Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Auditory Brainstem and Middle Latency Responses Measured Pre- and Posttreatment for Hyperacusic Hearing-Impaired Persons Successfully Treated to Improve Sound Tolerance and to Expand the Dynamic Range for Loudness: Case Evidence

Abstract In this report of three cases, we consider electrophysiologic measures from three hyperacusic hearing-impaired individuals who, prior to treatment to expand their dynamic ranges for loudness, were problematic hearing aid candidates because of their diminished sound tolerance and reduced dynamic ranges. Two of these individuals were treated with structured counseling combined with low-level broadband sound therapy from bilateral sound generators and the third case received structured counseling in combination with a short-acting placebo sound therapy. Each individual was highly responsive to his or her assigned treatment as revealed by expansion of the dynamic range by at least 20 dB at one or more frequencies posttreatment. Of specific interest in this report are their latency and amplitude measures taken from tone burst-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) and cortically derived middle latency response (MLR) recordings, measured as a function of increasing loudness at 500 and 2,000 Hz pre- and posttreatment. The resulting ABR and MLR latency and amplitude measures for each case are considered here in terms of pre- and posttreatment predictions. The respective pre- and posttreatment predictions anticipated larger pretreatment response amplitudes and shorter pretreatment response latencies relative to typical normal control values and smaller normative-like posttreatment response amplitudes and longer posttreatment response latencies relative to the corresponding pretreatment values for each individual. From these results and predictions, we conjecture about the neural origins of the hyperacusis conditions (i.e., brainstem versus cortical) and the neuronal sites responsive to treatment. The only consistent finding in support of the pre- and posttreatment predictions and, thus, the strongest index of hyperacusis and positive treatment-related effects was measured for MLR latency responses for wave Pa at 2,000 Hz. Other response indices, including ABR wave V latency and wave V-V′ amplitude and MLR wave Na-Pa amplitude for 500 and 2,000 Hz, appear either ambiguous across and/or within these individuals. Notwithstanding significant challenges for interpreting these findings, including associated confounding effects of their sensorineural hearing losses and differences in the presentation levels of the toneburst stimuli used to collect these measures for each individual, our limited analyses of three cases suggest measures of MLR wave Pa latency at 2,000 Hz (reflecting cortical contributions) may be a promising objective indicator of hyperacusis and dynamic range expansion treatment effects.
The use of synthetic oligonucleotides with universal templates for rapid DNA sequencing: results with staphylococcal replicon pC221.

A rapid sequencing strategy has been devised and applied to determine the complete nucleotide sequence (4555 bp) of Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pC221. The entire replicon was cloned into phage M13mp8 in both orientations to provide ‘universal templates’ for primed DNA synthesis from internally‐sited oligonucleotide primers. The latter were synthesized by a modification of a recently described paper disc method which employs phosphotriester chemistry. Less than 4 weeks was required for the synthesis of the required primers and for the sequencing experiments. Plasmid pC221 bears a substrate‐inducible chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene that shares much homology with its counterparts in pC194 (S. aureus) and the chromosomal cat‐86 gene of Bacillus pumilus, both in coding regions and upstream sequences believed to be involved in the induction phenomenon. A second plasmid‐specified protein, REP D, has an 81% identity in the REP C polypeptide that has been shown to be essential for the replication of staphylococcal plasmid pT181. The 5′ flanking region of rep D shows striking similarities with its counterpart in rep C that determines copy number and incompatibility. The nucleotide sequence reveals two additional and overlapping open reading frames that may specify proteins that play roles in plasmid relaxation and transfer.
Occurrence of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia after the Age of 60: A Population-Based Study from Northern Italy

Objective: To evaluate the age, gender and education distribution of both cognitive impairment and dementia in the whole old age range of the elderly (from 61 years of age and over). Subjects and Methods: The study population consisted of all subjects born in 1930 or before, living in the municipality of Faenza and Granarolo, Italy (n = 7,930). A two-phase study design was implemented, by using the Mini-Mental State Examination and Global Deterioration Scale as screening instruments. The DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria were used for the clinical diagnosis of dementia. A subject was classified as affected by cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND) if he/she scored 2 or more standard deviations lower than the corrected mean MMSE score. Results: The prevalences of dementia and CIND were 6.5 per 100 (95% CI 5.9–7.0) and 5.1 per 100 (95% CI 4.6–5.6), respectively. The prevalence of CIND was higher than that of dementia in the youngest old groups (61–74 years), both in men and women, whereas the opposite pattern was present among the older old (75+). In the older age groups, dementia prevalence increased exponentially with age, while CIND prevalence was more stable. There was not a substantial gender difference in CIND prevalence in all ages. Only in the subpopulation of higher educated subjects, women had a higher prevalence of both dementia and CIND than men. Lower educated subjects had a higher prevalence of both dementia and CIND. When compared to higher educated persons, subjects without any schooling had odds ratios of 10.9 (CI 7.0–16.7) and 16.7 (CI 11.2–25.0) for dementia and CIND, respectively. Conclusions: Cognitive impairment is very common in the younger old ages (under 70 years of age), whereas dementia becomes predominant after 75 years of age. Both conditions are strongly related to the educational level.
Introduction to Power Analysis

