Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Dysfunction in Cortical Cerebellar Atrophy Correlates with Impairment of the Inhibitory System

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the profile of cognitive impairment in patients with cortical cerebellar atrophy (CCA) by measurement of event-related potentials (ERP) and neuropsychological tests. We studied 13 CCA patients and 13 age-, sex- and education-matched normal controls. For ERP recording, we used the conventional auditory oddball task as well as the continuous performance task, which evaluates the attentional performance and ability to control a motor response, i.e., to execute (‘Go’) or inhibit a motor reaction (‘No Go’). Brain electric activity was recorded using 20 scalp electrodes and computed into series of potential distribution maps. For components of ERP, reference-independent measures [global field power (GFP)] were determined, and low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) was used to compute the three-dimensional intracerebral distribution of electric activity of the P3 component of Go and No Go responses. A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was also assessed. GFP peak latency was prolonged and GFP peak was attenuated under the No Go condition in patients with CCA, although there were no differences in the auditory oddball task and in the Go condition between the two groups. LORETA showed low activation of frontal source in CCA patients in No Go P3 compared with the controls. However, neuropsychological tests revealed no differences between the two groups. Our results indicate that degeneration of the cerebellum contributes to frontal dysfunction, and suggest this dysfunction is characterized by an impairment of the inhibitory system.
Experiences of Japanese Men During the Transition to Fatherhood

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning of the lived experience of Japanese men during the transition to fatherhood. Design: Hermeneutic phenomenology was used. Participants were 12 Japanese men who had a first-time healthy child younger than 1 year of age, who were sought by using a purposeful sampling technique. Findings: The following six themes were identified: (1) feeling like a father; (2) realizing oneself as a husband; (3) finding the wife’s pregnancy and delivery for the first time to be an impressive experience; (4) sharing time and space with one’s child; (5) being aware of a change and trying to adjust to a new life; and (6) being aware of the difference between oneself and one’s wife. These six themes created essence of the phenomenon of “becoming a father. ” Discussion: This study revealed Japanese men’s own voice on becoming first-time fathers of infants.
Clinical Assessment of the Efficiency of Low Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa of uncertain etiology. AIM: To evaluate the effect of using low level laser therapy (LLLT (970 nm Siro laser Advance) for the treatment of symptomatic (OLP). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on ten patients suffering from persistent oral lichen planus (OLP). Patients were treated with diode laser (970nm) for the symptomatic relief of pain and burning sensation. The patients were assessed before, during and after the completion of the laser treatment which was done twice weekly for two successive months with maximum of ten sessions. The assessment was performed using visual analogue scale (VAS) and clinical investigation for each patient. RESULTS: Detailed significant reduction in lesion size and showed complete remission of burning sensation and pain. No reported complications or therapy side effects were observed in any of the treated patients. CONCLUSION: Diode laser therapy seems to be an effective adjunctive treatment modality for relieving pain and clinical symptoms of OLP.
NASA Team 2 Sea Ice Concentration Algorithm Retrieval Uncertainty

