Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A computational toolkit for assessing phonological specification in phonetic data: Discrete Cosine Transform, Micro-Prosodic Sampling, Bayesian Classification

Many previous studies have argued that phonology may leave some phonetic dimensions unspecified in surface representations either because of deletion or lexical underspecification. Lacking a phonologically specified phonetic target, the phonetic signal in these cases can only be structured by surrounding segments or, more specifically, by phonetic interpolation between segments flanking the targetless element. However, natural variability in the phonetic signal presents a challenge for identifying instances of phonetic interpolation. Our approach to this challenge is to explicitly model phonetic variability providing a computational link between phonological hypotheses and phonetic data. To this end, we setup stochastic generators of competing phonological hypotheses and use them to compute, on a token-by-token basis, the likelihood that a phonetic signal is the consequence of phonetic interpolation, defined as a smooth interpolation between flanking segments, or, alternatively, that it is structured by a phonological target. The empirical material used to demonstrate the approach comes from Electromagnetic Articulography (EMA) recordings of high vowel devoicing in Japanese. We use Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) to express tongue dorsum movement trajectories as a small number of frequency components (cosines differing in frequency and amplitude) that correspond to linguistically meaningful signal modulations, i.e., articulatory gestures. Our stochastic generators operate over this frequency space, generating the micro-prosody of tongue dorsum movements with realistic variation according to the presence or absence of a lingual articulatory gesture for the devoiced vowel. Finally, a Bayesian classifier trained on simulations of the targetless trajectory assigns posterior probabilities to the data. Results indicate that /u/ is optionally produced without a vowel height target in Tokyo Japanese and that the frequency of targetlessness varies across phonological environments.
Interleukin-18 promoter gene polymorphisms in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: association with CC genotype at position -607.

INTRODUCTION Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a Th1 cytokine, which is postulated to play a role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-18 promoter gene region were found to influence the quantitative expression of the IL-18 protein. The aim of this study was to determine whether IL-18 promoter gene polymorphisms are associated with SLE. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and thirteen Chinese SLE patients and 218 Chinese healthy individuals were recruited. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral venous blood. Sequence-specific primer PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis were used to genotype the DNA samples for SNP-137 and SNP- 607. The following genotypes were obtained: SNP(-607) AA, AC, CC and SNP(-137) GG, GC, CC. Plasma IL-18 concentrations of patients and control subjects were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS the frequency of SNP-607/CC genotype was significantly higher in SLE patients (Pc < 0.05) while genotype SNP-607/AC was significantly decreased in SLE patients compared to the control group (Pc <0.05). Plasma IL-18 concentrations were significantly higher in SLE patients than in control subjects (P <0.05). Both patients and control subjects with CC and AC genotypes have significantly higher IL-18 concentrations than those with AA genotype. CONCLUSION The IL-18 promoter gene polymorphism SNP-607 C allele is associated with SLE and may result in the enhanced production of IL-18 protein in SLE and normal individuals.
Elevated Frequency of Gamma Interferon-Producing NK Cells in Healthy Adults Vaccinated against Influenza Virus

ABSTRACT Recent studies indicate that innate immunity in influenza virus infection is an area of substantial importance for our understanding of influenza virus pathogenesis, yet our knowledge of the mechanisms controlling innate immunity remains limited. Further delineation of the roles of NK cells and innate immunity in viral infection may have important implications for the development of improved influenza virus vaccines. In this study, we evaluated the phenotype and function of NK and T lymphocytes, as well as influenza virus-specific immunoglobulin G production, prior to and following vaccination with the routinely administered trivalent influenza virus vaccine. We demonstrate influenza virus antigen-specific innate and adaptive cellular responses and evaluate changes in NK cell receptor expression over time. Our results demonstrate increased innate and adaptive cellular immune responses and show that NK cells are a significant source of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) following influenza virus vaccination. An increase in the frequency of IFN-γ-producing NK cells was observed in many subjects postvaccination. The subset distribution with respect to CD56dim and CD56bright NK cell subsets remained stable, as did the NK cell phenotype with respect to expression of cell surface activating and inhibitory receptors. These results may form the basis for further investigations of the role of NK cells in immunity to influenza.
The prostaglandin transporter OATP2A1 is expressed in human ocular tissues and transports the antiglaucoma prostanoid latanoprost.

