Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence that peaks in EMG averages can sometimes be caused by inhibition of motoneurons.

1. It has been reported that an excitatory response occurs before strong inhibition in masticatory muscles. We tested the hypothesis that this small monopolar wave in the EMG, called by us the early exteroceptive component (EEC), is in fact the first response to inhibition. 2. A mapping of the electrical activity of the masseter muscle was performed using a 3 x 4 matrix of surface electrodes with reference to the back of the neck. Subjects sat with the jaw closing muscles relaxed or contracting at approximately 75% of the maximum voluntary level. The chin was tapped to evoke a jaw jerk reflex and the EEC was elicited by electrical stimulation to the palate. 3. In addition, bipolar EMGs and jaw position were recorded at minimal bite forces and at contraction levels of 5, 10, 15, or 20 N. 4. Data were computer average, with and without rectification, for 32 stimuli. 5. The EEC [latency 12.1 +/- 1.0 (SD)ms] was found to have the same polarity, shape, and duration as the repolarizing wave of the stretch reflex. 6. After electrical stimulation, an increase of bite force was never observed during or immediately after the EEC. Instead, bite force began to decrease 5-7 ms after the onset of the EEC. 7. The amplitude of the EECs never exceeded the level of the peaks in the preceding background EMG, even when the left and right palatal electrodes were stimulated simultaneously at high intensity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
FMEA-based analysis of a Network-on-Chip for mixed-critical systems

Network-on-Chip-based multi- and many-core architectures show high potential for use in safety-critical real-time applications, such as Flight Management Systems, considering their superior efficiency. For such use however, safety standards require proof that the architecture meets the specified security goals. This usually involves a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to reveal the effects of all potential failures. Moreover, the Network-on-Chip (NoC) is a shared component and plays central role in a mixed-critical system, which must guarantee the isolation between tasks, that may have distinct criticality levels. We present an FMEA-based system-level analysis for NoCs designed for mixed-critical systems. It comprises FMEA, error effects classification regarding duration and isolation violation, and technology independent probability assessment. The analysis gives effective insight into fault-related weaknesses of the NoC, and enables considerable improvements to the NoC's resilience with minimal overhead. We apply it to a typical packet-switched NoC and present the results. Although developed for safety critical applications, the approach can be applied to improve the robustness of general systems.
Enhancing a Classroom Social Competence and Problem-Solving Curriculum by Offering Parent Training to Families of Moderate- to High-Risk Elementary School Children

The Incredible Years parent and classroom interventions were evaluated for the first time in elementary schools. Culturally diverse, socioeconomically disadvantaged schools were randomly assigned to intervention or control (CON). In intervention schools, all children received a 2-year classroom intervention beginning in kindergarten. In addition, indicated children were randomly assigned to also receive parent training (PT + CR) or only the classroom intervention (CR). PT + CR mothers reported that, following intervention, children showed fewer externalizing problems and more emotion regulation than CR or CON children. Observations showed that child–mother bonding was stronger in the PT + CR condition than in the CON condition, and PT + CR mothers were significantly more supportive and less critical than CR or CON mothers. Teachers reported that PT + CR mothers were significantly more involved in school and that children in the PT + CR and the CR conditions had significantly fewer externalizing problems than in the CON condition.
Factors affecting to effective eLearning: Learners Perspective

-eLearning is a method of delivering education via electronic means. Timely it is online learning as education or learning happens via world wide web. Effectiveness in eLearning with reference to the learner is whether he/she could meet the learning goals while learning online. In this research it has tried to identify the meaning of learning effectiveness with regard to users’ perspective and the factors affecting the effectiveness of eLearning. In order to conduct the research 121 active online eLearning participants have been interviewed and observed. Qualitative method of Ground theory and Quantitative analysis methods of Principle Component Analysis were used in order to process data and the results provide 10 factors that affect effectiveness in eLearning. At the same time it highlights and ranks the 10 important dimensions which any eLearning provider should attempt to address in providing a successful eLearning practice. Among all, the top 5 ranks were
Email consultations in general practice.

BACKGROUND Email is an established method of communication in business, leisure and education but not yet health care. AIM To evaluate an email service enabling communication between patients and their general practice regarding repeat prescriptions, appointment booking and clinical enquiries. DESIGN Qualitative analysis of interactions and an electronic user survey. SETTING An urban practice in Dundee, Scotland. PARTICIPANTS 150 patients aged 24 to 85. METHODS We set up a practice facility to allow our patients to use email to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and consult their general practitioner (GP). RESULTS Patient satisfaction with the service was very high. Patients specifically commended the practice for setting up a facility to allow communication outside standard working hours and for the ease of ordering repeat prescriptions. Patients were pleased to have a means of seeking their doctor's comment or opinion without bothering him or her by making and attending a formal face-to-face consultation. Email dialogue was polite, factual, but less formal than standard letters. Staff did not experience any perceptible rise in workload. CONCLUSIONS Use of an email consultation facility worked well within an urban practice, was deemed helpful by patients, and resulted in no apparent increase in GP workload. Our results suggest that there may be an unmet need amongst patients for clinical email services, and that such services may have positive outcomes for patients and practices.
Respiratory symptoms and bronchial reactivity among pig and dairy farmers.

