Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Y chromosome microdeletions, sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm oxidative stress as causes of recurrent spontaneous abortion of unknown etiology.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to evaluate the implication of male factor, in terms of sperm DNA oxidation and fragmentation, and Y chromosome microdeletions in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) of unknown origin in a strictly selected cohort. METHODS A prospective cohort study was carried out in a private university-affiliated setting. Three groups, each comprised of 30 males, were compared. The first was formed by healthy and fertile sperm donors (SD) with normal sperm parameters (control group), the second by men presenting severe oligozoospermia (SO) without RSA history, and the third by men from couples who had experienced idiopathic RSA. Frequency of Y chromosome microdeletions and mean sperm DNA fragmentation and oxidation were determined. RESULTS Y chromosome microdeletions were not detected in any of the males enrolled in the study. Moreover, sperm DNA oxidation measurements were not demonstrated to be relevant to RSA. Interestingly, sperm DNA fragmentation was higher in the SO group than in the RSA and the SD groups, and also higher in the RSA group compared with the SD group, but lacked an adequate predictive power to be employed as a discriminative test of RSA condition. CONCLUSIONS Sperm DNA features and Y chromosome microdeletions do not seem to be related to RSA of unknown origin. Other molecular features of sperm should be studied to determine their possible influence on RSA. Clinicaltrials.gov reference: NCT00447395.
Long-term symbolic learning Action

What are the characteristics of long-term learning? We investigated the characteristics of long-term, symbolic learning using the Soar and ACT-R cognitive architectures running cognitive models of two simple tasks. Long sequences of problems were run collecting data to answer fundamental questions about long-term, symbolic learning. We examined whether symbolic learning continues indefinitely, how the learned knowledge is used, and whether computational performance degrades over the long term. We report three findings. First, in both systems, symbolic learning eventually stopped. Second, learned knowledge was used differently in different stages but the resulting production knowledge was used uniformly. Finally, both Soar and ACT-R do eventually suffer from degraded computational performance with long-term continuous learning. We also discuss ACT-R implementation and theoretic causes of ACT-R’s computational performance problems and settings that appear to avoid the performance problems in ACT-R. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Cortical categorization failure in 2-month-old infants at risk for dyslexia

Cortical auditory categorization was assessed in 2-month-old infants at genetic risk for dyslexia and controls. Manipulated /bAk/ and /dAk/ speech stimuli were used as frequently presented standards. The neuroelectric brain responses of the control infants were highly sensitive to the phoneme boundary that separated these stimuli, but the infants at risk showed no signs of cortical categorical perception. Cortical sources of the responses were predominantly found in the left hemisphere for the control infants, but mainly in the right hemisphere for the infants at risk. The results demonstrate that impaired categorical perception in dyslexia is already present in infants at risk for the disorder.
Microbiota Influences Morphology and Reproduction of the Brown Alga Ectocarpus sp.

Associated microbiota play crucial roles in health and disease of higher organisms. For macroalgae, some associated bacteria exert beneficial effects on nutrition, morphogenesis and growth. However, current knowledge on macroalgae–microbiota interactions is mostly based on studies on green and red seaweeds. In this study, we report that when cultured under axenic conditions, the filamentous brown algal model Ectocarpus sp. loses its branched morphology and grows with a small ball-like appearance. Nine strains of periphytic bacteria isolated from Ectocarpus sp. unialgal cultures were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing, and assessed for their effect on morphology, reproduction and the metabolites secreted by axenic Ectocarpus sp. Six of these isolates restored morphology and reproduction features of axenic Ectocarpus sp. Bacteria-algae co-culture supernatants, but not the supernatant of the corresponding bacterium growing alone, also recovered morphology and reproduction of the alga. Furthermore, colonization of axenic Ectocarpus sp. with a single bacterial isolate impacted significantly the metabolites released by the alga. These results show that the branched typical morphology and the individuals produced by Ectocarpus sp. are strongly dependent on the presence of bacteria, while the bacterial effect on the algal exometabolome profile reflects the impact of bacteria on the whole physiology of this alga.
Treatment of high‐risk acute myelogenous leukaemia by myeloablative chemoradiotherapy followed by co‐infusion of T cell‐depleted haematopoietic stem cells and culture‐expanded marrow mesenchymal stem cells from a related donor with one fully mismatched human leucocyte antigen haplotype

