Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Salivary Cortisol and Social Status among Dominican Men

Studies of nonhuman primates indicate that social subordinance associates with chronic elevated cortisol, but this finding has not been replicated among humans. This topic was examined in a study of 31 healthy adult male Dominican villagers ages 17 to 49 years. Each subject's mean cortisol level was calculated using multiple time-standardized salivary cortisol samples (minimum = 6, mean = 14. 8 samples per subject) determined by radioimmunoassay. Semistructured ethnographic interviews were used to collect several measures of social status. Data were analyzed with a backward stepwise multivariate linear regression model. Partial regression statistics revealed four significant associations with cortisol: (i) men with reputations for illicit social behavior had higher cortisol; (ii) men who reported more frequent distressed mood had higher cortisol; (iii) men rated as less trustworthy, agreeable, influential, and helpful by their peers had higher cortisol; and (iv) men whose fathers were absent as a childhood caretaker had higher cortisol. No associations were found between cortisol and (a) a composite of educational attainment, income, and material wealth; (b) frequency of tobacco consumption; (c) frequency of perceived social stressors; or (d) a composite of number of children and dependents.
Trophectoderm morphology: an important parameter for predicting live birth after single blastocyst transfer.

BACKGROUND In order to select the best blastocyst for transfer, in humans, three morphological parameters have routinely been used, i.e. degree of blastocoele expansion and appearance of both the trophectoderm (TE) and the inner cell mass (ICM). Although it has been shown that blastocysts with highest scores for all three parameters achieve highest implantation rates, their independent ability to predict pregnancy outcome remains unclear. METHOD This study is a retrospective analysis of 1117 fresh day 5 single blastocyst transfers and their live birth outcome related to each morphological parameter. RESULTS All three parameters had a significant effect on live birth however, once adjusted for known significant confounders, it was shown that TE was the only statistically significant independent predictor of live birth outcome. CONCLUSIONS This study has shown, for the first time, the predictive strength of TE grade over ICM for selecting the best blastocyst for embryo replacement. It may be that, even though ICM is important, a strong TE layer is essential at this stage of embryo development, allowing successful hatching and implantation.
Performance-Enhanced Direct Multiple-Vector Model Predictive Power Control for grid-tied AFEs

Direct Model Predictive Power Control (DMPPC) has emerged as a viable alternative for grid-tied Active Front End (AFE) power converters. However, its one-switching-vector-per-sampling-interval character leads to big ripples in its control variables. This work proposes a Performance-Enhanced Direct Multiple-Vector Model Predictive Power Control (DMV-MPPC) solution for grid-tied AFEs directly implementable on an FPGA. The proposed control scheme is compared with the classical DMPPC. The presented experimental results illustrate that the control performance can be significantly improved by the proposed DMV-MPPC scheme.
A comparative study of root coverage using two different acellular dermal matrix products.

BACKGROUND Gingival recession remains an important problem in dental esthetics. A new dermal matrix material has been introduced, but its effectiveness has not been studied and compared to current dermal matrix material. The aim of this study is to compare the healing associated with a coronally advanced flap for root coverage in areas of localized tissue recession when using Alloderm (ADM) and Puros Dermis (PDM). METHODS A split-mouth design was used for this study, with 52 contralateral sites in 14 patients with Miller Class I or III facial tissue recession. Twenty-six sites were treated with coronally advanced flap using PDM, and 26 sites were treated with coronally advanced flap using ADM, all followed for 6 months. Clinical measurements of vertical recession, keratinized tissue, probing depths, and attachment levels were made initially, at 3 months, and at 6 months. RESULTS Both groups had significant improvement in the amount of recession coverage with means of 2.83 mm for the PDM and 3.13 mm for the ADM. The percentage of root coverage was 81.4% for the PDM and 83.4% for the ADM; differences between the materials were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Based on the results of this study, there was no statistical or clinical difference in the amount of root coverage, probing depth, or keratinized tissue in coronally advanced flaps for root coverage with either of the two acellular dermal matrix materials. Both materials were successful in achieving root coverage.
All ErbB Receptors Other Than the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Are Endocytosis Impaired (*)

