Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tobacco industry denormalisation as a tobacco control intervention: a review

Objective To conduct a review of research examining the effects of tobacco industry denormalisation (TID) on smoking-related and attitude-related outcomes. Methods The authors searched Pubmed and Scopus databases for articles published through December 2010 (see figure 1). We included all peer-reviewed TID studies we could locate that measured smoking-related outcomes and attitudes toward the tobacco industry. Exclusion criteria included: non-English language, focus on tobacco use rather than TID, perceived ad efficacy as sole outcome, complex program interventions without a separately analysable TID component and non peer-reviewed literature. We analysed the literature qualitatively and summarised findings by outcome measured. Results After excluding articles not meeting the search criteria, the authors reviewed 60 studies examining TID and 9 smoking-related outcomes, including smoking prevalence, smoking initiation, intention to smoke and intention to quit. The authors also reviewed studies of attitudes towards the tobacco industry and its regulation. The majority of studies suggest that TID is effective in reducing smoking prevalence and initiation and increasing intentions to quit. Evidence is mixed for some other outcomes, but some of the divergent findings may be explained by study designs. Conclusions A robust body of evidence suggests that TID is an effective tobacco control intervention at the population level that has a clear exposure–response effect. TID may also contribute to other tobacco control outcomes not explored in this review (including efforts to ‘directly erode industry power’), and thus may enhance public support and political will for structural reforms to end the tobacco epidemic.
Crystallization behavior and tensile performance of nanoparticle-filled polypropylene composites

Polypropylene nanocomposites containing 1–5 wt% of nano α-alumina particles are prepared using a Hake internal mixer. Mixing of nano α-alumina particles is performed at 170℃ and 50 rotational per minute is set for the rotor speed. To improve the dispersion of the nanoparticles, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate is used. X-ray analyses reveal that the basal spacing of polypropylene/nano α-Al2O3 composites compared to the pure polypropylene spreads out. The peak intensity for polypropylene / nano α-Al2O3 composites is stronger and narrower with larger amounts of the nano α-Al2O3 filler, in comparison with the virgin polypropylene. According to differential scanning calorimetry, the crystallinity of the nanocomposites is increased with increases in nano α-Al2O3 filler loading. The storage and loss modulus of the nanocomposites are found to be higher than that of pure polypropylene, because nanofiller increases the stiffness of the nanocomposites. The tensile strength and tensile modulus of the polypropylene nanocomposites are slightly improved up to 4% of nano α-Al2O3 particle filler adding. The addition of filler content higher than that amount leads to the reduction of these properties. The formation of filler agglomeration site within the matrix body affects the decreasing of properties. Transmission electron microscopy observations confirm these results.
Evaluating Critiquing-based Recommender Agents

We describe a user study evaluating two critiquing-based recommender agents based on three criteria: decision accuracy. decision effort, and user confidence. Results show that user-motivated critiques were more frequently applied and the example critiquing system employing only this type of critiques achieved the best results. In particular, the example critiquing agent significantly improves users' decision accuracy with less cognitive effort consumed than the dynamic critiquing recommender with system-proposed critiques. Additionally, the former is more likely to inspire users' confidence of their choice and promote their intention to purchase and return to the agent for future use.
Distributed Detection Over Adaptive Networks: Refined Asymptotics and the Role of Connectivity

We consider distributed detection problems over adaptive networks, where dispersed agents learn continually from streaming data by means of local interactions. The requirement of adaptation allows the network of detectors to track drifts in the underlying hypothesis. The requirement of cooperation allows each agent to deliver a performance superior to what would be obtained if it were acting individually. The simultaneous requirements of adaptation and cooperation are achieved by employing diffusion algorithms with constant step-size μ. By conducting a refined asymptotic analysis based on the mathematical framework of exact asymptotics, we arrive at a revealing understanding of the universal behavior of distributed detection over adaptive networks: as functions of 1/μ, the error (log-)probability curves corresponding to different agents stay nearly-parallel to each other, however, these curves are ordered following a criterion reflecting the degree of connectivity of each agent. Depending on the combination weights, the more connected an agent is, the lower its error probability curve will be. The analysis provides explicit analytical formulas for the detection error probabilities and these expressions are also verified by means of extensive simulations. We further enlarge the reference setting from the case of doubly-stochastic combination matrices considered in [1] and [2] to the more general and demanding setting of right-stochastic combination matrices; this extension poses new and interesting questions in terms of the interplay between the network topology, the combination weights, and the inference performance. The potential of the proposed methods is illustrated by application of the results to canonical detection problems, to typical network topologies, for both doubly-stochastic and right-stochastic combination matrices. Interesting and somehow unexpected behaviors emerge, and the lesson learned is that connectivity matters.
Memory and amnesia.

