Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing the impact of two concurrent infectious disease outbreaks on The Netherlands population, 2009, using disability-adjusted life years

SUMMARY In 2009 two notable outbreaks, Q fever and the novel influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, occurred in The Netherlands. Using a composite health measure, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), the outbreaks were quantified and compared. DALYs were calculated using standardized methodology incorporating age- and sex-stratified data in a disease progression model; years lost due to disability and years of life lost were computed by outcome. Nationally, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 caused more DALYs (24 484) than Q fever (5797). However, Q fever was 8·28 times more severe [497 DALYs/1000 symptomatic cases (DP1SC)] than A(H1N1)pdm09 (60 DP1SC). The A(H1N1)pdm09 burden is largely due to mortality while the Q fever burden is due primarily to long-term sequelae. Intervention prioritization for influenza should support patients in a critical condition while for Q fever it should target immediate containment and support for patients with long-term sequelae. Burden estimates provide guidance for focusing intervention options during outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Local Flow Partitioning for Faster Edge Connectivity

We study the problem of computing a minimum cut in a simple, undirected graph and give a deterministic O(m log2 n log log2 n) time algorithm. This improves both on the best previously known deterministic running time of O(m log12 n) (Kawarabayashi and Thorup [12]) and the best previously known randomized running time of O(m log3 n) (Karger [11]) for this problem, though Karger's algorithm can be further applied to weighted graphs. Our approach is using the Kawarabayashi and Thorup graph compression technique, which repeatedly finds low-conductance cuts. To find these cuts they use a diffusion-based local algorithm. We use instead a flow-based local algorithm and suitably adjust their framework to work with our flow-based subroutine. Both flow and diffusion based methods have a long history of being applied to finding low conductance cuts. Diffusion algorithms have several variants that are naturally local while it is more complicated to make flow methods local. Some prior work has proven nice properties for local flow based algorithms with respect to improving or cleaning up low conductance cuts. Our flow subroutine, however, is the first that is both local and produces low conductance cuts. Thus, it may be of independent interest.
A Task-Type-Based Algorithm for the Energy-Aware Profit Maximizing Scheduling Problem in Heterogeneous Computing Systems

In this paper, we design an efficient algorithm for the energy-aware profit maximizing scheduling problem, where the high performance computing system administrator is to maximize the profit per unit time. The running time of the proposed algorithm is depending on the number of task types, while the running time of the previous algorithm is depending on the number of tasks. Moreover, we prove that the worst-case performance ratio is close to 2, which maybe the best result. Simulation experiments show that the proposed algorithm is more accurate than the previous method.
Steroid Cell Tumor of the Ovary in an Adolescent: A Rare Case Report

Steroid cell tumors (SCTs) of the ovary are a rare subgroup of sex cord tumors, account for less than 0.1% of all ovarian tumors, and also will present at any age. These tumors can produce steroids, especially testosterone, and may give symptoms like hirsutism, hair loss, amenorrhea, or oligomenorrhea. For the evaluation of androgen excess, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) are the first laboratory tests to be measured. A pelvic ultrasound and a magnetic resonance imaging are useful radiologic imaging techniques. Although steroid cell tumors are generally benign, there is a risk of malignant transformation and clinical malignant formation. Surgery is the most important and hallmark treatment.
Working Notes for TopSig at ShARe/CLEF eHealth 2013

We used our TopSig open-source indexing and retrieval tool to produce runs for the ShARe/CLEF eHealth 2013 track. TopSig was used to produce runs using the query fields and provided discharge summaries, where appropriate. Although the improvement was not great TopSig was able to gain some benefit from utilising the discharge summaries, although the software needed to be modified to support this. This was part of a larger experiment involving determining the applicability and limits to signature-based approaches.
Approximating the Logarithm of a Matrix to Specified Accuracy

The standard inverse scaling and squaring algorithm for computing the matrix logarithm begins by transforming the matrix to Schur triangular form in order to facilitate subsequent matrix square root and Pade approximation computations. A transformation-free form of this method that exploits incomplete Denman--Beavers square root iterations and aims for a specified accuracy (ignoring roundoff) is presented. The error introduced by using approximate square roots is accounted for by a novel splitting lemma for logarithms of matrix products. The number of square root stages and the degree of the final Pade approximation are chosen to minimize the computational work. This new method is attractive for high-performance computation since it uses only the basic building blocks of matrix multiplication, LU factorization and matrix inversion.
Extrusion cooking : technologies and applications

