Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metacognitive unawareness correlates with executive function impairment after severe traumatic brain injury

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical, neuropsychological, and functional differences between severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) outpatients with good and/or heightened metacognitive self-awareness (SA) and those with impaired metacognitive SA, assessed by the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS). Fifty-two outpatients were recruited from a neurorehabilitation hospital based on the following inclusion criteria: 1) age ≥ 15 years; 2) diagnosis of severe TBI; 3) availability of neuroimaging data; 4) post-traumatic amnesia resolution; 5) provision of informed consent. Measures: A neuropsychological battery was used to evaluate attention, memory and executive functions. SA was assessed by the PCRS, which was administered to patients and close family members. Patients were divided into two groups representing those with and without SA. Patients with poor SA had more problems than those with good SA in some components of the executive system, as indicated by the high percentage of perseverative errors and responses they made on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Moreover, a decrease in metacognitive SA correlated significantly with time to follow commands (TFC). This study suggests the importance of integrating an overall assessment of cognitive functions with a specific evaluation of SA to treat self-awareness and executive functions together during the rehabilitation process. (JINS, 2010, 16, 360–368.)
Semiquantitative criteria for fine‐needle biopsy diagnosis: Reduced false‐negative diagnoses

Adequate sampling is important to minimize the risk of false‐negative fine‐needle biopsy (FNB) diagnoses. This article reports a prospective study of the following criteria for adequacy of sampling for FNB benign diagnoses: at least six aspirates, at least two of which each contain at least six clusters of benign cells. Of 888 patients studied with FNB, 60 had FNB diagnoses of malignancy; 58 were surgically confirmed, and there was one false positive. Seven of eight nodules with diagnoses of suspected malignancy were excised; three were malignant. Fifty‐seven nodules had diagnoses of cellular or Hurthle‐cell adenomas; 35 were excised, and four were malignant. All 33 nodules excised after benign diagnoses (including Hashimoto's thyroiditis) were benign. Five of 23 FNBs with small numbers of benign cells were malignant, but false‐negative FNB diagnoses were avoided because of adherence to the proposed criteria for adequacy of sampling.
The data cube as a typed linear algebra operator

There is a need for a typed notation for linear algebra applicable to the fields of econometrics and data mining. In this paper we show that such a notation exists and can be useful in formalizing and reasoning about data aggregation operations. One such operation - the construction of a data cube - is shown to be easily expressible as a linear algebra operator. The construction is shown to be type-generic and some of its properties are derived from its typed definition and proved using matrix algebra. Other forms of data aggregation such as eg. rollup and cross tabulation are shown to be algebraically derivable from data cubes.
Simultaneous Detection and Identification of Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus Species by Reverse Line Blot Hybridization

ABSTRACT We report on a reverse line blot (RLB) assay, utilizing fungal species-specific oligonucleotide probes to hybridize with internal transcribed spacer 2 region sequences amplified using a nested panfungal PCR. Reference and clinical strains of 16 Candida species (116 strains), Cryptococcus neoformans (five strains of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, five strains of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii, and six strains of Cryptococcus gatti), and five Aspergillus species (68 strains) were all correctly identified by the RLB assay. Additional fungal species (16 species and 26 strains) not represented on the assay did not exhibit cross-hybridization with the oligonucleotide probes. In simulated clinical specimens, the sensitivity of the assay for Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. was 100.5 cells/ml and 102 conidia/ml, respectively. This assay allows sensitive and specific simultaneous detection and identification of a broad range of fungal pathogens.
Retrieval-practice task affects relationship between working memory capacity and retrieval-induced forgetting

ABSTRACT Retrieving a subset of items from memory can cause forgetting of other items in memory, a phenomenon referred to as retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF). Individuals who exhibit greater amounts of RIF have been shown to also exhibit superior working memory capacity (WMC) and faster stop-signal reaction times (SSRTs), results which have been interpreted as suggesting that RIF reflects an inhibitory process that is mediated by the processes of executive control. Across four experiments, we sought to further elucidate this issue by manipulating the way in which participants retrieved items during retrieval practice and examining how the resulting effects of forgetting correlated with WMC (Experiments 1–3) and SSRT (Experiment 4). Significant correlations were observed when participants retrieved items from an earlier study phase (within-list retrieval practice), but not when participants generated items from semantic memory (extra-list retrieval practice). These results provide important new insight into the role of executive-control processes in RIF.
Fimbriae and haemagglutinating activity in strains of Proteus hauseri.

