Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Introduction: Discourse and Autism

which autism organizes discourse, and, in doing so, illuminates certain fundamental underpinnings of discourse competence. Autism is a neurological disorder that hinders social, cognitive, and emotional functioning of affected persons. Although most individuals with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) suffer from mental retardation, roughly 25 percent have normal to above average intelligence (Wing, 1996; Wing and Attwood, 1987). This special issue analyzes conversational discourse involving children aged 8–12 years old who fall into this latter category – diagnosed as either high-functioning with autism (HFA) or Asperger syndrome (AS). Researchers have established that children with autism have relatively intact grammatical ability but display pragmatic impairments in language use (see Tager-Flusberg, 2000, for review). What our research has illuminated is that HFA and AS children appear to have less trouble with certain pragmatic dimensions of language than with others (Ochs et al., this issue; Ochs and Solomon, in press). In many respects, the discourse practices of these children appear undifferentiated from those unaffected by this disorder. For example, they are able to participate relatively competently in adjacency pair conversational sequences (Kremer-Sadlik, 2001, this issue), notice social rule violations (Sterponi, this issue), display politeness and empathy (Sirota, 2002, this issue), and launch narratives in conversation (Solomon, 2001, this issue). Yet in other ways, the discourse of these articulate children has a distinct quality: it is subtly but systematically different from unaffected discourse. Each article in this special issue delineates a range of competencies evidenced by HFA and AS children in specific areas of everyday social interaction. Examining question–answer sequences, politeness, accountability, and narrative, the contributors to this special issue address both the dimensions of social competence where the discourse of children with ASD is indistinguishable from 139
Photogrammetric reconstruction of high-resolution surface topographies and deformable wing kinematics of tethered locusts and free-flying hoverflies

Here, we present a suite of photogrammetric methods for reconstructing insect wing kinematics, to provide instantaneous topographic maps of the wing surface. We filmed tethered locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) and free-flying hoverflies (Eristalis tenax) using four high-speed digital video cameras. We digitized multiple natural features and marked points on the wings using manual and automated tracking. Epipolar geometry was used to identify additional points on the hoverfly wing outline which were anatomically indistinguishable. The cameras were calibrated using a bundle adjustment technique that provides an estimate of the error associated with each individual data point. The mean absolute three-dimensional measurement error was 0.11 mm for the locust and 0.03 mm for the hoverfly. The error in the angle of incidence was at worst 0.51° (s.d.) for the locust and 0.88° (s.d.) for the hoverfly. The results we present are of unprecedented spatio-temporal resolution, and represent the most detailed measurements of insect wing kinematics to date. Variable spanwise twist and camber are prominent in the wingbeats of both the species, and are of such complexity that they would not be adequately captured by lower resolution techniques. The role of spanwise twist and camber in insect flight has yet to be fully understood, and accurate insect wing kinematics such as we present here are required to be sure of making valid predictions about their aerodynamic effects.
Energy status and metabolism in intracranial space occupying lesions: a prospective 31p spectroscopic study.

AIM Intracranial space occupying lesions can be infective or tumour. There are various advanced Magnetic resonance imaging techniques like perfusion, diffusion and proton spectroscopy which can differentiate between them. However, (31) Phosphorus spectroscopy studies the energy status and the metabolism pattern of various tissues and can be used potentially to differentiate between them depending on their Metabolism pattern. Thus, we aimed to study energy status of various intracranial lesions and try to differentiate between them including grades of gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS (31)PMRS was done in 1.5T MRI in 43 patients prior to surgery or through/via stereo-tactic biopsy, of which 25 were men and 18 women with mean age 41.34 y ranging from 7-71 y. Single voxel phosphorus spectroscopy was done from the solid portion of the lesions and data was analysed and post processed. RESULTS Study includes Lymphoma (n=6), Grade 1 and 2 glioma (n=5), grade 3 glioma (n=9), grade 4 glioma(n=6), metastases (n=5), tuberculoma (n=7) and pyogenic abscesses (n=5). The integral values of PME, Pi, PDE, γ-ATP, α-ATP, β-ATP with reference to the position of PCr were calculated along with various ratios. Integral values of Pi and PDE were significantly increased in metastases but decreased in gliomas grade 1-2 compared to other pathologic conditions. Mean integral values of LEP (low energy phosphates) and total phosphates were significantly decreased in gliomas grades 1 and 2 and increased in metastases when compared with other pathologic conditions. PCr /Pi was increased in glioma grades 1, 2 and 3 but decreased in metastases; the significance was observed only in gliomas grade 3 and metastases. Metabolic ratios of PDE/β ATP and Pi/βATP were decreased in glioma grades 1 and 2 and increased in metastases with statistical significance. CONCLUSION (31)PMRS may help in differentiating primary from secondary lesions and assess grades of gliomas.
Commutability of Design Pattern Instantiation and Integration

