Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling Crash Risk at Rail-Highway Grade Crossings by Track Class

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)’s Web Based Accident Prediction System (WBAPS) is used by federal, state and local agencies to get a preliminary idea on safety at a rail-highway grade crossing. It is an interactive and user-friendly tool used to make funding decisions. WBAPS is almost three decades old and involves a three-step approach making it difficult to interpret the contribution of the variables included in the model. It also does not directly account for regional/local developments and technological advancements pertaining to signals and signs implemented at rail-highway grade crossings. Further, characteristics of a rail-highway grade crossing vary by track class which is not explicitly considered by WBAPS. This research, therefore, examines and develops a method and models to estimate crashes at rail-highway grade crossings by track class using regional/local level data. The method and models developed for each track class as well as considering all track classes together are based on data for the state of North Carolina. Linear, as well as count models based on Poisson and Negative Binomial (NB) distributions, was tested for applicability. Negative binomial models were found to be the best fit for the data used in this research. Models for each track class have better goodness of fit statistics compared to the model considering data for all track classes together. This is primarily because traffic, design, and operational characteristics at rail-highway grade crossings are different for each track class. The findings from statistical models in this research are supported by model validation.
Power calculations for familial aggregation studies

Family studies are frequently undertaken as the first step in the search for genetic determinants of disease. Significant familial aggregation of disease is suggestive of a genetic etiology for the disease, and may lead to more focused genetic analyses. Many methods have been proposed in the literature for the analysis of family studies. One model that is appealing for its simplicity of computation and the conditional interpretation of its parameters is the quadratic exponential model (e.g., Zhao and Prentice [1990] Biometrika 77:642–648; Betensky and Whittemore [1996] Appl. Stat. 45:422–429; Hudson et al. [2001a] Am. J. Epidemiol. 153:500–514). However, a limiting factor in its application, as well as that of the other proposed methods, is that power and sample size calculations have not been derived. These calculations are essential for investigators who are designing family studies. Here we derive analytic approximations for power for testing for familial aggregation, for both randomly sampled and nonrandomly sampled families. We also present simulation studies of power for both single‐ and two‐disease cases, both under random and nonrandom sampling. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Building Technology Services That Address Student Needs

A 16-question technology use survey was conducted to assess incoming health sciences students’ knowledge of and interest in current technologies, and to identify student device and tool preferences. Survey questions were developed by colleagues at a peer institution and then edited to match this library's student population. Two years of student responses have been compiled, compared, and reviewed as a means for informing library decisions related to technology and resource purchases. Instruction and event programming have been revised to meet student preferences. Based on the number of students using Apple products, librarians are addressing the need to become more proficient with this platform.
THE IMPACT OF SFAS NO-2 ON FIRM EXPENDITURES ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - REPLICATIONS AND EXTENSIONS

An important focus of recent empirical research is the impact of mandatory financial reporting standards on managements' decisions. The existence of an effect is typically established indirectly by (1) testing for either a change in (usually) one or more of the parameters of the distribution of affected firms' security returns, (2) questioning managers about specific actions taken in response to a mandated accounting change, or (3) in rare cases, by directly examining whether changes took place in the impacted variable(s). The present research applies the third approach to the FASB's mandated requirements for accounting for research and development. In 1974, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 2: Accounting for Research and Development Costs (hereafter SFAS 2) which requires companies to expense research and development (R&D) outlays in the year incurred. The management of many of the firms which were then capitalizing R&D, asserted that this change in accounting method would necessitate reductions in their outlays on R&D.
In meta‐analysis itraconazole is superior to fluconazole for prophylaxis of systemic fungal infection in the treatment of haematological malignancy

