Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testosterone and second-to-fourth digit ratio: Their relationships in adolescent males and females of Igbo Ethnic group in Nigeria

Background: The ratio of the second-to-fourth finger lengths (2D:4D) demonstrates a reliable sexual dimorphism across human ethnic groups. It may be established in utero and is negatively correlated with sperm counts and testosterone in men and positively correlated with estrogen in men and women. In view of its clinical importance, this study was carried out to document values of the 2 nd to 4 th digit ratio in the Igbo ethnic group of Nigerian population and to investigate its relationship with testosterone. Materials and Methods: A sample of 412 subjects (209 boys and 203 girls) between ages 12 and 20 years were recruited randomly for this study. Finger lengths were measured twice, using an electronic Vernier calliper (precision 0.01 mm). Blood samples were collected and analyzed for testosterone. Results: Men had lower 2D:4D ratio (0.98 ± 0.01 for the right and left hand) than women (0.99 ± 0.01 for both hands). These differences in 2D:4D between sexes were statistically significant (P < 0.001 for both hands). The other digit ratios were also lower in men than women for both hands. These differences were statistically significant for all digit ratios except for the 3D:5D and 3D:4D ratio of the both hands. Conclusion: Testosterone had an inverse relationship with 2D: 4D of both hands in males, as well as females′ left hands. This result confirms that digit ratios are sexually dimorphic and useful markers of disease predisposition.
Students' Perceptions on Effective Dimensions of Interactive Learning in a Blended Learning Environment

This study investigates students’ perceptions of the “effective dimensions of interactive learning” in a hybrid course. A case-study design was used, and 25 students enrolled in “Computer Networks and Communication,” a course at a public university in Turkey, formed the sample of this study. The study lasted for 14 weeks. At the end of the study, interviews were conducted to gather data on the “effective dimensions of interactive learning”. Additionally, computer logs of the students were kept and analyzed to triangulate the interview data. The findings of the study showed that the way instructivist and constructivist elements are blended, the need for metacognitive support, authentic learning activities, collaboration, type and source of motivation, individualized learning, and access to the Internet played important roles in students’ learning in the hybrid course.
CUHK System for QUESST Task of MediaEval 2014

This paper describes a spoken keyword search system developed at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) for the query by example search on speech (QUESST) task of MediaEval 2014. This system utilizes posterior features and dynamic time warping (DTW) for keyword matching. Multiple types of posterior features are generated with different tokenizers, and then fused by a linear combination on the DTW distance matrices. The main contribution of this year’s system is a multiview segment clustering (MSC) approach for unsupervised ASM tokenizer construction. The Cnxe and ATWV of our submitted results on the Evaluation set are 0.682 and 0.412, respectively.
Scleral buckling versus primary vitrectomy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment study (SPR study): Risk assessment of anatomical outcome. SPR study report no. 7

Purpose: The ‘Scleral buckling versus primary vitrectomy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment study’ (SPR study) is a randomized multicentre trial comparing primary vitrectomy (PV) and scleral buckling surgery (SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). This subanalysis was conducted to identify risk factors associated with anatomical outcomes.
Calorie seeking, but not hedonic response, contributes to hyperphagia in a mouse model for Prader–Willi syndrome

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by deletion or inactivation of paternally expressed imprinted genes on human chromosome 15q11‐q13, the most recognised feature of which is hyperphagia. This is thought to arise as a consequence of abnormalities in both the physiological drive for food and the rewarding properties of food. Although a number of mouse models for PWS exist, the underlying variables dictating maladaptive feeding remain unknown. Here, feeding behaviour in a mouse model in which the imprinting centre (IC) of the syntenic PWS interval has been deleted (PWSICdel mice) is characterised. It is demonstrated that PWSICdel mice show hyperghrelinaemia and increased consumption of food both following overnight fasting and when made more palatable with sucrose. However, hyperphagia in PWSICdel mice was not accompanied by any changes in reactivity to the hedonic properties of palatable food (sucrose or saccharin), as measured by lick‐cluster size. Nevertheless, overall consumption by PWSICdel mice for non‐caloric saccharin in the licking test was significantly reduced. Combined with converging findings from a continuous reinforcement schedule, these data indicate that PWSICdel mice show a marked heightened sensitivity to the calorific value of food. Overall, these data indicate that any impact of the rewarding properties of food on the hyperphagia seen in PWSICdel mice is driven primarily by calorie content and is unlikely to involve hedonic processes. This has important implications for understanding the neural systems underlying the feeding phenotype of PWS and the contribution of imprinted genes to abnormal feeding behaviour more generally.
Optimal Tracking Control of Unknown Discrete-Time Linear Systems Using Input-Output Measured Data

