Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of the U-STARR with the AB-York Crescent of Sound, a New Instrument to Evaluate Speech Intelligibility in Noise and Spatial Hearing Skills

The Advanced Bionics® (AB)-York crescent of sound is a new test setup that comprises speech intelligibility in noise and localization tests that represent everyday listening situations. One of its tests is the Sentence Test with Adaptive Randomized Roving levels (STARR) with sentences and noise both presented from straight ahead. For the Dutch population, we adopted the AB-York setup and replaced the English sentences with a validated set of Dutch sentences. The Dutch version of the STARR is called the Utrecht-STARR (U-STARR). This study primarily assesses the validity and reliability of the U-STARR compared to the Plomp test, which is the current Dutch gold standard for speech-in-noise testing. The outcome of both tests is a speech reception threshold in noise (SRTn). Secondary outcomes are the SRTn measured with sounds from spatially separated sources (SISSS) as well as sound localization capability. We tested 29 normal-hearing adults and 18 postlingually deafened adult patients with unilateral cochlear implants (CI). This study shows that the U-STARR is adequate and reliable and seems better suited for severely hearing-impaired persons than the conventional Plomp test. Further, CI patients have poor spatial listening skills, as demonstrated with the AB-York test.
EURASIAN JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS AND FINANCE

The purpose of this study is to examine the bilateral machinery and transport equipment trade efficiency of selected fourteen Asian countries by applying stochastic frontier gravity model. These selected countries have the top machinery and transport equipment trade (both export and import) volumes in Asia. The model we use includes variables such as income, market size of trading partners, distance, common culture, common border, common language and global economic crisis similar to earlier studies using the stochastic frontier gravity models. Our work, however, includes an extra variable called normalized revealed comparative advantage (NRCA) index additionally. The NRCA index is comparable across commodity, country and time. Thus, the NRCA index is calculated and then included in our stochastic frontier gravity model to see the impact of competitiveness (here measured by the NRCA index) on the efficiency of trade.
Prioritizing and Scheduling Conferences for Metadata Harvesting in dblp

Maintaining literature databases and online bibliographies is a core responsibility of metadata aggregators such as digital libraries. In the process of monitoring all the available data sources the question arises which data source should be prioritized. Based on a broad definition of information quality we are looking for different ways to find the best fitting and most promising conference candidates to harvest next. We evaluate different conference ranking features by using a pseudo-relevance assessment and a component-based evaluation of our approach.
Charting the unexplored extracellular matrix in cancer

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is present in all solid tissues and considered a master regulator of cell behaviour and phenotype. The importance of maintaining the correct biochemical and biophysical properties of the ECM, and the subsequent regulation of cell and tissue homeostasis, is illustrated by the simple fact that the ECM is highly dysregulated in many different types of disease, especially cancer. The loss of tissue ECM homeostasis and integrity is seen as one of the hallmarks of cancer and typically defines transitional events in progression and metastasis. The vast majority of cancer studies place an emphasis on exploring the behaviour and intrinsic signalling pathways of tumour cells. Their goal was to identify ways to target intracellular pathways regulating cancer. Cancer progression and metastasis are powerfully influenced by the ECM and thus present a vast, unexplored repository of anticancer targets that we are only just beginning to tap into. Deconstructing the complexity of the tumour ECM landscape and identifying the interactions between the many cell types, soluble factors and extracellular‐matrix proteins have proved challenging. Here, we discuss some of the emerging tools and platforms being used to catalogue and chart the ECM in cancer.
Depth energy image for gait symmetry quantification

This paper introduces a new quantification method for gait symmetry based on depth information acquired from a structured light system. First, the new concept of Depth Energy Image is introduced to better visualize gait asymmetry problems. Then a simple index is computed from this map to quantify motion symmetry. Results are presented for six subjects with and without gait problems. Since the method is markerless and cheap, it could be a very promising solution in the future for gait clinics.
Controlling compartmentalization by non-membrane-bound organelles

Compartmentalization is a characterizing feature of complexity in cells, used to organize their biochemistry. Membrane-bound organelles are most widely known, but non-membrane-bound liquid organelles also exist. These have recently been shown to form by phase separation of specific types of proteins known as scaffolds. This forms two phases: a condensate that is enriched in scaffold protein separated by a phase boundary from the cytoplasm or nucleoplasm with a low concentration of the scaffold protein. Phase separation is well known for synthetic polymers, but also appears important in cells. Here, we review the properties of proteins important for forming these non-membrane-bound organelles, focusing on the energetically favourable interactions that drive condensation. On this basis we make qualitative predictions about how cells may control compartmentalization by condensates; the partition of specific molecules to a condensate; the control of condensation and dissolution of condensates; and the regulation of condensate nucleation. There are emerging data supporting many of these predictions, although future results may prove incorrect. It appears that many molecules may have the ability to modulate condensate formation, making condensates a potential target for future therapeutics. The emerging properties of condensates are fundamentally unlike the properties of membrane-bound organelles. They have the capacity to rapidly integrate cellular events and act as a new class of sensors for internal and external environments. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Self-organization in cell biology’.
Correlation of TET2 SNP rs2454206 with improved survival in children with acute myeloid leukemia featuring intermediate‐risk cytogenetics

