Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noise Resistant Method for Cardiac Pulse Wave Arrival Time Estimation

Pulse arrival time is the time interval which is needed for pulse wave to travel the distance from the heart to some distal place on the body. Almost all definitions of pulse arrival time estimation are based on high quality photoplethysmogram signals. However, when subject movement is involved movement artifacts dominate in the signal, e.g., records from orthostatic test, and estimation of pulse arrival time becomes complicated. The aim of this study is to present pulse arrival time estimation method which is based on instantaneous phase shift estimation between extracted fundamental frequency components and compare it with a classical method which based on photoplethysmogram signal derivative maximum. The results showed that the proposed method is better for pulse arrival time estimation when signals are noisy. The method yielded pulse arrival time with the highest agreement, accuracy, precision and lowest variability. There is high intraclass correlation when signal to noise ratio are 0 dB and 10 dB (0.5317 and 0.8630). The classical method incorrectly estimates pulse arrival time when are using real signals. However, larger dataset is needed in order to get statistically significant results. Variability of pulse arrival time and arterial blood pressure is higher in the vertical posture. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.eee. 20.8. 8442
Identification of Psychometric Characteristics of Sample of Vocal Behaviour and Interaction Assessment Record Forms

The purpose of this research is to study the Sample of Vocal Behaviour Record Form (SVBRF), included in the third edition of Autism Screening Instrument for Educational Planning-3 (ASIEP-3), and the psychometric properties of the trucked forms for the informal assessment tools of Autism Screening Instrument for Educational Planning-3 (ASIEP-3). The rationale for the research is the lack of standardised informal assessment tools to use for the educational assessment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Turkey. The study group consists of students, who receive education at three private institutions for special education and rehabilitation. A total of 169 students were included in the study group of the Turkish Version of the SVBRF, 54 females and 115 males. And in the study group of the Turkish Version of the IARF, a total of 115 students were included, 37 females and 78 males. The data, which were obtained from the study requiring data collection based on performance feedback, were analysed in order to assess the validity and reliability of the tools. The findings from the analysis revealed that both tools were valid and reliable to be used for obtaining the samples of vocal behaviour of children with ASD, and evaluating their level of social interaction.
miR-34a is a microRNA safeguard for Citrobacter-induced inflammatory colon oncogenesis

Inflammation often induces regeneration to repair the tissue damage. However, chronic inflammation can transform temporary hyperplasia into a fertile ground for tumorigenesis. Here, we demonstrate that the microRNA miR-34a acts as a central safeguard to protect the inflammatory stem cell niche and reparative regeneration. Although playing little role in regular homeostasis, miR-34a deficiency leads to colon tumorigenesis after Citrobacter rodentium infection. miR-34a targets both immune and epithelial cells to restrain inflammation-induced stem cell proliferation. miR-34a targets Interleukin six receptor (IL-6R) and Interleukin 23 receptor (IL-23R) to suppress T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation and expansion, targets chemokine CCL22 to hinder Th17 cell recruitment to the colon epithelium, and targets an orphan receptor Interleukin 17 receptor D (IL-17RD) to inhibit IL-17-induced stem cell proliferation. Our study highlights the importance of microRNAs in protecting the stem cell niche during inflammation despite their lack of function in regular tissue homeostasis.
South African Exchange Rate After 2000s: An Econometric Investigation

This paper is an econometric investigation, an analysis on the difficulty of modeling the south african exchange rate. The aim of our paper is to examine the nature of the existing relationship between the real exchange rate of the Rand, real prices of gold, platinum and the real interest rate differential through different empirical models, and this over the period going from January 2000 to September 2014. Our analysis shows that, over the same period, with different empirical methods, the variables used in the paper can be the determinants of the real value of the south african Rand, but at different horizons. To achieve our goals, long run (Engle and Granger (1987) ; Johansen (1988)) and short run (VAR process (Sims (1980))) analysis have been performed. We come to the conclusion that, the determinants of the Rand change according to the methods used and these do not therefore allow us to have robust results. The long run analysis performed by Engle and Granger approach result to a lack of long run relationship among our variables. To have an robust idea on the lack of long run relationship, we have performed another long run analysis: the vector error correction model (VECM approach) of Johansen which results on the existing of one co-integrating relation among real value of te Rand and their determinants. However, because of the lack of long run relationship resulting of the Engle and Granger approach, we have performed a short run analysis with the vector autoregressive process. We find that only the real platinum price in our study is a short term determinant of the real value of the Rand. The real impact is effective only at the end of the first quarter with a real appreciation of the Rand. The main surprise is the absence of impact of real price of gold shock on the real value of the Rand. Analyze the south african exchange rate through one empirical method/model to find theirs determinants can be biased.
Modelling long term basin scale sediment 1 connectivity , driven by spatial land use 2 changes 3

