Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Weight Factor Mode and EEMD performance on measuring heart rate activity in the presence of cardiac arrhythmia

In this work we aim at evaluating the performance of our previously proposed method Weight Factor Mode (WFM), which is based on Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD), in the case of cardiac arrhythmia. For this, we have used MIT-BIH Arrhythmia ECG database. Obtained results show high sensitivity detecting the heart rate activity (99.5%). We also found that, in order to achieve highest success rates, WFM requires manual selection of weight factors for each sample.
An exploratory approach to modelling effective connectivity

Previously, sequential equation modelling (SEM) was applied to compute interactions of neural system derived from fMRI, which was understood as confirmatory modelling. In this paper, a data-driven approach with SEM is proposed to explore effective connectivity among brain units. Spatial ICA (independent component analysis) technique is used as an exploratory detection method for activation regions, and is combined with an automated best model search to build a best-fitted path model. This work was demonstrated with the visual-task fMRI data. We conclude by suggesting that this exploratory method will give a more dynamic model for determining the interactions among functional brain network, especially in the event of brain abnormalities.
TIME‐CHANGED ORNSTEIN–UHLENBECK PROCESSES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN COMMODITY DERIVATIVE MODELS

This paper studies subordinate Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) processes, i.e., OU diffusions time changed by Lévy subordinators. We construct their sample path decomposition, show that they possess mean‐reverting jumps, study their equivalent measure transformations, and the spectral representation of their transition semigroups in terms of Hermite expansions. As an application, we propose a new class of commodity models with mean‐reverting jumps based on subordinate OU processes. Further time changing by the integral of a Cox–Ingersoll–Ross process plus a deterministic function of time, we induce stochastic volatility and time inhomogeneity, such as seasonality, in the models. We obtain analytical solutions for commodity futures options in terms of Hermite expansions. The models are consistent with the initial futures curve, exhibit Samuelson's maturity effect, and are flexible enough to capture a variety of implied volatility smile patterns observed in commodities futures options.
Differentially Private Release of Public Transport Data: The Opal Use Case

This document describes the application of a differentially private algorithm to release public transport usage data from Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW), Australia. The data consists of two separate weeks of "tap-on/tap-off" data of individuals who used any of the four different modes of public transport from TfNSW: buses, light rail, train and ferries. These taps are recorded through the smart ticketing system, known as Opal, available in the state of New South Wales, Australia.
Location Based Sleep Scheduling for Target Tracking Applications in Smart Space Environments

This paper describes LocMAC, a new location aware power saving MAC layer for target tracking applications in Smart Space Environments. Target tracking applications focus on providing proximity based local services to mobile users within a fixed deployment of wireless nodes. Conventional wireless sensor MAC layers increase the lifespans of battery powered wireless nodes by scheduling sleep periods for the entire network, which are either of fixed length, or vary based upon current network metrics. LocMAC bases its sleep schedule on the relative physical location of network nodes and allows target tracking service to be guaranteed. It propagates user location updates, and uses this knowledge to perform 'Location Based Sleep Scheduling' (LBSS). LBSS describes the use of wireless node and network target positions to maximise the potential sleep periods. Adding knowledge of user mobility allows those nodes which will not be required by the network application to sleep for longer periods of time, waking up just in time to service network user requirements. The paper describes the operation of LocMAC and compares its performance against existing sleep scheduling MAC protocols through analysis and simulations of typical application scenarios. The results show that LocMAC performs significantly better for target tracking applications and is particularly appropriate for use in future Smart Spaces.
The Need to Decide If All Estrogens Are Intrinsically Similar

