Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-monotone dependence modeling with copulas: an application to the volume-return relationship

This paper introduces an innovative method for constructing copula models capable of describing arbitrary non-monotone dependence structures. The proposed method enables the creation of such copulas in parametric form, thus allowing the resulting models to adapt to diverse and intricate real-world data patterns. We apply this novel methodology to analyze the relationship between returns and trading volumes in financial markets, a domain where the existence of non-monotone dependencies is well-documented in the existing literature. Our approach exhibits superior adaptability compared to other models which have previously been proposed in the literature, enabling a deeper understanding of the dependence structure among the considered variables.
Simulation of Neptunium Extraction in an Advanced PUREX Process—Model Improvement

ABSTRACT Routing neptunium to a single product in spent nuclear fuel reprocessing is a significant challenge. In this work, we have further improved the simulation of neptunium extraction in an advanced PUREX flowsheet by applying a revised model of the Np(V)–Np(VI) redox reaction kinetics, a new nitric acid radiolysis model, and by evaluating various models for the nitrous acid distribution coefficient. The Np disproportionation reaction is shown to have a negligible effect. The models are validated against published ‘cold test’ experimental results; the ‘hot test’ simulation suggests that high neptunium radiolysis could help to achieve high recoveries using this flowsheet.
Influence of human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection and degree of immunosuppression in the clinical characteristics and outcome of infective endocarditis in intravenous drug users.

BACKGROUND Immunosuppression caused by human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV) infection appears to modify the clinical characteristics and to increase the severity of several bacterial infections. The impact of HIV infection and the degree of immunosuppression on the clinical characteristics and outcome of infective endocarditis (IE) in intravenous (IV) drug users has not been well characterized. METHODS Prospective cohort study among 292 consecutive IV drug users with IE diagnosed in 2 academic institutional hospitals in Barcelona, Spain, from January 1, 1984, to October 31, 1995. Serostatus of HIV infection was documented in 283 patients. We measured demographics, clinical and biological data, cause, echocardiographic findings, HIV serostatus and classification, CD4 cell count, complications, and mortality. RESULTS Among the 283 episodes of IE, 216 (76.3%) were in HIV-infected patients and 67 (23.7%) in non-HIV-infected patients. Rate of IE per 1000 admissions ranged from 0.17 to 0.82 per year, peaking in 1989. Characteristics of IE independently associated with HIV infection were right-side involvement (odds ratio [OR], 7.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.5-16.7), a micro-organism different from viridans streptococci (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-5.9), duration of drug abuse longer than 5 years (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 2.4-10.3), and white blood cell count of no more than 10 X 10(9)/L (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.2). There were no significant differences in mortality due to IE according to HIV serostatus. Among the 216 patients with HIV infection, the variables independently associated with worse outcome were CD4 cell count lower than 0.200 x 10(9)/L and left-sided or mixed IE. CONCLUSIONS Although there is a difference in clinical presentation in IE in IV drug users, outcome was similar according to their HIV status. However, among HIV-infected patients, severe immunosuppression and mixed or left-side valvular involvement were strong risk factors for mortality.
Gesondheidsrisikogedrag by adolessente van verskillende ouderdomme

This study investigated the health risk behaviours of adolescents from selected schools in Potchefstroom, in the North West Province of South Africa, with the emphasis on age variation. The Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) was administered to 323 high school pupils between the ages of 13 and 18 years (141 boys and 182 girls). The age variation was: 13 years (8%), 14 years (18%), 15 years (19%), 16 years (20%), 17 years (17%), 18 and older (18%). Ethnic variation was 32% black, 30% white, 27% Coloured and 11% Indian high school pupils. The Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) monitors six categories of priority risk behaviours among youth and young adults: behaviours that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries, tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, sexual behaviours, dietary behaviours and physical activity. The section on dietary behaviours was not included in this study. Results of this study indicated that there are many high school pupils in Potchefstroom who practice behaviours that place them at risk for serious health problems from the age of 13 years. A higher frequency of risk behaviours were found with older adolescents. Statistical differences within the age variation were found in violence, alcohol, marijuana use and sexual activity. Keywords: Health risk behaviour, Adolescents, Violence, Substance, Sexual activity, Physical activity South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation Vol.25(2) 2003: 27-36
Hospitalization for primary care susceptible conditions , health spending and Family Health Strategy : an analysis of trends