ence. Recently the topic has benefited by convergent research in several scientific fields, such as cellular neurobiology, systems neuroanatomy, behavioral neurology, neuropsychology, and cognitive science. 1-6 In this issue of thejournal, Erickson offers an interesting and informative overview of memory research as it relates to the analysis of amnestic disorders. No one article can provide an extensive review of the manifold issues and findings related to amnestic disorders; yet, the article does touch on many ofthe central topics currently at hand. In thefollowing paragraphs, I highlight some of these central topics and address others that were not mentioned. One of the most striking findings in the past decade has been the evidence of multiple memory systems in the brain.4'5 A circumscribed amnestic disorder can occur in patients with bilateral damage to the medial temporal area (hippocampus, entorhinal cortex) or to the diencephalic midline (thalamic nuclei, mamillary nuclei). Anoxic-ischemic injury, viral encephalitis, Korsakoff's syndrome, and thalamic infarcts can produce a severe and rather selective
Communicating Shared Knowledge in Infancy

Object-directed emotion expressions provide two types of information: They can convey the expressers’ person-specific subjective disposition toward objects, or they can be used communicatively as referential symbolic devices to convey culturally shared valence-related knowledge about referents that can be generalized to other individuals. By presenting object-directed emotion expressions in communicative versus noncommunicative contexts, we demonstrated that 18-month-olds can flexibly assign either a person-centered interpretation or an object-centered interpretation to referential emotion displays. When addressed by ostensive signals of communication, infants generalized their object-centered interpretation of the emotion display to other individuals as well, whereas in the noncommunicative emotion-expression context, they attributed to the emoting agent a person-specific subjective dispositional attitude without generalizing this attribution as relevant to other individuals. The findings indicate that, as proposed by natural pedagogy theory, infants are prepared to learn shared cultural knowledge from nonverbal communicative demonstrations addressed to them at a remarkably early age.
Analysis and impact of delays in ambulance to emergency department handovers

Delays in the clinical handover of patient care from emergency medical services (EMS) to the ED because of ED crowding are a substantial problem for many EMS systems. This study was conducted to quantify handover delays experienced by the Ambulance Service of New South Wales (ASNSW), and to investigate patient and system factors associated with handover delay.
Large Deviations for Mixtures

The results discussed here are most easily described in words using Bayesian terminology. For each $n$, there are probability distributions for the data conditional on a parameter, and there is also a prior distribution for the parameter. Integrating out, using the prior, gives the (unconditional) distribution for the data, for each $n$. The question considered here is when large deviation principles for the conditional distributions and for the prior distributions imply a large deviation principle for the unconditional distributions. Chaganty (1997) also considered this question, but under stronger assumptions. The treatment here follows that of Dinwoodie and Zabell (1992) who, motivated by exchangeability, considered the case where the prior does not vary with $n$.
Renormalizing a BRST-invariant composite operator of mass dimension 2 in Yang-Mills theory

We discuss the renormalization of a BRST and anti-BRST invariant composite operator of mass dimension 2 in Yang-Mills theory with the general BRST and anti-BRST invariant gauge fixing term of the Lorentz type. The interest of this study stems from a recent claim that the non-vanishing vacuum condensate of the composite operator in question can be an origin of mass gap and quark confinement in any manifestly covariant gauge, as proposed by one of the authors. First, we obtain the renormalization group flow of the Yang-Mills theory. Next, we show the multiplicative renormalizability of the composite operator and that the BRST and anti-BRST invariance of the bare composite operator is preserved under the renormalization. Third, we perform the operator product expansion of the gluon and ghost propagators and obtain the Wilson coefficient corresponding to the vacuum condensate of mass dimension 2. Finally, we discuss the connection of this work with the previous works and argue the physical implications of the obtained results.
Sequential importance sampling for multiway tables

We describe an algorithm for the sequential sampling of entries in multiway contingency tables with given constraints. The algorithm can be used for computations in exact conditional inference. To justify the algorithm, a theory relates sampling values at each step to properties of the associated toric ideal using computational commutative algebra. In particular, the property of interval cell counts at each step is related to exponents on lead indeterminates of a lexicographic Grobner basis. Also, the approximation of integer programming by linear programming for sampling is related to initial terms of a toric ideal. We apply the algorithm to examples of contingency tables which appear in the social and medical sciences. The numerical results demonstrate that the theory is applicable and that the algorithm performs well.
A value sensitive action-reflection model: evolving a co-design space with stakeholder and designer prompts

