Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning Phonology With Substantive Bias: An Experimental and Computational Study of Velar Palatalization

There is an active debate within the field of phonology concerning the cognitive status of substantive phonetic factors such as ease of articulation and perceptual distinctiveness. A new framework is proposed in which substance acts as a bias, or prior, on phonological learning. Two experiments tested this framework with a method in which participants are first provided highly impoverished evidence of a new phonological pattern, and then tested on how they extend this pattern to novel contexts and novel sounds. Participants were found to generalize velar palatalization (e.g., the change from [k] as in keep to [t? ∫S] as in cheap) in a way that accords with linguistic typology, and that is predicted by a cognitive bias in favor of changes that relate perceptually similar sounds. Velar palatalization was extended from the mid front vowel context (i.e., before [e] as in cape) to the high front vowel context (i.e., before [i] as in keep), but not vice versa. The key explanatory notion of perceptual similarity is quantified with a psychological model of categorization, and the substantively biased framework is formalized as a conditional random field. Implications of these results for the debate on substance, theories of phonological generalization, and the formalization of similarity are discussed.
Water Column Correction for Coral Reef Studies by Remote Sensing

Human activity and natural climate trends constitute a major threat to coral reefs worldwide. Models predict a significant reduction in reef spatial extension together with a decline in biodiversity in the relatively near future. In this context, monitoring programs to detect changes in reef ecosystems are essential. In recent years, coral reef mapping using remote sensing data has benefited from instruments with better resolution and computational advances in storage and processing capabilities. However, the water column represents an additional complexity when extracting information from submerged substrates by remote sensing that demands a correction of its effect. In this article, the basic concepts of bottom substrate remote sensing and water column interference are presented. A compendium of methodologies developed to reduce water column effects in coral ecosystems studied by remote sensing that include their salient features, advantages and drawbacks is provided. Finally, algorithms to retrieve the bottom reflectance are applied to simulated data and actual remote sensing imagery and their performance is compared. The available methods are not able to completely eliminate the water column effect, but they can minimize its influence. Choosing the best method depends on the marine environment, available input data and desired outcome or scientific application.
Microbial protein synthesis

Because of the extensive hydrolysis of dietary proteins in the rumen and the attendant wastage of nitrogen which is absorbed as ammonia across the rumen wall and excreted as urea in the urine, the ruminal synthesis of bacterial and protozoal proteins has a special importance in the nutrition of the ruminant. This paper considers the factors influencing microbial protein synthesis in simple in vitro systems and examines the problems of quantifying the effects of nutrition and other factors on protein synthesis in the rumen.
Time Course of Vascular Structural Changes During and After Short-Term Antihypertensive Treatment

Abstract—The present study characterized the persistent changes (ie, off-treatment) resulting from short-term antihypertensive treatments on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and structurally based vascular resistance. Rats were treated for 14 days with enalapril (30 mg · kg−1 · d−1) with regular (ENAL, 0.4%) or low salt (ELS, 0.04%) diets, or a triple therapy (Triple: hydralazine 45 mg · kg−1 · d−1, hydrochlorothiazide 100 mg/L, and nifedipine 200 mg/d). MAP was continuously recorded via radiotelemetry. Structurally based hindlimb vascular resistance properties (resistance at maximum dilation [Max Dil]; resistance at maximum constriction [Max Con]) were assessed after 14-day enalapril treatment and 2 to 3 weeks after all drugs were withdrawn. Aortic urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) activity was measured by zymography after 14 days of ELS. All treatments induced a significant, persistent decrease in the off-treatment MAP (ENAL ↓12±4.6%, ELS ↓16±2.6%, Triple ↓5±4.17%). During treatment (14 days) the enalapril group had significant changes in the index of medial bulk (Max Con ↓15±2.6%), but only minimal changes in lumen properties (Max Dil ↓3±6.5%, NS). After stopping therapy, vascular properties at Max Dil were significantly decreased only in the 2 enalapril groups (ENAL ↓15±7.9%, P <0.05; ELS ↓9±6.0%, P <0.05; Triple ↓2±9.8%, NS), whereas Max Con was significantly decreased in all groups (ENAL ↓12±8.0%, ELS ↓16±6.1%, Triple ↓7±5.4%). At 14 days of ELS treatment, there was increased aortic uPA activity (1.6-fold). The findings reveal that various short-term antihypertensive treatments can produce persistent long-term changes in MAP and vascular structure. Further, the magnitude of the depressor response may be as important in inducing persistent changes as is the removal of angiotensin II.
On the Minimum Volume Covering Ellipsoid of Ellipsoids

