Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive Ventilation for Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

CONTEXT: Strategies for reducing exposure to endotracheal ventilation through the use of early noninvasive ventilation has proven to be safe and effective, but the option with the greatest benefits needs to be determined. OBJECTIVE: To determine, in infants with respiratory distress syndrome, if early nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) compared with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) decreases the need for mechanical ventilation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this single-center, randomized controlled trial, infants (gestational ages 26 to 3367 weeks) with respiratory distress syndrome were randomly assigned to receive early NIPPV or NCPAP. Surfactant was administered as rescue therapy. The primary outcome was the need for mechanical ventilation within the first 72 hours of life. RESULTS: A total of 200 infants, 100 in each arm, were randomly assigned. Rates of the primary outcome did not differ significantly between the NIPPV (25%) and NCPAP (34%) groups (relative risk [RR]: 0.71 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48–1.14]). In posthoc analysis, from 24 to 72 hours of life, significantly more infants in the NIPPV group remained extubated compared with those in the NCPAP groups (10 vs 22%; RR: 0.45 [95% CI: 0.22–0.91]). This difference was also noted in the group of infants who received surfactant therapy, NIPPV (10.9%), and NCPAP (27.1%) (RR: 0.40 [95% CI: 0.18–0.86]). CONCLUSIONS: Early NIPPV did not decrease the need for mechanical ventilation compared with NCPAP, overall, in the first 72 hours of life. However, further studies to assess the potential benefits of noninvasive ventilation are warranted, especially for the most vulnerable or preterm infants.
A Note on the Multiple-Unicast Network Coding Conjecture

Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) is prospering as one of the promising mobile communication systems. In the near future, it is expected that in addition to traditional humanto- human (H2H) communications, an LTE-A system needs to support many applications with the technique of machine type communications (MTC), or machine-to-machine communications (M2M). Since M2M features a large number of devices, a mechanism to guarantee the performance of H2H and M2M in the random access procedure of LTE-A (RACH procedure) should be considered. However, little research provides dynamic RACH resource allocation approaches for H2H and M2M. In this paper, we propose a game-theoretic framework, which divides its random access resources into three groups: for H2H, for M2M, and for the hybrid usage. Under this framework, the Nash Equilibrium (NE) guarantees the system throughput by adaptively redistributing the traffic loading, and the NE can be approached rapidly even if the information of traffic loading is quite limited.
Optimal Wireless Access Point Placement for Location-Dependent Services

In mobile computing scenarios, context-aware applications are more effective in relieving from the mobile user the burden of introducing information that can be automatically derived from the environment. In particular, the physical position of the mobile system (and hence of the user) is fundamental for many types of applications. User position estimation methods based on strength of the radio signals received from multiple wireless access points have been recently proposed and implemented by several independent research groups. In this paper a new approach to wireless access point placement is proposed. While previous proposals focus on optimal coverage aimed at connectivity, the proposed method integrates coverage requirements with the reduction of the error of the user position estimate. In particular, this paper proposes a mathematical model of user localization error based on the variability of signal strength measurements. This model has been designed to be independent from the actual localization technique, therefore it is only based on generic assumptions on the behavior of the localization algorithm employed. The proposed error model is used by local search heuristic techniques, such as local search, a prohibition-based variation and simulated annealing. Near-optimal access point placements are computed for various kinds of optimization criteria: localization error minimization, signal coverage maximization, a mixture of the two. The different criteria are not expected to be compatible: maximizing signal coverage alone can lead to degradation of the average positioning error, and vice versa. Some experiments have been dedicated to quantify this phenomenon and to introduce possible trade-offs.
Interaction between diet and gastrointestinal endocrine cells

The gastrointestinal endocrine cells are essential for life. They regulate the gastrointestinal motility, secretion, visceral sensitivity, absorption, local immune defense, cell proliferation and appetite. These cells act as sensory cells with specialized microvilli that project into the lumen that sense the gut contents (mostly nutrients and/or bacteria byproducts), and respond to luminal stimuli by releasing hormones into the lamina propria. These released hormones exert their actions by entering the circulating blood and reaching distant targets (endocrine mode), nearby structures (paracrine mode) or via afferent and efferent synaptic transmission. The mature intestinal endocrine cells are capable of expressing several hormones. A change in diet not only affects the release of gastrointestinal hormones, but also alters the densities of the gut endocrine cells. The interaction between ingested foodstuffs and the gastrointestinal endocrine cells can be utilized for the clinical management of gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, obesity and diabetes.
A comparison of strategies for developmental action acquisition in QLAP