Satellite microwave radiometers are widely used to estimate sea ice cover properties (concentration, extent, and area) through the use of sea ice concentration (IC) algorithms. Rare are the algorithms providing associated IC uncertainty estimates. Algorithm uncertainty estimates are needed to assess accurately global and regional trends in IC (and thus extent and area), and to improve sea ice predictions on seasonal to interannual timescales using data assimilation approaches. This paper presents a method to provide relative IC uncertainty estimates using the enhanced NASA Team (NT2) IC algorithm. The proposed approach takes advantage of the NT2 calculations and solely relies on the brightness temperatures (TBs) used as input. NT2 IC and its associated relative uncertainty are obtained for both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres using the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) TB. NT2 IC relative uncertainties estimated on a footprint-by-footprint swath-by-swath basis were averaged daily over each 12.5-km grid cell of the polar stereographic grid. For both hemispheres and throughout the year, the NT2 relative uncertainty is <;5%. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is low in the interior ice pack, and it increases in the marginal ice zone up to 5%. In the Northern Hemisphere, areas with high uncertainties are also found in the high IC area of the Central Arctic. Retrieval uncertainties are greater in areas corresponding to NT2 ice types associated with deep snow and new ice. Seasonal variations in uncertainty show larger values in summer as a result of melt conditions and greater atmospheric contributions. Our analysis also includes an evaluation of the NT2 algorithm sensitivity to AMSR-E sensor noise. There is a 60% probability that the IC does not change (to within the computed retrieval precision of 1%) due to sensor noise, and the cumulated probability shows that there is a 90% chance that the IC varies by less than ±3%. We also examined the daily IC variability, which is dominated by sea ice drift and ice formation/melt. Daily IC variability is the highest, year round, in the MIZ (often up to 20%, locally 30%). The temporal and spatial distributions of the retrieval uncertainties and the daily IC variability is expected to be useful for algorithm intercomparisons, climate trend assessments, and possibly IC assimilation in models.
Health and economic outcomes of antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

BACKGROUND Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing problem. OBJECTIVE To examine the clinical and economic impact of antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS In-hospital mortality, secondary bacteremia, length of stay, and hospital charges were examined in a cohort of 489 inpatients with positive clinical cultures for P aeruginosa. One hundred forty-four had a resistant baseline P aeruginosa isolate and 30 had resistance emerge during follow-up. Multivariable and survival analytic methods were used to adjust for confounding and effects of time. RESULTS The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 7.6%, 7.7% in patients with a resistant isolate at baseline (relative risk [RR], 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6-2.8) and 27% in patients in whom resistance emerged (RR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.2-7.8). Secondary bacteremia developed in 1.4% of patients in whom resistance did not emerge and in 14% of those in whom resistance emerged (RR, 9.0; 95% CI, 2.7-30). The median duration of hospital stay following the initial P aeruginosa isolate was 7 days. Emergence of resistance, but not baseline resistance, was significantly associated with a longer hospital stay (P<.001 and P=.71, respectively). The average daily hospital charge was $2059. Neither baseline resistance nor emergence of resistance had a significant effect on the daily hospital charge. In a matched cohort analysis, a trend was seen toward increased total charges in patients demonstrating emergence of resistance (difference, $7340; P=.14). CONCLUSIONS Emergence of antibiotic resistance in P aeruginosa results in severe adverse outcomes. Efforts should be directed toward early detection and prevention of emergence of antibiotic resistance.
Ferrofluids: Magnetically Controllable Fluids And Their Applications

Synthesis and Characterization. - The Preparation of Magnetic Fluids. - Magnetic Spectroscopy as an Aide in Understanding Magnetic Fluids. - Magnetic and Crystalline Nanostructures in Ferrofluids as Probed by Small Angle Neutron Scattering. - Basic Theory. - Basic Equations for Magnetic Fluids with Internal Rotations. - Ferrohydrodynamics: Retrospective and Issues. - Ferrofluid Dynamics. - Heat and Mass Transfer Phenomena. - Rheological Properties. - Statistical Physics of Non-dilute Ferrofluids. - Magnetic Fluid as an Assembly of Flexible Chains. - Magnetoviscous Effects in Ferrofluids. - Magnetorheology: Fluids, Structures and Rheology. - Applications. - Targeted Tumor Therapy with "Magnetic Drug Targeting": Therapeutic Efficacy of Ferrofluid Bound Mitoxantrone.
Larval development of Phoronis pallida (Phoronida): Implications for morphological convergence and divergence among larval body plans

