Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nexus: a GPU cluster engine for accelerating DNN-based video analysis

We address the problem of serving Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) efficiently from a cluster of GPUs. In order to realize the promise of very low-cost processing made by accelerators such as GPUs, it is essential to run them at sustained high utilization. Doing so requires cluster-scale resource management that performs detailed scheduling of GPUs, reasoning about groups of DNN invocations that need to be co-scheduled, and moving from the conventional whole-DNN execution model to executing fragments of DNNs. Nexus is a fully implemented system that includes these innovations. In large-scale case studies on 16 GPUs, when required to stay within latency constraints at least 99% of the time, Nexus can process requests at rates 1.8-12.7X higher than state of the art systems can. A long-running multi-application deployment stays within 84% of optimal utilization and, on a 100-GPU cluster, violates latency SLOs on 0.27% of requests.
INVANER: INteractive VAscular Network Editing and Repair

Vascular network reconstruction is an essential aspect of the daily practice of medical doctors working with vascular systems. Accurately representing vascular networks, not only graphically but also in a way that encompasses their structure, can be used to run simulations, plan medical procedures or identify real-life diseases, for example. A vascular network is thus reconstructed from a 3D medical image sequence via segmentation and skeletonization. Many automatic algorithms exist to do so but tend to fail for specific corner cases. On the other hand, manual methods exist as well but are tedious to use and require a lot of time. In this paper, we introduce an interactive vascular network reconstruction system called INVANER that relies on a graph-like representation of the network's structure. A general skeleton is obtained with an automatic method and medical practitioners are allowed to manually repair the local defects where this method fails. Our system uses graph-related tools with local effects and introduces two novel tools, dedicated to solving two common problems arising when automatically extracting the centerlines of vascular structures: so-called "Kissing Vessels" and a type of phenomenon we call "Dotted Vessels. "
Tessutivo: Contextual Interactions on Interactive Fabrics with Inductive Sensing

We present Tessutivo, a contact-based inductive sensing technique for contextual interactions on interactive fabrics. Our technique recognizes conductive objects (mainly metallic) that are commonly found in households and workplaces, such as keys, coins, and electronic devices. We built a prototype containing six by six spiral-shaped coils made of conductive thread, sewn onto a four-layer fabric structure. We carefully designed the coil shape parameters to maximize the sensitivity based on a new inductance approximation formula. Through a ten-participant study, we evaluated the performance of our proposed sensing technique across 27 common objects. We yielded 93.9% real-time accuracy for object recognition. We conclude by presenting several applications to demonstrate the unique interactions enabled by our technique.
Cultivating Effective Leadership Skills for Nurses: A Commentary

Opportunities abound for nurses to lead, but few are born leaders: Most must learn effective leadership skills. Paying attention to and developing four simple things—having followers, moving in the right direction, setting examples, and having authenticity—enable nurses to be effective leaders. The challenge lies in continually acting and questioning what can be done to make a difference.
Aesop: Authoring Engaging Digital Storytelling Experiences

The traditional storytelling experiences are often one dimensional, wherein they only contain a single channel of communication with the audience through narration. With the advancements in technology, storytelling experiences have been augmented with the help of digital media to be more engaging and immersive. Authoring these scenarios, however, is complicated as it requires technical knowledge to interface the means of engagement. In this work, we talk about Aesop, a system which assists the narrator to author engaging storytelling experiences. Aesop provides a block-based interface like Scratch and manifests words of a story, Cues, and Visualization (Outputs) as blocks that enable the user to create captivating stories. Our system also leverages physical actions performed by the user as Cues. These cues can trigger visualizations like robot actions, animations, environments simulation using sound and lighting effects.
Development of Expert-Level Automated Detection of Epileptiform Discharges During Electroencephalogram Interpretation.

