Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cluster-mapping procedure for tourism regions based on geostatistics and fuzzy clustering: example of Polish districts

ABSTRACT In tourism, the phenomenon of spatial agglomeration (concentration of economic activity) spreads beyond the borders of the territorial units. It is referred to as geographic ‘spillovers’ that enhances spatial interdependence and functional relationship of neighbouring regions. Within the standard procedure of cluster-mapping, only concentration inside a territorial unit may be analysed which is a source of biased results in tourism studies. However, tourist agglomeration centres sometimes occur at the juncture of territorial units and the economic entities located in them form spatial clusters with a different degree of membership to several centres of agglomerations located in the neighbourhood. Therefore, we propose to measure ‘inter-regional’ agglomeration in tourism providing modification of spatial autocorrelation measures (regarding neighbourhood and distance). In order to measure neighbourhood more precisely, we use geostatistical information (global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of tourism entities) and geographically weighted fuzzy clustering approach (FGWC). We examine the method on the example of Polish districts (NUTS-4) using database of 131,338 firms registered in section I (accommodation and food services) of Polish Classification of Activity in 2015. The results proved that a novel method of cluster-mapping considering spatial dependency combined with geographic information system (GIS) and FGWC method increases the accuracy of the identification of tourism clusters (inter-regional agglomeration).
ISMAR: An autotherapeutic device assisting patients from drooling to articulated speech

This overview of three decades of clinical experience with oral therapies complemented by oral devices—vestibular screens (VS) and ISMARs (Innsbruck sensory motor activators and regulators)—tries to put these devices into an oral functional context including postural control of mobile structures both inside and outside the mouth—down to the feet. ISMARs have certain unique features which teach a person not only better postural control of the lower jaw and, hence, hyoid bone and tongue, but also to stimulate movements of lips and tongue to improve salivary control, functions of eating and drinking and the domain of communication, e.g. facial movements and articulation of speech. A review of the relevant postural background is provided and the mechanisms are explained and may serve as models for other oral therapies. The inter-relation and multi-functionality of muscular connections throughout the body explains the uniformity of facial, oral and pharyngeal dysfunctions in different conditions such as cerebral palsy, Moebius syndrome, chronic nasal congestion or developmental retardation and exposes patients with oral dysfunctions to the risks of vicious circles. However, at the same time the opportunity is given to trigger beneficious circles. Three principles of postural control in and for the neck region are postulated. Clinical observations and experiments with volunteers are described and some supporting information is given—hopefully enough to stimulate clinical work and give rise to further experimental work to illuminate this field which is extremely important for both human communication and inter-relation.
Two-layer tracking for occlusion handling and inter-sensor identification in multiple depth sensorsbased object detection and tracking

The main challenge in depth-based object detection and tracking process is to provide correct identification of the detected objects during occlusion. This is because the information necessary to distinguish and consequently identify the objects throughout the occlusion events are limited, compared to conventional, color-based object tracking. In this paper we propose a two-layer tracking method that enables automatic occlusion handling and inter-sensor identification for object detection and tracking that utilizes more than one depth sensor. On the first layer, the tracking is first performed independently for each sensor to extract objects' feature and perform initial tracking with separation of the occluded objects. On the second layer, the tracking is performed in the perspective projection of the objects tracked on the first layer that are combined in a single processing plane to provide correct identification of the objects that are detected in one sensor to another. Experiment results show that the proposed method can correctly identified occluded objects and objects that are moving between sensors coverage area.
on-Invasive Assessment of Endothelial Function

2006;48;1846-1850; originally published online Oct 16, 2006; J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. Chowienczyk, Sandrine C. Millasseau, John E. Deanfield, and Julian P. Halcox Ann E. Donald, Marietta Charakida, Tim J. Cole, Peter Friberg, Phil J. Non-Invasive Assessment of Endothelial Function: Which Technique? This information is current as of April 11, 2008 http://content.onlinejacc. org/cgi/content/full/48/9/1846 located on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is
Using computerized games to teach face recognition skills to children with autism spectrum disorder: the Let's Face It! program.

