Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developmental Dyscalculia

Severe difficulties in learning about numbers and arithmetic are probably as widespread as disorders of literacy development (dyslexia). The best prevalence estimates for each lie between 3.6% and 6.5% (see Table 26.1). Studies in the U.K. have revealed that poor mathematical skills are more of a handicap in the workplace than poor literacy skills (Bynner & Parsons, 1997). However, there has been much less research on dyscalculia than on dyslexia, and it is a much less widely recognized type of learning disability. In the U.K., its existence was first recognized by the Department of Education in 2001 (DfES, 2001). In this chapter, I argue for a highly selective and specific deficit of a very basic capacity for understanding numbers, which leads to a range of difficulties in learning about number and arithmetic. This proposal is based on the idea that we are born with a capacity specialized for recognizing and mentally manipulating numerosities (cardinal values) and that this capacity is likely to be embodied in specialized neural circuits. Recent findings show that infants, even in the first week of life, are sensitive to the numorosity of a visual display (see below for further details). This capacity functions as a kind of starter kit for understanding numbers and arithmetic. Selective deficits will arise, on this view, when the specialized capacity, or " number module " (Butterworth, 1999), fails to develop normally. I shall call this " the defective number module hypothesis. " However, many researchers, as will be discussed, argue that difficulties in learning mathematics are due to a single impairment or combination of impairments in more general or more basic cognitive systems, and, as can be seen in chapters 8 and 25 in this volume, there is an alternative view about the basis of numerical abilities. According to some students of infant capacities (e., we are born not with a capacity for recognizing and mentally manipulating discrete numerosities but, rather, with a capacity for representing continuous quantities plus knowledge of the " integer list " (number words) which enables the development of representations for discrete numerosities above four. According to this view, linguistic disturbances can be critical for the development of numeracy, whereas in the first view, understanding numerosities and language are quite independent. Some support for the defective number module hypothesis comes from studies of neurologi-cal patients who can show a sharp dissociation between those with severe acalculia but …
Health‐related quality of life and employment status of liver transplant patients

Health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) is one preferable outcome measure of medical interventions such as liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to compare HRQoL of LT patients with that of the general population and to assess the employment status of LT patients. HRQoL was measured with the 15D instrument, a validated, non–disease‐specific, 15‐dimensional, self‐administered HRQoL instrument. The questionnaire was sent to all adult LT patients in Finland (401 patients) alive in June 2007. The response rate was 89% (353 patients). The results were compared to those of 6050 age‐standardized and gender‐standardized controls from the general population. LT patients (mean age, 55 years; range, 20‐82) had slightly worse HRQoL scores than the general population (mean 15D score, 0.889 versus 0.907; P < 0.002). Survival time and retransplantation did not affect HRQoL significantly in age‐adjusted and gender‐adjusted analyses. HRQoL decreased with increasing age (P < 0.0001). Patients transplanted for acute liver failure (ALF) or chronic liver disease (CLD) had significantly worse HRQoL than the general population (P = 0.014 and P = 0.040). Forty‐four percent of working‐age patients were employed at the time of the study. Persons that were employed had significantly better HRQoL than those unemployed (15D scores, 0.934 versus 0.859; P < 0.0001). Eighty‐seven percent of patients experienced improved working capacity after LT. Early retirement was the most common cause of unemployment (56% of unemployed patients), and those patients presented with worse HRQoL than patients unemployed for other reasons. In conclusion, HRQoL of LT patients is very close to that of the general population. Older age, CLD, and ALF impair HRQoL. Employment is an indicator of HRQoL. Liver Transpl 15:64–72, 2009. © 2008 AASLD.
Model predictive control of interleaved dc-dc stage for photovoltaic microconverters

The development of different configurations and topologies implemented in photovoltaic (PV) plants have made possible the increase of efficiency of the system. The traditional configurations of grid-connected PV systems, centralized, string, multi-string and ac-module, have been analyzed and actually most of them are controlled using classic PI control. Furthermore, each of them has different efficiency values due to the inherent associated problems. The large-scale PV plants do not work properly when the modules do not work at the same conditions, for example when some atmospheric and environmental problems are involved, it reduces the reliability of the system. The traditional small-scale PV configurations have a low efficiency due to the dc-boosting stage in order to reach the grid levels. This work presents a grid-connected PV configuration, focused in the improve of the efficiency of the traditional ac-module configuration, a flyback topology for the dc-side and a H-bridge topology for the grid connection will be implemented. Moreover, the proposed control scheme is based on FCS-MPC algorithm.
Misalignment effect on efficiency of wireless power transfer for electric vehicles