Four transmembrane tyrosine kinases constitute the ErbB receptor family: the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, ErbB-2, ErbB-3, and ErbB-4. We have measured the endocytic capacities of all four members of the EGF receptor family, including ErbB-3 and ErbB-4, which have not been described previously. EGF-responsive chimeric receptors containing the EGF receptor extracellular domain and different ErbB cytoplasmic domains (EGFR/ErbB) have been employed. The capacity of these growth factor-receptor complexes to mediate I-EGF internalization, receptor down-regulation, receptor degradation, and receptor co-immunoprecipitation with AP-2 was assayed. In contrast to the EGF receptor, all EGFR/ErbB receptors show impaired ligand-induced rapid internalization, down-regulation, degradation, and AP-2 association. Also, we have analyzed the heregulin-responsive wild-type ErbB-4 receptor, which does not mediate the rapid internalization of I-heregulin, demonstrates no heregulin-regulated receptor degradation, and fails to form association complexes with AP-2. Despite the substantial differences in ligand-induced receptor trafficking between the EGF and ErbB-4 receptors, EGF and heregulin have equivalent capacities to stimulate DNA synthesis in quiescent cells. These results show that the ligand-dependent down-regulation mechanism of the EGF receptor, surprisingly, is not a property of any other known ErbB receptor family member. Since endocytosis is thought to be an attenuation mechanism for growth factor-receptor complexes, these data imply that substantial differences in attenuation mechanisms exist within one family of structurally related receptors.
High school computer science education paves the way for higher education: the Israeli case

The gap between enrollments in higher education computing programs and the high-tech industry’s demands is widely reported, and is especially prominent for women. Increasing the availability of computer science education in high school is one of the strategies suggested in order to address this gap. We look at the connection between exposure to computer science in high school and pursuing computing in higher education. We also examine the gender gap, in the context of high school computer science education. We show that in Israel, students who took the high-level computer science matriculation exam were more likely to pursue computing in higher education. Regarding the issue of gender, we will show that, in general, in Israel the difference between males and females who take computer science in high school is relatively small, and a larger, though still not very large difference exists only for the highest exam level. In addition, exposing females to high-level computer science in high school has more relative impact on pursuing higher education in computing.
The Influence of the Pituitary on Arterial Intimal Proliferation in the Rat

Theformation of arteriosclerotic fibromusculoelastic intimal thickening following arterial de-endothelialization is well documented. Recent findings, both in vitro and in vivo, suggest that platelets are a major participant in the pathogenesis of this lesion by releasing a mitogen to medial smooth muscle cells (SMC). This mitogen results in SMC migration to and proliferation within the intima. A similar mitogen has been described as originating in brain and pituitary tissue. We now report that, in hypophysectomized rats with normal platelet counts, intimal hyperplasia is markedly delayed; pair-fed intact controls normally develop lesions. It therefore appears that the pituitary gland plays a significant role in the experimental arteriosclerotic response.
A Space Virtual-Vector Modulation With Voltage Balance Control for Nested Neutral-Point Clamped Converter Under Low Output Frequency Conditions

The recently-developed nested neutral-point clamped (NNPC) converter is a four-level converter for medium-voltage high-power applications. It has some merits such as operating over wide voltage ranges (2.4–7.2 kV) without switching devices in series and less diodes or capacitors when compared with classical four-level topologies. But it has severe voltage balancing problems under low output frequency conditions when conventional space vector modulation (SVM) or sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) is applied, which limits its wide applications. In order to solve this issue, a space virtual-vector modulation (SVVM) along with a voltage balance control (VBC) algorithm is proposed in this paper. It helps reduce the voltage ripples greatly and maintain them within an acceptable region under low output frequency conditions. Therefore, it guarantees even voltage stresses among switching devices and extends the NNPC converter's applications. Principles of the proposed SVVM and VBC algorithms are elaborated in detail, and the voltage balancing performance is investigated and compared with the cases where conventional SVM and SPWM with the same VBC are applied. The relationship curves between voltage ripples and flying capacitance, output power, and output frequency have been explored and compared for both conventional SVM and proposed SVVM. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Cytogenetic analysis of 434 consecutively ascertained specimens of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma: Correlations between recurrent aberrations, histology, and exposure to cytotoxic treatment

