Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of multisyllabic word production in Canadian English- or French-speaking children within a non-linear phonological framework

Abstract Currently, there is no theoretically justified, evidence-based metric for evaluating segmental and prosodic components of multisyllabic words (MSWs). A pilot study evaluated a MSW metric embedded in non-linear phonological- and language-processing frameworks. Six MSWs were analyzed in 10 Canadian English-speaking 5-year-olds with typically developing speech, and eight French-speaking children, ages 3–4 years, with protracted phonological development (PPD). Mismatches were tallied (with and without vowels), with totals ranked by word and participant, then compared with ranks from Phonological Mean Length of Utterance (PMLU) and Percent Consonants Correct (PCC) tallies. For both groups, the number of different ranks was significant in comparisons of MSW metrics with PMLU and PCC. Rank orderings were systematically higher for English-speaking children using the MSW metric, with/without vowels, and for French-speaking children using the MSW metric with vowels. Overall, the MSW metric was particularly suitable for fine-grained differentiation of phonological accuracy in MSW production.
Evaluation of the effect of duloxetine treatment on functioning as measured by the Sheehan disability scale: pooled analysis of data from six randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies

The purpose of this work is to describe the effect of duloxetine on functioning as measured by the Sheehan disability scale (SDS) compared with placebo in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Pooled data from six randomized, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled duloxetine studies in adult MDD patients were analyzed at the short-term (7–13 weeks) and the long-term (>24 weeks) endpoint. The primary variable was the SDS total score. Secondary variables included functional remission (SDS total⩽6) rates, Hamilton rating scale for depression total score, and pain visual analog scale. Analysis of covariance and logistic regression methods were used to assess differences in treatment and identify prognostic baseline factors. In total, 2496 patients (1424 duloxetine; 1072 placebo) were included. The between-treatment difference of −2.52 between duloxetine and placebo in the SDS total score at the short-term endpoint was statistically significant in favor of duloxetine vs. placebo (95% confidence interval: −3.17, −1.87; P<0.001). The endpoint functional remission rates were 39.5% with duloxetine and 28.7% with placebo. Time since first depression episode, antidepressant pretreatment (yes/no), baseline visual analog scale pain (⩽30/>30 mm), and sex were significant prognostic factors. The effect of duloxetine was maintained at the long-term endpoint. Duloxetine is effective in improving MDD patients’ functioning. Further antidepressant studies focusing on functioning would be helpful.
Hospice Visit Patterns in the Last Seven Days of Life and the Service Intensity Add-On Payment.

BACKGROUND Hospice in-person visits in the last week of life are critical to ensure quality of care. In 2016, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced a Service Intensity Add-on (SIA) payment for in-person routine home care (RHC) visits by a registered nurse or social worker in the last 7 days of life. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to examine visit patterns in the last week of life and provide SIA payment impact estimates. DESIGN/MEASUREMENTS Hospice data from 42 volunteer hospice programs for the 6-year period of 2005-2010 were examined. The data included information on the type and duration of visits/other care, the staff discipline, and patient demographics, diagnoses, date of death, and care setting (home, assisted living, nursing home). RESULTS In their last week of life, 251,407 decedents received 2,818,695 visits during 1,352,638 RHC days. Forty-four percent of the decedents had at least one SIA-eligible visit (in-person direct care visit by a registered nurse (RN) or social worker (SW)); 6.6% had only phone contact, and 30.4% had no hospice contact. Rates of RHC days with SIA-eligible days varied considerably across hospices (31% to 60.9%). For the 86.3% decedents with any SIA-eligible visits, average SIA payment would have been $202.5 (Median = $177.2, inter quartile range [IQR] = $108.3-$275.6), which represents a 21.6% increase over the average regular RHC payments received during the last week of life. CONCLUSIONS The relative size of the new SIA payment introduced by CMS has the potential to increase RN/SW visits and reduce disparities in visit patterns in the last week of life.
Rates of formal diagnosis in people screened positive for dementia in primary care: results of the DelpHi-Trial.

BACKGROUND Primary data about rates of formal diagnosis of dementia in the German primary care sector are widely lacking. OBJECTIVES Main objectives are to analyze the rate of syndrome diagnosis in primary care patients who screened positive for dementia, the distribution of differential diagnoses, and factors associated with undiagnosed dementia. METHODS DelpHi-MV (Dementia: life- and person-centered help in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) is an ongoing general practitioner (GP)-based, randomized, controlled intervention trial. A total of 4,064 patients (≥70 years, living at home) recruited from 108 participating GP practices were screened for dementia (DemTect < 9). Of 692 eligible patients (17%), a total of 406 subjects (59%) provided informed consent. Present analyses are based on the data of 243 patients with complete baseline assessment on January 1, 2014 (preliminary data). Formal diagnoses were retrieved from the medical records of the treating GPs. A conditional fixed effect regression analysis was performed to analyze factors associated with undiagnosed dementia. RESULTS A total of 40% of patients who screened positive for dementia had been formally diagnosed with dementia. Unspecified dementia was diagnosed in 53%, vascular dementia in 24%, and Alzheimer's disease in 19% of these patients. Undiagnosed dementia was significantly associated with a higher mean score in the Mini-Mental State Examination (odds ratio, 1.11; p < 0.01, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.18). CONCLUSIONS The diagnosis rate of dementia in German primary care (40%) is well within the range of the international data (20-50%). The results emphasize the need for action to enhance recognition and differential diagnosis of dementia.
A Fast Multiple‐Kernel Method With Applications to Detect Gene‐Environment Interaction

Kernel machine (KM) models are a powerful tool for exploring associations between sets of genetic variants and complex traits. Although most KM methods use a single kernel function to assess the marginal effect of a variable set, KM analyses involving multiple kernels have become increasingly popular. Multikernel analysis allows researchers to study more complex problems, such as assessing gene‐gene or gene‐environment interactions, incorporating variance‐component based methods for population substructure into rare‐variant association testing, and assessing the conditional effects of a variable set adjusting for other variable sets. The KM framework is robust, powerful, and provides efficient dimension reduction for multifactor analyses, but requires the estimation of high dimensional nuisance parameters. Traditional estimation techniques, including regularization and the “expectation‐maximization (EM)” algorithm, have a large computational cost and are not scalable to large sample sizes needed for rare variant analysis. Therefore, under the context of gene‐environment interaction, we propose a computationally efficient and statistically rigorous “fastKM” algorithm for multikernel analysis that is based on a low‐rank approximation to the nuisance effect kernel matrices. Our algorithm is applicable to various trait types (e.g., continuous, binary, and survival traits) and can be implemented using any existing single‐kernel analysis software. Through extensive simulation studies, we show that our algorithm has similar performance to an EM‐based KM approach for quantitative traits while running much faster. We also apply our method to the Vitamin Intervention for Stroke Prevention (VISP) clinical trial, examining gene‐by‐vitamin effects on recurrent stroke risk and gene‐by‐age effects on change in homocysteine level.
Determinants of the transmembrane distribution of chloride in rat lymphocytes: role of Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange.

The purpose of the present experiments was to establish the factors that determine the intracellular Cl- concentration ([Cl-]i) of lymphocytes. Coulometric and isotope equilibration determinations indicated that [Cl-]i was in the range of 70-85 mmol/l cells. Since the membrane potential (Em) of these cells approximates -55 mV, [Cl-]i is severalfold higher than the level expected at electrochemical equilibrium (approximately 16 mM). This suggests that conductive pathways contribute marginally to the distribution of Cl-. Accordingly, altering the force driving conductive Cl- fluxes by manipulating Em had little effect on [Cl-]i. The possible role of electroneutral cation-Cl- cotransport in the accumulation of intracellular Cl- was also assessed. 36Cl- uptake was largely unaffected by omission of extracellular Na+ and K+ or by addition of bumetanide, a potent cotransport inhibitor. Moreover, [Cl-]i remained unaltered for at least 1 h in cells incubated without Na+ or K+ or in the presence of loop diuretics. Thus it appears unlikely that Cl(-)-anion cotransport plays a major role in maintaining [Cl-]i. A vigorous stilbene disulfonate-sensitive anion exchanger was detected in thymocytes. This system constitutes a large fraction of the Cl- flux pathways and is possibly a major contributor to the establishment of [Cl-]i. Accordingly, modifying the force driving Cl- through the exchanger, by altering pH at constant PCO2, resulted in changes in cellular Cl- content and associated changes in cell volume. These effects were markedly reduced in the nominal absence of HCO3- or in the presence of disulfonic stilbene derivatives, suggesting that they are mediated by Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Predictive factors for recurrent non-toxic goitre in an endemic region.

AIMS We aimed to determine the risk factors for recurrence and to assess the complication rate associated with surgery for benign, recurrent goitre. METHODS We studied 125 consecutive patients with recurrent goitre who underwent re-operative thyroid surgery (group one). Patients in the control group were randomly selected from those undergoing their first procedure during the same period (group two). Age, initial surgery, presence of multinodular goitre, presence of carcinoma in the resected thyroid tissue, interval between initial operation and re-operation, and complications were analysed and compared for the two groups. RESULTS The mean age (+/- standard deviation) was found to be significantly greater in group one compared with group two. The mean age at the time of primary thyroid operation was found to be significantly less in group one compared with group two. The interval between the initial and the re-operative procedures was a mean of 15.8+/-eight years. Initial surgery was conservative. Papillary thyroid carcinoma was found in 14/125 (11 per cent) of group one patients. The incidence of complications was found to be significantly higher in group one compared with group two. CONCLUSION The incidence of recurrent goitre has been directly related to conservative thyroid surgery and to the retention of large amounts of remnant tissue. To avoid recurrent goitre and possible re-operative complications, total or near-total thyroidectomy should be performed in all patients with bilateral, multinodular goitre, especially in endemic regions.
Cytoprotective role of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in human kidney with various renal diseases.

