Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of repeated pregnancy outcomes

Women tend to repeat reproductive outcomes, with past history of an adverse outcome being associated with an approximate two-fold increase in subsequent risk. These observations support the need for statistical designs and analyses that address this clustering. Failure to do so may mask effects, result in inaccurate variance estimators, produce biased or inefficient estimates of exposure effects. We review and evaluate basic analytic approaches for analysing reproductive outcomes, including ignoring reproductive history, treating it as a covariate or avoiding the clustering problem by analysing only one pregnancy per woman, and contrast these to more modern approaches such as generalized estimating equations with robust standard errors and mixed models with various correlation structures. We illustrate the issues by analysing a sample from the Collaborative Perinatal Project dataset, demonstrating how the statistical model impacts summary statistics and inferences when assessing etiologic determinants of birth weight.
Interaction of endosperm size factors in maize.

Crosses involving certain B-A translocations produce a reduced size of endosperm when those regions of the A chromosomes are missing in the sperm that fertilizes the polar nuclei. Previous studies involving the long arm of chromosome 10 showed that additional copies of this segment introduced through the maternal side could not rescue the reduced size phenotype conditioned by the corresponding deficiency in the paternal gamete. In this paper, experiments are described showing that other segments introduced maternally produce an even smaller kernel when fertilized by a sperm missing the same A chromosome segment or other ones that carry factors affecting endosperm size. -The example analyzed in detail involves reciprocal crosses between TB-4Sa and TB-10L19. Extra doses of 4S enhance the small kernel effect normally produced by TB-10L19. The additional copies of 4S have no effect on kernel mass when the 10L segment is present in the paternal contribution to the endosperm. The maternal enhancement by 4S is also effective with crosses by TB-1La but not by TB-1Sb. A survey of inter se crosses of B-A translocations shows that, when the maternal enhancement occurs, it is confined to those regions that themselves give a small kernel effect when used as a male. This correlation is strengthened by the observations that TB-10L19 enhances the small kernel effect of TB-1Sb, but TB-10L32 will not. Since these two B-10L translocations span the best localized small kernel effect region, this result supports the correlation of maternal enhancement regions with the paternal small kernel effect ones. -Because the enhancement can be attributed to a dosage effect and because the enhancement regions are coincident with the small kernel segments, it is postulated that this interacting system is analogous to aneuploid effects in diploid tissues but exhibits unique properties because of the evolutionary history and triploid condition of the endosperm.
Valuing Reductions in Environmental Risks to Children's Health

This article reviews the economics literature dealing with valuation of reduced environmental risks to children’s health. We describe conceptual models together with results from a number of empirical studies. The conceptual models analyze valuation issues from the perspective of parents; treat health risk as endogenously determined; and demonstrate that in equilibrium, marginal willingness to pay to reduce risk for the child relative to marginal willingness to pay to reduce risk for the parent should equal the ratio of marginal risk reduction costs. Empirical studies treat both mortality and morbidity associated with exposure to environmental health risks. These studies generally find that parents are willing to pay more for absolute risk reductions for their children than they are willing to pay for corresponding risk reductions for themselves. Possible reasons for this outcome along with suggestions for further research are discussed.
Comparison of visual acuity charts identifying visual impairment among older people outside the eye clinic

Purpose: Evaluate the construct validity and describe sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of two short charts of visual acuity (VA) and examine whether these can identify and detect signs of visual impairment among older people. Method: The study included 43 persons, >65 years, with age related eye disease, living in their own homes. An ophthalmologist assessed the individuals’ VA at an eye clinic with the 5 m KM chart. A research assistant assessed individuals’ VA by the 1 m KM chart and the Visual Acuity Screening Test in their home environment. Results: All persons with a VA level of <0.5 were correctly identified by both instruments. The instruments have good positive and negative predictive values for the 1 m KM chart (73% and 100%) and for the Visual Acuity Screening Test (69% and 100%). The construct validity between the instruments was good, but the assessment at the eye clinic assessed the participants as having higher VA level. Conclusions: Both instruments have good construct validity, considering they were carried out in poorer lighting conditions and a good predictive value for screening out VA levels <0.5. The 1 m KM chart showed the best agreement with the 5 m KM chart. Implications for Rehabilitation Short charts of visual acuity (VA) can be used outside the eye clinic to identify persons with VA level 0.5, in need of rehabilitation, as they are at risk of becoming dependent in daily activities. Short charts of VA are portable instruments and useful in other environments than the eye clinic, but training is needed before use. Short charts of VA are useful instruments that can be included in Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments (CGA) to identify persons with visual impairment.
Resource Utilization and Economies of Size in Secondary Schools