An important part of development is acquiring actions to interact with the environment. We have developed a computational model of autonomous action acquisition, called QLAP. In this paper we investigate different strategies for developmental action acquisition within this model. In particular, we introduce a way to actively learn actions and we compare this active action acquisition with passive learning of actions. We also compare curiosity based exploration with random exploration. And finally, we examine the effects of resource restrictions on the agent’s ability to learn actions.
An Over-the-Air Reconfiguration API for Experimental Cognitive Radio Setups

—We present a software solution for over-the-air reconﬁguration of remote software radio terminals using the free GNU Radio toolkit, facilitating the development of Cognitive Radio applications. The modular architecture allows for separating the cognitive engine from the signal processing algorithms, thus allowing fast implementation, veriﬁcation and easier testing.
The LIGVID System for video retrieval and concept annotation

The LIGVID system is designed for online interactive video shots retrieval and annotation. It uses a user-controlled combination of multiple criteria: keywords, phonetic string, similarity to example images, semantic categories, and relevance feedback strategies: visual and temporal similarity to already identified positive images. In addition to Relevance Feedback processes, the system runs in background an active learning algorithm to better model the user's information need. Previous participation to video retrieval challenges has permit to show the effectiveness of our system.
Multi-Source Multi-Destination Relay Network: An Interference-Free Multi-Beamforming Protocol

In this paper we consider an interference-free multibeamforming protocol for multi-source multi-destination relay networks. The new protocol adopts the amplify and forward policy as its cooperative transmission strategy and adjusts the weights of relays to realize an improved multi-pair source-destination data transfer. We in particular investigate the issue how to choose the weights of relays to optimize the achieved data transfer performance, especially the diversity order of the data transfer for each source-destination pair, subject to total relaying power constraint. To investigate the highest achievable diversity order for each pair of source-destination data transfer, we further add another constraint to zero-force the interferences between them. We analyze the achieved diversity order of the data transfer for each source-destination pair and confirm the results by simulations. Analysis and Monte-Carlo simulations demonstrate the superior data transfer performance as compared with other transmissions.
Normalization and Matching in the DORO System

This paper is concerned with the use of linguistically motivated phrases as indexing terms in Information Retrieval applications. Apart from the conventional noun phrases, we propose to use verb phrases as index terms for text classification. Techniques for phrase matching through syntactic normalization and semantical matching are described. We discuss the realization of the syntactic normalization of phrases by transduction to frames. Semantical normalization is based on lexico-semantical relations, taking into account certain properties of the classification algorithms used. The ideas described here are being implemented in the Document Routing system DORO, in which statistical learning algorithms are applied to document profiles consisting of phrases. This paper describes the rationale behind work in progress, rather than presenting final results
A novel CPU/GPU simulation environment for large-scale biologically realistic neural modeling

Computational Neuroscience is an emerging field that provides unique opportunities to study complex brain structures through realistic neural simulations. However, as biological details are added to models, the execution time for the simulation becomes longer. Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are now being utilized to accelerate simulations due to their ability to perform computations in parallel. As such, they have shown significant improvement in execution time compared to Central Processing Units (CPUs). Most neural simulators utilize either multiple CPUs or a single GPU for better performance, but still show limitations in execution time when biological details are not sacrificed. Therefore, we present a novel CPU/GPU simulation environment for large-scale biological networks, the NeoCortical Simulator version 6 (NCS6). NCS6 is a free, open-source, parallelizable, and scalable simulator, designed to run on clusters of multiple machines, potentially with high performance computing devices in each of them. It has built-in leaky-integrate-and-fire (LIF) and Izhikevich (IZH) neuron models, but users also have the capability to design their own plug-in interface for different neuron types as desired. NCS6 is currently able to simulate one million cells and 100 million synapses in quasi real time by distributing data across eight machines with each having two video cards.
Methods for the Calculation of Sound Propagation

If the shots deviate from the center and are distributed, the method is unprecise and inaccurate. If the dispersion is small, but beside the target, the method is precise but not accurate. Standardisation of methods is a way to improve the precision. More complex and scientific methods may be more accurate, but they offer many screws to adjust the result – different persons will get different results.
Tissue classification algorithm based on NPE and LS-SVM

Tissue classification with gene expression data is of great importance in medical diagnosis of diseases. To efficiently cope with this problem, a novel tissue classification algorithm based on neighborhood preserving embedding (NPE) and least square SVM (LS-SVM) is proposed in this paper. The experimental results on four well-known gene expression data sets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Defending wireless sensor network using Randomized Routing

