Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of a clinic-based literacy intervention on language development in inner-city preschool children.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of a clinic-based literacy intervention on the language development of preschool children. METHODS A convenience sample of families presenting to 2 urban pediatric clinics for well-child care met the following criteria: the family was Latino or black and English- or Spanish-speaking; the child was 2 to 5.9 years old, with no neurodevelopmental disability, at a gestational age of 34 weeks or more, and not attending kindergarten. Participants at the first clinic (intervention group) were exposed to a literacy support program, based on Reach Out and Read (ROR), during the previous 3 years. At the second clinic (comparison group), a similar program started 3 months before the study. Parent-child reading activities were measured using the READ Subscale of the StimQ. Language development was measured using the One-Word Expressive and Receptive Picture Vocabulary Tests, and was performed in the child's primary language. RESULTS A total of 122 study participants (49 interventions and 73 comparisons) met inclusion criteria and completed all measures. Intervention and comparison families were similar for most sociodemographic variables. Intervention families reported reading together with their children approximately 1 more day per week. Intensity of exposure to ROR (measured by total number of contacts with the program) was associated with increased parent-child reading activities, as measured by the StimQ-Read Subscale (r = 0.20). Intervention children had higher receptive language (mean: 94.5 vs 84.8) and expressive language (mean: 84.3 vs 81.6). After adjusting for potential confounders in a multiple regression analysis, intervention status was associated with an 8.6-point increase (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.3, 14.0) in receptive language (semipartial correlation [SR]coefficient = 0.27), and a 4.3-point increase (95% CI: 0.04, 8.6) in expressive language (SR = 0.17). In a similar multiple regression, each contact with ROR was associated with an adjusted mean 0.4-point increase (95% CI: 0.1, 0.6) in receptive score, and an adjusted mean 0.21-point increase (95% CI: 0. 02, 0.4) in expressive score. CONCLUSIONS ROR is an important intervention, promoting parental literacy support and enhancing language development in impoverished preschool children. Integration of literacy promoting interventions such as these into routine pediatric health care for underserved populations can be recommended.
Graded replacement of maize grain with molassed sugar beet pulp modulated ruminal microbial community and fermentation profile in vitro.

BACKGROUND Molassed sugar beet pulp (Bp) is a viable alternative to grains in cattle nutrition for reducing human edible energy input. Yet little is known about the effects of high inclusion rates of Bp on rumen microbiota. This study used an in vitro approach and the quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique to establish the effects of a graded replacement of maize grain (MG) by Bp on the ruminal microbial community, fermentation profile and nutrient degradation. RESULTS Six different amounts of Bp (0-400 g kg-1 ), which replaced MG in the diet, were tested using the in vitro semi-continuous rumen simulation technique. The increased inclusion of Bp resulted in greater dietary content and degradation of neutral detergent fibre (P < 0.01). Further, Bp feeding enhanced (P < 0.01) the abundance of genus Prevotella and shifted (P < 0.01) the short-chain fatty acid patterns in favour of acetate and propionate and at the expense of butyrate. A total replacement of MG with Bp resulted in an increased daily methane production (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Results suggest positive effects of the replacement of MG by Bp especially in terms of stimulating ruminal acetate and propionate fermentation. However, high replacement rates of Bp resulted in lowered utilization of ammonia and higher ruminal methane production. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
A Bayesian Clearing Mechanism for Combinatorial Auctions

We cast the problem of combinatorial auction design in a Bayesian framework in order to incorporate prior information into the auction process and minimize the number of rounds to convergence. We first develop a generative model of agent valuations and market prices such that clearing prices become maximum a posteriori estimates given observed agent valuations. This generative model then forms the basis of an auction process which alternates between refining estimates of agent valuations and computing candidate clearing prices. We provide an implementation of the auction using assumed density filtering to estimate valuations and expectation maximization to compute prices. An empirical evaluation over a range of valuation domains demonstrates that our Bayesian auction mechanism is highly competitive against the combinatorial clock auction in terms of rounds to convergence, even under the most favorable choices of price increment for this baseline.
A Referential Communication Demonstration Versus a Lecture-Only Control

To evaluate a demonstration involving active and cooperative learning, 40 students in a cognitive psychology course and 132 students in an introductory psychology course completed a brief multiple-choice pretest on referential communication. Two days later, randomly assigned students either participated in a classroom referential communication demonstration/debriefing or heard only a comparable lecture. The demonstration/debriefing students competed as pairs, within which a communicator described an abstract design that a listener could not see but had to draw as accurately as possible. After 5 more days, all students took a classroom posttest identical to the pretest. Compared to lecture-only students, demonstration/debriefing students in both courses obtained significantly higher posttest, but not pretest, overall scores. However, cognitive and introductory psychology students showed some level of learning and metacognitive differences in their benefits from the demonstration.
A Work Roles and Leadership Functions of Managers in Virtual Teams

