Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The experience of worry among young and older adults in the United States and Germany: A cross-national comparison

This study compared adult age-related differences in the experience of worry within two cultures. Data were collected from 173 Germans and 263 Americans (within the United States) on a general worry scale and two hypothesized correlates of worry (life events and locus of control). Results indicated that there were age differences on all of the hypothesized correlates of worry as well as the measure of worry, with younger adults reporting more worries than did older adults. Differences were found between the two countries on the hypothesized correlates (with the exception of internal locus of control) and one subscale of the worry measure. More importantly, structural equation modeling indicated that the hypothesized correlates of worry differentially contributed to the prediction of worry across the two cultures and across the two age groups. That is, with one minor exception, the hypothesized correlates did not predict worry within the German sample, but did predict worry within the American sample. Among the younger adult American sample, endorsement of external locus of control and life events predicted worry, but among the older American sample, positive endorsement of internal locus of control predicted worry.
Characterization and DNA-Binding Specificities of Ralstonia TAL-Like Effectors

Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) from Xanthomonas sp. have been used as customizable DNAbinding modules for genome-engineering applications. Ralstonia solanacearum TALE-like proteins (RTLs) exhibit similar structural features to TALEs, including a central DNA-binding domain composed of 35 amino acid-long repeats. Here, we characterize the RTLs and show that they localize in the plant cell nucleus, mediate DNA binding, and might function as transcriptional activators. RTLs have a unique DNA-binding architecture and are enriched in repeat variable di-residues (RVDs), which determine repeat DNA-binding specificities. We determined the DNA-binding specificities for the RVD sequences ND, HN, NP, and NT. The RVD ND mediates highly specific interactions with C nucleotide, HN interacts specifically with A and G nucleotides, and NP binds to C, A, and G nucleotides. Moreover, we developed a highly efficient repeat assembly approach for engineering RTL effectors. Taken together, our data demonstrate that RTLs are unique DNA-targeting modules that are excellent alternatives to be tailored to bind to user-selected DNA sequences for targeted genomic and epigenomic modifications. These findings will facilitate research concerning RTL molecular biology and RTL roles in the pathogenicity of Ralstonia spp.
Techniques to improve dynamic cache management with static data classification

Cache hierarchies are increasingly non-uniform and difficult to manage. Several techniques, such as scratchpads or reuse hints, use static information about how programs access data to manage the memory hierarchy. Static techniques are effective on regular programs, but because they set fixed policies, they are vulnerable to changes in program behavior or available cache space. Instead, most systems rely on dynamic caching policies that adapt to observed program behavior. Unfortunately, dynamic policies spend significant resources trying to learn how programs use memory, and yet they often perform worse than a static policy. This thesis presents Whirlpool, a novel approach that combines static information with dynamic policies to reap the benefits of each. Whirlpool statically classifies data into pools based on how the program uses memory. Whirlpool then uses dynamic policies to tune the cache to each pool. Hence, rather than setting policies statically, Whirlpool uses static analysis to guide dynamic policies. Whirlpool provides both an API that lets programmers specify pools manually and a profiling tool that discovers pools automatically in unmodified binaries. On a state-of-the-art NUCA cache, Whirlpool significantly outperforms prior approaches: on sequential programs, Whirlpool improves performance by up to 38% and reduces data movement energy by up to 53%; on parallel programs, Whirlpool improves performance by up to 67% and reduces data movement energy by up to 2.6×. Thesis Supervisor: Daniel Sanchez Title: Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Uplift Modeling in Direct Marketing

