Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A prediction model for functional recovery in stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Stroke-related physical disability can diminish quality of daily living, place care burden on families, and increase need for long-term institutionalization. We developed a prognostic index for use in research and with potential for adaptation to clinical practice that establishes the likelihood of an individual achieving a specific stage of functional recovery after stroke rehabilitation. METHODS We constructed the index using logistic regression based on 3760 patient records from 96 rehabilitation facilities in 31 states. The stage, as measured by the Functional Independence Measure, includes achievement of the following: independence in eating, grooming, and dressing the upper body; continence in bowel and bladder; and transfer between a bed and chair with supervision only. RESULTS This stage was achieved by 26.1% of patients functioning below it at rehabilitation admission. Disability onset of less than 60 days was associated with more than a 3-fold increase in the likelihood of achieving the stage (adjusted odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.0 to 6.0). Each eight-point increase in an eight-item activities of daily living score, measured at admission to rehabilitation, increased the odds 2.5-fold (95% confidence interval, 2.3 to 2.8). For those living alone or employed before the stroke, the odds of achieving the stage increased by factors of 1.3 and 2.2, respectively. The index showed minimal shrinkage on cross validation. The achievement of this profile of function is important because 95.3% of stroke patients who achieved or exceeded it were discharged home, as opposed to only 66.8% of those who did not achieve it. CONCLUSIONS The index can be used to establish prognoses for individual stroke patients at admission to rehabilitation with regard to achieving this stage. Achievement of the stage is associated with a high likelihood of discharge to home.
Japanese Dependency Parsing Using a Tournament Model

In Japanese dependency parsing, Kudo's relative preference-based method (Kudo and Matsumoto, 2005) outperforms both deterministic and probabilistic CKY-based parsing methods. In Kudo's method, for each dependent word (or chunk) a log-linear model estimates relative preference of all other candidate words (or chunks) for being as its head. This cannot be considered in the deterministic parsing methods. We propose an algorithm based on a tournament model, in which the relative preferences are directly modeled by one-on-one games in a step-ladder tournament. In an evaluation experiment with Kyoto Text Corpus Version 4.0, the proposed method outperforms previous approaches, including the relative preference-based method.
Prediction of outcomes of secondary alveolar bone grafting in children born with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

The aim of this cross-sectional clinical outcome study using retrospective data capture of treatment histories was to examine the characteristics of children born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) in the United Kingdom (UK) who were not grafted at the appropriate age or who had an unsuccessful secondary alveolar bone graft. The subjects were born with complete non-syndromic UCLP between 1.4. 82 and 31.3. 84 and were aged between 12.0 years and 14.7 years at the time of data collection under the care of 48 cleft teams. The success of secondary alveolar bone grafting was assessed using a modification of the Bergland index. There were no independent predictors for unmet bone grafting need. The outcome of secondary alveolar bone grafting was assessed for 164 subjects; 90 (55%) had a successful first graft. Non-Caucasian (P = 0.037) and increasing age at grafting (P = 0.007) were risk factors for poor outcome. After adjustment for other risk factors, increased age at grafting was independently associated with having a seriously deficient or failed graft (OR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.06 P = 0.036). All the non-Caucasians in this sample had an unsatisfactory graft. Increasing age in months at grafting and ethnicity are predictors for poor outcome of secondary alveolar bone grafting in children born with UCLP in the UK.
Malignant lymphoma in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia, reclassified according to the WHO classification.

