Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Web Performance in Practice – Why We are Waiting

Summary Web browsing is the application producing most of the traffic observed on the Internet backbones today. While this is obviously an enormous success for a single application that was created only a decade ago, many users experience Web access as a “world wide waiting” process. In this paper, statistical evidence based on two long-term IP traffic traces is given for the amount of waiting time which is due to different phases of a Web connection – domain name lookup, connection establishment, requesting and finally transferring an item. Nearly half the delay in an average HTTP/TCP connection is due to the first three components and only the rest can be influenced significantly by higher speed access systems for large downloads.
Facial muscle activity contaminates EEG signal at rest: evidence from frontalis and temporalis motor units

Objective. In order to reach electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes on the scalp, synchronized activity of neurons needs to pass thorough several tissue layers, including the skull and muscles covering the scalp. The contamination of EEG signal by temporalis and frontalis muscles has been well documented for voluntary muscle contraction even at low contraction levels. The extent of myogenic contamination during postural and/or rest activity of the temporalis and frontalis remains an impediment for EEG research. Approach. In this study, we first aimed to observe involuntary, continuous motor unit activity of the frontalis muscle at rest and evaluate motor unit level frontalis interference on the EEG electrodes. Second, we compared motor unit interference from the frontalis before and after artefact pruning via an independent component analysis (ICA) algorithm. Main results. We demonstrated that motor unit activity of the frontalis muscle produces interference potentials on the frontal electrodes at rest and the interference was significantly reduced after ICA on the frontal electrodes, but not completely eliminated. Likewise, the temporalis interference at rest was significantly smaller after ICA on the fronto-temporal electrodes, but not completely removed. Significance. We documented the existence of resting involuntary activity of the temporalis and frontalis muscles underneath EEG electrodes and the removal of the EEG signal from their contiguous interference is not possible even after the use of ICA technology. We recommend that EEG researchers readdress the definition of ‘rest’ for EEG recordings and the ICA experts should extend their electromyography removal strategies to motor unit level interference.
Mapping the care transition from hospital to skilled nursing facility.

PURPOSE Care transitions between hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are often associated with breakdowns in communication that may place patients at risk for adverse events. Less is known about how to address these issues in the context of busy patient care settings. We used process mapping to examine hospital discharge and SNF admission processes to identify opportunities for improvement. METHODS A quality improvement (QI) team worked with frontline staff to create a process map illustrating the sequence of events involved with hospital discharge and SNF admission. The project was completed at an academic medical centre and two local SNFs in the north-eastern United States. Participants represented the care management, medicine, nursing, admissions, and physical therapy services. The data informed hospital QI interventions seeking to improve the quality and safety of hospital-SNF transfers and reduce unplanned hospital readmissions. RESULTS The final process map highlighted numerous activities that need to be coordinated between care teams, including the time-sensitive exchange of clinical and administrative information. Participants shared insights about how care teams reach critical decisions about patient disposition and post-acute care utilization. CONCLUSIONS Process mapping highlighted specific opportunities for improving communication between care teams. Participants advocated for earlier assessments of patients' functional status and support systems, including reliable at-home services. They also reasoned that improved communication would help patients and providers reach decisions together, coordinate work efforts, and better prepare for hospital discharge and SNF admission. This information can be used to improve patient care transitions between hospitals and SNFs.
Characterizing the inhibition of α‐synuclein oligomerization by a pharmacological chaperone that prevents prion formation by the protein PrP

Aggregation of the disordered protein α‐synuclein into amyloid fibrils is a central feature of synucleinopathies, neurodegenerative disorders that include Parkinson's disease. Small, pre‐fibrillar oligomers of misfolded α‐synuclein are thought to be the key toxic entities, and α‐synuclein misfolding can propagate in a prion‐like way. We explored whether a compound with anti‐prion activity that can bind to unfolded parts of the protein PrP, the cyclic tetrapyrrole Fe‐TMPyP, was also active against α‐synuclein aggregation. Observing the initial stages of aggregation via fluorescence cross‐correlation spectroscopy, we found that Fe‐TMPyP inhibited small oligomer formation in a dose‐dependent manner. Fe‐TMPyP also inhibited the formation of mature amyloid fibrils in vitro, as detected by thioflavin T fluorescence. Isothermal titration calorimetry indicated Fe‐TMPyP bound to monomeric α‐synuclein with a stoichiometry of 2, and two‐dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence NMR spectra revealed significant interactions between Fe‐TMPyP and the C‐terminus of the protein. These results suggest commonalities among aggregation mechanisms for α‐synuclein and the prion protein may exist that can be exploited as therapeutic targets.
Engineering Escherichia coli for enhanced sensitivity to the autoinducer‐2 quorum sensing signal

