Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
YASK: A Why-Not Question Answering Engine for Spatial Keyword Query Services

With the proliferation of the mobile use of the web, spatial keyword query (SKQ) services are gaining in importance. However, state-of-the-art SKQ systems do not provide systematic functionality that allows users to ask why some known object is unexpectedly missing from a query result and do not provide an explanation for such missing objects. In this demonstration, we present a system called YASK, a whY-not question Answering engine for Spatial Keyword query services, that is capable of answering why-not questions posed in response to answers to spatial keyword top- k queries. Two explanation and query refinement models, namely preference adjustment and keyword adaption , are implemented in YASK. The system provides users not only with the reasons why desired objects are missing from query results, but provides also relevant refined queries that revive the expected but missing objects. This demonstration gives attendees hands-on experience with YASK through a map-based GUI interface in which attendees can issue spatial keyword queries, pose why-not questions, and visualize the results.
Effect of corticosteroids on treatment failure among hospitalized patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia and high inflammatory response: a randomized clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE In patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia, treatment failure is associated with excessive inflammatory response and worse outcomes. Corticosteroids may modulate cytokine release in these patients, but the benefit of this adjunctive therapy remains controversial. OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of corticosteroids in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia and high associated inflammatory response. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 3 Spanish teaching hospitals involving patients with both severe community-acquired pneumonia and a high inflammatory response, which was defined as a level of C-reactive protein greater than 150 mg/L at admission. Patients were recruited and followed up from June 2004 through February 2012. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive either an intravenous bolus of 0.5 mg/kg per 12 hours of methylprednisolone (n = 61) or placebo (n = 59) for 5 days started within 36 hours of hospital admission. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was treatment failure (composite outcome of early treatment failure defined as [1] clinical deterioration indicated by development of shock, [2] need for invasive mechanical ventilation not present at baseline, or [3] death within 72 hours of treatment; or composite outcome of late treatment failure defined as [1] radiographic progression, [2] persistence of severe respiratory failure, [3] development of shock, [4] need for invasive mechanical ventilation not present at baseline, or [5] death between 72 hours and 120 hours after treatment initiation; or both early and late treatment failure). In-hospital mortality was a secondary outcome and adverse events were assessed. RESULTS There was less treatment failure among patients from the methylprednisolone group (8 patients [13%]) compared with the placebo group (18 patients [31%]) (P = .02), with a difference between groups of 18% (95% CI, 3% to 32%). Corticosteroid treatment reduced the risk of treatment failure (odds ratio, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.14 to 0.87]; P = .02). In-hospital mortality did not differ between the 2 groups (6 patients [10%] in the methylprednisolone group vs 9 patients [15%] in the placebo group; P = .37); the difference between groups was 5% (95% CI, -6% to 17%). Hyperglycemia occurred in 11 patients (18%) in the methylprednisolone group and in 7 patients (12%) in the placebo group (P = .34). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia and high initial inflammatory response, the acute use of methylprednisolone compared with placebo decreased treatment failure. If replicated, these findings would support the use of corticosteroids as adjunctive treatment in this clinical population. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00908713.
Causes of Death Data in the Global Burden of Disease Estimates for Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke

Background: Stroke mortality estimates in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study are based on routine mortality statistics and redistribution of ill-defined codes that cannot be a cause of death, the so-called ‘garbage codes' (GCs). This study describes the contribution of these codes to stroke mortality estimates. Methods: All available mortality data were compiled and non-specific cause codes were redistributed based on literature review and statistical methods. Ill-defined codes were redistributed to their specific cause of disease by age, sex, country and year. The reassignment was done based on the International Classification of Diseases and the pathology behind each code by checking multiple causes of death and literature review. Results: Unspecified stroke and primary and secondary hypertension are leading contributing ‘GCs' to stroke mortality estimates for hemorrhagic stroke (HS) and ischemic stroke (IS). There were marked differences in the fraction of death assigned to IS and HS for unspecified stroke and hypertension between GBD regions and between age groups. Conclusions: A large proportion of stroke fatalities are derived from the redistribution of ‘unspecified stroke' and ‘hypertension' with marked regional differences. Future advancements in stroke certification, data collections and statistical analyses may improve the estimation of the global stroke burden.
Improved Procedure for Induction of the Androgenetic Doubled Haploids in Zebrafish.