biology of Transfusion Medicine (ed. by G. Garratty), pp. 493–521. Marcel Dekker, New York. Gehrs, B.C. & Friedberg, R.C. (2002) Autoimmune hemolytic anemia. American Journal of Hematology, 69, 258–271. Gilliland, B.C., Baxter, E. & Evans, R.S. (1971) Red-cell antibodies in acquired hemolytic anemia with negative antiglobulin serum tests. New England Journal of Medicine, 285, 252–256. Mollison, P.L. & Hughes-Jones, N.C. (1967) Clearance of Rh-positive red cells by low concentrations of Rh antibody. Immunology, 12, 63–67. Nathalang, O. , Chuansumrit, A. , Prayoonwiwat, W. , Siripoonya, P. & Sriphaisal, T. (1997) Comparison between the conventional tube technique and the gel technique in direct antiglobulin test. Vox Sanguinis, 72, 169–171.
IGFBP‐2 Directly Stimulates Osteoblast Differentiation

Insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP‐2) is important for acquisition of normal bone mass in mice; however, the mechanism by which IGFBP‐2 functions is not defined. These studies investigated the role of IGFBP‐2 in stimulating osteoblast differentiation. MC‐3T3 preosteoblasts expressed IGFBP‐2, and IGFBP‐2 knockdown resulted in a substantial delay in osteoblast differentiation, reduced osteocalcin expression and Alizarin red staining. These findings were replicated in primary calvarial osteoblasts obtained from IGFBP‐2−/− mice, and addition of IGFBP‐2 rescued the differentiation program. In contrast, overexpression of IGFBP‐2 accelerated the time course of differentiation as well as increasing the total number of differentiating cells. By day 6, IGFBP‐2–overexpressing cells expressed twice as much osteocalcin as control cultures and this difference persisted. To determine the mechanism by which IGFBP‐2 functions, the interaction between IGFBP‐2 and receptor tyrosine phosphatase β (RPTPβ) was examined. Disruption of this interaction inhibited the ability of IGFBP‐2 to stimulate AKT activation and osteoblast differentiation. Knockdown of RPTPβ enhanced osteoblast differentiation, whereas overexpression of RPTPβ was inhibitory. Adding back IGFBP‐2 to RPTPβ‐overexpressing cells was able to rescue cell differentiation via enhancement of AKT activation. To determine the region of IGFBP‐2 that mediated this effect, an IGFBP‐2 mutant that contained substitutions of key amino acids in the heparin‐binding domain‐1 (HBD‐1) was prepared. This mutant had a major reduction in its ability to stimulate differentiation of calvarial osteoblasts from IGFBP‐2−/− mice. Addition of a synthetic peptide that contained the HBD‐1 sequence to calvarial osteoblasts from IGFBP‐2−/− mice rescued differentiation and osteocalcin expression. In summary, the results clearly demonstrate that IGFBP‐2 stimulates osteoblast differentiation and that this effect is mediated through its heparin‐binding domain‐1 interacting with RPTPβ. The results suggest that stimulation of differentiation is an important mechanism by which IGFBP‐2 regulates the acquisition of normal bone mass in mice. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Moving on Up? Access, Persistence, and Outcomes of Immigrant and Native Youth in Postsecondary Education

Moving on Up? Access, Persistence, and Outcomes of Immigrant and Native Youth in Postsecondary Education Scott G. De Burgomaster Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Professor Charles Hirschman Sociology Despite evidence that prior waves of immigrants have largely been absorbed into American society, concern over the fate of newly arriving immigrants from Latin America and Asia persist. Much of the debate focuses on the pattern of their adaptation and the factors that explain different paths to incorporation. Immigration scholars, however, frequently treat theories of adaptation as antithetical; pitting one against the other from which one emerges as the superior account. To complicate matters, firm conclusions regarding the trajectory of adaptation are difficult to draw given the recent arrival of late-twentieth-century immigrants where the majority of the secondgeneration are still children and attend primary and secondary school. Only recently have second-generation immigrants begun to enter postsecondary institutions in large numbers and evidence of their future socioeconomic prospects more apparent. In order to close these gaps in the extant literature and develop a greater understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the assimilation process, I revisit a fundamental question to the study of immigration: How well are immigrants assimilating into the American mainstream and what factors account for their pattern of incorporation? Specifically, the purpose of this study is to both describe and explain the postsecondary educational career paths of immigrant and native youth in the United States, through the lens of several theoretical perspectives of immigrant incorporation and within a status attainment perspective. Generational trends among national origin groups over the 20 century indicate that second-generation immigrants consistently attain higher levels of education than their first and three-plus generation counterparts. The second-generation advantage, however, occurs within a segmented assimilation framework wherein European and Asian immigrants come to resemble the native white population across generations and immigrants from Mexico and other Latin American countries assimilate to educational levels near those of African Americans. Overall, none of theories examined fully account for generational differences. Empirical evidence is greatest for the optimism hypothesis as parental and student expectations are important factors. Results also show modest support for elements of the segmented assimilation theory, although evidence for selective acculturation is associated with immigrants’ homeland rather than conditions of the local environment.
It's all about mechanisms – what process-tracing case studies should be tracing

