Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using the Case Survey Method to Explore Engineering Practices in Software Start-Ups

Software start-ups are a new and relatively unexplored field for software engineering researchers. However, conducting empirical studies with start-ups is difficult. Start-ups produce very little "hard" evidence, thus data collection methods are limited to interviews and surveys. These methods come with their limitations, namely interview studies are not scalable to a large number of companies, and surveys are not generally applicable for exploratory studies. In this paper we present of a hybrid research method aimed to provide a compromise between breadth of a survey and depth of an interview study. The case survey method enables both qualitative and quantitative analysis of studied cases. We adapt the case survey method for use in primary studies and report experience with its application. The case survey method was successfully applied to design and launch a large scale study into engineering aspects of start-ups. We conclude that the case survey method is a promising research method to launch exploratory studies into large samples of start-up companies.
Survival Benefit‐Based Deceased‐Donor Liver Allocation

Currently, patients awaiting deceased‐donor liver transplantation are prioritized by medical urgency. Specifically, wait‐listed chronic liver failure patients are sequenced in decreasing order of Model for End‐stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. To maximize lifetime gained through liver transplantation, posttransplant survival should be considered in prioritizing liver waiting list candidates. We evaluate a survival benefit based system for allocating deceased‐donor livers to chronic liver failure patients. Under the proposed system, at the time of offer, the transplant survival benefit score would be computed for each patient active on the waiting list. The proposed score is based on the difference in 5‐year mean lifetime (with vs. without a liver transplant) and accounts for patient and donor characteristics. The rank correlation between benefit score and MELD score is 0.67. There is great overlap in the distribution of benefit scores across MELD categories, since waiting list mortality is significantly affected by several factors. Simulation results indicate that over 2000 life‐years would be saved per year if benefit‐based allocation was implemented. The shortage of donor livers increases the need to maximize the life‐saving capacity of procured livers. Allocation of deceased‐donor livers to chronic liver failure patients would be improved by prioritizing patients by transplant survival benefit.
Genetic Loci for Coronary Calcification and Serum Lipids Relate to Aortic and Carotid Calcification

Background—Atherosclerosis in different vessel beds shares lifestyle and environmental risk factors. It is unclear whether this holds for genetic risk factors. Hence, for the current study genetic loci for coronary artery calcification and serum lipid levels, one of the strongest risk factors for atherosclerosis, were used to assess their relation with atherosclerosis in different vessel beds. Methods and Results—From 1987 persons of the population-based Rotterdam Study, 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for coronary artery calcification and 132 SNPs for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglycerides were used. To quantify atherosclerotic calcification as a marker of atherosclerosis, all participants underwent nonenhanced computed tomography of the aortic arch and carotid arteries. Associations between genetic risk scores of the joint effect of the SNPs and of all calcification were investigated. The joint effect of coronary artery calcification–SNPs was associated with larger calcification volumes in all vessel beds (difference in calcification volume per SD increase in genetic risk score: 0.15 [95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.20] in aorta, 0.14 [95% confidence interval, 0.10–0.18] in extracranial carotids, and 0.11 [95% confidence interval, 0.07–0.16] in intracranial carotids). The joint effect of total cholesterol SNPs, low-density lipoprotein SNPs, and of all lipid SNPs together was associated with larger calcification volumes in both the aortic arch and the carotid arteries but attenuated after adjusting for the lipid fraction and lipid-lowering medication. Conclusions—The genetic basis for aortic arch and carotid artery calcification overlaps with the most important loci of coronary artery calcification. Furthermore, serum lipids share a genetic predisposition with both calcification in the aortic arch and the carotid arteries, providing novel insights into the cause of atherosclerosis.
Correlation of BOLD Signal with Linear and Nonlinear Patterns of EEG in Resting State EEG-Informed fMRI

Concurrent EEG and fMRI acquisitions in resting state showed a correlation between EEG power in various bands and spontaneous BOLD fluctuations. However, there is a lack of data on how changes in the complexity of brain dynamics derived from EEG reflect variations in the BOLD signal. The purpose of our study was to correlate both spectral patterns, as linear features of EEG rhythms, and nonlinear EEG dynamic complexity with neuronal activity obtained by fMRI. We examined the relationships between EEG patterns and brain activation obtained by simultaneous EEG-fMRI during the resting state condition in 25 healthy right-handed adult volunteers. Using EEG-derived regressors, we demonstrated a substantial correlation of BOLD signal changes with linear and nonlinear features of EEG. We found the most significant positive correlation of fMRI signal with delta spectral power. Beta and alpha spectral features had no reliable effect on BOLD fluctuation. However, dynamic changes of alpha peak frequency exhibited a significant association with BOLD signal increase in right-hemisphere areas. Additionally, EEG dynamic complexity as measured by the HFD of the 2–20 Hz EEG frequency range significantly correlated with the activation of cortical and subcortical limbic system areas. Our results indicate that both spectral features of EEG frequency bands and nonlinear dynamic properties of spontaneous EEG are strongly associated with fluctuations of the BOLD signal during the resting state condition.
The effect of sildenafil on respiratory weaning of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases admitted to intensive care unit.

