Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Athens Stroke Registry: Results of a Five-Year Hospital-Based Study

The advent and wide application of new technology, especially noninvasive techniques, has enabled physicians to more completely investigate and clarify the etiopathogenic mechanisms of stroke. Such data have not been available until recently for Southeastern Europe. In addition, during the last decades, strategies for the modification of risk factors and primary prevention may have changed the prevalence of each subgroup of stroke as well. We investigated 1,042 consecutive patients who had first strokes, during a period of 5 years (from June 1992 to May 1997) and classified them prospectively based on etiopathogenic mechanisms. Patients with transient ischemic attacks and subarachnoid hemorrhage were excluded. There were 613 male and 429 female patients, with a mean age of 70.2 ± 11.9 years. Forty-six percent of the patients arrived within 3 h from stroke onset. The probable mechanisms were: large-artery atherosclerosis, 156 (15%); lacunes, 177 (17%); cardioembolic, 335 (32.1%); infarct of unknown cause, 182 (17.5%); miscellaneous causes, 35 (3.3%), and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), 157 (15.1%). In the cardioembolic group, nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) was the probable cause in 225 patients, especially in patients older than 75 years (65%). The overall hospital mortality was 15.2% (from 0.6% for lacunar stroke to 34% for ICH). In our population, cardioembolism is the most frequent subtype of stroke. NVAF is the most likely source, especially in older patients.
Burst-pulse Generator based on transmission line toward sub-MMW

A Transmission-line-based Burst-pulse Generator (TPG) is proposed in this paper. The proposed architecture does not consume power in standby stage, so it is more suitable in a pulse system than a continuous wave generator. Also, the center frequency of the pulse can be higher than the Fmax of a CMOS process, since the pulse oscillation need not be sustained. The architecture is modeled and simulated in a 0.18-µm CMOS process, then the performance is compared with a push-push oscillator, which is a conventional method to generate frequency higher than process's Fmax. It is shown that our TPG has better energy conversion efficiency up to a pulse duty cycle of 10%, and the oscillation frequency above 2Fmax of the process is achieved.
Pushing Measurement to the Ultimate Stochastic Limit: The Stochastic Dynamics of Fluid-Coupled Nanocantilevers

Abstract : We have developed a fundamental understanding of nanoscale fluid dynamics for fluid-based technologies with unprecedented capabilities. Using analytics and numerics we have investigated the Brownian driven, and externally driven, dynamics of micro and nanoscale elastic objects (such as cantilevers and beams) in a viscous fluid over a wide range of system parameters and for a number of experimentally important configurations. We developed an approach to compute the Brownian or externally driven dynamics using a single deterministic computation that can be performed on a personal workstation. Thermal motion is computed using the fluctuation-dissipation theorem and externally driven dynamics using transfer function theory. We quantify the effects of the cantilever and beam geometry upon their dynamics, the role of nearby bounding surfaces, the increased frequency and quality factors when using the higher flexural modes, and build a physical understanding of the fluid correlated motion of an array of elastic objects.
Spectral X-Ray CT Image Reconstruction with a Combination of Energy-Integrating and Photon-Counting Detectors

The purpose of this paper is to develop an algorithm for hybrid spectral computed tomography (CT) which combines energy-integrating and photon-counting detectors. While the energy-integrating scan is global, the photon-counting scan can have a local field of view (FOV). The algorithm synthesizes both spectral data and energy-integrating data. Low rank and sparsity prior is used for spectral CT reconstruction. An initial estimation is obtained from the projection data based on physical principles of x-ray interaction with the matter, which provides a more accurate Taylor expansion than previous work and can guarantee the convergence of the algorithm. Numerical simulation with clinical CT images are performed. The proposed algorithm produces very good spectral features outside the FOV when no K-edge material exists. Exterior reconstruction of K-edge material can be partially achieved.
Position-based Multiple-play Bandit Problem with Unknown Position Bias

Motivated by online advertising, we study a multiple-play multi-armed bandit problem with position bias that involves several slots and the latter slots yield fewer rewards. We characterize the hardness of the problem by deriving an asymptotic regret bound. We propose the Permutation Minimum Empirical Divergence (PMED) algorithm and derive its asymptotically optimal regret bound. Because of the uncertainty of the position bias, the optimal algorithm for such a problem requires non-convex optimizations that are different from usual partial monitoring and semi-bandit problems. We propose a cutting-plane method and related bi-convex relaxation for these optimizations by using auxiliary variables.
The effects of brand experience and an advertisement’s disclaimer speed on purchase: speak slowly or carry a big brand