This study examined the perceived importance of line managers and middle managers in virtual teams of what work roles and leadership functions are necessary to promote virtual team success and performance. Using Quinnâ€™s (1988) competing values frame-work it was found that control-related roles of directors and producers were perceived to be most important. With years in a leading position, the repertoire of leadership roles needed to successfully lead virtual teams declined. Additionally, middle managers compared to line managers perceived people oriented leadership functions (i.e., mentor and facilitator roles) and flexibility-related work roles (i.e., innovator and mentor roles) as more important whereas line managers compared to middle managers perceived stability leadership functions (i.e., monitor and coordinator roles) as more important. Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.
Opportunistic Interference Mitigation Achieves Optimal Degrees-of-Freedom in Cellular Networks

We introduce an opportunistic interference mitigation (OIM) for cellular networks, where a user scheduling strategy is utilized in uplink K-cell environments with time-invariant channel coefficients and base stations (BSs) having M receive antennas. In the OIM scheme, each BS opportunistically selects a set of users who generate the minimum interference to the other BSs. We consider two OIM protocols according to the number S of simultaneously transmitting users per cell: an opportunistic interference nulling (OIN) and an opportunistic interference alignment (OIA). Then, their performance is analyzed in terms of degrees-of-freedom (DoFs). It is shown that KM DoFs are achievable under the OIN protocol with M selected users per cell, while the OIA scheme with S selected users (smaller than M ) achieves KS DoFs. Assuming that N denotes the total number of users in a cell, we also analyze the scaling condition between system parameters K , M , N , S, and the received signal-to-noise ratio such that our achievability result holds. It is investigated that there exists a trade-off between the achievable number of DoFs and the parameter N based on the two proposed schemes. Furthermore, by deriving the corresponding upper bound on the DoFs, it is shown that the OIN scheme is DoF-optimal. Finally, numerical evaluation is performed; a two-step scheduling strategy, in which a logarithmic gain can further be obtained, is shown; and our achievability result is extended to multi-carrier systems. Note that the proposed OIM schemes do not require the global channel state information and time/frequency expansion, thereby resulting in easier implementation. Index Terms Base station (BS), channel state information, cellular network, degrees-of-freedom (DoFs), interference, opportunistic interference alignment (OIA), opportunistic interference mitigation (OIM), opportunistic interference nulling (OIN), user scheduling. *: Corresponding author. B. C. Jung was with KAIST Institute for Information Technology Convergence, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea. He is now with the Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong 650-160, Republic of Korea (E-mail: bcjung@gnu.ac.kr). D. Park is with SAIT, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Yongin 446-712, Republic of Korea (E-mail: dohyung22.park@gmail.com). W. -Y. Shin is with the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA (Email:wyshin@seas.harvard.edu). SUBMITTED TO IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INFORMATION THEORY 2
Structure of Human Histocompatibility Leukocyte Antigen (Hla)-Cw4, a Ligand for the Kir2d Natural Killer Cell Inhibitory Receptor

The crystal structure of the human class I major histocompatibility complex molecule, human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-Cw4, the ligand for a natural killer (NK) cell inhibitory receptor, has been determined, complexed with a nonameric consensus peptide (QYDDAVYKL). Relative to HLA-A2, the peptide binding groove is widened around the COOH terminus of the α1 helix, which contains residues that determine the specificity of HLA-Cw4 for the inhibitory NK receptor, KIR2D. The structure reveals an unusual pattern of internal hydrogen bonding among peptide residues. The peptide is anchored in four specificity pockets in the cleft and secured by extensive hydrogen bonds between the peptide main chain and the cleft. The surface of HLA-Cw4 has electrostatic complementarity to the surface of the NK cell inhibitory receptor KIR2D.
Younger children experience lower levels of language competence and academic progress in the first year of school: evidence from a population study

