Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gross and Fine Motor Skills of Left-Handed Preschool Children

From a population of 765 preschool children 4–6 years old, 31 children (4.1%) were identified as left-handers. Using the two motor subscales A (gross motor) and D (fine motor) of the Griffiths Test No. II, these children were compared with 31 right-handers, matched for age, sex, and preschool attended. Right-handed children received higher quotients than left-handed on both Griffiths' subscales, with a significant difference only on Scale D. However, the differences between right- and left-handed children arose from the poorer performance of left-handed boys on fine motor tasks (Scale D). These differences could be responsible for learning difficulties that left-handed children face later at school. Such difficulties should be identified as early as possible to facilitate psychoeducational intervention in preschool programs.
Intercellular Peptide Signals Regulate Plant Meristematic Cell Fate Decisions

By controlling stem cell fate, secreted peptides control the formation of many plant cell types. Plant stem cells secrete peptides that, after processing to release the active form, prevent neighboring cells from adopting a stem cell fate by activating a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptor–mediated pathway. Other plant meristematic cell fate decisions, such as those made during the patterning of veins and stomata, also appear to be controlled by similar LRR receptor pathways that are activated by secreted peptide signals. It is therefore probable that peptide ligands regulate meristematic activity in many plant developmental processes.
A Bayesian Approach to Estimate Skeletal Age‐at‐Death Utilizing Dental Wear

Abstract: In the forensic context, teeth are often recovered in mass disasters, armed conflicts, and mass graves associated with human rights violations. Therefore, for victim identification, techniques utilizing the dentition to estimate the first parameters of identity (e.g., age) can be critical. This analysis was undertaken to apply a Bayesian statistical method, transition analysis, based on the Gompertz–Makeham (GM) hazard model, to estimate individual ages‐at‐death for Balkan populations utilizing dental wear. Dental wear phases were scored following Smith’s eight‐phase ordinal scoring method and chart. To estimate age, probability density functions for the posterior distributions of age for each tooth phase are calculated. Transition analysis was utilized to generate a mean age‐of‐transition from one dental wear phase to the next. The age estimates are based on the calculated age distribution from the GM hazard analysis and the ages‐of‐transition. To estimate the age‐at‐death for an individual, the highest posterior density region for each phase is calculated. By using a Bayesian statistical approach to estimate age, the population’s age distribution is taken into account. Therefore, the age estimates are reliable for the Balkan populations, regardless of population or sex differences. The results showed that a vast amount of interpersonal variation in dental wear exists within the current sample and that this method may be most useful for classifying unknown individuals into broad age cohorts rather than small age ranges.
Global commodity chains, financial markets, and local market structures: Price risks in the coffee sector in Ethiopia

Risks related to commodity price volatility are a major thread to actors in commodity chains, particularly to smallholder farmers in low income countries. Therefore, price setting and transmission within global commodity chains are of crucial importance from a developmental and distributional perspective. With the end of global price stabilization mechanisms in the 1980s, financial derivative markets have taken over the central role in price discovery and risk management. This is also true for the case of coffee, being the agro-commodity with the highest trading volume on financial commodity exchanges. In this paper, the coffee commodity chain is assessed with a focus on Ethiopia, the largest coffee exporter in Sub-Saharan Africa. Given the crucial role of the coffee sector for exports and for millions of smallholders, price risks for Ethiopian and international actors are analyzed along two indicators - exposure to price risks and ability to mitigate price risks. Even though Ethiopia imposes strict regulations on local value addition in green coffee production, the use of a market-based price discovery system via the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange exposes local actors to highly volatile international coffee prices, but with limited access to risk management. This is in contrast to lead firms in the global coffee chain - international traders and roasters - which use various strategies to deal with and also profit from price risks, mainly interlinked to financial derivate markets.
RECURRENT MAJOR INFECTIONS IN JUVENILE-ONSET SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: A CLOSE LINK WITH LONG-TERM DISEASE DAMAGE

