Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Open Source Software can Improve the Health of the Bank Balance - The Beaumont Hospital Experience

This study describes the implementation of open source software in a large Irish public sector organization, Beaumont Hospital. The findings reveal a radical shift in open source deployment from invisible horizontal infrastructure systems to highly visible vertical applications. The case study describes the implementation of these systems, the difficulties encountered, and also the benefits in terms of astonishing cost savings of €13m over 5 years. These details are useful in that few studies have thus far quantified the savings from the deployment of open source software (OSS). Given that Beaumont were already receiving academic pricing discounts for many of their original proprietary closed source applications, the savings for a typical commercial organization could be even higher. Also, in many cases, the extra functionality available in the OSS systems deployed allowed for a richer feature set overall. The study also identifies the primary drivers in the move to OSS, namely principle, pragmatism and practicality. This is useful, since while several studies have considered the motivation of OSS developers, the motivation of actual users of OSS has received far less attention. The study also indicates how a typical company can contribute back to the OSS community in their own unique way, by distributing applications form their own domain of expertise, rather than having to make detailed code contributions to the original code base.
Quadratic Convergence for Valuing American Options Using a Penalty Method

The convergence of a penalty method for solving the discrete regularized American option valuation problem is studied. Sufficient conditions are derived which both guarantee convergence of the nonlinear penalty iteration and ensure that the iterates converge monotonically to the solution. These conditions also ensure that the solution of the penalty problem is an approximate solution to the discrete linear complementarity problem. The efficiency and quality of solutions obtained using the implicit penalty method are compared with those produced with the commonly used technique of handling the American constraint explicitly. Convergence rates are studied as the timestep and mesh size tend to zero. It is observed that an implicit treatment of the American constraint does not converge quadratically (as the timestep is reduced) if constant timesteps are used. A timestep selector is suggested which restores quadratic convergence.
Resummations in Hot Scalar Electrodynamics

Abstract The gauge-boson sector of perturbative scalar electrodynamics is investigated in detail as a testing ground for resummation methods in hot gauge theories. It also serves as a simple non-trivial reference system for the non-Abelian gluon plasma. The complete next-to-leading order contributions to the polarization tensor are obtained within the resummation scheme of Braaten and Pisarski. The simpler scheme proposed recently by Arnold and Espinosa is shown to apply to static quantities only, whereas Braaten-Pisarski resummation turns out to need modification for collective phenomena close to the light-cone. Finally, a recently proposed resummation of quasi-particle damping contributions is assessed critically.
Dealing with forward-looking expectations and policy rules in quantifying the channels of transmission of monetary policy

The issue of appraising the transmission process through which monetary policy affects the economy is receiving wider and increasing attention. In Europe, much of the interest in the effects of monetary policy is arguably a reflection of the introduction of the single currency: to the extent that transmission mechanism differ significantly across euro area countries, heterogenous responses of economic activity and prices to the policy instrument should be expected, an occurrence whose policy implications are of major relevance. To gain some insight into the likely causes of those differences recent studies have attempted to identify and assess separately the channels of transmission of monetary policy. This paper proposes a simple methodology to quantify separately the different parts of the overall impulse response that are transmitted through the various mechanisms at play in a model of the economy. It is shown that, under the maintained assumption of linearity, the decomposition of the effects of monetary policy into a number of channels delivered by our approach is exact (i.e., it leaves no unexplained residual). This conclusion holds regardless of the nature of the expectation formation mechanism and the way in which policy decisions are modelled. The features of the proposed approach are illustrated with an empirical application, using a model that features two distinct transmission channels and assumes rational expectations and a monetary policy reaction rule. We show that our approach produces an exact decomposition of the effects of a monetary policy shock. Moreover, and perhaps more interestingly, our approach gives a deeper insight than do standard impulse responses into the specific features of the model that are most relevant in shaping its observed reaction to the shock.
Hemispheric Differences in Ischemic Stroke: Is Left-Hemisphere Stroke More Common?

