Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early Diagnosis and Early Intervention in Cerebral Palsy

This paper reviews the opportunities and challenges for early diagnosis and early intervention in cerebral palsy (CP). CP describes a group of disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation that is attributed to disturbances that occurred in the fetal or infant brain. Therefore, the paper starts with a summary of relevant information from developmental neuroscience. Most lesions underlying CP occur in the second half of gestation, when developmental activity in the brain reaches its summit. Variations in timing of the damage not only result in different lesions but also in different neuroplastic reactions and different associated neuropathologies. This turns CP into a heterogeneous entity. This may mean that the best early diagnostics and the best intervention methods may differ for various subgroups of children with CP. Next, the paper addresses possibilities for early diagnosis. It discusses the predictive value of neuromotor and neurological exams, neuroimaging techniques, and neurophysiological assessments. Prediction is best when complementary techniques are used in longitudinal series. Possibilities for early prediction of CP differ for infants admitted to neonatal intensive care and other infants. In the former group, best prediction is achieved with the combination of neuroimaging and the assessment of general movements, in the latter group, best prediction is based on carefully documented milestones and neurological assessment. The last part reviews early intervention in infants developing CP. Most knowledge on early intervention is based on studies in high-risk infants without CP. In these infants, early intervention programs promote cognitive development until preschool age; motor development profits less. The few studies on early intervention in infants developing CP suggest that programs that stimulate all aspects of infant development by means of family coaching are most promising. More research is urgently needed.
Kobe University Repository : Kernel タイトル Tit le The container shipping network design problem with empty container reposit ioning 著者

This paper addresses the design of container liner shipping service networks by explicitly taking into account empty container repositioning. Two key and interrelated issues, those of deploying ships and containers are usually treated separately by most existing studies on shipping network design. In this paper, both issues are considered simultaneously. The problem is formulated as a two-stage problem. A genetic algorithm-based heuristic is developed for the problem. Through a number of numerical experiments that were conducted it was shown that the problem with the consideration of empty container repositioning provides a more insightful solution than the one without.
The Incentive Structure in an Online Information Market

The principal objective of this research was to understand the incentive structure in a mixed economic and social market for information. Prior research suggests that tangible incentives will crowd out intangible incentives; however, information markets invite special examination of this finding. Data representing four years of activity by 523 researchers who gave about 52,000 answers on the Google Answers Web site were collected. Analysis revealed that the main predictor for researchers’ participation was the anticipation of tip (gratuity). Analysis of two researcher subgroups showed that in the case of the frequent researchers, the tip was followed by social incentives: interaction (comments) and ratings. For occasional researchers, the tip was followed by the price paid for answers and then by comments. The results suggest that a pure economic incentive serves as enticement; however, social incentives induce persistent participation by researchers and eventually lead to higher average economic gains. The market is catalyzed by social activity, not cannibalized by it, as may have been predicted by theory. This findingpr ovides empirical evidence for “social capital�? since social incentives were connected to higher economic gains. The practical implication is that a mixed incentive design is likely to generate lively information-exchange environments.
Neonatal Meningitis: Risk Factors, Causes, and Neurologic Complications

Objective Neonates are at greater risk for sepsis and meningitis than other ages and in spite of rapid diagnoses of pathogens and treatments, they still contribute to complications and mortality. This study determines risk factors, causes, and neurologic complications of neonatal meningitis in hospitalized neonates. Material & Methods In this descriptive, cross sectional study, we evaluated 415 neonates with sepsis and meningitis admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at our center between 2008 and 2012. The data that was recorded was age, sex, birth weight, prenatal risk factors, clinical features, blood and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and brain sonographic findings and outcomes. Results Twenty patients had meningitis. Eleven cases (55%) were male. The mean age was 8. 41 days and mean birth weight was 2891.5±766 grams. Poor feeding, seizures, and tachypnea were detected in 12 (60%), 11 (55%), and 6 (30%) patients, respectively. Prenatal risk factors were prolonged rupture of membranes, maternal vaginitis, asymptomatic bacteriuria, prematurity, low birth weights, and asphyxia. Four patients had positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures with klebsiella pneumoniae 2 (50%), Enterococcus spp. 1 (25%), and Group B streptococcus 1 (25%) cases, respectively. Two cases had positive blood cultures with klebsiella pneumoniae. Neurologic complications were brain edema, subdural effusion, and brain abscesses with hydrocephaly. One neonate (5%) died. Conclusion Our study provides some information about risk factors, pathogens, and neurologic complications for neonatal meningitis. Prenatal assessments help to diagnose and reduce risk factors of this hazardous disease.
Comparison of the gut microbial community between obese and lean peoples using 16S gene sequencing in a Japanese population

