Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detecting Functional Connectivity During Audiovisual Integration with MEG: A Comparison of Connectivity Metrics

In typical magnetoencephalography and/or electroencephalography functional connectivity analysis, researchers select one of several methods that measure a relationship between regions to determine connectivity, such as coherence, power correlations, and others. However, it is largely unknown if some are more suited than others for various types of investigations. In this study, the authors investigate seven connectivity metrics to evaluate which, if any, are sensitive to audiovisual integration by contrasting connectivity when tracking an audiovisual object versus connectivity when tracking a visual object uncorrelated with the auditory stimulus. The authors are able to assess the metrics' performances at detecting audiovisual integration by investigating connectivity between auditory and visual areas. Critically, the authors perform their investigation on a whole-cortex all-to-all mapping, avoiding confounds introduced in seed selection. The authors find that amplitude-based connectivity measures in the beta band detect strong connections between visual and auditory areas during audiovisual integration, specifically between V4/V5 and auditory cortices in the right hemisphere. Conversely, phase-based connectivity measures in the beta band as well as phase and power measures in alpha, gamma, and theta do not show connectivity between audiovisual areas. The authors postulate that while beta power correlations detect audiovisual integration in the current experimental context, it may not always be the best measure to detect connectivity. Instead, it is likely that the brain utilizes a variety of mechanisms in neuronal communication that may produce differential types of temporal relationships.
Chloride‐bicarbonate exchange in human red cells measured using a stopped flow apparatus.

1. A new stopped‐flow apparatus has been used to measure the exchange of intracellular chloride and extracellular bicarbonate across the human erythrocyte membrane at 37 degrees C. 2. The concentration dependence of the activation of the anion exchange system by extracellular bicarbonate was consistent with the existence of a saturable membrane‐carrier. Analysis of the results assuming Michaelis‐‐Menten kinetics indicated a Vmax for chloride‐‐bicarbonate exchange of 73 . 4 +/‐ 14 . 4 mol. (3 x 10(13) cells.min)‐1 and Km for bicarbonate of 11 . 1 +/‐ 2 . 8 mM at 37 degrees C (pH 7 . 1). 3. Correction of the directly computed values of Vmax for incomplete saturation of the carrier by intracellular chloride and the inhibitory effects of intracellular bicarbonate and extracellular chloride gave a Vmax of 157 +/‐ 43 . 8 mol (3 x 10(13) cells.min)‐1 and a Km of 15 . 5 +/‐ 5 . 2 mM‐bicarbonate at 37 degrees C. 4. Comparison of Vmax obtained at 37 and 10 degrees C indicates that the activation energy for chloride‐‐bicarbonate exchange in this temperature range is 18 . 7 ‐‐19 . 6 kcal.mol‐1 depending on whether corrected or uncorrected values are used. 5. Extracellular furosemide inhibited chloride‐‐bicarbonate exchange with a KI of 0 . 12 microM assuming competition between furosemide and bicarbonate and 0 . 17 microM assuming non‐competitive inhibition. 6. Extracellular chloride also inhibited chloride‐‐bicarbonate exchange but the kinetics of inhibition were complex.
The spatial distribution of campylobacteriosis in New Zealand, 1997–2005

SUMMARY In New Zealand Campylobacter infection rates have increased steadily since 1980, reaching a peak in 2003 (396/100 000 population). Compared to other nations, disease rates are unfavourably high (e.g. Australia 117/100 000 population, UK 85/100 000 population, USA 13/100 000 population). This ecological study investigated spatial variations in Campylobacter infection rates across New Zealand's Territorial Local Authorities (TLAs, n=73) for the period 1997–2005. Applying multiple linear regression, we examined whether geographical factors such as socio-demographic characteristics, climate, land use, water and the food environment were associated with local differences in the occurrence of Campylobacter infection rates. The results suggested significant variations in campylobacteriosis across TLAs (average annual rates ranging from 97 to 526/100 000 population), with higher rates in the South Island. Disease rates were associated with lower socio-economic deprivation (P<0·01), the proportion of the population aged 25–44 years (P<0·01) and fresh food outlet density (P<0·76). The results underline the role of area-level characteristics in explaining the spatial distribution of campylobacteriosis in New Zealand. In particular, the findings draw attention to the relatively unexplored role of fresh food outlets as a potential risk factor for increased Campylobacter notifications.
Y586F mutation in murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase decreases fidelity of DNA synthesis in regions associated with adenine–thymine tracts

