Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Case of polyhydramnios complicated by Opitz G/BBB syndrome

Opitz G/BBB syndrome is a congenital disorder characterized by midline defects, such as hypertelorism, cleft lip and/or palate, hypospadias, and by dysphagia often caused by laryngo‐tracheo‐esophageal abnormalities. We experienced a case of polyhydramnios in a male dichorionic diamniotic (DD) twin, who was diagnosed with Opitz G/BBB syndrome after birth. It is suggested that severe dysphagia was causatively associated with the development of polyhydramnios. In cases of Opitz G/BBB syndrome, boys are usually more heavily affected than girls, who generally manifest only hypertelorism. In the differential diagnosis of polyhydramnios of unidentified cause in male fetuses, it may be helpful to consider maternal facial characteristics, especially hypertelorism.
Nondestructive imaging of live human keloid and facial tissue using multiphoton microscopy.

OBJECTIVES To use multiphoton microscopy to image collagen fibers and matrix structure in nonfixed human keloid tissue and normal human facial skin obtained following surgery and to compare the findings to existing knowledge of normal skin and keloid morphology to determine if this technology is a suitable adjunct for conventional histology. METHODS Epidermis was removed to expose the fibroblast-rich dermal layer that was then imaged using a multiphoton confocal microscope (Zeiss-Meta 510; Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany). An 800-nm tunable titanium/sapphire femtosecond laser (Mai-Tai; Newport Co Spectra-Physics, Mountain View, California) was used to excite the tissue; second harmonic generation between 397 and 408 nm and autofluorescent signals were collected. Images were obtained using a Plan-Neofluar x40 oil immersion objective lens and a Plan-Apochromat x63 oil immersion lens. RESULTS Compared with normal skin, keloids showed disorganized collagen fibers arranged in complex swirls and bundles 20 to 30 microm in diameter. Normal tissue showed collagen fibers as distinct, straight strands less than 10 microm in diameter. Differences between normal and keloid tissue were subtle but apparent. CONCLUSIONS The value of imaging living tissue is a significant benefit. Because keloids and hypertrophic scars result from altered collagen metabolism, the development of clinical multiphoton microscopy systems may allow examination of wound healing dynamics in vivo and potentially provides a means to monitor therapy without the need for biopsy or the risk of injury to tissue.
Quality of life: Obstacles, advice, and employer assistance

This exploratory study examines obstacles working professionals face in their efforts to enhance quality of life including a discussion of the advice and employer assistance they desire. Based on a discursive formations’ framework, research findings emerged with implications for organizations including the importance of: a) clarifying expectations for employees, b) addressing employees’ desire for various types of advice, c) acknowledging obstacles that are internallybased, and d) understanding employees’ perceptions of work environments. A category of general-life issues (which bridge work and non-work domains) also emerged from the data.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSONALITY ASPECTS AND TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AMONG THE SCHOOL MANAGERS OF THE EDUCATIONAL REGIONS 1 AND 2 IN URMIA

This study was conducted in order to investigate the relationship between personality aspects and transformational leadership among the school managers of the educational regions 1 and 2 in Urumia. In order to measure personality and transformational leadership, NEO-PIR and MLQ-5X questionnaires were used respectively. The results indicated that Extraversion and Openness to Experience have a positive and significant relationship with transformational leadership, but the other aspects didn’t have a significant relationship with this variable. Moreover, Openness to Experience predicted about 15 percent of the transformational leadership’s variance.
Teaching Reading to Children Who Are Deaf: Do the Conclusions of the National Reading Panel Apply?

The authors conducted a synthetic review of the research literature on the reading development and reading instruction of deaf students and compared their findings to the review of research literature conducted by the National Reading Panel (NRP) on four topic areas: (a) alphabetics (phonemic awareness instruction and phonics instruction); (b) fluency; (c) comprehension (vocabulary instruction and text comprehension instruction); and (d) computer technology and reading instruction. In their discussion of the areas of overlap in the two bodies of research and of the implications for future research, the authors note the lack of research with deaf readers on instructional interventions that have been found to be effective with hearing readers and on the implications for isolation from mainstream reading research.
Human activities recognition using depth images

We present a new method to classify human activities by leveraging on the cues available from depth images alone. Towards this end, we propose a descriptor which couples depth and spatial information of the segmented body to describe a human pose. Unique poses (i.e. codewords) are then identified by a spatial-based clustering step. Given a video sequence of depth images, we segment humans from the depth images and represent these segmented bodies as a sequence of codewords. We exploit unique poses of an activity and the temporal ordering of these poses to learn subsequences of codewords which are strongly discriminative for the activity. Each discriminative subsequence acts as a classifier and we learn a boosted ensemble of discriminative subsequences to assign a confidence score for the activity label of the test sequence. Unlike existing methods which demand accurate tracking of 3D joint locations or couple depth with color image information as recognition cues, our method requires only the segmentation masks from depth images to recognize an activity. Experimental results on the publicly available Human Activity Dataset (which comprises 12 challenging activities) demonstrate the validity of our method, where we attain a precision/recall of 78.1%/75.4% when the person was not seen before in the training set, and 94.6%/93.1% when the person was seen before.
The Human Cathelicidin LL-37 Modulates the Activities of the P2X7 Receptor in a Structure-dependent Manner*

