Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A better future for baby: stemming the tide of fetal alcohol syndrome.

Family physicians who care for infants and young children are often asked to diagnose growth lags and failure to meet parents’ expectations for reaching developmental milestones: Why isn’t my child gaining weight? Why isn’t he talking? Th e other kids in the day-care center ride tricycles—why can’t he? Will he catch up? My mother thinks he’s funny looking. Do you? Simple reassurance is all that most of these worried families need. But for families with children whose growth or developmental milestones are suffi ciently outside the usual parameters, more than reassurance is called for. As you consider whether the lags that worry parents are signs of a serious disability, it’s important to make a place for fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in your diff erential. FAS, a congenital disorder caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy, is characterized by growth defi ciency before and after birth, distinctive facial features, and central nervous system (CNS) dysfunctions. Th e cognitive and developmental eff ects of FAS persist throughout life and are severe enough to limit employment and independent living. ❚ A spectrum of severity. FAS is the most severe expression of prenatal alcohol exposure. Th e term fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is a nondiagnostic umbrella term that includes FAS as well as ARND (alcohol-related neurobehavioral disorder) and ARBD (alcohol-related birth defects). Children with ARND and ARBD fail to meet the full FAS diagnostic criteria but still exhibit the negative eff ects of gestational alcohol exposure. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) diagnostic criteria for FAS are summarized in TABLE 1. Studies by the CDC have reported FAS prevalence rates from 0.2 to 1.5 cases per 1000 live births, with a higher prevalence among minority (Native American and African American) and impoverished groups. Mary C. Boyce, MD Department of Family and Community Medicine and Wesley Family Medicine Residency, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita
EPIDEMIC DIARRHEA IN PREMATURE INFANTS. ETIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF A NEWLY RECOGNIZED TYPE OF ESCHERICHIA COLI (0142:K86(B):H6).

IN MARCH 1962 during an outbreak of diarrhea in the ward for premature infants of a small children's hospital (Hospital Moctezuma) in Mexico City, a newly reported serotype of Escherichia coli (0142:K86[B]:H6) which appears to have enteropathogenic properties was isolated. Attempts to recover known enteroviruses or other enteropathogenic bacteria during the epidemic were unsuccessful. Previous to this time, there has been only the original description of this serotype of E coli recorded in the literature. This characterization by Orskov et al 1 was based on a strain isolated from the stools of an infant with diarrhea in Djakarta. Description of Outbreak From March 4 to April 6, 1962, 18 of 21 premature children admitted to the ward of the Hospital Moctezuma developed diarrhea. All these children had come from different maternity hospitals in Mexico City. Six of the 18 infants with diarrhea were seen between March 4 and March 9,
Ergonomy of the inside of a motorcar cabin used by a person with locomotiye disability - a case study. Part I. Anthropometric analysis

The study discusses results of investigations carried out in the course of driving a motorcar by a person with a locomotive disability. Driving tests were conducted in road conditions as well as on a manoeuvring square. Observations concerned interactions of the disabled person during his/her utilisation of different pieces of equipment situated within the reach of the user’s hands. The scope of the performed analysis covered investigations concerning somatic and receptor relationships in the man – technical means system and, to a lesser extent, dealt with the psychological aspects of vehicle driving. The investigations employed selected methods of identification of expectations from direst users – video registration. Initial investigations were carried out for one person with a locomotive disability (paraplegia). Driver’s positions when performing various manoeuvres were initially compared with standard data (access to the comfort zone or comfort angles). The final result of initial experiments is a description of the adjustment of the vehicle with equipment (manually-operated accelerator - brake) to the requirements of the driver with a locomotive disability. Moreover, the authors also give a list of operations, performed in the car, which require either assistance using technical means or redesigning in the motorcar.
Optical fibre long-period grating sensors: characteristics and application

Recent research on fibre optic long-period gratings (LPGs) is reviewed with emphasis placed upon the characteristics of LPGs that make them attractive for applications in sensing strain, temperature, bend radius and external index of refraction. The prospect of the development of multi-parameter sensors, capable of simultaneously monitoring a number of these measurands will be discussed.
The diminishing liquidity premium CFS