Design patterns capture expert design experience in generic design structure and behavior. A design pattern needs to be instantiated before using. It can be integrated with other patterns as well. The instantiation and integration operations are two important operations when a designer uses a design pattern in a particular application. In this paper, we investigate the commutability of these two operations based on our formal specification framework. We provide rigorous proofs on the conditions when the order of these two operations does not matter. Our results enable the software designers to choose their design processes with assurance of their equivalence.
Individual Differences in Haptic Information Processing: The "Need for Touch" Scale

This research details the development of the "Need for Touch" (NFT) scale designed to measure individual differences in preference for haptic (touch) information. The 12-item NFT scale consists of autotelic and instrumental dimensions. Results are reported that support the scale's hypothesized internal structure as well as its reliability, convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity. Individual differences in chronic accessibility to haptic information across groups varying in NFT were also found in two experiments. Additionally, NFT moderated the relationship between direct experience and confidence in judgment. Copyright 2003 by the University of Chicago.
Force Servoing by Flexible Manipulator Based on Resonance Ratio Control

This paper presents a force servoing method to suppress torsional vibration of two-mass resonant system. The resonance ratio control is one of the effective control methods of two-mass resonant system. In this method, the ratio between the resonant frequency of motor and arm is determined arbitrary according to the feedback of estimated reaction torque. The reaction torque is estimated by using a position sensitive detector (PSD). Since the estimation method does not need the parameter identification, the torsion information is obtained with accuracy. To attain the affinity and adaptability to environment, motion systems should control the reaction torque from the environment. In the force servoing system, the force command is given as a disturbance of the arm portion. The arm disturbance is observed by the arm disturbance observer without force sensors. The proposed force servoing system is based on both the conventional PD control and the resonance ratio control, and the determination method of pole placement is discussed. The proposed force servoing system can realize both the suppression of the inner torsional reaction torque and the adaptation to unknown outer force inputs. The numerical and experimental results show the viability of the proposed method
An Evaluation of a New Combined Spo2/PtcCO2 Sensor in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

BACKGROUND: Recently, a new sensor for combined assessment of pulse oximetry oxygen saturation (Spo2) and transcutaneous monitoring of carbon dioxide partial pressure (PtcCO2) has been introduced (TOSCA 500, Radiometer America Inc.). We designed this study to evaluate the usability and reliability of TOSCA in neonates with birth weight ≤1500 g (very low birth weight). METHODS: In a prospective study of 22 newborns, TOSCA was tested, positioning the sensor on the ear pinna with an adhesive attachment clip. Simultaneous monitoring with TOSCA, conventional pulse oximeter (HP; Datex Ohmeda 3740), and a transcutaneous device (TINA TCM3, Radiometer, Copenhagen) was performed for 60 min. PtcCO2 measurement from TOSCA (PtcCO2TOSCA) and TINA (PtcCO2) were compared with Pco2 from blood samples (PCO2EAB) at 1 and 60 min. During the monitoring period, values of PtcCO2TOSCA were compared with PtcCO2, and SatO2 values from TOSCA with those from a pulse oximeter. Corresponding data were compared using Bland–Altman analysis. RESULTS: Bias (precision) at 1 min and at 60 min between PCO2EAB and PtcCO2 values were 3.5 (12.4) mm Hg and 2.8 (10.2), respectively, whereas between PCO2EAB and PtcCO2TOSCA values were 18.3 (30.4) mm Hg and 1.8 (25) mm Hg. Bland–Altman analysis shows a better correspondence PtcCO2/PtcCO2TOSCA between 7 and 15 min. No significant differences were found between Spo2 and SpO2TOSCA. CONCLUSIONS: The TOSCA monitor is safe and easy to apply in very low birth weight newborns. The pulse oximeter measurements may be useful for titrating oxygen therapy. Pco2 measurement with TOSCA is most useful as a trend and independent confirmation of arterial Pco2 is required if an accurate value is needed.
Universal Nonlinear Regression on High Dimensional Data Using Adaptive Hierarchical Trees

