Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examination of Poststroke Alteration in Motor Unit Firing Behavior Using High-Density Surface EMG Decomposition

Recent advances in high-density surface electromyogram (EMG) decomposition have made it a feasible task to discriminate single motor unit activity from surface EMG interference patterns, thus providing a noninvasive approach for examination of motor unit control properties. In the current study, we applied high-density surface EMG recording and decomposition techniques to assess motor unit firing behavior alterations poststroke. Surface EMG signals were collected using a 64-channel 2-D electrode array from the paretic and contralateral first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscles of nine hemiparetic stroke subjects at different isometric discrete contraction levels between 2 to 10 N with a 2 N increment step. Motor unit firing rates were extracted through decomposition of the high-density surface EMG signals and compared between paretic and contralateral muscles. Across the nine tested subjects, paretic FDI muscles showed decreased motor unit firing rates compared with contralateral muscles at different contraction levels. Regression analysis indicated a linear relation between the mean motor unit firing rate and the muscle contraction level for both paretic and contralateral muscles (p <; 0.001), with the former demonstrating a lower increment rate (0.32 pulses per second (pps)/N) compared with the latter (0.67 pps/N). The coefficient of variation (averaged over the contraction levels) of the motor unit firing rates for the paretic muscles (0.21 ± 0.012) was significantly higher than for the contralateral muscles (0.17 ± 0.014) (p <; 0.05). This study provides direct evidence of motor unit firing behavior alterations poststroke using surface EMG, which can be an important factor contributing to hemiparetic muscle weakness.
Maximizing Throughput of SW ARQ with Network Coding through Forward Error Correction

Over the years, several techniques for improving throughput of wireless communication have been developed in order to cater for the ever increasing demand of high speed network service. However, these techniques can only give little improvement in performance because packets have to be delivered as is. As such researchers have begun thinking outside the box by proposing ideas that require relay nodes to temper packets’ contents in order to improve the throughput of a network. One of the state of the art techniques in this field is called Network Coding (NC). NC is a state of the art technique that allows relay nodes linearly combine two or more packets in a way they can be recovered upon reaching their destination. However, increasing packet size increases possibility of error affecting it. In this paper, the authors decide to investigate whether adding data recovery technique can improve the performance of a network that uses network coding, if it can, by how much can it? Is it worth the trouble? In order to answer these questions, the authors carried out a quantitative analysis of throughput in a Stop-and-Wait Automatic Repeat reQuest (SW-ARQ) data transmission system with Network Coding (NC) and Forward Error Correction (FEC). Vandermonde matrix is chosen as the coding technique for this research because it has both NC and data recovery characteristics. Python programming language is used to develop three Discrete Event Simulations: SW-ARQ without any NC, SW-ARQ with NC and SW-ARQ with NC and FEC. The obtained results show that SW-ARQ with NC and FEC is superior to traditional SW-ARQ in terms of throughput, especially in channels with high error rates.
Patient- and lesion-tailored algorithm of endovascular treatment for arterial occlusive disease of extracranial arteries supplying the brain: safety of the treatment at 30-day follow-up

Introduction Although surgical endarterectomy remains the treatment of choice for carotid artery stenosis, stenting plays an important role as an alternative treatment modality, especially in high-risk patients. The actual safety profile associated with stenting procedures is probably better than that reported by randomized controlled trials. Aim To assess the safety of stent implantations in extracranial arteries supplying the brain, and also to identify risk factors associated with this procedure. Material and methods This was a post hoc analysis, with 30-day follow-up. We analyzed the results of treatment of 372 patients who underwent 408 procedures, 197 such procedures in asymptomatic, and 211 in symptomatic individuals. Stenting procedures were performed using a technique and armamentarium which were tailored to the type and anatomy of lesions. Results There were 6 (1.5%) strokes, including 2 (0.5%) major strokes, 1 ipsi- and 1 contralateral, and 4 (1.0%) minor strokes. In asymptomatic patients there was 1 (0.3%) minor stroke. Transient ischemic attacks occurred in 5 (1.2%) patients. There were 2 (0.5%) non-STEMI myocardial infarctions and 2 (0.5%) non-stroke related fatalities. Risk factors of these adverse events were diabetes mellitus, lesions localized in a tortuous segment of the artery, embolic material in the filter and bilateral stenoses of carotid arteries. Additional risk factors in asymptomatic patients were renal impairment and advanced coronary artery disease; and in symptomatic patients, grade 3 arterial hypertension, dislipidemia, cigarette smoking and lesions requiring predilatation. Conclusions Stenting procedures of extracranial arteries supplying the brain, which are tailored to the type and anatomy of lesions, seem to be relatively safe.
Welfare, financial innovation and self insurance in dynamic incomplete markets models