OBJECTIVES This study assessed the prevalence of respiratory manifestations among French pig and dairy farmers and determined the relationship between bronchial reactivity and respiratory manifestations. METHODS The pig farmers included 102 men working more than half-time inside swine confinement buildings. There were 51 male dairy farmers and 81 male referents. The demographic characteristics of the three groups were similar except for more smokers among the referents. Each subject completed a standardized questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests were performed before and after a methacholine challenge (cumulative doses 80, 240, and 560 micrograms). Airborne dust, ammonia, and carbon dioxide were measured inside 28 swine confinement buildings. RESULTS The pig farmers were exposed to a total dust level of 2.41 mg.m-3. The respirable particle concentration was low. The pig and dairy farmers had a significantly higher prevalence of cough and morning phlegm than the referents. Before the methacholine challenge, the dairy farmers had nonsignificantly lower mean lung function values than the other groups. Among the subjects with no history of asthma, nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity was significantly higher among the pig and dairy farmers than among the referents. There was a fall in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1.0) that was greater than 10% in 6.7% of the referents, 17.9% of the swine workers, and 35.6% of the dairy farmers. This result was unchanged after adjustment for the initial FEV1.0. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was significantly higher among the pig farmers without base-line lung function impairment. However, both the pig and the dairy farmers had increased bronchial reactivity.
The Meaning of Hope in Healthy, Nonreligious Swedes

This study aims to illuminate the meaning of the lived experience of hope as narrated by healthy Swedish adults, who considered themselves as nonreligious. Twenty-four interviewees were asked to narrate their experience of hope. A phenomenological-hermeneutical analysis was performed and the meaning of the lived experience of hope was interpreted as an internal process (i.e., hope related to being), which is linked to the experience of meaning and the awareness of one’s possibilities in life. This awareness releases energy and activates thoughts and feelings, enabling the person to make good and meaningful choices. The process generates a sense of independence, freedom, and inner peace. Hope related to being is a prerequisite for an external process (i.e., setting goals). Setting goals comprises action and the expectation of a positive outcome. Hope related to doing nurtures hope related to being. The findings also revealed that hope related to doing is reconstructed throughout the life process.
Evaluation of the microdialysis ethanol technique for monitoring of subcutaneous adipose tissue blood flow in humans.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the feasibility of the microdialysis ethanol perfusion technique for monitoring nutritive blood flow in subcutaneous adipose tissue. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Microdialysis probes were inserted percutaneously into the subcutaneous adipose tissue in 15 non-obese women, and were perfused with 50 mmol/l of ethanol. The experiments were carried out during basal conditions and in conjunction with local vasodilation induced by external heating. The ethanol exchange ratio (ethanol concentration in the outgoing tissue dialysate vs ethanol concentration in the ingoing perfusate) was determined. A comparison was made with the 133Xe clearance technique to assess the adipose tissue blood flow. RESULTS At rest, the ethanol exchange ratio in the individual subjects was inversely correlated to the adipose tissue blood flow, as measured with 133Xe wash-out (r = -0.78-0.82, p < 0.05-0.01). When the subcutaneous temperature was increased in a stepwise fashion by external heating, adipose tissue blood flow, as determined with 133Xe clearance, was increased by about 50% and 100%, respectively, above resting values (F = 26.7, p < 0.0001). At the same time, the ethanol exchange ratio was progressively and significantly (F = 24.6, p < 0.0001) reduced. In the individual subjects there was a close negative correlation (r = -0.90-0.94) between the ethanol exchange ratios and the corresponding adipose tissue blood flow values, as measured by 133Xe clearance, in response to local vasodilation. CONCLUSION The microdialysis ethanol perfusion technique provides a valid indicator of small changes within the physiological range in adipose tissue blood flow.
STOCHASTIC CLAIMS RESERVING VIA A BAYESIAN SPLINE MODEL WITH RANDOM LOSS RATIO EFFECTS

