Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Invasive trophoblast antigen (hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin) in second-trimester maternal urine as a marker for down syndrome: preliminary results of an observational study on fresh samples.

BACKGROUND Down syndrome screening is commonly performed in the US using maternal age and three or four second-trimester maternal serum markers that can identify up to 75% of affected pregnancies by offering diagnostic studies to 5% of women. Invasive trophoblast antigen [ITA; hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)] is a promising marker that can be measured in urine or serum in the first or second trimester. We report preliminary results for urinary ITA in an ongoing observational study. METHODS Women undergoing second-trimester amniocentesis for reasons not associated with biochemical testing provided consent and a urine (and possibly serum) sample that was tested within a few days. Demographic and pregnancy-related information was collected, along with karyotype. Screening performance was modeled for ITA alone and in combination with serum markers RESULTS Twelve recruitment centers collected urine from 2055 women with singleton pregnancies between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation (2023 unaffected, 28 Down syndrome, and 4 pregnancies with other chromosome abnormalities). After correction for gestational age, urine concentration, and maternal race and weight, the ITA measurements were higher in women with a Down syndrome pregnancy (median ITA, 4.33 multiples of the median). At a 75% detection rate, the false-positive rate could be reduced by substituting ITA for hCG measurements (from 5.6% to 2.6% for the triple test) or by adding ITA measurements to existing combinations (from 3.3% to 2.0% for the quadruple test). CONCLUSIONS Our data provide preliminary confirmation of the potential usefulness of urinary ITA measurements in detecting Down syndrome in a setting that simulates routine usage.
Network Coding Based Mesh-Under Routing In 6LoWPAN with High End-to-End Packet Delivery Rate

In 6LoWPAN protocol, in order to deliver an IPv6 packet in the IEEE 802.15. 4 based wireless personal area network (WPAN), an IPv6 packet is divided into multiple fragments, with each being incorporated in an IEEE 802.15. 4 MAC frame, such that the size of each frame is no more than the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) of the frame. Usually, retransmission is used to reliably deliver an IPv6 packet to the destination node in the WPAN with lossy links. To improve the end-to-end packet delivery rate (PDR) of the mesh-under routing (MUR) presented in the 6LoWPAN protocol, we present a network coding based mesh-under routing (NC-MUR) scheme. The main idea underlying NC-MUR is that, the source node generates an encoded frame in addition to the M non-coded frames derived from the IPv6 packet, and then the M+1 fragments are delivered to the destination so that the destination can recover the IPv6 packet so long as any M fragments among them are received. Theoretical analyses show that NC-MUR outperforms MUR in terms of PDR and energy consumption in the cases where fragment error rate is moderate or high.
Automatic speech recognition by cuckoo search optimization based artificial neural network classifier

People prefer to interface with one another utilizing speech. Since this is the most common method of communication, people also need to interface with machines utilizing speech. Based on this, automatic speech recognition has gained up a big momentum in recent years. In this paper, an efficient automatic speech recognition (ASR) system using Cuckoo Search Optimization (CSO) based optimization technique for Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is presented. Here CSO is used in order to improve the classification performance of neural network. The proposed technique consists of three stages preprocessing, feature extraction and classification. Preprocessing is done in order to remove the background noise present in the speech signal. Then from preprocessed signal two kinds of acoustic features are extracted they are Mel Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients (MFCC) and Linear Predictive Coding Coefficients (LPCC). Finally, these features are given to neural network for training and based on this features the text correspond to the given speech signal is recognized. The proposed method is implemented on MATLAB working platform. The experimental results indicate that ANN used along with CSO algorithm provides best results compared with ordinary ANN. From the results, we can see that our proposed method is well suited for the speech recognition system.
Sampling and round-off, as sources of chaos in PD-controlled systems

It is well-known that nonlinear terms in the governing equations of dynamical systems may lead to chaotic behaviour. With this fact in mind, a well-trained engineer must be able to decide which system of equations can be linearized without a significant change in the solution. However, if the linearized dynamical system in question is part of a digital control loop, the interaction between the original mechanical or electrical system and the control system may still lead to unexpected behaviour due to the so-called digital effects. Our goal is to analyze the problem of computer-controlled stabilization of unstable equilibria, with the application of the PD control scheme. We consider the problem of the inverted pendulum, with linearized equations of motion. As a consequence of the digital effects, i.e., the sampling and the round-off error, the solutions of the system can be described by a two dimensional piecewise linear map. We show that this system may perform chaotic behaviour. Although the amplitude of the evolving oscillations is usually very small, several disconnected strange attractors may coexist in certain parameter domains, rather far from the desired equilibrium position. We claim that - since the amplitude is small - the nonlinearity of the digital control system is the primary source of the stochastic-like vibrations of the inverted pendulum, instead of the nonlinearity of the mechanical system.
State-Space Frequency-Domain Adaptive Filtering for Nonlinear Acoustic Echo Cancellation

