Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of photoplethysmography and ECG recording to analyse heart rate variability in healthy subjects

Measures of heart rate variability (HRV) are widely used to assess autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. The signal from which they are derived requires accurate determination of the interval between successive heartbeats; it can be recorded via electrocardiography (ECG), which is both non-invasive and widely available. However, methodological problems inherent in the recording and analysis of ECG traces have motivated a search for alternatives. Photoplethysmography (PPG) constitutes another means of determining the timing of cardiac cycles via continuous monitoring of changes in blood volume in a portion of the peripheral microvasculature. This technique measures pulse waveforms, which in some instances may prove a practical basis for HRV analysis. We investigated the feasibility of using earlobe PPG to analyse HRV by applying the same analytic process to PPG and ECG recordings made simultaneously. Comparison of 5-minute recordings demonstrated a very high degree of correlation in the temporal and frequency domains and in nonlinear dynamic analyses between HRV measures derived from PPG and ECG. Our results confirm that PPG provides accurate interpulse intervals from which HRV measures can be accurately derived in healthy subjects under ideal conditions, suggesting this technique may prove a practical alternative to ECG for HRV analysis. This finding is of particular relevance to the care of patients suffering from peripheral hyperkinesia or tremor, which make fingertip PPG recording impractical, and following clinical interventions known to introduce electrical artefacts into the electrocardiogram.
Variability, heritability and classification of Amaranthus L. genotypes by chierarchical analysis.

Ten amaranth genotypes were studied during a three year experiment. The object of this study was to evaluate variability and heritability of productive traits (such as total grain yield), as well as to classify the genotypes using chierarchical analysis UPMG. The aim of this study was to determine initial breeding material for future selection programmes of amaranth. The obtained data expressed significant variability in total leaf mass per plant ranging from 94.05 g (genotype 3 – A. molleros) to 246.81 g (genotype 1 – A. mantegazzianus), grain yield per plant ranging from 45.56 g (genotype 3 – A. molleros) to 67.55 g (genotype 1 – A. mantegazzianus), as well as total grain yield ranging from 2 220 kg ha -1 (genotype 3 – A. molleros) to 3 200 kg ha -1 (genotype 1 – A. mantegazzianus). Relatedness among the genotypes and their divergence were established by chierarchical cluster analysis which provided the foundation for further selection of individual amaranth genotypes and breeding programmes. These results will be helpfull for establishing new breeding programmes, especially intra-species hybridisation of genotypes 5 – A. cruentus and 10 – A cruentus; inter-species hybridisation should be between the genotypes 1 – A. mantegazzianus and 3 – A. molleros.
One-pot conversions of lignocellulosic and algal biomass into liquid fuels.

The one-pot conversion of lignocellulosic and algal biomass into a liquid fuel, 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), has been achieved by using a multicomponent catalytic system comprising [DMA]⁺ [CH₃SO₃]⁻ (DMA=N,N-dimethylacetamide), Ru/C, and formic acid. The synthesis of DMF from all substrates was carried out under mild reaction conditions. The reaction progressed via 5-hydroxyemthylfurfural (HMF) in the first step followed by hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis of HMF with the Ru/C catalyst and formic acid as a hydrogen source. This report discloses the effectiveness of the Ru/C catalyst for the first time for DMF synthesis from inexpensive and readily abundant biomass sources, which gives a maximum yield of 32 % DMF in 1 h. A reaction route involving 5-(formyloxymethyl)furfural (FMF) as an intermediate has been elucidated based on the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic data. Another promising biofuel, 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF), was also synthesized with high selectivity from polymeric carbohydrate-rich biomass substrates by using a Brønsted acidic ionic liquid catalyst, that is [DMA]⁺ [CH₃SO₃]⁻, by etherification of HMF in ethanol.
Measurement Uncertainty of White-Light Interferometry on Optically Rough Surfaces

