Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Position of the larynx in odontoceti (toothed whales)

This study examines the positional relationships of the odontocete (toothed whale) larynx to further an understanding of their breathing, swallowing, and vocalizing abilities. Seventeen specimens representing nine cetacean genera (Delphinus, Stenella, Tursiops, Grampus, Delphinapterus, Globicephala, Kogia, Mesoplodon, and Phocoena) were studied post mortem. Nine specimens were sectioned in the midsagittal plane and the position of the larynx relative to vertebral levels, skull base, and palatal structures was recorded. In eight specimens that could not be bisected for reasons of large size or condition of preservation, the larynx was removed by a ventral approach for further dissection. The results show that the upper respiratory tract of the odontocetes has evolved away from a basic mammalian pattern. Laryngeal position among terrestrial mammals usually corresponds to the level of cervical vertebrae 1–3. The odontocete larynx, however, lies rostral to the level of the atlas and extends to the presphenoidal synchondrosis. Its extension above the level of the foramen magnum is due to three factors: (1) The larynx is elongated into a tubular extension that projects beyond the soft palate into the nasopharynx; (2) the neck region is shortened owing to the highly compressed cervical vertebrae; and (3) the skull base is oriented in the same direction as the cervical vertebrae because of the horizontal and fusiform alignment of the head and thorax. Whereas the larynx of most terrestrial mammals is separable from the nasopharynx, that of the odontocetes studied may be permanently intranarial, held in place by the palatopharyngeal sphincter. Laryngeal position may affect their vocal abilities, allowing odontocetes to simultaneously swallow and echolocate.
Analysis and Regulation of Vasodilator-stimulated Phosphoprotein Serine 239 Phosphorylation in Vitro and in Intact Cells Using a Phosphospecific Monoclonal Antibody*

The development and functional analysis of a monoclonal antibody (16C2) are reported; the antibody recognizes vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP; an established substrate of both cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase) only when serine 239 is phosphorylated. VASP serine 239 represents one of the best characterized cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation sites in vitro and in intact cells. Experiments with purified, recombinant human VASP and various VASP constructs with mutated phosphorylation sites (S157A, S239A, T278A) and experiments with intact cells (human/rat platelets and other cells) treated with cyclic nucleotide-elevating agents demonstrated the specificity of the monoclonal antibody 16C2. Quantitative analysis of the VASP shift from 46 to 50 kDa (indicating VASP serine 157 phosphorylation) and the appearance of VASP detected by the 16C2 monoclonal antibody (VASP serine 239 phosphorylation) in human platelets stimulated by selective protein kinase activators confirmed that serine 239 is the VASP phosphorylation site preferred by cGMP-dependent protein kinase in intact cells. Immunofluorescence experiments with human platelets treated with cGMP analogs showed that the 16C2 monoclonal antibody also detects VASP serine 239 phosphorylation in situ at established intracellular localization sites. Analysis of VASP serine 239 phosphorylation by the 16C2 antibody appears to be the best method presently available to measure cGMP-dependent protein kinase activation in intact cells. Also, the 16C2 antibody promises to be an excellent tool for the evaluation of VASP function in intact cells.
BER of MIMO-BICM System at Current Detection/Decoding Cycle

In this letter, we analyze the bit error rate (BER) of a multiple-input multiple-output bit-interleaved coded modulation (MIMO-BICM) system with an iterative receiver that consists of a soft-in soft-out (SISO) minimum mean square error detector and an SISO channel decoder. At a current detection/decoding cycle, an upper bound on a BER is derived based on the moment generating function of signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio at the detector output. We utilize the analytical BER derived from the current cycle to update the upper bound at the next cycle in an iterative manner. By an asymptotic approach, we also show that the BER of the MIMO-BICM system with an iterative receiver converges to that of the maximal ratio combining system.
CCR5-Reactive Antibodies in Seronegative Partners of HIV-Seropositive Individuals Down-Modulate Surface CCR5 In Vivo and Neutralize the Infectivity of R5 Strains of HIV-1 In Vitro1

