Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical and historical predictors of sleep disturbances in school-age children

S disturbances in preschool children tend to persist, as the child grow older and the mothers perceived their child's sleep problems as stressful to them and their family life. In 84% of SD infants these problems persisted after 3 years of age (1) and were still present in 75% of 8 years-old children having presented SD at 3 years (2). Pollock (3) reported a significant increased risk of sleep problems at 10 years if the child had the problem at age 5. Further, sleep problems in older children were often associated with sleep-waking disorders in the 1st year of life (4) and, conversely, children who had early disorders of the sleep-waking rhythm often had multiple sleep problems later (5). In a study on predictive value of behaviors at 3 years, Abe et al. (6) found that sleep disturbances were of the most persistent group. These Clinical and Historical Predictors of Sleep Disturbances in School-Age Children
Prevalence and clinical significance of intestinal microsporidiosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with and without diarrhea in Germany: a prospective coprodiagnostic study.

The prevalence of intestinal microsporidiosis among human immunodefiency virus (HIV)-infected persons with chronic diarrhea varies from 7% to 50%; thus, microsporidia are a significant source of morbidity and, occasionally, mortality among these patients. Anecdotal reports suggest that intestinal microsporidiosis is also an important infection in patients with AIDS in Germany. To determine the prevalence of microsporidiosis among HIV-infected patients in Germany, we performed a prospective coprodiagnostic study of 97 consecutive HIV-infected patients. Microsporidia were the most common enteropathogen identified in 18 (36.0%) of 50 patients with diarrhea and 2 (4.3%) of 47 patients without diarrhea (P < .001; chi2 test). Microsporidia were present in 60% of patients with chronic diarrhea and 5.9% of patients with acute diarrhea. The etiologic agent was Enterocytozoon bieneusi in 18 patients and Encephalitozoon intestinalis in two patients. The prevalence of intestinal microsporidiosis in this cohort of German patients with AIDS and diarrhea is one of the highest to be reported anywhere in the world. Microsporidiosis seems to represent one of the most important causes of diarrhea in HIV-infected patients in Germany and thus must be considered in the differential diagnosis for all AIDS patients presenting with diarrhea.
Object oriented software testing - a hierarchical approach

Partial table of contents: HOW TO READ THIS BOOK. Every Thing is a System. Systems of Objects. Object Road Map. Class Taxonomy. Requirements Document for the Defect Tracking System Example. THE PROCESS SYSTEM. The Approach to Optimization. The Software Development Life Cycle. THE TEST SYSTEM. The Hierarchical Approach. Test Repository. Hierarchical--Incremental Test Suite. Conditional Test Suite. Integration Test Suite. System Component Test Suite. Test Evaluation. Test Standards. THE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM. Development Document. Technical Review. The Development Environment. THE PROJECT SYSTEM. Project Document. Project Environment. Index.
Phylogenetic Reappraisal of the Genus Monomorphina (Euglenophyceae) Based on Molecular and Morphological Data

A morphological and molecular examination of the genus Monomorphina was conducted on 46 strains isolated mainly from Korea. The strains were divided into two types based on morphological data: Monomorphina aenigmatica and M. pyrum ‐ like species. Phylogenetic analysis based on a combined data set of nuclear SSU and LSU and plastid SSU and LSU rDNA showed that the strains could be divided into eight clades: Clade A of M. aenigmatica, Clade B of the isolates (M. pyropsis) from Michigan, USA, Clade C of M. pseudopyrum, Clade D of the isolates (M. pyroria) from Bremen, Germany, Clade E of M. soropyrum, Clade F of M. pyriformis, Clade G of M. parapyrum, and Clade H of M. pyrum. Six of these clades came from strains that would be considered M. pyrum sensu Kosmala et Zakryś, one of which could be recognized as a traditional species (M. pyrum) and five were designated as new species; each species had unique molecular signatures at nr SSU rDNA helix 17 and 17′ and spacer E23_14′‐E23_15. The species of Monomorphina had a wide range of genetic diversity with interspecies sequence similarity of 85.6%–97.1% and intraspecies similarity of 96.4%–99.9%. Our results suggested that genetic diversity found in the M. pyrum complex justifies the recognition of a minimum of eight species within this genus, based on specific molecular signatures and gene divergence of the nr SSU rDNA sequences.
An Efficient Online Monitoring Method for High-Dimensional Data Streams

Monitoring high-dimensional data streams has become increasingly important for real-time detection of abnormal activities in many data-rich applications. We are interested in detecting an occurring event as soon as possible, but we do not know which subset of data streams is affected by the event. By connecting to the problem of detecting heterogenous mixtures, a new control chart is developed based on a powerful goodness-of-fit test of the local cumulative sum statistics from each data stream. Numerical results show that the proposed method is able to balance the detection of various fractions of affected streams, and generally outperforms existing methods. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Captive Wild Mammals and Birds in Brazil

