Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adverse Birth Outcomes as Indicators of Poor Fetal Growth Conditions in a French Newborn Population—A Stratified Analysis by Neighborhood Deprivation Level

Background: Adverse birth outcomes are related to unfavorable fetal growth conditions. A latent variable, named Favorable Fetal Growth Condition (FFGC), has been defined by Bollen et al., in 2013; he showed that this FFGC latent variable mediates the effects of maternal characteristics on several birth outcomes. Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to replicate Bollen’s approach in a population of newborns in Paris and to investigate the potential differential effect of the FFGC latent variable according to the neighborhood socioeconomic level. Methods: Newborn health data were available from the first birth certificate registered by the Maternal and Child Care department of the City of Paris. All newborns (2008–2011) were geocoded at the mother residential census block. Each census block was assigned a socioeconomic deprivation level. Several mothers’ characteristics were collected from the birth certificates: age, parity, education and occupational status and the occupational status of the father. Three birth outcomes were considered: birth weight (BW), birth length (BL) and gestational age (GA). Results: Using a series of structural equation models, we confirm that the undirected model (that includes the FFGC latent variable) provided a better fit for the data compared with the model where parental characteristics directly affected BW, BL, and/or GA. However, the strength, the direction and statistical significance of the associations between the exogenous variables and the FFGC were different according to the neighborhood deprivation level. Conclusion: Future research should be designed to assess the how robust the FFGC latent variable is across populations and should take into account neighborhood characteristics to identify the most vulnerable group and create better design prevention policies.
Earthquake Ruptures with Strongly Rate-Weakening Friction and Off-Fault Plasticity : 2 . Nonplanar Faults

Observations demonstrate that faults are fractal surfaces, with deviations from planarity at all scales. Self-similar surfaces have local slope perturbations of order 10 to 10 that are independent of scale. We study dynamic rupture propagation on such faults using two-dimensional plane strain models, which feature strongly rate-weakening fault friction and off-fault plasticity. The latter is necessary to bound otherwise unreasonably large stress perturbations in the vicinity of bends, and furthermore prevents fault opening. A consequence of strongly rate-weakening friction is the existence of a critical background stress level at which self-sustaining rupture propagation (in the form of self-healing slip-pulses) is just barely possible. Around this level, at which natural faults are expected to operate, ruptures become extremely sensitive to fault roughness and exhibit substantial fluctuations in rupture velocity. Under a wide range of conditions, the fluctuations are roughly correlated with the local fault slope; self-similarity of the surface thus implies that the fluctuations occur with equal amplitude at all scales. These accelerations and decelerations excite waves of all wavelengths, resulting in ground acceleration spectra that are flat at high frequency, consistent with observed strong motion records.
Fun and Games with Mac OS X and iPhone Payloads

Mac OS X continues to spread among users, and with this increased market share comes more scrutinization of the security of the operating system. The topics of vulnerability analysis and exploit techniques have been discussed at length. However, most of these findings stop once a shell has been achieved. This paper introduces advanced payloads which help to avoid detection, avoid forensics, and avoid countermeasures used by the operating system for both Mac OS X and iPhone. These payloads include Meterpreter and userland-exec for forensics evasion and two iPhone payloads which work against factory iPhones, despite the deviceʼs memory protections and code signing mechanisms.
Utility-Invariant Linear Hedges

Empirical hedge procedures typically adopt a symmetrical mean square error immunization criterion, wherein positive values of the hedging basis or net hedged return are penalized equally along with negative. The econometric hedge, which proceeds by estimating a presumed underlying regression relationship, is naturally adapted to this loss function. In many circumstances, however, a symmetrical loss function may be excessively limiting or even inappropriate. This paper presents conditions under which a given hedge such as the econometric hedge is unaffected by the choice of utility function. If an invariant hedge exists, it can be consistently estimated by OLS, but the converse is not true: classical regression conditions do not suffice for the hedge to be invariant. Ordered mean difference techniques can be used to adjust the econometric hedge up or down according to the user’s perception of sensitive zones of net return, as in value at risk.
“The Credit Spread Puzzle in the Merton Model – Myth or Reality?