Exposure to HIV does not necessarily results in infection. Because primary HIV infection is associated with CCR5-tropic HIV variants (R5), CCR5-specific Abs in the sera of HIV-seronegative, HIV-exposed individuals (ESN) might be associated with protection against infection. We analyzed sera from ESN, their HIV-infected sexual partners (HIV+), and healthy controls (USN) searching for CCR5-specific Abs, studying whether incubation of PBMC with sera could prevent macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (Mip1β) (natural ligand of CCR5) binding to CCR5. Results showed that Mip1β binding to CCR5 was not modified by sera of either 40 HIV+ or 45 USN but was greatly reduced by sera of 6/48 ESN. Binding inhibition was due to Abs reactive with CCR5. The CCR5-specific Abs neutralized the infectivity of primary HIV isolates obtained from the corresponding HIV+ partners and of R5-primary HIV strains, but not that of CXCR4-tropic or amphitropic HIV strains. Immunoadsorption on CCR5-transfected, but not on CXCR4-transfected, cells removed CCR5-specific and virus-neutralizing Abs. Epitope mapping on purified CCR5-specific Abs showed that these Abs recognize a conformational epitope in the first cysteine loop of CCR5 (aa 89–102). Affinity-purified anti-CCR5-peptide neutralized the infectivity of R5 strains of HIV-1. Anti-CCR5 Abs inhibited Mip1β-induced chemotaxis of PBMC from healthy donors. PBMC from two ESN (with anti-CCR5 Abs) were CCR5-negative and could not be stimulated by Mip1β in chemotaxis assays. These results contribute to clarifying the phenomenon of immunologic resistance to HIV and may have implications for the development of a protective vaccine.
International green marketing: A comparative study of British and Romanian firms

Purpose – The market of ecological products is growing exponentially at global level, however, there are very few studies focused on the international marketing strategies of eco‐firms. Seeks to address the issues.Design/methodology/approach – On the basis of the information collected during interviews conducted with six British and six Romanian eco‐firms with international activity, the main opportunities and challenges for international green marketing are identified and analysed.Findings – The findings show important differences between the Romanian and the British firms, mainly determined by the level of development of their domestic market. The Romanian firms usually export ecological products using foreign agents, while the British firms sell internationally using their own brand name and attempting to control the foreign distribution channels. The similarity of the foreign market selection process applied by the UK eco‐firms has allowed the development of a tentative theoretical framework in the se.
Economic implications of weight change in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE Assess the impact of weight change on costs, resource use, and treatment discontinuation among metformin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). STUDY DESIGN Observational, retrospective cohort. METHODS Adults with T2DM who were pre existing metformin-treated patients were included. Insulin users were excluded. Administrative data from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2010, were linked to clinical data, and patients were placed into cohorts based on relative change in body weight. Three cohorts were created: weight loss (decrease >3%), and weight neutral (change ≤3%), weight gain (increase > 3%). Inter-cohort differences in resource utilization, costs (2010 US$), and treatment discontinuation were evaluated using statistical models that adjusted for baseline characteristics. RESULTS A total of 2110 patients (weight loss = 967; weight neutral = 970; weight gain = 173) were included; mean age was 59.6 years, 52.2% were women, 64.1% were Caucasian, and average baseline weight was 98.7 kg. The weight-loss cohort incurred significantly lower costs per year compared with the weight-neutral cohort, driven mainly by lower medical costs from reduced utilization. Weight reduction was associated with approximately $2200 and approximately $440 lower annual all-cause and T2DM-specific costs (P < .05), respectively. Patients who lost weight were 21% less likely to discontinue therapy. Weight gain was associated with a significant increase in all-cause costs of $3400 per year compared with the weight-neutral cohort; however, differences in T2DM-specific costs and discontinuation rates did not reach significance levels. CONCLUSIONS Weight loss (> 3%) among patients with T2DM was associated with decreased costs and lower rates of treatment discontinuation. Hence weight-focused treatment approaches can help reduce the economic burden for patients with T2DM.
Invariance principle and complete stability for cellular neural networks

In applications of classification of patterns, image processing, associative memories etc, the complete stability of cellular neural networks (CNNs) plays an important role. Invariance principles based on the Lyapunov functions and functionals are still the most advantageous theory to analyze the complete stability. However, one difficulty in applying classical invariance principles to the complete stability is to prove that the largest invariant set consists of equilibrium points. In this paper, we present one invariance principle to analyze the complete stability. We can avoid the difficulty of proving that the largest invariant set is constituted of equilibrium points in discussing some sufficient condition for complete stability of CNNs by using this invariance principle.
An insight into semantic similarity aspects using WordNet

Semantic similarity is becoming a generic issue in variety of applications in areas of information retrieval, computational linguistic and AI, both in the academia and industry. Examples include: computing semantic similarity, word sense disambiguation, text segmentation, multimodal document retrieval, image retrieval, etc. However, semantic similarity measures have been used showing mixed chances of success. The basic problem is that if semantic measures are used bluntly without understanding, they might decrease retrieval efficiency. There is a need to investigate semantic similarity approaches in order to have better understanding of these approaches. Several semantic methods for determining semantic similarity between terms have been proposed in the literature and most of them have been tested on WordNet. In this paper, we investigate the approaches to compute semantic similarity by mapping word concepts to WordNet ontology and by examining their relationship in that ontology. The paper then provides specific examples for explaining these approaches Further, the paper categorises and compares various approaches for measuring semantic similarity using WordNet ontology.
Hot‐Film Anemometer Velocity Measurements of Arterial Blood Flow in Horses

