Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychological issues in the treatment of asthmatic patients.

Recently published research contends that anxiety and depression are more common in asthmatic patients than in the general population. Particular psychological profiles could even be a risk factor contributing to deaths caused by asthma. The purpose of our research was to evaluate the anxiety and depression level in a population of 80 asthmatic patients who were treated in our department, and to judge whether data collected on psychological profiles of these asthmatic patients can be of any significance when dealing with their pathology. The study consisted of 40 patients suffering from chronic viral hepatitis B or C, and 40 healthy subjects who served as a control group. Both sets of patients were homogeneous with regard to sex, age and education. All subjects were tested for anxiety and depression levels with the S.T. A.I. and Zung questionnaires. A structured questionnaire was employed to assess the daily approach to living with the disease only in asthmatic patients. The anxiety and depression levels were noticeably higher in asthmatic patients than in patients with chronic liver disease and healthy subjects. In particular, 34 asthmatic patients scored higher than the S.T. A.I. cut-off (40/80) and 27 attained the same results in the Zung questionnaire. Results from the asthmatic population and healthy subjects illustrated that women had a higher incidence of anxiety and depression compared to men, although no statistically significant relationship between sex and questionnaire results was apparent in patients with liver disease. In the year before assessment, hospitalization and emergency treatment due to asthmatic exacerbation was correlated in females with a high incidence of anxiety. Additionally, the asthmatic population's level of education is significantly related to the incidence of anxiety and depression. With higher education, incidence of depression and anxiety decreased. This result was not apparent in control groups. The results of our study were: (1) we confirmed that asthmatic pathology is associated with an increase in incidence of anxiety and depression, whose presence and seriousness should be taken into consideration in therapeutic programmes when dealing with a patient; (2) we indicated that a specific approach towards therapy is crucial when dealing with an asthmatic patient; (3) we suggested how important it is to identify categories of patients that require more care because of their psychological profile. These findings should provide for the optimal use of informational resources with important applications for educational programmes and the future treatment of the asthmatic population.
Entrepreneurship in Family vs. Non–Family Firms: A Resource–Based Analysis of the Effect of Organizational Culture

Organizational culture is an important strategic resource that family firms can use to gain a competitive advantage. Drawing upon the resource–based view (RBV) of the firm, this study examines the association between four dimensions of organizational culture in family vs. non–family businesses and entrepreneurship. Using data from 536 U.S. manufacturing companies, the results show a nonlinear association between the cultural dimension of individualism and entrepreneurship. Further, there are positive linear relationships between entrepreneurship and an external orientation, an organizational cultural orientation toward decentralization, and a long– versus short–term orientation. With the exception of an external orientation, each of these dimensions is significantly more influential upon entrepreneurship in family firms when compared with non–family firms.
Predictors of age-related and individual variability in autobiographical memory in childhood

ABSTRACT Development of autobiographical memory is as a gradual process beginning in early childhood and continuing through late adolescence. Substantial attention has been paid to early childhood when first personal memories are formed; less attention has been focused on the flourishing of memories from the late preschool years onward. We addressed this void with a three-year cohort-sequential study of age-related changes in the length, completeness, and coherence of autobiographical narratives by children 4–10 years. We also examined the unique and combined variance in autobiographical narrative explained by children’s own language, maternal narrative style, domain-general cognitive abilities, non-autobiographical story recall, and memory-specific skills. There was substantial growth in autobiographical narrative skill across the 4–10-year period. Non-autobiographical story recall was a strong concurrent and cross-lagged predictor for all autobiographical narrative measures. Memory-specific and domain-general cognitive abilities systematically predicted narrative completeness and coherence but not length. Children’s language and maternal narrative style did not contribute additional variance when these predictors were considered. The findings highlight that age-related changes in autobiographical memory are the results of combined contributions of a variety of domain-general and domain-specific predictors.
Administration in a national aboriginal organization: Impacts of cultural adaptations

: The Aboriginal Healing Foundation, established in 1998, is a self-governing organization that administers a $350-million fund for community initiatives across Canada to heal the legacy of physical and sexual abuse in Indian residential schools, including inter-generational impacts. The foundation is required to adhere to terms of a funding agreement with the federal government, reporting to Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Drawing on the Aboriginal Healing Foundation's final report on its first mandate, 1998–2005, this article details adaptations of administrative practice introduced by the foundation, with the objective of clarifying how respect for cultural context can be implemented while maintaining high standards of administrative practice. Modified approaches and their impacts are examined in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and accountability.
Clubs and the Market

