Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of neuropathic pain: Current perspectives of indications, cost-effectiveness, complications and results

Introduction: The spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been described as a valuable neuromodulating procedure in the management of chronic and medically untreated neuropathic pain. Although, many studies have discussed the use of this technique, a question still remains regarding its efficacy in different medical conditions with different etiology in the long term. The aim of this paper is to discuss the risks, complications, cost-effectiveness and results of SCS in patients affected by chronic neuropathic pain based on the comprehensive literature review. Methods: Bibliographic search of references from 1950 to 2016 using the databases MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, PubMed, and applied language as selection criteria, choosing preferably recent articles written in Portuguese, Spanish or English. Results: Based on literature review, SCS is a safe, reversible, adjustable and nondestructive surgical procedure demonstrating a significant effect in the reduction of pain intensity and improvement in quality of life in these patients. Furthermore, in spite of the initial high cost to its application, SCS has been associated with lower rates of complications and high rates of cost-effectiveness when compared to standard therapies. Conclusion: Although used in medical conditions with different etiology, the procedure is still an effective and a cost-effective approach to neuropathic pain, mainly in patients affected by failed back pain syndrome (FBSS) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
Astrophysical parameters of 14 open clusters projected close to the Galactic plane

Aims. Astrophysical parameters (age, reddening, distance, core and cluster radii) of 14 open clusters (OCs) projected close to the Galactic plane are derived with 2MASS photometry. The OCs are Be 63, Be 84, Cz 6, Cz 7, Cz 12, Ru 141, Ru 144, Ru 172, FSR 101, FSR 1430, FSR 1471, FSR 162, FSR 178, and FSR 198. The OCs Be 63, Be 84, Ru 141, Ru 144, and Ru 172 are studied in more detail than in previous works, while the others have astrophysical parameters derived for the first time. Methods. We analyse the colour−magnitude diagrams (CMDs) and stellar radial density profiles (RDPs) built after field-star decontamination and colour-magnitude filtered photometry. Field-star decontamination is applied to uncover the cluster’s intrinsic CMD morphology, and colour−magnitude filters are used to isolate stars with a high probability of being cluster members in view of structural analyses. Results. The open clusters of the sample are located at d� = 1.6−7.1 kpc from the Sun and at Galactocentric distances 5.5−11.8 kpc, with age in the range 10 Myr to 1.5 Gyr and reddening E(B−V) in the range 0.19−2.56 mag. The core and cluster radii are in the range 0.27−1.88 pc and 2.2−11.27 pc, respectively. Cz 6 and FSR 198 are the youngest OCs of this sample, with a population of pre-main sequence (PMS) stars, while FSR 178 is the oldest cluster.
Export-biased Productivity Increase and Exchange Rate Regimes in East Asia and Europe

Kaldor's policy proposal on exchange rate, which is based on his export-led growth model, is unilateral. By introducing the institutional analysis of wages and exchange rates into Kaldor's model and measuring productivity growth based on input-output tables, we theoretically and empirically clarify how export-biased productivity increase supported export-led growth and gave rise to inflation or accumulative trade imbalance in Japan, Korea, China, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We then propose an exchange rate regime based on multilateral coordination for East Asia, whose growth is strongly characterized by export-biased productivity increase.
Historical and idealized climate model experiments : An EMIC intercomparison

Both historical and idealized climate model experiments are performed with a variety of Earth system models of intermediate complexity (EMICs) as part of a community contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report. Historical simulations start at 850 CE and continue through to 2005. The standard simulations include changes in forcing from solar luminosity,Earth’s orbital configuration, CO2, additional greenhouse gases, land use, and sulphate and volcanic aerosols. In spite of very different modelled pre-industrial global surface air temperatures, overall 20th century trends in surface air temperature and carbon uptake are reasonably well simulated when compared to observed trends. Land carbon fluxes show much more variation between models than ocean carbon fluxes, and recent land fluxes appear to be slightly underestimated. It is possible that recent modelled climate trends or climate–carbon feedbacks are overestimated resulting in too much land carbon loss or that carbon uptake due to CO2 and/or nitrogen fertilization is underestimated. Several one thousand year long, idealized, 2× and 4×CO2 experiments are used to quantify standard model characteristics,including transient and equilibrium climate sensitivities, and climate–carbon feedbacks. The values from EMICs generally fall within the range given by general circulation models. Seven additional historical simulations, each including a single specified forcing, are used to assess the contributions of different climate forcings to the overall climate and carbon cycle response. The response of surface air temperature is the linear sum of the individual forcings, while the carbon cycle response shows a non-linear interaction between land-use change and CO2 forcings for some models. Finally, the preindustrial portions of the last millennium simulations are used to assess historical model carbon-climate feedbacks. Given the specified forcing, there is a tendency for the EMICs to underestimate the drop in surface air temperature and CO2 between the Medieval Climate Anomaly and the Little Ice Age estimated from palaeoclimate reconstructions. This in turn could be a result of unforced variability within the climate system, uncertainty in the reconstructions of temperature and CO2, errors in the reconstructions of forcing used to drive the models, or the incomplete representation of certain processes within the models. Given the forcing datasets used in this study, the models calculate significant land-use emissions over the pre-industrial period. This implies that landuse emissions might need to be taken into account, when making estimates of climate–carbon feedbacks from palaeoclimate reconstructions
A rapid prototyping technique for the fabrication of solvent-resistant structures

