Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crystal: A Unified Cache Storage System for Analytical Databases

Cloud analytical databases employ a disaggregated storage model, where the elastic compute layer accesses data persisted on remote cloud storage in block-oriented columnar formats. Given the high latency and low bandwidth to remote storage and the limited size of fast local storage, caching data at the compute node is important and has resulted in a renewed interest in caching for analytics. Today, each DBMS builds its own caching solution, usually based on fileor block-level LRU. In this paper, we advocate a new architecture of a smart cache storage system called Crystal, that is co-located with compute. Crystal’s clients are DBMS-specific “data sources” with push-down predicates. Similar in spirit to a DBMS, Crystal incorporates query processing and optimization components focusing on efficient caching and serving of single-table hyper-rectangles called regions. Results show that Crystal, with a small DBMS-specific data source connector, can significantly improve query latencies on unmodified Spark and Greenplum while also saving on bandwidth from remote storage. PVLDB Reference Format: Dominik Durner, Badrish Chandramouli, and Yinan Li. Crystal: A Unified Cache Storage System for Analytical Databases. PVLDB, 14(11): 2432 -
The Oxidative Stress Induced by the Vapours of Electronic- Hookah on Mice Liver Tissues

Background: In the past few years, the increased use of Electronichookah is popular among youth in Iraq, raises the need for assessment of these products on liver tissue oxidative stress. The current study aims to examine the oxidative stress induced by the vapours of Electronichookah on mice liver tissues. Material and Methods: Twenty mice were randomly separated into two groups. The first experimental group included albino mice were subjected to vapours of Electronichookah (1 hour per day for one month), and the other as a control group. At the end of the experiment, several organ weights were measured, and liver tissues were collected for all animals. Liver tissue contents of malondialdehyde, total protein carbonyl, nitric oxide were estimated. Results: The experimental data showed that Electronichookah (1 hour per day for one-month) had significant differences between the two groups on the relative weight of the liver and relative weight of spleen. All of the estimated oxidative damage products (malondialdehyde, total protein carbonyl, nitric oxide) were significantly higher (P<0.0001) in the Ehookah group when compared to the animals in control group. Conclusion: Vapours of Electronichookah have a harmful toxic effect that can promote worse oxidative stress, especially on liver tissue, which could elevate the risk for the development of liver diseases in a long time.
Online Dynamic Multi-source Feature Learning and its Application to Spatio-temporal Event Forecasting

The forecasting of significant societal events such as civil unrest and economic crisis is an interesting and challenging problem which requires both timeliness, precision, and comprehensiveness. Significant societal events are influenced and indicated jointly by multiple aspects of a society, including its economics, politics, and culture. Traditional forecasting methods based on a single data source find it hard to cover all these aspects comprehensively, thus limiting model performance. Multi-source event forecasting has proven promising but still suffers from several challenges, including 1) geographical hierarchies in multi-source data features, 2) hierarchical missing values, 3) characterization of structured feature sparsity, and 4) difficulty in model’s online update with incomplete multiple sources. This paper proposes a novel feature learning model that concurrently addresses all the above challenges. Specifically, given multi-source data from different geographical levels, we design a new forecasting model by characterizing the lower-level features’ dependence on higher-level features. To handle the correlations amidst structured feature sets and deal with missing values among the coupled features, we propose a novel feature learning model based on an N th-order strong hierarchy and fused-overlapping group Lasso. An efficient algorithm is developed to optimize model parameters and ensure global optima. More importantly, to enable the model update in real time, the online learning algorithm is formulated and active set techniques are leveraged to resolve the crucial challenge when new patterns of missing features appear in real time. Extensive experiments on 10 datasets in different domains demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed models.
A Proposed Framework for Big Data Analytics in Higher Education

Students, faculties, and other members of the higher education (HEd) system are increasingly reliant on various information technologies. Such a reliance results in a plethora of data that can be explored to obtain relevant statistics or insights. Another reason to explore the data is to acquire valuable insight regarding the novel unstructured forms of data that are discovered and often found to have a connection with elements of social media such as pictures, videos, Web pages, audio files, etc. Moreover, the data can bring additional valuable benefits when processed in the context of HEd. When used strategically, Big Data (BD) provides educational institutions with the chance to improve the quality of education from all the perspectives and steer students of HEd toward higher rates of completion. Further, this will improve student persistence and results, all of which are facilitated by technology. With this aim, the current research proposes a framework that analyzes the data collected from heterogeneous sources and analyzes using BD analytics tools to do various types of analysis that will be beneficial for different learners, faculties and other members of HEd system. Moreover, current research also focuses on the challenges of acquiring BD from various sources. Keywords—Big data analysis; higher education; learning analytics; academic analytics
Predictors of Partial Immunization Among Children Aged 12–23 Months in Yirga Cheffe District, South Ethiopia – A Community-Based Unmatched Case-Control Study