We test the Merton model of credit risk using data on individual firms for the period 1987-2012. We find that the model matches the average level of investment grade spreads and furthermore captures the time series variation of the BBB-AAA spread well with a correlation between 84% and 92%. A crucial ingredient to the success of the model is that we use default rates for a long period of 92 years to calibrate the model. In simulations we show that such a long history of ex post default rates is essential to obtain estimates of ex ante default probabilities that have a reasonable level of precision; using default rates from shorter periods as done in most existing studies will often lead to the conclusion that spreads in the Merton model are too low even if the Merton model is the true model. Finally, we show that using data on individual firms rather than a “representative firm” is important for matching the slope of the term structure of credit spreads.
Protocol Engaging Moms on Teen Indoor Tanning Through Social Media : Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Indoor tanning elevates the risk for melanoma, which is now the most common cancer in US women aged 25-29. Public policies restricting access to indoor tanning by minors to reduce melanoma morbidity and mortality in teens are emerging. In the United States, the most common policy restricting indoor tanning in minors involves parents providing either written or in person consent for the minor to purchase a tanning visit. The effectiveness of this policy relies on parents being properly educated about the harms of indoor tanning to their children. Objective: This randomized controlled trial will test the efficacy of a Facebook-delivered health communication intervention targeting mothers of teenage girls. The intervention will use health communication and behavioral modification strategies to reduce mothers’ permissiveness regarding their teenage daughters’ use of indoor tanning relative to an attention-control condition with the ultimate goal of reducing indoor tanning in both daughters and mothers. Methods: The study is a 12-month randomized controlled trial comparing 2 conditions: an attention control Facebook private group where content will be relevant to teen health with 25% focused on prescription drug abuse, a topic unrelated to tanning; and the intervention condition will enter participants into a Facebook private group where 25% of the teen health content will be focused on indoor tanning. A cohort of 2000 mother-teen daughter dyads will be recruited to participate in this study. Only mothers will participate in the Facebook groups. Both mothers and daughters will complete measures at baseline, end of intervention (1-year) and 6 months post-intervention. Primary outcomes include mothers’ permissiveness regarding their teenage daughters’ use of indoor tanning, teenage daughters’ perception of their mothers’ permissiveness, and indoor tanning by both mothers and daughters. Results: The first dyad was enrolled on March 31, 2016, and we anticipate completing this study by October 2019. Conclusions: This trial will deliver social media content grounded in theory and will test it in a randomized design with state-of-the-art measures. This will contribute much needed insights on how to employ social media for health behavior change and disease prevention both for indoor tanning and other health risk behaviors and inform future social media efforts by public health and health care organizations. ClinicalTrial: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02835807; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02835807 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6mDMICcCE). JMIR Res Protoc 2016 | vol. 5 | iss. 4 | e228 | p.1 http://www.researchprotocols. org/2016/4/e228/ (page number not for citation purposes) Pagoto et al JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
The effects of physician organization on the disadoption of low-value services: Evidence from PSA testing and mammography

There is limited understanding of how information diffuses across physician networks and what motivates physicians to change behavior. In particular, despite growing interest in reducing overutilization of care, physician “disadoption” of low-value technologies and services has received little empirical attention. The structure of the organization in which a physician practices may be a key determinant of physician behavior and, given current policy trends towards new organizational arrangements for physicians, it is increasingly important to understand the dynamics of physician relationships in different settings. This dissertation aims to advance empirical research on the role of physician organization in physicians’ decisions to disadopt previously routine services following the release of new clinical guidelines. I examine the effects of two components of group organization, peer effects and group size, on physician disadoption of low-value services in two settings: prostate cancer screening using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test following the 2012 guideline recommending against screening, and mammography for women under 50 following a change in the routine screening recommendation in 2009. Using claims data from 2007-2013 from a major insurer in the Southeast Pennsylvania region, I employ dynamic panel data methods and find that physicians are significantly and positively affected by peers who practice in the same physical location while the behavior of peers with whom they have a relationship (through shared patients) but are not co-located does not have a significant impact. Further, local peer effects appear to peak in medium-sized physician groups of 11-30 physicians. Finally, in the case of PSA provision, positive peer effects in mediumsized groups are stronger following the 2012 recommendation relative to before the release, suggesting that physicians will be more likely to continue testing if their local peers continue testing, even following the recommendation against screening. I do not find any differential effects of peers on mammography screening after relative to before the guideline. Together, these findings offer insight into how physicians make decisions about what services to provide and suggest that the organizational structure of physician group practices is likely to be a contributing factor to physician disadoption decisions and, ultimately, health care quality and costs. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Health Care Management & Economics First Advisor Robert Town This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/1998 Subject Categories Health and Medical Administration This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/1998 THE EFFECTS OF PHYSICIAN ORGANIZATION ON THE DISADOPTION OF LOW-VALUE SERVICES: EVIDENCE FROM PSA TESTING AND MAMMOGRAPHY
Characterising conformity bias in production decisions: The case of smallholder Indian farmers