8 Changes in land use can affect local geomorphology and sediment dynamics. However, these 9 impacts could conceivably lead to changes in geomorphological processes beyond the area of land 10 use change, thereby evidencing a geomorphic connectivity in the landscape. We conduct a 11 numerical modelling experiment, using the CAESAR landscape evolution model, to investigate the 12 extent and nature of such connectivity in the River Swale basin. Six simulations are run and analysed. 13 Two of these are reference simulations, where the basin has a hypothetical total grassland cover or 14 total forest cover. In the other four simulations, half of the basin is subjected to either deforestation 15 or reforestation during the simulation. Simulations are analysed for temporal trends in sediment 16 yield and for spatial trends in erosion and deposition across the basin. Results show that 17 deforestation or reforestation in one half of the basin can indeed affect the geomorphology of the 18 other half, thus implying a geomorphological connectivity across the basin. This connectivity is 19 locally very high, with significant morphological impacts close to where deor re-forestation occurs. 20 Changes are observed both downstream and upstream of the areas where the land use changes 21 occurred. The impacts are more pronounced in the downstream direction and are still apparent in 22 the basin scale sediment yields, as deforestation of half the basin can increase decadal sediment 23 yields by over 100%, while reforestation of half the basin can lead to 40% decreases. However, our 24 results also indicate a reverse connectivity whereby erosion and deposition in upstream headwaters 25 and tributaries can, for the first time, be conclusively attributed to land use changes several 26 kilometres downstream, due to alterations in the valley floor base level resulting from incision and 27 alluviation. 28 © 2017. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Integrating Refugees: A Long-Term, Worthwhile Investment

The debate about the massive influx of refugees into Germany often focuses solely on the short-term costs. But while these expenditures are bound to be substantial inthe coming years, the discussion neglects the long-term economic potential of a successful integration of refugees—often, young people—which can transform the initial expenditure into a worthwhile investment. Even if many of the refugees’ labor market prospects may be relatively poor for the first few years due to a lack of qualifications, and those who do find employment may be less productive than the average Ger¬man worker, the long-term gains are likely to exceed the costs. This study uses simple simulations to outline the economic potential by comparing the costs and benefits of an integration in the long run. In addition to a baseline scenario, this article investigates both an optimistic and a pessimistic scenario. (It should be emphasized, however, that these are simulations and not forecasts—clearly, more detailed studies are needed to measure these effects more precisely.) The central question boils down to when, not whether, the integration of refugees gains sufficient momentum to outweigh the costs—because even if the labor market integration turns out to be sluggish, the refugees will still have a positive impact on the German economy after five to ten years. Most importantly, even in terms of per capita income of non-refugees, the benefits will exceed the costs in the long-term, thus highlighting the benefits to the entire economy
Spatial and temporal issues in the development of policies for abstraction control in Scotland

Abstractions of surface and groundwater for irrigation in Scotland are currently subject to control in only two small catchments. Under the terms of the EU Water Framework Directive, it will be necessary to introduce new legislation to control abstractions elsewhere. In this paper a study is carried out on two catchments in the east of Scotland, the Tyne and West Peffer, to examine how different irrigation control strategies would modify the surface water flow regimes in the catchments. The results of the study demonstrated that the West Peffer catchment in particular is significantly affected by abstractions for irrigation of potatoes. Control mechanisms based on allowable abstraction volumes and flow-based abstraction bans could be of considerable help in restoring streamflows to their natural levels, but would modify the hydrological regime in slightly different ways. A spatial analysis of streamflows demonstrated that implementation of controls based on a single monitoring point in a catchment may be ineffective at maintaining acceptable levels of flow in small streams, because of the significance of abstractions relative to the flows.
Understanding the strong intervening O vi absorber at zabs ∼ 0.93 towards PG1206+459

We have obtained new observations of the partial Lyman limit absorber at \zabs$=0.93$ towards quasar PG~1206+459, and revisit its chemical and physical conditions. The absorber, with $ N(HI) \sim 10^{17.0}$ ~\sqcm\ and absorption lines spread over $\gtrsim$1000~\kms\ in velocity, is one of the strongest known OVI absorbers at $\log N(OVI)=$15.54$\pm$0.17. Our analysis makes use of the previously known low-(e.g. \MgII), intermediate-(e.g. SiIV), and high-ionization (e.g., CIV, NV, NeVIII) metal lines along with new $HST/$COS observations that cover OVI, and an $HST/$ACS image of the quasar field. Consistent with previous studies, we find that the absorber has a multiphase structure. The low-ionization phase arises from gas with a density of $\log (n_{\rm H}/\rm cm^{-3})\sim-2.5$ and a solar to super-solar metallicity. The high-ionization phase stems from gas with a significantly lower density, i.e. $\log (n_{\rm H}/\rm cm^{-3}) \sim-3.8$, and a near-solar to solar metallicity. The high-ionization phase accounts for all of the absorption seen in CIV, NV, and OVI. We find the the detected \NeVIII, reported by \cite{Tripp2011}, is best explained as originating in a stand-alone collisionally ionized phase at $T\sim10^{5.85}~\rm K$, except in one component in which both OVI and NeVIII can be produced via photoionization. We demonstrate that such strong OVI absorption can easily arise from photoionization at $z\gtrsim1$, but that, due to the decreasing extragalactic UV background radiation, only collisional ionization can produce large OVI features at $z\sim0$. The azimuthal angle of $\sim88$\degree\ of the disk of the nearest ($\rm 68~kpc$) luminous ($1.3L_*$) galaxy at $z_{\rm gal}=0.9289$, which shows signatures of recent merger, suggests that the bulk of the absorption arises from metal enriched outflows.
Short Range 10 Gb/s THz Communications. Proof of Concept Phase 2

