Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VIRK: Virtual work environment to facilitate interaction between the unemployed

Social isolation is defined as the lack of meaningful relationships with other people and society. Unemployed people have been identified as vulnerable to social isolation. We present VIRK – a virtual work environment to facilitate interaction between unemployed people. VIRK is designed to tackle problems identified as contributing to social isolation. Foremost, factors such as providing safe environments to discuss frustrations and job application queries point to the practicality of using virtual interaction. The emphasis of VIRK is to promote social interaction in both formal and informal social settings.
Risk factors associated with new onset tachyarrhythmias after cardiac surgery – a retrospective analysis

Background: Tachyarrhythmias (TA) represent a frequent and serious problem after cardiac surgery. We retrospectively analyzed 987 cardiac surgery patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit between 1996 and 1999 to assess incidence and risk factors associated with development of postoperative TA in the intensive care unit.
Choosing between randomised and non-randomised studies: a systematic review

Rating: Randomised controlled trials are often held up as the “gold standard” of medical research, and it is commonly believed that the size of a treatment effect is exaggerated in non-randomised studies. In these days of evidence based medicine, however, where is the empirical evidence that this is so? A widespread criticism of randomised controlled trials is that they are based on highly selected individuals. Are there systematic differences between patients included and excluded in such trials, and do these influence the measured treatment effect? These are just a few …
Arterial Oxygen Studies in Premature Newborns TABLE IV 179 Comparison of Present Data with Those Found by Other Authors in Normal Full-term and Premature Newborn Infants

Arterial oxygen studies in full-term infants at various ages have been made by numerous authors (Stahlman, 1957; Weisbrot, James, Prince, Holaday, and Apgar, 1958; Graham, Koeff, Tsao, Sloan, and Wilson, 1959; Reardon, Baumann, and Hadded, 1960; Oliver, Demis, and Bates, 1961; Nelson, Prod'hom, Cherry, Lipsitz, and Smith, 1963). Few similar studies have been performed on premature infants (Graham, Reardon, Wilson, Tsao, and Baumann, 1950; Prod'hom, Levison, Cherry, Drorbaugh, Hubbell, and Smith, 1964). In 1965 Moss, Emmanouilides, Rettori, Higashimo, and Adams published data from premature infants in the first 72 hours of life, showing that 'normal' prematures had lower arterial oxygen tensions than adults, and that this difference was accentuated in prematures with 'mild respiratory distress': the criteria for classifying the babies as 'normal' were not explained in detail and the type and the severity of respiratory distress were not defined clearly. Furthermore, no studies were performed in infants of more than 72 hours. The present paper provides data on arterial blood gases in normal premature infants from 3 hours to 40 days of age. The criteria for normality were based on clinical grounds and on chest x-ray findings. In addition, data from premature infants with tachypnoea and with transient mild respiratory distress, but without x-ray changes suggestive of pneumonia or hyaline membrane disease (Iannaccone, Bucci, and Savignoni, 1965), are also presented. Material and Methods
Merger/Acquisition Announcements and the Abnormal Stock Return for the Event Firm: Evidence from Pakistan

In various studies, impact of merger/acquisition (M&A) announcements on stock prices is pronounced by various researchers. Event study has been conducted in this paper on merger/acquisition announcements. In this study, data span of 2006-10 has been covered. Impact of merger/acquisition announcement on stock prices of event firm (acquirer) has been analyzed. It has been found that merger/acquisition announcement depicts positive as well as negative impact on share price of the companies before and after the time of announcements of merger/acquisition. In this, study no significant t value is observed. Through graphs, one year stock price movement after the event window date is also critically analyzed by the researcher. It is found that in all cases except Thal Limited, Allied Bank Limited, Exide Pakistan Ltd, decline in the share price of the companies has been studied.
An Increase in Basal BDNF Provokes Hyperactivation of the Akt-Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Pathway and Deregulation of Local Dendritic Translation in a Mouse Model of Down's Syndrome