We used gene expression profiling to investigate whether the molecular effects induced by estrogens of different provenance are intrinsically similar. In this article we show that the physiologic estrogen 17β-estradiol, the phytoestrogen genistein, and the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol alter the expression of the same 179 genes in the intact immature mouse uterus under conditions where each chemical has produced an equivalent gravimetric and histologic uterotrophic effect, using the standard 3-day assay protocol. Data are also presented indicating the limitations associated with comparison of gene expression profiles for different chemicals at times before the uterotrophic effects are fully realized. We conclude that the case has yet to be made for regarding synthetic estrogens as presenting a unique human hazard compared with phytoestrogens and physiologic estrogens.
Posttraumatic stress reactions in new York City children after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of posttraumatic stress reactions (PTSR) in New York City (NYC) children following the September 11, 2001, attacks and determine the key predictors of PTSR. METHODS Cross-sectional random digit-dial survey in NYC of parents of children 4-17 years old 4 months after the attacks. PTSR in children was measured using the 20-item Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index-Child Revision, with parents as respondents. RESULTS Overall, 18% of NYC children had "severe" or "very severe" PTSR, and 66% had "moderate" PTSR. In a multivariate model, parental posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; odds ratio [OR] = 4.50; P <.01), the parent crying in front of the child (OR = 3.19; P <.001), seeing 3 or more graphic images of the disaster on television (OR = 3.18; P <.01), and living in Manhattan were associated with severe or very severe PTSR in children. CONCLUSIONS A substantial proportion of NYC children had severe or very severe PTSR after September 11, and most children exhibited at least moderate PTSR. These findings suggest an enhanced role for primary care physicians, particularly pediatricians, for screening, treatment, and referral (coupled with appropriate training and reimbursement), especially in light of continued terrorist threats. These findings also have implications for advice that pediatricians can give to parents about limiting disaster-related television exposure and children's need for emotional support.
HIV infection in sexual partners of HIV-seropositive patients with hemophilia.

A 2-year prospective study (October 1985-October 1987) was undertaken of sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by patients with hemophilia to their partners. 31 patients with hemophilia who were seropositive for HIV and their partners who were seronegative for HIV at entry agreed to attend counseling sessions twice a year and completed the study. HIV antibody status and the subjects attitudes toward preventive measures were recorded and the data were reviewed in late 1987. 14 couples always used condoms during intercourse and no seroconversion occurred in this group; the 17 other couples did not adhere to the use of condoms and 3 women (17%) seroconverted. We tested HIV antigen (Abbott Laboratories) in serial serum samples collected during this study from the 17 patients with hemophilia who did not take preventive measures. 3 of the 6 patients who were seropositive infected their partners whereas none of the 11 who were seronegative did so. These data suggest that active viral replication as evidenced by the presence of HIV antigens in serum may correspond to an increased risk of transmission. This limited study of heterosexual transmission of HIV in well-educated self-treating patients with hemophilia raises 2 important issues. The 1st one concerns the risk of HIV transmission by heterosexual contacts. Among the 17 couples who did not use condoms only 3 female sexual partners where infected during this 2-year follow- up all of them by seropositive partners with hemophilia. The 2nd issue raised by this study is the relative ineffectiveness of education and counseling in preventing the transmission of HIV: 17 of the 31 couples of which 1 member was an HIV-seropositive man disregarded counseling aimed at preventing HIV transmission. (full text)
Fuzzy control of Active Queue Management for bursty traffic in heterogeneous networks