In this paper, we address adaptive acoustic echo cancellation in the presence of an unknown memoryless nonlinearity preceding the echo path. We approach the problem by considering a basis-generic expansion of the memoryless nonlinearity. By absorbing the coefficients of the nonlinear expansion into the unknown echo path, the cascade observation model is transformed into an equivalent multichannel structure, which we further augment with a multichannel first-order Markov model. For the resulting multichannel state-space model, we then derive a recursive Bayesian estimator that takes the form of an adaptive Kalman algorithm in the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) domain. We show that such a recursive estimator can be realized via a stable and structurally efficient multichannel state-space frequency-domain adaptive filter. We demonstrate that our algorithm, which stems from a contained framework, provides effective nonlinear echo cancellation in the presence of continuous double-talk, varying degree of nonlinear distortion, and changes in the echo path.
p16INK4a immunocytochemistry on cell blocks as an adjunct to cervical cytology: Potential reflex testing on specially prepared cell blocks from residual liquid-based cytology specimens

Background: p16 INK4a (p16) is a well-recognized surrogate molecular marker for human papilloma virus (HPV) related squamous dysplasia. Our hypothesis is that the invasive interventions and related morbidities could be avoided by objective stratification of positive cytologic interpretations by p16 immunostaining of cell block sections of cytology specimens. Materials and Methods: Nuclear immunoreactivity for p16 was evaluated in cell block sections in 133 adequate cases [20 negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, 28 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), 50 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 21 atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H), and 14 atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)] and analyzed with cervical biopsy results. Results: (a) HSIL cytology (28): 21 (75%) were p16 positive (11 biopsies available — 92% were positive for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 and above) and 7 (25%) were p16 negative (3 biopsies available — all showed only HPV with small atypical parakeratotic cells). (b) LSIL cytology (50): 13 (26%) cases were p16 positive (12 biopsies available — all were CIN1 or above) and 37 (74%) were p16 negative (12 biopsies available — all negative for dysplasia. However, 9 (75%) of these biopsies showed HPV). (c) ASC-H cytology (21): 14 (67%) were p16 positive (6 biopsies available — 5 showed CIN 3/Carcinoma in situ/Ca and 1 showed CIN 1 with possibility of under-sampling. Cytomorphologic re-review favored HSIL) and 7 (33%) were p16 negative (5 biopsies available — 3 negative for dysplasia. Remaining 2 cases — 1 positive for CIN 3 and 1 showed CIN 1 with scant ASC-H cells on cytomorphologic re-review with possibility under-sampling in cytology specimen). (d) ASCUS cytology (14): All (100%) were p16 negative on cell block sections of cervical cytology specimen. HPV testing performed in last 6 months in 7 cases was positive in 3 (43%) cases. Conclusion: p16 immunostaining on cell block sections of cervical cytology specimens showed distinct correlation patterns with biopsy results. Reflex p16 immunostaining of cell blocks based on the algorithmic approach to be evaluated by a multiinstitutional comprehensive prospective study is proposed.
Insulin - producing cells derived from stem cells: recent progress and future directions

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the selective destruction of pancreatic β‐cells caused by an autoimmune attack. Type 2 diabetes is a more complex pathology which, in addition to β‐cell loss caused by apoptotic programs, includes β‐cell dedifferentiation and peripheric insulin resistance. β‐Cells are responsible for insulin production, storage and secretion in accordance to the demanding concentrations of glucose and fatty acids. The absence of insulin results in death and therefore diabetic patients require daily injections of the hormone for survival. However, they cannot avoid the appearance of secondary complications affecting the peripheral nerves as well as the eyes, kidneys and cardiovascular system. These afflictions are caused by the fact that external insulin injection does not mimic the tight control that pancreaticderived insulin secretion exerts on the body's glycemia. Restoration of damaged β‐cells by transplantation from exogenous sources or by endocrine pancreas regeneration would be ideal therapeutic options. In this context, stem cells of both embryonic and adult origin (including β‐cell/islet progenitors) offer some interesting alternatives, taking into account the recent data indicating that these cells could be the building blocks from which insulin secreting cells could be generated in vitro under appropriate culture conditions. Although in many cases insulin‐producing cells derived from stem cells have been shown to reverse experimentally induced diabetes in animal models, several concerns need to be solved before finding a definite medical application. These refer mainly to the obtainment of a cell population as similar as possible to pancreatic β‐cells, and to the problems related with the immune compatibility and tumor formation. This review will summarize the different approaches that have been used to obtain insulin‐producing cells from embryonic and adult stem cells, and the main problems that hamper the clinical applications of this technology.
Comercio internacional y cambio climatico : perspectivas economicas, legales e institucionales

