Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHAPTER 64 Chemical Injuries

During the past century, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of chemicals produced. Worldwide, there are more than 5 million known chemicals, with an additional 10,000 to 20,000 new chemicals developed each year. Furthermore, an estimated 500,000 unique shipments of hazardous materials occur daily throughout the United States, resulting in thousands of exposures to hazardous materials annually. These chemicals, which include acids, alkalis, and other highly reactive substances, not only are found throughout industry but also are ingredients in many household products. Exposure to these substances can result in injuries to many organs, including the eyes, skin, and lungs. Despite myriad potential exposures to chemicals each day, the number of actual exposures is relatively low, largely because of sound industry practices and state and federal regulations. The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act contains extensive provisions for emergency planning. A hazardous material (hazmat) is defined as any substance, including gases, solids, or liquids, that has the potential to cause harm to people or the environment. The Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system collects information on chemical exposures from 14 states. According to the 20072008 HSEES report, more than 15,000 chemical events occurred in the United States during this 2-year span. The manufacturing sector accounted for nearly half of all chemical exposures in the United States. Transportation, communication, and other public utilities accounted for nearly one third of all exposures. Employees working with the chemicals were the most likely to be injured, followed by the general public. Both the current and the past HSEES reports can be found online at www.atsdr. cdc.gov/HS/ HSEES/annual2008.html. The most commonly released hazardous substances are volatile organic compounds, herbicides, acids, and ammonia. Various household products, such as cement, drain cleaners, and gasoline, are also potentially quite hazardous, and exposure can result in severe disability or death.
Multi-path routing with load-aware metric for tactical ad hoc networks

To support reliable communication in tactical area networks, multi-path routing protocols can be utilized. Multipath routing protocol makes decisions to select primary route and alternative path by using routing metrics. Link quality routing metrics are popularly used for route selection but it may cause bottleneck and congestion problems. To overcome these problems, we can consider the traffic loads or congestion level into routing metric. In this paper we propose a load-aware routing metric which is based on Airtime link cost metric and combines traffic loads measured from MAC layer. To maximize load balancing effect, we utilize our proposed load-aware routing metric into a multipath routing protocol. The performance of the proposed metric is evaluated with the OPNET simulator and compared with other routing metrics.
Jugular bulb oximetry during cardiac surgery

Imbalance between cerebral oxygen supply and demand is thought to play an important role in the development of cerebral injury during cardiac surgery. This article presents an overview of cerebral oxygenation monitored by jugular bulb oximetry during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The general principles of jugular bulb oximetry including physiology, intermittent and continuous monitoring, technical considerations, limitations and potential complications are discussed. Different applications of jugular bulb oximetry during bypass surgery and the possible therapeutic approaches to impaired cerebral oxygenation are described.
Forecasting Financial Stocks Using Data Mining

This study presents a Business Intelligence (BI) approach to forecast daily changes in seven financial stocks’ prices from September 1, 1998 to April 30, 2008 with 267 independent variables. The purpose of our paper is to compare the performance of Ordinary Least Squares model and Neural Network model to see which model better predicts the changes in the stock prices and to identify critical predictors to forecast stock prices to increase forecasting accuracy for the professionals in the market. We used SPSS to perform stepwise regression to create a unique regression model for each company. Then, we ran the neural network with Alyuda NueroIntelligence to create a NN model by performing data analysis, data preprocessing, network design with hyperbolic tangent method, training with batch back propagation, testing, and query. We did data manipulation by using the first derivative and adding 0.1 to the absolute value of the minimum value in each variable to avoid minus sign from the rounding. Finally, we tested the model with the paired t-test in 152 randomly selected data points. Our result showed that the neural network model (batch back propagation algorithm) outperformed OLS model. The %error for NN and OLS mean ranges from 2.13%-3.27% and 4%-32% and standard deviation ranges from 1.78%-3.39% and 2.46%-8%. The OLS model is easy to use, validate, and works fast with lower forecasting accuracy because it is a linear model. NN has a better forecasting accuracy with no explanation of the relationship between interacting variables with dynamic results due to the learning setup. Some critical success factors to train NN are the network architecture, network design algorithm, training algorithm, and stop training conditions. Data normalization can make a huge difference to the result. We recommend more forecasting method and independent variables (e.g. expert opinion) to be included for future studies.
Music Synthesis Based on Nonlinear Dynamics

Music composition from nonlinear dynamics has been a subject of thorough research, producing interesting music tracks. Simple chaotic maps or even more complex iterative schemes have been proposed, taking advantage of the “structured spontaneity” of nonlinear dynamics by directly transforming the mathematical objects to musical entities. In this work we examine the music compositions produced by two nonlinear systems in terms of complexity, expressed through the Shannon Information Entropy of their Pitch Class Profiles. We present a methodology to interpret the information obtained by the iterative equation s to several tonal and rhythmic attributes. This methodology is implemented in real-time software. A Graphical User Interface is provided that allows the user to adjust several variables while listening to and observing the derived results.
Bill colour and immunocompetence in the European blackbird

