Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Derivation of an Ambulatory Prognostic Score Chart for Thai Children with Cerebral Palsy Aged 2 to 18.

Background Most parents want to know that their children with cerebral palsy will be able to walk. A simple tool to predict ambulatory status and one uses The Gross Motor Function Classification System is still lacking. Objective To develop a simple prognostic score chart for predicting ambulatory status in Thai children with cerebral palsy. Material and Method Four hundred seventy one children with cerebral palsy aged 2 to 18 registered and treated at six special schools or hospitals for children with physical disability between 2008 and 2013 were recruited. Baseline characteristics and clinical histories of children with cerebral palsy were collected from medical and physical therapy records. Ambulatory status was classified as three ordinal scales by The Gross Motor Function Classification System - Expanded and Revised version. Results Multivariable ordinal continuation ratio logistic regression analysis identified age, type of cerebral palsy, sitting independently at the age of two, and eating independently as significant predictors of ambulation. These items were combined into a clinical prediction score: non-ambulation (scores <7), assisted ambulation (scores 7 to 8), and independent ambulation (scores >8). Conclusion The prognostic tool has high discriminative values of ambulatory status among children with cerebral palsy. However, the validation of this tool needs to be tested in other subjects before clinical practice application.
Active Inference, Belief Propagation, and the Bethe Approximation

When modeling goal-directed behavior in the presence of various sources of uncertainty, planning can be described as an inference process. A solution to the problem of planning as inference was previously proposed in the active inference framework in the form of an approximate inference scheme based on variational free energy. However, this approximate scheme was based on the mean-field approximation, which assumes statistical independence of hidden variables and is known to show overconfidence and may converge to local minima of the free energy. To better capture the spatiotemporal properties of an environment, we reformulated the approximate inference process using the so-called Bethe approximation. Importantly, the Bethe approximation allows for representation of pairwise statistical dependencies. Under these assumptions, the minimizer of the variational free energy corresponds to the belief propagation algorithm, commonly used in machine learning. To illustrate the differences between the mean-field approximation and the Bethe approximation, we have simulated agent behavior in a simple goal-reaching task with different types of uncertainties. Overall, the Bethe agent achieves higher success rates in reaching goal states. We relate the better performance of the Bethe agent to more accurate predictions about the consequences of its own actions. Consequently, active inference based on the Bethe approximation extends the application range of active inference to more complex behavioral tasks.
Regularized covariance matrix estimation under the common principal components model

ABSTRACT The common principal components (CPC) model provides a way to model the population covariance matrices of several groups by assuming a common eigenvector structure. When appropriate, this model can provide covariance matrix estimators of which the elements have smaller standard errors than when using either the pooled covariance matrix or the per group unbiased sample covariance matrix estimators. In this article, a regularized CPC estimator under the assumption of a common (or partially common) eigenvector structure in the populations is proposed. After estimation of the common eigenvectors using the Flury–Gautschi (or other) algorithm, the off-diagonal elements of the nearly diagonalized covariance matrices are shrunk towards zero and multiplied with the orthogonal common eigenvector matrix to obtain the regularized CPC covariance matrix estimates. The optimal shrinkage intensity per group can be estimated using cross-validation. The efficiency of these estimators compared to the pooled and unbiased estimators is investigated in a Monte Carlo simulation study, and the regularized CPC estimator is applied to a real dataset to demonstrate the utility of the method.
Examining Preadolescent Television Programming by Johanna Rosen — 17 II . Literature Review

Preadolescence is a pivotal time for individuals as they develop their own set of values, attitudes, and beliefs. With children ages 11 to 14 reportedly watching nearly three hours a day of television, TV programming can be enormously influential. This study examined how preteen TV programming has changed over time by comparing and contrasting shows from different decades. This study found the values highlighted in early 21st century programming for preadolescents are more individualistically driven and sensationalized than they were in the 1990s, resulting in a narcissistic preteen culture.
Removing Dynamic Objects from 3 D Maps using Geometry and Learning

In this work we present a new approach for the 3D reconstruction of a scene from RGB-D sequences containing dynamic objects. This challenging problem includes the detection of such objects, as well as the reconstruction of those parts of the scene occluded by them. We propose a combination of computer vision geometry (detection and tracking of dynamic keypoints and associated image regions) and machine learning techniques (Fully Convolutional Neural Networks and Generative Adversarial Networks), which allows us to detect not only objects that are known to be dynamic (e.g., people) but also other elements that change place in the scene (e.g., books carried by people). Our system detects them, removes them from the map and also reconstructs the occluded parts of the scene using information from alternative views.
EFFECTS OF CONSTRUCTION NOISE ON THE COOK INLET BELUGA WHALE (DELPHINAPTERUS LEUCAS) VOCAL BEHAVIOR

