Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flicker Fusion Frequency and Organic Syndrome in Alcoholics

Flicker fusion frequencies of 48 healthy controls and of 35 alcoholics were measured to detect possible associations between flicker fusion and signs of nonspecific brain damage, the aim of the study. FFF was statistically significantly lower in patients addicted to alcohol than in healthy subjects. Lower flicker fusion frequencies were associated with the severeness of organic psychosis as rated psychopathologically. The hypothesis that addiction to alcohol is a sign of diffuse, nonspecific, organic brain damage was discussed.
Relationship Between Strength, Power, Speed, and Change of Direction Performance of Female Softball Players

Nimphius, S, McGuigan, MR, and Newton, RU. Relationship between strength, power, speed and change of direction performance of female softball players. J Strength Cond Res 24(4): 885-895, 2010-The purpose of this study was to investigate (a) the cross-sectional relationship of strength, power, and performance variables in trained female athletes and (b) determine if the relationship between these variables changes over the course of a season. Ten female softball players (age = 18.1 ± 1.6 years, height = 166.5 ± 8.9 cm, and weight = 72.4 ± 10.8 kg) from a state Australian Institute of Sport softball team were tested for maximal lower body strength (one repetition maximum [1RM]), peak force (PF), peak velocity (PV), and peak power (PP) during jump squats unloaded and loaded, unloaded countermovement vertical jump height (VJH) 1 base and 2 base sprint performance and change of direction performance on dominant and nondominant sides. The testing sessions occurred pre, mid, and post a 20-week training period. Relationship between body weight (BW), relative strength (1RM/BW), VJH, relative PP, relative PF, PV, speed, and change of direction variables were assessed by Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient at each testing session. Significant relationships were found across all time points with BW, speed, and change of direction measures (r = 0.70-0.93) and relative strength and measures of speed and change of direction ability (r = −0.73−0.85). There were no significant relationships between VJH and any measure of performance at any time point. In conclusion, BW and relative strength have strong to very strong correlations with speed and change of direction ability, and these correlations remain consistent over the course of the season. However, it seems as if many relationships vary with time, and their relationships should therefore be investigated longitudinally to better determine if these cross-sectional relationships truly reflect a deterministic relationship.
Template based affix stemmer for a morphologically rich language

Word stemming is one of the most significant factors that affect the performance of a Natural Language Processing (NLP) application such as Information Retrieval (IR) system, part of speech tagging, machine translation system and syntactic parsing. Urdu language raises several challenges to NLP largely due to its rich morphology. In Urdu language, stemming process is different as compared to that for other languages, as it not only depends on removing prefixes and suffixes but also on removing infixes. In this paper, we introduce a template based stemmer that eliminates all kinds of affixes i.e., prefixes, infixes and suffixes, depending on the morphological pattern of the word. The presented results are excellent and this stemmer can prove to be very affective for a morphologically rich language.
Is the Large Magellanic Cloud a Large Microlensing Cloud?

An expression is provided for the self-lensing optical depth of the thin Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) disk surrounded by a shroud of stars at larger scale heights. The formula is written in terms of the vertical velocity dispersion of the thin-disk population. If tidal forcing causes ~1%-5% of the disk mass to have a height larger than 6 kpc and ~10%-15% to have a height above 3 kpc, then the self-lensing optical depth of the LMC is ~(0.7-1.9) × 10-7, which is within the observational uncertainties. The shroud may be composed of bright stars provided they are not in stellar hydrodynamical equilibrium. Alternatively, the shroud may be built from low-mass stars or compact objects, although then the self-lensing optical depths are overestimates of the true optical depth by a factor of ~1.5. The distributions of timescales of the events and their spatial variation across the face of the LMC disk offer possibilities of identifying the dominant lens population. We use Monte Carlo simulations to show that, in propitious circumstances, an experiment lifetime of ≲5 years is sufficient to decide between the competing claims of Milky Way halos and LMC lenses. However, LMC disks can sometimes mimic the microlensing properties of Galactic halos for many years, and then decades of survey work are needed for discrimination. In this case observations of parallax or binary caustic events offer the best hope for current experiments to deduce the dominant lens population. The difficult models to distinguish are Milky Way halos in which the lens fraction is low (≲10%) and fattened LMC disks composed of lenses with a typical mass of low-luminosity stars or greater. A next-generation wide-area microlensing survey, such as the proposed "SuperMACHO" experiment, will be able to distinguish even these difficult models with just a year or two of data.
A novel splicing mutation of the CYLD gene in a Taiwanese family with multiple familial trichoepithelioma

