Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interrelationship of breath components in neighboring breaths of normal eupneic subjects.

To determine the fraction of variational activity that is correlated on a breath-to-breath basis from uncorrelated random fluctuations, we performed autocorrelation analysis in 33 normal subjects during resting breathing. A calibrated inductive plethysmograph was used to nonobtrusively record 700 breaths in each subject. The group mean autocorrelation coefficients at a lag of 1 breath for each of the three primary breath components, tidal volume (VT), inspiratory time (TI), and expiratory time (TE), were significantly different from zero (p < 0.001). The autocorrelation coefficients for VT, 0.295 +/- 0.148 (SD), and TE, 0.259 +/- 0.121, were greater than that for TI, 0.201 +/- 0.135 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). The autocorrelation coefficients for each breath component remained significant for approximately 3 consecutive breaths (p < 0.001), indicating the presence of "short-term memory. " Cross-correlation analysis revealed significant interrelationships (p < 0.001) for all component irrespective of which component was leading or following, with the exception of the pairing of VT in the leading breath and TI in the subsequent breath. In conclusion, in resting healthy subjects breath components display considerable breath-to-breath variability that is not completely random in nature, but which, instead, has a significant fraction of structured correlated variational activity.
Characterization of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma methylome identifies aberrant disruption of key signaling pathways and methylated tumor suppressor genes.

AIMS Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common tumor consistently associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection and prevalent in South China, including Hong Kong, and southeast Asia. Current genomic sequencing studies found only rare mutations in NPC, indicating its critical epigenetic etiology, while no epigenome exists for NPC as yet. MATERIALS & METHODS We profiled the methylomes of NPC cell lines and primary tumors, together with normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP). RESULTS We observed extensive, genome-wide methylation of cellular genes. Epigenetic disruption of Wnt, MAPK, TGF-β and Hedgehog signaling pathways was detected. Methylation of Wnt signaling regulators (SFRP1, 2, 4 and 5, DACT2, DKK2 and DKK3) was frequently detected in tumor and nasal swab samples from NPC patients. Functional studies showed that these genes are bona fide tumor-suppressor genes for NPC. CONCLUSION The NPC methylome shows a special high-degree CpG methylation epigenotype, similar to the Epstein-Barr virus-infected gastric cancer, indicating a critical epigenetic etiology for NPC pathogenesis.
Counseling Parents of Children With Learning Disabilities.

many members of the helping professions have mixed feelings toward parents and their aid in a child's remedial program. There are a number of forces at work in producing the negative feelings many professionals harbor toward parents of patients. First, all are heir to the legacies of the environmental school, which seeks to explain people largely in terms of parental influ ences. Most professionals realize the negative things parents can do to their children. Yet few have worked out the relationship be tween causal, deterministic explanations on the one hand, and notions of "accountability" or "blame" on the other. Hence, con sistency is rare in these matters, and while one "explains" behavi or among those toward whom one feels positively inclined, the tendency is to "blame" and "condemn" these same behaviors among those toward whom one lacks positive regard. Second, professionals often project their own self-anger at parents. It is not unusual for a professional to blame himself or herself for not helping the patient to a greater degree than has been possible. This all-too-human anger often ends up directed at the parents, who are seen as the "real" reason the patient is not making more progress. Third, all professionals and non-professionals harbor ambiva lent feelings toward their own parents. These feelings are often confused with feelings toward other peoples' parents, including those of patients. Fourth, many professionals believe that since it took them so long to master their helping skills, it is unlikely that others less trained than ourselves could contribute anything of importance to a helping process. Stated bluntly, many professionals are unwill ing to believe a lay person can be therapeutic and/or helpful. Fifth, likewise, those impressed with the role of the uncon scious in human behavior are sometimes unwilling to acknowledge that help can be had from the uninsightful. Professionals of this persuasion seem to believe that because a good bit of behavior 331
Optimising Web queries using document type definitions

A document type definition (DTD) <italic>D</italic> defines the structure of elements permitted in any web document valid with respect to <italic>D</italic>. From a given DTD <italic>D</italic> we show how to derive a number of simple structural constraints which are implied by <italic>D</italic>. Using a relational abstraction of web databases, we consider a class of conjunctive queries which retrieve elements from web documents stored in a database <italic>D</italic>. For simplicity, we assume that all documents in <italic>D</italic> are valid with respect to the same DTD<italic>D</italic>. The main contribution of the paper is the use of the constraints derived from <italic>D</italic> to optimise conjunctive queries on <italic>D</italic> by removing redundant conjuncts. The relational abstraction allows us to show that the constraints derived from a DTD are equivalent to tuple-generating and equality-generating dependencies which hold on <italic>D</italic>. Having done so, we can use the chase algorithm to show equivalence between a query and its reduced form.
Corporatism and beyond: an assessment of recent literature

