Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postural balance and functional independence of elderly people according to gender and age: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Aging causes changes in men and women. Studies have shown that women have worse postural balance and greater functional dependence than men, but there is no consensus regarding this. The aim of this study was to compare the balance and functional independence of elderly people according to sex and age, and to evaluate the association between postural balance and the number of drugs taken. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional at a state university. METHODS: 202 elderly people were evaluated regarding balance (Berg Scale), independence (Barthel Index), age, sex, number of medications and physical activity. RESULTS: The subjects comprised 117 women (70.2 ± 5.6 years old) and 85 men (71.1 ± 6.9 years old). For balance, there was no significant difference regarding sex, but there was a difference regarding age (P < 0.0001). For functional independence, there was a difference regarding sex (P = 0.003), but not regarding age. The variables of age, medications and physical activity were significant for predicting the Berg score. For the Barthel index, only age and sex were significant. Elderly people who took three or more medications/day showed higher risk of falling than those who took up two drugs/day (odds ratio = 5.53, P < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval, 2.3-13.0). CONCLUSIONS: There was no sexual difference in relation to postural balance. However, people who were more elderly presented a high risk of falling. Functional dependence was worse among females. There was an association between the number of medication drugs and risk of falling.
SCREENING FOR CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM

ABSTRACT. Larsson, A. , Ljunggren, J. G. , Ekman, K. , Nilsson, A. , Olin, P. and Bodegard, G. (Departments of Paediatrics and Child Psychiatry, Karolinska Institute, St. Göran's Children's Hospital; the Department of Medicine, St. Göran's Hospital; and the PKU Section of the Department of Bacteriology, National Bacteriological Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden). Screening for congenital hypothyroidism. II. Clinical findings in infants with positive screening tests. Acta Paediatr Scand, 70:147, 1981. –In a pilot screening programme for congenital hypothyroidism, PKU filter paper blood samples from 20000 infants born in Stockholm were analysed for TSH and T4 to identify optimal conditions for routine nationwide screening. Among 160 infants with positive screening tests, 7 infants (group I) had true‐positive results, 6 had primary and one secondary hypothyroidism. The 153 infants with false‐positive tests were divided into group II: 74 infants with an isolated increased TSH level; group III: 71 infants with an isolated decreased T4 concentration; and group IV: 8 infants with increased TSH and decreased T4 levels. In group I the clinical signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism varied when the diagnosis was made at 3 weeks of age. The median hypothyroid index score was 8 (range 0–18). In groups II‐IV most infants showed very few signs of hypothyroidism. The median hypothyroid index scores were 1,1, and 0, respectively. Clinical findings were of little value in the individual case for distinguishing true from false positive screening tests. We suggest that nation‐wide screening should be based on TSH analyses of PKU blood samples, with a cut‐off level corresponding to 50 mU/l of plasma. Recall frequency will be 0.1 %.
Comparison of approaches for instrumentally predicting the quality of text-to-speech systems

In this paper, we compare and combine different approaches for instrumentally predicting the perceived quality of Text-to-Speech systems. First, a log-likelihood is determined by comparing features extracted from the synthesized speech signal with features trained on natural speech. Second, parameters are extracted which capture quality-relevant degradations of the synthesized speech signal. Both approaches are combined and evaluated on three auditory test databases. The results show that auditory quality judgments can in many cases be predicted with a sufficiently high accuracy and reliability, but that there are considerable differences, mainly between male and female speech samples.
Functional linear regression that's interpretable

Regression models to relate a scalar $Y$ to a functional predictor $X(t)$ are becoming increasingly common. Work in this area has concentrated on estimating a coefficient function, $\beta(t)$, with $Y$ related to $X(t)$ through $\int\beta(t)X(t) dt$. Regions where $\beta(t)\ne0$ correspond to places where there is a relationship between $X(t)$ and $Y$. Alternatively, points where $\beta(t)=0$ indicate no relationship. Hence, for interpretation purposes, it is desirable for a regression procedure to be capable of producing estimates of $\beta(t)$ that are exactly zero over regions with no apparent relationship and have simple structures over the remaining regions. Unfortunately, most fitting procedures result in an estimate for $\beta(t)$ that is rarely exactly zero and has unnatural wiggles making the curve hard to interpret. In this article we introduce a new approach which uses variable selection ideas, applied to various derivatives of $\beta(t)$, to produce estimates that are both interpretable, flexible and accurate. We call our method "Functional Linear Regression That's Interpretable" (FLiRTI) and demonstrate it on simulated and real-world data sets. In addition, non-asymptotic theoretical bounds on the estimation error are presented. The bounds provide strong theoretical motivation for our approach.
Low-pH cement mortar-bentonite perturbations in a small-scale pilot laboratory experiment