We analyze farmer behaviour in a setting in which on-farm production decisions are not influenced by profit alone. We first conduct field work, which helps us understand the presence of behavioural biases. In addition, it also helps us identify conformity to be the most likely of all biases influencing behaviour. Based on this, we develop a theoretical model of conformity, which helps us understand the relevant strategic complementarities in this setting. We then add a sophistication to this model, the potential that the “copying” behaviour may not be only due to psychic costs but also due to physical cost complementarities, e.g., similar soil quality. Finally, we discuss the model implications for designing experiments and policy.
Examining progress towards achieving the Ten Steps of the Rome Declaration on Responsible Inland Fisheries

Ghoti aims to serve as a forum for stimulating and pertinent ideas. Ghoti publishes succinct commentary and opinion that addresses important areas in fish and fisheries science. Ghoti contributions will be innovative and have a perspective that may lead to fresh and productive insight of concepts, issues and research agendas. All Ghoti contributions will be selected by the editors and peer reviewed.
ROLE OF TREHALOSE IN THE PROTECTION OF THE REFRIGERATED BUCK SEMEN

The biotechnologies of reproduction, that also involves the artificial insemination at goats, have been rapidly developed after the optimization of producing and preserving the semen methods and of those of synchronizing the females` estrum. In order to obtain an acceptable fertility is necessary that optimum methods of preserving the semen in refrigerated form to be developed, which can be easily and fast integrated into insemination methodologies. The aim of the study was to test a new medium of dilution which contains a diglucide trehalose as cryoprotectant substance, for the purpose of replacing (to replace) the usual glycerol that has been used until present, which was proved to have negative effects upon spermatic cell during preservation. Also the extender contains a low concentration of egg yolk of 5%, in order to eliminate a processing-centrifugation step, which leads to an additional mechanical stress with negative effects on fecundity. Our experiments demonstrated that the trehalose added in the dilution medium maintains the structural and functional stability of the plasmatic membrane of the spermatic cell during liquid conservation at 4 degrees C, similar results being obtained also in other experiments done on buck semen. At 48 hours from collection, the semen diluted in the control extender registered a motility of 64.1% while the semen diluted in the experimental extender registered a motility of 67.4%. At 48 hours from collection, the semen in the control extender registered a viability of 66.4% while the semen in the experimental extender registered a viability of 69.5%.
DNAJC 3 mutation in Thai familial type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2d) is a heterogeneous disease, with certain cases presenting an autosomal dominant type. The rare coding variants of disease-causing genes in T2d remain mostly unclear. The present study aimed to identify the disease-causing gene conducting whole exome sequencing in a Thai T2d family with an autosomal dominant transmission of T2d with no evidence of mutations in known maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MOdY) genes. candidate variants were selected according to certain criteria of mutation prediction programs, followed by segregation analysis with diabetes in the family. The results demonstrated that, of the 68,817 variants obtained, 122 were considered as candidate variants subsequent to the filtering processes. Genotyping of these variants revealed that dnaJ homolog subfamily c member 3 (DNAJC3) p.H238N segregated with diabetes in the family. This mutation was also identified in another proband from the autosomal dominant T2d family without mutation in known MOdY genes and was segregated with diabetes. This variant was also identified in 14/1,000 older-onset T2d patients [minor allele frequency (MAF)=0.007], 2/500 non-diabetic controls (MAF=0.002) and 3 prediabetic individuals who were previously classified as non‐diabetic controls. In silico mutagenesis and protein modeling of p.H238N revealed changes of the polar contacts across the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motif and TPR subdomains, which may affect the protein tertiary structure. Furthermore, the expression of DNAJC3 H238N protein was 0.68±0.08 fold (P<0.05) lower when compared with that of the wild-type, possibly due to protein instability. Thus, DNAJC3 p.H238N is likely to be a variant causing diabetes.
Bridging in Chinese and Frame Theory

Bridging, also known as associative anaphora or indirect anaphora, is a fascinating and complicated usage of the definite article. A bridging-NP does not refer to an entity which is familiar in the current discourse, but to a new entity which stands in a particular relationship with a familiar one. In the literature bridging is often regarded as a frame-based usage of the definite article (Hawkins, 1978; Sanford & Garrod, 1981; Löbner, 1998). In Chinese there are two ways to formulate a simple definite description: to use a bare noun in some particular syntactical position, on the one hand; or to use the unstressed distal demonstrative na to build a determinate NP, on the other hand. It is often claimed in the literature that the first way is the most common way and the second way is marked and optional (Chen, 2004). I call the first way the unmarked definite expression and the second way the marked definite expression. In many cases of bridging both definite expressions are acceptable, as shown in (1). The acceptability of the unstressed distal demonstrative na in such context allows us to regard it as an article-like determiner but not as a real demonstrative:
GPU-Accelerated Branch-and-Bound Algorithm for Differential Cluster Search of Block Ciphers

