Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive functioning in children and adults with nonsyndromal cleft lip and/or palate: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE To provide a meta-analysis of research that has examined the cognitive functioning of children and adults with cleft lip (CL), cleft palate (CP), and cleft lip and palate (CLP). METHODS Data from 29 studies, which compared persons with a cleft to a control group on tests of cognitive functioning, were analyzed. The data were obtained from 1,546 persons with cleft and 279,805 controls. RESULTS Participants with a cleft performed significantly worse on 7 cognitive domains. However, the only moderate and significant deficit, which was based on nonheterogeneous study findings and not subject to publication bias, was in the language domain. CL, CP, and CLP were all associated with cognitive impairments, although the profiles for the groups differed. CONCLUSIONS Cross-sectional studies suggest that persons with clefts experience poorer cognitive functioning across a range of domains, although large-scale longitudinal studies are needed to more definitively differentiate outcomes by cleft type.
Entropy Profiles in the Cores of Cooling Flow Clusters of Galaxies

The X-ray properties of a relaxed cluster of galaxies are determined primarily by its gravitational potential well and the entropy distribution of its intracluster gas. That entropy distribution reflects both the accretion history of the cluster and the feedback processes that limit the condensation of intracluster gas. Here we present Chandra observations of the core entropy profiles of nine classic "cooling flow" clusters that appear relatively relaxed (at least outside the central 10-20 kpc) and contain intracluster gas with a cooling time less than a Hubble time. We show that those entropy profiles are remarkably similar, despite the fact that the clusters range over a factor of 3 in temperature. They typically have an entropy level of ≈130 keV cm2 at 100 kpc that declines to a plateau ~10 keV cm2 at ≲10 kpc. Between these radii, the entropy profiles are ∝rα with α ≈ 1.0-1.3. The nonzero central entropy levels in these clusters correspond to a cooling time ~108 yr, suggesting that episodic heating on this timescale maintains the central entropy profile in a quasi-steady state. We show in an appendix that although disturbances and bubbles are visible in the central regions of these clusters, these phenomena do not strongly bias our entropy estimates.
Scalable Graphics Architecture for High-Resolution Displays

We envision situation-rooms and research laboratories in which all the walls are made from seamless ultra-high-resolution displays fed by data streamed over ultra-high-speed networks from distantly located visualization, storage servers, and high definition video cameras [1,6]. It will allow local and distributed groups of researchers to work together on large amounts of distributed heterogeneous datasets. We are taking the next steps toward this vision by building LambdaVision an 11x5 tiled display with a total resolution of 100 megapixels and developing SAGE, the Scalable Adaptive Graphics Environment (see Figure 1). SAGE allows the seamless display of various networked applications over the high-resolution displays. Each visualization application (such as 3D rendering, remote desktop, video streams, very large 2D maps) streams its rendered pixels (or graphics primitives) to SAGE, allowing for any given layout onto the displays (e.g. the output of arbitrary M by N pixel rendering cluster nodes can be streamed to X by Y pixel display screens). The graphics streaming architecture of SAGE addresses two non-trivial problems in scientific visualization. One is heterogeneity: since most visualization applications are closely tied to their graphics environment, it is difficult to integrate various visualization applications into a unified graphics environment. The other is scalability: the ability of visualization software and systems to scale in terms of the amount of data they can visualize and the resolution of the desired visualization [5]. SAGE addresses the heterogeneity problem by decoupling graphics rendering from graphics display so that visualization applications developed on various environments can easily migrate into SAGE by streaming their pixels into the virtual frame buffer. Also, SAGE provides scalability by supporting any number of rendering and displaying nodes, number of tiles, and screen resolution, and the SAGE visualization applications have extremely fast access to huge databases at remote or local sites taking advantage of affordable ultra-high-bandwidth networks.
Estimation in Single-Index Panel Data Models with Heterogeneous Link Functions

