Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The symptom burden of chronic critical illness*

Objective:To assess self-reported symptom burden of chronic critical illness. Design:Prospective cohort study. Setting:Respiratory care unit for treatment of chronically critically ill patients at an academic, tertiary-care, urban medical center. Patients:Fifty patients who underwent elective tracheotomy and transfer from an adult intensive care unit to the respiratory care unit for weaning from mechanical ventilation. Interventions:Assessment of physical and psychological symptoms through patients’ self-reports using a modification of the Condensed Form of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Measurements and Main Results:We measured self-reported symptom burden, ventilator outcomes, and vital status and functional status at discharge and 3 and 6 months after discharge. Half of the patients were successfully liberated from mechanical ventilation, but most hospital survivors were discharged to skilled nursing facilities and more than half of the cohort was dead at 3 months after discharge. Seventy-two percent (36 of 50) of patients were able to self-report symptoms during the period of respiratory care unit treatment. Among patients responding to symptom assessment, approximately 90% were symptomatic. Forty-four percent of patients reported pain at the highest levels. More than 60% reported psychological symptoms at these levels, and approximately 90% of patients reported severe distress due to difficulty communicating. Conclusions:Physical and psychological symptom distress is common and severe among patients receiving treatment for chronic critical illness. The majority of these patients die soon after hospital discharge. Given the level of distress in our study patients and the high mortality rate that we and others have observed, greater attention should be given to relief of pain and other distressing symptoms and to assessment of burdens and benefits of treatment for the chronically critically ill.
Adaptation of Convolutional Neural Networks for the 2017 DAVIS Challenge on Video Object Segmentation

This paper describes our method used for the 2017 DAVIS Challenge on Video Object Segmentation [26]. The challenge’s task is to segment the pixels belonging to multiple objects in a video using the ground truth pixel masks, which are given for the first frame. We build on our recently proposed Online Adaptive Video Object Segmentation (OnAVOS) [28] method which pretrains a convolutional neural network for objectness, fine-tunes it on the first frame, and further updates the network online while processing the video. OnAVOS selects confidently predicted foreground pixels as positive training examples and pixels, which are far away from the last assumed object position as negative examples. While OnAVOS was designed to work with a single object, we extend it to handle multiple objects by combining the predictions of multiple single-object runs. We introduce further extensions including upsampling layers which increase the output resolution. We achieved the fifth place out of 22 submissions to the competition.
Commodity Mutual Funds - Do They Add Value?

The use of commodities to hedge inflation risk and diversify portfolios is generally considered to be an important consideration for portfolio management. Direct investment in commodities or commodity derivatives requires that investors have significant assets and/or expertise in these commodities or their respective derivatives markets. As an alternative to direct investment, investors in recent years have increasingly resorted to the use of commodity based mutual funds. At issue is the question of whether or not these funds are delivering the benefits investors expect. In this paper we evaluate the performance, persistence, market timing and selectivity of four categories of mutual funds whose returns are based on commodity prices over the time period from each fund’s inception through December, 2012. Our results indicate that these funds have not been able to create positive alphas for their investors; have negative or insignificant performance persistence; and have no market timing ability. Some of the categories of funds, however do exhibit some selectivity. We did find that when these commodity based funds’ performance was evaluated during specific time periods of market downturns (e.g., the 2000 stock market downturn and the 2007 financial crisis), their performance was significantly positive which indicates that these funds provide a good hedge during bear markets/financial crises. JEL Classification: G12, G20, G23.
Acoustic measures of the cry characteristics of healthy newborns and newborns with pathologies

Several hypotheses have been formulated as a result of observing spectrograms of the audio signals of the newborn infant cry in numerous studies. Our study is based on a few of these hypotheses. The purpose of this article is to differentiate pathological crying from healthy crying through acoustic cry analysis based on neurophysiological parameters of newborns. The automatic estimation of the characteristics of relevant cry signals, such as phonation, hyperphonation, and dysphonation, expressed as percentages, as well as unvoiced sound and mode change percentages, have enabled us to distinguish among the pathologies selected for this study. The results obtained have helped us to make quantitative associations between cry characteristics and pathological conditions affecting newborns.
Cryogenic small-signal and noise performance of 32nm SOI CMOS

The noise performance of a 32 nm SOI CMOS process is systematically studied for ambient temperatures in the range of 6-293 K. For a fixed transconductance bias, an order of magnitude improvement in calculated Tmin is observed by cooling from room temperature to 6 K. This improvement is largely attributed to improvements in the device resistances as well as the reduction in thermal noise associated with cooling.
REIT Share Repurchase Decisions and Stock Market Liquidity

