Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of ictal SPECT and interictal PET in the presurgical evaluation of temporal lobe epilepsy

We retrospectively compared ictal technetium 99m hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and interictal 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) in 35 patients with well‐lateralized temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Based on SPECT scans the two observers correctly lateralized seizure foci with certainty in 89% of patients; interobserver agreement was excellent. Both observers incorrectly lateralized the seizure focus on two SPECT scans; one error was explained by rapid electroencephalographic spread to the contralateral side and for the other patient, isotope was injected during a brief aura. Based on PET scans, observers correctly lateralized the foci with certainty in 63% and with lesser confidence in 83%; four incorrect lateralizations were made by one observer and none by the other. PET interobserver disagreement was explained by differences between observers in weighting the relative hypometabolism in medial and lateral temporal regions. The detection rate for PET was lower in the absence of structural imaging abnormalities (60 vs 87%). PET yielded correct lateralizations in the 2 patients for whom SPECT interpretation was difficult. We conclude that both ictal SPECT and interictal PET are sensitive methods for the lateralization of TLE, but SPECT can be interpreted with greater certainty and is more sensitive when magnetic resonance imaging findings are negative. False lateralization is rare with ictal SPECT and can be explained when interpreted in conjunction with electroclinical data. Both investigations have complementary roles when localization is difficult.
Performance improvement of motion control systems with low resolution position sensors using MEMS accelerometers

This paper presents a use of MEMS accelerometers for performance improvement of motion control systems equipped with low resolution position sensors. It is well-known that control performance depends on hardware performance such as a sensor resolution and a computational power. Above all, the use of low resolution sensors restricts the achievable enhancements on the control bandwidth, due to quantization noise. In this paper it is proposed to overcome such limitation by using a Kalman estimator, utilizing the measurements provided by a low cost MEMS accelerometer in the estimation of position information. Moreover, the same measurement is used for the acceleration based disturbance observer (a-DOB), where no differentiator is needed to estimate the disturbance, so that a better estimation capability and positioning performance can be achieved. The effectiveness of the proposed control system has been verified by several experiments using a prototype of a table system.
The Influence of Specific Phonemic Awareness Processes on the Reading Comprehension of African American Students

ABSTRACT Research indicates the primary difference between strong and weak readers is their phonemic awareness skills. However, there is no consensus regarding which specific components of phonemic awareness contribute most robustly to reading comprehension. In this study, the relationship among sound blending, sound segmentation, and reading comprehension is investigated. A total of 84 African American and two multiethnic 1st- through 4th-grade students attending an inner-city charter school completed measures of sound blending, sound segmentation, and reading comprehension. Statistically significant relationships were found between blending and segmenting skills and blending and reading comprehension. Results from structural equation modeling reveal a moderate to large effect size between sound blending and reading comprehension and a relatively small effect size between sound segmenting and reading comprehension. The results indicate sound blending skills account for more variance in the prediction of reading comprehension than segmenting skills with this unique research population. Implications for early instruction and intervention are discussed.
Effect of the Mixed Phosphodiesterase 3/4 Inhibitor RPL554 on Human Isolated Bronchial Smooth Muscle Tone

The phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzyme family hydrolyzes cAMP and cGMP, second messengers that regulate a variety of cellular processes, including airway smooth muscle (ASM) relaxation and the inhibition of inflammatory cells. We investigated the activity of RPL554 [9,10-dimethoxy-2(2,4,6-trimethylphenylimino)-3-(n-carbamoyl-2-aminoethyl)-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrimido[6,1-a]isoquinolin-4-one], a dual PDE3/PDE4 inhibitor that exhibits bifunctional activity for its effects on the tone of human isolated ASM and any potential synergistic interactions with muscarinic receptor antagonists or a β2-agonist. We evaluated the influence of RPL554 on the contractile response induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS), acetylcholine (ACh), or histamine on human isolated bronchi. We also analyzed the potential synergistic effect of RPL554 in combination with atropine, glycopyrollate, or salbutamol by using the Berenbaum Bliss Independence (BI), or the dose equivalence methods. RPL554 inhibited the contraction induced by EFS [maximal effectiveness (Emax) 91.33 ± 3.37%, P < 0.001], relaxed bronchi precontracted with ACh (Emax 94.62 ± 2.63%, pD2 4.84 ± 0.12, P < 0.001), and abolished the contraction induced by histamine. Analysis of interactions indicated a weak synergism between RPL554 and salbutamol (interaction index: 0.25 ± 0.06; BI Δeffect: 0.29 ± 0.11; dose equivalence: no synergism) but significant synergism between RPL554 and atropine (interaction index: 0.09 ± 0.07; BI Δeffect: 0.54 ± 0.09; dose equivalence: synergism for low concentrations) or glycopyrrolate (ACh: BI Δeffect 0.46 ± 0.03, Berenbaum Δeffect 0.42 ± 0.02; histamine: BI Δeffect 0.46 ± 0.03, Berenbaum Δeffect 0.42 ± 0.03). This study demonstrates that RPL554 relaxes human bronchi and that it can interact with a muscarinic receptor antagonist to produce a synergistic inhibition of ASM tone. These results suggest that RPL554 may provide a novel treatment of airway diseases, either alone or in combination with antimuscarinic drugs.
Semi-Blind Model Adaptation using Piece-wise Energy Decay Curve for Large Reverberant Environments

