Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The reliability of weight‐for‐length/height Z scores in children

Abstract The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends weight‐for‐length/height (WFL/H), represented as a Z score for diagnosing acute malnutrition among children aged 0 to 60 months. Under controlled conditions, weight, height and length measurements have high degree of reliability. However, the reliability when combined into a WFL/H Z score, in all settings is unclear. We conducted a systematic review of published studies assessing the reliability of WFL/Hz on PubMed and Google scholar. Studies were included if they presented reliability scores for the derived index of WFL/Hz, for children under 5 years. Meta‐analysis was conducted for a pooled estimate of reliability overall, and for children above and below 24 months old. Twenty six studies on reliability of anthropometry were identified but only three, all community‐based studies, reported reliability scores for WFL/Hz. The overall pooled intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) estimate for WFL/Hz among children aged 0 to 60 months was 0.81 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.99). Among children aged less than 24 months the pooled ICC estimate from two studies was 0.72 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.77) while the estimate reported for children above 24 months from one study was 0.97 (95% CI 0.97 to 0.99). Although WFL/Hz is recommended for diagnosis of acute under nutrition among children below 5 years, information on its reliability in all settings is sparse. In community settings, reliability of WFL/Hz is considerably lower than for absolute measures of weight and length/height, especially in younger children. The reliability of WFL/Hz needs further evaluation.
Stratification of Metal and Sulphate Loads in Acid Mine Drainage Receiving Water Dams – Variables Regionalization by Cluster Analysis

The Sancho Reservoir (Iberian Pyrite Belt, SW Spain) is nourished by the waters of the river Meca, which is affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) processes from the abandoned Tharsis mine. The aim of the present work is to study the hydrochemical variations in this reservoir, in order to define potential stratification processes in metal load and sulphates. A stratified sampling from the surface, with one meter deep intervals to the bottom of the dam, was performed. The results show a clear stratification of temperature, pH, electric conductivity, dissolved oxygen, metal and sulphate loads associated with depth. There is an increase of metal loads at the bottom of the reservoir, though previous studies only detect iron. The proximity between pH and aluminium suggests that water chemistry is strongly influenced by aluminium precipitation processes. This indicates the buffer effect that aluminium exercises, which precipitates as amorphous or low crystalline phases, introducing hydrogen ions to the system, while alkalinity input tends to raise pH.
Probability models for sequential-stage system reliability growth via failure mode removal

Many systems, composed of hardware, software, and combinations thereof, function in sequential stages: each subsystem (stage) must operate correctly in order for the next to be challenged. All stages, including the interfaces between major function subsystems, are subject to design defects, which if actuated cause that stage, and hence that test, to fail. We provide models that evaluate the “testing as learning and improving” paradigm: the models describe the effect of end-to-end or linked-stage testing, and defect identification and removal, on field or delivered-system reliability. A major concern is the evaluation of operating characteristics of such test designs as the “first run of Y total system successes (e.g. 3)” stopping rule. The models include Bayesian formulations in which the unknown number of defects in each subsystem at any stage during testing is a random variable with known distribution. The models and methods of this paper provide test planners with the answers to “what if’ questions concerning the likely fbture(s) of entire systems placed on test. They can be used to address test resource requirements.
Novel Positively Charged Nanoparticle Labeling for In Vivo Imaging of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells

Stem cell transplantation has been expected to have various applications for regenerative medicine. However, in order to detect and trace the transplanted stem cells in the body, non-invasive and widely clinically available cell imaging technologies are required. In this paper, we focused on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technology, and investigated whether the trimethylamino dextran-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle -03 (TMADM-03), which was newly developed by our group, could be used for labeling adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) as a contrast agent. No cytotoxicity was observed in ASCs transduced with less than 100 µg-Fe/mL of TMADM-03 after a one hour transduction time. The transduction efficiency of TMADM-03 into ASCs was about four-fold more efficient than that of the alkali-treated dextran-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (ATDM), which is a major component of commercially available contrast agents such as ferucarbotran (Resovist), and the level of labeling was maintained for at least two weeks. In addition, the differentiation ability of ASCs labeled with TMADM-03 and their ability to produce cytokines such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), were confirmed to be maintained. The ASCs labeled with TMADM-03 were transplanted into the left kidney capsule of a mouse. The labeled ASCs could be imaged with good contrast using a 1T MR imaging system. These data suggest that TMADM-03 can therefore be utilized as a contrast agent for the MR imaging of stem cells.
Unsupervised Segmentation of Bibliographic Elements with Latent Permutations

