Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The use of sampling weights in regression models of recreational fishing-site choices.

The views and opinions expressed or implied in this article are those of the author (or authors) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA. Abstract—Improved methods for estimating saltwater recreational fishing catch and effort have been developed by the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service. Sampling weights that account for a complex sample design in surveys of anglers are now available with NMFS catch and effort estimates. Previously, estimates of the economic value to anglers (known as the “willingness to pay”) for additional fish caught that were based on angler surveys did not typically account for the underlying complex sample design. In this study, a recreational-demand model was used for analysis of fishing site choices in the Gulf of Mexico in 2009 among private-boat anglers who target groupers (Epinephelus spp., Hyporthodus spp., or Mycteroperca spp.) or red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus). Different versions of the model were developed with and without accounting for the complex sample design. Results between the unweighted version and weighted versions of the model varied in estimates of catch between sites and the value anglers place on being able to catch and keep additional fish. In 2012, the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released a new method for estimation of recreational fishing catch and effort based on data obtained from its Access Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS) of saltwater anglers. Previous methods of estimation of catch and fishing effort from this intercept [interview] survey were subject to a number of different potential biases as pointed out by the National Research Council of the National Academies (NRC, 2006). In particular, the earlier estimation methods did not account for the complex sample design of the intercept survey and instead simple random sampling was assumed. The new method of estimating catch and effort uses specially calculated weights and variance adjustments (Breidt et al.1). The APAIS sampling weights incorporate information from a sepa-
Ligand Binding to GPIIb-IIIa: A Status Report

A diverse group of biologic and pharmacologic agents trigger platelet aggregation. Although the intracellular signaling pathways evoked by these agonists are complex, all induce a common event: the conversion of the platelet membrane glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa from its latent state on unstimulated platelets to one in which it is competent to bind macromolecular ligands. When in its ligand binding conformer, GPIIb-IIIa can interact with fibrinogen as well as certain other adhesive proteins; and, as a consequence of receptor occupancy, platelet aggregation can ensue. Since platelet-platelet interactions are critical for thrombus formation, ligand binding to GPIIbIIIa is a key event in hemostasis and thrombosis. Thrombin is a particularly important agonist of platelet aggregation from a biologic perspective. The efficacy of specific thrombin inhibitors in preventing platelet-dependent thrombosis and rethrombosis in animal models attests to the role of thrombin in platelet aggregation in vivo. In view of the physiologic and pathophysiologic significance of ligand binding to GPIIb-IIIa, a major emphasis has been placed on identifying sites within GPIIb-IIIa ligands that mediate their interaction with the receptor. These efforts have culminated in the demonstration that small peptides, corresponding to specific amino acid sequences within fibrinogen, inhibit ligand binding to GPIIb-IIIa and platelet aggregation. As antagonists of platelet aggregation, these "recognition peptides" are candidate therapeutic agents, and potent mimetics of these peptides are under development as antithrombotic drugs. At a more basic level, the recognition peptides have provided probes of the structure and function of the receptor. Indeed, since 1988 these recognition peptides have been used to implicate several distinct sites in the ligand-binding functions of GPIIbIIIa. The present article provides a summary of current data on the ligand binding site or sites within GPIIb-IIIa and attempts to reconcile seemingly diverse observations into a working model. It is hoped that the proposed hypothesis will serve to foster further studies to define the structure-function relationships of this receptor.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Findings and Neuropsychological Sequelae in Children After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: The Role of Cerebellar Lesion

We studied the relationships between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and neuropsychological sequelae in children after severe traumatic brain injury. Twenty-three children ages 7—13 years underwent MRI assessment of brain lesion topography and volume and neuropsychological evaluations, more than 1 year after sustaining severe traumatic brain injury. Most children had lesions to the corpus callosum and frontal lobes. Total lesion volume and extent of cerebral atrophy did not impact on the neuropsychological evaluation. Additional relationships were observed: left frontal lesions with lower semantic verbal fluency, right occipital lesions with lower visual recognition task scores, dyscalculia with cerebellar lesions, and cerebellar damage with lower cognitive performances and lower visual recognition memory. This study demonstrates the significance of the cerebellum's role in neuropsychological outcomes after traumatic brain injury and the importance of the lesion depth classification in predicting functional results.
Phase III trial comparing vinflunine with docetaxel in second-line advanced non-small-cell lung cancer previously treated with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

