Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thalamic Neurons in the Pigeon Compute Distance-to-Collision of an Approaching Surface

The thalamofugal and tectofugal pathways in birds are two parallel visual pathways to the telencephalon and might be comparable to the geniculocortical and colliculo-pulvinar-cortical pathways in mammals, respectively. It is known that some tectal neurons in the tectofugal pathway can signal the time-to-collision of an approaching object. Here we show by single cell recording in the pigeon that a population of visual neurons in the nucleus opticus principalis thalami (nOPT) in the thalamofugal pathway is able to detect the distance-to-collision of a large surface approaching towards the animal. These neurons began response firing when the surface reached a threshold distance to the viewing eye and thereafter their firing rates increased exponentially until collision occurred at distance = zero. The response onset distance is nearly constant for a wide range of stimulus velocities and is equal to the product of velocity of approaching stimulus and response onset time of a nOPT cell. Furthermore, onset distance of looming responses in nOPT cells is close to that causing cardioacceleration in the pigeon viewing the approaching surface. It appears that nOPT and tectal neurons are dichotomized functionally to a large extent for detecting imminent dangers, and the pigeon’s ability to compute the distance-to-collision of an approaching surface may benefit avoiding large obstacles during flight.
Occupational safety and health management for the recycling industry

The workers in the recycling industry have to deal with various kinds of toxic and harmful substances in wastes on a regular basis. Due to the unique high-risk operations and processes in the recycling industry, the occupational safety and health (OSH) management system for general working environments requires serious modifications to better safeguard the health of workers. In this project, the existing OSH working environment and operational practices have been reviewed. Accordingly, effective OSH management program has been established for the recycling industry. The subsequent implementation will enable systematic OSH management to collect injury statistical data, identify mitigation measures and thus improve the OSH performance.
Practice and clinical decision-making autonomy among Hellenic critical care nurses.

BACKGROUND Nursing autonomy has been associated with better patient-outcomes; therefore, it is a priority for critical care nursing management. Low authority has been a persistent complaint of Hellenic intensive care unit nurses; however, issues of nursing autonomy have not been previously addressed empirically in Hellas. PURPOSE To investigate: (1) the perceived contribution to clinical decision-making, (2) the degree of autonomy in technical tasks, and (3) factors related to practice autonomy in critical care nurses in Hellas. Additionally, because of the lack of sufficient tools, this study also aimed to construct and to validate a new tool for assessing practice and clinical decision-making autonomy among Hellenic intensive care unit nurses. MATERIALS AND METHODS A Hellenic intensive care nursing autonomy scale, focused on technical aspects of care, was developed through literature review, a panel of experts and a pilot study in a random sample of 120 respondents. Items were refined by factor analysis, which revealed three major conceptual categories of autonomy: (1) basic technical, (2) advanced technical, and (3) clinical decision. Hellenic intensive care nursing autonomy (Likert 4, range: 38-152), was distributed to all nurses employed in intensive care units in Hellas (n = 807; attrition: 27%). Comparisons, correlation and multivariate regression were employed. RESULTS The Hellenic intensive care nursing autonomy scale exhibited appropriate reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.86) and validity properties. Autonomy scores were moderate (mean: 105.24 +/- 9.58). Highest autonomy was attributed to basic technical tasks, followed by advanced technical tasks and decision-making. Male gender and higher education were predictors of higher overall, advanced technical and decision-making autonomy (P = 0.01). Bachelor degree graduates scored higher in decisional autonomy (P = 0.03). Intensive care unit experience and type of intensive care unit were also important determinants of decisional autonomy (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS The results revealed moderate autonomy in technical tasks and low decisional autonomy among Hellenic intensive care unit nurses. Factors related to the educational preparation of nurses, gender issues and institutional characteristics might hinder intensive care unit nurses' autonomy in Hellas.
Deficit model of exchange for continuous processes with external control

ABSTRACT A method of constructing a deficit-having model of exchange based on the Markov chain theory for continuous processes with external control is developed, for which the results of the continuous and discrete models are identical. Continuous models allow us to study and predict exchange processes at any moment in time. The deficit model assumes that in the exchange process, when a stationary regime is achieved, those involved have a nonzero balance. The model allows us to determine the external force (control – the actions of the administration) for the realization processes of a specific exchange programme.
A novel resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging signature of resilience to recurrent depression

