Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction of a nuclear factor with the polyomavirus enhancer region.

We have identified a factor present in nuclear extracts of undifferentiated F9 murine embryonal carcinoma cells that specifically interacts with the polyomavirus enhancer region. Nuclease "footprint" analysis was used to define the binding site that corresponds precisely to the boundaries of polyoma enhancer element C defined by Veldman et al. [Veldman, G. M. , Lupton, S. & Kamen, R. (1985) Mol. Cell. Biol. 5, 649-658] that is required as an enhancer for efficient viral DNA replication and early and late region transcription. The region of nuclease protection contains a 6-base-pair inverted repeat, separated by 3 base pairs, and symmetrical flanking DNase I hypersensitive cleavage sites, suggesting that this factor may bind as a dimer. A cloned 29-base-pair polyoma DNA fragment contains an intact binding domain. Similar levels of binding activity were found in nuclear extracts prepared from differentiated murine F9 cells, as well as murine L cells and human HeLa cells. The factor has been termed "EF-C" for enhancer binding factor to polyoma element C.
Behavior Analysis for Aging-in-Place using Similarity Heatmaps

The demand for healthcare services for an increasing population of older adults is faced with the shortage of skilled caregivers and a constant increase in healthcare costs. In addition, the strong preference of the elderly to live independently has been driving much research on "ambient-assisted living" (AAL) systems to support aging-in-place. In this paper, we propose to employ a low-resolution image sensor network for behavior analysis of a home occupant. A network of 10 low-resolution cameras (30x30 pixels) is installed in a service flat of an elderly, based on which the user's mobility tracks are extracted using a maximum likelihood tracker. We propose a novel measure to find similar patterns of behavior between each pair of days from the user's detected positions, based on heatmaps and Earth mover's distance (EMD). Then, we use an exemplar-based approach to identify sleeping, eating, and sitting activities, and walking patterns of the elderly user for two weeks of real-life recordings. The proposed system achieves an overall accuracy of about 94%.
Applying Soft Computing Approaches to Predict Defect Density in Software Product Releases: An Empirical Study

There is non-linear relationship between software metrics and defects, which results to a complex mapping. Therefore, to focus on the defect density area, it is a critical business requirement of effective and practical approach, which can help find the defect density in software releases. Soft computing provides a better platform to solve the non-linear and complex mapping problem. The aim of this paper is to formulate, build, evaluate, validate and compare two main sections of soft computing, fuzzy logic and artificial neural network approaches in prediction of defect density of subsequent software product releases. In this research, these two approaches are formulated and applied to predict the existence of a defect in file of software release. Both approaches have also been validated against various releases of two commercial software product release data sets. The validation criteria include mean absolute error, root mean square error and graphical analysis. The analysis of the study shows that artificial neural network provides better results compared to Fuzzy Inference System; but applicability of best approach depends on the data availability and the quantum of data.
Prosody modeling and eigen-prosody analysis for robust speaker recognition

Unseen handset mismatch and limited training/test data are the major source of performance degradation for speaker identification in telecommunication environments. In this paper, a vector quantization (VQ)-based prosody modeling and an eigen-prosody analysis (EPA) is integrated to transform the close-set speaker identification problem into a full text document retrieval-similar task. The prosody modeling labels the prosodic feature contours of a speaker's speech into sequences of prosody states. EPA then constructs a compact eigen-prosody space to represent the constellation of speakers. Furthermore, EPA is fused with a lower-level a priori knowledge interpolation (AKI) handset distortion compensator to complement each other. Experimental results on the HTIMIT database had shown that about 41.0% and 32.8% relative error rate reduction for seen and unseen handsets, respectively, was achieved compared with the maximum a priori-adapted Gaussian mixture model/cepstral mean subtraction (MAP-GMM/CMS) baseline.
Electromagnetic Field-to-Wire Coupling in the SHF Frequency Range and Beyond

Methods have been developed for the treatment of field-to-wire coupling at superhigh frequencies (SHF's) and beyond. In this region, transmission-line lengths and wire separations become very large electrically, and field-to-wire coupling problems become intractable. Several types of transmission lines have been examined in the SHF range, including uniform and nonuniform transmission lines, coaxial transmission lines, and multiconductor transmission lines. Current distributions are found to be predominantly of a standing-wave or traveling-wave form. The higher order modes are not significant for those cases examined. Bounds may be obtained for induced currents in the field-to-wire problem by considering the transmission line as a receiving antenna. The maximum value of induced current under conditions of maximum susceptibility is shown to vary little with frequency.
Demonstration of artificial visual percepts generated through thalamic microstimulation