Morphological variation among larval body plans must be placed into a phylogenetic and ecological context to assess whether similar morphologies are the result of phylogenetic constraints or convergent selective pressures. Investigations are needed of the diverse larval forms within the Lophotrochozoa, especially the larvae of phoronids and brachiopods. The actinotroch larva of Phoronis pallida (Phoronida) was reared in the laboratory to metamorphic competence. Larval development and growth were followed with video microscopy, SEM, and confocal microscopy. Early developmental features were similar to other phoronid species. Gastrulation was accomplished by embolic invagination of the vegetal hemisphere. Mesenchymal cells were found in the remaining blastocoelic space after invagination began. Mesenchymal cells formed the body wall musculature during the differentiation of larval features. Body wall musculature served as the framework from which all other larval muscles proliferated. Larval growth correlated best with developmental stage rather than age. Consistent with other phoronid species, differentiation of juvenile tissues occurred most rapidly at the latest stages of larval development. The minimum precompetency period of P. pallida was estimated to be ∼4–6 weeks. Previously published studies have documented that the planktonic embryos of P. pallida develop faster than the brooded embryos of P. vancouverensis. However, these data showed that the difference in developmental rate between the two species decreased in succeeding larval stages. There may be convergent selective pressures that result in similar timing to metamorphic competence among phoronid and brachiopod planktotrophic larval types. Morphological differences between these larval types result from heterochronic developmental shifts in the differentiation of juvenile tissue. Similarities in the larval morphology of phoronids and basal deuterostomes are likely the result of functional and developmental constraints rather than a shared (recent) evolutionary origin. These constraints are imposed by the functional design of embryological stages, feeding structures, and swimming structures. J. Morphol. 259:347–358, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A DNA sequence design for molecular computation of HPP with output visualization based on real-time PCR

Molecular computing has proved its possibility to solve weighted graph problem such as Hamiltonian Path Problem (HPP), Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) and the Shortest Path Problem (SPP). Normally, in molecular computation, the DNA sequences used for the computation should be critically designed in order to reduce error that could occur during computation. In the previous paper, we have proposed a readout method tailored specifically to HPP in DNA Computing using real-time PCR for output visualization. Six nodes of HPP was considered. Based on the example instance, the method requires 11 oligonucleotides, where 6 oligonucleotides are for the nodes and 5 oligonucleotides are for the edges. Three TaqMan probes and five primers are required as well. In this study, a procedure for DNA sequence design is presented in order to obtain good sequences for those nodes, primers, and probes. The experiment is done based on the generated DNA sequences and the Hamiltonian Path can be determined successfully.
Microworkers vs. facebook: The impact of crowdsourcing platform choice on experimental results

Subjective laboratory tests represent a proven, reliable approach towards multimedia quality assessment. Nonetheless, in certain cases novel progressive quality of experience (QoE) assessment methods can lead to better results or enable test execution in more cost-effective ways. In this respect, crowdsourcing can be considered as emerging method enabling researchers to better explore end-user quality perception when requiring a large panel of subjects, particularly for Web application usage scenarios. However, the crowdsourcing platform chosen for recruiting participants can have an impact on the experimental results. In this paper, we examine the platform's influence on QoE results by comparing MOS scores of two otherwise identical subjective HD video quality experiments executed on one paid and one non-paid crowdsourcing platform.
Estimation of heart rate from a chest-worn inertial measurement unit

