Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic value of seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccination during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND The cost-effectiveness of maternal influenza immunization against laboratory-confirmed influenza has never been studied. The current 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic provides a timely opportunity to perform such analyses. The study objective was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of maternal influenza vaccination using both single- and 2-dose strategies against laboratory-confirmed influenza secondary to both seasonal epidemics and pandemic influenza outbreaks. METHODS A cost-effectiveness decision analytic model construct using epidemic and pandemic influenza characteristics from both the societal and third-party payor perspectives. A comparison was made between vaccinating all pregnant women in the United States versus not vaccinating pregnant women. Probabilistic (Monte Carlo) sensitivity analyses were also performed. The main outcome measures were incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). RESULTS Maternal influenza vaccination using either the single- or 2-dose strategy is a cost-effective approach when influenza prevalence > or =7.5% and influenza-attributable mortality is > or =1.05% (consistent with epidemic strains). As the prevalence of influenza and/or the severity of the outbreak increases the incremental value of vaccination also increases. At a higher prevalence of influenza (> or =30%) the single-dose strategy demonstrates cost-savings while the 2-dose strategy remains highly cost-effective (ICER, < or =$6787.77 per quality-adjusted life year). CONCLUSIONS Maternal influenza immunization is a highly cost-effective intervention at disease rates and severity that correspond to both seasonal influenza epidemics and occasional pandemics. These findings justify ongoing efforts to optimize influenza vaccination during pregnancy from an economic perspective.
Finanzielle Bewertung von Daten als Vermögenswerte - Methode und Anwendung eines nutzen-orientierten Ansatzes

Prof. Dr. Klaus Möller ist Direktor des Instituts für Accounting, Controlling und Auditing und Professor für Controlling/Performance Management an der Universität St. Gallen. Datenqualität ist kein Hygienefaktor, sondern bildet eine wichtige Erfolgsgröße für Unternehmen und erfordert daher aktives Management. Dieser Beitrag stellt einen nutzenorientierten Bewertungsansatz vor, der den monetären Wertbeitrag durch Daten quantifizierbar und nachgelagert steuerbar macht. Dadurch trägt der Bewertungsansatz zur Etablierung der Funktion „Datenqualitätscontrolling“ bei.
Software defined synergistic IP+optical resilient transport networks [Invited]

Integrated orchestration of the IP+optical transport network has been well studied in recent years and has become a realistic trend in telecommunication network deployments. OpenFlow-based software defined network architecture is among the emerging and intensively investigated unified control plane solutions. Numerous previous works have focused on enabling optical networks to support the OpenFlow control plane, but mostly discussed from the single controller's point of view. In real operational scenarios, however, there may inevitably exist different operators in different network layers/domains, and it is too idealized to have only one controller that is responsible for all devices. In light of this, here we propose and demonstrate an enhanced control plane architecture with hierarchically fabricated OpenFlow controllers. We specify the interworking relationships between different controllers on both IP and optical layers, and by using an IP+optical cross-layer information model, we show the effectiveness of unified routing and scheduling in terms of reducing the service blocking rate. Finally, dynamic cross-layer traffic adjustment and restoration are also successfully demonstrated on our implemented synergistic IP +optical network testbed with coordinated controllers.
Fuzzy color histogram and its use in color image retrieval

A conventional color histogram (CCH) considers neither the color similarity across different bins nor the color dissimilarity in the same bin. Therefore, it is sensitive to noisy interference such as illumination changes and quantization errors. Furthermore, CCHs large dimension or histogram bins requires large computation on histogram comparison. To address these concerns, this paper presents a new color histogram representation, called fuzzy color histogram (FCH), by considering the color similarity of each pixel's color associated to all the histogram bins through fuzzy-set membership function. A novel and fast approach for computing the membership values based on fuzzy c-means algorithm is introduced. The proposed FCH is further exploited in the application of image indexing and retrieval. Experimental results clearly show that FCH yields better retrieval results than CCH. Such computing methodology is fairly desirable for image retrieval over large image databases.
Successful Targeting and Disruption of an Integrated Reporter Lentivirus Using the Engineered Homing Endonuclease Y2 I-AniI

