Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Children with intellectual disability in residential care centers. Trends in Israel 1999-2004

Children and adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) have historically gone through various stages from being left or activity killed, to being placed in care, to being rehabilitated or educated and today with efforts to keep as normal a life as possible inspite of their disability. This study was conducted in order to look at the trends of children with ID in residential care centers in Israel. Since 1998 an annual survey of all medical clinics in residentail care centers has been conducted by the Office of the Medical Director of the Ministry of Social Affairs and data was extracted from the national surveys during 1999-2004. Out of a total residential care population of about 6,000 persons with ID about 1,000 were children, but a downward trend was observed over the study period with children 18.1% of the total residential care population in 1999 to 14.4% in 2004 (a total of 954 persons aged 0-19 years in 2004). Further detailed studies should be conducted in order to get a clearer picture of this present pediatric population in residential care.
Regulation of Akt/PKB by phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐dependent and ‐independent pathways in B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells: role of protein kinase Cβ

Apoptosis of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B‐CLL) cells is regulated by the PI‐3K‐Akt pathway. In the present work, we have analyzed the mechanisms of Akt phosphorylation in B‐CLL cells. Freshly isolated cells present basal Akt phosphorylation, which is PI‐3K‐dependent, as incubation with the PI‐3K inhibitor LY294002 decreased Ser‐473 and Thr‐308 phosphorylation in most samples analyzed (seven out of 10). In three out of 10 cases, inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibited basal Akt phosphorylation. Stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α, IL‐4, and B cell receptor activation induced PI‐3K‐dependent Akt phosphorylation. PMA induced the phosphorylation of Akt at Ser‐473 and Thr‐308 and the phosphorylation of Akt substrates, independently of PI‐3K in B‐CLL cells. In contrast, PKC‐mediated phosphorylation of Akt was PI‐3K‐dependent in normal B cells. Finally, a specific inhibitor of PKCβ blocked the phosphorylation and activation of Akt by PMA in B‐CLL cells. Taken together, these results suggest a model in which Akt could be activated by two different pathways (PI‐3K and PKCβ) in B‐CLL cells.
Beyond Genetics—The Emerging Role of Epigenetic Changes in Hematopoietic Malignancies

The term epigenetic refers to a heritable change in gene expression that is mediated by mechanisms other than alterations in the primary nucleotide sequence. DNA methylation at cytosine bases that are located 5′ to guanosine within a CpG dinucleotide is the main epigenetic modification in humans. Patterns of DNA methylation are profoundly deranged in human cancer and comprise genome-wide losses as well as regional gains in DNA methylation. Hypermethylation of CpG islands within gene promoter regions is associated with transcriptional inactivation and represents, in addition to genetic aberrations, an important mechanism of gene silencing in the pathogenesis of hematopoietic malignancies. This epigenetic phenomenon acts as an alternative to mutations and deletions to disrupt tumor suppressor gene function.A large number of genes involving fundamental cellular pathways may be affected in virtually all types of human cancer by aberrant CpG island methylation in association with transcriptional silencing. Altered methylation patterns can be used as biomarkers for cancer detection, assessment of prognosis, and prediction of response to antitumor treatment. Furthermore, clinical trials using epigenetically targeted therapies have yielded promising results for acute and chronic leukemias as well as for myelodysplastic syndromes.The exploration of our growing knowledge about epigenetic aberrations may help develop novel strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of hematopoietic malignancies in the future.
Pervasive Pose-Aware Applications and Infrastructure

Pose-aware devices, in concert with functional geometric models describing architectural spaces, enable a new class of indoor applications, including resource location, route finding, direct population and annotation of world models, and direct information overlay. The article describes these applications along with the device infrastructure and algorithms required to support them. We demonstrate a few prototype devices and applications now underway and point to future directions in which these techniques might evolve.
A ug 2 01 4 Efron – Stein Inequalities for Random Matrices

