Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Binary CPMs With Improved Spectral Efficiency

We design new continuous phase modulation (CPM) formats, which are based on the combination of a proper precoder with binary input and a ternary CPM. The proposed precoder constrains the signal phase evolution in order to increase the minimum Euclidean distance, and to limit the bandwidth expansion due to the use of a ternary CPM. The resulting schemes are highly spectrally efficient and outperform classical binary and quaternary formats in terms of coded and uncoded performance.
Blind Detection of Digital Forgeries Using Detection Trace of Eclosion

I. INTRODUCTION With the emergence of digital imaging devices and widely used, the number of the digital images has increased rapidly. The digital image has become one of the most important methods for sending and acquiring information. In the survey report of the China Internet Network Information resources, it divided into three kind information based on multi-media forms of classification: image, audio and video. The percentage of the image is 97.9%, 98.91% and 98.75% in 2003-2005. It is shown that the digital image is the most popular form in the multi-media information. The extensive application of digital images has brought some issues such as the authenticity of the content and the protection of the integrity of information. Users can make many kinds of edits such as image splicing, image synthesis with the development of the Computer Technology and the sophisticated photo editing software. In most cases, digital forgeries usually leaving no visual clues of tampering can be undistinguishable from authentic ones through our naked eyes which will be trouble when it comes to photographic evidence presented in the court and for insurance claims. Thus it brings the crisis of confidence. An example of digital forgeries is shown in figure 1. It is a false news photo which was published in a supposititious CNN and then became top news on the well-known search engine "Google news”. The tampering image is created by composing two different photographs. The prison’s head is replaced the president’s of USA in 2004. It is no doubt that figure 1 is a good fake image which causes no suspicion from our naked eyes. The ease of creating digital photomontage and leaving no visual clues for human eyes would certainly make us think twice before accepting an image as authentic. Thus, it is significant for us to find some manners to detect and testimony the digital image. Recently many methodologies are designed for digital image tampering authentication and protecting the integrity of information. In general, they can be divided into three parts: digital watermark, digital signature and blind detection of digital forgeries. The digital watermark and signature are not widely used as they need specially equipped digital cameras and the watermarking and signature techniques have their own inherent issues. Therefore the new blind detection techniques are focused by many researchers.
Using an electrocautery strategy or recombinant follicle stimulating hormone to induce ovulation in polycystic ovary syndrome: randomised controlled trial

Abstract Objective To compare the effectiveness of an electrocautery strategy with ovulation induction using recombinant follicle stimulating hormone in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting Secondary and tertiary hospitals in the Netherlands. Participants 168 patients with clomiphene citrate resistant polycystic ovary syndrome: 83 were allocated electrocautery and 85 were allocated recombinant follicle stimulating hormone. Intervention Laparoscopic electrocautery of the ovaries followed by clomiphene citrate and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone if anovulation persisted, or induction of ovulation with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone. Main outcome measure Ongoing pregnancy within 12 months. Results. The cumulative rate of ongoing pregnancy after recombinant follicle stimulating hormone was 67%. With only electrocautery it was 34%, which increased to 49% after clomiphene citrate was given. Subsequent recombinant follicle stimulating hormone increased the rate to 67% at 12 months (rate ratio 1.01, 95% confidence interval 0.81 to 1.24). No complications occurred from electrocautery with or without clomiphene citrate. Patients allocated to electrocautery had a significantly lower risk of multiple pregnancy (0.11, 0.01 to 0.86). Conclusion The ongoing pregnancy rate from ovulation induction with laparoscopic electrocautery followed by clomiphene citrate and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone if anovulation persisted, or recombinant follicle stimulating hormone, seems equivalent to ovulation induction with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone, but the former procedure carries a lower risk of multiple pregnancy.
Modeling and analysis of adaptive embedded systems using adaptive task automata

Most embedded systems need to continually function in unpredictable environments. One way to achieve high dependability is to make the system adaptive to changes, if possible, without sacrificing maintainability. To be able to reason about adaptivity, one needs a modeling and analysis framework suitable for adaptive systems. Recently, we have introduced Adaptive Task Automata, to meet this goal. In this paper, we overview the current functionality implemented in the Adaptive Task Automata framework (ATA), as well as some of the challenges encountered during the development. In the end, we enumerate possible future extensions of ATA.
Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases Detection of Occult Acute Kidney Injury in Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency Anemia

