Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Objective classification of vehicle seat discomfort

The objective of this study was to identify how physiological measures relate to self-reported vehicle seating discomfort. Twelve subjects of varied anthropometric characteristics were enrolled in the study. Subjects sat in two seats over a 2-h period and were evaluated via three physiological measures (near-infrared spectroscopy, electromyography and pressure mapping) yielding six testing sessions. Subjective discomfort surveys were recorded before and after each session for nine regions of the body. Conditional classification discomfort models were developed through dichotomised physiological responses and anthropometry to predict subjective discomfort in specific body locations. Models revealed that subjects taller than 171 cm with reduced blood oxygenation in the biceps femoris or constant, low-level muscle activity in the trapezius tended to report discomfort in the lower extremities or neck, respectively. Subjects weighing less than 58 kg with reduced blood oxygenation in the biceps femoris or unevenly distributed pressure patterns tended to report discomfort in the buttocks. The sensitivities and specificities of cross-validated models ranged between 0.69 and 1.00. Practitioner Summary: Discomfort has been studied extensively in order to enhance the seating design process. However, biomechanical and physiological responses relative to subjective discomfort have been largely ignored in the literature. Considering these responses along with anthropometry may provide insight into why a specific individual reports a seat as uncomfortable.
Longitudinal Study of the Excretion Patterns of Thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in Young Pet Dogs in Denmark

ABSTRACT The Campylobacter excretion patterns of 26 domestic pet dogs were described in a longitudinal study. The dogs entered the study between 3 and 8 months of age and were monitored until 2 years of age. They were tested monthly for Campylobacter carriage in stool samples that were cultured on the Campylobacter-selective media CAT and modified CCDA agar at 37 and 42°C. This study comprised 366 fecal swab samples, of which 278 (76.2%) were found to be Campylobacter positive, with the following distribution of species: 75.0% Campylobacter upsaliensis, 19.4% Campylobacter jejuni, 2.1% Campylobacter lari, 0.7% Campylobacter coli, and 2.8% Campylobacter spp. Isolates were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to elucidate the strain excretion pattern. All study dogs excreted Campylobacter spp. during the study period. At 3 months of age, 60% of the dogs carried Campylobacter, increasing to nearly 100% carriers at 1 year of age, whereafter the carriage rate decreased to 67% at 24 months of age. The PFGE types showed that individual dogs were often colonized by unique strains of C. upsaliensis for several months, up to 21 months or longer. These C. upsaliensis strains were either clonal (or underwent concurrent minor mutative changes) or independent strains. In contrast, the excreted C. jejuni isolates were much more diverse and, in most cases, only seen in one sample from each dog. A high degree of diversity among different dogs was seen. We conclude that young domestic pet dogs excreted Campylobacter spp. during the majority of their puppyhood and adolescent period. In general C. upsaliensis strains were excreted for months, with short-term interruptions by or cocolonization with other transitory Campylobacter spp. , predominantly C. jejuni. C. jejuni was more prevalent in dogs between 3 months and 1 year of age than in dogs between 1 and 2 years of age.
The implementation of the Italian Register of Railway Infrastructure

This paper illustrates the process of implementation of the Italian Register of Railway Infrastructure (RINF), a new railway database placed in service in October 2015 and developed in the European Union in the field of the European Decision 2014/880/UE and of the Interoperability Directive 2008/57/EC. In this activity, ANSF — the Italian National Safety Authority — acts as National Registration Entity (NRE) to build the national register by collecting data of the whole Italian railway system in the scope of the above mentioned Decision. RFI, the main Italian Infrastructure Manager (IM), acts as register developer for national railway network. The implementation process is still in progress in conformity with the deadlines established in the regulatory framework. RINF shall to contain the most relevant technical features of the structural subsystems of the rail network, according to the technical specifications issued by European Union Agency for Railways (EUAR) that is responsible to establish a web Common User Interface (CUI) to join and to connect all the registers of the Member States. CUl is publically available, by a dedicated website, since October 2015. RINF goals are related to commercial and industrial activities (design of the vehicles, planning of national and international rail services), safety processes (verification of the interfaces between subsystems in the procedures of safety certifications, verification of the vehicle/infrastructure technical compatibility) and institutional aspects at European and national level (monitoring of the progress in the railway interoperability). Currently, ltalian register is one of the most complete database in Europe.
[K+]out accelerates inactivation of Shal‐channels responsible for A‐current in rat CA1 neurons

