Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of Parkinson’s disease: protocol for a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis

Introduction Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder related to α-synuclein misfolding and aggregation. For this reason, it belongs to the family of ‘synucleinopathies’, which also includes some other neurological diseases. Although imaging and ancillary investigations may be helpful in the diagnostic workup, the diagnosis of PD mostly relies on the clinician’s expertise. Furthermore, there is a need today for markers that can track the disease progression in PD that might improve the evaluation of novel disease-modifying therapies. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been widely investigated with the purpose of finding useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for PD. Methods and analysis This systematic review protocol has been developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol 2015 statement and was registered on the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews. An international collaboration will be established. We will search the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Medline and Embase from inception, using appropriate search strategies. Individual participant data from all included studies will be merged into a single database. We will include any study assessing the diagnostic and prognostic role of CSF biomarkers in PD. To evaluate the risk of bias and applicability of primary diagnostic accuracy studies, we will use Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 and Quality in Prognostic Studies. We will use standard meta-analytic procedures. We will first explore the utility of each CSF biomarker in turn. For each biomarker, we will assess its diagnostic and prognostic utility by means of receiver operating characteristic analysis and regression models. We will then move towards a multivariate approach considering different panels of biomarkers. Ethics and dissemination Our study will not include confidential data, and no intervention will be involved, so ethical approval is not required. The results of the study will be reported in international peer-reviewed journals.
BUILDING AN INTERACTIVE 3 D ANIMATION SYSTEM

The continued improvement and proliferation of graphics hardware for workstations and personal computers has brought increasing prominence to a newer style of software application program. This style relies on fast, high quality graphics displays coupled with expressive input devices to achieve real-time animation and direct-manipulation interaction metaphors. Such applications impose a rather different conceptual approach, on both the user and the programmer, than more traditional software. The application program can be thought of increasingly as a virtual machine, with a tangible two or three dimensional appearance, behavior and tactile response.
Validity of the Devereux Scales of Mental Disorders With Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatients

Tested the validity of the Devereux Scales of Mental Disorders (DSMD; Naglieri, LeBuffe, & Pfeiffer, 1994) in a sample of 108 adolescent psychiatric inpatients. DSMD scales were compared to parent-report, interview-based, self-report and diagnostic measures. DSMD measures of conduct problems and delinquency were significantly associated with the predicted parent-report, interview-based, and diagnostic measures of conduct disorder and substance abuse and not with any measures of anxiety or depression. DSMD measures of anxiety and depression were related to other parent-report ratings of internalizing symptoms but had more limited convergent and discriminant validity. The DSMD was compared to the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; Achenbach, 1991) for diagnostic classification accuracy. The two measures were comparable in classifying oppositional or conduct disorder. The CBCL was superior for classification of major depression. The DSMD was superior for classification of substance abuse.
Comparison of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and conventional plate osteosynthesis for humeral shaft fracture

Background:The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and conventional plate osteosynthesis (CPO) for humeral shaft fracture. Methods:Potential academic articles were identified from the Cochrane Library, Medline (1966–2016.3), PubMed (1966–2016.3), Embase (1980–2016.3), and ScienceDirect (1966–2016.3). Gray studies were identified from the references of the included literature. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCT involving MIPO and CPO for humeral shaft fracture were included. Two independent reviewers performed independent data abstraction. I2 statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. Fixed or random effects model was used for meta-analysis. Results:Two RCTs and 3 non-RCTs met the inclusion criteria. There was a lower incidence of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in patients with MIPO (P = 0.006). There was no statistically significant difference in in the risk of developing nonunion, delay union, malformation, screw loosening, infection, operation time, UCLA, and MEPS function score between the 2 groups. Conclusion:MIPO decreased incidence of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy and is an efficacy and safety technique for humeral shaft fracture. Due to the limited quality and data of the evidence currently available, more high-quality RCTs are required.
Use of an auditory looming task to test infants’ sensitivity to sound pressure level as an auditory distance cue

This study describes how an auditory looming technique was used to investigate 4-to 6-month-old infants’ sensitivity to sound pressure level (SPL) as an auditory distance cue. Thirty-two infants were tested in complete darkness and presented with auditory stimuli that underwent unidirectional variations in SPL (40–70dB). The rate at which SPL was varied during the course of trials (past vs. slow) was manipulated by varying trial length (5s vs. 10s). During stimulus presentation, measures were taken of the amount of backward body pressure infants exerted in response to increasing SPL trials (i.e. illusory approach) compared to decreasing SPL trials (i.e. illusory recede). Analysis of the pattern of backward body movements made during the course of experimental trials support the argument that infants responded to the directionally specific spatial information afforded by changing SPL. Avoidance behaviour was associated with SPL increase but not SPL decrease conditions. However, within the SPL increase condition infants engaged in more defensive leaning back in fast change trials compared to slow change trials. The overall pattern of results indicates that under certain conditions infants detect information for changing object distance primarily on the basis of SPL variation.
Comparative Studies of Spectrochemical Characteristics between Axial and Radial Observations in Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry

By using an ICP optical emission spectrometer having two different observation modes, the authors compared the spectrochemical characteristics of various emission lines as viewed from the axial direction and the direction radial to the long axis of the plasma. The excitation temperature, the emission intensity, and the degree of ionization were investigated when iron and chromium were employed as the test sample and further potassium was added as an interfering element. These observations could lead to a similar conclusion that the emission intensities from the axial direction were more easily affected by the potassium addition. The reason for this effect is probably because the portion of the plasma observed from the axial direction includes the tail zone which is apart from the induction zone and thus has lower temperatures. On the other hand, in the radial observation, one can observe the emission intensities from a narrow portion of the plasma just above the load coil. The axial observation mode gave better analytical performance, including a lower detection limit as well as a better signal-to-background ratio, compared to the radial observation mode. However, interferences from co-existing elements should be noted if the axial observation is employed in practical applications.
Fear learning and extinction are linked to neuronal plasticity through Rin1 signaling

The amygdala is known to have a crucial role in both the acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear, but the physiological changes and biochemical mechanisms underlying these forms of learning are only partly understood. The Ras effector Rin1 activates Abl tyrosine kinases and Rab5 GTPases and is highly expressed in mature neurons of the telencephalon including the amygdala, where it inhibits the acquisition of fear memories (Rin1−/− mice show enhanced learning of conditioned fear). Here we report that Rin1−/− mice exhibit profound deficits in both latent inhibition and fear extinction, suggesting a critical role for Rin1 in gating the acquisition and persistence of cue‐dependent fear conditioning. Surprisingly, we also find that depotentiation, a proposed cellular mechanism of extinction, is enhanced at lateral‐basolateral (LA‐BLA) amygdaloid synapses in Rin1−/− mice. Inhibition of a single Rin1 downstream effector pathway, the Abl tyrosine kinases, led to reduced amygdaloid depotentiation, arguing that proper coordination of Abl and Rab5 pathways is critical for Rin1‐mediated effects on plasticity. While demonstrating a correlation between amygdala plasticity and fear learning, our findings argue against models proposing a direct causative relationship between amygdala depotentiation and fear extinction. Taken together, the behavior and physiology of Rin1−/− mice provide new insights into the regulation of memory acquisition and maintenance. In addition, Rin1−/− mice should prove useful as a model for pathologies marked by enhanced fear acquisition and retention, such as posttraumatic stress disorder. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Non-Abelian Self-Dual Models

By introducing an appropriate parent action and considering a perturbative approach, we establish, up to fourth order terms in the field and for the full range of the coupling constant, the equivalence between the noncommutative Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons theory and the noncommutative, non-Abelian Self-Dual model. In doing this, we consider two different approaches by using both the Moyal star-product and the Seiberg-Witten map.
Fast Randomized Model Generation for Shapelet-Based Time Series Classification

Time series classification is a field which has drawn much attention over the past decade. A new approach for classification of time series uses classification trees based on shapelets. A shapelet is a subsequence extracted from one of the time series in the dataset. A disadvantage of this approach is the time required for building the shapelet-based classification tree. The search for the best shapelet requires examining all subsequences of all lengths from all time series in the training set. A key goal of this work was to find an evaluation order of the shapelets space which enables fast convergence to an accurate model. The comparative analysis we conducted clearly indicates that a random evaluation order yields the best results. Our empirical analysis of the distribution of high-quality shapelets within the shapelets space provides insights into why randomized shapelets sampling is superior to alternative evaluation orders. We present an algorithm for randomized model generation for shapelet-based classification that converges extremely quickly to a model with surprisingly high accuracy after evaluating only an exceedingly small fraction of the shapelets space.
Diagnosis of del(5q) MDS, 14 Years after JAK-2 Positive PV Appearance: Complete Remission of both Diseases with Lenalidomide Monotherapy

This is the report of the clinical case of a patient who presents the association of a JAK-2 positive chronic myeloproliferative neoplasia to a subsequent 5q- myelodysplastic syndrome, developed after about 14 years from the first diagnosis. Patient’s symptoms had rapidly worsened, and she became transfusion-dependent. Therapy with low-dose Lenalidomide quickly reduced the splenomegaly and completely brought white cells counts, haemoglobin, and platelets back to normal. After more than one year from the start, blood cell count is still normal. As far as we know, this is the first case of an effective treatment with Lenalidomide reported in this clinical setting.
School-Based Prevalence Assessment of the Need for Mental Health Services: Survey Development and Pilot Study