In order to consistently provide efficient EV wireless charging, changes in efficiency caused by coil misalignment should be investigated. This body of work uses a vector network analyzer to record the power transmission coefficients then calculate the efficiency and coupling factors. An automated 3-axis platform was built for coil motion control. The test result shows that the efficiency can remain at 90% as long as the misalignment ratio is within 0.5 and the air gap ratio is from 0 to 0.25.
The relationship between physician cost and functional status in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between functional status and physician cost (general practitioner/specialist) in an elderly population. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A longitudinal study involving 328 patients aged 65 years or over admitted to medical and surgical wards of a Sydney metropolitan hospital over a 10-month period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Two predictive cost models were developed using multiple linear regression analyses. Nine predictors were modelled including functional status (Short Form 36; SF-36) and major diagnostic categories. These models were then applied to the Australian SF-36 norms to produce a profile of cost by level of functioning. RESULTS After adjusting for potential confounders, five variables were found to be predictive of general practitioner cost at a 5% significance level. Females and age were positively associated, whereas case note mention of post-discharge services and high SF-36 vitality and role emotional scores were negatively predictive. For specialist cost, five variables were statistically significant. The SF-36 domains of physical functioning and mental health were positively associated. Higher vitality, role emotional scores and case note mention of post-discharge services were negatively associated. CONCLUSIONS Cost models can be used to highlight the differences between general practitioner and specialist attendances, guide future physician care of the aged, and facilitate informed decision making.
Influence of elevated ambient temperature upon some physiological measurements of New Zealand White rabbits

P < 0.01) lower in the experimental group. Furthermore, elevated Ta increased the mortality rate (MR) in both age groups. The mortality rate was 30.36% for growing and adult rabbits of the experimental group, compared with 7.14% for the control group, and was 25% for adult compared with 34.38% for growing experimental rabbits. Exposure of NZW rabbits of both ages and genders to elevated ambient temperature (36°C ± 3 °C), negatively affected their internal homeostasis which was reflected in their growth rate and various physiological signs.
The anterior inferior cerebellar artery in the internal auditory canal

It has been proposed that compression of the auditory and vestibular nerve trunks by vascular loops might be the cause of otherwise unexplained hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo, as well as Men‐iere's disease. We studied the human temporal bone histological collection at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary to determine whether audiovestibular symptoms could be correlated with the presence of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery within the internal auditory canal. Anterior inferior cerebellar artery loops were found within the internal auditory canals of 12.3% of 1327 temporal bones, about half the number found when preparations with intact brains are studied. This difference can be attributed to avulsion of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery during removal of the brain at autopsy. There were 5 cases of unexplained unilateral hearing loss with anterior inferior cerebellar artery loops: 3 in the opposite ear and 2 in both ears. There were 2 cases with unilateral unexplained tinnitus with anterior inferior cerebellar artery loops: 1 in the involved ear and 1 in the opposite ear. A case with bilateral tinnitus had an anterior inferior cerebellar artery loop in 1 ear. There were 29 cases of vertigo with no peripheral histo‐pathological correlate or central nervous system disorder; anterior inferior cerebellar artery loops were found in the internal auditory canals of 7 (12.5%) of the 56 ears in this group, which is not significantly different from the 12.3% incidence recorded for the entire collection. In 23 cases of unilateral Meniere's disease, there were anterior inferior cerebellar artery loops in the hydropic ears in 3, the opposite ear in 1, and both ears in 1. We can find no correlation between unexplained hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, or Meniere's disease and the presence of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery in the internal auditory canal.
Measurement of Cadaver Lumbar Spine Motion Segment Stiffness

Study Design. Prospective. Objectives. To measure lumbar spine motion segment stiffness and relate it to the degree of disc degeneration. Summary of Background Data. The association between the instability of the lumbar spine motion segment and disc degeneration remains unclear. The traditional method for determining motion segment instability at the time of decompressive surgery is a manual test performed by the surgeon. To quantify instability of the lumbar spine, a vertebrae distractor was developed in the authors’ laboratory to measure motion segment stiffness by applying a defined load at a constant rate. Methods. Lumbar stiffness was measured by subjecting cadaver lumbar spine motion segments to a constant rate flexion–traction load and recording the magnitude of the resistance to distraction versus the range of motion. Disc degeneration was measured by pressure–volume discography and by grading of disc morphology. Results. Motion segment stiffness decreased with the initial stages of disc degeneration and then increased with severe disc degeneration. This measure of motion segment stiffness correlated well with a manual stiffness measure. Conclusions. The observed results follow an accepted hypothesis of motion segment instability associated with disc degeneration.
Continuous attractor-based clocks are unreliable phase estimators