Cook Inlet beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are listed as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act. Potential threats to this population include anthropogenic noise and coastal zone development. The Port of Anchorage Marine Terminal Redevelopment (MTR) Project, taking place in the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet, Alaska, involves multiple construction activities including dredging, gravel fill and pile driving. The impacts of construction noise on beluga vocalizations were investigated in this study. Passive sonobuoys were deployed in a four mooring array during 20 d in August and September 2009 near the MTR Project. Data were recorded in real-time at a shore-based observation station. No beluga whistles or noisy vocalizations were recorded during this period; however, beluga echolocation clicks were frequently detected. An energy summation method was used to automatically detect echolocation clicks. Times with and without construction noise (i.e., dredging and pile driving) were determined from long-term spectral averages. The detected hourly click rate was higher during times without (429 detected clicks/h) than with (291 detected clicks/h) construction activity; however, the difference was not statistically significant (t (24) = -0.56, P = 0.58). Lower frequency beluga whale vocalizations (e.g., whistles) were potentially masked, there may be have been an overall reduction in beluga vocalizations, or it is possible belugas were avoiding the area during construction activity.
Photon harvesting from nanostructured metallo-dielectric substrates

4 Introduction 5 Text body – Description of the activity and results 6 2.1 Light-trapping via nanopatterning of glass and TCO interfaces 6 2.2 Patterning of Si and GaAs interfaces : antireflection and Haze functionality 11 2.3 Transparent metal nanoelectrodes with plasmonic functionality 16 Conclusions 17 References 17 ACCORDO DI PROGRAMMA MSE-ENEA
OX40L gene polymorphism and breast cancer in Iranian population.

BACKGROUND AND AIM The immune system plays an important role in the breast cancer development. OX40L (also known as TNFSF4), a membrane protein, which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor super family binds to its receptor OX40 and this co-stimulation has a crucial role in T cell proliferation, survival and cytokine release. Previous studies have shown that OX40L is associated with cancer. Due to the importance of the T cells in antitumor activities of OX40L we studied the association of rs3850641 (A→G) polymorphism of OX40L gene with the breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 123 women with breast cancer and 126 healthy volunteers with no signs of cancer. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood leucocytes. Genotype and allele frequencies were determined in patients and control cases with the method of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and the statistical analysis was performed by Med Calc. RESULTS The prevalence of genotype frequencies of AA/AG/GG were 60.9%, 30.08% and 8.9% in patients with breast cancer cases and 74.6%, 18.25% and 7.14% in healthy volunteers while the A and G allelic frequency was 76.01 and 23.98% in patients and 83.73 and 16.26% in healthy controls, respectively. Statistical analysis has shown signiﬁcant difference from the comparison of genotype (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION It is concluded that the rs3850641 SNP is significantly associated with the breast cancer susceptibility in Iranian population. However, further studies in larger populations including other genetic and environmental factors are required to achieve conclusion.
TX Human Interference Alexa Median Filter EMA Filter PCA Butterworth Filter CSI Processing Module CSI Stream Outlier Detection Module

Home Digital Voice Assistants (HDVAs) are getting popular in recent years. Users can control smart devices and get living assistance through those HDVAs (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Google Home) using voice. In this work, we study the insecurity of HDVA services by using Amazon Alexa and Google Home as case studies. We disclose three security vulnerabilities which root in their insecure access control. We then exploit them to devise two proof-of-concept attacks, home burglary and fake order, where the adversary can remotely command the victim’s HDVA device to open a door or place an order from Amazon.com or Google Express. The insecure access control is that HDVA devices not only rely on a single-factor authentication but also take voice commands even if no people are around them. We thus argue that HDVAs should have another authentication factor, a physical presence based access control; that is, they can accept voice commands only when any person is detected nearby. To this end, we devise a Virtual Security Button (VSButton), which leverages the WiFi technology to detect indoor human motions. Once any indoor human motion is detected, the HDVA device is enabled to accept voice commands. Our evaluation results show that it can effectively differentiate indoor motions from the cases of no motion and outdoor motions in both laboratory and real world settings.
Spiking neural networks for computer vision

State-of-the-art computer vision systems use frame-based cameras that sample the visual scene as a series of high-resolution images. These are then processed using convolutional neural networks using neurons with continuous outputs. Biological vision systems use a quite different approach, where the eyes (cameras) sample the visual scene continuously, often with a non-uniform resolution, and generate neural spike events in response to changes in the scene. The resulting spatio-temporal patterns of events are then processed through networks of spiking neurons. Such event-based processing offers advantages in terms of focusing constrained resources on the most salient features of the perceived scene, and those advantages should also accrue to engineered vision systems based upon similar principles. Event-based vision sensors, and event-based processing exemplified by the SpiNNaker (Spiking Neural Network Architecture) machine, can be used to model the biological vision pathway at various levels of detail. Here we use this approach to explore structural synaptic plasticity as a possible mechanism whereby biological vision systems may learn the statistics of their inputs without supervision, pointing the way to engineered vision systems with similar online learning capabilities.
Weight Fluctuation and Diet Concern Negatively Affect Food-Related Life Satisfaction in Chilean Male and Female Adolescents

