Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of travel and length of home stand/road trip on the home advantage.

The present study investigated the effects of season game number, series game number, length of home stand, length of visitor's road trip, home travel, and visitor travel on the home advantage in minor league Double A baseball (N= 1812 games). Initial analysis indicated that the home team won 55.1% of the games (p .49). Chi-square analyses revealed that the variable of length of visitor's road trip produced the greatest change in the magnitude of home advantage. When the length of visitor's road trip was cross-tabulated with the length of home stand, me change in home advantage was statistically significant for the home team's later series (p<.05). The implications of these results for the various home advantage explanations are discussed, and future directions for home advantage research are offered.
Maternal Effects May Act as an Adaptation Mechanism for Copepods Facing pH and Temperature Changes

Acidification of the seas, caused by increased dissolution of CO2 into surface water, and global warming challenge the adaptation mechanisms of marine organisms. In boreal coastal environments, temperature and pH vary greatly seasonally, but sometimes also rapidly within hours due to upwelling events. We studied if copepod zooplankton living in a fluctuating environment are tolerant to climate change effects predicted for 2100, i.e., a temperature increase of 3°C and a pH decrease of 0.4. Egg production of the copepod Acartia sp. was followed over five consecutive days at four temperature and pH conditions (17°C/ambient pH; 17°C/low pH; 20°C/ambient pH; 20°C/low pH). Egg production was higher in treatments with warmer temperature but the increase was smaller when copepods were simultaneously exposed to warmer temperature and lowered pH. To reveal if maternal effects are important in terms of adaptation to a changing environment, we conducted an egg transplantation experiment, where the produced eggs were moved to a different environment and egg hatching was monitored for three days. When pH changed between the egg production and hatching conditions, it resulted in lower hatching success, but the effect was diminished over the course of the experiment possibly due to improved maternal provisioning. Warmer egg production temperature induced a positive maternal effect and increased the egg hatching rate. Warmer hatching temperature resulted also in earlier hatching. However, the temperature effects appear to be dependent on the ambient sea temperature. Our preliminary results indicate that maternal effects are an important mechanism in the face of environmental change.
Statistical Dialogue Management using Intention Dependency Graph

We present a method of statistical dialogue management using a directed intention dependency graph (IDG) in a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) framework. The transition probabilities in this model involve information derived from a hierarchical graph of intentions. In this way, we combine the deterministic graph structure of a conventional rule-based system with a statistical dialogue framework. The IDG also provides a reasonable constraint on a user simulation model, which is used when learning a policy function in POMDP and dialogue evaluation. Thus, this method converts a conventional dialogue manager to a statistical dialogue manager that utilizes task domain knowledge without annotated dialogue data.
Gender differences in the association of individual social class and neighbourhood unemployment rate with prevalent type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study from the DIAB-CORE consortium

Objective To analyse gender differences in the relationship of individual social class, employment status and neighbourhood unemployment rate with present type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Design Five cross-sectional studies. Setting Studies were conducted in five regions of Germany from 1997 to 2006. Participants The sample consisted of 8871 individuals residing in 226 neighbourhoods from five urban regions. Primary and secondary outcome measures Prevalent T2DM. Results We found significant multiplicative interactions between gender and the individual variables–—social class and employment status. Social class was statistically significantly associated with T2DM in men and women, whereby this association was stronger in women (lower vs higher social class: OR 2.68 (95% CIs 1.66 to 4.34)) than men (lower vs higher social class: OR 1.78 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.58)). Significant associations of employment status and T2DM were only found in women (unemployed vs employed: OR 1.73 (95% CI 1.02 to 2.92); retired vs employed: OR 1.77 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.84); others vs employed: OR 1.64 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.67)). Neighbourhood unemployment rate was associated with T2DM in men (high vs low tertile: OR 1.52 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.96)). Between-study and between-neighbourhood variations in T2DM prevalence were more pronounced in women. The considered covariates helped to explain statistically the variation in T2DM prevalence among men, but not among women. Conclusions Social class was inversely associated with T2DM in both men and women, whereby the association was more pronounced in women. Employment status only affected T2DM in women. Neighbourhood unemployment rate is an important predictor of T2DM in men, but not in women.
Bypass surgery versus coronary angioplasty for revascularization of treated diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes after coronary bypass surgery versus coronary angioplasty in 525 patients with pharmacologically treated diabetes. Diabetic patients constitute a significant portion of patients considered for coronary revascularization. Some studies have shown no difference in long-term outcome when comparing revascularization mode. Recently, the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation reported better survival with bypass surgery over angioplasty in treated diabetic patients. However, the above studies have been limited by small cohorts of diabetic patients. METHODS AND RESULTS By using a single-institution comprehensive database, a retrospective cohort design was used to study 525 consecutive pharmacologically treated diabetic patients who underwent coronary revascularization. Patients treated with surgery (n=246) were statistically similar when comparing age, gender, angina class, and ejection fraction to patients (n=279) treated with angioplasty. Follow-up was complete in 95% of bypass patients and 99% of angioplasty patients. Mean follow-up was 55.5 months. Complete revascularization was accomplished more often in the surgery group (79%) than in the angioplasty group (42%; P<.001). During a 6-year follow-up, repeat revascularization (8% versus 64%; P=.001), cardiac events (32% versus 41%; P=.04), and death (30% versus 37%; P=.08) occurred less in the bypass patients than the angioplasty patients. Multivariable analysis identified age >70 years, ejection fraction <40%, class IV angina, and incomplete revascularization, but not mode of revascularization, as correlates of late mortality. CONCLUSIONS For most pharmacologically treated diabetic patients, freedom from death, myocardial infarction, and subsequent revascularization during long-term follow-up is superior with bypass surgery compared with angioplasty. This worse outcome was mediated in part by the frequent occurrence of incomplete revascularization with angioplasty.
Effect of A Renal Prostaglandin on Distribution of Blood Flow in the Isolated Canine Kidney