In this paper, an output-feedback solution to the infinite-horizon linear quadratic tracking (LQT) problem for unknown discrete-time systems is proposed. An augmented system composed of the system dynamics and the reference trajectory dynamics is constructed. The state of the augmented system is constructed from a limited number of measurements of the past input, output, and reference trajectory in the history of the augmented system. A novel Bellman equation is developed that evaluates the value function related to a fixed policy by using only the input, output, and reference trajectory data from the augmented system. By using approximate dynamic programming, a class of reinforcement learning methods, the LQT problem is solved online without requiring knowledge of the augmented system dynamics only by measuring the input, output, and reference trajectory from the augmented system. We develop both policy iteration (PI) and value iteration (VI) algorithms that converge to an optimal controller that require only measuring the input, output, and reference trajectory data. The convergence of the proposed PI and VI algorithms is shown. A simulation example is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Combining time- and frequency-domain convolution in convolutional neural network-based phone recognition

Convolutional neural networks have proved very successful in image recognition, thanks to their tolerance to small translations. They have recently been applied to speech recognition as well, using a spectral representation as input. However, in this case the translations along the two axes - time and frequency - should be handled quite differently. So far, most authors have focused on convolution along the frequency axis, which offers invariance to speaker and speaking style variations. Other researchers have developed a different network architecture that applies time-domain convolution in order to process a longer time-span of input in a hierarchical manner. These two approaches have different background motivations, and both offer significant gains over a standard fully connected network. Here we show that the two network architectures can be readily combined, like their advantages. With the combined model we report an error rate of 16.7% on the TIMIT phone recognition task, a new record on this dataset.
A Penalty-Free Nonsymmetric Nitsche-Type Method for the Weak Imposition of Boundary Conditions

In this paper we show that the nonsymmetric version of Nitsche's method for the weak imposition of boundary conditions is stable without penalty term. For nonconforming elements we prove the same result for the symmetric formulation as well. We prove optimal $H^1$-error estimates and $L^2$-error estimates that are suboptimal with half an order in $h$. Both the pure diffusion and the convection--diffusion problems are discussed.
Predicting the Impact of CD8+ T Cell Polyfunctionality on HIV Disease Progression

ABSTRACT During the chronic phase of HIV-1 infection, polyfunctional CD8+ T cell responses, which are characterized by a high frequency of cells able to secrete multiple cytokines simultaneously, are associated with lower virus loads and slower disease progression. This relationship may arise for different reasons. Polyfunctional responses may simply be stronger. Alternatively, it could be that the increased functional diversity in polyfunctional responses leads to lower virus loads and slower disease progression. Lastly, polyfunctional responses could contain more CD8+ T cells that mediate a specific key function that is primarily responsible for viral control. Disentangling the influences of overall strength, functional diversity, and specific function on viral control and disease progression is very relevant for the rational design of vaccines and immunotherapy using cellular immune responses. We developed a mathematical model to study how polyfunctional CD8+ T cell responses mediating lytic and nonlytic effector functions affect the CD4+ T cell count and plasma viral load. We based our model on in vitro data on the efficacy of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP-1β)/RANTES against HIV. We find that the strength of the response is a good predictor of disease progression, while functional diversity has only a minor influence. In addition, our model predicts for realistic levels of cytotoxicity that immune responses dominated by nonlytic effector functions most positively influence disease outcome. IMPORTANCE It is an open question in HIV research why polyfunctional CD8+ T cell responses are associated with better viral control, while individual functional correlates of protection have not been identified so far. Identifying the role of CD8+ T cells in HIV-1 infection has important implications for the potential development of effective T cell-based vaccines. Our analysis provides new ways to think about a causative role of CD8+ T cells by studying different hypotheses regarding why polyfunctional CD8+ T cells might be more advantageous. We identify measurements that have to be obtained in order to evaluate the role of CD8+ T cells in HIV-1 infection. In addition, our method shows how individual cell functionality data can be used in population-based virus dynamics models.
Inability of Gearing-Ratio as Predictor for Early Warning Systems

Background: Research in business failure and insolvency prediction provides numerous potential variables, which are in the position to differentiate between solvent and insolvent firms. Nevertheless, not all of them have the same discriminatory power, and therefore their general applicability as crisis indicators within early warning systems seems questionable. Objectives: The paper aims to demonstrate that gearing-ratio is not an appropriate predictor for firm failures/bankruptcies. Methods/Approach: The first and the second order derivatives for the gearing-ratio formula were computed and mathematically analysed. Based on these results an interpretation was given and the suitability of gearing-ratio as a discriminator within business failure prediction models was discussed. These theoretical findings were then empirically tested using financial figures from financial statements of Austrian companies for the observation period between 2008 and 2010. Results: The theoretical assumptions showed that gearing-ratio is not a suitable predictor for early warning systems. This finding was confirmed with empirical data. Conclusions: The inclusion of gearing-ratio within business failure prediction models is not able to provide early warning signals and should therefore be ignored in future model building attempts.
Towards Rural Sustainable Development? Contributions of the EAFRD 2007–2013 in Low Demographic Density Territories: The Case of Extremadura (SW Spain)

