Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bayesian Evaluation of Constrained Hypotheses on Variances of Multiple Independent Groups

Research has shown that independent groups often differ not only in their means, but also in their variances. Comparing and testing variances is therefore of crucial importance to understand the effect of a grouping variable on an outcome variable. Researchers may have specific expectations concerning the relations between the variances of multiple groups. Such expectations can be translated into hypotheses with inequality and/or equality constraints on the group variances. Currently, however, no methods are available for testing (in)equality constrained hypotheses on variances. This article proposes a novel Bayesian approach to this challenging testing problem. Our approach has the following useful properties: First, it can be used to simultaneously test multiple (non)nested hypotheses with equality as well as inequality constraints on the variances. Second, our approach is fully automatic in the sense that no subjective prior specification is needed. Only the hypotheses need to be provided. Third, a user-friendly software application is included that can be used to perform this Bayesian test in an easy manner.
Fluctuations of Hyperglycemia and Insulin Sensitivity Are Linked to Menstrual Cycle Phases in Women With T1D

Background: Factors influencing glycemic variability in type 1 diabetes (T1D) may play a significant role in the refinement of closed loop insulin administration. Phase of menstrual cycle is one such factor that has been inadequately investigated. We propose that unique individual patterns can be constructed and used as parameters of closed loop systems. Method: Women with T1D on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and continuous glucose monitoring were studied for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. Ovulation prediction kits and labs were used to confirm phase of menstrual cycle. Glycemic risks were assessed using the low- and high blood glucose indices (LBGI and HBGI). Insulin sensitivity (SI) was estimated using a Kalman filtering method from meal and insulin data. Overall change significance for glycemic risks was assessed by repeated measures ANOVA, with specific phases emphasized using contrasts. Results: Ovulation was confirmed in 33/36 cycles studied in 12 subjects (age = 33.1 ± 7.0 years, BMI = 25.7 ± 2.9 kg/m2, A1c = 6.8 ± 0.7%). Risk for hyperglycemia changed significantly during the cycle (P = .023), with HBGI increasing until early luteal phase and returning to initial levels thereafter. LBGI was steady in the follicular phase, decreasing thereafter but not significantly. SI was depressed during the luteal phase when compared to the early follicular phase (P ≤ .05). Total daily insulin, carbohydrates, or calories did not show any significant fluctuations. Conclusions: Women with T1D have glycemic variability changes that are specific to the individual and are linked to phase of cycle. An increased risk of hyperglycemia was observed during periovulation and early luteal phases compared to the early follicular phase; these changes appear to be associated with decreased insulin sensitivity during the luteal phase.
Splice isoforms of human interleukin‐4 are functionally active in mice in vivo

Interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) acts on cultured cells in a species‐specific fashion, although several reports have suggested that human (h) IL‐4 may be functionally active in rodents in vivo. The latter finding, if true, would not only offer possibilities for pre‐clinical testing of novel hIL‐4‐targeting therapies in animals, but also suggests new opportunities for mechanistic studies of IL‐4 and its receptors. Conventional IL‐4 is encoded by four exons, whereas its poorly studied alternatively spliced isoform is encoded by exons 1, 3 and 4 (IL‐4δ2). Replication‐deficient adenovirus‐mediated gene delivery of hIL‐4 isoforms (hIL‐4 or hIL‐4δ2) to mouse lungs caused similar pulmonary infiltration of T and B lymphocytes, but not eosinophils. There were significant differences in the changes of pulmonary cytokine milieu induced by hIL‐4 compared with hIL‐4δ2, with hIL‐4δ2 inducing higher levels of pro‐inflammatory (tumour necrosis factor‐α, IL‐1, and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1) and T helper type 1 (IL‐12 and interferon‐γ) cytokines. There was no elevation in endogenous mouse (m) IL‐4 or mIL‐4δ2 mRNAs, and germ‐line deficiency of mIL‐4 did not affect the degree of pulmonary infiltration. When combined with an ovalbumin model of asthma, hIL‐4δ2 stimulated a greater accumulation of lymphocytes than did hIL‐4. Pulmonary infiltration of lymphocytes induced by expression of hIL‐4 or hIL‐4δ2 was attenuated, but not completely abrogated, by germ‐line deficiency of mIL‐4Rα or murine signal transducer and activator of transcription 6, suggesting that these signalling molecules mediate the in vivo effects of hIL‐4 isoforms in mice. These findings suggest that splice isoforms of human IL‐4 are functionally active in vivo in mice, and partially share the effects of the corresponding species‐specific isoforms.
On the Distribution of the Sum of Generalized Gamma Variates and Applications to Satellite Digital Communications

