Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abnormal perilesional BOLD signal is not correlated with stroke patients’ behavior

Several functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of acute stroke have reported that patients with behavioral deficits show abnormal signal in intact regions of the damaged hemisphere close to the lesion border relative to homologous regions of the patient’s intact hemisphere (causing an interhemispheric imbalance) as well as analogous regions in healthy controls. These effects have been interpreted as demonstrating a causal relationship between the abnormal fMRI signal and the pathological behavior. Here we explore an alternative explanation: perhaps the abnormal Blood-Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) fMRI signal is merely a function of distance from the acute lesion. To investigate this hypothesis, we examined three patients with an acute right hemisphere cortical stroke who did not show any overt behavioral deficits, as well as nine healthy elderly controls. We acquired fMRI data while the participants performed a simple visual orientation judgment task. In patients, we observed an abnormal interhemispheric balance consisting of lower levels of percent signal change in perilesional areas of the damaged hemisphere relative to homologous areas in neurologically healthy controls. This suggests that the physiological changes and corresponding interhemispheric imbalance detected by fMRI BOLD in acute stroke observed close to the lesion border may not necessarily reflect changes in the neural function, nor necessarily influence the individuals’ (e.g., attentional) behavior.
Clinical outcomes of neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy evaluated with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE Detection of early phase neurological deficit in babies with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the most important step to determine the appropriate preventive treatment methods. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is the most sensitive radiological modality to detect ischemic changes in the brain, in their earliest phase. Herein, we present the results of our study about the role of DWI in the diagnosis and determining the prognosis of HIE in neonates. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 36 cases (4 preterm, 32 term babies) who were diagnosed with HIE within 24 hours of birth and classified according to modified Sarnat staging. They were examined for the presence of neurological sequelae at 3 and 6 months of age with electroencephalography (EEG), visual evoked potential (VEP), brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP), and Denver II developmental screening tests. All 36 patients underwent conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and DWI within the first 24 hours of birth; survivors underwent repetitive imaging exams at the end of the first week and then after a month. RESULTS Seventeen stage I cases (47%), 12 stage II cases (33%), and 7 stage III cases (20%) were detected. DWI obtained within the first 24 hours showed high sensitivity (100%) in detecting the permanent neurological sequelae but with very low specificity (20%). The negative predictive value of DWI in this period was 100%; however, in DWI obtained at the end of the first month, not only its sensitivity was preserved, but its specificity reached 80%. The negative predictive value of DWI in this period was preserved and the positive predictive value improved. The importance of DWI in detecting sequelae at the end of the first month was also demonstrated by McNemar (p=0.250) and Kappa (Kappa=0.719) tests. There was no difference between conventional MR imaging and DWI in detecting sequelae at the end of first month. CONCLUSION DWI is superior to other imaging modalities in detecting ischemia; not only because of its high sensitivity in the early phase, but also because of its high sensitivity and specificity in the late phase. Moreover, with its high negative predictive value, DWI can be used for excluding the possibility of sequelae development in the early phase of HIE cases for medico-legal purposes.
Using Web Search Query Data to Monitor Dengue Epidemics: A New Model for Neglected Tropical Disease Surveillance

