Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Grumbach syndrome in a male pediatric patient : A rare case report and literature review

Primary hypothyroidism usually leads to retardation of linear growth and delay or even arrest of puberty in juvenile patients. In rare cases, pediatric patients with hypothyroidism may present with signs of VanWyk-Grumbach's syndrome (VWGS), which includes juvenile hypothyroidism, delayed bone age and pseudoprecocious puberty. The present study reported on a rare case of VWGS and other complications, including obesity, short stature, hepatomegaly and pituitary hyperplasia. In addition, a comprehensive literature review was performed to illustrate the treatment and outcome of VWGS in pediatric patients. The present study contributed to the current knowledge regarding the diagnosis and treatment of VWGS in pediatric patients.
Environmentally-Active Consumers' Preferences for Zero-Emission Vehicles: Public Sector and Marketing Implications

ABSTRACT Certainly one of the most important public sector issues facing policy makers and marketers is that dealing with the marketing of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). A public policy-desirable and sometime mandated product, uncertain technology, and unknown demand in the marketplace continue to pose enormous public sector marketing questions in this area. The present study utilises diffusion theory to extend previous clean fuel vehicle research through an in-depth and very comprehensive investigation of environmentally active consumers' response to various public policy incentives, promotions and endorsements aimed at facilitating ZEV purchases, along with these consumers' knowledge and preference for ZEV configurations at a level of specificity not previously studied. Results show that enormous public policy problems exist in terms of the trade-offs that even environmentally active consumers are willing to make for a cleaner environment, though the provision of combinations of public sector incentives does influence share of preference. Implications and directions for public policy and for marketing action are given.
The mental representation of the magnitude of symbolic and nonsymbolic ratios in adults

This study mainly investigated the specificity of the processing of fraction magnitudes. Adults performed a magnitude-estimation task on fractions, the ratios of collections of dots, and the ratios of surface areas. Their performance on fractions was directly compared with that on nonsymbolic ratios. At odds with the hypothesis that the symbolic notation impedes the processing of the ratio magnitudes, the estimates were less variable and more accurate for fractions than for nonsymbolic ratios. This indicates that the symbolic notation activated a more precise mental representation than did the nonsymbolic ratios. This study also showed, for both fractions and the ratios of dot collections, that the larger the components the less precise the mental representation of the magnitude of the ratio. This effect suggests that the mental representation of the magnitude of the ratio was activated from the mental representation of the magnitude of the components and the processing of their numerical relation (indirect access). Finally, because most previous studies of fractions have used a numerical comparison task, we tested whether the mental representation of magnitude activated in the fraction-estimation task could also underlie performance in the fraction-comparison task. The subjective distance between the fractions to be compared was computed from the mean and the variability of the estimates. This distance was the best predictor of the time taken to compare the fractions, suggesting that the same approximate mental representation of the magnitude was activated in both tasks.
Planning of step-stress accelerated degradation test

Estimating the long term performance of highly reliable products has been a difficult problem as accelerated life testing (ALT), which involves testing at highly elevated stresses, often results in too few failures for drawing useful inferences. To overcome this problem, accelerated degradation testing (ADT) has been proposed as a means to predict performance for highly reliable products. It requires one to identify a performance measure that would exhibit degradation and to monitor it over time. Product reliability can then be inferred from the degradation paths without the need of observing actual failures. Although physical failures are not needed in ADT, one usually defines failure as the first time when the degradation process exceeds a pre-specified threshold, so that the degradation path can be correlated to product reliability. As a result, reliability information of a product is embedded in degradation paths of units tested under ADT. In this paper, we look into planning of an ADT in which the test stress is increased in steps from lower stress to higher stress during the test, so that specimens are gradually conditioned to the stressed environment thus avoiding over-stressing. Our objective is to minimize the cost of testing, which is a function of sample size, test duration and number of inspections, as well as obtaining a reliability estimate of a requisite level of precision. Data from degradation paths are used to characterize the appropriate stochastic model underlying the product degradation process. We then derive the maximum likelihood estimators and the mean life at the use stress and its asymptotic variance. This variance is then used as a constraint, in a test plan which minimizes the testing cost. The optimal test plan gives the optimal sample size, number of inspections at each intermediate stress level and number of total inspections.
Anatomical Pathology

