Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Further evidence of auditory extinction in aphasia.

PURPOSE Preliminary research (Shisler, 2005) suggests that auditory extinction in individuals with aphasia (IWA) may be connected to binding and attention. In this study, the authors expanded on previous findings on auditory extinction to determine the source of extinction deficits in IWA. METHOD Seventeen IWA (M(age) = 53.19 years) and 17 neurologically intact controls (M(age) = 55.18 years) participated. Auditory stimuli were spoken letters presented in a free-field listening environment. Stimuli were presented in single-stimulus stimulation (SSS) or double-simultaneous stimulation (DSS) trials across 5 conditions designed to determine whether extinction is related to binding, inefficient attention resource allocation, or overall deficits in attention. All participants completed all experimental conditions. RESULTS Significant extinction was demonstrated only by IWA when sounds were different, providing further evidence of auditory extinction. However, binding requirements did not appear to influence the IWA's performance. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that, for IWA, auditory extinction may not be attributed to a binding deficit or inefficient attention resource allocation because of equivalent performance across all 5 conditions. Rather, overall attentional resources may be influential. Future research in aphasia should explore the effect of the stimulus presentation in addition to the continued study of attention treatment.
The accuracy of linear measurements of maxillary and mandibular edentulous sites in cone-beam computed tomography images with different fields of view and voxel sizes under simulated clinical conditions

Purpose The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of varying resolutions of cone-beam computed tomography images on the accuracy of linear measurements of edentulous areas in human cadaver heads. Intact cadaver heads were used to simulate a clinical situation. Materials and Methods Fiduciary markers were placed in the edentulous areas of 4 intact embalmed cadaver heads. The heads were scanned with two different CBCT units using a large field of view (13 cm×16 cm) and small field of view (5 cm×8 cm) at varying voxel sizes (0.3 mm, 0.2 mm, and 0.16 mm). The ground truth was established with digital caliper measurements. The imaging measurements were then compared with caliper measurements to determine accuracy. Results The Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed no statistically significant difference between the medians of the physical measurements obtained with calipers and the medians of the CBCT measurements. A comparison of accuracy among the different imaging protocols revealed no significant differences as determined by the Friedman test. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.961, indicating excellent reproducibility. Inter-observer variability was determined graphically with a Bland-Altman plot and by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient. The Bland-Altman plot indicated very good reproducibility for smaller measurements but larger discrepancies with larger measurements. Conclusion The CBCT-based linear measurements in the edentulous sites using different voxel sizes and FOVs are accurate compared with the direct caliper measurements of these sites. Higher resolution CBCT images with smaller voxel size did not result in greater accuracy of the linear measurements.
How Citizens Respond to Outputs, Outcomes, and Costs: A Survey Experiment About an HIV/AIDS Program

ABSTRACT Government performance measurement is often faulted for focusing on outputs, while citizens are said to demand more information on outcomes to hold government accountable. To compare the influence of these measures, we randomized 774 participants to receive outcome or output information about a real HIV prevention program, with or without cost information, in a survey experiment. Citizens expressed less support for spending on the program when shown outcomes (infections prevented), rather than outputs (people served). Showing participants the high cost of treating HIV/AIDS boosted support for program spending, but did not make outcome information more persuasive. We interpret these results as partly a reaction to the high per-unit cost of an outcome in an HIV prevention program. But it may reflect a tendency of citizens simply to misinterpret less costly outputs, including serving more people, as if these were outcomes. This bias has implications for performance reporting and accountability.
Parasite-induced shifts in host movement may explain the transient coexistence of high- and low-pathogenic disease strains