Importance Interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) in electroencephalograms (EEGs) are a biomarker of epilepsy, seizure risk, and clinical decline. However, there is a scarcity of experts qualified to interpret EEG results. Prior attempts to automate IED detection have been limited by small samples and have not demonstrated expert-level performance. There is a need for a validated automated method to detect IEDs with expert-level reliability. Objective To develop and validate a computer algorithm with the ability to identify IEDs as reliably as experts and classify an EEG recording as containing IEDs vs no IEDs. Design, Setting, and Participants A total of 9571 scalp EEG records with and without IEDs were used to train a deep neural network (SpikeNet) to perform IED detection. Independent training and testing data sets were generated from 13 262 IED candidates, independently annotated by 8 fellowship-trained clinical neurophysiologists, and 8520 EEG records containing no IEDs based on clinical EEG reports. Using the estimated spike probability, a classifier designating the whole EEG recording as positive or negative was also built. Main Outcomes and Measures SpikeNet accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity compared with fellowship-trained neurophysiology experts for identifying IEDs and classifying EEGs as positive or negative or negative for IEDs. Statistical performance was assessed via calibration error and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). All performance statistics were estimated using 10-fold cross-validation. Results SpikeNet surpassed both expert interpretation and an industry standard commercial IED detector, based on calibration error (SpikeNet, 0.041; 95% CI, 0.033-0.049; vs industry standard, 0.066; 95% CI, 0.060-0.078; vs experts, mean, 0.183; range, 0.081-0.364) and binary classification performance based on AUC (SpikeNet, 0.980; 95% CI, 0.977-0.984; vs industry standard, 0.882; 95% CI, 0.872-0.893). Whole EEG classification had a mean calibration error of 0.126 (range, 0.109-0.1444) vs experts (mean, 0.197; range, 0.099-0.372) and AUC of 0.847 (95% CI, 0.830-0.865). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, SpikeNet automatically detected IEDs and classified whole EEGs as IED-positive or IED-negative. This may be the first time an algorithm has been shown to exceed expert performance for IED detection in a representative sample of EEGs and may thus be a valuable tool for expedited review of EEGs.
Prognostic factors related to postoperative survival in the newly classified clinical T4 lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES T4 lung cancer has become a more heterogeneous group since the 8th edition of tumour, node, metastasis classification. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors related to post-surgical survival in patients with clinical T4 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), based on the 8th edition of the classification. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with clinical T4 NSCLC who underwent resection between January 2006 and December 2016, to identify factors associated with overall survival. RESULTS Ninety-three patients were identified. The criteria for clinical T4 disease included tumours larger than 7 cm (n = 54), great vessels or left atrial invasion (n = 22), mediastinal invasion (n = 11), vertebral invasion (n = 3), tracheal or carina invasion (n = 3), diaphragm invasion (n = 1) and ipsilateral different lobe pulmonary metastasis (n = 2). The postoperative nodal status was 0, 1, 2 and 3 in 59, 18, 15 and 1 patient, respectively. R0 resection was achieved in 80 patients, and the 30-day mortality was 0%. The median follow-up time was 37.6 months, and the 5-year overall survival rate was 56.3%. The multivariable analysis revealed that nodal status and R-status were significant prognostic factors for postoperative survival [hazard ratio (HR) 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-5.72, P = 0.016 and HR 3.29, 95% CI 1.45-7.44, P = 0.004]. CONCLUSIONS Surgery provided encouraging survival outcomes for clinical T4 NSCLC based on the 8th edition of classification. The nodal status and R-status were significant prognostic factors for postoperative survival.
Effectiveness of text messaging interventions for the management of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Depression is a leading cause of human disability. Telemedicine-based interventions using text messaging are currently being trialled for the management of community-based clients with clinical depression. However, little is known about the effectiveness of such methods. Methods We searched the databases PubMed, Embase, Informit, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO and Scopus for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2000 and April 2019. Studies comparing text messaging interventions to a comparator group for patients with depression were included in the review. Articles were assessed for quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for RCTs. Results Nine RCTs (945 patients: 764 adults and 181 adolescents) were included in the systematic review. Five studies used text messaging as the only intervention, whilst the remaining combined text messaging with other treatment modalities such as behavioural activation or cognitive behavioural therapy. A meta-analysis was conducted on seven selected RCTs (845 patients: 664 adults and 181 adolescents). The standardised mean reduction in depression due to text messaging interventions was 0.23 (95% confidence interval: –0.02 to 0.48). There was evidence of heterogeneity in treatment effect between studies. Discussion There is marginal evidence supporting text messaging interventions as an effective treatment modality for people living with clinical depression. However, further research is needed to determine how best to utilise text-message interventions alongside other conventional forms of health services delivery.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of verapamil and norverapamil in normal and ulcerative colitis rats after oral administration of low and high dose verapamil by UPLC-MS/MS

Abstract In this study, UC rat model was established by administration of 5% (w/v) dextran sulfate sodium, and the pharmacokinetics of verapamil and norverapamil were evaluated in normal and UC rats using UPLC-MS/MS after oral administration of 5 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg verapamil. The peak concentration (Cmax) and the area under plasma concentration–time curves (AUC) of verapamil in UC rats after oral administration of 5 mg/kg were significantly greater (2.5 times and 2 times, respectively) than those in normal rats, but the clearance rate (Cl) was significantly lower (by 50%). For norverapamil, Cmax and AUC were significantly greater (2.8 times and 2.5 times, respectively), and Cl was significantly lower (by 45%). But, pharmacokinetic parameters of verapamil and norverapamil after oral administration of 50 mg/kg were no significant differences between UC and normal rats. The better absorption and poor excretion for low-dose verapamil may be attributed to down-regulation of P-gp expression in the intestine and kidney. No significant differences of pharmacokinetic parameters for high-dose verapamil may be explained as the saturation of an efflux mechanism. The findings of this study suggested that in UC patients, doses of verapamil should be decreased when low-dose verapamil was orally administrated.
Base-deactivated and alkaline-resistant chromatographic stationary phase based on functionalized polymethylsilsesquioxane microspheres.

