Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relating working memory to compression parameters in clinically fit hearing AIDS.

PURPOSE Several laboratory studies have demonstrated that working memory may influence response to compression speed in controlled (i.e., laboratory) comparisons of compression. In this study, the authors explored whether the same relationship would occur under less controlled conditions, as might occur in a typical audiology clinic. METHOD Participants included 27 older adults who sought hearing care in a private practice audiology clinic. Working memory was measured for each participant using a reading span test. The authors examined the relationship between working memory and aided speech recognition in noise, using clinically fit hearing aids with a range of compression speeds. RESULTS Working memory, amount of hearing loss, and age each contributed to speech recognition, but the contribution depended on the speed of the compression processor. For fast-acting compression, the best performance was obtained by patients with high working memory. For slow-acting compression, speech recognition was affected by age and amount of hearing loss but was not affected by working memory. CONCLUSIONS Despite the expectation of greater variability from differences in compression implementation, number of compression channels, or attendant signal processing, the relationship between working memory and compression speed showed a similar pattern as results from more controlled, laboratory-based studies.
Métodos y Procesos Multicriterio para la Evaluación Social de las Políticas Públicas

Cualquier problema de decision social se caracteriza por conflictos entre valores e intereses que compiten y diferentes grupos y comunidades que los representan. Por ejemplo, en la gestion ambiental, las metas de biodiversidad, los objetivos del paisaje, los servicios directos de diferentes entornos como fuentes de recursos y como sumideros de desechos, los significados historicos y culturales que los lugares tienen para las comunidades, las opciones recreativas que proporcionan los entornos, son una fuente de conflicto. Las diferentes dimensiones de valor pueden estar en conflicto entre si y dentro de si mismas, y cualquier decision otorgara diferentes opiniones buenas y malas para los diferentes agentes tanto en forma espacial como temporal. Como se deben resolver esos conflictos? A lo largo de los ultimos veinte anos se han desarrollado y aplicado una variedad de metodos multicriteriales de ayuda a la decision, con el fin de facilitar la organizacion de informacion tanto ecologica como economica, como base para los procesos de toma de decisiones en materia ambiental. Los metodos multicriteriales no asumen la conmensurabilidad de las diferentes dimensiones del problema, ya que no proveen un unico criterio de eleccion, en este sentido, no existe la necesidad de reducir todos los valores en una sola escala (monetaria, energetica,.) ayudando a encuadrar y presentar el problema, facilitando el proceso decisor y la obtencion de acuerdos politicos. El diseno metodologico aqui presentado, ha permitido identificar, en varios casos practicos, los diferentes actores involucrados, describiendo, al mismo tiempo, los problemas de gestion de una forma simultanea tanto en el riguroso lenguaje cientifico como en terminos socio-politicos. Esto ha permitido delimitar los conflictos sociales y mostrar diferentes posibilidades para su solucion a traves de compromisos, cooperacion y dialogo entre las partes, dando oportunidad a que emergieran soluciones.
Efficacy and Safety of Compound Kushen Injection on Patients with Advanced Colon Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective The efficacy and safety of Compound Kushen Injection (CKI) on advanced colon cancer remain controversial. We undertook a systematic meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical studies on this issue. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted by searching the following electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane, Chinese Biological Medical disc, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wan-Fang Database in China by the end of January 31, 2017, without language restriction. Meta-analysis was performed by using the random effects model to estimate the summary odd ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) according to the study design. Stata 12.0 software was used for data analysis. The heterogeneity, sensitivity, and publication bias were assessed, respectively. Results A total of 14 trials met the inclusion criteria in present meta-analysis. The results suggested that CKI combined with chemotherapeutic drugs was favorable for the treatment of advanced colon cancer and could improve the patients' life quality. Funnel plot analysis and Egger's test suggested that there was not significant publication bias, and the sensitivity analysis indicated stable results. Conclusion The current evidence suggested that CKI is favorable to improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in patients with advanced colon cancer.
Governança em estruturas proprietárias concentradas: novas evidências para o Brasil

El objetivo en este estudio es analizar la influencia de la estructura de propiedad en la eficiencia de las empresas que cotizan en bolsa en Brasil. Se verifica una mayor concentracion de acciones en manos de un pequeno grupo de personas. En el estudio se utilizan tecnicas estaticas de optimizacion por medio de analisis envolvente de datos (DEA), para identificar la eficiencia de las empresas que cotizan en bolsa, y datos en panel, con el fin de identificar la influencia de la estructura de propiedad en la eficiencia empresarial. Se busca anadir la gobernanza corporativa a la literatura de eficiencia productiva en el marco de las diferencias institucionales en el entorno brasileno, con el objeto de complementar los estudios anteriores que solo consideran a los outputs como medidas de eficiencia. Los resultados indican que la estructura de propiedad influye negativamente en la eficiencia, lo que contradice la mayor parte de los estudios que se basan en el modelo norteamericano y resalta el hecho de que deben tenerse en cuenta las particularidades del pais, especialmente en lo que concierne a su origen legal.
The rules of the game: properties of a database of expository language samples.

