Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cost-Effectiveness of Capsaicin 8% Patch Compared with Pregabalin for the Treatment of Patients with Peripheral Neuropathic Pain in Scotland

We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of capsaicin 8% patch (QUTENZA™) versus pregabalin in patients with PNP from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS) and Personal and Social Services in Scotland, UK. A decision-tree cost-effectiveness model was developed for non-diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) who were pregabalin-naïve and had not achieved adequate pain relief or tolerated conventional first- or second-line treatments. Patients entering the model received either a single application of capsaicin 8% patch or titrated daily dosing with pregabalin; after 8 weeks patients were classified as responders, non-responders, or were assumed to discontinue treatment due to intolerable adverse events. Responders continued to receive baseline treatment at intervals observed in clinical practice. Non-responders and those who discontinued treatment were assumed to receive last-line therapy (duloxetine). The base-case time horizon was 2 years. Model inputs for effectiveness, discontinuations and health-state utilities were taken from a head-to-head non-inferiority study (ELEVATE, NCT01713426). Other inputs were obtained from published sources or clinical expert opinion. Costs were expressed in GBP 2013/14. Results were presented as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER), i.e. cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Model assumptions were tested with scenario analyses. Parameter uncertainty was tested using one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Compared with dose-optimized pregabalin, capsaicin 8% patch was the dominant treatment strategy (total cost difference, –£11; total QALY gain, 0.049). Capsaicin 8% patch was also the dominant treatment strategy versus pregabalin in 6 out of 7 scenario analyses. The model was most sensitive to variation in time to capsaicin 8% patch retreatment (maximum ICER, £7,951/QALY at lower-bound 95% confidence interval). At a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000/QALY, the probability of capsaicin 8% patch being cost-effective versus pregabalin was 97%. Capsaicin 8% patch is a cost-effective treatment option compared with dose-optimized pregabalin in patients with PNP who have failed one or more previous systemic treatments.
Complexity of Translationally Controlled Transcription Factor Sp3 Isoform Expression*

Sp3 is a ubiquitous transcription factor closely related to Sp1. Both proteins contain a highly conserved DNA-binding domain close to the C terminus and two glutamine-rich domains in the N-terminal moiety. Immunoblot analyses of Sp3 reveal a striking complex protein pattern of up to eight distinct species. This pattern is not observed in Sp3-deficient cell lines showing that all signals reflect Sp3 antigen. In this study, we have unraveled the complexity of Sp3 expression. We show that four isoforms of Sp3 that retain different parts of the N terminus are expressed in vivo. The four isoforms derive from alternative translational start sites at positions 1, 37, 856, and 907. An upstream open reading frame located at position -47 to -18 regulates expression of the two long isoforms. Unlike Sp1, none of the Sp3 isoforms is glycosylated. However, all four isoforms become SUMO-modified in vivo and in vitro specifically and exclusively at lysine residue 551. The transcriptional activity of the two long isoforms strongly depends on the promoter settings, whereas the small isoforms appear to be inactive. The transcriptional activity of all the Sp3 isoforms is regulated by SUMO modification. Our results demonstrate that Sp3 has many unique features and is not simply a functional equivalent of Sp1.
Time series analysis with graph-based semi-supervised learning

With the exponential growth of time-stamped data from social media, e-commerce and sensor systems, time series data analysis is of growing interests for extracting useful insights. In many real-world applications, there is usually a large amount of unlabeled data but limited labeled data, which can be difficult to obtain. In this paper, we present a graph-based semi-supervised learning framework which leverages the unlabeled data to improve the performance of time series classification. To effectively capture the underlying structure of time series data with graphs, we explore different time series modeling techniques, and develop a probabilistic method for learning optimal graph combination. Experimental results on real-world data show the superiority of our approach over existing methods.
Enhancing Brand Equity through Flow: Comparison of 2D versus 3D Virtual World

This research uses the theory of flow to examine the effect of 2D versus 3D virtual world environments on brand equity and use intention. The results suggest that a 3D virtual world environment has both positive (indirect) and negative (direct) effects on brand equity. The positive, indirect effect of the 3D virtual world environment occurs through feelings of telepresence and enjoyment, both of which contribute positively to brand equity and, in turn, induces a higher behavioral intention. The negative, direct effect can be explained using distraction-conflict theory, where attentional conflict is faced by users of a highly interactive and rich medium. This paper explains the flow experience and its effects on brand equity in 2D versus 3D virtual world environments, and provides insights to practitioners for designing 3D virtual world sites to enhance brand equity and behavioral intention.
SUPPORT VECTOR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MICROSTRIP ANTENNAS BASED ON MEASUREMENTS

