Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Musical intervention for patients with dementia: a meta-analysis.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To provide a meta-analysis of the effects of music interventions on patients with dementia, separating, for the first time, between different types of interventions and different outcome measures, namely affective, behavioural, cognitive and physiological. BACKGROUND Music therapy is an attractive form of intervention for the growing number of demented patients, for whom pharmacological interventions are not always effective and may lead to undesired side effects. While music is more frequently applied in clinical settings for each year, no meta-analysis has considered effects of music interventions on affective, behavioural, cognitive and physiological outcomes separately. DESIGN A standard meta-analysis approach was applied. METHODS We include all original studies found for the key words music and dementia. Mean effect sizes and confidence intervals are computed from study effect sizes according to standard methods, and these are considered for various common types of music interventions separately. RESULTS Nineteen studies with a total of 478 dementia patients exhibit effect sizes ranging from 0·04-4·56 (M = 1·04). Many of these indicate large positive effects on behavioural, cognitive and physiological outcome measures, and medium effects on affective measures. CONCLUSIONS Music interventions seem to be effective and have the potential of increasing the quality of life for patients with dementia. Many studies in this area suffer from poor methodological quality, which limits the reach of meta-analysis and the strength and generalisability of these conclusions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Being inexpensive and largely without adverse side effects, current knowledge seems to indicate that music interventions can be recommended for patients in all stages of dementia.
Le client, nouvelle figure disciplinaire de l’administration publique

En Suisse, comme dans d'autres pays de l'OCDE, les reformes de nouvelle gestion publique (NGP) visent, entre autres, a renouveler les relations de services, c'est-a-dire a operer une ouverture et un rapprochement de maniere a assurer des prestations qui correspondent mieux aux besoins et exigences des usagers/clients. Sur la base d'une evaluation des experiences de NGP operee dans deux services administratifs de la Confederation helvetique, nous mesurons le degre de realisation d'un tel objectif. Sur la base des resultats de notre enquete qualitative, nous posons l'hypothese selon laquelle le client joue un role discursif et legitimationnel des reformes actuellement en œuvre, de meme qu'il devient figure disciplinaire du management puisque les mutations sont effectuees pour lui et a cause de lui. Aussi, loin d'avoir permis le developpement de mecanismes favorisant la creation de nouvelles relations de services, les outils et principes de la NGP ont plutot contribue a produire des effets et impacts qui ne correspondent pas aux criteres idealtypiques de l'organisation flexible et ouverte a son environnement, conditions pour le renouvellement veritable des relations de services.
Influence of SiPM single photon timing resolution on coincidence timing resolution with fast scintillator

A coincidence timing resolution (CTR) of scintillation detectors based on SiPMs depends on both photodetector and scintillator properties. The photodetector-related contribution is very important and has a considerable impact on the CTR. The CTR dependence on photon detection efficiency (PDE) is well studied and clarified, but as soon as advances in developments of fast scintillators and fast SiPMs make CTR approaching to a fundamental limit, a role of a single photon timing resolution (SPTR) is increased, and it requires more attention and studies. This study presents results of CTR measurements of LYSO crystals with “old” standard and timing optimized KETEK SiPM samples of 3×3 mm2 size obtained with developed digital signal processing. To complement and extend the studies on LYSO CTR with analysis on how SPTR affects multi-photon timing resolution (MPTR) with different light intensity profiles, experiments with different light sources were carried out and results were compared with an analytical model of SiPM timing resolution.
Learning Location From Sequential Signal Strength Based on GSM Experimental Data

This study proposes two positioning algorithms, called the focused time delay neural network (FTDNN) and the distributed time delay neural network (DTDNN), to efficiently learn the mobile location from sequential received signal strength (RSS). By embedding the temporal structures of RSS into the spatial structures of networks, the proposed algorithms can extract location information from temporal variation of RSSs rather than removing them. This study applies the proposed algorithms to actual Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) networks, collecting realistic RSS measurements across a campus using commercially available mobile phones. On-site experiments clearly demonstrated that both algorithms provide better positioning accuracy than the traditional Cell-ID method, the Bayesian approach, and the multilayer perceptron with variations, where DTDNN achieves the best performance.
Graphene Oxide Nanoribbon Assembly toward Moisture‐Powered Information Storage