Multiple familial trichoepithelioma (MFT) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by numerous skin‐coloured papules on the central face. Mutations in the CYLD gene, which is also the gene responsible for familial cylindromatosis, have been reported recently. Recent studies indicate that CYLD is a tumour‐suppressor gene. The CYLD protein is a negative regulator of the activation of transcription factor nuclear factor‐κB, and loss of CYLD contributes to oncogenesis. We report a novel splicing mutation (IVS12 + 1 G→A) in the CYLD gene in a Taiwanese pedigree with MFT, and discuss new developments in treatment options.
Automatic landmark location with a Combined Active Shape Model

Automatic facial landmark location is a difficult challenge for realistic face recognition applications, where the face is recorded under variable illumination conditions including indoor and outdoor recordings and also with some pose and scale variability. Moreover, the image distortion and complex background also bring some difficulty both for landmark location and face recognition. The proposed landmark detection method, called combined active shape models, is robust to illumination, translation, and rotation. It exploits the scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) [1] and the active shape model (ASM). In order to have a better representation of face images, the landmarks on the face region and the face contour are modeled and processed separately. The performance of the proposed combined-ASM algorithm is tested on the BioID and FRGCv2.0 face image databases.
Light cone condition for a thermalized QED vacuum

Within the QED effective action approach, we study the propagation of low-frequency light at finite temperature. Starting from a general effective Lagrangian for slowly varying fields whose structure is solely dictated by Lorentz covariance and gauge invariance, we derive the light cone condition for light propagating in a thermalized QED vacuum. As an application, we calculate the velocity shifts, i.e., refractive indices of the vacuum, induced by thermalized fermions to one loop. We investigate various temperature domains and also include a background magnetic field. While low-temperature effects to one loop are exponentially damped by the electron mass, there exists a maximum velocity shift of $\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}{v}_{\mathrm{max}}^{2}=\ensuremath{\alpha}/3\ensuremath{\pi}$ in the intermediate-temperature domain $T\ensuremath{\sim}m. $
Infant Feeding Practices Study II: Study Methods

OBJECTIVE. Our goal is to describe the methods used in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (IFPS II), a study of infant feeding and care practices throughout the first year of life. Survey topics included breastfeeding, formula and complementary feeding, infant health, breast-pump use, food allergies, sleeping arrangements, mother's employment, and child care arrangements. In addition, mothers’ dietary intake was measured prenatally and postnatally. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS. The IFPS II sample was drawn from a nationally distributed consumer opinion panel of 500000 households. All questionnaires were administered by mail, 1 prenatally and 10 postpartum. Qualifying criteria were used to achieve the sample goals of mothers of healthy term and late preterm singleton infants. In addition to the questionnaires about the infants, women were sent a diet-assessment questionnaire prenatally and at ∼4 months after delivery; this questionnaire was also sent to members of a comparison group who were neither pregnant nor postpartum. RESULTS. A sample of 4902 pregnant women began the study, and ∼2000 continued through their infant's first year. Response rates ranged from 63% to 87% for the different questionnaires. Compared with adult mothers of singletons from the nationally representative sample of the National Survey of Family Growth, IFPS II participants had a higher mean education level; were older; were more likely to be middle income, white, and employed; were less likely to smoke; and had fewer other children. Compared with women who participated in the National Immunization Survey who gave birth in 2004, IFPS II mothers were more likely to breastfeed and to breastfeed longer. CONCLUSIONS. The IFPS II provides a valuable database because of its large sample size, the frequency of its questionnaires, and its wide coverage of issues salient to infant feeding.
Dosimetric impact of intermediate dose calculation for optimization convergence error

