Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Task Structure of Bimanual Training Post Stroke: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background: Bimanual training has been shown to be as effective as, but not superior to, unimanual paretic upper extremity (UE) training interventions in improving paretic UE function and use post stroke. However, it is still unclear whether different training interventions or task structures within bimanual interventions may differentially affect the outcomes. Objective: The objectives of this review were to (1) systematically determine the efficacy of bimanual training in relation to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model components and (2) explore the structure of current bimanual training interventions. Method: A systematic review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eleven studies were accepted for review. Results: Three main types of bimanual training emerged: functional task training (FTT), bilateral training with rhythmic auditory cues (BATRAC), and robot-assisted training (RAT). Bimanual training is generally efficacious overall in improving paretic UE movement in individuals with subacute and/or chronic stroke as compared with other interventions. FTT, BATRAC, and RAT showed no significant differences compared with conventional therapy. Bimanual training may have greater proximal control benefits but fewer benefits in terms of subjects’ perceived amount and quality of use as compared with constraint-induced movement therapy. Conclusion: There were not enough data to draw any conclusions about the effects of bimanual task symmetry or commonality of goal.
Sentinel Lymphadenectomy for Circumscribed Cutaneous T‐Cell Lymphoma

BACKGROUND Sentinel lymphadenectomy has been associated with fewer complications in evaluating regional lymph nodes from melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma. It may also be employed in other malignancies such as localized cutaneous lymphoma. This is the first report demonstrating sentinel lymphadenectomy may be useful on primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess the efficacy of sentinel lymphadenectomy on primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. METHODS Sentinel lymphadenectomy was performed on a patient with a localized CD30+ primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. After preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, sentinel lymph node was identified by the gamma probe, excised totally, and sent for histopathologic examination. RESULTS Sentinel lymphadenectomy was negative for tumor metastasis to sentinel lymph node. Total excision was performed without systemic chemotherapy or immunotherapy. This patient remained tumor-free 36 months after operation. CONCLUSION Sentinel lymphadenectomy on patients with circumscribed restricted primary cutaneous lymphoma may be beneficial for staging and prognostication of the disease.
Participation of TNF‐α in Inhibitory Effects of Adipocytes on Osteoblast Differentiation

Mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow (BM‐MSCs) and adipose tissue (AT‐MSCs) are attractive tools for cell‐based therapies to repair bone tissue. In this study, we investigated the osteogenic and adipogenic potential of BM‐MSCs and AT‐MSCs as well as the effect of crosstalk between osteoblasts and adipocytes on cell phenotype expression. Rat BM‐MSCs and AT‐MSCs were cultured either in growth, osteogenic, or adipogenic medium to evaluate osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation. Additionally, osteoblasts and adipocytes were indirectly co‐cultured to investigate the effect of adipocytes on osteoblast differentiation and vice versa. BM‐MSCs and AT‐MSCs exhibit osteogenic and adipogenic potential under non‐differentiation‐inducing conditions. When exposed to osteogenic medium, BM‐MSCs exhibited higher expression of bone markers compared with AT‐MSCs. Conversely, under adipogenic conditions, AT‐MSCs displayed higher expression of adipose tissue markers compared with BM‐MSCs. The presence of adipocytes as indirect co‐culture repressed the expression of the osteoblast phenotype, whereas osteoblasts did not exert remarkable effect on adipocytes. The inhibitory effect of adipocytes on osteoblasts was due to the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) in culture medium by adipocytes. Indeed, the addition of exogenous TNF‐α in culture medium repressed the differentiation of BM‐MSCs into osteoblasts mimicking the indirect co‐culture effect. In conclusion, our study showed that BM‐MSCs are more osteogenic while AT‐MSCs are more adipogenic. Additionally, we demonstrated the key role of TNF‐α secreted by adipocytes on the inhibition of osteoblast differentiation. Thus, we postulate that the higher osteogenic potential of BM‐MSCs makes them the first choice for inducing bone repair in cell‐based therapies. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 204–214, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Factors related to depression during pregnancy: are there gender differences?

Objective: To determine gender differences between women and their partners in the effect of psychosocial and personal factors on depression during the third trimester of pregnancy. Method: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 687 women and their partners (n = 669) attending the prenatal programme of Valencia province (Spain). Data collection was carried out by means of a self-reported questionnaire. The outcome variable was depression during the third trimester of pregnancy measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Predictor variables were psychosocial (marital dissatisfaction, confidant and affective social support) and personal (previous history of depression, partner depression and unplanned pregnancy) variables. The adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated by fitting a logistic regression model. Results: The prevalence of pregnancy depression was higher among women (10.3%) than men (6.5%). In both sexes, the probability of depression during pregnancy was higher in those with marital dissatisfaction (aOR 3.05, 95% CI 1.59 to 5.82 for women and 3.14, 95% CI 1.24 to 7.99 for men) and among those whose with a previous history of depression (aOR 2.18, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.89 for women and 5.22, 95% CI 2.05 to 13.34 for men). Unplanned pregnancy did not increase the risk of pregnancy depression either in women or men. Gender differences were found on the impact of social support and partner’s depression. Whereas among men low affective social support and partner depression were associated with a higher probability of reporting depression, none of these variables were related to women’s depression. Conclusion: Most predictor factors of depression during pregnancy are similar for both sexes but a gender-different impact of social support and partner depression on pregnancy depression was appreciated. Health professionals should be aware of potentially vulnerable groups for early diagnosis of pregnancy depression and to provide effective interventions.
Taming chaotic dynamics with weak periodic perturbations.

