Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of deprivation on youth violence: a comparison of cities and their feeder towns

Background and aims 66 000 children and adolescents are treated at emergency departments (EDs) in England and Wales each year for assault injury. The aim of this study was to compare adolescent assault injury rates in cities and towns and determine how assault injury varies with deprivation and gender. Methods The study was set in three cities in Wales, UK, and their surrounding towns. Subjects were 11–17 year olds treated for assault injury at one of seven EDs from 1 October 2005 to 30 September 2006. Area of residence (electoral divisions, EDivs) was identified from patient postcode. EDivs were aggregated into deprivation fifths for males and females and cities and towns. Assault injury rates, rate ratios and 95% CIs were calculated. Results 1472 children and adolescents of 11–17 years old were treated for assault injury. Male city assault injury rates were 14.2/1000 11–17 year olds; and 13.1 in towns. Female city assault injury rates were 6.0; and 5.6 in towns. In the most deprived city areas males had assault injury rates 2.6 times (95% CI 1.85 to 3.59) that of the most affluent, compared with 2.0 times in towns (95% CI 1.39 to 2.86). For females, the most deprived city areas had assault injury rates 5.3 times that of the most affluent (95% CI 2.93 to 9.41), compared with 2.8 times in towns (95% CI 1.47 to 5.28). Conclusions Injury in youth violence increased with increasing deprivation in cities and their feeder towns. This was true for boys and girls, though rates for boys were consistently higher. This link between assault injury and deprivation was stronger for girls in cities than in feeder towns. Strategies to prevent youth violence need to include improved safeguarding arrangements for girls living in the most deprived city areas.
An energy efficient and low cross-talk CMOS sub-THz I/O with surface-wave modulator and interconnect

Free-space EM-wave based GHz interconnect has significant loss and crosstalk that cannot be deployed as low-power and dense I/Os for future network-on-chip (NoC) integration of many-core and memory. This paper proposes an energy-efficient and low-crosstalk sub-THz (0.1T-1T) I/O with use of surface-wave based modulator and interconnects in CMOS. By introducing sub-wavelength periodical corrugation structure onto transmission line, the surface-wave is established to propagate signal that is strongly localized on surface of top-layer metal wire, which results in low coupling into lossy substrate and neighboring metal wires. As such, significant power saving and cross-talk reduction can be observed with high communication bandwidth. In addition, a high on/off-ratio surface-wave modulator is also proposed to support on-chip THz communication. As designed in 65nm CMOS, the results have shown that the proposed surface-wave I/O interface achieves 25Gbps data rate and 0.016pJ/bit/mm energy efficiency at 140GHz carrier frequency over 20mm surface-wave channels. They can be placed with 2. 4μm channel spacing and a -20dB crosstalk ratio. The surface-wave modulator also achieves significant reduction of radiation loss with 23dB extinction ratio.
Post-Stroke Pneumonia – A Clinical Review of Emerging Concepts

Post-stroke pneumonia (PSP) is common after stroke in the geriatric population. Acutely, it causes significant mortality and institutionalisation and over the long term, patients show poor functional outcome. The main implicated factor in PSP is dysphagia and the development of aspiration. Other significant risk factors include older age, dependency, COPD, cognitive impairment and mechanical ventilation. The location of the stroke lesion has also been shown to predict PSP with larger, multiple and vertebrobasilar lesions showing a significant association. Prompt treatment of PSP has conventionally proved adequate in preventing unfavourable patient outcomes thus negating the need for antibiotic prophylaxis. Currently, limited evidence suggests that prophylaxis is beneficial. It reduces infection rates by 15% and is thought to additionally reduce stroke-induced immunodepression, a recently proposed phenomenon. Prophylaxis may be made more efficient by identifying and targeting those at risk of aspiration. Specialised tests such as videofluoroscopy are effective but have disadvantages including radiation exposure and compliance issues. Thus, simple bedside measures e.g. pulse oximetry measuring hypoxia have been implicated in detecting aspiration risk; but their sensitivity is questionable. A combined test including a water-swallow test and pulse oximetry has shown promising sensitivity and specificity. This review considers the evidence for the prophylactic treatment of PSP. Identifying mechanisms and risk factors for PSP supports the need for targeting a select group of patients who would benefit from prophylactic intervention; potentially via a screening tool. Further prospective multi-centre evaluation is needed to validate the acute and long-term effects of antibiotic prophylaxis in stroke patients.
ZIPPER: The holistic spell checker

