Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulation Study: Introduction of Imputation Methods for Missing Data in Longitudinal Analysis

Missing data are vital subject to perform a proper longitudinal analysis. Some just ignore and discard all missing data to have complete dataset. However, it can result in a very substantial loss of information. Therefore, it is important to comprehend imputation methods of handling missing data. This paper discusses four common imputation methods for longitudinal analysis. Then, using simulation study, comparison and accuracy of these imputation methods are illustrated. The final section provides summary.
Framework for Analyzing Android I/O Stack Behavior: From Generating theWorkload to Analyzing the Trace

Abstract: The existing I/O workload generators and trace capturing tools are not adaptable to generating nor capturing the I/O requests of Android apps. The Android platform needs proper tools to capture and replay real world workload in the Android platform to verify the result of benchmark tools. This paper introduces Android Storage Performance Analysis Tool, AndroStep, which is specifically designed for characterizing and analyzing the behavior of the I/O subsystem in Android based devices. The AndroStep consists of Mobibench (workload generator), MOST (Mobile Storage Analyzer), and Mobigen (workload replayer). Mobibench is an Android app that generates a filesystem as well as SQLite database operations. Mobibench can also vary the number of concurrent threads to examining the filesystem scalability to support concurrency, e.g., metadata updates, journal file creation/deletion. MOST captures the trace and extracts key filesystem access characteristics such as access pattern with respect to file types, ratio between random vs. sequential access, ratio between buffered vs. synchronous I/O, fraction of metadata accesses, etc. MOST implements reverse mapping feature (finding an inode for a given block) and retrospective reverse mapping (finding an inode for a deleted file). Mobigen is a trace capturing and replaying tool that is specifically designed to perform the user experiment without actual human intervention. Mobigen records the system calls generated from the user behavior and sanitizes the trace for replayable form. Mobigen can replay this trace on different Android platforms or with different I/O stack configurations. As an example of using AndroStep, we analyzed the performances of twelve Android smartphones and the SQLite performances on five different filesystems. AndroStep makes otherwise time consuming I/O stack analysis extremely versatile. AndroStep makes a significant contribution in terms of shedding light on internal behavior of the Android I/O stack.
Pineal Parenchymal Tumors: CT and MR Features

Objective Our goal was to characterize the CT, MR, and pathologic features of pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs). Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed 19 cases of resected PPTs with pathologic confirmation [10 pineocytomas (PCs). I mixed pineocytoma-pineoblastoma (PC-PB), and 8 pineoblastomas (PBs)], noting clinical, CT, and MRI features. Results Six male and four female patients presented with PC, one female patient with mixed PC-PB, and seven female and one male patient with PB. The CT imaging revealed 6 of 10 round and 6 of 10 small- to medium-sized masses; 7 of 9 were homogeneous, I of which appeared cystic. The mixed PC-PB was round and homogeneous. Eight precontract CT scans of PCs and the PC-PB demonstrated calcifications, either peripheral (four of eight) or central (four of eight, including the mixed tumor). Pineocytomas were hypodense (five of seven) tumors, with heterogeneous postcontrast enhancement (five of seven). Most PBs (six of eight) were lobulated, and five of eight were homogeneous. Four of eight PBs imaged with CT were noncalcified hyperdense masses, which enhanced homogeneously. Pineocytomas and the PC-PB had variable signal intensity on MRI. Most PBs were hypo- to isointense on T1-weighted images, and six of six enhanced heterogeneously postgadolinium. Conclusion Pineocytomas are predominantly smaller, round, hypodense, homogeneous masses with calcifications, particularly peripheral. They enhance heterogeneously on CT and present with a lesser degree of hydrocephalus in older patients. Pineoblastomas, on the other hand, are larger, lobulated, homogeneous tumors, are infrequently calcified, and present with a greater degree of hydrocephalus, often in young females. They tend to be hyperdense on CT and hypo- to isointense on T1-weighted images and enhance homogeneously on CT and heterogeneously on MRI.
A Framework for Planning Youth Sport Programs That Foster Psychosocial Development

