Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceptual evaluation of motor speech following treatment for childhood cerebellar tumour

The speech characteristics, oromotor function and speech intelligibility of a group of children treated for cerebellar tumour (CT) was investigated perceptually. Assessment of these areas was performed on 11 children treated for CT with dysarthric speech as well as 21 non‐neurologically impaired controls matched for age and sex to obtain a comprehensive perceptual profile of their speech and oromotor mechanism. Contributing to the perception of dysarthria were a number of deviant speech dimensions including imprecision of consonants, hoarseness and decreased pitch variation, as well as a reduction in overall speech intelligibility for both sentences and connected speech. Oromotor assessment revealed deficits in lip, tongue and laryngeal function, particularly relating to deficits in timing and coordination of movements. The most salient features of the dysarthria seen in children treated for CT were the mild nature of the speech disorder and clustering of speech deficits in the prosodic, phonatory and articulatory aspects of speech production.
Impact of extending device longevity on the long-term costs of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy: a modelling study with a 15-year time horizon.

AIMS To determine the long-term costs of extending device longevity in four patient populations requiring a single-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or requiring cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillation (CRT-D) device over a 15-year time window. METHODS AND RESULTS We considered patient populations with an accepted indication for a single-chamber ICD for prevention of sudden cardiac death in the context of preserved (Population A) or impaired (Population B) left ventricular function; or with indication for a CRT-D device in the context of heart failure in New York Heart Association class II (Population C) or III (Population D). Expected patient survival and a cost analysis, including the cost of complications, was undertaken from a hospital perspective. Extended device longevity of 5 vs. 9 years for ICDs (Populations A and B); 4 vs. 7 years for CRT-Ds (Populations C and D) were considered. Over a 15-year time horizon, total, yearly, and per diem savings, per patient, from extending ICD longevity to 9 years were €10 926.91, €728.46, and €1.99 for Population A, and €7661.32, €510.75, and €1.40 for Population B. Total, yearly, and per diem savings from extending CRT-D longevity to 7 years were €13 630.38, €908.69, and €2.49 for Population C, and €10 968.29, €731.22, and €2.00 for Population D. Avoidance of a generator replacement amounted up to 46.6-62.5% of the saving. CONCLUSION Extending device longevity has an important effect on the long-term cost of device therapy, both for ICD and CRT-D. This has important implications for device choice.
Rehabilitation of Frontal/Executive Impairments in Schizophrenia

Objective: A relatively high prevalence of deficits in cognitive flexibility, working memory and planning ability has been reported in schizophrenia patients. The objective was to develop a rehabilitation training program in an attempt to improve these specific cognitive functions. Method: The deficits in cognitive flexibility, working memory and planning ability were interpreted as reflecting executive cognitive processing impairments secondary to prefrontal neural system dysfunction. Following the ‘process specific’ approach, it was considered important to develop tasks that hypothesised the exercise of these cognitive abilities and the more molecular information processes thought to be fundamental to these abilities. Care was taken to ensure that all tasks involved the practice of processes thought to activate frontal/prefrontal neural systems. Attentional, visual, verbal, conceptual, motor and fine motor tasks were considered important for each process area in order to involve as many functional modalities as possible. Results: A program comprising cognitive shift, working memory and planning modules was developed. Conducted over 11 weeks, four modules were of 2 weeks' duration, and the fifth of 3 weeks' duration. Four individual 1 hour training sessions were conducted each week. Core elements of the modules are described. Conclusion: Consisting predominantly of pencil and paper information processing exercises, all of the training exercises are presented in the volumes of the Frontal/Executive Program. The program appears to be user-friendly with therapists now successfully delivering the program, in its entirety, to schizophrenia patients. Should future studies replicate preliminary findings of improved neurocognitive performance following training with the program, such findings would have important implications for the treatment of schizophrenia.
Movement and Working Memory: Patterns and Positions in Space

Five experiments are reported in which subjects were asked to remember short, visually presented sequences of whole body movement patterns, words, and spatial positions. The items were recalled in order in a memory span paradigm. During presentation of the items to be remembered subjects simply watched, or they carried out a concurrent activity involving articulatory suppression, movement to external spatial targets, or body-related movement. When the movement patterns to be remembered were familiar to subjects, movement span was not disrupted by articulatory suppression or movement to spatial targets but was disrupted by body-related movement. This movement suppression task, however, did not interfere with performance on a spatial span task or on verbal span. It is concluded that the memory for patterns of limb movement differs from memory for movement to spatial targets and that accounts of visuo-spatial processes in working memory involve the latter type of movement.
High throughput flow cytometry based yeast two‐hybrid array approach for large‐scale analysis of protein‐protein interactions