PURPOSE Latanoprost, a prostaglandin F(2alpha) analogue, has become one of the most widely used medications for the treatment of glaucoma. The authors hypothesized that organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) are responsible for the uptake of latanoprost into ocular tissues and, hence, that they contribute to the interindividual differences in drug concentrations and effects. METHODS Expression of prostaglandin (PG) transporters (OATP2A1, OATP2B1) in human ocular tissues was determined using real-time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The inhibitory interactions between latanoprost and its active metabolite (the free acid) and the uptake of prototypical substrates (PGE(2) and bromosulfophthalein) were tested in stably transfected human embryonic kidney cells overexpressing either OATP2A1 or OATP2B1. These cells were also used to investigate whether latanoprost and latanoprost acid are substrates of OATP2A1 or OATP2B1. RESULTS OATP2A1 and OATP2B1 mRNA expression was highest in the choroid/retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) complex and ciliary body. OATP2A1 protein expression was most prominent in the RPE and in epithelial and endothelial cell layers of anterior segment tissues, such as cornea, conjunctiva, iris, and ciliary body, whereas OATP2B1 protein was additionally expressed in trabecular meshwork, Schlemm canal, and choroidal vasculature. Latanoprost and latanoprost acid significantly inhibited both OATP2A1 and OATP2B1. Uptake experiments demonstrated that latanoprost acid is effectively transported by OATP2A1 (affinity constant [K(m)], 5.4 microM; maximum uptake rate [V(max)], 21.5 pmol/mg protein/min) and less effectively by OATP2B1. CONCLUSIONS The results presented herein suggest that at least OATP2A1 plays a role in the intraocular disposition of the therapeutically used prostanoid latanoprost.
Ownership structure, corporate governance, and collateral requirements: evidence from China's listed firms