We study online sequential regression with nonlinearity and time varying statistical distribution when the regressors lie in a high dimensional space. We escape the curse of dimensionality by tracking the subspace of the underlying manifold using a hierarchical tree structure. We use the projections of the original high dimensional regressor space onto the underlying manifold as the modified regressor vectors for modeling of the nonlinear system. By using the proposed algorithm, we reduce the computational complexity to the order of the depth of the tree and the memory requirement to only linear in the intrinsic dimension of the manifold. The proposed techniques are specifically applicable to high dimensional streaming data analysis in a time varying environment. We demonstrate the significant performance gains in terms of mean square error over the other state of the art techniques through simulated as well as real data.
Biosimilars for the management of rheumatoid arthritis: economic considerations

Biologic drugs have proved highly effective for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These drugs are often considered cost-effective for well-defined RA patient populations not responding adequately to conventional treatment, but are used first-line relatively rarely, partly due to high costs. Furthermore, not all clinically eligible patients can access biologics even as second-line therapy. Recently, there has been a rise in interest in ‘biosimilar’ drugs that are highly comparable to the ‘reference medicinal product’ (RMP) in terms of efficacy and safety but may generally be lower in price. This review summarizes the cost burden of RA and considers the potential role of biosimilars in reducing drug costs and increasing patient access to biologics.
Secondary Physical Education Teachers' Beliefs and Practices in Teaching Students with Severe Disabilities: A Descriptive Analysis

The purpose was to describe the beliefs and practices of general physical education (GPE) teachers at the high school level on inclusion and teaching students with severe disabilities. Participants were two experienced GPE teachers at separate suburban high schools. The research paradigm was descriptive using a combination of naturalistic observation and interviewing (Fontana & Frey, 2000; Gay, 1996). Data were collected from eighteen lessons using field notes, wireless microphones, a video camera, an observation instrument, and interviews. Descriptive statistics and thematic narratives were used to present findings. The teachers mostly verbally interacted with those students who had severe disabilities. They varied in their teaching efficacy. Three recurring themes emerged from the data: (a) wavering beliefs, complexities of inclusion, and troubled confidence. Teachers must believe they are adequately prepared, well equipped, and supported to confidently exhibit effective inclusive GPE pedagogies.
A piezoelectric energy harvester interface circuit with adaptive conjugate impedance matching, self-startup and 71% broader bandwidth

