Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neonatal screening for sickle cell disease in France

Background: As a result of population growth in African-Caribbean regions of overseas France, and now immigration essentially from North and sub-Saharan Africa to mainland France, neonatal screening for sickle cell disease (SCD) has been performed in France since 1985 in Guadalupe and dependencies, as a universal test. After several pilot studies, screening was gradually extended to mainland France in 1996. Since 2000, the test has been performed at national level for all newborns defined as being “at risk” for SCD based on ethnic origin. Methods: A dry blood sample is obtained by heel stick and analysed by isoelectric focusing as a first-line method, followed by either high-performance liquid chromatography or acid agar electrophoresis for confirmation, whenever a variant haemoglobin is observed on isoelectric focusing. Results: In 2007, 28.45% of all newborns in mainland France were screened for SCD. Since 1996, a total of 3890 newborns have been found to have SCD, and they have been followed up by reference paediatricians. Conclusion: Although screening for SCD at birth in France is not universal, it appears that missed babies are relatively infrequent. Despite obvious sociological problems inherent to the at-risk population, the follow-up of SCD babies is rather successful. Due to the birth prevalence of SCD in France, especially in comparison with other common genetic diseases, screening all newborns regardless of ethnic origin is an issue that is being addressed.
Rapid and multi-level characterization of trastuzumab using sheathless capillary electrophoresis-tandem mass spectrometry

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are highly complex proteins that display a wide range of microheterogeneity that requires multiple analytical methods for full structure assessment and quality control. As a consequence, the characterization of mAbs on different levels is particularly product - and time - consuming. This work presents the characterization of trastuzumab sequence using sheathless capillary electrophoresis (referred as CESI) – tandem mass spectrometry (CESI-MS/MS). Using this bottom-up proteomic-like approach, CESI-MS/MS provided 100% sequence coverage for both heavy and light chain via peptide fragment fingerprinting (PFF) identification. The result was accomplished in a single shot, corresponding to the analysis of 100 fmoles of digest. The same analysis also enabled precise characterization of the post-translational hot spots of trastuzumab, used as a representative widely marketed therapeutic mAb, including the structural confirmation of the five major N-glycoforms.
An Introduction To Motif Based Functional Classification of Large Protein Families

Many methods of clustering proteins within large protein families either build up from pairwise sequence alignments or rely solely on hierarchical clustering methods. While these methods can be incredible useful, they may not efficiently discover small regions of similarity in large multidomain proteins, and they may miss functional similarities that arose due to domain shuffling or convergent evolution rather than due to divergent evolutionary processes. Here, we describe the rationale behind motif based functional classification, and the benefits of including non-hierarchical methods in such analyses. We provide a general review of one new program, CASTOR, which uses a motif based approach to elucidate both hierarchical and nonhierarchical relationships within protein families. The application of this method to classification of the large mammalian G protein coupled receptor family, and to the family of approximately 1000 known mouse and human olfactory receptors, has demonstrated the utility of such programs in predicting functional relationships that may be missed by standard multiple sequence alignments or phylogenetic analyses. Finally, we suggest the application of motif based functional classification to a family of relatively uncharacterized proteins, the vomeronasal receptors.
Grover's quantum search algorithm for an arbitrary initial amplitude distribution

Grover’s algorithm for quantum searching is generalized to deal with arbitrary initial complex amplitude distributions. First-order linear difference equations are found for the time evolution of the amplitudes of the marked and unmarked states. These equations are solved exactly. New expressions are derived for the optimal time of measurement and the maximal probability of success. They are found to depend on the averages and variances of the initial amplitude distributions of the marked and unmarked states, but not on higher moments. Our results imply that Grover’s algorithm is robust against modest noise in the amplitude initialization procedure. @S1050-2947~99! 09009-5# PACS number~s! : 03.67. Lx, 89.70. 1c
Head Tracking of Auditory, Visual, and Audio-Visual Targets

The ability to actively follow a moving auditory target with our heads remains unexplored even though it is a common behavioral response. Previous studies of auditory motion perception have focused on the condition where the subjects are passive. The current study examined head tracking behavior to a moving auditory target along a horizontal 100° arc in the frontal hemisphere, with velocities ranging from 20 to 110°/s. By integrating high fidelity virtual auditory space with a high-speed visual presentation we compared tracking responses of auditory targets against visual-only and audio-visual “bisensory” stimuli. Three metrics were measured—onset, RMS, and gain error. The results showed that tracking accuracy (RMS error) varied linearly with target velocity, with a significantly higher rate in audition. Also, when the target moved faster than 80°/s, onset and RMS error were significantly worst in audition the other modalities while responses in the visual and bisensory conditions were statistically identical for all metrics measured. Lastly, audio-visual facilitation was not observed when tracking bisensory targets.
Platelet actions of stable carbocyclic analogues of prostacyclin.