Summary. A 20‐year‐old woman with high‐risk acute myelogenous leukaemia was transplanted with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF)‐mobilized peripheral blood CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells and bone‐marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from her human leucocyte antigen haplotype‐mismatched father after myeloablative conditioning therapy. The patient engrafted rapidly and had no acute or chronic graft‐versus‐host disease. Since transplantation, the patient has shown an enduring trilineage haematological complete response without any evidence of leukaemia relapse at 31 months. We suggest that MSC can be used effectively for genetically haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute leukaemia.
Directivity and polarization of electromagnetic radiation in low voltage ESD using spherical electrode

Directivity of electromagnetic field radiation in low voltage ESD (Electrostatic discharge) using a pair of spherical electrode was examined in experimental study. In addition to that, polarization effect of electromagnetic field radiation in a pair of spherical electrode investigates for clarify the radiation factors due to low voltage discharge below 1 kV. The experimental system consists of a pair of spherical electrodes, a horn antenna and wideband digitizing oscilloscopes. The ratio of directivity between front value and side value is about 18 dB in received voltage. Polarization of received voltage is clearly seen in electromagnetic radiation from a pair of spherical electrode. As a result, the EM field radiation looks like radiation from dipole antenna structure which makes the spark part of spherical electrodes a feeding point on the straight line passing through the tow sphere centers.
Finite-amplitude crossflow vortices, secondary instability and transition in the rotating-disk boundary layer

In the three-dimensional boundary layer produced by a rotating disk, the experimentally well-documented sharp transition from laminar to turbulent flow is shown to coincide with secondary absolute instability of the naturally selected primary nonlinear crossflow vortices. Fully saturated primary finite-amplitude waves and the associated nonlinear dispersion relation are first numerically computed using a local parallel flow approximation. Exploiting the slow radial development of the basic flow, the naturally selected primary self-sustained flow structure is then derived by asymptotic analysis. In this state, outward-spiralling nonlinear vortices are initiated at the critical radius where primary absolute instability first occurs. A subsequent secondary stability analysis reveals that as soon as the primary nonlinear waves come into existence they are absolutely unstable with respect to secondary perturbations. Secondary disturbances growing in time at fixed radial locations continuously perturb the primary vortices, thus triggering the direct route to turbulence prevailing in this configuration.
Intention-Based Segmentation: Human Reliability and Correlation with Linguistic Cues

Certain spans of utterances in a discourse, referred to here as segments, are widely assumed to form coherent units. Further, the segmental structure of discourse has been claimed to constrain and be constrained by many phenomena. However, there is weak consensus on the nature of segments and the criteria for recognizing or generating them. We present quantitative results of a two part study using a corpus of spontaneous, narrative monologues. The first part evaluates the statistical reliability of human segmentation of our corpus, where speaker intention is the segmentation criterion. We then use the subjects' segmentations to evaluate the correlation of discourse segmentation with three linguistic cues (referential noun phrases, cue words, and pauses), using information retrieval metrics.
Plasma Level and Gene Polymorphism of Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme in Relation to Myocardial Infarction

BackgroundThe angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in the production of angiotensin II and the degradation of bradykinin, two peptides involved in cardiovascular homeostasy. Presence of a polymorphism in the ACE gene (ACE Ss) has been postulated from segregation analysis of plasma ACE in families. This putative polymorphism, which strongly affects the plasma and cellular levels of ACE, probably by modulating ACE gene transcription, has not yet been identified at the molecular level; however, an insertion/ deletion polymorphism is present in the 16th intron of the ACE gene (ACE I/D) and appears to be a very good marker for ACE Ss. The biological role of ACE suggests that the ACE gene polymorphism could affect the predisposition to myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and ResultsWe have recently shown, in a large case-control study (ECTIM), that the marker allele D of the ACE gene, which is associated with higher levels of ACE in plasma and cells, was more frequent in male patients with MI than in control subjects, especially in patients considered at low risk. ACE activity has now been measured from frozen aliquots of plasma in a large subsample of the ECTIM study (n=1086). Plasma ACE level did not differ between patients and control subjects in the older age group (≥55 years) but was higher in patients than in control subjects in the younger age group (<55 years); P<. 005 after adjustment on ACE I/D and other risk factors. In patients, plasma ACE levels decreased with age (R= −.225, P< 10−4), but in control subjects no such trend was observed. In the low-risk group (ApoB <1.25 mg/dL, body mass index <26 kg/m2, and not treated with hypolipidemic drugs), plasma ACE level was increased in patients when compared with control subjects among homozygotes and heterozygotes for the ACE I allele (P<.015). Analysis of the distribution of plasma ACE by using commingling analysis conditional on the marker genotype ACE I/D enabled us to infer the frequencies and effects of the postulated ACE Ss genotypes. The results suggest that the higher plasma ACE levels in patients than in control subjects in the younger age group were due to a difference in frequency of the postulated S allele (.47 versus.36). ConclusionsThese results extend our previous findings and indicate that plasma ACE level may be a risk factor for MI, independent of the ACE I/D polymorphism.
Using a computer simulation to compare expert/novice problem-solving subroutines

