Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Local Area Spending Exposure to Head Start and Academic Performance: Evidence from Texas

Head Start (HS) is the largest preschool program in the U.S., yet the effectiveness of the program remains an open question. This paper leverages variation across local communities in the timing and intensity of federal HS spending expansions during the 1990s to estimate the effect of HS on academic achievement in the medium-run. Using student-level data from Texas, I find that exposure to more generous HS funding at age four significantly improves test scores in third grade through fifth grade for lowincome children. My results show that HS benefited Hispanics with limited language proficiency the most and that a 500 dollar increase in HS funding per child closes about 15% of the raw test score gap between Hispanics and whites. An investigation of the mechanisms behind the test score gains suggests that federal funding expansions are associated with increases in HS enrollment and improvements in program inputs. JEL classification codes: H53, I32, I38, J13
Respiratory viruses associated with community-acquired pneumonia in children: matched case–control study

Background Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of death in children worldwide and a substantial proportion of childhood CAP is caused by viruses. A better understanding of the role of virus infections in this condition is needed to improve clinical management and preventive measures. The aim of the study was therefore to assess the association between specific respiratory viruses and childhood CAP. Methods A case–control study was conducted during 3 years in Stockholm, Sweden. Cases were children aged ≤5 years with radiological CAP. Healthy controls were consecutively enrolled at child health units during routine visits and matched to cases on age and calendar time. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained and analysed by real-time PCR for 15 viruses. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to account for coinfections with other viruses and baseline characteristics. Results A total of 121 cases, of which 93 cases met the WHO criteria for radiological pneumonia, and 240 controls were included in the study. Viruses were detected in 81% of the cases (n=98) and 56% of the controls (n=134). Influenza virus, metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus were detected in 60% of cases and were significantly associated with CAP with ORs >10. There was no association with parainfluenza virus, human enterovirus or rhinovirus and coronavirus and bocavirus were negatively associated with CAP. Conclusions Our study indicates viral CAP is an underestimated disease and points out hMPV as a new important target for the prevention of childhood CAP.
Fluorescence studies of nucleotides and polynucleotides. I. Formycin, 2-aminopurine riboside, 2,6-diaminopurine riboside, and their derivatives.

Abstract Formycin, 2-aminopurine ribonucleoside, and 2,6-diaminopurine ribonucleoside are analogues of adenosine in base pairing and in a wide variety of enzymatic reactions. These chromophores, in contrast to adenine and other naturally occurring bases, are fluorescent under physiological conditions. Another noteworthy feature of these analogues is that they can be selectively excited in the presence of normal bases because their absorption bands occur at longer wave lengths. The fluorescence properties of these compounds, and of their phosphorylated derivatives, over a wide range of temperature, pH, and ionic strength, are reported here. Incorporation of formycin or 2-aminopurine into a perfectly alternating ribocopolymer results in a 100-fold reduction of the quantum yield of fluorescence. The residual fluorescence comes from chromophores at the ends of the polymer. Thermal denaturation of the helical structure is accompanied by a 3- to 10-fold increase in quantum yield. The pH and temperature dependence of the fluorescence of transfer RNA with formycin residue in place of the terminal adenosine indicates that the terminal formycin residue interacts with other parts of the transfer RNA molecule. Some potential applications of these analogues in studies of the structure and function of nucleic acids and proteins are: analysis of protein-nucleic acid interaction, polynucleotide conformation and conformational transitions, enzyme-coenzyme interaction, and nuclease assay.
Dialogue act tagging and segmentation with a single perceptron

