Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Empathy in Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Co-occurence of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Objective: The parents’ empathic levels and family functions of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and co-occurrence of oppositional defiant disorder (ADHD/ODD) are evaluated and compared with each other. Method: Seventy subjects with ADHD only (n=44) and ADHD/ODD (n=26) were included in this study; who were chosen from 107 subjects consecutively referred to a child and adolescent mental health clinic and diagnosed with ADHD according to the DSM-IV criteria. Each of the parents was asked to rate themselves for empathic levels by using the Empathic Skills Scale and the Empathic Tendency Scale, and their family functions were evaluated with the Family Assessment Device. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between ADHD only group and ADHD/ODD group for parents’ empathic levels. There was inverse correlation between mother’s empathic tendency scores and their children’s attentional problems for both two groups (r=-0.303). According to both of parents’ reports, their families of ADHD/ODD group had significantly higher rates of “abnormal behavior control” when compared with those of ADHD only group (p
An effective laser-based approach to build topological map of unknown environment

To obtain the information of unknown environment as sufficient and fast as possible, this paper proposed an effective approach to build a local topological map of unknown environment. The laser data obtained by laser sensor is successfully transformed into a local grid map refined by Bayesian rule and subsequently a skeleton of the free area in the generated local grid map is extracted via an improved skeleton algorithm which was also proposed in this article. In addition, a set of topological node selection rules on the previous extracted skeleton are carefully designed, and the generated node group is organized into a tree data structure. Thus the local topological map is established based on the laser data in unknown environment. As demonstrated from experimental results, the proposed approach is effective to reveal genuine structure of the robot's environment.
A Wavelet Approach for the Identification of Axonal Synaptic Varicosities from Microscope Images

Direct visualization of synapses is a prerequisite to the analysis of the spatial distribution patterns of synaptic systems. Such an analysis is essential to the understanding of synaptic circuitry. In order to facilitate the visualization of individual synapses at the subcellular level from microscope images, we have introduced a wavelet-based approach for the semiautomated recognition of axonal synaptic varicosities. The proposed approach to image analysis employs a family of redundant wavelet representations. They are specifically designed for the recognition of signal peaks, which correspond to the presence of axonal synaptic varicosities. In this paper, the two-dimensional image of an axon together with its synaptic varicosities is first transformed into a one-dimensional (1-D) profile in which the axonal varicosities are represented by peaks in the signal. Next, by decomposing the 1-D profile in the differential wavelet domain, we employ the multiscale point-wise product to distinguish between peaks and noises. The ability to separate the true signals (due to synaptic varicosities) from noise makes possible a reliable and accurate recognition of axonal synaptic varicosities. The proposed algorithms are also designed with a variable threshold that effectively allows variable sensitivities in varicosity detection. The algorithm has been systematically validated using images containing varicosities (les30) that have been consistently identified by seven human observers. The proposed algorithm can give high sensitivity and specificity with appropriate threshold. The results have indicated that the semiautomatic approach is satisfactory for processing a variety of microscopic images of axons under different conditions
Identification of neurofibromin mutants that exhibit allele specificity or increased Ras affinity resulting in suppression of activated ras alleles

Neurofibromin plays a critical role in the downregulation of Ras proteins in neurons and Schwann cells. Thus, the ability of neurofibromin to interact with Ras is crucial for its function, as mutations in NF1 that abolish this interaction fail to maintain function. To investigate the neurofibromin-Ras interaction in a systematic manner, we have carried out a yeast two-hybrid screen using a mutant of H-ras, H-rasD92K, defective for interaction with the GTPase-activated protein-related domain (GRD) of NF1. Two screens of a randomly mutagenized NF1-GRD library led to the identification of seven novel NF1 mutants. Characterization of the NF1-GRD mutants revealed that one class of mutants are allele specific for H-raSD92K. These mutants exhibit increased affinity for H-raSD92K and significantly reduced affinity for wild-type H-ras protein. Furthermore, they do not interact with another H-ras mutant defective for interaction with GTPase-activating proteins. Another class of mutants are high-affinity mutants which exhibit dramatically increased affinity for both wild-type and mutant forms of Ras. They also exhibit a striking ability to suppress the heat shock sensitive traits of activated RAS2G19v in yeast cells. Five mutations cluster within a region encompassing residues 1391 to 1436 (region II). Three NF1 patient mutations have previously been identified in this region. Two mutations that we identified occur in a region encompassing residues 1262 to 1276 (region I). Combining high-affinity mutations from both regions results in even greater affinity for Ras. These results demonstrate that two distinct regions of NF1-GRD are involved in the Ras interaction and that single amino acid changes can affect NF1's affinity for Ras.
Ultra low power litho friendly local assist circuitry for variability resilient 8T SRAM