The analysis of protein‐protein interactions is a key focus of proteomics efforts. The yeast two‐hybrid system (Y2H) has been the most commonly used method in genome‐wide searches for protein interaction partners. However, the throughput of the current yeast two‐hybrid array approach is hampered by the involvement of the time‐consuming LacZ assay and/or the incompatibility of liquid handling automation due to the requirement for selection of colonies/diploids on agar plates. To facilitate large‐scale Y2H assays, we report a novel array approach by coupling a GFP reporter based Y2H system with high throughput flow cytometry that enables the processing of a 96‐well plate in as little as 3 min. In this approach, the yEGFP reporter has been established in both AH109 (MATa) and Y187 (MATα) reporter cells. It not only allows the generation of two copies of GFP reporter genes in diploid cells, but also allows the convenient determination of self‐activators generated from both bait and prey constructs by flow cytometry. We demonstrate a Y2H array assay procedure that is carried out completely in liquid media in 96‐well plates by mating bait and prey cells in liquid YPD media, selecting the diploids containing positive interaction pairs in selective media and analyzing the GFP reporter directly by flow cytometry. We have evaluated this flow cytometry based array procedure by showing that the interaction of the positive control pair P53/T is able to be reproducibly detected at 72 hr postmating compared with the negative control pairs. We conclude that our flow cytometry based yeast two‐hybrid approach is robust, convenient, quantitative, and is amenable to large‐scale analysis using liquid‐handling automation. © 2011 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Could 13C MRI assist clinical decision‐making for patients with heart disease?

Even at this early stage of development, it is clear that the imaging of hyperpolarized 13C‐enriched molecules and their metabolic products offers a new approach to the study of the physiology and disease of the heart. The technology is practical in humans and, for this reason, we consider whether a role in clinical decision‐making should motivate further development. The range of interventions available to treat coronary and valvular heart disease is already extensive, and new options are imminent. Yet the appropriate management of patients with left ventricular dysfunction can be challenging because the mechanism of reduced function may be unclear and the ability of the ventricle to respond to therapy may be difficult to predict. Pyruvate is a promising early target for development as a diagnostic agent because it lies at a critical branch point in cardiac biochemistry. The rate of metabolism of hyperpolarized pyruvate to CO2 relative to lactate may prove to be a useful indicator of preserved mitochondrial function, and therefore provide a specific signal of viable myocardium. Other species including physiological substrates and nonphysiological molecules may provide additional information. Once suitable technology becomes available, it is likely that clinical research will progress quickly. The ability to monitor directly specific metabolic pathways may lead to an improvement in the selection of patients who will benefit from interventions, pharmacologic or otherwise. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temperature can shape a cline in polyandry, but only genetic variation can sustain it over time

Lay Summary Cooler temperatures can cause female insects to mate more often, but genetic background still has strong control over long-term behavior. How often females mate has major impacts on conflict, cooperation, and how disease spreads within populations. We found that females mate more often when it is colder, which explains why females in northern populations mate more often than in southern ones. However, genetic background strongly determines the long-term patterns of female behavior within and across populations.
Properties of Tablets Containing Granulations of Ibuprofen and an Acrylic Copolymer Prepared by Thermal Processes

The objective of this study was to investigate the properties of tablets containing granulations of ibuprofen (Ibu) and Ammonio Methacrylate Copolymer, Type B (Eudragit RS PO) prepared by hot-melt processing. Tablets were compressed from granules prepared by hot-melt granulation (HMG) or direct compression (DC). For the hot-melt extrusion (HME) process, tablets were prepared by cutting the extrudate, manually. The physicochemical properties of tablets were investigated using thermal analysis, powder X-ray diffraction analysis, tablet hardness, and drug dissolution. The effect of thermal treatment of tablets on the dissolution characteristics of Ibu was also investigated. The results demonstrated that the Ibu lowered the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the Eudragit RS PO and the softened polymer functioned as a thermal binder in the granulation. Ibu was demonstrated to be an effective plasticizer for Eudragit RS PO in the thermal processes. The efficiency of the granulation process increased with increasing levels of Eudragit RS PO in the powder blend. Higher levels of Eudragit RS PO in the tablets prepared by HMG or HME resulted in a decrease in the dissolution rate of the Ibu. An increase in the amount of Ibu in the tablets prepared by HMG or DC led to a decrease in the initial dissolution rate of the Ibu. Following the thermal treatment of the Ibu tablets prepared by HMG, the dissolution rate was significantly decreased due to structural changes in the tablets that resulted from the fusion and coalescence of plasticized polymer particles, causing a reduction in tablet porosity. The Ibu tablets prepared by HME demonstrated minimal changes in their release properties following thermal treatment even at temperatures higher than the Tg of the polymer. HME was shown to be a novel method to prepare matrix tablets and stable dissolution properties were obtained when tablets were stored at 40°C for 30 days.
Acquired type I von Willebrand's disease associated with highly substituted hydroxyethyl starch.

