Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive and Adaptive Behavior Profiles in Smith-Magenis Syndrome

ABSTRACT. Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a multiple congenital anomalies and mental retardation syndrome associated with an interstitial deletion of chromosome 17 band p11.2. The incidence of this microdeletion syndrome is estimated to be 1 in 25,000 individuals. Persons with SMS have a distinctive neurobehavioral phenotype that is characterized by aggressive and self-injurious behaviors and significant sleep disturbances. From December 1990 through September 1999, 58 persons with SMS were enrolled in a 5-day multidisciplinary clinical protocol. Developmental assessments consisting of cognitive level and adaptive behavior were completed in 57 persons. Most patients functioned in the mild-to-moderate range of mental retardation. In addition, we report that patients with SMS have low adaptive functioning with relative strengths in socialization and relative weakness in daily living skills. These data were analyzed in light of the molecular extent of the microdeletion within 17p11.2. We found that the level of cognitive and adaptive functioning does depend on deletion size, and that a small percentage of SMS patients have cognitive function in the borderline range.
Analysis of self-similarity in I/O workload using structural modeling

Demonstrates that disk-level I/O requests are self-similar in nature. We show evidence (both visual and mathematical) that I/O accesses are consistent with self-similarity. For this analysis, we have used two sets of disk activity traces collected from various systems over different periods of time. In addition to studying the aggregated I/O workload that is directed to the storage system, we perform a structural modeling of the workload in order to understand the underlying causes that produce the observed self-similarity. This structural modeling shows that self-similar behavior can be explained by combining two different approaches: the on/off source model and Cox's model. The former applies to those processes that remain active during the whole trace, while the latter applies to sources that show a very short activity time.
Significance of NADP/NAD glutamate dehydrogenase ratio in the dimorphic behavior of Benjaminiella poitrasii and its morphological mutants

Studies on the levels of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamine synthetase, and glutamate synthase were carried out as a function of temperature, nutritional conditions, and the morphological (yeast or mycelium) form of Benjaminiella poitrasii. Since both NAD- and NADP-dependent GDH activities were found in B. poitrasii, the quantitative relation between these two enzymes expressed as the NADP-GDH/NAD-GDH activity ratio (GDH ratio) was studied to evaluate its possible role in the morphogenesis. In the yeast-to-mycelium transition, a decrease in the GDH ratio occurred (between 1 and 2 h) and germ tube formation could be observed only at 3 h. Under similar sets of experimental conditions, exogenous addition 1.0 mM of alpha-ketoglutarate delayed germ tube emergence (4 h) compared with the control. On the other hand, in the presence of 1.0 mM glutamate an earlier onset of the germ tube formation was noted. The morphological (monomorphic) mutants, Y-2 and Y-5, showed a high GDH ratio and maintained the yeast morphology.
Residual Effect of Pesticides used in Integrated Apple Production on Chrysoperlaexterna (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Larvae

