Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIV-Positive Youth's Perspectives on the Internet and eHealth

Background Globally, half of all new HIV infections occur among young people. Despite this incidence, there is a profound lack of resources for HIV-positive youth. Objective To investigate Internet access, use and acceptability as a means for health promotion and health service delivery among HIV-positive youth. Methods A community-based participatory approach was used to conduct a mixed methods research study. Thirty-five qualitative in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with youth (ages 12-24) living with HIV in Ontario. Also, brief structured demographic surveys were administered at the time of the interview. A stakeholder group of youth living with HIV, professionals and researchers collaboratively analyzed the data for emerging themes. Results Five main themes were identified with respect to the youth's use of and interest in the Internet as a health promotion strategy. These include: (1) high rates of Internet use and access; (2) issues around public and private terminals; (3) their use of the Internet primarily for communication and entertainment; (4) the rarity of health information seeking behavior in this group; and (5) wanting "one-stop shopping" from an e-health site. HIV-positive youth were enthusiastic about the possibility of content that was developed specifically to target them and their needs. Also, they were keen about the possibilities for increased social support that youth-specific online chat rooms and message boards might provide. Conclusion Given high rates of use, access and interest, the Internet provides an important way to reach young people living with HIV using health services and health promotion programs. The onus is on e-Health developers to understand the particular needs of HIV-positive youth and create relevant content.
Nonlinear PDE Approach to Time-Inconsistent Optimal Stopping

We present a novel method for solving a class of time-inconsistent optimal stopping problems by reducing them to a family of standard stochastic optimal control problems. In particular, we convert an optimal stopping problem with a non-linear function of the expected stopping time in the objective into optimization over an auxiliary value function for a standard stochastic control problem with an additional state variable. This approach differs from the previous literature which primarily employs Lagrange multiplier methods or relies on exact solutions. In contrast, we characterize the auxiliary value function as the unique viscosity solution of a non-linear elliptic PDE which satisfies certain growth constraints and investigate basic regularity properties. We demonstrate the construction of an optimal stopping time under additional regularity assumptions on the auxiliary value function. Finally, we discuss extensions to more general dynamics and time-inconsistencies, as well as potential connections to degenerate Monge-Ampere equations.
INEQUALITY AVERSION AND THE OPTIMAL COMPOSITION OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE

This paper examines the choice between government expenditure on public goods and transfer payments, in the form of a pension, in an overlapping-generations model. Government expenditure is tax-financed on a pay-as-you-go basis. A utilitarian judge chooses expenditures to maximize a social welfare function. The nonlinear solution is found to involve the ratio of a welfare-weighted average income, which depends on the inequality aversion of the judge, to arithmetic mean income. An approximation for this ratio is found that produces explicit solutions for the optimal composition. The result is used to obtain an indication of “implicit” inequality aversion for a range of countries.
Robust asynchronous bumpless transfer for switched linear systems

This study is concerned with the asynchronous bumpless transfer (ABT) problem for a class of switched linear systems with external disturbances. Asynchronous switching or transfer implies that the transfers between sub-controllers and between sub-plants are asynchronous, and ABT is to ensure that there is no controller/plant-induced bumps or undesirable transients to the process. Specifically, the ABT process is first divided into two parts: robust performance bumpless transfer (RPBT) between sub-plants and robust control bumpless transfer (RCBT) between sub-controllers. Then, with a set of pre-given sub-plants under disturbances and corresponding sub-controllers, the RPBT and RCBT design schemes are, respectively, proposed. The designed RPBT and RCBT compensators are based on model reference adaptive sliding mode control such that the switched system can perform smooth transitions during the whole asynchronous switching process. Furthermore, by using average dwell time technique, the condition for guaranteeing the switched closed-loop system to be stable under ABT is developed. Finally, numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
On the Forecasting Properties of the Alternative Leading Indicators for the German GDP: Recent Evidence

Summary In this paper we perform a comparative study of the forecasting properties of the about 30 alternative leading indicators for Germany using the growth rates of German real GDP. In addition to them, we have constructed a diffusion index based on the principal component analysis and including 145 component series that reflect all the facets of German economy. We use the post-unification data which cover years from 1991 through 2004. Using a battery of statistical tests we detect a structural break in the growth rates that occurs in the first half of 2001. Our results suggest that the forecasting ability of the leading indicators has been rather good in the pre-break period with our diffusion index showing the superior forecasting accuracy but the forecasting performance of all alternative indicators has significantly deteriorated in the post-break period, i.e. in 2001-2004. None of the leading indicator models was able to predict and accommodate the structural break in the growth rates of the time series under scrutiny. This finding confirms the widespread impression among the practitioners that the state of German economy in the recent years became much more difficult to forecast.
Historical Market-to-Book Ratio and Corporate Capital Structure: Evidence from India

