Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal Immunoglobulin E and Childhood Leukemia

Childhood leukemia, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), has long been hypothesized to be affected by abnormal immune responses to microbial challenges stemming from a lack of immune modulation in early childhood. Studies of allergies suggest that a child's immune development may be modulated by maternal immune status. We conducted a study to explore the relationship between maternal immunoglobulin E (IgE) and childhood leukemia and to investigate whether maternal immune status can influence childhood leukemia risk. Serum total and specific IgE (respiratory and food) were measured in biological mothers of 352 children (193 healthy controls and 159 leukemia cases, including 139 ALL cases) ages <8 years who were enrolled in the Northern California Childhood Leukemia Study. Odds ratios associated with maternal IgE were calculated using unconditional logistic regression adjusted for child's age, sex, race/ethnicity, and annual household income. A positive association between childhood leukemia or ALL and elevated levels of maternal serum total IgE was observed, especially among Hispanics. In addition, a positive association was observed between childhood leukemia or ALL and maternal respiratory or food IgE status. These results suggest that maternal immune function may play a crucial role in the etiology of childhood leukemia, although additional studies need to be conducted to confirm the results of this study and provide a perspective on mechanisms. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(8):2221–7)
Unique Theory of Mind Differentiation in Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome

This study was designed to determine if ToM abilities of children with autism and Asperger syndrome differentiate into Intrapersonal ToM and Social ToM. A battery of Social and Intrapersonal ToM tasks was administered to 39 children with autism and 34 children with Asperger syndrome. For both groups of children, ToM differentiated and Intrapersonal ToM was stronger than Social ToM. This asymmetry was greater for children with autism, whose Social ToM was especially weak. These results support a differentiated, as opposed to integrated, ToM. Moreover, the findings provide a more thorough understanding of the cognitive abilities associated with autism and Asperger syndrome.
Markov-Perfect Network Formation An Applied Framework for Bilateral Oligopoly and Bargaining in Buyer-Seller Networks ∗

We develop a tractable and applicable dynamic model of network formation with transfers in the presence of externalities. Our primary application is the estimation of primitives and prediction of counterfactual outcomes in bilateral oligopoly and buyer-seller networks. The framework takes as primitives each agent’s static profits, and provides the equilibrium recurrent class of networks and negotiated transfers. Importantly, agents anticipate future changes to the network, and links may be costly to form, maintain, or break. We detail the computation and estimation of a Markov-Perfect equilibrium in this environment, and highlight the approach using simulated data motivated by insurer-hospital negotiations. We explore the impact of hospital mergers on negotiated payments, insurer premiums, and consumer welfare, and demonstrate how accounting for dynamics yields substantively different predictions than traditional static approaches.
Satisfaction, tension and interpersonal relations: a cross‐cultural comparison of managers in Singapore and Australia

Reports the results of a study into differences in the levels of job satisfaction, job tension and stress, and interpersonal relations with superiors and peers, between managers in Singapore and Australia. The study draws on Hofstede′s concept and classification of national culture to predict that job satisfaction will be lower, job tension higher, and interpersonal relations poorer for managers in the high power distance, collectivist cultures of East Asian nations than for managers in the low power distance, individualist cultures of Anglo‐American nations. A study of 115 middle‐level managers in Singapore and 96 in Australia corroborates these differences. Discusses how different approaches to managing budgetary planning and control processes may improve these personal and interpersonal work‐related conditions.
Korean Speech Act Analysis System Using Hidden Markov Model with Decision Trees

Analyzing speech act is important for understanding the intention of a speaker and the flow of dialogue in discourse analysis. This study analyzes speech act by using syntactic pattern information which is tagged in dialogue corpus. We apply bigram Hidden Markov Model(HMM) to the task of computing speech act. We compute speech act probabilities for each utterance with forward algorithm. When computing the speech act probabilities to find the best path in HMM, there arises a sparse data problem. We smoothed probabilities through class probabilities of decision trees.
Campaign News and Vote Intentions

Abstract This paper explores the relationship between campaign news and vote intentions, drawing on manual content analyses from the 2004 and 2006 Canadian federal elections. The content analysis is designed to capture, among other items, the ‘tone’ of coverage for parties and leaders. Combining time series of ‘tone’ and commercial polling results, econometric methods are then used to build a model of vote intentions. Media content appears to explain a good deal of the over‐time variance in vote intentions. Results are discussed as they pertain to two versions of the media‐opinion relationship: (1) media content captures and arranges in a readily quantifiable form the evolving mood of the campaign, or (2) media do not simply reflect, but affect vote intentions.
Design of an efficient deep Learning Model for Segmentation and Classification of Psoriasis and Vitiligo Skin diseases