Previous evidence suggests that less liquid stocks entail higher average returns. Using NYSE data, we present evidence that both the sensitivity of returns to liquidity and liquidity premia have significantly declined over the past four decades to levels that we cannot statistically distinguish from zero. Furthermore, the profitability of trading strategies based on buying illiquid stocks and selling illiquid stocks has declined over the past four decades, rendering such strategies virtually unprofitable. Our results are robust to several conventional liquidity measures related to volume. When using liquidity measure that is not related to volume, we find just weak evidence of a liquidity premium even in the early periods of our sample. The gradual introduction and proliferation of index funds and exchange traded funds is a possible explanation for these results. JEL Classification: G12, G14
Inhibition of mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fatty acids by pirprofen. Role in microvesicular steatosis due to this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Administration of pirprofen may produce microvesicular steatosis of the liver in humans. The effects of pirprofen on the mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fatty acids have been investigated in mice. In vitro, addition of 2 mM pirprofen decreased by 50% the formation of [14C]acid-soluble beta-oxidation products, and decreased by 70% the formation of [14C]CO2 upon incubation of hepatic mitochondria with [14C]palmitic acid, ATP, carnitine and coenzyme A. In vivo, administration of pirprofen (2 mmol . kg-1 i.p.), 1 hr before that of [U-14C]palmitic acid, decreased by 70% the exhalation of [14C]CO2 during the next 6 hr. Administration of pirprofen (2 mmol . kg-1 i.p.), 1 hr before the measurement, decreased plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate by 60%, plasma acetoacetate by 30% and blood glucose by 40%. Administration of pirprofen (2 mmol . kg-1 i.p.) 6 hr before sacrifice, doubled hepatic triglycerides content and produced microvesicular steatosis of the liver. We conclude that pirprofen inhibits the mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fatty acids in mice, thus explaining the microvesicular steatosis observed in mice and in some human subjects.
Relationships Between Components of Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease and Hypertension

Observational studies have shown a J-shaped relationship between diastolic blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease. We investigated whether the increased risk associated with low diastolic BP reflects elevated pulse pressure (PP). In 22 672 hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease from the CLARIFY registry (Prospective Observational Longitudinal Registry of Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease), followed for a median of 5.0 years, BP was measured annually and averaged. The relationships between PP and diastolic BP, alone or combined, and the primary composite outcome (cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction) were analyzed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Adjusted hazard ratios for the primary outcome were 1.62 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40–1.87), 1.00 (ref), 1.07 (95% CI, 0.94–1.21), 1.54 (95% CI, 1.32–1.79), and 2.34 (95% CI, 1.95–2.81) for PP<45, 45 to 54 (reference), 55 to 64, 65 to 74, and ≥75 mm Hg, respectively, and 1.50 (95% CI, 1.31–1.72), 1.00 (reference), and 1.58 (95% CI, 1.42–1.77) for diastolic BPs of <70, 70 to 79 (ref), and ≥80 mm Hg, respectively. In a cross-classification analysis between diastolic BP and PP, the relationship between diastolic BP and the primary outcome remained J-shaped when the analysis was restricted to patients with the lowest-risk PP (45–64 mm Hg), with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.53 (95% CI, 1.27–1.83), 1.00 (ref), and 1.54 (95% CI, 1.34–1.75) in the <70, 70 to 79 (reference), and ≥80 mm Hg subgroups, respectively. The J-shaped relationship between diastolic BP and cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease persists in patients within the lowest-risk PP range and is therefore unlikely to be solely the consequence of an increased PP reflecting advanced vascular disease. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clarify-registry.com. Unique identifier: ISRCTN43070564.
Serial and Cross-correlation in the Spanish Stock Market Returns

In this paper, we test if stock index prices follow random walks in the Spanish Stock Market by means of variance ratios. We find strong evidence of positive autocorrelation for both IGBM and IBEX35 daily returns until 1977, but not after that date. Although weekly and monthly index positive autocorrelations are not significant during the years 1972-2002, there is significant positive monthly cross-correlation between portfolios based on size. In particular, large stock portfolios seem to lead to the small stock ones.
Compact Semi-Circular Metamaterial-Inspired Dual-Band Antenna

In this study, a compact semi-circular metamaterial-inspired dual-band antenna is presented. The total antenna size is 0.22 o × 0.19 o × 0.02 o. Simulation results show dual-band operation with an impedance bandwidth of 2.7% for first band (resonant at 4.1 GHz) and 25.7% for second band (resonant at 6.15 GHz). The proposed compact metamaterialinspired antenna shows monopole-like radiation pattern in xzplane and dipolar-type radiation pattern in yz-plane at both resonant frequencies with low cross polarization. Compact size with dual band characteristics aided with excellent radiation patterns in xzand yz-plane, allows the proposed antenna to be a suitable candidate in wireless systems (WiMAX). Index Terms Dual-band antenna;metamaterial; monopolelike radiation pattern;WiMAX.
Comparison of a computer based method and the classical manual method for radiographic joint space width assessment in hip osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE To compare the intraobserver reliability and the sensitivity to change of 2 techniques evaluating the cartilage breakdown in hip osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS DESIGN 3 year longitudinal study. PARTICIPANTS patients with painful hip OA. OUTCOME coxofemoral joint space width (JSW) at baseline and at 3 year followup was measured on anteroposterior weight-bearing radiographs by 2 methods: a manual method to obtain JSW at the narrowest point (minimal JSW) using a 0.1 mm graduated magnifying glass and a computer based method to obtain minimal and average JSW. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Two assessments, at one month interval, of each pair of films; evaluation of the intraobserver reliability using the intraclass coefficient of correlation, and the Bland and Altman approach, obtaining the smallest detectable difference (SDD). For each technique, percentage of progressors was evaluated, i.e., the percentage of patients with change greater than the SDD. Evaluation of sensitivity to change was performed using the standardized response mean (SRM), with 95% CI calculated using the jackknife method. RESULTS Twenty-five pairs of films were evaluated. There were no statistically significant differences between the 3 analyses in the calculated intraclass coefficients of correlation, percentage of progressors, or SRM. CONCLUSION These results suggest that both techniques are reliable and sensitive enough to detect changes in a relevant percentage of patients with hip OA after a 3 year followup.
International Differences in Analyst Forecast Properties