The advent of mammographic screening and the detection of early breast carcinoma has necessitated a change in the approach to the handling of the surgical specimens generated by the screening programs. This study covers three years experience (1988-1991) in ghe pakhology department of s large teaching hospital associaked with a breast screening unig. In particular, the study looks ag the effect of: 1. Establishing a reporting protocol 2. Adopting the Egan practice of specimen handling in late 1989. This practice is recommended for several reasons: a) it allows the accurate assessment of surgical margins; b) ik is cost effective ~i~h fewer recurs; and c) it allows direcL radiological and pathological Correlation at ~he time of reporting. In Ehe first group of positive cases, frozen sections were often performed and "rapid paraffin" processing was carried out. In 16 of the 45 cases included in this study (35.6%), it was not possible to assess the margins of excision. Furthermore, the size of the lesion could not be assessed in 12 of the cases (26.7%). The final reports on the first 43 positive cases (Hay 1988 ko July 1989) ~ere compared with the nex~ 68 posikive cases (August 1989 Eo August 1991). The average blocks per case increased by 2 (11.6 --9.5). The accuracy of assessment of tumour size and margins of excision improved. THE USE OF IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF TISSUE FROM PURPORTED INTRAUTERINE PREGNANCIES Khong TY, Mott C, Stewart CJR, Chambers HM, Staples A. Department of Pathology, Queen Victoria Hospital, Rose Park, SA 5067.
Feature Selection and Hyperparameter Optimization of SVM for Human Activity Recognition

Activity recognition has received a lot of attention from research scholars in the past few years. There has been a huge demand for activity recognition because of its ability to ease human-machine interaction, help in care for the elderly, and monitor the habitat requirements of the wildlife. In this paper, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier to recognize the human activities has been built. Data was collected from the database provided by the University of Southern California (USC) for human activity recognition. Six features were computed to obtain the feature set. Different feature subsets were then evaluated based on the precision and recall scores. Using grid search algorithm, the best subset of hyperparameters (SVM kernel, regularization parameter(C) and γ) for the SVM classifier which gives the highest precision and recall score was selected from the parameter space. The best set of features and the SVM hyperparameters for obtaining best results in activity recognition are proposed in this work.
Low-cost realtime screen sharing to multiple clients

In this paper, we propose an efficient encoding solution for the screen-sharing applications with multiple clients connected. We first present a lightweight screen codec to compress the complicated screen content. Based on the architecture of the proposed codec, we propose a one-pass encoding algorithm for multiple bit-rates. The one-pass encoding algorithm enables the host to only involve in one-pass encoding process for multiple bitrates, and as a result the computation complexity of the host is decreased significantly. Specially, in the limited computing-resource case, the one-pass encoding algorithm can improve the screen-sharing performance by about 43%, in terms of framerates the clients can get. In addition, based on our codec, we propose a fast screen transcoding scheme for the data-center based screen-sharing applications.
Eating behaviour of male racing jockeys

Synopsis Jockeys based in racing stables in the Newmarket and Epsom areas of England were screened using the 26-item Eating Attitudes Test. The mean score of the EAT was 14·9, significantly above that reported for males in other studies. The response rate was poor, but 10 jockeys agreed to a full psychiatric and eating interview. The majority of jockeys interviewed reported food avoidance, the use of saunas, and the abuse of laxatives. Diuretics and appetite suppressants were also used. Bingeing was common, but self-induced vomiting was unusual. Current weights were 13% below, and the lowest reported weights 21% below, matched population mean weights. The relationship between these forms of eating behaviour and clinical eating disorders is discussed.
Thermally Compensated Discontinuous Modulation Strategy for Cascaded H-Bridge Converters

A widely adopted multilevel converter topology is the cascaded H-bridge (CHB), as it can provide voltage and power scalability. However, since the CHB converter can be composed by cells with different remaining lifetime, it could be useful to delay a fault of higher aged cells in order to prolong the entire converter's lifetime. In this paper, a thermally compensated discontinuous pulse width modulation (DPWM) strategy is proposed in order to reduce the thermal stress for power semiconductors in power modules of higher aged cells. Considering the thermal cycles as the most influencing cause of wear out of power modules, the proposed method compensates the thermal cycles under a varying power profile by manipulating the clamping angle of the DPWM. Moreover, the proposed method obtains a comparable total harmonic distortion performance to the phase-shifted carrier modulation.
The role of Pax-1 in axial skeleton development.

