Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Joint modeling longitudinal semi‐continuous data and survival, with application to longitudinal medical cost data

It has been increasingly common to analyze simultaneously repeated measures and time to failure data. In this paper we propose a joint model when the repeated measures are semi‐continuous, characterized by the presence of a large portion of zero values, as well as right skewness of non zero (positive) values. Examples include monthly medical costs, car insurance annual claims, or annual number of hospitalization days. A random effects two‐part model is used to describe respectively the odds of being positive and the level of positive values. The random effects from the two‐part model are then incorporated in the hazard of the failure time to form the joint model. The estimation can be carried out by Gaussian quadrature techniques conveniently implemented in SAS Proc NLMIXED. Our model is applied to longitudinal (monthly) medical costs of 1455 chronic heart‐failure patients from the clinical data repository at the University of Virginia. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Building commitment to change: The role of perceived supervisor support and competence

Commitment to change is considered the glue that binds people and change goals. Still, few studies have explored how employees develop their commitment to organizational change. The present study examined the relationship between supervisor competence and support, and employee's commitment to change. Participants were 210 full-time employees from two public organizations that had recently faced major change interventions resulting from governmental directives. As predicted, perceived supervisor support fully mediated the positive relationship between competence and affective and normative commitment to change. On the other hand, supervisor competence was negatively related to continuance commitment to change. These findings illustrate how supervisors can shape employees' reactions to change.
Is global shape sufficient for automatic object identification?

The present paper reports two experiments that investigate the critical features of an object shape that automatically elicit recognition. Silhouettes of real objects (targets) and meaningless patterns (fillers) in both canonical and non-canonical formats were presented to subjects, in an attempt to test whether information about the global shape of an object was sufficient for automatic object identification. In Experiment 1, target-filler discriminability was evaluated by means of a reality-decision task. In Experiment 2, subjects had to perform an elongationdecision task, previously shown to be sensitive to the influence of automatically activated object identities (Dell'Acqua & Job, 1998). Contrary to the previous findings, the present study shows that, although silhouettes were identified with surprising good accuracy in the reality-decision task, effects of object identity on the elongation-decision task were negligible.
“Assume the Position . . . You Fit the Description”

The present study examines the experiences of 36 Black male students, in focus group interviews, enrolled at Harvard University; Michigan State University; University of California, Berkeley; University of Illinois; and the University of Michigan. Two themes emerged: (a) anti-Black male stereotyping and marginality (or Black misandry), which caused (b) extreme hypersurveillance and control. Respondents experienced racial microaggressions in three domains: (a) campus—academic, (b) campus—social, and (c) campus—public spaces. Black males are stereotyped and placed under increased surveillance by community and local policing tactics on and off campus. Across these domains, Black males were defined as being “out of place” and “fitting the description” of illegitimate nonmembers of the campus community. Students reported psychological stress responses symptomatic of racial battle fatigue (e.g., frustration, shock, anger, disappointment, resentment, anxiety, helplessness, hopelessness, and fear). There was unanimous agreement in the subjective reports that the college environment was more hostile toward African American males than other groups.
Switching on and off … : Does smartphone use obstruct the possibility to engage in recovery activities?

This study examines the impact of work-related smartphone use on daily recovery from work-related efforts. The literature shows that work–home interference (WHI) is an important inhibitor of the recovery process. We propose that the extensive use of smartphones with its implicit request of 24/7 availability inhibits the process of engaging in activities that are required for daily recovery. A total of 80 employees (40 smartphone users, 40 controls) completed a 6-day diary questionnaire over a time period of 2 weeks. Contrary to our hypothesis, smartphone users did not experience more overall WHI than nonusers. Furthermore, four activities aimed at recovery were examined. We predicted that daily WHI would increase employees’ engagement in recovery activities, but only if they did not use a smartphone. Results showed that, for the control group, WHI was positively related to psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery, and control activities, whereas smartphone users facing high WHI did not succeed in engaging in these recovery activities. This implies that being connected to work in the evening hours through smartphones has consequences for the extent to which employees succeed in undertaking recovery activities.
Social network position mediates the effect of education on active political party membership

Research has shown that education is positively correlated with political party membership at the individual level. It is thus puzzling that increased education at the aggregated level in most Western countries has not resulted in an aggregate increase in levels of party membership. One explanation for this paradox is provided by the sorting model of education, according to which there is no direct effect of education on political participation; education affects individuals’ social network positions, which in turn affects political participation. Prior research on the sorting model has focused on the observable predictions derived from the model. The hypothesized causal mechanism, i.e. social network position, has not been sufficiently tested. This article employs Swedish data with comprehensive measures of social relations and utilizes structural equation modelling to test the hypothesized causal relationship. The results confirm that social network position mediates the effect of education on active political party membership.
Assessing the Autoantibody levels in Relation to Recurrence of Pemphigus: Joint Modeling of Longitudinal Measurements and Recurrent Event Times