This study examines whether stock market liquidity affects a real estate investment trust's (REIT's) decision to initiate a share repurchase program. The results show that repurchasing REITs exhibit a higher liquidity than their peers that do not initiate a repurchase program. After controlling for other possible motivations for share repurchases, there is little evidence that liquidity affects repurchase initiations by REITs. REITs tend to initiate a share repurchase program when operating cash flows are sufficient, financial leverage is low, and market value is large. Also, liquidity does not influence a REIT's decision to substitute repurchases for extra dividends. Overall, the findings suggest that liquidity does not affect a REIT's decision to repurchase its shares.
Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Mapping

ABC Fax + 41 61 306 12 34 E-mail karger@karger.ch www.karger. com © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel 0301–0171/04/1051–0083$21.00/0 Accessible online at: www.karger. com/cgr Abstract. Analyzing the satellite DNA in the ant species Monomorium subopacum we found two unrelated families of satellite DNA. Because these satellite DNA families were isolated using the two enzymes HaeIII and EcoRI we called the two families HaeIII and EcoRI family, respectively. The HaeIII family proved to be organized in a 135-bp basic unit repeat, the EcoRI family in a 2.5-kb basic unit repeat. The latter represents perhaps the longest satellite DNA isolated up to now in insects. The HaeIII family apparently comprises about 10% of the total genomic DNA whereas the EcoRI family represents only about 1–2%. A comparative analysis of the two satellite DNA sequences showed no homology between the two families although both sequences possessed long A and T stretches. Eight of the 34 chromosomes showed hybridization with the HaeIII family and hybridization signals are visible in six chromosomes with the EcoRI family. Analysis of the electrophoretic mobility of satellite DNA on non-denaturing polyacrylamide showed that the HaeIII family is only slightly curved. However, the unit of the EcoRI satellite DNA family has curvature, especially the first 1000 bp of the monomeric repeat, in which this DNA is AT rich and has numerous A and T stretches. There are also internal inverted subrepeats in each family. The sequences of satellite DNA families found in Monomorium subopacum are different from the sequences of other satellite DNAs cloned in insects, including other species of ants.
Classification of mammographic features using RBF-SA

We present in this work a new type of classes discriminator based upon nonlinear and combinational optimization tech-niques: radial basis functions-simulated annealing (RBF-SA). The combinational optimization method is used here as a pre-estimation of some parameters of the network classifier. We compare the classifier performance with and without pre-esti-mation. For training the classifiers, adopting the leave-one-out procedure, we have used case examples such as mammographic masses (malignant and benign). The classifier is trained with shape factors and edge-sharpness measures extracted from 57 regions of interest (ROI) (37 malignant and 20 benign), manu-ally delineated, that describe mammographic masses and tumor features in terms of polygonal models for shape factors (com-pactness [CC], Fourier description [FF], fractional concavity [F
The Integration of Marketing Flows in Channels of Distribution

A long‐standing and important concept in marketing is the existence of flows in the channel of distribution. Various channel strategies related to flow separation, postponement, and acceleration have been described separately in different parts of the marketing literature. This article attempts to integrate and relate these concepts in both a managerial and theoretical manner. Building on order penetration points and a network paradigm, the concepts are systematically integrated. Specific managerial tools such as a network planning matrix and mathematical network analysis are also presented. The need to integrate marketing flows for achieving customer satisfaction is highlighted. By linking separate flow strategies, channel performance can be leveraged for competitive advantage.
Cholangiocarcinoma in liver cirrhosis

Background and Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually associated with chronic liver diseases and liver cirrhosis, while conversely, cholangiocarcinoma (CC) usually occurs in a non‐cirrhotic liver. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate CC in liver cirrhosis.
IL-12 + GM-CSF Microsphere Therapy Induces Eradication of Advanced Spontaneous Tumors in her-2/neu Transgenic Mice But Fails to Achieve Long-Term Cure Due to the Inability to Maintain Effector T-Cell Activity

A single intratumoral injection of interleukin-12 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-encapsulated microspheres induced the regression of advanced spontaneous mammary tumors, suppressed additional tumor development, and enhanced survival in her-2/neu transgenic mice. Posttherapy tumor eradication was dependent on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and correlated with the tumor infiltration kinetics of a transient effector T-cell response. Upon long-term monitoring, tumor regression was found to be temporary, and disease-free survival was not achieved despite the development of systemic anti-tumor cytotoxic T-cell memory and antibody responses. Repeated immunization of mice enhanced short-term tumor suppression, resulting in the complete regression of primary tumors in up to 40% of the mice, but did not improve long-term survival owing to recurrence. The failure of chronic therapy to achieve complete cure was associated with an inability to maintain the intensity of the posttherapy effector T-cell response in this model.
Demographic Transitions in a Sicilian Rural Town