ABSTRACT A novel method to perform small-scale laboratory experiments that reproduce concrete–bentonite and concrete–groundwater interactions has been developed. Such interfaces will prevail in engineered barrier systems used for isolation of nuclear waste. With the goal of optimizing the experimental method, this work has analysed the geochemical interaction of distilled water, low-pH cement mortar and FEBEX-bentonite for 75 days. Limited but evident reactivity between the materials was observed, mainly decalcification in cement mortar, carbonation at the interface with bentonite and Mg enrichment in bentonite. These results are consistent with the state-of-the-art literature and were used to validate this small-scale pilot laboratory experiment to establish the basis for further studies comparing the behaviour of different buffer and cement materials.
Superficial Soft Tissue Biphasic Synovial Sarcoma With Apocrine Differentiation in the Glandular Component: A Report of Two Cases

Abstract:The authors present 2 cases of a subcutaneous biphasic synovial sarcoma with marked apocrine differentiation that potentially may be confused with cutaneous epithelial neoplasms, including malignant apocrine mixed tumor or metaplastic carcinoma with an apocrine glandular component. Microscopically, both neoplasms had a biphasic architecture with the epithelial and spindle cell components. The epithelial component was prominent and consisted of simple glands with round lumina and complex glandular structures with intraluminal bridges forming cribriform areas. The glands were lined by cuboidal to columnar cells with eosinophilic or clear cytoplasm manifesting apical apocrine-like and intraluminal eosinophilic secretions. The spindle cell component was less prominent and was composed of relatively uniform or slightly atypical spindle sells surrounding and merging focally with the glandular structures. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells in both components were positive for vimentin, AE1/AE3, CK7, and epithelial membrane antigen. Desmin, smooth muscle actin, muscle-specific actin, CD34, and S-100 protein were all negative. SYT-SSX1 gene fusion using fluorescence in situ hybridization and RT-PCR methods was detected in both cases.
Designing Unimodular Codes Via Quadratic Optimization

The NP-hard problem of optimizing a quadratic form over the unimodular vector set arises in radar code design scenarios as well as other active sensing and communication applications. To tackle this problem (which we call unimodular quadratic program (UQP)), several computational approaches are devised and studied. Power method-like iterations are introduced for local optimization of UQP. Furthermore, a monotonically error-bound improving technique (MERIT) is proposed to obtain the global optimum or a local optimum of UQP with good sub-optimality guarantees. The provided sub-optimality guarantees are case-dependent and may outperform the π/4 approximation guarantee of semi-definite relaxation. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed method. The examples show that for several cases, including rank-deficient matrices, the proposed methods can solve UQPs efficiently in the sense of sub-optimality guarantee and computational time.
Do educational materials change knowledge and behaviour about crying and shaken baby syndrome? A randomized controlled trial

Background: Shaken baby syndrome often occurs after shaking in response to crying bouts. We questioned whether the use of the educational materials from the Period of PURPLE Crying program would change maternal knowledge and behaviour related to shaking. Methods: We performed a randomized controlled trial in which 1279 mothers received materials from the Period of PURPLE Crying program or control materials during a home visit by a nurse by 2 weeks after the birth of their child. At 5 weeks, the mothers completed a diary to record their behaviour and their infants' behaviour. Two months after giving birth, the mothers completed a telephone survey to assess their knowledge and behaviour. Results: The mean score (range 0–100 points) for knowledge about infant crying was greater among mothers who received the PURPLE materials (63.8 points) than among mothers who received the control materials (58.4 points) (difference 5.4 points, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1 to 6.5 points). The mean scores were similar for both groups for shaking knowledge and reported maternal responses to crying, inconsolable crying and self-talk responses. Compared with mothers who received control materials, mothers who received the PURPLE materials reported sharing information about walking away if frustrated more often (51.5% v. 38.5%, difference 13.0%, 95% CI 6.9% to 19.2%), the dangers of shaking (49.3% v. 36.4%, difference 12.9%, 95% CI 6.8% to 19.0%), and infant crying (67.6% v. 60.0%, difference 7.6%, 95% CI 1.7% to 13.5%). Walking away during inconsolable crying was significantly higher among mothers who received the PURPLE materials than among those who received control materials (0.067 v. 0.039 events per day, rate ratio 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.6). Interpretation: The receipt of the Period of PURPLE Crying materials led to higher maternal scores for knowledge about infant crying and for some behaviours considered to be important for the prevention of shaking. (ClinicalTrials.gov trial register no. NCT00175422.)
Ascorbate Efflux as a New Strategy for Iron Reduction and Transport in Plants*