This paper gives a comprehensive account on the general tendencies of the study of corporatism throughout the last forty years (1970-2010). After a brief introduction that explains the basic features of the literature subject to this survey, we proceed with analysis at two different levels. We begin by labeling 630 articles according to five broad categories for a wide-scope view of the study of corporatism. The subsequent stage comprehends 315 articles sampled from three leading journals where each article was coded for 23 fields of inquiry. At this second stage we discuss the general perceived tendencies in theoretical construction and deployment, in the evolution of statistical data and techniques, the geographical coverage of empirical studies, and the changing nature of the concept. We then discuss the global meaning of this literature and point out the reasons for its changing but lasting relevance in political science studies.
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults

Abstract: Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is a special form of diabetes that is clinically similar to type 2 diabetes but with positivity for pancreatic autoantibodies. The frequency of LADA patients among all patients diagnosed as type 2 varies between 6‐50% in various populations. The frequency is higher in younger age groups. It is clear, however, that the frequency of autoimmune diabetes among adults is underestimated. Clinical features such as age and severity of symptoms are of no help in identifying these patients. Body mass index and C peptide levels in the general population increase with age, and these parameters are of limited use in identifying LADA patients. Determination of autoantibodies is necessary in order to correctly classify the type of diabetes. Among antibodies, GADA is the most frequently occurring autoantibody, followed by ICA. The natural course of these patients shows that C peptide will decrease with time in parallel with the curve for C peptide in classical type 1 diabetic patients. Most of the LADA patients will require insulin within three years. Our recommendation is that all patients be tested for pancreatic islet autoantibodies at diagnosis of diabetes to enable correct diagnosis and to avoid future failure of hypoglycemic agents and risk of complications due to hyperglycemia. It is still unclear whether early treatment with insulin is beneficial for the remaining beta cells.
Association between maternal age and birth defects of unknown etiology: United States, 1997-2007.

BACKGROUND Birth defects affect 3% of babies born, and are one of the leading causes of infant mortality. Both younger and older maternal age may pose increased risks for certain birth defects. This study assessed the relationship between maternal age at the estimated delivery date and the risk for birth defects. METHODS Data were obtained from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a population-based case-control study including mothers across 10 states. Maternal age was stratified into six categories: <20, 20 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, and ≥40 years, and also analyzed as a continuous variable. Logistic regression models adjusted formaternal race/ethnicity, education, body mass index (BMI), folic acid use, smoking, gravidity, and parental age difference were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS For maternal age <20 years, associations with total anomalous pulmonary venous return (aOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3-4.0), amniotic band sequence (aOR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.5-3.8), and gastroschisis (aOR, 6.1; 95% CI, 4.8-8.0) were observed. For the ≥40 year age group, associations with several cardiac defects, esophageal atresia (aOR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.7-4.9), hypospadias (aOR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.4-3.0), and craniosynostosis (aOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.4) were observed. Results using maternal age as a continuous variable were consistent with those that used categorized maternal age. CONCLUSION Elucidating risk factors specific to women ateither extreme of maternal age may offer prevention opportunities. All women should be made aware of prevention opportunities, such as folic acid supplementation, to reduce the occurrence of birth defects.
Malignant melanoma in patients treated for psoriasis with methoxsalen (psoralen) and ultraviolet A radiation (PUVA). The PUVA Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND Photochemotherapy with oral methoxsalen (psoralen) and ultraviolet A radiation (PUVA) is an effective treatment for psoriasis. However, PUVA is mutagenic, increases the risk of squamous-cell skin cancer, and can cause irregular, pigmented skin lesions. We studied the occurrence of melanoma among patients treated with PUVA. METHODS We prospectively identified cases of melanoma and documented the extent of exposure to PUVA among 1380 patients with psoriasis who were first treated with PUVA in 1975 or 1976. Using incidence data, we calculated the expected incidence of melanoma in this cohort and compared it with the observed incidence. Using regression models, we assessed the risks of melanoma associated with a long time (> or = 15 years) since the first treatment and with a large number of PUVA treatments (> or = 250). RESULTS From 1975 through 1990, we detected four malignant melanomas, about the number expected in the overall population (relative risk, 1.1). From 1991 through 1996, we detected seven malignant melanomas (relative risk, 5.4; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.2 to 11.1). The risk of melanoma was higher in the later period than in the earlier one (incidence-rate ratio, 3.8) and higher among patients who received at least 250 PUVA treatments than among those who received fewer treatments (incidence-rate ratio, 3.1). CONCLUSIONS About 15 years after the first treatment with PUVA, the risk of malignant melanoma increases, especially among patients who receive 250 treatments or more.
A Primer for Conducting Survey Research using MTurk: Tips for the Field

