Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi-vendor interconnection-based emergency multi-layer networks in disaster recovery

For the recovery of multi-layer networks after disaster, in this paper, we introduce two correlated planning problems which are based on the multi-vendor interconnection approach: 1) planning of emergency multi-layer network construction with the IP-over-Optical overlay model, and 2) planning of an operational process for control/management-plane (C&M-Plane) network recovery. We propose two corresponding sub-schemes for individual problems: i) an integer linear programming (ILP)-based network planning scheme which enables the cost-efficient emergency multi-layer network recovery, and ii) an operation planning scheme which computes an operational process for C&M-Plane recovery so that the C&M-Plane itself can be rebuilt as quick as possible. Simulations are conducted for sub-scheme i), showing the efficiency of the multivendor interconnection approach in multi-layer network recovery. Demonstration with a two-vendor test-bed is performed for sub-scheme ii), validating the possibility of the automatic recovery of C&M-Plane networks. These schemes for network design and operation contribute to the cost-reduction in disaster recovery, and result in quick recovery.
Radiosurgery Versus Conventional Surgery for Dermatochalasis

Purpose: To compare hemorrhage and wound healing after radiosurgery and conventional surgery for dermatochalasis. Methods: We performed a prospective study of 13 patients with dermatochalasis who underwent radiosurgery in one upper eyelid and conventional surgery with scalpel and scissors in the contralateral eyelid. Hemorrhage and wounds were evaluated after surgery the same day, 1 week later, and 3 months after surgery by a masked observer. Hemorrhage was evaluated on a scale from 0 (no hemorrhage) to 4; wounds were evaluated by use of Hollander score, from 0 (poorest outcome) to 6 (best outcome). Results: We found a tendency toward better wound healing and a higher Hollander score at 1 week after radiosurgery (p = 0.014) and no significant differences in wound healing and hemorrhage between radiosurgery and the conventional technique. Conclusions: Both radiosurgery and conventional surgery for dermatochalasis showed good results at the 3-month follow-up.
Clinical Significance of Protein Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 and Somatostatin Receptors in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Purpose This study was undertaken to evaluate the significance of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) overexpression and the expression of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtypes in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). Materials and Methods Two hundred and forty-seven cases of GEP-NET, comprising 86 foregut and 156 hindgut primary NETs, and 5 metastatic NETs in the liver, were studied retrospectively with immunohistochemistry for COX2, chromogranin A, Ki-67, SSTR1, SSTR2, and SSTR5. Results COX2 overexpression was observed in 54%(126 of 234), and SSTR1, SSTR2, and SSTR5 positivity in 84%(196 of 233), 72%(168 of 233), and 55%(128 of 232), respectively. COX2 overexpression was found to be positively correlated with Ki-67 labeling index and inversely correlated with the expression of SSTR subtypes. In addition, the expression of SSTR subtypes was tightly correlated in any comparative pairs. A significant inverse correlation was found between COX2 and SSTR2 expression in the foregut, but not hindgut NETs. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that COX2 overexpression (p=0.003) and high Ki-67 labeling index (p<0.001) were associated with poor overall survival (OS), whereas expression of SSTR2 (p<0.001) was associated with better OS of GEP-NET patients. Multivariate analysis revealed negative SSTR2 expression as an independent prognostic marker in GEP-NET patients (p<0.001). Conclusion Our results suggest that expression of SSTR subtypes is associated with favorable prognosis, whereas COX2 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in GEP-NETs. Taken together, COX2 could be a possible therapeutic target in some subsets of GEP-NETs.
Rivalry of Two Families of Algorithms for Memory-Restricted Streaming PCA