Marketing campaigns directed to randomly selected customers often generate huge costs and a weak response. Moreover, such campaigns tend to unnecessarily annoy customers and make them less likely to answer to future communications. Precise targeting of marketing actions can potentially results in a greater return on investment. Usually, response models are used to select good targets. They aim at achieving high prediction accuracy for the probability of purchase based on a sample of customers, to whom a pilot campaign has been sent. However, to separate the impact of the action from other stimuli and spontaneous purchases we should model not the response probabilities themselves, but instead, the change in those probabilities caused by the action. The problem of predicting this change is known as uplift modeling, differential response analysis, or true lift modeling. In this work, tree-based classifiers designed for uplift modeling are applied to real marketing data and compared with traditional response models, and other uplift modeling techniques described in literature. The experiments show that the proposed approaches outperform existing uplift modeling algorithms and demonstrate significant advantages of uplift modeling over traditional, response based targeting. Keywords— decision trees, information theory, marketing tools, uplift modeling.
Endolymphatic sac tumors in von Hippel-Lindau disease.

JAMA Mechanisms of Morbid Hearing Loss Associated With Tumors of the Endolymphatic Sac in von Hippel-Lindau Disease John A. Butman, MD, PhD; H. Jeffrey Kim, MD; Martin Baggenstos, MD; Joshua M. Ammerman, MD; James Dambrosia, PhD; Athos Patsalides, MD; Nicholas J. Patronas, MD; Edward H. Oldfield, MD; Russell R. Lonser, MD Context: Endolymphatic sac tumors (ELSTs) are associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease and cause irreversible sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and vestibulopathy. The underlying mechanisms of audiovestibular morbidity remain unclear, and optimal timing of treatment is not known. Objective: To define the underlying audiovestibular pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with ELSTs. Design, Setting, and Patients: Prospective and serial evaluation of patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and ELSTs at the National Institutes of Health between May 1990 and December 2006. Main Outcome Measures: Clinical findings and audiologic data were correlated with serial magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic imaging studies to determine the mechanisms underlying audiovestibular dysfunction. Results: Thirty-five patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and ELSTs in 38 ears (3 bilateral ELSTs) were identified. Tumor invasion of the otic capsule was associated with larger tumors ( P = .01) and occurred in 7 ears (18%) causing SNHL (100%). No evidence of otic capsule invasion was present in the remaining 31 ears (82%). Sensorineural hearing loss developed in 27 of these 31 ears (87%) either suddenly (14 ears [52%]) or gradually (13 ears [48%]), and 4 ears had normal hearing. Intralabyrinthine hemorrhage was found in 11 of 14 ears with sudden SNHL (79%; P P = .23) or vestibulopathy ( P = .83). Conclusions: Vestibulopathy and ELST-associated SNHL may occur suddenly due to tumor-associated intralabyrinthine hemorrhage or insidiously, consistent with endolymphatic hydrops. Both of these pathophysiologic mechanisms occur with small tumors that are not associated with otic capsule invasion.
The Current Status of RFI Mitigation in Radioastronomy

Over the past ten years the reviews of this topic have been increasingly positive, since a variety of techniques have been shown to be viable. In a number of cases the work has advanced to the point of successful field trials. However, the take-up has been modest. Few observatories offer on-line, real-time rfi mitigation. This paper provides a brief summary of the nature and status of different techniques; it then explores the take-up issue.
Vehicle Localization and Velocity Estimation Based on Mobile Phone Sensing

In recent years, smart devices have become ubiquitous. Many of these devices are equipped with global positioning system (GPS), Wi-Fi, and other sensors. With their high mobility, the idea of mobile devices as probes has been attracting more and more attention. Mobility and flexibility offered by smart mobile devices are what traditional fixed sensors lack. However, mobile devices' power supplies are quite limited. Although GPS is accurate, its high power consumption somewhat limits its accessibility and sustainability. In contrast, Wi-Fi is less power hungry, but at the same time, less accurate. For the sake of sustainability, by adopting Wi-Fi as an alternative to GPS, longer operation is attainable at the cost of losing some degree of accuracy. In this paper, a Wi-Fi-based algorithm based on log-normal probability distribution of distances with respect to received signal strength is proposed. It is suitable for an outdoor environment, where Wi-Fi access points (APs) are abundant. Simulations are conducted over known AP locations, and results show that the proposed algorithm can save, on average, as much as 35% more battery power than GPS does. The average localization error is ~18 m, and the average velocity estimation error is ~25%.
Common Methodological Flaws in Economic Evaluations

