Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychophysical Versus Physiological Spatial Forward Masking and the Relation to Speech Perception in Cochlear Implants

Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to determine if physiological forward masking patterns in cochlear implants are predictive of psychophysical forward masking (PFM) patterns. It was hypothesized that the normalized amount of physiological masking would be positively correlated with the normalized amount of psychophysical masking for different masker–probe electrode separations. A secondary goal was to examine the relation between the spatial forward masking patterns and speech perception performance. It was hypothesized that subjects with less channel interaction overall (either psychophysically or physiologically) would have better speech perception ability because of better spectral resolution. Design: Data were collected for 18 adult cochlear implant recipients [N = 9 Clarion CII or HiRes 90K, N = 9 Nucleus 24R(CS)]. Physiological spatial forward masking patterns were obtained with the electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) through the implant telemetry system. PFM patterns were obtained using a three-interval, two-alternative forced-choice adaptive procedure. Both measures used a fixed probe electrode with varied masker location. For each subject, spatial forward masking patterns were obtained for three probe electrodes with five masker locations per probe. Results: On an individual basis, the correlation between ECAP FM and PFM was strong for 10 subjects (r = 0.68–0.85, p ≤ 0.02), moderately strong for two subjects (r = 0.54–0.55, p = 0.06–0.07), and poor for six subjects (r = 0.13–0.45, p > 0.14). Results across subjects and electrodes showed a highly significant correlation between ECAP FM and PFM (r = 0.55, p < 0.0001); the correlation was strongest for basal electrodes. There was no significant correlation between speech perception and ECAP FM or PFM. Subjects whose ECAP FM patterns correlated well with PFM patterns generally had the poorest speech perception and subjects with the poorest correlations had the best speech perception. Conclusions: ECAP FM and PFM patterns correlated well for two-thirds of the subjects. Although the group correlation was statistically significant, ECAP FM patterns only accounted for 30% of the variance in the PFM measures. This suggests that the ECAP measures alone are not sufficient for accurately predicting PFM patterns for individual subjects.
Foods, Fuels or Finances: Which Prices Matter for Biofuels?

We show that three factors combine to explain the mean excess sensitivity reported in studies estimating consumption Euler equations: the use of macro data, publication bias, and liquidity constraints. When micro data are used, publication bias is corrected for, and the households under examination do not face liquidity constraints, the literature implies no evidence for the excess sensitivity of consumption to income. Hence little remains for pure rule-of-thumb behavior. The results hold when we control for 45 additional variables reflecting the methods employed by researchers and use Bayesian model averaging to account for model uncertainty. The estimates of excess sensitivity are also systematically affected by the order of approximation of the Euler equation, the treatment of non-separability between consumption and leisure, and the choice of proxy for consumption.
Co-Morbidity, Body Mass Index and Quality of Life in COPD Using the Clinical COPD Questionnaire

Introduction: Quality of life is an important patient-oriented measure in COPD. The Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) is a validated instrument for estimating quality of life. The impact of different factors on the CCQ-score remains an understudied area. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of co-morbidity and body mass index with quality of life measured by CCQ. Methods: A patient questionnaire including the CCQ and a review of records were used. A total of 1548 COPD patients in central Sweden were randomly selected. Complete data were collected for 919 patients, 639 from primary health care and 280 from hospital clinics. Multiple linear regression with adjustment for sex, age, level of education, smoking habits and level of care was performed. Subanalyses included additional adjustment for lung function in the subgroup (n = 475) where spirometry data were available. Results: Higher mean CCQ score indicating lower quality of life was statistically significant and independently associated with heart disease (adjusted regression coefficient (95%CI) 0.26; 0.06 to 0.47), depression (0.50; 0.23 to 0.76) and underweight (0.58; 0.29 to 0.87). Depression and underweight were associated with higher scores in all CCQ subdomains. Further adjustment for lung function in the subgroup with this measure resulted in statistically significant and independent associations with CCQ for heart disease, depression, obesity and underweight. Conclusion: The CCQ identified that heart disease, depression and underweight are independently associated with lower health-related quality of life in COPD.
The interactions between different types of financial and human resource slacks on firm performance : evidence from a developing country

This paper investigates the effect of both FS and HR slack together on firm performance and how different levels of these slack resources affect performance of private-owned enterprises (POEs) and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Hypotheses are tested using a longitudinal data set of 11,985 listed Chinese companies from 2000 to 2009. Findings reveal that the unabsorbed-financial slack and HR slack show an inverse U shape relationship on firm performance for both POEs and SOEs. However, a less-negative interaction occurs for unabsorbed-financial and HR slacks for POEs. The absorbedfinancial and HR slacks also shows an inverse U shape relationship on performance and this relationship does not have a significant negative effect on SOE’s performance. The article concludes with theoretical contributions and practical implications of the findings.
Investment climate and firm productivity: an application to Vietnamese manufacturing firms