Objective: The School Site Needs Assessment instrument was designed to provide a multidimensional environmental scan of potential need for mental health services in classrooms and schools. Method: Items of the instrument covering various academic, social, and mental health domains were developed based on analysis of previous case management contact data and input from stakeholders. The teacher-response instrument was piloted with a convenience sample of 85 classrooms in seven schools. Results: 43% of students were observed by teachers to have at least one problem that could likely result in referral to a case manager. Frequently counted problems included “disruptive in class” (14% of students), “failing” risk (13% of students), and “hyperactive”-related behaviors (10% of students). Conclusions: The School Site Needs Assessment can assist school social workers in assessing the environmental mental health context of students and classrooms from the important perspective of teachers, leading to classroom and school site interventions.
A Comparison of Prebooking and Postbooking Diversion Programs for Mentally Ill Substance-Using Individuals With Justice Involvement

Eight programs are described representing a variety of approaches to diversion in terms of point of criminal justice intervention (prebooking or postbooking), degree of criminal justice coercion, type of linkages provided to community-based treatment, and approaches to treatment retention. The authors also describe the characteristics of almost 1000 study participants who were diverted into these programs over an 18-month period and examine the extent to which systematic differences are observed between prebooking and postbooking subjects, as well as among sites in each of the diversion types. Results suggest that prebooking and postbooking diversion subjects were similar on most mental health indicators, but differed substantially on measures of social functioning and substance use and criminality, with postbooking subjects scoring worse on social functioning and reporting more serious substance use and criminal histories. Variability among sites was also observed, indicating differences in local preferences for the types of individuals deemed appropriate for diversion.
Effects of dietary fermentable carbohydrates on behavior and heat production in group-housed sows.

The effects of dietary nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) on behavior and heat production in group-housed sows were studied. Twelve groups of six nonpregnant sows were fed one of four experimental diets that were similar in composition except for starch and NSP contents. Exchanging sugar beet pulp silage (SBPS) for tapioca created the difference in dietary starch and NSP ratio. On a dry matter (DM) basis, diets contained 0, 10, 20, or 30% SBPS. Sows were group-housed. Intake of fermentable NSP (fNSP) for diets containing 0, 10, 20, or 30% SBPS averaged 7.06, 9.18, 11.61, and 13.73 g x kg(-0.75) d(-1), respectively. Sows were fed, once a day at 0800. Dry matter intake for diets containing 0, 10, 20, or 30% SBPS, averaged 38.05, 38.38, 38.53, and 38.35 g x kg(-075) x d(-1), respectively, and ME intake averaged 523, 518, 514, and 493 kJ x kg(-0.75) x d(-1), respectively. On average, sows spent 177 min/d on physical activity, of which 8.8% was spent on eating. Time spent in physical activity was affected by diet (P = 0.005). Sows fed 0 or 10% SBPS spent more time on physical activity than sows fed 20 or 30% SBPS (P = 0.002). Energy cost of physical activity averaged 464 kJ x kg(-0.75) x d(-1) (standard estimated mean of 31) and was similar for diets (P = 0.679). Total heat production (HP) and activity-related heat production (AHP) were affected by diet (P < 0.05). Sows tended to be quieter when fNSP intake increased (P = 0.063). The effect of fNSP intake on HP and AHP was not constant during the day. During the night period, fNSP intake did not affect HP and AHP (P > 0.10). During the day period, increased fNSP intake decreased HP (P = 0.006) and tended to decrease AHP (P = 0.062). During eating, increased fNSP intake increased HP (P = 0.012) and tended to increase AHP (P = 0.074). Despite similar DMI, sows fed 0 or 10% SBPS spent less time eating than sows fed 20 or 30% SBPS (P = 0.009). Feed consumption rate was higher (P = 0.003) in groups fed 0 or 10% SBPS than in groups fed 20 or 30% SBPS. Feed consumption rate decreased by 0.19 g DM x kg(-0.75). min(-1) (P = 0.003) for each gram of fNSP intake. The energy saving effect of physical activity on the NE value of fNSP from SBPS ranged between 2.3 and 3.7 kJ/g of fNSP intake. In conclusion, intake of fNSP from SBPS affected energy expenditure for physical activity (P = 0.063); however, this effect was not constant during the day.
Science mapping software tools: Review, analysis, and cooperative study among tools

Science mapping aims to build bibliometric maps that describe how specific disciplines, scientific domains, or research fields are conceptually, intellectually, and socially structured. Different techniques and software tools have been proposed to carry out science mapping analysis. The aim of this article is to review, analyze, and compare some of these software tools, taking into account aspects such as the bibliometric techniques available and the different kinds of analysis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Why Are Job Seekers Attracted by Corporate Social Performance? Experimental and Field Tests of Three Signal-Based Mechanisms

