Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Representational Value, Meaningfulness, and Pronunciability in Serial Learning

60 Ss were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 verbal learning conditions involving a serial task. The differential effects on learning of stimuli representing referent dimensions (representational value) were contrasted with the more typical dimension of meaningfulness (association value). The relationship of pronunciability to those two dimensions was also evaluated. While data suggest that association value and, to some extent, representational value contribute to the variance, the possibility that pronunciability is basic to both these dimensions could no: be ruled out.
The associations between physical activity, inflammation, and coagulation markers, in people with metabolic syndrome: the ATTICA study

Objective Metabolic syndrome is a condition that promotes atherosclerosis and increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. We evaluated whether leisure time physical activity is associated with the levels of inflammatory and coagulation markers, in people with metabolic syndrome. Methods From May 2001 to December 2002 we randomly enrolled 1514 men and 1528 women (>18 years old), without any clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease, stratified by age-gender (census 2001). The population of the study was divided into those who fulfilled the NCEP ATP III criteria for the metabolic syndrome (n = 701 or 33% men and 13% women) and the rest of the participants (n = 2341). We assessed the relationship between self-reported physical activity status and inflammatory, and coagulation markers [i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid-A (SAA), interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, white blood cell (WBC) counts, and fibrinogen (FIB)], after taking into account the effect of several confounders. Results Of the non-metabolic syndrome group, 56% of men and 58% of women were classified as sedentary, while of the metabolic syndrome group 58% men and 72% women were sedentary. After controlling for various potential confounders we found that physically active individuals with the metabolic syndrome had 36% lower levels of CRP, 15% lower levels of WBC, 19% lower levels of SAA, 15% lower levels of TNF-α, 30% lower levels of IL-6 and 15% lower levels of FIB, compared to sedentary (all P<0.05). Similar results were observed in the non-metabolic syndrome group. Conclusions The adoption of a physically active lifestyle is independently associated with lower levels of the investigated biomarkers in individuals with the metabolic syndrome. The latter may suggest a pathway for reducing cardiovascular events, even in high-risk people. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 12: 151–158 © 2005 The European Society of Cardiology
A Preconditioned Hybrid SVD Method for Accurately Computing Singular Triplets of Large Matrices

The computation of a few singular triplets of large, sparse matrices is a challenging task, especially when the smallest magnitude singular values are needed in high accuracy. Most recent efforts try to address this problem through variations of the Lanczos bidiagonalization method, but they are still challenged even for medium matrix sizes due to the difficulty of the problem. We propose a novel SVD approach that can take advantage of preconditioning and of any well designed eigensolver to compute both largest and smallest singular triplets. Accuracy and efficiency is achieved through a hybrid, two-stage meta-method, PHSVDS. In the first stage, PHSVDS solves the normal equations up to the best achievable accuracy. If further accuracy is required, the method switches automatically to an eigenvalue problem with the augmented matrix. Thus it combines the advantages of the two stages, faster convergence and accuracy, respectively. For the augmented matrix, solving the interior eigenvalue is facilitated by a proper use of the good initial guesses from the first stage and an efficient implementation of the refined projection method. We also discuss how to precondition PHSVDS and to cope with some issues that arise. Numerical experiments illustrate the efficiency and robustness of the method.
Modified contemporary comparisons for first and second lactations in the same and different herds.

Separate sire evaluations by Modified Contemporary Comparison for first and second lactations were calculated for 200 widely used Holstein bulls from a file containing only first or second records of all daughters and from two independent subsets of the same data. Sire evaluations based on both first and second lactations also were computed. Correlations between first lactation evaluations in one independent data set and second lactation evaluations in the other were . 87 and . 84. First lactation evaluations accounted for only about 75% of the variation in second record evaluations, suggesting a need for some form of later record sire evaluation, at least for the selection of sires of sons. Within sire, daughter variation for first records was not useful in predicting difference between first and second record sire evaluations. Second lactation evaluations increased relative to firsts as culling increased, suggesting culling bias in Modified Contemporary Comparisons for later records. An adjustment based on an empirical regression of later records on firsts produced second evaluations with means and standard deviations nearly identical to those of first records. Correlations between first and adjusted second evaluations were . 87 for both independent data sets. Difference between adjusted second and first evaluations were correlated . 15 with culling, compared to . 25 for unadjusted seconds. Important sire differences in first and second lactation evaluations were detected in all data sets. Such differences were unaltered by adjustment for selection.
Scalar gradient and small-scale structure in turbulent premixed combustion

