Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of otolith mediated neural reflexes through cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders

Abstract Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) is characterized by abnormal auditory neural function in the presence of normal cochlear function. Although the presence of vestibular dysfunction has been reported in ANSD through sporadic studies, cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP and oVEMP) were sparingly explored in the same individuals with ANSD. Thus, the present study aimed at investigating otolith modulated neural function in individuals with ANSD. A static group comparison research design was used. cVEMP and oVEMP were elicited by 500-Hz tone bursts from 31 individuals with ANSD and 31 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Results showed that the response prevalence was less than 20% for both potentials. The present responses were characterized by significant prolongation of later peaks and inter-peak latency intervals and significantly reduced amplitudes compared to the controls (p < 0.001). Both potentials exhibited larger asymmetry ratios compared to the controls, but only cVEMP asymmetry ratio reached a statistically significant level. There was no association of cVEMP and oVEMP response prevalence with the presence of vestibular symptoms. Abnormal or absent responses in the majority of individuals suggest superior and inferior vestibular nerve dysfunction in ANSD. A detailed vestibular evaluation, in addition to the auditory system assessment, is strongly recommended in ANSD.
Reflected Waves in an Inhomogeneous Excitable Medium

Propagation can be encumbered in an excitable cable in which intrinsic properties change abruptly. A sudden increase in diameter or a decrease in conductivity or excitability can lead to propagation block or delay in propagation with or without reflection. We study such transient phenomena from a geometric point of view. A simple two-cell caricature, with one cell enlarged to mimic diameter increase, is developed and analyzed. Our analysis indicates that reflected waves may result from the existence of an unstable periodic orbit. As the inhomogeneity parameter is varied, this unstable cycle is nearer to and then farther from the initial state that mimics an incoming wave. This fact leads to a variety of complicated reflected waves. Correspondingly, we find numerically complex sequences of reflected-transmitted waves in biophysically more realistic cable analogues. The unstable periodic orbit in the cable appears to be related to a one-dimensional spiral wave described by Kopell and Howard (Stud. Appl. Math., 64 (1981), pp. 1-56). Finally, we argue that reflection phenomena occur more robustly when excitability is due to saddle-type threshold behavior (type I excitability in the sense of Rinzel and Ermentrout (in Methods in Neuronal Modeling: From Synapses to Networks, C. Koch and I. Segev, eds., MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 19891).
AJTE 99-6508 MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS OF FORMATION OF METAL-CONTAINING FULLERENE

The growth process of metal-containing fullerene was studied using the molecular dynamics method. As for metalcontaining fullerene, only the metal atoms such as La, Y or Sc are experimentally assigned to be contained inside the carbon cage. In this paper, the difference of growth process and structures of metal-attached carbon clusters were examined using lanthanum and nickel as the additional metal atoms to clarify the effect of the metal atoms. In order to model the potential function between carbon and metal atoms appropriate for the classical MD simulation, the binding energy and charge state of various forms of small clusters MCn (M: La,Ni; n =1-3) were calculated with the density functional theory. A multi-body potential function was constructed as a function of coordinate number of a scandium atom. Here, the Coulomb term and the Morse-type term were separately described considering the large charge transfer from a lanthanum atom to carbon atoms. By using the potential function, the clustering process starting from 500 isolated carbon atoms and 5 metal atoms in a 342 Å cubic cell was simulated under the controlled temperature condition at Tc = 3000 K, and the growth history of metal-attached clusters was studied in detail. Figure A-1 shows the growth process of La attached clusters obtained in the simulation. The fan-type structure and mono-cyclic or bi-cyclic rings were reproduced around the metal atom for LaCn (n<20). An open cap structure surrounding the La atom was formed for LaC n (20<n<50) due to the strong Coulomb interaction, and that resulted in the lanthanum-containing caged cluster. When Ni atoms were applied as shown in Figure A-2, the structures of small clusters up to NiC n (n<20) were similar to LaCn (n<20), while tangled-poly-cyclic structures and random cage were dominant for NiC n (20<n<50). The nickel atom attached on one face of the caged structure, and could not stay stably inside the carbon cage structure. time (ps) lu te r size
Change detection for updating medium scale maps using laster altimetry

To increase the update rates of topographical databases, research is performed to automatically detect changes using airborne laser scanning data. After the determination of the bare-Earth points, the remaining points have been classified as either points on buildings or points on vegetation. Additional usage was made of registered colour imagery taken during the laser scanning survey. The results show that buildings can be detected reliably using laser altimetry data sets. However, they also show that mapping rules (which buildings should be in the map and which can be neglected) need to be implemented accurately. Otherwise, the change detection procedure would signal a need for map updating for buildings that are not to be mapped.
Chromothripsis and progression-free survival in metastatic colorectal cancer