This article discusses a novel problem with a novel solution. The thesis of this work is to perform document and text editing. We look specifically at providing a document editor with a tool for text editing and that tool is holistic spell checker. We propose ZIPPER, a holistic spell checker, that finds out user misspell words all at once. Our approach to this approximated problem is probabilistic. We use Markovian tree that exploits the dependencies amongst characters in a word. For computation over Markovian tree, we use a set of probabilistic and information theory metrics. For link quantification, we use information theory metric which is pointwise mutual information. Probabilistically, we use belief propagation using message passing paradigm for node quantification. To create a suggestion list for each misspelled word, we decompose Markovian tree into clique tree. For computation over clique tree, where each node is a complete word, we use information theory metrics like: entropy for computing the value of a complete word, and mutual information for computing how much value there is between two words.
Rayleigh providers robust voice activity detection

In this paper, the low signal to noise ratio, non-stationary noise environment speech endpoint detection, a business based on Toeplitz of Rayleigh Noise endpoint detection methods. The method uses multi-frame signals adjacent to construct a symmetric Toeplitz covariance matrix, the Rayleigh advantage of the Toeplitz operators of double the amount of information on the voice signal endpoint detection threshold. New algorithm has been tested to effectively distinguish between speech and noise, low-noise in different environmental conditions has good robustness. And other methods, the accuracy is higher. For speech feature extraction and recognition provides a new way.
Absorption and Disposition of Ginsenosides after Oral Administration of Panax notoginseng Extract to Rats

Panax notoginseng (Sanqi) is a cardiovascular herb containing ginsenosides that are believed to be responsible for the therapeutic effects of Sanqi. The aim of this study was to evaluate rat exposure to ginsenosides after oral administration of Sanqi extract and to identify the key factors affecting their absorption and disposition. Ginsenosides were administered to rats, either in the form of Sanqi extract or as pure chemicals. The ginsenosides Ra3, Rb1, Rd, Re, Rg1, and notoginsenoside R1 were the major saponins present in the herbal extract. Systemic exposure to ginsenosides Ra3, Rb1, and Rd after oral administration of the extract was significantly greater than that to the other compounds. Considerable colonic deglycosylation of the ginsenosides occurred, but the plasma levels of deglycosylated metabolites were low in rats. Poor membrane permeability and active biliary excretion are the two primary factors limiting systemic exposure to most ginsenosides and their deglycosylated metabolites. In contrast with other ginsenosides, biliary excretion of ginsenosides Ra3 and Rb1 was passive. Meanwhile, the active biliary excretion of ginsenoside Rd was significantly slower than that of other saponins. Slow biliary excretion, inefficient metabolism, and slow renal excretion resulted in long-circulating and thus relatively high exposure levels for these three ginsenosides. For these reasons, plasma ginsenosides Ra3, Rb1, and Rd were identified as pharmacokinetic markers for indicating rat systemic exposure to Sanqi extract. This is a systematic investigation of the absorption and disposition of ginsenosides from an herb, the information gained from which is important for linking Sanqi administration to its medicinal effects.
N-Acetylcysteine Synergizes with Oseltamivir in Protecting Mice from Lethal Influenza Infection

