Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circulating Levels of Allopregnanolone, a Neuroactive Steroid, and Leptin during Treatment with Valproic Acid in Children with Epilepsy

Weight gain is a well-known unwanted effect of valproic acid (VPA) therapy. Studies on VPA-associated changes of homeostatic hormones remain limited and controversial. Allopregnanolone (AP) is a circulating neuroactive steroid involved in modulation of behavioral activities whose serum levels are increased in obese children. The aim of the present study was to determine whether VPA therapy affects leptin and AP circulating levels in prepubertal girls with epilepsy. One-hundred and one patients were divided into four groups: epileptic patients with VPA-associated obesity (n = 21); lean epileptic patients under VPA therapy (n = 35); healthy obese children (n = 23), and healthy lean children (n = 22). Patients with VPA-associated obesity had significantly enhanced blood concentrations of AP (p = 0.001) and leptin (p = 0.007) than lean subjects. There were no differences in leptin and AP plasma levels between patients with VPA-associated obesity and obese controls (p = 0.45 and p = 0.10, respectively), as there were no differences between lean patients under VPA therapy and lean healthy controls (p = 0.06). In patients under VPA therapy, both plasma leptin and AP levels were significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.074, p = 0.02, and r = 0.084, p = 0.01, respectively). Plasma leptin concentrations were not correlated with AP levels (r = 0.023, p = 0.13). In conclusion, a correlation between obesity and neuroactive steroids was shown. It remains to be established whether the increased circulating level of AP is a secondary effect of anxiolytic-sedative processes occurring in subjects with obesity-related emotional and behavioral anomalies, or plays a central role in determining abnormal eating behaviors.
Can backpropagation error surface not have local minima

It is shown theoretically that for an arbitrary T-element training set with t(t=/<T) different inputs, the backpropagation error surface does not have suboptimal local minima if the network is capable of exactly implementing an arbitrary training set consisting of t different patterns. As a special case, the error surface of a backpropagation network with one hidden layer and t-1 hidden units has no local minima, if the network is trained by an arbitrary T-element set with t different inputs.
Eye Gaze Tracking With a Web Camera in a Desktop Environment

This paper addresses the eye gaze tracking problem using a low cost and more convenient web camera in a desktop environment, as opposed to gaze tracking techniques requiring specific hardware, e.g, infrared high-resolution camera and infrared light sources, as well as a cumbersome calibration process. In the proposed method, we first track the human face in a real-time video sequence to extract the eye regions. Then, we combine intensity energy and edge strength to obtain the iris center and utilize the piecewise eye corner detector to detect the eye corner. We adopt a sinusoidal head model to simulate the 3-D head shape, and propose an adaptive weighted facial features embedded in the pose from the orthography and scaling with iterations algorithm, whereby the head pose can be estimated. Finally, the eye gaze tracking is accomplished by integration of the eye vector and the head movement information. Experiments are performed to estimate the eye movement and head pose on the BioID dataset and pose dataset, respectively. In addition, experiments for gaze tracking are performed in real-time video sequences under a desktop environment. The proposed method is not sensitive to the light conditions. Experimental results show that our method achieves an average accuracy of around 1.28° without head movement and 2.27° with minor movement of the head.
Executive Functions in Pathologic Gamblers Selected in an Ecologic Setting

BackgroundRecent studies have reported deficits in measures of decision making in pathologic gamblers (PGs) suggesting an involvement of the prefrontal cortex in the pathophysiology of this disorder. As only 7% to 12% of PGs are thought to seek treatment, most of the studies have relied on few specifically selected groups of PGs recruited from psychiatric units who were undergoing or seeking treatment and therefore their results are poorly representative of the general PG population. MethodsThe present study compared decision making and executive functions among 11 PGs who were selected from an ecologic setting and 11 healthy controls. ResultsThe PG group selected fewer advantageous cards on a decision-making task, the Iowa Gambling Task, and made more commission errors on the Go-No Go task, a test of inhibitory control, compared with controls. ConclusionsThe impairments in decision making are similar to those previously reported in individuals with prefrontal lesions and treatment-seeking PGs. PGs also presented impairment in tasks of inhibitory control suggesting an involvement of the prefrontal cortex in the pathophysiology of pathologic gambling (PG). The deficits in decision making and inhibition of irrelevant information observed in this study may have distinct but additive effects upon the development of PG behavior.
THE DISTRIBUTED BAYESIAN OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHM FOR COMBINATORIAL OPTIMIZATION