Temperate fruit crops are an important economic activity for growers in southern Brazil. However, several pest species are associated to apple ( Malus domestica Borkh.) crops in Brazil. Pesticides are largely used to control them and one way to change this is to combine selective pesticides and predator insects. The goal of this research was to evaluate the effects of the abamectin, carbaryl, fenitrothion, methidathion, sulfur, and trichlorfon pesticides on the survival and stage length of larvae and pupae, adult oviposition from treated larvae, and hatched eggs of two Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) populations. The compounds were sprayed on glass plates in accordance with the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) recommendations. First- and second-instar larvae were exposed to pesticide residues. Carbaryl, fenitrothion, and methidathion caused 100% mortality of first- and second-instar larvae. Changes in the number of eggs laid by females from first- and second-instar larvae exposed to residues of abamectin and sulfur, or abamectin, sulfur, and trichlorfon, respectively, were not observed. Only abamectin reduced the number of hatched eggs laid by females in Bento Goncalves from treated first-instar larvae. Sulfur reduced the viability of C. externa eggs in Bento Goncalves and Vacaria females from treated second-instar larvae, whereas trichlorfon and abamectin reduced the viability of eggs in Vacaria females. In conclusion, carbaryl, fenitrothion and methidathion were harmful to C. externa. Trichlorfon was harmful to first-instar larvae and slightly harmful to second-instar larvae. Abamectin and sulfur were slightly harmful to first-instar larvae and harmless to second-instar larvae.
Impact of Positive Nodal Metastases in Patients with Thymic Carcinoma and Thymic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Introduction: Thymic carcinomas and thymic neuroendocrine tumors are rare diseases often treated with surgical resection. Currently, there are no guidelines regarding nodal dissection at the time of tumor resection. Moreover, the prognostic significance of nodal metastases is unclear. The goal of this study was to define the incidence and prognostic relevance of nodal metastases in patients with thymic carcinoma and thymic neuroendocrine tumors. Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database was queried for patients who underwent surgical resection of thymic carcinoma or a thymic neuroendocrine tumor with documented pathological examination of lymph nodes. The incidence of nodal metastases and the impact on survival were examined. Results: We identified 176 patients with thymic carcinoma and 53 with thymic neuroendocrine tumors. A median of three lymph nodes was sampled per patient. Positive metastasis to at least one lymph node was identified in 92 patients (40.2%). Nodal metastasis was more common in patients with thymic neuroendocrine tumors than in patients with thymic carcinoma (62.3% versus 33.5%). In multivariate analysis, nodal metastasis was more likely in patients with thymic neuroendocrine tumors and with more advanced tumors. The presence of nodal metastases had significant, independent, adverse impact on survival (hazard ratio, 2.933, 95% confidence interval, 1.903–4.521, p = 0.001). Median survival was 47 months in patients with nodal metastasis and 124 months in patients without nodal metastases (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Nodal status seems to be an important prognostic factor in patients with thymic carcinoma and thymic neuroendocrine tumors. Nodal sampling should be performed during resection of these thymic malignancies.
DISCOVERY OF THE YOUNG L DWARF WISE J174102.78−464225.5

We report the discovery of the L dwarf WISE J174102.78−464225.5, which was discovered as part of a search for nearby L dwarfs using the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). The distinct triangular peak of the H-band portion of its near-infrared spectrum and its red near-infrared colors (J − KS = 2.35 ± 0.08 mag) are indicative of a young age. Via comparison to spectral standards and other red L dwarfs, we estimate a near-infrared spectral type of L7 ± 2 (pec). From a comparison to spectral and low-mass evolutionary models, we determine self-consistent effective temperature, log g, age, and mass values of 1450 ± 100 K, 4.0 ± 0.25 (cm s−2), 10–100 Myr, and 4–21 MJup, respectively. With an estimated distance of 10–30 pc, we explore the possibility that WISE J174102.78−464225.5 belongs to one of the young nearby moving groups via a kinematic analysis and we find potential membership in the β Pictoris or AB Doradus associations. A trigonometric parallax measurement and a precise radial velocity can help to secure its membership in either of these groups.
ensing technologies for precision specialty crop production

With the advances in electronic and information technologies, various sensing systems have been developed for specialty crop production around the world. Accurate information concerning the spatial variability within fields is very important for precision farming of specialty crops. However, this variability is affected by a variety of factors, including crop yield, soil properties and nutrients, crop nutrients, crop canopy volume and biomass, water content, and pest conditions (disease, weeds, and insects). These factors can be measured using diverse types of sensors and instruments such as field-based electronic sensors, spectroradiometers, machine vision, airborne multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing, satellite imagery, thermal imaging, RFID, and machine olfaction system, among others. Sensing techniques for crop biomass detection, weed detection, soil properties and nutrients are most advanced and can provide eview the data required for site specific management. On the other hand, sensing techniques for diseases detection and characterization, as well as crop water status, are based on more complex interaction between plant and sensor, making them more difficult to implement in the field scale and more complex to interpret. This paper presents a review of these sensing technologies and discusses how they are used for precision agriculture and crop management, especially for specialty crops. Some of the challenges and considerations on the use of these sensors and technologies for specialty crop production are also discussed. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Cerebral hemodynamic changes gauged by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in patients with posttraumatic brain swelling treated by surgical decompression.

