Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of two acoustic measures of hypernasality.

PURPOSE This study aimed to compare 2 quantitative acoustic measures of nasality in children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and healthy controls using formalized perceptual assessment as a guide. METHOD Fifty participants (23 children with CLP and 27 age- and gender-matched healthy controls) aged between 4 and 12 years produced a variety of high and low vowels that allowed perceptual ratings of nasal resonance severity as well as acoustic analysis of spectral changes. Two objective measures of nasality were used: 1/3 octave spectra analysis and the voice low tone high tone ratio. Each respective technique has been evaluated in previous research, and their potential as an effective means of detecting changes in nasal resonance has been demonstrated. RESULTS Only 1/3 octave spectra analysis differentiated between participants with hypernasal speech and those perceived to have normal nasal resonance. Significant differences were also observed between varying levels of perceived severity on vowels within nonnasalized phonemic environments (/pIt/, /tIp/). CONCLUSIONS Perceptual judgment remains the primary means of evaluating levels of nasality in children with CLP. However, the development and validation of easy-to-use objective techniques remains an important goal for effective clinical and empirical practice.
Effects of Aminoglycoside Antibiotics on Human Embryonic Stem Cell Viability during Differentiation In Vitro

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are being used extensively in array of studies to understand different mechanisms such as early human embryogenesis, drug toxicity testing, disease modeling, and cell replacement therapy. The protocols for the directed differentiation of hESCs towards specific cell types often require long-term cell cultures. To avoid bacterial contamination, these protocols include addition of antibiotics such as pen-strep and gentamicin. Although aminoglycosides, streptomycin, and gentamicin have been shown to cause cytotoxicity in various animal models, the effect of these antibiotics on hESCs is not clear. In this study, we found that antibiotics, pen-strep, and gentamicin did not affect hESC cell viability or expression of pluripotency markers. However, during directed differentiation towards neural and hepatic fate, significant cell death was noted through the activation of caspase cascade. Also, the expression of neural progenitor markers Pax6, Emx2, Otx2, and Pou3f2 was significantly reduced suggesting that gentamicin may adversely affect early embryonic neurogenesis whereas no effect was seen on the expression of endoderm or hepatic markers during differentiation. Our results suggest that the use of antibiotics in cell culture media for the maintenance and differentiation of hESCs needs thorough investigation before use to avoid erroneous results.
Molecular Insights into the Biosynthesis of the F420 Coenzyme*

Coenzyme F420, a hydride carrier, is found in Archaea and some bacteria and has crucial roles in methanogenesis, antibiotic biosynthesis, DNA repair, and activation of antitubercular compounds. CofD, 2-phospho-l-lactate transferase, catalyzes the last step in the biosynthesis of F420-0 (F420 without polyglutamate), by transferring the lactyl phosphate moiety of lactyl(2)diphospho-(5′)guanosine to 7,8-didemethyl-8-hydroxy-5-deazariboflavin ribitol (Fo). CofD is highly conserved among F420-producing organisms, and weak sequence homologs are also found in non-F420-producing organisms. This superfamily does not share any recognizable sequence conservation with other proteins. Here we report the first crystal structures of CofD, the free enzyme and two ternary complexes, with Fo and Pi or with Fo and GDP, from Methanosarcina mazei. The active site is located at the C-terminal end of a Rossmann fold core, and three large insertions make significant contributions to the active site and dimer formation. The observed binding modes of Fo and GDP can explain known biochemical properties of CofD and are also supported by our binding assays. The structures provide significant molecular insights into the biosynthesis of the F420 coenzyme. Large structural differences in the active site region of the non-F420-producing CofD homologs suggest that they catalyze a different biochemical reaction.
AC-Space-Charge Effects on Gap Coupling Coefficient of a Klystron Cavity

A novel model was developed to evaluate gap coupling coefficient considering ac-space-charge effects due to the bunching in the interaction gap. The formulation was derived based on Webster's debunching theory and the electron-stream oscillation equation with arbitrary gap field distribution on the gridless gap. The coupling coefficient with ac-space-charge effects was investigated through both analysis and particle-in-cell simulation. The calculation results are in reasonable agreement with the simulation results. With the ac-space-charge effects, the coupling coefficient is lower than that calculated by ballistic theory. It is found that the plasma gap transit angle is a key factor in the effects of ac space charge on the coupling coefficient. Large beam current or gap length and, hence, mean large plasma transit angle indicate strong ac-space-charge effects on the coupling coefficient.
A HYBRID INTEGER DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS BASED ON AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH OF SUPER SLACK BASED MEASURE FOR MEASURING SUPER EFFICIENCY AND INEFFICIENCY OF DECISION MAKING UNITS

Conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models assume that all values of input and output variables are non-integers. However, in many situations of real life DEA application, some of the input and/or output variables are to be integers.The rounding process of the non-integer values to their nearest integers can cause inaccurate efficiency and performance measurement. Thus, it is important to develop a non-radial hybrid integer DEA model. Moreover, the projection of decision making units (DMUs) in the existing super efficiency slack based measure hybrid integer model may not be strongly Pareto-efficient.Thus, our hybrid integer DEA model is developed based on an alternative super efficiency slack based measure DEA model for ranking efficient and inefficient DMUs.The developed model can project efficient DMUs resulted from super efficiency strongly Pareto-efficient by identifying input excesses and output shortfalls of non-integer and integer slack variables. It then discriminates inefficient DMUs whose efficiency scores resulted from super efficiency slack based measure model equal to one.An application to measure the efficiency of 41 academic departments at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan (NCKU) is used to test the applicability of developed models. The results showed that 51.20% of the departments (DMUs) were super efficiency. Moreover, the result also showed that most of the inefficient departments were caused by their input excesses of expenses and teaching space, and output shortfalls associating with publications and grants.
Understanding microRNA Regulation Involved in the Metamorphosis of the Veined Rapa Whelk (Rapana venosa)

The veined rapa whelk (Rapana venosa) is widely consumed in China. Nevertheless, it preys on oceanic bivalves, thereby reducing this resource worldwide. Its larval metamorphosis comprises a transition from pelagic to benthic form, which involves considerable physiological and structural changes and has vital roles in its natural populations and commercial breeding. Thus, understanding the endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) that drive metamorphosis is of great interest. This is the first study to use high-throughput sequencing to examine the alterations in miRNA expression that occur during metamorphosis in a marine gastropod. A total of 195 differentially expressed miRNAs were obtained. Sixty-five of these were expressed during the transition from precompetent to competent larvae. Thirty-three of these were upregulated and the others were downregulated. Another 123 miRNAs were expressed during the transition from competent to postlarvae. Ninety-six of these were upregulated and the remaining 27 were downregulated. The expression of miR-276-y, miR-100-x, miR-183-x, and miR-263-x showed a >100-fold change during development, while the miR-242-x and novel-m0052-3p expression levels changed over 3000-fold. Putative target gene coexpression, gene ontology, and pathway analyses suggest that these miRNAs play important parts in cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, metabolic regulation, and energy absorption. Twenty miRNAs and their target genes involved in ingestion, digestion, cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, and apoptosis were identified. Nine of them were analyzed with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which showed an inverse correlation between the miRNAs and their relative expression levels. Our data elucidate the role of miRNAs in R. venosa metamorphic transition and serve as a solid basis for further investigations into regulatory mechanisms of gastropod metamorphosis.
Non-Random Distribution of 5S rDNA Sites and Its Association with 45S rDNA in Plant Chromosomes

5S and 45S rDNA sites are the best mapped chromosome regions in eukaryotic chromosomes. In this work, a database was built gathering information about the position and number of 5S rDNA sites in 784 plant species, aiming to identify patterns of distribution along the chromosomes and its correlation with the position of 45S rDNA sites. Data revealed that in most karyotypes (54.5%, including polyploids) two 5S rDNA sites (a single pair) are present, with 58.7% of all sites occurring in the short arm, mainly in the proximal region. In karyotypes of angiosperms with only 1 pair of sites (single sites) they are mostly found in the proximal region (52.0%), whereas in karyotypes with multiple sites the location varies according to the average chromosome size. Karyotypes with multiple sites and small chromosomes (<3 µm) often display proximal sites, while medium-sized (between 3 and 6 µm) and large chromosomes (>6 µm) more commonly show terminal or interstitial sites. In species with holokinetic chromosomes, the modal value of sites per karyotype was also 2, but they were found mainly in a terminal position. Adjacent 5S and 45S rDNA sites were often found in the short arm, reflecting the preferential distribution of both sites in this arm. The high frequency of genera with at least 1 species with adjacent 5S and 45S sites reveals that this association appeared several times during angiosperm evolution, but it has been maintained only rarely as the dominant array in plant genera.
Flow and Grit by Design: Exploring Gamification in Facilitating Adherence to Swallowing Therapy.

