Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Follow-up over 20 months confirms gains of online behavioural training in frequent episodic migraine

Aim This study examined the change over 20 months in 178 participants with frequent episodic migraine under adequate treatment as usual, who had completed online behavioural training (oBT) in migraine self-management either directly (group 1, n = 120) or after 10 months of watchful waiting (group 2, n = 58). Methods Participants completed questionnaires and an online headache diary and migraine monitor following the International Classification of Headache Disorders at T0 (baseline), T1 (post-training), T2 (6-month follow-up; extended baseline in group 2), T3 (post-training, group 2 only) and T4 (group 1: 16-month follow-up; group 2: 6-month follow-up). Statistical analyses were conducted on the observed data without imputation of missing observations. Results Both groups were highly comparable. The data over time revealed benefits in response to oBT, with significant between-group differences in the change achieved in the training episodes T2–T0 (group 1) and T4–T2 (group 2). Improved attack frequency (M = –23%) was higher in participants with more (i.e. 4–6) attacks per month at baseline, and the effects of oBT were durable over 16 months of follow-up. Conclusions oBT is beneficial in frequent episodic migraine, which deserves special efforts in care. Self-management variants such as oBT reach patients easily and supplement these efforts with durable results.
When relative clause extraposition is the right choice, it’s easier

abstract In one type of Relative Clause Extraposition (RCE) in English, a subject-modifying relative clause occurs in a displaced position following the matrix VP, as in: Some options were considered that allow for more flexibility. Although RCE incurs a discontinuous dependency and is relatively infrequent in discourse, previous corpus and acceptability judgment studies have shown that speakers prefer RCE over adjacent ordering when the RC is long in relation to the VP, the subject NP is indefinite, and the main verb is passive/presentative (Francis, 2010; Francis & Michaelis, 2014; Walker, 2013). The current study is the first to relate these conditional preferences to online measures of production. For a spoken production task that required speakers to construct sentences based on visual cues, results showed that the same factors that modulate choice of structure – VP length, RC length, and definiteness of the subject NP – also modulate voice initiation time. That is, when the sentential context warrants a particular structure, that structure becomes easier to produce. Following the approach of MacDonald (2013), we explain these findings in terms of two production biases, one of which favors early placement of shorter, more accessible phrases and the other of which promotes rapid retrieval from memory of the most frequently used subtypes of a construction.
Retinex in MATLABTM

Many different descriptions of Retinex methods of light- ness computation exist. We provide concise MATLAB™ implemen- tations of two of the spatial techniques of making pixel comparisons. The code is presented, along with test results on several images and a discussion of the results. We also discuss the calibration of input images and the postRetinex processing required to display the output images. © 2004 SPIE and IS&T. (DOI: 10.1117/1.1636761)
Predictors of Substance Abuse Treatment Entry among Rural Illicit Stimulant Users in Ohio, Arkansas, and Kentucky

Illicit drug use in the rural United States is increasingly common, yet little is known about drug users’ treatment-seeking behaviors. This study identifies predictors of substance abuse treatment entry over 24 months among 710 illicit stimulant users in rural areas of Ohio, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Active users of powdered cocaine, crack cocaine, and/or methamphetamine (MA) were recruited using respondent-driven sampling. Participants completed structured interviews at baseline and follow-up questionnaires every 6 months for 24 months. Data were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model. The paper is informed by the Anderson-Newman Model. Overall, 18.7% of the sample entered treatment. Ohio or Kentucky residence, perceived need for substance abuse treatment, higher Addiction Severity Index (ASI) legal problem composite scores, prior substance abuse treatment, and tranquilizer use were positively associated with treatment entry. Nondaily crack cocaine users and marijuana users were less likely to enter treatment. The findings can help inform rural substance abuse treatment program development and outreach.
Sunspots , Coordination , and Innovation Cycles

I propose a theoretical mechanism that offers a possible explanation for the post-Great Recession stagnation experience observed in many industrialized countries. The theory is based on failures in the coordination of the beliefs of productive and innovative agents. In the model, an innovative sector determines endogenously the long-run growth rate of the economy, and research exhibits positive spillovers. Failing to internalize the general equilibrium effects of their innovation decisions, agents can coordinate into pervasive equilibria in which no innovation occurs, which leads the economy to growing through lowerand older-quality production for as long as pessimism persists. Through simulations, I show that the model can generate patterns that are qualitatively similar to those experienced by the U.S. output and private R&D investment since the 2008 financial crisis. In particular, output drops on impact due to the endogenously generated, belief-driven recession, and the subsequent recovery is sluggish and settles around a trend that is both lower and flatter than its pre-crisis level. ∗New York University, Department of Economics: 19 W 4th street, 10012 New York, NY. I am thankful to Edouard Schaal and Jess Benhabib for their guidance and advice. I also thank Laurent Cavenaile, Diego Daruich, Miguel de Faria e Castro, Julian Kozlowski, Ilse Lindenlaub, and Ewout Verriest for valuable comments and suggestions at different stages of the project. All errors are my own. Comments are very welcome. E-mail: pau.roldan@nyu.edu.
Prognostics of Failures in Embedded Planar Capacitors using Model-Based and Data-Driven Approaches