In this article, we study semiparametric estimation for a single-index panel data model where the nonlinear link function varies among the individuals. We propose using the refined minimum average variance estimation method to estimate the parameter in the single-index. As the cross-section dimension N and the time series dimension T tend to infinity simultaneously, we establish asymptotic distributions for the proposed estimator. In addition, we provide a real-data example to illustrate the finite sample behavior of the proposed estimation method.
EFFICIENT ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN SENSOR NETWORKS

Optimizing the energy consumption in wireless sensor networks has recently become the most important performance objective. We assume the sensor network model in which sensors can interchange idle and active modes. Given monitoring regions, battery life and energy consumption rate for each of n sensors, we formulate the problem of maximizing sensor network lifetime, i.e., time during which the monitored area is (partially or fully) covered. We give the first provably good algorithm for finding monitoring schedule with the approximation ratio 1 + logn. Our contributions also include (1) an efficient data structure to represent the monitored area with at most n2 points guaranteeing the full coverage which is superior to the previously used approach based on grid points, (2) efficient provably good centralized algorithms for sensor monitoring schedule maximizing the total lifetime for the case when a q-portion of the monitored area is required to cover, e.g., for the 90% area coverage our schedule guarantees to be at most 3.3 times shorter than the best full coverage lifetime, (3) efficient provably good approximation algorithm for sensor network lifetime problem which takes in account the (partial) monitoring and communication cost in case when the communication range is at least twice larger than monitoring range, (4) a family of efficient distributed protocols with trade-off between communication and monitoring power consumption, (5) extensive experimental study of the proposed algorithms showing significant advantage in quality, scalability and flexibility.
The effect of non-gravitational gas heating in groups and clusters of galaxies