Extracellular ATP, released at sites of inflammation or tissue damage, activates the P2X7 receptor, which in turn triggers a range of responses also including cell proliferation. In this study the ability of the human cathelicidin LL-37 to stimulate fibroblast growth was inhibited by commonly used P2X7 blockers. We investigated the structural requirements of the growth-promoting activity of LL-37 and found that it did not depend on helix sense (the all-d analog was active) but did require a strong helix-forming propensity in aqueous solution (a scrambled analog and primate LL-37 orthologs devoid of this property were inactive). The involvement of P2X7 was analyzed using P2X7-expressing HEK293 cells. LL-37 induced proliferation of these cells, triggered Ca2+ influx, promoted ethidium bromide uptake, and synergized with benzoyl ATP to enhance the pore and channel functions of P2X7. The activity of LL-37 had an absolute requirement for P2X7 expression as it was blocked by the P2X7 inhibitor KN-62, was absent in cells lacking P2X7, and was restored by P2X7 transfection. Of particular interest, LL-37 led to pore-forming activity in cells expressing a truncated P2X7 receptor unable to generate the non-selective pore typical of the full-length receptor. Our results indicate that P2X7 is involved in the proliferative cell response to LL-37 and that the structural/aggregational properties of LL-37 determine its capacity to modulate the activation state of P2X7.
A Model Transformation Approach for Automatic Composition of COTS User Interfaces in Web-Based Information Systems

Globalization of the information and the Knowledge Society requires the modernization of Web-based Information Systems (WIS) into evolutive and adaptable user interfaces. Today, WIS user interfaces are built following traditional development paradigms. This article is inspired on a Model-Driven Development (MDD) perspective to produce runtime automatic composition of user interfaces from model and metamodel representations of widgets-type COTS interface components architectures and model transformation.
Estrogen‐dependent expression of the tissue kallikrein gene (Klk1) in the mouse uterus and its implications for endometrial tissue growth

Tissue kallikrein mK1 is a serine protease involved in the generation of bioactive kinins for normal cardiac and arterial function in the mouse. In the present study, the tissue kallikrein gene Klk1, which codes for mK1, was shown to be one of the most prevalent of the Klk gene species in the uteri of adult mice, and its mRNA level was significantly higher at estrus than at diestrus. Klk1 mRNA expression was enhanced in the uteri of ovariectomized mice receiving estradiol‐17β treatment. Both endometrial epithelial and stromal cells isolated from the mice exhibited Klk1 expression at detectable levels when cultured in the presence of estradiol‐17β. mK1 was characterized using the recombinant active enzyme. mK1 had trypsin‐like activity with a strong preference for Arg over Lys in the P1 position, and its activity was inhibited by typical serine protease inhibitors. Casein, gelatin, fibronectin, collagen type IV, and high‐molecular‐weight kininogen were degraded by mK1. The single‐chain tissue‐type plasminogen activator was converted to the two‐chain form by mK1. In addition, mK1 degraded insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3. The present data suggest that mK1 may be implicated in the growth of uterine endometrial tissues during the proliferative phase. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 1053–1063, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Learning with limited numerical precision using the cascade-correlation algorithm

A key question in the design of specialized hardware for simulation of neural networks is whether fixed-point arithmetic of limited numerical precision can be used with existing learning algorithms. An empirical study of the effects of limited precision in cascade-correlation networks on three different learning problems is presented. It is shown that learning can fail abruptly as the precision of network weights or weight-update calculations is reduced below a certain level, typically about 13 bits including the sign. Techniques for dynamic rescaling and probabilistic rounding that allow reliable convergence down to 7 bits of precision or less, with only a small and gradual reduction in the quality of the solutions, are introduced.
Designing a performance appraisal system based on balanced scorecard for improving productivity: Case study in Semnan technology and science park

