Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perception of acoustically degraded sentences in bilingual listeners who differ in age of english acquisition.

PURPOSE The effects of acoustic degradation and context use on sentence perception were evaluated in listeners differing in age of English acquisition. METHOD Five groups of 8 listeners, native monolingual (NM), native bilingual (NB), and early, late, and very late non-native bilingual (NN-E, NN-L, and NN-VL, respectively), identified target words in 400 Speech-Perception-in-Noise (SPIN) sentences presented in 8 combinations of noise (+6 vs. 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio), reverberation (1.2 vs. 3.6 s reverberation time), and context (high vs. low predictability). RESULTS Separate effects of noise, reverberation, and context were largely level dependent and more significant than their interaction with listeners' age of English acquisition. However, the effect of noise, as well as the combined effect of reverberation and context, was mediated by age of acquisition. NN-VL listeners' performance was significantly compromised in all test conditions. NB, NN-E, and NN-L listeners' use of context, by contrast, deviated substantially from the monolingual normative in difficult listening conditions. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that linguistic background needs to be considered in the understanding of bilingual listeners' context use in acoustically degraded conditions. Direct comparison of early bilingual listeners' performance with monolingual norms may be inappropriate when speech is highly degraded.
p53‐independent anti‐tumor effects of the nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonate zoledronic acid

Zoledronic acid (ZOL), a nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonate, exerts anti‐tumor effects by inhibiting the prenylation of small GT‐Pases. We have also reported that ZOL shows an anti‐leukemic effect by inducing apoptosis throughout the S phase to the G2/M boundary. Here, we studied the effects of ZOL on various cell cycle regulators, including p53, cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDKs), CDK inhibitors and cyclins, using BV173 leukemia and HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cell lines, harboring wild‐type (wt‐) p53. ZOL induced the accumulation of neither p53 nor p21WAF1/CIP1 during the execution of apoptosis in BV173 cells. Therefore, we investigated the dependence of ZOL‐induced apoptosis on intact p53 by using wt‐p53 HCT116 and a p53‐degraded HCT116 subline, and observed no significant difference. p57KIP2 was upregulated by ZOL in BV173 cells, but not in HCT116 cells. Flow cytometric analyses showed that ZOL also impaired the cell cycle‐dependent expression patterns of cyclins A, B and D3 in BV173. In conclusion, the p53‐independent anti‐tumor activities of ZOL suggest that it may be an attractive agent for treating cancers, including those with chemoresistance resulting from the loss of p53 function. ZOL also affected the coordinate expression patterns of several cell cycle regulators during the execution of anti‐tumor activity.
3D Evaluation of Palatal Rugae in Identical Twins

The study of identical twins can point out potential limitations in biometrics and forensic odontology. This case report presents three-dimensional (3D) palatal rugae analysis in monozygotic twins utilizing digital models obtained directly by scanning the maxillary dental arch with the iTero® intraoral digital scanner. The results show that the rugae patterns contain related but not identical features between the pair of identical twins. Dental study models taken on a regular basis for diagnosis and treatment planning in dentistry include the palatal rugae, which could be valuable to forensics in identical twin identification cases.
Characterization of Lysosomal Acid Lipase by Site-directed Mutagenesis and Heterologous Expression (*)

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) is essential for the hydrolysis of cholesterol esters and triglycerides that are delivered to the lysosomes via the low density lipoprotein receptor system. The deficiency of LAL is associated with cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD) and Wolman's disease (WD). We cloned the human LAL cDNA and expressed the active enzyme in the baculovirus system. Two molecular forms (M 41,000 and 46,000) with different glycosylation were found intracellularly, and 24% of the Mr 46,000 form was secreted into the medium. Tunicamycin treatment produced only an inactive Mr 41,000 form. This result implicates glycosylation occupancy in the proper folding for active-site function. Catalytic activity was greater toward cis- than trans-unsaturated fatty acid esters of 4-methylumbelliferone and toward esters with 7-carbon length acyl chains. LAL cleaved cholesterol esters and mono-, tri-, and diglycerides. Heparin had a biphasic effect on enzymatic activity with initial activation followed by inhibition. Inhibition of LAL activity by tetrahydrolipstatin and diethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate suggested the presence of active serines in binding/catalytic domain(s) of the protein. Site-directed mutagenesis at two putative active centers, GXSXG, showed that Ser was important to catalytic activity, whereas Ser was not and neither was the catalytic nucleophile. Three reported mutations (L179P, L336P, and ΔAG302 deletion) from CESD patients were created and expressed in the Sf9 cell system. None cleaved cholesterol esters, and L179P and L336P cleaved only triolein at 4% of wild-type levels. These results suggest that mechanisms, in addition to LAL defects, may operate in the selective accumulation of cholesterol esters or triglycerides in CESD and WD patients.
Resorbable extracellular matrix grafts in urologic reconstruction.