In this work, Support Vector Machine (SVM) formulation is worked out based upon "L" measured data for the resonant frequency, operation bandwidth, input impedance of a rectangular microstrip antenna. Results of the formulation are compared with the theoretical results obtained in literature, much better characterization is observed with greater accuracy. At the same time, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is employed in generalization of the data on the resonant frequency, operation bandwidth, and input impedance of the antenna. Performances of the two advanced nonlinear learning machines are compared and superiority of the SVM is verified.
The Influence of Gratitude on Franchisor‐Franchisee Relationships

Set within a franchising context that is an integral and significant component of the small business sector, this paper is the first attempt at modeling the sentiment of gratitude, a critical nascent relationship construct, as mediating the linkage between relational norms (as antecedents) and relationship quality constructs (as consequents). Data from a sample of 439 Australian franchisees are used to test the hypotheses. Relational norms were captured using the well‐accepted taxonomy of solidarity, flexibility, and mutuality, and relationship quality was conceptualized in terms of its constituent constructs of trust, commitment, and relationship satisfaction. Structural equation modeling was used to test the six hypothesized relationships. Results show that all six hypotheses are supported, that is, relational norms significantly and positively affect the emergence of gratitude, and in turn, gratitude significantly and positively influences the relationship quality constructs of trust, commitment, and relationship satisfaction. Managerial implications for the franchising industry in particular and small businesses in general are discussed.
Massive Autaptic Self-Innervation of GABAergic Neurons in Cat Visual Cortex

Autapses are transmitter release sites made by the axon of a neuron on its own dendrites. We determined the numbers and precise subcellular position of autapses on different spiny and smooth dendritic cell types using intracellular biocytin filling in slices of adult neocortex. Potential self-innervation was light microscopically assessed on 10 pyramidal cells, 7 spiny stellate cells, and 41 smooth dendritic neurons from cortical layers II–V. Putative autapses occurred on each smooth dendritic neuron and on seven pyramids, but not on spiny stellate cells. However, electron microscopic examination of all light microscopically predicted sites on pyramids (n = 28) showed only one case of self-innervation with two autapses on dendritic spines. Interneurons were classified by postsynaptic target distribution (Tamás et al., 1997) and all putative autapses of seven basket, three dendrite-targeting, and three double bouquet cells were scrutinized. All basket and dendrite-targeting cells established self-innervation, the number of autapses being 12 ± 7 and 22 ± 12 (mean ± SD), respectively; only one of the double bouquet cells formed autapses (n = 3). Basket cell autapses (n = 74) were closer to the soma (12.2 ± 22.3 μm) than autapses established by dendrite-targeting cells (51.8 ± 49.9 μm; n = 66). The degree of self-innervation is cell type-specific. Unlike on spiny cells, autapses are abundant on GABAergic basket and dendrite-targeting interneurons, with subcellular location similar to that of synapses formed by the parent cell on other neurons. The extensive self-innervation may modulate integrative properties and/or the firing rhythm of the neuron in a manner temporally correlated with its own activity.
Is the exponential distribution a good approximation of dusty galactic disks

We investigate how significant the spiral structure is on calculations concerning radiative transfer in dusty spiral galaxies seen edge-on. The widely adopted exponential disk model (i.e. both the stars and the dust are distributed exponen- tially in the radial direction and also perpendicular to the plane of the disk) is now subject to a detailed comparison with a realis- tic model that includes spiral structure for the stars and the dust in the disk. In particular, model images of galaxies with loga- rithmic spiral arms are constructed, such that the azimuthally averaged disk is exponential in radius and in height, as the obser- vations suggest. Then, pure exponential disk models (i.e. with no spiral structure) are used to fit the edge-on appearance of the model images. As a result, the parameters derived after the fit are compared to the real values used to create the spiral-structured images. It turns out that the plain exponential disk model is able to give a very good description of the galactic disk with its parameters varying only by a few percent from their true values.
Efficient Puncturing Method for Rate-Compatible Low-Density Parity-Check Codes

In this paper, we propose an efficient puncturing method for LDPC codes. The proposed algorithm provides the order of variable nodes for puncturing based on the proposed cost function. The proposed cost function tries to maximize the minimum reliability among those provided from all check nodes. Also, it tries to allocate survived check nodes evenly to all punctured variable nodes. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm prevents the formation of a stopping set from the punctured variable nodes even when the amount of puncturing is quite large. Simulation results show that the proposed punctured LDPC codes perform better than existing punctured LDPC codes.
Complexity and Approximations for Multimessage Multicasting

