Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Puberty and Pubertal Growth in GH-treated SGA Children: Effects of 2 Years of GnRHa Versus No GnRHa.

CONTEXT Most studies on puberty in children born small for gestational age (SGA) report height and age at onset of puberty. GH-treated SGA children with an adult height (AH) expectation below -2.5 SDS at onset of puberty can benefit from an additional 2 years of GnRH analog (GnRHa) treatment. There are no data on puberty and growth after discontinuation of GnRHa treatment in GH-treated SGA children. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effects on puberty and pubertal growth of 2 years GnRHa vs no GnRHa in GH-treated SGA children. METHODS This was a GH trial involving 76 prepubertal short SGA children (36 girls) treated with GH. Thirty-two children received additional GnRHa for 2 years. Pubertal stages were 3-monthly assessed according to Tanner. RESULTS Age, bone age, and median height at pubertal onset were lower in girls and boys in the GH/GnRHa group compared with the GH group. In girls and boys treated with GH/GnRHa, pubertal duration after stop of GnRHa treatment was shorter than pubertal duration in those with GH only (40.9 vs 46.7 mo; P = .044; 50.8 vs 57.5 months; P = .006; respectively). Height gain from onset of puberty until AH, including height gain during 2 years of GnRHa treatment, was 25.4 cm in girls and 33.0 cm in boys, which was 6.6 cm more than girls and boys treated with GH only. AH was similar in children treated with GH/GnRHa compared with those with GH only. CONCLUSIONS GH-treated SGA children who start puberty with an AH expectation below -2.5 SDS and are treated with 2 years of GnRHa have a shorter pubertal duration after discontinuation of GnRHa compared with pubertal duration in children treated with GH only. Height gain from onset of puberty until AH is, however, more due to adequate growth during 2 years of GnRHa treatment resulting in a similar AH as children treated with GH only.
Salivary Gland-Specific P. berghei Reporter Lines Enable Rapid Evaluation of Tissue-Specific Sporozoite Loads in Mosquitoes

Malaria is a life-threatening human infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Levels of the salivary gland sporozoites (sgs), the only mosquito stage infectious to a mammalian host, represent an important cumulative index of Plasmodium development within a mosquito. However, current techniques of sgs quantification are laborious and imprecise. Here, transgenic P. berghei reporter lines that produce the green fluorescent protein fused to luciferase (GFP-LUC) specifically in sgs were generated, verified and characterised. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed the sgs stage specificity of expression of the reporter gene. The luciferase activity of the reporter lines was then exploited to establish a simple and fast biochemical assay to evaluate sgs loads in whole mosquitoes. Using this assay we successfully identified differences in sgs loads in mosquitoes silenced for genes that display opposing effects on P. berghei ookinete/oocyst development. It offers a new powerful tool to study infectivity of P. berghei to the mosquito, including analysis of vector-parasite interactions and evaluation of transmission-blocking vaccines.
Using functional imaging to understand therapeutic effects in poststroke aphasia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The evidence base for the treatment of poststroke aphasia continues to grow, so too does interest in the neural mechanisms that underlie these therapy-driven improvements. Although the majority of patients respond to therapy, not all of those who do improve do so in a predictable way. Here, we review 17 of the most recent articles that have attempted to deal with this important question, dividing them into those that target speech perception and production. RECENT FINDINGS There are many methodological differences between the studies, but some neuroimaging patterns have emerged: whether the in-scanner language task is speech perception or production, left hemisphere fronto-temporal cortex is often activated/correlated with language improvement and; right inferior frontal gyrus is frequently identified although what this represents is still hotly contested. We are concerned that many studies are not well controlled making it difficult to ascribe neuroimaging changes directly to the therapeutic intervention. SUMMARY Encouragingly, there are many more functional imaging studies in this challenging area of research. Behaviour, either alone or paired with structural imaging data, only goes part way in explaining aphasic patients' responses to therapy. An important emerging theme is exploring the role that nonlanguage cognitive processes play in aphasia recovery.
Bias Stability of zinc-tin-oxide thin film transistors with Al2O3 gate dielectrics

Zinc-tin-oxide (ZTO) thin film transistors (TFTs) with atomic layer deposition (ALD) Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> gate dielectrics were fabricated and compared to devices with PECVD SiO<inf>2</inf> gate dielectrics. The Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> devices showed acceptable mobility (∼14 cm<sup>2</sup>/V·s), subthreshold slope (∼0.4 V/dec), and I<inf>ON</inf>/I<inf>OFF</inf> (∼10<sup>7</sup>). However, a pronounced positive V<inf>T</inf> shift was observed during initial gate voltage sweeps, consistent with electron trapping. In an effort to stabilize operation, devices were made with varying Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> deposition temperature, O<inf>2</inf> plasma exposure, and a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited (PECVD) SiO<inf>2</inf> capping layer. It was found that capping of the Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> with a thin (2–3 nm) layer of PECVD SiO<inf>2</inf> altered the trapping behavior and reduced the bias instability significantly, suggesting that the Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>/ZTO interface is the source of the trapping.
RAD-Seq derived markers flank the shell colour and banding loci of the Cepaea nemoralis supergene

