Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cool versus hot executive function: a new approach to executive function

Executive function (EF) refers to the higher order thought processes, including inhibitory control, working memory, and attention considered essential to problem-solving and future oriented behaviour. Traditionally, research on EF has focused on cool cognitive aspects, elicited by relatively abstract tasks. More recently there has been growing interest in the development of hot aspects of EF, seen in situations that are emotionally and motivationally significant. In this paper, we first describe the emergence of hot executive function and its distinction to cool executive function. We then examine whether there is enough evidence to support distinct cool and hot EF subcomponents. The implications of how this distinction can be used to make sense of abnormal child development are also considered. We propose that more research in this area will increase understanding of how cognitive development affects development and inform more targeted interventions in children with behavioural difficulties.
Risk factors for severe sepsis in secondary peritonitis.

BACKGROUND The incidence and risk factors for severe sepsis (SS, organ failure associated with infection) in the context of peritonitis are not well established; thus, it is not clear which patients require more aggressive operative or pharmacologic intervention. We set out to determine risk factors for severe sepsis in a large cohort of patients with intra-abdominal infection. METHODS Patients admitted for peritonitis over a four-year interval were identified using a Washington State administrative hospital discharge database. This cohort was identified by ICD-9 CM diagnoses and diagnosis-related group (DRG) assignment. Patients with organ failure were identified by ICD-9 CM diagnoses codes using a previously validated classification scheme. Independent risk factors for SS were identified using stepwise Poisson regression. RESULTS A total of 11,202 patients with peritonitis were identified, 11% of whom developed SS. The crude relative risk of death in patients with SS was 13 (95% CI, 11.1-15.2) times greater than those without. Severe sepsis was present in 424 (62%) of the 686 decedents. Multivariate analysis showed that source of infection, extent of peritonitis, increasing age, and pre-existing organ dysfunction were independently associated with SS. CONCLUSIONS Severe sepsis complicates the course of 11% of all patients with peritonitis. Risk factor analysis identifies a subset of patients at greatest risk for severe sepsis. These are the patients who should be targeted for evaluation of novel pharmacologic interventions or more aggressive surgical intervention.
Causal Relationship between Electricity Consumption and GDP in Pakistan

The prime focus of the study was to find out causal relationship between per capita GDP and per capita electricity consumption for Pakistan using cointegration and granger causality analyses. This study covers time series data from 1971 to 2010 for both of variables. Unit root analyses reveals that both variables are stationary of same order. Cointegration analyses confirm long run associationship between per capita electricity consumption and per capita GDP. Causal relationship was confirmed using Granger causality test which reveals unidirectional causality flowing from electricity consumption to economic growth. Variance decomposition test confirms that in duration of 10 years up to 14 % variations in GDP are brought by electricity consumption. The result reveals that for developing countries like Pakistan important policies should be adopted and applied for enhancing electricity sector especially by focusing on hydroelectricity. So if electricity sector improves it will further stimulate the economic growth of Pakistan.
Pathogenic mitochondrial tRNA mutations – Which mutations are inherited and why?

Mitochondrial transfer RNA (mt‐tRNA) mutations are the commonest mitochondrial (mtDNA) mutations to cause human disease. The majority of mt‐tRNA mutations are heteroplasmic and while some exhibit maternal transmission within families, many others are only seen as sporadic mutations. Using the available clinical, biochemical and genetic data from published pathogenic mt‐tRNA mutations, we have explored several different factors thought to influence the transmission of mt‐tRNA mutations. Our data show that the most important factor in predicting whether a mutation is transmitted to offspring is whether the mt‐tRNA mutation is selected against in a rapidly replicating tissue such as blood. This suggests that those mt‐tRNA mutations which exert a major phenotype in dividing cells are unlikely to be inherited. This is entirely compatible with recent observations on the mitochondrial genetic bottleneck in early development and has important implications for families with mt‐tRNA disease. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Force/shortening-frequency relationship in multicellular muscle strips and single cardiomyocytes of human failing and nonfailing hearts.

BACKGROUND Force of contraction (FOC) frequency-dependently increases in multicellular muscle strip preparations of human nonfailing myocardium, whereas FOC declines in human failing myocardium with increasing stimulation frequency. We investigated whether these characteristics can be observed in single isolated myocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS Isolated multicellular muscle strip preparations and single isolated cardiomyocytes of failing (heart transplants, dilative cardiomyopathy; n = 11) and nonfailing (donor hearts; n = 11) human hearts were studied. The changes in contraction amplitude (cell shortening in micrometers) at increasing frequency of stimulation (0.5-2 Hz) were continuously recorded with a 1-dimensional high-speed camera that detected the cell edges and measured their distance during contraction. The increase in stimulation frequency was associated with a significant decrease in FOC (2 v 0.5 Hz; 68% basal) and a decrease in cell shortening of human left ventricular cardiomyocytes from failing hearts (2 v 0.5 Hz; 65% basal). In contrast, in human nonfailing myocardium, contraction increased at increasing stimulation frequencies (2 v 0.5 Hz; FOC, 180% basal; cell shortening, 129% basal). CONCLUSIONS The negative force-frequency relationship measured in multicellular preparations of failing human myocardium results from alterations at the single cell level.
Observer-Based Controller for Switch-Mode DC-DC Converters