Part 1 General influences on quality: Raw materials for extrusion cooking i? ½ structure-forming materials based on starch, structure-forming materials based on protein, dispersed-phase filling materials based on starch, ingredients that act as plasticisers and lubricants, soluble solids, nucleating substances, colouring substances, flavouring substances Selecting an extruder Optimised thermal performance in extrusion Effective process control Extrusion and nutritional quality. Part 2 Specific extruded products: Breakfast cereals Snack foods Baby foods.
Treatment of terminal‐phase chronic myelogenous leukemia with intermediate‐dose cytarabine and hydroxyurea

We used intermediate doses of Ara‐C (IDAra‐C) in the treatment of 15 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in blast crisis and, combined with hydroxyurea, in 20 CML patients in accelerated phase. Patients with blastic CML received intensive 5‐day courses of IDAra‐C 600 mg/m2 every 12 h as a 2‐h infusion. Of 15 patients, three achieved complete response (CR) and three partial response (PR), for an overall response rate of 40 per cent. All patients developed severe leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, and two died in hypoplasia. Except nausea and vomiting requiring medication, other nonhematologic toxicities were uncommon. Median response duration was 4 months (range 1 to 7 months). Survival was 5 months for responders and 1·5 months for nonresponders. Patients with CML in accelerated phase were treated with two‐day courses of IDAra‐C 600 mg/m2 every 12 h by 2‐h infusion, every two‐three weeks. Daily hydroxyurea 1–1·5 g/day was administered between courses. Of 20 patients, 15 (75 per cent) achieved a good PR with rapid improvement of the symptoms of disease acceleration. The median duration of response was 11 months (range 3 to 38 months); duration was over 24 months in five patients. The median survival from the start of IDAra‐C was 13 months for responders and 3·5 months for nonresponders. We conclude that IDAra‐C is an effective approach for CML in terminal phase. Its use in 5‐day induction courses for blast crisis CML has a response rate comparable to that achieved with high‐dose Ara‐C. In patients in accelerated phase, the combination of short courses of IDAra‐C with hydroxyurea is a well‐tolerated treatment able to improve substantially the clinical and hematologic symptoms of disease progression.
Cognitive and mood disturbance as causes and symptoms of fatigue in cancer patients

Fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and depression are very common in cancer patients. A relationship among the three entities is recognized but poorly understood. Factors that contribute to this poor understanding are the subjective nature of the symptoms, multiple potential causes, and a lack of reliable assessment tools. An understanding of fatigue in cancer patients may benefit from studies of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and other nonmalignant diseases indicating that cognitive impairment varies with physical and mental fatigue, and that symptoms of depression experienced by patients with physical illnesses and primary mood disorders are qualitatively different. The multidimensional nature of fatigue suggests that interventions should be patient‐specific. They could be related to lifestyle or involve the use of specific behavioral or pharmacologic therapies. As is the case with depression and cognitive disorders, targeted interventions against cancer‐related fatigue will benefit from a better understanding of its potential biologic causes. Consideration of cognitive dysfunction and depression complicates the understanding of cancer‐related fatigue; however, it provides opportunities to assist patients who must deal with this serious problem. Cancer 2001;92:1694–98. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Neuroimaging of pain: what does it tell us?

Purpose of reviewTo present an overview of insights into brain mechanisms of pain perception and analgesia based on human brain imaging. Recent findingsThe technical advancement made in both functional and structural MRI can be used to delineate the cerebral signature of pain and analgesia, specifically, the brain responses to noxious stimuli and specific pain-related forebrain responses, as well as pain modulatory effects. Neuroimaging has revealed that the brain response to noxious stimuli shares neural resources with other systems that subserve salience detection and reward functions. Recent findings indicate that there is a wide range of individual differences in pain-related brain function and structure due to both pre-existing vulnerabilities and disease-driven factors. Furthermore, several studies now illustrate that the brain is capable of tremendous plasticity both in function and structure due to repeated and ongoing pain. However, emerging data suggest that this plasticity can be reversible after successful pain treatment. SummaryNeuroimaging of pain and plasticity can provide a framework to understand the basic mechanisms of pain regarding function, gray and white matter structure and connectivity. This information may also guide future clinical practice. For instance, the time-course of disease-driven brain plasticity and capacity for reversibility may help decide the optimal time frame for chronic pain treatment. Furthermore, findings from functional and structural connectivity studies may indicate potential side effects of targeting specific brain areas in treating chronic pain. Lastly, the correlation between individual factors and functional/structural MRI data may direct individualized treatment plans.
Secular Trends in Stroke Incidence and Mortality: The Framingham Study