Vinyl, chloropropyl, and mercaptopropyl functionalized particles were prepared by a two-step acidic/alkaline catalyzed co-hydrolysis/condensation of methyltrimethoxysilane with a different silane precursor that carries chemically reactive functional group including vinyl, chloropropyl, and mercaptopropyl, respectively. The morphology, pore structure, and functional groups of the synthesized packings were studied by SEM, nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements, and solid-state 29 Si NMR, respectively. The particles show ordered sphere, narrow particle size distribution, and mesoporous structure. The carbon contents of the microspheres are in the range from 17 to 19%, comparable to those of octadecyl-bonded silica packings. The three-kind of microspheres were directly used as packing materials for HPLC without size classification. The chromatographic performance of the columns was evaluated and compared with a commercially available C18 phase. The results revealed that these columns possess typical reversed-phase chromatographic properties with increased hydrophobicity than polymethylsilsesquioxane and symmetric peaks for basic compounds. They were applied to the simultaneous separation of combination bendazol hydrochlorothiazide capsules containing polar and basic drugs with peaks identified by tandem with MS. In general, a novel method is provided for the synthesis of different methyltrimethoxysilane-derived microspheres for HPLC, which are advantageous for separating basic compounds. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A systematic review of parenting interventions for child chronic health conditions

This systematic review summarizes the parenting intervention literature for parents of children with chronic health conditions and evaluates intervention effects on parenting (parenting skills and parenting efficacy) and child (behaviour, illness severity/control and quality of life) outcomes. Systematic searches using seven electronic databases (including CINHAL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO) were used to identify relevant papers published in English between 1997 and 2017, and reference lists were searched for additional relevant articles. Ten papers reporting on eight separate studies met inclusion criteria: three studies evaluated stand-alone parenting interventions, while the remaining five studies included parenting components in broader interventions that also targeted medically oriented aspects of illness management. Results suggest that parenting interventions may lead to improved parent self-efficacy, parenting behaviour, illness severity/control, child quality of life and child behaviour; however, intervention effects were mixed and confined to parent-report outcome measures. A paucity of studies using rigorous randomized controlled trial study designs limits the conclusions that can be drawn regarding intervention efficacy. Achieving adequate enrolment and retention of families in parenting intervention trials appears to be problematic within these clinical groups. Larger samples and more diverse clinical populations will support the reliability of future evaluations of parenting interventions in this context and improve generalizability of results.
Single-Cell Sequencing Reveals the Relationship between Phenotypes and Genotypes of Klinefelter Syndrome

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is one of the most common congenital disorders of male infertility. Given its high heterogeneity in clinical and genetic presentation, the relationship between transcriptome, clinical phenotype, and associated co-morbidities seen in KS has not been fully clarified. Here, we report a 47,XXY Chinese male with infertility and analyzed the differences in gene expression patterns of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with regard to a Chinese male and a female control with normal karyotype by single-cell sequencing. A total of 24,439 cells were analyzed and divided into 5 immune cell types (including B cells, T cells, macrophage cells, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells) according to marker genes. Using unsupervised dimensionality reduction and clustering algorithms, we identified molecularly distinct subpopulations of cells between the KS patient and both controls. Gene ontology enrichment analyses yielded terms associated with well-known comorbidities seen in KS as well as an affected immune system and type I diabetes mellitus. Based on our data, we identified several candidate genes which may be implicated in regulating the phenotype of KS. Overall, this analysis provides a comprehensive map of the cell types of PBMCs in a KS patient at the single-cell level, which will contribute to the prevention of comorbidity and improvement of the life quality of KS patients.
The Quebec Newborn Twin Study at 21

