Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Action inhibition in Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by tics. Tic generation is often linked to dysfunction of inhibitory brain networks. Some previous behavioral studies found deficiencies in inhibitory motor control in Tourette syndrome, but others suggested normal or even better‐than‐normal performance. Furthermore, neural correlates of action inhibition in these patients are poorly understood. We performed event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging during a stop‐signal reaction‐time task in 14 uncomplicated adult Tourette patients and 15 healthy controls. In patients, we correlated activations in stop‐signal reaction‐time task with their individual motor tic frequency. Task performance was similar in both groups. Activation of dorsal premotor cortex was stronger in the StopSuccess than in the Go condition in healthy controls. This pattern was reversed in Tourette patients. A significant positive correlation was present between motor tic frequency and activations in the supplementary motor area during StopSuccess versus Go in patients. Inhibitory brain networks differ between healthy controls and Tourette patients. In the latter the supplementary motor area is probably a key relay of inhibitory processes mediating both suppression of tics and inhibition of voluntary action. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Mechanical agitation during the in vitro culture of human pre-implantation embryos drastically increases the pregnancy rate.

BACKGROUND The in vivo developing embryo is naturally exposed to constant vibrations of around 6 Hz, increasing to 20 Hz when the oviductal fluid is mechanically agitated by the cilia. This study examines the effects on viability of subjecting human pronuclear oocytes and embryos to mechanical agitation during their in vitro culture before transplantation. METHODS Metaphase-II oocytes were ICSI/IVF with morphologically normal spermatozoa and then divided into two groups according to whether the cells underwent mechanical agitation (20 Hz over 5 seconds once per hour) of the culture medium (Group 2, n=23) or were cultured without mechanical agitation (Group 1, n=23). The fertilization rate of oocytes was recorded 18 hours later. Embryo development was monitored every day during the whole period of in vitro culture up to the embryo transfer on day 3, 4 or 5. RESULTS Pregnancy rates after the transfer of 3 Day embryos in Group 1 and Group 2 were 50% and 80%, and of 5 Day embryos in Group 1 and Group 2 were 36% and 73%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The in vitro culture of human embryos in a medium subjected to regular short bursts of mechanical agitation drastically increases their development rate.
Consumer Evaluation of Cause-Brand Alliance in Cause-Related Advertising: The Role of Brand Familiarity and Personal Relevance

The current study aims to investigate the relative effects of cause-related marketing (CRM) involving cause-brand alliance (CBA) while evaluate the relationship between the cause brand familiarity and personal relevance of the cause. A 2 X 2 (cause brand familiarity: high or low and personal relevance: high or low) experimental study examines the effects on attitudes toward ad, company, and cause-brand alliance (CBA). The overall findings attest to the main effects of cause brand familiarity, personal relevance of the cause, and the interaction effects of the familiarity and relevance. Theoretical and managerial implications, limitations, and future research are discussed.
The Impact of Performance Feedback and Slack on Target Selection

This study examines how performance feedback and organizational slack of the acquiring firm affect technological overlap between the target and acquiring firms based on the behavior theory of the firm. Specifically, we theorize that technological overlap between the acquiring and target firms decreases with the distance of acquiring firms past performance below aspirations, whereas the technological overlap increases with the distance of acquiring firms past performance above aspirations. Also, we hypothesize that technological overlap between the target and acquiring firms increases with acquiring firms financial slack resources. Lastly, we examine the interaction effect of performance feedback and financial slack. We suggest that the interaction effect of performance below aspirations and abundant financial slack and that of performance above aspirations and low financial slack is stronger compared to the circumstance when these two factors force the acquirer to choose targets with contradicting charact.
Compliance with and tolerance of mefloquine and chloroquine + proguanil malaria chemoprophylaxis in French short‐term travellers to sub‐Saharan Africa