Background and Purpose Understanding the mechanisms underlying stroke can aid the development of therapies and improve the final outcome. The purposes of this study were to establish whether there are characteristic mechanistic differences in the frequency, severity, functional outcome, and mortality between left- and right-hemisphere ischemic stroke and, given the velocity differences in the carotid circulation and direct branching of the left common carotid artery from the aorta, whether large-vessel ischemia (including cardioembolism) is more common in the territory of the left middle cerebral artery. Methods Trial cohorts were combined into a data set of 476 samples. Using Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria, ischemic strokes in a total 317 patients were included in the analysis. Hemorrhagic stroke, stroke of undetermined etiology, cryptogenic stroke, and bilateral ischemic strokes were excluded. Laterality and vascular distribution were correlated with outcomes using a logistic regression model. The etiologies of the large-vessel strokes were atherosclerosis and cardioembolism. Results The overall event frequency, mortality, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and rate of mechanical thrombectomy interventions differed significantly between the hemispheres. Left-hemispheric strokes (54%) were more common than right-hemispheric strokes (46%; p=0.0073), and had higher admission NIHSS scores (p=0.011), increased mortality (p=0.0339), and higher endovascular intervention rates (p≤0.0001). ischemic strokes were more frequent in the distribution of the left middle cerebral artery (122 vs. 97; p=0.0003) due to the higher incidence of large-vessel ischemic stroke in this area (p=0.0011). Conclusions Left-hemispheric ischemic strokes appear to be more frequent and often have a worse outcome than their right-hemispheric counterparts. The incidence of large-vessel ischemic strokes is higher in the left middle cerebral artery distribution, contributing to these hemispheric differences. The hemispheric differences exhibit a nonsignificant trend when strokes in the middle cerebral artery distribution are excluded from the analysis.
Volumetric linear gradient: methods for and applications of a simple volumetric display

We present Volumetric Linear Gradient, a simple volumetric display. The display consists of a fiber-optic cylinder with a diffused surface and a light emitting diode (LED) on each end. Each LED emits a different color and the light is mixed within the light guide. It is possible to proportionally modify the two light colors within the medium through pulse-width modulation of the two LEDs. The result is similar to moving the stop points of a gradient in graphic design software. This volumetric display can be used as an information display, giving ambient clues about temporal or quantitative data. The display can take different shapes and can be composed of several of these elements in order to create a more complex display. Possible application uses are volumetric progress bars, energy indicators or, in combination with sensors, simple gravitational fluid metaphors.
Structure of the Type 1 Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor Revealed by Electron Cryomicroscopy*

The three-dimensional structure of the type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R1) has been determined by electron cryomicroscopy and single-particle reconstruction. The receptor was immunoaffinity-purified and formed functional InsP3- and heparin-sensitive channels with a unitary conductance similar to native InsP3Rs. The channel structure exhibits the expected 4-fold symmetry and comprises two morphologically distinct regions: a large pinwheel and a smaller square. The pinwheel region has four radial curved spokes interconnected by a central core. The InsP3-binding core domain has been localized within each spoke of the pinwheel region by fitting its x-ray structure into our reconstruction. A structural mapping of the amino acid sequences to several functional domains is deduced within the structure of the InsP3R1 tetramer.
Mechanical Generation of Admissible Heuristics

It has been 25 years since Pearl’s classic book Heuristics— Intelligence Search Strategies for Computer Problem Solving ﬁrst appeared. One of the many major contributions contained in the book was his discussion on automating the generation of search heuristics. Pearl’s ideas have had impact, and in the intervening 25 years this work has spawned an extensive research literature that touches on many areas of artiﬁcial intelligence (and beyond). This paper gives an informal and non-exhaustive introduction to this research area.
Cilengitide in newly diagnosed glioblastoma: biomarker expression and outcome