PURPOSE There is an increasingly large body of literature concerning tissue-engineering products that may be used in urology. Some of these are quite complex (such as multilayer patient-specific cell-seeded implants) yet the most simple and successful products to date are also the most uncomplicated: resorbable acellular extra-cellular matrices (ECMs) harvested from animals. ECMs have been used in a variety of difficult urologic reconstruction problems, and this review is intended to summarize this complex literature for the practicing urologist. METHODS Medline search of related terms such as "SIS, small intestinal submucosa, ECM, extracellular matrix, acellular matrix and urologic reconstruction". Manuscripts missed in the initial search were taken from the bibliographies of the primary references. RESULTS Full review of potential clinical uses of resorbable extra-cellular matrices in urologic reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS Currently, the "state of the art" in tissue engineering solutions for urologic reconstruction means resorbable acellular xenograft matrices. They show promise when used as a pubovaginal sling or extra bolstering layers in ureteral or urethral repairs, although recent problems with inflammation following 8-ply pubovaginal sling use and failures after 1- and 4-ply SIS repair of Peyronie's disease underscore the need for research before wide adoption. Preliminary data is mixed concerning the potential for ECM urethral patch graft, and more data is needed before extended uses such as bladder augmentation and ureteral replacement are contemplated. The distant future of ECMs in urology likely will include cell-seeded grafts with the eventual hope of producing "off the shelf" replacement materials. Until that day arrives, ECMs only fulfill some of the requirements for the reconstructive urologist.
Preoperative Acute Hypervolemic Hemodilution with Hydroxyethylstarch: An Alternative to Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution

Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) may help to reduce demand for homologous blood but requires extra time and apparatus.A more simple procedure is acute hypervolemic hemodilution (HHD), where hydroxyethylstarch is administered preoperatively without removal of blood. In a prospectively randomized study we compared ANH (preoperatively 15 mL/kg autologous blood removal and replacement with 15 mL/kg of hydroxyethylstarch with HHD (15 mL/kg of hydroxyethylstarch administered preoperatively) in 49 patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. To avoid excessive intravascular volume, we used the vasodilating effect of isoflurane. No significant differences were found between groups (ANH, n = 23; HHD, n = 26) for intraoperative blood loss (ANH versus HHD, median [minimum-maximum]); 545 [295-785] mL versus 520 [315-825] mL) and postoperative blood loss (730 [525-945] mL versus 780 [495-895] mL), postoperative hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count or coagulation variables, and transfusion requirements (ANH 43% versus HHD 35% of patients received homologous blood) (P > 0.05). Heart rate did not change significantly in either group. In the ANH group mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) decreased after hemodilution (P < 0.05) while in the HHD group MAP did not change over time. Mean time required to perform ANH was 58 (46-62) min versus HHD 16 (12-19) min (P < 0.05). Costs for ANH were $63.60 USD and for HHD $32.75 USD (labor costs not included). In orthopedic patients undergoing hip replacement with a predicted blood loss of about 1000 mL, HHD seems to be a simple as well as time- and cost-saving alternative for ANH. (Anesth Analg 1997;84:26-30)
TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS WITH 6‐THIOGUANINE