SINCE THE TIME of the discovery of prostacyclin' and the elucidation of its chemical structure as prostaglandin (PG) (5Z)-9 deoxy-6, 9 a-epoxy-&APGF,,2 many synthetic prostacyclin analogues have been prepared and reported in the literature. Although prostacyclin (epoprostenol) is now available for clinical use as the freeze-dried sodium salt that, when mixed with the diluent buffer (sodium chloride 0.15% weight per volume [wtlvol] and glycine buffer solution 0.19% wt/vol; pH 10.5), results in a preparation that will remain stable over 24 hr when stored at 20 to 80 C, there is much interest in synthesizing a chemically stable analogue with a biological profile comparable to that of the parent prostacyclin. Furthermore, the definitive separation of the platelet and vascular activities in an orally active synthetic prostacyclin analogue, both for use as a research tool and as a clinically useful agent, is an ultimate objective in the development of prostacyclin mimetics. Many structural variants of prostacyclin have been synthesized, including 5,6-dihydro analogues, exemplified by 6f3-PGI,,3-5 thia prostacyclins such as (5Z)6,9-thia prostacyclin,6 nitrogen-containing analogues such as 9-deoxy-9a-6-nitrilo-PGF ,7 ring-expanded 5,9-epoxy derivatives such as 9-deoxy-5, 9a-epoxyPGFI,7 and interphenylene analogues. ' However, the synthesis and biological actions of stable carbocyclic analogues of prostacyclin, in which the enol-ether oxygen atom is replaced by a methylene group, has attracted much attention and has been described by several groups.9'6 Carbacyclin analogues. Carbacyclin, or (5E)-6a carbaprostaglandin '2 (figure 1, A), inhibits human platelet aggregation induced by a variety of agents including ADP, collagen, and arachidonic acid, while also inhibiting aggregation in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) obtained from several species, including the rabbit, rat, and dog.12 16 In our studies with carbacyclin,'3 this stable analogue was 0.03 times as potent as prostacyclin as an inhibitor of aggregation induced by ADP (table 1), collagen, and arachidonic acid. As with prostacyclin, the antiaggregating activity of carbacyclin was enhanced by preincubation of platelets with theophylline, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor,'3' 1' indicating stimulation of cyclic AMP as its mechanism of inhibitory action. Indeed, other studies have shown an elevation of platelet cyclic AMP after incubation with the analogue. 14 Carbacyclin has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation ex vivo when infused intravenously in the dog and rabbit, being 0.1 times as active
Fucoidan Extracts Ameliorate Acute Colitis

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, are an important cause of morbidity and impact significantly on quality of life. Overall, current treatments do not sustain a long-term clinical remission and are associated with adverse effects, which highlight the need for new treatment options. Fucoidans are complex sulphated, fucose-rich polysaccharides, found in edible brown algae and are described as having multiple bioactivities including potent anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, the therapeutic potential of two different fucoidan preparations, fucoidan-polyphenol complex (Maritech Synergy) and depyrogenated fucoidan (DPF) was evaluated in the dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) mouse model of acute colitis. Mice were treated once daily over 7 days with fucoidans via oral (Synergy or DPF) or intraperitoneal administration (DPF). Signs and severity of colitis were monitored daily before colons and spleens were collected for macroscopic evaluation, cytokine measurements and histology. Orally administered Synergy and DPF, but not intraperitoneal DPF treatment, significantly ameliorated symptoms of colitis based on retention of body weight, as well as reduced diarrhoea and faecal blood loss, compared to the untreated colitis group. Colon and spleen weight in mice treated with oral fucoidan was also significantly lower, indicating reduced inflammation and oedema. Histological examination of untreated colitis mice confirmed a massive loss of crypt architecture and goblet cells, infiltration of immune cells and oedema, while all aspects of this pathology were alleviated by oral fucoidan. Importantly, in this model, the macroscopic changes induced by oral fucoidan correlated significantly with substantially decreased production of at least 15 pro-inflammatory cytokines by the colon tissue. Overall, oral fucoidan preparations significantly reduce the inflammatory pathology associated with DSS-induced colitis and could therefore represent a novel nutraceutical option for the management of IBD.
Application of Validation Subnetworks in Reliable Neural Classiiers

This paper will explore the dichotomous issue of increasing the con-trollability and improving the reliability of neural architectures, by introducing the new concept of a validation sub-network. One example of enhancing common neural networks (the heteroassociative memory) by using validation sub-networks is discussed. The concepts are veriied by using this enhanced neural network as a component in a roadsign recognition system. The neural components is an image recognition unit based on the heteroassociative memory.
What We Still Don't Know About Cognition

