Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vitamin B12 deficiency: a clinical and electrophysiological profile.

OBJECTIVE The present study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiological profile of vitamin B12 deficiency syndrome and whether a correlation exists between the disease process and the various electrophysiological parameters. METHODS 40 patients with vitamin B12 deficiency neurological syndromes with low serum vitamin B12 and high homocysteine levels were subjected to a detailed motor and sensory nerve conduction studies and pattern reversal VER (P100), SSEP (P37) after stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve and median nerve (N 20) were obtained bilaterally. MR cervical spine was done in all the patients and MR brain in those who presented with neuro-psychiatric symptoms. The patients were followed up at three months, six months and one year after treatment. RESULTS On the basis of clinico-electrophysiological profile, 31 patients had myeloneuropathy, 5 isolated myelopathy, 4 isolated neuropathy. Four of the patients with myeloneuropathy, had concomitant dementia. MR imaging revealed abnormality in 12.5% of cases. Prolongation of P37 latency was observed in 39 (97.5%) patients, N 20 latency in 22 (55%), and P100 latency in 19 (47.5%) patients. Peripheral neuropathy was seen in 18 patients; optic neuropathy in 8; and combination of peripheral and optic neuropathy in 9 patients. The peripheral neuropathy was axonal in 19, and demyelinating in 6 patients. There was a significant correlation of the duration of the disease with N 20 latency (P < 0.04). Serum vitamin B12 level correlated well with the latencies of P37 (P < 0.005) and sural SNAP (P < 0.006). On treatment, normalization of P100, MRI signal, N 20 and partial recovery of P37 latencies was seen at 6 months, 9 months and one year respectively. CONCLUSION Differential recovery of central and peripheral syndromes was seen. This correlated with the underlying demyelinating and axonal processes, which was well reflected by the electrophysiological studies, and has an important bearing on the outcome.
Unresponsiveness ≠ Unconsciousness

Consciousness is subjective experience. During both sleep and anesthesia, consciousness is common, evidenced by dreaming. A defining feature of dreaming is that, while conscious, we do not experience our environment; we are disconnected. Besides inducing behavioral unresponsiveness, a key goal of anesthesia is to prevent the experience of surgery (connected consciousness), by inducing either unconsciousness or disconnection of consciousness from the environment. Review of the isolated forearm technique demonstrates that consciousness, connectedness, and responsiveness uncouple during anesthesia; in clinical conditions, a median 37% of patients demonstrate connected consciousness. We describe potential neurobiological constructs that can explain this phenomenon: during light anesthesia the subcortical mechanisms subserving spontaneous behavioral responsiveness are disabled but information integration within the corticothalamic network continues to produce consciousness, and unperturbed norepinephrinergic signaling maintains connectedness. These concepts emphasize the need for developing anesthetic regimens and depth of anesthesia monitors that specifically target mechanisms of consciousness, connectedness, and responsiveness.
Hierarchical part-based visual object categorization

