Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcomes and prognostic factors for surgery followed by modern radiation therapy in parotid gland carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the outcomes and prognostic factors in patients with parotid gland cancers treated with adjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. METHODS Eighty-five patients with parotid gland cancers were identified between October 2001 and September 2011. The median radiation dose was 66 Gy (range, 9-76 Gy). The outcomes assessment included overall survival, locoregional control, distant metastasis-free survival and disease-free survival. RESULTS The stage distribution was 20 patients (23.5%) in stage I, 28 (32.9%) stage II, 14 (16.5%) stage III and 23 (27.1%) stage IV. Fifty-five patients (64.7%) had positive margins and 23 patients (27.1%) had close margins (<0.5 cm). Lymph node extracapsular spreading occurred in nine patients. The adjuvant therapy included radiotherapy alone in 47 patients (55.3%) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy in 38 patients (44.7%). With a median follow-up of 4.5 years (range, 0.4-11 years), the 5-year overall survival, locoregional control, distant metastasis-free survival and disease-free survival were 82.0, 88.4, 82.4 and 77.5%, respectively. Based on multivariate analysis, N1/N2 was a significant negative prognostic factor for distant metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival and overall survival. Perineural invasion was a significant negative prognostic factor for locoregional control, distant metastasis-free survival and disease-free survival. Patients 50 years or older had significantly worse distant metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS Surgery and radiotherapy treatment could achieve excellent outcomes in a modern cohort. However, N1/N2, perineural invasion and age ≥50 years, but not positive margins, are significant factors associated with a worse prognosis.
Consistency of Care and Blood Pressure Control among Elderly African Americans and Whites with Hypertension

Objective: To determine whether racial differences exist between consistency of medical care and blood pressure (BP) control over time among elderly, hypertensive African Americans and whites. Design: Participants included 1402 African Americans and 1058 whites from the Piedmont Health Survey of the Elderly who were hypertensive (systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg, diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, or used antihypertensive medications) at baseline (in 1987). Consistency of care was assessed based on self-reported receipt of physician care at each wave and categorized as consistent (care at each wave); inconsistent (care at some, but not all waves); or no standard care (no care at any wave). BP control was defined as systolic BP <140 mm Hg and diastolic BP <90 mm Hg at subsequent waves of participation (in 1990, 1994, and 1998). Repeated measures regression was used to longitudinally assess the association between consistency of care and BP control. Results: African Americans had a less favorable health profile and significantly less consistency of care over time (P < .0001). In analyses adjusted for demographic factors, participants with consistent or inconsistent care had greater odds of BP control (odds ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.09–1.64 and odds ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.12–1.78, respectively) than those with no standard care, but these associations were attenuated after additional adjustment for health care characteristics and comorbidities. Conclusions: Compared with no standard care, receipt of consistent or inconsistent physician care was associated with BP control among the elderly. These associations did not differ by race, although African Americans were more likely to report inconsistent or no standard care, which suggests that disparities in health care access remain.
Effect of childhood maltreatment on brain structure in adult patients with major depressive disorder and healthy participants.

BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment has been found to play a crucial role in the development of psychiatric disorders. However, whether childhood maltreatment is associated with structural brain changes described for major depressive disorder (MDD) is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with MDD and a history of childhood maltreatment display more structural changes than patients without childhood maltreatment or healthy controls. METHODS Patients with MDD and healthy controls with and without childhood maltreatment experience were investigated using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and data were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry. RESULTS We studied 37 patients with MDD and 46 controls. Grey matter volume was significantly decreased in the hippocampus and significantly increased in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) and the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in participants who had experienced childhood maltreatment compared with those who had not. Patients displayed smaller left OFC and left DMPFC volumes than controls. No significant difference in hippocampal volume was evident between patients with MDD and healthy controls. In regression analyses, despite effects from depression, age and sex on the DMPFC, OFC and hippocampus, childhood maltreatment was found to independently affect these regions. LIMITATIONS The retrospective assessment of childhood maltreatment; the natural problem that patients experienced more childhood maltreatment than controls; and the restrictions, owing to sample size, to investigating higher order interactions among factors are discussed as limitations. CONCLUSION These results suggest that early childhood maltreatment is associated with brain structural changes irrespective of sex, age and a history of depression.Thus, the study highlights the importance of childhood maltreatment when investigating brain structures.
Consumption / Pollution Tradeoffs under Hard Uncertainty and Irreversibility

