Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proxy-rated quality of life in Alzheimer's disease: a three-year longitudinal study

ABSTRACT Background: The study investigated the change in proxy rated quality of life (QoL) of a large cohort of home living patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) over a period of 36 months. Methods: The sample consisted of 102 patients with mild AD and their primary caregivers from the Danish Alzheimer's Disease Intervention Study. QoL was assessed with the proxy-rated (primary caregivers) Quality of Life in Alzheimer Disease scale (QOL-AD) and the EuroQuol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) scale. The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study, Activities of Daily living Inventory (ADCS-ADL), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-Q) were also applied. Evaluations were conducted at baseline and at 12 and 36 months follow-up. Results: There was a significant decline in mean QoL assessed by both the QOL-AD and the EQ-VAS (p < 0.001). There were vast individual differences in the QoL scores on both scales at 12 and 36 months’ follow-up. Mean change from baseline in QOL-AD was significantly associated with change in CSDD, ADCS-ADL and MMSE scores at 12 months and with ADCS-ADL score at 36 months. Conclusion: QoL is a subjective concept and may not be influenced by the degree of cognitive dysfunction. Future studies should investigate the factors for individual variations in order to understand the nature of change of QoL in AD and the wide variation in QoL scores over time.
OUTCROSSING AND POLLINATOR LIMITATION OF FRUIT SET: BREEDING SYSTEMS OF NEOTROPICAL INGA TREES (FABACEAE: MIMOSOIDEAE)

Many hermaphroditic flowering plants produce many more flowers than fruit. Low fruit set from a large number of potential fruit may result from a variety of factors. In animal-pollinated species, a large floral display may be advantageous in attracting pollinators (Gentry, 1974; Willson and Rathcke, 1974; Schaffer and Schaffer, 1979; Stephenson, 1979; Augspurger, 1980; Udovic, 1981), especially if the density of plants is low, the duration ofbloom ofthe species is short, and/ or there are many other species blooming simultaneously. If pollinators visit only some of the flowers, not all flowers will receive pollen, and fruit set without fertilization will not take place in plants that are non-agamospermous and without automatic selfing; in this way the plants can be pollinator-limited, by virtue of low visitation (Bierzychudek, 1981). Incompatibility systems can cause pollinatorlimitation of a more complex nature: the fruit set ofa self-incompatible species will be limited by the kinds of visitors, and the kinds ofvisits (intraplant movements resulting in intrafloral selfing or geitonogamy versus interplant movements resulting in xenogamy) (Arroyo, 1976). Interspecific pollinator movements can result in stigma-clogging, with foreign pollen impairing the adherence and germination of pollen of the correct species (Levin and Anderson, 1970; Wissel, 1977; Waser, 1978). Allelopathic effects offoreign pollen may also depress fecundity of some species (Sukada and Jayachandra, 1980; Thompson et al., 1981). Even ifall
A Robust Screen for Inhibitors and Enhancers of Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase (PI3K) Activities by Ratiometric Fluorescence Superquenching

Aberrant regulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity is implicated in various diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Thus, high-throughput screening (HTS) of small-molecule inhibitors for PI3 kinases is an appealing strategy for drug development. Despite the attractiveness of lipid kinases as drug targets, screening for inhibitors for PI3K activities has been hampered by limited assay formats adaptable for HTS. The authors describe a homogeneous, direct, and nonradioactive assay for highly sensitive detection of PI3Kα, β, δ, and γ activities, which is suitable for HTS. The assay is based on fluorescence superquenching of a conjugated polymer upon metal-ion-mediated association of phosphorylated and dye-labeled substrates. As a result of phosphorylation, quencher and polymer are brought into proximity, and fluorescent energy transfer occurs. This event can be monitored as either fluorescence quench of the polymer or as enhanced emission from the quencher. Ratiometric analysis of the wavelengths eliminates interferences from autofluorescing compounds, which are present in HTS libraries. The platform has been adapted for the 384-well microplate format and delivers Z factors of > 0.6 at substrate conversions as low as 7%. Using this assay platform, several unreported inhibitors and activators of PI3Ks were identified in an 84- compound screen.
Development of vision based meeing support system for hearing impaired