We present a detailed study of a set of gas-dynamical simulations of galaxy groups and clusters in a flat, �CDM model with m = 0.3, aimed at exploring the effect of non– gravitational heating on the observable properties of the intracluster medium (ICM). We use GASOLINE, a version of the code PKDGRAV that includes an SPH description of hydrodynamics to simulate the formation of four cosmic halos with virial temperatures in the range 0.5∼ T ∼ 8 keV. These simulations resolve the structure and properties of the intra–cluster medium (ICM) down to a small fraction of the virial radius, Rvir. At our resolution X–ray luminosities, (LX), of runs with gravitational heating only are in good agreement, over almost two orders of magnitude in mass, with analytical predictions, that assume a universal profile for CDM halos. For each simulated structure, non–gravitational heating of the ICM is implemented in two different ways: (1) by imposing a minimum entropy floor, Sfl, at a given redshift, that we take in the range 16 z 65; (2) by gradually heating gas within collapsed regions, proportionally to the supernova rate expected from semi–analytical modeling of galaxy formation in halos having mass equal to that of the simulated systems. Our main results are the following. (a) An extra heating energy Eh∼ 1 keV per gas particle within Rvir at z = 0 is required to reproduce the observed LX–T relation, independent of whether it is provided in an impulsive way to create an entropy floor Sfl = 50–100 keV cm 2 , or is modulated in redshift according to the star formation rate; our SN feedback recipe provides at most Eh ≃ 1/3 keV/part and, therefore, its effect on the LX–T relation is too small to account for the observed LX–T relation. (b) The required heating implies, in small groups with T ∼ 0.5 keV, a baryon fraction as low as ∼ 40% of the cosmic value at Rvir/2; this fraction increases to about 80% for a T ≃ 3 keV cluster. (c) Temperature profiles are almost scale free across the whole explored mass range, with T decreasing by a factor of three at the virial radius. (d) The mass–temperature relation is almost unaffected by non–gravitational heating and follows quite closely the M ∝ T 3/2 scaling; however, when compared with data on the M500–Tew relation, it has a ∼ 40% higher normalization. This discrepancy is independent of the heating scheme adopted. The inclusion of cooling in a run of a small group steepens the central profile of the potential well while removing gas from the diffuse phase. This has the effects of increasing Tew by ∼ 30%, possibly reconciling the simulated and the observed M500–Tew relations, and of decreasing LX by ∼ 40%. However, in spite of the inclusion of SN feedback energy, almost 40% of the gas drops out from the hot diffuse phase, in excess of current observational estimates of the amount of cold baryons in galaxy systems. Likely, only a combination of different heating sources (SNe and AGNs) and cooling will be able to reproduce both the LX–Tew and M500–Tew relations, as observed in groups and clusters, while balancing the cooling runaway.
Reduction of CO(2)-pneumoperitoneum-induced metabolic hypoxaemia by the addition of small amounts of O(2) to the CO(2) in a rabbit ventilated model. A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND CO(2)-pneumoperitoneum used in endoscopic surgery induces system effects by CO(2) absorption. This study investigated the effect of the addition of O(2) to CO(2)-pneumoperitoneum, upon CO(2) absorption. METHODS The effect of a pneumoperitoneum using 100% CO(2) or 94% CO(2) + 6% O(2) upon arterial blood gases, acid base and O(2) homeostasis was evaluated. In series A suboptimal ventilation and a pneumoperitoneum pressure (PP) of 10 mmHg was used. In series B adequate ventilation and PP of 6 mmHg was used. RESULTS CO(2)-pneumoperitoneum profoundly affected blood gases and acid base homeostasis i.e. increasing pCO(2), HCO(3)(P < 0.001) and lactate concentrations (P < 0.05) and decreasing pH, actual base excess and standard bicarbonate (P < 0.001), resulting in metabolic hypoxaemia with desaturation, lower pO(2) (P < 0.001) and O(2)Hb (P < 0.05). These effects were more pronounced with higher PP and suboptimal ventilation. CONCLUSION CO(2)-pneumoperitoneum profoundly affected blood gases and acid base homeostasis resulting in metabolic hypoxaemia. The addition of 6% of O(2) to the CO(2)-pneumoperitoneum prevented these effects to a large extent. If these preliminary data are confirmed in the human, the addition of a few percent of O(2) to CO(2) could become important for endoscopic surgery of long duration, especially in obese patients with limited cardiorespiratory adaptation and steep Trendelenburg.
Hearing loss and the phonetic context effect

In order to gain a better understanding of how hearing loss influences speech perception, the influence of phonetic context on vowel identification was tested under simulated hearing loss conditions. Participants (n=17) were presented vowels along the /e/ - /∧/ acoustic continuum in /bVb/ and /dVd/ contexts and instructed to indicate which vowel they heard in normal hearing, and mild and severe simulated hearing loss conditions. It was hypothesized that a phonetic context effect would be observed in the normal hearing condition, diminish in the mild hearing loss condition, and disappear in the severe hearing loss conditions. The percent of /ʌ/ responses were calculated and the categorical boundary was estimated for each context and compared for differences within and across conditions. Contrary to expectations, no context effect was found for the normal hearing and mild hearing loss conditions. However, an unexpected phonetic context effect was observed in the severe hearing loss condition. These results were difficult to interpret given the lack of a significant context effect in the normal hearing condition and suggested possible interference introduced by test or stimulus procedures. It should be noted, however, that 9 of the 17 participants did demonstrated the effect in the normal hearing condition, with many maintaining the effect across both hearing loss conditions.
Autoimmune Nonobese Diabetic Recipients in for Induction of Transplantation Tolerance MHC-Mismatched Chimerism Is Required

