Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Review of the Diagnostic Challenges of Lambert–Eaton Syndrome Revealed Through Three Case Reports

Abstract Lambert–Eaton syndrome (LES) is a rare immune-mediated disorder characterized by proximal leg weakness, autonomic symptoms and hypoactive tendon reflexes. The paraneoplastic form is associated with small-cell lung cancer in 50-60% of cases, whereas the remaining cases are found in younger adults with a higher likelihood of coexisting autoimmune disease. The early recognition of LES is crucial for improving clinical outcomes but remains a major challenge. In this review, we analyze the clinical characteristics and diagnostic considerations in treating LES through a series of three case studies, one of which showed definitive response to pyridostigmine and corticosteroid combination therapy, followed by spontaneous remission. Patients were assessed by image-based screening, serological testing and electrophysiological evaluations, which included respiratory and autonomic testing. A better understanding of the common pitfalls in the clinical, serological and neurophysiologic diagnosis of LES through assessment of typical LES dysfunction throughout the nervous system should enable improved recognition and treatment of this syndrome. RÉSUMÉ Revue portant sur les problèmes diagnostiques du syndrome de Lambert-Eaton illustrés au moyen de trois observations cliniques. Le syndrome de Lambert-Eaton (SLE) est une maladie rare, d’origine immunitaire, caractérisée par une faiblesse proximale des jambes, des symptômes neurovégétatifs et une diminution de l’amplitude des réflexes ostéo-tendineux. La forme paranéoplasique est associée au cancer du poumon à petites cellules dans 50 à 60% des cas et les autres cas sont diagnostiqués chez des adultes plus jeunes et comportent une probabilité plus élevée de maladie autoimmune coexistante. L’identification du SLE est cruciale afin d’améliorer l’issue clinique, mais son diagnostic demeure un défi majeur. Dans cette revue, nous analysons les caractéristiques cliniques et les enjeux diagnostiques du traitement du SLE au moyen de trois observations cliniques, dont celle d’un patient qui a présenté une réponse définitive au traitement combiné par la pyridostigmine et les corticostéroïdes, suivi d’une rémission spontanée. Le dépistage chez les patients a été fait par imagerie, tests sérologiques et évaluation électrophysiologique, ainsi que par des tests respiratoires et des tests de la fonction neuro-végétative. Une meilleure compréhension des embûches fréquemment rencontrées lors du diagnostic clinique, sérologique et neurophysiologique du SLE au moment de l’évaluation de la dysfonction typique du SLE dans tout le système nerveux devrait améliorer l’identification et le traitement de ce syndrome.
Prejudiced attitudes, group norms, and discriminatory behaviour

Most current attitude research focuses on range of non-social attitudinal targets, including health-related and consumer outcomes. In this paper, a program of research that considers the relations among intergroup attitudes, group norms, and behavior will be described. The first study examined the effect of ingroup norms relating to multiculturalism on the extent to wich participants hehaviourally enacted their attitudes. Consistent with social identity theory, attitudebehaviour consistency in relation was influenced by ingroup norms, particularly when national identity was salient. The results of a large scale field study that essential replicated this pattern of results will also be discussed.
Case Report: Acute tuberculous laryngitis presenting as acute epiglottitis

Abstract The incidence of laryngeal tuberculosis (TB), which had dropped dramatically after the institution of modern anti-TB chemotherapy, has shown recent reemergence. It is important to be aware of its possibility, especially as it can present with nonspecific upper airway symptoms and a frequent lack of constitutional manifestations. We report such a case presenting as acute epiglottitis, with diffuse involvement of the supraglottic larynx associated with reactivation lung TB.
BAGE Hypomethylation, A New Epigenetic Biomarker for Colon Cancer Detection

