Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in liver acceptance patterns after implementation of Share 35

The Share 35 policy was implemented June 2013. We sought to evaluate liver offer acceptance patterns of centers under this policy. We compared three 1‐year eras (1, 2, and 3) before and 1 era (4) after the implementation date of the Share 35 policy (June 18, 2013). We evaluated all offers for liver‐only recipients including only those offers for livers that were ultimately transplanted. Logistic regression was used to develop a liver acceptance model. In era 3, there were 4809 offers for Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score ≥ 35 patients with 1071 acceptances (22.3%) and 10,141 offers and 1652 acceptances (16.3%) in era 4 (P < 0.001). In era 3, there were 42,954 offers for MELD score < 35 patients with 4181 acceptances (9.7%) and 44,137 offers and 3882 acceptances (8.8%) in era 4 (P < 0.001). The lower acceptance rate persisted across all United Network for Organ Sharing regions and was significantly less in regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7. Mean donor risk index was the same (1.3) for all eras for MELD scores ≥ 35 acceptances and the same (1.4) for MELD score < 35 acceptances. Refusal reasons did not vary throughout the eras. The adjusted odds ratio of accepting a liver for a MELD score of 35+ compared to a MELD score < 35 patient was 1.289 before the policy and 0.960 after policy implementation. In conclusion, the Share 35 policy has resulted in more offers to patients with MELD scores ≥ 35. Overall acceptance rates were significantly less compared to the same patient group before the policy implementation. Centers are less likely to accept a liver for a patient with a MELD score of 35+ after the policy change. Decreased donor acceptance rates could reflect more programmatic selectivity and ongoing donor and recipient matching. Liver Transpl 22:171‐177, 2016. © 2015 AASLD.
A study in human-machine interaction through agent simulation: An application in pedestrian crossing

The goal of this research is to use agent simulation in realizing human-machine interaction, so that we can perform different aspects of experiments. The domain that we have chosen is the pedestrian-vehicle interaction in street crossing. The participants of the simulation include pedestrians, vehicles, and traffic lights, which are all represented by agents. The autonomous nature along with individual traits of agents enable the simulator to show the dynamic interaction among the agents. The attributes of agents like age, gender, and aggressiveness are considered along with different reaction time. A prototype system uses Jade as the platform in implementation. The experiments show a variety of results based on interaction among various agents.
Synthetic Aperture Radar autofocus based on cross relation approach

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging can suffer distortion in the presence of phase errors in the acquired signal data caused by the non-ideal platform motion trajectory. Autofocus algorithms are used to remove the undesired phase error through signal processing techniques. Multi-channel convolution model of the SAR autofocus problem is established on the condition that phase error is range-independent. Then a new non-iterative autofocus algorithm is proposed based on cross correlation approach. The proposed autofocus algorithm can directly acquire the ideal SAR echo data without the estimation of phase error. Experimental results using the real SAR images demonstrate the validity of the proposed autofocus algorithm.
From serializable to causal transactions (abstract)

In a shared object model, a consistency criterion defines which is the value that must be returned to a process when it reads an object, and a protocol implementing a consistency criterion describes how processes have to be synchronized in order to ensure that they read correct values (Le., satisfy the consistency criterion). Serializability and the two phase locking protocol, mainly studied and used in the database field, are the best known examples of a consistency criterion and its associated implementation protocol. Traditional consistency criteria (namely, atomici~, seridizability and linearizability) require that all processes have the same sequential view of the computation. This view is formally defined as a total order on operations issued by processes and an execution is correct if any read of an object gets the last value previously written into this object (the words ‘last’ and ‘previously’ refer to the total order of operations defined by the common view). These criteria have largely been studied. But, if they are natural and easy to use, their implementations are based on strong synchronization constraints that severely limit efficiency of distributed applications as soon as these applications are composed of many processes or cover a large geographic area. In [1], we explore weaker consistency criteria in which the causality relation between read and write operations on shared objects plays a central role. These criteria reveal to be sufficient to match data consistency requirements of a class of applications and their implementations result in greater availability of data and better performance. A novel aspect of our work is that we consider an abstraction level at which read and write operations are encapsulated inside transactions. Thus, rather than a single operation on a single object, the consistency criteria must address transactions that may manipulate many objects. TWO new consistency criteria, causal consistency and causal serializability, are introduced in the context of systems composed of sequential processes that execute transactions. Causal consistency is the weaker criterion considered: in addition to the sequentiality on transactions issued by each process, it considers only dependency on transactions due to a read-from relation. This relation is defined in the following way: a transaction that reads a value written by another transaction is dependent on it.
Human Visual Ecology and Orientation Anisotropies in Acuity