Statistical power analysis must be discussed in the context of statistical hypothesis testing. Hence, this discussion starts with a brief introduction to statistical hypothesis testing, paying particular attention to topics that relate to power analysis and sample size determination. Although the theory behind hypothesis testing is general, its concepts can be reviewed by discussing simple case: testing whether a proportion is greater than a known standard.
Diffusion coefficient in transformer pressboard insulation part 1: non impregnated pressboard

Water is harmful for transformers; the dynamic behavior of moisture influences the dielectric integrity and insulation aging in a transformer on operation. In this paper, the determination of the diffusion coefficient of moisture in transformer pressboard is tackled. This work has been focused in analyzing non oil-impregnated pressboard, so the obtained coefficient is useful for studying the processes of transformer drying in factory. Drying experiments were developed in a thermogravimetric analyzer on nonimpregnated samples of pressboard subjected to different drying temperatures. The experimental conditions were simulated by means of a diffusion model implemented by means of Finite Element Method. The comparison between estimated and measured values allows drawing conclusions about the accuracy of the proposed coefficient.
The 1909 Taipei earthquake—implication for seismic hazard in Taipei

The 1909 April 14 Taiwan earthquake caused significant damage in Taipei. Most of the information on this earthquake available until now is from the written reports on its macro-seismic effects and from seismic station bulletins. In view of the importance of this event for assessing the shaking hazard in the present-day Taipei, we collected historical seismograms and station bulletins of this event and investigated them in conjunction with other seismological data. We compared the observed seismograms with those from recent earthquakes in similar tectonic environments to characterize the 1909 earthquake. Despite the inevitably large uncertainties associated with old data, we conclude that the 1909 Taipei earthquake is a relatively deep (50–100 km) intraplate earthquake that occurred within the subducting Philippine Sea Plate beneath Taipei with an estimated M_W of 7 ± 0.3. Some intraplate events elsewhere in the world are enriched in high-frequency energy and the resulting ground motions can be very strong. Thus, despite its relatively large depth and a moderately large magnitude, it would be prudent to review the safety of the existing structures in Taipei against large intraplate earthquakes like the 1909 Taipei earthquake.
Knowledge and Risk Perception toward HIV/AIDS among Students of the University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina"

The primary goal of this research paper is to examine knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the perceived risk of infection with HIV among students in Kosovo. The research method used in this study is the quantitative one where data were collected through questionnaire. The survey was conducted with two hundred students of the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, from four study fields: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chemistry and Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS among students was not complete, i.e. they have misconceptions regarding the ways of transmission of HIV virus. The less that students were informed on HIV/AIDS, the higher was their level of stigma. Perception of risk to HIV/AIDS was very low.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Composition of Microcosm Dental Plaques Supplemented with Sucrose

ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of repeated chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) pulsing on the viability and bacterial composition of microcosm dental plaques derived from human saliva. The biofilms were grown on bovine enamel discs in a constant-depth film fermentor fed with an artificial saliva which was supplemented thrice daily with sucrose. The microcosm plaques had total viable anaerobic counts of 5 × 108 CFU per mm2 and consisted of 12% Actinomyces spp. , 85% streptococci, and 0.2% Veillonella spp. When pulsed twice daily with 0.2% CHG, there was an immediate 1.3-log10 reduction in the total viable (anaerobic) count. However, as pulsing continued, the viable counts recovered, and after 4 days, the anaerobic count reached its pre-CHG-pulsing level, although the bacterial composition of the biofilms had changed. The results of this study show that twice-daily pulsing with 0.2% CHG over a 4-day period was ineffective at reducing the total anaerobic viable count of the biofilms but did alter their bacterial composition.
Advances and challenges of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems

The ability to deliver highly efficient therapeutic compounds specifically to diseased sites is crucial for effectively treating all human illnesses. Unfortunately, conventional therapeutic strategies require unnecessarily high systemic administration due to non-specific biodistribution and rapid metabolism of free drug molecules prior to reaching their targeted sites. Using the tools of nanotechnology, drug delivery systems within the nanometer size regime can be developed to alter both pharmacological and therapeutic effects of drug molecules. Due to their small size, these novel DDS offer superior advantages, such as altered pharmacokinetic behaviour and improved payload, over traditional large-scale systems. In addition, the relative ease in modifying their surface chemistry permits the attachment of targeting and therapeutic molecules for specific therapeutic applications. Finally, complex nanostructures can be assembled using different building blocks with multiple functionalities ranging from targeting, detecting, imaging and therapeutic capabilities.
Cell Switch-Off Algorithms for Spatially Irregular Base Station Deployments

