Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pitch salience in chords of harmonic complex tones

Parncutt (1993) estimated the salience of the 12 chroma in chords of octave-complex tones (OCTs, Shepard tones). In each trial, listeners rated how well an OCT went with a preceding chord. The conventional root tended to go better than other chord tones. Non-chord pitches tended to go better if they corresponded to steps of associated scales; tones following the major triad went well if they belonged to the major scale (perfect fourth, major sixth, major seventh), following the minor if in (a) minor scale (major second, perfect fourth, minor sixth, minor seventh). The non-chord tones that went well tended to be missing fundamentals of incomplete harmonic series whose salience can be predicted by spectral or temporal models of pitch perception. Thus, it is unclear whether the data were determined by pitch perception, musical familiarity or both. We repeated the experiment using chords of harmonic complex tones closer to real music. 20 Western musicians (students at the University of Graz) participated (the task was too difficult for non-musicians). 5 triads (major, minor, diminished, major third plus tritone, suspended fourth) were each presented in root position and two inversions. Each chord was followed by 12 probe tones. 180 trials were presented in a random order that differed for each listener. Chords were built from piano tones. Probe tones were OCTs and were slightly quieter than the chords. Each trial was randomly transposed. Listeners rated how well the tone went with the preceding chord on a 7-point scale. When averaged over inversions, results are similar to those of Parncutt (1993) for chords of OCTs. They are consistent with, but often do not confirm, the following assumptions: roots are more salient than other chord tones, non-chord pitches corresponding to missing fundamentals of incomplete harmonic series are more salient than other non-chord tones, and outer voices are more salient (as predicted by models of masking). The nature-nurture question remains unresolved. A possible interpretation is that pitches at missing fundamentals influenced the historical development of tonal-harmonic syntax, which in turn influenced preferences for specific chord progressions and, via frequent exposure, the perception of relationships between individual triads and preceding and following passages.
Spiny mice (Acomys) cells fail to engraft in NOD scid gamma

Immune cells and stromal cells regulate wound healing and regeneration through complex activation patterns with spatiotemporal variation. The scarless regeneration of Spiny mice (Acomys species) is no exception; differential activation of immune and stromal cell populations seems to play a role in its remarkable regenerative capacity. To elucidate the role and interplay of Acomys immune cells in mammalian regeneration, we sought to create Acomys-Mus chimeras by transplanting bone marrow (BM) from Acomys into NOD Scid Gamma (NSG), a severely immunodeficient mouse line often used in creating humanized mice. Here, we report that Acomys BM cells fail to reconstitute and differentiate when transferred to irradiated NSG adults and neonates. In addition, we did not detect the presence of donor cells nor observe the onset of Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD)-like pathology, even after transplanting Acomys splenocytes in Acomys-Mus chimeras suggesting early graft failure. Overall, these results demonstrate the adoptive transfer of Acomys BM alone is not sufficient to establish Acomys hematopoietic system in NSG mouse.
Does high-speed rail stimulate university technology transfer? evidence from China

Prior studies ignore the impact of infrastructure on university technology transfer. High-speed rail, China’s most significant infrastructure, has played an essential role in the economy and society. Using high-speed railway construction as a quasi-experiment and a large sample of Chinese universities for the 2007–2017 period, we investigate the impact of high-speed rail on university technology transfer. We provide extensive evidence that high-speed rail has a positive effect on university technology transfer. The finding remains valid after a battery of robustness tests. Mechanism tests find that high-speed rail can improve university technology transfer by promoting the interaction between universities and enterprises and improving enterprises’ technology demand for universities. Further analysis shows that better intellectual property protection strengthens the effect of high-speed rail on university technology transfer, and the relationship between high-speed rail and university technology transfer is more prominent in the regions with underdevelopment technology trading markets. Our study suggests that high-speed rail is an important variable that affects university technology transfer.
A study of very high energy $\gamma$-ray emission from AGNs and constraints on the extragalactic background light