This paper presents the application of model-based and data-driven approaches for prognostics of failures in embedded planar capacitors. An embedded planar capacitor is a thin laminate that serves both as a power/ground plane and as a parallel plate capacitor in a multilayered printed wiring board. These capacitors have gained importance with an increase in the operating frequency and a decrease in the supply voltage in electronic circuits since they can enable miniaturization of electronic circuits as well as improved electrical performance. In next generation electronic circuits, embedded planar capacitors will be crucial in communication, automotive, military, medical, and space applications. The capacitor laminate used in this study consisted of an epoxy-barium titanate nanocomposite dielectric sandwiched between Cu layers. Three electrical parameters, capacitance, dissipation factor, and insulation resistance, were monitored in situ during testing under elevated temperature and voltage-aging conditions. The failure modes observed were a sharp drop in insulation resistance and a gradual decrease in capacitance. An approach to model the time-to-failure associated with these failure modes is presented in this paper. Further, a data-driven technique known as the Mahalanobis distance method is also investigated for early detection of these failures.
Use of the vertebral heart scale for differentiation of cardiac and noncardiac causes of respiratory distress in cats: 67 cases (2002-2003).

OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of the vertebral heart scale (VHS) system to differentiate congestive heart failure from other causes of dyspnea in cats. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 67 cats with acute respiratory distress. PROCEDURES Medical records of client-owned cats evaluated on an emergency basis because of acute respiratory distress during a 1-year period were reviewed. For study inclusion, cats must have undergone evaluation with echocardiography and thoracic radiography within 12 hours after hospital admission. The VHS was calculated for each cat by 2 investigators. Signalment, physical examination, and echocardiographic findings were reviewed for each patient. RESULTS There was 83% agreement overall between the 2 investigators in assessment of cardiomegaly in cats with dyspnea (κ = 0.49). The VHS cutpoints were the same for both observers in terms of optimizing sensitivity and specificity. A VHS of > 8.0 vertebrae was the best cutpoint when screening for heart disease, whereas a VHS of > 9.3 vertebrae was very specific for the presence of heart disease. Measurements between 8.0 and 9.3 vertebrae suggested the cause of dyspnea was equivocal (ie, secondary to congestive heart failure or respiratory disease), in which case echocardiography would be most useful in providing additional diagnostic information. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that the VHS system may be a useful tool to help differentiate cardiac from noncardiac causes of respiratory distress in cats in an emergency situation when an echocardiogram is not available or is not plausible in an unstable patient.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors provide significant lower re-hospitalization rates in patients recovering from acute coronary syndromes: evidence from a meta-analysis

Depression is an independent negative prognostic factor in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), yet it is unclear if its treatment is beneficial after ACS. We sought to compare, through a meta-analytic process, antidepressant therapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) versus control treatment in patients with recent ACS. BioMedCentral, CENTRAL, ISI Web of Science, PsycInfo, and PubMed were searched for pertinent studies (November 2008). We selected studies with randomized allocation to antidepressant drug versus control in patients with acute or recent ACS reported as intention-to-treat. Exclusion criteria were: duplicate publication, regimen of antidepressant drug <4 weeks, follow-up <6 weeks or incomplete follow up, or a lack of clear/reproducible results. Changes from the baseline to the follow-up in depression score, major adverse cardiac events (MACE — including death, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization), and hospitalizations were pooled with random or fixed-effect methods. Five randomized trials (801 patients) were included. Fifteen studies were excluded because they were unpublished, ongoing, or duplicates. Subjects treated with antidepressant medications did not show, after a median of six months, a significant improvement in depression symptoms, although there was a trend for a reduction in depression scores. Besides, subjects treated with antidepressant medications showed a significantly lower rate of re-hospitalizations from all causes (risk difference (RD) = 14% (95% confidence interval: 5—23%), p = 0.001). Therapy with antidepressants was notably safe, with similar rates of adverse events, including MACE, death, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization (all p > 0.05). Treatment with SSRIs in patients recovering from ACS is associated with significant lower re-hospitalization rates. These data suggest that antidepressant therapy with SSRIs, given its efficacy and safety, should be routinely considered in patients with a recent ACS and depression symptoms.
The impact of Rhode Island's statewide smoke-free ordinance on hospital admissions and costs for acute myocardial infarction and asthma.

