Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Class of Time-Varying Parameter Structural VARs for Inference under Exact or Set Identification

This paper develops a new class of structural vector autoregressions (SVARs) with time-varying parameters, which I call a drifting SVAR (DSVAR). The DSVAR is the first structural time-varying parameter model to allow for internally consistent probabilistic inference under exact? or set? identification, nesting the widely used SVAR framework as a special case. I prove that the DSVAR implies a reduced-form representation, from which structural inference can proceed similarly to the widely used two-step approach for SVARs: beginning with estimation of a reduced form and then choosing among observationally equivalent candidate structural parameters via the imposition of identifying restrictions. In a special case, the implied reduced form is a tractable known model for which I provide the first algorithm for Bayesian estimation of all free parameters. I demonstrate the framework in the context of Baumeister and Peersman? s (2013b) work on time variation in the elasticity of oil demand.
CT in the Emergency Department: A Real-Time Study of Changes in Physician Decision Making.

PURPOSE To determine how physicians' diagnoses, diagnostic uncertainty, and management decisions are affected by the results of computed tomography (CT) in emergency department settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the institutional review board and compliant with HIPAA. Data were collected between July 12, 2012, and January 13, 2014. The requirement to obtain patient consent was waived. In this prospective, four-center study, patients presenting to the emergency department who were referred for CT with abdominal pain, chest pain and/or dyspnea, or headache were identified. Physicians were surveyed before and after CT to determine the leading diagnosis, diagnostic confidence (on a scale of 0% to 100%), alternative "rule out" diagnosis, and management decisions. Primary measures were the proportion of patients for whom the leading diagnosis or admission decision changed and median changes in diagnostic confidence. Secondary measures addressed alternative diagnoses and return-to-care visits (eg, to emergency department) at 1-month follow-up. Regression analysis was used to identify associations between primary measures and site and participant characteristics. RESULTS Both surveys were completed for 1280 patients by 245 physicians. The leading diagnosis changed in 235 of 460 patients with abdominal pain (51%), 163 of 387 with chest pain and/or dyspnea (42%), and 103 of 433 with headache (24%). Pre-CT diagnostic confidence was inversely associated with the likelihood of a diagnostic change (P < .0001). Median changes in confidence were substantial (increases of 25%, 20%, and 13%, respectively, for patients with abdominal pain, chest pain and/or dyspnea, and headache; P < .0001); median post-CT confidence was high (95% for all three groups). CT helped confirm or exclude at least 95% of alternative diagnoses. Admission decisions changed in 116 of 457 patients with abdominal pain (25%), 72 of 387 with chest pain and/or dyspnea (19%), and 81 of 426 with headache (19%). During follow-up, 70 of 450 patients with abdominal pain (15%), 53 of 387 with chest pain and/or dyspnea (14%), and 49 of 433 with headache (11%) returned for the same indication. In general, changes in leading diagnosis, diagnostic confidence, and admission decisions were not well explained with site or participant characteristics. CONCLUSION Physicians' diagnoses and admission decisions changed frequently after CT, and diagnostic uncertainty was alleviated.
Effect of Helicobacter pyloriinfection and its eradication on cell proliferation, DNA status, and oncogene expression in patients with chronic gastritis

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori, the main cause of chronic gastritis, is a class I gastric carcinogen. Chronic gastritis progresses to cancer through atrophy, metaplasia, and dysplasia. Precancerous phenotypic expression is generally associated with acquired genomic instability. AIM To evaluate the effect of H pylori infection and its eradication on gastric histology, cell proliferation, DNA status, and oncogene expression. METHODS/SUBJECTS Morphometric and immunohistochemical techniques were used to examine gastric mucosal biopsy specimens from eight controls, 10 patients withH pylori negative chronic gastritis, 53 withH pylori positive chronic gastritis, and 11 with gastric cancer. RESULTS All patients with chronic gastritis were in a hyperproliferative state related to mucosal inflammation, regardless of H pyloriinfection. Atrophy was present in three of 10 patients withH pylori negative chronic gastritis and in 26 of 53 with H pylori positive chronic gastritis, associated in 18 with intestinal metaplasia. DNA content was abnormal in only 11 patients with atrophy and H pylori infection; eight of these also had c-Myc expression, associated in six cases with p53 expression. Fifty three patients withH pylori positive chronic gastritis were monitored for 12 months after antibiotic treatment: three dropped out; infection was eradicated in 45, in whom cell proliferation decreased in parallel with the reduction in gastritis activity; atrophy previously detected in 21/45 disappeared in five, regressed from moderate to mild in nine, and remained unchanged in seven; complete metaplasia disappeared in 4/14, and markers of genomic instability disappeared where previously present. In the five patients in whomH pylori persisted, atrophy, metaplasia, dysplasia, and markers of genomic instability remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS ChronicH pylori infection seems to be responsible for genomic instability in a subset of cases of H pylori positive chronic atrophic gastritis; eradication ofH pylori infection can reverse inflammation and the related atrophy, metaplasia, and genomic instability.
Expectancy‐value theory and unemployment effects

