Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Auditory perception and syntactic cognition: brain activity‐based decoding within and across subjects

The present magnetoencephalography study investigated whether the brain states of early syntactic and auditory‐perceptual processes can be decoded from single‐trial recordings with a multivariate pattern classification approach. In particular, it was investigated whether the early neural activation patterns in response to rule violations in basic auditory perception and in high cognitive processes (syntax) reflect a functional organization that largely generalizes across individuals or is subject‐specific. On this account, subjects were auditorily presented with correct sentences, syntactically incorrect sentences, correct sentences including an interaural time difference change, and sentences containing both violations. For the analysis, brain state decoding was carried out within and across subjects with three pairwise classifications. Neural patterns elicited by each of the violation sentences were separately classified with the patterns elicited by the correct sentences. The results revealed the highest decoding accuracies over temporal cortex areas for all three classification types. Importantly, both the magnitude and the spatial distribution of decoding accuracies for the early neural patterns were very similar for within‐subject and across‐subject decoding. At the same time, across‐subject decoding suggested a hemispheric bias, with the most consistent patterns in the left hemisphere. Thus, the present data show that not only auditory‐perceptual processing brain states but also cognitive brain states of syntactic rule processing can be decoded from single‐trial brain activations. Moreover, the findings indicate that the neural patterns in response to syntactic cognition and auditory perception reflect a functional organization that is highly consistent across individuals.
The Effectiveness of Functional Family Therapy for Adolescent Behavioral and Substance Misuse Problems: A Meta-Analysis.

A systematic review of published and unpublished English language articles identified 14 studies containing 18 comparisons between functional family therapy (FFT) and another condition in the treatment of adolescent disruptive behavior and substance use disorders. In 11 of these comparisons, assignment to conditions was random, while nonrandom assignment occurred in seven studies. For both random and nonrandom comparisons, separate meta-analyses were conducted for subgroups of studies depending on the type of comparison group used. Data from studies of untreated control groups (CTL), treatment as usual (TAU), and well-defined alternative treatments (ALTs) were analyzed separately. Effect sizes from these six meta-analyses were as follows: random assignment FFT versus CTL (k = 3, d = 0.48, p < .01); random assignment FFT versus TAU (k = 3, d = .20, ns); random assignment FFT versus ALT (k = 5, d = .35, p < .05); nonrandom assignment FFT versus CTL (k = 2, d = .90, ns); nonrandom assignment FFT versus TAU (k = 2, d = .08, ns); and nonrandom assignment FFT versus ALT (k = 3, d = .75, p < .001). These results provide support for the effectiveness of FFT compared with untreated controls and well-defined ALTs, such as cognitive behavior therapy, other models of family therapy, and individual and group therapy for adolescents.
Ultrasonographic features of pure ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: correlations with pathologic features and biological markers

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic features of pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast and to evaluate the correlations of ultrasonographic features with pathologic and biological features. Methods A total of 141 lesions in 138 women with pure DCIS who underwent preoperative breast ultrasonography were retrospectively reviewed. Ultrasonographic features were analyzed using the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) ultrasonography lexicon and the diagnostic criteria of the Japan Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine. Pathologic features including the nuclear grade and presence of comedonecrosis were evaluated. Biological markers including estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, as well as the Ki-67 index, were recorded. Ultrasonographic features were compared with pathologic findings and biological markers using the chi-square test. P-values of <0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results Of the 141 lesions, 75 (53.2%) were mass lesions, 56 (39.7%) were non-mass lesions, and 10 (7.1%) were not visible. The most common feature of the mass pattern was a mass with irregular shape (32.6%), an indistinct margin (27.7%), and hypoechogenicity (37.6%). Microcalcifications were observed in 48 cases (36.6%) as an associated feature. Calcifications outside of a mass were more common than calcifications within a mass. Ultrasonographic microcalcifications and ductal changes were frequently observed in non-mass lesions. Ultrasonographic non-mass lesions were associated with high-grade DCIS (P=0.004) and the presence of comedonecrosis (P=0.006). Microcalcifications were significantly associated with high-grade DCIS (P<0.001), the presence of comedonecrosis (P<0.001), an elevated Ki-67 (P<0.001), and HER2 positivity (P=0.003). Conclusion The most common ultrasonographic feature of pure DCIS was an irregular, hypoechoic mass with an indistinct margin. Ultrasonographic microcalcifications and ductal changes were more frequent in non-mass lesions, which were correlated with poor prognostic factors, such as a high nuclear grade, comedonecrosis, HER2 positivity, and an elevated Ki-67 index.
Control of threshold-voltage and short-channel effects in ultrathin strained-SOI CMOS devices

