Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy clustering with a fuzzy covariance matrix

A class of fuzzy ISODATA clustering algorithms has been developed previously which includes fuzzy means. This class of algorithms is generalized to include fuzzy covariances. The resulting algorithm closely resembles maximum likelihood estimation of mixture densities. It is argued that use of fuzzy covariances is a natural approach to fuzzy clustering. Experimental results are presented which indicate that more accurate clustering may be obtained by using fuzzy covariances.
On the distribution function and moments of power sums with log-normal components

An approximate technique is presented for the evaluation of the mean and variance of the power sums with log-normal components. Exact expressions for the moments with two components are developed and then used in a nested fashion to obtain the moments of the desired sum. The results indicate more accurate estimates of these quantities over a wider range of individual component variances than any previously reported procedure. Coupling our estimates with the Gaussian assumption for the power sum provides a characterization of the cumulative distribution function which agrees remarkably well with a Monte Carlo simulation in the 1 to 99 percent range of the variate. Simple polynomial expressions obtained for the moments lead to an effective analytical tool for various system performance studies. They allow quick and accurate calculation of quantities such as cochannel interference caused by shadowing in mobile telephony.
An application of an ecological framework to understand risk factors of PTSD due to prolonged conflict exposure: Israeli and Palestinian adolescents in the line of fire.

OBJECTIVE Adolescents living in Israel and the Palestinian authority are exposed to political violence. This review examines psychosocial risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) organized within an ecological framework. METHOD Relevant articles were identified through PubMed and PsycINFO. Studies measuring risk and/or protective factors for PTSD in the Palestinian and/or Israeli adolescent populations because of conflict exposure from 1990 to present were included. RESULTS A total of 20 studies met inclusion criteria. Greater violence exposure, poor economic resources, living in rural compared with urban areas, poor family and peer relations, and poor coping skills were associated with PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The ecological framework is a useful approach to understanding factors affecting adolescent PTSD. Future research should focus on socioecological levels that have received limited attention. (PsycINFO Database Record
[Precision and accuracy of "a pocket" pulse oximeter in Mexico City].

BACKGROUND Pulse oximeters are frequently used in the clinical practice and we must known their precision and accuracy. The objective was to evaluate the precision and accuracy of a "pocket" pulse oximeter at an altitude of 2,240 m above sea level. METHODS We tested miniature pulse oximeters (Onyx 9,500, Nonin Finger Pulse Oximeter) in 96 patients sent to the pulmonary laboratory for an arterial blood sample. Patients were tested with 5 pulse oximeters placed in each of the fingers of the hand oposite to that used for the arterial puncture. The gold standard was the oxygen saturation of the arterial blood sample. RESULTS Blood samples had SaO2 of 87.2 +/- 11.0 (between 42.2 and 97.9%). Pulse oximeters had a mean error of 0.28 +/- 3.1%. SaO2 = (1.204 x SpO2) - 17.45966 (r = 0.92, p < 0.0001). Intraclass correlation coefficient between each of five pulse oximeters against the arterial blood standard ranged between 0.87 and 0.99. HbCO (2.4 +/- 0.6) did not affect the accuracy. CONCLUSIONS The miniature oximeter Nonin is precise and accurate at 2,240 m of altitude. The observed levels of HbCO did not affect the performance of the equipment. The oximeter good performance, small size and low cost enhances its clinical usefulness.
A Linker Region of the Yeast Zinc Cluster Protein Leu3p Specifies Binding to Everted Repeat DNA*

Yeast zinc cluster proteins form a major class of yeast transcriptional regulators. They usually bind as homodimers to target DNA sequences, with each monomer recognizing a CGG triplet. Orientation and spacing between the CGG triplet specifies the recognition sequence for a given zinc cluster protein. For instance, Gal4p binds to inverted CGG triplets spaced by 11 base pairs whereas Ppr1p recognizes a similar motif but with a spacing of 6 base pairs. Hap1p, another member of this family, binds to a direct repeat consisting of two CGG triplets. Other members of this family, such as Leu3p, also recognize CGG triplets but when oriented in opposite directions, an everted repeat. This implies that the two zinc clusters of Leu3p bound to an everted repeat must be oriented in opposite directions to those of Gal4p or Ppr1p bound to inverted repeats. In order to map the domain responsible for proper orientation of the zinc clusters of Leu3p, we constructed chimeric proteins between Leu3p and Ppr1p and tested their binding to a Leu3p and a Ppr1p site. Our results show that the linker region, which bridges the zinc cluster to the dimerization domain, specifies binding of Leu3p to an everted repeat. We propose that the Leu3p linker projects the two zinc clusters of a Leu3p homodimer in opposite directions allowing binding to everted repeats.
Detection and characterization of pestivirus contaminations in human live viral vaccines.

