Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term ventilation of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: experiences at the Neuromuscular Centre Ulm

The various measures used to treat the symptoms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), i.e. medication with steroids, early operation on contractures and spine deformities as well as cardiac diagnostics and therapy, should always be accompanied by careful monitoring of the patient's respiratory status. Therapy for respiratory failure, in particular long-term ventilation, is now generally accepted as essential for DMD patients. The provision of assisted ventilation has made a decisive contribution to the quality of life for older patients and the stigma hitherto attached to it as being merely a means of keeping a patient comfortable towards the end of life has now been dispelled. Even outside the hospital, assisted ventilation has become routine. These days it is not uncommon for patients on assisted ventilation to have their life extended by 10 years or more. Non-invasive ventilation is sufficient if used concomitantly with coughing aids. Before undergoing orthopaedic surgery the patient' s respiratory status has to be carefully assessed in order to minimize the risk of perioperative complications. Feeding and swallowing problems may develop if the patient has a scoliosis of the cervical spine region, even if he has had thoraco-lumbar spine surgery. There is still insufficient awareness of this potential problem in relation to respiratory care. Interdisciplinary collaboration between hospitals, general practitioners, muscle and respiratory centres, as well as advocacies and self-help groups is vital. The administration of aids to support DMD patients is now facilitated by guidelines drawn up by several centres of excellence. Here we mainly describe the historic development of respiratory care at the Ulm Neuromuscular Centre.
Texture Synthesis with Prioritized Pixel Re-synthesis

In this paper, we propose a new patch-based texture synthesis method. The core of the proposed method consists of two main components: (1) a feature-weighted similarity measurement to search for the best match and (2) a dynamically prioritized-based pixel re-synthesis to reduce discontinuity at the boundary of adjacent patches. Examples and experimental comparisons with other previous methods are demonstrated to verify the usefulness of our proposed method. In addition, we enhance the proposed method with a view warping technique to better synthesize non-frontal-parallel textures (NFPTs) that can not be synthesized well by traditional texture synthesis methods.
Immune Biomarkers Predictive of Respiratory Viral Infection in Elderly Nursing Home Residents

Objective To determine if immune phenotypes associated with immunosenescence predict risk of respiratory viral infection in elderly nursing home residents. Methods Residents ≥65 years from 32 nursing homes in 4 Canadian cities were enrolled in Fall 2009, 2010 and 2011, and followed for one influenza season. Following influenza vaccination, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained and analysed by flow cytometry for T-regs, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets (CCR7+CD45RA+, CCR7-CD45RA+ and CD28-CD57+) and CMV-reactive CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained and tested for viruses in symptomatic residents. A Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for age, sex and frailty, determined the relationship between immune phenotypes and time to viral infection. Results 1072 residents were enrolled; median age 86 years and 72% female. 269 swabs were obtained, 87 were positive for virus: influenza (24%), RSV (14%), coronavirus (32%), rhinovirus (17%), human metapneumovirus (9%) and parainfluenza (5%). In multivariable analysis, high T-reg% (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.20–0.81) and high CMV-reactive CD4+ T-cell% (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.03–2.78) were predictive of respiratory viral infection. Conclusions In elderly nursing home residents, high CMV-reactive CD4+ T-cells were associated with an increased risk and high T-regs were associated with a reduced risk of respiratory viral infection.
Conjugacy in Thompson's Groups

We give a unified solution the conjugacy problem in Thompson’s groups F , V , and T using strand diagrams, a modification of tree diagrams. We then analyze the complexity of the resulting algorithms. Thompson’s group F is the group of all piecewise-linear homeomorphisms of the unit interval satisfying the following conditions: 1. Every slope is a power of two, and 2. Every breakpoint has dyadic rational coordinates. The group F is finitely presented (with two generators and two relations) and torsion-free. In addition to F , Thompson introduced two other finitely-generated groups known as T and V . Briefly, T is the set of piecewise-linear self-homeomorphisms of the circle [0, 1] / {0, 1} satsifying the two conditions above, while V is the set of piecewise-linear bijections of the interval (or self-homeomorphisms of the Cantor set) satisfying the above conditions. The standard introduction to F , T , and V is [8]. We will assume some familiarity with Thompson’s groups and, in particular, with tree diagrams. In this paper we give a unified solution for the conjugacy problem in Thompson’s groups F, T and V . We introduce strand diagrams, a modification of tree diagrams for these groups, and show how identifying the roots of the two trees defines a conjugacy invariant in all cases. This reduces the conjugacy problem to the study of the isomorphism problem for certain classes of graphs and gives us elementary proofs of some known results. Strand diagrams were first introduced by Pride in his study of the homotopy of relations using the term pictures in [19], [20] and [3] and are dual to the diagrams introduced by Guba and Sapir in [11]. In 1997 Guba and Sapir showed that F can be viewed as a diagram group for the monoid presentation 〈x | x = x〉 [11]. They give a solution for each diagram The first author gratefully acknowledges partial support from an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship while he was at Texas A&M University. This work is part of the second author’s PhD thesis at Cornell University. The second author gratefully acknowledges the Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM) and its staff for the support received during the completion of this work.
Comparing Character-level Neural Language Models Using a Lexical Decision Task

