Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Damage to the cingulum contributes to alzheimer's disease pathophysiology by deafferentation mechanism

This study investigates the differential contribution of gray matter (GM) atrophy and deafferentation through white matter (WM) damage in the clinical progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thirty‐one patients with probable AD, 23 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a‐MCI), and 14 healthy subjects underwent MRI scanning at 3T. Voxel‐based morphometry was used to assess regional GM atrophy in AD and a‐MCI patients. Diffusion tensor‐MRI tractography was used to reconstruct the cingulum bilaterally, and to quantify, voxel‐by‐voxel, its fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) (measures of microscopic WM integrity). Atrophy of the cinguli was also assessed by means of jacobian determinants (JD) of local transformations. In AD patients, four clusters of reduced GM were found nearby the cinguli, in the posterior (PCC) and anterior cingulate cortex, and in the hippocampal/parahippocampal areas. Widespread areas of reduced FA and increased MD were found in the cinguli of both, AD and a‐MCI patients. A region of macroscopic atrophy was detectable in AD patients only. Strong associations were found between local GM densities in the four identified clusters, and measures of micro‐ and (to a lesser extent) macroscopic damage of patients' cinguli. Linear regression analyses revealed that MD in the cinguli predicts patients' measures of episodic memory in combination with GM density of hippocampal/parahippocampal areas, and measures of global cognition in combination with GM density of the PCC. This study indicates that brain deafferentation though the cingulum is likely to play a remarkable role in progressive development of cognitive impairment in AD. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Threshold Prediction Using the Auditory Steady-State Response and the Tone Burst Auditory Brain Stem Response: A Within-Subject Comparison

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy with which auditory steady-state response (ASSR) and tone burst auditory brain stem response (ABR) thresholds predict behavioral thresholds, using a within-subjects design. Because the spectra of the stimuli used to evoke the ABR and the ASSR differ, it was hypothesized that the predictive accuracy also would differ, particularly in subjects with steeply sloping hearing losses. Design: ASSR and ABR thresholds were recorded in a group of 14 adults with normal hearing, 10 adults with flat, sensorineural hearing losses, and 10 adults with steeply sloping, high-frequency, sensorineural hearing losses. Evoked-potential thresholds were recorded at 1, 1.5, and 2 kHz and were compared with behavioral, pure-tone thresholds. The predictive accuracy of two ABR protocols was evaluated: Blackman-gated tone bursts and linear-gated tone bursts presented in a background of notched noise. Two ASSR stimulation protocols also were evaluated: 100% amplitude-modulated (AM) sinusoids and 100% AM plus 25% frequency-modulated (FM) sinusoids. Results: The results suggested there was no difference in the accuracy with which either ABR protocol predicted behavioral threshold, nor was there any difference in the predictive accuracy of the two ASSR protocols. On average, ABR thresholds were recorded 3 dB closer to behavioral threshold than ASSR thresholds. However, in the subjects with the most steeply sloping hearing losses, ABR thresholds were recorded as much as 25 dB below behavioral threshold, whereas ASSR thresholds were never recorded more than 5 dB below behavioral threshold, which may reflect more spread of excitation for the ABR than for the ASSR. In contrast, the ASSR overestimated behavioral threshold in two subjects with normal hearing, where the ABR provided a more accurate prediction of behavioral threshold. Conclusions: Both the ABR and the ASSR provided reasonably accurate predictions of behavioral threshold across the three subject groups. There was no evidence that the predictive accuracy of the ABR evoked using Blackman-gated tone bursts differed from the predictive accuracy observed when linear-gated tone bursts were presented in conjunction with notched noise. Similarly, there was no evidence that the predictive accuracy of the AM ASSR differed from the AM/FM ASSR. In general, ABR thresholds were recorded at levels closer to behavioral threshold than the ASSR. For certain individuals with steeply sloping hearing losses, the ASSR may be a more accurate predictor of behavioral thresholds; however, the ABR may be a more appropriate choice when predicting behavioral thresholds in a population where the incidence of normal hearing is expected to be high.
Riding the Waves: Revealing the Impact of Intrayear Category Demand Cycles on Advertising and Pricing Effectiveness

