Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peripheral arterial disease in the Middle East: Underestimated predictor of worse outcome

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of PAD in the developed world is approximately 12% among adult population, which is age-dependent and with men being affected slightly more than women. Despite the strikingly high prevalence of PAD, the disease is underdiagnosed. Surprisingly, more than 70% of primary health care providers in the US were unaware of the presence of PAD in their patients. The clinical presentation of PAD may vary from asymptomatic to intermittent claudication, atypical leg pain, rest pain, ischemic ulcers, or gangrene. Claudication is the typical symptomatic expression of PAD. However, the disease may remains asymptomatic in up to 50% of all PAD patients. PAD has also been reported as a marker of poor outcome among patients with coronary artery disease. Despite the fact that the prevalence of atherosclerotic disease is increasing in the Middle East with increasing cardiovascular risk factors (tobacco use, diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome), data regarding PAD incidence in the Middle East are scarce.
Estimating cellular parameters through optimization procedures: elementary principles and applications

Construction of quantitative models is a primary goal of quantitative biology, which aims to understand cellular and organismal phenomena in a quantitative manner. In this article, we introduce optimization procedures to search for parameters in a quantitative model that can reproduce experimental data. The aim of optimization is to minimize the sum of squared errors (SSE) in a prediction or to maximize likelihood. A (local) maximum of likelihood or (local) minimum of the SSE can efficiently be identified using gradient approaches. Addition of a stochastic process enables us to identify the global maximum/minimum without becoming trapped in local maxima/minima. Sampling approaches take advantage of increasing computational power to test numerous sets of parameters in order to determine the optimum set. By combining Bayesian inference with gradient or sampling approaches, we can estimate both the optimum parameters and the form of the likelihood function related to the parameters. Finally, we introduce four examples of research that utilize parameter optimization to obtain biological insights from quantified data: transcriptional regulation, bacterial chemotaxis, morphogenesis, and cell cycle regulation. With practical knowledge of parameter optimization, cell and developmental biologists can develop realistic models that reproduce their observations and thus, obtain mechanistic insights into phenomena of interest.
Visual fixation patterns during viewing of naturalistic social situations as predictors of social competence in individuals with autism.

BACKGROUND Manifestations of core social deficits in autism are more pronounced in everyday settings than in explicit experimental tasks. To bring experimental measures in line with clinical observation, we report a novel method of quantifying atypical strategies of social monitoring in a setting that simulates the demands of daily experience. Enhanced ecological validity was intended to maximize between-group effect sizes and assess the predictive utility of experimental variables relative to outcome measures of social competence. METHODS While viewing social scenes, eye-tracking technology measured visual fixations in 15 cognitively able males with autism and 15 age-, sex-, and verbal IQ-matched control subjects. We reliably coded fixations on 4 regions: mouth, eyes, body, and objects. Statistical analyses compared fixation time on regions of interest between groups and correlation of fixation time with outcome measures of social competence (ie, standardized measures of daily social adjustment and degree of autistic social symptoms). RESULTS Significant between-group differences were obtained for all 4 regions. The best predictor of autism was reduced eye region fixation time. Fixation on mouths and objects was significantly correlated with social functioning: increased focus on mouths predicted improved social adjustment and less autistic social impairment, whereas more time on objects predicted the opposite relationship. CONCLUSIONS When viewing naturalistic social situations, individuals with autism demonstrate abnormal patterns of social visual pursuit consistent with reduced salience of eyes and increased salience of mouths, bodies, and objects. Fixation times on mouths and objects but not on eyes are strong predictors of degree of social competence.
Exploring the Stress and Coping Experiences of Early-Stage Entrepreneurs during the Venture Creation Process

Despite broad acceptance that stress is a fundamental part of entrepreneurship, there are mixed results of how stress influences and manifests itself in the entrepreneur and what consequences it has on the individual and their ventures. Recently, the role of coping has gained high interest in understanding the stress experience of entrepreneurs. This thesis set out to understand how early-stage entrepreneurs cope with the stressful experiences during the early start-up phase of a new a business and how they maintain their well-being. The Effort-Reward-Imbalance (ERI) model served as a guiding framework. A qualitative approach using semi-structured is used to collect the data. Results indicate that early-stage entrepreneurs can maintain well-being and only report low levels of burnout, despite the existence of stressors. Entrepreneurs were found to work long hours with many of them sacrificing their personal time. Female entrepreneurs displayed more symptoms of mild burnout than male entrepreneurs. Motivation has been found to be an important antecedent to effort and reward perception and expectation, which subsequently influences the appraisal of stress. A wide range of coping techniques are used, including problem-focused coping, time management and recovery experiences. Findings were able to enrich the ERI model for the entrepreneurial context
Multi-User Energy Consumption Monitoring and Anomaly Detection with Partial Context Information