Economic evaluations are increasingly being used by those bodies such as government agencies and managed care groups that make decisions about the reimbursement of health technologies. However, several reviews of economic evaluations point to numerous deficiencies in the methodology of studies or the failure to follow published methodological guidelines. This article, written for healthcare decision-makers and other users of economic evaluations, outlines the common methodological flaws in studies, focussing on those issues that are likely to be most important when deciding on the reimbursement, or guidance for use, of health technologies. The main flaws discussed are: (i) omission of important costs or benefits; (ii) inappropriate selection of alternatives for comparison; (iii) problems in making indirect comparisons; (iv) inadequate representation of the effectiveness data; (v) inappropriate extrapolation beyond the period observed in clinical studies; (vi) excessive use of assumptions rather than data; (vii) inadequate characterization of uncertainty; (viii) problems in aggregation of results; (ix) reporting of average cost-effectiveness ratios; (x) lack of consideration of generalizability issues; and (xi) selective reporting of findings. In each case examples are given from the literature and guidance is offered on how to detect flaws in economic evaluations.
On the ageing mechanisms of graphene-on-metal electrodes

Graphene electrodes are being massively introduced in a wide range of electronic devices. On the contrary, exhaustive ageing studies, which are necessary prior to device commercialization, have never been performed before. Here we present the first complete reliability study of a carbon-based electrode, and the main ageing mechanisms are discussed by means of accelerated tests, nanoscale and device level experiments, as well as Weibull statistical analyses and tunneling current simulations. Our results indicate that the formation of an ultra-thin oxide layer on pristine graphene and tall oxide hillocks at graphene point defects are the main two ageing mechanisms, and they differently affect the electron transfer in the graphene sheets.
Feeding reduced-protein diets to broilers subjected to hypobaric hypoxia is associated with the development of pulmonary hypertension syndrome

1. There are few studies on the effect of dietary protein content on pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) in broiler chickens. Conflicting results from these studies prevent a clear conclusion on the effects of reduced-protein diets on development of the syndrome. 2. To obtain an understanding of the mechanisms involved, the current study, conducted at a high altitude (2100 m above sea level), evaluated the effect of three treatments that varied only according to dietary protein (CP) levels. One treatment with dietary CP advocated by National Research Council (1994) acted as a control. Two reduced-protein diets were also prepared with CP reduced 20 and 40 g/kg relative to the CP of the control, which were designated as LCPD2 and LCPD4, respectively. A total of 180 d-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomised across 15 floor pens measuring 1.5 m2 (12 birds per pen). Five such pens (replicates) were allotted to each dietary treatment. The protein treatments were applied from 1 to 42 d of age in which growth performance was measured and the mortality from PHS was monitored. At the end of trial (42 d), blood sampling was done and carcase characteristics were recorded. 3. Birds receiving LCPD4 gained more weight throughout the trial and had increased right ventricular weight ratio (RV:TV), relative liver weight, haematocrit, and heterophil: lymphocyte ratio at the end of the trial compared to the control. Plasma concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and uric acid, however, were significantly lower in birds fed on LCPD4 than in those receiving the control diet. 4. Mortality from PHS was increased in birds fed the reduced-protein diets, which may have been associated with reduced concentration of plasma NO and increased haematocrit and RV:TV. In conclusion, feeding reduced-protein diets to broilers subjected to hypobaric hypoxia was associated with the development of PHS.
Electronic Interface and Signal Conditioning Circuitry for Data Glove Systems Useful as 3D HMI Tools for Disabled Persons

