Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
La simulación como herramienta de apoyo en la toma de decisiones estratégicas: el caso de un instalador de pisos móviles

Resumen El trabajo analiza de que manera una simulacion de un proceso productivo ayuda a tomar decisiones de caracter estrategico. El caso analizado es un instalador de “pisos moviles” para semi-remolques. Mediante un modelo se simula el comportamiento de la linea de montaje. Se presentan varios escenarios con la fi nalidad de proveer de informacion sufi ciente que sirva a la direccion para defi nir su estrategia. En efecto, la empresa se plantea la posibilidad de redisenar el proceso para obtener lead time mas cortos y mejorar el fl ujo en la planta. El trabajo analiza el impacto de las distintas alternativas (escenarios) sobre plazos de entrega (lead time), variable critica en este sector. Algunas de las alternativas son de politica comercial, como por ejemplo el mix de productos o la fi jacion de precios; otras estan mas ligadas al campo de las operaciones y afectan a la capacidad del proceso. Finalmente se realiza un analisis competitivo de los distintos escenarios que han ayudado a tomar decisiones de caracter estrategico.
Quality Improvement Strategies for Hypertension Management: A Systematic Review

Background:Care remains suboptimal for many patients with hypertension. Purpose:The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of quality improvement (QI) strategies in lowering blood pressure. Data Sources:MEDLINE, Cochrane databases, and article bibliographies were searched for this study. Study Selection:Trials, controlled before–after studies, and interrupted time series evaluating QI interventions targeting hypertension control and reporting blood pressure outcomes were studied. Data Extraction:Two reviewers abstracted data and classified QI strategies into categories: provider education, provider reminders, facilitated relay of clinical information, patient education, self-management, patient reminders, audit and feedback, team change, or financial incentives were extracted. Data Synthesis:Forty-four articles reporting 57 comparisons underwent quantitative analysis. Patients in the intervention groups experienced median reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) that were 4.5 mm Hg (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.5 to 11.0) and 2.1 mm Hg (IQR: −0.2 to 5.0) greater than observed for control patients. Median increases in the percentage of individuals achieving target goals for SBP and DBP were 16.2% (IQR: 10.3 to 32.2) and 6.0% (IQR: 1.5 to 17.5). Interventions that included team change as a QI strategy were associated with the largest reductions in blood pressure outcomes. All team change studies included assignment of some responsibilities to a health professional other than the patient's physician. Limitations:Not all QI strategies have been assessed equally, which limits the power to compare differences in effects between strategies. Conclusion:QI strategies are associated with improved hypertension control. A focus on hypertension by someone in addition to the patient's physician was associated with substantial improvement. Future research should examine the contributions of individual QI strategies and their relative costs.
Cell penetration: scope and limitations by the application of cell‐penetrating peptides

The penetration of polar or badly soluble compounds through a cell membrane into live cells requires mechanical support or chemical helpers. Cell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) are very promising chemical helpers. Because of their low cytotoxicity and final degradation to amino acids, they are particularly favored in in vivo studies and for clinical applications. Clearly, the future of CPP research is bright; however, the required optimization studies for each drug require considerable individualized attention. Thus, CPPs are not the philosopher's stone. As of today, a large number of such transporter peptides with very different sequences have been identified. These have different uptake mechanisms and can transport different cargos. Intracellular concentrations of cargos can reach a low micromole range and are able to influence intracellular reactions. Internalized ribonucleic acids such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) and mimics of RNA such as peptide nucleic acids, morpholino nucleic acids, and triesters of oligonucleotides can influence transcription and translation. Despite the highly efficient internalization of antibodies, enzymes, and other protein factors, as well as siRNA and RNA mimics, the uptake and stabile insertion of DNA into the genome of the host cells remain substantially challenging.
Silent brain infarcts, leukoaraiosis, and long-term prognosis in young ischemic stroke patients

