Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobile communication research in communication journals from 1999 to 2014

This study examined trends and patterns of mobile communication research across 10 communication journals between 1999 and 2014 with the intent to increase knowledge about mobile communication and to help scholars understand the future research directions. A total of 131 articles were coded for general information about journals, primary topic/context of the study, use of theories or models, research methods, units of analysis/types of sample, and countries or locations. Findings showed that the number of mobile communication-related studies increased over the time period of interest. Scholars examined uses and users’ characteristics of mobile communication as well as the effects of mobile media on everyday life. Most studies used quantitative methods such as survey of the general population. Theories or theoretical models were not frequently used in mobile communication research. Regarding the usage of theories or theoretical models, about half of mobile communication studies (48.1%) used theories and/or models as theoretical frameworks. Implications for improving this field of research are specifically discussed.
Racial and ethnic disparities in risk and survival in children with neuroblastoma: a Children's Oncology Group study.

PURPOSE Although health disparities are well-described for many cancers, little is known about racial and ethnic disparities in neuroblastoma. To evaluate differences in disease presentation and survival by race and ethnicity, data from the Children's Oncology Group (COG) were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS The racial/ethnic differences in clinical and biologic risk factors, and outcome of patients with neuroblastoma enrolled on COG ANBL00B1 between 2001 and 2009 were investigated. RESULTS A total of 3,539 patients (white, 72%; black, 12%; Hispanic, 12%; Asian, 4%; and Native American, < 1%) with neuroblastoma were included. The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rates were 67% for whites (95% CI, 65% to 69%), 69% for Hispanics (95% CI, 63% to 74%), 62% for Asians (95% CI, 51% to 71%), 56% for blacks (95% CI, 50% to 62%), and 37% for Native American (95% CI, 17% to 58%). Blacks (P < .001) and Native Americans (P = .04) had a higher prevalence of high-risk disease than whites, and significantly worse EFS (P = .01 and P = .002, respectively). Adjustment for risk group abrogated these differences. However, closer examination of the EFS among high-risk patients who remained event free for 2 years or longer, revealed a higher prevalence of late-occurring events among blacks compared with whites (hazard ratio, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.3; P = .04). CONCLUSION Black and Native American patients with neuroblastoma have a higher prevalence of high-risk disease, accounting for their worse EFS when compared with whites. The higher prevalence of late-occurring events among blacks with high-risk disease suggests that this population may be more resistant to chemotherapy. Studies focused on delineating the genetic basis for the racial disparities observed in this study are planned.
Toward a Reconsideration of Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria in Cleft Lip and Palate: Implications for Psychological Research

Background This article investigates the prevalence of conditions that affect cognitive and/or psychosocial functioning in 10-year-old children born with a cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) and explores how the presence of such additional difficulties may affect the reporting of outcomes in psychological research. Design Cross-sectional data derived from routine psychological assessments. Setting Centralized treatment, Norway. Participants Data on cleft type and additional conditions were collected for 754 children with CL/P from 11 consecutive birth cohorts. Data on psychological adjustment were collected for three consecutive birth cohorts (n = 169). Main Outcome Measures The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), completed by children and parents. Results A total of 240 children (32%) in the sample had an additional condition, such as developmental delay, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or a specific language impairment or dyslexia. Analysis of SDQ scores using conventional exclusion criteria (approach 1) was compared with a second method (approach 2), which included all children and categorized them according to the presence or absence of additional conditions. Significant variation in profiles of psychosocial adjustment was found depending on the approach to exclusion. Conclusions The presence of additional conditions in a sample may affect results and subsequently the conclusions drawn in relation to the psychosocial adjustment of children born with CL/P. The present study emphasizes the importance of careful assessments and reporting of all associated conditions, in order to improve the understanding of the impact of a cleft and the consequences of associated conditions in this population.
The complex relation between bisphosphonate adherence and fracture reduction.

CONTEXT Real-world adherence to bisphosphonate therapy is poor. Consistent data support a relation between medication adherence and fracture reduction, but relatively little attention has been paid to the effect of the method used to measure adherence on this relation or on the relation between adherence and specific fracture types. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to assess the relation between bisphosphonate adherence and the risk of hip, vertebral, distal forearm, and any fracture using different measures of adherence. DESIGN We conducted a cohort study using administrative claims data. Adherence was assessed in sequential 60-d periods. In models incorporating time-varying measures of adherence, the adjusted relation between adherence and fracture was examined using several methods for calculating the proportion of days covered (PDC). PATIENTS Patients included community-dwelling elderly enrolled in a Pennsylvania pharmaceutical assistance program and Medicare initiating an oral bisphosphonate for osteoporosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Risk of hip, vertebral, distal forearm, and any osteoporotic fracture was assessed. RESULTS Fractures occurred at a rate of 43 per 1000 person-years among the 19,987 patients meeting study eligibility criteria. There was an inverse relation between adherence and fracture rate for all adherence measures and fracture types, excluding distal forearm fractures. High (80-100%) cumulative PDC was associated with a 22% reduction in overall fracture rate, a 23% reduction in hip fracture rate, and 26% reduction in vertebral fracture rate. CONCLUSIONS We found a consistent relation between adherence with osteoporosis treatment and fracture reduction, regardless of method for measuring PDC. The similarity in results across adherence measures is likely due to the high correlation between them.
Cancer‐specific promoters for expression‐targeted gene therapy: ran, brms1 and mcm5