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) challenges in the transmission of data are its network traffic and network security. Another issue in sensor network is Compromised node and Denial -of -service attack (DOS). Multipath Routing Algorithms are vulnerable to these attacks. A Key Management scheme is used with this routing algorithm to generate randomized multipath routes for secure transmission of data to the sink. We adopt Shamir's algorithm for efficient key management which is scalable, highly secure and decreases communication overhead. Randomized Route Generation changes the routes taken by the shares from time to time thereby increasing the probability of randomness of paths to be selected for transferring data in a much secured manner. To bypass the black hole, opponent has to selectively compromise nodes or block the shares containing the message which traverse randomly which is very difficult.
The Quiet Virtue Speaks: An Intervention to Promote Humility

Empirical interest in virtues and their benefits has increased in recent years. In the present study, we test the efficacy of a workbook intervention to promote humility. Participants (N = 59) were randomly assigned to a humility condition (n = 26; 7.5-hour workbook) or a control condition (n = 33; non-action). Participants in the humility condition reported greater increases in humility across time than did participants in the control condition, who did not change in humility over time. Participants in the humility condition also increased in forgivingness and patience and decreased in general negativity more than did participants in the control condition. Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of the intervention with both religious and non-religious individuals, consistent with both a Christian and secular classical valuing of humility.
Mutations of Residues 249 and 256 in VP2 Are Involved in the Replication and Virulence of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is a pathogen of worldwide significance to the poultry industry. Although the PDE and PFG domains of the capsid protein VP2 contribute significantly to virulence and fitness, the detailed molecular basis for the pathogenicity of IBDV is still not fully understood. Because residues 253 and 284 of VP2 are not the sole determinants of virulence, we hypothesized that other residues involved in virulence and fitness might exist in the PDE and PFG domains of VP2. To test this, five amino acid changes selected by sequence comparison of the PDE and PFG domains of VP2 were introduced individually using a reverse genetics system into the virulent strain (rGx-F9VP2). Then reverse mutations of the selected residues 249 and 256 were introduced individually into the attenuated strain (rGt). Seven modified viruses were generated and evaluated in vitro (CEF cells) and in vivo (SPF chicken). For residue 249, Q249R could elevate in vitro and reduce in vivo the replication of rGx-F9VP2 while R249Q could reduce in vitro and elevate in vivo the replication of rGt; meanwhile Q249R reduced the virulence of rGx-F9VP2 while R249Q increased the virulence of rGt, which indicated that residue 249 significantly contributed to the replication and virulence of IBDV. For residue 256, I256V could elevate in vitro and reduce in vivo the replication of rGx-F9VP2 while V256I could reduce in vitro but didn’t change in vivo the replication of rGt; although V256I didn’t increase the virulence of rGt, I256V obviously reduced the virulence of virulent IBDV. The present results demonstrate for the first time, to different extent, residues 249 and 256 of VP2 are involved in the replication efficiency and virulence of IBDV; this is not only beneficial to further understanding of pathogenic mechanism but also to the design of newly tailored vaccines against IBDV.
Optimal Content Downloading in Vehicular Networks

We consider a system where users aboard communication-enabled vehicles are interested in downloading different contents from Internet-based servers. This scenario captures many of the infotainment services that vehicular communication is envisioned to enable, including news reporting, navigation maps, and software updating, or multimedia file downloading. In this paper, we outline the performance limits of such a vehicular content downloading system by modeling the downloading process as an optimization problem, and maximizing the overall system throughput. Our approach allows us to investigate the impact of different factors, such as the roadside infrastructure deployment, the vehicle-to-vehicle relaying, and the penetration rate of the communication technology, even in presence of large instances of the problem. Results highlight the existence of two operational regimes at different penetration rates and the importance of an efficient, yet 2-hop constrained, vehicle-to-vehicle relaying.
Chemical anatomy of the Macaque monkey olfactory bulb: NADPH‐diaphorase/nitric oxide synthase activity