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency anemia is associated with intravascular hemolysis. The freely filtered hemoglobin can damage the kidney. We aimed to assess any subclinical renal injury in G6PD children. Methods: Sixty children were included. Thirty G6PD deficiency anemia children were enrolled during the acute hemolytic crisis and after the hemolytic episode had elapsed. Another thirty healthy children were included as controls. Serum cystatin C, creatinine levels, and urinary albumin/creatinine (A/C) ratio were measured, and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated. Results: Significantly higher urinary A/C ratio (p=0.001,0.002 respectively) and lower GFR (p=0.001 for both) were found during hemolysis and after the hemolytic episode compared to the controls. Also, significant higher serum cystatin C (p=0.001), creatinine (p=0.05) and A/C (p= 0.001) ratio and insignificant lower GFR (p=0.3) during acute hemolytic crisis compared to the same children after the hemolytic episode subsided. Conclusions: G6PD deficiency anemia is associated with a variable degree of acute renal injury during acute hemolytic episodes which may persist after elapsing of the hemolytic crises. Detection of occult acute kidney injury in glucose six phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency anemia. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Introduction. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency anemia is an X-linked recessive hereditary disease where the enzyme G6PD is deficient. 1 G6PD is the key regulatory enzyme in the hexose monophosphate shunt with the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADPH) that is required for protection against oxidative damages. 2 Increased oxidative stress has been observed in many diseases including those related to renal damage.
Cosmic ray physics in calculations of cosmological structure formation

Cosmic rays (CRs) play a decisive role within our own Galaxy. They provide partial pressure support against gravity, they trace past energetic events such as supernovae, and they reveal the underlying structure of the baryonic matter distribution through their interactions. To study the impact of CRs on galaxy and cosmic structure formation and evolution, we develop an approximative framework for treating dynamical and radiative effects of CRs in cosmological simulations. Our guiding principle is to try to find a balance between capturing as many physical properties of CR populations as possible while at the same time requiring as little extra computational resources as possible. We approximate the CR spectrum of each fluid element by a single power-law, with spatially and temporally varying normalisation, low-energy cut-off, and spectral index. Principles of conservation of particle number, energy, and pressure are then used to derive evolution equations for the basic variables describing the CR spectrum, both due to adiabatic and non-adiabatic processes. The processes considered include compression and rarefaction, CR injection via shocks in supernova remnants, injection in structure formation shock waves, in-situ re-acceleration of CRs, CR spatial diffusion, CR energy losses due to Coulomb interactions, ionisation losses, Bremsstrahlung losses, and, finally, hadronic interactions with the background gas, including the associated γ-ray and radio emission due to subsequent pion decay. We show that the formalism reproduces CR energy densities, pressure, and cooling rates with an accuracy of ∼10% in steady state conditions where CR injection balances cooling. It is therefore a promising formulation to allow simulations where CR physics is included. Finally, we briefly discuss how the formalism can be included in Lagrangian simulation methods such as the smoothed particle hydrodynamics technique. Our framework is therefore well suited to be included into numerical simulation schemes of galaxy and structure formation.
A Novel Channel Equalizer Using Large Margin Algebraic Perceptron Network

This paper proposes a novel control scheme for channel equalization for wireless communication system. The proposed scheme considers channel equalization as a classification problem. For efficient solution of the problem, this paper makes use of a neural network working on Algebraic Perceptron (AP) algorithm as a classifier. Also, this paper introduces a method of performance improvement by increasing margin of AP equalizers. Novelty of the proposed scheme is evidenced by its simulation results.
Teaching database concepts to video game design and development students

A video game design and development degree is a very specific choice for students, who are mainly interested in making games or taking part in the game development process. Databases are not an apparent requirement in order to pursue these goals, often leading to a lack of motivation and interest in the subject. Nonetheless, a number of Bachelor degrees in video game design and development acknowledge the importance of Databases, and offer it as a mandatory course in their curricula. However, the subject exposition is often done in the context of typical database areas of application, such as business settings, websites or library and university management. In this paper we describe and propose four classroom database problems specifically designed for video game design and development students. It is our belief that using a context-aware approach yields not only more motivated students, but students with a better understanding of database concepts so often necessary to design and develop computer games.
JOINT COGNITIVE SYSTEMS, COOPERATIVE SYSTEMS AND DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS: A COOPERATION IN CONTEXT

We present the lessons drawn from a review of the main concepts put forward by the designers of decision support systems, joint cognitive systems and cooperative systems. A striking observation is that these systems stumble on user-system cooperation. The main idea of this paper is that interactive system must behave more as an intelligent assistant than as an expert. Key elements of an effective cooperation between a user and a system are making explicit cooperation context and extending consequently the notions of explanations, knowledge acquisition and machine learning.
A structural model of total quality management, kaizen, operational performance on service quality and patient satisfaction