ABSTRACT The fundamental aspect of a national competitive advantage is a good investment climate. Understanding the role of the investment climate in generating firm productivity has received extensive attention by policymakers and economists in many countries. The article studies the effect of different dimensions of the investment climate on firm productivity. Using a large dataset of Vietnamese manufacturing firms, the article finds that deficiencies in the investment climate are prejudicial to firm productivity and competition. Furthermore, in examining the effect of corruption in association with the quality of the business environment, the study also investigates the possibility that corruption may compensate firms for a bad investment climate or at least may neutralize the negative impact of inefficient government regulations. In other words, corruption acts as ‘speed money’ to improve the efficacy of the provision of public services or provides leeway for entrepreneurs to bypass the inefficient regulations. This situation, however, is extremely harmful to the economy in the long run because it distorts the market and erodes the incentives for productive investments. Developing countries therefore need to put much more effort into institutional reforms, especially fighting corruption and efficiency in the provision of public goods and services.
Healthcare use and costs associated with post-traumatic stress syndrome in a community sample of older adults: results from the ESA-Services study

ABSTRACT Background: Studies have shown higher healthcare utilization and costs associated with post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) in veterans and community adult populations. Given the aging population and the impact on health system resources, it is important to understand the economic consequences of PTSS. Methods: The data retained came from 1,456 older adults aged 65 years and over recruited in primary medical clinics in the province of Quebec. PTSS was measured with the PTSS scale. Healthcare services (outpatient, emergency department (ED) visits, and inpatient stay) and medication use were captured separately from provincial administrative databases. Healthcare costs incurred in the past year included costs related to outpatient and ED visits, physician fees, inpatient stay, and medication use. Costs were calculated using a healthcare system perspective. χ 2 and Mann–Whitney analyses were used to assess healthcare use. Generalized linear models (GLM) with a gamma distribution (Log Link) were used to evaluate the healthcare costs associated with PTSS. Results: Results showed a significant difference in the number mental health outpatient visits, the number of total prescriptions and the use (presence of at least one prescription) of antidepressants (ADs) and benzodiazepines (BZDs). The multivariate analyses showed that costs associated with outpatient visits, ED visits, mental health inpatient stays, physician fees, and medication use were significantly associated with the presence of PTSS. The total adjusted healthcare cost difference between groups was significant and reached $838 CAN. Conclusions: Respondents with PTSS were more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medications and to have higher ambulatory costs but not inpatient services related costs, more research is required to better understand whether the mental health needs of individuals with a probable PTSS are being met.
Peripheral T cell lymphoma: The Sheffield Lymphoma Group experience (1977-2001).

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) account for approximately 10% of all non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the presentation, management, outcome and significant prognostic factors in a large series of patients with PTCL. It includes 104 consecutive patients who presented to the Sheffield Lymphoma Group between 1977 and 2001. Clinical parameters were recorded for each subgroup. End points were response to treatment and survival. Survival analysis was used to assess the prognostic value of the variables. PTCL not otherwise specified contributed 52% of cases followed by anaplastic large cell lymphoma with 17% and angiocentric type with 13% of cases. The overall complete remission (CR) of the series was 59%. Stage at diagnosis affected response to treatment with 81% of cases in stage 1 and 2 achieving CR compared to 43% in stages 3 and 4 (p</=0.001). Extranodal presentations also showed a favourable response with 74% obtaining CR compared to 46% of nodal presentations (p<0.01). Median survival of all patients was 87 months with a five-year probability of survival of 52%. Variables found to be related to poor outcome are age >60 years (p<0.05), high grade histology (p<0.001), presence of B symptoms (p<0.005), nodal presentation (p<0.005) and advanced stage at diagnosis (p<0.001). Histological sub-type did not significantly correlate to outcome. In conclusion whilst a number of prognostic indicators can assist in determining the outcome in PTCL, these lymphomas are complex and often follow an unpredictable course. In order to make the best clinical decisions in individual cases, more clinical study is required.
Direct-write techniques for maskless production of microelectronics: A review of current state-of-the-art technologies

Recently, there has been growing interest in direct-write methods for the manufacturing of microelectronic products, as the entire electronics industry sector is aiming towards low cost, rapid manufacturing and shorter time-to-market, as well as reduced environmental impacts. This paper will review the main direct-write techniques, most of which have been invented or seen significant development during the last decade. These techniques include droplet-based direct writing, such as inkjet printing, filament-based direct writing, such as the Micropen and nScrypt processes, tip based direct-write methods, and laser beam direct writing. For each category, only a few examples are presented, although there are a number of specific methods and variants within each of these categories.
Monetary Policy, Trend Inflation, and Unemployment Volatility

