Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Valuing New Goods in a Model with Complementarity: Online Newspapers

Many important economic questions hinge on the extent to which new goods either crowd out or complement consumption of existing products. Recent methods for studying new goods are based on demand models that rule out complementarity by assumption, so their applicability to these questions has been limited. I develop a new model that relaxes this restriction, and use it to study the specific case of competition between print and online newspapers. Using new micro data from the Washington DC market, I show that the major print and online papers appear to be strong complements in the raw data, but that this is an artifact of unobserved consumer heterogeneity. I estimate that the online paper reduced print readership by 27,000 per day, at a cost of $5.5 million per year in lost print profits. I find that online news has provided substantial welfare benefits to consumers and that charging positive online prices is unlikely to substantially increase firm profits.
DPY-17 and MUA-3 Interact for Connective Tissue-Like Tissue Integrity in Caenorhabditis elegans: A Model for Marfan Syndrome

mua-3 is a Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of the mammalian fibrillin1, a monogenic cause of Marfan syndrome. We identified a new mutation of mua-3 that carries an in-frame deletion of 131 amino acids in the extracellular domain, which allows the mutants to survive in a temperature-dependent manner; at the permissive temperature, the mutants grow normally without obvious phenotypes, but at the nonpermissive temperature, more than 90% die during the L4 molt due to internal organ detachment. Using the temperature-sensitive lethality, we performed unbiased genetic screens to isolate suppressors to find genetic interactors of MUA-3. From two independent screens, we isolated mutations in dpy-17 as a suppressor. RNAi of dpy-17 in mua-3 rescued the lethality, confirming dpy-17 is a suppressor. dpy-17 encodes a collagen known to genetically interact with dpy-31, a BMP-1/Tolloid-like metalloprotease required for TGFβ activation in mammals. Human fibrillin1 mutants fail to sequester TGFβ2 leading to excess TGFβ signaling, which in turn contributes to Marfan syndrome or Marfan-related syndrome. Consistent with that, RNAi of dbl-1, a TGFβ homolog, modestly rescued the lethality of mua-3 mutants, suggesting a potentially conserved interaction between MUA-3 and a TGFβ pathway in C. elegans. Our work provides genetic evidence of the interaction between TGFβ and a fibrillin homolog, and thus provides a simple yet powerful genetic model to study TGFβ function in development of Marfan pathology.
Defining anthropometric cut-off levels related to metabolic risk in a group of Sri Lankan children

Background: Body mass index (BMI) is widely used as a measure of adiposity. However, currently used cut-off values are not sensitive in diagnosing obesity in South Asian populations. Aim: To define BMI and waist circumference (WC), cut-off values representing percentage fat mass (%FM) associated with adverse health outcomes. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 285 5–14 year old Sri Lankan children (56% boys) was carried out. Fat mass (FM) was assessed using the isotope (D2O) dilution technique based on 2C body composition model. BMI and WC cut-off values were defined based on %FM associated with adverse health outcomes. Results: Sri Lankan children had a low fat free mass index (FFMI) and a high fat mass index (FMI). Individuals with the same BMI had %FM distributed over a wide range. Lean body tissue grew very little with advancing age and weight gain was mainly due to increases in body fat. BMI corresponding to 25% in males and 35% in females at 18 years was 19.2 kg/m2 and 19.7 kg/m2, respectively. WC cut-off values for males and females were 68.4 cm and 70.4 cm, respectively. Conclusion: This chart analysis clearly confirms that Sri Lankan children have a high %FM from a young age. With age, more changes occur in FM than in fat free mass (FFM). Although the newly defined BMI and WC cut-off values appear to be quite low, they are comparable to some recent data obtained in similar populations.
The Research We Still Are Not Doing: An Agenda for the Study of Computer-Based Learning