The possibility of eliminating chaos in a dynamical system or of decreasing the leading Liapunov exponent by applying a weak periodic external forcing to the system is demonstrated through the example of a periodically driven pendulum. The applications of the external forcing also results in other striking changes in the dynamics such as a stabilization of narrow subharmonic steps and the achievement of very low winding numbers.
ERYTHROCYTE VOLUME IS A POOR PREDICTOR OF COBALAMIN AND FOLATE DEFICIENCY IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS

1. Alexopoulos GS, Jeste DV, Chung H et al. The expert consensus guideline series. Treatment of dementia and its behavioral disturbances. Introduction: methods, commentary, and summary. Postgrad Med 2005;(Spec No: 6–22). 2. Schneider LS, Tariot PN, Lyketsos CG et al. National Institute of Mental Health Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE): Alzheimer disease trial methodology. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2001;9: 346–360. 3. Cummings JL, McRae T, Zhang R. Donepezil-Sertraline Study Group. Effects of donepezil on neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with dementia and severe behavioral disorders. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2006;14:605–612. 4. Tariot PN, Cummings JL, Katz IR et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of donepezil in patients with Alzheimer’s disease in the nursing home setting. J Am Geriatr Soc 2001;491: 1590–1599.
A global carbon assimilation system based on a dual optimization method

Abstract. Ecological models are effective tools for simulating the distribution of global carbon sources and sinks. However, these models often suffer from substantial biases due to inaccurate simulations of complex ecological processes. We introduce a set of scaling factors (parameters) to an ecological model on the basis of plant functional type (PFT) and latitudes. A global carbon assimilation system (GCAS-DOM) is developed by employing a dual optimization method (DOM) to invert the time-dependent ecological model parameter state and the net carbon flux state simultaneously. We use GCAS-DOM to estimate the global distribution of the CO2 flux on 1° × 1° grid cells for the period from 2001 to 2007. Results show that land and ocean absorb −3.63 ± 0.50 and −1.82 ± 0.16 Pg C yr−1, respectively. North America, Europe and China contribute −0.98 ± 0.15, −0.42 ± 0.08 and −0.20 ± 0.29 Pg C yr−1, respectively. The uncertainties in the flux after optimization by GCAS-DOM have been remarkably reduced by more than 60%. Through parameter optimization, GCAS-DOM can provide improved estimates of the carbon flux for each PFT. Coniferous forest (−0.97 ± 0.27 Pg C yr−1) is the largest contributor to the global carbon sink. Fluxes of once-dominant deciduous forest generated by the Boreal Ecosystems Productivity Simulator (BEPS) are reduced to −0.78 ± 0.23 Pg C yr−1, the third largest carbon sink.
GATATA AGGTAGC TTAGATAGCA ATAGATATAA TATAAA TTTAAA TGATATA TAGAAAGC GGAAACC ATATATC TTATATATCA ATATATATAA ATATAT TATAT ATA ATATATACTAAA ATAATAT TAATAT TATTAT TTGACATAGAA TTAGATATAT GATATAT TAAAA ATAGATATAT TTATAT TGATAT TAGAGATC ATAGATATCA GATATAA GTTTATA TATAA ATATATATA GGACAC GTAAAC TAAAT AAAAT TT

The problem of determining the minimum cost hypothetical ancestral sequences for a given cladogram is known to be NPcomplete (Wang and Jiang, 1994). Traditionally, point estimations of hypothetical ancestral sequences have been used to gain heuristic, upper bounds on cladogram cost. These include procedures with such diverse approaches as non-additive optimization of multiple sequence alignment, direct optimization (Wheeler, 1996), and fixed-state character optimization (Wheeler, 1999). A method is proposed here which, by extending fixed-state character optimization, replaces the estimation process with a search. This form of optimization examines a diversity of potential state solutions for cost-efficient hypothetical ancestral sequences and can result in greatly more parsimonious cladograms. Additionally, such an approach can be applied to other NP-complete phylogenetic optimization problems such as genomic break-point analysis. 2003 The Willi Hennig Society. Published by Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
SVD aided eigenvector decomposition to compute PCA and it's application in image denoising