Research on employee recruitment has shown that an organization's corporate social performance (CSP) affects its attractiveness as an employer, but the underlying mechanisms and processes through which this occurs are poorly understood. We propose that job seekers receive signals from CSP that inform three signal-based mechanisms that ultimately affect organizational attractiveness: job seekers' anticipated pride from being affiliated with the organization, their perceived value fit with the organization, and their expectations about how the organization treats its employees. We hypothesized that these signal-based mechanisms mediate the relationships between CSP and organizational attractiveness, focusing on two aspects of CSP: an organization's community involvement and pro-environmental practices. In an experiment (n 180), we manipulated CSP via a company's web pages. In a field study (n 171), we measured CSP content in the recruitment materials used by organizations at a job fair and job seekers' perceptions of the organizations' CSP. Results provided support for the signal-based mechanisms, and we discuss the implications for theory, future research, and practice
‘Active agents of change?’ Mandarin-speaking students in New Zealand and the thesis writing process

This paper seeks to highlight the issue of learner agency in the supervisory relationship. Although this study is confined to the perceptions of a small group of Chinese-speaking international students, this issue is not one peculiar to them. Dealing with status imbalances in this relationship is a challenge that faces all students regardless of their cultural and linguistic background. However, it is undoubtedly more complex when the parties are drawn from very different backgrounds. In this paper we examine relationships between supervisors and their English as an additional language (EAL) students and the way in which these relationships influence the writing of the thesis, focusing on the dynamics between the two parties and language support offered by the supervisors. Taking the notion of agency as a point of departure, we interpret data from the point of view of the students and attempt to capture their voices. As Lea notes, research in this area ‘has been practitioner-based and practitioner-led’ (Studies in Higher Education 29, no. 6, p. 742). Students’ first-hand accounts of their interactions with supervisors during the thesis writing process will hopefully provide different insights into this nuanced and often problematic relationship and its effect on students’ sense of agency.
Identification of a gain-of-function mutation in a Golgi P-type ATPase that enhances Mn2+ efflux and protects against toxicity

P-type ATPases transport a wide array of ions, regulate diverse cellular processes, and are implicated in a number of human diseases. However, mechanisms that increase ion transport by these ubiquitous proteins are not known. SPCA1 is a P-type pump that transports Mn2+ from the cytosol into the Golgi. We developed an intra-Golgi Mn2+ sensor and used it to screen for mutations introduced in SPCA1, on the basis of its predicted structure, which could increase its Mn2+ pumping activity. Remarkably, a point mutation (Q747A) predicted to increase the size of its ion permeation cavity enhanced the sensor response and a compensatory mutation restoring the cavity to its original size abolished this effect. In vivo and in vitro Mn2+ transport assays confirmed the hyperactivity of SPCA1-Q747A. Furthermore, increasing Golgi Mn2+ transport by expression of SPCA1-Q747A increased cell viability upon Mn2+ exposure, supporting the therapeutic potential of increased Mn2+ uptake by the Golgi in the management of Mn2+-induced neurotoxicity.
Wheeze Detection Using Cepstral Analysis in Gaussian Mixture Models

Traditional wheezes detection methods are based on the frequency and durations of acoustic signal or the location of peaks from successive spectra. In these methods, the discriminative threshold used to identify peaks usually is fixed empirically. Therefore, accuracy of detected wheeze is affected by environment noise and artificial factors. The objective of this study is to classify normal and abnormal (wheezing) respiratory sounds using cepstral analysis in Gaussian Mixture Models. The sound signal is divided in overlapped segments, which are characterized by a reduced dimension feature vectors using Mel-Frequency cepstral coefficients. In this study the 'speaker'is wheeze. During the test phase, an unknown sound is compared to all the GMM models and the classification decision is based on the Maximum Likelihood criterion. In these processes, identification is based on threshold value. If the threshold is bigger than zero, the sound is normal. Otherwise, the sound is wheeze. From experimental results, when the Gaussian mix number is 16, the accuracy of identification of wheeze is up to 90%.
The radial line concentric slot array antenna

The circular polarization is useful for the telecommunication, the sensor, the broadcast, and so on. One of the antenna is the radial line waveguide0slot array antennas. This structure are made from two plate for radiating waveguide. In this research, based on the theoretical calculation of the hybrid feed structure composed of the circular waveguide and coaxial feed and ring slot, and patch structure and the radial line. And we simulates the hybrid feed structure using the electromagnetic field analysis simulator based on the finite element method. The rotation mode feeding structure realized the concentric array radial line slot antenna for the bore sight beam. The axial ratio is 0.037dB. When the slot pairs are increased from 4pair to 16pair, the circular polarization axial ratio is improved.