Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Constant, Random and Blocked Practice in an Electromyography-Based Oral Motor Learning Task

ABSTRACT Purpose: The role of principles of motor learning (PMLs) in speech has received much attention in the past decade. Oral motor learning, however, has not received similar consideration. This study evaluated the role of three practice conditions in an oral motor tracking task. Method: Forty-five healthy adult participants were randomly and equally assigned to one of three practice conditions (constant, blocked, and random) and participated in an electromyography-based task. The study consisted of four sessions, at one session a day for four consecutive days. The first three days sessions included a practice phase, with immediate visual feedback, and an immediate retention phase, without visual feedback. The fourth session did not include practice, but only delayed retention testing, lasting 10–15 minutes, without visual feedback. Results: Random group participants performed better than participants in constant and blocked practice conditions on all the four days. Constant group participants demonstrated superior learning over blocked group participants only on day 4. Conclusion: Findings indicate that random practice facilitates oral motor learning, which is in line with limb/speech motor learning literature. Future research should systematically investigate the outcomes of random practice as a function of different oral and speech-based tasks.
Publication patterns of comparative effectiveness research in spine neurosurgery.

OBJECT The purpose of this study was to investigate publication patterns for comparative effectiveness research (CER) on spine neurosurgery. METHODS The authors searched the PubMed database for the period 1980-2012 using the key words "cost analysis," "utility analysis," "cost-utility," "outcomes research," "practical clinical research," "comparator trial," and "comparative effectiveness research," linked with "effectiveness" and "spine neurosurgery. " RESULTS From 1980 through April 9, 2012, neurosurgery CER publications accounted for 1.38% of worldwide CER publications (8657 of 626,330 articles). Spine neurosurgery CER accounted for only 0.02%, with 132 articles. The journal with the greatest number of publications on spine neurosurgery CER was Spine, followed by the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. The average annual publication rate for spine neurosurgery CER during this period was 4 articles (132 articles in 33 years), with 68 (51.52%) of the 132 articles being published within the past 5 years and a rising trend beginning in 2008. The top 3 contributing countries were the US, Turkey, and Japan, with 68, 8, and 7 articles, respectively. Only 8 regular articles (6.06%) focused on cost analysis. CONCLUSIONS There is a paucity of publications using CER methodology in spine neurosurgery. Few articles address the issue of cost analysis. The promotion of continuing medical education in CER methodology is warranted. Further investigations to address cost analysis in comparative effectiveness studies of spine neurosurgery are crucial to expand the application of CER in public health.
Meta-analysis of Function After Secondary Shoulder Surgery in Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy

Background: Shoulder internal rotation contracture, active abduction, and external rotation deficits are common secondary problems in neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP). Soft tissue shoulder operations are often utilized for treatment. The objective was to conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review analyzing the clinical outcomes of NBPP treated with a secondary soft-tissue shoulder operation. Methods: A literature search identified studies of NBPP treated with a soft-tissue shoulder operation. A meta-analysis evaluated success rates for the aggregate Mallet score (≥4 point increase), global abduction score (≥1 point increase), and external rotation score (≥1 point increase) using the Mallet scale. Subgroup analysis was performed to assess these success rates when the author chose arthroscopic release technique versus open release technique with or without tendon transfer. Results: Data from 17 studies and 405 patients were pooled for meta-analysis. The success rate for the global abduction score was significantly higher for the open technique (67.4%) relative to the arthroscopic technique (27.7%, P<0.0001). The success rates for the global abduction score were significantly different among sexes (P=0.01). The success rate for external rotation was not significantly different between the open (71.4%) and arthroscopic techniques (74.1%, P=0.86). No other variable was found to have significant impact on the external rotation outcomes. The success rate for the aggregate Mallet score was 57.9% for the open technique, a nonsignificant increase relative to the arthroscopic technique (53.5%, P=0.63). Data suggest a correlation between increasing age at the time of surgery and a decreasing likelihood of success with regards to aggregate Mallet with an odds ratio of 0.98 (P=0.04). Conclusions: Overall, the secondary soft-tissue shoulder operation is an effective treatment for improving shoulder function in NBPP in appropriately selected patients. The open technique had significantly higher success rates in improving global abduction. There were no significant differences in the success rates for improvement in the external rotation or aggregate Mallet score among these surgical techniques. Level of Evidence: Level IV—meta-analysis.
The impact of data reduction on the intra-trial reliability of a typical measure of lower limb musculoskeletal stiffness

