Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Institutions for private sector development and pro‐poor growth: Evidence from Vietnam

Correspondence Trung X. Hoang, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Email: hoangxuantrung@tdtu.edu. vn Abstract Using the Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey 2008, we explore the differences in propoor growth performance in provinces in Vietnam according to the quality of the provinces’ institutions that support private sector activity. We exploit the localized and varying effect of French colonial legacy across Vietnamese provinces to address the endogeneity of institutions. We find strong and robust evidence of a positive effect of goodquality institutions that support private sector activity on propoor growth and that enhanced working hours and hourly wage and extended income from nonfarm selfemployment play critical roles in this outcome.
Relationship Between Football Playing Ability and Selected Performance Measures

The relationships between football playing ability (FPA) and selected anthropometric and performance measures were determined among NCAA Division I-A football players (N = 40). Football playing ability (determined by the average of coaches' rankings) was significantly correlated with vertical jump (VJ) in all groups (offense, defense, and position groups of wide receiver-defensive back, offensive linemen-defensive linemen, and running back-tight end-linebacker). Eleven of 50 correlations (groups by variables), or 22%, were important for FPA. Five of the 11 relationships were related to VJ. Forward stepwise regression equations for each group explained over half of the criterion variable, FPA, as indicated by the r2 values for each model. Vertical jump was the prime predictor variable in the equations for all groups. The findings of this study are discussed in relation to the specificity hypothesis. Strength and conditioning programs that facilitate the capacity for football players to develop forceful and rapid concentric action through plantar flexion of the ankle, as well as extension of the knee and hip, may be highly profitable.
A reconfigurable general behavior data acquisition system for motor brain machine interface

In motor brain machine interface (BMI) research, it is necessary to collect behavior data and neural signals of subjects for neural decoding. However, most behavior data acquisition systems are customized for specific experiments because of variety of experiment goals. It is difficult for researchers to reconfigure their existing system for a new experiment environment, whenever they need to design a new behavioral experiment. In this paper, a reconfigurable general behavior data acquisition system was developed. It can provide integral structure and rich interfaces. The system consists of a microcontroller, three types of behavior data input interfaces, three types of system output interfaces and a communication module. It can acquire, digitize, process behavior data and send them to personal computer or smartphone. To evaluate the facility of this system,two typical behavioral experiments used in BMI studies were carried out. In these experiments, monkeys were trained to perform track, center-out, reach and grasp tasks. By reconfiguring the system with some external devices, not only all kinds of cues and triggers could be generated successfully, but also event information and behavior data of the upper limb movements were recorded in real time. The results show that researchers can easily connect this system with various types of input and output devices and reconfigure system settings according to their specific research purposes. The system can also provide a useful tool for those end users without strong engineering background to quickly set up their experiment environment.
Prognostic indicators of risk for first variceal bleeding in cirrhosis: a multicenter study in 711 patients to validate and improve the North Italian Endoscopic Club (NIEC) index

OBJECTIVE:The best known indicator of risk for first bleeding in patients with cirrhosis without previous bleeding is the index devised by the North Italian Endoscopic Club for the Study and Treatment of Esophageal Varices (NIEC index), which results from the combination of size of esophageal varices, severity of red wale marks, and Child-Pugh class. Its efficiency is far from optimal, and validation studies have reported sensitivities and specificities markedly lower than those reported in the original study. In the present study we analyzed the efficiency of NIEC index in a large series of cirrhotic patients with varices without previous bleeding. In addition, we tried to improve the effectiveness of the index by modifying it, and to validate the modifications in an independent group of patients.METHODS:A total of 627 patients were enrolled and followed until either a variceal bleeding or for a maximum of 2 yr. During this time, 117 experienced a first variceal bleeding.RESULTS:Using Cox's regression analysis, size of varices, severity of red wale marks, and Child-Pugh score were significant and independent predictors of first bleeding, as already noted in the original report of the NIEC group. However, coefficients and standard errors were markedly different, and the importance of size of esophageal varices in the regression was much larger, whereas that of Child-Pugh score was much lower. According to these data, a revised index was developed (Rev-NIEC). Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the revised index showed a larger efficiency, and the area under the curve was significantly larger (0.80 ± 0.02 vs 0.74 ± 0.02; p < 0.01). In particular, the curve showed that for a specificity of 75%, the new index had a sensitivity of 72% compared to that of 55% of the NIEC index. Validation in an independent sample of 84 patients showed good agreement between predicted and observed risk for bleeding. Validation with the bootstrap technique also showed adequate stability of the results.CONCLUSIONS:The revised index seems to be superior to the traditional index, and may turn out to be more useful in the selection of patients for different therapeutic procedures and in the stratification of patients in clinical trials.
Patient experiences with intrathecal baclofen as a treatment for spasticity – a pilot study

