Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationships of ‘ecstasy’ (MDMA) and cannabis use to impaired executive inhibition and access to semantic long‐term memory

This study aimed to examine the relationship between the consumption of ecstasy (3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)) and cannabis, and performance on the random letter generation task which generates dependent variables drawing upon executive inhibition and access to semantic long‐term memory (LTM). The participant group was a between‐participant independent variable with users of both ecstasy and cannabis (E/C group, n = 15), users of cannabis but not ecstasy (CA group, n = 13) and controls with no exposure to these drugs (CO group, n = 12). Dependent variables measured violations of randomness: number of repeat sequences, number of alphabetical sequences (both drawing upon inhibition) and redundancy (drawing upon access to semantic LTM). E/C participants showed significantly higher redundancy than CO participants but did not differ from CA participants. There were no significant effects for the other dependent variables. A regression model comprising intelligence measures and estimates of ecstasy and cannabis consumption predicted redundancy scores, but only cannabis consumption contributed significantly to this prediction. Impaired access to semantic LTM may be related to cannabis consumption, although the involvement of ecstasy and other stimulant drugs cannot be excluded here. Executive inhibitory functioning, as measured by the random letter generation task, is unrelated to ecstasy and cannabis consumption. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Life and Health Insurance Behaviour of Individuals Having Undergone a Predictive Genetic Testing Programme for Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer

Objective and Methods: We describe the insurance behaviour of subjects (n = 271) who had previously taken a predictive genetic test for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC); 31% of them were mutation positive, indicating a high risk of cancer. One year after testing, the subjects were sent a questionnaire including questions about their present life and health insurance before participation in the study, and their actual and planned purchase of the insurance policies during the testing programme which comprised a pre-test counselling session, a period for reflection, the testing, and a test disclosure session. Results: Thirty percent reported that they already had a life insurance and 14% a health insurance before participating in the study. The mutation-positive subjects possessed a health insurance significantly more often than the mutation-negative individuals (21 vs. 11%, p = 0.02) and a similar trend was observed for life insurance (36 vs. 28%, p = 0.12). Life and health insurance policies purchased just before testing was reported by 3 and 2% of the subjects, respectively. Life and health insurance policies purchased after testing were reported by 3 and <1%, respectively, and planned purchase by 3 and 2%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups defined by mutation status in reports of life or health insurance behaviour during or after the programme. Conclusion: According to self-reported data, the mutation-positive subjects did not differ from the others in the purchase of life or health insurance policies. However, the mutation-positive individuals reported that they possessed health insurance policies before entering the study more often than their counterparts.
Rethinking work and family policy: The making and taking of parental leave in Australia

Despite the continued increase in female participation rates, Australia remains one of only two developed nations in the world without a paid maternity leave scheme. While research interest and public policy debate about paid maternity leave entitlements continues, little is known about the actual utilization of the 52 weeks unpaid parental leave that is currently available to all employees. Moreover, research and policy debate on the availability and provision of paid paternity leave has only just begun. This paper argues that, given the gendered nature of employee entitlements, it is time to re-evaluate all aspects of parental leave policy in Australia. Using unique data from a national survey of Australian employees, the paper provides a statistical analysis of the use of unpaid parental leave and the availability of paid maternity leave. The paper models the availability of paid maternity leave to Australian employees as a function of demographic and organizational characteristics, including annual income, union status, and establishment size. A parallel analysis of the likelihood that an individual has used the unpaid parental leave provision is also provided. The results show that the existing unpaid parental leave provision is rarely used and that the current availability of paid maternity leave is inequitable. The paper discusses the conceptual and policy implications of these results and concludes that a re-thinking of parental leave policy in Australia is essential if gender inequities at work and in society are to be addressed.
Employee Quality Performance, Customer Orientation and Loyalty: Antecedent and Outcome of Customer Satisfaction

The objective of the current study is to assess the influence of employee quality performance, customer orientation as the antecedents of customer satisfaction and customer loyalty is the outcome of customer satisfaction of restaurant customer in the context of Bangladesh. The anticipated model aims to enhance the understanding of the influence of employee quality performance, customer orientation on customer satisfaction and consequential effect of customer satisfaction on customer loyalty. 295 customers were assessed with a self-administered questionnaire incorporating purposive judgmental sampling that is a non-probability sampling technique. A second-generation data analysis technique-structural equation modeling partial least square (SEM-PLS) was used to analyze the data and to test the hypothesized relationship. The result of the analysis showed a significant positive influence of employee quality performance and customer orientation on customer satisfaction. Moreover, customer satisfaction has been found having a significant positive relationship with customer loyalty. The study can help the management of the restaurants to realize the significance of employee quality performance and customer orientation on customer satisfaction as well as customer satisfaction on loyalty.
Automated chunking to support program comprehension

