Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Retrospective Analysis of the Fake News Challenge Stance-Detection Task

The 2017 Fake News Challenge Stage 1 (FNC-1) shared task addressed a stance classification task as a crucial first step towards detecting fake news. To date, there is no in-depth analysis paper to critically discuss FNC-1’s experimental setup, reproduce the results, and draw conclusions for next-generation stance classification methods. In this paper, we provide such an in-depth analysis for the three top-performing systems. We first find that FNC-1’s proposed evaluation metric favors the majority class, which can be easily classified, and thus overestimates the true discriminative power of the methods. Therefore, we propose a new F1-based metric yielding a changed system ranking. Next, we compare the features and architectures used, which leads to a novel feature-rich stacked LSTM model that performs on par with the best systems, but is superior in predicting minority classes. To understand the methods’ ability to generalize, we derive a new dataset and perform both in-domain and cross-domain experiments. Our qualitative and quantitative study helps interpreting the original FNC-1 scores and understand which features help improving performance and why. Our new dataset and all source code used during the reproduction study are publicly available for future research.
Medical and psychosocial needs of the Puerto Rican people after Hurricane Maria

ABSTRACT A community clinic in Puerto Rico, the Bantiox Clinic, was developed to serve the medical needs of Toa Baja and the surrounding communities after Hurricanes Irma and Maria in response to an urgent need for medical treatment of the community residents. Within 4 months, the clinic had 4941 total visits. The Toa Baja residents used the clinic more than the offsite residents. Certain offsite towns needed medical care more than others, suggesting a lack of medical access in the mountainous areas. Elderly patients with chronic diseases were served more than younger patients. Hypertension, diabetes, and medication refills appeared to be the primary reasons for treatment. The suicide rate increased 16% from 2016. The unemployment rate and the migration rate in all occupations have continued to increase after Hurricane Maria. Puerto Rico is a human laboratory that shows the medical needs of an island after devastating climate events and provides insight on ways to better prepare for such emergencies.
Vacuum Landscaping: Cause of Nonlocal Influences without Signaling

In the quest for an understanding of nonlocality with respect to an appropriate ontology, we propose a “cosmological solution”. We assume that from the beginning of the universe each point in space has been the location of a scalar field representing a zero-point vacuum energy that nonlocally vibrates at a vast range of different frequencies across the whole universe. A quantum, then, is a nonequilibrium steady state in the form of a “bouncer” coupled resonantly to one of those (particle type dependent) frequencies, in remote analogy to the bouncing oil drops on an oscillating oil bath as in Couder’s experiments. A major difference to the latter analogy is given by the nonlocal nature of the vacuum oscillations. We show with the examples of double- and n-slit interference that the assumed nonlocality of the distribution functions alone suffices to derive the de Broglie–Bohm guiding equation for N particles with otherwise purely classical means. In our model, no influences from configuration space are required, as everything can be described in 3-space. Importantly, the setting up of an experimental arrangement limits and shapes the forward and osmotic contributions and is described as vacuum landscaping.
Milk Powder Added to a School Meal Increases Cognitive Test Scores in Ghanaian Children.

