Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Benefits of omega-3 Fatty acids supplementation on serum paraoxonase 1 activity and lipids ratios in polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ef¬fects of omega-3 fatty acids on serum paraoxonase 1 activity and lipids ratios in polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS This double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 64 PCOS pa¬tients with 20-35 years old. Thirty two of the subjects had taken 4 g/day omega -3 fatty acids and 32 patients were given placebo for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measure¬ments and dietary intakes were collected at the beginning and the end of the study. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL-C were measured using the enzymatic methods. LDL-C con¬centration was calculated by the Friedewald formula and arylesterase activity of serum PON1 was measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS Omega-3 fatty acids significantly decreased TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios (P = 0.009 for both) and significantly increased serum PON1 activity (P = 0.048) compared with placebo. Changes in TG/HDL-C ratio were not statistically significant in omega-3 fatty acids group at the end of the study in comparison to placebo group. Reduction in TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C and TG/HDL-C ratios and increase in serum PON1 activity were also significant in omega-3 fatty acids group at the end of the study compared with baseline values (P <0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.004, and P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION Omega-3 fatty acids may decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease through the improvement in paraxonase-1 activity and reduction in some lipids ratio in PCOS women.
Constraints on the distribution of absorption in the X-ray-selected AGN population found in the 13HXMM-Newton/Chandra deep field

We present an analysis of the X-ray properties of sources detected in the 13 H XMM‐Newton deep (200-ks) field. In order to constrain the absorbed active galactic nuclei (AGN) population, we use extensive Monte Carlo simulations to compare directly the X-ray colours of observed sources with those predicted by several model distributions. In particular, we have carried out our comparisons over the entire 0.2‐10 keV energy range of the XMM‐Newton cameras, making our analysis sensitive to a large range of absorbing column densities. We have tested the simplest form of the unified scheme, whereby the intrinsic luminosity function of absorbed AG Ni sset to be the same as that of their unabsorbed brethren, coupled with various model distributions of absorption. Of the tested distributions, the best-fitting model has the fraction of AGN with absorbing column N H, proportional to (log N H) 8 . W e h ave also tested two extensions to the unified scheme: an evolving absorption scenario, in which the fraction of absorbed sources is larger at higher redshifts, and a luminosity-dependent model in which high-luminosity AGN are less likely to be absorbed. Both of these models provide poorer matches to the observed X-ray colour distributions than the best-fitting simple unified model. We find that a luminosity-dependent density evolution luminosity function reproduces poorly the 0.5‐2 keV source counts seen in the 13 H field. Field-to-field variations could be the cause of this disparity. Computing the X-ray colours with a simple absorbed power-law spectral model is found to overpredict, by a factor of 2, the fraction of hard sources that are completely absorbed below 0.5 keV, implying that an additional source of soft-band flux must be present in a number of the absorbed sources. The tested synthesis models predict that around 16 per cent of the detections in the 13 H field are due to AGN at z > 3. However, so far, only a single AGN with z > 3 has been identified in our approximately 50 per cent complete optical spectroscopy follow-up programme. Finally, we use our simulations to demonstrate the efficacy of a hardness ratio selection scheme at selecting absorbed sources for further study. Using this selection scheme, we show that around 40 per cent of the 13 H sample are expected to be AGN with N H > 10 22 cm −2 . Ke yw ords: surveys ‐ galaxies: active ‐ quasars: general ‐ X-rays: galaxies.
Semantic Virtual Environments for interactive planning agents

This paper proposes the use of ontologies to provide virtual environments with semantic information, that can be also used by intel- ligent virtual agents. We present our semantic architecture focusing on the ontology which mainly supports complex object representation and interaction. This approach helps the actors when sensing complex ob- jects such as containers (e.g. cabinet, shelf, box) and it also allows them to interact with dierent sort of objects, looking at the class taxonomy defined by the ontology of the world. We finally show how the semantic information can be introduced in STRIPS based planners to enrich the actors activities that can be interesting for both narrative games and storytelling systems.
Initial Development and Validation of the Youth Internalizing Problems Screener