The European Commission has been striving to achieve sustainable development in its rural areas for more than 25 years through funds aimed at modernizing the agricultural and forestry sectors, protecting the environment and improving the quality of life. However, is sustainable rural development really being accomplished? This study sets out to answer this question in the case of Extremadura, a Spanish territory with low demographic density and a gross domestic product still below 75% of the European average. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies have been employed, using principal component analysis, the result of which has provided us with a model that shows how various behaviors coexist in the region in view of the distribution of current funding from the EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development). The most dynamic areas have received the largest amounts of funding and these are linked to the agricultural sector and to the protection of the environment, leaving aside the more depressed areas and the implementation of the LEADER approach as well. Therefore, we have come to the conclusion that the current rural development in Extremadura is not sustainable enough.
Cultural Identity, Vocational Development, and the Meaning of Work among Appalachian Coal Miners: A Qualitative Study

Cultural Identity, Vocational Development, and the Meaning of Work among Appalachian Coal Miners: A Qualitative Study Susan Chamberlain In this study I explore what coal mining means to underground miners in Appalachia, and how these meanings interact with participants’ cultural and vocational identities. Using narrative data from eight underground coal miners, the study investigates the connections between cultural values, career, and personality. These connections are singularly intertwined in Appalachia, where economic and social landscapes have been heavily influenced by coal mining for over a century. The resulting relationships have blurred the lines of identity among career, family, and community. This qualitative study is based on data from semi-structured interviews; participant language was analyzed using grounded theory to create a theory of cultural and vocational development while also exploring the meaning of work. In exploring the core concept of underground coal mining in Appalachia, early knowledge of coal mining and early explorations of options and values emerged as significant influential conditions. Demographic factors, personality, and individual vocational development emerged as contextual factors. In addition, four intervening conditions (experienced miner development, work-home balance, disadvantages of mining, and pride) impacted participants’ conceptualizations of the meanings of coal mining. Ultimately, six branches of meaning became apparent: mining as family, mining as survival/power, mining as self-determining, mining as social connection, mining as personal identity, and mining as cultural identity. Each of the above components is described in participants’ own language and contexts. Clinical implications, limitations and strengths, and recommendations for future research are discussed. Culture, Vocation, & Meaning of Work among Appalachian Coal Miners i Table of
Development of a Short Self-Esteem Measure for Use with Adults in Community Mental Health Surveys

A short, adult version of the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory has been devised for use in lengthy questionnaires with community mental health samples, when time available for any single instrument is limited. Published studies indicate the general reliability and validity of the full scale. Experimental validity was demonstrated in one study. A comparison with Coopersmith's longer adult version of the scale is presented.
OFF‐CLAMP VERSUS COMPLETE HILAR CONTROL LAPAROSCOPIC PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY: COMPARISON BY CLINICAL STAGE

© 2 0 11 T H E A U T H O R S B J U I N T E R N A T I O N A L © 2 0 11 B J U I N T E R N A T I O N A L 1 3 8 1 surgery: frequency, indications and risk factors . J Urol 2008 ; 180 : 855 – 9 28 Janetschek G , Jeschke K , Peschel R et al . Laparoscopic surgery for stage T1 renal cell carcinoma: radical nephrectomy and wedge resection . Eur Urol 2000 ; 38 : 131 – 8 29 Guillonneau B , Bermudez H , Gholami S et al . Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal tumor: single center experience comparing clamping and no clamping techniques of the renal vasculature . J Urol 2003 ; 169 : 483 – 6 30 Wszolek MF , Kenney PA , Lee Y , Libertino JA . Comparison of hilar clamping and non-hilar clamping partial nephrectomy for tumours involving a solitary kidney . BJU Int 2011 ; 107 : 1886 – 92
The Individual Decision to Unionize

This study examines determinates of two employee behaviors in the union organizing process: pro-union activism in the organizing campaign, and vote for union certification. Using data gathered from six union or ganizing attempts, campaign activism and voting behavior is analyzed in terms of hypotheses drawn from Wheeler's (1985) theory of industrial conflict. Results indicate that support for union certification is influenced by a perceived lack of job security, management's lack of respect for employees, the belief that union representation would be effective, favor able attitudes about unions, and anger at the employer. Few differences were found for union activism and vote, suggesting that distinctive forms of union support are not influenced by different determinants.
Segmental modeling of viral load changes for HIV longitudinal data with skewness and detection limits

