Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Judgmental forecasting from graphs and from experience

Research in the field of forecasting suggests that judgmental forecasts are typically subject to a number of biases. These biases may be related to the statistical characteristics of the data series, or to the characteristics of the forecasting task. Here, a number of understudied forecasting paradigms have been investigated and these revealed interesting ways of improving forecasting performance. In a series of experiments, by controlling parameters such as the horizon and direction of the forecasts or the length, scale and presentation format of the series, I demonstrate that forecasting can be enhanced in several ways. In Chapter 3, I examine forecasting direction as well as the use of an end-anchor to the forecasting task (Experimental Studies 1-2). In Chapter 4, I examine the way the length of the series affects forecasting performance of various types of time series (Experimental Studies 3-4). Dimensional issues related to the forecasting task are further investigated in Chapter 5, where graphs’ scale is now manipulated in series with different types of noise (Experimental Studies 5-6). Task characteristics are further explored in dynamic settings in Chapter 6, in a number of experiments (Experimental Studies 7-12), where a new experimental paradigm for judgmental forecasting is introduced. Here, I test already identified robust forecasting biases in this dynamic setting and compare their magnitude and direction with those found in static environments. I conclude that forecasting performance is affected by data series’ and task characteristics in the following ways i) end-anchoring and backwards direction in forecasting tasks enhance accuracy ii) longer lengths are preferable for a number of series’ types iii) dynamic settings may offer specific enhancements to the forecasting task. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to judgmental forecasting and corresponding cognitive mechanisms, while, directions for future research, towards the development of a unified framework for judgmental forecasting, are suggested.
Ultrasonographic Measurement of Subglottic Diameter for Paediatric Cuffed Endotracheal Tube Size Selection: Feasibility Report.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this feasibility study was to investigate the first attempt success of ultrasonography (USG) in paediatric patients in predicting an appropriate cuffed endotracheal tube (ETT) size. METHODS Fifty children who were 1-10 years of age and who received general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation for adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy were enrolled in the study. In all participants, the transverse diameter of the subglottic airway was measured with USG at the cricoid level without ventilation. The outer diameter (OD) of the maximum allowable ETT was chosen according to the measured subglottic airway diameter. In the presence of resistance to passage of the tube into the trachea or in the absence of an audible leak at airway pressure of >25 cm H2O, the ETT was replaced with a tube whose internal diameter (ID) was 0.5 mm smaller. If a leak was audible at airway pressures of <10 cm H2O, if a seal could not be achieved with a cuff pressure of >25 cm H2O or if a peak airway pressure of >25 cm H2O was observed during ventilation, the tube was changed to a tube one size larger. The OD of the best-fit ETT was converted to the ID. The best-fit ID, the requirement for ETT replacement, the duration of airway diameter measurement by USG and the peak airway pressure were recorded. RESULTS The success rate of the first attempt with USG was 86%; the ETT was replaced in five patients with a tube one size larger and in two patients with a tube one size smaller. CONCLUSION Our findings show the subglottic diameter measured by USG to be a reliable predictor in estimating the appropriate paediatric ETT size.
Gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging of the postoperative lumbar spine: comparison of fat-suppressed and conventional T1-weighted images.

