Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Norrie disease: Extraocular clinical manifestations in 56 patients

Norrie disease (ND) is an X‐linked recessive disorder characterized by congenital blindness, progressive sensorineural hearing loss and cognitive impairment. The ocular phenotype has been well described, while the extraocular manifestations of the disorder are not well understood. We present the data from the Norrie Disease Registry, which consists of 56 patients with detailed clinical histories and genotype data. This study represents the largest, detailed investigation into the phenotypic spectrum of ND to date and more importantly expands knowledge of the extraocular clinical manifestations. We identify several novel aspects of the syndrome that will improve the management of these patients. In particular, we expand our understanding of the neurologic manifestations in ND and identify a chronic seizure disorder in approximately 10% of all patients. In addition, details of the hearing phenotype are described including the median age of onset (12 years of age) and how genotype affects onset. Moreover, we find vascular disease to be a significant component of ND; and vascular health should be, in the future, a component of patient clinical care. In summary, the results expand our understanding of the phenotypic variability and genotypic heterogeneity in ND patients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Expression of Serotonin Receptors in Bone*

The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2Cbelong to a subfamily of serotonin receptors. Amino acid and mRNA sequences of these receptors have been published for several species including man. The 5-HT2 receptors have been reported to act on nervous, muscle, and endothelial tissues. Here we report the presence of 5-HT2B receptor in fetal chicken bone cells. 5-HT2B receptor mRNA expression was demonstrated in osteocytes, osteoblasts, and periosteal fibroblasts, a population containing osteoblast precursor cells. Pharmacological studies using several agonists and antagonists showed that occupancy of the 5-HT2B receptor stimulates the proliferation of periosteal fibroblasts. Activity of the 5-HT2A receptor could however not be excluded. mRNA for both receptors was shown to be equally present in adult mouse osteoblasts. Osteocytes, which showed the highest expression of 5-HT2B receptor mRNA in chicken, and to a lesser extent osteoblasts, are considered to be mechanosensor cells involved in the adaptation of bone to its mechanical usage. Nitric oxide is one of the signaling molecules that is released upon mechanical stimulation of osteocytes and osteoblasts. The serotonin analog α-methyl-5-HT, which preferentially binds to 5-HT2 receptors, decreased nitric oxide release by mechanically stimulated mouse osteoblasts. These results demonstrate that serotonin is involved in bone metabolism and its mechanoregulation.
Copywriting and the Prose of Hemingway

The question this discussion poses is this: can the literature of Ernest Hemingway have anything to say to advertising students and copywriters? There are many textbooks that speak to the problem of writing good copy and attention-grabbing headlines. Why look to Hemingway for help? Why hold up his writing as a model? If, as even the severest of critics would agree, copywriting is more art than science. there is a certain logic in using an artist nonpareil as far as the spare use of language is concerned. “Hemingway did wonderfully concise things with words. ”’ The idea of using Hemingway for guidance and inspiration proves not that uncommon among practitioners in the advertising and public relations industry. David Steel, copywriter and partner of Hinton/ Steel/ Nelson Advertising, Seattle, when asked ’ William E. Hoke.television commercial prcdwr.convcru-
On network coding for security

The use of network coding in military networks opens many interesting issues for security. The mixing of data inherent to network coding may at first appear to pose challenges, but it also enables new security approaches. In this paper, we overview the recent current theoretical understanding and application areas for network-coding based security in the areas of robustness to Byzantine attackers and of distributed signature schemes for downloads.
Infection of human oligodendroglioma cells by a recombinant measles virus expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein

One of the hallmarks of the human CNS disease subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a high level of measles virus (MV) infection of oligodendrocytes. It is therefore surprising that there is only one previous report of MV infection of rat oligodendrocytes in culture and no reports of human oligodendrocyte infection in culture. In an attempt to develop a model system to study MV infection of oligodendrocytes, time-lapse confocal microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and electron microscopy (EM) were used to study infection of the human oligodendroglioma cell line, MO3.13. A rat oligodendrocyte cell line, OLN-93, was also studied as a control. MO3.13 cells were shown to be highly susceptible to MV infection and virus budding was observed from the surface of infected MO3.13 cells by EM. Analysis of the infection in real time and by immunocytochemistry revealed that virus spread occurred by cell-to-cell fusion and was also facilitated by virus transport in cell processes. MO3.13 cells were shown to express CD46, a MV receptor, but were negative for the recently discovered MV receptor, signaling leucocyte activation molecule (SLAM). Immunohistochemical studies on SSPE tissue sections demonstrated that CD46 was also expressed on populations of human oligodendrocytes. SLAM expression was not detected on oligodendrocytes. These studies, which are the first to show MV infection of human oligodendrocytes in culture, show that the cells are highly susceptible to MV infection and this model cell line has been used to further our understanding of MV spread in the CNS.
RAPID DEVLOPEMENT OF SPEECH-TO-SPEECH TRANSLATION SYSTEMS

This paper describes building of the basic components, par-ticularly speech recognition and synthesis, of a speech-to-speech translation system. This work is described within the framework of the “Tongues: small footprint speech-to-speech translation device” developed at CMU and Lockheed Martin for use by US Army Chaplains.
Cardiovascular extracellular microRNAs: emerging diagnostic markers and mechanisms of cell-to-cell RNA communication

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Western societies. It is now well established that microRNAs (miRNAs) are determinant regulators in various medical conditions including cardiovascular diseases. The recent discovery that miRNAs, while associated with different carriers, can be exported out of the cell, has triggered a renewed interest to analyze the potential to use extracellular miRNAs as tools for diagnostic and therapeutic studies. Circulating miRNAs in biological fluids present a technological advantage compared to current diagnostic tools by virtue of their remarkable stability and relative ease of detection rendering them ideal tools for non-invasive and rapid diagnosis. Extracellular miRNAs also represent a novel form of inter-cellular communication by transferring genetic information from a donor cell to a recipient cell. This review briefly summarizes recent insights in the origin, function and diagnostic potential of extracellular miRNAs by focusing on a select number of cardiovascular diseases.
Reputation Transferability in Online Labor Markets

Online workplaces such as oDesk, Amazon Mechanical Turk, and TaskRabbit have been growing in importance over the last few years. In such markets, employers post tasks on which remote contractors work and deliver the product of their work online. As in most online marketplaces, reputation mechanisms play a very important role in facilitating transactions, since they instill trust and are often predictive of the employer’s future satisfaction. However, labor markets are usually highly heterogeneous in terms of available task categories; in such scenarios, past performance may not be an accurate signal of future performance. To account for this natural heterogeneity, in this work, we build models that predict the performance of a worker based on prior, category-specific feedback. Our models assume that each worker has a category-specific quality, which is latent and not directly observable; what is observable, though, is the set of feedback ratings of the worker and of other contractors with similar work his.
A Frequency-Domain Adaptive Filter (FDAF) Prediction Error Method (PEM) Framework for Double-Talk-Robust Acoustic Echo Cancellation

In this paper, we propose a new framework to tackle the double-talk (DT) problem in acoustic echo cancellation (AEC). It is based on a frequency-domain adaptive filter (FDAF) implementation of the so-called prediction error method adaptive filtering using row operations (PEM-AFROW) leading to the FDAF-PEM-AFROW algorithm. We show that FDAF-PEM-AFROW is by construction related to the best linear unbiased estimate (BLUE) of the echo path. We depart from this framework to show an improvement in performance with respect to other adaptive filters minimizing the BLUE criterion, namely the PEM-AFROW and the FDAF-NLMS with near-end signal normalization. One of the contributions is to propose the instantaneous pseudo-correlation (IPC) measure between the near-end signal and the loudspeaker signal. The IPC measure serves as an indication of the effect of a DT situation occurring during adaptation. We motivate the choice of FDAF-PEM-AFROW over PEM-AFROW and FDAF-NLMS with near-end signal normalization, based on performance, computational complexity and related IPC measure values. Moreover, we use the FDAF-PEM-AFROW framework to improve several state-of-the-art variable step-size (VSS) and variable regularization (VR) algorithms. The FDAF-PEM-AFROW versions significantly outperform the original versions in every simulation. In terms of computational complexity, the FDAF-PEM-AFROW versions are themselves about two orders of magnitude cheaper than the original versions.
Asynchronous Pipeline Design Using Gaas Pdll Logic and New Cmos Dynamic Techniques I Introduction Ii Ecs and Pdll Methods Ii-a Ecs