Abstract Purpose: This study describes how patients experience intrathecal baclofen (ITB) treatment. Methods: Data were collected from interviews with 14 patients (19–76 years old) who were diagnosed with spinal cord injury (SCI), multiple sclerosis (MS), or cerebral palsy (CP). Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Result: The analysis resulted in 16 subcategories arranged into five main categories: procedures before treatment, the effect of ITB on daily life and activities, continuous follow-up, expected and unexpected consequences of ITB, and overall level of satisfaction with ITB. Together these categories described the patients' experiences with ITB treatment. When the patients were asked whether they would undergo ITB again, they all stated that they would. Conclusion: Patients stated that they were highly satisfied with the ITB treatment. However, the patients identified several areas that could be improved. Specifically, the patients wanted more information about the different steps in the treatment process and what to expect from ITB treatment. Implications for Rehabilitation An overall satisfaction with the effect from ITB treatment was shown, but some areas still need to be improved. Complications following ITB treatment still remain a major concern for the patient group. Future clinical practice, should address how to take into account patients' expectations and define relevant goals with respect to ITB treatment as well as how to supply professional information.
Rotor cipher with time controlled key and encryption process (RTCKP)

This paper gives a new symmetric cryptosystem having a key dependent block length and key dependent rounds, enhanced by a rotor with controlled time and key. The plaintext block is divided into basic sub-blocks each of thirty-two bits in length. The new Proposal can encrypt blocks of plaintext of length 256, 512, or 1024 bits into blocks of the same length. Also the key length can be 256, 512, or 1024 bits. The total number of rounds depends on the key length. It uses thirty-two bits S-boxes implemented using thirty-two bits affine transformation modulo 232 addition and thirty-two bits XORING are used followed by modulo 232 + 1 multiplication. The secret key is encrypted using a key rotor to avoid any weakness points in the user keys. The proposal performs a complex set of operations on the encrypted secret key to produce a set subkeys. Also it uses three banks of rotors. The first bank performs the encryption process. It uses sixteen cylinders operating on all the 256 ASCII characters arranged using a local time array. The second bank has four cylinders that are used in three operations. The first operation is to encrypt the user key. In this step, the rotor is arranged by the local time array of length t. The second operation is to encrypt the local time array. In this step, the user key arranges the rotor. The third operation is used to encrypt each letter of plaintext. The resulting output is then used in index bank to determine which cylinder in the first bank will turn after this letter is encrypted. The proposed algorithm is compared with the well known DES, AES and REBC symmetric systems and gives excellent results from the point of view of the security characteristics and the statistics of the ciphertext.
Digital predistorter in crosstalk compensation of MIMO transmitters

Due to the proximity of transmit paths Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems are vulnerable to crosstalk effects. This paper presents a comparison between direct learning architecture (DLA) and indirect learning architecture (ILA) for cancellation of crosstalk through digital pre-distortion. A theoretical background detailing the reasons for the improved performance of the DLA method is given. Measured results are presented showing the benefits of the DLA estimation method compared to the ILA estimation method in the presence of antenna crosstalk.
INSULIN RESISTANCE IS ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED NOCTURNAL FALLS OF BLOOD PRESSURE IN NORMOTENSIVE, NONOBESE TYPE 2 DIABETIC SUBJECTS

To assess the relationship between insulin resistance and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) pattern, we determined glucose infusion rate (GIR) as a marker of insulin resistance using a glucose clamp method, and measured 24-h BPs in 25 normotensive, nonobese type 2 diabetic subjects. They were divided into two groups: 11 dippers and 14 nondippers. Clinical characteristics were similar in the two groups except for orthostatic fall in systolic BP. The median GIR level was significantly lower in nondippers than in dippers (P < 0.05). Spearman's rank correlation revealed that the GIRs were negatively correlated with the systolic, diastolic and mean BPs during nighttime (P < 0.05 or less), but not with daytime or whole day BPs. Moreover, based on a logistic regression analysis, the GIR as well as orthostatic fall in systolic BP discriminated independently between dippers and nondippers. Thus, our results suggest that insulin resistance is associated with decreased nocturnal BP fall in type 2 diabetic subjects.
Inchoate CD8+ T Cell Responses in Neonatal Mice Permit Influenza-Induced Persistent Pulmonary Dysfunction1

