Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Processing of nominal compounds and gender-marked determiners in aphasia: Evidence from German

The present study tests theories about the representation of compound nouns and grammatical gender in the mental lexicon. Comprehension and production of determiner–compound-noun phrases were examined in three aphasic native speakers of German, a language that marks grammatical gender on definite determiners of nouns. In picture naming, participants were more impaired in retrieving compounds than matched simple nouns and showed different error patterns. However, retrieving the correct determiner was equally impaired for compounds and simple nouns. Clear dissociations between impaired determiner retrieval in production and relatively preserved processing of determiner–noun phrases in comprehension were observed for existing compounds and simple nouns. In contrast, processing of novel compounds was more impaired in both modalities, and gender-mismatch effects were especially observed for novel compounds. The results support the account of decomposed word forms and holistic lemma representations of compound nouns in the mental lexicon.
Whole Slide Imaging Versus Microscopy for Primary Diagnosis in Surgical Pathology

Most prior studies of primary diagnosis in surgical pathology using whole slide imaging (WSI) versus microscopy have focused on specific organ systems or included relatively few cases. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that WSI is noninferior to microscopy for primary diagnosis in surgical pathology. A blinded randomized noninferiority study was conducted across the entire range of surgical pathology cases (biopsies and resections, including hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemistry, and special stains) from 4 institutions using the original sign-out diagnosis (baseline diagnosis) as the reference standard. Cases were scanned, converted to WSI and randomized. Sixteen pathologists interpreted cases by microscopy or WSI, followed by a wash-out period of ≥4 weeks, after which cases were read by the same observers using the other modality. Major discordances were identified by an adjudication panel, and the differences between major discordance rates for both microscopy (against the reference standard) and WSI (against the reference standard) were calculated. A total of 1992 cases were included, resulting in 15,925 reads. The major discordance rate with the reference standard diagnosis was 4.9% for WSI and 4.6% for microscopy. The difference between major discordance rates for microscopy and WSI was 0.4% (95% confidence interval, −0.30% to 1.01%). The difference in major discordance rates for WSI and microscopy was highest in endocrine pathology (1.8%), neoplastic kidney pathology (1.5%), urinary bladder pathology (1.3%), and gynecologic pathology (1.2%). Detailed analysis of these cases revealed no instances where interpretation by WSI was consistently inaccurate compared with microscopy for multiple observers. We conclude that WSI is noninferior to microscopy for primary diagnosis in surgical pathology, including biopsies and resections stained with hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemistry and special stains. This conclusion is valid across a wide variety of organ systems and specimen types.
Capillary growth and geometry during long-term hypertension and myocardial hypertrophy in dogs.

Angiogenic response of the myocardial capillary bed to long-term (7 mo) renovascular hypertension (one-kidney, one-clip) was assessed in eight mongrel dogs and compared with seven control dogs. Image analyses of histological sections from four transmural specimen sites of left ventricular (LV) free wall were performed. While mean cross-sectional cardiocyte area increased in all transmural layers (epi-endo) in dogs with LV hypertrophy (LVH), the greatest increases occurred in the inner layers. Although capillary length density was significantly lower in two of the four transmural regions of LVH dogs, these decrements were much less than the lateral expansion of cardiocytes as indicated by cross-sectional areas. Calculations of total capillary length indicate that approximately one-fifth of the capillary bed in LVH dogs was formed during the 7-mo period of hypertension in hypertrophied hearts. Capillary volume and surface densities in LVH dogs decreased to a greater extent due to a larger population of capillaries with lumen diameters less than 4 microns. Capillary volume density in LVH dogs was remarkably similar across the wall despite large transmural differences in cardiocyte hypertrophy. LVH did not alter the log SD of capillary domains, a measure of the heterogeneity of spacing, or capillary orientation (degree or anisotropy). These data support several important conclusions regarding long-term hypertension-induced LVH in dogs. First, although capillary growth does not fully compensate for the increase in LV mass, a myriad of new capillaries are formed as indicated by a substantial increase in total capillary length. This growth minimizes the increase in intercapillary distance characteristic of LVH. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The cut-off value for interleukin 34 as an additional potential inflammatory biomarker for the prediction of the risk of diabetic complications