PURPOSE The authors created a database of expository oral language samples with the aims of describing the nature of students' expository discourse and providing benchmark data for typically developing preteen and teenage students. METHOD Using a favorite game or sport protocol, language samples were collected from 235 typically developing students in Grades 5, 6, 7, and 9. Twelve language measures were summarized from this database and analyses were completed to test for differences across ages and topics. To determine whether distinct dimensions of oral language could be captured with language measures from these expository samples, a factor analysis was completed. RESULTS Modest differences were observed in language measures across ages and topics. The language measures were effectively classified into four distinct dimensions: syntactic complexity, expository content, discourse difficulties, and lexical diversity. CONCLUSION Analysis of expository data provides a functional and curriculum-based assessment that has the potential to allow clinicians to document multiple dimensions of children's expressive language skills. Further development and testing of the database will establish the feasibility of using it to compare individual students' expository discourse skills to those of their typically developing peers.
Fatal Salmonella pulmonary arteritis in a patient with Eisenmenger syndrome.

coinfected patients, and because coinfection can be associated with immune dysfunction, matching patients by immune markers is not a good strategy. The authors recognize that they were not able to define the best threshold point to recommend the commencement of HIV therapy for such patients for these reasons. The study is very important because it raises this and other questions. The statistical analysis is quite strong and well designed, but some of the study’s points remained unclear. Although the authors recognize some limitations of the study, they affirm the absence of a clinical impact of coinfection on AIDS progression. We believe that the available data are still too weak to confirm that theory. As correctly stated at the end of the article, these questions probably will be answered only through prospective studies.
The Rat Prefrontostriatal System Analyzed in 3D: Evidence for Multiple Interacting Functional Units

Previous studies in monkeys disclosed a specific arrangement of corticostriatal projections. Prefrontal and premotor areas form dense projection fields surrounded by diffuse terminal areas extending outside the densely innervated region and overlapping with projections from other areas. In this study, the mode of prefrontostriatal innervation was analyzed in rats using a 3D approach. Following injections of tracers in defined cortical areas, 3D maps from individual cases were elaborated and combined into a global 3D map allowing us to define putative overlaps between projection territories. In addition to providing a detailed 3D mapping of the topographic representation of prefrontal cortical areas in the rat striatum, the results stress important similarities between the rodent and primate prefrontostriatal projections. They share the dual pattern of focal and diffuse corticostriatal projections. Moreover, besides segregated projections consistent with parallel processing, the interweaving of projection territories establishes specific patterns of overlaps spatially organized along the dorsoventral, mediolateral, and anteroposterior striatal axis. In particular, the extensive striatal projection fields from the prelimbic and anterior cingulate areas, which partly overlap the terminal fields from medial, orbital, and lateral prefrontal cortical areas, provide putative domains of convergence for integration between reward, cognitive, and motor processes.
Time Estimation Among Low‐Functioning Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Evidence of Poor Sensitivity to Variability of Short Durations

Time estimation of short durations (under 1 sec) was examined in low‐functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing (TD) children matched on mental age. Temporal bisection and generalization tasks were used to examine basic perceptual timing mechanisms. For both tasks, the participants with ASD demonstrated less sensitivity to variability in short durations than the TD children, adding to a growing body of literature suggesting deficits in timing exist for longer durations. The results highlight the need to examine multiple levels of processing of time‐related information from basic perceptual mechanisms to higher level cognitive mechanisms. Autism Res 2014, 7: 237–244. © 2014 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Selenium protects cerebral cells by cisplatin induced neurotoxicity.

PURPOSE To evaluate the central nervous system toxicity of cisplatin and neuroprotective effect of selenium. METHODS Twenty-one male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: control (C), cisplatin (CS), cisplatin and selenium (CSE, n=7 in each group). Cisplatin (12 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was administered to CS and CSE groups for three days. Furthermore, CSE group received 3mg/kg/day (twice-a-day as 1.5 mg/kg) selenium via oral gavage five days before cisplatin injection and continued for 11 consecutive days. The same volumes of saline were administered to C group intraperitoneally and orally at same time. RESULTS Heterochromatic and vacuolated neurons and dilated capillary vessels in the brain were observed in the histochemical examinations of cisplatin treated group. Rats that were given a dose of 3mg/kg/day selenium decreased the cisplatin induced histopathological changes in the brain, indicating a protective effect. In addition, cytoplasmic staining of the cell for bcl-2, both cytoplasmic and nuclear staining for bax were determined to be positive in the all groups. Bax positive cells were increased in the CS group compared to C group, in contrast to decreased bcl-2 positivity. CONCLUSION Selenium limited apototic activity and histological changes due to the cisplatin related central neurotoxicity.
Modeling full-envelope aerodynamics of small UAVs in realtime