What is the information captured by neural network models of language? We address this question in the case of character-level recurrent neural language models. These models do not have explicit word representations; do they acquire implicit ones? We assess the lexical capacity of a network using the lexical decision task common in psycholinguistics: the system is required to decide whether or not a string of characters forms a word. We explore how accuracy on this task is affected by the architecture of the network, focusing on cell type (LSTM vs. SRN), depth and width. We also compare these architectural properties to a simple count of the parameters of the network. The overall number of parameters in the network turns out to be the most important predictor of accuracy; in particular, there is little evidence that deeper networks are beneficial for this task.
High-Resolution CO Imaging of the Molecular Disk around the Jets in KjPn 8

We report high-resolution (2.″5) CO J = 1-0 line imaging that confirms the presence of a molecular disk around the origin of the spectacular, 14'×4', episodic jets in the planetary nebula KjPn 8. The disk is 30'' in diameter, with an expansion velocity of ≈ 7 km s-1. The axis of the disk is aligned with the youngest and fastest (≈ 300 km s−1) of the bipolar jets, and there is evidence for interaction between the jets and the disk material. The inner 4'' of the disk are photoionized by the central star. The disk-jet system dominates the environment of this young nebula and should govern the morphology of KjPn 8 as it evolves to become fully ionized.
Progression of Regional Microstructural Degeneration in Parkinson’s Disease: A Multicenter Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

This study aimed to identify the utility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in measuring the regional distribution of abnormal microstructural progression in patients with Parkinson’s disease who were enrolled in the Parkinson's progression marker initiative (PPMI). One hundred and twenty two de-novo PD patients (age = 60.5±9) and 50 healthy controls (age = 60.6±11) had DTI scans at baseline and 12.6±1 months later. Automated image processing included an intra-subject registration of all time points and an inter-subjects registration to a brain atlas. Annualized rates of DTI variations including fractional anisotropy (FA), radial (rD) and axial (aD) diffusivity were estimated in a total of 118 white matter and subcortical regions of interest. A mixed effects model framework was used to determine the degree to which DTI changes differed in PD relative to changes in healthy subjects. Significant DTI changes were also tested for correlations with changes in clinical measures, dopaminergic imaging and CSF biomarkers in PD patients. Compared to normal aging, PD was associated with higher rates of FA reduction, rD and aD increases predominantly in the substantia nigra, midbrain and thalamus. The highest rates of FA reduction involved the substantia nigra (3.6±1.4%/year from baseline, whereas the highest rates of increased diffusivity involved the thalamus (rD: 8.0±2.9%/year, aD: 4.0±1.5%/year). In PD patients, high DTI changes in the substantia nigra correlated with increasing dopaminergic deficits as well as with declining α-synuclein and total tau protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid. Increased DTI rates in the thalamus correlated with progressive decline in global cognition in PD. The results suggest that higher rates of regional microstructural degeneration are potential markers of PD progression.
Predicting Fault Proneness of Classes Trough a Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm

Software testing is a fundamental software engineering activity for quality assurance that is also traditionally very expensive. To reduce efforts of testing strategies, some design metrics have been used to predict the fault-proneness of a software class or module. Recent works have explored the use of machine learning (ML) techniques for fault prediction. However most used ML techniques can not deal with unbalanced data and their results usually have a difficult interpretation. Because of this, this paper introduces a multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm for fault prediction. It allows the creation of classifiers composed by rules with specific properties by exploring Pareto dominance concepts. These rules are more intuitive and easier to understand because they can be interpreted independently one of each other. Furthermore, an experiment using the approach is presented and the results are compared to the other techniques explored in the area.
Empirical research on spatial and time series properties of agricultural commodity prices

This paper estimates optimal hedging ratios for a Finnish spring wheat producer under price and yield uncertainty. The contract available for hedging fixes the price and quantity at the time of sowing for a delivery at harvest. Autoregressive models are used to obtain point forecasts for the conditional mean price and price volatility at harvest. Expected yield and yield volatility are estimated from the field experiment data. A range of coefficients of absolute risk aversion are used in the computations. The results suggest that yield volatility is large and it dominates the price volatility in the optimal hedging decisions of the Finnish wheat producers. The point estimate for the price and yield correlation is negative and has a large magnitude. Thus, a negative correlation between the price and the yield, as signalled by the point estimate, will decrease the optimal hedging ratio since the Finnish farmers do not have access to selling put options when they enter in a forward contract.
Structural reforms in the EU: a simulation based analysis using the QUEST model with endogenous growth

