Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A careful look at ECG sampling frequency and R-peak interpolation on short-term measures of heart rate variability

As the literature on heart rate variability (HRV) continues to burgeon, so too do the challenges faced with comparing results across studies conducted under different recording conditions and analysis options. Two important methodological considerations are (1) what sampling frequency (SF) to use when digitizing the electrocardiogram (ECG), and (2) whether to interpolate an ECG to enhance the accuracy of R-peak detection. Although specific recommendations have been offered on both points, the evidence used to support them can be seen to possess a number of methodological limitations. The present study takes a new and careful look at how SF influences 24 widely used time- and frequency-domain measures of HRV through the use of a Monte Carlo–based analysis of false positive rates (FPRs) associated with two-sample tests on independent sets of healthy subjects. HRV values from the first sample were calculated at 1000 Hz, and HRV values from the second sample were calculated at progressively lower SFs (and either with or without R-peak interpolation). When R-peak interpolation was applied prior to HRV calculation, FPRs for all HRV measures remained very close to 0.05 (i.e. the theoretically expected value), even when the second sample had an SF well below 100 Hz. Without R-peak interpolation, all HRV measures held their expected FPR down to 125 Hz (and far lower, in the case of some measures). These results provide concrete insights into the statistical validity of comparing datasets obtained at (potentially) very different SFs; comparisons which are particularly relevant for the domains of meta-analysis and mobile health.
Local reference ranges for full blood count and CD4 lymphocyte count testing.

OBJECTIVE Recent advances in full blood count and CD4 technology, coupled with the changing population demographics of the Gauteng region, have necessitated reevaluation of the reference ranges currently in use. METHODS A cross-sectional study of 631 female and 88 male HIV-negative participants from the Gauteng region was performed. Full blood count, automated differential and CD4 count analyses were done using the latest internationally accepted technology. Reference ranges were compiled from the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for both male and female participant groups, and gender and ethnic comparisons calculated by non-parametric tests. RESULTS Results of 41 females were removed from the statistical analysis because their results were suggestive of possible anaemia. Full blood count reference interval comparison confirmed gender-specific differences in red blood cell and platelet parameters. Ethnic-specific differences were found for some red blood cell parameters in the black female cohort. In addition, black males and females both generally had lower neutrophil and higher lymphocyte counts than a combined Asian/Caucasian/coloured ethnic group. CONCLUSION Comparison of the currently calculated reference ranges with published data and reference values in use indicated that a separate ethnic-specific reference range should be introduced for the percentage/absolute neutrophil count and percentage lymphocytes. In addition, locally derived reference ranges for red cell distribution width (RDW) and CD4 percentage of lymphocytes should be implemented for routine diagnostic testing.
Economic Analysis of Growth, Instability and Resource Use Efficiency of Sugarcane Cultivation in India: An Econometric Approach

Objectives : To find out the growth, as well as instability in area, production and productivity of sugarcane farming and to assess the resource use efficiency in major sugarcane growing states of India and trade performance of sugar. Methods/Statistical Analysis : Investigation is based on secondary data of area, production and productivity of sugarcane in major sugarcane growing states of India for the period from 2000-01 to 2015-16. Efficiency of sugarcane production was estimated using plot level data obtained from website of Cost of Cultivation Scheme, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India for the year, 2014-15. Compound growth rates, instability indices using formula suggested by Cuddy- Della Valle, and resource use efficiency using Data Envelopment approach (DEA) were computed. Findings : At national level area, production and productivity of sugarcane went up during the period of investigation. Similar result was also observed in case of growth rates of sugarcane crop which were found positive and encouraging. The area under sugarcane was found stable in the states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Gujarat on the other hand the yield of sugarcane recorded almost stable in Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Tamil Nadu. Technical efficiency at national level in sugarcane production was found to be 66% which indicated that the production of crop may further be raised by 34% with the available technology. Allocative mean efficiencies indicated that costs may be reduced by 40% through using optimum combination of inputs keeping in mind their prices while selecting their quantities. The cost efficiency (CE) asserted that farmers may potentially reduce their overall cost of sugarcane production, upto 60% to harvest the existing level of output at least cost. Undoubtedly, the export of sugar from India has increased during the period of investigation. Applications/Improvements: State government initiatives were found appreciable making sugarcane cultivation more remunerative. Proper use of scarce resources may make it more productive and profitable and realizing the objective of doubling income and uplifting standard of cultivators.
Community Study of Uncomplicated Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms among Male Italien Immigrants in Sydney, Australia

