Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Age, Sex and Gender on Pain Sensitivity: A Narrative Review

© 2017 Eltumi And Tashani. Introduction: An increasing body of literature on sex and gender differences in pain sensitivity has been accumulated in recent years. There is also evidence from epidemiological research that painful conditions are more prevalent in older people. The aim of this narrative review is to critically appraise the relevant literature investigating the presence of age and sex differences in clinical and experimental pain conditions. Methods: A scoping search of the literature identifying relevant peer reviewed articles was conducted on May 2016. Information and evidence from the key articles were narratively described and data was quantitatively synthesised to identify gaps of knowledge in the research literature concerning age and sex differences in pain responses. Results: This critical appraisal of the literature suggests that the results of the experimental and clinical studies regarding age and sex differences in pain contain some contradictions as far as age differences in pain are concerned. While data from the clinical studies are more consistent and seem to point towards the fact that chronic pain prevalence increases in the elderly findings from the experimental studies on the other hand were inconsistent, with pain threshold increasing with age in some studies and decreasing with age in others. Conclusion: There is a need for further research using the latest advanced quantitative sensory testing protocols to measure the function of small nerve fibres that are involved in nociception and pain sensitivity across the human life span. Implications: Findings from these studies should feed into and inform evidence emerging from other types of studies (e.g. brain imaging technique and psychometrics) suggesting that pain in the older humans may have unique characteristics that affect how old patients respond to intervention.
Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning

Reinforcement learning (RL) deals with the problem of an agent that has to learn how to behave to maximize its utility by its interactions with an environment (Sutton & Barto, 1998; Kaelbling, Littman & Moore, 1996). Reinforcement learning problems are usually formalized as Markov Decision Processes (MDP), which consist of a finite set of states and a finite number of possible actions that the agent can perform. At any given point in time, the agent is in a certain state and picks an action. It can then observe the new state this action leads to, and receives a reward signal. The goal of the agent is to maximize its long-term reward. In this standard formalization, no particular structure or relationship between states is assumed. However, learning in environments with extremely large state spaces is infeasible without some form of generalization. Exploiting the underlying structure of a problem can effect generalization and has long been recognized as an important aspect in representing sequential decision tasks (Boutilier et al., 1999). Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning is the subfield of RL that deals with the discovery and/or exploitation of this underlying structure. Two main ideas come into play in hierarchical RL. The first one is to break a task into a hierarchy of smaller subtasks, each of which can be learned faster and easier than the whole problem. Subtasks can also be performed multiple times in the course of achieving the larger task, reusing accumulated knowledge and skills. The second idea is to use state abstraction within subtasks: not every task needs to be concerned with every aspect of the state space, so some states can actually be abstracted away and treated as the same for the purpose of the given subtask. BACKGROUND
Convex-constrained Sparse Additive Modeling and Its Extensions

Sparse additive modeling is a class of effective methods for performing high-dimensional nonparametric regression. In this work we show how shape constraints such as convexity/concavity and their extensions, can be integrated into additive models. The proposed sparse difference of convex additive models (SDCAM) can estimate most continuous functions without any a priori smoothness assumption. Motivated by a characterization of difference of convex functions, our method incorporates a natural regularization functional to avoid overfitting and to reduce model complexity. Computationally, we develop an efficient backfitting algorithm with linear per-iteration complexity. Experiments on both synthetic and real data verify that our method is competitive against state-of-the-art sparse additive models, with improved performance in most scenarios.
Among the elephants

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Load-dependent flow splitting for traffic engineering in resilient OpenFlow networks

In this paper we propose and investigate load-dependent load balancing for resilient OpenFlow networks. The objective is to spare extra capacity for the primary path of a traffic aggregate (flow) by accommodating excess traffic on its backup path. The contribution of the paper is manyfold. We explain existing OpenFlow features for traffic monitoring and dynamic flow splitting, combine them to implement load-dependent balancing of a flow's traffic on its primary and backup paths, and propose three different load-dependent flow splitting (LDFS) policies. We develop a performance evaluation method to quantify the capacity for load-balancing and protection switching methods such that expected traffic can be accommodated for envisioned overload and failure scenarios. Finally, we assess the usefulness of LDFS by comparison with traffic-agnostic single- or multipath forwarding methods.
La contribution d'une nouvelle méthode à la modélisation des coûts: le Time-Driven ABC Le cas d'une société de négoce

Le Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (Time-Driven ABC) a ete introduit recemment par Kaplan et Anderson. Cette methode a ete mise au point pour delivrer des informations plus precises sur les couts et la rentabilite des produits/services. Elle permettrait, selon ses concepteurs, de mieux saisir et avec des frais moins eleves, la complexite des activites des entreprises en utilisant des " equations de temps ". Ce papier presente les resultats d'une etude de cas portant sur la mise en place du Time-Driven ABC, dans une societe de negoce. Nos observations mettent en evidence la complexite caracterisant les couts d'une activite logistique et comment le Time-Driven ABC permet de la prendre en compte, sans augmenter le nombre d'activites et donc en limitant les charges de mise en place et de maintenance de ce systeme.
Photodynamic therapy efficacy enhanced by dynamics: the role of charge transfer and photostability in the selection of photosensitizers.

