Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The growing burden of tuberculosis: global trends and interactions with the HIV epidemic.

BACKGROUND The increasing global burden of tuberculosis (TB) is linked to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHODS We reviewed data from notifications of TB cases, cohort treatment outcomes, surveys of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, and HIV prevalence in patients with TB and other subgroups. Information was collated from published literature and databases held by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (UNAIDS), the US Census Bureau, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS There were an estimated 8.3 million (5th-95th centiles, 7.3-9.2 million) new TB cases in 2000 (137/100,000 population; range, 121/100,000-151/100,000). Tuberculosis incidence rates were highest in the WHO African Region (290/100,000 per year; range, 265/100,000-331/100,000), as was the annual rate of increase in the number of cases (6%). Nine percent (7%-12%) of all new TB cases in adults (aged 15-49 years) were attributable to HIV infection, but the proportion was much greater in the WHO African Region (31%) and some industrialized countries, notably the United States (26%). There were an estimated 1.8 million (5th-95th centiles, 1.6-2.2 million) deaths from TB, of which 12% (226 000) were attributable to HIV. Tuberculosis was the cause of 11% of all adult AIDS deaths. The prevalence of M tuberculosis-HIV coinfection in adults was 0.36% (11 million people). Coinfection prevalence rates equaled or exceeded 5% in 8 African countries. In South Africa alone there were 2 million coinfected adults. CONCLUSIONS The HIV pandemic presents a massive challenge to global TB control. The prevention of HIV and TB, the extension of WHO DOTS programs, and a focused effort to control HIV-related TB in areas of high HIV prevalence are matters of great urgency.
Cluster-based implementation of resource brokering strategy for parallel training of neural networks

The implementation issues of a cluster-based resource brokering strategy intended for efficient parallelization of neural networks training are presented in this paper. We describe a strategy of resource brokering based on the prediction of execution time and parallelization efficiency of algorithms using a BSP computation model and Pareto optimality with a weight coefficients approach for choosing optimal solution. Our results show a reasonable adaptation of the resource brokering strategy to the environment of a real computational cluster providing the minimal total time to delivery of the parallel application.
Surface adhesion enhancement of hydrophobic polymers via atmospheric plasma technology

Water ingression into outboard cables and other kinds of naval hardware and platforms is and always will be a threat to long term reliability. Some of the best polymers for use as protective coatings against water ingression share a common problem: poor adhesion to other materials. Poor adhesion properties of some of these polymers can be improved through the use of harsh and dangerous chemical treatments. Unfortunately, some of the most water resistant polymers, such as polyolefins and fluorinated polyolefins, are largely resistant to any commonly available adhesion enhancement chemical treatments. Plasma treatment has been shown to improve the bondability of these normally adhesively problematic materials, but traditional plasma techniques have proven to be impractical due to the extremely low vacuum pressures required for operation. The atmospheric operation development makes it possible to use plasma technology in almost any setting, allowing users to not only make use of highly water resistant materials during fabrication of naval cables and hardware, but just as importantly, be able to repair these damaged items in the field. This combination can lead to huge cost savings by creating cables that either rarely fail due to water induction, or that can be repaired instead of replaced. Currently this technology has been mostly used for manufacturing commercial products, therefore there is very little guidance or research to reference when it comes to using this technology to improve the durability and lifetime of various naval hardware applications. The research being presented is an initial look on how plasma technology can improve the bondability of materials that do not respond to normal bonding methods as well as a quantification of the optimal treatment variables for specific materials.
Assessment of the flexibility of elite athletes using the modified Thomas test.

AIM: To analyse the modified Thomas test and obtain measures of flexibility for the iliopsoas, quadriceps and tensor fascia lata/iliotibial band. METHOD: The modified Thomas test was used to determine the range of flexibility of 117 elite athletes in tennis, basketball, rowing, and running. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The study has provided objective data for a clinical test measuring flexibility of the iliopsoas, quadriceps, and tensor fascia lata/iliotibial band. It is recommended that sufficient flexibility is obtained to perform a specific sport and that asymmetries between limbs are addressed.
Evaluation and Enhancement of Ad Hoc Network Protocols for Industrial Implementations of Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) poses a number of design challenges. Most WSN do not follow the same methodology even though the purpose is uniform. Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) are a networks that are typified by being infrastructure-less and self-organizing. Using MANET protocols in WSN has become more common, but many changes need to be made to accommodate the low-power, low-cost and reliability needs of WSN. Re-examining the data link layer and the network layer of such networks render the best improvement on WSN needs, thus simulating and analyzing enhanced Medium Access Control (MAC) and routing strategies and adapting them to be consistent with realistic predictions and comparing strategies for the best end result.
Novel Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Genotype ON1 Predominates in Germany during Winter Season 2012–13