Combining archival, ethnographic, vital, and oral historical data, this paper compares the experiences of population growth and demographic transi tion among different social classes of a Sicilian rural town from 1850 to the pres ent. Four locally named groups have dominated this town's social life during most of the period in question—gentry, artisans, landed, and landless peasants. Of particular concern are the contrasting patterns of demographic transition be tween the gentry and artisanry, and a consideration of why, in both cases, fertility decline occurred earlier than among landless peasants. Comparison underscores the theoretical advantage of disaggregating population change in relation to historical context and social class.
Inheritance analysis of congenital left ventricular outflow tract obstruction malformations: Segregation, multiplex relative risk, and heritability

The left ventricular outflow tract (LVOTO) malformations, aortic valve stenosis (AVS), coarctation of the aorta (COA), and hypoplastic left heart (HLH) constitute a mechanistically defined subgroup of congenital heart defects that have substantial evidence for a genetic component. Evidence from echocardiography studies has shown that bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is found frequently in relatives of children with LVOTO defects. However, formal inheritance analysis has not been performed. We ascertained 124 families by an index case with AVS, COA, or HLH. A total of 413 relatives were enrolled in the study, of which 351 had detailed echocardiography exams for structural heart defects and measurements of a variety of aortic arch, left ventricle, and valve structures. LVOTO malformations were noted in 30 relatives (18 BAV, 5 HLH, 3 COA, and 3 AVS), along with significant congenital heart defects (CHD) in 2 others (32/413; 7.7%). Relative risk for first‐degree relatives in this group was 36.9, with a heritability of 0.71–0.90. Formal segregation analysis suggests that one or more minor loci with rare dominant alleles may be operative in a subset of families. Multiplex relative risk analysis, which estimates number of loci, had the highest maximum likelihood score in a model with 2 loci (range of 1–6 in the lod‐1 support interval). Heritability of several aortic arch measurements and aortic valve was significant. These data support a complex but most likely oligogenic pattern of inheritance. A combination of linkage and association study designs is likely to enable LVOTO risk gene identification. This data can also provide families with important information for screening asymptomatic relatives for potentially harmful cardiac defects. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Revealing the lifestyles of local food consumers

Purpose – Changing consumption patterns have led to a number of transformations throughout the food cycle, and understanding how and why people purchase local food is important. This paper aims to examine the characteristics of the people leading this phenomenon: those that prefer to buy locally produced food.Design/methodology/approach – In order to explore the characteristics of local food purchasers, a single item question, “I try to buy a lot of locally produced food”, was included in the food section of a New Zealand consumer lifestyles survey for which 3,556 responses were collected. The full survey included 600 questions across the full attitude, interest and opinion schedule.Findings – For people who express a strong intention to purchase local food, this behaviour is linked to the types of food they eat (e.g. unprocessed foods), where they buy it (e.g. at speciality stores), and how they cook it (e.g. follow recipes). A range of personality and other personal characteristics differ between local .
Twitter: an introduction to microblogging for health librarians

In this article, we introduce health librarians to Twitter and examine its potential (as well as its problems) as a platform for sharing and seeking information. In focusing on many practical aspects of using Twitter, we also critique microblogging as a way to broadcast what you are doing, thinking, or saying. Twitter’s significance is greater than simply the diffusion of transient forms of information within social networks; more generally, we believe that Twitter is increasingly symbolic of a tech-oriented culture engaged in constant peer-to-peer sharing, surveillance, and mass collaboration [3]. Twitter is a Web 2.0 phenomenon with no signs of slowing down. Along with Jaiku and Plurk (two other popular microblogging tools), Twitter is riding a wave of enthusiasm around the world [4]. Twitter enjoyed an exponential growth in popularity in 2008. As of January 2009, there were almost 4.5 million Twitter users worldwide; this represents a massive 752% increase in 2008 alone [5]. According to HubSpot, one million new visitors viewed Twitter in December 2008 [6]. In terms of increased numbers of users and hype, the rise of Twitter mirrors the interest shown in the past with other Web 2.0 tools such as Facebook, Wikipedia, and YouTube. Is Twitter a useful communication tool for health librarians? A number of librarians are experimenting with microblogging, but we have noted a lack of participation among the health library community [7,8]. Although the use of Twitter was slow in 2007 and rose sharply in 2008, it will likely gain even more attention in 2009 [9]. Twitter is representative of a new generation of information tools—including handhelds and mobiles like the iPhone and BlackBerry—that help to promote ambient information access and “on-the-go” communication [10].
The Impact of Human and Social Capital on Organisational Performance: Evidence from English Premiership Soccer

