Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early Intervention Services for Young Boys With Fragile X Syndrome

This study of boys with fragile X syndrome describes: service delivery; parents' satisfaction with services; early interventionists' perceptions of services needed; and the relationship between service intensity, developmental status, and demographic characteristics. Participants were 50 boys with fragile X syndrome, their parents, and teachers. Early intervention started on average at 21.6 months. There was a steady increase in the amount of early intervention across age periods. The intensity of speech-language and occupational therapies, however, remained constant. By the age of 60 months, the number of children receiving physical therapy and the intensity of physical therapy both decreased. Although parents reported satisfaction with services, most said they would have preferred more services. Early interventionists and teachers seemed more concerned about behavior than cognitive delays. No statistically significant patterns emerged regarding the relationship between developmental status, service intensity, and demographic characteristics.
Mutations in the Nucleosome Core Enhance Transcriptional Silencing

ABSTRACT Transcriptional silencing in Saccharomyces requires specific nucleosome modifications promoted in part by a complex of Sir proteins that binds to the modified nucleosomes. Recent evidence suggests that modifications of both the histone amino termini and the core domain of nucleosomes contribute to silencing. We previously identified histone H4 mutations affecting residues in the core of the nucleosome that yield enhanced silencing at telomeres. Here we show that enhanced silencing induced by these mutations increases the proportion of cells in which telomeres and silent mating-type loci are in the silent state. One H4 mutation affects the expression of a subset of genes whose expression is altered by deletion of HTZ1, which encodes the histone variant H2A.Z, suggesting that the mutation may antagonize H2A.Z incorporation into nucleosomes. A second mutation causes the spread of silencing into subtelomeric regions that are not normally silenced in wild-type cells. Mechanistically, this mutation does not significantly accelerate the formation of silent chromatin but, rather, reduces the rate of decay of the silenced state. We propose that these mutations use distinct mechanisms to affect the dynamic interplay between activation and repression at the boundary between active and silent chromatin.
Connecting the Digital Dots: Literacy of the 21st Century

Prior to the 21st century, literate defined a person’s ability to read and write, separating the educated from the uneducated. With the advent of a new millennium and the rapidity with which technology has changed society, the concept of literacy has assumed new meanings. Experts in the field suggest that the current generation of teenagers—sometimes referred to as the E-Generation—possesses digital competencies to effectively navigate the multidimensional and fast-paced digital environment. For generations of adults who grew up in a world of books, traveling through cyberspace seems as treacherous and intimidating as speaking a new language. In fact, Prensky1 recognized such non-IT-literate individuals as burdened with an accent—non-native speakers of a language, struggling to survive in a strange new world.
Women, Men, and Academic Performance in Science and Engineering: The Gender Difference in Undergraduate Grade Point Averages

Using longitudinal and multi-institutional data, this article takes an innovative approach in its analyses of gender differences in grade point averages (GPA) among undergraduate students in biology, the physical sciences, and engineering over a 16-year period. Assessed are hypotheses about (a) the gender ecology of science/engineering and (b) the structural advantage of the presence of programs for women.
Influence of age, sex and somatic variables on the motor performance of pre-school children

Abstract Background: Biological factors can affect the motor development process of children. However, the magnitude of these effects throughout the developmental process remains fairly unknown. Aim: To determine the influence of age, sex and selected somatic measures on the motor performance of pre-school children. Subjects and methods: Three hundred and sixty-seven pre-schoolers (172 boys and 195 girls), aged from 3–5 years old, were recruited from 10 public pre-schools located in the district of Viana do Castelo, Portugal. The children’s motor performance was assessed by five motor sub-tests of Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2: grasping, visuo-motor integration, stationary, locomotion and object manipulation sub-tests. Age, sex, height, weight and BMI were considered as hypothetical predictors of motor performance. Pearson’s correlation test and multiple linear regression analysis were used to explore the magnitude of the relationship between motor sub-tests and the hypothetical predictors. Results: Depending on the motor sub-test and age group, the models predicted motor performance from a minimum of 3.6% to a maximum of 34.4%. Age in months and sex stood out as the main predictors of motor performance. Conclusions: The relationship between motor performance and selected biological factors varied with age and with the specificity of the motor test.
Or gate Bayesian networks for text classification: A discriminative alternative approach to multinom

We propose a simple Bayesian network-based text classifier, which may be considered as a discriminative counterpart of the generative multinomial naive Bayes classifier. The method relies on the use of a fixed network topology with the arcs going form term nodes to class nodes, and also on a network parametrization based on noisy or gates. Comparative experiments of the proposed method with naive Bayes and Rocchio algorithms are carried out using three standard document collections.
Translesional pressure gradient and leptomeningeal collateral status in symptomatic middle cerebral artery stenosis

