Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
7T vs. 4T: RF power, homogeneity, and signal‐to‐noise comparison in head images

Signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), RF field (B1), and RF power requirement for human head imaging were examined at 7T and 4T magnetic field strengths. The variation in B1 magnitude was nearly twofold higher at 7T than at 4T (∼42% compared to ∼23%). The power required for a 90° pulse in the center of the head at 7T was approximately twice that at 4T. The SNR averaged over the brain was at least 1.6 times higher at 7T compared to 4T. These experimental results were consistent with calculations performed using a human head model and Maxwell's equations. Magn Reson Med 46:24–30, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Toeplitz-Plus-Hankel Matrix Recovery for Green’s Function Computations on General Substrates

Rapidly diversifying technology and declining computational costs are popularizing technologically flexible simulation and verification techniques, even at some cost in performance. This paper investigates a data-driven, sampling-based approach for computing substrate Green's functions, which is more technology flexible than specialized layered media methods, at the cost of speed and accuracy. Our method is based on assuming that grid-sampled Green's functions can be well approximated by Toeplitz-plus-Hankel (TPH) matrices, and uses a least squares procedure to recover a TPH matrix from a small number of samples. We show that sample location is crucial, and that good sample locations are the ones that minimize an associated graph-diameter-based condition number estimate. The method's expected effectiveness is demonstrated on noise-polluted samples of layered media Green's functions. More surprisingly, we show that the method is effective even when applied to a substrate geometry that is only mildly planar.
Delivering your daily dose of well-being to the workplace: a randomized controlled trial of an online well-being programme for employees

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate a newly developed brief, cost-effective, flexible, and broadly accessible online programme designed to enhance employee well-being. Considering the demands of the working world, the development of the positive intervention (PI) programme was based on empirical findings and latest theoretical advances from the field of positive psychology, namely the PERMA model of well-being. The new PERMA-based programme’s effectiveness to increase employee well-being was evaluated with a longitudinal field experiment, including a wait list control group and an already established PI programme (i.e., gratitude programme) for comparison (three-armed randomized controlled trial; n = 303, Nmale = 99, Nfemale = 203, Mage = 41.16, SD = 12.26). Repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) supported that on average, participants of the gratitude programme and the PERMA-based programme reported significant increases in employee well-being after the intervention, as compared to no increases in the wait list control group. The significant increases yielded small effect sizes for general subjective well-being and medium effect sizes for work-related subjective well-being. Post-hoc analyses controlling for baseline well-being also supported the efficacy of the PIs. Contrary to the prediction of the PERMA-based programme’s superiority, participants of both online PI programmes reported similar gains in employee well-being components. Practical implications, limitations, and future research are discussed.
Autophagy-Derived Alzheimer’s Pathogenesis

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an incurable terminal neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting the elderly. Even after a century of intensive investigation, its pathogenic mechanism still remains enigmatic. Many hypotheses have been advanced to interpret the disease pathogenesis; however none are able to provide an integrated mechanistic view that can unify the numerous superficially disconnected aspects of AD etiology and pathology. Extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles are the two prominent hallmarks of AD neuropathology. It remains unclear what pathogenic events link aggregated proteins such as amyloid beta peptides (Aβ) and/or phosphorylated tau to neuronal damage and death. It is also important to know more precisely how advancing age triggers the disease pathogenesis and how other modifiers affect the disease process. The absence of this basic knowledge is a major barrier not only for understanding of the disease but also for development of effective AD therapies. Autophagy, or specifically macroautophagy, is a subcellular process participating in membrane trafficking and intracellular degradation and functions in the turnover of damaged organelles and unfavorable proteins through the lysosomal machinery. The autophagy-lysosomal system plays an important role in maintaining intracellular homeostasis and also participates in the pathophysiology of many diseases including cancer, infectious and neurodegenerative diseases (Mizushima et al., 2008). Abnormal autophagic structures have been reported to be extensively involved in AD pathology in brains of human patients as well as animal models (Nixon et al., 2005; Shacka et al., 2008). However, it remains unclear how autophagy contributes to the disease. Numerous review papers are available that summarize the current knowledge regarding the molecular and cellular aspects of autophagy and its extensive involvement in various diseases. In this chapter, we focus on the concept of an “autophagy-lysosomal cascade” as a key mechanistic insight into AD pathogenesis. This disease hypothesis is based on recent work from our laboratory as well as growing evidence from other AD research groups. The autophagy-lysosomal cascade hypothesis has the capability to integrate many seemingly disconnected aspects of AD pathophysiology into a common cellular framework. We believe that further characterization of the details of autophagic participation in AD will be important for development of anti-Alzheimer’s therapies.
PEMBERIAN REWARD DAN PUNISHMENT DENGAN KOMBINASI MODEL PEMBELAJARAN KOOPERATIF TIPE STAD UNTUK MENINGKATKAN MOTIVASI DAN HASIL BELAJAR PESERTA DIDIK KELAS X PADA MATA PELAJARAN EKONOMI DI SMA NEGERI 1 MLATI

