Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dinámicas recientes y relaciones entre las estructuras urbanas y socioeconómicas en Santiago de Chile: el caso de Peñalolén

Santiago de Chile esta caracterizado por intensos cambios en el uso de suelo como resultado de la expansion acelerada de areas residenciales entre otros. Consecuentemente, aparecen nuevas estructuras socioespaciales que llevan a una situacion de proximidad fisica entre grupos sociales de diferentes niveles educacionales en algunos sectores de la ciudad. El presente estudio analiza las relaciones entre las nuevas estructuras espaciales y sociales en la comuna de Penalolen, combinando datos censales con resultados de analisis de imagenes satelitales. Se proponen y elaboran diferentes tipos de estructuras urbanas para el caso de estudio, basandose en una clasificacion orientada a objetos, utilizando imagenes sate-litales de muy alta resolucion espacial. Los resultados del analisis de las estructuras urbanas muestran una relacion significativa con los datos socioeconomicos y, por lo mismo, permite concluir sobre procesos sociales dentro de la ciudad entre los periodos censales.
A new approach for wavelet speech enhancement

We propose a new approach to improve the performance of speech enhancement techniques based on wavelet thresholding. First, space–adaptation of the threshold is obtained by extending the principle of the level–dependent threshold to the Wavelet Packet Transform (WPT). Next, the time–adaptation is introduced using the Teager Energy Operator (TEO) of the wavelets coefficients. Finally, the time–space adapted threshold is proposed. Comparisons with the Ephraim and Malah Filter are reported.
Induction of Noxa-Mediated Apoptosis by Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Depends on Viral Recognition by Cytosolic Helicases, Leading to IRF-3/IFN-β-Dependent Induction of Pro-Apoptotic Noxa

Viral infection is a stimulus for apoptosis, and in order to sustain viral replication many viruses are known to carry genes encoding apoptosis inhibitors. F1L, encoded by the orthopoxvirus modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) has a Bcl-2-like structure. An MVA mutant lacking F1L (MVAΔF1L) induces apoptosis, indicating that MVA infection activates and F1L functions to inhibit the apoptotic pathway. In this study we investigated the events leading to apoptosis upon infection by MVAΔF1L. Apoptosis largely proceeded through the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Bak with some contribution from Bax. Of the family of pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins, only the loss of Noxa provided substantial protection, while the loss of Bim had a minor effect. In mice, MVA preferentially infected macrophages and DCs in vivo. In both cell types wt MVA induced apoptosis albeit more weakly than MVAΔF1L. The loss of Noxa had a significant protective effect in macrophages, DC and primary lymphocytes, and the combined loss of Bim and Noxa provided strong protection. Noxa protein was induced during infection, and the induction of Noxa protein and apoptosis induction required transcription factor IRF3 and type I interferon signalling. We further observed that helicases RIG-I and MDA5 and their signalling adapter MAVS contribute to Noxa induction and apoptosis in response to MVA infection. RNA isolated from MVA-infected cells induced Noxa expression and apoptosis when transfected in the absence of viral infection. We thus here describe a pathway leading from the detection of viral RNA during MVA infection by the cytosolic helicase-pathway, to the up-regulation of Noxa and apoptosis via IRF3 and type I IFN signalling.
Efficient SVM Training Using Parallel Primal-Dual Interior Point Method on GPU

The training of SVM can be viewed as a Convex Quadratic Programming (CQP) problem which becomes difficult to be solved when dealing with the large scale data sets. Traditional methods such as Sequential Minimal Optimization (SMO) for SVM training is used to solve a sequence of small scale sub-problems, which costs a large amount of computation time and is hard to be accelerated by utilizing the computation power of GPU. Although Interior Point Method (IPM) such as primal-dual interior point method (PDIPM) can be also addressed SVM training well and has favourable potential for parallelizing on GPU, it contains comparatively high time complexity O(l^3) and space complexity O(l^2), where l is the number of training instances. Fortunately, by invoking low-rank approximation methods such as Incomplete Cholesky Factorization (ICF) and Sherman Morrison Woodbury formula (SMW), the requirements of both storage and computation of PDIPM can be reduced significantly. In this paper, a parallel PDIPM method (P-PDIPM) along with a parallel ICF method (P-ICF) is proposed to accelerate the SVM training on GPU. Experimental results indicate that the training speed of P-PDIPM on GPU is almost 40x faster than that of the serial one (S-PDIPM) on CPU. Besides, without extensive optimization, P-PDIPM can obtain about 8x speedup over the state of the art tool LIBSVM while maintaining high prediction accuracy.
Circulating miR-210 predicts survival in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small ribonucleotides regulating gene expression. MicroRNAs are present in the blood in a remarkably stable form. We tested whether circulating miRNAs in the plasma of critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) at the inception of renal replacement therapy are deregulated and may predict survival. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS We profiled miRNAs using RNA isolated from the plasma of patients with AKI and healthy controls. The results were validated in 77 patients with acute kidney injury, 30 age-matched healthy controls, and 18 critically ill patients with acute myocardial infarction by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Circulating levels of miR-16 and miR-320 were downregulated in the plasma of kidney injury AKI patients, whereas miR-210 was upregulated compared with healthy controls (all P < 0.0001) and disease controls (miR-210 and miR-16: P < 0.0001; miR-320: P = 0.03). Cox regression (P < 0.05) and Kaplan-Meier curve analysis (P = 0.03) revealed miR-210 as an independent and powerful predictor of 28-day survival. CONCLUSIONS Circulating miRNAs are altered in patients with kidney injury AKI. MiR-210 predicts mortality in this patient cohort and may serve as a novel biomarker AKI reflecting pathophysiological changes on a cellular level.
Factor Structure of the Just World Scale Among Australian Undergraduates

