Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compound action potential (AP) tuning curves.

With a tone‐on‐tone masking procedure the compound action potential (AP), elicited by brief tone bursts of set frequency and intensity, was decreased by a constant fraction. The frequency–intensity pairs formed by the masker that yield this decrease generate the AP tuning curve. It is demonstrated that such tuning curves are very similar to both psychophysical tuning curves and single VIIIth‐nerve‐fiber tuning curves. Changes in the properties of these curves are described as functions of stimulus frequency and level, mode of masking (simultaneous and forward), and parameters of the masker.Subject Classification: [43]65.40, [43]65.42, [43]65.58.
A review of risk management process in construction projects of developing countries

In the construction industry, risk management concept is a less popular technique. There are three main stages in the systematic approach to risk management in construction industry. These stages include: a) risk response; b) risk analysis and evaluation; and c) risk identification. The high risk related to construction business affects each of its participants; while operational analysis and management of construction related risks remain an enormous task to practitioners of the industry. This paper tends towards reviewing the existing literature on construction project risk managements in developing countries specifically on risk management process. The literature lacks ample risk management process approach capable of capturing risk impact on diverse project objectives. This literature review aims at discovering the frequently used techniques in risk identification and analysis. It also attempts to identify response to clarifying the different classifications of risk sources in the existing literature of developing countries, and to identify the future research directions on project risks in the area of construction in developing countries.
An approach to approximate computing: Logic transformations for one-minterm changes in specification

Here we consider one special situation for approximate computing. Given a specification, S, in a truth table and its corresponding multi-level logic circuit implementation, I, S is changed to S' by only changing the truth table value for exactly one minterm from 0 to 1 or 1 to 0. We would like to transform I into I' in such a way that I' is equivalent to S' This is a sort of basic operations for approximate logic synthesis, as the functional changes are minimal (only for one minterm). We experimentally show that even if we change functions for all of the gates in the circuit, I, without changing their input signals (their immediate fanins), i.e., no topological changes, the circuit can never become equivalent to S' for all the cases we tried. However, if we allow to change the function of only one gate in the last level of the circuit, I, and allow to change its input signals as well, the circuit becomes equivalent to S' around 13% of the cases in average with in average additional 1.1 inputs to the gate in the last level. We also experimentally show that one minterm changes in truth tables are, comparing with one and two products changes where all minterms inside the products are changed, the most difficult problems to accommodate from the viewpoint of Engineering Change Order (ECO) or logic debugging, when the circuits are implemented as multi-level logic.
Abnormal Expression of 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases in Breast Cancer Predicts Late Recurrence 1

The 17 -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 -HSD) enzymes are involved in the interconversion of biologically active and inactive sex steroids and are considered to play a critical role in the in situ metabolism of estrogen, especially in estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The gene encoding 17 -HSD type 2 is located at 16q24.1-2, and earlier studies have shown that allelic loss in this region is an early and frequent event in breast cancer progression. Recurrence of hormone-dependent breast cancer frequently occurs several years after the primary treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the expression of 17 -HSD types 1 and 2 differs in tumors from patients with late relapses (>5 years) compared with controls without recurrence after long-term follow-up. Using realtime reverse transcription-PCR, we found that the normal mammary gland expressed both 17 -HSD types 1 and 2, whereas the tumors frequently lacked detectable levels of type 2. Only 10% of the estrogen receptor-positive tumors expressed type 2, whereas 31% of the ERnegative tumors did so (P 0.031). In a case-control series of 84 patients, a high level of 17 -HSD type 1 indicated increased risk to develop late relapse of breast cancer (odds ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.0– 12.6; P 0.041), whereas retained expression of type 2 indicated decreased risk (odds ratio, 0.25; 95% confidence interval, 0.05–1.2; P 0.050). In multivariate analysis of the estrogen receptor-positive patients, the absence of 17 -HSD type 2 combined with a high expression of type 1 showed prognostic significance (P 0.016) in addition to DNA aneuploidy (P 0.0058), whereas progesterone receptor status did not (P 0.71). These findings suggest that abnormal expression of 17 -HSD isoforms has prognostic significance in breast cancer and that altered expression of these enzymes may have importance in breast cancer progression.
Experimental Leishmania (L.) amazonensis Leishmaniasis: Characterization and Immunogenicity of Subcellular Fractions

