Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Information elicitation for decision making

Proper scoring rules, particularly when used as the basis for a prediction market, are powerful tools for eliciting and aggregating beliefs about events such as the likely outcome of an election or sporting event. Such scoring rules incentivize a single agent to reveal her true beliefs about the event. Othman and Sandholm [16] introduced the idea of a decision rule to examine these problems in contexts where the information being elicited is conditional on some decision alternatives. For example, "What is the probability having ten million viewers if we choose to air new television show X? What if we choose Y? " Since only one show can actually air in a slot, only the results under the chosen alternative can ever be observed. Othman and Sandholm developed proper scoring rules (and thus decision markets) for a single, deterministic decision rule: always select the the action with the greatest probability of success. In this work we significantly generalize their results, developing scoring rules for other deterministic decision rules, randomized decision rules, and situations where there may be more than two outcomes (e.g. less than a million viewers, more than one but less than ten, or more than ten million).
Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and interleukin-8 production in mononuclear cells stimulated by oral microorganisms

Chemokines are a family of low-molecular-weight proinflammatory cytokines that stimulate recruitment of leukocytes. The chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) are relatively specific chemoattractants for neutrophils and monocytes, respectively. Chemokine expression contributes to the presence of different leukocyte populations observed in normal and pathologic states. In the present studies, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stimulated by microbes (Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) selected based upon their importance as oral pathogens. IL-8 and MCP-1 gene expression and protein release were determined by Northern blot (RNA blot) analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. C. albicans, P. gingivalis, and A. actinomycetemcomitans induced high levels of production of both MCP-1 and IL-8. S. mutans was a strong inducer of MCP-1, but it did not stimulate significant production of IL-8. C. albicans, S. mutans, and A. actinomycetemcomitans were 500 to 5,000 times more potent than P. gingivalis in terms of MCP-1 production. In general, the microbe-to-PBMC ratios required for maximum gene expression of MCP-1 were lower than those for IL-8. However, for actual protein release of MCP-1 versus IL-8, differences in the effects of various microbe concentrations were observed only for A. actinomycetemcomitans. These results demonstrate that different oral pathogens induce specific dose-dependent patterns of chemokine gene expression and release. Such patterns may help explain the immunopathology of oral infections, particularly with regard to inflammatory leukocyte recruitment.
Use of cytomegalovirus hyperimmunoglobulin for prevention of congenital cytomegalovirus disease: a retrospective analysis

Abstract Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the current prenatal “off-label use” of cytomegalovirus hyperimmunoglobulin (CMV-HIG) in the prevention and treatment of congenital CMV (cCMV) infection, including the long-term outcome of the children. Methods: This retrospective observational study comprised mothers and their children, born between January 1, 2006, and October 30, 2010. Prenatal CMV-HIG was administered after diagnosis of primary CMV infection of the mother. Clinical and virological data were collected from maternal and pediatric medical and laboratory reports. Follow-up was 12–36 months after birth. Results: Forty-two women and 43 children met the study criteria. In total, 40 mothers and six unborn infants received 115 doses of CMV-HIG. The treatment group (TG; CMV-DNA polymerase chain reaction-positive amniotic fluid) included four mothers; the multinomial group (MG; CMV-positive mother and unknown CMV status of fetus) included 38 mothers (39 infants). For the four unborn infants in TG, CMV-HIG was administered either intraumbilically or into the amniotic fluid; three of the four mothers received intravenous CMV-HIG. Three children in TG remained CMV-positive and were asymptomatic at birth and during follow-up. One infant in TG had symptomatic cCMV infection in utero, at birth, and during follow-up. In MG, 37 of 38 women received intravenous CMV-HIG and two of 39 infants received CMV-HIG in utero. In total, 9 (23.1%) of 39 children in MG were positive for cCMV (including a terminated pregnancy). All eight instances of cCMV infection at birth in MG were asymptomatic at birth and during follow-up. The fetus from the terminated pregnancy showed no sonographic symptoms of cCMV infection. No severe side effect occurred in 115 CMV-HIG applications. Conclusion: CMV-HIG was well tolerated. Compared with published untreated mother-child pairs, we observed a trend toward a smaller risk for intrauterine CMV transmission following CMV-HIG application. Signs of prenatal cCMV disease were not reversed after CMV-HIG.
Midlatency median nerve evoked responses during recovery from propofol/sufentanil total intravenous anaesthesia Note

Background: Median nerve somatosensory evoked responses (MnSSER) are frequently used to monitor the integrity of the somatosensory pathway during surgery. We investigated MnSSER components during the wakeup phase from anaesthesia with propofol/sufentanil, because detailed information is lacking about the reversibility of anaesthetic induced changes of MnSSER. The aim of the study was to document precisely the MnSSER waves in relation to the clinical awakening. The hypothesis was that anaesthetic induced MnSSER changes are reversed when the patient becomes responsive after anaesthesia.
Personality and intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning of women starting their first IVF treatment.