Since the 2007 financial crisis the use of collateral has again come back into the focus of academics and practitioners. However, the existing literature on the determinants of collateral has concentrated mostly on developed markets, especially the U.S. and the U.K., although collateral is even more important due to the opaque information that exists in developing markets. This thesis conducted useful tests of whether the theories that have been established and applied to explain the determinants of collateral in developed markets are applicable to the world’s largest emerging market, China. Since China introduced economic reforms in the late 1970s, it has been growing at high speed, with the banking sector being the primary source of finance for its growing economy (Bailey et al., 2011). With this pronounced economic expansion and increasing competition for funds, the investigation of collateral requirements in bank loans has been an extrusive issue in China. Firstly, this research examined the effect of ownership structure on collateral requirements using a sample of China’s listed firms. I found that compared to non-stateowned enterprises (non-SOEs), state-owned enterprises (SOEs) were less likely to be required to pledge collateral. The empirical results also showed that banks were more willing to offer unsecured loans to companies with more foreign ownership or with more bank loans guaranteed by third parties, and the aforementioned effect of state ownership on reducing collateral requirements became weaker in those companies. This research also found that the aforementioned effect of state ownership on reducing collateral requirements became more pronounced for firms operating in regions with more government intervention. Secondly, this research examined the effect of ownership structure on the lending relationships in China’s listed firms. The findings indicated that SOEs were more likely to receive bank loans from state-owned banks than non-SOEs. The empirical results also showed that firms with more foreign ownership were more likely to receive bank loans from foreign banks. There was no significant difference between SOEs and non- SOEs in the probability of obtaining loans from joint stock commercial banks, while firms with more foreign ownership were more likely to obtain loans from this type of banks. Moreover, both SOEs and firms with more foreign ownership were more likely to maintain multiple banking relationships. It was also found that firms that operated in regions with a better institutional environment had more concentrated ownership in bank loans rather than multiple banking relationships. My findings also implied that joint stock commercial banks have a comparative advantage in processing private information and delivering relationship lending rather than collateral based lending, while concentrated banking relationships were also helpful for gathering information and reducing collateral requirements. Moreover, the role of concentrated banking relationships in reducing…
Elevated Serum Uric Acid Predicts Angiographic Impaired Reperfusion and 1-Year Mortality in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background Serum uric acid (SUA) is associated with microvascular disease that could alter coronary blood flow and prognosis. We evaluated the effects of admission SUA levels on coronary blood flow and prognosis in 185 consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent acute primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods Patients undergoing PCI for an acute STEMI were stratified into elevated SUA (>6.5 mg/dL) and normal SUA group (≤6.5 mg/dL). Primary end points were post-PCI myocardial blood flow and in-hospital and 1-year mortality. Results Serum uric acid level was high in 45 patients (24%) on admission. Subjects with elevated SUA had a higher prevalence of hypertension, previous myocardial infarction, multivessel disease, and Killip functional class III or higher. Corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count was longer, and mean TIMI myocardial perfusion grade was higher in patients with elevated uric acid compared with controls. Patients with elevated SUA levels had higher in-hospital (6.6% vs 2.8%, P < 0.01) and 1-year mortality (11.1% vs 5.7%, P < 0.01). Major adverse cardiac events were higher in patients with elevated SUA levels both in-hospital (11.1% vs 5.7%, P < 0.01) and at 1 year (17.7% vs 10%, P < 0.05). An elevated admission SUA level also independently predicted both 1-year mortality (odds ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-2.69) and abnormal myocardial perfusion detected by TIMI myocardial perfusion grade in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI (odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-4.19, respectively). Conclusions Elevated SUA level on admission independently predicts impaired myocardial flow and poor prognosis in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.
The Dissemination of Alcohol Interventions for Indigenous Australians: A Mixed Studies Review Using Narrative Synthesis

Issues: Indigenous Australians experience disproportionately high rates of alcohol related harms. The implementation of best evidence alcohol interventions to reduce these harms is therefore a priority. This review synthesises evidence from the peer reviewed literature on factors influencing implementation. Approach: A systematic appraisal of journal articles based on alcohol-related harm reduction interventions for Indigenous Australians with scope for dissemination. This involved a systematic database search, categorisation, data extraction, quality appraisal, and preliminary analysis. A thorough textual analysis of identified papers was carried out using narrative synthesis. Key findings: Thirteen publications met the inclusion criteria. Included studies assessed either: (a) Acceptability/ feasibility of alcohol interventions for implementation in Indigenous-specific healthcare settings and/or delivery to Indigenous Australians (n=7); (b) The effectiveness of strategies designed to improve the uptake/delivery of an alcohol intervention (n=4); or (c) The process of implementing an alcohol intervention with Indigenous Australians (n=2). Implications: Flexibility in study implementation, an emphasis on capacity building and prioritising the reporting of implementation evidence is needed. Conclusion: Overall, the number of dissemination studies focusing on alcohol interventions for Indigenous peoples is low, and their quality varied. Evidence detailing the circumstances for optimal implementation of such interventions is thin, despite the value of this information to future research. This review presents knowledge gained to date on the alcohol interventions considered appropriate and practicable for Indigenous people. Future efforts should reflect greater researcher reflexivity and implementation transparency, and extend measurement of outcomes to health considerations determined to be meaningful by the affected Indigenous people themselves.
An Instantaneous-Frequency Filtering Technique for High-Frequency Radar Oceanography

High-frequency (HF) radar systems are remote sensing tools that can be used to measure oceanographic parameters. Problems can occur when using the conventional periodogram (PG) method for computing power spectral estimates from backscattered radar signals. Temporal and spatial inhomogeneities within the radar measurement region can cause distortion in the spectra. This paper describes an instantaneous-frequency (IF) filtering technique that has been developed to measure the first-order modulation contained within the radar signal. Successful removal of this modulation is shown to yield an increased quality and quantity of ocean measurements
Evaluation of peri-implant bone resorption around Straumann Bone Level implants placed in areas reconstructed with autogenous vertical onlay bone grafts.

AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the survival and success rate of Straumann Bone Level implants placed in vertically atrophied edentulous jaws previously reconstructed with autogenous onlay bone grafts taken from the calvarium or the mandibular ramus. MATERIALS AND METHODS From 2007 to 2009, 18 patients presenting with vertical deficits of the edentulous ridges were treated with autogenous cortical bone grafts harvested from the mandibular ramus or the calvarium. Four to seven months afterward, 60 Straumann Bone Level implants were placed in the reconstructed areas. After a further waiting period of 2-3 months, patients were rehabilitated with implant-supported fixed prostheses. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 36 months (mean: 19 months) after the start of prosthetic loading. Graft resorption before implant placement, as well as survival and success rates of implants, were recorded. RESULTS The mean bone resorption prior to implant placement was 0.18 mm for calvarial grafts and 0.42 mm for ramus grafts. Survival rate was 100% either for implants placed in calvarial grafts or implants placed in ramus grafts, while success rate was 90.3% for implants placed in calvarial grafts, and 93.1% for implants placed in ramus grafts. CONCLUSION Results from this study seem to demonstrate that implants with a platform-switching design may predictably integrate in edentulous areas reconstructed with autogenous bone grafts, with survival rates consistent with those reported in recent literature reviews on the same topic, and also with implants placed in native bone. Conversely, this study was not able to demonstrate that implants with platform-switching design may reduce bone resorption around implants placed in reconstructed areas.
Climate Sensitivity of Moderate- and Low-Resolution Versions of CCSM3 to Preindustrial Forcings

Preindustrial (PI) simulations of the Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM3) at two resolutions, a moderate and a low resolution, are described and compared to the standard controls for present-day (PD) simulations. Because of computational efficiency, the moderate- and low-resolution versions of CCSM3 may be appropriate for climate change studies requiring simulations of the order of hundreds to thousands of years. The PI simulations provide the basis for comparison for proxy records that represent average late Holocene conditions. When forced with PI trace gases, aerosols, and solar irradiance estimates, both resolutions have a global cooling of 1.2°–1.3°C, increased sea ice in both hemispheres, and less precipitation near the equator and at midlatitudes as compared to simulations using PD forcing. The response to PI forcings differs in the two resolutions for North Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC), the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), and ENSO. The moderate-resolution CCSM3 has enhanced ACC, North Atlantic MOC, and tropical Pacific ENSO variability for PI forcings as compared to PD. The low-resolution CCSM3 with more extensive sea ice and colder climate at high northern latitudes in the PD simulation shows less sensitivity of the North Atlantic MOC to PI forcing. ENSO variability and the strength of the ACC do not increase with PI forcing in the low-resolution CCSM3.
Human glucosamine‐6‐phosphate isomerase, a homologue of hamster oscillin, does not appear to be involved in Ca2+ release in mammalian oocytes