This paper introduces a novel approach for large-scale unsupervised segmentation of bibliographic elements. Our problem is to segment a word token sequence representing a citation into subsequences each corresponding to a different bibliographic element, e.g. authors, paper title, journal name, publication year, etc. Obviously, each bibliographic element should be represented by contiguous word tokens. We call this constraint contiguity constraint. Therefore, we should infer a sequence of assignments of word tokens to bibliographic elements so that this constraint is satisfied. Many HMM-based methods solve this problem by prescribing fixed transition patterns among bibliographic elements. In this paper, we use generalized Mallows models (GMM) in a Bayesian multi-topic model, effectively applied to document structure learning by Chen et al. [4], and infer a permutation of latent topics each of which can be interpreted as one among the bibliographic elements. According to the inferred permutation, we arrange the order of the draws from a multinomial distribution defined over topics. In this manner, we can obtain an ordered sequence of topic assignments satisfying contiguity constraint. We do not need to prescribe any transition patterns among bibliographic elements. We only need to specify the number of bibliographic elements. However, the method proposed by Chen et al. works for our problem only after introducing modification. The main contribution of this paper is to propose strategies to make their method work also for our problem.
Computer-assisted analysis of epiluminescence microscopy images of pigmented skin lesions.

BACKGROUND Epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) is a noninvasive clinical tool recently developed for the diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions (PSLs), with the aim of improving melanoma screening strategies. However, the complexity of the ELM grading protocol means that considerable expertise is required for differential diagnosis. In this paper we propose a computer-based tool able to screen ELM images of PSLs in order to aid clinicians in the detection of lesion patterns useful for differential diagnosis. METHODS The method proposed is based on the supervised classification of pixels of digitized ELM images, and leads to the construction of classes of pixels used for image segmentation. This process has two major phases, i.e., a learning phase, where several hundred pixels are used in order to train and validate a classification model, and an application step, which consists of a massive classification of billions of pixels (i.e., the full image) by means of the rules obtained in the first phase. RESULTS Our results show that the proposed method is suitable for lesion-from-background extraction, for complete image segmentation into several typical diagnostic patterns, and for artifact rejection. Hence, our prototype has the potential to assist in distinguishing lesion patterns which are associated with diagnostic information such as diffuse pigmentation, dark globules (black dots and brown globules), and the gray-blue veil. CONCLUSIONS The system proposed in this paper can be considered as a tool to assist in PSL diagnosis.
Sudden infant death syndrome: Case‐control frequency differences in paired like homeobox (PHOX) 2B gene

Casey M. Rand, Debra E. Weese-Mayer,* Lili Zhou, Brion S. Maher, Margaret E. Cooper, Mary L. Marazita, and Elizabeth M. Berry-Kravis Department of Pediatrics, Rush Children’s Hospital at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry, Rush Children’s Hospital at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Division of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
IVIM parameters have good scan-rescan reproducibility when evidential motion contaminated and poorly fitted image data are removed

Background Intravoxel Incoherent Motion (IVIM) diffusion MRI is a promising technique for liver pathology evaluation, but this technique’s scan-rescan reproducibility has been reported to be unsatisfactory. Objective To understand whether IVIM MRI parameters for liver parenchyma can be good after removal of motion contaminated and/or poorly fitted image data. Material and Methods Eighteen healthy volunteers had liver scanned twice at the same session to assess scan-rescan repeatability, and again in another session after an average interval of 13 days to assess reproducibility. Diffusion weighted image were acquired with a 3T scanner using respiratory-triggered echo-planar sequence and 16 b-values (0 to 800 s/mm2). Measurement was performed on the right liver with segmented-unconstrained least square fitting. Image series with evidential anatomical mismatch, apparent artifacts, and poorly fitted signal intensity vs. b-value curve were excluded. A minimum of three slices was deemed necessary for IVIM parameter estimation of a liver. Results With total 54 examinations, 6 scans did not satisfy inclusion criteria, leading to a success rate of 89%; and 14 volunteers were finally included. With each scan a mean of 5.3 slices (range: 3-10 slices) were utilized for analysis. Using threshold b-value=80s/mm2, the coefficient of variation and within-subject coefficient of variation for repeatability and reproducibility were: 2.86% and 4.24% for Dslow, 3.81% and 4.24%, for PF, 18.16% and 24.88% for Dfast; and those for reproducibility were 2.48% and 3.24% for Dslow; 4.91% and 5.38% for PF; 21.18% and 30.89% for Dfast. Conclusion IVIM parameter scan-rescan reproducibility can be potentially good.
Nutrition transition in South Asia: the emergence of non-communicable chronic diseases

