Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
European Conference on Information Systems ( ECIS ) Summer 10-6-2011 A RESEARCH MODEL FOR MEASURING IT-EFFICIENCY IN GERMAN HOSPITALS

More than 10% of the German gross domestic product is spent on health related services every year a good proportion of these funds allocated to information technology (IT). A review of the literature reveals that IT in hospitals is a vastly under researched area, although anecdotal evidence reveals that the efficiency of IT usage in German hospitals offers room for improvement. Therefore we ask the research question: What are the salient factors influencing the efficient usage of IT in hospitals? To answer this question we set up a research project combining technology acceptance models, social cognitive theory and perceived risk theory to frame the perceived risk of liability for medical malpractice due to incorrect system usage. This research in progress paper presents the theoretically derived research model and gives an overview of the research project. The project is scheduled to start in July 2011 and is carried out in conjunction with two hospitals and a leading provider of IT and services for the health care sector. Anticipated findings are not only insights into the antecedents of user behavior but also an instrument to measure efficiency of IT usage and a framework to positively influence IT usage in German hospitals.
Proteomic and bioinformatic analyses of spinal cord injury-induced skeletal muscle atrophy in rats

Spinal cord injury (SCI) may result in skeletal muscle atrophy. Identifying diagnostic biomarkers and effective targets for treatment is an important challenge in clinical work. The aim of the present study is to elucidate potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SCI-induced muscle atrophy (SIMA) using proteomic and bioinformatic analyses. The protein samples from rat soleus muscle were collected at different time points following SCI injury and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and compared with the sham group. The identities of these protein spots were analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). MS demonstrated that 20 proteins associated with muscle atrophy were differentially expressed. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that SIMA changed the expression of proteins associated with cellular, developmental, immune system and metabolic processes, biological adhesion and localization. The results of the present study may be beneficial in understanding the molecular mechanisms of SIMA and elucidating potential biomarkers and targets for the treatment of muscle atrophy.
Calcite Twinning in the Ordovician Martinsburg Formation, Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey, USA: Implications for Cleavage Formation and Tectonic Shortening in the Appalachian Piedmont Province

A traverse across the Stone Church syncline in the Ordovician Martinsburg turbidites reveals an axial planar cleavage (N40°E, SE dips) in regional thrust-related folds (N40°E, shallow plunges) and five phases of sparry calcite. Calcite fillings are bedding-parallel, cleavage-parallel, and one vein set cross-cuts both earlier phases; the youngest calcite filling is a bedding-parallel fault gouge that crosscuts the cleavage and preserves top-down-to-the-southeast normal fault kinematics. Calcite veins unique to disharmonically-folded calcareous siltstones (Maxwell, 1962) were also analyzed. Stable isotopic analysis (O, C) of all of the calcite phases indicates a uniform fluid source (δ13C −2.0, δ18O −13.3 VPDB) and, potentially, a similar precipitation and mechanical twinning age. The twinning strains (n = 1341; average Δσ = −32 MPa; average e1 = −2.9%) in the calcite suite are consistent with SE-NW thrust shortening, and sub-horizontal shortening perpendicular to evolving axial planar cleavage planes in the Stone Church syncline. Calcareous siltstone layers within the Martinsburg Fm. turbidites share concordant bedding planes and are unique, chemically (XRF), but folded and cleaved differently than the surrounding clay-rich Martinsburg turbidites. Neither sediment type yielded detrital zircons. Electron backscatter X-ray diffraction (EBSD) and calcite twinning results in a folded calcareous siltstone layer preserving a layer-normal SE-NW shortening strain and Lattice Preferred Orientation (LPO). Shortening axes for the five-phase calcite suite trends ~N40°W, consistent with tectonic transport associated with crystalline nappe emplacement of the Reading Prong within the Piedmont province.
Electronic Commerce Adoption Barriers in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Developing Countries: The Case of Libya

Today e-commerce has become crucial element to transform some of the world countries into an information society. However, several calls have been made to meet the association between the perceptions of e-commerce adoption barriers in developing countries. This paper focuses on the main challenges facing the growth of e-commerce in SMEs in Libya. Further, a deep investigation concerning e-commerce growth and development in Libya was carried out by discussing several issues such as: postal system suitability, banking system services, internet safety and customer’s culture upon the growth of e-commerce. In order to accomplish the objectives of the study, questionnaire surveys have been distributed to forty business managers to concerning e-commerce situation in Libya. The study showed many challenges facing Libyans’ e-commerce like the expensiveness of internet pricing; the unsuitability of online shopping services and Libyan postal system; and the Libyans’ culture and their limited trust in the online trading systems.
Adapted intervention mapping: a strategic planning process for increasing physical activity and healthy eating opportunities in schools via environment and policy change.

