Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcomes in clinical trials in children with asthma

The selection of outcomes is a critically important decision when designing randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Informed clinical decisions can only be based on the results of RCTs that have measured outcomes of importance to both clinicians and patients. It can be difficult to know which outcomes should be measured in RCTs. Some groups advocate core outcome sets, which are a minimum set of outcomes that should be measured, and reported, in all clinical trials in a given condition. These increase the likelihood that important outcomes are measured, reduce nonuniformity between studies, and reduce the risk of outcome reporting bias. We systematically reviewed studies that determined which outcomes to measure in clinical trials in children, and found that such work had been conducted in only few conditions, and the quality of existing work was variable. Few studies used structured consensus techniques to reach agreement about which outcomes to measure in trials, and parents were seldom involved. No studies included children. One condition in which there were no robust recommendations about which outcomes to measurein RCTs was childhood asthma, which is a condition of considerable global importance. We subsequently aimed to assess whether the absence of a core outcome set for RCTs of children with asthma meant that certain outcome domains were measured less frequently than others, and whether there was nonuniformity between studies in terms of outcomes selected. We conducted a systematic review of RCTs of children with asthma, published between January 1988 and December 2007, and found that the included studies focussed on short-term disease activity, but quality of life, functional status, and long-term outcomes were infrequently measured. Certain outcomes were measured and reported in various ways. We recommended that a core outcome set should be developed for childhood asthma, using structured consensus techniques, such as the Delphi process. In order to aid the development of such a core set, we first systematically reviewed studies that used the Delphi process to determine which outcomes to measure in clinical trials. We observed variations in the methodology used, identified potential sources of bias, and provided recommendations about how such studies could be conducted and reported. In order to develop a core outcome set for childhood asthma, we used a Delphi process to ascertain the views of 46 clinicians, and around 100 parents and young people, about which outcomes are most important and relevant from their perspective, when making shared decisions about regular therapies which control asthma. The most important outcomes were symptoms, exacerbations, and quality of life. Although consensus still needs to be reached amongst other groups of individuals involved in clinical trials, we conclude that these outcomes should be measured, and reported, in all RCTs that aim to evaluate the effectiveness of regular therapies for children and young people with asthma.
Sheet 2 of 2 Patent Application Publication Z ?

(71) Applicant: Wake Forest University Health 3G $3. C Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC (US) ( .01) A6IB5/00 (2006.01) A61N I/05 (2006.01) (72) Inventors: Sam Deadwyler, Winston-Salem, NC (US); Robert E. Hampson, A6IB 5/04 (2006.01) Kernersville, NC (US); Mark R. A6B 5/0482 (2006.01) Witcher, Winston-Salem, NC (US); (52) U.S. Cl. Daniel E. Couture, Winston-Salem, NC CPC . A61N I/36082 (2013.01); A61 B 5/04001 (US); Gautam Popi. Winston-Salem, (2013.01); A61 B 5/0482 (2013.01); A61B NC (US); Stephen Tatter, 5/04012 (2013.01); A61 B 5/4088 (2013.01); Winston-Salem, NC (US); Thomas L. A61N I/0529 (2013.01); A61N I/36064 Ellis, Winston-Salem, NC (US) (2013.01); A61 B 5/4094 (2013.01); A61B 5/0478 (2013.01); A61 B 5/4836 (2013.01); (21) Appl. No.: 15/429,436 A61 B 5/6868 (2013.01); A61 B 2562/0209 (2013.01) (22) Filed: Feb. 10, 2017 (57) ABSTRACT
Running head: PERCEPTUAL GROUPING AND AUTISM

The present study further investigates findings of impairment in Gestalt, but not global processing in ASD (Brosnan, Scott, Fox & Pye, 2004). Nineteen males with ASD and nineteen typically developing males matched by non-verbal ability, took part in five Gestalt perceptual grouping tasks. Results showed that performance differed according to grouping type. The ASD group showed typical performance for grouping by proximity and by alignment, impairment on low difficulty trials for orientation and luminance similarity, and general impairment for grouping by shape similarity. Group differences were also observed developmentally; for the ASD group, with the exception of grouping by shape similarity, perceptual grouping performance was poorer at lower than higher levels of non-verbal ability. In contrast, no developmental progression was observed in the typically developing controls. Perceptual grouping in Autism 3
Big issues in population biology : lessons from a greenfly Presidential