This paper establishes new concentration inequalities for random matrices constructed from independent random variables. These results are analogous with the generalized Efron–Stein inequalities developed by Boucheron et al. The proofs rely on the method of exchangeable pairs. AMS 2000 subject classifications: Primary 60B20, 60E15; secondary 60G09, 60F10.
Notice of Violation of IEEE Publication PrinciplesA 160-2550MHz CMOS active clock deskewing PLL using analog phase interpolation

An active clock-deskewing PLL uses analog-phase interpolation to generate the local shifted clocks. It provides a uniform and process independent phase-step over the entire deskew range, and a zero-latency phase shift to speed-up the deskewing process. This 400x800μm/sup 2/ PLL is fabricated in a 0. 15μm CMOS process having a frequency range of 160 to 2550MHz, phase step of 2.8°, RMS jitter <1 % T/sub osc/ and draws 60mW from a 1.5V supply.
The enactment of knowledge translation: a study of the Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care initiative within the English National Health Service

Objectives We contribute to existing knowledge translation (KT) literature by developing the notion of ‘enactment’ and illustrate this through an interpretative, comparative case-study analysis of three Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) initiatives. We argue for a focus on the way in which the CLAHRC model has been ‘enacted’ as central to the different KT challenges and capabilities encountered. Methods A comparative, mixed method study created a typology of enactments (Classical, Home-grown and Imported) using qualitative analysis and social network analysis. Results We identify systematic differences in the enactment of the CLAHRC model. The sources of these different enactments are subsequently related to variation in formative interpretations and leadership styles, the implementation of different governance structures, and the relative epistemic differences between the professional groups involved. Conclusions Enactment concerns the creative agency of individuals and groups in constituting a particular context for their work through their local interpretation of a particular KT model. Our theory of enactment goes beyond highlighting variation between CLAHRCs, to explore the mechanisms that influence the way a particular model is interpreted and acted upon. We thus encourage less focus on conceptual models and more on the formative role played by leaders of KT initiatives.
Phytoplankton growth and regulation in the Labrador Sea: light and nutrient limitation

The importance of light and nutrients in regulating phytoplankton growth in the Labrador Sea was evaluating using climatological data, 12 years of measurements made as part of the Labrador Sea Monitoring Program (LSMP) and physiological information from the literature. Light limits primary production and phytoplankton growth much of the year, even during summer when surface irradiance is at its seasonal peak. Nutrients, nitrogen (nitrate) and silicate, are reduced to low levels in surface waters in summer/autumn and can limit phytoplankton production and growth at this time of year. Nitrate appears to be the nutrient in shortest supply on the Labrador Shelf while silicate is in shortest supply in the central Labrador Basin. Multiyear trends in regional hydrography (increases in water temperatures, decreases in mixed layer depth) and changes in nitrate and silicate supply over the past decade (i.e. increases in nitrate and decreases in silicate) may be linked to changes in phytoplankton community composition and structure (i.e. decreases in large forms such as diatoms and increases in small picoplankton and nanoplankton forms).
Network lifetime maximization with cross-layer design in wireless sensor networks

This paper investigates a cross-layer design approach for minimizing energy consumption and maximizing network lifetime (NL) of a multiple-source and single-sink (MSSS) WSN with energy constraints. The optimization problem for MSSS WSN can be formulated as a mixed integer convex optimization problem with the adoption of time division multiple access (TDMA) in medium access control (MAC) layer, and it becomes a convex problem by relaxing the integer constraint on time slots. Impacts of data rate, link access and routing are jointly taken into account in the optimization problem formulation. Both linear and planar network topologies are considered for NL maximization (NLM). With linear MSSS and planar single-source and single-sink (SSSS) topologies, we successfully use Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions to derive analytical expressions of the optimal NL when all nodes are exhausted simultaneously. The problem for planar MSSS topology is more complicated, and a decomposition and combination (D&C) approach is proposed to compute suboptimal solutions. An analytical expression of the suboptimal NL is derived for a small scale planar network. To deal with larger scale planar network, an iterative algorithm is proposed for the D&C approach. Numerical results show that the upper-bounds of the network lifetime obtained by our proposed optimization models are tight. Important insights into the NL and benefits of cross-layer design for WSN NLM are obtained.
S1 subsite specificity of a recombinant cysteine proteinase, CPB, of Leishmania mexicana compared with cruzain, human cathepsin L and papain using substrates containing non-natural basic amino acids.