We introduce a design method for evolving a co-design space to support stakeholders untrained in design. Specifically, the purpose of the method is to expand and shape a co-design space so that stakeholders, acting as designers, focus not only on the form and function of a tool being envisioned but also on the social context of its use and values that lie with individuals, groups, and societies. The method introduces value sensitive stakeholder prompts and designer prompts into a co-design process, creating a particular kind of reflection-on-action cycle. The prompts provide a means for bringing empirical data on values and theoretical perspective into the co-design process. We present the method in terms of a general model, the Value Sensitive Action-Reflection Model; place the model within discourse on co-design spaces; and illustrate the model with a discussion of its application in a lo-fi prototyping activity around safety for homeless young people. We conclude with reflections on the model and method.
Prescribing Indicators for Evaluating Drug Use in Nursing Homes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate drug use in 2 Dutch nursing homes (254 residents) by developing and evaluating prescribing indicators based on pharmacy prescription data. METHODS: We evaluated the prescribing of benzodiazepines, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ulcer-healing drugs, and diuretics. Prescribing indicators were used to identify prescribing that was potentially not in line with recommendations in national and regional prescribing guidelines. We used both descriptive indicators, such as the number and percentage of users, and indicators reflecting potentially suboptimal prescribing, such as use of drugs outside the regional drug formulary, use of >1 drug from the same drug class, and prescription of drug dosages above recommended values. When potentially suboptimal prescribing was found, we verified the findings by means of an interview with 1 of the prescribers. RESULTS: The prescribing indicators we assessed were generally in agreement with national and regional guidelines. However, prescribing of NSAIDs without concomitant prescribing of gastroprotective drugs was found in a relatively high number of patients. After prescriber interview and patient chart review, it was found that some prescribing indicators, such as dosages above recommended values, were not always indicative for suboptimal prescribing. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study showed that prescribing indicators based solely on pharmacy prescription data can be a useful tool to evaluate drug prescribing. With some of these prescribing indicators, we identified cases of potentially suboptimal prescribing. However, with other indicators such as those based on drug dosages, we could not identify suboptimal prescribing, and clinical information from the prescriber was necessary to get insight into the appropriateness of prescribing.
Non-invasive mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: correlates for success.

BACKGROUND--Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is increasingly used in the treatment of acute respiratory failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to identify simple parameters to predict the success of this technique. METHODS--Fifty nine episodes of acute respiratory failure in 47 patients with COPD treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation were analysed, considering each one as successful (78%) or unsuccessful (22%) according to survival and to the need for endotracheal intubation. RESULTS--Pneumonia was the cause of acute respiratory failure in 38% of the unsuccessful episodes but only in 9% of the successful ones. Success with non-invasive mechanical ventilation was associated with less severely abnormal baseline clinical and functional parameters, and with less severe levels of acidosis assessed during an initial trial of non-invasive mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS--The severity of the episode of acute respiratory failure as assessed by clinical and functional compromise, and the level of acidosis and hypercapnia during an initial trial of non-invasive mechanical ventilation, have an influence on the likelihood for success with non-invasive mechanical ventilation and may prove to be useful in deciding whether to continue with this treatment.
The Temporalis Pocket Technique for Cochlear Implantation: An Anatomic and Clinical Study

Objective: To describe the surgical anatomy and clinical outcomes of a technique for securing cochlear implant receiver/stimulators (R/S). Receiver/stimulators are generally secured by drilling a custom-fit seat and suture-retaining holes in the skull. However, rare intracranial complications and R/S migration have been reported with this standard method. Newer R/S designs feature a low profile and larger, rigid flat bottoms in which drilling a seat may be less appropriate. We report a technique for securing the R/S without drilling bone. Study Design: Anatomic: Forty-eight half-heads were studied. Digital photography and morphometric analysis demonstrated anatomic boundaries of the subpericranial pocket (t-pocket). Clinical: Retrospective series of 227 consecutive Cochlear implant recipients implanted during a 2-year period using either the t-pocket or standard technique. The main outcome measures were rates of R/S migration and intracranial complications. Minimum follow-up was 12 months. Results: The t-pocket is limited anteriorly by dense condensations of pericranium anteriorly at the temporal-parietal suture, posteroinferiorly at the lamdoid suture, and anteroinferiorly by the bony ridge of the squamous suture. One hundred seventy-one subjects were implanted using the t-pocket technique and 56 using the standard technique, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. There were no cases of migration or intracranial complications in either group. Conclusion: The t-pocket secures the R/S with anatomically consistent strong points of fixation while precluding dural complications. There were no cases of migration or intracranial complication noted. Further trials and device-specific training with this technique are necessary before it is widely adopted.
Maternal serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A and free β‐human chorionic gonadotrophin in pregnancies conceived with fresh and frozen‐thawed embryos from in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Maternal serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) and free β‐human chorionic gonadotrophin (β‐hCG) are useful markers in the screening of Down syndrome in the first trimester. We investigated the effect of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), freezing and thawing of embryos on the levels of these two analytes in assisted reproduction pregnancies.
Aneuploidy Detection in Pigs Using Comparative Genomic Hybridization: From the Oocytes to Blastocysts

Data on the frequency of aneuploidy in farm animals are lacking and there is the need for a reliable technique which is capable of detecting all chromosomes simultaneously in a single cell. With the employment of comparative genomic hybridization coupled with the whole genome amplification technique, this study brings new information regarding the aneuploidy of individual chromosomes in pigs. Focus is directed on in vivo porcine blastocysts and late morulas, 4.7% of which were found to carry chromosomal abnormality. Further, ploidy abnormalities were examined using FISH in a sample of porcine embryos. True polyploidy was relatively rare (1.6%), whilst mixoploidy was presented in 46.8% of embryos, however it was restricted to only a small number of cells per embryo. The combined data indicates that aneuploidy is not a prevalent cause of embryo mortality in pigs.
Regional European differences in allele and genotype frequencies of low density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1 polymorphism in Alzheimer's disease

The low density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1 (LRP1 gene) is a candidate gene for Alzheimer's disease (AD), because it is a ligand for proteins involved in AD pathogenesis, such as apolipoprotein E (APOE), α2‐macroglobulin (A2M), amyloid precursor protein (APP), and is located on chromosome 12, within a region linked with AD. An association between a silent polymorphism (C/T) in exon 3 and late onset AD has been reported, with an increased frequency of the C allele, although with conflicting results. We examined this polymorphism in a cohort of 166 sporadic AD patients and 225 sex‐ and age‐matched nondemented controls from Southern Italy. No statistically significant differences were found in LRP1 genotype and allele frequencies between the whole AD sample and controls, nor in early‐ and late‐onset subsets of AD patients. No statistically significant differences in frequencies between LRP1 alleles and AD among APOE allele, age, or gender strata were found. Finally, comparing our results with the findings from other European populations, the LRP1 C allele frequency showed a statistically significant decreasing trend from Northern to Southern regions of Europe, with a concomitant increase in LRP1 T allele frequency, but in AD patients only. Finally, in the AD sample, a decreasing geographical trend from North to South of Europe was found for LRP1 CC genotype, and an inverse trend for LRP1 CT genotype frequency. We suggest that these regional variations in LRP1 genotype and allele frequencies in AD could be related to the different patterns of association between this polymorphism and the disease in various European studies. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Arginine: Its pKa value revisited

Using complementary approaches of potentiometry and NMR spectroscopy, we have determined that the equilibrium acid dissociation constant (pKa value) of the arginine guanidinium group is 13.8 ± 0.1. This is substantially higher than that of ∼12 often used in structure‐based electrostatics calculations and cited in biochemistry textbooks. The revised intrinsic pKa value helps explains why arginine side chains in proteins are always predominantly charged, even at pH values as great as 10. The high pKa value also reinforces the observation that arginine side chains are invariably protonated under physiological conditions of near neutral pH. This occurs even when the guanidinium moiety is buried in a hydrophobic micro‐environment, such as that inside a protein or a lipid membrane, thought to be incompatible with the presence of a charged group.
Effective communication and computation overlap with hybrid MPI/SMPSs

Communication overhead is one of the dominant factors affecting performance in high-performance computing systems. To reduce the negative impact of communication, programmers overlap communication and computation by using asynchronous communication primitives. This increases code complexity, requiring more development effort and making less readable programs. This paper presents the hybrid use of MPI and SMPSs (SMP superscalar, a task-based shared-memory programming model) that allows the programmer to easily introduce the asynchrony necessary to overlap communication and computation. We demonstrate the hybrid use of MPI/SMPSs with the high-performance LINPACK benchmark (HPL), and compare it to the pure MPI implementation, which uses the look-ahead technique to overlap communication and computation. The hybrid MPI/SMPSs version significantly improves the performance of the pure MPI version, getting close to the asymptotic performance at medium problem sizes and still getting significant benefits at small/large problem sizes.