Media-comparative research—that is, the comparison of computer-based learning (CBL) to noncomputer instruction—is logically impossible because there are no valid comparison groups. Results from media-comparative studies are thus confounded and difficult to meaningfully interpret. In 1994, Friedman proposed that such research be supplanted by investigations into CBL designs, usage patterns, assessment methods, and integration. His proposal appears to have largely been ignored. In this article, the author updates the agenda for research in CBL (including Web-based learning). While media-comparative studies are confounded, CBL-CBL comparisons are often not. CBL instructional designs vary in configuration (e.g., discussion board or tutorial), instructional method (e.g., case-based learning, personalized feedback, or simulation), and presentation (e.g., screen layout, hyperlinks, or multimedia). Comparisons within one level (for example, comparing two instructional methods) facilitate evidence-based improvements, but comparisons between levels are confounded. Additional research questions within the CBL-CBL framework might include: Does adaptation of CBL in response to individual differences such as prior knowledge, computer experience, or learning style improve learning outcomes? Will integrating CBL with everyday clinical practice facilitate learning? How can simulations augment clinical training? And, how can CBL be integrated within and between institutions? In addressing these questions it is important to remember the most important outcome—effect on patients and practice—and outcomes specific to CBL including costs, cognitive structuring, and learning unique to the computer-based environment. CBL is not a panacea, but holds great promise. Realization of this potential requires that media-comparative studies be replaced by rigorous, theory-guided comparisons of CBL interventions.
Transportation mode-based segmentation and classification of movement trajectories

The knowledge of the transportation mode used by humans (e.g. bicycle, on foot, car and train) is critical for travel behaviour research, transport planning and traffic management. Nowadays, new technologies such as the Global Positioning System have replaced traditional survey methods (paper diaries, telephone) because they are more accurate and problems such as under reporting are avoided. However, although the movement data collected (timestamped positions in digital form) have generally high accuracy, they do not contain the transportation mode. We present in this article a new method for segmenting movement data into single-mode segments and for classifying them according to the transportation mode used. Our fully automatic method differs from previous attempts for five reasons: (1) it relies on fuzzy concepts found in expert systems, that is membership functions and certainty factors; (2) it uses OpenStreetMap data to help the segmentation and classification process; (3) we can distinguish between 10 transportation modes (including between tram, bus and car) and propose a hierarchy; (4) it handles data with signal shortages and noise, and other real-life situations; (5) in our implementation, there is a separation between the reasoning and the knowledge, so that users can easily modify the parameters used and add new transportation modes. We have implemented the method and tested it with a 17-million point data set collected in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe. The accuracy of the classification with the developed prototype, determined with the comparison of the classified results with the reference data derived from manual classification, is 91.6%.
Quantitative videofluoroscopy: a new evaluation tool for tracheoesophageal voice production.

OBJECTIVE To develop a quantitative videofluoroscopy protocol using well-defined visual parameters and quantitative measures for the evaluation of anatomical and morphologic characteristics of the neoglottis in relation to perceptual evaluation of tracheoesophageal voice quality. DESIGN A patient survey. SETTING The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam. PATIENTS Thirty-nine individuals with laryngectomies, 30 with standard total laryngectomy and 9 with a partial or total pharynx reconstruction. INTERVENTIONS Videofluoroscopy, speech recordings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Well-defined visual parameters and quantitative measures based on videofluoroscopy images should improve the evaluation of neoglottic characteristics in relation to voice quality. RESULTS Quantitative measures were significantly related to visual assessment outcomes. Tonicity (P=.02) and presence of a neoglottic bar during phonation (P=.03) were significantly related to voice quality, as were several quantitative measures, especially the minimal distance between the neoglottic bar and anterior esophageal wall at rest (P<.001) and during phonation (P=.02), and the index for the relative increase of the maximal subneoglottic distance from rest to phonation (P=.01). CONCLUSIONS This new quantitative videofluoroscopy protocol is a useful tool for the study of the anatomy and morphology of the neoglottis. With this protocol, characteristics relevant to tracheoesophageal voice quality can be defined. The quantitative measures are promising for a more standardized evaluation of the neoglottis in individuals who have undergone laryngectomy.
Maternal, but not fetal, administration of corticosteroids restricts fetal growth.

