Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noise-induced up/Down Dynamics in Scale-Free neuronal Networks

Cortical neuronal networks are known to exhibit regimes of dynamical activity characterized by periods of elevated firing (up states) separated by silent phases (down states). Here, we show that up/down dynamics may emerge spontaneously in scale-free neuronal networks, provided an optimal amount of noise acts upon all network nodes. Our conclusions are drawn from numerical simulations of networks of subthreshold integrate-and-fire neurons, connected to each other according to a scale-free topology. We study the structure of the up/down regime both in time and in terms of the node degree. We also examine whether localized random perturbations applied to specific network nodes are able to generate up/down dynamics, showing that this regime arises when noisy inputs are applied to low-degree (nonhub) network nodes, but not when they act upon network hubs.
Health-related quality of life (HRQL) among methamphetamine users in treatment

Little is known about the effectiveness of available treatment options for methamphetamine (MA) abuse and dependence. This study aimed to measure improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQL) among MA users associated with different treatment options. Data are from 501 individuals (366 males and 135 females) recruited into the Methamphetamine Treatment Evaluation Study (MATES) who were aged 16 years and over. Participants completed the SF-12 Short Form questionnaire on entry to treatment (or to the study), and again 3 months (n = 404) and 12 months after starting treatment (n = 375). The SF-6D scoring algorithm was used to elicit single preference-based measures of HRQL from participants in the non-treated group (n = 101) and three treatment modalities: counselling (n = 40), residential rehabilitation (n = 248) and detoxification (n = 112), at baseline, 3 and 12 months post-treatment entry. There was complete data available at the three time points for 349 participants. The results indicate that b.
The use of St John's Wort in the treatment of depression

Aims and Method To assess and update the data on the use of St John's Wort as an antidepressant. A Medline search was conducted for the period January 1985 to December 1999. The search included other aspects of the usage of St John's Wort, such as side-effects, mechanism of action and drug interactions. Results While two overviews and four clinical trials have recently been published, there is little data comparing St John's Wort against therapeutic doses of standard antidepressants. Clinical Implications St John's Wort is generally well tolerated, and an effective antidepressant. The current evidence indicates that it is less effective than standard antidepressants for severe depression. While some of the available data suggests equivalent efficacy as subtherapeutic doses of tricyclic antidepressants in mild to moderate depression this requires further confirmation. One recently published paper suggests that St John's Wort has equivalent efficacy to fluoxetine in mild to moderate depression. The appropriate therapeutic dose needs clarification.
Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Versus Dry Needling: Effectiveness in the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of treating myofascial trigger points [TrPs] with dry needling [DN] compared to percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [PENS]. Method: In this clinical trial, 122 subjects suffering from non-specific chronic low back pain [CLBP] were treated. They were randomly distributed into two treatment groups: one taking PENS and the other taking DN of TrPs on the deep lumbar paraspinal muscles [lumbar multifidi], quadratus lumborum, and gluteus medius. Four variables were measured: perceived pain and sleep quality using a visual analog scale [VAS], pressure-pain tolerance threshold on TrPs with an algometer, and quality of life assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index. Results: At least one TrP was found in all patients, most commonly situated in the quadratus lumborum muscle [97.6 percent]. The improvement achieved for both treatment groups was similar in all the measured variables, although the DN group carried out fewer sessions than the PENS group. Conclusions: It could be concluded that the effectiveness of DN is comparable to that of PENS and, therefore, it may be considered as another useful tool with limited adverse effects within the multidisciplinary approach required in the management of non-specific CLBP.
Relationship between One-Leg Standing Time with Eyes Open and Physical Function among Community-Dwelling Elderly Females

本研究は，地域在住の女性高齢者56名（平均年齢74. 8±6. 3歳）の開眼片足立ち保持時間を測定し，上下肢筋力や柔軟性，足底感覚などの身体機能評価ならびに注意機能との関連を検討した。 重回帰分析によって，片足立ち保持時間に影響を及ぼす因子として抽出されたのは，足把持力と年齢であり，足把持力が強いほど，また年齢が若いほどに，片足立ち保持が安定していることが確認された。 今回の知見より，地域在住女性高齢者の片足立ち能力を高めるためには，足把持力を高めることの重要性が示された。
Discontinuous conduction in the heart

