Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beyond bone mineral density, FRAX-based tailor-made intervention thresholds for therapeutic decision in subjects on glucocorticoid

Abstract Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is the most common cause of secondary osteoporosis and confers a substantial risk for future fractures. Several recent guidelines for GIOP management have recommended the use of intervention thresholds to direct pharmacological therapy in those at high risk of fracture. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of subjects on a glucocorticoid (GC) and to implement the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX)-based intervention threshold for therapeutic decision-making. This was a cohort substudy of a nationwide osteoporosis screening program conducted in Taiwan from 2008 to 2011. All participants were requested to complete a questionnaire including FRAX elements, and antiosteoporosis medication (AOM) history was assessed before bone mineral density (BMD) measurement. GC users were recruited as the study group. Controls comprised randomly selected age- and sex-matched non-GC users. Individual intervention threshold (IIT) was set at individual-specific FRAX probability of a major osteoporotic fracture, relative to subjects with prior fractures. The characteristics and calculated IIT of all participants were analyzed. A total of 8704 participants were enrolled, including GC users (n = 807) and controls (n = 7897). There was no significant difference in BMD between GC users and controls. Clinical fracture risks, including previous fracture, parental hip fracture, rheumatoid arthritis, and secondary osteoporosis were higher in GC users than in controls. GC users had a higher 10-year probability of either major or hip fracture than controls. The proportion of GC users with a 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fracture above IIT was higher than in controls (75.0% vs 10.6%; P < 0.001). Only 20.3% of GC users and 30.5% of controls whose fracture risk was above IIT reported taking AOM. These findings suggest that more GC users should receive active intervention based on IIT, regardless of BMD. However, less than one-fourth of GC users whose fracture risk was above IIT received AOM, indicating that GIOP is markedly undertreated. We recommend commencing AOM for GIOP according to IIT, instead of BMD alone.
Attitudes Toward Sport Psychology Consulting in Athletes: Understanding the Role of Culture and Personality

The purpose of this study was to investigate how an athlete’s Eastern–Western cultural affiliation and personality are related to their perception of sport psychology and attitude toward consultation with a sport psychology practitioner. Two hundred and nineteen athletes from Western and Eastern cultures completed the Sport Psychology Attitudes–Revised form (SPA-R; Martin et al., 2002) and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI; Costa & McCrae, 1992). Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that Western athletes had lesser stigma toward sport psychology consulting, greater personal openness, and lesser preference for a consultant of the same race or culture than Eastern athletes. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that lower openness and conscientiousness predicted greater stigma toward sport psychology consulting; higher neuroticism, conscientiousness, and openness predicted greater confidence in sport psychology consulting; and lower openness predicted greater preference for working with a sport psychology consultant of the same race or culture. These findings may prove valuable to applied sport psychology practitioners, and aim to help them better understand the athletes and athletic population to whom they offer their services.
High expression of AKR1C1 is associated with proliferation and migration of small-cell lung cancer cells

AKR1C1 is a member of the AKR1C family, which not only plays an important role in hormone metabolism but is believed to be involved in carcinogen metabolism. Our previous study demonstrated that AKR1C1 was highly expressed in lung tumor tissues as compared with the tumor-adjacent tissues. Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a special type of lung cancer. Surgical treatment of SCLC is usually difficult due to the high degree of malignancy and early metastasis, and difficulty in obtaining clinical specimens. There is not much basic or clinical research on SCLC in the People’s Republic of China even in recent years. To investigate the mechanism of AKR1C1 in the pathogenesis of SCLC, the present study used H446 cell line to see whether AKR1C1 could affect the proliferation or migration of SCLC cells, and used a lentivirus to build the AKR1C1 overexpression and under-expression cell lines. The results indicated that AKR1C1 was an important inducement in the proliferation and migration of H446 cells. AKR1C1 promoted cell proliferation and played a vital role in the migration of SCLC cells. These results were also verified in nude mice in vivo. In conclusion, AKR1C1 plays an important role in the development and progression of SCLC and may represent an independent biomarker for assessment of the primary prognosis and therapy of SCLC.
Reputation , Accounting Information and Debt Contracts in Chinese Family Firms *

This paper provides evidence to show that in the presence of imperfect formal institutions there is both a substitutional and a complementary relationship between accounting information and reputation, an informal institution. Empirical results using a sample of family firms listed in the Chinese A-share stock market from 2004 to 2007 show that in China, where the legal environment is far from perfect, the complementary relationship between reputation and accounting information is more pronounced than is the substitutional relationship. Thus, the aggregate effect is that a better reputation improves the usefulness of accounting information in debt contracts. Besides the aggregate effect, this paper also provides evidence of the substitutional and complementary relationships between reputation and accounting separately. JEL classification: G14; G32; M41
Attenuation of Cisplathin-Induced Toxic Oxidative Stress by Propofol