This paper describes the endogenous growth version of the QUEST III model and uses it to analyse the macroeconomic impact of various structural reform measures. This paper describes a micro-founded DSGE model with endogenous growth that is used to analyse the macroeconomic impact of structural reforms in Europe. The new QUEST III model is a useful tool for analysing the costs and benefits of reforms in terms of concrete and quantifiable policy measures, in particular fiscal policy instruments such as taxes, benefits, subsidies and education expenditures, administrative costs faced by firms and regulatory indices. Our results confirm the beneficial effects on output and employment of skill-biased tax reforms, measures that improve the skill composition of the labour force, R&D subsidies, raising competition in final goods market, increased financial market integration and measures that remove entry barriers in certain markets. The model also allows us to examine the adjustment path and the time lags involved before these benefits can be reaped.
Undercutting the Future: European research spending in times of fiscal consolidation. Bruegel Policy Contribution 2014/06, June 2014

The crisis seems to have widened the gap between EU countries in public R&I expenditure. Even though the EU budget serves as mechanism to somewhat ease the growing public R&I divide in Europe - EU funds are relatively more significant for innovation-lagging countries with low national R&I budgets - it is crucial to assess whether the effectiveness of these R&I programmes. Understanding the degree to which public R&I budgets in the EU have been used ‘smartly’ during the crisis and whether the EU has made ‘smart’ recommendations on public R&I in the European Semester requires an assessment of the long-term impact on growth. Smart consolidation featuring R&I investment needs to take a long-term perspective and to have sound evaluation frameworks in place to assess whether the potential for high growth returns from public R&I are indeed being realised. Evaluating the effectiveness of public R&I budgets should go beyond assessing short-term additionality impacts. Smart fiscal consolidation by EU member states should include assessments of the longer-term social rates of return.
Detection of Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia typhi, Bartonella Species and Yersinia pestis in Fleas (Siphonaptera) from Africa

Little is known about the presence/absence and prevalence of Rickettsia spp, Bartonella spp. and Yersinia pestis in domestic and urban flea populations in tropical and subtropical African countries. Methodology/Principal findings Fleas collected in Benin, the United Republic of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were investigated for the presence and identity of Rickettsia spp. , Bartonella spp. and Yersinia pestis using two qPCR systems or qPCR and standard PCR. In Xenopsylla cheopis fleas collected from Cotonou (Benin), Rickettsia typhi was detected in 1% (2/199), and an uncultured Bartonella sp. was detected in 34.7% (69/199). In the Lushoto district (United Republic of Tanzania), R. typhi DNA was detected in 10% (2/20) of Xenopsylla brasiliensis, and Rickettsia felis was detected in 65% (13/20) of Ctenocephalides felis strongylus, 71.4% (5/7) of Ctenocephalides canis and 25% (5/20) of Ctenophthalmus calceatus calceatus. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, R. felis was detected in 56.5% (13/23) of Ct. f. felis from Kinshasa, in 26.3% (10/38) of Ct. f. felis and 9% (1/11) of Leptopsylla aethiopica aethiopica from Ituri district and in 19.2% (5/26) of Ct. f. strongylus and 4.7% (1/21) of Echidnophaga gallinacea. Bartonella sp. was also detected in 36.3% (4/11) of L. a. aethiopica. Finally, in Ituri, Y. pestis DNA was detected in 3.8% (1/26) of Ct. f. strongylus and 10% (3/30) of Pulex irritans from the villages of Wanyale and Zaa. Conclusion Most flea-borne infections are neglected diseases which should be monitored systematically in domestic rural and urban human populations to assess their epidemiological and clinical relevance. Finally, the presence of Y. pestis DNA in fleas captured in households was unexpected and raises a series of questions regarding the role of free fleas in the transmission of plague in rural Africa, especially in remote areas where the flea density in houses is high.
Specific Deficit in Implicit Motor Sequence Learning following Spinal Cord Injury