Background: Pemphigus is an autoimmune bullous disease and it is unclear what triggers and deteriorates it. The current study aimed to evaluate whether increasing the IgG antibody titer represents a good indicator of the pemphigus recurrence. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate whether increasing IgG titer is an indicator of the expected recurrence. Patients and Methods: The current study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, between March 2007 and December 2012. A total of 112 patients with confirmed diagnosis of pemphigus based on clinical, histological and immuno-histological criteria were engaged in the study. The primary outcomes of the study were recurrent event times and IgG (Immunoglobulin G) antibody titer at each attendance. Joint model with shared random-effects was applied to assess the association between the two processes and investigate the affective factors. Results: Up to 8 recurrences were observed during the study time, but only 10% of the patients experienced more than 5 recurrences. A significant linear increasing trend in IgG antibody titer over time was found, IgG antibody titer increased 2.43% each month (P < 0.0001). The results showed positive correlation between IgG antibody titer and recurrence of pemphigus (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The patients with higher IgG antibody titer were more likely to experience pemphigus recurrence. Therefore it can be concluded that titer of IgG and its increase may provide information regarding the progression of the pemphigus and the hazard of its recurrence.
Glass transitions in polypropylene

Dilatometric measurements show that both isotactic and atactic polypropylenes have two distinct glass transition temperatures. Because of the two transitions, three values for the cubical coefficient of thermal expansion are necessary to accurately define the volume expansion of polypropylene from −80° to +90°C. A method is outlined for calculating the content of amorphous atactic, amorphous isotactic, and crystalline isotactic polymer in a given polypropylene sample.
Bioconvective pattern formation of Tetrahymena under altered gravity

SUMMARY Bioconvection is a result of the negative gravitactic behavior of microorganisms. When the top-heavy density gradient generated by gravitaxis grows sufficiently large, an overturning convection occurs leading to a formation of characteristic patterns, which involve highly concentrated aggregation of cells into extended two-dimensional structures. Although gravity is a crucial factor, few experiments have been done with reference to gravity as an experimental variable. In order to gain an insight into the hydrodynamic as well as biological dependence of the convective motion on gravity, we investigated changes in bioconvective patterns of Tetrahymena under altered gravity acceleration generated by a long-arm centrifuge. Bioconvective patterns recorded of three different cell strains (T. pyriformis, T. thermophila and its behavioral mutant, TNR) were analyzed quantitatively using space-time plot and Fourier analysis. For example, under subcritical conditions, when T. pyriformis (1.0×106 cells ml-1) was placed in a 2 mm-deep chamber, no spatial pattern was observed at 1 g. When the suspension was centrifuged, however, patterns began to appear as acceleration increased over a critical value (1.5 g), and then remained steady. The formation was reversible, i.e. the patterns disappeared again as acceleration decreased. Under supracritical conditions, i.e. when a suspension of the same density was placed in a 4 mm-deep chamber, a steady state pattern was formed at 1 g. The pattern spacing in the steady state was observed to decrease stepwise in response to step increases in acceleration. Fourier analysis demonstrated that for TNR the mean wave number changed almost simultaneously with step changes in acceleration, whereas the responses were less sharp in the wild-type strains. This may suggest that the locomotor phenotype of the cell, such as its avoiding response ability, has a crucial role in bioconvective pattern formation. These findings are discussed in relation to former theoretical studies.
Leisure activities, caregiving demands and catecholamine levels in dementia caregivers

This study examined whether satisfaction from leisure activities moderates the relationship between caregiving demands (i.e., hours per day spent caring for a spouse with dementia) and resting levels of the catecholamines norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI). Spousal caregivers (n = 107; mean age = 73.95 ± 8.12 years) were assessed in home for plasma levels of NE and EPI, amount of care provided, and leisure satisfaction. Regression was used to determine whether leisure satisfaction moderated the relationship between hours providing care per day and catecholamine levels. A significant interaction was found between hours caregiving and leisure satisfaction for NE, but not for EPI. Post hoc regressions were conducted for both NE and EPI. At low leisure satisfaction, time spent caring for a spouse was positively associated with plasma NE (β = 0.41; p = 0.005) and EPI (β = 0.44; p = 0.003). In contrast, at high levels of satisfaction, time caregiving was not significantly associated with plasma NE (β = –0.08; p = 0.57) or EPI (β = 0.23; p = 0.12). These findings suggest that leisure satisfaction may protect caregivers from increases in catecholamines, which have been implicated in cardiovascular risk. Further support for these findings may impact psychological treatments for distressed caregivers.
Sex Differences in Science Achievement across Ten Academic Years among High School Students in the United Arab Emirates

This study investigated sex differences in science achievement at the final high school level and changes in these differences for students across ten academic years. 1,000 boys and 1,000 girls majoring in science (mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, and geology), 100 boys and 100 girls for each academic year were randomly drawn from the Ministry of Education's examination reports. The result, in general, indicates that girls scored higher on final examinations. Across years these differences favored girls. The results were discussed in the light of social, psychological, educational, and biological factors.
Improvement of psychometric properties of the objective structured clinical examination when assessing problem solving skills of surgical clerkship.

