Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth hormone status in six children with fetal alcohol syndrome

Objective:Prenatal alcohol exposure may cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is associated with pre‐ and postnatal growth retardation. Materials and methods: Spontaneous 24‐h growth hormone (GH) secretion was measured in six prepubertal short children with FAS (two boys and four girls) aged 4‐14 years. The response to a GH stimulation test, and levels of insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐1) and IGF‐binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) were also measured. Comparisons were made between the children with FAS and healthy children of both normal and short stature, as well as children born small for gestational age (SGA). Results: There were no differences in the mean area under the curve above the baseline or the maximum level of GH during a 24‐h period (GHmax) between the children with FAS and the reference groups. However, the estimated rate of spontaneous 24‐h GH secretion in children with FAS was similar to that of children born SGA, but lower than in children of normal stature (p= 0.02). The plasma concentrations of IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 were in the lower parts of the normal range. Conclusion: We conclude that GH secretion in short children with FAS is similar to that in short children born SGA; that is, in the lower range of normal children.
Language Model Data Augmentation for Keyword Spotting in Low-Resourced Training Conditions

This research extends our earlier work on using machine translation (MT) and word-based recurrent neural networks to augment language model training data for keyword search in conversational Cantonese speech. MT-based data augmentation is applied to two language pairs: English-Lithuanian and English-Amharic. Using filtered N-best MT hypotheses for language modeling is found to perform better than just using the 1best translation. Target language texts collected from the Web and filtered to select conversational-like data are used in several manners. In addition to using Web data for training the language model of the speech recognizer, we further investigate using this data to improve the language model and phrase table of the MT system to get better translations of the English data. Finally, generating text data with a character-based recurrent neural network is investigated. This approach allows new word forms to be produced, providing a way to reduce the out-of-vocabulary rate and thereby improve keyword spotting performance. We study how these different methods of language model data augmentation impact speech-to-text and keyword spotting performance for the Lithuanian and Amharic languages. The best results are obtained by combining all of the explored methods.
On the derivation of a spatially distributed aerosol climatology for its incorporation in a radiometric Landsat pre-processing framework

We developed a spatio-temporal path reflectance climatology for use in atmospheric corrections for a Landsat pre-processing framework. The climatology is intended as a fallback strategy for aerosol estimation in bright Southern African savannah ecosystems where the rarity of dark objects decreases the applicability of common image-based aerosol estimation strategies and the widespread burning prohibits the use of a fixed aerosol loading. We predicted the climatological path reflectance surface by applying a multivariate regression model to all available path reflectance retrievals on basis of the geolocation and the days of the year on which the data were acquired. The resulting predictions are able to successfully model major spatio-temporal gradients of the path reflectance distribution. The prediction error (weighted root mean squared Error at 0.483 µm) was less than 1% reflectance while the prediction itself varied by 4.6% reflectance. Thus, using the modelled climatology for atmospheric correction is favourable compared to a fixed aerosol content.
PERMUTATION CAPACITIES OF FAMILIES OF ORIENTED

Körner and Malvenuto asked whether one can find ( n n/2 ) linear orderings (i.e., permutations) of the first n natural numbers such that any pair of them places two consecutive integers somewhere in the same position. This led to the notion of graph-different permutations. We extend this concept to directed graphs, focusing on orientations of the semi-infinite path whose edges connect consecutive natural numbers. Our main result shows that the maximum number of permutations satisfying all the pairwise conditions associated with all of the various orientations of this path is exponentially smaller, for any single orientation, than the maximum number of those permutations which satisfy the corresponding pairwise relationship. This is in sharp contrast to a result of Gargano, Körner, and Vaccaro concerning the analogous notion of Sperner capacity of families of finite graphs. We improve the exponential lower bound for the original problem and list a number of open questions.
Combinatorial Approaches to Accurate Identification of Orthologous Genes

