Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) in a Large Cohort of Volunteers

Background The role of intra- and extra-cranial venous system impairment in the pathogenesis of various vascular, inflammatory and neurodegenerative neurological disorders, as well as in aging, has not been studied in detail. Nor have risk factors been determined for increased susceptibility of venous pathology in the intra-cranial and extra-cranial veins. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between presence of a newly proposed vascular condition called chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and environmental factors in a large volunteer control group without known central nervous system pathology. Methods and Findings The data were collected in a prospective study from 252 subjects who were screened for medical history as part of the entry criteria and participated in the case-control study of CCSVI prevalence in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and then were analyzed post-hoc. All participants underwent physical and Doppler sonography examinations, and were assessed with a structured environmental questionnaire. Fullfilment of ≥2 positive venous hemodynamic (VH) criteria on Doppler sonography was considered indicative of CCSVI diagnosis. Risk and protective factors associated with CCSVI were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Seventy (27.8%) subjects presented with CCSVI diagnosis and 153 (60.7%) presented with one or more VH criteria. The presence of heart disease (p = .001), especially heart murmurs (p = .007), a history of infectious mononucleosis (p = .002), and irritable bowel syndrome (p = .005) were associated with more frequent CCSVI diagnosis. Current or previous smoking (p = .029) showed a trend for association with more frequent CCSVI diagnosis, while use of dietary supplements (p = .018) showed a trend for association with less frequent CCSVI diagnosis. Conclusions Risk factors for CCSVI differ from established risk factors for peripheral venous diseases. Vascular, infectious and inflammatory factors were associated with higher CCSVI frequency.
The Production and Dissipation of Compensated Thermohaline Variance by Mesoscale Stirring

Abstract Temperature–salinity profiles from the region studied in the North Atlantic Tracer Release Experiment (NATRE) show large isopycnal excursions at depths just below the thermocline. It is proposed here that these thermohaline filaments result from the mesoscale stirring of large-scale temperature and salinity gradients by geostrophic turbulence, resulting in a direct cascade of thermohaline variance to small scales. This hypothesis is investigated as follows: Measurements from NATRE are used to generate mean temperature, salinity, and shear profiles. The mean stratification and shear are used as the background state in a high-resolution horizontally homogeneous quasigeostrophic model. The mean state is baroclinically unstable, and the model produces a vigorous eddy field. Temperature and salinity are stirred laterally in each density layer by the geostrophic velocity and vertical advection is by the ageostrophic velocity. The simulated temperature–salinity diagram exhibits fluctuations at depths ju.
Indeterminacy and interpretation: what is shown and what is hidden in Michael Haneke's 'Caché'

This chapter considers how ideas developed in relevance-theoretic pragmatics can help to explain some of the complexities involved in interpreting texts and some of the ways in which these contribute to different kinds of responses and evaluations. It does this by focusing on Michael Haneke’s 2005 film 'Cache' ('Hidden' in English). The chapter discusses selected features of 'Cache', indicating some of the ways in which critics and others have responded to it. It presents key ideas developed in relevance-theoretic work, about indeterminacy and about the relative ‘spontaneousness’ of interpretations, and argues that these can help us to understand the film’s effects and how varying responses come about. The chapter argues that ideas from pragmatics such as these can contribute towards fuller accounts of the complex processes involved in producing and responding to texts in general, that they help us to understand Cache and different kinds of responses to it and that they can also help to explain differences between fairly formal interpretative and evaluative work and less formal responses.
Computable General Equilibrium Modelling and Application to Economies in Transition

This paper examines the development and implementation of computable general equilibrium (CGE) models and examines their application to economies undergoing transition. The generalised development of a CGE model is presented in terms of the series of 'building blocks' which comprise a typical CGE system, whilst the flexibility of the CGE approach is illustrated by comparison of two specific CGE models: the GEM-E3 framework, developed by a team of researchers, led by Professor Pantelis Capros, based at the National Technical University of Athens, and the Hungarian Multisectoral (HUMUS) model framework, developed by a team, led by the author, from the Budapest University of Economic Sciences. The paper then examines the issue of closure rules in CGE models, and details the manner in which closure rules may be chosen to reflect specific features of the economy under study, particularly when applying CGE analysis to economies under transition. Finally the paper analyses the implementation and simulation of CGE models, including the steps necessary to construct benchmark datasets, calibrate the models, and to estimate counterfactual solutions.
Automated Parallel Solution of Unstructured PDE Problems