Scalar gradient and small-scale structure in turbulent premixed combustion are investigated with emphasis on flame thickening. A Lagrangian-type equation for the evolution of the scalar gradient following an isoscalar surface is presented, which is useful in studying physical mechanisms for the scalar gradient evolution in premixed flames. The terms in the Lagrangian-type form of the scalar gradient equation are analyzed using direct numerical simulation data for statistically one-dimensional planar flames with high intensity turbulence. Two flames with Da 1 are investigated. Results show that the curvature plays an important role in the evolution of the scalar gradient in turbulent premixed flames. The tangential strain rate, which is the major term to steepen the scalar gradient, is shown to be negatively correlated with the curvature due to the relation between the dilatation and the displacement speed of isoscalar surfaces. This represents the effects of heat release on the scalar gradient ev.
Severity and age of rotavirus diarrhea, but not socioeconomic conditions, are associated with rotavirus seasonality in Venezuela

Rotavirus (RV) epidemiology presents differences between developing and developed countries among which are seasonality, age at first infection, variability of strain in circulation and severity of disease. Since, in Venezuela, we have distinct seasonal patterns of RV occurrence, we examined the epidemiological profile of RV disease associated to these differences by analyzing data from previous studies conducted in Venezuela. Data were collected from children <5 years of age with diarrhea seen in six hospitals located in five cities. Socio‐demographic and clinical characteristics of RV illness were analyzed according to RV identification by ELISA assay and the seasonal patterns of RV circulation (marked versus minimal seasonality). A total of 6,742 episodes of diarrhea (1,820 rotavirus positive and 4,922 rotavirus negative) were evaluated: 1,951 in Caracas, Cumaná and Pto. Ordaz (minimal seasonality) and 4,791 in Mérida and Valencia (marked seasonality). Mean age (months) of children with RV was 8.14 ± 6.74 and 12.21 ± 9.62 (P < 0.0001) in areas with minimal and marked seasonality, respectively. RV disease was more frequent (33% vs. 24%; OR = 1.536; 95% CI: 1.36–1.73), more severe (dehydration: 64% vs. 29%; OR = 4.436; 95% CI: 3.61–5.44) and more common in infants than in older children (79% vs. 60%; OR = 2.521; 95% CI: 2.01–3.14) in cities with minimal seasonality than in those with marked seasonality. Socioeconomic conditions were not associated with seasonality. In environments with minimal seasonality, children are infected with RV at younger ages and the disease is more severe regardless of malnutrition and poverty. J. Med. Virol. 81:562–567, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A 1.5 V 1.0 mW audio /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ modulator with 98 dB dynamic range

This audio-quality switched-capacitor (SC) /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ modulator operates from a single 1.5 V supply and dissipates 1.0 mW. When clocked at 2.82 MHz, it achieves 98.2 dB dynamic range (DR) in a 20 kHz bandwidth. The peak SNR and SNDR are 90 dB and 88 dB, respectively. The fully-differential experimental circuit has been integrated in a 0.5 /spl mu/m triple-metal single-poly CMOS n-well process with metal-to-poly capacitors.
Effects of prednisone in canine muscular dystrophy