In this paper we present a simultaneous automatic Dialogue Act (DA) tagger and segmenter. The model employed is based on the well-known single layer perceptron algorithm used successfully in other Computational Linguistic tasks. A decoding process was developed for searching the sequence of segments and DA tags from all the possible exponential possibilities. A set of features based on combination of words and DA tags were empirically selected. Models were tested over transcriptions of two corpora of dialogues (Switchboard and Dihana) and transcriptions and ASR output of a third corpus composed by meetings (AMI corpus). The results obtained for such a simple but powerful model are for some of the evaluation metrics equal or better than much more complex models presented in recent studies for the same experiments.
Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signal Intensity Ratio Measurements in the Evaluation of Multifidus Muscle Injury and Atrophy Relative to That of Histological Examinations

Study Design. A matched-pairs animal study. Objective. To confirm the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a means of evaluating edema and fat degeneration of the multifidus muscle by comparing measurements made using MRI with those made using histological examination. Summary of Background Data. MRI is considered a reliable means of evaluating multifidus muscle edema and fat degeneration. However, it is not clear whether its results are always consistent with histological findings. Methods. Models of different degrees of multifidus injury were created at the L2–L3, L3–L4, and L4–L5 disc levels in 56 New Zealand white rabbits. These were divided into 4 groups and subjected to different processes: sham surgery, dissection and stripping of the multifidus, crushing of the muscle lasting 1 hour, and crushing of the muscle lasting 2 hours. Two rabbits per group were examined at each of the indicated points in time. Multifidus edema was assessed using fat-suppressed T2 signal intensity ratio of gross multifidus to psoas (T2R) on MRI bilaterally, wet weight and wet:dry weight ratio on the left side (edema-left), and visual edema score on the right side (edema-right). Muscle fat degeneration was detected bilaterally using the T1 signal intensity ratio of gross multifidus to psoas with MRI (T1R) and visual fat degeneration score (fat score) with histology. Results. Pearson correlation coefficient analyses showed significant correlations (P < 0.001) between left T2R and edema-left (r = 0.927), right T2R and edema-right (r = 0.868), and T1R and fat score (r = 0.804). A paired t test demonstrated no significant differences between MRI measurements and histological changes (P = 0.999, 1.000, and 0.998). Bland-Altman plots also depicted good agreement between MRI measurements and histological changes (limits of agreement: left multifidus edema, ± 0.75; right multifidus edema, ± 1.01; fat degeneration, ± 1.23). Conclusion. The MRI technique is an accuracy means of evaluating multifidus muscle injury and atrophy. Level of Evidence: N/A
Expanding the phenotypic spectrum of the CACNA1A gene T666M mutation: a description of 5 families with familial hemiplegic migraine.

BACKGROUND Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is a rare autosomal dominant subtype of migraine with aura. Missense mutations in the chromosome 19 CACNA1A calcium channel gene have been found in approximately half of the families. The T666M mutation, replacing a threonine by a methionine at residue number 666, is the most frequent mutation, reported in 14 independent FHM families; other mutations have so far been described in only 1 or 2 families each. The clinical features of T666M families have been reported, but the course is unknown. OBJECTIVE To present a detailed description of the clinical features of new FHM families in which we identified the T666M mutation in our CACNA1A screening program. METHODS As part of our ongoing genetic screening, mutation analysis of the CACNA1A gene was performed by single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis in 33 probands of families with FHM. RESULTS We identified the T666M mutation in 5 unrelated FHM families. In 3 of the families, patients displayed cerebellar ataxia. In 1 family, some affected members with the mutation had attacks with confusion but without hemiparesis. In 1 family, patients had progressive cognitive dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS The T666M mutation is the most frequent CACNA1A mutation in FHM; it was found in 5 of 33 FHM families at our laboratory, and in 19 of 39 families with a known mutation reported in the literature (including the present study). Screening for the T666M mutation should therefore be the first step when screening families with FHM. There is a remarkable clinical heterogeneity among families with the T666M mutation.
The Extreme-Ultraviolet Continuum of a Strong Stellar Flare