We consider multimessage multicasting over thenprocessor complete (or fully connected) static network (MMC). First we present a linear time algorithm that constructs for every degreedproblem instance a communication schedule with total communication time at mostd2, wheredis the maximum number of messages that each processor may send or receive. Then we present degreedproblem instances such that all their communication schedules have total communication time at leastd2. We observe that our lower bound applies when the fan-out (maximum number of processors receiving any given message) is huge, and thus the number of processors is also huge. Since this environment is not likely to arise in the near future, we turn our attention to the study of important subproblems that are likely to arise in practice. We show that when each message has fan-outk=1 theMMCproblem corresponds to the makespan openshop preemptive scheduling problem which can be solved in polynomial time and show that fork? 2 our problem is NP-complete and remains NP-complete even when forwarding is allowed. We present an algorithm to generate a communication schedule with total communication time 2d? 1 for any degreedproblem instance with fan-outk=2. Our main result is anO(q·d·e) time algorithm, wheree? nd(the input length), with an approximation bound ofqd+k1/q(d? 1), for any integerqsuch thatkq? 2. Our algorithms are centralized and require all the communication information ahead of time. Applications where all of this information is readily available include iterative algorithms for solving linear equations, and most dynamic programming procedures. The Meiko CS-2 machine and computer systems with processors communicating via dynamic permutation networks whose basic switches can act as data replicators (e.g.,nbynBenes network with 2 by 2 switches that can also act as data replicators) will also benefit from our results at the expense of doubling the number of communication phases.
Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Stiffness and Adhesion to Collagen I Modified by Vasoactive Agonists

In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) integrin-mediated adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins play important roles in sustaining vascular tone and resistance. The main goal of this study was to determine whether VSMCs adhesion to type I collagen (COL-I) was altered in parallel with the changes in the VSMCs contractile state induced by vasoconstrictors and vasodilators. VSMCs were isolated from rat cremaster skeletal muscle arterioles and maintained in primary culture without passage. Cell adhesion and cell E-modulus were assessed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) by repetitive nano-indentation of the AFM probe on the cell surface at 0.1 Hz sampling frequency and 3200 nm Z-piezo travelling distance (approach and retraction). AFM probes were tipped with a 5 μm diameter microbead functionalized with COL-I (1mg\ml). Results showed that the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II (ANG-II; 10−6) significantly increased (p<0.05) VSMC E-modulus and adhesion probability to COL-I by approximately 35% and 33%, respectively. In contrast, the vasodilator adenosine (ADO; 10−4) significantly decreased (p<0.05) VSMC E-modulus and adhesion probability by approximately −33% and −17%, respectively. Similarly, the NO donor (PANOate, 10−6 M), a potent vasodilator, also significantly decreased (p<0.05) the VSMC E-modulus and COL-I adhesion probability by −38% and −35%, respectively. These observations support the hypothesis that integrin-mediated VSMC adhesion to the ECM protein COL-I is dynamically regulated in parallel with VSMC contractile activation. These data suggest that the signal transduction pathways modulating VSMC contractile activation and relaxation, in addition to ECM adhesion, interact during regulation of contractile state.
CONFLITO OU CONVERGÊNCIA? PERCEPÇÕES DE PROFESSORES E LICENCIANDOS SOBRE ÉTICA NO USO DE ANIMAIS NO ENSINO DE ZOOLOGIA

The use of animals in practical classes in university courses requires a bioethical approach so that zoological concepts are constructed along humanistic criteria. This is particularly relevant in Science teaching courses, since the approach will reflect in the graduates will teach in elementary levels. This work aimed to investigate the conceptions of teachers and undergraduate students from courses of Biological Sciences about the use of animals in didactic situations. Questionnaires were applied to students and teachers, regarding topics such as collection and killing of animals, alternative resources and guidelines for bioethical procedure. We noticed convergence and conflict among the perceptions and attitudes from teachers and students. Some of them agree with the replacement of animals for alternative resources, although orientations about the legal framework related to the topic are neglected. We propose an in-depth discussion about a multidisciplinary insertion of animal bioethics in the education of Biology teachers.
A-DSR: A DSR-based anycast protocol for IPv6 flow in mobile ad hoc networks

IP anycast allows a source node to transmit IP packets to a single destination node, out of a group of destination nodes. It can be an important paradigm for an ad-hoc network in terms of resource, robustness and efficiency for replicated service applications. DSR is a simple and efficient routing protocol designed specifically for use in multi-hop wireless ad hoc networks of mobile nodes. This paper proposes a novel anycast protocol for IPv6 flow in mobile ad hoc networks, which is based on the DSR protocol. We also test its performance with different network parameters and the simulation results show that the anycast protocol can balance the network load efficiently and reduce the delay of packet and improve the network throughput. Anycast service can also improve performance of ad hoc network when mobility is high and a link may get disconnected frequently without the servers of repair/re-discovery due to ad-hoc network environment.
Does the coordination of verbal and motor information explain the development of counting in children?