This work presents semi-blind acoustic model adaptation based on a piece-wise energy decay curve. The dual slope representation of the piece-wise curve accurately captures the early and late reflection decay that helps in precisely modeling the smearing effect caused due to reverberation. The slopes are estimated in a semi-blind fashion, late reflection slope is estimated blindly by finding the highest likelihood obtained after matching the test features with Gaussian mixture models trained on reverberant data, while the early reflection slope is empirically computed. Adaptation using piece-wise decay curve leads to robust acoustic models consequently improving the recognition performance. The approach is tested on connected digits recognition task in a lecture room with various large reverberation times. The performance is compared with the exponential decay approach and incremental MLLR, where the proposed technique is found to be robust and consistent across all the cases.
Novel Florfenicol and Chloramphenicol Resistance Gene Discovered in Alaskan Soil by Using Functional Metagenomics

ABSTRACT Functional metagenomics was used to search for florfenicol resistance genes in libraries of cloned DNA isolated from Alaskan soil. A gene that mediated reduced susceptibility to florfenicol was identified and designated pexA. The predicted PexA protein showed a structure similar to that of efflux pumps of the major facilitator superfamily.
Renal epithelial cells produce and spread HIV-1 via T-cell contact

Objectives:Increasing evidence supports the role of the kidney as a reservoir for HIV-1. In-vitro co-cultivation of HIV-infected T cells with renal tubule epithelial (RTE) cells results in virus transfer to the latter, whereas cell-free virus infection is inefficient. We further characterized the fate of HIV-1 after it is internalized in renal epithelial cells. Methods:Primary or immortalized CD4+ cells were infected with a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing replication competent HIV-1. HIV-1 transfer from T cells to RTE cells was carried out in a co-culture system and evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. HIV-1 integration in renal cells was evaluated by Alu-PCR and the production of infectious particles was assessed by p24-ELISA and TZM-bl assay. HIV-infected renal cells were used as donor cells in a co-culture system to evaluate their ability to transfer the virus back to T cells. Results:Renal cells become productively infected by HIV-1 and multiple copies of HIV-1 can be transferred from infected T cells to renal cells. Two separate cell populations were identified among infected renal cells based on reporter gene GFP expression level (low vs. high), only the high showing sensitivity to azidothymidine and ritonavir. Co-cultivation of HIV-1-infected renal cells with noninfected T cells resulted in HIV-1 transmission to T cells, supporting bidirectional exchange of virus between T cells and kidney-derived cells. Persistent expression and generation of infectious virus in renal cells required HIV integration. Conclusion:These results support the kidney as a potential reservoir where virus is exchanged between interstitial T cells and RTE cells.
Inhibition of Hepatitis C Virus-Like Particle Binding to Target Cells by Antiviral Antibodies in Acute and Chronic Hepatitis C

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic viral hepatitis worldwide. The study of antibody-mediated virus neutralization has been hampered by the lack of an efficient and high-throughput cell culture system for the study of virus neutralization. The HCV structural proteins have been shown to assemble into noninfectious HCV-like particles (HCV-LPs). Similar to serum-derived virions, HCV-LPs bind and enter human hepatocytes and hepatoma cell lines. In this study, we developed an HCV-LP-based model system for a systematic functional analysis of antiviral antibodies from patients with acute or chronic hepatitis C. We demonstrate that cellular HCV-LP binding was specifically inhibited by antiviral antibodies from patients with acute or chronic hepatitis C in a dose-dependent manner. Using a library of homologous overlapping envelope peptides covering the entire HCV envelope, we identified an epitope in the N-terminal E2 region (SQKIQLVNTNGSWHI; amino acid positions 408 to 422) as one target of human antiviral antibodies inhibiting cellular particle binding. Using a large panel of serum samples from patients with acute and chronic hepatitis C, we demonstrated that the presence of antibodies with inhibition of binding activity was not associated with viral clearance. In conclusion, antibody-mediated inhibition of cellular HCV-LP binding represents a convenient system for the functional characterization of human anti-HCV antibodies, allowing the mapping of envelope neutralization epitopes targeted by naturally occurring antiviral antibodies.
Wide area measurements based centralized controller to stabilize an inverter fed islanded microgrid