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of various types of malignant lymphoma (ML) in the Al-Qassim region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) according to recently introduced the WHO classification. METHODS For this retrospective analysis, material was available in 385 out of 519 cases diagnosed as ML from 1988-2007. Morphological assessment was followed by immunohistochemistry using a panel of antibodies. The study was conducted at Prince Faisal Oncology Centre (PFOC) of King Fahad Specialist Hospital (KFSH), Buraidah, Al-Qassim, KSA. RESULTS Out of 385 cases reviewed, 251 (65.2%) had non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 117 (30.4%) had Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Male preponderance (male to female ratio 1.6:1) and a wide age range was observed (6 months to 103 years). B cell neoplasms were the most common NHL seen (81.6%) and diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the most frequent type of NHL encountered (50.1%). Indolent lymphomas like follicular lymphoma (FL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) were rather uncommon (13.2%). T cell lymphoma comprised 18.3% of the NHL. The most common type of HL was nodular sclerosis classical Hodgkin lymphoma (NSCHL) (68.3%). CONCLUSION In Al-Qassim region of KSA, NHL is the most common ML seen and DLBCL the most common type. Unlike other parts of KSA and Middle East, NSCHL is the most common type of HL encountered.
Feasibility Study of a Heating, Cooling and Domestic Hot Water System Combining a Photovoltaic-Thermal System and a Ground Source Heat Pump

Renewable energy systems have received a lot of attention as sustainable technology in building sector. However, the efficiency of the renewable energy systems depends on the surrounding conditions, and it could gradually decrease by excessive and long-term operation. As a solution, a hybrid system can increase the reliability of energy production and decrease investment costs through by reducing the system capacity. The hybrid system operates at the ideal performance, but the design and operation method for hybrid system have not been established. In this paper, the performance of the hybrid system combined with photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) system and ground source heat pump (GSHP) system was analyzed using TRNSYS 17 and feasibility was assessed. The energy consumption and performance efficiency of hybrid system were calculated according to operating modes. Furthermore, seasonal performance factor (SPF) of hybrid system was compared with that of conventional GSHP system. System performance was analyzed in various conditions such as the usage of storage tank heating and set temperature for solar heating. As a result, the average SPF of the developed system increased about 55.3% compared with the GSHP system.
The Manufacture and Mechanical Properties of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Fibers Filled with Organically-Modified Montmorillonite

This work is concerned with mechanical property improvements to poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, fibers by the addition of layered silicate nanoparticles and by drawing the un-oriented nanocomposite filaments in a second step. No previous studies on PET fibers filled with montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay examined fiber drawability at temperatures above the glass transition. Therefore, the primary objective of this research was to determine 1) if PET nanocomposite fibers could be drawn to finer diameters and 2) whether drawing imparted improved Young’s modulus and tenacity (i.e. strength) relative to un-filled PET fibers. Of equal importance to this work, the subsequent objective was to discern and understand the role of nanoclay in 1) the production of improved or reduced mechanical properties and 2) the ability to draw PET to lower or higher than normal draw ratios. In the first part of this thesis, the improvements in Young’s modulus and tenacity of PET fibers filled with various types of organically modified montmorillonite is shown and the method to produce them is discussed. Greater improvements in mechanical properties occurred when the MMT stacks were intercalated with PET. A nominal 1 wt% loading of dimethyl-dehydrogenated tallow quaternary ammonium surface modified
File-level vs. module-level regression test selection for .NET

Regression testing is used to check the correctness of evolving software. With the adoption of Agile development methodology, the number of tests and software revisions has dramatically increased, and hence has the cost of regression testing. Researchers proposed regression test selection (RTS) techniques that optimize regression testing by skipping tests that are not impacted by recent program changes. Ekstazi is one such state-of-the art technique; Ekstazi is implemented for the Java programming language and has been adopted by several companies and open-source projects. We report on our experience implementing and evaluating Ekstazi#, an Ekstazi-like tool for . NET. We describe the key challenges of bringing the Ekstazi idea to the . NET platform. We evaluate Ekstazi# on 11 open-source projects, as well as an internal Microsoft project substantially larger than each of the open-source projects. Finally, we compare Ekstazi# to an incremental build system (also developed at Microsoft), which, out of the box, provides module-level dependency tracking and skipping tasks (including test execution) whenever dependencies of a task do not change between the current and the last successful build. Ekstazi# on average reduced regression testing time by 43.70% for the open-source projects and by 65.26% for the Microsoft project (the latter is in addition to the savings provided by incremental builds).
Microbial Degradation of Sulfonamide Antibiotics

