Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shifted non-negative matrix factorisation for sound source separation

A shifted non-negative matrix factorisation algorithm is derived, which offers advantages over previous matrix factorisation techniques for the purposes of single channel source separation. It represents a sound source as translations of a single frequency basis function. These translations approximately correspond to notes played by an instrument. Results are presented for a set of synthetic data, and on a single channel recording of piano and clarinet. Though the system is aimed at musical recordings, the technique can be applied to any data which contains shifted versions of an underlying factor, and so the algorithm could possibly be used in other applications such as image processing
Modulated surgery in the management of ruptured intracranial aneurysm in poor grade patients.

The treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by aneurysm in comatose patients with or without midbrain symptoms is a matter of controversy. The question is, which comatose patients will profit from aneurysm surgery and which will not? In a retrospective study, 573 patients were examined between 1986 and 1992. Of these, 116 were in poor condition (Hunt and Hess Grade IV or V). The following management protocol was used: after computer tomography, a decision was made whether intensive medical treatment was performed or not. The reason for not operating was essentially the severity of the cerebral haemorrhage and poor or absent intracranial filling on angiography. Extracerebral causes were renal failure, sepsis, liver cirrhosis and pulmonary embolism. The direct early aneurysm operation was performed in the clinical deterioration phase in patients with space-occupying haematomas. In dilatation of the ventricle system, external drainage was initially positioned, in the case of bilateral haematocephalus, two-sided drainage was positioned, then intensive medical treatment and angiography were performed. The aneurysm operation was then ruled out if there was no clinical improvement. Aneurysm operation was performed on 57 of the 116 patients; 13 died, 32 showed a good and 12 a poor or fair outcome. 15 patients had mid-brain syndrome, and 5 of them died. Based on our experience, we draw the following conclusion: the Hunt and Hess scale alone is not a sufficient basis for decision taking. Some of the comatose patients, even in mid-brain syndrome, profit from an early operation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ursodeoxycholic acid and tauroursodeoxycholic acid suppress choroidal neovascularization in a laser-treated rat model.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the suppressing effects of systemically administered ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) on choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in a laser-treated rat model. METHODS CNV was induced by argon laser photocoagulation in the right eye of each animal. UDCA 500 mg/kg, TUDCA 100 mg/kg, or vehicle was intraperitoneally injected at 24 h before and daily after laser treatment. Fourteen days after laser treatment, fluorescein angiography was performed to evaluate leakage from CNV and eyes were enucleated for histologic evaluation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the retina were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 3 days after laser treatment and were compared between the UDCA, TUDCA, and control groups. RESULTS The proportion of CNV lesions showing clinically significant fluorescein leakage was lower in the UDCA and TUDCA groups (42%, P = 0.0124; and 46%, P = 0.0292) than in the control group (67%). CNV lesion dimensions including CNV area and CNV/choroid thickness ratio were also significantly reduced in the UDCA and TUDCA groups (7,664 +/- 630 microm(2), P < 0.001 and 8,558 +/- 570 microm(2), P < 0.001; 2.35 +/- 0.16, P = 0.026 and 2.27 +/- 0.15, P = 0.003) compared with the control group (12,147 +/- 661 microm(2) and 3.10 +/- 0.27). The VEGF level in the retina after laser treatment was lower in the TUDCA group than that in the control group (9.0 +/- 2.7 pg/mg vs. 29.4 +/- 8.2 pg/mg, P = 0.032), whereas the UDCA group showed no difference. CONCLUSIONS The systemic administration of UDCA and TUDCA suppressed laser-induced CNV formation in rats, which might be associated with anti-inflammatory action. The result indicates that UDCA and TUDCA are potential candidate drugs for the treatment of many CNV-related retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration.
The Presence of Matthew Effects in Dutch Primary Education, Development of Language Skills Over a Six-Year Period