We study the problem of recovering the subspace spanned by the first $k$ principal components of $d$-dimensional data under the streaming setting, with a memory bound of $O(kd)$. Two families of algorithms are known for this problem. The first family is based on the framework of stochastic gradient descent. Nevertheless, the convergence rate of the family can be seriously affected by the learning rate of the descent steps and deserves more serious study. The second family is based on the power method over blocks of data, but setting the block size for its existing algorithms is not an easy task. In this paper, we analyze the convergence rate of a representative algorithm with decayed learning rate (Oja and Karhunen, 1985) in the first family for the general $k>1$ case. Moreover, we propose a novel algorithm for the second family that sets the block sizes automatically and dynamically with faster convergence rate. We then conduct empirical studies that fairly compare the two families on real-world data. The studies reveal the advantages and disadvantages of these two families.
Using the Bifactor Model to Assess the Dimensionality of the Hong Psychological Reactance Scale

The Hong Psychological Reactance Scale (HPRS) purports to measure reactance: a motivational state experienced when a behavioral freedom is threatened with elimination. To date, five studies have examined the psychometric properties of the HPRS, but reached different conclusions regarding its factor structure. The current study further investigated the factor structure of the HPRS by testing four competing models using responses from 1,282 college students. A modified bifactor model, in which a general reactance factor explained common variance among all the items and specific factors explained shared residual variance among sets of items, was championed. Implications for estimating reliability and scoring the HPRS are discussed.
Measuring Underlying Meanings of Gambling from the Perspective of Enduring Involvement

This study explores the underlying personal meanings of gambling behavior from the perspective of enduring involvement and considers the relationships among gambling and gender, level of participation, and illusion of control. Based on a self-administered survey of gambling visitors to Black Hawk, Colora, the study found three underlying factors of gambling involvement: (1) self-identity, (2) pleasure/importance, and (3) centrality. The study also found gender differences in gambling involvement, suggesting that male participants tended to view gambling as a form of self-enhancement or self-expression more strongly than did female participants. Management and research implications drawn from these findings are discussed.
A Self-Report Risk Index to Predict Occurrence of Dementia in Three Independent Cohorts of Older Adults: The ANU-ADRI

Background and Aims The Australian National University AD Risk Index (ANU-ADRI, http://anuadri.anu.edu.au) is a self-report risk index developed using an evidence-based medicine approach to measure risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to evaluate the extent to which the ANU-ADRI can predict the risk of AD in older adults and to compare the ANU-ADRI to the dementia risk index developed from the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) study for middle-aged cohorts. Methods This study included three validation cohorts, i.e., the Rush Memory and Aging Study (MAP) (n = 903, age ≥53 years), the Kungsholmen Project (KP) (n = 905, age ≥75 years), and the Cardiovascular Health Cognition Study (CVHS) (n = 2496, age ≥65 years) that were each followed for dementia. Baseline data were collected on exposure to the 15 risk factors included in the ANU-ADRI of which MAP had 10, KP had 8 and CVHS had 9. Risk scores and C-statistics were computed for individual participants for the ANU-ADRI and the CAIDE index. Results For the ANU-ADRI using available data, the MAP study c-statistic was 0·637 (95% CI 0·596–0·678), for the KP study it was 0·740 (0·712–0·768) and for the CVHS it was 0·733 (0·691–0·776) for predicting AD. When a common set of risk and protective factors were used c-statistics were 0.689 (95% CI 0.650–0.727), 0.666 (0.628–0.704) and 0.734 (0.707–0.761) for MAP, KP and CVHS respectively. Results for CAIDE ranged from c-statistics of 0.488 (0.427–0.554) to 0.595 (0.565–0.625). Conclusion A composite risk score derived from the ANU-ADRI weights including 8–10 risk or protective factors is a valid, self-report tool to identify those at risk of AD and dementia. The accuracy can be further improved in studies including more risk factors and younger cohorts with long-term follow-up.
Extending sensor networks into the Cloud using Amazon Web Services

Sensor networks provide a method of collecting environmental data for use in a variety of distributed applications. However, to date, limited support has been provided for the development of integrated environmental monitoring and modeling applications. Specifically, environmental dynamism makes it difficult to provide computational resources that are sufficient to deal with changing environmental conditions. This paper argues that the Cloud Computing model is a good fit with the dynamic computational requirements of environmental monitoring and modeling. We demonstrate that Amazon EC2 can meet the dynamic computational needs of environmental applications. We also demonstrate that EC2 can be integrated with existing sensor network technologies to offer an end-to-end environmental monitoring and modeling solution.
A Planar Dualband Antenna for 2.4 GHz and UWB Laptop Applications