Abstract Double-leg repeated jumping tasks are commonly used as measures of lower limb stiffness in exercise science research. Within similar stiffness calculations, variation in data-reduction criteria exists. The impact of these varied data-reduction methods on stiffness measures is unknown. Sixteen adolescent female participants from varied physical activity backgrounds performed 15 self-paced, bent-knee continuous jumps (CJb) on two force plates. Leg stiffness was calculated as the ratio of the peak force and the centre of mass displacement for each contact. Using combinations of criteria based on previous literature, 83 data-reduction methods were applied to the raw data. Data reduction suitability was assessed based on intra-trial reliability, the number of participants excluded and the average contacts excluded. Four data-reduction methods were deemed suitable for use with adolescent female populations, with three consecutive contacts within 1 SD of the average jump frequency considered optimal. The average individual stiffness values were not greatly influenced by the data-reduction method; however, for a single participant, a stiffness change of up to 6 kN · m−1 (30%) was observed. The role and potential impact of data-reduction methods used to evaluate measures of lower limb stiffness during repeated jumping tasks warrants consideration.
Differentiating drought legacy effects on vegetation growth over the temperate Northern Hemisphere

In view of future changes in climate, it is important to better understand how different plant functional groups (PFGs) respond to warmer and drier conditions, particularly in temperate regions where an increase in both the frequency and severity of drought is expected. The patterns and mechanisms of immediate and delayed impacts of extreme drought on vegetation growth remain poorly quantified. Using satellite measurements of vegetation greenness, in‐situ tree‐ring records, eddy‐covariance CO2 and water flux measurements, and meta‐analyses of source water of plant use among PFGs, we show that drought legacy effects on vegetation growth differ markedly between forests, shrubs and grass across diverse bioclimatic conditions over the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Deep−rooted forests exhibit a drought legacy response with reduced growth during up to 4 years after an extreme drought, whereas shrubs and grass have drought legacy effects of approximately 2 years and 1 year, respectively. Statistical analyses partly attribute the differences in drought legacy effects among PFGs to plant eco‐hydrological properties (related to traits), including plant water use and hydraulic responses. These results can be used to improve the representation of drought response of different PFGs in land surface models, and assess their biogeochemical and biophysical feedbacks in response to a warmer and drier climate.
Leigh syndrome: Clinical features and biochemical and DNA abnormalities

We investigated the etiology of Leigh syndrome in 67 Australian cases from 56 pedigrees, 35 with a firm diagnosis and 32 with some atypical features. Biochemical or DNA defects were determined in both groups, ie, 80% in the tightly defined group and 41% in the “Leigh‐like” group. Eleven patients had mitochondrial DNA point mutations (nucleotide [nt] 8993 T to G, nt 8993 T to C, or nt 8344 A to G) and 1 Leigh‐like patient had a heteroplasmic deletion. Twenty‐nine patients had enzyme defects, ie, 13 respiratory chain complex I, 9 complex IV, and 7 pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC). Complex I deficiency is more common than recognized previously. Six PDHC‐deficient patients had mutations in the X‐chromosomal gene encoding the Elα subunit of PDHC. Parental consanguinity suggested autosomal recessive inheritance in two complex IV‐deficient sibships. We found no strong correlation between the clinical features and basic defects. An assumption of autosomal recessive inheritance (frequently made in the past) would have been wrong in nearly one‐half (1 1 of 28 tightly defined and 18 of 41 total patients) of those in whom a cause was found. A specific defect must be identified if reliable genetic counseling is to be provided.
Cloning and Characterization of Porcine Enamelin mRNAs

Dental enamel forms by matrix-mediated biomineralization. The components of the developing enamel matrix are generally specific for that matrix. The primary structures of three enamel proteins-amelogenin, tuftelin, and sheathlin (ameloblastin/amelin)—have been derived from cDNA sequences. Here we report the cloning and characterization of mRNA encoding a fourth enamel protein: enamelin. The longest porcine enamelin cDNA clone has 3907 nucleotides, exclusive of the poly(A) tail. The primary structure of the secreted protein is 1104 amino acids in length. Without post-translational modifications, the secreted protein has an isotope-averaged molecular mass of 124.3 kDa and an isoelectric point of 6.5. Polymerase chain-reaction phenotyping of enamelin cDNA suggests that porcine enamelin transcripts are not alternatively spliced and use a single polyadenylation/cleavage site. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses with an affinity-purified antipeptide antibody specific for the enamelin carboxyl terminus demonstrate that enamelin is synthesized and secreted by secretory-phase ameloblasts. The parent protein is a 186-kDa glycoprotein that concentrates along the secretory face of the ameloblast Tomes' process. Intact enamelin and proteolytic cleavage products containing its carboxyl terminus are limited to the most superficial layer of the developing enamel matrix, while other enamelin cleavage products are observed in deeper enamel.
Analysis and Experiment of Influencing Factors of Power Branch Parameters for Intelligent Dispatching