dynamic techniques Sam S. Appleton, Shannon V. Morton, & Michael J. Liebelt Internal Report : HPCA-ECS-96/04 version I, June 17, 1997 Abstract|We explore the potential for extremely high asynchronous logic performance in CMOS and GaAs dynamic logic structures. By using a new class of GaAs dynamic logic, Pseudo-Dynamic Latched Logic, we develop asynchronous control structures capable of high-speed operation. We show how these techniques can be used for CMOS design, and give performance estimates.
On systematic illegal state identification for pseudo-functional testing

The discrepancy between integrated circuits' activities in normal functional mode and that in structural test mode has an increasing adverse impact on the effectiveness of manufacturing test. Pseudo-functional testing tries to resolve this problem by identifying illegal states in functional mode and avoiding them during the test pattern generation process. Existing methods, however, can only extract a small set of illegal states in the system due to various limitations. In this paper, we first show that illegal states in the system are mainly caused by multi-fanout nets in the circuit, and we develop efficient and effective heuristics to identify them. Experimental results on benchmark circuits demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed systematic solution.
Foucault and the Early Childhood Classroom

Foucault's notion of “regimes of truth” (MacNaughton 2005, 30) provides an understanding of how some discourses operate and network together to reinforce a particular powerful view of the world. These can be in oral or written forms. Early childhood education practices are drawn on the discourse of a document developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) on developmentally appropriate practice. Statements made in this written discourse have been accepted as factual and produce shared language among early childhood researchers. Foucault's perspectives of discourse and terms used by him as regimes of truth are used in this article to evaluate the written document that early childhood educators have accepted as authoritative truth. Suggestions for practice include providing a discourse that calls for early childhood teachers to allow time for reflective dialogue and the recognition of multiple perspectives to inform pedagogical knowledge of the social and cultural contexts of the children they teach.
Understanding mobile information needs

In this paper we describe the results of a four-week diary study of mobile information needs, focusing on the intent behind mobile needs and the importance on context on such needs. We identified three key intents among diary entries: informational, geographical and personal information management (PIM). Furthermore, we found many of these information needs have high temporal and location dependencies.
Accès au lexique et production de la parole: un survol

Resume ; Cet article presente une synthese basee sur des donnees experimentales et des erreurs de production (chez des sujets normaux et des aphasiques) concernant l'acces au lexique dans la production de la parole. La distinction classique entre les processus de selection lexicale et les processus d'encodage phonologique sert de point de depart. Ensuite, nous examinons les donnees de la litterature nous renseignant sur le profil temporel de l'activation des informations semantiques et phonologiques. Ceci nous amene a confronter deux theories majeures et opposees. La premiere theorie prenant la forme d'un modele discret a deux etapes, est modulariste: aucun encodage phonologique n'a lieu avant la selection lexicale. La seconde theorie est connexionniste: elle soutient l'existence d'une interaction continuelle entre ces deux processus. Pour finir, une reconciliation des theories modularistes et connexionnistes est proposee. ; Mots clefs: production de la parole, modularite et connexionisme, acces au lexique.
Epidemiology of traumatic comas: a prospective population-based study