Using a nationally representative sample of 5,150 Dutch students who have been followed over a 6-year period, the presence of the Matthew effect was investigated for general language skills. The analyses do not reveal unmistakable evidence for the supposition that the rich get richer and the poor poorer. On the contrary, in schools with low starting levels students make more progress than in schools with higher starting levels. On the other hand, the analyses do show a widening gap between students with well educated and poorly educated parents. The gap between delayed and accelerated students was found to increase as well, but the initial disadvantage of boys was found to disappear.
E-governance and stage models: analysis of identified models and selected Eurasian experiences in digitising citizen service delivery

Despite 60 years of use, challenges in relation to information communication technology (ICT) in public administration prevail. Statistics in 18 Eurasian countries show a linear relationship between internet access and frequency of use, and between internet use and the propensity to use private sector services such as online banking, but that this does not automatically translate to public sector e-services use. The literature review, subsequently identify and evaluate 30 e-government stage models to see if they offer a solution or explanation to the lack of e-service take-up. The paper identifies three gaps in current e-government research: Which variables positively effects e-service use and whether this correlations be statistically proven; the degree with which governance and cooperation models ensure successful supply and use of e-services, and existing stage models for mapping e-government progress only address supply-side, technology and organisational issues. The paper concludes by outlining a proposal to address the identified research gaps.
A Macrofinance View of U.S. Sovereign CDS Premiums

Premiums on U.S. sovereign CDS have risen to persistently elevated levels since the financial crisis. In this paper, we ask whether these premiums reflect the probability of a U.S. fiscal default, namely a state in which budget balance can no longer be restored by further raising taxes or eroding the real value of debt by raising inflation. To that end, we develop an equilibrium macrofinance model of the U.S. economy, in which the fiscal and monetary policy stance jointly endogenously determine nominal debt, taxes, inflation and growth. While U.S. CDS cannot be valued using standard replication arguments, we show how in our equilibrium model, CDS premiums reflect endogenous risk adjusted fiscal default probabilities. A calibrated version of the model is quantitatively consistent with high premiums on U.S. sovereign CDS.
Fiscal discipline and foreign direct investment : Do investors care about public debt and government de cits ?

High levels of budget de cits and public debt were a key concern for policy makers in countries a ected by the recent public debt crisis. Reductions of budget de cits and the level of public debt were seen as crucial to improve economic conditions and to increase investment, both domestic and from abroad. We analyze the direct impact of scal discipline on bilateral stocks of foreign direct investment (FDI) by estimating a gravity model of FDI in a panel of countries for the years 2001 to 2012. We nd that FDI stocks are not correlated with neither the budget balance nor the public debt-to-GDP ratio of origin and destination countries. This holds for worldwide FDI into European Union (EU) countries and for FDI between EU countries. We also analyze the indirect e ect of scal discipline on FDI. To do so, we study the interdependence between EU FDI stocks over time using a spatial econometric origin-destination model. We document that FDI stocks are correlated between EU countries with similar levels of scal discipline. We nd that the FDI interdependencies due to the scal discipline channel remain quite stable before and during the nancial and public debt crises. JEL Classi cation Codes: F21, F42, F44, F45, E62, G01
Generalized norm-conserving pseudopotentials.

On presente une methode pour programmer les pseudo-potentiels a conservation de norme a partir des potentiels atomiques de tous les electrons a des energies arbitraires, plutot qu'aux energies de l'etat de liaison comme cela existe dans des methodes. Ceci introduit une flexibilite supplementaire considerable et plus de commodite pour construire ces potentiels et pour traiter certains atomes a «probleme». Pour illustrer un tel cas, on compare le pseudo-potentiel et les calculs de tous les electrons de la structure electronique et de l'energie structurale du volume de BaSe
Health Effects from Chronic Low-Level Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide

Abstract The acute toxic effects of hydrogen sulfide have been known for decades. However, studies investigating the adverse health effects from chronic, low-level exposure to this chemical are limited. In this study, the authors compared symptoms of adverse health effects, reported by residents of two communities exposed mainly to chronic, low-levels of industrial sources of hydrogen sulfide, to health effects reported by residents in three reference communities in which there were no known industrial sources of hydrogen sulfide. Trained interviewers used a specially created, menu-driven computer questionnaire to conduct a multi-symptom health survey. The data-collection process and questions were essentially the same in the reference and exposed communities. The two exposed communities responded very similarly to questions about the major categories. When the authors compared responses of the exposed communities with those of the reference communities, 9 of the 12 symptom categories had iterated odds ratios greater than 3.0. The symptoms related to the central nervous system had the highest iterated odds ratio (i.e., 12.7; 95% confidence interval = 7.59, 22.09), followed by the respiratory category (odds ratio = 11.92; 95% confidence interval = 6.03, 25.72), and the blood category (odds ratio = 8.07; 95% confidence interval = 3.64, 21.18). Within the broader health categories, individual symptoms were also elevated significantly. This study, like all community-based studies, had several inherent limitations. Limitations, and the procedures the authors used to minimize their effects on the study outcomes, are discussed. The results of this study emphasize the need for further studies on the adverse health effects related to long-term, chronic exposure to hydrogen sulfide.
Outcomes of ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation in the United States

Background. ABO incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation is an important modality to facilitate living donor transplant for incompatible pairs. To date, reports of the outcomes from this practice in the United States have been limited to single-center studies. Methods. Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we identified 738 patients who underwent live-donor ABOi kidney transplantation between January 1, 1995, and March 31, 2010. These were compared with matched controls that underwent ABO compatible live-donor kidney transplantation. Subgroup analyses among ABOi recipients were performed according to donor blood type, recipient blood type, and transplant center ABOi volume. Results. When compared with ABO compatible-matched controls, long-term patient survival of ABOi recipients was not significantly different between the cohorts (P=0.2). However, graft loss was significantly higher, particularly in the first 14 days posttransplant (subhazard ratio, 2.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.43–3.84; P=0.001), with little to no difference beyond day 14 (subhazard ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–1.54; P=0.058). In subgroup analyses among ABOi recipients, no differences in survival were seen by donor blood type, recipient blood type, or transplant center ABOi volume. Conclusions. These results support the use and dissemination of ABOi transplantation when a compatible live donor is not available, but caution that the highest period of risk is immediately posttransplant.
Serum IgG and IgA Anti‐gliadin Antibodies as Markers of Mucosal Damage in Children with Suspected Celiac Disease upon Gluten Challenge

Serum anti-gliadin antibodies (AGAs) of the IgG and IgA isotypes were determined in 17 children (mean age of 5.6 years) by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All children were suspected of celiac disease. They had been on dietary treatment for at least 10 months before they were challenged with gluten. Based on jejunal biopsy findings, 10 of the 17 children had to be considered positive. The sensitivity of the measurement of AGA at 6 weeks after gluten challenge was found to be 90% for IgG, 100% for IgA, and 100% for IgG/IgA combined. The specificity for IgG, IgA, and the IgG/IgA combination was 100, 71, and 100%, respectively. Twelve weeks after gluten challenge, the sensitivity as well as the specificity of AGA determination for IgG, IgA, and IgG/IgA were 100%. It is concluded that testing both IgG AGA and IgA AGA in children suspected of celiac disease is valuable in monitoring the course of the diagnostic provocation protocol and that jejunal biopsies can be abolished. This inexpensive tool can be useful in reducing the number of intestinal biopsies.
Metabolic fate of glutathione conjugate of benzo[a]pyrene-(7R,8S)-diol (9S,10R)-epoxide in human liver.

