Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Space-Time Analysis to Identify Areas at Risk of Mortality from Cardiovascular Disease

This study aimed at identifying areas that were at risk of mortality due to cardiovascular disease in residents aged 45 years or older of the cities of Cuiabá and Várzea Grande between 2009 and 2011. We conducted an ecological study of mortality rates related to cardiovascular disease. Mortality rates were calculated for each census tract by the Local Empirical Bayes estimator. High- and low-risk clusters were identified by retrospective space-time scans for each year using the Poisson probability model. We defined the year and month as the temporal analysis unit and the census tracts as the spatial analysis units adjusted by age and sex. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the socioeconomic and environmental variables by risk classification. High-risk clusters showed higher income ratios than low-risk clusters, as did temperature range and atmospheric particulate matter. Low-risk clusters showed higher humidity than high-risk clusters. The Eastern region of Várzea Grande and the central region of Cuiabá were identified as areas at risk of mortality due to cardiovascular disease in individuals aged 45 years or older. High mortality risk was associated with socioeconomic and environmental factors. More high-risk clusters were observed at the end of the dry season.
Real-time temporal quality compensation technique for head mounted displays

An asynchronous time warp (ATW) is used to reduce a motion-to-photon latency in head mounted displays (HMDs). To implement the ATW, a graphics processing unit (GPU) must allow to perform the time warp during the image rendering. However, typical GPUs do not support the preemption optimized for the ATW. Even though the preemption is performed in the GPUs, visual artifcat like a judder can occur. Therefore, high priced GPUs with high performance optimized for the ATW must be used to enhance the temporal image quality. In this paper, a new field-prgrammable gate array (FPGA) based HMD system is proposed to perform the temporal quality compensation without using ATW. The proposed system can enhance the perceived image quality in the HMD even when using the typical GPUs with low performance. We develop the hardware system on the low priced FPGA handling output images with the 1440X2560 pixel resolution. Experimental results show that the average PSNR of our system is 30.15dB for the temporal image quality and the total execution time of this system is 1.48 ms. Thus, our system can be implmented in real-time with the improved temproal image quality.
Juveniles Are More Resistant to Warming than Adults in 4 Species of Antarctic Marine Invertebrates

Juvenile stages are often thought to be less resistant to thermal challenges than adults, yet few studies make direct comparisons using the same methods between different life history stages. We tested the resilience of juvenile stages compared to adults in 4 species of Antarctic marine invertebrate over 3 different rates of experimental warming. The species used represent 3 phyla and 4 classes, and were the soft-shelled clam Laternula elliptica, the sea cucumber Cucumaria georgiana, the sea urchin Sterechinus neumayeri, and the seastar Odontaster validus. All four species are widely distributed, locally abundant to very abundant and are amongst the most important in the ecosystem for their roles. At the slowest rate of warming used (1°C 3 days−1) juveniles survived to higher temperatures than adults in all species studied. At the intermediate rate (1°C day−1) juveniles performed better in 3 of the 4 species, with no difference in the 4th, and at the fastest rate of warming (1°C h−1) L. elliptica adults survived to higher temperatures than juveniles, but in C. georgiana juveniles survived to higher temperatures than adults and there were no differences in the other species. Oxygen limitation may explain the better performance of juveniles at the slower rates of warming, whereas the loss of difference between juveniles and adults at the fastest rate of warming suggests another mechanism sets the temperature limit here.
Software performance estimation strategies in a system-level design tool

High-level cost and performance estimation, coupled with a fast hardware/software co-simulation framework, is a key enabler to a fast embedded system design cycle. Unfortunately, the problem of deriving such estimates without a detailed implementation available is difficult. In this paper we describe two approaches to solve software cost and performance estimation problem, and how they are used in an embedded system design environment. A source-based approach uses compilation onto a virtual instruction set, and allows one to quickly obtain estimates without the need for a compiler for the target processor. An object-based approach translates the assembler generated by the target compiler to "assembler-level," functionally equivalent C. In both cases the code is annotated with timing and other execution related information (e.g., estimated memory accesses) and is used as a precise, yet fast, software simulation model. We contrast the precision and speed of these two techniques comparing them with those obtainable by a state-of-the-art cycle-based processor model.
Visual Perception of Intentional Motion

