Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase III Study of Pyridoxalated Hemoglobin Polyoxyethylene in Distributive Shock (PHOENIX)*

Objective:To compare the effectiveness and safety of the hemoglobin-based nitric oxide scavenger, pyridoxalated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene, against placebo in patients with vasopressor-dependent distributive shock. Design:Multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, open-label study. Setting:Sixty-one participating ICUs in six European countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and United Kingdom). Patients:All patients admitted with distributive shock, defined as the presence of at least two systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria, persisting norepinephrine dependence and evidence of organ dysfunction/hypoperfusion despite adequate fluid resuscitation. Interventions:Patients were randomized to receive 0.25 mL/kg/hr pyridoxalated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene (20 mg Hb/kg/hr) or an equal volume of placebo, infused for up to 150 hours, in addition to conventional vasopressor therapy. Measurements and Main Results:The study was stopped after interim analysis showed higher mortality in the pyridoxalated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene group and an increased prevalence of adverse events. At this time, 377 patients had been randomized to pyridoxalated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene (n = 183) or placebo (n = 194). Age, gender, type of patient (medical/surgical), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were similar between groups. Twenty-eight–day mortality rate was 44.3% in the pyridoxalated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene group versus 37.6% in the placebo group (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.85–1.95; p = 0.227). In patients with higher organ dysfunction scores (Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment > 13), mortality rates were significantly higher in the pyridoxalated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene group when compared with those in placebo-treated patients (60.9% vs 39.2%; p = 0.014). Survivors who received pyridoxalated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene had a longer vasopressor-free time (21.3 vs 19.7 d; p = 0.035). Conclusions:In this randomized, controlled phase III trial in patients with vasopressor-dependent distributive shock, administration of a pyridoxalated hemoglobin solution decreased the need for vasopressors but was associated with a trend to increased mortality.
Modular Parameter Identification of Biomolecular Networks

The increasing complexity of dynamic models in systems and synthetic biology poses computational challenges especially for the identification of model parameters. While modularization of the corresponding optimization problems could help reduce the “curse of dimensionality,” abundant feedback and crosstalk mechanisms prohibit a simple decomposition of most biomolecular networks into subnetworks, or modules. Drawing on ideas from network modularization and multiple-shooting optimization, we present here a modular parameter identification approach that explicitly allows for such interdependencies. Interfaces between our modules are given by the experimentally measured molecular species. This definition allows deriving good (initial) estimates for the inter-module communication directly from the experimental data. Given these estimates, the states and parameter sensitivities of different modules can be integrated independently. To achieve consistency between modules, we iteratively adjust the estimates for i.
Tapping in Time with Mechanically and Expressively Performed Music

We investigate how the presence of performance microstructure (small variations in timing, intensity, and articulation) influences listeners9 perception of musical excerpts, by measuring the way in which listeners synchronize with the excerpts. Musicians and nonmusicians tapped on a drum in synchrony with six musical excerpts, each presented in three versions: mechanical (synthesized from the score, without microstructure), accented (mechanical, with intensity accents), and expressive (performed by a concert pianist, with all types of microstructure). Participants9 synchronizations with these excerpts were characterized in terms of three processes described in Mari Riess Jones9s Dynamic Attending Theory: attunement (ease of synchronization), use of a referent level (spontaneous synchronization rate), and focal attending (range of synchronization levels). As predicted by beat induction models, synchronization was better with the temporally regular mechanical and accented versions than with the expressive versions. However, synchronization with expressive versions occurred at higher (slower) levels, within a narrower range of synchronization levels, and corresponded more frequently to the theoretically correct metrical hierarchy. We conclude that performance microstructure transmits a particular metrical interpretation to the listener and enables the perceptual organization of events over longer time spans. Compared with nonmusicians, musicians synchronized more accurately (heightened attunement), tapped more slowly (slower referent level), and used a wider range of hierarchical levels when instructed (enhanced focal attending), more often corresponding to the theoretically correct metrical hierarchy. We conclude that musicians perceptually organize events over longer time spans and have a more complete hierarchical representation of the music than do nonmusicians.
The Cocycle Lattice of Binary Matroids