Principal Component analysis (PCA) is a powerful nonparametric tool in modern data analysis which is widely used in diverse fields from neuroscience to image processing. PCA can be calculated in two different ways: decomposition of eigenvectors and singular value decomposition (SVD). In this paper, we proposed a new method of PCA calculation using both SVD and decomposition of eigenvectors. We presented how the proposed method of calculation of PCA improve the performance of PCA in image denoising. We also showed that the proposed method produced better results than the state-of-the-art image denoising algorithms in terms of PSNR, SSIM and visual quality.
Lung nodule segmentation and detection in computed tomography

Computer Aided Detection (CAD) systems provide a second opinion to radiologists in detecting lung cancer by providing automated analysis of the scans. The proposed CAD system consists of five processing steps: image acquisition, preprocessing, lung segmentation, nodule detection and false positive reduction. First, 400 CT scans are downloaded from the Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC). Preprocessing is implemented using contrast stretching and enhancing. Lung segmentation and nodule detection stages are performed using a combination of region growing, thresholding and morphological operations. Each 3D structure is then subjected to tabular structure elimination to provide nodule candidates. In the false positive reduction stage, some of the basic nodule features are extracted from the training data to set thresholds for a simple rule-based classifier. The CAD achieved sensitivity of 77.77%, specificity of 69.5% and accuracy 70.53 % with an average 4.1 FPs/scan.
Development of a programme for the quantitative comparison of a pair of curves

Assessing the level of match between two curves is a recurring operation in most scientific fields, which should be performed as objectively as possible. In this research, a computer programme was developed to quantitatively compare two curves through various metrics. A series of options were implemented to appropriately preprocess the curves before being compared, with both the input and preprocessing operations managed through intuitive graphical user interfaces GUIs. The reliability of the objective scores computed by the programme was investigated by analysing the results obtained from the comparison of two pairs of curves against the subjective judgement of a group of experts. Also, as an example of application for the validation of a numerical model, an acceleration curve from a vehicular fullscale crash test was compared with the corresponding time history obtained from a finite element FE analysis. Both the comparison with the subjective expert evaluations and the validation case indicated this programme as a promising and useful tool for the objective comparison of curves.
Assessment of individual susceptibility to baseline DNA and cytogenetic damage in a healthy Turkish population: evaluation with lifestyle factors.

BACKGROUND Cytogenetic biomarkers are most frequently used well-established endpoints in human population studies with their sensitivity for measuring exposure to genotoxic agents. They have an important role as early predictors of cancer risk. Identification of individual genotypes of metabolic gene polymorphisms helps to understand the modulation of cancer susceptibility by environmental exposures, such as cigarette smoking and other lifestyle factors. AIM To evaluate individual susceptibility to chemicals, we determined individual DNA damage related to glutathione S-transferase (GST) genotypes (GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1) in a Turkish population. METHODS Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and DNA samples of 127 subjects were analyzed for the presence of DNA damage, using single-cell gel electrophoresis (the Comet assay), and for cytogenetic parameters (chromosomal aberrations [CAs], bleomycin-induced CA, and a cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay), and the polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism method, respectively. RESULTS Individuals carrying a GSTT1-null allele showed higher frequencies of CA and micronucleus (MN) (p=0.026, p=0.003, respectively), whereas the GSTM1-null and GSTP1 mutant genotypes did not show any differences in cytogenetic parameters. Our findings demonstrated that none of the lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol drinking, dietary habits, vitamin intake, and physical activity), except for vitamin intake (p=0.002), were significantly associated with the studied cytogenetic parameters. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the GSTT1 gene polymorphism may influence the baseline cytogenetic frequency in a healthy population.
Identification, Distribution, and Expression of Novel Genes in 10 Clinical Isolates of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

ABSTRACT We hypothesize that Haemophilus influenzae, as a species, possesses a much greater number of genes than that found in any single H. influenzae genome. This supragenome is distributed throughout naturally occurring infectious populations, and new strains arise through autocompetence and autotransformation systems. The effect is that H. influenzae populations can readily adapt to environmental stressors. The supragenome hypothesis predicts that significant differences exist between and among the genomes of individual infectious strains of nontypeable H.influenzae (NTHi). To test this prediction, we obtained 10 low-passage NTHi clinical isolates from the middle ear effusions of patients with chronic otitis media. DNA sequencing was performed with 771 clones chosen at random from a pooled genomic library. Homology searching demonstrated that ∼10% of these clones were novel compared to the H. influenzae Rd KW20 genome, and most of them did not match any DNA sequence in GenBank. Amino acid homology searches using hypothetical translations of the open reading frames revealed homologies to a variety of proteins, including bacterial virulence factors not previously identified in the NTHi isolates. The distribution and expression of 53 of these genes among the 10 strains were determined by PCR- and reverse transcription PCR-based analyses. These unique genes were nonuniformly distributed among the 10 isolates, and transcription of these genes in planktonic cultures was detected in 50% (177 of 352) of the occurrences. All of the novel sequences were transcribed in one or more of the NTHi isolates. Seventeen percent (9 of 53) of the novel genes were identified in all 10 NTHi strains, with each of the remaining 44 being present in only a subset of the strains. These genic distribution analyses were more effective as a strain discrimination tool than either multilocus sequence typing or 23S ribosomal gene typing methods.
Verbal and Nonverbal Impression Management Tactics in Behavior Description and Situational Interviews

