Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining Community Employment Programs for Persons with Mental Retardation: A Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Approaches.

Quantitative assessment instruments have been developed to identify those skills or behaviors which individuals with developmental disabilities need in order to become competitively employed, and to measure individuals' progress in the program and hence measure program effectiveness. Such assessment instruments are problematic, as each employment situation uniquely requires its own particular combination of skills. An attempt to apply quantitative assessment tools in a supported employment situation found that: (1) no job situation existed which required clients to demonstrate many of the skills or behaviors listed on the assessments; (2) some skills/behaviors listed on the assessments were irrelevant to the job situation; and (3) other relevant skills/behaviors were not listed. The second purpose of assessments, the measurement of program effectiveness, is only appropriate for groups of subjects and does not appropriately measure program effectiveness for individuals. Nor is the use of single subject designs appropriate, as they call for treatments that are introduced either systematically or randomly. A qualitative process model is suggested, where the actual process of implementing the model reveals the relevant variables of the job situation. Items in a qualitative assessment are not quantied but serve as reminders of important factors to be considered. (JDD) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the jest that can be made * * from the original document. * *********************************************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office 01 Educatwnal Research and Improvement EDU/CATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) ? ibis document has been reproduced as recended from the person or organdanon ongmafing r MI 110f changes have been made to improve renroduction Quaid), Pants &view or opauons stated mthiscicctr ment do not necessanly represent official OERI position or policy Examining Community Employment Programs for Persons with Mental Retardation: A Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Approaches
Conflict-Free Colourings of Uniform Hypergraphs With Few Edges

A colouring of the vertices of a hypergraph is called conflict-free if each edge e of contains a vertex whose colour does not repeat in e. The smallest number of colours required for such a colouring is called the conflict-free chromatic number of , and is denoted by χCF(). Pach and Tardos proved that for an (2r − 1)-uniform hypergraph with m edges, χCF() is at most of the order of rm1/r log m, for fixed r and large m. They also raised the question whether a similar upper bound holds for r-uniform hypergraphs. In this paper we show that this is not necessarily the case. Furthermore, we provide lower and upper bounds on the minimum number of edges of an r-uniform simple hypergraph that is not conflict-free k-colourable.
Reduced amount of the glucose‐regulated protein GRP94 in skeletal myoblasts results in loss of fusion competence

We previously showed that skeletal myocytes of the adult rabbit do not accumulate the endoplasmic reticulum glucose‐regulated protein GRP94, neither constitutively nor inducibly, at variance with skeletal myocytes during perinatal development (5). Here we show that C2C12 cells up‐regulate GRP94 during differentiation and, similarly to primary cultures of murine skeletal myocytes, specifically display GRP94 immunoreactivity on the cell surface. Stable transfection of C2C12 cells with grp94 antisense cDNA shows lack of myotube formation in clones displaying >40% reduction in GRP94 amount. The same result is obtained after in vivo infection of grp94‐antisense myoblasts. Conversely, GRP94 overexpression is accompanied by accelerated myotube formation. Analyses of BrdU incorporation, p21 nuclear translocation, and muscle‐gene expression show that muscle differentiation is not apparently affected in grp94‐antisense clones. In contrast, cell‐surface GRP94 is greatly reduced in grp94‐antisense clones, as shown by immunocyto‐chemistry and precipitation of cell‐surface biotinyl‐ated proteins. Thus, cell‐surface expression of GRP94 is necessary for maintenance of fusion competence. Furthermore, differentiating C2C12 cells grown in the presence of anti‐GRP94 antibody show decreased myotube number suggesting that cell‐surface GRP94 is directly involved in myoblast fusion process. —Gorza, L. , and Vitadello, M. Reduced amount of the glucose‐regulated protein GRP94 in skeletal myoblasts results in loss of fusion competence. FASEB J. 14, 461–475 (2000)
Multi-robot foraging based on Darwin's survival of the fittest

This paper presents a collective foraging algorithm designed to simulate natural selection in a group of swarm robots. The Robotic Darwinian Particle Swarm Optimization (RDPSO) previously proposed is improved using fractional calculus theory and evaluated on real low-cost mobile robots performing a distributed foraging task. This work aims at evaluating this novel exploration strategy, by studying the performance of the algorithm within a population of up to 12 robots, under communication constraints. In order to simulate the maximum allowed communication distance, robots were provided with a list of their teammates' addresses. Experimental results show that only 4 robots are needed to accomplish the proposed mission and, independently on the number of robots, maximum communication distance and fractional coefficient, the optimal solution is achieved in approximately 90% of the experiments.
1 2 1 A ug 2 00 6 Communication Complexity Protocols for Q-trits