Research on disclaimers (messages intended to fully disclose all information that could affect decision making and elucidate possibly misunderstood statements) in radio advertisements has drawn little attention. Using the same words in the disclaimer, the speed with which the disclaimer was read at the end of a food advertisement, and whether the product had a well-known or unknown (established via a pilot study) brand was manipulated and the resulting effects on purchase were assessed. Though the speed with which a disclaimer is read does not have an effect on purchases of well-known branded products, when the product is unknown to consumers, the speed with which the disclaimer is read is very important. Specifically, a slow disclaimer (read in six seconds) engenders significantly more purchasing than a fast disclaimer (read in three seconds). In other words, if people are not familiar with a product, and thus have little experience consuming it, it is best to read a disclaimer slowly. If, on the other hand, the product is well known and experienced by the consumer, disclaimer speed matters less as people already have firsthand experience using the product and thus rely less on the content of the disclaimer to affect purchase.
Role of caspase-1 in regulation of triglyceride metabolism

Caspase-1 is a cysteine protease that can be activated by both endogenous and exogenous inflammatory stimuli and has been shown to have important functions in processes as diverse as proteolytic activation of cytokines, cell death, and membrane repair. Caspase-1–dependent production of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-18 has also been implicated in the regulation of appetite, body weight, glucose homeostasis, and lipid metabolism. Consistent with the emerging views of caspase-1 in metabolic regulation, we find that caspase-1–deficient mice have dramatically accelerated triglyceride clearance, without alteration in lipid production or absorption, and resultant decrease in steady-state circulating triglyceride and fatty acid levels. Surprisingly, this effect is independent of IL-1-family signaling, supporting the concept that caspase-1 influences lipid metabolism through multiple mechanisms, not limited to cytokines.
Remarks on Some Properties of Decision Rules

This paper shows that some properties of the decision rules in the literature do not hold by presenting a counterexample. We give sufficient and necessary conditions under which these properties are valid. These results will be helpful when one tries to choose the right decision rules in the research of rough set theory. Keywords—Rough set, Decision table, Decision rule, coverage factor.
AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System: Fracture Description, Neurological Status, and Key Modifiers

Study Design. Reliability and agreement study, retrospective case series. Objective. To develop a widely accepted, comprehensive yet simple classification system with clinically acceptable intra- and interobserver reliability for use in both clinical practice and research. Summary of Background Data. Although the Magerl classification and thoracolumbar injury classification system (TLICS) are both well-known schemes to describe thoracolumbar (TL) fractures, no TL injury classification system has achieved universal international adoption. This lack of consensus limits communication between clinicians and researchers complicating the study of these injuries and the development of treatment algorithms. Methods. A simple and reproducible classification system of TL injuries was developed using a structured international consensus process. This classification system consists of a morphologic classification of the fracture, a grading system for the neurological status, and description of relevant patient-specific modifiers. Forty cases with a broad range of injuries were classified independently twice by group members 1 month apart and analyzed for classification reliability using the Kappa coefficient (&kgr;). Results. The morphologic classification is based on 3 main injury patterns: type A (compression), type B (tension band disruption), and type C (displacement/translation) injuries. Reliability in the identification of a morphologic injury type was substantial (&kgr;= 0.72). Conclusion. The AOSpine TL injury classification system is clinically relevant according to the consensus agreement of our international team of spine trauma experts. Final evaluation data showed reasonable reliability and accuracy, but further clinical validation of the proposed system requires prospective observational data collection documenting use of the classification system, therapeutic decision making, and clinical follow-up evaluation by a large number of surgeons from different countries. Level of Evidence: 4
Expression of cell death regulatory genes and limited apoptosis induction in avian blastodermal cells

Apoptosis is a well‐established cellular mechanism for selective cell deletion during development. However, little is known about the expression of an apoptotic pathway and its role in determining the relative sensitivity of the early, pre‐gastrula, avian embryo to stress‐induced cell death. We examined the sensitivity of avian blastodermal cells to engage in apoptosis upon exposure to etoposide, a topoisomerase II‐inhibitor that rapidly and efficiently induces apoptosis in many cell types. We found that while the blastodermal cells are capable of engaging in apoptosis, they are highly resistant to such induction with respect to both concentration of drug required and length of exposure, even when compared to a tumor cell line with a known multi‐drug resistant phenotype. Additionally, we assessed the expression of several candidate regulatory genes in blastodiscs from infertile eggs (i.e., maternal RNA transcripts), blastodermal cells immediately following oviposition, and various stages of early development up to gastrulation. This analysis revealed that several genes whose products have anti‐apoptotic activity, including bcl‐2, bcl‐xL, hsp70, grp78 and the glutathione S‐transferases, are expressed as early as the stage 1 embryo in the newly oviposited egg. These transcripts are also found in the infertile blastodisc, suggesting a role for maternally derived transcripts in the protection of the oocyte and zygote. Significantly, constitutive levels of hsp70 mRNA exceeded those of the other anti‐apoptotic genes in the blastodermal cells. These results contribute to an emerging picture of stress resistance at the earliest stages of avian embryo development which involves multiple anti‐apoptotic genes that act at different regulatory points in the apoptotic cascade. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 51:130–142, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A PRML System for Digital Magnetic Recording