OBJECTIVE To improve the psychometric properties of the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and elevate staff motivation. METHODS The OSCE was conducted in May 2006 at the Department of Surgery, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as a pilot study for 95 students split over 2 consecutive days lasting 120 minutes each day. There were 15 actual stations on each day consisting of 10 stations that addressed problem solving skills, and 5 addressed clinical skills testing. RESULTS The stability of the OSCE measured by Cronbach's alpha on day one was 0.87, and 0.88 on day 2. The internal consistency of the OSCE measured by Carmine's theta on day one was 0.76, and 0.79 on day 2. Overall, OSCE's reliability for each day was high (r=0.8), without a significant difference between the 2 days. Credibility and comprehensiveness of the the OSCE were considered good by both staff and students. Accuracy of the OSCE measured by Pearson's correlation with multiple choice question scores was 0.65. Feasibility of the OSCE has also improved remarkably compared with previous OSCEs. CONCLUSION The OSCE proved to be highly reliable, and a valid format when more problem solving skills testing has been emphasized for the final year surgical clerkship. Feasibility has also improved remarkably after using this strategy, marked by more staff participation and enthusiasm.
Rosiglitazone Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Mediated Fibrogenesis in ADPKD Cyst-Lining Epithelial Cells

Background Interstitial fibrosis plays an important role in progressive renal dysfunction in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). In our previous studies, we confirmed that PPAR-γ agonist, rosiglitazone could protect renal function and prolong the survival of a slowly progressive ADPKD animal model by reducing renal fibrosis. However, the mechanism remains unknown. Methods Primary culture epithelial cells pretreated with TGF-β1 were incubated with rosiglitazone. Extracellular matrix proteins were detected using real-time PCR and Western blotting. MAPK and Smad2 phosphorylation were measured with western blot. ERK1/2 pathway and P38 pathway were inhibited with the specific inhibitors PD98059 and SB203580. The Smad2 pathway was blocked with the siRNA. To address whether PPAR-γ agonist-mediated inhibition of TGF-β1–induced collagen type I expression was mediated through a PPAR-γ dependent mechanism, genetic and pharmaceutical approaches were used to block the activity of endogenous PPARγ. Results TGF-β1-stimulated collagen type I and fibronectin expression of ADPKD cyst-lining epithelia were inhibited by rosiglitazone in a dosage-dependent manner. Smad2, ERK1/2 and P38 pathways were activated in response to TGF-β1; however, TGF-β1 had little effect on JNK pathway. Rosiglitazone suppressed TGF-β1 induced Smad2 activation, while ERK1/2 and P38MAPK signals remained unaffected. Rosiglitazone could also attenuate TGF-β1-stimulated collagen type I and fibronectin expression in primary renal tubular epithelial cells, but had no effect on TGF-β1–induced activation of Smad2, ERK1/2 and P38 pathways. There was no crosstalk between the Smad2 and MAPK pathways in ADPKD cyst-lining epithelial cells. These inhibitory effects of rosiglitazone were reversed by the PPARγ specific antagonist GW9662 and PPARγ siRNA. Conclusion ADPKD cyst-lining epithelial cells participate in TGF-β1 mediated fibrogenesis. Rosiglitazone could suppress TGF-β1–induced collagen type I and fibronectin expression in ADPKD cyst-lining epithelia through modulation of the Smad2 pathway. Our study may provide therapeutic basis for clinical applications of rosiglitazone in retarding the progression of ADPKD.
Phenomenology of mutual interference of FMCW and PMCW automotive radars

With the increasing use of automotive radars for assisted driving, future cars will typically be fitted with eight to ten radars, covering 360° around the car. LRR radars at 77GHz and MRR/SRR at 79GHz will create a significant amount of mutual interference, reducing the radar sensitivity or creating false alarms, both of these being undesirable. The frequency, bandwidth and power spectral density are subject to regulation but the radar waveforms are not. The question therefore arises as to whether some waveforms are more vulnerable or creating more interference than others. We consider the FMCW and PMCW waveforms in this paper and describe the phenomenology of the mutual interference between the four possible interferer-victim pairs. Simulations are used throughout the paper to assess the behavior of the mutual interference.
SECIS-binding protein 2 interacts with the SMN complex and the methylosome for selenoprotein mRNP assembly and translation