Progress in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer should benefit from a rationale to predict the most efficient of a series of photosensitizers that strongly absorb light in the phototherapeutic window (650-800 nm) and efficiently generate reactive oxygen species (ROS = singlet oxygen and oxygen-centered radicals). We show that the ratios between the triplet photosensitizer-O2 interaction rate constant (kD) and the photosensitizer decomposition rate constant (kd), kD/kd, determine the relative photodynamic activities of photosensitizers against various cancer cells. The same efficacy trend is observed in vivo with DBA/2 mice bearing S91 melanoma tumors. The PDT efficacy intimately depends on the dynamics of photosensitizer-oxygen interactions: charge transfer to molecular oxygen with generation of both singlet oxygen and superoxide ion (high kD) must be tempered by photostability (low kd). These properties depend on the oxidation potential of the photosensitizer and are suitably combined in a new fluorinated sulfonamide bacteriochlorin, motivated by the rationale.
A Polya urn-based model for epidemics on networks

A network epidemics model based on the classical Polya urn scheme is investigated. Temporal contagion processes are generated on the network nodes via a modified Polya sampling scheme that accounts for spatial infection among neighboring nodes. The stochastic properties and the asymptotic behavior of the resulting network contagion process are analyzed. Unlike the classical Polya process, the network process is noted to be non-stationary in general, although it is shown to be time-invariant in its first and some of its second-order statistics and to satisfy martingale convergence properties for certain network structures. Finally, two classical Polya processes, one computational and one analytical, are proposed to statistically approximate the contagion process of each node, showing a good fit for a range of system parameters.
Plains-Pueblo Interdependence and Human Diet at Pecos Pueblo, New Mexico

Using bone-chemistry data, this project sought to assess the degree of dietary change that occurred among eastern border Pueblo populations due to prehistoric food exchange with hunter-gatherers on the Plains and to the arrival of Spanish colonists. In so doing we introduce a technique for dietary reconstruction that determines the range of diets compatible with bone-chemistry data from a particular population. The data are derived from samples of modern and archaeological plants and animals collected from the area surrounding Pecos Pueblo, and from archaeological humans recovered from Pecos itself. Bone-strontium concentrations were measured to monitor the relative proportions of meat to vegetables in the diet. Carbon and nitrogen stable-isotope ratios in food items and in bone collagen were measured to monitor the dependence on maize and bison meat. The results do not provide support for the hypothesis that bison replaced mule deer in the diet during the period of significant Plains-Pueblo trade. If bison, whose diets are relatively enriched in 13C had replaced mule deer, an increase in average δ13C values should have occurred. This, however, was not observed. A decrease in carbon-isotope values in the historic period suggests that either bison meat or maize or both decreased in importance in the Pecos diet and that dependence on wild plants increased.
Lack of the Light-Harvesting Complex CP24 Affects the Structure and Function of the Grana Membranes of Higher Plant Chloroplasts[OA]

The photosystem II (PSII) light-harvesting antenna in higher plants contains a number of highly conserved gene products whose function is unknown. Arabidopsis thaliana plants depleted of one of these, the CP24 light-harvesting complex, have been analyzed. CP24-deficient plants showed a decrease in light-limited photosynthetic rate and growth, but the pigment and protein content of the thylakoid membranes were otherwise almost unchanged. However, there was a major change in the macroorganization of PSII within these membranes; electron microscopy and image analysis revealed the complete absence of the C2S2M2 light-harvesting complex II (LHCII)/PSII supercomplex predominant in wild-type plants. Instead, only C2S2 supercomplexes, which are deficient in the LHCIIb M-trimers, were found. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the disruption of the wild-type macroorganization of PSII. It was found that the functions of the PSII antenna were disturbed: connectivity between PSII centers was reduced, and maximum photochemical yield was lowered; rapidly reversible nonphotochemical quenching was inhibited; and the state transitions were altered kinetically. CP24 is therefore an important factor in determining the structure and function of the PSII light-harvesting antenna, providing the linker for association of the M-trimer into the PSII complex, allowing a specific macroorganization that is necessary both for maximum quantum efficiency and for photoprotective dissipation of excess excitation energy.
Challenging ER's psychokiller.