BACKGROUND An emerging body of evidence indicates that relative to typically developing children, children with autism are selectively impaired in their ability to recognize facial identity. A critical question is whether face recognition skills can be enhanced through a direct training intervention. METHODS In a randomized clinical trial, children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder were pre-screened with a battery of subtests (the Let's Face It! Skills battery) examining face and object processing abilities. Participants who were significantly impaired in their face processing abilities were assigned to either a treatment or a waitlist group. Children in the treatment group (N = 42) received 20 hours of face training with the Let's Face It! (LFI! ) computer-based intervention. The LFI! program is comprised of seven interactive computer games that target the specific face impairments associated with autism, including the recognition of identity across image changes in expression, viewpoint and features, analytic and holistic face processing strategies and attention to information in the eye region. Time 1 and Time 2 performance for the treatment and waitlist groups was assessed with the Let's Face It! Skills battery. RESULTS The main finding was that relative to the control group (N = 37), children in the face training group demonstrated reliable improvements in their analytic recognition of mouth features and holistic recognition of a face based on its eyes features. CONCLUSION These results indicate that a relatively short-term intervention program can produce measurable improvements in the face recognition skills of children with autism. As a treatment for face processing deficits, the Let's Face It! program has advantages of being cost-free, adaptable to the specific learning needs of the individual child and suitable for home and school applications.
Integrative Assessment of Land Use Conflicts

Changes in land use are reflected primary in changes of land cover, but subsequently cause conflict of interest of sectors and are the main initiation of many environmental problems. The basic tool for sustainable utilization of the landscape is integrated landscape management, which, in our understanding, is the environmentally biased harmonization of tools which regulate the spatial organization and functional utilization of the landscape to avoid the conflicts of interest of sectors. “Integrated” in this case means the systematic assessment of the interests of all relevant sectors from the environmental point of view. The scientific base of this approach is the understanding of the landscape as a geosystem, and, in particular, the proper interpretation of the mutual relations of primary, secondary and tertiary landscape structures and their role in the assessment of the conflicts of interest. This paper presents a theoretical and methodical base for the integrated approach to the assessment of the conflicts of interest of the sectors in the landscape. The theoretical-methodical base was applied to the model territory of the Trnava district (south-west Slovakia). Mutual conflicts of interest of endangering and endangered sectors cause diverse problems, which were ranked in three basic groups as: problems of endangering of the ecological stability of the landscape (including endangering of biodiversity and nature conservation areas); problems of endangering of natural resources (in particular forests, soils, waters); and, problems of endangering the immediate human environment (stress factors in residential and recreational areas). The result is the identification and analysis of the conflicts of interest in the territory and their projection to a map. This research should be followed by implementation of procedures of ecologically optimal spatial organization and utilization of the territory for regular spatial planning processes.
The fertility of male immigrants: a comparative study on six Western European countries

ABSTRACT Migration has a huge demographic impact on European societies, especially when migrant populations have different levels and patterns of fertility, union formation and mortality, contributing to population size and composition. Nevertheless, comparative studies focusing on the association between migration and fertility, and how it evolves during the migration process, are still scarce. This work analyses the fertility of male migrants in six European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands and United Kingdom. Using data from the EU-LFS (2005–2015), results show that migrants are more likely to have at least one child and larger family size than natives, except those coming from Eastern Europe and Central America. Nevertheless, time since migration is a crucial element to explain their fertility: migrants from any country of origin have lower propensities of parenthood immediately after migration, whereas their fertility increases over time spent in the host society. We then find evidence of disruption in the short-run and of socialization once migrants settle in the new society, especially in Southern European countries.
The exocyst is required for trypanosome invasion and the repair of mechanical plasma membrane wounds