A versatile envelope distribution which may be useful for both terrestrial and satellite fading channel modelling is the generalized Gamma (GG) distribution. By considering the product of N GG random variables (RV)s, useful expressions for its moments-generating and cumulative distribution functions are obtained in closed-form. These expressions are used to derive closed-form union upper-bound for the distribution of the sum of GG distributed RVs. The proposed bound turns out to be an extremely convenient analytical tool for studying the performance of N-branch equal-gain combining receivers operating over GG fading channels. For such receivers, novel union upper-bounds for the outage and the average bit error probability are derived and evaluated in terms of the Meijer's G-function. The tightness of the proposed bounds is verified by performing comparisons between numerical evaluation and computer simulations results
The effect of the flipped classroom approach to OpenCourseWare instruction on students' self-regulation

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the flipped classroom approach to OpenCourseWare instruction on students' self-regulation. OpenCourseWare was integrated into the flipped classroom model (experimental group) and distance learning (control group). Overall, 181 freshmen taking a physics course were allowed to choose their own class based on their preferred teaching method (experimental or control group). The findings indicated that there was no significant between-group difference in terms of self-regulation. However, when comparing the means for the six categories of self-regulation, the results showed that the experimental group learners had significantly higher scores for the category of help-seeking. The use of the flipped classroom model created a learning environment which prompted its learners to proactively seek external help. These learners were more aware of their need for external help in their studies and were able to identify the person/people who could solve their academic problems, while they were able to find the appropriate means to do so and actually obtain help. The results of this study can serve as a reference for future studies on the flipped classroom model and OpenCourseWare, as well as for teachers and researchers in related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Ohmic-Contact Technology for GaN-Based Light-Emitting Diodes: Role of P-Type Contact

GaN-based semiconductors are of great technological importance for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes. The further improvement of LED performance can be achieved through the enhancement of external quantum efficiency. In this regard, high-quality p-type ohmic electrodes having low contact resistance and high transmittance (or reflectivity), along with thermal stability, must be developed because p-type ohmic contacts play a key role in the performance of LEDs. In this paper, we review recent advances in p-type ohmic-contact technology for GaN-based LEDs. A variety of methods for forming transparent and reflective ohmic contacts are introduced.
Dopaminergic treatment and nonmotor features of Parkinson disease

Several years ago, Eric Ahlskog published a colorful and cogent review entitled “Beating a dead horse. ” He argued that “we have reached the point of diminishing therapeutic returns with drugs acting on dopamine systems and more dopaminergic medications will provide only modest incremental benefit over current therapies. ”1 Ahlskog argued correctly that excessive focus on dopaminergic features and pathology led to neglect of crucial nondopaminergic/nonmotor clinical features and pathologies. This argument was based, in part, on the perception that most of the nonmotor symptoms (NMS) in Parkinson disease (PD) would be related to degeneration in nondopamine responsive systems and that improvements in dopaminergic therapy would have little impact on NMS. Accumulated evidence now indicates the need to modify this concept.
The resilience of migrant workers in Shanghai China: the roles of migration stress and meaning of migration.

