Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abstract: Treatment Effects in Randomized Longitudinal Experiments with Different Types of Non-Ignorable Dropout

Treatment Effects in Randomized Longitudinal Experiments with Different Types of Non-Ignorable Dropout Manshu Yang and Scott E. Maxwell University of Notre Dame In medical and psychological research, randomized longitudinal designs are commonly used, in which participants are randomly assigned to a treatment or control group and measured repeatedly over time. In these longitudinal experiments, missing data problems are inevitable and if data are missing not at random (MNAR), treatment effects estimated from traditional linear mixed-effects models might be severely biased. In such cases, an alternative approach is to use pattern-mixture models. The current study compared the traditional mixed-effects model approach and the pattern-mixture model approach under (1) two types of non-ignorable missingness, namely, random-slope-dependent dropout (missingness depends on latent random slope) and outcome-dependent dropout (missingness depends on observed outcome variables); (2) same missing pattern or different missing patterns across groups; and (3) same missing proportion or different missing proportions across groups. The situation of different missing patterns across groups describes a scenario where participants from the two groups are missing for different reasons (e.g., participants from the control group drop out because their random slopes are higher than average whereas participants from the treatment group drop out because of their lower than average random slopes). Results indicate that under random-slope-dependent dropout, treatment effect estimates were generally unbiased in pattern-mixture models, whereas estimates from mixed-effects models were severely biased if missing patterns differ across groups. Under outcome-dependent dropout, treatment effect estimates from both pattern-mixture models and mixedeffects models were biased when missing patterns differ across groups. Patternmixture models, however, outperformed mixed-effects models with a smaller magnitude of bias. Furthermore, the bias in both types of models can be attenuated by increasing the reliability of random slope measurement. Correspondence concerning this abstract should be addressed to Manshu Yang, 118 Haggar Hall, Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556. E-mail: myang@
Multifractal analysis of electroencephalogram for human speech modalities

Verbal communication makes human unique from other species. People use different modalities of speech while communicating with others. Widely practised modalities are speak loudly (utter), whispering and mumbling with closed lips. Apart from speaking, people also speak in their mind. Due to different ailments or injury, some people have lost their ability to speak and are forced to take other means to communicate. Speech restoration through Brain Computer Interfacing (BCI) is still at nascent stage. Through this study, we have explored the contrast between these modalities and it will lead to identification of imagined speech through electroencephalography (EEG). As different speech modalities are similar in nature in spatiotemporal domain, here we have proposed utilisation of nonlinearilty, more specifically multifractal nature, of the modalities present in EEGs. On the basis of the multifractal parameters we have achieved 99.7% accuracy in classification.
Large Vocabulary Automatic Chord Estimation with an Even Chance Training Scheme

This paper presents a large vocabulary automatic chord estimation system implemented using a bidirectional long short-term memory recurrent neural network trained with a skewed-class-aware scheme. This scheme gives the uncommon chord types much more exposure during the training process. The evaluation results indicate that: compared with a normal training scheme, the proposed scheme can boost the weighted chord symbol recalls of some uncommon chords and significantly improve the average chord quality accuracy, at the expense of the overall weighted chord symbol recall.
Dynamic Rupture Simulation of the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan Earthquake with Heterogeneous Initial Stress

The rupture process and tectonic surroundings of the 2008 Wenchuan, China, earthquake are both complex in a way that might be related to the heterogeneous stress field of the Longmen Shan region. In this study, we construct dynamic models with heterogeneous initial stress to reproduce a kinematic inversion result by Wen et al. (2012) and investigate the physical mechanisms of the variable slip pattern and rupture velocity in this event. The results show that, for the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, (1) the rupture behavior and slip pattern can be explained by heterogeneities in initial stress and (2) the variations of rupture velocity and ground‐motion pattern are strongly affected by both stress drop and fault strength. Our preferred dynamic model agrees with the kinematic model that the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake initiated with a slow velocity in the southwest, sped up in the segment with the largest slip, and then slowed down for the remaining propagation to the northeast.
Silicon piezoresistive stress sensors and their application in electronic packaging

Structural reliability of integrated circuit (IC) chips in electronic packages continues to be a major concern due to ever-increasing die size, circuit densities, power dissipation, operating temperatures, and the use of a wide range of low-cost packaging materials. A powerful method for experimental eval- uation of silicon die stress distributions is the use of test chips incorporating integral piezoresistive sensors. In this paper, a review is made of the state-of-the-art in the area of silicon piezore- sistive stress sensor test chips. Developments in sensor theory, calibration methods, and packaging applications are presented. In the absence of die failure, packaging-induced stresses result in changes in the parametric performance of circuitry on the die, and the theory discussed here can be used to predict such changes. Index Terms—Electronic packaging, piezoresistive, stress sensor, test chip.
Effects of Metals on Streptomyces coelicolor Growth and Actinorhodin Production

