Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of methods to measure baroreflex sensitivity in Brugada syndrome

Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is a valuable index to assess cardiovascular autonomic control and therefore to provide prognostic evaluation in many cardiac diseases. Although several methods have been developed to noninvasively capture spontaneous BRS, they are difficult to compare and often provide conflicting results. In this study we analyzed different BRS estimates obtained from a clinical series of thirty-two patients diagnosed with Brugada syndrome. They took part in a standardized head-up tilt test in order to quantify the level of agreement between the following measures: (1) BRS+/+ and (2) BRS-/- from sequence analysis, (3) BRS-LF, (4) BRS-HF, (5) BRS-LHF, (6) BRS-TF and (7) BRS-TFLF from cross-spectral analysis and (8) BRS-SD. Measures resulting from the sequence method failed to provide results in many recordings and showed low agreement with the remaining methods based on intraclass correlation coefficient results. Assuming an age-associated reduction in BRS, which has been previously reported, the lowest Pearson's correlation coefficients came from sequence analysis results. Thus, among the analyzed BRS estimates, those derived from sequence analysis showed a lower reliability when capturing baroreflex function in Brugada syndrome patients.
Job Search, Bargaining, and Wage Dynamics

This article constructs and estimates a model of wage bargaining with on‐the‐job search to explore three different components of wages: general human capital, match‐specific capital, and outside options. As the workers find better job opportunities, the current employer has to compete with outside firms to retain them. This between‐firm competition results in wage growth even when productivity remains the same. The model is estimated by a simulated minimum distance estimator and data from the 1979 National Longitudinal Study of Youth. The results indicate that the improved value of the outside option raises wages by 14%–16% in the first 5 years.
A Survey onAdaptive resource provisioning for read intensive multi-tier applications in the cloud

With the growth of information technology, most important service is computing that meets everyday needs of general community. Cloud computing is that type of computing model which uses computing resources for delivering inform ation technology services over a network. A Service-Level Agreement (SLA) guarantees for specific quality attributes to the consumers of services such as response time, throughput etc. This survey paper defines methodology of a prototype system which is used for automatic detection and resolution of bottlenecks in a multi-tier Web application hosted on a cloud in order to provide surety of maximum response time requirements. It also defines a method for identifying and retracting over provisioned resources in multi-tier cloud-hosted Web applications.
Coarse-grained modelling of strong DNA bending I: Thermodynamics and comparison to an experimental "molecular vice"

DNA bending is biologically important for genome regulation and is relevant to a range of nanotechnological systems. Recent results suggest that sharp bending is much easier than implied by the widely-used worm-like chain model; many of these studies, however, remain controversial. We use a coarse-grained model, previously fitted to DNA's basic thermodynamic and mechanical properties, to explore strongly bent systems. We find that as the end-to-end distance is decreased sufficiently short duplexes undergo a transition to a state in which the bending strain is localized at a flexible kink that involves disruption of base-pairing and stacking. This kinked state, which is not well-described by the worm-like chain model, allows the duplex to more easily be sharply bent. It is not completely flexible, however, due to constraints arising from the connectivity of both DNA backbones. We also perform a detailed comparison to recent experiments on a "molecular vice" that probes highly bent DNA. Close agreement between simulations and experiments strengthens the hypothesis that localised bending via kinking occurs in the molecular vice and causes enhanced flexibility of duplex DNA. Our calculations therefore suggests that the cost of kinking implied by this experiment is consistent with the known thermodynamic and mechanical properties of DNA.
HiWaRPP &#8213; Hierarchical Wavelet-based Retrieval on Peer-to-Peer Network

This paper introduces the use of wavelets for information retrieval in a peer-to-peer environment. In order to achieve our purposes, we use a new combination between broadcasting and a hierarchical overlay. Compared to previous approaches, we do not store complete information about the children of a super-peer, nor do we broadcast the queries blindly. We approximate the feature vectors using the multiresolution analysis and the discrete wavelet transform. Each peer is represented by a high-dimensional feature vector and the height of the hierarchy is logarithmic in the dimensionality of this feature vector. Leaf nodes represent real peers, while internal nodes are virtual peers used for routing. Our retrieval method has been tested with both real and synthetic data and shown to be efficient in retrieving relevant information, resulting in good precision and recall on four standard test collections.
Anatomically Based Modelling of the Human Skull and Jaw