BACKGROUND IVF treatment involves a reassessment of issues concerning autonomy and relatedness. This study aims to extend prior studies on the psychological impact of IVF/ICSI by studying the association between the personality dimensions of Self-Criticism and Dependency with the psychological well-being and quality of the couple relationship for women starting their first IVF treatment. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study of 68 women starting their first IVF treatment at the Leuven University Fertility Centre of the University of Leuven, Belgium. All women were administered validated self-report measures assessing Self-Criticism and Dependency, negative life events, psychological well-being, relationship satisfaction, and relationship and sexual concerns. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated between all study variables, followed by four separate hierarchical multiple regression analyses for psychological well-being, relationship satisfaction, and relationship and sexual concerns. RESULTS High Self-Criticism was negatively associated with psychological well-being (r = -0.63, P < 0.001) and relationship satisfaction (r = -0.29, P < 0.05), and positively associated with relationship (r = 0.39, P < 0.01) and sexual (r = 0.37, P < 0.01) concerns. High Dependency was negatively associated with psychological well-being (r = -0.30, P < 0.05), not significantly associated with relationship satisfaction and relationship concerns, and positively related to sexual concerns (r = 0.31, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This cross-sectional study suggests that the personality dimensions of Self-Criticism and Dependency may enhance our understanding of the psychological well-being and quality of the couple relationship of women starting their first IVF treatment. However, further prospective research on this topic is needed.
Determinants of Dividend Policy: A study of selected listed Firms in Nigeria

This study investigated the determinants of dividends policy in the Nigerian stock exchange market. To achieve the objectives of this study, a total of 50 listed firms in the Nigerian stock exchange market were selected and analyzed for the study using the judgmental sampling technique. Also, the corporate annual reports for the period 2006-2011 were used for the study. The paper was basically modeled to examine the effects of financial performance of firms, firm size, financial leverage and board independence on the dividend payout decisions of listed firms operating in the Nigerian stock exchange market using the regression analysis method. The study in its findings observed that there is a significant positive relationship between firms’ financial performance, size of firms and board independence on the dividend payouts decisions of listed firms in Nigeria.
Multi-layer stackable polymer memory devices

Multi-layer stackable polymer memory architecture is an interesting new direction for polymer memory. The memory density can be increased by increasing the number of stacked layers without reducing the minimum feature size. To achieve multi-level stacking, the polymer used must be able to be cross-linked so that it will not be dissolved upon deposition of additional layers. This requirement also makes the polymer robust enough to withstand conventional lithographic processes. In this paper, the various approaches to achieve cross-linkable polymer memory are discussed. Device fabrication and performance are also reported.
The Mediating effect of Conflict Management styles of School Heads on the relationship between Ethical Climate and Organizational Commitment among Public Elementary Schools in region XI

This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of conflict management styles of school heads on the relationship between ethical climate and organizational commitment of teachers among 520 teachers in Davao Region, Philippines. This study employed non-experimental design utilizing descriptive correlation technique. The statistical tools used were mean, pearson-r and regression technique. Research instruments on conflict management styles, ethical climate and organizational commitment which were pilot tested and content validated were used as sources of data. Using pearson-r, the results revealed significant relationships between ethical climate, organizational commitment of teachers, and conflict management styles of school heads. Utilizing medgraph Sobel z-test, the results of the study revealed partial mediating effect of conflict management styles of school heads on the relationship between ethical climate and organizational commitment of teachers. This implies that the mediating role played by conflict management styles of school heads partially assisted in clarifying the process that was responsible for the relationship between ethical climate and organizational commitment of teachers.
Genomic identification in the historical case of the Nicholas II royal family

Accurate unambiguous identification of ancient or historical specimens can potentially be achieved by DNA analysis. The controversy surrounding the fate of the last Russian Emperor, Nicholas II, and his family has persisted, in part, because the bodies of 2 children, Prince Alexei and 1 of his sisters, have not been found. A grave discovered in 1991 contained remains putatively identified as those of the Russian Royal family. However, not all family members were represented. Here, we report the results of genomic analyses of new specimens, the human remains of 2 burned skeletons exhumed from a grave discovered in July 2007, and the results of a comprehensive genomic analysis of remains from the 1991 discovery. Additionally, ≈117 years old archival blood specimens from Nicholas II were obtained and genotyped, which provided critical material for the specific determination of individual identities and kinship identifications. Results of genotypic analyses of damaged historical specimens were evaluated alongside samples from descendants of both paternal and maternal lineages of the European Royal families, and the results conclusively demonstrate that the recently found remains belong to children of Nicholas II: Prince Alexei and his sister. The results of our studies provide unequivocal evidence that the remains of Nicholas II and his entire family, including all 5 children, have been identified. We demonstrate that convergent analysis of complete mitochondrial genome sequences combined with nuclear DNA profiles is an efficient and conclusive method for individual and kinship identification of specimens obtained from old historic relics.
Trends in fall-related injuries among older adults treated in emergency departments in the USA