Background: Antioxidant effects of propofol (2, 6-diisopropylphenol) were evaluated against cisplatin-i‎nduced oxidative stress in rat. Objectives: In this experimental study, 20 male rats were equally divided into 4 groups (5 rats each), and were treated by propofol (10 mg/kg/day, IP), or cisplatin (7 mg /kg/day, IP), or both. Materials and Methods: G‎roup one was control, while group 2 was given cisplatin (7 mg /kg/day, IP). Animals of the third group received only propofol (10 mg/kg/day, IP). Group 4 was given propofol with cisplatin once per day for 7 days. After treatment, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine levels, and oxidative stress m‎arkers such as total thiol groups (TTG), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and total antioxidant ‎capacity (TAC) were measured. Results: Oxidative stress induced by cisplatin, was evident by a significant increase in LPO and decrease in TTG and TAC. Propofol recovered ‎cisplatin -induced changes in TAC, TTG and LPO in blood. Conclusions: It is concluded that oxidative ‎damage is the mechanism of cisplatin toxicity, which can be recovered by propofol. ‎
Blockade of Electron Transport at the Onset of Reperfusion Decreases Cardiac Injury in Aged Hearts by Protecting the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

Myocardial injury is increased in the aged heart following ischemia-reperfusion (ISC-REP) compared to adult hearts. Intervention at REP with ischemic postconditioning decreases injury in the adult heart by attenuating mitochondrial driven cell injury. Unfortunately, postconditioning is ineffective in aged hearts. Blockade of electron transport at the onset of REP with the reversible inhibitor amobarbital (AMO) decreases injury in adult hearts. We tested if AMO treatment at REP protects the aged heart via preservation of mitochondrial integrity. Buffer-perfused elderly Fischer 344 24 mo. rat hearts underwent 25 min global ISC and 30 min REP. AMO (2.5 mM) or vehicle was given for 3 min at the onset of REP. Subsarcolemmal (SSM) and interfibrillar (IFM) mitochondria were isolated after REP. Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and mitochondrial inner membrane potential were measured. AMO treatment at REP decreased cardiac injury. Compared to untreated ISC-REP, AMO improved inner membrane potential in SSM and IFM during REP, indicating preserved inner membrane integrity. Thus, direct pharmacologic modulation of electron transport at REP protects mitochondria and decreases cardiac injury in the aged heart, even when signaling-induced pathways of postconditioning that are upstream of mitochondria are ineffective.
A density‐based greedy algorithm for higher strength covering arrays

Algorithmic construction of software interaction test suites has focussed on pairwise coverage; less is known about the efficient construction of test suites for t‐way interactions with t≥3. This study extends an efficient density‐based algorithm for pairwise coverage to generate t‐way interaction test suites and shows that it guarantees a logarithmic upper bound on the size of the test suites as a function of the number of factors. To complement this theoretical guarantee, an implementation is outlined and some practical improvements are made. Computational comparisons with other published methods are reported. Many of the results improve upon those in the literature. However, limitations on the ability of one‐test‐at‐a‐time algorithms are also identified. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consumo de tabaco y alcohol en universitarios

espanolEl objetivo de la presente investigacion es conocer la prevalencia de consumo de alcohol y tabaco en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de Granada, asi como analizar las relaciones existentes entre el consumo de estas sustancias y diversos factores socio-economicos. Se realizo un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal sobre una muestra de 166 estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de Granada, utilizando un cuestionario ad-hoc para el registro de las variables sociodemograficas, el consumo de tabaco se midio utilizando el “Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND)” y el consumo de alcohol mediante el cuestionario “Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)”. Los principales resultados obtenidos en el estudio indican que los estudiantes universitarios analizados son en su mayoria no fumadores, consumiendo la mitad de ellos alcohol, destaca la relacion directa encontrada entre el consumo de ambas sustancias, debido a que al aumentar el consumo de una, aumenta la otra, aunque no se conoce que sustancia es precursora de la otra. Los resultados obtenidos en el presente estudio ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de seguir investigando sobre el consumo de sustancias nocivas, pues aunque su consumo esta descendiendo, sigue representando un problema sanitario a nivel mundial. EnglishThe objective of the present investigation is to know the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco consumption in a sample of university students in the city of Granada, as well as to analyze the relationship between the consumption of these substances and various socio-economic factors. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on a sample of 166 university students from the city of Granada, using an ad-hoc questionnaire to register sociodemographic variables. Tobacco use was measured using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence FTND) and alcohol consumption using the "Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)" questionnaire. The main results obtained in the study indicate that the university students studied are mostly non-smokers, consuming half of them alcohol, highlights the direct relationship found between the consumption of both substances, due to the increase in consumption of one, increases The other, although it is not known that substance is precursor of the other. The results obtained in the present study show the need to continue investigating the consumption of harmful substances, because although its consumption is decreasing, it continues to represent a global health problem.
Energy efficiency and server virtualization in data centers: An empirical investigation