We have explored the substrate specificity of a recombinant cysteine proteinase of Leishmania mexicana (CPB2.8 Delta CTE) in order to obtain data that will enable us to design specific inhibitors of the enzyme. Previously we have shown that the enzyme has high activity towards substrates with a basic group at the P1 position [Hilaire, P.M.S., Alves, L.C. , Sanderson, S.J., Mottram, J.C. , Juliano, M.A., Juliano, L. , Coombs, G.H. & Meldal M. (2000) Chem. Biochem. 1, 115--122], but we have also observed high affinity for peptides with hydrophobic residues at this position. In order to have substrates containing both features, we synthesized one series of internally quenched fluorogenic peptides derived from the sequence ortho-amino-benzoyl-FRSRQ-N-[2,4-dinitrophenyl]-ethylenediamine, and substituted the Arg at the P1 position with the following non-natural basic amino acids: 4-aminomethyl-phenylalanine (Amf), 4-guanidine-phenylalanine (Gnf), 4-aminomethyl-N-isopropyl-phenylalanine (Iaf), 3-pyridyl-alanine (Pya), 4-piperidinyl-alanine (Ppa), 4-aminomethyl-cyclohexyl-alanine (Ama), and 4-aminocyclohexyl-alanine (Aca). For comparison, the series derived from ortho-amino-benzoyl-FRSRQ-N-[2,4-dinitrophenyl]-ethylenediamine was also assayed with cruzain (the major cysteine proteinase of Trypanosoma cruzi), human cathepsin L and papain. The peptides ortho-amino-benzoyl-FAmfSRQ-N-[2,4-dinitrophenyl]-ethylenediamine (k(cat)/K(m) = 12,000 mM(-1) x s(-1)) and ortho-amino-benzoyl-FIafSRQ-N-[2,4-dinitrophenyl]-ethylenediamine (k(cat)/K(m) = 27,000 mM(-1) x s(-1)) were the best substrates for CPB2.8 Delta CTE. In contrast, ortho-amino-benzoyl-FAmaSRQ-N-[2,4-dinitrophenyl]-ethylenediamine and ortho-amino-benzoyl-FAcaSRQ-N-[2,4-dinitrophenyl]-ethylenediamine were very resistant and inhibited this enzyme with K(i) values of 23 nM and 30 nM, respectively. Cruzain hydrolyzed quite well the substrates in this series with Amf, Ppa and Aca, whereas the peptide with Ama was resistant and inhibited cruzain with a K(i) of 40 nM. Human cathepsin L presented an activity on these peptides very similar to that of CPB2.8 Delta CTE and papain hydrolyzed all the peptides with high efficiency. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that CPB2.8 Delta CTE has more restricted specificity at the S1 subsite and it seems possible to design efficient inhibitors with amino acids such as Ama or Aca at the P(1) position.
THE FENSHUIZHI REFORM,FISCAL DECENTRALIZATION,AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CHINA

This paper investigates the effects of fiscal decentralization on provincial economic growth in China with a panel data set.Based on Zhang and Zou(1998)and Lin and Liu(2000), we find the fenshuizhi reform largely changes the relationship between fiscal decentralization and economic growth,which is significantly negative before 1994 while significantly positive over the nine years since then.The coefficient of fiscal decentralization is no longer significantly negative in the sample from 1986 to 2002.The sub-sample analysis finds a positive relationship between fiscal decentralization and economic growth in the localities with higher per capita GDP,but none in the localities with lower per capita GDP from 1994 to 2002.We attribute the intertemporal change and interregional differences of the fiscal decentralization effects in China to the improved coordina- tion and intervention power of the governments after the 1994 tax reform.
Usual Dietary Fat Intake and Insulin Concentrations in Healthy Women Twins

