Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal characteristics of aerodynamic segments in the speech of children and adults.

OBJECTIVES The primary purpose of this study was to determine the temporal characteristics of aerodynamic segments in the normal speech of children and adults without cleft palate. A secondary objective was to determine the within-speaker variability of the segments. METHOD Speakers consisted of 46 children aged 6 to 8 years, 41 older children aged 11 to 12 years, and 41 adults aged 18 to 37 years (total n = 128) who repeated the word "hamper" during continuous utterances. The pressure-flow method was used to determine the duration of six segments of the oral air pressure and nasal airflow pulses associated with the /mp/ sequence. Descriptive statistics, including coefficients of variation (COV), were computed for each segment as a function of age and sex of the speakers. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedures were used to determine the effects of age, sex, or both on the temporal variables. RESULTS ANOVAs indicated statistically significant main effects (p <.008) for age on five of the six temporal measures and for sex on three of the six measures. Five of the six COVs were also statistically significant for age. There were no statistically significant interactions between speaker age and sex for any measure. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate distinct patterns of timing for aerodynamic segments of speech produced by children and adults. Overall, adults exhibited less temporal variability than children. The generally longer and more variable segments produced by children suggest diagnostic and treatment implications relative to speakers with velopharyngeal dysfunction.
Bis‐(3‐allyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl) sulfone decreases embryonic viability and alters hepatic mRNA expression at two distinct developmental stages in chicken embryos exposed via egg injection

Concerns surrounding the toxicological effects and environmental prevalence of bisphenol A (BPA) have increased efforts to identify suitable safer replacement alternatives. Bis‐(3‐allyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl) sulfone (TGSH) represents a potential BPA alternative; however, exposure and ecotoxicological data are scarce. To determine effects on embryonic viability, development, and hepatic mRNA expression at 2 distinct developmental periods (midincubation [day 11] and pipping [days 20–21]), TGSH was injected into the air cell of unincubated, fertilized chicken embryos at 4 concentrations ranging from 0 to 180 μg/g egg. Concentrations of TGSH increased in a dose‐dependent manner in whole‐embryo homogenates, and the estimated median lethal dose (LD50) based on embryonic viability at midincubation was 66 µg/g (95% confidence interval = 31–142 µg/g), which is similar to the BPA LD50 (∼ 67 μg/g) reported in a previous study. Modulation of hepatic gene targets from a chicken ToxChip polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array was observed at both developmental stages. At midincubation, 21/43 genes on the PCR array were significantly altered (by >1.5‐fold) in the 180 μg/g dose group, whereas 9 and 6/43 were altered at pipping in the 9.2 and 48 μg/g groups, respectively. Predominant toxicity pathways included xenobiotic metabolism, lipid homeostasis, bile acid synthesis, and cell cycle regulation. The estrogen‐responsive gene apolipoprotein II was significantly up‐regulated in liver tissue of midincubation embryos at 180 μg/g; however, neither apolipoprotein II nor vitellogenin II were altered at the other concentrations or developmental time points. Given the importance of identifying suitable BPA replacement alternatives, the present study provides novel, whole‐animal toxicological data for a BPA replacement alternative that has an effect on embryonic viability similar to that of the compound it could replace. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:530–537. © 2017 SETAC
Elevated Serum Interleukin-15 Level in Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Objective To correlate serum cytokine levels and the development of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the authors conducted a prospective study on serial measurements of interferon (IFN)-&ggr; and interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12 and IL-15. Methods The cytokines were measured in 27 subjects by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay serially for the first 2 months after hematopoietic cell transplantation. Results Nineteen subjects with acute GVHD had significantly higher mean peak serum levels of IFN-&ggr; and IL-15 than the baseline levels at the start of conditioning. The peak level occurred soon after stem cell infusion and returned to the pretransplantation state in the second month. In contrast, there was lesser difference between the mean peak serum levels of IFN-&ggr;, IL-10, and IL-15 and the baseline level in the eight subjects without GVHD. The peak serum level for IL-15 was, in addition, significantly higher among GVHD subjects than those without GVHD in the first month posttransplantation. However, the level of IL-15 showed no correlation with the severity of GVHD. Conclusions These changes point to a possible role of systemic cytokine secretion in the development of acute GVHD. Elevated levels of IL-15 early in the posttransplant period could be a helpful laboratory predictor of acute GVHD.
A very wideband antenna with dynamically-controllable band rejection

