Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A constructive method for multivariate function approximation by multilayer perceptrons

Mathematical theorems establish the existence of feedforward multilayered neural networks, based on neurons with sigmoidal transfer functions, that approximate arbitrarily well any continuous multivariate function. However, these theorems do not provide any hint on how to find the network parameters in practice. It is shown how to construct a perceptron with two hidden layers for multivariate function approximation. Such a network can perform function approximation in the same manner as networks based on Gaussian potential functions, by linear combination of local functions.
An Investigation of the Relationship Between Destination Branding and Destination Competitiveness

ABSTRACT Empirical research focusing on the relationship between destination branding and destination competitiveness has so far been lacking. Even though destination brand is partially incorporated into the two most prominent theoretical models of destination competitiveness, there is still a need for understanding the role that destination branding plays in achieving destination competitiveness. For this reason, this study proposes a theory-based research instrument that joins the branding process implementation index and competitiveness measured by customer satisfaction. The proposed instrument is tested in the context of Croatian coastal destinations. The results confirm that a well-implemented destination branding process increases destination competitiveness.
Molecular Mechanism of Fascin Function in Filopodial Formation*

Background: Fascin is the main actin-bundling protein in filopodia. Results: Biochemical, cryo-electron tomographic, and x-ray crystal structural data reveal the unique actin-binding characteristics of fascin. Conclusion: There are two major actin-binding sites on fascin and there is a concerted conformational change between the actin-binding sites. Significance: These data will advance our understanding of the function of fascin in filopodial formation. Filopodia are cell surface protrusions that are essential for cell migration. This finger-like structure is supported by rigid tightly bundled actin filaments. The protein responsible for actin bundling in filopodia is fascin. However, the mechanism by which fascin functions in filopodial formation is not clear. Here we provide biochemical, cryo-electron tomographic, and x-ray crystal structural data demonstrating the unique structural characteristics of fascin. Systematic mutagenesis studies on 100 mutants of fascin indicate that there are two major actin-binding sites on fascin. Crystal structures of four fascin mutants reveal concerted conformational changes in fascin from inactive to active states in the process of actin bundling. Mutations in any one of the actin-binding sites impair the cellular function of fascin in filopodial formation. Altogether, our data reveal the molecular mechanism of fascin function in filopodial formation.
Phonetisaurus: Exploring grapheme-to-phoneme conversion with joint n-gram models in the WFST framework

Abstract This paper provides an analysis of several practical issues related to the theory and implementation of Grapheme-to-Phoneme (G2P) conversion systems utilizing the Weighted Finite-State Transducer paradigm. The paper addresses issues related to system accuracy, training time and practical implementation. The focus is on joint n-gram models which have proven to provide an excellent trade-off between system accuracy and training complexity. The paper argues in favor of simple, productive approaches to G2P, which favor a balance between training time, accuracy and model complexity. The paper also introduces the first instance of using joint sequence RnnLMs directly for G2P conversion, and achieves new state-of-the-art performance via ensemble methods combining RnnLMs and n-gram based models. In addition to detailed descriptions of the approach, minor yet novel implementation solutions, and experimental results, the paper introduces Phonetisaurus, a fully-functional, flexible, open-source, BSD-licensed G2P conversion toolkit, which leverages the OpenFst library. The work is intended to be accessible to a broad range of readers.
Insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles in girls with central precocious puberty before and during gonadal suppression.

CONTEXT Early menarche is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. It is unknown whether metabolic risk factors are adversely affected in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) already at time of diagnosis. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate metabolic profiles in girls with early normal puberty (EP) and CPP. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a combined cross-sectional and longitudinal study at a tertiary center of pediatric endocrinology. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION Twenty-three girls with EP or CPP and 115 controls with normal pubertal timing were evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan, and fasting blood samples. Fifteen girls (13 CPP) were treated with GnRH agonists (GnRHa) and reevaluated after 12 and 52 wk of treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Insulin and glucose levels during oral glucose tolerance test and fasting lipid levels were measured. RESULTS At the time of diagnosis, girls with CPP had higher fasting insulin, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels as well as lower insulin sensitivity and high-density lipoprotein/total cholesterol ratios (all P<0.05) compared with controls after adjustment for pubertal stage and body fat percentage. Age at pubertal onset positively predicted insulin sensitivity for a given pubertal stage (P=0.04) in girls with EP and CPP. Insulin sensitivity decreased significantly during 1 yr of GnRHa treatment (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS Girls with CPP had adverse metabolic profiles at the time of diagnosis compared with puberty-matched controls. In addition, those with the earliest onset of puberty had the most adverse metabolic profiles. Surprisingly, metabolic profiles deteriorated even further after withdrawal of sex steroids by GnRHa treatment.
Exploration of the Factor Structure of the Kirton Adaption–Innovation Inventory Using Bootstrapping Estimation