Certain microbes can transform antibiotics in the environment. However, little is known about the identity of these microbes and their antibiotic biotransformation processes. The objectives of this study were to (1) isolate bacterial strains capable of transforming antibiotics, (2) determine the biotransformation kinetics of antibiotics, (3) characterize the effects of background carbons on the biotransformation kinetics, and (4) identify biotransformation products under various environmental conditions. Sulfadiazine (SDZ) was used as the model antibiotic in this study due to its frequent occurrence in livestock wastes. Surface soil from a cattle feedlot was collected to enrich potential SDZ degrading bacteria. A mixed culture was obtained after several cycles of enrichment in a mineral solution containing 10 mg/L SDZ as the sole carbon and energy source. Despite repeated efforts, no single SDZ degrading strain could be isolated from the mixed culture. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the culture consisted primarily of two major bacterial species, Brevibacterium epidermidis and Castellaniella denitrificans. The degradation kinetics of SDZ by the mixed culture could be described using a mirrored logistic function, with a biotransformation rate measured to be at 4.86 mg • L-1 • d-1. Three types of background carbons were tested: diluted R2A medium, glucose, and humic acid. The mixed culture had the fastest and slowest SDZ biotransformation rates when diluted R2A and humic aicd were used as the background carbon, respectively, at concentrations equivalent to SDZ on a carbon basis. The mixed culture could also degrade other sulfonamide compounds such as sulfamethazine and sulfamerazine, at transformation rates slower than that of SDZ, but could not degrade sulfathiazole. Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we identified 2-aminopyrimidine (2-AP) as a major biotransformation product of SDZ in the absence and presence of the background carbons tested. Another biotransformation product detected was confirmed to not be 4-aminobenzenesulfonate, the remaining structure after the cleavage of 2-AP from SDZ. This work presents a comprehensive study of microbial biotransformation of SDZ under various environmental conditions. throughout my graduate academic career. I am deeply indebted to Yuping Zhang, Brett Sallach, and countless other fellow graduate students for their advice and wisdom. Thank you to Lila Gillespie and Erika Bowman, two of the most hardworking and talented undergraduate researchers I have ever had the privilege of working with. Lastly, thank you to my family and friends for their support and love. Figure 2.5 COD vs. concentration relationships for R2A growth medium …
Evaluation of Aqueous Extract of Pulp and Seeds of Moringa oleifera for Wound Healing in Albino Rats

Objective: To study the effect of aqueous extract of the dried pulp and seeds of Moringa oleifera on wound healing in albino rats. Materials and methods: The aqueous extract was studied at dose level of 300 mg/kg body weight using resutured incision; excision and dead space wound models in rats. Results: Significant increase in wound closure rate, skin-breaking strength, granuloma breaking strength, hydroxyproline content, granuloma dry weight and decrease in scar area was observed. The prohealing actions seem to be due to increased collagen deposition as well as better alignment and maturation. Conclusion: From the results obtained, it may be concluded that the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera has significant wound healing property. Also it can be concluded that these prohealing effects may be due to their high content of crude proteins, zinc and some anti-microbial component.
C3bi-binding protein on Candida albicans: temperature-dependent expression and relationship to human complement receptor type 3