Background: Iron long distance transport in plants is underdocumented. Results: Iron is delivered to embryos as ferric complexes with citrate/malate. An ascorbate-mediated reduction step is further required to acquire iron. Conclusion: Ascorbate plays a key role for the chemical reduction and transport of Fe2+. Significance: The identification of iron ligands and the transport process is crucial to further understand how iron is distributed within the plant. Iron (Fe) is essential for virtually all living organisms. The identification of the chemical forms of iron (the speciation) circulating in and between cells is crucial to further understand the mechanisms of iron delivery to its final targets. Here we analyzed how iron is transported to the seeds by the chemical identification of iron complexes that are delivered to embryos, followed by the biochemical characterization of the transport of these complexes by the embryo, using the pea (Pisum sativum) as a model species. We have found that iron circulates as ferric complexes with citrate and malate (Fe(III)3Cit2Mal2, Fe(III)3Cit3Mal1, Fe(III)Cit2). Because dicotyledonous plants only transport ferrous iron, we checked whether embryos were capable of reducing iron of these complexes. Indeed, embryos did express a constitutively high ferric reduction activity. Surprisingly, iron(III) reduction is not catalyzed by the expected membrane-bound ferric reductase. Instead, embryos efflux high amounts of ascorbate that chemically reduce iron(III) from citrate-malate complexes. In vitro transport experiments on isolated embryos using radiolabeled 55Fe demonstrated that this ascorbate-mediated reduction is an obligatory step for the uptake of iron(II). Moreover, the ascorbate efflux activity was also measured in Arabidopsis embryos, suggesting that this new iron transport system may be generic to dicotyledonous plants. Finally, in embryos of the ascorbate-deficient mutants vtc2-4, vtc5-1, and vtc5-2, the reducing activity and the iron concentration were reduced significantly. Taken together, our results identified a new iron transport mechanism in plants that could play a major role to control iron loading in seeds.
Optical Management Using Monovision and Yoked Prism for Acquired Strabismus and Nystagmus Secondary to a Neurodegenerative Disease

ABSTRACT Acquired involuntary eye movement disorders, including noncomitant strabismus, nystagmus, and saccadic dyskinesia, are common ocular manifestations of many neurodegenerative diseases. These patients may experience visual symptoms, such as blurred vision, diplopia, and oscillopsia, which can significantly impact their use of vision. The goal of the management for these patients is to reduce the visual symptoms using any combination of available management strategies. This case report discusses the effective optical management using the combination of spectacle monovision correction and yoked prism to improve visual symptoms in a patient with olivopontocerebellar atrophy.
Modes of intercellular transcription factor movement in the Arabidopsis apex

A recent and intriguing discovery in plant biology has been that some transcription factors can move between cells. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the floral identity protein LEAFY has strong non-autonomous effects when expressed in the epidermis, mediated by its movement into underlying tissue layers. By contrast, a structurally unrelated floral identity protein, APETALA1, has only limited non-autonomous effects. Using GFP fusions to monitor protein movement in the shoot apical meristem and in floral primordia of Arabidopsis, we found a strong correlation between cytoplasmic localization of proteins and their ability to move to adjacent cells. The graded distribution of several GFP fusions with their highest levels in the cells where they are produced is compatible with the notion that this movement is driven by diffusion. We also present evidence that protein movement is more restricted laterally within layers than it is from L1 into underlying layers of the Arabidopsis apex. Based on these observations, we propose that intercellular movement of transcription factors can occur in a non-targeted fashion as a result of simple diffusion. This hypothesis raises the possibility that diffusion is the default state for many macromolecules in the Arabidopsis apex, unless they are specifically retained.
Doppler Echocardiographic Reference Values in Healthy Donkeys

Introduction Doppler echocardiography provides a means to non-invasively evaluate the anatomy and function of the heart, and is playing an increasingly important role in the evaluation and management of patients or animals with all forms of cardiac disease [13]. It has now become a routine for the diagnosis and evaluation of heart disease in veterinary medicine [4]. This is especially true in large animals in which most of the non-invasive cardiac diagnostic tools are of limited value because of the size and the specific anatomy and physiology of the heart in those species [5]. The diagnostic value of echocardiography must first be based on a global evaluation of the heart and on comparison between the visible structures which, in conjunction with the cardiologist experience, gives a preliminary general impression of the heart function [4,6]. Moreover, Doppler echocardiography allows an accurate quantitative assessment of cardiac morphology and function based on morphological echocardiographic, blood flow velocities and systolic time intervals measurements [2,3,6-10]. However, in any species, for echocardiography to allow such an accurate measure of cardiac dimensions and indices of cardiac function, it is important to dispose of reference values determined by using standardized measurement guidelines in this species [7-10]. Moreover, in most species, echocardiographic data have been shown to be affected by several physiological factors such as breed [10], body size [4,7-10] and shape [4], growth [7,8], aging [4], training [2,6,12,13] and heart rate [2,3,8,14,15]. Contrary to published reference values in most species including horses, there are very limited reported echocardiographic data in donkeys [16], which obviously limits the diagnostic and prognostic value of Doppler echocardiography in these animals. The purpose of this study was to determine, using a standardised guided technique developed in horses, normal values of echocardiographic dimension and functional indices and quantitative reference values of Doppler flow profiles in the healthy donkey, and to relate cardiac dimensions and indices to body size in this species.
Logical Formalization of Semantic Business Vocabulary and Rules

