Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Raynaud phenomenon and mortality: 20+ years of follow-up of the Charleston Heart Study cohort

Background Raynaud phenomenon (RP) is a temporary vasoconstrictive condition that often manifests itself in the fingers in response to cold or stress. It often co-occurs with certain chronic diseases that impact mortality. Our objective was to determine whether RP has any independent association with survival. Methods From 1987–1989, a total of 830 participants of the Charleston Heart Study cohort completed an in-person RP screening questionnaire. Two definitions of RP were used: a broad definition that included both blanching (pallor) and cyanotic color changes and a narrow definition that included only blanching. All-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality were compared between subjects with and without RP using race-specific survival models that adjusted for age, sex, baseline CVD, and 10-year risk of coronary heart disease. Results Using the narrow RP definition, we identified a significant interaction between older age and the presence of RP on all-cause mortality. In the broad RP definition model, the presence of RP was not associated with CVD mortality among blacks; however, among whites, the presence of RP was associated with a 1.6-fold increase in the hazard associated with CVD-related death (hazard ratio: 1.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.10–2.20, P=0.013). Conclusion RP was independently associated with mortality among older adults in our cohort. Among whites, RP was associated with increased CVD-related death. It is possible that RP may be a sign of undiagnosed vascular disease.
Modelling human decision under risk and uncertainty

Humans are unique in their ability to flexibly and rapidly adapt their behaviour and select courses of action that lead to future reward. Several ‘component processes’ must be implemented by the human brain in order to facilitate this behaviour. This thesis examines two such components; (i) the neural substrates supporting action selection during valueguided choice using magnetoencephalography (MEG), and (ii) learning the value of environmental stimuli and other people’s actions using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In both situations, it is helpful to formally model the underlying component process, as this generates predictions of trial-to-trial variability in the signal from a brain region involved in its implementation. In the case of value-guided action selection, a biophysically realistic implementation of a drift diffusion model is used. Using this model, it is predicted that there are specific times and frequency bands at which correlates of value are seen. Firstly, there are correlates of the overall value of the two presented options, and secondly the difference in value between the options. Both correlates should be observed in the local field potential, which is closely related to the signal measured using MEG. Importantly, the content of these predictions is quite distinct from the function of the model circuit, which is to transform inputs relating to the value of each option into a categorical decision. In the case of social learning, the same reinforcement learning model is used to track both the value of two stimuli that the subject can choose between, and the advice of a confederate who is playing alongside them. As the confederate advice is actually delivered by a computer, it is possible to keep prediction error and learning rate terms for stimuli and advice orthogonal to one another, and so look for neural correlates of both social and non-social learning in the same fMRI data. Correlates of intentional inference are found in a network of brain regions previously implicated in social cognition, notably the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, the right temporoparietal junction, and the anterior cingulate gyrus. This work was funded by a 4-year studentship from the Wellcome Trust.
Experiences Conducting Systematic Reviews from Novices' Perspective

A systematic review (SR) is a sound methodology for collecting evidence on a research topic of interest and establishing the context of future research. Unlike ordinary or even expert literature reviews, SRs are systematic thus increasing the confidence in the findings from the previous published literature. SRs can be carried out by both experienced and novice researchers; however, while expert researchers? experiences with conducting SRs are important for improving the SR body of knowledge, we believe that novice researchers? experiences are equally important to establish what distinct problems they face while carrying out SRs. With a prior knowledge of these issues, novice researchers can better plan their SRs and seek guidance from expert researchers.
Extracting client-side web application code

The web application domain is one of the fastest growing and most wide-spread application domains today. By utilizing fast, modern web browsers and advanced scripting techniques, web developers are developing highly interactive applications that can, in terms of user-experience and responsiveness, compete with standard desktop applications. A web application is composed of two equally important parts: the server-side and the client-side. The client-side acts as a user-interface to the application, and can be viewed as a collection of behaviors. Similar behaviors are often used in a large number of applications, and facilitating their reuse offers considerable benefits. However, due to client-side specifics, such as multi-language implementation and extreme dynamicity, identifying and extracting code responsible for a certain behavior is difficult. In this paper we present a semi-automatic method for extracting client-side web application code implementing a certain behavior. We show how by analyzing the execution of a usage scenario, code responsible for a certain behavior can be identified, how dependencies between different parts of the application can be tracked, and how in the end only the code responsible for a certain behavior can be extracted. Our evaluation shows that the method is capable of extracting stand-alone behaviors, while achieving considerable savings in terms of code size and application performance.
RNA-Sequencing Analysis of Messenger RNA/MicroRNA in a Rabbit Aneurysm Model Identifies Pathways and Genes of Interest