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may influence the disease course and outcome of hematologic neoplasms. SNP rs2454206 is common in the TET2 gene, which plays a role in epigenetic regulation of myelopoiesis. Few investigations examined the role of TET2 SNP rs2454206 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and none of those studies was performed in Chinese populations. Here, we report the prevalence and clinical relevance of TET2 SNP rs2454206 in 254 Chinese patients with childhood AML. Our data demonstrate that TET2 SNP rs2454206AG/GG is associated with improved overall survival and event‐free survival in AML patients with intermediate‐risk cytogenetics features. The prognostic impact of TET2 SNP rs2454206AG/GG was independent of other common AML risk factors, such as age, white blood cell count, and FLT3‐ITD. No difference in TET2 expression levels in AML with TET2 SNP rs2454206AA and TET2 SNP rs2454206AG/GG was detected, indicating that TET2 SNP rs2454206 status does not affect TET2 expression in pediatric AML.
Accurate landmarking from 3D facial scans by CNN and cascade regression

Facial landmarking locates the key facial feature points on facial data, which provides not only information on semantic facial structures, but also prior knowledge for other types of facial analysis. However, most of the existing works still focus on the 2D facial image which is quite sensitive to the lighting condition changes. In order to address this limitation, this paper proposed a coarse-to-fine method only based on the 3D facial scan data extracted from professional equipment to automatically and accurately estimate the landmark localization. Specifically, we firstly trained a convolutional neural network (CNN) to initialize the face landmarks instead of the mean shape. Then the proposed cascade regression networks learn the mapping function between 3D facial geometry feature and landmarks location. Tested on Bosphorus database, the experimental results demonstrated effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method for 22 landmarks. Compared with other methods, the results in several points demons.
All-fiber passively mode-locked laser using nonlinear multimode interference of step-index multimode fiber

We experimentally demonstrate for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, an all-fiber passively mode-locked laser operation based on the nonlinear multimode interference of step-index multimode fiber. Such a structure couples the light in and out of the multimode fiber via single-mode fibers, and its physical mechanisms for saturable absorption have been analyzed theoretically based on the third-order nonlinear Kerr effect of multimode fiber. Using the nonlinear multimode interference structure with 48.8 mm length step-index multimode fiber, the modulation depth has been measured to be ∼5%. The passively mode-locked laser output pulses have a central wavelength of 1596.66 nm, bandwidth of 2.18 nm, pulsewidth of ∼625 fs, and fundamental repetition rate of 8.726 MHz. Furthermore, the influence of total cavity dispersion on the optical spectrum, pulse width, and output power is investigated systematically by adding different lengths of single-mode fiber and dispersion compensation fiber in the laser cavity.
Trust, Cooperative Behavior and Economic Success: When Trust is the Capital of the Person?

This article presents the results of study dedicated to the interrelation of trust, cooperative behavior and the size of the winning prize in the multi-way decision modified prisoners’ dilemma. The experiment was organized using a specially designed computer program. The study involved six groups of participants and each group consisted of 7 players. The experiment consisted of a series of 15 rounds and included preliminary and final testing. The study found that cooperative behavior within the members in the group had fallen during 11 rounds, but there was a tendency to improve it. The trust level of an individual and his/her choice of cooperative strategy in the first series of the experiment are interrelated. Generalized trust is a rather stable construct, but it does not remain unchanged with an actual reduction of cooperative behavior.
Cotton-Wool-Like Resorbable Bone Void Fillers Containing β-TCP and Calcium Carbonate Particles

Cotton-wool-like bioresorbable bone void fillers consisting of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), siloxane-containing vaterite (SiV) and poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) was prepared by an electrospinning method. The fibers, which were 50 ~ 150 μm-width with 10 ~ 30 μm-thickness, were entwined. The resulting cotton-wool-like material showed mechanical flexibility and excellent shapability; it showed easy, excellent mechanical-fixation in defects. The in vivo performance of this material was examined in the distal femur in New Zealand white rabbits. It was evaluated using micro CT and histologic analyses at time points of 6 and 12 weeks. These analyses of the defect sites verified normal healing response and new bone formation. The in vivo testing with rabbits showed good biocompatibility and excellent osteogenic ability.
The Structure of the Antibiotic Deactivating, N-hydroxylating Rifampicin Monooxygenase*