A technique developed in Trypanosoma cruzi biochemical studies was successfully used to fractionate Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis promastigotes. Ultrastructural analyses revealed a membrane fraction (MF) associated to subpellicular microtubules, a ribosomal-rich microsomal fraction (MicF), and a flagellar fraction (FF) free of associated membrane. All fractions proved to be immunogenic through delayed type hypersensitivity reaction assays. Therefore, a protocol was designed to test whether these fractions could elicit a protective response in mice infected by L. (L), amazonensis. The protocol consisted of a BCG injection (as cellular immunity inducer), followed by cyclophosphamide (once its cytotoxic effect is over, this immunosupressor can increase the number of circulating leukocytes), then an injection with one of the fractions followed by a challenge. When compared to infected control animals, mice injected with any of the fractions presented a smaller footpad swelling, especially those injected with MicF or FF. Macroscopically, immunized mice under modulation by BCG presented no swelling. Histopathological studies performed on day 120 revealed fewer amastigotes and more intense inflammation in lesions of MicF and FF injected mice. Animals injected with MF presented an intermediate pattern. Parasite quantification corroborated these results. The results show that all fractions are potent immunostimulators, but MicF and FF have the strongest protective ability.
An Empirical Study on Improving Hierarchical Phrase-Based Translation Using Alignment Features

In this paper, we empirically investigate three new features from word alignments to improve speech-to-speech translation on mobile devices for low-resource languages. The three features include one feature about alignment for boundary words of the target side phrase, one about the balance of terminal words be-tween the source and the target side, and another about the number of unaligned words. We carry out experiments on both directions (E2F and F2E) for Pashto and Dari, two ofﬁcial languages of Afghanistan. By using the proposed alignment features, we can obtain improvements (up to 1% BLEU score) on the test sets for both Pashto and Dari
Dynamic scaling of trajectories for robots with elastic joints

The classical dynamic scaling property of robot trajectories is analyzed in the case of presence of elastic transmissions. We present a technique for recovering the fastest motion under torque constraints, when uniform time scaling is used along a given path. The scaling algorithm is based on the solution of a complete quartic polynomial equation, which reduces to a biquadratic one in the absence of viscous friction. Consequences on the organization of inverse dynamics computation are pointed out. Numerical results are reported for a planar 2R arm, illustrating the differences that arise with respect to the fully rigid case.
Functional Assessment of Intrahypothalamic Implants of Immortalized Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone-Secreting Cells in Female Hypogonadal Mice

The hypogonadal (HPG) mouse is a mutant that lacks a functional gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) gene. In this study, female HPG mice received bilateral intrahypothalamic implants of an immortalized GnRH-secreting cell line (GT1-7). Nine mice were tested 42-65 days after implantation to determine whether these cells could support spontaneous and/or N-methyl-D, L,-aspartic acid (NMDA)-stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. When sampled via intravenous catheters, four mice had measurable LH secretion. Three of these mice responded to NMDA challenges with significant increases in circulating LH. GnRH immunocytochemistry revealed that GT1-7 cells were present in these four mice and three others in which LH values were not detectable. There were about 1200 GnRH cells dispersed within the piriform cortex and olfactory tubercle, and no tumor found in one of the HPG mice that responded to NMDA, whereas the other NMDA responders had large bilateral hypothalamic tumors. The presence or absence of such tumors did not predict the capacity to respond to the NMDA challenge with alterations in LH secretion. This study provides the first evidence that intrahypothalamic GT1-7 cells can support LH release in the HPG mouse, and that this secretion can be modified by pharmacological agents.
Specificity of a protective memory immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