OBJECTIVE Previous studies have shown that repeated doses of corticosteroids given to pregnant sheep improve postnatal lung function, but restrict fetal growth. Repeated administration of corticosteroids directly to the fetus also enhances postnatal lung function. The purpose of the present study was to investigate and characterize the relative effects on growth of repeated maternal and fetal treatments by study of body, organ, and placental weights. METHODS Date-bred pregnant sheep were given intramuscular betamethasone or saline to either the mother or fetus on three occasions at weekly intervals commencing at 104 days gestation, followed by cesarean section at 125 days. Twenty-two animals which had received three doses of betamethasone were compared with 21 which had received a single dose at 104 days and with 12 saline-treated controls. RESULTS Repeated maternal doses of betamethasone resulted in reductions in birthweight and weights of the placenta and major organs. Direct fetal injection did not affect birthweight, placental weight, placental/ birthweight ratio, or weights of the major organs with the exception of the liver. CONCLUSIONS Administration of repeated doses of betamethasone directly to the sheep fetus does not produce the growth-restricting effects induced by maternal administration and does not affect the placental/birthweight ratio.
Large-scale alcohol use and socioeconomic position of origin: Longitudinal study from ages 15 to 19 years

Aim: To examine socioeconomic position (SEP) of origin as predictor of large-scale alcohol use in adolescence. Methods: The study population was a random sample of 15-year-olds at baseline (n=843) with a first follow-up 4 years later (n=729). Excess alcohol intake was assessed by consumption last weekend, dichotomized at 14 drinks. Results: The univariate analyses showed no association between SEP at age 15 years and alcohol drinking at age 19 years. The multivariate analyses showed an association between low SEP and excess alcohol drinking among boys (odds ratio=1.76). Conclusions: This longitudinal study found a weak association between low family SEP at age 15 years and excess alcohol drinking at age 19 years, but the association was not significant.
Ontology Matching using multiple similarity measures

This paper presents an automatic ontology matching approach (called LSSOM - Lexical Structural Semantic-based Ontology Matching method) which brings a final alignment by combining three kinds of different similarity measures: lexical-based, structure-based, and semantic-based techniques as well as using information in ontologies including names, labels, comments, relations and positions of concepts in the hierarchy and integrating WordNet dictionary. Firstly, two ontologies are matched sequentially by using the lexical-based and structure-based similarity measures to find structural correspondences among the concepts. Secondly, the semantic similarity based on WordNet dictionary is applied to these concepts in given ontologies. After the semantic and structural similarities are obtained, they are combined in the parallel phase by using weighted sum method to yield the final similarities. Our system is implemented and evaluated based on the OAEI 2008 benchmark dataset. The experimental results show that our approach obtains good F-measure values and outperforms other automatic ontology matching systems which do not use instances information.
Single Cell Ras-GTP Analysis Reveals Altered Ras Activity in a Subpopulation of Neurofibroma Schwann Cells but Not Fibroblasts*

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common genetic disorder characterized by multiple neurofibromas, peripheral nerve tumors containing mainly Schwann cells and fibroblasts. TheNF1 gene encodes neurofibromin, a tumor suppressor postulated to function in part as a Ras GTPase-activating protein. The roles of different cell types and of elevated Ras-GTP in neurofibroma formation are unclear. To determine which neurofibroma cell type has altered Ras-GTP regulation, we developed an immunocytochemical assay for active, GTP-bound Ras. In NIH 3T3 cells, the assay detected overexpressed, constitutively activated K-, N-, and Ha-Ras and insulin-induced endogenous Ras-GTP. In dissociated neurofibroma cells from NF1 patients, Ras-GTP was elevated in Schwann cells but not fibroblasts. Twelve to 62% of tumor Schwann cells showed elevated Ras-GTP, unexpectedly revealing neurofibroma Schwann cell heterogeneity. Increased basal Ras-GTP did not correlate with increased cell proliferation. Normal human Schwann cells, however, did not demonstrate elevated basal Ras activity. Furthermore, compared with cells from wild type littermates, Ras-GTP was elevated in all mouseNf1 −/− Schwann cells but never inNf1 −/− mouse fibroblasts. Our results indicate that Ras activity is detectably increased in only some neurofibroma Schwann cells and suggest that neurofibromin is not an essential regulator of Ras activity in fibroblasts.
Rehabilitation of the central executive component of working memory: A re-organisation approach applied to a single case