In this paper, an observer-based controller for the basic DC-DC power converters is given. The DC-DC converters are represented in a general form which belong to the class of state affine systems. Passivity Based Control (PBC) is used in order to regulate the output voltage. However, the corresponding feedback law requires the knowledge of the state of the converter, therefore, the estimation problem is solved by designing a Kalman-like observer. The corresponding analysis of stability for the closed-loop system (observer plus control law) is also given. Simulation and experimental results are shown in order to illustrate the performance of the proposed scheme.
A heuristics-based keyword and phrase ranking in the text corpus for question answering systems

This work presents an effective keyword extraction and ranking approach based on multiple text-based features from the text corpus for Question Answering systems by keeping the context and discourse of the text in view. Here, the extraction and ranking process is automatic. The approach uses data semantics and relationships to mark the keyword boundaries and intelligently annotates texts, uses various relationships among entities in the text and proposes various heuristic rules to calculate the ranking score of the keywords and phrases. The proposed approach can be integrated into information retrieval based system as well as in Question Answering systems. The current work is compared against other standard baseline methods to show its competence. The results achieved and the comparison with the various existing methods show the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed model.
Inhibition of protein synthesis in cortical neurons during exposure to hydrogen peroxide

Transient cerebral ischemia, which is accompanied by a sustained release of glutamate and zinc, as well as H2O2 formation during the reperfusion period, strongly depresses protein synthesis. We have previously demonstrated that the glutamate‐induced increase in cytosolic Ca2+ is likely responsible for blockade of the elongation step of protein synthesis, whereas Zn2+ preferentially inhibits the initiation step. In this study, we provide evidence indicating that H2O2 and thapsigargin mobilized a common intracellular Ca2+ pool. H2O2 treatment stimulated a slow increase in intracellular Ca2+, and precluded the effect of thapsigargin on Ca2+ mobilization. H2O2 stimulated the phosphorylation of both eIF‐2α and eEF‐2, in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, suggesting that both the blockade of the elongation and of the initiation step are responsible for the H2O2‐induced inhibition of protein synthesis. However, kinetic data indicated that, at least during the first 15 min of H2O2 treatment, the inhibition of protein synthesis resulted mainly from the phosphorylation of eEF‐2. In conclusion, H2O2 inhibits protein translation in cortical neurons by a process that involves the phosphorylation of both eIF‐2α and eEF‐2 and the relative contribution of these two events depends on the duration of H2O2 treatment.
Beyond Balassa and Samuelson: real convergence, capital flows, and competitiveness in Greece

Abstract To better understand the convergence process prior and since the European financial and debt crisis, we scrutinize the role of capital flows for competitiveness in Greece and a set of six other euro area member countries (Portugal, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia and the Slovak Republic). For this purpose the paper extends the seminal Balassa–Samuelson model by international capital markets with a particular focus on their impact on national wage policies. Capital flows are assumed to be able to invert the traditional direction of transmission of real wage increases from the tradable sector to the non-tradable sector and to make real wages increase beyond productivity increases. The augmented Balassa–Samuelson model is extended to trace cyclical deviations of real exchange rates from the productivity-driven equilibrium path. Panel estimations for the period from 1995 to 2013 reveal correlations in line with the Balassa–Samuelson effect, if Greece is excluded from the panel. For Greece, this in turn implies indication in favour of a credit-driven real wage increases beyond productivity increases what we call a “pseudo” Balassa–Samuelson effect.
Determining the Importance Level of Accounting Information for Investors’ Decision Making

The aim of this study was to determine the precedence order of the accounting information (factors) influencing choice of investment, to derive the relative weight of each factor and to identify differences and similarities in such factors between accounting experts and finance experts. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology was used for the outranking of accounting information (Baker & Haslem, 1973) including future economic outlook of the company, quality of management, future economic outlook of the industry in which the firm is a part, expected future growth in sales, financial strength of the company, expected future percentage growth in the company’s earnings per share, reputation of the company, rate of return the company earn on its assets, ease with which the company can sell its assets in case of failure, size of the company, expected future level of long-term interest rate on corporate bonds, value of a share of stock based on the company’s accounting records (book value) etc. The questionnaires were answered by accounting and finance experts. In this study, subjective opinions of accounting and finance experts turn into quantitative form with Analytic Hierarchy Process. Results of this study can be used by investors, Ministry of Economy, finance, accounting, business and economy students, professionals and academicians etc.
Reliability analysis of distribution system with DG considering operation homogeneity

