Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Excimer Laser Surgery: Biometrical Iris Eye Recognition with Cyclorotational Control Eye Tracker System

A prospective comparative study assessing the importance of the intra-operative dynamic rotational tracking—especially in the treatment of astigmatisms in corneal refractive Excimer laser correction—concerning clinical outcomes is presented. The cyclotorsion from upright to supine position was measured using iris image comparison. The Group 1 of patients was additionally treated with cyclorotational control and Group 2 only with X-Y control. Significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the mean postoperative cylinder refraction (p < 0.05). The mean cyclotorsion can be calculated to 3.75° with a standard deviation of 3.1°. The total range of torsion was from −14.9° to +12.6°. Re-treatment rate was 2.2% in Group 1 and 8.2% in Group 2, which is highly significant (p < 0.01). The investigation confirms that the dynamic rotational tracking system used for LASIK results in highly predictable refraction quality with significantly less postoperative re-treatments.
A QoE-Aware Scheduler for HTTP Progressive Video in OFDMA Systems

HTTP progressive video downloading is becoming increasingly relevant in wireless and mobile networks. Therefore, improving the quality of experience (QoE) for this service is important for customer satisfaction. In this letter we propose a QoE-aware scheduling solution for the HTTP progressive video downloading in OFDMA systems. Whereas most scheduling strategies consider QoS metrics such as delay, jitter or throughput, our proposal takes into account a metric that directly affects the end-users experience. In particular, we propose to use an estimation of the amount of video data stored in the player buffer as the main criterion for resource assignment. The ultimate goal of using this criterion is the avoidance of playback interruptions. In particular, we have evaluated this scheduler in an LTE network simulator for the YouTube service, which is the most visited HTTP video streaming site. Our results show a significant improvement compared to the Multicarrier Proportional Fair scheduler, e.g. the number of videos with pauses decrease from 16.1% to 0% for 12 Mbps of cell offered load.
Role and therapeutic potential of PI3K‐mTOR signaling in de novo resistance to BRAF inhibition

BRAF inhibition is highly active in BRAF‐mutant melanoma, but the degree and duration of responses is quite variable. Improved understanding of the mechanisms of de novo resistance may lead to rational therapeutic strategies with improved efficacy. Proteomic analysis of BRAF‐mutant, PTEN‐wild‐type human melanoma cell lines treated with PLX4720 demonstrated that sensitive and de novo resistant lines exhibit similar RAS‐RAF‐MEK‐ERK pathway inhibition, but the resistant cells exhibited durable activation of S6 and P70S6K. Treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin blocked activation of P70S6K and S6, but it also increased activation of AKT and failed to induce cell death. Combined treatment with rapamycin and PX‐866, a PI3K inhibitor, blocked the activation of S6 and AKT and resulted in marked cell death when combined with PLX4720. The results support the rationale for combined targeting of BRAF and the PI3K‐AKT pathways and illustrate how target selection will be critical to such strategies.
Study of the characteristic impedance of gap waveguide microstrip line realized with square metal pins

This paper addresses how to define the numerical ports in the gap waveguide microstrip line, and also a study of its characteristic impedance when the parallel-plate stopband is realized by using metal pins. The results presented here are produced using commercially available EM simulators. The paper also includes a study of how to minimize the effect of the transverse locations of the pin structure under the microstrip line, relative to the location of the strip.
3D beamforming: Performance improvement for cellular networks

