Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of Cord Blood Levels of Lead, Arsenic, and Zinc and Home Environment with Children Neurodevelopment at 36 Months Living in Chitwan Valley, Nepal

Background Inconsistent results continue to be reported from studies linking low-level prenatal lead exposure and child development. Because of limited earlier epidemiological studies with birth cohort follow up design, it still remains inconclusive that either the associations of cord blood level of toxic, and essential elements, and postnatal raising environment on neurodevelopment of children remains constant throughout childhood or change over time. Aims This study aims to investigate the influence of in utero toxic [lead (Pb) and arsenic (As)] and essential elements [zinc (Zn)] levels on neurodevelopment of 36 months children in Chitwan valley, Nepal taking the postnatal environment into account. Study Designs and Subjects In this birth cohort study, participants (N=100 mother-infants’ pairs) were recruited in Chitwan district, Nepal. We measured Pb, As and Zn concentrations in cord blood. Postnatal raising environment (i.e., Home score or home environment hereafter) was evaluated using Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (HOME) scale. Neurodevelopment of children at 36 months of age (n=70) were assessed using Bayley Scale of Infant Development, Second Edition (BSID II). Multivariate regression was performed (n=70) to see the association of in utero toxic and essential elements level and home environment with neurodevelopment score adjusted for covariates. Results Cord blood levels of Pb, As and Zn were not associated with any BSID II cluster scores of 36 months children. The children with relatively superior HOME score and concurrent nutritional status (weight at 36 months) showed better cognitive development (i.e., MDI scores) and motor functions than their counterparts, respectively. Conclusion In this general population in Nepal, prenatal Pb, As and Zn levels are not important determinants of the neurodevelopment of 36- month-old children while a consistent beneficial effect of a stimulating home environment on neurodevelopmental indicators is continued.
Response of earth and rockfill dams to strong earthquakes including dam-foundation interaction effects

The response of earth and rockfill dams subjected to earthquakes depends upon many factors. the present knowledge about many of these factors is still limited even though research has been progressing for many years. The major factors which control the response are: i) The material properties of the dam, ii) The material properties of the foundation, iii ) The geometry of the dam and the foundation and i v ) the characteristics of the earthquake. In this thesis, the behaviour of a number of dams which have been subjected to earthquakes or forced vibrations are reviewed. Also, the behaviour of earth dam models tested on shake tables and the dynamic laboratory tests on samples of different materials are reviwed. this review shows that shear wave velocity, the ratio of compression to shear wave velocity (velocity ratio) and the damping factor of different materials are the representative material properties for use in analysis and design. From this review, also, some relationships and values for these parameters are proposed. The radiation damping which represents the energy loss through the non-rigid foundation is studied in this thesis, as well. A new radiating boundary condition is proposed and a numerical method developed with which a computer program for the two dimensional analysis (lumped mass) Qf earth and rockfill dams subjected to earthquakes is developed. This program uses a step by step time integration technique with parabolic variation Df acceleration. The newly developed boundary condition, numerical method and computer program are evaluated by subjecting the earth dam model to the known harmonic pulses. Then, a
Analysis of costs and benefits of the Gambian Eye Care Program.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the net benefit of the Gambian Eye Care Program (GECP) using a limited definition of benefits from a societal perspective. METHODS The number of cases of blindness avoided was modeled using population projections, population-based blindness survey estimates from 1986 and 1996, and reported blindness-related mortality differences. Benefits were measured as lifetime productivity gains that resulted from the cases of blindness avoided between the surveys. Costs included all contributions to GECP between the surveys. RESULTS In 1996, 1658 fewer individuals were blind than would have been without GECP. The present value of costs was 1.28 US million dollars (1995 dollars). Although the net benefit between the blindness surveys was negative, the net lifetime benefit was 1.01 US million dollars (1995 dollars), yielding an internal rate of return of 10%. In the primary sensitivity analysis, assuming similar benefits to Senegalese citizens, who accounted for 30% of patients, the internal rate of return was 19%. Upper bound sensitivity analyses result in internal rates of return higher than 20%. CONCLUSION In one sub-Saharan African country with avoidable blindness due to cataract and eye infections, the internal rate of return of a national eye care program was substantial when using a limited definition of benefit.
Realistic modeling for facial animation