ER, the US television drama of high-adrenaline medical heroics, has blazed its way into a 6th season. It has undoubtedly captured the public imagination, with its strong characters, uneasy tensions, and frenetic trauma calls. Highly positive images of health care professionals are presented to a huge number of viewers. This year, in the week starting January 18, it was seen in 21 million of a possible 99.4 million US households. Two infamous episodes involving the double stabbing of medical student Lucy and resident Carter caused public excitement, sadness, and even grief. In the first, we saw Lucy working up the case of a young married man, Paul, who had presented with headaches. Carter offers minimal supervision. When the man becomes disoriented, Lucy carries out a lumbar puncture while Carter holds him down. All examination and test results are normal, and when Paul's college friends describe a recent increase in bizarre and suspicious behavior, a psychiatry consultation is requested. The psychiatrist is busy, so Paul remains untreated in a secluded side room. The episode ends with Paul's unprovoked and vicious assault on the medics. Carter falls to the floor to see Lucy bleeding to near death under the patient's gurney. In the second episode, we saw the brutal resuscitation and harrowing surgery of both victims. In the midst of this clinical chaos, Paul returns. He had escaped the hospital but was hit by a car. Although Paul is clearly psychotic and has life-threatening injuries, consultant Dr Weaver cannot bring herself to treat him and hands his care over to a colleague. Lucy awakes postoperatively, and true to form, she diagnoses a pulmonary embolus in herself and then dies. Carter survives. This was undoubtedly a dramatic and powerful storyline. But after seeing the episodes, we became concerned about ER's portrayal of mentally ill people. Did it only ever show them as violent and dangerous? We went back and watched 22 consecutive episodes to see how psychiatric patients were represented.
Ivabradine and the SIGNIFY conundrum.

This editorial refers to ‘Bradycardia and atrial fibrillation in patients with stable coronary artery disease treated with ivabradine: an analysis from the SIGNIFY study’[†][1], by K. Fox et al . , on page 3291. Stable angina is a prevalent and disabling condition that occurs in 10–14% of those aged 65–84 years,1 with population studies suggesting that almost a third of affected patients experience an angina episode at least once a week.2 Treatment focuses upon the alleviation of angina symptoms and the prevention of cardiac events. Although the development of cardioprotective agents has received considerable attention in recent years, there has been less progress with novel antianginal agents. Ivabradine is a novel antianginal agent that inhibits the sinus node If channel to produce a dose-dependent bradycardia and thus anti-ischaemic effects without significant direct effects on vasomotor tone, blood pressure, or myocardial contractility. Previous studies have shown it to be superior to placebo and non-inferior to first-line antianginal agents (beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers). 1 However like the first-line agents, its cardioprotective benefit in patients with stable angina has not been confirmed,3,4 although its benefit in heart failure is well supported.5 The BEAUTIFUL3 and SIGNIFY4 studies evaluated the cardioprotective effects of ivabradine in patients with coronary artery disease with3 and without4 left ventricular systolic dysfunction, who had resting sinus rhythm rates ≥70 b.p.m. Although neither study reported an overall cardioprotective benefit, a post-hoc analysis of the BEAUTIFUL study observed a 42% reduction in myocardial infarct hospitalizations amongst patients with symptom-limiting angina.6 Consequently a pre-specified subgroup analysis of patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society Class II–IV … [1]: #fn-2
Multiple myeloma treated with high dose intravenous melphalan

High dose melphalan (HDM, 140 mg/m2 i.v.) has been evaluated in 58 patients under 63 years with multiple myeloma. Among previously untreated patients 11/41 (27%) entered a complete remission (CR: no measurable myeloma protein and a normal bone marrow) and 21 (51%) entered a partial remission (more than 50% reduction in myeloma protein and improvement in all other features). Median duration of remission is 19 months. Two patients who had responded to previous conventional treatment entered CR after HDM. Among 15 patients who had failed on previous chemotherapy the response rate was 66% including two CRs. However, in this group all patients have relapsed within 1 year. Profound myelosuppression, moderate nausea, vomiting, mucositis and diarrhoea with reversible alopecia occurred in all patients. There were 10 deaths within 2 months of treatment mainly due to sepsis and haemorrhage.
Lamellodiscus crampus sp. nov. (Monogenea, Diplectanidae), a parasite of Dentex maroccanus (Teleostei, Sparidae) from off Tunisia