Recently, wearable devices for measuring cardiovascular functions have attracted increasing research attention. However, these devices must use electrodes or other sensors attached to the human body, which makes the wearer uncomfortable for long-term use. In this study, we demonstrated the feasibility of using a chest-worn device, called eButton, to measure heart rate without any skin-attachments. Instead of measuring electrical or optical signals, we use a 9-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) which contains a 3-axis gyroscope, a 3-axis accelerometer, and a 3-axis magnetometer to detect the mechanical vibration of chest due to heart movement. The signal acquired is called the ballistocardiogram (BCG). From an experiment with ten normal research participants, we have found that the BCG waveform is more observable in the output of the gyroscope than the output of the accelerometer. An algorithm is developed to estimate the heart rate from the gyroscope-acquired BCG.
The influence of caregiver depressive symptoms on proxy report of youth depressive symptoms: a test of the depression-distortion hypothesis in pediatric type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To test the depression-distortion hypothesis in pediatric type 1 diabetes. METHODS In a sample of 187 youth with type 1 diabetes, caregivers completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI): parent proxy report. Youth completed the CDI. To test whether caregiver depressive symptoms (CES-D) moderated the proxy report of youth depressive symptoms (CDI:P), the CDI, CES-D, and their interactions were entered as predictors in to a regression analysis. RESULTS The regression was significant, F (8,178) = 9.26, p <. 0001, R(2) =. 29, and all three variables were significant predictors. Post-hoc probing of the interaction showed that caregivers with high CES-D scores reported high levels of youth depressive symptoms at both high and low levels of youth-reported depressive symptoms. In contrast, caregivers with low CES-D scores reported similar levels as the youth. CONCLUSIONS These results support the depression-distortion hypothesis in a pediatric chronic disease sample.
Characteristics of frequent users of an acute psychiatric inpatient unit: a five-year study in Portugal.

OBJECTIVE This study examined demographic and clinical characteristics of frequent users of a psychiatric inpatient unit in Portugal. METHODS Data (2004-2008) for 1,348 consecutive psychiatric inpatients were reviewed. Frequent users (N=137), who had at least three admissions in the study period, were compared with nonfrequent users (N=1,211) on age, gender, race-ethnicity, diagnosis, and compulsory admissions. Data were analyzed with chi square and Student's t tests. RESULTS Frequent users accounted for 29% of admissions. They were significantly younger than nonfrequent users (39±14 versus 44±17, p<.001), and a larger proportion had compulsory admissions (28% versus 14%, p<.001). The frequent user group also had significantly higher rates of bipolar disorder (61% versus 46%, p<.001) and schizophrenia (29% versus 18%, p<.003). CONCLUSIONS Understanding characteristics of frequent users can inform development of appropriate services. Research should address other variables related to frequent admissions, including socioeconomic factors, general medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and treatment compliance.
Evaluation of genetic diversity in jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) based on amplified fragment length polymorphism markers.

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. , commonly called jackfruit, is a medium-sized evergreen tree that bears high yields of the largest known edible fruit. Yet, it has been little explored commercially due to wide variation in fruit quality. The genetic diversity and genetic relatedness of 50 jackfruit accessions were studied using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Of 16 primer pairs evaluated, eight were selected for screening of genotypes based on the number and quality of polymorphic fragments produced. These primer combinations produced 5976 bands, 1267 (22%) of which were polymorphic. Among the jackfruit accessions, the similarity coefficient ranged from 0.137 to 0.978; the accessions also shared a large number of monomorphic fragments (78%). Cluster analysis and principal component analysis grouped all jackfruit genotypes into three major clusters. Cluster I included the genotypes grown in a jackfruit region of Karnataka, called Tamaka, with very dry conditions; cluster II contained the genotypes collected from locations having medium to heavy rainfall in Karnataka; cluster III grouped the genotypes in distant locations with different environmental conditions. Strong coincidence of these amplified fragment length polymorphism-based groupings with geographical localities as well as morphological characters was observed. We found moderate genetic diversity in these jackfruit accessions. This information should be useful for tree breeding programs, as part of our effort to popularize jackfruit as a commercial crop.
Internal Anal Sphincter Function Following Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy for Anal Fissure: A Long-term Manometric Study

