Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occupational therapy treatment with right half-field eye-patching for patients with subacute stroke and unilateral neglect: A randomised controlled trial

Purpose. The right half-field eye-patching technique has been reported to be effective in reducing unilateral neglect (UN) and improving functional ability in stroke patients. This study investigated the efficacy of conventional treatment with right half-field eye patching in treating subacute stroke patients with UN, using a randomised controlled trial. Method. Thirty-five inpatients with subacute stroke were recruited and randomised into intervention and control groups. The patients in the intervention group received 4 weeks of conventional occupational therapy with modified right half-field eye-patching. Those in the control group received 4 weeks of conventional treatment only. Assessors, who were blind to the treatments, assessed the groups using the Behavioural Inattention Test (BIT) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) on admission and at 4 weeks. Results. Patients treated with right half-field eye-patching had significantly (p = 0.046) higher BIT gain (mean = 25.06, SD = 30.81) than those treated with the conventional treatment (mean = 8.29, SD = 10.35). There was no significant difference (p = 0.467) in FIM gain between patients in both groups. Conclusions. Right half-field eye-patching improved stroke patients' impairment level in terms of UN, but the potential benefits in impairment tests were not confirmed by improvements in function.
Event Study Methodology: A New And Stochastically Flexible Approach

A number of articles have documented that the classical event study methodology exhibits a bias toward detecting "effects", irrespective of whether such effects actually exist. This paper addresses this bias by presenting a new methodology that explicitly incorporates stochastic behaviors of the market that are documented to exist and which are assumed away by the classical event study methodology. We apply our new methodology to an examination of the effect of the passage of California’s Proposition 103 on the prices of insurance stocks. Proposition 103 was important regulatory event that previously has been investigated using classical event study techniques. We find that the passage of Proposition 103 did not significantly impact the returns on most insurance company stocks, a result that stands in stark contrast to other studies. Consequently, our study suggests that the application of the classical event study methodology, without checking the behavior of security returns for stochastic beta and GARCH effects, may very well cause researchers to draw inappropriate conclusions.
Consumer research in the restaurant environment. Part 2: Research design and analytical methods

In Part 1, a model of dining satisfaction and return patronage was developed and described. Based on extensive review of the relevant consumer behaviour literature the model was developed and underpinned by the disconfirmation and expectancy theory. As noted in the article, disconfirmation theory is widely accepted as an account of the process by which customers develop feelings of satisfaction or dissatisfaction, that is, when customers compare new dining experiences with some basis that they have developed from prior experiences. On the other hand, the assumption that a customer will weigh various restaurant attributes is based on expectancy theory. In the majority of studies using disconfirmation theory, expectations are formed according to customers’ pre‐experience beliefs and standards that they use to measure their purchase experience. These theories bring together the social, psychological and cultural concepts into four distinct groups of variables: input variables both internal and external, process variables and output variables (Lowenberg et al., 1979; Finkelstein, 1989). This paper is a continuation and explains: how the model of dining satisfaction and return patronage was operationalised, that is, how the research instrument was developed; how the sample size and survey procedures were developed and conducted; and how the selection of analytical procedures was conceived.
A quasi-differential C-V convertor for touch screen panel controller IC

