Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Korean economy: triumphs, difficulties, and triumphs again?

The economy of the Republic of Korea (hereafter Korea) has known as one of the most successful models of extensive economic development in a short period of time. It has experienced an incredible record of economic growth since the early 1960s and integrated itself into the modern high-tech world economy. The East Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998, however, exposed limitations and weaknesses of the government-led development strategy, including an undisciplined financial sector. The Korean economy had to undergo tremendous restructuring processes during and after its financial crisis and is still being reshaped towards a more competitive and opens economy. For many developing countries, the experiences of the Korean economy, whether positive or negative, are definitely worth reviewing to obtain valuable lessons on development. This book, consisting of four Parts and thirteen Chapters and written by seventeen experts in the field, provides readers with some guidelines in this regard. It covers lessons of the Korean financial crisis, post-crisis government’s reform policies and several important issues the Korean economy has recently been facing, as well as prospects of the development models for the future Korean economy. The book is edited by three economists, Charles Harvie, Hyun-Hoon Lee
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The rolling surface for railroad wheels can be a heat source that may have an impact on the performance of the wheel bearing. In this study, experimental data from an electrically-heated railroad wheel set is analyzed by constructing thermal models of the wheel set. A steady finite-element model, a steady-analytical model, and a transient lumped-parameter model are discussed. Model parameters are determined from careful comparisons with the experimental data. The lumped-parameter model given here is intended as a simple predictive tool for determining when wheel heating caused by rail operations will have an impact on bearing temperature. The model parameters found in this study will also be useful as experimentally-validated boundary conditions in ongoing finite-element studies of heated wheels.
Combining UML with IEC 61131-3 languages to preserve the usability of graphical notations in the software development of complex automation systems

The visual presentation of the software standard IEC 61131-3 for embedded automation systems can hardly impart the structures of complex solutions. The UML as an alternative presentation from conventional software is confusing the engineers of this domain, as it contains many diagrams and notation details, which are designed for other purposes. The UML for Process Automation (UML-PA) offers a customized subset of the UML, which simplifies the graphical structure of the UML. Ambiguous notations elements of the UML are supplemented or cleared. UML-PA refers to IEC 1131-3 behavior specifications to offer skilled familiar notations within the framework of new structures.
Broadband connected employees and labour productivity: a comparative analysis of 14 European countries based on distributed Microdata access

ABSTRACT In this study, the association between information and communication technology (ICT) intensity in firms and labour productivity is explored across 14 European countries for the years 2001–2010. ICT intensity is approximated by the proportion of broadband internet-enabled employees, a novel indicator measuring not only adoption but also diffusion within and among firms. Data have been retrieved by means of the distributed microdata approach (DMD) from registers on business, trade and education as well as from surveys on production, ICT usage and innovation activities in firms held at the national statistical offices. This pioneering approach allows access to otherwise confidential linked firm-level information in dimensions not earlier available. Pooled OLS estimations based on approximately 400,000 observations in harmonised and representative datasets show that in a majority of countries there is a significant and positive relationship between the proportion of broadband internet-enabled employees and labour productivity in firms. However, the strength of the relationship varies across countries and industries. Manufacturing firms receive 50% larger estimates than the services firms, while the latter instead experience the positive association more frequently.
Calcium imaging of retinal ganglion cell dendritic responses to extracellular microelectrode stimulation

In order to improve upon existing stimulation strategies for prosthetic vision, it is essential to assess stimulation effectiveness by measuring the responses of stimulated cells in retinal tissue. Calcium imaging has slower dynamics and lower signal-to-noise ratio than electrophysiological techniques. However, it has the ability to record responses from a large number of neurons, and is able to monitor responses from neurites too small for patch electrodes. We extended previous techniques of bulk loading RGC somata with organic calcium indicator to achieve staining of RGC dendritic processes and imaged calcium signals in retinal ganglion cell somata and dendrites simultaneously. The higher signal-to-noise ratio dendritic calcium signals make dendrites more suitable imaging regions for recording retinal ganglion cell responses to electrical stimulation protocols that are relevant to driving visual prosthetic stimulation.
Lidocaine Inhibits NIH-3T3 Cell Multiplication by Increasing the Expression of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1A (p21)

