Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Echolocating Distance by Moving and Stationary Listeners

It has long been known that human listeners can echolocate a sound-reflecting surface as they walk toward it. There is also evidence that stationary listeners can determine the location, shape, and material of nearby surfaces from reflected sound. This research tested whether there is an advantage of listener movement for echolocating as has been found for localization of emitted sounds. Blindfolded participants were asked to echolocate a 3 × 6 ft wall while either moving or remaining stationary. After echolocating, the wall was removed, and participants were asked to walk to where the wall had been. Results showed that participants were somewhat more accurate with moving than stationary echolocation for some distances. A follow-up experiment confirmed that this moving advantage was not a function of a specific type of training or the multiple stationary positions available during moving echolocation. This subtle moving advantage might be a function of echoic time-to-arrival information.
Documenting and Developing Literacy in Deaf Children

The present report describes the findings of a longitudinal study of literacy learning and teaching within one classroom for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students (Gioia & Johnston, 1998; Gioia, 1999). During the first year of the project, we adapted assessment strategies originally developed for work with hearing children (Clay 1979, 1991), so that we could accurately record the children’s literate learning in this primary level, multi-grade, self-contained classroom (Gioia & Johnston, 1998). Throughout the remainder of this project, we collaborated with a teacher of the Deaf to identify the instructional interactions that appeared to support student growth within the context of guided reading lessons. These children exceeded the literate achievement expectations for both hearing and deaf students in many areas; in this report we delineate their competencies and the conditions under which they were fostered. Our findings, while very promising, suggest a number of avenues for future research to explore. Note: In this article, the first letter of the word deaf appears as both upperand lowercase. Deaf, when capitalized, is used to describe members of the community or to refer to the legal category of a disabling condition; deaf, when lowercased, is used to describe the physical condition of hearing loss. pages 1–22 Literacy Teaching and Learning
THEORETICAL MODELING OF THE ELECTROGASDYNAMIC METHOD OF LAMINAR FLOW CONTROL ON A SWEPT

Calculations of 3D compressible boundary layer on infinite span swept wing with volumetric force and heat impact of plasma actuators are executed. The linear stability of boundary layer flow with respect to stationary modes of the cross-flow-type disturbances is considered. The position of the laminarturbulent transition is estimated with the aid of e-method. Assessments of actuators impact necessary for laminar-turbulent transition delay are obtained for free stream parameters corresponding to typical cruise flight conditions of subsonic civil airplane.
An important role for VCAM-1, but not for ICAM-1 in restenosis following coronary stent implantation.

OBJECTIVE In this study, we evaluated the possibility that, levels of circulating adhesion molecules following direct stent implantation may be a marker of restenosis. METHODS This prospective, observational study investigated levels of circulating intercellular (ICAM-1), and vascular cell (VCAM-1) adhesion molecules in 15 patients with stable angina pectoris before and after coronary stent implantation for single vessel-single lesion disease in proximal left anterior descending artery. All patients received bare-metal stents. Patients underwent repeat coronary angiography for detection of restenosis at 6 month. Continuous data between patients with and without restenosis were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Repeated measurements were compared using Wilcoxon T test. Categorical data were compared using Chi-square statistics. RESULTS Baseline ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 concentrations before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were 4.89±2.28 and 46.35±22.96 ng/ml respectively. Levels of ICAM and VCAM increased nonsignificantly 24 hours after PCI (5.01±2.35 ng/ml and 52.57±19.40 ng/ml, respectively). Six patients (40%) developed restenosis within 6 months. Mean stent length, mean stent diameter, and mean dilatation pressure were comparable in patient groups with and without restenosis. Levels of plasma VCAM-1 measured before and after PCI did not change significantly in patients without restenosis. However, these levels increased significantly in the group of restenosis. At 6 months, patients who developed restenosis, had higher VCAM-1 levels, as compared to baseline values (from 45.1±21.0 to 57.2±14.3 ng/ml, p=0.05). Plasma levels of pre and post PCI ICAM-1 did not differ significantly between groups with and without restenosis. CONCLUSION These results suggest a more dominant role for VCAM-1, but not for ICAM-1 in development of restenosis following coronary stent implantation.
Growth and physiological response of African nightshades ( Solanum Scabrum Mill . ) to Sodium chloride salinity stress