Objective: To investigate prognostic relevance of silent brain infarcts (SBIs) and leukoaraiosis (LA) in young patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: This observational cohort study included consecutive MRI-scanned patients aged 15 to 49 with first-ever ischemic stroke treated at Helsinki University Central Hospital (1994–2007) with long-term follow-up data available. Outcome measures were 1) nonfatal or fatal ischemic stroke, 2) composite vascular endpoint, and 3) death from any cause. Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) and Bamford criteria allowed for stroke subtyping. Number of SBIs was categorized into none, single, or multiple. LA fell into groups of none, mild, or moderate to severe (validated visual rating scale). Results: The 655 patients (mean age 40.0 ± 8.0 years) included were followed for a mean 8.7 ± 3.8 years (survivors). Of the 86 (13.1%) patients with SBIs, 46 had single and 40 had multiple SBIs. In the 50 (7.6%) patients with LA, these changes were mild in 21 and moderate to severe in 29. In Cox regression analysis, multiple SBIs independently raised the risk for recurrent ischemic stroke (odds ratio 2.48; 95% confidence interval 1.24–4.94) adjusted for age, gender, risk factors, stroke etiology, and LA. After further adjustment for initial stroke severity, TOAST and Bamford subgroups, and presence of SBIs, moderate to severe LA increased the risk for death (3.43; 1.58–7.42). Neither SBIs nor LA associated with the composite vascular endpoint. Conclusions: MRI-defined SBIs and LA are prognostically valuable in young adults after their first-ever ischemic stroke.
Dynamique des déficits jumeaux dans le contexte des déséquilibres macroéconomiques

La these se concentre sur la problematique tres actuelle des desequilibres macroeconomiques a laquelle on rattache l'existence des deficits jumeaux. La methode innovante basee sur la metrique des distances, inspiree par la theorie des espaces metriques, permet de mettre en evidence les sources des divergences macroeconomiques qui sont, dans notre cas d'etude, la balance courante et l'endettement. Ces facteurs sont a la source de la divergence macroeconomique dans le monde ainsi qu'en Europe, ce qui souligne l'importance de l'analyse des deficits jumeaux. L'analyse dite de « text-mining », l'analyse du contenu des articles scientifiques sur les deficits jumeaux et leur classement revelent la predominance dans la recherche actuelle de l'approche theorique du modele de Mundell-Fleming et de l'equivalence Ricardienne, qui sont confirmees notamment dans les pays developpes. La validite de l'hypothese des deficits jumeaux pour 14 pays de l'UE-15 dans le contexte de l'endettement public important est testee par l'estimation du modele a effet de seuil des donnees de panel. Le modele permet de conclure que l'hypothese des deficits jumeaux est confirmee uniquement lorsque la dette publique se trouve dans l'intervalle de 40.2% a 96.6% du PIB. L'equivalence Ricardienne est valide dans le regime de la dette publique superieure a 96.6% (le modele a effet de seuil) ou bien 93% (le modele dynamique qui explique l'impact asymetrique de la dette publique sur la croissance economique) du PIB. Ici, un deficit ne provoque pas l'autre; toutefois, l'efficacite de la politique budgetaire expansionniste pour retablir la croissance economique est limitee.
A Comeback for Gene Therapy

A lentivirus was used as a vector in hemato-poietic stem cells to treat a neurodegenerative disease in a clinical gene therapy trial. Gene therapy has recently had some important successes in treating severe inherited diseases (1–3) after years of skepticism from the scientific community and neglect by the pharmaceutical industry. On page 818 in this issue, Cartier et al. (4) report another major advance—the successful first clinical testing of an HIV-derived vector in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)–based gene therapy. The procedure was used to treat a severe neurodegenerative disease, X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), and the results indicate stable expression of a therapeutic gene in a substantial fraction of patients' hematopoietic cells, as well as clinical benefits.
Results from a clofarabine-busulfan-containing, reduced-toxicity conditioning regimen prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation: the phase 2 prospective CLORIC trial

We prospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of a clofarabine, intravenous busulfan and antithymocyte globulin-based reduced-toxicity conditioning (CloB2A2) regimen before allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Thirty high-risk patients (median age: 59 years; acute myeloid leukemia n=11, acute lymphoblastic leukemia n=13; myelodysplastic syndrome n=5, bi-phenotypic leukemia n=1) were included in this phase 2 study. At time of their transplant, 20 and seven patients were in first and second complete remission, respectively, while three patients with myelodysplastic syndrome were responding to chemotherapy or who had not been previously treated. The CloB2A2 regimen consisted of clofarabine 30 mg/m2/day for 4 days, busulfan 3.2 mg/kg/day for 2 days and antithymocyte globulin 2.5 mg/kg/day for 2 days. The median follow-up was 23 months. Engraftment occurred in all patients. The 1-year overall survival, leukemia-free survival, relapse incidence and non-relapse mortality rates were 63±9%, 57±9%, 40±9%, and 3.3±3%, respectively. Comparing patients with acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome versus those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia/bi-phenotypic leukemia, the 1-year overall and leukemia-free survival rates were 75±10% versus 50±13%, respectively (P=0.07) and 69±12% versus 43±13%, respectively (P=0.08), while the 1-year relapse incidence was 25±11% versus 57±14%, respectively (P=0.05). The CloB2A2 regimen prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation is feasible, allowing for full engraftment and low toxicity. Disease control appears to be satisfactory, especially in patients with acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome. The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov no. NCT00863148.
Glucocorticoids enhance concanavalin A‐induced mitogenic response through the inhibition of nitric oxide production

Glucocorticoids (GC) are known to inhibit mitogen‐induced proliferation of T cells. In this study we show two experimental situations where the addition of GC increases lymphocyte proliferation. It has been reported by different authors that rat spleen (SPL) cells proliferate poorly after concanavalin A (Con A) activation. These poor responses have been related to the suppressor activity of macrophages. Similarly, it is known that T‐cell proliferation is depressed in the presence of an excess of macrophages in the culture. Here we show that in both experimental situations, the inclusion of dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid, in the culture medium enhances the Con A‐stimulated proliferation. We provide evidence that this effect is a consequence of the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by the hormone. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that rat SPL cells are inefficient antigen‐presenting cells (APC) because of their spontaneous high production of NO. Taken together our results suggest that the effects of GC on T‐cell activation may be to promote or inhibit proliferation depending on the level of endogenous NO synthesis. The possible significance of these results is briefly discussed.
Age-Related Differences in Perceptual Learning

The present study investigated age-related differences in perceptual learning. We assessed performance and learning on a semantic category visual search task. We investigated whether prepractice was beneficial for general learning and for automatic attention response development. In terms of general learning, prepractice was beneficial, especially for older adults; however, prepractice did not benefit automatic attention response development. The implications of these results for training purposes are discussed.
Novel membrane-less two-way MEMS loudspeaker based on piezoelectric dual-concentric actuators

In this paper a novel type of piezoelectric MEMS loudspeaker is presented. The device concept is based on concentrically cascaded PZT actuators making it the first two-way MEMS speaker reported. As a further novelty, the device is designed to operate without a closed membrane offering significant improvements with respect to acoustic performance, energy efficiency and manufacturability. Extensive FEA studies have revealed a very high SPL of more than 85 dB at 500 Hz for a device 10 × 10 mm2 in size. At higher frequencies even larger SPL values are achieved enabling a flat frequency response with 95 dB for frequencies above 800 Hz. Based on the concept speaker prototypes have been fabricated using MEMS technology and are currently being characterized.
Towards a potential research agenda to guide the implementation of Spatial Data Infrastructures—A case study from India

