Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Regional Efficiency in Croatia

Achieving balanced national development and reducing interregional socio-economic disparities is a comprehensive economic challenge. In this book, regional efficiency of Croatian counties is measured and compared over the three-year period (2005-2007) using Data Envelopment Analysis. Efficient counties are identified as benchmark members, while inefficient counties are analysed in detail to determine not only the sources but also the amounts of their inefficiency in each source. Proper longitudinal monitoring of development dynamics is enabled by the application of window analysis. In order to alleviate naturally, historically and politically conditioned unequal county positions that affect regional efficiency but over which economic policy makers do not have total control, categorical approach is used. Combined with window analysis, this approach changes relations among efficiency scores. By identifying regional disparity determinants, the results obtained using an improved Data Envelopment Analysis model should assist policy makers in formulating the most beneficial regional policy decisions.
Temporal Causal Inference with Time Lag

Accurate causal inference among time series helps to better understand the interactive scheme behind the temporal variables. For time series analysis, an unavoidable issue is the existence of time lag among different temporal variables. That is, past evidence would take some time to cause a future effect instead of an immediate response. To model this process, existing approaches commonly adopt a prefixed time window to define the lag. However, in many real-world applications, this parameter may vary among different time series, and it is hard to be predefined with a fixed value. In this letter, we propose to learn the causal relations as well as the lag among different time series simultaneously from data. Specifically, we develop a probabilistic decomposed slab-and-spike (DSS) model to perform the inference by applying a pair of decomposed spike-and-slab variables for the model coefficients, where the first variable is used to estimate the causal relationship and the second one captures the lag information among different temporal variables. For parameter inference, we propose an efficient expectation propagation (EP) algorithm to solve the DSS model. Experimental results conducted on both synthetic and real-world problems demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The revealed time lag can be well validated by the domain knowledge within the real-world applications.
Quantitative 1H spectroscopic imaging of human brain at 4.1 T using image segmentation

Metabolic differences in the content of N‐acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (CR), and choline (CH) in cerebral gray and white matter can complicate the interpretation of 1H spectroscopic images. To account for these variations, the gray‐and white‐matter content of each voxel must be known. To provide these data, a T1‐based image segmentation scheme was implemented at 4.1 T. The tissue composition of each voxel was determined using the point‐spread function of the spectroscopic imaging acquisition and the segmented anatomical image. Pure gray‐ and white‐matter values for CR/NAA and CH/NAA, and the content of CR, CH, and NAA, were determined using a linear‐regression analysis of 984 voxels acquired from 10 subjects using white‐matter CR as an internal standard. This information was used to establish means and confidence intervals for CR/NAA and CH/NAA from a voxel of arbitrary tissue composition. Using a single‐tailed t test, the extent and locations of the metabolic abnormalities (P < 0.05) in a patient with multiple sclerosis were identified.
Outbreak with multi-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 linked to carpaccio, Denmark, 2005

SUMMARY We report an outbreak with Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 resistant to six different antibiotic classes. The outbreak occurred in Denmark in July/August 2005 and was traced to a single restaurant. In addition to patient interviews, an important tool in the investigation of this outbreak was comparison by multi-locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) typing of patient strains with strains from the food surveillance system. This showed that the source of the outbreak was imported beef served as carpaccio. Carpaccio, thinly sliced raw fillet of beef, has not previously been associated with outbreaks, but should be considered a high-risk food item. This outbreak was one of two in different European Union (EU) countries traced back to beef from one company in a third EU country. This underscores the importance of efficient international Salmonella surveillance and food-safety control systems enabling timely interventions within the EU.
Realisation of Fertility Intentions in Austria and Hungary: Are Capitals Different?

The study of fertility intentions has gained importance in the literature during the last decades. Nevertheless, research focussing on their realisation is still scarce due to limited availability of longitudinal data. Although a bulk of existing studies demonstrated regional variation and rural-urban differences in fertility, respective differences in the realisation of fertility intentions have not been addressed in prior research. We address this shortcoming by analysing the realisation of short-term fertility intentions in Vienna and Budapest as opposed to the remaining parts of Austria and Hungary, using two waves of the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS). Results clearly demonstrate that those two capitals are different: Although short-term childbearing intentions are very similar in capitals and other parts of the countries, probabilities of realisation are lower in capitals. These differences in realisation are at least partly explained by individual characteristics of inhabitants. There are, however, also factors that affect realisation differently in metropolitan than in less populated regions.
The Human PDZome: A Gateway to PSD95-Disc Large-Zonula Occludens (PDZ)-mediated Functions*

