Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Birth order and reproductive stoppage in families of children with autism spectrum disorder

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to evaluate the birth order of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ways of delivery at birth, together with the phenomenon of reproductive stoppage and the number of siblings in the case families (families of children with ASD in the study). METHODS: One hundred and ninety-six subjects with ASD and 54 healthy children were included into the study. Demographics were collected. Autism Behaviour Checklist (ABC), Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (AbBC), and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) were administered. Depending on the type of data and on the objective of the assessment, Mann–Whitney U-test, chi-square test, and Spearman tests were used for statistical analysis. A p-value smaller than . 05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: In the study group consisting of children with ASD, the rate of being the first-born child was determined to be more frequent, significantly, compared to the rate in the control group (p = .001). It was also found that 86.7% (n = 170) of the children in the ASD group had at least one sibling compared to the rate of 81.5% (n = 44) for their counterparts in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study compared ASD group to controls in terms of birth order, demonstrating a significant difference for being the first-born child in the ASD group. Birth order can be considered to be one of the several environmental factors that will help in understanding ASD, in which environmental factors can be the cause of phenotypic complexity. For all that, in our study, it was observed that having a child with autism in the Turkish sample did not affect the decision for the next pregnancy.
Functional brain network efficiency predicts intelligence

The neuronal causes of individual differences in mental abilities such as intelligence are complex and profoundly important. Understanding these abilities has the potential to facilitate their enhancement. The purpose of this study was to identify the functional brain network characteristics and their relation to psychometric intelligence. In particular, we examined whether the functional network exhibits efficient small‐world network attributes (high clustering and short path length) and whether these small‐world network parameters are associated with intellectual performance. High‐density resting state electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded in 74 healthy subjects to analyze graph‐theoretical functional network characteristics at an intracortical level. Ravens advanced progressive matrices were used to assess intelligence. We found that the clustering coefficient and path length of the functional network are strongly related to intelligence. Thus, the more intelligent the subjects are the more the functional brain network resembles a small‐world network. We further identified the parietal cortex as a main hub of this resting state network as indicated by increased degree centrality that is associated with higher intelligence. Taken together, this is the first study that substantiates the neural efficiency hypothesis as well as the Parieto‐Frontal Integration Theory (P‐FIT) of intelligence in the context of functional brain network characteristics. These theories are currently the most established intelligence theories in neuroscience. Our findings revealed robust evidence of an efficiently organized resting state functional brain network for highly productive cognitions. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chymase is a potent chemoattractant for human monocytes and neutrophils

Chymase is a major chymotrypsin‐like serine protease expressed in the secretory granules of mast cells in many mammalian species. In this study, we revealed the chemotactic activity of chymase for human mononuclear cells and neutrophils with a 48‐well microchemotaxis chamber technique. Human chymase showed the potent chemotactic activity for monocytes and neutrophils dose‐dependently in a concentration range from 0.1 to 10 μg/mL, corresponding to about 4–400 μM. The activity was as potent as that of N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine. Chymase also stimulated cell migration of lymphocytes and purified T cells, but checkerboard analysis revealed that the effect was chemokinetic rather than chemotactic. Inhibition of chymase activities with chymase inhibitors, such as antileukoprotease and Bowman‐Birk soybean trypsin inhibitor, significantly inhibited the chemotactic activity of chymase, suggesting that the proteolytic activity of chymase participates in the chemotactic activity. Our results suggest that mast cell chymase acts as a chemoattractant, and may play a role in the accumulation of inflammatory cells in development of the chronic inflammatory responses of allergic and nonallergic diseases. J. Leukoc. Biol. 67: 585–589; 2000.
RMIT University at TRECVID 2004

Run overview We participated in Shot Boundary Detection and Story Segmentation. This page provides a summary of: (1) the approaches tested in the submitted runs; (2) differences in results between the runs; (3) the overall relative contribution of the techniques; and, (4) our overall conclusions. Our approach uses the moving query window technique [12, 13, 14]. 1. We submitted ten runs using only visual features and varied parameters for gradual transition detection as follows: We added a new postprocessing step to our gradual transition detection scheme that was not applied in TREC 2003. We submitted ten additional runs — numbered rmit11 through rmit20 — using asr and identical parameters to those above. The asr information is used in a postprocessing step to remove gradual transitions that coincide with spoken words. 2. The threshold level trades between recall and precision: low thresholds favour recall, high thresholds favour precision. Compared to a long history length, a short history length generally improves gradual transition recall with no or little negative effect on precision. Our asr filtering was ineffective. 3. Threshold level has a significant effect on our results , varying recall between 86% and 91.5%, and precision between 82.9% and 90% overall. Increasing history length decreases overall recall and precision by 1%–2%. Postprocessing with asr data dramatically reduces recall while precision practically remains. 4. Our new postprocessing step for gradual transitions — discussed in detail in the paper — is highly effective. Our exploration of parameters has identified settings that are optimal for television news. We have concluded that threshold settings of 1.7 or 1.8, and a history length of 1 works best. 1. We submitted six runs, with variations of a moving window size: 2. Runs for conditions 1 and 3 have reasonable recall but low precision, while runs in condition 2 have better precision but low recall. 3. Using conditions 1 and 3, we truncate stories: the result is reasonable recall but high false positives. Under condition 2, our results are better. 4. Our technique does not combine evidence well, but is a reasonable first attempt. We are continuing our work for TREC 2005. pre frames post frames moving window current frame frame number 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Figure 1: Moving query window with …
Maternal Depressive Symptoms in Relation to Dimensions of Parenting in Low-Income Mothers