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalization especially in young children with respiratory tract infections (RTI). Patterns of circulating RSV genotypes can provide a better understanding of the molecular epidemiology of RSV infection. We retrospectively analyzed the genetic diversity of RSV infection in hospitalized children with acute RTI admitted to University Hospital Heidelberg/Germany between October 2012 and April 2013. Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were routinely obtained in 240 children younger than 2 years of age who presented with clinical symptoms of upper or lower RTI. We analyzed NPAs via PCR and sequence analysis of the second variable region of the RSV G gene coding for the attachment glycoprotein. We obtained medical records reviewing routine clinical data. RSV was detected in 134/240 children. In RSV-positive patients the most common diagnosis was bronchitis/bronchiolitis (75.4%). The mean duration of hospitalization was longer in RSV-positive compared to RSV-negative patients (3.5 vs. 5.1 days; p<0.01). RSV-A was detected in 82.1%, RSV-B in 17.9% of all samples. Phylogenetic analysis of 112 isolates revealed that the majority of RSV-A strains (65%) belonged to the novel ON1 genotype containing a 72-nucleotide duplication. However, genotype ON1 was not associated with a more severe course of illness when taking basic clinical/laboratory parameters into account. Molecular characterization of RSV confirms the co-circulation of multiple genotypes of subtype RSV-A and RSV-B. The duplication in the G gene of genotype ON1 might have an effect on the rapid spread of this emerging RSV strain.
Model Order Selection and Cue Combination for Image Segmentation

Model order selection and cue combination are both difficult open problems in the area of clustering. In this work we build upon stability-based approaches to develop a new method for automatic model order selection and cue combination with applications to visual grouping. Novel features of our approach include the ability to detect multiple stable clusterings (instead of only one), a simpler means of calculating stability that does not require training a classifier, and a new characterization of the space of stabilities for a continuum of segmentations that provides for an efficient sampling scheme. Our contribution is a framework for visual grouping that frees the user from the hassles of parameter tuning and model order selection: the input is an image, the output is a shortlist of segmentations.
Designing Websites for Learning and Enjoyment: A study of museum experiences

This study reports on an exploratory research study that examined the design of websites that encourage both learning and enjoyment. This study examines museum websites that offer educational materials. As part of their mission, most museums provide the general public educational materials for study and enjoyment. Many museums use the Internet in support of their mission. Museum websites offer excellent opportunity to study learning environments designed for enjoyment. Computer-supported learning of various types has been studied over the years, including computer-aided learning, computer-aided instruction, computer-managed learning, and more recently, learning via the Internet. However, the concept of online learning for enjoyment – specifically when learning is not part of a formal instructional undertaking – has not been well studied and thus is not well understood. Some relevant work appears in the literature on pleasure (Telfer, 1980), happiness (Perry, 1967; Veenhoven, 1984), playfulness (Lieberman, 1977; Webster & Martocchio, 1992), and flow (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990; Pace, 2004). The study reported here seeks to redress this gap in the literature, specifically ‘learning for enjoyment,’ by reporting on a number of semi-structured in-depth interviews with museum and educational experts in Taiwan. Our study identified a number of characteristics required of online learning websites, and we conclude some suggested guidelines for developing an online learning website for enjoyment.
The effect of time of day on outcome of unscheduled cesarean deliveries

Objective. To assess the association between time of day and characteristics and complications rate of cesarean sections. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all women who underwent an unscheduled (non-elective) cesarean section (CS) between 1997 and 2007 in a single tertiary medical center. Maternal and neonatal outcome and duration of CS were analyzed according to the work shift. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether shift number is an independent risk factor for maternal or neonatal adverse outcome. Results. There were overall 9944 unscheduled CS during the study period, of them 2995 (30.1%) were operated on the morning shift, 4618 (46.4%) on the evening shift, and 2331 (23.5%) on the night shift. The characteristics of the women in each of the shifts were overall similar. Women who underwent CS during night shift had a higher rate of endometritis and wound infection, postpartum hemorrhage requiring hemotransfusion, and prolonged postoperative hospitalization. The rate of adverse neonatal outcome was similar in the three working shifts. After adjustment for potential confounders by multivariable logistic regression analysis, maternal morbidity was significantly higher for women operated on night shift. The risk of neonatal morbidity was unrelated to the working shift. Overall duration of CS, time required for induction of anesthesia, and net operation time were all significantly higher during the night shift compared with the morning and evening shift. Conclusion. CSs performed during night shift are associated with longer operative time and an increased risk for maternal, but not neonatal, morbidity.
A Global Graph-based Approach for Transaction and QoS-aware Service Composition