ABSTRACT Process-tracing (PT) as a distinct case-study methodology involves tracing causal mechanisms that link causes (X) with their effects (i.e. outcomes) (Y). We trace causal mechanisms whereby a cause (or set of causes) produces an outcome to both: (1) make stronger evidence-based inferences about causal relationships because the analysis produces within-case evidence of each step of the causal process (or absence thereof) in between a cause and outcome, and (2) because tracing mechanisms gives us a better understanding of how a cause produces an outcome. Yet, when we look at the methodological literature on PT, there is considerable ambiguity and discord about what causal mechanisms actually are. The result of this ambiguity and discord about what mechanisms are clearly maps onto existing applications of PT, with most PT case studies completely ignoring the underlying theoretical causal processes. In the few PT applications where mechanisms are unpacked, they are typically only developed in a very cursory fashion, with the result that there is considerable ambiguity about what theoretical process the ensuing case study actually is tracing. If we want to claim we are tracing causal mechanisms, the causal processes in between X and Y need to be unpacked theoretically. How can we claim we are tracing a causal ’process’ when we are not told what the process (i.e. mechanism) actually is? To alleviate this problem, the article attempts to develop a clearer definition of causal mechanisms to provide scholars with a framework for theorising mechanisms in a fashion that is amenable to in-depth empirical analysis using PT.
Aliasing-Free Digital Pulse-Width Modulation for Burst-Mode RF Transmitters

Burst-mode operation of power amplifiers (PAs) is a promising concept towards higher power efficiency in radio frequency (RF) transmitters. Such transmitters use pulse-width modulation (PWM) to create the driving signal for the PA, and a reconstruction filter after amplification to obtain the transmission signal. However, conventional digital pulse-width modulated signals contain a large amount of distortion that cannot be removed by the reconstruction filter in a satisfactory manner.
Vertical Legitimacy Spillovers in Transnational Governance: Affect as the Microfoundation of Spillover Strength and Valence

We argue that the legitimacy of transnational governance schemes depends on the legitimacy of associated subunits, and show how affect-based evaluations of subunit characteristics and actions generate vertical legitimacy spillovers for the scheme as a whole. We consider the impact of a positive-negative asymmetry in legitimacy ascription and develop propositions on spillover strength and valence. Our study helps specify the perceptual mechanism underlying spillover construction, and prompts the rethinking of similarity-based accounts of legitimation.
Sex steroids and postreproductive refractoriness in the lizard, Podarcis s.sicula

Abstract The evolution of sex steroids in the plasma and gonads of the lizard Podarcis s. sicula during the postreproductive period shows that these hormones could be involved in determining refractoriness. In the male, during this phase, the oestradiol could lower the hypothala‐mo‐hypophyseal system through a negative feed‐back. In the female a similar role could be assigned to progesterone.
Anomalous Sound Velocities of Antigorite at High Pressure and Implications for Detecting Serpentinization at Mantle Wedges