This paper presents a piezoelectric energy harvesting interface circuit with a technique to broaden the bandwidth by introducing two time delays into the conventional synchronous-electrical-charge-extraction (SECE) scheme. The circuit adaptively adjusts these time delays for maximum power output at off-resonant frequencies. The bandwidth is increased by 71% while the power consumption of the circuit itself is at a low level of 0. 85μW. The chip is fabricated in 0. 35μm CMOS process technology.
The accuracy of the National Equine Database in relation to vector-borne disease risk modelling of horses in Great Britain.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING THE STUDY The National Equine Database (NED) contains information on the size and distribution of the horse population, but the data quality remains unknown. These data could assist with surveillance, research and contingency planning for equine infectious disease outbreaks. OBJECTIVES 1) To assess the extent of obsolete and missing data from NED, 2) evaluate the extent of spatial separation between horse and owner location and 3) identify relationships between spatial separation and land use. METHODS Two questionnaires were used to assess data accuracy in NED utilising local authority passport inspections and distribution of questionnaires to 11,000 horse owners. A subset of 1010 questionnaires was used to assess horse-owner geographic separation. RESULTS During 2005-2010, 17,048 passports were checked through local authority inspections. Of these, 1558 passports (9.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.7-9.5%) were noncompliant, with 963 (5.6%; 95% CI 5.3-6.0%) containing inaccurate information and 595 (3.5%; 95% CI 3.2-3.8%) classified as missing. Of 1382 questionnaires completed by horse owners, 380 passports were obsolete (27.5%; 95% CI 25.2-29.9%), with 162 (11.7%; 95% CI 10.0-13.4%) being retained for deceased horses and 218 (15.8%; 95% CI 13.9-17.7%) having incorrect ownership details. Fifty-three per cent (95% CI 49.9-56.1%) of owners kept their horse(s) at home and 92% (95% CI 90.3-93.7%) of horses resided within 10 km of their owners. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Data from a small sample survey suggest the majority of data on NED are accurate but a proportion of inaccuracies exist that may cause delay in locating horses and contacting owners during a disease outbreak. The probability that horses are located in the same postcode sector as the owner's home address is larger in rural areas. Appropriate adjustment for population size, horse-owner spatial separation and land usage would facilitate meaningful use of the national horse population derived from NED for risk modelling of incursions of equine diseases into Great Britain.
Norms of Punishment: Experiments with Students and the General Population

type="main" xml:id="ecin12187-abs-0001"> Norms of cooperation and punishment differ across societies, but also within a single society. In an experiment with two subject pools sharing the same geographical and cultural origins, we show that opportunities for peer punishment increase cooperation among students but not in the general population. In previous studies, punishment magnified the differences across societies in people's ability to cooperate. Here, punishment reversed the order: with punishment, students cooperate more than the general population while they cooperate less without it . ( JEL C72, C90, Z13)
Relationship Between Environmental Knowledge and Environmental Attitude of High School Students

Abstract High school students' environmental knowledge and attitudes were assessed from a questionnaire administered before and after exposure to a 10-day environmental science course. Results indicated significant differences in both knowledge gain and attitudes of students after exposure. Students' environmental knowledge scores increased by 22% after they completed the environmental science course. In addition, students' environmental attitudes became more environmentally favorable. A statistically significant correlation was found between pretest knowledge scores and pretest attitude scores and between posttest knowledge scores and posttest attitude scores. In both cases, students having higher knowledge scores had more favorable environmental attitudes compared with students with lower knowledge scores.
Suppression of Cancer-associated Fibroblasts and Endothelial Cells by Itraconazole in Bevacizumab-resistant Gastrointestinal Cancer.

BACKGROUND We evaluated the ability of itraconazole to enhance the effects of bevacizumab in bevacizumab-resistant cancer cells, endothelial cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS Human gastrointestinal cancer cell lines (HT-29, MKN-28 and MKN-45), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and CAFs established from human colon cancer were used. In each of these cell lines, cell growth, apoptosis, and angiogenesis were evaluated with bevacizumab with and without itraconazole both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Itraconazole suppressed HUVEC growth by apoptosis through inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase and ribosomal protein S6 kinase signaling. Itraconazole also suppressed monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretion and the growth of CAFs. In xenografts, compared to monotherapy with either agent alone, combined treatment with itraconazole and bevacizumab significantly reduced tumor volume, tumor weight, and microvessel density. CONCLUSION Itraconazole-dependent suppression of endothelial cell and CAF growth resulted in synergistic effects with bevacizumab in bevacizumab-resistant cancer cells.
Statins use and the risk of acute kidney injury: a meta-analysis