Moisture-powered potential switching is achieved by establishing ion channels and an oxygen-functional-group gradient in graphene oxide nanoribbon network assemblies. The resulting flexible membrane is used to fabricate breath-powered write-once-read-many-times-type memory devices with a remarkably low error risk (ON/OFF ratio of 106 ), and long-term stability for reading out with human breath.
Adult deafness induces somatosensory conversion of ferret auditory cortex

In response to early or developmental lesions, responsiveness of sensory cortex can be converted from the deprived modality to that of the remaining sensory systems. However, little is known about capacity of the adult cortex for cross-modal reorganization. The present study examined the auditory cortices of animals deafened as adults, and observed an extensive somatosensory conversion within as little as 16 days after deafening. These results demonstrate that cortical cross-modal reorganization can occur after the period of sensory system maturation.
Hepatoprotective Effects of a Concentrate and Components of Sake against Galactosamine (GalN)-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

We investigated the hepatoprotective effects of a concentrate of sake (CS) and its components against D-galactosamine (GalN)-induced liver injury by measuring the plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in mice. CS significantly suppressed the GalN-induced elevation of ALT and AST activities. Each of four concentrated fractions extracted from sake (respectively consisting mainly of basic amino acids, neutral and acidic amino acids, organic acids and sugars) suppressed the GalN-induced elevation of ALT and AST activities. We focused on the sugar fraction containing glucose and ethyl α-D-glucoside (α-EG), which is a sake-specific sugar, as the major components and demonstrated that only α-EG showed significant suppression of the GalN-induced elevation of ALT and AST activities. We compared the effects of the α-EG analogues, methyl α-D-glucoside and ethyl β-D-glucoside, on GalN-induced liver injury and confirmed that only α-EG significantly suppressed both the ALT and AST activities. Moreover, CS and α-EG suppressed the GalN-induced production of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and liver DNA fragmentation. Together these results show that CS and its component, α-EG, suppressed GalN-induced liver injury by inhibiting IL-6 production.
Genome Sequence of Hybrid Vibrio cholerae O1 MJ-1236, B-33, and CIRS101 and Comparative Genomics with V. cholerae

ABSTRACT The genomes of V ibrio cholerae O1 Matlab variant MJ-1236, Mozambique O1 El Tor variant B33, and altered O1 El Tor CIRS101 were sequenced. All three strains were found to belong to the phylocore group 1 clade of V. cholerae, which includes the 7th-pandemic O1 El Tor and serogroup O139 isolates, despite displaying certain characteristics of the classical biotype. All three strains were found to harbor a hybrid variant of CTXΦ and an integrative conjugative element (ICE), leading to their establishment as successful clinical clones and the displacement of prototypical O1 El Tor. The absence of strain- and group-specific genomic islands, some of which appear to be prophages and phage-like elements, seems to be the most likely factor in the recent establishment of dominance of V. cholerae CIRS101 over the other two hybrid strains.
Psychological factors in retrograde amnesia: Self-deception and a broken heart

We explored potential contributing psychological factors in a patient (‘XF’) with focal retrograde amnesia, within the framework proposed by Kopelman (2000, Cognitive Neuropsychology, 17, 585). In particular, we investigated the psychological trait of self-enhancement. We constructed a self-report questionnaire measure of self-enhancement and compared XF's score on this measure with the scores of 61 control participants. XF was found to have a significantly greater level of self-enhancement than the entire control group, and also than a smaller sample of age- and sex-matched controls. We propose that heightened self-enhancement may reflect a premorbid tendency that potentially predisposes individuals to develop retrograde amnesia.
Shifting RNA Polymerase into Overdrive