We propose a generative model that codes the geometry and appearance of generic visual object categories as a loose hierarchy of parts, with probabilistic spatial relations linking parts to subparts, soft assignment of subparts to parts, and scale invariant keypoint based local features at the lowest level of the hierarchy. The method is designed to efficiently handle categories containing hundreds of redundant local features, such as those returned by current key-point detectors. This robustness allows it to outperform constellation style models, despite their stronger spatial models. The model is initialized by robust bottom-up voting over location-scale pyramids, and optimized by expectation-maximization. Training is rapid, and objects do not need to be marked in the training images. Experiments on several popular datasets show the method's ability to capture complex natural object classes.
Differentiating obstructive from central and complex sleep apnea using an automated electrocardiogram-based method.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Complex sleep apnea is defined as sleep disordered breathing secondary to simultaneous upper airway obstruction and respiratory control dysfunction. The objective of this study was to assess the utility of an electrocardiogram (ECG)-based cardiopulmonary coupling technique to distinguish obstructive from central or complex sleep apnea. DESIGN Analysis of archived polysomnographic datasets. SETTING A laboratory for computational signal analysis. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The PhysioNet Sleep Apnea Database, consisting of 70 polysomnograms including single-lead ECG signals of approximately 8 hours duration, was used to train an ECG-based measure of autonomic and respiratory interactions (cardiopulmonary coupling) to detect periods of apnea and hypopnea, based on the presence of elevated low-frequency coupling (e-LFC). In the PhysioNet BIDMC Congestive Heart Failure Database (ECGs of 15 subjects), a pattern of "narrow spectral band" e-LFC was especially common. The algorithm was then applied to the Sleep Heart Health Study-I dataset, to select the 15 records with the highest amounts of broad and narrow spectral band e-LFC. The latter spectral characteristic seemed to detect not only periods of central apnea, but also obstructive hypopneas with a periodic breathing pattern. Applying the algorithm to 77 sleep laboratory split-night studies showed that the presence of narrow band e-LFC predicted an increased sensitivity to induction of central apneas by positive airway pressure. CONCLUSIONS ECG-based spectral analysis allows automated, operator-independent characterization of probable interactions between respiratory dyscontrol and upper airway anatomical obstruction. The clinical utility of spectrographic phenotyping, especially in predicting failure of positive airway pressure therapy, remains to be more thoroughly tested.
Researching Spirituality and Meaning in the Workplace

In this paper we begin to address the topic of researching spirituality in the workplace. The notion of spirituality at work has been an increasing focus of attention in the academic literature over the last 10 years or so, with several special editions of journals being dedicated to the topic. However, we find at least two areas of this work so far to be problematic. One aspect relates to the apparent ambiguity relating to the term 'spirituality' in itself and, especially, in comparison to the use of the word 'religion'. Another aspect refers to the motives and drivers behind the study of workplace spirituality and the search for 'higher meaning'. In essence, we find the predominant objectives behind the research to be highly instrumental. Sometimes this seems to be deliberately espoused but sometimes it is more hidden. This paper attempts a preliminary critical review of the field with a special emphasis on the issues it raises for the researcher. In particular, we seek to show how the way in which 'spirituality' is conceived and constructed directly affects decisions related to methodologica l choice and (ultimately) to research design itself. We close the paper by reflecting on the importance of the topic and yet the dangers inherent in appearing to trivialise its nature.
Revisiting Models of Influence Spread in Social Networks

In many settings, network structure is used to inform difficult decisions, such as how promotional events should be targeted to encourage widespread adoption of a product, or predict complex phenomena, such as how contagions will spread through social circles to create an epidemic. Though seemingly unrelated, modeling these phenomena using networks reveals that they are strikingly similar. Research on influence maximization aims to capture these scenarios within a general problem setting: given a network, find a set of network nodes to ‘activate’ in order to encourage a maximal spread of network activity (e.g. adoption of a product). However, this research is typically done under strict modeling assumptions which are at best intuitive but unjustified. The Linear Threshold Model introduced by [1] is one example of this. The model’s simplicity is necessary to some degree in order for the influence maximization problem to be manageable (as proved in [1]), but the model is never justified, nor are the algorithms developed under this framework ever evaluated on data that is not synthetically generated by the theoretical model. Our contributions in this project are threefold. First, we compile a very large data set (approximately 70 GB) into realworld influence spread events, a type of data which is extremely scarce in practice. We then extensively analyze common spreading models against this data set, which is to our knowledge the first time these spreading models have been evaluated for their usefulness in describing real spreading phenomena. Finally, we propose an alternative model of influence spread phenomena, and show that it models our data substantially better than the widely studied Linear Threshold Model.
Neural connections of the posteromedial cortex in the macaque