In nonautoimmune recipients, induction of mixed and complete chimerism with hematopoietic progenitor cells from MHC (HLA)-matched or -mismatched donors are effective approaches for induction of organ transplantation immune tolerance in both animal models and patients. But it is still unclear whether this is the case in autoimmune recipients. With the autoimmune diabetic NOD mouse model, we report that, although mixed and complete MHC-mismatched chimerism provide immune tolerance to donor-type islet and skin transplants, neither mixed nor complete MHC-matched chimerism does. The MHC-mismatched chimerism not only tolerizes the de novo developed, but also the residual pre-existing host-type T cells in a mismatched MHC class II–dependent manner. In the MHC-mismatched chimeras, the residual host-type peripheral T cells appear to be anergic with upregulation of PD-1 and downregulation of IL-7R a . Conversely, in the MHC-matched chimeras, the residual host-type peripheral T cells manifest both alloreactivity and autoreactivity; they not only mediate insulitis and sialitis in the recipient, but also reject allogeneic donor-type islet and skin grafts. Interestingly, transgenic autoreactive BDC2.5 T cells from Rag1 +/+ , but not from Rag1 2 / 2 , NOD mice show alloreactivity and mediate both insulitis and rejection of allografts. Taken together, MHC-mismatched, but not MHC-matched, chimerism can effectively provide transplantation immune tolerance in autoimmune recipients. The Journal of Immunology , 2014, 193: 000–000.
Determinants of E-Commerce Development: An Empirical Study by Firms in Shaanxi, China

Past research has studied a variety of variables. However, less research is found to measure e-commerce (EC) development in terms of business processes. Building upon the TOE (Technology-Organization-Environment) framework, a research model for assessing EC development was developed, incorporating eight factors. A series of propositions were then developed. 156 cross-sectional samples in 16 industries, covering 11 cities and regions in Shaanxi in China, were collected by e-mail survey, online survey and telephone interviews. Statistical analysis was carried out to test the model. The findings showed that technology foundation, user satisfaction, management of informatization, EC security, and potential technology investment tended to have the most significant impact on EC development, while firm size seemed to be a non-significant factor and firm property was found not to affect EC development.
Self-Eating: Friend or Foe? The Emerging Role of Autophagy in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common and severe form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Despite an exponential increase in our understanding of potentially important mediators and mechanisms, the pathogenesis remains elusive, and little therapeutic progress has been made in the last few years. Mortality in 3–5 years is still 50%. Autophagy, a highly conserved homeostatic mechanism necessary for cell survival, has been recently implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary disorders. In this paper we aim to highlight some key issues regarding the process of autophagy and its possible association with the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Health Behaviors of Cancer Survivors in Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in Korea: Higher Alcohol Drinking, Lower Smoking, and Physical Inactivity Pattern in Survivors with Higher Household Income

Abstract This study investigated the prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity in cancer survivors and examined the sociodemographic factors affecting these health-related behaviors. We used data from the 4th and 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2007 and 2012, which identified 1153 cancer cases and 36,451 people without a history of cancer ≥20 years of age. We used a structured questionnaire to obtain information concerning cancer diagnosis, health-related behaviors, and sociodemographic characteristics. The proportion of cancer survivors who were current drinkers, heavy drinkers, current smokers, or engaged in physical activity were 49.1, 9.0, 9.2, or 50.7%, respectively. Compared with people with no history of cancer, cancer survivors were less likely to be current drinkers (odds ratio [OR] = 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36–0.56), heavy drinkers (OR = 0.53; 95% CI 0.36–0.78), current smokers (OR = 0.37; 95% CI 0.24–0.55), or physically inactive (OR = 0.77; 95% CI 0.63–0.95). Cancer survivors with higher household incomes had higher odds of current drinking and heavy drinking (P trend = 0.039 and 0.033, respectively) and were less likely to be current smokers or physically inactive (P trend = 0.016 and 0.046, respectively). Age, sex, sites of cancer, and the time since diagnosis affected the health behaviors in cancer survivors. Furthermore, we confirmed that these unhealthy behaviors are interrelated. We found that household income had a bidirectional effect on health behaviors and confirmed an aggregation of unhealthy lifestyles. Identification of survivors vulnerable to unhealthy lifestyles, focusing on household income level would allow intervention programs to be more effective.
Clinical Impact of MALDI-TOF MS Identification and Rapid Susceptibility Testing on Adequate Antimicrobial Treatment in Sepsis with Positive Blood Cultures