Abstract This paper is a revised and updated edition of a previous description of the Quebec Newborn Twin Study (QNTS), an ongoing prospective longitudinal follow-up of a birth cohort of twins born between 1995 and 1998 in the greater Montreal area, Québec, Canada. The goal of QNTS is to document individual differences in the cognitive, behavioral, and social-emotional aspects of developmental health across childhood, their early genetic and environmental determinants, as well as their putative role in later social-emotional adjustment, school, health, and occupational outcomes. A total of 662 families of twins were initially assessed when the twins were aged 6 months. These twins and their family were then followed regularly. QNTS now has 16 waves of data collected or planned, including 5 in preschool. Over the last 24 years, a broad range of physiological, cognitive, behavioral, school, and health phenotypes were documented longitudinally through multi-informant and multimethod measurements. QNTS also entails extended and detailed multilevel assessments of proximal (e.g., parenting behaviors, peer relationships) and distal (e.g., family income) features of the child’s environment. QNTS children and a subset of their parents have been genotyped, allowing for the computation of a variety of polygenic scores. This detailed longitudinal information makes QNTS uniquely suited for the study of the role of the early years and gene–environment transactions in development.
[Prognostic Value of Preoperative Serum C-Reactive Protein Level in Gastric Cancer].

BACKGROUND This study investigated the prognostic value of preoperative serum C-reactive protein(CRP)level in patients with gastric cancer(GC). METHODS This retrospective study examined 446GC patients undergoing curative gastrectomy. The associations between preoperative CRP level and postoperative long-term outcomes were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS The patients were divided into high(n=147)or low(n=299)CRP groups based on an optimal cut- off CRP value of 0.13mg/dL according to the ROC curve analysis. High CRP levels were significantly associated with other clinical factors such as older age(B65 years), high BMI(B25 kg/m2), poor performance status(PS), and advanced cT and cN+. In the survival analyses using only the clinical factors, high CRP levels were significantly associated with worse 5-year overall and cancer-specific survivals. The multivariate analysis for 5-year overall survival identified preoperative CRP to be an independent factor(HR: 1.95, 95%CI: 1.15-3.36, p=0.0129), as well as PS, tumor location, and cT. CONCLUSION Preoperative CRP level could be a useful prognostic indicator in patients with GC undergoing curative gastrectomy.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells: The New Immunosuppressants?

Mesenchymal stem cells are adult stem cells which candifferentiate into cells of mesodermal lineage—osteoblasts,chondroblasts and adipocytes. They have an important propertyof immunosuppression which is mediated mainly through solublemediators, like interleukin-1, transforming growth factor-β, nitricoxide, indoleamine 2,3 dioxegenase, etc. They have been shownto suppress both naive and antigen experienced T cells, leadto T cell arrest, and suppress Th1 and Th17 responses. Theyhave also been shown to lead to development of tolerogenicdendritic cells, Th2 response and expansion of T regulatorycells. Importantly, MSCs are cells with a low immunogenicpotential and hence have been used both in allogenic as wellas xenogenic settings. MSCs have shown efficacy insuppressing the development of autoimmune disease in variousanimal models, like collagen induced arthritis, MRL-lpr mice,EAE mice, etc. They have been used in small human studies,some of which have shown benefit like in systemic lupuserythematosus. Also, they have been used in graft-verus-hostdisease in humans with promising results. However, a singlerandomized controlled trial has been done and, thus, their currentstatus remains investigational. It is hoped that they may becomepart of the armamentarium to control and abberant or excessiveimmune reponse.
Enhanced sensitivity for detection of coronary artery disease by addition of atropine to dipyridamole echocardiography

: Dipyridamole echocardiography test (DET) has gained acceptance due to its safety, feasibility, diagnostic accuracy and prognostic power. The main limitation of the test is a less than ideal sensitivity in some patient subsets, such as those with limited coronary artery disease. Atropine with dipyridamole might theoretically combine to become a synergistic ischaemic stress test, by increasing myocardial oxygen demand through chronotropic stress and by reducing flow supply through a shortening of the diastolic interval under maximal coronary vasodilation. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the addition of atropine to DET. Three hundred and twenty-one patients (age = 58 +/- 9 years), referred for testing in the echo lab, were initially studied by DET. Of these, 151 were stopped during or within the 2 min following dipyridamole infusion because of achievement of a predetermined end-point: obvious echocardiographic positivity (n = 137), severe chest pain (n = 3), diagnostic ST segment changes (n = 7) or limited side effects (n = 4). In another three cases, atropine was not given due to a history of glaucoma or severe prostatic hypertrophy. In the remaining 167 patients with a negative DET test, atropine (0.25 mg intravenously, repeated every min up to a maximum of 1 mg, if necessary) was added, starting 3 min after the end of the dipyridamole infusion. The dipyridamole-atropine echo test (DETA) was positive in 32 and negative in 135 patients, and no major side effects occurred in any patient. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)