A very wideband slot antenna with reconfigurable stopband is presented. The reconfiguration is achieved by modifying the effective length of an embedded stopband-resonator by means of three pairs of PIN diodes. Four different operative states — three of them with a stopband notch and one with the full antenna bandwidth matched — are achieved depending on which PIN diodes pair is forward biased. The CPW-fed antenna is designed for an input impedance of 50 Ω to avoid the use of a matching network. Its operability is demonstrated based on the measurement of a fully functional reconfigurable implementation in the 1.5–10 GHz band.
Vrouwen naar de top: van multimethodeonderzoek naar aangrijpingspunten voor gender beleid

Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright, please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim.
Chemical evaluation of food value of groundnut (Arachi hypogaea) seeds

The human and animal body is made and maintained from the food taken in together with Oxygen breathes in from the air. The food consists of carbohydrates, proteins, Fats, Mineral matter, Vitamins and water, which are collectively known as nutrients (food substances). The proximate and mineral analysis of groundnut (Arachis hypogeal) seeds were carried out and were determined on dry weight basis. The results showed that the groundnut seeds (raw ,sundried and roasted) contain moisture content of 7.40%, 3.40%, 1.07%; ash content of 1.48%,1.38%, 1.41%; Crude protein of 24.70%, 21.80%, 18.40%; Crude fat of 46.10%, 43.80%, 40.60%; Crude fibre of 2.83%, 2.43%, 2.41%; Carbohydrate of 17.41%,27.19%, 36.11%; respectively. Minerals included; Sodium(0.71%,0.69%,0.57%),phosphorus(0.68%,0.65%,0.69%),potassium(0.47%,0.51%,0.55%),zinc(0.44%,0.42%,0.50%),iron(0.40%,0.47%,0.43%). There was a general decrease in the proximate composition after exposure to different heating methods but there was variation in the mineral contents of the seeds after heating. Based on the values obtained, the possible use of Groundnut Seeds in animal feeds (poultry), complete human diet (balance diet for elderly ones who need little carbohydrate but much protein) and an antidote for children suffering from malnutrition is recommended. The groundnut type used for this analysis was the Boro light variety
Qualidade de vida e nível de atividade física de pacientes portadores de insuficiência cardíaca crônica