We present the serendipitous detection of an extreme-ultraviolet flare on EUVE J0613-23.9B. The flare showed over a 200-fold increase above the quiescent emission in the DS/Lexan 60-200 Å wavelength band. Optical spectroscopy revealed that the event was associated with an active dM3.5e star. The EUVE spectra are dominated by emission lines formed at temperatures in excess of 107 K. The observation is unique as we have detected, for the first time, a strong Lyman continuum in the EUVE long-wavelength range (320-650 Å). The flare in the continuum (T ≈ 20,000-30,000 K) was extremely short, lasting for less than 500 s, while in the DS (T ≈ 107 K) its duration was ≈28 ks. The total energy of the flare in the DS is ~3 × 1034 ergs. We have made a fit to the continuum using semiempirical model atmospheres and derived the time-averaged temperature and density structures.
Transcriptomic analysis of tubular carcinomas of the breast reveals similarities and differences with molecular subtype‐matched ductal and lobular carcinomas

Tubular carcinoma (TC) is an uncommon special type of breast cancer characterized by an indolent clinical course. Although described as part of a spectrum of related lesions named ‘low‐grade breast neoplasia family’ due to immunophenotypical and genetic similarities, TCs, low‐grade invasive ductal carcinomas of no special type (IDC‐NSTs), and classic invasive lobular carcinomas (ILCs) significantly differ in terms of histological features and clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pure TCs constitute an entity distinct from low‐grade IDC‐NSTs and from classic ILCs. To define the transcriptomic differences between TCs and IDC‐NSTs and ILCs whilst minimizing the impact of histological grade and molecular subtype on their profiles, we subjected a series of grade‐ and molecular subtype‐matched TCs and IDC‐NSTs and molecular subtype‐matched TCs and classic ILCs to genome‐wide gene expression profiling using oligonucleotide microarrays. Unsupervised and supervised analysis revealed that TCs are similar at the transcriptomic level to grade‐ and molecular subtype‐matched IDC‐NSTs. However, subtle yet significant differences were detected and validated by quantitative reverse transcriptase‐PCR, which may in part explain the reported more favourable outcome of TCs. Transcriptomic differences between TCs and molecular subtype‐matched classic ILCs were more overt, predominantly due to lower expression of proliferation and cell cycle genes in TCs and down‐regulation of cell adhesion/extracellular matrix‐related genes in classic ILCs. Our results support the existence of a ‘low‐grade breast neoplasia family’; however, the transcriptomes of these lesions display small, yet important differences, which, together with their distinct biological behaviour, warrant their separation as discrete entities. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prospective, concurrent comparison of the Cobe Spectra and Haemonetics MCS‐3P cell separators for leukapheresis after high‐dose filgrastim in patients with hematologic malignancies

A prospective study was undertaken to compare the mononuclear cell, CD34+ cell, and CFU‐GM yields of the Haemonetics MCS‐3P and the Cobe Spectra cell separators in ten patients (nine multiple myeloma and one non‐Hodgkin lymphoma) on two consecutive days after mobilization with high‐dose filgrastim (12–16 μg/k) for 4 days. All patients were harvested once on each machine, five starting on each machine. The target duration of the procedure on the Spectra was 160 minutes, and the target blood volume processed on the MCS‐3P was 60–70 ml/kg body weight. Both machines were operating on the 1995 software versions supplied by the respective manufacturers. The time taken for the procedure was significantly longer with the Haemonetics machine. The volumes of blood processed and the product collected were significantly higher with the Spectra, as were the absolute mononuclear and CD34+ cell yields, and yields per unit time. Mononuclear and CD34+ cell yields per unit volume of blood processed were comparable for both machines. The differences in CFU‐GM yields were not significant, largely because of wide interpatient variations. The extent of platelet depletion as a result of the procedure was greater with the Spectra because of the higher blood volume being processed. We conclude that the Cobe Spectra is a significantly faster machine than the Haemonetics MCS‐3P; and consequently, its use is associated with higher mononuclear and CD34+ cell yields. J. Clin. Apheresis 12:63–67, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brain Activation Modulated by the Comprehension of Normal and Pseudo-word Sentences of Different Processing Demands: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Recent data from lesion and brain imaging studies have questioned the well-established assumption of a close functional-anatomic link between syntax and Broca's area and semantics and Wernicke's area. In the present study we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neuroanatomical correlates of semantic and syntactic functions and possible interdependencies between the related brain systems. In a completely crossed design we varied syntactic processing demands (easy vs difficult to process word order sequences) and the meaningfulness of sentences (real- vs pseudo-word sentences). In comparison to a backward speech condition we found an activation of the left perisylvian region, including the left inferior frontal cortex and the left superior and middle temporal gyri. Semantic in contrast to pseudo-word sentences elicited a stronger activation in both the anterior and the posterior perisylvian cortex. Syntactic difficulty had its strongest effect within the left inferior frontal region and this effect was more pronounced for semantic than nonsemantic speech. These results suggest that semantic and syntactic language functions are mediated by partly specialized brain systems but that there nevertheless exists a substantial functional overlap of the involved brain structures.
Investigation of magnetic resonances for different split-ring resonator parameters and designs