a groWing number of studies in the united states and other countries, and two meta-analyses, have demonstrated a decrease in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and asthma following the implementation of comprehensive smoking bans. These studies show a decrease in AMI admissions ranging from 8% to 40%, varying with the study design and methods. A statewide smoking ban in Arizona resulted in a 22% reduction in asthma hospital admissions in the year after implementation. In March 2005, Rhode Island implemented the Smoke Free Public Places and Workplaces Act, a comprehensive statewide ban on smoking covering all enclosed public places of business, such as restaurants and bars, healthcare facilities, shopping areas, and offices. We used hospital discharge data to determine whether Rhode Island’s statewide smoking ban reduced hospital admission rates and associated costs for AMI and asthma.
First-order displacive structural phase transitions studied by computer simulation.

We have constructed a lattice-dynamical model which possesses many of the features occurring at first-order structural phase transitions in solids. The model includes an asymmetric nonlinear on-site potential and anharmonic interparticle interactions. The anharmonicity in the interaction is introduced in a way which lowers the phonon frequencies in the high-temperature, metastable phase. The interaction provides a mechanism for a vibrational-entropy-driven first-order phase transition. We present results from molecular-dynamics calculations which show (i) clear evidence in the thermodynamic functions for the existence of a first-order phase transition produced by heating from low temperature, and (ii) unusual properties for the position probability distribution and the dynamic structure factor. These spectral functions have significant intensity in the quasielastic region, and this contribution is strongly maximized near the transition temperature. The wave-vector dependence of this "central peak" clearly points to the existence of propagating nonlinear modes.
Description, nomenclature, and mapping of a novel cerebello-renal syndrome with the molar tooth malformation.

Cerebello-oculo-renal syndromes (CORSs) and Joubert syndrome (JS) are clinically and genetically heterogeneous autosomal recessive syndromes that share a complex neuroradiological malformation resembling a molar tooth on brain axial images, a condition referred to as "molar tooth on imaging" (MTI) or the "molar tooth sign. " The current literature on these syndromes is complex, with overlapping and incomplete phenotypes that complicate the selection of clinically homogeneous cases for genetic purposes. So far, only one locus (JBTS1 on 9q34) has been mapped, in two families with JS. Here, we describe a large consanguineous family with JS and nephronophthisis, representing a novel cerebello-renal phenotype. We have mapped this condition to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 11 and have named the locus "CORS2. " The acronym "CORS" is proposed for all loci associated with JS, CORSs, and related phenotypes sharing the MTI, because this neuroradiological sign seems to be the unifying feature of these clinically heterogeneous syndromes.
Overestimation of Monoclonal Immunoglobulin by Immunochemical Methods

A comparison of paraprotein estimation by scanning densitometry with corresponding immunoglobulin concentration measured by rate immunonephelometry, fixed-time immunonephelometry and kinetic immunoturbidimetry using a large number of sera has indicated overestimation of the immunoglobulin by liquid phase immunoassays in the presence of a monoclonal component. The effect was seen with all three major immunoglobulin isotypes but was most marked with IgM paraproteins when measured by kinetic nephelometry. The overestimations could not be explained by presence of rheumatoid factors or immune complexes in the serum samples, or by non-parallelism, over a range of dilutions, of the reaction of sample and calibrant with the antiserum. The source and species of antiserum used was a major contributory factor.
[Studies on chemical constituents of Paederia scandense].

OBJECTIVE To study the chemical constituents of Paederia scandense. METHOD The constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH - 20 column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by physicochemical properties and spectral analysis. RESULT 20 compounds were obtained and identified as rubiadin-1-methylether (1), diadzein (2), cleomiscosin B (3), cleomiscosin D (4), isolariciresinol (5), linarin (6), isoscopoletin (7), caffic acid (8), coumarinic acid (9), p-hydroxyl-benzoic acid (10), oleanolic acid (11), ursolic acid (12), beta-sitosterol (13), daucosterol (14), paederoside (15), paederosidic acid (16), paederosidic acid methyl ester (17), saprosmoside E (18), paederoscandoside (19), caffeic acid 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (20). CONCLUSION Compounds 1-10, and 20 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Influence of isoproterenol on contractile protein function, excitation-contraction coupling, and energy turnover of isolated nonfailing human myocardium.

