LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Non-speech oro-motor exercises in post-stroke dysarthria intervention: a randomized feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND
There has been little robust evaluation of the outcome of speech and language therapy (SLT) intervention for post-stroke dysarthria. Non-speech oro-motor exercises (NSOMExs) are a common component of dysarthria intervention. A feasibility study was designed and executed, with participants randomized into two groups, in one of which NSOMExs were a component of the intervention programme.


AIMS
To examine (1) operational feasibility of the programme; (2) participants' views of the programme; and (3) speech intelligibility, communication effectiveness and tongue and lip movement at four points (A1 and A2 before, and A3 and A4 after intervention).


METHODS & PROCEDURES
Thirty-nine participants were randomized into Group A (n=20) and Group B (n=19). Groups were equivalent at enrolment in demographic variables and A1 measures. Intervention was behavioural, delivered in eight home-based SLT sessions, and included practise of individually appropriate words, sentences and conversation, and for Group B also NSOMExs. Between-session practice was recorded in a diary. Data on speech intelligibility, effectiveness of communication in conversation, self-rated situational communication effectiveness, and tongue and lip movement were collected at 8-week intervals, twice before and twice after intervention. Anonymous evaluation (AE) questionnaires were completed.


OUTCOME & RESULTS
The recruited number was 20% below the target of 50. Thirty-six participants completed the intervention and 32 were followed through to A4. The programme was delivered to protocol and fidelity was verified. Thirty-four AEs were returned. These showed high satisfaction with the programme and its outcome. According to diary records from 32 participants, 59% carried out at least the recommended practice amount. Outcome measure performance across the four assessment points did not indicate any group effect. For the whole sample both externally rated and self-rated communication effectiveness measures showed statistically significant gains across the intervention period (A2/A3), which were maintained for 2 months after intervention (A2/A4). Non-intervention period changes (A1/A2 and A3/A4) were not present. There were no intervention-related gains in tongue and lip movement or speech intelligibility, but the latter is likely to be attributable to a ceiling effect on scores.


CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS
The results indicate positive outcomes associated with a short period of behavioural SLT intervention in the post-stroke dysarthria population. The inclusion of NSOMExs, delivered in accordance with standard clinical practice, did not appear to influence outcomes. The results must be viewed in relation to the nature of feasibility study and provide a foundation for suitably powered trials.
Cold-induced aggregation microextraction based on ionic liquids and fiber optic-linear array detection spectrophotometry of cobalt in water samples.

A new simple and rapid cold-induced aggregation microextraction (CIAME) method was applied to preconcentrate cobalt(II) ions from water samples as a prior step to its determination by fiber optic-linear array detection spectrophotometry (FO-LADS). In this method, very small amounts of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [Hmim][PF(6)] and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide [Hmim][Tf(2)N] as hydrophobic ionic liquids (ILs) and extractant solvents were dissolved in the sample solution containing Triton X-114 (anti-sticking agent). 1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) was chosen as the complexing agent. After dissolving, the solution was cooled in the ice bath and a cloudy solution was formed of IL fine droplets due to the decrease of IL solubility. After centrifuging, the fine droplets of extractant phase were settled to the bottom of the conical-bottom centrifuge tube. Analysis was carried out by a fiber optic-linear array detector spectrophotometer at 570 nm. In this method, which is robust against high content of salt and water-miscible organic solvents, various parameters were investigated and optimized. The applicability of the technique was evaluated by the determination of trace amounts of cobalt in several water samples. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) of the method was 0.14 ng mL(-1) and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for 30 ng mL(-1) cobalt was 2.32%.
Flexible automation of cell culture and tissue engineering tasks.

Until now, the predominant use cases of industrial robots have been routine handling tasks in the automotive industry. In biotechnology and tissue engineering, in contrast, only very few tasks have been automated with robots. New developments in robot platform and robot sensor technology, however, make it possible to automate plants that largely depend on human interaction with the production process, e.g., for material and cell culture fluid handling, transportation, operation of equipment, and maintenance. In this paper we present a robot system that lends itself to automating routine tasks in biotechnology but also has the potential to automate other production facilities that are similar in process structure. After motivating the design goals, we describe the system and its operation, illustrate sample runs, and give an assessment of the advantages. We conclude this paper by giving an outlook on possible further developments.
Early immunotherapy using autologous adult stem cells reversed the effect of anti-pancreatic islets in recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus: Preliminary results