Using in vivo fidelity assays in which bacterial β-galactosidase or green fluorescent protein genes served as reporters of mutations, we have identified a murine leukemia virus (MLV) RNase H mutant (Y586F) that exhibited an increase in the retroviral mutation rate ≈5-fold in a single replication cycle. DNA-sequencing analysis indicated that the Y586F mutation increased the frequency of substitution mutations 17-fold within 18 nt of adenine–thymine tracts (AAAA, TTTT, or AATT), which are known to induce DNA bending. Sequence alignments indicate that MLV Y586 is equivalent to HIV-1 Y501, a component of the recently described RNase H primer grip domain, which contacts and positions the DNA primer strand near the RNase H active site. The results suggest that wild-type reverse transcriptase (RT) facilitates a specific conformation of the template–primer duplex at the polymerase active site that is important for accuracy of DNA synthesis; when an adenine–thymine tract is within 18 nt of the polymerase active site, the Y586F mutant RT cannot facilitate this specific template–primer conformation, leading to an increase in the frequency of substitution mutations. These findings indicate that the RNase H primer grip can affect the template–primer conformation at the polymerase active site and that the MLV Y586 residue and template–primer conformation are important determinants of RT fidelity.
Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TEMP) in invasion and proliferation

Tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are a family of natural inhibitors that control the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Four members of this family have been so far characterized in a variety of species. These inhibitors share a similar structural feature characterized by the presence of 12 cysteine residues involved in disulfide bonds and a similar function by their ability to form inhibitory complexes with MMPs. The role of TIMPs in cancer has been the subject of conflicting reports with an antitumor activity reported by some investigators and a growth stimulation activity reported by others. Here we will discuss a series of data obtained in our laboratory supporting a role of TIMPs not only as inhibitors of invasion but also as regulators of cell growth. Using placental development as an example of a regulated invasive process, we have observed that the levels of TIMP‐2 and TIMP‐3 steadily increase between day 14.5 and 17.5 post‐coitus. TIMPs are selectively expressed by spongiotrophoblastic cells that separate the labyrinthine zone, rich in fetal blood vessels and maternal blood sinuses, from the zone of giant cells forming the border between fetal and maternal tissues. TIMPs are also potent inhibitors of tumor growth in vivo. In melanoma cells, we have previously reported that over‐expression of TIMP‐2 inhibits the growth of tumors implanted in the skin of scid mice. This growth inhibition seems independent of angiogenesis but dependent on the collagen matrix. We observed that in the presence of fibrillar type I collagen, melanoma cells undergo a growth arrest at the G1 to S interphase transition of the cell cycle. This arrest is specific to the fibrillar structure of collagen because it is not observed in the presence of non‐fibrillar collagen or other ECM components. It is associated with a specific upregulation of the cyclin inhibitor p27KIPI. The data therefore indicate that anchorage independent cells remain sensitive to growth regulatory signals that originate from the ECM and that these signals can specifically block tumor cell cycle. Thus our concept of the role of protease inhibitors such as TIMPs in cancer has substantially changed from an initial focus on inhibition of tumor invasion and metastasis to a broader focus on being molecules that‐via their function as regulators of the ECM homeostasis‐can control tumor cell growth.
Touch-typing VDU operation: workstation adjustment, working posture and workers' perceptions

At a VDU workstation professional touch-typing operators worked at eight different combined adjustments of visual target height and chair backrest inclination. Working posture, workers' perceptions and work performance were measured. Two conclusions were drawn. First, in order to minimize the load on the musculoskeletal system for touch-typing VDU operators, the gaze inclination to a visual target (screen, document) should be 6–9° (range 0–15°) below the horizontal and, second, the gaze inclination recommended is independent of sitting posture (that is with the backrest between upright and 15° inclined backwards).
Emission tomography of flame radicals.

