Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Model selection and estimation in regression with grouped variables

Summary. We consider the problem of selecting grouped variables (factors) for accurate prediction in regression. Such a problem arises naturally in many practical situations with the multifactor analysis‐of‐variance problem as the most important and well‐known example. Instead of selecting factors by stepwise backward elimination, we focus on the accuracy of estimation and consider extensions of the lasso, the LARS algorithm and the non‐negative garrotte for factor selection. The lasso, the LARS algorithm and the non‐negative garrotte are recently proposed regression methods that can be used to select individual variables. We study and propose efficient algorithms for the extensions of these methods for factor selection and show that these extensions give superior performance to the traditional stepwise backward elimination method in factor selection problems. We study the similarities and the differences between these methods. Simulations and real examples are used to illustrate the methods.
Flower pollination algorithm: A novel approach for multiobjective optimization

Multiobjective design optimization problems require multiobjective optimization techniques to solve, and it is often very challenging to obtain high-quality Pareto fronts accurately. In this article, the recently developed flower pollination algorithm (FPA) is extended to solve multiobjective optimization problems. The proposed method is used to solve a set of multiobjective test functions and two bi-objective design benchmarks, and a comparison of the proposed algorithm with other algorithms has been made, which shows that the FPA is efficient with a good convergence rate. Finally, the importance for further parametric studies and theoretical analysis is highlighted and discussed.
Dendrodendritic Inhibition Through Reversal of Dopamine Transport

Synapses in the central nervous system are usually defined by presynaptic exocytotic release sites and postsynaptic differentiations. We report here a demonstration of dendrodendritic inhibition that does not engage a conventional synapse. Using amperometric and patch-clamp recordings in rat brain slices of the substantia nigra, we found that blockade of the dopamine transporter abolished the dendritic release of dopamine and the resulting self-inhibition. These findings demonstrate that dendrodendritic autoinhibition entails the carrier-mediated release of dopamine rather than conventional exocytosis. This suggests that some widely used antidepressants that inhibit the dopamine transporter may benefit patients in the early stages of Parkinson's disease.
Tamoxifen Regulation of Bone Growth and Endocrine Function in the Ovariectomized Rat: Discrimination of Responses Involving Estrogen Receptor α/Estrogen Receptor β, G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor, or Estrogen-Related Receptor γ Using Fulvestrant (ICI 182780)

Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, but it is also a deactivating ligand for estrogen-related receptor-γ (ERRγ) and a full agonist for the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). Fulvestrant is a selective ER down-regulator that lacks agonist effects on ERα/ERβ, is inactive on ERRγ, but acts as a full agonist on GPER. Fulvestrant effects on tamoxifen actions on uterine and somatic growth, bone, the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis, and pituitary prolactin were analyzed to pharmacologically discriminate tamoxifen effects that may be mediated by ERα/ERβ versus ERRγ versus GPER. Ovariectomized rats received tamoxifen (0.6 mg/kg/daily) plus fulvestrant at 0, 3, 6, or 12 mg/kg/daily for 5 weeks; controls received vehicle or 6 mg/kg fulvestrant daily. Tamoxifen effects to increase uterine weight, decrease serum IGF-I, increase pituitary prolactin, and increase bone mineral density could be fully blocked by fulvestrant, indicating mediation by ERα/ERβ. Tamoxifen effects to decrease pituitary GH, tibia length, and body weight were only partially blocked by fulvestrant, indicating involvement of mechanisms unrelated to ERα/ERβ. Fulvestrant did not inhibit tamoxifen actions to reduce total pituitary protein, again indicating effects not mediated by ERα/ERβ. Tamoxifen actions to reduce serum GH were mimicked rather than inhibited by fulvestrant, pharmacological features consistent with GPER involvement. However, fulvestrant alone increased IGF-I and also blocked tamoxifen-evoked IGF-I decreases; thus fulvestrant effects on serum GH might reflect increased IGF-I feedback inhibition. Fulvestrant alone had no effect on the other parameters. The findings indicate that mechanisms unrelated to ERα/ERβ contribute to tamoxifen effects on body weight, bone growth, and pituitary function.
Gas-Phase Databases for Quantitative Infrared Spectroscopy