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) provides the protection of the normal organs and a precise treatment plan through its optimization process. However, the final dose-volume histogram (DVH) obtained by this technique differs from the optimal DVH, owing to optimization convergence errors. Herein, intermediate dose calculation was applied to IMRT plans during the optimization process to solve these issues. Homogeneous and heterogeneous targets were delineated on a virtual phantom, and the final DVH for the target volume was assessed on the target coverage. The IMRT plans of 30 patients were established to evaluate the usefulness of intermediate dose calculation. The target coverage results were analogous in the three plans with homogeneous targets. Conversely, conformity indices (conformity index [CI], heterogeneity index [HI], and uniformity index [UI]) of plans with intermediate dose calculation were estimated to be more homogenous than plans without this option for heterogeneous targets (CI, 0.371 vs. 1.000; HI, 0.104 vs. 0.036; UI, 1.099 vs. 1.031 for Phantom B; and CI, 0.318 vs. 0.956; HI, 0.167 vs. 0.076; UI, 1.165 vs. 1.057 for Phantom C). In brain and prostate cancers, a slight difference between plans calculated with anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) was observed (HI, p = 0.043, UI, p = 0.043 for brain; HI, p = 0.042, UI, p = 0.043 for prostate). All target coverage indices were improved by intermediate dose calculation in lung cancer cases (p = 0.043). In conclusion, intermediate dose calculation in IMRT plans improves the target coverage in the target volume around heterogeneous materials. Moreover, the optimization time can be reduced.
Exploring A Staff Training Model For Enhancing Post-Training Procedural Integrity And Staff Performance Outcomes When Working With Children Diagnosed With ASD

Background The increased prevalence of Autism has generated higher special needs enrollment and requires teachers to acquire the skills to address Autistic children’s unique needs. At the same time, however, budget cuts have generated a shortage of qualified professionals with expertise in autism interventions. More effective staff training may provide an avenue for addressing this shortage. This study investigated the impact that a Staff Training Procedure (STP), consisting of Video Self-Monitoring (VSM), Performance Feedback (PF) and Reflection (R) with and without Mentoring has on sustained and generalized teacher performance on two DVs – application of the Learn Unit (LU) and Rate of Effective Instruction (ROI). Practical and theoretical implications are discussed. Study Design Exploratory Quasi-Experimental Approach Setting Two private schools utilizing principles of Applied Behavior Analysis Participants 10 female teachers instructing 3-5 year old autistic children Outcome Measures Teacher performance outcomes on LU and ROI after: Phase 1 – a 2-hour workshop; Phase 2 – the addition of fixed period of Mentoring while engaging in the STP; and Phase 3 – after the formal STP and Mentoring period has ended. Results The STP appeared to enhance teacher performance and sustainability of Procedural Integrity. The greatest improvement and most consistent performance was observed among teachers who received STP plus Mentoring as opposed to STP alone. Conclusion Adding Mentoring to an existing STP appears to enhance teacher performance and Procedural Integrity with sustainable outcomes. The possibility of using VSM as a skill acquisition procedure is highlighted.
Why Central Banks Announce their Objectives: Monetary Policy with Discretionary Signalling