The level of expression of secondary sexual characters has been suggested to signal male ability to resist parasitic infestations. To test this idea, several studies have examined the link between sexual signals and immunocompetence in birds. However, most of them have used only a single aspect of immune response to evaluate immunocompetence. We investigated the relation between bill colour and immunocompetence in captive male European blackbirds, Turdus merula, during the breeding season by assessing both cell-mediated and humoral components of the immune system. The blackbird is a sexually dimorphic species with bill colour varying from yellow to orange in males. Humoral immunity was assessed by measuring both primary and secondary responses to sheep red blood cell inoculation. Cell-mediated immunity was estimated with a delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity response to an injection of a mitogen (phytohaemagglutinin). No relation was found between male bill colour and the primary humoral response. However, males with orange bills showed a lower secondary humoral response but a higher cell-mediated immune response than males with yellow bills. Thus, the relation between immunocompetence and a secondary sexual trait may differ markedly depending on which component of the immune system is under consideration. We discuss our results in relation to mechanisms involved in sexual selection. Copyright 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Removal of small non‐enveloped viruses by nanofiltration

Background and Objectives Nanofiltration is one of the most effective virus reduction methods in the manufacturing process of plasma products. However, it is difficult to remove small viruses from high molecular weight protein preparations like immunoglobulin G or factor VIII complex by nanofiltration, because the size of the protein is similar to that of viruses. In order to separate the viruses from these proteins by nanofiltration, it is necessary to change the size of either one. In this study, we report that such non‐enveloped viruses as human parvovirus B19 (B19), human encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC) or porcine parvovirus (PPV) aggregate in the presence of certain kinds of amino acids and could be easily removed by nanofiltration.
Communication of Food Location Between Human and Dog ( Canis Familiaris )

Two domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) participated in a series of studies in which they communicated with a human about the location of hidden food. In the first study both dogs were able to follow human pointing reliably to one of several locations where food was hidden, both in front of them and behind them. They also showed some skills at following human gaze direction in this same task, when both head and eyes indicated the same location. They did not follow eye direction when it conflicted with head direction. A second study clearly ruled out a low-level visual tracking explanation for at least one of the subjects. In a third study one of the two dogs was able to lead a naive human to one of three locations containing food consistently, mainly by barking and orienting its body to the food. The subject did not behave differently, however, when the human turned his back or covered his eyes; he continued to orient to the food and bark under all conditions. In a fourth study in which more clearly visual signals were involved, both subjects strongly preferred to drop a retrieved object at the front of, rather than at the back of, the human — even when the human turned his back so that subjects had to bring the object around his body upon return. The knowledge of human pointing and gaze direction displayed by these two domestic dogs is in many ways comparable to that displayed in experimental studies by nonhuman primates.
Impact of Parallelism and Memory Architecture on FPGA Communication Energy

The energy in FPGA computations is dominated by data communication energy, either in the form of memory references or data movement on interconnect. In this article, we explore how to use data placement and parallelism to reduce communication energy. We show that parallelism can reduce energy and that the optimal level of parallelism increases with the problem size. We further explore how FPGA memory architecture (memory block size(s), memory banking, and spacing between memory banks) can impact communication energy, and determine how to organize the memory architecture to guarantee that the energy overhead compared to the optimally matched architecture for the design is never more than 60%. We specifically show that an architecture with 32 bit wide, 16Kb internally banked memories placed every 8 columns of 10 4-LUT logic blocks is within 61% of the optimally matched architecture across the VTR 7 benchmark set and a set of parallelism-tunable benchmarks. Without internal banking, the worst-case overhead is 98%, achieved with an architecture with 32 bit wide, 8Kb memories placed every 9 columns, roughly comparable to the memory organization on the Cyclone V (where memories are placed about every 10 columns). Monolithic 32 bit wide, 16Kb memories placed every 10 columns (comparable to 18Kb and 20Kb memories used in Virtex 4 and Stratix V FPGAs) have a 180% worst-case energy overhead. Furthermore, we show practical cases where designs mapped for optimal parallelism use 4.7 × less energy than designs using a single processing element.
Risk factors for leukoplakia and malignant transformation to oral carcinoma: a leukoplakia cohort in Taiwan