To compare the compliance with and tolerance of mefloquine (MQ) and chloroquine + proguanil (CQ‐PRO) chemoprophylaxis, we conducted a study using a self‐reported questionnaire in 2 groups of native French adult visitors to Senegal or Kenya. CQ (100 mg daily) + PRO (200 mg daily) prophylaxis was prescribed for all patients tiavelling to Senegal and for those going to Kenya when MQ was contraindicated; MQ (250 mg weekly) was prescribed for the other subjects. There were no significant differences in age, sex, exposition and measures of protection against mosquito bites, concomitant drug use or mean duration of chemoprophylaxis between the 2 groups, and compliance during travel was excellent in both. Chemoprophylaxis was more frequently interrupted prematurely in the MQ group. The rates of overall side‐effects attributed to malaria chemoprophylaxis were 16% for MQ against 12% for CQ‐PRO (not significant). However, nonserirous neuropsychiatric adverse events are more frequent with MQ: 11.5% compared to 2% with CQ‐PRO. MQ should be used with caution.
Human pilot's dynamic response characteristics

The article is dedicated for identifying a mathematical model which describes the ensemble "pilot-aircraft" as an integrated system, being pointed out the pilot's particularities for aircraft command. In the paper are presented two compensatory models, based on the aircraft dynamics. Several approaches of the pilot models (transfer function gain, lead and lag time constants) were considered to choose the methodology that better predicts the airplane dynamic handling quality requirements. Numerical investigations have been performed using Maplesoft environment.
Genome-Wide De Novo Methylation in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Background: DNA methylation regulates gene expression during development. The methylation pattern is established at the time of implantation. CpG islands are genome regions usually protected from methylation; however, selected islands are methylated later. Many undergo methylation in cancer, causing epigenetic gene silencing. Aberrant methylation occurs early in tumorigenesis, in a specific pattern, inhibiting differentiation. Although methylation of specific genes in ovarian tumors has been demonstrated in numerous studies, they represent only a fraction of all methylated genes in tumorigenesis. Objectives: To explore the hypermethylation design in ovarian cancer compared with the methylation profile of normal ovaries, on a genome-wide scale, thus shedding light on the role of gene silencing in ovarian carcinogenesis. Identifying genes that undergo de novo methylation in ovarian cancer may assist in creating biomarkers for disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment responsiveness. Methods: DNA was collected from human epithelial ovarian cancers and normal ovaries. Methylation was detected by immunoprecipitation using 5-methyl-cytosine-antibodies. DNA was hybridized to a CpG island microarray containing 237,220 gene promoter probes. Results were analyzed by hybridization intensity, validated by bisulfite analysis. Results: A total of 367 CpG islands were specifically methylated in cancer cells. There was enrichment of methylated genes in functional categories related to cell differentiation and proliferation inhibition. It seems that their silencing enables tumor proliferation. Conclusions: This study provides new perspectives on methylation in ovarian carcinoma, genome-wide. It illustrates how methylation of CpG islands causes silencing of genes that have a role in cell differentiation and functioning. It creates potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment responsiveness.
Mating type gene homologues in Aspergillus fumigatus.

Mating processes in fungi are governed by mating type genes. Most (if not all) heterothallic filamentous ascomycetes have a dimictic mating system with two alleles (called idiomorphs, as they do not share any significant sequence similarity) located in a single locus (Turgeon & Yoder, 2000). One idiomorph (MAT1-2) contains a single open reading frame (ORF) encoding a regulatory protein with a DNA-binding domain of the high mobility group (HMG) type, while the other (MAT1-1) contains an ORF encoding a protein with a motif called an alpha box, which is also present in the MATa1 protein of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Turgeon & Yoder, 2000). Such mating type genes have been identified in a number of filamentous ascomycetes belonging to fungal groups that are widely separated in evolutionary terms (e.g. in species belonging to the pyrenomycetes, discomycetes and loculoascomycetes). However, no mating type genes have been detected so far in any plectomycete genera (e.g. in teleomorphs of Aspergillus or Penicillium species), although some efforts have been made to search for them (Arie et al., 1997; Cisar et al., 1994; Rinyu et al., 2000).
Myoclonus, Seizures, and Paratonia in Alzheimer Disease

