Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Linguistic Screening Evaluation Model in New Product Development

The screening of new product ideas is critically very important in new product development (NPD). Due to the incompleteness of information available and the qualitative nature of most evaluation criteria regarding NPD process, a fuzzy linguistic approach may be necessary for new-product screening, making use of linguistic assessments and the fuzzy-set-based computation. However, an inherent limitation of such a fuzzy linguistic approach is the loss of information caused by approximation processes, which eventually implies a lack of precision in the final results. This limitation even becomes more critical when applying the approach to new product screening. This paper proposes an approach to new product go/stop evaluation at the front end in NPD, based on the 2-tuple linguistic representation and the so-called preference-preserving transformation. It is shown that the proposed approach always yields a consistent result, while maintaining the flexibility for managers in making their decisions as in the fuzzy-set-based approach. Ultimately, this approach enhances the fuzzy-logic-based screening model proposed in the previous studies by overcoming the mentioned limitation. A case study taken from the literature is used to illuminate the proposed technique and to compare with the previous technique based on fuzzy computation.
Factors Associated with Severity on Admission and In-Hospital Mortality after Primary Intracerebral Hemorrhage in China

Background and purpose Of the stroke types, intracerebral hemorrhage is the most debilitating and fatal. The aim of the current study was to determine factors that influence the severity and in-hospital mortality after primary intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods Data were collected retrospectively on 1268 patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage admitted to stroke units at participating hospitals in Guangzhou between January 2005 and August 2008. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with severity on admission and in-hospital mortality. Results Of the 1268 patients, 20·4% were reported to have a severe stroke on admission, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 12·5%. Severity on admission was strongly associated with Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission (odds ratio = 0·89, 95% confidence interval 0·85–0·94) and hematoma location. Notably, basal ganglia hemorrhages were associated with increased severity (odds ratio = 1·40, 95% confidence interval 1·03–1·90), and cerebellar hemorrhages were associated with reduced severity (odds ratio = 0·29, 95% confidence interval 0·10–0·84). In-hospital mortality was not only correlated with Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission (odds ratio = 0·79, 95% confidence interval 0·74–0·84) and basal ganglia location (odds ratio = 0·47, 95% confidence interval 0·26–0·83), but also with dysnatremia (odds ratio =1·91, 95% confidence interval 1·08–3·40) and comorbidities such as upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (odds ratio = 2·28, 95% confidence interval 1·33–3·91), pneumonia (odds ratio = 3·50, 95% confidence interval 2·17–5·63), urinary incontinence (odds ratio = 2·22, 95% confidence interval 1·40–3·51), and renal dysfunction (odds ratio = 2·28, 95% confidence interval 1·42–3·65). Conclusion Glasgow Coma Scale score and hematoma locations were independently associated with severity on admission and in-hospital mortality after primary intracerebral hemorrhage. The study also highlights the deleterious effect of comorbidities on in-hospital mortality following primary intracerebral hemorrhage in China.
On the Desired Rate of Capacity Utilization

This paper examines the endogeneity (or lack thereof) of the rate of capacity utilization in the long run within the context of the controversy surrounding the Kaleckian model of growth and distribution. We argue that the proposed long-run dynamic adjustment, proposed by Kaleckian scholars, lacks a coherent economic rationale. We provide economic justification for the adjustment of the desired rate of utilization towards the actual rate on behalf of a cost-minimizing firm, after examining the factors that determine the utilization of resources. The cost minimizing firm has an incentive to increase the utilization of its capital if the rate of the returns to scale decreases as its production increases. We show that there are evidence in the theory and the empirical research that justify this behavior of returns to scale. In that way the desired rate of utilization becomes endogenous.
The relational responding task (RRT): a novel approach to measuring social meaning of language variation

Abstract Recently, sociolinguistic attitude research has adopted a number of new implicit attitude measures developed in social psychology. Especially the Implicit Association Test (IAT) has proven a successful new addition to the sociolinguist’s toolbox. Despite its relative success, the IAT has a number of limitations, such as the fact that it measures the association between two concepts (e.g. ‘I’ and ‘skinny’) without controlling for the relationship between those two concepts (e.g. ‘I am skinny’ vs. ‘I want to be skinny’). The Relational Responding Task (RRT), a novel implicit attitude measure recently developed by social psychologists, makes up for exactly that limitation by presenting participants with full propositions expressing beliefs rather than loose concepts. In this paper, we present a study that explores the RRT as a novel implicit measure of language attitudes. We employ the method to investigate the social meaning of two varieties of Dutch: Standard Belgian Dutch and colloquial Belgian Dutch. In total 391 native speakers of Belgian Dutch took part in the study. A training effect in the data aside, our results show that the latter variety is associated with dynamism, while the former is perceived as prestigious.
Neuropeptide Y, left ventricular mass and function in patients with end stage renal disease