Background Universal age-specific immunization is one of the areas where preventive public health policy has become successful. Despite the increase in global immunization coverage, however, many children around the world, especially in developing countries, are still left unvaccinated. The study aimed at assessing the determinants of partial immunization among children 12–23 months of age in Yirga Cheffe, Gedeo, Ethiopia. Methodology A community-based unmatched case-control study design was conducted. Using a simple random sampling technique, 328 samples (164 cases and 164 controls) were selected. Index case was defined as a child aged 12 to 23 months who missed at least one dose of vaccine from the scheduled dose. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to calculate the association, and the level of significance was set at p 0.05. The Result The study showed that 40% of children were fully vaccinated, and the prevalence of those with partial vaccination was 46%. The likelihood of having incomplete vaccination was 45% higher in children whose mothers had no antenatal coverage (ANC) visit during pregnancy [OR=0.55, (95% CI; 0.297, 1.035)]. Lack of knowledge about the schedule of the vaccination has negatively affected the success of full vaccination (OR=2.3; 95% CI=1.01, 5.56). Conclusion The study revealed that significant numbers of children are not fully vaccinated. Despite appreciable efforts by the Federal Ministry of Health to improve complete immunization coverage, there are still bottlenecks that need to be tackled in enhancing coverage. We recommend the expansion of ANC and providing education on vaccination schedule and importance to minimize the burden of partial vaccinations and its sequelae.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for differentiating between benign and malignant thoracic lymph nodes: a meta-analysis

Objective To establish the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in discriminating malignant from non-malignant thoracic lymph nodes. Materials and Methods This was a meta-analysis involving systematic searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases up through April 2020. Studies reporting thoracic DWI and lymph node evaluation were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated. Results We evaluated six studies, involving a collective total of 356 mediastinal lymph nodes in 214 patients. Thoracic DWI had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 92% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 71-98%) and 93% (95% CI: 79-98%), respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 13.2 (95% CI: 4.0-43.8) and 0.09 (95% CI: 0.02-0.36), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio was 149 (95% CI: 18-1,243), and the AUC was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95-0.98). Conclusion DWI is a reproducible technique and has demonstrated high accuracy for differentiating between malignant and benign states in thoracic lymph nodes.
Physical activity and sitting time prior to and during COVID-19 lockdown in Austrian high-school students

The COVID-19 pandemic has led in many countries to the implementation of policies that mandate social distancing and movement restrictions. While these measures are warranted in order to minimize the spread of the virus they may have detrimental effects on various behaviors, including physical activity (PA). The present study examined PA and sitting time in 14 to18-year-old Austrian high school students prior to and during the second COVID-19 lockdown in Austria. Data was collected via an online questionnaire during fall/winter 2020/21. Questions were based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, which examined frequency and duration of PA and sitting time. A total of 221 high school students provided valid data. Participants reported significantly lower moderate and vigorous PA during the lockdown while sitting time increased (p < 0.01). The frequency of walking (days/week) also decreased during COVID-19 lockdown, which also contributed to a significant decline in total walking time (p < 0.01). Further, the decline in PA was more pronounced in boys, while girls reported a greater decline in walking. These differences were due to higher PA and walking in boys and girls, respectively, prior to the lockdown. During the lockdown sex differences in PA and sitting time were limited. Taken together, these results highlight the impact of COVID-19 policies on PA in adolescents and emphasize the importance to promote an active lifestyle even in times of home confinement.
Reliability of Dutch Obstetric Telephone Triage