Counting is often considered to be the coordination of two actions: saying the number-words and pointing to each object. We report three experiments to test the hypothesis that this coordination requires the use of the central executive (A. D. Baddeley, 1990), and that the cost of coordination decreases with age. Participants were 5- and 9-year-old children and adults. At all ages tested, the manipulation of the difficulty of each component affected counting performance but did not make coordination more difficult. These results suggest that, at least from the age 5, counting is a procedure in which the control of coordination is not attention demanding.
Spirituality and social responsibility performance

Purpose This paper aims to discuss how religiously and non-religiously affiliated individuals may view the three core workplace spiritual values: transcendence, existence of a higher power and interconnectedness. Additionally, this paper studies how the contrasts between the views of religiously and non-religiously affiliated individuals about the three core spiritual values affect their performance of social responsibility initiatives. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual analysis was used. Findings This paper suggests that religiously and non-religiously affiliated individuals view the three core spiritual values differently. Drawing upon the three core spiritual values viewed by religiously and non-religiously affiliated individuals, this paper proposes the following. First, religiously affiliated individuals will focus on implementing social responsibility initiatives for a longer time orientation compared to non-religiously affiliated individuals. Second, when engaging in social responsibility, religiously affiliated individuals will focus on implementing a smaller scope of social responsibility initiatives than non-religiously affiliated individuals. Finally, religiously affiliated individuals will focus on implementing a larger scale of social responsibility initiatives than non-religiously affiliated individuals. Originality/value This paper is one of the very first studies addressing how religiously and non-religiously affiliated individuals view core values of spirituality. Additionally, this paper advances the literature by contrasting how religiously and non-religiously affiliated individuals engage in socially responsible initiatives in accordance with how they view spirituality.
Linking the Metallicity Distribution of Galactic Halo Stars to the Enrichment History of the Universe

We compare the metallicity distribution of Galactic halo stars with three-dimensional realizations of hierarchical galaxy formation. Outflows from dwarf galaxies enrich the intergalactic medium inhomogeneously, at a rate depending on the local galaxy density. Consequently, the first stars created in small early-forming galaxies are less metal-rich than the first stars formed in more massive galaxies, which typically form later. As most halo stars are likely to originate in accreted dwarfs, while disk stars formed out of outflow-enriched gas, this scenario naturally generates a "metallicity floor" for old disk stars, which we find to be roughly coincident with the higher end of our predicted metallicity distribution of halo stars, in agreement with observations. The broad and centrally peaked distribution of halo star metallicities is well reproduced in our models, with a natural dispersion depending on the exact accretion history. Our modeling includes the important "baryonic stripping" effect of early outflows, which brush away the tenuously held gas in neighboring previrialized density perturbations. This stripping process does not significantly modify the predicted shape of the halo star metal distribution but inhibits star formation and hence the number of accreted stars, helping to reconcile our model with the observed total Galactic halo luminosity and the lack of low-luminosity local dwarf galaxies relative to N-body predictions.
Thematic Guides Land-Use and LandCover Change 3 1 . 0 – Land-Use and LandCover Change

Humans have been altering land cover since pre-history through the use of fire to flush out game and, since the advent of plant and animal domestication, through the clearance of patches of land for agriculture and livestock. In the past two centuries the impact of human activities on the land has grown enormously, altering entire landscapes, and ultimately impacting the earth’s nutrient and hydrological cycles as well as climate. Land-use and land-cover changes are local and place specific, occurring incrementally in ways that often escape our attention. Yet, collectively, they add up to one of the most important facets of global environmental change. This thematic guide provides an introduction to these changes, and walks the readers through important topics in land-use and land-cover change research: deforestation, desertification, biodiversity loss, land cover and the water cycle, land cover and the carbon cycle, and urbanization. How to Use this Guide Note: Readers using the PDF version of this Thematic Guide may be interested in the additional functionality, described below, which is provided solely in the HTML version available through: http://sedac.ciesin. columbia.edu/tg/guide_frame. jsp? g=47 The richness of this guide resides in the many and varied links to bibliographic resources, many of which are available on-line. Readers are encouraged to toggle between the written sections and the references and related resources to gain a better sense of the breadth of research in this important area of study. Note that references are dynamically linked to sections of the guide. The Reference section in the table of contents provides references for the entire guide, but when one toggles to references from a particular chapter or section, only references for that chapter or section will appear. The LUCC Guide's bibliography exceeds 1,300 entries, many of which were not specifically cited in the text. To access the larger bibliography, users are encouraged to use the bibliographic search page. A full description of CIESIN Thematic Guide functionality can be found by accessing the help page from the navigation bar.