Relations between maternal depressive symptoms and parenting were examined in low-income, inner-city mothers and their 18- to 24-month-old toddlers. Maternal depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) depression inventory, and 3 dimensions of parenting were assessed from maternal interviews and home visits: (a) provision of age-appropriate play materials, (b) organization of the home environment, and (c) quality of mother-child interactions. Maternal depressive symptoms related inversely to the quality of mother-child interactions, but did not relate to the provision of play materials and organization of the home environment. High scores on the CES-D were associated with less sensitivity, engagement, affection, and more rigidity in mothers; with less compliance, affection, engagement, and gentleness in children. In addition, higher CES-D scores were associated with less mutual communication, reciprocity, and enjoyment in the dyad. Neither socioeconomic status, maternal IQ, nor absence-presence of a partner related directly to parenting. These findings suggest that maternal depressive symptoms play a key role in the quality of mother-child interactions.
Between-Domain Relations of Academic Emotions: Does Having the Same Instructor Make a Difference?

Previous research indicates that academic emotions are largely organized along domain-specific lines. In the present study (N = 1,687; Grades 8/11), the authors explored the domain specificity of academic emotions in terms of the moderating influence of having the same versus a different course instructor across domains. The authors evaluated discrete emotions consisting of enjoyment, pride, anxiety, anger, and boredom as experienced in the academic domains of mathematics and physics. Consistent with previous findings, between-domain relations for these emotions were relatively weak. These relations were, however, significantly stronger in classes having the same instructor in mathematics and physics compared with classes having different instructors for each subject. Nevertheless, the between-domain relations in classes having the same instructor were not strong enough to disconfirm the domain-specific conceptualization of academic emotions. Last, the authors discuss directions for future research on additional factors potentially affecting the strength of between-domain relations of academic emotions.
Propensity score adjustment with several follow-ups

Propensity score weighting adjustment is commonly used to handle unit nonresponse. When the response mechanism is nonignorable in the sense that the response probability depends directly on the study variable, a follow-up sample is commonly used to obtain an unbiased estimator using the framework of two-phase sampling, where the follow-up sample is assumed to respond completely. In practice, the follow-up sample is also subject to missingness. We consider propensity score weighting adjustment for nonignorable nonresponse when there are several follow-ups and the final follow-up sample is also subject to missingness. We propose a method-of-moments estimator for estimating parameters in the response probability. The proposed method can be implemented using the generalized method of moments and a consistent variance estimate can be obtained relatively easily. A limited simulation study shows the robustness of the proposed method. The proposed methods are applied to a Korean household survey of employment.
A Brain–Computer Interface-Based Vehicle Destination Selection System Using P300 and SSVEP Signals

In this paper, we propose a novel driver-vehicle interface for individuals with severe neuromuscular disabilities to use intelligent vehicles by using P300 and steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to select a destination and test its performance in the laboratory and real driving conditions. The proposed interface consists of two components: the selection component based on a P300 BCI and the confirmation component based on an SSVEP BCI. Furthermore, the accuracy and selection time models of the interface are built to help analyze the performance of the entire system. Experimental results from 16 participants collected in the laboratory and real driving scenarios show that the average accuracy of the system in the real driving conditions is about 99% with an average selection time of about 26 s. More importantly, the proposed system improves the accuracy of destination selection compared with a single P300 BCI-based selection system, particularly for those participants with relatively low level of accuracy in using the P300 BCI. This study not only provides individuals with severe motor disabilities with an interface to use intelligent vehicles and thus improve their mobility, but also facilitates the research on driver-vehicle interface, multimodal interaction, and intelligent vehicles. Furthermore, it opens an avenue on how cognitive neuroscience may be applied to intelligent vehicles.
Relationship between Parental Bonding and Factors of Aggression among Adolescents