A series of experiments were performed to investigate how motion sequences provide information about the intentional structure of moving figures or actors. Observers had to detect simulations of biologically meaningful motion within a set of moving letters. In the first two experiments a factorial design was used, with type of instruction as a between-subject factor and six movement parameters (number of items, speed and directness of target and distractors, and ‘relentlessness’ of target movement) as within-subject factor; in the final two experiments, the visibility of the goal towards which the target moved and the use of a tracking movement to distinguish the target were varied. In such displays search time increases with increasing number of stimuli. It was found that (a) the more direct the motion, the more likely it was to be interpreted as intentional; (b) intentional motion was much easier to detect when the target moved faster than the distractors than when it moved more slowly; (c) recognition of intentionality was impaired but not abolished if the goal towards which the target was moving was invisible; and (d) participants did not report intentional movement when the target was distinguished by brightness rather than the manner in which it moved. We argue that the perception of intentionality is strongly related to observers' use of conceptual knowledge, which in turn is activated by particular combinations of features. This supports a process model, in which intentionality is seen as the result of a conceptual integration of objective visual features.
Detection of Extended Spectrum β-lactamase Production Among Uropathogens

Background: Detection of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production among uropathogens is an important marker of endemicity. Aim: Intervention of this endemic transmission is important for the control of initial outbreak of ESBL producing organisms in a hospital or specialized unit of hospital. Materials and Methods: During the study period of one and a half months, 1,551 urine samples were processed for significant bacteriuria. Two hundred gram negative bacterial isolates were tested for ESBL production. Antimicrobial sensitivity pattern was ascertained for ESBL producing isolates. Results: ESBL production was seen in 36% of isolates. All the isolates were multidrug resistant with uniform sensitivity to imipenem. Conclusion: This study reveals the significant prevalence of ESBL producing organisms in this north Indian tertiary care hospital. Constant revision of antibiotic policies with infection control interventions is suggested.
Predictors of progression to cancer in Barrett's esophagus: baseline histology and flow cytometry identify low- and high-risk patient subsets

OBJECTIVE:Barrett's esophagus develops in 5–20% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and predisposes to esophageal adenocarcinoma. The value of endoscopic biopsy surveillance is questioned because most patients do not develop cancer. Furthermore, observer variation in histological diagnosis makes validation of surveillance guidelines difficult because varying histological interpretations may lead to different estimated rates of progression. Thus, objective biomarkers need to be validated for use with histology to stratify patients according to their risk for progression to cancer.METHODS:We prospectively evaluated patients using a systematic endoscopic biopsy protocol with baseline histological and flow cytometric abnormalities as predictors and cancer as the outcome.RESULTS:Among patients with negative, indefinite, or low-grade dysplasia, those with neither aneuploidy nor increased 4N fractions had a 0% 5-yr cumulative cancer incidence compared with 28% for those with either aneuploidy or increased 4N. Patients with baseline increased 4N, aneuploidy, and high-grade dysplasia had 5-yr cancer incidences of 56%, 43%, and 59%, respectively. Aneuploidy, increased 4N, or HGD were detected at baseline in all 35 patients who developed cancer within 5 yr.CONCLUSIONS:A systematic baseline endoscopic biopsy protocol using histology and flow cytometry identifies subsets of patients with Barrett's esophagus at low and high risk for progression to cancer. Patients whose baseline biopsies are negative, indefinite, or low-grade displasia without increased 4N or aneuploidy may have surveillance deferred for up to 5 yr. Patients with cytometric abnormalities merit more frequent surveillance, and management of high-grade displasia can be individualized.
Detection of Natural Landmarks for Mapping by a Demining Robot

To enable automated landmine detection a number of practical problems must be overcome. One of them is the mapping of data from landmine detection sensors using a mobile demining robot in an unstructured outdoor environment. The odometry of the robot used for mapping can be improved by using an additional vision system. It is proposed in this paper to utilize natural landmarks which can be found on the ground for this purpose. New simple algorithms for detection and association of natural landmarks are developed and described. Finally, the experimental results of applying these algorithms on a set of images obtained from a camera mounted on the robot are presented. The results show their robustness for different environmental conditions and robot motions
Indomethacin May Reduce the Incidence and Severity of Acute Pancreatitis After ERCP

OBJECTIVES:Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Many medications have been used to prevent this complication. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of rectally administered indomethacin for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis.METHODS:During 18 months, all eligible patients who underwent ERCP were enrolled in this study. In a double-blind randomized trial, patients received a suppository containing indomethacin, 100 mg, or an inert placebo immediately before ERCP. Serum amylase levels and clinically pertinent evaluations were measured in all patients after ERCP.RESULTS:A total of 490 patients entered the trial, of which half received indomethacin. Twenty-two patients developed pancreatitis; seven cases in the indomethacin group and 15 in the placebo group (P = 0.06). Pancreatic duct injection (OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.3–7.4), pancreatic duct cannulation more than once (OR = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.7–10.0), and age less than 60 yr (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.0–7.1) were shown to be significant risk factors for developing post-ERCP pancreatitis. In patients who underwent pancreatography with or without cholangiography, the risk of pancreatitis was significantly lower in the indomethacin group compared with the control group (P = 0.01, RRR = 88%, ARR = 0.16, NNT = 6). Moderate to severe pancreatitis was significantly higher in the placebo group (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS:This trial shows that rectal indomethacin given immediately before ERCP can reduce the incidence and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis.
Measurement and analysis of source/drain contact resistance in FinFETs