This paper presents best practices for conducting survey research using Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Readers will learn the benefits, limitations, and trade-offs of using MTurk as compared to other recruitment services, including SurveyMonkey and Qualtrics. A synthesis of survey design guidelines along with a sample survey are presented to help researchers collect the best quality data. Techniques, including SPSS and R syntax, are provided that demonstrate how users can clean resulting data and identify valid responses for which workers could be paid.
The Impact of Tax Incentives on the Economic Activity of Entrepreneurs

This paper studies the effect of Finnish tax reforms in the mid 1990s on the economic activity and tax avoidance decisions of the owners of small businesses. The reforms reduced income tax rates and increased tax planning incentives for small business owners. They applied only to unincorporated firms. We utilize both a theoretical model and empirical data. The empirical strategy is to use the reforms as a natural experiment to estimate the causal impact of the reforms. The results imply that entrepreneurs react to tax incentives along both real and avoidance margins, while the latter elasticity is larger.
Zinc and ATP Binding of the Hexameric AAA-ATPase PilF from Thermus thermophilus

Background: Thermus PilF is essential for pilus biogenesis and transformation. Results: Zinc binding is essential for PilF complex stability, piliation, adhesion, and twitching motility. Conclusion: PilF complex thermostability is essential for piliation but not for natural transformation. Significance: This work highlights the role of zinc and ATP in AAA-ATPase stability and provides evidence that T4P and the DNA translocator are distinct systems. The traffic AAA-ATPase PilF is essential for pilus biogenesis and natural transformation of Thermus thermophilus HB27. Recently, we showed that PilF forms hexameric complexes containing six zinc atoms coordinated by conserved tetracysteine motifs. Here we report that zinc binding is essential for complex stability. However, zinc binding is neither required for pilus biogenesis nor natural transformation. A number of the mutants did not exhibit any pili during growth at 64 °C but still were transformable. This leads to the conclusion that type 4 pili and the DNA translocator are distinct systems. At lower growth temperatures (55 °C) the zinc-depleted multiple cysteine mutants were hyperpiliated but defective in pilus-mediated twitching motility. This provides evidence that zinc binding is essential for the role of PilF in pilus dynamics. Moreover, we found that zinc binding is essential for complex stability but dispensable for ATPase activity. In contrast to many polymerization ATPases from mesophilic bacteria, ATP binding is not required for PilF complex formation; however, it significantly increases complex stability. These data suggest that zinc and ATP binding increase complex stability that is important for functionality of PilF under extreme environmental conditions.
Trade‐offs within the immune systems of female White‐footed Mice, Peromyscus leucopus

Summary 1 In many vertebrates, immune activity is compromised when other expensive activities are concurrent. One explanation for such patterns includes trade-offs between immune activity and other expensive physiological processes. Trade-offs among different immune responses themselves may also occur, but thus far few data exist to substantiate them. 2 We predicted that immune activity in female White-footed Mice, Peromyscus leucopus, would be weak (relative to sham-treated controls) if another immune response was already ongoing. To test this hypothesis, we examined (i) the effects of inflicting a cutaneous wound on cell-mediated immune activity one day after wounding, and (ii) the effects of inducing cell-mediated immune activity on the cutaneous wound-healing process when wounds were inflicted one day after the immune challenge. 3 Prior wounding dampened cell-mediated immune responses and induction of cell-mediated immune activity altered progression of wound healing. Immune challenges did not affect reproductive tissue masses, however, as has been detected in males of this species. Also, concentrations of circulating glucocorticoids, which are known modulators of immune activity, were not dramatically different between treatment and sham groups. 4 In sum, our results provide evidence that some immune responses can negatively influence other recent immunological activity. Further study is warranted, however, to pinpoint the molecular mechanisms underlying these apparent trade-offs and determine whether induction of immune activity may sometimes prime instead of hinder subsequent immune responses.
Regulation of Imprinted Gene and Small RNA Expression in the Arabidopsis Endosperm

Author(s): Shin, Juhyun | Advisor(s): Fischer, Robert | Abstract: The Arabidopsis endosperm is an unique tissue to angiosperms, and is the main tissue where imprinting occurs. Using high-throughput sequencing we found 123 new imprinted genes and expect that the total number of imprinted genes present in the endosperm ranges from 200-500. From the 114 maternally expressed imprinted genes we found 29 genes which expression mechanism are controlled by DNA methylation and/or PcG activity. For the rest of imprinted genes and presumably the majority of p4-siRNAs, the maternal expression may be controlled by other mechanisms or use homolog of known imprinting proteins.
Associations of Inter- and Intraday Temperature Change With Mortality