OBJECTIVE Gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced T1-weighted MR imaging has been used to distinguish epidural fibrosis from recurrent disk herniation in the postoperative lumbar spine. Potential interpretative difficulties relate to detection of subtle contrast enhancement and distinction of enhanced tissue from surrounding epidural fat. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of fat-suppressed T1-weighted imaging in improving the depiction of postoperative abnormalities. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty-one patients with recurrent signs and symptoms after previous laminectomy and diskectomy were examined with conventional and fat-suppressed T1-weighted imaging before and after IV administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine. MR images were analyzed for the presence or absence of an epidural soft-tissue mass located anterior and/or lateral to the thecal sac. When such masses were identified, their contrast enhancement behavior was characterized according to the volume, intensity, and pattern of enhancement. Epidural fibrosis was diagnosed by using established MR imaging criteria. In patients with evidence of recurrent disk herniation, diagnosis was based on surgery in six patients and on MR imaging findings in the remainder. RESULTS Soft-tissue masses were present at 32 of the 43 levels operated on, representing epidural fibrosis (n = 21) or disk herniation (n = 11). Fat suppression improved depiction of contrast enhancement associated with sites of epidural fibrosis. The extent, intensity, and homogeneity of enhancement was greater with fat suppression than with conventional imaging, although the ability to distinguish epidural fibrosis from recurrent disk herniation was not improved. CONCLUSION Use of the fat-suppression technique results in increased relative intensity and homogeneity of contrast enhancement associated with sites of epidural fibrosis. However, it does not result in significant improvement in the ability to differentiate fibrotic tissue from recurrent disk herniation. Fat suppression does not appear to be indicated for routine use in imaging of the postoperative lumbar spine, but may be useful as a problem-solving tool in selected patients.
The One Laptop Per Child Project and the negotiation of technological meaning

In this article I use actornetwork theory to make sense of some of the characteristics given to the XO by the OLPC Project; namely its immense scale, the involvement of educational bureaucracies (and the contradictions this entails), the role of children and the open source software community. I also identify several social forces that will likely shape the direction this technology takes. The future of the XO is, as a result of these forces, by no means certain. What will help determine the trajectory it takes is how willing the OLPC team is to further negotiate the meaning of this new technology.
Pubertal traits of male goats kept on rations supplemented with different protein types

This study was carried out to determine the impact of type of protein supplementation to the ration on pubertal characteristics of male goat kids. Eighteen crossbred (Nubian × Saanen) weaned male goat kids were distributed to 3 ration groups. Group I (n=6) was kept on a ration supplemented with ground nut cakes, group II (n=6) on a ration supplemented with sesame cakes and group II (n=6) on a ration supplemented with cotton seed cakes. The pubertal traits studied were preputial separation, scrotal circumference at puberty, weight and age at puberty, ejaculate volume, individual motility percent and mass motility of semen, percentages of live and abnormal morphology spermatozoa and the concentration of spermatozoa. The results of this study revealed that only the pubertal body and the percentage of abnormal sperms were significantly influenced (p˂0.05) with protein type.The least pubertal body weights and the high percentages of abnormal sperms were recorded in male goats kept on a ration supplemented with cotton seed cakes. Although the scrotal circumference was the least in the group fed on cotton seed cake based ration, it was not significantly (p˃0.05) different from that of the other groups. It is concluded that the pubertal traits of male goat kids kept on rations supplemented with groundnut, sesame, or cotton seed cakes are nearly similar. However, cotton seed cakes supplementation to the ration of growing male goat kids reduces the pubertal body weight and increases the percentage of abnormal sperms.
Carrier transport through grain boundaries in semiconductors.

The transport of majority carriers through an electrically active grain boundary is treated for the situation where deep traps are an essential feature of the bulk semiconductor. Electrons trapped at the interface are screened by the ionized defect states within the depletion regions and thereby a double Schottky potential barrier is formed. The leakage and nonlinearity of the steady-state current across such a grain boundary depend strongly on the distribution of interface states and on the density of the available screening charge. The ac small-signal conductance and capacitance are governed by both the finite response time of the interface and the deep bulk traps. From measurements of the static and dynamic quantities it is then possible to determine the microscopic parameters of the grain boundary.
Dispersion flattened hybrid-core nonlinear photonic crystal fiber.