This article describes how expectancy-value theory can be applied to the analysis of two key topics in unemployment research, the impact of unemployment on psychological well-being and job-seeking behaviour. The main concepts used in the expectancy-value theory are summarized and the theoretical framework is then related to the two topics and illustrated with research examples. The approach is seen to be more directly applicable to job-seeking behaviour than to psychological well-being, although it may also clarify the latter topic given additional assumptions. It is concluded that expectancy-value theory is one of a number of possible approaches whose application could provide new ways of examining unemployment effects. It needs to be supplemented by other approaches from industrial/organizational psychology, from general psychology, and from other social sciences.
Modeling β Virginis using seismological data

This paper presents the modeling of the F9 V star β Virginis based on seismological measurements. Using the Geneva evolution code including rotation and atomic diffusion, we find that two distinct solutions reproduce all existing asteroseismic and non-asteroseismic observational constraints well: a main-sequence model with a mass of 1.28 ± $0.03~M_{\odot}$ and an age $t=3.24$ ± 0.20 Gyr, or a model in the post-main sequence phase of evolution with a lower mass of 1.21 ± $0.02~M_{\odot}$ and an age $t=4.01$ ± 0.30 Gyr. The small spacings $\delta \nu_{02}$ and the ratio r 02 between small and large spacings are sensitive to the differences in the structure of the central layers between these two solutions and are also sensitive to the structural changes due to the rotational mixing. They can therefore be used to unambiguously determine the evolutionary state of β Vir and to study the effects of rotation on the inner structure of the star. Unfortunately, existing asteroseismic data do not enable such precise determination. We also show that the scatter in frequencies introduced by the rotational splittings can account for the larger dispersion of the observed large spacings for the non-radial modes than for the radial modes.
Individual or Group Therapy? Indications for Optimal Therapy

Different therapeutic modalities have differential value in curing disorders. Group therapy and individual therapy may be complementary rather than alternative approaches; thus in therapeutic reality—both may be a ‘must’ in order for one to develop and get healthy. The unique advantages of small and median groups in the optimal treatment of personal and interpersonal patterns should be used in order to revise our therapy indication system.
The Metric Equivalence of the Ucla Loneliness Scale for a Sample of South African Students

This article reports on the psychometric properties of the UCLA Loneliness Scale employed with a sample of South African students. Respondents consisted of 659 undergraduate students (39.4% males, 60.6% females) at the University of Western Cape, South Africa. The mean loneliness score for this group was slightly higher than those reported for North American college students, and slightly lower than those reported for Puerto Rican and Iranian students. This finding is consistent with previously reported cross- cultural variability in the experience of loneliness. Size of house- hold was significantly related to loneliness score which would suggest that the family plays a role in the experience of loneliness. The scale demonstrated adequate reliability (coefficient alpha = .81) and factor analysis confirmed the unidimensionality of the scale for this sample. Tests for sex differences indicated that males reported more loneliness than females which are also consistent with previous studies. The obtained results underline the utility of the UCLA Loneliness Scale for use with South African students.
Prenatal IV Cocaine: Alterations in Auditory Information Processing

One clue regarding the basis of cocaine-induced deficits in attentional processing is provided by the clinical findings of changes in the infants’ startle response; observations buttressed by neurophysiological evidence of alterations in brainstem transmission time. Using the IV route of administration and doses that mimic the peak arterial levels of cocaine use in humans, the present study examined the effects of prenatal cocaine on auditory information processing via tests of the auditory startle response (ASR), habituation, and prepulse inhibition (PPI) in the offspring. Nulliparous Long–Evans female rats, implanted with an IV access port prior to breeding, were administered saline, 0.5, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/kg/injection of cocaine HCL (COC) from gestation day (GD) 8–20 (1×/day-GD8–14, 2×/day-GD15–20). COC had no significant effects on maternal/litter parameters or growth of the offspring. At 18–20 days of age, one male and one female, randomly selected from each litter displayed an increased ASR (>30% for males at 1.0 mg/kg and >30% for females at 3.0 mg/kg). When reassessed in adulthood (D90–100), a linear dose–response increase was noted on response amplitude. At both test ages, within-session habituation was retarded by prenatal cocaine treatment. Testing the females in diestrus vs. estrus did not alter the results. Prenatal cocaine altered the PPI response function across interstimulus interval and induced significant sex-dependent changes in response latency. Idazoxan, an α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, significantly enhanced the ASR, but less enhancement was noted with increasing doses of prenatal cocaine. Thus, in utero exposure to cocaine, when delivered via a protocol designed to capture prominent features of recreational usage, causes persistent, if not permanent, alterations in auditory information processing, and suggests dysfunction of the central noradrenergic circuitry modulating, if not mediating, these responses.
IL‐12 regulates VEGF and MMPs in a murine breast cancer model

