Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transferability of Contextual Representations for Question Answering

Large pretrained natural language representations such as BERT, ALBERT, and other variants (BERT-models) have achieved state of the art performance on a diverse set of NLP tasks after ﬁne tuning. This suggests these BERT-models learn to extract signal-rich, transferable language features. We investigate whether there is an appreciable difference in feature quality at various depths of pretrained and ﬁne tuned BERT-models by training softmax regression probes to perform a semantic level task, question answering (QA) on SQuAD 2.0. We ﬁnd that the feature quality of ﬁne tuned BERT-models improves with each successive layer, while the feature quality of pretrained BERT-models remains constant. We also ﬁnd that pretrained BERT-models feature quality is relatively poor in comparison to high layers in the ﬁne tuned models, suggesting that the ﬁne tuning process is key for extracting high quality features. One particularly interesting ﬁnding is that the early to middle layers in ﬁne tuned BERT-models begin to perform well on questions with answers, at the cost of performance on questions with no answer. Higher layers in ﬁne tuned BERT-models are able to perform well on both questions with and without answers.
Sex-specific evolution and host–parasite interactions

Background: Disease-causing organisms are notorious for fast rates of molecular evolution and the ability to adapt rapidly to changes in their ecology. Sex plays a key role in evolution, and recent studies, in humans and other multicellular organisms, document that genes expressed principally or exclusively in males exhibit the fastest rates of adaptive evolution. However, despite the importance of sexual reproduction for many unicellular taxa, sex-biased gene expression and its evolutionary implications have been overlooked. Methods: We analyse genomic data from multiple malaria parasite (Plasmodium) species and proteomic data sets from different parasite life cycle stages. Results: The accelerated evolution of male-biased genes has only been examined in multicellular taxa, but our analyses reveal that accelerated evolution in genes with male-specific expression is also a feature of unicellular organisms. This ‘fast-male’ evolution is adaptive and likely facilitated by the male-biased sex ratio of gametes in the mating pool. Furthermore, we propose that the exceptional rates of evolution we observe are driven by interactions between males and host immune responses. Conclusions: We reveal a novel form of host–parasite coevolution that enables parasites to evade host immune responses that negatively impact upon fertility. The identification of parasite genes with accelerated evolution has important implications for the identification of drug and vaccine targets. Specifically, vaccines targeting males will be more vulnerable to parasite evolution than those targeting females or both sexes. K E Y W O R D S : sex-specific selection; Plasmodium; host–parasite coevolution; gene expression article 3 The Author(s) 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Foundation for Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Correlation between hyperuricemia and lipid profile in untreated dyslipidemic patients

There are a number of epidemiological studies that suggest the association of cardiovascular diseases and uric acid but very few studies highlight the direct association of deranged lipid profile with uric acid levels. The present study was indented to find out if any association exists between hyperuricemia and dyslipidemia. Blood samples were collected from healthy controls (n=70) and patients with dyslipidemia (n=70) who were not receiving any treatment for dyslipidemia. These samples were processed for estimating lipid profile and uric acid levels. The parameters in the two groups were compared. Correlation between different parameters was calculated by Pearson correlation analysis in both the groups. Uric acid levels (6.40 ± 1.27 vs 4.89 ± 0.21 mg/dl, P<0.001) were significantly higher in patients as compared to those in controls. There was significant increase in the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TAGs), LDL-C, VLDL-C, non-HDL cholesterol (P<0.001 in each case), in patients of dyslipidemia. However, significant decrease in the levels of HDL-C (P<0.001) was seen in patients compared to controls. LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (P<0.001), TC/HDL-C ratio (P<0.001) and TAG/HDL-C ratio (P<0.001) were also significantly increased in dyslipidemic subjects when compared to controls. Uric acid had significant correlations with TC (r=0.334, P<0.001), TAGs (r = 0.288, P<0.001), LDL-C (r = 0.241, P<0.001), VLDL-C (r= 0.158, P<0.001) and HDL-C (r= –0.652, P<0.001) in patients. Results of this study imply that there is higher association of hyperuricemia in dyslipidemic patients than normal subjects. Therefore treatment of underlying hyperuricemia should be an important aspect in planning the treatment strategy for dyslipidemia to reduce the cardiovascular morbidity. Keywords : Cardiovascular disease; Coronary artery disease; Dyslipidemia; Hyperuricemia; Lipid ratio
CHARACTERIZING A MULTI DELTA WING FOR AEROELASTIC WIND TUNNEL EXPERIMENTS