A major unsolved problem in computer graphics is the construction and animation of realistic human facial models. Traditionally, facial models have been built painstakingly by manual digitization and animated by ad hoc parametrically controlled facial mesh deformations or kinematic approximation of muscle actions. Fortunately, animators are now able to digitize facial geometries through the use of scanning range sensors and animate them through the dynamic simulation of facial tissues and muscles. However, these techniques require considerable user input to construct facial models of individuals suitable for animation. In this paper, we present a methodology for automating this challenging task. Starting with a structured facial mesh, we develop algorithms that automatically construct functional models of the heads of human subjects from laser-scanned range and reflectance data. These algorithms automatically insert contractile muscles at anatomically correct positions within a dynamic skin model and root them in an estimated skull structure with a hinged jaw. They also synthesize functional eyes, eyelids, teeth, and a neck and fit them to the final model. The constructed face may be animated via muscle actuations. In this way, we create the most authentic and functional facial models of individuals available to date and demonstrate their use in facial animation.
An Evaluation of Exhaustive Testing for Data Structures

We present an evaluation of exhaustive testing of linked data structures with sophisticated structural constraints. Specifically, we use the Korat testing framework to systematically enumerate all legal inputs within a certain size. We then evaluate the quality of this test suite according to several measurements: ability to detect injected faults in the original correct implementations, code coverage, and specification coverage. Our results indicate that it is feasible to use exhaustive testing to obtain, within a reasonable amount of time, a high-quality test suite that can detect almost all faults and achieve complete code and specification coverage. Moreover, our results show that our exhaustive tests are of higher quality than randomly selected test suites that contain the same number of inputs selected from a larger potential input set. We conclude that exhaustive testing is a practical and effective testing methodology for sophisticated linked data structures.
The Taste of Typeface

Previous research has demonstrated that typefaces can convey meaning over-and-above the actual semantic content of whatever happens to be written. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that people match basic taste words (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter) to typefaces varying in their roundness versus angularity. In Experiment 1, the participants matched rounder typefaces with the word “sweet,” while matching more angular typefaces with the taste words “bitter,” “salty,” and “sour. ” Experiment 2 demonstrates that rounder typefaces are liked more and are judged easier to read than their more angular counterparts. We conclude that there is a strong relationship between roundness/angularity, ease of processing, and typeface liking, which in turn influences the correspondence between typeface and taste. These results are discussed in terms of the notion of affective crossmodal correspondences.
Infarcted Myocardium-Primed Dendritic Cells Improve Remodeling and Cardiac Function After Myocardial Infarction by Modulating the Regulatory T Cell and Macrophage Polarization

Background: Inflammatory responses play a critical role in left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tDCs) can modulate immune responses, inducing regulatory T cells in a number of inflammatory diseases. Methods: We generated tDCs by treating bone marrow–derived dendritic cells with tumor necrosis factor-&agr; and cardiac lysate from MI mice. We injected MI mice, induced by a ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in C57BL/6 mice, twice with tDCs within 24 hours and at 7 days after the ligation. Results: In vivo cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and ex vivo histology confirmed the beneficial effect on postinfarct left ventricular remodeling in MI mice treated with tDCs. Subcutaneously administered infarct lysate–primed tDCs near the inguinal lymph node migrated to the regional lymph node and induced infarct tissue–specific regulatory T-cell populations in the inguinal and mediastinal lymph nodes, spleen, and infarcted myocardium, indicating that a local injection of tDCs induces a systemic activation of MI-specific regulatory T cells. These events elicited an inflammatory-to-reparative macrophage shift. The altered immune environment in the infarcted heart resulted in a better wound remodeling, preserved left ventricular systolic function after myocardial tissue damage, and improved survival. Conclusions: This study showed that tDC therapy in a preclinical model of MI was potentially translatable into an antiremodeling therapy for ischemic tissue repair.
Role of MiR-126a-3p in Endothelial Injury in Endotoxic Mice