The present studies report on the initial development and validation of the Youth Internalizing Problems Screener (YIPS), which is a 10-item self-report rating scale for assessing general internalizing problems and identifying depression and anxiety caseness within the context of school mental health screening. Results from Study 1 (N = 177) demonstrated that responses to the YIPS yielded a single-factor latent structure, that scores derived from the scale had concurrent validity with scores from measures of student subjective well-being and problem behavior, and showed that scores derived from the YIPS demonstrated incremental validity in comparison with scores from another common internalizing problems screener for predicting self-reports of broad student functioning. Findings from Study 2 (N = 219) confirmed the latent structure and internal reliability of responses to the YIPS, demonstrated that scores derived from this scale had strong associations with scores from criterion measures of depression and anxiety, and showed that YIPS scores had good-to-excellent power for accurately discriminating between youth scoring at or above the clinical caseness thresholds on criterion measures of depression and anxiety. Taken together, results suggest the YIPS shows promise as a technically adequate instrument for measuring general internalizing problems and identifying depression and anxiety caseness among secondary students. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Responding to the needs of students with mental health difficulties in higher education: an Irish perspective

Abstract This article presents findings from a recent national study supported by Association for Higher Education Access & Disability and the National Learning Network (2016) to investigate the experiences of students with mental health difficulties in higher education in Ireland. The data investigation was a combination of both survey and qualitative research activities. A total of 22 out of 28 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Ireland participated in a national survey. In addition 14 students and 11 professionals participated in focus groups and semi-structured one-to-one interviews. This article focuses on the qualitative data collected. While the topic of the needs of students with mental health difficulties is an under-researched area in Ireland, this study does recognise and build on recent work both nationally and internationally. The study demonstrates the benefits of a whole campus approach to meeting the needs of students with mental health difficulties combined with specialised supports. It recommends that that individual HEIs review existing policies and practices for students with mental health difficulties.
Modelling stratified forest attributes using optical/LiDAR features in a central European landscape

Improvements in the acquisition of three-dimensional (3D) information from the Airborne Laser Scanner (ALS) increase its applications for studying Earth's surface. The use of ALS data in natural resource inventories is still in an experimental stage in central Europe. Here, a survey was completed in Germany, where plot-level features from LANDSAT Thematic Mapper and ALS data were applied. An automated process was developed for forest stratification using orthoimages. A genetic algorithm was applied for variable screening. Variable subsets of different sizes were employed for simultaneous predictions of structural forest attributes using the ‘Random Forest’ (RF) method. Performance was assessed by leave-one-out cross-validations on bootstrap resample data. Results indicate that the stratification of forest notably improved the results of predictions. The improvements were more obvious for the strata-related attributes. Accuracy was enhanced as the number of selected variables increased. However, parsimonious models are still essentially required for practical applications. The RF errors were slightly greater than those from least squares regression, as the non-parametric methods do not share the same mix of error components as regression. Through the combination of remote sensing and modelling, we conclude that our results are helpful for bridging the gap between regional earth observation and on-the-ground forest structure.
A Method of Simulated Moments for Estimation of Discrete Response Models Without Numerical Integration

This paper proposes a simple modification of a conventional generalized method of moments estimator for a discrete response model, replacing response probabilities that require numerical integration with estimators obtained by Monte Carlo simulation. This method of simulated moments does not require precise estimates of these probabilities, as the law of large numbers operating across observations controls simulation error, and, hence, can use simulations of practical size. The method is useful for models such as high-dimensional multinomial probit, where computation has previously restricted applications. Statistical properties are established using empirical process methods that can handle discontinuities introduced by simulation. Copyright 1989 by The Econometric Society.
A Paired-Comparision of the MultiFunction CardioGramsm (MCG) and Sestamibi SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) to Quantitative Coronary Angiography for the Detection of Relevant Coronary Artery Obstruction (≥70%) - A Single-Center Study of 116 Consecutive Patients Referred for Coronary Angiogra

Background: An analysis of the US National Cardiovascular Data Registry has revealed that only 38% of patients referred for coronary angiography after non-invasive coronary testing have relevant coronary obstruction (CO) (≥70%) of one or more coronary arteries. Methods: A single-center trial was undertaken in 165 consecutive, symptomatic patients with either known or suspected coronary disease and/or valve disease(VHD) who agreed to undergo cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography if stress myocardial perfusion imaging was abnormal. A total of 116 patients with abnormal SPECT MPI tests, persistent chest pain, or significant VHD underwent final analysis. An MCG coronary obstruction (CO) score of ≥ 4.0 was considered indicative of relevant CO (≥70%) in one or more coronary arteries. Angiographic results were finalized by consensus of two angiographers. Results: CO (≥70%) was present in 53 of 116 patients (46%). The MCG CO score was significantly higher for patients with relevant CO (5.4 ± 1.9 vs. 2.5 ± 1.9). The MCG correctly classified 103 of the 116 patients (89%) enrolled in the study as either having or not having CO (≥70%) (sensitivity- 91%; specificity- 87%; NPV- 92%; PPV- 86%). SPECT MPI was abnormal in 99 of the 116 (85%) patients undergoing catheterization, but correctly classified only 54 of the 116 patients (47%) entered in the study as either having or not having relevant CO (sensitivity-85%; specificity-14%; NPV - 53%; PPV- 45%). Conclusions: The MCG was shown in this paired-comparison trial with SPECT MPI to safely and accurately identify patients with relevant CO (≥70%) prior to catheterization.
In Vivo Construction of Transgenes in Drosophila

