Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk of invasive pneumococcal infections among working age adults with asthma

Background Information about the risk of invasive pneumococcal infection (IPI) among adults with asthma is limited and inconsistent. To evaluate this association, a population-based case–control study was conducted. Methods Cases of IPI (Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from blood or cerebrospinal fluid) were identified through national, population-based laboratory surveillance during 1995–2002. To maximise exclusion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the analysis was limited to patients aged 18–49 years and 10 selected age-, sex- and health district-matched controls for each case from the Population Information System. Information on underlying medical conditions was obtained through linking surveillance data to other national health registries. Asthma requiring ≥1 hospitalisation in the past 12 months was defined as high risk asthma (HRA); low risk asthma (LRA) was defined as entitlement to prescription drug benefits and no hospitalisation for asthma in the past 12 months. Results 1282 patients with IPI and 12 785 control subjects were identified. Overall, 7.1% of cases and 2.5% of controls had asthma (6.0% and 2.4% had LRA whereas 1.1% and 0.1% had HRA, respectively. After adjustment for other independent risk factors in a conditional logistic regression model, IPI was associated with both LRA (matched OR (mOR) 2.8; 95% CI 2.1 to 3.6) and HRA (mOR, 12.3; 95% CI 5.4 to 28.0). The adjusted population-attributable risk was 0.039 (95% CI 0.023 to 0.055) for LRA and 0.01 (95% CI 0.0035 to 0.017) for HRA. Conclusions Working age adults with asthma are at increased risk of IPI. In this population, ∼5% of disease burden could be attributed to asthma. These findings support adding medicated asthma in adults to the list of indications for pneumococcal vaccination.
Flattened Butterfly Topology for On-Chip Networks

With the trend towards increasing number of cores in chip multiprocessors, the on-chip interconnect that connects the cores needs to scale efficiently. In this work, we propose the use of high-radix networks in on-chip interconnection networks and describe how the flattened butterfly topology can be mapped to on-chip networks. By using high-radix routers to reduce the diameter of the network, the flattened butterfly offers lower latency and energy consumption than conventional on-chip topologies. In addition, by exploiting the two dimensional planar VLSI layout, the on-chip flattened butterfly can exploit the bypass channels such that non-minimal routing can be used with minimal impact on latency and energy consumption. We evaluate the flattened butterfly and compare it to alternate on-chip topologies using synthetic traffic patterns and traces and show that the flattened butterfly can increase throughput by up to 50% compared to a concentrated mesh and reduce latency by 28% while reducing the power consumption by 38% compared to a mesh network.
Optimal Lower Bounds for Locality-Sensitive Hashing (Except When q is Tiny)

We study lower bounds for Locality-Sensitive Hashing (LSH) in the strongest setting: point sets in {0,1}<sup>d</sup> under the Hamming distance. Recall that H is said to be an (<i>r</i>, <i>cr</i>, <i>p</i>, <i>q</i>)-sensitive hash family if all pairs <i>x</i>, <i>y</i> ∈ {0,1}<sup>d</sup> with dist(<i>x</i>, <i>y</i>) ≤ <i>r</i> have probability at least <i>p</i> of collision under a randomly chosen <i>h</i> ∈ H, whereas all pairs <i>x</i>, <i>y</i> ∈ {0, 1}<sup>d</sup> with dist(<i>x</i>, <i>y</i>) ≥ <i>cr</i> have probability at most <i>q</i> of collision. Typically, one considers <i>d</i> → ∞, with <i>c</i> > 1 fixed and <i>q</i> bounded away from 0. For its applications to approximate nearest-neighbor search in high dimensions, the quality of an LSH family H is governed by how small its <i>ρ</i> <i>parameter</i> <i>ρ</i> = ln(1/<i>p</i>)/ln(1/<i>q</i>) is as a function of the parameter <i>c</i>. The seminal paper of Indyk and Motwani [1998] showed that for each <i>c</i> ≥ 1, the extremely simple family H = {<i>x</i> ↦ <i>x</i><sub>i</sub> : <i>i</i> ∈ [<i>d</i>]} achieves <i>ρ</i> ≤ 1/<i>c</i>. The only known lower bound, due to Motwani et al. [2007], is that <i>ρ</i> must be at least ( <i>e</i><sup>1/c</sup> - 1)/(<i>e</i><sup>1/c</sup> + 1) ≥ . 46/<i>c</i> (minus <i>o</i><sub>d</sub>(1)). The contribution of this article is twofold. (1) We show the “optimal” lower bound for <i>ρ</i>: it must be at least 1/<i>c</i> (minus <i>o</i><sub>d</sub>(1)). Our proof is very simple, following almost immediately from the observation that the noise stability of a boolean function at time <i>t</i> is a log-convex function of <i>t</i>. (2) We raise and discuss the following issue: neither the application of LSH to nearest-neighbor search nor the known LSH lower bounds hold as stated if the <i>q</i> parameter is tiny. Here, “tiny” means <i>q</i> = 2<sup>-Θ(d)</sup>, a parameter range we believe is natural.
Problem eating attitudes and behaviors in young children.

OBJECTIVE The factor structure of the Children's Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT) and the predictors of problem eating were examined in young boys and girls. METHODS Two hundred and twenty eight children from Grades 2 and 4 completed questionnaires which examined problem eating attitudes and behaviors, body image, and self-concepts. RESULTS Four factors were found for girls and boys. The girls' four factors, Dieting, Food Preoccupation, Social Pressure to Eat, and Restricting and Purging, corresponded closely to previous studies with older girls and women. Four different factors were found for the boys, Global Problems, Dieting versus Purging, Dieting and Food Preoccupation, and Emotional Eating. However, dieting behaviors in both girls and boys were predicted by poorer body image and in boys emotional concerns about eating were predicted by poorer body image and lower self-concepts. DISCUSSION There is still relatively little research that has examined problem eating attitudes and behaviors of boys and men. As boys tend to report infrequent dieting, we may need to focus more on the emotional concerns about eating and becoming overweight as a potential indicator of eating problems in boys.
PICTURE OF THE MONTH Observed Inner-Core Structural Variability in Hurricane Dolly (2008)*

Hurricane Dolly (2008) exhibited dramatic inner-core structural variability during a 6-h rapid in- tensiﬁcation and deepening event just prior to making landfall in southern Texas at 1800 UTC 23 July. In particular, the eyewall was highly asymmetric from 0634–1243 UTC, with azimuthal wavenumber m 5 4–7 patterns in the eyewall radar reﬂectivity and prominent mesovortex and polygonal eyewall signatures. Evi- dence is presented that the most likely cause of the high-wavenumber asymmetries is a convectively modiﬁed form of barotropic instability of the thin eyewall potential vorticity ring. The rapid intensiﬁcation and deepening event occurred while Dolly was in a favorable environment with weak deep-layer vertical wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures; however, the environmental conditions were becoming less fa- vorable during the period of rapid intensiﬁcation. Therefore, it is plausible that the internal vortex dynamics were dominant contributors to the rapid intensiﬁcation and deepening.
TCP-like congestion control for layered multicast data transfer

We present a novel congestion control algorithm suitable for use with cumulative, layered data streams in the MBone. Our algorithm behaves similarly to TCP congestion control algorithms, and shares bandwidth fairly with other instances of the protocol and with TCP flows. It is entirely receiver driven and requires no per-receiver status at the sender, in order to scale to large numbers of receivers. It relies on standard functionalities of multicast routers, and is suitable for continuous stream and reliable bulk data transfer. In the paper we illustrate the algorithm, characterize its response to losses both analytically and by simulations, and analyse its behaviour using simulations and experiments in real networks. We also show how error recovery can be dealt with independently from congestion control by using FEC techniques, so as to provide reliable bulk data transfer.
Association study of the SLITRK5 gene and Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome (TS) and obsessive–compulsive disorder commonly occur together. Family studies indicate shared genetic risk factors. SLITRK5, one of a family of six SLITRK genes, has been suggested as a possible candidate gene contributing towards obsessive–compulsive disorder on the basis of the mouse knockout model that shows excessive grooming behaviours that are alleviated with fluoxetine. In this study, we tested the SLITRK5 gene as a candidate for TS in a family-based sample with 377 affected children. Using single nucleotide polymorphisms tagging the gene, we did not find any evidence supporting the association of TS and SLITRK5.
Gene expression analysis identifies over‐expression of CXCL1, SPARC, SPP1, and SULF1 in gastric cancer

To elucidate gene expression signatures associated with gastric carcinogenesis, we performed a genome‐wide expression analysis of 46 Finnish and 20 Japanese gastric tissues. Comparative analysis between Finnish and Japanese datasets identified 58 common genes that were differentially expressed between cancerous and non‐neoplastic gastric tissues. Twenty‐six of these genes were up‐regulated in cancer and 32 down‐regulated. Of these genes, 64% were also differentially expressed in another unrelated publicly available dataset. The expression levels of four of the up‐regulated genes, CXCL1, SPARC, SPP1 and SULF, were further analyzed in 82 gastric tissues using quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR. This analysis validated the results from the microarray analysis as the expression of these four genes was significantly higher in the cancerous tissue compared with the normal tissue (fold change 3.4–8.9). Over‐expression of CXCL1 also positively correlated with improved survival. To conclude, irrespective of the microarray platform or patient population, a common gastric cancer gene expression signature of 58 genes, including CXCL1, SPARC, SPP1, and SULF, was identified. These genes represent potential biomarkers for gastric cancer. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A realistic fault model and test algorithms for static random access memories

Testing static random access memories (SRAMs) for all possible failures is not feasible and one must restrict the class of faults to be considered. This restricted class is called a fault model. A fault model for SRAMs based on physical spot defects, which are modeled as local disturbances in the layout of the SRAM, is presented. Two linear test algorithms that cover 100% of the faults under the fault model are proposed. A general solution is given for testing word-oriented SRAMs. The practical validity of the fault model and the two test algorithms are verified by a large number of actual wafer tests and device failure analyses. >
Modeling Workload Impact in Multiple Unmanned Vehicle Supervisory Control

Discrete-event simulations for futuristic unmanned vehicle (UV) systems enable a cost- and time-effective methodology for evaluating various autonomy and human-automation design parameters. Operator mental workload is an important factor to consider in such models. We suggest that the effects of operator workload on system performance can be modeled in such a simulation environment through a quantitative relation between operator attention and utilization, i.e., operator busy time used as a surrogate real-time workload measure. To validate our model, a heterogeneous UV simulation experiment was conducted with 74 participants. Performance-based measures of attention switching delays were incorporated in the discrete-event simulation model by UV wait times due to operator attention inefficiencies (WTAIs). Experimental results showed that WTAI is significantly associated with operator utilization (UT) such that high UT levels correspond to higher wait times. The inclusion of this empirical UT-WTAI relation in the discrete-event simulation model of multiple UV supervisory control resulted in more accurate replications of data, as well as more accurate predictions for alternative UV team structures. These results have implications for the design of future human-UV systems, as well as more general multiple task supervisory control models.
Spectral segmentation with multiscale graph decomposition

We present a multiscale spectral image segmentation algorithm. In contrast to most multiscale image processing, this algorithm works on multiple scales of the image in parallel, without iteration, to capture both coarse and fine level details. The algorithm is computationally efficient, allowing to segment large images. We use the normalized cut graph partitioning framework of image segmentation. We construct a graph encoding pairwise pixel affinity, and partition the graph for image segmentation. We demonstrate that large image graphs can be compressed into multiple scales capturing image structure at increasingly large neighborhood. We show that the decomposition of the image segmentation graph into different scales can be determined by ecological statistics on the image grouping cues. Our segmentation algorithm works simultaneously across the graph scales, with an inter-scale constraint to ensure communication and consistency between the segmentations at each scale. As the results show, we incorporate long-range connections with linear-time complexity, providing high-quality segmentations efficiently. Images that previously could not be processed because of their size have been accurately segmented thanks to this method.
Teachers’ Perceptions of Citizenship and Citizenship Education: A Comparative Study

This study examines citizenship education policy and practice as they are perceived by teachers in three different societies — the United States, England, and Hong Kong. Through a secondary analysis of the teacher data in Civics Education Study (CIVED), conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), it identifies similarities and differences in teachers' beliefs and perceptions of citizenship, citizenship education, their professional preparation for their work as civic teachers, and their teaching practices. Six research questions have guided this investigation which was grounded on the literature of models of citizenship and of global vs. national cultural factors affecting education systems. The findings reveal strong consensus among teachers in the three countries suggesting that civics education matters a great deal for students' political development and for their countries. Teachers, also, in the three countries, do not demonstrate a great deal of differentiation among the citizenship models and categories prescribed in the literature. For the teaching practices, the study presents that indirect teacher-centered methods dominate civics education classrooms, and that political socialization in the form of knowledge transmission is the most emphasized objective in these countries' schools. The study concludes with recommendations to education policy-makers to consider teachers' suggestion of the need to improve the quality of civics materials and sufficient training. The study, also, suggests diversifying the data of the future IEA studies in civics by incorporating qualitative and quantitative data that aim to explain the process of teaching and learning, and the educational outcomes as well. Finally, it recommends that cross-national studies need to consider and theorize as much about similarities and common features among various educational systems as they currently do for the differences among these systems. Also, it suggests a need to develop a more inclusive theoretical framework of citizenship.
Constructing a New Theory From Old Ideas and New Evidence

A central tenet of constructivist models of conceptual development is that children's initial conceptual level constrains how they make sense of new evidence and thus whether exposure to evidence will prompt conceptual change. Yet little experimental evidence directly examines this claim for the case of sustained, fundamental conceptual achievements. The present study combined scaling and experimental microgenetic methods to examine the processes underlying conceptual change in the context of an important conceptual achievement of early childhood-the development of a representational theory of mind. Results from 47 children (M age=3.7 years) indicate that only children who were conceptually close to understanding false belief at the beginning of the study, and who were experimentally exposed to evidence of people acting on false beliefs, reliably developed representational theories of minds. Combined scaling and microgenetic data revealed how prior conceptual level interacts with experience, thereby providing critical experimental evidence for how conceptual change results from the interplay between conceptions and evidence.
Resilience and Motivation in Two Ethnic Minority Populations.

ABSTRACT Two studies are reviewed that have uncovered how the motivational patterns of resilient African American and Hispanic adolescents differ from their nonresilient counterparts. The first study found that resilient African American adolescents differed from their nonresilient counterparts in having a stronger cognitive motivational pattern of the four motivational dimensions of ability, environmental support, control, and importance and emphasis. The resilient African American students also placed more emphasis on extracurricular activities and on material gain. Resilient Hispanic adolescents also had motivational patterns that differed from their counterparts. Resilient Hispanic students believed more in their cognitive abilities than the nonresilient adolescents and they placed less of an emphasis on belongingness than their nonresilient counterparts. Resilient African American students had a more robust cognitive motivational pattern, being firmer in purpose and outlook, than the resilient Hispanic adolescents, whose motivational pattern could still be described as tenacious. In both ethnic groups, resilient students believed in the importance of material gain. These studies represent an initial exploration into the motivational patterns of resilience among ethnic groups. (Contains 2 figures and 13 references.) (SLD)
Convergence of Self-Report Scales and Rorschach Indexes of Psychological Distress: The Moderating Role of Self-Disclosure

In this study, we addressed the weak associations found in research between self-report measures and the Rorschach test (Exner, 1978, 1991), from the perspective of Bornstein's (2002) “process dissociation framework. ” Specifically, in the study, we focused on the associations between self-report measures of psychological distress and their corresponding Rorschach indexes while inspecting the moderating role of self-disclosure. A total of 59, nonpatient Israeli adults participated in a 2-session study. In the first session, they completed self-report scales measuring self-disclosure and psychological distress (suicidality, depression, and loneliness). In the second session, the Rorschach test was administered and coded. The participants were divided into high and low self-disclosure groups. A convergence between self-report and Rorschach measures of psychological distress was found only among high self-disclosers. In the discussion, we address the theoretical and clinical implications of these findings.
Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure and Performance: A Meta-Analytic Approach

Currently, a lack of consensus exists in the literature on the link between performance and corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD). A meta-analysis was carried out to shed light on this controversial topic, using the ABI/Inform Complete and EconLit databases as search tools. To isolate articles with substantive, methodological relevance, various filters were used. In addition to other criteria, all articles had to contain certain keywords related to the study’s variables and at least one of the seven keywords indicating empirical data analysis. As a result of this procedure, the meta-analysis included only 95 articles. To process the sample, we employed the procedure developed by Hunter and Schmidt. The results show that the CSRD-performance relationship is not significant enough for practical purposes. However, an analysis of moderating variables revealed that the connection becomes of practical importance when moderated by three key variables: region, type of disclosure, and measures of organization size. This research’s findings make a significant contribution by clarifying the links between CSRD and performance and identifying which variables can explain the diverse results of previous research. Regarding limitations, the meta-analysis was subject to the availability of published research and included only studies that reported Pearson correlation coefficients and standardized beta coefficients.
Power Imbalances, Food Insecurity, and Children’s Rights in Canada

Increasingly, food is provided through an industrial food system that separates people from the source of their food and results in high rates of food insecurity, particularly for the most vulnerable in society. A lack of food is a symptom of a lack of power in a system that privileges free market principles over social justice and the protection of human rights. In Canada, the high rates of food insecurity among Canadian children is a reflection of their lack of power and the disregard of their human rights, despite the adoption of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991 and ratification of the International Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights in 1976, which established the right to food for all Canadians. Dueling tensions between human rights and market forces underpin this unacceptable state of affairs in Canada. Gaventa’s “power cube” that describes different facets of power – including spaces, levels, and forms – is used to help understand the power imbalances that underlie this injustice. The analysis considers the impact of neoliberal free market principles on the realization of human rights, and the negative impacts this can have on health and well-being for the most vulnerable in society. Canadian case studies from both community organizations provide examples of how power can be shifted to achieve more inclusive, rights-based policy and action. Given increased global pressures toward more open trade markets and national austerity measures that hollow out social supports, Canada provides a cautionary tale for countries in the EU and the US, and for overall approaches to protect the most vulnerable in society.
Fluid approximation of CTMC with deterministic delays Supplementary online material

Disclaimer: This document is a self-managed online supplementary material of the paper “Fluid approximation of CTMC with deterministic delays”, by L. Bortolussi and J. Hillston, published at QEST 2012. This is an updated version of the original document, fixing a problem with the proof of Lemma IV.2, which has been discovered after a discussion with Richard Hayden and Miklos Telek, which we thank for having drawn our attention on the Lemma’s proof.