Abstract In the present study, we have decided to evaluate whether serum interleukin 34 (IL-34) levels may have diagnostic value in predicting the risk of vascular diabetic complications. The study included 49 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 23 high-risk group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis has shown that IL-34 has more discriminatory power than C-reactive protein (CRP) for the risk of diabetic complications. The cut-off value for IL-34 was established as 91.2 pg/mL. The gist of our research was identification of IL-34 as an additional potential inflammatory biomarker for the prediction of the risk of vascular diabetic complications.
U.S. State and Local Public Policies in 2006: A New Database

This article introduces a new, public database of U.S. state and local public policies, now available at www.statepolicyindex. com. The database covers more than 170 different state or local policies, coded at the state level as of December 31, 2006, in most cases. We use principal components analysis and derive two orthogonal measures of state policy ideology, which we label policy liberalism and policy urbanism. Our policy liberalism measure passes several reliability and validity checks, while policy urbanism is strongly predicted by urbanization rate, percentage of African Americans in the population, and percentage of Christian adherents in the population.
Joint Extraction Model of Entities and Events

Joint extraction of entities and events is an important task in information extraction. In order to obtain entities and events in the text simultaneously, in this paper we firstly propose a novel tagging scheme that can transform the joint extraction task to a tagging problem. Then, based on our tagging scheme, we use different end-to-end models to extract entities and events directly and we also propose an improved objective function with different parameters to express the importance of different labels. We conduct experiments on a financial dataset and the results show that our methods are better than other existing models
A Deep Neural Network Based Kalman Filter for Time Domain Speech Enhancement

In this paper, we present a novel deep neural network (DNN) based Kalman filter (KF) algorithm for speech enhancement, where DNN is applied for estimating key parameters in the KF, namely, the linear prediction coefficients (LPCs). By training the DNN with a large database and making use of the powerful learning ability of DNN, our proposed DNN-KF algorithm is able to estimate LPCs from noisy speech more accurately and robustly, leading to an improved performance as compared to traditional KF based approaches in speech enhancement. Experimental results demonstrate that our DNN-KF method outperforms two existing KF based speech enhancement methods in terms of both speech quality and intelligibility.
Export Performance Measures in Australia and the United Kingdom

In this study, the export performance scale developed by Cavusgil and Zou (1994) is refined and tested for cross-cultural validity in Australia and the United Kingdom. The aim is to encourage a more integrated approach to export performance measurement so that valid comparisons of international research can be made and export theory advanced. Two key steps are reported. First, the scale was refined through exploratory research. Then, data were collected from a sample of 434 exporters in Australia and the United Kingdom. Based on the procedures suggested by Singh (1995) and Mullen (1995), factorial similarity, factorial equivalence, and measurement equivalence is tested across the two national samples. Although support is found for factorial similarity and equivalence, the results do not support full measurement equivalence. It is therefore recommended that some caution be exercised when comparing research conducted in Australia and the United Kingdom, which uses this scale. Suggestions for further research are also made.
The role of skills development initiatives in promoting local economic development (LED) in South African townships : a case study of Cato Manor, Durban.

