Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Children with Williams syndrome: Developmental trajectories for intellectual abilities, vocabulary abilities, and adaptive behavior

To examine longitudinal trajectories of intellectual abilities, single‐word vocabulary abilities, and adaptive behavior for 76 children with Williams syndrome (WS) aged 4–15 years, we compared their standard scores (SSs) at two time points approximately 3 years apart on the same standardized measures. At the group level, mean SS declined significantly for 8 of the 12 measures and showed a slight (nonsignificant) increase or decrease for 4 measures. However, for most measures significant changes in SS were found for only a small proportion of the children, with some children evidencing significant declines and a smaller proportion evidencing significant increases. Significant SS changes were most common for adaptive behavior. For all measures, the mean magnitude of SS change was smaller for older children (>7.5 years at Time 1) than for younger children (<7.5 years at Time 1). Furthermore, correlations between Time 1 and Time 2 SSs were larger for the older cohort than for the younger cohort, indicating that SS stability was greater for older children than for younger children. Although mean SSs declined for most measures, indicating that children with WS as a group were not making the expected amount of progress relative to their general population peers who earned the same SS at Time 1, there was little evidence either of regression (loss of skills) or stagnation (failure to increase raw scores). The relations of these results to those of previous smaller‐sample longitudinal studies of children with WS and the implications of the findings are considered. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Finding solutions through pattern languages

Considers how interest in patterns and pattern languages has been on the upswing, fueled by the realization among software developers that they must simplify the process of building increasingly large and complex systems. Patterns are forms for describing architectural constructs in a manner that emphasizes these constructs' potential for reuse. They provide a way to document and share design expertise in an application-independent fashion. As evidence of this growing interest, early in August more than 70 software practitioners gathered to discuss patterns and pattern languages at the first annual conference on Pattern Languages of Programs. <<ETX>>
Modeling and simulation of fluid interactions with bluff body for energy harvesting application

This paper presents the study of modeling and simulation of fluid flow and bluff-body interactions in different fluid velocity in order to investigate the vortex induced vibration phenomena for energy harvesting application. The Strouhal number for two bluff-bodies is analyzed to identify the right bluff-body for optimized cantilever based energy harvester design. From vibration based energy harvesting standpoint, it is important to predict the frequency of vibrations at various fluid speeds and thereby identify the desirable resonances between the vibrations of bluff body structure and the vortex shedding. This study employs the use of COMSOL-multiphysics computational fluid dynamics software using the fluid structure interaction module. A Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) in Matlab is performed on stationary bluff bodies lift force oscillation yielding the frequency of vortex shedding by taking the inverse of the difference between the time periods for each vortex pair. The main motive here is to seek a higher synchronized region of frequencies for the oscillation amplitudes for a range of fluid velocity and to calculate the lift and drag coefficients. The wake velocity profile is used to determine lift oscillation and calculate vortex shedding frequency for different Reynolds numbers. From two-dimensional, transient incompressible fluid flow simulation it is found that D-shaped bluff body has a comparatively higher lifting force than the cylinder-shape, suitable for optimized cantilever based energy harvester design in terms of a wide-range of lock-in.
Neuromuscular symptoms and dysfunction in subclinical hypothyroid patients: beneficial effect of L‐T4 replacement therapy

The presence of neuromuscular symptoms was ascertained by questionnaire in 33 consecutive patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (sHT) as compared to 44 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Blood was sampled for PTH, magnesium, phosphate, and total and ionized calcium determination. Patients reporting three or more symptoms were also studied by surface electromyography (sEMG). The study was repeated following a six‐month L‐T4 course.
Follow up of Patients with Head and Neck Cancers in Jos , North-Central Nigeria

Background: This study aims to evaluate pattern of follow up visits among patients treated for head and neck cancers in our region. Method: A sixty-five months retrospective cross-sectional study at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, North-central Nigeria. Results: Twenty-eight (24.3%) patients aged between 20 and 88 years (mean= 54 years) presented with histologically diagnosed head and neck cancers. Nineteen were males and 9 females (male to female ratio 2.1:1). Nine (32.1%) presented with laryngeal cancer, 8 (28.5%) patients with nasopharyngeal cancer. Others were oropharyngeal cancer= 4; 14.3%, ethmoidal sinus cancer= 1; 3.6%, parotid cancer= 1; 3.6% and nasomaxillary cancer= 5; 17.9%. Six (21.4%) patients attended follow up clinics following treatment. The duration of follow up ranged from 3 weeks to 23 months (mean= 11.5 months) during which 2 (7.1%) patients had recurrent tumors. There were no detected cervical lymph node recurrences. Conclusion: Adequate public health education on the prevention of cancer, early detection of symptoms, early presentation to hospitals, treatment, follows up and rehabilitation is pivotal in improving the overall outcome of HNC.
Managerial support for basic psychological needs, somatic symptom burden and work-related correlates: A self-determination theory perspective