Exploratory factor analyses of the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory (KAI), which serves to measure individual cognitive styles, generally indicate three factors: sufficiency of originality, efficiency, and rule/group conformity. In contrast, a 2005 study by Im and Hu using confirmatory factor analysis supported a four-factor structure, dividing the sufficiency of originality dimension into two subdimensions, idea generation and preference for change. This study extends Im and Hu's (2005) study of a derived version of the KAI by providing additional evidence of the four-factor structure. Specifically, the authors test the robustness of the parameter estimates to the violation of normality assumptions in the sample using bootstrap methods. A bias-corrected confidence interval bootstrapping procedure conducted among a sample of 356 participants—members of the Arkansas Household Research Panel, with middle SES and average age of 55.6 yr. (SD = 13.9)—showed that the four-factor model with two subdimensions of sufficiency of originality fits the data significantly better than the three-factor model in non-normality conditions.
Impact of Vitamin D on Infectious Disease

Background:Observational studies have linked vitamin D status and infectious disease. This association is supported by the presence of the vitamin D receptor and CYP27B1 in immune cells. This review aims to consolidate data from clinical trials that used vitamin D for the treatment or prevention of infectious disease. Methods:The authors searched the term “(vitamin D OR ergocalciferol OR cholecalciferol OR vitamin D2 OR vitamin D3 OR calcitriol) AND (infection OR tuberculosis OR sepsis OR pneumonia)” with limits preset to manuscripts published in English and with human subjects. They identified controlled trials that measured infectious outcomes (eg, incidence and severity of disease, time to disease resolution or recurrence, measures of clinical improvement, mortality). Studies that used analog, topical or micronutrient formulations of vitamin D, assessed only vitamin D status or lacked a comparison group were excluded. The references from eligible manuscripts and from 2 recent reviews were scanned for additional manuscripts. Results:One thousand two hundred eighty-four manuscripts were identified with our search terms, with 60 papers still eligible after review of the title and abstract. Full review of these papers, their references and 2 related reviews yielded 38 manuscripts. Conclusions:Although some prospective studies show positive results regarding vitamin D on infectious disease, several robust studies are negative. Factors such as high variability between studies, the difference in individual responsiveness to vitamin D and study designs that do not primarily investigate infectious outcomes may mask the effects of vitamin D on infections.
Ovarian Reserve in Young Women of Reproductive Age with Crohn's Disease

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) mainly affects young adults of reproductive age. Whereas a large amount of data is available concerning pregnancy in young CD women, no study has been conducted on their ovarian reserve status. This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of CD on ovarian reserve in young women in remission, as reflected by serum anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH). Methods: This retrospective case‐control study was conducted in the University Hospital of Nantes, France. Serum levels of AMH were retrospectively measured in 50 women with CD in remission and in 163 control women with normal ovarian reserve, matched by age. Results: No statistical difference was found between mean serum AMH levels in CD and control women. Serum AMH levels remained comparable between CD and control women <30 years, but they were significantly lower in CD women ≥30 years compared to the control group. Furthermore, the negative correlation between age and AMH level tended to be more pronounced in CD than control women. Multivariate analysis of CD patients' clinical and demographic characteristics showed that serum AMH level was influenced by disease location, with a colonic location of the disease being independently associated with a high risk of altered ovarian reserve. Conclusions: Women with CD do not have severe ovarian reserve alterations compared to a control population. However, age ≥30 years and a colonic location of the disease could be associated with an accelerated loss of follicles. These data could encourage gastroenterologists to inform CD women of the risk of delaying childbirth. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2012)
Gastrointestinal hormone concentrations associated with gastric feeding in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND Altered concentrations of ghrelin, motilin, and cholecystokinin (CCK) may contribute to gastric hypomotility. The aims of this study were to evaluate the concentrations of these hormones in patients tolerant and intolerant to gastric nutrition, assess the influence of prokinetic therapy on these hormone concentrations, determine the associations between these mediators and gastric emptying, and evaluate whether inflammation influences their concentrations. METHODS Post hoc analyses of 2 prospective studies that enrolled 20 critically ill patients with an aspirated gastric residual (GR) >150 mL while receiving gastric enteral nutrition (intolerant group) and 10 critically ill patients with minimal GR (tolerant group). Patients with intolerance were also assessed 1 day after prokinetic therapy. Fasting serum concentrations of total ghrelin, acyl ghrelin (active), des-acyl ghrelin (inactive), motilin, CCK, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined. Gastric emptying was assessed concurrently using the acetaminophen absorption method. RESULTS Compared to the tolerant group, the intolerant group had higher total ghrelin (1324.8 ± 1204.6 vs 285.1 ± 132.5 pg/mL; P < .001), lower acyl ghrelin (70.5 ± 65.4 vs 208.5 ± 186.9 pg/mL; P < .05), and lower acyl ghrelin to des-acyl ghrelin ratio (1.11 ± 1.35 vs 3.47 ± 3.21 pg/mL; P < .05). Concentrations of other hormones and TNF-α were similar. Despite accelerated gastric emptying after prokinetic therapy, concentrations of all hormones and TNF-α were similar to baseline values. Hormone concentrations were not associated with gastric emptying or TNF-α. CONCLUSION Patients intolerant to gastric nutrition generate less acyl ghrelin, which may contribute to gastric hypomotility. Intolerance is not associated with altered concentrations of other hormones. Hormone concentrations are not influenced by prokinetic therapy.
Exploring stress-induced cognitive impairment in middle aged, centrally obese adults