The goal of this study was to analyze the trend over time of hospitalizations due to conditions susceptible to primary healthcare (HCSPC), and how it relates to healthcare spending and Family Health Strategy (FHS) coverage in the city of São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, between 2003 and 2012. This is an ecological, time-trend study. We used secondary data available in the Unified Healthcare System Hospital Data System, the Primary Care Department and Public Health Budget Data System. The analysis compared HCSPC using three-year moving averages and Poisson regressions or negative binomials. We found no statistical significance in decreasing HCSPC indicators and primary care spending in the period analyzed. Healthcare spending, per-capita spending and FHS coverage increased significantly, but we found no correlation with HCSPC. The results show that, despite increases in the funds invested and population covered by FHS, they are still insufficient to deliver the level of care the population requires.
Glial Cell Line‐derived Neurotrophic Factor: the Lateral Cerebral Ventricle as a Site of Administration for Stimulation of the Substantia Nigra Dopamine System in Rats

The direct application of recombinant human glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (rhGDNF) to the deep structures of the nigrostriatum has been shown previously to augment dopamine function and inhibit loss of substantia nigra neurons in rodent models of Parkinson's disease. The present studies were designed to determine whether administration of rhGDNF into the lateral ventricle, a more clinically accessible intracranial target, is capable of augmenting dopamine function of the nigrostriatal pathway in normal rats. Single bolus intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of rhGDNF increased locomotor activity and decreased food and water consumption and body weight gain in a dose‐dependent manner. rhGDNF increased concentrations of dopamine and dopamine metabolites in the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area and hypothalamus, but had no significant effects in the striatum. rhGDNF had no effect on striatal or substantia nigral serotonin (5‐HT) and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels, but these levels were significantly increased in the ventral tegmental area and hypothalamus respectively. The augmentation of the dopamine and 5‐HT systems was detected 2 weeks but not 3 days or 6 weeks after rhGDNF administration. After a repeat injection of i.c. v. rhGDNF (6 weeks after the initial injection), substantia nigral dopamine, 5‐HIAA and noradrenalin levels were increased. These results indicate that i.c. v. administration of rhGDNF has an influence on adult rat dopamine neurons. This route of administration may be useful for stimulating dopamine neurons in Parkinson's disease.
Innovation and Production in the Global Economy

We develop a quantifiable general equilibrium model of trade and multinational production (MP) in which countries can specialize in innovation or production. Home market effects or comparative advantage leads some countries to specialize in innovation and relegate manufacturing operations to other countries via outward MP. Counterfactual analysis reveals that the reduction in the cost of MP or the integration of China into the world economy may hurt countries that are driven to specialize in production, although these losses tend to be very small. Contrary to popular fears, production workers gain even in countries that further specialize in innovation. (JEL D58, F12, F14, F23, L60, O31)
Lactation Is a Risk Factor of Postpartum Heart Failure in Mice with Cardiomyocyte-specific Apelin Receptor (APJ) Overexpression*

The G protein-coupled receptor APJ and its ligand apelin are highly expressed in cardiovascular tissues and are associated with the regulation of blood pressure and cardiac function. Although accumulating evidence suggests that APJ plays a crucial role in the heart, it remains unclear whether up-regulation of APJ affects cardiac function. Here we generated cardiomyocyte-specific APJ-overexpressing (APJ-TG) mice and investigated the cardiac phenotype in APJ-TG mice. Male and non-pregnant APJ-TG mice showed cardiac hypertrophy, contractile dysfunction, and elevation of B-type natriuretic peptide gene expression in the heart but not cardiac fibrosis and symptoms of heart failure, including breathing abnormality and pleural effusion. We further examined the influence of APJ overexpression in response to physiological stress induced by pregnancy and lactation in the heart. Interestingly, repeating pregnancy and lactation (pregnancy-lactation cycle) exacerbated cardiac hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction and induced cardiac fibrosis, lung congestion, pleural effusion, and abnormal breathing in APJ-TG mice. These data indicate that female APJ-TG mice develop postpartum cardiomyopathy. We showed that lactation, but not parturition, was critical for the onset of postpartum cardiomyopathy in APJ-TG mice. Furthermore, we found that lactating APJ-TG mice showed impaired myocardial angiogenesis and imbalance of pro- and antiangiogenic gene expression in the heart. These results demonstrate that overexpression of APJ in cardiomyocytes has adverse effects on cardiac function in male and non-pregnant mice and that lactation contributes to the development of postpartum cardiomyopathy in the heart with APJ overexpression.
Docetaxel and continuous-infusion fluorouracil versus epirubicin, cisplatin, and fluorouracil for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma: a randomized phase II study.