Xerox CorporationPalo Alto Research Center3333 Coyote Hill RoadPalo Alto, CA 94304CR Categories and Subject Descriptors: F.2. 2 [Analysis of Algorithms and Problem Complex-ity]: Nonnumerical Algorithms and Problems; G.1. 0 [Numerical Analysis]: General; G.2. 2 [DiscreteMathematics]: Graph TheoryGeneral Terms: AlgorithmsAdditional Key Words and Phrases: Partial differential equations, ﬁnite element methods, graphpartitioning, parallel processing.
TaMFT-A1 Is Associated with Seed Germination Sensitive to Temperature in Winter Wheat

The ability of seed to germinate under favorable environmental conditions is critical for seedling emergence, plant establishment, subsequent development and growth of adult plants, and it is controlled by internal genetic factors and external environmental factors. Winter wheat in the southern Great Plains is often planted six weeks before the optimal planting date to produce more biomass for cattle grazing during the winter season. A high seed germination rate in this higher soil temperature environment is required for this specific management system. In this study, a major QTL for temperature-sensitive germination was mapped on the short arm of chromosome 3A (QTsg.osu-3A) in a RIL population generated from two winter wheat cultivars. Furthermore, TaMFT-A1, previously reported to regulate seed dormancy and pre-harvest sprouting in spring wheat cultivars, was mapped tightly associated with the peak of QTsg.osu-3A. However, allelic variation in TaMFT-A1 between the two winter wheat cultivars differed from that was observed in spring wheat cultivars. There were 87 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and 12 indels (insertions/deletions) in TaMFT-A1 between the Jagger allele for high germination and the 2174 allele for low germination in the after-ripened seeds, in comparison with 2 SNPs between the two alleles for differential pre-harvest sprouting in spring wheat cultivars. The Jagger TaMFT-A1 allele is a novel haplotype and appears extensively in winter wheat cultivars. TaMFT-A1 transcript levels were up-regulated by high temperature but down-regulated by low temperature or seed storage time. These findings suggest that TaMFT-A1 may invoke different mechanisms for controlling seed dormancy/germination among winter wheat cultivars.
Stereo Matching Using Iterative Dynamic Programming Based on Color Segmentation of Images

The traditional dynamic programming stereo matching algorithms usually adopt the disparity assumption based on the intensity change of images; With the development of stereo matching technique, the disparity assumption based on image color segmentation is proved to meet better the need of true scenes. The paper introduces the disparity assumption into the stereo matching using dynamic programming, proposes a new global energy function, which not only resolves the problem of traditional dynamic programming stereo matching algorthm that the energy function is short of intensity and disparity constraints between scan lines but also can be computed more exactly because the adopted dissimillarity function propsed by Birchfield is extended from 2-connect neighborhood to 8-connect neighborhood. The energy function can converge fast because of the proposed pruning algorithm based on color segmentation. The experiments show that the proposed method produces competitive results with the 2-dimensional energy function minimized algorithm but has the much lower computing cost than them.
Disease diagnostic classifier for chronic lymphocytic leukemia using genomic data

This project involves the identification of miRNAs that are differentially expressed across Indolent Vs Progressive and Case Vs Control samples in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). For this, we have analysed miRNA sequence data files and RT-PCR data on Chronic Lymphocyitc Leukemia (CLL) which were provided by AIIMS. The pathways associated with the differentially expressed miRs have also been identified. The implementation involves the utilisation of mirDeep*, R, CD-HIT,WEKA, miRNet and miRCarta for analysis. Python and Bash shell scripting were also used during the feature extraction process.
Mashup Creation Using a Mashup Rule Language

A mashup is an application that combines functionalities of other applications to create a new service. In this paper, we propose an ontology-based system by which users without programming experiences can easily construct mashups of Web resources. The system allows users to define their own search parameters using a rule language and ex- pands users' queries using the concepts in ontologies. Then it generates a web page spe- cific to that request. We show how the proposed system can be used to create personal- ized mashups in the context of adaptive hypermedia.
Identification of potential therapeutic targets for papillary thyroid carcinoma by bioinformatics analysis