Tests are the strength effect of total quality management (TQM), Kaizen and operational performance on service quality and patient satisfaction. The other part we will test is the service quality as a mediation role to explain the effect of total quality management (TQM), Kaizen and operational performance on patient satisfaction. This research was conducted in the city of Makassar with the entire population is a patient. By using the formula Slovin, found a sample of 398 respondents. Inferential statistical analysis was used to test the hypothesis of the research is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results of this study indicate that TQM, Kaizen and operational performance have been shown to contribute significantly positively on service quality and patient satisfaction. The role of service quality is proven to be a mediating variable in analyzing TQM, Kaizen and operational performance effect on patient satisfaction.
Blood Lead Level and Risk of Asthma

Asthma and lead poisoning are prevalent among urban children in the United States. Lead exposure may be associated with excessive production of immunoglobulin E, possibly increasing asthma risk and contributing to racial disparities. The objective of this study was to examine racial differences in the association of blood lead level (BLL) to risk of developing asthma. We established and followed a cohort prospectively to determine asthma onset, using patient encounters and drug claims obtained from hospital databases. Participants were managed care enrollees with BLL measured and documented at 1–3 years of age. We used multiple variable analysis techniques to determine the relationship of BLL to period prevalent and incident asthma. Of the 4,634 children screened for lead from 1995 through 1998, 69.5% were African American, 50.5% were male, and mean age was 1.2 years. Among African Americans, BLL ≥5 and BLL ≥10 μg/dL were not associated with asthma. The association of BLL ≥5 μg/dL with asthma among Caucasians was slightly elevated, but not significant [adjusted hazard ratio (adjHR) = 1.4; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.7–2.9; p = 0.40]. Despite the small number of Caucasians with high BLL, the adjHR increased to 2.7 (95% CI, 0.9–8.1; p = 0.09) when more stringent criteria for asthma were used. When compared with Caucasians with BLL < 5 μg/dL, African Americans were at a significantly increased risk of asthma regardless of BLL (adjHR = 1.4–3.0). We conclude that an effect of BLL on risk of asthma for African Americans was not observed. These results demonstrate the need for further exploration of the complex interrelationships between race, asthma phenotype, genetic susceptibilities, and socioenvironmental exposures, including lead.
Drugs in development for treatment of patients with cancer-related anorexia and cachexia syndrome

Cancer-related anorexia and cachexia syndrome (CACS) is a complex multifactorial condition, with loss of lean body mass, chronic inflammation, severe metabolic derangements, reduced food intake, reduced physical activity, and poor quality of life as key symptoms. Cachexia recognizes different phases or stages, moving from precachexia through overt cachexia to advanced or refractory cachexia. The purpose of this review is to describe currently effective approaches for the treatment of cachexia, moving forward to drugs and treatments already shown to be effective but needing further clinical trials to confirm their efficacy. We then introduce novel promising investigational drugs and approaches which, based on a strong rationale from the most recent data on the molecular targets/pathways driving the pathophysiology of cachexia, need to be tested either in currently ongoing or appropriate future clinical trials to confirm their clinical potential. Although different drugs and treatments have been tested, we can speculate that a single therapy may not be completely successful. Indeed, considering the complex clinical picture and the multifactorial pathogenesis of CACS, we believe that its clinical management requires a multidisciplinary and multitargeted approach. In our opinion, appropriate treatment for cachexia should target the following conditions: inflammatory status, oxidative stress, nutritional disorders, muscle catabolism, immunosuppression, quality of life, and above all, fatigue. A comprehensive list of the most interesting and effective multitargeted treatments is reported and discussed, with the aim of suggesting the most promising with regard to clinical outcome. A critical issue is that of testing therapies at the earliest stages of cachexia, possibly at the precachexia stage, with the aim of preventing or delaying the development of overt cachexia and thereby obtaining the best possible clinical outcome for patients.
A Measurement-Theoretic Axiomatization of Trapezoidal Membership Functions

In many applications of fuzzy set theory, the membership of an object is not defined directly. One of its attributes (like height, age, weight, etc.) is first mapped to a real number (often by means of a physical instrument) and a parametric function then maps this real number to a membership degree in some fuzzy set (like "tall," "old," "heavy," etc.). A very common parametric function is the trapezoidal one. This paper presents some conditions guaranteeing the existence of such a trapezoidal membership function representing the knowledge of an expert. Further experimental research is needed for testing whether these conditions are satisfied by human agents
Management of betablocked patients after sustained virological response in hepatitis C cirrhosis