Metastatic dissemination of the primary tumor is the major cause of death in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Multiple chromosomal breaks and chromothripsis, a phenomenon involving multiple chromosomal fragmentations occurring in a single catastrophic event, are associated with cancer genesis, progression and developing of metastases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chromothripsis and total breakpoint count (breakpoint instability index) on progression-free survival (PFS). A total of 19 patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) receiving FOLFOX first-line palliative chemotherapy between August, 2011 and October, 2012 were selected for this study. The results indicated that the highest breakpoint count was observed in chromosomes 1, 2 and 6. Chromothripsis was detected in 52.6% of the study patients. Furthermore, chromothripsis was associated with an increased median PFS (mPFS; 14 vs. 8 months, respectively; P=0.03), but an association with overall survival was not identified. The present study demonstrated that chromothripsis affected CRC patient survival, suggesting a role for this event as a prognostic and predictive marker in mCRC treatment.
Issues in multirate process control

Multirate systems are encountered when some signals of interest are sampled at a different rate than others. For example, in the process industry, composition measurements in distillation columns are typically sampled at a slower rate than temperatures and flow rates. In the context of closed-loop control, such multirate systems pose a challenging problem due to several reasons such as increased complexity in the design with tighter performance specifications. Lifting techniques provide a suitable framework for posing a multirate univariate/multivariate problem as a multivariable single-rate problem. We discuss the application of lifting techniques with respect to asymptotic setpoint tracking. Theoretical results are provided to show that there are constraints on the controller gains for step-type reference signals to ensure there are no intersample oscillations in the closed-loop system. Discrete lifting usually introduces non-uniform steady-state gains for the open-loop lifted model which could result in oscillatory continuous output signals for the closed-loop system. These results are supported by simulation results of a slow sampled and fast control system. Further, we provide a continuous-time interpretation to the design of multirate controllers while providing benchmarks for comparing the closed-loop performance of multi-rate and single rate systems in the LQR framework.
Relationship between Corporate Image and Customer Loyalty in the Mobile Telecommunication Market in Kenya

Customer loyalty is considered to be a key ingredient in enhancing the survival of businesses especially in the situations faced by highly competitive industries. This study assessed the relationship between corporate image and customer loyalty. While the antecedents of customer loyalty connected with the marketing mix factors have been well investigated, much still remains to be studied regarding some of the intermediate conditions created by the marketing mix factors and customer loyalty. This study sought to investigate the relationship between the dimensions of corporate image and customer loyalty in the mobile telecommunication market in Kenya. The study was guided by several hypotheses that tested the nature of the relationship between corporate image and customer loyalty using four dimensions of corporate image, namely service quality, chief executive officer (CEO) reputation, brand image, and physical evidence. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design and used a multi-stage stratified sampling technique to target 320 respondents from among students across campuses of Kenyatta University (KU). Primary data was obtained using a structured five-point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and regression analysis to test the degree of association between the dependent and the independent variables. The study registered a high response rate of 97.8% from the target respondents. The findings of the study based on the correlation analysis indicated that the four dimensions of corporate image positively correlate with customer loyalty at p < 0.01. The regression analysis results however showed that even though the four dimensions correlate with customer loyalty, only service quality and brand image significantly predict customer loyalty. The regression model used explained 25% variation in the dependent variable. The null hypotheses one and four were supported while hypotheses two and three were not. The study concluded that of the four dimensions of corporate image, brand image and service quality predict customer loyalty within the Kenyan mobile telecommunication sector. The study suggests that future research undertakes integrate aspects of quality management into the dimensions of corporate image in order to predict variations in customer loyalty.
Side-specificity of olfactory learning in the honeybee: US input side.

In honeybees, Apis mellifera L. , the proboscis extension reflex (PER) can be conditioned by associating an odor stimulus (CS) with a sucrose reward (US). As the neural structures involved in the detection and integration of CS and US are bilaterally symmetrical in the bee brain, we ask what respective role each brain side plays in the conditioning process. More specifically, the US normally used in conditioning experiments is the compound stimulation of the antennae (which triggers the PER) and of the proboscis (where bees lick the sucrose solution). Anatomically, the brain receives unilateral US input through each antenna, but bilateral input from the proboscis. By controlling each US component, we show that an antenna-US produces unilateral sensitization, whereas a proboscis-US or a compound-US induces bilateral sensitization. Bees can learn a unilateral odor CS with all three USs, but when a proboscis-US is used, new learning is inhibited on the contralateral side, owing to a possible US-preexposure effect. Furthermore, we show that the antenna-US induces both unilateral and bilateral reinforcement processes, whereas the proboscis-US produces only bilateral effects. Based on these data, we propose a functional model of the role of each brain side in processing lateralized CSs and USs in olfactory learning in honeybees.
Factors influencing the effect size distribution of adaptive substitutions

