Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incidence and Risk Factors of Arrhythmic Events in Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Background— The pathophysiological background of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is well understood, but the clinical features of this stress-induced arrhythmic disorder, especially the incidence and risk factors of arrhythmic events, have not been fully ascertained. Methods and Results— The outcome in 101 catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia patients, including 50 probands, was analyzed. During a mean follow-up of 7.9 years, cardiac events defined as syncope, aborted cardiac arrest, including appropriate discharges from implantable defibrillators, or sudden cardiac death occurred in 27 patients, including 2 mutation carriers with normal exercise tests. The estimated 8-year event rate was 32% in the total population and 27% and 58% in the patients with and without &bgr;-blockers, respectively. Absence of &bgr;-blockers (hazard ratio [HR], 5.48; 95% CI, 1.80 to 16.68) and younger age at diagnosis (HR, 0.54 per decade; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.89) were independent predictors. Fatal or near-fatal events defined as aborted cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death occurred in 13 patients, resulting in an estimated 8-year event rate of 13%. Absence of &bgr;-blockers (HR, 5.54; 95% CI, 1.17 to 26.15) and history of aborted cardiac arrest (HR, 13.01; 95% CI, 2.48 to 68.21) were independent predictors. No difference was observed in cardiac and fatal or near-fatal event rates between probands and family members. Conclusions— Cardiac and fatal or near-fatal events were not rare in both catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia probands and affected family members during the long-term follow-up, even while taking &bgr;-blockers, which was associated with a lower event rate. Further studies evaluating concomitant therapies are necessary to improve outcome in these patients.
Production of xylitol from D‐xylose by candida tropicalis: Optimization of production rate

The effect of culture conditions on xylitol production rate was investigated using Candida tropicalis IFO 0618. From the variance analysis of xylitol production rate, it was found that initial yeast extract concentration was highly significant (99%), while the interaction between D‐xylose concentration and aeration rate was significant (95%). These results show the importance of initial yeast extract concentration and of the balance between D‐xylose concentration and aeration in the production of xylitol. It was also clearly shown that C. tropicalis needed more yeast extract concentration for efficient xylitol production than for its growth. In order to enhance xylitol production rate, culture conditions were optimized by the Box–Wilson method. In this respect, initial D‐xylose concentration, yeast extract concentration, and KLa were chosen as the independent factors in 23‐factorial experimental design. As the result of experiments, a maximum xylitol production rate of 2.67 g/L · h was obtained when initial D‐xylose concentration and yeast extract concentration were 172.0 and 21.0 g/L, respectively, and KLa was 451.50 h−1 by 90% oxygen gas. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis by use of a multiplex immunoassay.

BACKGROUND Since its beginnings, newborn screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) using an assay for immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) has been plagued by a high rate of false-positive results (screen positive, diagnosis negative), despite attempts to reduce this rate by use of altered cutoffs and second-tier DNA testing. IRT exists as 2 isoforms: IRT1 and IRT2, with IRT2 being more closely aligned with pancreatic disease, including CF. Assay standardization between programs is a continuing problem because the IRT assays currently in use variously recognize either 1 or both isoforms. Here we report the development of a multiplexed assay for both forms of IRT simultaneously. METHODS Using 2 different Luminex bead sets, we developed assays for each IRT isoform separately and then combined them. Using the sum of IRT1 and IRT2 values (IRT1+IRT2), we compared the results with a CF kit currently in use. RESULTS In a sample set consisting of 16 cases confirmed positive for CF, we established a cutoff at >97 microg/L total IRT. Seven of 8 carriers with 1 CF mutation screen-positive by the standard method were also screen-positive by IRT1+IRT2. Of 32 cases screen-positive by standard IRT, 11 were screen-negative by IRT1+IRT2. None of these 11 cases had CF mutations identified by the screening program. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that the multiplex method with specificity for 2 isoforms of IRT has performance comparable to that of a standard IRT method and the advantage of improved standardization by detection of the 2 isoforms.
Stochastic differential equations with random coefficients

