Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural, Functional, and Perceptual Differences in Heschl's Gyrus and Musical Instrument Preference

Abstract: The musical pitch of harmonic complex sounds, such as instrumental sounds, is perceived primarily by decoding either the fundamental pitch (keynote) or spectral aspects of the stimuli, for example, single harmonics. We divided 334 professional musicians, including symphony orchestra musicians, 75 amateur musicians, and 54 nonmusicians, into either fundamental pitch listeners or spectral pitch listeners. We observed a strong correlation between pitch perception preference and asymmetry of brain structure and function in the pitch‐sensitive lateral areas of Heschl's gyrus (HG), irrespective of musical ability. In particular, fundamental pitch listeners exhibited both larger gray matter volume measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and enhanced P50m activity measured using magnetoencephalography (MEG) in the left lateral HG, which is sensitive to rapid temporal processing. Their chosen instruments were percussive or high‐pitched instruments that produce short, sharp, or impulsive tones (e.g., drums, guitar, piano, trumpet, or flute). By contrast, spectral pitch listeners exhibited a dominant right lateral HG, which is known to be sensitive to slower temporal and spectral processing. Their chosen instruments were lower‐pitched melodic instruments that produce rather sustained tones with characteristic changes in timbre (e.g., bassoon, saxophone, french horn, violoncello, or organ). Singers also belonged to the spectral pitch listeners. Furthermore, the absolute size of the neural HG substrate depended strongly on musical ability. Overall, it is likely that both magnitude and asymmetry of lateral HG, and the related perceptual mode, may have an impact on preference for particular musical instruments and on musical performance.
Modulation of erythrocyte arginase activity in sickle cell disease patients during hydroxyurea therapy

An elevated erythrocyte arginase activity with a corresponding decrease in nitric oxide (NO) level has been implicated in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD). Recent studies have shown that hydroxyurea (HU) increases the production of NO, which increases the soluble guanylate cyclase activity and fetal haemoglobin (HbF) synthesis. To study the effects of HU on the arginase and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities in SCD patients, we compared levels of arginase activity and NO metabolites in red blood cells and plasma, respectively, from 23 patients with SCD (HbSS) receiving HU therapy, with those of 12 SCD patients not receiving HU treatment. Patients on HU therapy showed significantly lower arginase activity than that of HbSS patients not on HU therapy (1·36 ± 0·2 U/108 cells vs. 3·31 ± 0·29 U/108 cells). NOS activity was higher in patients on HU therapy than in untreated patients (0·72 ± 0·4 nmol/ml/min vs. 0·35 ± 0·15 nmol/ml/min, P < 0·05). Among the HU‐treated patients, the decreased level of arginase activity correlated (r = 0·71) with HbF level as well as the mean corpuscular haemoglobin content. These data suggest that one of the beneficial effects of HU in vivo may involve the regulation of arginase activity and a concomitant induction of NOS activity, which may lead to an increased production of NO. The outcome of this study may lead to the development of improved NO‐based treatments for SCD.
Universal Fuzzy Models and Universal Fuzzy Controllers for Stochastic Nonaffine Nonlinear Systems

This paper investigates the universal fuzzy model and universal fuzzy controller problems for stochastic nonaffine nonlinear systems. The underlying mechanism of stochastic fuzzy logic is first discussed, and a stochastic generalized fuzzy model with new stochastic fuzzy rule base is then given. Based on their function approximation capability, these kinds of stochastic generalized fuzzy models are shown to be universal fuzzy models for stochastic nonaffine nonlinear systems under some sufficient conditions. An approach to stabilization controller design for stochastic nonaffine nonlinear systems is then developed through their stochastic generalized Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy approximation models. Then, the results of universal fuzzy controllers for two classes of stochastic nonlinear systems, along with constructive procedures to obtain the universal fuzzy controllers, are also provided, respectively. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Empirical analysis of time-lagged cross-correlations in the Norwegian Stock Market. A discussion of the Efficient Market Hypothesis