We present here an anatomically based model of the human masticatory system that provides a framework for simulating the complex chewing process. The initial motivation for creating this model was the desire to have a computational model of the human jaw that can be used to simulate the action of simple bites, and to calculate the stresses and forces on the teeth that are involved. The model created also provides a platform that can be used to investigate other features of the masticatory system. To construct this global model, individual models of the bones of the skull and jaw were created from generic data sets. Geometric models of the muscles of mastication were also created and attached to the appropriate bones. To complete this initial model, representations of the crowns of the teeth were created and a basic model of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was included. The finite element method was used to solve for the stresses and strains created by the loading conditions during a clenching simulation involving the mandible bone. The model presented here is also discussed in relation to a model of the entire musculo-skeletal system being developed as part of the Physiome Project.
Extent versus Range of Service Digitization: Implications for Firm Performance

Service Digitization is a key means by which organizations derive value from their IT investments. We theorize that Service Digitization consists of two underlying dimensions – Extent of Digitization (EoD) and Range of Digitization (RoD), which present a trade-off scenario for a resource-constrained firm. We examine the firm performance implications of EoD and RoD and identify Human Capital Intensity (HCI) and Marketing Intensity (MI) as two complementary organizational competencies. Our empirical analysis of an archival panel data set, consisting of thirty-five quarters of financial and service digitization data from over 7000 credit unions, demonstrates strong support for our theoretical model. We find a J-shaped relationship between EoD and firm performance, which is positively moderated by HCI; and we find an inverted U-shaped relationship between RoD and firm performance, which is positively moderated by MI. Our results contribute towards the IT business value, IT-enablement of services and IT-enabled organizational agility literatures.
The Content of Some Types of Cytokines in Women of Reproductive Age with Exacerbation and Remission of Chronic Herpes Infection

There were investigated levels of pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6 and IFN-g) in women of reproductive age in periods of exacerbation and remission of chronic infection caused by the herpes simplex virus in purpose to study the pathogenetic features of the course of HSV infection. It is shown that both the period of exacerbation, and the period of clinical remission of chronic herpes infection are characterized by increased production of IFN-g, IL-1b and IL-6. However, only the mean values of IL-1b were significantly different in periods of exacerbation and remission. Moreover, patients with chronic herpes infection revealed significant heterogeneity of individual values of measured cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6 and IFN-g), which does not depend on the period of clinical disease.
Back to the Bedside: Developing a Bedside Aid for Concussion and Brain Injury Decisions in the Emergency Department

Context: Current information-rich electronic health record (EHR) interfaces require large, high-resolution screens running on desktop computers. This interface compromises the provider’s already limited time at the bedside by physically separating the patient from the doctor. The case study presented here describes a patient-centered clinical decision support (CDS) design process that aims to bring the physician back to the bedside by integrating a patient decision aid with CDS for shared use by the patient and provider on a touchscreen tablet computer for deciding whether or not to obtain a CT scan for minor head injury in the emergency department, a clinical scenario that could benefit from CDS but has failed previous implementation attempts. Case Description: This case study follows the user-centered design (UCD) approach to build a bedside aid that is useful and usable, and that promotes shared decision-making between patients and their providers using a tablet computer at the bedside. The patient-centered decision support design process focuses on the prototype build using agile software development, but also describes the following: (1) the requirement gathering phase including triangulated qualitative research (focus groups and cognitive task analysis) to understand current challenges, (2) features for patient education, the physician, and shared decision-making, (3) system architecture and technical requirements, and (4) future plans for formative usability testing and field testing. Lessons Learned: We share specific lessons learned and general recommendations from critical insights gained in the patient-centered decision support design process about early stakeholder engagement, EHR integration, external expert feedback, challenges to two users on a single device, project management, and accessibility. Conclusions: Successful implementation of this tool will require seamless integration into the provider’s workflow. This protocol can create an effective interface for shared decision-making and safe resource reduction at the bedside in the austere and dynamic clinical environment of the ED and is generalizable for these purposes in other clinical environments as well.
Measles Virus Infects both Polarized Epithelial and Immune Cells by Using Distinctive Receptor-Binding Sites on Its Hemagglutinin

