Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vascular dementia

Criteria for the diagnosis of vascular dementia (VaD) that are reliable, valid, and readily applicable in a variety of settings are urgently needed for both clinical and research purposes. To address this need, the Neuroepidemiology Branch of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) convened an International Workshop with support from the Association Internationale pour la Recherche et l'Enseignement en Neurosciences (AIREN), resulting in research criteria for the diagnosis of VaD. Compared with other current criteria, these guidelines emphasize (1) the heterogeneity of vascular dementia syndromes and pathologic subtypes including ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, cerebral hypoxic-ischemic events, and senile leukoencephalopathic lesions; (2) the variability in clinical course, which may be static, remitting, or progressive; (3) specific clinical findings early in the course (eg, gait disorder, incontinence, or mood and personality changes) that support a vascular rather than a degenerative cause; (4) the need to establish a temporal relationship between stroke and dementia onset for a secure diagnosis; (5) the importance of brain imaging to support clinical findings; (6) the value of neuropsychological testing to document impairments in multiple cognitive domains; and (7) a protocol for neuropathologic evaluations and correlative studies of clinical, radiologic, and neuropsychological features. These criteria are intended as a guide for case definition in neuroepidemiologic studies, stratified by levels of certainty (definite, probable, and possible). They await testing and validation and will be revised as more information becomes available.
Adoption of new computer science high school standards by New Zealand teachers

Computer science was progressively introduced as a subject in New Zealand high schools between 2011 and 2013, and teachers have played a key role in the success of the introduction of the new curriculum. This paper looks at how the process has worked from their point of view, primarily by comparing teacher responses to two surveys, one early in the process and one after all three years of material had been introduced. We look at the support teachers have had to prepare to teach the new topics, and we identify the aspects of the transition that worked well and the aspects have been problematic. The two surveys reveal an increase in teacher confidence after they had professional development and gained experience teaching the new standards.
Synchronization of mutually coupled high-β quantum dot microlasers

Micro- and nanolasers promise exciting findings at the interface between laserphysics and quantum optics. Because of their low mode volume, these nanophotonic devices exhibit the cavity quantum electrodynamical effect of high-β lasing, allowing for stable laser operation close above the lasing threshold, maintaining only hundreds or even only tens of photons inside their cavity. Up to now, studies of such lasers have been focused almost exclusively on the properties of the lasers themselves without considering their interaction with other passive or active optical elements and devices. This is quite amazing since external control and coupling of lasers is well known to address many fascinating effects of non-linear dynamics, such as zero-lag synchronization of mutually coupled microlasers or the possibility of implementing neuromorphic reservoir computing in networks of coupled lasers [1].
Mutant Profilin Suppresses Mutant Actin-dependent Mitochondrial Phenotype in Saccharomyces cerevisiae*

Background: Profilin binds actin and regulates actin polymerization partly in a formin-dependent manner. Results: A profilin mutation compensates for an actin mutation causing mitochondrial dysfunction possibly via a formin-dependent process. Conclusion: The profilin-actin interface packing affects utilization of the actin-profilin complex by formin. Significance: Regulation of actin polymerization by formin requires its ability to recognize the entire actin-profilin complex not its separate parts. In the Saccharomyces cerevisiae actin-profilin interface, Ala167 of the actin barbed end W-loop and His372 near the C terminus form a clamp around a profilin segment containing residue Arg81 and Tyr79. Modeling suggests that altering steric packing in this interface regulates actin activity. An actin A167E mutation could increase interface crowding and alter actin regulation, and A167E does cause growth defects and mitochondrial dysfunction. We assessed whether a profilin Y79S mutation with its decreased mass could compensate for actin A167E crowding and rescue the mutant phenotype. Y79S profilin alone caused no growth defect in WT actin cells under standard conditions in rich medium and rescued the mitochondrial phenotype resulting from both the A167E and H372R actin mutations in vivo consistent with our model. Rescue did not result from effects of profilin on actin nucleotide exchange or direct effects of profilin on actin polymerization. Polymerization of A167E actin was less stimulated by formin Bni1 FH1-FH2 fragment than was WT actin. Addition of WT profilin to mixtures of A167E actin and formin fragment significantly altered polymerization kinetics from hyperbolic to a decidedly more sigmoidal behavior. Substitution of Y79S profilin in this system produced A167E behavior nearly identical to that of WT actin. A167E actin caused more dynamic actin cable behavior in vivo than observed with WT actin. Introduction of Y79S restored cable movement to a more normal phenotype. Our studies implicate the importance of the actin-profilin interface for formin-dependent actin and point to the involvement of formin and profilin in the maintenance of mitochondrial integrity and function.
Adopting IP Telephony Technology: Why Would Consumers Want It?