A Michelson interferometer is illuminated by a broadband light source (e.g. light-emitting diode, superluminescent diode, arc or incandescent lamp). At the output of the interferometer, a CCD camera is used as a multiple detector. The measured object is placed in one arm of the interferometer and moved in the longitudinal direction as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. The surface of the object is imaged by a telecentric optical system onto the lightsensitive area of the CCD camera. During the moving of the object in the longitudinal direction, a series of images is acquired. From the acquired series, the coherence function (also referred to as correlogram or interferogram) can be extracted for each object point. The maximum of the Measurement Uncertainty of White-Light Interferometry on Optically Rough Surfaces 22
Integrated modeling of nonlinear dynamics and contact mechanics of electrostatically actuated RF-MEMS switches

In this work, a novel nonlinear dynamic model is developed to investigate the bouncing and deformation behaviors of an electrostatically actuated, ohmic-contact RF-MEMS switch. The model accounts for a real geometry, the electrostatic actuation, squeeze-film damping effect, and the nonlinear elastic-plastic contact mechanics using Hertz theory. A low-complexity formulation based on finite differential analysis is employed to solve the model equations in the time-domain. The proposed methodology is validated using a real four-contact RF-MEMS switch with complex geometry. The simulation results of the switch performance in the on-stage (closure) are in good agreement with experimental measurements demonstrating that the model is very effective in capturing the bouncing and contact deformation phenomena accurately. It is foreseen that the proposed approach will be instrumental in providing a better insight into the reliability of MEMS switches and will, ultimately, found a basis of developing and implementing control strategies to maximize their lifetime.
Performance improvement of DS-CDMA systems in fading channels using turbo-codes

Multiuser detection and turbo coding are two of the most powerful techniques for enhancing the performance of next-generation wideband code-division multiple-access (WCDMA) systems. WCDMA has been adopted by industry as a key technology for the next generation wireless communication systems. Due to the time variation and frequency selectivity of wireless multipath channels, intersymbol interference (ISI), and multiple access interference (MAI) constitute major impediments to reliable communication in CDMA systems, In order to mitigate the effects of fading, channel coding is often employed. In this paper, the performance and design of turbo-coded DS/CDMA is examined over Rayleigh fading channels.
Comparability of a hand‐held nitric oxide analyser with online and offline chemiluminescence‐based nitric oxide measurement

Practicability is crucial for successful implementation of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement into asthma management. The study aimed at comparing a conventional chemiluminescence NO analyser (EcoMedics®) with a hand‐held device (NIOX MINO®) and offline FeNO measurement using a commercially available system in an unselected cohort of children aged 6–16 yr. A secondary objective was to confirm FeNO stability over time in 15 samples from adult volunteers obtained using the offline system. Sixty‐six children (mean ± s.d. age 11.8 ± 3.0 yr) underwent single breath FeNO measurement in triplets with each device. Offline collected FeNO was measured after offline breath collection into a Mylar balloon and subsequent analysis using the chemiluminescence NO analyser. Variability and between‐method agreement were assessed, and stability over time within the Mylar balloons was tested by repeated hourly measurements. FeNO levels ranged from 2 to 113 p.p.b. Intra‐class correlation was excellent (r = 0.98, p < 0.001 for each pair). Bland–Altman plots and back‐transformation of logarithmic mean differences revealed fair agreement between methods. Stability over time was confirmed over 10 h both at room temperature and when stored under cooling conditions. FeNO values obtained using the chemiluminescence NO analyser, the portable NIOX MINO® system and the offline collection technique show between‐method agreement within clinically acceptable range.
Heat-flow and water-chemistry data from the Cascade Range and adjacent areas in north-central Oregon

The U.S. Geological Survey's Geothermal Research Program is conducting an ongoing, multidisciplinary study of the Cascade Range. One product of this effort is a large geologic, geophysical, geochemical, and hydrologic data set. Here we present heat-flow data from 253 sites and water chemistry data from 773 sites in or near the Cascade Range in north central Oregon between latitudes 43°40 and 45°20 N.
Branch Prediction Techniques Used in Pipeline Processors: A Review

