Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motor neuron disease associated with copper deficiency

Copper deficiency in humans is a rare cause of myeloneuropathy that usually presents with a spastic ataxic gait, hyperreflexia, and distal sensory loss similar to that seen in patients with subacute combined degeneration. We describe three copper‐deficient patients, two of whom were referred with a presumptive diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, who had progressive asymmetric weakness or electrodiagnostic findings of proximal and distal denervation suggestive of lower motor neuron disease. Copper replacement resulted in stabilization or mild improvement in weakness. The clinical spectrum of human copper deficiency should include lower motor neuron disease in addition to a syndrome of spastic ataxia. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Partial discharge characteristics in motor insulations under exposure to multi-level inverters

The use of variable speed drives fed by pulse width modulated (PWM) inverters allows a more efficient use of electric energy. The drawback is however that the stress imposed on motor winding insulation increases and partial discharges (PDs) appear under such conditions, being considered the major contributor to the reduction in the insulation life time. We present in this paper changes observed in the PD characteristics of motor insulation systems aimed for different voltage levels. These were a twisted pair test object as well as a higher voltage level motor insulation wire, fed from either two- or three-level inverters. Each of the objects was subjected to PWM waveforms of different rise-times. The twisted pair test objects were insulated by a chromium oxide filled enamel, whereas the motor insulation objects were micaepoxy based. To compare the performances, measurements of extinction voltages and PD characteristics were conducted. Specifically, the total number of PDs and their amplitude per cycle were obtained at 2.5 and 4.5 kVpp, dependent on the system tested. The experimental results showed that the total summed PD magnitude drops considerably when applying a three level inverter. However the maximum PD magnitude remain at the same level for the same rise time in both cases. Also the extinction voltage remains the same for a specific rise time. The PD magnitude decreases for increased rise time, similarly for both the cases. Thus the presented observations suggest that a change to a multilevel inverter alone may not be sufficient for increasing the motor insulation system life.
Factor Analysis of Responses to the WISC—R for Gifted Children

Several researchers have focused on the question of whether the traditional two-factor interpretation of WISC—R scores proposed by Wechsler (1974) is appropriate in selecting students to be admitted to gifted programs. Some researchers have suggested that the two-factor solution (Verbal and Performance) of Karnes and K. E. Brown provides the appropriate model, while others have proposed an alternative model based on exploratory research with gifted and average students. The current study expands exploratory findings of S. W. Brown with Rood in 1982 and Yakimowski in 1987, using confirmatory factor analytical procedures. The confirmatory factor analyses for selected groups of gifted (n = 158) and average (n = 195) students (M = 9.6 yr.) indicate that the alternative three-factor solution model may be a better system for interpreting the pattern of WISC—R subtest scores of gifted students than the conventional Verbal and Performance solution.
The Mechanism of the Specificity of Trypsin Catalysis

It has been found that alkylammonium ions competitively inhibit the catalysis by trypsin of the hydrolysis of benzoyl-narginine ethyl ester (3). The inhibition can be considered to be a result of competition for the specificity-determining site of trypsin between the positively charged side chain of the substrate and the similarly charged alkylammonium ion. On the other hand, trypsin has been found to catalyze the hydrolysis of acetylglycine ethyl ester, probably without much participation of the specificity-determining site (2). I f the specificity-determining site and the catalytic site are topographically distinct, it might be expected that a small alkylammonium ion would compete ineffectively, if at all, with the hydrolysis of acetylglycine ethyl ester; instead, the small alkylammonium ion and the acetylglycine ethyl ester molecule might be accommodated at the respective sites in place of a normal substrate such as cu.N-acetyl-r-lysine ethyl ester. The binding of the alkylammonium ions to the specificitydetermining site and interaction of acetylglycine ethyl ester with the catalytic site have been studied separately (2, 3). However, there is a possibility that functioning of one site may influence action of the other site, and it is the purpose of the present investigation to study the possible interaction between these two sites of trypsin. This is made possible by the dissection, as it were, of a normal substrate, cr-N-acetyl-n-lysine ethyl ester, into two parts, one interacting with the specificity-determining site and the other with the catalytic site. By so doing it has been possible to vary the concentrations of these two components independently of each other and hence to study the interaction of each site under different conditions of the other site.
Molecular adaptations in human atrial fibrillation : mechanisms of protein remodeling

The main goal was to study the molecular remodeling in human atrial fibrillation. We focussed on gene expression of proteins wich influence the calcium homeostasis and action potential duration in human AF. The impact of modulation sysems like the natriuretic peptide system and the endothelin system were also studied.
Fractal structure of Ising and Potts clusters: Exact results.