In this thesis we challenge the existence of weak efficiency in the Norwegian Stock Marked, by analysing time-lagged cross correlations between log-return series from 811 stocks listed on the Oslo stock exchange and by creating prediction strategies based on the discovered patterns. We limit the strategies to predicting the direction of the movements of the time series only, i.e. either generating a “buy” or a “sell” signal. We use separate time periods, mainly focusing on two-year periods within the timeframe 2006-2015, and do approximately 80 000 Monte Carlo simulation-tests in each of them. The strategy is tested on real, unexamined data. Our results strongly indicate that information based trading strategies give higher returns and entail lower risk, than random, but similarly constructed strategies. Most of our analysis is conducted on data from the period January 1 2006 to July 1 2015, and we use the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 as our testing period.
Automated discourse segmentation by syntactic information and cue phrases.

This paper presents an approach to automatic segmentation of English written text into Elementary Discourse Units (EDUs) using syntactic information and cue phrases. The system takes documents with syntactic information as the input and generates EDUs as well as their nucleus/satellite roles. The experiment shows that this approach can give promising result in comparison with existing research in discourse segmentation.
Gestational Weight Gain and Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the relationship between the rate of gestational weight gain before the 50-g, 1-hour oral glucose challenge test screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and subsequent risk of GDM. METHODS: We conducted a nested case–control study (345 women with GDM and 800 women in the control group) within a multiethnic cohort of women delivering between 1996 and 1998 who were screened for GDM at 24–28 weeks of gestation. GDM was diagnosed according to the National Diabetes Data Group plasma glucose cut-offs for the 100-g, 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test. Women's plasma glucose levels, weights, and covariate data were obtained by medical record chart review. RESULTS: After adjusting for age at delivery, race/ethnicity, parity, and prepregnancy body mass index, the risk of GDM increased with increasing rates of gestational weight gain. Compared with the lowest tertile of rate of gestational weight gain (less than 0.27 kg/week [less than 0.60 lb/wk]), a rate of weight gain from 0.27–0.40 kg/wk (0.60–0.88 lb/wk) and 0.41 kg/wk (0.89 lb/wk) or more, were associated with increased risks of GDM (odds ratio 1.43, 95% confidence interval 0.96–2.14; and odds ratio 1.74, 95% confidence interval 1.16–2.60, respectively). The association between the rate of gestational weight gain and GDM was primarily attributed to increased weight gain in the first trimester. The association was stronger in overweight or obese and nonwhite women. CONCLUSION: High rates of gestational weight gain, especially early in pregnancy, may increase a woman's risk of GDM. Gestational weight gain during early pregnancy may represent a modifiable risk factor for GDM and needs more attention from health care providers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
Signal sequence for generation of mRNA 3′ end in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAL7 gene.

We have identified a signal sequence (designated core signal) necessary to specify formation of mRNA 3′ end of the GAL7 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae within a DNA segment 26 bp long. The sequence was located 4‐5 nucleotides upstream from the 3′ end, i.e. the polyadenylation site, of the GAL7 mRNA. Replacement of a DNA segment encompassing the polyadenylation site with a pBR322 DNA, leaving the core signal intact, resulted in alteration of the mRNA 3′ end by several nucleotides, suggesting the existence of an additional signal (designated end signal) at or near the polyadenylation site. The normal end formation was abolished when the core signal was placed in the reverse orientation. A considerable fraction of pre‐mRNA synthesized in vitro with SP6 RNA polymerase on the template of a DNA fragment containing these signals was cleaved and polyadenylated presumably at the in vitro 3′ end during incubation in a cell‐free system of yeast. By contrast pre‐mRNA synthesized on the template with the core signal alone was processed but much less efficiently. No such processing was seen when the pre‐mRNA either lacked the core signal or contained it in the reverse orientation.
Skin exposure to aliphatic polyisocyanates in the auto body repair and refinishing industry: II. A quantitative assessment.