Going beyond traditional seasonality, this research introduces the concept of the intrayear category demand cycle. This phenomenon reflects demand cycles most consumer packaged goods categories experience throughout the year, with periods of higher demand following periods of lower demand. The author argues that acknowledging the existence of these cycles and understanding their impact on both advertising and pricing effectiveness and practice is critical for marketers. Specifically, the author demonstrates how both advertising and price elasticities and observed advertising and prices evolve along these cycles for a unique set of 252 brands—ranging from high-advertising, high-priced “premium mass” brands to low-advertising, low-priced “value niche” brands—in 61 consumer packaged goods categories. Overall, both advertising efectiveness and observed advertising are found to be stronger at demand peaks. Surprisingly, consumer reactions to price decreases are weaker at demand peaks, whereas reactions to price increases remain unchanged. However, effectiveness evolutions and observed action patterns along these intrayear cycles are both markedly diverse across the different types of brands.
Redesigning the principalship in Catholic schools

The purpose of this research was to determine how the role of the principal in the Catholic school could be redesigned so that more quality applicants are prepared to seek principalship and principals already in the role could be retained. The catalyst for this study derived from the shortage of suitable applicants for the position of principal, a problem that exists not only in Australia, but also in many Western countries. An exploratory mixed method design was chosen for the study with the data gathering divided into two phases. The first phase was the qualitative phase during which the data were gathered using focus group interviews and analysed using QSR N6. The second phase was the quantitative phase, where the data were collected using a survey constructed from the data gathered and analysed in the first phase. This research project asked the question, how can the principalship be redesigned to attract more quality applicants to the role and retain incumbents already in the role? The research revealed that, to answer the question a fundamental rethinking of the principalship is necessary and that such momentous change requires nothing less than a paradigm shift. The new paradigm would be based on sharing leadership rather than on an hierarchical approach. It would have structures that are flexible and customised to the local needs of the school and school community. Learning would be central and a work/life balance would be essential, for all principals. The new paradigm would also offer enough flexibility to encourage women to both take up, and remain in, principalship. The findings from this research led to the development of nine propositions, which, it is suggested, should inform and influence the new paradigm of principalship. Together with the recommendations, they provide a scaffold and a guide to action for redesigning the principalship.
CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM IN SWEDEN Incidence and Age at Diagnosis

ABSTRACT. A total number of 112 children with congenital hypothyroidism were diagnosed in all Children's Hospitals and Pediatric Wards in Sweden during the 7‐year period 1969–1975. Since it may be assumed that all cases of congenital hypothyroidism, which were diagnosed during that period were seen in one of these hospitals, the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism in Sweden can be calculated to be 1:6900 live births. In spite of an efficient National Health Care Program for Infants the diagnosis was delayed until after an age of three months in 52% of the cases. This fact supports the view that mass screening of newborns for congenital hypothyroidism has to be introduced in Sweden. However, the beneficial effects of such a program cannot be fully elucidated until it has been considered whether earlier instituted treatment would have improved the outcome of children in whom a diagnosis was made after 3 months of age.
Light exposure induces ubiquitin conjugation and degradation activities in the rat retina.