This paper focuses on full six degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) aerodynamic modeling of small UAVs at high angles of attack and high sideslip in maneuvers performed using large control surfaces at large deflections for aircraft with high thrust-to-weight ratios. Configurations such as this include many of the currently available propellerdriven RC-model airplanes that have control surfaces as large as 50% chord, deflections as high as 50 deg, and thrust-to-weight ratios near 2:1. Airplanes with these capabilities are extremely maneuverable and aerobatic, and modeling their aerodynamic behavior requires new thinking because using traditional stability derivative methods is not practical with highly nonlinear aerodynamic behavior and coupling in the presence of high propwash effects. The method described in this paper outlines a component-based approach capable of modeling these extremely maneuverable small UAVs in a full 6-DOF realtime environment over the full envelope that is defined in this paper to be the full ±180 deg range in angle of attack and sideslip. This method is the foundation of the aerodynamics model used in the RC flight simulator FS One. Piloted flight simulation results for four small RC/UAV configurations having wingspans in the range 826 mm (32.5 in) to 2540 mm (100 in) are presented to highlight results of the high-angle aerodynamics modeling approach. Maneuvers simulated include tailslides, knife edge flight, high-angle upright and inverted flight (“harriers”), rolling maneuvers at high angle (“rolling harriers”) and an inverted spin of a biplane (“blender”). For each case, the flight trajectory is presented together with time histories of aircraft state data during the maneuvers, which are discussed.
Randomized trial of acetylcysteine in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND Acetylcysteine has been suggested as a beneficial treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, although data from placebo-controlled studies are lacking. METHODS In our initial double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned patients who had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with mild-to-moderate impairment in pulmonary function to receive a three-drug regimen of prednisone, azathioprine, and acetylcysteine; acetylcysteine alone; or placebo. The study was interrupted owing to safety concerns associated with the three-drug regimen. The trial continued as a two-group study (acetylcysteine vs. placebo) without other changes; 133 and 131 patients were enrolled in the acetylcysteine and placebo groups, respectively. The primary outcome was the change in forced vital capacity (FVC) over a 60-week period. RESULTS At 60 weeks, there was no significant difference in the change in FVC between the acetylcysteine group and the placebo group (-0.18 liters and -0.19 liters, respectively; P=0.77). In addition, there were no significant differences between the acetylcysteine group and the placebo group in the rates of death (4.9% vs. 2.5%, P=0.30 by the log-rank test) or acute exacerbation (2.3% in each group, P>0.99). CONCLUSIONS As compared with placebo, acetylcysteine offered no significant benefit with respect to the preservation of FVC in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with mild-to-moderate impairment in lung function. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00650091.).
NEW EVIDENCE FOR IRON AGE SECONDARY BURIAL PRACTICE AND BONE MODIFICATION FROM GUSSAGE ALL SAINTS AND MAIDEN CASTLE (DORSET, ENGLAND)

Summary. The Middle and Late Iron Age samples of disarticulated human remains from the settlement site of Gussage All Saints and the hillfort of Maiden Castle (Dorset, England) were investigated for evidence of funerary rites. The samples were examined using osteological, forensic and archaeological methodologies for evidence of excarnation and secondary burial. The study found evidence for dry-fractures, animal gnawing and peri-mortem trauma, indicating that many individuals had received blunt-force cranial fractures and/or weapon injuries at the time of death. The taphonomic indicators showed that bodies were excarnated, received secondary burial treatment and then selected skull and long bones were incorporated into structured deposits. Osteological analysis also showed that the majority of individuals were adult males, which corresponded to patterns of trauma in the inhumated sample from Dorset. Two bones also provided unique evidence within Dorset for the cultural modification of human remains.
Objective Assessment of Speech and Audio Quality - Technology and Applications

In the past few years, objective quality assessment models have become increasingly used for assessing or monitoring speech and audio quality. By measuring perceived quality on an easily-understood subjective scale, such as listening quality (excellent, good, fair, poor, bad), these methods provide a quick and repeatable way to estimate customer experience. Typical applications include audio quality evaluation, selection of codecs or other equipment, and measuring the quality of telephone networks. To introduce this special issue, this paper provides an overview of the field, outlining the main approaches to intrusive, nonintrusive and parametric models and discussing some of their limitations and areas of future work
Persistent Humoral Immune Defect in Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy–Treated Children With HIV-1 Infection: Loss of Specific Antibodies Against Attenuated Vaccine Strains and Natural Viral Infection