BACKGROUND Skin exposure to isocyanates, in addition to respiratory exposures, may contribute to sensitization and asthma. Quantitative skin exposure data are scarce and quantitative methods limited. METHODS As part of the Survey of Painters and Repairers of Autobodies by Yale study, a method to sample and quantify human isocyanate skin exposure was developed (based on NIOSH 5525 method) and used to evaluate aliphatic isocyanate skin exposure in 81 auto body shop painters and body technicians. Wipe samples were collected from unprotected skin and from under PPE (gloves, clothing and respirator) using a polypropylene glycol-impregnated wipe. Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), its polyisocyanates [HDI-derived polyisocyanates (pHDI)], isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and its polyisocyanates and IPDI-derived polyisocyanates (pIPDI) were quantified separately and also expressed as the total free isocyanate groups (total NCO). RESULTS For unprotected skin areas, 49 samples were collected for spray painting, 13 for mixing, 27 for paint-related tasks (e.g. sanding and compounding) and 53 for non-paint-related tasks. Forty-three samples were also collected under PPE. The geometric mean (GM) [geometric standard deviation (GSD)] total NCO concentrations (ng NCO cm(-2)) for unprotected skin (hands, face and forearms) was 1.9 (10.9) and range 0.0-64.4. pHDI species were the major contributor to the total NCO content. Levels were very variable, with the highest concentrations measured for clear coating and paint mixing tasks. Isocyanate skin exposure was also commonly detected under PPE, with 92% of samples above the limit of detection. Levels were very variable with the overall GM (GSD) total NCO (ng NCO cm(-2)) under PPE 1.0 (5.2) and range (0.0-47.0) and similar under the different PPE (glove, respirator and clothing). The highest concentrations were detected for mixing and spraying tasks, 6.9 (5.3) and 1.0 (5.2), respectively. Levels under PPE were generally lower than unpaired samples obtained with no PPE, but not statistically significant. Total isocyanate GM load on exposed skin and under PPE was commonly 100-300 ng NCO per sample, except for higher levels on exposed forearms during spraying (GM 5.9 mug NCO). CONCLUSIONS A quantitative method was developed for skin sampling of isocyanates. Using this method, the study demonstrates that skin exposure to aliphatic polyisocyanates during painting, mixing and paint-related tasks in auto body shop workers is common and also commonly detected under routine PPE.
Unidirectional Dual-Band Stacked Patch Antenna With Independent Frequency Reconfiguration

A novel dual-band frequency-reconfigurable stacked patch antenna is presented. The antenna comprises two stacked square patches. Each patch is divided into two rectangular portions by a gap, and a pair of varactor diodes is introduced to bridge the gap. By changing the reverse bias voltages across the two pairs of varactor diodes, the antenna can operate at dual frequency bands with independent frequency tuning. A fully functional prototype is fabricated and characterized. It exhibits a continuously dual frequency-tunable characteristic, from 1.68 to 1.93 GHz for the low band and from 2.11 to 2.51 GHz for the high band. Well-controlled unidirectional radiation patterns are achieved at all operating frequencies. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first dual-band reconfigurable patch antenna with an independent frequency tuning ability. The dual-band frequency selective feature makes the antenna potentially suitable for future wireless communication systems, such as cognitive radio.
Self-efficacy, professional commitment, and job satisfaction of diabetic medical care personnel

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among the self-efficacy, professional commitment, and job satisfaction of diabetic health-care personnel. The research design was cross-sectional. Three teaching hospitals, one from each of northern, middle and southern parts of Taiwan, were selected for data collection and used questionnaires to collect data; 202 participants were recruited. The demographic data for job title and job satisfaction were not significantly different (F = 2.13, P = 0.090). Self-efficacy was significantly positively correlated with professional commitment (r = 0.29, P = 0.000) and with job satisfaction (r = 0.14, P = 0.041). A total of 34.1% of the variance in job satisfaction was explained by age, years of service in the medical or nursing field, the actual number of years caring for patients with diabetes, self-efficacy, and professional commitment. Understanding the self-efficacy and professional commitment of medical and nursing personnel can help increase job satisfaction and improve the quality of medical and nursing care.
Improvement of interleukin 2 production, clonogenic capability and restoration of stromal cell function in human immunodeficiency virus‐type‐1 patients after highly active antiretroviral therapy