This paper describes a new meeting support system that helps the hearing impaired to understand the contents of the meeting. The proposed system distinguishes the mainstream of the discussion from other chattering based on the utterances. The situation of the meeting is acquired as a picture using an omni-directional vision sensor, and the system analyzes speaker’s relations from the captured image by using face directions for the participants. The system shows the mainstream and the chattering of a meeting by using the analyzed result and speech-recognition.
Risperidone use in Korean patients with Alzheimer's disease: optimal dosage and effect on behavioural and psychological symptoms, cognitive function and activities of daily living

This study aimed to investigate the effect of risperidone on the behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPS), cognitive function and activities of daily living (ADL) of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The optimal dose of risperidone in Korean patients with AD was determined with respect to both efficacy and safety profiles.
Detailed structural characterization of succinoglycan, the major exopolysaccharide of Rhizobium meliloti Rm1021

The detailed structure of the symbiotically important exopolysaccharide succinoglycan from Rhizobium meliloti Rm1021 was determined by mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization and collision-induced dissociation of the octameric oligosaccharide repeating unit. Previously undetermined locations of the succinyl and acetyl modifications were determined, in respect to both residue locations within the octamer and the carbon positions within the pyranose ring. Glycosidic linkages determined previously by methylation analysis were also verified.
Executive Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis 1 Running Head : EXECUTIVE DYSFUNTION IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Executive Dysfunction Syndrome in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease affect ing he central nervous system. Several authors consider that an attentional damage is th underlying cause of cognitive dysfunction in MS. However, while some studies of M S report attentional deficits, others suggest that attention remains unaffected by this disease. The presence of attentional deficits in MS thus remains a disputed matter. We suggest that these discrepancies stem from the use of a wide range of attentional tests, we need only consider that attention is not a unitary function, a d that the convergent validity of the different tests has not been demonstrated. Thus our main aims are: to obtain a set of attentional tests which taps the whole range of att entional functions; to assess the clinical contribution of some reaction time tests d erived from theoretical models of attention, which will be used along with classical psychometric tests; and to evaluate the convergent validity of the different tests employed . In our study MS patients exhibit diverse and specific attentional deficits. That is, hey show an attentional profile consisting in a series of specific impairments in v isual selective attention, (visual search and attentional capture), executive function (cogni tive flexibility or capacity to overcome automatic responses) and sustained attenti on (fatigue problems). However, some aspects of these attentional components remain un ffected (concentration and accuracy in selective attention, alertness, interfe r nce from distractors, and capacity for maintaining information with low memory loads in ex ecutive control). We also discuss the relationship between attentional deficits and c ognitive and affective disorders in MS.
Surface Conditioning Protocol for the Adhesion of Resin-based Materials to Glassy Matrix Ceramics: How to Condition and Why?

Question: What is the best surface conditioning protocol for durable adhesion of resin-based materials to glassy matrix ceramics? Answer: Glassy matrix ceramics, also known as silicabased ceramics, are typically reinforced with feldspar, leucite, fluormica glass or lithium disilicate. Glass ceramics are acid sensitive when etched with hydrofluoric acid gel and they respond well to adhesive bonding techniques where silanization and adhesive resin applications are performed. In such ceramics, more pronounced surface roughness can be obtained with the increase in the amount of glassy phase present in the microstructure, which can improve the potential adhesion of resin-based luting cements to these ceramics. Proper conditioning of glass ceramics together with the subsequent application of the adhesive procedures not only enables fabrication of minimally invasive restorations, but also reinforces the vitreous matrix, increasing its strength after adhesive cemention. Since the type of ceramic matrix, etching method, silanization, and adhesive resin application are important parameters in durable adhesion to glass ceramics, the surface conditioning sequence presented in the Table (below) is recommended.
TGF-b reduces DNA ds-break repair mechanisms to heighten genetic diversity and adaptability of CD 44 + / CD 24 � cancer cells