Statistical estimation theory determines the optimal way of estimating parameters of a fluctuating noisy signal. However, if the estimation is performed on unreliable hardware, a sub-optimal estimation procedure can outperform the previously optimal procedure. Here, we compare classes of circadian clocks by viewing them as phase estimators for the periodic day-night light signal. We find that continuous attractor-based free running clocks, such as those found in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus and humans, are nearly optimal phase estimators since their flat attractor directions efficiently project out light intensity fluctuations due to weather patterns (`external noise'). However, such flat directions also make these continuous limit cycle attractors highly vulnerable to diffusive 'internal noise'. Given such unreliable biochemical hardware, we find that point attractor-based damped clocks, such as those found in a smaller cyanobacterium with low protein copy number, Prochlorococcus marinus, outperform continuous attractor-based clocks. By interpolating between the two types of clocks found in these organisms, we demonstrate a family of biochemical phase estimation strategies that are best suited to different relative strengths of external and internal noise.
Bronchoscopic Microsampling to Analyze the Epithelial Lining Fluid of Patients with Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium Complex Disease

Background: A new bronchoscopic microsampling (BMS) probe has recently been developed, which allows the minimally invasivecollection of epithelial lining fluid (ELF) simultaneously from multiple sites. While the number of immunocompetent patients with pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex(MAC) disease is growing, the precise pathogenesis of the disease remains to be clarified. Objectives: This study aimed to measure biochemical markers in the ELF of patients with pulmonary MAC disease using BMS. Methods: We studied 8 healthy volunteers (controls) and 8 patients with pulmonary MAC disease. In the patients, ELF was collected from visibly abnormal (involved) and normal (uninvolved) sites using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Results: The concentration of IFN-γ (means ± SEM) was significantly higher in patient ELF sampled from involved (26.62 ± 9.66 pg/ml) than from uninvolved sites (5.33 ± 1.44 pg/ml; p < 0.05) or from normal controls (<1.56 pg/ml; p < 0.05). In most patients, there was no difference in IFN-γ concentrations between the involved and uninvolved sites. The concentration of KL-6 in ELF was significantly higher in the involved (793 ± 108 U/ml) than in the uninvolved sites (192 ± 43 U/ml;p < 0.05) or in normal controls (186 ± 38 U/ml;p < 0.05). Conclusions: The specific inflammatory reaction caused by MAC infection might not be limited to sites that were visibly abnormal on HRCT. Although further improvement has to be considered, BMS may help to increase the understanding of the pathogenesis of various respiratory disorders.
On globalization ‘with Chinese characteristics’?

Abstract This Commentary looks at Globalization ‘with Chinese Characteristics’ (quanqiu hua yu zhongguo tese) as revealed through the lens of President Xi Jinping’s recent speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January, 2017. In this, he sets out a positive role for the PRC in the ‘Globalization’ stakes. He also puts himself forward as ‘Expert’, rather than ‘Red’, in the ongoing polemic on the benefits of further reductions in barriers to doing business. But whether this may be taken at its face value remains to be seen. Whilst the Chinese appear to promote more of ‘Globalization’ and the Americans seem to retreat from the model, the world economic community may well suspend its judgement.
Quantitative expression profiling of identified neurons reveals cell-specific constraints on highly variable levels of gene expression

The postdevelopmental basis of cellular identity and the unique cellular output of a particular neuron type are of particular interest in the nervous system because a detailed understanding of circuits responsible for complex processes in the brain is impeded by the often ambiguous classification of neurons in these circuits. Neurons have been classified by morphological, electrophysiological, and neurochemical techniques. More recently, molecular approaches, particularly microarray, have been applied to the question of neuronal identity. With the realization that proteins expressed exclusively in only one type of neuron are rare, expression profiles obtained from neuronal subtypes are analyzed to search for diagnostic patterns of gene expression. However, this expression profiling hinges on one critical and implicit assumption: that neurons of the same type in different animals achieve their conserved functional output via conserved levels and quantitative relationships of gene expression. Here we exploit the unambiguously identifiable neurons in the crab stomatogastric ganglion to investigate the precise quantitative expression profiling of neurons at the level of single-cell ion channel expression. By measuring absolute mRNA levels of six different channels in the same individually identified neurons, we demonstrate that not only do individual cell types possess highly variable levels of channel expression but that this variability is constrained by unique patterns of correlated channel expression.
New parents and mental disorders: a population-based register study.