Influenza infection remains a significant cause of pulmonary morbidity and mortality worldwide, with the highest hospitalization and mortality rates occurring in infants and elder adults. The mechanisms inducing this considerable morbidity and mortality are largely unknown. To address this question, we established a neonatal mouse model of influenza infection to test the hypothesis that the immaturity of the neonatal immune system is responsible for the severe pulmonary disease observed in infants. Seven-day-old mice were infected with influenza A virus (H1N1) and allowed to mature. As adults, these mice showed enhanced airway hyperreactivity, chronic pulmonary inflammation, and diffuse emphysematous-type lesions in the lungs. The adaptive immune responses of the neonates were much weaker than those of adults. This insufficiency appeared to be in both magnitude and functionality and was most apparent in the CD8+ T cell population. To determine the role of neonatal CD8+ T cells in disease outcome, adult, naive CD8+ T cells were adoptively transferred into neonates before infection. Neonatal mice receiving the adult CD8+ T cells had significantly lower pulmonary viral titers and greatly improved pulmonary function as adults (airway resistance similar to SHAM). Additional adoptive transfer studies using adult CD8+ T cells from IFN-γ-deficient mice demonstrated the importance of IFN-γ from CD8+ T cells in controlling the infection and in determining disease outcome. Our data indicate that neonates are more vulnerable to severe infections due to immaturity of their immune system and emphasize the importance of vaccination in infants.
Relationship between job strain and smoking cessation: the Finnish Public Sector Study

Aims: To examine whether job strain (ie, excessive demands combined with low control) is related to smoking cessation. Methods: Prospective cohort study of 4928 Finnish employees who were baseline smokers. In addition to individual scores, coworker-assessed work unit level scores were calculated. A multilevel logistic regression analysis, with work units at the second level, was performed. Results: At follow-up, 21% of baseline smokers had quit smoking. After adjustment for sex, age, employer and marital status, elevated odds ratios (ORs) for smoking cessation were found for the lowest vs the highest quartile of work unit level job strain (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.75) and for the highest vs the lowest quartile of work unit level job control (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.96). After additional adjustment for health behaviours and trait anxiety, similar results were observed. Further adjustment for socioeconomic position slightly attenuated these associations, but an additional adjustment for individual strain/control had little effect on the results. The association between job strain and smoking cessation was slightly stronger in light than in moderate/heavy smokers. The results for individual job strain and job control were in the same direction as the work unit models, although these relationships became insignificant after adjustment for socioeconomic position. Job demands were not associated with smoking cessation. Conclusions: Smoking cessation may be less likely in workplaces with high strain and low control. Policies and programs addressing employee job strain and control might also contribute to the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions.
Group‐specific regional white matter abnormality revealed in diffusion tensor imaging of medial temporal lobe epilepsy without hippocampal sclerosis

Purpose: In comparison to temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE‐HS), TLE patients without HS (TLE‐NH) have a similar clinical course but may result in worse surgical outcome. We investigated whether the clinical features related to the lack of HS in TLE patients (TLE‐NH) can be explained by water diffusion abnormalities throughout diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) by voxel‐based analysis.
Do China’s Non-Financial Firms Affect Systemic Risk?

ABSTRACT This article investigates the contribution of non-financial firms to systemic risk in the entire financial system and the corresponding firm-specific determinants. Thus, we develop a new measure of systemic risk with a test of our hypothesis that separates systemic risk from systematic risk. We also consider the firm-level determinants of contributions to systemic risk using a fixed-effects model and a logit model. Using data on companies in the CSI 300 index from 2008 to 2016, we find that our extreme value theory (EVT)-copula method is a good fit for testing the joint probability distribution of extreme returns as well as diverse dependence patterns with asymmetry and non-linearity characteristics. The empirical results provide evidence against the marginal expected shortfall (MES) method without a mechanism to test the statistical significance of determination. Several non-financial firms, though not all financial institutions, can generate significant spillover effects on the financial system. Our regression results suggest that, among firms with a significantly positive contribution to systemic risk, smaller firms have greater spillover effects on the financial system in China. Moreover, economy-wide systemic risk information and dynamic identification on systemically important firms deserve more attention in terms of macro-prudential regulation.
Analysis of cross domain sentiment techniques

Sentiment analysis is the analysis of opinions on certain entities. Due to the wide applications sentiment analysis has been widely researched. But due to the usage of sentiment analysis in wide number of domains there are multifaceted issues and problems which has kept the researchers on their toes. One such problem is usage of training data of one domain for classification and also lack of annotated data for training of the classifier so that it can perform prediction accurately. This is where cross domain sentiment analysis comes in. The paper performs a brief survey and analysis of cross domain sentiment analysis approaches and algorithms.
Optimal scheduling and energy management of a residential hybrid microgrid