Studies on the classic shell colour and banding polymorphism of the land snail Cepaea played a crucial role in establishing the importance of natural selection in maintaining morphological variation. Cepaea is also a pre‐eminent model for ecological genetics because the outward colour and banding phenotype is entirely genetically determined, primarily by a ‘supergene’ of at least five loci. Unfortunately, progress in understanding the evolution and maintenance of the Cepaea polymorphism stalled, partly because of a lack of genetic markers. With a view to re‐establish Cepaea as a prominent model of molecular ecology, we made six laboratory crosses of Cepaea nemoralis, five of which segregated for shell ground colour (C) and the presence or absence of bands (B). First, scoring of colour and banding in 323 individuals found no recombination between the C and B loci of the supergene. Second, using restriction site–associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐Seq) of two parents and 22 offspring, we identified 44 anonymous markers putatively linked to the colour (C) and banding (B) loci. The genotype of eleven of the most promising RAD‐Seq markers was independently validated in the same 22 offspring, then up to a further 146 offspring were genotyped. The closest RAD‐Seq markers scored are within ~0.6 centimorgan (cM) of the C‐B supergene linkage group, with the combined loci together forming a 35.8 cM linkage map of markers that flank both sides of the Cepaea C‐B supergene.
Patterns of Limnohabitans Microdiversity across a Large Set of Freshwater Habitats as Revealed by Reverse Line Blot Hybridization

Among abundant freshwater Betaproteobacteria, only few groups are considered to be of central ecological importance. One of them is the well-studied genus Limnohabitans and mainly its R-BT subcluster, investigated previously mainly by fluorescence in situ hybridization methods. We designed, based on sequences from a large Limnohabitans culture collection, 18 RLBH (Reverse Line Blot Hybridization) probes specific for different groups within the genus Limnohabitans by targeting diagnostic sequences on their 16 S–23 S rRNA ITS regions. The developed probes covered in sum 92% of the available isolates. This set of probes was applied to environmental DNA originating from 161 different European standing freshwater habitats to reveal the microdiversity (intra-genus) patterns of the Limnohabitans genus along a pH gradient. Investigated habitats differed in various physicochemical parameters, and represented a very broad range of standing freshwater habitats. The Limnohabitans microdiversity, assessed as number of RLBH-defined groups detected, increased significantly along the gradient of rising pH of habitats. 14 out of 18 probes returned detection signals that allowed predictions on the distribution of distinct Limnohabitans groups. Most probe-defined Limnohabitans groups showed preferences for alkaline habitats, one for acidic, and some seemed to lack preferences. Complete niche-separation was indicated for some of the probe-targeted groups. Moreover, bimodal distributions observed for some groups of Limnohabitans, suggested further niche separation between genotypes within the same probe-defined group. Statistical analyses suggested that different environmental parameters such as pH, conductivity, oxygen and altitude influenced the distribution of distinct groups. The results of our study do not support the hypothesis that the wide ecological distribution of Limnohabitans bacteria in standing freshwater habitats results from generalist adaptations of these bacteria. Instead, our observations suggest that the genus Limnohabitans, as well as its R-BT subgroup, represent ecologically heterogeneous taxa, which underwent pronounced ecological diversification.
Low-temperature deposition of a polycrystalline Si film on yttria-stabilized zirconia seed layer

We have proposed a method to grow a polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) film on quartz substrate at low-temperature (<450 °C) by using a polycrystalline yttria-stabilized zirconia (poly-YSZ) film as a seed layer. It was found out that the crystallization of the Si film strongly depended on the surface treatment of the YSZ seed layer. We obtained the crystallized Si film by direct deposition on the HF-treated YSZ layer rinsed with ethanol at a temperature as low as 400 °C, but that on the YSZ layer rinsed with deionized water (DIW) was amorphous.
The behavior of pigeons under free-operant schedules of shock avoidance and shock frequency reduction / by Dennis Brian Jowaisas.