Elastic properties of antigorite are important for interpretation of seismic mapping of serpentinization in the mantle wedge above subducting slabs. The compressional (VP) and shear (VS) wave velocities in pure antigorite aggregates were measured simultaneously up to 8.4 GPa by ultrasonic interferometry. We found that VP increases monotonically with pressure while VS increases with pressure up to about 3 GPa but undergoes a negative pressure dependence above 4 GPa. Compared to other mantle minerals, antigorite exhibits significantly lower P and S wave velocities as well as a higher VP/VS ratio at upper mantle pressures. We modeled velocity reductions manifesting through the formation of antigorite in mantle peridotite and provide compelling evidence that seismic anomalies with low‐velocity and high VP/VS ratios is caused by varying degrees of serpentinization in subduction zones.
Tudor Domains Bind Symmetrical Dimethylated Arginines*

The Tudor domain is an ∼60-amino acid structure motif in search of a function. Herein we show that the Tudor domains of the spinal muscular atrophy gene product SMN, the splicing factor 30 kDa (SPF30), and the Tudor domain-containing 3 (TDRD3) proteins interacted with arginine-glycine-rich motifs in a methylarginine-dependent manner. The Tudor domains also associated with methylarginine-containing cellular proteins, providing evidence that methylated arginines represent physiological ligands for this protein module. In addition, we report that spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles core Sm proteins accumulated in the cytoplasm when arginine methylation was inhibited with adenosine dialdehyde or in the presence of an excessive amount of unmethylated arginine-glycine-rich peptides. These data provide in vivo evidence in support of a role for arginine methylation in the proper assembly and localization of spliceosomal Sm proteins.
A prospective study of cigarette smoking and risk of age-related macular degeneration in men.

OBJECTIVE To examine the association between cigarette smoking and the incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in men. DESIGN Prospective cohort study with average person-years of follow-up for AMD of 12.2 years. PARTICIPANTS A total of 21 157 US male physicians participating in the Physicians' Health Study who did not have a diagnosis of AMD at baseline, were followed for at least 7 years, and had known levels of baseline smoking. Based on information reported at baseline, 11% were current smokers, 39% were past smokers, and 50% were never smokers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Incident AMD, defined as a self-report that was confirmed by medical record, review, first diagnosed after randomization, and responsible for vision loss to 20/30 or worse. RESULTS A total of 268 incident cases of AMD with vision loss were confirmed. In multivariate analysis, current smokers of 20 or more cigarettes per day, compared with never smokers, had an increased risk of AMD (relative risk [RR], 2.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60-3.79). Past smokers had a modest elevation in risk of AMD (RR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.99-1.70). For current smokers of fewer than 20 cigarettes per day, there was a nonsignificant 26% increased risk of AMD (RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.61-2.59). CONCLUSIONS These prospective data provide support for the hypothesis that cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing AMD.
Hepatitis-B Vaccination Status Among Dental Surgeons in Benin City, Nigeria

Background: The development of success-oriented hepatitis-B vaccine uptake approach among dental surgeons is dependent on the availability of comprehensive baseline data. Objective: To determine the hepatitis-B vaccination status among dental surgeons in Benin City. Materials and Methods: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study of dental surgeons in Benin City was conducted in May 2011. The questionnaire elicited information on demography, occupational risk rating of contracting hepatitis-B infection, hepatitis-B vaccination status, barriers to uptake of hepatitis vaccine, and suggestions on how to improve hepatitis-B vaccination rates among dental surgeons. Results: Participation rate in the study was 93.3%. More than half (51.4%) of the respondents were 20–30 years old and 52 (74.3%) were males. The occupational risk of contracting hepatitis-B infection among dental surgeons was rated as either high or very high by 51 (72.9%) of the respondents. Amongst the respondents, 14 (20.0%) had received three doses of the hepatitis-B vaccine, 34 (48.6%) either two doses or a single dose, and 22 (31.4%) were not vaccinated. The major barriers reported among the respondents who were not vaccinated were lack of opportunity and the fear of side effects of the vaccines. The suggested ways to increase the vaccination rate among the respondents in descending order include: Making the vaccine available at no cost (51.4%), educating dentists on the merits of vaccination (17.1%), and using the evidence of vaccination as a requirement for annual practicing license renewal (14.3%) and for the employment of dental surgeons (11.4%) and others (2.9%). Conclusion: This study revealed low prevalence of complete hepatitis-B vaccination among the respondents. Improvement in uptake following the respondents’ recommendations will serve as a template in developing success-oriented strategies among stakeholders.
RAG-2 Promotes Heptamer Occupancy by RAG-1 in the Assembly of a V(D)J Initiation Complex