ABSTRACT Measles is one of the most contagious human infectious diseases and remains a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. The signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM), also called CD150, is a cellular receptor for measles virus (MV), presumably accounting for its tropism for immune cells and its immunosuppressive properties. On the other hand, pathological studies have shown that MV also infects epithelial cells at a later stage of infection, although its mechanism has so far been unknown. In this study, we show that wild-type MV can infect and produce syncytia in human polarized epithelial cell lines independently of SLAM and CD46 (a receptor for the vaccine strains of MV). Progeny viral particles are released exclusively from the apical surface of these polarized epithelial cell lines. We have also identified amino acid residues on the MV attachment protein that are likely to interact with a putative receptor on epithelial cells. All of these residues have aromatic side chains and may form a receptor-binding pocket located in a different position from the putative SLAM- and CD46-binding sites on the MV attachment protein. Thus, our results indicate that MV has an intrinsic ability to infect both polarized epithelial and immune cells by using distinctive receptor-binding sites on the attachment protein corresponding to each of their respective receptors. The ability of MV to infect polarized epithelial cells and its exclusive release from the apical surface may facilitate its efficient transmission via aerosol droplets, resulting in its highly contagious nature.
The New Keynesian Model with Imperfect Information and Learning

The standard version of the new Keynesian (NK) model has important, well known, empirical limitations, in particular with regard to inflation and output dynamics following a monetary shock. Recent extensions fare better empirically but only because they incorporate some controversial features. We demonstrate that the NK model can be improved without sacrificing full rationality. With the introduction of a modest amount of imperfect information and gradual learning the model can generate inflation persistence, realistic inflation and output dynamics and a liquidity effect. Moreover, this feature improves the overall fitness of the model –according to standard moments criteria– relative to the standard version. JEL class: E32 E52
Chronic pain is associated with brain volume loss in older adults: preliminary evidence.

OBJECTIVES The primary aim of this pilot investigation was to identify structural brain differences in older adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP) as compared with pain-free individuals. DESIGN Cross-sectional, case-control. PARTICIPANTS Sixteen cognitively intact older adults, eight with CLBP and eight pain-free; excluded if with psychiatric or neurological disorders, substance abuse, opioid use, diabetes mellitus, and/or hypertension. METHODS Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and tests of neuropsychological performance (digit span, digit symbol substitution, letter-number sequencing, trail making) were administered to all participants. Gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), cerebrospinal fluid, and corpus callosum (CC) volumes were measured as a percentage of total supratentorial intracranial volume. Voxel-based morphometry analysis of GM and WM assessed regional differences. RESULTS Between-groups analysis revealed a non-significant trend toward decreased middle CC volume in the CLBP group (1.43E-03 +/- 2.67E-04, 1.63E-03 +/- 2.00E-04: P = 0.09). Regional analysis in the CLBP group demonstrated significantly decreased GM volume (P < 0.001) in the posterior parietal cortex and middle cingulate WM volume (P < 0.001) of the left hemisphere. CLBP participants performed significantly worse on digit span forward (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Older adults with CLBP have structural brain changes in the middle CC, middle cingulate WM, and the GM of the posterior parietal cortex as well as impaired attention and mental flexibility. Additional investigation is needed to corroborate and extend these findings and more clearly elucidate their relationship to physical function and the risk of disability.
THE FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE INCORPORATING THE ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT APPROACH AT KOBE TOKIWA UNIVERSITY

In Japan, the first-year experience that rapidly gained attention at the beginning of the twenty-first century was clearly positioned in 2008 as formal undergraduate educational programs (The Central Council for Education, 2008). The term “first-year experience” is defined as a “comprehensive educational program primarily created for freshmen” to promote their smooth transition from high school to university and to create successful academic and social experiences at university (The Central Council for Education, 2008). Thus, the first-year experience is a specific program with activities implemented by diverse universities to fit the unique needs of their first-year university students (Tachi, 2008). One important issue of the first-year experience within the undergraduate program has been identifying ways to guarantee the quality of education. Kobe Tokiwa University’s four departments (medical technology, nursing, child education, and dental hygiene) require students to gain strong abilities to collaborate and cooperate in teams to be responsible for future team medical care or a school as a team. Therefore, in 2018, the university implemented a first-year experience program that incorporated the organizational development approach instead of the conventional human resource development approach. This article shares our experiences using a first-year experience program that incorporates the organizational development approach, and we discuss the potential of this approach for the first-year experience. To estimate the effectiveness of organizational development approach in FYE, we analyzed and compared the interim data that were reported on students in 2017 and 2018 using a text mining method. By introducing this “Organizational Development” approach into the students’ first-year educational curriculum, results suggest that it is possible to “deepen self-understanding” and “cooperate in self-understanding of others” at an early stage of a student’s enrollment. It is thought that this approach could become another effective method for universities to use for training professional persons as interpersonal aid workers.
Adicción a Internet y uso de redes sociales en adolescentes: una revisión