This paper defines a general equilibrium model with exchange and club formation. Agents trade multiple private goods widely in the market, can belong to several clubs, and care about the characteristics of the other members of their clubs. The space of agents is a continuum, but clubs are finite. It is shown that (i) competitive equilibria exist, and (ii) the core coincides with the set of equilibrium states. The central subtlety is in modeling club memberships and expressing the notion that membership choices are consistent across the population.
Train-O-Matic: Large-Scale Supervised Word Sense Disambiguation in Multiple Languages without Manual Training Data

Annotating large numbers of sentences with senses is the heaviest requirement of current Word Sense Disambiguation. We present Train-O-Matic, a language-independent method for generating millions of sense-annotated training instances for virtually all meanings of words in a language’s vocabulary. The approach is fully automatic: no human intervention is required and the only type of human knowledge used is a WordNet-like resource. Train-O-Matic achieves consistently state-of-the-art performance across gold standard datasets and languages, while at the same time removing the burden of manual annotation. All the training data is available for research purposes at http://trainomatic.org.
Uma Abordagem ao Págico baseada no Processamento e Análise de Sintagmas dos Tópicos

Este artigo descreve a abordagem ao Pagico seguida pelo sistema Rapportagico. Trata-se de uma abordagem centrada na indexacao dos artigos da Wikipedia, na identificacao de sintagmas nas frases dos topicos dados, e no seu posterior processamento e analise, de forma a facilitar a correspondencia entre topicos e artigos que lhes possam servir de resposta. Os sintagmas facilitam a identificacao de pequenas estruturas com diferentes papeis dentro da frase. Antes de serem utilizados para consulta, alguns sintagmas sofrem manipulacoes, como, por exemplo, a expansao das palavras que os constituem em palavras de significado semelhante (sinonimos). Embora haja ainda um longo caminho a percorrer, o sucesso da abordagem traduziu-se, em termos de resultados, na obtencao de uma pontuacao com algum destaque entre todas as participacoes no Pagico, especialmente naquelas automaticas.
Syntool: A Novel Region-Based Intolerance Score to Single Nucleotide Substitution for Synonymous Mutations Predictions Based on 123,136 Individuals

Background Synonymous mutation is the single nucleotide change that does not cause an amino acid change but can affect the rate and efficiency of translation. So recent increase in our knowledge has revealed a substantial contribution of synonymous mutations to human disease risk and other complex traits. Nevertheless, there are still rarely synonymous mutation prediction methods. Methods Nonsynonymous and synonymous coding SNPs show similar likelihood and effect size of human disease association. Here we defined synonymous and missense variation as single nucleotide substitution variation. And then we evaluated the intolerance of genic transcripts to single nucleotide substitution variation based on gnomAD 123136 individuals. After regressing all variations on common variations, we defined residuals of regression model as every genomics region intolerance scores. Results We constructed a total of 24799 nonoverlapped region-based intolerance score by their intolerance to single nucleotide substitution variation (Syntool). The results show that Syntool score can discriminate synonymous disease causing mutations in Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD Professional) and ClinVar database much better than others. Taken together, this study provides a novel prediction system for synonymous mutations, called Syntool, which could be helpful in identifying candidate synonymous disease causing mutations.
Illuminated and shadowed contour lines: improving algorithms and evaluating effectiveness

ABSTRACT Shadowed contour lines vary line width. Illuminated contour lines additionally vary color based on an angle of illumination. Illuminated and shadowed contour lines date back to the mid-nineteenth century, but their effectiveness compared to conventional contour lines has not been fully examined. Currently, illuminated and shadowed contour lines are not widely used in computer-based cartography because they are not included in most GIS apmaking software. This article introduces improvements to existing algorithms for creating illuminated and shadowed contour lines from digital elevation data. A software package is made available to allow mapmakers to more easily make customized illuminated and shadowed contour maps. A user study comparing illuminated and shadowed contour lines to conventional contour lines and shaded relief with approximately 400 participants was conducted. Results indicate that map-readers can interpret relative height differences between points better and quicker with illuminated contour lines than regular contour lines or shaded relief. Study participants were able to select absolute maxima on an unlabeled illuminated contour map and a labeled regular contour map with equal accuracy and speed. These findings suggest that illuminated contour lines could be used more frequently for improved visualization of terrain and other surface data on maps.
Spectrum Sensing and Throughput Analysis for Cognitive Two-Way Relay Networks With Multiple Transmit Powers