Injections of cytosolic preparations from mammalian sperm into oocytes have been shown to trigger calcium [Ca2+]i oscillations and initiate activation of development. Recently, a protein isolated from hamster sperm has been suggested to be involved in the generation of these oscillations and it was named “oscillin. ” The human homologue of hamster oscillin is glucosamine 6‐phosphate isomerase (GPI, EC no. 5.3.1.10), an enzyme so far described to be involved in hexose phosphate metabolism. To assess the role of GPI on Ca2+ signaling, a human recombinant protein was generated in a prokaryotic system and injected into fura‐2‐dextran‐loaded metaphase II (MII) mouse oocytes. Injection of recombinant GPI failed to induce Ca2+ responses in 12/12 injected MII oocytes despite the fact that the recombinant GPI was active as assessed by an enzymatic assay. Injection of buffer (0/6 oocytes) or fructose‐6‐phosphate, a product of GPI enzymatic reaction (0/5 oocytes), also failed to initiate Ca2+ responses. Conversely, injections of sperm cytosolic factor induced [Ca2+]i oscillations in all 17/17 oocytes. In addition, injection of recombinant GPI or GPI mRNA failed to induce parthenogenetic activation (0/30 oocytes). Immunofluorescence studies using an anti‐GPI polyclonal antibody (GK) resulted in localization of GPI to the sperm's equatorial region. Incubation of the GK antibody with sperm extracts failed to block the [Ca2+]i responses induced by these extracts. Moreover, near complete depletion of GPI from sperm fractions by immunoprecipitation did not impair the ability of these fractions to induce [Ca2+]i oscillations. In summary, our results support the role of a sperm cytosolic component(s) in the generation of [Ca2+]i oscillations during mammalian fertilization, although a protein other than GPI/oscillin is likely to be the active calcium releasing factor. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 52:277–287, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mu‐opioid receptor activation induces transcriptional plasticity in the central extended amygdala

Addiction develops from the gradual adaptation of the brain to chronic drug exposure, and involves genetic reprogramming of neuronal function. The central extended amygdala (EAc) is a network formed by the central amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. This key site controls drug craving and seeking behaviors, and has not been investigated at the gene regulation level. We used Affymetrix microarrays to analyze transcriptional activity in the murine EAc, with a focus on mu‐opioid receptor‐associated events because these receptors mediate drug reward and dependence. We identified 132 genes whose expression is regulated by a chronic escalating morphine regimen in the EAc from wild‐type but not mu‐opioid receptor knockout mice. These modifications are mostly EAc‐specific. Gene ontology analysis reveals an overrepresentation of neurogenesis, cell growth and signaling protein categories. A separate quantitative PCR analysis of genes in the last of these groups confirms the dysregulation of both orphan (Gpr88) and known (DrD1A, Adora2A, Cnr1, Grm5, Gpr6) G protein‐coupled receptors, scaffolding (PSD95, Homer1) and signaling (Sgk, Cap1) proteins, and neuropeptides (CCK, galanin). These transcriptional modifications do not occur following a single morphine injection, and hence result from long‐term adaptation to excessive mu receptor activation. Proteins encoded by these genes are classically associated with spine modules function in other brain areas, and therefore our data suggest a remodeling of EAc circuits at sites where glutamatergic and monoaminergic afferences interact. Together, mu receptor‐dependent genes identified in this study potentially contribute to drug‐induced neural plasticity, and provide a unique molecular repertoire towards understanding drug craving and relapse.
Statistics V: Introduction to clinical trials and systematic reviews

Decisions regarding the care of patients must be made through the diligent, unambiguous, and thoughtful use of current best evidence. Evidence-based medicine is an exhortation to integrate individual clinical proficiency with the best available evidence from systematic research. The benefit and harm to patients are quantified using mathematical estimates derived from research on population samples. This mathematically quantified evidence base is then used to inform clinical decision-making in individual patients. A recurring word in the definitions of evidence-based medicine is ‘research’ which may be defined as a systematic investigation which aims to increase the sum of knowledge. Research usually involves an attempt to test a hypothesis and may involve experiments on human subjects. Strict selection criteria are applied to patients entered into the research study which may involve the evaluation of a completely new treatment. Research should not to be confused with clinical audit which, according to a definition endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), is a quality improvement process that seeks to improve patient care and outcomes through systematic review of care against explicit criteria and the implementation of change. Aspects of the structure, processes, and outcomes of care are selected and systematically evaluated against explicit criteria. Where indicated, changes are implemented at an individual, team, or service level and further monitoring is used to confirm improvement in healthcare delivery.