IV TABLE OF CONTENTS VI LIST OF FIGURES X LIST OF ACRONYMS XII 1. CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background and outline of research 1 1.2 Research problem and objectives 3 1.3 Main Objective 7 1.3. 1 Subsidiary Objectives 7 1.4 Main Research Question 7 1.4. 1 Subsidiary Questions 7 1.5 Structure of the Dissertation 8 2. CHAPTER TWO: CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 9 2.
Simulation for Propagation of High-Power Microwave With Repeated Monopulses in Soil

High-power microwave with repeated monopulses (R-HPM) consists of a sequence of monopulses with the same pulse parameters, so the nonlinear processes caused by the propagation of previous monopulses will affect the next monopulses when the R-HPM propagates in the soil. The soil resistivity will decrease first within the pulse duration, but it will increase gradually in each relaxation time, which exists between two adjacent monopulses. Based on the resistivity evolution equations, a model for the soil ionization and deionization processes between adjacent monopulses of the R-HPM is established. The effects of the pervious monopulses on the subsequent processes and the effects of ionization time constant and deionization time constant on the whole process are analyzed. The theoretical analysis is supported by numerical simulations based on the R-HPM soil propagation model and the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method.
Effect of kappa elastin on melanogenesis in A375 human melanoma cells and its related mechanism.

BACKGROUND Elastin derived peptides can regulate melanocyte precursor development. Ultraviolet irradiation, infrared radiation and heat can increase the synthesis of tropoelastin in human skin epidermis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the over expressed tropoelastin in epidermis has some role in melanogenesis of melanocytes. METHODS A375 human melanoma cells were treated with different concentrations of kappa elastin for 24 hours. A375 human melanoma cells were randomly assigned to control, kappa elastin, and lactose pre-incubated groups. The cell viabilities were detected by the methyl thiazoleterazolium assay. Melanin content and tyrosinase activity in A375 melanoma cells were measured. The expressions of endothelin B receptor (ET(B)R) mRNA and c-kit mRNA in A375 melanoma cells were measured by quantative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Fifty µg/ml of kappa elastin significantly increased the melanin content by 56.64% compared with the control (P < 0.05). Kappa elastin increased cellular tyrosinase activity by 46.73% compared with the control at 24 hours (P < 0.05). Kappa elastin increased the expressions of ET(B)R and c-kit mRNA levels by 2.13-fold and 2.47-fold compared with the controls, respectively. When pre-incubating cells with a lactose solution (10 mmol/L), the inhibition on melanin production was 34.96% compared with the kappa elastin group (P < 0.05), tyrosinase activity was inhibited by 29.93% compared with kappa elastin group (P < 0.05), and the expressions of ET(B)R mRNA and c-kit mRNA were decreased by 1.56-fold and 0.82-fold compared with kappa elastin group, respectively. CONCLUSION Kappa elastin increased the melanogenesis in A375 melanoma cells via the stimulation of tyrosinase activity and the expression of ET(B)R and c-kit. The over expressed tropoelastin produced by keratinocytes might play a role in melanogenesis of epidermal melanocytes.
Exploring the contribution and significance of animal protein in the diet of bonobos by stable isotope ratio analysis of hair

In primates, age, sex, and social status can strongly influence access to food resources. In Pan, these criteria are assumed to influence access to vertebrate meat. However, the significance of meat in terms of its role in the nutrition of Pan is still debated. Here we present a study using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in hair samples from habituated, wild bonobos (Pan paniscus) to explore these issues. Over a period of 5 mo hair samples were collected from fresh bonobo nests at LuiKotale, Democratic Republic of Congo. Hair samples were assigned to known individuals and were of sufficient length to allow the evaluation of isotopic variation over several months. Samples of plant foods and sympatric fauna were also analyzed. The δ13C and δ15N results of the bonobo hair were remarkably homogeneous over time and for the group as a whole. There are no differences in diet between the sexes. Within the group of males, however, there was a positive correlation between dominance status and δ15N. The isotopic data indicate that the contribution of fauna to bonobo diet is marginal and that plant food is the dietary protein source. In only some cases did elevated δ15N hair values correlate with observed faunivory and not correspond to the δ15N measured in the dominant plant foods. Given the large variation in hunting and meat eating of Pan across the African continent, the detection of seasonal changes in faunivory by elevated δ15N values in sectioned ape hair is a promising approach.
Detection of pAkt protein in imprint cytology of invasive breast cancer: Correlation with HER2/neu, hormone receptors, and other clinicopathological variables