African nightshades (Solanum scabrum Mill.) are one of the African indigenous vegetables widely consumed in Kenyan diet as a cooked vegetable. They are known as a good source of vitamin c and they help in boosting body immune system. Salinity is one of the most serious threats to agriculture all over the world and one major environmental factor that limit crop growth and performance. To elucidate possible adaptive strategies that enable this species to survive areas subjected to salinity, growth and physiological characters such as shoot height, stem diameter, leaf area, leaf number, biomass, chlorophyll concentration and fluorescence were studied in controls and plants subjected to various NaCl salinity levels for four weeks. The study was conducted at Maseno University, Kenya under Glasshouse conditions. The plants were subjected to five different levels of NaCl salinity (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100mM). High salinity levels (75 and 100mM) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced shoot height, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh as well as dry weight of shoots and roots, stem diameter, chlorophyll concentration and fluorescence. Injuries such as leaf senescence and abscission were not observed but some salinised plants showed signs of leaf chlorosis. The causes of the reduction in growth of African nightshades could be as a result of decreased water uptake, toxicity due to sodium and chloride ions as well as reduced photosynthesis which may partly be attributed to decrease in chlorophyll concentration and loss of chloroplast activity. Based on the results we recommend this species of African nightshades to be grown in areas with salinity levels of not more than 75 mM NaCl.
Monitoring Radio Programs and Time of Day Affect Simulated Car-Driving Performance

Whether radio monitoring, task difficulty, and time of day affect driving performance was examined in a computer-controlled, simulated driving task. Driving performance was defined as the absolute deviation of the car position from road midline as displayed on the computer monitor. We found for 12 men and 8 women (i) an expected, marked deterioration of performance with increasing task difficulty, (ii) a deterioration of performance in the morning, and (iii) a deterioration of performance when subjects concurrently listened to radio programs except for the easy task conducted in the morning. The latter is supposed to be caused by a reactive increase of effort, which is induced by the concurrent radio monitoring and stimulated through a perceived impairment of attention.
Validation of a nomogram for predicting the likelihood of delayed graft function in Australian adult deceased donor renal transplant recipients

To the Editor, Delayed graft function (DGF), defined as the need for dialysis within 72 h of renal transplantation where the graft subsequently functions, is associated with significant morbidity, including an increased risk of acute allograft rejection, prolonged patient hospitalization, increased health-care costs and poorer graft survival. Pretransplantation prediction of the likelihood of DGF would therefore be extremely useful for informing patient and organ management decisions. Recently, a nomogram for predicting DGF was developed in the USA, based on United States Renal Data System (USRDS) data extracted from 13 846 adult deceased donor renal transplants performed between 1996 and 1999. To date, this nomogram has not been validated in an independent cohort and has not been evaluated outside the USA, where the incidence of DGF (23.7%) is higher than in other countries (e.g. Australia 15%). We retrospectively applied the US nomogram to 598 deceased donor renal transplants performed at the Princess Alexandra Hospital between 1994 and 2004 (89% Caucasian, 61% male, recipient age 44.6 ± 14.3 years, donor age 36.4 ± 16.3 years, cold ischaemic time 13.6 ± 4.8 h). Calculation of DGF scores was based on recipient factors (male +7, pretransplant diabetes mellitus +5, HLA mismatches ×1.925, panel reactive antibodies ×0.175, previous transfusions +4, previous transplants +10, pretransplant dialysis +58, no pretransplant dialysis +18, single-organ transplant plus pretransplant dialysis +20) and donor factors (age [years − 13] ×5, anoxia +5, cerebrovascular accident +4, hypertension +7, non-beating-heart donor +29, cold ischaemic time hours ×1, terminal serum creatinine concentration μmol/L ×0.065). The overall rate of DGF in the study population was 5.9%, which was much lower than that of the USRDS training sample (23.7%). Higher DGF nomogram scores were associated with a higher risk of DGF (<110, 0%; 110–129, 1.8%; 130–139, 3.4%; 140–149, 10.9%; =150, 17.9%). A cut-off score of 140 was associated with a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 71%. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.76 (Fig. 1), which compared favourably with the USRDS training sample (0.71). In conclusion, the USRDS nomogram performed well in the population in the present study despite a very low rate of DGF. Thus, the nomogram may have more universal applicability beyond the initial US study group in predicting DGF and may improve pretransplantation clinical decision making. Mohammed O Kaisar, David W Johnson Department of Renal Medicine, University of Queensland at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
A K band DRO in coplanar layout with dry and wet etched InP HEMTs

