Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sound-Direction Identification with Bilateral Cochlear Implants

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of sound-direction identification in the horizontal plane by bilateral cochlear implant users when localization was measured with pink noise and with speech stimuli. Design: Eight adults who were bilateral users of Nucleus 24 Contour devices participated in the study. All had received implants in both ears in a single surgery. Sound-direction identification was measured in a large classroom by using a nine-loudspeaker array. Localization was tested in three listening conditions (bilateral cochlear implants, left cochlear implant, and right cochlear implant), using two different stimuli (a speech stimulus and pink noise bursts) in a repeated-measures design. Results: Sound-direction identification accuracy was significantly better when using two implants than when using a single implant. The mean root-mean-square error was 29° for the bilateral condition, 54° for the left cochlear implant, and 46.5° for the right cochlear implant condition. Unilateral accuracy was similar for right cochlear implant and left cochlear implant performance. Sound-direction identification performance was similar for speech and pink noise stimuli. Conclusions: The data obtained in this study add to the growing body of evidence that sound-direction identification with bilateral cochlear implants is better than with a single implant. The similarity in localization performance obtained with the speech and pink noise supports the use of either stimulus for measuring sound-direction identification.
When Was it Written ?

We develop a supervised learning algorithm that predicts the publication date of news articles from their content. This study is an exploratory analysis of the relationship between semantic meaning and time. We collect New York Times articles written over 30 years and develop heuristic feature selection measures for choosing the most time-predictive words. We analyze the performance of various supervised learning algorithms, expose the issues faced in NLP data filtering and learning, and proposes solutions. The algorithm correctly classifies around a third of the test set; which is much better than human performance.
Testing the usefulness of the number needed to treat to be harmed (NNTH) in benefit-risk evaluations: case study with medicines withdrawn from the European market due to safety reasons

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the usefulness of number needed to treat to be harmed (NNTH), in benefit-risk assessments, by studying the agreement between NNTH values and withdrawals of medicines from European market due to safety reasons. Methods: Medicines with data from longitudinal studies were included. Studies were identified from European Medicines Agency’s Reports. Meta-analyses were performed to pool odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence-intervals (CI). Published control event rates were applied to ORs to calculate NNTHs (95%CI) for selected adverse events. Results: NNTH (95%CI) decreased from pre- to post-marketing for the eight medicines included: peripheral neuropathy (∞ vs. 12[non-significant; NS] with almitrine; heart valve disease with benfluorex (∞ vs. NNTH ranging from 7[4–13] to 7[5–9]); myopathy (−4096[NS] vs. 797[421–1690]), new-onset diabetes (113[NS] vs. 390[425–778]), bleeding (∞ vs. 517[317–1153]), and infection (∞ vs. 253[164–463]) with niacin-laropiprant; psychiatric disorders (12[7–34] vs. 9[5–24]) with rimonabant; myocardial infarction (MI) [−1305 vs. 270[89–4362]) with rofecoxib; MI (−510 vs. NNTH ranging from 152[55–4003] to 568[344–1350]) with rosiglitazone; cardiovascular events (∞ vs. 245[129–1318]) with sibutramine; and liver injury (∞ vs. 5957[NS]) with ximelagatran. Conclusion: NNTH have potential of use as a supportive tool in benefit-risk re-evaluations of medicines and may help regulators to making decisions on drug safety.
Chlamydia trachomatis Prevalence in Unselected Infertile Couples

Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis, an obligate intracellular bacterium, is responsible for the most common sexual transmitted disease and infertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate: a) the frequency of chlamydial infection in unselected infertile couples and b) whether chlamydial infection could be identified in the semen sample as effectively as in the urethral swab of infertile patients. To accomplish this, 73 unselected, consecutive infertile couples were enrolled. Both male and female partners underwent a complete work-up to identify the cause of their infertility. A PCR method was used to detect C. trachomatis in urethral swabs and the semen samples of the male partners and in the cervical swabs of the female partners. C. trachomatis infection was found in 6 couples (8.2%). Three couples had both partners infected, 2 couples had only the male partner infected, and 1 only the female partner. C. trachomatis infection was found in the urethral swab of all 5 men infected, whereas the bacterial DNA was found in the semen sample of 2 of them. These findings suggest that C. trachomatis infection is present in about 8% of unselected infertile couples and that the bacterium should be searched in the male partner urethral swab which has a higher sensitivity.
Serological assessment of type I collagen burden in scleroderma spectrum disorders: a systematic review.

RATIONALE The aim of the study was to evaluate the validity of collagen type I metabolites as markers of disease activity in scleroderma (SSc), through a systematic review of the literature and by validating the results by measuring collagen type I metabolites in well characterized patients with scleroderma spectrum disorders and in Raynaud's phenomenon. METHODS A systematic review was performed of studies of collagen type I metabolites in scleroderma spectrum disorders published from 1980 to 2003. The collected results from the literature were compared with our own measurements of collagen type I metabolites (PINP and ICTP) in a small number of well characterized patients within the scleroderma spectrum and in patients with primary and "autoimmune" Raynaud's phenomenon. Peptide concentrations from all sources, including the present study, were compared. Reported correlations between peptide concentrations and clinical variables were also analysed. RESULTS Of 19 papers identified by an extensive Medline search, 12 were eligible for systematic analysis. There was a considerable heterogeneity in the results with a wide range of metabolite concentrations. Values from disease groups and healthy controls overlapped. These findings were confirmed by our study where, similarly, there was a large range of values in all groups, but particularly in the diffuse SSc subset. When the correlation between peptide levels and clinical variables was assessed, large discordance between the studies was observed. CONCLUSIONS We have not found sufficient evidence to support the use of serum markers of collagen turnover in the assessment of scleroderma activity and severity, in view of their low specificity and the heterogeneity of the results of various studies. Lack of standardized routine evaluation of SSc patients in clinical studies might have accounted for the variability of the findings. However, due to the small sizes of most published studies, demonstration of no effect should come from large-scale randomised trials. Longitudinal serial analysis of these molecules in individual patients may play a future role in the evaluation of the response to fibroblast-targeting therapeutic strategies in scleroderma patients.
An Experimental Resource Room for Behavior Problem Children

The Temple Resource Room Project represents an attempt to develop, refine, and evaluate an alternative to special class placement for behavior problem children in the public school. Children in the experimental group were scheduled for a resource room program during those periods of the day in which they were functioning least effectively in the regular class. Since the majority were also performing below expected grade level academically, the program emphasized academic remediation with the use of response-reinforcement contingencies in a structured classroom situation. The experimental group made significantly greater gains in reading vocabulary and arithmetic fundamentals than did a comparison group. Behavioral changes also occurred, with the greatest improvement being noted with the experimental group when in the resource room.
Cross-Sectional Versus Sequential Quality Indicators of Risk Factor Management in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background:The fairness of quality assessment methods is under debate. Quality indicators incorporating the longitudinal nature of care have been advocated but their usefulness in comparison to more commonly used cross-sectional measures is not clear. Aims:To compare cross-sectional and sequential quality indicators for risk factor management in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods:The study population consisted of 1912 patients who received diabetes care from one of 40 general practitioners in The Netherlands. Clinical outcomes, prescriptions, and demographic data were collected from electronic medical records. Quality was assessed for glycemic, blood pressure, and lipid control using indicators focusing on clinical outcomes, and treatment in relation to outcomes. Indicator results were compared with a reference method based on national guidelines for general practice. Results:According to the reference method, 76% of the patients received management as recommended for glycemic control, 58% for blood pressure control, and 67% for lipid control. Cross-sectional indicators looking at patients adequately controlled gave estimates that were 10–25% lower than the reference method. Estimates from indicators focusing on uncontrolled patients receiving treatment were 10–40% higher than the reference method for blood pressure and glycemic control. Sequential indicators focusing on improvement in clinical outcomes or assessing treatment modifications in response to poor control gave results closer to the reference method. Conclusions:Sequential indicators are valuable for estimating quality of risk factor management in patients with diabetes. Such indicators may provide a more accurate and fair judgment than currently used cross-sectional indicators.
Does Immunohistochemistry for Discovered on GIST1 and Minichromosome Maintenance Protein7 Provide Additional Clinicopathological Value in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors?

