Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Methylphenidate and Behavior Modification on the Social and Academic Behavior of Children With Disruptive Behavior Disorders: The Moderating Role of Callous/Unemotional Traits

This study examined whether response to behavior modification with and without methylphenidate differed for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct problems (CP) depending on the presence of callous/unemotional (CU) traits. Participants were 37 children ages 7 to 12, including 19 with ADHD/CP-only and 18 with ADHD/CP-CU, referred to a university-based summer treatment program. Results showed that ADHD/CP-CU children had worse behavior in the behavior-therapy-only (BT-only) condition, especially on measures of CP, noncompliance, and rule violations, but these differences largely disappeared when medication was added to BT. Children with ADHD/CP-CU were also less likely to be normalized by treatment than were children with ADHD/CP-only. These findings, though tentative, suggest that children with ADHD/CP-CU may not show a sufficient positive response to BT alone and that the combination of medication and BT may be especially important for them.
IJCNLP-2017 Task 5: Multi-choice Question Answering in Examinations

The IJCNLP-2017 Multi-choice Question Answering(MCQA) task aims at exploring the performance of current Question Answering(QA) techniques via the realworld complex questions collected from Chinese Senior High School Entrance Examination papers and CK12 website1. The questions are all 4-way multi-choice questions writing in Chinese and English respectively that cover a wide range of subjects, e.g. Biology, History, Life Science and etc. And, all questions are restrained within the elementary and middle school level. During the whole procedure of this task, 7 teams submitted 323 runs in total. This paper describes the collected data, the format and size of these questions, formal run statistics and results, overview and performance statistics of different methods
Metabolic Endotoxemia Initiates Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Diabetes and obesity are two metabolic diseases characterized by insulin resistance and a low-grade inflammation. Seeking an inflammatory factor causative of the onset of insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes, we have identified bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a triggering factor. We found that normal endotoxemia increased or decreased during the fed or fasted state, respectively, on a nutritional basis and that a 4-week high-fat diet chronically increased plasma LPS concentration two to three times, a threshold that we have defined as metabolic endotoxemia. Importantly, a high-fat diet increased the proportion of an LPS-containing microbiota in the gut. When metabolic endotoxemia was induced for 4 weeks in mice through continuous subcutaneous infusion of LPS, fasted glycemia and insulinemia and whole-body, liver, and adipose tissue weight gain were increased to a similar extent as in high-fat–fed mice. In addition, adipose tissue F4/80-positive cells and markers of inflammation, and liver triglyceride content, were increased. Furthermore, liver, but not whole-body, insulin resistance was detected in LPS-infused mice. CD14 mutant mice resisted most of the LPS and high-fat diet–induced features of metabolic diseases. This new finding demonstrates that metabolic endotoxemia dysregulates the inflammatory tone and triggers body weight gain and diabetes. We conclude that the LPS/CD14 system sets the tone of insulin sensitivity and the onset of diabetes and obesity. Lowering plasma LPS concentration could be a potent strategy for the control of metabolic diseases.
Reduced anxiety‐like behavior and central neurochemical change in germ‐free mice

Background There is increasing interest in the gut‐brain axis and the role intestinal microbiota may play in communication between these two systems. Acquisition of intestinal microbiota in the immediate postnatal period has a defining impact on the development and function of the gastrointestinal, immune, neuroendocrine and metabolic systems. For example, the presence of gut microbiota regulates the set point for hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis activity.
Relationship between dyslipidemia and gene polymorphism in Tibetan population.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between SNPs reported in previous studies and the blood lipid level in the Tibetan population. METHODS Random cluster sampling was employed in 5 areas (Lhasa, Shigatse, Shannan, Nagqu, and Nyingchi). The levels of cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from blood samples were determined and DNA was extracted for genotyping and statistical analyses. RESULTS Among 1 318 subjects aged >18 years enrolled in this study, 367 had dyslipidemia with a prevalence of 27.8%, of whom dyslipidemia males accounted for 33.1% and dyslipidemia females -24.5%. Results of the correlation analysis between all SNPs and TG showed that the SNPs of rs714052 and rs964184 were related to the serum TG level. Subjects with rs714052 CC genotype had the lowest TG level, and the highest TG level was found in those with rs714052 TT genotype. The serum TG level in individuals with TC genotype lied in between the above two population groups. Subjects with rs964184 CC genotype had the lowest TG level, and the highest serum TG level was noted in those with rs964184 GG genotype. CONCLUSION Several SNPs were found to be related to the serum TG level in the Tibetan population. The APOA5 gene and MLXIPL gene may be closely associated with the serum TG level in this ethnic population group.
Biomechanical model study of muscle tendon