The broad objective of this study is to analyze areas in which the climate change agenda intersects with multilateral trade obligations. The study identifies the key issues at stake, as well as possible actions -- at the national and multilateral levels -- that could help developing countries strengthen their capacities to respond to emerging conflicts between international trade and global climate regimes while taking advantage of new opportunities. The study also attempts to respond to the need for more sector-specific analysis. Chapter two contributes to the literature by exploring the economic, environmental, and political rationale underlying the potential tension between implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and the existing World Trade Organization (WTO) principles. The chapter further identifies areas where priorities for proactive policy initiatives could minimize potential damage to both trade and global environmental regimes. Chapter three explores and identifies key barriers and opportunities to spur the transfer and diffusion of climate-friendly and clean-energy technologies in developing countries. It further identifies policies and institutional changes that could lead to the removal of barriers and increased market penetration of climate-friendly technology. Chapter four examines and builds on the different approaches that have emerged in the negotiations surrounding trade in environmental goods and services, and it proposes a framework for integrating climate objectives in the discussions. Chapter five presents the conclusions and provides a framework for integrating and streamlining the global environment within the global trading system.
DIAMoND: Distributed Intrusion/Anomaly Monitoring for Nonparametric Detection

In this paper, we describe a fully nonparametric, scalable, distributed detection algorithm for intrusion/anomaly detection in networks. We discuss how this approach addresses a growing trend in distributed attacks while also providing solutions to problems commonly associated with distributed detection systems. We explore the impacts to detection performance from network topology, from the defined range of distributed communication for each node, and from involving only a small percent of total nodes in the network in the distributed detection communication. We evaluate our algorithm using a software-based testing implementation, and demonstrate up to 20% improvement in detection capability over parallel, isolated anomaly detectors for both stealthy port scans and DDoS attacks.
Two-and Three-View Geometry for Spherical Cameras

In this paper, we describe geometric aspects of twoand threeview geometry for spherical cameras. The geometric duality on a sphere leads us to re-consider geometric constraints for the three-dimensional reconstruction of points and lines. Using the geometric duality on a sphere, we derive geometric constraints, that is, epipolar circle constraint, for the three-dimensional reconstruction of points and lines.
The swallowing reflex and its significance as an airway defensive reflex

Swallowing function, in humans, is very complex. Swallowing plays, not only an important role in food digestion, but also a major role in preventing the entrance of food and/or other materials into the lower respiratory tract. To achieve this, precise coordination is necessary between breathing and swallowing since the pharynx serves as a common pathway for both respiration and digestion. The swallowing reflex consists of afferent pathways, central integration, and efferent pathways. Any defect or disorder along reflex arc can cause a potential delay or impairment in swallow function. The swallowing reflex can be modulated not only by pathological factors but also by physiological factors. Among these, timing of swallows in relation to the phase of respiration may be the most important factor that determines the occurrence of pulmonary aspiration, since phases of inspiration and the expiration-inspiration transition are the most vulnerable for pulmonary aspiration.
Lowering blood pressure: a systematic review of sustained effects of non-pharmacological interventions.

BACKGROUND Risk factors for raised blood pressure include obesity, physical inactivity, high dietary salt intake, stress, and high alcohol consumption. Much less is known about the effects on blood pressure of modification of these risk factors for the purposes of disease prevention. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to estimate the effects of various non-pharmacological interventions on blood pressure. METHODS RCTs of single interventions aimed at altering these risk factors among adults aged 45 or older with and without hypertension, and with at least six months follow-up were included. MEDLINE was the primary source and the boundaries of the study were from 1966 to April 1995. RESULTS The majority of RCTs were of short duration and did not provide guidance on the sustainability of effects and were excluded. Totals of eight RCTs of salt restriction, eight RCTs of weight reduction, eight of stress management, eight of exercise, and one of alcohol reduction of longer than six months duration were found. Net (i.e. intervention - control group) systolic blood pressure changes, mean mm Hg (with 95 per cent confidence intervals in parentheses), in hypertensives were as follows: salt restriction -2.9 (-5.8,0.0), weight loss -5.2 (-8.3,-2.0), stress control -1.0 (-2.3,+0.3), and exercise -0.8 (-5.9,+4.2). Smaller changes were found in normotensive participants: salt restriction -1.3 (-2.7,+0.1), weight loss -2.8 (-3.9,-1.8), exercise -0.2 (-2.8,+2.4), and alcohol reduction -2.1 (-4.1,-0.1). Some interventions (e.g. stress control in normotensives) were not examined in either hypertensives or normotensives. The majority of RCTs were of low methodological quality and bias often tended to increase the changes observed. Few of the trials controlled for the confounding effects of concurrent changes in other blood pressure risk factors. CONCLUSION These net changes are probably overestimates of the effects that might be achieved by non-pharmacological interventions. There is a need for large-scale, long duration trials of these non-pharmacological interventions in both hypertensive patients and normotensive people to determine effect sizes more accurately.
Forest Management Under Uncertainty for Multiple Bird Population Objectives

