Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The articulatory loop: study of the subcortical connectivity by electrostimulation

Although a cortical network involving Broca's area and the supramarginal gyrus (SMG) was widely studied using neurofunctional imaging, the functional connectivity underlying this so-called articulatory loop remains poorly documented. We describe a patient operated on for a glioma invading the left parietal operculum, using intraoperative electrical functional mapping under local anesthesia. Following the identification of cortical language sites within Broca's area and SMG, the subcortical pathways connecting these regions were detected and preserved during the resection. Postoperatively, the patient presented a slight dysarthria, then recovered. This is the first report of direct tracking of the subcortical connectivity underlying the fronto-parietal articulatory loop, allowing to better understand the pathophysiology of this network and the consequences of its damage.
Managing chronic orofacial pain: A qualitative study of patients', doctors', and dentists' experiences.

OBJECTIVE Persistent pain in the face, mouth, and jaws is a common presentation to dental and medical services. The aetiology remains unclear, but a growing evidence base recognizes the effectiveness of psychological rather than biomedical interventions. To understand how this approach might be implemented into clinical practice, knowledge is needed of patients' and clinicians' experience of chronic orofacial pain (COFP). The aim of this study was to explore the experience and understanding of COFP by patients and primary and secondary care medical and dental practitioners. DESIGN Qualitative interview study. METHODS Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 12 dentists, 11 general practitioners, and seven patients were thematically analysed. RESULTS Clinicians and patients recognized the role that psychological factors could play in the development and maintenance of COFP, yet management and self-management strategies were largely limited to biomedical interventions. Achieving a diagnosis proved problematic but largely functional for both parties. GPs and dentists viewed COFP as a non-dental problem and felt inadequately equipped to manage the condition. GPs, unlike dentists, felt obligated to support patients using techniques for managing patients with other long-term conditions. Frustration at the current inadequacy of COFP management often led to conflict with (or disengagement from) the clinician-patient relationship. CONCLUSIONS Current management of COFP is ineffective and unsatisfactory for patients and practitioners, which impacts on their relationship. Fundamental barriers to accessing and implementing psychological interventions for COFP arise from ineffective communication between physicians and patients, and between medical and dental practitioners. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? COFP is characterized by persistent pain in the face, mouth, or jaws that are not the result of organic disease or physical trauma. Patients with COFP present to both medical and dental services and receive sub-optimal care. No studies have examined the experiences of managing this problem from the perspectives of dentists, general practitioners and patients. What does this study add? Patients, dentists, and GPs recognize the role that psychological factors have in maintaining and addressing facial pain symptoms, yet principally manage it through biomedical interventions. Challenges exist over arriving at a diagnosis and managing the problem, and challenges are exacerbated by poor communication between doctors and medical services. Improvements are needed in liaison between medical and dental services and further training to support primary care clinicians to facilitate a stepped care approach to managing COFP.
New perspectives on international industrial/organizational psychology

Discover the important roles cultural and national origin plays in the relationship between an organization and its employees. This pioneering study presents new theories and cutting-edge perspectives on topics including intercultural communication, work motivation, multinational teams, and organizational justice across cultures. A timely work for all HR professionals in this era of marketplace globalization and the increasingly multi-ethnic character of the American workforce.
Petri Nets – A Mathematical Formalism to Analyze Chemical Reaction Networks

In this review we introduce and discuss Petri nets – a mathematical formalism to describe and analyze chemical reaction networks. Petri nets were developed to describe concurrency in general systems. We find most applications to technical and financial systems, but since about twenty years also in systems biology to model biochemical systems. This review aims to give a short informal introduction to the basic formalism illustrated by a chemical example, and to discuss possible applications to the analysis of chemical reaction networks, including cheminformatics. We give a short overview about qualitative as well as quantitative modeling Petri net techniques useful in systems biology, summarizing the state‐of‐the‐art in that field and providing the main literature references. Finally, we discuss advantages and limitations of Petri nets and give an outlook to further development.
Hepatic arterial infusion versus systemic therapy for hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer: a randomized trial of efficacy, quality of life, and molecular markers (CALGB 9481).