Benzo[a]pyrene-(7R,8S)-diol (9S,10R)-epoxide [(+)-anti-BPDE] is believed to be the activated form of the widely spread environmental pollutant benzo[a]pyrene. Glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST)-catalyzed conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDE with GSH is an important mechanism in its cellular detoxification. Here, we report that the GSH conjugate of (+)-anti-BPDE [(-)-anti-BPD-SG] is a potent inhibitor (K(i) 15 microM) of class Mu human GST isoenzyme, which, among human liver GSTs, is a highly efficient detoxifier of (+)-anti-BPDE. Thus, the inhibition of GST activity by (-)-anti-BPD-SG may hinder GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDE, unless the conjugate is metabolized and/or eliminated. The results of the present study show that gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) can metabolize (-)-anti-BPD-SG at a rate of about 0.29 nmol/min/mg protein. Our studies also show that (-)-anti-BPD-SG is transported across the human canalicular liver plasma membrane (cLPM) in an ATP-dependent manner at a rate of about 0.33 nmol/min/mg protein. The ATP-dependent transport of (-)-anti-[(3)H]BPD-SG across human cLPM follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics (K(m) 84 microM; V(max) 0.33 nmol/min/mg). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that both gamma-GT-mediated metabolism and ATP-dependent canalicular transport may be important steps in overall detoxification of (+)-anti-BPDE in the human liver.
Topiramate use in pregnancy and the birth prevalence of oral clefts

First marketed in the USA in 1996, topiramate (TPM) is an antiepileptic drug later approved for migraine prophylaxis, and in 2012 for weight loss in combination with phentermine. Some studies indicate an elevated prevalence of oral cleft (OC) in infants exposed to TPM in utero. We evaluated the association between TPM use in early pregnancy and the risk of OC.
Understanding the psychosocial aspects of HIV / AIDS prevention for northern Thai single adolescent migratory women workers.

This study describes formative research about sex, sexuality, and sexual relationships of northern Thai single female migratory laborers. Methodologies included focus group discussions, observation, and in-depth individual interviews. Findings revealed that these women were sexually active, although the actual number of girls who were or had been sexually active could not be determined. It was also found that serial partners were much common than multiple partner relationships. And that these young women did not practice safe sex which can be considered as a potential social consequences of negotiating safe sex often outweigh health consequences. Furthermore, respondents reported that condoms were "men's business" and that there are irreconcilable social costs if a single woman talks about condoms or AIDS. From these findings, it is suggested that these young women and girls, regardless of their occupation or marital status or age, need HIV/AIDS education. Condoms need to be brought out of the disease spectrum and into the family planning and contraceptive spectrum. Educational interventions and material should address young people's emotional and relational needs including their desire to be modern and acceptable to peers.
Modeling Coil-Pole Debonding in ${\rm Nb_{3}Sn}$ Superconducting Magnets for Particle Accelerators

Superconducting magnets often experience premature quenches, requiring a training phase to reach the desired current. Mechanical disturbances are considered the main causes of such a behavior. A prestress is applied in order to limit these disturbances, compressing the coil against the winding pole. Measurements show that the prestress is continuously reduced by the electromagnetic forces. In some cases, a further increase of the current does not produce any variation on the measured stress. This is considered a sign that no further prestress is available, and was intuitively associated in the past to the detachment of the coil from the pole. This paper attempts to study this phenomenon, reproducing the stresses measured during training by means of a numerical model. Cohesive elements were used to simulate the detachment at the pole/coil interface. Numerical results were compared with the experimental data from the recent test of MQXFS1, the first short model of the triplet quadrupole for the Large Hadron Collider Hi-Luminosity upgrade.
Modified open-door laminoplasty for treatment of neurological deficits in younger patients with congenital spinal stenosis: analysis of clinical and radiographic data.

