Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lesion-induced plasticity in the second somatosensory cortex of adult macaques.

We have reported that elimination of the representation of any body part in the primary (i.e., postcentral) somatosensory cortex of the adult macaque selectively eliminates the representation of that same body part in the second somatosensory area SII. We now report that, although removal of the entire postcentral hand representation does indeed leave the SII hand representation unresponsive to somatic stimulation initially, 6-8 weeks later this cortex is no longer silent. Instead, most or all of the region that had been vacated by the hand representation is now found to be occupied by an expanded foot representation. This massive somatotopic reorganization, involving more than half the areal extent of SII, exceeds that previously observed in the postcentral cortex after peripheral nerve damage and may reflect a greater capacity for reorganizational changes in higher order than in primary sensory cortical areas.
An Endotoxin‐lnduced Factor Distinct From lnterleukin‐1 and Tumour Necrosis Factor α Produced by the THP‐1 Human Macrophage Line Stimulates Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Infiltration In Vivo

Endotoxin and gram‐negative bacteria induce vigorous inflammatory reactions. Our previous work showed that rabbit macrophages (M⊘) incubated with endotoxin produce a 45,000 darton protein that recruited polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) into the skin of rabbits. This factor was separated from lnterleukin‐1 (IL‐1) but could not be unequivocally distinguished from rabbit tumour necrosis factor (TNFα). Here we have examined the human Mo cell line, THP‐1, for the production of an analogous protein. After exposure to phorbol diester the THP‐1 cells assumed the characteristic M⊘ phenotype and function. During 6 hours of culture with LPS these Mo released a factor(s) that caused PMNL recruitment into the skin of rabbits when injected intradermally, measured using 51Cr‐labelled blood leukocytes. This activity, referred to as PMNL recruiting activity (PRA), was heat labile, and its production was blocked by cycloheximide, suggesting that this is most likely a de novo synthesized protein. Sephadex‐G 100 and Superose‐12 FPLC chromatography indicated a molecular weight in the 45,000–65,000 dalton range. The active fractions were free of IL‐1 activity (< 0.2 U/ml), and Superose‐12 chromatography separated the peak of PRA, which eluted around 45,000 daltons, from TNFα eluting at 20,000 daltons. The peak PRA was not neutralized by antiserum to IL‐1α, IL‐1β TNFα, IL‐6, and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GMCSF), indicating that it was distinct immunologically from these cytokines. The major PRA did not induce migration of rabbit or human PMNLs in vitro in a Boyden chamber chemotaxis assay, although peaks of chemotactic activity and weak PMNL recruitment in vivo were detected in fractions eluting around 15,000 daltons and 800 daltons. The generation of PRA by a human Me cell line is analogous to that reported previously with rabbit Me. Here we extend these observations to a human Me system and confirm that this molecule is distinct from several other Me cytokines and Me chemotactic factors with inflammatory properties.
Particle-In-Cell observations of Brillouin scattering for laser interacting with magnetized overdense plasma

One dimensional Particle-in-cell simulations using OSIRIS-4.0 has been conducted to study the interaction of a laser electromagnetic pulse with an overdense magnetized plasma target. The external magnetic ﬁeld has been chosen to be directed along the laser propagation direction. This geometry supports the propagation of right (R) and left (L) circularly polarised electromagnetic waves in the plasma. The laser pulse is allowed to propagate inside the plasma when its frequency falls in the pass band of the dispersion curves of L and/or R waves. The strength of the applied external magnetic ﬁeld is chosen as a parameter to ensure that the laser frequency lies in the appropriate pass band. It is demonstrated that for all possible polarization of the incident laser, parametric process involving a scattered Electromagnetic wave and an electrostatic mode occur. The parametric process has been identiﬁed as that due to the Brillouin back scattering process.
Do cultural dimensions differentiate ERP acceptance? A study in the context of Saudi Arabia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of espoused national cultural values of individuals on user acceptance of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Such an influence is mediated by perceived user resistance, involvement and satisfaction with ERP. Education level, organisational size and ERP user level, on the other hand, are considered as moderating factors. Design/methodology/approach – Survey instruments were constructed for relevant variables with items mostly sourced from the literature. In total, 230 ERP users from various organisations in Saudi Arabia participated in the survey. The data were analysed using SPSS and AMOS statistical packages to test the hypotheses. Findings – The structural equation model did not show evidence for power distance and individualism influencing perceived user resistance and involvement with ERP, whereas uncertainty avoidance has a significant influence over perceived user involvement and user resistance with ERP. Perceived user involve.
Exploring the use of mobile phones for public participation in the Buffalo City metropolitan municipality