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are each creating quantitative databases containing the vapor-phase infrared spectra of pure chemicals. The digital databases have been created with both laboratory and remote-sensing applications in mind. A spectral resolution of ≈0.1 cm−1 was selected to avoid degrading sharp spectral features, while also realizing that atmospheric broadening typically limits line widths to 0.1 cm−1. Calculated positional (wavenumber, cm−1) uncertainty is ≤0.005 cm−1, while the 1σ statistical uncertainty in absorbance values is <2% for most compounds. The latter was achieved by measuring multiple (typically ≥9) path length–concentration burdens and fitting a weighted Beer's law plot to each wavenumber channel. The two databases include different classes of compounds and were compared using 12 samples. Though these 12 samples span a range of polarities, absorption strengths, and vapor pressures, the data agree to within experimental uncertainties with only one exception.
The Impacts Of Network Governance On The Erformance Of Ito: A Study Of Taiwanese Firms

Information technology outsourcing (ITO) has been a topic of great interest, one that organization researchers have studied extensively. Previous studies have suggested that ITO research has expanded from one organization and bilateral partnerships to a network form of organization that links multiple organizations and spans inter-organizational boundaries. Yet, little research has been conducted on the link between network governance and ITO performance as a way to understand an organization’s ITO efforts. This study proposes a model that employs several constructs: inter-organization coordination, contractual governance and relational governance, and technological hegemony. The model explores the mediating roles of these governance mechanisms and the moderating role of technological hegemony as it influences the IT manager’s perception of the performance of ITO. Empirical testing of the model is based on a sample of 191 companies from Taiwanese industries. The results support the mediating effect of relational governance and the moderating effect of technological hegemony. The implications of these findings for ITO management are discussed.
The Relationship Between Extended Learning Time (ELT) and ELA Assessment Scores of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Fourth Grade Students in New York State’s Big Five Cities

Since the concept of extended or expanded learning time (ELT) in its modern-day form began to develop approximately 50 years ago, there has been substantial controversy as to whether the application of ELT in a U.S. context could achieve the desired result of improved academic outcomes. Numerous empirical studies during the past 25 years have at least hinted that this could be the case, especially with regard to disadvantaged populations, but all of these studies have been criticized as being flawed in one respect or another, thus limiting their value with regard to demonstrating the efficacy of ELT. The purpose of this study, simply stated, is to help to fill a gap in the existing literature, with a quasi-experimental empirical study that is both quantitative and controlled. The investigator utilized post-treatment data, in the form of the ELA (English Language Arts) mean assessment scores of two groups of socio-economically disadvantaged fourth grade public school students attending both traditional public schools and charter schools in the so-called Big Five (Buffalo, New York City, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers). The results of the study, in brief, failed overall to support the hypothesis that ELT led to improved academic outcomes. The inability to lend support to a particular hypothesis does not in itself disprove the general assertion that ELT has the potential to enhance academic outcomes for U.S. students. That being said, however, the support of the negative hypothesis in this particular study—in combination with other recent dissertation studies—does at the very least call into question the assertions of those who state that the argument should have been considered settled long ago. In addition to suggesting the need for further research, the study results here suggest that it may be time for those who have previously looked to ELT as the main solution to begin more serious consideration of the alternatives. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Education (EdD) Department Executive Leadership First Supervisor Christopher Griffin Second Supervisor Michael Robinson Subject Categories Education This dissertation is available at Fisher Digital Publications: http://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_etd/128 This dissertation is available at Fisher Digital Publications: http://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_etd/128 The Relationship Between Extended Learning Time (ELT) and ELA Assessment Scores of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Fourth Grade Students in New York State’s Big Five Cities
Stress-Timing in Romance: re-characterisation within the ?Rhythm Space? and Implications for Rhythm Typology