Recent studies are only beginning to suggest possible linkages between children's parental attachment and aggression. This study focuses on highlighting the possible link that may exist between parental bonding (Maternal care, maternal overprotection, Paternal care and Paternal overprotection) and aggression (Total aggression, physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility) in adolescents. The present investigation was conducted to see whether adolescents differing in parental bonding differed significantly on aggression. For this purpose, a group of 80 adolescents (40 males and 40 females) was administered the Aggression Scale (given by Buss & Perry, 1992) and the Parental Bonding Instrument (given by Parker et al., 1979). The socio-economic status of the group was controlled. The data was analysed using Pearson Moment Correlation and significant results were obtained. Results indicated that parental bonding indeed has a direct influence on the level of aggression of the adolescent.
Minority Stress, Sexual Minorities and Psychological Wellbeing: Implications for Positive Psychology

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals experience poorer mental and physical health compared with heterosexuals. Minority stress has been posited as the mechanism by which sexual minorities incur a range of detrimental experiences. This study aimed to identify which of these minority stressors would be uniquely related to psychological distress when examined concurrently within an Australian LGB population. Of a range of minority stressors, it was found that increased vigilance was positively associated with anxiety and stress, and that isolation was associated with increased depression and lowered self-esteem. Notably, gender expression concerns were positively associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and negatively with self-esteem. Despite such negative outcomes, a positive psychology framework offers that sexual minorities tend to develop a range of strengths that serve not only to buffer minority stress, but also promote personal growth for LGB individuals and communities. This study investigated whether eudaimonic wellbeing, as distinct from hedonic wellbeing, would be identified as having a psychologically protective function in line with a strengths-based approach. Evidence was found to support this hypothesis, with engagement in eudaimonic activities coinciding with less depression given a condition of isolation. Toward explaining this occurrence, it was further proposed that self-esteem mediate the relationship between eudaimonia and depression. Supporting this proposal, it was found that higher levels of eudaimonia were related to higher self-esteem, which in turn coincided with less depression. These findings should help to guide practitioners in providing interventions toward psychological wellbeing for LGB people that promote strengths alongside treatment of psychological distress. Eudaimonia is offered as an effective conceptual framework for working with LGB people to promote psychological wellbeing, in part through enhancing self-esteem.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils: a molecular analysis of HPV associations.

BACKGROUND The role of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the pathogenesis and biological behavior of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) are areas of intense investigation. METHODS This study used PCR analysis to identify HPV in paraffin-embedded tonsillar and nodal tissue from 52 patients with TSCC and 48 age (+/-5 year)/gender-matched controls with benign tonsillar hyperplasia. Results were correlated with HLA-DRB1 haplotype and clinical outcome. RESULTS HPV was identified in 46% of patients with TSCC and 6% of controls. DNA sequencing showed the presence of HPV type 16 in 21 patients (40%) with TSCC. There was no statistically significant association between HLA-DRB1 expression and TSCC or HPV infection. Fifteen of 16 patients with HPV-positive TSCC with regional metastases had evidence of HPV in pathologically involved lymph nodes. In eight HPV 16-positive TSCC patients with lymph node metastasis, PCR testing identified HPV 16 in 17 of 23 histologically negative lymph nodes. Patients with HPV-positive TSCC without metastatic disease had no evidence of HPV in their lymphatic tissue. Clinically, HPV-associated carcinoma was present in younger patients in comparison with HPV-negative TSCC patients (mean age, 56.6 versus 66 years; P = 0.001). The odds for patients with HPV infection to develop TSCC were 18.2 times greater than for patients without HPV infection (95% confidence interval 4.6, 73.1). There was no statistically significant association between presence of HPV and cause-specific survival (hazard ratio = 2.5 for HPV negative versus positive; P = 0.26), after adjusting for age in a Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. CONCLUSION HPV is an independent risk factor for TSCC. Identification of HPV in the histologically positive and negative lymph nodes of patients with HPV-positive TSCC/metastatic disease supports the role of HPV in the oncogenesis of TSCC.
Online Signature Recognition Using Neural Network

In this work a new method of signature recognition with neural network is proposed. The features are extracted from two raw databases of ATVS signature database: one consisting of 25 signature samples of 350 persons and other 46 signatures of 25 persons. The features include 9 features computed by DS Guru and HN Prakash and proposed features are no of pen downs, magnitude of average velocity, magnitude of average acceleration and length to height ratio. Signature features are pre-processed with a scaling method and brought to a value having same decimal point. A feed forward neural network is trained using back propagation learning method. With each features removed, an accuracy rate is calculated to check the feature which will be better for signature verification. Accuracy of recognition up to 98% and 89% are obtained using signature samples of 10 persons from each database respectively.
Nature of the hemodynamic forces exerted on vascular endothelial cells or leukocytes adhering to the surface of blood vessels