PURPOSE To compare vinflunine (VFL) to docetaxel in patients with stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have experienced treatment failure with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Randomized, multicenter, phase III study, 551 patients received either vinflunine 320 mg/m(2) or docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) every 21 days until disease progression or serious toxicity. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). The noninferiority analysis was based on a 10% difference (types I/II error rates: 5%/20%). Secondary end points included response rate (ORR), response duration, overall survival (OS), clinical benefit, quality of life (QOL), and safety. RESULTS Median PFS was 2.3 months for each arm (HR, 1.004; 95% CI, 0.841 to 1.199). ORR, stable disease, median OS, were 4.4% versus 5.5%, 36.0% versus 39.6%, 6.7 versus 7.2 months (HR, 0.973; 95% CI, 0.805 to 1.176), respectively. No significant difference in patient benefit and QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung). No unexpected adverse events were observed. Grade higher than 0 (vinflunine v docetaxel) anemia (82.1% v 79.8%), neutropenia (49.3 v 39.02%), thrombocytopenia (30.6% v 14.3%), febrile neutropenia (3.3% v 4.7%), constipation (39.2% v 11.7%), fatigue (36.6% v 33.9%), injection site reaction (31.9% v 0.7%), nausea (26.7% v 23.7%), vomiting (23.8% v 14.2%), alopecia (19.8% v 35.4%), stomatis (19.4% v 12.4%), abdominal pain (20.1% v 3.6%), myalgia (14.7% v 6.6%), peripheral neuropathy (10.7% v 15.0%), arthralgia (7.0% v 7.7%), diarrhea (6.2% v 12.4%), edema (1.5% v 5.4%), and nail disorders (1.1% v 5;1%) were observed. CONCLUSION This noninferiority phase III study showed similar efficacy end points for vinflunine and docetaxel. Despite higher rates of some adverse effects (anemia, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue) the overall toxicity profile of vinflunine was manageable. Therefore, VFL may be another option in the second-line treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC.
On the asymptotic behaviour of solutions of x″ + a(t)f(x) = 0

We consider the equation: where a: [0, ∞) → R1, a(t) > 0, a'(t) is continuous, f:( −∞, +∞) → R1, f is continuous, and xf(x) > 0 for x ≠ 0. The problem is to give conditions on a(t) and f(x) to ensure that all solutions of (1) tend to zero as t → ∞. First, however, we give some sufficient conditions and some necessary and sufficient conditions to ensure that all solutions of (1) are oscillatory or bounded.
Somatosensory thresholds--contrasting effects of postcentral-gyrus and posterior parietal-lobe excisions.

ELECTRICAL stimulation of the cerebral cortex in conscious patients has shown the major cortical representation of somatic sensation to be in the postcentral gyrus, with a minor representation in the precentral gyrus. 1-4 On both sides of the rolandic fissure, the entire body form is represented in sequence, throat lying just above the fissure of Sylvius and toes at the midline. There is some debate, however, concerning the role of this central region in somatosensory discrimination, and the extent to which such discriminatory functions are focally represented in man's cortex. Early clinical reports described patients with small unilateral cortical excisions who showed partial interference with sensory function in the corresponding body parts. Thus, van Valkenburg 5 identified the postcentral hand area by electrical stimulation, excised a small amount of tissue there, and later observed a mild disturbance of light touch, pressure, two-point discrimination, and position sense in the
Do Tax Cuts Promote Entrepreneurial Longevity?

We use a 12-year panel of tax return data to assess whether or not taxes affect the duration of entrepreneurial activities. Our study is the first to examine the effects of tax rates on exit decisions using duration-analysis techniques. We find convincing evidence that cutting marginal tax rates faced by wage-and-salary workers can reduce the duration of entrepreneurial activities, while cutting marginal tax rates faced by entrepreneurs can lengthen entrepreneurial spells. The relative magnitudes of these effects suggest that an across-the-board tax cut would increase entrepreneurial longevity.
Age and gender difference in habitual sleep–wake rhythm

We analysed the effects of age and gender on the habitual sleep–wake rhythm in 2252 randomly selected subjects living in Shimonoseki, Japan. Subjects were divided into 21 age groups with a matching number of males and females for each. During the period from primary school to adolescence, the bedtime became delayed and sleep length decreased with age. After that period, with increasing age, bedtime became earlier and sleep length increased. The number of awakenings and the length of daytime naps increased markedly with epoch after 50 years and 70 years of age, respectively. Gender differences were considered to be due to the women’s social and domestic customs in Japan.
Monitoring response to chemotherapy of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma xenografts by T2‐weighted and diffusion‐weighted MRI