Problematic eating behaviors and obesity are frequent problems encountered during adolescence that may potentially result in psychological, social and physical consequences that may interfere with adolescent development and well-being. The present study evaluates the relationship between satisfaction with food-related life and satisfaction with family life, and their relationship with life satisfaction in male and female adolescents. We explored the relationships between both subscales of the Revised Restraint Scale (RRS), Diet Concern (DC) and Weight Fluctuation (WF) and adolescent life satisfaction as well as satisfaction with food-related life and family life. We also explored the moderating role of socioeconomic status (SES). A questionnaire was applied to a non-probabilistic sample of 470 adolescents (mean age 13.2 years, 52.3% female) in Chile, including the RRS, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Satisfaction with Food-related Life (SWL-Food) scale and Satisfaction with Family Life (SWL-Family) scale. Using structural equation modeling, we found that adolescent life satisfaction was related to satisfaction with family life and food-related life in both genders. In male adolescents, a negative relationship was identified between WF and food-related life satisfaction. In contrast, a negative relationship was identified in female adolescents between DC and food-related life satisfaction. DC and WF were not directly related to life satisfaction or to satisfaction with family life in either gender. SES was found to moderate the relationship between food-related life satisfaction and life satisfaction and the relationship between WF and food-related life satisfaction in female adolescents. These findings suggest that reducing DC in female adolescents and reducing WF in male adolescents and female adolescents from higher SES may improve their food-related life satisfaction.
Effects of the Paraquat Herbicide on Oogenesis and Ovary Structure of Wistar Rat strain

Paraquat is a herbicide with Gromoxone brand name. Paraquat is a dark green herbicide, with a liquid formulation which is used as a general contact poison in non-agricultural lands, side roads, orchards and fallow lands, to control all one year broadleaf and narrow leaf weeds effectively. After preparation, Gromoxone is highly poisonous and can be absorbed through skin. In this experiment 50 adult female Wistar rats, each weighing 200 ± 15 grams and three months old, were divided in to 5 groups of 10 specimens, including sham, control, experimental 1, experimental 2 , experimental 3 groups. To study the effect of Paraquat as an herbicide on ovary structure and oogenesis of adult rat, initially the standard LD50 (8 mg / kg BW) was determined by injecting intraperitoneally. Then physiological serum was used as solvent. Then the sub lethal dose (4 mg / kg BW) and half of that dose (medium dose) (2 mg / kg BW) and the minimum dose (1 mg / kg. BW) was injected intraperitoneally once a day, for 14 days. Then the animals were dissected, blood samples were taken, and the ovaries were weighted, and then ovaries were studied macroscopically and microscopically. 5 micron serial sections of ovaries were prepared and were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, and the color results were analyzed statistically. In experimental groups, compared with control groups, a significant alternation in ovarian weight and blood levels of LH and FSH was observed. But significant decrease in the number of primordial, primary and growing follicles, the corpus luteum and its cells and the diameter of Graafian follicles and their oocytes and nuclei, theca and granulosa layers and also the diameter of the corpus luteum and the blood levels of estrogen and progestin were observed. In the number of Graafian and atretic follicles and ovarian diameter, significant increase was observed. As such, based on the foregoing observations it can be concluded that Paraquat treatments for 14 days, can affect ovarian tissues and as a result the oogenesis process in rats.
A High Input Impedance Low Noise Integrated Front-End Amplifier for Neural Monitoring

Within neural monitoring systems, the front-end amplifier forms the critical element for signal detection and preprocessing, which determines not only the fidelity of the biosignal, but also impacts power consumption and detector size. In this paper, a novel combined feedback loop-controlled approach is proposed to compensate for input leakage currents generated by low noise amplifiers when in integrated circuit form alongside signal leakage into the input bias network. This loop topology ensures the Front-End Amplifier (FEA) maintains a high input impedance across all manufacturing and operational variations. Measured results from a prototype manufactured on the AMS 0.35 μm CMOS technology is provided. This FEA consumes 3.1 μW in 0.042 mm2, √ achieves input impedance of 42 GΩ, and 18.2 nv/ Hz inputreferred noise.
BET Inhibition Suppresses S100A8 and S100A9 Expression in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Synergises with Daunorubicin in Causing Cell Death