This paper identifies the determinants of costs per pupil in English secondary schools. A distinction is made between the short run and the long run in order to estimate the separate effects on costs per pupil of short-run variations in school output and school size. A school's capacity utilization rate is used to indicate short-run deviations in output from pupil capacity, and pupil capacity is used as an indicator of school size to capture scale effects on costs per pupil. The statistical analysis uses both published and unpublished data for secondary schools in England. Two separate analyses are undertaken, one for grant-maintained schools alone and the other for all schools. A separate analysis is undertaken for grant-maintained schools since cost data are available only for schools in this sector. Staff hours per pupil is used as a proxy for costs per pupil for schools as a whole. The main finding is that costs per pupil and staff hours per pupil are both highly significantly negatively related to both school size and the capacity utilization rate of schools. A range of other variables are also estimated to have a significant effect on costs per pupil in secondary schools. The main finding is that there is scope for reducing the costs of schooling in the secondary schools sector in England.
Westminster’s World: Understanding Political Roles

Introduction - roles, rules, and rationality. Part 1 Backbench roles: policy advocates - checking the executive ministerial aspirants - anticipatory socialization constituency members - redress of grievances parliament men - a window to the past. Part 2 Leadership roles: parliamentary private secretaries - fagging at 40 whips - managing members ministers - leadership in Westminster and Whitehall ministerial role strains and role choices conclusion - institutional structure and individual choice in perspective. Appendices: interviewing members of parliament coding preference roles.
Technological Advances for Conducting a Virtual Ensemble

This paper describes recent advances in our Interactive Virtual Ensemble project. This project aims at developing the ability to simulate the response of a human performing ensemble to more-or-less standard conducting gestures. Over the past year we have added several new components to the system. The two areas where primary additions have been made are in tracking/recognition and in sound synthesis. The system now uses a wireless MotionStar tracker, and a distributed communication model. We are also using a hybrid beat detection and classification system incorporating some neural net processing for both beat prediction and classification. The sound synthesis component uses dynamic control of an analysis-based additive synthesis model.
A DEA Approach to Performance-Based Budgeting of Formula One Constructors

This article assesses the relative efficiency of teams participating in Formula One (F1) World Constructors’ Championship. A nonparametric method based on data envelopment analysis (DEA) has been used. The aim is to measure each constructor’s performance, comparing its efficiency relative to all other competing constructors. The study uses financial and performance data to assess the proximity of the constructors to the best practices frontier. The analysis has been made considering the results of the 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2011 F1 seasons. In order to create a parsimonious DEA model, a variable screening method for dimensionality reduction is considered. The results indicate that, generally, a substantial reduction should be made to the constructors’ budget over the seasons in order to be efficient as compared to the identified benchmarks. In addition, scale efficiency reveals that most constructors operate below their most productive scale size.
Can the Indicative Price System Mitigate Expiration-Day Effects?

We investigate whether the indicative price system, introduced in the Korean derivatives market on July 1, 2003, has helped mitigate the options and futures expiration-day effects. Prior to introduction of this system, we find evidence of high trading volume and significant price reversals during the first half hour of trading for the day immediately following the expiration day. These effects decline significantly after July 1, 2003. Our evidence suggests that the indicative price system can mitigate the expiration-day effects.
Prevalence of excessive body weight and high blood pressure in children and adolescents in the city of Łódź.

BACKGROUND Overweight and elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents are two independent risk factors of basic importance for early prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. AIM To evaluate the prevalence of overweight and elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents aged 7-18 years from the city of Łódź. METHODS A total of 25,309 children and adolescents (12,669 girls and 12,640 boys) aged 7-19 years from 111 schools in the city of Łódź were examined. Basic anthropometric measurements (body mass and height) as well as three independent blood pressure measurements using the auscultatory method were performed. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were evaluated based on BMI analysis and using international criteria (IOTF). The prevalence of prehypertension state and hypertension was evaluated using the Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. RESULTS The mean prevalence of overweight (without obesity) was 15.1% (13.2% for girls and 17% for boys) and obesity was found in 3.7% of children (2.9% of girls and 4.4% of boys). Prevalence of the prehypertensive state and hypertension was 11.1% and 4.9%, respectively. In the younger groups of children aged 7-13 years the prevalence of overweight as well as elevated blood pressure was significantly (p <0.001) higher than in groups aged 14-19 years. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the prevalence of overweight as well as elevated blood pressure is significantly higher in younger groups of children. The observed relations may result from specific social determinants and improper nutritional habits. The results show that intensive preventive activities should also be directed towards younger groups of children.
KIAA1718 is a histone demethylase that erases repressive histone methyl marks

