Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preterm birth and maternal responsiveness during childhood are associated with brain morphology in adolescence

Abstract Although supportive parenting has been shown to have positive effects on development, the neurobiological basis of supportive parenting has not been investigated. Thirty-three adolescents were systemically selected from a longitudinal study on child development based on maternal responsiveness during childhood, a measure of supportive parenting, and whether they were born term or preterm. We analyzed the effect of preterm birth on hemispheric and regional (frontal, temporal, parietal) cortical thickness and surface area using mixed-model analysis while also considering the effect of brain hemisphere (left vs. right). We then determined whether these factors were moderated by maternal responsiveness during childhood. Preterm birth was associated with regional and hemispheric differences in cortical thickness and surface area. Maternal responsiveness during childhood moderated hemispheric cortical thickness. Adolescence with mothers that were inconsistently responsive during childhood demonstrated greater overall cortical thickness and greater asymmetry in cortical thickness during adolescence as compared to adolescence with mothers who were consistently responsive or unresponsive during childhood. Maternal responsiveness and preterm birth did not interact. These data suggest that changes in brain morphology associated with preterm birth continue into adolescence and support the notion that the style of maternal-child interactions during childhood influence brain development into adolescence. (JINS, 2010, 16, 784–794.)
N‐cadherin regulates the proliferation and differentiation of ventral midbrain dopaminergic progenitors

Adherens junction (AJ) between dopaminergic (DA) progenitors maintains the structure of ventricular zone and polarity of radial glia cells in the ventral midbrain (vMB) during embryonic development. However, it is unclear how loss of N‐cadherin might influence the integrity of the AJ and the process of DA neurogenesis. Here, we used conditional gene targeting approaches to perform the region‐specific removal of N‐cadherin in the neurogenic niche of DA neurons in the vMB. Removal of N‐cadherin in the vMB using Shh‐Cre disrupts the AJs of DA progenitors and radial glia processes in the vMB. Surprisingly, loss of N‐cadherin in the vMB leads to a significant expansion of DA progenitors, including those expressing Sox2, Ngn2, and Otx2. Cell cycle analyses reveal that the cell cycle exit in the progenitor cells is decreased in the mutants from E11.5 to E12.5. In addition, the efficiency of DA progenitors in differentiating into DA neurons is decreased from E10.5 to E12.5, leading to a marked reduction in the number of DA neurons at E11.5, E12.5, and E17.5. Loss of N‐cadherin leads to the diffuse distribution of β‐catenin proteins, which are a critical component of AJ and Wnt signaling, from the AJ throughout the entire cytoplasm in neuroepithelial cells, suggesting that canonical Wnt signaling might be activated in the DA progenitors in vMB. Taken together, these results support the notion that N‐cadherin regulates the proliferation of DA progenitors and the differentiation of DA neurons through canonical Wnt‐β‐catenin signaling in the vMB. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 73: 518–529, 2013
Does distance matter? Distance to mammography facilities and stage at diagnosis of breast cancer in Kentucky.

BACKGROUND National and regional data indicate that breast cancer early detection is low in Kentucky, especially rural regions, perhaps because access to mammography services can be problematic. OBJECTIVE This study examined the distance between residences of women diagnosed with breast cancer and the nearest mammography facility, as a risk factor for advanced stage diagnosis in rural populations. METHODS 1999-2003 Kentucky Cancer Registry data were used for this study. A total of 12,322 women, aged 40 and older at diagnosis, with no previous history of cancer, and with known cancer stage were included. Travel distance was obtained using a geographic information system (GIS). Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between travel distance and advanced stage diagnosis. RESULTS Advanced diagnoses had longer average travel distances than early stage diagnoses (P < 0.01). After adjusting for age, race, insurance, and education at census tract level, the odds of advanced diagnosis were significantly greater for women residing over 15 miles from a facility, compared to those living within 5 miles (adjusted OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.25-1.80). CONCLUSION Although socioeconomic status, race, and age may help explain advanced diagnoses, longer travel distance also adversely affects early detection for rural populations. Accurate measurement of spatial accessibility indicators, such as travel distance, facilitates identification of at-risk groups so that interventions can be developed to reduce this disease.
FPGA/soft-processor based real-time object tracking system

This paper presents a low cost FPGA based solution for a real-time moving object tracking system. A specialized architecture is presented based on a soft RISC processor capable of running kernel based mean shift tracking algorithm. The system includes a frame grabber unit that stores the video frame in DDR RAM using direct memory access, a video display unit to monitor the tracking statistics and a soft processor capable of running mean shift tracking algorithm within the required time constraint.
A multiphysics analysis of dish reflector antennas for radio astronomy applications

This work considers a combined structural-electromagnetic analysis of large dish reflector antennas typically used in radio astronomy. The effect of gravitational deformation on the radio telescope is quantified by a structural analysis conducted with a finite element solver. The deformed geometry is then analysed using a computational electromagnetic package from which the performance degradation can be assessed. This offers key insights into the operation of the radio telescope under the influence of external forces, such as gravity.
Academic medical centers and equity in specialty care access for children.