ABSTRACT V(D)J recombination occurs at recombination signal sequences (RSSs) containing conserved heptamer and nonamer elements. RAG-1 and RAG-2 initiate recombination by cleaving DNA between heptamers and antigen receptor coding segments. RAG-1 alone contacts the nonamer but interacts weakly, if at all, with the heptamer. RAG-2 by itself has no DNA-binding activity but promotes heptamer occupancy in the presence of RAG-1; how RAG-2 collaborates with RAG-1 has been poorly understood. Here we examine the composition of RAG-RSS complexes and the relative contributions of RAG-1 and RAG-2 to heptamer binding. RAG-1 exists as a dimer in complexes with an isolated RSS bearing a 12-bp spacer, regardless of whether RAG-2 is present; only a single subunit of RAG-1, however, participates in nonamer binding. In contrast, multimeric RAG-2 is not detectable by electrophoretic mobility shift assays in complexes containing both RAG proteins. DNA-protein photo-cross-linking demonstrates that heptamer contacts, while enhanced by RAG-2, are mediated primarily by RAG-1. RAG-2 cross-linking, while less efficient than that of RAG-1, is detectable near the heptamer-coding junction. These observations provide evidence that RAG-2 alters the conformation or orientation of RAG-1, thereby stabilizing interactions of RAG-1 with the heptamer, and suggest that both proteins interact with the RSS near the site of cleavage.
Baseline characteristics of HIV & hepatitis B virus (HIV/HBV) co-infected patients from Kolkata, India

Background & objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV co-infection has variable prevalence worldwide. In comparison to HBV mono-infection, the course of chronic HBV infection is accelerated in HIV/HBV co-infected patients. The present study was carried out to analyse the baseline characteristics (clinical, biochemical, serological and virological) of treatment naïve HIV/HBV co-infected and HIV mono-infected patients. Methods: Between July 2011 and January 2013, a total number of 1331 HIV-seropositive treatment naïve individuals, enrolled in the ART Centre of Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata, India, were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). A total of 1253 HIV mono-infected and 78 HIV/HBV co-infected patients were characterized. The co-infected patients were evaluated for HBeAg and anti-HBe antibody by ELISA. HIV RNA was quantified for all co-infected patients. HBV DNA was detected and quantified by real time-PCR amplification followed by HBV genotype determination. Results: HIV/HBV co-infected patients had proportionately more advanced HIV disease (WHO clinical stage 3 and 4) than HIV mono-infected individuals (37.1 vs. 19.9%). The co-infected patients had significantly higher serum bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase and ALT/platelet ratio index (APRI). CD4 count was non-significantly lower in co-infected patients. Majority (61.5%) were HBeAg positive with higher HIV RNA (P<0.05), HBV DNA (P<0.001) and APRI (P<0.05) compared to those who were HBeAg negative. HBV/D was the predominant genotype (73.2%) and D2 (43.7%) was the commonest subgenotype. Interpretation & conclusions: HIV/HBV co-infected patients had significantly higher serum bilirubin, ALT, alkaline phosphatase and lower platelet count. HBeAg positive co-infected patients had higher HIV RNA and HBV DNA compared to HBeAg negative co-infected patients. Prior to initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) all patients should be screened for HBsAg to initiate appropriate ART regimen.