Rifampicin monooxygenase (RIFMO) catalyzes the N-hydroxylation of the natural product antibiotic rifampicin (RIF) to 2′-N-hydroxy-4-oxo-rifampicin, a metabolite with much lower antimicrobial activity. RIFMO shares moderate sequence similarity with well characterized flavoprotein monooxygenases, but the protein has not been isolated and characterized at the molecular level. Herein, we report crystal structures of RIFMO from Nocardia farcinica, the determination of the oligomeric state in solution with small angle x-ray scattering, and the spectrophotometric characterization of substrate binding. The structure identifies RIFMO as a class A flavoprotein monooxygenase and is similar in fold and quaternary structure to MtmOIV and OxyS, which are enzymes in the mithramycin and oxytetracycline biosynthetic pathways, respectively. RIFMO is distinguished from other class A flavoprotein monooxygenases by its unique middle domain, which is involved in binding RIF. Small angle x-ray scattering analysis shows that RIFMO dimerizes via the FAD-binding domain to form a bell-shaped homodimer in solution with a maximal dimension of 110 Å. RIF binding was monitored using absorbance at 525 nm to determine a dissociation constant of 13 μm. Steady-state oxygen consumption assays show that NADPH efficiently reduces the FAD only when RIF is present, implying that RIF binds before NADPH in the catalytic scheme. The 1.8 Å resolution structure of RIFMO complexed with RIF represents the precatalytic conformation that occurs before formation of the ternary E-RIF-NADPH complex. The RIF naphthoquinone blocks access to the FAD N5 atom, implying that large conformational changes are required for NADPH to reduce the FAD. A model for these conformational changes is proposed.
Abrasive waterjet cutting of cladded material: kerf taper and MRR analysis

ABSTRACT Gas/plasma cutting of cladded materials provides inferior cut quality that demands subsequent finishing processes. Abrasive waterjet cutting could be a proficient alternate in terms of cut quality. However, the inherent problem of kerf taper and low material removal rate in comparison to the said thermal cutting processes limit its application. Therefore, potential of aforesaid machining process for cutting of stainless-clad steel is investigated with a prior focus on maximizing the material removal rate with minimum kerf taper. Abrasive mass flow, traverse speed, water pressure, and stand-off distance have been selected as input parameters. ANOVA analysis revealed that traverse rate as well as abrasive mass flow are the major contributing factors for both the responses. Optimal settings of parameters developed by S/N ratio analysis results in an improvement of 18.6% in material removal rate and 39% in the kerf taper. Moreover, regression models are developed and validated through various statistical tests.
HUSACCT: architecture compliance checking with rich sets of module and rule types

Architecture Compliance Checking (ACC) is an approach to verify the conformance of implemented program code to high-level models of architectural design. Static ACC focuses on the module views of architecture and especially on rules constraining the modular elements. This paper presents HUSACCT, a static ACC tool that adds extensive support for semantically rich modular architectures (SRMAs) to the current practice of static ACC tools. An SRMA contains modules of semantically different types, like layers and components, which are constrained by rules of different types. HUSACCT provides support for five commonly used types of modules and eleven types of rules. We describe and illustrate how basic and extensive support of these types is provided and how the support can be configured. In addition, we discuss the internal architecture of the tool.
Successful treatment of high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome with decitabine-based chemotherapy followed by haploidentical lymphocyte infusion

Rationale: The current therapy for elderly patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) remains unsatisfactory. Decitabine, which has been approved to treat MDS, cannot eliminate malignant clones of MDS. Patient concerns: A 68-year-old woman presented with multiple divergent bleeding points in the subcutaneous tissue of the limb. Two years earlier, she had been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast and had undergone left modified radical mastectomy and local radiation therapy. Diagnoses: The patient was diagnosed with MDS refractory anemia with excess of blast II and was classified as very high risk according to the revised international prognostic scoring system. Interventions: The chemotherapy regimen consisted of decitabine (20 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1–5), cytarabine (10 mg/m2 every 12 hours subcutaneously on days 1–5), aclarubicin hydrochloride (20 mg intravenously on days 1, 3, and 5), and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (250 &mgr;g/d subcutaneously from day 0 to day 5). Peripheral mononuclear cells from her son were infused at 36 hours after the end of each chemotherapy cycle. The patient received a total of 4 cycles of the therapy. Outcomes: The patient achieved complete remission after the first cycle of the treatment. There was no clinical evidence of MDS relapse as of 4 years after the completion of the treatment. Lessons: The results suggested that decitabine-based chemotherapy and haploidentical lymphocyte infusion may be act synergistically. Combination therapy is a suitable, safe, and effective treatment regimen for elderly patients with high-risk MDS.
eview s there a core neural network in empathy ? An fMRI based quantitative eta-analysis