Background: The reduction in US stroke mortality has been attributed to declining stroke incidence. However, evidence is accumulating of a trend in declining stroke severity. Methods: We examined secular trends in stroke incidence, prevalence, and fatality in Framingham Study subjects aged 55–64 years in three successive decades beginning in 1953, 1963, and 1973. Results: No significant decline in overall stroke and transient ischemic attack incidence or prevalence occurred. In women, but not men, incidence of completed ischemic stroke declined significantly. Stroke severity, however, decreased significantly over time. Stroke with severe neurological deficit decreased in later decades, with a fall in rates of severe stroke cases in which patients were unconscious on admission to the hospital. There was no substantial change in the case mix of infarcts and hemorrhages and no decline in hemorrhage to account for the decline in severity. The proportion of isolated transient ischemic attacks increased significantly over the 30 years studied, yielding an apparent and significant decline in case–fatality rates in men only. Conclusions: Secular trends in stroke incidence and fatality did not follow a clear or definite pattern of decline. While a significant decline in stroke severity occurred over three decades, incidence of infarction fell only in women. The decline in total case fatality rates occurred only in men and resulted largely from an increased incidence of isolated transient ischemic attacks. The severity of completed stroke was significantly lower in the later decades under study.
Media Naturalness and the Ability to Predict Generosity in a Give-Some - Get-Some Interaction

Evolutionary psychologists believe the human mind evolved to solve adaptive problems present in our ancestral environment. Our hominid ancestors survived in face-to-face groups by assessing the cooperative intentions of other group members. Media naturalness theory postulates face-to-face is the most ‘natural’ communication medium. This paper reports results from a laboratory experiment examining the ability of student subjects to predict the generosity of a counter-party under two media conditions: Face-to-Face (FtF), the more natural condition; and Video-to-Video (VtV), the less natural, technology-mediated condition. After a five-minute interaction, subjects took part in a givesome – get-some exchange and then predicted the generosity of their counterparty. Consistent with media naturalness theory, FtF subjects predicted generosity at a frequency greater than chance. Surprisingly, generosity predictions for the VtV condition were not significantly different from chance. Generosity prediction relates to important organizational behaviors such as cooperativeness, trust, and teamwork. Implications and future research opportunities are discussed.
The pseudorabies virus homology of the herpes simplex virus UL21 gene product is a capsid protein which is involved in capsid maturation

We mutagenized, mapped, and sequenced the pseudorabies virus (PRV) homology of gene UL21 of herpes simplex virus type 1. A polyclonal mouse antiserum against the protein encoded by the UL21 homolog was generated and used to monitor the expression and subcellular localization of the UL21-encoded protein. We found that the protein is identical to a previously detected PRV capsid protein. We analyzed viable PRV strains encoding mutant UL21 homologys, truncated by insertion of an oligonucleotide that contains stop codons in all reading frames. In two PRV mutants carrying the oligonucleotide at two sites within the gene, processing of newly replicated viral DNA was impaired. In addition, we show that one of the UL21 mutants has strongly reduced virulence for mice.
Incremental Reduction in Risk of Death Associated With Use of Guideline-Recommended Therapies in Patients With Heart Failure: A Nested Case-Control Analysis of IMPROVE HF

Background Several therapies are guideline-recommended to reduce mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, but the incremental clinical effectiveness of these therapies has not been well studied. We aimed to evaluate the individual and incremental benefits of guideline-recommended HF therapies associated with 24-month survival. Methods and Results We performed a nested case-control study of HF patients enrolled in IMPROVE HF. Cases were patients who died within 24 months and controls were patients who survived to 24 months, propensity-matched 1:2 for multiple prognostic variables. Logistic regression was performed, and the attributable mortality risk from incomplete application of each evidence-based therapy among eligible patients was calculated. A total of 1376 cases and 2752 matched controls were identified. β-Blocker and cardiac resynchronization therapy were associated with the greatest 24-month survival benefit (adjusted odds ratio for death 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34–0.52; and 0.44, 95% CI, 0.29–0.67, respectively). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, and HF education were also associated with benefit, whereas aldosterone antagonist use was not. Incremental benefits were observed with each successive therapy, plateauing once any 4 to 5 therapies were provided (adjusted odds ratio 0.31, 95% CI, 0.23–0.42 for 5 or more versus 0/1, P<0.0001). Conclusions Individual, with a single exception, and incremental use of guideline-recommended therapies was associated with survival benefit, with a potential plateau at 4 to 5 therapies. These data provide further rationale to implement guideline-recommended HF therapies in the absence of contraindications to patients with HF and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. (J Am Heart Assoc. 2012;1:16-26.)
Mathematical semantics of SNOBOL4