The ability to predict the direction of branches is an important issue in modern computer architecture and advanced compilers. Today, all state-of-the-art microprocessors have branch prediction of static (software) and dynamic (hardware). This paper surveys the different techniques used for branch prediction. According to the survey, dynamic branch prediction provides better accuracy.
Physiological Indices and Nutritive Values of the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) (Echinodermata Echi- noidea) of the Algerian West Coast

Seasonal variation in the physiological indices and biochemical composition of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) (Echinodermata Echinoidea) from the west coast of Algeria were studied between March 2016 and February 2017 from three stations of different nature and geographical position: Sidi Lakhdar (S1), Cap Carbon (S2), and Benisaf harbor (S3). Two spawning period occurred in spring and autumn, resulting in a fall in gonad indices to a low level with values between 2.14 and 3.65%. The seawater temperature in the three sampling stations revealed that the latter had a spawning rate at 9–15 °C in spring and 24 and 11 °C in autumn corresponding to the two peaks of spawning. The biochemical composition of the gonads protein contents, carbohydrates and lipids were recorded with a high percentage for proteins between (25.80 and 45.23%) followed by that of lipids (9.21 and 14.40%) and finally carbohydrates (3.49 and 7.39%). In accordance with the gonad cycle, sea urchin lipids and proteins show a marked seasonal variation with a decrease in their percentages during the spawning period. Protein levels had an inverse profile with carbohydrates, with their values at a minimum when carbohydrates were at their maximum. The profile of the total components in the gut content is almost the same as in the gonads with minus values. A relationship has been found between the biochemical components of the gonads and the digestive tract during gametogenesis, the latter seems to be an organ that tends to store nutrients, indicating that populations of sea urchin P. lividus are in good nutritional conditions.
Gene expression profiling of cranial sensory ganglia that transmit food intake stimuli

Peripheral cranial sensory nerves projecting into the oral cavity receive food intake stimuli and transmit sensory signals to the central nervous system. They are derived from four cranial sensory ganglia, trigeminal, geniculate, petrosal, and nodose ganglia, each of which contains multiple kinds of sensory neurons with different cell morphologies and neuronal properties. We investigated the complex properties of these neurons from the viewpoint of gene expression using DNA microarrays. The 498 genes were selected from a total of 8,740 genes as showing tissue‐dependent expression on the microarray by hierarchical cluster analysis, in which several genes known to be differentially expressed in cranial sensory ganglia are included. This suggests that DNA microarray cluster analysis revealed a number of characteristic genes for sensory neurons in these ganglia. Among the selected 498 genes, 44 genes are associated with neurotransmission, such as neuropeptides, their receptors, and vesicle transport, and 26 are ion channels regulating membrane potentials. The identification of a number of genes related directly to neural properties indicates that these sensory ganglia contain heterogeneous types of neurons with different neural properties.
Learning and Consumption Dynamics

In a production economy, uncertainty and learning about persistence generates counter-cyclical consumption volatility. When the persistence of productivity is unobservable, consumption responds differently to long-run productivity shocks, depending on the state of the economy. In bad economic times, a negative shock prompts agents to extrapolate that productivity becomes more persistent, which reinforces consumption’s response to bad news. The opposite extrapolation occurs in good times, when productivity becomes less persistent after a negative shock, partially offsetting the bad news. This asymmetric response to productivity shocks amplifies the volatility of consumption in bad times, but attenuates it in good times. In contrast, other types of learning generate constant or procyclical volatility of consumption, at odds with empirical evidence. ∗UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management, 110 Westwood Plaza, Suite C420, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; +1 (310) 825-3544; daniel.andrei@anderson.ucla. edu; danielandrei.info. †Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University, 2100 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; +1 (614) 688-2181; hitzemann.6@osu.edu; steffenhitzemann.com. ‡Department of Finance, HEC Montréal, 3000 Ch. de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Québec, CANADA; +1 (514) 589-6699; alexandre.jeanneret@hec.ca; alexandrejeanneret.com.
Diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder XII: Can a Self-Report Depression Questionnaire Be Used to Examine Questions About the DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria?

