Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Closer Look at the Short Front Vowel Shift in Canada

This paper examines several aspects of the “Short Front Vowel Shift” (SFVS) in Canadian English, known in most previous research as the “Canadian Vowel Shift. ” It is based on acoustic analysis of a list of one hundred words produced by sixty-one Canadian and thirty-one American university students. The analysis focuses on three questions: (1) the relations among the vowels involved in the shift, including relations with vowels not traditionally considered part of the shift; (2) the behavior of individual words in each vowel category, which displays allophonic variation; and (3) the role of regional and national identity (western versus eastern Canadian, and Canadian versus American) and speaker sex in predicting the degree of participation in the shift, which is measured with a unitary quantitative index of the shift that is proposed here for the first time. The analysis finds that the short front vowels (kit, dress, and trap) lower and retract as a set, but that shifts of several back vowels (particularly foot, goat, and strut) are also correlated but not necessarily structurally connected with these; that following voiceless fricatives favor the SFVS while preceding velars disfavor it; that women are more advanced in the shift than men; that there is no regional difference within Canada in the progress of the shift; and, most surprisingly, that, once the American comparison group is restricted to those with a low-back merger, Americans are more shifted than their Canadian peers, calling into question the association of the shift with Canada in most previous research on Canadian English.
How and Why Do Teacher Credentials Matter for Student Achievement?

Education researchers and policy makers agree that teachers differ in terms of quality and that quality matters for student achievement. Despite prodigious amounts of research, however, debate still persists about the causal relationship between specific teacher credentials and student achievement. In this paper, we use a rich administrative data set from North Carolina to explore a range of questions related to the relationship between teacher characteristics and credentials on the one hand and student achievement on the other. Though the basic questions underlying this research are not new - and, indeed, have been explored in many papers over the years within the rubric of the "education production function" - the availability of data on all teachers and students in North Carolina over a ten-year period allows us to explore them in more detail and with far more confidence than has been possible in previous studies. We conclude that a teacher's experience, test scores and regular licensure all have positive effects on student achievement, with larger effects for math than for reading. Taken together the various teacher credentials exhibit quite large effects on math achievement, whether compared to the effects of changes in class size or to the socio-economics characteristics of students, as measured, for example, by the education level of their parents.
Multi-Tier Functional Reactive Programming for the Web

The development of robust and efficient interactive web applications is challenging, because developers have to deal with multiple programming languages, asynchronous events, propagating data and events between clients and servers, data consistency and much more. Several approaches for (partly) addressing these challenges have been proposed. Two relevant ones are (1) multi-tier languages and (2) functional reactive programming (FRP). Multi-tier programming languages support the development of client and server in a single language, and hide much of the complexity related to distribution. FRP offers the right abstractions to make event-driven programming convenient, safe and composable. However, existing web frameworks and programming languages exploit the benefits of both approaches separately, for example by restricting the use of FRP to the client side. We propose multi-tier FRP for the Web, a novel approach to writing web applications that deeply integrates FRP and multi-tier languages, and where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In multi-tier FRP, the developer programs server and client together as an FRP application composed of behaviors (signals) and events. He/she chooses explicitly where the boundary between server and client is crossed. To make our approach more concrete and provide evidence of its potential, this paper presents a concrete design and implementation of a multi-tier FRP API for the web in the programming language Scala, using an embedded JavaScript DSL that makes Scala usable as a multi-tier language. This allows us to present initial evidence of the benefits of the multi-tier FRP approach on example applications, and to experiment with possible answers to the remaining questions. Concretely, we show possible solutions for problems like exposing client identity on the server and efficiently pre-loading clients with the latest application state. Our results show that multi-tier FRP is a promising, declarative, yet practical way of writing web applications.
Structural and Functional Analysis of the NLRP4 Pyrin Domain

NLRP4 is a member of the nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat receptor (NLR) family of cytosolic receptors and a member of an inflammation signaling cascade. Here, we present the crystal structure of the NLRP4 pyrin domain (PYD) at 2.3 Å resolution. The NLRP4 PYD is a member of the death domain (DD) superfamily and adopts a DD fold consisting of six α-helices tightly packed around a hydrophobic core, with a highly charged surface that is typical of PYDs. Importantly, however, we identified several differences between the NLRP4 PYD crystal structure and other PYD structures that are significant enough to affect NLRP4 function and its interactions with binding partners. Notably, the length of helix α3 and the α2−α3 connecting loop in the NLRP4 PYD are unique among PYDs. The apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) is an adaptor protein whose interactions with a number of distinct PYDs are believed to be critical for activation of the inflammatory response. Here, we use co-immunoprecipitation, yeast two-hybrid, and nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift perturbation analysis to demonstrate that, despite being important for activation of the inflammatory response and sharing several similarities with other known ASC-interacting PYDs (i.e., ASC2), NLRP4 does not interact with the adaptor protein ASC. Thus, we propose that the factors governing homotypic PYD interactions are more complex than the currently accepted model, which states that complementary charged surfaces are the main determinants of PYD–PYD interaction specificity.
Contractile response of femoral arteries in pigs with acute liver failure