Let ${\cal S}$ denote the convex hull of $m$ full-dimensional ellipsoids in $\mathbb{R}^n$. Given $\epsilon > 0$ and $\delta > 0$, we study the problems of computing a $(1+ \epsilon)$-approximation to the minimum volume covering ellipsoid of ${\cal S}$ and a $(1 + \delta)n$-rounding of ${\cal S}$. We extend the first-order algorithm of Kumar and [J. Optim. Theory Appl. , 126 (2005), pp. 1-21] that computes an approximation to the minimum volume covering ellipsoid of a finite set of points in $\mathbb{R}^n$, which, in turn, is a modification of Khachiyan’s algorithm [L. G. Khachiyan, Math. Oper. Res., 21 (1996), pp. 307-320]. Our algorithm can also compute a $(1 +\delta)n$-rounding of ${\cal S}$. For fixed $\epsilon > 0$ and $\delta > 0$, we establish polynomial-time complexity results for the respective problems, each of which is linear in the number of ellipsoids $m$. In particular, our algorithm can approximate the minimum volume covering ellipsoid of ${\cal S}$ in asymptotically the same number of iterations as that required by the algorithm of Kumar and to approximate the minimum volume covering ellipsoid of a set of $m$ points. The main ingredient in our analysis is the extension of polynomial-time complexity of certain subroutines in the algorithm from a set of points to a set of ellipsoids. As a byproduct, our algorithm returns a finite “core” set ${\cal X} \subseteq {\cal S}$ with the property that the minimum volume covering ellipsoid of k provides a good approximation to the minimum volume covering ellipsoid of ${\cal S}$. Furthermore, the size of the core set depends only on the dimension $n$ and the approximation parameter e, but not on the number of ellipsoids $m$. We also discuss the extent to which our algorithm can be used to compute an approximate minimum volume covering ellipsoid and an approximate $n$-rounding of the convex hull of other sets in $\mathbb{R}^n$. We adopt the real number model of computation in our analysis.
Genetic Diversity of Human Enterovirus 68 Strains Isolated in Kenya Using the Hypervariable 3′- End of VP1 Gene

Reports of increasing worldwide circulation of human enterovirus-68 (EV68) are well documented. Despite health concerns posed by resurgence of these viruses, little is known about EV68 strains circulating in Kenya. In this study, we characterized 13 EV68 strains isolated in Kenya between 2008 and 2011 based on the Hypervariable 3′- end of the VP1 gene. Viral RNA was extracted from the isolates and partial VP1 gene amplified by RT-PCR, followed by nucleotide sequencing. Alignment of deduced amino acid sequences revealed substitutions in Kenyan EV68 isolates absent in the prototype reference strain (Fermon). The majority of these changes were present in the BC and DE-loop regions, which are associated with viral antigenicity and virulence. The Kenyan strains exhibited high sequence homology with respect to those from other countries. Natural selection analysis based on the VP1 region showed that the Kenyan EV68 isolates were under purifying selection. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that majority (84.6%) of the Kenyan strains belonged to clade A, while a minority belonged to clades B and C. Overall, our results illustrate that although EV68 strains isolated in Kenya were genetically and antigenically divergent from the prototype strain (Fermon), they were closely related to those circulating in other countries, suggesting worldwide transmissibility. Further, the presence of shared mutations by Kenyan EV68 strains and those isolated in other countries, indicates evolution in the VP1 region may be contributing to increased worldwide detection of the viruses. This is the first study to document circulation of EV68 in Kenya.
Conventional radiography in rheumatoid arthritis : new scientific insights and practical application

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic disease of unknown origin that predominantly involves synovial tissue. RA affects 0.5% of the global population, with a clear predilection for women. Conventional radiography (plain radiographs or X-rays) is the most widely used imaging technique for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of RA. Advanced imaging techniques (e.g. magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasound, and nuclear scintigraphy), that are better suited for detecting soft-tissue inflammation are available, but they are more costly and some of them may expose the patient to higher doses of radiation. Plain film radiographs are inexpensive, easy to generate, can be compared with baseline and prospective films, and provide a permanent, reproducible record. The plain radiographs of the hands and feet can detect the features that are specific to RA such as joint space narrowing or erosions, and serial radiography can be used as a objective marker for monitoring treatment response in clinical trials. This review discusses the use of conventional radiography for diagnosing and detecting early structural changes in joints and providing a historical overview of commonly used methods of scoring radiographs in RA.
Periodic Solutions of Forced Oscillators with Several Degrees of Freedom

Results of the Landesman–Lazer type provide necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of periodic solutions of certain nonlinear differential equations with forcing. Typically, they deal with scalar problems. This paper presents a discussion of possible extensions to systems. The emphasis is placed on the new phenomena produced by the increase of the dimension.
Control of Cell Migration and Inflammatory Mediators Production by CORM-2 in Osteoarthritic Synoviocytes