This study investigated the factors that influence the intention of citizens to use their mobile phones to increase their participation in local government. It examined whether gender and age can be used to moderate the effect of these factors. The research was conducted in Buffalo City, a municipality in South Africa. The research used a questionnaire survey to collect quantitative data and semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data. Data was collected from people aged between 18 and 55 who have no access to fixed-line Internet at home but are instead primarily accessing the Internet via their mobile phones. The study found that the acceptance of mobile phones as a means for public participation is largely a matter of designing mobile participation solutions that support and enhance the performance of citizens. Citizens are fairly accustomed to mobile technology, and this increases the likelihood that they would willingly adopt mobile participation solutions if they offer tangible gains when compared to current methods. Older citizens would require support in familiarizing with the new technology, while all citizens place the availability of reliable organizational and technical infrastructure as an important predictor of their intention to use. The influence of friends and family members was an important factor in citizens’ intention to use. Gender did not have any significant effects on the factors that affect intention to use. Age was a significant moderator with younger citizens requiring quick and convenient ways to interact with government while older people looked for more efficient ways of reaching government which should in turn lead to improved quality in services delivered.
The development of directives: how children ask and tell

ABSTRACT The ability to differentiate the directive senses of ask and tell was investigated using a production task in an experimental setting with children between the ages of 2; 6 and 6; 6. Results showed that the children at all ages distinguished the verbs along dimensions sensitive to adult ratings of politeness. There was a trend towards increased politeness with age under ask instructions, but not with tell instructions. Analyses of structural features of the directives produced showed that the interrogative form was more likely to be used with ask instructions, as was the word please, while tell instructions elicited the imperative, with less frequent use of please. The findings suggest that children before the age of 7; 0 are able to differentiate the illocutionary forces of utterances which have the same communicative intention.
Low-protein diet for diabetic nephropathy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials 1–3

Background: Alow-proteindiet(LPD)hasbeenproposedformany yearstodelaytheprogressionofdiabeticnephropathy.However,theefficacyofanLPDwithrespecttorenaloutcomeisdisputed. Objective: We aimed to determine the effect of an LPD on renal function in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetic renal diseases by using a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Design: Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria for our meta-analysis: a duration of (cid:1) 6 mo, use of a randomized control group, availability of outcome data for changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or creatinine clearance rate (CCR), and albuminuria or proteinuria in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetic nephropathy. Data were combined by means of a fixed-effects model. Weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated for the change in GFR or CCR, glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ), and serum albumin between the LPD and control groups. A random-effects model was also used to calculate the standardized mean difference for the change in urinary albumin excretion or proteinuria. Results: Overall, a change in WMD for GFR or CCR was not significantly associated with an LPD, but a decrease in WMD for HbA 1c was significant in the LPD group ( P (cid:2) 0.005). Although the benefit of LPD therapy on proteinuria was significant ( P (cid:2) 0.003), great heterogeneity was observed. In a subgroup analysis, LPD re-sulted in lower serum albumin concentrations. Conclusion: LPD was not associated with a significant improvement of renal function in patients with either types 1 or 2 diabetic nephropathy.
Stability of antimycobacterial drugs in susceptibility testing

Aqueous solutions of 0.02% isoniazid, 0.2% streptomycin, 0.2% para-aminosalicylate, and 0.5% ethambutol and ethylene glycol solutions of 0.5% ethionamide stored at 3 to 7 degrees C remained stable for 1 year, as did aqueous solutions of 0.05% ethionamide hydrochloride, 0.05% kanamycin, 0.05% viomycin, and 0.1% capreomycin stored at -20 degrees C. The ethambutol and capreomycin solutions were tested by microbiologic methods; the other solutions were tested by both spectrophotometric and microbiologic methods. Prepared susceptibility testing media made with cycloserine, rifampin, and the above solutions incorporated into Middlebrook 7H10 medium showed acceptable stability when stored at 3 to 7 degrees C for 1 month. During incubation of the test medium at 37 degrees C, approximately half of the activity of isoniazid, ethionamide, ethambutol, cycloserine, and rifampin was lost after periods ranging from 2 to 4 days for ethambutol to 2 weeks for rifampin.
Predicting the Bubble of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs): An Empirical Investigation

—Our study empirically predicts the bubble of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs): transferrable and unique digital assets on public blockchains. This subject is important because, despite their strong market growth in 2021, NFTs have not been studied in terms of bubble prediction. To achieve the purpose, we applied Logarithmic Periodic Power Law (LPPL) model to the time-series price data of major NFT projects, retrieved from nonfungible.com. Results implied that, as of December 20, 2021, (i) NFTs in general are in a small bubble (predicting price decline), (ii) Decentraland project is in a medium bubble (predicting price decline), and (iii) Ethereum Name Service and ArtBlocks projects are in a small negative bubble (predicting price increase). Future works are to refine the prediction by considering heterogeneity of NFTs, comparing other methods, and using more enriched data.
Disability and Psychosocial Outcomes in Old Age