This paper presents litho friendly circuit techniques for variability resilient low power 8T SRAM. The new local assist circuitry achieves a state-of-the-art low energy and variability resilient WRITE operation and improves the degraded access speed of SRAM cells at low voltages. Differential VSS bias increases the variability resilience. The physical regularity in the layout of local assist circuitry enables litho optimization thereby reducing the area overhead associated with existing local assist techniques. Statistical simulations in 40nm LP CMOS technology reveals 10x reduction in WRITE energy consumption, 103x reduction in write failures, 6.5x improvement in read access time and 31% reduction in the area overhead.
Reduced deforming filter culling for fast continuous collision detection

We propose a novel efficient deforming filter culling method for continuous collision detection (CCD) problem performed by dimension reduction in subspace. We present a fast linear filter (1D reduced filter) considering relative motion between primitives. We also provide a conservative and fast planar filter test (2D reduced filter) for self-collision feature pairs considering relative motion between vertex and edge. Filter test in subspace removes large amount of false positives and elementary tests with low cost, and improve the overall performance of collision query. We demonstrate our approach and compare it with previous alternatives in kinds of dynamic scenes. Combined with our linear and planar reduced filter, we observe a magnitude of speed improvement on elementary tests (over 2x) compared against previous ones. Our method keeps stable performance for simulations with large step time.
Mobile robot navigation in unknown environment based on exploration principles

This article focuses on the mobile robot's autonomous navigation problem in an unknown environment. Considering a robot equipped with an omnidirectional range-sensor a map of the discovered area is constructed in an iterative manner. Given a target position located in the unexplored territory, initially a motion planning scheme is employed that relies on exploration-principles of the area near the target. This is achieved by assigning an exploration cost function that indirectly attracts the robot close to target. Upon discovery of the target, the robot moves to it following the shortest-distance path. Simulation studies that prove the efficiency of the overall method are presented.
Reconstructing Human Exposures Using Biomarkers and other “Clues”

Biomonitoring is the process by which biomarkers are measured in human tissues and specimens to evaluate exposures. Given the growing number of population-based biomonitoring surveys, there is now an escalated interest in using biomarker data to reconstruct exposures for supporting risk assessment and risk management. While detection of biomarkers is de facto evidence of exposure and absorption, biomarker data cannot be used to reconstruct exposure unless other information is available to establish the external exposure–biomarker concentration relationship. In this review, the process of using biomarker data and other information to reconstruct human exposures is examined. Information that is essential to the exposure reconstruction process includes (1) the type of biomarker based on its origin (e.g., endogenous vs. exogenous), (2) the purpose/design of the biomonitoring study (e.g., occupational monitoring), (3) exposure information (including product/chemical use scenarios and reasons for expected contact, the physicochemical properties of the chemical and nature of the residues, and likely exposure scenarios), and (4) an understanding of the biological system and mechanisms of clearance. This review also presents the use of exposure modeling, pharmacokinetic modeling, and molecular modeling to assist in integrating these various types of information.
Educational leadership and its impact on life in schools: A critical interpretation

In this critical hermeneutical study, the historical and current literature was systematically investigated. The epistemological, methodological, and ideological issues in the theoretical history were analyzed to determine their impact on the development of educational leadership as a field of study. Two literature reviews were conducted to demonstrate how the field conceptualized its impact on life in schools. These literature reviews also allowed for a connection of the present state of the field to its historical foundation. The current ideologies driving the field of educational leadership were examined within the epistemological and methodological foci of the literature. It was found that the ideological history of the field, based in scientific management and efficiency, has manifested itself in the current accountability polices and impacted what counts as knowledge in the research done in educational leadership. EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND LIFE IN SCHOOLS vi TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES . xv CHAPTER
The complex-step derivative approximation

The complex-step derivative approximation and its application to numerical algorithms are presented. Improvements to the basic method are suggested that further increase its accuracy and robustness and unveil the connection to algorithmic differentiation theory. A general procedure for the implementation of the complex-step method is described in detail and a script is developed that automates its implementation. Automatic implementations of the complex-step method for Fortran and C/C++ are presented and compared to existing algorithmic differentiation tools. The complex-step method is tested in two large multidisciplinary solvers and the resulting sensitivities are compared to results given by finite differences. The resulting sensitivities are shown to be as accurate as the analyses. Accuracy, robustness, ease of implementation and maintainability make these complex-step derivative approximation tools very attractive options for sensitivity analysis.
Pathways of Thriving and Resilience: Growth Responses to Adversity and Trauma in Two Cambodian Communities: A Comparative Study between Lowell, Massachusetts and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

