Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Video Prompting to Teach Robotics and Coding to Middle School Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Video-based modeling is an evidence-based practice for teaching social and communication skills, functional and daily living skills, and some academic skills (i.e., math) to students with autism spectrum disorder. The efficacy of video-based modeling, however, has not yet been established for STEM skills related to science, technology, or engineering. Drawing on findings from a systematic review of video-based modeling to teach academic skills to students with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability, researchers used a single-case study design to examine the efficacy of video-based modeling for teaching robotics and coding to students with autism spectrum disorder. Specifically, researchers used a multiple probe across skills single-case research design replicated across three middle school participants to teach block-based coding of robots. This afforded three intraparticipant replications and three interparticipant replications. A functional relation between the use of systematic video prompting and mastery of robotics coding skills was demonstrated. Further, to substantiate the social and ecological validity of video-based modeling interventions for public school settings, a special education teacher implemented the intervention in a special education classroom. Additionally, questionnaires were disseminated to study participants and public school special educators naive to the study purpose and outcomes to assess the social validity (i.e., feasibility and effectiveness) of the intervention.
Integration of system phenotypes in microbiome networks to identify candidate synthetic communities: a study of the grafted tomato rhizobiome

Understanding factors influencing microbial interactions, and designing methods to identify key taxa, are complex challenges for achieving microbiome-based agriculture. Here we study how grafting and the choice of rootstock influence root-associated fungal communities in a grafted tomato system. We studied three tomato rootstocks (BHN589, RST-04-106 and Maxifort) grafted to a BHN589 scion and profiled the fungal communities in the endosphere and rhizosphere by sequencing the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS2). The data provided evidence for a rootstock effect (explaining ~2% of the total captured variation, p < 0.01) on the fungal community. Moreover, the most productive rootstock, Maxifort, supported greater fungal species richness than the other rootstocks or controls. We then constructed a phenotype-OTU network analysis (PhONA) using an integrated machine learning and network analysis approach based on sequence-based fungal Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) and associated tomato yield data. PhONA provides a graphical framework to select a testable and manageable number of OTUs to support microbiome-enhanced agriculture. We identified differentially abundant OTUs specific to each rootstock in both endosphere and rhizosphere compartments. Subsequent analyses using PhONA identified OTUs that were directly associated with tomato fruit yield, and others that were indirectly linked to yield through their links to these OTUs. Fungal OTUs that are directly or indirectly linked with tomato yield may represent candidates for synthetic communities to be explored in agricultural systems. IMPORTANCE The realized benefits of microbiome analyses for plant health and disease management are often limited by the lack of methods to select manageable and testable synthetic microbiomes. We evaluated the composition and diversity of root-associated fungal communities from grafted tomatoes. We then constructed a phenotype-OTU network analysis (PhONA) using these linear and network models. By incorporating yield data in the network, PhONA identified OTUs that were directly predictive of tomato yield, and others that were indirectly linked to yield through their links to these OTUs. Follow-up functional studies of taxa associated with effective rootstocks, identified using approaches like PhONA, could support the design of synthetic fungal communities for microbiome-based crop production and disease management. The PhONA framework is flexible for incorporation of other phenotypic data and the underlying models can readily be generalized to accommodate other microbiome or other ‘omics data.
Sustainability reporting in Malaysia - the extent and quality

The objective of this study is to examine the extent and quality of sustainability reporting (SR) of Malaysian listed companies after Bursa Malaysia has launched its Sustainability Framework comprising amendments to the Listing Requirements (paragraph 29, part A of Appendix 9C, Main Market LR and practice note 9, Main Market) and the issuance of a Sustainability Reporting Guide (SRG) and Toolkits, in October 2015. The SRG provides more specific guidance on “what” and “how” sustainability information should be disclosed by the companies in their SR. The data was collected from the largest 100 listed companies’ annual reports for the year-end on and after 31 December 2016. The study applied content analysis method in collecting the data by using the disclosure checklist. The results show that the overall score for extent and quality of information are still low and companies in oil and gas industry disclosed most extent and of highest quality compared to other companies from other industries. In addition, it appears that companies disclose more on economic dimension which includes information regarding how their business operations influence and contribute to the other organizations and community economically, such as how much their procurement for local suppliers, how they contribute to socio-economic of the community and local people and how they give indirect economic impacts toward community. However, most of the information disclosed is qualitative and narrative statement rather than quantitative information.
Is a lower dose of cyproterone acetate as effective at testosterone suppression in transgender women as higher doses?

