure half-time of the aortic regurgitant velocity profile to the severity of aortic regurgitation under varying conditions of afterload using multilinear analysis. Slope varied directly with regurgitant orifice area and inversely with systemic vascular resistance and both left ventricular and aortic compliance (all P < 0.001). Pressure half-time related to these variables in the opposite direction. When the regurgitant orifice was variable in size, slope related directly (P < 0.001) and half-time inversely to the severity of the aortic regurgitation (the clinically expected response). In contrast, when the regurgitant orifice area was constant, slope varied inversely (P < 0.001) and half-time varied directly (P < 0.07) with the severity of the aortic regurgitation. Following nitroprusside infusion, slope tended to increase (P = 0.08) and pressure half-time tended to shorten (P = 0.08) despite a significant reduction in the regurgitant fraction (P = 0.009). Similarly, following dopamine infusion, a significant increase in regurgitant fraction (P = 0.01) was associated with a slight fall in aortic regurgitation slope and a lengthening of the half-time. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Equivalence of the Maximum Likelihood and a Modified Least Squares for a Case of Generalized Linear Model

During the analysis of statistical data, one of the most important steps is the estimation of the considered parameters model. The most common estimation methods are the maximum likelihood and the least squares. When the data are considered normal, there is equivalence between the two methods, so there is no privilege for one or the other method. However, if the data are not Gaussian, this equivalence is no longer valid. Also, if the normal equations are not linear, we make use of iterative methods (Newton-Raphson algorithm, Fisher, etc .). In this work, we consider a particular case where the data are not normal and solving equations are not linear and that it leads to the equivalence of the maximum likelihood method at least squares but modified. At the end of the work, we concluded by referring to the application of this modified method for solving the equations of Liang and Zeger.
Integration of real-time and off-line clinical data in the MIMIC database

The MIMIC (Multi-parameter Intelligent Monitoring for Intensive Care) database is a collection of recorded physiological signals and clinical data that is intended to support the development and evaluation of automated decision support systems for intensive care settings. Each patient record typically includes 24 to 48 hours of continuous real-time signals (e.g. ECGs, blood pressure waveforms or respiration) and derived measurements (e.g. heart rate or systolic blood pressure), together with clinical data derived from the patient's medical record and from the hospital's clinical computing systems. The clinical data are encoded using structured HTML (readable using a standard Web browser, or by a decision support system or other automated application). An important element of this encoding is a reconstruction of the medical record in the form of a time-line of events, which permits a detailed and repeatable simulation of the inputs that are potentially available to a real-time "intelligent" ICU monitor.
Outlier Analysis of Annual Retail Price Inflation:A Cross-Country Study

t Wilkie's stochastic investment model and its variants have been increasingly applied by actuaries around the world to actuarial modeling and simulation. This paper performs time series outlier analysis on retail price inflation, which is the driving force of Wilkie's composite model. The data come from four developed countries: the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. The fit of the model is significantly improved after the adjustment of outliers. The analysis also identifies exogenous events that have intervened in the inflation dynamics. An example is given to demonstrate the importance of outlier analysis on stochastic simulation. Finally, inflation trends for these four countries are examined. The results suggest caution in the use of the 4 percent inflation assumption of some U.K. and Australian actuaries.
Tailoring Fuzzy C-Means Clustering Algorithm for Big Data Using Random Sampling and Particle Swarm Optimization

As one of the most common data mining techniques, clustering has been widely applied in many fields, among which fuzzy clustering can reflect the real world in a more objective perspective. As one of the most popular fuzzy clustering algorithms, Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering combines the fuzzy theory and K-Means clustering algorithm. However, there are some issues with FCM clustering. For example, FCM is very sensitive to the initialization condition, such as the determination of initial clusters; the speed of convergence is limited, and the global optimal solution is hard to be guaranteed. Especially for big data scenario, the overall speed is slow, and it is hard to perform the clustering algorithm on all the original dataset. To solve above challenges, in this paper, we propose a modified FCM based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Besides, we also present a multi-round random sampling method to deal with the big data problem, by simulating the clustering on the original big dataset with the objective to approximate the clustering results on sample datasets. Our experiments show that both the modified FCM using PSO and the multi-round sampling strategy are efficient and effective.
Twitter free Iran: An evaluation of Twitter's role in public diplomacy and information operations in Iran's 2009 election crisis