Many lines of evidence have indicated that both genetic and non-genetic determinants can contribute to intra-tumor heterogeneity and influence cancer outcomes. Among the best described sub-population of cancer cells generated by non-genetic mechanisms are cells characterized by a CD44+/CD24 cell surface marker profile. Here, we report that human CD44+/ CD24 cancer cells are genetically highly unstable because of intrinsic defects in their DNA-repair capabilities. In fact, in CD44+/CD24 cells, constitutive activation of the TGF-beta axis was both necessary and sufficient to reduce the expression of genes that are crucial in coordinating DNA damage repair mechanisms. Consequently, we observed that cancer cells that reside in a CD44+/ CD24 state are characterized by increased accumulation of DNA copy number alterations, greater genetic diversity and improved adaptability to drug treatment. Together, these data suggest that the transition into a CD44+/CD24 cell state can promote intra-tumor genetic heterogeneity, spur tumor evolution and increase tumor fitness. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.21615. 001
S-1-based regimens and the risk of leucopenic complications; a Meta-analysis with comparison to other fluoropyrimidines and non fluoropyrimidines

ABSTRACT Background: We performed a meta-analysis oriented at the risk of leucopenic complications associated with S-1-based regimens. Patients and methods: The studies that were granted eligibility for inclusion include randomized phase II and III trials of patients with solid tumors on S-1; that entailed details of events of febrile neutropenia, all-grade and high-grade neutropenia and leucopenia. Results: After rejecting ineligible studies, a total of 28 clinical trials were elected eligible for further quantitative analysis. The RR of febrile neutropenia, all-grade and high-grade neutropenia for S-1 vs.non fluoropyrimidine controls was 0.27 [95% CI 0.16, 0.46; P < 0.0001] 0.69 [95% CI 0.58, 0.81; P < 0.00001] and 0.47 [95% CI 0.32, 0.70; P = 0.0002], correspondingly; while The RR of all-grade and high-grade leucopenia for S-1 vs.non fluoropyrimidine controls was 0.60 [95% CI 0.46, 0.79; P = 0.0002] and 0.34 [95% CI 0.14, 0.79; P = 0.01], respectively. Conclusions: The risk of febrile neutropenia, all-grade and high-grade neutropenia and leucopenia is less in S-1-based therapy than in non fluoropyrimidine regimens; yet comparable to the risk associated with infusional 5FU or capecitabine-based regimens.
Effect of a Trap Zone in Reducing Nanoparticle Contamination of Wafers and Photomasks in Parallel Airflowp

Particle contamination control is important for increasing the yield in semiconductor manufacturing. In this paper, a trap zone was suggested to reduce the level of particulate contamination of wafers and photomasks during transport in horizontal direction. Trap zone efficiency was numerically and theoretically analyzed by calculating local deposition velocity onto a critical surface representing a wafer or a photomask. The effects of diffusion, gravitational settling, convection, and thermophoresis on particle behavior were considered. The deposition velocity onto the critical surface was found to be effectively reduced with the use of the trap zone, especially for nanoparticles of large diffusivity. As the trap zone became longer, the degree of critical surface contamination by nanoparticles was estimated to be more reduced. An equation was suggested to estimate the reduction of particulate contamination of the critical surface as a function of the trap zone length. It is anticipated that the results of this paper are very helpful for designing wafer/photomask transport systems with a reduced level of contamination by nanoparticles.
Volumetric NMR imaging with time‐varying gradients

