Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of vitamin D supplementation on bone density in healthy children: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To determine the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation for improving bone mineral density in children and adolescents and if effects vary with factors such as vitamin D dose and vitamin D status. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline (1966 to present), Embase (1980 to present), CINAHL (1982 to present), AMED (1985 to present), and ISI Web of Science (1945 to present), last updated on 9 August 2009, and hand searching of conference abstracts from key journals. Study selection Placebo controlled randomised controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation for at least three months in healthy children and adolescents (aged 1 month to <20 years) with bone density outcomes. Two authors independently assessed references for inclusion and study quality and extracted data. Data synthesis Standardised mean differences of the percentage change from baseline in bone mineral density of the forearm, hip, and lumbar spine and total body bone mineral content in treatment and control groups. Subgroup analyses were carried out by sex, pubertal stage, dose of vitamin D, and baseline serum vitamin D concentration. Compliance and allocation concealment were also considered as possible sources of heterogeneity. Results From 1653 potential references, six studies, totalling 343 participants receiving placebo and 541 receiving vitamin D, contributed data to meta-analyses. Vitamin D supplementation had no statistically significant effects on total body bone mineral content or on bone mineral density of the hip or forearm. There was a trend to a small effect on lumbar spine bone mineral density (standardised mean difference 0.15, 95% confidence interval −0.01 to 0.31; P=0.07). Effects were similar in studies of participants with high compared with low serum vitamin D levels, although there was a trend towards a larger effect with low vitamin D for total body bone mineral content (P=0.09 for difference). In studies with low serum vitamin D, significant effects on total body bone mineral content and lumbar spine bone mineral density were roughly equivalent to a 2.6% and 1.7% percentage point greater change from baseline in the supplemented group. Conclusions It is unlikely that vitamin D supplements are beneficial in children and adolescents with normal vitamin D levels. The planned subgroup analyses by baseline serum vitamin D level suggest that vitamin D supplementation of deficient children and adolescents could result in clinically useful improvements, particularly in lumbar spine bone mineral density and total body bone mineral content, but this requires confirmation.
Development of an integrated transcript sequence database and a gene expression atlas for gene discovery and analysis in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.).

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a perennial C4 grass with the potential to become a major bioenergy crop. To help realize this potential, a set of RNA-based resources were developed. Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were generated from two tetraploid switchgrass genotypes, Alamo AP13 and Summer VS16. Over 11.5 million high-quality ESTs were generated with 454 sequencing technology, and an additional 169 079 Sanger sequences were obtained from the 5' and 3' ends of 93 312 clones from normalized, full-length-enriched cDNA libraries. AP13 and VS16 ESTs were assembled into 77 854 and 30 524 unique transcripts (unitranscripts), respectively, using the Newbler and pave programs. Published Sanger-ESTs (544 225) from Alamo, Kanlow, and 15 other cultivars were integrated with the AP13 and VS16 assemblies to create a universal switchgrass gene index (PviUT1.2) with 128 058 unitranscripts, which were annotated for function. An Affymetrix cDNA microarray chip (Pvi_cDNAa520831) containing 122 973 probe sets was designed from PviUT1.2 sequences, and used to develop a Gene Expression Atlas for switchgrass (PviGEA). The PviGEA contains quantitative transcript data for all major organ systems of switchgrass throughout development. We developed a web server that enables flexible, multifaceted analyses of PviGEA transcript data. The PviGEA was used to identify representatives of all known genes in the phenylpropanoid-monolignol biosynthesis pathway.
Self-similarities in transmission delay of CDMA cellular packet systems for varying transmission power control error

This paper discusses self-similarity in the uplink traffic of CDMA cellular packet communications. We estimate the Hurst parameter of transmission delay time, which is collected by using computer simulation, and analyze its power spectrum. We find that self-similarity and the 1/f power spectrum are observed in transmission delay time on the uplink of a CDMA cellular packet system. Self-similarity is also analyzed for various errors of transmission power control in order to discover the system conditions under which self-similarity appears. The results of these analyses show that the power control error has a large effect on the self-similarity: self-similarity appears in a system with an accurate power control, whereas it does not appear in a system with a large power control error.
An Optical In-Plane MEMS Vibration Sensor