This study investigated how structured interview formats, instructions to convey favorable impressions, and applicants' individual differences influenced the use and effectiveness of verbal and nonverbal impression management (IM). Results from 190 people who were screened for a training program demonstrated that interview format affected the kind of tactics used, which in turn positively influenced interviewer evaluations. Behavior description interviews triggered self-focused (and defensive) tactics, whereas situational interviews triggered other-focused tactics. Instructions to convey a desirable impression also enhanced the use of specific tactics (self-focused and other-focused verbal IM tactics) and moderated the effects of individual differences on IM use. IM instructions did not affect nonverbal IM tactics, indicating that nonverbal behavior might be less intentionally controllable in selection situations.
A cytogenetic register of trisomies in Scotland: results of the first 2 years (1989, 1990)

A population‐based register of all autosomal trisomies diagnosed in Scotland was established in 1989. Data were provided by all cytogenetic service laboratories, and included karyotype, date and place of outcome, indication for analysis, maternal age and place of residence. The Register includes all foetuses diagnosed prenatally and all cytogenetically‐confirmed live‐ and still‐births with autosomal trisomy, including partial, mosaic and familial cases. In the 2 years 1989‐90, 76 prenatal and 147 postnatal diagnoses were notified. For Down syndrome karyotypes the estimated rate, assuming no terminations and after adjusting for spontaneous foetal losses following diagnosis, was 1.23 per 1000 livebirths. This was almost identical to that expected by applying published maternal age‐specific rates to the maternal age distribution in Scotland, indicating a very high level of ascertainment. The adjusted rates for trisomies 13 and 18 were also close to expected values derived from published data. Prenatal screening was estimated to reduce the newborn incidence of trisomy 21 by about one quarter overall, and about one half in mothers over 35 years. For trisomy 18, the estimated overall reduction was also about one quarter. It is concluded that the Register provides a practical and cost‐effective means of monitoring the effects of prenatal screening, with near‐complete ascertainment. In the longer term it will provide a database for studies of the actiology of these conditions.
A Biologically Inspired Energy-Efficient Duty Cycle Design Method for Wireless Sensor Networks

The recent success of emerging wireless sensor networks technology has encouraged researchers to develop new energy-efficient duty cycle design algorithm in this field. The energy-efficient duty cycle design problem is a typical NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem. In this paper, we investigate an improved elite immune evolutionary algorithm (IEIEA) strategy to optimize energy-efficient duty cycle design scheme and monitored area jointly to enhance the network lifetimes. Simulation results show that the network lifetime of the proposed IEIEA method increased compared to the other two methods, which means that the proposed method improves the full coverage constraints.
Differential regulation of survival and growth in adult sympathetic neurons: an in vitro study of neurotrophin responsiveness.

The survival and growth of embryonic and postnatal sympathetic neurons is dependent on both NGF and NT3. While it has been established that adult sensory neurons survive independently of neurotrophins, the case is less clear for adult sympathetic neurons, where the studies of survival responses to neurotrophins have relied upon using long-term cultures of embryonic neurons. We have previously established a method to culture purified young (7 day) and adult (12 week) sympathetic neurons isolated from adult rat superior cervical ganglia (SCG) in order to examine their survival and growth responses to neurotrophins. We now show that by 12 weeks after birth virtually all neurons (90%) survive for 24 h in the absence of neurotrophins. Neuron survival is unaffected by treatment with anti-NGF antibodies (anti-NGF) or with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, K252a, confirming the lack of dependence on extrinsic neurotrophins. Duration of neuron survival in culture increases significantly between E19 and day 7 and week 12 posnatally, and is similarly unaffected by the presence of anti-NGF or K252a. Saturating concentrations of NGF and NT3 are equipotent in promoting neurite extension and branching. However, we find that NGF is more potent than NT3 in promoting neurite growth, irrespective of postnatal age. The growth-promoting effects of NGF and NT3 are almost entirely blocked by K252a, demonstrating that these effects are mediated via activation of Trk receptors, which therefore appear to remain crucial to plasticity of adult neurons. Our results indicate that maturing neurons acquire protection against cell death, induced in the absence of neurotrophin, while retaining their growth responsiveness to these factors.