Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implementation aspects of adaptive window moving average filter applied to PLLs — Comparative study

New standards for grid connected distributed generation systems requires operation for variable grid frequency. This paper discusses implementation details for the adaptive MAV (moving average) filter, used as a low pass filter in PLLs. The implementation of the MAV filter buffer is discussed, including the linear and circular cases, with fixed and variable window size. For this last case, a buffer that avoids data loss is shown. Details on the calculation of the mean value to avoid cumulative errors are presented. Experimental results validate the proposed strategies to reduce the PLL phase error and decrease its processing time are presented.
Positive Effect of Human Milk Feeding during NICU Hospitalization on 24 Month Neurodevelopment of Very Low Birth Weight Infants: An Italian Cohort Study

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of human milk feeding during NICU hospitalization on neurodevelopment at 24 months of corrected age in very low birth weight infants. A cohort of 316 very low birth weight newborns (weight ≤ 1500 g) was prospectively enrolled in a follow-up program on admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of S. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy, from January 2005 to June 2011. Neurodevelopment was evaluated at 24 months corrected age using the Griffiths Mental Development Scale. The effect of human milk nutrition on neurodevelopment was first investigated using a multiple linear regression model, to adjust for the effects of gestational age, small for gestational age, complications at birth and during hospitalization, growth restriction at discharge and socio-economic status. Path analysis was then used to refine the multiple regression model, taking into account the relationships among predictors and their temporal sequence. Human milk feeding during NICU hospitalization and higher socio-economic status were associated with better neurodevelopment at 24 months in both models. In the path analysis model intraventricular hemorrhage—periventricular leukomalacia and growth restriction at discharge proved to be directly and independently associated with poorer neurodevelopment. Gestational age and growth restriction at birth had indirect significant effects on neurodevelopment, which were mediated by complications that occurred at birth and during hospitalization, growth restriction at discharge and type of feeding. In conclusion, our findings suggest that mother’s human milk feeding during hospitalization can be encouraged because it may improve neurodevelopment at 24 months corrected age.
Adaptive energy-harvesting aware clustering routing protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are energy-constrained. However, recent advances in ambient energy harvesting technology have made it possible for sensor nodes to harvest energy from ambient environment and serve as a supplement or the only energy source. And most of current routing protocols are specially designed for battery-powered WSNs, may not be suitable for energy harvesting WSNs (EH-WSNs), especially for those entirely powered by harvesting energy. In this paper, we propose an Adaptive Energy Harvesting Aware Clustering (AEHAC) routing protocol for EH-WSNs, which takes node energy state into cluster head election algorithm and can adjust its parameter according to the network deploying environment. We analyze and evaluate the routing performance in terms of two metrics available node number and network throughput. Simulation results show that AEHAC maintains available nodes about 15% and networks throughput 19% more than traditional LEACH.
Considering Context in Mobile Ticketing

paper discusses the role of context in a mobile ticketing system for public transport. Although context-awareness in this domain promises benefits such as simplified and smarter user- system interaction, the context of telecommunication services raises issues of security and privacy. We present a system architecture utilizing a privacy enhancing protocol that allows secure exchange of sensitive user-related data. This enables context-aware 3 rd party applications for mobile ticketing which make use of dedicated telecom services while at the same time preserving user privacy.
Electrocardiogram Signal Denoising Using a Hybrid Technique

 Abstract — This paper presents an efficient method of electrocardiogram signal denoising based on a hybrid approach. Two techniques are brought together to create an efficient denoising process. The first is an Adaptive Dual Threshold Filter (ADTF) and the second is the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT). The presented approach is based on three steps of denoising, the DWT decomposition, the ADTF step and the highest peaks correction step. This paper presents some application of the approach on some electrocardiogram signals of the MIT-BIH database. The results of these applications are promising compared to other recently published techniques.
Generative linguistics within the cognitive neuroscience of language