This paper describes and evaluates a programme of neuropsychological rehabilitation which aims to improve three sub-components of the working memory central executive: processing load, updating and dual-task monitoring, by the acquisition of three re-organisation strategies (double coding, serial processing and speed reduction). Our programme has two stages: cognitive rehabilitation (graduated exercises subdivided into three sub-programmes each corresponding to a sub-component) which enables the patient to acquire the three specific strategies; and an ecological rehabilitation, including analyses of scenarios and simulations of real-life situations, which aims to transfer the strategies learned to everyday life. The programme also includes information meetings. It was applied to a single case who had working memory deficits after a surgical operation for a cerebral tumour on his left internal temporal ganglioglioma. Multiple baseline tests were used to measure the effectiveness of the rehabilitation. The programme proved to be effective for all three working memory components; a generalisation of its effects to everyday life was observed, and the effects were undiminished three months later.
Non-exhaust Particulate Emissions from Road Transport

There are a number of non-exhaust processes associated with road transport, involving abrasion, corrosion, and turbulence, which can result in particles being suspended in the atmosphere. These processes include tyre wear, brake wear, clutch wear, road surface wear, corrosion of vehicle components, corrosion of street furniture and crash barriers, and the suspension or resuspension of road dust. However, the data relating to the size, chemical composition, and emission rate of particles arising from such sources are far from comprehensive, and they may contribute significantly to atmospheric particle concentrations. Furthermore. as exhaust emission control technology improves and traffic levels increase, the focus of attention may swing towards the emissions and health impacts of non-exhaust particles. This paper presents preliminary results of gravimetric determination of tyre and brake wear for cars, and chemical analysis of ambient particle samples for source identification. A number of elements have been analysed in roadside and background ambient particle samples as well as in source materials using Inductively Coupled Plasma spectrometry (ICP). Initial results suggest that the average loss rates of tyre and brake material are 97 and 9 mg/vkm respectively. The ICP analysis shows a high relative abundance of Ba, Sb, Zr and Sr for brake and Zn for tyre material. The PM(sub 10) metal concentrations are consistently higher at the roadside sites. The Ba/Sb ratio is compared for the source material (brake wear) and ambient particle samples, and the results suggest that these agree relatively well at one of the roadside sites. The chemical analysis also suggests that for tyre wear it is much more difficult to use metal concentrations as tracers. (A)
The cortisol awakening response (CAR) in 2- to 4-year-old children: effects of acute nighttime sleep restriction, wake time, and daytime napping.

The cortisol awakening response (CAR) is presumed critically important for healthy adaptation. The current literature, however, is hampered by systematic measurement difficulties relative to awakening, especially with young children. While reports suggest the CAR is smaller in children than adults, well-controlled research in early childhood is scarce. We examined whether robust CARs exist in 2- to 4-year-old children and if sleep restriction, wake timing, and napping influence the CAR (n = 7). During a 25-day in-home protocol, researchers collected four salivary cortisol samples (0, 15, 30, 45 min post-wake) following five polysomnographic sleep recordings on nonconsecutive days after 4 hr (morning nap), 7 hr (afternoon nap), 10 hr (evening nap), 13 hr (baseline night), and 16 hr (sleep restriction night) of wakefulness (20 samples/child). The CAR was robust after nighttime sleep, diminished after sleep restriction, and smaller but distinct after morning and afternoon (not evening) naps. Cortisol remained elevated 45 min after morning and afternoon naps.
Mechanisms of Fibrogenesis