of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate Council of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy THE BEHAVIOR OF PIGEONS UNDER FREE-OPERANT SCHEDULES OF SHOCK AVOIDANCE AND SHOCK FREQUENCY REDUCTION By Dennis Brian Jowaisas June, 1977 Chairman: E. F. Malagodi Major Department: Psychology The importance of the species generality of phenomena, especially for purposes of theoretical interpretations, has been emphasized in recent years. This report provides data which are currently unavailable concerning the acquisition of temporal response gradients during free-operant avoidance and extends the species generality of the theoretically important shock-frequency reduction procedure. Pigeons were exposed to two unsignalled, free-operant shock schedules in which the effective response was a treadle press. Experiment I consisted of long-term exposure to Sidman's free-operant avoidance schedule. The response-shock interval was 20 sec, the shock-shock interval was 5 sec and shock duration was 0.3 sec throughout the experiment. One of the
Deficits in pain perception in borderline personality disorder: results from the thermal grill illusion

Abstract It is well documented that borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by reduced pain sensitivity, which might be related to nonsuicidal self-injury and dissociative experiences in patients with BPD. However, it remains an open question whether this insensitivity relies at least partly on altered sensory integration or on an altered evaluation of pain or a combination of both. In this study, we used the thermal grill illusion (TGI), describing a painful sensation induced by the application of alternating cold and warm nonnoxious stimuli, in patients with either current or remitted BPD as well as matched healthy controls. Two additional conditions, applying warm or cold temperatures only, served as control. We further assessed thermal perception, discrimination, and pain thresholds. We found significantly reduced heat and cold pain thresholds for the current BPD group, as well as reduced cold pain thresholds for the remitted BPD group, as compared with the HC group. Current BPD patients perceived a less-intense TGI in terms of induced pain and unpleasantness, while their general ability to perceive this kind of illusion seemed to be unaffected. Thermal grill illusion magnitude was negatively correlated with dissociation and traumatization only in the current BPD patients. These results indicate that higher-order pain perception is altered in current BPD, which seems to normalize after remission. We discuss these findings against the background of neurophysiological evidence for the TGI in general and reduced pain sensitivity in BPD and suggest a relationship to alterations in N-methyl-D-aspartate neurotransmission.
Quasi-periodic oscillations, mass and jets of black holes: XTE J1550–564 and Sgr A*

In this paper the recently proposed three tori model for the explanation of three high frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) has been applied to black holes. The circular tori are: an outer torus with charge Qo, a torus with mass mm in the middle and an inner torus with charge Qi, whereas the star bears a charge Qs. Especially, the gravitational interaction between the torus with mass mm and the masses of the other two tori has been taken into account in this work. For the explanation of four low frequency QPOs a special interpretation of the gravitomagnetic theory has again been applied. Predictions of the new model are compatible with deduced high and low frequency QPOs of the stellar black hole XTE J1550-564 and the supermassive black hole Sgr A*. Moreover, the Lense-Thirring precession frequency for black holes is discussed. Furthermore, it is shown, that a massive torus around Sgr A* may lead to a higher and anisotropic observed mass for the black hole. Finally, the origin of jets is investigated by studying the radial motion of charge in the Kerr-Newman space-time. It is shown that charge may be bound on a shell slightly outside the ergosphere.
Effects of the ACTN3 R577X Genotype on the Muscular Strength and Range of Motion Before and After Eccentric Contractions of the Elbow Flexors

Abstract The purpose of present study was to examine the association between ACTN3 R577X genotype and functional characteristics of elbow flexors before and after isokinetic eccentric contractions (ECCs). Fifty-two men (age: 20.8±3.8 years, height: 172.5±5.9 cm, body mass: 64.7±6.5 kg, BMI: 21.7±1.7) who had not participated in any regular resistance training for at least 1 year prior to this study were recruited. ECCs consisted of five sets of six maximal voluntary isokinetic (30°/s) ECCs of the elbow flexors with a range of motion (ROM) from 90° flexion to 0° (full extension). Measurements of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque, ROM, and muscle soreness were taken before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 3, and 5 days after ECCs. Genotyping results were analyzed for identifying ACTN3 R577X polymorphism (rs1815739) using TaqMan approach. The genotype frequencies of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism were RR 26.9% (n=14), RX 50.0% (n=26), and XX 23.1% (n=12). There were no significant differences in MVC torque, ROM, and soreness between three genotype groups of ACTN3 R577X. However, MVC at baseline was greater in RR homozygotes than in X-allele carriers (combined XX and RX; p<0.05). ROM in RR homozygotes at baseline was lower than that of X-allele carriers. Although a significant decrease in ROM was observed in X-allele carriers until 3 days after ECCs, a significant ROM reduction in RR homozygotes was observed only immediately after ECCs. Our data indicated that ACTN3 RR genotype has higher MVC and lower flexibility than X-allele carriers at baseline, but the effect of ACTN3 R577X genotype on these two parameters is limited after ECCs.
A Common System for the Comprehension and Production of Narrative Speech