ABSTRACT Objective: The recommended dose of cyproterone acetate (CPA), an anti-androgen that is commonly used in the hormonal treatment of transgender women, is 50–100 mg daily. Our objective was to determine whether CPA at 25 mg daily would suppress total testosterone as effectively as 50 mg daily in transgender women. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of transgender women attending an endocrinology clinic between April 1, 2009, and June 30, 2015. We used a generalized linear mixed model to compare total testosterone between patients on CPA 25 mg versus CPA 50 mg or higher. In a subgroup of patients for which the CPA dose was decreased from 50 mg to 25 mg, we compared total testosterone levels before and after the decrease. Results: We divided the sixty-eight patients included in the study into 4 groups: group 1, CPA 25 mg (N =31); group 2, CPA 50 mg or higher (N = 19); group 3, CPA dose lowered from 50 mg to 25 mg (N = 15); group 4, CPA dose increased from 25 mg to 50 mg (N = 3). The mean total testosterone on treatment was 0.9 nmol/L (95% CI 0.7 to 1.1) in group 1 and 1.2 nmol/L (95% CI 0.9–1.5) in group 2 and were not significantly different (p = 0.087). In group 3, there was no significant difference between total testosterone levels before and after decreasing the dose of CPA from 50 mg to 25 mg, p = 0.86. Group 4 was excluded from analysis. Conclusions: We found that 25 mg of CPA daily was effective at suppressing testosterone levels to within normal female range when used in combination with recommended estrogen therapy in transgender women. Clinicians should consider using a lower dose of CPA in order to minimize potential adverse effects.
Comparison of the Hyponatremic Effects of Erythropoietin and U-74389G

This study calculated the effects on serum sodium (Na) levels, after treatment with either of 2 drugs: The erythropoietin (Epo) and the antioxidant lazaroid (L) drug U-74389G. The calculation was based on the results of 2 preliminary studies, each one of which estimated the certain influence, after the respective drug usage in an induced ischemia reperfusion (IR) animal experiment.
Prevalence of obesity in patients suffering from migraine

Background: Migraine is one of the most common primary headaches, accounting for significant morbidity in patients suffering from it. An association between obesity and migraine has been documented in the past, despite some studies pointing to the contrary. Author’s purpose is to calculate the prevalence of obesity in migraine patients in order to contribute to the existing concepts. A positive correlation could lead to the employment of weight loss interventions in the management of obese patients with migraine. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 400 patients, recently diagnosed with migraine, attending the Neurology Outpatient Department at the Dr. Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi were enrolled after taking informed consent. Migraine was diagnosed using International Classification of Headache Disorders III (ICHD III) criteria. Height (meters) and weight (kilograms) were measured and body mass index calculated. This data was kept confidential. The results were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS version 19. Continuous quantitative data were analyzed using chi square test. A p Value of less than or equal to 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of enrolled participants was 30.69±6.96 years, 204(51%) were >30 years of age, 159(39.8%) were male and 241(60.3%) were female, mean height was 1.55±0.1 meters, mean weight was 56.26±12.98 kg, and mean duration of migraine was 5.04±2.02 weeks. The prevalence of obesity in patients with migraine was 108 (27%). Conclusions: It was concluded that the prevalence of obesity in patients with migraine was 27%.
Clinical study of placenta previa and its effect on maternal health and fetal outcome