Objective Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is released during sympathetic stimulation and mediates the central effects of the adipostatic hormone leptin. The plasma concentration of NPY and leptin is increased in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), but it is unknown whether these substances are related to biochemical markers of sympathetic activity and to alterations in left ventricular (LV) mass and function in these patients. Design We investigated the relationship between NPY, norepinephrine (NE), leptin and echocardiographic measurements in a cross-sectional study in 198 patients with ESRD. Results NPY was directly related to plasma NE and heart rate but it was largely independent of arterial pressure and of retention of metabolic waste products. NPY was significantly higher in patients with LV hypertrophy and in those with LV systolic dysfunction than in those without these alterations. Of note, NPY emerged as an independent correlate of LV mass index and of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (both P ⩽ 0.002) in multiple linear regression analyses including a series of cardiovascular risk factors. Furthermore in a multiple logistic regression model patients in the top NPY tertile had a risk for LV concentric hypertrophy that was 18.10 (95% confidence interval: 5.87–55.83) times higher than in those in the first tertile (P < 0.001). Leptin was unrelated to NPY as well as to LV mass and to systolic function. Conclusions Elevated NPY is independently associated with LV concentric hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction in ESRD. It remains to be seen whether these links contribute to the high cardiovascular mortality in these patients.
Preoperative chemoradiation in potentially resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma: feasibility, treatment effect evaluation and prognostic factors, analysis of the SFRO-FFCD 9704 trial and literature review.

BACKGROUND We explored the feasibility and the histologic assessment of treatment effect of preoperative chemoradiation in patients presenting with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Treatment consisted of concurrent radiotherapy (50 Gy within 5 weeks) and chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (300 mg/m(2)/day, 5 days/week, weeks 1-5) and cisplatin (20 mg/m(2)/day, days 1-5 and 29-33), followed by surgical resection of the pancreatic tumor in patients without progression. RESULTS In all, 41 patients were enrolled; 38 (93%) received >or=47 Gy; 30 patients (73%) received >or=75% of the prescribed doses of chemotherapy. Among 40 assessable patients, 27 (67.5%; 95% confidence interval 50.9% to 81.4%) were successfully treated (entire dose of radiation, >or=75% of the chemotherapy dose, no grade 4 non-hematologic toxicity). In all, 26 patients (63%) underwent surgical resection with curative intent and 21 (80.7%) had R0 resection. A total of 13 of 26 specimens (50%) presented a major pathologic response (>or=80% of severely degenerative cancer cells), with one complete pathologic response. Operative mortality was 2.8%. The local recurrence and 2-year survival rates were 4% and 32%, respectively, for the 26 operated patients. CONCLUSIONS This proposed preoperative scheme is feasible, does not prevent successful surgery, and provides antitumoral effect associated with major histopathological response in 50% of patients and a high R0 resection rate.
The Color of Class: Poor Whites and the Paradox of Privilege

Introduction 1. Setting: Midway, U.S.A. , an Unassuming City? 2. School: Learning to Live Up to the Paragon 3. Encounters: Intersections and Collisions 4. Income and Work: Making Ends Meet, Barely 5. Encounters: Changing Contexts, Changing Characters 6. Home: Sheltered by Whiteness 7. Encounters: Uncommon Class Commonalities 8. Deconstructing the Color of Class Conclusion Notes References Index Acknowledgments
The effect of 2'-2' difluorodeoxycytidine (dFdC, gemcitabine) on radiation-induced cell lethality in two human head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines differing in intrinsic radiosensitivity.

PURPOSE The present study investigated in vitro radio-enhancement by gemcitabine (dFdC) in two head and neck squamous cell carcinomas with different intrinsic cellular radiosensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Radiosensitive (SCC61, SF2=0.16) and radioresistant (SQD9, SF2=0.49) human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas were used. Confluent cells were incubated with dFdC and irradiated in drug-free medium with a single dose of 250 kV X-rays (0-12Gy). Cell survival curves were corrected for the toxicity of the drug alone. RESULTS In both cell lines, radio-enhancement was observed with 5 microM dFdC incubated for 3 h prior to irradiation. Dose modification factors (DMF) at a surviving fraction level of 0.5 reached 1.3 (95% CI 1.1-1.6) and 1.5 (95% CI 1.4-1.5) for SQD9 and SCC61 cells, respectively. Radio-enhancement was associated with a modest increase in the alpha term of the linear-quadratic model. In SQD9 cells, radio-enhancement increased with dFdC incubation time. At 24h, DMF reached a value of 1.5 (95% CI 0.9-3.2). In SCC61 cells at 24h, DMF reached a value of 1.1 (95% CI 0.9-1.2). In both cell lines, radio-enhancement increased with dFdC concentration up to 5-10 microM from which values it levelled off up to 100 microM. CONCLUSIONS The data indicated that dFdC induced a modest radio-enhancement in both cell lines. For a short incubation time, dFdC did not radio-enhance preferentially the more radio-resistant cells, whereas the opposite was observed for a longer time. In both cell lines, radio-enhancement was saturated above a dFdC concentration of 5-10 microM.
Comparative Effectiveness of Ceftriaxone in Combination With a Macrolide Compared With Ceftriaxone Alone for Pediatric Patients Hospitalized With Community-acquired Pneumonia