PURPOSE Hepatic metastases derive most of their blood supply from the hepatic artery; therefore, for patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer, hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of chemotherapy may improve outcome. METHODS In a multi-institutional trial, 135 patients were randomly assigned to receive HAI versus systemic bolus fluorouracil and leucovorin. The primary end point was survival; secondary end points were response, recurrence, toxicity, quality of life, cost, and the influence of molecular markers. RESULTS Overall survival was significantly longer for HAI versus systemic treatment (median, 24.4 v 20 months; P = .0034), as were response rates (47% and 24%; P = .012) and time to hepatic progression (THP; 9.8 v 7.3 months; P = .034). Time to extrahepatic progression (7.7 v 14.8 months; P = .029) was significantly shorter in the HAI group. Quality-of-life measurements showed improved physical functioning in the HAI group at the 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments. Toxicity included grade > or = 3 neutropenia (2% and 45%; P < .01), stomatitis (0% and 24%; P < .01), and bilirubin elevation (18.6% and 0; P < .01) in the HAI and systemic treatment groups, respectively. A greater proportion of men versus women receiving HAI experienced biliary toxicity (37% and 15%, respectively; P = .05). For HAI patients with thymidylate synthase levels in tumor less than or > or = 4, the median survival was 24 and 14 months, respectively (P = .17). CONCLUSION HAI therapy increased overall survival, response rate, THP, and was associated with better physical functioning compared with systemic therapy. Additional studies need to address the overall benefit and cost of new chemotherapy agents versus HAI alone or the combination of HAI with new agents.
Saline Flush versus Chest x ray in Confirmation of Central Venous Catheter Placement; a Diagnostic Accuracy Study

Introduction: Central venous catheterization (CVC) is a commonly performed procedure in critically ill patients of emergency department. This study was designed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of saline flush with CXR in confirmation of above-the-diaphragm CVC placement. Methods: This prospective cross sectional study was conducted on adult patients in need of CVC placement in emergency department. Placement Confirmation was performed with saline flush method and CXR, then chest computed tomography (CT) was performed as the gold standard. The screening performance characteristics of the two methods were calculated and compared using SPSS 21 and STATA 11. Results: 103 cases with the mean age of 57.18±9.3 (35 -80) years were studied (52.4% male). The mean duration of procedure was 2.5±1.24 in saline flush and 32.11±5.52 minutes in CXR method (P<0.001(. The area under the ROC curves for saline flush and CXR in confirmation of CVC placement were 0.90 (95%CI: 0.70 – 0.100) and 0.80 (95%CI: 0.55 – 0.100), respectively (p = 0.317). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and positive and negative likelihood ratio of saline flush were 80%, 100%, 100, 98.9%, Infinity, and 0.01, respectively. These measures were 60%, 100%, 100%, 98%, Infinity, and 0.02 for CXR, respectively. Conclusion: It seems that saline flush method could be considered as a safe, rapid, and accurate bedside method for CVC placement confirmation in emergency department.
Formal trainning, temporary, contracts, productivity and wages in Spain

This article investigates the determinants and effects of firm-based training in Spain. We focus on the following questions: (1) Are there appreciable differences between firms which provide training and firms which do not? (2) Does the proportion of workers who receive training have a significant effect on firms' productivity and wages? In seeking quantitative answers to these relatively unexplored questions, we use a sample of sorne six hundred medium-and large-sized firms. Our main results indicate that larger firms and those undergoing technological change are more likely to provide their work force with formal training. By estimating a production function, we also find evidence of the positive and significant effects of formal training on labor productivity and wages. However, when training is treated as an endogenous variable the specified production function or the wage equation, such positive effects are no longer significant•
Importance of Endogenous Fibrinolysis in Platelet Thrombus Formation