We report on a program comprehension support tool called the Chunker. It partitions code into abstractions called candidate chunks using data dependency analysis and a set of heuristics. The candidate chunks can be mapped to programming and problem domain concepts by a software engineer and are useful for building mental models during comprehension. We describe the implementation of the Chunker, performance issues, and plans for tool enhancement.
Corporate Social Responsibility and the Welfare of Nigerian Niger Delta Landowners

Corporate Social Responsibility and the Welfare of Nigerian Niger Delta Landowners By Charles Aroawode Oboh MBA, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2004 PGD, Delta State University, Abraka, 2001 BS (HND), Federal Polytechnic, Idah, 1985 Proposal Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Applied Management and Decision Sciences Walden University October 2018
Shape Analysis as an Aid for Grammar Induction

Visual shapes inherent in di↵erent aspects of language processing have been manifesting themselves as important not only for enhancing that process itself, but also for helping solve open problems in ways that are more economical and more intuitive than the usual statistical-based, massive processing approaches. In this article we investigate an interesting use of gleaning shape from input sets, as an aid for mixed language grammar induction.
Shape identification of perfectly conducting, arc-like crack in Transverse Electric mode

We investigate mathematical representation between subspace migration imaging function and Bessel function for a fast shape identification of perfectly conducting, arc-like crack in two-dimensional homogeneous space. This is based on the factorization of so-called Multi-Static Response (MSR) matrix, whose elements are measured far-field pattern in Transverse Electric (TE) mode. Identified representation will enables us to examine various undiscovered properties of imaging function. Numerical results via noisy data has been performed for supporting our investigations.
Safety and prognostic value of early dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography in patients with spontaneous chest pain and a non-diagnostic electrocardiogram.

AIMS To risk stratify and shorten hospital stay in patients with spontaneous (resting) chest pain and a non-diagnostic electrocardiogram (ECG). METHODS AND RESULTS The study comprised 102 patients (mean age 58+/-12 years, 67 men) with spontaneous chest pain and a non-diagnostic ECG. Forty-three patients had suspected coronary artery disease and 59 had known (but of unknown actual significance) coronary artery disease. All patients underwent serial creatine kinase enzyme measurements, continuous ECG monitoring for at least 12 h and early dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography in patients with negative creatine kinase enzymes and normal findings at ECG monitoring. Dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography was considered positive in patients with new or worsening wall thickening abnormalities. Patients with negative dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography were discharged after the test. In-hospital and 6 month follow-up events noted were cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty. Thirteen patients had evidence of evolving myocardial infarction by elevated creatine kinase enzymes, or unstable angina by ECG monitoring. In the remaining 89 patients, dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography was performed after a median observation period of 31 h (range 12-68 h). During dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography no serious complications (death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation) occurred. Dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography results were of poor quality in three, non-diagnostic in six, negative in 44 and positive in 36 patients. In the 80 patients with diagnostic dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography, variables associated with in-hospital events (n=7) were history of exertional angina (P<0. 005), chest pain score (P<0.005), stress-induced angina (P<0.001) and positive dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography (P<0.005). Variables associated with follow-up events (n=11) were history of exertional angina (P<0.05), chest pain score (P<0.001), stress-induced angina (P<0.01) and positive dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography (P<0.01). At multivariate analysis the only significant predictor of events was positive dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Early dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography may safely distinguish between low- and high-risk subsets for subsequent cardiac events in patients with spontaneous chest pain and a non-diagnostic ECG.
An unusual strain of Pasteurella pestis isolated from a fatal human case of plague.

Rodents from which no fleas have been collected and which occur in the area are the domestic rat (Rattus rattus), the multimammate mouse (R. natalensis), the gerbil (Tatera schinzi (near) nyasae), the tree-rat (Rattus paedulcus) and tree-mouse Dendromus sp. With certain exceptions, such as Tatera taborae and Arvicanthis niloticus, the above host-species are likely to be found in the Luangwa Valley, some 200 miles (320 km) to the south-east.
State space modeling of Memristor-based Wien oscillator

State space modeling of Memristor based Wien ‘A’ oscillator has been demonstrated for the first time considering nonlinear ion drift in Memristor. Time dependant oscillating resistance of Memristor is reported in both state space solution and SPICE simulation which plausibly provide the basis of realizing parametric oscillation by Memristor based Wien oscillator. In addition to this part Memristor is shown to stabilize the final oscillation amplitude by means of its nonlinear dynamic resistance which hints for eliminating diode in the feedback network of conventional Wien oscillator.
Statistical innovations in diagnostic device evaluation