Integrins αvβ3 and αvβ5 regulate angiogenesis and invasiveness in cancer, potentially by modulating activation of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β pathway. The randomized phase III CENTRIC and phase II CORE trials explored the integrin inhibitor cilengitide in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma with versus without O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation. These trials failed to meet their primary endpoints. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the levels of the target integrins of cilengitide, αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins, of αvβ8 and of their putative target, phosphorylation of SMAD2, in tumor tissues from CENTRIC (n=274) and CORE (n=224). αvβ3 and αvβ5 expression correlated well in tumor and endothelial cells, but showed little association with αvβ8 or pSMAD2 levels. In CENTRIC, there was no interaction between the biomarkers and treatment for prediction of outcome. In CORE, higher αvβ3 levels in tumor cells were associated with improved progression-free survival by central review and with improved overall survival in patients treated with cilengitide. Integrins αvβ3, αvβ5 and αvβ8 are differentially expressed in glioblastoma. Integrin levels do not correlate with the activation level of the canonical TGF-β pathway. αvβ3 integrin expression may predict benefit from integrin inhibition in patients with glioblastoma lacking MGMT promoter methylation.
Long‐term Follow‐up of Cerebral Infarction Patients With Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Background and Purpose With proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy it is possible to measure the content of various brain metabolites in vivo, including N-acetylaspartate (which may be used as a neuronal marker), creatine, choline, and lactate. The content of these brain metabolites was measured serially from the acute stage to the chronic stage of infarction. Regional cerebral blood flow was also measured within the affected areas. These factors were compared with the clinical outcome. Methods Six patients with ischemic stroke were examined serially from the acute stage (s2 days) to the chronic stage (>6 months) with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Cerebral blood flow was measured with single-photon emission-computed tomography with Tc-labeled <i,/-hexamethyl-enepropyleneamine oxime as flow tracer. Results Lactate was found in all patients in the acute stage of stroke. Lactate was also found in the 3 largest lesions in the chronic stage; in 2 of these patients lactate was not found in the subacute stage. Reduced levels of JV-acetylaspartate were found in 5 patients; in the sixth patient with a small lesion no reduction was found. In all lesions reduced blood flow was found in the acute and chronic stage, whereas hyperemia was found in 4 patients in the subacute stage. Conclusions In this preliminary study no clear correlation was found between the level of N-acetylaspartate or lactate in the acute stage of stroke and the clinical outcome; however, there does appear to be some connection between the reduction of cerebral blood flow and the spectroscopic findings in the chronic stage and to some extent the clinical outcome. Studies of larger clinical groups will be necessary to further elucidate the prognostic potential of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in human stroke.
Off the Golden Fetters: Examining Interwar Carry Trade and Momentum

We study the properties of carry trade and momentum returns in the interwar period, 1921:1-1936:12. We find that currencies with higher interest rates outperform currencies with lower interest rates by about 7% per annum, consistent with estimates from modern samples, while a momentum strategy that is long past winner and short past loser currencies rewards an average annual excess return of around 7% in the interwar sample, larger than its modern counterparts. On the grounds that the interwar period represents rare events better than modern samples, we provide evidence unfavorable to the rare disaster based explanation for the returns to the carry trade and momentum. Global FX volatility risk, however, turns out to account for the carry trade return in the interwar sample as well as in modern samples.
Interpolation of curves using variational subdivision surfaces

We introduce a variational method to interpolate or approximate given curves on a surface by subdivision within a given tolerance. In every subdivision step some new points are determined by the interpolation constraint and the other new points are varied by solving an optimization problem to minimize some surface energies such that the resulting surfaces have high quality. This method is simple to implement and can flexibly meet different quality requests.
PTH 1-34 (teriparatide) may not improve healing in proximal humerus fractures

Background and purpose — There is solid evidence from animal experiments that parathyroid hormone (PTH) improves fracture healing. So far, only 3 papers on PTH and fracture repair in humans have been published. They suggest that PTH may enhance fracture healing, but the results do not appear to justify specific clinical recommendations. This study was carried out to determine whether teriparatide enhances fracture healing of proximal humerus fractures. Patients and methods — 40 post-menopausal women with a proximal humerus fracture were randomized to either daily injections with 20 µg teriparatide (PTH 1-34 (Forteo)) for 4 weeks or control treatment. At randomization, the patients were asked to assess how their pain at rest and during activity (visual analog scale (VAS)) and also function (DASH score) had been prior to the fracture. At 7 weeks and again at 3 months, their current state was assessed and the tests were repeated, including radiographs. 2 radiologists performed a blind qualitative scoring of the callus at 7 weeks. Callus formation was arbitrarily classified as ”normal” or “better”. Results — 39 patients completed the follow-up. The radiographic assessment showed a correct correlation, “better” in the teriparatide group and “normal” in the control group, in 21 of the 39 cases. There were no statistically significant differences in pain, in use of strong analgesics, or in function between the groups at the follow-up examinations. Interpretation — There were no radiographic signs of enhanced healing or improved clinical results in the group treated with teriparatide
A secured alternative path routing protocol against DoS attack

Wireless sensor networks are vulnerable to attacks as nodes are deployed in harsh environment depending on the application. We proposed A Secured Alternative path Routing Protocol against Dos Attack (SARP) method which prevents and detects the DoS attack in sensor network. The source node collects the data while sending the data to the sink the SARP uses alternative path to send the data these data need to secured in the transmitting region. Thus the sending node will calculate the trust value using the neighbor nodes report and the observed value. The neighbor report is collected from 2-Hop distance sensor node. The neighbor report is secured by using a secured session key.
Looking for fraud in digital footprints: sensemakingwith chronologies in a large corporate investigation