We investigated in detail the previously described capacity of pseudohyphae of Candida albicans to bind C3-coated particles. We show that the expression of the C3bi receptor of C. albicans was dependent upon the growth temperature of the fungi. C. albicans grown at 30 degrees C bound strongly to EAC1423bi, whereas those cells grown at 38.5 degrees C were completely devoid of this capacity. The molecule responsible for the attachment of EAC1423bi was heat labile and trypsin sensitive. Several, but not all, monoclonal antibodies to the alpha-chain of human complement receptor type 3 (CR3) stained C. albicans, and this reactivity was expressed in parallel with the capacity of C. albicans to bind EAC1423bi, i.e., both were dependent on the growth temperature of the fungi and were trypsin sensitive. In contrast to CR3, the binding of EAC1423bi to C. albicans did not require the presence of divalent cations. Rabbit immunoglobulin G antibodies directed against C. albicans inhibited the binding of EAC1423bi to C. albicans but not to human CR3. These inhibiting IgG antibodies recognized antigens expressed on the surface of pseudohyphae but not those of yeast cells. OKM-1, a monoclonal antibody to human CR3 inhibited the attachment of EAC1423bi to CR3 and also to C. albicans. OKM-1 precipitated a 130-kilodalton band from solubilized 125I-labeled C. albicans. We conclude that the complement receptors on C. albicans and human CR3 were antigenically related but not identical and that they differed in their functional characteristics.
QUASI-GEOSTROPHIC TURBULENCE ?

In systems governing two-dimensional turbulence, surface quasigeostrophic turbulence, (more generally α-turbulence), two-layer quasi-geostrophic turbulence, etc., there often exist two conservative quadratic quantities, one “energy”-like and one “enstrophy”-like. In a finite inertial range there are in general two spectral fluxes, one associated with each conserved quantity. We derive here an inequality comparing the relative magnitudes of the “energy” and “enstrophy” fluxes for finite or infinitesimal dissipations, and for hyper or hypo viscosities. When this inequality is satisfied, as is the case of 2D turbulence,where the energy flux contribution to the energy spectrum is small, the subdominant part will be effectively hidden. In sQG turbulence, it is shown that the opposite is true: the downscale energy flux becomes the dominant contribution to the energy spectrum. A combination of these two behaviors appears to be the case in 2-layer QG turbulence, depending on the baroclinicity of the system.
Lifetime alcohol consumption and severity in alcohol dependence syndrome

Introduction: Alcohol dependence syndrome is a major public health issue globally and is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. The total dose of alcohol consumed has been linked to liver diseases, pancreatitis, and other alcohol-related medical consequences. However, this has not been studied in relation to severity of dependence; although it is well known that alcohol causes neuronal damage, which in turn potentiates dependence. Thus, there is a need to study the relationship between the amount of alcohol consumed and severity of dependence. Materials and Methods: A total of 165 consecutive cases of alcohol dependence syndrome were studied in a General Hospital Psychiatry Unit at a tertiary care hospital. Addiction Severity Index (ASI) was used to evaluate the severity of alcohol dependence, and Life Time Alcohol Consumption (LTAC) was evaluated by taking careful history. Correlation coefficients were calculated between ASI and LTAC. Group differences were analyzed using t-test. Results: There was a significant correlation between ASI and LTAC (r = 0.162, P = 0.032), which was highly significant in the subgroup without medical complications (r = 0.250, P = 0.003). A similar correlation in the medical complications subgroup was not significant. Conclusions: Lifetime alcohol consumption co-related with the severity of alcohol dependence, particularly in those presenting without medical complications (i.e., those with behavioral and social consequences, and injuries).
NKp46 Clusters at the Immune Synapse and Regulates NK Cell Polarization

Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in first-line defense against tumor and virus-infected cells. The activity of NK cells is tightly regulated by a repertoire of cell surface expressed inhibitory and activating receptors. NKp46 is a major NK cell-activating receptor that is involved in the elimination of target cells. NK cells form different types of synapses that result in distinct functional outcomes: cytotoxic, inhibitory, and regulatory. Recent studies revealed that complex integration of NK receptor signaling controls cytoskeletal rearrangement and other immune synapse-related events. However, the distinct nature by which NKp46 participates in NK immunological synapse formation and function remains unknown. In this study, we determined that NKp46 forms microclusters structures at the immune synapse between NK cells and target cells. Over-expression of human NKp46 is correlated with increased accumulation of F-actin mesh at the immune synapse. Concordantly, knock-down of NKp46 in primary human NK cells decreased recruitment of F-actin to the synapse. Live cell imaging experiments showed a linear correlation between NKp46 expression and lytic granules polarization to the immune synapse. Taken together, our data suggest that NKp46 signaling directly regulates the NK lytic immune synapse from early formation to late function.
Magnetic-Properties of R Sr 2 NbCu 2 O 8 ; R = Nd , and Tb Compounds Prepared under Extreme Conditions