The effects of betel nut chewing, smoking and alcohol on the occurrence of leukoplakia and its malignant transformation to oral carcinoma were quantified in a leukoplakia cohort (n = 435) from one medical centre between 1988 and 1998 in Taiwan. Sixty oral carcinomas were ascertained in this cohort. A case–control study within the leukoplakia cohort was used to study, risk factors. Using the Weibull survival model, the incidence of malignant transformation of leukoplakia was shown to increase with follow-up years. After adjustment for other relevant risk factors, betel nut chewing (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 4.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–16.86) remained a significant risk factor for malignant transformation. Results from the case–control study showed that the adjusted odds ratios for betel nut chewing and smoking on the occurrence of leukoplakia were 17.43 (95% Cl 1.94–156.27) and 3.22 (95% Cl 1.06–9.78), respectively. Similar findings were observed when daily frequency and duration were taken into account. This implies that cessation of smoking may reduce by 36% leukoplakia cases, while elimination of betel nuts may prevent 62% of leukoplakia and 26% of malignant transformation to oral carcinoma in the underlying population. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign
Evaluation of sanitizers for inactivating Salmonella on in-shell pecans and pecan nutmeats.

Chlorine, organic acids, and water extracts of inedible pecan components were tested for effectiveness in killing Salmonella on pecans. In-shell pecans and nutmeats (U.S. Department of Agriculture medium pieces) were immersion inoculated with a mixture of five Salmonella serotypes, dried to 3.7% moisture, and stored at 4°C for 3 to 6 weeks. In-shell nuts were immersed in chlorinated water (200, 400, and 1,000 μg/ml), lactic acid (0.5, 1, and 2%), and levulinic acid (0.5, 1, and 2%) with and without 0.05% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and a mixed peroxyacid sanitizer (Tsunami 200, 40 μg/ml) for up to 20 min at 21°C. The rate of reduction of free chlorine in conditioning water decreased as the ratio of in-shell nuts/water was increased. The rate of reduction was more rapid when nuts were not precleaned before treatment. The initial population of Salmonella on in-shell nuts (5.9 to 6.3 log CFU/g) was reduced by 2.8 log CFU/g after treating with chlorinated water (1,000 μg/ml). Treatment with 2% lactic acid plus SDS or 2% levulinic acid plus SDS reduced the pathogen by 3.7 and 3.4 log CFU/g, respectively. Lactic and levulinic acids (2%) without SDS were less effective (3.3- and 2.1-log CFU/g reductions, respectively) than acids with SDS. Treatment with Tsunami 200 resulted in a 2.4-log CFU/g reduction. In-shell nuts and nutmeats were immersed in water extracts of ground pecan shucks (hulls), shells, a mixture of shells and pith, and pith. The general order of lethality of extracts to Salmonella was shuck < shell-pith ≤ shell ≤ pith < chlorine (400 μg/ml) and shuck < shell ≤ pith = shell-pith < chlorine (400 μg/ml). Results emphasize the importance of removing soil and dust on in-shell pecans before conditioning in chlorinated water and the need for sanitizers with increased effectiveness in killing Salmonella on pecans.
Prevalence of and risk factors for medication nonadherence in patients with schizophrenia: a comprehensive review of recent literature.

OBJECTIVE Nonadherence to prescribed antipsychotic medications places patients with schizophrenia at a greatly increased risk of illness exacerbation and rehospitalization. Identification of risk factors for nonadherence is an initial step toward designing effective interventions. This article reviews recent literature on the prevalence of and risk factors for medication nonadherence in patients with schizophrenia. DATA SOURCES We searched the MEDLINE/HealthSTAR and PsycINFO databases using combinations of the keywords risk factor(s), adherence, compliance, antipsychotic, neuroleptic, schizophrenia, and psychosis for articles published since 1980 that identified risk factors for medication nonadherence in schizophrenia patients. We included reports that (1) were published in English and (2) specifically examined risk factors for medication nonadherence. Thirty-nine articles met our selection criteria. DATA SYNTHESIS Among the 10 reports that met a strict set of study inclusion criteria, we found a mean rate of nonadherence of 41.2%; the 5 reports that met a stricter set of inclusion criteria had a mean nonadherence rate of 49.5%. In the 39 articles reviewed, factors most consistently associated with nonadherence included poor insight, negative attitude or subjective response toward medication, previous nonadherence, substance abuse, shorter illness duration, inadequate discharge planning or aftercare environment, and poorer therapeutic alliance. Findings regarding an association between adherence and medication type were inconclusive, although few studies explored this relationship. Other factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education level, neurocognitive impairment, severity of psychotic symptoms, severity of medication side effects, higher antipsychotic dose, presence of mood symptoms, route of medication administration, and family involvement were not found to be consistent predictors of nonadherence. Limitations of the published literature are discussed. CONCLUSION Efforts to improve medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia should target relevant risk factors.
Consumer credit scoring using an artificial immune system algorithm

Credit scoring has become a very important task in the credit industry and its use has increased at a phenomenal speed through the mass issue of credit cards since the 1960s. This paper compares the performance of current classifiers against an artificial intelligence technique based on the natural immune system, named simple artificial immune system (SAIS). Experiments were performed on three benchmark credit datasets and SAIS was found to be a very competitive classifier.
CT Coronary Angiography Versus Conventional Invasive Coronary Angiography – The View of the Referring Physician