Recent research in strategic management on the drivers of organisational performance has increasingly focused on internal factors as the source of sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) in contrast to the traditional emphasis on external marketpositioning factors. The resource-based view (RBV) of the firm suggests that SCA is derived from the firm's exclusive property rights over rare and difficult to imitate strategic resources (Wernerfelt, 1984). One such type of strategic resource is the tacit knowledge acquired through their learning-by-doing experience within the firm. Berman, Down and Hill (BDH) have attempted to test this hypothesis using data from the NBA (Berman et al. 2002). We provide a critique of the BDH model and develop a more general approach to explaining organisational performance.
Response to Pharmacological Treatment in Major Depression Predicted by Electroencephalographic Alpha Power – a Pilot Naturalistic Study

Abstract Background: Pharmacological treatment of depression is currently led by the trial and error principle mainly because of lack of reliable biomarkers. Earlier findings suggest that baseline alpha power and asymmetry could differentiate between responders and non-responders to specific antidepressants. Aim: The current study investigated quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) measures before and early in treatment as potential response predictors to various antidepressants in a naturalistic sample of depressed patients. We were aiming at developing markers for early prediction of treatment response based on different QEEG measures. Materials and methods: EEG data from 25 depressed subjects were acquired at baseline and after one week of treatment. Mean and total alpha powers were calculated at eight electrode sites F3, F4, C3, C4, P3, P4, O1, O2. Response to treatment was defined as 50% decrease in MADRS score at week 4. Results: Mean P3 alpha predicted response with sensitivity and specificity of 80%, positive and negative predictive values of 92.31% and 71.43%, respectively. The combined model of response prediction using mean baseline P3 alpha and mean week 1 C4 alpha values correctly identified 80% of the cases with sensitivity of 84.62%, and specificity of 71.43%. Conclusions: Simple QEEG measures (alpha power) acquired before initiation of antidepressant treatment could be useful in outcome prediction with an overall accuracy of about 80%. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that alpha power might be developed as a reliable biomarker for the prediction of antidepressant response.
Geographical Discrimination for the Urbanization Response to Upgrade of Industry Structure in Great Lakes Industrial District

That urbanization should response to the industrial upgrade has become the essential target for urbanization in the new time and important way for industry structure upgrade.The American Great Lakes industrial districts transformed successfully.Its experience showed some rules in the respects of urbanization response to industry structure,and is instructive to the industry transform of Northeast old industry base in China.This paper expounded the process of urbanization response to industry structure upgrade in American Great Lakes industrial districts,and summarized the obtainable enlightenment and usable experience to the northeast old industry base,provide the actual development countermeasures to the Northeast old industry base reconstruction.
Tourists’ perceptions towards and satisfaction with service quality in the cross‐cultural service encounter: implications for hospitality and tourism management

This article develops a comprehensive cultural construct to explain and forecast tourists’ behaviour and quality judgements. A destination value chain is depicted to capture the possible influence of culture and cultural values on tourism behaviour. Cultural norms have an impact on both tourists’ expectations and their perceptions of received service quality for any of the six service elements frequently employed in tourism analyses. Tourism service encounters take place in the context of a tourism culture which is formed by four components: the national/regional settings of the tourist and the host region, the tourists’ various subcultures and the organisational culture of tourism enterprises in the tourism receiving region. A differentiated approach is developed which distinguishes between global, national and sub‐national cultural constructs.
Evaluation Of Housing Market And Its Associated Housing Finance Systems In Emerging Markets: With Reference To South East Asia

Housing market and its associated housing finance systems continue to remain opportune to explore in South-east Asia. These include the expanse of different sub-markets within the systems, each with its own peculiarities. An approach has been taken to concentrate on the housing market on account of its importance as a tool toward social gratification as well as of investment. A key aspect of this original paper is to analyse the inter-relationship between the housing market and housing finance system in countries with emerging economies. Malaysia and Indonesia have been chosen as representative of the middle nation of South-east Asia, bridging the divide between the more advanced and less developed countries within the group. The paper employs cointegration analysis including causality and vector error correction models (VECM) to investigate this relationship. The key findings show that the housing markets in both countries are cointegrated, and market disequilibrium is corrected each year by changes in house prices of each country as a result of a combination of changes within the housing finance systems. The analysis was conducted over the period of 2002 – 2012 due to the unavailability of longer series in Indonesia which become the main constraint of the study.