Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global Hölderian Error Bound for Nondegenerate Polynomials

Let $f \colon \mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}$ be a polynomial and $S = \{x \in \mathbb{R}^n: f(x) \le 0\}$. Let $f_+(x) = \max\{0,f(x)\}$. If there exist $c > 0, \alpha >0, \beta > 0$ such that $d(x,S) \le c([f(x)]_+^\alpha + [f(x)]_+^\beta)$ for all $x \in \mathbb{R}^n$, where $d(x,S)$ denotes the distance between $x$ and $S$, then we say that $f$ has a global Holderian error bound. We prove that if $f$ is convenient and nondegenerate with respect to its Newton boundary at infinity in the sense of Kouchnirenko [ Invent. Math., 32 (1976), pp. 1--32], then it has a global Holderian error bound. Since the nondegenerate polynomials form a Zariski open subset in a variety of polynomials with a given convenient Newton boundary at infinity, this result shows that global Holderian error bounds hold for a large class of polynomials, which can be relatively easy recognized.
Relative and Attributable Risks for Moderate to Profound Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Impairment Associated With Lower Birth Weight in Children 3 to 10 Years Old

Objective. To determine the prevalence, relative risks, and attributable fractions for congenital bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment in relation to lower birth weight among children born in the 1980s and living in the metropolitan Atlanta area from 1991 through 1993. Methods. We used the population-based, active case ascertainment Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program that conducts surveillance in the five-county metropolitan Atlanta area. Hearing impairment was defined as a bilateral, pure-tone hearing loss at frequencies of 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz averaging 40 dBs or more, unaided, in the better ear. Case children, 3 to 10 years of age, with sensorineural loss of presumed congenital origin were included in these analyses (n = 172). Prevalence rates and relative risks were computed for various birth weight categories by hearing level, sex, race, the presence or absence of coexisting developmental disabilities, and gestational age. Attributable fractions were calculated for low birth weight and very low birth weight children by race. Results. The overall prevalence rate of presumed congenital bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment was 5.3 cases per 10 000 3-year survivors. The prevalence was 4.1 per 10 000 among children weighing ≥4000 g, 3.7 per 10 000 among those weighing 3000 to 3999 g, 6.6 per 10 000 among those 2500 to 2999 g, 12.7 per 10 000 among those 1500 to 2499 g, and 51.0 per 10 000 among those <1500 g. There was virtually no difference in birth weight-specific rates of hearing impairment across three hearing levels. The presence of coexisting developmental disabilities was associated with a much stronger inverse trend with birth weight. Black children weighing <2500 g had much higher rates of hearing impairment than comparable white children. The overall percentage of moderate to profound congenital bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in the entire study population that was attributable to children weighing <2500 g or <1500 g was estimated to be 18.9% and 9.4%, respectively. Prematurity did not alter the magnitude of risk among children weighing <2500 g. Conclusions. The results presented here provide recent estimates of the rates, relative risks, and attributable fractions for congenital bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment by birth weight among children in the United States. The elevated relative risks among children weighing 2500 to 2999 g and 1500 to 2499 g may have implications for future newborn hearing screening criteria.
Beta-casein (CSN2) polymorphism in Ongole (Indian zebu) and Frieswal (HF × Sahiwal crossbred) cattle

Realizing the significant association of A1 and A2 �-casein (CSN2) polymorphism with health promoting properties and milk performance traits, the present investigation was undertaken to explore A1/A2 polymorphism in Indian zebu breed, Ongole (Bos indicus) and crossbred, Frieswal (HF × Sahiwal) cattle using allele-specific (AS)-PCR. Thirty eight Ongole cow, 124 Frieswal heifers and 48 Frieswal bulls were included in the study. The frequency of A2 allele was observed to be 0.94 in Ongole, 0.68 in Frieswal heifers; and 0.56 in Frieswal bull populations. Although all the three genotypes were observed in Frieswal bulls and heifers; however, no animal of A1A1 genotype was found in Ongole cattle and only four animals were of heterozygous genotype (A1A2). Considering the fact of healthfulness of A2 milk as well as positive relationship of A2 allelic variant with milk performance traits in different cattle breeds, the existing variability in �-casein (A1/A2) locus in Frieswal population may be exploited in near future for genetic selection. However, association of A2 variant with performance traits needs to be addressed before selection of Frieswal bulls at the time of birth.
Intraprocedural Rupture of Aneurysms: Not Necessarily a Small Problem

We read with great interest the article by van Rooij et al[1][1] regarding the endovascular treatment of very small aneurysms (<3 mm). The conclusion of the study that coiling of very small aneurysms is more frequently complicated by intraprocedural rupture (IPR) is consistent with previous series
Effect of preoperative statin therapy on early postoperative memory impairment after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery

Context: Frequent incidence of early postoperative memory impairment (POMI) after cardiac surgery remains a concern because of associated morbidity, impaired quality of life, and increased health care cost. Aim: To assess the effect of preoperative statin therapy on POMI in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery. Setting and Design: Prospective observational study in a tertiary level hospital. Methods: Sixty patients aged 45-65 years undergoing OPCAB surgery were allocated into two groups of 30 each. Group A patients were receiving statin and Group B patients were not receiving statins. All patients underwent memory function assessment preoperatively after admission to hospital and on the 6 th postoperative day using postgraduate institute memory scale. Statistical Analysis: Appropriate tests were applied with SPSS 20 to compare both groups. The value P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Multiple regression analysis was performed with confounding factors to determine the effect on memory impairment. Results: Patients in Group A showed significant postoperative deterioration in 6 of the 10 functions and in Group B showed deterioration in 9 of 10 functions tested compared to preoperative scores. Intergroup comparison detected less POMI in Group A compared to Group B and was statistically significant in 8 memory functions. Multiple regression analysis detected statin as an independent factor in preventing memory impairment. Conclusions: Preoperative statin therapy attenuates the early POMI in patients undergoing OPCAB. Future long-term studies will define the efficacy of statin on POMI.
Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field on anxiety level and spatial memory of adult rats.

BACKGROUND As the widespread use of electric devices in modern life, human are exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF) much more frequently than ever. Over the past decades, a substantial number of epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated that ELF MF (50 Hz) exposure is associated with increased risk of various health effects. The present study examined the effects of chronic exposure to ELF MF on anxiety level and spatial memory of adult rats. METHODS The 50-Hz ELF MF was used during the whole experimental procedures and the value of magnetic field (MF) was set to 2 mT. Adult rats were divided randomly to control, MF 1 hour and MF 4 hours group. Anxiety-related behaviors were examined in the open field test and the elevated plus maze; changes in spatial learning and memory were determined in Morris water maze after 4 weeks of daily exposure. RESULTS Rats in MF 4 hours group had increased anxiety-like behaviors with unaltered locomotor activity. In the Morris water maze test, rats had reduced latency to find the hidden platform and improved long-term memory of former location of platform without changes in short-term memory and locomotor activity. CONCLUSION Chronic ELF MF exposure has anxiogenic effect on rats, and the promoting effects on spatial learning and long-term retention of spatial memory.
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) determined in urine with the Abbott Architect or in plasma with the Biosite Triage? The laboratory's point of view

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has emerged as a potential marker for the early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) (1–3). However, most studies used cumbersome techniques (ELISA) that are particularly difficult to implement in routine practice (3, 4). Recently, two commercially available kits for determination of NGAL have appeared on the market. The first one, from Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, IL, USA), is an automated immunoassay that allows determination of urinary NGAL with the Architect platform. The second, the Triage NGAL Test (Biosite-Inverness Medical, Waltham, MA, USA) is a point-ofcare immunoassay for the quantitative determination of NGAL in EDTA anticoagulated whole blood or plasma. The aim of this study was to perform an analytical validation and a comparison of imprecision of these new tests. The Architect NGAL assay is a non-competitive two-site sandwich immunoassay that utilizes two mouse antibodies recognizing distinct NGAL epitopes. The Triage NGAL is a rapid fluorescence immunoassay that is used with the Triage Meters. All tests were performed by a trained laboratory technician according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Both tests have been correlated against an established and validated ELISA that uses mouse monoclonal antibody raised against human NGAL ( HYB211-05; AntibodyShop, Gentofte, Denmark) (5, 6). We used e-noval (Arlenda, Liège, Belgium) software for the statistical evaluation of results.
A multi-level study of perceived multiple team membership variety and its effects on the outcomes of productivity and innovation

Research in multiple team membership is limited. Even more scarce is empirical work in perceived multiple team membership variety (Perceived MTM variety), which is the perceived diversity in the teams’ members belong to. This thesis sought to address the gap in literature by examining the effects of perceived MTM variety on the individual and team outcomes of productivity and innovation. Through the challenge-hindrance framework I investigated the potential benefits and costs of perceived MTM variety at the individual and team level of enquiry. A valid and reliable scale that measured the perceived MTM variety construct was developed as there was no valid scale that psychometrically measures the perceived MTM variety construct. Through a sample of 216 employees in 50 teams from a public sector organisation in Nigeria, I hypothesised that perceived MTM variety at both levels of enquiry will positively predict challenge stressors (time pressure and cognitive demand) and hindrance stressors (role conflict and role ambiguity). I hypothesised that challenge stressors will elicit positive responses from individuals and teams alike in the form of positive coping responses such as time management and knowledge integration at the individual level and information elaboration at the team level. The moderating effect of polychronicity on both group of stressors at the individual level was examined. The obtained findings supported the prediction of a relationship between perceived MTM variety and challenge and hindrance stressors at both the individual level and teamlevel, however, there was no support for the relationship between challenge stressors and positive coping responses. This research did find support for the negative coping responses of hindrance stressors, as team role ambiguity negatively mediated the relationship between perceived team MTM variety and team productivity, role ambiguity at the individual level negatively mediated the relationship between perceived MTM variety and productivity at the individual level. In addition, team members with higher levels of polychronicity experienced higher levels of time pressure.
Robust Performance Hypothesis Testing with the Sharpe Ratio