Background A high proportion of patients with remitted major depressive disorder (MDD) will experience recurring episodes, whilst some develop resilience and remain in recovery. The neural basis of resilience to recurrence is elusive. Abnormal resting-state connectivity of the subgenual cingulate cortex (sgACC) was previously found in cross-sectional studies of MDD, suggesting its potential pathophysiological importance. The current study aimed to investigate whether resting-state connectivity to a left sgACC seed region distinguishes resilient patients from those developing recurring episodes. Method A total of 47 medication-free remitted MDD patients and 38 healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at baseline. Over 14 months, 30 patients remained resilient whilst 17 experienced a recurring episode. Results Attenuated interhemispheric left-to-right sgACC connectivity distinguished the resilient from the recurring-episode and control groups and was not correlated with residual depressive symptoms. Conclusions The current study revealed a neural signature of resilience to recurrence in MDD and thereby elucidates the role of compensatory adaptation in sgACC networks.
Biochemical characterization and modulation of LH/CG—receptor during human trophoblast differentiation

Due to the key role of the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) in placental development, the aim of this study was to characterize the human trophoblastic luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LH/CG‐R) and to investigate its expression using the in vitro model of human cytotrophoblast differentiation into syncytiotrophoblast. We confirmed by in situ immunochemistry and in cultured cells, that LH/CG‐R is expressed in both villous cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts. However, LH/CG‐R expression decreased during trophoblast fusion and differentiation, while the expression of hCG and hPL (specific markers of syncytiotrophoblast formation) increased. A decrease in LH/CG‐R mRNA during trophoblast differentiation was observed by means of semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR with two sets of primers. A corresponding decrease (∼60%) in LH/CG‐R protein content was shown by Western‐blot and immunoprecipitation experiments. The amount of the mature form of LH/CG‐R, detected as a 90‐kDa band specifically binding 125I‐hCG, was lower in syncytiotrophoblasts than in cytotrophoblasts. This was confirmed by Scatchard analysis of binding data on cultured cells. Maximum binding at the cell surface decreased from 3,511 to about 929 molecules/seeded cells with a kDa of 0.4–0.5 nM. Moreover, on stimulation by recombinant hCG, the syncytiotrophoblast produced less cyclic AMP than cytotrophoblasts, indicating that LH/CG‐R expression is regulated during human villous trophoblast differentiation. J. Cell. Physiol. 212: 26–35, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Choose Your Own Price: an Exploratory Study Requiring an Expanded View of Price's Functions

The existing consumer behavior literature generally presents prices as costs which consumers try to minimize and/or as cues which consumers use to judge quality. This limited perspective on price's functions assumes that, if allowed to choose their own price for a good or service of known quality, consumers would always choose the lowest price possible. This assumption is tested in a study examining the price choices of patrons at a restaurant that allowed its customers to choose the price they wanted to pay for entrees they had already consumed. Forty-four percent of the customers chose to pay more than was necessary for their entrees. This finding requires an expanded view of price and its functions. Additional price functions that might explain this finding are presented and discussed.
Measuring Prospective Probabilities of Insolvency: An Application to the Life Insurance Industry

Recent developments in the life insurance industry suggest an increased need for a framework that can be systematically applied in evaluating insurers' financial viability. In this paper the probabilities of failure of several publicly traded life insurers are directly calculated. These probabilities are derived by assuming that asset returns are lognormally distributed and then calculating the parameters of that distribution for each insurer. As indicated by the findings, most life insurers are reasonably safe. However, the distribution of failure probabilities is skewed, so that several life insurers pose a large enough insolvency risk to warrant regulatory attention. In addition, the paper examines the sensitivity of insolvency risk to the estimated parameters of the basic framework.
Finite element modeling of shell shape in the freshwater turtle Pseudemys concinna reveals a trade‐off between mechanical strength and hydrodynamic efficiency

Aquatic species can experience different selective pressures on morphology in different flow regimes. Species inhabiting lotic regimes often adapt to these conditions by evolving low‐drag (i.e., streamlined) morphologies that reduce the likelihood of dislodgment or displacement. However, hydrodynamic factors are not the only selective pressures influencing organismal morphology and shapes well suited to flow conditions may compromise performance in other roles. We investigated the possibility of morphological trade‐offs in the turtle Pseudemys concinna. Individuals living in lotic environments have flatter, more streamlined shells than those living in lentic environments; however, this flatter shape may also make the shells less capable of resisting predator‐induced loads. We tested the idea that “lotic” shell shapes are weaker than “lentic” shell shapes, concomitantly examining effects of sex. Geometric morphometric data were used to transform an existing finite element shell model into a series of models corresponding to the shapes of individual turtles. Models were assigned identical material properties and loaded under identical conditions, and the stresses produced by a series of eight loads were extracted to describe the strength of the shells. “Lotic” shell shapes produced significantly higher stresses than “lentic” shell shapes, indicating that the former is weaker than the latter. Females had significantly stronger shell shapes than males, although these differences were less consistent than differences between flow regimes. We conclude that, despite the potential for many‐to‐one mapping of shell shape onto strength, P. concinna experiences a trade‐off in shell shape between hydrodynamic and mechanical performance. This trade‐off may be evident in many other turtle species or any other aquatic species that also depend on a shell for defense. However, evolution of body size may provide an avenue of escape from this trade‐off in some cases, as changes in size can drastically affect mechanical performance while having little effect on hydrodynamic performance. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Specific Residues of a Conserved Domain in the N Terminus of the Human Cytomegalovirus pUL50 Protein Determine Its Intranuclear Interaction with pUL53*

