Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterizing the Performance of the Conway‐Maxwell Poisson Generalized Linear Model

Count data are pervasive in many areas of risk analysis; deaths, adverse health outcomes, infrastructure system failures, and traffic accidents are all recorded as count events, for example. Risk analysts often wish to estimate the probability distribution for the number of discrete events as part of doing a risk assessment. Traditional count data regression models of the type often used in risk assessment for this problem suffer from limitations due to the assumed variance structure. A more flexible model based on the Conway‐Maxwell Poisson (COM‐Poisson) distribution was recently proposed, a model that has the potential to overcome the limitations of the traditional model. However, the statistical performance of this new model has not yet been fully characterized. This article assesses the performance of a maximum likelihood estimation method for fitting the COM‐Poisson generalized linear model (GLM). The objectives of this article are to (1) characterize the parameter estimation accuracy of the MLE implementation of the COM‐Poisson GLM, and (2) estimate the prediction accuracy of the COM‐Poisson GLM using simulated data sets. The results of the study indicate that the COM‐Poisson GLM is flexible enough to model under‐, equi‐, and overdispersed data sets with different sample mean values. The results also show that the COM‐Poisson GLM yields accurate parameter estimates. The COM‐Poisson GLM provides a promising and flexible approach for performing count data regression.
Do Not Laparotomize Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome is a severe cell-mediated, non-immunoglobulin E-mediated gastrointestinal food allergy, typically to milk and soy. It may masquerade as more common pediatric presentations, where the temporal relationship between symptomatology and exposure to food offers a vital clue to the underlying pathology. A case of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome presenting with features similar to intussusception, leading to unnecessary surgery, is presented.
Examining ERP Committee Beliefs: A Comparison of Alternative Models

Various models have been proposed to explain information technology (IT) adoption behavior. However, these models are based primarily on logical deliberation. In reality, it is impossible to obtain perfect information for a rational evaluation of new or emerging IT. In this situation, sometimes the “best alternative” is imitation. We believe that two opposing forces influence the beliefs of enterprise resource planning (ERP) committee members: rational and imitative. We propose here an integrated model and examine it together with diffusion of innovation (DOI) and imitation models. The study findings indicate that our integrated model has better explanatory power. In addition, imitative forces are shown to have a consistent direct effect and significant indirect effect on beliefs. Hence, imitative forces play a crucial role in the decision-making process, which opens up a new avenue for research into technology adoption.
PD‐1:PD‐L inhibitory pathway affects both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and is overcome by IL‐2

Programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) is an immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif (ITIM)‐containing receptor expressed upon T cell activation. PD‐1–/– animals develop autoimmune diseases, suggesting an inhibitory role for PD‐1 in immune responses. Members of the B7 family, PD‐L1 and PD‐L2, are ligands for PD‐1. This study examines the functional consequences of PD‐1:PD‐L engagementon murine CD4 and CD8 T cells and shows that these interactions result in inhibition of proliferation and cytokine production. T cells stimulated with anti‐CD3/PD‐L1.Fc‐coated beads display dramatically decreased proliferation and IL‐2 production, while CSFE analysis shows fewer cells cycling and a slower division rate. Costimulation with soluble anti‐CD28 mAb can overcome PD‐1‐mediated inhibition by augmenting IL‐2 production. However, PD‐1:PD‐L interactions inhibit IL‐2 production even in the presence of costimulation and, thus, after prolonged activation, the PD‐1:PD‐L inhibitory pathway dominates. Exogenous IL‐2 is able to overcome PD‐L1‐mediated inhibition at all times, indicating that cells maintain IL‐2 responsiveness. Experiments using TCR transgenic CD4+ or CD8+ T cells stimulated with antigen‐presenting cells expressing PD‐L1 show that both T cell subsets are susceptible to this inhibitory pathway. However, CD8+ T cells may be more sensitive to modulation by the PD‐1:PD‐L pathway because of their intrinsic inability to produce significant levels of IL‐2.
A rare case of primary clear-cell adenocarcinoma of the bladder arising from bladder endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common benign gynaecological condition affect-ing 5–15% of women in their reproductive age and only 3–5% of post-menopausal women, in which endometrial tissue grows outside uterine cavity, leading to pelvic pain and infertility (Vignali et al. 2002). Even if endometriosis is a benign condition, it can spread to other organs by invading and disrupting their tissues, sharing these characteristics with invasive cancers. It is well known that ovarian cancer, especially endometrioid and clear cell types, can be the result of a malignant transformation of foci of endometriosis (Bacci et al. 2009), but even if extra-gonadic endometriosis malignant transfor-mation was considered an exceptional event, recent studies suggested that it can also be associated with other kinds of cancer (Ness 2003; Olson et al. 2002; Scully et al. 1966). Primary clear-cell bladder adenocarcinoma is a very rare tumour, affecting mostly women; it can be associated with bladder endometri-osis suggesting a mullerian origin of this rare cancer (Lu et al. 2012).
A flexible error resilient scheme for JPEG 2000

