Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Construction of a Persian Letter-to-Sound Conversion System

Persian writing system, like all other Arabic script-based languages, is special because of omission of some vowels in its standard orthography. Lack of these vowels causes some problems in Text -To- Speech systems because full transcription of words is needed for synthesis. Then construction of a Letter-To-Sound conversion system is necessary for Text-To-Speech systems because it is not possible to list all words of a language with their corresponding pronunciation in a lexicon. In this paper, we have presented a Persian Letter-To-Sound conversion system based on Classification and Regression Tree. The training data is a lexicon of 32,000 words with their corresponding pronunciation which is extracted from Persian linguistic database corpora. The CART is built with Wagon that is a tool of Edinburg Speech Tools for constructing decision trees in Festival. The final accuracy of this system is 93.61 %, which means that this system is able to predict Persian words’ pronunciation comparatively by a high accuracy in comparison with the same system for English which is 94.6% accurate to predict English words’ pronunciation in Fes-tival. Also accuracy of the implemented Persian Letter-To-Sound system in festival is more than other previous systems which are implemented out of Festival.
In vitro postantibiotic effect following repeated exposure to imipenem, temafloxacin, and tobramycin

The postantibiotic effect (PAE) following three consecutive 2-h exposures to imipenem, temafloxacin, and tobramycin was determined in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A PAE and a bactericidal effect were consistently observed for imipenem following each cycle of drug exposure and regrowth. In contrast, the PAE increased with repeated exposure with temafloxacin (1.8 to > 5 h), but disappeared with tobramycin by the third exposure (0.9 to 0 h). These data show that the in vitro PAE may change within a strain following multiple cycles of drug exposure and bacterial regrowth.
Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl improved renal histological changes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Global prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing all over the world, resulting in higher prevalence of diabetic complication. Diabetic nephropathy is the most frequent complication suffered by diabetic patients. Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl (PM) consist of active substances which have antidiabetic properties. This study aims to evaluate the protective effect of PM pericarp extract on renal histological changes of alloxan-induced diabetes. Twenty five male albino (Sprague Dawley) rats were divided into five groups (of five each): normal control; diabetic; diabetic + metformin 100 mg/kgBW; diabetic + PM methanolic extract 250 mg/kgBW and diabetic + PM water extract 250 mg/kgBW. Diabetes was induced by alloxan monohydrate 150 mg/BW intraperitoneally. PM extract and metformin (as comparison group) was administered to diabetic rats for three weeks and at the end of the study, rats were sacrificed to obtain their kidneys for routine staining. Treatment with PM extracts (methanolic and water) and metformin significantly reduced glomerular hypertrophy, though the glomerular area of these groups was lower than that of the diabetic group (p < 0.01). Treatment with PM extract (methanolic and water) significantly reduced glomerulosclerosis, which showed a lower score of glomerulosclerosis degree (p< 0.01), and was still observed to be lower if compared with metformin (p < 0.01). It was concluded that PM extract restored glomerular hypertrophy and improved glomerulosclerosis in alloxan-induced diabetes.
Impairment of renal function with increasing blood lead concentrations in the general population. The Cadmibel Study Group.

BACKGROUND Nephropathy is known to occur in persons with heavy exposure to lead. Whether exposure to lead in the general population leads to impaired renal function is not known. METHODS We studied renal function and indexes of lead exposure in a random population sample of 965 men and 1016 women (age range, 20 to 88 years). In all the subjects we measured creatinine clearance and blood concentrations of lead and zinc protoporphyrin (an indirect measure of blood lead level). RESULTS The mean (+/- SD) creatinine clearance rate was 99 +/- 30 ml per minute in the men and 80 +/- 25 ml per minute in the women. In the men the geometric mean blood lead concentration was 114 micrograms per liter (0.55 mumol per liter) (range, 23 to 725 micrograms per liter [0.11 to 3.5 mumol per liter]), and in the women 75 micrograms per liter (0.36 mumol per liter) (range, 17 to 603 micrograms per liter [0.08 to 2.9 mumol per liter]); the zinc protoporphyrin values in blood averaged 1.0 and 1.1 micrograms per gram of hemoglobin, respectively. The creatinine clearance rate was inversely correlated with blood lead and zinc protoporphyrin values in the men and the women both before and after adjustments for age, bodymass index, and diuretic treatment. A 10-fold increase in blood lead concentration was associated with a reduction of 10 to 13 ml per minute in creatinine clearance. We also found a positive correlation between serum beta 2-microglobulin (which is inversely related to the glomerular filtration rate) and blood lead in men, between serum beta 2-microglobulin and zinc protoporphyrin in both sexes, and between serum creatinine and zinc protoporphyrin in men. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to lead may impair renal function in the general population. The alternative hypothesis that renal impairment may lead to an increase in the blood lead concentration cannot be excluded, however.
Management of the pediatric pulseless supracondylar humeral fracture: is vascular exploration necessary?

