Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association Between Birth Weight and Adult Disorders in Twins: Validity of Self-reported Birth Weight

As was pointed out issue 4.5 of Twin Research, a growing number of studies have suggested that small size at birth, is associated with an increased propensity to a number of adverse health outcomes in adult life, including hypertension and cardiovascular disease (the fetal origins hypothesis) (Roseboom & Lambalk, 2001). These associations could, however, also be due to genetic or socioeconomic factors affecting both birth weight and health in later life (e.g., size of blood pressure). These confounders can, despite a number of methodological limitations and potential biases, to some extent be controlled for through studies of twin pairs (Leon, 2001). One very important source of bias not adequately addressed in a number of twin studies concerning birth weight and later disease is the validity of self-reported birth weight data (Leon, 2001). In line with Leon (2001) we think that a measurement of the validity of self-reported birth weight and intra-pair birth weight difference is crucial when interpreting analyses using this type of data. We had the opportunity to examine the validity of self-reported birth weight and intra-pair birth weight difference in a subsample of same-sex Danish twin pairs born between 1953–1972 (Brix et al., 1999). In 302 twin individuals (139 complete pairs) we had information on both self-reported and measured birth characteristics. Self-reported birth weight and birth order (first vs. second born) was obtained from a questionnaire survey, whereas measured birth weight was obtained from the original midwife protocols. Classification of the twins in a pair as the firstor second-born twin was based on information from the participating twins concerning the birth sequence. There was complete agreement concerning individual birth sequences within all twin pairs when asking each twin separately. The degree of agreement between the two measures of birth weight can be estimated by using a simple plot of the difference between the two methods (self-reported minus measured birth weight) against their mean (selfreported + measured birth weight divided by 2) (Bland & Altman, 1986) (see Figure). From our data, the mean difference in birth weight (self-reported – measured) is 6.2 gram with a standard deviation of 340 gram, giving a 95 % confidence interval of –660 to + 672 gram. Thus, the self-reported birth weight may be 660 gram below or 672 gram above the measured birth weight, (see Figure). In a similar way we estimated the validity of the intra-pair birth weight difference (birth weight of the first minus second born) when birth Association Between Birth Weight and Adult Disorders in Twins: Validity of Self-reported Birth Weight
An ERP Study in English Relative Clause Processing by Chinese-English Bilinguals

Abstract The processing of relative clauses receives much concern from linguists. The finding that object relatives are easier to process than subject relatives in Chinese challenges the notion that subject relative clauses are preferred universally. A large body of literature provides theories related to sentence processing mechanisms for native speakers but leaves one area relatively untouched: how bilinguals process sentences. This study is designed to examine the case where the individuals with a Chinese L1 language background process subject-extracted subject relative clauses (SS) and subject-extracted object relative clauses (SO) by using eventrelated potentials (ERPs) to probe into the real-time language processing and presents a direct manifestation of brain activity. The findings from this study support the subject relative clause preference due to the strong influence of English relative clause markedness and bilinguals’ relative lower working memory capacity.
Texture synthesis using spiral algorithm with orthogonal polynomials model

In this paper, an efficient technique for synthesizing textures based on the orthogonal polynomials (OP) model is proposed. Initially, the OP model is applied to input image and coefficient blocks of the input texture are efficiently synthesized to form the output texture. An algorithm based on OP and using Spiral Search method is applied to find the best matching block for synthesizing the texture. To find the significant coefficients, automatically generated threshold is used. The best blocks are synthesized using spiral search methods in which the nearest best match block will be identified in spiral manner rather than searching the whole image and hence reduce the searching time. OP model is computationally efficient due to its operators
The Periodic Half-Width Microstrip Leaky-Wave Antenna With a Backward to Forward Scanning Capability