This paper presents a quantitative study on the device design for the control of threshold-voltage and the suppression of short-channel effects (SCEs) in ultrathin strained-silicon-on-insulator (strained-SOI) CMOSFETs in the sub-100-nm regime. A two-dimensional device simulation is used for this purpose, with emphasis on the impact of band offset in Si/SiGe heterostructures. For the control of threshold-voltage, the combination of the gate work function and the back gate bias is needed to obtain appropriate values of threshold-voltage in n- and p-channel MOSFETs and to suppress SiGe buried channels in p-channel MOSFETs with thicker strained-Si layers. Regarding SCEs, the importance and the necessity of thin SiGe layers are pointed out from the viewpoint of the influence of the higher permittivity of SiGe layers. It is shown that the SCEs of strained-SOI MOSFETs with thinner SiGe layers are almost the same level as those of unstrained-SOI.
Coronavirus Pneumonia Following Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation for Breast Cancer

Infectious bronchitis virus, otherwise known as coronavirus, can cause mild upper respiratory tract illnesses in children and adults. Rarely has coronavirus been linked, either by serology or nasal wash, to pneumonia. We report a case of a young woman who, following treatment for stage IIIA breast cancer using a high-dose chemotherapy regimen followed by autologous bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, developed respiratory failure and was found to have coronavirus pneumonia as diagnosed by electron microscopy from BAL fluid. We propose that coronavirus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute respiratory failure in cancer patients who have undergone high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic support.
Actin filament disruption blocks cerebellar granule neurons at the unipolar stage of differentiation in vitro.

Cerebellar granule neurons developing in vitro initially extend a single axon, with the Golgi apparatus and centrosome positioned at the base of this axon and then begin the transition to a bipolar morphology by rotating the Golgi-centrosome to the opposite pole of the cell and extending a secondary axon; granule cells reach a mature, complex morphology by extending multiple, short dendrites by 5-6 days in vitro. (Zmuda and Rivas, 1998. Cell Motil Cytoskel 41:18-38). To test the effects of actin depolymerization on this characteristic pattern of granule cell axonogenesis, cultured granule cells were treated with either cytochalasin D (CD) or latrunculin A (Lat A) to depolymerize filamentous actin. Although actin depolymerization did not inhibit initial axon extension, it prevented the cells from proceeding on to the transitional, bipolar, or complex stages of differentiation, effectively blocking the cells at the unipolar stage of differentiation. Although the Golgi apparatus resided at the base of the axon in nontreated unipolar cells, or at the opposite pole of the cell body in nontreated transitional cells, the Golgi was randomly localized within the cytoplasm of cells that had been treated with either CD or Lat A. These results show that the transition from the unipolar to the bipolar stage and on to more mature stages of granule cell differentiation is dependent on an intact actin cytoskeleton and suggest that the characteristic pattern of granule cell differentiation may be dependent on the repositioning of the Golgi-centrosome during morphological development.
The Performance of Venture-Backed Ipos in Germany: Exit Strategies, Lock-Up Periods, and Bank Ownership

