Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relation of left ventricular diastolic properties to systolic function in arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND It is unclear whether impairment of left ventricular (LV) diastolic characteristics is independent of systolic dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS To address this issue, 159 consecutive hypertensive patients (44+/-11 years, 78 obese, 96 women) and 165 normotensive subjects (32+/-11 years, 84 obese, 110 women) were studied with the use of Doppler echocardiography. After adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), and sex, we found that ejection fraction (EF; M-mode, z-derived) was higher in hypertensive (66. 6+/-5.2%) than in normotensive (63.9+/-4.4%, P<0.0001) subjects, whereas midwall shortening (MS) was lower (hypertensive patients 16. 9+/-2.0%, normotensive subjects 17.8+/-2.2%, P<0.02), even after correction for end-systolic wall stress (P<0.05). Isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) was greater in hypertensive patients (103+/-14 ms) than in normotensive subjects (78+/-19 ms), as was deceleration time of E velocity and peak A velocity (all P<0.0001). In multivariate analysis, IVRT was unrelated to EF, but a negative relation was found with MS (P<0.001), independent of age, BMI, presence of arterial hypertension, LV geometry, and load (multiple R(2)=0.58). For comparable age, sex distribution, BMI, and blood pressure values, hypertensive patients with lower afterload-adjusted MS exhibited longer IVRT than patients with normal MS (P<0.005). However, IVRT remained higher than in normotensive control subjects after control for LV geometry and load. CONCLUSIONS Doppler indices of delayed LV relaxation can be detected in the presence of normal or supranormal EF but are independently related to impaired MS. A less severely abnormal relaxation, however, can be also detected in the presence of normal midwall function, independent of LV geometry and load. Thus, diastolic abnormalities may occur before systolic dysfunction even when it is measured at the midwall.
Understanding performance of eyes-free, absolute position control on touchable mobile phones

Many eyes-free interaction techniques have been proposed for touchscreens, but few researches have studied human's eyes-free pointing ability with mobile phones. In this paper, we investigate the single-handed thumb performance of eyes-free, absolute position control on mobile touch screens. Both 1D and 2D experiments were conducted. We explored the effects of target size and location on eyes-free touch patterns and accuracy. Our findings show that variance of touch points per target will converge as target size decreases. The centroid of touch points per target tends to be offset to the left of target center along horizontal direction, and shift toward screen center along vertical direction. Average accuracy drops from 99.6% of 2×2 layout to 85.0% of 4×4 layout, and average per target varies depending on the location of target. Our findings and design implications provide a foundation for future researches based on eyes-free, absolute position control using thumb on mobile devices.
Synaptic activity and connective tissue remodeling in denervated frog muscle

Denervation of skeletal muscle results in dramatic remodeling of the cellular and molecular composition of the muscle connective tissue. This remodeling is concentrated in muscle near neuromuscular junctions and involves the accumulation of interstitial cells and several extracellular matrix molecules. Given the role of extracellular matrix in neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis, we predict that this remodeling of the junctional connective tissue directly influences the regeneration of the neuromuscular junction. As one step toward understanding the role of this denervation-induced remodeling in synapse formation, we have begun to look for the signals that are involved in initiating the junctional accumulations of interstitial cells and matrix molecules. Here, the role of muscle inactivity as a signal was examined. The distributions of interstitial cells, fibronectin, and tenascin were determined in muscles inactivated by presynaptic blockade of muscle activity with tetrodotoxin. We found that blockade of muscle activity for up to 4 wk produced neither the junctional accumulation of interstitial cells nor the junctional concentrations of tenascin and fibronectin normally present in denervated frog muscle. In contrast, the muscle inactivity induced the extrajunctional appearance of two synapse-specific molecules, the acetylcholine receptor and a muscle fiber antigen, mAb 3B6. These results demonstrate that the remodeling of the junctional connective tissue in response to nerve injury is a unique response of muscle to denervation in that it is initiated by a mechanism that is independent of muscle activity. Thus connective tissue remodeling in denervated skeletal muscle may be induced by signals released from or associated with the nerve other than the evoked release of neurotransmitter.
The Long-Run Performance of Stock Returns Following Debt Offerings

We document that firms making straight and convertible debt offerings during 1975-1989 substantially underperformed samples of non-issuing control firms matched on size and book-to-market ratio. This evidence of long-run underperformance following debt offerings is not consistent with the management timing hypothesis, since managers would sell equity, rather than debt, if they could anticipate post-issue underperformance. Instead, our results support the Miller and Rock (1985) theory that all security issues convey negative information to stockholders. As with equity offerings and repurchases, the market appears to underreact at the time of the debt offering announcement so that the full impact of the offering is realized over a longer time horizon.
A hidden Markov model for haplotype inference for present-absent data of clustered genes using identified haplotypes and haplotype patterns