Diese Doktorarbeit untersucht sehr hochenergetische (VHE) Gamma-Strahlung von aktiven galaktischen Kernen (AGN) unter Verwendung des neuartigen Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov (MAGIC) Teleskops auf der Insel La Palma. Ein Teil der Arbeit ist der Entwicklung von Analysemethoden und der Analyse von MAGIC Daten an AGNs gewidmet. Es werden neue Praezisionsmessungen des etablierten AGNs Markarian 421 sowie die Entdeckung der VHE Gamma-Strahlung aus der Richtung von der AGNs Markarian 180 und 1ES 1011+496 vorgestellt. Diese Daten werden verwendet, um die physikalischen Prozesse innerhalb der Jets von AGNs zu studieren. Des weiteren werden alle vorhandenen VHE Gamma-Spektren von AGNs verwendet, um die Dichte des extragalaktischen Hintergrundlichtes einzuschraenken, welches das integrierte ausgestrahlte Licht der gesamten Sterne und Galaxien des Universums darstellt.
Variability in the Transition of Care to Poststroke Rehabilitation During the First Wave of COVID-19

Objective The aim of the study is to evaluate transitions of acute stroke and inpatient rehabilitation facility care during the first wave of COVID-19. Design This is a retrospective observational study (3 comprehensive stroke centers with hospital-based inpatient rehabilitation facilities) between January 1, 2019, and May 31, 2019 (acute stroke = 584, inpatient rehabilitation facility = 210) and January 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020 (acute stroke = 534, inpatient rehabilitation facility = 186). Acute stroke characteristics included stroke type, demographics, and medical comorbidities. The proportion of patients admitted for acute stroke and inpatient rehabilitation facility care was analyzed graphically and using t test assuming unequal variances. Results The proportion of intracerebral hemorrhage patients (28.5% vs. 20.5%, P = 0.035) and those with history of transient ischemic attack (29% vs. 23.9%; P = 0.049) increased during the COVID-19 first wave in 2020. Uninsured acute stroke admissions decreased (7.3% vs. 16.6%) while commercially insured increased (42.7% vs. 33.4%, P < 0.001). Acute stroke admissions decreased from 116.5 per month in 2019 to 98.8 per month in 2020 (P = 0.008) with no significant difference in inpatient rehabilitation facility admissions (39 per month in 2019, 34.5 per month in 2020; P = 0.66). In 2019, monthly changes in acute stroke admissions coincided with inpatient rehabilitation facility admissions. In 2020, acute stroke admissions decreased 80.6% from January to February, while inpatient rehabilitation facility admissions remained stable. Acute stroke admissions increased 12.8% in March 2020 and remained stable in April, while inpatient rehabilitation facility admissions decreased by 92%. Conclusions Acute stroke hospitalizations significantly decreased per month during the first wave of COVID-19, with a delayed effect on the transition from acute stroke to inpatient rehabilitation facility care.
Moral Decision-Making in Trolley Problems and Variants: How Do Participants’ Perspectives, Borderline Personality Traits, and Empathy Predict Choices?

Abstract The aim of the present study was to demonstrate and extend the causal effect of participants’ perspectives on moral decision-making using trolley problems and variants. Additionally, we investigated whether empathy and borderline (BDL) personality traits predicted participants’ choices in these scenarios. We used both a classical trolley problem (a causing harm scenario) and an everyday trolley-like problem (a causing inconvenience scenario). Participants (N = 427, women: 54%) completed BDL traits and empathy questionnaires and, randomly, the two types of trolley problems, presenting both three different perspectives. Our study provided strong evidence that the perspective from which participants were enrolled in the trolley problem caused significant changes in their moral decision-making. Furthermore, we found that affective empathy and BDL traits significantly predicted participants’ decisions in the causing inconvenience scenario, while only BDL traits predicted choices in the causing harm scenario. This study was original in providing new experimental materials, causal results, and highlighting the significant influence of BDL traits and affective empathy on moral decision-making. These findings raised fundamental questions, which are further developed in the discussion section.
Subpicosecond adiabatic rapid passage on a single semiconductor quantum dot: Phonon-mediated dephasing in the strong-driving regime