With the changes of meteorological environment and power operation, power branch parameter will produce fluctuation. In this paper, the influencing factors of branch parameters are introduced from temperature, ampacity, seasonal variation. Dynamic characteristic of resistance and operational characteristics of reactance is studied. Fully considering the trait of probability, the test case of impedance is designed based on the platform of experimental verification in CEPRI. The results shows that reactance is the fundamental factor in state estimation indicator.
Characterization of the rat urokinase plasminogen activator receptor promoter in PC12 cells

Rat PC12 pheochromocytoma cells treated with nerve growth factor (NGF) extend “neurites” and initiate a neuronal differentiation pathway. Although neurotrophins, growth factors [e.g., epidermal growth factor (EGF)], and other ligands induce many common primary response genes (PRGs) in PC12 cells, a unique PRG subset is induced preferentially by NGF. Expression of one NGF preferentially induced gene, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (UPAR), is required for NGF‐induced neurite extension and neuronal differentiation. A 2.1‐kb fragment of the rat UPAR 5′ regulatory region confers differential expression by NGF versus EGF, following transfection of a luciferase reporter construct into PC12 cells. Deletion studies identified a region between −100 and −50 nucleotides from the transcription start site as the region conferring preferential NGF induction. Sequence comparisons among rat, human, and murine UPAR promoters identified two common potential regulatory regions. Site‐directed mutation identified an activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) region between −66 and −72 bp, required for luciferase reporter activation by NGF. Electrophoretic mobility shift and antibody supershift assays demonstrated that specific Fos and Jun family members preferentially bind to this site following NGF treatment. We conclude that preferential activation of transcription factor binding at this AP‐1 site mediates preferential NGF activation of the UPAR gene. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stereoscopic Depth Movement: Two Eyes Less Sensitive than One

Visual sensitivity to stimuli with sinusoidal movement was examined under a number of conditions of binocular stimulation. Sensitivity to stereoscopic movement in depth was reduced in comparison to that for monocular movement. The reduced sensitivity appeared to be due to the presence of stereoscopic depth movement, as opposed to stereoscopic stimulation, binocular movement, or fusion of the images.
Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplant in patients with critical leg ischemia: preliminary clinical results.

OBJECTIVES Stem cell transplant can induce vasculogenesis and improve the blood supply to an ischemic region, offering hope for chronic lower extremity ischemic diseases. Bone marrow mononuclear cells are one of the sources for stem cell transplants. We sought to observe the safety and efficacy of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplant for treating critical limb ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to receive placebo (0.9% NaCl) or 1 × 107 piece/mL bone marrow mononuclear cell transplant. For 6 months, patients' skin ulcers, ankle-brachial index, and rest pain were examined and recorded before and after treatment. RESULTS Six months after the bone marrow mononuclear cells transplant, clinical symptoms like rest pain and skin ulcers gradually abated (P < .05). Ankle-brachial index also increased after the transplant (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplant for treatment of patients with chronic limb ischemia is safe, effective, and feasible.
Adoptive parents can be unprepared for the challenges in caring for children with reactive attachment disorder

Implications for practice and research: Adoptive parents experience significant challenges in caring for children diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder. Informing prospective adoptive parents about attachment issues and providing concrete assistance to develop healthy attachment relationships may decrease some of the frustration experienced by parents and children affected with the disorder. Future research could address factors contributing to the diagnosis of reactive attachment disorder as well as best practices for ameliorating the disorder.
Information Diffusion: A Study of Twitter During Large Scale Events

The diffusion of information through a population about a natural disaster or other emergency affects how and when the public reacts to the situation, including evacuation and the demand for assistance. Thus, it is important to understand how and at what speed important information spreads. Social media are an important part of this diffusion and provide a convenient and effective way to measure it. This study used data about a social network of 15,000 Twitter users and their tweets. Information such as the time of a tweet, the user name, the tweet content, and the tweet ID was analyzed to measure the diffusion of information and track the trajectory of retweets. The spread of information was visualized and analyzed to determine how far and how fast the information spread. The results showed how different types of information spread indicated the importance of different topics to these users. The network of popular users also demonstrated how effectively a message can pass through several users. Understanding how information spreads will benefit policy makers and emergency managers who want to get the right information to the right people, so that they can respond optimally to an emergency.
Human cytotoxic response in vitro to trinitrophenyl-modified autologous cells. II. Diversity of self determinants recognized in association with TNP.