Operation homogeneity is a basic state property of distribution system with DG. It is related to the active power of bus and DG in the distribution system with DG. Load, network and element parameters are the influencing factors too. High-reliability supplying for power users is a very important feature of distribution system with DG, and it is the material basis for the high satisfaction of power users. In this paper, the operation homogeneity index, reliability indices and the line loose which is the characteristic of economy are calculated and analyzed based on the modified IEEE-33 system. The results show that these reliability index demand bigger DG active power, while these homogeneity indices, security index, economy index needing moderate DG active power. Operation and planning department will decide the operation scheme in practical work.
Complementarity, Growth, and Trade

We consider an endogenous growth model with international trade in complementary capital goods. The model possesses several distinct, balanced growth solutions, which we classify using stability under adaptive learning. Some of the equilibria can involve growth rates much higher than others. We show that, in addition to a small (usually positive) effect on a given equilibrium, an expansion in trade may sometimes yield a much larger, sudden jump in growth. The small effect on the initial equilibrium may reduce growth if the opportunity cost of capital rises very fast as growth accelerates.
Low central venous oxygen saturation is associated with increased mortality in critically ill dogs.

OBJECTIVES To investigate relationships between central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO(2)) and survival to hospital discharge in dogs. Central venous oxygen saturation is an accessible measure of the balance between systemic oxygen delivery and consumption. METHODS Prospective observational cohort study, enrolling 126 client-owned dogs with central venous catheters. Central venous oxygen saturation was measured over the 24 hours following intensive care unit admission. Poor outcome was defined as death or euthanasia performed for moribund status. Regression analysis identified independent predictors of non-survival and physiologic parameters associated with central venous oxygen saturation. Area under the receiver operator curve analysis identified a cut-off point of central venous oxygen saturation, below which central venous oxygen saturation decrease was associated with increased mortality risk. RESULTS Mortality risk was 30·9%. Low central venous oxygen saturation was associated with poor outcome (P<0·05). Area under the receiver operator curve analysis selected a central venous oxygen saturation of 68% as the point below which a fall in central venous oxygen saturation was associated with increased mortality risk. For each 10% drop in central venous oxygen saturation below 68%, odds of non-survival increased by 2·66 times (P=0·0002, 95% confidence interval of odds ratio=1·45 to 4·85). Central venous oxygen saturation was equivalent to lactate in predicting non-survival. Predictors of central venous oxygen saturation (packed cell volume, mean arterial blood pressure, fever, % arterial haemoglobin saturation as measured by pulse oximeter) were consistent with hypothesised physiologic mechanisms. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Central venous oxygen saturation was a strong mortality predictor. Further work is needed to determine if therapy targeting central venous oxygen saturation can reduce mortality in canine intensive care unit patients.
Learning Human Behaviors for Robot-Assisted Dressing

We investigate robotic assistants for dressing that can anticipate the motion of the person who is being helped. To this end, we use reinforcement learning to create models of human behavior during assistance with dressing. To explore this kind of interaction, we assume that the robot presents an open sleeve of a hospital gown to a person, and that the person moves their arm into the sleeve. The controller that models the person's behavior is given the position of the end of the sleeve and information about contact between the person's hand and the fabric of the gown. We simulate this system with a human torso model that has realistic joint ranges, a simple robot gripper, and a physics-based cloth model for the gown. Through reinforcement learning (specifically the TRPO algorithm) the system creates a model of human behavior that is capable of placing the arm into the sleeve. We aim to model what humans are capable of doing, rather than what they typically do. We demonstrate successfully trained human behaviors for three robot-assisted dressing strategies: 1) the robot gripper holds the sleeve motionless, 2) the gripper moves the sleeve linearly towards the person from the front, and 3) the gripper moves the sleeve linearly from the side.
Short-Term Molecular Acclimation Processes of Legume Nodules to Increased External Oxygen Concentration