Many parasites induce decreased host movement, known as lethargy, which can impact disease spread and the evolution of virulence. Mathematical models have investigated virulence evolution when parasites cause host death, but disease-induced decreased host movement has received relatively less attention. Here, we consider a model where, due to the within-host parasite replication rate, an infected host can become lethargic and shift from a moving to a resting state, where it can die. We find that when the lethargy and disease-induced mortality costs to the parasites are not high, then evolutionary bistability can arise, and either moderate or high virulence can evolve depending on the initial virulence and the magnitude of mutation. These results suggest, firstly, the transient coexistence of strains with different virulence, which may explain the coexistence of low- and high-pathogenic strains of avian influenza and human immunodeficiency viruses, and secondly, that medical interventions to treat the symptoms of lethargy or prevent disease-induced host deaths can result in a large jump in virulence and the rapid evolution of high virulence. In complement to existing results that show bistability when hosts are heterogeneous at the population-level, we show that evolutionary bistability may arise due to transmission heterogeneity at the individual host-level.
Optimal lot-sizing, pricing, and product intergenerational lifestyle decisions for the case of disruptive innovations in fashion

The objective of this dissertation is to determine production schedules, production quantities, selling prices, and new product introduction timing to fulfill deterministic price-dependent demand for a series of products in such a way as to maximize profit per period. In order to accomplish the above task, some main assumptions are made. First, it is assumed that the series of products being considered are associated with sequential non-disruptive innovations in technology as well as disruptive innovations in fashion. That is to say, the products represent subsequent generations in the same family of products in an industry that experiences repeated minor technological innovations and in which product success is due in part to fashionability (Fisher, 1997). Second, it is assumed that the planning horizon is sufficiently long and product lifecycles are sufficiently short that several generations of the product family are planned. Third, it is assumed that the producer is following a solo-product roll strategy (Billington, Lee, & Tang, 1998). This means that the inventory of one product iteration is exhausted at the same time that the next product iteration is introduced and ready for sale. Fourth, it is assumed that demand for each product iteration is governed by a modified version of the Bass (1969) diffusion model that incorporates price. Fifth, it is assumed that the various demand and cost characteristics being considered do not change from one product iteration to the next. Sixth, it is assumed that no backlog of demand is maintained and
A-425619 [1-Isoquinolin-5-yl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-urea], a Novel Transient Receptor Potential Type V1 Receptor Antagonist, Relieves Pathophysiological Pain Associated with Inflammation and Tissue Injury in Rats

The vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1, TRPV1), which is a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily, is highly localized on peripheral and central processes of nociceptive afferent fibers. Activation of TRPV1 contributes to the pronociceptive effects of capsaicin, protons, heat, and various endogenous lipid agonists such as anandamide and N-arachidonoyl-dopamine. A-425619 [1-isoquinolin-5-yl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)urea] is a novel potent and selective antagonist at both human and rat TRPV1 receptors. In vivo, A-425619 dose dependently reduced capsaicin-induced mechanical hyperalgesia (ED50 = 45 μmol/kg p.o.). A-425619 was also effective in models of inflammatory pain and postoperative pain. A-425619 potently reduced complete Freund's adjuvant-induced chronic inflammatory pain after oral administration (ED50 = 40 μmol/kg p.o.) and was also effective after either i.t. administration or local injection into the inflamed paw. Furthermore, A-425619 maintained efficacy in the postoperative pain model after twice daily dosing p.o. for 5 days. A-425619 also showed partial efficacy in models of neuropathic pain. A-425619 did not alter motor performance at the highest dose tested (300 μmol/kg p.o.). Taken together, the present data indicate that A-425619, a potent and selective antagonist of TRPV1 receptors, effectively relieves acute and chronic inflammatory pain and postoperative pain.
Identification of In Vitro Electropermeabilization Equivalent Pulse Protocols