Overview: South Asian countries have experienced a remarkable economic growth during last two decades along with subsequent transformation in social, economic and food systems. Rising disposable income levels continue to drive the nutrition transition characterized by a shift from a traditional high-carbohydrate, low-fat diets towards diets with a lower carbohydrate and higher proportion of saturated fat, sugar and salt. Steered by various transitions in demographic, economic and nutritional terms, South Asian population are experiencing a rapidly changing disease profile. While the healthcare systems have long been striving to disentangle from the vicious cycle of poverty and undernutrition, South Asian countries are now confronted with an emerging epidemic of obesity and a constellation of other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This dual burden is bringing about a serious health and economic conundrum and is generating enormous pressure on the already overstretched healthcare system of South Asian countries. Objectives: The Nutrition transition has been a very popular topic in the field of human nutrition during last few decades and many countries and broad geographic regions have been studied. However there is no review on this topic in the context of South Asia as yet. The main purpose of this review is to highlight the factors accounting for the onset of nutrition transition and its subsequent impact on epidemiological transition in five major South Asian countries including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Special emphasis was given on India and Bangladesh as they together account for 94% of the regional population and about half world’s malnourished population. Methods: This study is literature based. Main data sources were published research articles obtained through an electronic medical databases search.
Suppression of Gluconeogenic Gene Expression by LSD1-Mediated Histone Demethylation

Aberrant gluconeogenic gene expression is associated with diabetes, glycogen storage disease, and liver cancer. However, little is known how these genes are regulated at the chromatin level. In this study, we investigated in HepG2 cells whether histone demethylation is a potential mechanism. We found that knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of histone demethylase LSD1 causes remarkable transcription activation of two gluconeogenic genes, FBP1 and G6Pase, and consequently leads to increased de novo glucose synthesis and decreased intracellular glycogen content. Mechanistically, LSD1 occupies the promoters of FBP1 and G6Pase, and modulates their H3K4 dimethylation levels. Thus, our work identifies an epigenetic pathway directly governing gluconeogenic gene expression, which might have important implications in metabolic physiology and diseases.
Partner influence on noncondom use: Gender and ethnic differences

This study investigates gender and ethnicity differences in the experience of not using a condom due to a partner's influence (unwanted noncondom use). Analysis of 247 anonymous questionnaires from students at urban community college campuses revealed that 46.7% had experienced unwanted noncondom use since age 16, and 37% had experienced unwanted noncondom use with their current or most recent partner. Males and females reported equal levels of unwanted noncondom use. However, African‐American and Latino participants reported higher levels of unwanted noncondom use than Whites. The findings indicate that females, males, and people from ethnic groups at high risk for HIV infection need support to carry out their safer sex intentions.
Synaptic activity modifies the levels of Dorsal and Cactus at the neuromuscular junction of Drosophila.

The Drosophila Rel transcription factor Dorsal and its inhibitor Cactus participate in a signal transduction pathway involved in several biologic processes, including embryonic pattern formation, immunity, and muscle development. In contrast with embryonic muscle, where Dorsal is reportedly absent, this protein and Cactus accumulates in the neuromuscular junctions in the muscle of both larvae and adults. The phenotype of homozygous dorsal mutant larvae suggested that Dorsal and Cactus maybe necessary for normal function and maintenance of the neuromuscular system. Here we investigate if these proteins can respond to synaptic activity. Using larval body wall preparations and antibodies specific for Dorsal or Cactus we show that the amount of these proteins at the neuromuscular junction is substantially decreased after electrical stimulation of the nerves or incubation in glutamate, the principal transmitter in this type of synapse. The specificity of the response was tested with a glutamate receptor antagonist (argiotoxin 636). Because the effect can be reproduced using a calcium ionophore (ionomycin treatment) as well as blocked by the inhibition of the muscle ryanodine receptor (tetracaine treatment), the involvement of calcium in this process seems likely. We also observed that the inhibition of the calcium dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin prevents the effect of glutamate on the fluorescence for Dorsal and Cactus, suggesting its participation in a signal transduction cascade that may activate Dorsal in the muscle independently of Toll. Our results are consistent with a novel function of the Rel factor Dorsal in a molecular pathway turned on by neural activity and/or contractile activity.
Formation of Ag/Al Screen-Printing Contacts on B Emitters