The periodic half-width microstrip leaky wave antenna (MLWA) with a backward to forward scanning capability is presented in this paper. The proposed antenna consists of a series of half-width MLWA. The radiating periods place on the different sides of the transmission line. The radiating period works in cutoff region of the first higher order mode, the periodic construction radiates the slow wave out along the edge. The experimental results show the main lobe scans electronically and continuously from 149° to 28° in H-plane ( y-z plane) toward end fire (+ z direction) when the operating frequency increases from 4.2-. 9 GHz.
Active Labor Market Policies

Active labor market policies are massively used with the objective being to improve labor market outcomes of individuals out of work. Many observational evaluation studies have been published. In this review, we critically assess policy effectiveness. We emphasize insights from recent randomized controlled trials. In addition, we examine policy effects that have not been the primary object of most of the past evaluations, such as anticipatory effects of advance knowledge of future treatments and equilibrium effects, and we discuss the actual implementation of policies. We discuss the importance of heterogeneity of programs and effects and examine the extent to which potential participants are interested in enrollment. We also discuss the assessment of costs and benefits of programs.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Cricetulus kamensis (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Abstract The Cricetulus kamensis is endemic to China and is popular as pet. In the present study, the complete mitogenome of C. kamensis was first determined. It was 16,270 bp in length and the composition and arrangement of its genes are analogous to most other mammals. The overall base composition of heavy strand is 33.2% A, 26.8% T, 27.2% C and 12.7% G. The sequence is highly G-C poor (∼40%) and A is the most numerous nucleotide followed by T >C >G, which is similar to other mammalian mitochondrial genomes. It is notable that three extra bases “CAT” were inserted in cytb at the 3′ end position and no stop codon was found for this coding region. The mitogenome sequence of C. kamensis could contribute to a better solution of its phylogenetic position and phylogenetic relationship within Cricetinae in the future.
Predicting the continued use of overlays in school children – a comparison of the Developmental Eye Movement test and the Rate of Reading test

Coloured overlays have been advocated to enhance reading speed and ability in children with reading difficulty or dyslexia. Assessing the efficacy of overlays has to date been largely subjective. Objective assessment is presently carried out with the Rate of Reading test (RRT), where an increase in reading speed of more than 5% is considered to indicate a positive prognosis for continued use of the overlay. The Developmental Eye Movement (DEM) test is used to assess horizontal scanning behaviour in a number naming task. In this study both tests were utilised to determine whether coloured overlays could enhance reading performance or scanning. This article shows that for some children rate of reading is not improved with coloured overlays although performance on the DEM test does improve. Improvements to the DEM scores occurred in 88% of children who continued to use overlays for more than 3 months. This compared with 60% sensitivity in the RRT. The possible reasons for this phenomenon and the clinical implications are discussed.
Évolution des différentes fonctions en maison de retraite

Les maisons de retraite ont profondement evolue au cours des deux dernieres decennies, tant par leur environnement materiel que par leurs niveaux de qualite de services et de soins. Les salaries ont fait face a de nouvelles exigences, sans pourtant que leurs efforts soient reellement reconnus. L’absence de commande publique precise, de modele de reference, ainsi que les tabous qui entourent ces institutions ont constitue un contexte defavorable a cette reconnaissance. La definition de fonctions soignantes particulieres aux maisons de retraite devrait etre approfondie, apres avoir precise le cadre indispensable au bon fonctionnement des etablissements (definition des valeurs en particulier). En plus des soignants, c’est l’ensemble des intervenants professionnels qui est concerne par l’accompagnement des residents.
Hypoxia Inducible Factor-α Binding and Ubiquitylation by the von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein*