OBJECT The use of decompressive craniectomy has experienced a revival in the previous decade, although its actual benefit on patients' neurological outcome remains the subject of debate. A better understanding of the intracranial pressure dynamics, as well as of the metabolic and hemodynamic brain processes, may be useful in assessing the effect of this surgery on the pathophysiology of the swollen brain. The aim of this study was to use transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography to examine the hemodynamic changes in the brain after decompressive craniectomy in patients with head injury, in addition to examining the relationship between such hemodynamic changes and the patient's neurological outcome. METHODS Nineteen patients presenting with traumatic brain swelling and cerebral herniation syndrome who had undergone decompressive craniectomy with dural expansion were studied prospectively. The TCD ultrasonography measurements were performed bilaterally in both the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and in the distal portion of the cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) immediately prior to and after surgical decompression. After surgery, the mean blood flow velocity (BFV) rose to 175 +/- 209% of preoperative values in the MCA of the operated side, while rising to 132 +/- 183% in the contralateral side; the difference between the mean BFV increase in in the MCA of both the decompressed and the opposite side reached statistical significance (p < 0.05). The mean BFV of the extracranial ICA increased to 91 +/- 119% in the surgical side and 45 +/- 60% in the opposite side. Conversely, the MCA pulsatility index (PI) values decreased, on average, to 33 +/- 36% of the preoperative value in the operated side and to 30 +/- 34% on the opposite side; the MCA PI value reductions were significantly greater in the decompressed side when compared with the contralateral side (p < 0.05). The PI of the extracranial ICA reduced, on average, to 37 +/- 23% of the initial values in the operated side and to 24 +/- 34%, contralaterally. No correlation was verified between the neurological outcome and cerebral hemodynamic changes seen on TCD ultrasonography. CONCLUSIONS Decompressive craniectomy results in a significant elevation of cerebral BFV in most patients with traumatic brain swelling and transtentorial herniation syndrome. The increase in cerebral BFV may also occur in the side opposite the decompressed hemisphere; the cerebral BFV increase is significantly greater in the operated hemisphere than contralaterally. Concomitantly, PI values decrease significantly postoperatively, mainly in the decompressed cerebral hemisphere, indicating reduction in cerebrovascular resistance.
Ultra wideband on-body radio radio propagation channels study for different real human test subjects with various sizes and shapes

In this paper, the effects of eight different human body sizes and shapes on the ultra wideband (3-10 GHz) on-body radio propagation channels are investigated. Eight different real human body shapes and sizes are investigated. Experimental investigation is performed using a pair of Tapered Slot Antennas (TSA) in the indoor environment. The path loss was modeled as a function of distance for 34 different receiver locations for propagation along the front part of the body. Results and analysis show that due to eight different types of human body shapes and sizes maximum of 37.6% variation in path loss exponent is observed. Variation of path loss for eight different ultra wideband on-body radio propagation channels of eight different human test subjects is also investigated.
On the role of the optimization algorithm of RapidArc(®) volumetric modulated arc therapy on plan quality and efficiency.