In this study we evaluated the association between temperature variation and mortality and compared it with the contribution due to mean daily temperature in 6 cities with different climates. Quasi-Poisson time series regression models were applied to estimate the associations (relative risk and 95% confidence interval) of mean daily temperature (99th and 1st percentiles, with temperature of minimum mortality as the reference category), interday temperature variation (difference between the mean temperatures of 2 neighboring days) and intraday temperature variation (diurnal temperature range (DTR)) (referred to as median variation) with mortality in 6 cities: London, United Kingdom; Madrid, Spain; Stockholm, Sweden; New York, New York; Miami, Florida; and Houston, Texas (date range, 1985–2010). All cities showed a substantial increase in mortality risk associated with mean daily temperature, with relative risks reaching 1.428 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.329, 1.533) for heat in Madrid and 1.467 (95% CI: 1.385, 1.555) for cold in London. Inconsistent results for inter-/intraday change were obtained, except for some evidence of protective associations on hot and cold days (relative risk (RR) = 0.977 (95% CI: 0.955, 0.999) and RR = 0.981 (95% CI: 0.971, 0.991), respectively) in Madrid and on cold days in Stockholm (RR = 0.989, 95% CI: 0.980, 0.998). Our results indicate that the association between mortality and temperature variation is generally minimal compared with mean daily temperatures, although further research on intraday changes is needed.
Asset Pricing with Liquidity Risk

This Paper studies equilibrium asset pricing with liquidity risk (the risk arising from unpredictable changes in liquidity over time). It is shown that the required return on a security depends on its expected illiquidity, the covariances of its own return, illiquidity with market return, and market illiquidity. This gives rise to a liquidity-adjusted capital asset pricing model. Further, if a security's liquidity is persistent, a shock to its illiquidity results in low contemporaneous returns and high predicted future returns. Empirical evidence based on cross-sectional tests is consistent with liquidity risk being priced.
The environmental effect of car-free housing: A case in Vienna

Ecological Economics, 2008, 65(3): 516-530 A case–control study of the car-free model housing project in Vienna was conducted to evaluate whether people living in this settlement have more ‘sustainable lifestyles’ than people living in comparable buildings in Vienna. Another aim was to identify the lifestyle characteristics and household activities which significantly influence the environmental impact of the residents of the car-free housing project and a control group. The control group, referred to as the reference settlement, was chosen from a nearby building complex, with similar characteristics, but without the car-free feature. Household consumption patterns were estimated based on interviews in combination with data from the Austrian consumer expenditure survey and the national accounts. The evaluation of household environmental impacts uses emissions estimates from the Austrian national accounting matrices including environmental accounts and data from life-cycle assessments. Households from the car-free settlement have substantially lower environmental impacts in the categories of ground transportation and energy use; their CO2 emissions of these two categories are less than 50% of those living in the reference settlement. The households in the car-free settlement have somewhat higher emissions in the categories air transport, nutrition, and ‘other’ consumption, reflecting the higher income per-capita. As a result, the CO2 emissions are only slightly lower than in the reference settlement, but the emissions intensity is 20% lower. Both household groups have significantly lower environmental impacts than the Austrian average reflecting less car use and cleaner heating energy in Vienna.
Reflecting on Education for Sustainable Development through Two Lenses: Ability Studies and Disability Studies

The call for papers asked to cast “a critical eye on the practice and purpose of sustainability-focused education, and its successes and failures, thus far”. We approach this task in this paper through two lenses that have not yet been very visible in the education for sustainable development (ESD) discourse. One is the lens of disability studies which is the inquiry around the lived reality of disabled people; the other is the lens of ability studies which among others investigates (a) which abilities are seen as essential in a given context; (b) the dynamic of how an ability expectation consensus is reached, if it is reached and (c) the impact of ability expectations. We conclude that (a) no consensus has been reached within ESD discourses as to the process of how to identify essential abilities and as to a list of abilities seen as important and (b) that disabled people are invisible in the formal and informal ESD discourse. We expect the paper to be of interest to disabled people, ESD scholars, teachers of ESD in different educational settings, students of ESD training, NGOs involved in ESD as well as policy makers involved in ESD.
Herpes Simplex Virus Resistance to Acyclovir and Penciclovir after Two Decades of Antiviral Therapy

SUMMARY Acyclovir, penciclovir, and their prodrugs have been widely used during the past two decades for the treatment of herpesvirus infections. In spite of the distribution of over 2.3 × 106 kg of these nucleoside analogues, the prevalence of acyclovir resistance in herpes simplex virus isolates from immunocompetent hosts has remained stable at approximately 0.3%. In immuncompromised patients, in whom the risk for developing resistance is much greater, the prevalence of resistant virus has also remained stable but at a higher level, typically 4 to 7%. These observations are examined in the light of characteristics of the virus, the drugs, and host factors.