Background:Anal fissure is a common and painful disorder. Its relation to hypertonic anal sphincter is controversial. The most common surgical treatment of chronic anal fissure is lateral internal sphincterotomy. Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term manometric results of sphincter healing following lateral internal sphincterotomy. Patients and Methods:Between 2000 and 2003, 50 patients with anal fissure were included in this study and underwent sphincterotomy; 12 healthy patients served as controls. All patients with anal fissure underwent manometric evaluation using a 6-channel perfusion catheter. All patients were examined 1 month before surgery and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following surgery. The control group had 3 manometric evaluations 6 months apart. Results:The mean basal resting pressure before surgery was 138 ± 28 mm Hg. One month after surgery, the pressure dropped to 86 ± 15 mm Hg (P < 0.0001) and gradually rose to a plateau at 12 months (110 ± 18 mm Hg, P < 0.0001). At 12 months, the manometric pressure was significantly lower than the baseline (P < 0.0001). However, manometric measurements in the fissure group were still significantly higher than in the control group (110 ± 18 versus 73 ± 4.8 mm Hg, P < 0.0001). All patients were free of symptoms at the 12-month follow-up. Conclusion:Lateral internal sphincterotomy caused a significant decline in the resting anal pressure. During the first year following surgery, the tone of the internal anal sphincter gradually increased, indicating recovery, but still remained significantly lower than before surgery. However, postoperative resting pressures were higher than those in the control, and no patient suffered any permanent problems with incontinence, so this decrease may not be clinically significant.
Texture and Magnetism of Nanocrystalline Ni Films and Multilayers

Nickel films are grown by radio frequency magnetron sputtering on Corning glass, polyimide foils and on the native oxide of Si (100) wafers at low (1x10-3 mbar) and relatively high (2.5x10-2 mbar) Argon pressure at 100 °C. The base pressure of the high vacuum chamber is 1x10-7 mbar. X-ray diffraction experiments are performed to reveal the different texture of various Ni films. Magneto-optical Kerr effect hysteresis loops and magnetic force microscopy images show correlation between Argon pressure, texture and magnetic anisotropy of the films. The results are discussed with respect to relevant measurements of Ni/NiO magnetic multilayers prepared under similar experimental conditions.
Treatment with interferon beta-1b delays conversion to clinically definite and McDonald MS in patients with clinically isolated syndromes

Objective: To assess efficacy, safety, and tolerability of every-other-day interferon beta-1b treatment in patients with a first clinical event suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) (clinically isolated syndrome). Methods: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients with a first clinical demyelinating event and at least two clinically silent brain MRI lesions were randomized to interferon beta-1b (IFNB-1b) 250 μg subcutaneously (SC) every other day (EOD) (n = 292) or placebo (n = 176), until clinically definite MS (CDMS) was diagnosed or they had been followed for 24 months. Results: After 2 years, 45% of placebo patients had converted to CDMS (Kaplan-Meier estimate; primary outcome measure) and 85% fulfilled the McDonald criteria (co-primary outcome measure). Overall interferon beta-1b delayed the time to diagnosis of CDMS (p < 0.0001) and McDonald MS (p < 0.00001). Hazard ratios (95% CI) were 0.50 (0.36 to 0.70) for CDMS and 0.54 (0.43 to 0.67) for McDonald MS favoring treatment with IFNB-1b. Treatment was well tolerated, as indicated by the low rate of patients dropping out of the study before CDMS was reached (6.6% overall, 7.2% in the IFNB-1b group). Conclusions: Interferon beta-1b 250 μg subcutaneously every other day delayed conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis, and should be considered as a therapeutic option in patients presenting with a first clinical event suggestive of multiple sclerosis.
The CD4/CD8 ratio as a marker T-cell activation, senescence and activation/exhaustion in treated HIV-infected children and young adults

We explored the associations of the CD4/CD8 ratio with markers of immunoactivation, immunosenescence and T-cell subsets, in 37 vertically HIV-infected children and adolescents. CD4/CD8 ratio inversion was associated with higher frequencies of activated, senescent and activated/exhausted CD4+and CD8+ T-cells, and a skewed T-cell phenotype from naive toward effector memory which persisted after the multivariate analysis. Thus, the CD4/CD8 ratio may identify patients with higher immunoactivation despite ART.