The vortical flow over swept wings with several leading edge separations bears a number of challenges for the proper design of the planform and the efficient control during the flight. Leading edge vortices function as the major lifting mechanism for combat aircraft and depict the aircraft’s moment coefficients as well. The flow is either unsteady or a least quasi-steady as soon as the vortices are formed, but never steady. Even though the mechanisms of the vortical flow and its effects on the aircraft’s forces and moments are well understood, their prediction is still not precise enough. Several failures of jet prototypes occurred in the past, which were accounted to unexpected vortex shifts and thus load changes, or to fatal vortex structure interaction. Resolving the flow topology over combat aircraft configurations numerically is not feasible, yet. Due to the unsteadiness time resolved calculations are needed in order to reveal all important aspects of the flow, which demands more CPU-capacities than are available at the moment. Thus only selected flow cases can be resolved. RANS-calculations dampen many effects significantly, which distorts the observed planform characteristics. Additionally the different positions of the vortices throughout the flight regime compromise efficient grid development. As a consequence wind tunnel experiments with time resolved measurements are needed and must be developed carefully, since they are very costly. The trend shows that modern combat aircraft planforms provide multiple leading edge vortices, which take over specific functions such as stabilization, distribution or manoeuvring. Such a next generation planform has been developed by the DLR Institute of Aeroelasticity as well. Two wind tunnel test campaigns are planned with a semi-span model. A preliminarily selected sensor placement is crucial for the success of the measurements and additionally the structural layout must be constructed very carefully in order to ensure the structural integrity of the model throughout the entire flight regime. The flow topology of the aircraft model features a two-stage vortex systems, which leads to severe load changes between subsonic and supersonic velocities. Furthermore vortex-vortex interaction and vortex-structure interaction shall be characterized during steady positions, during pitching motions and during manoeuvres. The aforementioned tasks have been and are still prepared by numerical simulations with the DLR TAU-code. An angle of incidence and Mach-number matrix gave a rough characterization of the new model planform. Strong gradients in the coefficient slopes show points of interest and convergence problems show possible critical points. In order to improve the resolution of the flow topology the TAU grid adaptation module was used and up to three adaptation stages were implemented. This resulted in resolving secondary separations, tertiary separations
Guardian ad Litem: The Importance of Child Advocacy

The thoughts and needs of children are often lost when they enter the justice system. In cases regarding child abuse and neglect, everyone tends to fixate on the court ordered services for the parent and the length of time until a child can return home. Of course, these aspects are important when reuniting families, but the child’s safety and level of care should be at the forefront of every case. Parents should not complete services for the sole purpose of getting their child back, but rather with the intention of bettering their future for their family. To ensure that children are returning to a home without abuse or neglect, the court should appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to advocate for these children. “A Guardian ad Litem advocate is a trained community volunteer who is appointed, along with a Guardian ad Litem attorney, by a district court judge to investigate and determine the needs of abused and neglected children petitioned into the court system by the Department of Social Services” (North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, 2014). Guardian ad Litem is a program that varies from state to state (sometimes called Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA) and “works toward a plan that ensures that these children are in a safe, permanent home” (Goode & Kravitz, 2015). Although these cases can continue without the assistance of GAL, additional research supports that the presence of a GAL advocate not only improves the effectiveness of court proceedings, but it also improves the child’s well-being.
Retrospektive Anpassung der Selbsteinschätzung ärztlicher Kompetenzen – Beachtenswert bei der Evaluation praktischer Weiterbildungskurse