The posterior cingulate and the medial parietal cortices constitute an ensemble known as the posteromedial cortex (PMC), which consists of Brodmann areas 23, 29, 30, 31, and 7m. To understand the neural relationship of the PMC with the rest of the brain, we injected its component areas with four different anterograde and retrograde tracers in the cynomolgus monkey and found that all PMC areas are interconnected with each other and with the anterior cingulate, the mid-dorsolateral prefrontal, the lateral parietal cortices, and area TPO, as well as the thalamus, where projections from some of the PMC areas traverse in an uninterrupted bar-like manner, the dorsum of this structure from the posteriormost nuclei to its rostralmost tip. All PMC regions also receive projections from the claustrum and the basal forebrain and project to the caudate, the basis pontis, and the zona incerta. Moreover, the posterior cingulate areas are interconnected with the parahippocampal regions, whereas the medial parietal cortex projects only sparsely to the presubiculum. Although local interconnections and shared remote connections of all PMC components suggest a functional relationship among them, the distinct connections of each area with different neural structures suggests that distinct functional modules may be operating within the PMC. Our study provides a large-scale map of the PMC connections with the rest of the brain, which may serve as a useful tool for future studies of this cortical region and may contribute to elucidating its intriguing pattern of activity seen in recent functional imaging studies.
The Listening Comprehension Strategies of Core French High School Students

Cet article presente les resultats d'une etude sur les strategies de comprehension utilisees par les etudiants de francais langue seconde (francais de base) lors d'activites d'ecoute. Par le biais d'entrevues, les etudiants de 4 niveaux differents ont expose les strategies d'ecoute dont ils disposent dans differents contextes. Ils ont tous demontre une certaine connaissance des strategies metacognitives, cognitives et socio-affectives
Survival of M1a Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated Surgically: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

Abstract Background Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is always associated with a poor outcome and is rarely treated with surgical resection. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the effectiveness of surgical treatments. Methods We have retrospectively analyzed the records of NSCLC patients with local thoracic metastatic disease (M1a) who had been treated with surgical resection. The impact on survival of eight variables (age, gender, smoking status, current drinking status, site of metastasis, pathology classifications, resection status, and presence of adjuvant treatment) were further assessed. Results Eighty patients (49 males, 61%) with a median age of 58 (range, 38–80) were included. Metastatic sites included: pleural nodules with or without effusion metastasis (51, 63.8%), pleural effusion without nodules (7, 8.8%), contralateral lung (9, 11.3%), diaphragm nodules metastasis (5, 6.3%), and pericardium nodules metastasis (8, 10%). Histology was adenocarcinoma in 55, squamous-cell carcinoma in 16, large cell in 5 and other in 4 patients. Types of lung resection performed for primary tumors were complete resection in 43 and limited resection in 37 patients. Survival at 5 years for the overall population reached 31% (95% confidence interval, 19.4–43%). The median overall survival time was 34.3 months. Ten (12.5%) patients survived for more than 5 years. Smoking status and postoperative adjuvant treatment were independent prognostic factors (p = 0.006 and 0.013). There was no impact on survival for the other six variables. Conclusion Surgical treatments in M1a NSCLC seem to be associated with improved survival than published results and might be considered in the management of selected cases. Selected patients, including good performance status and nonsmoking histology, may predict for improved survival in these patients.
Functional expression of the murine Thy-1.2 gene in transfected human T cells