BACKGROUND Radically different conclusions exist in the pediatric orthopaedic and vascular literature regarding the management of patients with a pink hand but no palpable radial pulse in association with a supracondylar humeral fracture. METHODS One thousand two hundred and ninety-seven consecutive, operatively treated supracondylar humeral fractures in patients presenting to a level-I pediatric trauma center from January 2003 through December 2007 were studied retrospectively. Clinical records were reviewed to determine vascular and neurological examination findings, Gartland classification, timing of surgery, and postoperative complications. RESULTS One thousand two hundred and sixty-six patients had a documented radial pulse examination at the time of arrival in the emergency room; fifty-four (4%) of those patients lacked a palpable radial pulse. All fifty-four patients had type-3 fractures. Five (9%) of the fifty-four patients underwent open exploration of vascular structures on the basis of clinical findings of a pale hand, sluggish capillary refill, and/or weak or no pulse detected with use of Doppler ultrasound after closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. All five underwent vascular surgery to restore blood flow (two primary repairs, three saphenous vein grafts). Twenty (37%) of the fifty-four patients had a pulse documented with use of Doppler ultrasound and a pink hand after closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, but the radial pulse remained nonpalpable. These patients were observed in the hospital for signs of ischemia; one of the twenty patients required vascular repair after developing a pale hand nine hours after closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, and the other nineteen patients were also observed while they were in the hospital, and they all regained a palpable pulse either prior to discharge or by the time of the first postoperative visit. When compared with the group of patients with type-3 fractures for whom data regarding nerve examination were available, patients with type-3 fractures who lacked a palpable radial pulse had a higher rate of nerve palsy postoperatively (31% versus 9%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS In this cohort, nearly 10% of patients who presented with a type-3 supracondylar humeral fracture and no palpable radial pulse underwent immediate vascular repair to restore blood flow following closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. However, in our series, the lack of a palpable radial pulse after closed reduction and percutaneous pinning was not an absolute indication to proceed with vascular exploration if clinical findings (i.e., Doppler signal and capillary refill) suggested that the limb was perfused. Careful inpatient monitoring of these patients postoperatively is mandatory to identify late-developing vascular compromise. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Ascospores are a source of inoculum of Phaeosphaeria nodorum, P. avenaria f. sp. avenaria and Mycosphaerella graminicola in Western Australia

Ascospores of the wheat pathogens Phaeosphaeria nodorum (Müller) Hedjaroude and Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fuckel) Schroeter were trapped above infected wheat straw in 1990 in an area isolated from other possible sources. Release of ascospores by P. nodorum and M. graminicola, and by the oat pathogen P. avenaria f. sp. avenaria (Weber) Eriksson was monitored in the field between April and September 1991 to determine the availability of ascospores as a source of primary inoculum. The major period of ascospore release of P. nodorum and P. avenaria f. sp. avenaria was from mid-June to late August, which corresponded with the seedling to early flag emergence stage of crop development. The number of ascospores trapped was high, exceeding 4000 ascospores/m3 air/day for P. nodorum and 1000 ascospores/m3 air/day for P. avenaria f. sp. avenaria. The major release of ascospores of M. graminicola was from mid-May to late July, corresponding with the early seedling stage of crop development. The numbers trapped, however, were low and did not exceed 100 ascospores/m3 air/day. P. nodorum was recognised as the predominant wheat leaf pathogen at the trapping site and this was reflected in larger numbers of ascospores of P. nodorum compared with those of M. graminicola.
The evolution of paediatrics from archaeological times to the mid‐nineteenth century and the historical influence on present day practice

The history of childcare dates back to the beginning of time. This article critically analyses the history of paediatrics from its roots to mid‐nineteenth century with the view to examine its evolution and influence on today's practice. Paediatrics as a sub‐speciality of medicine only began in the fifteenth century when the Four Incunabula were published in the West. This was the first attempt at producing a comprehensive and accessible reference paediatric text. However, long before the Incunabula, early traces of childcare are found in different cultures like Egyptian, Indian and Chinese. Modern paediatrics is a highly advanced field of medicine that relies on many recent technological innovations. In spite of these, this paper concludes that paediatrics today is very much based on concepts, such as observation and clinical skills, introduced many centuries ago. The basic approach used in everyday clinical practice owes more to century‐old ideas of scientists.
Treatment of severe alopecia areata with intralesional steroid injections.