Photonic crystal fibers are highly attractive as nonlinear media as they combine a large nonlinear coefficient and a highly ustomizable zero dispersion wavelength - flexibility not found in any other medium. However, the high dispersion slope at the zero-dispersion wavelength demonstrated so far is very limiting to the useful bandwidth. We propose a new fiber design comprising a hybrid core-region with three-fold symmetry that enables unprecedented dispersion control while maintaining low loss and a high nonlinear coefficient. The lowest dispersion slope obtained is 1.10-3ps/(km.nm2) or one order of magnitude lower than for conventional slope reduced nonlinear fibers. The nonlinear coefficient is more than 11 (W.km)-1 and loss below 7.9 dB/km at 1.55 microm has been achieved.
Sequential Role of Hippocampus and Amygdala, Entorhinal Cortex and Parietal Cortex in Formation and Retrieval of Memory for Inhibitory Avoidance in Rats

The hippocampus and amygdala, the entorhinal cortex and the parietal cortex participate, in that sequence, both in the formation and in the expression of memory for a step‐down inhibitory avoidance task in rats. Bilateral infusion of AP5 or muscimol caused retrograde amnesia when given O min after training into both hippocampus and amygdala, when given or 180 min after training into the entorhinal cortex, or when given 180 min after training into the parietal cortex. Therefore, memory formation requires the sequential and integrated activity of all these areas mediated by glutamate NMDA receptors in each case. Pre‐test administration of CNQX 1 day after training into hippocampus and amygdala, 1 or 31 days after training in entorhinal cortex, or 1, 31 or 60 days after training in the parietal cortex temporarily blocked retention test performance. Therefore, 1 day after training, all these brain structures are necessary for retrieval; 1 month later, the hippocampus and amygdala are no longer necessary for retrieval but the entorhinal and parietal cortex still are; and 60 days after training only the parietal cortex is needed. In all cases the mechanisms of retrieval require intact glutamate AMPA receptors.
Comparison of the effectiveness of tetracycline and minocycline as pleural sclerosing agents in rabbits.

Parenteral tetracycline, one of the most commonly used agents for producing pleurodesis, is no longer available because of stricter regulations governing the manufacturing process. The objective of this project was to determine whether minocycline, a tetracycline derivative, is an effective sclerosant in an experimental model in rabbits. We also studied the relationship of the dose and the volume injected to the degree of pleurodesis. The following medications were instilled intrapleurally in anesthetized male rabbits: tetracycline, 35 mg/kg; or minocycline, 4, 7, 10, or 20 mg/kg, diluted to a total volume of 1 or 2 ml of bacteriostatic saline solution; or minocycline, 40 mg/kg, diluted to a total volume of 2 ml of the solution. Twenty-eight days after the instillation, the animals were killed. The pleural spaces were assessed grossly for evidence of pleurodesis and microscopically for evidence of fibrosis and inflammation. The degree of pleurodesis grossly and microscopically after the injection of 7, 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg of minocycline was comparable to that after the injection of 35 mg/kg of tetracycline, while the dose of 4 mg/kg was less effective. In the animals who received the higher doses of minocycline intrapleurally (ie > or = 20 mg/kg), there was an excess mortality both early (chi 2 = 3.61, 0.05 < p < 0.10) and late (chi 2 = 11.0, p < 0.005) which appeared to be related to the development of hemothorax. The intrapleural injection of the tetracycline derivatives was significantly (p < 0.05) more effective when the total volume of the solution was 2 ml rather than 1 ml. The present study demonstrates that minocycline is an effective agent for producing pleurodesis in the rabbit. Minocycline given intrapleurally at doses of 7 mg/kg or above is comparable to tetracycline, 35 mg/kg. Higher doses of minocycline (> or = 20 mg/kg) produce a high mortality that seems to be related to hemothorax. Since, in humans, a large experience confirms only 20 mg/kg of tetracycline is needed to produce adequate pleurodesis safely, we recommend a dose of 4 mg/kg of minocycline for the production of pleurodesis.
Bioaccumulation and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in marine species from Bohai Bay, China