OBJECTIVE. In the pre–highly active antiretroviral therapy era, a loss of specific antibodies was seen. Our objective with this study was to describe the loss of specific antibodies during treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy. METHODS. In a prospective, single-center, cohort study of 59 children with HIV-1 infection, we investigated the long-term effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the titers and course of specific antibodies against measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine strains compared with wild-type varicella zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. RESULTS. During highly active antiretroviral therapy, age-adjusted CD4+ T cells and B cells increased, whereas total immunoglobulin levels declined. Although these children were preimmunized before the start of highly active antiretroviral therapy, only 24 (43%) had antibodies against all 3 measles, mumps, and rubella. Antibodies against measles, mumps, and rubella were lost in 14 (40%), 11 (38%), and 5 (11%) children who were seropositive at baseline. We also observed loss of varicella zoster virus immunoglobulin G in 7 (21%) of 34, cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G in 3 (7%) of 45, but none of 53 Epstein-Barr virus–seropositive children. During highly active antiretroviral therapy, primary vaccination in 3 patients and 15 revaccinations in those with negative serology demonstrated incomplete seroconversion. CONCLUSIONS. Humoral reactivity in children with HIV-1 infection remains abnormal during highly active antiretroviral therapy. Despite immune reconstitution, antibodies against live-attenuated vaccine and wild-type natural virus strains disappear over time in up to 40% of children with HIV-1 infection.
The hardness of solving subset sum with preprocessing

The two problems subset sum and linear decoding (which have given birth to the knapsack and the McEliece public-key cryptosystems) are known to be NP-complete. For linear decoding, it has been proved that, even if one knows the linear code in advance and can preprocess it, the existence of a polynomial-time decoding algorithm would imply that the polynomial-time hierarchy collapses at an early stage. It is proved that the same holds for subset sum. Even if the knapsack is known in advance and can be preprocessed, there is no polynomial-time algorithm solving it, unless the polynomial hierarchy collapses. Also given is the sketch of a new, straightforward proof of this result for linear decoding. >
Immunohistochemical expression of p53 protein in invasive breast carcinoma: clinicopathologic correlations.

The results of immunohistochemical expression of p53 protein in 106 invasive breast cancers were correlated with conventional pathologic prognostic parameters. Archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of these cases were stained with a monoclonal antibody (Ab-2), raised against p53 protein using a peroxidase-labelled streptavidin biotin kit. Fifty-six (53%) showed positive nuclear staining; 31 were considered weakly, 21 moderately and 4 strongly positive. Forty-three (77%) of these positive cases stained less than 50% of the tumor cells, with a significant association between intensity and proportion of nuclei stained (p<0. 05). p53 staining also correlated with histologic grade (p<0.005) but not with tumor size nor clinical stage (p>0.05). The follow-up data did not reveal any statistically significant survival advantage for patients with p53 negative tumors.
DMMs-Based Multiple Features Fusion for Human Action Recognition

The emerging cost-effective depth sensors have facilitated the action recognition task significantly. In this paper, the authors address the action recognition problem using depth video sequences combining three discriminative features. More specifically, the authors generate three Depth Motion Maps DMMs over the entire video sequence corresponding to the front, side, and top projection views. Contourlet-based Histogram of Oriented Gradients CT-HOG, Local Binary Patterns LBP, and Edge Oriented Histograms EOH are then computed from the DMMs. To merge these features, the authors consider decision-level fusion, where a soft decision-fusion rule, Logarithmic Opinion Pool LOGP, is used to combine the classification outcomes from multiple classifiers each with an individual set of features. Experimental results on two datasets reveal that the fusion scheme achieves superior action recognition performance over the situations when using each feature individually.
Long-distance movement of Arabidopsis FLOWERING LOCUS T RNA participates in systemic floral regulation

The finding of mRNA acting as a systemic information molecule is one of the most exciting discoveries in recent plant biology. However, evidence demonstrating the functional significance of non-cell autonomous RNA remains limited. Recent analyses of Arabidopsis and rice revealed FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) protein as a systemic florigenic signal. However, whether the FT RNA also participates in systemic floral regulation remains controversial. By using Arabidopsis cleft-grafting experiments, we showed that the RNA of Arabidopsis FT undergoes long-distance movement from the stock to the scion apex in both FT transformants and non-transformants. In addition, the sequences of FT RNA are sufficient to target a cell-autonomous RNA for long-distance movement. Therefore, FT RNA is a bona fide non-cell autonomous RNA. To examine the systemic action of FT RNA, we uncoupled the movement of FT RNA from protein by fusing FT with RED FLUORESCENT PROTEIN (RFP). When RFP-FT protein was retained in companion cells, the detection of RFP-FT RNA correlates with floral promotion in the scion. Further depletion of the translocated RFP-FT RNA by RNAi or artificial miRNA against FT delayed the floral promotion, indicating that the translocated FT RNA acts as a part of the systemic floral signaling. Our results indicate that both FT RNA and protein move long distance and act redundantly to integrate the photoperiodic signals.