Objective:Sepsis poses a serious global health problem with an overall mortality rate of 30%, in which the vascular injury is a major contributor. The study is to determine the expression profile of micro-RNAs in endotoxic vascular walls and their potential roles in sepsis-related vascular injury. Design:Prospective randomized study. Setting:Laboratory investigation. Subjects:Male C57BL/6 mice, average weight 26.5 ± 1.8 g. Interventions:Endotoxemia was induced in mice via lipopolysaccharide injection (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) (Sigma, St. Louis, MO). The control mice were injected with the same amount of saline (500 &mgr;L, intraperitoneal). In a subgroup of mice, a high dose of lipopolysaccharide (30 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) was applied to induce endotoxin-related death. Measurements and Main Results:The mi-RNA expression profiles in aortas from lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxic mice were determined. The result demonstrated that some micro-RNAs were aberrantly expressed in endotoxic mouse arteries. Among them, the endothelial cell–enriched/endothelial cell–specific miR-126a-3p was significantly down-regulated in endotoxic mouse arteries, septic human vessels, as well as vascular endothelial cells isolated from endotoxic mice or treated with lipopolysaccharide. The down-regulation of miR-126a-3p occurred at transcriptional level via the decreased expression of Krüppel-like factor 2, which could be inhibited by Krüppel-like factor 2 over-expression via adenovirus expressing Krüppel-like factor 2. The down-regulation of miR-126a-3p in endothelial cells resulted in the increased apoptosis, and decreased proliferation and migration, which were inhibited by miR-126a-3p mimics. In vivo, over-expression of miR-126a-3p via lentivirus attenuated endotoxemia-induced injuries on endothelial function and vascular permeability. We found that SPRED1 and VCAM-1 were two direct target genes of miR-126a-3p related to miR-126a-3p–mediated effects in endotoxemia. Finally, the survival rate of endotoxic mice was significantly increased by the over-expression of miR-126a-3p. Conclusions:The results suggest that vascular micro-RNAs such as miR-126a-3p may represent novel mechanisms and new therapeutic targets for endotoxemia-induced vascular injury and endotoxic mortality.
Local-lag and timewarp: providing consistency for replicated continuous applications

In this paper, we investigate how consistency can be established for replicated applications changing their state in reaction to user-initiated operations as well as the passing of time. Typical examples of these applications are networked computer games and distributed virtual environments. We give a formal definition of the terms consistency and correctness for this application class. Based on these definitions, it is shown that an important tradeoff relationship exists between the responsiveness of the application and the appearance of short-term inconsistencies. We propose to exploit the knowledge of this tradeoff by voluntarily decreasing the responsiveness of the application in order to eliminate short-term inconsistencies. This concept is called local-lag. Furthermore, a timewarp scheme is presented that complements local-lag by guaranteeing consistency and correctness for replicated continuous applications. The computational complexity of the timewarp algorithm is determined in theory and practice by examining a simple networked computer game. The timewarp scheme is then compared to the well-known dead-reckoning approach. It is shown that the choice between both schemes is application-dependent.
Human β-cell Precursors Mature Into Functional Insulin-producing Cells in an Immunoisolation Device: Implications for Diabetes Cell Therapies

Background. Islet transplantation is limited by the need for chronic immunosuppression and the paucity of donor tissue. As new sources of human β-cells are developed (e.g., stem cell-derived tissue), transplanting them in a durable device could obviate the need for immunosuppression, while also protecting the patient from any risk of tumorigenicity. Here, we studied (1) the survival and function of encapsulated human β-cells and their progenitors and (2) the engraftment of encapsulated murine β-cells in allo- and autoimmune settings. Methods. Human islets and human fetal pancreatic islet-like cell clusters were encapsulated in polytetrafluorethylene devices (TheraCyte) and transplanted into immunodeficient mice. Graft survival and function was measured by immunohistochemistry, circulating human C-peptide levels, and blood glucose levels. Bioluminescent imaging was used to monitor encapsulated neonatal murine islets. Results. Encapsulated human islet-like cell clusters survived, replicated, and acquired a level of glucose responsive insulin secretion sufficient to ameliorate hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. Bioluminescent imaging of encapsulated murine neonatal islets revealed a dynamic process of cell death followed by regrowth, resulting in robust long-term allograft survival. Further, in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of type I diabetes, encapsulated primary β-cells ameliorated diabetes without stimulating a detectable T-cell response. Conclusions. We demonstrate for the first time that human β-cells function is compatible with encapsulation in a durable, immunoprotective device. Moreover, our study suggests that encapsulation of β-cells before terminal differentiation will be a successful approach for new cell-based therapies for diabetes, such as those derived from stem cells.
Reducing prescribing of highly anticholinergic antidepressants for elderly people: randomised trial of group versus individual academic detailing

