Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Errors that result from using the TC/HDL C ratio rather than the apoB/apoA‐I ratio to identify the lipoprotein‐related risk of vascular disease

The objective of this analysis was to demonstrate the frequency and extent of error that results from using the TC/HDL C ratio rather than the apoB/apoA‐I ratio to estimate the lipoprotein‐related risk of vascular disease within 94 667 men and 75 675 women in the Apoprotein‐related Mortality Risk (AMORIS) cohort. The odds ratio (OR) for the risk of fatal myocardial infarction was determined for 1 SD change in the apoB/apoA‐I ratio and all the conventional cholesterol ratios – TC/HDL C ratio, LDL C/HDL C ratio, non‐HDL C/HDL C ratio. In both men and women, the apoB/apoA‐I ratio was significantly greater than any of the cholesterol ratios, which, in fact, differed little. Therefore, the apoB/apoA‐I ratio was taken as the most accurate index of the lipoprotein‐related risk of vascular disease. Using Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis, it was demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy of the apoB/apoA‐I ratio was significantly greater than any cholesterol ratio in those with an LDL cholesterol <3.6 mmol L−1 compared to those with an LDL cholesterol >3.6 mmol L−1. Indeed, the difference between the apoB/apoA‐I OR compared with the TC/HDL C OR progressively widened as risk increased. This suggests that the advantage of the apoB/apoA‐I ratio is greatest in the population at highest risk. The distribution of subjects by quintiles showed in both genders that whilst agreement was greatest at the extremes, even at these points there was substantial discordance between the TC/HDL C and the apoB/apoA‐I ratios. Within the middle of the distribution, less than 50% of the values were concordant. Finally, when comparing the ORs, the TC/HDL C ratio underestimated risk in 69.4% of male subjects and overestimated risk in 26.1% of male subjects, whereas in the female subjects, the TC/HDL C ratio underestimated risk in 84.9% of the subjects and overestimated risk in 12.0%. Thus, using the conventional cholesterol ratios rather than the apoB/apoA‐I ratio results in frequent and substantial error in the estimation of the lipoprotein‐related risk of vascular disease.
Fuzzy control of a mobile robot with two trailers

In this article, a control strategy based on fuzzy approach is proposed for mobile robots with only some states measurement feedback to ensure a stable and accurate navigation, reach a predefined target and avoid obstacle. This approach is applied to a mobile robot like a truck with two trailers attached, witch are added to raise the complexity problem. The simulation results show that the designed fuzzy controller effectively realizes the purpose of the truck/trailers system for reaching target under the restriction of obstacle avoidance.
The Economic Valuation of Carbon Footprint

Abstract Currently, Greenhouse Gas Emissions are the main reason of the global warming threat. Carbon sequestration by the forests plays the important role in reducing CO2 emissions. Therefore, the environmental policy of the state to reduce greenhouse gases should first of all focus on the development of forestry. But at the same time the environmental policy depends on the tax policy of the state and is significantly different in developed countries and in countries with transition economies.
Towards an engineering approach for advanced interaction techniques in 3D environments

In recent years, Virtual Environments have appeared in new areas such as mass-market, web or mobile situations. In parallel, advanced forms ofinteractions are emerging such as tactile, mixed, tangible or spatial user interfaces, promoting ease of learning and use. To contribute to the democratization of 3D Virtual Environments(3DVE) and their use by persons who are not experts in 3D and occasional users, simultaneously considering Computer Graphics and Human Computer Interaction design considerations is required. In this position paper, we first provide an overview of a new analytical framework for the design of advanced interaction techniques for 3D Virtual Environment. It consists in identifying links that support the interaction and connect user’s tasks to be performed in a 3DVE with the targeted scene graph. We relate our work to existing modeling approaches and discuss about our expectations with regards to the engineering of advanced interaction technique
Ho:KLu(WO4)2 Microchip Laser Q-Switched by a PbS Quantum-Dot-Doped Glass