In cell switch-off (CSO) research, the base station (BS) deployment is usually assumed to follow a regular grid. Some recent works considered instead a fully random (Poisson point process) BS deployment. Given that the best signal-to-interference ratio distribution can be achieved when BSs are located on a hexagonal layout, we study applying CSO to irregular network layouts with the objective of making the active BS locations as regular as possible, regardless of the irregularity of the original network layout. In this letter, we test the suitability of several CSO algorithms for this new objective; we also introduce a novel algorithm which performs very well when the number of BSs to switch off is high.
Advances in the management of multiple sclerosis spasticity: multiple sclerosis spasticity guidelines

Symptomatic therapy of multiple sclerosis (MS) is an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan that aims to improve patients' quality of life. In the current era of medical progress, several factors have led to the development of guidelines for MS management. There is continued need for an evidence-based approach supported by high-quality data from controlled clinical trials. Most healthcare systems require this approach and include it in the reimbursement process. Guidelines are usually committed by national or continental neurological societies. The Spanish Society of Neurology demyelinating diseases working group has developed a consensus document on spasticity in patients with MS. MS experts from the group used the metaplan method to sum up the most important recommendations about spasticity for inclusion in the guidance. Recommendations were classified according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network system and approved by all members of the group. In Germany, the guideline panel of the German Neurological Society endorsed the national competence network for multiple sclerosis (Krankheitsbezogenes Kompetenznetz Multiple Sklerose) to update the existing recommendations. The most recent fifth edition of the guidelines (dated April 2012) now also includes recommendations for treatment of key symptoms such as spasticity. More than 30 MS neurologists contributed to the new edition reflecting the need for broad expertise. After a first round in which key topics were defined, a web-based decision process was undertaken to further develop individual topics such as symptomatic therapy. The draft manuscript was reviewed once again by the group prior to submission to the official review process. The aims of spasticity treatment are to improve mobility and dexterity, achieve physiological movement patterns, reduce pain, facilitate nursing measures and avoid complications such as contractures. Representative antispasticity medications include baclofen, tizanidine, gabapentin, dantrolene, tolperisone, benzodiazepines and Sativex® oromucosal spray. Botulinum toxin and intrathecal baclofen may also be required in selected cases. Plans are currently in motion to develop next-level European guidelines through a concerted approach coordinated by the European Federation of Neurological Societies.
Effects of Acute Hypoxia on Body Substrate Utilisation During Progressively Increasing Work Rate Exercise Tests

Respiratory quotient (RQ) was used to assess the effectiveness of exercise interventions in shifting substrate utilisation. The body's RQ can be estimated non-invasively from the ratio of CO2 production to O2 consumption. In the present study, we examined the effects of acute hypoxia on the substrate utilisation of the body and its non-invasive estimation from ventilatory and pulmonary gas exchange variables during exercise. Eight male subjects performed two progressively increasing work rate exercise tests (15 W/min) until the limit of tolerance: in one test they were breathing room air (normoxia) and in the other 12% O2 (hypoxia). Ventilatory and pulmonary gas exchange variables were measured using a turbine volume transducer and mass spectrometry and estimated breath-by-breath. During the warm-up period, RQ was found to be 0.79 - 0.009 for normoxia, reflecting both carbohydrate and fat utilisation, and 0.94 - 0.01 for hypoxia, reflecting predominant carbohydrate utilisation. At the metabolic transition point, RQ increased to 0.97 - 0.04 in normoxia, reflecting predominantly carbohydrate utilisation. However, in the hypoxia study, RQ increased to 1.06 - 0.01, reflecting not only predominant carbohydrate utilisation but also extra CO2 production and elimination. Consequently, substrate utilisation derives proportionally more from carbohydrate than from fat during exercise as the work rate increases. However, under conditions of acute hypoxia RQ estimation may not provide an accurate estimate of substrate utilisation.
Serum Immune Profiling for Early Detection of Cervical Disease