Actinorhodin production by Streptomyces coelicolor was used as a model system to study the effects of metals on growth and polyketide synthesis in a streptomycete. Numerous metals were tested in cultures grown in liquid media. Mercury and cadmium were highly toxic, and copper, nickel, and lead were less so, but all tended to inhibit both growth and antibiotic synthesis to a similar extent. Unexpectedly, manganese, cobalt, zinc, and, to a lesser extent, chromium caused complex effects that in general resulted in some enhancement of growth yield but a reduction in antibiotic titers. These complex effects meant that cobalt, manganese, and zinc had lower 50% inhibitory concentrations for antibiotic yields compared with those for biomass. The physiologically active divalent cations calcium and magnesium were also tested. Calcium at high concentrations was particularly effective in reducing antibiotic titers and enhancing growth yields. By adding calcium at different phases of growth, it could be demonstrated that it was most effective in reducing the antibiotic yield when added during the early growth phase. Addition during the antibiotic-producing phase resulted in little reduction of final actinorhodin titers.
An Optimal Solution to a General Dynamic Jet Fuel Hedging Problem

We propose a dynamic hedging strategy for jet fuel which strikes a balance between hedging against jumps in the price of jet fuel and placing bets that the price will rise, lowering the overall cost of jet fuel. We model the commodity price using an unobservable two-factor model that allows mean-reversion in short-term prices and uncertainty in the equilibrium level to which prices revert. We combine dynamic programming and Kalman filter estimation to obtain an optimal policy that minimizes the expected costs while keeping the variance at low levels.
Effect of Body Orientation on Proprioception During Active and Passive Motions

Niessen MHM, Veeger DHEJ, Janssen TWJ: Effect of body orientation on proprioception during active and passive motions. Objective:To investigate whether passive and active reproduction of joint position, as well as detection of passive motion (as measures of a subject's proprioception) of the shoulder differ while sitting compared with lying supine. Design:Shoulder proprioception of 28 healthy subjects (age, 22.2 ± 1.7 yrs, 15 men) was tested. To test proprioception, angular motion (in degrees) for threshold to detection of passive motion and absolute matching error (in degrees) for passive and active reproduction of joint position were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. As a measure of consistency, the standard deviation per subject and test (threshold to detection of passive motion and passive and active reproduction of joint position) was measured over three trials. The test scores during sitting and lying supine were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results:No effect of body orientation on threshold to detection of passive motion and passive and active reproduction of joint position scores was found. Significantly larger errors were found during active reproduction of joint position compared with passive reproduction of joint position (F = 58.5; P < 0.01), and subjects were also significantly less accurate during active reproduction of joint position (F = 30.1; P < 0.01). Conclusions:Body orientation does not significantly influence proprioceptive errors or consistency, whereas movement mode (active or passive) does. The significance of these findings is that, depending on the situation or the patient's ability, proprioception tests can be conducted while they are lying or sitting, but movement modes cannot be used interchangeably.
[The correlation analysis between frequency of micronucleated cells of exfoliated oral mucosa cells and oral mucosa cells in different grading of oral leukoplakia lesions].

OBJECTIVE To provide evidence for using micronucleated cells of exfoliated oral mucosa cells in diagnosis and treatment of oral leukoplakias and chemopreventive studies of oral cancer. METHODS Micronuclei of exfoliated oral mucosa cells and oral mucosa cells in 119 patients comprising 59 simple hyperplasia, 32 mild and moderate oral leukoplakia and 28 severe oral leukoplakia and oral squamous carcinoma by Feulgen stain method were examined, and micronuclei of exfoliated oral mucosa cells in 100 normal persons were also examined. RESULTS Frequency of micronucleated cells of exfoliated oral mucosa cells in oral leukoplakia lesions was higher than that of normal persons. Frequency of micronucleated cells of exfoliated oral mucosa cells had a positive correlation with oral leukoplakia lesions(r = 0.9997, P < 0.001) and with frequency of micronucleated cells of oral mucosa cells (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Frequency of micronucleated cells of exfoliated oral mucosa cells are useful markers to the clinician to predict oral leukoplakia behaviour and prognosis and substitute for frequency of micronucleated cells of oral mucosa cells as intermediate endpoint in chemopreventive trials.
Ras‐induced colony formation and anchorage‐independent growth inhibited by elevated expression of Purα in NIH3T3 cells