We report on passive Q-switching of a Ho:KLu(WO4)2 (Ho:KLuW) microchip laser in-band-pumped by a Tm:KLuW laser at ~1.96 μm. As a saturable absorber, PbS-quantum-dot-doped glass was used which exhibits a saturation intensity of ~3 MW/cm2 near 2 μm. Maximum average output power of 84 mW was achieved from the Ho laser at 2.061 μm with a slope efficiency of 42% (with respect to the absorbed pump power). The shortest pulse duration was 30 ns. In the continuous-wave mode, the maximum output power of the Ho laser reached 530 mW at 2.08 μm with a slope efficiency of 88%.
Control of repetitive lip and finger movements in parkinson's disease: Influence of external timing signals and simultaneous execution on motor performance

This study addresses the question of whether external timing signals and/or simultaneous rhythmic movements of other limbs can alleviate sequencing motor deficits associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Subjects performed rhythmic lip and finger movements simultaneously or in isolation. In addition, they had to self‐pace their movements or match them to an external signal. Our results are summarized as follows: (a) Seven of 12 patients had adequate mean repetition rates; that is, they fulfilled the task requirements on a global scale. The remaining five patients had various degrees of hastened responses and were not fully able to synchronize their movements to an external pacing signal. (b) PD patients exhibited hypometria in their finger tapping, but not in their lip movements. Their movements were not abnormally slowed, but peakvelocity was appropriately scaled, even to reduced movement amplitudes. (c) Mean repetition rates, stability of frequency response, and kinematics did not differ between conditions of external and internal stimulation within the PD group, but were different from the control group performance. (d) Kinematic measures were not improved during dual‐task execution. PD patients were not able to maintain a 1:1 rhythm between effectors. The incidence of hastening increased during simultaneous motor execution. We conclude that the use of external pacing signals might aid movement initiation of PD patients, but does not improve their temporal or spatial coordination when generating repetitive movements. Simultaneous execution does not necessarily enhance motor performance, but might actually have detrimental effects in patients prone to hastening.
Longitudinal Cognitive Decline in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

Progressive cognitive impairment is a defining feature of the dementia of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet disagreement exists over which abilities decline most precipitously and which cognitive tests are most sensitive. In this study, 51 AD patients in the early to middle stages of illness and 22 age-matched normal controls were administered a battery of neu ropsychological tests at 6-month intervals over a 2-year period. While the performance of the normal controls remained stable over the 2 years, the AD patients displayed progressive decline on all tests. The greatest declines occurred on tests requiring lexical/semantic processing (Boston Naming Test) and comprehension of syntactic relationships (Token Test). Performance on visuospatial tests (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Block Design, Benton Visual Retention Test, Spatial Delayed Recognition Span Test) declined less rapidly. The findings support previous reports that language impairment may be central to the dementia of AD, and that confrontation naming is particularly sensitive to decline in this illness.
Characterisation of hydrazides and hydrazine derivatives as novel aspartic protease inhibitors

Virtual screening of an in-house virtual library of synthetic compounds using FlexX, followed by enzyme inhibition, identified hydrazide and hydrazine derivatives as novel aspartic protease inhibitors. These compounds inhibited human cathepsin D and Plasmodium falciparum plasmepsin-II with low micromolar concentrations (IC50 = 1-2.5 μM). Modelling studies with plasmepsin-II predicted binding of ligands at the centre of the extended substrate-binding cleft, where hydrazide/hydrazine parts of the inhibitors acted as the transition state mimic by forming electrostatic interactions with catalytic aspartates.
All-Pay Auctions with Negative Prize Externalities: Theory and Experimental Evidence