We consider a model of pollution accumulation in which a catastrophic environmental event occurs once the pollution stock exceeds some uncertain critical level. This catastrophic event is irreversible in the sense that once it has occurred economic activities become impossible. Usually, in this type of model, the variable of interest, i.e. the critical pollution threshold, is modelled as a real-valued random variable, and the information concerning the location of the variable is fully described by its distribution function, since it characterizes the probability law governing the situation of uncertainty. Given this distribution function, the risk of catastrophic event increases as the environmental quality deteriorates. However, many environmental problems imply uncertainties that di er from those caused by randomness. These uncertainties are referred to as hard uncertainties . In these situations, it is relevant to consider that the available knowledge concerning the value taken by the variable contains both randomness and imprecision. The approach to model such knowledge is based upon the concept of (closed) random intervals. This approach leads to a representation of knowledge by a system of upper and lower probabilities which are respectively the upper and lower envelopes of the class of probability measures generated by the random interval. The upper and lower probabilities are dynamically updated, as the process evolves in time and new informations are gathered, using the full Bayesian updating rule. In this framework we investigate the e ects of hard uncertainty on the optimal pollutionconsumption tradeo and we compare the results with those obtained both in the certainty case and in the case of soft uncertainty (where only randomness prevails). The main result of this paper is that under hard uncertainty the solution is no more a single steady-state value for the pollution stock but a steady-state interval. Journal of Economic Literature Classi cation Numbers: Q20, D81, D90.
Involvement of SOCS3 in Regulation of CD11c+ Dendritic Cell-Derived Osteoclastogenesis and Severe Alveolar Bone Loss

ABSTRACT To investigate the role of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) molecules in periodontal immunity and RANKL-mediated dendritic cell (DC)-associated osteoclastogenesis, we analyzed SOCS expression profiles in CD4+ T cells and the effect of SOCS3 expression in CD11c+ DCs during periodontal inflammation-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone loss in nonobese diabetic (NOD) versus humanized NOD/SCID mice. Our results of ex vivo and in vitro analyses showed that (i) there is significantly higher SOCS3 expression associated with RANKL+ T-cell-mediated bone loss in correlation with increased CD11c+ DC-mediated osteoclastogenesis; (ii) the transfection of CD11c+ DC using an adenoviral vector carrying a dominant negative SOCS3 gene significantly abrogates TRAP and bone-resorptive activity; and (iii) inflammation-induced TRAP expression, bone resorption, and SOCS3 activity are not associated with any detectable change in the expression levels of TRAF6 and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling adaptors (i.e., Erk, Jnk, p38, and Akt) in RANKL+ T cells. We conclude that SOCS3 plays a critical role in modulating cytokine signaling involved in RANKL-mediated DC-derived osteoclastogenesis during immune interactions with T cells and diabetes-associated severe inflammation-induced alveolar bone loss. Therefore, the development of SOCS3 inhibitors may have therapeutic potential as the target to halt inflammation-induced bone loss under pathological conditions in vivo.
A Linear Approach to Face Shape and Texture Recovery using a 3D Morphable Model

In this paper, we present a robust and efficient method to statistically recover the full 3D shape and texture of faces from single 2D images. We separate shape and texture recovery into two linear problems. For shape recovery, we learn empirically the generalization error of a 3D morphable model using out-of-sample data. We use this to predict the 2D variance associated with a sparse set of 2D feature points. This knowledge is incorporated into a parameter-free probabilistic framework which allows 3D shape recovery of a face in an arbitrary pose in a single step. Under the assumption of diffuseonly reflectance, we also show how photometric invariants can be used to recover texture parameters in an illumination insensitive manner. We present empirical results with comparison to the state-of-the-art analysis-by-synthesis methods and show an application of our approach to adjusting the pose of subjects in oil paintings.
Relationship of specific EEG frequencies at specific brain areas with performance

THIS study shows that incorrect responses are preceded by different EEG characteristics than correct responses, and that these differences appear in specific brain regions that participate in each particular task. EEGs were recorded in children during three different tasks: color discrimination (CDT), verbal working memory (VWM), and word categorization task (WCT). EEG segments previous to the presentation of the stimulus were analysed. Incorrect responses were preceded by lower EEG power values at 7.8 Hz in posterior temporal and right parietal leads in CDT, 8.59 and 9.36Hz in frontal areas in VWM, and 10.72 Hz in the left hemisphere in WCT. In the former task > 1.56 Hz power in frontal areas prior to an incorrect response was also observed.
Financial Constraints, R&D Investment, and Stock Returns