A novel generalized processing system is described whereby, using time‐varying gradients, simultaneous data acquisition can be provided for all points in a volume. This is in sharp distinction to the sensitive‐point method where only the null region is imaged. It is shown that time‐varying gradients systems provide unique phase modulation functions which, when appropriately decoded, enable every point in the volume to be simultaneously imaged from a single FID signal. Methods are shown using the technique to provide simultaneously acquired, localized NMR spectra. Alternative gradient signals are considered including both periodic and aperiodic waveforms.
Hyperparameter-free sparse regression of grouped variables

In this paper, we introduce a novel framework for semi-parametric estimation of an unknown number of signals, each parametrized by a group of components. Via a reformulation of the covariance fitting criteria, we formulate a convex optimization problem over a grid of candidate representations, promoting solutions with only a few active groups. Utilizing the covariance fitting allows for a hyperparameter-free estimation procedure, highly robust against coherency between candidates, while still allowing for a computationally efficient implementation. Numerical simulations illustrate how the proposed method offers a performance similar to the group-LASSO for incoherent dictionaries, and superior performance for coherent dictionaries.
AN ENSEMBLE OF CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS FOR THE RECOGNITION OF HANDWRITTEN DIGITS

This paper describes a neural network ensemble that is made up of 8 convolutional networks that are based on the Lenet-5 architecture, with a denser network, the addition of a personal bias for each neuron, and the move from a final Euclidean Radial Basis Function layer, (RBF), into a regular convolutional layer. A transitional training program was created in order to train the networks using a stochastic levenberg-marquadt gradient descent algorithm with the addition of an adaptive momentum term and the integration of a neuronal ranking system. The networks are then trained in parallel on the MNIST training set that is elastically distorted and then combined together in order to classify the images in the MNIST testing set. There are two different methods used to classify the images. The first is the regularly used average output method in which the average output vector of all of the networks is used to recognize a pattern. The other method used is a confidence based method that uses the network that has the highest degree of confidence in its decision to recognize an image. A controlled unsupervised learning system was then created to allow the networks to continue to learn from experience efficiently after the initial training phase. In addition to all of this, a system was included where the weights of the connections, as well as the outputs of the neurons, were slightly mutated during training in order to simulate real world neuron failure, and noise, to allow for improved generality. The results section will show that this method is able to achieve a very accurate error rate of 0.38% on the MNIST database.
Low rank channel estimation for space-time coded wideband OFDM systems

To provide high-speed data transmission for the next generation wireless communication systems employing multiple transmit antennas, a space-time coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system has previously been proposed as a promising and efficient approach with both transmit diversity and high coding gains. In this paper, we study the channel estimation for spacetime coded OFDM using least squares (LS) and minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) criteria. In particular, the MSE bounds are given for the temporal channel estimations. By assuming that the channel frequency response is quasi-static over two consecutive OFDM symbols, a low rank Wiener filter based channel estimator is proposed. This significantly reduces the computation complexity while retaining accurate frequency domain channel estimation. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the performance of the low-rank frequency-domain channel estimation for space-time coded OFDM systems.
Superficial Cooling Does Not Decrease Core Body Temperature Before, During, or After Exercise in an American Football Uniform

Abstract Lopez, RM, Eberman, LE, and Cleary, MA. Superficial cooling does not decrease core body temperature before, during, or after exercise in an American football uniform. J Strength Cond Res 26(12): 3432–3440, 2012—The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of superficial cooling on thermoregulatory responses while exercising in a hot humid environment while wearing an American football uniform. Nine male and female subjects wore a superficial cooling garment while in a cooling (CS) experimental condition or a no cooling (NCS) control condition during an exercise task consisting of warm-up (WU), exercise (EX), and recovery (R). The exercise task simulated an American football conditioning session with subjects wearing a full American football uniform and performing anaerobic and aerobic exercises in a hot humid environment. Subjects were allowed to drink water ad libitum during rest breaks. During the WU, EX, and R periods, core body temperature (Tc) was measured to assess the effect of the cooling garment. Neither baseline resting before warm-up Tc nor after warm-up Tc was significantly different between trials. No significant differences in exercise Tc between conditions were found. Time to return to baseline Tc revealed no significant differences between the experimental and control conditions. The authors found that the volume of fluid consumed was 34% less in the experimental condition (711.1 ± 188.0 ml) compared with the control condition (1,077.8 ± 204.8 ml). The findings indicate that the cooling garment was not effective in blunting the rise in Tc during warm-up, attenuating a rise in Tc during intermittent exercise, or in increasing a return to baseline Tc during a resting recovery period in a hot humid environment while wearing an American football uniform.
Phase 1 clinical trials of the National Institutes of Health Vaccine Research Center HIV/AIDS candidate vaccines.