The hemodynamic forces on endothelial cells or leukocytes attached to the inner surface of blood vessels affect the physiological behavior of these systems via mechano-transduction or receptor-ligand binding. The present study investigates the relative importance and nature of the two components of the hemodynamic force, i.e., the shear and normal force, on a cell and its vicinity. We consider a wide range of blood vessels (from capillaries to arteries) and cell’s spreading angles. Based on computational investigation and analysis, our study demonstrates that the normal force contributes significantly to the total force on the cell; the influence is much more pronounced in small vessels. We also show that the spreading of the cell on the vessel surface should not be discounted, especially in small vessels. Our results are also applicable to the fluid forces on other protuberances of biological nature attached to vascular vessels (e.g., cancer cells and biofilm) as well as to the fluid forces over protuber.
SEYFERT'S SEXTET: A SLOWLY DISSOLVING STEPHAN'S QUINTET?

We present a multiwavelength study of the highly evolved compact galaxy group known as Seyfert's Sextet (HCG79: SS). We interpret SS as a 2–3 Gyr more evolved analog of Stephan's Quintet (HCG92: SQ). We postulate that SS formed by sequential acquisition of 4–5 primarily late-type field galaxies. Four of the five galaxies show an early-type morphology which is likely the result of secular evolution driven by gas stripping. Stellar stripping has produced a massive/luminous halo and embedded galaxies that are overluminous for their size. These are interpreted as remnant bulges of the accreted spirals. H79d could be interpreted as the most recent intruder, being the only galaxy with an intact interstellar medium (ISM) and uncertain evidence for tidal perturbation. In addition to stripping activity we find evidence for past accretion events. H79b (NGC6027) shows a strong counter-rotating emission line component interpreted as an accreted dwarf spiral. H79a shows evidence for an infalling component of gas representing feedback or possible cross-fueling by H79d. The biggest challenge to this scenario involves the low gas fraction in the group. If SS formed from normal field spirals then much of the gas is missing. Finally, despite its advanced stage of evolution, we find no evidence for major mergers and infer that SS (and SQ) are telling us that such groups coalesce via slow dissolution.
Evolutionary neural network prediction for cumulative failure modeling

An evolutionary neural network modeling approach for software cumulative failure prediction based on feed-forward neural network is proposed. A real coded genetic algorithm is used to optimize the mean square of the error produced by training a neural network established by Aljahdali S. [3]. In this paper we present a real coded genetic algorithm that uses the appropriate operators for this encoding type to train feed-forward neural network. We describe the genetic algorithm and we also experimentally compare our approach with the back propagation learning algorithm for the regression model order 4. Numerical results show that both the goodness-of-fit and the next-step-predictability of our proposed approach have greater accuracy in predicting software cumulative failure compared to other approaches.
Injuries in Iran Futsal National Teams: A Comparative Study of Incidence and Characteristics

Background: Futsal is a growing sport with lots of fans in many countries including Iran, but there are few papers in the literature which report injuries in top level futsal. Objectives: The aim of this study is to record and analyze the incidence and characteristics of injuries in Iran futsal national teams from March 2011 to September 2012. Patients and Methods: 55 Iranian national futsal players participated in this prospective cohort study. Before entering the study, all players took part in Pre-Competition Medical Assessment (PCMA) in accordance with FIFA protocol. Team physicians recorded the injuries throughout the match and trainings in a special form which was designed for this purpose. Finally, data analysis was done with the SPSS software. Results: The total exposure time for all players was 24326 hours (21138 hours during training and 3188 hours during matches). During the study period, 32 of the 55 national players (58.2%) incurred 54 injuries (incidence rate = 2.22 injuries per 1000 players-hours). The incidence rate of injury in female players was significantly higher than male players (P = 0.001). The majority of injuries (85.2%) were located on the lower extremities. The ankle was the most frequent injury location (40.7%) and sprain was the most frequent type of injury. Conclusions: Injuries are common among futsal players and female players are more prone to injuries than male players. The ankle is the most frequent site and sprain is the most frequent type of injury among futsal players.
Relative Entropy in Diffusive Relaxation

We establish convergence in the diffusive limit from entropy weak solutions of the equations of compressible gas dynamics with friction to the porous media equation away from vacuum. The result is based on a Lyapunov type of functional provided by a calculation of the relative entropy. The relative entropy method is also employed to establish convergence from entropic weak solutions of viscoelasticity with memory to the system of viscoelasticity of the rate type.