The three elements model of Hill is commonly used in biomechanical simulations to predict passive and active muscle forces. Here, a model is presented which consists of two elements: a series of elastic elements and a structure consisting of an elastic element and a damping element in parallel. So it is clear that the ternary viscoelastic mechanic model of muscle tendon consists of the binary model of muscle and the unitary model of tendon in series. The model has an important effect on the movement of the fingers, and it can help other researchers to design the exoskeleton rehabilitation robot hand better.
Expansion of Th17 Cells by Human Mast Cells Is Driven by Inflammasome-Independent IL-1β

Mast cells (MC) are most well known for their role in innate immune responses. However, MC are increasingly recognized as important regulators of adaptive immune responses, especially in setting the outcome of T cell responses. In this study we determined the effect of MC on cytokine production by naive and memory human Th cells. CD4+ T cells were cultured with MC supernatant or control medium, after which cytokine production by T cells was determined. Supernatant of activated MC specifically increased the number of IL-17–producing T cells. This enhancement of Th17 cell number was specifically observed for the memory CD4+ T cell population and not for the naive CD4+ T cell population. The effect of MC was inhibited for ∼80% by blocking Abs to IL-1β and the rIL-1R antagonist anakinra. Importantly, secretion of active IL-1β by MC was independent of caspase activity, indicating that Th17 cell expansion by MC occurred through inflammasome-independent IL-1β. Together, these studies reveal a role for human MC in setting the outcome of T cell responses through release of caspase-independent IL-1β, and provide evidence for a novel contribution of MC in boosting the Th17 axis in mucosal immune responses.
Mutations predisposing to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: database and results of a collaborative study. The International Collaborative Group on Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Germline mutations in four DNA mismatch repair genes are known to cause susceptibility to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). The rapidly increasing information about these mutations needs to be collected and appropriately stored to facilitate further studies on the biological and clinical significance of the findings. METHODS The International Collaborative Group on HNPCC has established a database of DNA mismatch repair gene mutations and polymorphisms. In this report, 126 predisposing mutations were analyzed. RESULTS A majority of the mutations affected either the Mut L homologue (MLH) 1 (n = 75) or the Mut S homologue (MSH) 2 (n = 48) and were quite evenly distributed, with some clustering in MSH2 exon 12 and MLH1 exon 16. Most MSH2 mutations consisted of frameshift (60%) or nonsense changes (23%), whereas MLH1 was mainly affected by frameshift (40%) or missense alterations (31%). Although most mutations were unique, a few common recurring mutations were identified. Of the families studied (n = 202), 82% met the Amsterdam criteria and 15% did not; the general mutation profile was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS The construction of mutation profiles will facilitate the development of diagnostic strategies in HNPCC.
Natural health product–drug interaction tool

Natural health products (NHPs), such as herbal medicines, probiotics, vitamins and minerals, are used regularly by 73% of Canadians.1 Many consumers believe that NHPs derived from plants (such as herbal medicines) are safe because they are “natural. ”1 However, some plant-derived NHPs can interact with pharmaceutical medications, potentially resulting in serious harm for patients.2 A recent active surveillance study found that approximately 45% of consumers presenting to a Canadian pharmacy report using NHPs and prescription drugs concomitantly, with 7.4% describing an adverse event.3 It is important for clinicians to initiate patient communication about NHP use and be knowledgeable about the potential risks to ensure patient safety. Unless clinicians ask, they may be unaware of patient NHP use. Most NHPs can be purchased from many sources without involvement of a health professional, and many patients do not disclose NHP use to clinicians.4 However, education about NHP interactions is not always included within medical and pharmacy curricula,5 and new evidence on NHP–drug interactions is constantly emerging. In addition, a quick search of the medical literature might identify contradictory information or poor-quality reports that are challenging to interpret. Clinicians could benefit from effective knowledge translation tools to identify and prevent potential NHP–drug interactions in their patients. As pharmacists have confirmed the utility of a NHP–drug interaction grid6 as an effective knowledge translation tool,7 we undertook a scoping review to identify and incorporate new NHP–drug interactions.
Administration of Silica Particles or Anti-Lyt2 Antibody Prevents β-Cell Destruction in NOD Mice Given Cyclophosphamide

The cellular pathway of β-cell destruction in type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes is still undefined. L3T4+ T-lymphocytes have a role in both the initiation of insulitis and in recurrent disease in transplanted allogeneic islets in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. The roles of macrophages and Lyt2+ T-lymphocytes in β-cell destruction were studied in cyclophosphamide-induced diabetic NOD mice with silica particles and a rat anti-Lyt2 monoclonal antibody. After administration of cyclophosphamide, 10 of 26 untreated mice and 1 of 21 anti-Lyt2-treated mice became diabetic. Insulitis was significantly reduced in anti-Lyt2-treated mice, and immunocytochemical staining showed a lack of Lyt2+ cells. Only 1 of 19 silica-treated mice became diabetic, compared to 8 of 19 control mice. This study demonstrates that both Lyt2+ T-lymphocytes and macrophages are necessary, but not sufficient, for β-cell destruction in NOD mice. Therefore, we propose that macrophages present β-cell antigen to L3T4+ cells, which induce cytotoxic Lyt2+ cells to specifically destroy β-cells.
FTAs and Income Convergence