Purpose: Akt is a serine/threonine protein kinase and has emerged as a crucial regulator of widely divergent cellular processes, including apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism. Activation of Akt/protein kinase B has been positively associated with human epidermal growth-factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neu overexpression in breast carcinoma and a worse outcome among endocrine treated patients. The Akt signaling pathway currently attracts considerable attention as a new target for effective therapeutic strategies. We therefore investigated the relationship between activation of Akt and clinicopathologic variables including hormone receptor and HER2/neu status. Methods: Archival tumor tissues from 100 patients with invasive breast carcinoma were analyzed by immunocytochemistry. This study describes the results of immunocytochemical pAkt expression in breast carcinoma imprints, prepared from cut surfaces of freshly removed tumors. Both nuclear and cytoplasmic expressions were evaluated for pAkt. Results: Nuclear and cytoplasmic positive scores of 72% (72/100) and 42% (42/100), respectively, were found. Coexistence of nuclear and cytoplasmic staining was observed in 32 cases (32/100). Nuclear positive staining correlated with HER2/neu overexpression (P = 0.043) and was significantly associated with positive involvement of axillary lymph nodes (P = 0.013). No correlation was found between cytoplasmic pAkt rate and clinicopathological parameters, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor or HER2/neu expression. Conclusions: pAkt expression can be evaluated in cytological material and may add valuable information to current prognostic models for breast cancer. pAkt overexpression appears to be linked with potentially aggressive tumor phenotype in invasive breast carcinoma.
Comparison of Three Unsupervised Segmentation Algorithms for SAR Data in Urban Areas

This paper presents a preliminary comparison of mean shift segmentation, efficient graph-based segmentation and normalized cuts for segmenting meter-resolution SAR data in urban areas. The small patches generated by these bottom-up segmentation algorithms provide spatial support for object detection. We evaluate their performances on ground truth data by varying their parameters. In order to obtain better spatial support, we apply multiple segmentations to a single segmentation of each algorithm. The multiple segmentations are representative samplings of the entire segmentation space. The experimental results demonstrate that the three algorithms are promising for SAR image segmentation, and that the multiple segmentations improves the abilities of providing spatial support.
Cognitive recovery and predictors of functional outcome 1 year after traumatic brain injury

Abstract Outcome studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) have shown that functional status can be predicted by demographic, injury severity, and trauma-related factors. Concurrent cognitive functions as one of the determinants of functional outcome is less documented. This study evaluated the effects of concurrent neuropsychological measures on functional outcome 1 year after injury. Neuropsychological data, employment status, self-reported fatigue, and the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) were collected from 115 persons with TBI (ranging from mild to severe) at 3 and 12 months postinjury. Principal components analysis was conducted with the neuropsychological measures and three components emerged. Multiple regression analysis, controlling for demographic and injury severity related factors, was used to test the effects of cognitive components at 12 months on functional outcome (GOSE). One year after injury, 64% were categorized as “good recovery” and 36% as “moderate disability” according to GOSE. Good functional recovery depended on shorter duration of posttraumatic amnesia, less fatigue, absence of intracranial pathology, higher education, and better performance on cognitive measures. The predictive values of Verbal/Reasoning and Visual/Perception components are supported; each added significantly and improved prediction of functional outcome. The Memory/Speed component showed a near-significant relationship to outcome. (JINS, 2009, 15, 740–750)
Dimerization of cGMP-dependent Protein Kinase Iβ Is Mediated by an Extensive Amino-terminal Leucine Zipper Motif, and Dimerization Modulates Enzyme Function*