Current antiviral therapy does not cure HIV-infected individuals because the virus establishes lifelong latent infection within long-lived memory T cells as integrated HIV proviral DNA. Here, we report a new therapeutic approach that aims to cure cells of latent HIV infection by rendering latent virus incapable of replication and pathogenesis via targeted cellular mutagenesis of essential viral genes. This is achieved by using a homing endonuclease to introduce DNA double-stranded breaks (dsb) within the integrated proviral DNA, which is followed by triggering of the cellular DNA damage response and error-prone repair. To evaluate this concept, we developed an in vitro culture model of viral latency, consisting of an integrated lentiviral vector with an easily evaluated reporter system to detect targeted mutagenesis events. Using this system, we demonstrate that homing endonucleases can efficiently and selectively target an integrated reporter lentivirus within the cellular genome, leading to mutation in the proviral DNA and loss of reporter gene expression. This new technology offers the possibility of selectively disabling integrated HIV provirus within latently infected cells.
Neurodevelopmental Basis of Autism Spectrum Disorder based on Age and Gender

Neurodevelopmental Basis of Autism Spectrum Disorder based on Age and Gender by Sursatie D. Chetram MA, University of New Haven, 2000 BA, Hunter, CUNY, 1997 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University January 9, 2018 Abstract Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affectsAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, socialization, and restricted/repetitive behaviors. In 2012, one out of every 55 children (1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls) have been diagnosed with ASD in the United States. Only 30-40% of ASD has a known etiology (e.g., genetic predisposition) and the other 60-70% is unknown. Prior to this study, there was no known literature on age and gender differences related to neuro-developmental functioning of ASD. The purpose of this study was to examine how the differences in age and gender of people with ASD were related to total and domain scores, as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2). This quantitative research study included a sample size of 80 and 2 independent variables: age groupings (ages 1-4, 5-8, 9-17, and 18-older), and gender (male and female). The 4 dependent variables were the total and domain scores measured by the ADOS-2. The statistical analyses included a multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) and a 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to examine age and gender differences in the ADOS-2 domain and total scores. There was a statistically significant difference for age on the domain dependent variables, F(9, 171) = 2.64, p = . 007; Wilks’ Lambda = . 73; partial η = . 10. However, there were no statistically significant differences for gender on domain scores and there were no statistically significant differences for age and gender on the overall scores. Those with ASD between ages 5-8 were more severely impaired for socialization when compared to other age groups and other domains. This research can be used for the improvement of intervention strategies for the diverse ASD population, and to improve the understanding of the neurodevelopmental functioning of individuals with ASD based on age and gender. Neurodevelopmental Basis of Autism Spectrum Disorder based on Age and Gender Disorder. by Sursatie D Chetram MA, University of New Haven, 2000 BA, Hunter College, CUNY, 1997 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology
Opening the Gateway: Increasing Minority Student Retention in Introductory Science Courses.

COLLEGE SCIENCE TEACHING Many colleges and universities across the United States are facing an extremely important educational challenge—a low number of highachieving minority undergraduates (African American, Hispanic American, and Native American) who successfully persist in premedical and science-based courses of study. This situation poses particular challenges at major research institutions, such as Northwestern University, where students come with strong academic credentials and high expectations.
Does Choice Mean Freedom and Well‐Being?

Americans live in a political, social, and historical context that values personal freedom and choice above all else, an emphasis that has been amplified by contemporary psychology. However, this article reviews research that shows that in non-Western cultures and among working-class Westerners, freedom and choice do not have the meaning or importance they do for the university-educated people who have been the subjects of almost all research on this topic. We cannot assume that choice, as understood by educated, affluent Westerners, is a universal aspiration. The meaning and significance of choice are cultural constructions. Moreover, even when choice can foster freedom, empowerment, and independence, it is not an unalloyed good. Too much choice can produce a paralyzing uncertainty, depression, and selfishness. In the United States, the path to well-being may require that we strike a balance between the positive and negative consequences of proliferating choice in every domain of life. (c) 2010 by JOURNAL OF CONSUMER RESEARCH, Inc.
Polarimetric Radar Pulse Echoes from Lunar Regolith Layer with Scatter Inhomogeneity and Rough Interfaces

To explore the potential utilities of lower frequency (L band) radar pulse for lunar exploration, a theoretical model of stratified lunar regolith media and numerical simulation of polarimetric radar pulse echoes are developed. The lunar regolith layer consists of the low lossy regolith layer with randomly rough top and bottom interfaces, and a layer of random stone-scatterers (spatially oriented oblate spheroids are assumed) is embedded and overlays the underlying rock media. The time domain Mueller matrix solution is derived to take account for scattering mechanisms of the stratified scatter media. Temporal characteristics and structure of the polarimetric echo profile as functional dependence on model parameters such as the layer thickness and the content of FeO+TiO2, are numerically simulated, and well display an image of regolith structures. It demonstrates a potential new way to explore moon surface in future.
Using the Tg(nrd:egfp)/albino Zebrafish Line to Characterize In Vivo Expression of neurod