PURPOSE To evaluate the consequences of light exposure on retinal ubiquitin (Ub) conjugation and degradation. METHODS Two-month-old Long Evans pigmented rats were exposed to constant light (180 foot-candles) or were left in complete darkness for 18 hours. Rats used for cyclic light and diurnal rhythm experiments were removed from their light cycles at different times (24-hour clock): 0700 (before the light was turned on), 1000 (3 hours into the light cycle), 1000D (continued in the dark cycle), 1900 (before the light was turned off), 2200 (3 hours into the dark cycle), and 2200L (continued in the light cycle). The retinas were examined for Ub conjugation, adenosine triphosphate-Ub-dependent degradation, levels of Ub messenger RNA, and localization of Ub immunocytochemistry. RESULTS There was a statistically significant increase in Ub conjugation and degradation in retinas isolated from light-exposed animals compared with degradation in retinas of dark-adapted animals. However, no significant differences were observed in the levels of Ub messenger RNA from cyclic light, or light-exposed or dark-adapted retinas, suggesting that light-stress-induced changes do not reflect increased transcriptional activity. The daily variations observed in Ub conjugation and degradation suggest that these processes are probably the result of a circadian rhythm. Results of immunohistochemical studies revealed that Ub and its conjugates were uniformly distributed throughout the retinal cell layers in light- and dark-adapted retinas. However, in light-exposed retinas, a strong positive immunoreactivity was observed in the inner retina, specifically in horizontal and ganglion cells. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that light exposure may play a role in inducing Ub-conjugating activity in certain retinal cells. Furthermore, the results support the hypothesis that Ub is a stress protein that plays an important role in protecting cells under stress conditions.
Relationship between serum lipids and dietary and non-dietary factors in a Chinese population.

OBJECTIVES To describe the distribution of serum lipids and examine the relationship between serum lipids and dietary and non-dietary factors. DESIGN A randomised survey. SETTING The survey was carried out in Tianjin, China. SUBJECTS Altogether 680 subjects were screened. Forty-nine of those were excluded but 314 men and 317 women remained. INTERVENTION The serum lipids were measured by enzymatic methods. The diet was assessed by food weighing plus consecutive individual 3-day food records. RESULTS The mean cholesterol concentrations were 4.08 and 3.94 mmol/l in men and women respectively. The mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were 1.24 and 1.35 mmol/l, and the mean triglyceride levels were 1.48 and 1.20 mmol/l. The energy intake derived from fat was approximately 29% (6.9% from saturated fat) and the polyunsaturates:saturates ratio of the diet was 1.3 in both sexes. Multiple regression analyses showed that no association was discovered between serum lipids and dietary variables. Age and body mass index (BMI) were strong and independent predictors of serum lipids in both sexes. BMI was positively related to serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and inversely related to HDL-C. Education was a predictor only in men. Men with a higher education had more coronary heart disease risk factors than men with lower education attainment. CONCLUSION The Chinese have favourable serum lipid profiles and dietary fat pattern. No relationship was found between lipids and dietary variables, which warrants further studies because these relationships have not been investigated previously in any Chinese population.
Excitation Energy Transfer in Isolated Chlorosomes from Chlorobaculum tepidum and Prosthecochloris aestuarii

Excitation energy transfer in chlorosomes from photosynthetic green sulfur bacteria, Chlorobaculum (Cba.) tepidum and Prosthecochloris (Pst.) aestuarii, have been studied at room temperature by time‐resolved femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Bleach rise times from 117 to 270 fs resolved for both chlorosomes reflect extremely efficient intrachlorosomal energy transfer. Bleach relaxation times, from 1 to 3 ps and 25 to 35 ps, probed at 758 nm were tentatively assigned to intrachlorosomal energy transfer based on amplitude changes of the global fits and model calculations. The anisotropy decay constant of about 1 ps resolved at 807 nm probe wavelength for the chlorosomes from Chloroflexus aurantiacus, Pst. aestuarii and Cba. tepidum was related to energy transfer between bacteriochlorophyll a molecules of the baseplate and partly to intrachlorosomal energy transfer. The longer anisotropy components 6.6, 8.8 and 12.1 ps resolved for the three chlorosomes, respectively, were assigned to chlorosome to baseplate energy transfer. Global fits of magic‐angle data also revealed longer chlorosome to baseplate energy transfer components from 95 to 135 ps, in accord with results from simulations.
Pharmacological evaluation of 1229U91, a novel high-affinity and selective neuropeptide Y-Y1 receptor antagonist.

The physiological role of neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide YY (PYY) and their receptors (Y1 and Y2) has been difficult to elucidate mainly due to the lack of selective and high-affinity antagonists. Recently, Burroughs Wellcome disclosed a series of cyclic peptides, including the compound 1229U91, which were reported to be selective NPY receptor antagonists (PCT Publication No. WO 94/00486). The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacological properties of 1229U91. In radioligand binding studies, 1229U91 displaced specifically bound [125I]PYY from SK-N-MC cells (Y1 receptors) and SK-N-BE(2) cells (Y2 receptors) yielding pKi +/- S.E. M. estimates of 10.9 +/- 0.2 and 7.9 +/- 0.2, respectively. In the isolated perfused kidney of rat (Y1 receptor assay), NPY (10-1000 ng, bolus injection) evoked concentration-dependent increases in perfusion pressure (EC50 = 54.5 ng). In this assay, 1229U91 (1, 10 and 100 nM) produced concentration-dependent dextral displacement of the concentration-effect curve to NPY. The antagonism was surmountable at 1 nM 1229U91 (apparent pA2 estimate +/- S.E.M. = 9.3 +/- 0.4). At concentrations of 10 and 100 nM, 1229U91 produced significant depression of the maximum response to NPY (36 and 67%, respectively). In the vas deferens of rat (Y2 receptor assay), 1229U91 (3 microM) had no effect on NPY-induced inhibition of electrically evoked twitch response. In pithed rats, 1229U91 (0.3, 1 and 3 micrograms/kg/min i.v.) produced dose-dependent dextral displacement of the pressor dose-response curve to NPY yielding dose-ratio estimates of 2.4, 25.4 and 57.5, respectively. 1229U91 (3 micrograms/kg/min i.v.) had no effect on the pressor responses to norepinephrine or angiotensin II. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Live Fowlpox-Vectored Infectious Laryngotracheitis/Avian Encephalomyelitis Vaccine Against ILT Viral Challenge

Abstract Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is caused by an alphaherpesvirus, and latency can be produced by previous exposure to vaccine virus. The main sites of latency for the ILT virus have been shown to be the trigeminal ganglion and the trachea. Reactivation of latent virus is one factor related to the production of clinical signs. The development of a genetically engineered ILT vaccine has been suggested for many years as a tool to eliminate viral latency. Several approaches have been suggested. Included among them is the development of a thymidine kinase–deficient mutant or the insertion of ILT viral glycoproteins into a viral vector such as a poxvirus. A commercially available, live, fowlpox-vectored infectious laryngotracheitis + avian encephalomyelitis (FP-LT+AE) vaccine was used in field trials in leghorn pullet flocks and evaluated by tracheal challenge in a laboratory setting with the use of the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (Ames, IA) ILT challenge virus. Interference of the pigeon pox vaccine, which is often administered concurrently with fowlpox vaccine, was also evaluated when given in conjunction with the FP-LT+AE vaccine. Overall, the results indicate that the FP-LT+AE vaccine provides adequate protection against ILT viral challenge. Proper administration is essential. In one flock, inadequate protection was most likely a result of either poor vaccine administration or previous exposure to pox virus. In addition, the simultaneous administration of pigeon pox vaccine did not appear to interfere with protection against ILT viral challenge.
Low and very low birth weight in infants conceived with use of assisted reproductive technology.

