Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Working Memory Integration Processes in Benign Childhood Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes

Objective and Background:Benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is the most frequent focal epilepsy in children; however, the pattern of affected memory processes remains controversial. Previous studies in BECTS imply deficits in complex working memory tasks, but not in simple modality-specific tasks. We studied working memory processes in children with BECTS by comparing performance in memory binding tasks of different complexities. Methods:We compared 17 children with BECTS (aged 6 to 13 years) to 17 healthy children matched for age, sex, and intelligence quotient. We measured spatial and verbal memory components separately and jointly on three single-binding tasks (binding of what and where; what and when; and where and when) and a combined-binding task (integration of what, where, and when). We also evaluated basic visuospatial memory functions with subtests of the Children’s Memory Scale, and intellectual abilities with verbal tasks of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children®–Fourth Edition and the Raven Progressive Matrices. Results:We found no difference between the BECTS and control groups in single-binding tasks; however, the children with BECTS performed significantly worse on the combined task, which included integration of spatial, verbal, and temporal information. We found no deficits in their intellectual abilities or basic visuospatial memory functions. Conclusions:Children with BECTS may have intact simple maintenance processes of working memory, but difficulty with high-level functions requiring attentional and executive resources. Our findings imply no specific memory dysfunction in BECTS, but suggest difficulties in integrating information within working memory, and possible frontal lobe disturbances.
Evidence for an Ancestral Association of Human Coronavirus 229E with Bats

ABSTRACT We previously showed that close relatives of human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) exist in African bats. The small sample and limited genomic characterizations have prevented further analyses so far. Here, we tested 2,087 fecal specimens from 11 bat species sampled in Ghana for HCoV-229E-related viruses by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Only hipposiderid bats tested positive. To compare the genetic diversity of bat viruses and HCoV-229E, we tested historical isolates and diagnostic specimens sampled globally over 10 years. Bat viruses were 5- and 6-fold more diversified than HCoV-229E in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and spike genes. In phylogenetic analyses, HCoV-229E strains were monophyletic and not intermixed with animal viruses. Bat viruses formed three large clades in close and more distant sister relationships. A recently described 229E-related alpaca virus occupied an intermediate phylogenetic position between bat and human viruses. According to taxonomic criteria, human, alpaca, and bat viruses form a single CoV species showing evidence for multiple recombination events. HCoV-229E and the alpaca virus showed a major deletion in the spike S1 region compared to all bat viruses. Analyses of four full genomes from 229E-related bat CoVs revealed an eighth open reading frame (ORF8) located at the genomic 3′ end. ORF8 also existed in the 229E-related alpaca virus. Reanalysis of HCoV-229E sequences showed a conserved transcription regulatory sequence preceding remnants of this ORF, suggesting its loss after acquisition of a 229E-related CoV by humans. These data suggested an evolutionary origin of 229E-related CoVs in hipposiderid bats, hypothetically with camelids as intermediate hosts preceding the establishment of HCoV-229E. IMPORTANCE The ancestral origins of major human coronaviruses (HCoVs) likely involve bat hosts. Here, we provide conclusive genetic evidence for an evolutionary origin of the common cold virus HCoV-229E in hipposiderid bats by analyzing a large sample of African bats and characterizing several bat viruses on a full-genome level. Our evolutionary analyses show that animal and human viruses are genetically closely related, can exchange genetic material, and form a single viral species. We show that the putative host switches leading to the formation of HCoV-229E were accompanied by major genomic changes, including deletions in the viral spike glycoprotein gene and loss of an open reading frame. We reanalyze a previously described genetically related alpaca virus and discuss the role of camelids as potential intermediate hosts between bat and human viruses. The evolutionary history of HCoV-229E likely shares important characteristics with that of the recently emerged highly pathogenic Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus.
Improving Question Retrieval in cQA Services Using a Dependency Parser

The translation based language model (TRLM) is state-ofthe-art method to solve the lexical gap problem of the question retrieval in the community-based question answering (cQA). Some researchers tried to find methods for solving the lexical gap and improving the TRLM. In this paper, we propose a new dependency based model (DM) for the question retrieval. We explore how to utilize the results of a dependency parser for cQA. Dependency bigrams are extracted from the dependency parser and the language model is transformed using the dependency bigrams as bigram features. As a result, we obtain the significant improved performances when TRLM and DM approaches are effectively combined. key words: question retrieval, cQA service, dependency, language model
Non-uniform filter banks based on a multi-prototype cosine modulation

A method of designing non-uniform FIR filter banks is presented. It is based on the cosine modulation of more than one prototype, having different passbands. The method aims at the cancellation of the main component of aliasing: this imposes constraints on the prototypes, which become dependent of each other. The method is simple and requires numerical optimization only for the narrowest prototype, being the others derived in a straightforward way from this one. For this reason, the method seems particularly suitable when banks with a large number of coefficients must be designed.
The intricacies of mentoring and teaching assessment in field-based early childhood teacher education