In Web Service Composition (WSC) area, services selection aims at selecting an appropriate candidate from a set of functionally-equivalent services to execute the function of each task in an abstract WSC according to their different QoS values. In despite of many related works, few of previous studies consider transactional constraints in QoS-aware WSC, which guarantee reliable execution of Composite Web Service (CWS) that is composed by a number of unpredictable web services. In this paper, we propose a novel global selection-optimal approach in WSC by considering both transactional constraints and end-to-end QoS constraints. With this approach, we firstly identify building rules and the reduction method to build layer-based Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) model which can model transactional relationships among candidate services. As such, the problem of solving global optimal QoS utility with transactional constraints in WSC can be regarded as a problem of solving single-source shortest path in DAG. After that, we present Graph-building algorithms and an optimal selection algorithm to explain the specific execution procedures. Finally, comprehensive experiments are conducted based on a real-world web service QoS dataset. The experimental results show that our approach has better performance over other competing selection approaches on success ratio and efficiency.
Avian collision risk at an offshore wind farm

We have been the first to investigate whether long-lived geese and ducks can detect and avoid a large offshore wind farm by tracking their diurnal migration patterns with radar. We found that the percentage of flocks entering the wind farm area decreased significantly (by a factor 4.5) from pre-construction to initial operation. At night, migrating flocks were more prone to enter the wind farm but counteracted the higher risk of collision in the dark by increasing their distance from individual turbines and flying in the corridors between turbines. Overall, less than 1% of the ducks and geese migrated close enough to the turbines to be at any risk of collision.
Caffeine as Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease: A Review

In current research, amyloid peptide (βA) remains characteristic in the histopathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). As a major component in the amyloid precursor protein (APP), the entire βA sequence is thought to be involved in the processing of APP through two major pathways where APP-related membrane-bound fragments are generated from an endosomal/lysosomal pathway. Although it is generally believed APP/βA has a consequence in AD, the mechanism through which βA influences the biology and vulnerability of neural cells remains tenuous. In addition, it has been postulated that caffeine may have an attenuating effect on both accumulation of βA plaques, as well as symptomatic presentation. This review focuses on the hypothesized correlation between the biochemistry and pathology of APP and βA deposition in the context of AD. In addition, this review aims to identify the hypothesized role of caffeine in reducing βA levels and its link with AD.
The Registry and Follow-Up of Complex Pediatric Therapies Program of Western Canada: A Mechanism for Service, Audit, and Research after Life-Saving Therapies for Young Children

Newly emerging health technologies are being developed to care for children with complex cardiac defects. Neurodevelopmental and childhood school-related outcomes are of great interest to parents of children receiving this care, care providers, and healthcare administrators. Since the 1970s, neonatal follow-up clinics have provided service, audit, and research for preterm infants as care for these at-risk children evolved. We have chosen to present for this issue the mechanism for longitudinal follow-up of survivors that we have developed for western Canada patterned after neonatal follow-up. Our program provides registration for young children receiving complex cardiac surgery, heart transplantation, ventricular assist device support, and extracorporeal life support among others. The program includes multidisciplinary assessments with appropriate neurodevelopmental intervention, active quality improvement evaluations, and outcomes research. Through this mechanism, consistently high (96%) follow-up over two years is maintained.
Mutations of the G protein-coupled receptors of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. Where do we stand?

Gonadal function is controlled by the two gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), produced by the pituitary gland under regulation of the hypothalamic hormone gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). LH, FSH and GnRH act through binding to specific receptors, which are members of the G protein-coupled receptor family. In recent years, it has become evident that germline mutations of the gonadotropin and GnRH receptors are involved in some forms of hypogonadism and pathologic pubertal maturation. Moreover, as these hormones have tropic and growth-promoting roles in their target organ, it has been hypothesized that somatic activating mutation of their receptors might be involved in the generation of gonadal and pituitary tumors. This hypothesis is further supported by the relatively frequent finding of activating mutations of the closely related thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor in hyperfunctioning thyroid adenomas. The clinical manifestations of genomic mutations of the gonadotropin receptors have been reviewed recently and special emphasis has been given to the possibility that such mutations could be much more frequent than suspected and discovered so far (1‐3). However, the search for mutations of G proteincoupled receptors of the gonadotropic axis has been much less rewarding than the analogous exercise in the thyroid field. At this stage, one wonders whether the phenotypes associated with such mutations, especially gain-of-function mutations, have been correctly postulated. The clinical picture associated with inactivating mutations of the gonadotropin receptors is obvious and consists essentially of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, resulting in primary amenorrhea (in cases of both LH and FSH receptor mutations) in females and
Why is my internet slow?: making network speeds visible

With widespread broadband adoption, more households report experiencing sub-optimal speeds. Not only are slow speeds frustrating, they may indicate consumers are not receiving the services they are paying for from their internet service providers. Yet, determining the speed and source of slow-downs is difficult because few tools exist for broadband management. We report on results of a field trial with 10 households using a visual network probe designed to address these problems. We describe the results of the study and provide design implications for future tools. More importantly, we argue that tools like this can educate and empower consumers by making broadband speeds and sources of slow-downs more visible.
Involvement with peers: comparisons between young children with and without Down's syndrome.