To expand the library of promoters that can be used for expression‐targeted gene delivery to cancer cells, the specificity and strength of expression of three cancer‐related gene promoters was evaluated: RAS‐related nuclear protein (Pran), breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (Pbrms1) and minichromosome maintenance complex component 5 (Pmcm5).
Development of a human acute myeloid leukaemia screening panel and consequent identification of novel gene mutation in FLT3 and CCND3

A study was undertaken to develop an acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) screening panel to uncover novel recurring gene mutations. Analysis was performed on six genes known to be mutated in AML (RUNX1, FLT3, KIT, CEBPA, PTPN11 and NRAS) and an additional two candidate genes (CCND3 and FES) in a panel of 175 primary human AML samples that included all French–American–British types except M3, and all cytogenetic risk groups. One hundred and fifteen mutations were identified in 97 (55%) patients comprising 81 patients (46%) with one mutation, 14 patients (8%) with two mutations and two patients (1%) with three mutations. Fifty‐five of 88 (63%) patients with normal karyotype AML had at least one mutation. Correlation was observed between KIT mutation and ‘favourable risk’ cytogenetics (P < 0·001), CEBPA mutation and ‘intermediate risk’ cytogenetics (P = 0·045), and PTPN11 mutation and ‘poor risk’ disease (P < 0·001). The frequency of individual gene mutation was in accordance with previously published studies. Three novel mutations of FLT3 were detected (Y589D, D839G, Y842H) that would have been overlooked by conventional gel electrophoresis. A 51‐bp deletion was detected in CCND3 in a patient with normal karyotype AML. This validated panel now provides an important tool to evaluate other candidate genes in the genesis of myeloid malignancy.
The perils of father-reported fertility data for household labour supply models

Many panel data-sets contain father-reported fertility data. Yet, since men tend to underreport past fertility—especially daughters or children from previous marriages—using such data can lead to significantly biased results when estimating household labour supply models. For example, when analysing fertility data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, which has a significant retrospective component, fathers’ labour supply appears more responsive to the births of sons than to daughters (Lundberg and Rose, Review of Economics and Statistics 84(2): 251–268, 2002). However, no evidence for this differential can be found in a much larger sample of Current Population Survey data from the same population. It is important for researchers to consider the provenance of data on fertility variables and to undertake robustness checks with data reported by women whenever possible.
MIMO radar angle-range-Doppler imaging

Through waveform diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar can achieve higher resolution and better sensitivity to slowly moving targets than phased-array radar systems. Furthermore, with a MIMO antenna array, the linear independence of reflected signals from scattering points allows for the direct application of adaptive array processing techniques. High levels of noise and strong clutter presence, however, significantly worsen detection performance. The iterative adaptive approach (IAA), a non-parametric and user parameter-free weighted least-squares algorithm, was recently shown to offer improved resolution and interference rejection for array processing applications. In this paper, we extend IAA to perform angle-range-Doppler imaging using a MIMO radar system. We furthermore demonstrate the superior performance of a MIMO radar system compared to a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) radar system.
Evidence for a regulatory function of the histone‐like Escherichia coli protein H‐NS in ribosomal RNA synthesis

We have isolated a small Escherichia coli protein which stably Interacts with ribosomal RNA P1 promoter DNA. We present evidence showing that the protein is identical to the histone‐like E. coli protein, H‐NS (H1). Binding of H‐NS to the P1 promoter region is dependent on the DNA curvature. Mapping the H‐NS‐DNA contact sites by nuclease protection and high‐resolution footprinting techniques reveal three H‐NS‐binding domains, and contacts of the protein in the major groove of the bent DNA. The binding region extends from position ‐18 to ‐89, relative to the P1 transcription start site, and shows an overlap with the known binding sites for Fis, another E. coli protein, which acts as transcriptional activator of P1. The binding of H‐NS does not displace Fis; instead, heterologous complexes are formed. Apparently, H‐NS and Fis bind to separated curved DNA segments, with the planes of the curves pointing into different directions, in vitro transcriptional analyses demonstrate that H‐NS represses rRNA P1 promoter‐directed transcription. Repression is most pronounced in the presence of Fis. Thus, H‐NS seems specifically to antagonize Fis‐dependent activation. No comparable inactivation is observed for the second rRNA promoter P2.
Endogenous Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors in Endothelial Cells, Endothelin-1 Within the Vessel Wall, and Intimal Hyperplasia in Perimenopausal Human Uterine Arteries