PURPOSE A combination of docetaxel and fluorouracil (DF) was evaluated in an outpatient setting and compared with epirubicin, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (ECF), which served as an internal control arm to avoid selection bias. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with metastatic or locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma without prior chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive either ECF (epirubicin 50 mg/m(2) day 1, cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) day 1, and fluorouracil 200 mg/m(2) days 1 through 21, every 3 weeks) or DF (docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) day 1, and fluorouracil 200 mg/m(2) days 1 through 21, every 3 weeks). RESULTS Ninety patients were randomly assigned. Toxicity was rarely severe. Major toxic effects included diarrhea, stomatitis, and leukopenia in the DF arm and nausea, vomiting, and leukopenia in the ECF arm. Forty-three of 45 patients in each arm were assessable. In the DF arm, two patients (4.4%, intent to treat) experienced a confirmed complete tumor remission as best response, and 15 patients (33.3%) experienced a confirmed partial remission (overall response rate [ORR], 37.8%; 95% CI, 25.9% to 51.9%). Two patients (4.4%) in the ECF arm showed confirmed complete remission, and 14 (31.1%) showed confirmed partial remission (ORR, 35.6%; 95% CI, 24.8% to 48.7%). For the DF and ECF arms, the median survival was 9.5 and 9.7 months, and the median time to tumor progression 5.5 and 5.3 months, respectively. CONCLUSION DF can be safely given in an ambulant setting. Compared with ECF, the dual combination of DF shows promising efficacy and may be an alternative treatment option that avoids cisplatin.
Aligning with Human Judgement: The Role of Pairwise Preference in Large Language Model Evaluators

Large Language Models (LLMs) have demonstrated promising capabilities as automatic evaluators in assessing the quality of generated natural language. However, LLMs still exhibit biases in evaluation and often struggle to generate coherent evaluations that align with human assessments. In this work, we first conduct a systematic study of the misalignment between LLM evaluators and human judgement, revealing that existing calibration methods aimed at mitigating biases are insufficient for effectively aligning LLM evaluators. Inspired by the use of preference data in RLHF, we formulate the evaluation as a ranking problem and introduce Pairwise-preference Search (PairS), an uncertainty-guided search method that employs LLMs to conduct pairwise comparisons and efficiently ranks candidate texts. PairS achieves state-of-the-art performance on representative evaluation tasks and demonstrates significant improvements over direct scoring. Furthermore, we provide insights into the role of pairwise preference in quantifying the transitivity of LLMs and demonstrate how PairS benefits from calibration.
Turtles, termites, and traffic jams - explorations in massively parallel microworlds

Part 1 Foundations: introduction the era of decentralization. Part 2 Constructions: constructionism LEGO/logo StarLogo objects and parallelism. Part 3 Explorations: simulations and stimulations slime mould artificial ants traffic jams termites turtles and frogs turtle ecology new turtle geometry forest fire recursive trees. Part 4 Reflections: the centralized mindset beyond the centralized mindset. Part 5 Projections: growing up. Appendices: student participants StarLogo overview.
Effects of a Multi-session Cognitive Bias Modification Program on Interpretative Biases and Social Anxiety Symptoms in a Sample of Iranian Socially-Anxious Students

This study examines the effects of a multi-session Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) program on interpretative biases and social anxiety in an Iranian sample. Thirty-six volunteers with a high score on social anxiety measures were recruited from a student population and randomly allocated into the experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, participants received 4 sessions of positive CBM for interpretative biases (CBM-I) over 2 weeks in the laboratory. Participants in the control condition completed a neutral task matched the active CBM-I intervention in format and duration but did not encourage positive disambiguation of socially ambiguous scenarios. The results indicated that after training the positive CBM-I group exhibited more positive (and less negative) interpretations of ambiguous scenarios and less social anxiety symptoms relative to the control condition at both 1 week post-test and 7 weeks follow-up. It is suggested that clinical trials are required to establish the clinical efficacy of this intervention for social anxiety.
Empirical estimation of free testosterone from testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin immunoassays.

BACKGROUND The growing interest in measuring blood free testosterone (FT) is constrained by the unsuitability of the laborious reference methods for wider adoption in routine diagnostic laboratories. Various alternative derived testosterone measures have been proposed to estimate FT from either additional assay steps or calculations using total testosterone (TT) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) measured in the same sample. However, none have been critically validated in large numbers of blood samples. METHODS We analyzed a large dataset comprising over 4000 consecutive blood samples in which FT as well as TT and SHBG were measured. Dividing the dataset into samples with blood TT above and below 5 nM, using a bootstrap regression modeling approach guided by Akaike Information Criterion for model selection to balance parsimony against reduction of residual error, empirical equations were developed for FT in terms of TT and SHBG. RESULTS Comparison between the empirical FT equations with the laboratory FT measurements as well as three widely used calculated FT methods showed the empirical FT formulae had superior fidelity with laboratory measurements while previous FT formulae overestimated and deviated systematically from the laboratory FT values. CONCLUSION We conclude that these simple, assumption-free empirical FT equations can estimate accurately blood FT from TT and SHBG measured in the same samples with the present assay methods and have suitable properties for wider application to evaluate the clinical utility of blood FT measurements.
RGBDTAM: A cost-effective and accurate RGB-D tracking and mapping system