Success in today’s global economy requires improvements in technology innovation and product adoption processes as new technologies are transformed into new products and services. It is not enough to simply introduce new innovations in the form of products and services. Companies must be able to manage existing products and services even as they innovate and create new ones. This research study evaluates the adoption of an innovative IP telephony service through a field study of consumer-level early-adopters at an east coast technology university. The study will refine the technology acceptance models by investigating the effect of moderating variables of technology type and perceived technology associated risks as well as perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use contribute to information technology research in several ways. This research will also study the acceptance and adoption of synchronous telephony communications media. Finally, results from this study should provide a general understanding of consumer perceptions of and needs for IP telephony leading to a predictive model of consumer-level technology adoption that can then be tested in the market place.
Frequency of Alleles Conferring Resistance to the Bt Toxins Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab in Australian Populations of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important lepidopteran pest of cotton (Gossypium spp.) in Australia and the Old World. From 2002, F2 screens were used to examine the frequency of resistance alleles in Australian populations of H. armigera to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab, the two insecticidal proteins present in the transgenic cotton Bollgard II. At that time, Ingard (expressing Cry1Ac) cotton had been grown in Australia for seven seasons, and Bollgard II was about to be commercially released. The principal objective of our study was to determine whether sustained exposure caused an elevated frequency of alleles conferring resistance to Cry1Ac in a species with a track record of evolving resistance to conventional insecticides. No major alleles conferring resistance to Cry1Ac were found. The frequency of resistance alleles for Cry1Ac was <0.0003, with a 95% credibility interval between 0 and 0.0009. In contrast, alleles conferring resistance to Cry2Ab were found at a frequency of 0.0033 (0.0017, 0.0055). The first isolation of this allele was found before the widespread deployment of Bollgard II. For both toxins the experiment-wise detection probability was 94.4%. Our results suggest that alleles conferring resistance to Cry1Ac are rare and that a relatively high baseline frequency of alleles conferring resistance to Cry2Ab existed before the introduction of Bt cotton containing this toxin.
Decomposition and dipteran succession in pig carrion in central Argentina: ecological aspects and their importance in forensic science

Data on the insect species associated with corpse decomposition are particularly important for estimation of the post‐mortem interval (PMI) in forensic science because the PMI is based on the lifecycle and behaviour of necrophagous insects, among other measures. To determine the dipteran succession on pig carrion, four experiments, one in each season, were carried out during 2004 in a rural area of Córdoba, central Argentina. Two pigs (Sus scrofa L.) were used in each of the four experiments. At each time‐point one pig was placed in the shade and the other under direct sunlight. Insects were collected daily during the first 4 weeks and thereafter every 2 or 3 days. Five stages of decomposition were observed and a total of 24 710 adult specimens were collected, belonging to the following eight families of Diptera: Calliphoridae; Muscidae; Sarcophagidae; Phoridae; Piophilidae; Fanniidae; Sphaeroceridae, and Anthomyiidae. All Calliphoridae collected in this study were considered to be of potential forensic importance because of their necrophagous behaviour and because their immature stages use carrion as a food source. Other species, such as Musca domestica L. and Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann), were also considered to represent potential forensic indicators.
Serum biomarkers for allergy in children

A large number of studies investigating various biomarkers for allergy have been published over the past decades. The aim of this review was to evaluate these biomarkers on their diagnostic and/or predictive value. To this date, no single or specific biomarker for allergy has been identified. As allergy is not one disease, but a collection of a number of allergic conditions, it is more plausible a combination of clinical history, clinical readouts, and diagnostic markers will be needed.
Sodium oxybate for excessive daytime sleepiness in Parkinson disease: an open-label polysomnographic study.

