Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Minimizing the Risk of Bias in Randomized Controlled Trials in Economics

Estimation of empirical relationships is prone to bias. Economists have carefully studied sources of bias in structural and quasi-experimental approaches, but the randomized control trial (RCT) has only begun to receive such scrutiny. This paper argues that several lessons from medicine, derived from analysis of thousands of RCTs establishing a clear link between certain practices and biased estimates, can be used to reduce the risk of bias in economics RCTs. It identifies the subset of these lessons applicable to economics and uses them to assess risk of bias in estimates from economics RCTs published between 2001 and 2011. In comparison to medical studies, most economics studies examined do not report important details on study design necessary to assess risk of bias. Many report practices that suggest risk of bias, though this does not necessarily mean bias resulted. The paper concludes with suggestions on how to remedy these issues.
Race and Surgical Outcomes: It Is Not All Black and White

Background:Studies using Medicare data have suggested that African American race is an independent predictor of death after major surgery. We hypothesized that the apparent adverse effect of race on surgical outcomes is due to confounding by comorbidity, not race itself. Methods:We identified all non-Hispanic white and African American general surgery, private sector patients included in the National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Patient Safety in Surgery Study (2001–2004). Patient characteristics, comorbidities, and postoperative outcomes were collected/analyzed using NSQIP methodology. Characteristics between races were compared using Student t and χ2 tests. Odds ratios (OR) for 30-day morbidity and mortality were calculated using multivariable logistic regression. Results:We identified 34,141 white and 5068 African American patients. African Americans were younger but more likely to undergo emergency surgery and present with hypertension, dyspnea, diabetes, renal failure, open wounds/infection, or advanced American Society of Anesthesiology class (all P < 0.001). African Americans underwent less complex procedures but had higher unadjusted 30-day morbidity (14.33% vs. 12.35%; P < 0.001) and mortality (2.09% vs. 1.65%; P = 0.02). After controlling for comorbidity, African American race had no independent effect on mortality (OR 0.95, (0.74–1.23)) but was associated with a higher risk of postoperative cardiac arrest (OR 2.49, (1.80–3.45)) and renal insufficiency/failure (OR 1.70 (1.32–2.18)). Conclusion:African American race is associated with greater comorbidity and cardiac/renal complications but is not an independent predictor of perioperative mortality after general surgery. Efforts to improve postoperative outcomes in African Americans should focus on reducing the need for emergency surgery and improving perioperative management of comorbid conditions.
Hardware Security of CE Devices [Hardware Matters]

In my previous columns, I have covered various topics, including the evolution of the intellectual property core industry, digital integrated circuit (IC) design flow, high-level perspectives on intellectual property (IP) cores, and the transient fault resiliency of IP cores. Though one of my previous columns focused on providing a generic cognizance about the protection of reusable IP cores, it did not delve deep into the threat models and defense mechanisms against hardware trojans and IP piracy. This column discusses hardware security of consumer electronics (CE) devices, focusing primarily on threat models and defense mechanisms against two major attacks: hardware trojans and IP piracy.
Degradation of LactoSorb Fixation Devices in the Craniofacial Skeleton

AbstractNumerous reports about bioabsorbable internal fixation in the craniofacial skeleton substantiate successful clinical outcomes, especially in pediatric patients. Despite this, little physicochemical data exist to document the rate of device degradation in the human body. In vitro and in vivo animal studies are often used to study the degradation characteristics during product development; however, there has been little effort to correlate preclinical device degradation studies with clinical studies. This study analyzed a fragment of a LactoSorb copolymer plate that was removed from a 17-month-old patient with sagittal synostosis after 3 months’ residence. The retrieval was performed during the second part of a planned 2-stage intervention. The fragment was white, opaque, and very brittle, with some signs of mass loss. The inherent viscosity, a measure of mean molecular weight, was determined to be 0.32 ± 0.02 dL/g. LactoSorb implants, as manufactured, have an inherent viscosity of about 1.30 to 1.55 dL/g. Thus, the inherent viscosity was reduced by approximately 75% to 80% over this 3-month interval in the patient. Assuming an exponential decline in inherent viscosity over time, this corresponds to a half-life of about 40 to 44 days. This may be compared with a half-life of about 36 to 45 days derived from prior in vitro studies. The mass loss observed in the LactoSorb implants also corresponds, qualitatively, to that which has been shown to occur in animal models. Thus, the limited data at hand suggest that the degradation profile of LactoSorb copolymer in this human patient is consistent with that reported in prior in vitro and in vivo animal studies.
Modéliser et faire évoluer le contexte dans des environnements intelligents. Représenter et apprendre des modèles de comportement humain dans des environnements intelligents