Androgenesis is useful for induction of doubled haploids from male genetic resources and contributes to the restoration of individuals from cryopreserved sperm. Here, we determined the suitable conditions for egg in vitro preservation and the suitable dose of UV irradiation for genetic inactivation of the egg nucleus, and established an improved procedure for induction of androgenetic-doubled haploids in zebrafish. The suitable solution for egg preservation was evaluated by the fertilization rate using different types of solutions or conditions. Hank's solution with 0.5% bovine serum albumin (pH8.0) was suitable for the preservation of zebrafish eggs. In addition, we discovered an improvement of fertilization rates by temporal preservation of ovulated eggs in the suitable solution. UV irradiation of eggs at 50-75 mJ/cm2 induced haploid embryos. Microsatellite genotyping using eight loci revealed the paternity and homozygosity of the putative androgenetic doubled haploids. The yield rate of androgenetic doubled haploids, which were induced by UV irradiation and heat shock, ranged from 0.4% to 10.7%.
The effect of network externality on mobile social network site continuance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of network externality on users’ continuance of mobile social network sites (SNS). Design/methodology/approach – Based on the 230 valid responses collected from a survey, structural equation modeling was employed to examine the research model. Findings – The results indicated that network externality, which includes referent network size and perceived complementarity, has a significant effect on perceived usefulness and flow. Privacy concern affects perceived usefulness, flow and privacy risk. These three factors determine continued use. Originality/value – Previous research has focussed on the effects of motivations such as perceived value on user adoption of SNS. The effect of network externality on user continuance has seldom been examined. This research tries to fill the gap.
Quantification of expression of linked cloned genes in a simian virus 40-transformed xeroderma pigmentosum cell line

We wished to determine whether simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed xeroderma pigmentosum cells, despite their defective DNA repair, were suitable for DNA-mediated gene transfer experiments with linked genes. Expression of a nonselectable gene (cat, coding for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase [CAT]) linked to a selectable gene (gpt, coding for xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase [XPRT]) in the plasmid pSV2catSVgpt was quantified after transfection of SV40-transformed xeroderma pigmentosum [XP20s(SV40)] and normal human [GM0637(SV40)] fibroblast cell lines. A novel autoradiographic assay with [3H]xanthine incorporation showed 0.5 to 0.7% phenotypic expression of XPRT in both cell lines. Without selection, transient CAT activity was 20 times greater in the GM0637(SV40) than in the XP20s(SV40) cells, and transient XPRT activity was 5 times greater. Both of these transient activities were increased and equalized in both cell lines by transfection with pRSVcat or pRSVgpt. Genotypic transformation to gpt+ occurred at a frequency of 2 X 10(-4) to 4 X 10(-4) in both cell lines with pSV2catSVgpt. After 2 to 3 months in selective medium, stable expression of the (nonselected) cat gene was found in 11 (92%) of 12 gpt-containing clones derived from GM0637(SV40) cells and in 13 (81%) of 16 gpt-containing clones from XP20s(SV40) cells. However, the levels of CAT activity did not correlate with those of XPRT activity, and both of these activities varied more than 100-fold among different clones. Copies (1 to 4) of the gpt gene were integrated in four clones of the GM0637(SV40) cells having an XPRT activity of 1 to 5 nmol/min per mg, but 5 to 80 copies were integrated in four XP20s(SV40) clones with an XPRT activity of 0.8 to 1.8 nmol/min per mg. This study shows that XP20s(SV40) is as suitable for gene transfer experiments as the normal human line GM0637(SV40).
A Neuroligin-3 Mutation Implicated in Autism Increases Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission in Mice

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by impairments in social behaviors that are sometimes coupled to specialized cognitive abilities. A small percentage of ASD patients carry mutations in genes encoding neuroligins, which are postsynaptic cell-adhesion molecules. We introduced one of these mutations into mice: the Arg451→Cys451 (R451C) substitution in neuroligin-3. R451C mutant mice showed impaired social interactions but enhanced spatial learning abilities. Unexpectedly, these behavioral changes were accompanied by an increase in inhibitory synaptic transmission with no apparent effect on excitatory synapses. Deletion of neuroligin-3, in contrast, did not cause such changes, indicating that the R451C substitution represents a gain-of-function mutation. These data suggest that increased inhibitory synaptic transmission may contribute to human ASDs and that the R451C knockin mice may be a useful model for studying autism-related behaviors.
La recherche : production de connaissances et d'outils pour l'action : Intérêt des modèles pour l'ingénierie écologique : exemples à partir du modèle de dynamique des peuplements forestiers SAMSARA