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the associations between the usual intake of dietary fats and insulin concentrations. Insulin concentrations and insulin resistance have been positively related to risk for NIDDM, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and coronary heart disease, yet little is known of the environmental risk factors for relative hyperinsulinemia. Insulin resistance can be induced by high-fat feeding in laboratory animals; therefore, high-fat diets may increase risks for developing NIDDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Subjects included 544 nondiabetic women who participated in the second examination of the Kaiser Permanente Women Twins Study (1989-1990). Fasting and 2-h post 75-g glucose load insulin levels were determined. Dietary fat intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Generalized least-squares regression analyses for unpaired twin data were used to determine the relationship between dietary fat intake and insulin levels after adjustment for total calories, age, several behavioral variables, and in some models, percentage of body fat and waist-to-hip ratio. Associations of dietary fat intake with insulin levels were also evaluated within the subset of monozygotic twin pairs (n = 164 pairs) after removal of genetic influences by regression analysis of intrapair differences. RESULTS Among the 544 individual women, a 20 g/day increase in total dietary fat was associated with a higher fasting insulin level (9% [P < 0.001] before and 6% [P < 0.01] after adjustment for the obesity variables). Higher intakes of saturated fat, oleic acid, and linoleic acid were each positively related to higher fasting insulin values. The relation of dietary fat with fasting insulin was significantly attenuated among physically active women compared with those who were sedentary (P = 0.04), even after adjustment for obesity. Only saturated fat intake was significantly associated with 2-h postglucose load insulin level before (P = 0.04) but not after adjustment for obesity. Within identical twin pairs, total dietary fat was positively related to fasting insulin before (P = 0.03) but not after adjustment for obesity (P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS High intake of total dietary fat is positively related to relative fasting hyperinsulinemia in nondiabetic women, particularly those who are sedentary. This effect appears to be partly mediated by the relation of dietary fat with obesity.
Expression of trans-Sialidase and 85-kDa Glycoprotein Genes in Trypanosoma cruzi Is Differentially Regulated at the Post-transcriptional Level by Labile Protein Factors*

To adapt to different environments,Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas’ disease, expresses a different set of proteins during development. To begin to understand the mechanism that controls this differential gene expression, we have analyzed the levels ofamastin and trans-sialidase mRNAs and the mRNAs encoding members of the 85-kDa glycoprotein gene family, which are differentially expressed in the T. cruzi stages found in the mammalian host. Amastin mRNA is expressed predominantly in intracellular and proliferative amastigotes.trans-Sialidase mRNAs are found mostly in forms undergoing transformation from amastigotes to trypomastigotes inside infected cells, whereas mRNAs encoding the 85-kDa glycoproteins appear only in the infective trypomastigotes released from the cells. The genes coding for these mRNA species are constitutively transcribed in all stages of T. cruzi cells, suggesting that expression is controlled post-transcriptionally during differentiation. Inhibition of transcription by actinomycin D revealed that each mRNA species has a relatively long half-life in stages where it accumulates. In the case of the trans-sialidase and 85-kDa glycoprotein genes, mRNA accumulation was induced by treatment with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide at the stages that preceded the normal accumulation. Therefore, mRNA stabilization may account for mRNA accumulation. mRNA degradation could be promoted by proteins with high turnover, or stabilization could be promoted by forming a complex with the translational machinery at defined times in development. Identification of the factors that induce mRNA degradation or stabilization is essential to the understanding of control of gene expression in these organisms.
Mortality in Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: Sparse and conflicting evidence exists regarding mortality risk from pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We aimed to determine the pooled mortality in pediatric ARDS and to describe its trend over time. Data Sources and Study Selection: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched from 1960 to August 2015. Keywords or medical subject headings (MESH) terms used included “respiratory distress syndrome, adult,” “acute lung injury,” “acute respiratory insufficiency,” “acute hypoxemic respiratory failure,” “pediatrics,” and “child. ” Study inclusion criteria were (1) pediatric patients aged 0 days to 18 years, (2) sufficient baseline data described in the pediatric ARDS group, and (3) mortality data. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective observational studies were eligible. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Data on study characteristics, patient demographics, measures of oxygenation, and mortality were extracted using a standard data extraction form. Independent authors conducted the search, applied the selection criteria, and extracted the data. Methodological quality of studies was assessed. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model was performed to obtain pooled estimates of mortality. Meta-regression was performed to analyze variables contributing to change in mortality over time. Eight RCTs and 21 observational studies (n = 2274 patients) were included. Pooled mortality rate was 24% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19-31). There was a decrease in mortality rates over 3 epochs (≤2000, 2001-2009, and ≥2010: 40% [95% CI: 24-59], 35% [95% CI: 21-51], and 18% [95% CI: 12-26], respectively, P < .001). Observational studies reported a higher mortality rate than RCTs (27% [95% CI: 24-29] versus 16% [95% CI: 12-20], P < .001). Earlier year of publication was an independent factor associated with mortality. Conclusion: Overall mortality rate in pediatric ARDS is approximately 24%. Studies conducted and published later were associated with better survival.
Reciprocal relations between adolescent substance use and delinquency: a longitudinal latent variable analysis.