Abstract We propose a Bayesian spline model which uses a natural cubic B-spline basis with knots placed at every development period to estimate the unpaid claims. Analogous to the smoothing parameter in a smoothing spline, shrinkage priors are assumed for the coefficients of basis functions. The accident period effect is modeled as a random effect, which facilitate the prediction in a new accident period. For model inference, we use Stan to implement the no-U-turn sampler, an automatically tuned Hamiltonian Monte Carlo. The proposed model is applied to the workers' compensation insurance data in the United States. The lower triangle data is used to validate the model.
Examining the phenotypic heterogeneity of early autism spectrum disorder: subtypes and short-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND Phenotypic heterogeneity among toddlers presenting with ASD symptoms complicates diagnostic considerations and limits our ability to predict long-term outcomes. To address this concern, we sought to identify more homogeneous subgroups within ASD based on toddlers' clinical profiles in the second year of life, evaluating diagnostic stability and clinical outcomes within the subgroups 1-2 years later. METHODS One hundred toddlers referred for suspected ASD underwent comprehensive assessments at 22 months (SD = 3) and 37 months (SD = 4). At 22 months, they were clustered based on symptom severity, developmental skills, and adaptive functioning. Diagnostic stability and clinical outcomes were evaluated within the clusters. RESULTS Four clusters characterized by distinct clinical profiles at the time of the first diagnosis were identified. Diagnostic stability was excellent in 3 out of 4 clusters (93%-100%) and was lowest in the initially least affected cluster (85%). Autism symptom severity was stable, except for one group where it increased over time (16% of the sample). A large proportion of toddlers showed significant improvements in verbal and communication skills. Only a small group (17%) exhibited very low levels of functioning and limited gains over time. CONCLUSIONS Diagnostic stability and developmental progression from the second to third year of life in toddlers with ASD vary depending on their initial early profiles of relative strengths and deficits. Although a small minority of toddlers with more complex clinical presentations may not retain their diagnoses by the age of three, most children continue to exhibit symptoms of autism. Despite limited improvements in symptom severity, many children show significant gains in verbal functioning. Only a small proportion of children (17%) exhibit very limited gains despite intensive intervention. These findings support continued efforts to examine determinants of developmental trajectories including factors mediating and moderating response to treatment.
Managing Intellectual Capital: Licensing and Cross-Licensing in Semiconductors and Electronics

Innovation and the management of intellectual capital are playing an increasingly important role in competition in high-technology industries. To operate in markets where innovation is cumulative, such as in electronics and semiconductors, firms frequently need to engage in extensive licensing and cross-licensing. This need is amplified by recent increases in the strength of patent protection and by the more active licensing stance of intellectual property owners. A high-quality patent portfolio not only reflects the firm's inventive capacity, but may significantly increase its crosslicensing bargaining ability and reduce royalty payments. In addition, it may directly contribute to its product and process innovation.
Detection of Carbamazepine‐induced Changes in Valproic Acid Relative Clearance in Man by Simple Pharmacokinetic Screening

Selecting the optimum dose of valproic acid is difficult because the pharmacokinetics are complicated by inter‐patient variability and by effects arising as a result of co‐administration with other antiepileptic drugs. The multiple peak approach has been used to evaluate the effect of age, total body weight, dose, gender and co‐medication (carbamazepine‐induced change) on population estimates of valproic acid relative clearance.
Adhesion of a two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive on collagen-depleted dentin.

PURPOSE To evaluate microtensile bond strength and interfacial nanoleakage expression of adhesive interfaces created by XP-Bond on human deproteinized dentin immediately after bonding and after 6 months of artificial aging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Noncarious human molars were selected, middle/deep dentin substrates were exposed, and either assigned to group 1 (XP-Bond applied on collagen-depleted dentin) or to group 2 (XP-Bond applied in accordance with manufacturers' instructions). In group 1, the etched dentin surface was treated with 10% NaOCl for 60 s to remove the exposed demineralized organic matrix before XP-Bond application. Composite/dentin beams were obtained in accordance with the microtensile nontrimming technique and either pulled to failure after 24 h or after 6 months' artificial aging. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (p < 0.05). Interfacial nanoleakage evaluation was performed on additional adhesive interfaces to quantify the amount of silver tracer along the interface. RESULTS The use of NaOCI before XP-Bond application (group 1: 18.9 +/- 5.8 MPa) reduced immediate bond strength by 62% compared to controls (group 2: 49.9 +/- 10.3 MPa; p < 0.5). After 6 months of artificial aging, the bond strength of groups 1 and 2 significantly decreased to 10.1 +/- 2.7 MPa and 35.2 +/- 8.7 MPa, resp (p < 0.05). Interfacial nanoleakage expression along XP-Bond adhesive interfaces was increased either by sodium hypochlorite or by artificial aging. CONCLUSION The role of collagen fibrils is pivotal for the bonding of XP-Bond to dentin, as decreased immediate bond strength and reduced bond stability over time was found on collagen-depleted dentin.
Content of grandiose phenomenology across cultures

ABSTRACT– The content of grandiose ideas and delusions in patients of various cultural groups admitted to a London psychiatric hospital were compared. There were no overall differences but certain trends were apparent. It was found that religion was the commonest content of grandiose symptoms in all the groups. Its frequency was higher in the African and Jamaican groups, an observation that can be understood from the cultural background of these groups. The other types of content, namely royals, identity and ability were less frequent in all groups.
Rethinking the Determination of the Value of Labor Power