Protein–protein interactions organize the localization, clustering, signal transduction, and degradation of cellular proteins and are therefore implicated in numerous biological functions. These interactions are mediated by specialized domains able to bind to modified or unmodified peptides present in binding partners. Among the most broadly distributed protein interaction domains, PSD95-disc large-zonula occludens (PDZ) domains are usually able to bind carboxy-terminal sequences of their partners. In an effort to accelerate the discovery of PDZ domain interactions, we have constructed an array displaying 96% of the human PDZ domains that is amenable to rapid two-hybrid screens in yeast. We have demonstrated that this array can efficiently identify interactions using carboxy-terminal sequences of PDZ domain binders such as the E6 oncoviral protein and protein kinases (PDGFRβ, BRSK2, PCTK1, ACVR2B, and HER4); this has been validated via mass spectrometry analysis. Taking advantage of this array, we show that PDZ domains of Scrib and SNX27 bind to the carboxy-terminal region of the planar cell polarity receptor Vangl2. We also have demonstrated the requirement of Scrib for the promigratory function of Vangl2 and described the morphogenetic function of SNX27 in the early Xenopus embryo. The resource presented here is thus adapted for the screen of PDZ interactors and, furthermore, should facilitate the understanding of PDZ-mediated functions.
Self adaptive reconfigurable system based on middleware cross layer adaptation model

The emergence of mobile multimedia systems and the diversity of the supported multimedia applications put new challenges for their design. These systems must provide a maximum application quality of service (QoS) in the presence of a dynamically varying environment (e.g. video streaming and multimedia conferencing) and multiple resources constraints (e.g. remaining energy). To respond to the changing resource availability and application demands, a new class of adaptation method is emerged. It combines the adaptation simultaneously upon the different layers related to the target system. This paper presents a framework dedicated for mobile multimedia systems. It supports application QoS under real time and lifetime constraints via coordinated adaptation in the hardware, OS, and application layer. In this framework, we present a new middleware approach based on a global and a local manager. The global manager (GM) is used to handle large and long-term variations whereas the local manager (LM) is used to guarantee the real time constraint. The GM intervenes in three layers but the LM intervenes only in the application layer and OS layer. We have implemented this approach on reconfigurable platform using Altera technology.
Emotional impact feedback affects how people remember an analogue trauma event

Do external motivational processes—in the form of social influences—shape people's memories for trauma? In this experiment, we examined the effects of social influence on memory and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology for an analogue traumatic event. Seventy-two participants watched a distressing film; some received feedback about others' reactions to the film that either emphasised or downplayed the distressing nature of the film; control participants received no feedback. A week later, participants reported their symptoms, rated their memory on a number of characteristics and we tested their memory for the film's content. Participants who received feedback downplaying the film reported fewer PTSD-related analogue symptoms and weaker memory characteristics than their counterparts. The results suggest that people's memory phenomenology and analogue symptoms are influenced by others' feedback, but only when others' reactions downplayed the distressing nature of the film.
Intra-cluster power management in hierarchical routing protocols for wireless sensor networks

The hierarchical routing protocol for wireless sensor networks is recognized as a technique that can reduce energy consumption of the networks and thereby increase their efficiency. Cluster head selection and network power management play important roles to improve the performance of this protocol. In this paper, a routing protocol for a small-scale wireless sensor network has been physically developed and implemented. Cluster head rotation is used to balance the energy consumption and time scheduling of the sensor node operation is carried out to achieve energy saving. The proposed work focuses on managing the energy usage within the cluster but can be extended for a large wireless sensor network facilitated by different clustering algorithms. An experimental study has been performed to compare the impact of different cluster head selection algorithms on the network's lifetime. The test results show that the network lifetime is prolonged when a voltage-based selection scheme is used for energy conservation as compared to the other algorithms.
A movement prediction method of CG flashes based on lightning and convective clouds clustering and tracking technology

Movement prediction of CG flashes is one of the most important lightning prediction techniques in severe weather. Since the randomness and instability of lightning occurrence, very limited approaches have been proposed for this objective. In this paper, a movement prediction method of CG flashes was presented, based on both CG flashes in the past and the clouds in satellite nephogram(cloud image). An improved lightning spatial clustering method was developed and introduced on time-series flashes over a certain period of time, and thus independent, random-happen flashes are aggregated and classified into different thunderstorm groups similar to thunderclouds, meanwhile based on fuzzy C-means algorithm convective clouds were identified and segmented from the cloud images, and then with comparison between the thunderstorm groups and convective clouds in different time sections, the track of CG flashes were extracted. Therefore, on the set of extracted track point, the movement prediction can be calculated by any regression functions. Experiments were made and the result shows that the probability of detection (POD) is around 75%, and false alarm rate (FAR) is around 30%.
Perceived exertion during isometric quadriceps contraction. A comparison between men and women.