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most widespread degenerative joint disease. Inflamed synovial cells contribute to the release of inflammatory and catabolic mediators during OA leading to destruction of articular tissues. We have shown previously that CO-releasing molecules exert anti-inflammatory effects in animal models and OA chondrocytes. We have studied the ability of CORM-2 to modify the migration of human OA synoviocytes and the production of chemokines and other mediators sustaining inflammatory and catabolic processes in the OA joint. Methodology/Principal Findings OA synoviocytes were stimulated with interleukin(IL)-1β in the absence or presence of CORM-2. Migration assay was performed using transwell chambers. Gene expression was analyzed by quantitative PCR and protein expression by Western Blot and ELISA. CORM-2 reduced the proliferation and migration of OA synoviocytes, the expression of IL-8, CCL2, CCL20, matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-1 and MMP-3, and the production of oxidative stress. We found that CORM-2 reduced the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase1/2 and to a lesser extent p38. Our results also showed that CORM-2 significantly decreased the activation of nuclear factor-κB and activator protein-1 regulating the transcription of chemokines and MMPs in OA synoviocytes. Conclusion/Significance A number of synoviocyte functions relevant in OA synovitis and articular degradation can be down-regulated by CORM-2. These results support the interest of this class of agents for the development of novel therapeutic strategies in inflammatory and degenerative conditions.
Hypervirulent Clostridium difficile PCR-Ribotypes Exhibit Resistance to Widely Used Disinfectants

The increased prevalence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has coincided with enhanced transmissibility and severity of disease, which is often linked to two distinct clonal lineages designated PCR-ribotype 027 and 017 responsible for CDI outbreaks in the USA, Europe and Asia. We assessed sporulation and susceptibility of three PCR-ribotypes; 012, 017 and 027 to four classes of disinfectants; chlorine releasing agents (CRAs), peroxygens, quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) and biguanides. The 017 PCR-ribotype, showed the highest sporulation frequency under these test conditions. The oxidizing biocides and CRAs were the most efficacious in decontamination of C. difficile vegetative cells and spores, the efficacy of the CRAs were concentration dependent irrespective of PCR-ribotype. However, there were differences observed in the susceptibility of the PCR-ribotypes, independent of the concentrations tested for Virkon®, Newgenn®, Proceine 40® and Hibiscrub®. Whereas, for Steri7® and Biocleanse® the difference observed between the disinfectants were dependent on both PCR-ribotype and concentration. The oxidizing agent Perasafe® was consistently efficacious across all three PCR ribotypes at varying concentrations; with a consistent five Log10 reduction in spore titre. The PCR-ribotype and concentration dependent differences in the efficacy of the disinfectants in this study indicate that disinfectant choice is a factor for llimiting the survival and transmission of C. difficile spores in healthcare settings.
Deliberate Self-Poisoning and Self-Injury in Children and Adolescents Under 16 Years of Age in Oxford, 1976–1993

Background Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is common in adolescents in the United Kingdom and suicide has greatly increased in frequency in older male adolescents. There is, however, very little information about DSH in older children and young adolescents. Method Analysis of data collected by the Oxford Monitoring System for Attempted Suicide between 1976 and 1993 for all cases of DSH in under 16-year-olds referred to the general hospital in Oxford. Results Seven hundred and fifty-five individuals were involved in 854 episodes of DSH. There were very few cases under 12 years of age but after that the behaviour increased greatly in frequency with each year of age, especially in girls. Eighty-five per cent were girls, the sex ratio being 5.7 girls to each boy. Most cases involved self-poisoning. During the final six years of the study period paracetamol was involved in 54.7% of overdoses, compared with 19.5% in 1976–1981. A minority of individuals had had previous psychiatric treatment. The most frequent problems were relationship difficulties with parents, followed by difficulties with friends, school and social isolation. Among those who reported previous episodes of DSH, in the majority of cases these had not come to medical attention. Repetition of self-harm occurred in 9.4% of cases within a year of an episode and 19.3% during the overall study period. There was some indication that repetition was most common in youngsters discharged from the Accident and Emergency Department without a psychiatric assessment. Conclusions DSH in under 16-year-olds is not uncommon and there is evidence that it occurs far more frequently in the community than is reflected in general hospital figures. The problem of paracetamol self-poisoning in this age group needs to be addressed. A psychiatric assessment should be performed in all cases coming to the general hospital.
Constructing Emotion

This study examined the hypothesis that emotion is a psychological event constructed from the more basic elements of core affect and conceptual knowledge. Participants were primed with conceptual knowledge of fear, conceptual knowledge of anger, or a neutral prime and then proceeded through an affect-induction procedure designed to induce unpleasant, high-arousal affect or a neutral affective state. As predicted, only those individuals for whom conceptual knowledge of fear had been primed experienced unpleasant core affect as evidence that the world was threatening. This study provides the first experimental support for the hypothesis that people experience world-focused emotion when they conceptualize their core affective state using accessible knowledge about emotion.
Behaviour of fracture process zones in concrete influenced by simultaneously applied normal and shear displacements