Background The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of discovered on GIST 1 (DOG1) and minichromosome maintenance protein 7 (MCM7) in addition to the traditional markers, C-KIT and Ki-67, in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) to specify the diagnosis and to evaluate their clinicopathological significance in GIST patients. Methods Hematoxylin and eosin sections of 43 GISTs were re-examined to review histopathological criteria and risk stratification of these tumors. Immunohistochemistry for DOG1, C-KIT, MCM7, Ki-67 antibodies was performed. Results Positive DOG1 and C-KIT expressions were found in 42 (97.7%) and 39 (90.7%) of cases, respectively. DOG1 and C-KIT expression scores were significantly correlated (P < 0.001). Among four C-KIT-negative GISTs, three cases were DOG1-positive. DOG1 was more sensitive and specific than C-KIT in the diagnosis of GISTs. High DOG1 expression scores were significantly associated with tumor size (P = 0.023) and risk (P = 0.037). Significant positive correlation was noted between MCM7 and Ki-67 labeling indices (LIs) (P < 0.001, r = 0.885). MCM7 demonstrated higher proliferation LIs than Ki-67. Significant associations were found between MCM7 and Ki-67 LIs and tumor size (P = 0.001 and 0.003 respectively), mitotic rate (P < 0.001 both) and risk stratification (P < 0.001 both) with a stepwise increase in MCM7 LIs with increasing tumor risk. Conclusion DOG1 is an important diagnostic tool for GISTs particularly in C-KIT-negative tumors. It may have a role in GISTs tumorogenesis and progression. Despite the established clinicopathological value of Ki-67 in GISTs, detection of MCM7 expression is recommended as a prognostic adjunct, given its better sensitivity for cellular proliferation and stepwise association with tumor risk.
Mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome: past, present and future.

DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0366-6999.20140560 Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China (Xie JF and Qiu HB) Correspondence to: Qiu Haibo, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China (Tel: 86-25-83262551. Email: haiboq2000@gmail.com) Editorial
An RNA-zipcode-independent mechanism that localizes Dia1 mRNA to the perinuclear ER through interactions between Dia1 nascent peptide and Rho–GTP

Signal-peptide-mediated ER localization of mRNAs encoding for membrane and secreted proteins, and RNA-zipcode-mediated intracellular targeting of mRNAs encoding for cytosolic proteins are two well-known mechanisms for mRNA localization. Here, we report a previously unidentified mechanism by which mRNA encoding for Dia1, a cytosolic protein without the signal peptide, is localized to the perinuclear ER in an RNA-zipcode-independent manner in fibroblasts. Dia1 mRNA localization is also independent of the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton but requires translation and the association of Dia1 nascent peptide with the ribosome–mRNA complex. Sequence mapping suggests that interactions of the GTPase binding domain of Dia1 peptide with active Rho are important for Dia1 mRNA localization. This mechanism can override the β-actin RNA zipcode and redirect β-actin mRNA to the perinuclear region, providing a new way to manipulate intracellular mRNA localization.
Biochemistry of the Leishmania species.