Anomaly detection is an important problem in building energy management in order to identify energy theft and inefficiencies. However, it is hard to differentiate actual anomalies from the genuine changes in energy consumption due to seasonal variations and changes in personal settings such as holidays. One of the important drawbacks of existing anomaly detection algorithms is that various unknown context variables, such as seasonal variations, can affect the energy consumption of users in ways that appear anomalous to existing time series based anomaly detection algorithms. In this paper, we present a system for monitoring the energy consumption of multiple users within a neighborhood and a novel algorithm for detecting anomalies by combining data from multiple users. For each user, the neighborhood is defined as the set of all other users that have similar characteristics (function, location or demography), and are therefore likely to react and consume energy in the similar way in response to the external conditions. The neighborhood can be predefined based on prior customer information, or can be identified through an analysis of historical energy consumption. The proposed algorithm works as a two-step process. In the first step, the algorithm periodically computes an anomaly score for each user by just considering their own energy consumption and variations in the consumption of the past. In the second step, the anomaly score for a user is adjusted by analyzing the energy consumption data in the neighborhood. The collation of data within the neighborhood allows the proposed algorithm to differentiate between these genuine effects and real anomalous behavior of users. Unlike multivariate time series anomaly detection algorithms, the proposed algorithm can identify specific users that are exhibiting anomalous behavior. The capabilities of the algorithm are demonstrated using several year-long real-world data sets, for commercial as well as residential consumers.
Towards morphological thoracic EIT : Major signal sources correspond to respective organ locations in CT

Lung and cardiovascular monitoring applications of Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) require localization of relevant functional structures or organs of interest within the reconstructed images. We describe an algorithm for automatic detection of heart and lung regions in a time series of EIT images. Using EIT reconstruction based on anatomical models, candidate regions are identified in the frequency domain and image based classification techniques applied. The algorithm was validated on a set of simultaneously recorded EIT and CT data in pigs. In all cases, identified regions in EIT images corresponded to those manually segmented in the matched CT image. Results demonstrate the ability of EIT technology to reconstruct relevant impedance changes at their anatomical locations, provided that information about the thoracic boundary shape (and electrode positions) are used for reconstruction.
Distributional properties of euclidean distances in wireless networks involving road systems

Stochastic models for hierarchical telecommunication networks are considered, which can be applied to the analysis and planning of large wireless networks. The network geometry is modelled by random geometric graphs, and the locations of network nodes by point processes on the edges of these graphs. In particular, the locations of high-level components (HLC) are modeled by Cox processes concentrated on the edge sets of random graphs, where their serving zones are the cells of Voronoi tessellations induced by these Cox processes. The locations of low-level components (LLC) are either modeled by planar Poisson processes or by Cox processes concentrated on the same edge sets as the HLC. Distributional properties of distances between the locations of network nodes are closely related with the interference geometry and, consequently, the performance of wireless networks. Representation formulas are derived for the distribution function and density of the typical Euclidean connection distance between LLC and HLC. They lead to suitable estimators of these characteristics, which can be computed by Monte Carlo simulation of the typical serving zone and the typical segment system in it, respectively.
A possibility for implementing curiosity and boredom in model-building neural controllers

This paper introduces a framework for `curious neural controllers' which employ an adaptive world model for goal directed on-line learning. First an on-line reinforcement learning algorithm for autonomous `animats' is described. The algorithm is based on two fully recurrent `self-supervised' continually running networks which learn in parallel. One of the networks learns to represent a complete model of the environmental dynamics and is called the `model network'. It provides complete `credit assignment paths' into the past for the second network which controls the animats physical actions in a possibly reactive environment. The an-imats goal is to maximize cumulative reinforcement and minimize cumulative `pain'. The algorithm has properties which allow to implement something like the desire to improve the model network's knowledge about the world. This is related to curiosity. It is described how the particular algorithm (as well as similar model-building algorithms) may be augmented by dynamic curiosity and boredom in a natural manner. This may be done by introducing (delayed) reinforcement for actions that increase the model network's knowledge about the world. This in turn requires the model network to model its own ignorance, thus showing a rudimentary form of self-introspective behavior.
Anatomy and projection patterns of the superior olivary comlex in the mexican free‐tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana

The superior olivary complex (SOC) is the first station in the ascending auditory pathway that receives binaural projections. Two of the principal nuclei, the lateral superior olive (LSO) and the medial superior olive (MSO), are major sources of ascending projections to the inferior colliculus. Whereas almost all mammals have an LSO, it has traditionally been thought that only animals that hear low frequencies have an MSO. Recent reports, however, suggest that the medial part of the SOC in bats is highly variable and that at least some bats have a well‐developed MSO. Thus, the main goal of this study was to evaluate the cytoarchitecture and connections of the principal superior olivary nuclei of the Mexican free‐tailed bat, with specific attention directed at the MSO. Cell and fiber stained material revealed that the LSO and the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) are similar to those described for other mammals. There are two medial nuclei we refer to as dorsomedial periolivary nucleus (DMPO) and MSO. Tracer experiments exhibited that the DMPO receives bilateral projections from the cochlear nucleus, and additional projections from the ipsilateral MNTB. The DMPO sends a strong projection to the ipsilateral inferior colliculus. Positive staining for acetylcholinesterase indicates that the DMPO is a part of the olivocochlear system, as it is in other animals. The MSO in the free‐tailed bat meets many of the criteria that traditionally define this nucleus. These include the presence of bipolar and multipolar principal cells, bilateral innervation from the cochlear nucleus, a strong projection from the ipsilateral MNTB, and the absence of cholinergic cells. The major difference from traditional MSO features is that it projects bilaterally to the inferior colliculus. Approximately 30% of its cells provide collateral projections to the colliculi on both sides. Funcional implications of the MSO for the free‐tailed bat are considered in the Discussion. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A high‐calcium diet failed to rescue an osteopenia phenotype in claudin‐18 knockout mice

We have recently demonstrated that mice with disruption of claudin‐18 (Cldn‐18) gene exhibited osteopenia due to increased bone resorption (BR). In this study, we found that gastric pH was significantly higher in Cldn‐18 knockout (KO) mice compared to heterozygous control mice at 10 weeks of age. To test the possibility that the increased BR in the Cldn‐18 KO mice fed a normal‐Ca diet is a consequence of decreased Ca absorption caused by increased stomach pH, we subjected KO and control mice to a normal‐Ca and high‐Ca diet at birth. Serum Ca levels were significantly lower in Cldn‐18 KO mice compared to control mice at a normal‐Ca diet but not at high‐Ca diet. Dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry revealed that a high‐Ca diet significantly increased lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), but had no effect on femur/tibia BMD in both Cldn‐18 KO and control mice compared to a normal‐Ca diet. While a high‐Ca diet did not affect volumetric BMD, trabecular, and cortical parameters of the lumbar vertebra (LV) as measured by μCT, the size of the LV did increase, in both genotypes due to reduced BR. Comparison of the skeletal phenotype of high‐Ca Cldn‐18 KO and control mice revealed that an osteopenia phenotype seen at a normal‐Ca diet was still maintained at different skeletal sites in the KO mice till 10 weeks of age. In conclusion, our findings suggest that increased BR is likely caused by direct effects of a lack of Cldn‐18 on osteoclasts rather than gastric pH changes.
Age-Related Changes in Sleep/Wake Patterns Among Korean Teenagers

Introduction. As children go through the transition from childhood to adolescence, many shifts occur in sleep/wake patterns related to intrinsic and extrinsic developmental changes. These shifts have been shown to result in corresponding shifts in sleep phase (later sleep onset) and sleep deprivation among teenagers in Western societies. However, the effect of these developmental changes on the sleep habits of Korean teenagers has not been analyzed. This study aims to quantify age-related changes in sleep/wake patterns among Korean teenagers and elucidate cultural and other factors causing these changes. Methods. The School Sleep Habits Survey was administered in homeroom classes to students in grades 5 to 12 (mean age: 13.7 ± 2.4 years) selected via a 2-way stratification sampling method. The survey included items regarding usual sleep/wake patterns over the previous 2 weeks as well as measures of daytime sleepiness, sleep/wake-problem behavior, depressed mood, and morningness/eveningness. Results. A total of 1457 students (52.9% male) completed the survey. The higher the grade, the later bedtime was found to be on both school days and weekends. There was a similar relationship between increasing grade and earlier wake time on school days, but higher grades were associated with later wake time on weekends. Total sleep time decreased by ∼3 hours on school nights and 1 hour on weekend nights from grades 5 to 12. Adolescents were severely sleep deprived, with mean school-night total sleep times of 6.02, 5.62, and 4.86 hours for 10th-, 11th-, and 12th-graders, respectively. In the higher grades, there was a greater discrepancy between school nights and weekends in terms of bedtime and wake time, and the magnitude of weekend oversleep increased. Older students also reported more daytime sleepiness, more sleep/wake-problem behavior, more depressed mood, and more eveningness preference. The chief reasons students cited for their sleep deprivation differed across grades: Academic demands and entertainment (such as Internet and television) were reported by 5th- and 6th-graders, entertainment and then academic demands by 7th-, 8th-, and 9th-graders, and early school start time and academic demands by 10th-, 11th- and 12th-graders. Conclusions. This study clearly demonstrates that Korean adolescents do not get adequate sleep and that they have profound discrepancies in their sleep/wake patterns between school and weekend nights. Compared with previous studies from other countries, Korean students display even greater sleep deprivation and also more irregular sleep/wake patterns. This study also demonstrates that academic demands/stress and early school start time are the most important contributing factors for sleep deprivation among Korean adolescents. These findings stress the need to promote awareness of the magnitude of adolescent sleep deprivation and its detrimental effects in Korean society.
The global financial crisis and sub-Saharan Africa The effects of slowing private capital inflows on growth 1

