Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards computer game aesthetics

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Numeric Analysis for Relationship-Aware Scalable Streaming Scheme

Frequent packet loss of media data is a critical problem that degrades the quality of streaming services over mobile networks. Packet loss invalidates frames containing lost packets and other related frames at the same time. Indirect loss caused by losing packets decreases the quality of streaming. A scalable streaming service can decrease the amount of dropped multimedia resulting from a single packet loss. Content providers typically divide one large media stream into several layers through a scalable streaming service and then provide each scalable layer to the user depending on the mobile network. Also, a scalable streaming service makes it possible to decode partial multimedia data depending on the relationship between frames and layers. Therefore, a scalable streaming service provides a way to decrease the wasted multimedia data when one packet is lost. However, the hierarchical structure between frames and layers of scalable streams determines the service quality of the scalable streaming service. Even if whole packets of layers are transmitted successfully, they cannot be decoded as a result of the absence of reference frames and layers. Therefore, the complicated relationship between frames and layers in a scalable stream increases the volume of abandoned layers. For providing a high-quality scalable streaming service, we choose a proper relationship between scalable layers as well as the amount of transmitted multimedia data depending on the network situation. We prove that a simple scalable scheme outperforms a complicated scheme in an error-prone network. We suggest an adaptive set-top box (AdaptiveSTB) to lower the dependency between scalable layers in a scalable stream. Also, we provide a numerical model to obtain the indirect loss of multimedia data and apply it to various multimedia streams. Our AdaptiveSTB enhances the quality of a scalable streaming service by removing indirect loss.
A CMOS transceiver for IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN applications

A fully integrated 2.4/5 GHz transceiver for IEEE 802.11a/b/g WLAN standards implemented in a 0.18um CMOS technology is presented. The IC employs fully integrated dual-conversion architecture without a SAW filter. The receiver chain achieves an overall 2.5dB and 3.5dB NF at 2.4/5 GHz respectively and provides over 100dB gain range. The transmitter delivers +5dBm output P1dB with an output power of -5dBm. The phase noise of the fully integrated synthesizer is -106dBc/Hz at 60kHz offset from a 5GHz carrier.
Cone and rod activity in the electroretinogram evoked by double flashes of light.

The electroretinogram (ERG) in the previously dark-adapted human eye evoked by double flashes of light of high intensity and short duration has shown after the first light stimulus a period of more than 500 msec of complete suppression of rod activity. During this period the second light flash evokes only cone components in the ERG. Regression lines calculated for the process of recovery of rod function from suppression indicate exponential recovery, the time constant of this process being 0.55 second. Time constant of the same order of magnitude was calculated both for the recovery of the a-wave and that of the total amplitude of the ERG response. However, the process of recovery of the a-wave begins and is completed some 200 msec earlier.
Obstetric complications and schizophrenia: A meta-analysis

Background This systematic review of the association between schizophrenia and obstetric complications (OCs) was performed to assess the degree of heterogeneity between studies and to quantify the increased risk of schizophrenia in exposed subjects. Method Twenty case-control, one prospective cohort and two historical cohort studies were identified using a medline search supplemented by a manual search and direct communication with other researchers. Individual odds ratios were calculated for each study and a pooled estimate produced. The effect of methodological variation between studies was further assessed by partitioning studies according to study characteristics. Results Overall, there was no significant heterogeneity of effect between studies, and the pooled odds ratio for the exposure to OCs on subsequent development of schizophrenia was 2.0 (95% CI 1.6–2.4). However, partitioning according to study design revealed significant heterogeneity (z = –2.60, P < 0.01) between the pooled estimate from the case-control studies and that from the historical cohort studies. There was a gap on the funnel plot in the region of small studies finding no effect. Conclusions Although the result indicates that subjects exposed to OCs are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia, the analysis suggests that the observed association could be inflated by both selection and publication biases.
Magnitude and return time of the reflected wave: the effects of large artery stiffness and aortic geometry