The realization of a digital recording system using partial-response class-IV signaling with maximum-likelihood sequence detection (MLSD) is described. To perform MLSD at the high data rates encountered in recording systems, a simple implementation of the Viterbi detector based on a difference-metric algorithm is developed. Decision-directed schemes for gain control and timing recovery, for tracking variations of the gain and timing phase during data readback, and for fast initial adjustment from a known preamble are presented. The dynamic behavior of the control algorithms was studied by computer simulations. Coding was used to facilitate timing recovery and gain control, to limit the path memory length of the Viterbi detector, and to allow fast and reliable startup of the receiver. The design and properties of rate 8/9 constrained codes are examined. The problem of equalization is addressed, and analog and combined analog/digital filter implementations are developed. A simple adaptive equalizer capable of compensating variations of the recording channel characteristics with track radius and/or head-to-medium distance is described. >
A stochastic approach to optimal sizing of energy storage systems in a microgrid

Environmental crises and global warming, arising from fossil fuels, and the urgent need for electrical energy generation, have led the international community to make a greater use of renewable energy resources. Among renewable energy resources, wind units, due to their high efficiency, has attracted more attention. However, variable and unpredictable nature of wind speed, causes wind units to be consider as an uncontrollable sources of energy and prevent their high utilization. Storage units are introduced as a viable solution to reduce wind units output variations and obtain a dispatchable output. Large scale storage units impose more investment cost to the microgrid and small storage units may also fail to provide a pre-determined targets for microgrid. This paper presents a linear model to determine the optimal size of storage units, considering none-deterministic behavior of wind energy, which aim is to reduce the summation of the expected operating cost of the microgrid and investment cost of the storage units. The results indicate that the total operating cost of the microgrid is reduced. Also, the reliability indices such as a LOLE and EENS are improved. The problem is formulated as Mixed-integer programming and implemented it in the GAMS environment with EXPRESS solver. A typical example, determines the efficiency of the proposed model.
Coping Mechanisms of People in Drought-Prone Areas of Rural Orissa

This paper is an attempt to study various coping strategies employed by people during drought. It also looks at the sustainability about the coping mechanisms, which the communities adapt to counter the erratic behaviour of rainfall. This study tests for ex-ante and ex-post adaptation responses to weather risk in rural farm households of Orissa and also examines how poor rural families adapt with the changing patterns of livelihood. The study critically analyses different safety-nets available for the people and examines the gaps between policy and practice. The coping mechanisms of poor agricultural households during the drought period reveal several problems relating to diversification of crop and livelihood, capacity to migrate and the role of government institutions and policies. Based on the findings, this paper puts forth several suggestions and the role of different stakeholders and institutions, which have bearing on policy.
Trichomonas vaginalis Contact-Dependent Cytolysis of Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT Trichomonas vaginalis is an extracellular protozoan parasite that binds to the epithelium of the human urogenital tract during infection. In this study, we examined the propensities of 26 T. vaginalis strains to bind to and lyse prostate (BPH-1) and ectocervical (Ect1) epithelium and to lyse red blood cells (RBCs). We found that only three of the strains had a statistically significant preference for either BPH-1 (MSA1103) or Ect1 (LA1 and MSA1123). Overall, we observed that levels of adherence are highly variable among strains, with a 12-fold range of adherence on Ect1 cells and a 45-fold range on BPH-1 cells. Cytolysis levels displayed even greater variability, from no detectable cytolysis to 80% or 90% cytolysis of Ect1 and BPH-1, respectively. Levels of adherence and cytolysis correlate for weakly adherent/cytolytic strains, and a threshold of attachment was found to be necessary to trigger cytolysis; however, this threshold can be reached without inducing cytolysis. Furthermore, cytolysis was completely blocked when we prevented attachment of the parasites to host cells while allowing soluble factors complete access. We demonstrate that hemolysis was a rare trait, with only 4 of the 26 strains capable of lysing >20% RBCs with a 1:30 parasite/RBC ratio. Hemolysis also did not correlate with adherence to or cytolysis of either male (BPH-1)- or female (Ect1)-derived epithelial cell lines. Our results reveal that despite a broad range of pathogenic properties among different T. vaginalis strains, all strains show strict contact-dependent cytolysis.
Normalized mutual integral difference method to extract threshold voltage of MOSFETs

A novel normalized mutual integral difference (NMID) method is presented in this letter to extract the threshold voltage of MOSFETs. The basic principle of this method is to utilize the exponential-linear characteristics of MOSFETs current so as to obtain the normalized mutual integral difference extreme spectral characteristics. The proposed method is sensitive to channel length variation while being insensitive to parasitic resistance. The extracted results on the threshold voltage show a good consistency and have been compared with those obtained by the second-derivative technique. A good correlation between both methods has also been found.
Emotional reactions of young children to TV violence.