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) is characterized haemodynamically by a progressive hyperdynamic circulation. The pathophysiological mechanism is unknown, but impaired contractility of vascular smooth muscle may play an important role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vascular response to stimulation with norepinephrine and angiotensin II in endothelium‐denuded femoral artery rings. Methods: Norwegian Landrace pigs weighing 27.1 ± 0.5 kg (mean ± s x (standard error of the mean)) were used. ALF was induced by performing a portacaval shunt followed by ligation of the hepatic arteries (n = 6). Sham‐operated animals served as controls (n = 5). Cumulative isometric concentration contraction curves were obtained after in vitro stimulation of the femoral artery rings with either angiotensin II (10 −13 –10 −5 mol/L) or norepinephrine (10 −13 –10 −3 mol/L). Results: Pigs suffering from ALF developed a hyperdynamic circulation with an increased cardiac index (P = 0.017) and decreased systemic vascular resistance index (P = 0.015). Studies of the hind leg revealed a decreased vascular resistance index and increased blood flow compared to sham‐operated controls (P = 0.003 and P = 0.01, respectively). Angiotensin II caused a concentration‐dependent contraction of the arterial segments, with no significant differences in vascular responses between the two groups. Maximum force generated did not differ (55 ± 7 versus 56 ± 7 mN, P = 0.95). Furthermore, there were no differences for norepinephrine in the cumulative concentration–response curves and the maximum contractile force was not significantly different (87 ± 8 versus 93 ± 16 mN, P = 0.55). Conclusions: This study documents for the first time that there are no signs of endothelium‐independent peripheral vascular hyporesponsiveness to angiotensin II and norepinephrine in pigs with ALF.
Health profiles, lifestyles and use of health resources by the immigrant population resident in Spain.

BACKGROUND Our study aimed at describing the health profiles, life styles and use of health resources by the immigrant population resident in Spain. METHODS Cross-sectional, epidemiological study from the Spanish National Health Survey (NHS) in 2003. We analysed 1506 subjects of both sexes, aged > or =16 years, resident in Spain. RESULTS The immigrant population present diseases that are similar to those of the autochthonous population. The autochthonous population had significantly higher values for alcohol consumption and smoking (60.8 and 39.6%) than immigrants (39.6 and 27.5%). The percentage of immigrants hospitalized in the preceding 12 months was observed to be higher than that of the Spanish population (11.4 vs. 8.2%, P < 0.05). The immigrant population consumed fewer medical drugs than the Spanish population (42.6 and 49.9%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Immigrants in Spain display better lifestyle-related parameters, in that they consume less alcohol and smoke less than the autochthonous population. As for the use of health-care resources, while immigrants register higher percentages of hospitalization compared with the Spanish population, there is no evidence of excessive and inappropriate use of other health-care resources.
Press-fit stability of an osteochondral autograft: Influence of different plug length and perfect depth alignment

Background Osteochondral autologous transplantation is used for the treatment of full-thickness articular cartilage lesions of a joint. Press-fit stability is an important factor for good survival of the transplanted plugs. Material and methods 36 plugs of three different lengths were transplanted in fresh-frozen human knees. On one condyle, 3 plugs were exactly matched to the depth of the recipient site (“bottomed” plugs) and on the opposite condyle 3 plugs were 5 mm shorter than the depth of the recipient site (“unbottomed” plugs). Plugs were left protruding and then pushed in until flush, and then to 2 mm below flush level, using a loading apparatus. Results Longer plugs needed higher forces to begin displacement. At flush level, bottomed plugs needed significantly higher forces than unbottomed plugs to become displaced below flush level (mean forces of 404 N and 131 N, respectively). Shorter bottomed plugs required higher forces than longer bottomed ones. Interpretation Bottomed plugs generally provide much more stability than unbottomed ones. Short bottomed plugs are more stable than long bottomed plugs. Thus, in clinical practice it is advisable to use short bottomed plugs. If, however, unbottomed plugs are still chosen, the longer the plug the higher the resulting stability will be because of higher frictional forces.
Goal orientation, learning strategies, and academic performance in adult distance learning