Evidence for variation within the clonal genotype Some modern molecular evidence gives credence to clonal fidelity, other evidence does not. The use of microsatellite markers (Goldstein & Schlötterer, 1999) has shown that aphids (Fig. 4) can have multilocus genotypes which remain consistent in terms of genotypic expression over a range of loci (12 tested; Haack et al., 2000). This suggests that such multilocus genotypes have descended from a common stem mother (Haack et al., 2000; Miller, 2000). However, this may be an illusion of constancy. Miniand microsatellites, essentially selectively neutral (but see Li et al., 2002), are known to be notoriously fast mutating and evolving, with mutation rates typically of the order 10-6 to 10-3 per locus per generation (Hancock, 1999). There are thousands of such loci, perhaps tens of thousands, scattered throughout the genome (Loxdale & Lushai, 2003a). In addition, even sampling 12 Hugh D. Loxdale †
Necessity of Body Image in Applying Reinforcement Learning to Redundant Robots

Reinforcement learning is very interesting for robot learning. However, the size of exploration space increase exponentially with increase of degrees of freedom, and it makes it impossible to accomplish learning process. On the other hand, animals and humans can learn and accomplish various tasks using many redundant degrees of freedom of the body in spite of the exploration space is very huge. In this paper, we summarize our previous works of QDSEGA, and discuss how to apply reinforcement learning to redundant robots. We introduced the body image, and propose a hypothesis that the body image makes it possible to realize the ability to restrict the exploration space. To demonstrate the validity of the hypothesis, simulations and experiments are carried out.
Stealth Loader : Trace-free Program Loading for Analysis Evasion

Understanding how application programming interfaces (APIs) are used in a program plays an important role in malware analysis. This, however, has resulted in an endless battle between malware authors and malware analysts around the development of API [de]obfuscation techniques over the last few decades. Our goal in this paper is to show the limit of existing API de-obfuscation techniques. To do that, we first analyzed existing API [de]obfuscation techniques and clarified that an attack vector commonly exists in these techniques; then, we present Stealth Loader, which is a program loader to bypass all existing API de-obfuscation techniques. The core idea of Stealth Loader is to load a dynamic link library (DLL) and resolve its dependency without leaving any traces on memory to be detected. We demonstrated the effectiveness of Stealth Loader by analyzing a set of Windows executables and malware protected with Stealth Loader using major dynamic and static analysis tools. The results indicate that among other obfuscation tools, only Stealth Loader is able to successfully bypass all analysis tools.
SIMULATION IN

The study provides a systematic analysis and modeling of the war in Ukraine. An assessment of the global threat of war is made. The impact of the conflict on the socio-economic indicators of the conflicting parties is determined. Peculiarities of solving economic problems by means of system analysis have been studied. The principle of "maximum participation - minimum conflict" in solving economic problems is considered; consideration of underestimation of the future in the assessment of the economic problem; analysis of the objectivity of goals and accuracy of criteria in the systematic analysis of economic problems; characteristics of the knowledge economy as information support for solving economic problems. structure of the system, check its compatibility and eliminate conflicts. Conflict resolution requires a rethinking of system variables. A systematic study of economic systems was conducted in order to determine the goals of the conflict and identify hidden goals that the Russians are deliberately hiding. The role that objective causes and causal relationships in economic systems play in natural and artificial systems is studied. Five key types of resources of Ukraine and Russia are described: wealth, knowledge, beauty (as perfection), power and values that are necessary to create and maintain the integrity of a multi-smart economic system. The influence of the level of conflict on the socio-economic indicators of conflicting civilizations has been studied, the integrated level of the country's competitiveness has been determined.
CD 14 CD 16 monocyte subset levels in heart failure patients

Our aim was to define the distribution of monocyte subsets in a cohort of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients, to verify whether increased severity of CHF is linked to the expansion of specific monocyte subsets, and finally to investigate the relationship between monocyte subset relative frequencies, laboratory parameters of inflammation, and monocyte ACE expression. Thirty consecutive CHF patients and 26 healthy control subjects were evaluated for peripheral blood monocyte expression of CD14, CD16 and CD143 (ACE) by flow-cytometry, and for endothelial-derived soluble CD146 levels by ELISA. CD14CD16 frequency was significantly higher in CHF patients than in Controls (%, median value and IQ) (12.3, 8.7–14.8 vs 5.9, 4.7–6.9, p < 0.05, CHF vs Controls), and it increased depending on how high NYHA class was, on worsening LV ejection fraction and on circulating pro-BNP values. Furthermore, it was associated with increasing creatinine and with decreasing GFR and albumin levels. Monocyte CD143 expression was significantly elevated in CHF patients as compared to Controls, and positively associated with CD14CD16 levels. Frequencies of CD14CD16 monocytes were significantly lower in CHF patients as compared to Controls, and negatively correlated with levels of soluble CD146 (r = –0.529; p 0.048). In conclusion, monocytic CD14CD16 frequency and CD143 levels are increased and reflect disease status and progressive cardiac deterioration in CHF patients. The CD14CD16 subset is depleted in CHF and is linked to endothelial damage in this group of patients. Although the question of whether differences in monocyte CD14CD16 expansion are causal or whether they represent a marker of HF progression which is potentially relevant for risk prediction remains unanswered, we believe that our data represent an important tool for exploring the role of selective inflammatory pathways in CHF progression.
Turning-on Dimensional Prominence in Decision Making: Experiments and a Model