During extended sensemaking tasks people typically create external representations that integrate information and support their thinking. Understanding the variety, role and use of these is important for understanding sensemaking and how to support it effectively. We report a case-study of a large, document-based fraud investigation undertaken by a law firm. We focus on the construction and use of integrated representations in the form of chronologies. We show how these supported conjecture recording, focussing on time-periods, identifying gaps, identifying connections and reviewing interpretations. We use our findings to highlight limitations of a previous analysis of representations in sensemaking which regards this as schema definition and population. The findings also argue for search tools designed to identify date references in documents, for the support of ad-hoc event selections, and the support of linking between integrating representations and source documents.
Phytic Acid Mitigates Motor Asymmetry in Male Rat with Unilateral 6-Hydroxydopamine Striatal Lesion

arkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition with debilitating clinical symptoms like bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, postural imbalance and walking impairment (1). These motor function abnormalities are accompanied with a lower life quality (2). Global incidence of PD is about 0.3% in the general population and 1%-2% in those elder than 60-65 years (2). Behavioral and cognitive problems like dementia, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances appear in end-stage PD (3, 4). Available treatment strategies for PD are mainly symptomatic and usually begins with gold standard levodopa and/or dopamine agonists (5). However, after some time, most PD patients experience some complications like motor and non-motor fluctuations and dyskinesia (6). The neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is used to damage mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons and to produce animal model of PD (7). Because environmental factors are involved in some cases of PD, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of natural products in neuroprotective strategies for PD (8). Meanwhile, PD patients often turn to complementary and alternative medicine (9). Phytic acid (PA) is the main phosphorus storage form in plant seeds (10).
Multikey access methods based on superimposed coding techniques

Both single-level and two-level indexed descriptor schemes for multikey retrieval are presented and compared. The descriptors are formed using superimposed coding techniques and stored using a bit-inversion technique. A fast-batch insertion algorithm for which the cost of forming the bit-inverted file is less than one disk access per record is presented. For large data files, it is shown that the two-level implementation is generally more efficient for queries with a small number of matching records. For queries that specify two or more values, there is a potential problem with the two-level implementation in that costs may accrue when blocks of records match the query but individual records within these blocks do not. One approach to overcoming this problem is to set bits in the descriptors based on pairs of indexed terms. This approach is presented and analyzed.
Distinguishing Between the Effects of Primary and Post‐primary Education on Economic Growth

The paper follows Benhabib and Spiegel (Journal of Monetary Economics, Vol. 34, 1994:143-73) in examining the effect of human capital accumulation on economic growth. The paper is innovative in two ways. First, it takes the R&D-based models more seriously. This delivers more structural specifications in which human capital affects growth as an input of final output and as a catalyst of technological innovation and imitation. Second, owing to data availability it is possible to disaggregate human capital and assign different roles to primary and post-primary education. Regression estimates obtained from these alternative specifications suggest that the relative contribution of human capital to technology adoption and final output production vary by country wealth. More importantly, regression estimates suggest that primary education contributes mainly to production of final output, whereas post-primary education contributes mainly to innovation and imitation of technology. Copyright Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2003.
The Optimality of Satisficing Solutions

This paper addresses a prevailing assumption in single-agent heuristic search theory- that problem-solving algorithms should guarantee shortest-path solutions, which are typically called optimal. Optimality implies a metric for judging solution quality, where the optimal solution is the solution with the highest quality. When path-length is the metric, we will distinguish such solutions as p-optimal.
Le conseguenze sociali della flessibilizzazione del mercato del lavoro in Italia

The article investigates the determinants and consequences of atypical jobs in Italy, using longitudinal micro-data and comparing North-South regions. We demonstrate that the "partial and targeted" labour market deregulation, as implemented in Italy since the '80s, did not solve the "high equality, low employment" problem of the Italian labour market. Moreover, flexibilisation enhanced a strong labour market segmentation that entrapped the younger cohorts in a secondary, sub-protected labour market filled with atypical jobs. In addition, our results show that the the expectation that the new forms of atypical employment could constitute a way to make the transition into stable employment - and to make it faster - is definitely misleading. On the opposite, we find serious risk of entrapment in "second, sub-protected L.M. " at 35 years of age, namely for the less qualified. We address the point that - due to the way the national insurance-based welfare model works - the present situation appears at risk of further enhancing the inegalitarian tide.