The agency problems for initial public offerings are well documented in the literature. The objective of this research is to investigate the potential conflicts of interest for the Neuer Markt in Germany. Of special interest are venture-backed IPOs and those in which banks acted as venture capitalist, underwriter, and provided analyst recommendations. We observe high initial returns and out-performance over the first 6 months of trading which decreases significantly over the subsequent 18 months. The individual performance depends on the VC's underwriter and bank affiliation, exit behavior, and lock-up commitment. Venture capitalists and especially banks timed their exit well. This indicates some serious agency problems in the German IPO market.
Enteric Infections by Trematodes and Nematodes in Olrog's Gull, Larus atlanticus

SUMMARY. Trematodes and nematodes can be pathogenic helminths of birds. Every year during the breeding season, there is variable mortality among chicks from the largest Olrog's gull (Larus atlanticus) colony in Argentina. During two consecutive breeding seasons of Olrog's gull, we studied epidemiological and pathological aspects of infections by digeneans (Microphallidae) and nematodes (Acuariidae) in Olrog's gull chicks. Prevalence of nematode infection was 80.3% in 2005 and 89.2% in 2006, and mean intensity was 23.7 in 2005 and 50.8 in 2006. The risk for infection rose 34.3% and the intensity of infection 6.7% for every increase of 1 mm in head–beak length. The nematodes occupied the proventricular glands and caused disruption of their structure and mild inflammatory proventriculitis. Prevalence of digenean infection was 97.0% in 2005 and 97.3% in 2006. In 10-day-old live chicks, prevalence was 98.0% in 2006 and 95.3% in 2007. Infection was associated with severe catarrhal enteritis, lymphocyte/eosinophil-rich inflammatory responses, extensive fibroblast proliferation around the parasites, and disruption of the architecture of the adjacent crypts.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Dispersal of Western Flower Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Nectarine Orchards in British Columbia

Abstract Thrips were sampled from six nectarine orchards in the Dry Central Interior, British Columbia, Canada, between April and June 1993 using yellow sticky cards on posts spaced around the perimeter of each orchard. Although 12 identified species of thrips were captured, >90% of individuals were the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande). The flight patterns and abundances of western flower thrips were compared between orchards located in two differently oriented valleys (N-S and E-W) and between orchards located close to or far from areas of wild land. Results indicate that densities of western flower thrips entering orchards, and their direction of movement, were related more to the external vegetation than either location within the two different valleys or general wind flow patterns. Western flower thrips tended to move into orchards close to ground level in early spring (late April and early May) but flew higher as ground cover grew taller and temperatures increased. Densities of western flower thrips at ground level were highest in an orchard with the densest dandelion ground cover. We conclude that the location of nectarine orchards in relation to wild areas is a major determinate of western flower thrips densities.
Non-Protein-Bound Iron Is Elevated in Cerebrospinal Fluid from Preterm Infants with Posthemorrhagic Ventricular Dilatation

Posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) is closely associated with white matter injury and neurologic disability in the preterm infant. An important factor in periventricular white matter damage may be the specific vulnerability of iron-rich immature oligodendroglia to reactive oxygen species toxicity. Non-protein-bound iron (NPBI) is a potent catalyst in the generation of hydroxyl radicals (Fenton reaction). Our objective was to determine whether NPBI is increased in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from preterm infants with PHVD compared with preterm control infants. Samples of CSF were obtained from 20 infants with PHVD and 10 control subjects. The level of NPBI was determined by a new spectrophotometric method using bathophenanthroline as a chelator. To evaluate the effect of hemolysis, CSF and blood were mixed in different proportions, spun, frozen and thawed, and then analyzed for NPBI. NPBI was found in 75% (15 of 20) of infants with PHVD and in 0% (0 of 10) of control infants (p = 0.0002). Hemolysis induced in vitro did not result in any significant levels of NPBI. Within the group with PHVD, NPBI concentrations in CSF did not correlate with disability, parenchymal brain lesions, or the need for shunt surgery. NPBI was increased in CSF from preterm infants with PHVD, and the increase could not be explained by hemolysis alone. Free iron may help to explain the association between intraventricular hemorrhage and white matter damage.
Perineal Wound Healing After Abdominoperineal Resection for Rectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Impaired perineal wound healing has become a significant clinical problem after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer. The increased use of neoadjuvant radiotherapy and wider excisions might have contributed to this problem. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to determine the impact of radiotherapy and an extralevator approach on perineal wound healing after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer. DATA SOURCES: In March 2014, electronic databases were searched. STUDY SELECTION AND INTERVENTIONS: Studies describing any outcome measure on perineal wound healing after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end point was overall perineal wound problems within 30 days after conventional or extralevator abdominoperineal resection with or without neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Secondary end points were primary wound healing, perineal hernia rate, and the effect of biological mesh closure on perineal wound problems. RESULTS: A total of 32 studies were included. The pooled percentage of perineal wound problems after primary perineal wound closure in patients who did not undergo neoadjuvant radiotherapy was 15.3% (95% CI, 12.1–19.2) after conventional abdominoperineal resection and 14.8% (95% CI, 9.5–22.4) after extralevator abdominoperineal resection. After neoadjuvant radiotherapy, perineal wound problems occurred in 30.2% (95% CI, 19.2–44.0) after conventional abdominoperineal resection and in 37.6% (95% CI, 18.6–61.4) after extralevator abdominoperineal resection. Radiotherapy significantly increased perineal wound problems after abdominoperineal resection (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.45–3.40; p < 0.001). After biological mesh closure of the pelvic floor following extralevator abdominoperineal resection with neoadjuvant radiotherapy, the percentage of perineal wound problems was 7.3% (95% CI, 1.5–29.3). LIMITATIONS: Heterogeneity was high for some analyses. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant radiotherapy significantly increases perineal wound problems after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer, whereas the extralevator approach seems not to be of significant importance.
Knowing Too Much: Expertise-Induced False Recall Effects in Product Comparison

A long history of research has shown that experts’ well-developed knowledge structures provide numerous advantages in memory-based decisions and tasks. More recently, research has shown that in certain situations experts’ more detailed knowledge can hinder memory performance by resulting in the creation of false memories. The current research adds to this growing literature by showing how experts can fall prey to a different type of false memory when making product comparisons. Four studies demonstrate that in a product comparison context, in their attempt to make options more comparable, experts inadvertently “fill in the gap” by aligning nonalignable features in memory. This results in the false recall of aligned features that did not appear in the original descriptions. Experts’ higher sense of accountability for their judgments, coupled with their highly developed schemata, is identified as the mechanism underlying the effect.
An Empirical Analysis of Liquidity and Order Flow in the Brokered Interdealer Market for Government of Canada Bonds

The authors empirically measure Canadian bond market liquidity using a number of indicators proposed in the literature and detail, for the first time, price and trade dynamics in the Government of Canada secondary bond market. They find, consistent with Inoue (1999), that the Canadian brokered interdealer fixed-income market is relatively liquid for its size. Liquidity measures are analyzed relative to each other and across securities, and intraday patterns are identified. The authors' results show that trading activity is positively correlated with price volatility, and that signed order flow is significant in explaining contemporaneous high-frequency price movements. They find evidence that trading activity is positively related to liquidity measures in some markets, which suggests that indicators such as trade frequency and trading volume, despite certain drawbacks, can be seen as useful proxies for liquidity. The authors also document Canadian participants' prevalent use of an order expansion protocol, whereby order size can be negotiated upward once a trade has been initiated; although Boni and Leach (2002) identify this practice as consistent with a market where there is relatively strong concern regarding information asymmetry, the authors observe no consistent link between the frequency of its use and observations of trading activity, market liquidity, or price volatility.
Longitudinal patterns of behaviour problems in children with specific speech and language difficulties: child and contextual factors.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to examine the stability of behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) in children with specific speech and language difficulties (SSLD), and the relationship between BESD and the language ability. METHODS A sample of children with SSLD were assessed for BESD at ages 8, 10 and 12 years by both teachers and parents. Language abilities were assessed at 8 and 10 years. RESULTS High levels of BESD were found at all three ages but with different patterns of trajectories for parents' and teachers' ratings. Language ability predicted teacher- but not parent-rated BESD. CONCLUSIONS The study confirms the persistence of high levels of BESD over the period 8-12 years and the continuing comorbidity of BESD and language difficulties but also indicates a complex interaction of within-child and contextual factors over time.
Credit Risk Measurement: New Approaches to Value at Risk and Other Paradigms