Abstrak : Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk meningkatkan motivasi dan hasil belajar peserta didik dengan pemberian reward dan punishment dalam pembelajaran ekonomi kelas X di SMA Negeri 1 Mlati. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian tindakan kelas. Model penelitian yang digunakan adalah model Kemmis dan Taggart. Subjek penelitian ini adalah peserta didik kelas X-D SMA Negeri 1 Mlati, berjumlah 32 orang. Objek penelitian adalah reward , punishment , motivasi belajar, dan hasil belajar peserta didik. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan metode observasi, dokumentasi, wawancara, dan tes. Teknik analisis data menggunakan analisis deskriptif kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian dari awal siklus I hingga akhir siklus II menunjukkan bahwa motivasi belajar peserta didik meningkat 17,81% dan hasil belajar peserta didik meningkat 56,25%. Kata K unci: Reward, Punishment, Motivasi belajar, Hasil belajar Abstract : This study aimed to improve the students’ learning motivation and outcomes through the provision of reward and punishment in economics learning in Grade X of SMA Negeri 1 Mlati. This was a classroom action research study. The model in the study was the model by Kemmis and McTaggart. The research subjects were the students of Grade X-D of SMA Negeri 1 Mlati with atotal of 32 students. The research objects were reward, punishment, and the students’ learning motivation and outcomes. The data were collected through observations, documentation, interviews, and tests. The data analysis technique was quantitative descriptive technique. The result of the study showed that the students’ learning motivation improved from first meeting of Cycle I until last meeting of Cycle II a percentage of 17,81% and the result of students’ learning improved a percentage of 56,25%. Keywords: Reward, Punishment, Learning Motivation, Learning Outcomes
Targeted Therapy in Locally Advanced and Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LA-R/M HNSCC)

Surgery and radiotherapy are the standard treatment options for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Chemoradiotherapy is an alternative for patients with locally advanced disease. In recurrent/metastatic disease and after progression to platin-based regimens, no standard treatments other than best supportive care are currently available. Most SCCHN tumours overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This receptor is a tyrosine-kinase membrane receptor that has been implicated in angiogenesis, tumour progression and resistance to different cancer treatments. In this review, we analysed the different drugs and pathways under development to treat SCCHN, especially recurrent/metastatic disease. Until now, the EGFR signalling pathway has been considered the most important target with respect to new drugs; however, new drugs, such as immunotherapies, are currently under study. As new treatments for SCCHN are developed, the influence of therapies with respect to overall survival, progression free survival and quality of life in patients with this disease is changing.
Comparing the needs of families of children dying from malignant and non-malignant disease: an in-depth qualitative study

Objective To examine the experiences of bereaved parents concerning the care provided to children who died from cancer compared to those who died from a non-malignant condition. Design An in-depth qualitative study with bereaved parents of children who died as a result of a life-limiting diagnosis, recruited through two regional centres. Results Although parents' accounts displayed commonalities, key differences were discernible. Typically, parents of children with cancer considered care at the end of life as well resourced and responsive to their and their child's needs. In contrast, parents of children with non-malignant conditions reported under-resourced and inadequately responsive services. Although both groups of parents called extensively on military metaphors such as ‘battle’, ‘fight’ and ‘struggle’, the focus of their respective energies was different. In the one case the adversary was disease and illness; in the other it was service providers and service provision. Conclusions Community-based services for children and young people with cancer at the end of life were perceived by parents as responsive to parent and child needs. Conversely, community services for children and young people with non-malignant conditions were experienced as ad hoc and under-resourced. Community services for children with non-malignant conditions may require further development if they are to meet the levels of support offered to parents of children with cancer. If improvement is to be achieved, the need to raise awareness regarding hospice services, hospice referral and eligibility criteria across the entire gamut of service providers is essential.
Neural networks and non-parametric methods for improving real-time flood forecasting through conceptual hydrological models

Abstract. Time-series analysis techniques for improving the real-time flood forecasts issued by a deterministic lumped rainfall-runoff model are presented. Such techniques are applied for forecasting the short-term future rainfall to be used as real-time input in a rainfall-runoff model and for updating the discharge predictions provided by the model. Along with traditional linear stochastic models, both stationary (ARMA) and non-stationary (ARIMA), the application of non-linear time-series models is proposed such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and the ‘nearest-neighbours’ method, which is a non-parametric regression methodology. For both rainfall forecasting and discharge updating, the implementation of each time-series technique is investigated and the forecasting schemes which perform best are identified. The performances of the models are then compared and the improvement in the efficiency of the discharge forecasts achievable is demonstrated when i) short-term rainfall forecasting is performed, ii) the discharge is updated and iii) both rainfall forecasting and discharge updating are performed in cascade. The proposed techniques, especially those based on ANNs, allow a remarkable improvement in the discharge forecast, compared with the use of heuristic rainfall prediction approaches or the not-updated discharge forecasts given by the deterministic rainfall-runoff model alone. Keywords: real-time flood forecasting, precipitation prediction, discharge updating, time-series analysis techniques
You Are What They Eat: The Influence of Reference Groups on Consumers’ Connections to Brands