This paper tries to identify the nature of historical market-to-book ratio, that is, whether it can be used as a market timing proxy or growth opportunity proxy and to find out its impact on capital structure and the adjustment speed to target capital structure. Using a panel data analysis we find the evidence that the historical market-to-book ratio has been a better proxy for growth opportunity than market timing and it plays a significant role for determination of capital structure for Indian manufacturing companies. We also find that Indian manufacturing companies do have a target capital structure and the speed of adjustment to this target capital structure has been around 40 per cent, but the historical market-to-book ratio does not have a significant impact on the speed of adjustment.
Departure Times in Y-Shaped Traffic Networks with Multiple Bottlenecks

We study the departure time decisions of commuters traversing a traffic network with the goal of arriving at a common destination at a specified time. There are costs associated with arriving either too early or too late, and with delays experienced at bottlenecks. Our main hypothesis, based on the Nash equilibrium distribution of departure times, implies that, for certain parameter values, expanding the capacity of an upstream bottleneck can increase the total travel costs in the network. We report the results of a large-group laboratory experiment, which are strongly supportive of this counterintuitive hypothesis, and we discuss the implications. (JEL D85, R41)
Citrulline induces fatty acid release selectively in visceral adipose tissue from old rats.

SCOPE During aging, increased visceral adipose tissue (AT) mass may result in impaired metabolic status. A citrulline (CIT)-supplemented diet reduces AT mass in old rats. We hypothesized that CIT could directly affect fatty acid (FA) metabolism in retroperitoneal AT. METHODS AND RESULTS A 24-h exposure of AT explants from old (25 months) rats to 2.5 mM CIT induced a 50% rise in glycerol and FA release, which was not observed in explants from young (2 months) animals. The phosphorylated form of hormone-sensitive lipase, a key lipolytic enzyme, was 1.5-fold higher in CIT-treated explants from old and young rats, whereas glyceroneogenesis, that provides glycerol-3P requested for FA re-esterification, and its key enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, were down-regulated 40-70%. Specifically in young rats, beta-oxidation capacity and gene expressions of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1-b and very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase were strongly up-regulated by CIT. In contrast, in old rats, while glyceroneogenesis was lower, beta-oxidation was not affected, enabling increased FA release. CONCLUSION Hence, in visceral AT, CIT exerts a specific induction of the beta-oxidation capacity in young rats and a selective stimulation of FA release in old rats, therefore providing a direct mechanism of CIT action to reduce AT mass.
Familiality and heritability of subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a population sample of adolescent female twins.

OBJECTIVE Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly heritable but clinically heterogeneous syndrome. The study examined the familiality and heritability of ADHD subtypes as defined by DSM-IV and by latent-class analysis in a population sample of adolescent female twins. METHOD To determine which elements of ADHD cluster together, latent-class analysis was applied to data obtained from parents on the 18 DSM-IV ADHD symptoms in 4,036 female twins age 13-23 years in a population sample identified from the registry of all births in Missouri for the years 1968-1996. Relative risk and odds ratios were used to assess within-subtype and between-subtype familiality and heritability of both DSM-IV and latent-class ADHD subtypes. RESULTS Latent-class analysis was most compatible with the existence of three mild and three severe classes of ADHD symptoms in the general population. The three severe classes showed moderate overlap with DSM-IV ADHD subtypes. The primarily inattentive and combined subtypes of DSM-IV ADHD co-clustered within families. The primarily hyperactive/impulsive DSM-IV subtype and the individual latent-class analysis subtypes did not co-cluster. Subtypes defined by both approaches were highly heritable. CONCLUSIONS Unlike DSM-IV subtypes of ADHD, latent-class ADHD subtypes appear to be independently transmitted in families. These classes may be more appropriate targets for molecular genetic studies of ADHD.
Prevalence of fungal hyphae in potentially malignant lesions and conditions—does its occurrence play a role in epithelial dysplasia?