BACKGROUND In China, more than 10 million rural migrants move to cities every year. Because of the Household Registration System, migrant workers are not entitled to subsidised housing, education, social security or medical benefits. AIMS Using a resilience perspective, this study attempted to explore not only the migration stress that is experienced by migrant workers, but also the protective function of meaning of migration in helping migrant workers withstand the stress of migration. METHOD A survey design with multistage cluster sampling was used and 475 migrant workers were recruited. The questionnaire contained demographic data, the Brief Symptom Inventory, a migration stress scale and meaning of migration scale. RESULTS Financial and employment difficulties stood out as the most stressful issues for migrant workers. More financial and material gains and personal aspirations and achievement were the most common reasons for living in Shanghai. Regression analyses revealed that financial and employment difficulties and interpersonal tensions and conflicts significantly predicted the mental health of both male and female migrant workers. In addition, while marital status significantly predicted the mental health of male migrant workers, the subscale 'more financial and material gains' in the meaning of migration scale predicted the mental health of female migrant workers. Finally, there was a moderating effect of meaning of migration on the mental health of female migrant workers. CONCLUSION There is a need to consolidate and develop policies to protect the rights of migrant workers in China. Mental health counselling for migrant workers who are experiencing difficulties living in Shanghai should be introduced.
Electrocardiographic findings and their association with mortality in the Copenhagen City Heart Study.

In the Copenhagen City Heart Study 9348 men and 10 314 women, aged 20 or more, were examined. A resting 12 lead electrocardiogram was recorded in each subject. The prevalence of all electrocardiographic signs with the exception of axis deviation, high amplitude R wave, minor T wave abnormality, prolonged and short P(Q)R interval was very low below the age of 40 in men and below the age of 50 in women. Rates for Q-QS abnormalities, left axis deviation, ST depression and T wave abnormalities, premature beats, and atrial fibrillation increased with age, and the prevalence was higher for men than for women. In comparison with other European studies, the prevalence of major and minor electrocardiographic abnormalities of our study is high, similar to those found in Finland. We found a strong association between total mortality and major ST depression and T wave abnormalities in both sexes. A similar strong correlation was observed between mortality and Q-QS and LBBB in men. In conclusion, the electrocardiogram has an extremely limited value in population screening below the age of 50. The well-known correlation between electrocardiographic signs and ischaemic heart disease mortality was confirmed by our data in relation to total mortality.
P2Y receptor‐mediated enhancement of permeation requires Ca2+ signalling in vascular endothelial cells

1. We investigated the effects of 2‐methylthioATP (2meS‐ATP; a P2Y receptor agonist) on the permeation of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐labelled dextran, transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) in cultured endothelial cells isolated from the rat caudal artery.
The Proximal Tibia Metaphysis: A Reliable Donor Site for Bone Grafting?

Low complication rates have been reported when cancellous bone is taken from the proximal tibia. The current study was done to determine the volume of cancellous bone that can be harvested from the proximal tibia and to determine the risk for postoperative tibia plateau fracture. The average compressed volume that could be harvested from nine tibiae was 5.4 cc compared with a reported volume of 6.0 cc from the iliac crest. In eight cadavers, the proximal tibia was decancellated in eight tibias. The decancellated and the matching eight contralateral intact tibias were loaded to determine the force required to cause a tibial plateau fracture. The null hypothesis, that there is no difference between the decancellated and the intact tibias, could not be rejected. The current experimental study supports the clinical findings that a sufficient amount of cancellous bone can be harvested from the proximal tibial metaphysis and that the risk of postoperative fracture is not increased. Therefore, the proximal tibia is a reliable cancellous bone graft donor site for clinical practice.
Adenovirus-mediated transmission of a dominant negative transforming growth factor-beta receptor inhibits in vitro mouse cranial suture fusion.