A capacitance to voltage convertor for a five-inch touch screen panel is designed. In this paper, a new quasidifferential buffer is proposed to be robust with respect to display noise and highly area efficient. The measurement results show that the signal-to-noise ratio is 29.8 dB when evaluated with a 3.7-inch add-on touch screen panel and LCD display. The proposed circuit, fabricated via TSMC 0.18 um 1P6M CMOS process technology with embedded flash memory and total chip areas, is 2.8 mm × 3.2 mm, including digital block. It consumes 17.8 mW of power from a 3.3 V supply at an 80 Hz scan rate for normal operation, and 2.6 mW at 20 Hz for idle operation.
Oxygen-Limiting Conditions Enrich for Fimbriate Cells of Uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT MR/P fimbriae of uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis undergo invertible element-mediated phase variation whereby an individual bacterium switches between expressing fimbriae (phase ON) and not expressing fimbriae (phase OFF). Under different conditions, the percentage of fimbriate bacteria within a population varies and could be dictated by either selection (growth advantage of one phase) or signaling (preferentially converting one phase to the other in response to external signals). Expression of MR/P fimbriae increases in a cell-density dependent manner in vitro and in vivo. However, rather than the increased cell density itself, this increase in fimbrial expression is due to an enrichment of fimbriate bacteria under oxygen limitation resulting from increased cell density. Our data also indicate that the persistence of MR/P fimbriate bacteria under oxygen-limiting conditions is a result of both selection (of MR/P fimbrial phase variants) and signaling (via modulation of expression of the MrpI recombinase). Furthermore, the mrpJ transcriptional regulator encoded within the mrp operon contributes to phase switching. Type 1 fimbriae of Escherichia coli, which are likewise subject to phase variation via an invertible element, also increase in expression during reduced oxygenation. These findings provide evidence to support a mechanism for persistence of fimbriate bacteria under oxygen limitation, which is relevant to disease progression within the oxygen-restricted urinary tract.
Good Laboratory Standards for Clinical Next-Generation Sequencing Cancer Panel Tests

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has recently emerged as an essential component of personalized cancer medicine due to its high throughput and low per-base cost. However, no sufficient guidelines for implementing NGS as a clinical molecular pathology test are established in Korea. To ensure clinical grade quality without inhibiting adoption of NGS, a taskforce team assembled by the Korean Society of Pathologists developed laboratory guidelines for NGS cancer panel testing procedures and requirements for clinical implementation of NGS. This consensus standard proposal consists of two parts: laboratory guidelines and requirements for clinical NGS laboratories. The laboratory guidelines part addressed several important issues across multistep NGS cancer panel tests including choice of gene panel and platform, sample handling, nucleic acid management, sample identity tracking, library preparation, sequencing, analysis and reporting. Requirements for clinical NGS tests were summarized in terms of documentation, validation, quality management, and other required written policies. Together with appropriate pathologist training and international laboratory standards, these laboratory standards would help molecular pathology laboratories to successfully implement NGS cancer panel tests in clinic. In this way, the oncology community would be able to help patients to benefit more from personalized cancer medicine.
Altered electrodermal response to facial expression after closed head injury

Summary : The objective was to determine whether diffuse damage to orbital and ventromedial regions of the prefrontal cortex usually associated with moderate-to-severe closed head injury (CHI) would affect the ability to perceive and respond to socially relevant information. Methods : Participants with CHI and age-matched non-injured controls were presented with faces that varied with respect to emotional expression while electrodermal activity (EDA) was monitored. Cognitive and general adaptive functioning was also assessed. Results : CHI was associated with a failure to increase EDA in response to negative facial expressions and with reduced ability to identify negative expressions, especially fear. The groups differed on other signs of orbital/medial prefrontal damage such as anosmia and in general social adaptability and awareness-of-deficit as measured by the Brock Adaptive Functioning Questionnaire. Conclusions : CHI affected the ability to identify and respond to negative facial expression. Addressing these deficits may enhance rehabilitative efforts within the social domain.
Syngeneic monoclonal internal image anti-idiotopes as prophylactic vaccines.