Transgenic flies are generated by transposon-mediated transformation. A drawback of this approach is the size limit of transposable elements. Here, we propose a novel method that allows the extension of transgenes in vivo. This method is based on an incomplete transgene that has been constructed in vitro and integrated into the Drosophila genome by conventional transgenesis. The incomplete transgene contains two short stretches of DNA homologous to the 5′- and 3′-ends of a larger DNA segment of interest. Between the short stretches of homology an I-SceI recognition site is located. Once activated, I-SceI endonuclease introduces a DNA double-strand break, which triggers ectopic recombination between the stretches of homology and the endogenous locus. Through gap repair, the transgene obtains the complete region of interest in vivo. Our results show that this method is effective for copying up to 28 kb of genomic DNA into the transgene, thereby eliminating the technical difficulties associated with the in vitro construction of large transgenes and extending the size limits of current transgenesis protocols. In general, this method may be a useful technique for genetic engineering of eukaryotic model organisms.
Augmented TLR2 Expression on Monocytes in both Human Kawasaki Disease and a Mouse Model of Coronary Arteritis

Background Kawasaki disease (KD) of unknown immunopathogenesis is an acute febrile systemic vasculitis and the leading cause of acquired heart diseases in childhood. To search for a better strategy for the prevention and treatment of KD, this study compared and validated human KD immunopathogenesis in a mouse model of Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE)-induced coronary arteritis. Methods Recruited subjects fulfilled the criteria of KD and were admitted for intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) treatment at the Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 2001 to 2009. Blood samples from KD patients were collected before and after IVIG treatment, and cardiovascular abnormalities were examined by transthoracic echocardiography. Wild-type male BALB/c mice (4-week-old) were intraperitoneally injected with LCWE (1 mg/mL) to induce coronary arteritis. The induced immune response in mice was examined on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 post injections, and histopathology studies were performed on days 7 and 14. Results Both human KD patients and LCWE-treated mice developed coronary arteritis, myocarditis, valvulitis, and pericarditis, as well as elevated plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in acute phase. Most of these proinflammatory cytokines declined to normal levels in mice, whereas normal levels were achieved in patients only after IVIG treatment, with a few exceptions. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, but not TLR4 surface enhancement on circulating CD14+ monocytes, was augmented in KD patients before IVIG treatment and in LCWE-treated mice, which declined in patients after IVIG treatment. Conclusion This result suggests that that not only TLR2 augmentation on CD14+ monocytes might be an inflammatory marker for both human KD patients and LCWE-induced CAL mouse model but also this model is feasible for studying therapeutic strategies of coronary arteritis in human KD by modulating TLR2-mediated immune activation on CD14+ monocytes.
Autophobic pinning of drops of alkanethiols on gold

This paper establishes conditions necessary for autophobic pinning of solutions of alkanethiols by their reaction with a gold surface. Interfacial tension and the kinetics of organization of the SAMs are important considerations in the design of systems that limit the spread of drops across a surface that is reactive toward those drops. The two systems investigated in this paper-hexadecanethiol (HDT) spreading on gold in air and hydroxyundecanethiol (HHT) in hexadecane spreading on gold under waterprovide a basis for understanding one aspect of the mechanism of microcontact printing (μCP) based on the reaction of thiols with bare gold
SANDWICH THEOREMS FOR ANALYTIC FUNCTIONS INVOLVING WRIGHT’S GENERALIZED HYPERGEOMETRIC FUNCTION

In this paper, we obtain some applications of first order differential subordination and superordination results involving Wright’s generalized hypergeometric function defined by certain p-valent analytic functions. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 30C45. 1.Introduction Let A(p) denote the class of functions of the form:
The first-year experience of non-traditional students in Danish science and engineering university programmes