Previous studies have identified a single amino-acid substitution in the transcriptional regulator Pax-1 as the cause of the mouse skeletal mutant undulated (un). To evaluate the role of Pax-1 in the formation of the axial skeleton we have studied Pax-1 protein expression in early sclerotome cells and during subsequent embryonic development, and we have characterized the phenotype of three different Pax-1 mouse mutants, un, undulated-extensive (unex) and Undulated short-tail (Uns). In the Uns mutation the whole Pax-1 locus is deleted, resulting in the complete absence of Pax-1 protein in these mice. The other two genotypes are interpreted as hypomorphs. We conclude that Pax-1 is necessary for normal vertebral column formation along the entire axis, although the severity of the phenotype is strongest in the lumbar region and the tail. Pax-1-deficient mice lack vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs. The proximal part of the ribs and the rib homologues are also missing or severely malformed, whereas neural arches are nearly normal. Pax-1 is thus required for the development of the ventral parts of vertebrae. Embryonic analyses reveal that although sclerotomes are formed in mutant embryos, abnormalities can be detected from day 10.5 p.c. onwards. The phenotypic analyses also suggest that the notochord still influences vertebral body formation some days after the sclerotomes are formed. Furthermore, the notochord diameter is larger in mutant embryos from day 12 p.c. , due to increased cell proliferation. In the strongly affected genotypes the notochord persists as a rod-like structure and the nucleus pulposus is never properly formed. Since the notochord is Pax-1-negative these findings suggest a bidirectional interaction between notochord and paraxial mesoderm. The availability of these Pax-1 mutant alleles permitted us to define an early role for Pax-1 in sclerotome patterning as well as a late role in intervertebral disc development. Our observations suggest that Pax-1 function is required for essential steps in ventral sclerotome differentiation, i.e. for the transition from the mesenchymal stage to the onset of chondrogenesis.
Harmonic Balance-Based Approach for Quasi-Periodic Motions and Stability Analysis

Quasi-periodic motions and their stability are addressed from the point of view of different harmonic balance-based approaches. Two numerical methods are used: a generalized multidimensional version of harmonic balance and a modification of a classical solution by harmonic balance. The application to the case of a nonlinear response of a Duffing oscillator under a bi-periodic excitation has allowed a comparison of computational costs and stability evaluation results. The solutions issued from both methods are close to one another and time marching tests showing a good agreement with the harmonic balance results confirm these nonlinear responses. Besides the overall adequacy verification, the observation comparisons would underline the fact that while the 2D approach features better performance in resolution cost, the stability computation turns out to be of more interest to be conducted by the modified 1D approach.
Explaining Instant Messaging Continuance Intention: The Role of Personality

The Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality is widely used to predict cognitions, attitudes, and behaviors in management and psychological research. However, the FFM personality has seldom appeared in the information system (IS) research field. Devaraj, Easley, and Crant (2008) first introduced FFM into the context of IS acceptance. This study extends to the context of IS continuance. The proposed model is developed and empirically validated using data from a field survey in order to examine how individuals' personality traits influence their IS continuance intentions. The data were collected from a public university in China via an online survey. The findings support that user satisfaction and perceived usefulness are key to continuance intention of instant messaging use. The results also support that perceived enjoyment and perceived usefulness are positively associated with user satisfaction. Perceived enjoyment is the dominant variable affecting user satisfaction with technology use. Two personality traits of the Big Five factors (i.e., Conscientiousness and Extraversion) have direct effects on perceived enjoyment, whereas the other three (i.e., Openness to Experience, Neuroticism, and Agreeableness) have no direct effects. Our study provides an important basis for better understanding how individuals' personality characteristics influence their technology continuance.
Fecal DNA versus fecal occult blood for colorectal-cancer screening in an average-risk population.

BACKGROUND Although fecal occult-blood testing is the only available noninvasive screening method that reduces the risk of death from colorectal cancer, it has limited sensitivity. We compared an approach that identifies abnormal DNA in stool samples with the Hemoccult II fecal occult-blood test in average-risk, asymptomatic persons 50 years of age or older. METHODS Eligible subjects submitted one stool specimen for DNA analysis, underwent standard Hemoccult II testing, and then underwent colonoscopy. Of 5486 subjects enrolled, 4404 completed all aspects of the study. A subgroup of 2507 subjects was analyzed, including all those with a diagnosis of invasive adenocarcinoma or advanced adenoma plus randomly chosen subjects with no polyps or minor polyps. The fecal DNA panel consisted of 21 mutations. RESULTS The fecal DNA panel detected 16 of 31 invasive cancers, whereas Hemoccult II identified 4 of 31 (51.6 percent vs. 12.9 percent, P=0.003). The DNA panel detected 29 of 71 invasive cancers plus adenomas with high-grade dysplasia, whereas Hemoccult II identified 10 of 71 (40.8 percent vs. 14.1 percent, P<0.001). Among 418 subjects with advanced neoplasia (defined as a tubular adenoma at least 1 cm in diameter, a polyp with a villous histologic appearance, a polyp with high-grade dysplasia, or cancer), the DNA panel was positive in 76 (18.2 percent), whereas Hemoccult II was positive in 45 (10.8 percent). Specificity in subjects with negative findings on colonoscopy was 94.4 percent for the fecal DNA panel and 95.2 percent for Hemoccult II. CONCLUSIONS Although the majority of neoplastic lesions identified by colonoscopy were not detected by either noninvasive test, the multitarget analysis of fecal DNA detected a greater proportion of important colorectal neoplasia than did Hemoccult II without compromising specificity.
Growing Particle Swarm Optimizers for Multi-Objective Problems in Design of DC-AC Inverters

This letter studies application of the growing PSO to the design of DC-AC inverters. In this application, each particle corresponds to a set of circuit parameters and moves to solve a multi-objective problem of the total harmonic distortion and desired average power. The problem is described by the hybrid fitness consisting of analog objective function, criterion and digital logic. The PSO has growing structure and dynamic acceleration parameters. Performing basic numerical experiments, we have confirmed the algorithm efficiency.
New Insight into the Classical Macdonald Physical Optics Approximation

The physical optics approximation is widely used in analysis of antennas and scattering problems for electromagnetic and acoustic waves. The present paper investigates the nature of this classical approximation. It is shown that the scattered field in this approximation can be separated into two parts: the reflected field, containing all reflected rays and beams, and the shadow radiation, responsible for the Fresnel diffraction and the forward scattering. This observation elucidates the physics behind the fundamental diffraction law related to the total power scattered by large reflecting objects. It also clarifies the diffraction limit for reduction of scattering by absorbing materials.
Radioemission of the modulated electron beam injected into ionosphere along the geomagnetic field

This paper contains the calculation of the radioemission of semi-restricted thin modulated electron beam injected from the spacecraft board into the ionosphere plasma along the geomagnetic field. Radioemission appears due to the synchronism between the electric current wave of modulated beam and electromagnetic eigenmode of the anisotropic plasma. Radiation pattern for whistlers' frequencies is formed as a result of the interference between three independent modes with the same frequency and different wavelengths. Consequently, Pointing vector angular dependence is oscillatory at small angles. At larger angles, the radiation pattern has a sharp maximum near the resonant cone.
Lack of Thromboprophylaxis Across the Care Continuum in US Medical Patients

Abstract Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis is suboptimal, with many at-risk medical patients not receiving anticoagulants in hospital. Among those who receive anticoagulants in the hospital, thromboprophylaxis is frequently stopped at discharge despite persistent risk. Few studies have investigated prophylaxis use across the continuum of care. We analyzed anticoagulant use in medical patients in hospital and after discharge. Patient records (January 2005–December 2007) from medical patients with cancer, heart failure, severe lung disease, or infectious disease who were deemed at risk for VTE by the 2008 American College of Chest Physicians guidelines were included. Records were queried for inpatient and outpatient anticoagulant use by cross-matching data from the Premier Perspective™ discharge database with the i3/Ingenix LabRx outpatient and inpatient database. Of the 9675 medical patients identified, only 36.1% received inpatient anticoagulation (24.9% cancer patients, 30.1% infectious disease patients, 42.5% severe lung disease patients, and 56.3% heart failure patients). Of those who received in-hospital anticoagulants, most received enoxaparin (58.6%) followed by unfractionated heparin and other prophylactic agents. Only 1.8% of medical patients were prescribed anticoagulants within 30 days after discharge, ranging from 1.1% of patients with infectious disease to 4.8% of patients with heart failure. The majority of patients discharged who received outpatient anticoagulation filled prescriptions for warfarin, followed by enoxaparin plus warfarin. This real-world study demonstrates that only one-third of at-risk medical patients receive anticoagulants in hospital, with < 2% continuing to receive prophylaxis after discharge. Therefore, there is a need to improve the provision of thromboprophylaxis in the continuum of care for acutely ill medical patients.
Involvement of the renin‐angiotensin system in captopril‐induced sodium appetite in the rat.

The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, given to rats in their drinking water (about 40 mg/day) for 6 days caused an increase in intake of hypertonic NaCl solution which began 1‐2 days after the captopril was started and reached a plateau after 4‐5 days. Twice‐daily subcutaneous injections of captopril (15 mg per injection) elicited a sodium appetite similar in pattern to that seen with oral administration. The rats remained in sodium and fluid balance during oral captopril treatment and the haematocrit did not alter. Captopril infused directly into the ventricles (12 micrograms/h), or captopril reaching the brain from the periphery across a leaky blood‐brain barrier, suppressed the sodium appetite which normally follows oral captopril. Continuous intravenous infusion of captopril at rates high enough to block angiotensin converting enzyme in the brain (25, 50 or 500 mg/day) did not cause sodium appetite. As soon as the rate was reduced to a low value (5 mg/day), NaCl intake increased. In conclusion, moderate levels of circulating captopril which do not cross the blood‐brain barrier in sufficient amounts to block cerebral angiotensin converting enzyme, result in an increase in circulating angiotensin I which stimulates sodium appetite when it is converted to angiotension II in the brain.