Exposure of cells to an external sufficiently strong electric field results in the formation of pores across the membrane. This phenomenon, termed electropermeabilization, permits the transport of poorly permeant molecules into cytosol. In clinical practice, cell membrane permeabilization for drug electrotransfer is achieved using the ESOPE pulse protocol (1000 V/cm, 8 pulses, 100 μs, 5 kHz). The aim of this study was to investigate several combinations of electric field amplitude and pulse number able to induce electropermeabilization as the one observed when the ESOPE protocol was applied. Decreasing electric field amplitudes (1000 to 300 V/cm) in combination with increasing number of pulses (8 to 320) were applied to in vitro MG63 cells. Propidium iodide and Calcein blue AM uptake were used to evaluate cell electropermeabilization and viability. Results showed that the threshold of local electric field needed to obtain electropermeabilization decreased exponentially with increasing the number of pulses delivered (r2 50.92, p < 0.0001). The absorbed dose threshold was dependent on the number of pulses for each voltage applied (r2 50.96, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the possibility of applying an increased number of pulses rather than increasing the electric field amplitude to perform electropermeabilization, may become an important tool for electropermeabilization - related clinical applications.
Can Debt Ceiling and Government Shutdown Predict US Real Stock Returns? A Boot-strap Rolling-Window Approach

This paper investigates the in-sample predictability of debt ceiling and government shutdown for real stock returns in the U.S, using rolling window Granger non-causality estimation. Causal links often evolve over time so the use of the bootstrap rolling window approach will account for potential time variations in the relationships. We use monthly time series data on measures of debt ceiling and government shutdown, and real stock returns, covering the period of 1985:M2 to 2013:M9. Since the debt ceiling and government shutdown variables under analysis are exogenous, the use of the in-sample predictability to analyse the relationship running from debt ceiling to real stock returns, as well as, from government shutdown to real stock returns will provide evidence of not only whether in-sample predictability exists, but also how predictability varies over time i.e. significance in episodes of high values of index. The full sample bootstrap non-Granger causality test results suggests existence of no in-sample predictability of debt ceiling or government shutdown for real stock returns in the U.S. economy. The stability tests show evidence of parameter instability in the estimated equations. Therefore, we make use of the bootstrap rolling window (24 months) approach to investigate the changes in the in-sample predictability of the relationship, and detect significant in-sample predictability of debt ceiling and government shutdown for real stock returns at different sub-periods, corresponding especially after the phases where there were sharp increases in the indexes of debt ceiling and government shutdown.
WELFARE IMPLICATIONS AND EQUILIBRIUM INDETERMINACY IN A TWO-SECTOR GROWTH MODEL WITH CONSUMPTION EXTERNALITIES

In one-sector neoclassical growth models, consumption externalities lead to an inefficient allocation in a steady state and indeterminate equilibrium toward a steady state only if there is a labor–leisure trade-off. This paper shows that in a two-sector neoclassical growth model, even without a labor–leisure trade-off, consumption spillovers easily lead to an inefficient allocation in a steady state and indeterminate equilibrium toward a steady state. Negative consumption spillovers that yield ove-accumulation of capital in a one-sector model may lead to underaccumulation or overaccumulation of capital in two-sector models, depending on the relative capital intensity between sectors. Moreover, a two-sector model economy with consumption externalities is less stabilized than an otherwise identical one-sector model economy.
Fabrication of Y-Splitters and Mach–Zehnder Structures on (Yb,Nb):RbTiOPO $_{\bf 4}$/RbTiOPO$_{\bf 4}$ Epitaxial Layers by Reactive Ion Etching