Recently, Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) has been a rapidly expanding field and broadly assumed to underpin the development of information society and the knowledge economy. In this paper, we argue that the anticipated benefits of SDIs have largely not yet been generally realized in practice due to a lack of a robust theoretical framework as well as insufficient empirical research to guide the implementation efforts. We posit that learnings from the allied discipline of Information Infrastructures, which has matured during the 1990s in response to the proliferation of distributed, complex, and heterogeneous networked systems, can provide a useful theoretical lens to inform the emerging domain of SDIs. We focus on three key concepts identified in the domain of information infrastructure theory, viz. the installed base, reflexive standardization, and cultivation approach to design, to develop a theoretical framework, which is then applied to analyse the ongoing initiative to establish National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in India. This analysis helps us to provide the basis to articulate a potential research agenda—for both theory and practice—which, we believe, offers the promise to better conceptualize and implement SDIs, particularly in developing country settings like India.
Contrastive topic evolution discovery via nonnegative matrix factorization

In social networks, most information is stored, displayed and propagated in the form of text which is characterized by latent topics. With the discovery of latent topics, we can make more accurate prediction, inference and therefore, better applications, in social networks. Considering the dynamics and noise in social networks, we analyze data evolution from different perspectives including both common and discriminative topics. We adopt a basic model to factorize data matrix into components with an order representing latent topic and apply non-negative matrix factorization to two datasets as contrast to each other simultaneously. Time is taken into consideration as one order of the data matrix. Our basic model converts the decomposition problem into an optimization problem solved by block coordinate gradient descent, based on which the penalized model separates common part and discriminative part by adding penalty items. Next, a Bayesian generative model is established to avoid parameter tuning and overfitting, with the model parameters estimated via Gibbs sampling. Finally, we apply the models to both synthesized data and contrastive corpora of papers accepted by different conferences, as well as provide analysis of topic variation along with time.
he impact of casinos on fatal alcohol-related traffic accidents in the nited States had

Casinos have been introduced throughout the U.S. to spur economic development and generate tax revenues. Yet, casinos may also be associated with a variety of social ills. One issue that has not been empirically tested in the literature is whether there is a link between casino expansion and alcohol-related fatal traffic accidents. We suspect a link may exist since casinos often serve alcohol to their patrons and, by their dispersed nature, could impact driving distances after drinking. Using the variation in the timing and location of casino openings over a 10-year period, we isolate the impact of casino introduction on alcohol-related fatal accidents. Results indicate that there is a strong link between the presence of a
Obvious impairment of attention and processing speed in patients with schizoaffective disorder

Objective: Schizoaffective disorder (SAD) has features of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This study identifies potential differences in cognitive function between patients with SAD and healthy controls. Whether the cognitive impairments in patients with SAD are associated with their clinical characteristics was also examined. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 45 patients with SAD and 89 healthy control subjects. SAD was diagnosed using the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV-TR). The participants’ cognitive functions were evaluated using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). The clinical psychopathology of patients with SAD was assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Results: Patients with SAD exhibit significant deficits in all cognitive domains that are measured by the BACS, relative to healthy control subjects. Among all cognitive functions, attention and processing speed have the greatest discriminant validity for differentiating between SAD patients and healthy individuals. Additionally, bipolar type SAD patients performed worse in working memory than depressive type SAD patients, and treating with a mood stabilizer was associated with poor executive function. Conclusion: Patients with SAD exhibited significant deficits in all cognitive domains that are measured by BACS, but particularly in attention and processing speed. Whether the obvious deficits of attention and processing speed are specific to SAD warrants confirmation by comparison with cognitive profiles of patients with other psychotic disorders.
Feedback design for quantum state manipulation by measurements

In this paper, we propose feedback designs for manipulating a quantum state to a target state by performing sequential measurements. In light of Belavkin's quantum feedback control theory, for a given set of (projective or non-projective) measurements and a given time horizon, we show that finding the measurement selection policy that maximizes the successful manipulation is an optimal control problem for a controlled Markovian process. The optimal policy is Markovian and can be solved by dynamical programming. Numerical examples indicate that making use of feedback information significantly improves the success probability compared to classical scheme without taking feedback.
Dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the forebrain of Dystonia musculorum mutant mice: An autoradiographic survey in relation to dopamine contents

