Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blogging as a Communication Strategy for Government Agencies: A Danish Case Study

More and more government agencies are starting to use social media as part of their communication strategy to increase organizational transparency, collaborations inside and outside the organization, and public participation. In this study, we investigate how civil servants use a blog in a government agency in Denmark and their viewpoints on the actual contribution of blogging for their organization’s communication goals. The study is longitudinal and qualitative. We collected and analyzed data from focus groups, interviews, observations and document analysis at different points of time from 2007 until 2013. The results indicate that the agency’s primary scope for blogging is increasing its visibility and being perceived as an expert source of information among the media and specialized publics. To a lesser extent, the government agency was able to communicate with the general public and involve its stakeholders by posting content of recreational nature and even less to develop dialogue with them. The analysis indicates that over the years blogging has become highly specialized and has lost part of its relevance, as it has not contributed to increasing agency visibility in the media nor to promote a more participatory and transparent government agency. This study shows that strategic communication via blogging for a government agency is often a complex, full of dilemmas activity to engage with, and its real value is often overestimated.
Spatial Variability of the 12-Lead Surface ECG as a Tool for Noninvasive Prediction of Catheter Ablation Outcome in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. Radiofrequency catheter ablation (CA) is increasingly employed to treat this disease, yet the selection of persistent AF patients who will benefit from this treatment remains a challenging task. Several parameters of the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) have been analyzed in previous works to predict AF termination by CA, such as fibrillatory wave (f-wave) amplitude. However, they are usually manually computed and only a subset of electrodes is inspected. In this study, a novel perspective of the role of f-wave amplitude as a potential noninvasive predictor of CA outcome is adopted by exploring ECG interlead spatial variability. An automatic procedure for atrial amplitude computation based on cubic Hermite interpolation is first proposed. To describe the global f-wave peak-to-peak amplitude distribution, signal contributions from multiple leads are then combined by condensing the most representative features of the atrial signal in a reduced-rank approximation based on principal component analysis (PCA). We show that exploiting ECG spatial diversity by means of this PCA-based multilead approach does not only increase the robustness to electrode selection, but also substantially improves the predictive power of the amplitude parameter.
Using sketch drawing to induce inconsistency in liars

Purpose. Consistency as a cue to detecting deception was tested in two experiments using sketch drawing and verbal reports in repeated interviews. Liars were expected to be less consistent than truth-tellers.Methods. In Expt 1, 80 undergraduate students reported truthfully or deceptively about an alleged lunch date - they sketched the layout of the restaurant and then answered spatial questions about objects in the restaurant. Ratings were given for the consistency between sketches and verbal reports. In Expt 2, 34 undergraduate students reported truthfully or deceptively about completing a series of unrelated tasks - they answered spatial questions about objects in a room and then sketched the layout of the room. Proportions were calculated for the consistency between verbal reports and sketches.Results. Expt 1. Liars were rated as less consistent than truth-tellers. Up to 80% of truth-tellers and 70% of liars could be correctly classified. Expt 2. Liars were less consistent than truth-tellers on consistency proportions. Up to 100% of truth-tellers and 77% of liars could be correctly classified.Conclusions. Using sketches to induce inconsistency may be a reliable, resource efficient way to help investigators detect deception. Language: en
Point-Shift Foliation of a Point Process

A point-shift $F$ maps each point of a point process $\Phi$ to some point of $\Phi$. For all translation invariant point-shifts $F$, the $F$-foliation of $\Phi$ is a partition of the support of $\Phi$ which is the discrete analogue of the stable manifold of $F$ on $\Phi$. It is first shown that foliations lead to a classification of the behavior of point-shifts on point processes. Both qualitative and quantitative properties of foliations are then established. It is shown that for all point-shifts $F$, there exists a point-shift $F_\bot$, the orbits of which are the $F$-foils of $\Phi$, and which are measure-preserving. The foils are not always stationary point processes. Nevertheless, they admit relative intensities with respect to one another.
Peripheral Venous Catheter-Related Adverse Events: Evaluation from a Multicentre Epidemiological Study in France (the CATHEVAL Project)