In this paper we establish the existence and uniqueness of a solution for different types of stochastic differential equation with random initial conditions and random coefficients. The stochastic integral is interpreted as a generalized Stratonovich integral, and the techniques used to derive these results are mainly based on the path properties of the Brownian motion, and the definition of the Stratonovich integral.
Flow cytometric analysis of DNA and cell proliferation in ovarian tumors

DNA content in tumor cells from 50 patients with ovarian tumors was analysed by flow cytometry (FCM). Solid tissue samples were processed to obtain monodispersed cells. Staining for DNA analysis was achieved with ethidium bromide and mithramycin. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were used as reference diploid cell population. All benign ovarian tumors exhibited only diploid cells. DNA aneuploid cell lines were found 66.6% of serous carcinomas and in 80% of malignant granulosa cell tumors. The S‐phase fraction of DNA diploid cells in benign ovarian tumors (S = 2.4 ± 1.2%) was smaller than those of malignant tumors (S = 8.2 ± 5.2%). DNA aneuploid cell populations in serous carcinomas display a higher S‐phase fraction (S = 19.2 ± 9.3%) than DNA diploid cells (S = 11.7 ± 3.2%). No major differences were obtained between primary ovarian tumors and their metastases, as far as degree of aneuploidy and S‐phase fraction are concerned. A high degree of correlation was established between the grade of differentiation of ovarian tumors and the DNA ploidy abnormalities.
An empirical investigation of the adaptive nature of shame

iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . v LIST OF TABLES . viii LIST OF FIGURES . ix CHAPTER I. PROBLEM STATEMENT . 1 II. LITERATURE REVIEW . 9 Definitional History of Shame and Guilt . 10 Conceptualizations of Shame and Guilt . 12 Measuring Shame and Guilt: Introduction . 16 Measuring Guilt and Shame: The TOSCA Paradigm . 17 Correlational Investigations of Shame and Guilt . 18 The Measurement of Shame and Guilt Using the TOSCA . 20 Functional Analyses of Shame and Guilt . 31 Communication of Shame and Guilt . 45 Evidence for Shame Displays Serving an Appeasement Function. 53 Crosscultural Differences for Shame and Guilt . 63 Summary and Current Study . 67 III. METHODS . 72 Design . 72 Procedure . 72 Measure . 74 Population and Sample . 75 Hypotheses . 76 IV. RESULTS . 78 Reliability and Component Analysis of the Dependent Measure . 78 Manipulation Check . 79 Two-Way ANOVA and Condition Comparisons . 80 vii Page V. DISCUSSION . 85 Summary and Importance of Present Findings . 86 Interpretation of Findings . 90 Implications for Methodology Used to Measure Shame and Guilt. 96 Limitations and Future Research Directions . 102 REFERENCES . 112 APPENDICES . 124 Appendix A: Table A1 . 125 Appendix B: Candidate Evaluation Form . 128 Appendix C: Thesis Script . 130 Appendix D: Participant Testing Materials . 133 Appendix E: Debriefing Questions . 152 Appendix F: Informed Consent Forms . 154
Remnants of the Waikato: Native forest survival in a production landscape

This paper addresses the issue of conservation of native biodiversity on privately owned farmland in New Zealand. Based on surveys of Waikato dairy farmers as exemplars of intensive agricultural practice, it examines factors that influence the survival of native forest on land with potential for commercial production. Results suggest that a significant proportion of Waikato dairy farmers regard native forest favourably, although the proportion of farmers who actively conserve their forest is small. Factors that assist the persistence of native forest on dairy farms include personal characteristics of the farmer, past accidents of history which have left forest remnants in place, and physical characteristics of the farm such as topography. While the conservation of native biodiversity within this intensively farmed landscape is strongly influenced by political economy pressures that encourage production, non-utilitarian motives such as aesthetic enjoyment and family heritage can serve to counter the production ethic.
An evidence-based review of decompressive surgery in acute spinal cord injury: rationale, indications, and timing based on experimental and clinical studies.