The methylation states of histone lysine residues are regarded as significant epigenetic marks governing transcriptional regulation. A number of histone demethylases containing a jumonji C (JmjC) domain have been recognized; however, their properties remain to be investigated. Here, we show that KIAA1718, a PHF2/PHF8 subfamily member, possesses histone demethylase activity specific for H3K9 and H3K27, transcriptionally repressive histone marks. Biochemical purification of the KIAA1718 interactants reveals that KIAA1718 forms complexes with several factors including KAP1, a transcriptional co‐activator. Consistent with these findings, KIAA1718 shows a transcriptional activation function in the chromatin context. Thus, our study identifies KIAA1718 as a histone demethylase for repressive methyl marks and shows that it is involved in transcriptional activation.
Aalborg Universitet Channel Models for Capacity Evaluation of MIMO Handsets in Data Mode

This study investigates different correlation based models useful for evaluation of outage capacity (OC) of mobile multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) handsets. The work is based on a large measurement campaign in a micro-cellular setup involving two dual-band base stations (BSs), 10 different handsets in an indoor environment for different use cases and test users. Several models are evaluated statistically, comparing the OC values estimated from the model and measurement data, respectively, for about 2700 measurement routes. The models are based on either estimates of the full correlation matrices or simplifications. Among other results, it is shown that the OC can be predicted accurately (median error typically within 2.6%) with a model assuming knowledge only of the Tx-correlation coefficient and the mean power gain.
Fuite des cerveaux et inégalités entre pays

Is the brain drain a curse or a boon for developing countries? This paper reviews what is known to date about the magnitude of the brain drain from developing to developed countries, its determinants and the way it affects the well-being of those left behind. First, I present alternative measures of the brain drain and characterize its evolution over the last 25 years. Then, I review the theoretical and empirical literature. Although the brain drain is a major source of concern for origin countries, it also induces positive effects through various channels such as remittances, return migration, diaspora externalities, quality of governance and increasing return to education. Whilst many scientists and international institutions praise the unambiguous benefits of unskilled migration for developing countries, my analysis suggests that a limited but positive skilled emigration rate (say between 5 and 10 percent) can also be good for development. Nevertheless, the current spatial distribution of the brain drain is such that many poor countries are well above this level, such as sub-Saharan African and Central American countries.
Sequential randomized algorithms for robust optimization

A probabilistic approach is considered for robust optimization, where a convex objective function is minimized subject to a parameter dependent convex constraint. A novel sequential randomized algorithm is proposed for solving this optimization employing the stochastic ellipsoid method. It is shown that the upper bounds of the numbers of random samples and updates of the algorithm are much less than those of the stochastic bisection method utilizing the stochastic ellipsoid method at each iteration. This feature actually leads to a computational advantage, which is demonstrated through a numerical example.
Functional Properties and Lineage Relationship of CD8+ T Cell Subsets Identified by Expression of IL-7 Receptor α and CD62L1

Three major subsets of Ag-experienced CD8+ T cells have been identified according to their expression of CD62L and CD127. These markers are associated with central memory T cells (CD62L+CD127+), effector memory T cells (CD162L−CD127+), and effector T cells (CD62L−CD127−). In this study we characterized the development of these three populations during acute and chronic viral infections and after immunization with virus-like particles and determined their lineage relation and functional and protective properties. We found that the balance between the three subsets was critically regulated by the availability of Ag and time. After initial down-regulation of CD127, the responding CD8+ T cell population down-regulated CD62L and re-expressed CD127. Dependent on Ag availability, the cells then further differentiated into CD62L−CD127− effector cells or, in the absence of Ag, re-expressed CD62L to become central memory T cells. Although all three populations efficiently produced effector cytokines such as IFN-γ, CD62L−CD127− effector cells exhibited the highest ex vivo lytic potential. In contrast, CD62L+CD127+ central memory T cells most efficiently produced IL-2 and proliferated extensively in vitro and in vivo upon antigenic restimulation. Strikingly, only effector and effector memory, but not central memory, T cells were able to protect against peripheral infection with vaccinia virus, whereas central memory T cells were most potent at protecting against systemic infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, indicating that the antiviral protective capacities of specific CD8+ T cell subsets are closely related to the nature of the challenging pathogen.
How Much is a Neighborhood School Worth

This paper presents evidence of the effect on house values of a school redistricting in Shaker Heights, Ohio in 1987. As a result of redistricting, neighborhood schools are disrupted, bus transportation is introduced, and school racial composition changes. The data include all arms-length sales of houses in Shaker Heights between 1983 and 1994. We find, using a difference-in-difference estimator, that disruption of neighborhood schools reduces house values by 9.9%, or $5738 at the mean house value. This result is robust to a variety of alternative specifications, including repeat-sales analysis and within-neighborhood analysis.
5'-UTR of malS increases the invasive capacity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi by influencing the expression of bax.