The Bayesian Optimization Algorithm (BOA) belongs to the probabilistic model building genetic algorithms where crossover and mutation operators are replaced by probability estimation and sampling techniques. The learned Bayesian network BN as the most general probability model is used to encode the structure of solved combinatorial problems. In [1] we proposed and simulated the pipeline hardware architecture for BOA. The aim of this paper is to propose the distributed version of BOA algorithm with a coarse-grained parallelism. We focused primarily on the construction of Bayesian network in the distributed environment. In adittion, methods for overlapping the communication latency during generation, evaluation and broadcasting of new population among the processes are described. Much attention was devoted to the implementation of proposed approaches using a cluster of workstations as a computational platform.
Hydrophobic Graphene Oxide as a Promising Barrier of Water Vapor for Regenerated Cellulose Nanocomposite Films

Regenerated cellulose (RC) films exhibit poor water barrier performance, which seriously restricts its applications. To address this issue, an impermeable and hydrophobic graphene oxide modified by chemically grafting octadecylamine (GO-ODA) was utilized to enhance the water vapor barrier performance of RC nanocomposite films. Compared to the neat RC film, more than 20% decrease in the coefficient of water vapor permeability (PH2O) was achieved by loading only 2.0 wt % GO-ODA. The promising hydrophobicity of GO-ODA effectively retarded the formation of hydrogen bonding at the relatively weakened interface between GO and RC, compensating for the diffusion of water vapor molecules at the interface; on the other hand, the fully exfoliated GO-ODA nanosheets were inclined to align with the surface of the as-prepared RC nanocomposite films during hot-pressure drying, creating a much more tortuous pathway for diffusion of water molecules. The new insights could be valuable for widening application of cellulose such as packaging.
Impact of captivity on social bahaviour of Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).

Chimpanzee is the most intellectual species among the animal kingdom. One-year (2009-2010) study on Chimpanzee was conducted to access the impact of captivity on their social behavior at Lahore Zoo. The group consisted of two pairs; one adult and other sub-adult housed in two separate cages. The data was recorded by instantaneous point -sampling technique to determine the frequency, prevalence and duration of different behaviors including abnormal behaviors, activity level, social behaviors and visitors -oriented behaviors. The findings revealed that Chimpanzees of Lahore Zoo were suffering from low level to high-level abnormal behavior and they also displayed natural behavior patterns like their wild relatives. The observed abnormal behaviors such as clapping, ur ine drinking, fumble nipple, stereotypical grooming, pacing, hair plucking and spiting were more frequent in adult pair than sub -adult pair. However, social behaviors i.e., social grooming, play, and aggression were frequent in sub -adult pair. The prevalence of visitors-oriented behaviors like affiliative and aggressive behaviours was observed in all Chimps. It was observed that attempt to interact with visitors for food, hand hold and play convert the aggression to affiliative relation. It was concluded th e lack of social set up, little chance to adapt associative patterns, small cages in contrast to wild habitat and scheduled diet were the major causes to alter the social behavior of Chimps at Lahore Zoo. It is recommended that these animals should be shifted to newly constructed Chimpanzee Island for their welfare and well -being.
Multilayer Graphene FET Compact Circuit-Level Model With Temperature Effects

This paper presents a circuit-level model of a dual-gate bilayer and four-layer graphene field effect transistor. The model provides an accurate estimation of the conductance at the charge neutrality point (CNP). At the CNP, the device has its maximum resistance, at which the model is validated against experimental data of the device off-current for a range of electric fields perpendicular to the channel. The model shows a good agreement for validations carried out at constant and varying temperatures. Using the general Schottky equation, the model estimates the amount of bandgap opening created by the application of an electric field. Also, the model shows good agreement when validated against experiment for the channel output conductance against varying gate voltage for both a bilayer and four-layer graphene channel.
Embedded whispering-gallery mode microsphere resonator in a tapered hollow annular core fiber

We propose and demonstrate a tapered hollow annular core fiber (HACF) coupler for excitation of whispering-gallery modes (WGMs) of an embedded microsphere resonator. The coupler is simply fabricated by fusion splicing of a segment of HACF with the single-mode fiber (SMF), and then improved by tapering the splicing joint to reduce the cone-apex angle. Therefore, the coupling efficiency from the SMF to the HACF is enhanced to excite various WGMs via evanescent field coupling. Normal positive, negative symmetrical Lorentzian and asymmetric Fano line shapes can be obtained by varying the resonator size and location. Another interesting phenomenon is observed that a higher Q-factor mode in a lower Q-factor mode has a contrast as high as 58. Temperature sensing with good stability is also demonstrated. This embedded WGM microsphere resonator in the tapered HACF is expected to promote environmental adaptability in practical applications due to its simplicity and robustness.
Executive Dysfunction in Poor Readers Born Prematurely at High Risk