The processes of thrombosis and coagulation are finely regulated by endogenous fibrinolysis maintaining healthy equilibrium. When the balance is altered in favour of platelet activation and/or coagulation, or if endogenous fibrinolysis becomes less efficient, pathological thrombosis can occur. Arterial thrombosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world despite advances in medical therapies. The role endogenous fibrinolysis in the pathogenesis of arterial thrombosis has gained increasing attention in recent years as it presents novel ways to prevent and treat existing diseases. In this review article, we discuss the role of endogenous fibrinolysis in platelet thrombus formation, methods of measurement of fibrinolytic activity, its role in predicting cardiovascular diseases and clinical outcomes and future directions.
On the Implied Foreign Exchange Rate Volatility: The Role of External Vulnerability Indicators and When They Count the Most?

This paper studies the effect of external vulnerability indicators on the implied foreign exchange rate volatility. Controlling for a set of domestic and external macroeconomic factors and using options-implied volatilities, the results suggest that (i) market participants expect a lower future volatility in response to a decrease in current account deficit or an increase in international reserve adequacy; (ii) when global financial conditions are on the edge (when the VIX is above a certain threshold), both external vulnerability indicators imply a stronger effect on the future expected volatility (around twice as high, on average); (iii) these effects are by-and-large stronger for emerging market economies.
Crystal Structures of Glycoside Hydrolase Family 51 α-L-Arabinofuranosidase from Thermotoga maritima

α-L-Arabinofuranosidase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima (Tm-AFase) is an extremely thermophilic enzyme belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 51. It can catalyze the transglycosylation of a novel glycosyl donor, 4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl (DMT)-β-D-xylopyranoside. In this study we determined the crystal structures of Tm-AFase in substrate-free and complex forms with arabinose and xylose at 1.8–2.3 Å resolution to determine the architecture of the substrate binding pocket. Subsite −1 of Tm-AFase is similar to that of α-L-arabinofuranosidase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus, but the substrate binding pocket of Tm-AFase is narrower and more hydrophobic. Possible substrate binding modes were investigated by automated docking analysis.
Convex optimal control for plug and play microgrids

In this paper, we present a plug and play (PnP) approach for optimal control of commercial and military microgrid (MG). Operating today's MGs require professional knowledge of the system and calls for the operators to manually configure each of the components, especially in cases if intermittent renewable energy sources are present. As the technological advances allow low-cost microprocessors to be deployed on key components of the MG, we propose a new MG control approach based on the framework of Internet of things (IoT). This paper attempts to address the design of optimal controllers for a PnP MG. The developed theory and software are applicable to commercial and military MGs. To this end, we propose a novel IoT MG scheme, which is in between the traditional centralized and decentralized approaches. While the optimization is centralized, the data storage and process are distributed. The data sheet, together with runtime data are transmitted to the central controller for energy optimization. The contributions of this paper can be summarized as the followings. (1) We developed a charging slot organization (CSO) algorithm to transform the device data sheet information into the form of convex optimization. As a comparison, it is 591 times faster than Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) in a realistic setup. (2) From the perspective of software systems, we established the XML schema to bridge the gap between PnP MGs and existing optimization solvers. The required information, such as characteristic curves or parameters, are downloaded to the microprocessors on the energy assets at the production phase; Then, the information is automatically aggregated to the MG controller during the run time. (3) Finally, we evaluate the algorithm with realistic weather and device data.
[A case of duplication of the common bile duct with anomaly of the intrahepatic bile duct].