Although there is considerable interest in the use of sport as a vehicle to promote psychosocial development in youth, little is known about the specific content or implementation strategies that are likely to account for positive outcomes. In this article, a brief review of current literature and a working definition of youth development through sport are provided to lay a foundation for a framework for planning youth sport programs that are structured to promote psychosocial development in participants. The components of the framework are outlined and suggestions for research, evaluation, and program development are offered.
Leaf Phosphate Status, Photosynthesis, and Carbon Partitioning in Sugar Beet (IV. Changes with Time Following Increased Supply of Phosphate to Low-Phosphate Plants)

Changes in photosynthesis, carbon partitioning, and growth following resupply of orthophosphate (Pi) to moderately P-deficient plants (low-P) were determined for sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L. cv F58–554H1) cultured hydroponically in growth chambers. One set of plants was supplied with 1.0 mM Pi in half-strength Hoagland solution (control plants), and a second set (low-P plants) was supplied with 0.05 mM Pi. At the end of 2 weeks, the low-P plants were resupplied with 1.0 mM Pi. Low-P plants rapidly accumulated large amounts of Pi, and the photosynthesis rate increased to control values within 4 to 6 h. The rate of photosynthesis appeared to be controlled by ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP); low P reduced photosynthesis and RuBP levels, and P resupply increased photosynthesis and RuBP in a manner parallel with time. Low-P treatment reduced adenylate levels substantially but not nicotinamide nucleotides; adenylate levels recovered to control values over 3 to 6 h. With low P, more photosynthate is allocated to non-P carbon compounds (e.g. starch, sucrose) than to sugar phosphates. When P is resupplied, sugar phosphates increase as starch and sucrose pools decrease; this increase in leaf (chloroplast) sugar phosphates was most likely responsible for the increases in RuBP and photosynthesis and may have increased adenylate levels (through enhanced levels of ribose-5-phosphate).
A tower layered algorithm for medical image segmentation

This paper proposes an algorithm named Tower Layered FCM to improve the traditional FCM method. A Tower layered structure with a constraint is added into the objective function and pixel's neighbor information is rational used. The Tower layered structure can speed up the algorithm and constraint the subordinate degree of pixels. So the subordinate degree of clustering center is made more reasonable. The experimental result shows that the new algorithm can save detail image information and it is more efficient than the traditional FCM.
The role of processes and contents in human memory: An item response theory approach

This study investigated the specificities and communalities of visuospatial and verbal memory contents, as well as short-term memory and working memory (STM and WM) processes with the use of Rasch models as an alternative to the previous studies based on the classical test theory. A sample of 547 undergraduate students executed four computerised tasks, each consisting of verbal-numeric WM, visuospatial WM, verbal-numeric STM, and visuospatial STM content. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that visuospatial and verbal-numeric memory are distinct, but correlated variables. Findings also support a domain-general view of WM capacity distinct from domain-specific storage. With the use of Rasch models, our results confirm previous experimental, psychometric, and neuropsychological studies, highlighting that memory span tasks can be divided into separate subsystems for content and processes. This study also shows that better results are obtained when models with person parameter estimates (provided from Rasch models) are adopted, rather than summed raw scores.
Influence of Interferon-&ggr; on the Extent and Phenotype of Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis in the LDLR-Deficient Mouse