In view of the use of potentially contaminated foetal calf serum (FCS) in cell cultures pestiviruses may be present in live viral vaccines. Thirty-six lots of human live viral vaccines produced by three manufacturers were tested for the presence of pestiviruses. Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) RNA was detected in 33% of the vaccine lots. All positive results were caused by the mumps component of a single manufacturer. Partial sequences of the 5' untranslated region of BVD viral RNA were determined. The sequences were closely related to that of the NADL strain of BVDV. The amount of BVDV RNA in the vaccines was determined by real-time RT-PCR using the LightCycler. Between 3.3*10(2) and 6.2*10(5) RNA copies per dose were found to be present in the vaccine samples.Additionally, culture tests were done with FCS and human diploid cells used in the vaccine production of the manufacturer whose vaccines were positive by PCR. All attempts to detect virus antigen in MRC-5 human diploid cells or to infect these cells with BVDV failed. This suggests that BVDV RNA detected in human live viral vaccines represents passive carry over of BVDV from contaminated FCS rather than active virus replication in human diploid cells. Our results indicate that contamination with BVDV of FCS used in vaccine production does not appear to be of immediate concern to human health. Furthermore, our results indicate that gamma-irradiation of FCS destroys BVDV particles and is also effective in preventing the presence of BVDV RNA in the vaccines.
Rapid formation of hydrogen‐producing granules in an anaerobic continuous stirred tank reactor induced by acid incubation

A novel approach to rapidly initiate granulation of hydrogen‐producing sludge was developed in an anaerobic continuous stirred tank reactor at 37°C. To induce microbial granulation, the acclimated culture was subject to an acid incubation for 24 h by shifting the culture pH from 5.5 to 2.0. The culture was resumed to pH 5.5 after the incubation and the reactor was operated at hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 12, 6, 2, 1, and 0.5 h in sequence. Microbial aggregation took place immediately with the initiation of acid incubation and granules were developed at 114 h. No granule was observed in the absence of acid incubation in the control test. Changing the culture pH resulted in improvement in surface physicochemical properties of the culture favoring microbial granulation. The zeta potential increased from −11.6 to −3.5 mV, hydrophobicity in terms of contact angle improved from 31° to 43° and extracellular proteins/polysaccharides ratio increased from 0.2 to 0.5–0.8. Formation of granular sludge facilitated biomass retention of up to 32.2 g‐VSS/L and enhanced hydrogen production. The hydrogen production rate and hydrogen yield increased with the reduction in HRT at an influent glucose concentration of 10 g/L once steady granular sludge layer was formed, achieving the respective peaks of 3.20 L/L · h and 1.81 mol‐H2/mol‐glucose at 0.5 h HRT. The experimental results suggested that acid incubation was able to initiate the rapid formation of hydrogen‐producing granules by regulating the surface characteristics of microbial aggregates in a well‐mixed reactor, which enhanced the hydrogen production. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;96:1040–1050. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Results of Extra-Articular Subtalar Arthrodesis in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Background: Grice-Green extra-articular subtalar arthrodesis is considered to be a valid surgical method which improves foot alignment in patients with spastic pes planovalgus deformity. The purpose of the present study was to examine the long-term results of Grice-Green procedure and whether it can achieve significant correction of each of the components of pes planovalgus deformity. Methods: Eleven children (16 feet) with cerebral palsy who underwent Grice extra-articular subtalar arthrodesis were reviewed retrospectively. The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 9 years and 8 months (range, 6 years 5 months to 12 years 4 months). The mean followup was 3 years and 7 months (range, 2 years 1 month to 8 years 3 months). Seven radiographic parameters of each patient before surgery, after surgery and at the latest followup were used. In addition, position of the graft relative to the weightbearing axis of the tibia was evaluated. Results: Most of the examined parameters showed statistically significant correction which was maintained in the long run. Moreover, the placement of the graft along the mechanical axis seemed to play an important role for stability and preservation of correction of the planovalgus deformity. On the other hand, there were three cases where the osseous graft was absorbed and two cases where triple arthrodesis was necessary due to recurrence of the deformity. Conclusion: Grice-Green extra-articular subtalar arthrodesis improves foot alignment in patients with spastic pes planovalgus deformity and can achieve significant correction, postoperatively as well as on a long-term basis, of each of the components of pes planovalgus deformity. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series
A randomized study comparing ligation with propranolol for primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in candidates for liver transplantation