Objective: This article explores psychosocial variables associated with illness and age-related losses during old age. Method: The study is cross-sectional and comprised 999 people aged 65 and older. The variables included health problems and limitations, self-perceptions of health, optimism, and quality of life. Results: In general, people aged 80+ years show high prevalence of health problems and disability, good self-perception of health, and quality of life. However, among the oldest age group, those in better health were more optimistic, but more problems meant lower self-perception of health, quality of life, and optimism. Discussion: This does not fully confirm the disability paradox (high disability and high optimism and self-perception of quality of life). The dual-process coping model helps to understand the results of our study: First is an attempt to avoid losses; afterward, people lower goals and standards to meet constraints and foster adaptation.
Intra-hospital dissemination of quinupristin/dalfopristin- and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in a paediatric ward of a German hospital.

OBJECTIVES To demonstrate nosocomial transmission of Enterococcus faecium resistant to quinupristin/dalfopristin and vancomycin/teicoplanin among paediatric patients in a German hospital ward. MATERIALS AND METHODS Multiply-resistant E. faecium were isolated from three female patients aged 9 months, 2 and 15 years during a 10 day time span. Antibiotic susceptibilities were determined by microbroth dilution. Clonal relatedness among the isolates was investigated via SmaI-macrorestriction analysis by PFGE, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and plasmid profiling. Presence of virulence and resistance determinants was tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Selected resistance genes were localized by Southern hybridizations. RESULTS A single E. faecium isolate per patient was investigated. All exhibited resistances to quinupristin/dalfopristin, vancomycin/teicoplanin, streptomycin (high-level), penicillin/ampicillin, erythromycin, oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol, rifampicin and fusidic acid. The isolates were susceptible to linezolid only and intermediately resistant to fluoroquinolones including moxifloxacin. PFGE revealed identical patterns for all three isolates. PCRs for virulence determinants hyaluronidase and enterococcal surface protein, esp, were negative, whereas PCR for the enterocin A gene was positive. MLST identified clonal type [8-5-1-1-1-1-1] belonging to a clonal subgroup C1 of hospital- and outbreak-related E. faecium. Southern hybridizations located several resistance genes (erm(B), vat(D), vanA) on a large plasmid, which was transferable in mating experiments with an E. faecium recipient. CONCLUSIONS These data show routes of dissemination of resistance to multiple antibiotics including streptogramins and glycopeptides in E. faecium via vertical and/or horizontal gene transfer. The isolates spread in the absence of a direct selective pressure, as none of the patients had received earlier streptogramin or glycopeptide therapy.
Genetic variations are associated with lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer patients

Regional lymph nodes (LNs) are believed to be a first‐line barrier against tumor metastasis. However, it remains unclear whether underlying genetic factors exist and affect LN metastasis risk. We therefore evaluated inherited risk variants using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in pathological T3 colorectal cancer patients in the absence or presence of LN metastasis.
On characteristic cones of discrete autonomous n D systems : theory and algorithm

In this paper, we provide a complete answer to the question of characteristic cones for a general discrete autonomous nD system described by partial difference equations with real constant coefficients. A characteristic cone is a special subset (having the structure of a cone) of the domain, here Zn, such that the knowledge of the trajectories on this set uniquely determines them over the whole domain. The study of characteristic sets is relevant in many system-theoretic aspects. This importance of characteristic sets stems from the fact that they help quantify the ‘information’ required to solve a system of partial difference equations. In spite of its importance, the issue of characteristic sets for multidimensional systems have not been explored in its full generality except for Valcher’s seminal work for the special case of 2D systems in 2000. This apparent lack of progress in the last fifteen years is perhaps due to inapplicability of a crucial intermediate result by Valcher to cases with n > 2. We illustrate this inapplicability of the above-mentioned result in Section 3 with the help of an example. We then provide an answer to this open problem of characterizing characteristic cones for general n by proving a necessary and sufficient condition for a cone to be a characteristic cone for a given system of partial difference equations. In the second ∗The authors are with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India. E-mail: {mousumi, debasattam}@ee.iitb. ac.in
Implementing and Evaluating SilverScreener: A Marketing Management Support System for Movie Exhibitors