DNA is transcribed into RNA by a highly conserved enzyme called RNA polymerase (RNAP). Organisms have developed elaborate methods to regulate gene expression by terminating transcription early. A report from Yarnell and Roberts, discussed by Landick in his Perspective, provides valuable insights into transcription termination and a process called overdrive in which the RNAP is able to ignore the termination sequence and transcription continues. Their findings are valuable for understanding gene regulation in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Perineural Catheter Techniques

Perineural catheter techniques are used to provide sustained analgesia that is beyond the duration of a single-injection peripheral nerve block (PNB). In the last 10 years they have become increasingly important for postoperative analgesia because of their localized profound analgesia and the ability to avoid adverse effects of both epidural techniques and intravenous opioid analgesics. The first case of perineural catheter insertion and use was described more than 50 years ago. Since then, the literature has consistently shown that continuous PNBs (CPNB) provide better analgesia than systemic opioid-based analgesia for the upper and lower limb surgery. Perineural catheters are commonly used in the inpatient setting and with the introduction of lightweight, reliable portable infusion pumps, they are being increasingly used for the outpatients. Potential benefits of CPNB include fewer side effects from systemic opioids, greater patient satisfaction, and faster functional recovery after surgery. Ambulatory CPNB have the potential to reduce length of hospital stay and inpatient costs. Evidence continues to be built as to optimal patient selection and surgical procedures for this modality.
Neuroendocrine signals in the regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a key hypothalamic peptide that controls the secretion of pituitary gonadotropins, particularly luteinizing hormone (LH), and hence gonadal function. Hypothalamic GnRH is released in a pulsatile manner. In the female, the pattern of GnRH pulses, i.e., pulse frequency and amplitude, varies during different reproductive stages and among different species. Several central and peripheral signals modulate GnRH neuronal activities. Some of these signals are stimulatory to GnRH release, e.g., norepinephrine (NE) and neuropeptide Y (NPY); some are inhibitory, e.g., beta-endorphin and interleukin-1; others are both stimulatory and inhibitory, e.g., estradiol-17 beta (E2). The neuronal structures and chemical interactions that result in pulsatile GnRH release remain unresolved. However, the core of the so-called 'GnRH pulse-generator' likely involves NE and NE transporter (NET, the protein for pre-synaptic re-uptake of NE). Both secretion and re-uptake of NE may determine hypothalamic NE availability. Many of the GnRH-stimulating and GnRH-inhibiting signals may influence the 'pulse-generator' by acting on GnRH neurons as second level signals. Hypothalamic GnRH is also released in a "surge" manner that is triggered either by increasing levels of circulating steroids (E2 and progesterone) during the preovulatory period in spontaneous-ovulating species, or by coitus in induced-ovulating animals. The sequential steps and mechanisms by which the GnRH surge occurs after E2 or coitus are not clear. However, it is unlikely that the E2 or coital stimuli act directly on GnRH neurons; E2 receptors have not been found in GnRH cells whereas coital signals must stop in the brainstem before they reach the hypothalamus. The brainstem may be an extra-hypothalamic site where both E2 and coital stimuli are transformed into GnRH-stimulating signals. One such signal may be NE whose brainstem cell bodies send terminals into the hypothalamus. Evidence from our laboratory suggests that a hypothalamic NE surge occurs at the time of the preovulatory GnRH surge in both the monkey and rabbit. Moreover, gene expression of both tyrosine hydroxylase (the rate-limiting enzyme for NE synthesis) and NET (the rate-limiting factor for synaptic NE transmission) in the brainstem increases after E2 in the monkey and after coitus in the rabbit. Other hypothalamic and/or brainstem signals, i.e., NPY, galanin, beta-endorphin, nitrous oxide and gamma aminobutyric acid, are likely involved in generating, maintaining and/or modulating the GnRH surge process. A better understanding of the up-stream GnRH-regulating signals will help improve treatments for many reproductive disorders associated with stress, obesity, infection and aging.
Prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria in selected street food and water samples