The visual environment of Cree Indians from the east coast of James Bay, Quebec, is different from that of city-raised Euro-Canadians. So also are their corresponding orientation anisotropies in visual acuity. A Euro-Canadian sample exhibited the usual higher resolution for vertically and horizontally oriented gratings as compared with oblique orientations, while a Cree Indian sample did not. The most parsimonious explanation of these acuity differences is that orientation-specific detectors in humans are tuned by the early visual environment.
Évolution des symptômes dépressifs pendant la transition secondaire-collégial et rôle modérateur des distorsions cognitives

La transition entre les ordres d’enseignement secondaire et collegial constitue pour plusieurs etudiants une periode de stress majeure. Au Quebec, celle-ci coincide generalement a la periode de 16 a 18 ans. Or, si plusieurs chercheurs n’ont rapporte aucune difference significative entre les genres quant a la frequence des symptomes depressifs chez les etudiants au college, d’autres chercheurs rapportent, entre 15 a 18, ans une augmentation majeure de ces taux, ceux des filles etant jusqu’a deux fois plus importants, soulignant ainsi l’hypothese d’une plus grande vulnerabilite a la depression. Dans cette optique, cette etude realisee aupres de 211 eleves (87 garcons et 124 filles) ayant fait la transition secondaire-collegial vise a examiner par des analyses longitudinales l’evolution des symptomes depressifs, des niveaux de stress et des distorsions cognitives ainsi que le role moderateur des distorsions cognitives et du genre dans la relation entre le stress et la depression. Les resultats indiquent que durant cette transition, les filles rapportent davantage de symptomes depressifs et de stress alors que les garcons rapportent davantage de distorsions cognitives reliees a la reussite. Chez les garcons, une diminution des distorsions cognitives de dependance a ete observee avec le temps. Les distorsions cognitives de reussite et de dependance (en 5e secondaire) jouent un role moderateur entre le stress et la depression en 1re annee au college, mais cette relation n’est pas moderee par le genre. Une discussion ainsi que les limites de l’etude sont presentees eu egard aux differences reliees au genre.
“A hospital is no place to be sick” Samuel Goldwyn (1882–1974)

> Perspective on the paper by Tie et al (see page 641) Hospitals are great institutions: they treat people who are sick and send them on their way. One of the arts of medicine is to know when they are ready to go. Not in bronchiolitis of infancy. We have a number to tell us: usually considered 93 or 94. The oxygen saturation (SpO2) at which normoxia has been regained and if the infant is feeding satisfactorily (which they usually are at that stage) then they are homeward bound. Safe. The problem is that oxygen saturation levels are frequently slow to recover in bronchiolitis, with supplemental oxygen treatment correspondingly prolonged.1 Parents balance the concern that their child needs oxygen with a frustration that their bouncing baby is attached by tubing to a wall in a ward. Hospitals are clogged each winter by the ubiquitous peak of infants with slowly dwindling oxygen requirements while recovering from bronchiolitis. How much more sensible paediatric service organisation could be, without this peak. So, providing medical care at home to infants recovering from bronchiolitis, when that care is solely the provision of supplemental oxygen, seems sensible. Two recent studies have begun to explore this, providing supplemental oxygen at home to infants with bronchiolitis who have presented to hospital. In both studies infants considered high risk (prematurity, apnoea, pre-existing respiratory/cardiac disease) were excluded. In the first study, infants with bronchiolitis were randomly assigned home oxygen from the emergency department (ED) of a US tertiary hospital.2 Infants, aged 2–24 months, with clinical bronchiolitis and an arrival SpO2 of 87% or less were assessed for stability following 8 h of ED observation. Those considered stable (adequate feeding, no significant respiratory distress) and still requiring oxygen (SpO2 ⩾90% with ⩽1 l/minute oxygen) were discharged …
Information Diffusion Predictive Model Using Radiation Transfer

The impact of online social networks on information exchange between humans has revealed the need to study the mechanisms of information diffusion. Multiple prior works have considered empirical studies and introduced new diffusion models to understand the dynamics of the diffusion process. However, the complexity of network structures and user interactions make it challenging to model the diffusion mechanisms of online social networks and to accurately predict diffusion. In this paper, we propose an information diffusion prediction model based on a physical radiation energy transfer mechanism. The aim of this model is to predict the diffusion graph of a certain contagion throughout an interest-based community. This non-parametric model can accommodate the dynamicity of online social networks because it can receive different input diffusion parameters at different diffusion contagions. With our RADiation DIFFusion (RADDIFF) model, we precisely capture the information diffusion process from both temporal and spatial dimensions and measure the level of influence initiated by certain influencers for each diffusion process. To our knowledge, this model is the first in this domain that exploits the prediction of information networks based on a physical radiation mechanism. We conduct an extensive analysis using an experiment that includes two well-known prediction diffusion models, the linear influence model (LIM) and NETINF. The results show that RADDIFF effectively outperforms both the LIM and NETINF in terms of accuracy and the quality of forecast.
Reliability of the Handgrip Strength Test in Elderly Subjects With Parkinson Disease