Early detection of colorectal cancer is a decisive step in the successful and complete cure of the disease. Epigenetic markers, in particular, those based on aberrant DNA methylation, can be used to diagnose cancer. B melanoma antigens (BAGE) are a family of genes and truncated genes located in the heterochromatic regions of several human chromosomes. Our previous work showed that BAGE loci (i.e., genes and truncated genes) were hypermethylated in normal tissues and hypomethylated in 98% of human cancers. In the present study, we analyzed DNA methylation of the BAGE loci in 54 colon cancers and in neighboring histopathologic normal tissue samples. Using a combined bisulfite restriction assay, we showed that BAGE loci were hypomethylated in 81% of carcinoma samples. Colon cancer could be diagnosed with 94% specificity, 83% sensitivity, and 89% accuracy. No correlation was found between DNA methylation of BAGE loci and age, gender of patients, nor with the tumor stage or site. Based on the hypothesis that during neoplastic transformation, hypomethylation occurs in juxtacentromeric CpG islands, we suggest that other genes located in the heterochromatic compartment should be tested. These new markers enrich the list of currently studied epigenetic alterations in colon cancer and could be associated with hypermethylation markers to develop reliable diagnostic tests. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(6):1374–9)
Feature extraction by auditory modeling for unit selection in concatenative speech synthesis

A comprehensive computational model of the human auditory peripherals was applied to extract basic features of speech sounds. The auditory model extracts features by the auditory temporal coding mechanism in addition to features by the auditory place coding mechanism which has traditionally been used as spectral features. It also considers the nonlinearity of human auditory responses. Several speech databases of different talkers for a concatenative synthesis system were analyzed by the auditory model, and segmental characteristics were estimated by calculating the averages, standard deviations, and trends of individual feature parameters. The results were compared with results obtained by a physical model. A preliminary perceptual test suggested an advantage of auditory-based distances over physical distances.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) ' At the hospital I learnt the truth ' : diagnosing male infertility in rural Malawi

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Macroeconomic Effects of Pension Reforms in The Context of Ageing Populations: Overlapping Generations Model Simulations for Seven OECD Countries

Using overlapping generations (OLG) models calibrated on seven OECD countries -- the United States, Japan, France, Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom and Sweden -- the authors investigate the macroeconomic impact of possible pension reform strategies as populations age. Simulations include a reduction in the level of pensions, phased abolition of PAYG schemes and general fiscal consolidation. By raising the national saving rate future GDP levels are higher, but not enough to offset the affects of ageing. A rise in the retirement age has larger effects, but implies significant loss of leisure time . En utilisant des modeles a generations imbriquees pour sept pays de l'OCDE -- Etats-Unis, Japon, France, Canada, Italie, Royaume-Uni et Suede -- les auteurs analysent les effets macro-economiques des differentes reformes de systemes des pensions dans un contexte de vieillissement de la population. Les simulations considerent une reduction des niveaux de pensions, une elimination graduelle des systemes a repartition et une reduction generalisee des depenses publiques. Dans la mesure ou ces reformes augmentent les taux d'epargne, les niveaux futurs du PIB seront plus eleves, mais pas suffisamment pour compenser les effets du vieillissement de la population. Le recul de l'âge officiel de la retraite aurait un effet plus important, mais aussi des implications negatives sur le temps disponible pour les loisirs .
Trends in the Start of the Growing Season in Fennoscandia 1982-2011

Global temperature is increasing, and this is affecting the vegetation phenology in many parts of the world. In Fennoscandia, as well as Northern Europe, the advances of phenological events in spring have been recorded in recent decades. In this study, we analyzed the start of the growing season within five different vegetation regions in Fennoscandia using the 30-year Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) NDVI3g dataset. We applied a previously developed pixel-specific Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) threshold method, adjusted it to the NDVI3g data and analyzed trends within the different regions. Results show a warming trend with an earlier start of the growing season of 11.8 ± 2.0 days (p < 0.01) for the whole area. However, there are large regional differences, and the warming/trend towards an earlier start of the growing season is most significant in the southern regions (19.3 ± 4.7 days, p < 0.01 in the southern oceanic region), while the start was stable or modest earlier (two to four days; not significant) in the northern regions. To look for temporal variations in the trends, we divided the 30-year period into three separate decadal time periods. Results show significantly more change/trend towards an earlier start of the growing season in the first period compared to the two last. In the second and third period, the trend towards an earlier start of the growing season slowed down, and in two of the regions, the trend towards an earlier start of the growing season was even reversed during the last decade.
Rotational Stability of Scaphoid Osteosyntheses: An In Vitro Comparison of Small Fragment Cannulated Screws to Novel Bone Screw Sets