As in other diseases associated with mental retardation, dendrite morphology and synaptic plasticity are impaired in Down's syndrome (DS). Both these features of neurons are critically influenced by BDNF, which regulates local dendritic translation through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Ras–ERK signaling cascades. Here we show that the levels of BDNF and phosphorylated Akt–mTOR (but not Ras–ERK) pathway proteins are augmented in hippocampal dendrites of Ts1Cje mice, a DS model. Consequently, the rate of local dendritic translation is abnormally high and the modulatory effect of exogenous BDNF is lost. Interestingly, rapamycin (a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug) restores normal levels of phosphorylated Akt-mTOR proteins and normal rates of local translation in Ts1Cje neurons, opening new therapeutic perspectives for DS. The NMDAR inhibitors APV, MK-801, and memantine also restore the normal levels of phospho-mTOR in dendrites of Ts1Cje hippocampal neurons. We propose a model to explain how BDNF-mediated regulation of local translation is lost in the Ts1Cje hippocampus through the establishment of a glutamatergic positive-feedback loop. Together, these findings help elucidate the mechanisms underlying altered synaptic plasticity in DS.
Product Placement Versus Conventional Advertising: The Impact on Brand Choice of Integrating Promotional Stimuli into Movies

ABSTRACT Despite the increasingly favorable environment enjoyed by product placement, the question of whether this technique produces stronger behavioral effects than conventional advertising remains largely unexplored. Based on the transportation-imagery model, we hypothesized that, among users of well-established products, promotional stimuli produce stronger effects on brand choice when integrated into movies than when presented as independent ads, while among nonusers, no differences are expected. Our hypotheses were confirmed in a field experiment that compared the effects of a Coca-Cola placement within the movie Ways to Live Forever with the same Coca-Cola stimulus shown as a usual commercial.
Near‐optimal user assignment in LTE mobile networks with evolutionary computing

This paper tackles the problem of users assignment to evolved NodeBs in long‐term evolution mobile networks. We propose a model that aims at assigning users by minimizing a function called download time of the complete system, defined as the minimum time required for all the users in the system to complete their downloads. This strategy helps the network use its resources in a more balanced way, by assigning users from cells (which otherwise would be overloaded when using a simple signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio‐based approach) to others with less load. The user‐cell association problem is, in general, a combinatorial NP hard problem. Although other approaches indirectly tackle this complexity by transforming the problem into another whose optimal solution is less difficult (but still with very high computational cost), we tackle directly our download time of the complete system minimization problem by finding an approximate solution provided by a specific implementation of an evolutionary algorithm, which is based on a long‐term evolution domain‐specific initial population along with fully tailored operators adapted to this assignment problem. A variety of experiments in different realistic scenarios point out that the proposed method outperforms the conventional signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio‐based and load balancing approaches, specially in urban and dense urban environments (where the assignment is more critical in terms of capacity). We have also tested our approach in simple scenarios that mimic heterogeneous networks and ultra‐dense networks in which the number of users is similar to that of nodes, proving its beneficial properties. Our method is aimed at the design/dimensioning stage and not to the operation stage, and in this sense, it is an off‐line algorithm that could be useful to make better decisions on cost‐effective network dimensioning and upgrading.
Acceptance of Computer-Based Models in Local Government: Information Adequacy and Implementation

numerous calculations, and examine alternative scenarios to determine which policies to adopt, these analyses are suitable for computer-based modeling. They should be faster, more accurate, and more comprehensive than manual ones. This application, resulting in substantial time and cost benefits, should successfully introduce decision support technology into adopting organizations (Meador, Guyote, & Keen, 1984). Computer-based fiscal impact models combine analytic techniques with data access and retrieval to assist decision makers in solving semistructured problems (Sprague, 1980). This study examines four such models, packaged by vendors for transfer into local jurisdictions. The models
PRICING ONLINE: THE CASE OF CONSUMER ELECTRONICS