BACKGROUND Many patients with Parkinson disease (PD) have excessive daytime sleepiness and numerous nocturnal sleep abnormalities. OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and efficacy of the controlled drug sodium oxybate in a multicenter, open-label, polysomnographic study in subjects with PD and sleep disorders. Design, Setting, and Patients Inclusion required an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score greater than 10 and any subjective nocturnal sleep concern, usually insomnia. An acclimation and screening polysomnogram was performed to exclude subjects with sleep-disordered breathing. The following evening, subjects underwent another polysomnogram, followed by an evaluation with the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) while practically defined off ("off") PD medications, ESS (primary efficacy point), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory, and Fatigue Severity Scale. Subjects then started sodium oxybate therapy, which was titrated from 3 to 9 g per night in split doses (at bedtime and 4 hours later) across 6 weeks, and returned for subjective sleep assessments. They then returned at 12 weeks after initiating therapy for a third polysomnogram, an off-medication UPDRS evaluation, and subjective sleep assessments. Data are expressed as mean (SD). RESULTS We enrolled 38 subjects. At screening, 8 had sleep apnea (n = 7) or depression (n = 1). Twenty-seven of 30 subjects completed the study. Three dropped out owing to dizziness (n = 3) and concurrent depression (n = 1). The mean dose of sodium oxybate was 7.8 (1.7) g per night. The ESS score improved from 15.6 (4.2) to 9.0 (5.0) (P < .001); the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory score, from 10.9 (4.0) to 6.6 (3.9) (P < .001); and the Fatigue Severity Scale score, from 42.9 (13.2) to 36.3 (14.3) (P < .001). Mean slow-wave sleep time increased from 41.3 (33.2) to 78.0 (61.2) minutes (P = .005). Changes in off-medication UPDRS scores were not significant, from 28.4 (10.3) to 26.2 (9.6). CONCLUSION Nocturnally administered sodium oxybate improved excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue in PD. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00641186.
Bronchial hyperreactivity in response to inhalation of ultrasonically nebulised solutions of distilled water and saline.

To assess non-specific bronchial reactivity the effect of inhaling ultrasonically nebulised solutions of distilled water and hypotonic (0 3%), isotonic (0 9%), and hyper- tonic (27%, 3 6%) saline was investigated in 10 asthmatic patients and nine normal subjects. Expired ventilation and the maximum percentage fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV,) were recorded. The sensi- tivity to the inhaled solutions was determined by measuring the ventilation required to induce a fall in FEV, of 20% from the prechallenge value. Hypotonic and hyper- tonic but not isotonic solutions caused a significant fall in FEV, in the asthmatic subjects. Normal subjects showed no response to either distilled water or 3 6% saline, the only solutions with which they were challenged. The method used for this challenge is rapid, simple, and inexpensive and provides a new means of diagnosing non-immunologically mediated bronchial hyperreac- tivity. Abstract The prevalence of HLA-DR antigens was determined in a group of white patients with rheumatoid arthritis, similar patients originating from the Indian subcontinent, and corresponding controls. Rheumatoid arthritis was found to be highly associated with DR4 in the white patients but with DR1 in the Indian patients. These results raise the possibility that the DR antigens themselves do not play a part in increasing susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis, but the locus for increased susceptibility is probably closely linked to the DR locus.
Role for Fks 1 in the Intrinsic Echinocandin Resistance of Fusarium solani as Evidenced by Hybrid Expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The opportunistic mold Fusarium solani is intrinsically resistant to cell wall synthesis-inhibiting echinocandins (ECs), including caspofungin and micafungin. Mutations that confer acquired EC resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other normally susceptible yeast species have been mapped to the Fks1 gene; among these is the mutation of residue 639 from Phe to Tyr (F639Y) within a region designated hot spot 1. Fks1 sequence analysis identified the equivalent of Y639 in F. solani as well as in Scedosporium prolificans, another intrinsically EC-resistant mold. To test its role in intrinsic EC resistance, we constructed Fks1 hybrids in S. cerevisiae that incorporate F. solani hot spot 1 and flanking residues. Hybrid construction was accomplished by a PCR-based method that was validated by studies with Fks1 sequences from EC-susceptible Aspergillus fumigatus and paired EC-susceptible and -resistant Candida glabrata isolates. In support of our hypothesis, hybrid Fks1 incorporating F. solani hot spot 1 conferred significantly reduced EC susceptibility, 4to 8-fold less than that of wild-type S. cerevisiae and 8to 32-fold less than that of the same hybrid with an F639 mutation. We propose that Fks1 sequences represent determinants of intrinsic EC resistance in Fusarium and Scedosporium species and, potentially, other fungi.
HLA-DQA1 gene expression profiling in oligoarticular JIA