Background: Increased large artery stiffness is a major determinant of systolic pressure and indicator of cardiovascular events. The reflected wave, its arrival time (return time) and magnitude, contributes to systolic pressure, and is a supposed indicator of aortic stiffness. With aortic stiffening, the return time is assumed to decrease inversely with PWV as 2L/PWV, where L is the aortic length. However, several studies reported that the inflection point of aortic pressure, a surrogate of return time, varies little with aortic stiffness. Methods: We studied the effects of aortic stiffness on wave reflection in an anatomically accurate arterial model. Return time is time difference of forward, Pf, and backward, Pb, pressure. Return time, inflection and shoulder points, augmentation index, and reflection magnitude (Pb/Pf) were calculated by standard rules. Results: Peripheral resistance does not affect reflection directly, but only through pressure (stiffness) changes. Magnitude of reflected waves depend about equally on aortic geometry (taper, branches) and distal aortic reflection. Therefore, relations of augmentation index and reflection magnitude with stiffness are nonlinear and complex; augmentation index is most sensitive to stiffness. Between PWV 6 and 12 m/s, representing ages of 20–80 years, return time and inflection and shoulder points change differently with stiffness and PWV cannot be derived from them. Pulse pressure is strongly dependent on aortic stiffness. Taper changes return time by a factor 2, but has little effect on reflection magnitude, augmentation index, and inflection point. Conclusion: Accurate quantitative information on arterial stiffness cannot be obtained from reflection parameters. The augmentation index is most sensitive to stiffness changes.
Extremely Scalable Algorithm for 108-atom Quantum Material Simulation on the Full System of the K Computer

An extremely scalable linear-algebraic algorithm was developed for quantum material simulation (electronic state calculation) with 108 atoms or 100-nm-scale materials. The mathematical foundation is generalized shifted linear equations ((zB — A)x = b), instead of conventional generalized eigenvalue equations. The method has a highly parallelizable mathematical structure. The benchmark shows an extreme strong scaling and a qualified time-to-solution on the full system of the K computer. The method was demonstrated in a real material research for ultra-flexible (organic) devices, key devices of next-generation Internet-of-Things (IoT) products. The present paper shows that an innovative scalable algorithm for a real research can appear by the co-design among application, algorithm and architecture.
Visceral Crisis Means Short Survival Among Patients With Luminal A Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background Patients with visceral crisis from luminal metastatic breast cancer (mBC) are often treated with palliative chemotherapy. No studies have analyzed the aggressiveness of the care in visceral crisis from luminal mBC patients. The objective of this study was to assess practices in this setting in a university medical oncology department. Methods This retrospective study included all patients who were managed for luminal mBC between January 2013 and April 2016. The analysis focused on the characteristics of the patients, the modalities of cancer treatment and delays between visceral crisis and death. Results Thirty-five patients pre-treated with two hormonal therapy lines were enrolled retrospectively. Worse performance status and a higher proportion of severe organ dysfunction for luminal mBC were observed among patients with visceral crisis. Sixty-five percent of patients received cytotoxic treatment. One cycle of chemotherapy was administrated in the majority of patients. Palliative care was performed in 35% of patients. Chemotherapy did not have any significant effect on patient outcome in the present study. The mean time between visceral crisis and death was 4.7 weeks (standard deviation = 1.9). Conclusion Our study showed that visceral crisis in patients with luminal mBC is a complex problem. We need more comprehension of molecular pathogenesis to visceral crisis disease to propose efficacious treatments for these patients and to identify subgroup of patients who need chemotherapy followed by maintenance endocrine therapy.
Imputation of repeatedly observed multinomial variables in longitudinal surveys

ABSTRACT It is now a standard practice to replace missing data in longitudinal surveys with imputed values, but there is still much uncertainty about the best approach to adopt. Using data from a real survey, we compared different strategies combining multiple imputation and the chained equations method, the two main objectives being (1) to explore the impact of the explanatory variables in the chained regression equations and (2) to study the effect of imputation on causality between successive waves of the survey. Results were very stable from one simulation to another, and no systematic bias did appear. The critical points of the method lied in the proper choice of covariates and in the respect of the temporal relation between variables.
Randomized trial of a smartphone mobile application compared to text messaging to support smoking cessation.

BACKGROUND Text messaging has successfully supported smoking cessation. This study compares a mobile application with text messaging to support smoking cessation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Young adult smokers 18-30 years old (n = 102) participated in a randomized pretest-posttest trial. Smokers received a smartphone application (REQ-Mobile) with short messages and interactive tools or a text messaging system (onQ), managed by an expert system. Self-reported usability of REQ-Mobile and quitting behavior (quit attempts, point-prevalence, 30-day point-prevalence, and continued abstinence) were assessed in posttests. RESULTS Overall, 60% of smokers used mobile services (REQ-Mobile, 61%, mean of 128.5 messages received; onQ, 59%, mean of 107.8 messages), and 75% evaluated REQ-Mobile as user-friendly. A majority of smokers reported being abstinent at posttest (6 weeks, 53% of completers; 12 weeks, 66% of completers [44% of all cases]). Also, 37% (25%of all cases) reported 30-day point-prevalence abstinence, and 32% (22% of all cases) reported continuous abstinence at 12 weeks. OnQ produced more abstinence (p<0.05) than REQ-Mobile. Use of both services predicted increased 30-day abstinence at 12 weeks (used, 47%; not used, 20%; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS REQ-Mobile was feasible for delivering cessation support but appeared to not move smokers to quit as quickly as text messaging. Text messaging may work better because it is simple, well known, and delivered to a primary inbox. These advantages may disappear as smokers become more experienced with new handsets. Mobile phones may be promising delivery platforms for cessation services using either smartphone applications or text messaging.
Intent-Estimation- and Motion-Model-Based Collision Avoidance Method for Autonomous Vehicles in Urban Environments