Social media platforms such as Twitter pose new challenges for decision-makers in an international crisis. We examine Twitter's role during Iran's 2009 election crisis using a comparative analysis of Twitter investors, US State Department diplomats, citizen activists and Iranian protesters and paramilitary forces. We code for key events during the election's aftermath from 12 June to 5 August 2009, and evaluate Twitter. Foreign policy, international political economy and historical sociology frameworks provide a deeper context of how Twitter was used by different users for defensive information operations and public diplomacy. Those who believe Twitter and other social network technologies will enable ordinary people to seize power from repressive regimes should consider the fate of Iran's protesters, some of whom paid for their enthusiastic adoption of Twitter with their lives.
Machine Learning for Advising a Driver: A Survey

Driver distraction has become an area of increasing concern with the explosion of new telematics applications. Drivers are confronted with a plethora of new devices—cell phones, in-car video, navigation systems, dialog systems, etc. The proliferation of mature tools in machine learning, image processing, and intelligent systems provides a compelling methodology to attack the problem of driver distraction. As a step in this direction, we propose a new intelligent systems architecture for studying machine learning in the driver space. We survey technologies and modeling methods that could be incorporated into the new framework.
Effectiveness and safety of rapid clozapine titration in schizophrenia

Clinical guidelines recommend slow clozapine dose titration in order to decrease the risk of seizures and hypotension. The recommendation may delay adequate control of severe psychotic symptoms. We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of rapid clozapine titration in patients who had been previously exposed to the drug and in patients who received clozapine for the first time after failing to respond to other antipsychotics.
A small slot dipole loaded with CRLH TL unit cells

A coplanar-waveguide (CPW) fed small slot dipole operating in the 2.45 GHz ISM band is presented. The slot dipole is loaded with the composite right/left-handed (CRLH) transmission line (TL) unit cells to achieve the size reduction by utilizing the zeroth-order resonance (ZOR). To realize a design that can be conveniently scaled for higher frequency applications, the CRLH TL unit cells are implemented using interdigital capacitors and inductors. The CRLH slot dipole is 28 mm (λ0/4.4 at 2.45 GHz) in length and 57% shorter than the traditional CPW-fed slot dipole printed on the same 1.27 mm thick Rogers RO3010 εr = 10.2 substrate. The antenna exhibits 1.3% |S11| &#60; −10 dB bandwidth and 3.5 dB gain with 80% realized radiation efficiency A second slot dipole design is also carried out over a lower contrast, 1.524 mm thick Rogers RO4003C εr = 3.55 substrate to demonstrate the performance of the CRLH TL based miniaturization technique with various substrate materials.
Interleaved High Step-Up Converter With Winding-Cross-Coupled Inductors and Voltage Multiplier Cells

The concept of winding-cross-coupled inductors (WCCIs) and voltage multiplier cells is integrated to derive a novel interleaved high step-up converter in this paper. The voltage gain is extended and the switch voltage stress is reduced by the WCCIs and the voltage multiplier cells in the presented circuit, which minimizes the peak current ripple of the power devices and makes low-voltage MOSFETs with high performance available in high step-up and high output voltage applications. Moreover, the output diode reverse-recovery problem is alleviated by the leakage inductance of the WCCIs, which reduces the reverse-recovery losses. Zero current switching (ZCS) turn-on is realized for the power switches to reduce the switching losses. Furthermore, the voltage spikes on the MOSFETs are clamped and the leakage energy is recycled by the voltage multiplier cells, when the switch turns off. A 1 kW prototype with 35-45 V input and 380 V output operating at 50 kHz switching frequency is built and tested to verify the significant improvements of the proposed converter.
The anatomic basis of delusions after right cerebral infarction

We studied the nature and causes of delusions after infarction of the right cerebral hemisphere. Delusions involved orientation in time and place, events in the recent past, and the identities of familiar individuals. Some were transient and disorganized, and others were more fixed. No particular site in the right hemisphere was associated with particular delusions. The different delusions may be varied manifestations of a basic disorder of thought and memory. The major determinant of the delusions was cerebral atrophy. Age, location, and size of lesion had no major effect. The superimposition of a new right hemisphere lesion on a diffusely atrophied brain seems to cause delusions that can be expressed verbally because the left hemisphere is relatively preserved.
Balancing the risks and the benefits of local fish consumption in Bermuda