BACKGROUND Treatment of alopecia areata with intralesional steroid injection is generally recommended for people who have less than 50% scalp involvement. In a specialized hair loss clinic, the authors successfully treated patients with extensive alopecia areata (over 50% but under 99%) with intralesional corticosteroid injections. OBSERVATIONS A review of patients with extensive alopecia areata was done. Six out of 10 patients responded to treatment with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide. In comparison to the non-responders, the responders tended to have exclamation mark hairs and a positive hair pull test at their initial physical examination, and exhibited improvement during the initial months of treatment. Complications were negligible, with mild reversible atrophy in three patients. The treatment was well tolerated and, in some patients, pain was minimized by use of a topical anesthetic agent applied under occlusion prior to the visit. CONCLUSION Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is a safe and effective treatment for patients with extensive alopecia areata. Patients with exclamation point hairs and a positive hair pull test may be more likely to respond.
The effect of sodium citrate in arterial catheters on acid‐base and electrolyte measurements

Objective: To compare the effects of heparin or sodium citrate used to anticoagulate indwelling arterial catheters on acid‐base and electrolyte measurements. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Medical‐surgical university‐affiliated intensive care unit. Subjects: Twenty patients with indwelling arterial catheters. Interventions: Patients were randomly allocated to have ten 1‐mL aliquots of blood sampled serially from an arterial catheter maintained with either heparin or sodium citrate. A sample then obtained by arterial puncture provided true measurement values. Acid‐base and electrolyte measurements of whole blood were obtained from each sample by means of a Corning 860 analyzer. Measurements and Main Results: Contamination with sodium citrate lowered ionized calcium and pH but increased glucose and PCO2. Heparin produced negligible effects on those measurements. When sodium citrate was used, reliable measurements were not obtained for ionized calcium, pH, and glucose, even after 9 mL of blood had been discarded. However, reliable PCO2 measurements were obtained after 2 mL of blood was discarded. Conclusions: Sodium citrate used to maintain arterial catheters can contaminate blood samples. The result of that contamination can mimic severe hypocalcemia, metabolic acidosis, and mild hyperglycemia. Failure to recognize the effects of sodium citrate on acid‐base and electrolyte measurements may lead to changes in treatment that could affect patient outcome adversely.
Diurnal rhythms in gonadotropins and progesterone in lactating and photoperiod induced acyclic hamsters.

Levels of LH, FSH, and progesterone in serum were measured in lactating hamsters and in hamsters in which acyclicity was induced with altered photoperiod. Lactating hamsters were found to have low titers of LH, FSH, and progesterone in serum at 0900 (lights on 0500-1900) on Days 4, 9, 14, and 19 of lactation and increased levels of these hormones at 1600. Levels of LU and FSH in serum at both 0900 and 1600 remained relatively constant throughout lactation. In contrast, levels of progesterone in serum obtained at both 0900 and 1600 sampling times increased as lactation progressed. Ovariectomy on Day 9 of lactation reduced serum levels of progesterone at both 0900 and 1600 and eliminated the afternoon surge in progesterone in animals bled 5 days after surgery. The levels and pattern of LH in serum remained unchanged after ovariectomy in lactating hamsters. However, serum FSH levels in the ovariectomized, lactating animals were elevated at both 0900 and 1600 when compared to levels present in intact, lactating hamsters bled at the same times. Females which were acyclic due to altered photoperiod displayed similar patterns of LH, FSH, and progesterone in serum. Levels of LH, FSH, and progesterone in serum were low at 1000 (lights on 0500-1500) and were increased 2 to 10 fold at 1500. Ovariectomy was followed by lower progesterone levels in serum at 1000 and 1500 and eliminated the afternoon rise of this hormone. Serum levels of LH were unaffected by ovariectomy. As in lactating hamsters, levels of FSH in serum were elevated 3-4 days following ovariectomy at both bleeding times, but the levels were higher at 1500. These results indicate that acyclicity induced by lactation or exposure to a short photoperiod is characterized by similar diurnal patterns of circulating hormones in the hamster.
Matrix metalloproteinase‐9 reversibly affects the time course of NMDA‐induced currents in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in maintenance of NMDA receptor‐dependent LTP and in lateral mobility of these receptors. However, the effect of MMP‐9 on NMDA receptor (NMDAR) functional properties is unknown. For this purpose we have investigated the impact of recombinant MMP‐9 on the whole‐cell NMDAR‐mediated current responses in cultured hippocampal neurons. Treatment with MMP‐9 induced a reversible acceleration of desensitization and deactivation kinetics but had no effect on current amplitude. Interestingly, phorbol ester, a PKC activator known to enhance NMDAR lateral mobility, induced kinetic changes of currents similar to those produced by MMP‐9. In conclusion, our results show that MMP‐9 reversibly modulates the NMDAR kinetics and raise a possibility that this modulation could be related to the lateral mobility of these receptors. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fragile-X carrier screening and the prevalence of premutation and full-mutation carriers in Israel.