An effective method for in vivo detection of early therapeutic response of patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma would enable personalized clinical management of cancer therapy and facilitate the design of optimal treatment regimens. This study evaluates the feasibility of T2‐weighted MRI (T2WI) and diffusion‐weighted MRI (DWI) for in vivo detection of response of human diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma xenografts in severe combined immunodeficient mice to chemotherapy. Each cycle of combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, hydroxydoxorubicin, Oncovin, prednisone, and bryostatin 1 (CHOPB) was administered to tumor‐carrying mice weekly for up to four cycles. T2WI and DWI were performed before the initiation of CHOPB and after each cycle of CHOPB. In order to corroborate the MRI results, histological analyses were carried out on control tumors and treated tumors after completion of all MRI studies. DWI revealed a significant (P < 0.03) increase in the mean apparent diffusion coefficient in CHOPB‐treated tumors as early as 1 week after initiation of CHOPB. However, a significant (P < 0.03) decrease in mean T2 was observed only after two cycles of CHOPB. Both MRI methods produced high‐resolution (0.1 × 0.1 × 1.0 mm3) maps of regional therapeutic response in the treated tumors based on local apparent diffusion coefficient and T2. Only a specific region of the tumors (in 3 of the 5 tumors) corresponding to about one third of the tumor volume exhibited a response‐associate increase in ADC and decrease in T2. An adjacent region exhibited an increase in T2 and no change in ADC. The rest of the tumor was indistinguishable from sham‐treated controls by MRI criteria. The therapeutic response of the treated tumors detected by MRI was accompanied by changes in tumor cell density, proliferation and apoptosis revealed by histological studies performed upon completion of the longitudinal study. The mechanism producing the regional response of the tumor remains to be elucidated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Capital Sentencing in Kentucky: An Analysis of the Factors Influencing Decision Making in the Post-Gregg Period

The reimposition of capital punishment by the United States Supreme Court in 1976 has resulted in the execution of ninety prisoners, as of September 1, 1987.1 The use of the death penalty continues despite research evidence from several states which has consistently demonstrated that offenders who have white victims in general, and black offenders who kill whites in particular, are more likely to face a "death qualified" jury and receive a death sentence.2 For this reason, the growing use of capital punishment and its sen-
DECAY RESISTANCE OF WOOD IMPREGNATED WITH MONOETHANOLAMINE AND SODIUM BISULFITE PULPING BLACK LIQUORS

The efficacy of monoethanolamine and sodium bisulfite pulping black liquors at three concentrations of 1; 1,5 and 2% on the preservation of poplar wood from white rot (Trametes versicolor) was investigated. The wood specimens were impregnated with the black liquors using a full-cell method. The black liquors enhanced the decay resistance without any reduction in mechanical strength, and a remarkable increase was observed at higher concentrations and weight gain percentage. The performance of monoethanolamine black liquor was more pronounced, probably due to lower kappa number and higher pH. The durability class of specimens impregnated with 2% monoethanolamine and sodium bisulfite black liquors improved from 5 (not durable) to 1 (very durable), and from 5 to 3 (moderately durable), respectively. Chemical analysis showed that the presence of additional lignin in wood alters the white rot. Results of anatomical studies showed that the fibers of the control and impregnated wood specimens were collapsed after 16 weeks of incubation. Leaching tests confirmed that the fixation of black liquors in wood should be examined for further studies.
Rapid detection of Salmonella in field samples by nested polymerase chain reaction

A simple and universal protocol for the rapid detection of Salmonella spp. in various samples using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed. The protocol takes advantage of the rapid purification and concentration of Salmonella by centrifugation onto a layer of 60% sucrose solution. DNA was released by treatment with proteinase K and Triton X‐100. Even without pre‐enrichment, the detection limit for the nested PCR was 105 CFU g−1 of faeces. After pre‐enrichment, it was possible to detect Salmonella in faeces where their original concentration was approximately 102 CFU g−1 of faeces and in meat samples, it was possible to detect Salmonella in samples where their original concentration was less than 10 cells g−1 of minced meat.
Neural network approach to classify infective keratitis

Purpose. Infective keratitis is a major sight-threatening condition in developing countries like India. An early diagnosis of infective keratitis is critical to its treatment. Epidemiological trends, morphological features of corneal ulceration and presence of other risk factors often dictate choice of initial treatment. This work assesses the usefulness of classification of infective keratitis by artificial neural network (ANN). Methods. Forty input variables from each of the sixty-three known bacterial or fungal ulcers provided the basis for training a three layer feed-forward neural network. The trained neural network classified another set of forty-three corneal ulcers. Results. Trained artificial neural network could classify correctly all sixty-three cornea ulcers in the training set. In the test set, the artificial neural network correctly classified 39 out of 43 cornea ulcers. Specificity for bacterial and fungal categories was 76.47% and 100% respectively. Accuracy of classification by neural network was 90.7% and compared significantly better than clinicians’ prediction of 62.8% (p < 0.01). Conclusion. ANN has the potential to help clinicians classify corneal ulcers more accurately.
Students Online Interaction in a Blended Learning Environment - A Case Study of the First Experience in using an LMS

