Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the behavioural dimension of correspondences between process models

Enterprise-wide process harmonisation initiatives require the analysis of commonalities of existing business process models. That is, correspondences between activities are identified, such that the behavioural equivalence of the models can be assessed thereafter. Due to refinements, these correspondences can relate sets of activities to each other, i.e., there are complex 1:n or n:m correspondences. In this paper, we discuss how notions of behaviour inheritance can be applied in this context. In addition, we elaborate on how structural information can be leveraged to identify violations of behaviour inheritance.
Environmental and lifestyle factors associated with sperm DNA damage

Semen quality in the adult male can be affected by a number of environmental and lifestyle factors. However, most studies to date have only considered how sperm concentration, motility and morphology are affected by such exposures. More recent studies, outlined in this review, have begun to examine the effect of environmental and lifestyle factors on sperm DNA integrity. Important factors appear to include: (i) Physical agents such as radiation and heat; (ii) Chemical agents such as cigarette smoke, airborne pollutants, and chemotherapeutic drugs; and (iii) Biological factors including sexually transmitted infections, increasing male age, elevated body mass index and medical conditions such as insulin dependent diabetes. A number of hypotheses have been proposed to account for how sperm DNA might be damaged by these factors. There is, however, uncertainty about the most appropriate laboratory test(s) to identify and quantify such DNA damage and no convincing evidence on possible therapeutic measures.
Performance Analysis of Space-Time Block Coded Joint Tx/Rx Diversity Using Optimal Transmit FDE in Presence of Channel Estimation Error

Single-carrier (SC) transmission using frequency-domain space-time block coded joint transmit/receive diversity (FD-STBC-JTRD) combined with transmit frequency-domain equalization (FDE) obtains full spatial diversity gain and frequency diversity gain. Recently, we derived the optimal transmit frequency-domain equalization (FDE) for SC FD-STBC-JTRD and showed that the optimal transmit FDE, which uses multiple weight matrices corresponding to multiple coded blocks in a STBC code-word, achieves the received signal-to-interference plus noise power ratio (SINR) 1/RSTBC times higher than the conventional transmit FDE which uses the single weight matrix over a STBC code-word, where RSTBC denotes the STBC code rate. However, our past study of SC FD-STBC-JTRD with the optimal transmit FDE assumed ideal channel estimation. In this paper, we provide theoretical analysis of the received SINR and the conditional bit error rate (BER) of SC FD-STBC JTRD with cyclic delay pilot channel estimation (CDP-CE) and discuss the impact of channel estimation error. Then, we evaluate, by computer simulation, the average BER performance when using SC FD-STBC-JTRD with the optimal transmit FDE and show that the optimal transmit FDE can achieve the received SINR 1/RSTBC times higher than the conventional transmit FDE even in the presence of the channel estimation error.
What Can Biosignal Entropy Tell Us About Health and Disease ? Applications in Some Clinical Fields

Dexterous action, as conceptualized by Bernstein in his influential ecological analysis of human behavior, is revealed in the ability to flexibly generate behaviors that are adaptively tailored to the demands of the context in which they are embedded. Conceived as complex adaptive behavior, dexterity depends upon the qualities of robustness and degeneracy, and is supported by the functional complexity of the agent-environment system. Using Bernstein’s and Gibson’s ecological analyses of behavior situated in natural environments as conceptual touchstones, we consider the hypothesis that complex adaptive behavior capitalizes upon general principles of self-organization. Here, we outline a perspective in which the complex interactivity of nervous-system, body, and environment is revealed as an essential resource for adaptive behavior. From this perspective, we consider the implications for interpreting the functionality and dysfunctionality of human behavior. This paper demonstrates that, optimal variability, the topic of this special issue, is a logical consequence of interpreting the functionality of human behavior as complex adaptive behavior.
Exercise Training Increases Baroreceptor Gain Sensitivity in Normal and Hypertensive Rats