The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether FTAs cause the income levels of member economies to converge or diverge. Although previous studies predicted the possibility of convergence among FTA members to a certain degree, they failed to provide definitive evidence. By using the concept of accelerating convergence, this study aims to estimate the pure convergence effects of FTAs separate from the conventional notion of income convergence, so-called β-convergence. The neoclassical model of economic growth has been extended to incorporate varying steady states for an open economy framework. Applying the system GMM method to a dynamic panel of data consisting of major FTAs including the European Union, NAFTA, Mercosur, and AFTA, and encompassing the cases of launching an FTA, expanding membership, or deepening FTA integration we find considerable evidence for the income convergence effect of FTAs.
Cooperative RoboCup agents using genetic case-based reasoning

RoboCup soccer game is a competition game. Robots need good strategy and planning ability on different conditions to win the game. If robots act by prior rules, they cannot gain ground. In this paper, we proposed a hybrid approach to implement our RoboCup agent. It can provide good strategy for robots planning base on all kinds of conditions and saving experience for reusing. Robots will grow up by our hybrid approach without prior defining knowledge and complex math basis. They just learn by saving experience. The robots don't only grow up but also avoid to making the same mistakes. And we show the effectiveness of the proposed method through implement and comparing with another learning approach.
The next Sumatera tsunami: Who will live and who will die?

This article focuses not on those who died from the tsunami of 26 December 2004, but on those who surprisingly lived – why they lived, and where, and how they were protected from the tsunami. Normally those most at risk are those closest to the epicentre. Yet on Boxing Day, many survived in locations closer to the epicentre than Banda Aceh or Meulaboh – let alone Sri Lanka or Tamil Nadu. It seems that in some areas of Sumatera, natural defences shielded them from the force of the wave, attenuating the impact. If this thesis is correct, then those best protected by natural defences will have the best chance of living through the next tsunami. The key to saving lives in the future is to examine who survived on 26 December and why; to locate the critical areas; and then to design and undertake appropriate measures for strengthening nature’s defences. This approach has its limitations. Some tsunamis are of such a magnitude that no natural defence mechanism will work and people must move inland to higher elevations. But it is important to grasp that the size of a tsunami is not the same at all locations. The initial size is a function of intensity and direction of the earthquake and its depth below the earth’s surface. The size decreases with distance as the energy spreads over a wider area. Size will also decrease if the wave is diffracted around the corner of a large body, such as Sumatera. The waves that hit western Thailand were diffracted and were not as high as along Aceh.
Model-based Framework for Integrated Evolution of Business and IT Changes - Integrated Evolution of Business and IT Changes

This paper introduces a goal-oriented framework which consists of generic and specific model repositories, and of methodology for integrated change management of business and IT evolutions. Is based on model compositions and traceability assessments of goal-oriented and scenario models. It contains a versioning-based cooperative work environment for business analysts to generate strategy decisions and simulations, themselves. The techniques and tools used are from the User Requirements Notation standard for requirements engineering and its supporting tools. Sets of models for visual documentation of BABOK 2.0 standard for business analysis, and of ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002 standards for information security, form the model repository to support developers and decision makers. These rise the generic aspect of the framework. An instantiation of framework for B2B change management with empirical validation within an SME, has been done. In a long way, this framework will be a base on a more complex system configuration control framework.
Perispinal TNF-alpha inhibition for discogenic pain.

OBJECTIVE To examine the potential of etanercept, a biological inhibitor of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), delivered by perispinal administration, for the treatment of pain associated with intervertebral disc disease. METHODS Charts from 20 selected patients treated at our private clinic by perispinal delivery of etanercept 25 mg for severe, chronic, treatment-resistant discogenic pain were reviewed. Therapeutic benefit was assessed clinically and was documented by changes in a validated pain instrument, the Oswestry Disability Index. The patients were treated off-label with etanercept as part of our usual practice of medicine. Five detailed case reports are presented, including three additional patients. RESULTS Rapid, substantial and sustained clinical pain reduction was documented in this selected group of patients. The cohort of 20 patients had a mean age of 56.5 and mean duration of pain of 116 months. Nine of the patients had undergone previous spinal surgery; 17 had received an epidural steroid injection or injections (mean 3.2). This group of patients received a mean of 1.8 doses (range 1-5, median 1.0) of etanercept during the observation period. The mean length of follow-up was 230 days. Clinical improvement was confirmed by a decrease in the calculated Oswestry Disability Index from a mean of 54.85 +/- 12.5 at baseline, improving to 17.2 +/- 15.3 (p <0.003) at 24 days and ending at 9.8 +/- 13 (p <0.003) at 230 days. CONCLUSIONS TNF inhibition by etanercept delivered by perispinal administration may offer clinical benefit for patients with chronic, treatment-resistant discogenic pain. Further study of this new treatment modality is warranted.
Evaluation of occupational disease surveillance in six EU countries.