The present study is a survey of classes of self determinants that are recognized in association with the trinitrophenyl hapten (TNP) by human T cell effectors sensitized in vitro with TNP-modified autologous cells. Specificity was investigated by studies of direct lysis and cold target cell competition. Interpretation of the results of direct lysis experiments was facilitated by the use of interaction analysis. Studies of effector populations from six siblings demonstrated that on the average approximately 40% of the cytotoxic activity was specific for polymorphic determinants of which most or all were HLA linked. Studies of effectors from six unrelated donors, selectively matched for HLA-A and -B locus determinants, demonstrated that some of the cytotoxic activity was directed against HLA-A and/or -B locus-associated polymorphic determinants, but that the serologically-defined HLA-A and -B locus antigens were not the only polymorphic determinants recognized. Studies by cold target cell competition demonstrated that some of the cytotoxic activity was directed against TNP in association with relatively nonpolymorphic antigens. Thus, there was evidence for considerable diversity of the classes of self determinants that human T cells can recognize in association with TNP. Furthermore, the possibility of immune response gene control of the cytotoxic response to these determinants was suggested by differences between donors in their response to TNP-modified self determinants.
A completely fair secret sharing scheme without dealer

In secret sharing schemes, there is always a special participant called the dealer who controls the distribution of the secret S. It is so powerful that once the dealer is depraved, the whole system is to be paralyzed. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to cancel the privilege of the dealer and realize completely fair secret sharing. In this paper, we make use of the excellent additivity property of the polynomial and obtain a completely fair secret sharing scheme without the dealer. In this way, we can securely and fairly share a secret without the threat of oversized power.
Computer-assisted kinematic evaluation of induced compensatory movements resembling lameness in horses trotting on a treadmill.

OBJECTIVE To characterize compensatory movements of the head and pelvis that resemble lameness in horses. ANIMALS 17 adult horses. PROCEDURE Kinematic evaluations were performed while horses trotted on a treadmill before and after shoe-induced lameness. Lameness was quantified and the affected limb determined by algorithms that measured asymmetry in vertical movement of the head and pelvis. Induced primary lameness and compensatory movements resembling lameness were assessed by the Friedman test. Association between induced lameness and compensatory movements was examined by regression analysis. RESULTS Compensatory movements resembling lameness in the ipsilateral forelimb were seen with induced lameness of a hind limb. There was less downward and less upward head movement during and after the stance phase of the ipsilateral forelimb. Doubling the severity of lameness in the hind limb increased severity of the compensatory movements in the ipsilateral forelimb by 50%. Compensatory movements resembling lameness of the hind limb were seen after induced lameness in a forelimb. There was less upward movement of the pelvis after the stance phase of the contralateral hind limb and, to a lesser extent, less downward movement of the pelvis during the stance phase of the ipsilateral hind limb. Doubling the severity of lameness in the forelimb increased compensatory movements of the contralateral hind limb by 5%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Induced lameness in a hind limb causes prominent compensatory movements resembling lameness in the ipsilateral forelimb. Induced lameness in a forelimb causes slight compensatory movements resembling lameness in the ipsilateral and contralateral hind limbs.
ERP implementation: lessons from a case study

Many organizations have moved from stand‐alone business information systems applications to integrated enterprise‐wide systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP). The implementation of ERP packages has created an opportunity to re‐engineer business processes within and beyond the organizational scope. Most notably, SAP R/3 has been widely implemented to create value‐oriented business processes that enable a high level of integration, improve communication within internal and external business networks, and enhance the decision‐making process. Though many organizations have reported dramatic improvements from SAP R/3 implementation, others have experienced difficulties in getting the R/3 modules aligned with other business components and systems. This paper describes a case study of a failed implementation of SAP R/3 to re‐engineer the business processes of a major manufacturer. Lessons in terms of factors that led to failure and their future implications are discussed in the light of the contrasting experiences of several best practice companies.
Antioxidant protection against corneal damage by free radicals during phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE To examine the role of ascorbic acid in reducing corneal endothelial cell loss secondary to high-energy ultrasound energy during phacoemulsification surgery. METHODS Seventeen rabbit eyes were subjected to prolonged phacoemulsification within the anterior chamber, without manipulation or damage to other ocular structures. In nine eyes, a balanced salt ophthalmic solution was used as the phacoemulsification irrigation solution, and in eight eyes the solution plus 0.001 M ascorbic acid was used, all other parameters being identical between the two groups. Specular microscopy was performed in all eyes before and 1 week after surgery. The animals were then killed, and the corneas were examined histologically. RESULTS There was no significant difference in preoperative endothelial cell counts between the two groups. Postoperative cell counts were reduced by 453.9 +/- 233.3 (SEM) cells/mm(2) in the solution-alone group versus 123.2 +/- 196.4 (SEM) cells/mm(2) in the solution-plus-ascorbic acid group, (P = 0.011). Corneal histology revealed a marked difference in endothelial cell morphology between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS The addition of ascorbic acid to the irrigation solution significantly reduced the amount of endothelial cell loss during phacoemulsification by approximately 70%. This is thought to be due to the free-radical-scavenging properties of ascorbic acid. Further studies are warranted to find the optimal concentrations and combinations of free radical scavengers to be used in phacoemulsification irrigation solutions.