Background The youngest children in an academic year are reported to be educationally disadvantaged and overrepresented in referrals to clinical services. In this study we investigate for the first time whether these disadvantages are indicative of a mismatch between language competence at school entry and the academic demands of the classroom. Methods We recruited a population sample of 7,267 children aged 4 years 9 months to 5 years 10 months attending state‐maintained reception classrooms in Surrey, England. Teacher ratings on the Children's Communication Checklist‐Short (CCC‐S), a measure of language competence, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire‐Total Difficulties Score (SDQ), a measure of behavioural problems, and the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP), a measure of academic attainment, were obtained at the end of the reception year. Results The youngest children were rated by teachers as having more language deficits, behaviour problems, and poorer academic progress at the end of the school year. Language deficits were highly associated with behaviour problems; adjusted odds ratio 8.70, 95% CI [7.25–10.45]. Only 4.8% of children with teacher‐rated language deficits and 1.3% of those with co‐occurring language and behaviour difficulties obtained a ‘Good Level of Development’ on the EYFSP. While age predicted unique variance in academic attainment (1%), language competence was the largest associate of academic achievement (19%). Conclusion The youngest children starting school have relatively immature language and behaviour skills and many are not yet ready to meet the academic and social demands of the classroom. At a population level, developing oral language skills and/or ensuring academic targets reflect developmental capacity could substantially reduce the numbers of children requiring specialist clinical services in later years.
Genetic analysis of L123 of the tRNA-mimicking eukaryote release factor eRF1, an amino acid residue critical for discrimination of stop codons

In eukaryotes, the tRNA-mimicking polypeptide-chain release factor, eRF1, decodes stop codons on the ribosome in a complex with eRF3; this complex exhibits striking structural similarity to the tRNA–eEF1A–GTP complex. Although amino acid residues or motifs of eRF1 that are critical for stop codon discrimination have been identified, the details of the molecular mechanisms involved in the function of the ribosomal decoding site remain obscure. Here, we report analyses of the position-123 amino acid of eRF1 (L123 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae eRF1), a residue that is phylogenetically conserved among species with canonical and variant genetic codes. In vivo readthrough efficiency analysis and genetic growth complementation analysis of the residue-123 systematic mutants suggested that this amino acid functions in stop codon discrimination in a manner coupled with eRF3 binding, and distinctive from previously reported adjacent residues. Furthermore, aminoglycoside antibiotic sensitivity analysis and ribosomal docking modeling of eRF1 in a quasi-A/T state suggested a functional interaction between the side chain of L123 and ribosomal residues critical for codon recognition in the decoding site, as a molecular explanation for coupling with eRF3. Our results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying stop codon discrimination by a tRNA-mimicking protein on the ribosome.
Menu Labels Displaying the Kilocalorie Content or the Exercise Equivalent: Effects on Energy Ordered and Consumed in Young Adults

Purpose. Determine the effect of menu labels displaying the energy content of food items or the exercise equivalent on energy ordered and consumed at lunch and energy intake for the remainder of the day in young adults. Design. Subjects were randomized to a menu with no labels (no-labels), menu with kilocalorie labels displaying the energy content of the food items (kcal-labels), or menu with exercise labels displaying the minutes of brisk walking needed to burn the food energy (exercise-labels). Setting. The study was conducted in one dining area located in a metabolic kitchen at the Texas Christian University and another located in a residence occupied by graduate students. Subjects. Of the 300 subjects, 55.7% were female, 77.3% were college students, 88% were white, and 88% were non-Hispanic. Mean body mass index and age were 24.2 ± 4.5 kg/m2 and 21.9 ± 2.3 years, respectively. Intervention. All menus contained the same food/beverage choices. Subjects ordered and consumed foods/beverages for lunch from the menu to which they were assigned. Subjects were blinded to study purpose. Measures. Energy ordered and consumed at lunch were assessed from the weight of the food ordered and consumed, respectively, and the energy content of the same foods available on the restaurant Web site. Postlunch energy intake was assessed by food recall. Analysis. Analysis of covariance, adjusted for premeal hunger levels and gender, determined the effect of menu type on energy ordered and consumed and postlunch energy intake. Results. Significant menu effect was observed for energy ordered (p = .008) and consumed (p = .04) at lunch. The exercise-labels group ordered significantly (p = .002) less energy (adjusted mean [confidence intervals]: 763 [703, 824] kcal) at lunch, compared to the no-labels group (902 [840, 963] kcal) but not compared to the kcal-labels group (827 [766, 888] kcal). The exercise-labels group also consumed significantly (p = .01) less energy (673 [620, 725] kcal) at lunch, compared to the no-labels group (770 (717, 823) kcal) but not compared to the kcal-labels group (722 [669, 776] kcal). Energy ordered and consumed were not different between kcal-labels and no-labels groups. There was no difference in postlunch energy intake by menu type. Conclusion. The menu with exercise-labels resulted in less energy ordered and consumed and this did not lead to greater energy consumption post lunch, compared to the menu with no-labels in young adults largely made up of normal-weight, non-Hispanic white college students.
Inducing Models of Black-Box Storage Arrays