Polymorphisms in the upstream regulatory region of the HLA class II DQA1 gene are currently defined by 10 different alleles. Two of them carrying a Y-box mutation are associated with susceptibility to oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (OA-JIA). We investigated allele-dependent differences in HLA-DQA1 gene expression in OA-JIA patients. In cells from affected joints compared to peripheral blood, gene expression of HLA-DRA as well as total HLA-DQA1 was significantly upregulated. Differential analyses of HLA-DQA1 allelic expression showed DQA1*02 and *04 to be comparatively increased. Intra-articular upregulation of HLA-DQA1 was predominantly observed for the OA-JIA associated allele HLA-DQA1*04. Nevertheless, the Y-box mutation of the disease-associated allele DQA1*0401 was not a common denominator for expression behaviour.
Brain Inflammation and Seizures

We have previously shown that interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein levels are increased in cerebrospinal fluid in humans after recent tonic–clonic seizures with unchanged levels of IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα). Here we studied the expression of cytokines IL-6, LIF, IL1β, and TNFα and cytokine receptors IL-6R, LIFR, and Gp130 in the rat brain after kainic acid–induced status epilepticus by using Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization histochemistry. After seizures, IL-6 mRNA was induced in the hippocampus, cortex, amygdala, and meninges, and IL-6R was upregulated in the hippocampus. LIF was upregulated in the hippocampus, cortex and meninges after seizures, and LIFR mRNA was induced in the hippocampus and cortex. Gp130 was constitutively expressed in the brain. After seizures, Gp130 transcription was rapidly induced in the meninges. In thalamus, cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, Gp130 mRNA was induced in a delayed fashion. IL-1β transcription was induced in the temporal lobe cortex and thalamus, and TNFα in the hippocampus. In general, the cytokines and their receptor mRNA levels were low in intact rat brain but were induced by seizures. Because IL-6 and LIF transcripts were induced in the meninges after seizures, the protein products of these transcripts may be more readily released in cerebrospinal fluid after seizures. In addition, the activity of IL-6 and LIF signaling pathways may be influenced by increased expression of their receptors after seizures.
The Association between Lymphovascular Invasion and Other Prognostic Indicators in Operable Breast Cancer : Experience at King Hussein Medical Center