Humans devote much time to the exchange of memories within the context of shared general and personal semantic knowledge. Our hypothesis was that functional imaging in normal subjects would demonstrate the convergence of speech comprehension and production on high-order heteromodal and amodal cortical areas implicated in declarative memory functions. Activity independent of speech phase (that is, comprehension and production) was most evident in the left and right lateral anterior temporal cortex. Significant activity was also observed in the posterior cortex, ventral to the angular gyri. The left and right hippocampus and adjacent inferior temporal cortex were active during speech comprehension, compatible with mnemonic encoding of narrative information, but activity was significantly less during the overt memory retrieval associated with speech production. Therefore, although clinical studies suggest that hippocampal function is necessary for the retrieval as well as the encoding of memories, the former appears to depend on much less net synaptic activity. In contrast, the retrosplenial/posterior cingulate cortex and the parahippocampal area, which are closely associated anatomically with the hippocampus, were equally active during both speech comprehension and production. The results demonstrate why a severe and persistent inability both to understand and produce meaningful speech in the absence of an impairment to process linguistic forms is usually only observed after bilateral, and particularly anterior, destruction of the temporal lobes, and emphasize the importance of retrosplenial/posterior cingulate cortex, an area known to be affected early in the course of Alzheimer's disease, in the processing of memories during communication.
Model based distributed water balance monitoring of the White Volta catchment in West Africa through coupled meteorological-hydrological simulations

Abstract. Sustainable water management requires the quantification of the spatial and temporal changes of water balance variables. Fully distributed hydrological simulations of these variables are especially in regions with weak infrastructure challenging, because the required meteorological input data are often not available in a sufficient spatial and temporal resolution. One possibility to deal with this limitation is to provide the required input data with a meteorological model. This combination results in a one way meteorological-hydrological coupling system. Within the framework of the GLOWA-Volta project it is investigated to what extent meteorological models are able to provide the required meteorological fields with sufficient accuracy for the hydrological modeling. For this study the mesoscale meteorological model MM5 and the fully distributed water balance simulation model WaSiM-ETH were first adapted and validated separately. The research area is the White Volta catchment in the semi-arid to sub-humid climate zone in West Africa. The meteorological simulations tend toward overestimating measured precipitation sums. The coupled meteorological-hydrological runoff simulations show similar model performances as the simulations driven by observations indicating the potential of this system for a contemporary estimation of the terrestrial water balance.
Visual teach and repeat for long‐range rover autonomy

This paper describes a system built to enable long‐range rover autonomy using a stereo camera as the only sensor. During a learning phase, the system builds a manifold map of overlapping submaps as it is piloted along a route. The map is then used for localization as the rover repeats the route autonomously. The use of local submaps allows the rover to faithfully repeat long routes without the need for an accurate global reconstruction. Path following over nonplanar terrain is handled by performing localization in three dimensions and then projecting this down to a local ground plane associated with the current submap to perform path tracking. We have tested this system in an urban area and in a planetary analog setting in the Canadian High Arctic. More than 32 km was covered—99.6% autonomously—with autonomous runs ranging from 45 m to 3.2 km, all without the use of the global positioning system (GPS). Because it enables long‐range autonomous behavior in a single command cycle, visual teach and repeat is well suited to planetary applications, such as Mars sample return, in which no GPS is available. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Empirical Comparison of Lab and Remote Usability Testing of Web Sites

This paper presents the results of two studies comparing traditional lab-based usability testing and remote Webbased usability testing of Web sites. Two sites were tested: an employee benefits site and a financial information site. The remote tests used an automated technique whereby the users participated from their normal work locations using their normal browser, and there was no real-time observation. Tasks were presented to the user in a small browser window at the top of the screen that was also used to capture their input. Results showed high correlations between lab and remote tests for the task completion data and the task time data. Subjective ratings of the sites did not correlate as well. The most critical usability issues with the sites were identified by both techniques, although each technique also uniquely uncovered other issues. In general, the results indicate that both the lab and remote tests capture very similar information about the usability of a site. Each type of test appears to offer its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of the usability issues it can uncover.
MalFlow: identification of C&C servers through host-based data flow profiling

Modern malware interacts with multiple internet domains for various reasons: communication with command and control (C&C) servers, boosting click counts on online ads or performing denial of service attacks, among others. The identification of malign domains is thus necessary to prevent (and react to) incidents. Since malware creators constantly generate new domains to avoid detection, maintaining up-to-date lists of malign domains is challenging. We propose an approach that automatically estimates the risk associated with communicating with a domain based on the data flow behavior of a process communicating with it. Our approach uses unsupervised learning on data flow profiles that capture communication of processes with network endpoints at system call level to distinguish between likely malign or benign behavior. Our evaluations on a large and diverse data set indicate a high detection accuracy and a reasonable performance overhead. We further discuss how this concept can be used in an operational setting for fine-grained enforcement of risk-based incident response actions.