INTRODUCTION: Infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We postulated that patients with recurrent infections are more likely to have poorer disease outcome. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to describe the pattern of infections and disease damage that occurred in a cohort of patients with juvenile-onset SLE and to determine whether cumulative disease damage was associated with recurrent infections in these patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed (1988–2004) the clinical characteristics, infective complications, and disease damage as measured by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index Score (SDI) in 47 patients with juvenile-onset SLE. Potential risk factors for disease damage were evaluated by univariate analysis and logistic regression. The correlation between number of major infections and disease damage was determined. RESULTS: Thirty-two (68.1%) patients had lupus nephropathy, and 16 (34.0%) patients had neuropsychiatric lupus. Sixty-one episodes of major infections, defined as infections that required more than 1 week of antimicrobial agents, occurred in 27 (57.4%) patients, and 18 (31.4%) patients had recurrent major infections (≥2 episodes). Organ damage (SDI ≥ 1) was documented in 21 (44.7%) patients. By logistic regression, occurrence of major infections was the only significant risk factor for disease damage. There was a positive correlation between SDI score and the number of recurrent major infections. CONCLUSIONS: Infections and disease damage are common comorbidities in juvenile-onset SLE. Recurrent infections could predict poorer disease outcome and associated organ damage in SLE.
The application of concatenation scheme (MLC-STBC) for image transmission

In this paper, based on the characteristics of multilevel codes (MLC) and space-time block codes (STBC), a concatenation scheme (MLC-STBC) combining MLC and STBC is presented over Rayleigh fading channels. The unequal error protection (UEP) of MLC-STBC in Rayleigh fading channels for image transmission is investigated. Furthermore, taking 8ASK modulation as the example, a non-uniform signal constellation for realizing UEP of MLC-STBC is designed. Both theoretical analysis and computer simulation show that MLC-STBC scheme is a high rate and high power efficiency scheme, UEP is its inherent character and non-uniform signal constellation can improve its UEP ability. Its UEP character can enhance the transmission quality in the same bandwidth over a Rayleigh fading channel. MLC-STBC is an excellent scheme for image transmission.
Title Saturation anomalies of alkyl nitrates in the tropical Pacific Ocean Permalink

[1] This paper reports the first measurements of the saturation state of low molecular weight alkyl nitrates (methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, and n-propyl nitrate) in the tropical Pacific Ocean. These compounds were supersaturated with saturation anomalies as high as 2000%. Air/sea flux estimates based on these measurements suggest that surface ocean emissions are sufficient to account for observed levels of tropospheric alkyl nitrates in this region. Model calculations suggest that atmospheric loss rates are faster than can be explained by photolysis and reaction with OH alone. The implication is that removal via transport is important, and there must be a net export of alkyl nitrates from the tropics to other regions of the atmosphere. Citation: Dahl, E. E. , S. A. Yvon-Lewis, and E. S. Saltzman (2005), Saturation anomalies of alkyl nitrates in the tropical Pacific Ocean, Geophys. Res. Lett. , 32, L20817, doi:10.1029/ 2005GL023896.
Regional Economic Cooperation in Northeast Asia

In the political meaning, Northeast Asia consists of the six countries of Japan, South Korea (Republic of Korea), North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), Russia, China, and Mongolia. When we talk about economic cooperation in this region, in addition to Japan, South and North Korea, and Mongolia, we limit the scope to China’s Northeastern provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang (with the possible inclusion of Inner Mongolia), and Russia’s Far East, comprising Eastern Siberia and the Maritime Province.
On the (Near) Equivalence of Cost-Effectiveness and Cost-Benefit Analyses

Abstract Many people believe that cost-effectiveness (CE) and cost-benefit (CB) analyses require different assumptions. However, when CE analysis supports decisions to use medical resources, it makes the same assumptions that CB analysis requires. They are mathematically equivalent. Differences between CE and CB hinge more on reporting style than on fundamental assumptions.
What Can We Learn About Correlations from Multinomial Probit Estimates?