All mammalian cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKGs) are dimeric. Dimerization of PKGs involves sequences located near the amino termini, which contain a conserved, extended leucine zipper motif. In PKG Iβ this includes eight Leu/Ile heptad repeats, and in the present study, deletion and site-directed mutagenesis have been used to systematically delete these repeats or substitute individual Leu/Ile. The enzymatic properties and quaternary structures of these purified PKG mutants have been determined. All had specific enzyme activities comparable to wild type PKG. Simultaneous substitution of alanine at four or more of the Leu/Ile heptad repeats ((L3A/L10A/L17A/I24A), (L31A/I38A/L45A/I52A), (L17A/I24A/L31A/I38A/L45A/I52A), and (L3A/L10A/L45A/I52A)) of the motif produces a monomeric PKG Iβ. Mutation of two Leu/Ile heptad repeats can produce either a dimeric (L3A/L10A) or monomeric (L17A/I24A and L31A/I38A) PKG. Point mutation of Leu-17 or Ile-24 (L17A or I24A) does not disrupt dimerization. These results suggest that all eight Leu/Ile heptad repeats are involved in dimerization of PKG Iβ. Six of the eight repeats are sufficient to mediate dimerization, but substitutions at some positions (Leu-17, Ile-24, Leu-31, and Ile-38) appear to have greater impact than others on dimerization. The Ka of cGMP for activation of monomeric mutants (PKG Iβ (Δ1–52) and PKG Iβ L17A/I24A/L31A/I38A/L45A/I52A) is 2- to 3-fold greater than that for wild type dimeric PKG Iβ, and there is a corresponding 2- to 3-fold increase in cGMP-dissociation rate of the high affinity cGMP-binding site (site A) of these monomers. These results indicate that dimerization increases sensitivity for cGMP activation of the enzyme.
Genome sequence of the cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus marinus SS120, a nearly minimal oxyphototrophic genome

Prochlorococcus marinus, the dominant photosynthetic organism in the ocean, is found in two main ecological forms: high-light-adapted genotypes in the upper part of the water column and low-light-adapted genotypes at the bottom of the illuminated layer. P. marinus SS120, the complete genome sequence reported here, is an extremely low-light-adapted form. The genome of P. marinus SS120 is composed of a single circular chromosome of 1,751,080 bp with an average G+C content of 36.4%. It contains 1,884 predicted protein-coding genes with an average size of 825 bp, a single rRNA operon, and 40 tRNA genes. Together with the 1.66-Mbp genome of P. marinus MED4, the genome of P. marinus SS120 is one of the two smallest genomes of a photosynthetic organism known to date. It lacks many genes that are involved in photosynthesis, DNA repair, solute uptake, intermediary metabolism, motility, phototaxis, and other functions that are conserved among other cyanobacteria. Systems of signal transduction and environmental stress response show a particularly drastic reduction in the number of components, even taking into account the small size of the SS120 genome. In contrast, housekeeping genes, which encode enzymes of amino acid, nucleotide, cofactor, and cell wall biosynthesis, are all present. Because of its remarkable compactness, the genome of P. marinus SS120 might approximate the minimal gene complement of a photosynthetic organism.
Student perceptions of Campus Safety in Northern New Jersey Colleges: Recommendations for Campus Police Leadership

Within police departments there is particular concern about the relationship between leadership and the positive organizational outcomes of the police department, a relationship complicated by outside factors such as the cooperation of the community and political leaders (Campbell & Kodz, 2011). These same concerns exist within the police departments of colleges and universities where the crime rate has steadily increased over the last twenty-five years (Griffith, Hueston, Wilson, Moyers, & Hart, 2004). The purpose and aim of this quantitative survey study was to examine student perceptions of campus safety at two private colleges in northern New Jersey: one college that had employed an unarmed security force and one college that had employed an armed police force. The findings from this study indicated that there were significant relationships between whether the campus police force was unarmed or armed and feelings of safety from theft and violence, safety on campus, effectiveness of campus police, effectiveness of the college escort service, the effectiveness of the residence assistant. With the findings from this study, campus administrators and policy makers will be better able to determine the merits of implementing an armed police force.