In a murine model of breast cancer, IL‐12 therapy exerts potent anti‐angiogenic effects which contribute to tumor regression. After 7 days of treatment, levels of tumor VEGF protein decline markedly and are undetectable at 14 days. This decline is accompanied by a fall in MMP‐9 and, as the tumors regress, an increase in its natural inhibitor, TIMP‐1. A cell line established from the primary tumor produced VEGF in vitro. IFN‐γ reduced tumor cell production of VEGF over a 24‐hr period in vitro, suggesting that IL‐12‐induced IFN‐γ may be responsible for the decline in VEGF levels in vivo. There is also in vitro evidence that IL‐12 regulates stromal cell interactions, leading to decreased MMP‐9 and increased TIMP‐1 production. Thus, we suggest that at least 2 mechanisms are involved in IL‐12 regulation of angiogenesis, removing the pro‐angiogenic stimulus and blocking the release and activity of MMPs. Int. J. Cancer 78:361–365, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Why are so many adhesive pads hairy?

SUMMARY Many arthropods and vertebrates possess tarsal adhesive pads densely covered with setae. The striking morphological convergence of `hairy' pads in lizards, spiders and several insect orders demonstrates the advantage of this design for substrate adhesion. Early functional explanations of hairy adhesive organs focused on the performance on rough substrates, where flexible setae can make more intimate contact. Recent theoretical and experimental work shows that the hairy design can also help to achieve self-cleaning properties, controllable detachment and increased adhesion. Several arguments have been proposed to explain why adhesive forces are maximised. First, the `Force scaling' hypothesis states that when adhesive forces scale linearly with the dimensions of the contact, adhesion is increased by dividing the contact zone into many microscopic subunits. Second, the `Fracture mechanics' argument implies that adhesion is maximised when the size of adhesive contacts is smaller than the critical crack length. Third, the `Work of adhesion' model suggests that adhesion increases due to the bending and stretching of setae and associated energy losses during detachment. Several morphological traits of hairy adhesive pads can be explained by the need to maximise the work of adhesion, while avoiding the sticking of setae to each other (self-matting). Firstly, if setae are oblique and convex toward the foot tip as typical of most hairy pads, arrays should achieve greater adhesion. Secondly, a branched seta morphology not only confers the advantage that setae can adapt to roughness at different length scales but also prevents self-matting and increases the work of adhesion. It is predicted from the `Work of adhesion' model that adhesion of pads with unbranched setae cannot be increased by subdividing the contact zone into ever finer subcontacts, because this would increasingly cause self-matting. However, contact splitting can increase adhesion if setae are branched. The greater density of setae in large animals has been interpreted by `Force scaling'. However, the existing data can be explained by the effect of seta branching and by a fundamental difference between `wet' and `dry' adhesive systems. As insects employ adhesive fluids, they can cope with small-scale surface roughness even with relatively blunt seta tips, whereas the dry systems of lizards and spiders require extremely fine endings.
Joint hypermobility is a liability for the performing artist

Joint hypermobility is defined as a range of joint movement that is considered excessive, taking into consideration the age, gender, and ethnic background of the individual, being greater in women and in those of Asian origin compared with other ethnic groups. All newborn babies can be considered to be hypermobile, but the range of movement diminishes progressively during childhood and then more gradually during adult life. Elderly hypermobile people haved retain many facets of their hypermobility throughout life. Originally perceived to be a feature of rare inherited diseases such as Marfan and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, it was only in the in the 1960s that hypermobility syndrome was seen to exist apart from these diseases and as an entity in its own right. In the early 1970s it was first linked to ballet dancers. There is now evidence that it represents a risk factor for injury in performing artists in general.
Induction of cardiac fibrosis by transforming growth factor-beta(1).

The role of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in the production and deposition of collagens and in the induction of gene expression in the myocardium in relation to the development of myocardial fibrosis will be discussed. Very low expression of TGF-beta(1) and collagen type I and III mRNA is seen in the normal rat heart. Both expressions are markedly increased in the infarcted heart and the levels of TGF-beta(1) mRNA precedes increases in mRNA levels for extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, suggesting a possible role of TGF-beta(1) in remodeling processes in the myocardium. The TGF-beta(1) expression is normally only transient since continuous TGF-beta(1) overexpression seems to promote nonadaptive cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. In vitro, TGF-beta(1) induces an increase in collagen production and secretion and enhances the abundance of mRNA levels for collagen type I and III in rat cardiac fibroblasts in culture. TGF-beta(1) also stimulates in vivo the expression of ECM proteins and in vivo gene transfer of TGF-beta(1) can induce myocardial fibrosis. Increased myocardial TGF-beta(1) and ECM protein mRNA are found in myocardial fibrosis induced by angiotensin II infusion, by noradrenaline treatment, by isoprenaline infusion, and by long-term blockade of NO synthesis. In vivo antagonism of TGF-beta(1) by neutralizing anti-TGF-beta(1) antibodies or by proteoglycans prevents the increase in gene expression of ECM proteins and inhibits myocardial fibrosis, suggesting that the increases in matrix protein production and fibrosis are mediated by TGF-beta(1).
Enhancing Aesthetic Outcomes of Soft-Tissue Coverage of the Hand