OBJECT The authors conducted an evidence-based review of the literature to evaluate critically the rationale and indications for and the timing of decompressive surgery for the treatment of acute, nonpenetrating spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS The experimental and clinical literature concerning the role of, and the biological rationale for, surgical decompression for acute SCI was reviewed. Clinical studies of nonoperative management of SCI were also examined for comparative purposes. Evidence from clinical trials was categorized as Class I (well-conducted randomized prospective trials), Class II (well-designed comparative clinical studies), or Class II (retrospective studies). Examination of studies in which animal models of SCI were used consistently demonstrated a beneficial effect of early decompressive surgery, although it is difficult to apply these data directly to the clinical setting. The clinical studies provided suggestive (Class III and limited Class II) evidence that decompressive procedures improve neurological recovery after SCI. However, no clear consensus can be inferred from the literature as to the optimum timing for decompressive surgery. Many authors have advocated delayed treatment to avoid medical complications, although good evidence from recent Class II trials indicates that early decompressive surgery can be performed safely without causing added morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSIONS There is biological evidence from experimental studies in animals that early decompressive surgery may improve neurological recovery after SCI, although the relevant interventional timing in humans remains unclear. To date, the role of surgical decompression in patients with SCI is only supported by Class III and limited Class II evidence. Accordingly, decompressive surgery for SCI can only be considered a practice option. Furthermore, analysis of the literature does not allow definite conclusions to be drawn regarding appropriate timing of intervention. Hence, there is a need to conduct well-designed experimental and clinical studies of the timing and neurological results of decompressive surgery for the treatment of acute SCI.
Load curve estimation for distribution systems using ANN

Loads estimation is becoming each time more fundamental for an efficient management and planning of electric distribution systems. Among the factors that contribute to this need of more efficiency are the increasing complexity of these networks, the deregulation process and the competition in an open energy market, and environment preservation requirements. However, the only information generally available at MV and LV levels is essentially of commercial nature, i.e., monthly energy consumption, hired power contracts and activity codes. In consequence, distribution utilities face the problem of estimating load diagrams to be used in planning and operation studies. The typical procedure uses measurements in typical classes of consumers defined by experts to construct inference engines that, most of the times, only estimate peak loads. In this paper, the definition of classes was performed by clustering the collected load diagrams. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) were then used for load curve estimation. This article describes the adopted methodology and presents some representative results. Performance attained is discussed as well as a method to achieve confidence intervals of the main predicted diagrams.
Cross-cultural usability of the library metaphor

Computing metaphors have become an integral part of information systems design, yet they are deeply rooted in cultural practices. This paper presents an investigation of the cross-cultural use and usability of such metaphors by studying the library metaphor of digital libraries in the cultural context of the Maori, the indigenous population of New Zealand. The ethnographic study examines relevant features of the Maori culture, their form of knowledge transfer and their use of physical and digital libraries. On this basis, the paper points out why and when the library metaphor fails Maori and other indigenous users, and indicates how this knowledge can contribute to the improvement of future designs.
Medication compliance and persistence: terminology and definitions.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to provide guidance regarding the meaning and use of the terms "compliance" and "persistence" as they relate to the study of medication use. METHODS A literature review and debate on appropriate terminology and definitions were carried out. RESULTS Medication compliance and medication persistence are two different constructs. Medication compliance (synonym: adherence) refers to the degree or extent of conformity to the recommendations about day-to-day treatment by the provider with respect to the timing, dosage, and frequency. It may be defined as "the extent to which a patient acts in accordance with the prescribed interval, and dose of a dosing regimen. " Medication persistence refers to the act of continuing the treatment for the prescribed duration. It may be defined as "the duration of time from initiation to discontinuation of therapy. " No overarching term combines these two distinct constructs. CONCLUSIONS Providing specific definitions for compliance and persistence is important for sound quantitative expressions of patients' drug dosing histories and their explanatory power for clinical and economic events. Adoption of these definitions by health outcomes researchers will provide a consistent framework and lexicon for research.
Rhythmic Pulsing: Linking Ongoing Brain Activity with Evoked Responses