BACKGROUND Registries of occupational diseases in various European countries differ considerably in criteria for notification and recognition, statistical data provided and the legal and social security context. Therefore, figures on occupational diseases are not comparable between countries and are often regarded as not reliable even within a country. Still, registries of occupational diseases are an important source for policy on occupational safety and health. AIMS To evaluate registries of occupational diseases in European (EU) countries for their ability to provide appropriate information for preventive policy. METHODS Contact persons of national registries for occupational diseases in six countries were sent a questionnaire on the objectives of their registry and on the quality of monitoring time trends and alerting to new risks. An auditor then visited each contact person, discussed the completed questionnaire and sent a draft audit report to the contact person for verification. Two reviewers then established a quality score based on the verified audit report. The results of the audit were sent to each contact person, who was asked to evaluate the usefulness of the audit instrument for future quality improvement of the registry. RESULTS The objectives of the registries assessed in the six countries were compensation, provision of statistics, prevention and research. The average quality was rated 3.2 (SD 2.2) out of 10 for monitoring occupational diseases and 5.3 (SD 1.4) out of 10 for alerting to new risks. The main reasons for the low scores were inadequate education and training of physicians and poor participation of notifying physicians. Three of the six contact persons (50%) agreed that the audit could actually contribute to future quality improvement of the registry in relation to prevention. CONCLUSIONS Registries in EU countries do not adequately monitor existing occupational diseases or adequately alert to newly occurring occupational diseases. There is an urgent need to improve the education and participation of notifying physicians.
A Rigorous Model for Through-Silicon Vias With Ohmic Contact in Silicon Interposer

High-density through-silicon via (TSV) interconnects in silicon interposer require effective crosstalk-reduction signaling schemes and rigorous crosstalk modeling techniques. In this letter, we propose a rigorous model for grounded TSVs with ohmic contact. The proposed model takes into account contact resistance, doping density, and doping-region capacitance for the metal-silicon interface of grounded TSVs. The comparison between modeling results and full-wave simulations validates the accuracy of the proposed model for signal-ground-signal vias.
Capacitor mismatch error cancellation technique for a successive approximation A/D converter

An error cancellation technique is described for suppressing capacitor mismatch in a successive approximation A/D converter. At the cost of a 50% increase in the conversion time, the first order capacitor mismatch error is cancelled. Methods for achieving top-plate parasitic insensitive operation are described, and the use of a gain- and offset-compensated op amp is explained. SWIT-CAP simulation results show that the proposed 16-bit SAR ADC can achieve an SNDR of over 91 dB under nonideal conditions, including 1% 3/spl sigma/ nominal capacitor mismatch, 10-20% randomized parasitic capacitors, 66 dB op amp gain, and 30 mV op amp offset.
The digestion of yeast cell wall polysaccharides in veal calves

1. The digestibility of the cell wall polysaccharides of an alkane-grown yeast in different parts of the digestive tract of two veal calves fitted with re-entrant cannulas at the end of the ileum was studied by replacing part of the skim-milk powder of their ‘normal’, milk-substitute (all-milk-protein) diet by yeast (yeast diet). 2. The lactose and glucose of both the all-milk-protein diet and the yeast diet were almost completely digested before the end of the ileum. During this digestion a small amount of oligosaccharides composed of galactose and glucose was synthesized. These oligosaccharides were digested again in the large intestine. 3. The constituent sugars of the water-soluble fraction of the yeast cell wall carbohydrates were glucose and mannose. The 0.5 m-sulphuric acid-hydrolysate of the water-insoluble fraction contained glucose and mannose and the 12 m-H2SO4-hydrolysate only glucose. 4. Digestibilities of these fractions over the whole gastrointestinal tract ranged from 0.77 to 0.90. Digestibilities measured at the end of the ileum varied considerably between the two animals and averaged only about 0.40. 5. These findings suggest that the cell wall polysaccharides of yeast are digested very little by the normal digestive enzymes of the calf's small intestine, but are used as a substrate by the bacterial flora which are mainly concentrated in the large intestine.