OBJECT Multilevel anterior cervical decompressive surgery and fusion effectively treats cervical myeloradiculopathy that is caused by severe cervical spinal stenosis, but degenerative changes at adjacent vertebral levels frequently result in long-term morbidity. The authors performed a modified open-door laminoplasty procedure in which allograft bone and titanium miniplates were used to treat cervical myeloradiculopathy in younger patients with congenital canal stenosis while maintaining functional cervical motion segments. Pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging and/or computerized tomography myelography were performed to assess changes in cervical spinal canal dimensions. Pre- and postoperative flexion-extension radiographs were compared to determine the residual motion of the targeted operative segments. METHODS Twenty younger patients (average age 37.7 years) underwent modified open-door laminoplasty for treatment of myelopathy or myeloradiculopathy related to significant cervical spinal stenosis with or without associated central or lateral disc herniation or foraminal stenosis. These surgeries were performed during a 2-year period and follow-up review remains ongoing (average follow-up period 21.6 months). Reconstructive procedures were performed on an average of 4.1 levels (range three-six). Operative time averaged 186 minutes (range 93-229 minutes). Average blood loss was 305 ml (range 100-650 ml). No cases were complicated by neurological deterioration, infection, wound breakdown, graft displacement, or hardware failure. The patients' Nurick Scale grade improved from a preoperative average of 1.8 to a postoperative average of 0.5. Pre- and postoperative sagittal spinal diameter averaged 11.2 mm (8-14 mm) and 16.6 mm (13-19 mm), respectively. The sagittal compression ratio (sagittal/lateral x 100%) increased from 48% pre- to 72% postoperatively. The spinal canal area increased an average of 55% (range 19-127%). In patients in whom pre- and postoperative flexion-extension radiographs were obtained, 72.7% residual neck motion was maintained. No patient developed increased neck or shoulder pain. Neurological symptoms improved in all patients, with total relief of myelopathy in 50% and partial improvement in 50%. CONCLUSIONS Modified open-door laminoplasty with allograft bone and titanium miniplates effectively treats neurological deficits in younger patients with congenital and spinal stenosis. Although long-term results are unknown, short-term results are good and there is a low incidence of complications.
Potential of point-contacting by localized dielectric breakdown technique for formation of rear point contact arrays in silicon solar cells

The Point-contacting by Localized Dielectric Breakdown technique is a potential pathway for the formation of point contact arrays at the rear surface of silicon solar cells at room temperature. An abrupt change in resistance of test structures occurs during an IV sweep when dielectric breakdown is induced exclusively at laser doped point contact regions. The distribution of the breakdown field has been found to be consistent with dielectric failure being the cause of the formation of contacts. Some of the promising results for contact resistivity and effective lifetime are presented, highlighting the potential for application in a high efficiency industrial solar cell.
Turning a Spermatogenic Wave into a Tsunami: Synchronizing Murine Spermatogenesis Using WIN 18,4461

ABSTRACT The BDADs (bis-[dichloroacetyl]-diamines) are compounds that can inhibit spermatogenesis via blocking the metabolism of vitamin A. We utilized one specific BDAD, WIN 18,446, to manipulate the endogenous production of retinoic acid (RA) in the testis to further investigate the action of this compound on mammalian sperm production. Transient treatment of adult male mice with WIN 18,446 blocked spermatogonial differentiation and induced significant changes in the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. WIN 18,446 treatment of neonatal mice also blocked spermatogonial differentiation and, followed by injection of RA, induced synchronous spermatogenesis in adulthood. The net result was pulsatile, rather than normal continuous, release of sperm from the seminiferous epithelium. This study describes a novel technique that can enrich for specific germ cell populations within the testis, representing a valuable new tool for studying spermatogenesis.
Calcium binding to the transmembrane domain of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase: Insights from molecular modeling

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ ATPase pumps Ca2+ ions from muscle cells to the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Here we use molecular dynamics and electrostatic modeling to investigate structural and dynamical features of key intermediates in the Ca2+ binding process of the protein. Structural models of the protein (containing either two, one, or no calcium ions in the transmembrane domain) are constructed based on the X‐ray structure by Toyoshima et al. ( Nature 2000;405:647–655 ). The protein is embedded in a water/octane bilayer, which mimics the water/membrane environment. Our calculations provide information on the hydration of the two Ca2+ ions, not emerging from the X‐ray structure. Furthermore, they indicate that uptake of the metal ions causes large structural rearrangements of the metal binding sites. In addition, they suggest that the two ions reach their binding sites via two specific pathways. Finally, they allow identification of residues in the outer mouth of the protein that might interact with the Ca2+ ions during the binding process. Proteins 2003;50:104–113. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.