BACKGROUND 1) To examine the validity and accuracy of the CR-10 scale for evaluating perceived exertion, and 2) to assess gender differences in perceived exertion across different levels of contraction intensity. METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN cross-sectional, comparative design. SETTING Human Performance and Fatigue Laboratory, Eastern Washington University. SUBJECTS 30 healthy, college age volunteers (15 males, 15 females). MEASURES All subjects were assessed for isometric torque and perceived exertion of the quadriceps femoris muscles, via the CR-10 scale. One low anchor was applied under resting conditions with the knee flexed to 60 degrees, and a high anchor was applied during a maximal voluntary muscle contraction (MVC). SUBJECTS performed five-second isometric contractions equivalent to 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% of their MVC, in a random order, and were assessed for perceived exertion by visually observing the CR-10 scale. One sample "t"-tests and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for perceived exertion at each relative torque level. A single factor ANOVA with repeated measures was performed across al levels of exercise intensity. Linearity for perceived exertion was assessed via regression analysis. RESULTS Perceived exertion at each exercise intensity were as follows: 10%: 1.87+/-1.14, 20%: 2.43+/-1.19, 30%: 3.5+/-1.36, 40%: 3.97+/-1.52, 50%: 4.73+/-1.28, 60%: 5.53+/-1.28, 70%: 6.73+/-1.62, 80%: 7.57+/-1.72, and 90%: 8.6+/-1.52. The increase in perceived exertion across the intensity spectrum was found to fit both linear and quadratic trends. There were no gender differences in perceived exertion across all levels of exercise intensity. CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrate that the CR-10 scale closely approximates perceived exertion of the quadriceps femoris muscles during sub-maximal, static contractions, and is not gender specific.
A Quality Scorecard for the era of Industry 4.0

A Quality Scorecard (QSC) performance measurement model is proposed to evaluate the quality aspects of an organization in Industry 4.0. To design a QSC for the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’, we examined existing measures regarding costs of quality items. The measurement system was refined by simplifying duplicate measures and incorporating quality elements considered in recent international standard revisions. This paper explains the QSC system and its practical use. Two key results were obtained. First, the QSC measures were reduced from a total of 139 potential measures to 15, 30, and 60 for simple, general, and detailed models, respectively. Second, a so-called QSC wheel, a virtual tool to assess weaknesses in existing performance measurement systems, was developed. The QSC wheel may effectively be used in analysing existing performance measurement systems, and may also be applied to evaluate qualitative performance levels in Industry 4.0.
The Potential Salmonella aroA– Vaccine Strain Is Safe and Effective in Young BALB/c Mice

Background: Due to the increased susceptibility of neonates to pathogens including those with mutations, the use of live vaccine strategies in the human population may present a potential risk to the young. Objectives: The specific aim of this study was to assess the risk that prospective Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium vaccine strains pose for the neonate and determine whether the strains are an effective vaccine by assessing the adaptive immune response. Methods: To evaluate the susceptibility of young mice to potential vaccine strains, S. typhimuriumaroA– and ΔphoP mutant strains were labeled by chromosomal insertion of the lux operon – this serves as a readily traceable marker of infection using noninvasive imaging methods. BALB/c mice ages 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of age were fed the bioluminescent aroA– or ΔphoP strains and the course of infection was monitored by in vivobioluminescence imaging. In addition, blood samples were collected post-inoculation to assess the IgG response of mice to S. typhimurium LPS. Results: Young BALB/c mice were not susceptible to the aroA– strain in contrast to their susceptibility to the ΔphoP strain at a dose of 109 colony forming units. Delivery by oral feeding of the aroA– and ΔphoP strains in young mice also produced a robust IgG anti-LPS response. Conclusion: Here, we report that young 2-week-old mice orally fed the bioluminescent aroA–S. typhimurium strain were not susceptible to infection and elicited a protective immune response.
Molecular-targeted approaches to reduce renal accumulation of nephrotoxic drugs

Importance of the field: Nephrotoxicity limits the clinical use of some antibiotics, cancer chemotherapeutics and diagnostic agents. Some nephrotoxic drugs are highly accumulated in the kidney via specific transport systems expressed in renal proximal tubular cells. The concentrated and retained accumulation often leads to nephrotoxicity. Therefore, the molecular-targeted blockade of renal uptake of nephrotoxic drugs is considered to be one of the promising strategies for the prevention of the drug-induced nephrotoxicity. Areas covered in this review: This review focuses on recent approaches toward prevention of renal accumulation of nephrotoxic drugs, especially aminoglycoside antibiotics and radiolabeled somatostatin analogs, based on the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular uptake in the kidney. What the reader will gain: In renal proximal tubular cells, aminoglycosides and radiolabeled somatostatin analogs are taken up via endocytosis mediated by megalin and cubilin, the major endocytic receptors responsible for reabsorption of proteins and peptides in the glomerular filtrate. Some ligands for these receptors can decrease renal accumulation of aminoglycosides and radiolabeled somatostatin analogs under in vivo conditions. Take home message: Co-administration of agents with which to inhibit the binding of nephrotoxic drugs to receptor(s) responsible for the endocytic processes in renal proximal tubular cells might reduce the incidence of nephrotoxicity.
Single Cell Immuno-Laser Microdissection Coupled to Label-Free Proteomics to Reveal the Proteotypes of Human Brain Cells After Ischemia*