Existing collision avoidance methods for autonomous vehicles, which ignore the driving intent of detected vehicles, thus, cannot satisfy the requirements for autonomous driving in urban environments because of their high false detection rates of collisions with vehicles on winding roads and the missed detection rate of collisions with maneuvering vehicles. This study introduces an intent-estimation- and motion-model-based (IEMMB) method to address these disadvantages. First, a state vector is constructed by combining the road structure and the moving state of detected vehicles. A Gaussian mixture model is used to learn the maneuvering patterns of vehicles from collected data, and the patterns are used to estimate the driving intent of the detected vehicles. Then, a desirable long-term trajectory is obtained by weighting time and comfort. The long-term trajectory and the short-term trajectory, which are predicted using a constant yaw rate motion model, are fused to achieve an accurate trajectory. Finally, considering the moving state of the autonomous vehicle, collisions can be detected and avoided. Experiments have shown that the intent estimation method performed well, achieving an accuracy of 91.7% on straight roads and an accuracy of 90.5% on winding roads, which is much higher than that achieved by the method that ignores the road structure. The average collision detection distance is increased by more than 8 m. In addition, the maximum yaw rate and acceleration during an evasive maneuver are decreased, indicating an improvement in the driving comfort.
Transient Frequency Response Model-Based Energy Storage Optimum Size in Power Systems

A method for formulating system frequency response (SFR) model-derived frequency indexes into optimum framework of sizing energy storage systems (ESSs) that participate in frequency control in power systems is presented. A novel simplified SFR model, approximating frequency and governor responses with quadratic and linear functions respectively, is first developed, leading to a fast and accurate computation of the frequency indexes such as frequency deviations. Then, taking the frequency and governor response limit constraints into account, algorithms are proposed to search for optimal size and controller parameters for the ESS during transient frequency control (TFC). The performance of the ESS controllers with optimum parameters (OP) and constant parameters (CP) is evaluated by comparing the frequency and governor responses for wind power fluctuations. The proposed method is found to be more efficient than the CP-based method in attenuating frequency deviations, requiring low energy capacity, and reducing charge/discharge cycles.
Direct medical cost of overweight and obesity in the USA: a quantitative systematic review

To estimate per‐person and aggregate direct medical costs of overweight and obesity and to examine the effect of study design factors. PubMed (1968–2009), EconLit (1969–2009) and Business Source Premier (1995–2009) were searched for original studies. Results were standardized to compute the incremental cost per overweight person and per obese person, and to compute the national aggregate cost. A total of 33 US studies met review criteria. Among the four highest‐quality studies, the 2008 per‐person direct medical cost of overweight was $266 and of obesity was $1723. The aggregate national cost of overweight and obesity combined was $113.9 billion. Study design factors that affected cost estimates included use of national samples vs. more selected populations, age groups examined, inclusion of all medical costs vs. obesity‐related costs only, and body mass index cut‐offs for defining overweight and obesity. Depending on the source of total national healthcare expenditures used, the direct medical cost of overweight and obesity combined is approximately 5.0% to 10% of US healthcare spending. Future studies should include nationally representative samples, evaluate adults of all ages, report all medical costs and use standard body mass index cut‐offs.
Prostate cancer patients with BRCA2 mutation face poor survival

Survival among patients with prostate cancer who have a mutation of the BRCA2 gene is poor, with only one in four known carriers of the mutation alive 10 years after diagnosis. The median survival from diagnosis among men with the mutation is four years, finds a new study, whose authors say it may be important to develop chemotherapies targeted at such men ( British Journal of Cancer doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604453). “The survival …
Development of nodding detection using neural network based on communication characteristics

In order to communicate smoothly, human does not only use verbal information but also use non-verbal information such as nodding. Nodding can be defined as the action of moving the head vertically up-and-down rhythmically. Nodding plays a huge role as a form of non-verbal information to show approval, agreement or understanding during communications. However, a system to detect nodding action where the head motion and voice rhythm are integrated has not been proposed. Therefore, in this paper, we developed a nodding detection using Neural Network based on the communication characteristics of the head motion and voice rhythm. Initially, the voice data of the speaker side and the head motion of the listener side are measured. The human nodding is detected by measured data using NN.
Muscular adaptations to computer-guided strength training with eccentric overload.