This paper is the final one in our series examining the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. The data collected were part of the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services project, a unique integration of a research assessment protocol into a community-based clinical practice. We were able to examine a number of psychometric and conceptual issues in the diagnosis of depression because we modified the diagnostic interview to inquire about all diagnostic criteria, as well as additional associated features, of all patients. The results reported in the papers published earlier in the series suggested that some changes in the diagnostic criteria might be warranted. However, before changes are made to the diagnostic nomenclature, the results of any single study should be replicated. The cost of conducting this type of research is high, thereby reducing the likelihood of replication. As part of the Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services project, we developed the Diagnostic Inventory for Depression (DID), a self-report scale that was specifically designed to assess the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder; thus, this scale could potentially be used to study many of the same questions examined in the present series, though at a fraction of the cost. In the present report, we used the DID to examine questions that were addressed in three of the prior reports in this series. The results of the present analysis based on the DID replicated the previously reported findings based on the SCID. This suggests that a self-report measure such as the DID could be used in other settings to examine the issues studied in the present series of papers, thereby facilitating the compilation of a more substantial literature upon which decisions regarding criteria modification could be based.
Analysis of nucleo‐cytoplasmic shuttling of the proto‐oncogene SET/I2PP2A

SET/I2PP2A is a nuclear protein that was initially identified as an oncogene in human undifferentiated acute myeloid leukemia, fused to the nuclear porin Nup‐214. In addition, SET is a potent inhibitior of the phosphatase PP2A. Previously, we proposed a model in which the small GTPase Rac1 recruits SET from the nucleus to the plasma membrane to promote cell migration. This event represents an entirely novel concept in the field of cell migration. Now, fluorescent versions of the SET protein are generated to analyze its nucleo‐cytoplasmic shuttling in live cells. Our studies showed that under steady‐state conditions a fraction of the SET protein, which is primarily localized in the nucleus, translocates to the cytosol in an apparently random fashion. SET exiting the nucleus was also seen in spreading as well as dividing cells. We designed an image analysis method to quantify the frequency of nuclear exit of the SET proteins, based on 4D confocal imaging. This straightforward method was validated by analysis of SET wild‐type and mutant proteins. This showed that the frequency of nuclear exit of a Ser‐9 phosphomimetic mutant (S9E) is enhanced compared to wild‐type SET or a S9A mutant. Thus, we have developed a novel method to analyze the nucleo‐cytoplasmic shuttling of the proto‐oncogene SET dynamics in live cells. This method will also be applicable to monitor dynamic localization of other nuclear and/or cytoplasmic signaling proteins. © 2011 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
The Rise of ETF Trading and the Bifurcation of Liquidity∗

In the last two decades the assets under management of passively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) has risen dramatically. At the same time liquid stocks have become more liquid while illiquid stocks have not experienced a similar improvement. We model investors shifting from trading individual stocks to trading ETFs and generate predictions consistent with the documented bifurcation in liquidity. Using daily ETF creation and redemption activity, we provide empirical evidence that closely matches the model’s predictions. The results show that the effects of ETFs on underlying asset markets are driven by their index replication strategy.
Validating a rapid method for detecting common polymorphisms in the APOA5 gene by melting curve analysis using LightTyper.