We solve a dynamic general equilibrium model with incomplete financial markets, consumers with heterogeneous and time-varying income processes, discount factors and risk aversion. We show that under reasonable conditions, asset prices and allocations have closed form solutions. While this makes the model useful for analytical purposes, it also makes the model useful for empirical work (see Davis and Willen (1999) for an example). We then show: • If shocks are temporary, then in many cases, a riskless asset alone can implement full risk-sharing. This result parallels work of Levine and Zame(1998) but is more general in that we show that full risk-sharing can hold exactly even with subjective discount factors below one. • If shocks are temporary, computational evidence shows that welfare losses due to incomplete markets are small even when discount rates are significantly below one. ∗Thanks to Laurent Calvet, John Geanakoplos, Sudipto Bhattacharya and Matthew Jackson for helpful comments and suggestions. Chris Telmer’s discussion another of my papers at the Canadian Macro Study Group 1997 meetings in Toronto stimulated my thinking on this problem.welfareeffects8. tex Last compiled: March 29, 2000 †Phone: (609) 258-4032. E-mail: willen@princeton.edu
Imbalances and Rebalancing in an Estimated Structural Model for Spain

This paper uses an estimated DSGE model to analyze the factors behind the buildup of imbalances in the Spanish economy. Shock decompositions suggest that external imbalances have been able to build up mainly due to the reduction in real interest rates and easier access to credit following the elimination of the exchange rate risk premium. A rebalancing process in recent years with a sharp contraction in domestic demand has moved the trade balance back into surplus. The main driving factors were the collapse of the housing bubble and tightening of credit conditions.
Sovereign CDS and Bond Pricing Dynamics in the Euro-Area

This analysis tests the price discovery relationship between sovereign CDS premia and bond yield spreads on the same reference entity. The theoretical no-arbitrage relationship between the two credit spreads is confronted with daily data from six Euro-area countries over the period 2004-2011. As a first step, the supposed non stationarity of the two series is verified. Then, we examine whether the non-stationary CDS and bond spreads series are bound by a cointegration relationship. Overall the cointegration analysis confirms that the two prices should be equal to each other in equilibrium, as theory predicts. Nonetheless the theoretical value [1, -1] for the cointegrating vector is rejected, meaning that in the short run the cash and synthetic market's valuation of credit risk differ to various degrees. The VECM analysis suggests that the CDS market moves ahead of the bond market in terms of price discovery. These findings are further supported by the Granger Causality Test: for most sovereigns in the sample, past values of CDS spreads help to forecast bond yield spreads. Short-run deviations from the equilibrium persist longer than it would take for participants in one market to observe the price in the other. That is consistent with the hypothesis of imperfections in the arbitrage relationship between the two markets.
Heterogeneity of Investors and Asset Pricing on a Risk-Value World

Portfolio choice and the implied asset pricing are usually derived assuming maximization of expected utility. In this Paper, they are derived from risk-value models that generalize the Markowitz-model. We use a behaviourally based risk measure with an endogenous or exogenous benchmark. If the risk measure is modelled by a negative HARA-function, then sharing rules are convex or concave relative to each other. A measure of heterogeneity of investors is derived. More heterogeneity (a) raises convexity/concavity of sharing rules and, thus, the need of investors to trade options, (b) increases convexity of the pricing kernel, (c) raises option prices relative to the price of the under-lying asset and (d) raises the variance and kurtosis of the risk-neutral probability distribution of the aggregate pay-off.
The most-favored nation rule in club enlargement negotiation

We study the effects of the Most-Favored Nation rule in an applicant's negotiation to join a club. When the applicant has to carry out a series of bilateral bargains with the existing members, we find that there are two effects of the MFN rule, viz. the hardened bargainer effect and the free-rider effect. The former effect tends to favor the applicant, while the latter effect tends to hurt the applicant. We find that the free-rider effect is stronger the more asymmetric are the members. The hardened bargainer effect is stronger the larger is the "size of the pie. " As the number of members increase, it is more likely that the hardened bargainer effect would dominate.
CSTRIPS : Toward Explicit Concurrent Planning

This paper presents a formalism that extends the STRIPS planning language to explicitly deal with concurrent actions. According to this approach, possibly concurrent activities of a domain can be modeled by representing them explicitly as different concurrent threads. The first part of the paper introduces this empowered STRIPS, called Concurrent STRIPS (or CSTRIPS), by giving its syntax and semantics. The second part addresses aspects that help understand the effectiveness of CSTRIPS. It first illustrates a complete example of a quite complex domain in which causal and process reasoning are intertwined, and CSTRIPS is shown to support very well the modeling phase. Then two aspects are addressed which are connected to the computational complexity of reasoning in CSTRIPS: (a) the introduction of the explicit representation of concurrency is shown not to worsen the computational complexity of the problem solving phase; (b) it is shown that in highly parallel domains it is possible to speed up the reasoning by representing the domain as concurrent threads.
National Parliaments in the Aftermath of the Lisbon Treaty; Adaptation to the New Opportunity Structure'

