Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing Differences and Similarities between Instructed Heritage Language Learners and L2 Learners in Their Knowledge of Spanish Tense-Aspect and Mood (TAM) Morphology.

The acquisition of the aspectual difference between the preterit and imperfect in the past tense and the acquisition of the contrast between subjunctive and indicative mood are classic problem areas in second language (L2) acquisition of Spanish by English-speaking learners (Collentine, 1995, 1998, 2003; Salaberry, 1999; Slabakova & Montrul, 2002; Terrell, Baycroft & Perrone, 1987). Similarly, Spanish heritage speakers in the U.S exhibit simplification of the preterit/imperfect contrast and incomplete acquisition/attrition of subjunctive morphology (Merino, 1983; Montrul, 2002, 2007; Potowski, Jegerski & Morgan-Short, 2009; Silva-Corvalán, 1994). This raises the question of whether the linguistic knowledge of a developing L2 learner is similar to incomplete L1 acquisition in heritage language (HL) learners. Because heritage speakers are exposed to the heritage language from infancy whereas L2 learners begin exposure much later, Au et al. (2002, 2008) have claimed that heritage speakers are linguistically superior to L2 learners only in phonology but not in morphosyntax. The present study reexamines this claim by focusing on the interpretation of tense, aspect and mood (TAM) morphology in 60 instructed HL learners and 60 L2 learners ranging from low to advanced proficiency in Spanish. Results of four written tasks showed differences between the groups both in tense and aspect and in mood morphology, depending on proficiency levels. Implications of these findings for heritage language instruction are discussed.
Novel susceptibility genes associated with diabetic cataract in a Taiwanese population

Purpose: To identify genetic variants that predispose to type 2 diabetes (T2D) with cataract. Patients and methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) of T2D patients with cataract, as graded by Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS). A total of 109 T2D patients with cataract score equal to or above 10 designated as the study group, 649 T2D patients with cataract score equal to or below 3 as the control group. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with p-values < 10–5 were considered to be putatively associated with the diabetic cataract. Results: Fifteen SNPs were found to be putatively associated with diabetic cataract. These variants were located near the following genes: PPARD, CCDC102A, GBA3, NEDD9, GABRR1/2, RPS6KA2, tcag7.1163, TAC1, GALNTL1 and KIAA1671. We defined haplotype 1 to haplotype 4 from the alternative alleles of related polymorphisms. Distribution of haplotype 2 on chromosome 4 and haplotype 4 on chromosome 7 revealed significant differences (OR = 1.86 and 1.69, respectively; 95% confidence interval were 1.26–2.76 and 1.23–2.31, respectively). Conclusions: The 15 loci coded on chromosomes 4, 6, 7, 14, 16 and 22 were associated with diabetic cataract. Gene functions are either with mechanisms of regulating blood sugar or formation of cataract. High linkage disequilibrium appeared on chromosome 4p15.31 and chromosome 7q21.3.
A Design Methodology for Weakly-Hard Real-Time Control

The problem of the integrated control and weakly-hard real-time scheduling is addressed. First, an abstract model of control tasks execution is introduced, allowing the establishment of a formal relationship linking control performance to deadline misses. Then, the notion of accelerable control task is introduced. An accelerable control task has the property that more executions are performed, better is the control performance. Thanks to this latter property, it becomes straightforward to design the control laws according to the average execution times of control tasks, and guaranteeing that in the worst-case scenario, the minimal allowable performance will be achieved. Based on Bellman optimality principle, sufficient conditions for a given control task to be accelerable are stated. A design method of optimal control laws for the weakly-hard execution model is then proposed.
Medical errors in primary care: results of an international study of family practice.