The main objectives of the research presented in this paper are to explore online interactions and engagement of students who are using a Learning Management System (LMS) for the first time in their studies, and the impact of different types of students’ online interactions on their learning outcomes. To answer our research questions, we have conducted a semester-long study with 88 undergraduate students enrolled in the Quality Engineering course taught in the blended learning mode. Our findings show that the students perceived interaction as a dominant aspect of the online part of the course (done using the Moodle LMS). Our findings also provide evidence that different types of interactions can influences different levels of learning outcomes. If the acquisition of factual knowledge is desired, then interaction with learning content is the most influential. However, if higher levels of learning outcomes are to be achieved, then more interactive online communication is needed. The need for interaction is rising with increasing levels of learning objectives (outcomes). Our findings also show that students’ involvement in more challenging activities, in order to fulfil more demanding learning objectives (like application of knowledge or analysis, synthesis and evaluation) increase their need for student-teacher and student-student interaction.
Effects of Sublethal Exposure to Boric Acid Sugar Bait on Adult Survival, Host-Seeking, Bloodfeeding Behavior, and Reproduction of Stegomyia albopicta

ABSTRACT Effects of sublethal exposure to 0.1% boric acid sugar bait on adult survival, host-seeking, bloodfeeding behavior, and reproduction of Stegomyia albopicta were studied in the laboratory. Survival of males as well as females was significantly reduced when exposed to the bait, compared to control adults. The host-seeking and bloodfeeding activities in the baited females decreased, but the mean duration of blood engorgement (probing to voluntary withdrawal of proboscis) was not significantly different between the baited and control females. The landing and biting rates (human forearm) were significantly reduced in the baited females compared to nonbaited controls. Fecundity and fertility (based on number of laid eggs per female and percentage egg hatch, respectively) in the baited females were significantly reduced, and ovarian development was retarded. Sublethal exposure to sugar-based boric acid bait has the potential to reduce adult populations of St. albopicta.
Nanostructured pillars based on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes as the stationary phase in micro‐CEC

We present a micro‐CEC chip carrying out a highly efficient separation of dsDNA fragments through vertically aligned multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a microchannel. The vertically aligned MWCNTs were grown directly in the microchannel to form straight nanopillar arrays as ordered and directional chromatographic supports. 1‐Pyrenedodecanoic acid was employed for the surface modification of the MWCNTs' stationary phase to adsorb analytes by hydrophobic interactions. This device was used for separating dsDNA fragments of three different lengths (254, 360, and 572 bp), and fluorescence detection was employed to verify the electrokinetic transport in the MWCNT array. The micro‐CEC separation of the three compounds was achieved in less than 300 s at a field strength of 66 V/cm due to superior laminar flow patterns and a lower flow resistance resulting from the vertically aligned MWCNTs being used as the stationary phase medium. In addition, a fivefold reduction of band broadening was obtained when the analyte was separated by the chromatographic MWCNT array channel instead of the CE channel. From all of the results, we suggest that an in situ grown and directional MWCNT array can potentially be useful for preparing more diversified forms of stationary phases for vertically efficient chip‐based electrochromatography.
Change in physiotherapy management of children with cystic fibrosis in a large urban hospital

A retrospective audit was conducted in 1998 and 2000 to review the physiotherapy management of hospitalized children with cystic fibrosis (CF) at the Brisbane Royal Children's Hospital (RCH). The objective was to detect and explore possible changes in patient management in this time period and investigate whether these changes reflected changes in the current theory of CF management. All children over two years of age with CF admitted during 1998 and 2000 with pulmonary manifestation and who satisfied set criteria were included (n = 249). Relative frequency of each of six treatment modalities used were examined on two occasions, revealing some degree of change in practice reflecting the changes in current theory. There was a significant decrease in the frequency of usage of postural drainage with head-down tilt (p < 0.001), and autogenic drainage (p < 0.001) between 1998 and 2000. Modified postural drainage without head-down tilt (p < 0.001), and positive expiratory pressure devices (p < 0.001) were used more frequently in 2000 (p < 0.001). No significant changes were identified in the use of Flutter VRP1 (p = 0.145) and exercise (p = 0.763). No significant differences were found in population demographics or occurrence of concomitant factors that may influence patient management.
Wage Effects of On-the-Job Training: A Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis is used to study the average wage effects of on-the-job training. This study shows that the average reported wage effect of on-the-job training, corrected for publication bias, is 2.6 per cent per course. The analyses reveal a substantial heterogeneity between training courses, while wage effects reported in studies based on instrumental variables and panel estimators are substantially lower than estimates based on techniques that do not correct for selectivity issues. Appropriate methodology and the quality of the data turn out to be crucial to determine the wage returns.