The autoinducer‐2 (AI‐2) quorum sensing system is involved in a range of population‐based bacterial behaviors and has been engineered for cell–cell communication in synthetic biology systems. Investigation into the cellular mechanisms of AI‐2 processing has determined that overexpression of uptake genes increases AI‐2 uptake rate, and genomic deletions of degradation genes lowers the AI‐2 level required for activation of reporter genes. Here, we combine these two strategies to engineer an Escherichia coli strain with enhanced ability to detect and respond to AI‐2. In an E. coli strain that does not produce AI‐2, we monitored AI‐2 uptake and reporter protein expression in a strain that overproduced the AI‐2 uptake or phosphorylation units LsrACDB or LsrK, a strain with the deletion of AI‐2 degradation units LsrF and LsrG, and an “enhanced” strain with both overproduction of AI‐2 uptake and deletion of AI‐2 degradation elements. By adding up to 40 μM AI‐2 to growing cell cultures, we determine that this “enhanced” AI‐2 sensitive strain both uptakes AI‐2 more rapidly and responds with increased reporter protein expression than the others. This work expands the toolbox for manipulating AI‐2 quorum sensing processes both in native environments and for synthetic biology applications.
Edge Detection: Image-Plane Versus Digital Processing

To optimize edge detection with the familiar Laplacian-of-Gaussian (v2G) operator, it has become common to implement this operator with a large (30-by-30 or so) digital convolution mask followed by some interpolation of the processed data to determine the zero crossings that locate edges. It is generally recognized that this large mask causes substantial blur-ring of fine detail. We show that the spatial detail can be improved by a factor of about four with either the Wiener-v2G filter or an image-plane processor. The Wiener-v2G filter minimizes the image-gathering degradations if the scene statistics are (at least approxi-mately) known and also serves as an interpolator to determine the desired zero crossings di-rectly. The image-plane processor forms the v2G response by properly combining the opti-cal design of the image-gathering system with a minimal 3-by-3 lateral-inhibitory processing mask. This approach, which is suggested by (Marr's model of) early processing in human vision, also reduces data processing by about two orders of magnitude and data transmission by up to an order of magnitude.
Principal component analysis in the wavelet domain: new features for underwater object recognition

Principal component analysis (PCA) in the wavelet domain provides powerful features for underwater object recognition applications. The multiresolution analysis of the Morlet wavelet transform (MWT) is used to pre-process echo returns from targets ensonified by biologically motivated broadband signal. PCA is then used to compress and denoise the resulting time-scale signal representation for presentation to a hierarchical neural network for object classification. Wavelet/PCA features combined with multi-aspect data fusion and neural networks have resulted in impressive underwater object recognition performance using backscatter data generated by simulate dolphin echolocation clicks and bat- like linear frequency modulated upsweeps. For example, wavelet/PCA features extracted from LFM echo returns have resulted in correct classification rates of 98.6 percent over a six target suite, which includes two mine simulators and four clutter objects. For the same data, ROC analysis of the two-class mine-like versus non-mine-like problem resulted in a probability of detection of 0.981 and a probability of false alarm of 0.032 at the 'optimal' operating point. The wavelet/PCA feature extraction algorithm is currently being implemented in VLSI for use in small, unmanned underwater vehicles designed for mine- hunting operations in shallow water environments.
Effect of temperature on antioxidant defense and innate immunity in Brandt’s voles

Ambient temperature is an important factor influencing many physiological processes, including antioxidant defense and immunity. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that antioxidant defense and immunity are suppressed by high and low temperature treatment in Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii). Thirty male voles were randomly assigned into different temperature groups (4, 23, and 32 °C, n=10 for each group), with the treatment course lasting for 27 d. Results showed that low temperature increased gross energy intake (GEI) and liver, heart, and kidney mass, but decreased body fat mass and dry carcass mass. With the decline in temperature, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration, which is indicative of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, increased in the liver, decreased in the heart, and was unchanged in the kidney, testis, and small intestine. Lipid peroxidation indicated by malonaldehyde (MDA) content in the liver, heart, kidney, testis, and small intestine did not differ among groups, implying that high and low temperature did not cause oxidative damage. Similarly, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the five tissues did not respond to low or high temperature, except for elevation of CAT activity in the testis upon cold exposure. Bacteria killing capacity, which is indicative of innate immunity, was nearly suppressed in the 4 °C group in contrast to the 23 °C group, whereas spleen mass and white blood cells were unaffected by temperature treatment. The levels of testosterone, but not corticosterone, were influenced by temperature treatment, though neither were correlated with innate immunity, H2O2 and MDA levels, or SOD, CAT, and T-AOC activity in any detected tissues. Overall, these results showed that temperature had different influences on oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes, and immunity, which depended on the tissues and parameters tested. Up-regulation or maintenance of antioxidant defense might be an important mechanism for voles to survive highly variable environmental temperatures.
Integrated security and error control for communication networks using the McEliece cryptosystem

The McEliece public key cryptosystem is modified to create an integrated security/error control system for digital communication networks. The security of the resulting system is examined in detail, with particular emphasis on the trade-off between error control and security. Cryptographic and communication measures of the performance of the system are established. The performance of the system for codewords of length 1024 is reported. A method is described for making the integrated system adaptive to changes in channel conditions. <<ETX>>
Molecular Diagnostics in Oral Cancer and Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders - A Clinician's Guide.