Measurements have failed to find any support for the isochrony claim. Differing degrees of lengthening and shortening as a function of stress have been found, however. Defence of the isochrony claim has had to retire to the level of perceived regularity, i.e. from the objective to the subjective. It is usually assumed that Italian is a syllable-timed language and German or English are stress-timed. This assumption is based on structural differences a), b) and c) between the languages (cf. Table 1):
Packaging of DNA in bacteriophage Heads: Some considerations on energetics

We have made quantitative estimates of some of the energetic factors to be considered in packaging of double‐stranded DNA in virus particles. Numerical calculations were made using parameters appropriate for T4 bacteriophage. The unfavorable factors, and the Gibbs free energies per mole virus at 20°C associated with them, are bending, 1.5 × 103 kcal/mol; conformational restriction upon condensation, 5.1 × 102 kcal/mol; polyelectrolyte repulsion, 2.1 × 105kcal/mol; and melting or kinking, 6.9 × 103 kcal/mol. These must be counterbalanced in the assembled phage by noncovalent bonding interactions between protein subunits in the phage‐head shell; by interactions between the DNA and polyvalent cations, especially putrescine and spermidine; nad perhaps by repulsive excluded volume and electrostatic interaction between the DNA and acidic polypeptides. Indeed, a rough estimate of the standard free energey of interaction between T4 DNA and the putrescine and spermidine contained in the head is ‐‐2.1 × 105 kcal/mol. In the absence of the other two sources of stabilization, each head protein subunit must contribute about 210 kcal/mol of binding energy.
Active‐Region Sources of Solar Wind near Solar Maximum

Previous studies of the source regions of solar wind sampled by ACE and Ulysses showed that some solar wind originates from open flux areas in active regions. These sources were labeled active region sources when there was no corresponding coronal hole in the He 10830 A synoptic maps. Here, we present results on an investigation of the magnetic topology of these active region sources and a search for corresponding features in EUV and soft X‐ray images. In most, but not all, cases, a dark hole or lane is seen in the EUV and SXT image as for familiar coronal hole sources. However, in one case, the soft‐X ray images and the magnetic model showed a coronal structure quite different from typical coronal hole structure. Using ACE data, we also find that the solar wind from these active region sources generally has a higher Oxygen charge state than wind from the Helium‐10830A coronal hole sources, indicating a hotter source region, consistent with the active region source interpretation.
A benchmark study of a capacitively coupled oxygen discharge of the oopd1 particle-in-cell Monte Carlo code

The oopd1 particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision (PIC-MCC) code is used to simulate a capacitively coupled discharge in oxygen. oopd1 is a one-dimensional object-oriented PIC-MC code in which the model system has one spatial dimension and three velocity components. It contains a model for planar geometry and will contain models for cylindrical and spherical geometries, and replaces the xpdx1 series, which is not object-oriented. The oopd1 also allows for different weights of simulation particles and relativistic treatment of electrons. The revised oxygen model includes, in addition to electrons, the oxygen molecule in the ground state, the oxygen atom in the ground state, the negative ion O− and the positive ions O+ and . The cross sections for the collisions among the oxygen species have been significantly revised from earlier work using the xpdp1 code and the electron kinematics have been enhanced. Here we make a benchmark study and compare the oopd1 code to the well-established planar xpdp1 code and discuss the differences using a limited cross section set with ions, O− ions and electrons as the charged particles. We compare the electron energy distribution function, the electron temperature profile, the density profiles of charged particles and electron heating rates for a capacitively coupled oxygen discharge at 50 mTorr with electrode separation of 4.5 cm. Then we explore the effect of adding O atoms and O+ ions on the overall discharge.
Di-n-Butyl Phthalate Disrupts the Expression of Genes Involved in Cell Cycle and Apoptotic Pathways in Mouse Ovarian Antral Follicles1