We advocate adaptive programs of decision making and monitoring for the management of forest birds when responses by populations to management, and particularly management trade-offs among populations, are uncertain. Models are necessary components of adaptive management. Under this approach, uncertainty about the behavior of a managed system is explicitly captured in a set of alternative models. The models generate testable predictions about the response of populations to management, and monitoring data provide the basis for assessing these predictions and informing future management decisions. To illustrate these principles, we examine forest management at the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, where management attention is focused on the recovery of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) population. However, managers are also sensitive to the habitat needs of many non-target organisms, including Wood Thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) and other forest interior Neotropical migratory birds. By simulating several management policies on a set of alternative forest and bird models, we found a decision policy that maximized a composite response by woodpeckers and Wood Thrushes despite our complete uncertainty regarding system behavior. Furthermore, we used monitoring data to update our measure of belief in each alternative model following one cycle of forest management. This reduction of uncertainty translates into a reallocation of model influence on the choice of optimal decision action at the next decision opportunity.
Communication Policies and the Protection of Pluralism in the European Union and the United States

This article describes and analyses the regulatory frameworks and the current pluralism protection policies in the United States and several countries of the European Union (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain). The data obtained allowed a qualitative assessment to be carried out, through a comparative analysis, in order to identify certain similarities and some significant differences. Thus, it was found that pluralism protection is a common denominator in the communication policies of these countries. However, regulatory and legislative differences depend on social, geographical and media contexts, and time variations in the application of policies depend on audiovisual media market liberalisation processes.
Zombie Hard Disks - Data from the Living Dead

There have been a number of studies conducted in relation to data remaining on disks purchased on the second hand market. A large number of these studies have indicated that a proportion of these disks contain a degree of residual data placed on the drive by the original owners. The Security Research Centre at BT has sponsored a residual data study over the last five years examining disks sourced around the globe, in the UK, USA, Germany France and Australia. In 2008 as part of a 5 year study, Glamorgan University in conjunction with Edith Cowan University in Australia, Longwood University in Virginia USA and the BT Security Research Centre completed the fourth annual disk study aimed at assessing the volume and nature of information that remains on computer hard disks offered for sale on the second hand market. One of the main findings of the study was the high proportion of disks that are sold in a non-functioning state. As in both previous and following years a percentage of the hard disks examined in the 2008 study failed the imaging process and were marked as faulty. This paper describes further analysis of a number of these faulty drives from the UK sample set of the 2008 study. This paper details the analysis of non-functioning disks supplied to the University of Glamorgan to determine the ease with which data can be recovered from these drives using specialist recovery tools. It discusses implications for both computer forensics and information security practices and procedures.
Optimal quadratic control of linear time delay systems: One approach to numerical solution

A finite-horizon linear-quadratic optimal control problem for systems with point-wise and distributed state delays is considered. Based on well known control optimality conditions, the solution of this problem is reduced to solution of the set of three Riccati-type matrix differential equations: an ODE and two first-order PDEs with two and three independent variables. In the paper, this set of Riccati-type equations is further reduced to a set of two equations. One of these equations is the ODE, while the other is a partial integro-differential equation. A numerical procedure of solution of this new set of equations is proposed. An illustrative example is presented.
Differential game based centralized clustering algorithm for wireless sensor networks

Clustering is an effective approach for managing nodes in wireless sensor networks(WSN). In this paper, we consider selfish avoidance clustering in WSN. A differential game model is proposed to stimulate forwarding. Based on the payoff value of the differential game, called Forwarding Contribution(FC) in this paper, a centralized clustering algorithm is proposed. Mathematical proof shows that our algorithm can ensure connection between cluster heads(CHs), and also shows that FC value can reasonably reflect energy consumption in terms of competition while considering forwarding efficiency. Simulation on the lifetime of network is performed, and the results illustrate that our algorithm is selfish avoidance while the clustering approaches according to residual energy are seriously influenced by selfishness.