Abstract Standard practice in linguistics often obscures the connection between theory and data, leading some to the conclusion that generative linguistics could not serve as the basis for a cognitive neuroscience of language. Here the foundations and methodology of generative grammar are clarified with the goal of explaining how generative theory already functions as a reasonable source of hypotheses about the representation and computation of language in the mind and brain. The claims of generative theory, as exemplified, e.g., within Chomsky’s (2000) Minimalist Program, are contrasted with those of theories endorsing parallel architectures with independent systems of generative phonology, syntax and semantics. The single generative engine within Minimalist approaches rejects dual routes to linguistic representations, including possible extra-syntactic strategies for semantic structure-building. Clarification of the implications of this property of generative theory undermines the foundations of an autonomous psycholinguistics, as established in the 1970’s, and brings linguistic theory back to the center of a unified cognitive neuroscience of language.
The Company They Keep: Friendship in Childhood and Adolescence.

1. Friendships and their significance in childhood and adolescence: introduction and comment William M. Bukowski, Andrew F. Newcomb and Willard W. Hartup Part I. The Nature of Friendship, its Measurement and Development: 2. Amicitia, drujba, shin-yu, philia, freund, friendship: on the cultural diversity of a human relationship Lothar Krappmann 3. The measurement of friendship perceptions: conceptual and methodological issues Wyndol Furman 4. The earliest friendships Carollee Howes 5. Determinants of friendship selection and quality: developmental perspectives Frances E. Aboud and Morton J. Mendelson Part II. Interdependence of Relationship Systems: 6. Parents' interpersonal relationships and children's friendships Anna Beth Doyle and Dorothy Markiewicz 7. Individual differences in friendship quality: links to child-mother attachment Kathryn A. Kerns 8. Need fulfilment, interpersonal competence, and the developmental contexts of early adolescent friendship Duane Buhrmester 9. Closeness and conflict in adolescent peer relationships: interdependence with friends and romantic partners Brett Laursen Part III. Friendship and its Relations to Other Aspects of Development: 10. Cooperation, close relationships, and cognitive development Willard W. Hartup 11. Friendship and morality: (how) are they related? William M. Bukowski and Lorrie K. Sippola 12. Friendships of maltreated children and adolescents: contexts for expressing and modifying relationship history Joseph M. Price Part IV. Friendship and Adaption: 13. The developmental significance of children's friendship relations Andrew F. Newcomb and Catherine L. Bagwell 14. Linkages between friendship and adjustment during early school transitions Gary W. Ladd and Becky J. Kochenderfer 15. Exploring the effects of friendship quality on social development Thomas J. Berndt 16. Distinguishing friendship from acceptance: implications for intervention and assessment Steven R. Asher, Jeffrey G. Parker and Diane Walker.
Reduced permeability in CHO cells as a mechanism of resistance to colchicine

Colchicine resistant (CHR) lines of stable phenotype have been isolated from cultured Chinese hamster (CHO) cells. Successive single‐step selections for increasing resistance were performed by isolating resistant colonies at each step. Two complementary assays involving [3H] colchicine uptake by whole cells and binding of [3H] colchicine by cytoplasmic extracts were developed to test for altered permeability and altered intracellular target protein, respectively. All clones isolated appeared to have decreased permeability to the drug while their colchicine‐binding ability was not reduced. The amount of reduction in colchicine uptake correlated strongly with cellular resistance. The CHR lines were also cross resistant to other drugs such as actinomycin D, vinblastine and Colcemid; furthermore, the degree of cross resistance was positively correlated with the degree of colchicine resistance. The non‐ionic detergent Tween 80 potentiated the cytotoxic action of colchicine on mutant cells as well as its rate of uptake into whole cells.
Sleep duration from infancy to adolescence: reference values and generational trends.