Levels of Purα, a conserved, sequence‐specific single‐stranded DNA and RNA binding protein, fluctuate during the cell cycle, declining at the onset of S‐phase and peaking at mitosis. In early G1 Purα is associated with the hypophosphorylated form of the retinoblastoma protein, Rb. Microinjection of purified Purα into NIH3T3 cells arrests the cell cycle at either G1/S or G2/M checkpoints with distinct morphological consequences. Here we ask whether expression of Purα can affect colony formation and anchorage‐independent growth in ras‐transformed NIH3T3 cells. Two to five‐fold elevated levels of Purα in stably‐transfected cell lines retard entry into and progression through S phase in both ras‐transformed and non‐transformed cells. Purα significantly inhibits colony formation by ras‐transformed cells but not by non‐transformed cells. In addition, cells transfected to express Purα formed only about 1/5 the number of large colonies in soft agar as control‐transfected cells, demonstrating a marked inhibition of anchorage‐independent growth by Purα. Biochemical analysis of nuclear and cytoplasmic Purα proteins and confocal microscopic analysis of Purα location indicate that access of Purα to the nucleus is controlled by both protein modification and sequence domains within the protein. Analyses of deletion mutants identify Purα domains mediating nuclear exclusion, including several potential destruction motifs and a PEST sequence at aa's 215–231. In the nucleus Purα colocalizes with CDK2 and cyclin A. Purα and cyclin D1, however, do not colocalize in the nucleus. At mitosis Purα is visualized about the condensed chromosomes and in the cytoplasm, where it colocalizes with cyclin B1. The data indicate that the ability of Purα to interact with proteins regulating cell proliferation and transformation is controlled by signals that govern its intracellular localization. J. Cell. Biochem. 81: 621–638, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recovery from cortical blindness mediated by destruction of nontectotectal fibers in the commissure of the superior colliculus in the cat

Transection of the commissure of the superior colliculus restores visual orientation behavior to a cat previously rendered hemianopic by a unilateral visual cortical lesion (the Sprague effect). Using two methods, we asked whether this recovery resulted from the severing of the tectotectal component of the commissure or whether the destruction of some other connection was responsible. First, we transected either the rostral or the caudal one‐half of the tectal commissure in hemianopic cats. If destruction of tectotectal fibers is responsible for the Sprague effect, then only rostral transections should produce the recovery since nearly all tectotectal connections lie in the rostral one‐half of the commissure. However, rostral cuts failed to produce a recovery, whereas caudal commisurotomies did. Second, ibotenic acid was used to destroy the cells in the superior colliculus contralateral to the cortical lesion. This lesion eliminated the contralateral tectotectal pathway from the contralateral colliculus but left other fibers (originating elsewhere but coursing through the commissure) largely intact. These ibotenic acid lesions failed to produce the recovery; but when the caudal portion of the tectal commissure was subsequently transected in the same animals, the recovery was observed. The results of both experiments support the conclusion that the transection of a nontectotectal component of the commissure of the superior colliculus is responsible for the recovery of visual orientation behavior in a cortically blind cat.
Intensity discrimination of noise in the presence of band-reject noise.

Weber's law holds over at least an 80‐dB range for intensity discrimination of 200‐msec bursts of noise. Weber's law holds over a comparable range when information regarding intensive differences is effectively restricted to a limited frequency region by the addition of a relatively intense band‐reject noise. In particular, no failure of Weber's law is observed at intensities for which the discharge rates of fibers innervating the frequency region of the stopband are presumably saturated. These results do not support the generally accepted notion that a spread of excitation along the cochlear partition with increasing intensity is necessary for the auditory system to maintain its large dynamic range.
Immune Alterations in Mice Exposed to the Herbicide Simazine

Simazine, a triazine herbicide, was investigated for its in vivo immunomodulatory properties. Male C57Bl/6 mice were treated with vehicle or 300 or 600 mg/kg body weight (bw) simazine daily orally for 4 wk. The immune system was evaluated by the antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC; plaque assay and serum immunoglobulin G), natural killer (NK) and macro-phage activities, lymphocyte subpopulations in the spleen and thymus, and concanavalin A (Con A)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation using splenocytes. Body weight and spleen and thymus weight decreased generally in simazine-treated mice, while the weight of adrenal glands was higher than in the control. Simazine treatment (600 mg/kg) induced an increase in the percentage of CD4 + cells in spleen and CD8 + in thymus. Simazine inhibited the IgM plaque-forming cell numbers and lowered the level of IgG and the proliferation of mitogen-stimulated B cells and T cells. In addition, splenic NK and peritoneal macrophage activities in exposed mice were significantly decreased. Exposure to simazine also decreased cytokine production by macrophages, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- f (TNF- f ). Taken together, data indicate that the immune system was suppressed by oral simazine exposure.
Content of organic C and pH of bog and post-bog soils versus the presence of ground beetles Carabidae in Stary Dwor near Olsztyn