Applied researchers often test for the difference of the Sharpe ratios of two investment strategies. A very popular tool to this end is the test of Jobson and Korkie (1981), which has been corrected by Memmel (2003). Unfortunately, this test is not valid when returns have tails heavier than the normal distribution or are of time series nature. Instead, we propose the use of robust inference methods. In particular, we suggest to construct a studentized time series bootstrap confidence interval for the difference of the Sharpe ratios and to declare the two ratios different if zero is not contained in the obtained interval. This approach has the advantage that one can simply resample from the observed data as opposed to some null-restricted data. A simulation study demonstrates the improved finite sample performance compared to existing methods. In addition, two applications to real data are provided.
Botulinum toxin treatment of axial and cervical dystonia

Axial truncal dystonia is characterized by an abnormal trunk posture often superimposed by myoclonic motor activities. Cervical dystonia is a motor syndrome characterized by abnormal head and neck posture due to tonic involuntary contractions in a certain set of muscles often superimposed by myoclonic or tremolous movements. Intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin is the first line treatment in cervical dystonia, in axial truncal dystonias botulinum toxin therapy is used only in mild forms. In this review the theoretical background, practical aspects and efficacy results especially in cervical dystonia are presented. Treatment of axial trunk dystonia is only briefly discussed at the beginning of this review.
The effect of Kinesio taping application for acute non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective: To investigate the effect of Kinesio taping application in acute non-specific low back pain. Design: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic. Participants: A total of 109 patients with acute low back pain were randomized into either Kinesio taping (n = 54) or control (n = 55) groups. Intervention: The intervention group was treated with information and reassurance plus Kinesio taping, while the control group received merely information and reassurance. All participants were allowed to use as-needed doses of paracetamol. Kinesio tape was applied to the most painful area of the low back for a total of 12 days. Main outcome measures: Worst pain and disability were assessed at baseline, after the 12-day intervention, and at four weeks follow-up. During the first 12 days, participants filled in a pain diary consisting of a numeric rating scale and recorded the number of paracetamol tablets consumed daily. Disability was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index. Results: After 12 days of intervention, pain intensity and the Oswestry Disability Index improved significantly in both groups; the improvements were significantly superior in the Kinesio taping group (p = 0.003, p = 0.011). The Kinesio taping group reached pain control earlier (sixth day vs. 12th day) and consumed less paracetamol. At the fourth week, although pain intensity was significantly more reduced in the Kinesio taping group (p = 0.015), there were no differences with regard to disability. Conclusions: Kinesio taping provided significant improvements in pain and disability; thus, it can be used as a complementary method in acute non-specific low back pain.
Community Views on Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Istalif, Afghanistan: Implications for Treatment and Prevention

Afghanistan currently has the world's largest outbreak of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis with more than 9% of the population (270,000) of Kabul affected. Transmitted through the bite of a sandfly, this disfiguring skin disease causes ulcerous lesions and permanent scarring. Physical, social, and economic consequences of the disease among those affected, their families, and communities are severe. Current control programs consist of both treatment and prevention. A clear understanding of the underlying factors influencing people's treatment-seeking behavior and utilization of prevention methods is critical for program success. However, these factors have not been well established. This article investigates illness recognition and treatment-seeking behavior, beliefs about etiology and transmission of the disease, and views of prevention and protection among the population of Istalif, a district in the Kabul Province. The knowledge, attitudes, and preferences of participants in the focus groups highlight barriers to current control efforts, as well as opportunities for behavior change. An intervention strategy is proposed based on the analysis of these factors and includes an attack phase of treatment to reduce the infective human reservoir, lower morbidity, and distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets to interrupt the transmission cycle. This is followed by a maintenance phase of treatment, vector control, individual protection, health education, promotion, and community mobilization.
Effect of Losartan on the Acute Response of Human Elderly Skeletal Muscle to Exercise