Fragile-X syndrome is caused by an unstable CGG trinucleotide repeat in the FMR1 gene at Xq27. Intermediate alleles (51-200 repeats) can undergo expansion to the full mutation on transmission from mother to offspring. To evaluate the effectiveness of a fragile-X carrier-screening program, we tested 14,334 Israeli women of child-bearing age for fragile-X carrier status between 1992 and 2000. These women were either preconceptional or pregnant and had no family history of mental retardation. All those found to be carriers of premutation or full-mutation alleles were offered genetic counseling and also prenatal diagnosis, if applicable. We identified 207 carriers of an allele with >50 repeats, representing a prevalence of 1:69. There were 127 carriers with >54 repeats, representing a prevalence of 1:113. Three asymptomatic women carried the fully mutated allele. Among the premutation and full-mutation carriers, 177 prenatal diagnoses were performed. Expansion occurred in 30 fetuses, 5 of which had an expansion to the full mutation. On the basis of these results, the expected number of avoided patients born to women identified as carriers, the cost of the test in this study (U.S. $100), and the cost of lifetime care for a mentally retarded person (>$350,000), screening was calculated to be cost-effective. Because of the high prevalence of fragile-X premutation or full-mutation alleles, even in the general population, and because of the cost-effectiveness of the program, we recommend that screening to identify female carriers should be carried out on a wide scale.
Minimal Seasonal Alterations in the Skeletal Muscle of Captive Brown Bears

Previous studies on wild black bears (Ursus americanus) have shown that skeletal muscle morphology, composition, and overall force‐generating capacity do not differ drastically between seasons despite prolonged inactivity during hibernation. However, the amount and characteristics of the seasonal variations were not consistent in these studies. The goals of this study were to compare the amount of muscle atrophy in captive brown bears (Ursus arctos) with that observed in wild black bears and measure seasonal differences in twitch characteristics. Samples from the biceps femoris muscle were collected during the summer and winter. Protein concentration, fiber‐type composition, and fiber cross‐sectional area were measured along with twitch characteristics. The protein concentration of the winter samples was 8.2% lower than that of the summer samples; fiber cross‐sectional area and the relative proportion of fast and slow fibers remained unchanged between seasons. Myosin heavy chain isoforms I, IIa, and IIx were identified by immunoblotting and electrophoresis, and the proportions did not change between seasons. The half‐rise time in the twitch contractions increased in winter relative to summer samples, which is unexpected under disuse conditions. These results agreed with a study that showed minimal skeletal muscle atrophy between seasons in wild black bears.
Differential effects of semantic processing on memory encoding

Deeper semantic processing of words leads to enhanced memory encoding (depth of processing effect). The left inferior prefrontal cortex (LIPC) and the left hippocampus are known to be involved in this effect. We tested the hypothesis that different semantic encoding processes contribute qualitatively differently to memory encoding. In a memory experiment using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared three different encoding tasks: a nonsemantic alphabetical, an animacy decision, and a size comparison tasks. Recognition memory was tested subsequently. We hypothesized that the size comparison task would activate brain areas involved in the processing of object features and that this would be associated with successful memory encoding. Results showed that the size comparison task led to significantly better memory encoding than the two other tasks. As with the animacy decision task, it led to stronger activation of the LIPC and left hippocampus than the nonsemantic task. Both regions also had stronger activations for later remembered than for nonremembered words. The size comparison task additionally led to stronger activation in the left anterior fusiform gyrus, which was also associated with successful memory encoding. We conclude that different types of semantic processing affect memory encoding based on distinguishable brain processes. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
First-Contact Incidence Rates of Schizophrenia in Trinidad and One-Year Follow-up

Background Incidence rates of schizophrenia among UK African–Caribbeans have been reported as high. Various explanations including selective migration and genetic vulnerability have been proposed. Method In one calendar year, all new cases of psychosis presenting to various psychiatric services in two clearly defined geographical catchment areas in Trinidad – one in the rural south and the other an urban area – were studied. Standardised diagnostic instruments were applied and information collected using WHO screening and measurement instruments. Results A total of 56 cases were collected, giving an incidence rate of 2.2/1000 of broad schizophrenia with a rate of 1.6 for S+ schizophrenia. Conclusion These rates are similar to those from the WHO study in Honolulu and Aarhus, and much lower than the rates for African–Caribbeans in London. The cases were followed up for one year and the poor outcome rate for schizophrenia was 19%. The findings are discussed in a cross-cultural context and suggestions for future research made.