This article critically examines the received wisdom on the value of labor power that posits the workers’ material reproduction and the class struggle as two independent factors that determine the bundle of wage-goods consumed by the working class. It shows that this reading has no solid textual basis on Marx’s writings. Furthermore, it argues that it rests on a problematic separation of the actual immanent unity between materiality and social form in the capitalist mode of production.
NIGERIAN STUDENTS' KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND MANAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF KANO STATE

Since human activities show a negative effect to Nigerian environment as other countries in the world and Nigeria is suffering some environmental problems, environmental education is important in Nigeria. However, there is a need for describing the current level of students’ knowledge and perceptions. Therefore, Nigerian students’ knowledge and perceptions about environmental problems and management were investigated in this study and 470 students were polled from secondary schools, universities and colleges. The results revealed that Nigerian students’ average knowledge of environmental issues was not satisfactory. However, their average perception towards environment was quite good. They were conscious of environmental problems around them even in secondary schools.
Statistical Applications in Genetics and Molecular Biology Optimisation of HMM Topologies Enhances DNA and Protein Sequence Modelling

Hidden Markov models (HMMs) play a major role in applications to unravel biomolecular functionality. Though HMMs are technically mature and widely applied in computational biology, there is a potential of methodical optimisation concerning its modelling of biological data sources with varying sequence lengths. Single building blocks of these models, the states, are associated with a certain holding time, being the link to the length distribution of represented sequence motifs. An adaptation of regular HMM topologies to bell-shaped sequence lengths is achieved by a serial chain-linking of hidden states, while residing in the class of conventional hidden Markov models. The factor of the repetition of states ( r ) and the parameter for state-specific duration of stay ( p ) are determined by fitting the distribution of sequence lengths with the method of moments (MM) and maximum likelihood (ML). Performance evaluations of differently adjusted HMM topologies underline the impact of an optimisation for HMMs based on sequence lengths. Secondary structure prediction on internal transcribed spacer 2 sequences demonstrates exemplarily the general impact of topological optimisations. In summary, we propose a general methodology to improve the modelling behaviour of HMMs by topological optimisation with ML and a fast and easily implementable moment estimator.
Human Fc gamma RIII (CD16). Isoforms with distinct allelic expression, extracellular domains, and membrane linkages on polymorphonuclear and natural killer cells.

Human Fc gamma RIII (CD16), a low-affinity receptor expressed on several different cell types, has a polymorphism on polymorphonuclear cells (Fc gamma RIIIPMN) identified by the NA1 and NA2 markers. Inasmuch as this polymorphism has functional consequences, an understanding of the structural biology of Fc gamma RIII may provide important insight into receptor function. We analyzed Fc gamma RIIIPMN by SDS-PAGE and found that receptor from individuals allotyped for either NA1 or NA2 contained only one protein after removal of N-linked glycosylations (19 and 21 kDa respectively) whereas receptor from NA1/2 individuals contained both bands. Because some reports indicate that digestion of Fc gamma RIII on NK cells (Fc gamma RIIINK) with N-glycanase also results in two bands on SDS-PAGE, we investigated Fc gamma RIIINK to explore the possibility of a corresponding allelic polymorphism in this receptor. Contrary to expectation, Fc gamma RIIINK from all donors irrespective of their NA allotype contained two bands (20 and 24 kDa) on SDS-PAGE after deglycosylation. In addition, those distinct epitopes on the extracellular domain of Fc gamma RIIIPMN found with mAb B73.1 and CLB gran 11 in association with the NA allotypic differences are expressed (or not expressed) on Fc gamma RIIINK independent of donor NA allotype. Fc gamma RIIIPMN and Fc gamma RIIINK differ at the protein level as they have different m.w. (glycosylated and deglycosylated), different epitopes in the extracellular domain (not attributable to tissue-specific glycosylation), and differential expression of the NA allelic protein polymorphism. Although the membrane anchor of Fc gamma RIIIPMN is a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C sensitive glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol linkage, Fc gamma RIIINK is insensitive to phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. However, a form of Fc gamma RIIINK is released from NK cells upon incubation at 37 degrees C. Thus, the basis for the two bands in Fc gamma RIIINK after N-linked deglycosylation is neither coexpression of two molecular isoforms with different membrane anchors nor an identifiable allelic polymorphism in m.w. restricted to Fc gamma RIIINK (p less than 10(-6)). The differences between the two receptors indicate that, independent of cell anchor type, PMN and mononuclear cells must have different molecular isoforms. The allelic variants, different isoforms, alternative anchor mechanisms and release processes provide for an extensive genetic and regulatory diversity in Fc gamma RIII function.