Since 1980, there has been a burst of published reports describing the biochemistry of various human parasites. Interest in the biochemistry and molecular biology of the human parasites has increased greatly, in part because of the growing awareness of the morbidity and mortality they cause worldwide, especially in developing countries, and because of increased support for parasite research in the developing countries through programs sponsored by governments and various fQundations and philanthropic groups concerned about global health problems. This review focuses mainly on the enzymes and metabolic machinery of the Leishmania spp. , the trypanosomatid genus responsible for the various forms of leishmaniasis in humans: visceral leishmaniasis (kala azar), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (Espundia), and cutaneous leishmaniasis (Old World, oriental sore; New World, South and Central America) (23). It is appropriate to open this review with a quotation from an article that appeared in 1987 (68): "It has been estimated that 12 million new cases of leishmaniasis occur each year, yet remarkably little is known about the intermediary metabolism" of the causative organism. Our
Weighted Transformer Network for Machine Translation

State-of-the-art results on neural machine translation often use attentional sequence-to-sequence models with some form of convolution or recursion. Vaswani et al. (2017) propose a new architecture that avoids recurrence and convolution completely. Instead, it uses only self-attention and feed-forward layers. While the proposed architecture achieves state-of-the-art results on several machine translation tasks, it requires a large number of parameters and training iterations to converge. We propose Weighted Transformer, a Transformer with modified attention layers, that not only outperforms the baseline network in BLEU score but also converges 15-40% faster. Specifically, we replace the multi-head attention by multiple self-attention branches that the model learns to combine during the training process. Our model improves the state-of-the-art performance by 0.5 BLEU points on the WMT 2014 English-to-German translation task and by 0.4 on the English-to-French translation task.
An accurate 3D human face model reconstruction scheme

The purpose of this thesis was to develop a 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction algorithm which can more accurately generate a 3D shape model of a human face from a single 2-dimensional (2D) image. Like most present day approaches to building 3D human facial models, the proposed algorithm stemmed from the statistical approach pioneered by Blanz and Vetter [13], who used a morphable 3D model which was configured to match a 2D image. With current 3D shape model reconstruction using statistical modelling, the accuracy of the reconstruction is highly dependent on the nature of the source data and the behaviour of the feature extraction algorithm. The most commonly applied representation algorithm for 3D modelling is principal component analysis (PCA). However, there are inherent problems in using principal components as a feature space. Firstly, the principal components only represent the directions of the maximum variance in the source data and therefore, may be better at representing general trends rather than subtle individual shape differences. Secondly, the principal components in PCA are orthogonal, hence they are better suited for representing multivariate, Gaussian source data. Although PCA usually provides a good basis for reconstruction, it is not necessarily more accurate when analysing data that provides low variance directions. The reconstruction approach proposed in this thesis used two sets of information computed by both, PCA and independent component analysis (ICA) to recover the geometric information from a single image. The reconstruction was conducted in PCA and ICA feature spaces in succession. This method allowed both the global trends and the local subtle features to be preserved and well represented. To reinforce the robustness of the algorithm, kernel canonical correlation analysis(KCCA) was applied to determine the relationship between texture information and depth. A quantitative analysis was then applied to test the performance of the approach. The results showed that the proposed algorithm generated more accurate results than reconstructing 3D models with PCA or ICA alone or in succession. However, by examining the performance of the proposed hybrid reconstruction algorithm, we have found that the Z-dimensional shape error was significantly larger than
Circulating endothelial cells and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 correlates with severity of regurgitation lesion and heart failure in rheumatic heart disease