Reactive ion etching of RbTiOPO<sub>4</sub> (0 0 1) substrates and (Yb,Nb):RbTiOPO<sub>4</sub>/RbTiOPO<sub>4</sub> (0 0 1) epitaxial layers has been performed using fluorine chemistry. A maximum etch rate of 8.7 nm/min was obtained, and the deepest etch achieved was 3.5 μm. The (Yb,Nb)-doped epitaxial layers showed a slower etching rate when compared with undoped material. Liquid phase epitaxial growth of cladding layers has also been performed, resulting in a high-quality interface growth without appreciable defects. 9-mm-long Mach-Zehnder interferometer and 9-mm-long Y-splitter structures were designed and patterned in RbTiOPO<sub>4</sub> substrates and (Yb,Nb):RbTiOPO<sub>4</sub>/RbTiOPO<sub>4</sub> (0 0 1) epitaxial layers. The structures fabricated in RbTiOPO<sub>4</sub> substrates were filled with laser active (Yb,Nb):RbTiOPO<sub>4</sub> higher refractive index core material, and finally an RbTiOPO<sub>4</sub> cladding was grown on the samples. The refractive index difference between the (Yb,Nb):RbTiOPO<sub>4</sub> layer and the RbTiOPO<sub>4</sub> substrate at 1.5 μm has been measured and optical waveguiding at this wavelength has been demonstrated.
Cortical blood flow imaging with a portable MEMS based 2-photon fluorescence microendoscope

We present a portable microendoscope based on a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) scanner, compound gradient refractive index micro-lenses and a photonics bandgap fiber (PBF). It overcomes the size (2.0 × 1.9 × 1.1 cm3) and weight (less than 3 grams) limitations of conventional two-photon fluorescence microscopy toward freely moving subjects. The microendoscope utilizes a PBF for laser excitation and large core fiber for fluorescence collection. We demonstrated cortical blood flow imaging in live mice with transverse (Δx) and axial resolutions (Δz) of 1.6 µm and 13.5 µm, respectively.
Rate of Salmonellae and Bacillus cereus in some Retailed cut-up Chicken and Poultry Meat Products

Food poisoning illness outbreaks brought about by pathogenic bacteria and/ or their toxins are yet worry of both shopper and food industry. Accordingly, one hundred and seventy-five samples were collected randomly, samples included frozen chicken breast, frozen chicken thigh, chicken luncheon, chicken burger and chicken frankfurter (35 of each), collected from different supermarkets in Cairo and New Valley governorate for incidence of Salmonella species and Bacillus cereus. Salmonella typhimurium was detected in percentage of 5.7%, and 2.9% in chicken breast and chicken thigh respectively, while Salmonella enteritidis was isolated from chicken breast and chicken thigh with the same percentage (2.9%), but Salmonellae as a whole failed to be detected in chicken burger, luncheon & frankfurter. On the other hand, Bacillus cereus was isolated in a percentage of 8.6 %, 8.6%, 17.1%, 14.3% and 11.4%, from chicken breast, thigh, burger, luncheon and frankfurter, respectively. Thus, it is important to control contamination of chicken meat in abattoirs with Salmonellae and Bacillus cereus to reduce the incidence of food borne infection to humans.
A MULTICENTER STUDY TO EVALUATE A NOVEL ASSAY FOR QUANTITATION OF SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN RECEPTOR IN RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