ABSTRACT Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is present in many consumer products, such as infant, beauty, and medical products. Several studies have shown that DBP causes reproductive toxicity in rodents, but no studies have evaluated its effects on ovarian follicles. Therefore, we used a follicle culture system to evaluate the effects of DBP on antral follicle growth, cell cycle and apoptosis gene expression, cell cycle staging, atresia, and 17β-estradiol (E2) production. Antral follicles were isolated from adult CD-1 mice and exposed to DBP at 1, 10, 100, and 1000 μg/ml for 24 or 168 h. Follicles treated with vehicle or DBP at 1–100 μg/ml grew over time, but DBP at 1000 μg/ml significantly suppressed follicle growth. Regardless of effect on follicle growth, DBP-treated follicles had decreased mRNA for cyclins D2, E1, A2, and B1 and increased p21. Levels of the proapoptotic genes Bax, Bad, and Bok were not altered by DBP treatment, but DBP 1000 μg/ml increased levels of Bid and decreased levels of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl2. DBP-treated follicles contained significantly more cells in G1 phase, significantly less cells in S, and exhibited a trend for fewer cells in G2. Although DBP did not affect E2 production and atresia at 24 h, follicles treated with DBP had reduced levels of E2 at 96 h and underwent atresia at 168 h. These data suggest that DBP targets antral follicles and alters the expression of cell cycle and apoptosis factors, causes cell cycle arrest, decreases E2, and triggers atresia, depending on dose.
The role of Medicaid enrollment and outpatient service use in jail recidivism among persons with severe mental illness.

OBJECTIVE This study sought to determine whether having Medicaid benefits and receiving behavioral health services are associated with a reduction in recidivism for jail detainees with severe mental illness. METHODS A quasi-experimental design with linked administrative data was used. All persons released over a two-year period from jails in King County, Washington (N=5,189), and Pinellas County, Florida (N=2,419), who had severe mental illness were followed for 12 months after jail release. Those who were receiving Medicaid benefits at release and those who were not were compared on three indicators: how many subsequent arrests occurred, how soon the arrest occurred, and how serious the associated offense was. The data were analyzed with negative binomial, Cox proportional hazards models and logistic regression with adjustments for dependent observations. RESULTS In both counties, having Medicaid at release was associated with a 16% reduction in the average number of subsequent detentions (p<.001 and p<.01, respectively). After the analysis controlled for demographic and clinical variables, more days on Medicaid were associated with a reduced number of subsequent detentions in King County (p<.001) and more days in the community before subsequent arrest in both counties (p<.01 and p<.05, respectively). No association was found between Medicaid status and the seriousness of the subsequent offense in either county. CONCLUSIONS Although Medicaid benefits and behavioral health services were associated with fewer rearrests and more time in the community, the observed differences were relatively small. Further research is needed to determine how greater reductions in jail recidivism can be achieved for this target population.
Statistical Performance of Convex Tensor Decomposition

We analyze the statistical performance of a recently proposed convex tensor decomposition algorithm. Conventionally tensor decomposition has been formulated as non-convex optimization problems, which hindered the analysis of their performance. We show under some conditions that the mean squared error of the convex method scales linearly with the quantity we call the normalized rank of the true tensor. The current analysis naturally extends the analysis of convex low-rank matrix estimation to tensors. Furthermore, we show through numerical experiments that our theory can precisely predict the scaling behaviour in practice.
Differential Accumulation of Phytohormones in Wheat Seedlings Attacked by Avirulent and Virulent Hessian Fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Larvae