Twenty-eight patients with the clinical diagnosis of probable Alzheimer disease (AD) were followed longitudinally until death. The presence of myoclonus, seizures, and paratonia was monitored as part of this process. At autopsy, 22 of the patients met pathologic criteria for AD and 6 had other degenerative neurologic diseases. Myoclonus was present in 55% of the AD patients and none of the non-AD patients. Seizures were present in 64% of the AD patients, and only 17% of the non-AD patients. Paratonia was found frequently in all patient groups. In most patients, symptoms developed late in the course of their illness. The incidence of myoclonus, seizures, and paratonia in our patients was higher than in most previous studies. The reasons for this finding are discussed.
Reproductive success and contaminants in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) breeding at a wastewater treatment plant

The uptake and effects of contaminants were measured in the insectivorous tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) at a wastewater treatment site. The study examined reproductive, immunological, and growth endpoints in tree swallows exposed to chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants and to 4‐nonylphenol in wastewater lagoons at the Iona Wastewater Treatment Plant, Vancouver (BC, Canada). Clutch size was significantly lower in tree swallows breeding at Iona Island in 2000 and 2001 compared to the reference site. In 2000, fledging success was significantly lower and mean mass of nestling livers was significantly higher in the tree swallows breeding at the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. Additional factors that may influence reproductive success, such as parental provisioning and diet composition, did not differ significantly between sites. Levels of 4‐nonylphenol detected in sediment and insects were elevated at the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant (2000: lagoon sediment 82,000 ng/g dry wt, insects 310 ng/g wet wt; 2001: lagoon sediment 383,900 ng/g dry wt, insects 156 ng/g wet wt) compared to the reference site (2000: pond sediment 1,100 ng/g dry wt, insects not sampled; 2001: pond sediment 642 ng/g dry wt, insects 98 ng/g wet wt). These results indicate that tree swallows might be a useful indicator species for exposure to 4‐nonylphenol at wastewater treatment sites; however, further work is necessary to determine the extent of uptake and effects of 4‐nonylphenol in riparian insectivorous birds.
Antigenic heterogeneity of the non-serogroup antigen structure of Neisseria gonorrhoeae lipopolysaccharides

Studies of the antigenic structure of the polysaccharide component of gonococcal lipopolysaccaride (LPS) indicated that the non-serogroup antigen structure is antigenically heterogeneous. Immunodiffusion studies of Gc4 strain 8551 indicated that in addition to the Gc serogroup determinent, this polysaccharide contains two other sets of determinants, one which is shared with the other five Gc serogroups and a second which is shared by the Gc1 and Gc3 serogroups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) studies confirmed the immunodiffusion, documented qualitative differences, and suggested that quantitative differences may exist in the common determinant from serogroup to serogroup. As measured by ELISA inhibition, native LPS showed the same antigenic arrangement as the purified LPS polysaccharides. Studies with LPS-derived polysaccharides from nonprototype strains in immunodiffusion gave results identical to the prototype strains. This antigen variation, although distinct from serogroup specificity, was related to the serogroup determinant.
The Direct Control and Penalty Methods for American Put Options

Pricing American options gives rise to nonlinear Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) Partial Differential Equations (PDEs). These HJB PDEs can be solved using a penalty or a direct control approach. In this essay, we explore the characteristics of these two methods — the direct control method and penalty method, under the American put option pricing domain. We also examine a third method, a combination of the best properties of the above mentioned methods. Included are algorithms and numerical results to support our findings. In all cases, we use a positive coefficient discretization of the PDE to ensure the numerical scheme converges to the viscosity solution.
Analysis of Crm in Manufacturing and Service Companies