espanolObjetivo: este estudio pretende revisar y analizar la evidencia actual sobre la adiccion a internet y el uso de redes sociales en la poblacion adolescente. Metodo: se llevo a cabo una revision sistematica de las publicaciones cientificas disponibles en las bases de datos PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost y Scielo, entre el periodo 2007-2017, sobre el uso excesivo de redes sociales y adiccion a internet en adolescentes. Resultados: la evidencia da cuenta de un uso excesivo de internet en poblacion adolescente y demuestra la presencia de diferentes consecuencias y factores de riesgo asociados a esta problematica. Conclusiones: existe un importante numero de investigaciones cientificas que refieren las consecuencias, factores de riesgo y comorbilidades asociadas a la adiccion a internet y su relacion con redes sociales. Sin embargo, no es el unico concepto utilizado para explicar este comportamiento lo que dificulta su definicion. EnglishAim: This study aims to review and analyze the current evidence on internet addiction and the use of social networks in the adolescent population. Method: we conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature available in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost and Scielo, between the period 2007-2017, about the excessive use of social networks and internet addiction in adolescents. Results: the evidence shows an excessive use of the internet in the adolescent population and demonstrates the presence of different consequences and risk factors associated with this problem. Conclusions: there are a significant number of scientific investigations that refer to the consequences, risk factors and comorbidities associated with internet addiction and its relationship with social networks. However, it is not the only concept used to explain this behavior, which makes their definition difficult.
A Cloud Computing Framework for Smarter District Heating Systems

Nowadays, EU is supporting various projects to motivate and support citizen's behavioral to achieve greater energy efficiency in district heating systems by taking advantage of ICT while ensuring energy savings from this new ICT-enabled solutions are greater than the cost for the provision of the services. Modern heating networks requires tools for constant monitoring and control of the network to ensure high effectiveness and reliability. Therefore, a flexible and efficient distributed data collection and storage, that operates with diverse sensors and via different types of networks is required. Moreover, such a system needs to be highly dependable, and separate parts of the system should operate even if the communication is lost. Cloud computing has an answer for this enormous network of computing resources and storage needs, since it has several good properties such as being energy saving, cost saving, agile, scalable, and flexible. In this paper, we propose a cloud computing based framework that integrates all the required advanced communication technologies to create an intelligent district heating network.
A Genetically Encoded Tag for Correlated Light and Electron Microscopy of Intact Cells, Tissues, and Organisms

Electron microscopy (EM) achieves the highest spatial resolution in protein localization, but specific protein EM labeling has lacked generally applicable genetically encoded tags for in situ visualization in cells and tissues. Here we introduce “miniSOG” (for mini Singlet Oxygen Generator), a fluorescent flavoprotein engineered from Arabidopsis phototropin 2. MiniSOG contains 106 amino acids, less than half the size of Green Fluorescent Protein. Illumination of miniSOG generates sufficient singlet oxygen to locally catalyze the polymerization of diaminobenzidine into an osmiophilic reaction product resolvable by EM. MiniSOG fusions to many well-characterized proteins localize correctly in mammalian cells, intact nematodes, and rodents, enabling correlated fluorescence and EM from large volumes of tissue after strong aldehyde fixation, without the need for exogenous ligands, probes, or destructive permeabilizing detergents. MiniSOG permits high quality ultrastructural preservation and 3-dimensional protein localization via electron tomography or serial section block face scanning electron microscopy. EM shows that miniSOG-tagged SynCAM1 is presynaptic in cultured cortical neurons, whereas miniSOG-tagged SynCAM2 is postsynaptic in culture and in intact mice. Thus SynCAM1 and SynCAM2 could be heterophilic partners. MiniSOG may do for EM what Green Fluorescent Protein did for fluorescence microscopy.
Dynamic texture classification using dynamic fractal analysis

In this paper, we developed a novel tool called dynamic fractal analysis for dynamic texture (DT) classification, which not only provides a rich description of DT but also has strong robustness to environmental changes. The resulting dynamic fractal spectrum (DFS) for DT sequences consists of two components: One is the volumetric dynamic fractal spectrum component (V-DFS) that captures the stochastic self-similarities of DT sequences as 3D volume datasets; the other is the multi-slice dynamic fractal spectrum component (S-DFS) that encodes fractal structures of DT sequences on 2D slices along different views of the 3D volume. Various types of measures of DT sequences are collected in our approach to analyze DT sequences from different perspectives. The experimental evaluation is conducted on three widely used benchmark datasets. In all the experiments, our method demonstrated excellent performance in comparison with state-of-the-art approaches.