Abstract The 20-item Just World Scale was administered to an Australian sample. Confirmatory factor analysis provided some evidence that the scale is multidimensional, but there was little consistency between the factor structure obtained in this study and those reported in previous research. A reliability analysis of the derived subscales indicated poor internal consistency. There was evidence of gender differences between two of the empirically derived factors of the scale.
Splinting the hand in the functional position after brain impairment: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of 4 weeks of hand splinting on the length of finger and wrist flexor muscles, hand function, and pain in people with acquired brain impairment. DESIGN Randomized, assessor-blinded trial. SETTING Rehabilitation center in Australia. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-eight adults with acquired brain impairment, all within 6 months of the first injury. There was 1 withdrawal. INTERVENTIONS Subjects in both experimental (n=17) and control (n=11) groups participated in routine therapy-motor training for upper-limb use and upper-limb stretches-5 days a week. The experimental group also wore an immobilizing hand splint in the functional position (10 degrees -30 degrees wrist extension) for a maximum of 12 hours each night for the duration of the 4-week intervention period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The length of the wrist and extrinsic finger flexor muscles was evaluated by measuring the torque-controlled range of wrist extension with the fingers extended. Functional hand use was evaluated with the Motor Assessment Scale. Pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale. RESULTS The effects of splinting were statistically nonsignificant and clinically unimportant. At follow-up, estimates of treatment effects slightly favored the control group: range of motion at the wrist favored controls by 2 degrees (95% confidence interval [CI], -7.2 degrees to 3.2 degrees ), function favored controls by 0.2 points (95% CI, -2.7 to 2.3), and pain favored the experimental group by 1cm (95% CI, -4.6 to 2.2). CONCLUSIONS An overnight splint-wearing regimen with the affected hand in the functional position does not produce clinically beneficial effects in adults with acquired brain impairment.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Sero-Epidemiological Association between Epstein Barr Virus and Multiple Sclerosis

Background A role for Epstein Barr virus (EBV) in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been postulated. Previous systematic reviews found higher prevalences of anti-EBV antibodies in MS patients compared to controls, but many studies have since been published, and there is a need to apply more rigorous systematic review methods. Methodology/Principal Findings We examined the link between EBV and MS by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies that examined the prevalence of anti-EBV antibodies in the serum of cases and controls. We searched Medline and Embase databases from 1960 to 2012, with no language restriction. The Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios (OR) for anti-EBV antibodies sero-positivity were calculated, and meta-analysis conducted. Quality assessment was performed using a modified version of the Newcastle Ottawa scale. Thirty-nine studies were included. Quality assessment found most studies reported acceptable selection and comparability of cases and controls. However the majority had poor reporting of ascertainment of exposure. Most studies found a higher sero-prevalence of anti-EBNA IgG and anti-VCA IgG in cases compared to controls. The results for anti-EA IgG were mixed with only half the studies finding a higher sero-prevalence in cases. The meta-analysis showed a significant OR for sero-positivity to anti-EBNA IgG and anti-VCA IgG in MS cases (4.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3 to 6.6, p<0.00001] and 4.5 [95% CI 2.8 to 7.2, p<0.00001] respectively). However, funnel plot examination suggested publication bias for the reporting of the anti-EBNA IgG. No significant difference in the OR for sero-positivity to anti-EA IgG was found (1.4 [95% CI 0.9 to 2.1, p = 0.09]). Conclusion/Significance These findings support previous systematic reviews, however publication bias cannot be excluded. The methodological conduct of studies could be improved, particularly with regard to reporting and conduct of laboratory analyses.
Latino Immigrant Youth Living in a Nontraditional Migration City