This paper presents encouraging results of a novel optoelectronic conversion method for relative displacement. An optical modulator responding to acceleration and gravitation is used for characterization. The Si microelectromechanical system (MEMS) component comprise a spring suspended, in-plane oscillating mass carrying an array of optical apertures. Light flux modulation is achieved with a second array of complementary apertures that is fixed to the Si frame. The investigated device comprises a sandwich structure of an SMD LED, the MEMS aperture gratings, and a phototransistor. Relative displacements of the gratings generate a modulation of the LED light flux that is detected by the phototransistor. Depending on the aperture design, the relative displacement may extend over several tens of microns maintaining a sub-nm resolution. Thus, no closed-loop position control system is required, resulting in minimum complexity and energy consumption of the MEMS component. This setup simplifies the manufacturing process as much as possible, which is one of the significant advantages of the sensor principle. Furthermore, the presented prototype exhibits a promising high sensitivity of 60 nA/nm for displacement, featuring a noise level of about 8 pm/√Hz.
Extracellular vesicles from blood plasma: determination of their morphology, size, phenotype and concentration

Plasma and other body fluids contain membranous extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are considered to derive from activated or apoptotic cells. EVs participate in physiological and pathological processes and have potential applications in diagnostics or therapeutics. Knowledge on EVs is, however, limited, mainly due to their sub‐micrometer size and to intrinsic limitations in methods applied for their characterization.
Comparison between helical computed tomography angiography and intraoperative findings

Background: Live donor nephrectomy has gained popularity on account of the laparoscopic technique, to overcome a small donor pool. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy requires a precise study of the vascular and morphological renal anatomy, as laparoscopy is technically challenging due to the limited field of vision. In-depth knowledge of the renal anatomy before a laparoscopic procedure is essential for a successful transplant. The left kidney is preferred over the right even in cases of multiple vessels because of the long renal vein, which requires precise preoperative vascular mapping. Helical computerized tomography (CT) angiography, with its axial, coronal, and 3D reconstruction, gives a better understanding of renal anatomy. There are instances where the helical CT findings are misleading and less informative in a small number of cases. This study highlights a case study of the helical CT findings compared with the intraoperative findings of 200 live donors, who underwent laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, and the renal anatomy has been understood at the same time. Aims: 1. To compare the helical CT findings on the operated side with the intraoperative findings. 2. To analyze the CT findings Materials and Methods: Two hundred cases of laparoscopic transperitoneal donor nephrectomy were included in this study. Statistical Method Used: Chi square test was the statistical test used to compare the findings between CT and the intraoperative data. Results: The axial, coronal, and 3D images of the CT findings were on par with the intraoperative findings in most of the cases. Incidental findings help in the better planning of surgery. Multiple vessels on the left side are preferred over the right sided normal anatomy; with not much technical difficulty with the aid of a helical CT. Male donors had more incidences of multiple vessels, gonadal vein, Retroaortic Renal Vein (RARV), lumbar vein, and duplication of ureter, compared to females. Furthermore, these variations are more in the left side donors. Ninety-two percent of the cases in this study are left-sided donors. The helical CT finding shows that renal vein variations are more on the right side. Conclusions: Helical CT is important in delineating the arterial, venous, and ureteral anatomy and can show the important incidental findings. Left renal donors and males have more variations in their renal anatomy. Technically challenging laparoscopic nephrectomy on the multiple-vessel-side donor is possible with the aid of helical CT. The importance of the CT in evaluating donor renal anatomy for a technically challenging laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is commendable.
A risk measure that optimally balances capital determination errors

In this paper, we propose a risk measurement approach that minimizes the expectation of sum between costs from capital determination overestimation and underestimation. We develop results that guarantee the existence of a solution, indicate properties that our risk measure fulfills, and characterize the resulting minimum cost as a deviation measure. We generalize this approach to a robust framework, where the minimization is over a supremum of expectations, based on a convex set of probability measures. We relate this robust approach with the dual representation of coherent risk measures. In a numerical example, we illustrate our approach for simulated and real financial data. Results indicate our approach leads to more parsimonious capital requirement determinations and reduces the mentioned costs.
Transcriptional and metabolic alternations rebalance wheat grain storage protein accumulation under variable nitrogen and sulfur supply.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain storage proteins (GSPs) are major determinants of flour end-use value. Biological and molecular mechanisms underlying the developmental and nutritional determination of GSP accumulation in cereals are as yet poorly understood. Here we timed the accumulation of GSPs during wheat grain maturation relative to changes in metabolite and transcript pools in different conditions of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) availability. We found that the N/S supply ratio modulated the duration of accumulation of S-rich GSPs and the rate of accumulation of S-poor GSPs. These changes are likely to be the result of distinct relationships between N and S allocation, depending on the S content of the GSP. Most developmental and nutritional modifications in GSP synthesis correlated with the abundance of structural gene transcripts. Changes in the expression of transport and metabolism genes altered the concentrations of several free amino acids under variable conditions of N and S supply, and these amino acids seem to be essential in determining GSP expression. The comprehensive data set generated and analyzed here provides insights that will be useful in adapting fertilizer use to variable N and S supply, or for breeding new cultivars with balanced and robust GSP composition.
Patterns of latex allergen recognition in children sensitized to natural rubber latex