In this study, the contact formation process of Al containing Ag screen-printing pastes to BBr3-based B emitters on Si is investigated. Therefore, a detailed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy study of top-view and cross-sectional samples was conducted. The possible influence of a SiN∞:H antireflection coating was considered by comparing contacts with and without a SiN∞:H layer. To analyze the role of the glass frit in the paste, the contact formation of pastes without glass was examined. The results indicate that the Ag/Al contact spots grow below the Si surface/SiN∞:H layer. The glass frit is only indispensable for etching the antireflection layer-it is not needed for melting the metal in the screen-printing paste. The realized experiments lead to a phenomenological model for the contact formation process of Al containing screen-printing pastes to boron emitters.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Localised Fire on Glazing Facades Having Different Orientations

Breakage and fallout of glazing systems create openings in an enclosure that affect the fire growth and the development of post flashover flames emerging outside of the openings. The behaviour of glazing is the result of its thermally induced stress response to the heat fluxes from the fire in an enclosure. In recent times building facade designs have evolved and now incorporate many different shapes, orientations and materials. The conventional single and double glazing panels have been surpassed by composite type glazing systems including glazing and transparent resins. This paper presents experimental testing of these comp osite glazing panels having different orientations subjected to localized fires, which have the same fire load. The experimental findings of interest include the varying first crack times for both scenarios as well as the variable final crack patterns on the glazing panels. The effect of localized fire on the materials tested as seen in the final char patterns on both glazing systems is also note worthy. The paper also includes details of three-dimensional finite element modeling completed for the prediction of response of the glazing panels at different orientations to the elevated temperatures of the localised fire scenario as tested in the laboratory. This finite element analysis allows for an assessment of glazing thermal stresses at various times throughout each test.
Modulation of apolipoprotein L1-microRNA-193a axis prevents podocyte dedifferentiation in high-glucose milieu

Singhal PC. Modulation of apolipoprotein L1-microRNA-193a axis prevents podocyte dedifferentiation in high-glucose milieu. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 314: 2018. loss of podocyte (PD) molecular phenotype is an important feature of diabetic podo-cytopathy. We hypothesized that high glucose (HG) induces dedifferentiation in differentiated podocytes (DPDs) through alterations in the apolipoprotein (APO) L1-microRNA (miR) 193a axis. HG-induced DPD dedifferentiation manifested in the form of downregulation of Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1) and upregulation of paired box 2 (PAX2) expression. WT1-silenced DPDs displayed enhanced expression of PAX2. Immunoprecipitation of DPD cellular lysates with anti-WT1 antibody revealed formation of WT1 repressor complexes containing Polycomb group proteins, enhancer of zeste homolog 2, menin, and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT1), whereas silencing of either WT1 or DNMT1 disrupted this complex with enhanced expression of PAX2. HG-induced DPD dedifferentiation was associated with a higher expression of miR193a, whereas inhibition of miR193a prevented DPD dedifferentiation in HG milieu. HG downregulated DPD expression of APOL1. miR193a-overexpressing DPDs displayed downregulation of APOL1 and enhanced expression of dedifferentiating markers; conversely, silencing of miR193a enhanced the expression of APOL1 and preserved DPD phenotype. Moreover, stably APOL1G0-overexpressing DPDs displayed the enhanced expression of WT1 but attenuated expression of miR193a; nonetheless, silencing of APOL1 reversed these effects. Since silencing of APOL1 enhanced miR193a expression as well as dedifferentiation in DPDs, it appears that downregulation of APOL1 contributed to dedifferentiation of DPDs through enhanced miR193a expression in HG milieu. Vitamin D receptor agonist downregulated miR193a, upregulated APOL1 expression, and prevented dedifferentiation of DPDs in HG milieu. These ﬁndings suggest that modulation of the APOL1-miR193a axis carries a potential to preserve DPD molecular phenotype in HG milieu. blotting Western blotting control and lysed RIPA 0.1% SDS, 1 protease inhibitor cocktail Set 1 mM PMSF, and 0.2 Protein concentration was measured using Bio-Rad Protein Assay Kit. Total protein lysed extracts (30 (cid:3) g/lane) on a onto for APOL1 menin