Latino immigrant children represent the fastest-growing population in the United States and families are frequently residing outside of the traditional migration destinations. These cities lack the infrastructure and resources to provide culturally relevant services and bilingual education that supports these youth. Following a social-ecological approach that attends to the multiple contextual and cultural factors that influence individuals, this study identifies the risk and protective factors experienced by Latino immigrant youth living within a nontraditional destination area. Youth described relationship, immigration, academic, language, and familial stressors as significant risk factors. Protective factors included family networks, peer relationships, and school supports.
Requirements for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Acute Burn and Chronic Surgical Wound Infection

Opportunistic infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be acute or chronic. While acute infections often spread rapidly and can cause tissue damage and sepsis with high mortality rates, chronic infections can persist for weeks, months, or years in the face of intensive clinical intervention. Remarkably, this diverse infectious capability is not accompanied by extensive variation in genomic content, suggesting that the genetic capacity to be an acute or a chronic pathogen is present in most P. aeruginosa strains. To investigate the genetic requirements for acute and chronic pathogenesis in P. aeruginosa infections, we combined high-throughput sequencing-mediated transcriptome profiling (RNA-seq) and genome-wide insertion mutant fitness profiling (Tn-seq) to characterize gene expression and fitness determinants in murine models of burn and non-diabetic chronic wound infection. Generally we discovered that expression of a gene in vivo is not correlated with its importance for fitness, with the exception of metabolic genes. By combining metabolic models generated from in vivo gene expression data with mutant fitness profiles, we determined the nutritional requirements for colonization and persistence in these infections. Specifically, we found that long-chain fatty acids represent a major carbon source in both chronic and acute wounds, and P. aeruginosa must biosynthesize purines, several amino acids, and most cofactors during infection. In addition, we determined that P. aeruginosa requires chemotactic flagellar motility for fitness and virulence in acute burn wound infections, but not in non-diabetic chronic wound infections. Our results provide novel insight into the genetic requirements for acute and chronic P. aeruginosa wound infections and demonstrate the power of using both gene expression and fitness profiling for probing bacterial virulence.
Reproduction Is Associated with a Tissue-Dependent Reduction of Oxidative Stress in Eusocial Female Damaraland Mole-Rats (Fukomys damarensis)

Oxidative stress has been implicated as both a physiological cost of reproduction and a driving force on an animal's lifespan. Since increased reproductive effort is generally linked with a reduction in survival, it has been proposed that oxidative stress may influence this relationship. Support for this hypothesis is inconsistent, but this may, in part, be due to the type of tissues that have been analyzed. In Damaraland mole-rats the sole reproducing female in the colony is also the longest lived. Therefore, if oxidative stress does impact the trade-off between reproduction and survival in general, this species may possess some form of enhanced defense. We assessed this relationship by comparing markers of oxidative damage (malondialdehyde, MDA; protein carbonyls, PC) and antioxidants (total antioxidant capacity, TAC; superoxide dismutase, SOD) in various tissues including plasma, erythrocytes, heart, liver, kidney and skeletal muscle between wild-caught reproductive and non-reproductive female Damaraland mole-rats. Reproductive females exhibited significantly lower levels of PC across all tissues, and lower levels of MDA in heart, kidney and liver relative to non-reproductive females. Levels of TAC and SOD did not differ significantly according to reproductive state. The reduction in oxidative damage in breeding females may be attributable to the unusual social structure of this species, as similar relationships have been observed between reproductive and non-reproductive eusocial insects.
Childhood Adversity and Development of Self Among Mothers Transitioning From Homelessness to Self-Sufficiency

ABSTRACT. Research on family homelessness is advancing and often focuses on homeless mothers; yet we know little about their life experiences from their unique perspectives. This gap is addressed in the present study, which involved weekly group meetings during a 3-month period with seven single mothers who were homeless and living in transitional housing. Each week, participants shared stories from their past, current experiences, and future goals, which were recorded using researcher field notes. Phenomenological analysis was used to understand the essence of their shared experiences, and resulting themes indicate participants’ past family relationships, particularly with a maternal figure, systemically affected their current family situations and adult relationships. Family-of-origin adversities and related adult relational difficulties also influenced each woman's sense of identity, ability to create and maintain healthy boundaries, as well as parenting perspectives and behaviors. Implications of these findings for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers are discussed. Results suggest that residential transitional programs focusing on development of self might be key resources for permanent transitions out of homelessness, but additional research is needed to empirically verify the long-term impact of such programs.
ROLE OF POSTERIOR VITREOUS DETACHMENT ON OUTCOME OF ANTI–VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR TREATMENT IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of posterior vitreous detachment on outcome of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor injection. Methods: Sixty-one eyes with age-related macular degeneration that had received intravitreal bevacizumab or ranibizumab injections were retrospectively reviewed. The vitreomacular interface was evaluated, and eyes were grouped according to the presence of posterior vitreous detachment (Group 1, n = 25) or vitreomacular adhesion (Group 2, n = 36). All patients received three loading doses of intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor injections at monthly intervals, and subsequently, pro re nata regimen was performed. Best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness measurement at follow-up were evaluated. The development of posterior vitreous detachment during the follow-up was also reported. Results: The best-corrected visual acuity changes at each visit compared with baseline were significantly better in Group 1 (P = 0.01, 0.02, 0.02, 0.009, 0.009, respectively at third, sixth, ninth, 12th month, and last visit). When best-corrected visual acuity was classified according to the change in visual acuity of 10 letters or more, the rate of improved or stable best-corrected visual acuity was greater in Group 1 (P = 0.02). During the follow-up, 5 eyes (14.3%) developed posterior vitreous detachment. Conclusion: Vitreomacular adhesion seems to have an adverse effect on the visual prognosis of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for age-related macular degeneration.
Development and application of a multiple linear regression model to consider the impact of weekly waste container capacity on the yield from kerbside recycling programmes in Scotland