With a growing concern on the considerable energy consumed by data centers, research efforts are targeting toward green data centers with higher energy efficiency. In particular, server virtualization is emerging as the prominent approach to consolidate applications from multiple applications to one server, with an objective to save energy usage. However, little understanding has been obtained about the potential overhead in energy consumption and the throughput reduction for virtualized servers in data centers. In this research, we take the initiative to characterize the energy usage on virtualized servers. An empirical approach is adopted to investigate how server virtualization affects the energy usage in physical servers. Through intensive data collection and analysis, we identify a fundamental trade-off between the energy saving from server consolidation and the detrimental effects (e.g., energy overhead and throughput reduction) from server virtualization. This characterization lays a mathematical foundation for server consolidation in green data center architecture.
Does the Type of Textbook Matter? Results of a Study of Free Electronic Reading Materials at a Community College

ABSTRACT This research describes a quasi-experiment across one face-to-face section and two online sections of introductory sociology testing freely available electronic resources (i.e., open education resources [OERs] and open access) to a paid printed textbook. This study fills a gap in the literature on how type of reading material (e.g., print/paid and electronic/open) affects student learning outcomes. The results show no significant relationship between type of reading materials on pre/posttest improvement or final grades. College-readiness at the time of enrollment at the college along with being a full-time student positively affected posttest score improvement. GPA was the only variable positively and significantly related to final grade. These findings suggest that using OERs and open access resources might be a viable choice for reducing textbook costs, thereby increasing access to higher education. Caution, however, is warranted as students indicate a preference for print (paid) over electronic (open) readings.
Genome sequence of Staphylococcus lugdunensis N920143 allows identification of putative colonization and virulence factors

Staphylococcus lugdunensis is an opportunistic pathogen related to Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The genome sequence of S. lugdunensis strain N920143 has been compared with other staphylococci, and genes were identified that could promote survival of S. lugdunensis on human skin and pathogenesis of infections. Staphylococcus lugdunensis lacks virulence factors that characterize S. aureus and harbours a smaller number of genes encoding surface proteins. It is the only staphylococcal species other than S. aureus that possesses a locus encoding iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd) proteins involved in iron acquisition from haemoglobin.
Self-injurious behavior, emotion regulation, and attachment styles among college students in India

Context: Intentional self-directed acts of injury are the most common among adolescents and young adults. Developmental psychopathology theories that conceptualize pathways to self-injurious behaviors (SIBs) implicate insecure attachment representations and inadequate self-regulatory skills to cope with emotional distress. Aims: The study aimed to examine relationships between SIBs, attachment, and emotion regulation among college students. Materials and Methods: A total of 470 participants from undergraduate and postgraduate colleges completed the functional assessment of self-mutilation questionnaire, attachment style questionnaire, and the difficulties in emotion regulation scale. Results: Results indicated that 31.2% of the participants reported SIB in the past year, with the mean age of onset being 15.9 years. Moderate/severe forms of self-injury (e.g. cutting, burning) were reported by 19.8% of the sample. Self-injuring youth reported higher levels of anxious attachment, preoccupation with relationships and need for approval in relationships, and difficulties in all domains of emotion regulation. Logistic regression analysis identified preoccupation with relationships and impulse control difficulties as predictors of SIB. Conclusions: The findings have implications for comprehensive interventions for self-injuring youth.
cGMP-Phosphodiesterase Activity Is Up-regulated in Response to Pressure Overload of Rat Ventricles

Although expression of natriuretic peptides in cardiac tissues is up-regulated in response to pressure overload, no significant change in cGMP level in hypertrophied ventricles was observed. Activities of two cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoforms, Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated PDE (PDE1) and cGMP-stimulated PDE (PDE2), were significantly higher in rat left ventricles 14 days after aortic banding. The absence of significant changes in PDE1A and PDE2A mRNA levels indicated that the two PDE activities were post-transcriptionally up-regulated. These results suggested that the increased cGMP-PDE activity in response to pressure overload plays an important role in neutralizing cGMP action in cardiac tissue.
Zebrafish as an In Vivo Model to Assess Epigenetic Effects of Ionizing Radiation