Many studies have shown that oxidative stress is important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary damage during influenza virus infections. Antioxidant molecules are therefore potentially useful against viral infection. Our previous studies show that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has a protective effect in a model of lethal influenza infection in mice. NAC administration significantly decreased the mortality in infected mice. Further studies have demonstrated that NAC enhanced survival in combination with the antiviral agent ribavirin. In the present study, we report the effect of combined treatment with NAC and Oseltamivir, clinically used in the treatment and prevention of influenza virus infection, in a murine model of lethal influenza infection. NAC was given as a single daily dose of 1000 mg/Kg starting from 4 h before infection and until day 4 after infection; Oseltamivir was given twice daily at dose of 1 mg/Kg/die for 5 days, starting from 4 h before infection. End-point evaluation was 21-days' survival. NAC alone was slightly effective (20%), since a suboptimal treatment was used. Survival increased to 60% with Oseltamivir and to 100% with Oseltamivir and NAC used in combination. Since NAC alone does not show any antiviral action, the present findings suggest that antioxidant therapy increase survival by an improvement in host defense mechanisms, and/or by a direct antioxidant effect against oxidative stress associated with viral infection. Our studies demonstrate the effectiveness of combining agents acting through different mechanisms, such as antiviral drugs oseltamivir and the antioxidant NAC, indicating a possible advantage of combining the two treatments.
Predictors of survival after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma associated with Hepatitis C

The efficacy of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not well defined. This study examines the variables that may determine the outcome of OLT for HCC in HCV patients. From 1990 to 1999, 463 OLTs were performed for HCV cirrhosis. Of these patients, 67 with concurrent HCC were included in the study. Univariate and multivariate analyses considered the following variables: gender, pTNM stage, tumor size, number of nodules, vascular invasion, incidental tumors, adjuvant chemotherapy, preoperative chemoembolization, alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) tumor marker, lobar distribution, and histological grade. Overall OLT survival of HCV patients diagnosed with concomitant HCC was significantly lower when compared to patients who underwent OLT for HCV alone at 1, 3, and 5 years (75%, 71%, and 55% versus 84%, 76%, and 75%, respectively; P < 0.01). Overall survival of patients with stage I HCC was significantly better than patients with stage II, III, or IV (P < .05). Eleven of 67 patients developed tumor recurrence. Sites of recurrence included transplanted liver (5), lung (5), and bone (1). Twenty‐four of 67 patients (36%) died during the follow‐up time. Causes of deaths included recurrent HCC in 8 of 24 patients (12%) and recurrent HCV in 3 of 24 patients (4.5%), whereas 13 (19.5%) patients died from causes that were unrelated to HCV or HCC. Both univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated that pTNM status (I versus II, III, and IV; P < .05) was a reliable prognostic indicator for patient survival. Presence of vascular invasion (P = .0001) and advanced pTNM staging (P = .038) increased risk of recurrence. Multivariate analysis showed that pretransplant chemoembolization and adjuvant chemotherapy reduced risk of death after OLT in HCC recipients. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of OLT for patients with HCC in a large cohort of chronic HCV patients. Advanced tumor stage, and particularly vascular invasion, are poor prognostic indicators for tumor recurrence. Early pTNM stage, adjuvant chemotherapy, and preoperative chemoembolization were associated with positive outcomes for patients who underwent OLT for concomitant HCV and HCC. (Liver Transpl 2004;10:1478–1486.)
The Structure and Behavior of Laminar Separation Bubbles

Rubber articles, such as surgeon's gloves, are provided with a synthetic resin slip coating by contacting the rubber surface with a synthetic resin latex composition. The slip coating is adherent to the rubber substrate and is very extensible without adverse effect. The synthetic resin slip coating includes from 5 to 90 percent by weight of a first resin copolymer component selected from the group consisting of vinyl chloride-alkyl acrylate copolymer, vinylidene chloride-alkyl acrylate copolymer, and vinyl acetate-alkyl acrylate copolymer, and correspondingly, from 95 to 10 percent by weight of a second resin copolymer component selected from the group consisting of vinyl chloride-vinyl ester copolymer, and vinylidene chloride-vinyl ester copolymer.
Pediatric Leptomeningeal Metastases: Outcome Following Combined Therapy