Although it is a common practice to analyze complex HIV longitudinal data using nonlinear mixed‐effects or nonparametric mixed‐effects models in literature, the following issues may standout. (i) In clinical practice, the profile of each subject's viral response may follow a ‘broken‐stick’‐like trajectory, indicating multiple phases of decline and increase in response. Such multiple phases (change points) may be an important indicator to help quantify treatment effect and improve management of patient care. To estimate change points, nonlinear mixed‐effects or nonparametric mixed‐effects models become a challenge because of complicated structures of model formulations. (ii) The commonly assumed distribution for model random errors is normal, but this assumption may unrealistically obscure important features of subject variations. (iii) The response observations (viral load) may be subject to left censoring due to a limit of detection. Inferential procedures can be complicated dramatically when data with asymmetric (skewed) characteristics and left censoring are observed in conjunction with change points as unknown parameters into models. There is relatively little work concerning all these features simultaneously. This article proposes segmental mixed‐effects models with skew distributions for the response process (with left censoring) under a Bayesian framework. A real data example is used to illustrate the proposed methods. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Why there is no link between measles virus and autism

A report published in the Lancet in 1998 described the case histories of 12 previously normal children who developed symptoms of autism or inflammatory bowel disease after having received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This paper formed the basis for Andrew Wakefield’s subsequent claim to have identified a new type of gastrointestinal disease, termed autistic enterocolitis. Despite never explicitly asserting a link between the MMR vaccine and this supposedly new, regressive form of autism, the paper sparked a major health scare in the United Kingdom. Conclusion: An exhaustive analysis of the experimental RT-qPCR data generated by the O’Leary laboratory demonstrates: • Lack of transparency and completeness of reporting; • Persistent and widespread contamination; • The contamination is caused by DNA; • Inept data analysis. As a result, the conclusions put forward by this paper are entirely incorrect and there is no evidence whatever for the presence either of MeV genomic RNA or mRNA in the GI tracts of any of the patients investigated during the course of the studies reported by O’Leary et al. Instead, it is clear that the data support the opposite conclusion: there is no evidence for any MeV being present in the majority of patients’ analysed. Unfortunately, the authors do not report whether any the patients had received the MMR vaccination. However, assuming that a significant proportion had done so, it is also clear that there is no link between the MMR vaccine and the presence of MeV in the intestine of autistic children.
Introduction of chemically labile substructures into Arabidopsis lignin through the use of LigD, the Cα-dehydrogenase from Sphingobium sp. strain SYK-6.

Bacteria-derived enzymes that can modify specific lignin substructures are potential targets to engineer plants for better biomass processability. The Gram-negative bacterium Sphingobium sp. SYK-6 possesses a Cα-dehydrogenase (LigD) enzyme that has been shown to oxidize the α-hydroxy functionalities in β-O-4-linked dimers into α-keto analogues that are more chemically labile. Here, we show that recombinant LigD can oxidize an even wider range of β-O-4-linked dimers and oligomers, including the genuine dilignols, guaiacylglycerol-β-coniferyl alcohol ether and syringylglycerol-β-sinapyl alcohol ether. We explored the possibility of using LigD for biosynthetically engineering lignin by expressing the codon-optimized ligD gene in Arabidopsis thaliana. The ligD cDNA, with or without a signal peptide for apoplast targeting, has been successfully expressed, and LigD activity could be detected in the extracts of the transgenic plants. UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolite profiling indicated that levels of oxidized guaiacyl (G) β-O-4-coupled dilignols and analogues were significantly elevated in the LigD transgenic plants regardless of the signal peptide attachment to LigD. In parallel, 2D NMR analysis revealed a 2.1- to 2.8-fold increased level of G-type α-keto-β-O-4 linkages in cellulolytic enzyme lignins isolated from the stem cell walls of the LigD transgenic plants, indicating that the transformation was capable of altering lignin structure in the desired manner.
Feedback Linearization-Based Current Control Strategy for Modular Multilevel Converters

Modular multilevel converters (MMCs) are multi-input multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear systems. The control systems for MMCs are required to simultaneously achieve multiple control objectives, e.g., output current regulation, submodule capacitor voltage control, and circulating ripple currents suppression. Existing cascaded control strategies for MMCs achieve those control objectives with relatively complex controllers, and the controller parameter design is normally difficult for such nonlinear systems with highly coupled states. In view of this, a feedback linearization-based current control strategy is proposed for an MMC system in this paper. The nonlinear state function model of the MMC is presented and transformed to a linearized and decoupled form with the help of the input–output feedback linearization technique. Based on the linearized system, simple linear controllers are employed to regulate the output and inner differential currents of the MMC, which significantly reduces the difficulty in controller design. The stability of the proposed control strategy is analyzed. The experimental verification results show that, compared to the conventional cascaded control strategies for MMCs, the proposed feedback linearization control strategy is able to achieve improved steady-state and dynamic performances. The robustness of the proposed control strategy against parametric uncertainties is experimentally investigated.