This qualitative study focused on listening to and documenting the teaching practice experiences of first year early childhood student teachers in a New Zealand field-based teacher education programme. Eleven students in two separate focus groups were interviewed from one campus. Four research questions guided the study centering on relationships, assessment, goal-setting and field-based teacher education. This article reports findings on student relationships and assessment. Key themes emerged from the students' stories such as the importance of communication with and accessibility to their mentoring teachers. Suggestions are offered for teacher education providers when developing policies and practices for supporting students and strengthening their practice. The implications drawn from the findings may be helpful as points of reflection to those who are involved in field-based teacher education.
EMRP: Energy-Aware Mesh Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) requires robust but simple, scalable, energy efficient and also self-configurable routing algorithms due to limited power of sensor nodes that are distributed in a large geographical area. Recent research shows that cluster-based routing has many advantages in increasing network performance. ARPEES, OEDSR, HPEQ are such efficient cluster-based routing protocols, however they all create only one optimal route from data source to the base station (BS) and this route can be broken when the power of sensor nodes are extremely negligible. In this paper, we propose a multipath solution for event-driven cluster-based routing in WSN called Energy-Aware Mesh Routing Protocol (EMRP) with main design features: reliable data transmission, load balance and energy efficiency. In addition, by using the residual energy as main parameter for dynamically switching between two alternative paths, EMRP can be also deployed for purpose of virtualization of WSN. The simulation results show that our solution achieves better performance than other event-driven cluster-based routing protocols.
All on Board! Strategies for Constructing Diverse Boards of Directors

A global business convergence exists, making international business easier and more mainstream. Over the last decade, social activists, academics, government agencies, shareholder groups, and other investors have argued for greater diversity in U.S. businesses, including making public company boards of directors more heterogeneous. Such heterogeneity may be based on education, experience, background, class, gender, race, or ethnicity, each of which can be categorized as either a "Modifiable Attribute" or a "Non-Modifiable Attribute. " This Article argues that "board diversity" is necessary for U.S. public companies to remain competitive in the borderless global marketplace and that the U.S. should be the leader in and model for implementing "true" board diversity. Lastly, this Article presents practical solutions for creating diverse boards of directors.
A study on aerodynamic characteristics and visualization of flow field of lift-drag combined starter

This study refers to the modification of the aerodynamic characteristics of the starter for the lift-type vertical axis wind turbine, the structure of the traditional drag starter was improved, and the lift-drag combined starter model was proposed. Based on the CFD numerical simulation and the particle image velocimetry visualization test, the aerodynamic characteristics of the lift-drag combined starter model and the drag starter model are studied, and the reasons for the regular variation of the flow field are explained. The results show that the lift-drag combined starter has obvious advantages over the traditional drag starter in both static start-up characteristics and dynamic output characteristics. The average static torque coefficient of the lift-drag combined starter is increased by 8% compared to that of the drag starter after one revolution. The increasing percentage of the maximum dynamic moment coefficient of the lift-drag combined starter is 89% compared to the drag starter, and the decreasing percentage of the minimum is only 30%.
Polyplex‐mediated gene transfer and cell cycle: effect of carrier on cellular uptake and intracellular kinetics, and significance of glycosaminoglycans

Here we report on studies that probe whether the intracellular kinetics of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and cell surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are modified during the cell cycle in a way that can be correlated with changes in gene transfer efficiency with poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and poly‐L‐lysine (PLL) polyplexes.
Five methods for detection of Helicobacter pylori in the Turkish population.

AIM To compare culture analysis, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) stool antigen (HpSA) test, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for H. pylori detection. METHODS One hundred and thirty-two consecutive adult dyspeptic patients receiving diagnostic endoscopy at the department of gastroenterology were enrolled in this study. Culture and histological examination were performed on biopsy specimens. PCR and FISH tests were applied to histopathological samples. Stool samples that were simultaneously collected were tested for the H. pylori antigen using the HpSA test and bacterial DNA using stool PCR. RESULTS H. pylori was positively identified by histological examination in 85/132 (64.4%) of the patients, while positive samples were found in 56 (42.4%), 64 (48.5%), 98 (74.2%), 28 (21.2%) and 81 (61.4%) of the patients by culture, HpSA, PCR, stool PCR and FISH methods, respectively. The results of the culture, biopsy PCR, HpSA and FISH tests, with the exception of the stool PCR, were found to correlate with the histological examination as a gold standard. CONCLUSION The HpSA test is a rapid, simple, and noninvasive test for monitoring therapy. FISH is an accurate, rapid, cost-effective, and easy-to-use test for H. pylori detection.
Four‐dimensional transcatheter intraarterial perfusion (TRIP)‐MRI for monitoring liver tumor embolization in VX2 rabbits