We study the lattice (grid) generated by the incidence vectors of cocycles of a binary matroid and its dual lattice. We characterize those binary matroids for which the obvious characterization yields a polynomial time algorithm to check whether a matroid has this property, and also to construct a basis in the cocycle lattice. For the general case, we prove that every denominator in the dual lattice is a power of 2, and derive upper and lower bounds for the largest exponent.
Describing and predicting the possession of assistive devices among persons with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE This study describes the types of assistive devices in the possession of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and identifies factors that best predicted the probability of possessing these devices. METHOD A secondary analysis using frequency distributions and logistic regression of existing cross-sectional data was completed. Data were from an anonymous mail survey of members of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (Atlantic Division) (N = 906). RESULTS Mobility aids and grab bars were the most commonly reported assistive devices. Seeing an occupational therapist, not working, having a progressive type of MS, having more activity limitations and more symptoms, and having MS for a longer period were found to increase the probability of possessing assistive devices. CONCLUSION The descriptive results of this study are similar to studies of assistive technology use by older adults and persons with other chronic conditions. Type of MS and seeing an occupational therapist were the two strongest predictors of possessing assistive devices among respondents.
Some Comments on “Sequence Analysis and Optimal Matching Methods in Sociology: Review and Prospect”

Apres un rappel methodologique de l'analyse sequentielle, l'A. expose les forces et les faiblesses de cette technique. Il emet un jugement critique sur les avis de Abbott et Tsay a propos de l'application de l'analyse sequentielle aux carrieres professionnelles. En particulier, l'A. met l'accent sur la question de l'asymetrie des relations unissant les differentes sequences composant une carriere professionnelle. Ce probleme souleve la question des couts en jeu dans les transitions entre les sequences. L'A. defend la methode de l'analyse historique evenementielle et expose en quoi son avis diverge de celui d'Abbott et Tsay
Hybrid ARQ protocols using space-time codes

Automatic repeat-request (ARQ) protocols using transmit diversity are investigated. The performance of space-time codes (STC) in a pure ARQ protocol (ST-ARQ) is first examined. Two hybrid ARQ schemes using STC are then proposed: space-time hybrid ARQ (ST-HARQ) and turbo space-time hybrid ARQ (TST-HARQ). For the ST-HARQ scheme, the previous transmitted packets are combined with the current received packet. In this scheme, the diversity gain is increased with every retransmission resulting in a higher probability of an accepted packet. For TST-HARQ, the transmitted packets are code combined and iteratively decoded. Performance analysis of ST-ARQ and ST-HARQ are approximated and shown to agree well with simulated results. TST-HARQ is shown to have the highest throughput efficiency compared to ST-HARQ and ST-ARQ in quasi-static and fast flat Rayleigh fading channels.
Understanding the HRD Role in MNCs:The Imperatives of Social Capital and Networking

In an era of increasing global competition, it is argued that knowledge and skills are the key sources of competitive advantage. This places the human resource development (HRD) function in a situation of increased status and power, if HRD professionals adopt roles in a way that adds “value” and facilitates achievement of competitive advantage. Multinational corporations (MNCs) are ensconced in this dynamic, increasingly competitive and global environment, even more so than domestic organizations. This provides opportunities for HRD professionals to demonstrate their ability to “deliver value” by reconceptualizing their role as “strategic” or business partners. To engage in such roles, it is evident that social capital is of increasing importance to HRD professionals, and hence the imperativeness of developing social networking competency. This article analyzes the implications of the MNC context for the roles of HRD professionals. It discusses how this context influences and changes their roles and how those roles are organized. Drawing from this discussion, it explores the emergence and increasing importance of social networking competency for HRD professional's efforts at successfully engaged in new roles.
Assessing Malaysian crowdsourcing platforms using web of system performance (WOSP) model

Crowdsourcing allows organizations and individuals to tap into a large pool of people to accomplish tasks. Recent growth in crowdsourcing has triggered Malaysia to venture into crowdsourcing initiatives. This study intends to assess the performance of crowdsourcing platforms in Malaysia using the Web of System Performance (WOSP) model.The results give insights on the current state of crowdsourcing platforms in Malaysia and highlight the gaps that exist in these platforms. This eventually help to enhance the design of current platforms and promote higher uptake of crowdsourcing among Malaysians.
The post-1980s generation in China: exploring its theoretical underpinning

Having emerged as a catch phrase in the media and among the general public in China, the ‘post-1980s generation’ has also become a subject of concern and discussion by academics both domestically and abroad. In order to answer the most basic questions of whether or not the ‘post-1980s’ constitute a generation, and what has founded this generation, the present paper starts with a discussion of the theoretical foundation of the concept of ‘generation’, followed by a specific discussion of the Chinese ‘post-1980s generation’, including the social forces they confront and their corresponding reactions. It is concluded that the post-1980s generation in China has grown up with and responded to the abrupt social changes incurred by reform and opening-up, and displays a distinctive generational entelechy. It therefore constitutes a generation in a practical and theoretical sense.
Familial suicide behaviour: association with probands suicide attempt characteristics and 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism

Objective: There is compelling evidence that a serotonergic dysfunction may play a major role in suicide behaviour and it has also been demonstrated that suicide is, at least partially, genetically determined. Thus, the serotonin‐related genes are the major candidates. Previously a functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5‐HTTLPR) was identified and the presence of the short allele (S) was found to be associated with a lower level of expression of the gene and lower levels of 5‐HT uptake when compared with the long allele (L). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between family suicide behaviour history and probands’ suicide attempt (SA) history, SA characteristics and 5‐HTTLPR genotype.
Bacterial SOS Checkpoint Protein SulA Inhibits Polymerization of Purified FtsZ Cell Division Protein

ABSTRACT Cell division of Escherichia coli is inhibited when the SulA protein is induced in response to DNA damage as part of the SOS checkpoint control system. The SulA protein interacts with the tubulin-like FtsZ division protein. We investigated the effects of purified SulA upon FtsZ. SulA protein inhibits the polymerization and the GTPase activity of FtsZ, while point mutant SulA proteins show little effect on either of these FtsZ activities. SulA did not inhibit the polymerization of purified FtsZ2 mutant protein, which was originally isolated as insensitive to SulA. These studies define polymerization assays for FtsZ which respond to an authentic cellular regulator. The observations presented here support the notion that polymerization of FtsZ is central to its cellular role and that direct, reversible inhibition of FtsZ polymerization by SulA may account for division inhibition.
The Bilinguals' Creativity

The term bilinguals' creativity is used here to refer to those creative linguistic processes which are the result of competence in two or more languages. The term is not interpreted in the sense of acquisitional inadequacies of the bilinguals in a particular language, as has generally been done in describing the linguistic behavior of the bilinguals' use of “non-native” languages. The concept creativity applies both to an individual bilingual and to a bilingual speech community (or a speech fellowship). The bilinguals' creativity entails two things: first, the designing of a text which uses linguistic resources from two or more—related or unrelated—languages; second, the use of verbal strategies in which subtle linguistic adjustments are made for psychological, sociological, and attitudinal reasons. Examples of such creativity may be drawn from non-native literatures written in English or French, or the code-mixed varieties of languages (see section 2 below).
The Impact of Immigration on Wages, Internal Migration, and Welfare

This article studies the impact of immigration on wages, internal migration, and welfare. Using U.S. Census data, I estimate a spatial equilibrium model where labour differs by skill level, gender, and nativity. Workers are heterogeneous in city preferences. Cities vary in productivity levels, housing prices, and amenities. I use the estimated model to assess the distributional consequences of several immigration policies. The results show that a skill selective immigration policy leads to welfare gains for low skill workers, but welfare losses for high skill workers. The negative impacts are more substantial among the incumbent high skill immigrants. Internal migration mitigates the initial negative impacts, particularity in cities where housing supplies are inelastic. However, the negative wage impacts on some workers intensify. This is because an out-migration of workers of a given type may raise the local wages for workers of that type, while reducing the local wages of workers with complementary characteristics. Overall, there are substantial variations in the welfare effects of immigration across and within cities. Further, I use the model to assess the welfare effects of the border wall between Mexico and the U.S. The results show that the potential benefits are significantly smaller than the proposed cost of construction.
A CMOS correlator for UWB front-end circuit

A CMOS analog correlator designed using SMIC/spl reg/ 0.18/spl mu/m CMOS mixed and RF technology is proposed in this paper. The correlator is mainly composed of a Gilbert cell, common mode feedback (CMFB) circuit, capacitor load and buffer. The correlator can be used in the ultra wideband (UWB) receivers.
Probabilistic CMOS Technology: A Survey and Future Directions

Highly scaled CMOS devices in the nanoscale regime would inevitably exhibit statistical or probabilistic behavior. Such behavior is due to process variations and other perturbations such as noise. Therefore current circuit design methodologies, which depend on the existence of deterministic and uniform devices with no consideration for either power consumption or probabilistic behavior, would no longer be sufficient to design robust circuits. To help overcome this challenge, CMOS devices have been characterized with probabilistic behavior (probabilistic CMOS or PCMOS devices) at several levels: from foundational principles to analytical modeling, simulation, fabrication and measurement, as well as innovative approaches to harnessing PCMOS devices in system-on-a-chip architectures which can implement a wide range of applications. This paper presents a broad overview of our contributions in the domain of PCMOS, and outline ongoing work and future challenges in this area
Channel simulation with large-scale time evolution in irregular cellular networks