Hierarchical problem-solving strategies employed in solving exercise science problems were examined in this study, which also tested the validity of an educational computer simulation. Hypothesis testing was used as the theoretical base for the study of differences in problem-solving within the computer simulation. In a previous study two groups of undergraduate (novices) and graduate students were compared in their ability to solve exercise science problems. The present study added a group of faculty (experts) who were presented with the same simulation protocol as the other subjects. Protocol analysis and the Pitt coding system were used to analyse verbal data. Group differences were examined statistically. The faculty were superior in interpreting data and used the Basic Heuristic and Pattern Extraction strategies for the generation and use of algorithms. The problem-solving strategies varied for each group based on the perceived difficulty of the problem, the knowledge base available, and the similarity of the given problem to previous problems.
Higher order symbolic execution for contract verification and refutation*

Abstract We present a new approach to automated reasoning about higher-order programs by endowing symbolic execution with a notion of higher-order, symbolic values. To validate our approach, we use it to develop and evaluate a system for verifying and refuting behavioral software contracts of components in a functional language, which we call soft contract verification. In doing so, we discover a mutually beneficial relation between behavioral contracts and higher-order symbolic execution. Contracts aid symbolic execution by providing a rich language of specifications serving as a basis of symbolic higher-order values; the theory of blame enables modular verification and leads to the theorem that verified components can't be blamed; and the run-time monitoring of contracts enables soft verification whereby verified and unverified components can safely interact. Conversely, symbolic execution aids contracts by providing compile-time verification and automated test case generation from counter-examples to verification. This relation between symbolic exuection and contracts engenders a virtuous cycle encouraging the gradual use of contracts. Our approach is able to analyze first-class contracts, recursive data structures, unknown functions, and control-flow-sensitive refinements of values, which are all idiomatic in dynamic languages. It makes effective use of off-the-shelf solvers to decide problems without heavy encodings. Counterexample search is sound and relatively complete with respect to a first-order solver for base type values and counter-examples are reported as concrete values, including functions. Therefore, it can form the basis of automated verification and bug-finding tools for higher-order programs. The approach is competitive with a range of existing tools—including type systems, flow analyzers, and model checkers—on their own benchmarks. We have built a prototype to analyze programs written in Racket and report on its effectiveness in verifying and refuting contracts.
Knowledge Calibration: What Consumers Know and What They Think They Know

Consumer knowledge is seldom complete or errorless. Therefore, the self-assessed validity of knowledge and consequent knowledge calibration (i.e., the correspondence between self-assessed and actual validity) is an important issue for the study of consumer decision making. In this article we describe methods and models used in calibration research. We then review a wide variety of empirical results indicating that high levels of calibration are achieved rarely, moderate levels that include some degree of systematic bias are the norm, and confidence and accuracy are sometimes completely uncorrelated. Finally, we examine the explanations of miscalibration and offer suggestions for future research. Copyright 2000 by the University of Chicago.
Direct Observations of Nanofilament Evolution in Switching Processes in HfO2‐Based Resistive Random Access Memory by In Situ TEM Studies

Resistive switching processes in HfO2 are studied by electron holography and in situ energy-filtered imaging. The results show that oxygen vacancies are gradually generated in the oxide layer under ramped electrical bias, and finally form several conductive channels connecting the two electrodes. It also shows that the switching process occurs at the top interface of the hafnia layer.
Homogenization patterns of the world’s freshwater fish faunas

