Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The language and communication attributes of graphic symbol communication aids – a systematic review and narrative synthesis

Abstract Background: Symbol communication aids are used by children with little or no intelligible speech as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication strategy. Graphic symbols are used to help support understanding of language and used in symbol communication aids to support expressive communication. The decision making related to the selection of a symbol communication aid for a child is poorly understood and little is known about what language and communication attributes are considered in this selection. Aim: To identify from the literature the language or communication attributes of graphic symbol communication aids that currently influence AAC practice. Method and Procedure: A search strategy was developed and searches were performed on a range of electronic databases for papers published since 1970. Quality appraisal was carried out using the CCAT tool and papers rated as weak were not included in the review. Results: Eleven studies were included in the review reporting data from 66 participants. Weaknesses were identified in most studies that would limit the validity of the results for application to practice. Included studies investigated aspects of vocabulary organization and design, the process of vocabulary selection, and the choice of the symbol system and encoding method. Two studies also evaluated innovative communication aid attributes. Conclusions: Information from studies reported in the research literature provides a sparse source of information about symbol communication aids from which clinicians, children or family members may make informed decisions. Implications for Rehabilitation This review is the first to systematically appraise the literature to answer the question what evidence exists to inform clinical decision making in relation to the language or communication attributes of graphic symbol based communication aids? The review establishes that there is a paucity of evidence from studies and that these decisions must thus be based on other information and factors. The review does establish a small number of language or communication attributes of symbol communication aids, but no synthesis of the results of these studies was possible. This review thus suggests that vocabulary design and organization, symbol system and encoding method, and the choice of vocabulary selection method are attributes that clinicians may carefully review in order to inform decisions. Clinicians encountering symbol vocabulary packages claiming to be ‘evidence based’ should query the nature of this evidence. The rehabilitation research community should debate and develop appropriate research designs that will facilitate future robust studies investigating the effect of specific language or communication attributes of communication aids.
Flow caching effectiveness in packet forwarding applications

Routing algorithms are known to be a potential bottleneck for packet processing. Network flow caching can function as a genneral acceleration technique for packet processing workloads. The goal of this article is to evaluate the effectiveness of packet flow caching techniques in high-speed networks. The area of focus is data distribution characteristics that lead to effectiveness of caching of network flows (connections). Based on statistical analysis and simulations the article sets necessary conditions for effective use of caches in packet forwarding applications. Public domain network traces were examined and measured for data locality. Software simulations show a strong correlation between flow packet distance metric and cache hit rate.
Past and Future of Analog-Digital Modulation of Synaptic Transmission

Action potentials (APs) are generally produced in response to complex summation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. While it is usually considered as a digital event, both the amplitude and width of the AP are significantly impacted by the context of its emission. In particular, the analog variations in subthreshold membrane potential determine the spike waveform and subsequently affect synaptic strength, leading to the so-called analog-digital modulation of synaptic transmission. We review here the numerous evidence suggesting context-dependent modulation of spike waveform, the discovery analog-digital modulation of synaptic transmission in invertebrates and its recent validation in mammals. We discuss the potential roles of analog-digital transmission in the physiology of neural networks.
Evolution Analysis of the Fasciclin-Like Arabinogalactan Proteins in Plants Shows Variable Fasciclin-AGP Domain Constitutions

The fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins (FLAs) play important roles in plant development and adaptation to the environment. FLAs contain both fasciclin domains and arabinogalactan protein (AGP) regions, which have been identified in several plants. The evolutionary history of this gene family in plants is still undiscovered. In this study, we identified the FLA gene family in 13 plant species covering major lineages of plants using bioinformatics methods. A total of 246 FLA genes are identified with gene copy numbers ranging from one (Chondrus crispus) to 49 (Populus trichocarpa). These FLAs are classified into seven groups, mainly based on the phylogenetic analysis of plant FLAs. All FLAs in land plants contain one or two fasciclin domains, while in algae, several FLAs contain four or six fasciclin domains. It has been proposed that there was a divergence event, represented by the reduced number of fasciclin domains from algae to land plants in evolutionary history. Furthermore, introns in FLA genes are lost during plant evolution, especially from green algae to land plants. Moreover, it is found that gene duplication events, including segmental and tandem duplications are essential for the expansion of FLA gene families. The duplicated gene pairs in FLA gene family mainly evolve under purifying selection. Our findings give insight into the origin and expansion of the FLA gene family and help us understand their functions during the process of evolution.
Impact of Hanging Motionless in Harness on Respiratory and Blood Pressure Reflex Modulation in Mountain Climbers