Transcatheter intraarterial perfusion (TRIP)‐MRI is an intraprocedural technique to iteratively monitor liver tumor perfusion changes during transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and chemoembolization (TACE). However, previous TRIP‐MRI approaches using two‐dimensional (2D) T1‐weighted saturation‐recovery gradient‐recalled echo (GRE) sequences provided only limited spatial coverage and limited capacity for accurate perfusion quantification. In this preclinical study, a quantitative 4D TRIP‐MRI technique (serial iterative 3D volumetric perfusion imaging) with rigorous radiofrequency (RF) B1 field calibration and dynamic tissue longitudinal relaxation rate R1 measurement is presented for monitoring intraprocedural liver tumor perfusion during TAE. 4D TRIP‐MRI and TAE were performed in five rabbits with eight VX2 liver tumors (N = 8). After B1 calibrated baseline and dynamic R1 quantification, subsequent tissue contrast agent concentration time curves were derived. A single‐input flow‐limited pharmacokinetic model and peak gradient method were applied for perfusion analysis. The perfusion Fρ reduced significantly from pre‐TAE 0.477 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.384–0.570) to post‐TAE 0.131 (95% CI: 0.080–0.183 ml/min/ml, P < 0.001). Magn Reson Med 60:970–975, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Benefits and Risks of Truck Platooning on Freeway Operations Near Entrance Ramp

Truck platooning attracts considerable attention thanks to the promising fuel consumption benefits and business model. Nevertheless, concerns over the influence of long truck platoons on other traffic are raised by road operators. It is intriguing to understand under what conditions truck platooning will influence other traffic and what are the magnitudes of the influence. To this end, this paper reports a simulation study on examining the effects of truck platooning on freeway operations near an on-ramp. Systematic experiments were conducted with varying demand, market penetration rates (MPRs), intra-platooning gap, and platoon size. Moreover, three alternative strategies for truck platooning to accommodate merging traffic were tested: allowing courtesy lane change of trucks, active yielding, and keeping a larger intra-platoon gap than the acceptable gap for human drivers to change lane. Simulation results show that at high MPRs of truck platooning, the system mitigates congestion and increases throughput, at the expense of merging failures. The merge location distributions shift toward the end of the acceleration lane at congested flow and high MPRs. The effect on average merging speed is insignificant, but the merging speed in saturated traffic with truck platooning shows larger variability. At free flow and low MPRs, the influence is insignificant. Evaluation of the three alternatives concludes that the yielding strategy is most effective in resolving the merging problem with truck platooning. Courtesy lane change is not always possible because of the high speed difference between lanes and keeping a larger time gap suppresses the benefits in congestion mitigation and throughput increase.
Professional Principal Training Related to the Implementation of Multicultural Early Childhood Education in Malaysia

Multicultural education is a philosophical concept built on the ideals of freedom, justice, equality, equity, and human dignity as acknowledged in the document of Malaysian national philosophy of education. It affirms our need to prepare our children for their responsibilities in an interdependent world. It recognizes the role of preschools can play in developing the attitudes and values necessary for a democratic society. Through professional development will help preschool principals to have full understanding of multicultural preschool education practice. Since principals who are managing diversity have potential impact on teachers' and children's developing attitudes towards cultural diversity, it is essential that preschool principals undergo and receive appropriate professional training which incorporate the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes for such a responsibility. Principals must be multicultural literacy and capable of including and embracing families and communities to create an environment that is supportive of multiple perspectives, experiences, and democracy. This paper will discuss the findings of a study on multicultural preschool education and principals' professional training conducted in Malaysia. The aim of the study
Equivalent Switch Circuit Model and Proportional Resonant Control for Triple Line-Voltage Cascaded Voltage-Source Converter

This paper studies the modeling and control for a triple line-voltage cascaded voltage-source converter. The unbalanced current of each cascaded unit results in complicated control algorithm and structure due to its structural characteristic, and there exists a double-frequency fluctuation for each dc-capacitor voltage. To solve the aforementioned problems, an equivalent switch circuit model for the converter is established in this paper based on the external circuit characteristic, and a simple proportional resonant control strategy for the model is also proposed. The technique realizes the power factor regulation and the balanced stable transmission of the converter power in a two-phase stationary frame. And by adding an ac-side voltage compensation control for each converter, the double-frequency fluctuation of each dc-link voltage is effectively restrained. Besides, the strategy adopts a carrier phase-shifting space vector pulsewidth modulation suitable for the structural characteristics, which effectively simplifies the modulation algorithm. The proposed strategy has such advantages as less hardware and computation, simpler control structure, better dynamic and static performance, and better robustness. The experimental results have verified the feasibility and availability of the proposed model and its control method.
Differential neuronal expression and projections of melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) and MCH‐gene‐overprinted‐polypeptide (MGOP) in the rat brain