Consider a function where its entries are distributed among many parties. Suppose each party is allowed to transmit only a limited amount of information to a net. One can use a classical protocol to guess the value of the global function. Is there a quantum protocol improving the results of all classical protocols? In [3] Brukner et al. showed the deep connection between such problems and the theory of Bell’s inequalities. Here we generalize the theory to trits. There, the best classical protocol fails whereas the quantum protocol yields the correct answer.
AdaptiveVirtual Buffer ( AVB )-An ActiveQueueManagementSchemefor Inter net Quality of Service XidongDeng

In this paper wepresenta virtual queuebasedactive queuemanagementschemecalledAdaptiveVirtual Buffer(AVB). We study its properties in satisfying the QoS requirement such as low packet lossrate and high thr oughput; its ability in maintaining stablequeuelength under various network configurations suchas the number of connectionsand round trip delay; and its robustnessin the presenceof extremelyshort flows. Usinga mathematical tool basedon control theory, we presenta simple rule in choosingthe parametersfor this algorithm. Thr oughextensi ve simulations,wevalidate our designand comparethe performance with someother AQM schemessuchasRED, REM and AVQ.
Preterm birth and intra-uterine growth retardation among children of women with schizophrenia

Background There is conflicting evidence about the frequency of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with schizophrenia. Aims To investigate the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight and intra-uterine growth retardation among women with schizophrenia. Method A total of 2212 births to 1537 women with schizophrenia in Denmark were compared with a random sample of all deliveries in Denmark in 1973–1993 (122 931 births to 72 742 women) Results The children of women with schizophrenia were at increased risk of preterm delivery (relative risk=1.46, 95% CI=1.19–1.79), low birth weight (relative risk=1.57, 95% 0=1.36–1.82) and small for gestational age (relative risk=1.34, 95% CI=1.17–1.53) Conclusions Women with schizophrenia are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. This may be associated with an increased mortality and general morbidity and risk of schizophrenia in their children.
Sparse Spectro-Temporal Receptive Fields Based on Multi-Unit and High-Gamma Responses in Human Auditory Cortex

Spectro-Temporal Receptive Fields (STRFs) were estimated from both multi-unit sorted clusters and high-gamma power responses in human auditory cortex. Intracranial electrophysiological recordings were used to measure responses to a random chord sequence of Gammatone stimuli. Traditional methods for estimating STRFs from single-unit recordings, such as spike-triggered-averages, tend to be noisy and are less robust to other response signals such as local field potentials. We present an extension to recently advanced methods for estimating STRFs from generalized linear models (GLM). A new variant of regression using regularization that penalizes non-zero coefficients is described, which results in a sparse solution. The frequency-time structure of the STRF tends toward grouping in different areas of frequency-time and we demonstrate that group sparsity-inducing penalties applied to GLM estimates of STRFs reduces the background noise while preserving the complex internal structure. The contribution of local spiking activity to the high-gamma power signal was factored out of the STRF using the GLM method, and this contribution was significant in 85 percent of the cases. Although the GLM methods have been used to estimate STRFs in animals, this study examines the detailed structure directly from auditory cortex in the awake human brain. We used this approach to identify an abrupt change in the best frequency of estimated STRFs along posteromedial-to-anterolateral recording locations along the long axis of Heschl’s gyrus. This change correlates well with a proposed transition from core to non-core auditory fields previously identified using the temporal response properties of Heschl’s gyrus recordings elicited by click-train stimuli.
An Efficient Technique for the Optimization of Submillimeter-wave Schottky-diode Harmonic Multipliers

A simple and efficient modified harmonic-balance technique is presented. This new algorithm is suitable for the large-signal time-dependent analysis of nonlinear millimeter wave circuits. The accurate design and successful implementation of very high frequency nonlinear circuits requires both a detailed understanding of the physical operation of the active devices and of how these nonlinear devices interact with the linear embedding circuit. This work addresses the specific task of establishing a robust simulation tool that combined this novel modified harmonic-balance circuit analysis technique with a physicsbased hydrodynamic transport model device simulator. A comparison with the accelerated fixed-point (AFP) harmonic-balance technique has been made through an evaluation of a Schottky-diode multiplier. The result shows that this approach can be used to realize improved multiplier operation with a minimal time of numerical computation.
Emerging tobacco hazards in China: 2. Early mortality results from a prospective study