The aim of the present study was to identify potential therapeutic targets for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and to investigate the possible mechanism underlying this disease. The gene expression profile, GSE53157, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Only 10 chips, including 3 specimens of normal thyroid tissues and 7 specimens of well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas, were analyzed in the present study. Differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) between PTC patients and normal individuals were identified. Next, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses of DEGs were performed. Modules in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were identified. Significant target genes were selected from the microRNA (miRNA) regulatory network. Furthermore, the integrated network was constructed with the miRNA regulatory and PPI network modules, and key target genes were screened. A total of 668 DEGs were identified. Modules M1, M2 and M3 were identified from the PPI network. From the modules, DEGs of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A, S100 calcium binding protein A6 (S100A6), dual specificity phosphatase 5, keratin 19, met proto-oncogene (MET) and lectin galactoside-binding soluble 3 were included in the Malacards database. In the miRNA regulatory and integrated networks, genes of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (CDKN1C), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, basic helix-loop-helix family, member e40 and reticulon 1 were the key target genes. S100A6, MET and CDKN1C may exhibit key roles in the progression and development of PTC, and may be used as specific therapeutic targets in the treatment of PTC. However, further experiments are required to confirm these results.
Approaches and lessons in political career research: Babel or pieces of a patchwork?

Political careers are a classic subject of elite studies. Scholars have sought to understand what affects political profiles and career patterns’ formation. However, political career research is characterized by a variety of approaches and explanations, which often do not communicate each other. A framework that integrates existing contributions is lacking, and this undermines the process of accumulation of knowledge. A comprehensive assessment of the literature is necessary in view of this potentially welcomed undertaking. After a conceptual introduction, I provide here a general overview of the approaches used in political career research, classifiable into two main schools. It is stressed their theoretical arguments, methodological strategies, and deficits. The note will provide bases for developing further the research field, by underling epistemological, theoretical, and methodological lessons.
Adiposity and Age are Statistically Related to Enhanced RASSF1A Tumor Suppressor Gene Promoter Methylation in Normal Autopsy Kidney Tissue

Age, adiposity, and smoking are risk factors for the development of renal cell carcinoma. Hypermethylation of the RAS association domain family 1A gene (RASSF1A) promoter belongs to the most frequently detected epigenetic alterations in human cancers including renal cell carcinoma. RASSF1A is functionally involved in cell cycle control in normal cells and depletion promotes a number of cellular changes increasing the risk for neoplastic growth. We investigated the hypothesis that age, modulated by the factors adiposity and anthracosis as a surrogate for smoking, is a predictor of RASSF1A promoter methylation in normal kidney tissue. Using a cross-sectional study design, we quantitatively analyzed RASSF1A methylation in 78 normal autopsy kidney tissues by quantitative combined bisulfite and restriction analysis and bisulfite sequencing, and statistically evaluated the degree of relative methylation for a relationship with the predictor age and study factors adiposity and state of anthracosis. Statistical analysis showed that age (regression analysis; P < 0.001), adiposity (univariate analysis; P = 0.016), and state of anthracosis (t test; P = 0.005) are each significantly associated with an increase of RASSF1A promoter methylation in normal kidney tissue. However, only age (P = 0.008) and adiposity (P = 0.008) were identified as independent predictors of RASSF1A promoter methylation using covariance analysis. This study provides statistical evidence that the common cancer risk factors age and adiposity enhance RASSF1A promoter methylation in nonmalignant kidney tissue. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(12):2526–32)
State Space and Unobserved Component Models: Resampling in state space models

Resampling the innovations sequence of state space models has proved to be a useful tool in many respects. For example, while under general conditions, the Gaussian MLEs of the parameters of a state space model are asymptotically normal, several researchers have found that samples must be fairly large before asymptotic results are applicable. Moreover, problems occur if the any of parameters are near the boundary of the parameter space. In such situations, the bootstrap applied to the innovation sequence can provide an accurate assessment of the sampling distributions of the parameter estimates. We have also found that a resampling procedure can provide insight into the validity of the model. In addition, the bootstrap can be used to evaluate conditional forecast errors of state space models. The key to this method is the derivation of a reverse-time innovations form of the state space model for generating conditional data sets. We will provide some theoretical insight into our procedures that show why resampling works in these situations, and we provide simulations and data examples that demonstrate our claims.
HIV Treatment as Prevention: Natural Experiments Highlight Limits of Antiretroviral Treatment as HIV Prevention