In this study, we compare the pricing behavior betw een online branches of traditional retailers (OBTRs) and online-only retailers (ORs). Focusing obranded electronics sold online, we find that no significant pricing differences between ORs and OBTRs, but ORs seem to price slightly higher than OBTRs both in terms of posted- and full -prices online. This result seems unique in online retail markets, contrary to the observations in the online markets of books, CDs and DVDs. The evidence also shows that both types of online r etailers do not change their prices frequently, but adjustment magnitudes are large.
Late Migration of a CardioMEMSTM Wireless Pulmonary Artery Hemodynamic Monitoring Sensor

The CardioMEMSTM heart failure (HF) system is an ambulatory pulmonary artery pressure monitoring system designed to help manage patients with difficult to control HF symptoms and to reduce the need for hospitalizations due to acute HF exacerbations. It is currently approved for use in patients with New York Heart Association class III symptoms and a previous hospitalization for congestive heart failure within the last year, regardless of ejection fraction.1,2 The entire system consists of a small pressure sensor (Figure 1) that is percutaneously placed in a branch pulmonary artery and can be remotely interrogated, in the hospital and at home, using a receiver. Figure 1. CardioMEMSTM Sensor. CardioMEMSTM and St. Jude Medical are trademarks of St. Jude Medical, LLC or its related companies. Reprinted with permission of the publisher. Copyright ©2017, St. Jude Medical. Available evidence within the literature indicates that the device implant is a safe process with no major complications being reported.1–4 The implant procedure is simple and involves a pulling thread that secures the tightly bound sensor to the delivery catheter. Once pulled, the nitinol …
Prioritizing Quality of Product and Service Dimensions With Respect to a Product-Service System in the Public Transport Sector

The purpose of this paper is to propose and demonstrate a method to evaluate product-service system (PSS) offerings based on the quality of product and service dimensions through the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP). Drawing from the attention- based view, product and service dimensions from literature, this study proposes a framework to prioritize quality dimensions using the FAHP method. The study uses data collected from public transport providers and their equipment suppliers. It gets priority vectors of product and service dimensions for three PSSs — product-related, use-related, and result-related contract. The study finds some dimensions more relevant for the product-related, use-related, and results-related contract and recommends accordingly. The method considers the expectations of various stakeholders and provides a strategic quality management perspective while designing the PSS offering considering an example from public transportation.
The Hansenula polymorpha ATG25 Gene Encodes a Novel Coiled-Coil Protein that is Required for Macropexophagy

We have isolated the Hansenula polymorpha ATG11 and ATG25 genes, which are both required for glucose-induced selective peroxisome degradation (macropexophagy). ATG11 was identified before in other yeast species and shown to be involved in the Cvt pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and glucose-induced micropexophagy in Pichia pastoris. Our data indicate that HpATG11 is required for macropexophagy. ATG25 represents a novel gene that encodes a 45 kDa coiled-coil protein. We show that this protein co-localizes with Atg11 on a small structure, which most likely represents the pre-autophagosomal structure (PAS). Cells of a constructed ATG25 deletion strain (atg25) displayed relatively slow, continuous degradation of peroxisomes by microautophagy during growth on methanol in the presence of excess nitrogen that also continued after induction of selective peroxisome degradation. This suggests that the processes of selective and non-selective autophagy are dysregulated in atg25 cells.
Possible role of wetlands, permafrost, and methane hydrates in the methane cycle under future climate change: A review