Electrical stimulation of the visual system might serve as the foundation for a prosthetic device for the blind. We examined whether microstimulation of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus can generate localized visual percepts in alert monkeys. To assess electrically generated percepts, an eye-movement task was used with targets presented on a computer screen (optically) or through microstimulation of the lateral geniculate nucleus (electrically). Saccades (fast, direct eye movements) made to electrical targets were comparable to saccades made to optical targets. Gaze locations for electrical targets were well predicted by measured visual response maps of cells at the electrode tips. With two electrodes, two distinct targets could be independently created. A sequential saccade task verified that electrical targets were processed not in motor coordinates, but in visual spatial coordinates. Microstimulation produced predictable visual percepts, showing that this technique may be useful for a visual prosthesis.
Children's Nonword Reading: Pseudohomophones, Neighbourhood Size, and Priming Effects.

Les AA. presentent des recherches relatives a certains des facteurs qui affectent le decodage par des lecteurs debutants de suite de lettres nouvelles formant des non mots. Ils observent que les enfants de 7, 8 et 10 ans attribuent plus de prononciations correctes aux non mots ayant de nombreux voisins orthographiques qu'a ceux qui en ont peu. Les resultats sont discutes a la lumiere des modeles courants
Patient entry into randomized controlled trials of colorectal cancer treatment: factors influencing participation.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to investigate willingness to participate in hypothetical surgical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) among patients and clinicians, who answered as if they themselves were patients. METHODS We interviewed consecutive patients with colorectal cancer admitted for surgery at a tertiary center in Sydney, Australia. We mailed a questionnaire to all colorectal surgeons and medical oncologists in Australia. RESULTS Overall, 42% (95% CI, 32% to 52%) of patients, 44% (95% CI, 29% to 60%) of surgeons, and 63% (95% CI, 53% to 72%) of oncologists were willing to enter a randomized clinical trial. Oncologists were significantly more likely to participate than either surgeons (P <.001) or patients (P =.001). No significant associations were seen between willingness to participate and patient characteristics. "Risk of cancer recurrence" was rated by the most patients and doctors as an important reason for refusal of trial entry, although patients additionally identified dislike of randomization and quality of life concerns as important barriers. CONCLUSION More than 40% of patients were willing to enter into a hypothetical RCT involving surgery. Aversion to randomization and perceptions of differential impact of treatment on cancer recurrence and quality of life are likely to be major barriers to patient accrual in trials of colorectal cancer treatment.
Antiestrogen Fulvestrant Enhances the Antiproliferative Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors in Human Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction: Estrogen receptor (ER) signaling and its interaction with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a potential therapeutic target in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To explore cross-communication between ER and EGFR, we have correlated ER pathway gene and protein expression profiles and examined effects of antiestrogens with or without EGFR inhibitors in preclinical models of human NSCLC. Methods: We evaluated 54 NSCLC cell lines for growth inhibition with EGFR inhibitors, antiestrogen treatment, or the combination. Each line was evaluated for baseline ER pathway protein expression. The majority were also evaluated for baseline ER pathway gene expression. Human NSCLC xenografts were evaluated for effects of inhibition of each pathway, either individually, or in combination. Results: The specific antiestrogen fulvestrant has modest single agent activity in vitro, but in many lines, fulvestrant adds to effects of EGFR inhibitors, including synergy in the EGFR-mutant, erlotinib-resistant H1975 line. ER&agr;, ER&bgr;, progesterone receptor-A, progesterone receptor-B, and aromatase proteins are expressed in all lines to varying degrees, with trends toward lower aromatase in more sensitive cell lines. Sensitivity to fulvestrant correlates with greater baseline ER&agr; gene expression. Tumor stability is achieved in human tumor xenografts with either fulvestrant or EGFR inhibitors, but tumors regress significantly when both pathways are inhibited. Conclusions: These data provide a rationale for further investigation of the antitumor activity of combined therapy with antiestrogen and anti-EGFR agents in the clinic. Future work should also evaluate dual ER and EGFR inhibition in the setting of secondary resistance to EGFR inhibition.
L'influence de la musique sur les capacités cognitives et les apprentissages des élèves en maternelle et au cours préparatoire : note de synthèse

Cette note rend compte des resultats d'une recherche a caractere experimental conduite dans des classes de grande section de maternelle . L'objectif principal de ce travail etait de mesurer les effets de la pratique musicale sur deux aspects des apprentissages des eleves : le developpement cognitif et les acquisitions scolaires. Les resultats de cette experimentation encouragent a systematiser ce type de pratiques dans les classes dont l'efficacite principalement a la nature du programme evalue qui, au-dela de son contenu musical, permet d'appliquer des modalites de transmission pedagogique efficaces : structuration, planification et progression des activites enseignees, accroissement de la motivation des eleves.
The paradox of our outcomes, and the use of qualitative methodology as a way to understand the realities of emerging countries