We have investigated the memory T-cell immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. C57BL/6J mice infected with M. tuberculosis were found to generate long-lived memory immunity which provided a heightened state of acquired resistance to a secondary infection. The T-cell response of memory immune mice was directed to all parts of the bacilli, i.e., both secreted and somatic proteins. Major parts of the memory T-cell repertoire were maintained in a highly responsive state by cross-reactive restimulation with antigens present in the normal microbiological environment of the animals. A resting non-cross-reactive part of the memory repertoire was restimulated early during a secondary infection to expand and produce large amounts of gamma interferon. The molecular target of these T cells was identified as a secreted mycobacterial protein with a molecular mass of 3 to 9 kDa.
MANAGEMENT OF PAIN USING TRANSDERMAL PATCHES - A REVIEW

Transdermal delivery is a non-invasive route of drug administration through the skin surface that can deliver the drug at a predetermined rate across the dermis to achieve a local or systemic effect. It is potentially used as an alternative to oral route of drugs and hypodermic injections. Analgesics are mostly used for various diseases as most of them are associated with severe or mild pain. The use of analgesics as a pain relief patch is now being used commonly. A transdermal analgesic or pain relief patch is a medicated adhesive patch used to relieve minor to severe pain. Currently, the patches are available for many opioids, non-opioids analgesics. local anesthetics, and antianginal drugs. The drugs include fentanyl, buprenorphine ketoprofen, diclofenacepolamine, piroxicam, capsaicin, nitroglycerine, and lignocaine. They are available as both matrix and reservoir patches. This review explores the various drugs used to manage pain and their route of administration in terms of frequency, complications, and effects.
High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Sodium Benzoate , Methylparaben and Propylparaben as Preservative Components in Nystatin Suspensions

A simple and sensitive method was developed for the analysis of preservatives sodium benzoate, methylparaben and propylparaben in nystatin suspensions by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), equipped with a C18 column and PDA detector. The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile and acetate buffer of pH 4.4 (35:65 v/v). Under the optimized experimental conditions, separation of the preservatives was achieved in less than 20 min. The limits of quantifications (LOQs) and the linear dynamic ranges (LDRs) of sodium benzoate, methylparaben and propylparaben were 0.3 and 50-1000 μg ml, 0.5 and 50-600 μg ml and 0.3 and 50-900 μg ml, respectively; the respective precisions (%RSD) at 500 μg ml level were 0.72%, 0.73% and 0.51% (n = 6). The average recoveries of sodium benzoate, methylparaben and propylparaben for spiked nystatin samples were obtained as 98%, 97% and 98%, respectively.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score and the histopathologic diagnosis in NAFLD: distinct clinicopathologic meanings

The diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is defined by the presence and pattern of specific histological abnormalities on liver biopsy. A separate system of scoring the features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) called the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) was developed as a tool to measure changes in NAFLD during therapeutic trials. However, some studies have used threshold values of the NAS, specifically NAS ≥5, as a surrogate for the histologic diagnosis of NASH. To evaluate whether this unintended use of the NAS is valid, biopsy and clinical data from the 976 adults in NASH Clinical Research Network (CRN) studies were reviewed. Biopsies were evaluated centrally by the NASH CRN Pathology Committee. Definite steatohepatitis (SH) was diagnosed in 58.1%, borderline SH in 19.5% and “not SH” in 22%. The NAS was ≥5 in 50% and ≤4 in 49%; in this cohort only 75% of biopsies with definite SH had an NAS ≥5, whereas 28% of borderline SH and 7% of “not SH” biopsies had NAS ≥5. Of biopsies with an NAS ≥5, 86% had SH and 3% “not SH”. NAS ≤4 did not indicate benign histology; 29% had SH and only 42% had “not SH. ” Higher values of the NAS were associated with higher levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, whereas the diagnosis of SH was associated with features of the metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: The diagnosis of definite SH or the absence of SH based on evaluation of patterns as well as individual lesions on liver biopsies does not always correlate with threshold values of the semiquantitative NAS. Clinical trials and observational studies should take these different performance characteristics into account. (HEPATOLOGY 2011)
Effects of Lower Limb Reciprocal Pedalling Exercise on Motor Function after Stroke: A Systematic Review of Randomized and Nonrandomized Studies