The distribution of effect sizes of adaptive substitutions has been central to evolutionary biology since the modern synthesis. Early theory proposed that because large-effect mutations have negative pleiotropic consequences, only small-effect mutations contribute to adaptation. More recent theory suggested instead that large-effect mutations could be favoured when populations are far from their adaptive peak. Here we suggest that the distributions of effect sizes are expected to differ among study systems, reflecting the wide variation in evolutionary forces and ecological conditions experienced in nature. These include selection, mutation, genetic drift, gene flow, and other factors such as the degree of pleiotropy, the distance to the phenotypic optimum, whether the optimum is stable or moving, and whether new mutation or standing genetic variation provides the source of adaptive alleles. Our goal is to review how these factors might affect the distribution of effect sizes and to identify new research directions. Until more theory and empirical work is available, we feel that it is premature to make broad generalizations about the effect size distribution of adaptive substitutions important in nature.
Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Medicine 1248 PET and MRI of Prostate Cancer

von Below, C. 2016. PET and MRI of Prostate Cancer. Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Medicine 1248. 75 pp. Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis. ISBN 978-91-554-9662-3. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin malignancy of men in developed countries. In spite of treatment with curative intent up to 30-40% of patients have disease recurrence after treatment, resulting from any combination of lymphatic, hematogenous, or contiguous local spread. The concept of early detection of PCa offer benefits in terms of reduced mortality, but at the cost of over-diagnosis and overtreatment of indolent disease. This is largely due to the random nature of conventional biopsies, with a risk of missing significant cancer and randomly hitting indolent disease. In the present thesis, diagnostic performance of MRI DWI and C Acetate PET/CT lymph node staging of intermediate and high risk PCa, was investigated, and additionally, predictive factors of regional lymph node metastases were evaluated. Further, additional value of targeted biopsies to conventional biopsies, for detection of clinically significant PCa, was investigated. In paper one and two, 53 and 40 patients with predominantly high risk PCa underwent C Acetate PET/CT and 3T MRI DWI, respectively, for lymph node staging, before extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND). The sensitivity and specificity for PET/CT was 38% and 96% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for MRI DWI was 55% and 90% respectively. In paper three, 53 patients with newly diagnosed PCa were included. All patients underwent multi-parametric MRI, followed by two cognitive targeted biopsies. Five more clinically significant cancers were detected by adding targeted biopsies to conventional biopsies. In paper four the value of quantitative and qualitative MRI DWI and C Acetate PET/ CT parameters, alone and in combination, in predicting regional lymph node metastases were examined. ADCmean in lymph nodes and T-stage on MRI were independent predictors of lymph node metastases in multiple logistic regression analysis. In conclusion the specificity of diffusion weighted MRI and C Acetate PET/CT for lymph node staging was high, although the sensitivity was low. Predictive factors of regional lymph node metastases could be retrieved from diffusion weighted MRI and C Acetate PET/CT. By combining targeted biopsies with conventional biopsies the detection rate of clinically significant PCa could be increased.
Investigating the Impact of Publicly Announced Information Security Breaches on Three Performance Indicators of the Breached Firms

This article examines the impact of information security breaches on organizational performance. Until now, there have been only a few empirical academic studies that have investigated this issue and they have investigated information security breaches with the focus on the short-term impact on the market value of the firm. This study offers an alternate approach to investigate this issue as it explores the impact of breaches on financial performance of the firm, one year after the breach. Using a "matched sampling" methodology, we explored the impact of each type of breach i.e., confidentiality, integrity, and availability and also by IT intensity and size. Our results suggest that the direction of the impact i.e., positive, negative is dependent on the type of security breaches and also the impact of IT intensive firms is different from non-IT intensive firms. Our study also includes some important implications for managers and stock market investors.
Aalborg Universitet Maximum Likelihood PSD Estimation for Speech Enhancement in Reverberation and Noise

In this contribution we focus on the problem of power spectral density (PSD) estimation from multiple microphone signals in reverberant and noisy environments. The PSD estimation method proposed in this paper is based on the maximum likelihood (ML) methodology. In particular, we derive a novel ML PSD estimation scheme that is suitable for sound scenes which besides speech and reverberation consist of an additional noise component whose second-order statistics are known. The proposed algorithm is shown to outperform an existing similar algorithm in terms of PSD estimation accuracy. Moreover, it is shown numerically that the mean squared estimation error achieved by the proposed method is near the limit set by the corresponding Cramér-Rao lower bound. The speech dereverberation performance of a multi-channel Wiener filter (MWF) based on the proposed PSD estimators is measured using several instrumental measures and is shown to be higher than when the competing estimator is used. Moreover, we perform a speech intelligibility test where we demonstrate that both the proposed and the competing PSD estimators lead to similar intelligibility improvements.
Event-Based Prospective Remembering in a Virtual World