Background A variety of obstacles including bureaucracy and lack of resources have interfered with timely detection and reporting of dengue cases in many endemic countries. Surveillance efforts have turned to modern data sources, such as Internet search queries, which have been shown to be effective for monitoring influenza-like illnesses. However, few have evaluated the utility of web search query data for other diseases, especially those of high morbidity and mortality or where a vaccine may not exist. In this study, we aimed to assess whether web search queries are a viable data source for the early detection and monitoring of dengue epidemics. Methodology/Principal Findings Bolivia, Brazil, India, Indonesia and Singapore were chosen for analysis based on available data and adequate search volume. For each country, a univariate linear model was then built by fitting a time series of the fraction of Google search query volume for specific dengue-related queries from that country against a time series of official dengue case counts for a time-frame within 2003–2010. The specific combination of queries used was chosen to maximize model fit. Spurious spikes in the data were also removed prior to model fitting. The final models, fit using a training subset of the data, were cross-validated against both the overall dataset and a holdout subset of the data. All models were found to fit the data quite well, with validation correlations ranging from 0.82 to 0.99. Conclusions/Significance Web search query data were found to be capable of tracking dengue activity in Bolivia, Brazil, India, Indonesia and Singapore. Whereas traditional dengue data from official sources are often not available until after some substantial delay, web search query data are available in near real-time. These data represent valuable complement to assist with traditional dengue surveillance.
Effect of combined axial compressive and anterior tibial loads on in situ forces in the anterior cruciate ligament: A porcine study

This study investigated the impact of a combination of axial compressive and anterior‐posterior tibial loads on the in situ forces in the anterior cruciate ligament. An axial compressive load is believed to contribute to increased stability of the knee joint; however, its effect on in situ forces in the anterior cruciate ligament has not been clearly defined, to our knowledge. It was hypothesized that the application of an axial compressive load, when combined with an anterior tibial load, would result in larger in situ forces in the anterior cruciate ligament than those caused by an isolated anterior tibial load. With use of a porcine knee model, the results confirmed this hypothesis; the addition of a 200 N axial compressive load to a 100 N anterior tibial load increased knee stability by reducing anterior‐posterior tibial translation and internal‐external tibial rotation and also caused a significant increase in in situ forces in the anterior cruciate ligament (p < 0.05). Specifically, there was a 34% increase in the in situ force at 30° of flexion, a 68% increase at 60° of flexion, and an 84% increase at 90° of flexion compared with those for an isolated anterior tibial load of 100 N. Additionally, there was a statistically significant increase of the in situ forces in the anterior cruciate ligament at 60 and 90° as compared with those at 30°. These results suggest that axial compressive loads on the knee may play a role in injury of the anterior cruciate ligament when the knee is flexed.
Executive abilities for the planning of sequential motor actions performed under time and space constraints : a visuo-spatial tapping task

In a constant changing environment, executive abilities allow us to organize sensory information of multiple sources and to adapt to diverse stuations while at the same time inhibiting inappropriate behaviors. research on the executive functions (EFS) have historical roots on neuropsychology, with the description of frontal patients that were showing disruptions in organizing their daily behaviors independently of any impairment in memory, language or general intelligence. A wide range of neuropsychological tools is used today to evaluate executive abilities : tower of London for planning, go-no-go for inhibition, etc. However, the classical tasks often present methodological limitations and they lack of correpondence between process and behavior. Furthermore, the field lacks of a compelling theory that make links between the EFS themselves. The present PHD work was an attempt to propose a novel task to assess the EFS in the place of the classical batteries of neuropsychological tasks. After offering an overview of the EF literature and presenting simple motor tasks that seem to target similar EFS than those described in neuropsychology (Ch1), I present the spatial-tapping task as a challenging paradigm to understand the relationships between the different EFS (Ch2), and its potential to be used in clinical settings (Ch3). The I present how a similar approach can be used to investigate how EFS intervenes in the control of more complex motor sequences, E.G. bi-manual tasks (Ch4). Overall, the results presented here support an emboided perspective of cognition with mental organization reflecting the way one plans motor sequences for adaptive behavior.
Quality of Life and Healthcare Resource Use Associated With Angiographic Vasospasm After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose— In this analysis of data from a large clinical trial in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, the impact of angiographic vasospasm (aVSP) on specific patient outcomes and inpatient healthcare resource use was assessed. Methods— This was a post hoc analysis of exploratory end points collected for 409 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the Clazosentan to Overcome Neurological Ischemia and Infarction Occurring After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (CONSCIOUS-1) trial. Central reviewers graded severity of aVSP as none, mild, moderate, or severe based on comparison of catheter angiograms obtained at baseline and 7 to 11 days after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Assessments of cognitive status (Mini-Mental State Examination) and patient-relevant outcomes (EuroQol total score and visual analog scale and Functional Status Examination) were administered at Week 12. The relationship between severity of aVSP and these end points as well as inpatient healthcare resource use (intensive care, general ward, and total hospital lengths of stay) was assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results— Cognitive status and all patient-relevant outcome measures varied significantly (P<0.0001) with severity of aVSP (mean for severe aVSP versus no aVSP, respectively: Mini-Mental State Examination, 18.0 versus 27.6; EuroQol total, 0.38 versus 0.74; EuroQol visual analog scale, 50.9 versus 75.5; Functional Status Examination, 20.5 versus 11.7). A significant inverse relationship with severity of aVSP was observed for total hospital days (P=0.008) and days in the intensive care unit (P<0.0001). On average, patients with severe aVSP stayed in the hospital 5 days longer than those with no aVSP. Conclusions— Severe aVSP is associated with poor cognition, worse patient-relevant outcomes, and greater inpatient healthcare resource use. Future studies assessing new aVSP treatments should include outcome measures that evaluate quality of recovery among survivors.
Multilevel lumbar transverse process fractures in a professional association football player: a case report