BACKGROUND School environment and policy changes have increased healthy eating and physical activity; however, there has been modest success in translating research findings to practice. The School Environment Project tested whether an adapted version of Intervention Mapping (AIM) resulted in school change. METHODS Using a pair randomized design, 10 rural elementary schools were assigned to AIM or the School Health Index (SHI). Baseline measures were collected fall 2005, AIM was conducted 2005-2006, and follow-up measures were collected fall 2006 and 2007. Outcome measures included number and type of effective environment and policy changes implemented; process measures included the extent to which 11 implementation steps were used. RESULTS AIM schools made an average of 4.4 effective changes per school with 90% still in place a year later. SHI schools made an average of 0.6 effective changes with 66% in place a year later. Implementation steps distinguishing AIM from SHI included use of external, trained facilitators; principal involvement; explicitly stating the student behavior goals; identifying effective environment and policy changes; prioritizing potential changes based on importance and feasibility; and developing an action plan. CONCLUSION The AIM process led to environment and policy changes known to increase healthy eating and physical activity.
On the Use of College Students in Social Science Research: Insights from a Second‐Order Meta‐analysis

A second-order meta-analysis was conducted to assess the implications of using college student subjects in social science research. Four meta-analyses investigating response homogeneity (cumulative N > 650,000) and 30 meta-analyses reporting effect sizes for 65 behavioral or psychological relationships (cumulative N > 350,000) provided comparative data for college student subjects and nonstudent (adult) subjects for the present research. In general, responses of college student subjects were found to be slightly more homogeneous than those of nonstudent subjects. Moreover, effect sizes derived from college student subjects frequently differed from those derived from nonstudent subjects both directionally and in magnitude. Because there was no systematic pattern to the differences observed, caution must be exercised when attempting to extend any relationship found using college student subjects to a nonstudent (adult) population. The results augur in favor of, and emphasize the importance of, replicating research based on college student subjects with nonstudent subjects before attempting any generalizations. Copyright 2001 by the University of Chicago.
Contactless deflection sensing of concave and convex shapes assisted by soft mirrors

Typical deflection sensors like strain gauges or devices based on optical fibers require physical contact with the deflected substrate during the measurement process. Such contact, however, impacts on the softness of the substrate and may falsify the measurements. In order to overcome this drawback, a novel method of contactless deflection sensing was proposed in a recent work. It was verified that the deflection angle between two planes can be extracted using only a photosensor and a light source bearing a bell-shape angular emission profile. Yet, the range of operation was limited to concave shapes. In this paper, we introduce an alternative configuration of this light-based deflection sensing method to extend its functionality to convex surfaces. Here, a spheroidal mirror bearing a customized profile is introduced above the light source. This mirror redirects part of the emitted light towards the photosensor occluded by the bending surface during convex deflections.We make use of a ray tracing simulation method to design the mirror profiles, which are accurately reproduced in the manufactured prototypes by tuning the fabrication variables of the manufacturing process. Using a shape-sensing prototype, it is verified that the use of the mirror extends the range of detectable deflections by 55° to convex bendings, yielding a deviation of only 8.3% from simulated results. Our deflection sensing solution is a promising method to be used as a shape sensor in numerous applications, such as soft robotics platforms or prosthetic devices.
Evidence from a Randomized Trial That Simvastatin, but Not Ezetimibe, Upregulates Circulating PCSK9 Levels

Background Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a secreted inhibitor of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and an important regulator of LDL metabolism. Elevated PCSK9 levels have been associated with cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate how ezetimibe and simvastatin, alone and in combination, affect PCSK9 circulating concentrations. Methods A single center, randomized, open-label parallel 3-group study in healthy men (mean age 32±9 years, body mass index 25.7±3.2 kg/m2) was performed. Each group of 24 subjects was treated for 14 days with either simvastatin 40 mg/d, ezetimibe 10 mg/d, or with both drugs. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate parameters influencing the change in PCSK9 concentrations under treatment. Results The baseline plasma PCSK9 concentrations in the total cohort were 52±20 ng/mL with no statistically significant differences between the groups. They were increased by 68±85% by simvastatin (P = 0.0014), by 10±38% by ezetimibe (P = 0.51) and by 67±91% by simvastatin plus ezetimibe (P = 0.0013). The increase in PCSK9 was inversely correlated with baseline PCSK9 concentrations (Spearman’s R = –0.47, P<0.0001) and with the percent change in LDL cholesterol concentrations (Spearman’s R = –0.30, P<0.01). In multivariate analyses, only baseline PCSK9 concentrations (β = –1.68, t = –4.04, P<0.0001), percent change in LDL cholesterol from baseline (β = 1.94, t = 2.52, P = 0.014), and treatment with simvastatin (P = 0.016), but not ezetimibe (P = 0.42), significantly influenced changes in PCSK9 levels. Parameters without effect on PCSK9 concentration changes were age, body mass index, body composition, thyroid function, kidney function, glucose metabolism parameters, adipokines, markers of cholesterol synthesis and absorption, and molecular markers of cholesterol metabolism. Conclusions Ezetimibe does not increase circulating PCSK9 concentrations while simvastatin does. When added to simvastatin, ezetimibe does not cause an incremental increase in PCSK9 concentrations. Changes in PCSK9 concentrations are tightly regulated and mainly influenced by baseline PCSK9 levels and changes in LDL cholesterol. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00317993
No in vivo infection of triple immunosuppressed non‐human primates after inoculation with high titers of porcine endogenous retroviruses *