Article history: Received December 25, 2011 Received in Revised form March, 25, 2012 Accepted 24 April 2012 Available online May 1 2012 Today, organizations for holding and improving their competing merit use performance measurement for evaluation, control, supervision and improvement of their trading processes. Medium and small companies in technology and science parks are very useful in economic revivification and technology development. Technology and science parks have provided necessary consultations, information, suitable equipments, and services for developing technology unites and prepare them for independent presence in industry. One of the necessary elements for the success and improvement of performance in these companies is to establish and implement balanced scorecard, which can be used to reach desired goals, strategies and to improve performance. In this article, we use a structured method for calculating efficiency of four perspectives of balanced scorecard. Statistical society of this research was Semnan technology and Science Park and seven experts are selected for answering questions of the survey. We also complete questionnaire and determine index and relative importance of all indices. For developing strategic goals of Semnan technology and science park according to four perspectives of balanced score card (finance, growth and learning, internal process), six meetings were hold and finally all crisis macro goals index were identified and they were analyzed for evaluating performance. © 2012 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Predisposing and Causative Factors in Childhood Epilepsy

Summary: We review information from large studies of defined populations, examining the role of known factors and especially of prenatal and perinatal factors in contributing to nonfebrile seizure disorders of early childhood. We depend especially, but not exclusively, on the recently completed analyses from the Collaborative Perinatal Project of the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, the NCPP. About 4% of children in the NCPP who had at least one non‐febrile nonsymptomatic seizure by the age of 7 years had a previous seizure during acute neurologic illness, such as meningitis or during the acute illness after trauma. Many such seizures should potentially be preventable. Of children with seizures, 10% had had a neonatal seizure and 13% had had a febrile seizure. Among the hundreds of prenatal and perinatal factors explored as predictors of childhood seizure disorders, the principal predictors identified were congenital malformations of the fetus, cerebral and noncerebral; family history of certain neurologic disorders; and neonatal seizures. In agreement with the British National Child Development Study, labor and delivery factors in the NCPP appeared to contribute very little to childhood seizure disorders. Maldevelopment, rather than damage at birth to an initially intact nervous system, appeared to be the more common mechanism. Most seizure disorders of early childhood remained unexplained by the large set of prenatal and perinatal characteristics examined.
The Sustainability of a National Reading Reform Initiative in Two States

Although there have been any number of national reading reform efforts over the years, there is little evidence that such efforts have been sustained in schools over time. This study focused on addressing 2 questions: To what extent have Reading First schools in 2 states sustained the key elements of this reform over time? To what extent has student reading achievement continued to improve in these states over time? An online survey sent to all schools participating in Reading First in 2 states, follow-up interviews, and state reading achievement scores served as data sources. Findings indicated that most elements of Reading First were maintained 3 years after Reading First funding was terminated. Respondents were positive about the effect of Reading First in their schools. Schools in both states had shown a steady increase in the percentage of students who were proficient over the time of the initiative. In 1 state, this rate continued to improve, although the pace of the increase diminished; in the other state, there was a small but steady yearly decrease in the percentage of students achieving proficiency. We discuss factors contributing to this difference in achievement.
Intellectual Giftedness and Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents

Using a systematic search strategy in which intellectual giftedness was operationalized in terms of IQ score, the authors examined evidence from studies reporting on associations between this aspect of giftedness and psychopathology. A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria: compared gifted (IQ ≥ 125) and nongifted (IQ = 90–110) peers or used IQ as a continuous variable (IQ = 90–125+) and used empirically validated psychopathology measures. Overall, results indicated that gifted children demonstrate superior socio-emotional adjustment and fewer behavioral difficulties than their typically developing peers. Issues that may bias the findings in this direction are highlighted, including the tendency to select participants from gifted programs. Some socio-emotional and behavioral difficulties associated with giftedness were found when dimensions such as levels of giftedness and ethnicity were considered. Recommendations for future research include the use of adequate sample size, longitudinal studies, individually administered cognitive abilities tests, and specific age-appropriate psychopathology measures; and testing interaction effects between variables, such as age, ethnicity, and gender.
Lower-Limb Movement Assistance through Wearable Robots: State of the Art and Challenges

Recent technological advances made necessary the use of robots in various types of applications. Unlike traditional robot-like scenarios dedicated to industrial applications with repetitive tasks, the current focus of attention is on applications that require close human interactions. One of the main fields of such applications concerns assisting and rehabilitating of dependent/elderly persons. In this study, the state-of-the-art of the main research advances in lower-limbs human assistance is presented. This includes a review on research covering mainly lower-limb actuated exoskeletons. Some case studies related to full-limb exoskeletons are presented as well. Lower-limb movement restoration using functional electrical stimulation and treadmill-based rehabilitation devices is also investigated. In addition, the seamless integration of wearable robots in ambient intelligence spaces appears as one of the major challenges for ubiquitous environments and ambient assisted living. Some open issues related to this integration are discussed in this paper.
Responding to denial, minimization and blame in correctional settings: The ‘real world’ implications of offender neutralizations