The conventional assumption in human cognitive electrophysiology using EEG and MEG is that the presentation of a particular event such as visual or auditory stimuli evokes a “turning on” of additional brain activity that adds to the ongoing background activity. Averaging multiple event-locked trials is thought to result in the cancellation of the seemingly random phased ongoing activity while leaving the evoked response. However, recent work strongly challenges this conventional view and demonstrates that the ongoing activity is not averaged out due to specific non-sinusoidal properties. As a consquence, systematic modulations in ongoing activity can produce slow cortical evoked responses reflecting cognitive processing. In this review we introduce the concept of “rhythmic pulsing” to account for this specific non-sinusoidal property. We will explain how rhythmic pulsing can create slow evoked responses from a physiological perspective. We will also discuss how the notion of rhythmic pulsing provides a unifying framework linking ongoing oscillations, evoked responses and the brain's capacity to process incoming information.
Souverainéte monétaire. légitimité politique et société salariale: l'enjeu du Mercosur à la lumière de la construction européenne

La redefinition du rapport prive/public qui s’opere dans la globalisation engage une nouvelle economie politique internationale qui souleve la question centrale de la souverainete des Etats et de la monnaie. C’est la une dimension cle de la globalisation dont il faut saisir la dynamique – economique et politique – pour discerner quels sont les avenirs possibles de la societe salariale, au Nord comme au Sud. La liberalisation des marches financiers a reduit la marge de manœuvre des Etats-nations en matiere de politique monetaire au point de remettre en cause leur pouvoir souverain non pas seulement a ce niveau mais plus largement en ce qui concerne la conduite de la politique economique et sociale. Ce nouveau partage des roles entre pouvoirs prives et publics revet un caractere problematique qui eclate aujourd’hui au grand jour avec les crises financieres sur les marches emergents. Les difficultes de sauvegarder la “ qualite ” d’une monnaie, qu’elles ont mises en lumiere, demontrent, quant aux fondements du debat, que le principe de rationalite utilitariste du modele neoclassique d’un marche autoregule est bien incapable de s’imposer en souverain du monde reel. L’aporie d’un tel projet commence aujourd’hui a etre evoquee suite a l’effondrement de la credibilite de politiques monetaires que les gardiens de l’orthodoxie estimaient pourtant globalement rationnelles. Le debat d’experts s’entrouvre ainsi a des positions qui plaident la necessite de revoir la regulation institutionnelle de la
Crystallization Studies of Lunar Igneous Rocks: Crystal Structure of Synthetic Armalcolite

Crystals of armalcolite, Mg0.5Fe0. 5Ti2O5, up to several millimeters in length have been grown from a glass initially having the composition of lunar rock 10017. A single-crystal x-ray study has confirmed that the crystals are isomorphous with pseudobrookite and has shown that the cations are strongly ordered, with the Ti4+ ions occupying the 8f sites and the Fe2+ and Mg2+ ions randomly distributed over the 4c sites. An examination of karrooite, MgTi2O5, has revealed a similar distribution of Mg2+ and Ti4+ ions. A reexamination of earlier x-ray and M�ssbauer data for pseudobrookite, Fe2TiO5, has shown that it is more consistent with this type of ordering than with the inverse structure that has been generally assumed.
Correlation between Parameters of Calcaneal Quantitative Ultrasound and Hip Structural Analysis in Osteoporotic Fracture Patients