Abstract : This report results from a contract tasking University College London as follows: Short-Range THz Communications Proof of Concept Phase 2. This project has investigated the potential of photonic techniques for generating and coherently detecting millimetre and THz waves, with shortrange (in-room) Gb/s communications systems that operate in unlicensed spectrum above 300 GHz as the target application. This would allow compact, low-cost transceivers to be fabricated that leverage the mature InP-based photonic component and integration technologies that have been developed for optical fibre communications. In this project, the UTC-PD has, for the first time, been investigated as a down-converting optoelectronic mixer, simplifying the receiver by combining the functions of LO generation and mixing in a single device with potential for monolithic integration with OHG components. Data transmission experiments were carried out in which a UTC-PD as a down-converting mixer or a data transmitter. BPSK was transmitted on an 80 GHz carrier at a rate of 500 kb/s. Also, optical heterodyne combining the outputs of two external cavity lasers and OOK-modulated at 1 Gb/s using an external electro-optic modulator was converted to a modulated signal at 200 GHz with a UTC-PD. The signal was transmitted over a short wireless link to a Schottky barrier diode mixer, to an IF of 2.5 GHz. Offline processing converted the signal to baseband and achieve a bit error rate (BER) of 10-3 at -52 dBm. Transmission with the same BER should be possible over link lengths of more than 1 m at 300 GHz. The results achieved in the project show the UTC-PDs, as sources and/or optoelectronic mixers, will be key in future high-data-rate wireless communication systems at low-THz carrier frequencies.
THE HOMOGENEOUS STUDY OF TRANSITING SYSTEMS (HoSTS). I. THE PILOT STUDY OF WASP-13

We present the fundamental stellar and planetary properties of the transiting planetary system WASP-13 within the framework of the Homogeneous Study of Transiting Systems (HoSTS). HoSTS aims to derive the fundamental stellar (Teff, [Fe/H], M⋆, R⋆) and planetary (Mpl, Rpl, Teq) physical properties of known transiting planets using a consistent methodology and homogeneous high-quality data set. Four spectral analysis techniques are independently applied to a Keck+HIRES spectrum of WASP-13 considering two distinct cases: unconstrained parameters and constrained log g from transit light curves. We check the derived stellar temperature against that from a different temperature diagnostic based on an INT+IDS Hα spectrum. The four unconstrained analyses render results that are in good agreement, and provide an improvement of 50% in the precision of Teff, and of 85% in [Fe/H] with respect to the WASP-13 discovery paper. The planetary parameters are then derived via the Monte Carlo Markov Chain modeling of the radial velocity and light curves, in iteration with stellar evolutionary models to derive realistic uncertainties. WASP-13 (1.187 ± 0.065 M☉; 1.574 ± 0.048 R☉) hosts a Saturn-mass, transiting planet (0.500 ± 0.037 MJup; 1.407 ± 0.052 RJup), and is at the end of its main-sequence lifetime (4–5.5 Gyr). Our analysis of WASP-13 showcases that both a detailed stellar characterization and transit modeling are necessary to well determine the fundamental properties of planetary systems, which are paramount in identifying and determining empirical relationships between transiting planets and their hosts.
AN ENFORCED ESSENTIAL BOUNDARY CONDITION BV PENALTY METHOD IN THE ELEMENT-FREE GALERKIN (EFG) METHODS