Customer Relationship Management is a business strategy to maintain, attract and promote of customer. Despite the global economic slowdown, the company needs for effective and efficient customer relationship management has not changed. Still create loyalty, decrease marketing costs, sales and service delivery is the priorities of any organization. For effective management and development of any organization in various industries including insurance, banking, manufacturing, industrial . should done a conscious effort to customer-oriented. Understanding principle of marketing to retain customers is more profitable than attract new customers is caused that many companies adopt a marketing relationship. In this paper is analyzed CRM in companies.
Multistep process of neoplastic transformation of normal human fibroblasts by 60CO gamma rays and harvey sarcoma viruses

As reported previously (Namba et al., 1985), normal human fibroblasts were transformed by 60Co gamma‐ray irradiation into immortal cells with abnormal karyotypes. These transformed cells (KMST‐6), however, showed a low cloning efficiency in soft agar and no transplantability. However, upon treatment with Harvey murine sarcoma virus (Ha‐MSV), the cells acquired elevated clonability in soft agar and transplantability in nude mice. Ha‐MSV alone, however, did not convert normal human fibroblasts into either immortal or tumorigenic cells. The Ha‐MSV‐transformed KMST‐6 cells showed an enhanced expression of the ras oncogene, but normal and 60Co gamma‐ray‐transformed cells did not. Our current data suggest that gamma rays worked against normal human cells as an initiator, giving rise to chromosome aberrations and immortality, and that Ha‐MSV, probably through its ras oncogene, played a role in the progression of the malignant cell population to a more malignant one showing enhanced colony formation in soft agar and tumorigenicity in nude mice.
Toward Mining Stop-by Behaviors in Indoor Space

In this article, we explore a new mining paradigm, called Indoor Stop-by Patterns (ISP), to discover user stop-by behavior in mall-like indoor environments. The discovery of ISPs enables new marketing collaborations, such as a joint coupon promotion, among stores in indoor spaces (e.g., shopping malls). Moreover, it can also help in eliminating the overcrowding situation. To pursue better practicability, we consider the cost-effective wireless sensor-based environment and conduct the analysis of indoor stop-by behaviors on real data. However, it is a highly challenging issue, in indoor environments, to retrieve frequent ISPs, especially when the issue of user privacy is highlighted nowadays. The mining of ISPs will face a critical challenge from spatial uncertainty. Previous work on mining indoor movement patterns usually relies on precise spatio-temporal information by a specific deployment of positioning devices, which cannot be directly applied. In this article, the proposed Probabilistic Top-k Indoor Stop-by Patterns Discovery (PTkISP) framework incorporates the probabilistic model to identify top-k ISPs over uncertain data collected from sensing logs. Moreover, we develop an uncertain model and devise an Index 1-itemset (IIS) algorithm to enhance the accuracy and efficiency. Our experimental studies show that the proposed PTkISP framework can efficiently discover high-quality ISPs and can provide insightful observations for marketing collaborations.
Secure CoAP Using Enhanced DTLS forInternet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is next generation technology that is intended to improve and optimize daily life by operating intelligent sensors and smart objects together. At application layer, communication of resourceconstrained devices is expected to use constrained application protocol (CoAP). Communication security is an important aspect of IoT environment. However closed source security solutions do not help in formulating security in IoT so that devices can communicate securely with each other. To protect the transmission of confidential information secure CoAP uses datagram transport layer security (DTLS) as the security protocol for communication and authentication of communicating devices. DTLS was initially designed for powerful devices that are connected through reliable and high bandwidth link. This paper proposes a collaboration of DTLS and CoAP for IoT. Additionally proposed DTLS header compression scheme that helps to reduce packet size, energy consumption and avoids fragmentation by complying the 6LoWPAN standards. Also proposed DTLS header compression scheme does not compromises the point-to-point security provided by DTLS. Since DTLS has chosen as security protocol underneath the CoAP, enhancement to the existing DTLS also provided by introducing the use of raw public key in DTLS.
An Ultra Wideband Transmitted Reference Scheme Gaining from Intersymbol Interference