We have reviewed the available scientific literature on how natural sources and the atmospheric fate of methane may be affected by future climate change. We discuss how processes governing methane wetland emissions, permafrost thawing, and destabilization of marine hydrates may affect the climate system. It is likely that methane wetland emissions will increase over the next century. Uncertainties arise from the temperature dependence of emissions and changes in the geographical distribution of wetland areas. Another major concern is the possible degradation or thaw of terrestrial permafrost due to climate change. The amount of carbon stored in permafrost, the rate at which it will thaw, and the ratio of methane to carbon dioxide emissions upon decomposition form the main uncertainties. Large amounts of methane are also stored in marine hydrates, and they could be responsible for large emissions in the future. The time scales for destabilization of marine hydrates are not well understood and are likely to be very long for hydrates found in deep sediments but much shorter for hydrates below shallow waters, such as in the Arctic Ocean. Uncertainties are dominated by the sizes and locations of the methane hydrate inventories, the time scales associated with heat penetration in the ocean and sediments, and the fate of methane released in the seawater. Overall, uncertainties are large, and it is difficult to be conclusive about the time scales and magnitudes of methane feedbacks, but significant increases in methane emissions are likely, and catastrophic emissions cannot be ruled out. We also identify gaps in our scientific knowledge and make recommendations for future research and development in the context of Earth system modeling.
Methods For The Economic Evaluation Of Health Care Programmes

Methods for the economic evaluation of health care . The new edition of Methods for the Economic Evaluation of Health Care Programmes equips the reader with the essential hands-on experience required to undertake evaluations by providing a 'tool kit' based on the authors' own experiences of undertaking economic evaluations.Building on the strength of the previous edition, the accessible writing style ensures the text is key reading for the non-expert reader, as no prior knowledge of economics is required.
Lamb waves and nearly-longitudinal waves in thick plates

We discuss waves created in relatively thick plates by edge excitation at frequency-thickness (fd) products that correspond, in principle, to multiple Lamb wave modes. For relatively low values of the fd product it is clear that Lamb wave modes will be generated, while at large values of the fd product we observe a bulk (longitudinal wave) in the solid, but influenced by reflections from the plate surfaces. We show that for a range of intermediate fd products a train of regularly spaced nearly-longitudinal waves is generated. The development of a lead pulse and trailing pulses, all traveling at the longitudinal (bulk) wave speed, is well known and has been explained in the literature. In this paper we describe the transition from Lamb wave generation to the formation of nearly-longitudinal waves with their trailing pulses. We report experimental results and theoretical results, with good correspondence between them. We also examine the transfer of energy from leading to trailing pulses, which means that such nearly-longitudinal waves will not propagate indefinitely; however, we show that they retain ample energy for flaw detection at distances of several meters. Most importantly, we study the interaction of these trailing pulses with cracks, again showing experimental results and theoretical predictions that are consistent with one another. The results suggest that these nearly-longitudinal waves are an attractive option for flaw detection because of their shorter wavelength (as compared to Lamb waves at low fd products) and because they preserve their pulse train characteristics after scattering.
A secondary structure motif predictive of protein localization to the chlamydial inclusion membrane

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular pathogens that spend their entire growth phase sequestered in a membrane‐bound vacuole called an inclusion. A set of chlamydial proteins, labelled Inc proteins, has been identified in the inclusion membrane (IM). The predicted IncA, IncB and IncC amino acid sequences share very limited similarity, but a common hydrophobicity motif is present within each Inc protein. In an effort to identify a relatively complete catalogue of Chlamydia trachomatis proteins present in the IM of infected cells, we have screened the genome for open reading frames encoding this structural motif. Hydropathy plot analysis was used to screen each translated open reading frame in the C. trachomatis genome database. Forty‐six candidate IM proteins (C‐Incs) that satisfied the criteria of containing a bilobed hydrophobic domain of at least 50 amino acids were identified. The genome of Chlamydia pneumoniae encodes a larger collection of C‐Inc proteins, and only approximately half of the C‐Incs are encoded within both genomes. In order to confirm the hydropathy plot screening method as a valid predictor of C‐Incs, antisera and/or monoclonal antibodies were prepared against six of the C. trachomatis C‐Incs. Immunofluorescence microscopy of C. trachomatis‐infected cells probed with these antibodies showed that five out of six C‐Incs are present in the chlamydial IM. Antisera were also produced against C. pneumoniae p186, a protein sharing identity with Chlamydia psittaci IncA and carrying a similar bilobed hydrophobic domain. These antisera labelled the inclusion membrane in C. pneumoniae‐infected cells, confirming that proteins sharing the unique secondary structural characteristic also localize to the inclusion membrane of C. pneumoniae. Sera from patients with high‐titre antibodies to C. trachomatis were examined for reactivity with each tested C‐Inc protein. Three out of six tested C‐Incs were recognized by a majority of these patient sera. Collectively, these studies identify and characterize novel proteins localized to the chlamydial IM and demonstrate the existence of a potential secondary structural targeting motif for localization of chlamydial proteins to this unique intracellular environment.
An In Vitro Biomechanical Comparison of Single-Rod, Dual-Rod, and Dual-Rod With Transverse Connector in Anterior Thoracolumbar Instrumentation