The beam pattern of a mobile communication base station has significant impact on the performance of a cellular network. Three-dimensional (3D) beamforming combines the horizontal beam pattern adaptation, as applied for beamforming and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) schemes, with a vertical antenna pattern adaptation. The recent availability of new flexible antenna techniques enables a fully dynamic antenna pattern adaptation which can be specified per resource block and user equipment (UE), and makes 3D beamforming practically feasible. This paper describes the basic principles of 3D beamforming, including the impact of downtilt adaptation on the physical layer as well as the potential of its combination with beam coordination involving the media access control (MAC) layer. Our investigations assumed the vertical main lobe of the beam pattern was geometrically pointed towards the UE. We discuss a number of different realization options and simulation results including a Bell Labs field trial with vertical beam steering. Using wireless systems with state of the art Long Term Evolution (LTE) signal format and including the lightRadio™ antenna array, our trials in the Stuttgart testbed verified the basic predicted properties and potential advantages of 3D beamforming.
An induction principle for nested datatypes in intensional type theory

Nested datatypes are families of datatypes that are indexed over all types such that the constructors may relate different family members (unlike the homogeneous lists). Moreover, the argument types of the constructors refer to indices given by expressions in which the family name may occur. Especially in this case of true nesting, termination of functions that traverse these data structures is far from being obvious. A joint paper with A. Abel and T. Uustalu (Theor. Comput. Sci., 333 (1–2), 2005, pp. 3–66) proposed iteration schemes that guarantee termination not by structural requirements but just by polymorphic typing. They are generic in the sense that no specific syntactic form of the underlying datatype “functor” is required. However, there was no induction principle for the verification of the programs thus obtained, although they are well known in the usual model of initial algebras on endofunctor categories. The new contribution is a representation of nested datatypes in intensional type theory (more specifically, in the calculus of inductive constructions) that is still generic and covers true nesting, guarantees termination of all expressible programs, and has an induction principle that allows to prove functoriality of monotonicity witnesses (maps for nested datatypes) and naturality properties of iteratively defined polymorphic functions.
La contaminación humana por mercurio: un sistema de determinantes socioespaciales a orillas del río Beni (Amazonía boliviana)

El presente articulo tiene como objetivo presentar los resultados obtenidos durante una investigacion realizada entre los anos 2005 y 2010, en la Amazonia boliviana. Diversos estudios a lo largo del rio Beni han ensenado la presencia de mercurio en el medio ambiente, un potente neurotoxico. Convertido en su forma organica (llamado metilmercurio), este metal se acumula a lo largo de la cadena trofica acuatica, exponiendo a las poblaciones humanas consumidoras de pescado a un riesgo sanitario. Sin embargo, no todas las poblaciones riberenas estan expuestas de igual manera frente al riesgo. Esto se debe a que el consumo de pescado varia segun una serie de factores y determinantes, tanto espaciales como sociales, ligados mayormente a la relacion de las personas con los centros urbanos (los municipios). La relacion depende de la distancia entre las comunidades (en las cuales se agrupan las familias estudiadas) y el municipio; tambien depende de la capacidad de las comunidades de tejer redes con actores institucionales y de la coherencia de los territorios en los cuales se inscriben. Estos conocimientos constituyen una base para formular politicas de prevencion del riesgo, adaptados al contexto.
Systolic mitral annulus velocity is a sensitive index for changes in left ventricular systolic function during inotropic therapy in patients with acute heart failure

Background: Echocardiography is recommended for assessment of left ventricular systolic function in patients with acute heart failure but few randomised trials have validated techniques like tissue Doppler (TDI) and speckle tracking (STE) in patients with acute heart failure following ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Methods: This was a substudy from the LEAF (LEvosimendan in Acute heart Failure following myocardial infarction) trial (NCT00324766 ), which randomised 61 patients developing acute heart failure, including cardiogenic shock, within 48 hours after ST-elevation myocardial infarction, double-blind to a 25-hour infusion of levosimendan or placebo. TDI-derived systolic mitral annulus velocity (S′), STE-derived global longitudinal strain (Sl) and strain rate (SRl) were measured at baseline, day 1, day 5 and after 42 days. Results: Datasets rejected for analyses were 2% (TDI) and 17% (STE). S′ increased by 23% in the levosimendan group versus 8% in the placebo group from baseline to day 1 (p= 0.011) and by 30% vs. 3% from baseline to day 5 (p <0.0005). Significant, but less pronounced, improvements in global Sl (p = 0.025 and p = 0.032) and in global SRl (p = 0.046 and p = 0.001) in favour of levosimendan were also present. Conclusion: S′ by TDI and STE-derived Sl and SRl were sensitive indices for changes in left ventricular systolic function related to treatment with levosimendan. However, S′ by TDI was more feasible and sensitive and might be preferred for assessment of changes in left ventricular systolic function in critically ill patients with acute heart failure receiving inotropic therapy.
Evolutionary games, climate and the generation of diversity