Abstract: Background: Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) released from pig tissue can infect selected human cells in vitro and therefore represent a safety risk for xenotransplantation using pig cells, tissues, or organs. Although PERVs infect cells of numerous species in vitro, attempts to establish reliable animal models failed until now. Absence of PERV transmission has been shown in first experimental and clinical xenotransplantations; however, these trials suffered from the absence of long‐term exposure (transplant survival) and profound immunosuppression.
Prominin-1 Allows Prospective Isolation of Neural Stem Cells from the Adult Murine Hippocampus

Prominin-1 (CD133) is commonly used to isolate stem and progenitor cells from the developing and adult nervous system and to identify cancer stem cells in brain tumors. However, despite extensive characterization of Prominin-1+ precursor cells from the adult subventricular zone, no information about the expression of Prominin-1 by precursor cells in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the adult hippocampus has been available. We show here that Prominin-1 is expressed by a significant number of cells in the SGZ of adult mice in vivo and ex vivo, including postmitotic astrocytes. A small subset of Prominin-1+ cells coexpressed the nonspecific precursor cell marker Nestin as well as GFAP and Sox2. Upon fluorescence-activated cell sorting, only Prominin-1/Nestin double-positive cells fulfilled the defining stem cell criteria of proliferation, self-renewal, and multipotentiality as assessed by a neurosphere assay. In addition, isolated primary Prominin-1+ cells preferentially migrated to the neurogenic niche in the SGZ upon transplantation in vivo. Finally, despite its expression by various stem and progenitor cells, Prominin-1 turned out to be dispensable for precursor cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Nevertheless, a net decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis, by ∼30% was found in Prominin-1 knock-out mice, suggesting other roles in controlling adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Remarkably, an upregulation of Prominin-2 was detected in Prominin-1-deficient mice highlighting a potential compensatory mechanism, which might explain the lack of severe symptoms in individuals carrying mutations in the Prom1 gene.
The Spiritual Characteristics of New Zealanders Entering Treatment for Alcohol/Other Drug Dependence

Abstract This study describes the spiritual experiences, beliefs, and practices of New Zealanders entering intensive treatment for alcohol/other drug dependence, and seeks to determine factors that influence spirituality in a clinical population. Ninety clients entering three residential treatment programs for alcohol and/or cannabis dependence were interviewed about their spiritual beliefs, behaviors, and experiences, using a broad selection of accepted measures. A number of associations between aspects of spirituality and gender, ethnicity, age, employment, severity of dependence, and depression were found. In particular, the more religiously active participants were less severely alcohol/other drug dependent, and depression was negatively associated with beliefs and activity related to 12-step participation.
Comparison of RA Beaconing Techniques in Mobile IPv6

The address auto-configuration of MIPv6 mobile nodes relies on the availability of a router advertisement (RA) messages from the access router responsible of the subnet, which the terminal is moving towards. If the mobile node does not receive an RA message by a certain period, it sends a router solicitation (RS) message to request router information. This phase is critical during handoff procedures. In this paper, we present an original approach to diminish bandwidth occupation of beaconing messages while preserving the handoff delay due to reception of an advertisement to be under acceptable values. For instance, the technique is based on variable length bursts of RA messages, centered at the predicted instants of handoff arrivals, estimated by means of the classical least mean square error (LMSE) method. Simulations confirm that even with a second-order prediction filter, the beaconing of RA messages can decrease by about 30% the bandwidth occupation with respect to other schemes based on constant rate of RA messages, while maintaining the handoff setup time below the 30ms. In the conclusions, we give directions of further improvements for cases not considered in the present work
Video Streaming: Concepts, Algorithms, and Systems