The accurate identification of orthologous genes across different species is a critical and challenging problem in comparative genomics and has a wide spectrum of biological applications including gene function inference, evolutionary studies and systems biology. During the past several years, many methods have been proposed for ortholog assignment based on sequence similarity, phylogenetic approaches, synteny information, and genome rearrangement. Although these methods share many commonly assigned orthologs, each method tends to produce an ortholog assignment significantly different from the others.In this dissertation, we study the problem of assigning orthologous genes among closely related genomes on a genome scale. We first give a brief review of the existing methods for ortholog assignment in the literature, followed by a comprehensive comparison of each method. We then propose a new combinatorial approach for assigning ortholog pairs between a pair of closely related genomes by addressing the limitations of the existing methods. Our approach is based on the parsimony principle to transform one genome to another by minimizing the number of genome rearrangement events, including reversal, transposition, fusion, fission and gene duplications. By explicitly incorporating tandem gene duplication model and combining phylogenetic approaches, we develop an improved system MSOAR 2.0. Our experimental results on both simulated data and real data show that MSOAR 2.0 achieves the highest overall prediction accuracy among different programs in comparison.Based on pairwise genome comparison results, we extend our ortholog assignment method to multiple genome comparison and develop a new system MultiMSOAR 2.0 to identify ortholog groups among multiple genomes. In MultiMSOAR 2.0, pairwise orthology information produced by MSOAR 2.0 is used to construct multipartite graphs for each gene family. In order to partition each gene family into a set of disjoint sets of orthologous genes, a multidimensional matching problem is formulated and a heuristic maximum weight matching algorithm is proposed. The partition results are then used to label the species tree. Considering some biological constraints, we formulate the tree labeling problem in the combinatorial optimization framework and develop two dynamic programming algorithms to solve the problem. Our experimental results show that MultiMSOAR 2.0 achieves much higher prediction accuracy than the existing ortholog assignment systems for multiple genomes. Moreover, MultiMSOAR 2.0 also provides information about gene births, duplications and losses in evolution, which may be of independent biological interest.
CD4+ T-cell-guided structured treatment interruptions of antiretroviral therapy in HIV disease: Projecting beyond clinical trials

Background International trials have shown that CD4+ T-cell-guided structured treatment interruptions (STI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) lead to worse outcomes than continuous treatment. We simulated continuous ART and STI strategies with higher CD4+ T-cell interruption/reintroduction thresholds than those assessed in actual trials. Methods Using a model of HIV, we simulated cohorts of African adults with different baseline CD4+ T-cell counts (≤200; 201-350; and 351-500 cells/μl). We varied ART initiation criteria (immediate; CD4+ T-cell count <350 cells/μl or ≥350 cells/μl with severe HIV-related disease; and CD4+ T-cell count <200 cells/μl or ≥200 cells/μl with severe HIV- related disease), and ART interruption/reintroduction thresholds (350/250; 500/350; and 700/500 cells/μl). First-line therapy was non- nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based and second-line therapy was protease inhibitor (PI)-based. Results STI generally reduced life expectancy compared with continuous ART. Life expectancy increased with earlier ART initiation and higher interruption/reintroduction thresholds. STI reduced life expectancy by 48–69 and 11–30 months compared with continuous ART when interruption/reintroduction thresholds were 350/250 and 500/350 cells/μl, depending on ART initiation criteria. When patients interrupted/reintroduced ART at 700/500 cells/μl, life expectancies ranged from 2 months lower to 1 month higher than continuous ART. STI-related life expectancy increased with decreased risk of virological resistance after ART interruptions. Conclusions STI with NNRTI-based regimens was almost always less effective than continuous treatment, regardless of interruption/reintroduction thresholds. The risks associated with STI decrease only if patients start ART earlier, interrupt/reintroduce treatment at very high CD4+ T-cell thresholds (700/500 cells/μl) and use first-line medications with higher resistance barriers, such as PIs.
A 2.4µW Wake-up Receiver for wireless sensor nodes with −71dBm sensitivity

This paper presents a complete ultra-low power receiver with direct down conversion architecture. It is designed as Wake-up Receiver for wireless sensor nodes. The 130nm CMOS chip includes envelope detector, low noise baseband amplifier, PGA, mixed-signal correlation unit and auxiliaries for stand-alone operation. At 868MHz, a receiver sensitivity of −71dBm is achieved with total power consumption of 2. 4µW at 1.0V supply by means of baseband correlation over 7ms with 64 bit pattern, 99% detection probability and a false wake-up rate of 10−3/s.
“Belsenitis”: Liberating Belsen, Its Hospitals, UNRRA, and Selection for Re-emigration, 1945–1948

Argument The liberation of the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen has remained controversial with opinion divided over whether the British military and subsequently the British zonal administration responded adequately to the plight of survivors. This paper reconsiders the evidence on health conditions at Bergen-Belsen. At first the British underestimated the incidence of typhus and the delay in taking effective measures caused the death rate to remain high. In the longer term, measures for psychotic, old, and infirm DPs were inadequate as criteria that favored the fit and able-bodied were applied when selecting migrants.
Rotation Forcing of Tectonics and Climate