Preface Section I: Normal Cardiac Conduction: Introduction 1. Discontinuous Cardiac Conduction: Its Origin in Cellular Connectivity With Long-Term Adaptive Changes That Cause Arrhythmias 2. Gap Junction Channels and Cardiac Conduction 3. Nonjunctional Channels of Cardiac Cells and Metabolic Oscillations as Contributors to Discontinuous Conduction Section II: Discontinuous Conduction and Arrhythmias: Introduction: 4. Gap Junction Structure, Conduction, and Arrhythmogenesis: Directions for Future Research 5. Role of Discontinuous Electrical Propagation in Clinical Atrial Arrhythmias: Current Evidence and Future Directions 6. Role of Discontinuous Conduction/Nonuniform Anisotropy in Clinical Arrhythmias Section III: Gating and Modulation of Gap Junctions: Introduction: 7. Structure of Cardiac Gap Junction Membrane Channels: Progress Toward a Higher-Resolution Model 8. Major Cell Biological Issues and Strategies in Discontinuous Conduction 9. Molecular Analysis of the pH Regulation of the Cardiac Gap Junction Protein Connexin43 10. Triggered Propagated Contractions and Arrhythmias Caused by Acute Damage to Cardiac Muscle 11. Microscopic Conduction in Cell Cultures Assessed by High-Resolution Optical Mapping and Computer Simulation Section IV: Waves and Arrhythmias: Introduction: 12. Scale of Geometric Structures Responsible for Discontinuous Propagation in Myocardial Tissue 13. Wave-Front Curvature Leads to Slow Conduction and Block in Two-Dimensional Cardiac Muscle 14. Antiarrhythmic and Proarrhythmic Mechanisms in Cardiac Tissue: Linking Spiral Waves, Reentrant Arrhythmias, and Electrocardiographic Patterns Section V: Junctional Channels and Molecular Genetics: Introduction: 15. Molecular and Biochemical Regulation of Connexins: Potential Targets for Modulation of Cardiac Intercellular Communication 16. Can We Learn About Conduction by Use of Genetic Approaches? Section VI: Discontinuous Conduction in Myocardial Ischemia: Introduction: 17. Characteristics and Causes of Conduction Changes Associated With 1a and 1b Arrhythmias in Acute Ischemia 18. Discontinuous Conduction in the Epicardial Border Zone of Infarcted Hearts and Its Role in Anisotropic Reentry 19. Is There a Pharmacology for Discontinuous Conduction? Section VII: Contemporary Model Studies of Discontinuous Conduction: Introduction: 20. Discontinous Conduction in the AV Junctional Area 21. Experimental Simulations of Variations in Junctional Conductance 22. Membrane Factors and Gap Junction Factors as Determinants of Ventricular Conduction and Reentry Perspectives and Future Directions: Arrhythmias and Discontinuous Conduction Index
Psychotherapy after mild traumatic brain injury: Relation to the nature and severity of subjective complaints

Psychotherapy after brain injury should address not only the patients' cognitive and emotional complaints but also their beliefs about their disability. The discrepancy between minimal objective neurologic findings and significant subjective complaints is a cardinal feature of mild traumatic brain injury. This can also be a central theme of the therapeutic alliance and the psychotherapy process with these patients. Consideration of the relation between persistent symptoms and perceived self-efficacy provides a basis for psychotherapeutic interventions, which seek to increase the patient's experience of competence.
Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Difficult Thoracic Epidural Needle Placement