This article describes the development and application of a multiple linear regression model to identify how the key elements of waste and recycling infrastructure, namely container capacity and frequency of collection, affect the yield from municipal kerbside recycling programmes. The overall aim of the research was to gain an understanding of the factors affecting the yield from municipal kerbside recycling programmes in Scotland with an underlying objective to evaluate the efficacy of the model as a decision-support tool for informing the design of kerbside recycling programmes. The study isolates the principal kerbside collection service offered by all 32 councils across Scotland, eliminating those recycling programmes associated with flatted properties or multi-occupancies. The results of the regression analysis model have identified three principal factors which explain 80% of the variability in the average yield of the principal dry recyclate services: weekly residual waste capacity, number of materials collected and the weekly recycling capacity. The use of the model has been evaluated and recommendations made on ongoing methodological development and the use of the results in informing the design of kerbside recycling programmes. We hope that the research can provide insights for the further development of methods to optimise the design and operation of kerbside recycling programmes.
Encouraging Students to Seek Help: Supplementing Office Hours with a Course Center

Abstract. Too often students who obviously need help in a course choose not to seek help, with predictable consequences. In an effort to encourage our students to get help, we supplemented our regular office hours with a course center, a one- or two-hour block of time in which help was available from us away from our offices. Because students can be intimidated by meeting individually with instructors and because students cannot always articulate their questions "on the spot," we hoped that the course centers, held in a location where students could interact with each other in addition to the instructor, would promote interactions conducive to seeking help. We present results from a survey that compared and contrasted student views of course centers versus office hours, and discuss positive aspects of the course center as well as potential limitations.
Gender and age do not influence the ability to work.

Work capacity is related to physical, environmental and psychosocial factors and is influenced by individual characteristics and occupations. The aim of this study was to evaluated the relationship between work capacity, gender and age. 360 people employed at an institution of higher education of both genders and similar age were asked to participate in this study. The ability to work was analyzed using Work Ability Index (WAI). Descriptive statistical, Pearson correlations and ANOVA test was applied. Of these, 197 workers who participated in the study completed and returned the questionnaire. The results show there weren't any significant differences between work ability in relation to gender and age, but we observed an increase variability of responses for WAI score in older workers. No significant differences in the perception of the ability of work between men and women.
Teunissen-Cremers Syndrome: A Clinical, Surgical, and Genetic Report

Objective: To describe clinical and radiologic features, results of ear surgery, and genetic analysis in three families with Teunissen-Cremers syndrome. Design: Case series. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Background: The NOG gene encodes the protein noggin, which has antagonist action in osteogenesis. Malformation of bones and joints may result from defects in noggin. Teunissen-Cremers syndrome is caused by mutations in the NOG gene. Two mutations in this gene were reported previously. The proximal symphalangism-hearing impairment syndrome, also caused by mutations in the NOG gene, is characterized by proximal symphalangism, conductive hearing loss, and occasionally synostoses. Methods: We examined nine affected members of three Dutch families. Reconstructive middle ear surgery was performed in five patients (nine ears), and we sequenced the NOG gene in these families. Results: Affected members had conductive hearing impairment, hyperopia, and broad thumbs and first toes with brachytelephalangia. Surgery manifested stapes ankylosis with additional incudal fixation frequently in the fossa incudis. Air-bone gaps decreased to less than 10 dB in six ears. Genetic analysis revealed three new mutations in the NOG gene. Conclusion: The Teunissen-Cremers syndrome is an entity in its clinical presentation, distinct from other syndromes with proximal symphalangism and hearing impairment. So far, in five families with Teunissen-Cremers syndrome, four truncating mutations and one amino acid substitution were found in the NOG gene. The majority of other mutations found in this gene are missense mutations, which might result in some residual protein activity. Reconstructive middle ear surgery is an option for treatment.