Background Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS), which is used in the evaluation of osteoporosis, is believed to be intimately associated with the characteristics of the proximal femur. However, the specific associations of calcaneal QUS with characteristics of the hip sub-regions remain unclear. Design A cross-sectional assessment of 53 osteoporotic patients was performed for the skeletal status of the heel and hip. Methods We prospectively enrolled 53 female osteoporotic patients with femoral fractures. Calcaneal QUS, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and hip structural analysis (HSA) were performed for each patient. Femoral heads were obtained during the surgery, and principal compressive trabeculae (PCT) were extracted by a three-dimensional printing technique-assisted method. Pearson’s correlation between QUS measurement with DXA, HSA-derived parameters and Young’s modulus were calculated in order to evaluate the specific association of QUS with the parameters for the hip sub-regions, including the femoral neck, trochanteric and Ward’s areas, and the femoral shaft, respectively. Results Significant correlations were found between estimated BMD (Est.BMD) and BMD of different sub-regions of proximal femur. However, the correlation coefficient of trochanteric area (r = 0.356, p = 0.009) was higher than that of the neck area (r = 0.297, p = 0.031) and total proximal femur (r = 0.291, p = 0.034). Furthermore, the quantitative ultrasound index (QUI) was significantly correlated with the HSA-derived parameters of the trochanteric area (r value: 0.315–0.356, all p<0.05) as well as with the Young’s modulus of PCT from the femoral head (r = 0.589, p<0.001). Conclusion The calcaneal bone had an intimate association with the trochanteric cancellous bone. To a certain extent, the parameters of the calcaneal QUS can reflect the characteristics of the trochanteric area of the proximal hip, although not specifically reflective of those of the femoral neck or shaft.
Testing context-sensitive middleware-based software applications

Context-sensitive middleware-based software is an emerging kind of ubiquitous computing application. The components of such software communicate proactively among themselves according to the situational attributes of their environments, known as the "contexts". The actual process of accessing and updating the contexts lies with the middleware. The latter invokes the relevant local and remote operations whenever any context inscribed in the situation-aware interface is satisfied. Since the applications operate in a highly dynamic environment, the testing of context-sensitive software is challenging. Metamorphic testing is a property-based testing strategy. It recommends that, even if a test case does not reveal any failure, follow-up test cases should be further constructed from the original to check whether the software satisfies some necessary conditions of the problem to be implemented. This work proposes to use isotropic properties of contexts as metamorphic relations for testing context-sensitive software. For instance, distinct points on the same isotropic curve of contexts would entail comparable responses by the components. This notion of testing context relations is novel, robust, and intuitive to users.
Intelligent Robotics and Applications, First International Conference, ICIRA 2008, Wuhan, China, October 15-17, 2008 Proceedings, Part I

In this age of modern era, the use of internet must be maximized. Yeah, internet will help us very much not only for important thing but also for daily activities. Many people now, from any level can use internet. The sources of internet connection can also be enjoyed in many places. As one of the benefits is to get the on-line intelligent robotics and applications first international conference icira 2008 wuhan china october 15 17 2008 proceedings part i lecture notes in computer science book, as the world window, as many people suggest.
Reptile-Inspired Biomimetic Modeling Control Actuated by Behaviors

In this paper, a biomimetic control architecture suitable for multi-legged robots is presented, which is inspired by decision and control behaviors of reptiles. The architecture consists of four functional blocks: information sensing, communication, behavior generation and joint driving. The behavior models are classified into five types according to intelligence level, and in-between two successive layers, a learning and evolution mechanism is designed so that a deliberate decision for a reflex event that is generated in the higher layer can be memorized in the lower layer and be re-invoked by the lower layer directly without rethinking when the same event is triggered. The presented biomimetic control has not only the deliberateness of acquired intelligence, but also the innate flexibility. Furthermore, a physical quadruped robotic embodiment and its virtual prototype are constructed for experimental tests and simulations of the proposed control architecture. The effectiveness of the proposed control method is validated by simulations and experiments.
A Quantitative Comparison of Position Trackers for the Development of a Touch-less Musical Interface

This paper presents a comparison of three-dimensional (3D) position tracking systems in terms of some of their performance parameters such as static accuracy and precision, update rate, and shape of the space they sense. The underlying concepts and characteristics of position tracking technologies are reviewed, and four position tracking systems (Vicon, Polhemus, Kinect, and Gametrak), based on different technologies, are empirically compared according to their performance parameters and technical specications. Our results show that, overall, the Vicon was the position tracker with the best performance.