ABSTRACT Due to rapid technological development, innovations in diagnostic devices are proceeding at an extremely fast pace. Accordingly, the needs for adopting innovative statistical methods have emerged in the evaluation of diagnostic devices. Statisticians in the Center for Devices and Radiological Health at the Food and Drug Administration have provided leadership in implementing statistical innovations. The innovations discussed in this article include: the adoption of bootstrap and Jackknife methods, the implementation of appropriate multiple reader multiple case study design, the application of robustness analyses for missing data, and the development of study designs and data analyses for companion diagnostics.
A wideband noise canceling low-noise amplifier for 50MHz–5GHz wireless receivers in CMOS technology

Cognitive Radios are expected to provide in the near future an alternative solution for the heavy usage of the spectrum, especially for commercial purposes. Wideband front-end circuits, as low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), are then an alternative. This paper presents a new CMOS topology capable of simultaneous noise canceling and broadband input power matching for the range of 50MHz to 5GHz with flat power gain of 12dB, noise figure of 1.5dB to 2.5dB while consuming 15mW of power. It is designed on a 0. 13μm RFCMOS technology with no inductors, making the circuit very compact.
A new enterotoxin produced by Vibrio cholerae O1.

Isolation from diverse environmental sources of Vibrio cholerae 01 that lack the cholera toxin (CT) gene has encouraged researchers to use them, or CT gene-deletion mutant strains, as potential candidates for a live oral cholera vaccine. We examined 13 such strains in greater detail, using various enterotoxin assay systems, to determine whether they do completely lack the capability to produce any toxin (s). Live cells of all these strains caused significant accumulation of fluid in ligated adult rabbit ileal loops and diarrhoea in infant rabbits. Similar results were obtained using their culture filtrates. The filtrates also increased capillary permeability of rabbits' skin, and blueing was accompanied by blanching or necrosis. Suckling mice assays were negative for all test materials. The culture filtrates lost their loop and skin toxic activities when held at 56°C for 30 min. However, the toxin could not be neutralized by antisera against CT or its A and B subunits in rabbits' skin and ileal loop assays. The culture supernates did not cause cytotonic effects on Chinese hamster ovarian and mouse adrenal cells; and did not bind to GMi ganglioside, in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. When tested against anti-CT, no precipitin band was observed in Ouchterlony's gel-diffusion technique with any of the concentrated culture filtrates. The strains did not show any homology when retested with CT or LT probes. Thus, this study indicates that these V. cholerae Ol strains produce a toxin not previously recognized. This new toxin seems to differ from the known CT in antigenic nature, receptor site, mode of action and genetic homology. Before embarking upon a direct vaccine development program, this toxin requires further immuno-biologic and genetic studies. The general belief about the non-toxic nature of environmental V. cholerae isolates also may be a myth.
Familial skewed X inactivation: a molecular trait associated with high spontaneous-abortion rate maps to Xq28.

We report a family ascertained for molecular diagnosis of muscular dystrophy in a young girl, in which preferential activation (> or = 95% of cells) of the paternal X chromosome was seen in both the proband and her mother. To determine the molecular basis for skewed X inactivation, we studied X-inactivation patterns in peripheral blood and/or oral mucosal cells from 50 members of this family and from a cohort of normal females. We found excellent concordance between X-inactivation patterns in blood and oral mucosal cell nuclei in all females. Of the 50 female pedigree members studied, 16 showed preferential use (> or = 95% cells) of the paternal X chromosome; none of 62 randomly selected females showed similarly skewed X inactivation was maternally inherited in this family. A linkage study using the molecular trait of skewed X inactivation as the scored phenotype localized this trait to Xq28 (DXS1108; maximum LOD score [Zmax] = 4.34, recombination fraction [theta] = 0). Both genotyping of additional markers and FISH of a YAC probe in Xq28 showed a deletion spanning from intron 22 of the factor VIII gene to DXS115-3. This deletion completely cosegregated with the trait (Zmax = 6.92, theta = 0). Comparison of clinical findings between affected and unaffected females in the 50-member pedigree showed a statistically significant increase in spontaneous-abortion rate in the females carrying the trait (P < .02). To our knowledge, this is the first gene-mapping study of abnormalities of X-inactivation patterns and is the first association of a specific locus for recurrent spontaneous abortion in a cytogenetically normal family. The involvement of this locus in cell lethality, cell-growth disadvantage, developmental abnormalities, or the X-inactivation process is discussed.
It’s About Time: An Examination of Loss Reserve Development Time Horizons