OSBORN, D. K. , and ENDSLEY, R. C. Emotional Reactions of Young Children to TV Violence. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1971, 42, 321-331. Using a procedure for recording continuously the amount of emotional sweating (GSR), 4and 5-year-old children were shown 4 brief TV film episodes. 2 films, 1 employing cartoon characters (CV) and the other human characters (HV), contained violent actions among the characters. 2 other films, NOCV and NHV, contained only nonviolent actions among the characters. As measured by their GSR, Ss responded more emotionally to CV and HV, particularly the latter, than they did to the nonviolent films (CNV and HNV). The Ss also subsequently selected HV as the "scariest" film, and recalled more detail from HV I week later than from the other 3 films. Finally, Ss most frequently selected the 2 cartoon films, particularly CNV, as the "best liked" films.
Distinct cis-essential modules direct the time-space pattern of the Pax6 gene activity.

Pax6 is a regulatory gene with restricted expression and essential functions in the developing eye and pancreas and distinct domains of the CNS. In this study we report the identification of three conserved transcription start sites (P0, P1, alpha) in the murine Pax6 locus. Furthermore, using transgenic mouse technology we localized independent cis-regulatory elements controlling the tissue-specific expression of Pax6. Specifically, a 107-bp enhancer and a 1.1-kb sequence within the 4.6-kb untranslated region upstream of exon 0 are required to mediate Pax6 expression in the lens, cornea, lacrimal gland, conjunctiva, or pancreas, respectively. Another 530-bp enhancer fragment located downstream of the Pax6 translational start site is required for expression in the neural retina, the pigment layer of the retina, and the iris. Finally, a 5-kb fragment located between the promoters P0 and P1 can mediate expression into the dorsal telencephalon, the hindbrain, and the spinal cord. The identified Pax6/cis-essential elements are highly conserved in pufferfish, mouse, and human DNA and contain binding sites for several transcription factors indicative of the cascade of control events. Corresponding regulatory elements from pufferfish are able to mimic the reporter expression in transgenic mice. Thus, the results indicate a structural and functional conservation of the Pax6 regulatory elements in the vertebrate genome.
Attribute Reduction Using Bayesian Decision Theoretic Rough Set Models

Bayesian Decision theoretic rough set has been invented by the author. In this paper the attribute reduction by the aid of Bayesian decision theoretic rough set has been studied. Lot of other methods are there for attribute reduction such as Variable precision method, probabilistic approach, Bayesian method, Pawlaks rough set method using Boolean function. But with the help of some example it is shown that Bayesian decision theoretic rough set model gives better result than other method. Lastly an example of HIV /AIDS is taken and attribute reduction is done by this new method and various other method. It is shown that this method gives better result than the previously defined methods. By this method the authors get only the reduced attribute age which is the best significant attribute. Though in Pawlak model age sex or age living status are the reduced attribute and variable precision method fails to work here. In this paper attribute reduction is done by the help of discernibility matrix after determining the positive, boundary and negative region. This model is a hybrid model of Bayesian rough set model and decision theory. So this technique gives better result than Bayesian method and decision theoretic rough set method.
Consumer Affinity for Foreign Countries, Film Attendance, and Interest in Purchasing Products from Foreign Countries: An Exploratory Study of Korea and Ireland

A number of studies in recent years of have begun to look at the connection between country affinity (an interest in and admiration of a particular country) and a desire to buy the products and services of that country. Country affinity has been shown to be particularly important when consumers lack other sources of information about a good or service. However, except for direct questioning, methods to identify the affinity consumers might have for another country are lacking. This study examines the degree to which attending a movie set in a particular country will be related to an affinity for that country and possibly by extension the goods and services of that country. It is not the goal of this study to suggest that movies create the affinity, but rather that that the affinity will exist for viewers of the films. Two films set in Ireland and featuring Irish actors where shown to audiences composed of Korean students and a small number of Korean adults. As a point of comparison, students in two introductory consumer classes were also asked to complete a similar questionnaire. Four affinity factors were identified from a list of 17 items. Those who attended the historical drama showed a greater affinity for Ireland than those who attended the romantic musical. Affinity for Ireland among Koreans was also meaningful in predicting interest in purchasing Irish products.