Exercise training attenuates arterial hypertension and increases baroreflex sensitivity in spontaneous hypertension. However, no information exists regarding the portion of the baroreflex arch in which this attenuation takes place. We tested the hypothesis that exercise training increases the afferent pathway sensitivity of baroreflex control in both normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Arterial pressure and whole-nerve activity of the aortic baroreceptor (multifiber preparation) were evaluated in 30 male rats assigned to 4 groups: sedentary and exercise-trained normotensive rats and sedentary and exercise-trained SHR. Exercise training was performed on a motor treadmill, 5 d/wk for 60 minutes, gradually progressing toward a speed of 26.8 m/min. Exercise training reduced mean arterial pressure in conscious exercise-trained SHR (183±4 versus 165±7 mm Hg). The relation between changes in aortic baroreceptor discharge and changes in systolic arterial pressure increased significantly in exercise-trained normotensive rats (2.09±0.1 versus 1.44±0.1%/mm Hg) and exercise-trained SHR (0.92±0.1 versus 0.71±0.1%/mm Hg) compared with their respective sedentary rats. Likewise, the average aortic baroreceptor gain sensitivity (calculated by logistic equation) was significantly higher in exercise-trained normotensive rats (2.25±0.19 versus 1.77±0.03%/mm Hg) and exercise-trained SHR (1.07±0.04 versus 0.82±0.05%/mm Hg) compared with their respective sedentary control rats. In conclusion, exercise training increases aortic baroreceptor gain sensitivity in normotensive and SHR, thus improving baroreceptor sensitivity, which may result in a more efficient arterial pressure regulation by the baroreflexes.
Breathlessness during induced lung hyperinflation in asthma: the role of the inspiratory threshold load.

The effects of the inspiratory threshold load (ITL) on breathlessness and ventilatory mechanics during acute bronchoconstriction were studied by comparing responses to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) in 12 asthmatic subjects after methacholine bronchoprovocation to a maximum change (delta) in FEV1 of 50%. At maximum response, "optimal CPAP" (CPAPOPT) was selected as the level of CPAP providing maximum subjective improvement in breathlessness. Spirometry, breathing pattern, esophageal pressure (Pes), and operational lung volumes were monitored. At maximum response, FEV1 decreased by 54 +/- 3% (mean +/- SEM) (p < 0.001), dynamic end-expiratory volume (EELVdyn) increased 66 +/- 8%, by 1.4 +/- 0.2 L (p < 0.001), and subjects reported severe breathlessness (Borg Scale = 5.6 +/- 0.8). CPAPOPT (5.3 +/- 0.6 cm H2O) significantly (p < 0.001) reduced breathlessness (delta Borg Scale = -3.0 +/- 0.5) and did not cause further dynamic hyperinflation. CPAPOPT reduced peak inspiratory Pes by 27% (p < 0.001), the tension-time index (TTI) for the inspiratory muscles by 27% (p < 0.01), and the inspiratory work rate per liter of ventilation by 14% (p < 0.05). During CPAPOPT, the delivered extrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPe) (6.4 +/- 0.4 cm H2O) was strongly related (p < 0.001) to the measured ITL (6.9 +/- 1.0 cm H2O) at maximum response. Responses to IPAP of the same magnitude as CPAP OPT at maximum response were similar to those during CPAPOPT, except that IPAP did not counteract ITL or reduce breathlessness. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Osteochondral Fracture Lateral Femoral Condyle Treated with ORIF Using Z-Plasty: A Modification of Coonse and Adams Approach

Osteochondral fractures of lateral femoral condyle are common in adolescents and young adults. They are usually caused by direct trauma or twisting injuries of the knee. We present a case of large osteochondral fracture of lateral femoral condyle involving the articular surface in a fifteen-year-old male with a positive history of significant weight gain of 5 kilograms in last six months. Blood investigations reported low vitamin D and testosterone levels with elevated alkaline phosphatase. Adequate exposure was achieved by doing Z-plasty of quadriceps apparatus. The fracture was treated with open reduction and internal fixation using Herbert's screws. Medical management in the form of vitamin D and calcium along with testosterone was given. After the surgery, full weight-bearing was allowed at three months. At one year followup, patient has good quadriceps function without any weakness of the muscle.
Incidence of polyomavirus-nephropathy in renal allografts: influence of modern immunosuppressive drugs.

BACKGROUND In recent years an increasing number of cases with polyomavirus (PV)-nephropathy after renal transplantation were reported from several transplant centres. New, highly potent immunosuppressive drugs like tacrolimus or mycophenolate mofetil were accused as risk factors for this increase. However, data about the incidence of PV-nephropathy in correlation to different immunosuppressive therapy concepts are lacking. METHODS All renal transplant biopsies performed at Hannover Medical School between 1999 and 2001 (n=1276) were immunohistochemically screened for the presence of PV-specific proteins. The results were correlated to the different immunosuppressive therapy protocols and patients with PV-nephropathy were compared with a matched control group. RESULTS PV-nephropathy was found in <1% of all investigated allograft biopsies (11/1276) and in approximately 1% of all patients (7/638), respectively. All patients being immunohistochemically positive for PV-specific proteins also showed the typical morphological changes of PV-nephropathy. Four out of seven patients with PV-nephropathy were under triple immunosuppression comprising tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Under this immunosuppressive therapy protocol an eight times higher incidence and a 13 times higher risk (multivariate odds ratio 12.7) of PV-nephropathy was observed in our patients compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS PV-nephropathy is a rare but serious complication after renal transplantation. A small group of patients under intensive immunosuppression comprising tacrolimus in combination with mycophenolate mofetil has a significantly increased risk of acquiring this deleterious complication.
De l'observable au non observable : les stratégies d'identification, d'adaptation, de création d'une capacité de la firme. Dynamiques de l'industrie américaine de défense (1990-2007)