Introduction Peripheral venous catheters (PVC) are medical devices most frequently used during hospital care. Although the frequency of specific PVC-related adverse events (PVCAEs) has been reported, the global risk related to the insertion of this device is poorly estimated. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of PVCAEs during the indwell time, after catheter removal, and to identify practice-mirroring risk factors. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted as a part of a research project, called CATHEVAL, in one surgery ward and four medicine wards from three public general tertiary care hospitals in Northern France that were invited to participate between June-2013 and June-2014. Each participating ward included during a two-month study period all patients older than 15 years carrying a PVC. All inserted PVCs were monitored from insertion of PVC to up to 48 hours after removal. Monitored data included several practice-mirroring items, as well as the occurrence of at least one PVCAE. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, based on a marginal risk approach, was used to identify factors associated with the occurrence of at least one PVCAE. Results Data were analysed for 815 PVCs (1964 PVC-days) in 573 patients. The incidence of PVCAE was 52.3/100 PVCs (21.9/100 PVC-days). PVCAEs were mainly clinical: phlebitis (20.1/100 PVCs), haematoma (17.7/100 PVCs) and liquid/blood escape (13.1/100 PVCs). Infections accounted for only 0.4/100 PVCs. The most frequent mechanical PVCAEs, was obstruction/occlusion of PVC (12.4/100 PVCs). The incidence of post-removal PVCAEs was 21.7/100 PVCs. Unstable PVC and unclean dressing were the two main risk factors. Conclusion Limitation of breaches in healthcare quality including post-removal monitoring should be reinforced to prevent PVC-related adverse events in hospital settings.
Total Dose Hardness of  ${\rm TiN}/{\rm HfO}_{\rm x}/{\rm TiN}$ Resistive Random Access Memory

Resistive random access memory based on TiN/HfO<sub>x</sub>/TiN has been fabricated, with the stoichiometry of the HfOx layer altered through control of atomic layer deposition (ALD) temperature. Sweep and pulsed electrical characteristics were extracted before and after <sup>60</sup>Co gamma irradiation. Monoclinic HfO<sub>x</sub> deposited at 400<sup>°</sup>C did not result in resistive switching. Deposition at 300<sup>°</sup>C and 350<sup>°</sup>C resulted in cubic HfO<sub>x</sub> which switched successfully. Both stoichiometric HfO<sub>2</sub> and sub-oxides HfO<sub>2-x</sub> result in similar memory characteristics. All devices are shown to be radiation hard up to 10 Mrad(Si), independent of stoichiometry.
Physical Load Estimation of Flight Attendant Work by Direct Observation and Accelerometry

Occupational groups with variable work tasks pose unique methodological challenges to ergonomists who need valid measures of physical job demands for occupational health research. In this study data on flight attendants' physical job demands were collected during five round-trip commercial passenger flights using direct observation and accelerometry. Thirty-five flight attendants (88% participation) each were observed inflight and equipped with two accelerometers (positioned on the leg and waist). Correlational analyses were performed to examine concordance between measures obtained by each method. Agreement was moderate to high between direct observation and accelerometry for measures of standing, lifting (leg), and overall physical effort level. Agreement was poor for back posture and push/pull activities. These findings suggest that accelerometry may provide an acceptable alternative to the labor-intensive but established observational approach when evaluating some physical job demands in occupational groups with variable work. However, supplementation of accelerometry with descriptive data from other methodologies (e.g., exposure diary, questionnaire, focus groups) is warranted to provide important information regarding the nature of workers' exposure to postural loading, exertion demands and task activity.
Insulin-sensitising drugs (metformin, troglitazone, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, D-chiro-inositol) for polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by anovulation, hyperandrogenaemia and insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinaemia is known to be associated with an increase in cardiovascular risk and the development of diabetes mellitus. If insulin sensitising agents such as metformin are effective in treating features of PCOS, then they could have wider health benefits than just treating the symptoms of the syndrome. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of insulin sensitising drugs in improving clinical and biochemical features of PCOS. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders & Subfertility Group trials register (December 2002), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2002), MEDLINE (January 1966 to December 2002), and EMBASE (January 1985 to December 2002). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials which investigated the effect of insulin sensitising drugs compared with either placebo or no treatment, or compared with an ovulation induction agent. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Performed by two reviewers, one blinded to information that could have identified the authors, publisher or results of each study. Fifteen trials were included for analysis, 13 of them using metformin and involving 543 participants. MAIN RESULTS Meta-analysis showed that metformin is effective in achieving ovulation in women with PCOS with odds ratios of 3.88 (CI 2.25 to 6.69) for metformin versus placebo and 4.41 (CI 2.37 to 8.22) for metformin and clomifene versus clomifene alone. An analysis of pregnancy rates suggests a significant treatment effect for metformin and clomifene (OR 4.40, CI 1.96 to 9.85). Metformin has a significant effect in reducing fasting insulin levels (WMD -5.37, CI -8.11 to -2.63), blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). There was no evidence of effect on body mass index or waist:hip ratio. Metformin was associated with a significantly higher incidence of nausea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal disturbance, but no serious adverse effects were reported. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Metformin is an effective treatment for anovulation in women with PCOS. Its choice as a first line agent seems justified, and there is some evidence of benefit on parameters of the metabolic syndrome. Ovulation rates are higher when combined with clomifene (76% versus 46% when used alone), but there is no evidence to indicate whether there is an increased multiple pregnancy rate with this combination. There is no data regarding its safety in long-term use in young women. It should be used as an adjuvant to general lifestyle improvements, and not as a replacement for increased exercise and improved diet.
Deficiency in kinesin-1 recruitment to melanosomes precludes it from facilitating their centrifugal transport