Background: Interaction between the cytomegalovirus proteins pUL50 and pUL53 is essential for formation of a nuclear egress complex. Results: Mutations within a globular domain interfere with the function of pUL50. Conclusion: Residues Glu-56 and Tyr-57 of pUL50 are essential for binding to pUL53. Significance: Identification of the mode of important viral protein interactions promotes the development of novel antiviral strategies. Herpesviral capsids are assembled in the host cell nucleus and are subsequently translocated to the cytoplasm. During this process it has been demonstrated that the human cytomegalovirus proteins pUL50 and pUL53 interact and form, together with other viral and cellular proteins, the nuclear egress complex at the nuclear envelope. In this study we provide evidence that specific residues of a conserved N-terminal region of pUL50 determine its intranuclear interaction with pUL53. In silico evaluation and biophysical analyses suggested that the conserved region forms a regular secondary structure adopting a globular fold. Importantly, site-directed replacement of individual amino acids by alanine indicated a strong functional influence of specific residues inside this globular domain. In particular, mutation of the widely conserved residues Glu-56 or Tyr-57 led to a loss of interaction with pUL53. Consistent with the loss of binding properties, mutants E56A and Y57A showed a defective function in the recruitment of pUL53 to the nuclear envelope in expression plasmid-transfected and human cytomegalovirus-infected cells. In addition, in silico analysis suggested that residues 3–20 form an amphipathic α-helix that appears to be conserved among Herpesviridae. Point mutants revealed a structural role of this N-terminal α-helix for pUL50 stability rather than a direct role in the binding of pUL53. In contrast, the central part of the globular domain including Glu-56 and Tyr-57 is directly responsible for the functional interaction with pUL53 and thus determines formation of the basic nuclear egress complex.
Fuzzy medical image processing for segmenting the lateral ventricles from MR images

This paper shows an automated method for segmenting the lateral ventricles from human brain MR images. It enables automatic volumetry and construction of 3D rendering images. First, we segment the whole brain and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using 3D MR image processing software developed by Y. Hata et al. (see IEEE Trans. Syst., Man, Cybern. C, vol.30, no.3, p.381-95, 2000). Our method for segmenting the lateral ventricles is based on fuzzy inference techniques and is able to represent expert knowledge and to introduce the knowledge to image processing. The employed knowledge on the lateral ventricles consists of the location, the intensity and the shape. The proposed method was applied to MR volumes of 20 normal volunteers, 20 Alzheimer disease and 20 hydrocephalus patients. The experimental results validated that this method was able to segment the lateral ventricles with high accuracy.
Versatile frequency domain fitting using time domain models and prior knowledge

An iterative nonlinear least‐squares fitting algorithm in the frequency domain using time domain models for quantification of complex frequency domain MR spectra is presented. The algorithm allows incorporation of prior knowledge and has both the advantage of time‐domain fitting with respect to handling the problem of missing data points and truncated data sets and of frequency‐domain fitting with respect to multiple frequency‐selective fitting. The described algorithm can handle, in addition to Lorentzian and Gaussian line‐shapes, Voigt and nonanalytic lineshapes. The program allows the user the design of his own fitting strategy to optimize the probability of reaching the global least‐squares minimum. The application of the fitting program is illustrated with examples from in vivo 1H– 31P‐, and 13C‐MR spectroscopy.
Novel Maximum Power Point Tracking Controller for Wind Turbine Driven Permanent Magnet Generator

This paper presents Maximum Power Point Control for variable speed wind turbine driven permanent-magnet generator. The wind turbine generator is operated such that the rotor speed varies according to wind speed to adjust the duty cycle of power converter and maximizes Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) efficiency. The maximum power point for each speed value is traced using Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm. The rotating speed of permanent-magnet generator should be adjusted in the real time to capture maximum wind power. The system includes the wind-turbine, permanent-magnet generator (PMG), three-phase rectifier, boost chopper, inverter and load. The control parameter is the duty cycle of the chopper. PMG is made to operate at variable speed to achieve good performance. The entire WECS model consists of wind turbine model, PMG model and power converters model. The MATLAB / SIMULINK is used for simulation and the results are compared with laboratory setup.
Damper-to-damper path loss characterization for Intra-Vehicular Wireless Sensor Networks