Recent studies have implicated the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta family in the regulation of pathological sporadic cranial suture fusion. In addition, these studies have shown that TGF-beta is highly expressed by the dura mater underlying fusing murine cranial sutures. The purpose of the present experiments was to analyze the effects of disrupting TGF-beta signaling during programmed mouse cranial suture fusion. Using recombinant DNA technology, a replication-deficient adenovirus encoding a defective TGF-beta receptor (Ad.DN-TbetaRII) capable of blocking TGF-beta biological activity was constructed. Mouse posterior frontal sutures were harvested before the initiation of suture fusion (postnatal day 25), and the dura mater underlying the suture was infected with vehicle, Ad.DN-TbetaRII, or control virus (Ad.LacZ; n = 10 each). Sutures were cultured for 14 or 30 days in an organ culture system and analyzed macroscopically and histologically.X-gal staining of Ad.LacZ-infected sutures 14 days after culture revealed strong staining of cells localized to the dura mater. Macroscopic analysis revealed complete sutural fusion in vehicle and Ad.LacZ-infected sutures. In contrast, Ad.DN-TBRII-infected sutures demonstrated nearly complete patency. Histological analysis confirmed our macroscopic observations with sutural fusion in 81.3 +/- 10 percent and 74.5 +/- 9 percent of vehicle and Ad.LacZ-infected sutures, respectively, versus 38.1 +/- 12 percent (p < 0.001) in Ad.DN-TbetaRII-infected sutures. In addition, transfection with the Ad.DN-TbetaRII virus resulted in a significant attenuation of anterior-to-posterior suture fusion, with the majority of fused sections localized to anterior sections. These data strongly implicate TGF-beta biological activity in the dura mater underlying the posterior frontal suture in the regulation of programmed sutural fusion. In addition, this study demonstrates the utility of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in preventing programmed sutural fusion.
Fetal Lung Fibroblasts Selectively Down-regulate Proteoglycan Synthesis in Response to Elevated Oxygen (*)

Cell proliferation is in part regulated by extracellular matrix. Therefore, it is possible that elevated O may indirectly affect lung fibroblast growth via modulation of extracellular matrix. In the present study, we investigated the effect of elevated O on the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans (PGs) by fetal lung fibroblasts. A 48-h exposure to ≥50% O reduced the incorporation of [3H]glucosamine and SO into GAGs by fetal lung fibroblasts. The relative proportion of the individual GAG molecules was not altered by elevated O. Fibroblasts exposed to 50% O secreted less [S]proteoglycans into the medium than controls. Specifically, the synthesis of the small soluble PG, biglycan, was decreased by exposure to 50% O. Fetal lung fibroblasts did not synthesize the small chondroitin/dermatan sulfate PG, decorin. Elevated O concentrations also reduced the synthesis of membrane- and matrix-associated PGs. Furthermore, exposure of fetal lung fibroblasts to ≥50% O resulted in a decreased mRNA expression for biglycan and versican core protein sequences. In contrast, elevated O increased the message for type I collagen and fibronectin without affecting that of β-actin. The inhibitory effect of elevated O on biglycan mRNA and protein expression was overcome by incubating the cells in 3% O after the 48-h exposure to 50% O. The latter treatment also reversed the increased mRNA expression of type I collagen associated with elevated O but not that of fibronectin. These results demonstrate that fetal lung fibroblasts, in response to elevated oxygen concentrations, selectively down-regulate their GAG and PG synthesis and that this O effect is reversible.
Two-Photon Polymerization of Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Polymers as Scalable Technology Using Ultra-Short Laser Pulses

Houbertz, Ruth1, Steenhusen, Sönke1, Stichel, Thomas1,3, and Sextl, Gerhard1,2 1Fraunhofer ISC, Neunerplatz 2, 97082 Würzburg, 2Chemische Technologie der Materialsynthese, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Röntgenring 11, 97070 Würzburg, 3Nano-Optics & Biophotonics Group, Physikalisches Institut, Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Physik V, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
Korean vivax malaria. I. Natural history and response to chloroquine.