A rich body of academic research has addressed the question of earnings management in the property-casualty insurance industry via manipulation of loss reserve estimates. This study analyzes the variability of reserve estimates at different development horizons to determine whether the predominant practice of relying on five years of development is appropriate. We examine two common measures of reserve estimation error, calendar year development and accident year development, and compare and contrast the two approaches. We also consider the appropriateness of the common practice of aggregating lines of business. After examining reserve development patterns for each of the major lines of business, we conclude that the appropriate development horizon to adequately establish ultimate liability may be longer than the current maximum reported horizon of 10 years found in Schedule P for most lines of business, including the aggregate reserves. Although longer-term development horizons are necessary to establish insurers’ ultimate liability, relatively short-term development horizons may be more appropriate when attempting to identify deliberate manipulations or to assess solvency risk, where the short-term variations are the primary object of interest. Ultimately, this article investigates the degree to which methodology originally developed for estimating loss reserve errors is appropriate today, in particular, relative to current data availability.
Nutritional Requirements of Soybean Cyst Nematodes

Soybeans [Glycine max] are the second largest cash crop in US Agriculture, but the soybean yield is compromised by infections from Heterodera glycines, also known as Soybean Cyst Nematodes [SCN]. SCN are the most devastating pathogen or plant disease soybean farmers confront. This obligate pathogen requires nutrients from the plant to complete its life cycle. To date, SCN nutritional requirements are not clearly defined. Growth media supporting SCN still contain soy products. Understanding the SCN nutritional requirements and how host plants meet those requirements should lead to the control of SCN infestations. The nutritional requirements of SCN are reviewed in this chapter and those requirements are compared to those of other nematodes. Carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids, lipids, and other nutritional requirements are discussed.
5′ Nuclease PCR Assay To DetectYersinia pestis

ABSTRACT The 5′ nuclease PCR assay uses a fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probe (TaqMan) to rapidly detect and quantitate DNA templates in clinical samples. We developed a 5′ nuclease PCR assay targeting the plasminogen activator gene (pla) ofYersinia pestis. The assay is species specific, with a detection threshold of 2.1 × 105 copies of thepla target or 1.6 pg of total cell DNA. The assay detectedY. pestis in experimentally infected Xenopsylla cheopis fleas and in experimentally infected monkey blood and oropharyngeal swabs. The TaqMan assay is simple to perform and rapid and shows promise as a future field-adaptable technique.
Entropy Measure to Compare the Internet and Face to Face Surveys

Teknolojideki degisim hayatin her alaninda oldugu gibi veri toplama yontemlerinde de kendini gostermektedir. Bilgisayar ve Internet kullaniminin yayginlasmasi arastirmacilara Internet ortaminda da anket yapabilme olanagi saglamaktadir. Gunumuzde de bu olanaktan gittikce artan bir sekilde faydalanildigi gorulmektedir. Bu calismada, Internet ortaminda yapilan anketler ile yuz yuze yapilan anketler vasitasiyla elde edilen veriler arasinda farklilik olup olmadigina cevap aranmaktadir. Bu amacla, iki farkli veri toplama yonteminden ve iki farkli olcekten (Cetscale ve oz-yeterlik) elde edilen veriler entropi olcusu kullanilarak analiz edilmistir. Bulgular, Internet temelli anketlerin oz-yeterlik olcegi icin daha az daginik cevaplar sagladigini gostermektedir. Ayrica sonuclar, olcegin yanit dagilimi uzerinde de etkisinin olduguna dair kanitlar sunmaktadir
Stanford V and radiotherapy for locally extensive and advanced Hodgkin's disease: mature results of a prospective clinical trial.

PURPOSE To provide more mature data on the efficacy and complications of a brief, dose-intense chemotherapy regimen plus radiation therapy (RT) to bulky disease sites for locally extensive and advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred forty-two patients with stage III or IV or locally extensive mediastinal stage I or II Hodgkin's disease received Stanford V chemotherapy for 12 weeks followed by 36-Gy RT to initial sites of bulky (> or =5 cm) or macroscopic splenic disease. Freedom from progression (FFP), overall survival (OS), and freedom from second relapse (FF2R) were determined using life-table estimates. Outcomes were analyzed according to the international prognostic score. Late effects of treatment were recorded in follow-up. RESULTS With a median follow-up of 5.4 years, the 5-year FFP was 89% and the OS was 96%. No patient progressed during treatment, and there were no treatment-related deaths. FFP was significantly superior among patients with a prognostic score of 0 to 2 compared with those with a score of 3 and higher (94% v 75%, P <.0001). No secondary leukemia was observed. To date, there have been 42 pregnancies after treatment. Among 16 patients who relapsed, the FF2R was 69% at 5 years. CONCLUSION These data confirm our preliminary report that Stanford V chemotherapy with RT to bulky disease sites is highly effective in locally extensive and advanced Hodgkin's disease. It is most important to compare this approach with standard doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine chemotherapy in the ongoing intergroup trial (E2496) to determine whether Stanford V with or without RT represents a therapeutic advance.