The niobio-cuprates with starting composition, RSr2Nb0.9Cu2. 1O7.9; R = Nd, and Tb have been prepared under extreme synthesis conditions and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction technique and their magnetic properties were investigated briefly in this article. The present high-pressure synthesized NdSr2Nb0.9Cu2. 1O7.9 (Nd/1212Nb) compound has been compared briefly with the reported ambient pressure prepared compound. X-ray diffraction patterns of RSr2Nb0.9Cu2. 1O7.9; R = Nd, and Tb compounds taken at room temperature clearly indicate that the space group P4/mmm (123) is likely for the structure. Magnetic susceptibility, ( vs T) measurements on NdSr2Nb0.9Cu2. 1O7.9 compound reveal likely (Pauli) paramagnetic-nature where as the magnetization versus field, M(H) data taken at low temperature (1.8 K) reveals non-linear increase of magnetization with respect to the applied magnetic field indicating possibly due to canted antiferromagnetic interaction in this Nd compound and a magnetic saturation is not seen, signifying no magnetic orders within the range. Although a comparable M(H) isotherm has been observed at selected temperatures for most of the highpressure synthesized niobio-cuprates, they show different results on magnetic susceptibilities, specific heat and transport measurements. Interestingly, unlike NdSr2Nb0.9Cu2. 1O7.9 compound, the TbSr2Nb0.9Cu2. 1O7.9 (Tb/1212Nb) compound (known for the first time) specifies two antiferromagnetic-like transitions (TN) at ~41 K as well as at ~ 8 K with branching of zero-field-cooled (zfc) and field-cooled (fc) magnetization and a zfc cusp like down turn in magnetization at ~8 K, followed by negative susceptibility at 2 K. The M(H) plot measured at 1.8 K and ±70 kOe conditions reveals abnormal (spin-flop) magnetization isotherm for Tb/1212Nb compound. The paramagnetic Weiss temperature, w and the paramagnetic effective moment, peff obtained from the linear region of (T) plots are: –64.07 K and 3.71 μB/Nd for Nd compound and –15.67 K and 9.42 μB/Tb for Tb compound, respectively. The negative sign of w ascertains the antiferromagnetic correlations in these studied compounds.
The Effect of Endogenous and Synthetic Estrogens on Whole Blood Clot Formation and Erythrocyte Structure

Abstract As erythrocyte and estrogens interact so closely and erythrocytes can indicate the healthiness of an individual, it is essential to investigate the effects of natural estrogens as well as synthetic estrogens on these cells. Whole blood samples were used for thromboelastography (TEG), light microscopy (LM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation. Viscoelastic investigation with TEG revealed that estrogens affected the rate of clot formation without any significant effect on the strength or stability of the clot. Axial ratio analysis with LM showed a statistically significant increase in number of erythrocytes with decreased roundness. Morphological analysis with SEM confirmed the change in erythrocyte shape and revealed both ultrastructural membrane changes and erythrocyte interactions. As erythrocyte shape and membrane flexibility correlates to physiological functioning of these cells in circulation, these changes, indicative of possible eryptosis brought on by estrogens, when experienced by individuals with an underlying inflammatory or hematological illness, could impair erythrocyte functioning and even result in obstructions in circulation. In conclusion, we suggest that whole blood analysis with viscoelastic and morphological techniques could be used as assessment of the hematological healthiness of individuals using estrogens.