Present study was conducted to determine the bacteria and their multi-drug resistance pattern of Velpuri and water of Velpuri shop of different areas of Dhaka city. A total of 74 bacteria were isolated of which 26 isolates were subjected for further study. Eleven and 15 isolates from 26, were found Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Three isolates of Gram-positive bacteria were found rod shaped and spore formers which were identified as Bacillus spp. while eight isolates were found round shaped and nonspore formers and identified as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Planococcus, Micrococcus. In case of Gramnegative bacteria, Alcaligenes, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Proteus, Klebsiella, Yersinia were found to be associated with the samples. Among 26 isolates Pseudomonas and Planococcus were found to be dominating genera. Besides provisional identification, four selected isolates were further confirmed through molecular characterization based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Antibiotic sensitivity test results revealed that isolated bacteria were resistant against common antibiotics like penicillin G (80.77%), vancomycin (61.53%) and rifampicin (57.70%). Among the isolates Pseudomonas, Enterobacter cloacae, Eshcherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus morganii, Yersinia enterocolitica were found to be multi-drug resistant which is very much alarming for the consumers.
Kinetic limitations on the use of redundancy in robotic manipulators

The kinematic specification of motion for redundant manipulators has relied primarily on a formulation which treats the redundant degrees of freedom as independent from those required to maintain a desired end-effector trajectory. While such a formulation is conceptually appealing, it has been shown to be physically inaccurate when applied to the kinetic behavior of redundant manipulators. Here, the kinetic effects of homogeneous solutions are analyzed with emphasis on placing realistic limitations on how redundancy can be utilized without adversely affecting the primary goal of a desired end-effector trajectory. It is shown that it is possible to identify manipulator configurations which possess the desirable characteristic of being able to either remove or impart a homogeneous velocity while simultaneously reducing the torque requirements on the manipulator. The conditions which govern these configurations are shown to be directly related to the conditions for guaranteeing global stability for the local torque minimization formulation. <<ETX>>
EKLF/KLF1, a Tissue-Restricted Integrator of Transcriptional Control, Chromatin Remodeling, and Lineage Determination

ABSTRACT Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF or KLF1) is a transcriptional regulator that plays a critical role in lineage-restricted control of gene expression. KLF1 expression and activity are tightly controlled in a temporal and differentiation stage-specific manner. The mechanisms by which KLF1 is regulated encompass a range of biological processes, including control of KLF1 RNA transcription, protein stability, localization, and posttranslational modifications. Intact KLF1 regulation is essential to correctly regulate erythroid function by gene transcription and to maintain hematopoietic lineage homeostasis by ensuring a proper balance of erythroid/megakaryocytic differentiation. In turn, KLF1 regulates erythroid biology by a wide variety of mechanisms, including gene activation and repression by regulation of chromatin configuration, transcriptional initiation and elongation, and localization of gene loci to transcription factories in the nucleus. An extensive series of biochemical, molecular, and genetic analyses has uncovered some of the secrets of its success, and recent studies are highlighted here. These reveal a multilayered set of control mechanisms that enable efficient and specific integration of transcriptional and epigenetic controls and that pave the way for proper lineage commitment and differentiation.
Esophageal and transpulmonary pressures in acute respiratory failure*