FinFET is a key device architecture for the 22-nm CMOS and beyond technology nodes. If special care is not taken, these devices could suffer from high series resistance due to the narrow width of their source/drain regions. Using the electrical characterization of fabricated devices, we extract and analyze the dominant component of this series resistance, namely the source/drain contact resistance.
Prevalence of gastric and duodenal polyps and risk factors for duodenal neoplasm in korean patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The prevalence of gastric polyps, duodenal adenoma and duodenal cancer has been reported as being high among familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients, but there have been no reports of this association in Korea. This study evaluated the prevalence of gastric and duodenal polyps and risk factors for duodenal neoplasm in FAP patients in Korea. METHODS We reviewed both initial and follow-up endoscopic results from FAP patients. We also investigated the treatment modality of duodenal adenomas and analyzed the risk factors of duodenal neoplasms by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 148 patients with FAP underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and the fi ndings were as follows: gastric polyp 39.9% (fundic gland polyp 25.7% and gastric adenoma 14.2%), duodenal adenoma 15.5%, gastric cancer 2.7%, and duodenal cancer 0.7%. There were two cases of gastric cancer that developed from benign gastric polyps. There were progressions of duodenal adenomatosis during follow-up, and some degree of relapse occurred after endoscopic resection. Patients with gastric polyps showed a correlation with the occurrence of duodenal neoplasm (odds ratio, 2.814; p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS In Korean FAP patients, gastric cancer was detected more frequently, but fundic gland polyps, duodenal adenoma and duodenal cancer were detected less frequently than in Western patients. FAP patients with gastric polyps should undergo regular EGD, particularly for the early detection of duodenal neoplasia.
Land Cover Mapping Using Ensemble Feature Selection Methods

Ensemble classification is an emerging approach to land cover mapping whereby the final classification output is a result of a consensus of classifiers. Intuitively, an ensemble system should consist of base classifiers which are diverse i.e. classifiers whose decision boundaries err differently. In this paper ensemble feature selection is used to impose diversity in ensembles. The features of the constituent base classifiers for each ensemble were created through an exhaustive search algorithm using different separability indices. For each ensemble, the classification accuracy was derived as well as a diversity measure purported to give a measure of the inensemble diversity. The correlation between ensemble classification accuracy and diversity measure was determined to establish the interplay between the two variables. From the findings of this paper, diversity measures as currently formulated do not provide an adequate means upon which to constitute ensembles for land cover mapping.
A Safe Approximation Approach to Secrecy Outage Design for MIMO Wiretap Channels

Consider a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) channel wiretapped by multiple multi-antenna eavesdroppers. Assuming imperfect eavesdroppers' channel state information (CSI) at the transmitter, an outage-constrained secrecy rate maximization (OC-SRM) problem is considered. Specifically, we aim to design the transmit covariance matrix such that the outage secrecy rate is maximized for a given outage probability. The OC-SRM problem is challenging, and as a compromise, we resort to a recently developed Bernstein-type inequality approach to obtain a safe (conservative) approximate solution for OC-SRM. The merit of the proposed safe design lies in its tractability. In particular, a safe solution can be efficiently computed by alternately solving two convex conic optimization problems. The efficacy of the proposed design is demonstrated by simulations.
Physical Layer Security for Two-Way Untrusted Relaying With Friendly Jammers

In this paper, we consider a two-way relay system where the two sources can only communicate through an untrusted intermediate relay and investigate the physical layer security issue in this two-way untrusted relay scenario. Specifically, we regard the intermediate relay as an eavesdropper from which the information transmitted by the sources needs to be kept confidential, despite the fact that its cooperation in relaying this information is essential. We first indicate that a nonzero secrecy rate is indeed achievable in this two-way untrusted relay system even without the help of external friendly jammers. As for the system with friendly jammers, after further analysis, we can obtain the secrecy rate of the sources can be effectively improved by utilizing proper jamming power from the friendly jammers. Then, we formulate a Stackelberg game between the sources and the friendly jammers as a power control scheme to achieve the optimized secrecy rate of the sources, in which the sources are treated as the sole buyer and the friendly jammers are the sellers. In addition, the optimal solutions of the jamming power and the asking prices are given, and a distributed updating algorithm to obtain the Stackelberg equilibrium is provided for the proposed game. Finally, the simulation results verify the properties and efficiency of the proposed Stackelberg-game-based scheme.
Tetracyclines Specifically Target the Apicoplast of the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum

ABSTRACT Tetracyclines are effective but slow-acting antimalarial drugs whose mechanism of action remains uncertain. To characterize the antimalarial mechanism of tetracyclines, we evaluated their stage-specific activities, impacts on parasite transcription, and effects on two predicted organelle targets, the apicoplast and the mitochondrion, in cultured Plasmodium falciparum. Antimalarial effects were much greater after two 48-h life cycles than after one cycle, even if the drugs were removed at the end of the first cycle. Doxycycline-treated parasites appeared morphologically normal until late in the second cycle of treatment but failed to develop into merozoites. Doxycycline specifically impaired the expression of apicoplast genes. Apicoplast morphology initially appeared normal in the presence of doxycycline. However, apicoplasts were abnormal in the progeny of doxycycline-treated parasites, as evidenced by a block in apicoplast genome replication, a lack of processing of an apicoplast-targeted protein, and failure to elongate and segregate during schizogeny. Replication of the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes and mitochondrial morphology appeared normal. Our results demonstrate that tetracyclines specifically block expression of the apicoplast genome, resulting in the distribution of nonfunctional apicoplasts into daughter merozoites. The loss of apicoplast function in the progeny of treated parasites leads to a slow but potent antimalarial effect.
EGFR Amplification and IDH Mutations in Glioblastoma Patients of the Northeast of Morocco

Glioblastomas are the most frequent and aggressive primary brain tumors which are expressing various evolutions, aggressiveness, and prognosis. Thus, the 2007 World Health Organization classification based solely on the histological criteria is no longer sufficient. It should be complemented by molecular analysis for a true histomolecular classification. The new 2016 WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system uses molecular parameters in addition to histology to reclassify these tumors and reduce the interobserver variability. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of IDH mutations and EGFR amplifications in the population of the northeast region of Morocco and then to compare the results with other studies. Methods. IDH1 codon 132 and IDH2 codon 172 were directly sequenced and the amplification of exon 20 of EGFR gene was investigated by qPCR in 65 glioblastoma tumors diagnosed at the University Hospital of Fez between 2010 and 2014. Results. The R132H IDH1 mutation was observed in 8 of 65 tumor samples (12.31%). No mutation of IDH2 was detected. EGFR amplification was identified in 17 cases (26.15%). Conclusion. A systematic search of both histological and molecular markers should be requisite for a good diagnosis and a better management of glioblastomas.
An Efficient Multigrid Method for Molecular Mechanics Modeling in Atomic Solids

We propose a multigrid method to solve the molecular mechanics model (molecular dynamics at zero temperature). The Cauchy-Born elasticity model is employed as the coarse grid operator and the elastically deformed state as the initial guess of the molecular mechanics model. The efficiency of the algorithm is demonstrated by three examples with homogeneous deformation, namely, one dimensional chain under tensile deformation and aluminum under tension and shear deformations. The method exhibits linear-scaling computational complexity, and is insensitive to parameters arising from iterative solvers. In addition, we study two examples with inhomogeneous deformation: vacancy and nanoindentation of aluminum. The results are still satisfactory while the linear-scaling property is lost for the latter example.
Test of the generalizability of Altman's bankruptcy predication model

Although originally developed in 1968 using a small sample of firms from the 1950s and 1960s, Altman's Z-Score model remains a commonly used tool for evaluating the financial health of companies. Because of the age of the model and other its attributes, such as its small sample of manufacturing firms and the use of equal group sizes of bankrupt and non-bankrupt firms, it is likely that the model is not as effective in classifying firms in more recent studies as it was when developed by Altman. This study examines three research questions using recent sample data: (1) Is Altman's original model as useful for predicating bankruptcy in recent periods as it was for the periods in which it was developed and tested by Altman? (2) Is the model as useful for predicating financial stress conditions other than bankruptcy as it is for predicting bankruptcy? (3) Is it true/accurate that as time passes, the ability of the model to predict decreases correspondingly? Our results are consistent with positive answers to Questions 1 and 2 and a negative answer to Question 3.
The struggle for space: Viral extinction through competition for cells

The design of protocols to suppress the propagation of viral infections is an enduring enterprise, especially hindered by limited knowledge of the mechanisms through which extinction of infection propagation comes about. We here report on a mechanism causing extinction of a propagating infection due to intraspecific competition to infect susceptible hosts. Beneficial mutations allow the pathogen to increase the production of progeny, while the host cell is allowed to develop defenses against infection. When the number of susceptible cells is unlimited, a feedback runaway co-evolution between host resistance and progeny production occurs. However, physical space limits the advantage that the virus can obtain from increasing offspring numbers, thus infection clearance may result from an increase in host defenses beyond a finite threshold. Our results might be relevant to better understand propagation of viral infections in tissues with mobility constraints, and the implications that environments with different geometrical properties might have in devising control strategies.