Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biomarker assessment and combination with differential covariate effects and an unknown gold standard, with an application to Alzheimer’s disease

The continued efforts to evaluate biomarkers’ predictive abilities and identify optimal biomarker combinations are often challenged by the absence of a gold standard, i.e. the true disease status. Current methods that address this issue are mostly developed for binary or ordinal diagnostic tests, which do not fully utilize information provided by continuous biomarkers, or require strong parametric assumptions. Moreover, limited methods exist to allow for the inclusion of covariates – despite their crucial role in facilitating the accurate evaluation of biomarkers. In this paper, we proposed a latent profile approach to evaluating diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers without a gold standard. The method allows for flexible biomarker distributions and incorporation of previous knowledge about risk factors while simultaneously permitting researchers to model paticipants’ characteristics that putatively affect biomarker levels, and therefore provides information needed to develop more personalized diagnostic procedures. Additionally, the proposed method presents a potential strategy for biomarker combination when gold standard information is unavailable, as it derives a composite risk score for the underlying disease status. The method is applied to evaluate different cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) detection. The results show that CSF biomarkers hold significant potential for facilitating early AD detection and for continuous disease monitoring. Furthermore, they call attention to biomarker variability in subgroups and reexamination of CSF biomarker distributions. Data used in preparation of this article were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database.
Ensemble-Based Anomaly Detetction using Cooperative Learning

Using the same process and functionality to solve both clustering and outlier discovery is highly desired. Such integration will be of great benefit to discover outliers in data and consequently obtain better clustering results after eliminating the set of outliers. It is known that the capability of discovering outliers using clustering-based techniques is mainly based on the quality of the adopted clustering. In this paper, a novel Cooperative Clustering Outlier Detection (CCOD) algorithm is presented. It involves multiple clustering techniques; the goal of the cooperative approach is to discover those outliers that are not detected by the single clustering-based outlier detection approaches using the methodology of cooperation. Undertaken experimental results show that the detection accuracy of the cooperative technique is better than that of the typical clustering-based FindCBLOF method over a number of artificial, gene expression and text document datasets.
Widening Participation at the University of Edinburgh: Contextual Admissions, Retention, and Degree Outcomes

In Scotland, as in the rest of the UK, there is growing recognition that prior qualifications may not provide an adequate indication of the ‘potential’ of applicants from educationally-disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed at university. Universities are being encouraged to use contextual data on neighbourhood characteristics and school performance to identify disadvantaged applicants in the admissions process. Contextualised admissions have been pioneered at the University of Edinburgh since 2004, and this article reports findings on the prior qualifications, retention and degree outcomes of a sample of students who entered the University in 2004–2006. The article describes the distribution of contextual data and discusses the limitations of indicators based on geographical area and school characteristics. Differences in average prior qualifications, retention and degree outcomes associated with indicators of widening participation are small. Statistical models suggest that after taking account of prior q.
Measuring production efficiency of acute hospitals in Scotland, 1991-94: validity issues in data envelopment analysis

Data Envelopment Analysis is a potentially useful technique for measuring production efficiency and is being increasingly applied to health care services, as with other areas. However, some fundamental concerns need to be addressed before Data Envelopment Analysis can be accepted widely as a routine tool. These include issues of validity and specification error. This paper suggests a broad framework for assessing validity, which should be developed further, and gives illustrative examples of the problems in a real application within health care. Data from 75 Scottish acute hospitals for three years from 1991-94 are analysed. Internal validity is assessed by examining the effect on the results obtained of the choice of inputs and outputs selected for analysis. External validity is assessed by examining differences in the results obtained from the data for each of the three years. In both cases, it is concluded that there is a disturbing lack of concordance between the different results obtained. Caution must therefore be exercised in using Data EnvelopmentAnalysis in the health sector and in looking at its results, particularly those from a single time period.
Silicic acid biogeochemistry in the Gulf of California: Insights from sedimentary Si isotopes

reflects transient iron limitation. Our new d 30 Si record from the Guaymas Basin shows dramatic variations at millennial timescales. Low d 30 Si values synchronous with Heinrich events are interpreted as resulting from the decline in Si(OH)4 utilization at times of decreased upwelling strength, while nearly complete Si(OH)4 utilization was observed at times of invigorated upwelling and increased opal burial during the Holocene, the Bolling-Allerod and the last glacial period. We attribute the complete utilization of Si(OH)4 to the occurrence of transient Fe limitation at these times. Our study highlights the importance of Fe limitation on Si and C cycling in coastal upwelling regions and suggests that upwelling dynamics, in combination with Fe availability, have the potential to modulate marine Si distribution and opal burial even at short timescales. Citation: Pichevin, L. , R. S. Ganeshram, B. C. Reynolds, F. Prahl, T. F. Pedersen, R. Thunell, and E. L. McClymont (2012), Silicic acid biogeochemistry in the Gulf of California: Insights from sedimentary Si isotopes, Paleoceanography, 27, PA2201,
Behavioral and neural correlates of parenting self-evaluation in mothers of young children