The paper characterizes the mixed-strategy equilibria in all-pay auctions with endogenous prizes that depend positively on own eﬀort and negatively on the eﬀort of competitors. Such auctions arise naturally in the context of investment games, lobbying games, and promotion tournaments. We also provide an experimental analysis of a special case which captures the strategic situation of a two-stage game with investment preceding homogenous Bertrand competition. We obtain overinvestment both relative to the mixed-strategy equilibrium and the social optimum.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Denitrifying and N 2 O-Reducing Bacterium Pseudogulbenkiania sp . Strain NH 8 B

Complete Genome Sequence of the Denitrifying and N2O-Reducing Bacterium Pseudogulbenkiania sp. Strain NH8B Satoshi Ishii,* Kanako Tago, Tomoyasu Nishizawa, Kenshiro Oshima, Masahira Hattori, and Keishi Senoo Division of Environmental Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan; Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan; Environmental Biofunction Division, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, 3-1-3 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8604, Japan; and Department of Computational Biology, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
FGF-dependent left–right asymmetry patterning in zebrafish is mediated by Ier2 and Fibp1

Establishment of left–right asymmetry in vertebrates requires nodal, Wnt-PCP and FGF signaling and involves ciliogenesis in a laterality organ. Effector genes through which FGF signaling affects laterality have not been described. We isolated the zebrafish ier2 and fibp1 genes as FGF target genes and show that their protein products interact. Knock down of these factors interferes with establishment of organ laterality and causes defective cilia formation in Kupffer's Vesicle, the zebrafish laterality organ. Cilia are also lost after suppression of FGF8, but can be rescued by injection of ier2 and fibp1 mRNA. We conclude that Ier2 and Fibp1 mediate FGF signaling in ciliogenesis in Kupffer's Vesicle and in the establishment of laterality in the zebrafish embryo.
Panmictic Structure of the Cryptosporidium parvum Population in Irish Calves: Influence of Prevalence and Host Movement

ABSTRACT In total, 245 Cryptosporidium parvum specimens obtained from calves in 205 Irish herds between 2003 and 2005 were subtyped by sequencing the glycoprotein gene gp60 and performing multilocus analysis of seven markers. The transmission dynamics of C. parvum and the influence of temporal, spatial, parasitic, and host-related factors on the parasite (sub)populations were studied. The relationship of those factors to the risk of cryptosporidiosis was also investigated using results from 1,368 fecal specimens submitted to the veterinary laboratories for routine diagnosis during 2005. The prevalence was greatest in the northwest and midwest of the country and on farms that bought in calves. The panmixia (random mating) detected in the C. parvum population may relate to its high prevalence, the cattle density, and the frequent movement of cattle. However, local variations in these factors were reflected in the C. parvum subpopulations. This study demonstrated the importance of biosecurity in the control of bovine cryptosporidiosis (e.g., isolation and testing of calves before introduction into a herd). Furthermore, the zoonotic risk of C. parvum was confirmed, as most specimens possessed GP60 and MS1 subtypes previously described in humans.
Quantification task-optimized estimates from OSEM and FBP reconstructions in single- and multi-subject studies

Task-based selection of image reconstruction methodology in emission tomography is a critically important step when designing a PET protocol. This work concerns optimizing performance for a range of quantification tasks: finding the radioactivity concentration for different sizes of region of interest (ROI) and different group sizes. It is shown that there is a tremendous impact of ROI and group size on the quantitative performance of different algorithms which should be considered when selecting reconstruction parameters. Therefore, a study-specific and space-variant selection rule is proposed that selects a close to optimal estimate from a series of parameter estimates obtained by filtered backprojection (FBP) and different OSEM reconstructions. The optimality criterion is to minimize the approximative mean squared error (MSE), which is estimated from the limited data at hand (single- or multi-subject) using the bootstrap resampling technique. The proposed approach is appropriate for single voxel estimates and ROI estimates in single-and multi-subject studies. An extensive multi-try simulation study using a 2D numerical phantom and relevant count levels shows that the proposed selection rule can produce quantitative estimates that are close to the estimates that minimise the true MSE (that can only normally be obtained from many independent Monte-Carlo realisations with knowledge of the ground truth). This indicates that with the selection rule a truly task-based quantitative parameter estimation is possible not only avoiding the critical step of specifying reconstruction parameters such as OSEM iteration number or the choice between FBP and OSEM, but also providing a close to optimal estimate of the parameter.
Ranking versus reputation: perception and effects of search result credibility