Purpose Delivery of swallowing therapy is faced with challenges regarding access to in-clinic services and adherence to prescribed home programs. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies are being developed at a rapid pace to address these difficulties. Whereas some benefits to using these modern tools for therapy are obvious (e.g., electronic reminders), other advantages are not as well understood. One example is the potential for mHealth devices and apps to enhance adherence to treatment regimens. Method This article introduces a number of psychological concepts that relate to adherence and that can be leveraged by mHealth. Elements that contribute to flow (optimal experience) during an activity and those that reinforce grit (perseverance to achieve a long-term goal) can be used to engage patients in their own rehabilitation. Results The experience of flow can be targeted by presenting the rehabilitation exercise as an optimally challenging game, one that offers a match between challenge and ability. Grit can be supported by reinforcing routine and by varying the therapy experience using different games. Conclusions A combination of hardware and software design approaches have the potential to transform uninteresting and repetitive activities, such as those that make up swallowing therapy regimens, into engaging ones. The field of gamification, however, is still developing, and gamified mHealth apps will need to withstand scientific testing of their claims and demonstrate effectiveness in all phases of outcome research.
Basic Aspects of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

RF Ablation. Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation has become the treatment of choice for many symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias. It is presumed that the primary cause of tissue injury by RF ablation is thermally mediated, resulting in a relatively discrete homogeneous lesion. The mechanism by which RF current heats tissue is resistive heating of a narrow rim (< 1 mm) of tissue that is in direct contact with the ablation electrode. Deeper tissue heating occurs as a result of passive heat conduction from this small region of volume heating. Lesion size is proportional to the temperature at the electrode‐tissue interface and the size of the ablation electrode. Temperatures above 50°C are required for irreversible myocardial injury, but temperatures above 100°C result in coagulum formation on the ablation electrode, a rapid rise in electrical impedance, and loss of effective tissue heating. Lesion formation is also dependent on optimal electrode‐tissue contact and duration of RF delivery. Newer developments in RF ablation include temperature monitoring, longer ablation electrodes coupled to high‐powered RF generators, and novel ablation electrode designs.
Mental health problems among survivors in hard-hit areas of the 5.12 Wenchuan and 4.20 Lushan earthquakes

Abstract Background: Earthquake exposure has often been associated with psychological distress. However, little is known about the cumulative effect of exposure to two earthquakes on psychological distress and in particular, the effect on the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression disorders. Aims: This study explored the effect of exposure on mental health outcomes after a first earthquake and again after a second earthquake. Methods: A population-based mental health survey using self-report questionnaires was conducted on 278 people in the hard-hit areas of Lushan and Baoxing Counties 13-16 months after the Wenchuan earthquake (Sample 1). 191 of these respondents were evaluated again 8-9 months after the Lushan earthquake (Sample 2), which struck almost 5 years after the Wenchuan earthquake. Results: In Sample 1, the prevalence rates for PTSD, anxiety and depression disorders were 44.53, 54.25 and 51.82%, respectively, and in Sample 2 the corresponding rates were 27.27, 38.63 and 36.93%. Females, the middle-aged, those of Tibetan nationality, and people who reported fear during the earthquake were at an increased risk of experiencing post-traumatic symptoms. Conclusions: Although the incidence of PTSD, anxiety and depression disorders decreased from Sample 1 to Sample 2, the cumulative effect of exposure to two earthquakes on mental health problems was serious in the hard-hit areas. Therefore, it is important that psychological counseling be provided for earthquake victims, and especially those exposed to multiple earthquakes.
From the Revolution to Embodiment

In 1988, the cognitive revolution had become institutionalized: Cognition was the manipulation of abstract symbols by rules. But, much like institutionalized political parties, some of the ideas were becoming stale. Where was action? Where was the self? How could cognition be smoothly integrated with emotions, with social psychology, with development, with clinical analyses? Around that time, thinkers in linguistics, philosophy, artificial intelligence, biology, and psychology were formulating the idea that just as overt behavior depends on the specifics of the body in action, so might cognition depend on the body. Here we characterize (some would say caricature) the strengths and weaknesses of cognitive psychology of that era, and then we describe what has come to be called embodied cognition: how cognition arises through the dynamic interplay of brain controlling bodily action controlling perception, which changes the brain. We focus on the importance of action and how action shapes perception, the self, and language. Having the body in action as a central consideration for theories of cognition promises, we believe, to help unify psychology.
Energetics of subunit dimerization in bacteriophage lambda cI repressor: linkage to protons, temperature, and KCl.

A common feature of gene regulatory systems is the linkage between reversible protein oligomerization and DNA binding. Experimental dissection using temperature dependence of the subunit-subunit energetics and their linkage to processes such as ion binding and release is necessary for characterization of the chemical forces that contribute to cooperativity and site specificity. We have therefore studied the effects of temperature, proton activity, and monovalent salt on monomer-dimer assembly of the lambda cI repressor using a recently developed gel chromatographic procedure. This technique has made possible studies in the previously inaccessible picomolar concentration ranges where the assembly reactions occur. Upon formation of the dimer interface in the range pH 5-9, we find an overall absorption of protons which is temperature-dependent. The dimerization reaction displays a large negative enthalpy of association at all conditions studied (pH 5, 7, and 9). The reaction is also dependent on monovalent salt concentration: subunit association is weaker at low-salt conditions. The results suggest that a repulsive interaction between negatively charged side chains (i.e., aspartates and glutamates) on each monomer surface is attenuated by increasing concentrations of KCl. Formation of the dimer interface may be mediated by absorption of cations which stabilize the complex.
Subordinates' perceptions of Western expatriate hotel managers in China: The effects of conflict avoidance