Abstract In this study, we utilized a novel fMRI paradigm to examine the behavioral and neural correlates of parenting self-evaluation in a sample of mothers with at least one child under the age of 4 (N = 37). Prior self-report, behavioral and observational research document the implications of parenting self-evaluations for parent well-being and caregiving behavior; however, relatively little is known about the neural circuitry underlying these self-referential processes and to what extent they are influenced by caregiving experience. Although neuroimaging paradigms indexing other aspects of parental function exist, this is the first to use functional neuroimaging to study parenting self-evaluation in a controlled laboratory setting. We found parenting self-evaluations elicited significantly greater activity across most cortical midline structures, including the medial prefrontal cortex compared to control evaluations; these findings converge with previous work on the neural underpinning of general trait self-evaluation. Notable differences by parity were observed in exploratory analyses: specifically, primiparous mothers endorsed a higher number of developmentally supportive traits, exhibited faster reaction times, and showed a greater difference in mPFC activity when making self-evaluations of developmentally supportive traits than of developmentally unsupportive traits, compared to multiparous mothers. Implications of these findings and study limitations are discussed.
Responsible management education: active learning approaches emphasising sustainability and social entrepreneurship

Active learning can serve as a platform for addressing sustainability, ethics, and social entrepreneurship by engaging students in experiential activities with external organisations for initiatives with a social mission. A variety of active learning approaches provide an opportunity to promote collaboration between students and external organisations in pursuit of a socially beneficial goal. This paper highlights different active learning approaches that emphasise sustainability, ethics, and social entrepreneurship in undergraduate and graduate management education. These approaches include experiential learning methods, such as undergraduate case competitions and global MBA case studies, as well as action learning methods, such as live consulting projects and cross-national student collaborations. These active learning approaches can help students address ethical, social, and environmental issues in complex business situations.
Central Banks as Agents of Economic Development

In the last two decades, there has been a global sea change in the theory and practice of central banking. The currently dominant “best practice” approach to central banking consists of the following: (1) central bank independence (2) a focus on inflation fighting (including adopting formal “inflation targeting”) and (3) the use of indirect methods of monetary policy (i.e., short-term interest rates as opposed to direct methods such as credit ceilings). This paper argues that this neo-liberal approach to central banking is highly idiosyncratic in that, as a package, it is dramatically different from the historically dominant theory and practice of central banking, not only in the developing world, but, notably, in the now developed countries themselves. Throughout the early and recent history of central banking in the U.S., England, Europe, and elsewhere, financing governments, managing exchange rates, and supporting economic sectors by using “direct methods” of intervention have been among the most important tasks of central banking and, indeed, in many cases, were among the reasons for their existence. The neoliberal central bank policy package, then, is drastically out of step with the history and dominant practice of central banking throughout most of its history.
Hyperplane-Approximation-Based Method for Many-Objective Optimization Problems with Redundant Objectives

For a many-objective optimization problem with redundant objectives, we propose two novel objective reduction algorithms for linearly and, nonlinearly degenerate Pareto fronts. They are called LHA and NLHA respectively. The main idea of the proposed algorithms is to use a hyperplane with non-negative sparse coefficients to roughly approximate the structure of the PF. This approach is quite different from the previous objective reduction algorithms that are based on correlation or dominance structure. Especially in NLHA, in order to reduce the approximation error, we transform a nonlinearly degenerate Pareto front into a nearly linearly degenerate Pareto front via a power transformation. In addition, an objective reduction framework integrating a magnitude adjustment mechanism and a performance metric σ* are also proposed here. Finally, to demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithms, comparative experiments are done with two correlation-based algorithms, LPCA and NLMVUPCA, and with two dominance-structure-based algorithms, PCSEA and greedy δ-MOSS, on three benchmark problems: DTLZ5(I,M), MAOP(I,M), and WFG3(I,M). Experimental results show that the proposed algorithms are more effective.
Move it and Lose it ? The Portability of Onthe-Job Training