Environmental stochasticity and climate affect outcomes in evolutionary games, which can thereby affect biological diversity. Our maximum likelihood (ML) estimates of replicator dynamics for morph frequency data from control (25 years) and three experimentally perturbed populations (14 years) of side-blotched lizards yield a 3 × 3 payoff matrix in the generalized Rock-Paper-Scissors family; it has intransitive best replies, and each strategy is its own worst reply. ML estimates indicate significant interactive effects of density and temperature on morph frequency. Implied dynamics feature a powerful interior attractor and recover (for the first time) observed 4-5 year oscillations. Our evolutionary experiment on morph frequency confirms that oscillations are driven by frequency dependent selection, but climate entrains the cycles across the perturbed and control populations within 10 generations. Applying the model across the species range, we find that climate also accounts for morph fixation and mating system diversity, suggesting climate may similarly impact ecosystem diversity.
Modular emulators of memristors and other higher-order elements from Chua’s periodical table

The paper presents a set of black-box modules for emulating higher-order elements (HOEs) from Chuás periodical table, based on special mutators. For the emulation of arbitrary HOE, four kinds of modules with various directions of movement across the table are necessary: one for horizontal direction, one for vertical direction, and two for diagonal directions. Another four mutators are needed in order to overcome the potential conflict of ideal sources if the same types are connected together. Overall eight kinds of modules are used. Their proper cascade connection can serve for emulating arbitrary elements from Chua's table.
HIV incidence and sexually transmitted disease prevalence associated with condom use: a population study in Rakai, Uganda

ObjectiveEvidence of condom effectiveness for HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention is based primarily on high-risk populations. We examined condom effectiveness in a general population with high HIV prevalence in rural Africa. MethodsData were from a randomized community trial in Rakai, Uganda. Condom usage information was obtained prospectively from 17 264 sexually active individuals aged 15–59 years over a period of 30 months. HIV incidence and STD prevalence was determined for consistent and irregular condom users, compared to non-users. Adjusted rate ratios (RR) of HIV acquisition were estimated by Poisson multivariate regression, and odds ratios of STDs estimated by logistic regression. ResultsOnly 4.4% reported consistent condom use and 16.5% reported inconsistent use during the prior year. Condom use was higher among males, and younger, unmarried and better educated individuals, and those reporting multiple sex partners or extramarital relationships. Consistent condom use significantly reduced HIV incidence [RR, 0.37; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.15–0.88], syphilis [odds ratio (OR), 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53–0.94] and gonorrhea/Chlamydia (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.25–0.97) after adjustment for socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics. Irregular condom use was not protective against HIV or STD and was associated with increased gonorrhea/Chlamydia risk (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.06–1.99). The population attributable fraction of consistent use for prevention of HIV was −4.5% (95% CI, −8.3 to 0.0), due to the low prevalence of consistent use in the population. ConclusionsConsistent condom use provides protection from HIV and STDs, whereas inconsistent use is not protective. Programs must emphasize consistent condom use for HIV and STD prevention.
The Effect of Wheelchair Use on the Quality of Life of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