Could introducing a tiny interest rate on positive balances of checking accounts affect investment decisions? We suggest, counterintuitively, that it might decrease allocations to checking accounts and increase riskless investments with higher returns. This violation of monotonicity is a potential outcome of a novel behavioral phenomenon that we formalize and investigate experimentally. It posits that even a small interest rate highlights or turns on the safe gains dimension, bumping up its decision weight while shrouding other considerations, such as liquidity. Consequently, choices may shift from the most liquid option, the checking account, to safe investments with superior returns. Our exploration of this phenomenon covers three different choice environments: investment decisions, social preferences, and choice under uncertainty. This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.
Pediatric Lyme Disease Prevention

Running head: LYME DISEASE 2 Diagnoses of Lyme disease (LD) in Massachusetts have been on the rise in recent years, with one of the highest incidence rates in young school-age children. LD diagnoses may impact the short and long term health of children, as well as their economic, educational, and social well-being. Review of the literature indicates that educational interventions on LD have effectively increased preventative knowledge of LD in children and their parents. These educational interventions include instruction regarding protective practices such as tick checks, wearing protective clothing, and use of repellants, as well as tick ecology education. The purpose of the educational intervention described in this paper, was to prevent infection of LD by increasing knowledge of the disease, including preventive measures, among young children and their parents. The educational intervention involved teaching LD prevention to children in the classroom, and teaching parents through educational packets. The LD program was evaluated using a pre-test post-test program evaluation design. The theoretical framework chosen to support this educational intervention was the Health Belief Model. Results of the program were that the educational intervention for children regarding tick ecology and protective practices, increased preventative knowledge of LD in children as young as five.
Efficacy and Safety of Leucine Supplementation in the Elderly 1 – 3

Leucine supplementation has grown in popularity due to the discovery of its anabolic effects on cell signaling and protein synthesis in muscle. The current recommendation is a minimum intake of 55 mg kg . d. Leucine acutely stimulates skeletal muscle anabolism and can overcome the anabolic resistance of aging. The value of chronic leucine ingestion for muscle growth is still unclear. Most of the research into leucine consumption has focused on efficacy. To our knowledge, very few studies have sought to determine the maximum safe level of intake. Limited evidence suggests that intakes of #1250 mg kg . d do not appear to have any health consequences other than short-term elevated plasma ammonia concentrations. Similarly, no adverse events have been reported for the leucine metabolite b-hydroxy-b-methylbutyrate (HMB), although no studies have tested HMB toxicity in humans. Therefore, future research is needed to evaluate leucine and HMB toxicity in the elderly and in specific health conditions. J Nutr 2016;146(Suppl):2625S–9S.
Aalborg Universitet Multisensory integration of drumming actions : musical expertise affects perceived audiovisual

We investigated the eVect of musical expertise on sensitivity to asynchrony for drumming point-light displays, which varied in their physical characteristics (Experiment 1) or in their degree of audiovisual congruency (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, 21 repetitions of three tempos £ three accents £ nine audiovisual delays were presented to four jazz drummers and four novices. In Experiment 2, ten repetitions of two audiovisual incongruency conditions £ nine audiovisual delays were presented to 13 drummers and 13 novices. Participants gave forcedchoice judgments of audiovisual synchrony. The results of Experiment 1 show an enhancement in experts’ ability to detect asynchrony, especially for slower drumming tempos. In Experiment 2 an increase in sensitivity to asynchrony was found for incongruent stimuli; this increase, however, is attributable only to the novice group. Altogether the results indicated that through musical practice we learn to ignore variations in stimulus characteristics that otherwise would aVect our multisensory integration processes.
Nr 4 a 1 Is Required for Fasting-Induced Down-Regulation of Ppar 2 in White Adipose Tissue

Expression of the nuclear receptor gene, Nur77 (Nr4a1), is induced in white adipose tissue (WAT) in response to -adrenergic stimulation and fasting. Recently, Nur77 has been shown to play a gene regulatory role in the fasting response of several other major metabolic tissues. Here we investigated the effects of Nur77 on the WAT transcriptome after fasting. For this purpose, we performed gene expression profiling of WAT from wild-type and Nur77 / mice submitted to prolonged fasting. Results revealed Nur77-dependent changes in expression profiles of 135 transcripts, many involved in insulin signaling, lipid and fatty acid metabolism, and glucose metabolism. Network analysis identified the deregulated genes Ppar 2 and Nur77 as central hubs and closely connected in the network, indicating overlapping biological function. We further assayed the expression level of Ppar 2 in a bigger cohort of fasted mice and found a significant Nur77dependent down-regulation of Ppar 2 in the wild-type mice (P 0.021, n 10). Consistently, the expression of several known Ppar 2 targets, found among the Nur77-regulated genes (i.e. G0s2, Grp81, Fabp4, and Adipoq), were up-regulated in WAT of fasted Nur77 / mice. Finally, we show with chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays that the Ppar 2 promoter is a direct target of Nurr-related 77-kDa protein (Nur77)-dependent repressive regulation and that the N-terminal domain of Nur77 is required for this regulation. In conclusion, we present data implicating Nur77 as a mediator of fasting-induced Ppar 2 regulation in WAT. (Molecular Endocrinology 27: 135–149, 2013)
Balance Control With Relative Angular Momentum / Velocity ○