There is growing enthusiasm for increasing coverage of antiretroviral treatment among HIV-infected people for the purposes of preventing ongoing transmission. Treatment as prevention will face a number of barriers when implemented in real world populations, which will likely lead to the effectiveness of this strategy being lower than proposed by optimistic modelling scenarios or ideal clinical trial settings. Some settings, as part of their prevention and treatment strategies, have already attained rates of HIV testing and use of antiretroviral therapy—with high levels of viral suppression—that many countries would aspire to as targets for a treatment-as-prevention strategy. This review examines a number of these “natural experiments”, namely, British Columbia, San Francisco, France, and Australia, to provide commentary on whether treatment as prevention has worked in real world populations. This review suggests that the population-level impact of this strategy is likely to be considerably less than as inferred from ideal conditions.
Analysis of Unicast Routing Protocols for VANETs

A mobile ad hoc network (MANET) is a kind of self-configuring ad hoc network of mobile routers connected by wireless links. Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) are MANETs used for communication among vehicles, and between vehicles and roadside equipment. In order to create a new routing protocol applied to car-to-car networks, we define some parameters to evaluate the efficiency of some of the existing routing protocols. The 802.11p technology designed for VANET was also used, applying the overhaul implementation, which improves the physical and medium access control layer. Our aim is to obtain routing evaluation parameters to be used in a platform between Simulation of Urban Mobility and Network Simulator. We will use these simulations for the implementation and testing of our own geocast routing protocol meant to send information to other vehicles situated in a given geographical position.
Customization of quality models in software projects to enhance the business value

Software enterprises are developing projects with an iterative focus on yielding better business value and rich customer experience. As business value is the index of revenue generated, global branding and market leadership attaining the business value is very vital for IT enabled enterprises. Since the projects are developed either by technology push or by market pull, top management has the mission of enabling the projects to deliver expected business value rather that just technical success. Though advanced methodologies, modern project management concepts and quality standards are employed in developing projects, enterprises are not deriving expected business value from projects. Due to this lacuna research is undertaken in six enterprises comprising of fifteen projects spread across five major domains of software development with an intensive focus on quality dimension is taken. Industrial process of quality framework which is not adhered to any standard quality model is studied and reasons for projects not being able to deliver expected business value is found. The reasons are addressed in the proposed customized quality model which is very promising to reap expected business value when implemented.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Screening Reading Difficulties.

Early identification of problem readers and appropriate interventions would reduce subsequent failure and would enhance reading skills. Screening instruments measure the risk/probability that reading problems will occur. In this article we discuss c ertain aspects with regard to the most important indices of screening measures: predictive accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. Despite the existence of excellent research in the area, development of a widely accepted, effective screening procedure continues be a scientific challenge.
What Determines the Scope of the Firm Over Time? A Focus on Institutional Relatedness

“What determines the scope of the firm? ” is one of the most fundamental questions in strategic management. We argue that, in addition to product relatedness, a focus on institutional relatedness—defined as an organization's informal linkages with dominant institutions that confer resources and legitimacy—helps answer this question. We address this question both longitudinally (firms in developed and emerging economies over time) and cross-sectionally (developed versus emerging economies), thus contributing to an institution-based theory of corporate diversification.
Language models conditioned on dialog state

We consider various techniques for using the state of the dialog in language modeling. The language models we built were for use in an automated airline travel reservation system. The techniques that we explored include (1) linear interpolation with state specific models and (2) incorporating state information using maximum entropy techniques. We also consider using the system prompt as part of the language model history. We show that using state results in about a relative gain in perplexity and about a percent relative gain in word error rate over a system using a language model with no information of the state.
Elite Schools and Opting In: Effects of College Selectivity on Career and Family Outcomes

Using College and Beyond data and a variant of Dale and Krueger’s matched-applicant approach, we revisit the question of how attending an elite college affects later-life outcomes. We expand the scope by examining additional outcomes and not restricting the sample to full-time workers. For men, controlling for selection eliminates the relationship between college selectivity and earnings; there are also no effects on men’s educational attainment or family outcomes. We find significant effects for women: attending a school with a 100-point-higher average SAT score increases women’s probability of advanced degree attainment and earnings while reducing their likelihood of marriage.