It is a fact that global health indicators in vulnerable populations are not improving, despite all resources concentrated in this area. Therefore, as a teacher and researcher in an international doctorate in Public Health, I took advantage of the contact with health professionals from Colombia, Peru and Bolivia (they were all my students) to try to better understand which factors may be affecting this paradox from the perspective of the major actors and therefore through a qualitative methodology. The main conclusion is that the health goals for the target populations (emerging and developing countries) are not the same as the goals for the planners and administrators of public health budgets. So if we want to improve health outcomes, it is time to let talk the people involved, and to let the administrators listen.
Partial and generalized lipodystrophy: comparison of baseline characteristics and response to metreleptin.

CONTEXT Lipodystrophies are extreme forms of metabolic syndrome. Metreleptin was approved in the United States for generalized lipodystrophy (GLD) but not partial lipodystrophy (PLD). OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to test metreleptin's efficacy in PLD vs GLD and find predictors for treatment response. DESIGN This was a prospective, single-arm, open-label study since 2000 with continuous enrollment. Current analysis included metreleptin treatment for 6 months or longer as of January 2014. SETTING The study was conducted at the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, Maryland). PARTICIPANTS Patients clinically diagnosed with lipodystrophy, leptin less than 8 ng/mL (males) or less than 12 (females), age older than 6 months, and one or more metabolic abnormalities (diabetes, insulin resistance, or hypertriglyceridemia) participated in the study. INTERVENTION The interventions included sc metreleptin injections (0.06-0.24 mg/kg · d). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Changes in glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and triglycerides after 6 and 12 months of metreleptin were measured. RESULTS Baseline metabolic parameters were similar in 55 GLD [HbA1c 8.4% ± 2.3%; triglycerides, geometric mean (25th, 75th percentile), 467 mg/dL (200, 847)] and 31 PLD patients [HbA1c 8.1% ± 2.2%, triglycerides 483 mg/dL (232, 856)] despite different body fat and endogenous leptin. At 12 months, metreleptin decreased HbA1c (to 6.4% ± 1.5%, GLD, P < .001; 7.3% ± 1.6%, PLD, P = .004) and triglycerides [to 180 mg/dL (106, 312), GLD, P < . 001; 326 mg/dL (175, 478), PLD, P = . 02]. HbA1c and triglyceride changes over time significantly differed between GLD and PLD. In subgroup analyses, metreleptin improved HbA1c and triglycerides in all GLD subgroups except those with baseline triglycerides less than 300 mg/dL and all PLD subgroups except baseline triglycerides less than 500 mg/dL, HbA1c less than 8%, or endogenous leptin greater than 4 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS In addition to its proven efficacy in GLD, metreleptin is effective in selected PLD patients with severe metabolic derangements or low leptin.
[Validation of a clinical protocol for the detection of dementia in the population].

AIMS To analyse the validity of a set of neuropsychological and functional tests, and to study their value in detecting and diagnosing dementia through a pilot study. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 131 subjects (101 controls and 30 with dementia) were evaluated using a comprehensive neuropsychological and functional battery. Validity analyses were conducted using ROC curves in accordance with the definitions of diagnostic test validation. Finally, a discriminant analysis was performed with the tests that showed greater diagnostic validity in the study of the ROC curves. RESULTS The case and control groups were not significantly different as regards age, sex and level of schooling. The ROC curves analyses showed the following to be the tests with the highest diagnostic validity: the MMSE, delayed recall of a short story, delayed recall of six pictures, the Spanish version of the S IQCODE (shortened) and Pfeffer s FAQ. The discriminant analysis evidenced the fact that the joint utilisation of all the foregoing tests, except delayed recall of six pictures, classified 96.55% of our sample correctly. CONCLUSIONS By combining direct cognitive evaluation of the subject and functional performance evaluated by a trustworthy informer, the vast majority of participants in the pilot study were correctly classified into patients with and without dementia. The high diagnostic validity of four relatively short tests lends support to their use in broader clinical or population studies.
Differential Responsiveness to IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15 Common Receptor γ Chain Cytokines by Antigen-specific Peripheral Blood Naive or Memory Cytotoxic CD8+ T Cells From Healthy Donors and Melanoma Patients