It is shown that previously defined clusters, which give a geometrical description of the fluctuations in the q-state Potts model, at criticality have a fractal structure made of links and blobs as in percolation. Using the mapping from the Potts model to the Coulomb gas it is found that the fractal dimension of the links or red bonds ${D}_{R}$ is given by 5/4, 3/4, 13/24, 7/20, 0, while the fractal dimension of the external hull ${\mathit{D}}_{\mathit{h}}$ is given by 2, 7/4, 5/3, 8/5, 3/2, for q=0,1,2,3,4. A model originally introduced by Mandelbrot and Given for percolation clusters is found to correctly describe the fractal structure of the Potts clusters.
Prenatal Temperature Shocks Reduce Cooperation: Evidence from Public Goods Games in Uganda

Climate change has not only led to a sustained rise in mean global temperature over the past decades, but also increased the frequency of extreme weather events. This paper explores the effect of temperature shocks in utero on later-life taste for cooperation. Using historical climate data combined with data on child and adult behavior in public goods games, I show that abnormally high ambient temperatures during gestation are associated with decreased individual contributions to the public good in a statistically and economically significant way. A 1 standard deviation rise in mean ambient temperature during gestation is associated with a 10% point decrease in children's cooperation rate in a dichotomous public goods game, and the reduced taste for cooperation lasts into adulthood.
Resistance of canine methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains to pradofloxacin

We investigated in vitro activity of a novel veterinary fluoroquinolone, pradofloxacin, against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) isolates and compared with other fluoroquinolones. A total of 38 MRSP isolates were subjected to agar disk diffusion tests for sensitivity to pradofloxacin, orbifloxacin, marbofloxacin, enrofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of pradofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin were determined. Mutations in the genes encoding DNA gyrase subunit A (GyrA) and topoisomerase IV (GrlA) proteins associated with fluoroquinolone resistance were studied by an analysis of partial sequences of the genes encoding these proteins. Two MRSP isolates were susceptible in disk diffusion and microdilution test to all fluoroquinolones tested, including pradofloxacin. Based on the results of the disk diffusion testing, 33 of 38 isolates showed resistance to pradofloxacin and 3 were intermediate, whereas, by pradofloxacin MIC testing, 35 isolates were classified as resistant and 1 as intermediate. Single alterations in GyrA and GrlA proteins were observed in the 35 resistant isolates and the 1 intermediate isolate (MIC results). These same 36 isolates were also resistant to the other tested fluoroquinolones. The results of the current study showed that MRSP isolates are usually resistant to all fluoroquinolones, including pradofloxacin. Therefore, in routine susceptibility testing to pradofloxacin by disk diffusion, the results should be carefully interpreted for MRSP isolates, especially those resistant to other fluoroquinolones and, in questionable cases, the pradofloxacin MIC should be determined to confirm the susceptibility testing results.
Modeling of Molecular Flux in a Space Simulation Chamber

The method of angular coefficients is reviewed and utilized for simulation of molecular flow in vacuum systems. Mass deposition rates and molecular pumping properties of surfaces are modeled with minimal simplifications to the chamber geometry utilizing the 3D modeling software Blender. The results of the developed software are compared to analytical and Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) predictions. Applications include predictions of ice film distributions in a space simulation chamber at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC).
Expression and Characterization of a Redox-Sensing Green Fluorescent Protein (Reduction-Oxidation-Sensitive Green Fluorescent Protein) in Arabidopsis

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) was transformed with a redox-sensing green fluorescent protein (reduction-oxidation-sensitive green fluorescent protein [roGFP]), with expression targeted to either the cytoplasm or to the mitochondria. Both the mitochondrial and cytosolic forms are oxidation-reduction sensitive, as indicated by a change in the ratio of 510 nm light (green light) emitted following alternating illumination with 410 and 474 nm light. The 410/474 fluorescence ratio is related to the redox potential (in millivolts) of the organelle, cell, or tissue. Both forms of roGFP can be reduced with dithiothreitol and oxidized with hydrogen peroxide. The average resting redox potentials for roots are −318 mV for the cytoplasm and −362 mV for the mitochondria. The elongation zone of the Arabidopsis root has a more oxidized redox status than either the root cap or meristem. Mitochondria are much better than the cytoplasm, as a whole, at buffering changes in redox. The data show that roGFP is redox sensitive in plant cells and that this sensor makes it possible to monitor, in real time, dynamic changes in redox in vivo.
Speech Analysis for Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease Using Genetic Algorithm and Support Vector Machine