Leptomeningeal collateral (LMC) status governs the prognosis of large artery occlusive stroke, although factors determining LMC status are not fully elucidated. The aim was to investigate metrics affecting LMC status in such patients by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models based on computed tomography angiography (CTA).
Task-oriented active training based on adaptive impedance control with iLeg — A horizontal exoskeleton for lower limb rehabilitation

A horizontal exoskeleton for lower limb rehabilitation called iLeg has been developed by our laboratory which consists of two 3-DOF (degrees of freedom) robotic leg orthoses. This paper proposes a position-based impedance control with the compensation of BP NNs (back propagation neural networks) for the exoskeleton. Based on the control scheme, the task-oriented active training is investigated where impedance parameters are self-adjusted to movement deviation and patient activities with fuzzy logic. An adaptive haptic interface of active compliance is ensured to provide positive feedback to patients when their effort is desired or negative otherwise, which encourages patients to practice the desired movement following the predefined directed path. Besides, the timing freedom is separated from spatial trajectory and determined by patients. Voluntary effort hence becomes a requirement during the exercises, no effort no movement, so that active contribution of patients is highly motivated. Simulation results have verified the feasibility of the control scheme and the training strategy. An active compliant environment is created with adaptive haptic interface for task-oriented patient-driven training of multi-joint coordination.
An integrated agent-based software architecture for mobile and manipulator systems

SUMMARY Mobile manipulation involves the most important key issue in robotics: integration. While hardware integration seems to be nearly solved due to the increasing dominance of PC-compatible systems, software integration is still a challenge, since a lot of issues arise with the variety of operating systems, device drivers, application libraries, and programming languages which need to be merged in any real-world robotic system. This paper presents a software architecture, which seamlessly integrates robot arms, mobile bases, vision systems and sensing devices, in a distributed, homogeneous agent framework. Based on the Java platform, the agent-based architecture allows great flexibility in the integration of components, and provides a simple yet extensible and powerful software layer to develop further mobile manipulating environments. Detailed software issues, as well as preliminary results are shown, which pave the way towards the development of network-ready applications involving mobile and manipulating artifacts.
Physical and chemical properties of orthodontic brackets after 12 and 24 months: in situ study

Objective The aim of this article was to assess how intraoral biodegradation influenced the surface characteristics and friction levels of metallic brackets used during 12 and 24 months of orthodontic treatment and also to compare the static friction generated in these brackets with four different methods of the ligation of orthodontic wires. Material and Methods Seventy premolar brackets as received from the manufacturer and 224 brackets that were used in previous orthodontic treatments were evaluated in this experiment. The surface morphology and the composition of the deposits found in the brackets were evaluated with rugosimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Friction was analyzed by applying tensile tests simulating sliding mechanics with a 0.019x0. 025" steel wire. The static friction levels produced by the following ligation methods were evaluated: loosely attached steel ligature around all four bracket wings, steel ligature attached to only two wings, conventional elastomeric ligation around all 4 bracket wings, and non-conventional Slide® elastomeric ligature. Results The results demonstrated the presence of biodegradation effects such as corrosion pits, plastic deformation, cracks, and material deposits. The main chemical elements found on these deposits were Carbon and Oxygen. The maximum friction produced by each ligation method changed according to the time of intraoral use. The steel ligature loosely attached to all four bracket wings produced the lowest friction levels in the new brackets. The conventional elastic ligatures generated the highest friction levels. The metallic brackets underwent significant degradation during orthodontic treatment, showing an increase in surface roughness and the deposit of chemical elements on the surface. Conclusion The levels of static friction decreased with use. The non-conventional elastic ligatures were the best alternative to reduce friction.
Statistical Inference for Hardy-Weinberg Proportions in the Presence of Missing Genotype Information

