Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Course of health-related quality of life in 9–16-year-old children with cerebral palsy: Associations with gross motor abilities and mental health

Purpose. To chart the 3-year course of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of 9–13-year-old children with cerebral palsy (CP), and to determine its relationship with gross motor abilities and mental health. Methods. Children (n = 91; 58 boys, mean age 11 years, age ranging from 8 years and 6 months to 13 years and 8 months) and parents were assessed annually with the TNO-AZL questionnaires for children's health-related quality of life as a dependent variable, and the gross motor function measure for children with CP and the child behaviour check list as independent variables. Results. The children reported lower HRQoL compared with children in the general population, but reported a higher HRQoL than their parents. The HRQoL remained fairly stable over the 3 years, except for an increase in the autonomy domain. The HRQOL was moderately associated with gross motor abilities, and negatively associated with internalising mental health problems. Externalising problems were only negatively associated with parent-reported HRQoL. Conclusions. Children with CP are more resilient and positive about their HRQoL than their parents think they are. In general, mental health in children with CP appeared to be important in understanding their perceived QoL, in addition to the severity of the CP itself.
Outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Maharashtra and Gujarat states of India, caused by coxsackie virus A‐24 variant

Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is associated with enteroviruses. Among these, Coxsackie A‐24 variant (CA‐24) and Enterovirus‐70 (EV‐70) are known to cause epidemics and pandemics. An outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis occurred in August–September 2003 in Maharashtra and Gujarat states of India. The present investigation was carried out to determine the viral etiological agent associated with the epidemic. Virus isolates were obtained from 11 eye swabs of conjunctivitis patients using HeLa/ Hep‐2 cell lines. The isolates were characterized by serological and mouse pathogenecity tests, RT‐PCR using enterovirus common primers (VP4‐VP2), CA‐24 specific primers (3C‐proteinase region), EV‐70 primers (VP‐3) followed by sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. The virus was characterized as a Coxsackie A‐24 variant (CA‐24v) and none of the isolates were found to be positive for EV‐70. Sequencing of the PCR products derived from all the 11 isolates revealed 98.4% (SE 0.20) nucleotide identity within the Indian strains and 98.6% (0.50) and 94.4% (0.30) nucleotide identity respectively with the West Indies and Asian strains reported worldwide. The findings suggest that the outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis that occurred in Maharashtra and Gujarat states of India during August–September 2003 was caused by the Coxsackie A‐24 variant (CA‐24v). J. Med. Virol. 79: 748–753, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A review of the family Clenchiellidae (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda: Truncatelloidea).

The truncatelloidean family Clenchiellidae, previously treated as a tribe or subfamily of Hydrobiidae, is diagnosed as a distinct family including Clenchiella and three new genera, Coliracemata, Colenuda and Coleglabra. The family is characterised by the discoidal shell with spiral keels or cords, and a wide umbilicus. All species are found in mangrove swamps or adjacent habitats in tropical estuaries, with the exception of one riverine and one lacustrine species. Clenchiella includes the type species, C. victoriae Abbott, from the Philippines, the widespread C. minutissima (Wattebled) (= C. papuensis Benthem Jutting) from Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and tropical Australia, and three new species, C. bicingulata n. sp. from Singapore and Thailand, C. varicosa n. sp. from Hong Kong and Taiwan, and C. iriomotensis n. sp. from Okinawa, Japan. Coliracemata n. gen. includes C. mortoni n. sp. (type of the genus) from Hong Kong, C. katurana n. sp. from Okinawa, C. clarkae n. sp. from northeastern Australia, and tentatively C. microscopica (Nevill) and C. innocens (Preston) from India. Colenuda n. gen. consists of a single species, C. kessneri n. sp. , from Northern Territory, Australia. Coleglabra n. gen. includes C. nordaustralis n. sp. (type of the genus) from Northern Territory and C. sentaniensis (Benthem Jutting) from a freshwater lake in Irian Jaya. Anatomical characters are described for nine of the twelve species. The Clenchiellidae is shown to be more closely related to Calopiidae, Tornidae, and Iravadiidae, than to Hydrobiidae.
Accuracy of a commercial UWB 3D location/tracking system and its impact on LT application scenarios

A newly available commercial ultra-wideband 3D location and tracking system has been characterized in terms of measurement accuracy and disturbance of the line-of-sight path between the located tag and the receiving sensors. While the standard deviation of a large number of position readings is 15 cm or better, bias on the order of meters often occurs that we address to reflections at metal walls. A human torso or hand blocking the line of sight prevents location. The results measured in our class room environment indicate that the majority of presumed applications for UWB location and tracking are not yet feasible with available LT technology.
Through the wall imaging based on Time Reversal Independent Component Analysis