ABSTRACT The rapid expansion of the hotel industry in Mainland China has precipitated an increased need for hiring Western expatriate managers, especially among multinational brands. The consequences of expatriate failure are well studied and are of vital concern among stakeholders, necessitating a deeper understanding of Chinese norms. Prior justice research in China has recommended the inclusion of Chinese societal protocols, such as face protection and conflict avoidance, as predictors of Interactional Justice. The current study has added to the literature the importance of understanding face conflict avoidance styles as a precursor to Western expatriate managerial success.
Tomographic reconstruction of sound velocity distribution in the breast using linear arrays: experimental results

An approach based on limited-angle transmission tomography for reconstruction of the sound velocity distribution in the breast using linear arrays was proposed and evaluated by simulations last year. In this study, we investigate performance of the approach using experimental data. The experimental setup consisted of a 5 MHz 0.3-mm-pitch, 128-channel linear array, a programmable digital array system that was used to acquire radiofrequency channel data, a custom made tissue-mimicking phantom, and a personal computer for central control. A total of 9 different cases were evaluated and the experimental results show that obtaining the sound velocity distribution is feasible with the proposed reconstruction algorithm under current B-mode imaging setup with linear arrays. Therefore, this approach can be used to complement conventional B-mode imaging to enhance the detection of breast cancer.
Dual-band microwave power amplifier design using GaN transistors

This paper presents the design and the applications of dual-band microwave power amplifiers using GaN transistors. First, a dual-band power amplifier using dual-band transmission line (TL) impedance matching networks, which can simultaneously match two different complex impedances to 50 Ω at two uncorrelated frequencies, is introduced. Secondly, design of a dual-band GaN based Doherty power amplifier (DPA) is presented in this paper. The dual-band DPA is based on a simplified DPA structure and wideband matching networks. The simplified DPA structure eliminates the 35 Ω quarter wavelength impedance inverters used in the conventional DPAs by matching the output impedances of the carrier and peak amplifiers of the DPA to other values (e.g. 100 Ω).
Antioxidant vitamin supplementation reduces benzo(a)pyrene-DNA adducts and potential cancer risk in female smokers.

BACKGROUND Elevated benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]-DNA adducts have been associated with 3-fold increased risk of lung cancer in current smokers. We assessed the chemopreventive effects of antioxidant supplementation using B(a)P-DNA adducts in leukocytes as an intermediate cancer risk marker. METHODS Subjects were randomized to a double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial of antioxidant vitamin supplementation [500 mg vitamin C and 400 IU vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol) daily] or placebo. Smokers with > or =10 cigarettes per day and serum cotinine > or =25 ng/mL were eligible for the study. B(a)P-DNA adduct level was the outcome. The randomization was stratified by gender and cigarettes per day (< or =20 or >20). Smoking habits and blood samples were collected every 3 months during the 15-month treatment period. Samples were analyzed for B(a)P-DNA adducts (high-performance liquid chromatography), plasma cotinine, vitamin levels, and GSTM1 genotype. The intent-to-treat model adjusted for B(a)P-DNA and cotinine at randomization. RESULTS Overall and among men, there was no effect of treatment on B(a)P-DNA adduct levels. Among treated women, B(a)P-DNA adducts decreased by 31% compared with women on placebo (P = 0.03). Among treated women with the GSTM1 genotype, there was a 43% decrease in adducts (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION Our primary hypothesis that the mean level of smoking-related B(a)P-DNA adducts would be lower in all subjects in the vitamin treatment group compared with all placebo-treated subjects was not substantiated. However, oursecondary gender-specific analysis found a significant reduction in B(a)P-DNA adducts in women with vitamin treatment, suggesting that antioxidant supplementation maymitigate some of the procarcinogenic effects of exposuretoB(a)P. The effect in GSTM1-null women suggeststhat certain subgroups may derive more benefit fromsupplementation. Although the results of this trial showthe potential chemopreventive role of antioxidants, thebest way for smokers to reduce their cancer risk remains smoking cessation.
The Mean Square Error of Prediction in the Chain Ladder Reserving Method – A Comment

We discuss some questionable points of the approach taken in the paper by Buchwalder, Bühlmann, Merz and Wüthrich and come to the conclusion that this approach does not yield an improvement of Mack’s original formula. The main reason is that the new approach disregards the negative correlation of the squares of the development factors. The same applies to the formula by Murphy (PCAS 1994).