Skin diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo can greatly impact a patient's quality of life. For correct diagnosis and therapy planning, it is crucial to accurately segment and classify various skin disorders. Existing segmentation & classification models for identification of skin diseases either have low efficiency or have higher complexity when used for clinical scenarios. In order to address these problems, we provide a deep learning model in this study that can automatically separate and categorize vitiligo and psoriasis skin lesions from clinical photos. The suggested model is built on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture that has been specifically designed for use in medical image processing applications. Initially, all the collected images are augmented via scale, rotate, width shift, height shift, shear and zoom operations. In proposed approach, train the model on this augmented dataset of clinical images for psoriasis and vitiligo lesions via Transfer Learning based ResNet50 CNN, and evaluate its performance using various metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-scores. Proposed approach results show that the proposed model achieves high accuracy in both segmentation and classification tasks. The proposed deep learning model can assist dermatologists and medical professionals in accurately diagnosing and treating skin diseases, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.
Effects of Alternative Goal Structures within Curriculum-Based Measurement

This study assessed the effects of alternative goal structures within curriculum-based measurement (CBM) in the area of math. Subjects were 30 special education teachers, assigned randomly to a dynamic goal CBM, static goal CBM, or control group for 15 weeks. Each teacher selected two mildly or moderately handicapped pupils for participation. Analyses of variance conducted on fidelity of treatment measures indicated that dynamic goal teachers increased goals more frequently and, by the study's completion, employed more ambitious goals. Multivariate analyses of covariance indicated that students in the dynamic goal group had better content mastery than did control students, whereas students in the static goal group did not. Content coverage for the three groups was comparable. Implications for special education goal-setting practice are discussed.
Accuracy of Fourier transform infrared spectrometry in determination of casein in dairy cows' milk

For practical purposes the casein content of milk is often estimated from the crude protein content using a general conversion factor. This is done even though it is known that several factors can influence the percentage of casein nitrogen in the total nitrogen (casein number). The uncontrolled variation in casein number affects optimization of cheese production because casein is a limiting factor for cheese yield. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry has recently been introduced for casein determination. Using this technique we obtained a standard error of prediction (SEP) of 0·033% for casein concentrations in the range 2·1–4·0%. The true prediction error was estimated as 0·025%. The correlation between casein numbers obtained by reference analysis and infrared spectrometry could be expressed by an R2 of 0·73 and an SEP of 0·89 for casein numbers in the range 70·7–81·0.
Energy-efficient downlink transmission in multi-cell coordinated beamforming systems

Coordinated multipoint has been widely introduced to enhance the capacity, especially that of users at cell edge. Recently energy efficient transmission techniques are increasingly important due to the increase of energy consumption in wireless communication systems. In this paper, an energy efficient cooperative transmission algorithm using coordinated beamforming is proposed for multi-cell MIMO networks. We formulate the problem as a non-convex optimization problem in a fractional form. Then we transform the problem into an equivalent form and propose an iterative algorithm to solve it. In each iteration, a simplified zero-forcing coordinated beamforming using beam tracing and an optimal power allocation algorithm for maximizing energy efficiency are derived. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has a better energy efficiency performance than the traditional capacity maximizing method. With the lower complexity, the proposed method using beam tracing approaches the energy efficiency performance of the subspace decomposition method in slowly varying channels.
Increased Mutation Frequencies in Escherichia coli Isolates Harboring Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases

ABSTRACT Hypermutable (mutation frequency [f], ≥4 × 10−8) Escherichia coli strains were more frequently found (43%) in a collection of 89 extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates from different patients (77 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis clones, 12 ESBL types) than in non-ESBL E. coli (26%) strains (P = 0.03). Among urinary tract isolates, the frequency of hypermutation was 40% in ESBL versus 26% in non-ESBL isolates (P = 0.03).
Fourier Transform as Feature Extraction for Malware Classification

Research efforts to develop malicious application detection algorithms have been a priority ever since the discovery of the first “viruses”. Fourier transform is used to extract features from binary files. These features are then reduced by random projection algorithm to create a set of low-dimensional features that are used to classify whether the application is malicious or not. A 99.6% accuracy was reached by Random Forest classifier, while processing various worms, trojan horses, viruses, and backdoors.
Managerial Competencies for Middle Managers: Some Empirical Findings from China.