Altered gut microbial ecology contributes to the development of metabolic diseases including obesity. In this study, we performed 16S rRNA sequence analysis of the gut microbiota profiles of obese and lean Japanese populations. The V3–V4 hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA of fecal samples from 10 obese and 10 lean volunteers were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeqTMII system. The average body mass index of the obese and lean group were 38.1 and 16.6 kg/m2, respectively (p<0.01). The Shannon diversity index was significantly higher in the lean group than in the obese group (p<0.01). The phyla Firmicutes and Fusobacteria were significantly more abundant in obese people than in lean people. The abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes and the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio were not different between the obese and lean groups. The genera Alistipes, Anaerococcus, Corpococcus, Fusobacterium and Parvimonas increased significantly in obese people, and the genera Bacteroides, Desulfovibrio, Faecalibacterium, Lachnoanaerobaculum and Olsenella increased significantly in lean people. Bacteria species possessing anti-inflammatory properties, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, increased significantly in lean people, but bacteria species possessing pro-inflammatory properties increased in obese people. Obesity-associated gut microbiota in the Japanese population was different from that in Western people.
Selective binding of virulence type III export chaperones by FliJ escort orthologues InvI and YscO

Abstract Bacteria secrete flagella subunits and deliver virulence effectors via type III export systems. During flagellar filament assembly, a chaperone escort mechanism has been proposed to enhance the export of early, minor flagellar filament components by selectively binding and cycling their chaperones. Here we identify virulence orthologues of the flagellar chaperone escort FliJ and show that the orthologues Salmonella InvI and Yersinia YscO are, like FliJ, essential for their type III export pathway and similarly, do not bind export substrates. Like FliJ, they recognize a subset of export chaperones, in particular those of the host membrane translocon components required for subsequent effector delivery.
Korean Language Resources for Everyone

This paper presents open language resources for Korean. It includes several language processing models and systems including morphological analysis, part-of-speech tagging, syntactic parsing for Korean, and standard evaluation Korean-English machine translation data with the Korean-English statistical machine translation baseline system. We make them publicly available to pave the way for further development regarding Korean language processing.
Fast and Near-Optimal Matrix Completion via Randomized Basis Pursuit

Motivated by the philosophy and phenomenal success of com- pressed sensing, the problem of reconstructing a matrix from a sampling of its entries has attracted much attention recently. Such a problem can be viewed as an information-theoretic variant of the well-studied matrix completion prob- lem, and the main objective is to design an efficient algorithm that can re- construct a matrix by inspecting only a small number of its entries. Although this is an impossible task in general, Candes and co-authors have recently shown that under a so-called incoherence assumption, a rank rn × n matrix can be reconstructed using semidefinite programming (SDP) after one inspects O(nr log 6 n) of its entries. In this paper we propose an alternative approach that is much more efficient and can reconstruct a larger class of matrices by inspecting a significantly smaller number of the entries. Specifically, we first introduce a class of matrices, which we call stable matrices, and show that it includes all those that satisfy the incoherence assumption. Then, we propose a randomized basis pursuit (RBP) algorithm and show that it can reconstruct a stable rank rn × n matrix after inspecting O(nr log n) of its entries. Our sam- pling bound is only a logarithmic factor away from the information-theoretic limit and is essentially optimal. Moreover, the runtime of the RBP algorithm is bounded by O(nr 2 log n + n 2 r), which compares very favorably with the Ω(n 4 r 2 log 12 n) runtime of the SDP-based algorithm. Perhaps more impor- tantly, our algorithm will provide an exact reconstruction of the input matrix in strongly polynomial time if the matrix entries are rational. By contrast, the SDP-based algorithm can only provide an approximate one in polynomial time.
MED-EL Cochlear Implants: State of the Art and a Glimpse Into the Future

Cochlear implantation is an accepted treatment method for adults and children with severe to profound hearing loss. Confidence in technology has led to changes in individuals who can receive a cochlear implant and changes in expected benefit with a cochlear implant. This article describes the research and development activities at MED-EL, which make possible the implementation of new speech-coding strategies as well as the application of acoustic and electric stimulation via a combined speech processor in MED-EL devices. Research on benefits from bilateral cochlear implantation and electric-acoustic stimulation are also reviewed. Finally, the potential of drug delivery systems is considered as a way to improve cochlear implant outcomes, and results from preliminary evaluations of a hybrid cochlear implant system with drug delivery capabilities are reported.
Dental Consultation Communication Checklist: Translation and Validation of the Persian Version