The world is currently undergoing an unprecedented decline in biodiversity, which is mainly attributable to human activities. For instance, nonnative species introduction, combined with the extirpation of native species, affects biodiversity patterns, notably by increasing the similarity among species assemblages. This biodiversity change, called taxonomic homogenization, has rarely been assessed at the world scale. Here, we fill this gap by assessing the current homogenization status of one of the most diverse vertebrate groups (i.e., freshwater fishes) at global and regional scales. We demonstrate that current homogenization of the freshwater fish faunas is still low at the world scale (0.5%) but reaches substantial levels (up to 10%) in some highly invaded river basins from the Nearctic and Palearctic realms. In these realms experiencing high changes, nonnative species introductions rather than native species extirpations drive taxonomic homogenization. Our results suggest that the “Homogocene era” is not yet the case for freshwater fish fauna at the worldwide scale. However, the distressingly high level of homogenization noted for some biogeographical realms stresses the need for further understanding of the ecological consequences of homogenization processes.
A low-carbohydrate as compared with a low-fat diet in severe obesity.

BACKGROUND The effects of a carbohydrate-restricted diet on weight loss and risk factors for atherosclerosis have been incompletely assessed. METHODS We randomly assigned 132 severely obese subjects (including 77 blacks and 23 women) with a mean body-mass index of 43 and a high prevalence of diabetes (39 percent) or the metabolic syndrome (43 percent) to a carbohydrate-restricted (low-carbohydrate) diet or a calorie- and fat-restricted (low-fat) diet. RESULTS Seventy-nine subjects completed the six-month study. An analysis including all subjects, with the last observation carried forward for those who dropped out, showed that subjects on the low-carbohydrate diet lost more weight than those on the low-fat diet (mean [+/-SD], -5.8+/-8.6 kg vs. -1.9+/-4.2 kg; P=0.002) and had greater decreases in triglyceride levels (mean, -20+/-43 percent vs. -4+/-31 percent; P=0.001), irrespective of the use or nonuse of hypoglycemic or lipid-lowering medications. Insulin sensitivity, measured only in subjects without diabetes, also improved more among subjects on the low-carbohydrate diet (6+/-9 percent vs. -3+/-8 percent, P=0.01). The amount of weight lost (P<0.001) and assignment to the low-carbohydrate diet (P=0.01) were independent predictors of improvement in triglyceride levels and insulin sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Severely obese subjects with a high prevalence of diabetes or the metabolic syndrome lost more weight during six months on a carbohydrate-restricted diet than on a calorie- and fat-restricted diet, with a relative improvement in insulin sensitivity and triglyceride levels, even after adjustment for the amount of weight lost. This finding should be interpreted with caution, given the small magnitude of overall and between-group differences in weight loss in these markedly obese subjects and the short duration of the study. Future studies evaluating long-term cardiovascular outcomes are needed before a carbohydrate-restricted diet can be endorsed.
Towards sophisticated learning from EHRs: Increasing prediction specificity and accuracy using clinically meaningful risk criteria

Computer based analysis of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) has the potential to provide major novel insights of benefit both to specific individuals in the context of personalized medicine, as well as on the level of population-wide health care and policy. The present paper introduces a novel algorithm that uses machine learning for the discovery of longitudinal patterns in the diagnoses of diseases. Two key technical novelties are introduced: one in the form of a novel learning paradigm which enables greater learning specificity, and another in the form of a risk driven identification of confounding diagnoses. We present a series of experiments which demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed techniques, and which reveal novel insights regarding the most promising future research directions.
Sustainability and future food security—A global perspective for livestock production

Grasslands are the predominant forage source for grazing animals and cover more of the Earth's land than any other major vegetation type. Their values are not always recognised, and conversion to other uses is continuing at a high rate leading to greater environmental and socio‐economic problems. Overgrazing is one of the main drivers of productivity decline of grasslands, reflecting the pressures from excessive human populations and a demand for food. Some 20% of the world's grasslands are in a severely degraded state; others have suffered shifts to less‐desirable species. Biodiversity and greenhouse gas production have also been particular concerns. Estimates of productivity change all show a decline over recent decades, yet animal numbers continue to increase, particularly in the developing world. This paper critically reviews the projected demands for livestock products, driven largely by human population growth; the current health of the world's grasslands and how current livestock systems that depend on land conversion and overexploitation of grassland are inappropriate and need to be improved. Central to this argument is that small holders in the developing world will be responsible for a large amount of the future red meat production, and this can be achieved through more efficient livestock production systems using lower stocking rates. The Australian sheep industry is provided as an example of how livestock production and reduced environmental impacts can be achieved with improved efficiency. Changes will require smallholders to transition to a competitive, market‐oriented livestock industry, which will provide challenges.