AIM An RNA-seq analysis recently identified a 236-nucleotide transcript upstream from malS in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. Here, we investigated its molecular characteristics and function. MATERIALS & METHODS RACE and northern blotting were used to determine the molecular characteristics of the sequence, and mutagenesis, microarray, immunoblotting and an invasion assay were used to investigate the functions of the transcript. RESULTS The transcript was identified as the malS 5'-untranslated region (UTR), which could influence the expression of the flagellar and SPI-1 genes and the invasion of HeLa cells by S. Typhi. Deletion of bax increased the expression of the invasion genes and the invasive capacity of S. Typhi, whereas the expression of the malS 5'-UTR reduced the expression of bax. CONCLUSION The malS 5'-UTR reduces the expression of bax and increases the invasive capacity of S. Typhi.
THE EFFECTS OF PUBLIC SPENDING SHOCKS ON TRADE BALANCES AND BUDGET DEFICITS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

We investigate the consequences of an increase in public spending for trade balances and budget deficits in the European Union, using a panel vector auto-regression approach. Whereas the literature tends to treat the trade balance/GDP ratio as a single variable, we include exports and imports as separate variables. This allows us to track in more detail the sources of trade balance movements. Further, we use annual rather than quarterly data. This facilitates the interpretation of the shocks and reduces potential anticipation effects of fiscal policy changes. However, the identification assumptions become stronger, and we extensively check their validity. According to our baseline estimate, a 1% GDP increase in public spending produces a 1.2% on impact rise and a 1.6% peak rise in GDP. Rising imports and falling exports are responsible for a fall of the trade balance by 0.5% of GDP on impact and a peak fall of 0.8%. In addition, the spending increase produces a 0.7% impact (and peak) budget deficit, thereby pointing to the potential relevance of the twin deficits hypothesis for the European Union. (JEL: E62, H60) (c) 2008 by the European Economic Association.
Deliberative governance in synergy with government: a case study of credible environmental improvements in the Dairy Gateway, USA

This article examines a case of deliberative governance in the Dairy Gateway Project in the Northeast of Wisconsin, USA. In this project government, academic researchers, farmers and environmental organizations built cooperative voluntary networks to improve the quality of water, air and soil. They introduced dialogue, learning and stewardship as alternatives to governmental ‘command and control’. At three types of meetings a broader group of participants deliberated about the interpretation of these concepts. The study of these interpretative struggles in the form of boundary work demonstrates that participants considered dialogue and learning in networks a credible new way to cooperate, and that in most cases they accepted farmers as stewards of the land. However, they all wanted government to audit this stewardship. Hence, deliberative governance emerged in synergy with government. Point for practitioners Reflective conversations about boundary concepts, for example ‘stewardship’, can help to overcome environmental conflicts. This concept aligns incompatible discourses. When boundary concepts are introduced, participants in networks of, for example, farmers, environmentalists and governmental actors are challenged to think about new solutions. Moreover, they are encouraged to rethink the role of government. Deliberative settings, in which facilitators pay special attention to the quality of the conversations, enable this rethinking. In these conversations adversarial actors can empathically disagree. As a result, participants start negotiating credible solutions and establish what role government has to have.
Using involvement to understand responses to biosecurity

The effectiveness of biosecurity measures at national borders is influenced by the behaviour and levels of involvement of travellers. Involvement is the importance or relevance of an object or situation to an individual. Involvement helps regulate the way in which people receive and process information and thus influences the extent of information searching for decision making, and information processing and persuasion. In this study, we drew on the concept of involvement to investigate the response of individuals to New Zealand biosecurity requirements. A range of people associated with the agricultural and food processing sectors were surveyed using a five item scale of involvement to measure their level of involvement in biosecurity. The results indicated that most respondents had medium to high levels of involvement. This implies that respondents were motivated to attend to and process information on biosecurity measures. However, not all respondents reported taking note of biosecurity information implying that involvement with biosecurity prompts some initial information processing which may or may not continue over time.