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rabbit aneurysm models are used for the testing of embolization devices and elucidating the mechanisms of human intracranial aneurysm growth and healing. We used RNA-sequencing technology to identify genes relevant to induced rabbit aneurysm biology and to identify genes and pathways of potential clinical interest. This process included sequencing microRNAs, which are important regulatory noncoding RNAs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Elastase-induced saccular aneurysms were created at the origin of the right common carotid artery in 6 rabbits. Messenger RNA and microRNA were isolated from the aneurysm and from the control left common carotid artery at 12 weeks and processed by using RNA-sequencing technology. The results from RNA sequencing were analyzed by using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis tool. RESULTS: A total of 9396 genes were analyzed by using RNA sequencing, 648 (6.9%) of which were found to be significantly differentially expressed between the aneurysms and control tissues (P < .05; false-discovery rate, <0.01; fold change, >2 or <.5). Of these genes, 614 were mapped successfully, 143 were down-regulated, and 471 were up-regulated in the aneurysms as compared with controls. Using the same criteria for significance, 3 microRNAs were identified as down-regulated and 5 were identified as up-regulated. Pathway analysis associated these genes with inflammatory response, cellular migration, and coagulation, among other functions and pathologies. CONCLUSIONS: RNA-sequencing analysis of rabbit aneurysms revealed differential regulation of some key pathways, including inflammation and antigen presentation. ANKRD1 and TACR1 were identified as genes of interest in the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases.
Real-time trajectory generation using model predictive control

The problem of planning a trajectory for robots starting in an initial state and reaching a final state in a desired interval of time is tackled. We consider Model Predictive Control as an approach to the problem of point-to-point trajectory generation. We use the developed strategy to generate trajectories for transferring the state of the robot, fulfilling computational real-time requirements. Experiments on an industrial robot in a ball-catching scenario show the effectiveness of the approach.
[The neurobiology of burnout: the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland axis and other findings].

OBJECTIVE This review aimed to present an overview of neurobiological research on the etiology of burnout and to evaluate the proposed arguments. METHOD A retrospective literature review of the relevant studies conducted within the last 17 years. For this purpose a literature search was conducted via internet-based search engines, including PubMed, Science-Direct, Medline, GoogleScholar, ULAKBIM Turkish Medicine Index, and Turkish Psychiatry Index, using the key words, burnout, cortisol, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland (HPA)-axis, stress, neurobiology, neurogenesis, BDNF, immunology, and etiology, in different combinations. RESULTS The pioneering studies that focused on the relationship between burnout and dysregulation of the HPA-axis have yielded inconsistent results. Data from subsequent studies with improved designs suggest there is no HPA-axis dysregulation in burnout, but the results do not lead to more concrete interpretations. There is some evidence of impaired immunity function in burnout as compared with controls. Although there is strong evidence of a relationship between stress and impairment in hippocampal neurogenesis, there is no study of burnout in the field. Data about monoaminergic involvement in burnout, which is one of the probable pathways, is scarce. CONCLUSION In future research the essential guidelines for evaluating HPA-axis functioning (i.e. timing of collecting samples from saliva or blood and controlling for possible influencing factors on HPA-axis functioning) in patients clinically diagnosed with burnout should be taken into account, and in addition to the HPA-axis, evaluation of hippocampal neurogenesis, neurotrophins, immunity functioning, and the monoaminergic system will provide more data on the neurobiology of burnout.
Mapping Transcripts to Handwritten Text

In the analysis and recognition of handwriting, a useful first task is to assign ground truth for words in the writing. Such an assignment is useful for various subsequent machine learning tasks for performing automatic recognition, writer verification, etc. Since automatic word segmentation and recognition can be error prone, an intermediate approach is to use a text file that is a transcription of the handwriting image for performing ground truth assignment. This paper describes an algorithm for finding the best word level alignment between the transcript and the handwriting image. The algorithm is useful in tasks such as: (i) extracting words and characters as characteristic elements in writer verification and identification tasks; (ii) creating a large ground-truthed dataset for handwriting document analysis (in word and even character levels); (iii) indexing a collection of handwritten materials for document retrieval, such as for historical manuscripts. The algorithm achieves an 84.7% accuracy in aligning words on whole images when evaluated on 20 pages from a handwriting database created for forensic document examination studies.
Long-term outcome after stroke: does dysphagia matter?

BACKGROUND swallowing problems (dysphagia) are common following acute stroke and are independent predictors of short-term outcome. It is uncertain as to whether these swallowing problems are associated with outcome in the longer-term. AIM insert to determine whether dysphagia present in the first week of acute stroke associated with long-term outcome. METHODS a population-based long-term follow-up of people with first in a life-time stroke. Dysphagia was assessed within 1 week of stroke and patients were followed up at 3 months and yearly for 5 years by face-to-face interview. Outcome was defined by survival and place of residence, using multinomial logistic regression. Barthel Scores were divided into the two groups 15-20 and 0-14, and modelled using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS there were 567 patients with dysphagia (mean age 74.3 years) and 621 with a safe swallow (mean age 69.6 years). Following multinomial logistic regression, residence in a nursing home was more likely to occur in those who failed the swallow test during the first week of their stroke; however, this only reached statistical significance at 3 months (relative risk ratio (RRR)=1.73; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02 to 2.95), and years 4 (RRR 3.35, 1.37-8.19) and 5 (RRR 3.06, 1.06-8.83). There was also a significant association with increased mortality only during the first three months (RRR 2.03, 1.12 to 3.67). CONCLUSION this study confirms that the presence of dysphagia during the acute phase of stroke is associated with poor outcome during the subsequent year, particularly at 3 months, and is associated with increased institutionalisation rate in the long term.
Local hydrologic effects of introducing non‐native vegetation in a tropical catchment

This study investigates the hydrologic implications of land use conversion from native vegetation to rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) in Southeast Asia. The experimental catchment, Nam Ken (69 km2), is located in Xishuangbanna Prefecture (22°N, 101°E), in the south of Yunnan province, in southwestern China. During 2005 and 2006, we collected hourly records of 2 m deep soil moisture profiles in rubber and three native land‐covers (tea, secondary forest and grassland), and measured surface radiation above the tea and rubber canopies. Observations show that root water uptake of rubber during the dry season is controlled by day‐length, whereas water demand of the native vegetation starts with the arrival of the first monsoon rainfall. The different dynamics of root water uptake in rubber result in distinct depletion of soil moisture in deeper layers. Traditional evapotranspiration and soil moisture models are unable to simulate this specific behaviour. Therefore, a different conceptual model, taking in account vegetation dynamics, is needed to predict hydrologic changes due to land use conversion in the area. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Heuristic Method for the Set Covering Problem

We present a Lagrangian-based heuristic for the well-known Set Covering Problem (SCP). The algorithm was initially designed for solving very large scale SCP instances, involving up to 5,000 rows and 1,000,000 columns, arising from crew scheduling in the Italian Railway Company, Ferrovie dello Stato SpA. In 1994 Ferrovie dello Stato SpA, jointly with the Italian Operational Research Society, organized a competition, called FASTER, intended to promote the development of algorithms capable of producing good solutions for these instances, since the classical approaches meet with considerable difficulties in tackling them. The main characteristics of the algorithm we propose are (1) a dynamic pricing scheme for the variables, akin to that used for solving large-scale LPs, to be coupled with subgradient optimization and greedy algorithms, and (2) the systematic use of column fixing to obtain improved solutions. Moreover, we propose a number of improvements on the standard way of defining the step-size and the ascent direction within the subgradient optimization procedure, and the scores within the greedy algorithms. Finally, an effective refining procedure is proposed. Our code won the first prize in the FASTER competition, giving the best solution value for all the proposed instances. The algorithm was also tested on the test instances from the literature: in 92 out of the 94 instances in our test bed we found, within short computing time, the optimal (or the best known) solution. Moreover, among the 18 instances for which the optimum is not known, in 6 cases our solution is better than any other solution found by previous techniques.
Mechanical properties of intermetallics formed during thermal aging of Cu-Al ball bonds

In high power automotive electronics copper wire bonding is regarded as most promising alternative for gold wire bonding in 1st level interconnects and therefore subjected to severe functional requirements. In the Cu-Al ball bond interface the growth of intermetallic compounds may deteriorate the wire bond. The thermo-mechanical properties of these intermetallic compounds are crucial in the prediction of the long term behavior. To determine the mechanical properties diffusion couples were aged and 5 separate intermetallic compounds were melted using the pure elements Cu and Al. These samples were annealed in vacuum at high temperature and chemically analyzed in order to identify the intermetallic compounds. The measured hardness, indentation Young's moduli and densities of these intermetallic compounds are presented. Consequences of the thermo-mechanical properties of the intermetallic compounds are crucial for the prediction of the long term mechanical behavior of Cu-Al ball bonds.
Recognition and Measurement of Intellectual Resources: The Accounting-Relating Challenges of Intellectual Capital