SUMMARY This pilot study describes the effect of wheelchair use on the quality of life of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), and examines the clinical utility of the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) as an outcome measure for use by occupational therapists. Sixteen hospitalized adults with MS were interviewed using the PIADS. Descriptive comparisons of PIADS subscale scores (competence, adaptability, self-esteem) were conducted for participants using different types of wheelchairs, daily versus non-daily wheelchair users, and participants who required different levels of assistance to propel their wheelchairs. Results suggest that using a wheelchair has a positive impact on the quality of life of persons with MS. The PIADS was found to be clinically useful for exploring person-environment interactions and appears to be well suited to the goals and values of occupational therapy. Recommendations for future research and for incorporating the PIADS into occupational therapy practice are discussed.
The nucleoside diphosphate kinase of Mycobacterium smegmatis: identification of proteins that modulate specificity of nucleoside triphosphate synthesis by the enzyme

We report the purification and characterization of the enzyme nucleoside diphosphate kinase (Ndk) from Mycobacterium smegmatis. The N‐terminus of the enzyme was blocked but an internal sequence showed approx. 70% homology with the same enzymes from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Immobilization of the mycobacterial nucleoside diphosphate kinase on a Sepharose 4B matrix and passing the total cell extract through it revealed four proteins (P70, P65, P60, and P50, respectively) of Mr 70 kDa, 65 kDa, 60 kDa and 50 kDa that were retained by the column. While the proteins of Mr 70 kDa and 50 kDa modulated the activity of Ndk directing it towards GTP synthesis, the 60 kDa protein channelled the specificity of Ndk entirely towards CTP synthesis. The 65 kDa protein modulated the specificity of Ndk directing it entirely towards UTP synthesis. The specificity for such mycobacterial proteins towards NTP synthesis is retained when they are complexed with P. aeruginosa Ndk. We further demonstrate that the P70 protein is pyruvate kinase and that each of the four proteins forms a complex with Ndk and alters its substrate specificity. Given the ubiquitous nature of Ndk in the living cell and its role in maintaining correct ratios of intracellular nucleoside triphosphates, the implications of the occurrence of these complexes have been discussed in relation to the precursor pool for cell wall biosynthesis as well as RNA/DNA synthesis.
How Do Social Defenses Work? A Resource-Dependence Lens on Technology Ventures, Venture Capital Investors, and Corporate Relationships

Interorganizational relationships offer many potential benefits, but they also expose firms to dangers, such as misappropriation, which pull partners apart. This tension between collaboration and competition is central to tie formation, especially for young technology firms that have both a high need for resources and high appropriability of their own resources. Prior work has examined legal and timing defenses that enable interorganizational ties by such low-power firms; we focus here on social defenses. In a longitudinal study of equity tie formation between young firms and established corporate “sharks,” spanning five technology-based industries and 25 years, we unpack the effects of social defenses and find, intriguingly, that centrally positioned third parties are a particularly powerful social defense and that third-party social defenses are especially significant when more traditional defenses are unavailable. We thus offer the insight that third-party chaperones (central venture capital investors) play a key role in helping young firms to mitigate and navigate vulnerabilities while mobilizing resources
La Organización: Los Stakeholders y La Responsabilidad Social (The Organization: Stakeholders and Social Responsibility)

Como pueden las organizaciones llevar prosperidad a los que aun no la han alcanzado? De acuerdo con Cardona (1962), identificar los intereses comunes de empresas e instituciones sociales es el camino para generar bien comun para la sociedad. Y ese bien comun sera mayor cuando las organizaciones trabajan en colaboracion con los individuos y grupos con los cuales tienen una relacion reciproca que cuando actuan solas. Cual es la relacion entre bien comun, responsabilidad social y stakeholders? Crosby y Bryson (2005) dicen que bien comun es el regimen actual o potencial de mutuo beneficio producido a traves del cuidadoso analisis de los stakeholders. Pocos autores han estudiado la relacion entre empresa y bien comun (Ardangona, 1998; Montushi, 2007); sus trabajos se encaminan a mostrar como el bien comun impuesto por el Estado es la base de la teoria de los stakeholders. En este articulo se muestra como mas alla de dicha teoria y de la responsabilidad social, las empresas, al ser parte de un contexto social, contribuyen a la conformacion de un bien comun con sus stakeholders, de manera conjunta, lo que les permite interactuar con la sociedad con la cual cohabitan.
Reward Functions and Cooperative Games: Characterization and Economic Application

