Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parainfluenza 3-Induced Cough Hypersensitivity in the Guinea Pig Airways

The effect of respiratory tract viral infection on evoked cough in guinea pigs was evaluated. Guinea pigs were inoculated intranasally with either parainfluenza type 3 (PIV3) and cough was quantified in conscious animals. The guinea pigs infected with PIV3 (day 4) coughed nearly three times more than those treated with the viral growth medium in response to capsaicin, citric acid, and bradykinin. Since capsaicin, citric acid, and bradykinin evoked coughing in guinea pigs can be inhibited by drugs that antagonize the transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1 (TRPV1), it was reasoned that the virally-induced hypertussive state may involve alterations in TPRV1 activity. PIV3 infection caused a phenotypic switch in tracheal nodose Aδ “cough receptors” such that nearly 50% of neurons began to express, de novo, TRPV1 mRNA. There was also an increase TRPV1 expression in jugular C-fiber neurons as determined by qPCR. It has previously been reported that tracheal-specific nodose neurons express the BDNF receptor TrkB and jugular neurons express the NGF receptor TrkA. Jugular neurons also express the artemin receptor GFRα3. All these neurotrophic factors have been associated with increases in TRPV1 expression. In an ex vivo perfused guinea pig tracheal preparation, we demonstrated that within 8 h of PIV3 infusion there was no change in NGF mRNA expression, but there was nearly a 10-fold increase in BDNF mRNA in the tissue, and a small but significant elevation in the expression of artemin mRNA. In summary, PIV3 infection leads to elevations in TRPV1 expression in the two key cough evoking nerve subtypes in the guinea pig trachea, and this is associated with a hypertussive state with respect to various TRPV1 activating stimuli.
Pattern-based Analysis of BPMN - an extensive evaluation of the Control-flow, the Data and the Resource Perspectives?

In this paper an evaluation of BPMN is presented, using the Workflow Patterns as an analysis framework. The analysis provided for BPMN is part of a larger effort aiming at an unbiased and vendor-independent survey of the expressive power of some mainstream modelling languages for process-aware information systems. It is a sequel to an analysis series where languages like BPEL and UML 2.0 A.D were evaluated. The results from the survey could both be used for the selection of a modelling technique, as well as for motivation and input to further development of any of the surveyed languages.
A Quantitative Comparison of Stochastic Mortality Models Using Data From England and Wales and the United States

Abstract We compare quantitatively eight stochastic models explaining improvements in mortality rates in England and Wales and in the United States. On the basis of the Bayes Information Criterion (BIC), we find that, for higher ages, an extension of the Cairns-Blake-Dowd (CBD) model that incorporates a cohort effect fits the England and Wales males data best, while for U.S. males data, the Renshaw and Haberman (RH) extension to the Lee and Carter model that also allows for a cohort effect provides the best fit. However, we identify problems with the robustness of parameter estimates under the RH model, calling into question its suitability for forecasting. A different extension to the CBD model that allows not only for a cohort effect, but also for a quadratic age effect, while ranking below the other models in terms of the BIC, exhibits parameter stability across different time periods for both datasets. This model also shows, for both datasets, that there have been approximately linear improvements over time in mortality rates at all ages, but that the improvements have been greater at lower ages than at higher ages, and that there are significant cohort effects.
HEALTHY AND CHRONICALLY -ILL CHILDREN'S GENERALISATION OF ILLNESS TO BIOLOGICAL AND NON -BIOLOGICAL CATEGORIES

Using children's naive theory of biology as a framework, this study investigated children's developing understanding of illness by examining their generalisation of illness to biological and non-biological categories. In addition to differences associated with age, the children's health status was investigated for any possible links with their understanding. Healthy and chronically-ill children, aged 4-11 years, were randomly assigned to one of three conditions, according to which exemplar (child, dog or duck) was described as suffering from an imaginary illness. Using a card-sorting technique, the children assessed whether each entity out of 30 entities (five representatives in each of six categories: humans, mammals, non-mammals, birds, plants and artifacts) could be afflicted by that illness. The children's generalisations indicated a grasp of the distinctiveness of the various categories, although they seemed less certain about the biological status of plants. Furthermore, the type of exemplar on which the children had been taught influenced their responses. However, the children's reasoning appeared unaffected by their health status and largely unaffected by age or gender. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.
The Complete Information First. Price Auction or the Importance of Being Indivisible