To examine national trends in fall-related injuries among older adults treated in emergency departments (ED) and project these injuries until the year 2030. The Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System was used to generate data on fall-related injuries treated in ED. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to examine the average annual change in injury rates over time. Fall-related injury and hospitalisation rates increased on average by 2% (95% CI 1.5% to 2.7%) and by 4% (95% CI 2.9% to 5.0%) per year, respectively. Assuming the increase in fall-related injury rates remains unchanged, the number of fall-related injuries may increase to 5.7 million by the year 2030. Fall-related injuries among older adults treated in ED increased in the USA during the study period. Moreover, a marked increase in the number of these injuries may occur over the next decades.
Susceptibility of Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Broiler Facilities in Texas to Four Insecticides

Abstract Lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), adults were collected from six eastern Texas broiler facilities and examined for susceptibility to four formulated insecticides. Data indicate that A. diaperinus adults exposed to filter papers treated with the label rates of the insecticides exhibit some level of recovery. Approximately 20% or less A. diaperinus adults treated with Tempo SC Ultra (8 ml/92.9 m2, 11.8% β-cyfluthrin) or Talstar WP Insecticide/Miticide (23.3 ml/92.9 m2, 10% bifenthrin) and recorded as moribund at the 4-h observation period recovered by the 24-h observation period. A. diaperinus adults treated with Tempo SC Ultra and Talstar WP also had the greatest percentage of mortality for both observation periods. A. diaperinus adults treated with Dragnet SFR (49.7 ml/92.9 m2, 36.8% permethrin) had the greatest level of recovery at ≈50–60% overall, which was similar to that recorded for the water-only control. Additionally, five of the six A. diaperinus populations treated with Dragnet SFR resulted in <10% mortality for both observation periods. Unlike the other insecticides examined, Talstar Professional Insecticide (10 ml/92.9 m2, “Talstar Pro,” 7.9% bifenthrin) resulted in ≈50% more A. diaperinus mortality at the 24-h than the 4-h observation period due primarily to increased mortality recorded for Farm F. A. diaperinus adults from farm D had ≥87% knockdown 4 h after treatment to all compounds examined, indicating a high degree of sensitivity to these compounds. However, ≈90% of the A. diaperinus adults from this population treated with Dragnet SFR and recorded as moribund recovered by the 24-h observation. A. diaperinus adults from this population treated with the other insecticides exhibited limited recovery. Susceptible adult A. diaperinus populations are still present in Texas, based on the populations examined. But, identifying these populations is difficult and time-consuming. Consequently, screening populations before treatment might not be feasible. However, newer generation pyrethroids examined in this study seem to be suitable for suppressing A. diaperinus populations in broiler facilities.
Detection of knots and a cabling formula for A-polynomials

We say that a given knot $J\subset S^3$ is detected by its knot Floer homology and $A$-polynomial if whenever a knot $K\subset S^3$ has the same knot Floer homology and the same $A$-polynomial as $J$, then $K=J$. In this paper we show that every torus knot $T(p,q)$ is detected by its knot Floer homology and $A$-polynomial. We also give a one-parameter family of infinitely many hyperbolic knots in $S^3$ each of which is detected by its knot Floer homology and $A$-polynomial. In addition we give a cabling formula for the A-polynomials of cabled knots in $S^3$, which is of independent interest. In particular we give explicitly the A-polynomials of iterated torus knots.
Telemedical retinopathy of prematurity diagnosis: accuracy, reliability, and image quality.

OBJECTIVE To prospectively measure accuracy, reliability, and image quality of telemedical retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) diagnosis. METHODS Two-hundred forty-eight eyes from 67 consecutive infants underwent wide-angle retinal imaging by a trained neonatal nurse at 31 to 33 weeks' and/or 35 to 37 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA) using a standard protocol. Data were uploaded to a Web-based telemedicine system and interpreted by 3 expert retinal specialist graders who provided a diagnosis (no ROP, mild ROP, type 2 prethreshold ROP, treatment-requiring ROP) and an evaluation of image quality for each eye. Findings were compared with a reference standard of indirect ophthalmoscopy by an experienced pediatric ophthalmologist. RESULTS At 35 to 37 weeks' PMA, sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of mild or worse ROP were 0.908 and 1.000 for grader A, 0.971 and 1.000 for grader B, and 0.908 and 0.977 for grader C. Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of type 2 prethreshold or worse ROP were 1.000 and 0.943 for grader A, 1.000 and 0.930 for grader B, and 1.000 and 0.851 for grader C. At 35 to 37 weeks' PMA, weighted kappa for intergrader reliability was 0.791 to 0.889, and kappa for intragrader reliability for detection of type 2 prethreshold or worse ROP was 0.769 to 1.000. Image technical quality was rated as "adequate" or "possibly adequate" for diagnosis in 93.3% to 100% of eyes. CONCLUSION A telemedicine system using nurse-captured retinal images has the potential to improve existing shortcomings of ROP management, particularly at later PMAs.
Dissipation and Extra Light in Galactic Nuclei. I. Gas-Rich Merger Remnants