A simple PC screen can be considered as an interface of a virtual environment where an user can move objects and interact with them. The interaction tools can be simply a virtual mouse or a keyboard. But it is evident how these tools cannot provide an immersive experience since the bi-dimensionality of the screen. So in the latter years the virtual reality is becoming more and more accomplished by new hardware interfaces capable to increase the realism degree. Among all, the sensorized glove is becoming one of the more interesting and promising of these interfaces. Here we propose the electronic interface and signal conditioning circuitry we adopt as the most suitable for our developed data glove system. The same solution we adopted can be usefully extended for other specific systems that treat signals coming from sensors which read kinematics from disabled persons with reduced Range Of Motion (ROM) capabilities.
Prevalence of Maltreatment Among Youths in Public Sectors of Care

Few studies have investigated the prevalence of maltreatment among youths in public sectors of care despite the critical public health concern and the burden of suffering on such youths. The current study examined the prevalence of multiple types of maltreatment across five public sectors of care. Youths aged 11–18 (n = 1,135) enrolled in one of five public sectors of care reported on their maltreatment history using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Across all sectors, 78% of youth reported experiencing at least moderate levels of maltreatment with the majority (58%) reporting multiple types of maltreatment. The prevalence of maltreatment was highest for youths involved in the alcohol/drug (86%) and child welfare (85%) sectors, and lowest in the serious emotional disturbance sector (72%). Logistic regressions were conducted to examine differences in the likelihood of multiple types of maltreatment by sector affiliation, controlling for the effects of gender, race/ethnicity, and age. The results indicate that rates of maltreatment across sectors do not differ greatly from those in child welfare. The high incidence of maltreatment across all sectors, not solely child welfare, indicates that all youth in public sectors of care should be screened for a history of maltreatment when they enter into care.
Statistical power of gene-set enrichment analysis is a function of gene set correlation structure

Motivation: We describe why statistical power for both self-contained and competitive gene-set tests is a function of the correlation structure of co-expressed genes, and why this characteristic is undesirable for gene-set analyses. Variable statistical power as a function of gene correlation structure has not been observed or studied previously. The observation is important in part because gene-set testing methodology is well-developed, yet this fundamental feature of many of its tests is unknown and has the potential to reinterpret past gene-set test results and guide future implementations, including those using sequence data. Type 1 error inflation is also amenable for study in our statistical framework; while it has been well-studied and described previously for both self-contained and competitive tests, it has less often been done in an analytical framework. Our observations apply to four commonly-used gene-set testing approaches for microarrays, including CAMERA, ROAST, SAFE, and GAGE, and a recently proposed one for RNAseq, MAST. Results: We characterize situations in which power is especially small relative to effect sizes of genes in a set for both competitive and self-contained gene-set tests. We propose three alternative tests, one of which replicates the properties of permutation-based self-contained tests, but avoids the need for even recently proposed, rotation-based approximations to permutations. The two other proposed tests have the unique property that statistical power is not a function of co-expression correlation in the gene-set and therefore is the preferred methodology. We compare our proposed tests to leading gene-set tests and apply them to an already-published study of smoking exposure on pregnant women. Contact: dms866@mail.harvard. edu Supplementary Material: Online supplementary material includes additional simulation results supporting the relationship between the “mixed” and “directional” gene-set tests of ROAST and closed-form implementations of them.
Nannoplankton Extinction and Origination Across the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM, ∼55 million years ago) was an interval of global warming and ocean acidification attributed to rapid release and oxidation of buried carbon. We show that the onset of the PETM coincided with a prominent increase in the origination and extinction of calcareous phytoplankton. Yet major perturbation of the surface-water saturation state across the PETM was not detrimental to the survival of most calcareous nannoplankton taxa and did not impart a calcification or ecological bias to the pattern of evolutionary turnover. Instead, the rate of environmental change appears to have driven turnover, preferentially affecting rare taxa living close to their viable limits.
Hemorrhagic Complications of Intracranial Pressure Monitors in Children