Received: 3 Jul 2015 Accepted: 21 Sep 2015 Abstract Background and Aim: Attention to proper communication with patients in dental setting is important in the quality of care. The purpose of the present study was to translate the Dental Consultation Communication Checklist (DCCC) to Persian and validate the Persian version. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, the standard 'forwardbackward' method was used to translate the English version of the checklist to Persian. Face and content validity were assessed and the reliability was scored by calculating the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha. A number of 4, 5 and 6 year dental students completed the checklist. The mean score in each domain was calculated and compared using one way ANOVA test. Results: Of 245 dental students, 83% responded (n=204). The content validity index (CVI) was 0.83 and 0.93 for the appropriateness and clarity, respectively. Reliability analysis showed satisfactory result (ICC=0.86, Cronbach's alpha=0.89). The selfreported positive response to question “I introduced myself and explained my role” was weak compared to all other questions. There was no statistically significant difference in the scores obtained by the three groups of dental students. Conclusion: The Persian version of DCCC is a valid and reliable instrument for use in the clinical setting.
Local Gamete Competition Explains Sex Allocation and Fertilization Strategies in the Sea

Within and across taxa, there is much variation in the mode of fertilization, that is, whether eggs and/or sperm are released or kept inside or on the surface of the parent’s body. Although the evolutionary consequences of fertilization mode are far-reaching, transitions in the fertilization mode itself have largely escaped theoretical attention. Here we develop the first evolutionary model of egg retention and release, which also considers transitions between hermaphroditism and dioecy as well as egg size evolution. We provide a unifying explanation for reported associations between small body size, hermaphroditism, and egg retention in marine invertebrates that have puzzled researchers for more than 3 decades. Our model, by including sperm limitation, shows that all these patterns can arise as an evolutionary response to local competition between eggs for fertilization. This can provide a general explanation for three empirical patterns: sperm casters tend to be smaller than related broadcast spawners, hermaphroditism is disproportionately common in sperm casters, and offspring of sperm casters are larger. Local gamete competition also explains a universal sexual asymmetry: females of some species retain their gametes while males release theirs, but the opposite (“egg casting”) lacks evolutionary stability and is apparently not found in nature.
Mobile attachment causes and consequences for emotional bonding with mobile phones

This paper addresses the phenomenon of emotional attachments to mobile phones. We introduce the term "mobile attachment" and define it as a bond between a person's self and a mobile phone that varies in strength. Based on a critical reflection of interdisciplinary literature, a conceptual mobile attachment model is developed. Within this model causes, consequences and influencing factors of mobile attachment are exposed and elaborated. We argue that mobile attachment emerges when the mobile phone becomes part of the user's self concept. The link between the user and their mobile phone may be fostered when it empowers, enriches, or gratifies the user's self. Attachment causes lead to "design space determinants" that enable user experience designers to design for mobile attachment. Attachment consequences may be operationalized for user experience evaluation.
Spiral Galaxies with Wfpc2: Ii. the Nuclear Properties of 40 Objects Received ; Accepted

We report the analysis of HST WFPC2 F606W images of 40 spiral galaxies belonging to the sample introduced in Carollo et al. (paper I), where 35 other targets were discussed. We describe the optical morphological properties of the new 40 galaxies, derive the surface brightness profiles for 25 of them, and present the results of photometric decompositions of these profiles into a " bulge " (R 1/4 or exponential) and a disk component. The analysis of the enlarged sample of 75 galaxies puts on a statistically more solid ground the main results presented in paper I, namely: I. In ≈30% of the galaxies, the inner, morphologically-distinct, structures have an irregular appearance. Some of these " irregular bulges " are likely to be currently star forming. II. Resolved, central compact sources are detected in about 50% of the galaxies. III. The central compact sources in galaxies with nuclear star formation are brighter, for similar sizes, than those in non star forming galaxies. IV. The luminosity of the compact sources correlates with the total galactic luminosity. Furthermore, the analysis of the enlarged sample of 75 objects shows that: A. Several of the non-classical inner structures are well fitted by an exponential profile. These " exponential bulges " are fainter than R 1/4 bulges, for given total galaxy luminosity and (catalog) Hubble type later than Sab. B. Irregular/exponential bulges typically host central compact sources. C. The central sources are present in all types of disk galaxies, starting with systems as early as S0a. About 60% of Sb to Sc galaxies host a central compact source. Many of the galaxies which host compact sources contain a barred structure. D. Galaxies with apparent nuclear star formation, which also host the brightest compact sources, are preferentially the early-and intermediate-type (S0a-Sb) systems. E. None of the features depends on environment: isolated and not isolated galaxies show indistinguishable properties. Independently from the physical nature of the non-classical inner structures, our main conclusion is that a significant fraction of galaxies classified from the ground as – 3 – relatively early-type spirals shows a rich variety of central properties, and little or no morphological/photometric evidence for a smooth, R 1/4-law bulge.
Opacity optimization for 3D line fields