Background: Guidelines for management of community-acquired pneumonia recommend empiric therapy with a macrolide and beta-lactam when infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a significant consideration. Evidence to support this recommendation is limited. We sought to determine the effectiveness of ceftriaxone alone compared with ceftriaxone combined with a macrolide with respect to length of stay and total hospital costs. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children 1–17 years with pneumonia, using Poisson regression and propensity score analyses to assess associations between antibiotic and length of stay. Multivariable linear regression and propensity score analyses were used to assess log-treatment costs, adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics and initial tests and therapies. Results: A total of 4701 children received combination therapy and 8892 received ceftriaxone alone. Among children 1–4 years of age, adjusted models revealed no significant difference in length of stay, with significantly higher costs in the combination therapy group [cost ratio: 1.08 (95% confidence interval: 1.05–1.11)]. Among children 5–17 years of age, children receiving combination therapy had a shorter length of stay [relative risk: 0.95 (95% confidence interval: 0.92–0.98)], with no significant difference in costs [cost ratio: 1.01 (95% confidence interval: 0.98–1.04)]. Conclusions: Combination therapy did not appear to benefit preschool children but was associated with higher costs. Among school-aged children, combination therapy was associated with a shorter length of stay without a significant impact on cost. Development of sensitive point-of-care diagnostic tests to identify children with M. pneumoniae infection may allow for more focused prescription of macrolides and enable comparative effectiveness studies of targeted provision of combination therapy.
Functional Roles of Nasal Nitric Oxide in Nasal Patency and Mucociliary Function

The purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to clarify whether it is possible to change the amount of nasal nitric oxide (NO) artificially; and (ii) to confirm that the artificially altered nasal NO has biological properties such as vasodilatation and mucociliary function. We measured nasal NO and nasal airway resistance (NAR) in healthy subjects before and after topical administration of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor. We also measured nasal NO and saccharin transport time after administration of SNP or L-N G -nitroarginine methylester (L-NAME), a NO synthase inhibitor. In addition, we examined the effect of SNP and L-NAME on nasal NO and saccharin transport time after pretreatment with flutropium bromide (FB), an anticholinergic agent. Administration of SNP elicited increases in nasal NO and NAR in a dose-dependent manner. Nasal NO decreased significantly after topical administration of L-NAME. Saccharin transport time, an indicator of mucociliary function, was shortened after topical administration of SNP and prolonged after administration of L-NAME. Moreover, these phenomena were observed even after pretreatment with FB. These results suggest that artificially altered nasal NO may affect NAR and mucociliary function.
An Application of Partial Adjustment Equation in Determining Payout Behavior using an Extended Instrumental Variable Approach

This paper improves on earlier research on the determinants of Payout policies by using a more advanced empirical estimation, a larger Indian representative sample of panel data (PD) controlling for economic reform effect and by using alternate proxies for a longer time window 1971-2007. To deal with variables that may be correlated with the error term, often faced in static panel data analysis; the Instrumental Variable (IV) approach using dynamic panel data is followed. The IV estimation is widely used for models with random regressors (e.g. lagged dependent variable) which exhibit the correlation with model errors. We show that using IV has an additional advantage of solving problems encountered in static models, mainly addressing the simultaneity bias between the Payout measure and the explanatory variables, and the measurement error issue. Application of Generalized Methods of Moments (GMM) in econometric modelling can be considered as a further extension of IV estimation method, and attempted herein. We estimate the GMM-in-Levels {GMM (in-Lev)} (1991) model, and its other variations viz the GMM-in-first-differences {GMM (in-Diff)} (1995) and GMM-in-Systems {GMM (in-Sys)} (1997) so to include other lag structures. It is aimed to add to the relatively limited literature on aspects of Payout decision by examining the dynamics of relationship between cash payouts and a host of other explanatory variables. The implicit and explicit implications of the economic reform process on Payout policies are also explored. This robust procedure shows us how much the size of the Payout determinants, varies across the different estimation techniques.
Valuing Cultural Ecosystem Services