Summary. Haematological abnormalities frequently occur in patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus‐type 1 (HIV‐1). Increasing evidence indicates that bone marrow suppression (BM) results from viral infection of accessory cells, with impaired stromal function and alteration of haematopoietic growth factor network. We have investigated the effects of antiretroviral therapy on cytokine and chemokine production by BM cells and stromal cells in a group of HIV‐1‐infected subjects before and during treatment. Compared with uninfected controls, an altered cytokine and chemokine production by BM cells was observed before treatment, characterized by decreased interleukin 2 (IL‐2) and elevated tumour necrosis factor‐α, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α, MIP‐1β, and RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell‐expressed and secreted) levels, along with a defective BM clonogenic activity. Antiretroviral therapy showed increased BM clonogenic capability, associated with normalization of IL‐2 production and chemokine receptors expression on CD34+ cells. Pre‐therapy, BM accessory cells were represented by macrophage‐like cells, in some cases positive for HIV‐1 DNA, suggesting that these cells are the main target of HIV‐1 infection. During therapy, the stromal cells became predominantly fibroblastoid‐like, as observed in normal controls, and were negative for HIV‐1 DNA. Controlling HIV‐1 replication may produce amelioration of stem cell activity, and restoration of stromal cell pattern and functions, with increased IL‐2 production at BM level.
Analytical Calculation of Leakage Inductance for Low-Frequency Transformer Modeling

In this paper, a new method for the calculation of leakage inductances between short-circuited windings is proposed. The main objective is to find an analytical alternative to the finite-element method (FEM) for the computation of short-circuit inductances in electromagnetic transients-type (EMT-type) programs. Typical EMT-type tools do not provide complex FEM-based computation engines for this sole purpose. The new approach is derived from the method of images and uses analytical formulations for magnetic vector potential and energy developed in this work. It is shown that the difference between the inductance calculated with the FEM in 2-D and that computed with the method of images decreases as the number of layers of images increases. Also, it is demonstrated that the classical approach, based on an axial flux distribution, can lead to considerable error if the windings have unequal heights and if they are located far from the core yokes.
The Draw of Home: How Teachers' Preferences for Proximity Disadvantage Urban Schools. NBER Working Paper.

This paper explores a little-understood aspect of labor markets, their spatial geography. Using data from New York State, we find teacher labor markets to be geographically very small. Teachers express preferences to teach close to where they grew up and, controlling for proximity, they prefer areas with characteristics similar to their hometown. We discuss implications of these preferences for the successful recruitment of teachers, including the potential benefits of local recruiting and training. We also discuss implications for the modeling of teacher labor markets, including the possible biases that arise in estimates of compensating differentials when distance is omitted from the analyses. This study contributes to the literature on the geography of labor markets more generally by employing data on residential location during childhood instead of current residence, which may be endogenous to job choice. © 2005 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for radionecrosis of the jaw: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial from the ORN96 study group.

PURPOSE To determine the efficacy and safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) for overt mandibular osteoradionecrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at 12 university hospitals. Ambulatory adults with overt osteoradionecrosis of the mandible were assigned to receive 30 HBO exposures preoperatively at 2.4 absolute atmosphere for 90 minutes or a placebo, and 10 additional HBO dives postoperatively or a placebo. The main outcome measure was 1-year recovery rate from osteoradionecrosis. Secondary end points included time to treatment failure, time to pain relief, 1-year mortality rate, and treatment safety. RESULTS At the time of the second interim analysis, based on the triangular test, the study was stopped for potentially worse outcomes in the HBO arm. A total of 68 patients were enrolled and analyzed. At 1 year, six (19%) of 31 patients had recovered in the HBO arm and 12 (32%) of 37 in the placebo arm (relative risk = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.25 to 1.41; P = .23). Time to treatment failure (hazard ratio = 1.33; 95% CI, 0.68 to 2.60; P = .41) and time to pain relief (hazard ratio = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.52 to 1.89; P = .99) were similar between the two treatment arms. CONCLUSION Patients with overt mandibular osteoradionecrosis did not benefit from hyperbaric oxygenation.
Skin Diseases in the Era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: A Retrospective Study of 534 Patients