This review systematically synthesized current evidence on the effects of lower limb reciprocal pedalling exercise on motor function poststroke. Detailed analysis of single studies in the review revealed multiple instances of heterogeneity including outcome measures; therefore we decided to avoid undertaking a single, potentially misleading meta-analysis. We found that despite beneficial (although nondefinitive) effects on balance, functional independence, and muscle strength, it is not possible to make clinical recommendations that support or refute the use of reciprocal pedalling exercise to enhance recovery of motor function after stroke. Our findings provide proof-of-concept for pedalling interventions and provide a foundation for subsequent research, suggesting a need for further standardized, controlled clinical trials of clearly described pedalling interventions for stroke survivors and with subsequent transparent reported findings.
Management of intractable, cirrhotic ascites with an indwelling drainage catheter.

A44-YEAR-OLD DISABLED TRUCK DRIVER was admitted to a hospice program with end-stage, ethanol-induced cirrhosis. A diminished albumin level and elevated prothrombin time were consistent with impaired hepatic synthetic function. Comorbidities related to cirrhosis included esophageal varices, a single, recent episode of hepatic encephalopathy, coagulopathy, and massive ascites. Although abstinent from ethanol for the preceding 5 years, he was not a liver transplantation candidate because of significant cardiopulmonary disease. The patient’s past medical history included asthma; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with pulmonary hypertension; coronary artery disease with several episodes of congestive heart failure in the previous 2 years; obesity; anemia; and depression. The patient continued to use tobacco, approximately 1 pack of cigarettes per week. Medications included furosemide, 40 mg orally 3 times per day; spironolactone, 200 mg orally twice per day; lactulose, 30 mg orally 3 times per day; thiamine, 100 mg orally each day; folate, 1 mg orally each day; pantoprazole, 40 mg orally each day; paroxetine 20 mg orally each day; albuterol MDI 2 puffs every 4 hours as needed; ramipril 2.5 mg orally each day, and O2, 2 L/min. The physical examination showed a pleasant, obese, middle-aged Caucasian male. Vital signs included blood pressure within a range of 115– 140/60–80; pulse rate within a range of 64–80; and respiratory rate of 24. Head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat (HEENT) examination was notable for the absence of scleral icterus. The neck showed no jugular venous distension. The lungs were clear and the heart exhibited a regular rhythm with an absent third heart sound and no murmurs. The abdomen was obese but shifting dullness and a fluid wave were demonstrable. The extremities showed 31 bilateral pitting edema to the level of the abdomen. Neurologically the patient was oriented to person, place, time, and situation, and displayed intact higher cognitive function. There was no asterixis. Laboratory examination was remarkable for a partial prothrombin that was elevated less than 4 seconds above normal. The platelet count was 65,000/mL. The patient’s symptoms of abdominal fullness, orthopnea, dyspnea with minimal exertion, and difficulty moving about—even getting out of bed—were related to ascites. His symptoms were refractory to diuretic therapy. His symptoms were relieved with periodic paracenteses, the first of which was performed more than 22 years prior to hospice admission. Recent paracenteses, however, provided little more than a week of symptomatic relief. At the time of hospice admission a large-volume paracentesis (9 L) provided excellent symptom relief for 4 days. Because of the patient’s massive, refractory, and rapidly reaccumulating ascites, placement of an
Does the Threat of Takeover Discipline Managers? New Evidence from the Foreign Investment and National Security Act