The ecosystem services (ES) framework was developed to articulate and measure the benefits humans receive from ecosystems. Cultural ecosystem services (CES), usually defined as the intangible and nonmaterial benefits ecosystems provide, have been relatively neglected by researchers and policy-makers compared to provisioning, supporting, and regulating services. Although valuing CES poses several conceptual and methodological difficulties, it is of huge interest and importance because of the linkages between cultural values, valuation methods, and the individual and collective decision-making that influence ecosystems and human wellbeing. This review is not a how-to guide, but rather examines key conceptual issues and maps critical areas of debate. There is a range of potential approaches to assessing CES; however, choices regarding valuation methods and their role in decision-making are shaped by cultural and political dynamics. CES are at a crossroads. They can potentially act as a fruitful conceptual co.
Embodied Flight with a Drone

Most human-robot interfaces, such as joysticks and keyboards, require training and constant cognitive effort and provide a limited degree of awareness of the robots state and its environment. Embodied interactions, instead of interfaces, could bridge the gap between humans and robots, allowing humans to naturally perceive and act through a distal robotic body. Establishing an embodied interaction and mapping human movements and a non-anthropomorphic robot is particularly challenging. In this paper, we describe a natural and immersive embodied interaction that allows users to control and experience drone flight with their own bodies. The setup uses a commercial flight simulator that tracks hand movements and provides haptic and visual feedback. The paper discusses how to integrate the simulator with a real drone, how to map body movement with drone motion, and how the resulting embodied interaction provides a more natural and immersive flight experience to unskilled users with respect to a conventional RC remote controller.
Computation of robust stability bounds for time-delay systems with nonlinear time-varying perturbations

This paper is concerned with the computation of robust stability bounds for time-delay systems with nonlinear time-varying perturbations. Firstly, a delay-independent condition on the robust stability is presented and a method to determine the maximum upper bound of robust stability is given. Then, a delay-dependent robust stability condition is provided. All results are given in terms of linear matrix inequalities where efficient solution procedures are available. Numerical examples have shown that the results are less conservative than some previous established bounds.
DropoutSeer: Visualizing learning patterns in Massive Open Online Courses for dropout reasoning and prediction

Aiming at massive participation and open access education, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have attracted millions of learners over the past few years. However, the high dropout rate of learners is considered to be one of the most crucial factors that may hinder the development of MOOCs. To tackle this problem, statistical models have been developed to predict dropout behavior based on learner activity logs. Although predictive models can foresee the dropout behavior, it is still difficult for users to understand the reasons behind the predicted results and further design interventions to prevent dropout. In addition, with a better understanding of dropout, researchers in the area of predictive modeling in turn can improve the models. In this paper, we introduce DropoutSeer, a visual analytics system which not only helps instructors and education experts understand the reasons for dropout, but also allows researchers to identify crucial features which can further improve the performance of the models. Both the heterogeneous data extracted from three different kinds of learner activity logs (i.e., clickstream, forum posts and assignment records) and the predicted results are visualized in the proposed system. Case studies and expert interviews have been conducted to demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of DropoutSeer.
Quantitative Cerebral Blood Flow Measurements in the Rat Using a Beta-Probe and H215O

Beta-probes are a relatively new tool for tracer kinetic studies in animals. They are highly suited to evaluate new positron emission tomography tracers or measure physiologic parameters at rest and after some kind of stimulation or intervention. In many of these experiments, the knowledge of CBF is highly important. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the method of CBF measurements using a beta-probe and H215O. CBF was measured in the barrel cortex of eight rats at baseline and after acetazolamide challenge. Trigeminal nerve stimulation was additionally performed in five animals. In each category, three injections of 250 to 300 MBq H215O were performed at 10-minute intervals. Data were analyzed using a standard one-tissue compartment model (K1 = CBF, k2 = CBF/p, where p is the partition coefficient). Values for K1 were 0.35 ± 0.09, 0.58 ± 0.16, and 0.49 ± 0.03 mL · min−1 · mL−1 at rest, after acetazolamide challenge, and during trigeminal nerve stimulation, respectively. The corresponding values for k2 were 0.55 ± 0.12, 0.94 ± 0.16, and 0.85 ± 0.12 min−7, and for p were 0.64 ± 0.05, 0.61 ± 0.07, and 0.59 ± 0.06. The standard deviation of the difference between two successive experiments, a measure for the reproducibility of the method, was 10.1%, 13.0%, and 5.7% for K1, k2, and p, respectively. In summary, beta-probes in conjunction with H215O allow the reproducible quantitative measurement of CBF, although some systematic underestimation seems to occur, probably because of partial volume effects.
The impact of ethical political leadership on the public: The mediating role of confidence in political leaders

This study examined the dynamic relationships among ethical political leadership, the public’s confidence in political leaders, commitment to the nation, and the perception of being safe from a terrorist attack. Based on a U.S. national random sample (n = 1604), we found that the public’s confidence in political leaders mediates the effect of ethical political leadership on the public’s commitment to the nation and the perception of being safe from a terrorist attack. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed.