Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can the Language-dominant Hemisphere Be Predicted by Brain Anatomy?

It has long been suspected that cortical interhemispheric asymmetries may underlie hemispheric language dominance (HLD). To test this hypothesis, we determined interhemispheric asymmetries using stereology and MRI of three cortical regions hypothesized to be related to HLD (Broca's area, planum temporale, and insula) in healthy adults in whom HLD was determined using functional transcranial Doppler sonography and functional MRI (15 left HLD, 10 right HLD). We observed no relationship between volume asymmetry of the gyral correlates of Broca's area or planum temporale and HLD. However, we observed a robust relationship between volume asymmetry of the insula and HLD (p = .008), which predicted unilateral HLD in 88% individuals (86.7% left HDL and 90% right HLD). There was also a subtle but significant positive correlation between the extent of HLD and insula volume asymmetry (p = .02), indicating that a larger insula predicted functional lateralization to the same hemispheric side for the majority of subjects. We found no visual evidence of basic anatomical markers of HLD other than that the termination of the right posterior sylvian fissure was more likely to be vertical than horizontal in right HLD subjects (p = .02). Predicting HLD by virtue of gross brain anatomy is complicated by interindividual variability in sulcal contours, and the possibility remains that morphological and cytoarchitectural organization of the classical language regions may underlie HLD when analyses are not constrained by the natural limits imposed by measurement of gyral volume. Although the anatomical correlates of HLD will most likely be found to include complex intra- and interhemispheric connections, there is the possibility that such connectivity may correlate with gray matter morphology. We suggest that the potential significance of insular morphology should be considered in future studies addressing the anatomical correlates of human language lateralization.
Normal Production Rate of Apolipoprotein B in LDL Receptor–Deficient Mice

The low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor is well known for its role in mediating the removal of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins from plasma. Results from in vitro studies in primary mouse hepatocytes suggest that the LDL receptor may also have a role in the regulation of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) production. We conducted in vivo experiments using LDLR −/−, LDLR +/−, and wild-type mice (LDLR indicates LDL receptor gene) in which the production rate of VLDL was measured after the injection of [35S]methionine and the lipase inhibitor Triton WR1339. Despite the fact that LDLR −/− mice had a 3.7-fold higher total cholesterol level and a 2.1-fold higher triglyceride level than those of the wild-type mice, there was no difference in the production rate of VLDL triglyceride or VLDL apoB between these groups of animals. Experiments were also conducted in apobec1 −/− mice, which make only apoB-100, the form of apoB that binds to the LDL receptor. Interestingly, the apobec1 −/− mice had a significantly higher production rate of apoB than did the wild-type mice. However, despite significant differences in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, there was no difference in the production rate of total or VLDL triglyceride or VLDL apoB between LDLR −/− and LDLR +/− mice on an apobec1 −/− background. These results indicate that the LDL receptor has no effect on the production rate of VLDL triglyceride or apoB in vivo in mice.
Are Patients Aware of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor–Associated Adverse Effects?

It is important for patients to understand the potential adverse effects (AEs) of their daily medications. Because associated adverse effects (ACEIs) may result in life-threatening angioedema, we sought to assess patients' level of awareness of ACEI AEs, determine if patients have an appropriate action plan in the event of an ACEI AE, determine if a brief educational intervention in the emergency department (ED) could improve knowledge about ACEI AEs. This was a prospective in-person survey conducted between August and December 2008 in a large urban academic ED. The survey instrument was used to collect data on demographics, recognition of ACEI AEs, and action plans. A follow-up survey to assess recall of AEs was done 7 days after ED discharge. Of 208 eligible patients, 113 enrolled: sixty-five (58%) were females, median age was 55 years [interquartile range (IQR) 47–64]. The majority of participants (69%) had a high-school diploma or less. On a 5-point Likert scale (5 = “very important”), the median reported level of overall concern for ACEI AEs was 5 (IQR 4–5). Twenty-seven (25%) of the participants reported being told that ACEIs have potential AEs at the time of the initial prescription. Correct identification of potential ACEI-associated AEs in the ED was variable with a median of 8 of 16 correctly answered questions (IQR 6–10). At follow-up, the median score was 9 (IQR 6–10). There was no association between educational level and number of correct AE responses (P = 0.10). Despite a high level of expressed concern regarding ACEI AEs, patients' knowledge of AEs was poor, and recall was minimally improved at follow-up. Most patients have a plan in the event of an AE.
Impact of family language and testing language on reading performance in a bilingual educational context

Educational and psychological tests differ in terms of content, format, scoring and the objectives and frameworks applied. However, one feature is common to all of them: the use of language. Language as a tool need not have a differential impact on assessment, and therefore, except in the assessment of verbal competence, the language level required for the test is assumed to be similar among students. This basic principle of linguistic homogeneity with regard to a command of the language may be violated in linguistic diversity contexts. In linguistic diversity contexts in which the language of instruction and the family language differ, it is important to correctly defi ne the testing language. In this respect, psycholinguistics refers to the need to draw a distinction between basic interpersonal language skills (BICS) and cognitive academic language profi ciency (CALP; Abedi, 2009; Cummins, 1981, 2000; Hakuta, Butler, & Witt, 2000). Acquiring the former does not entail gaining a simultaneous command of the language on an academic level. The validity of the assessment may be compromised if cognitive academic language profi ciency-related competences fail to attain the minimum level required to avoid any irrelevant variance (AERA, APA, & NCME, 1999). Studies conducted in the United States comparing the performance between students whose family language is English and immigrants for whom English is their second language (English Learning Students, ELS) have found problems in the assessment of the ESL students (Abedi, 2009, 2010; Abedi & Lord, 2001; Solano-Flores & Trumbull, 2003). While it is important to take students’ linguistic competence into account in linguistic diversity assessment contexts, it is Abstract Resumen
Applying theories of health behaviour and change to hearing health research: Time for a new approach

Abstract Objective: In recent years, there has been an increase in the application of behavioural models, such as social cognition models, to the promotion of hearing health. Despite this, there exists a well-developed body of literature that suggests such models may fail to consistently explain reliable amounts of variability in human behaviours. Design: This paper provides a summary of this research across selected models of health-related behaviour, outlining the current state of the evidence. Results: Recent work in the field of behaviour change is presented together with commentary on the design and reporting of behaviour change interventions. Conclusions: We propose that attempts to use unreliable models to explain and predict hearing health behaviours should now be replaced by work which integrates the latest in behaviour change science, such as the Behaviour Change Wheel and Theoretical Domains Framework.
Six deaths linked to concomitant use of buprenorphine and benzodiazepines.

AIMS Buprenorphine at high dosage became available in 1996 for substitution treatment in France. This drug is considered particularly safe and has become widely available in general medical practice. We investigated the possible implication of a buprenorphine-benzodiazepine association in six deaths of known abusers. DESIGN Full investigation of cause of death was conducted for six drug abusers. SETTING The deaths occurred in two regions of France (Auvergne and Lorraine). Assays were carried out by the Institut de Medecine Legale at Strasbourg, France, one of the few French laboratories equipped to assay buprenorphine. MEASUREMENT First, the blood and urine underwent triple exhaustive screening. Secondly, buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine were analysed in all the autopsy samples by HPLC/MS. FINDINGS Benzodiazepine-buprenorphine associations were found in every case; no other substances that could account for the death were found. The tissue concentrations were markedly higher than the blood levels. CONCLUSION If the number of deaths linked to such drug misuse proves high, it may be necessary to review how buprenorphine is dispensed.
REPRODUCTIVE ISOLATION AND INTROGRESSION BETWEEN NOTROPIS CORNUTUS AND NOTROPIS CHRYSOCEPHALUS (FAMILY CYPRINIDAE): COMPARISON OF MORPHOLOGY, ALLOZYMES, AND MITOCHONDRIAL DNA

Hybrid zones in fluvial fishes may be heterogeneous from drainage to drainage. The comparison of data from morphology, allozymes, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) indicates variability in the causes and degree of restriction of gene flow between Notropis cornutus and Notropis chrysocephalus. Allozyme marker loci show frequency‐dependent introgression; i.e., the rarer species, whichever it is at a particular locality, tends to exhibit a higher proportion of introgressed alleles. Unlike allozymes, introgression of mtDNA haplotypes varies geographically. In westward‐flowing Michigan drainages, N. cornutus mtDNA haplotypes are more common in F1 hybrids and backcrosses, independent of parental frequencies. In eastward‐flowing Michigan drainages, N. chrysocephalus mtDNA is more common in F1 hybrids and backcrosses; this pattern may be due to local ecological effects or frequency‐dependent introgression. Morphological data alone are not sufficient to distinguish all classes of hybrids. The lack of concordance of morphological, allozymic, and mtDNA introgression patterns implies operation of one or two factors: 1) geographically variable patterns of selection against different hybrid and backcross combinations or 2) genetic differences between Michigan populations inhabiting eastward‐ and westward‐flowing drainage systems accumulated during historical isolation.
Unemployment and international shadow economy: gender differences

ABSTRACT Adding to the body of research on cross-country determinants of the informal economy, this article studies how unemployment differences across gender drive the propensities to work in the informal sector. Results, accounting for possible simultaneity between unemployment and the shadow economy, show that unemployed males, rather than unemployed females, were more likely to operate underground. These findings about greater male propensities are generally robust to alternative considerations.
Confocal imaging of glial cells in the intact rat optic nerve

Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in the isolated intact mature rat optic nerve have been computer imaged in three dimensions by laser scanning confocal microscopy of single cells, dye‐filled with lysinated rhodamine dextran (LRD). Our results illustrate the first application of these techniques to an intact CNS white matter tract and provide comparative data for previous studies on neonatal rat optic nerve (Butt and Ransom: Glia 2:470–475,1989; Butt and Ransom: J Comp Neurol 338:141–158, 1993). The combined use of intracellular injection of LRD and confocal imaging significantly improves the resolution of glial cell structure, particularly that of mature astrocytes, for a number of reasons. (1) Single mature dye‐filled glia can be imaged, because LRD does not pass through gap junctions. (2) The entire process field of astrocytes can be visualized in a single two‐dimensional image. (3) Cell images can be rotated through 360° in all planes to provide a new perspective of glial cell structure in the intact tissue. (4) Reconstruction of optical sections, within a narrow focal plane, provides a high definition and resolution of the finer details of glial morphology. Using these techniques, three astrocyte subclasses were distinguished on morphological criteria. It is the conclusion of this study that the majority of these forms represent a single population of fibrous astrocytes which are well‐suited to perform the multiple functions attributed to astrocytes in the CNS. The morphology of mature myelin‐forming oligodendrocytes was also described. The results confirm that the structural characteristics of both astrocyte subtypes and oligodendrocytes described in younger rat optic nerves by Butt and Ransom (Glia 2:470–475,1989; J Comp Neurol 338:141–158, 1993) accurately reflect those of the mature glial population. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simultaneous stabilization for descriptor systems subject to actuator saturation

In this paper, the problem of simultaneous stabilization for r uncertain descriptor systems is investigated. The r uncertain closed-loop descriptor systems subject to actuator saturation are introduced and a sufficient condition for these systems to be simultaneously stabilized is derived. Meanwhile a design approach to the controller is designed via using linear matrix inequalities (LMIs).
Estimating glomerular filtration rate in kidney transplantation: is the new chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration equation any better?

BACKGROUND The new Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation was developed to address the systematic underestimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation in patients with a relatively well-preserved kidney function. The performance of the new equation for kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) is unknown. METHODS We used the plasma clearance of (99m)Tc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid to measure the GFR in a cohort of 207 stable KTRs and estimated the GFR with the new CKD-EPI equation. RESULTS The mean bias for the CKD-EPI equation of -4.5 mL x min(-1) x (1.73 m(2))(-1) was lower than that of the 4-variable MDRD Study equation; however, the 2 equations showed similar variation of individual biases around the mean or median bias, so that only modest improvement was seen in the overall percentage of GFR estimates within 30% of the measured GFR (84% vs 77% for the CKD-EPI vs MDRD Study equations, respectively). In the cohort with a GFR >60 mL x min(-1) x (1.73 m(2))(-1) (n = 98), the CKD-EPI bias was much less than that of the MDRD Study equation [-7.4 mL x min(-1) x (1.73 m(2))(-1) vs -14.3 mL x min(-1) x (1.73 m(2))(-1)], and an accuracy of + or - 30% was seen for 89% of GFR estimates, compared with 77% with the MDRD Study equation. The variation of the individual biases around the mean bias remained substantial [SD = 13.7 mL x min(-1) x (1.73 m(2))(-1)]. CONCLUSIONS The CKD-EPI equation shows improved estimation ability, and we recommend that it replace the MDRD Study equation as the currently preferred creatinine-based estimating equation for KTRs. The precision of GFR estimates obtained with the CKD-EPI equation remains suboptimal, however, and we recommend that research on other markers of GFR, such as cystatin C and beta-trace protein, be pursued.
Randomized controlled trial of mineral trioxide aggregate and formocresol for pulpotomy in primary molar teeth.

AIM To compare the outcome after 6 months of the application of formocresol (FC) or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) during pulpotomy in primary molar teeth. METHODOLOGY A maximum of 126 children (aged 5-9 years) with carious primary teeth that required pulpotomy were selected. Following randomization, a standard pulpotomy preparation was undertaken, and the coronal pulp removed and bleeding arrested. In the FC group, cotton balls, soaked in FC, were placed for 5 min, and then the pulp chamber was filled with Zonalin, a pulpotomy agent. In the MTA group, a 1-mm-thick paste of MTA was used as a pulpotomy agent. The crowns in both groups were restored with amalgam or glass ionomer. The teeth of 100 patients were evaluated and compared clinically and radiographically after 3 and 6 months. RESULTS No signs of clinical failure were observed at the 3- and 6-month follow-up appointments in either group. There were no significant differences in the radiographic findings of the teeth and surrounding tissue at the 3-month follow-up. However, at the 6-month follow-up, significantly more cases (P = 0.036) with root resorption were seen in the FC group; no cases of resorption occurred amongst the MTA cases. The surrounding tissue showed radiographic signs of post-treatment disease in four FC cases; none was seen in the MTA cases. CONCLUSION After 6 months, pulpotomy with MTA was associated with fewer cases of root resorption and post-treatment disease. MTA appears to be a reliable alternative material for pulpotomy in primary molar teeth.
Prolonged Preterm Rupture of Fetal Membranes, a Consequence of an Increased Maternal Anti-fetal T Cell Responsiveness

A fetus, although semi-allogeneic, is usually accepted by the maternal immune system. However, complications, including alloresponsive mechanisms, are thought to be potentially detrimental for a successful pregnancy. Therefore, we compared allogeneic T cell responses of nonpregnant women with the response of healthy pregnant women and pregnant women who have various gestation-associated diseases. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of all three groups were stimulated with PBMCs from unrelated volunteers. Pregnant women had significantly reduced stimulation indices (SIs) compared with nonpregnant women. Exposing PBMCs from pregnant women to PBMCs of their own fetus led to a further significant decrease of SIs. Among the two groups of pregnant individuals, SIs of women with prolonged preterm rupture of fetal membranes (PPROM) were significantly higher when the maternal PBMCs were stimulated with PBMCs of their own fetus. This phenomenon could not be observed after stimulation with PBMCs from unrelated volunteers. In addition, an increased humoral immune response was assessed for women with PPROM in comparison with women with uncontrollable preterm labor. Our results revealed a strongly reduced allogeneic T cell response of PBMCs from pregnant women that was further down-regulated when PBMCs from their own fetus were used as stimulators. By contrast, data from women with PPROM suggest an increased maternal T cell response specifically toward the fetal HLA antigens.
Differences between Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Teachers' Perceptions and Implementation of Cooperative Learning Strategies

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to find potential differences in perceptions toward cooperative learning implementation (expectancy of success, perceived value, and perceived cost) and current teaching practices among groups of teachers, using the Cooperative Learning Implementation Questionnaire (CLIQ) instrument developed by Abrami, Poulsen, and Chambers (1998). The participants were part of a convenience sample of elementary teachers, n = 60, middle school teachers, n = 44, and secondary teachers, n = 45 in seven central Ohio public school districts. The research utilized a MANOVA to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in mean CLIQ subscale scores, (a) overall CLIQ scores, (b) expectancy of success, (c) perceived value, (d) perceived cost, and (e) current teaching practices between three groups of teachers (elementary, middle, secondary). The results for the MANOVA indicated that elementary, middle, and secondary teachers have similar perceptions of cooperative learning and similar current teaching practices for cooperative learning F( 2, 148 )=1.62, p = . 10, η=. 05 and no difference was found among the groups. The researcher also provided additional discussion, implications, and suggestions for further research.
Comment: Effectiveness of public support for R&D and entrepreneurship

[eng] The papers by Dortet-Bernadet and Sicsic and by Redor in this issue examine respectively the success of R&D financial support programs in stimulating private R&D and the success of subsidized start-ups for the unemployed in creating long-lasting firms. Both papers focus on small French firms. Both programs are found to suffer from a deadweight loss. This comment discusses the results obtained and the policy conclusions that can be drawn from them. It is argued that the deadweight loss is in part unavoidable but that there are ways to limit it, for instance by using a policy mix of R&D tax incentives and subsidies, favoring tax incentives for small firms and subsidies for large firms. It is also recalled that a policy ought to be evaluated from various perspectives. Besides R&D additionality and firm survival a full cost benefit analysis would also consider R&D externalities, firm retention and decrease in unemployment.
In vitro susceptibility of the Streptococcus milleri group to antimicrobial peptides.

AIM To determine the susceptibility of strains of the Streptococcus milleri group (SMG) to commercially available antimicrobial peptides. METHODOLOGY Thirty strains of SMG from a range of sources were assessed for their susceptibility to 10 antimicrobial peptides of either human, animal or insect origin, using a double layer diffusion assay. RESULTS The majority of the test strains were sensitive to the amidated peptides, mastoparan (100%; n = 30), magainin 2 amide (95%; n = 21) and indolicin (91%; n = 23). Some strains were susceptible to cecropin B (30%; n = 30) and histatin (10%; n = 30), whilst no activity was observed for the defensins HNP-1 and HNP-2, histatin 8, cecropin P1 and magainin 2. CONCLUSIONS The majority of strains were resistant to the human derived peptides. The ability to resist such peptides may be a factor in the colonisation of the oral cavity and the survival and initiation of infection in the pulp and root canal environment. Interestingly, the present study indicated that amidated and alpha helical peptides exhibit antimicrobial activity against SMG. Structural modification of these peptides may allow a targeted approach for the development of these substances as preventative or therapeutic agents.