We consider a wireless body area network (WBAN) with an average per link throughput of about 500 kbps based on an ultra wideband (UWB) transmitted reference (TR) scheme. For a long battery autonomy a low duly cycle operation of the nodes and thus a high peak data rate is a promising concept. Due to a moderate path loss, a peak data rate in excess of 50 Mbps would be feasible with respect to the FCC power constraints. With current low complexity UWB TR systems, the peak data rate is constrained to much lower values, because they are sensitive to intersymbol interference (ISI). Therefore, the impact of moderate ISI on symbolwise UWB TR detectors is investigated. It is shown that presented UWB TR scheme is robust to ISI and for a specific system setup even benefits from ISI. Due to this gain, the UWB TR scheme outperforms differential phase shift keying (DPSK) in presence of ISI and the FCC peak power constraint.
Fostering adherence to injectable disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis requires long-term management, often with disease-modifying therapies. Poor medication adherence, especially to injectables, can increase relapse and hospitalisation rates and consume healthcare resources. We discuss adherence definitions and terminology and its prevalence in multiple sclerosis (MS). Typical causes of poor adherence in patients with MS include: insufficient efficacy or tolerability, concurrent disorders, and consequences of MS (e.g., forgetfulness, depression, fatigue and poor motor skills). Ways to improve adherence rates are reviewed, focusing on interdisciplinary healthcare teams, good communication between healthcare workers and patients (and their families), ongoing support and digital tools to promote adherence. We consider open communication and continuing education to be key, and that MS nurses have a pivotal role in ensuring patients’ adherence to MS medicines.
Beamforming under Quantization Errors in Wireless Binaural Hearing Aids

Improving the intelligibility of speech in different environments is one of the main objectives of hearing aid signal processing algorithms. Hearing aids typically employ beamforming techniques using multiple microphones for this task. In this paper, we discuss a binaural beamforming scheme that uses signals from the hearing aids worn on both the left and right ears. Specifically, we analyze the effect of a low bit rate wireless communication link between the left and right hearing aids on the performance of the beamformer. The scheme is comprised of a generalized sidelobe canceller (GSC) that has two inputs: observations from one ear, and quantized observations from the other ear, and whose output is an estimate of the desired signal. We analyze the performance of this scheme in the presence of a localized interferer as a function of the communication bit rate using the resultant mean-squared error as the signal distortion measure.
A Data-Driven Approach to Manage Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles in Parking Lots

The ever-increasing number of electric vehicles (EV) on the road is in line with many governments' efforts to tackle urgent environmental challenges. This inherently means that there is a growing need for charging infrastructure as well. A potential solution to address the need for charging stations is to transform traditional parking lots into EV-enabled parking lots (EVPLs), in a sense that EVPLs provide not only parking services, but also the possibility for EV owners to charge their cars for a price. Due to the inherently complex and dynamic environment, a potential obstacle, from a business perspective, to the process of transforming parking lots into EVPLs is the complexity of estimating the EVPL's profitability and, consequently, the length of time required to recover the cost of the investment in the EV charging infrastructure. We propose a novel framework based on discrete-event simulations to estimate an EVPL's profit during a certain period of time. Our framework relies on historical data from parking lots and electricity markets as well as behavioral data related to EV owners. We illustrate the use of our framework in a real-world setting involving the city of Melbourne in Australia. In particular, we show how our framework can determine the profitability of an EVPL and, consequently, the payback period for transforming traditional parking lots into parking lots with EV chargers. To obtain these results, our framework first determines the ideal number of EV chargers to be installed and the underlying charging tariff so as to maximize profitability. We also discuss how our framework allows for what-if analyses that can provide valuable managerial and policy-making insights.
Strategies of Domestic and Multinational Firms in the Czech Republic

The strategic behavior of companies in globalizing and changing markets may be characterized by the extent to which a company's strategy is adapted to this environment. The goal of this paper is to compare the strategies used by multinational and domestic companies in the Czech Republic in reaction to the environment and to ascertain which strategy is the most advantageous and therefore to provide essential information for strategic decisions of both domestic and multinational companies.