Abstract Harness hang syncope (HHS) is a risk that specifically affects safety of harness users in mountain climbing. Aims: To evaluate individual patterns of breathing resulting from deranged cardiovascular reflexes triggering a syncopal event when a mismatch between cerebral O2 demand and supply is present. Results: Forty healthy participants [aged 39.1 (8.2) years] were enrolled in a motionless suspension test while hanging in harness. Respiratory gas exchange values were analyzed to assess the pattern of breathing (EpInWel, respiratory elastic power) and cardiovascular parameters were monitored (BP, blood pressure). Four participants experienced HHS after 30.0 (7.6) minutes, with an early manifestation of loss of control of both a sustainable EpInWel and BP, starting after 10–12 minutes. Among the other participants, two different reactions were observed during suspension: (1) group G1 tolerated 32.7 (11.4) minutes of suspension by a favorable adaptation of the EpInWel and BP parameters and (2) group G2 showed significantly shorter time of suspension 24.0 (10.4) minutes with unfavorable increase in EpInWel and BP. Conclusions: Greater resistance to HHS occurs in people developing less marked fluctuations of both respiratory and cardiovascular reflex responses. Conversely, wider fluctuations both in control of EpInWel and BP were observed in the event of decreased suspension tolerance or in syncopal events.
A review on proteomics analysis to reveal biological pathways and predictive proteins in sulfur mustard exposed patients: roles of inflammation and oxidative stress

Abstract Sulfur mustard (SM) is a mutagenic compound that targets various organs. Although it causes a wide range of abnormalities, cellular and molecular mechanisms of its action are not-well-understood. Oxidation of DNA, proteins, lipids, as well as depletion of cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), antioxidants and increase of intracellular calcium are the hypothesized mechanisms of its action at the acute phase of injury. In this review, the proteome analysis of SM toxicity has been considered. We selected articles that considered proteomics analysis of SM toxicity with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) followed by mass spectrometry. Our search yielded nine related articles, four original in vitro and five human studies. The results of these studies have revealed a change in expression pattern of various proteins such as haptoglobin, amyloid A1, surfactant proteins, S100 proteins, apolipoprotein, Vit D binding protein, transferrin, alpha 1 antitrypsin, protein disulfide isomerase and antioxidant enzymes in patients who were exposed to SM about 30 years ago. Most of these proteins are up- or down-regulated in response to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress (OS). There is a tight link between the expression pattern of these proteins with accumulation of leukocytes, inflammatory conditions, antioxidant depletion, mitochondrial deficiency, as well as increased expression or activity of several proteases such as caspases and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Therefore, excessive production of ROS and OS along with chronic inflammatory may be the long-term toxic effects of SM following acute exposure.
Driving us mad: the association of Toxoplasma gondii with suicide attempts and traffic accidents – a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Unnatural causes of death due to traffic accidents (TA) and suicide attempts (SA) constitute a major burden on global health, which remained stable in the last decade despite widespread efforts of prevention. Recently, latent infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has been suggested to be a biological risk factor for both TA and SA. Therefore, a systematic search concerning the relationship of T. gondii infection with TA and/or SA according to PRISMA guidelines in Medline, Pubmed and PsychInfo was conducted collecting papers up to 11 February 2019 (PROSPERO #CRD42018090206). The random-effect model was applied and sensitivity analyses were subsequently performed. Lastly, the population attributable fraction (PAF) was calculated. We found a significant association for antibodies against T. gondii with TA [odds ratio (OR) = 1.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–2.38, p = 0.003] and SA (OR = 1.39; 95% CI 1.10–1.76, p = 0006). Indication of publication bias was found for TA, but statistical adjustment for this bias did not change the OR. Heterogeneity between studies on SA was partly explained by type of control population used (ORhealthy controls = 1.9, p < 0.001 v. ORpsychiatric controls = 1.06, p = 0.87) and whether subjects with schizophrenia only were analysed (ORschizophrenia = 0.87, p = 0.62 v. ORvarious = 1.8, p < 0.001). The association was significantly stronger with higher antibody titres in TA and in studies that did not focus on schizophrenia subjects concerning SA. PAF of a T. gondii infection was 17% for TA and 10% for SA. This indicates that preventing T. gondii infection may play a role in the prevention of TA or SA, although uncertainty remains whether infection and outcome are truly causally related.
Genome-wide DNA methylation pattern in a mouse model reveals two novel genes associated with Staphylococcus aureus mastitis