This article is composed of two parts. The first part motivates and introduces the notion ofcontext for modelling human behaviour in an intelligent environment. Context is represented by a situation model describing environment, users and their activities. Two example implementations of the situation model conclude the first part. The second part addresses the problem of evolving a situation model using machine learning. Three different methods for evolving and automatically acquiring a situation model and their application are presented: the evolution of a predefined model with feedback, the non-supervised extraction of situations from multimodal data and the supervised learning of a situation model based on video images.
Characterization of the Culturable Subpopulations of Lactobacillus in the Chicken Intestinal Tract as a Resource for Probiotic Development

To gain better understanding of the distributions of the culturable Lactobacillus species in the chicken intestinal tract, we collected ceca, and distal ileum from 10 3-weeks-old broiler chickens. Lactobacillus strains from cecal lumen contents (M-CL), and those associated with mucosa of ceca (M-CM) and ileum (M-IM) were recovered on de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) agar plates, and used for microbiota analysis. The total cecal content (T-CL) was also used directly for microbiota analysis. We purposefully focused on MRS-recovered populations to gain understanding of the culturable subpopulations of Lactobacillus, since the culturability is an important phenotype in order to exploit the chicken gut microbiota as a resource for development of probiotics. The V1–V3 regions of 16S rRNA gene was amplified from genomic DNA samples, and the pooled amplicons were analyzed by MiSeq sequencing with paired-end read 300 cycle option. Among MRS groups, Firmicutes were significantly higher in M-IM and M-CL as compared to M-CM, whereas Proteobacteria were significantly higher in M-CM as compared to M-IM and M-CL at p < 0.05. Among Lactobacillus, L. salivarius (36%) and L. johnsonii (21%) were higher in M-IM as compared to M-CL (L. salivarius, 28%; L. johnsonii, 15%), and M-CM (L. salivarius, 20%; L. johnsonii, 11%). L. crispatus was found significantly higher in M-CL as compared to M-IM (p < 0.01) whereas L. gasseri was found significantly higher in M-IM as compared to M-CM (p < 0.05). L. aviarius, and L. fornicalis were only observed in T-CL. In summary, Lactobacillus populations recovered on MRS vary with different regions and locations in chicken GIT, which might indicate their distinct functional roles in different gastrointestinal tract (GIT) niches, and some species of Lactobacillus are not culturable on MRS agar media. This study is the first attempt to define culturable Lactobacillus subpopulations in the chicken intestinal tract comprehensively using 16S rRNA gene profiling, and the findings of this study will be used as a platform to develop a new strategy for isolation of effective Lactobacillus probiotic candidates based on comparative analyses of chicken gut microbiota.
Microvascular free tissue transfer in elderly patients: The Toronto experience

Microvascular free tissue transfer has become an accepted and versatile method of reconstruction in the head and neck region, offering a one‐stage procedure and thus reducing the number and length of hospital stays. Many of the patients requiring head and neck free flaps are elderly, with concomitant medical problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular compromise, and are therefore potentially at higher risk of adverse outcomes. In addition, they frequently have a history of heavy alcohol and cigarette consumption, which can compound the risks.
Survival models for credit risk estimation

Credit risk models are used to evaluate the insolvency risk caused by credits that enter into default. Many models for credit risk have been developed over the past few decades. In this paper, we focus on those models that can be formulated in terms of the probability of default by using survival analysis techniques. In order to write the default probability in terms of the conditional distribution function of the time to default, in this paper we use the Cox regression model. We compare in terms of cross validation the results of the survival model with respect to classical models employed in the literature, such as generalised linear models based on logistic regression and non parametric techniques based on classification trees. An empirical study, based on real data, illustrates the performance of each model.
Influence of HLA haplotypes on the clinical courses of individuals infected with hepatitis C virus

The human leukocyte antigen is a crucial genetic factor that initiates or regulates immune response by presenting foreign or self antigens to T lymphocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether HLA polymorphism is associated with the onset or progression of liver injury in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We determined HLA class I antigens and class II alleles in 130 hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients (33 carriers with persistently normal alanine transaminase [ALT] values and 97 patients with chronic liver disease [CLD]). HLA class I (A, B) was typed serologically, and class II (DRB1, DQB1) was typed by means of polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. The frequencies of DRB1*0405 and DQB1*0401 were higher in HCV‐infected patients than in uninfected subjects. Among HCV‐infected patients, the frequencies of B54, DRB1*0405, and DQB1*0401 were significantly higher in patients with CLD than in those carriers with persistently normal ALT values, whereas DRB1*1302, DRB1*1101, and DQB1*0604 were more frequently found in carriers with persistently normal ALT values than in patients with CLD. From extended haplotype analyses, in carriers with B54‐DRB1*0405‐DQB1*0401 haplotype, the risk of having liver injury was 13.2 times greater than in carriers with DRB1*0405‐DQB1*0401 but without B54 [P = 0.0015, Haldane odds ratio = 13.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.7–103.8)]. In contrast, carriers with B44‐DRB1*1302‐DQB1*0604 had a 12.7‐fold lower relative risk of developing liver injury compared to those with the haplotype containing B44 but not DRB1*1302‐DQB1*0604 [P = 0.0076, Haldane odds ratio = 0.079 (0.009–0.695)]. Our findings show that extended haplotypes including class I B54 are closely associated with the progression of liver injury, whereas extended haplotypes including class II DRB1*1302‐DQB1*0604 are associated with low hepatitis activity in chronic HCV infection.
Large Scale Project Architectural Surveys