The interaction of certain mAbs with the Thy-1 molecules of murine T lymphocytes leads to cell activation and proliferation. To examine the signal transduction mechanism underlying this process and to determine what, if any, relationship exists between Thy-1-dependent triggering and T cell activation mediated through the T3-antigen receptor (T3-Ti) complex, a genomic clone of murine Thy-1.2 was isolated and transfected into the human T cell tumor, Jurkat. The transfected gene was actively transcribed in these human cells and high levels of Thy-1.2 glycoprotein were found on the cell membrane. Although certain mAbs to Thy-1.2 failed to bind to the Thy-1 transfected Jurkat cells, several known mitogenic anti-Thy-1 mAbs did react, and in the presence of phorbol ester, induced IL-2 secretion. One Thy-1+ transfectant out of five failed to produce IL-2 in response to anti-T3/Ti antibodies even though it retained the ability to increase intracytoplasmic calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i) in response to these ligands. A Thy-1 negative revertant of this cell regained anti-T3/Ti reactivity, suggesting a regulatory defect in signal transmission via T3/Ti in the original transfectant. These data confirm the ability of Thy-1 to act as an activation receptor for T cells. They reveal a potential role for changes in [Ca2+]i in this process, in common with other pathways of T cell activation, but also indicate a more complex series of events is involved.
Sequential maintenance therapy with cyclosporin A and mycophenolate mofetil for sustained remission of childhood steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND There is currently no established standard for maintenance therapy of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). We report the long-term clinical course, medication, pharmacokinetic data, and renal function of 23 children with primary, non-familial SRNS with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). METHODS To achieve initial remission, patients were treated with high-dose intravenous (i. v.) methylprednisolone and oral cyclosporin A (CsA). Maintenance therapy included transient alternate day oral prednisolone, CsA and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers. In 18 patients, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (adjusted to achieve blood mycophenolic acid trough concentrations > 2 μg/mL) was sequentially added, and 16 patients were converted to MMF monotherapy. RESULTS During a mean follow-up time of 7.0 years (1.7-16.5 years; cumulative observation time 161 patient-years), sustained remission could be achieved in all patients. Five of 23 patients (21%) experienced 10 relapses; all responded to relapse therapy. Maintenance therapy could be permanently discontinued in seven patients (30%). After conversion from CsA to MMF, renal function improved significantly; the eGFR at last follow-up was 137 (range 106-198) mL/min × 1.73 m(2). The mean number of anti-hypertensive drugs decreased from 1.86 per patient after initial remission to 0.57 on MMF monotherapy (P < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS The data of this uncontrolled retrospective study indicate that in children with SRNS/FSGS achieving initial remission, a sequential steroid-free therapy consisting of a combination of CsA and MMF followed by MMF alone (with the addition of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers), can provide sustained long-term remission, preservation of renal function and better control of blood pressure.
Different Methods of Balancing Covariates Leading to Different Effect Estimates in the Presence of Effect Modification

A number of covariate-balancing methods, based on the propensity score, are widely used to estimate treatment effects in observational studies. If the treatment effect varies with the propensity score, however, different methods can give very different answers. The authors illustrate this effect by using data from a United Kingdom–based registry of subjects treated with anti–tumor necrosis factor drugs for rheumatoid arthritis. Estimates of the effect of these drugs on mortality varied from a relative risk of 0.4 (95% confidence interval: 0.16, 0.91) to a relative risk of 1.3 (95% confidence interval: 0.8, 2.25), depending on the balancing method chosen. The authors show that these differences were due to a combination of an interaction between propensity score and treatment effect and to differences in weighting subjects with different propensity scores. Thus, the methods are being used to calculate average treatment effects in populations with very different distributions of effect-modifying variables, resulting in different overall estimates. This phenomenon highlights the importance of careful selection of the covariate-balancing method so that the overall estimate has a meaningful interpretation.
A Columbus' egg idea for CAN media redundancy

Network media redundancy is a clean and effective way of achieving high levels of reliability against temporary medium faults and availability in the presence of permanent faults. This is specially true of critical control applications such as those supported by the Controller Area Network (CAN). In our endeavor to provide CAN with media redundancy we ended-up devising a scheme which is extraordinarily simpler than previous approaches known for CAN or other LANs and field-buses.
High frequency in vivo loss of heterozygosity is primarily a consequence of mitotic recombination.