PURPOSE The RapidArc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning process is based on a core engine, the so-called progressive resolution optimizer (PRO). This is the optimization algorithm used to determine the combination of field shapes, segment weights (with dose rate and gantry speed variations), which best approximate the desired dose distribution in the inverse planning problem. A study was performed to assess the behavior of two versions of PRO. These two versions mostly differ in the way continuous variables describing the modulated arc are sampled into discrete control points, in the planning efficiency and in the presence of some new features. The analysis aimed to assess (i) plan quality, (ii) technical delivery aspects, (iii) agreement between delivery and calculations, and (iv) planning efficiency of the two versions. METHODS RapidArc plans were generated for four groups of patients (five patients each): anal canal, advanced lung, head and neck, and multiple brain metastases and were designed to test different levels of planning complexity and anatomical features. Plans from optimization with PRO2 (first generation of RapidArc optimizer) were compared against PRO3 (second generation of the algorithm). Additional plans were optimized with PRO3 using new features: the jaw tracking, the intermediate dose and the air cavity correction options. RESULTS Results showed that (i) plan quality was generally improved with PRO3 and, although not for all parameters, some of the scored indices showed a macroscopic improvement with PRO3. (ii) PRO3 optimization leads to simpler patterns of the dynamic parameters particularly for dose rate. (iii) No differences were observed between the two algorithms in terms of pretreatment quality assurance measurements and (iv) PRO3 optimization was generally faster, with a time reduction of a factor approximately 3.5 with respect to PRO2. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that PRO3 is either clinically beneficial or neutral in terms of dosimetric quality while it showed significant advantages in speed and technical aspects.
Reconfigurable architectures for mesh-arrays with PE and link faults

We propose reconstruction architectures for mesh-arrays with link faults as well as processor element (PE) faults. First, we explain a method for compensating link faults and give a compensation algorithm for the case where no PE is faulty. Then, the reliabilities of the proposed interconnection networks are obtained by computer simulation and are compared with that of the network with doubly duplicated links. Next, we show how PE faults are compensated using the proposed network. It is seen that when no link is faulty, the ability of compensation is greater than that of the reconstruction strategy using single-track switches but is less than that of the strategy allowing the horizontal or vertical compensation paths to the spares on the boundary of mesh-arrays to cross. Finally considering that the proposed architectures have several routes to connect healthy PEs with each other, avoiding faulty PE, we propose an algorithm for coping with simultaneous faults of PEs and interconnection links.
Measuring stair use in two office buildings: a comparison between an objective and a self‐reported method

Introduction/purpose: Measuring stair use reliably and objectively is complicated and difficult. In this study, stair use was measured at an individual level by using an innovative registration system and was compared with self‐reported data. The purpose of this study was to gain an insight into the comparability of self‐reported stair use vs objectively measured stair use.
Mobile Gaming Perceived Enjoyment and Ease of Play as Predictors of Student Attitude and Mobile Gaming Continuance Intention

With the rapid development in wireless networks and mobile communication devices nowadays, the current received wisdom is that online and offline mobile gaming are dominating the people’s time - particularly the youth generation. As a result, the mobile gaming industry has been fast growing in South Africa. Nevertheless, scant attention is given to the empirical investigation of the influence of mobile gaming perceived enjoyment and mobile gaming perceived ease of play on attitude towards mobile gaming and continuance intention in South Africa. Therefore, the principal objective of this study is to fill this void by examining the influence of students’ mobile gaming perceived enjoyment and perceived ease of play on mobile gaming continuance intention and the mediating role of student attitude towards mobile gaming intention in these relationships in South African universities. A sample data of 352 is collected for final data analysis. All the posited five hypotheses are supported. Managerial implications of the findings are discussed and limitations and future research directions are indicated. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013. v4n14p237
FDNY and 9/11: Clinical services and health outcomes in World Trade Center-exposed firefighters and EMS workers from 2001 to 2016.