The rat melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) gene may produce, through alternative splicing, either the precursor of MCH and neuropeptide EI, two neuropeptides coexpressed in the zona incerta (ZI) and lateral hypothalamus (LHA), or a putative protein we named previously MCH‐gene‐overprinted‐polypeptide (MGOP). First, we investigated the distribution and relative expression of MCH and MGOP mRNA in the rat brain by Northern blotting, RT‐PCR and in situ hybridization. MGOP gene transcripts were detected mainly in the hypothalamus only by RT‐PCR. Second, different antisera were raised toward the C‐terminus of MGOP and used to identify the translational products. In the rat brain, no MGOP‐processed peptide could be detected based on RP‐HPLC coupled to specific RIA. A polypeptide of 14 kDa was found in the secretory pathway of transfected monkey COS7 cells expressing recombinant MGOP. In the rat hypothalamus, a specific protein of 12 kDa was identified by Western blot analysis. Finally, distribution of MGOP‐immunoreactivity (IR) was investigated in the rat brain. Colocalization studies demonstrated that 98% of the MGOP‐expressing perikarya in ZI/LHA also synthesized MCH. In addition, numerous, strongly stained MGOP‐containing neurons were encountered in the hypothalamic periventricular nucleus. Perikarya labelled with MGOP antiserum were also found scattered in the cortex, caudate putamen, amygdala and lateral septal nucleus. MCH was not detected in these MGOP‐containing neurons. Strikingly, dense staining of terminals was observed with MGOP antiserum but not with MCH antibodies in the suprachiasmatic, ventromedial and arcuate nuclei, and also in the external layer of the median eminence. These results demonstrated that MGOP and MCH‐IR overlapped in LHA/ZI but displayed a differential distribution in other areas. Based on this cerebral distribution, MGOP may act as a new secreted protein in regulating many neuroendocrine functions, such as nursing, feeding and growth control in associated behavioural components.
Analysing Firm‐Level Price Effects for Differentiated Products: The Case of Australian Wine Producers

type="main"> The paper discusses and illustrates estimation methods for identifying and modelling the influence of producers on the prices for a differentiated product. A two-step fixed effects approach is contrasted to the random effects specification. The techniques are employed to analyse prices for over 260 Australian premium wine producers. The fixed effects specification is preferred given significant correlation between wine attributes and random producer effects. The estimation of fixed producer price effects identifies statistically significant price premiums and discounts, which average 15%. Fixed producer price effects are estimated to depend on the quality reputation of the producer, its level of experience, producer size and the use of multibrands by conglomerates. In part, results indicate that price discounts are associated with producers who have low-quality reputations, are small and recently established.
Using integrity constraints to guide the interpretation of RFID-trajectory data

We discuss an approach for interpreting RFID data in the context of object tracking. It consists in translating the readings generated by RFID-tracked moving objects into semantic locations over a map, by exploiting some integrity constraints. Our approach performs a probabilistic conditioning: it starts from an a-priori probability assigned to the possible trajectories, discards the trajectories that are inconsistent with the constraints, and assigns to the others a suitable probability of being the actual one.
Clinical Significance of a CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizer -A Patient With Schizophrenia on Risperidone Treatment

A case of a 46-year-old woman with schizophrenia who was treated with risperidone and followed up for 1 year is reported. She was genotyped as a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer (PM): CYP2D6-4*/*6, which was confirmed by a dextromethorphan (DM) test (metabolic ratio = 5.8). Genotypes of ABCB1 (MDR1) were 2677TT and 3435TT. Because risperidone is CYP2D6 and P-glycoprotein substrate, the patient might have been expected to accumulate risperidone and suffer from significant side effects. However, the patient tolerated the drug extremely well. Plasma concentration of risperidone was 73.2 nmol/L and of 9-OH-risperidone was below the limit of quantitation (6.1 nmol/L). Target range of risperidone plus 9-hydroxyrisperidone is 50-150 nmol/L. During the follow-up, patient was continuously taking 3 mg/day of risperidone. Plasma levels of risperidone and 9-OH-risperidone were 70.2 and 18.1 nmol/L, respectively. We repeated a DM test, metabolic ratio was 3.6, thus confirming that the patient remained a PM. Psychopathology was assessed with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and stable remission of illness was achieved over the stated period. No adverse effects were observed or reported by the patient. We conclude that PM phenotype for CYP2D6 does not necessarily have clinical significance in regard to risperidone treatment. DM and risperidone are both CYP2D6 and P-glycoprotein substrates and significant interactions might occur with both drugs, in parallel with the possible impact of ABCB1 and CYP2D6 polymorphic gene variants.