(NIH) campus in Bethesda, Maryland. We are now close to reaching 10 years and are unlikely to realize an effective HIV/AIDS vaccine by 2007. Nevertheless, the NIH Vaccine Research Center (VRC), which opened in 2001, has become a force in vaccine research and development and, in this issue of the Journal, publishes a pair of articles [1, 2] reporting the results of phase 1 human trials for its HIV/AIDS vaccines, which are now well into phase 2 studies. The vaccine strategy uses DNA to prime the immune response and a replication-defective recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 (rAd5) vector to boost responses. All in all, the development of an HIV/ AIDS vaccine has been slow, hard work. Major problems have been the lack of immune correlates for protection, the extensive genetic diversity of the virus, and the inability to elicit neutralizing antibodies for incident isolates [3, 4]. Because of the problem in raising neutralizing antibodies, vaccine efforts have turned to eliciting T cells that, at least in preclinical nonhuman primate models, can protect CD4' T cells and control infections to the low levels
Gender-specific survival after surgical resection for early stage non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The incidence and mortality rate of lung cancer in women has increased. Studies have indicated that females with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have better survival than males. We aimed to examine the impact of gender on 1-, 5- and 10-year survival after surgery for stage I and II NSCLC. Materials and methods: During the period 2003–2013, 692 patients operated for stage I and II NSCLC were prospectively registered. Patients were stratified into four groups according to gender and age over or less than 66 years. The relationship between gender and age on overall survival was investigated. Adjustment for multiple confounders was performed using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results: Surgical resection was performed in 368 (53.2%) males and 324 (46.8%) females. During the study period, mortality was 35.2% in younger females, 34.9% in younger males, 42.8% in older females and 51.2% in older males. Stratified by age, there were no significant gender differences with regard to survival [hazard ratio (HR) 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.91–1.46, p = . 23]. Comparing the younger and the older patients adjusted for confounders, the mortality risk was significantly increased in elderly patients [females, adjusted HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.12–2.28]. Compared with population data, standardized mortality ratio was increased to 4.1 (95% CI 3.5–4.7) in males and to 6.5 (95% CI 5.4–7.6) in females. Conclusion: Overall survival did not differ significantly between males and females. Adjusted for confounding factors, we found a significantly increased mortality risk in elder patients compared to their younger counterparts. However, five-year overall survival of more than 50% for older patients with NSCLC should encourage surgical treatment also in elderly lung cancer patients.
Scope-marking Strategies in the Acquisition of Long Distance wh-Questions in French and Dutch

This paper reports the results of an elicited production task of Long Distance (LD) wh-questions conducted with typically developing French- and Dutch-speaking children aged four and six, and adult control groups for each language. It is shown that besides input-convergent wh-questions, in both languages children use nontarget strategies to express scope. While in both French and Dutch children produce Partial Movement and wh-copying questions, only French children use Partial Movement without an overt scope-marker in the left periphery of the matrix clause. We argue that our results are consistent with the Derivational Complexity hypothesis put forward by Jakubowicz (2004, 2005). Moreover our results confirm that parametric choices regarding the position of both the wh-word and the verb in the sentence are already set at the ages considered here.