Glucocorticoid use may provide short‐term functional improvement in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We report functional and histopathologic changes following a 4‐month course of daily oral prednisone in a canine model of DMD, termed golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD). Muscle extension forces in GRMD dogs treated daily with 1 and 2 mg/kg prednisone measured 2.349 ± 0.92 and 3.486 ± 0.67 N/kg, respectively, compared to 1.927 ± 0.63 N/kg in untreated GRMD controls (p < 0.05 for 2mg/kg group); GRMD muscle flexion forces measured 0.435 ± 0.13 and 0.303 ± 0.08 N/kg, respectively, compared to 0.527 ± 0.01 N/kg in untreated GRMD controls (p < 0.05 for both groups). Although cranial sartorius hypertrophy and tibiotarsal joint angles also tended to improve, myofiber calcification increased and fetal myosin expression decreased following prednisone. Thus, functional data indicate benefit but histopathologic changes following prednisone treatment in GRMD suggest possible deleterious consequences. Muscle Nerve, 2004
Theoretical problems related to the attachment of microtubules to kinetochores.

A possible model is analyzed for the maintenance of attachment of a shortening microtubule (MT) to a kinetochore. In this model it is assumed that a MT is inserted and held in a sleeve or channel of the outer layer of a kinetochore while subunits are lost from the MT tip through the central layer of the kinetochore. A second problem considered is the elementary bioenergetics of MT growth and shortening, as associated with the presence or absence of a GTP cap on the MT ends. The free-energy source is the hydrolysis of GTP in solution. The third problem discussed is the kinetics of capture of a centrosomal MT by a target (e.g., a kinetochore).
Pressure ulcers in pediatric intensive care: Incidence and associated factors*

Objective To describe the incidence, location, and factors associated with the development of pressure ulcers in patients cared for in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Design Multisite prospective cohort study. Setting Three PICUs contained within freestanding children’s hospitals. Patients A total of 322 patients, 21 days to 8 yrs of age, on bed rest in the PICU for at least 24 hrs without preexisting pressure ulcers or congenital heart disease. Intervention Patients were observed up to three times a week for 2 wks, then once a week until PICU discharge for a median of two observation periods (interquartile range, 1–4), reflecting 877 skin assessments. Skin assessments were independently rated, and data collectors were blinded to the assessments of the others. Measurements and Main Results Pressure ulcers were staged according to the American National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel Consensus Development Conference recommendations. Eighty-six patients (27%) developed 199 pressure ulcers; 139 (70%) were Stage I, 54 (27%) were Stage II, and 6 (3%) were Stage III. Of the 60 Stage II/III pressure ulcers, 19 (32%) involved the head. Stage III pressure ulcers involved the occiput, ear, chest, and coccyx. An additional 27 pressure-related injuries were caused by medical devices. Statistically significant Stage I pressure ulcer predictor variables include the use of mechanical ventilation, mean arterial pressures ≤50 mm Hg, and lower Braden Q scores. Conclusions PICU patients at risk include those supported on mechanical ventilation, those with hypotension, and those who have low Braden Q scores. This study provides unique benchmark data for the general PICU population from which pediatric interventional studies can be designed to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers in this vulnerable patient population.
Characteristics of corn stalk hemicellulose pyrolysis in a tubular reactor

Pyrolysis characteristics of corn stalk hemicellulose were investigated in a tubular reactor at different temperatures, with focus mainly on the releasing profiles and forming behaviors of pyrolysis products (gas, char, and tar). The products obtained were further identified using various approaches (including GC, SEM, and GC-MS) to understand the influence of temperature on product properties and compositions. It was found that the devolatilization of hemicellulose mainly occurred at low temperatures (<500°C), and produced large amounts of tar. A higher reactor temperature was conducive to the yield of gas products, accompanied by a reduction of tar because of the secondary cracking of volatiles. The gas components mainly consisted of CO2, CO, H2, and CH4, together with trace C2H4 and C2H6. The CO2 evolved easily and reached a relatively large yield of 129.2ml/g at 550°C, while CO and H2 were mainly released at higher temperatures (700-900°C). The tar was mainly composed of a range of oxygenated compounds, including ketones, furans, carboxylic acids, and alcohols, and their contents were influenced by the final temperature. An in-depth analysis of the properties of the products generated at different temperatures is favorable for a better understanding of the mechanism of hemicellulose pyrolysis.
Examining relationships among dialect variation, literacy skills, and school context in first grade.