Dystonia musculorum (dtJ/dtJ) mutant mice suffer from a degeneration of spinocerebellar tracts as well as a dystrophy of peripheral sensory tracts. This neurological mutant has been proposed as an animal model of human cerebellar ataxia, in particular of the Friedreich's type; thus, it was deemed of interest to examine the endogenous contents of dopamine (DA) and metabolites as well as the distribution of DA receptors of the D1 and D2 subtypes, in order to delimit the biochemical characteristics of this pathological disorder, and determine an eventual dopaminergic dysfunction in this mutant. Tissue DA and its major metabolites 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid and 3‐methoxytyramine were measured by HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection in six cortical regions, in four divisions of rostral neostriatum and two halves of caudal neostriatum, as well as in olfactory bulb, nucleus accumbens, septum, amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, brainstem, cerebellum, substantia nigra, and ventral tegmental area. The only significant difference between dtJ/dtJ mice and wild‐type controls was an increase in hypothalamic DA contents (+47%). Quantitative autoradiography with [3H]SCH23390 and [3H]raclopride, to label D1 and D2 receptors, respectively, revealed only moderate changes in receptor densities in a few localized regions. In dtJ/dtJ mutants, D1 receptor numbers were found to be higher in thalamus (+27%) as well as in the medio‐dorsal (+16%) and in the latero‐dorsal (+16%) quadrants of rostral neostriatum, while D2 receptor densities were greater in the medio‐ventral (+32%) and the latero‐dorsal (+17%) quadrants. The present results indicate an overall conservation of dopaminergic functions, albeit the few localized sites of increased D1 and D2 receptor densities, and that are seemingly independent of the DA innervation pattern, as revealed by the tissue measurements of DA and metabolites. They also rule out a major pathology linked to deficits in DA neurotransmission, and validate this mutant as an animal model of human cerebellar ataxia, probably of the Friedreich type. Synapse 37:1–15, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Erlebnis intuitive Interaktion — ein phänomenlogischer Ansatz

Zusammenfassung Ein „intuitives Bedienkonzept” gilt als ein unabdingbares Qualitätsmerkmal interaktiver Produkte. Doch was genau Anwender sich hiervon versprechen, und welche Merkmale „intuitive” Nutzungserlebnisse aufweisen, ist weniger eindeutig. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt einen Ansatz vor, der sich dem Erlebnis intuitive Interaktion aus phänomenologischer Sichtweise nähert. Neben Schilderungen aus Nutzersicht wurden Erkenntnisse der Intuitionsforschung aus der Entscheidungspsychologie berücksichtigt. Die hierbei identifizierten vier Komponenten intuitiver Interaktion (Mühelosigkeit, Gefühlsgeleitet, Verbalisierungsfähigkeit, Magisches Erleben) bildeten die Grundlage für die Entwicklung des INTUI-Fragebogens, mit dessen Hilfe sich verschiedene Pattern des Erlebens intuitiver Interaktion abbilden lassen. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über bisherige Studienergebnisse zu Einflussfaktoren auf INTUI-Pattern und die Entstehung von Intuitivitätsurteilen sowie einen Ausblick auf zukünftige Forschungsfragen.
On the use of product innovation in the design process of the research

This study is based on “user at the core” of human nature to study the chemical product design of the spindle, the OHP by the general market for the subject matter of the projector, to explore the field of industrial design in consumer electronics products, “the use of” problem. The study found that by the terms of the duration of the project to test the operational problems as the definition of degree of difficulty, can be summarized into easy, medium, three levels of difficulty. Which started in the projector part of the two 2,3, and in the incorporated part of the D, E 2 are the use of bad design. In addition the graphical instructions in haste, but also allows users to easily confused, they are advised in future studies to improve the situation.