Single recombinant latex allergens permit the study of the pattern of sensitization to individual allergens. We aimed to quantify the IgE‐response to individual latex allergens in children sensitized to latex. The study group included 31 latex‐sensitized children: 26 operated at least twice, 20 of them with spina bifida; two children with one operation and three atopic non‐operated children. IgE antibodies to rHev b 1, rHev b 3, rHev b 5, rHev b 6.01, rHev b 7.02 and rHev b 8, coupled to ImmunoCAPs, were measured in each serum. IgE responses to rHev b 1, rHev b 5 and rHev b 6.01 were found in 17 children each, and their mean ± s.d. levels were 5 ± 7.4, 16.8 ± 14 and 10 ± 18 kU/l, respectively. IgE responses to rHev b 3 (4 ± 5.4 kU/l) were found in eight children. Two children had IgE to rHev b 7 (1.7 and 3.2 kU/l), and none to rHev b 8. Four sera were negative to all tested recombinant allergens. We divided the patients in three groups: sensitized only to rHev b 1, sensitized only to rHev b 5 and/or rHev b 6.01, and sensitized to both rHev b 1 and to rHev b 5 and/or rHev b 6.01. The three groups had the same profile of clinical features. Hev b 5 induces the quantitatively higher IgE responses in children with multiple surgeries sensitized to latex. Responses to Hev b 6.01 equal those of Hev b 1.
A wireless Internet-based measurement architecture for air quality monitoring

This paper prevents a wireless monitor and control system using mobile communication. This system includes the remote measurement units (RMUs), GPRS network, Internet and a server computer. The GPS, GPRS modem and advanced RISC machine (ARM) are employed to achieve the functions of RMU. The measurement data are transmitted from RMUs into the server computer via Internet protocol (IP) address. In this way, the server computer can be very far away from RMUs and it can be also flexibly assigned. The server computer can support several RMUs with flexibly assigned functions. Therefore, the measurement results can be widely spread via Internet access in real time. The proposed measurement system is applied to an example to monitor the ambient air quality. The experimental results demonstrate the performance of overall system.
Tbr2 Deficiency in Mitral and Tufted Cells Disrupts Excitatory–Inhibitory Balance of Neural Circuitry in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb

The olfactory bulb (OB) is the first relay station in the brain where odor information from the olfactory epithelium is integrated, processed through its intrinsic neural circuitry, and conveyed to higher olfactory centers. Compared with profound mechanistic insights into olfactory axon wiring from the nose to the OB, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of functional neural circuitry among various types of neurons inside the OB. T-box transcription factor Tbr2 is expressed in various types of glutamatergic excitatory neurons in the brain including the OB projection neurons, mitral and tufted cells. Here we generated conditional knockout mice in which the Tbr2 gene is inactivated specifically in mitral and tufted cells from late embryonic stages. Tbr2 deficiency caused cell-autonomous changes in molecular expression including a compensatory increase of another T-box member, Tbr1, and a concomitant shift of vesicular glutamate transporter (VGluT) subtypes from VGluT1 to VGluT2. Tbr2-deficient mitral and tufted cells also exhibited anatomical abnormalities in their dendritic morphology and projection patterns. Additionally, several non-cell-autonomous phenotypes were observed in parvalbumin-, calbindin-, and 5T4-positive GABAergic interneurons. Furthermore, the number of dendrodendritic reciprocal synapses between mitral/tufted cells and GABAergic interneurons was significantly reduced. Upon stimulation with odorants, larger numbers of mitral and tufted cells were activated in Tbr2 conditional knockout mice. These results suggest that Tbr2 is required for not only the proper differentiation of mitral and tufted cells, but also for the establishment of functional neuronal circuitry in the OB and maintenance of excitatory–inhibitory balance crucial for odor information processing.
Sputtered–Anodized $\hbox{Ta}_{2}\hbox{O}_{5}$  as the Dielectric Layer for Electrowetting-on-Dielectric