We propose Fuzzy Adaptive Active Queue Management Controller (FAAQMC) for dynamic buffer tuning at the router/system-level. The intention of an AQM is to achieve high link utilization without introducing an excessive delay in the End-to-End (E2E) path. For high link utilization it is necessary for queues to adapt to varying traffic loads. The contribution of FAAQMC is to make the Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) buffer overflow controller suitable for application over the Internet, where the traffic(i.e., bursty traffic) can change suddenly and the buffer length always cover the queue length adaptively. The desire to eliminate the overestimation effect of standard fuzzy arithmetic in the case of Internet traffic burstiness and preserve the FAAQMC merits the use of this adaptation and learning mechanism.
Effect of an indwelling pleural catheter vs chest tube and talc pleurodesis for relieving dyspnea in patients with malignant pleural effusion: the TIME2 randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT Malignant pleural effusion causes disabling dyspnea in patients with a short life expectancy. Palliation is achieved by fluid drainage, but the most effective first-line method has not been determined. OBJECTIVE To determine whether indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are more effective than chest tube and talc slurry pleurodesis (talc) at relieving dyspnea. DESIGN Unblinded randomized controlled trial (Second Therapeutic Intervention in Malignant Effusion Trial [TIME2]) comparing IPC and talc (1:1) for which 106 patients with malignant pleural effusion who had not previously undergone pleurodesis were recruited from 143 patients who were treated at 7 UK hospitals. Patients were screened from April 2007-February 2011 and were followed up for a year. INTERVENTION Indwelling pleural catheters were inserted on an outpatient basis, followed by initial large volume drainage, education, and subsequent home drainage. The talc group were admitted for chest tube insertion and talc for slurry pleurodesis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Patients completed daily 100-mm line visual analog scale (VAS) of dyspnea over 42 days after undergoing the intervention (0 mm represents no dyspnea and 100 mm represents maximum dyspnea; 10 mm represents minimum clinically significant difference). Mean difference was analyzed using a mixed-effects linear regression model adjusted for minimization variables. RESULTS Dyspnea improved in both groups, with no significant difference in the first 42 days with a mean VAS dyspnea score of 24.7 in the IPC group (95% CI, 19.3-30.1 mm) and 24.4 mm (95% CI, 19.4-29.4 mm) in the talc group, with a difference of 0.16 mm (95% CI, −6.82 to 7.15; P = .96). There was a statistically significant improvement in dyspnea in the IPC group at 6 months, with a mean difference in VAS score between the IPC group and the talc group of −14.0 mm (95% CI, −25.2 to −2.8 mm; P = .01). Length of initial hospitalization was significantly shorter in the IPC group with a median of 0 days (interquartile range [IQR], 0-1 day) and 4 days (IQR, 2-6 days) for the talc group, with a difference of −3.5 days (95% CI, −4.8 to −1.5 days; P < .001). There was no significant difference in quality of life. Twelve patients (22%) in the talc group required further pleural procedures compared with 3 (6%) in the IPC group (odds ratio [OR], 0.21; 95% CI, 0.04-0.86; P = .03). Twenty-one of the 52 patients in the catheter group experienced adverse events vs 7 of 54 in the talc group (OR, 4.70; 95% CI, 1.75-12.60; P = .002). CONCLUSION Among patients with malignant pleural effusion and no previous pleurodesis, there was no significant difference between IPCs and talc pleurodesis at relieving patient-reported dyspnea. TRIAL REGISTRATION isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN87514420.
Title Putting Together the Big Picture : Remote-Sensing Observations of Ocean Color Permalink

Observations of ocean color from space have been part of the U.S. JGOFS strategy for discerning temporal and spatial variations in upper-ocean productivity on the global scale since the first planning workshops for a U.S. global ocean flux program (National Academy of Sciences, 1984). From the start, remote measurements of near-surface chlorophyll a concentrations were envisaged as the major tool for extrapolating upper-ocean chemical and biological measurements in time and space and linking calculations of new and primary production with the flux of particulate material through the water column. In 1986, researchers at the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center published the first monthly composite of images from the Nimbus-7 Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS), an ocean color instrument that had been in orbit since 1978. These images showed basin-scale views of phytoplankton chlorophyll distributions for the first time (Esaias et al., 1986). These new images, coupled with the JGOFS requirement for satellite ocean-color measurements, rejuvenated interest at NASA and other space agencies in launching successors to the CZCS. CZCS stopped operating during 1986. By spring 1988, when the initial planning workshop for the international North Atlantic Bloom Experiment (NABE) was held, it was apparent that data from a new sensor would not be available for the first JGOFS field program, scheduled to begin in the North Atlantic in spring 1989. Because of launch delays and other technical problems, the next ocean-color instrument, the Seaviewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS), was not launched into space until August 1997. Thus satellite ocean-color observations were available only for the Antarctic Environment and Southern Ocean Process Study (AESOPS), the final U.S. JGOFS field program. Putting Together the Big Picture: Remote-sensing Observations of Ocean Color SPECIAL ISSUE – JGOFS
Selective inhibition of inducible cyclooxygenase 2 in vivo is antiinflammatory and nonulcerogenic.