The majority of killer cell immunoglobin-like receptor (KIR) genes are detected as either present or absent using locus-specific genotyping technology. Ambiguity arises from the presence of a specific KIR gene since the exact copy number (one or two) of that gene is unknown. Therefore, haplotype inference for these genes is becoming more challenging due to such large portion of missing information. Meantime, many haplotypes and partial haplotype patterns have been previously identified due to tight linkage disequilibrium (LD) among these clustered genes thus can be incorporated to facilitate haplotype inference. In this paper, we developed a hidden Markov model (HMM) based method that can incorporate identified haplotypes or partial haplotype patterns for haplotype inference from present-absent data of clustered genes (e.g., KIR genes). We compared its performance with an expectation maximization (EM) based method previously developed in terms of haplotype assignments and haplotype frequency estimation through extensive simulations for KIR genes. The simulation results showed that the new HMM based method outperformed the previous method when some incorrect haplotypes were included as identified haplotypes and/or the standard deviation of haplotype frequencies were small. We also compared the performance of our method with two methods that do not use previously identified haplotypes and haplotype patterns, including an EM based method, HPALORE, and a HMM based method, MaCH. Our simulation results showed that the incorporation of identified haplotypes and partial haplotype patterns can improve accuracy for haplotype inference. The new software package HaploHMM is available and can be downloaded at http://www.soph. uab.edu/ssg/files/People/KZhang/HaploHMM/haplohmm-index.html.
Laparoscopic-Assisted Single-Port Appendectomy in Children: It Is a Safe and Cost-Effective Alternative to Conventional Laparoscopic Techniques?

Aim. Laparoscopic-assisted single-port appendectomy (SPA), although combining the advantages of open and conventional laparoscopic surgery, is still not widely used in childhood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and the cost effectiveness of SPA in children. Methods. After institutional review board approval, we retrospectively evaluated 262 children who underwent SPA. The appendix was dissected outside the abdominal cavity as in open surgery. For stump closure, we used two 3/0 vicryl RB-1 sutures. Results. We identified 146 boys (55.7%) and 116 girls (44.3%). Median age at operation was 11.4 years (range, 1.1–15.9). Closure of the appendiceal stump using two sutures (cost: USD 15) was successful in all patients. Neither a stapler (cost: USD 276) nor endoloops (cost: USD 89) were used. During a follow-up of up to 69 months (range, 30–69), six obese children (2.3%, body mass index >95th percentile) developed an intra-abdominal abscess after perforated appendicitis. No insufficiency of the appendiceal stump was observed by ultrasound. Five of them were treated successfully by antibiotics, one child required drainage. Conclusion. The SPA technique with conventional extracorporal closure of the appendiceal stump is safe and cost effective. In our unit, SPA is the standard procedure for appendectomy in children.
MergeRUCB: A Method for Large-Scale Online Ranker Evaluation

A key challenge in information retrieval is that of on-line ranker evaluation: determining which one of a finite set of rankers performs the best in expectation on the basis of user clicks on presented document lists. When the presented lists are constructed using interleaved comparison methods, which interleave lists proposed by two different candidate rankers, then the problem of minimizing the total regret accumulated while evaluating the rankers can be formalized as a K-armed dueling bandit problem. In the setting of web search, the number of rankers under consideration may be large. Scaling effectively in the presence of so many rankers is a key challenge not adequately addressed by existing algorithms. We propose a new method, which we call mergeRUCB, that uses "localized" comparisons to provide the first provably scalable K-armed dueling bandit algorithm. Empirical comparisons on several large learning to rank datasets show that mergeRUCB can substantially outperform the state of the art K-armed dueling bandit algorithms when many rankers must be compared. Moreover, we provide theoretical guarantees demonstrating the soundness of our algorithm.
Oral health, hygiene practices and oral cancer.

OBJECTIVE To assess the association between oral health and hygiene practices and oral cancer. METHODS Hospital-based case-control study in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, from 1998 to 2002. A total 309 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth and the pharynx and 468 controls matched by sex and age were included in the study. Cases were recruited in seven reference hospitals and controls were selected in five out of the seven participating hospitals. Detailed information on smoking, alcohol consumption, schooling, oral health status and hygiene practices were obtained through interviews. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), adjusted by sex, age, schooling, smoking, alcohol consumption as well as the variables oral health status and hygiene practices were estimated using unconditional logistic regression analyses. RESULTS The use of complete dental prosthesis was not associated with oral cancer but regular gum bleeding showed a strong association (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.2-7.9). Those who never attended a dental visit were more likely to have oral cancer (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.3-4.8). Daily mouthwash use showed a stronger association to pharynx (OR 4.7; 95% CI 1.8-12.5) than mouth cancer (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.6-6.3). CONCLUSIONS Gum bleeding, no dental care, and daily mouthwash use were factors associated with oral cancer regardless of tobacco and alcohol consumption.
FURTHER STUDIES ON ADOPTIVE TRANSFER OF SENSITIVITY TO SKIN HOMOGRAFTS

