Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Focus perception in Japanese: Effects of lexical accent and focus location

This study explored the contexts in which native Japanese listeners have difficulty identifying prosodic focus. Using a 4AFC identification task, we compared native Japanese listeners’ focus identification accuracy in different lexical accent × focus location conditions using resynthesised speech stimuli, which varied only in fundamental frequency. Experiment 1 compared the identification accuracy in lexical accent × focus location conditions using both natural and resynthesised stimuli. The results showed that focus identification rates were similar with the two stimulus types, thus establishing the reliability of the resynthesised stimuli. Experiment 2 explored these conditions further using only resynthesised stimuli. Narrow foci bearing the lexical pitch accent were always more correctly identified than unaccented ones, whereas the identification rate for final focus was the lowest among all focus locations. From these results, we argue that the difficulty of focus perception in Japanese is attributed to (i) the blocking of PFC by unaccented words, and (ii) similarity in F0 contours between lexical pitch accent and narrow focus, including in particular the similarity between downstep and PFC. Focus perception is therefore contingent on other concurrent communicative functions which may sometimes take precedence in a +PFC language.
Effects of sex and soil water chemistry on leaf morphology and physiology of Myrica gale var. tomentosa

Plants respond to environmental stressors, such as an oligotrophic environments, by altering the morphological and physiological functions of their leaves. Sex affects these functions because of the asymmetric cost of reproduction in dioecious plants. We compared the leaf mass per leaf area (LMA), ratio of intercellular air space in leaf mesophyll tissue (mesophyll porosity), palisade thickness, and carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) of leaves of the dioecious shrub Myrica gale based on sex and gradients of soil water chemistry across habitats in the field. The PCA showed that the first three principal components accounted for 84.5% of the variation. PC1 to PC3 were associated with the origin of soil water, nitrogen status of habitats, and sea–salt contributions, respectively. LMA varied from 5.22 to 7.13 μg/cm2, and it was positively related to PC2 and negatively related to PC3, but not to PC1 or sex, suggesting that LMA was low under poor nitrogen conditions and varied with salinity. Mesophyll porosity values were over 50% for all habitats. Mesophyll porosity was positively affected by PC3 and smaller in females than in males. This suggests that M. gale exhibits differences in mesophyll anatomy according to sex. Palisade thickness ranged from 0.466 to 0.559 mm/mm. The leaves of females had thinner palisade layers per mesophyll layer than those of males; however, the habitat did not affect the thickness of the palisade layer per mesophyll layer. The δ13C values of leaves varied from −32.14 to −30.51 ‰. We found that δ13C values were positively related to PC2 but not to PC1, PC3, and sex. Under poor nitrogen conditions, the δ13C of M. gale leaves decreased, suggesting that nutrient deficiency would decrease more under the long-term averaged ratio of photosynthesis than stomatal conductance, leading to low water use efficiency.
Do disease status and race affect the efficacy of zoledronic acid in patients with prostate cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials

Background Zoledronic acid (ZA) does not improve the overall survival (OS) of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC); however, little is known about the efficacy of ZA in to hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC), metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), and non- metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). Therefore, we assessed the efficacy of ZA in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and different disease statuses. Methods Fifteen eligible randomized-control trials (RCTs) with ZA intervention, including 8280 participants with HSPC, mHSPC, nmCRPC, and mCRPC, were analyzed. The primary and secondary outcome were overall survival(OS), and skeletal-related events (SREs), and bone mineral density (BMD). Results The participants included 8280 men (7856 non-Asian and 424 Asian). Seven trials yielded a pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 0.95 (0.88, 1.03; P = 0.19) for OS. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant improvement in OS in the HSPC, castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), M0 and M1(bone metastasis) groups, with pooled HR (95%CI) of 0.96 (0.88,1.05), 0.78 (0.46,1.33), 0.95 (0.81,1.13), 0.85 (0.69,1.04) respectively. The Asian group exhibited improved in OS with an HR of 0.67 (0.48, 0.95; P = 0.02), whereas the non-Asian group showed no improvement in OS with an HR of 0.97 (0.90, 1.06; P = 0.52). Five trials yielded pooled odds ratio (OR) of 0.65 (0.45, 0.95; P = 0.02) for SREs. In the subgroup, SREs were significantly decreased in the M1 and Asian groups with ORs of 0.65 (0.45, 0.95; P = 0.02) and 0.42 (0.24, 0.71; P = 0.001), respectively. Six trials yielded a pooled mean difference (MD) of 8.08 (5.79, 10.37; P < 0.001) for BMD. In the HSPC we observed a stable improvement in increased BMD percentage with an MD (95%CI) of 6.65 (5.67, 7.62) (P = 0.001). Conclusions ZA intervention does not significantly improve OS in patients with prostate cancer (HSPC, CRPC, M0, M1) but probably improves OS in the Asian populations. M1 and Asian groups had exhibit a significant reduction in SREs regardless of the HSPC or CRPC status after ZA administration. Moreover, ZA treatment increases BMD percentage.
Nucleation status of Day 2 pre-implantation embryos, acquired by time-lapse imaging during IVF, is associated with live birth