Purpose To investigate the effect of blocking the angiotensin II Type I receptor (AT1R) upon the response to acute heavy-resistance exercise in elderly human skeletal muscle. The hypothesis was that AT1R blocking would result in a superior myogenic response accompanied by down-regulation of transforming growth factor-beta and up-regulation of insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling. Methods Twenty-eight healthy elderly men (+64 yr) were randomized into two groups, consuming either AT1R blocker (losartan, 100 mg·d−1) or placebo for 18 d before exercise. Participants performed one bout of heavy-unilateral-resistance exercise. Six muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscles of each subject: two before exercise and four after exercise (4.5 h and 1, 4, and 7 d). Blood pressure and blood samples were collected at the same time points. Biopsies were sectioned for immunohistochemistry to determine the number of satellite cells associated with Type I and Type II fibers. Gene expression levels of Notch, connective tissue, and myogenic signaling pathways were determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results Changes over time were detected for circulating creatine kinase, the number of satellite cells per Type I fiber, and most of the gene targets, with no specific effect of losartan on these. However, when compared with placebo, losartan intake resulted in a greater suppression of myostatin messenger RNA. Conclusions In general, there does not seem to be any effect of AT1R blocking on satellite cell number or myogenic pathways in elderly men in the days after one bout of heavy-resistance exercise. However, the greater suppression of myostatin may prove to be beneficial over a long-term intervention designed to induce hypertrophy.
Recombination at DNA replication fork barriers is not universal and is differentially regulated by Swi1

DNA replication stress has been implicated in the etiology of genetic diseases, including cancers. It has been proposed that genomic sites that inhibit or slow DNA replication fork progression possess recombination hotspot activity and can form potential fragile sites. Here we used the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, to demonstrate that hotspot activity is not a universal feature of replication fork barriers (RFBs), and we propose that most sites within the genome that form RFBs do not have recombination hotspot activity under nonstressed conditions. We further demonstrate that Swi1, the TIMELESS homologue, differentially controls the recombination potential of RFBs, switching between being a suppressor and an activator of recombination in a site-specific fashion.
Modélisation spatiale de valeurs extrêmes : application à l'étude de précipitations en France

Les precipitations extremes en France sont responsables de phenomenes d'inondations entrainant la perte de vies humaines et des millions d'euros en degâts materiels. Mesurer le risque associe a ces evenements meteorologiques rares fait appel a la theorie statistique des valeurs extremes, qui propose plusieurs approches permettant d'evaluer des scenarios catastrophes. Cette these s'interesse en particulier a trois mesures de risque faisant intervenir a la fois des lois de probabilite jointes et des methodes de prediction spatiale liees a la geostatistique.Dans un premier temps, plusieurs modeles spatiaux de valeurs extremes construits sur des donnees de maxima annuels sont evalues dans une etude comparative sous la forme d'un article. La comparaison des methodes est menee en se servant de simulations construites a partir de donnees reelles de maxima annuels de precipitations en France et porte sur des criteres lies aux deux mesures de risque que sont le niveau de retour centennal et le coefficient extremal.Un modele en particulier, le processus max-stable et hierarchique de Reich et Shaby (2012) est etudie en detail et fait l'objet d'une implementation sous la forme d'un package R dedie a la simulation et a l'estimation par cette methode.Dans un second temps, les donnees journalieres depassant un seuil eleve sont modelisees dans un cadre spatial dans le but d'estimer une probabilite d'echec conditionnelle. Plusieurs estimateurs de cette mesure sont proposes en se concentrant d'une part sur des methodes parametriques liees aux processus Pareto et d'autre part sur deux approches non parametriques. Les methodes sont construites de sorte que la dependance temporelle observable dans les valeurs journaliere soit prise en compte lors de l'estimation.Tout au long de la these, les methodes developpees sont appliquees sur des donnees journalieres de precipitations en France
Kartenicons im interkulturellen Vergleich

Das ubergeordnete Ziel dieser Arbeit ist ein Beitrag zur kulturvergleichenden Kartographie. Ausgehend von der Annahme, dass Unterschiede zwischen den Karten verschiedener Kulturen bestehen, ist eine bestimmte Art von Kartenzeichen als Beispiel herangezogen worden. Dabei handelt es sich um Kartenicons, deren Gemeinsamkeit normalerweise in ihrer geringen Grose und weitgehenden Isoliertheit besteht. Zu deren Analyse wurde auf der Basis bestehender Ansatze ein neues Zeichenmodell entwickelt. Fur jedes der 1016 Kartenicons (540 deutsche und 476 chinesische) wurden 8 Attribute bestimmt, deren Vergleich schlieslich 25 wesentliche Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Landerauswahlen ergab. Um diese zu erklaren, wurde versucht, kulturelle Eigenschaften heranzuziehen. Schlieslich fuhrte dies zur Formulierung von 38 Hypothesen uber mogliche Beziehungen zwischen Eigenheiten der deutschen bzw. chinesischen Kultur und Eigenheiten der in diesen beiden Landern produzierten Kartenicons.