The clinical utility of monitoring soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) as an indicator of immune stimulation in renal transplant patients was evaluated in a retrospective study at 3 centers. Serum samples (n = 2360) were obtained from 86 (17 living related donor, 69 cadaver) transplant recipients. The patients had received either triple therapy (n = 35) or antilymphocyte antibody induction therapy followed by triple therapy (n = 51). The mean period of postoperative observation was 118 days (range, 6-349 days). Serum sIL-2R concentrations were quantitated by an automated microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) (Abbott Diagnostics) in which sIL-2R was captured by 7G7/B6 monoclonal antibody-coated microparticles and detected by an immunospecific rabbit antihuman sIL-2R-alkaline phosphatase conjugate. A distinct advantage of the technique was rapid turn-around time: 1-24 results were obtained in less than 50 min. Cyclosporine trough concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay or high-performance liquid chromatography. Diagnosis of rejection was established by clinical and histological criteria. The mean sIL-2R concentration in patients receiving antilymphocyte antibody induction therapy increased from 3486 +/- 1729 U/ml (+/- SD) at the time of transplant to a maximum of 7395 +/- 7101 U/ml on the third day posttransplant; this increase was not observed in patients receiving triple therapy (P less than 0.0001). By the sixth day of posttransplant, there were no differences in sIL-2R levels in the two groups. Fifty rejection episodes were observed in 29 patients on triple therapy. The mean sIL-2R concentration rose from 3022 U/ml at the data point prior to rejection to 3524 U/ml at the time of rejection. Thirty-four rejection episodes were observed in 26 patients receiving induction therapy. The mean sIL-2R concentration was 3015 U/ml at the data point prior to rejection and 4815 U/ml at the time of rejection. The sIL-2R concentrations began increasing earlier and rose higher in rejecting patients who received induction therapy than in those receiving triple therapy. Early posttransplant sIL-2R levels increased significantly more in cadaver recipients than in LRD recipients, reaching a maximum on day 2 posttransplant (P less than 0.001). Prerejection sIL-2R concentrations were significantly lower in LRD recipients than in cadaver recipients (2248 U/ml vs. 4290 U/ml, P less than 0.02), as were sIL-2R levels at the time of diagnosis of rejection (2800 U/ml vs. 4832 U/ml, P = 0.01). The mean sIL-2R level in stable long-term graft recipients was 2110 U/ml, with approximately 90% of values less than 3000 U/ml. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Skeletal evidence of osteoarthritis: a palaeopathological perspective.

Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of joint pathology, and it has an extensive history. Indeed, it has been observed in a variety of fossil animals, and has been reported in the fossil remains of dinosaurs. ' Among preindustrial human groups, as documented by skeletal remains, osteoarthritic changes are quite frequently the most common pathological lesion seen. Such degenerative changes have been described for archaeological samples varying widely in time and location.2" In many cases,"'5 frequencies of involvement have also been calculated and presented. Skeletal evidence from archaeological sites thus has potential to expand considerably the range of epidemiological data concerning OA. Human populations long since extinct can be sampled. Current epidemiological data are limited almost entirely to clinical samples drawn from urban contexts, mostly from North America and Europe. Earlier populations, ranging from arctic hunters, to early RomanoBritish agriculturists, to Mediaeval Nubians (and, obviously, many others) may have led lifestyles very different from those characteristic of contemporary groups. Accordingly, skeletal analysis provides a 'window' into a vastly broader sample of human groups than afforded solely by clinical samples. If varying levels of mechanical loading are important in the aetiology of OA, as suggested by the 'stress hypothesis','6 earlier populations could be expected to exhibit definitive patterns of joint involvement. Such patterns should be reflected in differential involvement both within and among joints; moreover, patterns of bilateral asymmetries, sex based variation, and perhaps, most crucially, clearly demarcated frequencies of involvement among prehistoric populations should be manifest.
Prognostic significance of immunoreactive neutrophil elastase in human breast cancer: long-term follow-up results in 313 patients.

OBJECTIVE We have measured the concentration of immunoreactive neutrophil elastase (ir-NE) in the tumor extracts of 313 primary human breast cancers. Sufficient time has elapsed, and we are now ready to analyze its prognostic value in human breast cancer. METHODS ir-NE concentration in tumor extracts was determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that enables a rapid measurement of both free-form ir-NE and the A1-protease inhibitor-complexed form of ir-NE. We analyzed the prognostic value of this enzyme in human breast cancer in univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS Patients with breast cancer tissue containing a high concentration of ir-NE had poor survival compared to those with a low concentration of ir-NE at the cutoff point of 9.0 microg/100 mg protein (P = .0012), which had been previously determined in another group of 49 patients. Multivariate stepwise analysis selected lymph node status (P = .0004; relative risk = 1.46) and ir-NE concentration (P = .0013; relative risk = 1.43) as independent prognostic factors for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Tumor ir-NE concentration is an independent prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer who undergo curative surgery. This enzyme may play an active role in tumor progression that leads to metastasis in human breast cancer.