The recently identified apolipoprotein A-V gene (APOA5) has been shown to play an important role in hypertriglyceridemia (1). Genetic variation in APOA5 has been consistently associated with plasma triglyceride concentrations in several studies (2)(3)(4). Moreover, some studies have demonstrated additional associations with lipoprotein subclasses, remnant-like particles, and cardiovascular disease risk (4)(5)(6). Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human APOA5 gene have been detected with differing frequencies depending on the population analyzed (7)(8), and Klos et al.(7) have also suggested context-dependent associations in different populations. Overall, 5 common SNPs, −1131T>C, −3A>G, 56C>G, IVS3 + 476G>A, and 1259T>C, have been widely reported. Apart from the 56C>G SNP, the other SNPs are in strong linkage dysequilibrium, producing 3 haplotypes (11111, 22122, and 11211) representing ∼98% of the population in Caucasians (5)(9); therefore, 2 independent APOA5 SNPs (56C>G and −1131T>C) can be analyzed in association studies as indicators of the corresponding haplotypes. The former consists of a nonsynonymous substitution, changing codon 19 from serine to tryptophan (S19W), whereas the latter is a T-to-C substitution 1131 nucleotides upstream of the initiation codon. To date, in most published reports, these SNPs have been genotyped by PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis (3). A system for high-throughput genotyping using fluorescence melting curve analysis, the LightTyper™ (Roche), has recently become commercially available. This instrument (10) offers higher throughput than the original LightCycler™ (11). The LightTyper is designed explicitly for melting curve analysis to perform rapid, straightforward, reliable allelic discrimination. The system, which uses 384-well plates, provides postamplification genotyping within 10–15 min and performs genotyping automatically. A variety of probe chemistries are compatible for genotyping, including single-labeled probes and fluorescence resonance energy transfer probes (10). SimpleProbes™ are designed to specifically hybridize to a …
The influence of entrepreneurial creativity, work experiences, customer's and competitor's information, and scientific information on product and process innovations

This study developed and tested a model of the influence of entrepreneurial creativity, work experiences, customer and competitor's information, and scientific information on product and process innovations. The model was tested on 497 usable responses from mail survey data from a sample of small manufacturing Slovenian firms. The structural relationships in the model were estimated using the EQS multivariate software. The results revealed that product and process innovations are both influenced by customer's and competitor's information, scientific information and entrepreneurial creativity (all statistically significant at 5% level). Although, work experiences were found to be less important, the influence of work experience on product and process innovations was statistically significant at 10% level. While the product innovations variance explained was 43%, the process innovations variance explained was 27%.
Maternal obesity and familial history of diabetes have opposing effects on infant birth weight in women with mild glucose intolerance in pregnancy

Objective. Pregnant women with an abnormal screening glucose challenge test (GCT) but without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on subsequent oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) are at increased risk of delivering macrosomic and large for gestational age (LGA) neonates. We thus sought to evaluate the maternal constitutional and biochemical factors that determine infant birth weight in this patient population. Methods. Women with an abnormal GCT were evaluated at the time of their OGTT in late pregnancy. This analysis was restricted to Caucasian women without GDM (N = 86). Maternal demographic and biochemical factors were evaluated in relation to infant birth weight and LGA. Results. After adjustment for length of gestation, birth weight was positively associated with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.31, p = 0.0063) and negatively correlated with maternal serum levels of the insulin-sensitizing protein adiponectin (r = −0.30, p = 0.0084). On multiple linear regression analysis, pre-pregnancy BMI and weight gain in pregnancy were positive independent determinants of infant birth weight, while family history of diabetes emerged as a negative independent correlate. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that pre-pregnancy BMI was a positive predictor of LGA (odds ratio (OR) = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–1.49), whereas family history of diabetes was again identified as a negative determinant (OR = 0.10, 95% CI 0.02–0.59). In contrast, neither measures of glycemia nor insulin resistance/sensitivity were independently associated with birth weight or LGA. Conclusion. In pregnant women with an abnormal GCT but without GDM, pre-gravid maternal obesity predicts increased infant birth weight, whereas family history of diabetes is independently associated with decreased infant size.