In this study, we used a newly-created transgenic zebrafish, Tg(nrd:egfp)/albino, to further characterize the expression of neurod in the developing and adult retina and to determine neurod expression during adult photoreceptor regeneration. We also provide observations regarding the expression of neurod in a variety of other tissues. In this line, EGFP is found in cells of the developing and adult retina, pineal gland, cerebellum, olfactory bulbs, midbrain, hindbrain, neural tube, lateral line, inner ear, pancreas, gut, and fin. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we compare the expression of the nrd:egfp transgene to that of endogenous neurod and to known retinal cell types. Consistent with previous data based on in situ hybridizations, we show that during retinal development, the nrd:egfp transgene is not expressed in proliferating retinal neuroepithelium, and is expressed in a subset of retinal neurons. In contrast to previous studies, nrd:egfp is gradually re-expressed in all rod photoreceptors. During photoreceptor regeneration in adult zebrafish, in situ hybridization reveals that neurod is not expressed in Müller glial-derived neuronal progenitors, but is expressed in photoreceptor progenitors as they migrate to the outer nuclear layer and differentiate into new rod photoreceptors. During photoreceptor regeneration, expression of the nrd:egfp matches that of neurod. We conclude that Tg(nrd:egfp)/albino is a good representation of endogenous neurod expression, is a useful tool to visualize neurod expression in a variety of tissues and will aid investigating the fundamental processes that govern photoreceptor regeneration in adults.
Efficient Query Rewriting in the Description Logic EL and Beyond

We propose a new type of algorithm for computing first-order (FO) rewritings of concept queries under ELHdr-TBoxes. The algorithm is tailored towards efficient implementation, yet complete. It outputs a succinct non-recursive datalog rewriting if the input is FO-rewritable and otherwise reports non-FO-rewritability. We carry out experiments with realworld ontologies which demonstrate excellent performance in practice and show that TBoxes originating from applications admit FO-rewritings of reasonable size in almost all cases, even when in theory such rewritings are not guaranteed to exist.
Improving the effectiveness of software prefetching with adaptive executions

The effectiveness of software prefetching for tolerating latency depends mainly on the ability of programmers and/or compilers to: 1) predict in advance the magnitude of the run-time remote memory latency, and 2) insert prefetches at a distance that minimizes stall time without causing cache pollution. Scalable heterogeneous multiprocessors, such as network of computers (NOWs), present special challenges to static software prefetching because on these systems the network topology and node configuration are not completely determined at compile time. Furthermore, dynamic software prefetching cannot do much better because individual nodes on heterogeneous large NOWs would tend to experience different remote memory delays over time. A fixed prefetch distance, even when computed at run-time, cannot perform well for the whole duration of a software pipeline. Here we present an adaptive scheme for software prefetching that makes it possible for nodes to dynamically change, not only the amount of prefetching, but the prefetch distance as well. Doing this makes it possible to tailor the execution of software pipeline to the prevailing conditions affecting each node. We show how simple performance data collected by hardware monitors can allow programs to observe, evaluate and change their prefetching policies. Our results show that on the benchmarks we simulated adaptive prefetching was capable of improving performance over static and dynamic prefetching by 10% to 60%. More important, future increases in the heterogeneity and size of NOWs will increase the advantages of adaptive prefetching over static and dynamic schemes.
The role of after-hours, work-related contact in work-to-family conflict and sleep problems experienced by construction professionals

Advances in communication technology have resulted in boundaries between work and family becoming increasingly blurred, resulting in increased after-hours work contact. Little is known about the relationship between work contact and the work-to-family conflict and sleep problems experienced by construction professionals. Using a survey of 630 architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and project and construction managers, a conceptual model of work-to-family conflict and sleep problems was proposed and tested using SEM. Demographic characteristics, work experience, job autonomy and control, job pressures, and work contact were hypothesized to explain work-to-family conflict and sleep problems. A tested model was found to be an excellent fit to the data. The results indicate that 1) gender, employment status, work experience, and job pressure are determinants of levels of work contact; 2) work-to-family conflict is predicted by job autonomy and control, job pressure, and work contact, and 3) sleep problems are determined by job pressure, work contact, and work-to-family conflict. Firms and construction professionals need to improved boundary control to limit excessive work contact and/or mitigate its effects on work pressure and work-to family conflict. Intervention strategies by firms should address work contact and employers need to monitor job pressure, and promote job autonomy and control.
Notes on supersymmetric Sp(N) theories with an antisymmetric tensor