Blood velocity measurements were carried out using a constant-temperature hot-film anemometer system in both anesthetized and conscious horses. Catheter probes were used to measure velocity wave forms in conscious horses and L-shaped needle probes inserted by direct vessel puncture were used to measure the profiles in regions of the thoracic and abdominal aorta of anesthetized, open-chest horses. Both catheter and L-shaped probes were used for coronary velocity wave-form measurements. The flow conditions were characterized by peak Reynolds numbers of 200–10,000 and unsteadiness parameter of 2–30. These measurements indicate that in the thoracic aorta the flow at peak systole is largely inviscid with a thin-wall boundary layer; in the abdominal aorta the flow is more fully developed but skewed due to branching effects. Highly disturbed flows were observed in the thoracic aorta of both anesthetized and conscious horses, but not in the abdominal aortic region or in the coronary arteries. The results of this study indicate that the flow in the arterial system, although in many cases laminar and disturbance free, is extremely varied in character. It may be asymmetric and certainly is not representative of fully developed, Poiseuille flow.
A Structural Modeling Approach to a Multilevel Random Coefficients Model

A method for estimating the random coefficients model using covariance structure modeling is presented. This method allows one to estimate both fixed and random effects. A way of translating the general linear mixed model into a structural equation modeling (SEM) format is presented. In particular, a LISREL setup for the multiple group linear latent growth curve model is illustrated with suggestions on ways to parameterize more complex models. To illustrate the procedure, we apply the method to both simulated and real data. The method is shown to recover the simulated parameter values. Results and interpretation for the Belsky and Rovine (1990) marriage data are presented. Other applications of the more general model are suggested.
Economic policy and unemployment in Russia´s regions

Theoretical and empirical analysis of the regional labor market differences and the factor making them exist enabled to assess the structural imbalance in the Russia's transition economy. By making cluster and discriminant analyses, the authors provide alternative classifications of the regions and estimate the impact of such specific regional factors as structure of industry employment and economic policy on regional level on the labor markets performances behavior. The transition Russian economy gave birth to a regionally segmented labor market model with the inefficient structure of industry employment. In the suggested theoretical model the regions, first, have different starting conditions for the labor market and, second, pursue their economic policies in a different way. Economic policies on the regional level include privatization and promotion of private ownership, small and medium sized firms, local infrastructures and investments in human capital. The industrial structure is being formed over a long period of time and depends on the state strategy of placement of production around the territory of the country. Institutional structure of employment much depends on the economic policy of the region and on the rate of development of small business, private sector, enterprises with foreign participation, infrastructure and on the amount of investments in the human capital. If the economic policy implemented in the region has the aim to increase the efficiency of the institutional structure of employment, the risk of unemployment tends to be lower. At the same time if the private sector, the infrastructure, small business and education are underdeveloped, the risk of unemployment in that region is high. Consequently, unfavorable starting conditions for a labor market and inefficiency of the structure of industry employment can be to a certain extent offset by a regional economic policy intended to promote the non-state sector, small and medium sized firms, regional infrastructure and investments in human capital.
Psychometric evaluation of the Dutch language version of the Child and Family Follow-up Survey

Abstract Aim: The Child and Family Follow-up Survey (CFFS) is developed to monitor long-term outcomes of children and youth with acquired brain injury (ABI). The aim of this study was to translate and adapt it into the Dutch language and to evaluate its reliability and validity. Methods: The CFFS includes the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation (CASP), the Child and Adolescent Factors Inventory (CAFI) and the Child and Adolescent Scale of Environment (CASE). The CFFS was translated into Dutch following international guidelines and adapted. The internal consistency, validity and test–retest reliability were examined among two groups of patients (n = 140 and n = 27) in the age of 5–22 years with ABI and their parents. Results: The translation and adaptation resulted in the CFFS-DLV, Dutch language version. The CASP-DLV, CAFI-DLV and CASE-DLV had a good internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha being 0.95, 0.89 and 0.83, respectively. There were statistically significant correlations among the three CFFS subscale scores. These scores were also significantly correlated with the total scores of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL, parent) and the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure, but not with the domain scores of the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). The test–retest reliability was good to moderate, with the intra-class correlation coefficients being 0.90 for the CASP-DLV, 0.95 for the CAFI-DLV and 0.81 for the CASE-DLV. Conclusions: The CFFS-DLV, as translation and adaptation of the CFFS into Dutch, proved to be a promising instrument to measure long-term outcomes of children and youth with ABI. Further research is needed to examine its responsiveness to change and potential in other patient groups.
Case Study Electroacupuncture for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder : Pilot Study of 2 Cases