In this article, methodologies are developed of complex surveys, using the Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) technology, both for the characteristics of the building, the documentation particularities of the different spaces and the size of the monumental complex. The developed study case is the monumental complex of the Palacio Real Mayor, part of the Museo de História de la Ciudad de Barcelona (MUHBA). The monumental complex is divided into: The Salón del Tinell, the Chapel of Santa Ágata, and the Romanesque Arcs under the Tinell. This study case requires a high number of positions due to the compartmentalization of the spaces and the degree of interconnection between levels, in both the interior ones and to the four attached exterior spaces. At the end, a total of 230 TLS positions were realized. As the case study is a project of great complexity of spaces and lighting, with methodologies that distinguish the different areas, highlighting the use in the same project of different equipment such as the Scanner Faro Focus3D 120 and the Faro Focus3D X 330 HDR. As the project has a purpose of disclosure, the colour registration must be photorealistic. Therefore, HDR techniques and photographic projection were used, in relation to the characteristics of the buildings. As a dissemination tool, classification processes of the point cloud were performed emphasizing the characteristics of a set of interconnected buildings. These can be decomposed in a stratigraphic approximation, taking into account the different periods of their construction, which are related to other investigations and allow a greater understanding of the historical evolution of the building. A Romanesque architecture building that is building on ancient Roman buildings, and rehabilitated based on Catalan Gothic architecture.
Neck pain combined with arm pain among professional drivers of forest machines and the association with whole-body vibration exposure

The purpose of this study was to investigate the existence of neck pain and arm pain among professional forest machine drivers and to find out if pain were related to their whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 529 forest machine drivers in northern Sweden and the response was 63%. Two pain groups were formed; 1) neck pain; 2) neck pain combined with arm pain. From WBV exposure data (recent measurements made according to ISO 2631–1, available information from reports) and from the self-administered questionnaire, 14 various WBV exposure/dose measures were calculated for each driver. The prevalence of neck pain reported both for the previous 12 months and for the previous 7 d was 34% and more than half of them reported neck pain combined with pain in one or both arms. Analysis showed no significant association between neck pain and high WBV exposure; however, cases with neck pain more often experienced shocks and jolts in the vehicle as uncomfortable. There was no significant association between the 14 WBV measures and type of neck pain (neck pain vs. neck pain combined with arm pain). It seems as if characteristics of WBV exposure can explain neither existence nor the type of neck pain amongst professional drivers of forest machines. The logging industry is important for several industrialised countries. Drivers of forest machines frequently report neuromusculoskeletal pain from the neck. The type of neck pain is important for the decision of treatment modality and may be associated with exposure characteristics at work.
Suppression of defense response in plants by the avrBs3/pthA gene family of Xanthomonas spp.

Effector genes of some plant-pathogenic bacteria, including some members of the avrBs3/pthA effector gene family from Xanthomonas spp. , confer not only genotype-specific disease resistance but also pathogen aggressiveness or virulence. In addition, some effector gene products suppress induction of a nonspecific (or general) hypersensitive response (HR). To determine whether the Xanthomonas avrBs3/pthA gene family members apl1, avrXa7, or avrXa10 also confer suppressor activity, we introduced constructs with each effector gene into Pseudomonas fluorescens 55 that expressed the entire hrp cluster from P. syringae pv. syringae in cosmid pHIR11. When inoculated to tobacco 'Bright Yellow', P fluorescens (pHIR11) induces the HR and expression of four tobacco defense response genes: HIN1, RbohB, PAL, and PR1. When P. fluorescens double transformants that contained pHIR11 and constructs with apl1, avrXa7, or avrXa10 were infiltrated into tobacco, the HR and expression of three defense response genes, RbohB, PAL, and PR1, were suppressed. The suppression of the HR and defense gene expression was more efficient in the transformants with the apl1 and avrXa7 than the transformant with avrXa10. Although expression of other defense genes was suppressed by the double transformants, HIN1 expression was the same level as was observed after infiltration with P. fluorescens (pHIR11), suggesting that HIN1 may not be involved directly in HR. Taken together, our data suggest that avrXa7, avrXa10, and apl1, when delivered to plant cells by the P. syringae pv. syringae hrp secretion system, can suppress nonhost HR and associated phenotypes.
State and Local Governments as Borrowers: Strategic Choices and the Capital Market