Fibrogenesis is a mechanism of wound healing and repair. However, prolonged injury causes deregulation of normal processes and results in extensive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and fibrosis. The current review will discuss similarities and differences of fibrogenesis in different organs and systems and focus on the origin of collagen producing cells. Although the relative contribution will vary in different tissues and different injuries, there are three general sources of fibrogenic cells: endogenous fibroblasts or fibroblast-like cells, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and recruitment of fibrocytes from the bone marrow.
Article Commentary: Primary prevention of alcohol and drug use in junior high school

Pape’s critical literature review of whether evaluations hold adequate quality focuses on two problems: 1) Too many papers presenting the program implementers’ intended effects get published while negative results are often underreported. This is partly due to the scientists’ wishes to highlight the positive results in the programs they have contributed to and have economic interest in, and partly due to a bias in which negative results are difficult to get published. 2) Ecological validity – can the positive results from intervention programs researchers implement be repeated, when ordinary teachers are left alone to implement the programs on a large scale? While one easily agrees that negative or a lack of results are underreported, the reasons are rather less suspicious than those suggested by Pape (pp. 524–525). Authors and referees evaluating such papers will suspect that ‘something’ went wrong in the research process. Unidentified causes of negative results easily render the paper to be unworthy to be published. The opposite is also true theoretically sound intended effects are reported, as one believes that the study Commentary to Pape HENRIK NATVIG
Clinical review: Identifying children at risk for polycystic ovary syndrome.

CONTEXT Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) appears to arise as a complex trait with contributions from both heritable and nonheritable factors. Polygenic influences appear to account for about 70% of the variance in pathogenesis. In view of this evidence for congenital contributions to the syndrome, childhood manifestations may be expected. OBJECTIVE The objective has been to review the evidence that risk factors for PCOS can be recognized in childhood. DESIGN This study consisted of screening of the PCOS literature for articles pertaining to potential childhood and adolescent antecedents. RESULTS Congenital virilizing disorders; above average or low birth weight for gestational age; premature adrenarche, particularly exaggerated adrenarche; atypical sexual precocity; or intractable obesity with acanthosis nigricans, metabolic syndrome, and pseudo-Cushing syndrome or pseudo-acromegaly in early childhood have been identified as independent prepubertal risk factors for the development of PCOS. During adolescence, PCOS may masquerade as physiological adolescent anovulation. Asymptomatic adolescents with a polycystic ovary occasionally (8%) have subclinical PCOS but often (42%) have a subclinical PCOS type of ovarian dysfunction, the prognosis for which is unclear. CONCLUSION Identifying children at risk for PCOS offers the prospect of eventually preventing some of the long-term complications associated with this syndrome once our understanding of the basis of the disorder improves.
Clinicopathological features in bilateral breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE The frequency of bilateral breast cancer is 1.4-11.0% among all breast cancers. It can present as synchronous (SC) or metachronous (MC). Data regarding clinical course of bilateral breast cancer are scarce. In this study, we therefore evaluated demographic, pathological and clinical characteristics, treatments and responses in bilateral breast cancer cases; making distinctions between metachronous-synchronous and comparing with historic one-sided data for the same parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred fifty bilateral breast cancer cases from ten different centers between 2000 and 2011 were retrospectively scanned. Age of the cases, family history, menopausal status, pathological features, pathological stages, neoadjuvant, surgery, adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy/radiotherapy were examined in the context of the first and second occurrence and discussed with reference to the literature. RESULTS Metachronous and synchronous groups showed similar age, menopausal status, tumor type, HER2/neu expression; the family history tumor grade, tumor stage, ER-negativity rate, local and distant metastases rates, surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy application rates were identified as significantly different. Palliative chemotherapy response rate was greater in the metachronous group but median PFS rates did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION Although bilateral breast cancer is not frequent, MC breast cancer is different from SC breast cancer by having more advanced grade, stage, less ER expression, more frequent rates of local relapse and distant metastasis and better response to chemotherapy in case of relapse/metastasis.