Differential cryptanalysis of block ciphers requires the identification of differential characteristics with high probability. For block ciphers that have a large block size and a large number of rounds, identifying these differential trails is a computationally intensive task. Matsui first proposed a branch-and-bound algorithm to search for differential trails in 1994. There have been numerous improvements made to the branch-and-bound algorithm since then, such as improving its efficiency by bounding the number of active s-boxes, incorporating a meet-in-the-middle approach, and adapting it to different block cipher architectures like ARX. Although mixedinteger linear programming (MILP) technique has been widely used recently to evaluate the differential resistance of block ciphers, MILP is still an inefficient technique for clustering differential trails (also known as the differential effect). The branch-and-bound method is still a tool better suited for the task of trail clustering. However, it still requires enhancements before being feasible for block ciphers with large block sizes, especially for a large number of rounds. Motivated by the need for a more efficient branch-and-bound algorithm to search for block cipher differential clusters, we propose a GPU-accelerated branch-and-bound approach. The proposed GPU-accelerated algorithm substantially increases the performance of the differential cluster search. We were able to derive a branch enumeration and evaluation kernel that is 5.95 times faster than its CPU counterpart. Then to showcase the practicality of the proposed approach, it is applied on TRIFLE-BC, a 128-bit block cipher. By utilizing the proposed GPU kernel together the incorporation of a meet-in-the-middle approach, we were able to improve the performance of the algorithm by approximately 60 times the original recursive algorithm based on a 20-round TRIFLE-BC. Also, differential clusters with sizes of approximately 2 million for 43 rounds were constructed, leading to slight improvements to the overall differential probabilities. This result depicts the practicality of the proposed GPU framework in constructing clusters consisting of millions of differential trails, which could be used to improve cryptanalytic findings against other block ciphers in the future.
Early and Late Survival and Associated Factors in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Several studies have aimed to compare the early and late survival rates and the related factors in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Among such factors are age, gender, arrhythmia, stroke, serum procalcitonin level, number and type of grafts, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), addiction, ejection fraction, transfusion of blood products, and the kind of technique (off-pump versus on-pump). Controversies surround early and late survival and some of the associated factors in patients undergoing CABG. Therefore, it appears vital to compare the early and late survival chances and the related factors after CABG.
Design and performance of distributed mechanisms for flow admission in wireless adhoc networks

Given a wireless network where some pairs of communication links interfere with each other, we study sufficient conditions for determining whether a given set of minimum bandwidth quality-of-service (QoS) requirements can be satisfied. We are especially interested in algorithms which have low communication overhead and low processing complexity. The interference in the network is modeled using a conflict graph whose vertices correspond to the communication links in the network. Two links are adjacent in this graph if and only if they interfere with each other due to being in the same vicinity and hence cannot be simultaneously active. The problem of scheduling the transmission of the various links is then essentially a fractional, weighted vertex coloring problem, for which upper bounds on the fractional chromatic number are sought using only localized information. We recall some distributed algorithms for this problem, and then assess their worst-case performance. Our results on this fundamental problem imply that for some well known classes of networks and interference models, the performance of these distributed algorithms is within a bounded factor away from that of an optimal, centralized algorithm. The performance bounds are simple expressions in terms of graph invariants. It is seen that the induced star number of a network plays an important role in the design and performance of such networks. Index terms — flow admission control, quality-of-service (QoS), distributed algorithms, interference, wireless networks, conflict graph, link scheduling; fractional chromatic number.
Consequence of T Loop Morphology for Patients with Coronary Artery Stenosis

The aim of this study was to determine if T loop morphology variables are related to coronary artery stenosis. We assessed T loopmorphology parameters in 196 patients. In 126 patients coronary arteries stenoses ≥ 50% were determined. 70 patients normal coronaryarteries were determined. T loop morphology might reflect coronary artery stenosis: as the degree of coronary artery stenosis increases,T loop area and T loop index also increases: values of T loop area and T loop index were found to be higher in patients with coronaryartery stenosis ≥ 50 % (accordingly p=0.021 and p=0.011), for one vessel (accordingly 0.008 and p=0.031), three (accordingly p=0.045p=0.005) vessel diseases.T loop area and T loop index were higher in men with coronary artery stenosis ≥ 50 % (accordingly p=0.001and p=0.001). T loop morphology parameters did not differ significantly between damaged LAD, CX and RCA arteries. Ill.2, bibl. 5 (inEnglish; summaries in Lithuanian, English and Russian).