In isolated blood-perfused canine kidneys, progressive increases in renal blood flow and its fractional distribution to the inner cortex were correlated with increases in perfusate concentrations of a prostaglandin E-like (PGE-like) substance. The ratio of blood flow to the outer and inner halves of the renal cortex measured by the radioactive-microsphere method changed from 77:23 to 68:32 (P < 0.001) after 90 minutes of perfusion; simultaneously, the concentration of the PGE-like substance increased from 0.04 ng/ml to 0.59 ng/ml (P < 0.02). Thus, the greatest rate of increase in the concentration of the PGE-like substance occurred coincidently with the largest increase in inner cortical blood flow, i.e., from 30 ml/min to 69 ml/min (P < 0.001). During the two subsequent 90-minute perfusion periods, the ratio of outer cortical blood flow to inner cortical blood flow fell to 61:39, and the concentration of the PGE-like substance increased further. When indomethacin was added to the perfusate, the concentration of the PGE-like substance decreased from 1.00 ng/ml to 0.24 ng/ml (P < 0.05), and renal blood flow decreased, especially in the inner cortex where the decline was from 34% to 19% of total renal blood flow (P < 0.05). Thus, renal blood flow was redistributed after indomethacin was administered. PGE2 was infused to determine whether substitution for the loss of circulating PGE-like substance could prevent the effects of indomethacin on the distribution of renal blood flow. Despite administration of exogenous PGE2, renal blood flow redistributed after administration of indomethacin, and the ratio of outer cortical blood flow to inner cortical blood flow increased from 68:32 to 80:20 (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the intrarenal site of synthesis and release of PGE2 determines its action as a local hormone affecting deep cortical blood flow.
Ocean science. Enhanced: internal tides and ocean mixing.

Recent satellite and in situ observations have shown that at ocean ridges and other seafloor topographic features, a substantial amount of energy is transferred from the main ocean tides into "internal tides. " In his Perspective, Garrett explains how these internal waves with tidal periods propagate through the density-stratified deep ocean and eventually break down into turbulence. The resulting mixing affects ocean stratification and ocean circulation. It thus influences climate as well as biological production. The energy for the internal tides is derived from the rotational energy of the Earth-Moon system changes of the length of the day and the distance to the Moon.
Between Commonweal and Competition

The authors leverage insights and theories from the extensive interfirm (business-to-business, or B2B) alliance literature to explore the effect of the sectors of the partners on the governance of infrastructure public–private partnerships (PPPs) as compared with B2B alliances. Their analysis suggests that the sectors of the partners have an important impact on PPP governance, not only because the sector constrains the availability of some governance mechanisms but also because it makes alternative mechanisms available or relevant to the partners. Specifically, the authors predict that PPPs will avoid equity structures and will rely, instead, on less complete and more complex alliance contracts; a restricted scope of activities; and nonequity hostages, such as metagovernance mechanisms or stakeholder involvement. Contrasting with B2B alliances, their analysis also suggests that trust-based governance mechanisms will play a minimal role in the governance of PPPs.
An Approach to Estimating Building Layouts Using Radar and Jump-Diffusion Algorithm

Estimating building layouts using exterior radar measurements is a challenging task involving electromagnetic modeling, many unknown parameters, and a limited number of sensors. We propose using the jump-diffusion algorithm as a powerful stochastic tool that can be used to estimate the number of walls, their unknown positions and other parameters. We develop an efficient iterative procedure that first uses low-frequency transmissions to obtain rough estimates of the building layout. These estimates are then used to initialize the estimation at higher frequencies, thus obtaining more accurate results. We show that with proper frequency selection, the building layout can be estimated using radar measurements at only a few frequencies. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithm in practical situations.
Integrating dynamic thermal via planning with 3D floorplanning algorithm