Imaging techniques based on time reversal (TR) methods are particularly suited for detection of targets embedded in strongly scattering media. Through the wall scenario is a well known example of such media in which the scatterer is behind a wall which usually has a high reflection and is strongly scattering. Generally in TR imaging techniques we need to know the Green's function of the medium and the exact location of the transmitter and receiver antennas. We have applied a new method (Time Reversal - Independent Component Analysis (TR-ICA)) for through the wall imaging (TWI) in which imaging is done using only one transmitting antenna. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the capabilities of our proposed method. We have used two dimensional finite difference time domain code in our simulations and TR-ICA is used for selective focusing on perfect electric conductor scatterers behind a wall. We have applied the Green's function of the layered medium for a wall with typical parameters.
A Hierarchical Model for Object-Oriented Design Quality Assessment

The paper describes an improved hierarchical model for the assessment of high-level design quality attributes in object-oriented designs. In this model, structural and behavioral design properties of classes, objects, and their relationships are evaluated using a suite of object-oriented design metrics. This model relates design properties such as encapsulation, modularity, coupling, and cohesion to high-level quality attributes such as reusability, flexibility, and complexity using empirical and anecdotal information. The relationship or links from design properties to quality attributes are weighted in accordance with their influence and importance. The model is validated by using empirical and expert opinion to compare with the model results on several large commercial object-oriented systems. A key attribute of the model is that it can be easily modified to include different relationships and weights, thus providing a practical quality assessment tool adaptable to a variety of demands.
Microsatellite polymorphisms in the ovine prion protein gene in relation to PRP genotypes

The aims of the study were to detect the polymorphisms of three microsatellite sites: S11, S15, and S24 in the ovine PRNP and to asses their relationship with prion protein (PrP) genotypes in three sheep breeds. To identify 15 PrP genotypes based on polymorphisms at codons 136, 154, and 171, PCR-RFLP analyses were applied. The microsatellite sites were amplified. For each microsatellite two or three alleles per site in homoand heterozygotic combinations were observed. In the group of scrapie resistant sheep (NSP1), the genotype 152/152 bp of the S11 microsatellite, 179/179 bp of S15, and 144/144 bp of S24 occurred with the highest frequencies. The results of Fisher’s exact test showed that associations between PrP genotypes and microsatellite alleles and genotypes in the PRNP were statistically significant (P<0.001). In conclusion, the investigated microsatellite sites may be used as additional genetic markers in prion protein gene variability studies in sheep.
The post-stroke depression and its impact on functioning in young and adult stroke patients of a rehabilitation unit

Abstract Background: Stroke is a leading cause of disability and a major public health problem. Aims: To determine frequency and degree of post-stroke depression (PSD) and its impact on functioning in young and adult stroke patients in a rehabilitation unit. Method: The study included 72 stroke patients (aged 29–59 years) who were attending rehabilitation. The patients were assessed for depressive symptoms by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and their functioning by using the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) and the Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Results: Forty-eight patients had different degrees of depression: borderline clinical depression (13.8%), moderate depression (34.7%), severe depression (15.2%) or extreme depression (2.9%). There were no significant differences of BDI scores in 30–39, 40–49 and 50–59 years groups. Statistically significant correlations were between BDI score and SIS score, between BDI score and ADL index, and between SIS score and ADL index in men, women and total study patients. Conclusions: More than half of the PSD patients had a moderate degree of depression. Significant correlations were noticed between depressive symptoms and functional status evaluated both by an instrument of assessing stroke impact upon general health and an instrument for assessing the everyday activities.
Defect recognition of cold rolled plate shape based on RBF-BP neural network

By means of the analysis for the defect pattern of plate shape, a shape defect recognition method for cold rolled strips is proposed based on RBF-BP neural network in this paper. The memberships relative to six basic patterns of common plate shape defects are identified. This method syncretizes the advantages of RBF and BP neural network. There are very fast approaching speed and high precision of network recognition. The simulation of the proposed method is done, and the simulation results are compared with the results of the recognition method by using BP neural network. The results show that the recognition method proposed in this paper gives better effect than the one making use of single network. And it is more suitable for real-time shape control.
A Commercial Conducting Polymer as Both Binder and Conductive Additive for Silicon Nanoparticle-Based Lithium-Ion Battery Negative Electrodes.