OBJECTIVE To describe errors Canadian family physicians found in their practices and reported to study investigators. To compare errors reported by Canadian family physicians with those reported by physicians in five other countries. DESIGN Analytical study of reports of errors. The Linnaeus Collaboration was formed to study medical errors in primary care. General practitioners in six countries, including a new Canadian family practice research network (Nortren), anonymously reported errors in their practices between June and December 2001. An evolving taxonomy was used to describe the types of errors reported. SETTING Practices in Canada, Australia, England, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United States. PARTICIPANTS Family physicians in the six countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Types of errors reported. Differences in errors reported in different countries. RESULTS In Canada, 15 family doctors reported 95 errors. In the other five countries, 64 doctors reported 413 errors. Although the absence of a denominator made it impossible to calculate rates of errors, Canadian doctors and doctors from the other countries reported similar proportions of errors arising from health system dysfunction and gaps in knowledge or skills. All countries reported similar proportions of laboratory and prescribing errors. Canadian doctors reported harm to patients from 39.3% of errors; other countries reported harm from 29.3% of errors. Canadian physicians considered errors "very serious" in 5.8% of instances; other countries thought them very serious in 7.1% of instances. Hospital admissions and death were among the consequences of errors reported in other countries, but these consequences were not reported in Canada. CONCLUSION Serious errors occur in family practice and affect patients in similar ways in Canada and other countries. Validated studies that analyze errors and record error rates are needed to better understand ways of improving patient safety in family practice.
Lymphocyte subpopulations in human cerebrospinal fluid

Lymphocyte subpopulations in both human cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood were identified and compared by rosette techniques. In patients without neuroaxial disease, the percent distribution of Fc receptor and T-lymphocytes reflected peripheral blood values, although there was a significantly higher percentage of T cells in normal CSF. Alterations in lymphocyte cerebrospinal fluid populations were observed in various systemic and neurologic diseases.
Contribution of deep‐seated bedrock landslides to erosion of a glaciated basin in southern Alaska

Landslides represent a key component of catchment‐scale denudation, though their relative contribution to the erosion of glaciated basins is not well known. Bedrock landslide contribution was investigated on the surface of one of eleven glaciers on a glaciated ridge in the Chugach‐St Elias Range of southern Alaska, where the debris from four major landslides is easily distinguished from moraines and other supraglacial material. A series of aerial and satellite photos from 1972 to 2000 and field observations in 2001 and 2002 indicate that three of four landslides have fallen onto the surface of the glacier since about 1978. The landslides, which originated from the steeply dipping (60–70°) bedrock walls, were deposited onto the glacier in the ablation zone and are currently being transported downstream supraglacially. Individual glacial valleys with topographic relief of ∼400 m are cut into high‐grade metamorphic rock characterized by a steep north‐dipping foliation and fractured by numerous large joints. Measurements of landslide area and average thickness obtained from high‐resolution survey data indicate a total landslide volume of ∼2·3 × 105 m3. This volume suggests a basin‐averaged erosion rate from landslides of 0·48 mm a−1. An overall basin‐scale erosion rate of 0·7 to 1·7 mm a−1 can be inferred, but depends on the percentage of the total‐basin sediment yield contributed by supraglacial sources. A mean rockwall retreat rate of 6·7 mm a−1 is calculated and is considerably higher than published rates, which range from 0·04 to 4·0 mm a−1. Controls on landslide generation include seismicity, freeze–thaw processes, topography, rock strength, and debuttressing. It is likely all of these factors contribute to failure, although the primary controls for the landslides in this study are thought to be rock strength and topography. The absence of landslides on ten of the eleven glaciers on this ridge is attributed to landslide magnitude–frequency relationships and short temporal scale of this study. Large‐volume bedrock landslides (>100 000 m3) may have low frequency, occurring less than once in a 55‐year time frame. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Why Do Women Exercise? Factor Analysis and Further Validation of the Reasons for Exercise Inventory