Why New Approaches to Credit Risk Measurement and Management? Traditional Approaches to Credit Risk Measurement. Loans as Options and the KMV Model. The VAR Approach: J.P. Morgana s CreditMetrics and Other Models. The Macro Simulation Approach: The McKinsey Model and Other Models. The Risk--Neutral Valuation Approach: KPMGa s Loan Analysis System (LAS) and Other Models. The Insurance Approach: Mortality Models and the CSFP Credit Risk Plus Model. A Summary and Comparison of New Internal Model Approaches. An Overview of Modern Portfolio Theory and Its Application to Loan Portfolios. Loan Portfolio Selection and Risk Measurement. Back--Testing and Stress-- Testing Credit Risk Models. RAROC Models. Off--Balance--Sheet Credit Risk. Credit Derivatives. Bibliography. Index.
Evaluation of new markers for minimal residual disease monitoring in B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: CD73 and CD86 are the most relevant new markers to increase the efficacy of MRD 2016; 00B: 000–000

Multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) is a popular technique for minimal residual disease (MRD) analysis. However, its applicability is still limited to 90% of B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCPALL) due to two major issues, i.e. a proportion of cases do not express adequate leukemia associated immunophenotype (LAIPs) with currently used markers and drug‐induced antigen modulation. Hence, the incorporation of additional reliable markers is required for the further improvement of MFC‐based MRD evaluation. We studied the utility of new markers in improvising MFC‐based MRD detection in BCPALL.
Differences of Opinion , Short-Sale Constraints , and Voluntary Disclosures

Research in finance and economics suggests that a firm’s stock price will be biased upwards when investors have differences of opinion and when pessimistic investors have high short-sale constraints. We build on this prior research and examine how managers respond in their forecasting behavior when their firm is overvalued due to these two constraints. We construct a measure of overvaluation using the level of short interest and share turnover as proxies for shortsale constraints and differences of opinion. Employing a sample of management forecasts issued during 2003 to 2008, we find that managers are less likely to forecast, are inclined to forecast less frequently, and issue forecasts of less specificity when their firm is overvalued. The results are robust to Granger causality tests and using alternative proxies for short-sale constraints and differences of opinion. Our evidence is consistent with managers withholding information to maintain an overvalued share price.
Drivers of Bank Risk, Solvency, and Profitability in the Armenian Banking System

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of bank-specific, regulatory and macroeconomic determinants on bank risk, profitability and solvency in the Armenian banking sector. To account for these, we apply a GMM technique to a panel of 22 Armenian banks covering the 2003–2014 period. The estimation results show that abnormal loan growth leads to a decrease in the regulatory capital ratio, to an increase in loan loss provision and to a reduction of relative interest income. Regarding GDP we observe a negative influence on banks´ solvency, profitability and risk. When focusing on regulatory variables we identify a negative relation between the implementation of the Basel II Accord and the regulatory capital ratio. Moreover, we find that banks belonging to international financial groups have better credit risk management than domestic banks. All in all, our results suggest, that excessive loan growth, economic environment and ownership structure affect core aspects of banks’ operations.