State and local governments issue securities to obtain financing for publicly desired projects or activities. A borrower's optimum economic goal is to obtain the lowest cost of capital over the desired repayment schedule. The role of the government's chief financial officer is to design appropriate strategies to achieve this goal within a context of changing market conditions, debt structures, and influences on borrowing choices.
Country Spread, Foreign Interest Rates, and Macroeconomic Fluctuations in Korea *

This paper examines the dynamic relations between the country spread and macroeconomic fluctuations in Korea using a structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) model as well as a calibrated equilibrium model due to Uribe and Yue (2006). Our empirical analysis shows that the country spread has a small but significant influence on the short-run macroeconomic activities of the Korean economy. We also find that the U.S. and Japanese interest rate shocks have quite different effects on the real activities in Korea. Finally, the calibrated model produces results that are largely consistent with the results from the SVAR model, although there are some gaps to be explained.
Investigation the Combination of the Bullwhip Effect Weakening and the Anti-Bullwhip Effect Strengthen

The process of supply chain operations, while the presence of the bullwhip effect and anti- bullwhip effect, taking into account only the cost of the supply chain, demand deviation, this presence makes the bullwhip effect due to the limited rationality driven weakening the anti-bullwhip effect strengthened so that the upstream and downstream in the supply chain cycle will show the combined effects of the weakening of the bullwhip effect and strengthening the anti-bullwhip effect, the combined effects of individual enterprises to achieve the low average inventory costs also means that the whole supply chain inventory minimum and the overall market demand for the lowest deviation, indirectly, automatically eliminated from the overall bullwhip effect or anti-bullwhip effect, making the whole supply chain whether short-term or long-term point of view is the best long-term, but also to supply chain bring significant strategic advantage.
PROMPT: Personalized User Tag Recommendation for Social Media Photos Leveraging Personal and Social Contexts

Social media platforms such as Flickr allow users to annotate photos with descriptive keywords, called, tags with the goal of making multimedia content easily understandable, searchable, and discoverable. However, manual annotation is very time-consuming and cumbersome for most users, which makes it difficult to search relevant photos. Moreover, predicted tags for a photo are not necessarily relevant to users' interests. Thus, it necessitates for an automatic tag prediction system that considers users' interests and describes objective aspects of the photo such as visual content and activities. To this end, this paper presents a tag recommendation system, called, PROMPT, that recommends personalized tags for a given photo leveraging personal and social contexts. Specifically, first, we determine a group of users who have similar tagging behavior as the user of the photo, which is very useful in recommending personalized tags. Next, we find candidate tags from visual content, textual metadata, and tags of neighboring photos, and recommends five most suitable tags. We initialize scores of the candidate tags using asymmetric tag co-occurrence probabilities and normalized scores of tags after neighbor voting, and later perform random walk to promote the tags that have many close neighbors and weaken isolated tags. Finally, we recommend top five user tags to the given photo. Experimental results on a Flickr dataset (46,700 photos in the test set and 28 million photos in the train set) with 1,540 unique user tags confirm that the proposed algorithm outperforms state-of-the-arts.
Identification of a SEDL gene mutation in an individual with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia

Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda (SEDT, SED tarda, OMIM313400) is anX-linked recessive osteochondrodysplasia characterized by disproportionately short stature and degenerative joint disease. In 1974, a patient was described who had a combination of both SEDT and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON, Fig. 1A) [Hodess and Harter, 1974]. This association was unique and a correlation between the two disorders hasnot been found inany otherLHONfamilies since.
Section 7 and the Politics of Social Justice

This paper examines the transformative potential of section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its potential usefulness in the struggle against social and economic injustice central to Canadian society. Can section 7 of the Charter encompass the protection of social and economic rights? In other words, can section 7 be interpreted to capture the progressive goal of economic redistribution? Three separate issues are considered, each providing different perspectives on the issue. First jurisprudence (doctrine) is considered, i.e. how section 7 can encompass substantive claims to economic redistributive justice. Secondly, the institutional appropriateness and justiciability of socio-economic rights is discussed, including positive and negative rights, budgetary implications, and judicial capacity. Finally, constitutional politics dominant across political, legal, and social elites in Canada are discussed.