We study supersymmetric Sp(N) gauge theories with an antisymmetric tensor and degree n+1 tree level superpotential. The generalized Konishi anomaly equations derived in hep-th/0304119 and hep-th/0304138 are used to compute the low energy superpotential of the theory. This is done by imposing a certain integrality condition on the periods of a meromorphic one form. Explicit computations for Sp(2), Sp(4), Sp(6) and Sp(8) with cubic superpotential are done and full agreement with the results of the dynamically generated superpotential approach is found. As a byproduct, we find a very precise map from Sp(N) to a U(N+2n) theory with one adjoint and a degree n+1 tree level superpotential.
Evaluation And Implementation Of The Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) Routing Protocol

--The Open-Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol, due to its enviable properties is at the top of the pecking order of routing-protocol solutions as a result of the fact that it provides a better pick of priorities in calculations of its link (bandwidth and delay), better scalability than rival protocols and a reasonable convergence time (which is critical when assessing protocols by merit). This research is aimed at advocating for a particular solution in the midst of other known solutions (protocols), by proving literally and by practical-oriented means why the chosen solution should be embraced and also shedding light on the vital properties of the chosen solution (protocol) and how it could be used with the help of OPNET IT GURU to optimize a Data Network .
Reconnection Group for Individuals Who Have Experienced Interpersonal Trauma: An Explanatory Case Study

Interpersonal traumas are becoming more common to the general public and the need for services to assist the mental and emotional well-being of survivors is increasing. However, due to the complicated impacts of trauma on the mind, body, and spirit there can be a challenge in finding effective treatment options that are long lasting for trauma symptoms. The purpose of this study was to understand the elements of a trauma group treatment (Reconnection group) modality that utilizes psychodrama as the primary treatment option and incorporates mindfulness and yoga as adjunctive treatments with individuals who have experienced interpersonal trauma. Findings suggest that the challenging nature of the group therapy process is needed to cultivate interpersonal and intrapersonal development in participants as well as participants needing to gain skills that help them in their everyday life to combat trauma symptoms. It is the hope that the findings can impact future interpersonal trauma group treatment options as well as provide insight into future quantitative areas to measure with Reconnection group participants.
Media Coverage of Mass Killers: Content, Consequences, and Solutions

In recent years, major media organizations have wondered if their coverage of mass shooters actually increases the risk of future attacks, and have asked how their reporting could be improved. In response, 149 experts have called for media to stop publishing the names and photos of mass killers (except during ongoing searches for escaped suspects), but continue reporting the other details of these crimes as needed. Here, we review some of the most important scientific findings on (a) the nature of media coverage of mass killers, (b) its consequences, and (c) solutions that could help make this coverage safer, and summarize how new studies published in this special issue of American Behavioral Scientist add to this valuable knowledge base.
Blended Learning Approach: Integrating Reading and Writing Research Skills to Improve Academic Writing

The present study aimed at improving Arab Open University (AOU) students' academic writing through integrating some identified reading and writing research skills. This was achieved by applying a blended course which employed Web-Quests (WQs) that integrated the two skills to improve students’ academic writing. The study adopted one group design with pre-test and post-test treatments. It answered the questions it raised and undertook the following: Computer Skill Analysis Questionnaire (CSAQ) identified the targeted students’ background of some technological skills , Reading Research Skills Inventory (RRSI) listed the reading research sub-skills that need to be developed for the AOU students, Writing Research Skills Inventory (WRSI) listed the writing research sub-skills that need to be developed for these students, Pre/Post Test (PPT) assessed the target students' performance in the identified reading and writing research skills before and after receiving the treatment, Blended Course employing WQs integrated the identified reading and writing research skills to improve academic writing, and the three rubrics helped both the instructor and the students to assess their performance, identify and adjust their weakness, and Blended Course Assessment Questionnaire (BCAQ) identified the students’ assessment, satisfaction and reflection on learning English Language in a blended environment using WQs. Upon testing the hypotheses, results indicated that there were statistically significant differences at a level of 0.001 between the mean scores of the experimental group on the pre/post administrations of the pre-post-test in favour of the post test. In addition, statistical analysis indicated that there was a significant improvement in the students' academic writing skills due to integrating the stages of the reading and writing process which helped the students to approach academic writing systematically. Consequently, the proposed blended course proved to be effective in developing the AOU students' identified skills and it was recommended to adopt the blended course to improve their academic writing skills.