Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Online channel selection and user association in high-density WiFi networks

In this paper, we consider the emerging deployment of WiFi networks in sports and entertainment venues characterized by high-density, large capacity, and real-time service delivery. Due to extremely high user density, channel allocation and user association should be carefully managed so that cochannel inference can be mitigated. To this end, we propose a channel selection and user association (CSUA) solution based on the Adversarial Multi-armed Bandit (AMAB) framework, which captures not only the uncertainty of channel states, but also the selfishness of individual stations (STAs) and access points (APs). An exponentially weighted average strategy is adopted to design an online algorithm for this problem, which is guaranteed to converge to a set of correlated equilibria with vanishing regrets. Simulation results show the convergence of the proposed algorithm and its performance under different settings.
Screening for fetal well-being in a high-risk pregnant population comparing the nonstress test with umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of two different modes of antepartum fetal testing to screen for the presence of peripartum morbidity, as measured by the cesarean delivery rate for fetal distress in labor. STUDY DESIGN Over a 36-month period, all patients who were referred to the Fetal Assessment Unit at BC Women's Hospital because of a perceived increased fetal antepartum risk at a gestational age of > or =32 weeks of gestation were approached to participate in this study. Fetal surveillance of these women was allocated randomly to either umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound testing or nonstress testing as a screening test for fetal well-being. If either the umbilical artery Doppler testing or the nonstress testing was normal, patients were screened subsequently with the same technique, according to study protocol. When the Doppler study showed a systolic/diastolic ratio of >90th percentile or the nonstress testing was equivocal (ie, variable decelerations), an amniotic fluid index was performed, as an additional screening test. When the amniotic fluid index was abnormal (<5th percentile), induction and delivery were recommended. When the Doppler study showed absent or reversed diastolic blood flow or when the nonstress test result was abnormal, induction and delivery were recommended to the attending physician. Statistical comparisons between groups were performed with an unpaired t test for normally distributed continuous variables and chi(2) test for categoric variables. RESULTS One thousand three hundred sixty patients were assigned randomly to groups in the study; 16 patients were lost to follow up. Six hundred forty-nine patients received Doppler testing and 691 received nonstress testing. The mean number of visits for the Doppler test and nonstress test groups was two versus two, respectively. The major indications for fetal assessment included postdates (43%), decreased fetal movement (22%), diabetes mellitus (11%), hypertension (10%), and intrauterine growth restriction (7%). The incidence of cesarean delivery for fetal distress was significantly lower in the Doppler group compared with the nonstress testing group (30 [4.6%] vs 60 [8.7%], respectively; P <.006). The greatest impact on the reduction in cesarean deliveries for fetal distress was seen in the subgroups in which the indication for testing was hypertension and suspected intrauterine growth restriction. CONCLUSION Umbilical artery Doppler as a screening test for fetal well-being in a high-risk population was associated with a decreased incidence of cesarean delivery for fetal distress compared to the nonstress testing, with no increase in neonatal morbidity.
Once versus twice daily LMWH for the initial treatment of venous thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND In the initial treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is administered once or twice daily. A once daily treatment regimen is more convenient for the patient and may optimise home treatment. However, it is not clear whether a once daily treatment regimen is as safe and effective as a twice daily treatment regimen. OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and safety of once daily versus twice daily administration of LMWH. SEARCH STRATEGY We identified trials through searching the Specialised Register of the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group (last searched April 2005), the Cochrane Central Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL) (last searched Issue 2, 2005), handsearches of relevant journals, checking cross-references and through personal communication with experts. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised clinical trials in which LMWH given once daily is compared to LMWH given twice daily for the initial treatment of venous thromboembolism. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors assessed trials for inclusion and extracted data independently. MAIN RESULTS Five studies were included with a total of 1508 participants. The pooled data showed a statistically non-significant difference in recurrent venous thromboembolism between the two treatment regimens (OR 0.82, 0.49 to 1.39). A comparison of major haemorrhagic events (OR 0.77, 0.40 to 1.45) and mortality (OR 1.14, 0.62 to 2.08) also showed a statistically non-significant difference between the two treatment regimens. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Once daily treatment with LMWH is as effective and safe as twice daily treatment with LMWH. However, the 95% confidence interval implies that there is a possibility that the risk of recurrent VTE might be higher when people are treated once daily. Hence, the decision to treat a person with a once daily regimen will depend on the evaluated balance between increased convenience and the potential for a lower efficacy.
Post-translational N-Glycosylation of Type I Transmembrane KCNE1 Peptides