PURPOSE This study examined relationships between the use of nonmainstream American English dialects, literacy skills, and school environment among typically developing first graders (n = 617), of whom 48% were African American and 52% were White, in order to describe and better understand the difficulties many children from linguistically diverse backgrounds experience while learning to read. METHOD Using hierarchical linear modeling, the authors examined the linear and quadratic relationships between students' dialect variation (DVAR) and their vocabulary, phonological awareness, and word reading skills, taking into account school environment, specifically schoolwide socioeconomic status (SES). RESULTS The relationships between DVAR and literacy outcomes depended on the outcome of interest and school SES. However, children's race did not generally affect the trajectory or strength of the relationships between outcomes and dialect variation. For vocabulary and word reading, the association was nonlinear, that is, U-shaped, but this depended on school SES. For phonological awareness, a negative linear relationship was observed that did not depend on school SES. CONCLUSIONS The results inform theories on the relationship between DVAR and literacy achievement and suggest a more complex explanation of how nonmainstream American English dialect use might influence how young children learn to read.
A Global Merged Land–Air–Sea Surface Temperature Reconstruction Based on Historical Observations (1880–1997)

Abstract A merged land–air–sea surface temperature reconstruction analysis is developed for monthly anomalies. The reconstruction is global and spatially complete. Reconstructed anomalies damp toward zero in regions with insufficient sampling. Error estimates account for the damping associated with sparse sampling, and also for bias uncertainty in both the land and sea observations. Averages of the reconstruction are similar to simple averages of the unanalyzed data for most of the analysis period. For the nineteenth century, when sampling is most sparse and the error estimates are largest, the differences between the averaged reconstruction and the simple averages are largest. Sampling is always sparse poleward of 60° latitude, and historic reconstructions for the polar regions should be used with caution.
Bioactivation of loxoprofen to a pharmacologically active metabolite and its disposition kinetics in human skin

Loxoprofen (LX) is a prodrug‐type non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug which is used not only as an oral drug but also as a transdermal formulation. As a pharmacologically active metabolite, the trans‐alcohol form of LX (trans‐OH form) is generated after oral administration to humans. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the generation of the trans‐OH form in human in vitro skin and to identify the predominant enzyme for its generation. In the permeation and metabolism study using human in vitro skin, both the permeation of LX and the formation of the trans‐OH form increased in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner after the application of LX gel to the skin. In addition, the characteristics of permeation and metabolism of both LX and the trans‐OH form were examined by a mathematical pharmacokinetic model. The Km value was calculated to be 10.3 mm in the human in vitro skin. The predominant enzyme which generates the trans‐OH form in human whole skin was identified to be carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) by immunodepletion using the anti‐human CBR1 antibody. The results of the enzyme kinetic study using the recombinant human CBR1 protein demonstrated that the Km and Vmax values were 7.30 mm and 402 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. In addition, it was found that no unknown metabolites were generated in the human in vitro skin. This is the first report in which LX is bioactivated to the trans‐OH form in human skin by CBR1. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of a bovine plasma progesterone ELISA kit to measure progesterone in equine, ovine and canine plasmas

A commerical kit designed to measure the concentration of progesterone in bovine plasma using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been assessed for measuring progesterone in the plasma of horses, sheep and dogs. Without validation, an immunoassay developed for progesterone in one species should not be used to measure progesterone in the plasma of other species. The kit was assessed by using the criteria of parallelism to a standard curve, the recovery of added progesterone, the correlation with an established radioimmunoassay and the detection of physiological change for each of the species tested. The ELISA kit proved to be acceptable for the analysis of progesterone in the plasma of each species, and in particular for the detection of the low concentrations found during the follicular phase and of the subsequent rise during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle.
Intelligent reconfigurable universal fuzzy flip-flop