This paper applies statistical model-induction techniques to the problem of forecasting response times in storage systems. Our work differs from prior research in several ways: we regard storage systems as black boxes; we automatically induce models rather than constructing them from detailed expert knowledge; we use lightweight passive observations, rather than extensive controlled experiments, to collect input data; we forecast individual response times rather than aggregates or averages; and we focus on large and complex enterprise storage arrays that comprise many RAID groups. We evaluate our methods using a lengthy storage trace collected in a real-world environment, and measure the predictive value of information available when requests are issued. This paper makes several contributions. First, we quantify the potential of a class of statistical methods for the challenging problem of automatic performance model induction. Second, we quantify improvements in accuracy that result when the range of information available to our models increases. Finally, we describe a general, low-cost modeling methodology that can be applied to a wide range of storage arrays.
FREE AMINO ACIDS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS IN DOG BRAIN: POST‐MORTEM AND ANOXIC CHANGES, EFFECTS OF AMMONIUM CHLORIDE INFUSION, AND LEVELS DURING SEIZURES INDUCED BY PICROTOXIN AND BY PENTYLENETETRAZOL *

PREVIOUS studies in this laboratory have been concerned with chemical changes in the brain associated with convulsive activity (STONE et al., 1960) as revealed by analysis of brain tissue after in vivo fixation with liquid air. The development by MOORE and STEIN (1954) of ion exchange procedures for the separation of amino acids has made it feasible to extend the study of cerebral constituents during convulsions to include many free amino acids and related substances. These compounds are of particular interest in view of recent investigations by GEIGER and his coworkers (1960 a, 6) indicating that protein turnover in the brain is accelerated during convulsive activity induced by pentylenetetrazol. Accordingly, the cerebral levels of a large number of nitrogenous constituents have been determined in control experiments and during seizures induced by picrotoxin or by pentylenetetrazol. In an attempt to classify different types of seizures on the basis of specific chemical patterns (STONE et al., 1960), the seizures induced by these two agents have been tentatively classed together as representing a type in which distinctive metabolic changes have not yet been observed. As an aid in the interpretation of any changes which might be observed during seizures or other conditions, it was considered essential to study also post-mortem changes and the effects of anoxia and of ammonium chloride infusion.
Expanding the RpoS/σS-Network by RNA Sequencing and Identification of σS-Controlled Small RNAs in Salmonella

The RpoS/σS sigma subunit of RNA polymerase (RNAP) controls a global adaptive response that allows many Gram-negative bacteria to survive starvation and various stresses. σS also contributes to biofilm formation and virulence of the food-borne pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). In this study, we used directional RNA-sequencing and complementary assays to explore the σS-dependent transcriptome of S. Typhimurium during late stationary phase in rich medium. This study confirms the large regulatory scope of σS and provides insights into the physiological functions of σS in Salmonella. Extensive regulation by σS of genes involved in metabolism and membrane composition, and down-regulation of the respiratory chain functions, were important features of the σS effects on gene transcription that might confer fitness advantages to bacterial cells and/or populations under starving conditions. As an example, we show that arginine catabolism confers a competitive fitness advantage in stationary phase. This study also provides a firm basis for future studies to address molecular mechanisms of indirect regulation of gene expression by σS. Importantly, the σS-controlled downstream network includes small RNAs that might endow σS with post-transcriptional regulatory functions. Of these, four (RyhB-1/RyhB-2, SdsR, SraL) were known to be controlled by σS and deletion of the sdsR locus had a competitive fitness cost in stationary phase. The σS-dependent control of seven additional sRNAs was confirmed in Northern experiments. These findings will inspire future studies to investigate molecular mechanisms and the physiological impact of post-transcriptional regulation by σS.
Do We Know the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) for COPD Exacerbations?

Abstract Frequent exacerbations of COPD are associated with accelerated loss of lung function, declining health status, increased mortality, and increased health care costs. Thus, a key objective in the management of COPD is preventing exacerbations or at least reducing their number and severity. When new interventions are examined, their value is sometimes assessed in reference to the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), a theoretical construct that may be defined and estimated numerically in several different ways. There have been limited attempts to calculate the MCID for COPD exacerbations but a figure of 20% reduction in exacerbation frequency is occasionally cited as the “established” MCID from a single manuscript reviewing six clinical trials. Our review suggests that defining and calculating the MCID for COPD exacerbations is problematic, not only because the methodology around developing endpoints for MCIDs is inconsistent, but because the impact of exacerbation reduction is likely to be influenced dramatically by the definitions of exacerbation severity used and the population's baseline status. Reference to current literature shows that at least one other estimate for exacerbation MCID as low as 4%. MCID is sometimes estimated by expert consensus; a review of articles used to shape COPD guidelines shows frequent reference to articles in which interventions yielded exacerbation differences as low as 11%. We find no evidence of an established MCID but suggest that interventions reducing exacerbations by as little as 11% appear to be regarded widely as clinically important.