Se situant dans le champ de la strategie, la these porte sur le concept de capacite, definie comme l'aptitude d'une firme a etendre la gamme de ses activites. La these soutient que la capacite, du fait de l'ambiguite causale, est du domaine du non observable et doit etre etudiee en tant que tel. A partir des activites de la firme (observables), les acteurs font des conjectures entremelant discours et actions et cherchent a identifier par tâtonnements la capacite de la firme (non observable), qui anticipe sur le developpement d'activites futures. Le chercheur, avec ses outils propres, developpe un processus d'abduction analogue. La these etudie les cinq premieres firmes americaines de defense (Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon) dans la periode 1990-2007 au cours de laquelle ont eu lieu deux changements majeurs, une vague de concentration et l'apparition de systemes de systemes. Ces derniers ont donne lieu a une controverse touchant a la relation au client, objet du marketing industriel, la question etant de savoir si une capacite nouvelle devait etre deployee. Des narrations structurees par des templates retracent les trajectoires strategiques des firmes et sont completees par une etude financiere et comptable. Elle etablit qu'il peut y avoir coherence strategique sans coherence capacitaire ; qu'une firme peut se trouver dans une contradiction capacitaire ; qu'il est possible de contraster deux dynamiques, l'adaptation capacitaire et le developpement d'une nouvelle capacite, dans la mesure ou cette derniere perturbe les marches existants et entraine une redefinition des relations de coopetition avec les clients, concurrents et fournisseurs.
Potential short-term economic benefits of improved glycemic control: a managed care perspective.

OBJECTIVE There are limited data relating glycemic control to medical costs among patients with diabetes. The goal of this study was to examine the potential impact of improved glycemic control on selected short-term complications of diabetes and associated costs in a managed care setting. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using a retrospective cohort design and automated databases from January 1994 to 30 June 1998, adult members of the Fallon Clinic who were diagnosed with diabetes were identified and assigned to one of three study groups based on each patient's mean HbA1c level: good control (<8%), fair control (8-10%), and poor control (> 10%) groups. Inpatient (hospital or skilled nursing facility) admissions for selected acute (short-term) complications, represented by selected infections, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and electrolyte disturbances, and the associated medical charges were evaluated across the three HbA1c groups. Multivariate analyses were used to control for differences in several potential confounding factors among the study groups. All findings were expressed on a 3-year basis. RESULTS Of 2,394 patients with diabetes, approximately 10% (251) had at least one inpatient stay for a short-term complication, accounting for 447 admissions. Over 3 years, the adjusted rate of inpatient treatment ranged from 13 per 100 patients with good glycemic control to 16 per 100 patients with fair glycemic control and 31 per 100 patients with poor glycemic control (P < 0.05). The corresponding mean adjusted charges were approximately $970, $1,380, and $3,040, respectively Among the 30% of the study population with long-term diabetic complications, the results were more marked; the adjusted admissions per 100 patients (mean charges) were estimated to be 30 ($2,610), 38 ($3,810), and 74 ($8,320) over 3 years for patients with an HbA1c of <8, 8-10, and > 10%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In typical practice, better glycemic control is associated with a reduced rate of admission for selected short-term complications and, therefore, reduced medical charges for these complications over a 3-year period. The potential short-term economic benefits are important to consider when making decisions regarding the adoption and use of new interventions for the management of diabetes.
Visual Feedback from the Own Acting Hand Modulates the Activity of Grasping Neurons in Monkey Premotor Area