Fifteen children ranging in age from 4 to 18 years with leptomeningeal metastases were evaluated for extent of tumor and treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Histologic diagnosis included: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (4); anaplastic astrocytoma (1); ependymoma (2); nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (1); non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (1); pineoblastoma (1); and primitive neuroectodermal tumor not otherwise specified (2). Pretreatment imaging studies demonstrated recurrent intracranial parenchymal disease in nine, spinal disease in four, and abnormal radioisotope ventriculography in six. Systemic disease was seen in four children (3 leukemia; 1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma). All children were treated with systemic chemotherapy and intraventricular chemotherapy. Nine children received radiotherapy to bulky or symptomatic leptomeningeal disease. Median survival was 6 months (range, 4-18 months). Children with hematologic malignancies had superior outcomes compared to children with solid tumors. Three children with leukemic or lymphomatous meningitis are alive and disease free whereas all children with carcinomatous meningitis died. In conclusion, leptomeningeal metastases in children portends a limited survival, and therapies at this time remain palliative except in children with hematologic malignancies. (J Child Neurol 1997;12:53-59).
INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE ON COMMUNITY COLLEGES AS CIVIC INSTITUTIONS

The inclusion of the term ‘‘community’’ in the nomenclature of twoyear colleges signifies both a noble promise and paradox. As institutions charged with serving the common good, community colleges are exemplary civic institutions: They embrace the inclusive dynamic of liberal democracies by extending educational opportunities to all. Euphemistically referred to as the ‘‘people’s college,’’ community colleges are a burgeoning point of entry into U.S. higher education for an increasingly diverse population and literally provide a gateway for millions seeking unbridled opportunities as mythologized in the ‘‘American Dream. ’’ Beyond offering comprehensive training and degree programs, community colleges are the sites of numerous cultural and civic activities. Many offer a wide assortment of non-credit activities, varying from summer academic programs for children in K-12 to institutes for learners in retirement. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) estimates that over 10 million Americans in the course of a single year have direct contact with a community college. For many communities throughout the United States, community colleges constitute a central site for public interactions. The paradox, however, is that few researchers have considered how community colleges contribution to the creation of community. It was the political scientist Robert Putnam’s metaphoric finding of increasing numbers of Americans bowling alone that placed the problem of community disintegration at center stage (Putnam, 2000). Concerned that the diminution of social capital in the United States was tantamount to the spread of civic disengagement, the work of Putnam and others (Bellah et al., 1996) suggested that individualism was triumphant over the common good. This conundrum of liberalism versus democracy was best explained in the words of political sociologist Alan
Are Compact Cities Greener ? Evidence from China , 2000-2010

Whether a city develops toward a more compact or sprawling one may affect many aspects of urban environment, such as public and ecosystem health, greenhouse gas emissions, and quality of life. Using longitudinal data of Chinese cities during 2000-2010, we investigate the relationship between the compactness of urban growth, measured by average population density and several important indicators of urban greenness. Panel fixed-effects estimates support the widely held belief that compact urban growth can improve air quality and reduce per capita carbon footprint. Results also suggest that compact development reduces the growth in road capital and vehicle ownership, while its effect on travel behavior seems more significant in terms of promoting walking instead of reducing driving. On the other hand, increasing density reduces cities’ per capita urban park and green space, although denser cities may compensate for the reduction with better access to park and green space. Our study strengthens the urban policy and planning literature with the much needed longitudinal evidence and fills the gap of empirics in the Chinese context. The overall finding provides Chinese cities supportive evidence for higher density as opposed to lower density development.
Effect of sediments on the survival of Escherichia coli in marine waters