Abstract Objective: To compare the effect of individual educational visits versus group visits using academic detailing to discuss prescribing of highly anticholinergic antidepressants in elderly people. Design: Randomised controlled trial with three arms (individual visits, group visits, and a control arm). Setting: Southwest Netherlands. Participants: 190 general practitioners and 37 pharmacists organised in 21 peer review groups were studied using a database covering all prescriptions to people covered by national health insurance in the area (about 240 000). Intervention: All general practitioners and pharmacists in both intervention arms were offered two educational visits. For physicians in groups randomised to the individual visit arm, 43 of 70 general practitioners participated; in the group visit intervention arm, five of seven groups (41 of 52 general practitioners) participated. Main outcome measures: Numbers of elderly people (60 years) with new prescriptions of highly anticholinergic antidepressants and less anticholinergic antidepressants. Results: An intention to treat analysis found a 26% reduction in the rate of starting highly anticholinergic antidepressants in elderly people (95% confidence interval —4% to 48%) in the individual intervention arm and 45% (8% to 67%) in the group intervention arm. The use of less anticholinergic antidepressants increased by 40% (6% to 83%) in the individual intervention arm and 29% (—7% to 79%) in the group intervention arm. Conclusions: Both the individual and the group visits decreased the use of highly anticholinergic antidepressants and increased the use of less anticholinergic antidepressant in elderly people. These approaches are practical means to improve prescribing by continuing medical education.
Morphology of Immobilized Skeletal Muscle and the Effects of a Pre- and Postimmobilization Training Program*

The hind limbs of mice were immobilized with plaster cast for different periods of time, and the atrophy of the anterior tibial muscle was examined by measuring fiber cross sections. In a second series of experiments, mice were trained on a treadmill before and after immobilization. The most pronounced decrease in fiber diameters was observed during the 1st week; during prolonged immobilization, only a moderate atrophy occurred. Red fibers were found to be more susceptible to immobilization atrophy than white fibers. The ultrastructural observations extended to loss and fragmentation of myofibrils, mitochondria, and the sarcotubular system. Some fibers split and appeared to undergo segmental necrosis, which was followed by invasion of leucocytes into the muscle. Still while immobilized, the muscles exhibited a regenerative capacity; satellite cells differentiated to myoblasts, which fused to myotubes, being the precursors of new muscle fibers. This was already observed during the 1st week of immobilization. The effect of training after immobilization was documented by an increase of fiber diameters. The ultrastructural alterations, however, in these muscles were severe; it was concluded that a postimmobilization training has to be undertaken very carefully. When the muscles were trained before immobilization, the atrophy was almost negligible. A preimmobilization training can probably prevent the muscle from developing severe atrophy.
M3IC: Maximum Margin Multiple Instance Clustering

Clustering, classification, and regression, are three major research topics in machine learning. So far, much work has been conducted in solving multiple instance classification and multiple instance regression problems, where supervised training patterns are given as bags and each bag consists of some instances. But the research on unsupervised multiple instance clustering is still limited. This paper formulates a novel Maximum Margin Multiple Instance Clustering (M3IC) problem for the multiple instance clustering task. To avoid solving a nonconvex optimization problem directly, M3IC is further relaxed, which enables an efficient optimization solution with a combination of Constrained Concave-Convex Procedure (CCCP) and the Cutting Plane method. Furthermore, this paper analyzes some important properties of the proposed method and the relationship between the proposed method and some other related ones. An extensive set of empirical results demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method against existing research for both effectiveness and efficiency.
Structurally delineating stromal interaction molecules as the endoplasmic reticulum calcium sensors and regulators of calcium release‐activated calcium entry

Summary: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen stores a crucial source of calcium (Ca2+) maintained orders of magnitude higher than the cytosol for the activation of a plethora of cellular responses transmitted in health and disease by a mutually efficient and communicative exchange of Ca2+ between compartments. A coordination of the Ca2+ signal is evident in the development of Ca2+ release‐activated Ca2+ (CRAC) entry, vital to lymphocyte activation and replenishing of the ER Ca2+ stores, where modest decreases in ER luminal Ca2+ induce sustained increases in cytosolic Ca2+ sourced from steadfast extracellular Ca2+ supplies. While protein sensors that transduce Ca2+ signals in the cytosol such as calmodulin are succinctly understood, comparative data on the ER luminal Ca2+ sensors is only recently coming to light with the discovery that stromal interaction molecules (STIMs) sense variations in ER stored Ca2+ levels in the functional regulation of plasma membrane Orai proteins, the major component of CRAC channel pores. Drawing from data on the role of STIMs in the modulation of CRAC entry, this review illustrates the structural features that delimit the functional characteristics of ER Ca2+ sensors relative to well known cytoplasmic Ca2+ sensors.