UNLABELLED This work describes silicon nanoparticle-based lithium-ion battery negative electrodes where multiple nonactive electrode additives (usually carbon black and an inert polymer binder) are replaced with a single conductive binder, in this case, the conducting polymer PEDOT PSS. While enabling the production of well-mixed slurry-cast electrodes with high silicon content (up to 95 wt %), this combination eliminates the well-known occurrence of capacity losses due to physical separation of the silicon and traditional inorganic conductive additives during repeated lithiation/delithiation processes. Using an in situ secondary doping treatment of the PEDOT PSS with small quantities of formic acid, electrodes containing 80 wt % SiNPs can be prepared with electrical conductivity as high as 4.2 S/cm. Even at the relatively high areal loading of 1 mg/cm(2), this system demonstrated a first cycle lithiation capacity of 3685 mA·h/g (based on the SiNP mass) and a first cycle efficiency of ∼78%. After 100 repeated cycles at 1 A/g this electrode was still able to store an impressive 1950 mA·h/g normalized to Si mass (∼75% capacity retention), corresponding to 1542 mA·h/g when the capacity is normalized by the total electrode mass. At the maximum electrode thickness studied (∼1.5 mg/cm(2)), a high areal capacity of 3 mA·h/cm(2) was achieved. Importantly, these electrodes are based on commercially available components and are produced by the standard slurry coating methods required for large-scale electrode production. Hence, the results presented here are highly relevant for the realization of commercial LiB negative electrodes that surpass the performance of current graphite-based negative electrode systems.
The physics of block copolymers

1. Introduction 2. Melt Phase Behaviour of Block Copolymers 3. Block Copolymers in Dilute Solution 4. Block Copolymers in Semidilute and Concentrated Solutions 5. Solid State Structure of Block Copolymers 6. Blends Containing Block Copolymers Appendix: The Self Consistent Field Theory
Expression of the TIGR gene in the iris, ciliary body, and trabecular meshwork of the human eye

Mutations in the the glaucoma gene GCL1A, also known as trabecular meshwork glucocorticoid response (TIGR) or myocilin (Myoc), have been shown to be associated with juvenile-onset primary open-angle glaucoma. Very little is known about the pattern of expression of the TIGR gene in human ocular tissues. In-situ hybridization experiments demonstrated the localization of TIGR mRNA in cells throughout the iris, ciliary muscle, and the filtering portion of the trabecular meshwork of normal eye donors. The expression of TIGR protein was investigated by Western blot using an epitope-directed antibody to the carboxy terminus region of TIGR. This antibody was able to distinguish a recombinant TIGR fusion protein from a truncated TIGR form containing the naturally occurring Gln 368 ? stop mutation. In tissue extracts from the iris, ciliary body, and trabecular meshwork, the antibody recognized a major protein band of 57-kDa molecular mass. Deglycosylation treatment with PNGase F, NANase II, and O-glycosidase indicated that the 57-kDa protein in these tissues was unglycosylated. In agreement with this observation, in coupled in-vitro transcription/translation systems, the 57-kDa TIGR protein was unaffected by the presence of the processing and glycosylation activities of canine pancreatic microsomal membranes. These findings support the view that the expression of TIGR mRNA in cells of the iris, ciliary body, and trabecular meshwork correlates with that of TIGR protein, and that the 57-kDa TIGR protein was unglycosylated. These results, which are in contrast with earlier reports, raise the possibility that the TIGR protein might be processed into distinct forms in a tissue-specific manner.
Nondipolar asymmetries of photoelectron angular distributions.

We have measured the nondipolar contribution to the Ar 1{ital s} photoelectron angular distribution over the 30{endash}2000 eV electron-energy range. The nondipolar interaction results in a forward or backward asymmetry with respect to the photon beam. The asymmetry is directed backward near threshold, is symmetric near 230 eV, and becomes increasingly forward directed at higher energies. The measured asymmetries are in excellent agreement with theoretical calculations, which include interference between the electric-dipole and electric-quadrupole photoionization amplitudes. {copyright} {ital 1995 The American Physical Society. }
AISeL ) All Sprouts Content Sprouts 1130-2009 Dynamic Strategic Alignment Competency : A Theoretical Framework and an Operationalization

This essay addresses two questions: "How does sustained strategic alignment create value and provide competitive advantage for a firm? " and "How can strategic alignment that is sustained over time be conceptualized and quantified? " We build on the Dynamic Capabilities Framework and suggest that an organizationâs ability to achieve a high degree of strategic alignment is an enduring competency that allows the organization to respond to the rapidly changing competitive environment. By developing a strategic alignment competency, organizations are able to sustain alignment over time. We couple this theoretical understanding of how alignment provides value with extant research to develop an operationalization of the dynamic strategic alignment competency. Our operationalization considers the degree of alignment as well as the maturity of the business processes that enable IT and business strategies to co-evolve. Our paper contributes to research on strategic alignment in two ways. First, we address the criticism that much work on strategic alignment needs more substantial theoretical backing by providing the Dynamic Capabilities Framework as a theoretical base for alignment research. Second, we move beyond static,single-time-period examinations of alignment to explain a dynamic approach to alignment,one that includes an operationaliztion of the strategic alignment competency. In sum, we argue that while technology itself may not be a source of competitive advantage, the dynamic capability to sustain alignment between IT strategy and business strategy is a source of competitive advantage.
Learning by Criterion Optimization on a Unitary Unimodular Matrix Group