Background The inclusion of milk in school feeding is accepted as good nutritional practice, but specific benefits remain uncertain. Objective The objective was to determine whether consumption of 8.8 g milk protein/d given as milk powder with a multiple micronutrient-enriched porridge resulted in greater increases in linear growth and Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) scores in Ghanaian schoolchildren when compared with 1 of 3 control groups. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in healthy children aged 6-9 y was conducted comparing 8.8 g milk protein/d with 4.4 g milk protein/d or 4.4 g milk protein + 4.4 g rice protein/d (isonitrogenous, half of the protein from milk and half from rice) or a non-nitrogenous placebo. Primary outcomes were changes in length after 9 mo and CANTAB scores after 4.5 mo; secondary outcomes were body-composition measures. Supplements were added to porridge each school day and consumed for 9 mo. Anthropometric and body-composition measures and CANTAB tests were completed upon enrollment and after 4.5 and 9 mo. Group results were compared by using ANCOVA for anthropometric measures and the Kruskal-Wallis test for CANTAB scores. Results Children receiving 8.8 g milk protein/d showed greater increases on percentage correct in Pattern Recognition Memory (mean ± SD: 5.5% ± 16.8%; P < 0.05) and Intra/Extradimensional Set Shift completed stages compared with all other food groups (0.6 ± 2.3; P < 0.05). No differences were seen in linear growth between the groups. The children receiving either 4.4 or 8.8 g milk protein/d had a higher fat-free body mass index than those who received no milk, with an effect size of 0.34 kg/m2. Conclusion Among schoolchildren, the consumption of 8.8 g milk protein/d improved executive cognitive function compared with other supplements and led to the accretion of more lean body mass, but not more linear growth. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov">www.clinicaltrials. gov as NCT02757508.
Elevated [CO2] mitigates the effect of surface drought by stimulating root growth to access sub-soil water

Through stimulation of root growth, increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) may facilitate access of crops to sub-soil water, which could potentially prolong physiological activity in dryland environments, particularly because crops are more water use efficient under elevated [CO2] (e[CO2]). This study investigated the effect of drought in shallow soil versus sub-soil on agronomic and physiological responses of wheat to e[CO2] in a glasshouse experiment. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Yitpi) was grown in split-columns with the top (0–30 cm) and bottom (31–60 cm; ‘sub-soil’) soil layer hydraulically separated by a wax-coated, root-penetrable layer under ambient [CO2] (a[CO2], ∼400 μmol mol-1) or e[CO2] (∼700 μmol mol-1) [CO2]. Drought was imposed from stem-elongation in either the top or bottom soil layer or both by withholding 33% of the irrigation, resulting in four water treatments (WW, WD, DW, DD; D = drought, W = well-watered, letters denote water treatment in top and bottom soil layer, respectively). Leaf gas exchange was measured weekly from stem-elongation until anthesis. Above-and belowground biomass, grain yield and yield components were evaluated at three developmental stages (stem-elongation, anthesis and maturity). Compared with a[CO2], net assimilation rate was higher and stomatal conductance was lower under e[CO2], resulting in greater intrinsic water use efficiency. Elevated [CO2] stimulated both above- and belowground biomass as well as grain yield, however, this stimulation was greater under well-watered (WW) than drought (DD) throughout the whole soil profile. Imposition of drought in either or both soil layers decreased aboveground biomass and grain yield under both [CO2] compared to the well-watered treatment. However, the greatest ‘CO2 fertilisation effect’ was observed when drought was imposed in the top soil layer only (DW), and this was associated with e[CO2]-stimulation of root growth especially in the well-watered bottom layer. We suggest that stimulation of belowground biomass under e[CO2] will allow better access to sub-soil water during grain filling period, when additional water is converted into additional yield with high efficiency in Mediterranean-type dryland agro-ecosystems. If sufficient water is available in the sub-soil, e[CO2] may help mitigating the effect of drying surface soil.
How good are GPs at adhering to a pragmatic trial protocol in primary care? Results from the ADDITION-Cambridge cluster-randomised pragmatic trial