Background Safety and efficiency of emergency care can be optimized with a triage system which uses urgency to prioritize care. The Dutch Obstetric Telephone Triage System (DOTTS) was developed to provide a basis for assessing urgency of unplanned obstetric care requests by telephone. Reliability and validity are important components in evaluating such (obstetric) triage systems. Objective To determine the reliability of Dutch Obstetric Telephone Triage, by calculating the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. Methods To evaluate the urgency levels of DOTTS by testing inter-rater and intra-rater reliability, 90 vignettes of possible requests were developed. Nineteen participants, from hospitals where DOTTS had been implemented, rated in two rounds a set of ten vignettes. The five urgency levels and five presenting symptoms had an equal spread and had to be entered in accordance with DOTTS per vignette. Urgency levels were dichotomized into high urgency and intermediate urgency. Inter-rater reliability was rated as degree of agreement between two different participants with the same vignette. Intra-rater reliability was rated as agreement by the same participants at different moments in time. The degree of inter-rater and intra-rater reliability was tested using weighted Cohen’s Kappa and ICC. Results The agreement of urgency level between participants in accordance with predefined urgency level per vignette was 90.5% (95% CI 87.5–93.6) [335 of 370]. Agreement of urgency level between participants was 88.5% (95% CI 84.9–93.0) [177 of 200] and 84.9% (95% CI 78.3–91.4) after re-rating [101 of 119]. Inter-rater reliability of DOTTS expressed as Cohen’s Kappa was 0.77 and as ICC 0.87; intra-rater reliability of DOTTS expressed as Cohen’s Kappa was 0.70 and as ICC 0.82. Conclusion Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of DOTTS showed substantial correlation, and is comparable to other studies. Therefore, DOTTS is considered reliable.
Poly(amino acid) based fibrous membranes with tuneable in vivo biodegradation

In this work two types of biodegradable polysuccinimide-based, electrospun fibrous membranes are presented. One contains disulfide bonds exhibiting a shorter (3 days) in vivo biodegradation time, while the other one has alkyl crosslinks and a longer biodegradation time (more than 7 days). According to the mechanical measurements, the tensile strength of the membranes is comparable to those of soft the connective tissues and visceral tissues. Furthermore, the suture retention test suggests, that the membranes would withstand surgical handling and in vivo fixation. The in vivo biocompatibility study demonstrates how membranes undergo in vivo hydrolysis and by the 3rd day they become poly(aspartic acid) fibrous membranes, which can be then enzymatically degraded. After one week, the disulfide crosslinked membranes almost completely degrade, while the alkyl-chain crosslinked ones mildly lose their integrity as the surrounding tissue invades them. Histopathology revealed mild acute inflammation, which diminished to a minimal level after seven days.
Extradiaphragmatic respiratory muscle perfusion during exercise in patients with COPD: impact on dyspnea

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Role of paraspinal mapping before transforaminal epidural injections for lumbar radiculopathy

Objectives This study aims to investigate whether electromyography (EMG) including paraspinal mapping (PM) and specific clinical findings before the injection have a predictive role on the results in patients undergoing unilateral transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI). Patients and methods In this prospective study, a total of 46 patients (19 males, 17 females; mean age: 44.0±10.8 years; range, 23 to 60 years) with unilateral L5 root compression confirmed by physical examination, EMG and lumbar MRI between March 2013 and January 2014 were included. The patients underwent L5 TFESI. After the injection, they were examined at 1 h, three weeks, and three months. Results The clinical findings and presence of acute involvement on EMG were not predictive for TFESI results; however, the patients with lower scores for the L5 segment in PM benefited more from the injection, compared to patients with higher scores for the L5 segment in PM. Conclusion In patients with very clearly defined L5 radiculopathy, PM EMG can give us an idea about the effectiveness of L5 TFESI.
Do vulnerable groups access prevention services? Cervical cancer screening and HIV testing among homeless migrant women in the Paris metropolitan area

Introduction Homeless migrant women, facing adverse living conditions and barriers to legal status, are at risk of cervical cancer, HIV infection and may encounter barriers to screening services. We investigate factors associated with each screening in a population of migrant women in France and aim to determine the mean time since last HIV testing according to duration of residence in France. Methods We use data from the DSAFHIR study (Rights and Health of Migrant Women in Emergency Housing) investigating health and migration experience of homeless migrant women housed in emergency housing hotels in the Paris Metropolitan area in 2017. We computed multivariate logistic regression models to investigate no lifetime cervical cancer screening (CCS) and no lifetime HIV test. We used linear regression models to analyze time since last HIV test. Results We included 469 women. 46% of respondents had no lifetime CCS, 31% had no lifetime HIV test. Both screenings were associated with educational attainment and French proficiency. Compared with duration of residence < 1 year, duration ≥ 7 years was associated with a lower likelihood of no lifetime CCS (adjusted Odd Ratio = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.07–0.39). Compared to women born in North Africa, women born in West (aOR = 0.15; 95% CI = 0.07–0.33) and East Africa (aOR = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.02–0.20) were less likely to have no lifetime HIV test. Time since last HIV test increased for each additional year spent in France (coef = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.09, 0.33). Conclusion While access to CCS remains poor for recent migrants, HIV testing is more likely to occur shortly after migration.
Effects of dietary energy and protein levels on nutrient intake, digestibility, and body weight change in Hararghe highland and Afar sheep breeds of Ethiopia