Contrary to predictions of the tidal torque model, length of day (LOD) decreases over a series of fluctuations since 1960s at least. The so far deepest LOD depression of 1997 – 2010 corresponds to the most prominent rises of total seismic activity and global mean temperatures. A conspicuously flat interval of the LOD curve uniformly at or slightly below –0.1 ms level in 2001 – 2005 roughly coincides with the similarly flattened high plateaus of total seismicity (2002 – 2008) and temperature anomalies (2002 – 2007), indicating causal relationships. Pearson correlation coefficients about –0.5 (p ≈ 0.03) for both LOD/earthquake frequencies and LOD/temperature anomalies are raised to –0.76 (p = 0.002) and –0.71 (p = 0.001) respectively on supposition of about two year lag between rotation forcing and the maximal geophysical effects. Non-random earthquake frequency distribution between the geoid rises and depressions is clear evidence of rotation forcing, with about 60% significant earthquakes over the highest equatorial Papua – Solomon Islands rise. The world largest ophiolite massive in the central part of the rise marks the area of mantle upheaval, coinciding with the ‘critical Nino3.4 region’ of operational WMO definitions. El Nino years prevail over the high plateau of temperature dynamics. These observations are meaningful in respect to the model of rotational forcing at the base of concerted global change. The mass/angular momentum transfer with magmatic activity is seen as a stabilizing feedback, with a lag about 2.5 years preliminarily inferred from a case study of El Nino /Mount Etna eruption dynamics.
Natural History of Scoliosis in Congenital Heart Disease

We defined the natural history of scoliosis in congenital heart disease (CHD) with respect to the risk of progression and indications for treatment. We reviewed radiographs of 48 children with CHD and scoliosis. Thirty-seven had developmental scoliosis (77%), and 11 (23%) had congenital scoliosis. Children with congenital scoliosis can be managed in the same way as children without CHD. Developmental curves < 30° in children aged > 10 years showed no progression. Developmental curves > 30° with onset in children aged < 10 years and progression > 9° per year require treatment.
Constructing and analyzing a 32-years climate data record of remotely sensed soil moisture

Satellite observations from active and passive microwave sensors have been successfully used to infer the status of soil water at a global scale. The individual instruments that can be used for this purpose cover a period of more than 30 years. Combining the separate missions into a single homogenized dataset would provide a unique opportunity to study the dynamics of soil moisture over space and time. This study presents a recently developed method for combining global soil moisture datasets with different specifications into a merged data record. The approach profits from the advantages of the various products and retrieval techniques while explicitly addressing the uncertainties related to vegetation density. Initially, products from two active and four passive microwave mission were combined. The merged dataset was analyzed with respect to trends and connects with various climate modes.
The Other God: Dualist Religions from Antiquity to the Cathar Heresy