The primary purpose of this time-lapse data analysis was to identify the association between the nucleation status of a Day 2 preimplantation embryo and live births following in vitro fertilization (IVF). The retrospective data analysis was based on 2769 transferred embryos from 1966 treatment cycles and utilised only Known Implantation Data (KID) for live births. Nucleation errors (NE) such as micronucleation, binucleation, multinucleation and minor error groups, were annotated in the time-lapse images which were taken every 15 minutes for a minimum of 44 hours post insemination. Further, factors that may impact NE and the relationship of early morphological attributes and morphokinetic variables with NE occurrence were explored. The frequency of NE among the transferred embryos was 23.8%. The reversibility of NE evidenced by their presence at the two-cell stage, but absence at the four-cell stage was 89.6%. Embryos exhibiting nucleation errors at the two-cell stage had significantly lower live birth rates compared to embryos with no nucleation errors, constituting a significant predictor. A Generalized Additive Mixed Model was used to control for confounders and for controlling clustering effects from dual embryo transfers. Increased incidences of NE were observed with increasing age, with delayed occurrence of cell divisions and in oocytes inseminated with surgically retrieved spermatozoa. NE assessment and their impact on live birth provides valuable markers for early preimplantation embryo selection. In addition, the high incidence of reversibility of NE and their possible impact on live birth suggest that incorporating two-cell nuclear status annotations in embryo selection, alongside morphology and morphokinetics, is of value.
PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING AND ALCOHOL USE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NIGERIA

Background: Cigarette and alcohol use are the most common causes of noncommunicable diseases. Studies related to cigarette and alcohol use among Nigerian adolescents have shown increases in the habits and require urgent intervention. Nationally representative data is needed to develop effective national policies and interventions, but this is lacking. Hence, this study aimed to provide nationally representative empiric information about cigarette and alcohol use prevalence and predictors among Nigerian secondary school students. Methods: This study included 2,530 Nigerian students in Nigeria from five of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information about the participants’ sociodemographic and school-based characteristics, cigarette and alcohol use status, and harm perception of tobacco and alcohol use. Data were analysed with SPSS version 25 at p<0.05. Results: Participants' mean age (±SD) was 16.34 (±2.0) years. The prevalences (95%CI) for ever-cigarette and current-cigarette smoking were 11.1% (95%CI:9.9-12.4) and 8.4% (95%CI:7.3-9.5), respectively. While 21.0% (95%CI:19.4-22.7) and 15.6% (14.2-17.1) were the prevalences for lifetime and current alcohol use, respectively. The predictors of current cigarette smoking were studying in northern-Nigeria (aOR:1.94;95%CI:1.10-3.44), attending private-schools (aOR:1.56;95%CI:1.03-2.38), boarding-student (aOR:1.75;95% CI:1.15-2.69), male-gender (aOR:3.03; 95%CI:1.80-5.10), current alcohol use (aOR:12.50;95%CI:8.70-18.18), having no (aOR:2.59;95%CI:1.58-4.26) or low tobacco harm perception (aOR:2.04;95%CI:1.18-3.53). The predictors of current alcohol use were male (aOR:1.32; 95%CI:1.01-1.72) and current cigarette smoking (aOR:12.5;95%CI:8.77-17.86). Conclusion: The prevalences of cigarette and alcohol use were high among Nigerian secondary school students, and both habits were strongly associated. Their predictors were school-related factors, sociocultural characteristics, and tobacco harm perception.
Risk factors associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor–induced acute kidney injury compared with other immune-related adverse events: a case–control study