Cytogenetic abnormalities in non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) provide a model system for the analysis of the role of multiple genomic aberrations in human malignancy. In order to define correlations with histology, tumor evolution, and the effects of genotoxic exposure, Cytogenetic analysis was performed on 434 specimens of NHL derived from 423 patients consecutively ascertained over a 5‐year period (1984–1989). Six recurring translocations (RT) were observed: t(14;18)(q32;q21), t(8;14)(q24;q32), t(11;14)(q13;q32), t(3;22)(q27;11), t(2;5)(p23;q35), and t(1;6)(q21;q25). No translocation was specific to a single histologic subtype. Other structural chromosome abnormalities were analyzed according to break site; groups of related breaks were considered together for statistical analysis. Recurring other structural and numerical aberrations (ROA) encountered in >10% of specimens included rearrangements with breaks at bands 1p32–36, 1q21–23, 6q21–25, and trisomies of chromosomes 7 and 12. ROA with one of these breaks or numerical abnormalities were the sole abnormalities in at least two cases. Correlations were observed among ROA and between ROA and histologic subtypes. Trisomy 7, breaks at 1q21–23, 1p32‐36, 6q21–25, and 7q32 were associated with t(14;18); trisomy 18 was associated with trisomy 3; and structural abnormalities of chromosome 17 were associated with breaks at 1p32‐36 and 6q21–25. Trisomy 7 and trisomy 12 were more frequent in t( 14;18)‐bearing intermediate to high grade tumors compared to low grade tumors. Trisomy 12 and breaks at band 1p22 were associated with large cell diffuse lymphomas. Incidence rates of reciprocal translocations, ROA, and measures of karyotypic complexity, including number of breakpoints and marker chromosomes were compared in pretreatment and posttreatment samples. Karyotypic complexity was greater in the posttreatment samples, reflecting an increased frequency of nonrecurring and low incidence aberrations. These results better define the association of genomic aberrations and tumori‐genesis, histologic transformation, and tumor progression.
Accuracy analysis of estimation algorithms for parameters of multiple polynomial-phase signals

The paper develops a method of error analysis for Fourier-transform based sinusoidal frequency estimation in the presence of nonrandom interferences. A general error formula is derived, and then specialized to the cases of additive and multiplicative interferences. Approximate error formulas are derived for the case of additive polynomial-phase interference. Finally, an application to error-analysis in estimating the parameters of multiple polynomial-phase signals is discussed in detail.
Procedimentos metaheurísticos en optimización combinatoria

Los métodos descritos en este art́ıculo reciben el nombre de algoritmos heuŕısticos, metaheuŕısticos o sencillamente heuŕısticos. Este término deriva de la palabra griega heuriskein que significa encontrar o descubrir y se usa en el ámbito de la optimización para describir una clase de algoritmos de resolución de problemas. En el lenguaje coloquial, optimizar significa poco más que mejorar; sin embargo, en el contexto cient́ıfico la optimización es el proceso de tratar de encontrar la mejor solución posible para un determinado problema. En un problema de optimización existen diferentes soluciones y un criterio para discriminar entre ellas. De forma más precisa, estos problemas se pueden expresar como encontrar el valor de unas variables de decisión para los que una determinada función objetivo alcanza su valor máximo o mı́nimo. El valor de las variables en ocasiones está sujeto a unas restricciones. Podemos encontrar una gran cantidad de problemas de optimización, tanto en la industria como en la ciencia. Desde los clásicos problemas de diseño de redes de telecomunicación u organización de la producción hasta los más actuales en ingenieŕıa y re-ingenieŕıa de software, existe una infinidad de problemas teóricos y prácticos que involucran a la optimización. Algunas clases de problemas de optimización son relativamente fáciles de resolver. Este es el caso, por ejemplo, de los problemas lineales, en los que tanto la función objetivo como las restricciones son expresiones lineales. Estos problemas pueden ser resueltos con el conocido método Simplex; sin embargo, muchos otros tipos de problemas de optimización son muy dif́ıciles de resolver. De hecho, la mayor parte de los que podemos encontrar en la práctica entran dentro de esta categoŕıa.
Monitoring Inflammation, Humoral and Cell-mediated Immunity in  Pancreas and Islet Transplants