This dissertation examines the influence of European integration on national parliaments. The Treaty of Lisbon granted national parliaments new responsibilities in terms of European affairs. This, in turn, changed the relationship between various parliamentary players, namely parliament members, parliamentary committees, and employees of parliamentary administrations. One of the views argued in this dissertation is that parliaments focus primarily on the distribution of tasks between member states and the EU. Much less attention is paid to the content of European legislation, which can have a negative impact on the decision-making process and the national debate surrounding issues of European importance.
An Exploratory Survey of the Effects of Perceived Control and Perceived Risk on Information Privacy

The purpose of this research is to investigate two factors that affect a user's information privacy online. An exploratory survey was conducted in Ireland receiving 260 usable responses. Users’ attitudes and behaviors toward information privacy were explored in relation to a user's level of perceived control and perceived risk. The preliminary findings show that the more control users have, the more information they will disclose, and that the more risk they perceive, the less information they will disclose online. These findings have provided the basis for further analysis to better understand the effect of these two factors on information disclosure when engaging in online activities. Keywords—Perceived Risk; Perceived Control; Online Disclosure; Information Privacy
Cover Sheet Title : Up by Upwest : Is Slope like North ?

Terrain slope can be used to encode the location of a goal. However, this directional information may be encoded using a conceptual North (i.e., invariantly with respect to the environment), or in an observer-relative fashion (i.e., varying depending on the direction one faces when learning the goal). This study examines which representation is used, whether the sensory modality in which slope is encoded (visual, kinesthetic, or both) influences representations, and whether use of slope varies for men and women. In a square room, with a sloped floor explicitly pointed out as the only useful cue, participants encoded the corner in which a goal was hidden. Without direct sensory access to slope cues, participants used a dial to point to the goal. For each trial, the goal was hidden uphill or downhill and the participants were informed whether they faced uphill or downhill when pointing. In support of observer-relative representations, participants pointed more accurately and quickly when facing concordantly with the hiding position. There was no effect of sensory modality, providing support for functional equivalence. Sex did not interact with the findings on modality or reference frame, but spatial measures correlated with success on the slope task differently for each sex.
Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters Disrupt Neonatal Alveolar Macrophage Mitochondria and Derange Cellular Functioning

Background Chronic alcohol exposure alters the function of alveolar macrophages (AM), impairing immune defenses in both adult and neonatal lungs. Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) are biological markers of prenatal alcohol exposure in newborns. FAEEs contribute to alcohol-induced mitochondrial (MT) damage in multiple organs. We hypothesized that in utero ethanol exposure would increase FAEEs in the neonatal lung and that direct exposure of neonatal AM to FAEEs would contribute to MT injury and cellular dysfunction. Methods FAEEs were measured in neonatal guinea pig lungs after ± in utero ethanol exposure via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The NR8383 cell line and freshly isolated neonatal guinea pig AM were exposed to ethyl oleate (EO) in vitro. MT membrane potential, MT reactive oxygen species generation (mROS), phagocytosis, and apoptosis were evaluated after exposure to EO ± the MT-specific antioxidant mito-TEMPO (mitoT) or ± the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Whole lung FAEEs were compared using the Mann–Whitney U-test. Cellular results were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance, followed by the Student–Newman–Keuls Method for post hoc comparisons. Results In utero ethanol significantly increased ethyl linoleate and the combinations of ethyl oleate + linoleate + linolenate (OLL), and OLL + stearate in the neonatal lung. In vitro EO caused significant MT dysfunction in both NR8383 and primary neonatal AM, as indicated by increased mROS and loss of MT membrane potential. Impaired phagocytosis and apoptosis were significantly increased in both the cell line and primary AM after EO exposure. MitoT conferred significant but only partial protection against EO-induced MT injury, as did caspase inhibition with Z-VAD-FMK. Conclusions In utero ethanol exposure increased FAEEs in the neonatal guinea pig lung. Direct exposure to the FAEE EO significantly contributed to AM dysfunction, in part via oxidant injury to the MT and in part via secondary apoptosis.
Self-disclosure, Privacy and the Internet