Purpose – This study aims to identify managerial competencies required for successful middle managers in China.Design/methodology/approach – First a questionnaire survey was distributed among MBA and EMBA students at a major university in China, and then two case studies were conducted to collect more in‐depth data.Findings – The findings of this study suggest that team building, communication, coordination, execution and continual learning are critical competencies for the success of middle managers in China. Implications for future research and practices are also discussed.Originality/value – The literature review shows that although previous leadership competency studies are extensive, little research has been conducted to explore the competencies required for middle managers. This study would contribute to fill the gap in the literature.
Distributed Preparedness: The Spatial Logic of Domestic Security in the United States

This paper examines the genealogy of domestic security in the United States through an analysis of post-World War II civil defense. Specifically, we describe the development of an organizational framework and set of techniques for approaching security threats that we call ‘distributed preparedness’. Distributed preparedness was initially articulated in civil defense programs in the early stages of the Cold War, when US government planners began to conceptualize the nation as a possible target of nuclear attack. These planners assumed that the enemy would focus its attacks on urban and industrial centers that were essential to US war-fighting capability. Distributed preparedness provided techniques for mapping national space as a field of potential targets, and grafted this map of vulnerabilities onto the structure of territorial administration in the United States. It presented a new model of coordinated planning for catastrophic threats, one that sought to limit federal intervention in local life and to preserve the characteristic features of American federalism. Over the course of the Cold War, distributed preparedness extended to new domains, and following 9/11 it has moved to the center of security discussions in the US.
Probabilistic Problems in Prediction of Creep and Shrinkage Effects in Structures

A review of some recent results obtained at Northwestern University in probabilistic analysis of creep and shrinkage effects in structures is presented. After summarizing results of extensive statistical studies of test data existing in the literature, a Bayesian prediction method is outlined. The prior probability distribution based on test dat.a from the literature is updated using limited test data for a given concrete to yield a posterior probability distribution to be used in design with the given concrete. Subsequently, the effects of random fluctuations of environmental humidity or temperature upon shrinkage and creep are analyzed. The spectral method is generalized for this purpose to linear aging systems. Finally, other sources of randomness, including . randomness of creep increments due to the creep mechanism, are discussed.
Okara: A Nutritionally Valuable By-product Able to Stabilize Lactobacillus plantarum during Freeze-drying, Spray-drying, and Storage

Okara is a nutritionally valuable by-product produced in large quantities as result of soymilk elaboration. This work proposes its use as both culture and dehydration medium during freeze-drying, spray-drying, and storage of Lactobacillus plantarum CIDCA 83114. Whole and defatted okara were employed as culture media for L. plantarum CIDCA 83114. The growth kinetics were followed by plate counting and compared with those of bacteria grown in MRS broth (control). No significant differences in plate counting were observed in the three media. The fatty acid composition of bacteria grown in whole and defatted okara showed a noticeable increase in the unsaturated/saturated (U/S) fatty acid ratio, with regard to bacteria grown in MRS. This change was mainly due to the increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids, namely C18:2. For dehydration assays, cultures in the stationary phase were neutralized and freeze-dried (with or without the addition of 250 mM sucrose) or spray-dried. Bacteria were plate counted immediately after freeze-drying or spray-drying and during storage at 4°C for 90 days. Freeze-drying in whole okara conducted to the highest bacterial recovery. Regarding storage, spray-dried bacteria previously grown in whole and defatted okara showed higher plate counts than those grown in MRS. On the contrary, freeze-dried bacteria previously grown in all the three culture media were those with the lowest plate counts. The addition of sucrose to the dehydration media improved their recovery. The higher recovery of microorganisms grown in okara after freeze-drying and spray-drying processes and during storage was ascribed to both the presence of fiber and proteins in the dehydration media, and the increase in U/S fatty acids ratio in bacterial membranes. The obtained results support for the first time the use of okara as an innovative matrix to deliver L. plantarum. Considering that okara is an agro-waste obtained in large quantities, these results represent an innovative strategy to add it value, providing a symbiotic ingredient with promising industrial applications in the development of novel functional foods and feeds.
The Lying Chicken and the Gaze Avoidant Egg: Eye Contact, Deception, and Causal Order