Background: Oral cancer is a major public health problem in India. A key factor that has led to lack of improvement in prognosis of oral cancer over the years, is delay in diagnosis and treatment. In many instances, a significant proportion of oral squamous cell carcinomas develop from premalignant lesions and conditions. Identification of such lesions and conditions is very important in order to prevent malignant transformation. The role of fungal infections has been studied and holds promise as an indicator to predict malignant transformation. So we designed a study to analyze the prevalence of fungal hyphae in biopsies of patients with clinically diagnosed cases of premalignant lesions and conditions. Aims and Objectives: To determine and compare the prevalence of fungal hyphae in biopsies of patients with clinically diagnosed cases of potentially malignant lesions and conditions and to assess the possible association between the degree of epithelial dysplasia and presence or absence of fungal hyphae. Materials and Methods: Clinically suspected and histopathologically diagnosed 70 cases of potentially malignant lesions and conditions (29 leukoplakia, 16 submucous fibrosis and 25 lichen planus) made up the study group. Three tissue sections (5μm) of each were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E), periodic acid–Schiff's reagent (PAS) and Grocott's methenamine silver (GMS) and evaluated for fungal hyphae. The data collected was statistically analyzed by using Chi-square test and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: The estimated prevalence of fungal hyphae in cases with or without dysplasia in leukoplakia was 41.4%, lichen planus 36% and submucous fibrosis 25%. There was a significant association between degree of epithelial dysplasia with presence or absence of fungal hyphae in all the study groups. Conclusion: Presence of fungal hyphae in potentially malignant lesions and conditions may prove to be a useful indicator in predicting malignant transformation.
A Structural Analysis of Pension Disclosures Under SFAS 87 and Their Relation to Share Prices

When pricing common shares, investors do not assign the same earnings multiple to all components of pension cost. And these multiples differ from the multiple assigned to earnings before pension expense. In particular, both return on plan assets and the interest cost components tend to be assigned higher multiples than earnings before pension expense. Moreover, the market appears to assign a multiple of zero to the amortization of the transition asset. Earnings analysis obviously constitutes more than just the "bottom line"; careful analysis of earnings components and of the relative importance assigned to those components is also involved.
Motivators and barriers for HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Sweden.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore motivators and barriers to HIV testing and to assess the factors associated with testing among men who have sex with men. BACKGROUND Previous research has considered fear, worries and structural barriers as hindrances to HIV testing among men who have sex with men. However, few studies have included assessments of actual HIV testing when exploring barriers or motivators for such testing. DESIGN The design of the study was a stratified cross-sectional online survey (n = 2373). METHOD Factor analysis was conducted to analyse the barriers and motivators for HIV testing. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess predictors for HIV testing. RESULTS Many men who have sex with men test for HIV regularly, and specific reasons for testing were having unprotected sex or starting/ending a relationship. A lack of awareness and a perception of being at low risk for exposure were common reasons for never being tested. Fear and anxiety as well as barriers related to the use of test services remain important hindrances for testing. Predictors associated with having been tested within the past 12 months were: younger age (15-25 years old compared with 47+); knowledge on where to take an HIV test on short notice as well as having talked with a counsellor, having received condoms for free, or having had unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners within the last 12 months. CONCLUSION Easily accessible test services offering testing and counselling on short notice should be available for all men who have sex with men. Outreach activities, distribution of free condoms and testing at venues where men who have sex with men meet are important prevention add-ons that can contribute to increased awareness about HIV and testing. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Test services must ensure confidentiality and health care professionals who meet men who have sex with men for testing need competency with regards to men who have sex with men sexual health needs.
Maritime security in the European Union—empirical findings on financial implications for port facilities

To address the maritime security issue, the IMO Diplomatic Conference adopted in December 2002 the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The European Union fully agreed with its contents; Regulation (EC) No. 725/2004 transposes in Community Law the associated rules, which came into force on 1 July 2004. Interesting questions from an EU-policy point of view are then: What are the additional costs associated with the implementation of security regulations by port facilities (here in particular terminals) in EU-member states? Moreover, how are these additional costs being recovered by port facilities? Another inter-related question is: are there any subsidies involved in the cost recovery? The present paper addresses these questions with the presentation of the main results of an explorative empirical study on maritime security-related costs and their financing in EU-member states. Furthermore, a number of topics are recommended for further study on maritime security costs and financing and associated (EU) regulations.
Default Risk Estimation, Bank Credit Risk, and Corporate Governance

This study explores the relationship between credit risks of banks and the corporate governance structures of these banks from the perspective of creditors. The cumulative default probabilities are estimated for a sample of US commercial and savings banks to measure their risk taking behavior. The results show that one year and five year cumulative default probabilities are time-varying, with a significant jump observed in the year prior to the financial crisis of 2008–09. Generally speaking, corporate governance structures have a greater impact on US commercial banks than on savings institutions. We provide evidence that, after controlling for firm specific characteristics, commercial banks with larger boards and older CFOs are associated with significantly lower credit risk levels. Lower ownership by institutional investors and more independent boards also have lower credit risk levels, although these effects are somewhat less significant. For all the banks in our sample, large board size, older CFO, and less busy directors are associated with lower credit risk levels. When we restrict the sample to consider the joint effects of the governance variables, the results on board size and busy directors are maintained.
Improved diagnoses of autoimmune hepatitis using an anti‐actin ELISA