We consider a cellular network where base stations with widely different power capabilities (power subclasses) are deployed in a highly inhomogeneous or irregular pattern-referred to in this work as an irregular cellular network. A simulation framework with slow scale time variation appropriate for irregular networks is proposed. A relevant resource allocation framework as well as shadowing and path loss models are discussed. Finally, the time evolution methodology is detailed. It is believed that the proposed simulation framework will be important in the evaluation of slowly adaptive algorithms such as those studied as part of 3GPP LTE Self Organizing Networks (SON).
Sourcing practices and innovation: Evidence from the auto industry on the sourcing relationship as a dynamic capability

Abstract This research uses the dynamic capabilities (DC) framework to analyze innovation efforts in the auto industry to understand the linkages between sourcing relationships and innovation. The DC framework provides a look at several capabilities within the relationships that facilitate innovation processes such as robust bi-directional information flows and learning processes centered on the relationships. To examine the innovation processes, the author conducted fourteen interviews and examined a variety of secondary source materials for a comparative analysis of three case studies. The research supports the view that sourcing relationships are dynamic capabilities which enable firms to develop resource synergies from the internal and external environment. Viewing these relationships as dynamic capabilities leads to the conclusion that investing in relational resources can contribute to competitive advantage for the firm.
'Who's that girl?' Prosopagnosia, person-based semantic disorder, and the reacquisition of face identification ability

Data are reported on three rehabilitation studies conducted on a patient, NE, who shows a tendency to misidentify familiar faces due to a person-based semantic disorder complicated by prosopagnosia. Therapy aimed to improve NE's ability to learn to recognise new people (Study 1), and her ability to recognise previously familiar people (Studies 2 and 3). In all studies, we contrasted therapy that targeted all of NE's difficulties simultaneously with therapy that focused on only one area. We show positive effects of therapy that targeted both the prosopagnosic and the semantic impairments. We discuss the implications for remediating prosopagnosia, semantic memory disturbance, and cognitive disorders that are due to multiple loci of impairment.
The Influence of Recent Climate Change on Tree Height Growth Differs with Species and Spatial Environment

Tree growth has been reported to increase in response to recent global climate change in controlled and semi-controlled experiments, but few studies have reported response of tree growth to increased temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in natural environments. This study addresses how recent global climate change has affected height growth of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) and black spruce (Picea mariana Mill B.S.) in their natural environments. We sampled 145 stands dominated by aspen and 82 dominated by spruce over the entire range of their distributions in British Columbia, Canada. These stands were established naturally after fire between the 19th and 20th centuries. Height growth was quantified as total heights of sampled dominant and co-dominant trees at breast-height age of 50 years. We assessed the relationships between 50-year height growth and environmental factors at both spatial and temporal scales. We also tested whether the tree growth associated with global climate change differed with spatial environment (latitude, longitude and elevation). As expected, height growth of both species was positively related to temperature variables at the regional scale and with soil moisture and nutrient availability at the local scale. While height growth of trembling aspen was not significantly related to any of the temporal variables we examined, that of black spruce increased significantly with stand establishment date, the anomaly of the average maximum summer temperature between May-August, and atmospheric CO2 concentration, but not with the Palmer Drought Severity Index. Furthermore, the increase of spruce height growth associated with recent climate change was higher in the western than in eastern part of British Columbia. This study demonstrates that the response of height growth to recent climate change, i.e., increasing temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentration, did not only differ with tree species, but also their growing spatial environment.
Successful management of systemic lupus erythematosus nephritis flare-up during pregnancy with tacrolimus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the common autoimmune disorders that affect women during their childbearing years. Disease activity frequently increases during pregnancy and the postpartum period, representing a challenge for both the patient and the treating physician(s). We report a case of successful management of lupus nephritis flare in the first trimester. The patient developed bilateral leg edema and nephrotic-range proteinuria of 5 g/day. She was treated with steroids and tacrolimus, which resulted in the induction of remission during pregnancy. The patient reached full-term with no maternal or fetal complications. This case indicates that tacrolimus, which is convenient to use and has limited adverse effects, may represent a potential safe and effective treatment option for SLE nephritis during pregnancy.