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common disease of motor system degeneration that occurs when the dopamine-producing cells are damaged in substantia nigra. To detect PD, various signals have been investigated, including EEG, gait and speech. Since approximately 90 percent of the people with PD suffer from speech disorders, speech analysis is considered as the most common technique for this aim. This paper proposes a new algorithm for diagnosing of Parkinson’s disease based on voice analysis. In the first step, genetic algorithm (GA) is undertaken for selecting optimized features from all extracted features. Afterwards a network based on support vector machine (SVM) is used for classification between healthy and people with Parkinson. The dataset of this research is composed of a range of biomedical voice signals from 31 people, 23 with Parkinson’s disease and 8 healthy people. The subjects were asked to pronounce letter “A” for 3 seconds. 22 linear and non-linear features were extracted from the signals that 14 features were based on F0 (fundamental frequency or pitch), jitter, shimmer and noise to harmonics ratio, which are main factors in voice signal. Because changing in these factors is noticeable for the people with PD, optimized features were selected among them. Of the various numbers of optimized features, the data classification was investigated. Results show that the classification accuracy percent of 94.50 per 4 optimized features, the accuracy percent of 93.66 per 7 optimized features and the accuracy percent of 94.22 per 9 optimized features, could be achieved. It can be observed that the best classification accuracy may be achieved using Fhi (Hz), Fho (Hz), jitter (RAP) and shimmer (APQ5).
EVOLUTION IN THE VOLUMETRIC TYPE Ia SUPERNOVA RATE FROM THE SUPERNOVA LEGACY SURVEY

We present a measurement of the volumetric Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) rate (SNRIa) as a function of redshift for the first four years of data from the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope Supernova Legacy Survey (SNLS). This analysis includes 286 spectroscopically confirmed and more than 400 additional photometrically identified SNe Ia within the redshift range 0.1 ⩽ z ⩽ 1.1. The volumetric SNRIa evolution is consistent with a rise to z ∼ 1.0 that follows a power law of the form (1+z)α, with α = 2.11 ± 0.28. This evolutionary trend in the SNLS rates is slightly shallower than that of the cosmic star formation history (SFH) over the same redshift range. We combine the SNLS rate measurements with those from other surveys that complement the SNLS redshift range, and fit various simple SN Ia delay-time distribution (DTD) models to the combined data. A simple power-law model for the DTD (i.e., ∝t−β) yields values from β = 0.98 ± 0.05 to β = 1.15 ± 0.08 depending on the parameterization of the cosmic SFH. A two-component model, where SNRIa is dependent on stellar mass (Mstellar) and star formation rate (SFR) as SNRIa(z) = A × Mstellar(z) + B × SFR(z), yields the coefficients A = (1.9 ± 0.1) × 10−14 SNe yr−1 M−1☉ and B = (3.3 ± 0.2) × 10−4 SNe yr−1 (M☉ yr−1)−1. More general two-component models also fit the data well, but single Gaussian or exponential DTDs provide significantly poorer matches. Finally, we split the SNLS sample into two populations by the light-curve width (stretch), and show that the general behavior in the rates of faster-declining SNe Ia (0.8 ⩽ s < 1.0) is similar, within our measurement errors, to that of the slower objects (1.0 ⩽ s < 1.3) out to z ∼ 0.8.
The interrelationships of proseriata (Platyhelminthes: seriata) tested with molecules and morphology.

Proseriate flatworms are common members of the interstitial benthic fauna worldwide, predominantly occupying marine environments. As minute animals, having relatively few characters useful for cladistic analysis, they have been difficult to present in a phylogenetic framework using morphology alone. Here we present a new morphological matrix consisting of 16 putatively homologous characters and two molecular data sets to investigate further this major group of free-living members of the Platyhelminthes. Complete 18S rDNA (representing 277 parsimony-informative characters) from 17 ingroup taxa and partial 28S rDNA spanning variable expansion regions D1 to D3 and D1 to D6 (representing 219 and 361 parsimony-informative characters, respectively) from 27 and 14 ingroup taxa, respectively, were determined and aligned as complementary data sets. Morphological and molecular data sets were analyzed separately and together to determine underlying phylogenetic patterns and to resolve conflict between published scenarios based on morphology alone. The monophyly of the Proseriata cannot be confirmed categorically with any of these data sets. However, the constituent taxa are confirmed as basal members of the Neoophora, and a sister group relationship with Tricladida is rejected. Similarly, the monophyly of one of the two subtaxa of the Proseriata, the Lithophora, could not be confirmed with molecules. Concerning intragroup relationships, we could reject one of the two phylogenetic trees formerly proposed, as well as the clade Otoplanidae + Coelogynoporidae. However, a clade Otoplanidae + Archimonocelididae + Monocelididae (to which the Monotoplanidae belong) was supported, and the position of the genus Calviria shifted from the Archimonocelididae to the Coelogynoporidae.
Low use of neuroleptic drugs in the treatment of psychotic major depression.