Objective—The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of interferon-&ggr; (IFN-&ggr;) on atherosclerosis in low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)–null mice. Methods and Results—We cross-bred IFN-&ggr;–deficient mice with LDLR-null mice and analyzed lipoprotein profiles and atherosclerosis in the compound mutant progeny after 8 and 20 weeks on a cholesterol-enriched diet. IFN-&ggr; deficiency did not affect serum cholesterol levels or lipoprotein profiles, but it did affect the extent and phenotype of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic lesions in IFN-&ggr;–deficient mice were reduced by 75% in the aortic arch and by 46% in the descending aorta compared with control mice after 8 weeks on the diet. After 20 weeks, arch lesions were reduced by 43%, and descending aorta lesions were reduced by 65% in IFN-&ggr;–deficient mice compared with controls. At 8 weeks, percent lesional macrophage and smooth muscle content was significantly less in the IFN-&ggr;–deficient mice, but not at 20 weeks. Although there were fewer class II major histocompatibility complex–positive cells in the lesions of IFN-&ggr;–deficient animals compared with controls, class II major histocompatibility complex expression on endothelial cells overlying lesions persisted in the absence of IFN-&ggr;. Conclusions—These data provide direct evidence that IFN-&ggr; influences atherosclerosis development and phenotype in the LDLR-deficient mouse, independent of changes in blood lipoprotein profiles.
Relationships between bullying, psychosocial work environment and individual stress reactions

It is frequently assumed that a poor psychosocial working environment will create conditions that encourage bullying. However, few studies have examined this assumption while comparing work environment ratings of bullied and non-bullied employees who work in the same organization and/or department. The objectives of this study were therefore, first, to investigate relationships between bullying and other psychosocial work environment factors within a particular organizational setting and, second, to investigate if bullied employees reported higher levels of stress than non-bullied employees. A total of 186 blue-collar employees from a Danish manufacturing company participated in the study (response rate of 93%). Results showed significant differences in bullied and non-bullied employees’ ratings of psychosocial factors such as job control, management style, role clarity, social climate, social contact and work centrality. In order to investigate assumptions that a poor psychosocial work environment creates conditions that encourage bullying, a number of analyses compared the company's manufacturing departments with either high, medium or low levels of bullying. Results showed significant departmental differences. Yet, when bullied employees were removed from the statistical analyses, with regard to the perceived psychosocial environment these same departments could be differentiated only on the basis of rated job demands and management style. The results therefore bring into question the assumption that a generally poor work environment contributes to bullying. None the less, they do suggest that management style may directly or indirectly have contributed to a higher level of bullying. Also, bullied employees reported significantly more symptoms of psychological stress and mental fatigue than non-bullied employees.
Interprétation et quantification des prises de risque délibérées

Les societes contemporaines entretiennent un rapport ambivalent au risque : elles sont promptes a s’alarmer pour des risques collectifs, tout en valorisant les prises de risque individuelles. Cet article s’attache a resituer les interpretations sociologiques de ces prises de risque deliberees, en particulier celles de Lyng et Le Breton, dans le cadre de la societe du risque decrite par Beck et Giddens. Les prises de risque apparaissent alors comme la reaction a un environnement devenu tres incertain et anxiogene. Ce cadre interpretatif invite aussi a nuancer l’opposition entre prises de risque adultes et adolescentes. Si les premieres se concretisent plus souvent dans la pratique d’un sport extreme, tandis que les secondes s’averent plus transgressives, il est possible que ce contraste traduise surtout des moyens materiels differencies. Les donnees quantitatives du Barometre Sante 2000 permettent enfin de tester empiriquement quelques hypotheses relatives a ces interpretations.
QoE-Based Low-Delay Live Streaming Using Throughput Predictions