BACKGROUND After the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks on September 11, 2001, the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) instituted a WTC medical monitoring and treatment program and established a data center to document health outcomes in the WTC-exposed workforce of ∼16,000 firefighters and EMS workers. METHODS FDNY schedules routine monitoring exams every 12-18 months and physical and mental health treatment appointments, as required. RESULTS FDNY research studies have consistently found that early arrival to work and/or prolonged work at the WTC-site increased the risks for adverse physical and mental health outcomes. To date, a substantial proportion has been diagnosed with obstructive airways disease, chronic rhinosinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease; a quarter has two or more of these conditions. CONCLUSIONS While much has been learned, the entire spectrum and trajectory of WTC-related disorders and their mechanisms of onset and persistence remain to be fully described. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:695-708, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The LexA Protein from Deinococcus radiodurans Is Not Involved in RecA Induction following γ Irradiation

ABSTRACT The involvement of LexA in induction of RecA was investigated inDeinococcus radiodurans. As in the wild-type strain, an increase in RecA protein synthesis following γ irradiation was detected in a lexA disruptant, indicating that LexA is not involved in the induction of RecA in D. radiodurans.
Lady and the Trump: Status and Wealth in the Marriage Market

Indicators of past wealth - 'old money' - typically bestow prestige and contribute to high status. Nobility, a culturally determined, hereditary status marker, might act as such an indicator, and thereby serve as a vehicle for the cultural transmission of economic standing. As an institution, nobility is an anachronism. Status, however, plays an important role in most societies, making individuals allocate valuable resources to status-enhancing activities. This suggests that even though nobility no longer entails formal privileges, it may continue to be coveted as a status marker. We examine the relative performance of nobility in the marriage market. Data on Swedish marriages provide an opportunity to test the hypothesis that the probability of hypergamy (marrying 'up') in terms of wealth increases when an individual belongs to the nobility. Our main finding is a significantly higher probability of hypergamy for members of the nobility, controlling for own wealth and other covariates. This 'nobility premium' is sizeable. The effect is statistically significant and robust to a number of different measures of hypergamy. This finding has implications for the intergenerational transmission of inequality, and for the longevity of the institution of nobility itself.
[Urinary stones in Western Algeria: study of the composition of 1,354 urinary stones in relation to their anatomical site and the age and gender of the patients].

INTRODUCTION The prevalence of urinary stones runs parallel with the socioeconomic and health level of populations. Few data are currently available concerning the characteristics of urinary stones in Algeria. Based on our recruitment of stones derived from the main teaching hospital urology departments of Western Algeria, we defined the stone profile in this region of North Africa and its changes in relation to previous data. MATERIAL AND METHOD A series of 1,354 stones derived from urology departments in Western Algeria was studied by IRTF spectroscopy. Analysis of the results concerned the crystalline composition and anatomical site of the stones and the age and gender of the patients. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Conventional surgery is the method of extraction most frequently used with 79.7% of operations contre 0.2% for extracorporeal lithotripsy. The male/female ratio has remained almost constant at 2.23. The anatomical site has changed with a predominance in the upper tract (77.4% of stones). The proportions of whewellite and weddellite have increased compared to our first series, from 48.1% to 50.3% and 13.1% to 16.7%, respectively, while phosphates decreased from 24.4% to 16.7%. The presence of struvite has not decreased over recent years, as 28.8% of stones contain this type of crystal. Anhydrous uric acid has slightly increased to 8.8% versus 6.2%. The proportions of ammonium urate and cystine have not changed (1.8% and 0.7%, respectively), but ammonium urate forms is less frequently the nucleus of stones than previously (2% versus 5.89%). The study of the nucleus showed that phosphates are predominant in 48.6% of cases versus 35.6% for oxalates. Carbapatite and struvite are more frequent in women, found in 50.8% and 6.7% of cases, respectively, than in man, found in 44.6% and 3.7% of cases, respectively. Calcium oxalate is predominantly found in the upper urinary tract (70.9%) rather than in the bladder (48.3%), regardless of gender. Calcium phosphate is more abundant in the upper tract of females with 23.7% of cases versus 10.7% in the bladder. It is equally distributed between the bladder and the upper tract in males (13.7% and 13.2%, respectively). Examination of the side affected by stones showed a predominance of the left side in both sexes. CONCLUSION Analysis of these data shows that urinary stones in Western Algeria are tending to evolve in the same direction as in industrialized countries, but urinary tract infection remais a frequent cause of stones.