Mice or rats that have been rendered tolerant of skin homografts from an alien donor strain furnish the basis of a very sensitive and objective test system for investigating the competence of cellular inocula from specifically immunized isologous donors to transfer sensitivity adoptively. By means of this test system it has been shown that immunologically "activated" cells, capable of transferring homograft sensitivity, are present in the blood, peritoneal exudates, and regional nodes of animals that have rejected skin homografts. Leucocytes were as effective as regional node cells. Activated cells were first demonstrable in the regional nodes and blood of skin homograft recipients at the same time,—on the 6th postoperative day,—suggesting that these cells must enter the circulation very soon after their formation in the nodes. Moreover, when sensitization was effected by skin homografts, but not by means of splenic cell suspensions inoculated intraperitoneally, activated cells are highly persistent, still being demonstrable in both the blood and the nodes more than a year after sensitization. The finding that thoracic duct cells, which are almost exclusively lymphocytes, were just as effective as leucocytes or regional nodes in transferring sensitivity in rats formally identifies the cell type responsible for transferring sensitivity in the various tissues tested. Attempts to transfer sensitivity to homografts in normal mice or tolerant mice by means of larger dosages of activated lymphoid cells sequestered in Millipore chambers inserted intraperitoneally were unsuccessful. All this, and other evidence presented, lends strength to the thesis that skin homograft immunity is a cell-mediated reaction.
Effect of quenching on molten core-concrete interaction product

ABSTRACT Characterization of fuel debris is required to develop fuel debris removal tools for decommissioning Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (1F). Especially, knowledge about the characteristics of molten core-concrete interaction (MCCI) product is needed because of the limited information available at present. Samples from a large-scale MCCI test performed under quenching conditions, VULCANO VW-U1 were analyzed to evaluate the characteristics of the surface of MCCI product. Four samples were selected from test sections at different locations. As a result, the characteristics of the samples were found to be similar. Several corium phases, such as cubic-(U,Zr)O2 and tetragonal ZrO2, were detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD), but concrete-based phases, such as the crystalline SiO2 phase, were not detected by XRD because the quantity of the SiO2 phase was too small to be measured. The Vickers hardness of each phase in these samples was higher than that of previously analyzed samples in another VULCANO test campaign, VBS-U4. Based on a comparison between MCCI product generated under quenching condition, such as VW-U1, and gently cooled MCCI product, such as VBS-U4, the MCCI product generated under quenching condition is more homogeneous, and its hardness is higher than that of the gently cooled MCCI product.
Socioeconomic status as determinant of risk factors for overweight in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES To analyze risk factors for overweight among adolescents grouped in three different socioeconomic levels. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 1779 adolescents aged 11 to 17 years, grouped according to socioeconomic status (low, middle, and high). Parents reported their own anthropometric data and the adolescents had their anthropometric data taken by trained researchers, and completed three questionnaires. RESULTS The prevalence of overweight was 16.7%, 23.8%, and 26.3% in low, middle and high socioeconomic status, respectively (P= 0.001). In all socioeconomic status, parent's overweight was associated with adolescent overweight (all P< 0.05). The students in both high (PR= 1.90) and middle socioeconomic status (PR= 2.00) from private schools were associated with overweight, and the students from low socioeconomic level to sedentary behavior (PR= 2.25) and high ingestion of fried food (PR= 2.35). CONCLUSION In each socioeconomic status the overweight was associated with different risk factors in different ways, except for parents overweight.
Asymptotic Implied Volatility at the Second Order with Application to the SABR Model

We provide a general method to compute a Taylor expansion in time of implied volatility for stochastic volatility models, using a heat kernel expansion. Beyond the order 0 implied volatility which is already known, we compute the first order correction exactly at all strikes from the scalar coefficient of the heat kernel expansion. Furthermore, the first correction in the heat kernel expansion gives the second order correction for implied volatility, which we also give exactly at all strikes. As an application, we compute this asymptotic expansion at order 2 for the SABR model.
Caucasian Parents and Korean Adoptees

Abstract This study explored the transracial adoption experiences of Caucasian parents who adopted children from Korea. Self-report data from parents of 117 adoptive families were used to compare mothers and fathers' perceptions in three key areas: parent reasons for adopting, family adjustment related to the adoption, and racial identity of adoptees. On the topic of adoptee's racial identity, parents' perceptions were compared over a seven-year period. Overall, mothers and fathers' perceptions were more similar than different, and parents appear to downplay their Korean children's race. The findings have implications for post-adoption training for transracial adoptive families.
Psychotic manifesto as a symbolic safe space