Objective : Most studies on patients with severe brain injury (SBI) are based on data from specialized centres. This prospective epidemiologic study included all patients in a defined region with a coma lasting more than 24 hours or leading to a death. Methods : All patients with a SBI admitted to an emergency department in the region were included during a 1-year period. A data form was completed with initial neurological state, CT scan lesions and associated injuries. Outcome at the end of acute hospitalization was assessed from medical notes. Results : Two hundred and forty-eight patients were registered. Annual incidence was 8.5/100 000 population. Median age was 41 years. Traffic crashes were the most frequent cause (59%). Falls occurred in 30% (16% from a high level, 14% from one level). Initial GCS was above 8 in 31%, and patients with a neurological deterioration were older (52 vs 32 years). Death occurred in 52% of the cohort. Outcome was related to CT scan diagnosis, delay before eye opening and delay before obeying commands. Conclusion. This population-based cohort of patients with SBI was different from patients selected in trauma centres. The patients were older, more often injured in falls and their mortality rate remained very high.
Individual, Social, and Environmental Influences Associated With HIV Infection Among Injection Drug Users in Tijuana, Mexico

Objective:We examined correlates of HIV infection among injection drug users (IDUs) in Tijuana, Mexico, a city bordering the United States, which is situated on major migration and drug trafficking routes. Methods:IDUs aged ≥18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling. Participants underwent antibody testing for HIV and syphilis and structured interviews. Weighted logistic regression identified correlates of HIV infection. Results:Of 1056 IDUs, the median age was 37 years, 86% were male, and 76% were migrants. HIV prevalence was higher in female participants than in male participants (8% vs. 3%; P = 0.01). Most IDUs testing HIV-positive were previously unaware of their serostatus (93%). IDUs reported injecting with a median of 2 people in the prior 6 months and had been arrested for having injection stigmata (ie, “track-marks”) a median of 3 times. Factors independently associated with HIV infection were being female, syphilis titers consistent with active infection, larger numbers of recent injection partners, living in Tijuana for a shorter duration, and being arrested for having track-marks. Conclusions:Individual, social, and environmental factors were independently associated with HIV infection among IDUs in Tijuana. These findings suggest the need to intervene not solely on individual risk behaviors but on social processes that drive these behaviors, including problematic policing practices.
Haptic simulation of breast cancer palpation: A case study of haptic augmented reality

Haptic augmented reality (AR) allows to modulate the haptic properties of a real object by providing virtual haptic feedback. We previously developed a haptic AR system wherein the stiffness of a real object can be augmented with the aid of a haptic interface. To demonstrate its potential, this paper presents a case study for medical training of breast cancer palpation. A real breast model made of soft silicone is augmented with a virtual tumor rendered inside. Haptic stimuli for the virtual tumor are generated based on a contact dynamics model identified via real measurements, without the need of geometric information on the breast. A subjective evaluation confirmed the realism and fidelity of our palpation system.
Survey and Classification of Cooperative Automated Driver Assistance Systems

The introduction of dedicated short-range Vehicle- to-Vehicle communication (DSRC) enables the next step in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) - the cooperative automated driver assistance systems (CoDAS). Combined with automated functions and even autonomous driving, a host of novel functions become feasible. Some of these - such as platooning- have been in research for decades, while others are not tackled yet. In this paper we give an overview on research on automated cooperative functions, survey conceivable functions and present a way to classify them.
Regulation of Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling by Protein Inhibitor of Activated STAT, PIASy through Smad3*