We explored the predictive effect of goal-oriented learning strategies on Chinese adult students' academic performance in distance learning, using self-regulated learning as the underpinning theory. The relationship was analyzed using structural equation modeling, and the results indicated that self-regulation strategies and goal orientation were positively related to academic achievement. We also found a significant and positive indirect relationship of mastery goal orientation and academic performance through self-regulated learning strategies. Further, the performance-approach goal orientation had a positive indirect influence on academic performance, with the effort-regulation strategy fully mediating this relationship. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Constraining Future Summer Austral Jet Stream Positions in the CMIP5 Ensemble by Process-Oriented Multiple Diagnostic Regression*

Stratospheric ozone recovery and increasing greenhousegases are anticipated to have a large impact on the Southern Hemisphere extratropical circulation, shifting the jet stream and associated storm tracks. Models participating in phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project poorly simulate the austral jet, with a mean equatorward bias and 108 latitude spread in their historical climatologies, and project a wide range of future trends in response to anthropogenic forcing in the representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios. Here, the question is addressed whether the unweighted multimodel mean (uMMM) austral jet projection of the RCP4.5 scenario can be improved by applying a process-oriented multiple diagnostic ensemble regression (MDER). MDER links future projections of the jet position to processes relevant to its simulationunderpresent-dayconditions.MDERisfirsttargetedtoconstrainnear-term(2015‐34)projections of the austral jet position and selects the historical jet position as the most important of 20 diagnostics. The method essentially recognizes the equatorward bias in the past jet position and provides a bias correction of about1.58latitudesouthwardtofutureprojections. Whenthetargethorizonis extendedtomidcentury(2040‐ 59), the method also recognizes that lower-stratospheric temperature trends over Antarctica, a proxy for the intensity of ozone depletion, provide additional information that can be used to reduce uncertainty in the ensemble mean projection. MDER does not substantially alter the uMMM long-term position in jet position but reduces the uncertainty in the ensemble mean projection. This result suggests that accurate observational constraints on upper-tropospheric and lower-stratospheric temperature trends are needed to constrain projections of the austral jet position.
Re-employment hazard of displaced German workers: evidence from the GSOEP

This study investigates the re-employment hazard of displaced German workers using the first fourteen sweeps of the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) data. As well as parametric and non-parametric discrete-time specifications for the baseline hazard, the study employs alternative mixing distributions to account for unobserved heterogeneity. Findings of the study suggest negative duration dependence, even after accounting for unobserved heterogeneity. In terms of covariate effects, those at the lower end of the skills ladder, those who had been working in manufacturing and those with previous experience of non-employment are found to have lower hazard of exit via reemployment.
Acquisition of Novel and Complex Motor Skills: Stable Solutions Where Intrinsic Noise Matters Less 8.1 Introduction: Acquisition of Skill and Experimental Control

While professional quarterbacks like Peyton Manning make passing a football look effortless, it takes a lifetime of disciplined practice for these elite athletes to reach such a high level of skill. The principal responsibility of the quarterback in American football is to throw a forward pass to his teammate. This skill, however, is not as trivial as it may appear. To achieve a successful pass, he must accurately throw to a target that is moving, while he himself is in motion. But even before the pass is thrown, he must quickly decide which receiver will have the best chance of catching the ball, judging from the continuous movements of the defensive team. He must also choose what style of throw and what initial conditions (i.e., position, velocity) are appropriate for where he aims the ball. This decision-making process cannot last more than a fraction of a second or he risks being tackled by opponents twice his size. This ability to choose from a vast—in fact infinite—set of actions is an integral part of many sport skills. Such complexity is what makes events like the Olympic Games fascinating, not only to spectators around the globe, but also to movement scientists, who want to unravel how humans achieve coordinated actions. How does the brain acquire and control such complex spatiotemporal skills? It is somewhat sobering to then look into the laboratories and see how motor skill is typically studied. The vast majority of experiments have focused on highly simplified tasks, such as finger-to-thumb opposition (Karni et al. 1998), finger tapping (Wing and Kristofferson 1973), sequenced isometric contractions (Shim et al. 2005;
Facial Animation Based on 3D Scans and Motion Capture

One of the applications of realistic facial animation outside the film industry is psychophysical research in order to understand the perception of human facial motion. For this, an animation model close to physical reality is important. Through the combination of highresolution 3D scans and 3D motion capture, we aim for such a model and provide a prototypical example in this sketch. State-of-the art 3D scanning systems deliver very high spatial resolution but usually are too slow for real-time recording. Motion capture (mocap) systems on the other hand have fairly high temporal resolution for a small set of tracking points. The idea presented here is to combine these two in order to get high resolution data in both domains that is closely based upon real-world properties. While this is similar to previous work, for example [Choe et al. 2001] or [Pighin et al. 2002], the innovation of our approach lies in the combination of precision 3D geometry, high resolution motion tracking and photo-realistic textures.
Skin testing for immediate hypersensitivity to betalactams: comparison between two commercial kits

Introduction: Skin testing with major and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin is the recommended standard practice to evaluate subjects with immediate hypersensitivity to betalactams. The withdrawal of these products from the market has set us back to the early days, before the introduction of reagents for in vivo testing.
Distinct abundance patterns in multiple damped ly alpha galaxies: evidence for truncated star formation?