The von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein (pVHL) has emerged as a key factor in cellular responses to oxygen availability, being required for the oxygen-dependent proteolysis of α subunits of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF). Mutations in VHL cause a hereditary cancer syndrome associated with dysregulated angiogenesis, and up-regulation of hypoxia inducible genes. Here we investigate the mechanisms underlying these processes and show that extracts from VHL-deficient renal carcinoma cells have a defect in HIF-α ubiquitylation activity which is complemented by exogenous pVHL. This defect was specific for HIF-α among a range of substrates tested. Furthermore, HIF-α subunits were the only pVHL-associated proteasomal substrates identified by comparison of metabolically labeled anti-pVHL immunoprecipitates from proteosomally inhibited cells and normal cells. Analysis of pVHL/HIF-α interactions defined short sequences of conserved residues within the internal transactivation domains of HIF-α molecules sufficient for recognition by pVHL. In contrast, while full-length pVHL and the p19 variant interact with HIF-α, the association was abrogated by further N-terminal and C-terminal truncations. The interaction was also disrupted by tumor-associated mutations in the β-domain of pVHL and loss of interaction was associated with defective HIF-α ubiquitylation and regulation, defining a mechanism by which these mutations generate a constitutively hypoxic pattern of gene expression promoting angiogenesis. The findings indicate that pVHL regulates HIF-α proteolysis by acting as the recognition component of a ubiquitin ligase complex, and support a model in which its β domain interacts with short recognition sequences in HIF-α subunits.
Recombination deficient mutants of Escherichia coli K12 that map between thy A and argA.

phenotypic and the genetic of three independently isolated mutants of the latter class. It will be shown that the and rec-23 of these strains lie between thyA and the by streaking to single colonies, and tested for unselected markers. To test the transductants for the presence of the rec gene, their X-ray sensitivity was determined. They were grown overnight in YET medium and inoculated in streaks of YET agar plates with wild-type and recombination deficient (Rec-) controls. Half of each plate was irradiated with about 30 krads of 6 Mev electrons. After overnight incubation at 37"C, the strains carrying rec failed to grow on the irradiated portion of the plates.
Distal 3p deletion syndrome: Detailed molecular cytogenetic and clinical characterization of three small distal deletions and review

The distal 3p deletion syndrome is characterized by developmental delay, low birth weight and growth retardation, micro‐ and brachycephaly, ptosis, long philtrum, micrognathia, and low set ears. We have used FISH and BACs in order to map three 3p deletions in detail at the molecular level. The deletions were 10.2–11 Mb in size and encompassed 47–51 known genes, including the VHL gene. One of the deletions was interstitial, with an intact 3p telomere. In nine previously published patients with 3p deletions, the size of the deletion was estimated using molecular or molecular cytogenetic techniques. The genotype, including genes of interest, and the phenotype of these cases are compared and discussed. The localization of the proximal breakpoint in one of our patients suggests that the previously identified critical region for heart defects may be narrowed down, now containing three candidate genes. We can also conclude that deletion of the gene ATP2B2 alone is not enough to cause hearing impairment, which is frequently found in patients with 3p deletion. This is the third reported case with an interstitial deletion of distal 3p. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Accumulation of p 53 Protein Correlates with a Poor Prognosis in Human Lung Cancer

Mutations in the gene coding for the p53 tumor suppressor protein are common in a variety of human cancers. To assess the role of a putative mutated p53 protein in human lung cancer, a monoclonal an tibody recognizing it was used in an immunoperoxidase detection sys tem. A total of 114 cases of Stage I and II adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas were studied. The staining pattern was always intranuclear and heterogeneous. When the median or mean survival time was compared between cases, p53 accumulation had a statistically significant negative prognostic value. This was supported by a KaplanMeier survival plot of p53 producers and nonproducers. In 7 of 24 Stage II cases that were negative for p53 in the primary tumor, metastatic regional lymph nodes were p53-positive. These latter cases had greatlyreduced survival times. Thus, p53 accumulation in primary tumors (and regional lymph nodes) may identify a subgroup of lung cancer patients with a prognosis of more aggressive disease.
The theoretical limits to the power output of a muscle–tendon complex with inertial and gravitational loads