Smads proteins play a key role in the intracellular signaling of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family of growth factors, which exhibits a diverse set of cellular responses, including cell proliferation and differentiation. In particular, Smad7 acts as an antagonist of TGF-β signaling, which could determine the intensity or duration of its signaling cascade. In this study we identified a protein inhibitor of activated STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription), PIASy, as a novel interaction partner of Smad7 by yeast two-hybrid screening using the MH2 domain of Smad7 as bait. The association of Smad7 and PIASy was confirmed using co-expressed tagged proteins in 293T cells. Moreover, we found that other Smads including Smad3 also associated with PIASy through its MH2 domain, and PIASy suppressed TGF-β-mediated activation of Smad3. PIASy also stimulated the sumoylation of Smad3 in vivo. Furthermore, endogenous PIASy expression was induced by TGF-β in Hep3B cells. These findings provide the first evidence that a PIAS family protein, PIASy, associates with Smads and involves the regulation of TGF-β signaling using the negative feedback loop.
Vocal Fold Stiffness Estimates for Emotion Description in Speech

The present study affords emotional differentiation in speech from the behaviour of the biomechanical stiffness estimates in voice, regarding dispersion and cyclicality. The Glottal Cyclic Parameters are derived from the vibrato correlates found in the Glottal Source reconstructed from the phonated parts of speech and have been shown to be good indices to neurologic disease detection and monitoring. In this paper the application of these parameters to the characterization of the emotional states affecting a speaker when expressing truth opposite to when they believe not saying the truth is explored. The study is based on the reconstruction of the vocal fold stiffness parameters and in the detection of possible deviations induced by emotional tremor and stress from a baseline. The method is validated using results from the analysis of a gender-balanced speaker’s database. Normative values for the different parameters estimated are given and used in contrastive studies of some cases presented to discussion.
A Meta-analytic Study of Couple Interventions During the Transition to Parenthood

The present meta-analysis integrates results of 21 controlled couple-focused interventions with expectant and new parents. The interventions had, on average, small effects on couple communication (d = .28 standard deviation units) and psychological well-being (d = .21), as well as very small effects on couple adjustment (d = .09). Stronger effects emerged if the intervention included more than five sessions, included an antenatal and postnatal component, and was led by professionals rather than semiprofessionals.
The Role of Skeletal Muscle in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal adult‐onset disease primarily characterized by upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, muscle wasting and paralysis. It is increasingly accepted that the pathological process leading to ALS is the result of multiple disease mechanisms that operate within motor neurons and other cell types both inside and outside the central nervous system. The implication of skeletal muscle has been the subject of a number of studies conducted on patients and related animal models. In this review, we describe the features of ALS muscle pathology and discuss on the contribution of muscle to the pathological process. We also give an overview of the therapeutic strategies proposed to alleviate muscle pathology or to deliver curative agents to motor neurons. ALS muscle mainly suffers from oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and bioenergetic disturbances. However, the way by which the disease affects different types of myofibers depends on their contractile and metabolic features. Although the implication of muscle in nourishing the degenerative process is still debated, there is compelling evidence suggesting that it may play a critical role. Detailed understanding of the muscle pathology in ALS could, therefore, lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets.
Metabolic effects of CO2 anaesthesia in Drosophila melanogaster

Immobilization of insects is necessary for various experimental purposes, and CO2 exposure remains the most popular anaesthetic method in entomological research. A number of negative side effects of CO2 anaesthesia have been reported, but CO2 probably brings about metabolic modifications that are poorly known. In this work, we used GC/MS-based metabolic fingerprinting to assess the effect of CO2 anaesthesia in Drosophila melanogaster adults. We analysed metabolic variation of flies submitted to acute CO2 exposure and assessed the temporal metabolic changes during short- and long-term recovery. We found that D. melanogaster metabotypes were significantly affected by the anaesthetic treatment. Metabolic changes caused by acute CO2 exposure were still manifested after 14 h of recovery. However, we found no evidence of metabolic alterations when a long recovery period was allowed (more than 24 h). This study points to some metabolic pathways altered during CO2 anaesthesia (e.g. energetic metabolism). Evidence of short-term metabolic changes indicates that CO2 anaesthesia should be used with utmost caution in physiological studies when a short recovery is allowed. In spite of this, CO2 treatment seems to be an acceptable anaesthetic method provided that a long recovery period is allowed (more than 24 h).