We describe a simple experimental arrangement for emission tomographic measurements of radicals in flames. Experimental determinations of two-dimensional spatially resolved distributions of excited-state CH in atmospheric-pressure flames are presented. Calibration of the distributions to absolute number densities is performed with a Rayleigh scattering technique. Methods for simultaneous recording of two to six emission projections and reconstruction from very few (two or three) projections are experimentally investigated. The potential of emission tomography with high temporal resolution for monitoring, e.g., explosions or turbulent flames, is discussed.
Necrotizing fasciitis: diagnostic and prognostic value of laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis score

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a potentially life threatening disease. Delayed recognition and surgical intervention is directly linked to increased mortality. Laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC) score, a laboratory oriented tool has potential to prevent morbidity and mortality but there exhibits a controversy regarding its utility which needs re-evaluation to prove it’s utility.Methods: A tertiary care hospital based observational study aims to evaluate diagnostic and prognostic value of LRINEC score. Patient above 18 years clinically diagnosed as SSTI and confirmed as NF histopathologically without co-morbidities were enrolled as subjects. Clinical evaluation and laboratory oriented LRINEC score were the study factors. Outcome factors were morbidity and mortality and histopathological confirmation of NF. Patients were analyzed as cellulitis and NF with identification of factors associated with NF; Univariate analysis with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and ROC plotting was done.Results: Total 166 patients were enrolled with mean age of 47.14±15.76 years and 2:1 is the male : female ratio and. A total of 117 patients were diagnosed as Cellulitis and 49 patients were NF. Clinically Discharge, fever and cuticular necrosis was statistically associated with NF (p<0.01). Mortality in NF was 22.4% and no mortality in Cellulitis. Mean LRINEC score in cellulitis and NF was 1.95±0.972 and 7.57±1.51 (p<0.01). Survival analysis graph and ROC showed LRINEC score of 6 as diagnostic and score ≥9 as poor prognostic indicator.Conclusions: LRINEC score is a useful diagnostic and prognostic tool in patients of NF.
What Is a Pandemic?

The terms endemic, outbreak, epidemic, and pandemic are often used to describe infections, although conditions such as hypertension, cancer, violence, or even positive, beneficial behaviors can also be described the same way. These categories are primarily based on how many cases of a condition there are compared with the expected number of cases over a given time and how far the cases have spread geographically.
Treatment of Altered Body Composition in HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy: Comparison of Rosiglitazone, Pravastatin, and Recombinant Human Growth Hormone

Abstract Purpose: Treatment options for HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome (HALS) remain limited. The objective of this randomized open-label study was to compare three emerging therapies, rosiglitazone, pravastatin, and growth hormone alone and together, in men and women with HALS. Method: Sixty-four subjects received daily rosiglitazone (4 mg, n = 14), pravastatin (40 mg, n = 11), or rosiglitazone plus pravastatin (n = 13) for 48 weeks or recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH; Serostim® 2 mg, 12 weeks, n = 13) alone or combined with rosiglitazone (n = 13). Primary endpoint was body composition change by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and computed tomography (CT). Results: Rosiglitazone resulted in slow accrual of limb fat detected by DXA (+444 ± 186 g; p < .05) but not CT. Pravastatin had no consistent significant effects on body composition, although it reduced total and LDL cholesterol. Negative interactions were observed between pravastatin and rosiglitazone. rhGH reduced abdominal fat by CT (−31 ± 15 cm2, 26%; p < .05) and DXA (−1597 ± 383 g, 27%; p < .05) and increased trunk and limb lean mass (+10% and +12%, respectively). However, effects largely disappeared within 12 weeks post treatment. rhGH alone impaired insulin sensitivity but not when combined with rosiglitazone. Conclusion: Prolonged rosiglitazone treatment slowly improves lipoatrophy. rhGH rapidly and selectively reduces visceral fat, although effects are short-lived; co-administered rosiglitazone abrogates rhGH-related insulin resistance.
Urinary eosinophil protein X in children: the relationship toasthma and atopy and normal values