Abstract In this study, serum samples of 203 animals from different locations, from zoos and breeding facilities from the north and northeast regions of Brazil, were analyzed for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by the modified agglutination test (MAT) with a cutoff of 1∶25. Of the sampled animals, 184 were adult mammals of both sexes and 19 were birds. Antibodies were found in 61 of 184 mammals, and no association between sex and age of the animals and the presence of T. gondii antibodies was observed (P < 0.05). Anti-T. gondii antibodies were not found in birds. Toxoplasma gondii was detected in Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris) for the first time.
Occurrence of Aurora A positive multipolar mitoses in distinct molecular classes of colorectal carcinomas and effect of Aurora A inhibition

Aurora A “over‐”expression may induce supernumerary centrosomes, respective multipolar mitoses, and aneuploidy. Here, we examined Aurora A positive multipolar mitoses in aneuploid, microsatellite‐stable (MSS, “CIN‐type”) versus near‐diploid, microsatellite‐instable (MSI, “MIN‐type”) colorectal carcinomas (CRC) and CRC cell lines as well as the effect of Aurora A inhibition in CRC cell lines. In situ, three‐dimensional immunofluorescence (3D‐IF) revealed Aurora A positive multipolar mitoses in both CIN‐ (n = 8) and MIN‐ (n = 10) type primary CRCs with similar frequencies (CIN: 27 ± 14%; MIN: 34 ± 14%, P = 0.224). In vitro, Aurora A positive multipolar mitoses were detected in asynchronized or thymidine synchronized CIN‐type (HT29, CaCo‐2), but not MIN‐type (HCT116, DLD‐1) CRC cells. Nocodazole treatment arrested mitotic cells with multiple centrosomal Aurora A signals in CIN‐ and MIN‐type CRC cells, albeit to a lower extent in CaCo‐2 cells. This was associated with concomitant activation of Aurora A (T288 phosphorylation) and Polo‐like kinase 1 (PLK‐1, T210 phosphorylation). Aurora A inhibition by siRNA resulted in increased apoptosis (>50%) in all cell lines, but did not abolish PLK‐1 expression. Double 3D‐IF revealed that Aurora A siRNA treated, still viable CIN‐type (HT29, CaCo‐2) CRC cells were Aurora A negative and mostly in prophase/(pro)metaphase with maintained phosphorylated PLK‐1 T210 expression. Aurora A positive multipolar mitoses occur in both aneuploid, CIN‐ and near‐diploid MIN‐type CRCs. This appears to be largely independent of Aurora A expression alone. Although Aurora A inhibition causes apoptosis in both CIN‐ and MIN‐type CRC cells, remaining PLK‐1 activation by other factors may affect therapeutic Aurora inhibition. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Internet use by health professionals at the Health Sciences Centre of Kuwait University

The purpose of this study was to analyse Internet use and related issues among the health care professionals at the Health Sciences Centre of Kuwait University. A questionnaire was administered to all the 180 faculty members in HSC. The response rate was 76.6 per cent. The extent and patterns of their use of the Internet for 12 applications were analysed. The current level of skills was examined and perceptions for improving them were explored. Also, the impact of the Internet on professional and personal development was explored. Problems related to access and use were also investigated. It was found that the Internet had become a vital instrument for research, information, and communication in the lives of these professionals. Respondents wished to be further empowered through rigorous training and the alleviation of problems that inhibited their Internet use.
Multi-camera parallel tracking and mapping with non-overlapping fields of view

A novel real-time pose estimation system is presented for solving the visual simultaneous localization and mapping problem using a rigid set of central cameras arranged such that there is no overlap in their fields-of-view. A new parameterization for point feature position using a spherical coordinate update is formulated which isolates system parameters dependent on global scale, allowing the shape parameters of the system to converge despite the scale remaining uncertain. Furthermore, an initialization scheme is proposed from which the optimization will converge accurately using only the measurements from the cameras at the first time step. The algorithm is implemented and verified in experiments with a camera cluster constructed using multiple perspective cameras mounted on a multirotor aerial vehicle and augmented with tracking markers to collect high-precision ground-truth motion measurements from an optical indoor positioning system. The accuracy and performance of the proposed pose estimation system are confirmed for various motion profiles in both indoor and challenging outdoor environments, despite no overlap in the camera fields-of-view.
Earnings management using disposal of assets: Empirical evidence from Chinese listed companies