Microtubules and F-actin, and associated motor proteins, are considered to play complementary roles in longand short-range organelle transport. However, there is growing appreciation that myosin/F-actin networks can drive long-range transport. In melanocytes myosin-Va and kinesin-1 have both been proposed as long-range centrifugal melanosome transporters. Here we investigated the role of kinesin-1 heavy chain (Kif5b) and its suggested targeting factor Rab1a in transport. Using confocal microscopy and sub-cellular fractionation we did not detect Kif5b or Rab1a on melanosomes. Meanwhile functional studies, using siRNA knockdown and dominant negative mutants, did not support a role for Kif5b or Rab1a in melanosome transport. To probe the potential of Kif5b to function in transport we generated fusion proteins that target active Kif5b to melanosomes and tested their ability to rescue perinuclear clustering in myosin-Va deficient cells. Expression of these chimeras, but not full length Kif5b, dispersed melanosomes with similar efficiency to myosin-Va. Our data indicate that kinesin/MT can compensate for defects in myosinVa/actin-based transport in mammals but that endogenous Kif5b plays little role in transport in melanocytes due to its inefficient recruitment to melanosomes. Jo ur na l o f C el l S ci en ce • A dv an ce a rt ic le
Efficacy of trunk balance exercises for individuals with chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial.

STUDY DESIGN Randomized clinical trial. OBJECTIVES To determine the efficacy of trunk balance exercises for individuals with chronic low back pain. BACKGROUND The majority of exercises focusing on restoring lumbopelvic stability propose targeting the feedforward control of the lumbopelvic region. Less attention has been paid to feedback control during balance adjustments. METHODS Seventy-nine patients were randomly allocated to 2 different groups. The experimental group performed trunk balance exercises in addition to standard trunk flexibility exercises. The control group performed strengthening exercises in addition to the same standard trunk flexibility exercises. The primary outcome measures were pain intensity (visual analogue scale), disability (Roland-Morris Questionnaire), and quality of life (12-Item Short-Form Health Survey). Secondary outcomes were painful positions, use of analgesic drugs, and referred pain. Analysis of variance and relative risk were used to analyze the data for the primary and secondary outcome measures, respectively. The number of participants reaching the minimal clinically important difference in the 2 groups for each outcome measure was compared using relative risk. RESULTS A significant difference in scores on the Roland-Morris Questionnaire (P = .011) and the physical component of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (P = .048), and in the number of participants reaching the minimal clinically important difference for the Roland-Morris Questionnaire (relative risk, 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05, 3.04) and the secondary outcome of painful positions (relative risk, 1.37; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.83) were found in favor of the experimental treatment. CONCLUSIONS Trunk balance exercises combined with flexibility exercises were found to be more effective than a combination of strength and flexibility exercises in reducing disability and improving the physical component of quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain.
Invented Spelling Ability and Printed Word Learning in Kindergarten.

L'A. a examine dans cette etude la connaissance de l'alphabet, la competence en lecture de mots et l'ecriture inventee de 119 enfants d'âge prescolaire, a partir de tests de lecture de mots de 3 a 8 lettres. L'A. presente et analyse les resultats de ces tests
Police Complaints and Criminal Prosecutions

The police complaints process is the sole means by which criminal proceedings are initiated against police officers after allegations by members of the public that they were the victim of an offence committed by officers when in the execution or purported execution of their duty. Yet this state of the law has hardly figured in recent debate, which has seen the complaints process examined almost exclusively as the preliminary stage of the disciplinary process. This paper considers police complaints, the criminal liability of the officer and the implications for reform of the process after incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Unsupervised Generation of Percussion Sound Sequences from a Sound Example