Objective: To monitor the evolving epidemic of mortality from tobacco in China following the large increase in male cigarette use in recent decades. Design: Prospective study of smoking and mortality starting with 224 500 interviewees who should eventually be followed for some decades. Setting: 45 nationally representative small urban or rural areas distributed across China. Subjects: Male population aged 40 or over in 1991, of whom about 80% were interviewed about smoking, drinking, and medical history. Main outcome measure: Cause specific mortality, initially to 1995 but later to continue, with smoker versus non-smoker risk ratios standardised for area, age, and use of alcohol. Results: 74% were smokers (73% current, only 1% former), but few of this generation would have smoked substantial numbers of cigarettes since early adult life. Overall mortality is increased among smokers (risk ratio 1.19; 95% confidence interval 1.13 to 1.25, P<0.0001). Almost all the increased mortality involved neoplastic, respiratory, or vascular disease. The overall risk ratios currently associated with smoking are less extreme in rural areas (1.26, 1.12, or 1.02 respectively for smokers who started before age 20, at 20-24, or at older ages) than in urban areas (1.73, 1.40, or 1.16 respectively). Conclusion: This prospective study and the accompanying retrospective study show that by 1990 smoking was already causing about 12% of Chinese male mortality in middle age. This proportion is predicted to rise to about 33% by 2030. Long term continuation of the prospective study (with periodic resurveys) can monitor the evolution of this epidemic.
Optimising beverages for satiety: the role of sensory characteristics, expectations and nutrient content

Regularly consuming caloric beverages has been linked to obesity and weight gain and evidence suggests this is because beverages have a weak impact on satiety responses (behavioural and physiological). Using a series of experimental studies this thesis explored the cognitive and sensory features of caloric beverages that might enhance the anticipated and actual satiating power of their nutrients. Paper one characterised the sensory characteristics associated with expectations of hunger, fullness and thirst, finding that food and beverage products anticipated to be creamier and thicker were expected to be more satiating and less thirst-quenching. Paper two established that people can perceive subtle changes in beverage viscosity and manipulating thick and creamy textural cues strongly influenced the expectation that a beverage would be filling and supress hunger after consumption. This was extended in paper three, which reported evidence suggesting that a sensorially enhanced beverage is selected and consumed in smaller portions. Papers four and five investigated the satiating power of a caloric beverage consumed with satiety-relevant cognitive and sensory information. Paper four reported tentative evidence that a labelled satiety message influenced the satiating effect of caloric beverages when combined with thick and creamy sensory cues. Participants in Paper five reported greater satiety responses to a covert manipulation of beverage energy when consumed as a ‘snack’ rather than a drink. However, consuming the same beverage in a subtly thicker sensory context (without extra information) generated the largest satiety response to the different nutrient loads, perhaps because textural characteristics are the most reliable cue for nutrients. Overall these studies suggest that caloric beverages may generate weak satiety responses because their nutrient-generated effects are not expected. Encouraging people to consider caloric beverages as a snack, or adding in nutrient-relevant sensory characteristics, may both help consumers regulate energy intake when consuming these products.
IL-4 Receptor Signaling in Clara Cells Is Required for Allergen-Induced Mucus Production1

Excessive mucus production is an important pathological feature of asthma. The Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 have both been implicated in allergen-induced mucus production, inflammation, and airway hyperreactivity. Both of these cytokines use receptors that contain the IL-4Rα subunit, and these receptors are expressed on many cell types in the lung. It has been difficult to determine whether allergen-induced mucus production is strictly dependent on direct effects of IL-4 and IL-13 on epithelial cells or whether other independent mechanisms exist. To address this question, we used a cell type-specific inducible gene-targeting strategy to selectively disrupt the IL-4Rα gene in Clara cells, an airway epithelial cell population that gives rise to mucus-producing goblet cells. Clara cell-specific IL-4Rα-deficient mice and control mice developed similar elevations in serum IgE levels, airway inflammatory cell numbers, Th2 cytokine production, and airway reactivity following OVA sensitization and challenge. However, compared with control mice, Clara cell-specific IL-4Rα-deficient mice were nearly completely protected from allergen-induced mucus production. Because only IL-13 and IL-4 are thought to signal via IL-4Rα, we conclude that direct effects of IL-4 and/or IL-13 on Clara cells are required for allergen-induced mucus production in the airway epithelium.
DBTBS: a database of transcriptional regulation in Bacillus subtilis containing upstream intergenic conservation information

DBTBS, first released in 1999, is a reference database on transcriptional regulation in Bacillus subtilis, summarizing the experimentally characterized transcription factors, their recognition sequences and the genes they regulate. Since the previous release, the original content was extended by the addition of the data contained in 569 new publications, the total of which now reaches 947. The number of B. subtilis promoters annotated in the database was more than doubled to 1475. In addition, 463 experimentally validated B. subtilis operons and their terminators have been included. Given the increase in the number of fully sequenced bacterial genomes, we decided to extend the usability of DBTBS in comparative regulatory genomics. We therefore created a new section on the conservation of the upstream regulatory sequences between homologous genes in 40 Gram-positive bacterial species, as well as on the presence of overrepresented hexameric motifs that may have regulatory functions. DBTBS can be accessed at: http://dbtbs.hgc. jp.
Skeletal muscle blood flow in humans and its regulation during exercise.