In this paper we study network structures in which the possibilities for cooperation are restricted and the benefits of a group of players depend on how these players are internally connected. One way to represent this type of situations is the so-called reward function, which represents the profits obtainable by the total coalition if links can be used to coordinate agents' actions. For any cooperative game, a reward function is associated. Given a reward function, our aim is to analyze under which conditions it is possible to associate a cooperative game to it. We characterize the reward function by means of two conditions, component permanence and component additivity, in order to determine whether there exists or not a cooperative game associated to it. An economic application is shown to illustrate the main theoretical result. Data from Catalan firms is used to compute the reward function on the set of communication networks determined by firms, customers, distributors and suppliers.
Ancient Town and City Sites: A View from the Microscope

Archaeological studies concerned with reconstructing activity areas, room functions, and site-formation processes can benefit greatly from analyses of the microartifacts found on and within occupation surfaces. These remains are often primary refuse directly related to activities, and can be used to identify such locations as food-preparation areas, flint-knapping stations, and storage facilities. In addition, certain microartifacts are informative about site-formation processes. For example, the grain-size distribution of charcoal may be indicative of primary vs. secondary refuse, high percentages of corroded and crushed bone from scavenger feces may indicate locations of secondary refuse, and many small sherds could point to heavily trampled areas. A case study from the Iron Age city site of Tel Miqne-Ekron in central Israel demonstrates the use of microarchaeology at a complex sedentary site.
VHDL implementation of Discrete Hartley Transform using Urdhwa multiplier

Discrete Hartley Transform (DHT) is one of the transform used for converting data in time domain into frequency domain using only real values. DHT can be used for highly modular and parallel processing of data in VLSI applications. We have proposed a new algorithm for calculating DHT of length 2N, where N=3 and 4. We have implemented multiplier as an improvement in place of simple multiplication used in conventional DHT. This paper gives a comparison between conventional DHT algorithm and proposed DHT algorithm in terms of delays and area.
Haplotype-Based Association Studies of IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 with Prostate and Breast Cancer Risk: The Multiethnic Cohort

Collective evidence suggests that the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays a role in prostate and breast cancer risk. IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) are the principal regulatory molecules that modulate IGF-I bioavailability in the circulation and tissues. To examine whether inherited differences in the IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 genes influence prostate and breast cancer susceptibility, we conducted two large population-based association studies of African Americans, Native Hawaiians, Japanese Americans, Latinos, and Whites. To thoroughly assess the genetic variation across the two loci, we (a) sequenced the IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 exons in 95 aggressive prostate and 95 advanced breast cancer cases to ensure that we had identified all common missense variants and (b) characterized the linkage disequilibrium patterns and common haplotypes by genotyping 36 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) spanning 71 kb across the loci (∼20 kb upstream and ∼40 kb downstream, respectively) in a panel of 349 control subjects of the five racial/ethnic groups. No new missense SNPs were found. We identified three regions of strong linkage disequilibrium and selected a subset of 23 tagging SNPs that could accurately predict both the common IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 haplotypes and the remaining 13 SNPs. We tested the association between IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 genotypes and haplotypes for their associations with prostate and breast cancer risk in two large case-control studies nested within the Multiethnic Cohort [prostate cases/controls = 2,320/2,290; breast cases (largely postmenopausal)/controls = 1,615/1,962]. We observed no strong associations between IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 genotypes or haplotypes with either prostate or breast cancer risk. Our results suggest that common genetic variation in the IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 genes do not substantially influence prostate and breast cancer susceptibility. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1993–7)