Fifty‐four patients with Psoriasis were treated with the antimetabolite, 6‐thioguanine (TG). Three were early drop‐outs due to side effects. Of 48 evaluable patients with plaque‐type lesions, mostly extensive, 79% achieved over 75% improvement as an initial response, 8% had over 50% improvement and 13% had less than 50% improvement. 65% retained at least 50% improvement in follow‐up periods of up to 21 years, median 13 months. Two of three patients with palmar‐plantar pustular psoriasis had over 50% improvement. Myelosuppression was the most common side effect, occurring in 57% of the patients. One woman experienced pancytopenia from which she recovered. One man developed an acute, short‐lived hepatitis. In general, TG was better tolerated than methotrexate (MTX) and was more effective than MTX in the majority of patients who had changed from MTX due to inadequate response or side effects. TG should be considered as an alternative therapy for MTX, retinoids, or PUVA failures or exclusions.
Antibacterial, antioxidant, and topical anti-inflammatory activities of Bergia ammannioides: A wound-healing plant

Abstract Context: Despite the traditional use of Bergia ammannioides Henye ex Roth. (Elatinaceae) for the treatment of wounds in India, there is a scarcity of scientific data supporting this use. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess wound-healing potentiality of the plant, to study pharmacological activities that may contribute in eliminating wound complications, and to investigate the biologically active fractions. Material and methods: The ethanolic extract (EtOH) of the aerial parts was fractionated to obtain n-hexane (HxFr), chloroform (ClFr), ethyl acetate (EtFr), and n-butanol (BuOH) fractions. EtOH and its fractions were formulated in strength of 5 and 10% w/w ointment and tested for wound-healing activity using the excision model. The topical anti-inflammatory, in vitro antioxidant, and antibacterial activities were evaluated. HxFr and EtFr were chemically investigated to isolate their constituents. Results: Application of EtOH, HxFr, and EtFr (10% w/w ointments) leads to 71.77, 85.62, and 81.29% healing of the wounds with an increase in the collagen content. HxFr had the strongest anti-inflammatory (64.5% potency relative to Voltaren®) and antibacterial activity (MIC = 104 μg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus), while EtFr showed the strongest antioxidant activity against DPPH, ABTS•+, and super oxide radical with an IC50 value of 10.25 ± 0.01, 66.09 ± 0.76, and 167.33 ± 0.91 µg/ml, respectively. β-Sitosterol, lupeol, cyclolaudenol, and cycloartenol were isolated from HxFr. Quercetin, ellagic acid, kaempferol-3-O-α-l-rhamnoside, and quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnoside were isolated from EtFr. Discussion and conclusion: Our study presents scientific evidence for the efficacy of B. ammannioides in enhancing wound healing, and the first isolation of cyclolaudenol and cycloartenol from Bergia.
Current knowledge regarding the investigational 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

The introduction of a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) into the routine childhood vaccination schedule has been shown to be effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), pneumonia, otitis media and meningitis in infants and young children as determined by epidemiological surveillance studies. There has been a rise in IPD due to nonvaccine serotypes; however, this rise is small compared with the overall reduction in IPD. Non-PCV-7 serotypes and vaccine-related serotypes, such as serotypes 1, 5, 7F, 6A and 19A, have also been reported to cause IPD in some parts of the world where morbidity and mortality from pneumococcal disease are higher. An investigational 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) uses CRM197 as a carrier, similar to the current PCV-7, and covers serotypes 1, 3, 5, 6A, 7F and 19A, in addition to the serotypes of PCV-7 (serotype 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F). PCV-13 is safe and well tolerated with other pediatric vaccines in infants according to clinical trials. IgG anticapsular polysaccharide-binding concentrations and opsonophagocytic assay responses are similar and noninferior between PCV-13 and PCV-7 and, according to immunogenicity studies, PCV-13 has more potential to protect against pneumococcal diseases with the additional six serotypes. With the addition of these new serotypes, it could be possible to cover potential pneumococcal serotypes causing IPD throughout the world. The cost of the vaccine, its length of duration, optimal scheduling, combination and boosting with PCV-7 are still unresolved issues. Assessment of the vaccine’s effectiveness and efficacy following potential licensure will require carefully designed cohort and case–control studies that can assess the indirect effects of PCV-13.
Interankle systolic blood pressure difference and renal outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease

Interankle blood pressure (BP) difference has been associated with peripheral artery disease and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, the relationship between interankle BP difference and renal outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) has never been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to determine whether interankle BP difference is associated with the rate of renal function decline and progression to renal end points in patients with stage 3–5 CKD.
Heart Rates of Breast‐Fed and Formula‐Fed Infants