Recently, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)-based adaptive streaming has become the de facto standard for video streaming over the Internet. It allows clients to dynamically adapt media characteristics to the varying network conditions to ensure a high quality of experience (QoE)—that is, minimize playback interruptions while maximizing video quality at a reasonable level of quality changes. In the case of live streaming, this task becomes particularly challenging due to the latency constraints. The challenge further increases if a client uses a wireless access network, where the throughput is subject to considerable fluctuations. Consequently, live streams often exhibit latencies of up to 20 to 30 seconds. In the present work, we introduce an adaptation algorithm for HTTP-based live streaming called LOLYPOP (short for low-latency prediction-based adaptation), which is designed to operate with a transport latency of a few seconds. To reach this goal, LOLYPOP leverages Transmission Control Protocol throughput predictions on multiple time scales, from 1 to 10 seconds, along with estimations of the relative prediction error distributions. In addition to satisfying the latency constraint, the algorithm heuristically maximizes the QoE by maximizing the average video quality as a function of the number of skipped segments and quality transitions. To select an efficient prediction method, we studied the performance of several time series prediction methods in IEEE 802.11 wireless access networks. We evaluated LOLYPOP under a large set of experimental conditions, limiting the transport latency to 3 seconds, against a state-of-the-art adaptation algorithm called FESTIVE. We observed that the average selected video representation index is by up to a factor of 3 higher than with the baseline approach. We also observed that LOLYPOP is able to reach points from a broader region in the QoE space, and thus it is better adjustable to the user profile or service provider requirements.
Applications of Deep Neural Networks for Ultra Low Power IoT

IoT devices are increasing in prevalence and popularity, becoming an indispensable part of daily life. Despite the stringent energy and computational constraints of IoT systems, specialized hardware can enable energy-efficient sensor-data classification in an increasingly diverse range of IoT applications. This paper demonstrates seven different IoT applications using a fully-connected deep neural network (FC-NN) accelerator on 28nm CMOS. The applications include audio keyword spotting, face recognition, and human activity recognition. For each application, a FC-NN model was trained from a preprocessed dataset and mapped to the accelerator. Experimental results indicate the models retained their state-of-the-art accuracy on the accelerator across a broad range of frequencies and voltages. Real-time energy results for the applications were found to be on the order of 100nJ per inference or lower.
Trust and accountability issues in scalable invalidation-based web cache consistency

Web cache consistency is a popular problem in literature. There are a number of web cache consistency schemes, of which the invalidation-based approach is known to be most promising for improving the freshness of cached content. Yu et al. [27] proposed a scalable architecture for invalidation-based web cache consistency but it does not address the issue of trust and accountability for propagation of invalidations across several administrative domains. To address that issue, this article proposes an architecture called FIAT. In designing FIAT, we are concerned with trust and accountability issues that are likely to be encountered in designing a global event notification service. Since invalidation-based web cache consistency is a relatively well-studied problem, the discussion becomes easier if we use web cache consistency as the running theme of this paper.
Report of AT&T Independent Measurement Expert Background and supporting arguments for measurement and reporting requirements

3 Limitations of our measurement methods 2 3.1 Inaccuracies in active measurements of loss and latency . 2 3.2 Application adaptation that hides congestion . 3 3.3 Inaccuracies in measuring loss with router counters . 3 3.4 Limitations of TWAMP and IPSLA . 4 3.5 Congestion on other parts of network path . 4
The Invisible Narrator: Attributes and Consumer Attitudes

Advertising research affirms the importance of the advertising narrator, whose function is to persuade consumers by attracting attention, enhancing credibility, triggering consumer-speaker identification, and conveying product meanings. However, virtually all of this research treats the effects of visible narrators rather than invisible ones. Our research reinforces the concept of consumers as co-creators of messages by showing how consumers draw from personal experiences and persuasion knowledge to imagine characteristics of invisible narrators. The paper presents a study of invisible narrators based on a theoretical framework drawn from narratological literary theory and advertising persuasion theory to fit the advertising context. Propositions about the narrator’s attributes, valence, and relationship to the consumer are tested in a study that elicits quantitative and qualitative data. Findings indicate that consumers construct a narrator’s attributes even when s/he is unseen and develop attitudes to the ad in terms of attitudes to the narrator.
A theory of suicide addiction