Whether beta‐blockers (BB) or banding is the best therapy for primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding is subject to debate. A randomized comparison between the 2 treatments was performed in candidates for liver transplantation (LT). A total of 62 patients with Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh B‐C cirrhosis and high risk varices received propranolol (31) or variceal banding (31). The primary endpoint was variceal bleeding. There were 2 variceal hemorrhages (6.5%) in the banding group, related to postbanding ulcers, and 3 (9.7%) in the propranolol group (P = not significant [n.s.]). Deaths and bleeding related deaths were 3 and 1 for banding and 3 and 2 for BB, respectively (P = n.s.). A total of 14 patients underwent LT in the banding group and 10 in the propranolol group (P = n.s.). Adverse events were 2 postbanding ulcer bleedings in ligated patients (1 fatal) and 5 were intolerant to propranolol (P = n.s.). Mean costs per patient were higher with banding than with propranolol treatment (4,289 ± 285 vs. 1,425 ± 460 U.S. dollars, P < 0.001). In conclusion, propranolol and banding are similarly effective in reducing the incidence of variceal bleeding in candidates for LT, but ligation can be complicated by fatal bleeding and is more expensive. Our results suggest that banding should not be utilized as primary prophylaxis in transplant candidates who can be treated with BB. Liver Transpl, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.
Factors associated with duration of breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVES To determine rates of exclusive breastfeeding and of complementary feeding and to identify variables that interfere with breastfeeding in the municipality of Itaúna, MG, Brazil. METHODS A longitudinal study was undertaken enrolling 246 women who gave birth at the maternity unit of the Manoel Gonçalves Hospital, in Itaúna, MG. The mothers and their infants were seen monthly for the first 12 months after birth or until they stopped breastfeeding. Survival analysis procedures were used to study the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and of complementary feeding. The impact on breastfeeding duration of a series of co-variables was assessed by means of Cox regression modeling. RESULTS The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months was 5.3%, and for breastfeeding at 12 months it was 33.7%. The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 40 days, and median breastfeeding duration was 237 days. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a negative association (p<0.05) between duration of exclusive breastfeeding and the following variables: intended breastfeeding duration (<12 months), birth weight of child (<2,500 g) and use of a pacifier. Shorter breastfeeding duration was associated (p<0.05) with maternal age (< 20 years), number of prenatal consultations (<5 and >9 consultations), use of alcohol or tobacco, delay before first feed (>6 hours) and use of a pacifier. CONCLUSIONS Breastfeeding rates in Itaúna (MG) are well below those recommended by the World Health Organization. The principal variables with a negative relationship with duration of exclusive breastfeeding and of complementary feeding are related to mother and baby health care and, therefore, interventions are possible.
sEMG signal enhancement using cubical denoising for wrist movement classification

This paper presents the developments made in the research for classifying different wrist movements using surface Electromyogram (sEMG) signals. The strategy discussed within uses the concepts of pattern recognition to classify different classes as wrist movements. In order to minimize the effect of noise involved with sEMG during recording, wavelet denoising is implemented using Daubechies mother wavelet. It employs a cubical function for soft thresholding which has provided with finest results as compared to the previous researches. Spectral features, Reflection coefficients along with Wilson's amplitude and other features were extracted and provided to the linear classifier. The results calculated from these experiments indicate better recognition performance using the given features when denoising is applied. The maximum classification accuracy obtained for the identification of four wrist movements was 98.5% which is quite significant as compared to the previous researches.
Estimation of Stature From Hand and Foot Measurements in a Rare Tribe of Kerala State in India.

INTRODUCTION The present study has been undertaken on the Vettuvar group of tribes in Kasargod district of Kerala state, and explores the usability of dimensions of hands and feet as predictors of stature in the tribal population of Kasargod District of Kerala, India. The present study is the first ever documented anthropological work on the tribes of Kasargod district, Kerala, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two hundred subjects comprising of 100 males and 100 females in 20-30 years age group were included in the study group. Dimensions of hands and feet viz: hand length, hand breadth, foot length and foot breadth were measured independently on left and right side of each individual using a Sliding calliper. Stature of individuals was measured with the help of a Stadiometer. RESULTS Statistical analysis indicated that the bilateral variations were insignificant for all the measurements except foot breadth among females (p<0.001). The paired sample t-test showed that the statistical difference between males and females was highly significant for all the measurements (p<0.001). The correlation between the stature and various parameters studied in males and females were found to be positive and statistically highly significant. Linear and multiple regression equation for stature estimation were calculated separately for males and females. CONCLUSION The significant positive correlation between the study variables and the stature indicates that these variables can be successfully used to predict stature.
Longitudinal Study of Sensory Features in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background Between 45 and 95% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) present sensory features that affect their daily functioning. However, the data in the scientific literature are not conclusive regarding the evolution of sensory features in children with ASD. The main objective of this study was to analyze the sensory features of children within the age of 3-4 (T1) when they received their ASD diagnosis and two years later (T2) when they started school. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess sensory features in 34 children with ASD over time. The data were collected using a standardized assessment tool, the Sensory Profile. Results Our analyses show that sensory features in children with ASD are stable from the age of three to six years. The stability of sensory scores is independent of correction by covariates, such as cognitive level and autism severity scores. Conclusions Children with ASD have sensory features that persist from the time of diagnosis at the age of 3 to 4 years to school age. This persistence of sensory features from an early age underscores the need to support these children and their parents. Sensory features should be detected early and managed to improve functional and psychosocial outcomes.
Adenosine Inhibits the Release of Arachidonic Acid in Activated Human Peripheral Mononuclear Cells. A Proposed Model for Physiologic and Pathologic Regulation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