BACKGROUND
Bone marrow stem cell treatment has been proven a promising therapeutic strategy and showed significant results given the strong immune modulating properties. We have investigated the safety and efficacy of autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation through liver puncture in two patients with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
The procedure was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. In 2011, in three young patients, type 1 diabetes mellitus diagnosis was confirmed, with the presence of positive antibodies and ketoacidosis. Two patients was treated with autologous bone marrow stem cell stimulated with filgrastim and transplantation, through liver puncture, as immune modulators. One patients was treated with conventional treatment and participate in this experiment as a control group. The families of the patients signed the informed consent. No specific statistical analysis was performed. The patients had less than 8 years old, diagnosis of type 1 diabetes for less than 60 days, body mass index less than 22 kg/m2, normal complete blood count, coagulation and renal function, no lesions in target organs, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level less than 13.70%, c-peptide level less than 0.67 ng/ml, positive results of Islets Cells Antibody (ICA), Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) and insulin antibody.


RESULTS
In two patients treated, the follow up at 12 months showed negative value in ICA, GAD and anti insulin antibody levels, with an increased levels of c peptide and decreased levels of blood glucose and HbA1c.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with autologous bone marrow stem cells is easy and effective as it reversed the production and effect of anti pancreatic islet antibody and significantly resulted in an increased c-peptide concentration.
Maximizing charging throughput in rechargeable sensor networks

Energy is one of the most critical optimization objectives in wireless sensor networks. Compared with renewable energy harvesting technology, wireless energy transfer based on magnetic resonant coupling is able to provide more reliable energy supplies for sensors in wireless rechargeable sensor networks. The adoption of wireless mobile chargers (mobile vehicles) to replenish sensors' energy has attracted much attention recently by the research community. Most existing studies assume that the energy consumption rates of sensors in the entire network lifetime are fixed or given in advance, and no constraint is imposed on the mobile charger (e.g., its travel distance per tour). In this paper, we consider the dynamic sensing and transmission behaviors of sensors, by providing a novel charging paradigm and proposing efficient sensor charging algorithms. Specifically, we first formulate a charging throughput maximization problem. Since the problem is NP-hard, we then devise an offline approximation algorithm and online heuristics for it. We finally conduct extensive experimental simulations to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithms are efficient.
Saline pomphus around scalp arteries can block migraine pain

Sirs: In our preceding letter [3], we reported that prolonged compression of scalp arteries can abort a migraine attack. In the attempt to explain the mechanism by which this occurs, we considered the possibility of an inhibitory effect on the periarterial visceral afferent nerve. We took into account the paper by Afridi et al. [1], who performed a single injection of 3 ml of 2 % lidocaine (plus 80 mg methylprednisolone) around the greater occipital nerve (GON) on 101 patients with primary headache, obtaining long-lasting complete or partial response in 26 of 57 injections in 54 migraineurs. However, they reported that only about half of the injections had an anesthetic effect in the area of the GON. We therefore supposed that the positive effect reported was due not to blocking the GON, but possibly to the involvement of the neighboring occipital artery and its periarterial visceral nervous afferents. On this basis, we decided to try a lidocaine injection around the occipital artery in the hope of aborting a migraine attack. A woman, 48 years old, affected with LETTER TO THE EDITORS
Comparing dropouts and persistence in e-learning courses

Several studies have been conducted related to dropouts from on-campus and distance education courses. However, no clear definition of dropout from academic courses was provided. Consequently, this study proposes a clear and precise definition of dropout from academic courses in the context of e-learning courses. Additionally, it is documented in literature that students attending e-learning courses dropout at substantially higher rates than their counterparts in on-campus courses. Little attention has been given to the key factors associated with such substantial difference. This study explores two main constructs: (1) academic locus of control; and, (2) students satisfaction with e-learning. Results show that students satisfaction with e-learning is a key indicator in students decision to dropout from e-learning courses. Moreover, dropout students (non-completers) reported to have significantly lower satisfaction with e-learning than students who successfully completed (completers or persistent students) the same e-learning courses. Additionally, results of this study show that the academic locus of control appears to have no impact on students decision to drop from e-learning courses. 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Serologic profile and mortality rates of scleroderma renal crisis in Italy.

OBJECTIVE
To analyze clinical and serological characteristics of subjects with scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) in Italian patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of medical records from 9 Italian rheumatologic referral centers was carried out. All patients with SRC and an available serum sample at the time of crisis were included. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) by indirect immunofluorescence, anti-topoisomerase (topo) I by enzyme-linked assay (ELISA), anti-RNA polymerases (RNAP) by ELISA for the subunit III, and immunoprecipitation (IP) were performed.