We have examined the role of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in a model of inflammation in vivo. Carrageenan administration to the subcutaneous rat air pouch induces a rapid inflammatory response characterized by high levels of prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes in the fluid exudate. The time course of the induction of COX-2 mRNA and protein coincided with the production of PGs in the pouch tissue and cellular infiltrate. Carrageenan-induced COX-2 immunoreactivity was localized to macrophages obtained from the fluid exudate as well as to the inner surface layer of cells within the pouch lining. Dexamethasone inhibited both COX-2 expression and PG synthesis in the fluid exudate but failed to inhibit PG synthesis in the stomach. Furthermore, NS-398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, and indomethacin, a nonselective COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor, blocked proinflammatory PG synthesis in the air pouch. In contrast, only indomethacin blocked gastric PG and, additionally, produced gastric lesions. These results suggest that inhibitors of COX-2 are potent antiinflammatory agents which do not produce the typical side effects (e.g., gastric ulcers) associated with the nonselective, COX-1-directed antiinflammatory drugs.
Spatiotemporally Optimal Fractionation in Radiotherapy

We present a spatiotemporally integrated formulation of the optimal fractionation problem using the standard log-linear-quadratic survival model. Our objective is to choose a fluence map and a number of fractions to maximize the biological effect of tumor dose averaged over its voxels subject to maximum dose, mean dose, and dose-volume constraints for various normal tissues. Constraints are expressed in biologically effective dose equivalents. We propose an efficient convex programming method to approximately solve the resulting computationally difficult model. Through extensive computer simulations on 10 head-and-neck and prostate cancer test cases with a broad range of radiobiological parameters, we compare the biological effect on tumors obtained by our integrated approach relative to that from two other models. The first is a traditional intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) fluence map optimization model that does not optimize the number of fractions. The second assumes that a fluence map is a.
fear of intimacy encodes a novel transmembrane protein required for gonad morphogenesis in Drosophila

Gonad formation requires specific interactions between germ cells and specialized somatic cells, along with the elaborate morphogenetic movements of these cells to create an ovary or testis. We have identified mutations in the fear of intimacy (foi) gene that cause defects in the formation of the embryonic gonad in Drosophila. foi is of particular interest because it affects gonad formation without affecting gonad cell identity, and is therefore specifically required for the morphogenesis of this organ. foi is also required for tracheal branch fusion during tracheal development. E-cadherin/shotgun is similarly required for both gonad coalescence and tracheal branch fusion, suggesting that E-cadherin and FOI cooperate to mediate these processes. foi encodes a member of a novel family of transmembrane proteins that includes the closely related human protein LIV1. Our findings that FOI is a cell-surface protein required in the mesoderm for gonad morphogenesis shed light on the function of this new family of proteins and on the molecular mechanisms of organogenesis.
Can dieting cause an eating disorder?

Although claims that the eating disorders have reached epidemic proportions in the West are clearly exaggerated (Fairburn & Beglin, 1990), anorexia and bulimia nervosa are among the commonest psychiatric disorders to affect young women in Western societies (Whitaker et al. 1990; Kendler et al. 1991). Because of the high morbidity and mortality associated with these disorders (for reviews see Hsu, 1990, 1991), there is no cause for complacency, and continued research into their pathogenesis, treatment and outcome is needed.
Heterogeneous ageing of skeletal muscle microvascular function