This paper presents a planar embedded dualband antenna for the 2.4 GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) and ultra-wideband (UWB) applications. A partial elliptic with a rectangle tail on the front side of a PCB forms the planar antenna for the UWB applications (3.1-10.6 GHz). The smooth change in the feed of the antenna achieves a good impedance match between the feed cable and the antenna. A strip on the back side of the PCB connected to the front side with a metal strip on the side or via through the PCB produces a resonance for the 2.4 GHz WLAN or Bluetooth (BT) application. The proposed antenna was simulated assuming free-space conditions, and fabricated onto a piece of a thin PCB. Both the impedance and radiation performance of the antenna embedded into the display of a laptop computer were experimentally measured and then optimized. The measurement shows that the proposed antenna is capable of providing a good impedance match and acceptable gain across the 2.4-2.5 GHz WLAN/BT band and the 3.1-10.6 GHz UWB band. Furthermore, this antenna features a low profile and low cost solution, and can be readily embedded into the thin covers of laptop computers or other portable devices
A randomized controlled trial of an education and counselling intervention for families after stroke

Objectives: To determine whether education and counselling after stroke leads to improved family functioning and psychosocial outcomes for stroke patients and their spouses, and better functional and social outcomes for patients. Design: Two-group randomized controlled trial. Data were collected on admission to and discharge from rehabilitation, and again six months later. Setting: Rehabilitation units at Repatriation General Hospital and Griffith Hospital, in Adelaide, South Australia. Participants: Sixty-two stroke patients and their spouses, 32 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group. Intervention: Stroke information package and three visits from a social worker trained in family counselling. Outcome measures: Family functioning: McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD); functional status: Barthel Index (BI); social recovery: Adelaide Activities Profile (AAP); depression: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS); anxiety: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); mastery: Mastery Scale (MS); health status: SF-36. Results: At six months the intervention group had better family functioning for both patients (mean FAD difference 0.19) and spouses (mean difference 0.09). A modest benefit in functional status for intervention patients (mean BI difference 1.3) was related to improved family functioning. Intervention patients reported better social recovery (mean AAP differences: domestic chores 5.7, household maintenance 4.6, social activities 11.5), but there were no significant effects on depression, anxiety, mastery or health status. Conclusions: An education and counselling intervention maintained family functioning, and in turn led to improved functional and social patient outcomes. This approach helps patients and their spouses to make the optimal adjustment to living with stroke.
Enhanced Web document retrieval using automatic query expansion

The ever growing popularity of the Internet as a source of information, coupled with the accompanying growth in the number of documents made available through the World Wide Web, is leading to an increasing demand for more efficient and accurate information retrieval tools. Numerous techniques have been proposed and tried for improving the effectiveness of searching the World Wide Web for documents relevant to a given topic of interest. The specification of appropriate keywords and phrases by the user is crucial for the successful execution of a query as measured by the relevance of documents retrieved. Lack of users' knowledge on the search topic and their changing information needs often make it difficult for them to find suitable keywords or phrases for a query. This results in searches that fail to cover all likely aspects of the topic of interest. We describe a scheme that attempts to remedy this situation by automatically expanding the user query through the analysis of initially retrieved documents. Experimental results to demonstrate the effectiveness of the query expansion scheme are presented.
The BRAF and MEK Inhibitors Dabrafenib and Trametinib: Effects on Immune Function and in Combination with Immunomodulatory Antibodies Targeting PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4