Summary and Conclusions Korean vivax malaria exhibits a bimodal pattern of clinical activity and a period of long-term latency similar to other strains of Plasmodium vivax originating in temperate climates. It was possible to define many aspects of the natural history of this strain with a fair degree of accuracy in large numbers of men infected in the field. The pattern of clinical activity of Korean vivax malaria is similar in all major respects to the pattern of the St. Elizabeth strain (Table 3). In the absence of reinfection during a second transmission season, Korean vivax malaria acquired in the field terminates spontaneously within two years. Negroes appear to be less susceptible to infection with this strain of vivax malaria than Caucasians. A follow-up period of four months is adequate to determine the effect of a therapeutic agent on the relapse rate, when the majority of attacks are late attacks.
Epidemiologic Evidence on Coffee and Cancer

Coffee consumption is a major and frequent dietary exposure in diverse cultures around the globe whose safety has been questioned. A substantial body of epidemiologic evidence, consisting of over 500 papers relating the consumption of coffee to cancer of various sites, has accumulated to date. Numerous individual, site-specific meta analyses have been undertaken at various times. However, there is no comprehensive, up-to-date overview of the entirety of the knowledge base. To address this need, this review summarized the findings of the meta analyses and recent papers on site-specific human cancers among coffee consumers. For hepatocellular and endometrial cancers, there appears to be a strong and consistent protective association; for colorectal cancer, the direction of association is borderline protective. There appears to be no association with breast, pancreatic, kidney, ovarian, prostate, or gastric cancer. Risk of bladder cancer appears to be associated with heavy coffee consumption in some populations and among men. The associations with childhood leukemia and mother's consumption of coffee were ambiguous—with some suggestion of risk at high levels of daily consumption.
Efficacy of R&D Work in Offshore Captive Centers: An Empirical Study of Task Characteristics, Coordination Mechanisms and Performance

Seizing the latest technological advances in distributed work, an increasing number of firms have set up offshore captive centers CCs in emerging economies to carry out sophisticated R&D work. We analyze survey data from 132 R&D CCs established by foreign multinational companies in India to understand how firms execute distributed innovative work. Specifically, we examine the performance outcomes of projects using different technology-enabled coordination strategies to manage their interdependencies across multiple locations. We find that modularization of work across locations is largely ineffective when the underlying tasks are less routinized, less analyzable, and less familiar to the CC. Coordination based on information sharing across locations is effective when the CC performs tasks that are less familiar to it. A key contribution of our work is the explication of the task contingencies under which coordination based on modularization versus information sharing yield differential performance outcomes.
Web servers energy efficiency under HTTP/2

Server energy consumption has been a subject of research for more than a decade now. With Internet scaling rapidly all over the world, more servers are being added continuously. With global warming and financial cost associated with running servers, it has now become a more pressing concern to optimize the power consumption of these servers while still not affecting the performance. The optimization that can be carried out at the hardware level has its limits and therefore the onus comes on to the software developers as well to optimize their web interacting services and use protocols that are more efficient. Recently, Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) formalized the specification for the successor of HTTP/1.1 protocol. Named HTTP/2, it has been projected to overcome all the limitations of HTTP/1.1 protocol for which web services developers have to optimize their applications. Understandably, HTTP/2 has been drawing a lot of interest from users, web administrators to big organizations. With HTTP/2 as the future of the Internet communication and servers acting as the backbone of the Internet, we are interested in knowing if HTTP/2 will provide energy efficiency benefits to servers or it will just improve users web experience. In this paper, we evaluate the energy efficiency of two web servers while they communicate over HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 protocol. We also investigate how Transport layer security (TLS) affects the power consumption of the servers. In our tests, we have introduced HTTP/2 features one by one so that readers can see for themselves what benefits the HTTP/2 over HTTP/1.1. Our study suggests that multiplexing and Round Trip time (RTT) are the biggest factors helping HTTP/2 achieve its design goals. We conclude that even with huge TLS associated cost with HTTP/2, on high latency networks it can help servers to be more energy efficient while improving their performance as well.