Background: When the placenta is implanted partially or completely in the lower uterine segment it is called placenta previa. The objective of the study was to determine the incidence, obstetric risk factors, obstetric management, maternal mortality and morbidity, perinatal outcome in women presenting with placenta previa. Methods: Total 106 pregnant women with placenta previa were analyzed between January to December 2015. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria these women were analyzed with respect to their age, parity, gestational age and clinical features at presentation, history of warning bleeding, duration of hospitalization, need for blood transfusion, period of gestation at delivery, route of delivery and ICU admissions. For the newborn APGAR score, birth weight, need for NICU admission, still birth rate, neonatal mortality rate are noted down. Results: In this study 0.64% of the deliveries were complicated with placenta previa among them 23.6% women were above 30 years of age and 80.2% were multigravidas. 60.4% had major degree placenta previa, 36.8% had prior cesarean deliveries, 7.5% had prior abortion, 39.7% preterm deliveries. 85.8% cases delivered by cesarean delivery, 12.7% cases had postpartum haemorrhage and 4.7% had adherent placenta. There were 86.8% ICU admissions, 3.8% cases of acute kidney injury in present series. Conclusions: Advancing maternal age, multiparity, prior cesarean section, and prior abortions are independent risk factors for placenta previa. Placenta praevia remains a risk factor for adverse maternal and perinatal outcome. The detection of placenta previa should encourage a careful evaluation with timely delivery to reduce the associated maternal and perinatal complications.
Investigating the impact of violations of the “left and top means first” heuristic on response behavior and data quality

ABSTRACT Web surveys are an established data collection mode that use written language to provide information. The written language is accompanied by visual elements, such as presentation formats and shapes. However, research has shown that visual elements influence response behavior because respondents sometimes use interpretive heuristics to make sense of the visual elements. One such heuristic is the ‘left and top means first’ (LTMF) heuristic, which suggests that respondents tend to believe that a response scale consistently runs from left to right or from top to bottom. We conducted a web survey experiment to investigate how violations of the LTMF heuristic affect response behavior and data quality. For this purpose, a random half of respondents received response options that followed a consistent order and the other half received response options that followed an inconsistent order. The results reveal significantly different response distributions between the two groups. We also found that inconsistently ordered response options significantly increase response times and decrease data quality in terms of criterion validity. We, therefore, recommend using options that follow the design strategies of the LTMF heuristic.
Quantitative Structure–Mutation–Activity Relationship Tests (QSMART) model for protein kinase inhibitor response prediction

Protein kinases are a large family of druggable proteins that are genomically and proteomically altered in many human cancers. Kinase-targeted drugs are emerging as promising avenues for personalized medicine because of the differential response shown by altered kinases to drug treatment in patients and cell-based assays. However, an incomplete understanding of the relationships connecting genome, proteome and drug sensitivity profiles present a major bottleneck in targeting kinases for personalized medicine. In this study, we propose a multi-component Quantitative Structure–Mutation–Activity Relationship Tests (QSMART) model and neural networks framework for providing explainable models of protein kinase inhibition and drug response (IC50\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\hbox {IC}_{50}$$\end{document}) profiles in cell lines. Using non-small cell lung cancer as a case study, we show that interaction terms that capture associations between drugs, pathways, and mutant kinases quantitatively contribute to the response of two EGFR inhibitors (afatinib and lapatinib). In particular, protein–protein interactions associated with the JNK apoptotic pathway, associations between lung development and axon extension, and interaction terms connecting drug substructures and the volume/charge of mutant residues at specific structural locations contribute significantly to the observed IC50\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\hbox {IC}_{50}$$\end{document} values in cell-based assays. By integrating multi-omics data in the QSMART model, we not only predict drug responses in cancer cell lines with high accuracy but also identify features and explainable interaction terms contributing to the accuracy. Although we have tested our multi-component explainable framework on protein kinase inhibitors, it can be extended across the proteome to investigate the complex relationships connecting genotypes and drug sensitivity profiles.
Histomorphological analysis of testicular and paratesticular lesions - 4 year study from a tertiary centre in South India

1,2 Associate Professor, Pathology, GMC, Kottayam, 3 Professor, Urology, GMC, Kottayam 4 Associate Professor, GMC, Trichur, 5 Professor, Pathology, GMC, Kottayam Corresponding Author Dr Renu Thambi Abstract Background: Testis is the site for a large number of neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions of varied etiology which can occur in any age group. Testicular tumours are rare, affecting adolescents and young adults. Only limited literature is available on the epidemiology of testicular and paratesticular lesions from South India. Aim: A detailed 4 year histopathological analysis of testicular and paratesticular lesions including testicular tumours were undertaken. Materials and Methods: A total of 160 orchidectomy cases studied with retrieved blocks and slides from the department. A detailed clinicopathological correlation done. Serological markers and Immunohistochemistry done in required cases. Results: Our analysis showed 87.5% non neoplastic lesions with torsion testis being the most common followed by atrophic testis and tuberculous epididymo-orchitis. Of the neoplastic lesions (12.5%) malignant tumours were common compared to benign tumours and germ cell tumour constituted the predominant malignant lesion. Conclusion: The distribution of testicular lesions in patients attending our institution were comparable with available worldwide data.
Risk Factors for Developing Myopia among Schoolchildren in Yerevan and Gegharkunik province