Les modeles peuvent etre utilises a plusieurs niveaux de la demarche d'ingenierie ecologique. Leur premier interet est de conduire a une formalisation des connaissances. Dans un contexte de recherche, leur capacite de prediction permet de tester differentes hypotheses de fonctionnement d'un systeme et d'avancer dans sa comprehension. Elle permet egalement d'etudier comment le systeme repond a differentes strategies de gestion. Dans un contexte d'application locale, l'utilisation de modeles peut aider l'ingenieur ecologue a adapter des connaissances generales a une situation specifique ; a etablir un diagnostic sur l'ecosysteme et etablir des preconisations de gestion precises. Les modeles requis pour cette demarche sont neanmoins generalement d'un niveau de complexite eleve. Repondant a une autre facette du travail de l'ingenieur ecologue, les modeles peuvent constituer des outils de mediation favorisant le dialogue et la negociation d'un projet entre partenaires. Leur utilisation dans un cadre de formation permet egalement de developper l'implication des personnes formees par le biais de travaux pratiques stimulants. L'utilisation de modeles en ingenierie ecologique presente cependant un certain nombre de difficultes, tant au niveau de leur conception, de leur calibration et de leur evaluation, que de leur utilisation pratique avec un cout en prise de donnees raisonnable.
Retinol-binding protein 4: a novel adipokine implicated in the genesis of LGA in the absence of gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract Objective: Adipokines (cytokines produced by adipose tissue) play a major role in the control of body weight and energy distribution. Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), only recently recognized as an adipokine, has been proposed to modulate systemic insulin sensitivity. The goal of this study was to determine whether there is an association between maternal plasma RBP4 concentration and the birth of a large-for-gestational-age (LGA) newborn in women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Study design: This cross-sectional study included pregnant women at term in the following groups: 1) normal pregnancy with an appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) neonate (n=64); 2) normal pregnancy with an LGA neonate (n=44); 3) GDM with an AGA neonate (n=55); and 4) GDM with an LGA neonate (n=42). Maternal plasma RBP4 concentration was determined by ELISA. Parametric and non-parametric statistics were used for analyses. Results: 1) Patients with GDM, either with AGA or LGA neonates, had a higher median plasma concentration of RBP4 than normal pregnant women who delivered an AGA neonate (P=0.01 and P=0.008, respectively); 2) mothers without GDM but with LGA neonates had a higher median plasma concentration of RBP4 than those with normal pregnancy and AGA newborns (P=0.001); 3) these findings remained significant after adjusting for maternal age, body mass index and gestational age at blood sampling. Conclusion: GDM is characterized by alterations in maternal circulating RBP4 concentrations akin to those of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. RBP4 concentrations in maternal plasma may play a role in accelerated fetal growth in the absence of overt carbohydrate intolerance.
How Important is Where you Start? Early Mathematics Knowledge and Later School Success

Background Children's early skills are essential for their later success in school. Recent evidence highlights the importance of early mathematics, relative to reading and socioemotional skills, for elementary school achievement. Key advocacy groups for both early childhood and mathematics education have issued position statements on the importance of early mathematics, arguing that mathematics education for 3- to 6- year-olds is essential to promoting future mathematics achievement. Focus of Study Despite the fact that advocates and researchers are focusing on early math skills, we are still learning about the mathematics knowledge and skills young children typically have and how these early skills affect later academic achievement and school success. This study aims to address these gaps in the extant research by investigating how early math skills predict later school success. We explore how early math skills relate to achievement, from kindergarten through eighth grade, across reading, math, and science test score outcomes, as well as grade retention and teacher-reported academic achievement. We also explore whether there is variation in the relationship between early math skills and later outcomes for children who enter school with limited math skills. Research Design We conduct secondary analysis with data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten Cohort, a longitudinal, nationally representative sample of children who were in kindergarten in 1998–1999 and were followed through eighth grade. Results We find that early math skills predict reading, math, and science achievement as well as grade retention from kindergarten through eighth grade. Results show that kindergarten math skills in pattern recognition, measurement, and advanced number are most predictive of eighth-grade outcomes overall and for subgroups including students who enter school with low math skills. The importance of these math skills for subsequent achievement increases or is maintained over time. Conclusions The results reported here have implications for education policy regarding mathematics instruction in the earliest years of schooling. The fact that early mathematics knowledge and skills are the most important predictors not only for later math achievement but also for achievement in other content areas and grade retention supports a greater emphasis on mathematics than is currently the case in many kindergarten classrooms. It also suggest the possibility that focusing more on advanced number, pattern recognition, and measurement might develop skills that will benefit students in the later years of schooling.
The perceived risk in online shopping and consumer-related factors