Residential microgrids are evolved from the prosumer concept. They are simply a home containing different generating sources, storage units and controllable loads. The optimal scheduling of a residential hybrid microgrid is an important aspect for improvised performance of the system and energy savings. The energy management strategy of a residential microgrid is responsible for setting the operating point of each and every component in the microgrid, such as the power delivered by the storage and the generating sources, the power used by loads and the power exchanged with the grid The objective function is formulated as to minimize the cost incurred by grid import by optimizing battery charging and discharging based on PV and load forecast. Linear programming technique is used for optimal scheduling of battery. A dual active bridge converter is used for bidirectional power flow for boosting up the dc bus voltage to a higher voltage for bidirectional inverter. A mode switching algorithm is used as an energy management strategy for exchanging the surplus and deficit power with main grid. Basic simulations are performed in MATLAB/SIMULINK.
The promises and pitfalls of ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change as a vehicle for social empowerment

Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change is an approach claimed to deliver social benefits relevant to marginalized groups. Based on a structured literature review, we interrogate such claims, asking whether such approaches may (or may not) contribute to social change and, more specifically, empowerment. We present a review of the predominant meaning and interlinkages of the EbA and empowerment concepts, which shows that EbA pays insufficient attention to issues of empowerment and agency. On this basis, we discuss how an empowerment lens could be (better) integrated into the conceptualization of EbA, suggesting key dimensions through which this could be supported. We show that the emphasis on empowerment theory and the merits that it brings to the EbA literature are helpful, leading to a number of important questions to adaptation projects on the ground. Incorporating an empowerment lens leads to an increased consideration of issues of power more broadly, especially the way marginalized groups’ agency, access, and aspirations are conditioned by social structures that may prevent strategic adaptation choices. We conclude that EbA will facilitate empowerment better by explicitly considering how social benefits can emerge from the interplay between particular types of actions, marginalized people’s adaptive strategies, and their relational context. (Less)
Genetic testing and counseling for hereditary forms of colorectal cancer

The discovery of genes responsible for inherited forms of colorectal cancer have the potential to improve cancer risk assessment and counseling. Germline mutations (nonsense, frameshift) of APC are associated with familial adenomatous polyposis, an autosomal dominant syndrome, clinically characterized by young onset, hundreds of adenomatous polyps in the colon, and increased risk for extracolonic tumors. Mutations in APC are also associated with forms of attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis. Germline mutations in five mismatch repair related genes (hMSH2, hMLH1, hMSH6, hPMS1, and hPMS2) cause hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer and are associated with increased risk of somatic genetic alterations and high DNA microsatellite instability. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer is characterized by young onset colorectal cancer, proximal colon location, and increased risk of extracolonic cancers. A missense mutation in APC (I1307K) is associated with some familial colorectal cancer in Ashkenazic Jews. For persons at risk for hereditary forms of colorectal cancer, testing algorithms and gene test interpretations depend on identification of the pedigree germline gene mutation. Careful evaluation of the kindred for characteristic aggregation of tumor types among affected individuals and the availability of affected persons for testing are important issues in implementing genetic testing and follow‐up management. Case reports illustrate the importance of genetic counseling as a component of cancer genetic risk assessment. The genetic counseling process includes exploration of patient risk perception, sources of anxiety related to cancer risk, patient education (specific cancer‐related issues, prevention/intervention options), discussion of possible gene test options, test limitations, and consequences of various gene test outcomes. Cancer 1999;86:2540–50. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
Genetic Variant in ACVR2B Is Associated with Lean Mass.

INTRODUCTION Low lean mass (LM) is a risk factor for chronic disease, a major cause of disability and diminished quality of life, and is a heritable trait. However, relatively few specific genetic factors have been identified as potentially influencing this trait. METHODS In this study, we selected 1493 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 155 candidate genes involved in anabolic, catabolic, growth hormone, and other related pathways and examined their association with LM, assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, in a sample of 2760 non-Hispanic and Hispanic white postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Observational Study. We assessed the replication of our top findings in a meta-analysis of 20 genome-wide association studies (n = 38,292) conducted by the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology Consortium Musculoskeletal Working Group. RESULTS We identified 32 SNPs that had nominally significant associations with LM in the WHI cohort. In the replication stage, we find that SNP rs2276541 in the activin A receptor, type IIB (ACVR2B), was significantly associated with LM (β = 0.15, P = 2.17 × 10). ACVR2B codes for a receptor for a negative regulator of skeletal muscle, myostatin, and has previously been identified in a candidate gene study as a determinant of skeletal muscle mass. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support a previously proposed role of ACVR2B allelic variation as a determinant of muscle mass and extend prior findings in men and women. Additional large-scale studies will be needed to confirm our findings in different populations.