INTRODUCTION Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common disease that tends to occur worldwide and is a common cause of respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). The present study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of sildenafil in facilitating the weaning of COPD patients from the ventilator. METHODS This randomized double blind clinical trial study was carried out with 40 patients suffering from COPD. The patients were divided in two study groups. 20 patients belonging to Group I received 20 mg sildenafil tablets twice a day for one week while 20 patients of the second group (Group II) received placebo tablets with the same dosage. Respiratory parameters like rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), mixed venous oxygen pressure (PvO2) and plateau pressure were measured in both groups. Data were analyzed on the basis of student's t-test and Chi2 test using SPSS 16 software. RESULTS The results are expressed as mean +/- SE and P < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. According to our findings RSBI was lower in Group I compared with Group II after one week of treatment (P = 0.032). PvO2 value was higher in sildenafil group compared with placebo group (P = 0.025). Plateau pressure was lower in first group than group II (P = 0.022). CONCLUSION Sildenafil facilitated weaning of COPD patients from the ventilator by improving the respiratory parameters.
Tablet levothyroxine (L-T4) malabsorption induced by proton pump inhibitor; a problem that was solved by switching to L-T4 in soft gel capsule.

OBJECTIVE To report a patient in whom the impaired absorption of tablet levothyroxine (L-T4) due to a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use was corrected by switching the patient to the soft gel capsule. METHODS A woman with Hashimoto's thyroiditis-associated hypothyroidism (serum thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] 6.8-9.6 mU/L) had been treated with tablet L-T4 (100 μg/day). Because she used to take pantoprazole just before L-T4 in the morning, TSH failed to normalize (4.4-6.5 mU/L). Thus, the daily dose had been progressively increased to 125 and 150 μg/day, with serum TSH levels of 2.4 and 0.6 mU/L, respectively. RESULTS While maintaining pantoprazole, we switched the tablet L-T4 (150 g/day) to a soft gel capsule (125 μg/day; Tirosint® capsule, IBSA, Lugano, Switzerland) and after 2 months, to 100 μg/day. Serum TSH was lower than under the equivalent regimens with the tablet: 0.5 versus 2.4 mU/L (125 μg/day) and 2.4 versus 4.4 to 6.5 mU/L (100 μg/day). Upon switching back to the tablet (100 μg/day), serum TSH increased to 3.2 and 4.7 mU/L and then dropped to 2.7-3.0 mU/L when the dose was increased to 125 μg/day. We also acutely evaluated the intestinal absorption of L-T4 by administering 600 μg LT4 as a tablet or soft gel capsule while maintaining pantoprazole. Pharmacokinetic indices showed better and faster absorption for the soft gel capsule versus tablet (area under the curve [AUC]0-4h = 16,240 vs. 10,960 nmol/L x 4 hours, maximum absorption [Cmax] = 108 vs. 73 nmol/L, and time of maximum absorption [Tmax] = 120 minutes vs. 180 minutes). CONCLUSION Confirming in vitro studies conducted by other authors, the soft gel capsule L-T4 is negligibly affected by changes in gastric pH compared to tablet L-T4.
Minimizing sleep duration time for energy harvesting wireless sensor networks

In this paper1, we propose an optimal data forwarding strategy to minimize sleep duration time for one-dimensional wireless sensor networks with energy harvesting sensor nodes. Based on the values of remaining energy and harvested energy of sensor nodes, the base station (data sink) determines the sleep duration time and the data forwarding strategy for the next data gathering round. According to the proposed algorithm, each sensor node can act as a relay node that receives and forwards the data toward data sink. This strategy also guarantees that every sensor nodes do not reach the energy depletion while minimizing sleep duration time, resulting in the maximum data gathering frequency. From the mathematical analysis and the numerical simulation, the proposed strategy shows 2.5%to 50% smaller sleep duration time compared to the simple data forwarding algorithms such as single hop or multi-hop data forwarding only.
Using computer games in a computer course to improve learning

This study investigates how computer games impact on student learning and technology acceptance. A curriculum was designed for college students majoring in Computer Science. Participants included college teachers and students. Two groups of students participated in the learning activities by using gaming and non-gaming methods separately in the course. The proposed computer game helps students engage with learning activities. During the study, learning activities, surveys, and interviews were conducted with students. The evaluation results concerning technology acceptance demonstrate that incorporating gaming methods into the learning process can get better technology acceptance.
R&D and Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis: CO 2 Case