This qualitative study investigated individual, contextual, and cultural factors that promote trauma-related resilience and positive growth among Cambodian survivors of the Pol Pot regime who reside in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Lowell, Massachusetts. A thriving paradigm framed semi-structured interviews that were conducted with 21 Cambodians in Phnom Penh and 21 Cambodians in Lowell. This study reports on the use of the Stress Related Growth Survey, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, and the Thriving Scale in examining determinants of stress-related positive outcomes for Cambodian survivors. Content analysis was used to analyze case study data for significant predictors of thriving as well as cultural definitions of thriving and what resources support beneficial processes for Cambodians. Optimism, social support, self-reliance, access to education, and use of Buddhist principles were the major types of predictors of stress related growth, resilience, and thriving identified from the analysis. Cambodian participants reported that coping strategies played both a role in basic survival and later in transforming their profound losses and challenges into strengths. All participants reported that integrating a cultural context in community programs, social resources, and health services are important factors, which support healing and encourage positive growth outcomes for Cambodians. (Contains 51 references.) (Author/JDM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Pathways of Thriving and Resilience: Growth responses to adversity and trauma in two Cambodian communities: A comparative study between Lowell, Massachusetts and Phnom Penh, Cambodia Cheryl D. West B.S., University of Oregon 1994 SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN COMMUNITY/ SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL 2000 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) O This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. O Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. BEST COPY AVAILABLE PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
An iterative unsupervised learning method for information distillation

Information distillation techniques are used to analyze and interpret large volumes of speech and text archives in multiple languages and produce structured information of interest to the user. In this work, we propose an iterative unsupervised sentence extraction method to answer open-ended natural language queries about an event. The approach consists of finding the subset of sentences that are very likely to be relevant or irrelevant for the query from candidate documents, and iteratively training a classification model using these examples. Our results indicate that performance of the system may be improved by around 30% relative in terms of F-measure, by using the proposed method.
Authentic Cell-Specific and Developmentally Regulated Expression of Pro-Opiomelanocortin Genomic Fragments in Hypothalamic and Hindbrain Neurons of Transgenic Mice

The pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene is expressed in a subset of hypothalamic and hindbrain neurons and in pituitary melanotrophs and corticotrophs. POMC neurons release the potent opioid β-endorphin and several active melanocortins that control homeostasis and feeding behavior. POMC gene expression in the CNS is believed to be controlled by distinct cis-acting regulatory sequences. To analyze the transcriptional regulation of POMC in neuronal and endocrine cells, we produced transgenic mice carrying POMC27*, a transgene containing the entire 6 kb of the POMC transcriptional unit together with 13 kb of 5′ flanking regions and 8 kb of 3′ flanking regions. POMC27* was tagged with a heterologous 30 bp oligonucleotide in the third exon. In situ hybridization studies showed an accurate cell-specific pattern of expression of POMC27* in the arcuate nucleus and the pituitary. Hypothalamic mRNA-positive neurons colocalized entirely with β-endorphin immunoreactivity. No ectopic transgenic expression was detected in the brain. Deletional analyses demonstrated that neuron-specific expression of POMC transgenes required distal 5′ sequences localized upstream of the pituitary-responsive proximalcis-acting elements that were identified previously. POMC27* exhibited a spatial and temporal pattern of expression throughout development that exactly paralleled endogenous POMC. RNase protection assays revealed that POMC27* expression mimicked that of POMC in different areas of the CNS and most peripheral organs with no detectable ectopic expression. Hormonal regulation of POMC27* and POMC was identical in the hypothalamus and pituitary. These results show that distal 5′ sequences of the POMC gene located between −13 and −2 kb target expression into the CNS of transgenic mice in a precise neuron-specific, developmentally and hormonally regulated manner.
Female Gene Pools of Berber and Arab Neighboring Communities in Central Tunisia: Microstructure of mtDNA Variation in North Africa