Nowadays, wireless multimedia applications are experiencing a rapid growth; in this scenario, challenging obstacles, such as packet losses due to congestion and band limitation along with bit-level error corruption, require the design of novel solutions for robust multimedia delivery. New standards for multimedia applications are incorporating many tools for error resilience; as an example, JPEG 2000 part 11 is explicitly devoted to the wireless applications of the image coding standard. In this paper we address a novel multiple description coding technique, based on post-processing rate allocation of embedded bitstreams. The proposed approach is compliant with the JPEG 2000 standard and has the ability to jointly cope with both packet losses and bit errors. Experimental results show that the designed algorithm significantly outperforms other techniques based on unequal error protection by means of RS codes.
Insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome, and risk of incident cardiovascular disease in nondiabetic american indians: the Strong Heart Study.

OBJECTIVE Insulin resistance (IR) and the metabolic syndrome (MS) are associated with type 2 diabetes and adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor profiles. Whether IR and MS predict CVD independently of diabetes and other CVD risk factors is not known. This study examines whether IR and/or presence of MS are independently associated with CVD in nondiabetic American Indians (AI). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We examined 2283 nondiabetic AI who were free of CVD at the baseline examination of the Strong Heart Study (SHS). CVD risk factors were measured, IR was quantified using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and MS as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) was assessed for each participant. Incident CVD and diabetes were ascertained during follow-up. RESULTS MS was present in 798 individuals (35%), and 181 participants (7.9%) developed CVD over 7.6 +/- 1.8 years of follow-up. Age, BMI, waist circumference, and triglyceride levels increased and HDL cholesterol decreased across tertiles of HOMA-IR. Risk of diabetes increased as a function of baseline HOMA-IR (6.3, 14.6, and 30.1%; P < 0.001) and MS (12.8 vs. 24.5%). In Cox models adjusted for CVD risk factors, risk of CVD did not increase either as a function of baseline HOMA-IR or MS, but individual CVD risk factors predicted subsequent CVD. CONCLUSIONS Among nondiabetic AI in the SHS, HOMA-IR and MS both predict diabetes, but neither predicts CVD independently of other established CVD risk factors.
A New Approach of Improving CFA Image for Digital Camera's

This paper work directly towards the improving the quality of the image for the digital cameras and other visual capturing products. In this Paper, the authors clearly defines the problems occurs in the CFA image. A different methodology for removing the noise is discuses in the paper for color correction and color balancing of the image. At the same time, the authors also proposed a new methodology of providing denoisiing process before the demosaickingfor the improving the image quality of CFA which is much efficient then the other previous defined. The demosaicking process for producing the colors in the image in a best way is also discuss.
Carbohydrates and fat for training and recovery

An important goal of the athlete's everyday diet is to provide the muscle with substrates to fuel the training programme that will achieve optimal adaptation for performance enhancements. In reviewing the scientific literature on post-exercise glycogen storage since 1991, the following guidelines for the training diet are proposed. Athletes should aim to achieve carbohydrate intakes to meet the fuel requirements of their training programme and to optimize restoration of muscle glycogen stores between workouts. General recommendations can be provided, preferably in terms of grams of carbohydrate per kilogram of the athlete's body mass, but should be fine-tuned with individual consideration of total energy needs, specific training needs and feedback from training performance. It is valuable to choose nutrient-rich carbohydrate foods and to add other foods to recovery meals and snacks to provide a good source of protein and other nutrients. These nutrients may assist in other recovery processes and, in the case of protein, may promote additional glycogen recovery when carbohydrate intake is suboptimal or when frequent snacking is not possible. When the period between exercise sessions is <8 h, the athlete should begin carbohydrate intake as soon as practical after the first workout to maximize the effective recovery time between sessions. There may be some advantages in meeting carbohydrate intake targets as a series of snacks during the early recovery phase, but during longer recovery periods (24 h) the athlete should organize the pattern and timing of carbohydrate-rich meals and snacks according to what is practical and comfortable for their individual situation. Carbohydrate-rich foods with a moderate to high glycaemic index provide a readily available source of carbohydrate for muscle glycogen synthesis, and should be the major carbohydrate choices in recovery meals. Although there is new interest in the recovery of intramuscular triglyceride stores between training sessions, there is no evidence that diets which are high in fat and restricted in carbohydrate enhance training.
Simulating Asynchronous Parallel Circuit Optimization Algorithms