Objective:Pressure inflating the lung during mechanical ventilation is the difference between pressure applied at the airway opening (Pao) and pleural pressure (Ppl). Depending on the chest wall's contribution to respiratory mechanics, a given positive end-expiratory and/or end-inspiratory plateau pressure may be appropriate for one patient but inadequate or potentially injurious for another. Thus, failure to account for chest wall mechanics may affect results in clinical trials of mechanical ventilation strategies in acute respiratory distress syndrome. By measuring esophageal pressure (Pes), we sought to characterize influence of the chest wall on Ppl and transpulmonary pressure (PL) in patients with acute respiratory failure. Design:Prospective observational study. Setting:Medical and surgical intensive care units at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Patients:Seventy patients with acute respiratory failure. Interventions:Placement of esophageal balloon-catheters. Measurements and Main Results:Airway, esophageal, and gastric pressures recorded at end-exhalation and end-inflation Pes averaged 17.5 ± 5.7 cm H2O at end-expiration and 21.2 ± 7.7 cm H2O at end-inflation and were not significantly correlated with body mass index or chest wall elastance. Estimated PL was 1.5 ± 6.3 cm H2O at end-expiration, 21.4 ± 9.3 cm H2O at end-inflation, and 18.4 ± 10.2 cm H2O (n = 40) during an end-inspiratory hold (plateau). Although PL at end-expiration was significantly correlated with positive end-expiratory pressure (p < .0001), only 24% of the variance in PL was explained by Pao (R2 = .243), and 52% was due to variation in Pes. Conclusions:In patients in acute respiratory failure, elevated esophageal pressures suggest that chest wall mechanical properties often contribute substantially and unpredictably to total respiratory impedance, and therefore Pao may not adequately predict PL or lung distention. Systematic use of esophageal manometry has the potential to improve ventilator management in acute respiratory failure by providing more direct assessment of lung distending pressure.
User Influence on MIMO Channel Capacity for Handsets in Data Mode Operation

The current paper concerns realistic evaluation of the capacity of the MIMO channel between a BS and handheld device, such as a PDA or smartphone, held in front of the user's body (data mode). The work is based on measurements of the MIMO channel between two widely separated BSs in a micro-cellular setup, and six handsets located in an indoor environment. The measurements are done simultaneously in both the 773.5-778.5 MHz and 2250-2350 MHz bands, and from the two BSs. The handsets are realistic types and were measured both in free space and with twelve different users, using both one and two hands. The random capacities of the channels are evaluated in terms of outage capacity. For an SNR of 10 dB, median capacities in free space of about 4.4-4.7 bit/s/Hz for the low band and about 3.3-3.8 bit/s/Hz for the high band were found. The mean decrease in outage capacity due to the user was found to be up to about 2.2 bit/s/Hz, depending on the band and handset. More results are presented in the paper.
Sickle cell disease in Africa: burden and research priorities

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) has recently been recognised as a problem of major public-health significance by the World Health Organization. Despite the fact that >70% of sufferers live in Africa, expenditure on the related care and research in the continent is negligible, and most advances in the understanding and management of this condition have been based on research conducted in the North. In order to target limited resources, African countries need to focus research and interventions on areas that will lead to the maximum impact. This review details the epidemiological and clinical background of SCD, with an emphasis on Africa, before identifying the research priorities that will provide the necessary evidence base for improving the management of African patients. Malaria, bacterial and viral infections and cerebrovascular accidents are areas in which further research may lead to a significant improvement in SCD-related morbidity and mortality. As patients with high concentrations of foetal haemoglobin (HbF) appear to be protected from all but mild SCD, the various factors and pharmacological agents that might increase HbF levels need to be assessed in Africa, as options for interventions that would improve quality of life and reduce mortality.
Stress‐testing the affect misattribution procedure: Heterogeneous control of affect misattribution procedure effects under incentives

The affect misattribution procedure (AMP) is widely used to measure sensitive attitudes towards classes of stimuli, by estimating the effect that affectively charged prime images have on subsequent judgements of neutral target images. We test its resistance to efforts to conceal one's attitudes, by replicating the standard AMP design while offering small incentives to conceal attitudes towards the prime images. We find that although the average AMP effect remains positive, it decreases significantly in magnitude. Moreover, this reduction in the mean AMP effect under incentives masks large heterogeneity: one subset of individuals continues to experience the 'full' AMP effect, while another reduces their effect to approximately zero. The AMP thus appears to be resistant to efforts to conceal one's attitudes for some individuals but is highly controllable for others. We further find that those individuals with high self-reported effort to avoid the influence of the prime are more often able to eliminate their AMP effect. We conclude by discussing possible mechanisms.