Objective: The objective of this study was to observe for efficacy, safety, and compliance of electroacupuncture for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: Two (2) children with ASD received electroacupuncture for 24 sessions over 8 weeks and were assessed preand postacupuncture. We defined a positive or negative change as an improvement or deterioration of 25%, respectively, in total score or any subscales of Aberrant Behavioral Checklist (ABC), Ritvo-Freeman Real Life Scale (RFRLS), WeeFIM,® and as a rating of much improved or much worse on the Clinical Global Impression–Improvement (CGI-I) scale. Results: For ABC, positive changes in “Irritability” and “Stereotypy” was noted in case 1 but no changes occurred for case 2. For RFRLS, positive changes were found for both cases in “Sensory motor,” “Sensory response,” and “Total score,” although negative change was noted for case 2 in “Affectual response. ” For WeeFIM®, there were no positive or negative changes in both cases. For CGI-I, positive change in case 1 with much improved in “Social relatedness, Communication, and Stereotypy behavior” was reported. Conclusions: A short intensive course of electroacupuncture might improve some core features of children with ASD.
The Basis of the Neural Organization for Language: Evidence from Sign Language Aphasia

It is well established that the left cerebral hemisphere is dominant for language. The basis of this asymmetry, however, is still a matter of debate. Some argue that the left cerebral hemisphere contains neural systems specialized for processing linguistic information /4,12,46/, while others argue that left hemisphere dominance for language is not a specialization for language processing per se, but rather a by-product of a leftward asymmetry for a more basic, domain-general process, or set of processes /28,48/. On the latter view there is no intrinsic neurobiological association between language itself and the left hemisphere except insofar as language processing involves these more basic, domain-general processes. There have been two major candidates proposed for a domain-general basis for language asymmetry: (i) processing rapidly changing temporal information /48/, and (ii) controlling the articulation of complex motor sequences /28/. Processing language certainly involves processes such as these to some extent, and there is evidence to suggest that an impairment in fast temporal processing or articulation of motor commands can affect aspects of language performance /28,48/, at least under some conditions. In this paper, however, we present data that call into question the hypothesis that left hemisphere dominance for language can be reduced fully to domaingeneral processes.
MYOCARDIAL STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN LONG-TERM HUMAN SEVERE SEPSIS/SEPTIC SHOCK MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CARDIAC DYSFUNCTION

The present investigation sought to determine the cellular mechanisms directly dependent on long-term severe sepsis/septic shock that could lead to myocardial structural changes in humans. Human hearts from eight cases of long-term severe sepsis/septic shock arising from infection, as defined by the ACCP/SCCM Consensus Conference; eight cases of acute necrotizing pancreatitis and acute lung injury, a noninfectious pathologic cause of systemic inflammatory response; and three cases of accidental death without thoracic injury selected from autopsies were studied. Transmural blocks of myocardial tissue were excised from the middle portion of the left ventricular free wall and were fixed in formalin or were frozen. Histochemical and immunohistochemical methods were used to evaluate the cross-striations of the myocardial cells, the number and size of interstitial macrophages, the intracardiomyocyte accumulation of lipid, the actin/myosin contractile apparatus, and the expression of iNOS, nitrotyrosine, and TNF-&agr; in the myocardia of septic and control hearts. Greater interstitial cellular infiltration composed of larger and elongated macrophages and TNF-&agr; protein expression in myofibers, interstitial macrophage cell types, and smooth muscle cells and endothelial cell in the vessels; intracardiomyocyte lipid accumulation; scattered foci of actin/myosin contractile apparatus disruption; and increased expression for iNOS and nitrotyrosine in myocytes and interstitial macrophage cell types could be observed in long-term human septic myocardium as compared with normal and acute pancreatitis control myocardia. These findings give support to an opinion that structural changes could be responsible for long-term sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction. The higher number of macrophages, most of them with morphological features of "activation," and TNF-&agr; protein expression could favor the reduction of cardiac function in septic hearts. The intramyocyte lipid accumulation in these hearts very likely reflects myocardium ventricular contractile dysfunction. In addition, the increased expression of iNOS and the evidence for the significant presence of peroxynitrite in cardiomyocytes and interstitial macrophage cell types suggest that oxidative damage may play a role in actin/myosin disruption in the hearts of septic patients.