In this paper, as a determining factor of the Environment Kuznets Curve hypothesis, we analyzed the impact of technological innovation. In this paper, in order to empirically validate the role of technological innovation to an inverted U-shaped Environments Kuznets Curve hypothesis, we utilize the 2SLS considering relationship between R&D and the GDP per capita. Also, using the Panel VAR (Panel Vector Auto Regression) model to analyze with what time lag R&D per capita has impact on the emissions of greenhouse gases per capita. Empirical results show that R&D per capita(proxy of innovation) is a important factor to explain Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis, and that the external shock such as R&D per capita reduces greenhouse gas emissions per capita with about 3 time lag.
Candidate Antigens for Q Fever Serodiagnosis Revealed by Immunoscreening of a Coxiella burnetii Protein Microarray

ABSTRACT Q fever is a widespread zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii. Diagnosis of Q fever is usually based on serological testing of patient serum. The diagnostic antigen of test kits is formalin-fixed phase I and phase II organisms of the Nine Mile reference strain. Deficiencies of this antigen include (i) potential for cross-reactivity with other pathogens; (ii) an inability to distinguish between C. burnetii strains; and (iii) a need to propagate and purify C. burnetii, a difficult and potentially hazardous process. Consequently, there is a need for sensitive and specific serodiagnostic tests utilizing defined antigens, such as recombinant C. burnetii protein(s). Here we describe the use of a C. burnetii protein microarray to comprehensively identify immunodominant antigens recognized by antibody in the context of human C. burnetii infection or vaccination. Transcriptionally active PCR products corresponding to 1,988 C. burnetii open reading frames (ORFs) were generated. Full-length proteins were successfully synthesized from 75% of the ORFs by using an Escherichia coli-based in vitro transcription and translation system (IVTT). Nitrocellulose microarrays were spotted with crude IVTT lysates and probed with sera from acute Q fever patients and individuals vaccinated with Q-Vax. Immune sera strongly reacted with approximately 50 C. burnetii proteins, including previously identified immunogens, an ankyrin repeat-domain containing protein, and multiple hypothetical proteins. Recombinant protein corresponding to selected array-reactive antigens was generated, and the immunoreactivity was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This sensitive and high-throughput method for identifying immunoreactive C. burnetii proteins will aid in the development of Q fever serodiagnostic tests based on recombinant antigen.
Regression-based estimation of the electricity market price demand-dependent volatility

The process of price formation in an electricity market is an extremely complex one in practice due to different endogenous factors, namely generator gaming, unexpected out-ages and transmission congestion, among others. As a result, the market clearing prices are of stochastic nature, bringing about uncertainty and risk to all participants. In this work, the role of the demand as determining factor in the price formation process in a centralized electricity market is examined. An econometric-based analysis model shows not only how the electricity markets may become substantially volatile as the demand increases, but it also lends itself to the quantification of the benefits of marginal consumption reductions in lower price volatility, lower risks and therefore, lower hedging costs for all agents.
Mood Disorder Following Cerebrovascular Accident

Depression appears to be common after stroke, and therefore may have a bearing upon rehabilitation. To examine whether the depression is due to a specific brain lesion, or is reactive to the consequent disability, this study looked at the frequency and associations of depressed mood in a stroke rehabilitation unit in-patient population, unselected for site of lesion. Depression affected 50% of the patients; history of previous psychiatric disorder and cerebrovascular accident appeared to be important risk factors. There were hemispheric differences in the relationships between measures, with both the site-of-lesion and reactive viewpoints being upheld.
Improved Statistical Inference from DNA Microarray Data Using Analysis of Variance and A Bayesian Statistical Framework

We describe statistical methods based on thet test that can be conveniently used on high density array data to test for statistically significant differences between treatments. These t tests employ either the observed variance among replicates within treatments or a Bayesian estimate of the variance among replicates within treatments based on a prior estimate obtained from a local estimate of the standard deviation. The Bayesian prior allows statistical inference to be made from microarray data even when experiments are only replicated at nominal levels. We apply these new statistical tests to a data set that examined differential gene expression patterns in IHF+ and IHF− Escherichia coli cells (Arfin, S. M., Long, A. D., Ito, E. T., Tolleri, L., Riehle, M. M., Paegle, E. S., and Hatfield, G. W. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 29672–29684). These analyses identify a more biologically reasonable set of candidate genes than those identified using statistical tests not incorporating a Bayesian prior. We also show that statistical tests based on analysis of variance and a Bayesian prior identify genes that are up- or down-regulated following an experimental manipulation more reliably than approaches based only on a t test or fold change. All the described tests are implemented in a simple-to-use web interface called Cyber-T that is located on the University of California at Irvine genomics web site.
Damage and degradation rates of extracellular DNA in marine sediments: implications for the preservation of gene sequences