ABSTRACT The process of host cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi shares mechanistic elements with plasma membrane injury and repair. Both processes require Ca2+-triggered exocytosis of lysosomes, exocytosis of acid sphingomyelinase and formation of ceramide-enriched endocytic compartments. T. cruzi invades at peripheral sites, suggesting a need for spatial regulation of membrane traffic. Here, we show that Exo70 and Sec8 (also known as EXOC7 and EXOC4, respectively), components of the exocyst complex, accumulate in nascent T. cruzi vacuoles and at sites of mechanical wounding. Exo70 or Sec8 depletion inhibits T. cruzi invasion and Ca2+-dependent resealing of mechanical wounds, but does not affect the repair of smaller lesions caused by pore-forming toxins. Thus, T. cruzi invasion and mechanical lesion repair share a unique requirement for the exocyst, consistent with a dependence on targeted membrane delivery.
Physical activity, sedentary behaviors and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Background The association between physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and incident diabetes has been assessed in whites but is less well investigated in multiethnic populations. Objective To assess the association between PA, sedentary behavior, and incident diabetes in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Research design and methods Incident diabetes was assessed among adults without prevalent baseline diabetes (2000–2002) at 5 in-person examinations between 2002 and 2012. Baseline PA (moderate, vigorous, and exercise-specific; metabolic equivalents of task-hours/week) and sedentary behaviors (television watching, reading; hours/day) were assessed by questionnaire. HRs were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models. Results Among 5829 adults (mean age 61.8 years, 54% female, 42% white, 12% Chinese-American, 26% African-American, 21% Hispanic-American), there were 655 incident diabetes cases (median follow-up 11.1 years). After adjustment, diabetes risk was lower in those with brisk or striding compared with none or casual walking pace (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.84), higher levels of exercise PA (HR for highest vs lowest quartile 0.79; 95% CI 0.63 to 0.98), and any compared with no vigorous PA (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.95). Race/ethnicity influenced the association of walking pace, exercise PA, and any vigorous PA on diabetes risk, which was only significant among whites. Total leisure sedentary behaviors (HR for highest vs lowest quartile 1.65; 95% CI 1.26 to 2.14) and television watching (HR for highest vs lowest quartile 2.68; 95% CI 1.38 to 5.21) were significantly associated with diabetes risk in multiethnic analyses and were influenced by race/ethnicity. Conclusions These results confirm the importance of PA and sedentary behavior on diabetes risk in a multiethnic population and demonstrate potential variations across race/ethnic groups.
Neuronal Apoptosis-inhibitory Protein Does Not Interact with Smac and Requires ATP to Bind Caspase-9*

The neuronal apoptosis-inhibitory protein (NAIP) is the founding member of the mammalian family of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins (also known as BIRC proteins) and has been shown to be antiapoptotic both in vivo and in vitro. The 160-kDa NAIP contains three distinct regions: an amino-terminal cluster of three baculoviral inhibitory repeat (BIR) domains, a central nucleotide binding oligomerization domain (NOD), and a carboxyl-terminal leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain. The presence of the NOD and LRR domains renders NAIP unique among the IAPs and suggests that NAIP activity is regulated in a manner distinct from that of other members of the family. In this report, we examined the interaction of various regions of NAIP with caspase-9 and Smac. Recombinant NAIPs with truncations of the carboxyl-terminal LRR or NOD-LRR regions bound to caspase-9. In contrast, the full-length protein did not, suggesting some form of structural autoregulation. However, the association of the wild type full-length protein with caspase-9 was observed when interaction analysis was performed in the presence of ATP. Furthermore, mutation of the NAIP ATP binding pocket allowed full-length protein to interact with caspase-9. Thus, we conclude that NAIP binds to caspase-9 with a structural requirement for ATP and that in the absence of ATP the LRR domain negatively regulates the caspase-9-inhibiting activity of the BIR domains. Interestingly, and in contrast to the X-chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), NAIP-mediated inhibition of caspase-9 was not countered by a peptide containing an amino-terminal IAP binding motif (IBM). Consistent with this observation was the failure of Smac protein to interact with the NAIP BIR domains. These results demonstrate that NAIP is distinct from the other IAPs, both in demonstrating a ligand-dependent caspase-9 interaction and in demonstrating a distinct mechanism of inhibition.
A single dose of preoperative gabapentin for pain reduction and requirement of morphine after total mastectomy and axillary dissection: randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND Gabapentin has been recently found to be useful for reducing acute postoperative pain when administered preoperatively. Although various dose regimens have been tried in different surgical settings, the minimum effective dose is not established. AIMS We aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of single low dose gabapentin in patients undergoing total mastectomy and axillary dissection. SETTINGS AND DESIGN Prospective randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial in a tertiary care teaching hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty women scheduled for total mastectomy and axillary dissection were randomized to receive either gabapentin 600 mg or placebo orally 1 h preoperatively. The intraoperative and postoperative management was standardized. Postoperative pain was assessed at rest and on movement for 12 h using the numerical rating scale (NRS). Morphine was administered if NRS exceeded 30. Primary outcome measure was total morphine consumption. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS The morphine consumption was compared using independent t test while pain and sedation scores were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS Forty-six patients completed the trial. The postoperative morphine consumption was significantly less (5.8 +/- 4.2 vs. 11.0 +/- 3.4 mg; P 0.001) and the median [IQR] time to first analgesic was significantly longer (90 [37.5-120] vs. 0 [0-90] min; P 0.001) in the gabapentin group than in the placebo group. The incidence of side effects was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS A single low dose of 600 mg gabapentin administered 1 h prior to surgery produced effective and significant postoperative analgesia after total mastectomy and axillary dissection without significant side effects.
Knee cartilage of spinal cord-injured patients displays progressive thinning in the absence of normal joint loading and movement.