This investigation examined the factor structure and correlates of the Reasons for Exercise Inventory among 101 exercising women. Subjects completed the 24-item inventory (with one added item), reported their weekly frequency of exercise, and completed two standardized body-image measures. Factor analysis indicated that, with minor modifications, the instrument has an internally consistent structure with four factors of Appearance/Weight Management, Fitness/Health Management, Stress/ Mood Management, and Socializing. Appearance/Weight Management was associated with a more negative body image independent of actual body mass and was the only motive related to self-reported frequency of exercise.
A COMPARISON OF PHYSICAL SOLVENTS FOR ACID GAS REMOVAL

Physical solvents such as DEPG (SelexolTM or Coastal AGR), NMP or N-Methyl-2Pyrrolidone (Purisol), Methanol (Rectisol), and Propylene Carbonate (Fluor SolventTM) are becoming increasingly popular as gas treating solvents, especially for coal gasification applications. Physical solvents tend to be favored over chemical solvents when the concentration of acid gases or other impurities is very high. In addition, physical solvents can usually be stripped of impurities by reducing the pressure without the addition of heat. This paper compares the acid gas removal ability, required equipment, and power requirements for the four physical solvents DEPG, Methanol, NMP, and Propylene Carbonate.
A longitudinal study investigating how stroke severity, disability, and physical function the first week post-stroke are associated with walking speed six months post-stroke

ABSTRACT Objectives: To investigate to which degree stroke severity, disability, and physical function the first week post-stroke are associated with preferred walking speed (PWS) at 6 months. Design: Longitudinal observational study. Method: Participants were recruited from a stroke unit and tested within the first week (baseline) and at 6 months post-stroke. Outcome measures were the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), the Barthel Index (BI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), PWS, Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS), and the Trunk Impairment Scale modified-Norwegian version. Multiple regression models were used to explore which variables best predict PWS at 6 months, and the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves to determine the cutoffs. Results: A total of 132 participants post-stroke were included and subdivided into two groups based on the ability to produce PWS at baseline. For the participants that could produce PWS at baseline (WSB group), PASS, PWS, and age at baseline predicted PWS at 6 months with an explained variance of 0.77. For the participants that could not produce a PWS at baseline (NoWSB group), only PASS predicted PWS at 6 months with an explained variance of 0.49. For the Walking speed at baseline (WSB) group, cutoffs at baseline for walking faster than 0.8 m/s at 6 months were 30.5 points on the PASS, PWS 0.75 m/s, and age 73.5 years. For the NoWSB group, the cutoff for PASS was 20.5 points. Conclusion: PASS, PWS, and age the first week predicted PWS at 6 months post-stroke for participants with the best walking ability, and PASS alone predicted PWS at 6 months post-stroke for participants with the poorest walking ability.
MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL TRIAL OF CHEMORADIATION USING WEEKLY DOCETAXEL AND ERYTHROPOIETIN FOR HIGH-RISK POSTOPERATIVE HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS

CHRISTOPHER D. WILLEY, M.D., PH.D.,* BARBARA A. MURPHY, M.D., JAMES L. NETTERVILLE, M.D., BRIAN B. BURKEY, M.D., YU SHYR, PH.D., BASHAR SHAKHTOUR, B.S., BONNIE KISH, R.N. , DAVID RABEN, M.D., CHANGHU CHEN, M.D., JOHN I. SONG, M.D.,** MADELEINE A. KANE, M.D., PH.D., AND ANTHONY J. CMELAK, M.D.* Departments of *Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Biostatistics, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, and Clinical Trials Office, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; Departments of Radiation Oncology, **Otolaryngology, Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
Lung Cancer in Women

Abstract Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in women. In the last decade, the first measurable decline in disease-related mortality has occurred and in the last 5 years, the first decline in lung cancer incidence in women in the United States has been reported. Five-year survival rates are much higher in early-stage disease, making effective screening a priority. Data on screening with low-dose computed tomography are controversial; existing guidelines are not sex specific and recommend testing only for patients at high risk for the disease. Although cigarette smoking remains the predisposing factor that is most often associated with tumor development, the advent of molecularly targeted therapy and the growing evidence that susceptible targets are more prevalent in never-smoking women have brought more attention to this particular subpopulation. Studies of both surgery and systemic therapy suggest that not only never-smoking women but also women overall experience better outcomes than men. Identifying all of the factors contributing to these sex differences presents us with an opportunity to identify potentially a distinct tumor biology in women who would warrant a distinct personalized treatment approach.
Decompression of the left atrium during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation using a transseptal cannula incorporated into the circuit*