When a muscle delivers power to an inertial load through a spring, the peak power can exceed the maximum that the muscle alone could produce. Using normalized differential equations relating dimensionless quantities we show, by solving the equations either analytically or numerically, that one dimensionless constant (Ξ), representing the inertial load, is sufficient to specify the behaviour during shortening of a muscle–tendon complex with linear force–velocity and force–extension properties. In the presence of gravity, an additional constant (Γ), representing the gravitational acceleration, is required. Nonlinear force–velocity and force–extension relationships each introduce an additional constant, representing their curvature. In the absence of gravity the power output delivered to an inertial load is limited to approximately 1.4 times the maximum power of the muscle alone, and when gravity is present the power delivered is limited to approximately twice the power of muscle alone. These limits are found for the purely inertial load at Ξca. 1 and with gravity acting at ΞΓ = 0.5 with Ξ arbitrarily small. The effects of nonlinear muscle and tendon properties tend to cancel each other out and do not produce large deviations from these optima. A lever system of constant ratio between muscle and load does not alter these limits. Cams and catches are required to exceed these limits and attain the high power outputs sometimes observed during explosive animal movement.
Autonomic arousal in an appetitive context in primates: a behavioural and neural analysis

Central to many emotional responses is the accompanying peripheral somatic and autonomic arousal, feedback from which has been hypothesized to enhance emotional memory and to contribute to appraisal processes and decision making, and dysfunction of which may contribute to antisocial behaviour. Whilst peripheral arousal may accompany both positive and negative emotional contexts, its relationship with the former is poorly understood, as are the neural mechanisms underlying such a relationship. The purpose of the present study was to determine the autonomic correlates of anticipation, as well as consumption, of high incentive food, in the freely moving common marmoset and to investigate the contribution of the amygdala to such effects. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured remotely by a telemetric device implanted into the descending aorta and behavioural responses were monitored whilst marmosets viewed preferred or non‐preferred foods and were then allowed access to eat those foods. A marked rise in blood pressure in unrestrained marmosets was observed in response both to the sight of highly preferred foods (anticipatory period) as well as during the actual consumption of those foods (consummatory period). Excitotoxic lesions of the amygdala abolished the autonomic arousal in the anticipatory period, but spared both the behavioural arousal in the anticipatory period and the autonomic arousal in the consummatory period. Together these data serve as an important step towards understanding the role of autonomic arousal in emotion and its neural underpinnings.
High Efficacy of Combined Albendazole and Ivermectin Treatment Against Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Vervet Monkeys and Baboons

Conventional treatment that eliminates other gastrointestinal nematodes has failed to show adequate efficacy against Trichuris trichura in non-human primates (NHPs). We investigated the efficacy of albendazole and ivermectin against natural infestation of nematodes in non human primates. 18 vervet monkeys ( Chlorocebus aethiops ) and 21 baboons ( Papio anubis ) were divided into three treatment groups comprising of 6 vervets and 7 baboons per group. Albendazole (ABZ, 7.5mg/kg) was administered orally, and ivermectin (IVM, 300I¼g/kg) subcutaneously, each for three consecutive days. Group I animals were treated with a combination of albendazole and ivermectin, Group II ABZ alone, while Group III animals were treated with IVM alone. Faecal samples were collected at 0, 7, 14 and 28 days post treatment (dpt) and analysed for the presence of faecal eggs using the McMaster and formol ether acetyl (FEA) methods. Faecal egg count reduction percentage (FECR (%)) and cure rate (CR (%) i.e. percentage of faecal egg negative individuals after treatment) were used to determine the efficacy of the treatment regimens. The FEA method was found to be a more sensitive assessment method than the McMaster technique. When both methods were used the helminths observed included Trichuris trichura (100% in both NHPs) and strongyles (29.4% in vervets and 28.6% in baboons). In vervets, the FECR of T. trichura at 28 dpt was 100% (Group I), 75% (Group II) and 0% (Group III) while the CR (at the same time point) was 100% (Group I), 60% (Group II) and 0% (Group III). In baboons, the FECR% and CR% of T. trichura at 28dpt, for groups I, II, III was 100%, 100%, 0%, respectively. All the three drug regimens were curative (100%) of strongyles at 28 dpt. It is concluded that a combined ivermectin and albendazole treatment for 3 days is effective in treating T. trichura and strongyles infections in vervet monkeys and baboons. Further trials should be conducted using a bigger sample size as well as in other primates including humans.
Retraction of “Women’s Preference for Attractive Makeup Tracks Changes in Their Salivary Testosterone”

