Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating Model Parameters with Ensemble-Based Data Assimilation: Parameter Covariance Treatment

In this work, various methods for the estimation of the parameter uncertainty and the covariance between the parameters and the state variables are investigated using the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF). Two methods are compared for the estimation of the covariances between the state variables and the parameters: one using a single ensemble for the simultaneous estimation of model state and parameters, and the other using two separate ensembles; for the initial conditions and for the parameters. It is found that the method which uses two ensembles produces a more accurate representation of the covariances between observed variables and parameters, although this does not produce an improvement of the parameter or state estimation. The experiments show that the former method with a single ensemble is more efficient and produces results as accurate as the ones obtained with the two separate ensembles method. The impact of parameter ensemble spread upon the parameter estimation and its associated analysis is also investigated. A new approach to the optimization of the estimated parameter ensemble spread (EPES) is proposed in this work. This approach preserves the structure of the analysis error covariance matrix of the augmented state vector. Results indicate that the new approach determines the value of the parameter ensemble spread that produces the lowest errors in the analysis and in the estimated parameters. A simple low-resolution atmospheric general circulation model known as SPEEDY is used for the evaluation of the different parameter estimation techniques.
Secondary traumatic stress, burnout and the role of resilience in New Zealand counsellors : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, New Zealand / Katrina Temitope

One hundred and twenty-nine New Zealand counsellors were surveyed in relation to secondary traumatic stress, burnout, compassion satisfaction, resilience, social support, degree of exposure to trauma, and personal history of trauma. Statistical analyses established the prevalence of secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion satisfaction. The relationships between risk of secondary traumatic stress and exposure to others’ trauma, personal trauma history, burnout, compassion satisfaction, resilience, and social support levels were explored. Results established a prevalence of 21.7% for high risk of secondary traumatic stress, 24.8% for high risk of burnout, and 21.7% for high potential for compassion satisfaction in this sample. Statistically significant relationships were found between exposure and secondary traumatic stress, between burnout and secondary traumatic stress, and between resilience and secondary traumatic stress. These results are discussed in relation to counsellors’ secondary exposure to trauma when working with clients who have been traumatised.
Modular connectionist architectures and the learning of quantification skills

Modular connectionist systems comprise autonomous, communicating modules, achieving a behaviour more complex than that of a single neural network. The component modules, possibly of different topologies, may operate under various learning algorithms. Some modular connectionist systems are constrained at the representational level, in that the connectivity of the modules is hard-wired by the modeller; others are constrained at an architectural level, in that the modeller explicitly allocates each module to a specific subtask. Our approach aims to minimise these constraints, thus reducing the bias possibly introduced by the modeller. This is achieved, in the first case, through the introduction of adaptive connection weights and, in the second, by the automatic allocation of modules to subtasks as part of the learning process. The efficacy of a minimally constrained system, with respect to representation and architecture, is demonstrated by a simulation of numerical development amongst children. The modular connectionist system MASCOT (Modular Architecture for Subitising and Counting Over Time) is a dual-routed model simulating the quantification abilities of subitising and counting. A gating network learns to integrate the outputs of the two routes in determining the final output of the system. MASCOT simulates subitising through a numerosity detection system comprising modules with adaptive weights that self-organise over time. The effectiveness of MASCOT is demonstrated in that the distance effect and Fechner's law for numbers are seen to be consequences of this learning process. The automatic allocation of modules to subtasks is illustrated in a simulation of learning to count. Introducing feedback into one of two competing expert networks enables a mixture-of-experts model to perform decomposition of a task into static and temporal subtasks, and to allocate appropriate expert networks to those subtasks. MASCOT successfully performs decomposition of the counting task with a two-gated mixture-of-experts model and exhibits childlike counting errors.
Synaptic Homeostasis Is Consolidated by the Cell Fate Gene gooseberry, a Drosophila pax3/7 Homolog