ABSTRACT Search engines play a key role for Internet users when searching for information. The vast majority of users are heavily influenced by the given ranking on the search engine results page (SERP). In this study, N = 222 university students were tasked to inform themselves about the working conditions in South Asia on the basis of given SERPs. Besides the ranking on the SERP, two credibility cues – the type of the website (news site, corporate website, research institute, and private blog) and the primary source of information mentioned in the search result (scientific study vs. corporate spokesperson) – were varied. Two research objectives were examined: the influence of the ranking and the credibility cues on the evaluation of search results; and the effect of both ranking and credibility cues on the selection. Credibility cues had a strong influence on the perception of the search results’ credibility. Students rated the credibility higher if search results linked to reputable websites or mentioned a neutral primary source of information. We also find an interaction effect between the type of website and the primary source of information. However, participants’ selection was mainly influenced by the ranking. Reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.
Simple and fast headspace-gas chromatographic determination of formic acid in urine: application to the assessment of occupational exposure to formaldehyde

Formaldehyde (F a) is a chemical widely used in industry, especially in the manufacture of resins and adhesives, with important exposures occurring in the occupational setting. currently in Brazil, there is no official biomarker to evaluate the occupational exposure to FA. However, urinary formic acid concentrations have been proposed as a possible biomarker and a headspace gas chromatographic method for its determination was developed and validated. the method is based in the automated headspace sampling of the methyl-derivative of formic acid produced in situ, followed by separation in a CPWAX 52CB (30 m x 0.25 mm, 0.25 µm) column and flame-ionization detection. Total analytical run time was 9 min. Precision assays showed cV % lower than 6.0 % and accuracy in the range of 101.0 to 102.7 %. lower limit of quantitation was 5 mg l -1 . the method was successfully applied to 51 urine samples obtained from workers of a furniture manufacturing industry, with overall mean of urinary formic acid concentrations of 21.1 ± 9.9 mg l -1 . Among the groups of workers distributed according to their working divisions, the one with the higher environmental FA exposure (air concentration of 0.09 ppm), presented urinary formic acid concentrations significantly different from the others (33.9 ± 5.4 mg l -1 vs 20.0 ± 9.4 mg L -1 ), what could indicate a trend to higher urinary formic acid concentration at higher F a exposures, even at low environmental concentrations.
Low SNR Characterization of the Channel Capacity of Generalized Fading Channels

This paper aims to characterize the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) capacity of generalized fading channels. The work was performed during my graduation internship at King Abdullah University and Science and Technology. The multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Rayleigh fading channel and the single-input single-output (SISO) Log-normal shadowing channel are successively considered. General expressions of the ergodic capacities under different assumptions on channel state information (CSI) availability at the transmitter are presented. Then asymptotic analysis are made to derive low and high SNR asymptotic expressions of the capacities. The capacity of those channels has been shown to be affected by CSI availability at the transmitter only at low SNR. The tremendous capacity gain with multiple antennas was also retrieved and shown to decrease with the SNR. Simple on-off transmission schemes were then constructed and shown to be asymptotically capacity-achieving. Those schemes require only one bit feedback from the receiver to the transmitter so that the transmitter does not need to perfectly track the channel, showing that the proposed transmission schemes are really interesting from a practical point of view.
The molecular basis of the specific anti‐influenza action of amantadine.