This paper estimates the returns to on-the-job training and, in particular, asks how portable these acquired skills are from one job to the next. I build a model of a labor market with undirected, on-the-job search and counteroffers where firms may sign long-term contracts with workers that jointly determine wages and costly training (human capital acquisition). For any amount of training, some fraction of the human capital acquired is job-specific and is lost upon job termination. Estimating returns to training in this environment is complicated because wages do not reflect productivity; long-term contracts limit the degree to which training passes through to wages. Further, job transitions are endogenous; workers choose to leave only when a new job compensates them for lost skills. In this environment, even job transitions that induce human capital loss commonly feature wage gains. Initial estimates suggests that skills acquired in training are fairly job-specific and that this plays a significant role in reducing job turnover. These findings have ramifications for the productivity costs of job loss, the sources of wage dispersion and the structure of policies that incentivize workforce training.
Consumers’ preferences for geographical origin labels: evidence from the Canadian olive oil market

Geographical origin labels are important information and marketing tools and have recently become a central component of EU agricultural promotion. We consider demand in a non-EU export market for two distinct label types: country of origin (COO) and geographical indications (GIs). Additionally, two types of GIs, 'protected designations of origin' (PDOs) and 'protected GIs' (PGIs) are considered. Empirical findings indicate consumers' willingness to pay varies with the oil's COO and is greater for GIs than for non-GIs from a given country. Weaker evidence that consumers value PDOs more than PGIs is also found. Oxford University Press and Foundation for the European Review of Agricultural Economics 2011; all rights reserved. For permissions, please email journals.permissions@oup.com, Oxford University Press.
A Novel Interpolation Method for Polar Signals in Radio Frequency Transmitters

This contribution describes an arbitrary sampling rate converter architecture for the generation of the modulation signals in polar radio frequency transmitters. The design utilizes a novel look-up table-based interpolation method, which is adaptively employed when certain signal trajectory conditions apply and which allows to deal with the bandwidth expansion inherent to polar signals. Simulation results are presented, which compare the performance of the described architecture to conventional interpolator designs.
Demand Matters: German Wheat Market Integration 1806-1855 in a European Context

This study analyzes annual wheat prices in 13 German cities in the years 1806 to 1855, together with wheat price series from 44 other European and American cities. The method used is a dynamic factor model, which allows for distinguishing common price uctuations on international and national levels. I find a significant increase of price synchronization between German cities and international markets, between the first and the second quarter of the 19th Century. This is probably mainly due to the increased demand for food imports in Britain and the disappearance of political barriers, as well as economies of scale and gradual improvements to existing transportation technology. Within Germany, I find increasing common price uctuations in Mannheim and Munich, which arguably refl ects a customs union effect. Tree ring records as indicators of general plant growth conditions indicate that comovement was not driven by exogenous shocks.
Comparison of different numerical treatments for x-ray phase tomography of soft tissue from differential phase projections

X-ray imaging of soft tissue is made difficult by their low absorbance. The use of x-ray phase imaging and tomography can significantly enhance the detection of these tissues and several approaches have been proposed to this end. Methods such as analyzer-based imaging or grating interferometry produce differential phase projections that can be used to reconstruct the 3D distribution of the sample refractive index. We report on the quantitative comparison of three different methods to obtain x-ray phase tomography with filtered back-projection from differential phase projections in the presence of noise. The three procedures represent different numerical approaches to solve the same mathematical problem, namely phase retrieval and filtered back-projection. It is found that obtaining individual phase projections and subsequently applying a conventional filtered back-projection algorithm produces the best results for noisy experimental data, when compared with other procedures based on the Hilbert transform. The algorithms are tested on simulated phantom data with added noise and the predictions are confirmed by experimental data acquired using a grating interferometer. The experiment is performed on unstained adult zebrafish, an important model organism for biomedical studies. The method optimization described here allows resolution of weak soft tissue features, such as muscle fibers.
Frequent nocturia episodes, a suboptimal response to treatment, and small bladder capacity predict the need for persistent antimuscarinic therapy or re-treatment after discontinuation of antimuscarinics in female overactive bladder