We investigate the magnetic resonance of split-ring resonators (SRR) experimentally and numerically. The dependence of the geometrical parameters on the magnetic resonance frequency of SRR is studied. We further investigate the effect of lumped capacitors integrated to the SRR on the magnetic resonance frequency for tunable SRR designs. Different resonator structures are shown to exhibit magnetic resonances at various frequencies depending on the number of rings and splits used in the resonators.
Update of the case definitions for population-based surveillance of periodontitis.

BACKGROUND This report adds a new definition for mild periodontitis that allows for better descriptions of the overall prevalence of periodontitis in populations. In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in partnership with the American Academy of Periodontology developed and reported standard case definitions for surveillance of moderate and severe periodontitis based on measurements of probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (AL) at interproximal sites. However, combined cases of moderate and severe periodontitis are insufficient to determine the total prevalence of periodontitis in populations. METHODS The authors proposed a definition for mild periodontitis as ≥ 2 interproximal sites with AL ≥ 3 mm and ≥ 2 interproximal sites with PD ≥ 4 mm (not on the same tooth) or one site with PD ≥ 5 mm . The effect of the proposed definition on the total burden of periodontitis was assessed in a convenience sample of 456 adults ≥ 35 years old and compared with other previously reported definitions for similar categories of periodontitis. RESULTS Addition of mild periodontitis increases the total prevalence of periodontitis by ≈31% in this sample when compared with the prevalence of severe and moderate disease. CONCLUSION Total periodontitis using the case definitions in this study should be based on the sum of mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis.
The Hypersensitive Glucocorticoid Response Specifically Regulates Period 1 and Expression of Circadian Genes

ABSTRACT Glucocorticoids regulate gene expression by binding and activating the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). While ligand affinity determines the global sensitivity of the response, additional proteins act on the genome to tune sensitivity of some genes. However, the genomic extent and specificity of dose-specific glucocorticoid responses are unknown. We show that dose-specific glucocorticoid responses are extraordinarily specific at the genomic scale, able to distinctly express a single gene, the circadian rhythm gene for Period 1 (PER1), at concentrations consistent with the nighttime nadir of human cortisol. We mapped the PER1 response to a single GR binding site. The specific GR binding sequence did not impact sensitivity, and we instead attributed the response to a combination of additional transcription factors and chromatin accessibility acting in the same locus. The PER1 hypersensitive response element is conserved in the mouse, where we found similar upregulation of Per1 in pituitary cells. Targeted and transient overexpression of PER1 led to regulation of additional circadian rhythm genes hours later, suggesting that hypersensitive expression of PER1 impacts circadian gene expression. These findings show that hypersensitive GR binding occurs throughout the genome, drives targeted gene expression, and may be important to endocrine mediation of peripheral circadian rhythms.
Effects of steroids on diaphragmatic function in rats.