Abstract Purpose: Assessment of experience gained by local referring physicians with the procedure of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) in the everyday clinical routine. Materials and Methods: A 25-item questionnaire was sent to 179 physicians, who together had referred a total of 1986 patients for CCTA. They were asked about their experience to date with CCTA, the indications for coronary imaging, and their practice in referring patients for noninvasive CCTA or invasive catheter angiography. Results: 53 questionnaires (30 %) were assessable, corresponding to more than 72 % of the patients referred. Of the referring physicians who responded, 94 % saw a concrete advantage of CCTA in the treatment of patients, whereby 87 % were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the reporting. For excluding coronary heart disease (CHD) where there was a low pre-test probability of disease, the physicians considered CCTA to be superior to conventional coronary diagnosis (4.2 on a scale of 1 – 5) and vice versa for acute coronary syndrome (1.6 of 5). The main reasons for unsuitability of CCTA for CT diagnosis were claustrophobia and the absence of a sinus rhythm. The level of exposure to radiation in CCTA was estimated correctly by only 42 % of the referring physicians. 90 % of the physicians reported that their patients evaluated their coronary CT overall as ‘positive’ or ‘neutral’, while 87 % of the physicians whose patients had undergone both procedures reported that the patients had experienced CCTA as the less disagreeable of the two. Conclusion: CCTA is accepted by the referring physicians as an alternative imaging procedure for the exclusion of CHD and received a predominantly positive assessment from both the referring physicians and the patients. Key points: • A high percentage of referring physicians had positive experiences with noninvasive CT coronary angiography (CCTA) so far. • CCTA is accepted by referring physicians as an alternative imaging procedure for the exclusion of coronary heart disease. • Noninvasive CT coronary angiography is perceived by patients in direct comparison with conventional invasive coronary angiography as less disagreeable. Citation Format: • Maurer MH, Zimmermann E, Hamm B et al. CT Coronary Angiography Versus Conventional Invasive Coronary Angiography – The View of the Referring Physician. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2014; 186: 1102 – 1110
Stress and facial appearance

This article examines the relationship between abnormal facial appearance, body image and psychological functioning. It explores the differences between patients in whom abnormalities of facial appearance generate stress which leads to personality impairment and mental illness and patients with abnormal personalities and/or mental illness who complain that they have an abnormal facial appearance. The role of cosmetic surgery and other therapies in treating these different. types of dissatisfaction with appearance is reviewed.
Intravenous infusion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells improves brain function after resuscitation from cardiac arrest

Objective:Allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were previously shown to improve myocardial function when administered intravenously after resuscitation from cardiac arrest in rats. Coincidental evidence of improved brain function prompted the present study. Design:Prospective, randomized, controlled study. Setting:University-affiliated research institute. Subjects:Male Sprague-Dawley rats. Interventions:Using an established model in 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats in which 6 mins of untreated cardiac arrest was followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation, animals were randomized to receive 5 × 106 mesenchymal stem cells labeled with PKH26 in phosphate buffer solution or phosphate buffer solution alone as a placebo at 2 hrs after restoration of spontaneous circulation. The stem cells or buffer diluent were injected into a catheter advanced from the jugular vein into the right atrium. Measurements and Main Results:Outcome measurements in addition to 35-day survival included somatosensor testing of capability for removal of an adhesive patch applied to both front paws, testing of motor function using a rotating cylinder, and observational scoring of the severity of neurologic impairment. Labeled mesenchymal stem cells were subsequently identified and counted in 5 &mgr;m sections obtained from defined sites in the harvested brain. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify neural cells differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Adhesive removal, motor function test, neurologic severity score, and 35-day survival were each significantly improved in comparison with control animals. Labeled mesenchymal stem cells were identified in the hippocampus, cortex, pons, medulla, and cerebellum and expressed protein markers phenotypic neural cells. Conclusions:Mesenchymal stem cells injected into the right atrium of rats after resuscitation from cardiac arrest were identified in brains harvested 35 days later. Brain function was significantly improved. Accordingly, venous injection of mesenchymal stem cells after cardiopulmonary resuscitation has promise of minimizing the severity of postresuscitation neurologic impairment.
A Survey of Security and Privacy Challenges in Cloud Computing: Solutions and Future Directions

While cloud computing is gaining popularity, diverse security and privacy issues are emerging that hinder the rapid adoption of this new computing paradigm. And the development of defensive solutions is lagging behind. To ensure a secure and trustworthy cloud environment it is essential to identify the limitations of existing solutions and envision directions for future research. In this paper, we have surveyed critical security and privacy challenges in cloud computing, categorized diverse existing solutions, compared their strengths and limitations, and envisioned future research directions.