Background The current standard of care for operative repair of scaphoid fractures involves reduction and internal fixation with a single headless compression screw. However, a compression screw in isolation does not necessarily control rotational stability at a fracture or nonunion site. The single screw provides rotational control through friction and bone interdigitation from compression at the fracture site. We hypothesize that osteosyntheses with novel bone screw sets (BSS) equipped with anti-rotational elements provide improved rotational stability. Methods Stability of osteosynthesis under increasing cyclic torsional loading was investigated on osteotomized cadaveric scaphoids. Two novel prototype BSS, oblique type (BSS-obl.) and longitudinal type (BSS-long.) were compared to three conventional screws: Acutrak2®mini, HCS®3.0 and Twinfix®. Biomechanical tests were performed on scaphoids from single donors in paired comparison and analyzed by balanced incomplete random block design. Loading was increased by 50 mNm increments with 1,000 cycles per torque level and repeated until a rotational clearance of 10°. Primary outcome measure was the number of cycles to 10° clearance, secondary outcome measure was the maximum rotational clearance for each torque level. Findings BSS-obl. performed significantly better than Acutrak2®mini and HCS® (p = 0.015, p<0.0001). BSS-long. performed significantly better than HCS® (p = 0.010). No significant difference in performance between BSS-obl. and BSS-long. (p = 0.361), between BSS obl. and Twinfix® (p = 0.50) and BSS long. and Twinfix® (p = 0.667) was detected. Within the torque range up to 200 mNm, four of 21 (19%) BSS-long. and four of 21 (19%) BSS-obl. preparations showed early failure. The same loading led to early failure in four (29%) Twinfix®, seven (50%) Acutrak2®mini and 10 (71%) HCS® of 14 screw samples, respectively. Conclusions For both BSS and to a lesser extent for Twinfix® (as dual-component screw), higher rotational stabilities were identified in comparison to single component headless compression screws.
Pragmatics and Discourse: A Resource Book for Students

Part 1 Introduction - concepts in pragmatics and discourse: context co-text speech acts conversation co-operative principle. Part 2 Development - studies in pragmatics and discourse: analyzing the discourse in context analyzing the co-text using speech acts the pragmatics of conversation co-operation and relevance the principle of politeness. Part 3 Exploration: data for investigation: exploring the context of writing investigating co-text exploring speech acts the analysis of conversation following the co-operative principle applying politeness. Part 4 Extension - readings: context - knowledge and stereotypes co-text - repetition and reference speech acts and power conversation and race communication and relevance readings in politeness.
Joint effects of antibody to heat shock protein 60, hypertension, and diabetes on risk of coronary heart disease in Chinese.

BACKGROUND Several studies have suggested an association between antibody to human heat shock protein 60 (anti-Hsp60) and coronary atherosclerosis, but the results have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between anti-Hsp60 and coronary heart disease (CHD) and to determine whether anti-Hsp60, hypertension, and diabetes have joint effects on CHD risk. METHODS We measured the concentrations of anti-Hsp60 in 1003 CHD patients and 1003 age- and sex-matched control subjects without CHD events. RESULTS Concentrations of anti-Hsp60 were significantly higher in CHD patients than in controls. Increasing concentrations of anti-Hsp60 were significantly associated with higher risk of CHD (P for trend <0.0001) and with increasing severity of CHD as assessed by number of diseased vessels detected with angiography [odds ratio (OR) 3.67, 95% CI 1.56-8.64, P = 0.003] after multivariate adjustment for traditional CHD risk factors. There were strong joint effects of high concentrations of anti-Hsp60 and hypertension (OR 5.17, 95% CI 3.95-6.75, P < 0.0001) and diabetes (OR 6.49, 95% CI 4.52-9.33, P < 0.0001) on CHD risk; simultaneous occurrence of high anti-Hsp60 concentrations, hypertension, and diabetes conferred a dramatically higher risk of CHD (OR 20.99, 95% CI 12.50-35.24, P < 0.0001) in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS Anti-Hsp60 is independently associated with CHD risk, and a combination of high anti-Hsp60, hypertension, and diabetes is particularly detrimental for CHD risk.
The influence of sex on extracellular dopamine and locomotor activity in C57BL/6J mice before and after acute cocaine challenge