video streaming, video delivery, streaming media content delivery networks, video coding, errorresilient; multiple description coding Video has been an important media for communications and entertainment for many decades. Initially video was captured and transmitted in analog form. The advent of digital integrated circuits and computers led to the digitization of video, and digital video enabled a revolution in the compression and communication of video. Video compression became an important area of research in the late 1980’s and 1990’s and enabled a variety of applications including video storage on DVD’s and Video-CD’s, video broadcast over digital cable, satellite and terrestrial (over-the-air) digital television (DTV), and video conferencing and videophone over circuit-switched networks. The growth and popularity of the Internet in the mid-1990’s motivated video communication over best-effort packet networks. Video over best-effort packet networks is complicated by a number of factors including unknown and time-varying bandwidth, delay, and losses, as well as many additional issues such as how to fairly share the network resources amongst many flows and how to efficiently perform one-to-many communication for popular content. This article examines the challenges that make simultaneous delivery and playback, or streaming, of video difficult, and explores algorithms and systems that enable streaming of pre-encoded or live video over packet networks such as the Internet.
A water balance study of the upper White Nile basin flows in the late nineteenth century

Abstract A water balance model of the Nile is described, working in terms of dry season flows. The main use of the modelling studies was to extend flows back to the start of observations at Aswan in 1869, and hence to estimate the levels of Lake Victoria during the high flow event of the 1870s. New estimates of Lake Victoria levels and outflows for the period 1870–1895 are deduced, extending the length of the observed data for Lake Victoria by some 25%. Crucially, the analysis includes the major flood event of 1878, which historical evidence suggests was the highest since 1860 or earlier. The modelling results are compared with previous estimates and a detailed examination of historical evidence. Some prospects for future levels are considered, taking into account the reconstructed levels of the late nineteenth century.
Innovations and Experience Economy: a tool for rural food sector competitiveness and rural development

1. Introduction This paper is part of an ongoing research which seeks to conceptualise the experience economy concept as innovation strategy to enhance competitiveness of the rural food sector and also contribute to rural development. In doing that, the paper seeks to draw lessons from theoretical insights of the innovation concept. Lessons to be drawn will serve as a framework for analyses in a future paper on the introduction of the experience economy as possible innovation strategy for the rural food sector. The rural food sector is defined here as collection of firms engaged in adding value to food products through processing, manufacturing and packaging. The fundamental questions for this paper is: what is innovation and how can it be useful source of competitive advantage for rural food firms?
Stratified care vs step care strategies for migraine: the Disability in Strategies of Care (DISC) Study: A randomized trial.

CONTEXT Various guidelines recommend different strategies for selecting and sequencing acute treatments for migraine. In step care, treatment is escalated after first-line medications fail. In stratified care, initial treatment is based on measurement of the severity of illness or other factors. These strategies for migraine have not been rigorously evaluated. OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical benefits of 3 strategies: stratified care, step care within attacks, and step care across attacks, among patients with migraine. DESIGN AND SETTING Randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial conducted by the Disability in Strategies Study group from December 1997 to March 1999 in 88 clinical centers in 13 countries. PATIENTS A total of 835 adult migraine patients with a Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) grade of II, III, or IV were analyzed as the efficacy population; the safety analysis included 930 patients. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly assigned to receive (1) stratified care (n = 279), in which patients with MIDAS grade II treated up to 6 attacks with aspirin, 800 to 1000 mg, plus metoclopramide, 10 mg, and patients with MIDAS grade III and IV treated up to 6 attacks with zolmitriptan, 2.5 mg; (2) step care across attacks (n = 271), in which initial treatment was with aspirin, 800 to 1000 mg, plus metoclopramide, 10 mg. Patients not responding in at least 2 of the first 3 attacks switched to zolmitriptan, 2.5 mg, to treat the remaining 3 attacks; and (3) step care within attacks (n = 285), in which initial treatment for all attacks was with aspirin, 800 to 1000 mg, plus metoclopramide, 20 mg. Patients not responding to treatment after 2 hours in each attack escalated treatment to zolmitriptan, 2.5 mg. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Headache response, achieved if pain intensity was reduced from severe or moderate at baseline to mild or no pain at 2 hours; and disability time per treated attack at 4 hours for all 6 attacks, compared among the 3 groups. RESULTS Headache response at 2 hours was significantly greater across 6 attacks in the stratified care treatment group (52.7%) than in either the step care across attacks group (40.6%; P<.001) or the step care within attacks group (36.4%; P<.001). Disability time (6 attacks) was significantly lower in the stratified care group (mean area under the curve [AUC], 185.0 mm. h) than in the step care across attacks group (mean AUC, 209.4 mm. h; P<.001) or the step care within attacks group (mean AUC, 199.7 mm. h; P<.001). The incidence of adverse events was higher in the stratified care group (321 events) vs both step care groups (159 events in across-attack group; 217 in within-attack group), although most events were of mild-to-moderate intensity. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that as a treatment strategy, stratified care provides significantly better clinical outcomes than step care strategies within or across attacks as measured by headache response and disability time. JAMA. 2000;284:2599-2605.