S100A8 and S100A9 are both members of the S100 family and have been shown to play roles in myeloid differentiation, autophagy, apoptosis, and chemotherapy resistance. In this study we demonstrate that the BET-bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 causes rapid suppression of S100A8 and S100A9 mRNA and protein in a reversible manner. In addition, we show that JQ1 synergises with daunorubicin in causing AML cell death. Daunorubicin alone causes a dose- and time-dependent increase in S100A8 and S100A9 protein levels in AML cell lines which is overcome by cotreatment with JQ1. This suggests that JQ1 synergises with daunorubicin in causing apoptosis via suppression of S100A8 and S100A9 levels.
To Admit or Not to Admit: That is the Cleft Lip Question. Confirming the Safety of Outpatient Cleft Lip Repair

Background: There is no accepted protocol for inpatient versus ambulatory cleft lip surgery. The aim of this study was to review the safety of outpatient repair and develop guidelines. Methods: A retrospective review of patients younger than 2 years undergoing primary cleft lip repair from 2008 to 2015 at six centers was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: predominantly ambulatory (discharged or admitted for specific concerns) and inpatient (admitted due to surgeon’s preference). The impact of independent variables on admission, emergency department visits, and readmission within 1 month of discharge was analyzed. Results: Of 546 patients, 68.1 percent were boys, 4.4 percent had syndromes, and 23.6 percent had comorbidities. One hundred forty-two patients were admitted postoperatively. Forty-nine admissions were attributable to the surgeon’s preference. After excluding this subset, our ambulatory surgery rate was 81 percent. There was no difference in emergency department visits (3 percent versus 2.2 percent; p = 0.6) or readmissions (0 percent versus 1.45 percent; p = 0.5) between groups. None of the ambulatory surgery patients were readmitted within 36 hours, for a successful ambulatory surgery rate of 100 percent. Female sex; surgical time; prematurity and/or postconceptional age younger than 52 weeks; and cardiac, respiratory, central nervous system, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and other congenital comorbidities had significant impact on admission rates in the predominantly ambulatory group (p < 0.05). Respiratory comorbidities and syndromes were risk factors for readmission if patients presented to the emergency department (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Ambulatory cleft lip repair can be performed safely in most patients with no difference in emergency department visits or readmission. Patients with comorbidities should be admitted for observation. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
How to do it: setting up a PrEP service in an integrated sexual reproductive health service setting

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PrEP) has been shown to reduce transmission of HIV in a number of trials; however, there is limited evidence regarding the optimal way to deliver PrEP through pre-existing UK services, particularly through fully integrated drop-in sexual health service models. PrEP in the form of Truvada was launched in Wales in July 2017. We set up a PrEP service to be delivered via our drop-in integrated sexual reproductive health service. In the first 5 months of PrEP service provision, we found unforeseen levels of comorbidity, polypharmacy and renal impairment in our cohort of PrEP patients. As a result, we have altered our service model and all patients are now followed up in booked appointment PrEP clinics run by members of the HIV team. Those patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 60–70 mL/min or with eGFR of 60–80 mL/min and with comorbidities impacting on renal function are monitored every 4–6 weeks initially, and PrEP has been incorporated into our pre-existing virtual HIV renal clinic for discussion with a renal physician. The PrEP team clinicians report that monitoring and managing the PrEP cohort is now easier in its appointment-only format, although some patients have reported that they would prefer a drop-in system.
Properties and Stability of Perilla Seed Protein-Stabilized Oil-in-Water Emulsions: Influence of Protein Concentration, pH, NaCl Concentration and Thermal Treatment

Perilla seed protein (PSP) was extracted from defatted perilla seed meal and applied in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions as an emulsifier. We investigated the influences of protein concentration (0.25–1.5 wt %), pH (3.0–9.0), NaCl concentration (0–350 mmol/L) and thermal treatment (70–90 °C, 30 min) on the physical characteristics of O/W emulsions, including volume-average diameter, ζ-potential, interfacial protein concentration, microstructure and so on. Results showed that increasing PSP concentration would decrease the d4,3 and a 1.0 wt % PSP concentration was sufficient to ensure the stability of emulsion. Under pH 3.0–9.0, emulsions were stable except at pH 3.0–5.0 which was proximal to the isoelectric point (pH 4.5) of PSP. At high NaCl concentrations (250–350 mmol/L), the emulsions exhibited relatively lower absolute ζ-potential values and a large number of aggregated droplets. A moderate thermal treatment temperature (e.g., 70 °C) was favorable for the emulsion against aggregation and creaming. However, when 90 °C thermal treatment was performed, a clear layer separation was observed after 2 weeks storage and the emulsion showed a poor stability. The findings of this work are of great importance for the utilization and development of PSP as an emulsifier for food emulsions.