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping using RGB-D cameras has been a fertile research topic in the latest decade, due to the suitability of such sensors for indoor robotics. In this paper we propose a direct RGB-D SLAM algorithm with state-of-the-art accuracy and robustness at a los cost. Our experiments in the RGB-D TUM dataset [34] effectively show a better accuracy and robustness in CPU real time than direct RGB-D SLAM systems that make use of the GPU. The key ingredients of our approach are mainly two. Firstly, the combination of a semi-dense photometric and dense geometric error for the pose tracking (see Figure 1), which we demonstrate to be the most accurate alternative. And secondly, a model of the multi-view constraints and their errors in the mapping and tracking threads, which adds extra information over other approaches. We release the open-source implementation of our approach1. The reader is referred to a video with our results 2 for a more illustrative visualization of its performance.
The effects of morphine-like substances and their antagonists on transmission at the neuro-effector junction of the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea-pig ileum.

By the sucrose-gap method, the mechanism underlying the production of the drug-induced hyperpolarization is compared with the hyperpolarization of ganglion cells evoked by orthodromic excitation, the P wave or slow IPSP. Unlike the druginduced hyperpolarization, the P wave has a component whose amplitude increases in potassium-free solution (Kosterlitz et al., 1968). Furthermore, in confirmation of the findings of Kobayashi & Libet (1968) and Libet & Kobayashi (1969), the amplitude of the P wave is not readily diminished by ouabain.
Effect of Arginase Inhibition on Pulmonary L-Arginine Metabolism in Murine Pseudomonas Pneumonia

Rationale Infection of the lung with Pseudomonas aeruginosa results in upregulation of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and arginase expression, and both enzymes compete for L-arginine as substrate. Nitric oxide (NO) production may be regulated by arginase as it controls L-arginine availability for NOS. We here studied the effect of systemic arginase inhibition on pulmonary L-arginine metabolism in Pseudomonas pneumonia in the mouse. Methods Mice (C57BL/6, 8–10 weeks old, female) underwent direct tracheal instillation of Pseudomonas (PAO-1)-coated agar beads and were treated by repeated intra-peritoneal injections of the arginase inhibitor 2(S)-amino-6-boronohexanoic acid (ABH) or PBS until lungs were harvested on day 3 of the infection. L-arginine metabolites were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, NO metabolites nitrate and nitrite by Griess reagent and cytokines by ELISA. Results NO metabolite concentrations (48.5±2.9 vs. 10.9±2.3 µM, p<0.0001), as well as L-ornithine (29.6±1.7 vs 2.3±0.4 µM, p<0.0001), the product of arginase activity, were increased in Pseudomonas infected lungs compared to naïve controls. Concentrations of the NOS inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) were also increased (0.44±0.02 vs. 0.16±0.01 µM, p<0.0001). Arginase inhibition in the infected animals resulted in a significant decrease in L-ornithine (14.6±1.6 µM, p<0.0001) but increase in L-arginine concentration (p<0.001), L-arginine/ADMA ratio (p<0.001), L-arginine availability for NOS (p<0.001), and NO metabolite concentrations (67.3±5.7 µM, p<0.05). Arginase inhibitor treatment also resulted in an increase in NO metabolite levels in animals following intratracheal injection of LPS (p = 0.015). Arginase inhibition was not associated with an increase in inflammatory markers (IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, MIP-2, KC or TNF-α) in lung. Concentrations of the L-ornithine-dependent polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine were increased in Pseudomonas infected lungs (p<0.001, respectively) but were unaffected by ABH treatment. Conclusions Systemic arginase inhibition with ABH during Pseudomonas pneumonia in mice results in an increase in pulmonary NO formation but no pro-inflammatory effect.
Calibration between student mastery and self‐efficacy

Content mastery and self‐efficacy were measured at the beginning and at the end of two classes in Research Methods in Psychology. A multiple‐choice test measured content mastery and a questionnaire measured self‐efficacy. Self‐efficacy reports improved significantly over the course of instruction, as did examination performance. The correlation between self‐efficacy and content mastery rose from . 33 at pre‐test to . 49 at post‐test, although the difference between the two correlations was not significant. The size of the correlation between self‐efficacy and content mastery indicates calibration, that is, the similarity in standing between a self‐description of skills and a normative evaluation of the same skills. The results are consistent with the idea that instruction facilitates content mastery, self‐efficacy and calibration. Students improve in actual knowledge and beliefs regarding competence in a domain, but also appear to gain a better understanding of their own standing relative to others in the domain.