C57BL6/J (C57) mice serve as a useful animal model of cocaine abuse because they self‐administer cocaine, exhibit place conditioning to cocaine, discriminate the interoceptive cues of cocaine, and are used for backcrossing strains of genetically modified mice. The present study was to examine the influence of sex on extracellular DA and locomotor activity in C57 mice in response to acute cocaine challenge. In the first experiment, male and female mice were implanted with guide cannulae aimed at the dorsal striatum. Microdialysates were collected in three consecutive phases: baseline, post‐saline injection, and post‐cocaine injection. Sex did not influence DA measurements during baseline or after intraperitoneal (i.p.) saline injection. Cocaine (20 mg/kg) injections increased peak extracellular DA of both sexes, and the increase was greater for males (278% ± 14.0%) than females (182.5% ± 10.8%) (P < 0.05). In the second experiment, under conditions similar to the microdialysis experiment, locomotor activity of male and female mice was assessed during baseline, after saline injection, and after cocaine injection (5, 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg). Cocaine dose‐dependently increased activity; however, sex did not influence locomotor activity during baseline, after saline, or after any cocaine dose. Results of the experiments established that cocaine (20 mg/kg) increased extracellular DA in the dorsal striatum to a greater extent in male than in female mice; however, when cocaine was administered under similar experimental conditions, sex did not influence cocaine stimulation of locomotor activity over a wide range of doses. Synapse 59:74–81, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Campaign Sentiment in European Party Manifestos

What explains the type of electoral campaign run by political parties? In this article, we focus on the strategic use of emotive language in campaign messages. We argue that the level of positive sentiment that parties adopt in their campaign messages depends on their incumbency status, their policy position, and objective economic conditions. We test these claims with a novel dataset containing information on the emotive language used in over 400 party manifestos across eight European countries from 1980 to 2012. As predicted, we find that incumbent parties, and incumbent prime ministerial parties in particular, use more positive sentiment than opposition parties. We find that ideologically moderate parties employ higher levels of positive sentiment than extremist ones. And we find that all parties exhibit lower levels of positive sentiment when the economy is performing poorly but that this negative effect is weaker for incumbents. Our analysis has important implications for research on campaign strategies and retrospective economic voting. ∗NOTE: We thank James Adams, Nicole Baerg, Jason Eichorst, Sona Golder, Christopher Fariss, Michael Lewis-Beck, Thomas Meyer, Simone Paolo Ponzetto, Rüdiger Schmitt-Beck, Laron Williams, participants at the 2015 Making Electoral Democracy Work Workshop at Sciences Po, Paris and the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, and the audience at the University of Pittsburgh for their helpful comments. We acknowledge financial support for this research from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. All data and computer code necessary to replicate the results in this analysis will be made publicly available on our webpages on publication. Stata 14 was the statistical package used in this study. †Graduate Student, Department of Political Science, University of Michigan, 505 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. (ccrabtr@umich.edu). ‡Corresponding Author: Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Pennsylvania State University, 306 Pond Lab, University Park, PA 16802 (mgolder@psu.edu). §Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Mannheim, A 5, 6, D-68131, Mannheim, Germany (gschwend@uni-mannheim.de). ¶Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, 900 University Avenue, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521 (indridi.indridason@ucr.edu).
Assessment as Learning: Using Classroom Assessment to Maximize Student Learning