BACKGROUND: We explored molecular mechanisms by which lidocaine inhibits growth in the murine embryonic fibroblast cell line NIH-3T3. Local anesthetics can adversely affect cell growth in vitro. Their effects on wound healing are controversial. We examined the effects and novel mechanisms by which lidocaine affects in vitro multiplication of the murine fibroblast cell line NIH-3T3. METHODS: NIH-3T3 cells were grown in culture with lidocaine [0, 0.05, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 mM]. Cell multiplication was assessed by determining cell counts on subsequent days, while mechanisms by which inhibition occurred were evaluated by bromodeoxyuridine uptake, gene expression using polymerase chain reaction array, and Western blot analysis to verify increased levels of affected proteins. RESULTS: Lidocaine caused dose-dependent inhibition of multiplication of NIH-3T3 cells. Effects ranged from no inhibition [0.05 and 0.5 mM] and mild inhibition [1 mM], to severe inhibition [2 and 5 mM] [P = 0.006]. Lidocaine 2 mM inhibited bromodeoxyuridine uptake at day 3.5 [P = 0.02 versus control, and P = 0.0495 vs 1 mM lidocaine]. On day 1.5, lidocaine upregulated expression of cyclin-D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A [p21]. On day 2.5, lidocaine increased the levels of p21 protein. CONCLUSIONS: Low concentrations of lidocaine, as would be seen in plasma after spinal, epidural, or plexus anesthesia, do not significantly affect multiplication of fibroblasts. Higher doses of lidocaine arrest cell multiplication at the S-phase of the growth cycle by upregulation of p21, an extremely potent inhibitor of cell multiplication. Higher concentrations, as would be seen after tissue infiltration, severely inhibit fibroblast multiplication and thus may impair wound healing.
Insufficient sleep, cognitive anxiety and health transition in men with coronary artery disease: a self-report and polysomnographic study.

AIMS To explore possible links between sleep quality, cognitive anxiety and the effects of sleep disturbances on health, daytime functioning and quality of life, for assessment in a larger study. Hypotheses were: (a) patients with coronary artery disease have insufficient sleep as measured by self-reported sleep and by polysomnography, (b) self-reported sleep is associated with polysomnographically measured sleep, (c) reduced sleep quality is associated with physical and mental health, and interferes with quality of life as measured by means of interviews and polysomnography, (d) reduced sleep quality is associated with reduced resilience to stress. BACKGROUND It has become increasingly evident that poor sleep with sleep initiation difficulties is an independent risk factor for cardiac events among men, and requires more attention in clinical nursing practice. DESIGN Descriptive, correlative and explorative study. SAMPLE Forty-four men, aged 45-70, about to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery at a Swedish University Hospital. RESEARCH METHODS Interviews and 24-hour continuous ambulatory polysomnography were performed. For the interviews, the Uppsala Sleep Inventory, Spielberger State Anxiety Scale and the Nottingham Health Profile instruments were used. RESULTS Seventeen patients (38.6%) had insufficient sleep and 12 had sleep initiation difficulties. Logistic regressions revealed that reduced stage 3-4 sleep predicted poorer overall health, initiation of sleep difficulties, predicted insufficient sleep and involuntary thoughts predicted fragmented sleep. Poorer quality of life was predicted by reduced deep sleep. Independent predictors for emotional distress were sleep efficiency below 85%, fragmented sleep and a daytime nap longer than 15 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Objective sleep was associated with several subjective sleep variables. The results provide empirical support for significant variables included in a theoretical framework relating to sleep quality, cognitive anxiety, health and quality of life. A larger study is recommended that includes both men and women.
PARHELIA: Particle Filter-Based Heart Rate Estimation From Photoplethysmographic Signals During Physical Exercise

The photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal is an important source of information for estimating heart rate (HR). However, the PPG signal could be strongly contaminated by the motion artifact of the subjects, making HR estimation a particularly difficult problem. In this paper, we propose PARHELIA, a PARticle filter-based algorithm for HEart rate estimation using photopLethysmographIc signAls. The proposed method employs a particle filter, and utilizes the simultaneously recorded acceleration signals from a wrist-type sensor, to keep track of multiple HR candidates. This achieves quick recovery from incorrect HR estimations under the strong influence of the MA. Experimental results for a dataset of 12 subjects recorded during fast running showed that the average absolute estimation error was 1.17 beats per minute (BPM) whereas that of the best-known conventional method, JOSS, is 1.28 BPM. Furthermore, the estimation time of PARHELIA is 20 times shorter than JOSS.
Mutations in Flavobacterium johnsoniae sprE Result in Defects in Gliding Motility and Protein Secretion

ABSTRACT Cells of the gliding bacterium Flavobacterium johnsoniae move rapidly over surfaces. Transposon mutagenesis was used to identify sprE, which is involved in gliding. Mutations in sprE resulted in the formation of nonspreading colonies on agar. sprE mutant cells in wet mounts were almost completely deficient in attachment to and movement on glass, but a small percentage of cells exhibited slight movements, indicating that the motility machinery was not completely disrupted. SprE is a predicted lipoprotein with a tetratricopeptide repeat domain. SprE is similar in sequence to Porphyromonas gingivalis PorW, which is required for secretion of gingipain protease virulence factors. Disruption of F. johnsoniae sprE resulted in decreased extracellular chitinase activity and decreased secretion of the cell surface motility protein SprB. Reduced secretion of cell surface components of the gliding machinery, such as SprB, may account for the defects in gliding. Orthologs of sprE are found in many gliding and nongliding members of the phylum Bacteroidetes, suggesting that similar protein secretion systems are common among members of this large and diverse group of bacteria.
Impact of acute weight loss and/or thermal stress on rowing ergometer performance.

PURPOSE The impact of acute weight loss on rowing performance was assessed when generous nutrient intake was provided in 2 h of recovery after making weight. METHODS Competitive rowers (N = 17) completed four ergometer trials, each separated by 48 h. Two trials were performed after a 4% body mass loss in the previous 24 h (WT) and two were performed after no weight restrictions, that is, unrestricted (UNR). In addition, two trials (1 x WT, 1 x UNR) were in a thermoneutral environment (NEUTRAL, mean 21.1 +/- SD 0.7 degrees C, 29.0 +/- 4.5% RH) and two were in the heat (HOT 32.4, +/- 0.4 degrees C, 60.4 +/- 2.7% RH). Trials were performed in a counterbalanced fashion according to a Latin square design. Aggressive nutritional recovery strategies (WT 2.3 g x kg(-1) carbohydrate, 34 mg x kg(-1) Na, 28.4 mL x kg(-1) fluid; UNR ad libitum) were employed in the 2 h after weigh-in. RESULTS Both WT (mean 2.1, 95% CI 0.7-3.4 s; P = 0.003) and HOT (4.1, 2.7 - 5.4 s; P < 0.001) compromised 2000-m time-trial performance. Whereas WT resulted in hypohydration, the associated reduction in plasma volume explained only part of the performance compromise observed (0.2 s for every 1% decrement) Moreover, WT did not influence core temperature or indices of cardiovascular function. CONCLUSIONS Acute weight loss compromised performance, despite generous nutrient intake in recovery, although the effect was small. Performance decrements were further exacerbated when exercise was performed in the heat.
Performance of different exposure assessment approaches in a study of bitumen fume exposure and lung cancer mortality.