The idea of asynchronous parallel optimization occured during the efforts to develop efficient parallel optimization algorithms. Since asynchronous parallel algorithms are more difficult to analyse than their synchronous counterparts, the development of such an algorithm benefits greatly from practical experience. The only way to assess the practical value of a particular algorithm is to try it out on established test function suites and real-world problems. In order to test an algorithm it must be implemented and run on a cluster of workstations. Since development and debugging for such platforms is not an easy task, we expect to accelerate the process of developement by utilizing a simulation tool where the developer can concentrate on the algorithm itself without wasting time on various practical implementation issues. We present a simple model of a parallel optimization environment. Based on the model the simulation technique is presented. The simulator is implemented in MATLAB and its use is illustrated with an example.
Vandetanib successfully controls medullary thyroid cancer-related Cushing syndrome in an adolescent patient.

CONTEXT Ectopic Cushing syndrome due to ACTH secretion from metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to describe the first case of Cushing syndrome associated with MTC in a pediatric patient and the successful reversal of Cushing syndrome with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (vandetanib) therapy. PATIENT AND METHODS A 17-year-old Brazilian adolescent presented with metastatic MTC and associated ACTH-dependent ectopic Cushing syndrome in the context of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B. When the patient was treated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor vandetanib, rapid decrease in serum cortisol and improvement of clinical symptoms were observed. CONCLUSION We describe the first pediatric case of clinical and biochemical improvement of paraneoplastic MTC-related Cushing syndrome after treatment with vandetanib. Vandetanib and possibly other tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be a novel beneficial option in patients with neuroendocrine tumor-related ectopic Cushing syndrome.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with vascular dementia in mainland China

Abstract Background: Neuropsychiatric deficits can induce marked disability in patients with dementia and increase caregiver distress. Several studies have found that neuropsychiatric symptoms are common both in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and patients with vascular dementia (VaD). However, there are few studies of the neuropsychiatric disturbances in large clinical samples of patients with mixed (cortical - subcortical) VaD from mainland China. This study aimed to investigate the neuropsychiatric symptoms in VaD patients in mainland China. Methods: Eighty patients with mixed VaD for over 6 months duration, and their caregivers (VaD group), were recruited for interview in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, from June 2010 to June 2012. Eighty age- and sex-matched normal volunteers (control group) were interviewed at the same time. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were administered to the VaD patients, their caregivers, and normal volunteers. Group differences were analyzed using the unpaired t-test. Results: The total mean scores of the NPI in the VaD group were higher than in the control group (P < 0.01). The subscale scores of NPI, including delusions, hallucinations, depression, apathy, irritability, agitation, aberrant motor behavior, and change in appetite were significantly higher in the VaD group than in the control group (P < 0.05-0.01). Compared with the mild VaD subgroup, the NPI subscale scores of apathy, irritability and total scores were significantly higher in the moderate VaD subgroup (P < 0.05-0.01); the NPI subscale scores of anxiety, apathy, irritability, and total scores were significantly higher in the severe VaD subgroup (P < 0.01). Compared with the moderate VaD subgroup, the NPI subscale scores of anxiety and apathy were significantly higher in the severe VaD subgroup (P < 0.05-0.01). Conclusions: Neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as hallucination, anxiety, apathy, irritability and aberrant action behavior, are common in patients with mixed VaD from mainland China; anxiety and apathy were more pronounced in the subgroup of severe VaD patients.
DNA hypomethylation on pericentromeric satellite regions significantly correlates with loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 9 in urothelial carcinomas.

PURPOSE DNA methylation has important roles in genomic stability. Accordingly DNA hypomethylation on pericentromeric satellite regions may induce chromosomal instability through heterochromatin decondensation and chromosomal recombination enhancement. We elucidated the significance of aberrant DNA methylation on pericentromeric satellite regions during urothelial carcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined DNA methylation status on satellites 2 and 3 by Southern blotting and determined the allelic status of chromosome 9 using 6 microsatellite markers (D9S775, D9S925, D9S304, D9S303, D9S283 and D9S747) in 27 transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder, ureter or renal pelvis and corresponding noncancerous tissues. RESULTS DNA hypomethylation on satellites 2 and 3 was detected in 2 (7%) and no (0%) noncancerous tissues, and in 11 (41%) and 12 (44%) urothelial carcinomas, respectively. DNA hypomethylation in urothelial carcinomas significantly correlated with histological grade (p = 0.0012 and 0.0043), invasion depth (p = 0.0055 and 0.0228) and morphological structure (papillary vs nodular, p = 0.0161 and 0.0297) for satellites 2 and 3, respectively. Loss of heterozygosity on at least 1 locus of chromosome 9 was detected in 14 urothelial carcinomas (52%). DNA hypomethylation on satellites 2 (p = 0.0098) and 3 (p = 0.0034) significantly correlated with loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 9. CONCLUSIONS DNA hypomethylation on pericentromeric satellite regions may participate in the development and progression of urothelial carcinomas by inducing loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 9.
Valuing Transit Service Quality Improvements