SUMMARY: Fimbriae were seen with the electron microscope on each of 79 strains of Proteus hauseri when these were in the haemagglutinating phase, but were absent from the non-haemagglutinating phase. All strains were variably fimbriate. The fimbriate mutant became dominant under anaerobic or relatively anaerobic cultural conditions. The non-fimbriate mutant became dominant under aerobic conditions. The properties of Proteus fimbriae are compared with those of Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri. The fimbriation change is correlated with other mutations in Proteus strains.
Causality and Conserved Quantities: A Reply to Salmon

In a recent paper (1994) Wesley Salmon has replied to criticisms (e.g., Dowe 1992c, Kitcher 1989) of his (1984) theory of causality, and has offered a revised theory which, he argues, is not open to those criticisms. The key change concerns the characterization of causal processes, where Salmon has traded "the capacity for mark transmission" for "the transmission of an invariant quantity. " Salmon argues against the view presented in Dowe (1992c), namely that the concept of "possession of a conserved quantity" is sufficient to account for the difference between causal and pseudo processes. Here that view is defended, and important questions are raised about the notion of transmission and about gerrymandered aggregates.
Growth of Clostridium perfringens in cooked chili during cooling

U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations require that brick chili be cooled from 48.9 degrees C to 4.4 degrees C within 2 h of cooking, but processors may not always be able to comply. Studies were conducted to evaluate the extent of bacterial multiplication resulting from outgrowth of germinated Clostridium perfringens spores experimentally inoculated into chili and incubated at various temperatures. Inoculated samples were heated (75 degrees C for 20 min) to activate spores, quickly equilibrated, and held at one of five desired temperatures for 6 h. No growth was observed for C. perfringens in samples held at 26.7 degrees C and below for 6 h, but growth was observed by 6 h in samples held at 32.2 degrees C and after 2 h in samples held at temperatures between 37.8 degrees C and 48.9 degrees C. Using isothermal growth data, we developed a simple model for predicting the growth of bacteria with time under exponential cooling conditions. The model predicts both the lag phase and the numbers of bacteria at specific times during the growth phase. It was developed by using isothermal growth data and tested by using temperature-varying growth data from experiments with spores of C. perfringens in chili. Actual data agreed closely with predicted results. The results should be useful for evaluating the hazard potential for growth of C. perfringens in chili.
Obesity in Children and Adolescents Worldwide: Current Views and Future Directions—Working Group Report of the First World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Obesity is considered a global epidemic because its prevalence and severity in both adults and children is increasing worldwide at alarming rates (1-7). This increase has been related to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle with less physical activity as well as changing dietary habits, and it occurs not only in affluent countries, but also in developing countries and in countries in economic transition (6,8-11). One consequence is that overweight and obesity are becoming the most prevalent childhood nutritional disorders in many parts of the world. As a result, more children experience severe psychosocial burdens and health risks, and because most obese children grow into obese adults, this trend is expected to lead to huge economic costs to health and social security systems. This review explores the causes, risks, and current approaches to prevention and treatment of childhood obesity, and potential research directions are discussed.
Role of natural day-length and temperature in determination of summer and winter diapause in Pieris melete (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Abstract Under field conditions, the cabbage butterfly, Pieris melete, displays a pupal summer diapause in response to relatively low daily temperatures and gradually increasing day-length during spring and a pupal winter diapause in response to the progressively shorter day-length. To determine whether photoperiod is ‘more’ important than temperature in the determination of summer and winter diapause, or vice versa, the effects of naturally changing day-length and temperature on the initiation of summer and winter diapause were systematically investigated under field conditions for five successive years. Field results showed that the incidence of summer diapause significantly declined with the naturally increasing temperature in spring and summer generations. Path coefficient analysis showed that the effect of temperature was much greater than photoperiod in the determination of summer diapause. In autumn, the incidence of diapause was extremely low when larvae developed under gradually shortening day-length and high temperatures. The incidence of winter diapause increased to 60–90% or higher with gradually shortening day-length combined with temperatures between 20.0°C and 22.0°C. Decreasing day-length played a more important role in the determination of winter diapause induction than temperature. The eco-adaptive significance of changing day-length and temperature in the determination of summer and winter diapause was discussed.
A case of idiopathic calcinosis universalis.