This study examined the relation between a preterm birth and reading ability and whether children born preterm with poorer reading were more likely to show lower cognitive and executive functioning skills compared to children born at term with poor reading ability. Participants born at term (N = 97) and preterm (n = 156) were studied using the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Achievement Word Attack subtest (WJWA), Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Comprehensive Evaluation of Language Fundamentals, and executive function tasks during the 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades. Children born prematurely were divided into low (N = 94) and high (N = 62) risk groups based on severity of neonatal complications. Growth in WJWA scores was used to cluster the sample into three reading ability groups. Contrary to predictions, children born preterm were not more likely to be in the poor reading group. Poorer reading ability was associated with lower language and cognitive scores. The effect of premature birth demonstrated fewer and weaker associations with such scores. A significant interaction between reading ability and birth status indicated that high risk prematurely born children with poor reading ability were more likely than the other groups to perform poorly on executive function tasks. These data suggest that better reading ability is associated with better neuropsychological function independent of prematurity.
Energy-Efficient Design of MIMO Heterogeneous Networks With Wireless Backhaul

As future networks aim to meet the ever-increasing requirements of high-data rate applications, dense, and heterogeneous networks (HetNets) will be deployed to provide better coverage and throughput. Besides the important implications for energy consumption, the trend toward densification calls for more and more wireless links to forward a massive backhaul traffic into the core network. It is critically important to take into account the presence of a wireless backhaul for the energy-efficient design of HetNets. In this paper, we provide a general framework to analyze the energy efficiency of a two-tier MIMO heterogeneous network with wireless backhaul in the presence of both uplink and downlink transmissions. We find that under spatial multiplexing the energy efficiency of a HetNet is sensitive to the network load, and it should be taken into account when controlling the number of users served by each base station. We show that a two-tier HetNet with wireless backhaul can be significantly more energy efficient than a one-tier cellular network. However, this requires the bandwidth division between radio access links and wireless backhaul to be optimally designed according to the load conditions.
Cargo selectivity of yeast sorting nexins

Sorting nexins are PX domain‐containing proteins that bind phospholipids and often act in membrane trafficking where they help to select cargo. However, the functions and cargo specificities of many sorting nexins are unknown. Here, a high‐throughput imaging screen was used to identify new sorting nexin cargo in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Deletions of 9 different sorting nexins were screened for mislocalization of a set of green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged membrane proteins found at the plasma membrane, Golgi or endosomes. This identified 27 proteins that require 1 or more sorting nexins for their correct localization, 23 of which represent novel sorting nexin cargo. Nine hits whose sorting was dependent on Snx4, the sorting nexin‐containing retromer complex, or both retromer and Snx3, were examined in detail to search for potential sorting motifs. We identified cytosolic domains of Ear1, Ymd8 and Ymr010w that conferred retromer‐dependent sorting on a chimeric reporter and identified conserved residues required for this sorting in a functional assay. This work defined a consensus sequence for retromer and Snx3‐dependent sorting.
Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Uropathogens in Obstetric Patients

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most commonly encountered infections in obstetric patients. Although a variety of etiology is involved, Escherichia coli and other coliforms account for a large majority of these naturally acquired infections. The estimation of local etiology and susceptibility profile could support the most effective empirical treatment. Aim: The current study was undertaken to find the spectrum of micro-organisms responsible for causing UTI in obstetric patients and to find out the most appropriate antibiotic. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients in different stages of pregnancy with or without symptoms of UTI attending the antenatal clinic during November 2011 to March 2012 were screened for significant bacteriuria. The bacterial uropathogens isolated were then subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and screened for ESBL production and methicillin resistance. Results: During the 5-month study period, out of the 250 samples screened, a total of 60 (24%) samples of urine from pregnant females, in different stages of pregnancy were found to be positive on culture. The Enterobacteriaceae accounted for nearly two-thirds of the isolates and E. coli alone accounted for 63% of the urinary isolates followed by Klebsiella pneumonia 8%. Among the Gram-positive cocci, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (15%) were more frequently isolated than Staphylococcus aureus (8.3%). A significantly high resistance was noted to the beta-lactam group of antimicrobials, fluoroquinolones and cotrimoxazole, both by the Gram-negative bacilli as well as Gram-positive cocci. Resistance was quite low against the aminoglycosides and nitrofurantoin and virtually absent against imipenem. Conclusion: The susceptibility patterns seen in our study seem to suggest that it is absolutely necessary to obtain sensitivity reports before initiation of antibiotic therapy in cases of suspected UTI.
14.7 In-situ techniques for in-field sensing of NBTI degradation in an SRAM register file