SOMATO-DENDRITIC subthreshold transient potassium current (ISA) was measured in acutely isolated rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. The inactivation of this current was insensitive to externally applied H2O2 (20 mM) which causes cysteine oxidation. This result suggests that Shal-channels not Shaker Kv1.4 channels underlie the somato-dendritic ISA in rat CA1 pyramidal neurons. The kinetics of the ISA inactivation was measured at various [K+]out. Increase in [K+]out leads to acceleration of Shal-channel inactivation. Thus, the shift in [K+]out from 1 to 50 mM results in decreased inactivation time constant from 37 to 91ms. This effect of [K+]out on the ISA is opposite to the previously described action of [K+]out on the inactivation of Shaker K+ channels.
Efficacy and safety comparison of add-on therapy with liraglutide, saxagliptin and vildagliptin, all in combination with current conventional oral hypoglycemic agents therapy in poorly controlled Chinese type 2 diabetes.

To compare the efficacy and safety of adding liraglutide, saxagliptin and vildagliptin to current therapy in Chinese type 2 diabetes subjects with poor glycemic control.A 24-week, randomized, open-label, parallel clinical trial was performed. A total 178 patients completed the trial who had been randomly assigned to add-on once daily liraglutide (1.2 mg/day injected subcutaneously), to saxagliptin (5 mg once daily) or to vildagliptin (50 mg twice daily). Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, fasting and postprandial blood glucose (FBG and P2BG), body weight, body mass index (BMI), episodes of hypoglycemia and adverse events were evaluated.Over the 24-week treatment period, greater lowering of mean of HbA1c was achieved with 1.2 mg liraglutide (-1.50%, 95% CI [-1.67, -1.34]) than with saxagliptin (-1.23%, 95% CI [-1.36, -1.11]) and vildagliptin (-1.25%, 95% CI [-1.37, -1.13]). There was no significant between-group difference of percentages of subjects who reached a target HbA1c<7.0%, but significantly more subjects with liraglutide achieved HbA1c≤6.5% compared with saxagliptin and vildagliptin. The mean reduction of FBG value from baseline was 2.23 mmol/L with liraglutide, much greater than 1.83 mmol/L with saxagliptin (p=0.013), but similar to 2.03 mmol/L with -vildaglitpin group. As to the P2BG value, greater reductions was found with liraglutide (-4.80 mmol/L) than -3.56 mmol/L with saxagliptin (p=0.000) and -3.57 mmol/L with vildagliptin (p=0.000). Moreover, greater mean reductions of body weight and BMI with liraglutide (-6.0 kg and -2.1 kg/m(2)) were achieved than with saxagliptin and vildagliptin (both p<0.001), whereas no significant difference was found between saxagliptin and vildagliptin group. The incidence of hypoglycemia was recorded low and similar in each treatment group. Nausea was more common with liraglutide (27%) than with saxagliptin (3.2%) and vildagliptin (5.2%), but no significant between-group difference was reported in other AEs.Adding liraglutide demonstrated superiority to saxagliptin and vildagliptin for reductions of HbA1c and weight loss in Chinese subjects with T2DM who had inadequate glycemic control with conventional oral hypoglycemic agents. These findings support the add-on of liraglutide could offer notable advantages over DPP-4 inhibitors in both efficacy and safety.
Does the Jones Polynomial Detect Unknottedness?

There have been many attempts to settle the question whether there exist nontrivial knots with trivial Jonespolynomial. In this paper we show that such a knot must have crossing number at least 18. Furthermore we give the number of prime alternating knots and an upper bound for the number of prime knots up to 17 crossings. We also compute the number of different HOMFLY, Jonesand Alexander polynomials for knots up to 15 crossings.
Surgical outcomes in spinal cord ependymomas and the importance of extent of resection in children and young adults.