BACKGROUND We previously reported that glomerular changes in the renal specimen of a human case with heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) deficiency were mild, but tubulointerstitial injury advanced progressively. This study examined the patterns of HO-1 production in the kidney in various renal diseases. Furthermore, the critical cytoprotective roles of HO-1 were evaluated in the kidney by comparing HO-1 production and expressions of carboxymethyllysine (CML) and pentosidine, both of which are markers of oxidative stress. METHODS Renal biopsy or autopsy materials were obtained from a total of 74 patients. Degrees of hematuria and proteinuria and the levels of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), beta2-microglobulin (beta2m), and creatinine were evaluated. Immunohistochemical studies for HO-1, CML, and pentosidine expressions were performed with their specific antiserum. RESULTS HO-1 staining was observed within tubular epithelial cells in all of the renal diseases, but was not detected within intrinsic glomerular cells. HO-1 staining tended to be more intense within distal tubuli than in proximal tubuli. Within distal tubuli, there was no significant correlation between intensity of HO-1 staining and degree of hematuria or presence of proteinuria. Within proximal tubuli, HO-1 staining tended to be more intense with greater degrees of hematuria, presence of proteinuria, and moderate tubulointerstitial damage. Intense staining of CML and pentosidine was observed within renal tubular epithelial cells only in HO-1-deficient patients. CONCLUSIONS HO-1 plays important roles in protecting renal tubuli from oxidative injuries, as these cells are constantly exposed to various oxidative stresses. It is suggested that renal tubular epithelia are more susceptible to oxidative stress due to the lack of this critical enzyme in HO-1 deficiency.
Experiences of day care and collaboration among people with mild dementia.

AIMS The study was designed to assess how a day care programme once a week, for seven weeks, with group collaboration and social and cultural activities was experienced by clients. The aim was to provide some insight into how older adults with mild cognitive impairment perceive and experience day care. BACKGROUND As a consequence of social withdrawal, older adults with mild dementia may suffer a loss of meaningful social life and mental stimulus. Person-centred and collaborative day care may provide support to remaining abilities and facilitate for social activities. Little is known about client experiences and whether and how day care gives meaning to everyday life of persons with mild dementia. DESIGN A qualitative interview study in a narrative content analysis design. METHODS This study involved narrative interviews with nine Norwegian clients, aged 77-88 years of age, living at home, all being old people with mild dementia. RESULTS Three main themes emerged: 'Ambivalence Shifts to Interest', 'Meaningful Engagement Engenders Wellbeing' and 'Social Fellowship Promotes Life Contentment'. The findings gave insights into how people with mild dementia had positive experiences from a once-a-week day programme. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates feelings of more meaningful lives, well-being and contentment as effects of collaborative day care participation. Safe transfer was a prerequisite to participate. There is a need of more research on how to facilitate person-centred and collaborative day care provided for groups in different contexts, culturally pluralistic groups and groups of younger seniors with mild dementia. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Persons with mild dementia may practice remaining social and collaborative skills when care facilitate and moderate participant involvement. Therefore, facilitating for clients' feelings of control in secure environments, narrative conversations, group activities and collaborative group interaction are suggested.
German foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq

Abstract : This thesis examines why approximately 700 German foreign fighters traveled to Syria and Iraq between early 2012 and late 2015. It presents the authors original research on 99 German foreign fighter profiles, examining their preexisting network connections in Germany as well as their biographical availability and integration into German society. The study finds that German foreign fighters are primarily mobilized through traditional social network connections and that the mobilizing network in Germany consists of a nationwide, interconnected, and politically active Salafist scene. The project also finds that while Western governments often worry about the looming threat of online radicalization, verifiable examples of purely Internet-based radicalization remain rare.
Parents' intentions to use paediatric nurse practitioner services in an emergency department.