Nitrogenase is an oxygen labile enzyme. Microaerobic conditions within the infected zone of nodules are maintained primarily by an oxygen diffusion barrier (ODB) located in the nodule cortex. Flexibility of the ODB is important for the acclimation processes of nodules in response to changes in external oxygen concentration. The hypothesis of the present study was that there are additional molecular mechanisms involved. Nodule activity of Medicago truncatula plants were continuously monitored during a change from 21 to 25 or 30% oxygen around root nodules by measuring nodule H2 evolution. Within about 2 min of the increase in oxygen concentration, a steep decline in nitrogenase activity occurred. A quick recovery commenced about 8 min later. A qPCR-based analysis of the expression of genes for nitrogenase components showed a tendency toward upregulation during the recovery. The recovery resulted in a new constant activity after about 30 min, corresponding to approximately 90% of the pre-treatment level. An RNAseq-based comparative transcriptome profiling of nodules at that point in time revealed that genes for nodule-specific cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides, defensins, leghaemoglobin and chalcone and stilbene synthase were significantly upregulated when considered as a gene family. A gene for a nicotianamine synthase-like protein (Medtr1g084050) showed a strong increase in count number. The gene appears to be of importance for nodule functioning, as evidenced by its consistently high expression in nodules and a strong reaction to various environmental cues that influence nodule activity. A Tnt1-mutant that carries an insert in the coding sequence (cds) of that gene showed reduced nitrogen fixation and less efficient acclimation to an increased external oxygen concentration. It was concluded that sudden increases in oxygen concentration around nodules destroy nitrogenase, which is quickly counteracted by an increased neoformation of the enzyme. This reaction might be induced by increased formation of NCR peptides and necessitates an efficient iron supply to the bacteroid, which is probably mediated by nicotianamine. The paper is dedicated to the 85th birthday of Prof. Dr. Günther Schilling, University of Halle/Wittenberg, Germany, https://de.wikipedia. org/wiki/Günther_Schilling
RISK-AVERSE EXECUTIVES, MULTIPLE COMMON RISKS, AND THE EFFICIENCY AND INCENTIVES OF INDEXED EXECUTIVE STOCK OPTIONS

We extend research on executive stock options in two ways. First, we generalize Johnson and Tian's (Journal of Financial Economics, 57 (2000b)) single indexed executive stock option to incorporate multiple common risks. Second, we use an expected utility framework to analyze the efficiency and incentive effects of traditional and indexed option grants for risk-averse executives. If firms grant equal numbers of each option type and adjust their moneyness to provide equal utility to executives, single and multi-indexed option grants are less expensive than traditional options while providing stronger incentives to increase stock price. If firms adjust the number of options granted instead of their moneyness to produce equal utility, indexed option grants are more expensive than traditional grants. For firms facing multiple common risks, multi-indexed options are less expensive and provide stronger incentives to increase stock price than single indexed options.
Neuro-Adaptive Consensus Tracking of Multiagent Systems With a High-Dimensional Leader

This paper is concerned with the distributed consensus tracking problem of uncertain multiagent systems with directed communication topology and a single high-dimensional leader. Compared with existing related works, the dynamics of each follower in the present framework are subject to unmodeled dynamics and unknown external disturbances, which is more practical in various applications. Furthermore, the dimensions of leader’s dynamics may be different with those of the followers’ dynamics. Under the mild assumption that each follower can directly or indirectly sense the output information of the leader, a distributed robust adaptive neural network controller together with a local observer are designed to each follower to ensure that the states of each follower ultimately synchronize to the leader’s output with bounded residual errors under a fixed topology. By appropriately constructing some multiple Lyapunov functions, the derived results are further extended to consensus tracking with switching directed communication topologies. The effectiveness of the analytical results is demonstrated via numerical simulations.
Temporal Distribution of Aedes aegypti in Different Districts of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Measured by Two Types of Traps

ABSTRACT Dengue dynamics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as in many dengue-endemic regions of the world, is seasonal, with peaks during the wet-hot months. This temporal pattern is generally attributed to the dynamics of its mosquito vector Aedes aegypti (L.). The objectives of this study were to characterize the temporal pattern of Ae. aegypti population dynamics in three neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro and its association with local meteorological variables; and to compare positivity and density indices obtained with ovitraps and MosquiTraps. The three neighborhoods are distinct in vegetation coverage, sanitation, water supply, and urbanization. Mosquito sampling was carried out weekly, from September 2006 to March 2008, a period during which large dengue epidemics occurred in the city. Our results show peaks of oviposition in early summer 2007 and late summer 2008, detected by both traps. The ovitrap provided a more sensitive index than MosquiTrap. The MosquiTrap detection threshold showed high variation among areas, corresponding to a mean egg density of ≈25–52 eggs per ovitrap. Both temperature and rainfall were significantly related to Ae. aegypti indices at a short (1 wk) time lag. Our results suggest that mean weekly temperature above 22–24°C is strongly associated with high Ae. aegypti abundance and consequently with an increased risk of dengue transmission. Understanding the effects of meteorological variables on Ae. aegypti population dynamics will help to target control measures at the times when vector populations are greatest, contributing to the development of climate-based control and surveillance measures for dengue fever in a hyperendemic area.