A bstract . A meshless approach to the analysis of two-dimensional elasticity problems by the Element-Free Galerkin (EFG) method is presented. This method is based on moving least squares approximant (MLS). The unknown function of displacement u (x) is approximated by moving least square approximants uh (x). These approximants are constructed by using a weight function , a monomial basis function and a set of nonconstant coefficients . A subdivision similar to finite element method is used to provide a background mesh for numerical integration. The essential boundary conditions are enforced by Penalty Method. The results are obtained for a two-dimensional problem using different EFG weight functions and compared with the resul ts of finite element method and exact methods .
Publicness, Organisational Characteristics and Performance: An Investigation of Public and Private Hospitals in England

a BStra Ct This paper reports an exploratory study utilising a publicness model in which the impact of ownership, funding and mode of control on performance is moderated by organisational characteristics such as goals, structure and management. It describes the testing in 164 English hospital pharmacies of four health sector-relevant characteristics; diffusion of ownership (number of owners), priority of financial goals, congruence of core purpose (goals of sub-unit compared to organisation), and proximity of control (hierarchical levels between sub-unit and top management). Associations between these and four indicators of performance (managerial effectiveness, utilisation of human resources, work quality and employee satisfaction) were examined. Statistically significant relationships were seen between three of the organisational characteristics and some aspect of performance. Priority of financial goals was associated with perceptions of managerial performance, and proximity of control with use of human resources, work quality and employee satisfaction. Further elucidation of such characteristics may be justified.
Effect of contact pesticides on vine mealybug parasitoids, "Anagyrus" sp. near "pseudococci" (Girault) and "Coccidoxenoides perminutus" (Timberlake) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Anagyrus species near pseudococci (Girault) and Coccidoxenoides perminutus (Timberlake) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) are well-known mealybug parasitoids. Both are proven biological control agents of Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in vineyards. These parasitoids are affected by some pesticides used for the control of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and P. ficus in vineyards. To establish which of the vineyard pesticides is more toxic to parasitoids, pesticide bioassays were carried in the laboratory using adult and pupal parasitoids. Fipronil and α-cypermethrin caused significant acute toxicity of both parasitoids. Low mortality was recorded for all these pesticides for parasitoids emerging from mummies indicating that the mummy case was an effective barrier to pesticides for parasitoids. Buprofezin, mancozeb and an insecticidal soap were not toxic to parasitoids in both bioassays. Some pesticides have far-reaching negative impacts on parasitoids of orchard and vineyard arthropod pests. A refinement on pest management strategies regarding method and timing of application of pesticides where parasitoids constitute part of the pest management program is essential.
Non-linear multivariate adjustment of the UK real exchange rate

Based on a multivariate non-linear model, this paper recognises an important role for the real exchange rate in affecting UK labour market conditions. The short-run real exchange rate adjusts quickly to disequilibrium deviations of the real exchange rate from its long-run level outside a rather wide interval band. When the real exchange rate is undervalued, short-run unemployment falls as firms respond to an improvement in domestic competitiveness by increasing their demand for labour. Further, there is a strong response of short-run unemployment to the disequilibrium error outside a narrow interval band. To the extent that the real exchange rate equation reflects monetary policy considerations, our results imply that unemployment can be targeted by economic policy. Furthermore, if economic authorities want to avoid large swings in unemployment then they should be prepared to intervene in exchange markets with the aim of keeping real exchange rate movements within a narrow interval band.
The business cycle and unemployment: e mpirical evidence from the Visegrad group countries

The paper deals with a relationship between the economic cycle and unemployment in the Visegrad group countries. The paper examines the causes of the economic crisis and its consequences on the labor market. Quarterly Eurostat and OECD data were used for the analysis of labor market performance. We also used the Beveridge curve which implicitly depicts a negative relationship between the rate of unfilled job vacancies and the unemployment rate and so it can properly link related creation of new job vacancies and the unemployed. Another finding is that shifts of individual Beveridge curves correspond to shifts of the theoretical Beveridge curve. In the last part of the paper, the Johansen test and the Error Correction Model were applied on 2000,2010 data to examine cointegration between the number of the unemployed labor force and output. On the basis of the unit root test, we found that in all countries, both variables are stationary except for their first differences Cointegration was proved only in the case of Slovakia. Keywords—Labor market, Unemployment, Economic crisis, Visegrad Group, Cointegration, Error correction model
Combining radiotherapy with death ligands in cancer treatment : feasibility and molecular mechanisms

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Systematization of the term digital transformation and its phenomena from a socio-technical perspective - A literature review

IT-innovation triggers the transformation of society, working life and the behavior of people. Digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation are buzzwords in this context. While existing publications discuss the benefits and consequences connected to the three terms, a proper conceptualization of them is still not available. A common understanding is that digitization and digitalization trigger digital phenomena which allow organizations to operationalize the process of digital transformation. Prior research identified some phenomena, like collaboration and sharing, but a structured analysis of the occurring phenomena is still missing. Embedding digital transformation and the phenomena into the context of socio-technical systems, we conduct a structured literature review to suggest theoretically and practically relevant definitions for the aforementioned terms and create an overview of relevant phenomena. We show that digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation are often used without selective distinctions, even though that it is not appropriate as each term has to take into account different concepts. Furthermore, we identify seven relevant phenomena: collaboration, sharing, communication, connectivity, flexibility, mobility, and co-creation.