N-Glycosylation of membrane proteins is critical for their proper folding, co-assembly and subsequent matriculation through the secretory pathway. Here, we examine the kinetics of N-glycan addition to type I transmembrane KCNE1 K+ channel β-subunits, where point mutations that prevent N-glycosylation at one consensus site give rise to disorders of the cardiac rhythm and congenital deafness. We show that KCNE1 has two distinct N-glycosylation sites: a typical co-translational site and a consensus site ∼20 residues away that unexpectedly acquires N-glycans after protein synthesis (post-translational). Mutations that ablate the co-translational site concomitantly reduce glycosylation at the post-translational site, resulting in unglycosylated KCNE1 subunits that cannot reach the cell surface with their cognate K+ channel. This long range inhibition is highly specific for post-translational N-glycosylation because mutagenic conversion of the KCNE1 post-translational site into a co-translational site restored both monoglycosylation and anterograde trafficking. These results directly explain how a single point mutation can prevent N-glycan attachment at multiple sites, providing a new biogenic mechanism for human disease.
Impact of Micronutrient Deficiencies on Growth: The Stunting Syndrome

Stunting is a process that can affect the development of a child from the early stages of conception and until the third or fourth year of life, when the nutrition of the mother and the child are essential determinants of growth. Failure to meet micronutrient requirements, a challenging environment and the inadequate provision of care, are all factors responsible for this condition that affects almost 200 million children under 5 years of age. The timing and duration of the nutritional insult leads to different physiological consequences. Growth retardation is however just one feature of a complex syndrome including developmental delay, impaired immune function, reduced cognitive function and metabolic disturbances leading to increased prospective risk of obesity and hypertension. Prevention is possible by undertaking interventions at all stages of the life cycle, and mainly involves the promotion of exclusive breast-feeding until the age of 6 months and the provision of complementary foods and family foods with adequate micronutrient density. Treatment is possible, at least until the age of 5, and can lead to reversal of all the symptoms, although further research is required to clarify whether accelerating growth velocity might also lead to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome.
The influence of drill length and irrigation system on heat production during osteotomy preparation for dental implants: an ex vivo study

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to measure the influence of drill length and irrigation system on heat production during osteotomy preparation for dental implants using bovine bone rib as experimental model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three groups were created: Group 1: drilling with three consecutive burs with double irrigation (internal and external) for a 4.0 mm conical implant; and Group 2 and Group 3: drilling with three consecutive burs with external irrigation for a 4.1 mm cylindrical implant and for a 4.3 mm conical implant, respectively. Four lengths were tested: 10, 12, 14 and 16 mm; in site prepared on bovine ribs using a surgical unit linked to a testing device, to standardize and simulate implant drilling procedures. Bone temperature variations were recorded using three thermocouples in different positions as of the crestal bone: 2 mm, position (p1); 7 mm, position 2 (p2); and 12 mm, position 3 (p3). RESULTS The highest temperature changes were invariably recorded during the process of withdrawal. Significantly lower temperature changes (P < 0.02) could be recorded at maximum drilling depths during the shearing process regardless of drilling depth or irrigation method. Double irrigation was associated with significantly lower temperatures compared with external irrigation by the use of implant drills (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Within the limitations of this ex vivo study was possible concluded that the use a double irrigation system in multiple conventional drill for osteotomy can decrease the heat generation when increase the drill length.
Dismantling Promoter-driven RNA Polymerase II Transcription Complexes in Vitro by the Termination Factor Rat1*