Reciprocal relations between self-reported substance use and delinquency were examined through the analysis of 4-wave panel data collected from 1,218 high school students. A longitudinal, latent-variable framework was used to investigate interrelationships between changing patterns of generalized involvement in these 2 problem behaviors, while simultaneously accounting for specificity in drug use (e.g., marijuana use) and delinquency (e.g., theft). Analyses revealed that a model of bidirectional effects between polysubstance use and general delinquency was plausible for boys but not for girls. For boys, the effect of delinquency on substance use was small but consistent over time, whereas the effect of substance use on delinquency was larger but restricted to the earlier waves of the study. Implications for the question of whether or not substance use and delinquency have causal connections are discussed.
Detection of preference shift timing using time-series clustering

Recommendation methods help online users to purchase products more easily by presenting products that are likely to match their preferences. In these methods, user profiles are constructed according to past activities on the site. When a user accesses an e-commerce site, the user preferences may change during the course of web shopping. We called this a “preference shift” in this paper. However, conventional recommendation methods suppose that user profiles are static, and therefore these methods cannot follow the preference shift. Here, a novel product recommendation method is proposed, which responds to the preference shift. With use of this recommendation method, the users remain at the site longer than before. This paper discusses the detection method for finding the preference shift timing using time-series clustering. In the proposed method, the products preferred by a user are clustered and the preference shift timing is detected as the change in the clustering results.
Evaluation and Determinants of Airborne Bacterial Concentrations in School Classrooms

A survey of 39 elementary schools was undertaken to determine indoor air concentrations of bioaerosols within a coastal, temperate climatic zone in British Columbia, Canada. This article reports the results for airborne bacteria. Determinants of exposure were grouped into environmental (outdoor temperature, relative humidity, season, weather), ventilation and comfort parameter (indoor relative humidity, temperature, indoor CO2 concentration, indoor fungal concentration), and occupancy (number of occupants, activity levels, occupancy patterns) variables. Regression modeling was used to evaluate the association between these factors and measured concentrations of indoor mesophilic bacteria. Naturally ventilated rooms (47% of the total rooms surveyed) had higher bacterial counts than mechanically ventilated rooms (geometric mean 325 vs. 166 CFU/m3, respectively, p < 0.001). In univariate analyses, bacterial counts were negatively correlated with supply and exhaust flow rates, air exchange rates, and the percentage of the day that occupants spent quietly sitting at their desks. Analysis of bacterial groups indicated various sources of the bacterial aerosol, with micrococci and staphylococci closely associated with occupancy variables, Bacillus with site and occupancy, and coryneform bacteria with site variables only. Approximately 60% of the variance in the outcome measurement of total bacteria was accounted for by indoor CO2, lower air exchange rate, the age of the building, signs of current or old moisture stains, room volume, indoor relative humidity, and occupant activity level in a multiple linear regression model, with ventilation factors accounting for 40% of the variance.