The presence of antismooth muscle antibodies is one of the diagnostic criteria of autoimmune hepatitis. We evaluated a new anti‐F‐actin ELISA test and compared it with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA) for antismooth muscle antibodies (ASMA). Two hundred and nine serum samples (35 autoimmune hepatitis, 174 other hepatopathies and control sera) were tested by IIFA on mouse stomach kidney sections for ASMA and by the Quanta Lite Actin ELISA for anti‐F‐actin antibodies. ASMA were detected in 26 of 35 sera from autoimmune hepatitis (74%) as compared with 25 (71%) with anti‐actin antibodies, as well as in 25 of 49 (51%) samples from viral hepatitis as compared with 7 (14%) with anti‐actin antibodies. With regards to autoimmune hepatitis, though sensitivity (74.3 vs 71.4%) and negative predictive value (93.5 vs 93.9%) of ASMA and anti‐actin ELISA were comparable, anti‐actin ELISA was significantly better than ASMA IIFA in terms of specificity (89.7 vs 74.7%), and positive predictive value (58.1 vs 37.1%). Although frequently positive in HCV samples, a comparable sensitivity but better specificity makes the anti‐actin ELISA a useful tool in combination with ASMA IIFA for the screening and diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:340–345, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of BF, RBP4, and ESR2 Genotypes with Litter Size in an Autochthonous Pig Population

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to determine any potential association of the BF, RBP4, and ESR2 genes with reproduction traits in an autochthonous Greek pig population. The PCR-RFLP methodology was implemented for genotyping purposes of the examined genes. No deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed for the examined loci, while the B allele noted to be the more frequent in all analyzed genes. In addition, sows with the AA genotype of BF gene found to produce significantly lower numbers of the total born piglets (TNB) and number of piglets born alive (TNA), while the respective BB genotype significantly exceeded in TNB and NBA traits compared to the other two genotypes (P < 0.001). In the case of RBP4 gene, sows with the AB genotype noted to have significant higher values of TNB and NBA in regard to the respective homozygous genotypes (AA or BB), while the BB genotype showed intermediate results (P < 0.001). There were no statistical differences between the BB genotype and the AB genotype of ESR2 locus in regard to the examined traits. However, a noticeable superiority (P < 0.01) of the BB genotype compared to the homozygous AA genotype, adding almost 2 piglets/litter in TNB and NBA trait, was found. Abbreviations: TNB: Total number of born piglets; NBA: Number of piglets born alive
A direct torque fuzzy control of SVM inverter-fed Induction Motor drive

This paper presents an improved Direct Torque Control (DTC) based on fuzzy logic technique. Two major problems that are usually associated with DTC drives are the high torque ripple and switching frequency that varies with the operating conditions. To overcome these problems, Fuzzy Controllers (FC) are proposed and associated with DTC scheme. The proposed approach shows a reduction ability of the torque and flux ripples and a DTC performance improvement. The control algorithm is based on the Space Vector Modulation (SVM) technique to provide a constant inverter switching frequency.
Safety and Efficacy of Ventriculostomy Procedures under Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Treated With Stent Assisted Coiling In Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

AIM Stent assisted coilling (SAC) is an alternative in the treatment of ruptured aneurysms. Stenting requires the use of dual antiplatelet agents. Hydrocephaly is a complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) requiring ventriculostomy. Antiplatelet treatment reveal a risk of hemorrhage in ventriculostomy. Anti-aggregant effect starts at least four hours after the initial doses of treatment. However, in many studies, ventriculostomy was performed before antiplatelet treatment and the hemorrhagic complications were related to the procedure. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of ventriculostomy related hemorrhage in patients with impaired thrombocyte function and to contribute to the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between 2011 and 2016, 53 patients treated with SAC due to SAH in our clinic were retrospectively evaluated. Hemorrhagic complication risks due to antiplatelet therapy related to ventriculostomy were retrospectively evaluated Results: All of the ventricular catheter procedures were performed at least 1 day after the dual therapy (in average 4,3 days after SAC). On 5 patients 1 ventriculostomy was performed, on 2 patients 2, and on 1 patient 6 ventriculostomies were performed. Although radiological hemorrhage was present on the catheter tract in 4 patients, no temporary or permanent neruologic deficit was observed. CONCLUSION Impaired thrombocyte functions pose a risk in ventriculostomy. Also, evaluating the risk of hemorrhage before the antiplatelet treatment reaches its full effect may lead to false results. Studies with small patient groups with antiagregant therapy and impaired thrombocyte functions also contribute to the literature. Larger studies regarding this subject are needed.