This study explored consumers’ perceived risk in online situation through many combined qualitative and quantitative research methods such as in-depth interview and questionnaire survey by e-mail. Study 1 explores the impact of consumer-related variables on overall risk in online shopping context. Finding suggests that: Internet knowledge, Internet innovation, experience orientation, economic orientation and anxiety have prominent influences on perceived overall risk. Study 2 investigates the impact of risk dimensions on the relationship of consumer-related variables and overall risk. Results show that consumer-related variables influence overall risk through 7 risk dimensions and that different variables have different impacts on
The effect of display movement angle, indicator type and display location on control/display stereotype strength

Abstract Much research on stereotype strength relating display and control movements for displays moving in the vertical or horizontal directions has been reported. Here we report effects of display movement angle, where the display moves at angles (relative to the vertical) of between 0° and 180°. The experiment used six different controls, four display locations relative to the operator and three types of indicator. Indicator types were included because of the strong effects of the ‘scale-side principle’ that are variable with display angle. A directional indicator had higher stereotype strength than a neutral indicator, and showed an apparent reversal in control/display stereotype direction beyond an angle of 90°. However, with a neutral indicator this control reversal was not present. Practitioner Summary: The effects of display moving at angles other than the four cardinal directions, types of control, location of display and types of indicator are investigated. Indicator types (directional and neutral) have an effect on stereotype strength and may cause an apparent control reversal with change of display movement angle.
Full- Versus Part-Day Kindergarten for Children With Disabilities

Despite the vast body of research examining the relationship between full-day kindergarten attendance and children’s outcomes, little is known about the effects of full-day kindergarten on children with disabilities (i.e., students with 1 of the 13 categories of disabilities recognized under federal law). This study fills this research void by examining whether full-day kindergarten participation predicts differences in achievement and social-emotional outcomes for children with disabilities. Using a national data set of kindergarten students from the 2010–2011 school year (ECLS-K:2011) and employing propensity matching, this study finds that relative to part-day kindergarten (PDK), full-day kindergarten (FDK) attendance is associated with higher achievement scores but also with higher frequencies of internalizing behaviors and lower incidences of self-control at the end of the kindergarten school year. The relationships between FDK attendance and outcomes varied by type of disability classification, such that significant achievement effects emerged only for children with learning and communication disorders. In addition, less time spent on child-initiated activities was associated with higher mathematics scores for children in FDK programs but not for children in PDK programs. Policy implications of the results are discussed.
IFN Regulatory Factor 8 Restricts the Size of the Marginal Zone and Follicular B Cell Pools

Transcriptional control of marginal zone (MZ) and follicular (FO) B cell development remains incompletely understood. The transcription factor, IFN regulatory factor (IRF)8, is known to play important roles in the differentiation of early B cells. In this article, we demonstrate that IRF8 is also required for normal development of MZ and FO B cells. Mice with a conventional knockout of Irf8 (IRF8−/−) or a point mutation in the IRF association domain of IRF8 had increased numbers of MZ B cells. To determine the B cell-intrinsic effects of IRF8 deficiency, we generated mice with a conditional allele of Irf8 crossed with CD19-Cre mice (designated IRF8-conditional knockout [CKO]). These mice had enlarged MZ and increased numbers of MZ and FO B cells compared with controls. The FO B cells of CKO mice exhibited reduced expression of CD23 and moderately increased expression of CD21. Gene-expression profiling showed that increased B cell production in IRF8-CKO mice was associated with changes in expression of genes involved in regulation of transcription, signaling, and inflammation. Functional studies showed that IRF8-CKO mice generated normal Ab responses to T-independent and T-dependent Ags. Thus, IRF8 controls the expansion and maturation of MZ and FO B cells but has little effect on B cell function.
Serum Concentrations of Cytokines and Lung Cancer Survival in African Americans and Caucasians

Accumulating evidence suggests a role for inflammation in the development and progression of cancer. Our group recently identified a cytokine gene signature in lung tissue associated with lung cancer prognosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that concentrations of circulating cytokines in serum may be associated with lung cancer survival. Ten serum cytokines, namely, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α, were assessed in 353 non–small cell lung cancer cases from a case-control study of lung cancer in the greater Baltimore, Maryland area. Cytokines were measured using an ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. IL-6 serum concentrations (≥4.0 pg/mL) were associated with significantly poorer survival in both African Americans [hazard ratio (HR), 2.71; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26-5.80] and Caucasians (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.22-2.40). IL-10 (HR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.33-5.15) and IL-12 (HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.14-3.44) were associated with lung cancer survival only in African Americans. Some evidence for an association of tumor necrosis factor-α levels with survival in Caucasians was observed, although these results were not significant. These hypothesis-generating findings indicate that selected serum cytokine concentrations are associated with lung cancer survival, and indicate that further research is warranted to better understand the mechanistic underpinnings of these associations. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(1):215–22)