It is well known that, in a multinomial probit, only the covariance matrix of the location and scale normalized utilities are identified. In this study, we explore the relation between these identifiable parameters and the original elements of the covariance matrix, to find out what can be learnt about the correlations between the stochastic components of the non-normalized utilities. We show that, in certain circumstances, it is possible to obtain information on these behavioural parameters and define appropriate tools for inference. We illustrate the usefulness of our results in applied settings using an example.
Correction for Smith et al., Identification of a Plasmodium falciparum intercellular adhesion molecule-1 binding domain: A parasite adhesion trait implicated in cerebral malaria

Binding of infected erythrocytes to brain venules is a central pathogenic event in the lethal malaria disease complication, cerebral malaria. The only parasite adhesion trait linked to cerebral sequestration is binding to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). In this report, we show that Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) binds ICAM-1. We have cloned and expressed PfEMP1 recombinant proteins from the A4tres parasite. Using heterologous expression in mammalian cells, the minimal ICAM-1 binding domain was a complex domain consisting of the second Duffy binding-like (DBL) domain and the C2 domain. Constructs that contained either domain alone did not bind ICAM-1. Based on phylogenetic criteria, there are five distinct PfEMP1 DBL types designated alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon. The DBL domain from the A4tres that binds ICAM-1 is DBLbeta type. A PfEMP1 cloned from a distinct ICAM-1 binding variant, the A4 parasite, contains a DBLbeta domain and a C2 domain in tandem arrangement similar to the A4tres PfEMP1. Anti-PfEMP1 antisera implicate the DBLbeta domain from A4var PfEMP1 in ICAM-1 adhesion. The identification of a P. falciparum ICAM-1 binding domain may clarify mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria and lead to interventions or vaccines that reduce malarial disease.
Vision based object identification and tracking for mobile robot visual servo control

A key problem of an Image Based Visual Servo (IBVS) system is how to identify and track objects in a series of images. In this paper, a scale-invariant image feature detector and descriptor, which is called the Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT), is utilized to achieve robust object tracking in terms of rotation, scaling and changes of illumination. To the best of our knowledge, this paper represents the first work to apply the SIFT algorithm to visual servoing for robust mobile robot tracking. First, a SIFT method is used to generate the feature points of an object template and a series of images are acquired while the robot is moving. Second, a feature matching method is applied to match the features between the template and the images. Finally, based on the locations of the matched feature points, the location of the object is approximated in the images of camera views. This algorithm of object identification and tracking is applied in an Image-Based Visual Servo (IBVS) system for providing the location of the object in the feedback loop. In particular, the IBVS controller determines the desired wheel speeds ω_1 and ω_2 of a wheeled mobile robot, and accordingly commands the low-level controller of the robot. Then the IBVS controller drives the robot toward a target object until the location of the object reaches the desired location in the image. The IBVS system is implemented and tested in a mobile robot with an on-board camera, in our laboratory. The results are used to demonstrate satisfactory performance of the object identification and tracking algorithm. Furthermore, a MATLAB simulation is used to confirm the stability and convergence of the IBVS controller.
Effects of Toxorhynchites moctezuma larval predation on Aedes aegypti populations: experimental evaluation

Abstract. Predatory larvae of the mosquito Toxorhynchites moctezuma were used experimentally to control a standing crop of larvae of the dengue vector mosquito Ae.aegypti. Each week, fifty Ae.aegypti first instar larvae were introduced to each of five water‐filled drums (220 litres) of the type commonly used for domestic water storage in Caribbean dwellings. At the beginning of the fourth week, a certain number (0, 1, 2, 5 or 10) of first instar Tx.moctezuma larvae were introduced to each drum and the daily yield of Ae.aegypti adults from each drum was monitored thereafter. The experiment was repeated three times. With only one or two Tx.moctezuma larvae, predation on Ae.aegypti larvae stopped the output of Ae.aegypti adults for 1 week. Five or ten Tx. moctezuma prevented any Ae.aegypti emergence for up to 16 weeks. Cannibalism among Tx. moctezuma larvae was seldom observed and appeared not to be a hindrance in using this species against Ae.aegypti. Thus Tx.moctezuma is regarded as a good candidate for the biological control of Ae.aegypti by augmentative releases.
The Interprofessional Linguistic Communication of Accounting Concepts: An Experiment in Sociolinguistics