In genetic association studies, tests for Hardy-Weinberg proportions are often employed as a quality control checking procedure. Missing genotypes are typically discarded prior to testing. In this paper we show that inference for Hardy-Weinberg proportions can be biased when missing values are discarded. We propose to use multiple imputation of missing values in order to improve inference for Hardy-Weinberg proportions. For imputation we employ a multinomial logit model that uses information from allele intensities and/or neighbouring markers. Analysis of an empirical data set of single nucleotide polymorphisms possibly related to colon cancer reveals that missing genotypes are not missing completely at random. Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg proportions is mostly due to a lack of heterozygotes. Inbreeding coefficients estimated by multiple imputation of the missings are typically lowered with respect to inbreeding coefficients estimated by discarding the missings. Accounting for missings by multiple imputation qualitatively changed the results of 10 to 17% of the statistical tests performed. Estimates of inbreeding coefficients obtained by multiple imputation showed high correlation with estimates obtained by single imputation using an external reference panel. Our conclusion is that imputation of missing data leads to improved statistical inference for Hardy-Weinberg proportions.
A Content Analysis Method to Measure Critical Thinking in Face-to-Face and Computer Supported Group Learning

This paper gives a detailed account of the content analysis method developed at Queen's University Belfast to measure critical thinking during group learning, as used in our controlled comparisons between learning in face-to-face and computer conference seminars. From Garrison's 5 stages of critical thinking, and Henri's cognitive skills needed in CMC, we have developed two research instruments: a student questionnaire and this content analysis method. The content analysis relies on identifying, within transcripts, examples of indicators of obviously critical and obviously uncritical thinking, from which several critical thinking ratios can be calculated.
Reanalysis without Radiosondes Using Ensemble Data Assimilation

Abstract Studies using idealized ensemble data assimilation systems have shown that flow-dependent background-error covariances are most beneficial when the observing network is sparse. The computational cost of recently proposed ensemble data assimilation algorithms is directly proportional to the number of observations being assimilated. Therefore, ensemble-based data assimilation should both be more computationally feasible and provide the greatest benefit over current operational schemes in situations when observations are sparse. Reanalysis before the radiosonde era (pre-1931) is just such a situation. The feasibility of reanalysis before radiosondes using an ensemble square root filter (EnSRF) is examined. Real surface pressure observations for 2001 are used, subsampled to resemble the density of observations we estimate to be available for 1915. Analysis errors are defined relative to a three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) analysis using several orders of magnitude more observati.
A prospective evaluation of the feasibility and utility of additional tools to obtain information from recently diagnosed HIV infected patients.

QUESTION UNDER STUDY Can additional information be obtained from recently HIV diagnosed individuals? METHODS A 1-year prospective Swiss study, including all newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients. Information on circumstances of HIV infection was collected through physician- and patient questionnaires and patient interviews. Information on timing of infection was linked with an HIV-antibody avidity assay. RESULTS Of 710 newly HIV diagnosed patients, 543 (76%) physician questionnaires (PhyQ) and 145 (20%) patient questionnaires (PaQ) were returned. PhyQ required fewer reminders (57% vs 28% spontaneous return). Patients whose doctors had returned the PhyQ were comparable to total population group. In contrast, a strong bias towards well educated recently infected Swiss men having sex with men (MSM) was seen in patients returning PaQ or agreeing to an interview. 83% of patients claimed that they knew the infection source and 85% infection place. Unprotected sexual contact was the most frequently cited infection source (92%; n = 404). Men mainly claimed occasional (43%) and women steady (61%) partners as the most likely source of HIV infection. Serum for timing of infection was available in 98% of patients. Recent infections (RI) were highest in MSM (51%) and intravenous drug users (IDU, 54%). Compared to women, heterosexual men were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with a RI. CONCLUSION Relevant additional information on circumstances of HIV infection in newly diagnosed patients can easily be collected from treating physicians. Collecting information from patients is not a feasible option, with the exception of qualitative interviews in a selected group of patients.
Selective Multi-Source Total Variation Image Restoration

This paper is concerned with automatically fusing multiple noisy and partially corrupted source images into a single denoised image. To create the fused image we minimise a convex objective function, which ensures spatial smoothness through total variation regularisation, and similarity to the source images via pixel-wise selective regularisation against each of the source images. We call this approach Selective Multi-Source Total Variation Image Restoration (SMTV). Applications of SMTV include noise removal in low-light conditions, enhancement of images from low quality or damaged imaging sensors and haze or cloud removal from satellite imagery. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that the fusion of multiple images results in a more accurate recovery than single image restoration.
Adaptive Scheme for the Real-Time Estimation of Tire-Road Friction Coefficient and Vehicle Velocity