Using Chinese A-shared listed companies from 2009 to 2010 for the study sample, this paper investigates whether managers manipulate earnings through the disposal of non-current assets and which factors affect this behavior. The results show that: when real income is below earnings benchmarks, firms tend to increase earnings through the disposal of assets, and the probability of beat earnings benchmarks through the disposal of assets is negatively associated with the differences between earning benchmarks and real income and non-recurring income and positively with debt-asset ratio. When real income is above earnings benchmarks, firms tend to decrease earnings through the disposal of assets, and the probability of smoothing earnings through the disposal of assets is positively associated with the differences between real income and earnings benchmarks and negatively with debt-asset ratio and non-recurring income. Additionally, we also find that the revenue from disposal of assets in the fourth quarter is significantly higher than any of the other three quarters. This study not only contributes to the literature on real activities manipulation, but also provides a new reference for the evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of the historical cost measurement.
Ventilatory function, height, and mortality among lifelong non-smokers.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aims were to determine the relationship between spirometric indices and mortality among lifelong non-smokers, and to investigate whether the association of short stature with increased risk of death is explained by reduced levels of ventilatory function in shorter men. DESIGN--The study was a nested (within cohort) case-control analysis of an 18 year prospective study of mortality. SUBJECTS--Participants were 3452 male civil servants aged 40-64 years at entry who denied ever having smoked tobacco. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--408 men who died were matched to 2874 controls of the same age and height. Reduced one second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) was associated with mortality from non-respiratory causes (rate ratio per litre decrease = 1.44, 95% confidence interval 1.196-1.73). The ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity was a weak predictor of mortality. Among 397 case-control sets matched for age and FEV1, mortality was unrelated to height. Comparing mortality differentials across age adjusted tertiles of each risk factor, height adjusted FEV1 was a stronger predictor of death than height, body mass index, or plasma cholesterol. FEV1 adjusted for age but not for height was almost as strong a predictor as systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS--The determinants of ventilatory function in lifelong non-smokers may include causes of premature death. FEV1 may be a more sensitive indicator than height of early life influences upon mortality.
An information integration modelling architecture for product family life cycle in mass customisation

To support integrating, managing, sharing and reusing information throughout the entire life cycle of product family in mass customisation (MC), this paper puts forward an information integration modelling architecture for product family life cycle (I2MAfPFL). As an architecture built from the comprehensive perspective of the product family rather than the single product, the I2MAfPFL is centred on the model of three-dimensional (3-D) state space with integration of the model of unit information and the model of the 3-D evolution space. In the I2MAfPFL, the model of unit information is used to represent the features of unit information produced throughout all phases in the life cycle of product family in different depth and level. The model of 3-D state space provides the structure and framework to support integrating unit information, and the model of 3-D evolution space describes the dynamic evolution processes of unit information and reveals the internal correlated, interacted and evolved relationships among them. The expression of the three models in the I2MAfPFL is explained in detail. Finally, a case is used to demonstrate how the I2MAfPFL is used to integrate information for the product family life cycle in MC.
A Novel Approach Based on Nonactive Power for the Identification of Disturbing Loads in Power Systems

In this paper, a new approach is proposed for the detection of harmonic sources in polluted power systems. It is a single- point strategy, based on a comparison among different "nonactive" power quantities proposed in literature that, in the same working conditions, assume different values at the same metering section. Some simulations tests were carried out on a standard IEEE test system proposed by other authors as a benchmark system for the analysis of multipoint measurement techniques for harmonic pollution monitoring. The obtained results show that the proposed single-point approach is in agreement with other strategies already proposed in the literature and can provide useful indications for the detection of the dominant harmonic source upstream or downstream the metering section also in some critical cases.
A New Sugarcane Cystatin Strongly Binds to Dental Enamel and Reduces Erosion

Cystatin B was recently identified as an acid-resistant protein in acquired enamel pellicle; it could therefore be included in oral products to protect against caries and erosion. However, human recombinant cystatin is very expensive, and alternatives to its use are necessary. Phytocystatins are reversible inhibitors of cysteine peptidases that are found naturally in plants. In plants, they have several biological and physiological functions, such as the regulation of endogenous processes, defense against pathogens, and response to abiotic stress. Previous studies performed by our research group have reported high inhibitory activity and potential agricultural and medical applications of several sugarcane cystatins, including CaneCPI-1, CaneCPI-2, CaneCPI-3, and CaneCPI-4. In the present study, we report the characterization of a novel sugarcane cystatin, named CaneCPI-5. This cystatin was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli, and inhibitory assays demonstrated that it was a potent inhibitor of human cathepsins B, K, and L (Ki = 6.87, 0.49, and 0.34 nM, respectively). The ability of CaneCPI-5 to bind to dental enamel was evaluated using atomic force microscopy. Its capacity to protect against initial enamel erosion was also tested in vitro via changes in surface hardness. CaneCPI-5 showed a very large force of interaction with enamel (e.g., compared with mucin and casein) and significantly reduced initial enamel erosion. These results suggest that the inclusion of CaneCPIs in dental products might confer protection against enamel erosion.
Studies on Aedes albopictus Larval Mass-Rearing Optimization