Current risk stratification of individuals for the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), including those with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) remains based upon clinical detection of visibly abnormal mucosa and tissue biopsy with histological assessment for the presence of OSCC or oral epithelial dysplasia (OED). In OPMD, the presence of OED remains the only prognostic tool used in standard care for the development of future OSCC, despite its ample limitations. There is assured potential that the analysis of the genome, transcripts and proteome can provide insight into what is occurring at a cellular level preceding the appearance of clinically observable change. The landscape of the role of the genome and its transcriptome on the development of OSCC and relationships with OPMDs is immense with exploration occurring on several fronts. For clinicians involved in the diagnosis and care of patients with OSCC and OPMD, understanding of commonly used molecular diagnostic techniques is imperative to gain useful insight from the expanding literature investigating the development of OSCC and the relationship with the clinical presentations which encompass OPMDs. Here we present an introduction to molecular diagnostic methods used in the study of OSCC and OPMD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Association Between First-Trimester Subchorionic Hematomas and Pregnancy Loss in Singleton Pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE To assess the association of a first-trimester subchorionic hematoma with pregnancy loss in women with singleton pregnancies. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all women with singleton pregnancies presenting for prenatal care before 14 weeks of gestation over a 3-year period at a single obstetric practice. All patients had routine first-trimester ultrasound scans. We reviewed ultrasound data from the first ultrasound scan performed between 6 0/7 and 13 6/7 weeks of gestation and compared rates of pregnancy loss before 20 weeks in women with and without a subchorionic hematoma. Logistic regression analysis was used to control for potential confounding variables. RESULTS From January 2015 to December 2017, a total of 2,446 women met inclusion criteria, 451 (18.4%) of whom had subchorionic hematomas. Women with subchorionic hematomas had their first ultrasound scans at an earlier gestational age (8 5/7 vs 9 6/7 weeks of gestation, P<.001) and were more likely to have vaginal bleeding (33.3% vs 8.1%, P<.001). Maternal age, race, use of in vitro fertilization, body mass index, prior number of losses, and medical comorbidities did not differ between the groups. On univariable analysis, subchorionic hematoma was associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation (7.5% vs 4.9%, P=.026); however, after adjusting for gestational age and vaginal bleeding, this association was no longer significant (adjusted odds ratio 1.13, 95% CI 0.74-1.74). In the 451 women with subchorionic hematomas, no characteristics of the subchorionic hematoma, including size by volume, largest diameter, presence of vaginal bleeding, and presence of an additional subchorionic hematoma, were associated with pregnancy loss. Post hoc power analysis showed we had 80% power to detect an increase in pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation from 4.9% in women with no subchorionic hematoma to 8.3% in women with subchorionic hematoma. CONCLUSION In this cohort of women with singleton pregnancies, subchorionic hematoma before 14 weeks of gestation was not independently associated with pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation.
What's New in Shock, August 2019?

This issue of SHOCK is outstanding with many diverse reports investigating the molecular mechanisms of trauma, sepsis, and shock down to the transcriptome level. At the same time, still other reports explore large data patient outcomes probing fundamental gaps in knowledge at the epicenter of chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, sepsis pathophysiology, traumatic injury, and inflammation recovery. It is our pleasure and privilege to review, analyze, deconstruct, and assimilate these scientific communications against the world stage of human knowledge. Sepsis induces a variety of immune cell compromise through the processes of apoptosis, necrosis, and NETosis that releases a significant amount of intracellular DNA into the blood. Laukova et al. sought to characterize the early dynamics of plasma extracellular (ecDNA) in a mouse model of Escherichia coliinduced sepsis, in conjunction with plasma deoxy ribonuclease (DNase) activity (1). The plasma ecDNA levels steadily rose for 5 h at which point they were 20-fold higher. In addition, the plasma DNase activity rose slowly, but exhibited high individual variability. This group should be congratulated as the first to describe the dynamics of plasma ecDNA and DNase activity during early sepsis. Continuing to elucidate the impact of transcriptomic processes in sepsis, Skibsted et al. used leukocyte RNA sequencing to characterize biological functions driving sepsis (2). They have analyzed sequential data from patients with sepsis compared with 90 days after discharge. RNA sequencing revealed 916 unique transcripts differentially expressed during sepsis with 73% upregulated and 27% downregulated genes. Fortythree cellular pathways were activated during sepsis with the top pathways (Toll-like receptor, NFkb, IL-10, TREM1, IL-6) closely associated with inflammation. Validation occurred in 18 septic and 25 nonseptic control patients with 76% of identified genes. The researchers conclude that highly dynamic transcriptional activity occurs in leukocytes during sepsis activating key cellular pathways. One of the most important aspects of sepsis progression is the proinflammatory response associated with early mortality. Glucocorticoids (GC) have been administered during sepsis to help resolve damaging inflammation. Tsc22d3 is a gene encoding the GC-induced leucine zipper protein, one of the most important anti-inflammatory mediators. Ballegeer et al.
Topical non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs are not the mainstay of prophylaxis and treatment for pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema: Response