Visual responses in the monkey ventral premotor cortex have been explored since long time. Area F5 has been shown to contain grasping neurons that visually discharge either to 3D-object presentation (canonical neurons) or to the observation of actions performed by other individuals (mirror neurons). It has been suggested that the mirror response results from the progressive generalization to others’ actions of a visuomotor link which, during action execution , associates the vision of the own acting effector with the motor program selected for the ongoing action. To start tackling this hypothesis, we specifically asked whether area F5 contains neurons responding to the observation of one’s own grasping movement. A specially-designed experimental apparatus was used to test F5 neuronal discharge while monkeys were engaged in a reach-to-grasp task and either continuous or transient visual information on the ongoing movement was made available. Singleunit activity was additionally recorded from the hand region of the primary motor cortex (area F1). Neuronal responses evoked by the vision of the own entire grasping action or of brief meaningful phases of it were detected in both areas. However, F5 modulation was overall more strong and specific. The finding that neurons in area F5 exhibit discharge properties that are common to both purely motor and mirror neurons allows the formulation of important assumptions about the critical role of online visual information during grasping and the nature of the mirror discharge.
The influence of networks on consumer behavior: Understanding how social media networks impact online word of mouth and purchase behavior

Social media has permeated the everyday life of consumers and with that, its influence on consumer behavior has only grown. To better understand this growth a look into the different networks of influence is needed. This research looked at how the influence of personal networks and that of the general community impact online word of mouth and purchase behavior on facebook. We proposed that the endorsement of a marketing page from a user's own network and general community would both have positive impact on a consumer’s intent to engage in online word of mouth activities and purchase related behaviors. Furthermore, we propose that this relationship would be further moderated by the level of cognitive load consumers are exposed to. However, findings in this study suggest that while social media networks do have an influence on purchase behaviour and online word of mouth, there are different combinations of behaviors associated with different product types. Personal networks more heavily influence some Facebook pages, while others are more influenced by the general community, or by both types of networks or even by neither of the networks. This suggests that consumers react differently to the influence of networks based on the page category type.
N protein alone satisfies the requirement for protein synthesis during RNA replication of vesicular stomatitis virus

Genomic replication of the negative-strand RNA viruses is dependent upon protein synthesis. To examine the requirement for protein synthesis in replication, we developed an in vitro system that supports the genome replication of defective interfering particles of the negative-strand rhabdovirus vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), as a function of protein synthesis (Wertz, J. Virol. 46:513-522, 1983). The system consists of defective interfering nucleocapsid templates and an mRNA-dependent reticulocyte lysate to support protein synthesis. We report here an analysis of the requirement for individual viral proteins in VSV replication. Viral mRNAs purified by hybridization to cDNA clones were used to direct the synthesis of individual proteins in the in vitro system. By this method, it was demonstrated that the synthesis of the VSV nucleocapsid protein, N, alone, resulted in the replication of genome-length RNA by both defective interfering intracellular nucleocapsids and virion-derived nucleocapsids. Neither the viral phosphoprotein, NS, nor the matrix protein, M, supported RNA replication. The amount of RNA replication for a given amount of N protein was the same in reactions in which either all of the VSV proteins or only N protein were synthesized. In addition, RNA replication products synthesized in reactions containing only newly made N protein assembled with the N protein to form nucleocapsids. These results demonstrate that the major nucleocapsid protein (N) can by itself fulfill the requirement for protein synthesis in RNA replication and allow complete replication, i.e., initiation and elongation, as well as encapsidation of genome-length progeny RNA.
Association between timing of dialysis initiation and clinical outcomes in the paediatric population: an ESPN/ERA-EDTA registry study.

BACKGROUND There is no consensus regarding the timing of dialysis therapy initiation for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in children. As studies investigating the association between timing of dialysis initiation and clinical outcomes are lacking, we aimed to study this relationship in a cohort of European children who started maintenance dialysis treatment. METHODS We used data on 2963 children from 21 different countries included in the European Society of Pediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry who started renal replacement therapy before 18 years of age between 2000 and 2014. We compared two groups according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at start: eGFR ≥8 mL/min/1.73 m2 (early starters) and eGFR <8 mL/min/1.73 m2 (late starters). The primary outcomes were patient survival and access to transplantation. Secondary outcomes were growth and cardiovascular risk factors. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for selection- and lead time-bias. RESULTS The median eGFR at the start of dialysis was 6.1 for late versus 10.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 for early starters. Early starters were older [median: 11.0, interquartile range (IQR): 5.7-14.5 versus 9.4, IQR: 2.6-14.1 years]. There were no differences observed between the two groups in mortality and access to transplantation at 1, 2 and 5 years of follow-up. One-year evolution of height standard deviation scores was similar among the groups, whereas hypertension was more prevalent among late initiators. Sensitivity analyses resulted in similar findings. CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence for a clinically relevant benefit of early start of dialysis in children with ESKD. Presence of cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, should be taken into account when deciding to initiate or postpone dialysis in children with ESKD, as this affects the survival.