Background Myopia is a complex condition which might lead to visual impairment and blindness. This study assessed the risk factors for myopia and the difference in prevalence of myopia between urban and rural regions in school children in Armenia. Method The interviewer-administered survey along with eye screenings was conducted among school children living in Yerevan (the capital city) and Gegharkunik province. The research …
Effect of Chinese Medicine XIAOJI Decoction Combined with Platinum-Based Chemotherapy and Transfusion of Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells in Patients with Stage III B/IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells in combination with chemotherapy and Chinese Medicine XIAOJI decoction in patients with advanced NSCLC. Methods: A total number of 40 patients with advanced NSCLC were randomly assigned into group A (chemotherapy plus XIAOJI decoction) and group B (chemotherapy plus XIAOJI decoction and CIK cell transfusion). Progression free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR), overall response rate (ORR), karnofsky score status (KPS), host cellular immune response and treatment related side effects were assessed. Results: Our results showed that the PFS in the group B was longer than those in the group A (9.1 months vs. 7.2 months, HR 0.323, 95% CI [0.157, 0.663, P=0.002].The ORR and the DCR were found no statistical difference between the two groups (20% vs. 10%, P=0.66 and 95% vs. 70%, P=0.10, respectively). The KPS distribution of curative effect in two groups showed significant different (Z=3.28, P 0.05). While the level of CD3+ and CD4+ were significantly higher after treatment in the group B as compared to that in the group A (P=0.04), the level of CD3+ in the control group was lower after treatment (P=0.04) compared to that in the treatment group. There were no immediate adverse reactions in two groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that CIK cell infusion combined with chemotherapy and XIAOJI decoction improves the survival of patients with advanced NSCLC, which may become more effective therapeutic strategy in patients with advanced lung cancer.
Single-photon detectors for satellite based quantum communications

With the growing use of online communications in our modern society, information security is becoming a big concern. Along with that, the progress in quantum computers is posing severe threats to such communications. Once powerful quantum computers are available, most of today’s encryption schemes, which are based on computationally hard problems, will be broken within a short period. Researchers are therefore making a great effort to establish quantum-safe encryption schemes. One such scheme is quantum key distribution (QKD), which utilizes the laws of quantum mechanics. These cryptography protocols offer unconditional security to the communication between two distant parties by providing a secure way of sharing encryption keys between them. While over last few decades QKD has continuously progressed, it is limited to a distance of up to several hundred kilometers using terrestrial quantum links. Satellites are therefore being considered to extend the QKD range for global coverage, although implementations of the satellite-based QKD infrastructure are still in their early stage. There are many aspects of QKD that need further assessment and advancement for establishing long-term satellite-based quantum communication (QC). My thesis works were focused on developing advanced systems for single-photon detectors and quantum sources. Single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) are the most viable option for satellite-based quantum communications. They must travel to outer space either for receiving quantumstates in the ground-to-satellite QC, or for characterizing the quantum-sources in the satellite-to-ground QC. However, while in space, SPADs exhibit damage caused by the space radiation that gradually increases their dark counts. Performing QKD is not possible when the dark counts exceed a specific threshold. Hence, methods of reducing the detectors’ dark counts by mitigating the damages would help to extend the SPADs’ in-space useful lifetime. Laser annealing is one such effective method, found in lab experiments, to heal the radiation-induced detector damages. We now aim to carry out this method in low Earth orbit (LEO) to verify its in-orbit effectiveness. On that goal, we are building an annealing payload (APL) for a cube satellite (CubeSat) in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC). We, the University of Waterloo team, built one of the two segments of the APL– a space-qualified detector module containing two