The distribution and the morphology of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)‐diaphorase (ND)‐activeneuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS)‐immunoreactive neuronsfibers were studied in the olfactory bulb of three species of primates, i.e., the cynomolgus macaque monkey (Macaca fascicularis), the Japanese macaque monkey (Macaca fuscata), and the pig‐tail macaque monkey (Macaca nemestrina). The ND staining was carried out by means of a direct histochemical method with β‐NADPH as cosubstratenitro blue tetrazolium as chromogen. The NOS immunostaining was carried out by using a polyclonal antibodythe avidin‐biotin peroxidase method. Similar results were found in the three species, where a distinct distribution pattern of ND/NOS‐stained neuronsfibers was observed. All olfactory fibers demonstrated ND‐positive labeling but they were NOS‐immunonegative. In the superficial modulatory area of the olfactory bulb, a few weakly ND‐NOS‐positive periglomerular cells, stellate cells,and darkly stained superficial short‐axon cells were observed. In the inframitral layers, granule cells, deep stellate cells, and deep short‐axon cells were distinguished. Short‐axon cells had oriented morphologiesspiny dendrites. Many thick, varicose ND/NOS‐stained fibers identified as centrifugal fibers were observed in the white matter, granule cell layer, internal plexiform layer, mitral cell layer, and external plexiform layer. This distribution of ND activityNOS immunoreactivity showed similarities to and differences from what has been reported in the olfactory bulb of macrosmatic mammals including rodents (rat, mouse, and hamster)insectivores (hedgehog). These data confirm that the complexity of the ND/NOS staining in the olfactory bulb of one species correlates with the importance of olfaction in the biology of such species. J. Comp. Neurol. 402:419–434, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using Vascular Closure Devices Following Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest?

Objectives and Background: Despite a generally broad use of vascular closure devices (VCDs), it remains unclear whether they can also be used in victims from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH). Methods: All victims from OHCA who received immediate coronary angiography after OHCA between January 1st 2008 and December 31st 2013 were included in this study. The operator decided to either use a VCD (Angio-Seal™) or manual compression for femoral artery puncture. The decision to induce MTH was based on the clinical circumstances. Results: 76 patients were included in this study, 46 (60.5%) men and 30 (39.5%) women with a mean age of 64.2 ± 12.8 years. VCDs were used in 26 patients (34.2%), and 48 patients (63.2%) were treated with MTH. While there were significantly more overall vascular complications in the group of patients treated with MTH (12.5% versus 0.0%; p=0.05), vascular complications were similar between patients with VCD or manual compression, regardless of whether or not they were treated with MTH. Conclusion: In our study, the overall rate of vascular complications related to coronary angiography was higher in patients treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia, but was not affected by the application of a vascular closure device. Therefore, our data suggest that the use of VCDs in victims from OHCA might be feasible and safe in patients treated with MTH as well, at least if the decision to use them is individually carefully determined.
The Covert Agilist

A team of consultants introduces Agile software development practices in an “Agile Hostile” environment. This paper describes the chain of events that allowed them to covertly introduce and exercise Agile practices. There were three distinctly different coaching approaches at play, and it was the combination of the three that resulted in successes. Enterprise change requires more than a single win, however, and lack of top-down support prevented wider scale adoption of Agile practices.
Modelo teórico de lexicón mental

In this paper a theoretical model of the mental lexicon is proposed. Its structure and functioning are of high relevance for the learning of lexis in L2. The mental lexicon is modelled to resemble a huge database file containing all the related information in a open series of records, the main fields of which are listed and typified as well as the input/output/update processes. Accordingly, some practical activities are suggested to improve the learning of vocabulary in L2.
Experimental time to line crossing validation

This paper is devoted to the study of the time to line crossing (TLC) as a driver risk indicator. By definition, TLC is the time required for the vehicle, following its trajectory, to cross the lane. This definition has been adapted to fit vehicle sensors capacity, by simplifying the road description or (and) the vehicle trajectory. In this paper, by using a RTK GPS and an accurate map, we analyzed in detail on different scenarios these calculation aiming to validate them.
Variance-Optimal Hedging in Discrete Time

We solve the problem of approximating in (L-script) 2 a given random variable H by stochastic integrals G T ((theta)) of a given discrete-time process X . We interpret H as a contingent claim to be paid out at time T , X as the price evolution of some risky asset in a financial market, and G ((theta)) as the cumulative gains from trade using the hedging strategy (theta). As an application, we determine the variance-optimal strategy which minimizes the variance of the net loss H - G T ((theta)) over all strategies (theta).
Brassinosteroids and Response of Plants to Heavy Metals Action

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are a widespread group of plant hormones. These phytohormones play a crucial role in the regulation of growth and development of various plant species, and they demonstrate high biological activity. BRs are considered to demonstrate protective activity in the plants exposed to various stresses. Due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, heavy metals have become one of the most important plant stressors. In plants, accumulation of heavy metals beyond the critical levels leads to oxidative stress. However, BRs may inhibit the degradation of lipids, resulted from the overproduction of reactive oxygen species under stress conditions, and increase the activity of antioxidants. They also have the ability to promote phytochelatins synthesis.