OBJECTIVE Alterations in the morphologic, biochemical, and mechanical properties of cartilage occur after unloading and immobilization in animals. However, the findings have been inconsistent and it is unclear whether such changes also take place in humans. This study tested the hypothesis that progressive thinning of knee joint cartilage is observed after spinal cord injury. METHODS In this in vivo study, knee cartilage was assessed in patients with complete, traumatic spinal cord injury at 6 (n = 9), 12 (n = 11), and 24 months (n = 6) after injury. Morphologic parameters of the knee cartilage (mean and maximum thickness as well as surface area) were computed from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, and results were compared with those in young, healthy volunteers (n = 9). RESULTS After 6 months of injury, the mean articular-cartilage thickness was significantly less in the patella and medial tibia (decrease of 10% and 16%, respectively; P < 0.05), but not in the lateral tibia (decrease of 10%), compared with the MRI findings in healthy volunteers. After 12 and 24 months of injury, the differences amounted to a reduction of 21% and 23%, respectively, in the patella, 24% and 25%, respectively, in the medial tibia, and 16% and 19%, respectively, in the lateral tibia. The changes were significant in all 3 surfaces of the spinal cord-injured joint cartilage (P < 0.05-0.01). CONCLUSION Our data show, for the first time, that progressive thinning (atrophy) of human cartilage occurs in the absence of normal joint loading and movement. This may have important implications for patient management, in particular for spinal cord-injured patients and patients who are immobilized after surgery.
A genetic algorithm to design error correcting codes

During the digital information transmitting through a channel, practically inevitable errors due to the presence of noise and to other factors are produced, such as interferences, echoes, etc. Then, it is necessary to establish ways, if not to avoid the errors, at least for be able to recognize its presence and, if it is possible, to correct them. Correcting of some manner the message in the receiver side cheapens the price of a transmission process, therefore otherwise there would be that to repeat the message when is corrupted along the way. In these cases the use of error correcting codes is suitable. In the actual communication systems the control of error is performed by means of the application of special codes that add redundancy. This aggregate redundancy permits to detect and/or to correct the errors occurred during the data transmission. In this work we center us in the binary linear block codes. The problem to find an error correcting code that corrects a maximum number of errors given is a NP-complete problem. By this reason, we have undertaken this problem by means of a genetic algorithm. In this article we expose the implementation and results of the genetic algorithm, having obtained some good values compared with other works
Dynamics of paternal chromatin changes in live one‐cell mouse embryo after natural fertilization

Using video‐enhanced fluorescence microscopy, we describe in live mouse zygotes the paternal chromatin changes undergone after fertilization. We focus on the sperm recondensation process and the formation of the paternal pronucleus, in relationship with the progression of maternal chromatin. Chromatin is labeled with the vital fluorophore Hoechst 33342. Our conditions of dye concentration and irradiation allow a continuous following of the dynamics of changes without major perturbation. We combine these observations with ultrastructural analysis performed by electron microscopy of the same eggs fixed at chosen stages. We show that the highly recondensed state corresponds to the appearance of the nuclear envelop and therefore the beginning of the pronuclear stage.
Rework Quantification and Influence of Rework on Duration and Cost of Equipment Development Task

Rework is a sub-task within equipment development tasks that is revised after initial completion to meet task requirements. Some sub-tasks require multiple rework iterations due to their uncertainty and complexity, or the technology and process needs of the overall task, resulting in inefficient task implementation and resource wastage. Therefore, studying the impact of rework iterations on the duration and cost of development tasks is worthwhile. This study divides rework into foreseeable and hidden types and uses several methods to express and quantify their parameters. The main influencing factors in rework iterations—the uncertainty and complexity of the development task—are quantitatively analyzed. Then, mathematical and mapping models of the dependence between sub-tasks, uncertainty, complexity, and rework parameters are established. The impacts of rework type and rework parameters on the duration and cost of equipment development tasks are analyzed via simulation based on the design structure matrix (DSM). Finally, an example is used to illustrate the influence of different rework types and rework parameters on development tasks’ duration and cost. The results show that the duration and cost of development tasks are greater, their volatility range is wider, and the distribution is more dispersed when both foreseeable and hidden rework are considered.