Incorporating thermal vias into 3D ICs is a promising way to reduce circuit temperature by lowering down the thermal resistances between device layers. In this paper, we integrate dynamic thermal via planning into 3D floorplanning process. Our 3D floorplanning and thermal via planning approaches are implemented in a two-stage approach. Before floorplanning, the temperature-constrained vertical thermal via planning is formulated as a convex programming problem. Based on the analytical solution, blocks are assigned into different layers by solving a sequence of knapsack problems. Then a SA engine is used to generate floorplans of all these layers simultaneously. During floorplanning, thermal vias are distributed horizontally in each layer with white space redistribution to optimize thermal via insertion. Experimental results show that compared to a recent published result from [14], our method can reduce thermal vias by 15% with 38% runtime overhead.
Hippocampal theta rhythm: A tag for short‐term memory

The theta rhythm is the largest extracellular synchronous signal that can be recorded from the mammalian brain, and has been strongly implicated in mnemonic functions of the hippocampus. We advance the proposal that the theta rhythm represents a “tag” for short‐term memory processing in the hippocampus. We propose that the hippocampus receives two main types of input, theta from ascending brainstem‐diencephalo‐septal systems and “information bearing” mainly from thalamocortical and cortical systems. The temporal convergence of activity of these two systems results in the encoding of information in the hippocampus, primarily reaching it via cortical routes. By analogy to processes associated with long‐term potentiation (LTP), we suggest that theta represents a strong depolarizing influence on NMDA receptor‐containing cells of the hippocampus. The temporal coupling of a theta‐induced depolarization and the release of glutamate to these cells from intra‐ and extrahippocampal sources activates them. This, in turn, initiates processes leading to a (short‐term) strengthening of connections between presynaptic (“information bearing”) and postsynaptic neurons of the hippocampus. Theta is selectively present in the rat during active exploratory movements. During exploration, a rat continually gathers and updates information about its environment. If this information is temporally coupled to theta (as with the case of locomotion), it becomes temporarily stored in the hippocampus by mechanisms similar to the early phase of LTP (E‐LTP). If the exploratory behavior of the rat goes unreinforced, these relatively short‐lasting traces (1–3 h) gradually weaken and eventually fade—to be reupdated. On the other hand, if the explorations of the rat lead to rewards (or punishments), additional modulatory inputs to the hippocampus become activated and convert the short‐term, theta‐dependent memory, into long‐term stores. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
History and Use of Relative Importance Indices in Organizational Research

The search for a meaningful index of the relative importance of predictors in multiple regression has been going on for years. This type of index is often desired when the explanatory aspects of regression analysis are of interest. The authors define relative importance as the proportionate contribution each predictor makes to R2, considering both the unique contribution of each predictor by itself and its incremental contribution when combined with the other predictors. The purposes of this article are to introduce the concept of relative importance to an audience of researchers in organizational behavior and industrial/organizational psychology and to update previous reviews of relative importance indices. To this end, the authors briefly review the history of research on predictor importance in multiple regression and evaluate alternative measures of relative importance. Dominance analysis and relative weights appear to be the most successful measures of relative importance currently available. The authors conclude by discussing how importance indices can be used in organizational research.
Expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in mice and the role of glucocorticoids in adipocyte function

Sec. Research Graduate School Committee Under the Copyright Act 1968, this thesis must be used only under the normal conditions of scholarly fair dealing for the purposes of research, criticism or review. In particular no results or conclusions should be extracted from it, nor should it be copied or closely paraphrased in whole or in part without the written consent of the author. Proper written acknowledgement should be made for any assistance obtained from this thesis.
On the Formal Verification of the SNEP Key Agreement Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are expected to play an essential role in the age of pervasive computing. Wide deployments of mission-critical WSNs create concerns about security issues. Security of large scale densely deployed and infrastructure-less wireless networks of resource limited sensor nodes requires efficient key distribution protocols. Perring et al. developed SNEP capable of providing several security services, such as data confidentiality, data authentication, and data freshness. In order to provide assurance that these protocols are verifiable secure and trustworthy it is necessary to perform a formal verification on their design specification. The formal logic of Coffey-Saidha-Newe (CSN) combines the logic of belief and knowledge to evaluate trust and security of communication protocols. In this paper the SNEP key agreement protocol is discussed. A formal verification of SNEP key agreement using the CSN modal logic is presented. Some additional axioms relating to MAC authentication are also presented and used to simplify the verification of protocols that involve MAC authentication.
Expression, tissue distribution, and cellular localization of the antiapoptotic TIP‐B1 protein