The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of 8 days of corticosteroid administration on diaphragmatic atrophy and contractile properties. One hundred sixty rats were divided into a pair-fed (PF) group (n = 80) and a steroid-treated (ST) group (n = 80). The treated rats received a single injection of Kenacort 80 retard (0.1 mg/kg intramuscularly). The experimental period was 8 days. Steroid treatment resulted in a 30% decrease in body weight in the ST group when compared with the PF group. Diaphragmatic mass in the ST group decreased in proportion to body weight (30%) as did the weight of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL). The soleus muscle was unaffected. The diaphragmatic atrophy was associated with a significant decrease (p less than 0.001) in normalized tetanic force as assessed both in vivo and in vitro. Diaphragmatic strength was determined in vivo by measuring transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) during bilateral electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerves at different frequencies (0.5, 10, 20, 30, 50, and 1000 Hz). The force-frequency relationship was also studied in vitro using direct stimulation of costal diaphragmatic strips. In both preparations, twitch and low-frequency force were unaffected, whereas normalized tetanic force in the ST group was markedly reduced compared with that in the PF group (p less than 0.001). Soleus and EDL muscles were also studied in vitro. Although steroid treatment had no effect on the soleus, in the EDL, a slight (11%) decrease in normalized tetanic tension was observed. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Category Selectivity of Human Visual Cortex in Perception of Rubin Face–Vase Illusion

When viewing the Rubin face–vase illusion, our conscious perception spontaneously alternates between the face and the vase; this illusion has been widely used to explore bistable perception. Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have studied the neural mechanisms underlying bistable perception through univariate and multivariate pattern analyses; however, no studies have investigated the issue of category selectivity. Here, we used fMRI to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the Rubin face–vase illusion by introducing univariate amplitude and multivariate pattern analyses. The results from the amplitude analysis suggested that the activity in the fusiform face area was likely related to the subjective face perception. Furthermore, the pattern analysis results showed that the early visual cortex (EVC) and the face-selective cortex could discriminate the activity patterns of the face and vase perceptions. However, further analysis of the activity patterns showed that only the face-selective cortex contains the face information. These findings indicated that although the EVC and face-selective cortex activities could discriminate the visual information, only the activity and activity pattern in the face-selective areas contained the category information of face perception in the Rubin face–vase illusion.
Information security management: why standards are important

Information security is no longer a domestic issue. In this age of electronic commerce, one company’s information security certainly affects their business partners. For this reason it became imperative that business partners demand an acceptable level of information security from one another. Information security management standards should certainly play a major role in this regard. In this paper, some information security management standards and their applicability will be discussed and put into context.
Cholestasis is a marker for hepatocellular carcinomas displaying β‐catenin mutations

The Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway is activated in many human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Identification of β‐catenin mutation relies mostly on sequence analysis and/or immunohistochemistry. β‐catenin mutation may also be detected by analysing the expression of its target genes. The GLUL gene encoding glutamine synthetase (GS), for example, appears to be a pertinent marker. The aim of this study was to correlate GS immunostaining and β‐catenin mutations with clinicopathological features in HCC. We found that GS immunostaining had a sensitivity of 90% for the detection of β‐catenin mutations, with 98% specificity, whereas β‐catenin immunostaining had a sensitivity of 63% with 98% specificity. We used the sensitive GS marker to characterize 190 HCC cases. Sixty‐eight (36%) cases displayed Wnt/β‐catenin activation. In addition to their well‐differentiated pattern, these tumours exhibited significant features such as a homogeneous microtrabeculo‐acinar pattern, low‐grade cellular atypia, and cholestasis. As these tumours exhibited cholestasis, we hypothesized that β‐catenin acts on specific bile synthesis and/or transport pathways. In conclusion, we propose that GS immunostaining and a cholestatic pattern are relevant criteria for the identification of HCC with β‐catenin mutations. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.