This paper studies the value transit travelers place on qualitative factors such as comfort and convenience, and practical ways to incorporate these factors into transport planning and project evaluation. Conventional evaluation practices generally assign the same time value regardless of travel conditions, and so undervalue comfort and convenience impacts. More comprehensive analysis of transit service quality tends to expand the range of potential transit improvement options and justify more investments in transit service quality improvements. This work examines the value passengers place on transit service quality, summarizes research on travel time valuation, explores how transit service quality factors affect travel time values and ridership, and discusses implications of this analysis.
Comparison of Event Models for Naïve Bayes

Automatic sorting of documents is progressively becoming vital because manual handling and organization of documents is not a feasible solution as it can be very time consuming given the number of documents. One of the machine learning applications – text classification which is employed for document classification is explored in this paper. Generative learning algorithm – Naïve Bayes classifier is discussed in this paper. Documents from the 20 Newsgroups dataset are distributed in two groups. Group 1 consists of relatively unrelated two categories of documents and group 2 consists of relatively similar two categories of documents. Naïve Bayes classifier - Multinomial model is implemented to perform classification on both groups and it is observed that Accuracy can be improved with increasing the training set size for both the groups and Classification accuracy is higher for category of documents with lower similarity.
Reconciling Security and Functional Requirements in Multi-tenant Clouds

End-to-end security in the cloud has gained even more importance after the outbreak of data breaches and massive surveillance programs around the globe last year. While the community features a number of cloud-based security mechanisms, existing solutions either provide security at the expense of the economy of scale and cost effectiveness of the cloud (i.e., at the expense of resource sharing and deduplication techniques), or they meet the latter objectives at the expense of security (e.g., the customer is required to fully trust the provider). In this paper, we shed light on this problem, and we analyze the challenges in reconciling security and functional requirements in existing multi-tenant clouds. We also explore the solution space to effectively enhance the current security offerings of existing cloud storage services. As far as we are aware, this is the first contribution which comprehensively explores possible avenues for reconciling the current cloud trends with end-to-end security requirements.
Thismia hongkongensis (Thismiaceae): a new mycoheterotrophic species from Hong Kong, China, with observations on floral visitors and seed dispersal

Abstract A new species, Thismia hongkongensis S.S. Mar & R.M. K.Saunders, is described from Hong Kong. It is most closely related to Thismia brunonis Griff. from Myanmar, but differs in the number of flowers per inflorescence, the colour of the perianth tube, the length of the filaments, and the shape of the stigma lobes. We also provide inferences on the pollination ecology and seed dispersal of the new species, based on field observations and interpretations of morphology. The flowers are visited by fungus gnats (Myctophilidae or Sciaridae) and scuttle flies (Phoridae), which are likely to enter the perianth tube via the annulus below the filiform tepal appendages, and exit via small apertures between the filaments of the pendent stamens. The flowers are inferred to be protandrous, and flies visiting late-anthetic (pistillate-phase) flowers are possibly trapped within the flower, increasing chances of pollen deposition on the receptive stigma. The seeds are likely to be dispersed by rain splash.
Macaque Mirror Neurons : Detecting Intentions Intentionally ?

Here are three mutually incompatible propositions: 1. To understand the intentional actions of others requires knowledge of the intentional states (i.e., beliefs and desires) which (rationally) motivated those actions. 2. Monkeys do not have knowledge of the intentional states (beliefs and desires) motivating the actions of others. 3. Monkeys understand the intentional actions of other monkeys. Proposition 1 is based on the traditional philosophical analysis of intentional action and a commonsense view about understanding-if I don't know what (rationally) motivates your action, then I don't really understand the action. Proposition 2 represents a consensus view among primatologists about absence of higher-order "theory of mind" capacities in monkeys. Proposition 3 reflects a common interpretation of the functions of so-called "mirror neurons" in the ventral premotor (F5) cortex of macaque monkeys (e.
Immune mechanisms in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Its lesions are filled with immune cells that can orchestrate and effect inflammatory responses. In fact, the first lesions of atherosclerosis consist of macrophages and T cells. Unstable plaques are particularly rich in activated immune cells, suggesting that they may initiate plaque activation. We have seen a rapid increase in the understanding of the mechanisms that govern the recruitment, differentiation, and activation of immune cells in atherosclerosis. Experimental research has identified several candidate antigens, and there are encouraging data suggesting that immune modulation as well as immunization can reduce the progression of the disease. This review provides an overview of our current understanding of the role of immune mechanisms in atherosclerosis. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2001;21:1876-1890.)