Objective To assess the fidelity of general practitioners’ (GPs) adherence to a long-term pragmatic trial protocol. Design Retrospective analyses of electronic primary care records of participants in the pragmatic cluster-randomised ADDITION (Anglo-Danish-Dutch Study of Intensive Treatment In People with Screen Detected Diabetes in Primary Care)-Cambridge trial, comparing intensive multifactorial treatment (IT) versus routine care (RC). Data were collected from the date of diagnosis until December 2010. Setting Primary care surgeries in the East of England. Study sample/participants A subsample (n=189, RC arm: n=99, IT arm: n=90) of patients from the ADDITION-Cambridge cohort (867 patients), consisting of patients 40–69 years old with screen-detected diabetes mellitus. Interventions In the RC arm treatment was delivered according to concurrent treatment guidelines. Surgeries in the IT arm received funding for additional contacts between GPs/nurses and patients, and GPs were advised to follow more intensive treatment algorithms for the management of glucose, lipids and blood pressure and aspirin therapy than in the RC arm. Outcome measures The number of annual contacts between patients and GPs/nurses, the proportion of patients receiving prescriptions for cardiometabolic medication in years 1–5 after diabetes diagnosis and the adherence to prescription algorithms. Results The difference in the number of annual GP contacts (β=0.65) and nurse contacts (β=−0.15) between the study arms was small and insignificant. Patients in the IT arm were more likely to receive glucose-lowering (OR=3.27), ACE-inhibiting (OR=2.03) and lipid-lowering drugs (OR=2.42, all p values <0.01) than patients in the RC arm. The prescription adherence varied between medication classes, but improved in both trial arms over the 5-year follow-up. Conclusions The adherence of GPs to different aspects of the trial protocol was mixed. Background changes in healthcare policy need to be considered as they have the potential to dilute differences in treatment intensity and hence incremental effects. Trial registration number ISRCTN86769081.
Modeling human early otic sensory cell development with induced pluripotent stem cells

The inner ear represents a promising system to develop cell-based therapies from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). In the developing ear, Notch signaling plays multiple roles in otic region specification and for cell fate determination. Optimizing hiPSC induction for the generation of appropriate numbers of otic progenitors and derivatives, such as hair cells, may provide an unlimited supply of cells for research and cell-based therapy. In this study, we used monolayer cultures, otic-inducing agents, Notch modulation, and marker expression to track early and otic sensory lineages during hiPSC differentiation. Otic/placodal progenitors were derived from hiPSC cultures in medium supplemented with FGF3/FGF10 for 13 days. These progenitor cells were then treated for 7 days with retinoic acid (RA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) or a Notch inhibitor. The differentiated cultures were analyzed in parallel by qPCR and immunocytochemistry. After the 13 day induction, hiPSC-derived cells displayed an upregulated expression of a panel of otic/placodal markers. Strikingly, a subset of these induced progenitor cells displayed key-otic sensory markers, the percentage of which was increased in cultures under Notch inhibition as compared to RA/EGF-treated cultures. Our results show that modulating Notch pathway during in vitro differentiation of hiPSC-derived otic/placodal progenitors is a valuable strategy to promote the expression of human otic sensory lineage genes.
Effects of mares’ age and day of gestation on efficacy of transvaginal ultrasound-guided twin reduction

Summary Objective: Transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration (TUA) is a procedure which can be used for the reduction of twins post-fixation in the mare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the age of mares and the day of gestation on the outcome of TUA treatment. Material and methods: In 88 mares, diagnosed pregnant with twins, TUA of the yolk sac or allantoic fluid was performed between day 30 and 62 of gestation. Mares were aged 3–22 years. Ultrasonographic examination for a viable singleton pregnancy was performed by referring veterinarians 5–7 days and 4 weeks after TUA. Based on reported findings, effects of age and day of gestation on pregnancy rates were evaluated. Results: Four weeks after TUA, 67% of the cases resulted in a viable singleton pregnancy. Five to 7 days after TUA treatment, the success rate was 74%. The gestational period did not affect the outcome, irrespective of the age of the mare. In contrast, success rates decreased with increasing age of the mares (84% ≤ 7 years vs. 67% 8–14 years vs. 57% ≥ 15 years). In mares aged 8–14 years, a decrease in singleton pregnancies was observed, if TUA was performed after day 35 of gestation. Success rates were slightly higher, if twin vesicles were localized within separate uterine horns (73%) as compared to the same horn (66%). Differences in singleton pregnancy rates were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions and clinical relevance: TUA was found to be an effective procedure for reduction of twin pregnancies performed at days 30–62 of gestation. Success rates for singleton pregnancies were high for young mares ≤ 7 years old (84%) and middle aged mares treated before day 36 of pregnancy (74%). Duration of pregnancy at the time of TUA did not have a major impact on the outcome. Nevertheless, the procedure should optimally be performed around days 32–35 of pregnancy to allow for the possibility of natural reduction before treatment and rebreeding in case of a total pregnancy loss after TUA.
Calcitriol Accelerates Vascular Calcification Irrespective of Vitamin K Status in a Rat Model of Chronic Kidney Disease with Hyperphosphatemia and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a markedly increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Nontraditional risk factors, such as increased phosphate retention, increased serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), and deficiencies in vitamins D and K metabolism, likely play key roles in the development of vascular calcification during CKD progression. Calcitriol [1,25-(OH)2-D3] is a key transcriptional regulator of matrix Gla protein, a vitamin K–dependent protein that inhibits vascular calcification. We hypothesized that calcitriol treatment would inhibit the development of vascular calcification and this inhibition would be dependent on vitamin K status in a rat model of CKD. Rats were treated with dietary adenine (0.25%) to induce CKD, with either 0, 20, or 80 ng/kg of calcitriol with low or high dietary vitamin K1 (0.2 or 100 mg/kg) for 7 weeks. Calcitriol at both lower (20 ng/kg) and moderate (80 ng/kg) doses increased the severity of vascular calcification, and contrary to our hypothesis this was not significantly improved by high dietary vitamin K1. Calcitriol had a dose-dependent effect on: 1) lowering serum parathyroid hormone, 2) increasing serum calcium, and 3) increasing serum FGF-23. Calcitriol treatment significantly increased aortic expression of the calcification genes Runx2 and Pit-1. These data also implicate impaired vitamin D catabolism in CKD, which may contribute to the development of calcitriol toxicity and increased vascular calcification. The present findings demonstrate that in an adenine-induced rat model of CKD calcitriol treatment at doses as low as 20 ng/kg can increase the severity of vascular calcification regardless of vitamin K status.
Physical activity and the risk of colorectal cancer in Lynch syndrome

Greater physical activity is associated with a decrease in risk of colorectal cancer for the general population; however, little is known about its relationship with colorectal cancer risk in people with Lynch syndrome, carriers of inherited pathogenic mutations in genes affecting DNA mismatch repair (MMR). We studied a cohort of 2,042 MMR gene mutations carriers (n = 807, diagnosed with colorectal cancer), from the Colon Cancer Family Registry. Self‐reported physical activity in three age‐periods (20–29, 30–49 and ≥50 years) was summarized as average metabolic equivalent of task hours per week (MET‐hr/week) during the age‐period of cancer diagnosis or censoring (near‐term exposure) and across all age‐periods preceding cancer diagnosis or censoring (long‐term exposure). Weighted Cox regression was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between physical activity and colorectal cancer risk. Near‐term physical activity was associated with a small reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer (HR ≥35 vs. <3.5 MET‐hr/week, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53–0.96). The strength and direction of associations were similar for long‐term physical activity, although the associations were not nominally significant. Our results suggest that physical activity is inversely associated with the risk of colorectal cancer for people with Lynch syndrome; however, further confirmation is warranted. The potential modifying effect of physical activity on colorectal cancer risk in people with Lynch syndrome could be useful for risk prediction and support counseling advice for lifestyle modification to reduce cancer risk.
Learning Cross-lingual Distributed Logical Representations for Semantic Parsing

With the development of several multilingual datasets used for semantic parsing, recent research efforts have looked into the problem of learning semantic parsers in a multilingual setup. However, how to improve the performance of a monolingual semantic parser for a specific language by leveraging data annotated in different languages remains a research question that is under-explored. In this work, we present a study to show how learning distributed representations of the logical forms from data annotated in different languages can be used for improving the performance of a monolingual semantic parser. We extend two existing monolingual semantic parsers to incorporate such cross-lingual distributed logical representations as features. Experiments show that our proposed approach is able to yield improved semantic parsing results on the standard multilingual GeoQuery dataset.
Approach and Avoidance During Routine Behavior and During Surprise in a Non-evaluative Task: Surprise Matters and So Does the Valence of the Surprising Event