OBJECTIVE To test whether specialty clinics' academic medical center (AMC) affiliation was associated with equity in scheduling appointments for children with public vs private insurance. Academic medical centers are safety-net providers of specialty medical care and it is unknown whether equitable access is afforded by AMCs across insurance conditions. DESIGN Audit study data were linked to data describing audited clinics. SETTING Specialty clinics serving children residing in Cook County, Illinois. PARTICIPANTS From January-May 2010, 273 clinics were each called twice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Logistic regression was used to examine associations between AMC affiliation and discriminatory denials of Medicaid-Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) (ie, nonacceptance of Medicaid-CHIP when accepting commercial insurance), controlling for clinics' specialty type, practice size, neighborhood poverty level, and physicians' credentials. Among clinics that accepted both insurances, linear regression was used to examine the association between wait times (days) for appointments and insurance status, adjusting for covariates. Tests for interaction terms were performed to identify changes in wait time for academic clinics across insurance status. RESULTS Of the 273 paired calls to clinics, 155 (57%) resulted in discriminatory denials of Medicaid-CHIP. The odds of a discriminatory denial were 45% lower if a clinic was AMC affiliated (odds ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-0.99). On average, academic clinics scheduled Medicaid-CHIP appointments with wait times 40 days longer than private insurance (β, 40.73; 95% CI, 5.06-76.41). CONCLUSIONS Affiliation with an AMC was associated with fewer discriminatory denials of children with Medicaid-CHIP. However, children with Medicaid-CHIP had significantly longer wait times at AMC-affiliated clinics compared with privately insured children. Academic medical centers' propensity toward serving publicly insured patients makes them candidates for targeted resource allocation, perhaps with incentives contingent on equitable appointment acceptance and wait times.
An examination of the effectiveness of Pulse Sequence Analysis on PD data from artificial void defects in PET

This paper details the use of Pulse Sequence Analysis (PSA) on sequentially captured PD activity within artificially created voids in Polyethylene Terepthalate (PET). Tests were undertaken using three void defect configurations, i.e. a single void, two voids in series between the HV electrodes and two voids in parallel between the HV electrodes. Supply voltages close to the inception point for each defect were used. The captured data sets from each configuration were used to examine the nature of the discharge activity in each, with a number of standard PSA techniques used to graphically describe the results. Differences in the PSA analysis for each defect type and the effectiveness of PSA in discriminating between the three are detailed.
Impact of the community-based newborn care package in Nepal: a quasi-experimental evaluation

Objective To evaluate the impact of the community-based newborn care package (CBNCP) on six essential practices to improve neonatal health. Methods CBNCP pilot districts were matched to comparison districts using propensity scores. Impact on birth preparedness, antenatal care seeking, antenatal care quality, delivery by skilled birth attendant, immediate newborn care and postnatal care within 48 hours were assessed using Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and Health Management Information System (HMIS) data through difference-in-differences and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Findings Changes over time in intervention and comparison areas were similar in difference-in-differences analysis of DHS and HMIS data. Logistic regression of DHS data also did not reveal any significant improvement in combined outcomes: birth preparedness, adjusted OR (aOR)=0.8 (95% CI 0.4 to 1.7); antenatal care seeking, aOR=1.0 (0.6 to 1.5); antenatal care quality, aOR=1.4 (0.9 to 2.1); delivery by skilled birth attendant, aOR=1.5 (1.0 to 2.3); immediate newborn care, aOR=1.1 (0.7 to 1.9); postnatal care, aOR=1.3 (0.9 to 1.9). Health providers’ knowledge and skills in intervention districts were fair but showed much variation between different providers and districts. Conclusions This study, while representing an early assessment of impact, did not identify significant improvements in newborn care practices and raises concerns regarding CBNCP implementation. It has contributed to revisions of the package and it being merged with the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness programme. This is now being implemented in 35 districts and carefully monitored for quality and impact. The study also highlights general challenges in evaluating the impacts of a complex health intervention under ‘real life’ conditions.
Attacker Models for Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract Assumptions about attackers critically influence security and efficiency of protocols. Without precisely defined attacker models, proving security of protocols becomes impossible. Especially the area of sensor network security lacks well-established and precise attacker models. We present a general framework for attacker models in wireless sensor networks that structures and orders typical assumptions about attackers. Zusammenfassung Präzise Annahmen über mögliche Angreifer sind unbedingt erforderlich zur Entwicklung von Sicherheitslösungen. Dennoch gibt es im Bereich Sensornetze keine etablierten Angreifermodelle. In dieser Arbeit wird ein Rahmenwerk zur Definition und Strukturierung von Angreiferannahmen in Sensornetzen vorgestellt.
Piezo LEGS Driving Principle Based on Coordinate Transformation