AIM This paper reports on a study investigating the factors which influence parental intent to use the services of a paediatric nurse practitioner in an emergency department. BACKGROUND Research has shown that nurse practitioners provide quality care to paediatric and adult primary care and non-urgent emergency patients. Although there are studies that assess patient satisfaction with nurse practitioner care, there are few that report on what factors initially influence the public to use these services. No studies have examined the factors that affect parental decision-making to access nurse practitioner care in emergency settings for their children. METHODS A questionnaire was completed by 100 parents who visited a tertiary paediatric emergency department for their child's non-urgent emergency care needs. Information captured included demographic variables, role responsibility tasks that parents would be willing to have a nurse practitioner provide, and parents' perceptions of the characteristics of the nurse practitioner role. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyse the demographic data, percentiles were compiled for the role responsibility tasks, and logistic regression was used to analyse parents' perceptions of the characteristics of the nurse practitioner role. The data were collected in 2002. RESULTS Eighty-three per cent of parents indicated their intention to access nurse practitioner services for a variety of childhood symptoms. Logistic regression revealed that the compatibility of nurse practitioner services with parents' beliefs and needs was the most statistically significant (P < 0.05) independent variable predicting parental intent to use these services. Demographic variables did not have a statistically significant influence. CONCLUSIONS The public does not seem to understand fully the scope of nursing practice, and this is a concern if people are to feel comfortable with expanded roles for nurses. Thus, the public should be given information that not only describes the role of nurse practitioners, but also includes facts about the scope of practice of Registered Nurses as this may be helpful in producing a favourable attitude towards nurse practitioner care.
Auswirkungen organisatorischen Wandels auf die betriebliche Arbeitsnachfrage

Against the background of the existing theoretical and empirical evidence of skill-biased technological and organisational change, this paper investigates the effects of organisational change on labour demand between 1996 and 2004 using linked-employer-employee-data (LIAB) from the German Institute for Employment Research. By estimating dynamic labour demand functions for western and eastern Germany, we are able to show that the introduction of new work and/or production patterns has a positive effect on the overall employment level. In addition, we find significant shifts in labour demand at the expense of unskilled workers due to organisational change, while organisational change increases the demand for skilled workers.
Extending Nonmarket Strategy: Political Economy and the Radical Flank Effect in Private Politics

This paper examines a private politics environment in which a confrontational activist and a cooperative activist face a profit-maximizing firm and a self-regulating firm. The environment is studied from a perspective that combines the radical flank effect from sociology and the political economy approach to private politics and nonmarket strategy. We present a formal model in which behavior depends upon favoritism, awareness of a positive externality, and own or aggregate objectives of the activists, and we calibrate these factors through an online experiment. From the experiment, the greater the harm from the confrontational activist, the higher are the offers to work with the cooperative activist and avoid targeting by the confrontational activist. The self-regulator is favored by the activists and offers less than the profit-maximizer. The confrontational activist also favors the self-regulator by threatening a less aggressive campaign. The intensity of the threat results in a positive externality, and to exploit the externality, donors shift resources from the cooperative activist to the confrontational activist. The transfer is greater if the activists’ objectives are the accomplishments of both activists rather than their own accomplishments. Strategy implications are drawn from the model and the results of the experiment.
Genetics and Genetic Manipulation in Francisella Tularensis

Abstract: Francisella tularensis is a gram‐negative coccobacillus and the etiological agent of tularemia. The limited knowledge regarding the interaction of F. tularensis with its host is due in part to the previous lack of tools for genetically manipulating the organism. During the past 10 years, the field of F. tularensis genetics has seen a rapid expansion. Plasmids capable of stable or conditional replication in Francisella have been constructed. Methods for the efficient introduction of DNA into Francisella have been developed or optimized. Genetic platforms and procedures for transposon mutagenesis and allelic exchange have been adapted for use in Francisella. Finally, selectable, counterselectable, and screenable genetic markers amenable for use in a variety of F. tularensis species, including highly virulent clinical isolates, have been described. Collectively, these advances have aided in the construction of defined Francisella mutants and helped investigators begin to define the mechanism(s) employed by these organisms to cause disease in the host. In this article, we describe the history of genetic manipulation in Francisella and summarize the current tools and techniques for conducting genetic studies in this organism.
Canalization of Language Structure From Environmental Constraints: A Computational Model of Word Learning From Multiple Cues

Abstract There is substantial variation in language experience, yet there is surprising similarity in the language structure acquired. Constraints on language structure may be external modulators that result in this canalization of language structure, or else they may derive from the broader, communicative environment in which language is acquired. In this paper, the latter perspective is tested for its adequacy in explaining robustness of language learning to environmental variation. A computational model of word learning from cross‐situational, multimodal information was constructed and tested. Key to the model's robustness was the presence of multiple, individually unreliable information sources to support learning. This “degeneracy” in the language system has a detrimental effect on learning, compared to a noise‐free environment, but has a critically important effect on acquisition of a canalized system that is resistant to environmental noise in communication.
Comparison of HIV‐1 pol and env sequences of blood, CSF, brain and spleen isolates collected ante‐mortem and post‐mortem

Objectives – HIV‐1 infects the central nervous system (CNS) early in the course of infection. However, it is not known to what extent the virus evolves independently within the CNS and whether the HIV‐RNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reflects the viral population replicating within the brain parenchyma or the systemic infection. The aim of this study was to investigate HIV‐1 evolution in the CNS and the origin of HIV‐1 in CSF.