Amantadine (1‐aminoadamantane hydrochloride) is effective in the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza A infections. In tissue culture this selective, strain‐specific antiviral activity occurs at relatively low concentrations (5 microM or less), which inhibit either the initiation of infection or virus assembly. The data reported here demonstrate that the basis of these actions is similar and resides in the virus‐coded M2 membrane protein, the product of a spliced transcript of RNA segment 7. Mutations which confer resistance to amantadine are restricted to four amino acids within a hydrophobic sequence, indicating that the drug is targetted against the putative membrane‐associated portion of the molecule. The influence of the virus haemagglutinin on the amantadine sensitivity of virus strains implies that the drug may interfere with interactions between these two virus proteins.
Cultural encounters in reflective dialogue about nursing care: a qualitative study.

AIM This paper is a report of a study to explore how students developed reflective nursing practice through cultural encounters between students from Tanzania and Norway. BACKGROUND Nursing students need to develop cultural care competence to care for patients in a globalized world. One way to achieve this goal may be through international practice experience. Previous studies have shown that students visiting developing countries matured personally and intellectually more than those who experienced encounters between developed countries. METHOD The study was exploratory, using qualitative data about nursing practice and cultural encounters experienced by nursing students from Tanzania and Norway. Data were collected through participatory observation, students' logs and focus group interviews in 2006. FINDINGS The encounter was characterized with an open attitude facilitating a good context for co-learning between the students. Three main themes were identified. The Norwegian students emphasized nurse-patient relationships, individualized care, direct communication and emotional involvement. The Tanzanian nursing students demonstrated a collectivist approach in nursing characterized by nurse-relative-patient relationships, and they emphasized curing attributes with skillful performance of procedures. CONCLUSION A cultural encounter between students from different culture proved to be a fruitful way of teaching nurses. The opportunity to share thoughts, reflect on value systems and personal practice through dialogue with students from a different culture offer possibility in terms of cultural competence, reflexivity and consciousness of various ways practising nursing. This may contribute to bringing the practice of nursing a step forward in both cultures.
Towards high speed scalar multiplication over GF(p)

Elliptic curve cryptography(ECC) has gained tremendous popularity and the selection of coordinate systems has a significant impact on basic point doubling and point addition operations. In this paper, we investigate into the best suited coordinate systems corresponding to scalar multiplication with a fixed point as well as with an unfixed point and give out implementation schemes in both cases. Besides, we look into parameter selection involved in both schemes, which impacts both the speed of scalar multiplication and storage requirement.
Bit error probability performance of MIMO-OFDM in multi-tone interference

We consider an orthogonal space-frequency block coded (OSFBC) orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system under multi-tone interference and multi-path fading environment. An approximate analytic expression for the bit error probability of OSFBC-OFDM system with a block code matrix for four transmit antennas is derived and the derivation methodology for other code matrices is summarized. The bit error rate simulations are performed for QPSK signals and compared with the theoretical results. The influences of the total energy of multi-tone interference and the fraction of interfered bandwidth are investigated.
A Novel Methodology of Working Capital Management for Large Public Constructions by Using Fuzzy S-curve Regression

In the contracting business, construction firms are generally more concerned with short-term financial strategies than the long-term ones. Working capital management is the central issue of all short-term financial concerns. More importantly, cash management is ultimate goal for achieving high liquidity and profitability. This study focuses on the cash portion of working capital management by using the concept of target cash balance. The aim is to develop a practical model for construction firms in Taiwan for rationalizing the amount of cash and current assets, which should be possessed in any point of time. The Fuzzy S-curve regression is introduced here for understanding the issues involved. Based on the project cash flow and progress payment records of an example project taken from Housing and Urban Development Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government, this model is demonstrated and tentative conclusions concerning the model are given.
On the Complexity of Some Extensions of RCG Parsing

We onsider the parsing problem for range on atenation grammars (RCGs). Two new appli ations of RCG parsing are studied. The (cid:12)rst is the parsing of (cid:12)nite automata, the se ond is string-to-string transdu tion, with an extension of RCGs. We show that these problems are unde idable in general