We have used the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase gene (APRT; 16q24) to investigate the mechanisms of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in normal human somatic cells in vivo. APRT-deficient (APRT-/-, APRT-/0) T lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of four obligate APRT heterozygotes (APRT+/-) with characterized germ-line mutations were selected in medium containing 100 microM 2,6-diaminopurine. A total of 80 2,6-diaminopurine-resistant T-cell clones from 2 of the heterozygotes were analyzed for this study. The presence or absence of LOH of proximal linked microsatellite repeat markers was used to divide the clones into two groups: (a) those in which LOH was likely due to localized changes in APRT (e.g., point mutations); and (b) those with LOH at additional loci. A total of 61 clones (76%) exhibited LOH of linked microsatellite repeat markers at different locations on 16q, which extended from the smallest measured region (<5.5 cM) to the entire 16q arm. The remaining 19 clones (24%) had point mutations in APRT or other relatively minor alterations. Ten clones with LOH encompassing different regions of 16q were examined by conventional cytogenetics and by fluorescence in situ hybridization using an APRT cosmid probe. All clones exhibited a normal diploid karyotype, and nine exhibited two copies of APRT. The one clone that was hemizygous for APRT had the smallest observed region of LOH in clones from that individual. These results indicate that mitotic recombination and, to a much lesser extent, deletion may be the primary mechanisms for the relatively high frequency of in vivo LOH observed in normal human T cells. Because LOH leads to the expression of recessive tumor suppressor genes in many cancers, these data have significant implications for the role of LOH in the early stages of tumor development, especially in breast cancer.
Packaging of PIN Photodiode on Patch Antenna for a Dual-Mode Indoor RF/FSO Receiver

This paper reports the design, packaging and characterization of a miniaturized dual-mode radio-frequency (RF)/free space optical (FSO) indoor wireless receiver module. Two different patch antennas are designed and integrated with bare die photodiodes together with transimpedance amplifier (TIA) circuits on a printed circuit board (PCB). Ansoft HFSS is used to predict the coupling from RF to FSO link. Measurement results verify that optical link degradation is minimized with the specially designed patch structure. FSO link operation at 2 Gb/s in a 10 GHz RF environment is achieved. Through the comparison to previously developed RF/FSO modules, the new receiver boards demonstrate reduced RF-to-optical cross channel coupling, and increased gain and antenna radiation efficiency.
Self-reflection as an intervention to influence achievement goal orientations and intrinsic motivation

In the context of physical activity, intrinsic motivation refers to the inherent satisfaction associated with participation in the activity. Interest-enjoyment, perceived competence, and effort have been identified as three underlying components of intrinsic motivation. Achievement goal theory stipulates that achievement goals guide our beliefs and behavior. The two main achievement goal orientations identified in the sport and physical activity literature are task and ego orientations. A person with a strong task orientation defines success in self-referenced terms, as improving one’s own performance or mastering new skills. Someone with a strong ego orientation defines success normatively, as being better than others. The majority of research suggests that having a strong task orientation is a good thing, whether with regard to motivationally adaptive responses, sources of sport confidence, students’ satisfaction with learning, or the use of cognitive and self-regulatory strategies. Although the literature supporting the potential benefits of having a strong task orientation is vast, considerably less research has tested interventions designed to strengthen task orientations and intrinsic motivation. A climate that emphasises individual mastery has resulted in increased interest-enjoyment and perceived competence, whereas an emphasis on competition and comparison with others has resulted in a decrease in interest-enjoyment and an increase in tension-pressure. One possible intervention is the use of structured self-reflection. Using self-reflection sheets that cause respondents to focus on specific elements of technique or skills, and rate one’s own performance, should theoretically promote a task focus. Hanrahan suggested that engaging in self-reflection may enhance intrinsic motivation. Perceived competence could be positively affected, as self-analysis and self-monitoring have been found to positively influence the acquisition of physical skills. The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of structured self-reflection in community dance classes would influence achievement goal orientations or levels of intrinsic motivation.