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring plays a valuable role in the management of head injuries and other causes of raised ICP in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of hemorrhage after ICP monitor insertion, and to classify these complications in a clinically relevant manner. Hospital charts of 431 children (ages 0–16 years) admitted to a level I trauma center over a 2-year period were reviewed and 112 patients (134 insertions) who underwent intraparenchymal ICP monitoring were identified. The authors reviewed postoperative neuroradiological studies. One hundred and nineteen procedures were carried out without any hemorrhage (grade 0). After 10 insertions, a small punctate hemorrhage or localized subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred (grade 1). Three patients sustained an intracerebral hemorrhage that did not require evacuation or manifest as a new neurological deficit (grade 2). There were no hemorrhagic complications that necessitated evacuation or resulted in a noticeable change in the patient’s clinical condition (grade 3). We propose a new grading system for hemorrhage after ICP monitor insertion. We found a complication rate close to 10% in our pediatric patients. Fortunately, these hemorrhages were clinically silent and no neurosurgical intervention was necessary. However, grade 1 and grade 2 hemorrhages may manifest with a false reading of high ICP, and the long-term consequences of these complications are not known. Of note, only 23% of these complications were reflected in the patients charts, which may explain the low complication rates reported in other studies that did not analyze postoperative neuroradiological studies.
Knowledge Mangement in Pursuit of Performance: Insights from Nortel Networks

From 1994 through 2000, Nortel Networks transformed itself from a technology-focused to an opportunity/customer-focused company. By 2000, Nortel was a profitable, innovative leader in the telecommunications industry. The change was the result of an ambitious effort to redesign its entire new product development (NPD) process such that time-to-market was significantly reduced. NPD is highly knowledge-intensive work based on the individual and collective expertise of employees. The primary focus of this case study is on Nortel's efforts to reengineer the front-end of its NPD process and capitalize on knowledge assets. This effort was built around a process-oriented knowledge management (KM) strategy, involving a tripartite and systematic focus on process, people, and technology. Through our case analysis we develop a model of KM success by exploring Nortel's KM strategy and the managerial, resource, and environmental factors that influenced Nortel's success. Nortel's experiences suggest lessons for other firms attempting to manage knowledge assets in core business processes.
Chronic Endopeptidase Inhibition in DOCA‐Salt Hypertension: Mechanism of Cardiovascular Protection

These studies examined the interactions of neutral endopeptidase (NEP), endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), and nitric oxide (NO) in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)‐induced hypertension. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 35) were uninephrectomized (UNx) or uninephrectomized and treated with DOCA (25 mg pellet implanted subcutaneously). Candoxatril (30 mg/kg day−1), a NEP inhibitor, was given orally for 3 weeks in UNx or DOCA rats. Sham nephrectomized rats (SHAM) served as controls. Except SHAM, all other groups received 1% NaCl in drinking water ad libitum. Measurements were taken of systolic blood pressure (SBP), left ventricle (LV), and aortic weight (AW), plasma ET‐1, and urinary excretion of nitrite and Na+. Whole body vascular hypertrophy and morphometric analysis of histological sections of the heart were also determined. In DOCA rats, SBP increased from 113 ± 5 to 170 ± 5 mmHg without significant changes in body weight (BW). Candoxatril reduced the increase in SBP to 135 ± 9 mmHg (P < 0.05), abolished the increased LV wall thickness (P < 0.05), and increased the reduced LV lumen diameter (P < 0.05) in DOCA‐salt rats. Candoxatril also reduced plasma ET‐1 by 88 ± 9% and 89 ± 17% (P < 0.05) in UNx and DOCA rats, respectively, and elicited increases in urinary excretion of nitrite. These effects were accompanied by a marked increase in urinary excretion of Na+ (UNaV) (P < 0.05) and a blunting of the proteinuria (32 ± 5%; P < 0.05) in DOCA rats. We conclude that endopeptidase inhibition in DOCA‐salt hypertension reduced the increase in blood pressure and the attendant tissue hypertrophy and renal injury. These effects suggest a correlation between endopeptidase‐related reduction in ET‐1 production and protection in DOCA‐salt hypertension.