Abstract Despite the popularity of auction theoretical thinking, it appears that no one has presented an elementary equilibrium analysis of the first-price sealed-bid auction mechanism under complete information. This paper aims to remedy that omission. We show that the existence of pure strategy undominated Nash equilibria requires that the bidding space is not "too divisible" (that is, a continuum). In fact, when bids must form part of a finite grid there always exists a "high price equilibrium". However, there might also be "low price equilibria" and when the bidding space is very restrictive the revenue obtained in these "low price equilibria" might be very low. We discuss the properties of the equilibria and an application of auction theoretical thinking in which "low price equilibria" may be relevant. Keywords: First-price auctions, undominated Nash equilibria. JEL Classification Numbers: C72 (Noncooperative Games), D44 (Auctions).
An assessment of information systems service quality using SERVQUAL+

Service quality of Information Systems (IS) is an important component of IS performance. While previous IS service quality research was based primarily on the version of SERVQUAL that uses a single expectation measure, there have been very few studies on IS service quality based on the enhanced SERVQUAL+ that uses dual expectation measures. The present research evaluates SERVQUAL+ and IS-adapted SERVQUAL+ for their psychometric properties on four scales, namely perceived service (PS), service adequacy (SA), service superiority (SS) and zone of tolerance (ZT), in order to assess their suitability for IS service quality evaluation. Based on nationwide survey data of 337 respondents, the two instruments were analyzed for construct reliability, convergent and divergent criteria, LISREL-based CFA analyses of goodness-of-fit, indicator loadings, construct composite reliability, average variance extracted, and unidimensionality. Our results show that SA and ZT have better psychometric properties compared to SS, the traditional gap measure of service quality. The tangibles dimension contributes adequately towards IS service quality measurement and may not be discarded. While both the instruments demonstrate good psychometric properties on most criteria, IS-adapted SERVQUAL+ is marginally superior to SERVQUAL+. However, neither instrument satisfies the discrimination criteria and unidimensionality property in any of the four scales.
Use of weaning protocols for reducing duration of mechanical ventilation in critically ill adult patients: Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To investigate the effects of weaning protocols on the total duration of mechanical ventilation, mortality, adverse events, quality of life, weaning duration, and length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital. Design Systematic review. Data sources Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, ISI Web of Science, ISI Conference Proceedings, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, and reference lists of articles. We did not apply language restrictions. Review methods We included randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of weaning from mechanical ventilation with and without protocols in critically ill adults. Data selection Three authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. A priori subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. We contacted study authors for additional information. Results Eleven trials that included 1971 patients met the inclusion criteria. Compared with usual care, the geometric mean duration of mechanical ventilation in the weaning protocol group was reduced by 25% (95% confidence interval 9% to 39%, P=0.006; 10 trials); the duration of weaning was reduced by 78% (31% to 93%, P=0.009; six trials); and stay in the intensive care unit length by 10% (2% to 19%, P=0.02; eight trials). There was significant heterogeneity among studies for total duration of mechanical ventilation (I2=76%, P<0.01) and duration of weaning (I2=97%, P<0.01), which could not be explained by subgroup analyses based on type of unit or type of approach. Conclusion There is evidence of a reduction in the duration of mechanical ventilation, weaning, and stay in the intensive care unit when standardised weaning protocols are used, but there is significant heterogeneity among studies and an insufficient number of studies to investigate the source of this heterogeneity. Some studies suggest that organisational context could influence outcomes, but this could not be evaluated as it was outside the scope of this review.
A SURVEY ON SUPPLY PLANNING UNDER UNCERTAINTIES IN MRP ENVIRONMENTS

Inventory control in a Supply chain is crucial for companies desiring to satisfy their customers demands as well as controlling costs. This paper examines specifically supply planning under uncertainties in MRP environments. In literature, many models exist for a random demand, certain of them are described and commented in this paper, also presented are some results for lead time uncertainties. Lead time uncertainty has been ignored in the past, in spite of their significant importance. In particular, a promising research area concerns assembly systems with uncertain lead times, for which the main difficulty comes from the inter-dependence of components inventories. Another promising area, which is also presented, concerns the supply planning under simultaneously demand and lead-time uncertainties, which certainly is of great interest for both the academic and industrial communities.
Midpoint Ratings on Personal Constructs: Constriction or the Middle Way?

Midpoint ratings of elements on personal constructs have been given various interpretations, and the placement of the ideal self at the midpoint of a construct has been viewed as violating Kelly's (1955) dichotomy and choice corollaries. This article reports analyses, using a mixed models approach, of repertory grids completed by 80 clients referred to a clinical psychology service at up to five assessment points both pre- and posttherapy. A larger than expected number of ideal self ratings at the midpoint was found, and consideration of the content of several of the constructs concerned elucidated why it might have been that neither pole was preferred. Midpoint ratings of the ideal self increased over the course of therapy and were not associated with depression or anxiety. Midpoint ratings of the ideal self and self now were also related to various structural measures of construing. Theoretical and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.
Support Vector Regression of multiple predictive models of downward short-wave radiation