In a large-scale screening effort, we identified the gene gooseberry (gsb) as being necessary for synaptic homeostasis at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. The gsb gene encodes a pair-rule transcription factor that participates in embryonic neuronal cell fate specification. Here, we define a new postembryonic role for gooseberry. We show that gsb becomes widely expressed in the postembryonic CNS, including within mature motoneurons. Loss of gsb does not alter neuromuscular growth, morphology, or the distribution of essential synaptic proteins. However, gsb function is required postembryonically for the sustained expression of synaptic homeostasis. In GluRIIA mutant animals, miniature EPSP (mEPSP) amplitudes are significantly decreased, and there is a compensatory homeostatic increase in presynaptic release that restores normal muscle excitation. Loss of gsb significantly impairs the homeostatic increase in presynaptic release in the GluRIIA mutant. Interestingly, gsb is not required for the rapid induction of synaptic homeostasis. Furthermore, gsb seems to be specifically involved in the mechanisms responsible for a homeostatic increase in presynaptic release, since it is not required for the homeostatic decrease in presynaptic release observed following an increase in mEPSP amplitude. Finally, Gsb has been shown to antagonize Wingless signaling during embryonic fate specification, and we present initial evidence that this activity is conserved during synaptic homeostasis. Thus, we have identified a gene (gsb) that distinguishes between rapid induction versus sustained expression of synaptic homeostasis and distinguishes between the mechanisms responsible for homeostatic increase versus decrease in synaptic vesicle release.
The Etiologic Significance of Emotional Factors in Onset and Exacerbations of Multiple Sclerosis: A Preliminary Report

&NA; A brief survey of the literature dealing with the psychological aspects of MS has been presented. Observations have been reported regarding the family history, early history, and the premorbid personality of 40 patients suffering from MS and of a carefully matched control series. Striking differences in the family history, early history, social and sexual adjustment between the two groups studied have been noted. The results of the psychological investigation and assessment of a sample of 15 MS patients and 15 controls (22 males, 8 females) have been summarized in a report by the psychologist. The relevance of emotional stress to the onset, exacerbations, and relapses of the disease has been demonstrated. Some psychodynamic considerations have been suggested.
Evaluating the California Wellness Foundation’s Health Improvement Initiative: A Logic Model Approach

The difficulties of conducting randomized trials to evaluate community-based initiatives have led some researchers to argue in favor of a case study “logic model” approach to evaluation. This article describes a case study logic approach adopted for the evaluation of one community initiative, the Health Improvement Initiative (HII) funded by the California Wellness Foundation (TCWF). The HII is a comprehensive, community-based initiative designed to improve population health by implementing and sustaining community-level systems changes. Nine communities received funding to create broad-based community coalitions (Health Partnerships) that were charged with developing and implementing action plans around systems change. The HII is being evaluated using a case-study logic-model approach that uses quantitative and qualitative data to construct indicators of coalition functioning, systems changes, and population health. By examining the relationship between these indicators over time, it should be possible to determine if any changes in intermediate or long-term outcomes are associated with Health Partnership activities.
Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effect of salacia oblonga in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a standardized hydroalcoholic root extract of Sala¬cia oblonga (SOE) on the Random Blood Glucose (RBG) levels, serum insulin, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and the serum lipid profile in long standing, experimentally induced Diabetes Mellitus (DM) with glibenclamide (Glb) as the standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS Streptozotocin (STZ) induced, dia-betic, Wistar rats of either sex were treated with two oral doses of SOE, 100 and 50mg/kg body wt /day, for a period of 16 weeks. The RBG was estimated at day-1 and at the end of the 16 weeks by using a glucometer. The fasting serum insulin was determined by an ELISA technique. The plasma HbA1c was evaluated by a Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (TINIA) and the lipid profile was estimated enzymatically. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS A 45% decrease in the RBG was seen after the treatment with the higher dose of SOE, whereas a 44% decrease was observed with the lower dose as com¬pared to the diabetic control. Serum insulin was significantly increased (P<0.05) in all the treated groups as compared to the diabetic control. Plasma HbA1c was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The serum Triacyl Glycerol (TG) levels were signifi¬cantly decreased (P<0.05) in the treated rats as compared to the diabetic control. A significant increase in HDL-cholesterol (P<0.05) in the diabetic rats as a result of the 100mg/kg SOE treatment was a remarkable finding. CONCLUSION SOE improves the glycaemic parameters in diabetic rats after a prolonged treatment. The serum TG levels were normalized on treatment. A higher dose of the extract could not alter the parameters significantly, except for HDL-C.
The Relationship Between Empowerment Care and Quality of Life Among Members of Assisted Living Facilities