OBJECT Ependymomas are a common type of CNS tumor in children, although only 13% originate from the spinal cord. Aside from location and extent of resection, the factors that affect outcome are not well understood. METHODS The authors performed a search of an institutional neuropathology database to identify all patients with spinal cord ependymomas treated over the past 20 years. Data on patient age, sex, clinical presentation, symptom duration, tumor location, extent of resection, use of radiation therapy, surgical complications, presence of tumor recurrence, duration of follow-up, and residual symptoms were collected. Pediatric patients were defined as those 21 years of age or younger at diagnosis. The extent of resection was defined by the findings of the postoperative MR images. RESULTS A total of 24 pediatric patients with spinal cord ependymomas were identified with the following pathological subtypes: 14 classic (Grade II), 8 myxopapillary (Grade I), and 2 anaplastic (Grade III) ependymomas. Both anaplastic ependymomas originated in the intracranial compartment and spread to the spinal cord at recurrence. The mean follow-up duration for patients with classic and myxopapillary ependymomas was 63 and 45 months, respectively. Seven patients with classic ependymomas underwent gross-total resection (GTR), while 4 received subtotal resection (STR), 2 received STR as well as radiation therapy, and 1 received radiation therapy alone. All but 1 patient with myxopapillary ependymomas underwent GTR. Three recurrences were identified in the Grade II group at 45, 48, and 228 months. A single recurrence was identified in the Grade I group at 71 months. The mean progression-free survival (PFS) was 58 months in the Grade II group and 45 months in the Grade I group. CONCLUSIONS Extent of resection is an important prognostic factor in all pediatric spinal cord ependymomas, particularly Grade II ependymomas. These data suggest that achieving GTR is more difficult in the upper spinal cord, making tumor location another important factor. Although classified as Grade I lesions, myxopapillary ependymomas had similar outcomes when compared with classic (Grade II) ependymomas, particularly with respect to PFS. Long-term complications or new neurological deficits were rare. Among patients with long-term follow-up, those who underwent GTR had a recurrence rate of 20% compared with 40% among those with STR or biopsy only, suggesting that extent of resection is perhaps a more important prognostic factor than histological grade in predicting PFS, which has been suggested by other data in the literature. Given the relative paucity of these lesions, collaborative multiinstitutional studies are needed, and such efforts should also focus on molecular and genetic analysis to refine the current classification system.
Estudio del cambio climático y su efecto en las aves en México: enfoques actuales y perspectivas futuras

El cambio climático está impactando la biodiversidad en el planeta. En México diferentes líneas de investigación se han desarrollado para estudiar los efectos del cambio climático en la distribución de su avifauna. Entender qué enfoques se usan en el país para estudiar este fenómeno puede ayudar a planear mejor los esfuerzos de conservación, determinar qué especies y sitios serían los más afectados, ubicar qué lugares y qué proyectos deberían recibir más atención para asignar los pocos recursos económicos existentes de manera más eficiente. En este documento describimos los enfoques usados por ocho grupos de investigación que estudian los efectos del cambio climático en la avifauna mexicana. El 87.5% usó tres escenarios de cambio climático: A1B, A2 y B2. Todos los gupos, salvo uno, usaron las variables de WorldClim. El 62.5% usó los modelos de circulación general canadiense (CCCMA) y australiano (CSIRO) y el 87.5% usó GARP o MaxEnt para modelar la distribución de especies. Se requiere avanzar en cuatro áreas: (1) elaborar mapas climáticos con mayor resolución, (2) incrementar la colaboración entre grupos de investigación, (3) realizar estudios de identificación de especies y áreas en mayor riesgo, y (4) aplicar los conocimientos que se tienen a la fecha. Proponemos 17 recomendaciones que, de seguirse, podrían determinar que el desarrollo futuro de estas cuatro áreas influya en la conservación de las aves habitando en México. Los resultados de este trabajo podrían ayudar a los científicos, tomadores de decisiones y manejadores de recursos naturales a planear estrategias de conservación apropiadas para el futuro.
A low-power FPN attenuation method in the double-log PMOS APS