Objective: This study aims to determine the correlation of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and circulating endothelial cells (CEC) with cardiac valves lesion severity and heart failure (HF) in rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Methods: A cross-sectional observational study using human peripheral blood samples of 36 children aged 6 to14 years old, divided into two groups: 18 RHD patients and 18 healthy controls group. The expression of CECs and VCAM-1 on CECs was investigated by using flow-cytometry method while the levels of soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) were obtained by using ELISA method. The severity of valve lesions was determined in a qualitative manner. Results: The average of CECs expression, VCAM-1 on CECs expression, and sVCAM-1 levels were significantly higher in the patient group than those of the healthy group. The expression of VCAM-1 on CECs was significantly different among mild, moderate, and severe regurgitation. Correlation analysis showed that the CECs expression had a significant correlation with HF. Moreover, correlation was found between expression of VCAM-1 on CECs and the severity of valve lesions. However, sVCAM-1 in plasma had no correlation either with HF or with valve lesion. Conclusion: The expression of VCAM-1 on CECs is associated with severe regurgitation while CECs level was correlated with HF. VCAM-1 on CECs may be considered a marker for the severity of functional regurgitation in RHD. CECs could be recommended as a measure for RHD with HF.
Design of mind-controlled vehicle (MCV) & study of EEG signal for three mental states

Bio-Electronic devices establish interference between the Human Brain with Computers using bio-signals, which are sensed by a special type of sensors known as bio-sensors. Study of bio-signals are an emerging area of research gives special attention to Mind controlled gadgets. This research article presents Mind Controlled Vehicle (MCV) based on Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology to analyze the brain waves along with controlling a device as well as analysis of the EEG signals BCIs are interfaced through the humanoid brain signals along with gadgets by decoding brain activity in real-time action commands. Mainly this paper presents two fundamental themes of electroencephalography signal analysis (EEG). One step for a study on different brain states and the second one is for capturing concentration power, applied to control the vehicle entitled ‘MCV’.
Removal of Mercury from chlor-alkali Industry Wastewater using Acetobacter xylinum Cellulose

In this study, the removal of mercury ions by cellulose of Acetobacter xylinum was investigated in the synthetic and chlor-alkali wastewater. Biofilms of Acetobacter xylinum were grown in laboratory column bioreactors. The biofilms were continuously treated with sterile synthetic model wastewater or nonsterile, neutralized chloralkali wastewater.The extent of adsorption was studied as function of pH, adsorbent dose and contact time. Efficiency of mercury ion removal from chlor-alkali industry wastewater by aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride was also determined. Under acidic condition the adsorption of mercury by cellulose was quite low and increasing processing time more than 10min has no remarkably effect on the adsorption rate. Adsorption capacity of cellulose under dynamic condition for chlor-alkali wastewater was 65µg/g which was less than the value (80µg/g) that obtained from batch adsorption experiments for synthetic wastewater.
Oligodendrocyte development and differentiation in the rumpshaker mutation

The jimpy rumpshaker (jprsh) mutation is an amino acid substitution in exon 4 (Ile186→Thr) of the proteolipid protein (PLP) gene on the X chromosome. Affected mice show moderate hypomyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) with increased numbers of oligodendrocytes in the white matter of the spinal cord, a feature distinguishing them from other PLP mutations such as jp, in which premature cell death occurs with reduced numbers of oligodendrocytes. Myelin sheaths of jprsh immunostain for myelin basic protein (MBP) and DM‐20, but very few contain PLP. This study examines the differentiation of oligodendrocytes cultured from the spinal cords of young mutant and wild type mice using various surface and cytoplasmic antigenic markers to define the stage of development. The majority of oligodendrocytes from mutant mice progress normally to express MBP; approximately 30%, relative to wild type, contain DM‐20 at the in vivo age of 16 days, but very few immunostain for PLP or the O10 and O11 markers. The morphology of mutant cells in respect to membrane sheets and processes appears similar to normal. The jprsh oligodendrocyte is, therefore, characterized by a failure to express the markers indicative of the most mature cell; however, it is probably able to achieve a normal period of survival. These data, taken in conjunction with previous results, suggest that the PLP gene has at least two functions; one, probably involving PLP, is concerned with a structural role in normal myelin compaction; the other, perhaps related to DM‐20 (or another lower molecular weight proteolipid), is essential for cell survival. The mutation in jprsh at residue 186 suggests that this region, which is common to PLP and DM‐20, is not critical for this latter function. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.