We demonstrate a rapid prototyping technique for the fabrication of solvent-resistant channels up to and exceeding one millimeter in height. The fabrication of channels with such dimensions by conventional lithography would be both challenging and time consuming. Furthermore, we show that this technology can be used to fabricate channels with a depth that varies linearly with distance. This technique requires only a long-wavelength ultraviolet source, a mask made by a desktop printer and a commercially available optical adhesive. We demonstrate two lithographic methods: one that fabricates channels sealed between glass plates (close-faced) and one that fabricates structures on a single plate (open-faced). The latter is fully compatible with silicon replication techniques to make fluid handling devices.
Measuring obesity: results are poles apart obtained by BMI and bio-electrical impedance analysis

Objective: To analyse the use of BMI and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in assessment of adiposity among young and elderly population. Materials and methods: Age, height, weight and percent body fat (PBF) of 101 young and 276 elder subjects were recorded. PBF was measured directly by BIA instrument (PBFb) and also calculated from BMI (PBFf). The classification of subjects into underweight, normal, overweight and obese was based on the age- and sex-specific BMI cutoff values and PBFb following standard guidelines. Results: The calculated mean BMI values of young and old age groups were statistically same. PBF was significantly high in elder subjects. There was no statistical difference in mean PBFb and PBFf in young subjects but the difference was significant in elder subjects. The PBFf values were highly correlated (r: 0.92 to 0.96) with PBFb values in young age groups unlike elder groups of both males and females. PBFb based categorization of subjects’ presented totally different scenario compared to results obtained by BMI analysis to assess adiposity. Conclusion: The cases such as increasing fatness with aging even when BMI remains constant, the causes of country or ethnic differences in BMI analysis, poor correlation in PBFb and PBFf values in elder age group emphasize on the limitations of BMI based analysis. PBFb within limitations seems to be an improved phenotypic characteristic over BMI.
The behavior of commodity prices in Ethiopia

In an attempt to identify price stabilization strategies and rationalize public intervention in buffering markets, this article investigates the intertemporal dynamics of commodity prices in Ethiopia. A classical rational expectation model is modified to account for seasonal correlation of shocks. Model predictions are reduced to computable periodic threshold autoregression. Several nonlinearity tests are applied to detect threshold effects. A regime-switching normalized maximum likelihood method is formulated to estimate thresholds and threshold autoregression parameters using monthly data from Ethiopia for the period 1996–2006. The result indicates the presence of periodic price thresholds that could be formed as a result of speculative storage. Comparison of price movements below and above thresholds indicates that prices are more correlated below the thresholds than above them. However, the effect on error variance is not very strong. Temporal arbitrage, which is the gross return from speculative storage, appears to be modest. The long- and short-term implications of the findings are discussed within the context of ongoing policy debates.
Thermal Property of Carbon Nanotube Fibers from Chemical Vapor Deposition Synthesis

In this study, thermal property of the carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers from chemical vapor deposition synthesis was investigated. Thermal conductivity of the CNT fibers was measured using the “T”-type method; a value of 75.9 WKmwas obtained at room temperature. Temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity of the CNT fibers was also measured; the thermal conductivity first increased and then decreased in the temperature range 80–320 K. Moreover, thermal conductivity of the CNT fibers increased after the treatment with an HCl solution.
An approach and its implementation for cloud computing security

With the increasing popularity of the datacenter provided by Could computing, the datacenter security is becoming an important issue. Also there are other issues to be concerned about such as its speed and standard, but data security is the biggest one. When an organization uses a remote datacenter provided by Cloud, it needs to maintain the confidentiality of the outsourced data and ensure only authorized user or client is allowed to access its data resource. In this paper, we investigate the security issue related to datacenter of cloud computing and propose a security approach for it. We use a formal logical method to specify the data and employ intelligent agents to enforce appropriate security rules on it. We outline the authentication mechanism and present a detailed authorization or access control approach, The implementation of the proposed approach will be discussed and investigated. The authentication and the authorization mechanisms work together to prevent any unauthorized attempt to data stored in the datacenter.
Measuring Image Quality for Assessment of Contrast Enhancement Techniques