Objective: To determine the prevalence, levels of bother and self–reported management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Italian–born men aged 40–80 years.Method: 305 randomly selected men aged 40–80 years (72% response rate) participated in a community–based study (computer–assisted telephone survey) in early 1997 in Sydney, Australia.Results: LUTS are common: 41% of men needed to wake up at least once at night to urinate; 35% indicated they had terminal dribbling ‘sometimes’ or ‘frequently’; 31% experienced urgency although few (3%) had urge incontinence; 19% could retain urine in their bladder during the day for no more than 2 h, and 19% experienced hesitancy. Urinary symptoms correlated moderately/poorly with self–rated bother. The prevalence of bothersome frequency and urgency was significantly age–related. Only half (n = 49, 52%) of the men bothered by urinary symptoms had seen a general practitioner (GP) about these symptoms in the last 5 years: of these three quarters had been referred to a urologist and half of these had received surgical treatment. Anxiety about prostate cancer, but not the degree of bother from urinary symptoms, independently predicted attendance at a GP (adjusted odds ratio 6.4, p = 0.006). Conclusions: Although LUTS are common in Italian–born men, their experiences of bother do not correlate well with symptoms and do not appear to influence referral and treatment. Education is needed to improve men’s understanding of the importance of ‘bother’ as an indicator for urological surgery.
On the effects of static and autoregressive conditional higher order moments on dynamic optimal hedging

While dynamic optimal hedging is of major interest, it remains unclear as to whether incorporating higher moments of a return distribution leads to better hedging decisions. We examine the effects of introducing a bivariate skew-Student density function with static and autoregressive conditional skewness and kurtosis on dynamic minimum-variance hedging strategies. Static higher order moments improve reductions in variance and value at risk of hedged portfolios. The inclusion of dynamics through an autoregressive component extends these improvements further. These benefits avail for short and long hedging horizons, which is highlighted in the global financial crisis. The static and conditional higher order moments enhance the notion that the size and smoothness of hedge ratios positively relate to hedging effectiveness while volatility does the reverse. Improved effectiveness can be explained given an upgrade of size and smoothness and a downgrade of volatility of hedge ratios attributed to the dynamics of higher order moments.
Experimental demonstration of high speed underwater visible light communications

We experimentally prove high-speed underwater optical wireless transmission over 2.5 m distance, using different bit rates and modulation schemes. The system uses two low-cost Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) arrays as optical transmitter and an avalanche photodiode module as receiver. The measurements are taken using an outdoor water tank having 3.3 m diameter, where two waterproof boxes containing the transmitter and the receiver are fixed underwater at the inner borders. We test 6.25 Mbit/s with Manchester coding, 12.5 Mbit/s with NRZ 8b/10b coding and 58 Mbit/s with Discrete Multitone modulation. Bit Error Rate measurements are collected over several hours under typical summer sunlight illumination conditions. In all the experimental conditions we achieve error free transmission.
A multiscale MAP estimation method for Poisson inverse problems

This paper describes a maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation method for linear inverse problems involving Poisson data based on a novel multiscale framework. The framework itself is founded on a carefully designed multiscale prior probability distribution placed on the "splits" in the multiscale partition of the underlying intensity, and it admits a remarkably simple MAP estimation procedure using an expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. Unlike many other approaches to this problem, the EM update equations for our algorithm have simple, closed-form expressions. Additionally, our class of priors has the interesting feature that the "non-informative" member yields the traditional maximum likelihood solution; other choices are made to reflect prior belief as to the smoothness of the unknown intensity.
Connexin distribution in the rabbit and rat ciliary body. A case for heterotypic epithelial gap junctions.

PURPOSE To evaluate the distribution of different alpha- and beta-type connexins (Cx) present in the dual layered ciliary body epithelia (CBE) of both rabbit and rat. METHODS Immunocytochemical detection of Cx26, Cx32, Cx43, and Cx50 was performed on frozen sections of rabbit and rat ciliary body using indirect immunofluorescent methods. The identity of the antigens recognized by the monoclonal primary antibodies was further confirmed by Western immunoblots. Double labeling experiments based on either conventional or confocal microscopy were carried out to establish the exact spatial relationship between different connexins. RESULTS Connexin 50 was found only in the nonpigmented epithelium (NPE) at apical and basolateral membranes, whereas Cx43 was observed exclusively and at a very high concentration in the pigmented epithelium (PE), primarily in the apical cell membrane, with minimal extension to the proximal lateral zone. The correct antigenicity of the antibodies was confirmed by Western blots of rabbit ciliary body membranes. In rabbit, the Cx26 antibody detected an antigen that was abundant in the NPE and was weakly expressed in the PE. In rat, however, the Cx26 staining was confined to capillary wall endothelia. Western blots of ciliary body and liver membranes and liver immunohistology indicated that the Cx26 antibody used does not recognize rabbit Cx26. Cx32 did not yield any substantial epithelial labeling in either species. CONCLUSIONS The distribution of Cx50 around the entire NPE cell perimeter suggests its involvement in NPE-NPE cell homotypic gap junctions. The concentration of Cx43 and Cx50 at the apical membranes of the PE and NPE cells, respectively, and their complete absence from the opposite cell suggest that these connexins may participate in the formation of heterotypic gap junctions, either with each other or with other yet unidentified connexins.
Knowledge integrators and the survival of manufacturing clusters