The hypothesis that emotions influence our behavior via emotional action tendencies is at the core of many emotion theories. According to a strong version of this hypothesis, these emotional action tendencies are immediate, automatic (unintentional), stimulus-based and directly linked with specific muscle movements. Recent evidence, however, provides little empirical support for this strong version during routine behavior, especially when the task does not require the evaluation of the stimuli. The present study tested the prediction that surprise interrupts routine behavior and triggers a threat avoidance response. In the presence of a threat-related stimulus, avoidance responses are relatively rapid, and approach responses impeded, even when the interrupted routine behavior is guided by a non-evaluative task goal. In contrast, approach and avoidance responses are predicted to be unaffected in the presence of a pleasant surprising stimulus. To test these predictions, in each trial the participants had to execute an approach or withdrawal movement depending on the location of a target stimulus. In the critical trial, either a picture of a pleasant or a threat-related animal was presented as target. Supporting the predictions, the initiation times for these movements were shorter in response to a threat-relevant than a pleasant surprising stimulus. Additionally, in the presence of a threat-related surprising stimulus, withdrawal movements were made faster than approach movements even though the participants performed a non-evaluative task. Implications and limitations of the present study are discussed.
Concordance of teacher-rated and performance-based measures of executive functioning in preschoolers

ABSTRACT The most common method used to evaluate child behavior and functioning is rating scales completed by parents and/or teachers. Given that executive functioning (EF) plays a fundamental role in the developing child’s cognitive, behavioral, and social-emotional development, it would be ideal if ratings of EF and performance-based EF measures assess the same construct. However, most studies report a small to negligible association between performance-based measures and ratings of EF. There are few studies investigating this association for preschoolers, and most only include parent ratings. Teachers may be more reliable reporters of EF behaviors due to the higher demand for EF skills in the preschool setting than at home and because teachers may have a better sense of what behaviors are normative. In this study, we reviewed the associations between three EF rating scales completed by teachers on 243 preschool children. Results showed small to moderate correlations with EF measures of inhibition and cognitive flexibility/switching for all three scales, with the strongest associations observed between Child Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS) Behavioral Regulation subscale and child EF measures. Exploratory multivariate path analyses showed that, after controlling for age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES), Behavioral Regulation significantly predicted performance-based measures of EF and accounted for incrementally more variance in the models. We conclude that in ideal situations, it is best to measure EF using both rating scales and performance-based measures of EF. The CBRS seems to be a sensitive measure of EF in preschoolers and may be a helpful brief screening tool for use with teachers.
Interaction of heterotrimeric kinesin-II with IFT-B–connecting tetramer is crucial for ciliogenesis

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) is crucial for the assembly and maintenance of cilia and is mediated by IFT particles containing IFT-A and IFT-B complexes. IFT-B powered by heterotrimeric kinesin-II and IFT-A powered by the dynein-2 complex are responsible for anterograde and retrograde protein trafficking, respectively. However, little is known about the molecular basis of the trafficking of these IFT particles regulated by kinesin and dynein motors. Using the visible immunoprecipitation assay, we identified in this study a three-to-four protein interaction involving the kinesin-II trimer KIF3A–KIF3B–KAP3 and the IFT-B–connecting tetramer IFT38–IFT52–IFT57–IFT88; among the kinesin-II subunits, KIF3B contributed mainly to IFT-B binding. Furthermore, we showed that the ciliogenesis defect of KIF3B-knockout cells can be rescued by the exogenous expression of wild-type KIF3B but not by that of its mutant compromised with respect to IFT-B binding. Thus, interaction of heterotrimeric kinesin-II with the IFT-B–connecting tetramer is crucial for ciliogenesis via the powering of IFT particles to move in the anterograde direction.