OBJECTIVE The adequacy of pharmacologic treatment received by patients with psychotic major depression was evaluated. METHOD The authors systematically assessed the pharmacotherapy received by 187 depressed patients before initiation of ECT and compared the medication trials of those with psychotic (N = 53) and nonpsychotic (N = 134) depression. RESULTS Despite a median of four medication trials and median index episode duration of 20 weeks, only two (4%) of the patients with psychotic depression received at least one adequate pharmacotherapy trial. In contrast, 70 (52%) of the patients with nonpsychotic depression received at least one adequate trial. Twenty-five (47%) of the patients with psychotic depression received either no neuroleptic treatment (N = 11) or treatment for less than 3 weeks (N = 14). Only eight (15%) received a daily neuroleptic dose higher than 200 mg of chlorpromazine equivalents. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that many patients with psychotic major depression referred for ECT receive inadequate pharmacotherapy because of either the absence or the inadequate use of neuroleptic medication.
Criteria for Selection of Surrogates Used To Study the Fate and Control of Pathogens in the Environment

ABSTRACT This article defines the term surrogate as an organism, particle, or substance used to study the fate of a pathogen in a specific environment. Pathogenic organisms, nonpathogenic organisms, and innocuous particles have been used as surrogates for a variety of purposes, including studies on survival and transport as well as for method development and as “indicators” of certain conditions. This article develops a qualitative surrogate attribute prioritization process and allows investigators to select a surrogate by systematically detailing the experimental process and prioritizing attributes. The results are described through the use of case studies of various laboratories that have used this process. This article also discusses the history of surrogate and microbial indicator use and outlines the method by which surrogates can be used when conducting a quantitative microbial risk assessment. The ultimate goal of selecting a sufficiently representative surrogate is to improve public health through a health-based risk assessment framework. Under- or overestimating the resistance, inactivation, or movement may negatively impact risk assessments that, in turn, will impact health assessments and estimated safety levels. Reducing uncertainty in a risk assessment is one of the objectives of using surrogates and the ultimate motive for any experiment investigating potential exposure of a pathogen.
Boundary convex cocompactness and stability of subgroups of finitely generated groups

A Kleinian group $\Gamma < \mathrm{Isom}(\mathbb H^3)$ is called convex cocompact if any orbit of $\Gamma$ in $\mathbb H^3$ is quasiconvex or, equivalently, $\Gamma$ acts cocompactly on the convex hull of its limit set in $\partial \mathbb H^3$. Subgroup stability is a strong quasiconvexity condition in finitely generated groups which is intrinsic to the geometry of the ambient group and generalizes the classical quasiconvexity condition above. Importantly, it coincides with quasiconvexity in hyperbolic groups and convex cocompactness in mapping class groups. Using the Morse boundary, we develop an equivalent characterization of subgroup stability which generalizes the above boundary characterization from Kleinian groups.
The Influence of the Built Environment and Other Factors on the Physical Activity of Older Women from Different Ethnic Communities

ABSTRACT Inactivity has been identified as a major contributor to the burden of disease in older women. Study aims were: (a) to assess the personal, social, and environmental facilitators and impediments to physical activity in older women from ethnic communities; and (b) to determine the factors associated with physical activity participation. Older women (aged 60–84 years) were recruited from the local Italian (n = 20), Vietnamese (n = 26) and Anglo-Celtic (n = 26) communities. A survey questionnaire was administered in the participants' preferred language. The most common barriers were: “I am not in good health,” “I am self-conscious about my looks,” “I am too tired,” “I don't have time,” and “The weather is bad. ” When comparing the ethnic groups, the Vietnamese women reported fewer barriers than the Italian women (2.6 vs. 5.9). While the Vietnamese women were much more likely to report being “self-conscious about my looks,” the Italian women more commonly reported poor health, being too tired, and not liking exercise as barriers. Overall, those living alone were more likely to be active and those who reported fear of injury, less active. Recognizing ethnospecific differences in the prevalence of barriers may be important when devising strategies to increase activity levels of older women.
Computing Matrix Eigenvalues and Polynomial Zeros Where the Output is Real

Surprisingly simple corollaries from the Courant--Fischer minimax characterization theorem enable us to devise a very effective algorithm for the evaluation of a set S interleaving the set E of the eigenvalues of an n X n real symmetric tridiagonal (rst) matrix Tn (as well as a point that splits E into two subsets of comparable cardinalities). Furthermore, we extend this algorithm so as to approximate all the n eigenvalues of Tn at nearly optimal sequential and parallel cost, that is, at the cost of staying within polylogarithmic factors from the straightforward lower bounds. The resulting improvement of the known processor bound in NC algorithms for the rst-eigenproblem is roughly by factor n. Our approach extends the previous works [M. Ben-Or and P. Tiwari, J. Complexity, 6(1990), pp. 417--442] and [M. Ben-Or et al., SIAM J. Comput. , 17(1988), pp. 1081--1092] for the approximation of the zeros of a polynomial having only real zeros, and our algorithm leads to an alternative and simplified derivation of the known record parallel and sequential complexity estimates for the latter problem.