The present manuscript aims at illustrating fundamental challenges and solutions arising in the design of learning theories by optimization on manifolds in the context of complex-valued neural systems. The special case of a unitary unimodular group of matrices is dealt with. The unitary unimodular group under analysis is a low dimensional and easy-to-handle matrix group. Notwithstanding, it exhibits a rich geometrical structure and gives rise to interesting speculations about methods to solve optimization problems on manifolds. Also, its low dimension allows us to treat most of the quantities involved in computation in closed form as well as to render them in graphical format. Some numerical experiments are presented and discussed within the paper, which deal with complex-valued independent component analysis.
Mixed planar and network single‐facility location problems

We consider the problem of optimally locating a single facility anywhere in a network to serve both on‐network and off‐network demands. Off‐network demands occur in a Euclidean plane, while on‐network demands are restricted to a network embedded in the plane. On‐network demand points are serviced using shortest‐path distances through links of the network (e.g., on‐road travel), whereas demand points located in the plane are serviced using more expensive Euclidean distances. Our base objective minimizes the total weighted distance to all demand points. We develop several extensions to our base model, including: (i) a threshold distance model where if network distance exceeds a given threshold, then service is always provided using Euclidean distance, and (ii) a minimax model that minimizes worst‐case distance. We solve our formulations using the “Big Segment Small Segment” global optimization method, in conjunction with bounds tailored for each problem class. Computational experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our solution procedures. Solution times are very fast (often under one second), making our approach a good candidate for embedding within existing heuristics that solve multi‐facility problems by solving a sequence of single‐facility problems. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 68(4), 271–282 2016
Predictors of Nonadherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV-Infected Adults in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Background: Adherence rates of ≥95% to antiretroviral therapy (ART) are necessary to maintain viral suppression in HIV-infected individuals. We identified predictors of nonadherence to scheduled antiretroviral drug pickup appointments in a large HIV care and treatment program in Tanzania. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of 44, 204 HIV-infected adults on ART between November 2004 and September 2012. Multivariate generalized estimating equation for repeated binary data was used to estimate the relative risk and 95% confidence intervals of nonadherence. Results: Nonadherence was significantly greater among patients with high CD4 counts, high body mass indices, males, younger patients, patients with longer durations on ART, and those with perceived low social support. Conclusions: Targeted interventions should be developed to improve ART adherence among healthier, younger, and more experienced patients who are on ART for longer durations within HIV care and treatment programs. Social support for patients on ART should be emphasized.
A Portable Hot Spot Recognition Loop Transfers Sequence Preferences from APOBEC Family Members to Activation-induced Cytidine Deaminase*

Enzymes of the AID/APOBEC family, characterized by the targeted deamination of cytosine to generate uracil within DNA, mediate numerous critical immune responses. One family member, activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), selectively introduces uracil into antibody variable and switch regions, promoting antibody diversity through somatic hypermutation or class switching. Other family members, including APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G, play an important role in retroviral defense by acting on viral reverse transcripts. These enzymes are distinguished from one another by targeting cytosine within different DNA sequence contexts; however, the reason for these differences is not known. Here, we report the identification of a recognition loop of 9–11 amino acids that contributes significantly to the distinct sequence motifs of individual family members. When this recognition loop is grafted from the donor APOBEC3F or 3G proteins into the acceptor scaffold of AID, the mutational signature of AID changes toward that of the donor proteins. These loop-graft mutants of AID provide useful tools for dissecting the biological impact of DNA sequence preferences upon generation of antibody diversity, and the results have implications for the evolution and specialization of the AID/APOBEC family.
Regularized Pointwise Map Recovery from Functional Correspondence

The concept of using functional maps for representing dense correspondences between deformable shapes has proven to be extremely effective in many applications. However, despite the impact of this framework, the problem of recovering the point‐to‐point correspondence from a given functional map has received surprisingly little interest. In this paper, we analyse the aforementioned problem and propose a novel method for reconstructing pointwise correspondences from a given functional map. The proposed algorithm phrases the matching problem as a regularized alignment problem of the spectral embeddings of the two shapes. Opposed to established methods, our approach does not require the input shapes to be nearly‐isometric, and easily extends to recovering the point‐to‐point correspondence in part‐to‐whole shape matching problems. Our numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed approach leads to a significant improvement in accuracy in several challenging cases.
Internet Use Among College Students: An Exploratory Study

Abstract The author and associates surveyed 1,300 college students in classrooms at eight academic institutions to identify how the students' use of the Internet has affected their social or academic lives. Although the typical Internet-using student uses the Internet for 100 minutes per day, a small group of students use the Internet to a degree that interferes with other aspects of their lives. Most of them are men and are found among the hard science academic majors. Some ideas for dealing with this problem are suggested.