We present a case of multilevel lumbar transverse process fracture in a professional association football player, incurred after a fall from height during competitive play. Traditionally associated with high impact trauma in the general population, this injury is relatively rare in the context of professional football where it is more likely to be associated with lower impact trauma. We outline our experience of mechanism of injury, treatment options and recovery time serving as a guide for fellow clinicians when treating this condition in practice. In this particular case, the return to play time was 68 days.
Role of extracorporeal life support after pulmonary endarterectomy: a single-centre experience.

OBJECTIVES Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) for rescue after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) has become a viable option. This study aims to present a single-centre experience looking at the indications and outcome of ECLS after PEA. METHODS Retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing PEA from January 2008 to January 2015 in our institution. RESULTS Among 144 consecutive patients undergoing PEA for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, 6 (4%) received ECLS postoperatively for right ventricular (RV) failure (n = 3), severe hypoxaemia (n = 2) and haemorrhagic pulmonary oedema (n = 1). ECLS configuration was central veno-arterial (cVA) in 3 patients, peripheral VA (pVA) in 1 and veno-venous (VV) in 2. One patient with cVA was switched to VV after 5 days. Overall ECLS duration ranged between 3 and 39 (median 5) days. ECLS patients had higher preoperative total pulmonary vascular resistance (TPR) compared with non-ECLS patients (1477 ± 671 vs 954 ± 462 Dynes.s.cm(-5), P = 0.009) and more frequently required hospital admission for RV failure before surgery (50 vs 9%, P = 0.02). The overall in-hospital mortality rate for all patients was 2% (3/144), including one ECLS patient on pVA. The remaining 5 ECLS patients (83%) were discharged from the hospital and are alive after a median follow-up of 11 (range 6-27) months. Two ECLS patients (40%) are on therapy for residual PH compared with 13 (10%) in the non-ECLS patients (P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS ECLS is a safe and important rescue option after PEA. The use of ECLS may expand eligibility for PEA by allowing sicker patients to undergo surgery.
Linear analysis and 3D hybrid simulation study of z-pinch instabilities in the presence of nonideal MHD effects