The set of associations consumers have about a brand is an important component of brand equity. This paper focuses on reference groups as a source of brand associations, which can be linked to one's mental representation of self to meet self-verification or self-enhancement goals. We conceptualize this linkage at an aggregate level in terms of self-brand connections, i.e., the extent to which individuals have incorporated a brand into their self-concept. Two studies show that brands used by member groups and aspiration groups can become connected to consumers' mental representation of self as they use these brands to define and create their self-concepts. Results from Experiment 1 show that the degree to which member group and aspiration group usage influences individual self-brand connections is contingent upon the degree to which the individual belongs to a member group or wishes to belong to an aspiration group. Experiment 2 finds that for individuals with self-enhancement goals, aspiration group brand use has a greater impact on self-brand connections; for individuals with self-verification goals, on the other hand, member group use has a greater impact.
Welfare and Macroeconomic Interdependence

The paper develops a simple choice-theoretic model suitable for carrying out welfare" analyses of the international transmission of monetary and fiscal policies. The model can be" solved in closed form and illustrated in terms of the simplest graphical apparatus provide the analysis of macroeconomic interdependence, structural spillovers strategic complementarities with rigorous but intuitive micro-foundations. In contrast with the" traditional literature, our findings emphasize the positive externalities of foreign monetary" expansions and foreign fiscal contractions on domestic welfare, while highlighting the" ambiguous welfare effects of domestic policy shocks.
Momentum Crashes

Across numerous asset classes, momentum strategies have historically generated high Sharpe ratios and strong positive alphas relative to standard asset pricing models. However, the returns to momentum strategies are negatively skewed: they experience infrequent but strong and persistent strings of negative returns. These momentum crashes are partly forecastable. They occur in what we term “panic” states – following market declines and when market volatility is high, and are contemporaneous with market “rebounds. ” We show that the low exante expected returns in panic states result from a conditionally high premium attached to the option-like payoffs of past losers. An implementable dynamic momentum strategy based on forecasts of each momentum strategy’s mean and variance generates an unconditional Sharpe ratio approximately double that of the static momentum strategy. Further, we show that momentum returns in panic states are correlated with, but not explained by, volatility risk. These results are robust across eight different markets and asset classes and multiple time periods.
A prospective study of risk factors for foot ulceration: the West of Ireland Diabetes Foot Study.

BACKGROUND This is the first study to examine risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration in Irish general practice. AIM To determine the prevalence of established risk factors for foot ulceration in a community-based cohort, and to explore the potential for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to act as a novel risk factor. DESIGN A prospective observational study. METHODS Patients with diabetes attending 12 (of 17) invited general practices were invited for foot screening. Validated clinical tests were carried out at baseline to assess for vascular and sensory impairment and foot deformity. Ulcer incidence was ascertained by patient self-report and medical record. Patients were re-assessed 18 months later. RESULTS Of 828 invitees, 563 (68%) attended screening. On examination 23-25% had sensory dysfunction and 18-39% had evidence of vascular impairment. Using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network risk stratification system we found the proportion at moderate and high risk of future ulceration to be 25% and 11%, respectively. At follow-up 16/383 patients (4.2%) developed a new foot ulcer (annual incidence rate of 2.6%). We observed an increasing probability of abnormal vascular and sensory test results (pedal pulse palpation, doppler waveform assessment, 10 g monofilament, vibration perception and neuropathy disability score) with declining eGFR levels. We were unable to show an independent association between new ulceration and reduced eGFR [Odds ratio 1.01; P = 0.64]. CONCLUSION Our data show the extent of foot complications in a representative sample of diabetes patients in Ireland. Use of eGFR did not improve identification of patients at risk of foot ulceration.
Activation of the DNA Damage Response by RNA Viruses

RNA viruses are a genetically diverse group of pathogens that are responsible for some of the most prevalent and lethal human diseases. Numerous viruses introduce DNA damage and genetic instability in host cells during their lifecycles and some species also manipulate components of the DNA damage response (DDR), a complex and sophisticated series of cellular pathways that have evolved to detect and repair DNA lesions. Activation and manipulation of the DDR by DNA viruses has been extensively studied. It is apparent, however, that many RNA viruses can also induce significant DNA damage, even in cases where viral replication takes place exclusively in the cytoplasm. DNA damage can contribute to the pathogenesis of RNA viruses through the triggering of apoptosis, stimulation of inflammatory immune responses and the introduction of deleterious mutations that can increase the risk of tumorigenesis. In addition, activation of DDR pathways can contribute positively to replication of viral RNA genomes. Elucidation of the interactions between RNA viruses and the DDR has provided important insights into modulation of host cell functions by these pathogens. This review summarises the current literature regarding activation and manipulation of the DDR by several medically important RNA viruses.
Intelligence of parents of autistic children.