Background: The handgrip strength test is widely used by clinicians; however, little has been investigated about its reliability when used in subjects with Parkinson disease (PD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability of the handgrip strength test for subjects with PD. Methods: The PD group consisted of 15 patients, and the control group consisted of 15 healthy subjects. Each patient performed 3 pain-free maximal isometric contractions on each hand on 2 occasions, 1 week apart. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) were calculated. The 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to determine the differences between sides and groups. Results: Test-retest reliability of measurements of grip strength was excellent for dominant (ICC = 0.97; P = .001) and non-dominant (ICC = 0.98; P = .001) hand of participant with PD and (ICC = 0.99; P = .001) and (ICC = 0.99; P = .001) respectively, of healthy group. Conclusions: The Jamar hand dynamometer had fair to excellent test-retest reliability to test grip strength in participants with PD.
Coverage and quality radio analysis for single radio access network technology in GSM

Single Radio Access Network (RAN) is the Radio equipment which consists of Base Band Unit (BBU) as a main processer, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) and antenna for enabling Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) and Long Term Evolution (LTE) in the same platform. In the past of 5 years, operators in Malaysia using separate radio equipment for different technologies. This caused big impact on the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operational Expenditure (OPEX) to the operators to manage and maintain their network. By having single RAN, operators automatically reduce their CAPEX and OPEX for every year to manage and maintain the radio equipment. The performance of the single RAN was studied in terms of coverage and quality compared to conventional radio. The specific tools which is called Nemo Outdoor is used to measure the coverage, quality and throughput via drive test. Important parameter and data captured are being process using Nemo Analyze and MapInfo Professional. It is proven that single RAN not only helps reducing investment but it is also improve network for coverage and quality compare with conventional radio.
Phonon dispersion and lattice dynamics of KTaO3 from 4 to 1220 K.

A complete set of transverse and longitudinal phonon branches in each of the three principal directions (〈100〉, 〈110〉, and 〈111〉) and polarizations have been measured up to 60 meV in the cubic perovskite ${\mathrm{KTaO}}_{3}$. Results were obtained at 296 K and at several other temperatures between 4 and 1220 K. The data have been analyzed in terms of a shell model which includes a fourth-order core-shell interaction at the ${\mathrm{O}}^{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ ion. Within the self-consistent mean-field approximation a very accurate description of the lattice dynamics over the whole temperature range is obtained. It is shown that the nonlinear polarizability of ${\mathrm{O}}^{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ along the Ta-O-Ta chains is primarily responsible for most of the phonon shifts, particularly of the ferroelectric soft mode, and for the strong second-order Raman effect.
New stereoscopic video shooting rule based on stereoscopic distortion parameters and comfortable viewing zone

Human binocular depth perception, the most important element brought by 3DTV, is proved to be closely connected to not only the content acquisition (camera focal length, camera baseline and etc.) but also the viewing environment (viewing distance, screen size and etc.). Conventional 3D stereography rule in the literature usually consider the general viewing condition and basic human factors to guide the content acquisition, such as assuming human inter-pupil baseline as the maximum disparity. A lot of new elements or problems of stereoscopic viewing was not considered or precisely defined so that advanced shooting rule is needed to guarantee the overall quality of stereoscopic video. In this paper, we proposed a new stereoscopic video shooting rule considering two most important issues in 3DTV: stereoscopic distortion and comfortable viewing zone. Firstly, a mathematic model mapping the camera space to visualization space is established in order to geometrically estimate the stereoscopic depth distortion. Depth and shape distortion factors are defined and used to describe the stereoscopic distortion. Secondly, comfortable viewing zone (or Depth of focus) is considered to reduce the problem of visual discomfort and visual fatigue. The new shooting rule is to optimize the camera parameters (focal length, camera baseline and etc.) in order to control depth and shape distortion and also guarantee that the perceived scene is located in comfortable viewing zone as possible. However, in some scenarios, the above two conditions cannot be fulfill simultaneously, even sometimes contradict with each other so that priority should be decided. In this paper, experimental stereoscopic synthetic content generation with various sets of camera parameters and various sets of scenes representing different depth range are presented. Justification of the proposed new shooting rule is based on 3D concepts (depth rendering, visual comfort and visual experience) subjective video assessment. The results of this study will provide a new method to propose camera parameters based on management of new criteria (shape distortion and depth of focus) in order to produce optimized stereoscopic images and videos.
HIV and syphilis prevalence among men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional survey of 61 cities in China.

BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has rapidly spread among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China in recent years; the magnitude of the epidemic is unclear. We sought to test 3 hypotheses: (1) The prevalence of both HIV and syphilis among MSM in China is high, (2) the 2 epidemics each have unique geographical distributions, and (3) demographic and sexual behavior characteristics are different among segments of the MSM population in China. METHODS A total of 47 231 MSM from 61 cities in China participated in a cross-sectional survey conducted from February 2008 to September 2009. Demographic and behavioral data were collected and analyzed and blood samples tested for HIV and syphilis. Three subgroups among the broader MSM sample were described. Main outcome measures were HIV and syphilis prevalence. RESULTS An overall prevalence of 4.9% (2314/47 231; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.7%-5.1%) for HIV and 11.8% (5552/47 231; 95% CI, 11.5%-12.0%) for syphilis was found. Syphilis-positive MSM had the highest HIV prevalence, 12.5% (693/5552; 95% CI, 11.6%-13.4%). However, correlations between HIV and syphilis prevalence were found in only 3 of 6 geographical regions (Northwest: r = 0.82, P = .0253; East: r = 0.78, P = .0004; and South-central: r = 0.63, P = .0276). Three subgroups-nonlocal MSM, Internet-using MSM, and female-partnering MSM-were found to have different profiles of characteristics and behaviors. CONCLUSIONS HIV and syphilis prevalences among MSM in China are high and the 2 epidemics are largely separate geographically. Three segments of the Chinese MSM population each have different demographic and sexual risk "profiles" that suggest high potential for bridging infection across geographies, generations, and sexes.
Early‐onset hidradenitis suppurativa

A 9‐year‐old girl developed hidradenitis suppurativa 3 months after the first signs of adrenarche. Such a close temporal relationship is consistent with the hypothesis that the disease is androgen dependent. Less than 2% of patients have onset of the disease before the age of 11 years. The exceptionally early age of onset in our patient may be partly explained by the fact that she had an early puberty.
A new morphogenesis pathway in bacteria: unbalanced activity of cell wall synthesis machineries leads to coccus‐to‐rod transition and filamentation in ovococci

Bacteria display a variety of shapes, which have biological relevance. In most eubacteria, cell shape is maintained by the tough peptidoglycan (PG) layer of the cell wall, the sacculus. The organization of PG synthesis machineries, orchestrated by different cytoskeletal elements, determines the specific shapes of sacculi. In rod‐shaped bacteria, the actin‐like (MreB) and the tubuline‐like (FtsZ) cytoskeletons control synthesis of the sidewall (elongation) and the crosswall (septation) respectively. Much less is known concerning cell morphogenesis in cocci, which lack MreB proteins. While spherical cocci exclusively display septal growth, ovococci additionally display peripheral growth, which is responsible of the slight longitudinal expansion that generates their ovoid shape. Here, we report that the ovococcus Lactococcus lactis has the ability to become rod‐shaped. L. lactis IL1403 wild‐type cells form long aseptate filaments during both biofilm and planktonic growth in a synthetic medium. Nascent PG insertion and the division protein FtsK localize in multiple peripheral rings regularly spaced along the filaments. We show that filamentation results from septation inhibition, and that penicillin‐binding proteins PBP2x and PBP2b play a direct role in this process. We propose a model for filament formation in L. lactis, and discuss the possible biological role of such morphological differentiation.
Global Adult Tobacco Survey Data as a Tool to Monitor the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) Implementation: The Brazilian Case

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) was conducted in Brazil to provide data on tobacco use in order to monitor the WHO FCTC implementation in the country. It was carried out in 2008 using an international standardized methodology. The instrument included questions about tobacco use prevalence, cessation, secondhand smoke, knowledge, attitudes, media and advertising. Weighted analysis was used to obtain estimates. A total of 39,425 interviews were conducted. The prevalence of current tobacco use was 17.5%, (22.0%, men; 13.3%, women). The majority of users were smokers (17.2%) and their percentage was higher in rural areas (20.4%) than in urban areas (16.6%). About 20% of individuals reported having been exposed to tobacco smoke in public places. Over 70% of respondents said they had noticed anti-smoking information in several media and around 65% of smokers said they had considered quitting because of warning labels. About 30% of respondents had noticed cigarette advertising at selling points and 96% recognized tobacco use as a risk factor for serious diseases. Data in this report can be used as baseline for evaluation of new tobacco control approaches in Brazil, vis-à-vis WHO FCTC demand reduction measures.