The literature has long agreed that the canonical DMP model with search and matching frictions in the labor market can deliver large volatilities in labor market quantities, consistent with US data during the Great Moderation period (1985-2005), only if there is at least some wage stickiness. I show that the canonical model can deliver nontrivial volatility in unemployment without wage stickiness. By keeping average US inflation at a small but positive rate, monetary policy may be accountable for the standard deviations of labor market variables to have achieved those large empirical levels. Solving the Shimer (2005) puzzle, the role of long-run inflation holds even for an economy with flexible wages, as long as it has staggered price setting and search and matching frictions in the labor market
Evaluation of Patients With Dry Eye for Presence of Underlying Sjögren Syndrome

Purpose: To evaluate the rate of Sjögren syndrome (SS) in a cohort of patients with dry eye syndrome. Methods: Medical records of patients with a primary diagnosis of dry eye syndrome (International Classification of Diseases [ICD] code 375.15 or 370.33) were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who had 2 or more visits to a single dry eye center during a 2-year period (January 2004 to January 2006) were considered. Results: Two hundred twenty patients with dry eye syndrome were identified. A total of 57 patients (25.9%) had an underlying rheumatic condition: 25 patients (11.4%) had rheumatoid arthritis and 24 (10.9%) had primary Sjögren syndrome (PSS). Majority of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (96%) carried the diagnosis at the time of presentation. Of all patients with PSS, only 33.3% (8/24) carried the diagnosis at the time of presentation. Fifty percent (12/24) were diagnosed as a result of the initial evaluation. Among those, only 66.6% (8/12) tested SSA (anti-Ro antibodies) or SSB (anti-La antibodies) positive. One third of patients (4/12) tested only antinuclear antibody positive at a titer of <1/320 and required minor salivary gland biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Additional 16.7% (4/24), who were initially serologically negative, eventually underwent minor salivary gland biopsy and became diagnosed with SS. Conclusions: PSS seems to be underdiagnosed in patients with dry eye syndrome and should be the focus of diagnostic evaluations. A minor salivary gland biopsy might be required for a definitive diagnosis in a significant proportion of the patients with SS.
Mothers' knowledge and attitudes about HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancers.

BACKGROUND Cervical cancer which is one of the most preventable cancers is an important public health problem worldwide, and especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine knowledge and attitudes about the HPV vaccination of mothers with 0- to 18-year old children. MATERIALS AND METHODS Written approval was taken from the local authorities. The study subjects consisted of 799 mothers who agreed to participate. The data were collected via a "Personal Information Form" which included 30 questions that were prepared by the researchers themselves in line with the literature. The data were collected by face to face interviews with the mothers. Analyses were performed using commercial software. RESULTS The mean age of the mothers who participated in the study was 32.0 ± 6.52, and 88.1% reported no information about HPV, and 83.5% no information about HPV vaccination. Only 0.7% of the mothers had daughters who had HPV vaccination, and 44.3% of the mothers who had sons were found out to be indecisive about having HPV vaccination. There was a significant corelation between the educational status of the mothers and their knowledge about HPV vaccination (p<0.05). However, there was no significant correlation in terms of economic conditions (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that mothers had very little information on HPV and HPV vaccination. Knowledge of the disease and its vaccination is an essential factor for the success of the vaccination program. It is of great importance that mothers are trained in this subject by health professionals.
Insulin Resistance but Not Visceral Adiposity Index Is Associated with Liver Fibrosis in Nondiabetic Subjects with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. It is well known that the presence of visceral fat increases the risk for metabolic complications of obesity, especially NAFLD. The visceral adiposity index (VAI), a novel marker of visceral fat dysfunction, shows a strong association with insulin resistance and also cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. However, there is conflicting data regarding the association between VAI and NAFLD. Our aim was to assess the relationship between VAI, insulin resistance, adipocytokines, and liver histology, in nondiabetic subjects with NAFLD. METHODS A total of 215 male patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were included. Among this group, serum levels of adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured in 101 patients whose blood samples were available. RESULTS High gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), high total cholesterol (TC), high triglycerides (TGs), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and presence of metabolic syndrome were significantly associated with higher VAI, although only higher GGT and TC were independent factors on multiple linear regression analysis. On the other hand, no significant association was found between VAI and adiponectin, TNF-α, IL-6, and hsCRP levels. The multivariate analysis of variables in patients with (n=124) and without (n=91) fibrosis showed that only higher homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance value was independently associated with liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that VAI is not related to the severity of hepatic inflammation or fibrosis in nondiabetic patients with NAFLD. The lack of association between the adipocytokines and VAI also implies that the VAI may not be a significant indictor of the adipocyte functions.
Combination Chemoprevention of HER2/neu-Induced Breast Cancer Using a Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor and a Retinoid X Receptor–Selective Retinoid