OBJECTIVE The main purpose of the present study was to calculate percentile curves for total sleep duration per 24 hours, for nighttime and for daytime sleep duration from early infancy to late adolescence to illustrate the developmental course and age-specific variability of these variables among subjects. METHODS A total of 493 subjects from the Zurich Longitudinal Studies were followed using structured sleep-related questionnaires at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months after birth and then at annual intervals until 16 years of age. Gaussian percentiles for ages 3 months to 16 years were calculated for total sleep duration (time in bed) and nighttime and daytime sleep duration. The mean sleep duration for ages 1 to 16 years was estimated by generalized additive models based on the loess smoother; a cohort effect also had to be included. The standard deviation (SD) was estimated from the loess smoothed absolute residuals from the mean curve. For ages 3, 6, and 9 months, an alternative approach with a simple model linear in age was used. For age 1 month, empirical percentiles were calculated. RESULTS Total sleep duration decreased from an average of 14.2 hours (SD: 1.9 hours) at 6 months of age to an average of 8.1 hours (SD: 0.8 hours) at 16 years of age. The variance showed the same declining trend: the interquartile range at 6 months after birth was 2.5 hours, whereas at 16 years of age, it was only 1.0 hours. Total sleep duration decreased across the studied cohorts (1974-1993) because of increasingly later bedtime but unchanged wake time across decades. Consolidation of nocturnal sleep occurred during the first 12 months after birth with a decreasing trend of daytime sleep. This resulted in a small increase of nighttime sleep duration by 1 year of age (mean 11.0 +/- 1.1 hours at 1 month to 11.7 +/- 1.0 hours at 1 year of age). The most prominent decline in napping habits occurred between 1.5 years of age (96.4% of all children) and 4 years of age (35.4%). CONCLUSIONS Percentile curves provide valuable information on developmental course and age-specific variability of sleep duration for the health care professional who deals with sleep problems in pediatric practice.
Clinical approach to optic neuropathies

Optic neuropathy is a frequent cause of vision loss encountered by ophthalmologist. The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds. The history often points to the possible etiology of the optic neuropathy. A rapid onset is typical of demyelinating, inflammatory, ischemic and traumatic causes. A gradual course points to compressive, toxic/nutritional and hereditary causes. The classic clinical signs of optic neuropathy are visual field defect, dyschromatopsia, and abnormal papillary response. There are ancillary investigations that can support the diagnosis of optic neuropathy. Visual field testing by either manual kinetic or automated static perimetry is critical in the diagnosis. Neuro-imaging of the brain and orbit is essential in many optic neuropathies including demyelinating and compressive. Newer technologies in the evaluation of optic neuropathies include multifocal visual evoked potentials and optic coherence tomography.
Telomerase activity in human breast tumors.

BACKGROUND The activity of the ribonucleoprotein enzyme telomerase is not detected in normal somatic cells; thus, with each cell division, the ends of chromosomes consisting of the telomeric repeats TTAGGG progressively erode. The current model gaining support is that telomerase activity in germline and immortal cells maintains telomere length and thus compensates for the "end-replication problem. " PURPOSE Our objective was to determine when telomerase activity is reactivated in the progression to malignant breast cancer and if knowledge of telomerase activity may be an indicator for the diagnosis and potential treatment of breast cancer. METHODS Using a polymerase chain reaction-based telomerase activity assay, we examined telomerase activity in 140 breast cancer specimens (from 140 patients), four phyllodes tumors (from four patients), 38 noncancerous lesions (20 fibroadenomas, 17 fibrocystic diseases, one gynecomastia; from 38 patients), and 55 adjacent noncancerous mammary tissues (from 55 of the 140 breast cancer patients). In addition, 33 fine-needle-aspirated breast samples (from 33 patients) were analyzed. RESULTS Among surgically resected samples, telomerase activity was detected in 130 (93%) of 140 breast cancers. Telomerase activity was detected in 68% of stage I primary breast cancers, in 73% of cancers smaller than 20 mm, and in 81% of axillary lymph node-negative cancers. Moreover, the activity was detected in more than 95% of advanced stage tumors but in only two (4%) of 55 adjacent noncancerous tissues. While telomerase activity was not detected in any of 17 specimens of fibrocystic disease, surprisingly low levels of telomerase activity were detected in nine (45%) of 20 fibroadenomas. Among samples obtained by fine-needle aspiration, 14 (100%) of 14 patients whose fine-needle-aspirated specimen contained telomerase activity and who subsequently underwent surgery were confirmed to have breast cancer. Multivariate analysis of 125 specimens from patients for whom data were available on age at surgery, stage of disease, tumor size, lymph node status tumor histology, and menopausal status indicated that stage classification exhibited the strongest association with telomerase activity (for stage I versus stages II-IV: odds ratio = 1.0 versus 73.4; 95% confidence interval = 2.0-959.0; P = .02). CONCLUSION Telomerase activity was detected in more than 95% of advanced stage breast cancers. It was absent in 19%-32% of less advanced cancers. Since a determination of any association between telomerase activity and patient survival is not possible at the present time, it remains to be determined whether lack of telomerase activity predicts for favorable outcome.
A similarity measure between vector sequences with application to handwritten word image retrieval

