Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (formerly ‘electromagnetic hypersensitivity’): An updated systematic review of provocation studies

Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI‐EMF; formerly ‘electromagetic hypersensitivity’) is a medically unexplained illness in which subjective symptoms are reported following exposure to electrical devices. In an earlier systematic review, we reported data from 31 blind provocation studies which had exposed IEI‐EMF volunteers to active or sham electromagnetic fields and assessed whether volunteers could detect these fields or whether they reported worse symptoms when exposed to them. In this article, we report an update to that review. An extensive literature search identified 15 new experiments. Including studies reported in our earlier review, 46 blind or double‐blind provocation studies in all, involving 1175 IEI‐EMF volunteers, have tested whether exposure to electromagnetic fields is responsible for triggering symptoms in IEI‐EMF. No robust evidence could be found to support this theory. However, the studies included in the review did support the role of the nocebo effect in triggering acute symptoms in IEI‐EMF sufferers. Despite the conviction of IEI‐EMF sufferers that their symptoms are triggered by exposure to electromagnetic fields, repeated experiments have been unable to replicate this phenomenon under controlled conditions. A narrow focus by clinicians or policy makers on bioelectromagnetic mechanisms is therefore, unlikely to help IEI‐EMF patients in the long‐term. Bioelectromagnetics 31:1–11, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A 2-year prospective study of human papillomavirus persistence among women with a cytological diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion.

BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Most infections and associated lesions clear spontaneously. It is important to define the determinants and timing of clearance, so that viral persistence can be recognized and managed. METHODS We investigated HPV natural history among 4504 subjects from ALTS (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance/Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions Triage Study). A discrete-time Markov model was used to simultaneously describe the prevalence, incidence, and persistence of type-specific HPV infection over 24 months in women with equivocal or mildly abnormal cytological results. Interactions between multiple HPV types infecting the same woman were examined for incidence of new infection (after an HPV-16 infection) and persistence of a current infection within groups defined by phylogenetic relatedness or by carcinogenicity. RESULTS Ninety-one percent (95% credible interval [CI], 90%-92%) of prevalent HPV infections at enrollment cleared within 24 months. The probability that an infection would persist for a further 6 months increased with the duration of infection, from 37% (95% CI, 35%-39%) for a newly observed infection to 65% (95% CI, 61%-70%) for an infection that had already persisted for > or =18 months. No consistent evidence of interactions was found between multiple HPV types regarding the incidence of new infection after an HPV-16 infection or regarding persistence of current HPV infection. CONCLUSION Although virtually all HPV infections clear within 2 years, the remaining infections have a high potential for persistence and, by implication, progression to precancer and cancer. Once biological and behavioral determinants are controlled for, HPV infections with different types seem to be independent of each other.
Form, function, and frequency in phonological variation

Abstract Formal and usage-based approaches to phonology make competing predictions that can be tested with variationist methodology. This paper investigates formal, functional, and frequency effects on (t/d)-deletion in Canadian English. Although initial results suggest a correlation between lexical frequency and deletion, once interaction and lexical effects are taken into account, only phonological and morphological factor groups are significant. Previous reports of frequency effects may result from different measurements of frequency and the contribution of overlapping factor groups. These results suggest that frequency does not operate monotonically but interacts dynamically with the lexicon.
Characterization of the Upper Respiratory Tract Microbiomes of Patients with Pandemic H1N1 Influenza

The upper respiratory tract microbiome has an important role in respiratory health. Influenza A is a common viral infection that challenges that health, and a well-recognized sequela is bacterial pneumonia. Given this connection, we sought to characterize the upper respiratory tract microbiota of individuals suffering from the pandemic H1N1 influenza A outbreak of 2009 and determine if microbiome profiles could be correlated with patient characteristics. We determined the microbial profiles of 65 samples from H1N1 patients by cpn60 universal target amplification and sequencing. Profiles were examined at the phylum and nearest neighbor “species” levels using the characteristics of patient gender, age, originating health authority, sample type and designation (STAT/non-STAT). At the phylum level, Actinobacteria-, Firmicutes- and Proteobacteria-dominated microbiomes were observed, with none of the patient characteristics showing significant profile composition differences. At the nearest neighbor “species” level, the upper respiratory tract microbiomes were composed of 13-20 “species” and showed a trend towards increasing diversity with patient age. Interestingly, at an individual level, most patients had one to three organisms dominant in their microbiota. A limited number of discrete microbiome profiles were observed, shared among influenza patients regardless of patient status variables. To assess the validity of analyses derived from sequence read abundance, several bacterial species were quantified by quantitative PCR and compared to the abundance of cpn60 sequence read counts obtained in the study. A strong positive correlation between read abundance and absolute bacterial quantification was observed. This study represents the first examination of the upper respiratory tract microbiome using a target other than the 16S rRNA gene and to our knowledge, the first thorough examination of this microbiome during a viral infection.
Resource Management in Wireless Networks