The present study consisted of an evaluation of assemblages of epigeic carabid beetles (Col. Carabidae) colonizing hydrogenic soils (bog and post-bog ones), different in the soil development degree. The observations were conducted on a drained, low bog area called Stary Dwor, which today is used as a cut meadow. This is an oblong depression, filled in with (partly mucky) rush peats and situated in the sandur landscape. It lies in the mesoregion called Pojezierze Olsztynskie (Olsztyn Lake District) near Olsztyn (UTM DE 65), about 3 km of the southern borders of the town. The field observations for determination of the soil type were conducted using soil catenas. A transect was established, which cut across different types and sub-types of bog and post-bog soils. In this paper, the authors have attempted to answer the question whether the sequence of hydrogenic soils and some parameters chosen to describe them have any influence on assemblages of epigeic carabid beetles dwelling in such habitats. Based on the results, it has been concluded that the soils present in the analyzed peat bog were characterized by the following sequence: muckous soils → peat-muck soils → peat soils. Their properties depended on the position in the soil relief, advancement of muck formation and content of organic carbon. It has been found out that the highest soil ash content in the surface horizons was in muckous soil (90.39%), and the lowest – in profile 3 of peat-muck soil (18.77%). The reaction of the analyzed soils ranged from slightly acidic to neutral and tended to decrease towards the centre of the depression, reaching the lowest value in peat soil. During the two years of our observations, a total of 673 individuals of Carabidae belonging to 29 species were captured. It has
A Dantzig-Wolfe Auction Mechanism for Multilateral Procurement

Market clearing in auction-based procurement processes face a fundamental problem: the market-maker does not have direct access to information about the bidders' private preferences, as well as their specific constraints. This issue has motivated the development of iterative auction mechanisms that induce the bidders into progressively revealing their private preferences. In this paper, we consider a model that abstracts in a fairly general way an exchange of interdependent goods and we propose an iterative auction mechanism based on the well-known Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition principle, where the bidders reveal parts of their preferences through straightforward, utilitymaximizing bids. Our proposed auction mechanism is illustrated on a simulated wood chip market and numerical results obtained are contrasted with those of auctions based on Lagrangian relaxation.
Real-time individual 3D facial animation by combining parameterized model and muscular model

A real-time individual 3D facial animation system is proposed. Firstly, facial regions and features are localized on a frontal facial image based on the combination of AdaBoost, CamShift and Active Appearance Model. Secondly, an individual 3D facial mesh model, including appearance and internal articulators, is constructed. The individual appearance mesh model is obtained by adapting an universal 3D facial mesh model to the facial features, and the individual internal articulatory mesh is obtained by integrating with the individual appearance mesh model at the same time. Finally, to compromise between performance and realism, the parameterized model and muscular model are combined to produce facial animation based on a facial action area splitting scheme. Experiment results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed system.
Ethnicity and dissatisfaction with mental health services

recent article on forms of dress and address, I am writing to report some interesting differences between their findings and our own. We used questionnaires to examine the attitudes of psychiatric in-patients in three hospitals in east London to forms of address (Ford & Pfeffer, 1997) and staff dress (Tham Ã”CFord, 1995). The dress code study also investigated the views of nursing and medical staff. In our study, only 56 out of 97 patients wanted to be called by their first names, even when they had become familiar with staff, although there was a non-significant trend towards greater informality with nursing staff compared with medical staff. Less than a quarter wanted to call staff by their first names. Titles were seen as polite (75%) and offering respect (71%), whereas first names were perceived to be friendly (79%). Age, gender or number of admis sions did not affect attitudes. Although our study produced a similar proportion of doctors who felt that they should be dressed smartly to that reported by Gledhill et al, patients and nursing staff were divided between formal and casual dress for medical staff, and over 70% felt that nursing staff should be dressed casu ally, as opposed to in uniform or formally. Thirty-six per cent felt that formal dress made staff less approachable. To summarise, compared with Gled hill et al (1997), our sample, from an extremely deprived area, was less con cerned with smart attire, but more formal with regard to keeping of titles. These differences may relate to subtle cultural differences between the two populations from socio-economically distinct areas of London. The preference for greater in formality with nurses as opposed to doctors found in both our studies, and echoed by Gledhill and colleagues, is interesting in terms of differing roles within the multi-disciplinary team. Ford.T. J. ft Pfeffer, J. (1997) What'sin a name? journal of Mental Health, t. I69-I72.
ALLOSTERIC INTERACTIONS AT MUSCARINIC CHOLINOCEPTORS

1. An allosteric interaction occurs when the binding of a ligand to its site on a receptor is able to modify the binding of another ligand to a topographically distinct site on the same receptor and vice versa. The muscarinic cholinoceptors represent the best‐studied examples of allosteric phenomena among the G‐protein‐coupled receptor superfamily.