Background: The two most common image quality measures (IQM) used for the assessment of Histogram Equalization (HE)-based contrast enhancement techniques are Absolute Mean Brightness Error (AMBE) and Entropy. The two IQMs were evaluated using 1935 human opinion scores and found to have poor correlation to human judgment (Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) 0.75, Outlier Ratio (OR) > 20%). Objective: This paper proposes a new IQM which takes into account the perceived annoyance of noise due to excessive contrast enhancement. Results: PCC > 0.87, RMSE < 0.38 and OR = 0%). Conclusion: The evaluation results shows that the proposed IQM outperforms other IQMs in study, including the prominent MSSIM,.
The Impact of Foreign Trade on the Employment of Unskilled U.S. Workers: Some New Evidence

This paper explores four empirical relationships reflecting the impact of foreign trade on the employment of unskilled workers: (i) the direct relationship between net exports and embodied education of the corresponding goods; (ii) the changes in domestic prices accompanying changes in net exports; (iii) the relationship between real or potential import competition and defensive measures such as more investment or increasing the skill level of the labor force; and (iv) the relationship between foreign trade and domestic prices. None of these exercises suggests that foreign trade has much impact on the employment of less skilled U.S. workers.
Informal learning and the transfer of learning: How managers develop proficiency

This study examined how the extent to which managers engaged in informal learning, perceptions of support in the transfer environment, and level of managerial proficiency related to transfer of learning in twenty core managerial skills. The results suggested that informal learning is predominantly a social process and that managers with high levels of proficiency who experience low levels of coworker, supervisor, and organizational support learn managerial skills mostly from informal learning and transfer learning more frequently. New perspectives are offered on the interrelationship between informal learning and transfer of learning, the role of metacognition and self-regulation in informal learning, and the influence of informal learning in the development of managerial proficiency.
Holomorphic anomaly and quantum mechanics

We show that the all-orders WKB periods of one-dimensional quantum mechanical oscillators are governed by the refined holomorphic anomaly equations of topological string theory. We analyze in detail the double-well potential and the cubic and quartic oscillators, and we calculate the WKB expansion of their quantum free energies by using the direct integration of the anomaly equations. We reproduce in this way all known results about the quantum periods of these models, which we express in terms of modular forms on the WKB curve. As an application of our results, we study the large order behavior of the WKB expansion in the case of the double well, which displays the double factorial growth typical of string theory.
Effect of adjuvant antineoplastic treatment on body weight change in women with breast cancer

AIMS: To identify the effect of adjuvant antineoplastic treatment on body weight change of women with breast cancer. METHODS: A non-randomized clinical study included women with a recent surgical diagnosis of breast cancer, admitted to the Maternidade Carmela Dutra hospital in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, between October 2006 and July 2008. Food intake, weight, body mass index, hip circumference, waist circumference and other variables were measured before (baseline) and after the adjuvant antineoplastic treatment (pos-treatment). A mixed effects linear regression model was used to estimate the longitudinal changes occurring in weight. RESULTS: The sample comprised 53 patients. A significant increase (P less than 0.05) was observed in body weight (2.81 kg), body mass index (1.08 kg/m2), hip circumference (3.62 cm) and waist circumference (1.93 cm). In relation to diet, there was a significant increase (P less than 0.05) in the intake of energy (272.7 kcal), total fat (11.2 g) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (5.4 g). The final regression model for the change in body weight demonstrated that the women who were exposed to chemotherapy treatment, and to chemotherapy associated with radiotherapy, had the largest mean increase in body weight (2.47 kg and 5.21 kg, respectively). Socio-economic, demographic and nutritional factors were not associated with the increase in body weight. CONCLUSIONS: Weight gain was associated with chemotherapy treatment either alone or in combination with radiotherapy.
Relación yema: albumen en híbridos experimentales de gallinas ponedoras con diferente genotipo paterno

Los pesos del huevo y sus componentes mayores, con especial enfasis en la relacion yema:albumen, se estudiaron en tres hibridos experimentales de gallinas ponedoras resultantes del cruzamiento del genotipo materno Plymouth Rock Barrado con tres genotipos paternos: Fayoumi (F), White Leghorn (L) y Rhode Island Red. Los datos se obtuvieron de huevos puestos en el primer (37 semanas de edad) y en el segundo (85 semanas de edad) ciclo de postura. En ambas edades, el peso corporal asintotico de cada grupo se ordeno de la misma manera que el genotipo paterno (F)
Generating Substitution Boxes with 104 Non{linearity for AES Using Chaos

In this research substitution boxes are built for Advanced Encryption Standard cryptosystem –AES–, using the Chaos procedure. Chaos is generated by a non–linear differential equation. Levels of boxes non– linearity using the Walsh function are measured. Eight thousand one hundred ninety–two boxes are constructed with non–linearity of 104. This article uses AES–128 with one box in each round, which is taken from the 8192 generated. An encryption application to colour images is presented. The randomness degree in the ciphered images to quantify encryption quality is measured. Image encryption is performed without loss of information, i.e., the JPEG format type is not used. Mathematics Subject Classification: 14G50
Robust chaotic communication via high gain observer