A 50-year-old man, with a complaint of fever and epigastralgia, was admitted to the Yamaga City Hospital. Choledocholithiasis and stenosis of the lower part of choledochus were pointed out. Cholecystectomy, choledocholithotomy and papilloplasty were performed and the choledochotomy closed over a T-tube. T-tube cholangiograms, after operation, revealed stenosis, negative shadow and abnormal branching of the left intrahepatic bile duct. Then, the lateral segmentectomy of the liver was done. But the negative shadow didn't disappear . With further examination, we could find the accessory bile duct in the retroperitoneal space. Cholangiogram, from this accessory bile duct, revealed patency of this bile duct into the left intrahepatic bile duct and the duodenum. A final diagnosis of duplication of the common bile duct was established. We collected Japanese cases of this anomaly and discussed a classification of the disorder.
Avaliação de diferentes metodologias para obtenção do Módulo de Resiliência de misturas asfálticas

The Resilient Modulus (RM) is one of the main parameters used on the mechanistic-empirical asphalt pavement design in Brazil. It was recently published in Brazil a new standard for determining this parameter, the NBR 16018 (2011) from ABNT, based on the main international standards. Due to the existence of differences in testing methodology between the current Brazilian standards, tests were carried out to obtain MR in the laboratory using different methodologies. Three different mixtures of Asphalt Concrete (AC) were evaluated. It was observed that there was little variation in the average of the MR results. The impact of the difference in the results obtained from laboratory tests was assessed by means of a struc-tural analysis of an asphalt pavement using the computational program CAP3D. From the analysis, it was observed for the structure examined, that there was also little influence of the methodology used to obtain the MR on the structural response of the layered system.
Enduring Memory Impairments Provoked by Developmental Febrile Seizures Are Mediated by Functional and Structural Effects of Neuronal Restrictive Silencing Factor

In a subset of children experiencing prolonged febrile seizures (FSs), the most common type of childhood seizures, cognitive outcomes are compromised. However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here we identified significant, enduring spatial memory problems in male rats following experimental prolonged FS (febrile status epilepticus; eFSE). Remarkably, these deficits were abolished by transient, post hoc interference with the chromatin binding of the transcriptional repressor neuron restrictive silencing factor (NRSF or REST). This transcriptional regulator is known to contribute to neuronal differentiation during development and to programmed gene expression in mature neurons. The mechanisms of the eFSE-provoked memory problems involved complex disruption of memory-related hippocampal oscillations recorded from CA1, likely resulting in part from impairments of dendritic filtering of cortical inputs as well as abnormal synaptic function. Accordingly, eFSE provoked region-specific dendritic loss in the hippocampus, and aberrant generation of excitatory synapses in dentate gyrus granule cells. Blocking NRSF transiently after eFSE prevented granule cell dysmaturation, restored a functional balance of γ-band network oscillations, and allowed treated eFSE rats to encode and retrieve spatial memories. Together, these studies provide novel insights into developing networks that underlie memory, the mechanisms by which early-life seizures influence them, and the means to abrogate the ensuing cognitive problems. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Whereas seizures have been the central focus of epilepsy research, they are commonly accompanied by cognitive problems, including memory impairments that contribute to poor quality of life. These deficits often arise before the onset of spontaneous seizures, or independent from them, yet the mechanisms involved are unclear. Here, using a rodent model of common developmental seizures that provoke epilepsy in a subset of individuals, we identify serious consequent memory problems. We uncover molecular, cellular, and circuit-level mechanisms that underlie these deficits and successfully abolish them by targeted therapeutic interventions. These findings may be important for understanding and preventing cognitive problems in individuals suffering long febrile seizures.
A personalized highway driving assistance system

A control approach for automated highway driving is proposed in this study, which can learn from human driving data, and is applied to the longitudinal trajectory of an autonomous car. Naturalistic driving data are used as samples to train the model offline. Then, the model is used online to emulate what a human driver would do by computing acceleration. This reference acceleration is tracked by a predictive controller, which enforces a set of comfort and safety constraints before applying the final acceleration. The controller is designed to balance between maintaining vehicle safety and following the model's commands. Thus, the proposed controller can handle dynamic traffic situations while performing like a human driver. This approach is validated on two different scenarios using MATLAB simulations.
Structure and mechanism of the RNA triphosphatase component of mammalian mRNA capping enzyme