Aim: The efficacy of postgraduate practical training courses is frequently evaluated by self-assessment instruments. The present study analyses Michael Nagler S. Feller the effect of a basic course in laparoscopic surgery on self-assessed medical competencies. Christine Beyeler 2 Methods: The 3-day course included teaching of knowledge and training of practical skills. In relation to course evaluation, a questionnaire for self-assessment was applied 1 Universitätsklinik für Hämatologie und Hämatologisches 1. at the beginning of the course ('pre-course'), Zentrallabor, Inselspital, Bern, Schweiz 2. at the end of the course ('post-course') and 3. at the end of the course to reassess pre-course competencies ('retrospective pre-course'). 2 Universität Bern, Medizinische Fakultät, Results: 89 out of 110 participants (81%) attending 10 courses completed all the questionnaires; 83%were postgraduate trainees in surgery Institut für Medizinische Lehre, Abeteilung für Assessment und Evaluation, Bern, Schweiz and 82% were inexperienced as an independent surgeon. At the beginning of the course most trainees rated themselves as 'moderately competent' or 'fully competent' with respect to the various task levels as well as to specific areas of medical competencies. At the end of the course however pronounced retrospective revisions of self-assessment to lower ratings became apparent. Statistically significant differences were seen for the task 'performing surgical procedures under supervision' and for most of the practical skills trained during the course (p <0.01). In contrast, no significant differences were observed for knowledge taught during the course as well as for 'ability to work in a team' and 'ability to concentrate', which were not foci of the course. Conclusions: Surgeons with little experience change their self-assessment of pre-course competencies to a lower level after participation in a practical postgraduate training course. Evaluations comparing 'precourse' and 'post-course' ratings only – without 'retrospective pre-course' ratings – may underestimate the training effects. This phenomenon needs to be taken into account when evaluations are dependent exclusively on self-assessment instruments.
The Effect of US Monetary Policy on the Credit Growth of Emerging Market Economies

Methodology For this purpose, the effects of FED policy rates on the private non-financial credit to GDP ratios of selected emerging market economies are analysed by panel data. The study comprises quarterly data over the period of 1990-2018. Austria, Brazil, China, Greece, India, Poland, Portugal, Russia, and Turkey are determined as representatives of emerging market economies. The Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) is used for model estimation
Melhoramento gentico das propriedades do carvo vegetal de Eucalyptus

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram estimar os parâmetros fenotipicos, e genotipicos, e ganhos geneticos para as propriedades do carvao vegetal e selecionar clones de Eucalyptus, por meio de caracteristicas do carvao vegetal, visando a otimizacao da sua producao e qualidade. Foram utilizados nove clones hibridos de Eucalyptus cultivados no Municipio de Taiobeiras, Norte de Minas Gerais. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com tres repeticoes. Os parâmetros fenotipicos e geneticos foram estimados a partir dos quadrados medios das caracteristicas avaliadas no carvao vegetal. Estimou-se o ganho genetico de todas as caracteristicas que apresentaram significância. O efeito de clone foi significativo quanto ao rendimento gravimetrico do carvao, rendimento em carbono fixo e densidade basica relativa aparente do carvao. O ganho genetico previsto para o rendimento gravimetrico do carvao foi de 4,51% na selecao dos clones FGA-30 e FGA-49 e de 4,16% para o rendimento em carbono fixo na selecao dos clones FGA-30 e I-249. Para densidade basica relativa aparente, o ganho genetico foi de 0,03% na selecao dos clones FGA-49 e FGA-34.
The prevalence of hyponatremia and effects of aminophylline on serum sodium ions in premature neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