Evaluating the anodized tantalum pentoxide (Ta<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>) that has been recently reported as a dielectric for low-voltage electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) devices, we find a severe deterioration in performance if the working liquid is actuated with positive dc voltage. In an effort to reduce the limitation of this otherwise attractive dielectric material for EWOD, proposed herein is a Ta<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> layer prepared by anodizing a sputtered Ta<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> film. This sputtered-anodized Ta<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> allows the use of positive dc signals, while maintaining the low-voltage actuation for which the anodized Ta<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> was originally introduced. All the EWOD tests were performed with a conductive liquid droplet in an air environment.
Significance of Prior Digestive Colonization With Extended-Spectrum &bgr;-Lactamase–Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Patients With Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia*

Objectives:Ventilator-associated pneumonia is frequent in ICUs. Extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae are difficult-to-treat pathogens likely to cause ventilator-associated pneumonia. We sought to assess the interest of screening for extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae rectal carriage as a way to predict their involvement in ventilator-associated pneumonia. Design:A retrospective cohort study of patients with suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia in a medical ICU was conducted. Patients:Every patient admitted between January 2006 and August 2013 was eligible if subjected to mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. Each patient with suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia was included in the cohort. Active surveillance culture for extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae detection was routinely performed in all patients at admission and then weekly throughout the study period. Extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamase colonization was defined by the isolation of at least one extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae from rectal swab culture. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:Among 587 patients with suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia, 40 (6.8%) were colonized with extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae prior to the development of pneumonia. Over the study period, 20 patients (3.4%) had ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae; of whom, 17 were previously detected as being colonized with extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae. Sensitivity and specificity of prior extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae colonization as a predictor of extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae involvement in ventilator-associated pneumonia were 85.0% and 95.7%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 41.5% and 99.4%, respectively. The positive likelihood ratio was 19.8. Conclusions:Screening for extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae digestive colonization by weekly active surveillance cultures could reliably exclude the risk of the involvement of such pathogens in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia in low-prevalence area.
Examination of Saudi Students’ Social Network and Language Development: A Social Network Analysis of Saudi International Students and the Input Hypothesis

The number of Saudi international students pursuing higher education in the United States has risen significantly over the past decade. Research indicates that people’s social networks are an important source of language input. In this study, our main focus was the language input that Saudi students receive while studying in the United States. This study analyzed the social networks of 20 Saudi students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs at four Midwestern universities. The aim of this analysis was to understand the choices that Saudi learners of English establish beyond the regular classroom, to explain and even predict the development of learners’ oral communication skills. The sample included 76 people across the 20 social networks, only 19 of whom were native speakers of English. The Saudi students in this study spent an average of 672 hours in weekly interactions with friends within their social networks. The interaction time was divided as follows: 150 hours spent talking to native speakers of English, 101 hours with non-native speakers of English, and 421 hours with Arabic speakers. The analysis of the social networks highlighted Saudi students’ interactional forms. Research findings are discussed based on the Social Network Analysis and on Krashens’s i+1 Input Hypothesis.
A 0.35-to-2.6GHz multilevel outphasing transmitter with a digital interpolating phase modulator enabling up to 400MHz instantaneous bandwidth

Advanced wireless radio standards set stringent requirements on the bandwidth, frequency range and reconfigurability of base-station transmitters. Recently, the outphasing concept has shown promise of wide bandwidth while taking advantage of process scaling with extensive exploitation of rail-to-rail signaling. Recent outphasing transmitter designs have often focused on power-amplifier (PA) and power-combiner implementations while omitting the phase modulator [1,2]. Moreover, previously reported transmitters with integrated digital phase modulators have only shown bandwidths up to 40MHz [3,4], although 133MHz has been demonstrated at 10GHz carrier frequency utilizing phase modulators based on conventional IQ-DACs [5]. Thus, digital-intensive outphasing transmitters capable of modulation with hundreds of MHz bandwidth at existing cellular frequency bands have not yet been published. To address the aforementioned challenge, this paper introduces a multilevel outphasing transmitter with four amplitude levels, including the first prototype implementation based on the digital interpolating phase modulator concept [6]. The transmitter is targeted for 5G picocell base stations and has been verified to operate with instantaneous bandwidth up to 400MHz. In addition, the developed phase modulator eliminates the need for complex on-chip frequency synthesizers by introducing digital carrier frequency generation, demonstrated between 0.35 and 2.6GHz, while utilizing a single 1.8GHz reference clock. The wide bandwidth and digital carrier generation of the developed phase modulator are enabled by digital phase interpolation, illustrated in Fig. 13.5. 1. The sinusoidal phase-modulated RF waveform S (