The clinical case reflects the manifestation of psychosis in a young boy who has always shown remarkable success in his studies and professional activities. The development of psychotic symptoms significantly reduced his overall activity and quality of life. Propensities: limited social and communicative skills, poor social experience, resistance to behavioral patterns, which in the patient were clinical manifestations of ASD and demanding mother. The growing social expectations, which in a certain period of life the patient was unable to respond, became provocative events that triggered the development of psychotic symptoms.
The Extent of Informational Efficiency in the Credit Default Swap Market : Evidence from Post Announcement Returns

Abstract: Building on the classic definition of semi-strong form market efficiency where previously released public information does not predict future returns, we provide evidence on the informational efficiency of the credit default swap (CDS) market by examining the relationship between subsequent movements in CDS prices and previously announced accounting information. We find that quarterly earnings surprises and quarterly accruals, both of which have been shown to be the source of stock market anomalies, generate systematic patterns in subsequent CDS returns in both the preand post-crisis periods, consistent with the CDS market being less than fully efficient with information. We find, however, that the nature of these patterns differs between the two periods. Specifically, our pre-crisis results are consistent with the CDS market being insufficiently attentive to the information in both earnings surprises and accruals. By contrast, our post-crisis results are consistent with the CDS market overreacting to the information in earnings and accruals. The relation between subsequent CDS returns and prior accounting information generally declines with firm size, suggesting that, as in the equity market, firms with richer information environments are less susceptible to anomalies. The anomalous behavior of CDS prices is strongest for firms with speculative grade debt, perhaps because accounting information is most relevant in assessing default risk for this set of firms and, hence, suboptimal use of this information is most economically consequential for these firms. ______________________________________________________________________________
A Minimal Path Representation of the Reinforcing Spirals Model

This study used the reinforcing spirals model to investigate the mutual influence between individuals’ media use and their global warming perceptions. Data from the science module of the 2006 General Social Survey were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results offered support for the reinforcing spirals model’s predictions. Media use mediated the effects of age, race, and education on perceived knowledge about global warming. Perceived knowledge and concern over global warming also predicted future information seeking about the polar regions.
Tinbergen Institute The Tinbergen Institute is the institute for economic research of the Erasmus Universiteit

This paper studies wage structure characteristics and their consequent incentive effects empirically. Based on personnel records and an employee survey, we provide evidence that wages are attached to jobs and that promotions play a dominant role as a wage determinant. Our findings indicate furthermore that a promotion affects both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation significantly, though in two different ways: an expected promotion increases extrinsic motivation whereas intrinsic motivation is highest subsequent to a realized promotion. The relationship between extrinsic motivation and expected promotions implies that promotions have a clear incentive effect, consistent with a key – not yet tested assumption of the tournament model.
The two hybrid B-type pulsators: ν Eridani and 12 Lacertae

The rich oscillation spectra determined for the two stars, ν Eridani and 12 Lacertae, present an interesting challenge to stellar modelling. The stars are hybrid objects showing not only a number of modes at frequencies typical for β Cep stars but also one mode at frequency typical for SPB stars. We construct seismic models of these stars considering uncertainties in opacity and element distribution. We also present estimate of the interior rotation rate and address the matter of mode excitation. We use both the opacity project (OP) and opacity library Livermore (OPAL) opacity data and find significant difference in the results. Uncertainty in these data remains a major obstacle in precise modelling of the objects and, in particular, in estimating the overshooting distance. We find evidence for significant rotation rate increase between envelope and core in the two stars. Instability of low-frequency g modes was found in seismic models of ν Eri built with the OP data, but at frequencies higher than those measured in the star. No such instability was found in models of 12 Lac. We do not yet have a satisfactory explanation for the low-frequency modes. Some enhancement of opacity in the driving zone is required but we argue that it cannot be achieved by the iron accumulation, as it has been proposed.
Randomised controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of a booklet on the duration of breast feeding

OBJECTIVE To test the efficacy of an information booklet to increase the duration of breast feeding. RESEARCH DESIGN Randomised design, stratifying by maternal residence and working activity. Two hundred women were recruited, 103 received the booklet and verbal counselling and 97 verbal counselling only. POPULATION Infants observed from 15 September 1993 to 15 June 1994 in the well baby outpatient clinic of the Paediatric Institute of the Catholic University of Rome, Italy. MAIN RESULTS No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in the prevalence of exclusive or complementary breast feeding at 6 months of age: 48.5% and 59.2% in the intervention group, 43.7% and 51.5% in the control group. The median duration of exclusive or complementary breast feeding was 24 and 27 weeks in the treated group, 22 and 25 in the control group. CONCLUSIONS The information booklet alone does not seem to increase the duration and the prevalence of breast feeding at 6 months of age. The use of written material with a more individualised support and more extensive use of randomised clinical trials in the evaluation of health promoting programmes is recommended.