A DRO operating in the frequency range of 23.2-24.8 GHz was designed using InGaAs-InAlAs-InP HEMTs with dry and wet etched gate recess. The oscillator consisted of an MMIC in coplanar waveguide technology and an externally coupled mechanically tunable DR mounted on a microstrip line. An output power of 12 dBm and a phase noise of -107 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset from the carrier were measured. The achieved power efficiency was 21%.
Geoprocessing and spatial analysis for identifying leptospirosis risk areas: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Leptospirosis is a reemerging zoonosis caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira sp. with global importance in the medical and veterinary fields, being responsible for about 59 thousand deaths each year in the world. The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the health sector is propitious and has been adopted by human and animal health professionals as an important tool in spatial analyses of health. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the geoprocessing and spatial analysis techniques adopted for mapping risk areas of human and animal leptospirosis. The articles were collected on scientific platforms by entering the following terms: SIG/GIS, leptospirose/leptospirosis, area de risco/risk area and distribuicao espacial/spatial distribution, and included in the study if they met the following criteria: a) publication in the period from 1998 to 2017; b) identification of risk areas and/or spatial distribution of leptospirosis as one of the research topics; and c) application of GIS in the methodology. As a result, we found 40 articles, published by 15 different countries, which adopted GIS for the spatial analysis and identification of risk areas of leptospirosis. Among these, only 45% (18) conducted an spatial statistical analysis. Brazil and USA had the highest numbers of publications, 16 and 7 articles, respectively. From 2007, the use of GIS and spatial analysis techniques, applied to the theme of this study, have been intensified and diversified, and 93% of the articles elected for this review were published from 2007 to 2017. The results point to a progressive interest of health professionals in applying these techniques for monitoring and conducting epidemiological analyses of leptospirosis, besides indicating a greater need for intersectoral integration between health professionals and others, in the use of spatial analysis and GIS techniques.
The presence of antibodies against virus‐like particles of epidermodysplasia verruciformis‐associated humanpapillomavirus type 8 in patients with actinic keratoses

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis‐associated human papillomaviruses (EV‐HPVs) are possibly involved in the development of actinic keratoses and may play a part in the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin, as the DNA of these viruses is frequently detected in biopsies of such lesions. Properly designed epidemiological studies, using serological tests to investigate the role of infection with EV‐HPVs in cutaneous oncogenesis, are still rare. An IgG‐specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay using virus‐like particles composed of the major capsid protein L1 of the EV‐specific HPV 8 (HPV 8 VLPs) was developed and used to test the seroprevalence of HPV 8 in 114 inhabitants of a tropical island, of whom 13 had developed SCC, and 19 had developed basal cell carcinoma. Gender, age, eye and hair colour, sun exposure and number of actinic keratoses were recorded for all individuals. The presence of antibodies against HPV 8 VLPs was associated with the development of large numbers of actinic keratoses. After adjusting for gender, age, eye and hair colour, and sun exposure, the odds ratio to develop 37 (the median in this dataset) or more actinic keratoses in the presence of antibodies against HPV 8 VLPs was 2·3 (95% confidence interval: 1·0; 5·3). Similarly, after adjustment for the same factors, the presence of these antibodies was associated with SCC with an odds ratio of 3·1 (0·74; 13·3), but the small number of individuals with SCC does not permit any definite conclusions. The presence of these antibodies did not appear to be associated with basal cell carcinoma as, after adjustment for the same factors, the odds ratio was 0·73 (0·23; 2·4). This study provides serological evidence that infection with EV‐HPVs may play a part in the pathogenesis of actinic keratoses. The role of EV‐HPVs in the development of SCC, however, remains to be elucidated.
Role of salicylic acid in induction of plant defense system in chickpea Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f . sp ciceris