CONTEXT Studies on postpartum mental disorders among mothers have primarily focused on either depression or psychoses and have generally not included the broader spectrum of mental disorders. A few studies have found that some men have symptoms of depression after becoming fathers, but these studies have not documented whether this exceeds the morbidity among men in general. OBJECTIVES To estimate the risk of postpartum mental disorders necessitating hospital admission or outpatient contact for mothers as well as fathers during a 1-year postnatal follow-up period after birth of first live-born child and to investigate whether parents in general differ from nonparents in the risk of admission with a mental disorder and how this difference varies with age. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Register-based cohort formed by linking information from Danish health and civil service registers. A total of 2,357,942 Danish-born persons were followed up from their 15th birthday or January 1, 1973, whichever came later, until date of onset of the disorder in question, date of death, date of emigration from Denmark, or July 1, 2005, whichever came first. From 1973 to 2005, a total of 630,373 women and 547,431 men became parents for the first time, and during the first year after childbirth, these parents contributed 1,115,639 person-years at risk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE First-time psychiatric hospital admission or outpatient contact 0 to 12 months after becoming a parent. RESULTS A total of 1171 mothers and 658 fathers were admitted with a mental disorder to a psychiatric hospital during the first 12 months after parenthood, and the corresponding prevalence of severe mental disorders through the first 3 months after childbirth was 1.03 per 1000 births for mothers and 0.37 per 1000 births for fathers. Compared with women who had given birth 11 to 12 months prior, primiparous women had an increased risk of incident hospital admission with any mental disorder through the first 3 months after childbirth, with the highest risk 10 to 19 days postpartum (relative risk [RR], 7.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.44-9.81). Among mothers, risk was also increased for psychiatric outpatient contacts through the first 3 months after childbirth, also with the highest risk occurring 10 to 19 days postpartum (RR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.99-3.59). Unlike motherhood, fatherhood was not associated with any increased risk of hospital admission or outpatient contact. CONCLUSION In Denmark, the risk of postpartum mental disorders among primiparous mothers is increased for several months after childbirth, but among fathers there is no excess of severe mental disorders necessitating admission or outpatient contacts.
A New Radiation Hardened by Design Latch for Ultra-Deep-Sub-Micron Technologies

Soft errors induced by cosmic radiation have become an urgent issue for ultra-deep-sub-micron (UDSM) technologies. In this paper, we propose a new radiation hardened by design latch (RHBDL). RHBDL can improve robustness by masking the soft errors induced by SEU and SET. We evaluate the propagation delay, power dissipation and power delay product of RHBDL using SPICE simulations. Compared with existing reported solutions such as TMR-latch, RHBDL is less SEU-sensitive, more area efficient, delay and power efficient.
The Evaluation of Service Quality in Fast Food Industry

The evaluation of service quality is very important for fast food industry. This paper construct the service quality evaluation system of fast food industry based on the customer's point of view, and put forward the questionnaire of service quality in fast food restaurant (FFR). Through the investigation and analysis, a valuable target system of service quality in FFR was constructed. Due to the strong correlation between the indicator variables, simultaneously in order to ensure minimum data loss, it can be used for multi-dimensional system reduces the dimensions of the principal component analysis. Using the SPSS statistical software to change the nine evaluation factors of service quality in FFR into nine related principal component and then according the mark result and list names. Finally, this article takes KFC, McDonald's, Yonghe King and Malan Lamian four fast-foods restaurant as examples; identify the key factors affecting the service quality of FFR.
Three essays in macroeconomics

Two different themes, both within Macroeconomics, are tackled in this work. The first and second chapters study how enterprises access financial resources to finance their investment. The third chapter relates to international macroeconomics, analysing the effect of foreign exchange interventions on the exchange rate level. How do Chinese smalland medium-sized enterprises manage to bypass financial constraints and invest, despite their limited access to formal bank loans? What is the impact of the recent banking sector reforms in China? In my first chapter, I show evidence of the crucial role played by alternative sources of funding namely family, friends, non-listed equity and further informal institutions in supplementing usual financing sources like bank loans and reinvested profits. I conclude that liberalizing the banking sector significantly increases steady-state aggregate production and capital levels. Tightening the regulation of the alternative finance sector remains detrimental to small, young enterprises, even if simultaneous to liberalizing the banking sector. The second chapter suggests a theoretical mechanism driving fluctuations in the ability of newcomer enterprises to obtain financial resources for their investment projects. I examine the differentiated impact of a shock in commercial banks’ refinancing cost on loan distribution, distinguishing among borrowers according to their previous loan history with the bank. Since loan officers have more information on incumbent borrowers than on newcomers, they may prioritize loans to incumbents against loans to newcomers, as a response to the shock. The last chapter (joint with G. Adler and R. C. Mano) studies the impact of foreign exchange intervention for a large panel of countries. We find robust evidence that foreign exchange intervention affects the level of the exchange rate in an economically meaningful way: a country purchasing (selling) its own domestic currency appreciates (depreciates) it. In addition, these effects are found to be quite persistent.