Accounting can be viewed as a language, which embodies both lexical and grammatical characteristics (Belkaoui [1978]). Within the linguistic relativity school, the role of language is emphasized as a mediator and shaper of the environment; this would imply that accounting language may predispose "users" to a given mode of perception and behavior. This explanation is congruent with the "Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis" (Belkaoui [1978], Jaim [1973]). Furthermore, the affiliation of users with different professional organizations or communities with their distinct interaction networks may create different accounting language repertoires. Accountants from different professional groups may use different linguistic codes because of different organizational constraints and objectives. At worst, a confounding lack of communication may emerge. The objective of this paper is to explore the application of sociolinguistics, the sociology of language, to accounting. Specifically, three professional groups of users and producers of accounting information were selected in order to determine if there were any differences in the linguistic behavior of users and producers of accounting concepts. The subject of this paper is not unique in accounting. Several previous
Gastric tonometry in healthy volunteers: Effect of ranitidine on calculated intramural pH

ObjectiveTo determine if intraluminal production of CO2 leads to underestimation of gastric intramural pH (pHi) by tonometry. DesignNonrandomized controlled study. PatientsHealthy volunteers. InterventionsNG tonometers were placed in healthy volunteers. Some of the volunteers (n = 11) were pretreated with ranitidine to prevent secretion of protons into the gastric lumen. Others (n = 13) were untreated (i.e., gastric acid secretion was uninhibited). Measurements and Main ResultsGastric pHi was calculated from the arterial (HCO3) and the tonometrically determined intraluminal Pco2 using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Intraluminal Pco2 was significantly higher in the control group (54 ± 14 torr [7.2 ± 1.9 kPa]) than in the ranitidine-treated group (42 ± 4 torr [5.6 ± 0.4 kPa], p = .02). Mean gastric luminal pH was 1.9 ± 0.6 in the control group as compared with 6.7 ± 0.7 in volunteers treated with ranitidine (p < .01). Mean calculated gastric pHi was 7.30 ± 0.11 in the untreated group and 7.39 ± 0.03 in the ranitidine-treated group (p < .03). ConclusionsThese data suggest that intraluminal production of CO2 from the titration of gastric HCO−3 by secreted H+ can result in the underestimation of gastric pHi by tonometry. This phenomenon can be eliminated by H2-receptor blockade. (Crit Care Med 1991; 19:271)
Comment on “A Common Pesticide Decreases Foraging Success and Survival in Honey Bees”

Henry et al. (Reports, 20 April, p. 348) used a model to predict that colony collapse in honey bees could be precipitated by pesticide-induced intoxication that disrupts navigation. Here, we show that collapse disappears when the model is recalculated with parameter values appropriate to the season when most pesticide-treated flowering crops bloom.
Vehicular traffic density state estimation using Support Vector Machine

Road traffic congestion is a severe problem worldwide due to increased motorization, urbanization and population growth. Traffic congestion reduces the efficiency of the transportation infrastructure of a city; increases travel time, fuel consumption and air pollution, and leads to increased user frustration and fatigue. Reducing traffic congestion can improve traffic flow, reduce travel times and the environmental impact. The main objective of this paper is to consider the problem of vehicular traffic density to determine the low and high traffic conditions. To determine the traffic firstly we determine the texture features. Based on the texture features we determine the various traffic conditions. The procedure includes background subtraction from which we obtain the difference image and we apply the Support Vector Machine (SVM) procedure on a given captured image. Experimental result shows that the approaches are very efficient and produce up to 90% accuracy.
UNIVERSITY STUDENT EMPLOYMENT AND EXPERIENCES OF UNION MEMBERSHIP