Objectives: The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary energy and protein level growth performances of selected indigenous Ethiopian sheep breeds. Materials and Methods: Fifty intact ram lambs, 25 from each breed with 12 months of age and a mean initial body weight (IBW) of 19.31 ± 1.7 kg, were employed for this experiment. Animals were distributed randomly into five dietary treatments, i.e., minimum Energy and Protein (mEmP), medium energy and protein (MEMP), medium Energy and high Protein (MEHP), high energy and medium protein (HEMP), and high Energy and high Protein (HEHP) diets in randomized complete block design with 2 * 5 factorial arrangements. The minimum, medium, and high energy diets were 2.388, 2.866, and 3.344 Mcal/kg dry matter (DM) with the corresponding 10%, 16%, and 20% crude protein (CP) diets, respectively. The diets were formulated in a total mixed ration from wheat bran (WB), maize grain, peanut cake, and pasture hay feed ingredients. Diet offer was at the rate of 3% of lambs’ live weight and revised biweekly as per the attained body weight changes. Digestibility trial was conducted for 7 days of actual fecal data collection, followed by 90 days of feeding trial. Results: The animals fed on the MEHP diet had a maximum DM and nutrient intakes (CP and organic matter) and the best final body weight (FBW), total gain, gain rate, average daily gains, and feed conversion efficiency (31.3, 12.9 kg, 41.2%, 143.3 gm, and 23.13, respectively), followed by HEMP, HEHP, MEMP, and mEmP diets. Digestibility of DM and nutrients linearly followed similar trends (p < 0.01). Hararghe sheep was heavier (p < 0.01) by 4.3 and 3.1 kg in its FBW and total gain and more efficient in nutrients utilization (22.57 vs. 18.18) as compared to Afar sheep (AS). Conclusion: It is concluded that MEHP and MEMP are superior and optimum diets for sheep breeds, and Hararghe sheep is carried out better than AS in most growth performance parameters.
Resuming anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation experiencing intracranial hemorrhage

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract Globally, 32% to 70% patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are prescribed oral anticoagulants (OACs) with warfarin for stroke prevention. However, patients with AF on OACs may experience intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), which presents a treatment dilemma. We therefore investigated whether resuming OACs in these patients is beneficial. Electronic medical records of patients with AF on OACs discharged with ICH between 2001 and 2013 were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for analysis. We excluded patients who were <20 years old, who were not using OACs 6 months prior to ICH, or who had a CHA2DS2-VASc score of ≤1. We also excluded patients who died during admission for ICH, with follow-up for <6 weeks after discharge, or who started OAC >6 weeks after ICH diagnosis. The remaining patients were categorized into those who resumed OAC and those who discontinued OAC. Propensity score matching was performed between the 2 groups. Primary outcomes were mortality/ischemic stroke (IS)/systemic embolism (SE), IS/SE, and recurrent ICH at 6 months and 1 year. After the exclusion criteria were applied, 604 eligible patients (408 discontinued OAC and 196 resumed OAC within 6 weeks) were included in this study, and 186 patients in each group were 1:1 matched. Patients who resumed OAC had significantly lower mortality/IS/SE (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.20–0.76) and IS/SE (HR = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.03–0.53) at 6-month follow-up than patients who discontinued OAC. In addition, patients who resumed OAC had significantly lower mortality/IS/SE (HR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.34–0.93) and IS/SE (HR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.09–0.75) at 1-year follow-up. No difference in recurrent ICH was noted between the 2 groups. In conclusion, in patients with AF on OACs with ICH, resuming anticoagulant use was associated with significantly lower risks of composite outcomes of mortality/IS/SE and IS/SE than patients who discontinued OACs. No difference in recurrent ICH was observed between the 2 groups.
Correlation between 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT and 18F-FDOPA PET in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a pilot study

Objective To determine whether technetium-99m-labeled tropane derivative single-photon emission computed tomography (99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT) provides results comparable to those of the less widely available, less accessible tool fluorine-18-labeled fluorodopa positron-emission tomography (18F-FDOPA PET) in the setting of a movement disorders clinic. Materials and Methods In this prospective pilot study, eight subjects with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease were randomly selected from among patients under treatment at a movement disorders clinic and submitted to 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT and 18F-FDOPA PET. The results were read by two experienced observers, and a semiquantitative analysis was performed. Results The visual and semiquantitative analyses were concordant for all studies, showing that radiotracer uptake in the contralateral striatum on the most affected side was lower when 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT was employed. The semiquantitative analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between 18F-FDOPA PET and 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT (r = 0.73; p < 0.01). Conclusion It appears that 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT is a valid option for the study of dopaminergic function in a clinical setting.