This article examines the extant research literature on self-disclosure and the Internet, in particular by focusing on disclosure in computer-mediated communication and web-based forms - both in surveys and in e-commerce applications. It also considers the links between privacy and self-disclosure, and the unique challenges (and opportunities) that the Internet poses for the protection of privacy. Finally, the article proposes three critical issues that unite the ways in which we can best understand the links between privacy, self-disclosure, and new technology: trust and vulnerability, costs and benefits, and control over personal information. Central to the discussion is the notion that self-disclosure is not simply the outcome of a communication encounter: rather, it is both a product and process of interaction, as well as a way of regulating interaction dynamically. By adopting a privacy approach to understanding disclosure online, it becomes possible to consider not only media effects that encourage disclosure, but also the wider context and implications of such communicative behaviours.
Influence of a new potential energy surface on the rotational (de)excitation of H2O by H2 at low temperature

Aims.Using a newly determined 5D potential energy surface for H2-H2O we provide an extended and revised set of rate coefficients for de-excitation of the lowest 10 para- and 10 ortho- rotational levels of H2O by collisions with para-(j=0) and ortho-H2(j=1), for kinetic temperatures from 5 K to 20 K. Methods.Our close coupling scattering calculations involve a slightly improved set of coupled channels with respect to previous calculations. In addition, we discuss the influence of several features of this new 5D interaction on the rotational excitation cross sections. Results. The new interaction potential leads to significantly different rate coefficients for collisions with para-H2 (j=0). In particular the de-excitation rate coefficient for the 110 to 101 transition is increased by up to 300% at 5 K. At 20 K this increase is 75%. Rate coefficients for collisions with ortho-H2(j=1) are modified to a lesser extent, by up to 40%. The influence of the new potential on collisions with both para-(j=0) and ortho-H2(j=1) is expected to become less pronounced at higher temperatures.
Determinants of trade union membership in Great Britain during 1991-2003

We analyse the determinants of union membership in the UK using data from the BHPS (1991-2003). Employing three alternative methodologies to control for the problem of initial conditions we find that union membership remains persistent even after controlling for the unobserved effect. There is evidence of a considerable correlation between the unobserved individual heterogeneity and the initial membership status. Ignoring this overstates the degree of state dependence of union membership greatly. The extent of state dependence in union membership status is notably higher in the (1991-1996) period estimates and appears to be more pronounced in the case of male employees for the entire period under analysis. The second period estimates reveal that unobserved heterogeneity has a more prominent impact in determining future unionisation probability versus past union membership. Finally, the estimates suggest that an individual´s propensity to unionise is determined by a mixture of industrial and personal characteristics. This is at odds with earlier studies, such as Booth (1986) and Wright (1995), failing to control for unobservable effects and concluding that personal attributes do not have a significant impact on unionisation propensity.
Association of HLA-B*1502 allele and carbamazepine- induced severe adverse cutaneous drug reaction among Asians, a review

Strong association between HLA B*1502 and carbamazepine-induced Steven-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) was demonstrated among Han Chinese in 2004. Studies from Europe showed that the HLA B*1502 is not a universal marker for SJS/TEN, but is ethnicity specific for Asians. Reports across Asia has shown that the prevalence of HLA B*1502 is high among Han Chinese (5-15%), Malays (12-15%), and Thais (8-27%), but low among Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, and most ethnic groups in India. Other than Han Chinese, the association between HLA B*1502 and carbamazepine-induced SJS-TEN is also seen among the Thais and Malay. There is urgent need for further studies to determine the prevalence of SJS/TEN, and HLA B*1502 in the various ethnic groups in Asia, and its association with carbamazepine-induced SJS-TEN in each of these ethnic groups. In view of the significant morbidity and mortality in SJS-TEN, facilities should be developed to allow for screening of HLA B*1502 before carbamazepine is prescribed to the Hans Chinese, Malays and Thais. For those who experience no adverse cutaneous reaction after 3 months use of carbamazepine, the risk of SJS/TEN is low, and the drugs can be continued.
Uptake study of ClONO 2 and BrONO 2 by water droplets

Uptake study of ClONO2 and BrONO2 by water droplets G. Deiber, Ch. George, S. Le Calvé, F. Schweitzer, and Ph. Mirabel Centre de Géochimie de la Surface/UMR 7517, CNRS and Université Louis Pasteur, 1 rue Blessig, F-67084 Strasbourg, France Laboratoire d’Application de la Chimie à l’Environnement (LACE), 43 boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France Received: 19 December 2003 – Accepted: 15 February 2004 – Published: 2 March 2004 Correspondence to: Ph. Mirabel (mirabel@illite.u-strasbg.fr)
Market-Based Resource Allocation for Utility Data Centers

This technical report concerns the application of market based control to dynamic resource allocation within a utility data center or other distributed computing infrastructure. The report is intended to do two things. First, it demonstrates a possible instantiation of the market paradigm in an outsourced-services context, describing a suitable market mechanism and exemplifying agent bidding algorithms; second, it provides evidence in the form of simulation results to support the argument that dynamic resource allocation in general, and marketbased resource allocation in particular, can contribute measurable value to business.