Cerebral ischemia entails rapid tissue damage in the affected brain area causing devastating neurological dysfunction. How each component of the neurovascular unit contributes or responds to the ischemic insult in the context of the human brain has not been solved yet. Thus, the analysis of the proteome is a straightforward approach to unraveling these cell proteotypes. In this study, post-mortem brain slices from ischemic stroke patients were obtained corresponding to infarcted (IC) and contralateral (CL) areas. By means of laser microdissection, neurons and blood brain barrier structures (BBB) were isolated and analyzed using label-free quantification. MS data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD003519. Ninety proteins were identified only in neurons, 260 proteins only in the BBB and 261 proteins in both cell types. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that repair processes, mainly related to synaptic plasticity, are outlined in microdissected neurons, with nonexclusive important functions found in the BBB. A total of 30 proteins showing p < 0.05 and fold-change> 2 between IC and CL areas were considered meaningful in this study: 13 in neurons, 14 in the BBB and 3 in both cell types. Twelve of these proteins were selected as candidates and analyzed by immunohistofluorescence in independent brains. The MS findings were completely verified for neuronal SAHH2 and SRSF1 whereas the presence in both cell types of GABT and EAA2 was only validated in neurons. In addition, SAHH2 showed its potential as a prognostic biomarker of neurological improvement when analyzed early in the plasma of ischemic stroke patients. Therefore, the quantitative proteomes of neurons and the BBB (or proteotypes) after human brain ischemia presented here contribute to increasing the knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms of ischemic stroke pathology and highlight new proteins that might represent putative biomarkers of brain ischemia or therapeutic targets.
Sensorless Control Method for PMSM Based on Frequency-Adaptive Disturbance Observer

The rotor angle can be estimated from the stator flux in permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). Although integrations are essential to estimate the stator flux from the voltages and currents in the stationary reference frame, disturbances can arise in the process of integrations due to practical reasons. In this paper, a frequency-adaptive disturbance observer has been proposed to remove the disturbances in estimating the stator flux and to enhance the accuracy of the rotor angle estimation. The design and utilization of the proposed observer are detailed under the consideration of its application to a practical system driving PMSM. The performance of the proposed sensorless method has been mainly assessed through experiments at low speed operations, where the sensorless drive of PMSM is regarded as being extremely difficult without the signal injection.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Nude Mice With Heterotransplanted High-Grade Squamous Cell Carcinomas: Use of a Low-Loaded, Covalently Bound Gd-Hsa Conjugate as Contrast Agent With High Tumor Affinity

Kiessling F, Fink C, Hansen M, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of nude mice with heterotransplanted high-grade squamous cell carcinomas: use of a low loaded, covalently bound gd-hsa conjugate as contrast agent with high tumor affinity. Invest Radiol 2002;37:193–198. rationale.Malignant tumors often show an increased uptake and metabolism of plasma proteins, especially albumin. objectives.Determine whether the accumulation of low loaded Gd-albumin improves visualization of malignant tumors by MRI. methods.Twelve nude mice with heterotransplanted squamous cell carcinomas were studied. The signal intensity of tumor, blood, liver, kidney and muscle tissue was studied in MR images after application of Gd-albumin during a period of 144 hours. MRI results were histologically correlated after simultaneously injection of Gd- and fluorescein-labeled albumins in 9 nude mice. results.Although liver and kidney had a maximum increase in signal intensity within 30 minutes, tumors showed a delayed 51% increase in the 24 hours after application. Histologic and fluorescence evaluation demonstrated albumin localization in tumors predominantly in stroma and necroses. conclusions.Gd-albumin is efficiently accumulated in SCC transplants. MRI with low loaded Gd-albumin may offer relevant opportunities for recognizing tumors sensitive to a therapy with cyostic drug-labeled albumins.
Two notions of sub-behaviour for session-based client/server systems

We propose a refinement and a simplification of the behavioural semantics of session types, based on the concepts of compliance and sub-behaviour from the theory of web contracts. We introduce two relations, representing the idea of sub-behaviour from the point of view of the client and the server, respectively, and characterize the sub-behaviour relation (from the literature) as the intersection of the other two. We show that a proper subclass of behaviours, called "session behaviors", and the sub-behaviour relations model session types and subtyping, clarifying the otherwise problematic extension of session type subtyping with concepts from the theory of contracts.