In this paper a universal fuzzy flip-flop is proposed that can be reconfigured as a fuzzy SR, D, JK, or T flip-flop. When integrated with a multi layer neural network, the resulting reconfigurable fuzzy-neural structure showed excellent learning ability. The sigmoid activation function of neurons in the hidden layers of the multilayer neural network was replaced by the quasi-sigmoidal transfer characteristics of the universal fuzzy flip-flop in the reconfigurable fuzzy-neural structure. Experimental results showed that the reconfigurable fuzzy-neural structure can be effectively trained using either a large or sparse set of data points to closely approximate nonlinear input functions.
Measurement of COPD severity using a survey-based score: validation in a clinically and physiologically characterized cohort.

BACKGROUND A comprehensive survey-based COPD severity score has usefulness for epidemiologic and health outcomes research. We previously developed and validated the survey-based COPD Severity Score without using lung function or other physiologic measurements. In this study, we aimed to further validate the severity score in a different COPD cohort and using a combination of patient-reported and objective physiologic measurements. METHODS Using data from the Function, Living, Outcomes, and Work cohort study of COPD, we evaluated the concurrent and predictive validity of the COPD Severity Score among 1,202 subjects. The survey instrument is a 35-point score based on symptoms, medication and oxygen use, and prior hospitalization or intubation for COPD. Subjects were systemically assessed using structured telephone survey, spirometry, and 6-min walk testing. RESULTS We found evidence to support concurrent validity of the score. Higher COPD Severity Score values were associated with poorer FEV(1) (r = -0.38), FEV(1)% predicted (r = -0.40), Body mass, Obstruction, Dyspnea, Exercise Index (r = 0.57), and distance walked in 6 min (r = -0.43) (P < .0001 in all cases). Greater COPD severity was also related to poorer generic physical health status (r = -0.49) and disease-specific health-related quality of life (r = 0.57) (P < .0001). The score also demonstrated predictive validity. It was also associated with a greater prospective risk of acute exacerbation of COPD defined as ED visits (hazard ratio [HR], 1.31; 95% CI, 1.24-1.39), hospitalizations (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.44-1.75), and either measure of hospital-based care for COPD (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.26-1.41) (P < .0001 in all cases). CONCLUSION The COPD Severity Score is a valid survey-based measure of disease-specific severity, both in terms of concurrent and predictive validity. The score is a psychometrically sound instrument for use in epidemiologic and outcomes research in COPD.
Basolateral anion transport mechanisms underlying fluid secretion by mouse, rat and guinea‐pig pancreatic ducts

Fluid secretion by interlobular pancreatic ducts was determined by using video microscopy to measure the rate of swelling of isolated duct segments that had sealed following overnight culture. The aim was to compare the HCO3− requirement for secretin‐evoked secretion in mouse, rat and guinea‐pig pancreas. In mouse and rat ducts, fluid secretion could be evoked by 10 nm secretin and 5 μm forskolin in the absence of extracellular HCO3−. In guinea‐pig ducts, however, fluid secretion was totally dependent on HCO3−. Forskolin‐stimulated fluid secretion by mouse and rat ducts in the absence of HCO3− was dependent on extracellular Cl− and was completely inhibited by bumetanide (30 μm). It was therefore probably mediated by a basolateral Na+–K+–2Cl− cotransporter. In the presence of HCO3−, forskolin‐stimulated fluid secretion was reduced ∼40% by bumetanide, ∼50% by inhibitors of basolateral HCO3− uptake (3 μm EIPA and 500 μm H2DIDS), and was totally abolished by simultaneous application of all three inhibitors. We conclude that the driving force for secretin‐evoked fluid secretion by mouse and rat ducts is provided by parallel basolateral mechanisms: Na+–H+ exchange and Na+–HCO3− cotransport mediating HCO3− uptake, and Na+–K+–2Cl− cotransport mediating Cl− uptake. The absence or inactivity of the Cl− uptake pathway in the guinea‐pig pancreatic ducts may help to account for the much higher concentrations of HCO3− secreted in this species.