Regional limb blood flow has been measured with dilution techniques (cardio-green or thermodilution) and ultrasound Doppler. When applied to the femoral artery and vein at rest and during dynamical exercise these methods give similar reproducible results. The blood flow in the femoral artery is approximately 0.3 L min(-1) at rest and increases linearly with dynamical knee-extensor exercise as a function of the power output to 6-10 L min[-1] (Q= 1.94 + 0.07 load). Considering the size of the knee-extensor muscles, perfusion during peak effort may amount to 2-3 L kg(-1) min(-1), i.e. approximately 100-fold elevation from rest. The onset of hyperaemia is very fast at the start of exercise with T 1/2 of 2-10 s related to the power output with the muscle pump bringing about the very first increase in blood flow. A steady level is reached within approximately 10-150 s of exercise. At all exercise intensities the blood flow fluctuates primarily due to the variation in intramuscular pressure, resulting in a phase shift with the pulse pressure as a superimposed minor influence. Among the many vasoactive compounds likely to contribute to the vasodilation after the first contraction adenosine is a primary candidate as it can be demonstrated to (1) cause a change in limb blood flow when infused i.a. , that is similar in time and magnitude as observed in exercise, and (2) become elevated in the interstitial space (microdialysis technique) during exercise to levels inducing vasodilation. NO appears less likely since NOS blockade with L-NMMA causing a reduced blood flow at rest and during recovery, it has no effect during exercise. Muscle contraction causes with some delay (60 s) an elevation in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), related to the exercise intensity. The compounds produced in the contracting muscle activating the group IIl-IV sensory nerves (the muscle reflex) are unknown. In small muscle group exercise an elevation in MSNA may not cause vasoconstriction (functional sympatholysis). The mechanism for functional sympatholysis is still unknown. However, when engaging a large fraction of the muscle mass more intensely during exercise, the MSNA has an important functional role in maintaining blood pressure by limiting blood flow also to exercising muscles.
Some 3CNF properties are hard to test

For a boolean formula φ on n variables, the associated property Pφ is the collection of n-bit strings that satisfy φ. We prove that there are 3CNF properties that require a linear number of queries, even for adaptive tests. This contrasts with 2CNF properties that are testable with O(√n) queries[7]. Notice that for every bad instance (i.e. an assignment that does not satisfy φ) there is a 3-bit query that witnesses this fact. Nevertheless, finding such a short witness requires a linear number of queries, even for assignments that are very far from satisfying.We provide sufficient conditions for linear properties to be hard to test, and in the course of the proof include a couple of observations which are of independent interest.
Structural Indexing: Efficient 3-D Object Recognition

The authors present an approach for the recognition of multiple 3-D object models from three 3-D scene data. The approach uses two different types of primitives for matching: small surface patches, where differential properties can be reliably computed, and lines corresponding to depth or orientation discontinuities. These are represented by splashes and 3-D curves, respectively. It is shown how both of these primitives can be encoded by a set of super segments, consisting of connected linear segments. These super segments are entered into a table and provide the essential mechanism for fast retrieval and matching. The issues of robustness and stability of the features are addressed in detail. The acquisition of the 3-D models is performed automatically by computing splashes in highly structured areas of the objects and by using boundary and surface edges for the generation of 3-D curves. The authors present results with the current system (3-D object recognition based on super segments) and discuss further extensions. >
Sustained Improvement in Hand Hygiene Adherence: Utilizing Shared Accountability and Financial Incentives

Objective. To evaluate the impact of an institutional hand hygiene accountability program on healthcare personnel hand hygiene adherence. Design. Time-series design with correlation analysis. Setting. Tertiary care academic medical center, including outpatient clinics and procedural areas. Participants. Medical center healthcare personnel. Methods. A comprehensive hand hygiene initiative was implemented in 2 major phases starting in July 2009. Key facets of the initiative included extensive project planning, leadership buy-in and goal setting, financial incentives linked to performance, and use of a system-wide shared accountability model. Adherence was measured by designated hand hygiene observers. Adherence rates were compared between baseline and implementation phases, and monthly hand hygiene adherence rates were correlated with monthly rates of device-associated infection. Results. A total of 109,988 observations were completed during the study period, with a sustained increase in hand hygiene adherence throughout each implementation phase (P<.0001) as well as from one phase to the next (P < .0001), such that adherence greater than 85% has been achieved since January 2011. Medical center departments were able to reclaim some rebate dollars allocated through a self-insurance trust, but during the study period, departments did not achieve full reimbursement. Hand hygiene adherence rates were inversely correlated with device-associated standardized infection ratios (R2 = 0.70). Conclusions. Implementation of this multifaceted, observational hand hygiene program was associated with sustained improvement in hand hygiene adherence. The principles of this program could be applied to other medical centers pursuing improved hand hygiene adherence among healthcare personnel.