ABSTRACT Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) foster anti-cancer immune responses. Their efficacy comes at the cost of immune-related adverse events (IRAEs). The latter affects various organs, including kidneys, mostly as acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, the pathophysiology of which remains unclear. We conducted a multicentre case–control study to compare the characteristics of patients with renal IRAEs (ICI-AKI) with those of patients diagnosed with other IRAEs. Methods We queried the French pharmacovigilance database for all adverse events involving ICIs. Reports were classified as ICI-AKI or extrarenal IRAE. For each ICI-AKI report, four reports of extrarenal IRAEs were randomly included (control group, 4:1 ratio). Variables showing an association with a P < 0.05 were included as covariates in a multivariate analysis. Results Therefore, 167 ICI-AKI reports were compared with 668 extrarenal IRAEs. At least one concomitant extrarenal IRAE was mentioned in 44.3% of ICI-AKI reports. Patients with ICI-AKI were significantly older than patients with extrarenal IRAEs (69.1 versus 64.6 years; P = 0.0135), and chronic kidney disease was significantly more prevalent (12.0% versus 3.3%; P = 0.0125). Patients with ICI-AKI were significantly more likely to be treated with fluindione [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 6.53, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.21–19.31; P = 0.0007], a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID, OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.07–9.4; P = 0.0368) or a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI, OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.42–3.34; P = 0.0004). Conclusion This study is limited by a lack of data, preventing confirmation of numerous reports therefore not included in the analysis. We are unable to draw definite pathophysiological conclusions from our data. Nonetheless, we suggest that ICIs may be a ‘second-hit’ that precipitates acute kidney injury caused by another concomitant drug (fluindione, NSAID or PPI).
Formules de Picard-Lefschetz généralisées et ramification des intégrales

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A comparison of mesosphere and lower thermosphere neutral winds as determined by meteor and medium‐frequency radar at 70°N

There has been much discussion as to the veracity of neutral wind measurements made using medium‐frequency radar (MFR) employing the spaced‐antenna technique. Such systems are able to operate continuously, providing information on mesosphere and lower thermosphere dynamics with typical resolutions of 3 km in altitude and 5 min in time, and thus represent a low‐cost monitoring of the atmosphere. It is similarly important to be able to trust the results, and therefore we make a dedicated comparison between the Tromsø MFR (70°N, 19°E) and the newly installed and colocated Nippon/Norway Tromsø meteor radar. The agreement is particularly good between 75 and 85 km.
Diffraction of plane waves incident on a grated dielectric slab: An entire domain integral equation analysis

Diffraction of electromagnetic waves by periodic grating waveguides is investigated by using a rigorous integral equation method, which combines semianalytical techniques and the Method of Moments with entire domain basis functions. The electric field integral equation is employed with unknown function the electric field on the grooves. This equation is subsequently solved by applying an entire domain Galerkin's technique. The proposed analysis provides high numerical stability and controllable accuracy. All the involved computations are analytically carried out, leading to an analytic solution with the sole approximation of the final truncation of the expansion functions sets. The computed results exhibit superior accuracy and numerical efficiency compared with those already derived by applying different methods. The effect of the incident field's and grating's characteristics on the diffraction process as well as the grating structure's efficient operation as a narrow band reflection filter are thoroughly investigated. The numerical results obtained provide design guidelines, which may be exploited appropriately in the development of millimeter and optical waveguide structures.
On determinant representations of scalar products and form factors in the SoV approach: the XXX case

In the present article we study the form factors of quantum integrable lattice models solvable by the separation of variables (SoVs) method. It was recently shown that these models admit universal determinant representations for the scalar products of the so-called separate states (a class which includes in particular all the eigenstates of the transfer matrix). These results permit to obtain simple expressions for the matrix elements of local operators (form factors). However, these representations have been obtained up to now only for the completely inhomogeneous versions of the lattice models considered. In this article we give a simple algebraic procedure to rewrite the scalar products (and hence the form factors) for the SoV related models as Izergin or Slavnov type determinants. This new form leads to simple expressions for the form factors in the homogeneous and thermodynamic limits. To make the presentation of our method clear, we have chosen to explain it first for the simple case of the XXX Heisenberg chain with anti-periodic boundary conditions. We would nevertheless like to stress that the approach presented in this article applies as well to a wide range of models solved in the SoV framework.
4 Dimensional XStrain speckle tracking echocardiography: comprehensive evaluation of left ventricular strain and twist parameters in healthy Indian adults during COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION 4D XStrain speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a feasible newer technology to evaluate the strain and rotational deformation of left ventricle (LV). We aimed to exhaustively present the normal value ranges of LV strain and twist parameter in healthy Indian adults during COVID-19 pandemic and furthermore to analyse their relationship with age and gender. METHOD Study population consisted of 80 adults of 18-60 years (58 men, 22 women), which was arbitrarily divided into two groups: Group A <30 years and Group B >31 years. RESULTS GLS was higher in females (P<0.01) and in Group A (P<0.01). On the contrary GCS and GRS were higher in men (P=NS) and in Group B (P<0.01), at the mitral valve level. At the papillary muscle level GCS and GRS values are more in men (P<0.01) and in <30 years of age (P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively). Furthermore, the values of numerous other strain parameters-GLSR, GCSR, GRSR, LGV, TV, TS, TSR, Shear, Shear rate, ROV and RV, reflected heterogeneous variation across gender and various age groups. Twist was greater in men and increased with increasing age (P<0.01). CONCLUSION We have demonstrated a comprehensive data obtained in the current study utilizing 4D XStrain STE in healthy subjects. The LV speckle tracking software simultaneously provided 4D volumetric, strain, rotation and twist data in great detail. However, this distinctive technology has not been widely adopted and its evaluation is still limited to research applications. Therefore, further clinical studies are needed to validate our findings.
The effect of relative cerebral hyperperfusion during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass to delayed neurocognitive recovery