1 This paper is part of a UK Department for International Development (DFID) funded study at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) on the effects of the global financial crisis on developing countries. The views presented in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the ODI or DFID. The authors would like to thank DFID for helpful comments and suggestions. Contents Figures and tables iv Acronyms iv Abstract v 1. Introduction 1 2. Trends and composition of private capital flows to sub-Saharan Africa 2 2.1 Private capital inflows boom: Opportunities versus challenges 2 2.2 Private capital inflows and the global financial crisis: The evidence so far 4 3. Private capital flows and economic growth: A brief literature review 8 4. What types of private capital inflow foster growth in sub-Saharan Africa? 10 4.1 Methodology and data 10 4.2 Results 11 5. Conclusions 14
Do Nuclear Star Clusters and Supermassive Black Holes Follow the Same Host-Galaxy Correlations?

Studies have suggested that there is a strong correlation between the masses of nuclear star clusters (NSCs) and their host galaxies, a correlation which is said to be an extension of the well-known correlations between supermassive black holes (SMBHs) and their host galaxies. But careful analysis of disk galaxies—including 2D bulge/disk/bar decompositions—shows that while SMBHs correlate with the stellar mass of the bulge component of galaxies, the masses of NSCs correlate much better with the total galaxy stellar mass. In addition, the mass ratio MNSC/M⋆, tot for NSCs in spirals (at least those with Hubble types Sc and later) is typically an order of magnitude smaller than the mass ratio MBH/M⋆, bul of SMBHs. The absence of a universal “central massive object” correlation argues against common formation and growth mechanisms for both SMBHs and NSCs. We also discuss evidence for a break in the NSC-host galaxy correlation, galaxies with Hubble types earlier than Sbc appear to host systematically more massive NSCs than do types Sc and later.
Intravascular Ultrasound image segmentation: A helical active contour method

During an Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) examination, a catheter with an ultrasound transducer is introduced in the body through a blood vessel and then pulled back to image a sequence of vessel cross-sections. An IVUS exam results in several hundred noisy images often hard to analyze. Hence, developing powerful automatic analysis tool would facilitate the interpretation of structures in IVUS images. In this paper we present a new IVUS segmentation method based on an original active contour model. The contour has a helical geometry and evolves like a spiral shape that is distorted until it reaches the artery lumen boundaries. Despite the use of a simple statistical model and a very sparse initialization of the snake, the algorithm converges to satisfying solutions that can be compared with much more sophisticated segmentation methods. To validate the method, we compared our results to manually traced contours and obtained an Hausdorff distance < 0∶61mm (n = 540 images) indicating the robustness of the method.
Temporal dynamics of guilt: Changes in the role of interpersonal and intrapsychic factors

Baumeister, Stillwell and Heatherton (1994) argue that guilt serves primarily interpersonal functions and take issue with more traditional intrapsychic accounts of guilty feelings, in which causality, responsibility, and blame are emphasized. We examined the validity of these claims by asking 198 college students to imagine that they destroyed the valued property of either their best friend or mother, under each of three conditions of causal responsibility (accidental, foreseeable, unjustifiably intended). They then rated the reactions they anticipated from the victim (anger, disappointment; change in impression of the perpetrator), their perceived blameworthiness, aspects of causality, and how guilty they would feel immediately after perpetrating the harm as well as an entire day later. Imagined guilt was curvilinearly related to responsibility at time 1, but linearly at time 2. Results suggest that people only weigh interpersonal concerns more heavily after time has elapsed, but that both factors integrally affect feelings of guilt. # 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.