This article examines ‘real-world’ implications of offender neutralizations. Drawing on empirical evidence derived from a study of the operation of community-based cognitive-behavioural programmes for perpetrators of domestic violence, it focuses on the implications, for offenders, of displaying neutralizations in correctional treatment settings. This article draws attention to the complex relationship between neutralization and correctional group work practice. First, it demonstrates that neutralization of offending does not always have the negative implications for offenders that have been assumed by some commentators. Neutralization may not preclude enrolment on to a correctional programme, is not always challenged in a confrontational way by practitioners and does not automatically result in suspension and the application of more punitive criminal sanctions. Second, the article demonstrates the difficulties that practitioners and participants face in tackling neutralizations in this context. Our findings suggest a need to rethink the central role that neutralizations play in aspects of contemporary criminal justice practice.
ADHD AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING: MULTI-MEDIATION BY PERSONALITY AND BEHAVIORAL VARIABILITY

In statistical tests involving data in a time-series, proportions of variability accounted for by anything other than the proposed instrument of measurement is thought to be random. Previously obtained results acquired through spectral analysis have suggested that there is actually a systematic pattern within the data. This study investigates the possibility of this pattern of results being a mediator, between the relationship between ADHD and cognitive functioning. Personality is also hypothesized to be a second mediator between these variables, following relationships found in previous literature. 79 undergraduate students participated in this study of multi-mediation to assess their ADHD, personality, and cognitive performance scores. Spectral analysis is used to detect if periodic patterns are present in the time-series residuals, and the spectral density slope calculated indicates the presence of “pink noise”. This result supports previous findings on systematic cyclical behavior in time-series analysis. Correlational analyses reveal relationships between the spectral density slope and the discussed variables. Interestingly, correlational analyses found no greater number of significant relationships between ADHD variables and cognitive performance variables than would be found by chance alone, thus nullifying the need for a mediation test. Personality variables held significant relationships with ADHD, as found in previous studies. Personality also had a significant relationship with cognitive performance. Strengths and limitations of the results of the study are discussed in detail.
Antiflammin Peptides in the Regulation of Inflammatory Response

Abstract: This review focuses on the role of antiflammins in the regulation of the inflammatory response, in particular acute inflammation. The results show that antiflammins were effective on several classical models of inflammation. Preliminary data suggest that antiflammin action may be due to their ability to suppress leukocyte trafficking to the lesion.
High seroprevalence and clinical significance of hepatitis B and C infection in hospitalized patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVES Patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) are frequently infected with hepatotropic viruses which could alter the clinical spectrum of the disease. We studied the seroprevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and their impact on the clinical profile of patients with AC. METHODS Two hundred and ten hospitalized patients of AC were studied and screened for markers of HBV and HCV infection. Clinical, biochemical and virological correlation was done. RESULTS One hundred and forty (66.6%) patients had no viral infection Group I, 50 (23.8%) were positive for HBsAg Group II and 20 (9.5%) for anti-HCV Group III. All patients were males with comparable ages (43.9 years, 44 years and 45.9 years respectively). The amount of alcohol consumed by patients in Group III (130 +/- 115 g/d) was significantly less than Group II (204 +/- 130 g/d, P < 0.05) and Group I (281 +/- 188 g/d, p < 0.001). The duration of alcohol abuse was shorter in Group II and III, although not statistically significant. Presentation as jaundice was common in Group II and III (p < 0.05). The AST and ALT values (IU/L) were significantly higher in Group II (239 +/- 351, 197 +/- 266) and III (157 +/- 170, 86 +/- 52) than Group I (89 +/- 78, 66 +/- 54) (P < 0.05). The serum alkaline phosphatase (IU/L) was higher in Group III (349 +/- 223) as compared to Group II (263 +/- 186) and Group I (162 +/- 62) (P < 0.05). There was however, no difference in Child's grade or the discriminant function between the three groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS (i) One-third of the hospitalized patients with AC are infected with HBV or HCV infection, (ii) these infections hasten clinical presentation of patients with alcoholic liver disease, with lesser amount of alcohol consumption and (iii) jaundice, raised ALT/AST and alkaline phosphatase are more common with superadded viral infection.
Applying Supervised Classifiers Based on Non-negative Matrix Factorization to Musical Instrument Classification

In this paper, a new approach for automatic audio classification using non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) is presented. Training is performed onto each audio class individually, whilst during the test phase each test recording is projected onto the several training matrices. Experiments demonstrating the efficiency of the proposed approach were performed for musical instrument classification. Several perceptual features as well as MPEG-7 descriptors were measured for 300 sound recordings consisting of 6 different musical instrument classes. Subsets of the feature set were selected using branch-and-bound search, in order to obtain the most discriminating features for classification. Several NMF techniques were utilized, namely the standard NMF method, the local NMF, and the sparse NMF. The experiments demonstrate an almost perfect classification (classification error 1.0%), outperforming the state-of-the-art techniques tested for the aforementioned experiment