The active-pixel-sensor (APS) imagers operating in logarithmic mode yield high-dynamic-range images. However, this pixel exhibits a small output signal voltage swing. The double-log PMOS APS improves the signal swing in a factor higher than two compared with the conventional log APS. Fixed-pattern noise across the focal-plane array is particularly critical in the log mode, but can be reduced by double sampling techniques with a voltage reference. This voltage reference is established by means of an internal current and is subject to higher power consumption. In this work an in-pixel voltage reference in voltage mode is proposed, providing a more efficient control and consuming less power than the previous solution, while preserving five transistors per pixel, as before.
On fuzzy queries with contextual predicates

This paper deals with the interpretation and processing of database queries with preference conditions of the form “attribute is low (resp. medium, high)” in the situation where the user is not aware of the actual content of the database but still wants to retrieve the best possible answers (relatively to that content). An approach to the definition of the terms “low”, “medium” and “high” in a contextual and relative manner is introduced. A processing algorithm aimed at efficiently retrieving the top-k answers to such a query is also outlined.
“I Smoke but I Am Not a Smoker”: Phantom Smokers and the Discrepancy Between Self-identity and Behavior

Abstract Objective: This article presents the development of a new smoking status, the “phantom smokers,” who do not view themselves as smokers but report smoking cigarettes. Participants: Students from 2 universities in Michigan (N = 899; October 2005) and Florida (N = 1,517; May 2006) participated in surveys. Methods: Respondents in Michigan completed measures regarding smoking status and tobacco use, and respondents in Florida completed measures regarding smoking status, tobacco use, smoking consequences, and norms. Results: The studies identify the incidence of phantom smokers (29.6% in Michigan and 5.5% in Florida). Different questions resulted in different smoking rates. Phantom smokers expect more negative affect reduction and social facilitation from smoking than nonsmokers. Phantom smokers display ambivalent attitudes toward a typical smoker's image. They experience less pressure to change their smoking behavior than smokers. Conclusion: Phantom smokers’ dissociation from smokers should be recognized and targeted as a distinct group for antismoking messages.
Non-Alzheimer Dementias

The past decade has seen a considerable resurgence of interest in non-Alzheimer forms of neurodegenerative dementia. Advances in our understanding and classification of these conditions have taken place over a diverse range of disciplines: from genetics and immunohistochemistry to neuropsychology and psychiatry. The aim of this article is to review, from a clinician's perspective, our current understanding of the major degenerative dementias that fall into the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The clinical variants of frontotemporal dementia (semantic dementia, progressive nonfluent aphasia, and dementia of a frontal type), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated dementia, corticobasal degeneration, and dementia with Lewy bodies are considered.
Multimodal biometric system using particle swarm based feature selection

A scientific discipline which includes methods that enable identification of people through their behavioral or physical characteristics or sometimes through both is known as Biometrics. Enhancement of security and the increase in its demand has paved way to an interest in an automated method of personal authentication which is based on Biometrics in recent times. Owing to the availability of multiple factors of evidence biometric systems that are multi-modal are considered to be more reliable. In visual interactions among humans, facial recognition is one of the most commonly acceptable biometrics. Selection of features is a challenging task as the interaction among the facial features can be complex. Therefore, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) which is a feature selection based on algorithm has been proposed as suitable for the multi-modal biometric system which in turn can bring down significantly the dimension by making use of different fusion schemes and identifying optimal features from among them.
Directional Movement and Horizontal Edge Detectors in the Pigeon Retina

There are ganglion cells in the pigeon retina that respond selectively, some to any edge moving in a particcular direction only, others to any vertically moving horizontal edge. This selective response to a specific stimulus arises from the selective sensitivity of each neuron to a particular spatiotemporal configuration in its afferent influences, and is independent of specific pathways.
Exportprämien unternehmensnaher Dienstleister in Niedersachsen