Previous animal experiments indicated that the effects of catecholamines on myocardial function and subcellular systems vary considerably depending on the species and type of myocardium investigated. In the present study, we used isometric force and heat measurements to investigate the influence of isoproterenol on energetics of excitation-contraction coupling and contractile proteins in isolated nonfailing human myocardium. Isoproterenol, in an average concentration of 0.8 +/- 0.3 microM, resulted in a significant increase in peak twitch tension, maximum rate of tension rise and maximum rate of tension fall by 46% (P < 0.025), 126% (P < 0.001) and 137% (P < 0.005), respectively (37 degrees C, 60 beat/min). The amount and rate of excitation-contraction coupling-related heat evolution (tension-independent heat) increased by 116% (P < 0.03) and 176% (P < 0.02), respectively. Furthermore, the relationship of tension-independent heat to isometric tension or tension-time integral increased by 47% (P < 0.05) and 91% (P < 0.01), respectively. That is, the energy used in calcium cycling increased by a greater proportion than did mechanical output. Isoproterenol increased the rate of the acto-myosin crossbridge high-energy phosphate hydrolysis (tension-dependent heat rate) by 61% (P < 0.006) and decreased the force-time integral (consistent with decrease in the attachment time) of the individual crossbridge cycle by 21% (P < 0.025). Decreased crossbridge force-time integral with isoproterenol indicates decreased economy of isometric force production at the level of the contractile proteins. Increased energy turnover of excitation-contraction coupling processes and reduced force-time integral generation by the individual crossbridge cycle resulted in increased myocardial energy turnover as indicated by a 41% increase in the ratio of total activity related heat per tension-time integral (P < 0.02). The efficiency of the metabolic recovery process as assessed by the ratio of initial heat to total activity related heat, was similar with and without isoproterenol (0.52 +/- 0.05 v 0.49 +/- 0.03; P > 0.05). Thus, isoproterenol significantly influences excitation-contraction coupling processes and crossbridge cycling, thereby increasing myocardial energy turnover per unit of isometric force production in the human myocardium.
Miller Fisher Syndrome: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Study

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), characterized as ataxia, areflexia and ophthalmoplegia, is generally considered as a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). However, some investigators believed that the syndrome could be explained by a central origin. To obtain more information about MFS for comparison with GBS, we conducted a retrospective study by analyzing the clinical data of MFS patients admitted to our hospital over a period of 11 years. The calibrated male/female ratio was 1.65. A seasonal clustering in winter was noted. The percentage of MFS among GBS was especially high (18%, 11/60) in Taiwan when compared with other series. Involvement of limb muscle strength, autonomic function and cranial nerves, except ocular motor nerves, was rarely found in our patients. When MFS is accompanied by limb weakness, it might represent a transitional form between MFS and GBS. Bulbar palsy and dysautonomia might predict a relatively poor prognosis. To obtain more reliable information, lumbar puncture should be done 1 week after disease onset, and electrophysiological tests should be done serially in every MFS patient. Eighty percent (80%, 4/5) of our patients were positive for IgG anti-GQ1b antibody activity. In our study, there is more evidence indicating that MFS is a peripheral nervous system disorder; however, no definite conclusion could be made as to whether MFS is exclusively a peripheral or central nervous system disorder. We think MFS is an immune-mediated clinical entity which mainly involves the peripheral nervous system with rare involvement of other parts of the central nervous system.
SPECT-Identified Neuroanatomical Predictor of the Cognitive Effects of Donepezil Treatment in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Background/Objective: We attempted to determine whether the pretreatment regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) might predict cognitive changes in response to donepezil treatment, as assessed in terms of the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), and in relation to the severity of subcortical hyperintensities (SH). Method: Forty-one patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were treated with donepezil at baseline. All the patients underwent a single photon emission computed tomography examination before donepezil therapy. They also completed the ADAS-cog at baseline and after 24 weeks of donepezil therapy. SH were assessed semiquantitatively using a recently developed visual rating scale. We analyzed the correlation between the baseline rCBF and changes in the ADAS-cog score using statistical parametric mapping, including the severity of the SH as a covariate. Results: Lower pretreatment rCBF levels in the right orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) predicted a better improvement in the ADAS-cog score in response to donepezil therapy. The severity of SH did not appear to influence this correlation. Conclusions: This effect may reflect the choline acetyltransferase activity associated with the OFC. The presence of SH did not appear to influence the effect of donepezil therapy on the cognitive function as assessed by ADAS-cog.