Introducao e objetivo: Portadores de Insuficiencia Cardiaca (IC) sofrem modificacoes no padrao de vida normal, em virtude da incapacidade de realizar tarefas cotidianas decorrentes de sinais e sintomas como dispneia e fadiga, podendo comprometer a qualidade de vida. Sabe-se que a pratica regular de exercicio fisico melhora a capacidade funcional e, consequentemente, a qualidade de vida. Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade de vida e o nivel de atividade fisica de portadores de insuficiencia cardiaca do Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Federal de Goias (Ambulatorio IC/HC). Metodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal. Participaram da pesquisa, 32 portadores de IC com media de idade de 53,56 ± 9,58 anos, sendo 53,1% do sexo feminino. Para avaliacao da qualidade de vida, foi utilizado o questionario Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) e, para avaliacao do nivel de atividade fisica, foi utilizado o International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ curto). Resultados: A media do escore de qualidade de vida foi de 38,0±17,8, sendo que 71,8% apresentaram escore abaixo de 50. Encontrou-se, na dimensao fisica, escore de 16,7±9,0 e, na dimensao emocional, 7,8±4,6. Ao avaliar o nivel de atividade fisica dos portadores de IC, 65,7% (n=21) foram considerados sedentarios ou irregularmente ativos e 34,3% (n=11) considerados ativos ou muito ativos. A qualidade de vida nao foi melhor nos individuos ativos. Conclusao: Os pacientes portadores de IC do Ambulatorio IC/HC apresentaram qualidade de vida satisfatoria, com QV semelhante nos aspectos fisicos e emocionais; porem, apresentaram nivel de atividade fisica insatisfatorio.
An Inflammasome-Independent Role for Epithelial-Expressed Nlrp3 in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Cytoplasmic innate immune receptors are important therapeutic targets for diseases associated with overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines. One cytoplasmic receptor complex, the Nlrp3 inflammasome, responds to an extensive array of molecules associated with cellular stress. Under normal conditions, Nlrp3 is autorepressed, but in the presence of its ligands, it oligomerizes, recruits apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (Asc), and triggers caspase 1 activation and the maturation of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18. Because ischemic tissue injury provides a potential source for Nlrp3 ligands, our study compared and contrasted the effects of renal ischemia in wild-type mice and mice deficient in components of the Nlrp3 inflammasome (Nlrp3−/− and Asc−/− mice). To examine the role of the inflammasome in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) we also tested its downstream targets caspase 1, IL-1β, and IL-18. Both Nlrp3 and Asc were highly expressed in renal tubular epithelium of humans and mice, and the absence of Nlrp3, but not Asc or the downstream inflammasome targets, dramatically protected from kidney IRI. We conclude that Nlrp3 contributes to renal IRI by a direct effect on renal tubular epithelium and that this effect is independent of inflammasome-induced proinflammatory cytokine production.
Neural computations underlying inverse reinforcement learning in the human brain

In inverse reinforcement learning an observer infers the reward distribution available for actions in the environment solely through observing the actions implemented by another agent. To address whether this computational process is implemented in the human brain, participants underwent fMRI while learning about slot machines yielding hidden preferred and non-preferred food outcomes with varying probabilities, through observing the repeated slot choices of agents with similar and dissimilar food preferences. Using formal model comparison, we found that participants implemented inverse RL as opposed to a simple imitation strategy, in which the actions of the other agent are copied instead of inferring the underlying reward structure of the decision problem. Our computational fMRI analysis revealed that anterior dorsomedial prefrontal cortex encoded inferences about action-values within the value space of the agent as opposed to that of the observer, demonstrating that inverse RL is an abstract cognitive process divorceable from the values and concerns of the observer him/herself.
What drives competition between banks? Cross-country analysis of liberalised Greek and Cypriot banking

This study offers an application of Infinite dimension VAR technique in measuring the performance of Greek and Cypriot financial market efficiency. The model aims to explore the forces driving the performance of a large banks proxy by returns on FTSE/ATHEX20 and FTSE/ATHEX BANKS stock indices during the period of 1997–2009. IVAR analysis can be used as either an alternative or complement to ratio or panel data analysis for the evaluation of financial market liberalisation effect on banking sector performance and economic growth, especially when the direction of causation is uncertain. We reveal the heterogeneity in responses of stock market indices to shocks in net interest spread and output gap between Greece and Cyprus as well as show that the increase in returns on FTSE/ATHEX 20 and FTSE/ATHEX BANKS is accompanied with a considerable increase in output gap. Finally, we come up with a modified ―liberalisation date‖ static approach which allowed us to capture positive effects of liberalised financial market on its efficiency.
Effects of soil temperature on shoot and root growth and nutrient uptake of 5-year-old Norway spruce seedlings.