It is well known that both the tire-road friction coefficient and the absolute vehicle velocity are crucial factors for vehicle safety control systems. Therefore, numerous efforts have been made to resolve these problems, but none have presented satisfactory results in all cases. In this paper, cost-effective observers are designed based on an adaptive scheme and a recursive least squares algorithm without the addition of extra sensors on a production vehicle or modification of the vehicle control system. This paper has three major contributions. First, the front biased braking characteristics of production vehicles such that the front wheel brake torques are saturated first are exploited when estimating the tire-road friction coefficient. Second, the vehicle absolute speed is identified during the friction coefficient estimation process. Third, unlike the conventional method, this paper proposes using already available excitation signals in production vehicles. In order to verify the performance of the proposed observers, experiments based on real production vehicles are conducted, and the results reveal that the proposed algorithm can enhance the performance of any vehicle dynamics control systems.
Liprin-&agr;1, ERC1 and LL5 define polarized and dynamic structures that are implicated in cell migration

ABSTRACT Cell migration during development and metastatic invasion requires the coordination of actin and adhesion dynamics to promote protrusive activity at the front of the cell. The knowledge of the molecular mechanisms required to achieve such coordination is fragmentary. Here, we identify a new functional complex that drives cell motility. ERC1a (an isoform of ERC1) and the LL5 proteins LL5&agr; and LL5&bgr; (encoded by PHLDB1 and PHLDB2, respectively) are required, together with liprin-&agr;1, for effective migration and tumor cell invasion, and do so by stabilizing the protrusive activity at the cell front. Depletion of either protein negatively affects invasion, migration on extracellular matrix, lamellipodial persistence and the internalization of active integrin &bgr;1 receptors needed for adhesion turnover at the front of the cell. Liprin-&agr;1, ERC1a and LL5 also define new highly polarized and dynamic cytoplasmic structures uniquely localized near the protruding cell edge. Our results indicate that the functional complex and the associated structures described here represent an important mechanism to drive tumor cell migration.
Studying teacher preparation: The questions that drive research

This article argues that research on teacher preparation over the last 100 years can be understood in terms of the major questions that researchers examined. The analysis is guided by the framework of “research as historically situated social practice,” which emphasizes that researchers’ interests, commitments, and social experiences guide the research questions they pursue and the theories and perspectives they adopt. Past research on initial teacher education is described in terms of the emergence of three broad questions: “the curriculum question,” “the effectiveness question,” and “the knowledge question. ” Present research focuses on two broad animating questions: “the policy question” and “the learning question. ” We recommend that future research address questions that link teacher learning with student learning and teacher candidates’ beliefs and practices as well as questions that examine the relationships between research practices and social, economic and institutional power.
An accident detection technique using inertial measurement unit and odometry

Despite the prevention effort, car accident is still one of the major causes of death. Thus, to avoid as many casualties, helps and assistance should reach the accident sites as soon as possible. This can be enabled by quickly detecting the accidents and reporting them to the related official units. To this end, we propose an accident detection device using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and 3G cellular module along with an accident detection method. Our detection approach combines both IMU sensory data and odometry in order to detect an accident and then send the accident coordinate over cellular network to be reported on a map. The preliminary result based on test scenarios proves the practicality of our approach with satisfactory detection rates.
Persistent Arthralgia Induced by Chikungunya Virus Infection is Associated with Interleukin-6 and Granulocyte Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor

Background. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection induces arthralgia. The involvement of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines has been suggested, but very little is known about their secretion profile in CHIKV-infected patients. Methods. A case-control longitudinal study was performed that involved 30 adult patients with laboratory-confirmed Chikungunya fever. Their profiles of clinical disease, viral load, and immune mediators were investigated. Results. When patients were segregated into high viral load and low viral load groups during the acute phase, those with high viremia had lymphopenia, lower levels of monocytes, neutrophilia, and signs of inflammation. The high viral load group was also characterized by a higher production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interferon-α and interleukin (IL)–6, during the acute phase. As the disease progressed to the chronic phase, IL-17 became detectable. However, persistent arthralgia was associated with higher levels of IL-6 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, whereas patients who recovered fully had high levels of Eotaxin and hepatocyte growth factor. Conclusions. The level of CHIKV viremia during the acute phase determined specific patterns of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which were associated with disease severity. At the chronic phase, levels of IL-6, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor found to be associated with persistent arthralgia provide a possible explanation for the etiology of arthralgia that plagues numerous CHIKV-infected patients.
Continuous g monitoring with atom interferometry

We present our cold atom interferometer using 87Rb developed to perform absolute g measurement similar to the Stanford experiment [1] which used Cs. The device and the measurement protocol are described and an example of 12 days continuous measurement is presented. This measurement shows the capabilities of the instrument in the frame of a watt balance experiment, avoiding the use of environmental models to extrapolate the accurate value of g needed to link the Planck constant to the kilogram [2]. Limits in terms of sensitivity and accuracy are finally presented.