A syngeneic monoclonal anti-idiotope that behaves as an internal image of the mammalian reovirus type 3 cellular attachment protein (viral hemagglutinin) was used in the syngeneic host for the induction of a prophylactic anti-viral antibody response. These studies were performed without the aid of co-stimulation by viral antigens. The high stringency of this system enables us to define the maximum constraints on the use of anti-idiotopes as anti-viral vaccines. We have used the murine BALB/c monoclonal IgM anti-idiotope 87.92. 6 to study the idiotope and antigen specificity, kinetics, dose dependence, adjuvant, carrier, and valency requirements of anti-idiotope-induced anti-viral antibody responses. These studies show that the production of high titer neutralizing antibody requires a lengthy (60 day) immunization protocol, which includes the use of adjuvant and multivalent anti-idiotope, and is dependent on anti-idiotope concentrations of greater than 50 micrograms. When administered in this manner anti-idiotope can stimulate serotype-specific antibody responses across species barriers at levels comparable with those obtained after inoculation with virus. The practical efficacy of these reagents and procedures is documented by the ability of maternal immunization with anti-idiotope to confer complete protection in neonates from a potentially lethal reovirus type 3 viral infection.
A JUDGEMENTAL INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF FINANCIAL REPORTING PRACTICES

This paper briefly surveys some recent “empirical” international classifications. It suggests that their data contains errors and is not designed for classification, and that their methodology relies upon the doubtful data to generate hypotheses rather than to test them. This paper proposes a hypothetical classification which is more detailed and defines its universe more precisely than previous research. The testing selects factors deemed to represent fundamental aspects of difference in measurement practices, and scores these overtly and with explanation. Analysis is performed in several ways, including computer-assisted clustering techniques. The results seem to confirm the hypothetical classification, and to be consistent with (but more detailed than) some earlier classifications.
Robust thresholding by calibration

Although image segmentation technology has achieved rapid development, threshold method is still an indispensable part in many practical applications. The most advanced methods do not perform well in the segmentation of many different types of images. Therefore, it is expected that the optimal segmentation method can be obtained for images with different modalities. In this paper, a robust threshold method is proposed to calibrate the parameters to obtain the best accuracy. The proposed threshold method is tested in the composite image and the actual image. The experimental results show that the proposed method is superior to the existing technology.
Affording opportunities to discuss deterioration in paediatric palliative care consultations: a conversation analytic study

Objective Discussing the potential deterioration of a child who has a life-limiting condition has recognised benefits for future care, but can be challenging in a clinical context where uncertain illness trajectories are common. Existing research is restricted to indirect forms of evidence such as self-report data from clinicians and families. This study directly explores how discussions about deterioration are managed within actual paediatric palliative care consultations. Methods 9 consultations were video recorded in an Australian paediatric palliative care service. Each consultation involved the same paediatric palliative care specialist. Conversation analysis was used to identify and explore recurrent ways in which discussions about deterioration came to be realised. Findings The study identified two communicative practices used by a paediatric palliative care specialist that afforded opportunities to discuss deterioration: (1) soliciting the family's agenda for the consultation; (2) initiating and maintaining topics where discussing deterioration is a relevant possibility. Across these different practices, a common feature was indirect initiation of discussions about deterioration. This approach made such discussions possible, but without mandating or even suggesting that such discussion must occur. Conclusions These communicative practices balance the benefit of discussing deterioration against a recognised importance of allowing discussions to be directed by a child's family. This was achieved by creating opportunities for discussing deterioration, without making such discussions necessary.
Agencies for European Regulatory Governance: A Regimes Approach

Title Agencies for European Regulatory Governance: A Regimes Approach Authors(s) Scott, Colin Publication date 2005 Publication information Geradin, D. , Munoz, R. and Petit, N. (eds.). Regulation Through Agencies: A New Paradigm of European Governance Publisher Edward Elgar Publishing Link to online version http://www.e-elgar.com/; http://www.amazon. co.uk/Regulation-Through-Agencies-EU-Governance/dp/1845422678 Item record/more information http://hdl.handle. net/10197/6750 Publisher's statement This material is copyrighted and is for private use only
Internal fixation of femoral neck fractures with posterior comminution: a biomechanical study.