Through the interaction between financial constraints and R&D, I study two asset-pricing puzzles: mixed evidence on the financial constraints--return relation and the positive R&D-return relation. Unlike capital investment, R&D is more inflexible. A financially constrained R&D-intensive firm is more likely to suspend/discontinue R&D projects. Therefore, R&D-intensive firms' risk increases with their financial constraints. Conversely, constrained firms' risk increases with their R&D intensity. I find a robust empirical relation between financial constraints and stock returns, primarily among R&D-intensive firms. Moreover, R&D predicts returns only among financially constrained firms. This evidence suggests that financial constraints potentially drive the positive R&D-return relation. The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com. , Oxford University Press.
Adversarial Patch

We present a method to create universal, robust, targeted adversarial image patches in the real world. The patches are universal because they can be used to attack any scene, robust because they work under a wide variety of transformations, and targeted because they can cause a classifier to output any target class. These adversarial patches can be printed, added to any scene, photographed, and presented to image classifiers; even when the patches are small, they cause the classifiers to ignore the other items in the scene and report a chosen target class. To reproduce the results from the paper, our code is available at https://github.com/tensorflow/cleverhans/tree/master/examples/adversarial_patch
A typed, algebraic approach to parsing

In this paper, we recall the definition of the context-free expressions (or µ-regular expressions), an algebraic presentation of the context-free languages. Then, we define a core type system for the context-free expressions which gives a compositional criterion for identifying those context-free expressions which can be parsed unambiguously by predictive algorithms in the style of recursive descent or LL(1). Next, we show how these typed grammar expressions can be used to derive a parser combinator library which both guarantees linear-time parsing with no backtracking and single-token lookahead, and which respects the natural denotational semantics of context-free expressions. Finally, we show how to exploit the type information to write a staged version of this library, which produces dramatic increases in performance, even outperforming code generated by the standard parser generator tool ocamlyacc.
All in the Family: Religious Mobility in America

L'article examine la mobilite religieuse des americains. La premiere partie s'attache aux modeles de changements des annees 1973 aux annees 1990. En resume, il apparait que la mobilite s'est accrue en general mais que la mobilite a l'interieur des familles ne suit pas le meme mouvement, que les modeles de stabilite et les gains et pertes nettes a travers le changement refletent les grandes tendances de l'obedience confessionnelle; que la desaffection reste elevee alors que les taux de cette desaffection sont tombes. La seconde partie analyse les raisons du changement ou de la stabilite au niveau individuel
GPU-Accelerated Method of Moments by Example: Monostatic Scattering

In this paper, we combine and extend two of our previous works to provide a more complete solution for the GPU acceleration of the Method of Moments, using CUDA by NVIDIA. To this end, the formulations of the original 1982 Rao-Wilton-Glisson paper are revisited, and the scattering analysis of a square PEC plate is considered as a simple example. One of the primary contributions of the paper is to serve as a guide for the implementation of other GPU-accelerated computational electromagnetic routines. As such, this provides a background on general-purpose GPU computation, as well as insight into the finer details of the implementation. The results computed compared well with reference values. From a performance point of view, the GPU implementation was found to be significantly faster. The fastest measured speedup for one of the phases of the Method of Moments computations was more than a factor of 140. This translated into a speedup of about a factor of 45, when the entire Method of Moments solution process for the problem was considered.
Program impact evaluation using a matching method with panel data

Difference‐in‐differences with matching is a popular method to measure the impact of an intervention in health and social sciences. This method requires baseline data, that is, data before interventions, which are not always available in reality. Instead, panel data with two time periods are often collected after interventions begin. In this paper, a simple matching method is proposed to measure the impact of an intervention using two‐period panel data after the intervention. The method is illustrated by the measurement of the effect of health insurance in Vietnam using household panel data. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychophysiological audience responses to war journalism and peace journalism

This article presents and discusses the results of an experiment in which television viewers were exposed to either a war journalism (WJ) or a peace journalism (PJ) version of two news stories, on Australian government policies towards asylum seekers and US-sponsored ‘peace talks’ between Israel and the Palestinians, respectively. Before and after viewing, they completed a cognitive questionnaire and two tests designed to disclose changes in their emotional state. During the viewing, they also underwent measurement of blood volume pulse, from which their heart rate variability (HRV) was calculated. HRV measures effects on the autonomic nervous system caused by changes in breathing patterns as subjects respond to stimuli with empathic concern. Since these patterns are regulated by the vagal nerve, HRV readings can therefore be interpreted as an indicator of vagal tone, which Porges et al. propose as an ‘autonomic correlate of emotion’. In this study, vagal tone decreased from baseline through both WJ stories, but showed a slightly smaller decrease during the PJ asylum story and then a significant increase during the PJ Israel–Palestine story. These readings correlated with questionnaire results showing greater hope and empathy among PJ viewers and increased anger and distress among WJ viewers, of the Israel–Palestine story.
Pectus excavatum: computed tomography and medium-term surgical outcome in a prospective cohort of 10 kittens