BACKGROUND: Hyponatremia, defined as serum sodium less than 135mmol/l, is a very common disorder in neonates. It accounts for about 30% of hospitalised cases worldwide, especially in premature neonates admitted to an intensive care unit. The overall morbidity and mortality from hyponatremia worldwide is reported to be at 42%. Studies done in adults and neonates have demonstrated that aminophylline, an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist, has a diuretic effect and has been implicated in lowering serum sodium levels in premature neonates. However these studies did not address the need for sodium supplementation for neonates receiving aminophylline. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of hyponatremia in premature neonates, and the effects of aminophylline administration on serum sodium levels in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH). METHOD: A cross sectional study design was employed to study 322 premature neonates who were enrolled between October 2013 and February 2014. The mean weight and mean gestational age of the participants was 1.44kg and 31.85 weeks respectively. Out of the 322 participants 188 met the criteria for aminophylline administration and were given a loading dose. As part of routine management, blood samples were collected on admission and 12hours after a loading dose of aminophylline. The blood samples were taken to UTH paediatrics laboratory for analysis. The analysis involved measuring the serum sodium levels using Pentra C400. RESULTS: According to the findings, this study shows that in premature neonates the prevalence of hyponatremia in NICU at UTH is 51%. The study further established that the majority of the premature neonates showed a significant decrease in serum sodium levels after taking a loading dose of aminophylline with P-value 0.0000. Among the factors that the study looked at, weight and gestational age, were significantly associated with hyponatremia with Pvalues 0.041 and 0.009 respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hyponatremia in NICU at UTH is significantly high and using aminophylline in premature neonates lowers serum sodium levels and sodium supplements may be required. Among the factors that the study looked at, only weight and gestational age
CHARLES UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

This thesis examines the controversial prospect of Factor timing. We use Thompson Reuters data that allow us to construct international risk-factors and respective predictive signals and we test the capacity of these signals to time factors using the Kelly Criterion formula to determine the optimal fraction of capital to invest. Concerning the United States market, we showed that among all signals that we used only the Value Spread seems to contain some predictive power for all the factors in the study. All other timing signals were almost uniformly disappointing and were unable to time any of the factors. We further showed that timing strategies performed much better in the intentional setting, often outperforming the passive buy-and-hold approach. JEL Classification G12, G14, G17, G19
Where is the global corporate elite? A large-scale network study of local and nonlocal interlocking directorates

Business elites reconfigure their locus of organization over time, from the city level, to the national level, and beyond. We ask what the current level of elite organization is and propose a novel theoretical and empirical approach to answer this question. Building on the universal distinction between local and nonlocal ties we use network analysis and community detection to dissect the global network of interlocking directorates among over five million firms. We find that elite orientation is indeed changing from the national to the transnational plane, but we register a considerable heterogeneity across different regions in the world. In some regions the business communities are organized along national borders, whereas in other areas the locus of organization is at the city level or international level. London dominates the global corporate elite network. Our findings underscore that the study of corporate elites requires an approach that is sensitive to levels of organization that go beyond the confines of nation states.
Diabetic Nephropathy and Microalbuminuria in PregnantWomen With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Prevalence, antihypertensive strategy, and pregnancy outcome

RESULTSdThe prevalence of diabetic nephropathywas 2.3% (5 of 220) in womenwith type 2 diabetes and 2.5% (11 of 445) in women with type 1 diabetes (P = 1.00). The figures for microalbuminuria were 4.5 (10 of 220) vs. 3.4% (15 of 445) (P = 0.39). Baseline glycemic control was comparable between women with type 2 diabetes (n = 15) and type 1 diabetes (n = 26). Blood pressure at baseline was median 128 (range 100–164)/81 (68–91) vs. 132 (100–176)/80 (63– 100) mmHg (not significant) and antihypertensive therapy in type 2 versus type 1 diabetes was used in 0 and 62%, respectively, at baseline, increasing to 33 and 96%, respectively, in late pregnancy. Pregnancy outcome was comparable regardless type of diabetes; gestational age at delivery: 259 days (221–276) vs. 257 (184–271) (P = 0.19); birth weight 3,304 g (1,278–3,914) vs. 2,850 (370–4,180) (P = 0.67).
Análisis morfométrico de cuatro especies simpatridas del genero Anacroneuria (Plecoptera: Perlidae)