OBJECTIVES This study was performed to determine whether four cancellous lag screws provide significantly improved rigidity and fixation strength compared with three screws for fixation of displaced femoral neck fractures with posterior comminution. DESIGN Biomechanical cadaver study. INTERVENTION Eight pairs of mildly osteopenic femurs were selected, and each pair was fixed with three or four cancellous lag screws (randomly assigned) after the creation of a simulated femoral neck fracture with posterior comminution. A separate comparison with an unmatched group of six similar femurs with a simulated femoral neck fracture without posterior comminution and instrumented with three screws was performed to investigate the effect of posterior comminution. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT The specimens were non-destructively tested to determine fixation rigidity in axial and anterior loading. Cyclic axial loading was then performed for 10,000 cycles; the femurs were retested for rigidity and finally were axially loaded until failure. RESULTS The femurs with a posterior defect stabilized with three screws had significantly less resistance to axial and anterior displacement and sustained significantly lower axial loads to failure than those stabilized with four screws. The specimens instrumented with three screws without a posterior defect exhibited greater resistance to displacement in anterior loading and sustained greater axial loads to failure than those with a posterior defect stabilized with three screws. CONCLUSION This study suggests that there are benefits to using four screws for fixation of femoral neck fractures with posterior comminution.
Colon Microflora in Infants Fed Formula with Galacto- and Fructo-Oligosaccharides: More Like Breast-Fed Infants

Objectives: The intestinal flora of breast-fed infants is generally dominated by Bifidobacteria. We aimed to investigate whether an infant formula supplemented with galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides (GOS/FOS) is able to establish a bifido-dominant microflora, not only in numbers but also with respect to the metabolic activity in the colon. Methods: Two groups of infants fed infant formula with 0.8 g/100 ml GOS/FOS in a ratio of 9:1 (OSF group), or control formula (SF group) were evaluated in a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled intervention study. A breast-fed group was studied in parallel. At study onset and after 4 and 6 weeks, faecal samples were examined for the number of bifidobacteria, pH, short chain fatty acids and lactate. Results: After 6 weeks, the mean proportion of bifidobacteria was significantly higher in the OSF group (59.6% versus 49.5% in the SF group; P < 0.05). Compared with controls, infants in the OSF group had a lower stool mean pH and an increased proportion of acetate and a decreased proportion of propionate. The mean pH in the OSF and SF groups were 5.7 and 6.3, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The addition of the prebiotic GOS/FOS mixture to an infant formula has a stimulating effect on the growth of bifidobacteria and on the metabolic activity of the total intestinal flora. The changes in short chain fatty acids, lactate and pH in the prebiotic group represent a fermentation profile that is closer to that observed in breast-fed infants compared to infants fed control formula.
Influence of Laser Therapy and Muscle Relaxant on the Masseter Muscle under Occlusal Wear: An Ultrastructural Study

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la influencia de la terapia laser de baja intensidad y del relajante muscular sobre las caracteristicas ultraestructurales del musculo masetero en el desgaste oclusal. 40 ratas macho Wistar, se dividieron al azar en cuatro grupos: grupo de control (GI), desgaste oclusal (G-II), laserterapia desgaste oclusal (G-III), y relajante muscular desgaste oclusal (G-IV). Bajo anestesia general por via intraperitoneal, los animales de los grupos II, III y IV sufrieron amputacion unilateral de las cuspides de los molares superiores e inferiores para simular una situacion de desgaste oclusal. El musculo masetero del G-III recibio la terapia con laser (830nm, 4J/cm2, 40mW, f ~ 2mm) despues del procedimiento el cual se repitio durante 14/30 dias. Los animales del G-IV fueron tratados con una inyeccion diaria de Dantroleno® (2,5 mg/Kg en 0,5 ml de H2O). Los animales fueron sacrificados con una sobredosis de anestesia general en los dias 14 y 30. Despues de la remocion de las cuspides el musculo masetero ipsilateral se extirpo y se dividio en dos, una mitad fue procesada para microscopia de luz y la otra para microscopia electronica. No hubo diferencias estadisticamente significativas entre cada grupo experimental y el control, asi como, entre los periodos en cada grupo experimental. Sin embargo, las fibras musculares en el G-II mostraron los cambios mas pronunciados. En conclusion no existe relacion causal entre las lesiones de las fibras musculares y la oclusion, a pesar que los signos de lesion de los tejidos musculares fue mas evidente en el grupo con desgaste oclusal. Los resultados indican una accion moderada ejercida por la terapia laser y de los relajantes musculares sobre el musculo esqueletico.
Integrating a New Urban Teacher Education Center into a School and its Community