Objectives The objective of this study was to report the use of computed tomography (CT) in conjunction with clinical signs to assess the severity of pectus excavatum (PE) in kittens and to guide surgical decision-making; also to report medium-term outcome in a prospective cohort of kittens undergoing surgical correction. Methods This was a prospective study of 10–15-week-old kittens (n = 10) diagnosed with moderate/severe PE. Results CT provides additional information that is useful for selecting patients for surgical correction and for planning the surgery. Traditional radiographic indices (vertebral, frontosagittal) provide reasonable approximations of the CT-determined dimensions but these seem to correlate poorly with the severity of clinical signs. Kittens commonly have lateralised deformities, which are associated with less severe clinical signs, while those with midline deformities are associated with more severe clinical signs. Six of seven kittens with severe PE that had a ventral splint applied for 4 weeks had excellent medium-term outcomes. Conclusions and relevance Restriction of diastolic filling by midline sternal deviation may be an important cause of exercise intolerance in cats with PE. CT can be used to assess affected kittens and to plan surgery when indicated.
Aortic remodelling following the treatment and regression of hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study

Abstract Background: Increased arterial stiffness independently predicts adverse prognosis. While different antihypertensive strategies produce different magnitudes of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) regression, there are no comparative data on how these strategies affect arterial stiffness. The aim was to determine the longitudinal change in aortic stiffness following the treatment of essential hypertension with two mechanistically different antihypertensive treatment strategies. Methods and results: Forty-two patients with essential hypertension and CMR confirmed with LVH were randomly assigned to antihypertensive regimes for 6 months. Treatment strategies were designed either to inhibit the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) (valsartan and moxonidine, group VM) or to have neutral effect on these systems (bendroflumethiazide and amlodipine, group BA). Both treatment groups underwent identical baseline and a 6-month follow-up CMR and were compared with a healthy age-matched control group. Baseline aortic distensibility (AD) was lower in both hypertensive groups compared with controls (2.8 × 10−3 mmHg−1 in group VM (p = 0.001) and 3.3 × 10−3 mmHg−1 group BA (p = 0.039) compared with 4.5 × 10−3 mmHg−1 in the control group). AD increased after antihypertensive therapy (VM: 2.8 × 10−3 mmHg−1–4.2 × 10−3 mmHg−1 (p = 0.001); BA 3.3 × 10−3 mmHg−1–4.6 × 10−3 mmHg−1 (p < 0.01)). In both treatment groups AD returned to a level comparable with the normal control group (p = 0.81) after 6 months. Conclusions: In patients with essential hypertension and LVH, AD was lower than in matched normal controls. Despite the opposing pharmacological mechanisms utilised across the treatment groups, the improvement in AD was similar, suggesting that blood pressure reduction per se may be more important than RAAS and SNS inhibition for the improvement of aortic remodelling.
An Empirical Analysis of Iterative Solver Performance for SPD Systems

Preconditioned iterative solvers have the potential to solve very large sparse linear systems with a fraction of the memory used by direct methods. However, the effectiveness and performance of most preconditioners is not only problem dependent, but also fairly sensitive to the choice of their tunable parameters. As a result, a typical practitioner is faced with an overwhelming number of choices of solvers, preconditioners, and their parameters. The diversity of preconditioners makes it difficult to analyze them in a unified theoretical model. Hence, a systematic evaluation of existing preconditioned iterative solvers is necessary to identify the relative advantages of various implementations. We present the results of a comprehensive experimental study of the most popular preconditioner and iterative solver combinations for symmetric positive-definite systems. We introduce a methodology for a rigorous comparative evaluation of various preconditioners, including the use of some relatively simple but powerful metrics. We describe a semi-automated system for the collection, analysis, and visualization of relative performance data. The detailed comparison of various preconditioners preconditioner implementations and a state-of-the-art direct solver gives interesting insights into their relative strengths and weaknesses. We believe that these results would be useful to researchers developing preconditioners and iterative solvers as well as practitioners looking for appropriate sparse solvers for their applications.