The concept and realization of a balance controller based on the spatial momentum of a humanoid robot was introduced by Kajita et al. [1]. The resolved momentum framework was the result of a pioneering effort toward a velocity-based whole-body balance control. The control law formulation was flawed, however, since the reference base-link twist was constrained by the null space of the main subtask. This led to an undesirable upper-body rotation. In addition, task conflicts occurred that led to instabilities. The important role of centroidal angular momentum and its rate of change in balance control of humanoid robots was discussed in [2]. It was shown that the presence of centroidal angular momentum is equivalent to shifting the application point of the ground reaction force (GRF) to a special point called the centroidal moment pivot (CMP) [3]. Further insight into the role of the angular momentum component and its relation to the widely used inverted pendulum models was provided in [4,5] with a simple inverted pendulum plus a reaction wheel model. Since then, a number of researchers began to develop balance controllers with angular momentum control components. The most recent results in balance control [6–8] have confirmed the importance of the centroidal angular momentum, not only for walking on a flat ground, but also while stepping on a highly irregular terrain. From this brief overview it can be concluded that the centroidal angular momentum control is an indispensable component in the whole-body balance control of a humanoid robot. In this work it is argued that although necessary, the centroidal angular momentum balance control approach is not sufficient. This hypothesis is based on the fact that the centroidal angular momentum can be expressed as the sum of two components: a composite rigid body (CRB) component that is determined by a system state with locked joints, and the coupling angular momentum (CAM) component that depends on the joint rates. The joint rates are mapped via the coupling inertia matrix. The role of the CAM component in the design of controllers for various underactuated robots on a floating-base, e.g. free-floating space robots, manipulators mounted on a flexible base and macro-mini manipulators (i.e. a small-size manipulator mounted at the tip of a large-size one) is discussed in [9]. xW yW zW xW yW zW
Ultrathin all-binary AlN/GaN based high-performance RF HEMT Technology

AlN/GaN HEMTs offer a number of performance improvements over traditional AlGaN/GaN structures. In this work, the epitaxial growth and characterization of of AlN/GaN heterostructures by MBE is shown to lead to record low channel sheet resistances, lower than 150 Ohms/square. The DC performance of the resulting HEMTs on sapphire substrates shows that current densities in excess of 2 A/mm and transconductances larger than 400 mS/mm can be routinely obtained in such HEMTs. Preliminary high-frequency characterization of the binary HEMTs shows that by virtue of the reduction of access resistances, very high frequency performance is achievable.
An Integrated system For Regional Environmental Monitoring and Management Based on IoT

Climate change and environmental monitoring and management have received much attention recently, and an integrated information system (IIS) is considered highly valuable. This paper introduces a novel IIS that combines Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Computing, Geoinformatics [remote sensing (RS), geographical information system (GIS), and global positioning system (GPS)], and e-Science for environmental monitoring and management, with a case study on regional climate change and its ecological effects. Multi-sensors and web services were used to collect data and other information for the perception layer; both public networks and private networks were used to access and transport mass data and other information in the network layer. The key technologies and tools include real-time operational database (RODB); extraction–transformation–loading (ETL); on-line analytical processing (OLAP) and relational OLAP (ROLAP); naming, addressing, and profile server (NAPS); application gateway (AG); application software for different platforms and tasks (APPs); IoT application infrastructure (IoT-AI); GIS and e-Science platforms; and representational state transfer/Java database connectivity (RESTful/JDBC). Application Program Interfaces (APIs) were implemented in the middleware layer of the IIS. The application layer provides the functions of storing, organizing, processing, and sharing of data and other information, as well as the functions of applications in environmental monitoring and management.
UltraCamX , the new Digital Aerial Camera System by Microsoft Photogrammetry

UltraCamX is the new digital large format aerial camera developed by Vexcel Imaging GmbH, Graz, Austria and is now available from Microsoft Photogrammetry. This article presents a short technical overview on the camera system and shows the results from several flight missions. Finally a view words about the transition from Vexcel Imaging GmbH to Microsoft Photogrammetry under the ownership of Microsoft Corp., Redmond, US are given.