Existing studies on cognitive two-way relay networks assume that the primary users (PUs) transmit data with two power levels. In practice, it is possible that the PUs may adopt multiple power levels to maximize their throughputs or to compensate for wireless link fading. In such a scenario, there exist two key problems: one is the detection accuracy for the secondary users (SUs), and the other is the throughput tradeoff between PUs and SUs. To address the detection accuracy challenge, we propose a cooperative soft-combination-based energy detector and demonstrate its benefit over other hard-combination-based detectors. To solve the throughput tradeoff problem, we derive the throughput expressions for both PUs and SUs and analyze the impact of our detection accuracy on the throughputs. It is shown that the SU's throughput varies with the number of the PU's transmit power levels and achieves a maximum value when the number is small. We also find that increasing the detection capability of the SU reduces its own throughput, while increases the PU's throughput.
Small Microgrid stability and performance analysis in isolated island

A generalized model of a Microgrid in an island mode is proposed for assessing the system power and frequency performances. This Microgrid (MG) includes a diesel backup generator along with a number of Distributed Energy Resources (DES): Wind Turbine Generator (WTG), Photovoltaic System (PV), Fly- Wheel Energy Storage system (FESS), and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Controlling the frequency deviation is posing a great challenge in stand-alone mode due to the mismatch between load demand and generation. Five different study cases were modelled in Matlab to investigate the performance and stability of the power system. Furthermore, two PD Fuzzy logic control plus Integral (PDFLC+I) act as supplementary controller were incorporated locally with diesel and storage elements in order to improve the robustness and safety of the system. Fuzzy rule and integral parameters were chosen to achieve fast response and small power and frequency deviation throughout step change in load profile. Classical PID controller was introduced for comparison purposes. The potential of using responsive charging electric vehicles (EVs) under three scenarios as a form of primary response was investigated. Simulation results showed that the decentralized controller eliminates the fluctuation effect of the wind turbine and stabilizes the system frequency. EVs can play important role in system primary frequency response.
Hop Helper A Beer Label Recognition Engine

When sitting down and enjoying a new beer many beer drinkers want to know everything they can about the beverage they have in front of them. Unfortunately, it often the case that this information is not readily or easily available on the bottle. With such a competitive craft brewing market, many breweries have begun to leave important information such as International Bitterness Units (IBUS), Alcohol By Volume (ABV), and even style off the bottle in order to make room for flashy, eye catching images. By utilizing SIFT descriptors, I present a simple and effective model for taking advantage of these flashy labels in order to provide a system that effectively identifies a beer from a user inputted photograph of the bottle. This identification of the beer name from a photo of the bottle creates a quick and easy way to provide users with information about the beverage before them.
Translation of 2'-modified mRNA in vitro and in vivo.

2'-Fluoro- and 2'-amino-2'-deoxynucleoside triphosphates have been used for in vitro transcription of 2'-modified luciferase mRNA. The 2'-modified deoxynucleoside-containing transcripts were tested for the expression of luciferase in X.Laevis oocytes as well as in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Only 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxy-adenosine-modified mRNA gave rise to luciferase as shown by SDS gel as well as by enzyme activity measurements in vivo as well as in vitro. 2'-Fluoro-2'-deoxy-pyrimidine nucleoside-modified mRNA did not give rise to luciferase activity. However, they directed incorporation of 35S-labeled methionine into peptide fragments in rabbit reticulocyte lysate indicating premature termination of translation. No or only extremely little of such incorporation could be detected with 2'-amino modified transcripts.
PORTO ALEGRE AND THE PARTICIPATORY BUDGET: CIVIC EDUCATION, POLITICS AND THE POSSIBILITIES FOR REPLICATION

Brazilian cities are characterized by extreme inequality in the distribution of urban infrastructure and services. Middle-class neighbourhoods are typically well served with paved streets, running water, sewers, storm drains, schools, health care and public transportation. Poor neighbourhoods where the vast majority of the population lives largely go without such basic resources. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, as social movements of all kinds were flourishing throughout Brazil, protests demanding basic urban infrastructure and services in poor neighbourhoods became increasingly common in the cities.
FastMIST: A Fast Molecular Imaging SimulaTor