The purpose of this study was to examine patient empowerment care and how it affects a person‟s perception of his or her quality of life in assisted living facilities. Patient empowerment refers to the extent to which a person perceives the amount of control in his or her daily care. Eighty participants aged 65 or older currently living in assisted living facilities will be assessed. Participants were asked to fill out questionnaires about their individual demographics, perceived quality of life, empowerment care, and the geriatric depression scale. This study predicted that patient empowerment care would be positively correlated with quality of life for residents in assisted living facilities. Also, quality of life would be negatively correlated with depression score and positively correlated with marital status. The data found scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale were negatively correlated with quality of life (r=-.620; α=.01), and the perception of quality of life was positively correlated with perceived empowerment in assisted living facilities (r= .481; α=.01). No correlation was found between marital status and depression. These results indicate that diagnosis and treatment of depression, and making sure that residents of an assisted living facility feel in control and feel respected by the staff is important for a patient‟s quality of life.
The genetic basis of platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel

Summary Clopidogrel reduces ischaemic complications in a wide range of patients with coronary artery disease. However, there is much inter-individual variation in clopidogrel-induced platelet inhibition, and a substantial proportion of patients will exhibit non-responsiveness to clopidogrel. Multiple studies have demonstrated an association between the presence of genetic polymorphisms associated with suboptimal clopidogrel-active metabolite generation, decreased platelet responsiveness, and adverse clinical outcomes. However, it is not clear to what extent the genetic polymorphisms account for the observed variability in response to clopidogrel. In this review we provide a critical summary of the available evidence linking genetic factors with response to clopidogrel, and discuss the clinical implications of this association.
The effectiveness of finasteride and dutasteride used for 3 years in women with androgenetic alopecia.

BACKGROUND The effectiveness of finasteride and dutasteride in women with androgenetic alopecia has been the subject of debate. AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of finasteride and dutasteride on hair loss in women with androgenetic alopecia over a period of 3 years. METHODS From a database containing systematically retrieved data on 3500 women treated for androgenetic alopecia between 2002 and 2012 with finasteride 1.25 mg or dutasteride 0.15 mg, a random sample stratified for age and type of medication was taken to yield 30 women in two age categories: below and above 50 years, and for both medications. Hair thickness of the three thinnest hairs was measured from standardized microscopic images at three sites of the scalp at the start of the treatment and after 3 years of continuous medication intake. The macroscopic images were evaluated independently by three European dermatologists/hair experts. The diagnostic task was to identify the image displaying superior density of the hair. RESULTS Both age categories showed a statistically significant increase in hair thickness from baseline over the 3-year period for finasteride and dutasteride (signed rank test, P=0.02). Hair thickness increase was observed in 49 (81.7%) women in the finasteride group and in 50 (83.3%) women in the dutasteride group. On average, the number of post-treatment images rated as displaying superior density was 124 (68.9%) in the finasteride group, and 118 (65.6%) in the dutasteride group. Dutasteride performed statistically significantly better than finasteride in the age category below 50 years at the central and vertex sites of the scalp. CONCLUSIONS Finasteride 1.25 mg and dutasteride 0.15 mg given daily for 3 years effectively increased hair thickness and arrested further deterioration in women with androgenetic alopecia.
Hepatocyte nuclear factor‐1 beta mutations cause neonatal diabetes and intrauterine growth retardation: support for a critical role of HNF‐1β in human pancreatic development

Aim The transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor‐1beta (HNF‐1β) is expressed in rodent pancreatic progenitor cells, where it is an important member of the genetic hierarchy that regulates the generation of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine cells. The recent description of an HNF‐1β mutation in a patient with neonatal diabetes suggests that HNF‐1β may also play a key role in human pancreatic B‐cell development. We aimed to investigate the role of HNF‐1β mutations in neonatal diabetes and also the impact of HNF‐1β mutations on fetal growth.
Modeling solar near-relativistic electron events. Insights into solar injection and interplanetary t

Context. Solar near-relativistic electrons (>30 keV) are observed as discrete events in the inner heliosphere following different types of solar transient activity. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the production of these electrons. One candidate is related to solar flare activity. Other candidates include shocks driven by fast coronal mass ejections (CMEs) or processes of magnetic reconnection in the aftermath of CMEs. Aims. We study eleven near-relativistic (NR) electron events observed by the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) between 1998 and 2005 with the aim of estimating the roles played by solar flares, CME-driven shocks, and processes of magnetic restructuring in the aftermath of the CMEs in the injection of NR electrons. The main goal is to infer the underlying injection profile from particle observations at 1 AU, as well as the interplanetary transport conditions. Methods. We used Monte Carlo simulations to model the transport of particles along the interplanetary magnetic field. By taking the angular response of the LEFS60 telescope of the EPAM instrument onboard ACE into account, we were able to deconvolve the transport effects from the observed intensities, and thus infer the solar injection profile. Results. In this set of events, we have identified two types of injection episodes: short ( 1 h). Short injection episodes seem to be associated with the flare processes and/or the reconnection phenomena in the aftermath of the CME, while time-extended episodes seem to be consistent with injection from CME-driven shocks. Conclusions. We find that there is no single scenario that operates in all the events. The interplanetary propagation of NR electrons can occur both under strong scattering and under almost scatter-free propagation conditions and several injection phases (related to flares and/or CMEs) are possible.
Goldenhar's Syndrome: Congenital Hearing Deficit of Conductive or Sensorineural Origin? Temporal Bone Histopathologic Study