ABSTRACT We analyzed the accumulation of six phytohormones and phytohormone-related compounds in a wheat, Triticum aestivium L. , genotype, ‘Molly’, after attacks by avirulent and virulent Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), larvae, respectively, and we examined the expression of genes in the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway by Northern blot analysis. Compared with uninfested plants, attacks by avirulent larvae resulted in increased accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) by 11.3- and 8.2-fold, 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) by 36.4-and 18.7-fold, 18:3 fatty acid by 4.5- and 2.2-fold, and 18:1 fatty acid by 1.8- and 1.9-fold at 24 and 72 h post-initial attack (hpia), respectively, but an 20% decrease in JA accumulation at 24 hpia at the attack site. Attacks by the virulent larvae did not affect the accumulation of SA, OPDA, and 18:3 and 18:1 fatty acids but dramatically increased the concentration of auxin (AUX) from undetectable in uninfested plants to 381.7 ng/g fresh weight at 24 hpia and 71.0 ng/g fresh weight at 72 hpia in infested plants. Transcript levels of genes encoding lipoxygenase 2, allene oxide synthase, and Arabidopsis storage protein 2 were increased after avirulent larval attacks but decreased after virulent larval attacks. Our results suggest that OPDA and SA may act together in wheat resistance to the Hessian fly, whereas AUX may play a role in the susceptibility of wheat plants. The increased OPDA accumulation after avirulent larval attacks was at least partially regulated through gene transcription.
Echocardiographic assessment of inappropriate left ventricular mass and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with diastolic dysfunction

Background: Early diagnosis of left ventricular mass (LVM) inappropriateness and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) can result in preventing diastolic left ventricular dysfunction and its related morbidity and mortality. This study was performed to determine if diastolic dysfunction is associated with LVH and inappropriate LVM. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty five uncomplicated hypertension from Isfahan Healthy Heart Program underwent two-dimensional echocardiography. Inappropriate LVM was defined as an LVM index greater than 88 g/m2 of body-surface area in women and greater than 102 g/m2 in men. LVH-defined septal and posterior wall thickness greater than 0/9 cm in women and greater than 1 cm in men, respectively. Echocardiographic parameters, including early diastolic peak velocity (E)/late diastolic peak velocity (A), deceleration time (DT), and E/early mitral annulus velocity (E′) were measured. Results: The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure at the patients’ admission day were 142.87 ± 18.12 and 88.45 ± 9.18 mmHg, respectively. Totally, 21.7% of subjects had inappropriate LV mass that moderate and severe abnormal LV mass was revealed in 5.6% and 5.6%, respectively. The mean of age and BMI was significantly higher in patients with moderate left ventricular hypertrophy (P < 0.05). Adjusted by age, gender, BMI, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures, both E/A ratio and deceleration time were higher in those with the severer ventricular hypertrophy. Subjects with severe showed significantly higher BMI 33. 7 ± 3.7 (P < 0.001). There was a slight difference between the grade of diastolic dysfunction and the severity of inappropriate LV mass (P = 0.065). But no significant difference was found between E/A, E/E′, and deceleration time and the level of inappropriate LV mass (P > 0.05). Spearman's Rank test was used to test the correlation between diastolic dysfunction and LV mass (P = 0.025). Conclusion: LVH is correlated with the severity of diastolic dysfunction manifested by the E/A value and deceleration time, but inappropriate LVM can slightly predict diastolic dysfunction severity in uncomplicated hypertension.
The adoption of university library Web site resources: A multigroup analysis

University libraries invest a massive amount of resources in digitizing information for the Web, yet there is growing concern that much of this information is being underutilized. The present study uses the technology acceptance model (TAM) to investigate university library website resources (ULWR) usage. We categorize users based on academic roles and then analyze them as subgroups in order to observe different adoption patterns across groups. A total of 299 usable responses was collected from four different universities and across three populations: undergraduate, master, and doctoral student/faculty groups. The findings show that different library users indeed access ULWR for different reasons, resulting in a need for tailored managerial efforts. Overall, the extended TAM explains undergraduate students' usage best; the explanatory power of the model is significantly lower for the doctoral student/faculty group. Some of the findings challenge results reported in TAM research in other fields. The unexpected findings may result from the application of the model to a different context. Detailed theoretical implications and managerial guidance are offered.