BACKGROUND The increased risk of low birth weight associated with the use of assisted reproductive technology has been attributed largely to the higher rate of multiple gestations associated with such technology. It is uncertain, however, whether singleton infants conceived with the use of assisted reproductive technology may also have a higher risk of low birth weight than those who are conceived spontaneously. METHODS We used population-based data to compare the rates of low birth weight (less-than-or-equal 2500 g) and very low birth weight (<1500 g) among infants conceived with assisted reproductive technology with the rates in the general population. RESULTS We studied 42,463 infants who were born in 1996 and 1997 and conceived with assisted reproductive technology and used as a comparison group 3,389,098 infants born in the United States in 1997. Among singleton infants born at 37 weeks of gestation or later, those conceived with assisted reproductive technology had a risk of low birth weight that was 2.6 times that in the general population (95 percent confidence interval, 2.4 to 2.7). The use of assisted reproductive technology was associated with an increased rate of multiple gestations; however, its use was not associated with a further increase in the risk of low birth weight in multiple births. Among twins, the ratio of the rate of low birth weight after the use of assisted reproductive technology to the rate in the general population was 1.0 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.0 to 1.1). Infants conceived with assisted reproductive technology accounted for 0.6 percent of all infants born to mothers who were 20 years of age or older in 1997, but for 3.5 percent of low-birth-weight and 4.3 percent of very-low-birth-weight infants. CONCLUSIONS The use of assisted reproductive technology accounts for a disproportionate number of low-birth-weight and very-low-birth-weight infants in the United States, in part because of absolute increases in multiple gestations and in part because of higher rates of low birth weight among singleton infants conceived with this technology.
Inferential Pitfalls in Decoding Neural Representations

A key challenge for cognitive neuroscience is to decipher the representational schemes of the brain. A recent class of decoding algorithms for fMRI data, stimulus-feature-based encoding models, is becoming increasingly popular for inferring the dimensions of neural representational spaces from stimulus-feature spaces. We argue that such inferences are not always valid, because decoding can occur even if the neural representational space and the stimulus-feature space use different representational schemes. This can happen when there is a systematic mapping between them, as shown by two simulations. In one simulation, we successfully decoded the binary representation of numbers from their decimal features. Since binary and decimal number systems use different representations, we cannot conclude that the binary representation encodes decimal features. In the second simulation, we successfully decoded the HSV color representation from the RGB representation of colors, even though these color spaces have different geometries and their dimensions have different interpretations. Detailed analysis of the predicted colors showed systematic deviations from the ground truth despite the high decoding accuracy, indicating that decoding accuracy on its own is not sufficient for making representational inferences. The same argument applies to the decoding of neural patterns from stimulus-feature spaces and we urge caution in inferring the nature of the neural code from such methods. We discuss ways to overcome these inferential limitations.
Reliability of measurements of endurance time, electromyographic fatigue and recovery, and associations to activity limitations, in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

BACKGROUND Electromyographic (EMG) spectral parameters and endurance tests for back muscles have long been used to estimate low-back muscle fatigue. PURPOSE The present purpose was to evaluate the test-retest reliability of a fatigue-testing protocol and to investigate associations between activity limitations and fatigue in patients with lumbar disc herniation. METHODS To evaluate the reliability, endurance time, EMG spectral parameters and ratings of lumbar muscle fatigue and back pain were measured three times in 15 patients with lumbar disc herniation. The patients performed a modified Sørensen test with concurrent recordings of electromyography from the lumbar muscles at four recording sites. Ratings of their perceived fatigue and pain on a Borg scale were collected simultaneously. Recovery over five minutes was recorded. Questionnaires about activity, participation, self-efficacy and health were also used. RESULTS Endurance time had an ICC of 0.85 indicating good reliability. Initial, end and median frequency recovery had intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) over 0.6 that is acceptable but with large standard errors of measurement. The median frequency slopes for the four recording sites had ICCs of 0.19-0.48. Agreement coefficients for the Borg ratings ranged between 0.78 and 0.97. Moderate correlation was found between activity limitations and endurance time. CONCLUSIONS Endurance time measurement and Borg ratings may be recommended for evaluating intervention both with groups of patients, i.e. for research purposes, and for individuals. The median frequency parameters may be recommended for groups only. The study shows the importance of establishing the reliability of the patient category if the results are to be used to evaluate intervention.
The European experience

This mini‐review on European experiences with tackling the problem of organ shortage for transplantation was based on a literature review of predominantly European publications dealing with the issue of organ donation from deceased donors. The authors tried to identify the most significant factors that have demonstrated to impact on donation rates from deceased donors and subsequent transplant successes. These factors include legislative measures (national laws and European Directives), optimization of the donation process, use of expanded criteria donors, innovative preservation and surgical techniques, organizational efforts, and improved allocation algorithms.