Common receptor γ chain (c-γ) cytokines (CKs) support proliferation of CD8+ T cells in presence or absence of antigen triggering and help maintaining the immunologic memory. We addressed the effects of low (≤5 ng/mL)-dose interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, or IL-15 on human naive and memory antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Peripheral blood CD8+ lymphocytes proliferated with decreasing efficiency in response to IL-15, IL-7, and IL-2. Of note, IL-15 preferentially promoted expansion of CD45RA−/CD8+ T-cell memory subset. Accordingly, cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for cytomegalovirus-derived antigens from seropositive donors proliferated in response to IL-15 and, to lesser extent to IL-7, but poorly to IL-2. CD8+ T cells were then pretreated with CK before antigen stimulation using, as read out, specific cytotoxic activity. After the pretreatment with IL-15, but not IL-2, previously experienced viral antigens induced vigorous cytotoxic responses. Minor effects of IL-7 were also detectable. In contrast, IL-2 best supported the cytotoxic T lymphocyte generation from prevailingly naive CD8+ T cells from HLA-A*0201+ healthy donors, specific for L27Melan-A/MART-126-35 melanoma-associated antigen. Cells from melanoma patients were tested before and after Melan-A/MART-1–targeted antigen-specific immunotherapy. Untreated patients showed heterogeneous patterns of responsiveness to c-γ CK. However, when naive patients whose CD8+ T cells best responded to IL-2 were vaccinated, a modified responsiveness pattern was detectable. After immunization, cells displayed a significantly higher response to IL-15 than to IL-2 pretreatment. Thus, responsiveness to c-γ CK is critically influenced by naive or memory status of peripheral blood CD8+ T cells.
The epidemiology of acute meningitis in children in England and Wales

A discussion of treatment and prevention options Acute meningitis is a disease that causes high levels of anxiety among parents and the medical profession. Meningitis is often caused, however, by organisms that more commonly result in a mild or asymptomatic infection. Young children are most at risk of meningitis,1,2 but the clinical severity also depends on the causative organism; viral meningitis is rarely severe and children tend to make a complete recovery, whereas bacterial meningitis can have a rapid onset, leading to death and serious neurological sequelae.3 In the past 50 years in England and Wales, many infections that may cause meningitis have been controlled through routine childhood vaccination programmes. In the short to medium term, the wider use of available vaccines has the potential to prevent even more cases and deaths from this disease. In the longer term, options for further prevention by vaccines against new targets seem promising. Routine surveillance of meningitis in England and Wales relies on several sources. Clinically diagnosed cases are notified to Consultants in Communicable Disease Control (CCDCs) and passed on to the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC). Infections confirmed by isolation from the cerebrospinal fluid (or from a normally sterile site but accompanied by symptoms of meningitis) are also reported by laboratories or referred to the PHLS reference laboratories for further typing. Deaths as a result of meningitis are recorded through the medical certificate of cause of death at the Office of National Statistics (ONS). These routine systems are also used conjointly with enhanced surveillance schemes to monitor meningococcal and pneumococcal meningitis,4,5 and alongside special studies (including the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit “orange card” system (www.bpsu.inopsu.com/)) in the surveillance of neonatal meningitis.6 A further source is Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) (www.doh.gov.uk//hes/). These …
Improving Model Inspection with Crowdsourcing

Traditional Software Inspection is a well-established approach to identify defects in software artifacts and models early and efficiently. However, insufficient method and tool support hinder efficient defect detection in large software models. Recent Human Computation and Crowdsourcing processes may help to overcome this limitation by splitting complex inspection artifacts into smaller parts including a better control over defect detection tasks and increasing the scalability of inspection tasks. Therefore, we introduce a Crowdsourcing-Based Inspection (CSI) process with tool support with focus on inspection teams and the quality of defect detection. We evaluate the CSI process in a feasibility study involving 63 inspectors using the CSI process and 12 inspectors using a traditional best-practice inspection process. The CSI process was found useful by the participants. Although the preliminary results of the study were promising, the CSI process should be further investigated with typical large software engineering models.
Application of knowledge gain on multi-type feature space in microblog user classification

Feature selection plays an important role in text categorization. Classic feature selection methods such as document frequency (DF), information gain (IG), mutual information (MI) are commonly applied in text categorization. But usually they only take plain text into account. Knowledge Gain (KG) is a new feature selection method which is proposed in my previous paper. It measures attribute's importance based on Rough Set theory. Experiment shows that it performs well in traditional text classification, and it has obvious advantage in unbalanced corpus in recall rate. Unlike traditional text classification, characteristics of microblog reflected in short text and special structure networks, including user social network and behavior network. This results in less text information and more behavior and social information of microblog users. The classic feature selection algorithms, which are proposed based on text feature, is not applicable. In this paper, we validated that KG which is proposed based on the rough set knowledge can select optimal feature consistently in multi-type feature space of microblog user classification. Experiment shows that it has better performance in multi-type feature selection than other classic feature selection methods.