In the current work, the pathways are presented and reviewed showing how adenosine acts on the production and release of arachidonic acid (AA) in activated human monocytes by the involvement of various phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and protein kinase C (PKC) enzymes in physiological (normal) conditions and in a pathologic state in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Two molecules of activated monocytes mainly determine the actual amounts of AA released: (1) interleukin-1β (IL-1β) increasing and (2) adenosine (Ado) suppressing this process. The AA production of monocytes mainly depends on two (IV and VI) types of PLA2 enzymes. PKCα phosphorylates the cytosolic, Ca-dependent and steroid-sensitive PLA2 (type IV), whereas PKCδ phosphorylates the Ca-independent PLA2 (type VI). By the suppression of IL-1β production in the activated human monocytes, adenosine can decrease the release of AA causing a diminished phosphorylation of both PKC isoenzymes. In SLE monocytes, the disease-specific decreased release of AA that we found earlier could be related to the decreased expression of PKCδ. These pathways are summarized in a proposed model.
Obstetric Complications, the Putative Familial-Sporadic Distinction, and Tardive Dyskinesia in Schizophrenia

Obstetric complications were more common in the histories of those schizophrenic outpatients without a family history of psychiatric disorder, and were associated with an earlier onset of their illness. Those patients with tardive dyskinesia were more likely to have a family history of psychiatric disorder, less likely to have experienced obstetric complications, and showed greater cognitive deficit. Obstetric complications should be considered in juxtaposition with genetic factors in evaluating the putative familial-sporadic distinction in schizophrenia. Additionally, familial/genetic factors appear to contribute to vulnerability to tardive dyskinesia.
Analysis of United Kingdom wild‐type strains of varicella‐zoster virus: Differentiation from the Oka vaccine strain

In Japan and the United States, where vaccination against varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) infection with the live attenuated Oka strain of varicella is routine, cases of chickenpox or shingles occurring in vaccinees can be caused by either wild‐type or vaccine virus. Differentiating such cases is important epidemiologically and can be achieved only using molecular typing methods. In the United Kingdom, the Oka vaccine is being considered for use in groups at risk of severe primary varicella, such as seronegative immunocompromised patients and women who may be considering pregnancy. In addition, seronegative health workers who may be occupationally exposed to VZV infection might also be offered vaccination. We analysed 249 U.K. wild‐type VZV strains, 105 from cases of chickenpox and 144 from shingles cases, to determine whether they could be distinguished from Oka by the genotyping systems used in Japan and the United States. Four polymorphic loci were examined, a Pst 1 restriction site in gene 38, a Bgl 1 restriction site in gene 54, the R5 repeat region, and the R2 repeat region. The results suggest that U.K. strains of VZV are more similar to U.S. strains than to Japanese strains. All the U.K. wild‐type viruses were positive for the Pst 1‐1 restriction site, unlike Oka, which is negative. However, one of thirty strains was indistinguishable from Oka at all other loci. J. Med. Virol. 53:60–62, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surface Structure Modification of ZnO and the Impact on Electronic Properties

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a widely utilized, versatile material implemented in a diverse range of technological applications, particularly in optoelectronic devices, where its inherent transparency, tunable electronic properties, and accessible nanostructures can be combined to confer superior device properties. ZnO is a complex material with a rich and intricate defect chemistry, and its properties can be extremely sensitive to processing methods and conditions; consequently, surface modification of ZnO using both inorganic and organic species has been explored to control and regulate its surface properties, particularly at heterointerfaces in electronic devices. Here, the properties of ZnO are described in detail, particularly its surface chemistry, along with the role of defects in governing its electronic properties, and methods employed to modulate the behavior of as‐grown ZnO. An outline is also given on how the native and modified oxide interact with molecular materials. To illustrate the diverse range of surface modification methods and their subsequent influence on electronic properties, a comprehensive review of the modification of ZnO surfaces at molecular interfaces in hybrid photovoltaic (hPV) and organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices is presented. This is a case study rather than a progress report, aiming to highlight the progress made toward controlling and altering the surface properties of ZnO, and to bring attention to the ways in which this may be achieved by using various interfacial modifiers (IMs).