BACKGROUND Current guidelines do not address the post–sustained virological response management of patients with baseline hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis and oesophageal varices taking betablockers as primary or secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding. We hypothesized that in some of these patients portal hypertension drops below the bleeding threshold after sustained virological response, making definitive discontinuation of the betablockers a safe option. AIM To assess the evolution of portal hypertension, associated factors, non-invasive assessment, and risk of stopping betablockers in this population. METHODS Inclusion criteria were age > 18 years, HCV cirrhosis (diagnosed by liver biopsy or transient elastography > 14 kPa), sustained virological response after direct-acting antivirals, and baseline oesophageal varices under stable, long-term treatment with betablockers as primary or secondary bleeding prophylaxis. Main exclusion criteria were prehepatic portal hypertension, isolated gastric varices, and concomitant liver disease. Blood tests, transient elastography, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was measured five days after stopping betablockers. Betablockers could be stopped permanently if gradient was < 12 mmHg, at the discretion of the attending physician. RESULTS Sample comprised 33 patients under treatment with propranolol or carvedilol: median age 64 years, men 54.5%, median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score 9, Child-Pugh score A 77%, median platelets 77.000 × 103/µL, median albumin 3.9 g/dL, median baseline transient elastography 24.8 kPa, 88% of patients received primary prophylaxis. Median time from end of antivirals to gradient was 67 wk. Venous pressure gradient was < 12 mmHg in 13 patients (39.4%). In univariate analysis the only associated factor was a MELD score decrease from baseline. On endoscopy, variceal size regressed in 19/27 patients (70%), although gradient was ≥ 12 mmHg in 12/19 patients. The elastography area under receiver operating characteristic for HVPG ≥ 12 mmHg was 0.62. Betablockers were stopped permanently in 10/13 patients with gradient < 12 mmHg, with no bleeding episodes after a median follow-up of 68 wk. CONCLUSION Portal hypertension dropped below the bleeding threshold in 39% of patients more than one year after antiviral treatment. Endoscopy and transient elastography are inaccurate for reliable detection of this change. Stopping betablockers permanently seems uneventful in patients with a gradient < 12 mmHg.
GreenCoMP: Energy-Aware Cooperation for Green Cellular Networks

Switching off base stations (BSs) is an effective and efficient energy-saving solution for green cellular networks. The previous works focus mainly on when to switch off BSs without sacrificing the traffic demands of current active users, and then enlarge the coverage of the stay-on cells to cover as many users as possible. Based on this objective, both constant power and transmission power of each BS become the major energy consumption sources. However, the transmission powers of enlarged cells, which have not been taken into account in previous research, are not negligible as compared to other energy consumption sources. To tackle this problem, we observe that the transmission power of one specific BS could be reduced via cooperation among two or more BSs, which is typically used to improve the throughput or enhance the spectrum efficiency in wireless systems. The challenges come mainly from how to jointly consider which BSs to switch off and how to cooperate among active-mode BSs. In this paper, we design energy-aware cooperation strategies that ensure that our system is energy-saving while satisfying user demands. To cope with sleep-mode BSs and perform cooperation among active BSs, we formulate this problem as a binary integer programming problem, and prove it is NP-hard. Based on our formulation, we derive a performance lower bound for this problem via Lagrangian Relaxation with search enumeration. Furthermore, we propose two heuristic algorithms accounting for the properties of energy savings and the constraints of bandwidth resources. The simulation results show that our algorithms outperform pure power control mechanisms that do not consider the transmission power and pure cooperation without power control in terms of the total consumed energy. We also observe that larger cooperative size does not imply a better strategy under different scenarios. Compared to the total consumed energy given that all BSs are turned on, our algorithms can save up to 60 percent of energy. This demonstrates that our methods are indeed efficient energy-saving cooperation strategies for green cellular networks.
Satisfaction with maxillary sinus surgery might be influenced by risk factors

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses lasting for ≥12 weeks. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is considered during difficult to treat CRS. The minimally invasive technique focuses on the transition areas rather than on the ostia. The aim of this study was to evaluate symptoms, the number of acute sinusitis episodes, and satisfaction after ESS with either preservation or enlargement of the maxillary sinus ostium. Thirty patients with moderate nonpolypous CRS were enrolled. Uncinectomy only and additional middle meatal antrostomy were randomized for each side of each patient and performed single blindly. The symptoms questionnaires were filled at four time intervals. Significant symptom reduction was achieved independently of operation technique. The number of acute sinusitis episodes indicating the exacerbation rate decreased significantly at 9 and, on average, 68 months postoperatively. However, the exacerbation rate began to increase after 9 months postoperatively. Three revisions were performed on the side with uncinectomy only and one on the side with additional antrostomy. Most patients reported good satisfaction with both procedures. There was a trend for patients with asthma and/or job exposure to report insignificantly more frequently no satisfaction with surgery, especially with the uncinectomy-only procedure. Both procedures seem to be efficient in providing symptom relief and satisfaction. More studies are needed to evaluate if patients with risk factors benefit more from an ostium-enlarging procedure.