Abstract Selenoprotein synthesis requires the co-translational recoding of a UGASec codon. This process involves an RNA structural element, called Selenocysteine Insertion Sequence (SECIS) and the SECIS binding protein 2 (SBP2). Several selenoprotein mRNAs undergo unusual cap hypermethylation by the trimethylguanosine synthase 1 (Tgs1), which is recruited by the ubiquitous Survival of MotoNeurons (SMN) protein. SMN, the protein involved in spinal muscular atrophy, is part of a chaperone complex that collaborates with the methylosome for RNP assembly. Here, we analyze the role of individual SMN and methylosome components in selenoprotein mRNP assembly and translation. We show that SBP2 interacts directly with four proteins of the SMN complex and the methylosome core proteins. Nevertheless, SBP2 is not a methylation substrate of the methylosome. We found that both SMN and methylosome complexes are required for efficient translation of the selenoprotein GPx1 in vivo. We establish that the steady-state level of several selenoprotein mRNAs, major regulators of oxidative stress damage in neurons, is specifically reduced in the spinal cord of SMN-deficient mice and that cap hypermethylation of GPx1 mRNA is affected. Altogether we identified a new function of the SMN complex and the methylosome in selenoprotein mRNP assembly and expression.
Determinants of Young Consumers’ Intention to Use Internet Banking Services in India

This article investigates the determinants of young consumers’ intention to use Internet banking services in India. The current research developed a theoretical model grounded on technology acceptance model (TAM) by incorporating additional variable such as trust, perceived risk, social influence and self-efficacy. The study collected a total of 155 usable responses through convenience sampling from university students aged between 18 and 36 years. Correlation and multiple regression analysis was employed to determine the underlying relationship between dependent variable (behavioural intention) and independent variables. The results revealed that perceived usefulness (PU), ease of use, trust, self-efficacy and social influence have significant positive influence on young consumers’ intention to use Internet banking, whereas perceived risk exerted significant negative effect. Among all these factors, perceived risk has major significant effect on intention, followed by PU, perceived ease of use and trust. Hence, bank practitioners should focus on increasing usefulness of Internet banking system and devise trust building strategies that would reduce consumers’ perceived risk and attract them to use Internet banking.
Culture and Blood Pressure: Using Consensus Analysis to Create a Measurement

An important part of these socioeconomic differences is sometimes called "lifestyles" -that is, differences in the amount of Euroamerican consumer goods that people have (things like radios, stereos, TVs, VCRs, appliances) and differences in the consumption of nonlocal books, magazines, TV and radio news, and the cinema. Consumption of these material and infortnation goods has been shown in many ethnographic studies to assume prominence in the definition of social status or prestige in communities, often supplanting traditional measures of prestige (van Kemper 1977; Miller 1995).
Self-organizing synchronization with inhibitory-coupled oscillators: Convergence and robustness

Solutions for time synchronization based on coupled oscillators operate in a self-organizing and adaptive manner and can be applied to various types of dynamic networks. The basic idea was inspired by swarms of fireflies, whose flashing dynamics shows an emergent behavior. This article introduces such a synchronization technique whose main components are “inhibitory coupling” and “self-adjustment. ” Based on this new technique, a number of contributions are made. First, we prove that inhibitory coupling can lead to perfect synchrony independent of initial conditions for delay-free environments and homogeneous oscillators. Second, relaxing the assumptions to systems with delays and different phase rates, we prove that such systems synchronize up to a certain precision bound. We derive this bound assuming inhomogeneous delays and show by simulations that it gives a good estimate in strongly-coupled systems. Third, we show that inhibitory coupling with self-adjustment quickly leads to synchrony with a precision comparable to that of excitatory coupling. Fourth, we analyze the robustness against faulty members performing incorrect coupling. While the specific precision-loss encountered by such disturbances depends on system parameters, the system always regains synchrony for the investigated scenarios.
From virtual teams to virtuality in teams

In this article we propose to go beyond the dichotomy of virtual vs collocated teams to look instead at virtuality in teams. In so doing, we argue that technology-mediated interactions do not substitute but rather complement face-to-face interactions.We adopt a definition of virtuality in teams based on discontinuities and pursue an understanding of their dynamics in an in-depth case study of an inter-organizational virtual centre of excellence.The findings present evidence suggesting the formation of ‘virtual continuities’ that mitigate the effects that create discontinuities. This, we argue, enriches our understanding of the complex dynamics of virtuality. The theoretical implications are discussed.