Escherichia coli, a fecal coliform, was found to survive for longer periods of time in unsterile natural seawater when sediment material was present than in seawater alone, and at least on one occasion growth was observed to occur. This enteric bacterium was found to increase rapidly in number in autoclaved natural seawater and autoclaved sediment taken from areas receiving domestic wastes, even when the seawater had salinities as high as 34 g/kg. However, in autoclaved seawater, growth was always more gradual and never reached numbers as high as those observed when sediment was present. It was found that nutrients were easily eluted from the sediment after autoclaving or upon addition to artificial seawater, but little elution occured during mixing of the sediments with unsterile natural seawater. The longer survival of E. coli in the sediment is attributed to the greater content of organic matter present in the sediment than the sweater. These laboratory results, in part, could explain why on a volume basis larger numbers of coliforms and fecal coliforms and fecal coliforms were found in estuarine sediments than the overlaying water at field sites.
A South African study comparing the effectiveness of computer-based learning materials and face-to-face teaching

This paper compares the effectiveness of in-house developed computer-based learning (CBL) materials with face-to-face teaching. Two groups of higher education students were randomly assigned to complete tutorial work in one highly structured topic of introductory accounting using either CBL materials (treatment group) or face-to-face teaching (control group). The effectiveness of both approaches was measured according to the students’ performance in a class test, in relation to their prior accounting knowledge and gender. The results showed that the students with no prior accounting knowledge who completed the CBL materials achieved a significantly higher test mark than the face-to-face teaching group. However, there was no significant difference in the marks of the students with prior accounting knowledge, and there was no difference on the basis of gender. The results of this South African study correspond to results in existing literature in other countries, and contribute to the overall knowledge of the effectiveness of CBL materials with respect to prior accounting knowledge and gender.
A novel approach to solve K-center problems with geographical placement

The facility location problem is a well-known challenge in logistics that is proven to be NP-hard. In this paper we specifically simulate the geographical placement of facilities to provide adequate service to customers. Determining reasonable center locations is an important challenge for a management since it directly effects future service costs. Generally, the objective is to place the central nodes such that all customers have convenient access to them. We analyze the problem and compare different placement strategies and evaluate the number of required centers. We use several existing approaches and propose a new heuristic for the problem. For our experiments we consider various scenarios and employ simulation to evaluate the performance of the optimization algorithms. Our new optimization approach shows a significant improvement. The presented results are generally applicable to many domains, e.g., the placement of military bases, the planning of content delivery networks, or the placement of warehouses.
Regulating Stock Externalities Under Uncertainty

Using a simple analytical model incorporating costs and benefits, stock decay, time discounting, and uncertainty, we uncover several important principles governing the choice of price-based policies (e.g., taxes) relative to quantity-based policies (e.g., tradeable permits) for controlling stock externalities. As in Weitzman (1974), the relative slopes of the marginal benefits and costs of controlling the externality continue to be critical determinants of the efficiency of prices relative to quantities, with flatter marginal benefits and steeper marginal costs favoring prices. But we can say more. The relative slopes also help determine the optimal control path, with convergence to a steady state proceeding slowly as long as marginal benefits are relatively flat. On this basis we conclude that the conditions typically characterizing long-lived stock externalities—in particular, that the optimal control path involves long-term changes in the stock level—tend to favor price-based policies. While this result holds over a wide range of conditions, it depends on several key variables. Positive correlation of cost shocks across time, in particular, as well as low rates of time discounting and stock decay, will tilt the balance back toward quantity controls. These results are potentially applicable to a wide range of market failures involving stock externalities. In addition to the obvious application to stock pollutants, one can view species preservation, land-use policy, education, and research as areas where policymakers wish to regulate a stock-like externality. This analysis provides a useful framework for comparing alternative policy instruments for regulating such problems. Regarding climate change, for example, these results suggest that the use of tradeable emission permits rather than emission fees to slow growth in the stock of greenhouse gases is probably inefficient. Optimal policy would involve either tradeable permits that quickly stabilize the stock, or emission fees that gradually slow its growth.