A local call admission control (CAC) algorithm for third generation wireless networks was designed and implemented, which allows for the simulation of network throughput for different spreading factors and various mobility scenarios. A global CAC algorithm is also implemented and used as a benchmark since it is inherently optimized; it yields the best possible performance but has an intensive computational complexity. Optimized local CAC algorithm achieves similar performance as global CAC algorithm at a fraction of the computational cost. Design of a dynamic channel assignment algorithm for IEEE 802.11 wireless systems is also presented. Channels are assigned dynamically depending on the minimal interference generated by the neighboring access points on a reference access point. Analysis of dynamic channel assignment algorithm shows an improvement by a factor of 4 over the default settings of having all access points use the same channel, resulting significantly higher network throughput.
Robust estimates in generalized partially linear models

In this paper, we introduce a family of robust estimates for the parametric and nonparametric components under a generalized partially linear model, where the data are modeled by y i |(x i ,t i ) ∼ F(,μi) with μi, = H(η(t i ) +X T i β), for some known distribution function F and link function H. It is shown that the estimates of β are root-n consistent and asymptotically normal. Through a Monte Carlo study, the performance of these estimators is compared with that of the classical ones.
Methods for Studying Activation of Matrix Metalloproteinases

The degradation of the extracellular matrix during development and in disease is thought to result from the combined action of several proteolytic enzyme systems, including the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), serine proteinases, and cysteine proteinases. The majority of the soluble MMPs are synthesized as proenzymes which require extracellular activation in order to gain proteolytic activity and the analysis of their activation mechanism is a prerequisite for understanding MMP-mediated proteolysis. The emphasis of this chapter is the provision of the experimental tools to study MMP activation in vitro and in cellular model systems. Hence, we use the activation of procollagenase-3 (proMMP-13) and progelatinase A (proMMP-2) as examples of the methods used.
Variations on Masturbatory Conditioning

Four pedophiles, one sado-masochist, and one rapist were treated by varying different aspects of a single paradigm of masturbatory conditioning. In the basic paradigm, subjects masturbate to ejaculation while speaking their fantasies aloud. Weekly blocks of five trials with a deviant theme are alternated with weekly blocks where the theme is nondeviant. Evaluation sessions to assess levels of response to deviant and nondeviant slide stimuli are typically conducted later in each treatment day. The usual result is an increase in nondeviant arousal with a concomitant decrease in deviant arousal. Variations in the masturbation procedure included shortening the treatment week from 5 days to 2 or 3, alternating themes on a daily rather than weekly basis, and omitting the use of deviant imagery. In the evaluation sessions variations included the preparation of individually tailored audiotaped fantasies precisely expressive of the subjects' interests, the use of videotaped simulations of rape, assault, and consenting intercourse, and obtaining numerous measures of the subjects' cognitive changes during the treatment process. All six subjects showed the effect of decreasing their deviant sexual arousal and increasing their nondeviant arousal. The results were discussed from various viewpoints employing a cognitive-behavioral model.
Teacher Race and Expectations for Student Achievement

This study investigated whether the race of elementary school teachers in black schools was associated with teachers' expectations for student achievement and perceptions of effort. A factor analysis revealed four clusters of items dealing with teacher perceptions of elementary school students' achievement and effort, and teachers' expectations for future student success in high school and college. Controlling for teachers' sex, education and years of teaching experience, and average school achievement and SES, teacher race was associated only with expectations for college success. Black teachers expected more of their students to enter and complete college than white teachers. Additional evidence suggested that this teacher race difference was relatively independent of the student racial composition of the schools. The implications of teacher race as a determinant of differential expectations for the success of black students are discussed.
Emergency contraception: knowledge and perception of female undergraduates in the niger delta of Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the knowledge of, and perception of female undergraduates in the Niger Delta of Nigeria towards Emergency Contraception. METHODS Anonymous self administered questionnaires were applied to randomly selected non-medical female undergraduates of the University of Port Harcourt in May 2005. RESULTS Six hundred questionnaires were retrieved out of 610 distributed. The respondents were between 17-30 years. Those reported to have ever had sex were 85.3%; most of whom (98.4%) have previously used some forms of contraception. About 50.7% of 600 respondents were aware of emergency contraception; amongst which reports of friends/peers as the source of knowledge ranked highest (33.55%). About 88.2% of those that are aware of Emergency Contraception knew the correct timing. More than half (57.9%) did not know correct dosage of the available post-coital pill. While half (50.7%) of those having knowledge of postcoital pills agree to the efficacy; only a third (35.53%) agreed to have actually used it. CONCLUSION The awareness and use of Emergency Contraception amongst female undergraduates in Niger Delta region of Nigeria is low. Prompt education of this group of students in Emergency Contraception should be encouraged with emphasis on available methods and correct timing of use.
Complete esophageal obstruction after endoscopic variceal band ligation