Every Monday morning, PathA© Theaters in the Netherlands decides which movies in its cinemas to retain and which to replace. It must choose replacement movies from those available at that time. We implemented the SilverScreener model, a mathematical-programming system [Swami, Eliashberg, and Weinberg 1999] to help PathA© managers make those decisions for one six-screen theater and tested its performance against the performance of two unaided similar multiscreen cinemas. Using PathA©'s historical data, managerial judgment, and theater-specific factors, we developed an attendance-forecasting system. While a fully controlled experiment was not possible, the revenues at the theater using the Silver-Screener recommendations were higher than those at the two comparable theaters. Managerial attitudes towards the modeling system improved after implementation of SilverScreener.
Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is indicated for patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) when marked joint destruction is present and pain or deformity compromises function despite optimal medical therapy. Relief of pain, reduction of the deformity, and dramatic improvement in functional status and quality of life can be achieved in most patients. Functional impairment and deformity rather than pain are usually the primary indications for THA or TKA. When there is both hip and knee involvement, hip arthroplasty should probably be done first. Regional anesthetic appears to be the anesthetic of choice. Careful preoperative planning and the availability of custom and minisized components are essential. Small bone size, osteoporosis, and severe soft tissue disease make the surgery technically demanding. Skeletal immaturity may not contraindicate surgery if the patient is otherwise bedridden with progressive deformity. In the hip trochanteric osteotomy is often necessary for adequate exposure, with the possible exception being a patient with juvenile ankylosing spondylitis who is subject to heterotopic bone formation. Although complete capsulectomy and psoas tenotomy may be necessary to relieve a hip flexion contracture, a soft tissue release that produces leg lengthening may lead to nerve palsy. In the hip component loosening has been less common in patients with JRA than in other young patients who have undergone THA, but it is still the most frequent cause of failure. In the knee preoperative and postoperative serial casts can aid in the correction of severe flexion contracture. Secondary patellar pain has been the most common cause of late failure. Patellar resurfacing should probably be performed at the time of the original knee arthroplasty in all patients with JRA.
Five theorems on Gorenstein global dimensions

We expand on two existing characterizations of rings of Gorenstein (weak) global dimension zero and give two new characterizations of rings of finite Gorenstein (weak) global dimension. We also include the answer to a question of Y. ~Xiang on Gorenstein weak global dimension of group rings.
Ev-TTA: Test-Time Adaptation for Event-Based Object Recognition

We introduce Ev-TTA, a simple, effective test-time adaptation algorithm for event-based object recognition. While event cameras are proposed to provide measurements of scenes with fast motions or drastic illumination changes, many existing event-based recognition algorithms suffer from performance deterioration under extreme conditions due to significant domain shifts. Ev-TTA mitigates the severe domain gaps by fine-tuning the pre-trained classifiers during the test phase using loss functions inspired by the spatio-temporal characteristics of events. Since the event data is a temporal stream of measurements, our loss function enforces similar predictions for adjacent events to quickly adapt to the changed environment online. Also, we utilize the spatial correlations between two polarities of events to handle noise under extreme illumination, where different polarities of events exhibit distinctive noise distributions. Ev-TTA demonstrates a large amount of performance gain on a wide range of event-based object recognition tasks without extensive additional training. Our formulation can be successfully applied regardless of input representations and further extended into regression tasks. We expect Ev-TTA to provide the key technique to deploy event-based vision algorithms in challenging real-world applications where significant domain shift is inevitable.
[Retinal detachment in patients from Zaire: etiological, clinical aspects, surgical treatment].

Le decollement primitif est la 1ere cause des decollements, suivi par le traumatisme, l'aphaquie, la myopie, l'uveite et les degenerescences peripheriques retiniennes. Des resultats encourageants de l'ordre de 47% ont ete obtenus
Surgical versus natural menopause: cognitive issues

Objective: Women who undergo both natural and surgical menopause experience the loss of cyclic ovarian production of estrogen, but hormonal and demographic differences distinguish these two groups of women. Our objective was to review published evidence on whether the premature cessation of endogenous estrogen production in women who underwent a surgical menopause has deleterious consequences for cognitive aging and to determine whether consequences differ for women if they undergo natural menopause. Studies of estrogen-containing hormone therapy are relevant to this issue. Design: We reviewed evidence-based research, including the systematic identification of randomized clinical trials of hormone therapy with cognitive outcomes that included an objective measure of episodic memory. Results: As inferred from very small, short-term, randomized, controlled trials of high-dose estrogen treatment, surgical menopause may be accompanied by cognitive impairment that primarily affects verbal episodic memory. Observational evidence suggests that the natural menopausal transition is not accompanied by substantial changes in cognitive abilities. For initiation of hormone therapy during perimenopause or early postmenopause when the ovaries are intact, limited clinical trial data provide no consistent evidence of short-term benefit or harm. There is stronger clinical trial evidence that initiation of hormone therapy in late postmenopause does not benefit episodic memory or other cognitive skills. Conclusions: Further research is needed on the long-term cognitive consequences of surgical menopause and long-term cognitive consequences of hormone therapy initiated near the time of surgical or natural menopause. A potential short-term cognitive benefit might be weighed when a premenopausal woman considers initiation of estrogen therapy at the time of, or soon after, hysterectomy and oophorectomy for benign conditions, although data are still quite limited and estrogen is not approved for this indication. Older postmenopausal women should not initiate hormone therapy to improve or maintain cognitive skills.