AIMS In order to investigate the muscular adaptations to a novel form of strength training, 18 male untrained subjects performed 4 weeks of low resistance-high repetition knee extension exercise. METHODS Nine of them trained on a conventional weight resistance device (Leg curler, CON/ECC group), with loads equivalent to 30% of the concentric one-repetition maximum (1RM) for both the concentric and eccentric phase of movement. The other nine trained on a newly developed computer-driven device (CON/ECC-OVERLOAD group) with the concentric load equivalent to 30% of the concentric 1RM and the eccentric load equivalent to 30% of the eccentric 1RM. RESULTS Training resulted in significantly (P < or = 0.05) increased peak torque and a tendency (P=0.092) to increased muscle cross-sectional area for the CON/ECC-OVERLOAD but not the CON/ECC group, while strength endurance capacity was significantly (P < or = 0.05) increased in the CON/ECC group only. RT-PCR revealed significantly increased myosin heavy chain (MHC) IIa and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) A mRNAs, a tendency for increased MHC IIx mRNA (P = 0.056) and high correlations between the changes in MHC IIx and LDH A mRNAs (r=0.97, P=0.001) in the CON/ECC-OVERLOAD group. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate a shift towards a more type II dominated gene expression pattern in the vasti laterales muscles of the CON/ECC-OVERLOAD group in response to training. We suggest that the increased eccentric load in the CON/ECC-OVERLOAD training leads to distinct adaptations towards a stronger, faster muscle.
The Sum of Serial Correlations of Waiting and System Times in GI/G/1 Queues

We develop an expression for the sum of the serial correlation coefficients for time in system or waiting time for successive customers in a GI/G/1 queue. In our approach the interarrival time distribution is represented in terms of a class Kr distribution with a rational Laplace-Stieltjes transform. Thus Erlang, hyperexponential, and weighted sum-of-Erlang arrivals are treated exactly and approximate results can be found for other distributions. We present computed results for some Erlang/Erlang systems.
Controlling nanopore size, shape and stability

Solid-state nanopores are considered a promising tool for the study of biological polymers such as DNA and RNA, due largely to their flexibility in size, potential in device integration and robustness. Here, we show that the precise shape of small nanopores (∼5 nm diameter in 20 nm SiN membranes) can be controlled by using transmission electron microscope (TEM) beams of different sizes. However, when some of these small nanopores are immersed in an aqueous solution, their resistance is observed to decrease over time. By comparing nanopores of different shapes using (scanning) TEM both before and after immersion in aqueous solution, we demonstrate that the stability of small nanopores is related to their three-dimensional geometry, which depends on the TEM beam size employed during pore fabrication. Optimal stability is obtained using a TEM beam size of approximately the same size as the intended nanopore diameter. In addition, we show that thermal oxidation can serve as a means to independently control nanopore size following TEM fabrication. These observations provide key guidelines for the fabrication of stable solid-state nanopores on the scale of nucleic acids and small proteins.
Generation of tetrapterous butterfly attractors from Lorenz system

A novel approach for generating real tetrapterous butterfly attractors from Lorenz system is proposed in this paper. The key strategy is to create two additional index-2 equilibrium points by introducing a single pulse function to the third equation of Lorenz system. The evolutions of the strange tetrapterous butterfly attractor are investigated. Furthermore, two coexisting dipterous attractors under different initial conditions are also found. Both the numerical simulations and experimental results demonstrate that the generations of the tetrapterous butterfly attractors by utilizing this control method in Lorenz system are effective.
Paracrine communication in the anterior pituitary as studied in reaggregate cell cultures

The classical image of the endocrine system is that secretory function of a gland is regulated from outside that gland by other organs. Focused on the pituitary gland, hormone secretion by the anterior lobe is under control of peptides and biogenic amines produced by the hypothalamus. About a decade ago, our group launched the new idea that functioning of the anterior pituitary (AP) is also regulated from within, i.e., that the constituent cell types inter‐communicate to control hormone secretion. Extensive in vitro research has now provided a body of evidence that paracrine communication plays an important role, not only in regulation of hormone secretion but also in development, growth, and differentiation of the AP [reviewed in Denef (1994) The Pituitary Gland, pp. 351–378]. It further revealed that crosstalk between the cells is mediated by local, paracrine, factors. The main objective of our research is to identify those factors, their actions and the producing and target cell type(s) in order to unravel the paracrine communication network that is functional in the AP. Equally important, we set the step towards in vivo examination of the results obtained in vitro using transgenic mice. In the present article, we will review the technology used, three examples of AP cell‐to‐cell interactions studied, and we will discuss the value of transgenic animal models in the study of AP paracrine communication. Microsc. Res. Tech. 39:150–156, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.