Exposure to ionizing radiations (IRs) is ubiquitous in our environment and can be categorized into “targeted” effects and “non-targeted” effects. In addition to inducing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, IR exposure leads to epigenetic alterations that do not alter DNA sequence. Using an appropriate model to study the biological effects of radiation is crucial to better understand IR responses as well as to develop new strategies to alleviate exposure to IR. Zebrafish, Danio rerio, is a scientific model organism that has yielded scientific advances in several fields and recent studies show the usefulness of this vertebrate model in radiation biology. This review briefly describes both “targeted” and “non-targeted” effects, describes the findings in radiation biology using zebrafish as a model and highlights the potential of zebrafish to assess the epigenetic effects of IR, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNA expression. Other in vivo models are included to compare observations made with zebrafish, or to illustrate the feasibility of in vivo models when the use of zebrafish was unavailable. Finally, tools to study epigenetic modifications in zebrafish, including changes in genome-wide DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNA expression, are also described in this review.
Understanding and Promoting Thinking About Knowledge

Epistemic cognition is the thinking that people do about what and how they know. Education has long been concerned with promoting reflection on knowledge and processes of knowing, but research into epistemic cognition began really in the past half century, with a tremendous expansion in the past 20 years. This review summarizes the broad range of psychological and education research that comprises the study of epistemic cognition, and it identifies various fault lines that currently prevent coherent synthesis of theoretical models and empirical findings. The fault lines include differences in how scholars conceptualize knowledge and cognition, and the contextual nature of epistemic cognition, with consequent differences in accounts of individual development, as well as in research methods. In the coming century, research that can integrate findings among individual, situative, and cultural accounts of cognition may enable the advancement of coherent models of epistemic cognition and its development and support improved educational efforts aimed at such development.
Multi-label Ranking from Positive and Unlabeled Data

In this paper, we specifically examine the training of a multi-label classifier from data with incompletely assigned labels. This problem is fundamentally important in many multi-label applications because it is almost impossible for human annotators to assign a complete set of labels, although their judgments are reliable. In other words, a multilabel dataset usually has properties by which (1) assigned labels are definitely positive and (2) some labels are absent but are still considered positive. Such a setting has been studied as a positive and unlabeled (PU) classification problem in a binary setting. We treat incomplete label assignment problems as a multi-label PU ranking, which is an extension of classical binary PU problems to the wellstudied rank-based multi-label classification. We derive the conditions that should be satisfied to cancel the negative effects of label incompleteness. Our experimentally obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of these conditions.
Article Type: Original Article DOES MANDATORY IFRS ADOPTION IMPROVE THE INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT?

More than 120 countries require or permit the use of International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') by publicly listed companies on the basis of higher information quality and accounting comparability from IFRS application. However, the empirical evidence about these presumed benefits are often conflicting and fail to separate between information quality and comparability. In this paper we examine the effect of mandatory IFRS adoption on firms' information environment. We find that after mandatory IFRS adoption consensus forecast errors decrease for firms that mandatorily adopt IFRS relative to forecast errors of other firms. We also find decreasing forecast errors for voluntary adopters, but this effect is smaller and not robust. Moreover, we show that the magnitude of the forecast errors decrease is associated with the firm-specific differences between local GAAP and IFRS. This finding suggests that it is IFRS adoption rather than a correlated unobservable factor that is causing forecast errors to decrease. Exploiting individual analyst level data and isolating settings where analysts would benefit more from either increased comparability or higher quality information, we document that the improvement in the information environment is driven both by information and comparability effects. These results suggest that mandatory IFRS adoption has improved the quality of information intermediation in capital markets and as a result firms' information environment by increasing both information quality and accounting comparability.
A New Criterion for Lag-Length Selection in Unit Root Tests

This paper examines lag selection problem in unit root tests which has become a major specification problem in empirical analysis of non-stationary time series data. It is known that the implementation of unit root tests requires the choice of optimal truncation lag for good power proper ties and it is equally unrealistic to assume that the true optimal truncation lag is known a prior to the practitioners and other applied researchers. Consequently, these users rely largely on the use of standard information criteria for selection of truncation lag in unit root tests. A number of previous studies have shown that these criteria have problem of over-specification of truncation lag-length leading to the well-known low power problem that is commonly associated with most unit root tests in the literature. This paper focuses on the problem of over-specification of truncation lag-length within the context of augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and generalized least squares Dickey-Fuller (DF-GLS)unit root tests. In an attempt to address this lag selection problem, we propose a new criterion for the selection of truncation lag in unit root tests based on Koyck distributed lag model and we show that this new criterion avoids the problem of over-specification of truncationlag-length that is commonly associated with standard information criteria.