We demonstrate adiabatic rapid passage on a subpicosecond time scale in a single semiconductor quantum dot, enabling the exploration of a regime of strong (and rapidly varying) Rabi energies for optical control of excitons. An observed dependence of the exciton inversion efﬁciency on the sign of the pulse chirp demonstrates the dominance of phonon-mediated dephasing, which is suppressed for positive chirp at low temperature. Our ﬁndings will support the realization of dynamical decoupling strategies and suggest that multiphonon emission and/or non-Markovian effects should be taken into account.
On the role of Gd3+ ions in enhancement of UV emission from Yb3+–Tm3+ up-converting LiYF4 nanocrystals

Materials capable of emitting ultraviolet (UV) radiation are sought for applications ranging from theranostics or photodynamic therapy to specific photocatalysis. The nanometer size of these materials, as well as excitation with near-infrared (NIR) light, is essential for many applications. Tetragonal tetrafluoride LiY(Gd)F4 nanocrystalline host for up-converting Tm3+–Yb3+ activator-sensitizer pair is a promising candidate to achieve UV–vis up-converted radiation under NIR excitation, important for numerous photo-chemical and bio-medical applications. Here, we provide insights into the structure, morphology, size and optical properties of up-converting LiYF4:25%Yb3+0.5%Tm3+ colloidal nanocrystals, where 1, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40% of Y3+ ions were substituted with Gd3+ ions. Low gadolinium dopant concentrations modify the size and up-conversion luminescence, while the Gd3+ doping that is exceeding the structure resistance limit of the tetragonal LiYF4 results in appearance of foreign phase and significant decrease of luminescence intensity. The intensity and kinetic behavior of Gd3+ up-converted UV emission are also analyzed for various gadolinium ions concentrations. The obtained results form a background for further optimized materials and applications based on LiYF4 nanocrystals.
Mitral repair versus replacement: 20-year outcome trends in the UK (2000–2019)

Abstract OBJECTIVES Using a large national database, we sought to describe outcome trends in mitral valve surgery between 2000 and 2019. METHODS The study cohort was split into mitral valve repair (MVr) or replacement, including all patients regardless of concomitant procedures. Patients were grouped by four-year admission periods into groups (A to E). The primary outcome was in hospital mortality and secondary outcomes were return to theatre, postoperative stroke and postoperative length of stay. We investigated trends over time in patient demographics, comorbidities, intraoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes. We used a multivariable binary logistic regression model to assess the relationship between mortality and time. Cohorts were further stratified by sex and aetiology. RESULTS Of the 63 000 patients in the study cohort, 31 644 had an MVr and 31 356 had a replacement. Significant demographic shifts were observed. Aetiology has shifted towards degenerative disease; endocarditis rates in MVr dropped initially but are now rising (period A = 6%, period C = 4%, period E = 6%; P < 0.001). The burden of comorbidities has increased over time. In the latest time period, women had lower repair rates (49% vs 67%, P < 0.001) and higher mortality rates when undergoing repair (3% vs 2%, P = 0.001) than men. Unadjusted postoperative mortality dropped in MVr (5% vs 2%, P < 0.001) and replacement (9% vs 7%, P = 0.015). Secondary outcomes have improved. Time period was an independent predictor for reduced mortality in both repair (odds ratio: 0.41, 95% confidence interval: 0.28–0.61, P < 0.001) and replacement (odds ratio: 0.50, 95% confidence interval: 0.41–0.61, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In-hospital mortality has dropped significantly over time for mitral valve surgery in the UK. MVr has become the more common procedure. Sex-based discrepancies in repair rates and mortality require further investigation. Endocarditis rates in MVS are rising.
Analyzing reciprocal relationships by means of the continuous‐time autoregressive latent trajectory model

Over the past decades, several analytic tools have become available for the analysis of reciprocal relations in a non‐experimental context using structural equation modeling (SEM). The autoregressive latent trajectory (ALT) model is a recently proposed model [BOLLEN and CURRAN Sociological Methods and Research (2004) Vol. 32, pp. 336–383; CURRAN and BOLLEN New Methods for the Analysis of Change (2001) American Psychological Association, Washington, DC], which captures features of both the autoregressive (AR) cross‐lagged model and the latent trajectory (LT) model. The present article discusses strengths and weaknesses and demonstrates how several of the problems can be solved by a continuous‐time version: the continuous‐time autoregressive latent trajectory (CALT) model. Using SEM to estimate the exact discrete model (EDM), the EDM/SEM continuous‐time procedure is applied to a CALT model of reciprocal relations between antisocial behavior and depressive symptoms.
ON CERTAIN FUNCTIONS WITH POSITIVE DEFINITE HESSIAN