The 5′ capping of mammalian pre‐mRNAs is initiated by RNA triphosphatase, a member of the cysteine phosphatase superfamily. Here we report the 1.65 Å crystal structure of mouse RNA triphosphatase, which reveals a deep, positively charged active site pocket that can fit a 5′ triphosphate end. Structural, biochemical and mutational results show that despite sharing an HCxxxxxR(S/T) motif, a phosphoenzyme intermediate and a core α/β‐fold with other cysteine phosphatases, the mechanism of phosphoanhydride cleavage by mammalian capping enzyme differs from that used by protein phosphatases to hydrolyze phosphomonoesters. The most significant difference is the absence of a carboxylate general acid catalyst in RNA triphosphatase. Residues conserved uniquely among the RNA phosphatase subfamily are important for function in cap formation and are likely to play a role in substrate recognition.
OpenCL-ready High Speed FPGA Network for Reconfigurable High Performance Computing

Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have gained attention in high-performance computing (HPC) research because their computation and communication capabilities have dramatically improved in recent years as a result of improvements to semiconductor integration technologies that depend on Moore's Law. In addition to FPGA performance improvements, OpenCL-based FPGA development toolchains have been developed and offered by FPGA vendors, which reduces the programming effort required as compared to the past. These improvements reveal the possibilities of realizing a concept to enable on-the-fly offloading computation at which CPUs/GPUs perform poorly to FPGAs while performing low-latency data movement. We think that this concept is one of the keys to more improve the performance of modern heterogeneous supercomputers using accelerators like GPUs. In this paper, we propose high-performance inter-FPGA Ethernet communication using OpenCL and Verilog HDL mixed programming in order to demonstrate the feasibility of realizing this concept. OpenCL is used to program application algorithms and data movement control when Verilog HDL is used to implement low-level components for Ethernet communication. Experimental results using ping-pong programs showed that our proposed approach achieves a latency of 0.99 μs and as much as 4.97 GB/s between FPGAs over different nodes, thus confirming that the proposed method is effective at realizing this concept.
Pressure Pain Mapping of the Wrist Extensors After Repeated Eccentric Exercise at High Intensity

Abstract Delfa de la Morena, JM, Samani, A, Fernández-Carnero, J, Hansen, EA, and Madeleine, P. Pressure pain mapping of the wrist extensors after repeated eccentric exercise at high intensity. J Strength Cond Res 27(11): 3045–3052, 2013—The purpose of this study was to investigate adaptation mechanisms after 2 test rounds consisting of eccentric exercise using pressure pain imaging of the wrist extensors. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed over 12 points forming a 3 × 4 matrix over the dominant elbow in 12 participants. From the PPT assessments, pressure pain maps were computed. Delayed onset muscle soreness was induced in an initial test round of high-intensity eccentric exercise. The second test round performed 7 days later aimed at resulting in adaptation. The PPTs were assessed before, immediately after, and 24 hours after the 2 test rounds of eccentric exercise. For the first test round, the mean PPT was significantly lower 24 hours after exercise compared with before exercise (389.5 ± 64.1 vs. 500.5 ± 66.4 kPa, respectively; p = 0.02). For the second test round, the PPT was similar before and 24 hours after (447.7 ± 51.3 vs. 458.0 ± 73.1 kPa, respectively; p = 1.0). This study demonstrated adaptive effects of the wrist extensors monitored by pain imaging technique in healthy untrained humans. A lack of hyperalgesia, i.e., no decrease in PPT underlined adaptation after the second test round of eccentric exercise performed 7 days after the initial test round. The present findings showed for the first time that repeated eccentric exercise performed twice over 2 weeks protects the wrist extensor muscles from developing exacerbated pressure pain sensitivity. Thus, the addition of eccentric components to training regimens should be considered to induce protective adaptation.