Extensive research has shown that psychosocial stress can induce cognitive impairment. However, few studies have explored impairment following acute stress exposure in individuals with central obesity. Central obesity co-occurs with glucocorticoid excess and can lead to elevated cortisol responses to stress. It is not clear whether centrally obese individuals exhibit greater cognitive impairment following acute stress. Cortisol responses to stress versus no-stress control were compared in 66 high- and low waist to hip ratio (WHR) middle-aged adults (mean age of 46 ± 7.17 years). Cognitive performance post exposure was assessed using Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Battery. It was hypothesised that high WHR would exhibit greater cortisol in response to stress exposure and would show poorer cognitive performance. Males, particularly of high WHR, tended to secrete greater cortisol during stress exposure. Exposure to stress and increasing WHR were specifically associated with poorer performance on declarative memory tasks (spatial recognition memory and paired associates learning). These data tentatively suggest a reduction in cognitive performance in those with central obesity following exposure to acute stress. Further research is needed to elucidate the effects of stress on cognition in this population.
DETERMINANTS OF WEANLING THOROUGHBRED AUCTION PRICES

Abstract Determinants of prices of 1,302 weanling Thoroughbreds sold at the 2010 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale are investigated. A hedonic pricing model is adopted to identify price determinants, and the corresponding marginal values of those determinants are estimated. Prices were responsive to pedigree quality variables, including the sire's stud fee, the stage of the sire's breeding career, and whether the dam or the dam's progeny had earned “black type. ” In addition, individual weanling characteristics such as gender, age, state of birth, and sale placement influenced price. Results can be used as a decision tool by both buyers and sellers.
A Preliminary Investigation into the Effect of the Use of the Short Message Service (SMS) on Patient Attendance at an NHS Dental Access Centre in Scotland

Aim This study's aim was to assess whether the use of Short Message Service (SMS) text reminders sent to patients prior to their dental appointments improved attendance rates for two dentists at a dental access centre in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. Method Automated SMS text reminders were set up through practice management software at Kirkcaldy Dental Access Centre. Two audits, using a research methodology, were then performed. Failure to attend appointments with the two dentists at 150 consecutive appointments was assessed before and after implementing the SMS text reminders. The null hypothesis that SMS reminders do not improve attendance rates at the dental access centre was tested. The Yates’ corrected chi-square test was applied to the resulting data, with the level for statistical significance set at P<0.05. Results Patients readily accepted the text messages and found them to be non-intrusive. Failed attendance at appointments for the two dentists was reduced from 46/150 (31%) before the SMS text reminders were introduced to 21/150 (14%) after its introduction (P=0.00088). Thus the use of SMS text reminders resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the number of failed attendances at appointments for the two dentists. Conclusions In this preliminary study, SMS appointment reminders reduced the number of failed appointments significantly. They can provide an automated, non-intrusive, and cost-effective method of improving patient attendance at dental appointments.
The Child PTSD Symptom Scale: An Investigation of Its Psychometric Properties

The current study addresses the need for accurate measurement of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in youth by investigating the psychometric properties of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS). The factor structure, reliability, and concurrent and discriminant validity of the CPSS were investigated in a sample of 206 6th- to 12th-grade adolescents. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported a single-factor structure, which was contrary to the hypothesized three-factor structure. Scores comprising this one-factor structure were also associated with high reliability (α = .93), and tests of concurrent and discriminant validity were also strong. The implications of these findings are discussed, with particular emphasis on future directions for research on self-report measures for adolescent PTSD symptoms.
Mothers With Breast Cancer and Their Adult Daughters: The Relationship Between Mothers’ Reaction to Breast Cancer and Their Daughters’ Emotional and Neuroimmune Status