The development of z-pinch instabilities in the presence of the Hall term, finite Larmor radius effects (FLR), and axial magnetic field is being investigated. The linear stage of instability development is studied with linearized magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations based on the Hall fluid model. Results for linear growth rates as a function of axial sheared flow, axial magnetic field, and the Hall term, with an emphasis on the sausage and kink instabilities, are reported. We also present simulations performed with the 3D version of the hybrid code based on the CAM-CL algorithm Matthews, AP (1994) These simulations serve the dual purpose of comparing with the linear Hall MHD analysis and of investigating the nonlinear stage of instability development with a kinetic model. The overall aim is to characterize the combined influence of sheared axial flow, the Hall term, axial magnetic field, and finite Larmor radius (FLR) effects on the development of sausage and kink modes. Calculations have been carried out in several regimes with respect to the Hall parameter /spl epsiv/=c//spl omega//sub pi/r/sub 0/ (c is the speed of light, Opi is the ion plasma frequency and r/sub 0/ is the plasma radius), with and without axial magnetic field. The axial magnetic field used in the calculations has been varied from Br/sub 0z/=0 to Br/sub 0z/=0.5, where the amplitude of the axial magnetic field is measured relative to the azimuthal magnetic field created by the axial current in the z-pinch. We have also initiated 3D hybrid simulations to study the time development of density and magnetic field profiles produced in the process of long pulse Z-pinch implosions in Saturn. Apruzese, JP et al. (2001). The 3D hybrid code allows for multiple ion species with multiple charges. This code also contains term with finite resistivity in the magnetic field equation. We can thus model realistic wire array loads with wires composed of different materials, for example Al (95%) and Mg (5%), like in Saturn.
T cell costimulation by B7/BB1 induces CD8 T cell-dependent tumor rejection: an important role of B7/BB1 in the induction, recruitment, and effector function of antitumor T cells

A successful antitumor T cell immune response involves induction, recruitment, and effector function of T cells. While B7/BB1 is known as a major costimulatory molecule in the induction of T cell responses, its role in T cell recruitment and effector function is still unclear. In this study, we show that introducing a major costimulatory molecule B7/BB1 into a major histocompatibility complex class II-negative tumor cell line, J558, results in a drastic reduction of its tumorigenicity. The tumor rejection depends on CD8 T cells but not CD4 T cells. However, unlike the previous reports on melanoma cell lines, B7/BB1- transfected J558 cells fail to induce cross-protection against parental J558 cells. The B7/BB1-transfected (J558-B7), but not untransfected J558 cells (J558-Neo) induce a CD8 T cell-dominant inflammatory response, and the T cells isolated from the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are polyclonal in terms of their T cell receptor V beta usage. Most surprisingly, the freshly prepared TIL have a potent, CD8 T cell-mediated cytotoxicity on tumor cells without any in vitro stimulation. The cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity can be blocked by anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Interestingly, the CTL lyse J558- B7 about 10- to 80-fold more efficiently than untransfected J558-Neo cells. This preferential lysis cannot be attributed to recognition of B7/BB1-derived antigen by the T cells. This finding, together with the lack of the cross-protection between the J558-B7 and J558-Neo, suggests that B7/BB1 can also function at the effector phase of CTL responses. This notion is confirmed by our findings that the lysis of J558-B7 can be blocked by anti-B7 mAbs. Taken together, our results indicate that not only can the B7/BB1 molecule function as a costimulatory molecule at the initiation of immune response, it can also play a major role in T cell recruitment and effector function. This conclusion has significant implications for immunotherapy of tumors.
High Dynamics and Precision Optical Measurement Using a Position Sensitive Detector (PSD) in Reflection-Mode: Application to 2D Object Tracking over a Smart Surface

When related to a single and good contrast object or a laser spot, position sensing, or sensitive, detectors (PSDs) have a series of advantages over the classical camera sensors, including a good positioning accuracy for a fast response time and very simple signal conditioning circuits. To test the performance of this kind of sensor for microrobotics, we have made a comparative analysis between a precise but slow video camera and a custom-made fast PSD system applied to the tracking of a diffuse-reflectivity object transported by a pneumatic microconveyor called Smart-Surface. Until now, the fast system dynamics prevented the full control of the smart surface by visual servoing, unless using a very expensive high frame rate camera. We have built and tested a custom and low cost PSD-based embedded circuit, optically connected with a camera to a single objective by means of a beam splitter. A stroboscopic light source enhanced the resolution. The obtained results showed a good linearity and a fast (over 500 frames per second) response time which will enable future closed-loop control by using PSD.
Aesthetics as a Key Dimension for Designing Ubiquitous Entertainment Systems