For the visualization of dense line fields, the careful selection of lines to be rendered is a vital aspect. In this paper, we present a global line selection approach that is based on an optimization process. Starting with an initial set of lines that covers the domain, all lines are rendered with a varying opacity, which is subject to the minimization of a bounded-variable least-squares problem. The optimization strives to keep a balance between information presentation and occlusion avoidance. This way, we obtain view-dependent opacities of the line segments, allowing a real-time free navigation while minimizing the danger of missing important structures in the visualization. We compare our technique with existing local and greedy approaches and apply it to data sets in flow visualization, medical imaging, physics, and computer graphics.
Loss of COUP-TFI Alters the Balance between Caudal Ganglionic Eminence- and Medial Ganglionic Eminence-Derived Cortical Interneurons and Results in Resistance to Epilepsy

In rodents, cortical interneurons originate from the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) and caudal ganglionic eminence (CGE) according to precise temporal schedules. The mechanisms controlling the specification of CGE-derived interneurons and their role in cortical circuitry are still unknown. Here, we show that COUP-TFI expression becomes restricted to the dorsal MGE and CGE at embryonic day 13.5 in the basal telencephalon. Conditional loss of function of COUP-TFI in subventricular precursors and postmitotic cells leads to a decrease of late-born, CGE-derived, VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide)- and CR (calretinin)-expressing bipolar cortical neurons, compensated by the concurrent increase of early-born MGE-derived, PV (parvalbumin)-expressing interneurons. Strikingly, COUP-TFI mutants are more resistant to pharmacologically induced seizures, a phenotype that is dependent on GABAergic signaling. Together, our data indicate that COUP-TFI controls the delicate balance between MGE- and CGE-derived cortical interneurons by regulating intermediate progenitor divisions and ultimately affecting the activity of the cortical inhibitory circuitry.
Fertility and Modernity

We investigate the determinants of the fertility decline in Europe from 1830 to 1970 using a newly constructed dataset of linguistic distances between European regions. The decline resulted from the gradual diffusion of new fertility behavior from French-speaking regions to the rest of Europe. Societies with higher education, lower infant mortality, higher urbanization, and higher population density had lower levels of fertility during the 19th and early 20th century. However, the fertility decline took place earlier in communities that were culturally closer to the French, while the fertility transition spread only later to societies that were more distant from the frontier. This is consistent with a process of social influence, whereby societies that were culturally closer to the French faced lower barriers to learning new information and adopting novel attitudes regarding fertility control.
The Sensitivity of the Tropical Hydrological Cycle to ENSO

Abstract Satellite observations of temperature, water vapor, precipitation and longwave radiation are used to characterize the variation of the tropical hydrologic and energy budgets associated with the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). As the tropical oceans warm during an El Nino event, the precipitation intensity, water vapor mass, and temperature of the tropical atmosphere are observed to increase, reflecting a more vigorous hydrologic cycle. The enhanced latent heat release and resultant atmospheric warming lead to an increase in the emission of longwave radiation. Atmospheric global climate models, forced with observed sea surface temperatures (SSTs), accurately reproduce the observed tropospheric temperature, water vapor, and outgoing longwave radiation changes. However, the predicted variations in tropical-mean precipitation rate and surface longwave radiation are substantially smaller than observed. The comparison suggests that either (i) the sensitivity of the tropical hydrological cycle to E.
Metal Dyshomeostasis and Inflammation in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases: Possible Impact of Environmental Exposures

A dysregulated metal homeostasis is associated with both Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) diseases; AD patients have decreased cortex and elevated serum copper levels along with extracellular amyloid-beta plaques containing copper, iron, and zinc. For AD, a putative hepcidin-mediated lowering of cortex copper mechanism is suggested. An age-related mild chronic inflammation and/or elevated intracellular iron can trigger hepcidin production followed by its binding to ferroportin which is the only neuronal iron exporter, thereby subjecting it to lysosomal degradation. Subsequently raised neuronal iron levels can induce translation of the ferroportin assisting and copper binding amyloid precursor protein (APP); constitutive APP transmembrane passage lowers the copper pool which is important for many enzymes. Using in silico gene expression analyses, we here show significantly decreased expression of copper-dependent enzymes in AD brain and metallothioneins were upregulated in both diseases. Although few AD exposure risk factors are known, AD-related tauopathies can result from cyanobacterial microcystin and β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) intake. Several environmental exposures may represent risk factors for PD; for this disease neurodegeneration is likely to involve mitochondrial dysfunction, microglial activation, and neuroinflammation. Administration of metal chelators and anti-inflammatory agents could affect disease outcomes.