Trotz der zunehmenden Bedeutung des internationalen Dienstleistungshandels und der besonderen Bedeutung des Dienstleistungsbereichs fur die Volkswirtschaft ist uber die Exporttatigkeit von Dienstleistern auf der Mikroebene nur wenig bekannt. Bisherige Erkenntnisse uber den Zusammenhang zwischen Export und Unternehmensperformance stammen fast ausschlieslich aus dem industriellen Sektor. Der vorliegende Beitrag knupft an diesen Punkt an und untersucht fur niedersachsische unternehmensnahe Dienstleistungsunternehmen den Zusammenhang zwischen der Exportaktivitat und den Performanceindikatoren Grose, Produktivitat, gezahlte Durchschnittslohne und Umsatzrentabilitat. Ziel ist es, zu prufen, ob auch im niedersachsischen unternehmensnahen Dienstleistungssektor Exportpramien existieren und inwieweit sich Ex-ante Exportpramien finden lassen, welche auf eine Selbst-Selektion in Exportmarkte hinweisen. Fur die Vergleichbarkeit der Ergebnisse wird der von der International Study Group on Exports and Productivity fur den industriellen Sektor verwendete methodische Ansatz auf die Analyse der unternehmensnahen Dienstleister ubertragen. Datenbasis stellt das neu uber die Forschungsdatenzentren der Statistischen Amter des Bundes und der Lander verfugbare Dienstleistungsstatistikpanel 2003-2005 dar.
Who gave whom hemoglobin S: The use of restriction site haplotype variation for the interpretation of the evolution of the βS‐globin gene

The hypothesis that three separate mutations to the βS‐globin gene have occurred in Africa in challenged. The distributions of the βS and other β‐globin haplotypes and a simulation of the diffusion of the βS gene are presented and argued to be more in accord with the rapid diffusion of a single mutant that by recombination and gene conversion now occurs on several different haplotypes.
The maize major allergen, which is responsible for food-induced allergic reactions, is a lipid transfer protein.

BACKGROUND Cereals are the most important nutritional component in the human diet. Food-induced allergic reactions to these substances therefore have serious implications, and exhaustive diagnosis is required. Such diagnosis is still difficult because of the incomplete knowledge about major cereal allergens. In particular, few food-induced allergic reactions to maize have been reported, and no information on the allergenic proteins is available. OBJECTIVE Having observed several anaphylactic reactions to maize, we planned a study to identify maize major allergens and cross-reactivity with other cereals, as well as to peach because the majority of patients also reacted to Prunoideae fruits. METHODS Twenty-two patients with systemic symptoms after maize ingestion and positive skin prick test responses and serum-specific IgE antibodies to maize were selected. The IgE-reactivity pattern was identified by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. The major allergen identified was then purified by HPLC and characterized by mass spectrometry, determination of the isoelectric point value, and N-terminal amino acid sequencing. RESULTS Sera from 19 (86%) of the 22 patients recognized a 9-kd protein, thus confirming this as the maize major allergen. This protein had an isoelectric point of greater than 9, a molecular mass of 9047.0 d, and no glycosylation. Determination of its N-terminal sequence showed that it was a lipid transfer protein (LTP). By using immunoblotting-inhibition experiments, we demonstrated that the LTP cross-reacts completely with rice and peach LTPs but not with wheat or barley LTPs. N-terminal sequence of the 16-kd allergen (recognized by 36% of patients) showed it to be the maize inhibitor of trypsin. This protein cross-reacts completely with grass, wheat, barley, and rice trypsin inhibitors. CONCLUSION The major allergen of maize is an LTP with a molecular weight of 9 kd that is highly homologous with the peach LTP, the major allergen of the Prunoideae subfamily.
System Design and Implementation Decisions for ParaMoise Organizational Model

ParaMoise is a novel organisational model that permits to specify parallel and concurrent systems’ organisation and reorganisation. Workflows, locks and multiple organisation managers are the entities that differentiate this model from it antecedent, the Moise framework. All these entities must be efficiently designed and implemented to ensure the practical usage of the theoretically formulated model. The main challenge here is the distributed synchronisation of workflows and locks, that will maximise the performance of the system. This paper presents and analyses different workflows and locks management approaches that can be used to achieve this goal: from basic centralised or middleware based solutions, towards truly decentralised coordination mechanisms.