This paper analyzes the use of announcements of objectives or intentions, announcements which are common in implementation of monetary policy. To analyze such announcements, this paper uses a model in which there is asymmetric information over the central bank´s objectives. This informational asymmetry is represented by a stochastic inflation target, upon which only the central bank can condition its actions. Thus, the scope is set for signalling, and the use of announcements can be seen as a way for a central bank to signal its type. This paper assumes that a central bank can signal at its own discretion and shows that while central banks with high inflation targets never use announcements, central banks with low inflation targets occasionally, but not always, will choose to reveal their private information through an announcement. A first finding is that, contrary to what a cheap-talk equilibrium suggests, the announcements may be more precise the larger the central bank´s news. Moreover, this paper shows that the frequency of announcements is unambiguously increasing in the magnitude of the central bank´s news, something that goes well in line with what is typically found in actual implementation of monetary policy.
Probabilistic clustering by random swap algorithm

We formulate probabilistic clustering method based on a sequence of random swaps of cluster centroids. We show that the algorithm has linear dependency on the number of data vectors, quadratic on the number of clusters, and inverse dependency on the dimensionality. Each halving of the probability of failure (e.g. from 1% to 0.5%) is achieved at the cost of only linear increase in the processing time.
The −33T → C Polymorphism in Intron 7 of the TFPI Gene Influences the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism, Independently of the Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin Mutations

Summary We have previously identified, in intron 7 of the TFPI gene, a T to C single-base polymorphism (−33T→C) which is strongly associated with total circulating TFPI antigen levels. Here we examined the influence of this polymorphism on the risk of venous thromboembolism. The polymorphism was identified in the PATHROS study population (330 cases with venous thromboembolism and 826 controls). The CC genotype was found in 6.4% of cases and 10.2% of controls (age-adjusted odds ratio 0.6; 95% CI 0.3–0.9; p = 0.03). This protective effect persisted after adjustment for oral contraception and the factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene polymorphisms. In 171 controls and 49 cases in whom blood was taken at least three months after the thrombotic event, the CC genotype was associated with significantly higher total TFPI levels than the TT genotype. These results suggest that the CC genotype of the TFPI intron 7 polymorphism is an independent protective factor for venous thromboembolism, an effect probably mediated by increased TFPI levels.
Segmental Stator Switched Reluctance Machine for Safety-Critical Applications

In safety-critical systems, faults can cause life losses, environmental degradation, or significant financial losses. In this paper, a segmental stator switched reluctance machine is proposed for such applications. A short overview of its design is given. Its fault tolerance is investigated by dynamic simulations and laboratory tests. It is demonstrated via both methods that the proposed machine is able to have a continuous operation despite five severe winding fault conditions.
Contribution of body fatness and adipose tissue distribution to the age variation in plasma steroid hormone concentrations in men: the HERITAGE Family Study.

Obesity has been associated with alterations in plasma steroid hormone concentrations in men. Older men present an altered steroid hormone profile compared to younger individuals, and an increase in body fatness and changes in adipose tissue (AT) distribution are noted with advancing age. Thus, there is a need to examine the relative importance of increased body fatness and changes in AT distribution with advancing age to plasma steroid hormone and sex hormone-binding globulin levels in men. We, therefore, investigated the relationships among age, body fatness, AT distribution, and the plasma steroid hormone profile in a group of 217 Caucasian men (mean age +/- SD, 36.2 +/- 14.9 yr) who covered a wide age range (17-64 yr). Compared to young adult men, older men were characterized by increased adiposity (P < 0.0001) expressed either as body mass index or total body fat mass assessed by underwater weighing. Differences in AT distribution were also noted with a preferential accumulation of abdominal fat as indicated by a larger waist girth (P < 0.0001) and higher visceral AT accumulation (P < 0.0001), measured by computed tomography, in older subjects. Age was associated with decreases (P < 0.0001) in C19 adrenal steroid levels, namely reduced dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA fatty acid ester, DHEA sulfate, as well as androstenedione levels. Androgens, i.e. dihydrotestosterone and testosterone, were also affected by age, with lower levels of both steroids being found in older individuals (P < 0.0005). When statistical adjustment for body fatness and AT distribution was performed, differences in C19 adrenal steroids between the age groups remained significant, whereas differences in androgens and sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations were no longer significant. The present study suggests that age-related differences in plasma steroid hormone levels, especially androgens, are partly mediated by concomitant variation in adiposity in men.
Long-Term Results of Surgical Treatment for Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome

Background: Ulnar artery occlusion at the wrist and proximal palm can cause debilitating pain and tissue loss. There is disagreement in the literature as to whether the diseased ulnar artery needs to be reconstructed or merely resected. The authors report the long-term outcomes of patients treated surgically with reconstruction of the ulnar artery. Methods: The long-term outcomes of 14 patients treated for this condition were evaluated. Comparisons of late postoperative to preoperative and early postoperative measurements were performed for digital brachial index. Subjective symptoms and function impairment were compared for preoperative and postoperative states using validated questionnaires. Comparisons were also made based on ulnar artery patency versus occlusion at late postoperative measurement. Results: Two patients underwent excision of the thrombosed segment and direct ulnar artery repair. All reconstructions were performed using vein grafts. Eight reconstructions remained patent at a mean 52 months postoperatively. All patients had a mean improvement in digital brachial index (0.82 versus 0.70), decrease in pain and dysesthesia symptoms, and decrease in cold intolerance compared with preoperatively. Patients with ulnar artery occlusion at final measurement had more improvement in digital brachial index (0.19 versus 0.03) and tended to have better subjective improvement in symptoms and function than those whose ulnar artery remained patent. Conclusions: Ulnar artery reconstruction in the setting of hypothenar hammer syndrome results in immediate and long-term improvement of commonly used objective and subjective measurements of digital blood flow. Interestingly, long-term follow-up demonstrates superior endpoints in those reconstructions that occluded. A proposed mechanism to explain this phenomenon is presented.
Longitudinal study of thyroid function in Down’s syndrome in the first two decades

Aims and Methods: Thyroid function tests were initially carried out on 122 children with Down’s syndrome aged 6–14 years and then repeated four to six years later in 103 adolescents (85% of the group of 122) when they were aged 10–20 years (median 14.4 years). At the second test two were hypothyroid and two with isolated raised thyroid stimulating hormone (IR-TSH) were receiving thyroxine. Results: At the first test there were 98 (80%) euthyroid children: 83 were retested and four (5%) had IR-TSH. At the first test 24 had IR-TSH: 20 were retested and 14 (70%) had become normal. Seventeen with IR-TSH on initial testing had a thyrotrophin releasing hormone test within three months; TSH had become normal in eight (47%) of these children. There was no association between reported clinical symptoms and IR-TSH, but there were clear symptoms in one of the two with definite hypothyroidism. Conclusions: The likelihood ratio for a positive result on second testing when raised TSH and positive antibody status on first testing are combined is 20. This suggests initial testing results could be used as a basis to select a subgroup for further testing at say five yearly intervals unless new symptoms emerge in the interim. It also suggests that yearly screening (as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, 2001) is probably not justified in the first 20 years of life.
Potential and Limitations of Ensemble Docking

A major problem in structure-based virtual screening applications is the appropriate selection of a single or even multiple protein structures to be used in the virtual screening process. A priori it is unknown which protein structure(s) will perform best in a virtual screening experiment. We investigated the performance of ensemble docking, as a function of ensemble size, for eight targets of pharmaceutical interest. Starting from single protein structure docking results, for each ensemble size up to 500,000 combinations of protein structures were generated, and, for each ensemble, pose prediction and virtual screening results were derived. Comparison of single to multiple protein structure results suggests improvements when looking at the performance of the worst and the average over all single protein structures to the performance of the worst and average over all protein ensembles of size two or greater, respectively. We identified several key factors affecting ensemble docking performance, including the sampling accuracy of the docking algorithm, the choice of the scoring function, and the similarity of database ligands to the cocrystallized ligands of ligand-bound protein structures in an ensemble. Due to these factors, the prospective selection of optimum ensembles is a challenging task, shown by a reassessment of published ensemble selection protocols.