Somatic symptom burden, or the experience of physical symptomatology without a medical explanation, is related to functional disability and poor quality of life. The consequences of somatic symptom burden extend beyond the individual and affect society, as manifested in higher medical utilization and lower job productivity. Using self-determination theory, we posited that employees' perceptions of managerial support for basic psychological needs may be associated with lower levels of somatic symptom burden among employees, in part because such contexts promote autonomous self-regulation (a type of motivation) at work. Also, we posited that somatic symptom burden among employees would explain some of the relations of managerial need support and autonomous self-regulation at work to indices of work-related functioning, namely emotional exhaustion, turnover intention and absenteeism. Results from 287 Norwegian employees confirmed these hypotheses. These findings not only identify a theoretical mechanism that may explain (in part) the origin of somatic symptoms, but also offer a model by which social-contextual and motivational factors affect important work-related outcomes. These findings also bespeak the importance of developing workplace interventions that provide support for satisfaction of the basic psychological needs.
POLYMORPHISMS IN TNFA AND IL10 GENE PROMOTERS AND RISK OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IN BULGARIAN POPULATION

PURPUSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of functional interleukin 10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor  (TNF-) promoter polymorphisms on the susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Bulgarian population. METHODS: Genotyping for -1082A/G IL10 (rs1800896) and 308G/A TNFA (rs1800629) polymorphisms were performed using allele specific PCR and restriction fragment length RLFP-PCR assays, respectively, in 135 RA patients and 179 healthy controls. RESULTS: No association between the rs1800629 polymorphisms and RA risk in Bulgarian was established. In contrast, an association between rs1800896 and susceptibility to RA was demonstrated. There was an increase of the IL10 -1082G allele (43% vs 36.3%, p=0.091) and a higher frequency of GG genotype (20% vs 12.8%; p =0.073) in cases versus controls. In logistic regression analysis the presence of high IL-10 producer genotype (-1082GG) was associated with 1.7 times higher risk of developing RA. When analyzing the influence of combined IL10/TNFA genotypes on RA appearance, we found that the carriage of both high cytokine producing genotypes of two polymorphisms (IL10 -1082GG and TNFA 308AA/GA, respectively) significantly increased the risk of developing RA with OR=4.95 (p=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Our result showed that IL10 rs1800896, but not TNFA rs1800629 gene polymorphism is associated with genetic predisposition to RA in Bulgarian population. However, IL10/TNFA interaction further influences RA susceptibility suggesting a genetic predisposition to abnormal immune regulation in this chronic inflammatory disorder.
Modified resonant frequency computation for tunable equilateral triangular microstrip patch

In this paper, a new closed form expression is developed to accurately estimate the resonant frequency of an equilateral triangular patch. The proposed computation is also extended to the two-layer structure in order to define the air-gap tuning effect on the resonant frequency. The theory established in this paper is compared with the experimental and theoretical results available in the literature. The results of this study show a considerable improvement achieved over the previous theories within very small percentage errors for almost all cases.
Renal syndromes associated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

NONSTEROIDAL antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have become an integral part of the therapy of rheumatologic disorders.1 The number of new agents available on the market has more than tripled in the past five to seven years,2 and several pharmaceutical companies have recently introduced more potent, longer-acting agents in expectation of a share of a predicted $1-billion market in 1984.3 NSAIDs are now the most widely prescribed of all drugs when grouped by generic categories, and this does not include aspirin, which is the most commonly used of all drugs and the prototype of NSAIDs.4 Data from the Arthritis Foundation indicate that .
Various pfcrt and pfmdr1 Genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum Cocirculate with P. malariae, P. ovale spp., and P. vivax in Northern Angola