The distribution of blood flow to skeletal muscle during exercise is altered with advancing age. Changes in arteriolar function that are muscle specific underlie age‐induced changes in blood flow distribution. With advancing age, functional adaptations that occur in resistance arterioles from oxidative muscles differ from those that occur in glycolytic muscles. Age‐related adaptations of morphology, as well as changes in both endothelial and vascular smooth muscle signalling, differ in muscle of diverse fibre type. Age‐induced endothelial dysfunction has been reported in most skeletal muscle arterioles; however, unique alterations in signalling contribute to the dysfunction in arterioles from oxidative muscles as compared with those from glycolytic muscles. In resistance arterioles from oxidative muscle, loss of nitric oxide signalling contributes significantly to endothelial dysfunction, whereas in resistance arterioles from glycolytic muscle, alterations in both nitric oxide and prostanoid signalling underlie endothelial dysfunction. Similarly, adaptations of the vascular smooth muscle that occur with advancing age are heterogeneous between arterioles from oxidative and glycolytic muscles. In both oxidative and glycolytic muscle, late‐life exercise training reverses age‐related microvascular dysfunction, and exercise training appears to be particularly effective in reversing endothelial dysfunction. Patterns of microvascular ageing that develop among muscles of diverse fibre type and function may be attributable to changing patterns of physical activity with ageing. Importantly, aerobic exercise training, initiated even at an advanced age, restores muscle blood flow distribution patterns and vascular function in old animals to those seen in their young counterparts.
Emissions of Sulfur Trioxide from Coal-Fired Power Plants

Abstract Emissions of sulfur trioxide (SO3) are a key component of plume opacity and acid deposition. Consequently, these emissions need to be low enough to not cause opacity violations and acid deposition. Generally, a small fraction of sulfur (S) in coal is converted to SO3 in coal-fired combustion devices such as electric utility boilers. The emissions of SO3 from such a boiler depend on coal S content, combustion conditions, flue gas characteristics, and air pollution devices being used. It is well known that the catalyst used in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology for nitrogen oxides control oxidizes a small fraction of sulfur dioxide in the flue gas to SO3. The extent of this oxidation depends on the catalyst formulation and SCR operating conditions. Gas-phase SO3 and sulfuric acid, on being quenched in plant equipment (e.g., air preheater and wet scrubber), result in fine acidic mist, which can cause increased plume opacity and undesirable emissions. Recently, such effects have been observed at plants firing high-S coal and equipped with SCR systems and wet scrubbers. This paper investigates the factors that affect acidic mist production in coal-fired electric utility boilers and discusses approaches for mitigating emission of this mist.
Activity and safety of dose‐adjusted infusional cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy with rituximab in very elderly patients with poor‐prognostic untreated diffuse large B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess the activity and safety of dose‐adjusted infusional cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy with rituximab (DA‐POCH‐R) in elderly patients with poor‐prognostic untreated diffuse large B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS: From April 2006 to November 2009, 23 patients, aged ≥70 years, with an age‐adjusted International Prognostic Index (IPI) of 2 or 3, were enrolled. Only patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50% were allowed. The DA‐POCH‐R regimen was administered every 3 weeks for a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 cycles. RESULTS: Median patient age was 77 years (range, 70‐90 years); 83% of patients had Ann Arbor stage III to IV disease. Median LVEF at baseline was 62%. Four (17%) patients had a history of abnormal cardiovascular conditions. Twenty‐one (91%) patients were evaluable for response. The overall response rate was 90%, with a complete response rate of 57%. The 3‐year overall survival and event‐free survival rates were 56% and 54%, respectively. Neutropenia (48%) was the most frequent grade 3 to 4 adverse event (AE); no grade 3 to 4 cardiac AEs were observed. CONCLUSIONS: DA‐POCH‐R was an active and safe combination therapy for patients aged ≥70 years with poor‐prognostic untreated DLBCL. This regimen was a reasonable alternative for elderly patients who were not considered to tolerate standard R‐CHOP treatment. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.