The key to competitive success is likely to be the ability to create, leverage, and develop specialised knowledge and intellectual resources. This new reality presents both challenges and opportunities for accounting, a discipline which has traditionally found it difficult to deal with the recognition and measurement issues surrounding intangible assets. This paper makes two contributions to the emerging literature on intellectual capital. Firstly, it offers some preliminary results of a study of the drivers and generators of intellectual capital. Secondly, it posits a theoretical/ methodological approach to intellectual capital based upon Habermas’ concept of communicative action, a concept that allows the premium attaching to the human and dynamic elements of organisations to be accentuated.
Nanomaterials and the European Water Framework Directive

Besides the European Union (EU) Directive on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of CHemicals (REACH), the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is probably the single most important piece of environmental legislation in Europe when it comes to dealing with nanomaterials in the future given their widespread and dispersive use. Despite of the importance of the WFD, the WFD has come under little academic scrutiny in this regard. While REACH deals with the manufacturing and import of chemicals, the Water Framework Directive is directed towards reducing the presence of dangerous chemicals (i.e. “priority substances”) in European waters. In this article, we first introduce to the key elements of the WFD and we analyze and discuss the challenges that hamper the implementation of the WFD, if nanomaterials were to be covered by the WFD as effectively as e.g. xenobiotic organic chemicals and heavy metals. These challenges include whether nanomaterials could be considered as possible candidates to be selected as priority substances, how European Member States are to establish Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs) for nanomaterials, how European Member States are to undertake environmental monitoring of nanomaterials and finally, the applicability of Best Available Techniques and associated emission limit values when it comes to reducing point and diffuse sources of nanomaterials. We recommend that emerging (eco)toxicological evidence as well as the possibility of widespread environmental contamination of certain nanomaterials is used to select priority substances and that resources are allocated toward obtaining a deeper scientific understanding of the environmental processes that form the basis for deriving EQSs today. Instead of focusing on environmental monitoring downstream, “upstream monitoring” should be implemented by systematically mapping nanomaterial production volumes, product concentrations, market penetration, dispersive vs. non-dispersive uses, etc. to map out the trends of environmental exposure in a given river basin district and finally, that focus is increased on engineering environmentally benign nanomaterials in order to prevent future point and diffuse sources of pollution.
Stakeholder Alignment and Effective System Use: Case Study of a Public Sector Information System

This research seeks to understand how improved stakeholder alignment impacts the use of IT systems deployed in support of sustainability. The IT alignment literature is dominated by a focus on strategy formulation within relatively simple organisation forms. In contrast, little is known about how stakeholder alignment is enacted to improve the use of mandated IT systems. To address this gap we: (1) identify the factors that influence the effective use of such systems; (2) investigate how strategic alignment among stakeholders within project related networks impacts on effective use; and (3) propose and test a stakeholder alignment model to explain effective use of a mandated sustainability system within the Australian building industry.
Complexity control of motion compensation for video decoding

This paper proposes a complexity control mechanism for the video encoder to generate a bitstream that fits the power constraint of the decoder. We combine the complexity term of motion compensation with the conventional rate-distortion optimization (RDO). The Lagrange multiplier is updated for each macroblock (MB) to meet the target computing complexity. Experimental show that the proposed method provides a good control accuracy of computing complexity. The whole average error of test sequences is 1.20% with constant bit rate constraints.
EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF THE APPLE 'IPAD' ON MALE AND FEMALE CLASSROOM ENGAGEMENT IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SCOTLAND

Many studies have shown that the use of technology in the learning environments in schools may influence pupil engagement (Kearney, et al., 2011). Despite the recent surge in the popularity and use of touchscreen tablet computing technology by consumers, little research has been carried out into their use in a primary school setting. This study investigates the use of the Apple iPad in an upper primary school setting with regard to children’s engagement. Cognitive, emotional and general engagement was increased in lessons based on use of the iPad. Of particular significance was the increased engagement in boys to levels comparable to girls. The study suggests that tablet computer technology has potential as a useful tool in the classroom setting and in aiding convergence of the gender gap.