In this paper, a wide area measurements based multi-input multi-output (MIMO) centralized controller has been proposed to stabilize an inverter fed islanded microgrid. The centralized controller utilizes synchronized measurements supplied by phasor measurement units (PMUs) through the wide area measurement system (WAMS). In order to reduce the costs associated with the installation of the PMUs, reduced set of input/output signals have been obtained using geometric measures approach. The design of the controller is based on a linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control, which targets the modes of interest directly. The islanded AC microgrid comprises of four low inertial inverter interfaced DGs having unequal power ratings and is supplying both active as well as passive loads. To demonstrate this, a full dynamical linearized small signal state space model of the islanded AC microgrid represented in synchronous (DQ) reference frame has been considered. However, reduced order model of the islanded AC microgrid has been obtained using schur balanced model order reduction method to reduce the complexity in the design of the proposed centralized controller. The performance of the proposed centralized controller has been assessed through eigenvalue analysis and time domain simulations. The robustness of the proposed centralized controller has been verified by assessing its performance under different load disturbances.
Practical Design of Lensed Fibers for Semiconductor Laser Packaging Using Laser Welding Technique

We propose a set of guidelines for the practical design of lensed fiber for the optical coupling of semiconductor lasers in butterfly packages using laser welding. These guidelines have optimized the tradeoff between coupling efficiency and alignment tolerance. Moreover, a radius of curvature of 11 mum is shown to be optimal for semiconductor lasers whose divergence angles range from 5deg to 30deg. To experimentally evaluate the design, lensed fibers were assembled by a Nd:YAG laser welding technique in conventional butterfly packages and their coupling efficiencies were 28%-72% without horizontal misalignment compensation.
Algebraic Number Theory and Code Design for Rayleigh Fading Channels

Algebraic number theory is having an increasing impact in code design for many different coding applications, such as single antenna fading channels and more recently, MIMO systems. Extended work has been done on single antenna fading channels, and algebraic lattice codes have been proven to be an effective tool. The general framework has been settled in the last ten years and many explicit code constructions based on algebraic number theory are now available.The aim of this work is to provide both an overview on algebraic lattice code designs for Rayleigh fading channels, as well as a tutorial introduction to algebraic number theory. The basic facts of this mathematical field will be illustrated by many examples and by the use of a computer algebra freeware in order to make it more accessible to a large audience.
Impulsiveness as a timing disturbance: neurocognitive abnormalities in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder during temporal processes and normalization with methylphenidate

We argue that impulsiveness is characterized by compromised timing functions such as premature motor timing, decreased tolerance to delays, poor temporal foresight and steeper temporal discounting. A model illustration for the association between impulsiveness and timing deficits is the impulsiveness disorder of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with ADHD have deficits in timing processes of several temporal domains and the neural substrates of these compromised timing functions are strikingly similar to the neuropathology of ADHD. We review our published and present novel functional magnetic resonance imaging data to demonstrate that ADHD children show dysfunctions in key timing regions of prefrontal, cingulate, striatal and cerebellar location during temporal processes of several time domains including time discrimination of milliseconds, motor timing to seconds and temporal discounting of longer time intervals. Given that impulsiveness, timing abnormalities and more specifically ADHD have been related to dopamine dysregulation, we tested for and demonstrated a normalization effect of all brain dysfunctions in ADHD children during time discrimination with the dopamine agonist and treatment of choice, methylphenidate. This review together with the new empirical findings demonstrates that neurocognitive dysfunctions in temporal processes are crucial to the impulsiveness disorder of ADHD and provides first evidence for normalization with a dopamine reuptake inhibitor.
Bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated in clinical practice.

AIM The effect of KRAS status on response to bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer is still unclear. We aimed to evaluate the overall clinical response to such a therapy in clinical practice and assess the role of KRAS status on therapy response. PATIENTS & METHODS This was a retrospective study enrolling 108 metastatic colorectal cancer patients. KRAS mutation analysis was performed by PCR. RESULTS Overall, 41.7% of patients had stable disease, 39.8% a partial response, 3.7% a complete response and 14.8% disease progression. Both clinical benefit and objective response rate tended to be higher in patients with only hepatic metastases than those with extrahepatic or multiple metastases. Response to therapy would appear to be independent of KRAS status, but larger studies are needed. CONCLUSION Bevacizumab plus chemotherapy provides clinical benefit and objective response rate in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer independently of KRAS expression, especially in those patients with only liver metastases.
Supplemental Education Services Under No Child Left Behind