This article proposes a novel similarity measure between vector sequences. Recently, a model-based approach was introduced to address this issue. It consists in modeling each sequence with a continuous Hidden Markov Model (CHMM) and computing a probabilistic measure of similarity between C-HMMs. In this paper we propose to model sequences with semi-continuous HMMs (SC-HMMs): the Gaussians of the SC-HMMs are constrained to belong to a shared pool of Gaussians. This constraint provides two major benefits. First, the a priori information contained in the common set of Gaussians leads to a more accurate estimate of the HMM parameters. Second, the computation of a probabilistic similarity between two SC-HMMs can be simplified to a Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) between their mixture weight vectors, which reduces significantly the computational cost. Experimental results on a handwritten word retrieval task show that the proposed similarity outperforms the traditional DTW between the original sequences, and the model-based approach which uses C-HMMs. We also show that this increase in accuracy can be traded against a significant reduction of the computational cost (up to 100 times).
EDUCATING FOR CITIZENSHIP: WHAT TEACHERS SAY AND WHAT TEACHERS DO

Teachers ʹ characterizations of citizenship education pedagogy in Canada and England were explored in this study. Preferred learning goals reflected liberal/civic republican tendencies represented in contemporary conceptions of citizenship education. Preferred pedagogical practices exposed an array of teaching methods, assessment approaches, and classroom environment considerations. Eclectic and distinctive tendencies were noted in relation to the goals given priority and practices used to facilitate student learning. These tendencies cut across various curricular perspectives (e.g. transmission, transactional, and transformational), privileging (and neglecting) certain curricular learning goals and signaling a level of ambiguity between ‘what teachers say’ and ‘what teachers do. ’ Key words: citizenship education, pedagogy, curriculum perspectives, instruction Cet article porte sur les definitions que donnent les enseignants de l’education a la citoyennete au Canada et en Angleterre. Les objectifs d’apprentissage privilegies refletent les tendances liberales ou republicaines representees dans les conceptions actuelles de l’education a la citoyennete. Parmi les pratiques pedagogiques preferees figure tout un eventail de methodes d’enseignement et d’evaluation ainsi que de considerations ayant trait a la classe. L’auteur fait etat de tendances eclectiques et bien definies en lien avec les buts auxquels on donne priorite et les methodes utilisees pour faciliter l’apprentissage. Ces tendances relevent de diverses premisses fondant les programmes (axees, par exemple, sur la transmission ou la transformation, ou encore de type transactionnel), qui negligent ou privilegient certains objectifs d’apprentissage et qui temoignent d’un haut niveau d’ambiguite entre « ce que les enseignants disent » et « ce que les enseignants font ». Mots cles: education a la citoyennete, pedagogie, approches des programmes, enseignement.
Social Screening and Cooperation Among Expert Chess Players

This paper studies cooperation and social screening among expert chess players. It employs a large international panel dataset with controls for fixed effects, age, sex, nationality and playing strength where the latter accounts for productivity differences. With a female share below 15 percent both sexes screen women by cooperating more with men, especially professionals. With a female share above 15 percent, women cooperate more with women. Countrymen cooperate more than players of different nationalities, and language and geographic proximity also affect cooperation. The paper gives support to quota-based admission of women and minority groups in intellectually demanding professions.
Hypoxic Niche-Mediated Regeneration of Hematopoiesis in the Engraftment Window Is Dominantly Affected by Oxygen Tension in the Milieu