Lamellodiscus crampus sp. nov. (Monogenea, Diplectanidae) is described from the gills of Dentex maroccanus (Valenciennes) collected from the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia) in the oriental part of Mediterranean Sea. The new species belongs to the “ignoratus” group (sensu Oliver 1987) characterized by a lamellodisc with complete lamellae and a “lyre” shaped male copulatory organ, and the “ignoratus” sensu stricto subgroup, characterized by a haptor with simple lateral dorsal bars, as proposed by Amine and Euzet (2005). Lamellodiscus crampus can be easily distinguished from all the congeneric species of the subgroup “ignoratus” by the presence, in the “lyre” male copulatory organ, of five spines in the distal portion on the axial side of the paired piece.
Mycobacterial Infection in MyD88‐Deficient Mice

MyD88 is an adaptor protein that plays a major role in TLR/IL‐1 receptor family signaling. To understand the role of MyD88 in the development of murine tuberculosis in vivo, MyD88 knockout (KO) mice aerially were infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Infected MyD88 mice were not highly susceptible to M. tuberculosis infection, but they developed granulomatous pulmonary lesions with neutrophil infiltration which were larger than those in wild‐type (WT) mice (P<0.01). The pulmonary tissue levels of mRNA for iNOS and IL‐18 were slightly lower, but levels of mRNA for IL‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, IFN‐γ, and TGF‐β were higher in MyD88 KO mice. IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐12 also were high in the sera of MyD88 KO mice. There were no statistically significant differences in the expression of TNF‐α, IL‐12, and ICAM‐1 mRNA between MyD88 KO and WT mice. Thus, MyD88 deficiency did not influence the development of murine tuberculosis. NF‐κB activity was similar in the alveolar macrophages from the lung tissues of MyD88 KO and WT mice. Also, there may be a TLR2‐specific, MyD88‐independent IL‐1 receptor/TLR‐mediated pathway to activate NF‐κB in the host defense against mycobacterial infection.
Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECLAMC): A Model for Health Collaborative Studies

The ECLAMC Program ECLAMC is a network of professionals interested in research and prevention of birth defects. The maternity hospital network of ECLAMC examines around 200,000 consecutive births (500 g or more) per year. All major and minor anomalies diagnosed at birth are registered according to preset definitions given in a procedures manual. Since vital and health statistics are not uniformly reported among South American countries, ECLAMC collects all the required information with a case-control method. The next nonmalformed baby of the same sex born in the same hospital is selected as a control subject for each malformed newborn. Thus, a one-toone healthy control group matched by sex, time and place of birth is obtained. Collected information comprises 80 variables related to genetic and environmental risk factors. The complexity of this information varies from very elementary ones, such as gender or birth weight, to more complex ones, such as prenatal exposures and very intricate information such as family history, mixed ethnicity, or parental consanguinity or nonconsanguinity. Introduction
Can People Share Information Efficiently ?

We study whether individuals form efficient information-sharing networks. In the one-way-flow games that we play, simple strategies that aremyopically optimal lead to an efficient circle network in which information reaches all players. We find that these strategies are played frequently but not often enough. Some participants target the ‘most popular’ players, reducing efficiency for themselves and others. Despite the simplicity of the game, subjects only access information from 3.2 of the 5 other players, and lose 35% of expected payoffs as a result. This suggests that decentralised link formation cannot be fully relied on to efficiently disseminate valuable non-rival information. ∗We would like to thank Johannes Abeler, Antonio Cabrales, Francesco Cecchi, Giacomo De Giorgi, Alain De Janvry, David Huffman, Edoardo Gallo, Jessica Goldberg, Sanjeev Goyal, Kelsey Jack, Rachel Kranton, Karen Macours, Jeremy Magruder, Kaivan Munshi, Esteban Ortiz Ospina, Simon Quinn, Elisabeth Sadoulet, Bassel Tarbush, Mateusz Ujma and seminar participants at NEUDC, PACDEV, CSAE, CESifo, Barcelona GSE Summer Forum and FERDI workshop on learning for adopting for useful comments and suggestions. We are indebted to Gaurav Puntambekar for his outstanding management of the project. All mistakes remain naturally ours. This study is an output from research funding by the UKDepartment for International Development (DFID) as part of the iiG, a research programme to study how to improve institutions for pro-poor growth in Africa and South-Asia. The views expressed are not necessarily those of DFID. Stefano Caria further acknowledges financial support from the Economic and Social Research Council, UK. †University of Oxford (stefano.caria@qeh.ox.ac.uk). ‡Stanford University (fafchamp@stanford.edu).