Objective Delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR) remains a common complication after surgery and the incidence of it is determined 30–80% after cardiac surgery with cardiac bypass (CPB) in eldery patients. Many researchers have identified that neuropsychological complications emerge from insufficient cerebral perfusion. Relative cerebral hyperperfusion also disrupts cerebral autoregulation and might play a significant role in dNCR development. The aim of this study is to determine hyperperfusion in the middle cerebral artery during CPB influence to dNCR development and brain biomarker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) impact in diagnosing dNCR. Designs and methods This prospective - case control study included patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting or/and valve surgery with CPB. For cognitive evaluation 101 patients completed Addenbrooke’s cognitive examination - ACE-III. To determine mild cognitive dysfunction, cut - off 88 was chosen. Mean BFV was monitored with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) and performed before surgery, after induction of anaesthesia, during CPB and after surgery. Preoperative BFV was converted to 100% and used as a baseline. The percentage change of cerebral blood flow velocity during CPB was calculated from baseline. Patients with decreased blood flow velocity were included for further investigation. To measure glial fibrillary acidic protein, blood samples were collected after anaesthesia induction, 24 and 48 h after the surgery. According to the ACE-III test results, patients with relative hyperperfusion were divided into two groups: with Delayed neurocognitive recovery and without dNCR (non‐dNCR group). Results 101 patients were examined, 67 (69.1%) men and 29 (29.9%) women, age 67.9 (SD 9.2) Increased percentage of BFV was determined for 40 (39.60%) patients. There were no differences in sex, haematocrit, paCO2, aortic cross-clamping or CPB time between the two groups. Percentage change of BFV was 105.60% in the non-dNCR group and 132.29% in the dNCR group, p = . 033. Patients who developed dNCR in the early post-surgical period were significantly older, p < . 001 and had a lower baseline of BFV, p = . 004. GFAP concentration significantly increased in the dNCR group 48 hours after surgery, compared to the non-dNCR group, p = . 01. Conclusions Relative hyperperfusion during CPB may cause dNCR. Elderly patients are sensitive to blood flow velocity acceleration during CPB. GFAP concentration increased 48 h after surgery in dNCR group but did not have any connection with risk factors.
NAP1L1 promotes the growth of colon cancer by activating HDGF/DDX5

Colon cancer is a common malignant tumor. However, its pathogenesis still needs further study. In this study, we explored the role of nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) in colon cancer and its underlying mechanism. Based on analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas data, we found that NAP1L1 is augmented in colorectal cancer, and the elevated NAP1L1 expression is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with colon cancer. Immunohistochemistry staining results showed that upregulated NAP1L1 protein level is an unfavorable factor that stimulates colon cancer progression. To further investigate the role of NAP1L1 in colon cancer, we established a colon cancer cell line with NAP1L1 knockdown, and found that repressing NAP1L1 expression in colon cancer cells markedly reduces cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro by MTT assay, colony formation, EdU incorporation, and subcutaneous tumorigenesis in nude mice. Furthermore, we found that NAP1L1 binds to HDGF, recruits DDX5, and induces β-catenin/CCND1 signaling, which promotes colon cancer cell proliferation. Finally, transfection with HDGF or DDX5restores cell growth in NAP1L1-knockdown colon cancer cells by upregulating DDX5/β-catenin/CCND1 signaling. Our study demonstrates that NAP1L1 functions as a potential oncogene that promotes colon cancer tumorigenesis by binding to HDGF, which stimulates DDX5/β-catenin/CCND1 signaling.