The thesis deals with the determination of the post peak behaviour of concrete in pure tension, and combined tension (compression) and shear. A test arrangement has been developed in order to determine the post peak behaviour of concrete expressed as stress - displacement curves. The theoretical basis of the thesis is in accordance with the "Fictitious Crack Model" which is a model based on the softening properties of concrete. The model was originally developed in order to describe the crack propagation in concrete when the direction of the principal stresses remains consiant during the entire fracture process. However, since the mid-eighties the applicability of the model has been further extended to cases where the direction of the principal stresses is changed during the fracture process. The applications of the model in these cases require material properties describing the behaviour of a fracture process zone initiated in pure tensile stress state and later subjected to the combined normal and shear stresses (displacements). The developed test arrangement is, with some limitations, able to provide the requisite material properties for analyses of crack propagation in concrete. The thesis describes the physical basis of the Fictitious Crack Model and, compares the concepts of the model with the concepts of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics. Furthermore, the thesis describes the test arrangement and discusses the instability phenomenon associated with the tensile tests. The combined normal and shear tests in this investigation were conducted in displacement control where the relation between the normal and shear displacements, also called displacement path, was prescribed. Basically two different paths have been utilized, namely linear and parabolic paths. The thesis presents the results of both paths, and discusses the cracking process and path dependent behaviour of the fracture process zone on the basis of the presented results. Furthermore, the thesis presents expressions which aie adopted to the test results describing relations between stresses and displacements within the fracture zone. (Less)
EFFECT OF OCCLUSAL REDUCTION ON POST INSTRUMENTATION PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE IRREVERSIBLE PULPITIS

Pain management in endodontics is of paramount importance for the clinicians. The objective of the present study was to compare pain reduction after instrumentation, in teeth with occlusal reduction and without occlusal reduction. This randomized control trial study was conducted at Outpatient Department of Operative Dentistry at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), PIMS, Islamabad from February 2015 to January 2016. A total of 250 patients with irreversible pulpitis and normal periapical radiographic appearance of posterior teeth were included in the present study. After administration of local anesthesia, the root canals were instrumented, and an intracanal calcium hydroxide dressing was placed. The patients were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups by random allocation software. Group 1 included 125 patients whose occlusal surface was reduced while group 2 included 125 patients with no occlusal reduction to be done . The patients were recalled after 24 hours, 2nd day and 3rd day to record their postoperative pain on the visual analogue scale(VAS). The final outcome that is mean post instrumentation pain score was measured by using t-test at 6th day of post instrumentation. Results were statistically significant and showed that occlusal reduction plays an important role in reducing post-instrumentation pain in patients undergoing endodontic treatment of posterior teeth.
The force on a disclination in a liquid crystal

Abstract It is argued that the Peach-Koehler force on a disclination in a nematic liquid crystal is, unlike its namesake for a dislocation in a solid, not a fictitious configurational force, but a real force which, for equilibrium, must be balanced by an external force applied to the singular line. Formally this is a consequence of the near identity of the Ericksen stress and the appropriate energy-momentum tensor.
Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor: A Risk Factor for Carotid Plaque, Stroke, and Coronary Artery Disease

Background and Purpose— Recent studies indicate that the urokinase system could have an important role in atherogenesis and plaque rupture. The relationships among the soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), carotid plaque, and incidence of ischemic stroke and coronary artery disease (CAD) events were studied in a prospective cohort. Methods— Occurrence of carotid plaque and plasma levels of suPAR were assessed in 5166 men and women, aged 45 to 68 years, participating in the Malmö Diet and Cancer study. Incidences of ischemic stroke and CAD were monitored during a mean follow-up of 15 years. Results— Subjects with carotid plaque had significantly higher levels of suPAR compared with those without carotid plaque. suPAR was associated with increased incidence of ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR] for third versus first tertile, 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–2.11) and CAD (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.13–2.13) after adjustment for risk factors. The risk factor–adjusted HR for ischemic stroke was 2.21 (95% CI, 1.52–3.22) in subjects with carotid plaque and high suPAR (ie, third tertile) and 1.51 (95% CI, 1.05–2.17) in subjects with carotid plaque and low suPAR compared with those without carotid plaque and low suPAR (reference). High levels of suPAR significantly increased the risk of ischemic stroke and CAD in subjects with carotid plaque. Conclusions— suPAR is associated with increased occurrence of carotid plaque and increased incidence of ischemic stroke and CAD. Presence of both elevated levels of suPAR and carotid plaque increases the risk of ischemic stroke in an additive way.