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate predictive factors of the need for persistent antimuscarinic therapy or re-treatment (PR) after discontinuation of antimuscarinic therapy for women with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). Methods: All consecutive OAB women were enrolled in a prospective cohort study, and treated with solifenacin for 12 weeks in a University Hospital. Factors affecting PR were analyzed by Cox regression analysis. Results: A total of 122 women were enrolled, and 107 women underwent 12-week solifenacin treatment. The dropout rate was 12.3%. The median follow-up period was 20.4 weeks (25-75 interquartile range: 16-102.3 wk). Twenty-seven (25%) women had PR. The median PR-free interval was 125.4 weeks (95% CI = 58.4 to – wk). Nocturia episodes (hazard ratio = 1.54), a suboptimal response (hazard ratio = 2.53), and the strong-desire volume (hazard ratio = 0.992) were independent predictors of PR by Cox backward stepwise regression analysis. The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves for nocturia episodes, a suboptimal response, and the strong-desire volume to predict PR were only 0.65, 0.63, and 0.59, respectively. In addition, normalized urinary nerve growth factor level was not significant (hazard ratio = 1.005, P = 0.68) for predicting PR. Furthermore, normalized urodynamic findings did not correlate with PR, a suboptimal response, or changes of Overactive Bladder Symptom Score and urinary nerve growth factor level. Conclusions: Frequent nocturia episodes, a suboptimal response, and small bladder capacity may predict PR after solifenacin treatment. These findings may serve as an initial guide in consultation regarding the treatment of OAB.
Measuring the Laser Polarization State and PBS Transmission Coefficients in a Heterodyne Laser Interferometer

By placing a polarizer between a dual-frequency laser source (DFLS) and a polarizing beam splitter (PBS), two optical beat signals are formed; then, the transmission coefficients of the PBS and the polarization state parameters of the DFLS can be simultaneously measured without coupling while achieving high accuracy. We obtained explicit equations for the ellipticity angles of the laser beam components and explained the relationship between the extreme values of the beat amplitude and the laser polarization state parameters, which obtain less uncertainties than the existing work. The method is validated experimentally. Measuring these parameters is important to compensate for nonlinearity errors in heterodyne laser interferometers and assess the quality of devices.
What Will It Take to Reduce HIV Incidence in the United States: A Mathematical Modeling Analysis

Abstract Background The National HIV/AIDS Strategy has set ambitious goals to improve the epidemic in the United States. However, there is a paucity of usable program-level benchmarks tied to population-level epidemiologic goals. Our objective was to define tangible benchmarks for annual rates along the care continuum that are likely to translate to meaningful reductions in incidence. Methods We used a validated mathematical model of HIV transmission and care engagement to characterize care continuum parameters that would translate into 50% reductions in incidence by 2025, compared with a base case scenario of the current US care continuum. We generated a large pool of simulations in which rates of screening, linkage, and retention in care were varied across wide ranges to evaluate permutations that halved incidence by 2025. Results Among all simulations, 7% achieved a halving of incidence. It was impossible for our simulations to achieve this target if the annual rate of disengagement from care exceeded 20% per year, even at high rates of care reengagement. When retention in care was 95% per year and people living with HIV (PLWH) out of care reengaged within 1.5 years (on average), the probability of halving incidence by 2025 was approximately 90%. Conclusions HIV programs should aim to retain at least 95% of PLWH in care annually and reengage people living with HIV into care within an average of 1.5 years to achieve the goal of halving HIV incidence by 2025.
FOMC VOTING BEHAVIOR AND ELECTORAL CYCLES: PARTISAN IDEOLOGY AND PARTISAN LOYALTY

The influence of partisan and electoral considerations on the monetary policy voting behavior of Federal Reserve Governors is investigated in the context of a model permitting the estimation of reaction functions on the basis of FOMC voting records. The results suggest that once we have controlled for the state of the economy and for the prevailing stance of monetary policy, both partisan ideologies and partisan loyalties appear to play an important role in the Governors'voting calculus. Copyright 1996 Blackwell Publishers Ltd.
A Measurement and Structural Model for Usability Evaluation of Shared Workspace Groupware

ABSTRACT This study presents the development process of a set of questionnaire items to establish a measurement model for the usability of shared workspace groupware systems, which is suggested as a usability scale called SWUS, the Shared Workspace Usability Scale. Manifest variables and latent variables are based on the various dimensions of teamwork collated through the literature. A structural model was built on the measurement model. Models were evaluated through PLS-SEM methods. Data acquired on candidate questionnaire items from 398 international respondents who are users of five different online collaborative word processors was used for the model analysis. Of 37 candidate manifest variables, 22 were retained, which were measuring seven latent constructs: “3C Mechanisms,” “Grounding,” “Team Integration,” “Communication,” “Shared Access,” “Awareness,” and “Usability. ” The data provided empirical evidence for the structural model based on these latent variables. The responses of the participants were not sensitive to differences between users in terms of gender and native language but showed sensitivity to age, experience with the evaluated software, and different shared workspace groupware evaluated in the study. Our structural model attempts to integrate several frameworks and models of usability for CSCW environments and provides empirical evidence for its reliability and validity based on subjective responses from users of shared workspace groupware.