Objectives:When extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used in the setting of severe myocardial dysfunction, left ventricular end-diastolic and left atrial pressure can rise to extremely high levels. Decompression of the left atrium in this setting is essential for resolution of pulmonary edema and recovery of left ventricular function. We sought to evaluate whether adequate left atrial decompression can be achieved via percutaneous placement of a transseptal left atrial drain incorporated in the ECMO venous circuit. Design:Retrospective case series. Setting:Tertiary care center pediatric intensive care unit and cardiac catheterization laboratory. Patients:Seven patients (age 8 months to 28 yrs) with cardiac failure on venoarterial ECMO with left atrial hypertension. Interventions:All patients underwent left atrial decompression with transseptal puncture and placement of a drain (8- to 15-Fr) incorporated into the ECMO venous circuit. Catheterization and ECMO records and echocardiograms were reviewed, as were the clinical course and outcome for each patient. Measurements and Main Results:The median time from ECMO cannulation to left atrial decompression was 11 hrs. Average initial left atrial pressure was 31 mm Hg. Successful drain placement was achieved in seven patients with no major procedural complications. Echocardiographic improvement in left atrial dilation was achieved in five patients (71%). Inability to decompress the left atrium was fatal in two patients. Four patients were decannulated (57%), and three survived to hospital discharge (43%). Larger sheath size and higher flow rate correlated with a greater likelihood of success. Conclusions:Adequate decompression of the left atrium can be achieved by transseptal placement of a left atrial drain incorporated into the ECMO circuit. This technique represents a reasonable alternative to blade or balloon atrial septostomy for patients requiring left atrial decompression.
Origin and Evolutionary Alteration of the Mitochondrial Import System in Eukaryotic Lineages

Abstract Protein transport systems are fundamentally important for maintaining mitochondrial function. Nevertheless, mitochondrial protein translocases such as the kinetoplastid ATOM complex have recently been shown to vary in eukaryotic lineages. Various evolutionary hypotheses have been formulated to explain this diversity. To resolve any contradiction, estimating the primitive state and clarifying changes from that state are necessary. Here, we present more likely primitive models of mitochondrial translocases, specifically the translocase of the outer membrane (TOM) and translocase of the inner membrane (TIM) complexes, using scrutinized phylogenetic profiles. We then analyzed the translocases’ evolution in eukaryotic lineages. Based on those results, we propose a novel evolutionary scenario for diversification of the mitochondrial transport system. Our results indicate that presequence transport machinery was mostly established in the last eukaryotic common ancestor, and that primitive translocases already had a pathway for transporting presequence-containing proteins. Moreover, secondary changes including convergent and migrational gains of a presequence receptor in TOM and TIM complexes, respectively, likely resulted from constrained evolution. The nature of a targeting signal can constrain alteration to the protein transport complex.
Association of atrial arrhythmia and sinus node dysfunction in patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.

BACKGROUND This study was performed to investigate the frequency and importance of supraventricular arrhythmia and sinus node (SN) dysfunction in patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). METHODS AND RESULTS Eight patients with CPVT (mean age: 16.8+/-8.1 years) underwent an electrophysiological study. SN recovery time (1,389+/-394 ms) was slightly prolonged, and 4 of 8 patients had abnormal values. Atrial flutter (AF) was induced by low-rate atrial pacing in 2 patients and by isoproterenol infusion in 1 patient. Atrial fibrillation (Af) was induced by isoproterenol infusion in 2 patients. One patient presented with Af during the follow-up period, and 2 of 4 patients with AF/Af presented with increased SN recovery time. CONCLUSIONS Patients with CPVT frequently have associated with SN dysfunction, and inducible atrial tachyarrhythmias, which indicate that the pathogenesis of CPVT is limited not only to the ventricular myocardium, but also to broad regions of the heart, including the SN and atrial muscle.
Collateral status and tissue outcome after intra-arterial therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke

Intra-arterial therapy (IAT) for ischemic stroke aims to save brain tissue. Collaterals are thought to contribute to prolonged penumbra sustenance. In this study, we investigate the effect of collateral status on brain tissue salvage with IAT. In 500 patients randomized between IAT and standard care, collateral status was graded from 0 (absent) to 3 (good). Final infarct volumes (FIV) were calculated on post-treatment CT. FIVs were compared between treatment groups per collateral grade. Multivariable linear regression with interaction terms was performed to study whether collaterals modified IAT effect on FIV. Four-hundred-forty-nine patients were included in the analysis. Median FIV for the IAT group was significantly lower with 54.5 mL (95% IQR: 21.8–145.0) than for the controls with 81.8 mL (95% IQR: 40.0–154.0) (p = 0.020). Treatment effect differed across collateral grades, although there was no significant interaction (unadjusted p = 0.054; adjusted p = 0.105). For grade 3, IAT resulted in a FIV reduction of 30.1 mL (p = 0.024). For grade 2 and 1, this difference was, respectively, 28.4 mL (p = 0.028) and 28.4 mL (p = 0.29). For grade 0, this was 88.6 mL (p = 0.28) in favour of controls. IAT saves substantially more brain tissue as compared to standard care. We observed a trend of increasing effect of IAT with higher collateral grades.
New designs of Redundant-Binary full Adders and its applications

New designs of Redundant Binary full Adders are proposed for redundant binary system, and implemented using 0.18 mum CMOS technology. The proposed full adder designs require low number of transistors and show lower power dissipation and reduced time delay compared to currently available designs. These new designs can be widely used for computer arithmetic units in redundant binary systems. As case studies, two efficient on-line multipliers are implemented using the new full adders, providing improved performance while requiring lower number of transistors.
Dysgeusia in symptomatic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion: think of lung cancer

The case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with marked dysgeusia to all food and symptomatic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is described. She eventually turned out to have metastatic small cell lung cancer. The case study explores the interesting constellation of dysgeusia, SIADH and lung cancer.
Human Brucella canis outbreak linked to infection in dogs

SUMMARY The zoonotic risk of Brucella canis has been considered fairly high for persons who handle breeding dogs in kennels or are exposed to infected animals. Transmission to humans in other circumstances has been thought to be rare. We describe an uncommon outbreak of brucellosis caused by B. canis which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first reported in the literature. This outbreak involved six persons (three children and three adults), a bitch and three puppies which had close daily contact with the family. The clinical symptoms of the index case led to an erroneous diagnosis and the infection would have gone undiagnosed if culture had not been positive. This report aims to increase awareness of medical personnel of the need to order screening tests for children, immunodeficient persons or pregnant women presenting with fever of unknown origin, unexplained spleen or liver enlargement or other systemic signs. The emerging zoonotic potential of this disease in urban areas and the need to coordinate canine brucellosis surveillance systems should be evaluated.
ROBERT SCHUMAN CENTRE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES Germà Bel and Xavier Fageda PRIVATIZATION, REGULATION AND AIRPORT PRICING: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS FOR EUROPE

This paper examines factors determining prices that airports charge to airlines. Using data for 100 large airports in Europe, we find that they charge higher prices when they move more passengers. Additionally, competition from other transport modes and other nearby airports imposes some discipline on the pricing behaviour of airports. Low-cost carriers and airlines with a high market share seem to have a stronger countervailing power. Finally, we find that private airports not regulated charge higher prices than public or regulated airports. From our analysis, we can infer that market power of each airport is dependent upon its specific characteristics.