Objective Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the major microorganisms responsible for subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle. The present study was designed with the aim to explore the DNA methylation patterns using the Fluorescence-labeled methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (F-MSAP) techniques in a S. aureus-infected mouse model. Methods A total of 12 out-bred Institute of Cancer Research female mice ranging from 12 to 13 weeks-old were selected to construct a mastitis model. F-MSAP analysis was carried out to detect fluctuations of DNA methylation between control group and S. aureus mastitis group. Results Visible changes were observed in white cell counts in milk, percentage of granulocytes, percentage of lymphocytes, CD4+/CD8+ ratio (CD4+/CD8+), and histopathology of mice pre- and post-challenge with S. aureus. These findings showed the suitability of the S. aureus-infected mouse model. A total of 369 fragments was amplified from udder tissue samples from the two groups (S. aureus-infected mastitis group and control group) using eight pairs of selective primers. Results indicated that the methylation level of mastitis mouse group was higher than that in the control group. In addition, NCK-associated protein 5 (Nckap5) and transposon MTD were identified to be differentially methylated through secondary polymerase chain reaction and sequencing in the mastitis group. These observations might play an important role in the development of S. aureus mastitis. Conclusion Collectively, our study suggests that the methylation modification in Nckap5 and transposon MTD might be considered as epigenetic markers in resistance to S. aureus-infected mastitis and provided a new insight into S. aureus mastitis research in dairy industry and public health.
Associations of Dietary Riboflavin, Niacin, and Retinol with Age-related Hearing Loss: An Analysis of Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data

Because age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is irreversible, prevention is very important. Thus, investigating modifying factors that help prevent ARHL is critical for the elderly. Nutritional status or nutritional factors for the elderly are known to be associated with many problems related to aging. Emerging studies suggest that there was the interaction between nutrition and ARHL. We aimed to investigate the possible impact of dietary nutrients on ARHL using data from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) which included 4742 subjects aged ≥ 65 years from 2010 to 2012. All participants underwent an otologic examination, audiologic evaluation, and nutritional survey. The associations between ARHL and nutrient intake were analyzed using simple and multiple regression models with complex sampling adjusted for confounding factors, such as BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and history of hypertension and diabetes. Higher intake groups of riboflavin, niacin and retinol was inversely associated with ARHL prevalence (riboflavin aOR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54–0.94; p = 0.016, niacin aOR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.54–0.96; p = 0.025, retinol aOR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.51–0.86; p = 0.002, respectively). Our findings suggest the recommended intake levels of riboflavin, niacin, and retinol may help reduce ARHL in the elderly.
Learning Feature Sparse Principal Components

This paper presents new algorithms to solve the feature-sparsity constrained PCA problem (FSPCA), which performs feature selection and PCA simultaneously. Existing optimization methods for FSPCA require data distribution assumptions and are lack of global convergence guarantee. Though the general FSPCA problem is NP-hard, we show that, for a low-rank covariance, FSPCA can be solved globally (Algorithm 1). Then, we propose another strategy (Algorithm 2) to solve FSPCA for the general covariance by iteratively building a carefully designed proxy. We prove theoretical guarantees on approximation and convergence for the new algorithms. Experimental results show the promising performance of the new algorithms compared with the state-of-the-arts on both synthetic and real-world datasets.
Social deprivation indexes and anti-influenza vaccination coverage in the elderly in Sardinia, Italy, with a focus on the Sassari municipality

Summary The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between social deprivation indexes and anti-influenza vaccination coverage in the elderly population (over 65 years old) in Sardinia. This relationship was first observed in a regional context. An already-known deprivation index was used, and its trivial relationship with anti-influenza vaccination coverage was evaluated. Secondly, the same relationship was assessed in the homogeneous area of the Municipality of Sassari. This required the adoption of an ad hoc deprivation index, which allowed us to stratify the population into deprivation groups and to correlate vaccination coverage with socio-economic variables. The results showed that regional anti-influenza vaccination coverage increased linearly as deprivation decreased. This trend was confirmed in the Municipality of Sassari. Pearson’s analysis highlighted factors that significantly correlate with vaccination coverage. In Sardinia, the relationship between anti-influenza vaccination coverage and socio-economic status is consistent with the international panorama, and highlights the necessity to implement interventions to promote vaccination coverage among the elderly.
Asymmetries Between Direct and Indirect Scalar Implicatures in Second Language Acquisition