In this paper we review the current understanding of aesthetics. There are three aspects to aesthetics namely: the form, the action and the experience. We explore these aspects and highlight their relevance for entertainment. We then investigate ubiquitous entertainment systems notably from an interaction point of view. We advocate and define how ubiquitous entertainment could and should rely on aesthetics as a framework for the delivery of usable systems.
The Cost and Benefit of Juvenile Training on Adult Perceptual Skill

Sensory experience during development can modify the CNS and alter adult perceptual skills. While this principle draws support from deprivation or chronic stimulus exposure studies, the effect of training is addressed only in adults. Here, we asked whether a brief period of training during development can exert a unique impact on adult perceptual skills. Juvenile gerbils were trained to detect amplitude modulation (AM), a stimulus feature elemental to animal communication sounds. When the performance of these juvenile-trained animals was subsequently assessed in adulthood, it was superior to a control group that received an identical regimen of training as adults. The juvenile-trained animals displayed significantly better AM detection thresholds. This was not observed in an adult group that received only exposure to AM stimuli as juveniles. To determine whether enhanced adult performance was due solely to learning the conditioned avoidance procedure, juveniles were trained on frequency modulation (FM) detection, and subsequently assessed on AM detection as adults. These animals displayed significantly poorer AM detection thresholds than all other groups. Thus, training on a specific auditory task (AM detection) during development provided a benefit to performance on that task in adulthood, whereas an identical training regimen in adulthood did not bring about this enhancement. In contrast, there was a cost, in adulthood, following developmental training on a different task (FM detection). Together, the results demonstrate a period of heightened sensitivity in the developing CNS such that behavioral training in juveniles has a unique impact on adult behavioral capabilities.
Variabilidad de la tasa cardíaca (HRV) y regulación emocional

El modelo de integracion neurovisceral atribuye a estructuras corticales prefrontales una funcion reguladora sobre la actividad de los circuitos subcorticales relacionados con la respuesta motivada (Thayer y Lane, 2000). Este estudio pretendia investigar dicha funcion examinando la influencia de un indice de la regulacion emocional a nivel cortical ? el componente parasimpatico de la Variabilidad de la Tasa Cardiaca (HRV; Heart Rate Variability)? sobre el proceso de modulacion afectiva del reflejo de sobresalto (RS) que se da a nivel subcortical. Dado que una mayor magnitud del componente parasimpatico de la HRV se asocia con un mayor grado de regulacion afectiva, en este estudio utilizamos una medida especifica de actividad parasimpatica (HF: High Frequency Power) para clasificar a los participantes en dos grupos extremos correspondientes a los cuartiles superior (n = 16) e inferior (n = 16) en HF obtenido durante un periodo de descanso de 8 minutos. Asimismo, se registraron las respuestas de parpadeo del RS ante ruidos blancos (50 ms; 110 dB) presentados durante la vision de imagenes afectivas (8 eroticas, 8 neutras y 8 mutilaciones) seleccionadas del International Affective Picture System (IAPS). Los participantes con valores elevados de HF mostraron el patron esperado de modulacion afectiva del RS ? inhibicion durante la vision de imagenes agradables y potenciacion ante imagenes desagradables, respecto a las neutras. En cambio, los participantes con valores bajos en HF mostraron un patron anomalo de modulacion del RS ausencia de potenciacion ante las imagenes desagradables, respecto a las neutras. Estos resultados ofrecen respaldo empirico al modelo de integracion neurovisceral confirmando que la HRV mediada parasimpaticamente puede considerarse un buen indicador de regulacion emocional y que posibilita una mayor capacidad para la adaptacion a las demandas ambientales cambiantes.