Soil temperature is a main factor limiting root growth in the boreal forest. To simulate the possible soil-warming effect of future climate change, 5-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst. ) seedlings were subjected to three simulated growing seasons in controlled environment rooms. The seedlings were acclimated to a soil temperature of 16 degrees C during the first (GS I) and third growing seasons (GS III), but were assigned to random soil-temperature treatments of 9, 13, 18 and 21 degrees C during the second growing season (GS II). In GS II, shoot diameter growth was lowest in the 21 degrees C treatment and root growth was lowest in the 9 degrees C treatment. In GS III, shoot height and root length growth improved in seedlings that had been kept at 9 degrees C during GS II, indicating compensatory growth in response to increased soil temperature. The temporary decrease in soil temperature had no long-lasting significant effect on seedling biomass or total nutrient uptake. At the end of GS III, fine roots of seedlings exposed to a soil temperature of 21 degrees C in GS II were distributed more evenly between the organic and mineral soil layers than roots of seedlings in the other treatments. During GS II and GS III, root growth started earlier than shoot growth, decreased during the rapid shoot elongation phase and increased again as shoot growth decreased.
Long-distance gene flow in a cooperative breeder detected in genealogies of mitochondrial DNA sequences

Rates of gene flow among populations of cooperatively breeding birds have been inferred primarily from distributions of observed distances of dispersal from birthplace to place of first breeding. However, for most cooperative breeders, characteristics of geographic population structure and extent of realized gene flow as measured by genetic markers are not known. To estimate rates of gene flow in a cooperatively breeding bird, I conducted a continent-wide survey of DNA sequence diversity in the most variable part of the mitochondrial (mt) genome among 163 grey-crowned babblers (Pomatostomus temporalis) throughout Australia and Papua New Guinea. The variability found among 86 types of mtDNA was used to infer genealogical trees relating sequences within both eastern (P. t. temporalis) and western (P. t. rubeculus) babblers. The genealogies imply low but detectable levels of gene flow between populations separated by over 1000 km. In addition, they suggest that genes from unrelated migrants contribute to genetic diversity in 5 of 50 (10%) social groups, occasionally producing large (> 3%) intragroup sequence differences. However, on average, the fraction of sequence diversity apportioned among populations (Fst) and among social groups within populations (Fgs), was substantial for both P. t. temporalis and P t. rubeculus, implying a large opportunity for the spread of social behaviours in both lineages of babblers.
Inhibition of human recombinant T‐type calcium channels by N‐arachidonoyl 5‐HT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE N‐arachidonoyl 5‐HT (NA‐5HT) has anti‐nociceptive effects reported to be mediated by inhibitory actions at the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Anandamide and N‐arachidonoyl dopamine (NA‐DA), endocannabinoids that activate TRPV1 or are metabolized by FAAH, also inhibit T‐type calcium channels (ICa). T‐type ICa are expressed by many excitable cells, including neurons involved in pain detection and processing. We sought to determine whether NA‐5HT also modulates T‐type ICa.
On Principal Angles between Subspaces of Euclidean Space

The cosines of the principal angles between the column spaces of full column rank matrices $X\in{\hbox{{\bf R}$^{m\times p}$}}$ and $Y\in{\hbox{{\bf R}$^{m\times q}$}}$ are efficiently computed, using the Bjorck--Golub algorithm, as the singular values of $Q_x^{T}Q_y,$ where Qx and Qy are orthonormal matrices computed by the QR factorizations of X and Y, respectively. This paper shows that the Bjorck--Golub algorithm is mixed stable in the following sense: the computed singular values approximate with small relative error the exact cosines of the principal angles between the column spaces of $X+\Delta X$ and $Y+\Delta Y,$ where $\Delta X,$ $\Delta Y$ are small backward errors. Further, theoretical analysis and numerical evidence show that the algorithm becomes more robust if the QR factorizations are computed with the complete pivoting scheme of Powell and Reid. Moreover, it is shown that Gaussian elimination with complete pivoting can be used as an efficient preconditioner in computation and as a useful tool in analysis of the sensitivity of the QR factorization.
Improving metabolic stability of cancer chemoprotective polyphenols

Dietary flavonoids and other polyphenols have the potential to be developed as effective food supplements as well as drugs for the prevention, as well as treatment of, cancer and other disease conditions. However, their very poor oral bioavailability, mainly due to extensive conjugation by glucuronidation and sulfation, is a severe limiting factor. First, this review shows the use of a simple, commercially available model system, the human hepatic S9 fraction, by which metabolic stability can be assessed effectively and accurately. Second, permethylation of the polyphenols effectively blocks the metabolic conjugation reactions, thereby dramatically increasing both metabolic stability and intestinal absorption, while maintaining or even increasing the biologic activities. Thus, permethylated polyphenols may have a future as chemoprotective agents.
Gender differences in perception of psychosocial distress and coping mechanisms among infertile men and women in Saudi Arabia