Purpose: To assess the immunologic effects of dabrafenib and trametinib in vitro and to test whether trametinib potentiates or antagonizes the activity of immunomodulatory antibodies in vivo. Experimental Design: Immune effects of dabrafenib and trametinib were evaluated in human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from healthy volunteers, a panel of human tumor cell lines, and in vivo using a CT26 mouse model. Results: Dabrafenib enhanced pERK expression levels and did not suppress human CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell function. Trametinib reduced pERK levels, and resulted in partial/transient inhibition of T-cell proliferation/expression of a cytokine and immunomodulatory gene subset, which is context dependent. Trametinib effects were partially offset by adding dabrafenib. Dabrafenib and trametinib in BRAF V600E/K, and trametinib in BRAF wild-type tumor cells induced apoptosis markers, upregulated HLA molecule expression, and downregulated certain immunosuppressive factors such as PD-L1, IL1, IL8, NT5E, and VEGFA. PD-L1 expression in tumor cells was upregulated after acquiring resistance to BRAF inhibition in vitro. Combinations of trametinib with immunomodulators targeting PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4 in a CT26 model were more efficacious than any single agent. The combination of trametinib with anti–PD-1 increased tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells in CT26 tumors. Concurrent or phased sequential treatment, defined as trametinib lead-in followed by trametinib plus anti–PD-1 antibody, demonstrated superior efficacy compared with anti–PD-1 antibody followed by anti–PD-1 plus trametinib. Conclusion: These findings support the potential for synergy between targeted therapies dabrafenib and trametinib and immunomodulatory antibodies. Clinical exploration of such combination regimens is under way. Clin Cancer Res; 21(7); 1639–51. ©2015 AACR.
Balanced Hydroxyethylstarch (HES 130/0.4) Impairs Kidney Function In-Vivo without Inflammation

Volume therapy is a standard procedure in daily perioperative care, and there is an ongoing discussion about the benefits of colloid resuscitation with hydroxyethylstarch (HES). In sepsis HES should be avoided due to a higher risk for acute kidney injury (AKI). Results of the usage of HES in patients without sepsis are controversial. Therefore we conducted an animal study to evaluate the impact of 6% HES 130/0.4 on kidney integrity with sepsis or under healthy conditions Sepsis was induced by standardized Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis (sCASP). sCASP-group as well as control group (C) remained untreated for 24 h. After 18 h sCASP+HES group (sCASP+VOL) and control+HES (C+VOL) received 50 ml/KG balanced 6% HES (VOL) 130/0.4 over 6h. After 24h kidney function was measured via Inulin- and PAH-Clearance in re-anesthetized rats, and serum urea, creatinine (crea), cystatin C and Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as well as histopathology were analysed. In vitro human proximal tubule cells (PTC) were cultured +/- lipopolysaccharid (LPS) and with 0.1–4.0% VOL. Cell viability was measured with XTT-, cell toxicity with LDH-test. sCASP induced severe septic AKI demonstrated divergent results regarding renal function by clearance or creatinine measure focusing on VOL. Soleley HES (C+VOL) deteriorated renal function without sCASP. Histopathology revealed significantly derangements in all HES groups compared to control. In vitro LPS did not worsen the HES induced reduction of cell viability in PTC cells. For the first time, we demonstrated, that application of 50 ml/KG 6% HES 130/0.4 over 6 hours induced AKI without inflammation in vivo. Severity of sCASP induced septic AKI might be no longer susceptible to the way of volume expansion.
Seasonal and geographical influence on sleeping patterns inferred from mobile phone data

Influence of the sunrise, sunset and daylight on the human sleep wake cycle has been primarily studied using questionnaires from limited size cohorts. The studies indicate that it varies along the year while the sunrise and sunset could be related with the onset and conclusion of sleep. Here, we take an empirical data-driven approach by utilizing anonymized mobile phone data or “digital footprints” of very large size cohort during a year. Using aggregated calling patterns we construct the distributions for the daily first and last calls in different cities along the year. We also characterize a daily period of low calling activity that allows to infer the dependence of the sleep-wake cycle on geographical location and the seasonal changes. We find rather surprisingly that the mobile phone users synchronize their last and first calls with the local sun transit time along the longitude they are located. Further analysis reveals that the difference between the durations of the low activity period in the summer and the winter is governed by the latitude of the users’ domiciles, such that people in the southern cities experience a time difference almost twice as large as the people in cities located 8 degrees to the north. Finally, we argue that the synchronization of the onset and the middle of the period of low calling activity in cities is entrained by sun-based clocks with the solar noon (or solar midnight) being the most plausible candidate for this pacemaking.
Decision-directed channel estimation based on iterative linear minimum mean square error for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems

A decision-directed (DD) channel estimation based on iterative linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) is proposed for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems. Existing DD channel estimation is well known to have the problem of error propagation because of symbol-by-symbol detection. The proposed algorithm can estimate the correction term of current channel state information (CSI) according to the error vector of previous CSI by applying the orthogonality principle, and corrects the current CSI with this correction term. Analysis and simulation results have shown that this method has no error propagation problem. The performance of the proposed algorithm is much better than the conventional DD channel estimation, and close to the optimal LMMSE estimator, but with much less computational complexity compared with the optimal LMMSE estimator.
Research and Reports in Urology Dovepress Role of Duration of Catheterization and Length of Hospital Stay on the Rate of Catheter-related Hospital-acquired Urinary Tract Infections

Objective: Our aim is to prove that duration of catheterization and length of hospital stay (LOS) are associated with the rate of hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI), while taking into account type of urinary catheter used, the most common organisms found, patient diagnosis on admission, associated comorbidities, age, sex, precautions that should be taken to avoid UTI, and comparison with other studies. Methods: The study was done in a university teaching hospital with a 920-bed capacity; this hospital is a tertiary care center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study was done on 250 selected patients during the year 2010 as a retrospective descriptive study. Patients were selected as purposive sample, all of them having been exposed to urinary catheterization; hospital-acquired UTI were found in 100 patients. Data were abstracted from the archived patients' files in the medical record department using the annual infection control logbook prepared by the infection control department. The data collected were demographic information about the patients, clinical condition (diagnosis and the LOS), and possible risk factors for infection such as duration of catheterization, exposure to invasive devices or surgical procedures, and medical condition. Results: There was a statistically significant association between the rate of UTI and duration of catheterization: seven patients had UTI out of 46 catheterized patients (15%) at 3 days of catheterization, while 30 patients had UTI out of 44 catheterized patients (68%) at 8 days of catheterization (median 8 days in infected patients versus 3 days in noninfected patients; P-value ,0.05), which means that the longer the duration of catheterization, the higher the UTI rate. There was a statistically significant association between the rate of UTI and LOS: three patients had UTI out of 37 catheterized patients (8%) at 10 days LOS, while 42 patients had UTI out of 49 catheterized patients (85.7%) at 18 days LOS. The longer the LOS, the higher the UTI rate: LOS for each patient (median 18 days for infected patients versus 10 days for noninfected patients; P-value ,0.05), and number of hospital-acquired catheter-related UTI (100 patients had UTI out of 250 catheterized patients, P=0.04). Conclusion: Reduction of the duration of catheterization and LOS of the patient have a positive impact in reduction of catheter-related UTI.
Perception of Visual Inclination in a Real and Simulated Urban Environment

The perceived inclination of slopes is generally overestimated. We claim that overestimation depends on the use of impoverished stimuli and on the distance between the observer and an inclined surface. In experiment 1, participants reported the perceived inclination of a set of urban roads from two different viewing distances. Observers did not overestimate the perceived inclination of slopes when they saw roads from the shorter viewing distances, whereas they slightly overestimated the perceived inclination of slopes from the farther distance. In experiment 2, participants reported the perceived inclination of a set of stereoscopic slides representing the same urban roads as in experiment 1. Here, observers did not overestimate the perceived inclination of slopes when the projected stereoscopic image contained horizontal disparity and simulated the shorter viewing distance; while they revealed a slight overestimation from the farther distance. We found always overestimation when the binocular image did not contain horizontal disparity, independently from the viewing distance. In conclusion, slopes are overestimated when (a) horizontal disparity is absent, and (b) the viewing distance is increased.