BACKGROUND:Thoracic epidural anesthesia is often used as a postoperative analgesic technique in thoracic surgery. However, the structure of the overlapping spinous processes, resulting in interlaminar space occlusion, often makes thoracic epidural needle placement difficult. With the development of multi-detector row spiral computed tomography (CT), three-dimensional (3D) thoracic images can be readily obtained, providing potentially useful clinical information. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the correlation between difficult thoracic epidural needle placement and anatomical findings obtained by 3DCT image processing techniques. METHODS:Seventy-eight patients were studied. The number of new skin puncture attempts required for successful catheter insertion into the epidural space and the time spent during the procedure were recorded for each patient. The patients were defined as a first-level success when the needle placement was successful at the spinal level initially attempted. The others were defined as a first-level failure. The number of occluded mid-thoracic interlaminar spaces and the existence of mid-thoracic supraspinous and interspinous ligament ossification on the 3DCT images were also evaluated. RESULTS:The percentage of first-level success was 84.6%. The number of occluded mid-thoracic interlaminar spaces was significantly greater in the first-level failure than in the first-level success (P < 0.001). The incidence of ossification of the mid-thoracic supraspinous ligament was significantly more frequent in first-level failure than in the first-level success (P = 0.001). The number of attempts and the time spent during the procedure significantly correlated to the number of occluded mid-thoracic interlaminar spaces (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION:Preoperative 3DCT imaging may be useful in predicting difficult thoracic epidural needle placement.
Expanding the Q–R space to three dimensions

The two-dimensional space spanned by the velocity gradient invariants Q and R is expanded to three dimensions by the decomposition of R into its strain production −1/3sijsjkski and enstrophy production 1/4ωiωjsij terms. The {Q; R} space is a planar projection of the new three-dimensional representation. In the {Q; −sss; ωωs} space the Lagrangian evolution of the velocity gradient tensor Aij is studied via conditional mean trajectories (CMTs) as introduced by Martín et al. (Phys. Fluids, vol. 10, 1998, p. 2012). From an analysis of a numerical data set for isotropic turbulence of Reλ ~ 434, taken from the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) turbulence database, we observe a pronounced cyclic evolution that is almost perpendicular to the Q–R plane. The relatively weak cyclic evolution in the Q–R space is thus only a projection of a much stronger cycle in the {Q; −sss; ωωs} space. Further, we find that the restricted Euler (RE) dynamics are primarily counteracted by the deviatoric non-local part of the pressure Hessian and not by the viscous term. The contribution of the Laplacian of Aij, on the other hand, seems the main responsible for intermittently alternating between low and high intensity Aij states.
Hopf Bifurcation Analysis of a Gene Regulatory Network Mediated by Small Noncoding RNA with Time Delays and Diffusion

In this paper, a gene regulatory network mediated by small noncoding RNA involving two time delays and diffusion under the Neumann boundary conditions is studied. Choosing the sum of delays as the bifurcation parameter, the stability of the positive equilibrium and the existence of spatially homogeneous and spatially inhomogeneous periodic solutions are investigated by analyzing the corresponding characteristic equation. It is shown that the sum of delays can induce Hopf bifurcation and the diffusion incorporated into the system can effect the amplitude of periodic solutions. Furthermore, the spatially homogeneous periodic solution always exists and the spatially inhomogeneous periodic solution will arise when the diffusion coefficients of protein and mRNA are suitably small. Particularly, the small RNA diffusion coefficient is more robust and its effect on model is much less than protein and mRNA. Finally, the explicit formulae for determining the direction of Hopf bifurcation and the stability of the bi.
Intrathecal Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland

ABSTRACT Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis occurs in 5% to 20% of all cancer patients (9, 18, 22). Among the adult population, most cases of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis are due to breast or lung carcinomas. Over recent years the incidence of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis has been reported to increase, perhaps since cancer patients survive longer with improved systemic therapy (1, 4, 5, 10, 15, 17, 18, 22, 28). Patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis have an exceedingly poor prognosis. Whem maximal therapy is tolerated (intrathecal methotrexate and whole-brain irradiation), mean survival is limited to six to seven months (7, 18, 30) and fewer than 15% of the patients are alive at one year (26). Leptoimeningel involvment is not necessarily a premorbid phenomenon, and in two-thirds of cases, it occures when systemic disease is stable or in complete remission (7, 30). In an attempt to improve this grim prognosis or patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, we have developed a novel approach for the treat.
Conceptual Approaches to Studying Family Caregiving for Persons With Severe Mental Illness