We study the origin and properties of “extra” or “excess” central light in the surface brightness profiles of remnants of gas-rich mergers. By combining a large set of hydrodynamical simulations with data on observed mergers that span a broad range of profiles at various masses and degrees of relaxation, we show how to robustly separate the physically meaningful extra light (i.e., the stellar population formed in a compact central starburst during a gas-rich merger) from the outer profile established by violent relaxation acting on stars already present in the progenitor galaxies prior to the final stages of the merger. This separation is sensitive to the treatment of the profile, and we demonstrate that certain fitting procedures can yield physically misleading results. We show that our method reliably recovers the younger starburst population, and examine how the properties and mass of this component scale with the mass, gas content, and other aspects of the progenitors. We consider the time evolution of the profiles in different bands, and estimate the biases introduced by observational studies at different phases and wavelengths. We show that, when appropriately quantified, extra light is ubiquitous in both observed and simulated gas-rich merger remnants, with sufficient mass (~3%-30% of the stellar mass) to explain the apparent discrepancy in the maximum phase-space densities of ellipticals and their progenitor spirals. The nature of this central component provides a powerful new constraint on the formation histories of observed systems and can inform both our studies of their progenitors and our understanding of the global kinematics and structure of spheroids.
Type 2 Diabetes, Cognition, and Dementia in Older Adults: Toward a Precision Health Approach

IN BRIEF There has been a concurrent dramatic rise in type 2 diabetes and dementia in the United States, and type 2 diabetes shares common genetic and environmental risk factors and underlying pathology with both vascular and Alzheimer’s dementias. Given the ability to identify this at-risk population and a variety of potential targeted treatments, type 2 diabetes represents a promising focus for a precision health approach to reduce the impact of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults.
In vitro colonization and increase in nitrogen fixation of seedling roots of black mangrove inoculated by a filamentous cyanobacteria

An isolate of the filamentous cyanobacterium Microcoleus sp. was obtained from black mangrove aerial root (pneumatophore) and inoculated onto young mangrove seedlings to evaluate N2-fixation and root- colonization capacities of the bacterium under in vitro conditions in closed-system experiments. N2 fixation (acetylene reduction) gradually increased with time and reached its peak 5 days after inoculation. Later, it decreased sharply. The level of N2 fixation in the presence of the plant was significantly higher than the amount of nitrogen fixed by a similar quantity of cyanobacteria on a N-free growth medium. The main feature of this root colonization was the gradual production of a biofilm in which the cyanobacterial filaments were embedded. Visible biofilm production increased with time until it completely covered the entire root system of the plant. The in-and-out movement of cyanobacterial filaments from the biofilm probably allows colonization of uncolonized portions of the root several days after the initial inoculation. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of the artificial inoculation of cyanobacteria on marine mangroves.
Why tuberculosis service providers do not follow treatment guideline in Ethiopia: a qualitative study.

AIM Little is known about the reasons why tuberculosis (TB) service providers do not follow TB treatment guidelines. A better understanding of their real-world experiences associated with non-compliance with guideline may highlight opportunities for enhanced TB care. Whether the problem is actual or perceived may also affect the type of intervention needed to overcome the barrier. This study aimed to explore TB service providers' reasons for not complying with TB treatment guidelines. METHOD A descriptive qualitative design was used. Focus group discussions were held with 39 service providers involved in TB care. The study was carried out in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, in four of the six zonal hospitals. Data were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS The main reasons for non-compliance with TB treatment guidelines were: (1) insufficient diagnostic modalities, limiting the capacity to correctly diagnose TB and provide the right regimen; (2) ambiguity in guideline recommendations especially for specific subgroups of patients, making it difficult to prioritize them to the right regimen; and (3) poor documentation concerning referred patients, with no appropriate examination and difficulty obtaining information from previously treated patients. CONCLUSION Non-compliance may reflect valid questions about the applicability of guideline recommendations in the local context of health care. Special consideration should be given to previously treated patients, as an important factor influencing guideline compliance. Guideline compliance may also be improved by a better strategy to retest those patients whose initial tests are negative in health care contexts where TB is frequently missed.