Schools that have not made adequate yearly progress in increasing student academic achievement are required, under No Child Left Behind (NCLB), to offer children in low-income families the opportunity to receive supplemental educational services (SES). In research conducted in Milwaukee Public Schools, the authors explore whether parents and students are aware of their eligibility and options for extra tutoring under NCLB, and who among eligible students registers for SES. Using the best information available to school districts, the authors estimate the effects of SES in increasing students’ reading and math achievement. Their nonexperimental estimates suggest no average effects of SES attendance on student achievement gains. They use qualitative research to explore possible explanations for the lack of observed effects.
Refactoring class hierarchies with KABA

KABA is an innovative system for refactoring Java class hierar-chies. It uses the Snelting/Tip algorithm [13] in order to determine a behavior-preserving refactoring which is optimal with respect to a given set of client programs. KABA can be based on dynamic as well as static program analysis. The static variant will preserve program behavior for all possible input values; the dynamic version guarantees preservation of behavior for all runs in a given test suite. KABA offers automatic refactoring as well as manual refactoring using a dedicated editor. In this contribution, we recapitulate the Snelting/Tip algorithm, present the new dynamic version, and explain new extensions which allow to handle full Java. We then present five case studies which discuss the KABA refactoring proposals for programs such as javac and antlr. KABA proved that javac does not need refactoring, but generated semantics-based refactoring proposals for antlr.
Predictors of attitudes to age across Europe

This research is the first to consider simultaneously how both differences between countries and differences between individuals in the European region each relate to people’s attitudes to ageing and their experiences of ageism. Across groups or countries, patterns of data observed at the individual level (e.g. a positive relationship between wealth and longevity) might actually be a result of patterns at a higher level (e.g. that wealthier countries have better health care systems). Therefore, disentangling the impact of individual factors from that of countrylevel factors is very important, and is a central focus of this research.
The technical infrastructure of geological survey information grid

The ways of resource organization and mechanisms of management are important in the technical infrastructure of cloud computing or GRID computing, Many researchers have focused on the centralized resource pool and global-local two-layer mode but little work considers the availability and practicability of universal discovery description and integration and mechanisms of support long transaction management. In this paper, we propose an effective ways of resource organization and mechanisms of management, Called P2P Node manager technique. The P2P node manager aims at the kernel technology question for grid virtuality and cooperation. It begins with the questions for mode and performance of grid services, global and multilayer resource management and services discovery, mechanisms of support long transaction management and synchrone mechanism. Basd on Composition and technical infrastructure of the P2P node manager, the frame of resource organization based on geological fields Ontology, share, synchrone and teamwork mechanism of global-local two-layer resource, temporary aggregate-ware of data resource for supportting long transaction mechanisms, the portal configurator of virtual node resource for node self-government mechanisms have been discussed in the paper.
Bidirectional softly switched dc-to-dc converter with galvanic isolation

Bidirectional power flow in energy storage facilities is common and required. Energy supply from energy storages and energy imbursement back to the storages and preferably at high-efficiency are basic operations for these kinds of equipment. Since the boom growth on un interrupt able power supplies for critical loads and electric vehicles, storages, especially batteries, are in deep demands nowadays. Although high-efficient bidirectional power flow can be achieved by two unilateral dc-dc converters, an integrated bidirectional converter will benefit with compact size and more efficient equipment usage. In this paper, a full-bridge isolated converter with an auxiliary inductor can reach zero-current-switching in current-fed step-up mode; and zero-voltage-switching in voltage-fed step-down mode. The test results have a good agreement with theoretical waveforms under suitable control strategies. At step-up mode, conversion efficiency can be up to 95%; while at step-down mode, conversion efficiency reaches 94%.
Transformational leadership and generativity: A narrative exploration

This qualitative study explored the narrative themes that emerged in the life stories of 12 senior executives identified as high in transformational leadership. The research examined how participants’ life stories contributed to their sense of identity and to their adoption of a transformational leadership style. On the basis of an apparent conceptual relationship between the psychosocial construct of generativity and behaviours associated with transformational leadership, generative themes were expected to emerge in the life narratives. The analysis was exploratory and verificationary. General themes – struggle, external resources and support and inner strength reflecting a strongly redemptive sequence were identified as well as five of the themes previously identified in the life stories of generative adults (McAdams, 2006). The findings suggest that transformational leaders’ generative concerns are forged by their life narratives located in the private world of their identities and beliefs, and manifested in transformational leadership behaviours in the public world of the organisations they lead. Implications of findings and directions for future research on generativity and transformational leadership are