The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment or the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche is normally hypoxic, which maintains HSC quiescence. Paradoxically, transplanted HSCs rapidly proliferate in this niche. Pretransplant myelosuppression results in a substantial rise in oxygen levels in the marrow microenvironment due to reduced cellularity and consequent low oxygen consumption. Therefore, it may be construed that the rapid proliferation of the engrafted HSCs in the BM niche is facilitated by the transiently elevated oxygen tension in this milieu during the “engraftment window. ” To determine whether oxygen tension dominantly affects the regeneration of hematopoiesis in the BM niche, we created an “oxygen-independent hypoxic niche” by treating BM-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) with a hypoxia-mimetic compound, cobalt chloride (CoCl2) and cocultured them with BM-derived HSC-enriched cells under normoxic conditions (HSCs; CoCl2-cocultures). Cocultures with untreated BMSCs incubated under normoxia (control- cocultures) or hypoxia (1% O2; hypoxic-cocultures) were used as comparators. Biochemical analyses showed that though, both CoCl2 and hypoxia evoked comparable signals in the BMSCs, the regeneration of hematopoiesis in their respective cocultures was radically different. The CoCl2-BMSCs supported robust hematopoiesis, while the hypoxic-BMSCs exerted strong inhibition. The hematopoiesis-supportive ability of CoCl2-BMSCs was abrogated if the CoCl2-cocultures were incubated under hypoxia, demonstrating that the prevalent oxygen tension in the milieu dominantly affects the outcome of the HSC-BM niche interactions. Our data suggest that pharmacologically delaying the reestablishment of hypoxia in the BM may boost post-transplant regeneration of hematopoiesis.
The Bi-Directional Relationship between Periodontal Disease and Hyperlipidemia

It has been proposed for several decades that infections may be responsible for the accelerated development of atherosclerosis. The initiation of the atherosclerotic plaque is ascribed to focal accumulation of lipids. This explains the importance of plasma lipids in the development of atherosclerosis. Recent reports point towards a possible association between periodontal disease and increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Thus, periodontitis and cardiovascular disease may share common risk factors, and association between periodontitis and coronary heart disease may be due to the elevated levels of plasma lipids. Epidemiological and clinical studies have also suggested that there is a relationship between periodontal disease and impaired lipid metabolism. In this review, we summarized the potential link mechanisms in the association between periodontal infection and serum lipids.
Postnatal transmission of HIV-1 after a maternal short-course zidovudine peripartum regimen in West Africa

Background: To assess the postnatal transmission (PT) risk of HIV-1 after a maternal short-course zidovudine regimen in a breastfeeding population. Methods: Data were pooled from two trials: ANRS 049a DITRAME (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina-Faso) and RETROCI (Abidjan). Consenting HIV-1 seropositive women were randomized at 36–38 weeks’ gestation between September 1995 and February 1998, to receive oral zidovudine or placebo: one tablet twice daily until delivery, and in DITRAME only, for 7 more days. A PT case was infection in a child with a negative HIV-1 PCR at age ⩾ 30 days who later became infected as defined by a positive HIV-1 PCR, or if aged ⩾ 15 months, a positive HIV serology. Cumulative risks (CR) of PT were computed using a competing risk approach with weaning as a competing event. Findings: At age 24 months, CR for PT were similar in the zidovudine (9.8%, n = 254) and placebo groups (9.1%, n = 225). In a multivariate model of PT risk factors, the treatment effect was not significant, maternal CD4 cell count < 500 × 106/l at entry tripled the hazard compared to women with CD4 cell counts ⩾ 500 × 106/l [hazard ratio (HR), 3.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.31–7.49] as well as an increased maternal plasma viral load at entry (HR, 2.65 for 1 log10 increase; CI, 1.75–4.00). Interpretation: PT occurred at a similar rate between arms and therefore reduced the long-term overall efficacy of this peripartum zidovudine regimen at age 24 months. The higher risk of PT among women with low CD4 cell count emphasizes the importance of identifying interventions to prevent PT for these women.