What we still don’t know about cognition Jerry Fodor (jerry.fodor@verizon.net) Center for Cognitive Science Rutgers State University of New Jersey. Piscataway, NJ 08854-8020 USA. Two kinds of (putative) counterexamples to the loca- lity of cognitive processes are then considered: the si- gnificance of relations of relevance and of global proper- ties of cognitive commitments in the fixation of belief. The question arises whether these considerations can be accommodated within the framework of our present ac- counts of cognition. The suggestion that they can be on the assumption that cognitive processes are ’heuristic’ is briefly discussed. It is suggested that there is, so far at least, no substantive version of that suggestion is on offer. The ’sleeping dog’ strategy for avoiding the Frame Problem is considered as a horrible example. The conclusion is that, quite possibly we need a new notion of computation; one that perhaps differs signi- ficantly from Turing’s as substantially as his differed from the associationism that preceded it. If that’s right, then —recent advertisements to the contrary notwithstanding— we are still very far from understan- ding how the (cognitive) mind works; a conclusion that strikes me as independently quite plausible. The main difference between our cognitive science and the one that prevailed circa 1950 is the replacement of an associationistic theory of the mind by a computational theory of the mind, where a ’computation’ is understood to be a formal operation that applies to a mental repre- sentation in virtue of the constituent structure of the latter. Correspondingly, it was a main objection to the Associationist project was its inability to accommodate the distinction between the constituents of a representa- tion and its (mere) parts. The question arises to what extent it can reasonably be supposed that mental processes involved in cognition are indeed computational in that sense. It’s noted, on the one hand, that constituency is a species of part-whole re- lation, and that such relations are ipso facto local. This implies a substantive constraint on the character of com- putational operations as we now understand them; so the question arises whether cognitive processes are, in fact, local in the required sense.
nViZn : An Algebra-Based Visualization System

We describe a system, called nViZn, that implements a language for quantitative graphics. The structure of this system differs from existing statistical graphics, visualization, and mapping systems. Instead of treating a graphics display as a viewer for underlying data, nViZn treats data as an accessory to viewing a graph. nViZn is based on the mathematical definition of the graph of a function and uses that definition to organize data linked to the graph.
Assessing self-awareness and transparency when classifying a speaker's level of certainty

This paper is about using prosody to automatically detect one aspect of a speaker’s internal state: their level of certainty. While past work on classifying level of certainty used the perceived level of certainty as the value to predict, we find that this quantity often differs from a speaker’s actual level of certainty as gauged by self-reports. In this work we build models to predict a speaker’s self-reported level of certainty using prosodic features. Our data is a corpus of single-sentence utterances that are annotated with (1) whether the statement is correct or incorrect, (2) the perceived level of certainty, and (3) the self-reported level of certainty. Knowing the self-reported level of certainty, in conjunction with the perceived level of certainty, allows us to assess what we will refer to as the speaker’s transparency. Knowing the self-reported level of certainty, in conjunction with the correctness of the answer, allows us to assess what we will refer to as self-awareness. Our models, trained on prosodic features, correctly classify the self-reported level of certainty 75% of the time. Intelligent systems can use this information to make inferences about the user’s internal state, for example whether the user of a system has a misconception, makes a lucky guess, or needs encouragement.
Systemische Aspekte der Achtsamkeit

Meta-Mechanismen – Perspektivwechsel Aufmerksamkeit Das Konstrukt „Achtsamkeit“, das einoder mehrdimensional operationalisiert werden kann (Kabat-Zinn 1990), beinhaltet eine selbstregulierende Aufmerksamkeit, die intentional auf den Gegenwartsmoment gerichtet ist, verbunden mit einer Haltung von Neugier, Offenheit und (wohlwollender) Akzeptanz (Shapiro et al 2006, Bishop et al 2004, vgl. auch Essentials in diesem Heft).
Diagnosis and multimodal therapy for extragastrointestinal stromal tumor of the prostate: A case report

Extragastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGISTs), which are neoplasms outside the digestive tract, are predominantly observed in the greater omentum and retroperitoneum. The clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of EGISTs are similar to those of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). EGISTs originating from the prostate are extremely rare. In this study, we report a case of a prostatic EGIST in a 39-year-old male, who presented with frequency, urgency, dysuria and a prostatic mass. A 10-core transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy was performed, and the histological and immunohistochemical results confirmed the diagnosis of EGIST. The patient received a radical prostatectomy, followed by targeted therapy with imatinib (400 mg, daily) for 1 year. Neither recurrence nor metastasis was detected at a 24-month follow-up.
An empirical approach to the measurement of interchromosomal distances in the genetic algorithm