Background: Rat1 is an exoribonuclease that functions in Pol II transcription termination. Results: Rat1 releases stalled Pol II in vitro, and Rtt103 restores termination activity to an exonucleolytic deficient Rat1 mutant. Conclusion: Exonucleolytic activity is not the Rat1 function that is ultimately responsible for dislodging Pol II. Significance: Understanding molecular details governing termination is key to understanding how it contributes to correct gene expression. Proper RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription termination is essential to generate stable transcripts, to prevent interference at downstream loci, and to recycle Pol II back to the promoter (1–3). As such, termination is an intricately controlled process that is tightly regulated by a variety of different cis- and trans-acting factors (4, 5). Although many eukaryotic termination factors have been identified to date, the details of the precise molecular mechanisms governing termination remain to be elucidated. We devised an in vitro transcription system to study specific Pol II termination. We show for the first time that the exonucleolytic Rat1·Rai1 complex can elicit the release of stalled Pol II in vitro and can do so in the absence of other factors. We also find that Rtt103, which interacts with the Pol II C-terminal domain (CTD) and with Rat1, can rescue termination activity of an exonucleolytically deficient Rat1 mutant. In light of our findings, we posit a model whereby functional nucleolytic activity is not the feature of Rat1 that ultimately promotes termination. Degradation of the nascent transcript allows Rat1 to pursue Pol II in a guided fashion and arrive at the site of RNA exit from Pol II. Upon this arrival, however, it is perhaps the specific and direct contact between Rat1 and Pol II that transmits the signal to terminate transcription.
Comparison of Sexual Mixing Patterns for Syphilis in Endemic and Outbreak Settings

Background: In a largely rural region of North Carolina during 1998–2002, outbreaks of heterosexually transmitted syphilis occurred, tied to crack cocaine use and exchange of sex for drugs and money. Sexual partnership mixing patterns are an important characteristic of sexual networks that relate to transmission dynamics of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Methods: Using contact tracing data collected by disease intervention specialists, we estimated Newman assortativity coefficients and compared values in counties experiencing syphilis outbreaks to nonoutbreak counties, with respect to race/ethnicity, race/ethnicity and age, and the cases' number of social/sexual contacts, infected contacts, sex partners, and infected sex partners, and syphilis disease stage (primary, secondary, early latent). Results: Individuals in the outbreak counties had more contacts and mixing by the number of sex partners was disassortative in outbreak counties and assortative nonoutbreak counties. Although mixing by syphilis disease stage was minimally assortative in outbreak counties, it was disassortative in nonoutbreak areas. Partnerships were relatively discordant by age, especially among older white men, who often chose considerably younger female partners. Conclusions: Whether assortative mixing exacerbates or attenuates the reach of STIs into different populations depends on the characteristic/attribute and epidemiologic phase. Examination of sexual partnership characteristics and mixing patterns offers insights into the growth of STI outbreaks that complement other research methods.
Physical and genetic map of the major nif gene cluster from Azotobacter vinelandii

Determination of a 28,793-base-pair DNA sequence of a region from the Azotobacter vinelandii genome that includes and flanks the nitrogenase structural gene region was completed. This information was used to revise the previously proposed organization of the major nif cluster. The major nif cluster from A. vinelandii encodes 15 nif-specific genes whose products bear significant structural identity to the corresponding nif-specific gene products from Klebsiella pneumoniae. These genes include nifH, nifD, nifK, nifT, nifY, nifE, nifN, nifX, nifU, nifS, nifV, nifW, nifZ, nifM, and nifF. Although there are significant spatial differences, the identified A. vinelandii nif-specific genes have the same sequential arrangement as the corresponding nif-specific genes from K. pneumoniae. Twelve other potential genes whose expression could be subject to nif-specific regulation were also found interspersed among the identified nif-specific genes. These potential genes do not encode products that are structurally related to the identified nif-specific gene products. Eleven potential nif-specific promoters were identified within the major nif cluster, and nine of these are preceded by an appropriate upstream activator sequence. A + T-rich regions were identified between 8 of the 11 proposed nif promoter sequences and their upstream activator sequences. Site-directed deletion-and-insertion mutagenesis was used to establish a genetic map of the major nif cluster.
Ultrasonography of choledocholithiasis.