Over the past two decades, the greater prevalence of global supply chains has had contrasting effects on Western manufacturing clusters. While some of them dwindled, others proved resilient. Contributing to the recent literature on co-located clusters and clusters' linkages, we focus on the impact of lead firms’ strategies on the competitiveness of a pair of ‘twin’ clusters located in Northeast Italy. Our findings suggest that production remains ‘sticky’ when leading firms pursue ‘process-embedded’ innovation by integrating global market and local technical knowledge. We refer to this type of firm as a Knowledge Integrator and discuss how its strategy supports the competiveness of localized suppliers.
Distribution and morphology of vasopressin‐, neurophysin II‐, and oxytocin‐immunoreactive cell bodies in the forebrain of the cat

Experiments were done to provide a detailed map of the location and a description of morphological characteristics of vasopressin (AVP‐IR)‐, neurophysin II (NII‐IR)‐ and oxytocin (OXY‐IR)‐immunoreactive neuronal perikarya in the forebrain of the cat. In addition, the location of cells in the forebrain retrogradely labeled following injections of tracers into the neurohypophysis was determined. The distribution of AVP‐IR and NII‐IR was similar in all cases studied. Most of the cells containing AVP‐IR and OXY‐IR were observed in the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVH) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei. In addition, AVP‐IR and OXY‐IR cell bodies were found in the regions of the nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca, the dorsal chiasmatic nucleus, the anterior hypothalamic‐preoptic area, the periventricular area, the nucleus circularis, the perifornical area of the lateral hypothalamus, the accessory SON, the area of the tuber cinereum (Tca), and the medial nucleus of the amygdala. The density of AVP‐IR cells was greater than that of OXY‐IR cells in these regions. Several forebrain areas were also observed to contain only AVP‐IR perikarya: the suprachiasmatic nucleus (Sc), the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and the region of the substantia innominata and ventral globus pallidus (SI/GP). In addition, the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus only contained OXY‐IR perikarya.
Force and power generating mechanism(s) in active muscle as revealed from temperature perturbation studies

The basic characteristics of the process of force and power generation in active muscle that have emerged from temperature studies are examined. This is done by reviewing complementary findings from temperature‐dependence studies and rapid temperature‐jump (T‐jump) experiments and from intact and skinned fast mammalian muscle fibres. In isometric muscle, a small T‐jump leads to a characteristic rise in force showing that crossbridge force generation is endothermic (heat absorbed) and associated with increased entropy (disorder). The sensitivity of the T‐jump force generation to added inorganic phosphate (Pi) indicates that a T‐jump enhances an early step in the actomyosin (crossbridge) ATPase cycle before Pi‐release. During muscle lengthening when steady force is increased, the T‐jump force generation is inhibited. Conversely, during shortening when steady force is decreased, the T‐jump force generation is enhanced in a velocity‐dependent manner, showing that T‐jump force generation is strain sensitive. Within the temperature range of ∼5–35°C, the temperature dependence of steady active force is sigmoidal both in isometric and in shortening muscle. However, in shortening muscle, the endothermic character of force generation becomes more pronounced with increased velocity and this can, at least partly, account for the marked increase with warming of the mechanical power output of active muscle.
To Measure and to Narrate: Paths Toward a Sustainable Future

ABSTRACT This contribution engages with the question of measurement of economic well-being from a feminist ecological perspective. It starts from the dual premises that it is necessary to recognize and value as important the economic, social, and environmental contributors to economic welfare and desirable for ecological and feminist economists to collaborate in moving toward a sustainable future. The study examines the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), formulated and developed by environmental-ecological economists, as a potentially useful measure that responds to both feminist and ecological economic concerns by making visible unpaid care labor and the environment. As an accounting framework that applies the monetary imputation approach, the GPI is objectionable to some ecological and feminist economists. Reviewing debates among feminist and ecological economists, this study argues that the goals and potential objections of both groups may be addressed by complementing GPI with a narrative approach in a plural and conditional policy-input process.
Copper chelation represses the vascular response to injury