The fungus Fusariumoxysporum f.sp. ciceris (FOC), the chickpea wilt pathogen, causes appreciable yield losses under favorable environmental conditions in Algeria. To evaluate the role of salicylic acid (SA) in induction of plant defense system in chickpea Fusarium wilt, chickpea seedlings were sprayed with a range of SA concentrations (0 (control), 0.05 and 0.5 mM). Obtained results revealed that the percentage of seedling plants was reduced at 23% in untreated seeds. By contrast, at the application of the different treatments, a maximum was about 50% for seedling and the ability to delay the apparition of necrosis lesions was observed. For the individual polyphenol separation assay we used high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Various peaks level in polyphenol for control and treated plants were noted. Application of SA on chickpea seedling resulted in increase of the growth percent and decrease of polyphenol, as well as an increase of flavonoid. As for their beneficial effects on disease control, the results revealed that SA may improve plant growth and disease control by maintaining the rate of polyphenols at a level without altering the growth of plants, and inhibit the effect of fungi invasion by increasing production of flavonoids implicated in resistance to antifungal compounds.
Cognitive function and blood rheology: results from the Caerphilly cohort of older men.

OBJECTIVES Vascular lesions are important contributors to cerebral disease, yet relatively little work has been done on relationships between haematological factors and cognitive function. We have explored these relationships in the Caerphilly cohort of older men. DESIGN The development of vascular disease and the decline in cognitive function are being studied in a cohort of older men in Caerphilly, South Wales, UK. We have recorded a range of life-style, dietary, lipid, haematological and rheological factors which are, or may be, predictive of vascular disease. We have examined the relationships between these and both incident myocardial infarction and stroke, and identified factors relevant to cognitive function. SETTING A community-based study based upon a representative population sample of older men. We collected data for the study from around 90% of the survivors of the original cohort. SUBJECTS 2154 men who were aged 55-69 years at the time blood was taken for the haematological tests and cognitive function was tested. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We present data from the AH4 test of general cognitive performance and from choice reaction time, a test of vigilance. RESULTS There is a U-shaped relationship between haematocrit and cognitive function, the best cognitive function scores occurring at a mean haematocrit of 0.46. The relationship is significant for the choice reaction time (P < 0.05). The relationship between haematocrit and the AH4 test score is also curvilinear, but it is not significant. Plasma viscosity showed strong and robust relationships, with significantly better cognitive performance and faster reaction times at lower levels of viscosity (both relationships P < 0.001). Plasma fibrinogen concentration did not show any significant relationships with cognitive function. All these relationships are present, but are much weaker, with rheological tests that had been carried out 5 years before the cognitive testing. CONCLUSIONS Blood rheology, as estimated by both haematocrit and plasma viscosity, is a significant determinant of cognitive function in older men. On the other hand, the thrombotic potential of blood, as indicated by fibrinogen level, shows no significant relationships. The relationships with rheology seem to be direct, presumably through blood flow at the time of testing, rather than through underlying long-term disease processes.
Low-Dose Molecular Breast Imaging Using Tc-99 m Sestamibi : The Impact of Isotope Decay , Tracer Washout and Body Habitus on Image Count Density