Abstract The association between statins use and the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) remains elusive. We aimed to evaluate the association of statins use with AKI risk by performing a meta-analysis. Twenty-one studies were included in our meta-analysis by searching electronic databases according to predefined criteria. No significant association between statins use and AKI risk was observed in overall populations, Caucasians, Asians, and patients undergoing cardiac and elective surgery (p = 0.816, 0.981, 0.18, 0.709, and 0.122). Statins use decreased the risk of contrast-induced AKI (CIN) (p = 0.005) and increased AKI risk in patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) (p = 0.006). Meta-regression analyses showed almost no impact on the pooled ORs of age and study length for overall populations. Exclusion of any single study had little impact on the pooled ORs. In conclusion, statins use is not associated with the risk of AKI in overall populations, Caucasians, Asians, and patients undergoing cardiac and elective surgery. Statins use decreases the risk of CIN and may increase the risk of AKI in CAP patients.
Mitochondria-Driven Changes in Leaf NAD Status Exert a Crucial Influence on the Control of Nitrate Assimilation and the Integration of Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism1

The Nicotiana sylvestris mutant, CMS, lacks the mitochondrial gene nad7 and functional complex I, and respires using low-affinity NADH (alternative) mitochondrial dehydrogenases. Here, we show that this adjustment of respiratory pathways is associated with a profound modification of foliar carbon-nitrogen balance. CMS leaves are characterized by abundant amino acids compared to either wild-type plants or CMS in which complex I function has been restored by nuclear transformation with the nad7 cDNA. The metabolite profile of CMS leaves is enriched in amino acids with low carbon/nitrogen and depleted in starch and 2-oxoglutarate. Deficiency in 2-oxoglutarate occurred despite increased citrate and malate and higher capacity of key anaplerotic enzymes, notably the mitochondrial NAD-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase. The accumulation of nitrogen-rich amino acids was not accompanied by increased expression of enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation. Partitioning of 15N-nitrate into soluble amines was enhanced in CMS leaf discs compared to wild-type discs, especially in the dark. Analysis of pyridine nucleotides showed that both NAD and NADH were increased by 2-fold in CMS leaves. The growth retardation of CMS relative to the wild type was highly dependent on photoperiod, but at all photoperiod regimes the link between high contents of amino acids and NADH was observed. Together, the data provide strong evidence that (1) NADH availability is a critical factor in influencing the rate of nitrate assimilation and that (2) NAD status plays a crucial role in coordinating ammonia assimilation with the anaplerotic production of carbon skeletons.
Apolipoprotein B100 quality control and the regulation of hepatic very low density lipoprotein secretion

Abstract Apolipoprotein B (apoB) is the main protein component of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and is necessary for the assembly and secretion of these triglyceride (TG)-rich particles. Following release from the liver, VLDL is converted to low density lipoprotein (LDL) in the plasma and increased production of VLDL can therefore play a detrimental role in cardiovascular disease. Increasing evidence has helped to establish VLDL assembly as a target for the treatment of dyslipidemias. Multiple factors are involved in the folding of the apoB protein and the formation of a secretion-competent VLDL particle. Failed VLDL assembly can initiate quality control mechanisms in the hepatocyte that target apoB for degradation. ApoB is a substrate for endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD) by the ubiquitin proteasome system and for autophagy. Efficient targeting and disposal of apoB is a regulated process that modulates VLDL secretion and partitioning of TG. Emerging evidence suggests that significant overlap exists between these degradative pathways. For example, the insulin-mediated targeting of apoB to autophagy and postprandial activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) may employ the same cellular machinery and regulatory cues. Changes in the quality control mechanisms for apoB impact hepatic physiology and pathology states, including insulin resistance and fatty liver. Insulin signaling, lipid metabolism and the hepatic UPR may impact VLDL production, particularly during the postprandial state. In this review we summarize our current understanding of VLDL assembly, apoB degradation, quality control mechanisms and the role of these processes in liver physiology and in pathologic states.