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by the chronic autoimmune destruction of insulin producing beta cells. Beta cell replacement therapy through whole pancreas or islet transplantation is a therapeutic option for patients in which a stable glucose control is not achievable with exogenous insulin therapy. Long-term insulin independence is, however, hampered by the recipient immune response that includes activation of inflammatory pathways and specific allo- and auto-immunity. The identification and monitoring of soluble and cellular biomarkers are of critical relevance for the prediction of graft damage, for the evaluation of responses to immune-modulating therapy, and for target pathways identification to generate novel drugs or therapeutic approaches. The final objective of immune monitoring is to find ways to improve the outcome of pancreas and islet transplantation. In this review, we discuss the available tools to monitor the innate, humoral and cellular responses after islet and pancreas transplantation, and the most relevant findings generated by these measurements.
Enhance Visual Recognition Under Adverse Conditions via Deep Networks

Visual recognition under adverse conditions is a very important and challenging problem of high practical value, due to the ubiquitous existence of quality distortions during image acquisition, transmission, or storage. While deep neural networks have been extensively exploited in the techniques of low-quality image restoration and high-quality image recognition tasks, respectively, few studies have been done on the important problem of recognition from very low-quality images. This paper proposes a deep learning-based framework for improving the performance of image and video recognition models under adverse conditions, using robust adverse pre-training or its aggressive variant. The robust adverse pre-training algorithms leverage the power of pre-training and generalize the conventional unsupervised pre-training and data augmentation methods. We further develop a transfer learning approach to cope with real-world datasets of unknown adverse conditions. The proposed framework is comprehensively evaluated on a number of image and video recognition benchmarks, and obtains significant performance improvements under various single or mixed adverse conditions. Our visualization and analysis further add to the explainability of the results.
Gaming und Bibliotheken

Zusammenfassung: Das Thema Gaming ist neben Social-Media die nächste große Herausforderung für Bibliotheken. In diesem Beitrag geht es zum einen um die Frage warum sich Bibliotheken dem Thema Gaming erneut nähern sollten und zum anderen was die Deutsch-Amerikanischen Gaming-Liga des Vereins Zukunftswerkstatt Kultur- und Wissensvermittlung e. V. leistet. Abstract: Beside Social-Media Gaming is the big challenge for libraries. This article is about the question why libraris should restart their work concerning the topic of gaming and why the Zukunftswerkstatt Kultur- und Wissensvermittlung e. V. started the „German-American Gaming-League“.
Tadpole competence and tissue‐specific temporal regulation of amphibian metamorphosis: Roles of thyroid hormone and its receptors

Amphibian metamorphosis is a post‐embryonic process that systematically transforms different tissues in a tadpole. Thyroid hormone plays a causative role in this complex process by inducing a cascade of gene regulation. While natural metamorphosis does not occur until endogenous thyroid hormone has been synthesized, tadpoles are competent to respond to exogenous thyroid hormone shortly after hatching. In addition, even though the metamorphic transitions of individual organs are all controlled by thyroid hormone, each occurs at distinct developmental stages. Recent molecular studies suggest that this competence of premetamorphic tadpoles to respond to the hormone and the developmental stage‐dependent regulation of tissue‐specific transformations are determined in part by the levels of thyroid hormone receptors and the concentrations of cellular free thyroid hormone. In addition, at least two genes, encoding a cytosolic thyroid hormone binding protein and a 5‐deiodinase, respectively, are likely to be critical players in regulating cellular free thyroid hormone concentrations. This review discusses how all of these molecuar components coordinate to induce amphibian metamorphosis in a correct spatial and temporal manner. These studies provde us with general clues as to how and why tissues become competent to respond to hormonal signals.
Effect of Divalent Cations on Cation Fluxes Across the Chloroplast Envelope and on Photosynthesis of Intact Chloroplasts