Fish consumption today is widely recognized as highly beneficial since it constitutes a good source of several essential nutrients, such as selenium and polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA). However, fish can also contain contaminants such as mercury, which make the consumer, especially pregnant women, confused about the risk–benefit balance associated with fish consumption. This is particularly true for tropical fish species for which little information is available. We have previously reported that some Bermudian neonates had elevated mercury in their umbilical blood compared with international guidelines. The objective of this study was to give precise and balanced information on the content of mercury, selenium and PUFA in the most consumed fish species in Bermuda. In 2003 and 2006, a total of 307 fish were collected from 43 fish species and 351 samples were analysed (305 flesh samples, 44 liver samples, one roe and one fat sample) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (metals) and high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) (fatty acids). Results show that mercury varies among species from 0.03 to 3.3 µg g−1 and that it is possible for at-risk groups such as pregnant women to make informed choices concerning fish consumption, e.g. maximizing fish species rich in nutrients and low in mercury.
Sp1 and NF-Y Are Necessary and Sufficient for Growth-dependent Regulation of the Hamster Thymidine Kinase Promoter*

Thymidine kinase (TK) genes from different species are growth- and cell cycle-regulated in a very similar manner; still, the promoter regions of these genes show little homology to each other. It was previously shown that the murine TK gene is growth-regulated by Sp1 and E2F. Here we have characterizedcis-regulatory elements in the hamster promoter that are essential and sufficient to confer efficient and serum-responsive expression. The TK promoter was isolated from baby hamster kidney cells. DNase I protection experiments revealed a protected region from positions −24 to −99 relative to the transcription start site. Within this region, binding sites for the transcription factor Sp1 and a CCAAT box, which interacts with the transcription factor NF-Y, were identified. An E2F-like sequence was found not to bind protein, and its removal did not affect promoter activity. This was supported by the observation that cotransfection of a hamster TK reporter gene construct with E2F-1 does not lead to transactivation of the promoter. A 122-base pair region that contains a single Sp1 site, a CCAAT box, and a TATA element was found to be sufficient for serum-responsive expression of a reporter gene. Mutations that inactivate any one of these three elements caused a strong reduction or a loss of promoter activity.
Kaposi’s sarcoma before and during a human immunodeficiency virus epidemic in Tanzanian children

Background. With the onset of AIDS increased frequency of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) has been reported. However, there is no case-based comparison of childhood (<14 years) KS before and during the HIV pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Here we report on the Tanzanian cancer registry data of pediatric KS in Tanzania and implications with regard to pathogenic factors. Methods. One hundred fifty histologically confirmed pediatric KS (PKS) cases registered during 1968 through 1995 (28 years) were analyzed with regard to demographic and clinical characteristics before and during the AIDS epidemic. Statistical analysis was done with the Epi-Info program and chi square test. Results. Of children with PKS 126 (84%) were male and 24 (16%) were female. The gender ratio was 5.1:1 and 5.4:1 during the endemic and epidemic periods, respectively. The highest occurrence of PKS was observed in the 0- to 5-years age group. Overall 73 (4.9/year) of these cases were registered during the pre and 77 (5.9/year) during the AIDS period. Over time a significant increase in anatomically disseminated KS cases was evident during the AIDS epidemic (P = 0.003). Conclusions. These observations indicate that children younger than 5 years are at high risk for developing KS, possibly reflecting low resistance to human herpesvirus (HHV) 8 infection. It is also likely that an increased susceptibility to HHV8 infection and morbidity is related to progressive immunodeficiency. The increase in AIDS PKS incidence appears to reflect a direct or indirect promoting effect of HIV on the development of KS lesions. Recognition of the high KS risk in small children warrants considerations of possible prevention measures including HIV/HHV8 vaccination and therapeutic options.
Anomalous enrichments of iron monosulfide in euxinic marine sediments and the role of H2S in iron sulfide transformations: Examples from Effingham Inlet, Orca Basin, and the Black Sea