RESULTS
Forty-six cases (38 female; 40 diffuse cutaneous SSc) were identified. Mean age at SSc and SRC onset was 52.8 years +/- 13.2 and 55.4 years +/- 11.8, respectively. ANA were present in 44 patients (96%). Anti-topo I antibodies were detected in 30 (65%), anti-RNAP I-III in 7 (15%). No differences emerged between these 2 groups for their main clinical characteristics. The proportion of patients in the anti-RNAP I-III group developing SRC early (< 18 mo) in the course of SSc was significantly higher (p = 0.03). Cumulative survival rates were 64%, 53%, and 35% at 1, 2, and 10 years of followup, respectively. Survival rates of SSc patients significantly differed according to their autoantibody profile, being lower in the anti-topo I than in the anti-RNAP I-III group (p = 0.034).


CONCLUSION
SRC is a rare manifestation of SSc in Italy but it is still associated with severe prognosis. Anti-topo I reactivity was more frequent than anti-RNAP I-III in our patients with SRC and was associated with delayed onset and high mortality rates.
A multi-biomarker risk score improves prediction of long-term mortality in patients with advanced heart failure.

BACKGROUND
Accurate risk prediction is important for an adequate management of heart failure (HF) patients. We assessed the incremental prognostic ability of a multi-biomarker approach in advanced HF.


METHODS
In 349 patients with advanced HF (median 75 years, 66% male) we investigated the incremental prognostic value of 12 novel biomarkers involved in different pathophysiological pathways including inflammation, immunological activation, oxidative stress, cell growth, remodeling, angiogenesis and apoptosis.


RESULTS
During a median follow-up of 4.9 years 55.9% of patients died. Using multivariable Cox regression and bootstrap variable-selection age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and the following 5 novel biomarkers were retained in the best mortality prediction model: the chemokine fractalkine, the angiogenic and mitogenic hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), the growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) influencing cardiac remodeling and apoptosis, and the 2 pro-apoptotic molecules soluble apoptosis-stimulating fragment (sFAS) and soluble tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (sTRAIL). This multi-biomarker score had strong discriminatory power for 5-year mortality (area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve [AUC]=0.81) and improved risk prediction beyond the prognostic power of a comprehensive conventional risk score including known clinical predictors and NT-proBNP (AUC=0.77). Net reclassification confirmed a significant improvement of individual risk prediction (p=0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Risk prediction by a multi-biomarker score is superior to a conventional risk score including clinical parameters and NT-proBNP. Additional predictive information from different biological pathways reflects the multisystemic character of HF.
Physicochemical composition of Tamarindus indica L. (Tamarind) in the agro‐ecological zones of Uganda

The relationships between the physicochemical composition of Tamarindus indica pulp and seeds, and agro-ecological zones and land use types were assessed in Uganda. The objective was to determine the relationship between the physicochemical composition, agro-ecological zones, and land use types. The samples were processed by manually depulping the T. indica pods, sun-drying the pulp and seeds, and grinding into powder. The powdered samples were analyzed for β-carotenoids, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), calorific value, crude oil, acid, and peroxide values. Data were analyzed using ANOVA in the general linear model (GLM). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to relate the physicochemical properties to the agro-ecological zones and land use types. There were significant differences (p ≤ .05) in the physicochemical composition variables between agro-ecological zones and land use types. Land use types showed strong correlations with physicochemical properties while agro-ecological zones did not show correlations. The results show that in terms of general properties, T. indica pods provide a valuable, rich, and exceptional source of vitamin C, compared to many widely consumed indigenous and conventional fruits and vegetables. The pods from land use types characterized by natural habitats had relatively more nutrient levels than the land use types influenced by anthropogenic activities.
Beyond Recovery: Colonization, Health and Healing for Indigenous People in Canada

How do we limit our focus to mental health when Indigenous teaching demands a much wider lens? How do we respond to mental health recovery when Indigenous experience speaks to a very different approach to healing, and how can we take up the health of Indigenous people in Canada without a discussion of identity and colonization? We cannot, for the mental health and recovery of Indigenous people in Canada have always been tied to history, identity, politics, language and dislocation. Thus, in this paper, our aim is to make clear that history, highlight the impacts of colonization and expound on Indigenous healing practices taking place in Toronto. Based on findings from a local research project, we argue these healing practices go beyond limited notions of recovery and practice, offering profound and practical ways to address the physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health of Indigenous peoples.
Hardware-Accelerated Rendering of Antialiased Shadows with Shadow Maps

We present a hardware-accelerated method for rendering high quality, antialiased shadows using the shadow map approach. Instead of relying on dedicated hardware support for shadow map filtering, we propose a general rendering algorithm that can be used on most graphics workstations. The filtering method softens shadow boundaries by using a technique called percentage closer filtering which is commonly used in software renderers, e.g ray tracing. In this paper we describe how the software algorithm can be efficiently mapped to hardware. In order to achieve realtime or at least interactive frame rates we also propose a slightly modified shadow filtering method that saves valuable hardware resources while still achieving good image
Classifying Software for Reusability

To reuse a software component, you first have to find it. The faceted scheme described here is a partial solution to this classification and retrieval problem.
Onset of Coagulation Function Recovery Is Delayed in Severely Injured Trauma Patients with Venous Thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND
Altered coagulation function after trauma can contribute to development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Severe trauma impairs coagulation function, but the trajectory for recovery is not known. We hypothesized that enhanced, early recovery of coagulation function increases VTE risk in severely injured trauma patients.