This article critically analyzes the conceptual frameworks commonly used to study family caregivers who have a family member with a severe mental illness. Those frameworks that are commonly in use present significant limitations to the study of the family as a whole. In contrast, the Family Resiliency Model permits family level analysis. The authors present this model and argue for its use in studying families with members who have a severe mental illness.
Applying Visual Learning in the Teaching of Software Measurement Concepts

Applying new learning methodologies in education, such as visual learning based on virtual reality and three-dimensional (3D) environments, is an important aspect in education, since it offers possibilities that can remarkably improve the current education system. Technological advances, along with the chance to create and represent the varying contents offered by information technologies, make the new learning methodologies the focus of attention in the future. Currently, 3D methodologies are only used in Computer Science to improve physical characteristics (virtual laboratories, virtual worlds, etc.), but they are not used to improve the internal mental processes by which human beings understand and retain abstract concepts. In these cases, the use of visual learning helps to clarify them. In Computer Science, particularly in Software measurement courses, the complexity of the concepts is possibly greater than in other courses because there is a lot of learning material that is based on abstract concepts that students find hard to recognize in the real world. In this paper, we present a visual environment that can be used to learn software measurement concepts like the IFPUG functional size measurement method. To validate the new learning model, an experiment was carried out.
Retrieving Deep Web Data through Multi-Attributes Interfaces with Structured Queries

A great deal of data on the Web lies in the hidden databases, or the deep Web. Most of the deep Web data is not directly available and can only be accessed through the query interfaces. Current research on deep Web search has focused on crawling the deep Web data via Web interfaces with keywords queries. However, these keywords-based methods have inherent limitations because of the multi-attributes and top-k features of the deep Web. In this paper we propose a novel approach for siphoning structured data with structured queries. Firstly, in order to retrieve all the data non-repeatedly in hidden databases, we model the hidden database as a hierarchy tree. Under this theoretical framework, data retrieving is transformed into the traversing problem in a tree. We also propose techniques to narrow the query space by using heuristic rule, based on mutual information, to guide the traversal process. We conduct extensive experiments over real deep Web sites and controlled databases to illustrate the coverage and efficiency of our techniques.
Reducing Tardiness from Scheduled Start Times by Making Adjustments to the Operating Room Schedule

BACKGROUND: Tardiness from scheduled start times is a common source of frustration for both operating room (OR) personnel and patients. Factors that influence tardiness were quantified in a companion paper and have been used to develop interventions that have the potential for reducing tardiness. METHODS: Data from two surgical suites were used to compare the effectiveness of several interventions to reduce tardiness, including i) moving cases to different ORs on the afternoon of surgery, ii) recalculating the OR schedule when it is published to correct for average lateness in first cases of the day, iii) recalculating the OR schedule when it is published to correct for average service-specific case duration bias, and iv) scheduling a gap (time buffer) before the cases of a “to follow” surgeon if the day is expected to end early. These last three interventions involve creation of a modified schedule with revised start times that are more accurate for both patient and “to follow” surgeon. The surgeon performing the first case of the day would not be affected. RESULTS: Moving cases to different ORs when a room was running late produced a 50%–70% reduction in the tardiness for those cases that were moved. However, overall tardiness in each suite was reduced by only 6%–9%, because few cases were moved. Scheduling a gap between surgeons if the day was expected to end early reduced tardiness by more than 50% for those cases that were preceded by gaps. However, overall tardiness in each suite was reduced by only 4%–8%, because few gaps could be scheduled. In contrast, correcting for the combination of lateness in first cases of the day and service-specific case duration bias reduced overall tardiness in each suite by 30%–35%. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions which involve small numbers of cases have little potential to reduce overall tardiness. Generating a modified or auxiliary OR schedule that compensates for known causes of tardiness can significantly reduce patient and “to follow” surgeon waiting times. Modifying the OR schedule to create revised start times for patients and “to follow” surgeons involves interventions that are simple to perform. The official schedule is not changed and case sequencing is not altered. Results do not depend on changing surgeon, anesthesia provider, or nursing behavior.
Incremental Development of Fault Prediction Models