The inducible prostaglandin synthase isoform cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is overexpressed in ∼40% of human breast carcinomas and in precancerous breast lesions, particularly in association with overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu). Experimental breast cancer can be suppressed by pharmacologic inhibition or genetic ablation of Cox-2, suggesting potential clinical utility of COX-2 inhibitors with respect to breast cancer. Importantly, several clinical trials have found reduced colorectal adenoma formation in individuals administered selective COX-2 inhibitors. However, such trials also identified increased cardiovascular risk associated with COX-2 inhibitor use. The goal of this research was to test whether improved chemopreventive efficacy could be achieved by combining submaximal doses of a selective COX-2 inhibitor and a retinoid X receptor–selective retinoid (rexinoid). The rate of HER2/neu-induced mammary tumor formation was substantially delayed by coadministration of the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (500 ppm in diet) and the rexinoid LGD1069 (10 mg/kg body weight; oral gavage) to MMTV/neu mice. Median time to tumor formation was increased from 304 to >600 days (P < 0.0001). The combination was substantially more effective than either drug individually. Similarly, potent suppression of aromatase activity was observed in mammary tissues from the combination cohort (44% of control; P < 0.001). Regulation of aromatase expression and activity by COX-derived prostaglandins is well established. Interestingly however, single agent LGD1069 significantly reduced mammary aromatase activity (71% of control; P < 0.001) without modulating eicosanoid levels. Our data show that simultaneous blockade of COX/prostaglandin signaling and retinoid X receptor–dependent transcription confers potent anticancer efficacy, suggesting a novel avenue for clinical evaluation.
Genotype MTBDRsl line probe assay shortens time to diagnosis of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in a high-throughput diagnostic laboratory.

RATIONALE Conventional culture-based drug susceptibility testing (DST) for the second-line antituberculosis drugs is slow, leading to diagnostic delay with associated exacerbation of transmission, amplification of resistance, and increased mortality. OBJECTIVES To assess the diagnostic performance of the GenoType MTBDRsl line probe assay (LPA) for the rapid detection of mutations conferring resistance to ofloxacin (OFX), amikacin (AMK), and ethambutol and to determine the impact of implementation on the turnaround time in a high-throughput diagnostic laboratory. METHODS Six hundred and fifty-seven direct patient acid-fast bacilli smear-positive specimens resistant to isoniazid, rifampin, or both according to the GenoType MTBDRplus assay were consecutively tested, using the GenoType MTBDRsl LPA. The diagnostic performance was assessed relative to the "gold standard" culture-based method, and the laboratory turnaround times for both methods were determined. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A total of 516 of 657 patient specimens had valid results for both tests. The sensitivity for detecting OFX, AMK, and extensive drug resistance, using the GenoType MTBDRsl LPA, was 90.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 80.1-96.0%), 100% (95% CI, 91.8-100%), and 92.3% (95% CI, 75.9-97.9%), respectively, and the specificity for detection was 98.1% (95% CI, 96.3-99.0%), 99.4% (95% CI, 98.2-99.8%), and 99.6% (95% CI, 98.5-99.9%), respectively. Implementation of this test significantly reduced the turnaround time by 93.3% (P < 0.001), calculated from the date that the specimen was received at the laboratory to reporting second-line results. In addition, a significant increase in diagnostic yield of 20.1% and 19.3% (P < 0.001) for OFX and AMK resistance, respectively, was obtained for isolates that were either contaminated or had lost viability. CONCLUSIONS The GenoType MTBDRsl LPA is a rapid and reliable DST that can be easily incorporated into the diagnostic algorithm. This assay significantly improved diagnostic yield (P < 0.001) while simultaneously decreasing diagnostic delay for reporting second-line DST. The rapid dissemination of second-line DST results will guide initiation of appropriate treatment, thereby reducing transmission and improving treatment outcome.
Canine ehrlichiosis in Connecticut

The first case of canine ehrlichiosis in Connecticut is reported. A female Brittany spaniel from Milford presented with lethargy, anorexia, fever, petechiae, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, anemia, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, lymphopenia, and hypoalbuminemia. Serologic analysis revealed antibodies to Ehrlichia canis (titer, 1:2,560). This documents a more northern geographic distribution in the United States for this infectious agent than had previously been suspected.