Abstract The objective of the study was to evaluate the differences in psychosocial distress and coping mechanisms among infertile men and women in Saudi Arabia (SA). We performed a cross-sectional study of infertile patients (206 women and 200 men) attending infertility clinics in three referral hospitals in Riyadh, SA. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed to assess socio-demographic, clinical and psychosocial variables. Infertility-related psychosocial pressures were reported in 79 (39.7%) male and 97 (47.3%) female participants (p = 0.123). Males suffered more from intrusive questions and pressure to conceive, remarry or get divorced, while females were stressed more from psychological and emotional exhaustion, marital discord, attitudes of mothers-in-law or society, and persistent desire by the husband to have children. To cope with infertility, females engaged more in religious activities (p < 0.001) and spoke more to someone regarding their problems (p < 0.001). To solve their infertility problems, 50% tried to find solutions via the internet, and 38.5% of males and 51% of females reported using alternative medicines (p = 0.012). The patients with infertility in SA face multiple psychosocial stressors related to their infertility, and cope differently based on the gender and culture-specific knowledge of infertility. The female participants were significantly more affected from psychosocial stressors and the persistent desire by their spouse to have children.
Micro Sensor Routing Protocol in IPv6 wireless sensor network

In this paper, we propose a new routing protocol named Micro Sensor Routing Protocol (MSRP) in IPv6 wireless sensor network. MSRP is implemented in network layer and can simplify significantly routing mechanism. Also, we simplify the routing message and remove source and destination nodes' sequence numbers and reduce route request (RREQ) ID length. Route reply (RREP) is created only by the destination node. Intermediate node will broadcast received RREQ messages even there exists a route to the destination node. In addition, we design a simple route error report mechanism and solve the problem of link state maintenance mechanism of AODV. Finally, we develop a simulation module and integrate MSRP protocol into NS-2. Compared to AODV routing protocol, our proposed protocol has better performance with low overhead, quick convergence.
IgA antibodies against tissue transglutaminase in the diagnosis of celiac disease: concordance with intestinal biopsy in children and adults.

Celiac disease (CD), an immune enteropathy caused by gluten-containing foods in genetically susceptible individuals, is usually diagnosed during childhood, but delayed diagnosis in adulthood is not uncommon (1). One-half of cases show atypical forms of the disease, e.g., iron-deficient anemia unresponsive to iron or persistent hypertransaminasemia (2)(3)(4). Patients with CD often have high circulating concentrations of anti-endomysium antibodies (EMAs), the main disease marker (5), and anti-gliadin antibodies (AGAs), the most effective marker for children <3 years (6)(7). Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) has been identified as the autoantigen of CD (8). The first assays for tTG antibodies used antigen from guinea pigs (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Assays that used recombinant human tTg (rh-tTG) improved sensitivity and specificity (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21), but it is not well established in prospective studies whether the clinical effectiveness of rh-tTG is similar for children and adults. The aims of this study were (a) to evaluate the potential utility of rh-tTG IgA (rh-tTGA) compared with EMAs and AGAs for CD diagnosis in children and adults; (b) to analyze the concordance between rh-tTGA and small intestine biopsy (IB); and (c) to analyze the association of hypertransaminasemia and ferropenia with untreated CD. We prospectively selected 2570 patients with clinical suspicion of CD. Most patients (73.4%) were referred by the Pediatrics Department. From this cohort of patients we analyzed consecutively all patients fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria included histologic analysis of an IB and determination of serum markers for CD; the exclusion criterion was IgA deficiency. Both the IB and the immunologic markers were analyzed blindly and independently. The patients were classified into two groups. Group I consisted of 61 patients diagnosed with …