Abstract Suicide is increasing, particularly among young Black males and among children and adolescents. In spite of treatment for depression, addictions, and childhood traumas, some patients continue to be suicidal and appear to be “hooked” on suicidal fantasies and behaviors. In 50 selected patients, there is overwhelming presence of seven characteristics of addiction as they apply directly to suicide, suggesting an addiction to suicidal fantasies and behaviors. Possible predisposition, neurochemistry, and progression of the illness are discussed. The critical element is mood alteration, which distinguishes suicide addiction from other patterns of suicide and from a compulsion. This theory points out a need for' identification and treatment of an important subgroup of suicidal people based on sound addiction principles.
Synovial tissue macrophages: a sensitive biomarker for response to treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Previous work identified synovial sublining macrophage numbers as a potential biomarker for clinical efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis. Objective: To investigate the association between changes in infiltration of synovial macrophages and clinical improvement after antirheumatic treatment. Methods: 88 patients who participated in various clinical trials were studied. All patients underwent serial arthroscopy before initiation of treatment and after different time intervals. Immunohistochemical and digital image analysis were performed according to standardised procedures to detect changes in CD68+ synovial sublining macrophages in relationship to changes in the 28 joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28). Statistical analysis was performed using one way analysis of variance, the independent samples t test, linear regression, and the standardised response mean (SRM). Results: For good, moderate, and non-responders, according to the DAS28 response criteria, there was a significant difference in the change in sublining macrophages (mean (SEM) cells/mm2 −643 (124), −270 (64), and −95 (60), respectively; p<0.0003). There was a significant correlation between the change in the number of macrophages and the change in DAS28 (Pearson correlation 0.874, p<0.01). The change in sublining macrophages explained 76% of the variation in the change in DAS28 (p<0.02). The sensitivity to change of the biomarker was high in patients treated actively (SRM >0.8), whereas the ability to detect changes in placebo treated patients was weak (SRM <0.3). Conclusion: The results suggest that changes in synovial sublining macrophages can be used to predict possible efficacy of antirheumatic treatment.
Sensitivity and tolerance to the hypnotic and ataxic effects of ethanol in adolescent and adult C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice.

BACKGROUND There is considerable research examining differences in adolescent and adult sensitivity and tolerance to ethanol related behavioral phenotypes. However, the available published data has almost exclusively assessed these behaviors in outbred rats. The present study was conducted using the alcohol preferring inbred mouse strain C57BL/6J (B6) and the alcohol nonpreferring inbred mouse strain DBA/2J (D2) to determine if differences in the sedative and ataxic effects of ethanol exist between adolescents and adults, and to determine whether there are any genetic influences involved therein. METHODS Adolescent and adult mice of each sex and genotype were given intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of ethanol (1.5, 1.75, or 4.0 g/kg) or saline and assessed for the loss of righting reflex (LORR) or hind footslips on the balance beam apparatus. These animals were then tested for the development of tolerance to these behaviors on subsequent days. RESULTS Despite evident pharmacokinetic differences, D2 adolescents were found to be relatively less sensitive to ethanol's hypnotic actions than their adult D2 counterparts. Adolescent and adult B6 animals did not differ. Furthermore, although adult animals appeared to develop significantly greater degrees of tolerance to ethanol-induced hypnosis compared with adolescents, these effects were likely in part related to differences in ethanol absorption/metabolism across time. Taking into account pharmacokinetic differences and the overall poor performance of male adults, adolescent animals were found to be equally if not more sensitive to the motor incoordinating (ataxic) effects of ethanol. Overall, tolerance to these effects varied by age and genotype but appeared to be related to changes in ethanol pharmacokinetics rather than strict behavioral sensitivity. CONCLUSION The current work suggests that adolescent B6 and D2 inbred mice exhibit ontogenetic differences in sensitivity to ethanol's hypnotic and ataxic effects. Importantly, in some cases age differences emerge as a function of differential ethanol pharmacokinetics. These results extend the current literature examining this critical developmental period in mice and illustrate the benefits of comparing ethanol related developmental differences in different genetic mouse populations.