Background Oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia (OAVD) (Goldenhar's syndrome) is a congenital syndrome with ipsilateral deformity of the ear and face, epibulbar lipodermoids, coloboma, and vertebral anomalies. Goldenhar's anomaly has often been associated with a degree of congenital hearing deficits, almost always of a conductive origin, but a sensorineural component is also suspected in some cases, evident through malformations of the inner ear. Patients and Methods Both temporal bones of a 10-day-old deceased patient with oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia were examined by light microscopy. Results The ear deformities included deformity of the auricle, atresia of the external auditory canal, and malformation of the tympanic cavity and ossicles. Abnormalities of the stria vascularis and the semicircular canals were also demonstrated. Further inner ear deformities were not identified in this case. Conclusion These histopathologic findings appear to confirm the conductive component of the congenital hearing deficit, but a sensorineural component could not be omitted. The ear alterations favor early developmental field defects. The causes of this condition are controversial. Recent results in genetic research pertaining to the MSX class genes permit better understanding of the variety, variability, and different degrees of severity of the anomalies described here.
Bacterial foraging-based solution for optimal capacitor allocation in distribution systems

This paper proposes a novel methodology for the optimal location and sizing of shunt capacitors in radial distribution systems. The optimization problem includes maximizing capacitor saving function, minimizing active power losses, and voltage profile improvement. The installation node is selected by Loss Sensitivity Analysis in a step by step procedure. An evolutionary algorithm known as bacteria foraging algorithm (BFA) is utilized for solving the multi-objective multivariable optimization problem and the optimal size of capacitor for selected nodes is determined. The proposed approach is applied to 34-bus distribution system as a test study and the results are compared with previous method. The results show that this method provides more economical solution by reducing power losses and total required capacitive compensation.
Sensitivity and specificity of third‐generation hepatitis C virus antibody detection assays: an analysis of the literature

This study assessed the sensitivity and specificity of third‐generation serological hepatitis C diagnostic tests from an analysis of the literature. The literature analysis was run using criteria from McMaster University for the assessment of diagnostic tests. The selected studies were grouped according to the type of population at high and low risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and to the type of reference test. The homogeneity of the sensitivity and the specificity was tested in each group using a Fisher’s exact test. Of 132 studies, 10 were selected. When the estimates were homogeneous, summary point estimates and confidence intervals were computed; when the estimates were heterogeneous, subgroup analysis was performed.
A Versatile Enhanced Genetic Algorithm for Planar Array Design

In order to synthesize planar, sparse, and aperiodic arrays, a numerical procedure based on an enhanced genetic algorithm is proposed. The method maximizes a suitably defined singleobjective fitness function iteratively acting on the states and the weights of the elements of the array. Such a cost function is related to the shape of the desired beam pattern, to the number of active elements and to others user-defined array-pattern constraints. To preliminarily assess the effectiveness of the approach, selected numerical experiments are performed. The obtained results seem to confirm its feasibility. Moreover, given the heterogeneity of the test benchmarks, the versatility is pointed out as a key-feature of the implemented methodology.
Modeling oxide thickness dependence of charging damage by plasma processing

Develops a quantitative model for thin oxide plasma charging damage by examining the oxide thickness dependence of charging current. The current is deduced from capacitance-voltage (CV) curves of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors after plasma etch. The model predicts the oxide thickness dependence of plasma charging successfully. It is shown that plasma acting on a very thin oxide during processing may be modeled as essentially a current source. Thus the damage will not be greatly exacerbated as oxide thickness is further reduced in the future. Gate oxide breakdown voltage distribution of MOS capacitors after plasma processing can be predicted accurately from that of a control wafer by using a defect-induced breakdown model. <<ETX>>