A survey of 1200 undergraduate university students showed that while students have quite favourable attitudes towards unions, only one in three wanted to join a union after graduation. A large proportion of respondents were unsure of their views toward unions. Discipline and parental experiences with unions were sources of significant variation in union sympathy. Student employment was associated to a small extent with increased ideological and instrumental support for unions. Students with positive experiences of union membership were more likely to want to join a union after graduation. The paper concludes that unions should develop coordinated strategies that respond to students' contemporary transition from part-time to full-time work.
Is Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma/Immunocytoma a Distinct Entity?: A Clinicopathologic Study of 20 Cases

Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/immunocytoma (LLI) was defined initially as a small B-cell lymphoma with plasmacytoid or plasmacytic features. Because other types of small B-cell lymphoma, particularly marginal zone B-cell lymphoma may exhibit plasmacytic differentiation, the revised European–American lymphoma classification and World Health Organization has defined LLI more narrowly to exclude other small B-cell lymphomas. The goal of this study was to reevaluate LLI as a clinicopathologic entity. Twenty cases were selected from 43 previously diagnosed as “small lymphocytic lymphoma, plasmacytoid” or “immunocytoma” from 1985 to 1998. Cases fulfilling the criteria for B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, or other types of B-cell lymphoma were excluded. The histopathology and immunoreactivity for CD20, CD79a, CD3, CD43, CD23, CD5, kappa, lambda, and immunoglobulins (Ig's) M, G, and A were reviewed, in addition to available clinical findings. There were 13 men and seven women, with a mean age of 69 years. Five patients had documented Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). Three architectural patterns were observed. Pattern A (seven of 20) showed open sinuses, small follicles, and hemosiderosis; pattern B (four of 20) showed hyperplastic follicles; and pattern C (nine of 20) showed diffuse effacement. Epithelioid histiocytes were prominent in patterns B and C but absent in A. Cytologically, six of 20 were polymorphous with 10% to 40% transformed cells; 14 of 20 were lymphoplasma cytic. Five cases showed minor foci of monocytoid B cells. One case showed a composite histology of LLI and small lymphocytic lymphoma. Amyloid was present in two cases. All cases were CD20 and/or CD79a immunoreactive, with two of 20 positive for CD43. Twelve cases were kappa monoclonal and eight cases were lambda monoclonal. Twelve of 17 cases that could be evaluated were positive for IgM and five were positive for IgG. All cases were negative for CD5 and CD23 with the exception of the one case with a composite histology. Eleven of 20 patients with available follow-up died of disease (median, 48 months), and eight of 20 are alive with disease at a follow-up of 6 months to 2 years. LLI does appear to represent a distinct clinicopathologic entity even though it shows morphologic heterogeneity and overlapping features with marginal zone B-cell lymphoma and small lymphocytic lymphoma. Recognition of LLI is important because the overall prognosis may be worse than for other types of small B-cell lymphomas.
Food as a Source of Polycyclic Aromatic Carcinogens

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) belong to a large chemical family comprising many different compounds with important biological activity in mutagenic and carcinogenic processes. PAH have been detected in both raw and processed foods. The presence of PAH in non-processed foods is associated with environmental pollution from both human and industrial activities, whereas contamination of processed foods can be caused by certain preservation and processing procedures. Both toxicological and epidemiological studies have shown a relation between such compounds and tumor development. The data indicate that PAH must undergo a biotransformation process that causes the formation of biologically active metabolites. In this process, the presence of an enzyme complex that is induced by different xenobiotics is implied, making the toxicity of such compounds hard to predict. As setting a threshold limit below which toxicity could be considered negligible is difficult, the presence of PAH in foodstuffs should be reduced to as low as possible by controlling environmental contamination and all procedures that could cause PAH contamination during food processing, preserving, and packaging.