BACKGROUND We compared performance of different exposure assessment approaches in a cohort study of cancer risk among European asphalt workers. METHODS Three bitumen fume exposure indices (duration of exposure (years), average exposure (mg/m3) and cumulative exposure (mg/m3*years)) and two latency models (with and without a 15 year lag) were considered for an association between lung cancer mortality and bitumen fume. RESULTS There was no association between lung cancer risk and either duration or cumulative exposure. However, there was the suggestion of an increase in lung cancer risk accompanying rise in average exposure. Only models with average bitumen fume exposure (with or without lag) improved model fit, albeit to the same extent. CONCLUSIONS Constructing quantitative indices of exposure intensity was justified because they produced the greatest improvement in fit of models that explored possible relationship between bitumen fume exposure and lung cancer risk. The identified associations require further investigation.
Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2–Induced Craniosynostosis and Growth Restriction in the Immature Skeleton

Background: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) delivered on an absorbable collagen sponge is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved therapy effective at generating bone formation. In pediatric patients for whom other therapeutic options have been exhausted, rhBMP-2 is used off-label to address problematic bony defects. In the skeletally immature patient, the safety of rhBMP-2 therapy remains uncertain. Experiments are needed that investigate the effect of rhBMP-2 on growth and development in clinically relevant models. Methods: Ten juvenile rabbits underwent creation of a parietal skull defect that was treated with either 0.2 mg/cc rhBMP-2/absorbable collagen sponge or a neutral buffer solution/absorbable collagen sponge. Amalgam markers were placed at suture confluences to track suture separation and skull growth. Cranial growth was assessed radiographically at 10, 25, 42, and 84 days of age. Means and standard deviations for the various craniofacial growth variables were calculated and compared. Mean differences were considered significant for values of p < 0.05. At 84 days, sutures were analyzed by means of micro–computed tomographic scanning and histologic staining. Results: Treatment with rhBMP-2 resulted in fusion of the coronal sutures bilaterally, with variable fusion of the sagittal suture by cephalometric, radiographic, and histologic analysis. There were statistically significant changes to coronal suture growth, sagittal suture growth, skull height, craniofacial length, and intracranial volume (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The use of rhBMP-2 in this juvenile animal model resulted in skeletal changes that may be undesirable in a clinical setting. The appearance of these fused sutures suggested a direct effect of rhBMP-2. Further work is required to limit the effect of rhBMP-2 to the target defect when used in the immature skeleton.
Immunocytochemical heterogeneity of somatostatin‐expressing GABAergic interneurons in layers II and III of the mouse cingulate cortex: A combined immunofluorescence/design‐based stereologic study

Many neurological diseases including major depression and schizophrenia manifest as dysfunction of the GABAergic system within the cingulate cortex. However, relatively little is known about the properties of GABAergic interneurons in the cingulate cortex. Therefore, we investigated the neurochemical properties of GABAergic interneurons in the cingulate cortex of FVB‐Tg(GadGFP)45704Swn/J mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in a subset of GABAergic interneurons (GFP‐expressing inhibitory interneurons [GINs]) by means of immunocytochemical and design‐based stereologic techniques. We found that GINs represent around 12% of all GABAergic interneurons in the cingulate cortex. In contrast to other neocortical areas, GINs were only found in cortical layers II and III. More than 98% of GINs coexpressed the neuropeptide somatostatin (SOM), but only 50% of all SOM + neurons were GINs. By analyzing the expression of calretinin (CR), calbindin (CB), parvalbumin, and various neuropeptides, we identified several distinct GIN subgroups. In particular, we observed coexpression of SOM with CR and CB. In addition, we found neuropeptide Y expression almost exclusively in those GINs that coexpressed SOM and CR. Thus, with respect to the expression of calcium‐binding proteins and neuropeptides, GINs are surprisingly heterogeneous in the mouse cingulate cortex, and the minority of GINs express only one marker protein or peptide. Furthermore, our observation of overlap between the SOM + and CR + interneuron population was in contrast to earlier findings of non‐overlapping SOM + and CR + interneuron populations in the human cortex. This might indicate that findings in mouse models of neuropsychiatric diseases may not be directly transferred to human patients. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2281–2299, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Field evaluation of energy expenditure in women using Tritrac accelerometers.