A new Sacramento State University Urban Teacher Education Center (UTEC) is located at Jedediah Smith Elementary School, a highly diverse urban school whose students come entirely from two federally subsidized housing complexes. This paper documents the integration of UTEC into the school and its community, including descriptions of the initial set-up of the center, the incorporation of UTEC into its basic structure, how UTEC has expanded its realm into overall school functioning, and UTEC’s movement toward learning about and becoming involved in the community agencies, community groups, and neighborhood efforts to provide support for children, their families, and their school.
Lagged Y cells in the cat lateral geniculate nucleus

Abstract We report on the existence of lagged Y (YL) cells in the A laminae of the cat lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and on criteria for identifying them using visual and electrical stimulation. Like the lagged X (XL) cells described previously (Mastronarde, 1987a; Humphrey & Weller, 1988a), YL cells responded to a spot stimulus with an initial dip in firing and a delayed latency to discharge after spot onset, and an anomalously prolonged firing after spot offset. However, the cells received excitatory input from retinal Y rather than X afferents, and showed nonlinear spatial summation and other Y-like receptive-field properties. Three YL cells tested for antidromic activation from visual cortex were found to be relay cells, with long conduction latencies similar to those of XL cells. Simultaneous recordings of a YL cell and its retinal Y afferents show striking parallels between lagged X and Y cells in retinogeniculate functional connectivity, and suggest that the YL-cell response profile reflects inhibitory processes occurring within the LGN. The YL cells comprised -5% of Y cells and -1% of all cells in the A laminae. Although infrequently encountered in the LGN, they may be roughly as numerous as Y cells in the retina, and hence could fulfill an important role in vision.
Consumption, Computation Mistakes, and Fiscal Policy

An understanding of the correct model of intertemporal consumption choice is crucial to evaluating the effects of fiscal policies. The debates over whether deficit policy matters (Martin Feldstein, 1974; Robert Barro, 1974) and, if so, how to measure such policy (Robert Eisner and Paul Pieper, 1985; Kotlikoff, 1986) are fundamentally debates about the correct model of consumption. Unfortunately, distinguishing empirically between different consumption theories is a subtle business that has produced no strong conclusions. One problem confronting many tests of alternative consumption theories is that they require joint and quite specific assumptions about preferences, economic resources, and the consumer's information set that may not be justified. In such cases, what is described as a rejection of a particular model may simply be a rejection of restrictive assumptions placed on the model. A second problem that is also routinely swept under the rug involves the implicit assumption that consumers optimize perfectly given their preferences and resources, and that they correctly value their resources. In order to explore these more fundamental questions we, have conducted an experiment to determine whether individuals, when placed in a controlled life cycle setting, make consistent and coherent consumption choices, and whether they correctly value their future resources. The experiment provides negative answers to both of these questions; in the experiment subjects made significant and systematic errors in their consumption choice, reflecting, in part, an overdiscounting of future income. This paper reviews several of the findings from our 1987 working paper, and then discusses their implications for fiscal policy. We give a brief description in Section I of the experiment. Section II describes inconsistencies and errors in consumption choice and traces them to the overdiscounting of future labor income. Section III presents some regression results also pointing to an undervaluation of future resources. Section IV discusses the implications of these results for viewing fiscal policy and suggests the need for additional experiments as well as consumption models that acknowledge, rather than avoid computation problems.