To understand student drop-out from university, research must explore students’ first-year experiences and the challenges they encounter. This article analyses the first-year experiences of non-traditional students in Danish science and engineering university programmes. Focusing on identity theory and the framework of integration processes provided by Tinto, the article presents the challenges experienced by students from non-academic backgrounds and by students with ethnic minority backgrounds. The analysis presents four themes that are experienced as particularly challenging for the students: (1) a strong career focus which is hard for the students to maintain in their transition into university; (2) how the students from some non-academic backgrounds encounter the challenges they meet with limited resources; (3) how they spend time and resources on their family and how this affects their integration in the programme; and (4) the process of academic and social integration are particularly challenging as they require students to submit themselves to the cultural expectations of their studies, which can be hard to understand for students from families with no prior experiences of academia. The article discusses how these experiences can be understood within an identity framework.
Photometric Properties of the Most Massive High-Redshift Galaxies

We calculate the observable properties of the most massive high-redshift galaxies in the hierarchical formation scenario where stellar spheroid and supermassive black hole growth are fueled by gas-rich mergers. Combining high-resolution hydrodynamical simulations of the hierarchical formation of a z ~ 6 quasar, stellar population synthesis models, template active galactic nucleus (AGN) spectra, prescriptions for interstellar and intergalactic absorption, and the response of modern telescopes, the photometric evolution of galaxies destined to host z ~ 6 quasars is modeled at redshifts z ~ 4-14. These massive galaxies, with enormous stellar masses of M⋆ ~ 1011.5-1012 M☉ and star formation rates of SFR ~ 103-104 M☉ yr-1 at z ≳ 7, satisfy a variety of photometric selection criteria based on Lyman break techniques, including V-band dropouts at z ≳ 5, i-band dropouts at z ≳ 6, and z-band dropouts at z ≳ 7. The observability of the most massive high-redshift galaxies is assessed and compared with a wide range of existing and proposed photometric surveys, including the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey (GOODS)/Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF), National Optical Astronomy Observatory Deep Wide-Field Survey (NDWFS), UKIRT Infared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS), Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) Shallow Survey, Ultradeep Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA), Dark Universe Explorer (DUNE), Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS), Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), and Supernova/Acceleration Probe (SNAP). Massive stellar spheroids descended from z ~ 6 quasars will likely be detected at z ~ 4 by existing surveys, but owing to their low number densities the discovery of quasar progenitor galaxies at z > 7 will likely require future surveys of large portions of the sky (≳0.5%) at wavelengths λ ≳ 1 μm. The detection of rare, starbursting, massive galaxies at redshifts z ≳ 6 would provide support for the hierarchical formation of the earliest quasars and characterize the primitive star formation histories of the most luminous elliptical galaxies.
Do Unions Cause Business Failures

Estimating the causal effect of unionization on business survival rates is difficult in the absence of large, representative data on establishments with union status information. It is also confounded by selection bias, because unions may tend to organize at highly profitable enterprises that are more likely to survive. Using new data on more than 27,000 establishments that faced organizing drives in the U.S. during 1983-1999, this paper utilizes a regression discontinuity design to estimate the impact of unionization on the probability of employer dislocation. Survival probabilities of employers where unions barely won the election (e.g. by one vote) are compared to those where the unions barely lost. The analysis yields a surprising result: little or no union effect on business dislocation rates over 1- to 18-year horizons.
BLOCK SPREADING FOR MULTIPATH-RESILIENT GENERALIZED MULTI-CARRIER CDMA

The emerging generation of broadband multiple access communication systems will enable dissemination of multimedia information to a large number of geographically dispersed (and possibly mobile) users through integrated wireline-wireless networks. The increasing demand for Internet services, wireless television and fast access to large databases pushes the technology towards higher bandwidth and carrier frequencies, while the need for sharing a common air interface to transfer multiple data rates poses a formidable challenge to multiple access communication systems. Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems equipped with reliable multiuser interference (MUI) cancellation have gained worldwide acceptance over competing TDMA and FDMA alternatives, whose capacity is bandwidth limited [17]. With the growing demand for high data rates, it is thus not surprising that, apart from inevitable differences, the proposed standards for third generation mobile systems
Model for energy efficiency in radio over fiber distributed indoor antenna Wi-Fi network

Distributed antenna systems (DAS) are known to improve coverage and performance of wireless communications in indoor environments. In this paper, the power consumption and energy efficiency of a DAS using radio over fiber (RoF) are evaluated and compared with those in a centralized antenna system. The instantaneous power consumption curves of a Wi-Fi access point and dongle combination are physically measured for different transmission configurations, yielding a distance-dependent energy efficiency model. In a second step, computer simulations show that a distributed system with four antennas is 3.8 times more energy-efficient than a centralized antenna system, while the total radiated power is divided by a factor of two.