Sir, Calcinosis is the result of disorganized amorphous deposition of calcium and phosphate in organic matrices of the biological tissues with no tendency to normal bone formation. The process starts with deposition of a small focus of hydroxyapatite and amorphous calcium phosphate. Once formed, it increases in size by growth and may result in disorganized masses as nodules or plaques (1, 2). We report here on a patient affected by idiopathic calcinosis universalis.
Contemporary surgical issues in paediatric cochlear implantation

Abstract Objective: To review the contemporary surgical issues in paediatric cochlear implantation (CI) based on published evidence. Design: Narrative literature review. Results: Surgical challenges in paediatric CI are discussed, with respect to post meningitic labyrinthitis ossificans; cochlear malformation; cochlear implantation in infants; auditory neuropathy and cochlear nerve deficiency; bilateral cochlear implantation; hearing preservation; otitis media; and device failure. Conclusion: Early CI is recommended if bacterial meningitis causes profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). CI in cochleovestibular malformation requires pre-operative imaging to plan surgical technique, choice of electrode, and to anticipate complication. Children with congenital severe to profound SNHL should undergo early bilateral simultaneous implantation, preferably before 12 months of age, except those with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder who should be implanted after one year. Soft surgical technique should be deployed in an attempt to preserve any residual hearing. Otitis media with effusion is not a contraindication to cochlear implantation, but active or recurrent acute otitis media requires resolution of infection with grommet insertion pre-operatively. Device failure in CI recipients requires a stepwise audiological, medical, radiological, and device integrity assessment to determine the need for reimplantation.
SOBRE LA APROXIMACIÓN A LA VERDAD EN LA SOCIEDAD CONTEMPORÁNEA

La concepcion y aproximacion social a la verdad es determinante en el desarrollo humano. Sobre este principio, se aborda una discusion focalizada en cinco topicos: el primero, plantea algunos criterios para dimensionar la complejidad de la verdad, destacando su dinamica naturaleza cognitiva y social; el segundo, discute sobre obstaculos relevantes para su construccion social, tales como el consumo de drogas o la manipulacion mediatica; el tercero, diserta acerca de avances, retos y condiciones necesarias para replantear la aproximacion social hacia la verdad, mostrando ciertos movimientos sociales organizados como espacios de transformacion; el cuarto, revisa algunos ambitos sociales relevantes para impulsar el replanteamiento sobre la verdad; el ultimo, presenta una reflexion integradora. En sintesis, existen cambios positivos; sin embargo, no se confirman tendencias solidas de progreso. Asi, es imperativo trascender la distorsion cultural desde los medios de comunicacion dominantes e instituciones que configuran modelos cognitivos individuales y colectivos, asi como construir sociedades con mucha mayor equidad economica, politica y cultural.
Casein hydrolysate for uterine infection treatment: a patent evaluation (WO2011132191)

Metritis, endometritis and pyometra are common uterus inflammatory diseases, occurring mainly in the early postpartum period of livestock and farm animals. These infections are primarily associated with contamination of the reproductive tract, in particular uterine. Uterine infections bring to uterine and cervical involution as well as sub-fertility; the high economic loss, due to costs for treatment, milk withdrawal, reduced reproductive performance and premature culling, clearly demonstrate that uterine health in the postpartum period requires substantial medical veterinary attention. A wide variety of therapies for endometritis have been reported, including mainly antibiotics administered either by systemic or local somministration. Here, the patent application WO/2011/132191, which describes an alternative treatment for uterine infection, using casein peptides, is evaluated and discussed.
Neurophenomenology and the Spontaneity of Consciousness

Consciousness is what makes the mind-body problem really intractable (Nagel 1980, p. 150). My reading of the situation is that our inability to come up with an intelligible conception of the relation between mind and body is a sign of the inadequacy of our present concepts, and that some development is needed (Nagel 1998, p. 338). Mind itself is a spatiotemporal pattern that molds the metastable dynamic patterns of the brain (Kelso 1995, p. 288).
Beyond checklists: toward an ethical-constructive technology assessment

While many technology assessments (TAs) formally conducted by TA organizations in Europe and the USA have examined the implications of new technologies for ‘quantifiable risks’ regarding safety, health or the environment, they have largely ignored the ethical implications of those technologies. Recently, ethicists and philosophers have tried to fill this gap by introducing tools for ethical technology assessment (eTA). The predominant approaches in eTA typically rely on a checklist approach, narrowing down the moral assessment of new technologies to evaluating a list of pre-defined ethical issues. In doing so, they often remain external to processes of technology development. In order to connect the ethics of technology more closely with processes of technology development, this paper introduces a set of principles for an ethical-constructive technology assessment approach (eCTA), reflecting on insights developed in the philosophy of technology and Science and Technology Studies, and drawing on examples of telecare technologies. This approach bases itself on an analysis of the implications of technology processes at the micro-level, particularly for human–technology relations. The eCTA approach augments the current approach of the ethics of new and emerging science and technology at the meso- and macro-levels of institutional practices
Dynamic photoelastic study of the transient stress field in solids during shock wave lithotripsy.