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were analyzed in invertebrate and fish species collected from Bohai Bay, China in 2007 to 2008. The concentrations of the 16 detected PBDE congeners were in the range of 1.4 to 425 and 2.9 to 767 ng/g lipid for invertebrates and fish, respectively. The summed concentrations of the six major PBDE congeners (BDE‐28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154) (Σ6PBDEs) in fish were significantly higher than in invertebrates, while demersal fish concentrations were higher than pelagic fish. The congeners BDE‐47, 99, and 100 contributed more in viscera or liver than in muscle, indicating that the metabolic capability of the viscera or liver is greater than that of muscle. The ratio of BDE‐47/99 was relatively higher in fish than in invertebrate samples, suggesting a more developed metabolism capacity in fish. Polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners tend to accumulate in viscera or liver rather than in muscle. The fully brominated congener BDE‐209 was detected in some species, suggesting that it can be accumulated by organisms. Uptake from sediment may be the major uptake pathway for most brominated PBDEs in benthic species. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2278–2285. © 2010 SETAC
Enhancement of percutaneous absorption by the use of volatile: nonvolatile systems as vehicles.

Using in vitro techniques the penetration of 14C labeled fluminolone acetonide and its acetate ester through human skin at 37° has been examined with vehicle mixtures of isopropanol and isopropyl myristate or propylene glycol. Little penetration was found from either of the nonvolatile solvents. As the formulation was changed to include increasing amounts of volatile component, however, penetration could be increased up to 8 to 10 times. Precipitation of steroid prevented greater increases.
Familial eating concerns and psychopathological traits: causal implications of transgenerational effects.

OBJECTIVE This study extends an earlier investigation on the link between familial traits and eating disorders (EDs), and examines the extent to which selected eating attitudes and psychopathological traits are (a) familial in nature and (b) specific to anorexia- and bulimia-spectrum disorders. METHODS We measured various ED-relevant dimensions (eating and body image attitudes) and psychopathological traits (e.g., affective instability, narcissism, compulsivity, restricted expression) in the mothers, fathers, and sisters of probands displaying an ED (n = 88), another psychiatric disturbance (n = 42), or neither disturbance (n = 59). Total sample, including relatives, was 553. RESULTS A principal components analysis (PCA), used to reduce variables and to characterize main sources of variation, yielded three interpretable factors: eating concerns and symptoms (grouping all eating-related dimensions), dramatic-erratic traits (grouping affective instability, narcissism, and conceptually related dimensions), and obsessive-compulsive traits (grouping compulsivity and restricted expression). Correlations among subjects' factor scores (derived from the PCA) showed two types of transgenerational effects: correspondences between daughters' and parents' psychopathological traits, and between daughters' and mothers' eating concerns. Despite these, relatives of ED probands were not discriminable on any factor score from relatives of controls. DISCUSSION These results imply that transgenerational effects exist on eating attitudes and psychopathological traits, but do not uniquely identify families in which clinical ED syndromes occur.
Cholera‐toxin‐enhanced growth of human breast cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo: Interaction with estrogen

Cholera toxin (which increases intracellular cAMP levels) significantly (p < 0.05) increased the growth of MCF‐7, T47‐D and Hs578T human breast carcinoma cells in vitro. The effect of cholera toxin on growth of MCF‐7 and T47‐D cells was more pronounced in the presence of 17β‐estradiol (p<0.05), indicating a synergism between cAMP and estradiol in growth control of estrogen‐receptor‐positive breast carcinoma cells. This interaction was not observed in the estrogenreceptor‐negative cell line Hs578T. Daily injections of cholera toxin into female athymic nude mice bearing MCF‐7 or Hs578T tumors resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) increased growth of the tumors. Cholera toxin treatments, in addition, significantly (p < 0.05) increased cAMP levels in tumor cells and tumor tissue, in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The results of this study clearly demonstrated that an increase in cAMP levels via cholera toxin treatment causes enhanced growth (in vitro and in vivo) of estrogen‐receptorpositive and ‐negative human breast carcinoma cells and, although estrogen alone was not mitogenic to the estrogen‐receptor‐positive breast carcinoma cells in vitro, the steroid was mitogenic to these cells in the presence of elevated cellular cAMP levels.
College Women's Experiences with Physically Forced, Alcohol- or Other Drug-Enabled, and Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault Before and Since Entering College