This paper offers a new approach for specifying the waveforms of driving voltages for a Piezo LEGS motor. A novel idea of coordinate transformation to define the waveforms of driving voltages, based on the motor static model, is presented. This transformation defines driving voltages according to the desired motion of the motor legs in the x- and y-directions. The approach allows a user to first define force acting on the motor rod in the y-direction and define the rod's x-direction trajectory profile. Waveforms of the driving voltages are subsequently defined to meet these requirements. The proposed approach also enables the possibility of defining the desired step shape for the motor and, according to that definition, producing driving voltages. Based on the given coordinate transformation, a simple method for Piezo LEGS motor control, identified as virtual time control, is presented. This method results in overshoot-free high precision positioning.
Mutation Analysis for JavaScriptWeb Application Testing

When developers test modern web applications that use JavaScript, challenging issues lie in their event-driven, asynchronous, and dynamic features. Many researchers have assessed the adequacy of test cases with code coverage criteria; however, in this paper, we show that the code coverage-based approach possibly misses some faults in the applications. We propose a mutation analysis approach for estimating the faultfinding capability of test cases. We assume that developers can find overlooked fault instances and improve the test cases with the estimated capability. To create a set of faulty programs, i.e., mutants, we classify the JavaScript features in web applications and then define a comprehensive set of mutation operators. We conducted a case study on a real-world application and found that our approach supported the improvement of test cases to expose hand-seeded faults by an extra ten percent. Keywords-JavaScript; Mutation Analysis and Testing; Web Applications; Test Criteria
ANTI-OXIDANTS LEVELS IN FEMALE RATS ADMINISTERED PRO-FERTITILITY ETHANOLIC LEAVE EXTRACT OF BYRSOCARPUS COCCINEUS

OBJECTIVE: The etiology of female infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, in some women remains unclear and a scientific challenge. This study was carried out to investigate the qualitative phytochemical analysis, in-vitro and in-vivo antioxidant property of the ethanolic extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus leaves. This was based on the traditional claims, that it is used for the treatment of idiopathic infertility case in females with high body temperature which most times does not favors successful pregnancy. DESIGN: Qualitative phytochemical screening was performed using standard procedures as described by Dipali and Vilas, (2013). In-vitro antioxidant assay of DPPH2,2 -Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine hydrate radical scavenging activity, Hydrogen Peroxide Scavenging Activity (HPSA) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) were determined. In-vivo antioxidant activity investigated was catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation. Ethanolic extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus were administered orally for 14 days to the Wister rats in the groups, including female rats induced with temporary infertility with Micronor (MIC) or Nacetylcysteine (NAC) for 7days before the administration of the extract. Results obtained showed that the ethanolic extract of B. coccineus leaves possesses effective antioxidant properties both in-vitro and in-vivo. RESULT / OUTCOME:The phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, resins, phenols and reducing sugars. The extract showed 78.28% inhibition of DPPH, 71.57% of HPSA and 97.95% TAC at 250μg/ml concentrations. Also, the extract significantly causes reduction of the activities of CAT (0.207 ± 0.060 U/ml), SOD (3.83 ± 0.268 U/ml) and lipid peroxidation (1.11 European Scientific Journal May 2014 edition vol.10, No.15 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e ISSN 18577431 350 ± 0.027 nmol/ml) compared with control group. The results clearly demonstrated that Byrsocarpus coccineus possess good antioxidant activity as evidenced by the free radical scavenging property in augmenting antioxidant defense mechanisms.
Partial kernelization of multiway cut : bounding the number of vertices with small excess

We introduce the notion of partial kernelization where instead of bounding the size of the whole input we bound the size of the part of the input having particular property. We apply this notion to the multiway cut problem and show how to bound the number of vertices participating in small isolating cuts. We argue that the proposed results provide a considerable progress towards understanding the kernelizability of the multiway cut problem.
Deterred drug abuse using superabsorbent polymers