SRAM register files have sensitive circuitry and often operate with high switching activity and at high temperature. This makes them particularly vulnerable to aging by negative-bias temperature instability (NBTI) degradation of their PMOS devices. We propose a technique to sense this aging degradation; it is an in-situ technique sensing the threshold voltage (Vt) of PMOSs directly in bitcells, and can operate in-field, thanks to the ability to sense V, robustly across temperature and voltage variations. This technique can be foundational for several dynamic reliability management (DRM) approaches, including: 1) sensing V, values periodically (e.g., every several months) for evaluating the amount and the rate of NBTI degradation; 2) sensing V, differences between two PMOSs in a bitcell to determine their strength skew and to estimate the minimum functional voltage (VMIN) degradation; and, 3) using the skew information across bitcells to create recovery vectors, which can be used to recover the aged PMOSs and thereby rebalance the skews. Existing in-situ techniques using ring oscillators or current sensors to sense bitcell reliability and performance cannot support in-field operation, which is a critical issue for DRM since it is impractical to control environmental parameters, particularly temperature, during sensing.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in personnel attending a veterinary surgery conference.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of, and risk factors for, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in veterinary personnel. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE POPULATION Conference attendees (n=341) at the 2008 American College of Veterinary Surgeons Symposium in San Diego California. METHODS Nasal swabs were collected and tested using selective culture for MRSA. Isolates were typed and risk factors were evaluated using questionnaire data. RESULTS 17.3% of subjects (17% veterinarians and 18% technicians) were MRSA positive. Colonized individuals originated from 5 different countries, predominantly the United States and Canada. Contact with small ruminants in the preceding 30 days (odds ratio [OR] 2.2), living with a person diagnosed with MRSA in the preceding year (OR 19.8) and working in a clinic where there is a specific person in charge of the infection control program (OR 2.2) were associated with colonization using multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION The high rate of colonization identified here provides more evidence that MRSA exposure is likely an occupational risk for veterinary personnel. The equal rates in small animal and large animal personnel were surprising and contradict earlier studies indicating greater rates among equine personnel. The association of MRSA and small ruminant contact has not been reported previously. CLINICAL RELEVANCE MRSA is an important emerging pathogen in veterinary medicine and is a concern for both patients and veterinary personnel. The high colonization rate indicates the need to understand and control the spread of MRSA in veterinary clinics.
Effect of metformin on glycaemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

For type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients, adding metformin to insulin therapies is thought to improve blood glucose levels, but current evidence does not support this clinical benefit. Additional data from large clinical trials are now available; therefore, we conducted a meta‐analysis of studies on assessing the efficacy and adverse effects of metformin.
The 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12): reliability, external validity and factor structure in the Spanish population.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the internal consistency and the external and structure validity of the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in the Spanish general population. A stratified sample of 1001 subjects, ages between 25 and 65 years, taken from the general Spanish population was employed. The GHQ-12 and the Inventory of Situations and Responses of Anxiety-ISRA were administered. A Cronbach's alpha of . 76 (Standardized Alpha: .78) and a 3-factor structure (with oblique rotation and maximum likelihood procedure) were obtained. External validity of Factor I (Successful Coping) with the ISRA is very robust (.82; Factor II, .70; Factor III, .75). The GHQ-12 shows adequate reliability and validity in the Spanish population. Therefore, the GHQ-12 can be used with efficacy to assess people's overall psychological well-being and to detect non-psychotic psychiatric problems. Additionally, our results confirm that the GHQ-12 can best be thought of as a multidimensional scale that assesses several distinct aspects of distress, rather than just a unitary screening measure.
Effect of Erythritol and Xylitol on Dental Caries Prevention in Children

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of long-term, daily intake of erythritol and xylitol candy, compared with sorbitol candy, on the development of enamel and dentin caries lesions. Methods: The study was a double-blind randomized controlled prospective clinical trial. Altogether 485 primary school children, first- and second-graders at baseline, from southeastern Estonia participated in this 3-year intervention. Each child consumed four erythritol, xylitol or sorbitol (control) candies three times per school day. The daily intake of polyol was about 7.5 g. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) was used in the clinical examinations by four calibrated examiners at baseline and at 12, 24 and 36 months. Results: The annual examination analyses and the follow-up analyses confirmed that the number of dentin caries teeth and surfaces at 24 months follow-up and surfaces at 36 months follow-up was significantly lower in the mixed dentition in the erythritol group than in the xylitol or control group. Time of enamel/dentin caries lesions to develop and of dentin caries lesions to progress was significantly longer in the erythritol group compared to the sorbitol and xylitol groups. Also the increase in caries score was lower in the erythritol group than in the other groups. Conclusions: In the follow-up examinations, a lower number of dentin caries teeth and surfaces was found in the erythritol group than in the xylitol or control groups. Time to the development of caries lesions was longest in the erythritol group. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01062633.