Endoscopic variceal band ligation (EVL) is the endoscopic therapy of choice for esophageal varices. We present a very rare complication of EVL: complete esophageal obstruction [1]. A 64-year-old woman with cirrhosis was admitted for her fourth EVL. During the procedure, esophageal mucosal scarring from previous ligation, mild stenosis of the lower third of the esophagus, and a single large varix were identified. The large varix was ligated with only one band (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Indiana, USA). The banded varix almost occluded the esophageal lumen (●" Fig.1, ●" Video 1). The patient was sent home asymptomatic. Dysphagia, vomiting, and chest paindeveloped, and she returned to our emergency department appearing ill. The physical examination findingswerenormal. AGastrografin swallow showed esophageal dilatation with complete obstruction at the distal esophagus (●" Fig.2). During upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, black mucosa and a complete esophageal obstruction were found at the site of the previous banding (●" Fig.3,●" Video 2). The patient was given nothing by mouth for 7 days, afterwhichshewas able to toleratea liquid diet. By day 11, she could tolerate a full diet. At4months afterEVL, she is asymptomatic. Complete esophageal obstruction is a very rare event. To our knowledge, only three other cases have been reported in the literature. Verma et al. [2] and Nikoloff et al. [3] separately reported patients with complete esophageal obstruction after a second EVL procedure. Both patients completely recovered with only supportive therapy. Chahal et al. [4] reported a similar patient; however, they tried unsuccessfully to reopen the esophagus with a biopsy forceps, and esophageal dissection occurred. The patient completely recovered without further intervention. Several factors andmechanisms can be involved in the development of an esophageal obstruction, such as a large size of the varix, the excessive use of suction, mucosal scarring due to previous ligation procedures, and esophageal stenosis. It is suggested that this complication may be prevented with a correct banding technique and careful suctioning of the esophageal varix. Most of the time, only supportive therapy is needed. Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CPL_1AH_2AJ
Cerebral proliferative angiopathy

Cerebral proliferative angiopathy is a rare lesion marked by diffuse intravascular shunting, which should be differentiated from brain arteriovenous malformations. A patient is presented with cerebral proliferative angiopathy and documented progressive development of hypervascular shunting involving extensive portions of the left hemisphere. The patient had angiographic and laboratory evidence of angiogenesis and a progressive neurologic deterioration which corresponded to the development of her lesion. This is the first case which documents the progressive proliferative changes seen with this abnormality.
SQL language summary

SQL is a relational database data sublanguage. It is not a complete programming language, but depends on the I/O and control facilities of a host language. It is both a de jure and a de facto standard. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) has published three generations of SQL, as has ISO (International Organization for Standardization). X/Open, a consortium, has also published an SQL specification. Chamberlin and Boyce [1974] published the first paper on what became SQL, based on Codd’s mathematical foundation for logical representation and manipulation of data [Codd 1974]. In 1978, ANSI began to standardize a data definition language for the network database language then being designed by CODASYL; Technical Committee X3H2 was formed for this project, which soon evolved to encompass the entire network database language, published in 1986 as Database Language NDL. X3H2 recognized the importance of the relational model and initiated a project based on Chamberlin’s work. In cooperation with the corresponding ISO group, the SQL specification was developed and published in 1986. SQL-86 omitted support for referential integrity, but SQL-89 added basic referential integrity. SQL-86 and SQL-89 were rightly criticized as inadequate for real applications. In 1992, a major new version, SQL-92, was published, containing features that allowed significant applications without vendor extensions [ANSI 1992; ISO 1992]. SQL has proved key in the success of relational database management systems and is central to many areas, ranging from traditional MIS applications to scientific research. The fourth generation of SQL is currently being prepared. SQL3 adds significant new facilities, including support for object technology, and is partitioned into several parts that can progress independently. See Melton and Simon [1993] for a comprehensive introduction to the SQL language.
AGE DIFFERENCES IN THE EXPERIENCE OF REGRET IN JAPAN: COMMISSION VERSUS OMISSION IN THE INTERPERSONAL AND SELF-DOMAINS