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to determine whether selected superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) could be used as a suitable alternative to thwart extraction, filtration, and syringeability attempts for abuse. Many abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) rely on high molecular weight polymers such as poly(ethylene oxide) to provide crush and extraction resistance. However, these polymers suffer from slow dissolution kinetics, and are susceptible to a variety of abuse conditions. Methods: Several commercially available SAPs were evaluated for swelling behavior in extraction solvents, and tableting properties. Post-compaction abuse properties were evaluated by recoverable volume and syringeability after solvent extraction. Drug release and percent drug extraction were conducted using tramadol HCl as a model drug. Results: Certain SAPs had the ability to rapidly imbibe solvent and effectively stop extraction processes in a variety of solvents, including water and water/alcohol mixtures. Tablets containing SAP and drug showed no effect on drug release in vitro. Conclusions: SAPs possess adequate properties for tableting, and maintain their high and fast swelling properties after compaction. The fast and extensive interactions of SAPs with aqueous medium are a major advantage over non-crosslinked high molecular weight viscosifying agents such as poly(ethylene oxide).
Optimizing isolation culture and freezing methods to preserve Wharton's jelly's mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) properties: an MSC banking protocol validation for the Hellenic Cord Blood Bank

Mesenchymal stem or stromal cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous population that can be isolated from many tissues including umbilical cord Wharton's jelly (UC‐WJ). Although initially limited in studies such as a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation adjuvant, an increasing number of clinical trials consider MSCs as a potential anti‐inflammatory or a regenerative medicine agent. It has been proposed that creating a repository of MSCs would increase their availability for clinical applications. The aim of this study was to assess the optimal isolation and cryopreservation procedures to facilitate WJ MSC banking.
Screening seeds of some Scottish plants for free radical scavenging activity

From a consideration of ethnobotanical and taxonomic information, seeds of 45 Scottish plant species encompassing 23 different families were obtained from authentic seed suppliers. The n‐hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) extracts were assessed, both qualitatively and quantitatively, for free radical scavenging activity in the DPPH assay. The MeOH extracts of 37 species exhibited low to high levels of free radical scavenging activity (RC50 values ranging from 2.00 to 4.7 × 10−4 mg/mL), and Alliaria petiolata, Prunus padus and Prunus spinosa were the most potent antioxidant extracts. The DCM extracts of 17 species showed similar levels of activity, and among those, Prunus padus and Prunus spinosa extracts were the most active with RC50 values of 2.5 × 10−4 and 5.0 × 10−4 mg/mL, respectively. The n‐hexane extracts were much less active than the MeOH and DCM extracts, and 17 species, with the exception of Glechoma hederacea (RC50 = 1.94 × 10−4) displayed low to moderate levels of free radical scavenging property (RC50 values ranging from 2.00 to 8.7 × 10−3 mg/mL). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dimensions cooperate by Euclidean metric in Particle Swarm Optimization

Since Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) was introduced, variants of PSO have usually updated velocities of particles in each dimension independently in the high-dimensional space. This paper proposes a Dimensionally Cooperative PSO (DCPSO), in which dimensions cooperate to update velocities of particles through Euclidean metric. The Euclidean metric first builds pbest-centered and gbest-centered hyperspheres. And then, velocity vectors of particles are derived from stochastic points obeying a distribution within the hyperspheres for dimensions cooperating. DCPSO investigates such cooperation of dimensions through Euclidean metric, instead of updating each dimension independently. Compared with the traditional PSO, DCPSO is validated by simulations on the 20 standard benchmark problems from CEC 2013. Furthermore, DCPSO shows more rotationally-invariant than the traditional PSO from the results. Additionally, the differences between the behaviors of the traditional PSO and the proposed DCPSO are analyzed from the aspect of the search space. Meanwhile, the curse of dimensionality is illustrated by comparisons between the traditional PSO and DCPSO in distinct dimensions.
Circle of Willis artery diameters on MR angiography: An Australian reference database

The aim was to establish a reference range of measurements for all major Circle of Willis (COW) arteries for an Australian population of patients presenting for brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) that is typical of a tertiary referral hospital; and to report the prevalence and disease associations of COW variants in our patient population. All technically diagnostic MRI and MRA studies performed at our magnetic resonance (MR) centre in the calendar year 2006 were re‐read by one reader who classified the COW anatomical layout and measured diameters of all the major vessels at defined locations. A subset of 30 was independently re‐read by another reader and the interobserver measurement variability analyzed. Graphical analysis, with 95% confidence intervals (95CI), summary statistics reporting, t‐testing for unpaired and for paired means, Hauck‐Anderson (H‐A) clinical equivalence testing and logistic regression analysis for categorical variables was performed as relevant. One hundred and seventy‐one studies (of 187 eligible) formed the analysis population. All of our patients had vessels of comparable calibre regardless of MRI disease status, gender or COW variant (P > 0.05). Basilar artery (BA) diameter showed significant association with age, but other vessel diameters did not. The reference range is widely applicable, methodology straightforward and appears tolerant of interobserver variability. A number of discontinuous COW variants become more prevalent with age, perhaps from atherosclerotic occlusive disease. There was no association between COW variants, gender, aneurysm location or MRI disease status.