If u = u(x, y) is a C" solution of rt - 82 = 1 in the whole E2, then u is a quadratic polynomial. It turns out that the neat proof of Nitsche can be extended to prove a generalization of this result to several variables. THEOREM. Let u = u(x1, - * *, xn) be a C" function on El. Suppose that the Hessian matrix R = 11 82ulfxt&x, II is positive semi-definite. Finally, suppose that the equation tr (I + R)-1 = b, b constant, is satisfied. Then u is a quadratic polynomial. Let us use the column vector notation, Xi ~~~(dxj ~ dx=~~~~~~~~~~~~ix
Synergistic inhibitory effects of clopidogrel and rivaroxaban on platelet function and platelet‐dependent thrombin generation in cats

Abstract Background Dual antithrombotic treatment (DAT) with clopidogrel and rivaroxaban sometimes is prescribed to cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at risk of thromboembolism. To date, no studies have evaluated their combined effects on platelet function. Objectives/Hypothesis Evaluate the safety of DAT in healthy cats and compare, ex vivo, platelet‐dependent thrombin generation and agonist‐induced platelet activation and aggregation in cats treated with clopidogrel, rivaroxaban, or DAT. We hypothesized that DAT would safely modulate agonist‐induced platelet activation and aggregation more effectively than single agent treatment. Animals Nine apparently healthy 1‐year‐old cats selected from a research colony. Methods Unblinded, nonrandomized ex vivo cross‐over study. All cats received 7 days of rivaroxaban (0.6 ± 0.1 mg/kg PO), clopidogrel (4.7 ± 0.8 mg/kg PO), or DAT with defined washout periods between treatments. Before and after each treatment, adenosine diphosphate (ADP)‐ and thrombin‐induced platelet P‐selectin expression was evaluated using flow cytometry to assess platelet activation. Platelet‐dependent thrombin generation was measured by fluorescence assay. Platelet aggregation was assessed using whole blood impedance platelet aggregometry. Results No cats exhibited adverse effects. Of the 3 treatments, only DAT significantly decreased the number of activated platelets (P = .002), modulated platelet activation in response to thrombin (P = .01), dampened thrombin generation potential (P = .01), and delayed maximum reaction velocity (P = .004) in thrombin generation. Like clopidogrel, DAT inhibited ADP‐mediated platelet aggregation. However, rivaroxaban alone resulted in increased aggregation and activation in response to ADP. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Treatment combining clopidogrel and rivaroxaban (DAT) safely decreases platelet activation, platelet response to agonists, and thrombin generation in feline platelets more effectively than monotherapy with either clopidogrel or rivaroxaban.
SMART-SLE: serology monitoring and repeat testing in systemic lupus erythematosus—an analysis of anti-double-stranded DNA monitoring

Abstract Objective Disease activity monitoring in SLE includes serial measurement of anti-double stranded-DNA (dsDNA) antibodies, but in patients who are persistently anti-dsDNA positive, the utility of repeated measurement is unclear. We investigated the usefulness of serial anti-dsDNA testing in predicting flare in SLE patients who are persistently anti-dsDNA positive. Methods Data were analysed from patients in a multinational longitudinal cohort with known anti-dsDNA results from 2013 to 2021. Patients were categorized based on their anti-dsDNA results as persistently negative, fluctuating or persistently positive. Cox regression models were used to examine longitudinal associations of anti-dsDNA results with flare. Results Data from 37 582 visits of 3484 patients were analysed. Of the patients 1029 (29.5%) had persistently positive anti-dsDNA and 1195 (34.3%) had fluctuating results. Anti-dsDNA expressed as a ratio to the normal cut-off was associated with the risk of subsequent flare, including in the persistently positive cohort (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.56; 95% CI: 1.30, 1.87; P < 0.001) and fluctuating cohort (adjusted HR 1.46; 95% CI: 1.28, 1.66), both for a ratio >3. Both increases and decreases in anti-dsDNA more than 2-fold compared with the previous visit were associated with increased risk of flare in the fluctuating cohort (adjusted HR 1.33; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.65; P = 0.008) and the persistently positive cohort (adjusted HR 1.36; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.71; P = 0.009). Conclusion Absolute value and change in anti-dsDNA titres predict flares, including in persistently anti-dsDNA positive patients. This indicates that repeat monitoring of dsDNA has value in routine testing.
Muscle size and density are independently associated with death after hip fracture: A prospective cohort study