Background: The most recent (2012) worldwide estimates from International Agency for Research on Cancer indicate that approximately 528,000 new cases and 270,000 deaths per year are attributed to cervical cancer worldwide. The disease is preventable with HPV vaccination and with early detection and treatment of pre-invasive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, CIN. Antibodies (Abs) to HPV proteins are under investigation as potential biomarkers for early detection. Methods: To detect circulating HPV-specific IgG Abs, we developed programmable protein arrays (NAPPA) that display the proteomes of two low-risk HPV types (HPV6 and 11) and ten oncogenic high-risk HPV types (HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52 and 58). Arrays were probed with sera from women with CIN 0/I (n=78), CIN II/III (n=84), or invasive cervical cancer (ICC, n=83). Results: Abs to any early (E) HPV protein were detected less frequently in women with CIN 0/I (23.7%) than women with CIN II/III (39.0%) and ICC (46.1%, p<0.04). Of the E Abs, anti-E7 Abs were the most frequently detected (6.6%, 19.5%, and 30.3%, respectively). The least frequently detected Abs were E1 and E2-Abs in CIN 0/I (1.3%) and E1-Abs in CIN II/III (1.2%) and ICC (7.9%). HPV16-specific Abs correlated with HPV16 DNA detected in the cervix in 0% of CIN 0/I, 21.2% of CIN II/III, and 45.5% of ICC. A significant number (29 - 73%) of E4, E7, L1, and L2 Abs had cross-reactivity between HPV types. Conclusion: HPV protein arrays provide a valuable high-throughput tool for measuring the breadth, specificity, and heterogeneity of the serologic response to HPV in cervical disease.
Microstate analysis of alpha-event brain topography during chan meditation

This paper reports our preliminary result of microstate analysis for the spatiotemporal characteristics of Chan-meditation brain wave (electroencephalograph, EEG) based on time-varying dipolar-vector model of the α-map. Microstate behavior reveals subtle transience of focalized event. Multi-channel α-event epochs were identified by Wavelet decomposition and feature extraction. Global field power was adopted as the criterion to choose α-map candidates (normalized α-power vectors), that were further classified by Mahalanobis Fuzzy C-means into different region-focalization states. Transition between various α-event focalization states was ready to be explored via microstate analysis. Our findings reveal that Chan-meditation practitioners exhibit longer duration of frontal α-event microstate, reflecting sustained stability of the brain generators.
Wind turbine power generation performance evaluation under faults condition

Since faults in wind turbine transmission chains would reduce the efficiency of generated power, accurate power generation performance (PGP) evaluation is necessary for the economic use of wind energy and reasonable arrangement of maintenance plan. However, the harsh environment and illegal operations lead the PGP difficult to evaluate. In this paper, a robust statistical method which combines Gaussian statistics (GS) method and least trimmed squares (LTS) to evaluate the PGP. Firstly, the data set is preprocessed by the GS method to eliminate the abnormal data caused by illegal operations; taking the mass center (MC) in each small wind scope as a representation of PGP, the LTS method is then used to fit the wind-power curve (WPC); finally, the decline ratio of PGP with faults can be obtained by comparing the change ratio of WPC area between fault and normal WTs. Taking the generator bearing fault as an example, a real data set from a large wind farm is used to evaluate the PGP under generator bearing faults. It is found that the PGP would decline over 3%. The evaluation result can be used to give a guideline on an economic maintenance plan.
HNF-4α determines hepatic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow.

AIM To investigate the differentiation status and key factors to facilitate hepatic differentiation of human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). METHODS Human MSCs derived from bone marrow were induced into hepatocyte-like cells following a previously published protocol. The differentiation status of the hepatocyte-like cells was compared with various human hepatoma cell lines. Overexpression of hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-4α was mediated by adenovirus infection of these hepatocyte-like cells. The expression of interesting genes was then examined by either reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or real-time RT-PCR methods. RESULTS Our results demonstrated that the differentiation status of hepatocyte-like cells induced from human MSCs was relatively similar to poorly differentiated human hepatoma cell lines. Interestingly, the HNF-4 isoform in induced MSCs and poorly differentiated human hepatoma cell lines was identified as HNF-4γ instead of HNF-4α. Overexpression of HNF-4α in induced MSCs significantly enhanced the expression level of hepatic-specific genes, liver-enriched transcription factors, and cytochrome P450 (P450) genes. CONCLUSION Overexpression of HNF-4α improves the hepatic differentiation of human MSCs from bone marrow and is a simple way of providing better cell sources for clinical applications.
A low power bulk-driven MDAC synapse

Efficient weight storage and multiplication are important design challenges which must be addressed in analog neural network implementations. Many schemes have been previously reported for implementation of synapses. In this paper we describe a buck driven Multiplier digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) circuit. We present a novel synapse circuit for analog neural networks. This circuit is a 6-bit Multiplier Digital to Analogue Converter (MDAC) synapse based on bulk-driven technology. The circuit has a small layout area (1200 μm2 using 0.18μm TSMC CMOS technology). The measured results are within ±0.5 LSB for DNL and ±0.4 LSB for INL, with 0.1 mW power dissipation at 0.75 V power supply and the silicon area is reduced by a factor of 35% with respect to conventional MDAC implementation.