This paper examines international differences in analyst forecast properties using 42 countries. Properties of the forecasts, specifically dispersion and error, are hypothesized to be a function of country-specific, firm-specific, and discretionary components, the latter component including analyst bias and management manipulation of their firm’s information environment. The results suggest that country-specific (e.g., corporate governance structures) and firm-specific (e.g., size) components help determine dispersion and error. The most important component, however, appears to be the discretionary component, as analyzed by profitability. Firms with losses are associated with significantly higher dispersion and error and overwhelming percentages of forecast optimism. This paper can be downloaded from the Social Science Research Network Electronic Paper Collection: http://papers.ssrn. com/abstract=275091
BRUCELLA PINNIPEDIALIS INFECTIONS IN PACIFIC HARBOR SEALS (PHOCA VITULINA RICHARDSI) FROM WASHINGTON STATE, USA

Abstract In 1994 a novel Brucella sp. , later named B. pinnipedialis, was identified in stranded harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). This Brucella sp. is a potential zoonotic pathogen and is capable of causing disease in domestic animals. Serologic, microbiologic, and pathologic data collected from live captured and stranded harbor seals were used to better describe the epizootiology of B. pinnipedialis in harbor seals from Washington State, USA, in 1994 through 2006. We found no sex predilection in harbor seal exposure or infection with B. pinnipedialis but noted a significant difference in prevalence among age classes, with weaned pups, yearlings, and subadults having highest exposure and infection. The most common postmortem finding in 26 Brucella-positive animals (culture and/or PCR) was verminous pneumonia due to Parafilaroides spp. or Otostrongulus circumlitus. Our data are consistent with exposure to B. pinnipedialis post-weaning, and it is likely that fish or invertebrates and possibly lungworms are involved in the transmission to harbor seals. Brucella pinnipedialis was cultured or detected by PCR from seal salivary gland, lung, urinary bladder, and feces, suggesting that wildlife professionals working with live, infected seals could be exposed to the bacterium via exposure to oral secretions, urine, or feces. Endangered sympatric wildlife species could be exposed to B. pinnipedialis via predation on infected seals or through a common marine fish or invertebrate prey item involved in its transmission. More work is required to elucidate further potential fish or invertebrates that could be involved in the transmission of B. pinnipedialis to harbor seals and better understand the potential risk they could pose to humans or sympatric endangered species who also consume these prey items.
Improved Prediction of Relative Solvent Accessibility Using Two-stage Support Vector Regression

Predicted relative solvent accessibility (RSA) provides useful information for prediction of binding sites and reconstruction of the 3D-structure based on a protein sequence, which are at the very core of proteomics. Several RSA prediction methods including those that generate real values and those that predict discrete states (buried vs. exposed) have been published. We propose a novel method for real valued prediction that aims to improve the prediction quality when compared with the existing methods. The proposed method combines Support Vector Regression (SVR) predictors into a two-stage architecture. The improved prediction quality comes from a composite sequence representation, which includes a custom-selected subset of features from the PSTBLAST profile, secondary structure predicted with PSTPRED, and binary code that indicates position of a given residue with respect to sequence termini. Based on empirical evaluation with a standard benchmark dataset, the proposed method obtains the mean absolute error (MAE) equal 0.143, which corresponds to 6% error rate reduction when compared with the best performing competing method that obtains 0.152 MAE on this dataset.
The Governance of the Single European Market

The single market in context analyzing the governance of the single market policy-making, the legal system and the single market the regulation of mergers and acquisitions in the single market regulating public procurement contracts in the utilities sectors the removal of technical barriers to trade air transport liberalization regulating transfrontier shipments of waste the protection of pregnant women at the workplace the governance and regulation of the single European market the evolving single market.
SqueezeBands

Mediated social touch technologies aim to transmit the sense of touch between two or more physically distributed partners. Previous work in CSCW has focused mostly on vibrotactile actuation, though there is also significant recent interest in exploring a wider variety of haptic actuation modalities. In this paper, we explore Shape Memory Alloys as a novel means for constriction and heat activation. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach by implementing the SqueezeBands system, which augments social gestures over videochat with haptic actuation. We describe an evaluation of the system with 57 pairs of participants, collaborating on tasks either high or low emotional salience. Our results demonstrate that SqueezeBands encourage greater and more diverse demonstrations of touch and that they may be particularly appropriate for easing mental and physical demand in high emotion tasks. We end with a discussion of the opportunities and challenges in leveraging Shape Memory Alloy actuation for mediated social touch.
Estimating the Diffusion Coefficient Function for a Diversified World Stock Index

This paper deals with the estimation of continuous-time diffusion processes which model the dynamics of a well diversified world stock index (WSI). We use the nonparametric kernel-based estimation to empirically identify a square root type diffusion coefficient function in the dynamics of the discounted WSI. A square root process turns out to be an excellent building block for a parsimonious model for the WSI. Its dynamics allow capturing various empirical stylized facts and long term properties of the index, as well as, the explicit computation of various financial quantities.
Architecture of human mTOR complex 1

From sensing leucine to metabolic control The mTORC1 protein kinase complex plays central roles in regulating cell growth and metabolism and is implicated in common human diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The level of the amino acid leucine tells an organism a lot about its physiological state, including how much food is available, how much insulin is going to be needed, and whether new muscle mass can be made (see the Perspective by Buel and Blenis). Wolfson et al. identified a biochemical sensor of leucine, Sestrin2, which connects the concentration of leucine to the control of organismal metabolism and growth. When leucine bound to Sestrin2, it was released from a complex with the mTORC1 regulatory factor GATOR2, activating the mTORC1 complex. Saxton et al. describe the crystal structure of Sestrin2 and show how it specifically detects leucine. Aylett et al. determined the structure of human mTORC1 by cryoelectron microscopy and the crystal structure of a regulatory subunit, Raptor. The results reveal the structural basis for the function and intricate regulation of this important enzyme, which is also a strategic drug target. Science, this issue p. 43, p. 48, p. 53; see also p. 25 Electron microscopy reveals the structure of a key regulator of growth and metabolism. [Also see Perspective by Buel and Blenis] Target of rapamycin (TOR), a conserved protein kinase and central controller of cell growth, functions in two structurally and functionally distinct complexes: TORC1 and TORC2. Dysregulation of mammalian TOR (mTOR) signaling is implicated in pathologies that include diabetes, cancer, and neurodegeneration. We resolved the architecture of human mTORC1 (mTOR with subunits Raptor and mLST8) bound to FK506 binding protein (FKBP)–rapamycin, by combining cryo–electron microscopy at 5.9 angstrom resolution with crystallographic studies of Chaetomium thermophilum Raptor at 4.3 angstrom resolution. The structure explains how FKBP-rapamycin and architectural elements of mTORC1 limit access to the recessed active site. Consistent with a role in substrate recognition and delivery, the conserved amino-terminal domain of Raptor is juxtaposed to the kinase active site.
SMN interacts with a novel family of hnRNP and spliceosomal proteins

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a common neurodegenerative disease caused by deletion or loss‐of‐function mutations of the survival of motor neurons (SMN) protein. SMN is in a complex with several proteins, including Gemin2, Gemin3 and Gemin4, and it plays important roles in small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) biogenesis and in pre‐mRNA splicing. Here, we characterize three new hnRNP proteins, collectively referred to as hnRNP Qs, which are derived from alternative splicing of a single gene. The hnRNP Q proteins interact with SMN, and the most common SMN mutant found in SMA patients is defective in its interactions with them. We further demonstrate that hnRNP Qs are required for efficient pre‐mRNA splicing in vitro. The hnRNP Q proteins may provide a molecular link between the SMN complex and splicing.
A case study of the role of collective bargaining in corporate change - Qantas Airways Limited

Against a background in the past decade of significant contextual changes, including the deregulation of the airlines, the privatisation of Qantas, and the merger of Australian Airlines, Qantas Airlines Limited has undergone significant organisational change. This change has not been characterised by a linear progression but by fluctuations between traditional organisational structures focussed around industrial relations and HR functions and organisational units headed by change agents specifically recruited to head the change process. These latter executives integrated cultural change strategies through training functions focussing on customer service with alternative organisational forms such as contracting out and competitive tendering. These changes may be seen in terms of productivity oriented strategies. A further imperative complementing these processes was the objective of reducing labour costs. Many of the issues arising from these change processes are industrially sensitive. Throughout the period Qantas continued negotiating with trade unions. Indeed, collective bargaining played a crucial role in establishing the protocols for putting in place many of these radical changes to Qantas. The present industrial relations climate gives Qantas some advantage, but it also raises the question of whether the airline will continue to support the collective bargaining process in an environment where some corporations are adopting individual contracts and eschewing collective bargaining.