ABSTRACT Artemisinin-based combination therapy for malaria has become widely available across Africa. Populations of Plasmodium falciparum that were previously dominated by chloroquine (CQ)-resistant genotypes are now under different drug selection pressures. P. malariae, P. ovale curtisi, and P. ovale wallikeri are sympatric with P. falciparum across the continent and are frequently present as coinfections. The prevalence of human Plasmodium species was determined by PCR using DNA from blood spots collected during a cross-sectional survey in northern Angola. P. falciparum was genotyped at resistance-associated loci in pfcrt and pfmdr1 by real-time PCR or by direct sequencing of amplicons. Of the 3,316 samples collected, 541 (16.3%) contained Plasmodium species infections; 477 (88.2%) of these were P. falciparum alone, 6.5% were P. falciparum and P. malariae together, and 1.1% were P. vivax alone. The majority of the remainder (3.7%) harbored P. ovale curtisi or P. ovale wallikeri alone or in combination with other species. Of 430 P. falciparum isolates genotyped for pfcrt, 61.6% carried the wild-type allele CVMNK at codons 72 to 76, either alone or in combination with the resistant allele CVIET. No other pfcrt allele was found. Wild-type alleles dominated at codons 86, 184, 1034, 1042, and 1246 of the pfmdr1 locus among the sequenced isolates. In contrast to previous studies, P. falciparum in the study area comprises an approximately equal mix of genotypes associated with CQ sensitivity and with CQ resistance, suggesting either lower drug pressure due to poor access to treatment in rural areas or a rapid impact of the policy change away from the use of standard monotherapies.
Social stigma towards neglected tropical diseases: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND People affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are frequently the target of social stigmatization. To date not much attention has been given to stigma in relation to NTDs. The objective of this review is to identify the extent of social stigma and the similarities and differences in the causes, manifestations, impact of stigma and interventions used between the NTDs. METHODS A systematic review was conducted in Pubmed, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO and Web of Knowledge. The search encompassed 17 NTDs, including podoconiosis, but not leprosy as this NTD has recently been reviewed. However, leprosy was included in the discussion. RESULTS The 52 selected articles provided evidence on stigma related to lymphatic filariasis (LF), podoconiosis, Buruli ulcer, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, trachoma, soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and human African trypanosomiasis. The similarities predominated in stigma related to the various NTDs; only minimal differences in stigma reasons and measures were found. CONCLUSION These similarities suggest that joint approaches to reduce stigmatization may be feasible. Lessons from leprosy and other stigmatized health conditions can be used to plan such joint approaches. Further research will be necessary to study the efficacy of joint interventions and to investigate stigma related to NTDs for which no evidence is available yet.
Calcium channel and glutamate receptor activities regulate actin organization in salamander retinal neurons

Intracellular Ca2+ regulates a variety of neuronal functions, including neurotransmitter release, protein phosphorylation, gene expression and synaptic plasticity. In a variety of cell types, including neurons, Ca2+ is involved in actin reorganization, resulting in either actin polymerization or depolymerization. Very little, however, is known about the relationship between Ca2+ and the actin cytoskeleton organization in retinal neurons. We studied the effect of high‐K+‐induced depolarization on F‐actin organization in salamander retina and found that Ca2+ influx through voltage‐gated L‐type channels causes F‐actin disruption, as assessed by 53 ± 5% (n= 23, P < 0.001) reduction in the intensity of staining with Alexa‐Fluor488‐phalloidin, a compound that permits visualization and quantification of polymerized actin. Calcium‐induced F‐actin depolymerization was attenuated in the presence of protein kinase C antagonists, chelerythrine or bis‐indolylmaleimide hydrochloride (GF 109203X). In addition, phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), but not 4α‐PMA, mimicked the effect of Ca2+ influx on F‐actin. Activation of ionotropic AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors also caused a reduction in F‐actin. No effect on F‐actin was exerted by caffeine or thapsigargin, agents that stimulate Ca2+ release from internal stores. In whole‐cell recording from a slice preparation, light‐evoked ‘off’ but not ‘on’ EPSCs in ‘on–off’ ganglion cells were reduced by 60 ± 8% (n= 8, P < 0.01) by cytochalasin D. These data suggest that elevation of intracellular Ca2+ during excitatory synaptic activity initiates a cascade for activity‐dependent actin remodelling, which in turn may serve as a feedback mechanism to attenuate excitotoxic Ca2+ accumulation induced by synaptic depolarization.
Dissipation and Mobility of Permethrin in the Field with Repeated Applications Under Tropical Conditions

Studies on persistence, mobility and the effect of repeated application of permethrin on its half‐life were carried out under field conditions. The half‐life of permethrin in the top 20 cm of the soil increased from 11.5 to 23.6 days as the application rates increased from 35 to 140 g ha− 1. Induced by heavier rainfall, more residues moved downward in trial 2 than in trial 1. Repeated applications enhanced degradation rates and mobility of permethrin in the soil. The residue level in the 0–5‐cm layer was reduced at day 28 after 17 consecutive applications to a level lower than after 5 applications. The half‐life of permethrin was reduced from 15.9 days to 11.2 days after 5 and 17 applications, respectively. The residue reached the 15–20 cm layer much earlier (approximately 3 days after treatment) in soil that received 17 applications as compared to those with two applications.
Oyster food supply in Delaware Bay: Estimation from a hydrodynamic model and interaction with the oyster population