Shortening the turn-around time (TAT) of positive blood culture (BC) identification (ID) and susceptibility results is essential to optimize antimicrobial treatment in patients with sepsis. We aimed to evaluate the impact on antimicrobial prescription of a modified workflow of positive BCs providing ID and partial susceptibility results for Enterobacteriaceae (EB), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus on the day of BC positivity detection. This study was divided into a pre-intervention period (P0) with a standard BC workflow followed by 2 intervention periods (P1, P2) with an identical modified workflow. ID was performed with MALDI-TOF MS from blood, on early or on overnight subcultures. According to ID results, rapid phenotypic assays were realized to detect third generation cephalosporin resistant EB/P. aeruginosa or methicillin resistant S. aureus. Results were transmitted to the antimicrobial stewardship team for patient’s treatment revision. Times to ID, to susceptibility results and to optimal antimicrobial treatment (OAT) were compared across the three study periods. Overall, 134, 112 and 154 positive BC episodes in P0, P1 and P2 respectively were included in the analysis. Mean time to ID (28.3 hours in P0) was reduced by 65.3% in P1 (10.2 hours) and 61.8% in P2 (10.8 hours). Mean time to complete susceptibility results was reduced by 27.5% in P1 and 27% in P2, with results obtained after 32.4 and 32.6 hours compared to 44.7 hours in P0. Rapid tests allowed partial susceptibility results to be obtained after a mean time of 11.8 hours in P1 and 11.7 hours in P2. Mean time to OAT was decreased to 21.6 hours in P1 and to 17.9 hours in P2 compared to 36.1 hours in P0. Reducing TAT of positive BC with MALDI-TOF MS ID and rapid susceptibility testing accelerated prescription of targeted antimicrobial treatment thereby potentially improving the patients’ clinical outcome.
Brain Correlates of Mathematical Competence in Processing Mathematical Representations

The ability to extract numerical information from different representation formats (e.g., equations, tables, or diagrams) is a key component of mathematical competence but little is known about its neural correlate. Previous studies comparing mathematically less and more competent adults have focused on mental arithmetic and reported differences in left angular gyrus (AG) activity which were interpreted to reflect differential reliance on arithmetic fact retrieval during problem solving. The aim of the present functional magnetic resonance imaging study was to investigate the brain correlates of mathematical competence in a task requiring the processing of typical mathematical representations. Twenty-eight adults of lower and higher mathematical competence worked on a representation matching task in which they had to evaluate whether the numerical information of a symbolic equation matches that of a bar chart. Two task conditions without and one condition with arithmetic demands were administered. Both competence groups performed equally well in the non-arithmetic conditions and only differed in accuracy in the condition requiring calculation. Activation contrasts between the groups revealed consistently stronger left AG activation in the more competent individuals across all three task conditions. The finding of competence-related activation differences independently of arithmetic demands suggests that more and less competent individuals differ in a cognitive process other than arithmetic fact retrieval. Specifically, it is argued that the stronger left AG activity in the more competent adults may reflect their higher proficiency in processing mathematical symbols. Moreover, the study demonstrates competence-related parietal activation differences that were not accompanied by differential experimental performance.
Validated Model-Based Performance Prediction of Multi-Core Software Routers

The possibility of using flexible and cost-efficient commodity hardware instead of expensive custom hardware has triggered wide interest in software routers. Performance measurement and simulation are important approaches for identifying bottlenecks of such systems to predict and improve the performance. We measure the performance of software routers using current multi-core hardware architectures. We introduce an innovative and validated node model for intra-node resource contention and realized a resource management extension for the widely-used network simulator ns-3 which allows to evaluate and predict the performance of current and future software router architectures.