Accurate forecasts of weather conditions are of the utmost importance for the management and operation of renewable energy sources with intermittent (stochastic) production. With the growing amount of intermittent energy sources, the need for precise weather predictions increases. Production of energy from renewable power sources, such as wind and solar, can be predicted using numerical weather prediction models. These models can provide high-resolution, localized forecast of wind speed and solar irradiation. However, different instances of numerical weather prediction models may provide different forecasts, depending on their properties and parameterizations. To alleviate this problem, it is possible to employ multiple models and to combine their outputs to obtain more accurate localized forecasts. This work uses the machine-learning tool of Support Vector Regression to amalgamate downward short-wave radiation forecasts of several numerical weather prediction models. Results of SVR-based multi-model forecasts of irradiation at a large set of locations show a significant improvement of prediction accuracy.
Assessment of Visual and Chromatic Functions in a Rodent Model of Retinal Degeneration.

PURPOSE We evaluated the photoreceptor response of pigmented P23H and normal pigmented Long Evans (LE) rats over time using functional tests in variable lighting conditions. METHODS Pigmented P23H rats were studied by optomotor testing and electroretinogram (ERG) recordings at P30, P150, and P240. Pigmented LE rats were used as a normal wild-type control. Stimuli were modified with colored filters. Neutral density filters were used to reduce luminance. RESULTS Age-related decreases in visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) were observed in P23H rats. Good correlations in measurements without filter and with green filter were observed between LE and P23H P30 rat values. Differences between groups were smaller with red and purple filters. A strong relationship with luminance was observed in LE rats (VA and CS) and with P23H P30 rats (CS). A decline in the ERG responses of P23H rats was consistent with the gradual loss of photoreceptors. Differences in a- and b-wave amplitudes with different colored filters were negligible with the exception of the red filter, which resulted in smaller responses. CONCLUSIONS Visual function parameters decreased with age in pigmented P23H rats. Irrespective of luminance, color filter, and retinal degeneration, minimum thresholds of VA and CS were found. Smaller differences than expected were found using color filters. Responses to functional tests at long wavelengths were observed, where there is very low photoreceptor spectral sensitivity. The use of filters with functional testing could minimize light-induced retinal damage in rats.
Finding and linking incidents in news

News reports are being produced and disseminated in overwhelming volume, making it difficult to keep up with the newest information. Most previous research in automatic news organization treated news topics as a flat list, ignoring the intrinsic connection among individual reports. We argue that more contextual information within and across the topics will benefit users in their news understanding process. A news organization infrastructure, incident threading, is proposed in this article. All text snippets describing the occurrence of a real-world happening are combined into a news incident, and a network is composed of incidents that are interconnected by links in certain types. A limited vocabulary of connection types is defined and corresponding rules are established based upon the human experience of news understanding. The incident threading system is implemented with two different algorithms. One starts from clustering of text passages and then creates links with pre-built rules. The other method defines a global score function over the whole collection and solves the optimization problem with simulated annealing. The former achieves higher accuracy in the identification of incidents and the latter generates better links, which is preferred since the links are more important for the formation of the incident network.
Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1-Transfected Embryonic Stem Cells Promote Functional Recovery after Excitotoxic Lesion of the Mouse Striatum

We have generated a murine embryonic stem cell line constitutively expressing L1 at all stages of neural differentiation to investigate the effects of L1 overexpression on stem cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, cell death, and ability to influence drug-induced rotation behavior in an animal model of Huntington's disease. L1-transfected cells showed decreased cell proliferation in vitro, enhanced neuronal differentiation in vitro and in vivo, and decreased astrocytic differentiation in vivo without influencing cell death compared with nontransfected cells. L1 overexpression also resulted in an increased yield of GABAergic neurons and enhanced migration of embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursor cells into the lesioned striatum. Mice grafted with L1-transfected cells showed recovery in rotation behavior 1 and 4 weeks, but not 8 weeks, after transplantation compared with mice that had received nontransfected cells, thus demonstrating for the first time that a recognition molecule is capable of improving functional recovery during the initial phase in a syngeneic transplantation paradigm.
Taste Masked Orally Disintegrating Pellets of Antihistaminic and Mucolytic Drug: Formulation, Characterization, and In Vivo Studies in Human