Background: With the increasing number of HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the shift in their dermatologic profile becomes less characteristic of AIDS-defining illnesses. Methods: Retrospective review of mucocutaneous pathology among patients seen at HIV-Dermatology Clinic from January 2009 to December 2013. Results: Among 534 patients, there were 68.4% males and 31.6% females, with 8.7-year average duration of infection; 82.8% were receiving HAART. Kaposi sarcoma was the only relatively frequent AIDS-defining disease. Fungal and viral infections were common, with human papilloma virus (HPV) as the most frequent overall. Benign and premalignant tumors were associated with HAART and CD4 >200/mm3 (P < .05). Psoriasis was prevalent among patients without HAART (P < .05). Prurigo was associated with lower CD4 count (P < .001). Conclusion: Patients receiving HAART are faced with chronic skin problems such as benign and premalignant tumors, and HPV infection adds to their neoplastic predisposition. Further research is recommended to develop protocols for treating psoriasis and screening for HPV-associated neoplasia among patients.
Apolipoprotein AI and apolipoprotein E mRNA expression in peripheral white blood cells from patients with orthotopic liver transplantation

Background: Apolipoprotein AI/apolipoprotein E (apo‐AI/apo‐E) ratio change and its induction in non‐hepatic tissues have been reported during liver development, regeneration, and several pathophysiologic states. The clinical implication of such changes is unclear, but these could reflect recovery and/or severity of liver damage.
Intermittent treatment to prevent pregnancy malaria does not confer benefit in an area of widespread drug resistance.

BACKGROUND Millions of African women receive sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) as intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp) to avoid poor outcomes that result from malaria. However, parasites resistant to SP are widespread in parts of Africa, and IPTp may perversely exacerbate placental infections that contain SP-resistant parasites. METHODS The study used a cross-sectional design. We determined IPTp use in a delivery cohort of 880 pregnant women in Muheza, Tanzania, by report and by plasma sulfa measurements, and we examined its effects on maternal and fetal delivery outcomes. RESULTS In the overall cohort, IPTp was not associated with decreased odds of placental malaria or with increased mean maternal hemoglobin or mean birth weight. Unexpectedly, IPTp was associated with decreased cord hemoglobin level and increased risk of fetal anemia, which may be related to in utero SP exposure. CONCLUSIONS IPTp does not improve overall pregnancy outcomes in Muheza, Tanzania, where SP-resistant parasites predominate and may increase the odds of fetal anemia. As parasite resistance increases in a community, the overall effect of IPTp may transition from net benefit to neutral or net harm.
Fatty acid interactions with genetic polymorphisms for cardiovascular disease

Purpose of reviewThe number of studies investigating interactions between genes and nutrients for cardiovascular disease continues to grow, and holds tremendous potential for reducing disease risk at the level of the individual genotype. However, understanding the limitations and challenges of interaction studies, whether of observational or interventional design, is essential for critical evaluation of these studies. Recent findingsNutrient–gene interactions for cardiovascular disease both parallel and extend nutrition studies, encompassing both traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors. Fatty acid quality, lipid metabolism, inflammation, postprandial metabolism, fatty liver and macronutrient–gene interactions for obesity and metabolic syndrome represent a subset of the major areas of recent focus. With few exceptions, however, studies of gene–nutrient interactions are limited to a single population. SummaryGene–nutrient research will continue to expand as genome-wide association studies uncover new sources of genetic variability associated with cardiovascular risk. However, in addition to investigation of newly discovered variants, continuing efforts must focus on the confirmation of previously reported genetic associations and interactions in additional populations.