A direct scalar implicature (DSI) arises when a sentence with a weaker term like sometimes implies the negation of the stronger alternative always (e.g., John sometimes (∼ not always) drinks coffee). A reverse implicature, often referred to as indirect scalar implicature (ISI), arises when the stronger term is under negation and implicates the weaker alternative (e.g., John doesn’t always (∼ sometimes) drink coffee). Recent research suggests that English-speaking adults and children behave differently in interpreting these two types of SI (Cremers and Chemla, 2014; Bill et al., 2016). However, little attention has been paid to how these two types of SI are processed in a non-native, or second language (L2). By using a covered box paradigm, this study examines how these two types of SI are computed and suspended in a second language by measuring the visible vs. covered picture selection percentage as well as response times (RTs) taken for the selection. Data collected from 26 native speakers of English to 24 L1-Chinese L2-English learners showed that unlike native speakers, L2 speakers showed asymmetries in their generation and suspension of DSI and ISI. That is, L2 speakers computed DSI more often than ISI, but they suspended ISI more frequently than DSI. Furthermore, our RT data suggested that L2 speakers suspended ISI not only more frequently but also significantly faster than DSI. Regarding the asymmetrical behavior among L2 speakers, we consider the number of alternative meanings involved in DSI vs. ISI suspension and different routes to the suspension of SI.
The Relationship between Perceived Coaching Behaviors, Competitive Trait Anxiety, and Athlete Burnout: A Cross-Sectional Study

Athletes possibly experience a great deal of stress which may cause anxiety and burnout. Athletes’ perceptions of their coaches’ behaviors influence their performance and psychological well-being. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between athletes’ perception of their coaches’ coaching behaviors and burnout, and also to examine the medication effects of competitive trait anxiety on the relationship. A total of 368 collegiate athletes participated in the study, and their ages ranged from 20 to 26 years old (Mage = 21.21 years, SD = 1.07 years). A cross-sectional research design was employed to collect the data. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling are utilized to analyze the data. Trait anxiety in athletes had a significant correlation with athlete burnout as well as significant pathways. Controlling coaching behaviors were significantly related to athletes’ competitive trait anxiety, whereas autonomy-supportive coaching behaviors were not significantly related to trait anxiety. A significant positive pathway from controlling coaching to trait anxiety was observed. The bootstrapping results indicated a significant and indirect pathway from controlling coaching to athlete burnout via competitive trait anxiety. Given that controlling coaching behaviors affected trait anxiety and, in turn, burnout, it is concluded that coaches should provide less controlling coaching to reduce anxiety and burnout in athletes.
Activity of Selected Nucleoside Analogue ProTides against Zika Virus in Human Neural Stem Cells

Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging flavivirus which causes neurodevelopmental impairment to fetuses and has been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome, continues to threaten global health due to the absence of targeted prophylaxis or treatment. Nucleoside analogues are good examples of efficient anti-viral inhibitors, and prodrug strategies using phosphate masking groups (ProTides) have been employed to improve the bioavailability of ribonucleoside analogues. Here, we synthesized and tested a library of 13 ProTides against ZIKV in human neural stem cells. Strong activity was observed for 2′-C-methyluridine and 2′-C-ethynyluridine ProTides with an aryloxyl phosphoramidate masking group. Conversion of the aryloxyl phosphoramidate ProTide group of 2′-C-methyluridine to a 2-(methylthio)ethyl phosphoramidate completely abolished antiviral activity of the compound. The aryloxyl phosphoramidate ProTide of 2′-C-methyluridine outperformed the hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug sofosbuvir in suppression of viral titers and protection from cytopathic effect, while the former compound’s triphosphate active metabolite was better incorporated by purified ZIKV NS5 polymerase over time. Molecular superpositioning revealed different orientations of residues opposite the 2′-fluoro group of sofosbuvir. These findings suggest both a nucleobase and ProTide group bias for the anti-ZIKV activity of nucleoside analogue ProTides in a disease-relevant cell model.
A Stapled Peptide Mimic of the Pseudosubstrate Inhibitor PKI Inhibits Protein Kinase A

Kinases regulate multiple and diverse signaling pathways and misregulation is implicated in a multitude of diseases. Although significant efforts have been put forth to develop kinase-specific inhibitors, specificity remains a challenge. As an alternative to catalytic inhibition, allosteric inhibitors can target areas on the surface of an enzyme, thereby providing additional target diversity. Using cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) as a model system, we sought to develop a hydrocarbon-stapled peptide targeting the pseudosubstrate domain of the kinase. A library of peptides was designed from a Protein Kinase Inhibitor (PKI), a naturally encoded protein that serves as a pseudosubstrate inhibitor for PKA. The binding properties of these peptide analogs were characterized by fluorescence polarization and surface plasmon resonance, and two compounds were identified with KD values in the 500–600 pM range. In kinase activity assays, both compounds demonstrated inhibition with 25–35 nM IC50 values. They were also found to permeate cells and localize within the cytoplasm and inhibited PKA activity within the cellular environment. To the best of our knowledge, these stapled peptide inhibitors represent some of the highest affinity binders reported to date for hydrocarbon stapled peptides.