Mortality following hip fracture is high and incompletely understood. We hypothesize that hip musculature size and quality are related to mortality following hip fracture. This study aims to investigate the associations of hip muscle area and density from hip CT with death following hip fracture as well as assess the dependence of this association on time after hip fracture.
Prognostic and predictive value of CD163 expression and the CD163/CD68 expression ratio for response to adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with surgically resected lung squamous cell carcinoma

Macrophages infiltrating the tumor microenvironment are defined as tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs can be polarized into different phenotypes, that is, proinflammatory M1 macrophages or anti‐inflammatory M2 macrophages. Particularly, M2 macrophages promote angiogenesis, wound healing, and tumor growth. This study aimed to evaluate whether M2 TAMs can serve as a useful marker to predict prognosis and benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with surgically resected lung squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs).
Candida albicans selection for human commensalism results in substantial within-host diversity without decreasing fitness for invasive disease

Candida albicans is a frequent colonizer of human mucosal surfaces as well as an opportunistic pathogen. C. albicans is remarkably versatile in its ability to colonize diverse host sites with differences in oxygen and nutrient availability, pH, immune responses, and resident microbes, among other cues. It is unclear how the genetic background of a commensal colonizing population can influence the shift to pathogenicity. Therefore, we examined 910 commensal isolates from 35 healthy donors to identify host niche-specific adaptations. We demonstrate that healthy people are reservoirs for genotypically and phenotypically diverse C. albicans strains. Using limited diversity exploitation, we identified a single nucleotide change in the uncharacterized ZMS1 transcription factor that was sufficient to drive hyper invasion into agar. We found that SC5314 was significantly different from the majority of both commensal and bloodstream isolates in its ability to induce host cell death. However, our commensal strains retained the capacity to cause disease in the Galleria model of systemic infection, including outcompeting the SC5314 reference strain during systemic competition assays. This study provides a global view of commensal strain variation and within-host strain diversity of C. albicans and suggests that selection for commensalism in humans does not result in a fitness cost for invasive disease.
The Effect of Immediate Microsurgical Resection of Vestibular Schwannoma on Hearing Preservation

Objective Evaluate for differences in postoperative hearing in patients who undergo immediate versus delayed hearing preservation microsurgical resection of vestibular schwannomas (VS). Study Design Retrospective single-institution cohort study spanning November 2017 to November 2021. Setting Single-institution tertiary care hospital. Patients Sporadic VS in patients with American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery hearing classification A or B, with tumor size less than or equal to 2 cm and undergoing hearing preservation microsurgical resection. Interventions Delayed surgical intervention defined by time from first diagnostic MRI to date of surgery being greater than 3 months Main Outcome Measures Preoperative and postoperative audiometric performance. Results In total, 193 patients met inclusion criteria. Within the cohort, 70 (36%) proceeded with surgery within 3 months of diagnostic MRI with a mean observation time of 62 days, whereas 123 (63%) underwent surgery after 3 months with a mean observation time of 301 days. There was no difference in preoperative hearing between the two groups with word recognition score 99% in early intervention group and 100% in delayed intervention group (p = 0.6). However, 64% of those who proceeded with immediate surgery had successful hearing preservation, compared to a 42% of those who had delayed intervention (p < 0.01). In a multivariable logistic regression accounting for preoperative word recognition score, tumor size, and age at diagnosis, the odds of hearing preservation were lower in those who delayed surgery compared to immediate surgery (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.15–0.61). Conclusions Patients who underwent microsurgical resection within 3 months of diagnosis demonstrated a hearing preservation advantage compared to those who did not. Findings of this study highlight the counseling challenges associated with the timing of surgical treatment of VS in patients presenting with good preoperative hearing and small tumors.