BACKGROUND It has been well established that heterogeneous groups of young children with mild intellectual disability are at considerable risk of becoming socially isolated from their peers in school, home and community settings. METHOD Matched groups of young children with and without Down's syndrome (DS) were compared in terms of the children's involvement with peers, maternal arranging and monitoring of peer play, and maternal beliefs about inclusion. RESULTS Despite aetiology-specific expectations for children with DS, no differences were found for a variety of measures of peer involvement focusing on the frequency of contacts and the characteristics of children's peer social networks. Maternal arranging of activities with peers was similarly related to peer involvement for both groups of children. Higher ratings of the benefits of inclusion were obtained from mothers of children with DS, but these maternal beliefs were unrelated to maternal arranging or peer involvement. CONCLUSIONS Parental adaptations to the aetiology-specific behavioural patterns of children and the general influence of children's experiences within a developmental framework are discussed in the context of interpreting aetiology-specific findings.
Concentration-dependent activity of antibiotics in natural environments

Bacterial responses to antibiotics are concentration-dependent. At high concentrations, antibiotics exhibit antimicrobial activities on susceptible cells, while subinhibitory concentrations induce diverse biological responses in bacteria. At non-lethal concentrations, bacteria may sense antibiotics as extracellular chemicals to trigger different cellular responses, which may include an altered antibiotic resistance/tolerance profile. In natural settings, microbes are typically in polymicrobial communities and antibiotic-mediated interactions between species may play a significant role in bacterial community structure and function. However, these aspects have not yet fully been explored at the community level. Here we discuss the different types of interactions mediated by antibiotics and non-antibiotic metabolites as a function of their concentrations and speculate on how these may amplify the overall antibiotic resistance/tolerance and the spread of antibiotic resistance determinants in a context of polymicrobial community.
Bridging Gap between Standard and Differential Polynomial Approximation: the Case of Bin-packing 1 Standard and Differential Approximation

The purpose of this paper is to mainly prove the following theorem: for every polynomial time algorithm running in time T (n) and guaranteeing standard-approximation ratio ρ for bin-packing, there exists an algorithm running in time O(nT (n)) and achieving differential-approximation ratio 2 − ρ for BP. This theorem has two main impacts. The first one is " operational " , deriving a polynomial time differential-approximation schema for bin-packing. The second one is structural, establishing a kind of reduction (to our knowledge not existing until now) between standard approximation and differential one. A current and very active research area coping with NP-completeness is polynomial approximation theory. In this domain, the main objective is either finding a good approximation algorithm for a given NP-complete problem, or establishing proofs that such algorithms cannot exist unless an unlikely complexity-theory condition (for example, P=NP) holds. The " goodness " of an approximation algorithm is commonly measured by its approximation ratio. Given an instance I of a combinatorial optimization problem Π and an approximation algorithm A supposed to feasibly solve Π, we will denote by ω(I), λ A (I) and β(I) the values of the worst case solution, the approximated one (provided by A), and the optimal one, respectively. There exist mainly two thought processes dealing with polynomial approximation. Traditionally ([8, 14]), the quality of an approximation algorithm for an NP-complete minimization (resp., maximization) problem Π is expressed by the ratio (called standard in what follows) ρ A (I) = λ(I)/β(I), and the quantity ρ A = inf{r : ρ A (I) < r, I instance of Π} (resp., ρ A = sup{r : ρ A (I) > r, I instance of Π}) constitutes the approximation ratio of A for Π. Recent works ([5, 4]), strongly inspired by former ones (see, for example, [2]), bring to the fore another approximation measure, as powerful as the traditional one (concerning the type, the diversity and the quantity of the produced results), the ratio (called differential in what follows) δ A (I) = [ω(I) − λ(I)]/[ω(I) − β(I)]. The quantity δ A = sup{r : δ A (I) > r, I instance of Π} is now the approximation ratio of A for Π. A special case of a polynomial time approximation algorithm, inducing the strongest possible positive approximation result, is the one of polynomial time approximation schema. A polynomial time standard-approximation schema for a problem Π is a …