North African populations are considered genetically closer to Eurasians than to sub-Saharans. However, they display a considerably high mtDNA heterogeneity among them, namely in the frequencies of the U6, East African, and sub-Saharan haplogroups. In this study, we describe and compare the female gene pools of two neighboring Tunisian populations, Kesra (Berber) and Zriba (non-Berber), which have contrasting historical backgrounds. Both populations presented lower diversity values than those observed for other North African populations, and they were the only populations not showing significant negative Fu's Fs values. Kesra displayed a much higher proportion of typical sub-Saharan haplotypes (49%, including 4.2% of M1 haplogroup) than Zriba (8%). With respect to U6 sequences, frequencies were low (2% in Kesra and 8% in Zriba), and all belonged to the subhaplogroup U6a. An analysis of these data in the context of North Africa reveals that the emerging picture is complex, because Zriba would match the profile of a Berber Moroccan population, whereas Kesra, which shows twice the frequency of sub-Saharan lineages normally observed in northern coastal populations, would match a western Saharan population except for the low U6 frequency. The North African patchy mtDNA landscape has no parallel in other regions of the world and increasing the number of sampled populations has not been accompanied by any substantial increase in our understanding of its phylogeography. Available data up to now rely on sampling small, scattered populations, although they are carefully characterized in terms of their ethnic, linguistic, and historical backgrounds. It is therefore doubtful that this picture truly represents the complex historical demography of the region rather than being just the result of the type of samplings performed so far.
Sociodemographic differences in return to work after stroke: the South London Stroke Register (SLSR)

Background: Loss of employment contributes significantly to the burden of stroke on individuals and society. There is limited information on factors influencing return to work after stroke. Objectives: To investigate the frequency and determinants of return to paid work after stroke in a multi-ethnic urban population. Methods: Patterns of return to work were examined among people with first ever stroke registered in the population based South London Stroke Register. Employment status and functional outcome (Barthel Index (BI), Frenchay Activity Index (FAI)) were assessed 1 year after stroke. Associations between baseline characteristics and return to paid work were analysed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 2874 patients with first ever strokes in 1995–2004, 400 (15%) were working before the stroke. At 1 year, 94 (35%) of 266 survivors had returned to paid work. Black ethnicity (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.19 to 0.88), female sex (0.43; 0.21 to 0.91), older age (p<0.001), diabetes (0.25; 0.08 to 0.79) and dependence (BI ⩽19) in the acute phase (0.24; 0.11 to 0.49) were independently associated with lower odds of return to work in multivariable analysis. Better functional outcome at 1 year was associated with return to paid work (p<0.001) but 53% of 161 independent (BI >19) and 39% of 96 very active (FAI >30/45) individuals had not resumed work. Conclusions: There were important sociodemographic differences in return to work after stroke that were independent of clinical and service use variables included in the analysis. A large proportion of patients did not resume work despite excellent functional outcome.
A dependent nominal type theory

Nominal abstract syntax is an approach to representing names and binding pioneered by Gabbay and Pitts. So far nominal techniques have mostly been studied using classical logic or model theory, not type theory. Nominal extensions to simple, dependent and ML-like polymorphic languages have been studied, but decidability and normalization results have only been established for simple nominal type theories. We present a LF-style dependent type theory extended with name-abstraction types, prove soundness and decidability of beta-eta-equivalence checking, discuss adequacy and canonical forms via an example, and discuss extensions such as dependently-typed recursion and induction principles.
Prognostic Impact of the Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio on Survival in Rectal Cancer

Purpose Lymph-node metastasis is the most important predictor of survival in stage III rectal cancer. The number of metastatic lymph nodes may vary depending on the level of specimen dissection and the total number of lymph nodes harvested. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the lymph node ratio (LNR) is a prognostic parameter for patients with rectal cancer. Methods A retrospective review of a database of rectal cancer patients was performed to determine the effect of the LNR on the disease-free survival (DFS) and the overall survival. Of the total 228 patients with rectal cancer, 55 patients with stage III cancer were eligible for analysis. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analyses, after adjustments for potential confounders, were used to evaluate the relationship between the LNR and survival. Results According to the cutoff point 0.15 (15%), the 2-year DFS was 95.2% among patients with a LNR < 0.15 compared with 67.6% for those with LNR ≥ 0.15 (P = 0.02). In stratified and multivariate analyses adjusted for age, gender, histology and tumor status, a higher LNR was independently associated with worse DFS. Conclusion This study showed the prognostic significance of ratio-based staging for rectal cancer and may help in developing better staging systems. LNR 0.15 (15%) was shown to be a cutoff point for determining survival and prognosis in rectal cancer cases.