Data visualizations, population diversity measurements, and cluster analyses are all invariably constructed from measures of distance or dissimilarity, and it is recognized that any measure of the distance between points should represent the manner and ease with which an algorithm or process can move from one point towards another. For the genetic algorithm, this traversal is largely accomplished by mutation and recombination, but in spite of this, measures like the Hamming distance and the edit distance are still used to assess the distance between population members. This represents a significant problem, because these measures were not designed with the genetic algorithm in mind and they do not consider how the genetic operators will actually traverse genotypic space. The need for distance measures to be accurate and representative cannot be overstated, but for the complex traversals of the genetic algorithm, it is exceedingly difficult to determine whether one measure is any more representative than another. To address this need, this paper will introduce an empirical approach to distance measurement, and since the resultant values are derived from actual traversals, the distance measured is guaranteed representative, and can be used as a baseline against which other measures can be evaluated.
Optimization of constrained frequent set queries with 2-variable constraints

Currently, there is tremendous interest in providing ad-hoc mining capabilities in database management systems. As a first step towards this goal, in [15] we proposed an architecture for supporting constraint-based, human-centered, exploratory mining of various kinds of rules including associations, introduced the notion of constrained frequent set queries (CFQs), and developed effective pruning optimizations for CFQs with 1-variable (1-var) constraints. While 1-var constraints are useful for constraining the antecedent and consequent separately, many natural examples of CFQs illustrate the need for constraining the antecedent and consequent jointly, for which 2-variable (2-var) constraints are indispensable. Developing pruning optimizations for CFQs with 2-var constraints is the subject of this paper. But this is a difficult problem because: (i) in 2-var constraints, both variables keep changing and, unlike 1-var constraints, there is no fixed target for pruning; (ii) as we show, “conventional” monotonicity-based optimization techniques do not apply effectively to 2-var constraints. The contributions are as follows. (1) We introduce a notion of quasi-succinctness, which allows a quasi-succinct 2-var constraint to be reduced to two succinct 1-var constraints for pruning. (2) We characterize the class of 2-var constraints that are quasi-succinct. (3) We develop heuristic techniques for non-quasi-succinct constraints. Experimental results show the effectiveness of all our techniques. (4) We propose a query optimizer for CFQs and show that for a large class of constraints, the computation strategy generated by the optimizer is ccc-optimal, i.e., minimizing the effort incurred w.r. t. constraint checking and support counting.
Special Education Teacher Resilience: A Phenomenological Study of Factors Associated with Retention and Resilience of Highly Resilient Special Educators

Author(s): Downing, Brienne | Advisor(s): Thousand, Jacqueline S | Abstract: Abstract Of The DissertationSpecial Education Teacher Resilience: A Phenomenological Study of Factors Associated with Retention and Resilience of Highly Resilient Special EducatorsbyBrienne DowningDoctor of Education in Educational LeadershipUniversity of California, San Diego, 2017California State University, San Marcos, 2017Professor Jacqueline Thousand, ChairSpecial education teachers are in high demand and greatly needed to meet the needs of the growing population of students qualified for special education services under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004. The increasing attrition rates of special education teachers are a social justice issue that needs attention. The demands and pressures that special education teachers face need to be closely examined and addressed to ensure equal access to education for the population of students receiving special education services. The literature review analyzes and discusses the need to identify the severity and impact of special education teacher attrition rates and the use of a resilience construct to help increase the retention of teachers. This phenomenological research study examines the research and findings of implemented and needed interventions to help mitigate the issue. This study examines a conceptual framework of special education teacher resiliency by look at four major areas: (1) why special education teachers enter the field, (2) non-workplace contexts, (3) workplace contexts (e.g. collegial support, administrative support, other supports), and (4) personal resiliency attributes. This study posits these four elements influence teacher resiliency and satisfaction/intention to stay or leave the field of special education. A resilience scale to pre-screen participants and a semi-structured interview was employed to gather data. Participants guided the findings of this study and inform educational leaders and policy makers on special education teacher resiliency factors that promote retention. These findings included being able to experience and learn of student growth and accomplishments, having a personal connection to special education and individuals with disabilities, a sense of fulfillment, and relationships with parents, colleagues, and students; balance and boundaries participants sought personal self-care through individual exercise and travel, and social networking through team exercise and sports, community service and involvement, and connecting with family and friends; administrative support through emotional, instrumental, appraisal, and informational supports; staying student centered and focused upon student potential, the verbal and physical actions of administrators, and collegial relationships; and having a sense of purpose.Keywords: Special education, resiliency, attrition, retention, administrative support, satisfaction
An Algorithm on the Mining of Batch Processing Process

Batch processing process denotes the process used in the workflow management systems (WfMSs) supporting dynamic batch processing. During the run time of their concurrent process instances, multiple activity cases of the same type may be vertically combined together according to some batch logics and submitted for execution as a whole. Therefore, it is necessary to study the actual way process instances are executed. In this paper, we propose an algorithm to mine batch processing process from system logs. A case study is also done to illustrate its effectiveness.