TIP‐B1 is a novel 27‐kDa protein isolated from the cytosol of tumornecrosis factor (TNF)‐stimulated cells. Cells preincubated with TIP‐B1are protected from TNF‐induced apoptosis. This study showed that, aswith normal fibroblasts and U937 histiocytic lymphoma, human MCF7mammary adenocarcinoma cells were protected from TNF in aconcentration‐dependent manner by pretreatment with either TNF orpurified TIP‐B1. Immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses indicatedexpression of both TIP‐B1 mRNA and protein in MCF7 cells and heart, kidney, brain, liver, ovary, uterus, thymus, spleen, lymph node, andmammary gland cells throughout their development. Expression of TIP‐B1was heterogeneous, with staining of specific cell types within tissues. Based on the ability of TIP‐B1 to protect both normal and tumor cellsfrom TNF‐induced apoptosis and its broad tissue distribution, withexpression only in select cells within those tissues, a role for TIP‐B1in the regulation of TNF‐induced effects is strongly indicated.
The Relationship between Metalinguistic Knowledge and Learning Outcomes among Undergraduate Students of Chinese

The role of metalinguistic knowledge in learning a foreign/second language is the subject of continuing debate. In this paper we report on a study which explores this issue further with reference to undergraduate students of Chinese as a second/foreign language. The first part of the paper describes the process of developing and validating an instrument designed to elicit information about students' knowledge of the Chinese grammatical system via a pilot study involving undergraduate students of Chinese enrolled in intermediate-level courses at an Australian university. In the second part of the paper, we report on the relationship between various aspects of Chinese grammatical knowledge (as measured by this instrument) and learners' subsequent performance on both continuous assessment tasks and on end-of-semester Chinese language examinations. Findings reveal that while knowledge of the Chinese grammatical system is a good predictor of course performance overall, some aspects of this knowledge are more critical than others, and the knowledge-proficiency relationship varies in strength according to the nature of the assessment task and learners' prior experience of language study. Possible explanations for these findings are offered and suggestions put forward as to how the test described here might be used in future research.
Bridging the Gap: Teacher-Parent Partnerships for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder

There are increasing demands on the education system to meet the needs of students with autism spectrum disorder and the requests of their parents. Teacherparent partnerships may be one avenue to improve services, however teachers often feel unprepared and lack strategies and skills to effectively engage parents. This multilayered article presents a story from a teacher who is a parent of a student with ASD. It is followed by a discussion of the state of teacher preparation programs and barriers that impede successful partnerships. Suggestions for improving partnerships are included.
AMI SZ observations and Bayesian analysis of a sample of six redshift-one clusters of galaxies

We present 16-GHz Sunyaev–Zel’dovich observations using the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager (AMI) and subsequent Bayesian analysis of six galaxy clusters at redshift z ≈ 1 chosen from an X-ray- and infrared-selected sample from Culverhouse et al. In the subsequent analysis, we use two cluster models, an isothermal β-model and a Dark Matter Generalised Navarro-Frenk-White (DM-GNFW) model in order to derive a formal detection probability and the cluster parameters. We detect two clusters (CL J1415+3612 and XMJ 0830+5241) and measure their total masses out to a radius of 200 times the critical density at the respective cluster's redshift. For CL J1415+3612, we find M_(T, 200) = 7.3^(+1.8)_(−1.8) × 10^(14) M_⊙ (β-model) and M_(T, 200) = 10.4^(2.5)_(−2.4) × 10^(14) M_⊙ (DM-GNFW model) and for XMJ0830+5241, we find M_(T, 200) = 3.6^(+1.1)_(−1.1) × 10^(14) M_⊙, (β-model) and M_(T, 200) = 4.7^(+1.4)_(−1.4) × 10^(14) M_⊙ (DM-GNFW model), which agree with each other for each cluster. We also present maps before and after source subtraction of the entire sample and provide 1D and 2D posterior marginalized probability distributions for each fitted cluster profile parameter of the detected clusters. Using simulations which take into account the measured source environment from the AMI Large Array (LA), source confusion noise, cosmic microwave background primordials, instrument noise, we estimate from small-radius (r_(2500)) X-ray data from Culverhouse et al., the detectability of each cluster in the sample and compare it with the result from the Small Array (SA) data. Furthermore, we discuss the validity of the assumptions of isothermality and constant gas mass fraction. We comment on the bias that these small-radius estimates introduce to large-radius SZ predictions. In addition, we follow-up the two detections with deep, single-pointed LA observations. We find a 3σ tentative decrement towards CL J1415+3612 at high resolution and a 5σ high-resolution decrement towards XM J0830+5241.