To evaluate oyster food supply, water samples were collected at fifteen sites in Delaware Bay nearmonthly in 2009 and 2010. Food was estimated as the sum of particulate protein, labile carbohydrate, and lipid. Delaware Bay shows a typical spring bloom, centered in March and April, with declining food supply thereafter into early fall, followed sporadically by a minor fall bloom. The geographic and temporal structure of food was more predictable in summer to early fall, and considerably less predictable in spring. Five variables each based on temperature and the spatial and temporal variability of temperature were significant contributors to a multiple regression (R2 = 0.28). Cluster analysis on residuals identified two large groups of sites, one comprising most sites on the eastern side of the bay including all of the sites on the New Jersey oyster beds downestuary of the uppermost beds and one including most of the sites along the central channel and waters west. Food values over the New Jersey oyster beds were often depressed by as much as 50% relative to the bay-wide mean. Food values did not follow an upestuary-downestuary trend anticipated from the salinity gradient. Rather, the differential was cross-bay and was distinctive throughout the estuarine salinity gradient, thus explaining the lack of significance of any salinity-related variable in the multiple regression. The consequence is that food supply cannot be sufficiently predicted or modeled based on observed environmental variables or those predicted from a hydrodynamic model. The cross-bay differential cannot be extracted from such datasets. The oyster reefs of Delaware Bay are dominantly sited on the New Jersey side, where food supply was most depressed and where passive particle residence times were longest. While not conclusive, this dataset suggests that oysters can influence food values on the New Jersey side of the bay at present biomass, and this would explain the cross-bay gradient in food values as an outcome of oyster feeding. 1. Rutgers University, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences and The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, Port Norris, New Jersey, 08349, U.S.A. 2. Corresponding author. email: eric@hsrl.rutgers. edu 3. Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Wilmington, Delaware, 19801, U.S.A. 4. Patrick Center for Environmental Science, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, U.S.A. 5. Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, U.S.A.
Pain Intensity and Blood Pressure Reactions During a Cold Pressor Test in IDDM Patients

OBJECTIVE To determine the contribution of altered pain perception to the impaired blood pressure reactions during a cold pressor test in diabetic patients. Reduced blood pressure increases have been observed in diabetic patients during a cold pressor test and have been attributed to an impaired efferent sympathetic function. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We investigated pain intensities and blood pressure reactions simultaneously during a cold pressor test in 30 IDDM patients (diabetes duration 12 ± 6 years, HbA1c 7.5 ± 1.4%) and in 30 normal control subjects with comparable sex distribution, age, height, BMI, physical fitness, and smoking habits. RESULTS Initial pain intensities and respective time courses did not differ between the two groups. The initial blood pressure response was significantly smaller in diabetic patients (P < 0.002). Correlations of diastolic blood pressure increases in diabetic patients with initial pain intensity, standard cardiovascular reflex tests, age, clock time, smoking habits, disease duration, and actual blood glucose concentrations did not reach statistical significance. Pain intensity and diastolic blood pressure increases, however, were correlated to HbA1c concentrations in diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS Impaired pain perception is not the cause of the impaired reactions of blood pressure in diabetic patients during the cold pressor test, leaving very early deterioration of either cerebral processing of pain stimuli, cardiac function, efferent sympathetic nerves, or decreased vascular reactivity as possible explanations.
Psychophysical modulation of fringe visibility in a distant double-slit optical system

To investigate von Neumann’s proposal that an “extra-physical process” is involved in the measurement of a quantum system, an online experiment was conducted using a double-slit optical system. In a counterbalanced fashion, participants focused their attention toward or away from a feedback signal linked in real-time to the double-slit component of an interference pattern. A line camera continuously recorded the interference pattern at 4 Hz, and for each camera image fringe visibility was determined for the central 20 fringes. During 2013 and 2014, a total of 1,479 people from 77 countries contributed 2,985 test sessions. Over the same period 5,738 sessions were run as controls by a computer programmed to simulate human participants. The results showed that with human observers the fringe visibility at the center of the interference pattern deviated from a null effect by 5.72 sigma (p = 1.05×10), with the direction of the deviation conforming to the observers’ intentions. The same analysis applied to the control data resulted in an overall deviation of -0.17 sigma. After consideration of alternative explanations, these results were found to support von Neumann’s conclusion that the mind of the observer is an inextricable part of the measurement process. This type of experiment offers a means of empirically resolving longstanding questions about the role of consciousness in the physical world. Resume: Pour examiner si le concept de von Neumann en mecanique quantique d'une interaction de nature « non-physique » est mieux interpretee comme une forme passive d'observation ou comme une influence active, une experience a ete menee sur Internet en utilisant un systeme optique a double fente. Dans un protocole contrebalance, les participants ont concentre ou non leurs attentions sur un signal representant en temps reel le niveau d’interference du systeme de double fente. Une camera enregistrait en continu le motif d'interference a 4 Hz, et pour chaque image, la visibilite d’interference des 20 franges d’interference centrales a ete calculee. Au cours des annees 2013 et 2014, 1479 personnes en provenance de 77 pays ont contribue 2985 sessions. Au cours de la meme periode 5738 sessions controles ont ete enregistrees par un ordinateur qui simulait un participant humain. Les resultats ont montre que la visibilite d'interference pendant les periodes de concentration