Intra-Vehicular Wireless Sensor Networks (IVWSNs) is one of the major advances in electrical smart cars. It could extend the driving distance of E-cars by reducing the weight of bulky cables. It can also bring more sensing functions, turning the car into smart units for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Until now, most works of IVWSNs channel characterization are focused on in-car wireless communication. This paper presents for the first time, to author's knowledge, the channel characterization of a non-line-of-sight damper-to-damper wireless communication at 2.4 GHz frequency band, including the signal reflection from ground. A method of 3D EM simulation is provided. Static and dynamic on-field car measurement is also performed on a commercial car with different road profiles. It shows that different road profiles equally impact path loss specification because of similar permittivity. From on-field measurements, it proves that 5.25 MHz frequency isolation leads to uncorrelated channels.
A Developmental Process Analysis of Cross Generational Continuity in Educational Attainment

In this prospective longitudinal study (N = 585) we examined intergenerational links in level of educational attainment. Of particular interest was whether family background characteristics, parenting in early childhood and early adolescence, and school adjustment and performance in middle childhood accounted for (i.e., mediated) continuity and amplified or attenuated (i.e., moderated) continuity. Family background data, including mother education level, were collected when the children were age 5 years; parenting was assessed at ages 5 and 12; and school adjustment data (behavior problems, peer acceptance, academic performance) were collected in the first four years of elementary school. Cross-generational continuity in educational attainment was moderate (r = .38) and largely indirect via children's academic performance in elementary school and mothers' academic involvement in early adolescence. Moderator analyses indicated greater cross-generational continuity in single-parent families; in families low in proactive teaching, monitoring, and academic involvement; and in families with lower-IQ children who performed poorly in school and were disliked by peers. These findings suggest that distal and proximal family and child characteristics may serve as crucial processes in the intergenerational transmission of low educational attainment.
Relationship of postdialysis serum sodium level and interdialytic weight gain in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship of postdialysis serum sodium level and interdialytic weight gain in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. DESIGN A descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Hemodialysis Department, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, from May to October 2006. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 50 adult patients with end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled for the study with nonprobability convenience sampling technique. Pre-, post- and pre-next dialysis serum sodium were measured in each patient and their weights were recorded. Intradialytic sodium gains (delta Na1=postdialysis minus pre-dialysis sodium), interdialytic sodium fall (delta Na2 = previous postdialysis sodium minus pre subsequent dialysis sodium), and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) (IDWG = weight, pre subsequent dialysis weight minus previous postdialysis weight) were computed. The relationship between delta Na1 and delta Na 2 with interdialytic weight gain was assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS There were 26 males and 24 females. The mean age of the patients was 49.6+/-14.5 years, and mean duration of HD was 40.9+/-40.8 months. The mean sodium gain during the session (delta Na1) was 4.0+/-3.1 and mean sodium fall in interdialytic period (delta Na2) was 4.2+/-2.7. The mean interdialytic weight gain was 2+/-0.8 Kg. The relationship between deltaNa1 and delta Na2 with interdialytic weight gain was statistically non-significant (r - .048, p = 0.739 and r = .019, P = 0 .897 respectively). CONCLUSION The trend towards higher post dialysis serum sodium level and interdialytic weight gain was not statistically significant. Studies are needed with measurement of serum osmolality and investigation of other factors affecting interdialytic weight gain like dietary habits and medication etc.
The Demand for Voluntary Audit in Micro‐Companies: Evidence from Finland

The purpose of this study is to uncover additional determinants of the demand for voluntary audit in micro-companies by investigating the internal management factors that have not yet been explored in prior literature. The hypotheses are developed from the literature and interviews with owner-managers of such companies, bank lenders and the tax authority. The study is based on archival data relating to some 50,000 Finnish micro-companies over the three-year period following the introduction of audit exemption in 2008. Our results show that the drivers of voluntary audit are (1) management needs to ensure security of supply from trade creditors, (2) the company is not in financial distress, (3) the company is growing, (4) management has a need for tax reporting credibility, and (5) ownership is dispersed. The results of this research will be of interest to the owners and managers of micro-companies, as well as the accounting and auditing profession.
Pattern classification using quadratic neuron: An experimental study

In this paper, we present a study done on quadratic neurons to solve the pattern classification problems. The paper compares the classification results obtained by quadratic neural network(QUAD) with normal single and multilayer perceptron(MLP). Examples with randomly generated toy datasets are used for understanding and visualization. The standard datasets such as Iris, MNIST and others are used for extensive comparison and interesting experiments. Different architectures of QUAD neural net has also been tested. Obtained results are better in comparison to conventional multilayer perceptron. This experimental study motivates the authors to study usage of QUAD neurons in deep neural networks.