Regret is a painful experience. In order to manage regret, previous studies showed that older people were more likely to change their cognitions than change the situations, compared to younger people. This age difference in the management of regret may affect what exactly people regret, though the nature of situations may constrain the age effect. In this study, Japanese adults (N = 815, age range: 20–85 years) reported the greatest regret of their lives via an internet survey. As the results, older people were more likely to regret their acts of commissions than younger people in the domain of self, whereas no age effect emerged in the interpersonal domain. Moreover, content analyses showed (i) higher proportions of regret related to interpersonal relationships than found by previous studies, and (ii) main effects of age and educational level on regret. We discussed the experience of regret during each stage of life.
Sampling for Conditional Inference on Case–Control Data

Summary The problem of exact conditional inference for discrete multivariate case–control data has two forms. The first is grouped case–control data, where Monte Carlo computations can be done using the importance sampling method of Booth and Butler (1999, Biometrika86, 321–332), or a proposed alternative sequential importance sampling method. The second form is matched case–control data. For this analysis we propose a new exact sampling method based on the conditional‐Poisson distribution for conditional testing with one binary and one integral ordered covariate. This method makes computations on data sets with large numbers of matched sets fast and accurate. We provide detailed derivation of the constraints and conditional distributions for conditional inference on grouped and matched data. The methods are illustrated on several new and old data sets.
Impact of Atomic Layer Deposition to Nanophotonic Structures and Devices

We review the significance of optical thin films by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) method to fabricate nanophotonic devices and structures. ALD is a versatile technique to deposit functional coatings on reactive surfaces with conformal growth of compound materials, precise thickness control capable of angstrom resolution and coverage of high aspect ratio nanostructures using wide range of materials. ALD has explored great potential in the emerging fields of photonics, plasmonics, nano-biotechnology, and microelectronics. ALD technique uses sequential reactive chemical reactions to saturate a surface with a monolayer by pulsing of a first precursor (metal alkoxides or covalent halides), followed by reaction with second precursor molecules such as water to form the desired compound coatings. The targeted thickness of the desired compound material is controlled by the number of ALD cycles of precursor molecules that ensures the self limiting nature of reactions. The conformal growth and filling of TiO2 and Al2O3 optical material on nanostructures and their resulting optical properties have been described. The low temperature ALD-growth on various replicated sub-wavelength polymeric gratings is discussed.
Bidding for Incomplete Contracts: An Empirical Analysis of Adaptation Costs

Procurement contracts are often renegotiated because of changes that are required after their execution. Using highway paving contracts we show that renegotiation imposes significant adaptation costs. Reduced form regressions suggest that bidders respond strategically to contractual incompleteness and that adaptation costs are an important determinant of their bids. A structural empirical model compares adaptation costs to bidder markups and shows that adaptation costs account for 7.5-14 percent of the winning bid. Markups from private information and market power, the focus of much of the auctions literature, are much smaller by comparison. Implications for government procurement are discussed.
Power line interference removal from ECG signals using wavelet transform based component-retrieval

Power line interference (PLI) is a major source of noise in the ECG signal which can severely affect its interpretation. Moderate PLI can mask the finer features of the underlying signal whereas severe interference can completely overwhelm it. The techniques for PLI removal proposed in the literature are mostly based on fixed notch and adaptive filters. The fixed notch filters perform poorly in case of PLI frequency variations, whereas adaptive filters suffer from issues such as slow convergence and requirement of an external reference signal. In this paper, we propose an alternative approach for PLI removal from the ECG signal which overcomes the limitations of both fixed and adaptive filters. We model the PLI as an AM-FM component and use wavelet transform (WT) based component retrieval technique that is inspired by the synchrosqueezing framework to retrieve the PLI component, which is subtracted from the contaminated signal to remove the interference. The proposed method is evaluated in two worst-case scenarios of PLI frequency and amplitude variation, for healthy and pathological cases and the simulation results show significantly better performance of the proposed method over fixed and adaptive filtering techniques, as quantified by the performance indices.
The swept rule for breaking the latency barrier in time advancing two-dimensional PDEs

This article describes a method to accelerate parallel, explicit time integration of two-dimensional unsteady PDEs. The method is motivated by our observation that latency, not bandwidth, often limits how fast PDEs can be solved in parallel. The method is called the swept rule of space-time domain decomposition. Compared to conventional, space-only domain decomposition, it communicates similar amount of data, but in fewer messages. The swept rule achieves this by decomposing space and time among computing nodes in ways that exploit the domains of influence and the domain of dependency, making it possible to communicate once per many time steps with no redundant computation. By communicating less often, the swept rule effectively breaks the latency barrier, advancing on average more than one time step per ping-pong latency of the network. The article presents simple theoretical analysis to the performance of the swept rule in two spatial dimensions, and supports the analysis with numerical experiments.