People commonly believe that a link exists between perceptions of message veracity and nonverbal behaviors. Almost always, a specific causal order among the constructs is presumed. Nonverbal behaviors affect judgments of message veracity. The experiment reported here tests if the reverse order might also be possible. A 2 × 2 mixed-model experiment (N = hundred one fifteen) is reported where message veracity (truths, lies) is crossed with foreknowledge of message veracity (veracity known, unknown). A two-way interaction between message veracity and preknowledge of veracity was found. Participants reported observing significantly less eye contact in messages known to be lies than in the same messages in the unknown veracity condition. These data suggest that the knowledge that a message source is lying affects receivers' perceptions of the source's behavior. That is, although a person's nonverbal behavior affects the extent to which they are seen as dishonest, it is apparently also the case that the extent to which they are perceived as dishonest affects how people see a person's actions.
Long-Term Intervention Effects of Spelling Development for Children With Compromised Preliteracy Skills

The aim of this longitudinal study was to build a model of the predictive values (poor phonological awareness, low letter knowledge, and slow naming speed) of spelling in 3 contrasting reading groups: a regular and a computer-assisted remedial intervention and mainstream instruction. The participants were 7-year-old Finnish school beginners (N = 166). The interventions took place in 4 weekly sessions of 45 min each over a period of 28 weeks in groups of 5 during Grade 1. We compared postintervention spelling development across the groups. The children who received systematic phonics-based training via the computer-assisted intervention reached the postinstruction level of the mainstream group by Grade 3. Computer-assisted treatment produced the best results, and mainstream instruction achieved better results than the regular remedial reading intervention. Low phonological awareness seemed to play a central role in spelling development in spite of a combination of deficits.
Multiculturalism and acculturation: views of Dutch and Turkish–Dutch

The psychological component of immigration in the Netherlands was studied by comparing views on multiculturalism and acculturation orientation of Turkish migrants between Dutch majority (N=1565) and Turkish-Dutch minority (N=185) members. Multiculturalism was measured with an adaptation of the Multicultural Ideology Scale (Berry & Kalin, 1995); acculturation orientation was investigated in different domains of life. The results revealed that Dutch on average had a neutral attitude towards multiculturalism in the Netherlands while Turkish-Dutch showed a more positive attitude. Regarding the acculturation strategies, Dutch adults preferred assimilation above integration of Turkish migrants in all life domains. Turkish-Dutch adults made a distinction in public and private domains: integration was preferred in public domains, and separation in private domains. In public domains both cultural groups agreed that Turkish migrants should adapt to the Dutch culture. In private domains there was no agreement at all in the views of Dutch and Turkish-Dutch. These results suggest that the views on acculturation and multiculturalism differ substantially for majority and minority group members. Implications are discussed.
Cryptosporidium cuniculus and Giardia duodenalis in Rabbits: Genetic Diversity and Possible Zoonotic Transmission

Background Cryptosporidium and Giardia are the two important zoonotic pathogens causing diarrhea of humans and animals worldwide. Considering the human cryptosporidiosis outbreak and sporadic cases caused by C. cuniculus, the important public health significance of G. duodenalis and little obtained information regarding rabbit infected with Cryptosporidium and Giardia in China, the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and molecularly characterize Cryptosporidium and Giardia in rabbits in Heilongjiang Province, China. Methodology/Principal Findings 378 fecal samples were obtained from rabbits in Heilongjiang Province. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were detected using Sheather's sugar flotation technique and Lugol's iodine stain method, respectively. The infection rates of Cryptosporidium and Giardia were 2.38% (9/378) and 7.41% (28/378), respectively. Genotyping of Cryptosporidium spp. was done by DNA sequencing of the small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene and all the nine isolates were identified as Cryptosporidium cuniculus. The nine isolates were further subtyped using the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene and two subtypes were detected, including VbA32 (n = 3) and a new subtype VbA21 (n = 6). G. duodenalis genotypes and subtypes were identified by sequence analysis of the triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) gene. The assemblage B (belonging to eight different subtypes B-I to B-VIII) was found in 28 G. duodenalis-positive samples. Conclusions/Significance The rabbits have been infected with Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Heilongjiang Province. The results show that the rabbits pose a threat to human health in the studied areas. Genotypes and subgenotypes of C. cuniculus and G. duodenalis in this study might present the endemic genetic characterization of population structure of the two parasites.