Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Actor Alignments In European Union Decision Making

What is the structure of the political space in which decision-making actors operate in the European Union? Are there consistent alignments of actors? This article addresses these questions by examining a new data set containing information on the pref- erences of the Commission, the Member States and the European Parliament on 174 issues raised during talks on 70 recent Commission proposals. To a limited extent, the preference alignments can be described in terms of two underlying dimensions. However, these con- ceptual structures are weak. The first dimension is defined by the position of the European Commission and European Parliament at one end and the reference point at the other; the second dimension by a division between the Northern and Southern Member States. The meaning of these dimensions is investigated by identifying the substance of the policy issues on which these actor alignments are found. The Commission-reference point dimension is interpreted in terms of policy change rather than, as has previously been suggested, the level of integration. The North-South dimension corresponds to diverging views on the use of regulatory versus market-based solutions to policy problems. The weakness of these con- ceptual structures, it is argued, is due to the sectoral nature of European Union decision making. This lack of structure is likely to have a positive effect on support for the system among its members, since the benign effects of ideology at the national level cannot be expected to apply at the European Union level.
African American religious participation: A multi-sample comparison

Sociodemographic correlates of religious participation among African Americans are examined using data from seven national probability surveys. Dependent variables included indicators of organizational (i.e., religious service attendance), nonorganizational (e.g., frequency of prayer, frequency of reading religious materials, watching/listening to religious programming), and subjective (e.g., spiritual comfort and support, importance of religious or spiritual beliefs, importance of religion) religious participation. Regression analyses indicate that religious participation varies systematically by gender, age, region, marital status, and denominational affiliation. The findings are discussed in relation to research on religious participation among African Americans.
Overview of the TREC 2009 Web Track

Abstract : The TRECWeb Track explores and evaluates Web retrieval technologies. Currently, the Web Track conducts experiments using the new billion-page ClueWeb09 collection. The TREC 2009 Web Track includes both a traditional ad hoc retrieval task and a new diversity task. The goal of this diversity task is to return a ranked list of pages that together provide complete coverage for a query, while avoiding excessive redundancy in the result list. Topics for the track were created from the logs of a commercial search engine, with the aid of tools developed at Microsoft Research. Given a target query, these tools extracted and analyzed groups of related queries, using co-clicks and other information, to identify clusters of queries that highlight different aspects and interpretations of the target query. These clusters were employed by NIST for topic development. Each resulting topic is structured as a representative set of subtopics, each related to a different user need. Documents were judged with respect to the subtopics, as well as with respect to the topic as a whole. For each subtopic, NIST assessors made a binary judgment as to whether or not the document satisfies the information need associated with the subtopic. These topics were used for both the ad hoc task and the diversity task. A total of 26 groups submitted runs to the track, with many groups participating in both tasks. This report provides an overview of the track, including topic development, evaluation measures, and results.
Evolution in a Variable Environment

We develop a general model for the effects of variation in reproductive success on gene-frequency change and phenotypic evolution. Our approach is based on distinguishing among individual, genotypic, and population-level reproductive success and on relating these three levels through correlations. For example, the variance of genotypic reproductive success can be expressed by individual-level variance and by the correlations among individuals. We use these correlations to show the simple relationship among earlier models of selection on the variance of reproductive success, of temporal variation in selection, of spatial variation in selection, and of variation in behavioral traits. Our approach also applies to diploid individuals by regarding diploidy as a way to induce correlations in reproductive success between pairs of alleles. We apply our method to patterns of developmental homeostasis, the evolution of iteroparity, and the effects of variability in resource acquisition under nonlinear gains. Finally, we discuss the uses and limitations of the geometric-mean principle, and we provide a precise description and formal methods of analysis for bet hedging and risk aversion
Wavelet transform filtering and nonlinear anisotropic diffusion assessed for signal reconstruction performance on multidimensional biomedical data

Computer tomography (CT) techniques are the most widely applicable noninvasive methods for obtaining two- and three-dimensional insights into biological objects. They comprise CT for medical applications, as well as electron tomography used for investigating macromolecular and cellular specimens. Recent advances in the recording schemes improve the speed and resolution frontiers and provide new insights into structural organizations of different objects. However, many data sets suffer from a poor signal-to-noise ratio, which severely hinders the application of methods for automated data analysis, such as feature extraction, segmentation, and visualization. The authors propose the multidimensional implementation of two powerful signal reconstruction techniques, namely invariant wavelet filtering and nonlinear anisotropic diffusion. They establish quantitative measures to assess the signal reconstruction performance on synthetic data and biomedical images. The appropriate multidimensional implementations of wavelet and diffusion techniques allow for a superior performance over conventional noise-reduction methods. The authors derive the conditions for the choice between wavelet and diffusion techniques with respect to an optimal signal reconstruction performance. Results of applying the proposed methods in two very different imaging domains-molecular biology and clinical research-are provided.
Comparative study of clinicofunctional staging of oral submucous fibrosis with qualitative analysis of collagen fibers under polarizing microscopy.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to assess the severity of the disease in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), correlate the clinical, functional staging with histopathological staging, and analyze collagen distribution in different stages of OSF using the picrosirius red stain under polarizing microscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included randomly incorporated 50 subjects, of whom 40 were patients with OSF, and 10 were in the control group. Clinical, functional staging in OSF cases was done depending upon definite criteria. A histopathological study was conducted using the hematoxylin and eosin stain and picrosirius red stain. Collagen fibers were analyzed for thickness and polarizing colors. Furthermore, clinical, functional, and histopathological stages were compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Descriptive data which included mean, SD, and percentages were calculated for each group. Categorical data were analyzed by the chi-square test. Multiple group comparisons were made by one-way ANOVA followed by Student's t-test for pairwise comparisons. For all tests, a P-value of 0.05 or less was considered for statistical significance. RESULTS As the severity of the disease increased, clinically, there was definite progression in subjective and objective symptoms. Polarized microscopic, examination revealed, there was a gradual decrease in the green-greenish yellow color of the fibers and a shift to orange red-red color with increase in severity of the disease. Thereby, it appeared that the tight packing of collagen fibers in OSF progressively increased as the disease progressed from early to advanced stages. We observed that the comparison of functional staging with histopathological staging was a more reliable indicator of the severity of the disease. CONCLUSION In the present study, we observed that mouth opening was restricted with advancing stages of OSF. The investigation also points to the importance of assessing the cases of OSF, especially with regard to functional and histological staging in planning the treatment.
ON THE FEASIBILITY OF THE LINEAR SAMPLING METHOD FOR 3D GPR SURVEYS

We discuss the applicability of the Linear Sampling Method (LSM) to GPR surveys carried out using array-based conflgurations. Since the images achieved via LSM are known to get worse when using a small number of antennas and a limited aperture, we introduce an analytic tool to foresee the expected LSM performance for a flxed array size and number of antennas. Notably, such a tool allows us to support (and appraise) the adoption of LSM to data collected with short arrays moved above the investigated domain, which is the conflguration most viable in applications.
Psychological Assessment Development of an Abbreviated Form of the Penn Line Orientation Test Using Large Samples and Computerized Adaptive Test Simulation

© 2014 American Psychological Association. Objective: The Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (CNB) was designed to measure performance accuracy and speed on specific neurobehavioral domains using tests that were previously validated with functional neuroimaging. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the neuropsychological theory used to construct the CNB by confirming the factor structure of the tests composing it. Method: In a large community sample (N = 9,138; age range 8-21), we performed a correlated-traits confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) on the 12 CNB measures of Efficiency
Investigation of the chronic pulmonary effects of low-dose oral methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective study incorporating HRCT scanning and pulmonary function tests.

OBJECTIVE Methotrexate has a well-recognized side-effect of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis. There is concern about whether chronic pulmonary toxicity can occur with methotrexate treatment. Our objective was to compare chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings and serial pulmonary function tests in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients on methotrexate with findings for a control group of patients with RA who were not being treated with methotrexate. METHODS Study patients had an initial chest radiograph, full pulmonary function tests and chest HRCT. Pulmonary function tests were then performed regularly over a 2-yr period. RESULTS Fifty-five RA patients on methotrexate and 73 control patients with RA were enrolled for the study. Mean dose of methotrexate was 10.7 mg/week (S.D. 2.5 mg/week) and mean duration of treatment at entry into the study was 30 (20) months. Twenty per cent of patients with RA treated with methotrexate had pulmonary fibrosis (PF) on initial HRCT compared with 23% in the control group. When the patients with and without PF were compared, there was no statistical difference in the duration (mean difference -4.18 months, P=0.237) or dose (mean difference -0.8 mg/week P=0.52) of methotrexate therapy. Mean changes after 2 yr in forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity, diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide and residual volumes were not different in the methotrexate group compared with the control group. CONCLUSION There is no evidence to suggest clinically, from HRCT assessment or serial pulmonary function tests, that low-dose methotrexate is associated with chronic interstitial lung disease.
Metacarpal torsion in apes, humans, and early Australopithecus: implications for manipulatory abilities

Human hands, when compared to that of apes, have a series of adaptations to facilitate manipulation. Numerous studies have shown that Australopithecus afarensis and Au. africanus display some of these adaptations, such as a longer thumb relative to the other fingers, asymmetric heads on the second and fifth metacarpals, and orientation of the second metacarpal joints with the trapezium and capitate away from the sagittal plane, while lacking others such as a very mobile fifth metacarpal, a styloid process on the third, and a flatter metacarpo-trapezium articulation, suggesting some adaptation to manipulation but more limited than in humans. This paper explores variation in metacarpal torsion, a trait said to enhance manipulation, in humans, apes, early australopithecines and specimens from Swartkrans. This study shows that humans are different from large apes in torsion of the third and fourth metacarpals. Humans are also characterized by wedge-shaped bases of the third and fourth metacarpals, making the metacarpal-base row very arched mediolaterally and placing the ulnar-most metacarpals in a position that facilitate opposition to the thumb in power or cradle grips. The third and fourth metacarpals of Au. afarensis are very human-like, suggesting that the medial palm was already well adapted for these kinds of grips in that taxon. Au. africanus present a less clear human-like morphology, suggesting, perhaps, that the medial palm was less suited to human-like manipulation in that taxa than in Au. afarensis. Overall, this study supports previous studies on Au. afarensis and Au. africanus that these taxa had derived hand morphology with some adaptation to human-like power and precision grips and support the hypothesis that dexterous hands largely predated Homo.
Feasibility of oral ciprofloxacin for the outpatient management of febrile neutropenia in selected children with cancer

Children with cancer who develop an episode of chemotherapy‐induced febrile neutropenia usually are admitted to the hospital for intravenous empiric antibiotic therapy. In the current study, the authors examined the use of ciprofloxacin as outpatient management in selected patients with fever during an episode of neutropenia.
Characterization of the Highly Variable Immune Response Gene Family, He185/333, in the Sea Urchin, Heliocidaris erythrogramma

This study characterizes the highly variable He185/333 genes, transcripts and proteins in coelomocytes of the sea urchin, Heliocidaris erythrogramma. Originally discovered in the purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, the products of this gene family participate in the anti-pathogen defenses of the host animals. Full-length He185/333 genes and transcripts are identified. Complete open reading frames of He185/333 homologues are analyzed as to their element structure, single nucleotide polymorphisms, indels and sequence repeats and are subjected to diversification analyses. The sequence elements that compose He185/333 are different to those identified for Sp185/333. Differences between Sp185/333 and He185/333 genes are also evident in the complexity of the sequences of the introns. He185/333 proteins show a diverse range of molecular weights on Western blots. The observed sizes and pIs of the proteins differ from predicted values, suggesting post-translational modifications and oligomerization. Immunofluorescence microscopy shows that He185/333 proteins are mainly located on the surface of coelomocyte subpopulations. Our data demonstrate that He185/333 bears the same substantial characteristics as their S. purpuratus homologues. However, we also identify several unique characteristics of He185/333 (such as novel element patterns, sequence repeats, distribution of positively-selected codons and introns), suggesting species-specific adaptations. All sequences in this publication have been submitted to Genbank (accession numbers JQ780171-JQ780321) and are listed in table S1.
Epididymal secretion of a mouse sperm surface component recognized by a monoclonal antibody.

We have generated a monoclonal antibody directed against an antigenic determinant appearing on the surface of mouse sperm tails during passage through the epididymis (a determinant that we now term sperm maturation antigen number four [SMA 4]). The present study demonstrates that sperm retained in the ductuli efferentes following ligation do not acquire the antigen, suggesting that its appearance is not due to changes intrinsic to the sperm, but that the epididymal environment is required. To examine the role of the epididymis in the appearance of this antigen, sections of unfixed frozen or fixed, paraffin embedded tissue from different regions of the male reproductive tract have been studied by indirect immunofluorescence. Results indicate that the antigen is a secretory product of the epididymal epithelium, produced in a short segment of the distal caput epididymidis. Ligation experiments show that absence of sperm or testicular fluid from the epididymis does not affect production of this antigen. Examination of prepubertal mice indicates that antigen production is age dependent, production beginning in the epididymis in mice between 2 and 4 weeks of age. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis of sections of a variety of tissues and organs shows that the antigen is restricted to sperm and to epithelial cells of the male reproductive tract. Finally, experiments comparing the antibody-induced agglutinability of sperm from the caput epididymidis to that of sperm from the cauda epididymidis gives further evidence that the antigen resides on the sperm surface.U
Cognitive Diversity to Team Outcomes

Effects of diversity in team members’ rational and intuitive cognitive styles on team outcomes were investigated in a moderated-mediation model, exploring conflict management as a moderator and cohesion as a mediator. The negative effects of diversity on cohesion were moderated by conflict management, such that diversity harmed cohesion when conflict management was low but had no effect when conflict management was high. Cohesion mediated the relationship between the interaction of cognitive diversity and conflict management on team viability but not task performance. Implications for practice include promoting cognitive diversity and conflict management training in diverse teams. Suggestions for future research include expanding the sample and utilizing causal research designs.
Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Modified High Dose Omeprazole and Amoxicillin Triple Therapy with Standard Triple Therapy for Helicobacter Pylori Eradication

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is related to peptic ulcer diseases and gastric cancer and eradication of H. pylori should be expected to decrease the risk of their development. Factors affecting H. pylori eradication are antibiotic resistance, CYP2C19 genotypes, drug regimen and patient compliance. Increment of omeprazole and amoxicillin dosage in clarithromycin-containing triple therapy regimen may overcome these problems and may be a better choice than the conventional clarithromycin-containing triple therapy regimen. Objective: To compare the eradication rates with modified triple therapy (MTT) and standard triple therapy (STT) as first-line treatment. Materials and Methods: The study was an open label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. A total of 170 patients infected with H. pylori diagnosed by rapid urease test were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The first was treated with a 14-day MTT (20 mg omeprazole t.i.d., 500 mg amoxicillin t.i.d., and 500 mg clarithromycin b.i.d.) and the second with a 14-day STT (20 mg omeprazole b.i.d., 1000 mg amoxicillin b.i.d., and 500 mg clarithromycin b.i.d.). H. pylori eradication was evaluated by 14C-urea breath test. CYP2C19 genotypes, clarithromycin resistance, side effects and patient compliance were also recorded. Results: There were 85 patients in each group. The H. pylori eradication rate in the MTT group was 84.7% by ITT analysis and 91.1% by PP analysis, compared to the STT group values of 76.5% and 87.8% (p = 0.18 and 0.51), respectively. CYP2C19 genotypes and patient compliance were similar in both groups. Prevalence of clarithromycin resistance was 7.0%. Side effects were all mild with no significant differences between the twogroups. Conclusions: MTT is not superior to STT. From this study, MTT may not be recommended as the first-line treatment for H. pylori infection in Thailand because eradication rates proved to be less than 90% by ITT analysis.
Diffusion tensor imaging-based fractional anisotropy quantification in the corticospinal tract of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using a probabilistic mixture model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), fiber degeneration within the corticospinal tract (CST) can be quantified by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) as an indirect marker of upper motor neuron involvement. A new method of measuring quantitative DTI parameters using a probabilistic mixture model for fiber tissue and background in the corticospinal tract of patients with ALS is evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Axial echo-planar imaging (EPI) DTI datasets (6 gradient directions, 10 repetitions) were acquired for 10 patients and 20 healthy control subjects. The diffusion tensor was visualized in a multiplanar viewer using a unique color coding method. Pure fiber tissue inside a region is separated from background and mixture voxels using a probabilistic mixture model. This allows for a reduction of errors as a result of partial volume effects and measurement variability. RESULTS Fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured within the CST at levels ranging from internal capsule to pons. Mean coefficients of variation of intrarater, scan-rescan, and inter-rater reproducibility were 2.4%, 3.0%, and 5.7%, respectively. Optimal measurement positions along the CST with respect to minimum variability and maximum difference between patients and healthy subjects were identified in the caudal half of the internal capsule. Moreover, a negative correlation between the age-corrected FA and the disease duration but not the ALS Severity scale score was found. CONCLUSION The new software for fiber integrity quantification is suited to assess FA in the corticospinal tract with high reproducibility. Thus, this tool can be useful in future studies for monitoring disease status and potential treatment efficiency.