The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of orally disintegrating pellets (ODPs) as an approach for taste masking of bitter drugs, namely, Ambroxol hydrochloride (A-HCl) and Cetirizine dihydrochloride (C-DHCl). Pellets were prepared by extrusion/spheronization with Eudragit EPO, kyron T-134, Kyron T-314, mannitol, sorbitol, MCC (Avicel PH-101), sucralose, chocolate flavor, and 5% xanthum gum. The prepared pellets were characterized for percentage yield, drug content, particle size, in vitro drug release, and in vivo evaluation on humans for taste, mouth feel, and in vivo disintegration time. The results revealed that the average size of pellets was influenced greatly by the percentage of binder and extrusion speed. The optimized ODPs disintegrated in less than 20 s and showed more than 98% of drugs in ODPs dissolved within 15 min. Taste perception study was carried out on human volunteers to evaluate the taste masking ability of ODPs for taste, mouth feel, and in vivo disintegration time. Crystalline state evaluation of drugs in the optimized ODPs was conducted for X-ray powder diffraction. In conclusion, the study confirmed that ODPs can be utilized as an alternative approach for effective taste masking and rapid disintegration in the oral cavity.
A Little Goes a Long Way: Low Working Memory Load Is Associated with Optimal Distractor Inhibition and Increased Vagal Control under Anxiety

Anxiety impairs both inhibition of distraction and attentional focus. It is unclear whether these impairments are reduced or exacerbated when loading working memory with non-affective information. Cardiac vagal control has been related to top–down regulation of anxiety; therefore, vagal control may reflect load-related inhibition of distraction under anxiety. The present study examined whether: (1) the enhancing and impairing effects of load on inhibition exist together in a non-linear function, (2) there is a similar association between inhibition and concurrent vagal control under anxiety. During anxiogenic threat-of-noise, 116 subjects maintained a digit series of varying lengths (0, 2, 4, and 6 digits) while completing a visual flanker task. The task was broken into four blocks, with a baseline period preceding each. Electrocardiography was acquired throughout to quantify vagal control as high-frequency heart rate variability (HRV). There were significant quadratic relations of working memory load to flanker performance and to HRV, but no associations between HRV and performance. Results indicate that low load was associated with relatively better inhibition and increased HRV. These findings suggest that attentional performance under anxiety depends on the availability of working memory resources, which might be reflected by vagal control. These results have implications for treating anxiety disorders, in which regulation of anxiety can be optimized for attentional focus.
Modeling and Simulation of Debt Portfolios Part One : Simulation of Debt Portfolios

In this paper a model is developed for simulating the performance for a firm's debt portfolio with respect to income. The results from the simulations indicates that an efficient strategy for the debt portfolio should contain a dynamic refinancing strategy with a swap strategy that buys swaps whenever the current interest rate is higher that the previous one. The paper also presents a detailed description of the underlying model and its implementation. A discussion surrounding arbitrage issues and the pricing of interest rate derivatives completes the paper.
Masculinities, social capital and men’s experiences of chronic ill health

This thesis draws on theoretical and empirical research on men and masculinities, and on social capital to inform understanding of the experiences of chronically ill men. Levels of chronic illness are increasing in the Western Global North, and this phenomenon has been linked with health-related behaviour (Crossley, 2000a). A growing literature has explored the ways that people experience chronic illness and the implications of that for their health and wellbeing (e.g. Williams, 2000; Bray et al, 2014). There is a need however for further research that seeks a gendered understanding of men’s experiences of chronic illness within a context of social relatedness. Connell’s (e.g. 1995) theoretical description of hegemonic masculinities set within the ‘gender order’ has stimulated much research that moves beyond a simplistic understanding of gender that often characterises work in Health Psychology. Similarly social capital has become widely used to conceptualise aspects of social connectedness and it’s links with health and illness (e.g. Hu et al, 2014). A qualitative, narrative approach has been employed here to explore the experiences of chronically ill men. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty five men to investigate the processes linking social capital, masculinities and experiences of chronic illness. A multi-level narrative analysis (e.g. Murray, 2000) was conducted on the resulting interview transcripts, and both case study and cross-case studies are presented in the thesis. The thesis demonstrates the value of a multi-level analysis (Murray, 2000) that incorporates the examination of personal, interpersonal, positional and ideological facets of men’s illness narratives. Key findings concerned the contestation of meanings of illness in men’s social networks, the gendered context to family conflicts related to illness, and the complexities of reciprocal care and support amongst families over time. Issues around employment and the workplace such as stress, and the negotiation of accommodations in masculinist workplace contexts are also explored. These findings point to the complexity and importance of interdependence and masculine identities, and their links with chronic illness experience. The association of social capital with entirely positive or negative outcomes or experiences amongst chronically ill men oversimplifies the diverse and context specific processes involved. A gender-sensitive approach to family systems and broader social connectedness with community and work contexts however can aid in understanding how the experiences of chronically ill men are shaped. The importance of theories and interventions that do not rest on models of unconstrained individual choice is particularly highlighted. Such work may be useful to health practitioners and in contributing to public discourse around chronically ill men.