Abstract The effect of divalent cations on cation fluxes across the chloroplast envelope and on photo synthetic reactions of intact spinach chloroplasts was investigated. In the absence of EDTA, divalent cations inhibited photosynthetic CO2-fixation and PGA-reduction at low PGA concentrations, but had almost no effect on the reduction of OAA, BQ, and on PGA-reduction at high PGA concentrations. The inhibitory effect of Ca2+ was greater than that of Mg2+. Inhibition of photosynthesis was greater when the divalent cations were added in the dark than when added in the light. In spite of its inhibitory effect, Mg2+ partially restored the Ca2+ inhibited photosynthesis, indicating the involvement of a Mg2+/Ca2+ antagonism in the inhibitory effect. The inhibitory effect of divalent cations is stronger in a medium with low concentrations of K+ than in the presence of 20 - 50 mᴍ KCl. Mg2+ induced a release of plastidal K+ and an in crease of stromal H+ concentration. The results indicate that external Mg2+ in the absence of EDTA does not influence neither photosynthetic electron transport nor photophosphorylation, but inhibits the light activation of some enzymes of the carbon reduction cycle. The latter is assumed to be due to an acidification of the stroma pH and the decrease of endogenous K+ level. Since the chloroplast envelope has only a very low permeability towards Mg2+, possible mechanisms are discussed by which Mg2+ changes the properties of the chloroplast envelope and thus secondarily induces the observed effects.
Thyroid Hormones Disturbances during Experimental Infection of Trypanosoma Evansi in Goats

Thyroid gland dysfunction was studied in goats experimentally infected with T. evansi based on the levels of serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The infected goats were treated with either Trimoxazol alone or with Quinapyramine and the combination of these two agents. The groups were G1: Uninfected control (negative control); G2: Infected untreated control (positive control); G3: Infected and treated with Sulfamethoxazol; G4: Infected and treated with Quinapyramine; G5: Infected and treated with combined Quinapyramine and Sulfamethoxazol. After six months of treatment, blood samples from the goat of each group were taken and serum was separated by centrifugation. It was found that T4 concentration decreased significantly in goats in group 2, 4 and 5. Similarly, concentration of T3 concentration decreased significantly in treated groups (with the exception of G1). Almost similar trend was also found in TSH concentration in treated groups with significant reduction in G2.
Diagnostic uncertainty of herpangina and hand-foot-and-mouth disease and its impact on national enterovirus syndromic monitoring

SUMMARY The community burden of enterovirus is often monitored through syndromic monitoring systems based on reported cases of enterovirus-related infection (EVI) diagnoses. The extent to which this is affected by under- and over-diagnosis has not been reported. In Taiwan, children often make more than one healthcare visit during an episode of infection. We used change of diagnosis within an episode of infection as a guide of diagnostic uncertainty in a nationally representative cohort of Taiwanese children (n = 13 284) followed from birth to the 9th birthday through electronic health records. We conducted a nested case-control analysis and estimated cross-diagnosis ratios (CDRs) as the observed proportion of acute respiratory infection (ARI) diagnoses following an EVI diagnosis in excess of background ARI burdens. With 19 357 EVI diagnoses in this cohort, the CDR within 7 days was 1·51 (95% confidence interval 1·45–1·57), confirming a significant excess of ARI diagnoses within the week following an EVI diagnosis. We used age-specific CDRs to calibrate the weekly EVI burden in children aged 3–5 years in 2008, and the difference between observed and calibrated weekly EVI burdens was small. Therefore, there was evidence suggesting a small uncertainty in EVI diagnosis, but the observed EVI burdens through syndromic monitoring were not substantially affected by the small uncertainty.