Four sympatric species of stoneflies were evaluated (A. chorrera, A. tachira, A. cacute, and A. paleta) with morphometric analysis to estimate their differentiation through changes in shape. Results indicated no significant variance in form, showing morphological homogeneity explained by phenotypic integration resulting from the ecological similarity. Additional studies with non-traditional tools may help to delimit these species
EFFECTS OF Wnt / β-CATENIN SIGNALING PATHWAY AND STAR D7 ON TESTOSTERONE SYNTHESIS.

Background This study aimed to assess the mechanism through which Wnt/ beta - catenin signaling pathway, and StarD7, prometes testosterone synthesis, and to explore a new pathway for the regulation of testosterone synthesis. Animals and Methods Leydig cells were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into four groups and treated with Annexin 5 in concentration of 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 nmol/L. Testosterone secretion, expression of StarD7, StarD7 mRNA, β-catenin and changes of β - catenin localization in Leydig cells of testis of rats were tested in the four groups. Results mRNA and protein levels of StarD7 and β-catenin increased significantly, upon stimulation with 1 nmol/L annexin 5. Accumulation of β-catenin inside the cells and the nucleus, was observed by immunofluorescence staining, in cells treated with annexin 5. These findings indicate a possible role of StarD7 and β-catenin in the process of annexin5-mediated stimulation of testosterone synthesis. Conclusions Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and StarD7 are involved in the process of annexin5 stimulation of testosterone synthesis. Activation of Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway by Annexin5, and increase in StarD7 expression lead to elevated expression of key regulatory enzymes in testosterone synthesis, thus promoting testosterone synthesis.
Understanding the Therapeutic Coaching Needs of Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Mothers of preschool children with cerebral palsy are often responsible for delivering multiple home therapy programs. Technology could be a way to bridge some of the challenges of home therapy delivery, such as lack of regular contact with professionals and the need for support continuity. We interviewed seven mothers and four speech therapists to explore their challenges, and the types of support they currently receive (or give). Key issues included limitations of existing communication channels between mothers and professionals, the mothers’ social support needs, and the level of commitment required to self-deliver home therapy. Based on findings indicating video sharing as an existing practice among mothers, we conducted three workshops to further investigate how a video-based platform could support home therapy delivery. We conclude with a number of design considerations for such technologies, to improve communication and collaboration between professional therapists, mothers and members of their wider social network.
Modulations of EEG Beta Power during Planning and Execution of Grasping Movements

Although beta oscillations (≈ 13–35 Hz) are often considered as a sensorimotor rhythm, their functional role remains debated. In particular, the modulations of beta power during preparation and execution of complex movements in different contexts were barely investigated. Here, we analysed the beta oscillations recorded with electroencephalography (EEG) in a precued grasping task in which we manipulated two critical parameters: the grip type (precision vs. side grip) and the force (high vs. low force) required to pull an object along a horizontal axis. A cue was presented 3 s before a GO signal and provided full, partial or no information about the two movement parameters. We measured beta power over the centro-parietal areas during movement preparation and execution as well as during object hold. We explored the modulations of power in relation to the amount and type of prior information provided by the cue. We also investigated how beta power was affected by the grip and force parameters. We observed an increase in beta power around the cue onset followed by a decrease during movement preparation and execution. These modulations were followed by a transient power increase during object hold. This pattern of modulations did not differ between the 4 movement types (2 grips ×2 forces). However, the amount and type of prior information provided by the cue had a significant effect on the beta power during the preparatory delay. We discuss how these results fit with current hypotheses on the functional role of beta oscillations.