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the associations between psychologic distress of patients with breast cancer and of their adult daughters; and to assess the associations between mothers’ psychologic distress and daughters’ psychologic distress, stress hormone levels, natural cytotoxic activity (NCA), and Th1 cytokine secretion. Methods: Eighty mothers with breast cancer and 80 adult daughters participated in the study. They completed the Symptom Check List (SCL-90R) questionnaire. In addition, daughters completed a set of questions on their health status and habits and on the effects of their mothers’ disease on their own lives. Thirty milliliters of heparinized venous blood and a first early-morning urine sample were collected from daughters between 8:00 and 9:00am. Spontaneous and interleukin-2 (IL-2)-induced NCA, in vitro IL-2 and IL-12 secretion, and levels of plasma cortisol and urinary catecholamines were tested in daughters. Forty-seven healthy women, age- and education- matched to daughters, completed the psychologic, immunologic, and hormonal tests, and served as a control group. Results: Psychologic distress of mothers and daughters was highly correlated. However, mothers experienced a higher level of distress than daughters. Mothers with advanced disease and their daughters were more distressed than mothers with primary disease and their daughters. Daughters’ distress was also related to their subjective caregiving burden and the frequency of meetings with mothers. Higher distressed daughters had lower IL-2-induced NCA and decreased in vitro IL-2 and IL-12 secretion. Norepinephrine secretion level mediated the relationship between daughters’ level of distress and their immune functions. Cortisol mediated only the relationship between daughters’ distress and IL-2 secretion. Conclusions: This initial study shows that the psychologic distress of mothers with breast cancer and that of their adult daughters are similar. Stress hormone secretions and immune functions of daughters are related to both their own and their mothers’ psychologic distress. GSI= Global Severity Index; IL-2 = interleukin 2; IL-12 = interleukin 12; NCA = natural cytotoxic activity; SCL = symptom checklist; SD = standard deviation.
Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation (ERAD) and Autophagy Cooperate to Degrade Polymerogenic Mutant Serpins*

The serpinopathies are a family of diseases characterized by the accumulation of ordered polymers of mutant protein within the endoplasmic reticulum. They are a diverse group including α1-antitrypsin deficiency and the inherited dementia familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies or FENIB. We have used transient transfection of COS7 cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts, PC12 cell lines that conditionally express wild type and mutant neuroserpin and fly models of FENIB to assess the cellular handling of wild type and mutant serpins. By using a polymer-specific monoclonal antibody, we show that mutant neuroserpin forms polymers after a delay of at least 30 min and that polymers can be cleared in PC12 cell lines and from the brain in a fly model of FENIB. At steady state, the fractions of intracellular polymerogenic G392E mutant neuroserpin in the monomeric and polymeric states are comparable. Inhibition of the proteasome with MG132 reveals that both mutant neuroserpin and α1-antitrypsin are degraded predominantly by endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD). Pharmacological and genetic inhibitions demonstrate that autophagy is responsible for bulk turnover of wild type and mutant serpins, but can be stimulated by rapamycin to compensate for proteasome inhibition. The significance of these findings to the treatment of serpinopathies is discussed.
Involvement of Sphingolipids in Ethanol Neurotoxicity in the Developing Brain

Ethanol-induced neuronal death during a sensitive period of brain development is considered one of the significant causes of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). In rodent models, ethanol triggers robust apoptotic neurodegeneration during a period of active synaptogenesis that occurs around the first two postnatal weeks, equivalent to the third trimester in human fetuses. The ethanol-induced apoptosis is mitochondria-dependent, involving Bax and caspase-3 activation. Such apoptotic pathways are often mediated by sphingolipids, a class of bioactive lipids ubiquitously present in eukaryotic cellular membranes. While the central role of lipids in ethanol liver toxicity is well recognized, the involvement of sphingolipids in ethanol neurotoxicity is less explored despite mounting evidence of their importance in neuronal apoptosis. Nevertheless, recent studies indicate that ethanol-induced neuronal apoptosis in animal models of FASD is mediated or regulated by cellular sphingolipids, including via the pro-apoptotic action of ceramide and through the neuroprotective action of GM1 ganglioside. Such sphingolipid involvement in ethanol neurotoxicity in the developing brain may provide unique targets for therapeutic applications against FASD. Here we summarize findings describing the involvement of sphingolipids in ethanol-induced apoptosis and discuss the possibility that the combined action of various sphingolipids in mitochondria may control neuronal cell fate.