In this paper we present a system that learns rhythmic patterns from drum audio recording and synthesizes music variations from the learnt sequence. The procedure described is completely unsupervised and embodies the transcription of a percussion sequence into a fuzzy multilevel representation. Moreover, a tempo estimation procedure identifying the most regular subsequence is used to guarantee that the metrical structure is preserved in the generated sequence. The final synthesis is performed, recombining the audio material derived from the sample itself. Some examples of generations along with a descriptive evaluation are provided.
Bayesian Ying Yang System and Theory as A Uni ed Statistical Learning Approach I for Unsupervised and Semi Unsupervised Learning

Abstract A uni ed statistical learning approach called Bayesian Ying Yang BYY system and theory has been developed by the present author in recent years This paper is the rst part of a recent e ort on systematically summarizing this theory In this paper we show how the theory functions as a general theory for unsupervised learning and its semi unsupervised extension on parameter learning regularization structural scale or complexity selection architecture design and data sampling Speci cally it is shown how the general theory provides new theories for unsupervised pattern recognition and cluster ing analysis factorial encoding data dimension reduction and independent component analysis such that not only several existing popular unsupervised learning approaches e g nite mixture with the EM algorithm K means clustering algorithm Helmholtz machine principal component analysis plus various extensions Informax and minimum mutual information approaches for independent component analysis etc are uni ed as special cases with new insights and several new results but also a number of new unsu pervised learning models are obtained In a sister paper this theory is further shown to function as a general theory for supervised learning too from which we get new theories for supervised classi cation and regression such that the existing approaches for multilayer net mixtures of experts and radial basis function nets are uni ed as special cases with not only new in sights and new learning algorithms but also new selection criteria for the number of hidden units and experts In another sister paper this theory is further shown to function as a general theory for learning on time series also not only with the hidden Markov model and the linear state space based Kalman lter as special cases but also with several temporal learning models and algorithms obtained
Hematologic and Clinical Parameters After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that platelet activation occurs in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). This study sought to evaluate the changes in hematologic and clinical parameters noted with the improvement in AS following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with severe AS at high risk of surgery. Patients and Methods: The study included 33 patients who underwent TAVI. In addition to biochemical, clinical, and echocardiographic examinations, hematologic blood parameters were recorded before TAVI, at discharge, and at 1 and 4 months. Results: Mean platelet volume (MPV) showed a progressive decrease after TAVI. On echocardiography at 1 month, aortic valve area significantly increased, with significant decreases in peak and mean gradients. Progressive decreases were also noted in N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide levels. Conclusion: Our findings show that TAVI improves hemodynamic parameters of the valve with marked clinical and echocardiographic improvement, resulting in decreased platelet activation and MPV in patients with severe AS.
The nearest polynomial with a zero in a given domain from a geometrical viewpoint

For a real univariate polynomial f and a closed complex domain D, whose boundary C is a simple curve parameterized by a univariate piecewise rational function, a rigorous method is given for finding a real univariate polynomial f such that f has a zero in D and |f - ~f|∞ is minimal. First, it is proved that the minimum distance between f and polynomials having a zero at α in C is a piecewise rational function of the real and imaginary parts of α. Thus, on C, the minimum distance is a piecewise rational function of a parameter obtained through the parameterization of C. Therefore, by using the property that ~f has a zero on C and computing the minimum distance on C, ~f can be constructed.
Clean Care is Safer Care: The First Global Challenge of the WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety

Dr. Pittet is from the Global Patient Safety Challenge, WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety; and Dr. Donaldson is from the WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety, WHO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland. Address reprint requests to Didier Pittet, MD, MS, Director, Infection Control Programme, University of Geneva Hospitals, 24 rue Micheli-du-Crest, 1211 Geneva-14, Switzerland. didier.pittet@hcuge.ch © World Health Organization [2005]. All rights reserved. The World Health Organization has granted SLACK Incorporated permission for the reproduction of this article. The authors thank the group of international experts and WHO members who worked to the development of the Global Patient Safety Challenge, in particular for their participation to the two international WHO Consultations, review of the available scientific evidence, writing of the WHO draft Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care, and fostering discussion among authors and members of the different task forces and working groups. The complete list of participants in the development of the guidelines documents is available at www.who. int/patientsafety/events/05/27_AprilParticipantList. pdf (accessed August 8, 2005). They also thank the patient safety team and other WHO staff from all the departments involved at HQ and in the regional offices for their work, the members of the Infection Control Programme at the University of Geneva Hospitals, and Rosemary Sudan for providing editorial assistance and outstanding support. For further information on the World Alliance or the Global Patient Safety Challenge, go to www.who. int/patientsafety/en (accessed August 8, 2005). Clean Care is Safer Care: The First Global Challenge of the WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety