Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Huskie Commons Huskie Commons

The goal of the current study was to investigate gender differences in the relationship between multiple sources of perceived support (parents, teachers, classmates, close friends, and school) and indices of psychological and academic adjustment. As a preliminary analysis, the study provided further psychometric support for the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale (CASSS: Malecki, Demaray, & Elliott, 2003). The results of the main analyses supported previous findings related to gender differences in mean levels of perceived support and extended findings demonstrating the importance of support from parents and the general peer group for both boys and girls. Overall, these results illustrate the importance of examining gender differences in the social experience of early adolescents as well as the differential impact of various sources of support in their lives, and highlight the importance of carefully considering measurement and analytic issues when investigating multiple sources of support.
Time-Varying Oil Price Volatility and Macroeconomic Aggregates

We illustrate the theoretical relation among output, consumption, investment, and oil price volatility in a real business cycle model. The model incorporates demand for oil by a firm, as an intermediate input, and by a household, used in conjunction with a durable good. We estimate a stochastic volatility process for the real price of oil over the period 1986-2011 and utilize the estimated process in a non-linear approximation of the model. For realistic calibrations, an increase in oil price volatility produces a temporary decrease in durable spending, while precautionary savings motives lead investment and real GDP to rise. Irreversible capital and durable investment decisions do not overturn this result.
An unsupervised heuristic-based hierarchical method for name disambiguation in bibliographic citations

Name ambiguity in the context of bibliographic citations is a difficult problem which, despite the many efforts from the research community, still has a lot of room for improvement. In this article, we present a heuristic-based hierarchical clustering method to deal with this problem. The method successively fuses clusters of citations of similar author names based on several heuristics and similarity measures on the components of the citations (e.g., coauthor names, work title, and publication venue title). During the disambiguation task, the information about fused clusters is aggregated providing more information for the next round of fusion. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of our method, we ran a series of experiments in two different collections extracted from real-world digital libraries and compared it, under two metrics, with four representative methods described in the literature. We present comparisons of results using each considered attribute separately (i.e., coauthor names, work title, and publication venue title) with the author name attribute and using all attributes together. These results show that our unsupervised method, when using all attributes, performs competitively against all other methods, under both metrics, loosing only in one case against a supervised method, whose result was very close to ours. Moreover, such results are achieved without the burden of any training and without using any privileged information such as knowing a priori the correct number of clusters.
PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS AND FARMERS ’ CULTIVAR PREFERENCE CRITERIA OF CULTIVATED YAMS ( DIOSCOREA CAYENENSIS-D . ROTUNDATA COMPLEX ) IN TOGO

Fifty (50) villages randomly selected throughout agroecological zones in Togo were surveyed, using participatory approach, to identify and prioritize factors that affect production and farmers’ varietal preference criteria of Guinea yam (Dioscorea cayenensis-D. rotundata complex). A total of nineteen (19) constraints of varying importance across agro-ecological zones were identified among which the most important were insects’ damages on both leaves and tubers, nematodes attack on tubers, drought, soil poverty and wilting. For the majority (78.94%) of the constraints, the use of tolerant cultivars remains the most sustainable, economically profitable and environment preservative solution. Farmers’ cultivar preference criteria identified are many (24 in total). Among them, high productivity, good quality of pounded yam, resistance to drought and adaptability to all types of soils are the most important. A perfect match is noted between enumerated constraints and identified preference criteria. The knowledge of farmers’ selection criteria is of capital importance for breeders and also extension services for eventual yam cultivar exchange between agroecological zones in Togo.
Disease‐specific quality‐of‐life measurement tools for haemophilia patients

Summary. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the state of the art in measuring quality of life in haemophila populations. The paper reviews the measures recently included in haemophila trials in the published literature. It also summarizes the development of four new disease‐specific measures of health‐related quality of life. Two of these were developed for children (the Haemo‐QoL and the CHO‐KLAT), and two for adults (the Hemofilia‐QoL and the Hemolatin‐QoL). These new measures show promise for use in clinical trials. Further research is in progress to complete the psychometric testing and cross‐cultural validation.
Gaining a Doctorate in Nursing in Chile: a path not without its difficulties

OBJECTIVE: to analyze in detail the current situation of doctorate training in Nursing in Chile. METHODOLOGY: through a historical and contextual analysis of the background to the development of postgraduate education in Nursing, especially at doctorate level. RESULTS: aspects that limit development were identified in national institutionalism of the sciences as well as in higher education and health institutions, especially the limited value placed on nursing as an area of knowledge in this country, the lack of clear institutional policies for postgraduate studies, as well as the postgraduate's re-inclusion into the academic and care area, with access to national research funds difficult. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: access to grants and funds, together with recognition as an area of knowledge belonging on academic schedules, especially in health institutions, are the main challenges to consolidation. One aspect that would enable a more rapid advance is through national and international inter-institutional agreements, adding together potential, with access to funds for studies and academic and student internships, enabling joint research to go ahead.
Silhouette Mapping

Recent image-based rendering techniques have shown success in approximating detailed models using sampled images over coarser meshes. One limitation of these techniques is that the coarseness of the geometric mesh is apparent in the rough polygonal silhouette of the rendering. In this paper, we present a scheme for accurately capturing the external silhouette of a model in order to clip the approximate geometry. Given a detailed model, silhouettes sampled from a discrete set of viewpoints about the object are collected into a silhouette map. The silhouette from an arbitrary viewpoint is then computed as the interpolation from three nearby viewpoints in the silhouette map. Pairwise silhouette interpolation is based on a visual hull approximation in the epipolar plane. The sil-houette map itself is adaptively simpliﬁed by removing views whose silhouettes are accurately predicted by interpolation of their neighbors. The model geometry is approximated by a progressive hull construction, and is rendered using projected texture maps. The 3D rendering is clipped to the interpolated silhouette using stencil planes.
Power and Load Coupling in Cellular Networks for Energy Optimization

We consider the problem of minimization of sum transmission energy in cellular networks where coupling occurs between cells due to mutual interference. The coupling relation is characterized by the signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR) coupling model. Both cell load and transmission power, where cell load measures the average level of resource usage in the cell, interact via the coupling model. The coupling is implicitly characterized with load and power as the variables of interest using two equivalent equations, namely, non-linear load coupling equation (NLCE) and non-linear power coupling equation (NPCE), respectively. By analyzing the NLCE and NPCE, we prove that operating at full load is optimal in minimizing sum energy, and provide an iterative power adjustment algorithm to obtain the corresponding optimal power solution with guaranteed convergence, where in each iteration a standard bisection search is employed. To obtain the algorithmic result, we use the properties of the so-called standard interference function; the proof is non-standard because the NPCE cannot even be expressed as a closed-form expression with power as the implicit variable of interest. We present numerical results illustrating the theoretical findings for a real-life and large-scale cellular network, showing the advantage of our solution compared to the conventional solution of deploying uniform power for base stations.
Evaluation of viral co‐infections in hospitalized and non‐hospitalized children with respiratory infections using microarrays

Abstract The impact of viral co-infections and recently discovered viruses on the epidemiology of respiratory infections in children is still unclear. To simultaneously detect viruses that are involved in the aetiology of respiratory infections, we used a DNA/RNA microarray assay that identifies 17 different viruses or viral subtypes. Rhinopharyngeal washes were taken from 611 children (aged 1 month to 14 years) who presented in the emergency department with respiratory infections from June 2010 to June 2011 and were treated as outpatients (299, 48.9%) or hospitalized (312, 51.1%). Lower respiratory tract infection was diagnosed more often in hospitalized children (68% versus 36%, p 0.001). Of 397 children in which microarrays detected viral infection (70.1%), a single virus was found in 228 (57.4%) and two or more viruses in 169 (42.5%). The most prevalent viruses among children with positive samples were respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in 225 (56.6%), parainfluenza virus (PIV) in 118 (29.7%), rhinovirus (RV) in 73 (18.4%), followed by influenza in 56 (14.1%), adenoviruses in 31 (7.8%), bocavirus in 25 (6.3%), human metapneumovirus in 15 (3.7%) and enteroviruses in 12 (3%). Most common viral co-infections were RSVA–RSVB in 46 children (27.2%), RSV–Influenza in 20 (11.8%), RSV–RV in 18 (10.6%) and PIV–RV in 13 (7.7%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that viral co-infections were associated with increased probability for hospitalization (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.01–2.29, p 0.04), and previous pneumococcal vaccination was associated with decreased probability for hospitalization (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.33–0.81, p 0.004). We conclude that viral co-infections are involved in a significant proportion of children with an acute respiratory infection and may increase the severity of clinical presentation and the risk for hospitalization.
How a Lateralized Brain Supports Symmetrical Bimanual Tasks

A large repertoire of natural object manipulation tasks require precisely coupled symmetrical opposing forces by both hands on a single object. We asked how the lateralized brain handles this basic problem of spatial and temporal coordination. We show that the brain consistently appoints one of the hands as prime actor while the other assists, but the choice of acting hand is flexible. When study participants control a cursor by manipulating a tool held freely between the hands, the left hand becomes prime actor if the cursor moves directionally with the left-hand forces, whereas the right hand primarily acts if it moves with the opposing right-hand forces. In neurophysiological (electromyography, transcranial magnetic brain stimulation) and functional magnetic resonance brain imaging experiments we demonstrate that changes in hand assignment parallels a midline shift of lateralized activity in distal hand muscles, corticospinal pathways, and primary sensorimotor and cerebellar cortical areas. We conclude that the two hands can readily exchange roles as dominant actor in bimanual tasks. Spatial relationships between hand forces and goal motions determine hand assignments rather than habitual handedness. Finally, flexible role assignment of the hands is manifest at multiple levels of the motor system, from cortical regions all the way down to particular muscles.
Modeling complicated rheological behaviors in encapsulating shells of lipid-coated microbubbles accounting for nonlinear changes of both shell viscosity and elasticity

It has been accepted that the dynamic responses of ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) microbubbles will be significantly affected by the encapsulating shell properties (e.g., shell elasticity and viscosity). In this work, a new model is proposed to describe the complicated rheological behaviors in an encapsulating shell of UCA microbubbles by applying the nonlinear ‘Cross law’ to the shell viscous term in the Marmottant model. The proposed new model was verified by fitting the dynamic responses of UCAs measured with either a high-speed optical imaging system or a light scattering system. The comparison results between the measured radius–time curves and the numerical simulations demonstrate that the ‘compression-only’ behavior of UCAs can be successfully simulated with the new model. Then, the shell elastic and viscous coefficients of SonoVue microbubbles were evaluated based on the new model simulations, and compared to the results obtained from some existing UCA models. The results confirm the capability of the current model for reducing the dependence of bubble shell parameters on the initial bubble radius, which indicates that the current model might be more comprehensive to describe the complex rheological nature (e.g., ‘shear-thinning’ and ‘strain-softening’) in encapsulating shells of UCA microbubbles by taking into account the nonlinear changes of both shell elasticity and shell viscosity.
Feasibility study of investigation of skin at cellular level by digital holographic microscopy

In this paper we propose and implement the systematic approach to investigation of skin tissue based on sequential determination of refractive index and dry mass density for representative skin cells (3T3 fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes) during their growing in a culture from single cells up to formation of a single layer. The main measurement tool is digital holographic microscopy supported by reference measurements performed by holographic tomography. The results of the measurement are presented and discussed.
Major Depressive Symptoms Increase 3-Year Mortality Rate in Patients with Mild Dementia

Depression and dementia are commonly concurrent and are both associated with increased mortality among older people. However, little is known about whether home-dwelling patients newly diagnosed with mild dementia coexisting with depressive symptoms have excess mortality. We conducted a post hoc analysis based on data from the Danish Alzheimer's Intervention Study of 330 individuals who were diagnosed with mild dementia within the past 12 months. Thirty-four patients were identified with major depressive symptoms (MD-S) at baseline. During the 3-year follow-up period, 56 patients died, and, among them, 12 were with MD-S at baseline. Multivariable analysis adjusting for the potential confounders (age, sex, smoking status, alcohol consumption, education, BMI, household status, MMSE, CCI, QoL-AD, NPIQ, ADSC-ADL, medication, and RCT allocation) showed that patients with MD-S had a 2.5-fold higher mortality as compared to the patients without or with only few depressive symptoms. Our result revealed that depression is possibly associated with increased mortality in patients with mild dementia. Given that depression is treatable, screening for depression and treatment of depression can be important already in the earliest stage of dementia to reduce mortality.
Survival in Patients With Idiopathic, Familial, and Anorexigen-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in the Modern Management Era

Background— Novel therapies have recently become available for pulmonary arterial hypertension. We conducted a study to characterize mortality in a multicenter prospective cohort of patients diagnosed with idiopathic, familial, or anorexigen-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension in the modern management era. Methods and Results— Between October 2002 and October 2003, 354 consecutive adult patients with idiopathic, familial, or anorexigen-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (56 incident and 298 prevalent cases) were prospectively enrolled. Patients were followed up for 3 years, and survival rates were analyzed. For incident cases, estimated survival (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) at 1, 2, and 3 years was 85.7% (95% CI, 76.5 to 94.9), 69.6% (95% CI, 57.6 to 81.6), and 54.9% (95% CI, 41.8 to 68.0), respectively. In a combined analysis population (incident patients and prevalent patients diagnosed within 3 years before study entry; n=190), 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival estimates were 82.9% (95% CI, 72.4 to 95.0), 67.1% (95% CI, 57.1 to 78.8), and 58.2% (95% CI, 49.0 to 69.3), respectively. Individual survival analysis identified the following as significantly and positively associated with survival: female gender, New York Heart Association functional class I/II, greater 6-minute walk distance, lower right atrial pressure, and higher cardiac output. Multivariable analysis showed that being female, having a greater 6-minute walk distance, and exhibiting higher cardiac output were jointly significantly associated with improved survival. Conclusions— In the modern management era, idiopathic, familial, and anorexigen-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension remains a progressive, fatal disease. Mortality is most closely associated with male gender, right ventricular hemodynamic function, and exercise limitation.
An Analysis of Several Software Defect Models

Results are presented of an analysis of several defect models using data collected from two large commercial projects. Traditional models typically use either program matrices (i.e. measurements from software products) or testing time or combinations of these as independent variables. The limitations of such models have been well-documented. The models considered use the number of defects detected in the earlier phases of the development process as the independent variable. This number can be used to predict the number of defects to be detected later, even in modified software products. A strong correlation between the number of earlier defects and that of later ones was found. Using this relationship, a mathematical model was derived which may be used to estimate the number of defects remaining in software. This defect model may also be used to guide software developers in evaluating the effectiveness of the software development and testing processes. >
Use of fees to fund local public health services in Western Massachusetts.

CONTEXT Recent budget cuts have forced many local health departments (LHDs) to cut staff and services. Setting fees that cover the cost of service provision is one option for continuing to fund certain activities. OBJECTIVE To describe the use of fees by LHDs in Western Massachusetts and determine whether fees charged cover the cost of providing selected services. DESIGN A cross-sectional descriptive analysis was used to identify the types of services for which fees are charged and the fee amounts charged. A comparative cost analysis was conducted to compare fees charged with estimated costs of service provision. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Fifty-nine LHDs in Western Massachusetts. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number of towns charging fees for selected types of services; minimum, maximum, and mean fee amounts; estimated cost of service provision; number of towns experiencing a surplus or deficit for each service; and average size of deficits experienced. RESULTS Enormous variation exists both in the types of services for which fees are charged and fee amounts charged. Fees set by most health departments did not cover the cost of service provision. Some fees were set as much as $600 below estimated costs. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that considerations other than costs of service provision factor into the setting of fees by LHDs in Western Massachusetts. Given their limited and often uncertain funding, LHDs could benefit from examining their fee schedules to ensure that the fee amounts charged cover the costs of providing the services. Cost estimates should include at least the health agent's wage and time spent performing inspections and completing paperwork, travel expenses, and cost of necessary materials.
A low power VCO design using composite load for delay cell with IMOS varactor for wider tuning range

Abstract In this paper, a new low-power voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) design is presented using inductive composite load for the delay cell and inversion mode MOSFET (IMOS) varactor using 180nm CMOS technology. The output oscillation frequency of the VCO has been changed by varying the capacitance of the delay cell with the usage of IMOS varactor comprising two PMOS transistors connected in parallel. Variation in source/drain voltage (Vct) and back-gate voltage (Vsb) of IMOS changes the capacitance of IMOS resulting in variations in output oscillation frequency of VCO. Power supply voltage (Vdd) variations from 1V to 2. 4V gives output oscillation frequency from 0. 972 GHz to 4. 231 GHz and consumes power from 0. 002mW to 0. 919mW with IMOS varactor width of 2µm. The results have been drawn out for the IMOS width of 5µm, 8µm and 12µm. The source/drain voltage (Vct) variation of IMOS from 1V to 2. 4V show the output oscillation frequency from 2. 648 GHz to 3. 253 GHz and achieves power consumption of 0. 279mW. Results have been further extended for IMOS with widths of 2μm, 5μm, 8μm and 12μm and a tuning range of 21% has been obtained for source/drain voltage (Vct) variations. Further, the back-gate voltage (Vsb) tuning of IMOS varactor from 1V to 2. 4V shows frequency variations from 3. 114 GHz to 3. 282 GHz. The VCO shows a phase noise of-107. 77dBc/Hz@1MHz offset from centre frequency and the figure of merit (FoM) for the VCO is -168. 94dBc/Hz with supply voltage of 1. 8V. Proposed VCO tunes the output frequency with IMOS varactor loading without changing the overall power dissipation of circuit. Proposed VCO circuit achieved a low power dissipation, wide tuning range, better phase noise and figure of merit (FoM).