ABSTRACT To set up a sterile male technique program to control Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in areas in northern Italy, a pilot mass-rearing facility is under development. For this purpose, experiments were carried out to find the optimal larval density for the optimization of the rearing parameters, i.e., to obtain the fastest larval development, the highest larval and pupal survival rate, and large-sized pupae. Several different larval densities, from 40 to 2,874 larvae per liter, were tested. For densities from 40 to 600 larvae per liter significant size differences were found among pupae obtained under different larval densities. The larvae raised at the lowest density tended to be smaller and to develop most slowly, i.e., longer pupation time. Also, increasing water volume and depth seemed to negatively affect the pupation success. Compared with the other larval densities tested, the larvae reared at a density of 2,874 larvae per liter developed slightly faster and showed higher survival rates, indicating this density as appropriate for the development of a mass rearing, at least using the current larval diet.
Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Is Enhanced by Naturally Occurring Mutation F97L

ABSTRACT In chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, one of the most common mutations to the virus occurs at amino acid 97 of the core protein, where leucine replaces either phenylalanine or isoleucine, depending on strain. This mutation correlates with changes in viral nucleic acid metabolism and/or secretion. We hypothesize that this phenotype is due in part to altered core assembly, a process required for DNA synthesis. We examined in vitro assembly of empty HBV capsids from wild-type and F97L core protein assembly domains. The mutation enhanced both the rate and extent of assembly relative to those for the wild-type protein. The difference between the two proteins was most obvious in the temperature dependence of assembly, which was dramatically stronger for the mutant protein, indicating a much more positive enthalpy. Since the structures of the mutant and wild-type capsids are essentially the same and the mutation is not involved in the contact between dimers, we suggest that the F97L mutation affects the dynamic behavior of dimer and capsid.
Tympanic membrane perforation. Effect on audiogram.

The effects of both size and location of tympanic membrane perforations on hearing loss were studied. Using only those cases in which the air-bone gap was closed by myringoplasty, the variable of ossicular chain defects was controlled. Definite trends appeared in averages of the groups which tend to confirm two generalizations: (1) Effectiveness of the tympanic membrane decreases with loss of total area and (2) loss of membrane contact with the manubrium of the malleus affects its abiliy to move. A useful formula for predicting hearing loss on the basis of size and location of perforation is impossible because of wide variations of individual cases within any particular group.
Combining cell transplants or gene therapy with deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease

Cell transplantation and gene therapy each show promise to enhance the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, because cell transplantation and gene therapy generally require direct delivery to the central nervous system, clinical trial design involves unique scientific, ethical, and financial concerns related to the invasive nature of the procedure. Typically, such biologics have been tested in PD patients who have not received any neurosurgical intervention. Here, we suggest that PD patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) device implantation are an ideal patient population for the clinical evaluation of cell transplantation and gene therapy. Randomizing subjects to an experimental group that receives the biologic concurrently with the DBS implantation—or to a control group that receives the DBS treatment alone—has several compelling advantages. First, this study design enables the participation of patients likely to benefit from DBS, many of whom simultaneously meet the inclusion criteria of biologic studies. Second, the need for a sham neurosurgical procedure is eliminated, which may reduce ethical concerns, promote patient recruitment, and enhance the blinding of surgical trials. Third, testing the biologic by “piggybacking” onto an established, reimbursable procedure should reduce the cost of clinical trials, which may allow a greater number of biologics to reach this critical stage of research translation. Finally, this clinical trial design may lead to combinatorial treatment strategies that provide PD patients with more durable control over disabling motor symptoms. By combining neuromodulation with biologics, we may also reveal important treatment paradigms relevant to other diseases of the brain. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Coefficients of agreement for fixed observers

Agreement between fixed observers or methods that produce readings on a continuous scale is usually evaluated via one of several intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). This article presents and discusses a few related issues that have not been raised before. ICCs are usually presented in the context of a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) model. We argue that the ANOVA model makes inadequate assumptions, such as the homogeneity of the error variances and of the pairwise correlation coefficients between observers. We then present the concept of observer relational agreement which has been used in the social sciences to derive the common ICCs without making the restrictive ANOVA assumptions. This concept did not receive much attention in the biomedical literature. When observer agreement is defined in terms of the difference of the readings of different observers on the same subject (absolute agreement), the corresponding relational agreement coefficient coincides with the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), which is also an ICC. The CCC, which has gained popularity over the past 15 years, compares the mean squared difference between readings of observers on the same subject with the expected value of this quantity under the assumption of ‘chance agreement’, which is defined as independence between observers. We argue that the assumption of independence is unrealistic in this context and present a new coefficient that is not based on the concept of chance agreement.