The induction of an acute inflammatory response followed by the release of polypeptide cytokines and growth factors from peripheral blood monocytes has been implicated in mediating the response to vascular injury. Because the Cu2+-binding proteins IL-1α and fibroblast growth factor 1 are exported into the extracellular compartment in a stress-dependent manner by using intracellular Cu2+ to facilitate the formation of S100A13 heterotetrameric complexes and these signal peptideless polypeptides have been implicated as regulators of vascular injury in vivo, we examined the ability of Cu2+ chelation to repress neointimal thickening in response to injury. We observed that the oral administration of the Cu2+ chelator tetrathiomolybdate was able to reduce neointimal thickening after balloon injury in the rat. Interestingly, although immunohistochemical analysis of control neointimal sections exhibited prominent staining for MAC1, IL-1α, S100A13, and the acidic phospholipid phosphatidylserine, similar sections obtained from tetrathiomolybdate-treated animals did not. Further, adenoviral gene transfer of the IL-1 receptor antagonist during vascular injury also significantly reduced the area of neointimal thickening. Our data suggest that intracellular copper may be involved in mediating the response to injury in vivo by its ability to regulate the stress-induced release of IL-1α by using the nonclassical export mechanism employed by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro.
Augmented feedback reduces ground reaction forces in the landing phase of the volleyball spike jump.

CONTEXT Frequency and magnitude of ground reaction forces (GRF) have been implicated in causing injuries such as "jumpers knee. " OBJECTIVE To investigate whether a single session of augmented feedback concerning landing technique would decrease GRF. DESIGN Pretest posttest experimental design. SETTING University biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS Fifteen female Division 1 intercollegiate volleyball players. INTERVENTION Participants were required to land on a force platform after spiking a volleyball from a four-step approach before and after an intervention involving visual and aural augmented feedback on correct jumping and landing technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mediolateral (ML), anterioposterior (AP), and vertical (V) GRF normalized to body weight (BW). RESULTS Augmented feedback was found to significantly (P = 0.01) decrease VGRF by 23.6% but not ML (25%, P = 0.16) and AP (4.9%, P = 0.40) peak GRF. CONCLUSIONS A single session of augmented feedback may be effective in reducing VGRF in collegiate athletes.
Patterns of Rhetorical Organization in the Jakarta Post Opinion Articles

Opinion articles are part of a professional discourse genre that can be found in newspapers. These articles are separated from news pages and written for the public, so they contain a variety of cultural backgrounds. This study looked at 151 opinion articles published in The Jakarta Post of the March 2016 editions. Shi and Kubota’s ( 2007 )four pattern of rhetorical organization was adapted as the theoretical framework for the present study. The results of this study showed that the overall rhetorical pattern of The Jakarta Post opinion articles is a three-part structure of introduction, body and conclusion paragraphs. In term of the placing of the thesis statement, 47% of non-native writers and 38% of native writers put the thesis statement in the introduction part with a single sentence paragraph or two short single-sentence paragraphs, and 38% of non-native writers and 40% of native writers wrote the introduction part with two or more multi-sentence paragraphs, and put the thesis statement at the end of them. Only 8% of non-native writers and 5% of native writers put the thesis statement in the body part, while 7% of non-native writers and 17% of native writers put the thesis statement in the conclusion. Generally, there was a slight difference between native and non-native writers in terms of the placement of thesis statement, where the non-native writers tended to use a single sentence paragraph as the thesis statement as well as to begin the essays, while native writers preferred to use two or more multi sentence paragraphs. This study proves that professional writings such as newspaper opinion articles follow the English rhetorical conventions; deductive, logical, and direct style as represented in the three-part structure.
Effectiveness of partial hospitalization in the treatment of borderline personality disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE This study compared the effectiveness of psychoanalytically oriented partial hospitalization with standard psychiatric care for patients with borderline personality disorder. METHOD Thirty-eight patients with borderline personality disorder, diagnosed according to standardized criteria, were allocated either to a partially hospitalized group or to a standard psychiatric care (control) group in a randomized controlled design. Treatment, which included individual and group psychoanalytic psychotherapy, was for a maximum of 18 months. Outcome measures included the frequency of suicide attempts and acts of self-harm, the number and duration of inpatient admissions, the use of psychotropic medication, and self-report measures of depression, anxiety, general symptom distress, interpersonal function, and social adjustment. Data analysis used repeated measures analysis of covariance and nonparametric tests of trend. RESULTS Patients who were partially hospitalized showed a statistically significant decrease on all measures in contrast to the control group, which showed limited change or deterioration over the same period. An improvement in depressive symptoms, a decrease in suicidal and self-mutilatory acts, reduced inpatient days, and better social and interpersonal function began at 6 months and continued until the end of treatment at 18 months. CONCLUSIONS Psychoanalytically oriented partial hospitalization is superior to standard psychiatric care for patients with borderline personality disorder. Replication is needed with larger groups, but these results suggest that partial hospitalization may offer an alternative to inpatient treatment.