Objective: Research has shown associations between college women's alcohol and/or drug consumption and the risk of sexual assault, but few studies have measured the various means by which sexual assault is achieved. Participants: The authors' Campus Sexual Assault Study obtained self-report data from a random sample of undergraduate women (N = 5,446). Methods: The authors collected data on sexual assault victimization by using a cross-sectional, Web-based survey, and they conducted analyses assessing the role of substance use. The authors also compared victimizations before and during college, and across years of study. Results: Findings indicate that almost 20% of undergraduate women experienced some type of completed sexual assault since entering college. Most sexual assaults occurred after women voluntarily consumed alcohol, whereas few occurred after women had been given a drug without their knowledge or consent. Conclusions: The authors discuss implications for campus sexual assault prevention programs, including the need for integrated substance use and sexual victimization prevention programming.
Prevalence and demographic characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease in Cartagena, Colombia

Background: Globally, prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is around 396 cases per 10 5 inhabi- tants. However, it has been considered to have low incidence and prevalence in Hispanic populations. To date there is little published epidemiological information on IBD in South America. Objectives: Estimate the prevalence of IBD in an adult population affiliated to an EPS in the city of Cartagena, Colombia. Methods: All patients with confirmed IBD who received medical care in COOMEVA EPS up until June 01, 2006 were identified through reviewing their medical records. Prevalence was estimated in relation to the over age 15 patient population enrolled in the EPS at the time of data collection. Results: 26 patients with IBD were the basis for calculating prevalence in our population. Six individuals had CD and 20 were diagnosed with UC. The estimated overall prevalence of IBD was 29 x 10 5 (95% CI: 17-40). Conclusion: IBD still seems to be a rare disease in South America. Its incidence may be increasing ac- cording to recent data from other Hispanic communities. Our results are consistent with studies in other populations where IBD is an emerging disease.
Generic thermal modeling study of the impact of 3D -interposer material and thickness options on the thermal performance and die-to-die thermal coupling

In this paper, we present a generic modeling study of the interposer package thermal performance as a function of the interposer thermal properties and thickness for different temperature specifications. The modeling study is based on an extensive DOE of thermal finite element simulations that extract the maximum allowable logic power as a function of the interposer properties. A graphical representation of the modeling results of the thermal performance visualizes the trade-off between the self-heating of the logic chip and the thermal coupling to the memory chip for different interposer materials and thicknesses.
Circadian studies of autonomic nervous balance in patients with fibromyalgia: a heart rate variability analysis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the accumulated 24-hour cardiovascular autonomic modulation and its circadian variations in patients with fibromyalgia, by means of heart rate variability analysis. METHODS Thirty patients with fibromyalgia and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were studied prospectively. Assessments included a 24-hour ambulatory recording of heart rate variability, time-domain analysis of the accumulated 24-hour R-R interval variations, and power spectral analysis to determine the sympatho/ vagal balance at different hours (calculated as the power spectral density of the low-frequency [0.04-0.15-Hz] sympathetic band divided by the power of the high-frequency [0.15-0.50-Hz] parasympathetic band). RESULTS Fibromyalgia patients had diminished accumulated 24-hour heart rate variability, manifested by a decreased standard deviation of all R-R intervals (mean +/- SD 126 +/- 35 ms, versus 150 +/- 33 ms in controls; P = 0.008) and a decreased ratio of pairs of adjacent R-R intervals differing by >50 ms (mean +/- SD 12.0 +/- 9.0% versus 20.1 +/- 18.0%; P = 0.031). Patients lost the circadian variations of sympatho/vagal balance, with nocturnal values significantly higher than those of controls at time 0 (mean +/- SD 3.5 +/- 3.2 versus 1.2 +/- 1.0; P = 0.027) and at 3 hours (3.3 +/- 3.0 versus 1.6 +/- 1.4; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION Individuals with fibromyalgia have diminished 24-hour heart rate variability due to an increased nocturnal predominance of the low-frequency band oscillations consistent with an exaggerated sympathetic modulation of the sinus node. This abnormal chronobiology could explain the sleep disturbances and fatigue that occur in this syndrome. Spectral analysis of heart rate variability may be a useful test to identify fibromyalgia patients who have dysautonomia.