Objective: To evaluate the association between lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and different clinicopathologic features of invasive breast cancer. Methods: Clinicopathologic and demographic data from a cohort of 298 patients, who were referred to surgery clinics at King Hussein Medical Center (KHMC) between 2007 and 2014, were retrieved and analyzed. Results: The average age of the cohort under investigation was 51.2 years with most of the patients having invasive breast carcinoma. Lymphovascular invasion was detected in 53% of the patients. Patients with lymphovascular invasion were more likely to have larger tumors (4.2 vs. 3.3cm p=0.02). Additionally, they were more likely to have progesterone negative (p=0.032), and Her2 positive tumors (p=0.003). Patients with negative Lymphovascular were more likely to have negative perineural invasion (p=0.0001). Conclusion: Lymphovascular invasion was associated with larger tumors, Progesterone negativity and Her-2 positivity. Lymphovascular invasion should be incorporated in tumor classification and treatment modality selection.
Posterolateral lumbar fusion: Relationship between computed tomography Hounsfield units and symptomatic pseudoarthrosis

Background: Assessment of bone quality can guide spinal surgery. However, surgeons infrequently evaluate bone quality in a quantitative manner. Recent literature suggests a role for computed tomography (CT) Hounsfield units (HUs) as a marker for bone quality. Limited data exist regarding its utility with respect to posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF). Methods: From fall 2010 to winter 2012, 10 patients underwent revision surgery for symptomatic pseudoarthrosis (defined as intractable pain associated with either radiographic evidence of nonunion or intraoperative evidence of nonunion) after a prior L4–S1 PLF. These patients were age-matched (±5 years) to 10 patients who underwent L4–S1 PLF with no clinical signs of pseudoarthrosis at 1-year follow-up. Available CT imaging (with or without instrumentation) was evaluated from L1 to L5 for the averaged HU. Data were pooled among L1–L3 values and between L4 and L5 values. Results: Within the pseudoarthrosis group, the pooled L1–L3 HU value was similar to the pooled L4–L5 HU value (168.39 ± 22.84 HU vs. 166.98 ± 23.20 HU respectively, P = 0.89). The same pattern was observed for the control group (190.24 ± 37.13 HU vs. 201.89 ± 36.59 HU respectively, P = 0.44). On the other hand, the pooled L1–L3 and L4–L5 HU values were larger for the control group compared to the pseudoarthrosis group, with the pooled L4–L5 HU demonstrating statistical significance, P = 0.01. Conclusion: Currently, CT imaging is typically not obtained prior to lumbar fusion. Results demonstrated that CT HU values were significantly larger for patients who did not exhibit symptomatic pseudoarthrosis at 1-year follow-up compared to those who required revision surgery. As such, CT HU values may serve as a predictor for bony fusion to guide surgical management of patients under consideration for PLF.
Design of perfect-reconstruction nonuniform recombination filter banks with flexible rational sampling factors

This paper studies the design of a class of perfect-reconstruction (PR) nonuniform filter banks (FBs) called recombination nonuniform FBs (RNFBs). They are constructed by merging subbands in a uniform FB with sets of transmultiplexers (TMUXs). It generalizes the RNFBs previously proposed by the authors to allow more general choice of the sampling factors. The spectral inversion and spurious response suppression problems of these new RNFBs using cosine modulation are analyzed, and a simple design method based on a matching condition is proposed. It is also found that the FB and the TMUX in the recombination structure can be designed separately to satisfy the matching condition. In addition, real-time adaptive merging of the channels to provide dynamic nonuniform frequency partitioning is feasible. Another advantage of the RNFBs is that the recombination and processing of the subband signal can be done at the decimated domain of the uniform FB, which greatly reduces its implementation complexity. Design examples show that high quality nonuniform PR FBs with low implementation complexity and variable time-frequency resolution can be obtained by the proposed method.
A Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Lidocaine-Containing Monophasic Hyaluronic Acid Filler for Nasolabial Folds.

Background: Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are most frequently used for unwanted wrinkles. Recently, lidocaine has been incorporated into hyaluronic acid fillers to reduce injection discomfort. Methods: A randomized, multicenter, double-blind, intraindividual trial was designed to compare a new lidocaine-containing monophasic hyaluronic acid filler (Neuramis Deep Lidocaine) with a lidocaine-containing biphasic hyaluronic acid filler (Restylane Perlane-L) in moderate to severe nasolabial