PURPOSE To investigate the use of Tritrac accelerometers to measure energy expenditure (EE) of various activities for women in the field setting, as compared with portable indirect calorimetry. METHODS Twenty women (age 20-29) performed a choreographed routine of six activities (walking, jogging, stair climbing, walking on an incline, stationary cycling, and arm ergometry) while wearing a Tritrac-R3D accelerometer (Hemokinetics Inc., Madison WI) and the Cosmed K4b(2) portable metabolic cart (Cosmed, Rome, Italy). RESULTS Comparing the mean error scores (K4b(2) - Tritrac), the Tritrac overestimated the EE (kcal x min(-1)) of walking (-1.45) and jogging (-1.75), whereas underestimating the EE of stair climbing (2.76), stationary cycling (2.75), and arm ergometry (1.20). Walking on an incline showed the lowest mean error score (-0.11). Intraclass correlations were moderate for walking (r = 0.568, < 0.05), jogging (r = 0.666, < 0.05), and stairs (r = 0.503, < 0.05) but for the other activities ranged from r = 0.290 ( > 0.05) to r = 0.480 ( < 0.05). The raw data from the Tritrac was applied to a previously developed nonlinear model to adjust the Tritrac scores to the standard of whole-room indirect calorimetry. This resulted in statistically significant improvements in the agreement between the adjusted Tritrac value and the K4b for walking, jogging, and walking on an incline ( < 0.05). CONCLUSION When compared with portable indirect calorimetry, the Tritrac overestimates the EE of walking and jogging, whereas underestimating that of stair climbing, stationary cycling, and arm ergometry. This limits the use of such a technique to measure EE in the field. The main issues appear to be the type and intensity of the activity and the need for movement in order for the Tritrac to register EE. Activity specific linear regression equations are proposed as a tool to improve the measurement of EE using the Tritrac in the field.
Methods for estimating cohort replacement effects.

The author reexamines the hypothesis developed by Norman Ryder that the birth and death of individuals constitutes a massive process of personnel replacement that holds enormous potential for social change. "In this paper I describe and illustrate six possible ways to estimate cohort (personnel) replacement effects: three based on algebra (Kitagawa's two-component method, forward partitioning, and backward partitioning), and three based on regression (regression standardization, survey metric analysis, and linear decomposition). Assuming monotonic change, regression methods typically are better, because standard algebraic methods are ill suited for analyzing change with regard to birth cohorts that enter or exit during the period studied. "
Understanding the multiple realities of everyday life: Basic assumptions in focus-group methodology

In recent years, there has been a notable growth in the use of focus groups within occupational therapy. It is important to understand what kind of knowledge focus-group methodology is meant to acquire. The purpose of this article is to create an understanding of the basic assumptions within focus-group methodology from a theory of science perspective in order to elucidate and encourage reflection on the paradigm. This will be done based on a study of contemporary literature. To further the knowledge of basic assumptions the article will focus on the following themes: the focus-group research arena, the foundation and its core components; subjects, the role of the researcher and the participants; activities, the specific tasks and procedures. Focus-group methodology can be regarded as a specific research method within qualitative methodology with its own form of methodological criteria, as well as its own research procedures. Participants construct a framework to make sense of their experiences, and in interaction with others these experiences will be modified, leading to the construction of new knowledge. The role of the group leader is to facilitate a fruitful environment for the meaning to emerge and to ensure that the understanding of the meaning emerges independently of the interpreter. Focus-group methodology thus shares, in the authors’ view, some basic assumptions with social constructivism.
Cascade-Like Modular Tracking Controller for non-Standard N-Trailers

A general trajectory-tracking control solution is proposed for truly N-trailer robots comprising a unicycle-like tractor and arbitrary number of passive trailers interconnected by sign-homogeneous nonzero hitching offsets. The solution permits either backward or forward motion strategy of a vehicle, preserving location of a guidance point on the last trailer. The presented control law is modular and highly scalable with respect to a number of trailers thanks to employing a cascade-like control structure. Stability and robustness analysis of the closed-loop system provides sufficient conditions for asymptotic and practical tracking for a wide set of the so-called segment-platooning reference trajectories containing both constant-curvature and varying-curvature motion profiles. Efficiency of the controller and its robustness to parametric uncertainty have been illustrated by experimental results obtained for a three-trailer vehicle.