In a retrospective study of patients with ultrasonographically demonstrable choledocholithiasis, 81 stones were demonstrated in 46 patients. The majority of the stones were between 5 and 10 mm in diameter; the smallest was 2 mm and the largest 23 mm. Of the 81 stones, 64 demonstrated acoustical shadowing; 56 were located in the distal segment of the common bile duct. Stones in the common bile duct are best demonstrated by sagittal sections with the patient in the right anterior oblique position. It is possible but more difficult to demonstrate stones within a normal‐sized common bile duct. Several possible sources of confusion in the diagnosis of common bile duct stones are discussed. Ultrasonography of the common bile duct is best performed with a high‐resolution real‐time sector scanner. The accuracy and frequency of detection of common bile duct stones have increased significantly with the advances in technology and improvement in resolution of the mechanical sector real‐time scanners.
A 16 nm FinFET Heterogeneous Nona-Core SoC Supporting ISO26262 ASIL B Standard

It is getting mandatory to comply with ISO26262 in the recent automotive development. The implementation of safety mechanism to detect faults is one of the keys in ISO26262. The fault prediction will make the automotive system more reliable. The SoC in this paper introduces two features: hardware built-in self-test (BIST) for safety mechanism supporting automotive safety integrity level (ASIL) B and killer-droop monitor for fault prediction. In addition, time slicing is introduced to the testing with hardware BIST during runtime so that each test session can be shorter than the required interrupt response time in the application. The killer-droop monitor can predict the voltage droop and stop the clock supply for a certain period of time to mitigate the droop for preventing delay faults on the SoC. The monitor samples the voltage based on time-to-digital converter at CPU operation clock and predicts the voltage from the history of sampled voltage. With that prediction feature, the minimum operation voltage can be improved by 50 mV at 2.02 GHz CPU operation, and the maximum frequency can be improved by 140 MHz under 0.82 V power supply in 16 nm process.
ELEVATED EXHALED CARBON MONOXIDE CONCENTRATION IN HEMOGLOBINOPATHIES AND ITS RELATION TO RED BLOOD CELL TRANSFUSION THERAPY

In this study, the authors examined a possible role of measurements of end-tidal carbon monoxide (CO), corrected for inhaled CO (ETCOc), as a noninvasive screening tool for hemoglobinopathies and as an indicator for when transfusions would be required in patients receiving chronic transfusions. ETCOc measurements were obtained in subjects with sickle cell disease (n = 18), thalassemia (n = 21), and healthy controls (n = 62). ETCOc values less than 3 parts per million (ppm) yielded a positive predictive value of 93% and negative predictive value of 94% in identifying hemoglobinopathies. Subsequently, 7 subjects with thalassemia had laboratory parameters and ETCOc measured over 2 transfusion cycles. ETCOc values were 4.90 ± 0.32 ppm (mean ± SD), with 89% of values being above normal (≥3 ppm). Pretransfusion ETCOc levels significantly correlated with pretransfusion reticulocyte count (r = .96, P <.001), but not with pretransfusion hemoglobin (r = .44, P = .16) or pretransfusion soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR, r = .52, P = .10). In conclusion, we found that patients with hemoglobinopathies have ETCOc values above the range for healthy controls and ETCOc measurements can be used as an adjunct to hemoglobin measurements to determine the proper timing of transfusions.
Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and liver transplantation