Among the most intricate historical and religious mysteries of medieval Europe are those posed by the "Great Heresy" - the sudden rise and spread of medieval dualism, the belief that cosmos and man are constant battlegrounds between the forces of good and evil and their supernatural protagonists. This book offers a comprehensive history of religious dualism, from its early expressions in late Egyptian religion and the revelations of Zoroaster through the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Mithraic Mysteries, and the Great Gnostic teachers to its revival in medieval Europe and the suppression of the Bogomils and Cathars who were seen as heirs to that ancient rival of Christianity, Manichaeism. Exploring crucial stages in the history of Christian dualist heresy, Yuri Stoyanov illuminates a variety of religious and political undercurrents that lie beneath the surface of recorded history.
Cortical Button Versus Cross-pin Femoral Fixation for Hamstring Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Incidences of graft rupture are associated with postoperative knee laxity after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Reports of postoperative knee laxity after ACL reconstruction using different femoral fixation techniques in several studies are controversial. Purpose: To compare, via meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the clinical outcomes and postoperative knee laxity of autogenous hamstring ACL reconstruction using cortical button versus cross-pin femoral fixation. Study Design: Meta-analysis. Methods: This study followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The online PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched from inception to April 1, 2017. The study included only level 1 or 2 RCTs that compared cortical button and cross-pin femoral fixation for ACL reconstruction with hamstring autografts and that reported clinical outcomes or postoperative knee laxity. The Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias for all included studies. For the meta-analysis, the investigators extracted data on clinical outcomes measured by postoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score or Lysholm score and postoperative knee laxity defined as >5 mm side-to-side difference by the arthrometric measurement, Lachman test ≥2+, and pivot-shift test ≥2+. The risk ratio (RR) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed for dichotomous data. Heterogeneity was assessed by I 2 tests. Results: A total of 6 RCTs with 445 patients were included. Statistical analysis of pooled data showed no significant difference between the cortical button and cross-pin groups on postoperative IKDC score (RR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.88-1.02; P = .13; I 2 = 4%) and Lysholm score (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.91-1.04; P = .45; I 2 = 0%). Postoperative knee laxity was reported in 5 studies, and no significant difference was found between the 2 groups (RR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.83-2.68; P = .18; I 2 = 37%). Conclusion: Cortical button femoral fixation for autogenous hamstring ACL reconstruction had no significant difference in terms of clinical outcomes and postoperative knee laxity compared with cross-pin femoral fixation.
Leakage pathway of different nano-restorative materials in class V cavities prepared by Er:YAG laser and bur preparation.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the microleakage of different nano-restorative materials in Class V cavities prepared by Er:YAG laser and bur preparation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Class V cavities were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of 72 premolars by Er:YAG laser or bur. The occlusal margins were in enamel and the cervical margins were in cementum. Teeth were randomly assigned to six groups of 12 teeth (n = 24 cavities) each as follows: Group 1, Er:YAG laser preparation (E)+Ketac N100 (K); Group 2, bur preparation (B)+K; Group 3, E+Adper Prompt L-Pop (A)+Filtek Supreme XT Flow (FSF); Group 4, B+A+FSF; Group 5, E+A+Filtek Supreme XT (FS); Group 6, B+A+FS. All teeth were thermocycled 500 times. Ten teeth from each group were chosen for the microleakage investigation and two teeth for the scanning electron microscope evaluation. Teeth prepared for the microleakage test were immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsin dye for 24 h. Afterwards, the teeth were sectioned and observed under a stereomicroscope for dye penetration. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests (p < 0.05). RESULTS There were significant differences between occlusal and cervical regions for all groups (p < 0.05) except for Group 1. Bur-prepared cavities showed less microleakage in all groups for enamel (p < 0.05); however, in cementum there were no significant differences between the bur- and laser-prepared cavities in nano-glass ionomer and flowable composite groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION It may be concluded that the cavities prepared by Er:YAG laser showed higher degree of microleakage than those conventionally prepared by bur, regardless of the restorative material at enamel margins.
Solar UV Radiation and Cancer in Young Children

Background: Studies have shown that higher solar UV radiation exposure (UVR) may be related to lower risk of some cancers in adults. Recently, an ecologic study reported lower risks of some cancers among children living in higher UVR cities and countries. In a large population-based case–control study in California, we tested the hypothesis that childhood cancers may be influenced by UVR. Methods: Cancers in children ages 0 to 5 years were identified from California Cancer Registry records for 1988 to 2007 and linked to birth certificate data. Controls were sampled from the birth certificates at a ratio of 20:1. Based on birth address, we assigned UVR exposure in units of Watt-hours/m2 using a geostatistical exposure model developed with data from the National Solar Radiation Database. Results: For cases with UVR exposure of 5,111 Watt-hours/m2 or above, we estimated a reduction in odds of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81–0.99), hepatoblastoma (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.48–1.00), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (OR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.50–1.02) adjusting for mother's age, mother's race, and child's year of birth. We also observed a small increase in odds for intracranial/intraspinal embryonal tumors (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.01–1.65). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that UVR during pregnancy may decrease the odds of some childhood cancers. Future studies should explore additional factors that may be correlated with UVR exposure and possibly include biomarkers of immune function and vitamin D. Impact: This study shows protective associations of UVR with some childhood cancers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(6); 1118–28. ©2013 AACR.
Partial and charge structure fonctions of monodisperse DNA fragments in salt free aqueous solution

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Partial and charge structure fonctions of monodisperse DNA fragments in salt free aqueous solution J.R. C. Van Der Maarel, L. Groot, M. Mandel, W. Jesse, G. Jannink, V. Rodriguez
The Boston residential NO2 characterization study: I. Preliminary evaluation of the survey methodology.

In conjunction with a large, population-based study of exposures to nitrogen dioxide, a pilot study was performed to evaluate methodological and logistical protocols. Survey research techniques have been applied to the collection of indoor air pollution data in an effort to produce a sample which represents the total population of the Boston Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA). Essential sample sizes and the methods used to calculate them are discussed. The results of the pilot study are presented with analysis geared toward evaluating the efficiency of the survey methodology. The results suggest that survey research techniques can be applied to assessment of environmental exposures in general and, specifically, to the characterization of concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in housing units in urban and suburban regions. The results further suggest that an acceptance rate of approximately 60-70 percent can be expected in a survey of this type requiring monitoring protocols within occupied housing units. Additionally, this work suggests area clustering as a logistically efficient method of selecting sampling locations.