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the factors influencing count density in low-dose molecular breast imaging and their impact on image quality. Methods: One hundred patients scheduled for a diagnostic MBI procedure were imaged using a commercially available MBI system following the SNM Practice Guideline for Breast Scintigraphy, with one modification. Each 20 mCi (740 MBq) diagnostic dose of Tc-99m sestamibi was separated into two syringes, with each containing 10 mCi (370 MBq) or with one containing 5 mCi (185 MBq) and the other containing 15 mCi (555 MBq). Patients were randomly injected with 5 mCi, 10 mCi, or 15 mCi and imaged bilaterally in the craniocaudal (CC) view. The remaining fraction of the 20 mCi was then injected, followed by a standard four-view study. Results: The two sets of CC view images were analyzed to determine the average count density for a given acquisition time and injected activity, after application of an effective half-life correction factor to account for the time-related combined effect of radioactive decay and cellular washout. The average count density of the MBI images was reduced by radiopharmaceutical decay and washout and imaging time should be adjusted accordingly in low dose imaging. Conclusions : It was observed that the patient weight was one physical characteristic that should be considered for optimal image quality, with the dose increasing in proportion to the patient weight.
EFFECTS OF A SEVERE SNOWSTORM ON SUBALPINE AND ALPINE POPULATIONS OF NESTING AMERICAN PIPITS

--The effect of a midsummer snowstorm on nesting success of two populations of American Pipits (Antbus rubescens) in the Beartooth Mountains, Wyoming is described. An alpine population (3200 m) suffered 79% nestling mortality during the storm, whereas a subalpine population (2900 m) experienced 7% nestling mortality. All nestlings of the alpine population at least 11 d old (n = 44) survived burial by snow for 24 h, whereas younger nestlings (n = 36) had only 11% survivorship. This age effect corresponds to the age of endothermy; younger nestlings apparently died of exposure. Snow covered the ground for an additional 36 h after nests were excavated; older nestlings experienced high (73%) mortality, probably from starvation, during this period. The observed survivorship pattern was apparently unrelated to brood size. Implications of severe storms for alpine populations of breeding birds are discussed. EFECTO DE UNA TORMENTA SEVERA EN POBLACIONES SUBALPINAS Y ALPINAS DE ANTHUS RUBESCENS Sinopsis. --En cstc trabajo sc discute cl cfccto dc una tormcnta vcranicga cn cl 6xito dc anidamicnto dc dos poblacioncs dc Antbus rubescens cn las montafias Beartooth dc Wyoming. Como cfccto dc la tormcnta dc nicvc, la poblaci6n alpina (3200 m) sufri6 un 79% dc mortalidad entre sus pichoncs, micntras quc la poblaci6n subalpina (2900 m) experiment6 un 7% dc mortalida& Todos los pichoncs dc la poblaci6n alpina dcal mcnos 11 d dc cdad (n = 44) sobrevivicron a la cobcrtura pot la nicvc pot cspacio dc 24 h, micntras quc los pichoncs dc mcnor cdad (n = 36) tuvicron una supcrvivcncia dc 11%. El cfccto rclacionado con la cdad sc dcbc al dcsarrollo dc la cndotcrmia; los pichones mils j6vcncs muricron aparcntcmcntc pot cxposici6n. La nicvc cubri6 los suclos nucvamcnte pot cspacio dc 36 h lucgo de habcr sido cxcavados los nidos; los pichoncs de mayor cdad sufricron una mortalidad dc 73% probablcmcntc dcbido a falta dc alimcntaci6n durante cstc pcriodo. La supcrvivcncia obscrvada probablcmcntc no cstuvo rclacionado al tamafio dc las camarias. Se comentan cn cl trabajo las implicacioncs dc tormcntas scvcras sobrc poblacioncs rcproductivas dc aves alpinas. Inclement weather during late spring and summer can have severe effects on the survival and nesting success of breeding bird populations (e.g., Eckhardt 1977, Jehl and Hussell 1966, Norment 1985, Pulliainen 1978, Sutton and Parmelee 1954). These consequences may be particularly serious for arctic and alpine species, which often must begin breeding activities without delay if they are to reproduce successfully. Although • Current address: George M. Sutton Arian Research Center, P.O. Box 2007, Bartlesville, Oklahoma 7,1005-2007 USA.