Background: In epidemiologic studies, it may be difficult to identify children with bronchial asthma. Since this is the most common chronic respiratory disease in childhood, and its prevalence is still increasing, reliable methods for identification of asthmatic children are required. This study evaluates the use of urinary eosinophil protein X (U‐EPX) in epidemiologic studies in identifying atopic and asthmatic children.
Alternatively Expressed Genes Identified in the CD4+ T Cells of Allograft Rejection Mice

Allograft rejection is a leading cause for the failure of allotransplantation. CD4+ T cells play critical roles in this process. The identification of genes that alternatively expressed in CD4+ T cells during allograft rejection will provide critical information for studying the mechanism of allograft rejection, finding specific gene markers for monitoring, predicting allograft rejection, and opening new ways to regulate and prevent allograft rejection. Here, we established allograft and isograft transplantation models by adoptively transferring wild-type BALB/c mouse CD4+ T cells into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice with a C57BL/6 or BALB/c mouse skin graft. Using the whole transcriptome sequencing-based serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) technology, we identified 97 increasingly and 88 decreasingly expressed genes that may play important roles in allograft rejection and tolerance. Functional classification of these genes shows that apoptosis, transcription regulation, cell growth and maintenance, and signal transduction are among the frequently changed functional groups. This study provides a genome-wide view for the candidate genes of CD4+ T cells related to allotransplantation, and this report is a good resource for further microarray studies and for identifying the specific markers that are associated with clinical organ transplantations.
Interpreting analyses of continuous covariates in affected sibling pair linkage studies

Datasets collected for linkage analyses of complex human diseases often include a number of clinical or environmental covariates. In this study, we evaluated the performance of three linkage analysis methods when the relationship between continuous covariates and disease risk or linkage heterogeneity was modeled in three different ways: (1) The covariate distribution is determined by a quantitative trait locus (QTL), which contributes indirectly to the disease risk; (2) the covariate is not genetically determined, but influences the disease risk through statistical interaction with a disease susceptibility locus; (3) the covariate distribution differs in families linked or unlinked to a particular disease susceptibility locus. We analyzed simulated datasets with a regression‐based QTL analysis, a nonparametric analysis of the binary affection status, and the ordered subset analysis (OSA). We found that a significant OSA result may be due to a gene that influences variability in the population distribution of a continuous disease risk factor. Conversely, a regression‐based QTL analysis may detect the presence of gene‐environment (G × E) interaction in a sample of primarily affected individuals. The contribution of unaffected siblings and the size of baseline lod scores may help distinguish between QTL and G × E models. As illustrated by a linkage study of multiplex families with age‐related macular degeneration, our findings assist in the interpretation of analysis results in real datasets. They suggest that the side‐by‐side evaluation of OSA and QTL results may provide important information about the relationship of measured covariates with either disease risk or linkage heterogeneity. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ambiguity Types, Robust Learning and Natural Catastrophe Insurance: How Long-Term Contracts May Help

Motivated by the results of the field experiment in the United Sates to distinguish two sources of ambiguity and its relation with the robust learning theory, we propose an insurance pricing formula to accommodate the ambiguity types in the robust learning framework. Based on the field experiment results and the data of the yield spread of catastrophe linked securities as well as their expected loss, our empirical test separates the magnitudes of different types of ambiguity aversion over different times for different periods. A related four-period model is then established to discuss long-term insurance (LTI) as an alternative to the standard annual insurance policy.
Combating money laundering by the banks in India: compliance and challenges