We thank Levitz, Lim, Grzybowski and Kim, well-known and prolific correspondents on scientific publications, for their interest in, and kind comments upon, our recent publication on pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema (PCMO); “The review article does allude to the challenges faced in providing advice on prophylaxis of PCMO” and “The authors have provided a significant review of a complex topic”. However, in relation to other comments, we feel the correspondents may have confused the semantics of what we believe is a balanced review, stating they would “Like to highlight several aspects of the quoted literature which may be misconstrued”. Obviously, we are happy to address these items.
Relationship of sensation seeking with the neural correlates of appetitive conditioning

Abstract Previous research has linked sensation seeking with a heightened risk for drug abuse and other risk-taking behavior. As appetitive conditioning presents a model for the etiology and maintenance of addictive behavior, investigating sensation seeking in a classical conditioning paradigm might elucidate possible pathways toward addiction within this model. Furthermore, the theoretical concept underlying sensation seeking proposes a negative relationship between reward processing and sensation seeking in only moderately arousing situations, which has been neglected by previous research. This study aimed to investigate this inverse relationship in moderately stimulating situations entailing reward processing using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Subjects (N = 38) participated in a classical conditioning paradigm in which a neutral stimulus (CS+) was repeatedly paired with a monetary reward, while another neutral stimulus (CS−) was not. Imaging results revealed a negative relationship between sensation seeking and neural responses in the insula, amygdala and nucleus accumbens during the early phase and in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex during the late phase of conditioning. These findings suggest reduced reward learning and consequently diminished processing of outcome expectancy in appetitive conditioning in subjects with high sensation seeking scores. The results are discussed with respect to clinical implications.
Social media, internet use and suicide attempts in adolescents

Purpose of review Suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth aged 10–24 years old globally, but detecting those at risk is challenging. Novel preventive strategies with wide influence across populations are required. Interest in the potential for both detrimental and supportive influences of social media/internet use on suicidal behaviour has been growing; however, the relationship remains unclear. Recent findings A systematic search of articles from database inception up to 25 January 2019 across five databases: Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, HMIC and CINAHL revealed nine independent studies investigating social media/internet use and suicide attempts in young people less than 19 years old (n = 346 416). An independent direct association was found between heavy social media/internet use and increased suicide attempts in seven studies (adjusted ORs ranged from 1.03 to 5.10), although adjusting for cyberbullying victimization and sleep disturbance reduced the strength of this association. Two studies found that some social media/internet use, versus no use, may be associated with fewer suicide attempts. There were no studies investigating the relationship between social media/internet use and completed suicide. Summary There is an independent association between problematic use of social media/internet and suicide attempts in young people. However, the direction of causality, if any, remains unclear. Further evaluation through longitudinal studies is needed.
The lived experience of adolescent users of mental health services in Vienna, Austria: A qualitative study of personal recovery.

PROBLEM In Austria, one in four adolescents suffers from a mental health problem, yet there is a lack of adequate care structures. Therefore, the personal recovery of these adolescents is of particular interest. The aim of the study was to explore, from a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (CAPMHN) perspective, how adolescent users of mental health services in Vienna, Austria experienced personal recovery after a stay in hospital, and to discover what had influenced the personal recovery of adolescent users of mental health services in Vienna. METHODS Ten episodic interviews with adolescents were conducted. Nine of them were analyzed following the content analysis of Mayring (2015). FINDINGS The findings of the survey indicate that the personal recovery of the participants was influenced by personal and external factors. Personal factors were the subjective experience of illness and recovery, optimism, resources, and ambivalence. External factors were family, peers, and treatment. The findings suggest that personal recovery of adolescents with a mental health problem is affected by youth-specific aspects. CONCLUSIONS CAPMHNs can support the personal recovery of adolescent users of mental health services, so providing recovery-oriented care, adequate care structures, and specific nursing skills is crucial.