Following our previous work on metal abundances of a double damped Ly system with a line-of-sight separation 2000 km s 1 (Ellison & Lopez 2001), we present VLT UVES abundances of 3 new systems spanning a total of6000 km s 1 at z 2:5 toward the southern QSO CTQ247. These abundances are supplemented with echelle observations of another "double" damped Ly system in the literature. We propose a definition in terms of velocity shift of the sub-class "multiple damped Ly system", which is motivated by its possible connection with large-scale structure. We find that the abundance ratio (S/Fe) is systematically low in multiple systems compared with single systems, and with a small scatter. The same behavior is found in 2 more single DLA systems taken from the literature that show evidence of belonging to a galaxy group. Although (Si/Fe) ratios are also generally lower in multiple DLAs than in single DLAs, the eect is less striking since the scatter is larger and there are a number of low (Si/Fe) DLAs in the literature. We suggest that this can be explained with a combination of detection bias and, to a lesser extent, the scatter in ionization corrections for dierent absorbers. We investigate whether consistently low/Fe ratios could be due to dust depletion or ionization corrections and find that the former eect would emphasize the observed trend of low/Fe in multiple systems even further. Ionization may have a minor eect in some cases, but at a level that would not change our conclusions. We thus conclude that the low/Fe ratios in multiple DLAs have a nucleosynthetic origin and suggest that they could be explained by reduced star formation in multiple damped Ly systems, possibly due to environmental eects. There seems to be independent evidence for this scenario from the mild odd-even eect and from the relatively high N/ ratios we observe in these multiple systems.
Human Papillomavirus and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case-Control Study regarding Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption

We aimed to determine the role of HPV in the pathogenesis and outcome of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in lifelong nonsmoking and nondrinking patients. A case-case analysis was performed to compare the presence of HPV-DNA in tumor cells of 16 nonsmoking and nondrinking with 16 matched smoking and drinking patients (matching criteria: age at incidence, gender, tumor sublocation, tumor stage). HPV was detected using 2 PCR tests, FISH analysis, and p16INK4A immunostaining. Nonsmoking and nondrinking patients had more HPV-positive tumors than smoking and drinking patients (n = 12; 75% versus n = 2; 13%; P < 0.001). All HPV-positive tumors showed p16INK4A overexpression, and 1 HPV-negative tumor had p16INK4A overexpression, (P < 0.001). Overall survival and disease-specific survival were higher for HPV-positive compared to HPV-negative cases (P = 0.027, P = 0.039, resp.). In conclusion, HPV is strongly associated with OSCC of nonsmoking and nondrinking patients. Specific diagnostic and therapeutic actions should be considered for these patients to achieve a better prognosis.
Acupuncture for Treating Whiplash Associated Disorder: A Systematic Review of Randomised Clinical Trials

The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of whiplash associated disorder (WAD). Twenty databases were searched from their inceptions to Oct. 2013. Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of acupuncture (AT), electroacupuncture (EA), or dry needling (DN) for the treatment of WAD were considered eligible. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Six RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Most of the included RCTs have serious methodological flaws. Four of the RCTs showed effectiveness of AT, AT in addition to usual care (UC), AT in addition to herbal medicine (HM) or EA was more effective than relaxation, sham EA, sham EA in addition to HM or UC for conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and alleviating pain. In one RCT, DN in addition to physiotherapy (PT) had no effect compared to sham-DN in addition to PT for the reduction of pain. None of the RCTs showed that AT/EA/DN was more effective than various types of control groups in reducing disability/function. One RCT did not report between-group comparisons of any outcome measures. The evidence for the effectiveness of AT/EA/DN for the treatment of WAD is limited. Therefore, more research in this area is warranted.
The Stochastic Inventory Routing Problem

This work is motivated by the need to solve the inventory routing problem when implementing a business practice called vendor managed inventory replenishment (VMI). With VMI, vendors monitor their customers’ inventories, and decide when and how much inventory should be replenished at each customer. The inventory routing problem attempts to coordinate inventory replenishment and transportation in such a way that the cost is minimized over the long run. In a recent paper (Kleywegt, Nori and Savelsbergh 1999), we formulated the inventory routing problem as a Markov decision process, and proposed approximation methods to find good solutions with reasonable computational effort for the inventory routing problem with direct deliveries. In this paper we propose solution methods for the inventory routing problem in which multiple customers can be visited on a route.