Parents of autistic children were administered a standard vocabulary test of intelligence to test Rimland's hypothesis that these parents are uniformly of extremely high intelligence. 3 cases were selected who had high autistic to schizophrenic ratios on Rimland's checklist. While all 6 of the parents were average or above in intelligence for the general population, none was of extremely high intelligence. Either Rimland's hypothesis is not supported, or his checklist has limited validity as a measure of infantile autism.
Energy-efficient mapping of real-time streaming applications on cluster heterogeneous MPSoCs

In this paper, we propose a novel polynomial time algorithm, called Frequency Driven Mapping, to map real-time streaming applications specified as cyclo-static dataflow (CSDF) graphs onto a cluster heterogeneous MPSoC. The objective of our mapping approach is to reduce the energy consumption and guarantee latency and throughput constraints. The main novelty in our mapping algorithm is twofold: (1) By using hard-realtime scheduling of CSDF graphs, we propose an efficient way to determine a suitable processor type for each task in a CSDF graph, where the energy consumption is minimized and throughput and latency constraints are met; (2) According to an initial mapping derived by a first-fit-decreasing heuristic, we propose a remapping approach, where some tasks are remapped to unused clusters in order to further reduce the energy consumption of the system by cluster dynamic voltage/frequency scaling (DVFS). The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm finds more energy efficient mapping compared to existing approaches. The energy savings due to our proposed algorithm are up to 34%.
PEGASUS -GNSS receiver platform for safety of life user segment

The PEGASUS receiver is a newly designed prototype for GNSS application in SoL user segment. The project is part of an Italian initiative, financed by the Italian Space Agency (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, ASI contract ASI I/024/10/0 “Evoluzione tecnologica di un ricevitore integrato GALILEO per applicazioni Safety of Life”). The project is a technological common platform where the SoL Receiver technology is developed, integrated and tested in a real environment.
Reduction of daily life ischaemia by aspirin in patients with angina: underlying link between thromboxane A2 and macrophage colony stimulating factor

Objectives: To evaluate whether aspirin reduces the incidence and frequency of daily life myocardial ischaemia in a cohort of patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease. Setting: Tertiary referral centre. Methods: 60 patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease underwent 48 hour Holter monitoring to assess the incidence and frequency of daily life myocardial ischaemia. Those with myocardial ischaemia (40/60) entered a double blind, crossover trial of aspirin (300 mg/day for three weeks) versus placebo. After each treatment arm, 48 hour Holter monitoring was repeated and urinary thromboxane (Tx) B2, 11-dehydro-TxB2, plasma prothrombin fragment F1+2, macrophage colony stimulating factor (MCSF), and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured. Results: Aspirin reduced the total number and duration of ischaemic episodes from 339 to 251 and from 1765 to 1365 minutes, respectively (p < 0.01 for both). TxB2 was also reduced from 0.2 to 0.1 ng/mg creatinine, 11-dehydro-TxB2 from 3.3 to 1.3 ng/mg creatinine, F1+2 from 1.5 to 1.2 nmol/l, MCSF from 991 to 843 pg/ml, and IL-6 from 3.5 to 2.9 pg/ml (p < 0.05 for all). 11-Dehydro-TxB2 excretion with and without aspirin was related to MCSF concentrations (p < 0.01), and the percentage reduction of MCSF by aspirin was related to the reduction of 11-dehydro-TxB2 (p < 0.05) and the reduction of the ischaemic burden compared with placebo (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In patients with daily life ischaemia, aspirin reduces the incidence and frequency of ischaemic episodes as well as the systemic concentrations of haemostatic/inflammatory markers. Aspirin may prevent transient coronary flow reductions through platelet, thrombin, and cytokine inhibition.
1 THE HIDDEN POWER OF SMALL REWARDS : EXTERNAL REWARDS IN ONLINE LEARNING

Online learning and blended learning became important ways of learning and teaching in institutions of higher education as well as corporate universities. Although research increased dramatically during the last years, several questions remain open to answer. Especially the role of motivation has been examined scarcely so far. We focus on the influence of rewards on learning motivation as well as on learning outcomes. Our data from an experiment challenge the prevailing view that all tangible rewards undermine intrinsic motivation. We find that small rewards did not undermine intrinsic motivation and significantly enhance learning outcomes (i.e. engagement in and performance on rewarded and non-rewarded tasks as well as test performance).