The identification of fault-prone modules has a significant impact on software quality assurance. In addition to prediction accuracy, one of the most important goals is to detect fault prone modules as early as possible in the development lifecycle. Requirements, design, and code metrics have been successfully used for predicting fault-prone modules. In this paper, we investigate the benefits of the incremental development of software fault prediction models. We compare the performance of these models as the volume of data and their life cycle origin (design, code, or their combination) evolve during project development. We analyze 14 data sets from publicly available software engineering data repositories. These data sets offer both design and code metrics. Using a number of modeling techniques and statistical significance tests, we confirm that increasing the volume of training data improves model performance. Further models built from code metrics typically outperform those that are built using design metrics only. However, both types of models prove to be useful as they can be constructed in different phases of the life cycle. Code-based models can be used to increase the effectiveness of assigning verification and validation activities late in the development life cycle. We also conclude that models that utilize a combination of design and code level metrics outperform models which use either one metric set exclusively.
Cardiovascular Monitoring by Pulse Dye Densitometry or Arterial Indocyanine Green Dilution

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive cardiac output (CO) monitoring is possible by indocyanine green (ICG) dilution measured by pulse dye densitometry (PDD). To validate the precision of this method, we compared hemodynamic variables derived from PDD (DDG-2001, Nihon Kohden, Japan) with those derived from simultaneously taken arterial blood ICG concentrations. METHODS: In 20 patients (6 M/14 F), ASA I or II, 36 sessions were performed (n = 24 with the PDD-finger probe, n = 10 with the PDD-nose probe). After IV administration of 10 mg ICG, 34 arterial blood samples were taken during each session, with 20 samples taken during the first 2 min. CO, central blood volume (CBV), and total blood volume (TBV) were calculated independently from ICG and PDD and the results compared between methods using Bland-Altman analysis. The results are reported as mean difference (bias) and limits of agreement (LOA = ± 2 sd). RESULTS: PDD using the finger probe underestimated CO (LOA) by 5% (−56% and 47%); overestimated CBV by 21% (−54% and 96%) and underestimated TBV by −15% (−38% and 8%). PDD using the nose probe overestimated CO (LOA) by 30% (−67% and 127%); CBV by 48% (−98% and 193%) and underestimated TBV by −10% (−47% and 27%). CONCLUSION: Despite the permissible bias, the wide LOA of the PDD-derived hemodynamic variables CO and CBV, compared with those simultaneously obtained by invasive arterial ICG measurements, suggest that PDD is unsuitable for evaluation of cardiovascular variables in the individual patient. Hence, the reliability and clinical use of this method seem limited.
How Agile Developers Integrate User-Centered Design Into Their Processes: A Literature Review

The lack of user engagement, the absence of user feedback, incomplete and continuously changing user requirements are among the critical concerns that cause projects to fail. User-centered design (UCD) and agile software development are two iterative approaches that have been proposed to overcome such concerns. UCD is a design process focusing on user research, user interface design and usability evaluation. Introduced by software engineering practitioners, agile refers to a number of iterative and incremental software development practices that emphasize people’s needs, communication between developers and stakeholders and the ability to adapt to change. In both the agile and UCD communities, however, a full understanding of user requirements is often seen as incompatible with early and quick development iterations. We performed a literature review aiming to identify how agile teams have integrated UCD tools into their agile software development process to a better understanding of the user requirements without losing sight of the agile values and principles. UCD tools adaptations and minimal-up-front design applied in agile development are among the approaches discovered in this study. The findings could lead to a comprehensive user-centric software engineering that will overcome inherent problems faced by agile teams to understand user needs, priorities and goals.