It is well documented that sedimentary pyrite formation proceeds through an iron monosulfide (FeS) precursor. Laboratory studies have tradition- ally indicated that intermediate S species such as elemental sulfur (S 0 ) or polysul- fides (Sx 2 ) are responsible for the transformation of FeS to pyrite (FeS2). Recent experimental work, however, has suggested that H2S may also be responsible for the transformation. The present study extrapolates reaction pathways respon- sible for pyrite formation in the laboratory to two fundamentally different modern anoxic marine systems. We hypothesize that on decadal timescales, H2S (or HS) is responsible for transformations of FeS into FeS2 in natural systems where intermediate S species are isolated from FeS production. The possibility of prolonged coexistence of high levels of H2S and FeS, however, challenges recent experimental predictions of extremely rapid transformations (that is, timescales of hours or less) of FeS to FeS2 via the H2S pathway. Sediments of Effingham Inlet (a fjord on Vancouver Island) and the Orca Basin (an intraslope brine pool in the northern Gulf of Mexico) are both charac- terized by atypically high concentrations of FeS but contrasting levels of H2S and FeS2 production. In both systems, FeS formation is spatially decoupled from intermediate S species as a consequence of either rapid deposition/burial or extreme water-column stratification. Within settings that promote this separa- tion, H2S may be the principal species responsible for pyrite formation. FeS to FeS2 transformations are favored by the high concentrations of H2S in sediments of Effingham Inlet. Additional results from the margin of the anoxic Black Sea corroborate the Effingham model for iron sulfide transformation. H2S concentrations are controlled by the amount of bacterial sulfate reduc- tion and the availability of reactive Fe. H2S concentrations will be buffered to low levels via the production of FeS in systems with appreciable amounts of reactive Fe and therefore be unavailable to transform FeS to FeS2. Under conditions where H2S is the only species available for FeS to FeS2 transformations, some degree of Fe limitation may promote pyrite formation by allowing H2 St o accumulate in the pore waters. Ultimately, this balance between H2S production and reactive Fe availability may strongly influence the amount of pyrite formed in anoxic systems.
The Impact of Social Networks on Consumers' Behaviors

The Internet is part of the day-to-day life of the vast majority of the world population, and within this environment, a new form of communication has gained prominence in recent years: social networking sites. It is one of the most effective and significant business development tools in the 21 st century because of its ability to connect individuals with others. The main objective of this research was to obtain insight into the impact of social networking on consumer behavior. This research was organized in five chapters and revealed the overall influence of social networking on consumer behavior while recommending ways to further enhance the topic under consideration. Increasingly, consumers are looking at websites, as well as the habits and behaviors of peers before making a decision on a purchase or in selecting a type of entertainment. Social networking breaks down barriers between individuals and builds communities. The methodology adopted in this study was quantitative in order to collect vast data related to the research topic. This methodology also facilitated in collecting numeric data. Survey respondents were males and females who were18 years old and older. The study was to analyze the influence and effect of online social networks sites such as Facebook on the customer’s behavior. Internet has proven to be a lucrative communication channel linking the customers and the organizations. As results, for marketers had emerged as a splendid network or channel to interact with consumers through social media tools.
Organizational structure and the delivery of primary care to older Americans.

OBJECTIVE To explore how internal factors, such as organizational size, mission, ownership, and managerial communication and control structures, affect the delivery of primary care to older Americans across a wide variety of practice settings: ambulatory practices, hospitals, nursing homes, and home healthcare agencies. DESIGN Use of the structure/process/outcome paradigm and contingency theory to examine the empirical research linking structural factors to outcomes. CONCLUSION Using these studies as a background, we consider the implications for the provision of primary care to older Americans including the impact of evolving intraorganizational structure in healthcare organization.
A design technique overview on broadband RF ESD protection circuit designs

This paper presents an overview of the co-design technique for broadband RF ESD protection circuit designs. The unique mixed-mode ESD simulation design methodology allows full-chip design optimization and prediction of broadband RF ICs with full low-parasitic ESD protection, which were validated experimentally using ultra wideband (UWB) RF ICs and RF switch circuits in CMOS technologies.