About the Author Acknowledgments 1. The Promise and the Challenge of Classroom Assessment Why This Book? How the Educational World has Changed The Power of Classroom Assessment What is This Book About? The Case of "Understanding Learning and Assessment" Using This Book Ideas for Follow Up 2. Situating Assessment Changes A Brief History of Assessment Looking for Change in all the Wrong Places Rethinking Assessment for Real Change Purpose is Everything Classroom Assessment and Large-Scale Reform Taking Up the Challenge Ideas for Follow Up 3. Assessment of Learning, for Learning, and as Learning Assessment of Learning Assessment for Learning Assessment as Learning Getting the Balance Right Ideas for Follow Up 4. Spotlight on Learning Learning Makes Us Human How People Learn Learning for Understanding Learning is Hard Work Learning Happens in Context Ideas for Follow Up 5. Assessment and Learning How Does Classroom Assessment Contribute to Learning? Assessment as an Integral part of Teaching and Learning Realizing the Power of Assessment to Optimize Learning Ideas for Follow Up 6. Using Assessment to Identify What They "Believe to Be True" "The Case of the Pool Table" Start With What They Believe to be True "The Case of the Blog" Ideas for Follow Up 7. Using Assessment to Motivate Learning Assessment That Motivates Relevant Assessment Imaginative Assessment Assessment that Scaffolds Learning "The Case of Othello" Assessment to Reverse Socialization Ideas for Follow Up 8. Using Assessment to Make Connections Curriculum as Visible Targets for Learning Plan Learning, Plan Assessment, and Expect the Unexpected "The Case of Planned Literacy" Differentiation Ideas for Follow Up 9. Using Assessment to Extend Learning Feedback for Learning Rubrics and Exemplars as Tools "The Case of the Brass Band" Ideas, Connections, and Extensions (ICE) Ideas for Follow Up 10. Using Assessment for Reflection and Self-Regulation "The Case of Jojo" Students as Their Own Best Assessors Developing Self-Regulating Habits of Mind "The Case of Choices" Ideas for Follow Up 11. Getting to Assessment for Optimum Learning It's About Learning, and It's About Time Getting to the Spirit of AFL Requires Conceptual Change Think About What You Believe to be True Learn About Learning Know Your Subject Be an Expert Teacher Work Together in Collaborative Inquiry Don't Give Up, But be Gentile With Yourself Self-Regulation for You Too Get the Support You Need Put it All Together References Index
Evaluation of visible implant elastomer tags in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Summary The use of the visible implant elastomer (VIE) tagging system in zebrafish (Danio rerio) was examined. Two tag orientations (horizontal and vertical) at the dorsal fin base were tested for tag retention, tag fragmentation and whether VIE tags affected growth and survival of juvenile zebrafish (1–4 month post hatch). Six tag locations (abdomen, anal fin base, caudal peduncle, dorsal fin base, pectoral fin base, isthmus) and 5 tag colors (yellow, red, pink, orange, blue) were evaluated for ease of VIE tag application and tag visibility in adult zebrafish. Long-term retention (1 year) and multiple tagging sites (right and left of dorsal fin and pectoral fin base) were examined in adult zebrafish. Lastly, survival of recombination activation gene 1−/− (rag1−/−) zebrafish was evaluated after VIE tagging. The best tag location was the dorsal fin base, and the most visible tag color was pink. Growth rate of juvenile zebrafish was not affected by VIE tagging. Horizontal tagging is recommended in early stages of fish growth (1–2 months post hatch). VIE tags were retained for 1 year and tagging did not interfere with long-term growth and survival. There was no mortality associated with VIE tagging in rag1−/− zebrafish. The VIE tagging system is highly suitable for small-sized zebrafish. When familiar with the procedure, 120 adult zebrafish can be tagged in one hour. It does not increase mortality in adult zebrafish or interfere with growth in juvenile or adult zebrafish.
Crawler vehicle with circular cross-section unit to realize sideways motion

In this paper, a novel crawler mechanism for sideways motion is presented. The crawler mechanism is of circular cross-section and has active rolling axes at the center of the circles. Conventional crawler mechanisms can support massive loads, but cannot produce sideways motion. Additionally, previous crawler edges sink undesirably on soft ground, particularly when the vehicle body is subject to a sideways tilt. The proposed design solves these drawbacks by adopting a circular cross-section crawler. A prototype has been developed to illustrate the concept. Motion experiments confirm the novel properties of this mechanism: sideways motion and robustness against edge-sink. Motion experiments, with a test vehicle are also presented.