Learning Objectives: After reading this article and viewing the video, the participant should be able to: 1. Have an in-depth understanding of the functional and aesthetic requirements of different regions of the hand. 2. Describe the anatomical blood supply and vascular territories of the hand. 3. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of different types of soft-tissue reconstructions for different anatomical regions of the hand (e.g., digits, thumb, palm, and dorsum of the hand). Summary: Hand aesthetics in general and aesthetic refinements of soft-tissue coverage of the hand in particular have been increasingly considered over the past few years. Advancements of microsurgery together with the traditional methods of tissue transfer have expanded the number of techniques available to the reconstructive surgeon, thus shifting the reconstructive paradigm from simply “filling the defect” to reconstructive refinement to provide the best functional and aesthetic results. However, drawing the boundary between what does and what does not constitute “aesthetic” reconstruction of the hand is not straightforward. The selection among the vast amount of currently available reconstructive methods and the difficulties in objectively measuring or quantifying aesthetics have made this task complex and rather arbitrary. In this article, the authors divide the hand into several units and subunits to simplify the understanding of the basic functional and aesthetic requirements of these regions that may ultimately bring order to complexity.
Does job-related training performance decline with age?

The meta-analytic review presents the findings of a project investigating the relationship between age and job-related training outcomes. The analysis is based on 83 effect sizes derived from 6,610 individuals. Results showed poorer training performance for older adults. In general, older adults, relative to younger adults, showed less mastery of training material (r = -.26), completed the final training task more slowly (r = .28), and took longer to complete the training program (r = .42). Field samples generally showed smaller age effects than laboratory samples. Estimated training performance for average individuals at various ages is provided.
Fostering Social and Emotional Skills for Well-Being and Social Progress

Children need a balanced set of cognitive, social and emotional capabilities to adapt to today's demanding, changing and unpredictable world. OECD countries and partner economies recognise the importance on the holistic development of individuals. However, there are big gaps between stakeholders' knowledge, expectations and practices on how to foster such skills. This paper presents evidence on the importance of social and emotional skills; on how policy makers and schools are currently enhancing and monitoring such skills; and, on the existing gaps between knowledge, expectations and practices to mobilise these skills. The paper concludes by pointing ways in which education stakeholders can do more to better develop and mobilise the skills that drive individual's well-being and social progress. The paper draws on findings and frameworks that are being published in a full OECD report entitled ‘Skills for Social Progress: the Power of Social and Emotional Skills’ in the first half of 2015.
Cognitive estimation in traumatic brain injury

The present study explores the construct and ecological validity of the Biber Cognitive Estimation Test (BCET) in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) sample. Participants completed the BCET in the course of a neuropsychological evaluation at 1–15 years after injury. BCET scores correlated moderately with other standard measures of executive functioning, and contrary to our hypotheses, at least as high with neuropsychological tests with minimal demands on executive functioning. Moreover, partialing out the portion of BCET variance not attributable to executive functioning markedly attenuated the former correlations. With respect to ecological validity, BCET scores did not predict concurrent functional status, as measured by the Disability Rating Scale. By comparison, standard measures of executive functioning strongly correlated with each other, correlated less strongly with nonexecutive functioning measures, and predicted functional status. In conclusion, unlike standard measures of executive functioning, the BCET demonstrated poor construct and ecological validity in TBI patients. (JINS, 2007, 13, 898–902.)
Globalising sport management curriculum: an analysis of benefits of a short-term study abroad programme

Globalisation of sport takes place in all corners of the industry. Not only do professional leagues and collegiate teams witness an influx of international athletes that they must cater but the composition of sport consumers in the USA is also evolving due to rapidly changing census figures. To produce industry-ready sport managers, which they may well be the single most important goal for many of the 300 plus sport management programmes throughout the North America. It would now seem unreasonable and incomplete to deprive sport management students of an opportunity to experience international aspects of sport in the curriculum. This paper examines how a short-term study of a broad class could address this glaring, practical need. The paper offers an academic model that fosters personal growth, cultural diversity, and of course, an understanding of international aspects of sport industry. The purpose of this study is: 1) to identify key benefits of a short-term study of a broad class in global sport management education; 2) to assess whether the programme met the participants’ expectations.