The Fast Molecular Imaging SimulaTor (FastMIST) is a hybrid analytical/Monte Carlo code which can simulate almost any arbitrary time-varying source distribution. Additionally, the position of each event can be spatially transformed according to a predefined temporal motion pattern allowing for the simulation of motion-corrupted data. The core algorithms are implemented in C++ following a modular design that is readily parallelisable using OpenMP. The execution time for a FastMIST simulation is greatly reduced compared to a full Monte Carlo simulation, such as GATE, as FastMIST uses forced detection coupled to random sampling of experimentally measured depth-dependent PSFs for parallel hole collimators. A FastMIST simulation of a parallel-hole collimator gamma camera, acquiring 300k photons per projection (64 projections) with source attenuation modelling disabled, took less than 30 seconds on an 15 Intel processor (2.4Ghz).
A comparison between omeprazole-based triple therapy and bismuth-based triple therapy for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: a prospective randomized 1-yr follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and side effects of standard bismuth triple therapy with those of omeprazole-based triple therapy in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease. METHODS One hundred patients were prospectively recruited and randomized to receive either bismuth subnitrate 75 mg q.i. d. , oxytetracycline 500 mg q.i. d. , and metronidazole 400 mg b.i. d. (regimen BTM), or omeprazole 20 mg b.i. d. , amoxicillin 750 mg b.i. d. , and metronidazole 400 mg b.i. d. (regimen OAM), both for 14 days. Upper endoscopy (with antral biopsy specimens for microbiology and antral and corpus biopsy specimens for histology) was performed before treatment, after 2 months, and again 1 yr after treatment. Serum samples for serology (IgG) were taken. Patients with in vitro metronidazole-resistant (M-R) H. pylori strains were excluded. In a nonrandomized study, 41 patients with M-R strains were given either BTM or OAM. RESULTS According to intention-to-treat analysis, H. pylori cure rates were 91% and 96% with BTM and OAM, respectively (p = 0.45). In the BTM group, the mean total side effect score was higher (p < 0.001), and more severe side effects were reported (32% vs. 4%, p < 0.001). In the nonrandomized group of patients with M-R strains, H. pylori cure rates were 88% and 67% with BTM and OAM, respectively. All of the successfully treated patients were still H. pylori-negative after 1 yr. CONCLUSIONS Both treatment regimens were highly effective in curing H. pylori infection in patients with metronidazole-sensitive strains. Omeprazole-based triple therapy was tolerated better than standard bismuth-based triple therapy.
The implications of the economic crisis for pensions and pension policy in Europe

The financial crisis has affected European pensions in both the short and longer term. Members of funded pension systems nearing retirement experienced a sharp contraction in pension wealth as equity markets fell. Market turmoil has damaged public trust in such schemes and has caused employers to revise their pension obligations. Countries running funded schemes based on a share of mandatory contributions are faced with rising transition costs as unemployment rises and tax bases shrink. Pressure on public expenditure has caused some governments to raise pensionable ages and even cut pensions in payment, while reducing future public pension obligations. Thus the crisis has forced politicians to address the consequences of societal ageing while exposing the fallibility of funded schemes as a source of pension security. Fundamental questions about the prolongation of working lives remain to be resolved.
Quality and reliability in product creation—extending the traditional approach

Rigorous international competition, the explosion of market segments and niches and accelerating technological change have created a set of competitive imperatives for the development of new products and processes in industry. Time to market has become a competitive item. Missing out on market windows can result in major decreases in return on investment and a shorter commercial life cycle. Thus the product creation process has become one of the important business processes in order to succeed in today's market environment. To remain competitive, a company has to be innovative, giving attention to product cost, product and process quality, flexibility in the product mix and new solutions. Traditionally, product creation processes are managed through milestones and deliverables. There are drawbacks to this traditional approach. By focusing more on the process management aspects, the product creation process can be improved to better adjust to the market requirements. Concurrent engineering is explained briefly. A practical approach to concurrent engineering is presented in the form of five principles and illustrated by case studies. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Profiling divergences in GPU applications

The increasing programmability and the high computational power of graphics processing units make them attractive to general purpose programming. However, taking full benefit of this execution environment is a challenging task. One of these challenges stems from divergences, a phenomenon that occurs when threads that execute in lock‐step are forced to take different program paths because of branches in the code. In face of divergences, some threads will have to wait, idly, while their diverging siblings execute. Optimizing the code to avoid divergences is difficult because this task demands a deep understanding of programs that might be large and convoluted. To facilitate the detection of divergences, this paper introduces the divergence map, a data structure that indicates the location and the volume of divergences in a program. We build this map via dynamic profiling techniques, which we have implemented on top of an open source Parallel Thread Execution compiler. To illustrate the importance of the divergence map, we have used it to pinpoint the core regions that must be optimized in well‐known public applications. By hand optimizing some applications, we have added 9–11% speedups onto kernels that have already gone through the sieve of many programmers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Financial Accelerator, Globalization and Output Growth Volatility *

One explanation of waning output growth volatility in the decades before the current global downturn is that international diversification of net worth reduced the strength of the Financial Accelerator. We analyse data from 85 countries over the period 1970-2004 and, consistent with this theory, cannot reject the hypothesis that international net worth diversification reduced output growth volatility. We also find that increasing trade openness may have increased output growth volatility. In these respects at least, while globalization may make national economies more exposed to external economic shocks it may also have helped to make them more resistant to such shocks. Finally, we report some limited evidence that this source of stability was transient and that its attenuation may have contributed to the end of the “Great Moderation”.