BACKGROUND: After thoracolumbar corpectomy, standard anterolateral instrumentation may consist of dual rods with cross-connectors. However, when the vertebral bodies are small or involved with disease, only 1 rod may be possible. OBJECTIVE: To compare the biomechanics of an in vitro L1 corpectomy model using 1 rod, 2 rods, or 2 rods with 2 cross-connectors. METHODS: Eight fresh frozen human cadaveric spines were potted from T9 to L3. Pure moments of 1.5, 3, and 4.5 Nm were applied, and the motion of the spine was measured using 3 infrared cameras. Loads were applied in flexion and extension, right and left lateral bending, and right and left axial rotation. Each spine was first tested in the intact state. After performing an L1 corpectomy and replacement with a carbon fiber reinforced polymer cage, 3 constructs were tested: single rod (1R), dual rod (2R), and dual rod with 2 transverse connectors (CC). RESULTS: Analysis of variance suggests significant main effects of load (P < .0001), axis (P = .022), construct (P =.0019), and individual spine (P < .0001). Overall, the single-rod construct is significantly less rigid than the intact spine in axial rotation. There is no significant difference between the intact spine and either the dual-rod construct or the dual-rod cross-connector construct. CONCLUSION: In our in vitro model of anterior spinal stabilization after corpectomy and grafting, a single-rod construct is significantly less rigid than the intact spine. Addition of a second rod returns the rigidity of the spine to the intact state. A dual-rod cross-connector construct is significantly more rigid than a single-rod construct.
The Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP-2 Is Required for Sustained Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase and Epithelial Morphogenesis Downstream from the Met Receptor Tyrosine Kinase

ABSTRACT Epithelial morphogenesis is critical during development and wound healing, and alterations in this program contribute to neoplasia. Met, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, promotes a morphogenic program in epithelial cell lines in matrix cultures. Previous studies have identified Gab1, the major phosphorylated protein following Met activation, as important for the morphogenic response. Gab1 is a docking protein that couples the Met receptor with multiple signaling proteins, including phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, phospholipase Cγ, the adapter protein Crk, and the tyrosine specific phosphatase SHP-2. HGF induces sustained phosphorylation of Gab1 and sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) in epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. In contrast, epidermal growth factor fails to promote a morphogenic program and induces transient Gab1 phosphorylation and Erk activation. To elucidate the Gab1-dependent signals required for epithelial morphogenesis, we undertook a structure-function approach and demonstrate that association of Gab1 with the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 is required for sustained Erk activation and for epithelial morphogenesis downstream from the Met receptor. Epithelial cells expressing a Gab1 mutant protein unable to recruit SHP-2 elicit a transient activation of Erk in response to HGF. Moreover, SHP-2 catalytic activity is required, since the expression of a catalytically inactive SHP-2 mutant, C/S, abrogates sustained activation of Erk and epithelial morphogenesis by the Met receptor. These data identify SHP-2 as a positive modulator of Erk activity and epithelial morphogenesis downstream from the Met receptor.