Prior literature suggests a strong takeover market accentuates earnings management but these findings 1) are drawn from confounded settings and 2) conflict with evidence that the takeover market is a managerial disciplining mechanism. In this paper, I describe a credible exogenous shock to the takeover market, the Foreign Investment and National Security Act (FINSA), which suppressed takeover activity in a subset of U.S. industries comprising one-third of the Compustat universe. I exploit this exogenous decline in takeover activity to investigate the effect of the takeover market on financial reporting quality using a difference-in-differences (DiD) research design with firm and year fixed effects. I find FINSA-affected firms boost income through accruals after FINSA, but record fewer unsigned discretionary accruals. Fewer income-decreasing discretionary accruals with no change in income-increasing accruals drive this effect. The effect is economically large. The reduction in income-decreasing discretionary accruals boosts net income by 8.5% on average, or by 0.42% of total assets. Using a triple-DiD research design I show the effect varies predictably. Firms more (less) likely to be taken over pre-FINSA should be more (less) affected by changes in the takeover market and I find that firms more likely to be taken over pre-FINSA drive my main result. Using this triple-DiD specification, I further find FINSA-affected firms record fewer income-decreasing special items and fewer write-downs after FINSA. Relatedly, I find FINSA-affected firms exhibit lower financial reporting conservatism after FINSA. My inferences are robust to several alternate discretionary accrual models, and specifications that address recent concerns about discretionary accrual model confounds. Overall, I show that stronger takeover markets curb, rather than accentuate, earnings management.
Racial-ethnic composition of provider practices and disparities in treatment of depression and anxiety, 2003-2007.

OBJECTIVES This study explored whether racial and ethnic disparities in the treatment of depression and anxiety are associated with provider-level factors. METHODS This study analyzed 58,826 office-based adult outpatient visits to primary care physicians and psychiatrists. Data were from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 2003-2007. Outcomes included counseling and referral for counseling, antidepressant prescription, and any care for depression or anxiety. The analyses of treatment outcomes were not limited to visits with a depression or anxiety diagnosis. RESULTS Compared with visits to primary care physicians by whites, such visits by blacks and Hispanics were less likely to result in antidepressant prescription or in any care for depression or anxiety; primary care visits by Hispanics were also less likely to result in counseling. Compared with visits to psychiatrists by whites, such visits by blacks were less likely to result in an antidepressant prescription. The majority of visits to both primary care physicians and psychiatrists by blacks and Hispanics were to practices serving a high percentage of nonwhite patients. However, racial and ethnic disparities in care that were especially evident in primary care settings persisted after the analyses controlled for whether visits were to settings with a high or low percentage of nonwhite patients. CONCLUSIONS Disparities in care for depression and anxiety in primary care continue and are not fully accounted for by less care being provided in settings that nonwhites frequent. Physician bias, resource issues, and patient factors may all play a role in the diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety.
Contact dermatitis in children

125 children under the age of 12 years were patch tested over a period of 7 years. 60 (48%) of the children had 1 or more positive (+ve) reactions, of which 92% (55/60) were considered relevant. The most common allergens were metals (35 +ves), fragrances (24 +ves) and rubber compounds (11 +ves). 40 of the children were also tested for contact urticaria against food additives and fragrances, of whom 20 were positive (benzoic acid 14, cinnamaldehyde 12).
[Bilateral breast bacterial cellulite secondary to Streptococcus agalactiae septicemia].

BACKGROUND We report a case of group B streptococcal septicemia of digestive origin with secondary bilateral breast dermal-hypodermal localization. CASE REPORT A 71 year-old woman with a past history of bilateral breast cancer treated by conservation therapy was hospitalized because of the sudden occurrence of two clearly delimited, inflammatory, dermal-hypodermal cutaneous plaques located on each breast, associated with fever (39 degrees C), 4 days after a colonoscopy. Further investigations eliminated carcinomatous mastitis and blood cultures were positive for group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae). Histological examination of a sigmoid polyp revealed a tubular adenocarcinoma. DISCUSSION We report the first documented case of secondary dermal-hypodermal bacterial skin infection (cellulitis) due to group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus. The occurrence after colonoscopy examination, chronology of clinical features, bilaterality and positive blood cultures are arguments in favor of the secondary nature of the skin infection process.