Purpose – The study was conducted to assess the level of compliance with regulatory guidelines on anti-money laundering (AML) in the scheduled commercial banks in India, and to understand the bottlenecks in AML implementation. Design/methodology/approach – The respondents were employees working in the banks located in the States of Puducherry and Tamilnadu. Snowball sampling method was adopted in selecting the sample. The sample consisted of 392 employees from the public sector, private sector, and foreign banks in India. The data was collected by administering the structured questionnaire during the period June, 2014 to January, 2015. Descriptive and non-parametric tests were applied, and the significance was considered at þ ≤ 0.5. Findings – Results indicated that the banks were largely complying (3.67 ± 1.39) with the AML measures under study. The compliance with guidelines on KYC updation was found to be higher (79.9 per cent), followed by reporting requirements (72.7 per cent), and customer identific.
Structural Changes in High Dimensional Factor Models

This paper provides a survey on recent developments in structural changes for high dimensional factor models. Compared with conventional low-dimensional time series, structural changes in factor models are more complicated due to the unobservability of factors and factor loadings. The following topics are covered in this survey: the identification conditions for the structural changes in the factor loadings, different impacts of big and small breaks in factor models, tests for structural changes in the factor loadings of a specific variable, tests for structural changes in the factor loading matrix, joint tests for structural changes in the factor loadings and coefficients in factor-augmented regressions, tests for smooth changes in the factor loadings, estimation of break dates, and model selection in factor models with structural changes via the shrinkage method.
Partial discharge characteristics and trap parameters of aged oil-impregnated paper

The degradation of oil-impregnated paper induced by partial discharge (PD) seriously affects the life of power equipment. In order to investigate the relationship between partial discharge and the degradation of oil-impregnated paper, PD characteristics and trap parameters of the impregnated paper are measured. In this work, a cavity discharge model is adopted and samples with different degrees of polymerization (DP) are fabricated using thermally accelerated aging to simulate transformers with different lifetimes. For each sample, phase resolved partial discharge (PRPD) spectrograms are recorded for various partial discharge times. The characteristics of partial discharge are analyzed, and the trap parameters of specimens are obtained by the thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) method. Following this, the microstructures of the samples are observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It is found that the damaging breakdown process of oil-immersed paper can be divided into three stages: initial stage, developing stage and pre-breakdown stage. There also exist two levels of trap on the surface of oil-impregnated paper: shallow (0.10-0.59 eV) and relatively deep (0.60-0.90 eV) energy. Importantly, the thermal aging makes the trap energy deeper while electrical aging makes the trap energy shallower.
Multiple antenatal bookings among pregnant women in Enugu, Nigeria

Some pregnant women do book concurrently with multiple antenatal care providers. Structured questionnaires were administered to women attending antenatal clinics in 12 facilities in Enugu, Nigeria. A total of 535 women responded: 372 (69.5%) were booked into more than one facility and 163 (30.5%) were booked into a single facility; 280 (52.3%) booked into the two Teaching Hospitals and 91 (12.5%) booked with a traditional birth attendant. Reasons for multiple bookings included selecting a facility with affordable prices (43.9%); selecting a facility promising vaginal delivery (35.3%); avoiding HIV testing (17.9%); avoiding caesarean section (10.8%); avoiding being regarded as unbooked (10.1%) and booking into a facility where they were not known. Possible disadvantages were confusion in deciding where to deliver (53.1%); default on expert advice (27.5%); mismanagement (18.7%); delays, complications and death (12.5%). Multiple bookings were common in this study. Disadvantages of this practice, including risk of death, were identified by the women.
Focal dystonia in musicians: Treatment strategies and long‐term outcome in 144 patients

We present the long‐term outcome of 144 musicians with focal dystonia after treatment with botulinum toxin (n = 71), trihexiphenidyl (n = 69), pedagogical retraining (n = 24), ergonomic changes (n = 51), or nonspecific exercises on the instrument (n = 78). Outcome was assessed by patients' subjective rating of cumulative treatment response and response to individual therapies. Seventy‐seven patients (54%) reported an alleviation of symptoms: 33% of the patients with trihexiphenidyl, 49% with botulinum toxin, 50% with pedagogical retraining, 56% with unmonitored technical exercises, and 63% with ergonomic changes. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society