Photoelastic and shadowgraph imaging techniques were used to visualize the propagation and evolution of stress waves, and the resultant transient stress fields in solids during shock wave lithotripsy. In parallel, theoretical analysis of the wavefront evolution inside the solids was performed using a ray-tracing method. Excellent agreement between the theoretical prediction and experimental results was observed. Both the sample size and geometry were found to have a significant influence on the wave evolution and associated stress field produced inside the solid. In particular, characteristic patterns of spalling damage (i.e., transverse and longitudinal crack formation) were observed using plaster-of-Paris cylindrical phantoms of rectangular and circular cross sections. It was found that the leading tensile pulse of the reflected longitudinal wave is responsible for the initiation of microcracks in regions inside the phantom where high tensile stresses are produced. In addition, the transmitted shear wave was found to play a critical role in facilitating the extension and propagation of the microcrack.
Connective tissue graft used as a biologic barrier to cover an immediate implant.

BACKGROUND The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of placing implants in fresh extraction sites with simultaneous connective tissue grafting. The teeth selected for this treatment showed gingival recession and/or absence of attached gingiva. METHODS Ten patients (five men and five women), 42 to 55 years of age, were included in the study. After initial examination and treatment planning, all of the patients selected for the study underwent periodontal treatment that was deemed necessary to favor wound healing. Subsequently, the teeth were extracted, and implants were placed without reflection of a mucoperiosteal flap. Immediately after implantation, a connective tissue graft was placed over the implants to treat the gingival recession. The second stage of surgery was performed 6 months after the initial procedure. The following clinical parameters were evaluated for each patient at 6 and 12 months after implant placement and connective tissue grafting: probing depth, probing attachment level, and mobility. Radiographs were taken using a standardized method to evaluate the marginal bone loss. Esthetic outcomes were evaluated using the measurements before implant placement and 12 months after surgery: width of the keratinized mucosa, emergence profile of the crown, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS The healing period was uneventful for all patients. All of the implants had osseointegrated. At the end of the 12-month follow-up, the patients were asymptomatic, and the implant sites showed no signs of infection or bleeding when probed. The parameters used to estimate the esthetic outcomes showed an improvement. CONCLUSIONS Implant placement immediately after tooth extraction with simultaneous connective tissue graft was considered a successful procedure. Moreover, the surgical approach used in this study can be considered a treatment option in cases with non-salvageable teeth showing gingival recession and the absence of attached gingiva.
Analysis of relationship between head motion information and driving scene for dangerous driving forecast

Many car accidents are caused by driver's deviation from normal condition like carelessness. We aim to construct a driving assist system that is able to detect driver's deviation signal from normal condition. The system detects the deviation signal using driver's time-series head motion information. In this paper, we analyze driving movies taken by monocular in-vehicle camera, and examine driver's head position category in safety verification at intersections for quantification of head motion information. Moreover, we propose a quantifiable categorizing algorithm of head motion using two kinds of unsupervised neural networks, and it provides a possibility of quantification of the head position.
Effect of Torso and Breast Characteristics on the Perceived Fit of Body Armour Systems Among Female Soldiers: Implications for Body Armour Sizing and Design

This study aimed to provide normative data characterising the torsos and breasts of female soldiers and to determine which torso and breast anthropometric measurements contributed to reports of poor body armour fit. Ninety-seven female Australian Army soldiers completed a questionnaire about their experience with current-issue body armour, including perceptions of fit. Participants also attended a single testing session where we took a three-dimensional scan of their breasts and torso and collected several anthropometric measurements to characterise their torso size and shape. Sixteen of the 22 breast and torso measurements collected were significantly related to the perceived fit of current-issue body armour systems. To improve perceptions of fit for female soldiers and, in turn, reduce movement interference, discomfort, and barriers to occupational performance, future body armour systems should cater to the wide range of female breast and torso shapes and sizes.
Novel technique for reduction of amplitude modulation of pulse trains generated by subharmonic synchronous mode-locked laser

Subharmonically synchronous mode-locked and hybrid mode-locked lasers suffer from strong amplitude modulation at frequencies corresponding to injection signal frequency. In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time, significant reduction of amplitude modulation of pulse trains generated by a subharmonic synchronous mode-locked laser at 38 GHz using a nonlinear optical loop mirror. Experimental results as well as a theoretical analysis for the scheme are presented.