Background Physical and psychosocial rehabilitation following spinal cord injury (SCI) leans heavily on learning and practicing new skills. However, despite research relating motor sequence learning to spinal cord activity and clinical observations of impeded skill-learning after SCI, implicit procedural learning following spinal cord damage has not been examined. Objective To test the hypothesis that spinal cord injury (SCI) in the absence of concomitant brain injury is associated with a specific implicit motor sequence learning deficit that cannot be explained by depression or impairments in other cognitive measures. Methods Ten participants with SCI in T1-T11, unharmed upper limb motor and sensory functioning, and no concomitant brain injury were compared to ten matched control participants on measures derived from the serial reaction time (SRT) task, which was used to assess implicit motor sequence learning. Explicit generation of the SRT sequence, depression, and additional measures of learning, memory, and intelligence were included to explore the source and specificity of potential learning deficits. Results There was no between-group difference in baseline reaction time, indicating that potential differences between the learning curves of the two groups could not be attributed to an overall reduction in response speed in the SCI group. Unlike controls, the SCI group showed no decline in reaction time over the first six blocks of the SRT task and no advantage for the initially presented sequence over the novel interference sequence. Meanwhile, no group differences were found in explicit learning, depression, or any additional cognitive measures. Conclusions The dissociation between impaired implicit learning and intact declarative memory represents novel empirical evidence of a specific implicit procedural learning deficit following SCI, with broad implications for rehabilitation and adjustment.
The Case for Subspecialization in Neurology: Movement Disorders

Within the world of medicine, the advent of new treatments and new technology has resulted in an increase in the number of specialties and subspecialties. This is especially true in neurology. A widely quoted article has demonstrated that 74% of neurology residents will do a fellowship (Larson et al., 2000), and given that the survey was done over 10 years ago, the number increased, as the most recent AAN resident survey gives a number of almost 78% (Resident Survey, 2008). Movement disorders is one of the many neurology fellowships that is non-accredited. On the AAN webpage there are currently 44 programs listed in the United States and Canada that offer a movement disorders fellowship (Directory for Fellowship Positions: American Academy of Neurology, 2010). The AAN resident survey reported that 9% of residents going into a fellowship chose movement disorders (Resident Survey, 2008). The question under consideration is to determine when a general neurologist should refer a patient to a movement disorders specialist.
Marriage and Divorce: Reply

In the popular press and among policymakers the effect of no-fault divorce laws on divorce rates remains an issue (see e.g., New York Times, 23 July 1991). In my 1986 article in this Review, I show that the adoption of one form of no-fault divorceunilateral divorce-does not lead to a significant increase in divorce rates. ' The theoretical model that is consistent with this empirical evidence would imply that the new law does not decrease the costs of divorce. It merely redefines which party has the right to terminate the marriage.
Integration of HIV in the Human Genome: Which Sites Are Preferential? A Genetic and Statistical Assessment

Chromosomal fragile sites (FSs) are loci where gaps and breaks may occur and are preferential integration targets for some viruses, for example, Hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus, HPV16, HPV18, and MLV vectors. However, the integration of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Giemsa bands and in FSs is not yet completely clear. This study aimed to assess the integration preferences of HIV in FSs and in Giemsa bands using an in silico study. HIV integration positions from Jurkat cells were used and two nonparametric tests were applied to compare HIV integration in dark versus light bands and in FS versus non-FS (NFSs). The results show that light bands are preferential targets for integration of HIV-1 in Jurkat cells and also that it integrates with equal intensity in FSs and in NFSs. The data indicates that HIV displays different preferences for FSs compared to other viruses. The aim was to develop and apply an approach to predict the conditions and constraints of HIV insertion in the human genome which seems to adequately complement empirical data.
Cav1.3 (CACNA1D) L‐type Ca2+ channel dysfunction in CNS disorders

Cav1.3 belongs to the family of voltage‐gated L‐type Ca2+ channels and is encoded by the CACNA1D gene. Cav1.3 channels are not only essential for cardiac pacemaking, hearing and hormone secretion but are also expressed postsynaptically in neurons, where they shape neuronal firing and plasticity. Recent findings provide evidence that human mutations in the CACNA1D gene can confer risk for the development of neuropsychiatric disease and perhaps also epilepsy. Loss of Cav1.3 function, as shown in knock‐out mouse models and by human mutations, does not result in neuropsychiatric or neurological disease symptoms, whereas their acute selective pharmacological activation results in a depressive‐like behaviour in mice. Therefore it is likely that CACNA1D mutations enhancing activity may be disease relevant also in humans. Indeed, whole exome sequencing studies, originally prompted to identify mutations in primary aldosteronism, revealed de novo CACNA1D missense mutations permitting enhanced Ca2+ signalling through Cav1.3. Remarkably, apart from primary aldosteronism, heterozygous carriers of these mutations also showed seizures and neurological abnormalities. Different missense mutations with very similar gain‐of‐function properties were recently reported in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). These data strongly suggest that CACNA1D mutations enhancing Cav1.3 activity confer a strong risk for – or even cause – CNS disorders, such as ASD.