The present experiments were designed to investigate the ability to produce nitric oxide, concentrations of N G -monomethyl- l -arginine ( l -NMMA), and asymmetric N G, N G -dimethyl- l -arginine (ADMA) in endothelial cells, endothelin-1 within the vessel wall, and the degree of intimal hyperplasia (intima/media ratio) in perimenopausal human uterine arteries. According to the tentative classification based on basal cyclic GMP levels, 16 arteries could be grouped into groups I and II consisting of eight each. Net production of the nucleotide was significantly higher in group I than that in group II. Concentration of l -NMMA plus ADMA and endothelin-1 content were significantly higher in group II. All specimens from group I were histologically normal, whereas mild to severe intimal hyperplasia was observed in group II specimens. Although considerable individual variations were detectable in the intima/media ratio, l -NMMA plus ADMA and endothelin-1 (n = 35 each), there were significant and positive correlations between three parameters, indicating that intimal hyperplasia became greater as l -NMMA plus ADMA and endothelin-1 were increased. These results suggest that endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitors in endothelial cells and endothelin-1 within the vessel wall are important markers of intimal hyperplasia.
A General Method for Dealing with Misclassification in Regression: The Misclassification SIMEX

Summary We have developed a new general approach for handling misclassification in discrete covariates or responses in regression models. The simulation and extrapolation (SIMEX) method, which was originally designed for handling additive covariate measurement error, is applied to the case of misclassification. The statistical model for characterizing misclassification is given by the transition matrix Π from the true to the observed variable. We exploit the relationship between the size of misclassification and bias in estimating the parameters of interest. Assuming that Π is known or can be estimated from validation data, we simulate data with higher misclassification and extrapolate back to the case of no misclassification. We show that our method is quite general and applicable to models with misclassified response and/or misclassified discrete regressors. In the case of a binary response with misclassification, we compare our method to the approach of Neuhaus (1999, Biometrika86, 843–855), and to the matrix method of Morrissey and Spiegelman (1999, Biometrics55, 338–344) in the case of a misclassified binary regressor. We apply our method to a study on caries with a misclassified longitudinal response.
Mobility support in IP-based sensor networks

Recently, large-scale IP-based sensor technology (e.g., 6LoWPAN) is emerging for new requirements such as availability, manageability, survivability, stability, and mobility in sensor networks. 6LoWPAN standards are being developed to work on IPv6 over IEEE 802.15. 4 specifications. 6LoWPANs can support various topologies like mesh as well as star. Due to the low performance characteristics of 6LoWPAN nodes, mobility support should be provided without high signaling involvement in end nodes. This paper describes L3 mobility scenarios for large-scale IP-based sensor networks (6LoWPANs) and suggests solutions of how to efficiently provide mobility.
Separation of Isomers of JWH-122 on Porous Graphitic Carbon Stationary Phase with Non-Aqueous Mobile Phase Using Intelligent Software.

Cannabimimetic compounds have gained an increasing attention from the forensic community during the past few years. The present study was aimed to develop a liquid chromatographic separation method for the analysis of JWH-122 and its methyl isomers. In Hungary, JWH-122 is scheduled as a narcotic compound and its methyl isomers fall into the new psychoactive substance category, attracting significantly milder punishment than JWH-122 does. According to our best knowledge, gas chromatography or reversed phase liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry could not be applied for separation and selective determination of methyl-naphthoyl indol isomers. In this study, we aimed to develop a high performance liquid chromatography method with UV and mass spectrometric detection for the separation of JWH-122 and all its possible isomers, depending on the position of methyl group on the naphthyl frame. Different reversed phase columns were used. Alkyl-modified silica with different selectivity and morphology with different mobile phase composition cannot be applied for separation of JWH-122 isomers. Porous graphitic carbon (PGC) column was used for separation of banned JWH-122 and each of its methyl isomers. In method development, a Quality by Design approach is presented for modeling the retention of the compounds. According to our knowledge, this is the first time reporting the use of intelligent software to estimate the retention on PGC material and using non-aqueous conditions. Retention times predicted by two program packages (STATISTICA® and DryLab®) are compared. The possibilities and limitations of the software modeling in the conditions described above are also evaluated.
Association of visit-to-visit variability of hemoglobin A1c and medication adherence.