STUDY DESIGN
Secondary analysis was performed on data from the Pragmatic Randomized Optimal Platelet and Plasma Ratio (PROPPR) trial, excluding patients who died within 24 hours or were on pre-injury anticoagulants. Patient characteristics, adverse outcomes, and parameters of platelet function and coagulation (thromboelastography) were compared from admission to 72 hours between VTE (n = 83) and non-VTE (n = 475) patients. A p value < 0.05 indicates significance.


RESULTS
Despite similar patient demographics, VTE patients exhibited hypercoagulable thromboelastography parameters and enhanced platelet function at admission (p < 0.05). Both groups exhibited hypocoagulable thromboelastography parameters, platelet dysfunction, and suppressed clot lysis (low clot lysis at 30 minutes) 2 hours after admission (p < 0.05). The VTE patients exhibited delayed coagulation recovery (a significant change compared with 2 hours) of K-value (48 vs 24 hours), α-angle (no recovery), maximum amplitude (24 vs 12 hours), and clot lysis at 30 minutes (48 vs 12 hours). Platelet function recovery mediated by arachidonic acid (72 vs 4 hours), ADP (72 vs 12 hours), and collagen (48 vs 12 hours) was delayed in VTE patients. The VTE patients had lower mortality (4% vs 13%; p < 0.05), but fewer hospital-free days (0 days [interquartile range 0 to 8 days] vs 10 days [interquartile range 0 to 20 days]; p < 0.05) and higher complication rates (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Recovery from platelet dysfunction and coagulopathy after severe trauma were delayed in VTE patients. Suppressed clot lysis and compensatory mechanisms associated with altered coagulation that can potentiate VTE formation require additional investigation.
Soundness and Completeness of the Birkhoff Equational Calculus for Many-Sorted Algebras with Possibly Empty Carrier Sets

Abstract Since the many-sorted extension of the Birkhoff equational calculus is unsound when algebras with empty carrier sets are admitted, Goguen and Meseguer proposed a new sound and complete many-sorted equational calculus. This paper presents another approach, alternative to that proposed by Goguen and Meseguer that makes sound and complete the many-sorted extension of the Birkhoff equational calculus. The possibility of maintaining the classical rules is obtained b y introducing a new notion of satisfiability, called strong satisfiability. An easier notion of satisfiability called weak satisfiability is also studied, and sufficient and necessary conditions are developed in order to reduce the strong satisfiability to the weak one. In fact, strongly sensible signatures, which generalize sensible signatures introduced by Huet and Oppen, guarantee the equivalence between strong, weak and other usual satisfiabilities. Finally, general conditions for the equivalence of the Birkhoff calculus to the Goguen-Meseguer calculus are established.
Impact of Privacy Concern in Social Networking Websites

Purpose – This study aims to understand the impact of users’ privacy concerns on their acceptance of social networking web sites (SNWs). Design/methodology/approach – This paper develops two research models, with privacy concern conceptualized either as an antecedent of acceptance intention, or as a moderator of the relationships in the technology acceptance model (TAM). Using a survey questionnaire, empirical data were collected from 428 undergraduate college students. Structured equation modeling was used to test the validity of the proposed research models. Findings – The privacy concerns of the research respondents were found to be statistically significant. However, they did not directly affect users’ acceptance of social networking web sites. Instead, privacy concerns did moderate the effects of perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use, on users’ intention to continue to use SNWs. Research limitations/implications – The study identifies the theoretical foundations of privacy and privacy concerns in the context of SNWs. This empirical study, based on an established theoretical foundation, will help the research community to gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of privacy concern in the context of social networking. Practical implications – The findings of this study can provide SNW operators with useful strategies and tactics to enhance users’ acceptance depending on their level of privacy concern. Originality/value – With the worldwide rapid growth of SNWs, there have been ongoing concerns about how users’ private information is viewed or used by others. This study provides much needed empirical evidence about the impact of privacy concerns on users’ acceptance of SNWs.