In order to synchronise transmitter and receiver in chaotic communication, an identical chaotic receiver of transmitter should be applied. It is impossible to construct a replica of the transmitter when there exist uncertainties in transmitter end and transmission line. In this paper a new kind of receiver, called robust receiver, is proposed for robust chaotic communication. The receiver design is based on proportional-plus-Integral (PI) and Proportional (P) forms high gain observers, the chaotic receiver can be different from the transmitter. We prove that the communication single error can be arbitrary small if we select a proper observer gain in the receiver. A chaotic systems is used to illustrate the robust chaotic communication.
The Impact of User Quality and Information Quality on the IS Success in Healthcare Context

In modern world, hospitals implement Hospital Information System (HIS) solution to achieve a range of business and competitive benefits and manage huge amount of medical information. In spite of many investigations that have been done on Information System (IS) models and framework, the user's role in IS success measurement is neglected, especially in the HIS mandatory usage. Moreover, effective theoretical model of IS success measurement is needed for managers to get better understanding of the user's role in terms of user quality and personal characteristics in IS success. In this study, in order to investigate the user's role beside of information quality in the IS success measurement model, two-phase methodology consist of explanatory and confirmatory, was followed. The first one was aimed to specify a quantitative research instrument in specification part, while the second phase was performed to test the hypothesized model. Moreover, collected data from 249 staff showed that user quality significantly influences usage quality and satisfaction quality, while the relationship between user quality and usage quality was moderated by age and experience. In addition, mandatory system usage in the hospital, toggled the impact of the usage quality on IS net benefits from significant effect in voluntary system usage to insignificant effect.
Versatile Gaussian probes for squeezing estimation

We consider an instance of “black-box” quantum metrology in the Gaussian framework, where we aim to estimate the amount of squeezing applied on an input probe, without previous knowledge on the phase of the applied squeezing. By taking the quantum Fisher information (QFI) as the figure of merit, we evaluate its average and variance with respect to this phase in order to identify probe states that yield good precision for many different squeezing directions. We first consider the case of single-mode Gaussian probes with the same energy, and find that pure squeezed states maximize the average quantum Fisher information (AvQFI) at the cost of a performance that oscillates strongly as the squeezing direction is changed. Although the variance can be brought to zero by correlating the probing system with a reference mode, the maximum AvQFI cannot be increased in the same way. A different scenario opens if one takes into account the effects of photon losses: coherent states represent the optimal single-mode choice when losses exceed a certain threshold and, moreover, correlated probes can now yield larger AvQFI values than all single-mode states, on top of having zero variance.
Detection of alternariol in Estonian grain samples.

Current testing for mycotoxins in cereals and feed in Estonia includes aflatoxin, ochratoxin, zearalenone and vomitoxin. Research at the Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) has shown that ~30% of analysed Estonian grain samples contain one or more of these mycotoxins. The Estonian Research Institute of Agriculture (ERI A) has mycological evidence that grain samples could contain other mycotoxins than t he four mentioned above. Other mycotoxins have also been detected in nearby countr ies (Finland, Norway). We suggest that current analyses for mycotoxins in Estonian grain s hould be expanded. Alternaria was the main mould in grain samples on Saku experimental fields in 2008. This mould causes several plant diseases and severe dama ge of cereals. The aim of the current work was to implement methods for detection of the Alternaria toxin alternariol (AOH). Our results show that 4 out of 10 grain samples contained alter nariol .
Adding Socialisation to the Recipe: the Final Ingredient for the OMC/EES. 1

This paper argues in favour of a more thorough analysis of a specific set of dynamics taking place in the Open Method of Coordination (OMC), the latter being conceived as an informal organizational framework aimed at mutual learning (de Burca and Zeitlin, 2003) and policy change (Dolowitz and Marsh, 2000; Radaelli, 2000). The aim of this paper is to uncover the missing link between these two elements, which has hitherto been black-boxed by the literature. Theoretical tools from socialisation theories in International Relations (IR) are borrowed in order to circumvent such a fallacy. The premises are the same as the ones hitherto employed by scholars of the OMC (e.g. Jacobsson, 2004; Bulmer and Padgett, 2004): can norms and values assume a binding character even outside hierarchic forms of governance and thus leading to policy change? If so, how does this phenomenon occur? Nevertheless, the approach is different, in that it builds on two closely interrelated factors: the concept of socialisation with its micro-processes (Johnston, 2001; Johnston, 2008) and the institutional characteristics of social environments (Rogowski, 1999; Checkel, 1999). Accordingly, this paper will address the question: is the OMC in European employment policy a social environment conducive of socialisation?