This paper analyzes the semantics of the programming language SNOBOL4, following the mathematical approach proposed by D. Scott and C. Strachey. The study aims at clarifying a rather unusual semantic structure, and at demonstrating that the mathematical approach can provide a natural and usable formal specification of a practical programming language.
Two-View 3D Reconstruction for Food Volume Estimation

The increasing prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases coupled with the ineffectiveness of traditional diet management methods have resulted in a need for novel tools to accurately and automatically assess meals. Recently, computer vision-based systems that use meal images to assess their content have been proposed. Food portion estimation is the most difficult task for individuals assessing their meals and it is also the least studied area. This paper proposes a three-stage system to calculate portion sizes using two images of a dish acquired by mobile devices. The first stage consists in understanding the configuration of the different views, after which a dense three-dimensional (3D) model is built from the two images; finally, this 3D model serves to extract the volume of the different items. The system was extensively tested on 77 real dishes of known volume, and achieved an average error of less than 10% in 5.5 seconds per dish. The proposed pipeline is computationally tractable and requires no user input, making it a viable option for fully automated dietary assessment.
Characteristic Analysis of SAR Noise Based on Wavelet Transform

For finding out behaviour characteristics of SAR image in Wavelet domain and utilizing Wavelet analysis technique to process SAR images well, this paper has carried on the thorough analysis for the characteristics of SAR image Wavelet coefficients from two aspects of energy and statistics distribute. Firstly, SAR image is transformed from the spatial domain to the Wavelet domain by Wavelet transformation algorithm, and the energy distribution characteristics of Wavelet coefficients in low frequency son-band are researched, then the energy distribution rules of Wavelet coefficients in high frequency (HF) son-bands are discussed with emphasis. From the analysis results obtained in this study, these conclusions can be made that SAR image Wavelet coefficients have the characteristic of energy accumulation in low frequency part, and has some characteristics in high frequency part, i.e., energy accumulation of high frequency remarkable coefficients, standard normal distribution of coefficients, the special correlation between energy tendency on each scale and noise size. These characteristics provide more spaces for noise analysis of SAR image, edge information examination and data compression based on Wavelet transform algorithm.
Bioluminescence Imaging Study of Spatial and Temporal Persistence of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactococcus lactis in Living Mice

ABSTRACT Lactic acid bacteria, especially lactobacilli, are common inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, for which they have received considerable attention due to their putative health-promoting properties. In this study, we describe the development and application of luciferase-expressing Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactococcus lactis strains for noninvasive in vivo monitoring in the digestive tract of mice. We report for the first time the functional in vitro expression in Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB8826 and in Lactococcus lactis MG1363 of the click beetle luciferase (CBluc), as well as Gaussia and bacterial luciferases, using a combination of vectors, promoters, and codon-optimized genes. We demonstrate that a CBluc construction is the best-performing luciferase system for the noninvasive in vivo detection of lactic acid bacteria after oral administration. The persistence and viability of both strains was studied by bioluminescence imaging in anesthetized mice and in mouse feces. In vivo bioluminescence imaging confirmed that after a single or multiple oral administrations, L. lactis has shorter survival times in the mouse gastrointestinal tract than L. plantarum, and it also revealed the precise gut compartments where both strains persisted. The application of luciferase-labeled bacteria has significant potential to allow the in vivo and ex vivo study of the interactions of lactic acid bacteria with their mammalian host.
Study of Effects of Natural Pozzolan on Properties of Cement Mortars

Natural pozzolans, also known as trass, can be used in cement manufacturing due to their cementitious properties after reaction with calcium hydroxide. At different mixture proportions, the strength, setting time, workability, and soundness of the cement mortar made will differ. In this paper, cement mortars with six different natural pozzolan additions (ranging from 0 to 35%) were employed while using one type of natural pozzolan. As the experimental results show, increase in a natural pozzolan addition decreases the early age strength of cement significantly as expected and decreases the soundness of mortar by two-thirds. In addition, the workability conditions relatively improve and the settings delay for awhile.
A 65-nm SoC Embedded 6T-SRAM Designed for Manufacturability With Read and Write Operation Stabilizing Circuits

In the sub-100-nm CMOS generation, a large local Vth variability degrades the 6T-SRAM cell stability, so that we have to consider this local variability as well as the global variability to achieve high-yield SRAM products. Therefore, we need to employ some assist circuits to expand the SRAM operating margin. We propose a variability-tolerant 6T-SRAM cell layout and new circuit techniques to improve both the read and the write operating margins in the presence of a large Vth variability. By applying these circuit techniques to a 0.494-mum2 SRAM cell with a beta ratio of 1, which is an extremely small cell size, we can achieve a high-yield 8M-SRAM for a wide range of Vth values using a 65-nm low stand-by power (LSTP) CMOS technology