The extracellular DNA pool in marine sediments is the largest reservoir of DNA of the world oceans and it potentially represents an archive of genetic information and gene sequences involved in natural transformation processes. However, no information is at present available for the gene sequences contained in the extracellular DNA and for the factors that influence their preservation. In the present study, we investigated the depurination and degradation rates of extracellular DNA in a variety of marine sediment samples characterized by different ages (up to 10 000 years) and environmental conditions according to the presence, abundance and diversity of prokaryotic gene sequences. We provide evidence that depurination of extracellular DNA in these sediments depends upon the different environmental factors that act synergistically and proceeds at much slower rates than those theoretically predicted or estimated for terrestrial ecosystems. These findings suggest that depurination in marine sediments is not the main process that limits extracellular DNA survival. Conversely, DNase activities were high suggesting a more relevant role of biologically driven processes. Amplifiable prokaryotic 16S rDNA sequences were present in most benthic systems analysed, independent of depurination and degradation rates and of the ages of the sediment samples. Additional molecular analyses revealed that the extracellular DNA pool is characterized by relatively low‐copy numbers of prokaryotic 16S rDNA sequences that are highly diversified. Overall, our results suggest that the extracellular DNA pool in marine sediments represents a repository of genetic information, which can be used for improving our understanding of the biodiversity, functioning and evolution of ecosystems over different timescales.
Determination of chlorophyll a content of the Lake Taihu, China using Landsat-5 TM data

Measurements of chlorophyll a (chl-a), along with various transformations such as the trophic state indices of Carlson (1977), are widely used to indicate trophic state of lakes by lake management agencies and organizations. The integration of water quality models, in situ data and remote sensing data provide a new method to measure the content of chl-a, which can also provide spatial distribution information. This paper focused on developing and applying remote sensing algorithms to determine the chl-a content of such turbid, mesotrophic to highly eutrophic lake waters, using Lake Taihu, China as a case study. Landsat-5 TM data and synchronous in situ measurements were used. A Pearson correlation matrix indicated that the ratio of TM4 to TM3 has the strongest relationship with chl-a. A four-coefficient regression model using TM4/TM3 ratio and TM1, TM2 was a reliable predicator of chl-a (r2=0.837) for waters with chl-a concentration between 5 mgm-3 and 100 mgm-3. This model underpredict the values at very high chl-a concentration values (higher than 100 mgm-3), while overpredicting the values at very low chl-a concentration (lower than 5 mgm-3)
The Atomic Switch

An atomic switch is a nanoionic device that controls the diffusion of metal ions and their reduction/oxidation processes in the switching operation to form/annihilate a metal atomic bridge, which is a conductive path between two electrodes in an ON-state. Since metal atoms can provide a highly conductive channel even if their size is in the nanometer scale, atomic switches may enable downscaling to smaller than the 11-nm technology node. Two-terminal atomic switches have the potential for use in memories and programmable switches. Three-terminal atomic switches, where the formation/annihilation of a metal atomic bridge between a source electrode and a drain electrode are controlled by a third (gate) electrode, work as nonvolatile transistors. Recent development of two-terminal atomic switches that use a metal oxide as the ionic conductive material, in which a metal atomic bridge is formed, has enabled the integration of atomic switches with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices. Also introduced are the novel characteristics of atomic switches, such as their small size, low power consumption, low ON-resistance, nonvolatility, and learning abilities.
The use of ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway in Caesarean Section - Experience in 3000 Cases

Rapid sequence induction is currently the recommended technique in general anaesthesia for caesarean section. However, the usefulness of the ProSeal™ laryngeal mask airway as a rescue airway in the event of difficult or failed intubation has been recognised in numerous case reports. In this study, we report the experience of the use of the ProSealTM laryngeal mask in 3000 elective caesarean sections in a single centre, using a method of insertion that allows a rapid establishment of a patent airway together with gastric drainage.
Self-Reports in Chronic Schizophrenic Patients with Primary Negative Symptoms: Preliminary Results

The Frankfurt well-being scale (FBS), an instrument for evaluating the global inner state in schizophrenic patients, was used in a pilot study with 26 chronic schizophrenic inpatients simultaneously with the Munich version of the Andreasen scale (SANS). 11 of 26 patients were able to complete the FBS questions. These patients had weaker negative symptomatology (SANS total score) and the difference was highly significant (p less than 0.01) for the score "alogia". The major goal of the investigation was to contribute to the identification of those subgroups of schizophrenic patients who are not capable of filling in a self-report questionnaire. The results suggest that self-reports of actual mood in chronic schizophrenic patients are possible only in a subgroup of patients with no more than moderate primary negative symptoms, particularly those with a low alogia score. Further efforts to evaluate the subjective well-being of chronic patients differing in severity of negative symptoms complexes, could improve methods for evaluating the effect of psychotropic drugs.