Myocardial contractility in cirrhosis is impaired, particularly under stressful situations, in a phenomenon termed cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Impairment of the cardiac β‐adrenergic receptor and its signaling function appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Additional mechanisms that may have a role include alterations in the physicochemical properties of the cardiomyocyte plasma membrane and abnormalities in circulating humoral factors, such as nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and catecholamines. The widespread use of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and its associated stresses on the cardiovascular system have highlighted this condition. Cardiac failure has emerged as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the liver transplant recipient. Unfortunately, pre‐OLT recognition of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is suboptimal because of a lack of sensitive, noninvasive diagnostic tests. Similarly, the management of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is largely empirical because of a paucity of existing literature. Although evidence suggests that cirrhotic cardiomyopathy may be reversible after OLT, the natural history of this condition warrants further investigation.
Effects of centrally administered naloxone on gastrointestinal myoelectrical activity in morphine-dependent rats.

The gastrointestinal myoelectrical alterations associated with morphine tolerance and subsequent withdrawal with naloxone were studied before and after treatment with adrenergic blockers, atropine, indomethacin and methysergide administered either i.c. v. or s.c. The rats were prepared chronically with electrodes implanted on the stomach, duodeno-jejunum and colon and two small polyethylene catheters were inserted into the lateral ventricles of the brain. They were rendered physically dependent on morphine by the s.c. administration of a slow-release emulsion containing morphine (75 mg over 48 hr). Morphine treatment was associated with an immediate (15-30 min) inhibition of gastric and colonic spiking activity and intestinal migrating myoelectric complex lasting 6 to 8 hr, followed by a partial recovery of gastric spiking activity while a permanent disorganized motility pattern persisted on the intestine. After 48 hr of morphine treatment the i.c. v. and s.c. administrations of naloxone at doses of 0.03 and 3 mg X kg-1, respectively, promoted typical electrical activity lasting 2 to 3 hr, characterized by the presence of five to seven grouped spike bursts and termed "minute rhythm. " Previous central but not peripheral administration of either tolazoline or phentolamine at a dose of 0.3 mg X kg-1 inhibited the i.c. v. naloxone precipitated withdrawal. Neither atropine i.c. v. (30 micrograms X kg-1) nor methysergide i.c. v. (20 micrograms X kg-1) and s.c. (0.2 mg X kg-1) nor indomethacin s.c. (4 mg X kg-1) were found to have any effect on i.c. v. naloxone induced minute rhythm pattern. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Consensus guidelines: Improving the delivery of clinical preventive services

Background: Medical directors from the largest competing health plans in the state came together in a noncompetitive way to collaborate on improving the delivery of clinical preventive service (CPS) among their provider base (Ayres & Griffith, 2007a). They identified one consistent set of CPS guidelines based on U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations, the health plan consensus guidelines (HPCG), that they could endorse as priority for guideline implementation. Purpose: The purposes of this study were to assess clinicians' knowledge and use of CPS recommendations as a guide to delivering preventive care services to their patients and, most importantly, to test the effectiveness of providing the HPCG to clinicians in an effort to increase knowledge and use of CPS guidelines. Design: Within-subjects repeated-measures design was used. We hypothesized an increase in clinician's knowledge and use of CPS after the provision of the HPCG. Methods: Survey methodology, including two surveys that assessed clinicians' knowledge and use of CPS in practice, was used. Health plan clinician databases were obtained from the health plans that participated in the development of the HPCG. Health plan clinicians directly involved in delivering preventive services were invited to participate in the study. Final sample included 163 clinicians. Spearman's rho correlation coefficients were determined to examine the relationships between clinician's knowledge and clinician's use of CPS guidelines. Differences between knowledge and use of CPS before and after HPCG were examined by t tests. Findings: No difference was found in the familiarity with U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines before and after receipt of HPCG. However, clinician's use increased significantly. Practice Implications: A consistent set of CPS guidelines provided by competing health plans can improve the delivery of CPS among contracted health plan clinicians. This approach provides a template for competing health plans nationwide to come to consensus on guidelines that support clinicians in the delivery of CPS (Ayres & Griffith, 2007a).