To the Editor: High-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starches (hetastarches) can cause acquired type I von Willebrand's disease.1 A case has also occurred after treatment with medium-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starches (pentastarches). 2 We analyzed all patients with hemostatic disorders that occurred during treatment with pentastarch (Elohes and Hesteril, Fresenius, Paris; and Lomol, Dupont, Wilmington, Del.) and that were spontaneously reported to the 31 French regional drug-monitoring centers. Nine cases of hemostatic disorders were reported between 1990 and 1997 (Table 1). All patients were treated with Elohes as hemodilution therapy (for vasospasm secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage). Of the nine patients, six had a diagnosis of acquired .
Interleukin 10 ( EL , . 10 ) Inhibits Cytokine Synthesis by Human Monocytes : An Autoregulatory Role of IL-10 Produced by Monocytes By Ren 6 de

In the present study we demonstrate that human monocytes activated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were able to produce high levels of interleukin 10 (I1-10), previously designated cytokine synthesis inhibitory factor (CSIF), in a dose dependent fashion. I1-10 was detectable 7 h after activation of the monocytes and maximal levels of I1-10 production were observed after 24--48 h. These kinetics indicated that the production of Ibl0 by human monocytes was relatively late as compared to the production of IDiot, I1-1/3, I1. -6, I1-8, tumor necrosis factor ot(TNFot), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), which were all secreted at high levels 4-8 h after activation. The production of I1-10 by LPS activated monocytes was, similar to that of ILlot, FL-1/3, l'b6, I1-8, TNFc~ granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and G-CSF, inhibited by II-4. Furthermore we demonstrate here that I1-10, added to monocytes, activated by interferon 3r LPS, or combinations of LPS and IFN-3' at the onset of the cultures, strongly inhibited the production of I1-1ot, I1-1B, I1-6, I1-8, TNFOt, GM-CSF, and G-CSF at the transcriptional level. Viral-I1-10, which has similar biological activities on human cells, also inhibited the production of TNFOt and GM-CSF by monocytes following LPS activation. Activation of monocytes by LPS in the presence of neutralizing anti-I1-10 monoclonal antibodies resulted in the production of higher amounts of cytokines relative to LPS treatment alone, indicating that endogenously produced I1-10 inhibited the production of I1-1ot, I1-1B, I1-6, I1-8, TNFot, GM-CSF, and G-CSF. In addition, I1-10 had autoregulatory effects since it strongly inhibited I1-10 mRNA synthesis in LPS activated monocytes. Furthermore, endogenously produced I1-10 was found to be responsible for the reduction in class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression following activation of monocytes with LPS. Taken together our results indicate that I1-10 has important regulatory effects on immunological and inflammatory responses because of its capacity to down.regulate class II MHC expression and to inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines by monocytes.
Development of Web-based System for a Cohort Study - The Brazilian e-NutriHS

This study describes a web-based system developed to gather online information on health of college students and graduates in nutrition, the e-NutriHS. The Nutrititionist Health Study â NutriHS is planned to be a cohort study aiming to collect health-related data at a 3-year interval. The e-NutriHS consists of 6 questionnaires regarding demographic and socioeconomic data, dietary habits, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco uses, anti-fat attitudes and personal and family histories. Validated and internationally recognized lifestyle instruments were used. Our software and respective database are hosted in the School of Public Health server; the software is based on free programming languages. e-NutriHS data obtained from questionnaires can be transferred to excel format. An e-NutriHS prototype was created preceding online attachment. An improved version of website was released based on 20 volunteersâ opinions. 503 users were already registered. Our initiative of building a website designed for collecting data for epidemiological studies, tailored to our local reality, is innovative under the perspective of the health informatics available in the developing world. Considering that web-based systems produce reliable data, are easy to use, less costly and less time-consuming, we conclude that our experience deserves to be shared, particularly with middleincome economy countries.
Investigation of the Phytochemicals, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activity of the Andrographis paniculata Leaf and Stem Extracts

Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh) has been considered as a medicinal shrub and used as a medicinal plant in the remote areas of Bangladesh. A. paniculata leaf and stem extracts were prepared using the polar (i.e., water, and 70% ethanol) and nonpolar (i.e., hexane) solvents. The phytochemical contents, total phenol contents (TPC), antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity of all the extracts of A. paniculata leaf and stem were investigated. Both the gram-positive (i.e., Bacillus subtillis) and gram-negative (i.e., E. coli, and Salmonella typhi) strains of bacteria were used for the antibacterial activity assay of the sample extracts. The ethanolic stem extracts contained the maximum amount of TPC when compared to that of the leaf extracts. However, the aqueous stem extracts had the highest free radical scavenging activity in vitro. The extracts prepared from A. paniculata stem showed better antibacterial activity against all the strains of bacteria (i.e., E. coli, S. typhi, and B. subtillis) when compared to that of the leaf extracts. More specifically, the aqueous stem extract showed superior antibacterial effect against E. coli, and B. subtillis, and the zones of inhibition were 21 mm, and 29 mm in diameter, respectively. On the other hand, the ethanolic stem extract showed the maximum antibacterial activity against S. typhi and the zone of inhibition was 8.15 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value and IC50 value for all the A. paniculata extracts were ~0.05 μg/μL, and ~1 μg/μL, respectively.
Development of a Korean Version of the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Depression for Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Objective Cognitive symptoms are an important component of depression and the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Depression is one of only a few instruments available for the subjective assessment of cognitive dysfunction in depression. Thus, the present study aimed to validate a Korean version of the PDQ-D (K-PDQ-D) using patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods This study included 128 MDD patients who were assessed at study entry and 86 of these patients were then completed 12 weeks of antidepressant monotherapy. All subjects were assessed with the K-PDQ-D, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), the EuroQol-5 dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D), and the number of sick leave days taken in the previous week. The internal consistency, Guttman’s split-half and test-retest reliabilities, factorial analyses, and concurrent and predictive validities of the K-PDQ-D were investigated. Results The K-PDQ-D exhibited excellent internal consistency and reliabilities, and was composed of four factors with high coefficients of determination. The concurrent validity analyses revealed that the K-PDQ-D scores were significantly correlated with the MADRS, SDS, and EQ-5D scores and the number of sick leave days taken. The K-PDQ-D scores at study entry significantly predicted changes in sick leave days and EQ-5D score from study entry to the 12-week endpoint. Conclusion The newly developed K-PDQ-D is a reliable and valid instrument for the evaluation of subjective cognitive symptoms in MDD patients. The K-PDQ-D may assist in the gathering of unique information regarding subjective cognitive complaints, which is important for the comprehensive evaluation of patients with MDD.
Automatically identifying instances of change in diachronic corpus data

With the increasing availability of diachronic corpora, machine-aided identification of linguistic items that have undergone significant change is set to become an important task. This importance is heightened further if, as Hilpert and Gries (2009:386) have argued, approaching linguistic change in a data-driven manner can reveal otherwise unnoticed phenomena. Key to this endeavour is being able to tell apart relevant change from noise and random or other synchronic variation. This non-trivial task differs in important ways from the much more widely investigated comparison of linguistic features between two (usually contemporary) corpora and has to date not received the attention it should perhaps be afforded. In this paper, a number of methods for identifying relevant change are reviewed and a procedure suggested which has not so far been documented. This new procedure is based on a simple chi-square test for goodness of fit, combined with additional parameters. Its operation is illustrated using the example of a study conducted to investigate motivation of recent and ongoing change in Multi-word Expressions (MWEs) using data taken from the 20-million word Swiss Text Corpus (STC). The STC is a corpus of 20th century written German as used in Switzerland (Bickel et al 2009). Results of the application of the proposed method indicate that the procedure yields high-quality instances of significant change in the data and is applicable to MWEs as well as a range of other linguistic items. It is able to identify instances of change with fewer arbitrary decisions and able to identify a wider range of different types of change than other suggested methods. Additionally, it shows that both the structure of the data as well as particular research interests will guide the choice of method used to identify relevant change.
An I / OE � cient Bu ↵ er Batch Replacement Policy for Update-Intensive Graph Databases

With the proliferation of graph based applications, such as social network management and Web structure mining, update-intensive graph databases have become an important component of today’s data management platforms. Several techniques have been recently proposed to exploit locality on both data organization and computational model in graph databases. However, little investigation has been conducted on bu↵er management of graph databases. To the best of our knowledge, current bu↵er managers of graph databases su↵er performance loss caused by unnecessary random I/O access. To solve this problem, we develop a novel batch replacement policy for bu↵er management. This policy enables us to maximally exploit sequential I/O to improve the performance of graph database. To enable the policy, we devise a segment tree based bu↵er manager to e ciently maintains optimal replacement plan. Extensive experiments on real-world and synthetic datasets demonstrate the superiority of our method.