Heart rates of 46 breast-fed and formula-fed infants were monitored continuously for −18 h at 1 or 4 months of age. Heart rate differed significantly by age (1 month > 4 months; p < 0.001) and feeding mode (breastfed < formula-fed; p < 0.001). Approximately 58% of the variability in heart rate could be attributed to feeding mode, sex, and age. Heart rate was correlated significantly with energy intake (r = 0.60; p < 0.001), but not sleeping metabolic rate or total daily energy expenditure. Energy intake accounted for none of the variability in heart rate beyond that explained by feeding mode, sex, and age.
Pediatric Intravenous Insertion in the Emergency Department: Bevel Up or Bevel Down?

Objective: Intravenous catheters are usually inserted with the bevel facing up. Bevel down may be superior in small and/or dehydrated children. We seek to determine whether there is a difference in the success rate of intravenous insertion using these 2 methods. Methods: We recruited children requiring an intravenous catheter in the emergency department where there was time to obtain consent. Patients were randomized to have the first attempt bevel up or bevel down. If the first attempt was unsuccessful, the alternate technique was used on second attempt. Attempts beyond 2 were not tracked. Results: We recruited 428 patients. Data are available from 396 (201 bevel-up and 195 bevel-down techniques). At least 63 different nurses participated. The nurses participated in the study a median number of 2 times (maximum, 36). Four nurses used the bevel-down technique more than 10 times. The success rate on first attempt was 75.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 69.8-81.4) for bevel up and 60% (95% CI, 53.2-66.8) for bevel down. The success rate on second attempt was 56.8% (95% CI, 45.3-68.2) for bevel up and 42.9% (95% CI, 30.3-55.5) for bevel down. In the subgroup of infants weighing less than 5 kg, there was no difference between the 2 techniques on the first attempt, with bevel up having a success of 33% (95% CI, 8.4-57.6) and bevel down 30% (95% CI, 4.1-55.9). Conclusions: The bevel-up technique performed superior to bevel-down technique in this study. The bevel-down technique might be useful in small infants.
A single input-single output coupled microresonator array for the detection and identification of multiple analytes

This work reports the experimental demonstration of single input-single output, multianalyte detection and identification using a coupled array of microresonators. A prototype sensor with four frequency-mistuned microbeam sensors, each coupled to a common shuttle mass resonator, is presented. Tailored localized modes of vibration in this coupled system are exploited to embed all requisite resonance shift information into the response of the common shuttle. Four standard polymers are applied to the microbeams to functionalize them for vapor detection. Toluene and methanol vapors, as well as toluene/methanol mixtures, are detected and identified using a single input signal and a single output signal.
Methodology and international collaboration in teaching reconfigurable systems

The paper describes the proposed methodology for teaching reconfigurable (Field-Programmable Gate Array based) systems and international collaboration in education. The methodology includes e-learning tools (namely, tutorials, templates, and previously developed students' projects) combined with another methods that are: separation of given to students tasks on core and auxiliary components, and design based on interactions, virtualization, and communication with host computers. Future directions are also discussed. Numerous examples are presented, including particular cases of teaching outside of home universities. Evaluation of the proposed methodology in a period of three years was also done and the results are presented.
pol mutations conferring zidovudine and didanosine resistance with different effects in vitro yield multiply resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates in vivo

Specific mutations in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) pol gene that cause zidovudine (3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine; AZT) and didanosine (2',3'-dideoxyinosine; ddI) resistance were studied. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of nucleosides for cloned viruses containing these mutations were compared with the IC50s of the corresponding triphosphate analogs for mutant recombinant-expressed reverse transcriptases (RTs). Changes in ddATP inhibition of RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity fully accounted for the ddI resistance of the virus caused by a Leu-74-->Val substitution in RT, including an augmentation by the AZT-selected substitutions Thr-215-->Tyr and Lys-219-->Gln in RT. In contrast, the AZT-selected substitutions studied did not cause as great a change in the IC50 of AZT-triphosphate (AZT-TP) for polymerase as they did in the IC50 of AZT for mutant virus. In addition, the mutation at codon 74 suppressed AZT resistance in the virus caused by the mutations at codons 215 and 219 but did not suppress the AZT-TP resistance of enzyme containing these same mutations in RT. The mutation at codon 74 was found in clinical isolates whether or not the patient had received AZT prior to starting ddI therapy. AZT resistance coexisted with ddI resistance following acquisition of Leu-74-->Val in three clinical isolates, indicating that the suppressive effect of Val-74 on the AZT resistance of the virus does not occur in all genetic contexts. When this suppression of AZT resistance was seen in the virus, Val-74 did not appear to cause mutually exclusive changes in AZT-TP and ddATP binding to RT in vitro. The results of the in vitro experiments and characterization of clinical isolates suggest that there are differences in the functional effects of these AZT and ddI resistance mutations.
THE VLA-COSMOS SURVEY. IV. DEEP DATA AND JOINT CATALOG

In the context of the VLA-COSMOS Deep project, additional VLA A array observations at 1.4 GHz were obtained for the central degree of the COSMOS field and combined with the existing data from the VLA-COSMOS Large project. A newly constructed Deep mosaic with a resolution of 2. ″5 was used to search for sources down to 4σ with 1σ ≈ 12 μJy beam−1 in the central 50′ × 50′. This new catalog is combined with the catalog from the Large project (obtained at 1.″5 × 1.″4 resolution) to construct a new Joint catalog. All sources listed in the new Joint catalog have peak flux densities of ⩾5σ at 1. ″5 and/or 2. ″5 resolution to account for the fact that a significant fraction of sources at these low flux levels are expected to be slightly resolved at 1. ″5 resolution. All properties listed in the Joint catalog, such as peak flux density, integrated flux density, and source size, are determined in the 2. ″5 resolution Deep image. In addition, the Joint catalog contains 43 newly identified multi-component sources.
The Inheritance of Carotenoid Pigment Systems in the Tomato.

N the tomato three types of fruit flesh color have long been known. The I red flesh (RRTT) of normal canning tomatoes is due to the presence of major quantities of the pigment lycopene. A minor quantity of beta-carotene is also present, as are traces of certain other carotenoid pigments. Yellowfleshed tomatoes (rrTT) are characterized by the lack of pigment in major quantities. Orange tomatoes (RRtt) of the Jubilee or Tangerine varieties, on the other hand, contain a mixture of carotenoids of which prolycopene and zeta-carotene are the principal components. Recently a new pigment type, orange in color, has been isolated (LINCOLN and PORTER 1950). Unlike the orange Tangerine type, this tomato contains largely beta-carotene with minor quantities of lycopene. LINCOLN and PORTER postulate that in beta-orange tomatoes the shift from red (lycopene) to orange (beta-carotene) depends primarily upon a single gene B which lacks dominance. When the present study was initiated the monohybrid segregations of R/r and of T/t were well established on a visual basis ( MACARTIIUR 1931, 1934). Moreover, considerable analytical information was available concerning the parent pigment types (LEROSEN, WENT and ZECIIMEISTER 1941 ; ZECHMEISTER, LEROSEN, WENT and PAULING 1941 ; LEROSEN and ZECHMEISTER 1942; NASH and ZSCHEILE 1945; PORTER and ZSCHEILE 1946a, 1946b). Crosses between r and t, however, had not been thoroughly analyzed, and crosses involving B and either Y or t had not been reported. The possibility existed that B might be an allele of either Y or t. FLEMING and ~! IYERS (1937) cite correspondence with MACARTHUR in which the latter suggested that crosses involving Tangerine orange (RRtt) and yellow (YYTT) produce a 9 red : 3 yellow : 4 orange (3 orange and 1 light orange) F2 ratio. From their own data, however, these authors suggested that the inheritance was considerably more complicated. Recently JENKINS and MACKINNEY (1951) have confirmed MACARTHUR’S prediction. Moreover, MACKINNEY and JENKINS ( 1949, 1952) have extended the analytical information with regard to parent types and have included an analysis of the segregants involving these two genes. The present work supports the data reported by MACKINNEY and JENKINS with respect to R and T, and in addition extends the analysis to include the gene B.