Most laboratory-based prospective memory (PM) paradigms pose problems that are very different from those encountered in the real world. Several PM studies have reported conflicting results when comparing laboratory- with naturalistic-based studies (e.g., Bailey, Henry, Rendell, Phillips, & Kliegel, 2010). One key contrast is that for the former, how and when the PM cue is encountered typically is determined by the experimenter, whereas in the latter case, cue availability is determined by participant actions. However, participant-driven access to the cue has not been examined in laboratory studies focused on healthy young adults, and its relationship with planned intentions is poorly understood. Here we report a study of PM performance in a controlled, laboratory setting, but with participant-driven actions leading to the availability of the PM cue. This uses a novel PM methodology based upon analysis of participant movements as they attempted a series of errands in a large virtual building on the computer screen. A PM failure was identified as a situation in which a participant entered and exited the “cue” area outside an errand related room without performing the required errand whilst still successfully remembering that errand post test. Additional individual difference measures assessed retrospective and working memory capacity, planning ability and PM. Multiple regression analysis showed that the independent measures of verbal working memory span, planning ability, and PM were significant predictors of PM failure. Correlational analyses with measures of planning suggest that sticking with an original plan (good or bad) is related to better overall PM performance.
Random Walks on Directed Networks: Inference and Respondent-Driven Sampling

Abstract Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is often used to estimate population properties (e.g., sexual risk behavior) in hard-to-reach populations. In RDS, already sampled individuals recruit population members to the sample from their social contacts in an efficient snowball-like sampling procedure. By assuming a Markov model for the recruitment of individuals, asymptotically unbiased estimates of population characteristics can be obtained. Current RDS estimation methodology assumes that the social network is undirected, that is, all edges are reciprocal. However, empirical social networks in general also include a substantial number of nonreciprocal edges. In this article, we develop an estimation method for RDS in populations connected by social networks that include reciprocal and nonreciprocal edges. We derive estimators of the selection probabilities of individuals as a function of the number of outgoing edges of sampled individuals. The proposed estimators are evaluated on artificial and empirical networks and are shown to generally perform better than existing estimators. This is the case in particular when the fraction of directed edges in the network is large.
Discovery of a weak magnetic field in the photosphere of the single giant Pollux

Aims. We observe the nearby, weakly-active single giant, Pollux, in order to directly study and infer the nature of its magnetic field. Methods. We used the new generation spectropolarimeters ESPaDOnS and NARVAL to observe and detect circular polarization within the photospheric absorption lines of Pollux. Our observations span 18 months from 2007–2009. We treated the spectropolarimetric data using the Least-Squares Deconvolution method to create high signal-to-noise ratio mean Stokes V profiles. We also measured the classical activity indicator S -index for the Ca ii H and K lines, and the stellar radial velocity (RV). Results. We have unambiguously detected a weak Stokes V signal in the spectral lines of Pollux, and measured the related surface-averaged longitudinal magnetic field B l . The longitudinal field averaged over the span of the observations is below one gauss. Our data suggest variations of the longitudinal magnetic field, but no significant variation of the S-index. We observe variations of RV which are qualitatively consistent with the published ephemeris for a proposed exoplanet orbiting Pollux. The observed variations of B l appear to mimic those of RV, but additional data for this relationship to be established. Using evolutionary models including the effects of rotation, we derive the mass of Pollux and we discuss its evolutionary status and the origin of its magnetic field. Conclusions. This work presents the first direct detection of the magnetic field of Pollux, and demonstrates that ESPaDOnS and NARVAL are capable of obtaining sub-G measurements of the surface-averaged longitudinal magnetic field of giant stars, and of directly studying the relationships between magnetic activity, stellar evolution and planet hosting of these stars.
Gift Exchange and The Business Cycle : the Fair Wage Strikes Back

We extend the benchmark RBC model amending the technology for efficiency wage considerations. The disutility of effort depends on current, alternative and past wages. Past wages are treated as the worker's past wages (personal norm case) or as the past wages of the society (social norm case). This last model reproduces the high variability of employment, the low variability of wages and the low wage-employment correlation without requiring a second source of impulsions. Moreover the dynamics of wages and employment is adequately captured when norms adjust slowly to the environment. Efficiency wages are thus useful to solve the business cycle puzzle when we allow for inter-temporal wage comparisons.