Whilst recent neuroimaging studies have identified a series of different brain regions as being involved in empathy, it remains unclear concerning the activation consistence of these brain regions and their specific functional roles. Using MKDA, a whole-brain based quantitative meta-analysis of recent fMRI studies of empathy was performed. This analysis identified the dACC-aMCC-SMA and bilateral anterior insula as being consistently activated in empathy. Hypothesizing that what are here termed affective–perceptual and cognitive–evaluative forms of empathy might be characterized by different activity patterns, the neural activations in these forms of empathy were compared. The dorsal aMCC was demonstrated to be recruited more frequently in the cognitive–evaluative form of empathy, whilst the right anterior insula was found to be involved in the affective–perceptual form of empathy only. The left anterior insula was active in both forms of empathy. It was concluded that the dACC-aMCC-SMA and bilateral insula can be
Current approaches for the treatment of male infertility with stem cell therapy

Infertility is the inability to conceive after having regular unprotected sexual intercourse for more than 12 months and it can be caused by reproductive problems of men, women, or both, but sometimes the cause of infertility is unknown. At least 30 million men around the world suffer from infertility, most of whom are in Africa and Eastern Europe. Since infertility problems can have devastating emotional effects on couples as well as negative effects on the society, treatment of infertility is very important, as a result of which many studies have been carried out in this field and many treatments have been proposed. Recently, due to several advances in infertility treatments, more than 80% of infertile couples now have children. Among these treatments, stem cells as undifferentiated cells and because of their self‐renewing and high differentiating potential have been considered by researchers. This review explained different types of male infertility and various therapies, with emphasis on stem cells therapy.
Progressive bone mineral content loss in children with intractable epilepsy treated with the ketogenic diet.

BACKGROUND The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, and protein diet that effectively treats intractable epilepsy (IE). OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to measure the change in bone mineral content (BMC) in children with IE treated with the KD for 15 mo. DESIGN Prepubertal children >or=5 y of age with IE were eligible. A 4:1 ketogenic diet was maintained for 15 mo, and whole-body and spine BMCs were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Z scores were generated by comparing the children with IE with a cohort of 847 healthy children. Other measurements included demographics, anthropometry, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), intact parathyroid hormone, electrolytes, and dietary intake. All measurements were performed at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and 15 mo. Longitudinal mixed effects models were used to analyze change in BMC over time. RESULTS Twenty-five children (9 girls, 16 boys) with IE [age (x +/- SD): 7.3 +/- 1.9 y] participated. Growth and bone health status were suboptimal as were serum 25-OHD concentrations and dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D. Whole-body and spine BMC-for-age both declined by 0.6 z score/y and whole-body and spine BMC-for-height declined 0.7 z score/y and 0.4 z score/y, respectively. Height declined 0.5 z score/y. Body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)) z score, age, and ambulation were positive predictors of BMC, which declined sharply over 15 mo of KD treatment. CONCLUSION Bone health in children with IE was poor, particularly for younger nonambulatory children with low BMI status. The KD resulted in progressive loss of BMC. The mechanism is unclear. Further studies are needed.
Peri-Operative Pulmonary Hypertension in Paediatric Patients: Current Strategies in Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is responsible for pulmonary hypertension (PH) in children in about 50% of cases. This pre-operative dynamic pulmonary hypertension can be superimposed and aggravated by acute post-operative PH or persist as chronic PH, especially in children who are not operated on early enough. Inhaled iloprost, a stable prostacyclin analogue, is used for the post-operative management of PH in infants and children with CHD. In a prospective open-label proof-of-concept study, the efficacies of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and inhaled iloprost were directly compared. Primary endpoints were the occurrence of a major or minor pulmonary hypertensive crisis. No significant difference between the effects of iNO versus iloprost on peri-operative PH was observed. Neither substance on its own prevented pulmonary hypertensive crises in high-risk infants, so a combination of both substances should be tested in future trials. In China, there are more than 4 million untreated CHD patients. More than 50% of them are untreated adults. Acute pulmonary vasoreactivity tests were performed in CHD patients between 9 months and 43 years of age using inhaled iloprost, in order to find out whether a pre-operative response to inhaled iloprost is a good predictor for the post-operative performance of these patients. The results showed that patient selection criteria for surgery should include both a 20% reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) index after iloprost inhalation and a resulting PVR index <11 Wood U/m2. CHD children between 14 days and 11 years of age took part in a placebo-controlled pilot study that investigated the role of aerosolized iloprost in the treatment of PH after corrective surgery. They received either low- or high-dose iloprost or placebo. Inhaled iloprost significantly improved haemodynamics in a dose-dependent manner and prevented reactive PH and pulmonary hypertensive crises in most of these mechanically ventilated children after CHD repair.