At the request of the authors, the following article has been retracted by the Editor and publishers of Psychological Science: Fisher, C. I. , Hahn, A. C. , DeBruine, L. M. , & Jones, B. C. (2015). Women’s preference for attractive makeup tracks changes in their salivary testosterone. Psychological Science, 26, 1958–1964. doi:10.1177/0956797615609900
Apprentissage de fonctions visuelles pour un robot mobile par programmation génétique. (Learning Visual Functions for a Mobile Robot with Genetic Programming)

En robotique mobile, les techniques d'apprentissage qui utilisent la vision artificielle representent le plus souvent l'image par un ensemble de descripteurs visuels. Ces descripteurs sont extraits en utilisant une methode fixee a l'avance ce qui compromet les capacites d'adaptation du systeme a un environnement visuel changeant. Nous proposons une methode permettant de decrire et d'apprendre des algorithmes de vision de maniere globale, depuis l'image percue jusqu'a la decision finale. L'application visee est la fonction d'evitement d'obstacles, indispensable a tout robot mobile. Nous decrivons de maniere formelle la structure des algorithmes d'evitement d'obstacles bases sur la vision en utilisant une grammaire. Notre systeme utilise ensuite cette grammaire et des techniques de programmation genetique pour apprendre automatiquement des controleurs adaptes a un contexte visuel donne. Nous utilisons un environnement de simulation pour tester notre approche et mesurer les performances des algorithmes evolues. Nous proposons plusieurs techniques permettant d'accelerer l'evolution et d'ameliorer les performances et les capacites de generalisation des controleurs evolues. Nous comparons notamment plusieurs methodes d'evolution guidee et nous en presentons une nouvelle basee sur l'imitation d'un comportement enregistre. Par la suite nous validons ces methodes sur un robot reel se deplacant dans un environnement interieur. Nous indiquons finalement comment ce systeme peut etre adapte a d'autres applications utilisant la vision et nous proposons des pistes pour l'adaptation d'un comportement en temps reel sur le robot.
A comprehensive framework for evaluating the environmental health and safety implications of engineered nanomaterials

Abstract Engineered nanomaterials (ENM) are a growing aspect of the global economy, and their safe and sustainable development, use, and eventual disposal requires the capability to forecast and avoid potential problems. This review provides a framework to evaluate the health and safety implications of ENM releases into the environment, including purposeful releases such as for antimicrobial sprays or nano-enabled pesticides, and inadvertent releases as a consequence of other intended applications. Considerations encompass product life cycles, environmental media, exposed populations, and possible adverse outcomes. This framework is presented as a series of compartmental flow diagrams that serve as a basis to help derive future quantitative predictive models, guide research, and support development of tools for making risk-based decisions. After use, ENM are not expected to remain in their original form due to reactivity and/or propensity for hetero-agglomeration in environmental media. Therefore, emphasis is placed on characterizing ENM as they occur in environmental or biological matrices. In addition, predicting the activity of ENM in the environment is difficult due to the multiple dynamic interactions between the physical/chemical aspects of ENM and similarly complex environmental conditions. Others have proposed the use of simple predictive functional assays as an intermediate step to address the challenge of using physical/chemical properties to predict environmental fate and behavior of ENM. The nodes and interactions of the framework presented here reflect phase transitions that could be targets for development of such assays to estimate kinetic reaction rates and simplify model predictions. Application, refinement, and demonstration of this framework, along with an associated knowledgebase that includes targeted functional assay data, will allow better de novo predictions of potential exposures and adverse outcomes.