Artifacts such as laws, regulations and policies, use deontic constructs expressed in natural language to articulate human behavior, as well as alethic rules, describing what the organization takes things to be and how do the members of the community agree on the understanding of the domain. In most cases such artifacts have a rather ambiguous semantics, which can hardly be formalized. But sometimes, in order to satisfy the organizations’ need of automatic reasoners, a logical framework can be built to provide such tools for validation and verification of the artifacts. The most promising candidate for such a framework is a recently approved standard for specifying Semantics of Business Vocabulary and Business Rules (SBVR). Despite existence of formally grounded notations, e.g. ORM2 specification language, up to now SBVR still lacks a sound and consistent logical formalization which would allow developing automated solutions able to automatically test business models for consistency of business rules. This work reports on the attempt to provide logical foundations for the SBVR standard by the means of defining a specific first-order deontic-alethic logic (FODAL) designed to capture the desired semantics of business rules and their interaction. We also report on the logical properties of the aforementioned formalization, such as completeness and soundness. Moreover, we studied its connections with other logical formalisms, including satisfiability reduction to the first-order logic and the description logic ALCQI, which allows to obtain decidability results for a certain fragment of FODAL logic. As a result, a special tool providing automated support for consistency checks of a set of ALCQI-expressible deontic and alethic business rules was implemented. This tool was developed in the context of the ONTORULE FP7 project and became a part of the public deliverable. Addressing the objective of the project to combine rules and ontologies, we also implemented a translation of the aforementioned class of business rules into an OWL2 ontology, which facilitates integration with other modeling tools and fulfilment of the demand for automated solutions with reasoning support.
Methods of phosphorus application and irrigation schedule influencing wheat yield

Fertilizer use efficiency by different crops is low on alkaline calcareous soils. Water is crucial for Phosphorus (P) availability. A field experiment was conducted on sandy clay loam, alkaline calcareous soil with low total nitrogen and available P. P was applied to wheat by side-dressing and broadcasting while irrigating at crown root; booting; earing; anthesis; and grain development stages to improve wheat yield. It was observed that maximum wheat grain and straw yield 3.97 and 4.95 t ha-1, respectively were obtained by side dressing P application along with four irrigations. Maximum P concentration in grain, straw and total P uptake was noted by side dressing P along with five irrigations. Grain yield was improved by side dressing over broad casting at all irrigation scheduling. Four irrigations (at crown root, booting, anthesis and grain development) proved better for grain production.
Cryptosporidium parvum Mixed Genotypes Detected by PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis

ABSTRACT Combinations of 10 Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, with various ratios of genotype I to genotype II, were isolated and subjected to PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Amplification of both genotypes in these samples ranged from 31 to 74% and yielded no information about the genotype proportions. In addition, since both genotypes were not always detected, amplification of a single genotype is not conclusive evidence that the sample contains only a single genotype.
Self-similarity in World Wide Web traffic: evidence and possible causes

Recently the notion of self-similarity has been shown to apply to wide-area and local-area network traffic. In this paper we examine the mechanisms that give rise to the self-similarity of network traffic. We present a hypothesized explanation for the possible self-similarity of traffic by using a particular subset of wide area traffic: traffic due to the World Wide Web (WWW). Using an extensive set of traces of actual user executions of NCSA Mosaic, reflecting over half a million requests for WWW documents, we examine the dependence structure of WWW traffic. While our measurements are not conclusive, we show evidence that WWW traffic exhibits behavior that is consistent with self-similar traffic models. Then we show that the self-similarity in such traffic can be explained based on the underlying distributions of WWW document sizes, the effects of caching and user preference in file transfer, the effect of user "think time", and the superimposition of many such transfers in a local area network. To do this we rely on empirically measured distributions both from our traces and from data independently collected at over thirty WWW sites.
Quantitative basic residue requirements in the cleavage-activation site of the fusion glycoprotein as a determinant of virulence for Newcastle disease virus

Newcastle disease virus exhibits a wide range of pathogenicity and virulence which, as with all paramyxoviruses, is directly related to the cleavability of a precursor (F0) of the fusion glycoprotein by cellular proteases. Sequence analyses of the cleavage site of several virulent and avirulent isolates of the Newcastle disease virus serotype reveal a correlation between virulence or pathogenicity and a high content of basic amino acid residues at the cleavage site. A similar correlation has been seen for other paramyxoviruses.