BACKGROUND Medication nonadherence is widespread, but there are few efficient means of detecting medication nonadherence at the point of care. Visit-to-visit variability in clinical biomarkers has shown inconsistent efficiency to predict medication adherence. OBJECTIVE To examine the performance of visit-to-visit variability (VVV) of hemoglobin A1c to predict nonadherence to antidiabetic medications. METHODS In this cross-sectional study using a clinical and administrative database, adult members of a managed care plan at a safety-net medical center from 2008 to 2012 were included if they had ≥ 3 noninsulin antidiabetic prescription fills within the same class and ≥ 3 A1c measurements between the first and last prescription fills. The independent variable was VVV of A1c (within-subject standard deviation of A1c), and the dependent variable was medication adherence (defined by medication possession ratio) determined from pharmacy claims. Unadjusted and adjusted multivariate logistic regression models were created to examine the relationship between VVV of A1c and medication nonadherence. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves assessed the performance of the adjusted model at discriminating adherence from nonadherence. RESULTS Among 632 eligible subjects, mean A1c was 7.7% ± 1.3%, and 83% of the sample was nonadherent to antidiabetic medications. Increasing quintiles of VVV of A1c and medication nonadherence were both associated with increased within-subject mean A1c and younger subject age. The logistic regression model (adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, within-subject mean A1c, number of A1c measurements, number of days between the first and last antidiabetic medication prescription fills, and rate of primary care visits during the study period) showed a nonsignificant association of VVV of A1c and medication nonadherence (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.42-3.38 for the highest quintile of VVV). Adding VVV of A1c to a model including age, sex, and race only modestly improved the C-statistic of the ROC curve from 0.6786 to 0.7064. CONCLUSIONS VVV of A1c is not a robust predictor of antidiabetic medication nonadherence. Further innovation is needed to develop novel methods of detecting nonadherence.
Fragmentation of Atlantic Forest has not affected gene flow of a widespread seed‐dispersing bat

Habitat loss and resultant fragmentation are major threats to biodiversity, particularly in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. It is increasingly urgent to understand fragmentation effects, which are often complex and vary across taxa, time and space. We determined whether recent fragmentation of Atlantic forest is causing population subdivision in a widespread and important Neotropical seed disperser: Artibeus lituratus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae). Genetic structure within highly fragmented forest in Paraguay was compared to that in mostly contiguous forest in neighbouring Misiones, Argentina. Further, observed genetic structure across the fragmented landscape was compared with expected levels of structure for similar time spans in realistic simulated landscapes under different degrees of reduction in gene flow. If fragmentation significantly reduced successful dispersal, greater population differentiation and stronger isolation by distance would be expected in the fragmented than in the continuous landscape, and genetic structure in the fragmented landscape should be similar to structure for simulated landscapes where dispersal had been substantially reduced. Instead, little genetic differentiation was observed, and no significant correlation was found between genetic and geographic distance in fragmented or continuous landscapes. Furthermore, comparison of empirical and simulated landscapes indicated empirical results were consistent with regular long‐distance dispersal and high migration rates. Our results suggest maintenance of high gene flow for this relatively mobile and generalist species, which could be preventing or significantly delaying reduction in population connectivity in fragmented habitat. Our conclusions apply to A. lituratus in Interior Atlantic Forest, and do not contradict broad evidence that habitat fragmentation is contributing to extinction of populations and species, and poses a threat to biodiversity worldwide.
Near-Optimum Dynamic Regulation of DC-DC Converters Using Feed-Forward of Output Current and Input Voltage with Current-Mode Control

Near-optimum dynamic regulation of a dc-dc converter is obtained by adding feed-forward of output current and input voltage to a current-mode controller. The results are a) near zero output impedance and audio susceptibility, from dc to nearly the switching frequency, b) much reduced magnitude, duration, and energy content of the output-voltage transient after a transient change of output current or input voltage, and c) smaller size and lower cost for the output filter capacitor. Feed-forward is applicable to both forward and flyback types of converters and to all types of current-mode control. The cost of feed-forward for a forward-type converter is a low-power resistor and a current sensor; a flyback-type converter needs also an analog multiplier-divider integrated circuit (IC). A description is given of the control loop, conditions to achieve extremely good transient response, calculation of the peak deviation of the output voltage for a step load change, practical methods for current feed-forward, and experimental results. The theoretical predictions are in excellent agreement with the experimental results. In the experiments, adding output-current feed-forward reduced the transient deviations of output voltage by factors of 6.7 in magnitude, 50 in duration, and 335 in energy content. The added components were a 1/4-W resistor and a 12-mm ferrite toroid with a 10-turn winding.