Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mild cognitive impairment and everyday function: evidence of reduced speed in performing instrumental activities of daily living.

OBJECTIVE Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may involve subtle functional losses that are not detected with typical self- or informant-report assessments of daily function. Information about the nature of functional difficulties in MCI can be used to augment common clinical assessment procedures, and aspects of function that are affected in MCI can serve as meaningful endpoints for intervention trials. DESIGN Cross-sectional case and comparison group study. SETTING University medical center. PARTICIPANTS Fifty participants with MCI and 59 cognitively normal participants. MEASUREMENTS The authors compared the groups on dimensions of both speed and accuracy in performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), using a standardized Timed IADL measure that evaluates five functional domains commonly encountered in everyday life (telephone use, locating nutrition information on food labels, financial abilities, grocery shopping, medication management). RESULTS Across Timed IADL domains, MCI participants demonstrated accuracy comparable with cognitively normal participants but took significantly longer to complete the functional activities, controlling for depressive symptoms (p< 0.001). Slower performance was demonstrated in each discrete domain except financial abilities. CONCLUSION These results suggest that slower speed of task performance is an important component and perhaps an early marker of functional change in MCI that would not be detected using traditional measurements of daily function. Future research should address the question of whether performance-based functional measures, as well as simple queries regarding whether functional activities take longer than usual to complete, may improve the prediction of future cognitive decline and disease progression among those individuals in whom MCI represents impending dementia.
Investigating the feasibility of solar photovoltaic systems in Kuwait

This thesis presents work undertaken to investigate the feasibility of implementing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Kuwait. Performance parameters, environmental, and economic evaluations and assessments, as well as a numerical modelling study, were conducted as the main investigative elements to help judge the feasibility. The effect of using single-axis and dual-axis tracking systems was also considered. An assessment of the performance parameters of the proposed PV systems at selected locations in Kuwait was conducted on a monthly basis, using different tracking systems to compare the sites. Moreover, an annual basis analysis was carried out to compare the obtained results with those of different studies in the existing literature. An environmental assessment was conducted in the form of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), estimating the levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that could be avoided. An economic assessment of implementing the proposed PV systems at the selected locations, and a cost-benefit analysis were conducted. In addition, modelling of a two-axis solar tracker was performed to ensure the stability and reliability of the proposed solar tracker in Kuwait. This was done using a 3D finite element model to examine the soil-structure interaction using COMSOL Multiphysics software. [Continues. ]
Impact of the Arg 16 allele of the B2AR gene on the effect of withdrawal of LABA in patients with moderate to severe asthma

Abstract Introduction: Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) are effective for controlling asthma, however questions about their safety have led to concerns over use. Genetic polymorphisms at the 16 amino acid position of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor gene (B2AR) may be associated with increased risk. Methods: A randomized, double blind study was conducted in patients with moderate to severe asthma being treated with combined inhaled corticosteroids/LABA (ICS/LABA), comparing the effect of LABA continuation versus withdrawal on asthma outcomes among patients stratified by B2AR genotype (Arg/Arg vs. Gly/Gly at the 16th amino acid position). Results: 67 participants (31 Arg/Arg, 36 Gly/Gly) were randomized to receive fluticasone alone (F) or continue combined fluticasone/salmeterol (F/S) after a run-in period on F/S. Among Gly/Gly subjects, those in the F/S treatment group showed improvement in AM PEFR (+ 8.4 L/s) whereas those receiving F alone experienced a reduction in AM PEFR over the study period (−14.4 L/s), (p = 0.06). There was no significant difference in morning peak expiratory flow rate (AM PEFR) in Arg/Arg participants randomized to receive F/S (−15.7L) vs F alone (−5.6 L/s) (p = 0.61). There was no significant difference in exacerbations in the Arg/Arg subjects treated with F/S compared with those treated with F (p = 0.65). Conclusions: Withdrawal of LABA therapy in asthmatics with the Arg/Arg genotype at the 16th amino acid position of B2AR did not lead to significant improvement in AM PEFR. LABA withdrawal in the Gly/Gly genotype however led to a borderline significant decline in AM PEFR.
The Influence of Mothers’ Lifestyle and Health Behavior on Their Children: An Exploration for Oral Health

Background: Parents and teachers involvement reinforce health promotion programs for children's health. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate mothers’ lifestyle behavior and its association with children's oral health. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross sectional study on 383 children and their mothers who were selected from 6 primary schools in Tehran, Iran. Mothers and children who participated in this study were asked to complete a questionnaire containing demographic questions, knowledge of oral health, attitude towards the oral health behavior, and oral health behaviors. Furthermore, the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) were assessed by two calibrated dentists. Data were analyzed with multilevel mixed model analyses. Results: The average age of the children and their mothers were 11.6 and 38.4 years, respectively. Mothers’ higher knowledge, higher educational status, positive attitude, higher frequent oral health behaviors, lower DMFT and lower CPI were all associated significantly with children’s higher oral health status. Conclusions: The results suggest that to improve children’s oral health, educational interventions should focus on both children and mothers to obtain a more promising outcome.
Two-layer coating based on chitosan for dry fermented sausage preservation

In this paper, the application of a biopolymer coating based on chitosan was tested. The optimized coating was formed as a twolayer coating, wherein the first layer (which is in contact with the product) was formed of chitosan with emulsified caraway essential oil as an active component, whereas the second layer was formed of chitosan with the addition of beeswax to optimize the moisture barrier of the coating. As a substrate, the traditional dry fermented sausage Petrovská klobása was selected. The coating was applied to the sausage after drying. During two months of storage under controlled conditions, the influence of the coating on the loss of moisture, the oxidative stability and the sensory characteristic of aroma of the control sausage (without the coating) and sausage with the coating was monitored. The results obtained indicate a significant contribution of the applied dual layer chitosan-based coating to the preservation of the sausage quality parameters analyzed.
The History of Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum.

INTRODUCTION After its U.S. FDA approval in 2013, Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCh) has seen increasing use as a nonoperative treatment for Peyronie's disease (PD). We review the history of CCh and trials that led to its adoption. AIM To provide a historical and contemporary context for the evolution of Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum as a treatment modality for Peyronie's disease. METHODS A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature was performed pertaining to CCh and its biochemical and clinical significance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The main outcome studied was the efficacy and safety profile of CCh in PD. CCh use in other diseases processes and its associated outcomes are also described. RESULTS CCh injection yields objective improvement in penile curvature across multiple trials in PD patients. Recently, level 1 strength of evidence has emerged supporting its widespread use. As such, CCh stands as the only FDA-approved injectable therapy for PD. Adverse events were namely limited to local reactions. Serious systemic complications and need for intervention were rare. CONCLUSIONS CCh is a safe and effective treatment for PD patients with deformities and plaque configuration amenable to injectable therapy. Multiple trials have demonstrated improvements in objective and subjective metrics such as penile curvature and bother scores. However, multiyear follow-up is needed to assess durability and its sustained clinical significance. Currently, refinement in dosing and technique has established a niche for CCh in PD patients who are affected by their symptoms but are not yet committed to surgical intervention. Yang KK and Bennett N. The history of collagenase clostridium histolyticum.
Disseminated Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in HTLV-1-Associated Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma

A 55-year-old woman with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1)-associated adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and a history of previously treated Strongyloides stercoralis infection received anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody therapy with alemtuzumab on a clinical trial. After an initial response, she developed ocular involvement by ATL. Alemtuzumab was stopped and high-dose corticosteroid therapy was started to palliate her ocular symptoms. Ten days later, the patient developed diarrhea, vomiting, fever, cough, skin rash, and a deteriorating mental status. She was diagnosed with disseminated S. stercoralis. Corticosteroids were discontinued and the patient received anthelmintic therapy with ivermectin and albendazole with complete clinical recovery.
Telomeres in cancer and ageing

Telomeres protect the chromosome ends from unscheduled DNA repair and degradation. Telomeres are heterochromatic domains composed of repetitive DNA (TTAGGG repeats) bound to an array of specialized proteins. The length of telomere repeats and the integrity of telomere-binding proteins are both important for telomere protection. Furthermore, telomere length and integrity are regulated by a number of epigenetic modifications, thus pointing to higher order control of telomere function. In this regard, we have recently discovered that telomeres are transcribed generating long, non-coding RNAs, which remain associated with the telomeric chromatin and are likely to have important roles in telomere regulation. In the past, we showed that telomere length and the catalytic component of telomerase, Tert, are critical determinants for the mobilization of stem cells. These effects of telomerase and telomere length on stem cell behaviour anticipate the premature ageing and cancer phenotypes of telomerase mutant mice. Recently, we have demonstrated the anti-ageing activity of telomerase by forcing telomerase expression in mice with augmented cancer resistance. Shelterin is the major protein complex bound to mammalian telomeres; however, its potential relevance for cancer and ageing remained unaddressed to date. To this end, we have generated mice conditionally deleted for the shelterin proteins TRF1, TPP1 and Rap1. The study of these mice demonstrates that telomere dysfunction, even if telomeres are of a normal length, is sufficient to produce premature tissue degeneration, acquisition of chromosomal aberrations and initiation of neoplastic lesions. These new mouse models, together with the telomerase-deficient mouse model, are valuable tools for understanding human pathologies produced by telomere dysfunction.
Self-Enhancement: Food for Thought

Self-enhancement denotes a class of psychological phenomena that involve taking a tendentiously positive view of oneself. We distinguish between four levels of self-enhancement—an observed effect, an ongoing process, a personality trait, and an underlying motive—and then use these distinctions to organize the wealth of relevant research. Furthermore, to render these distinctions intuitive, we draw an extended analogy between self-enhancement and the phenomenon of eating. Among the topics we address are (a) manifestations of self-enhancement, both obvious and subtle, and rival interpretations; (b) experimentally documented dynamics of affirming and threatening the ego; and (c) primacy of self-enhancement, considered alongside other intrapsychic phenomena, and across different cultures. Self-enhancement, like eating, is a fundamental part of human nature.
A survey of metal profiles in some traditional alcoholic beverages in Nigeria

The concentrations of Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Zn, Mg, Ca, K, and Na were determined in some traditional alcoholic beverages (oil palm wine, raphia palm wine, burukutu, pito, ogogoro) consumed in southern Nigeria, with a view to providing information on the dietary intakes of essential metals and exposure of humans to toxic metals. The concentrations of these 13 elements were determined by atomic spectrometry after nitric acid/hydrogen peroxide digestion. The mean concentrations of the metals (mg/L) in the samples ranged from 0.02 to 0.05 for Cd; 0.01 to 0.19 for Pb; nd to 0.11 for Ni, nd to 0.15 for Cr; 0.09 to 0.60 for Cu; 0.01–0.08 for Co; 0.30 to 10.3 for Fe; 0.02 to 3.97 for Mn; 0.12 to 3.84 for Zn; 2.08 to 301.3 for Mg; 2.21 to 49.2 for Ca; 35.05 to 926.1 for K; 6.30–58.1 for Na. The mean concentrations of metals in these alcoholic beverages were below statutory limits for the metals in alcoholic beverages and were similar to concentrations found in other alcoholic beverages in the literature. The estimated daily intakes of metals from the consumption of these alcoholic beverages were less than 2% of the recommended dietary allowance values except for Cd and Pb. The individual and combined metals target hazard quotient values were less than 1 except for raphia palm wine and burukutu. From the estimated target hazard, no long life health concerns of metals are associated with the consumption of these alcoholic beverages.
Bacterial lipopolysaccharide stimulates bovine neutrophil production of TNF-α , IL-1 β , IL-12 and IFN-γ

After intramammary infection, polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMN) are the first cells recruited into the mammary gland. Rapid recruitment of and bacterial phagocytosis and killing by PMN are the most effective defenses against establishment of bacterial infection. In addition to their phagocytic and bactericidal properties, PMN may play a key supportive role through secretion of cytokines during the innate immune response. We sought to determine whether bovine PMN produce cytokines in response to stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To investigate the effects of LPS on the expression of cytokines secreted by bovine PMN, we measured the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-12, and interferon (IFN)-γ by ELISA after stimulation with different concentrations of LPS, and secretion of IL-8 after co-stimulation with LPS and either TNF-α or IL-1β. Bovine PMN were shown to secrete TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12, IL-8 and IFN-γ in response to LPS. Co-incubation of PMN with LPS and TNF-α increased secretion of IL-8 when compared to LPS alone. It was concluded that LPS stimulation up-regulates the secretion of cytokines by bovine PMN, and that co-incubation of LPS with TNF-α had an additive effect on the secretion of IL-8. These data show that bovine PMN, in addition to their phagocytic and bactericidal properties, may play a supportive role in the innate immune response to infection by Gram-negative bacteria through their ability to produce immuno-regulating cytokines. lipopolysaccharide / bovine / neutrophils / cytokines / mastitis
AGARSoC : Automated Test and Coverage-Model Generation for Verification of Accelerator-Rich SoCs

SoC design trends show increasing integration of special-purpose, third-party hardware blocks to accelerate diverse types of computation. These accelerator blocks interact with each other in unexpected ways when integrated into a complex, accelerator-rich SoC. In this work we propose a novel solution that guides verification engineers to the high-priority accelerator interaction scenarios during RTL verification. We observe that interaction scenarios frequently exercised by software for the SoC, which is typically developed alongside the RTL, should be the highest priority targets for verification. To this end we analyze the behavior of software executed on high-level simulation models to identify commonly occurring accelerator interaction scenarios. We encapsulate scenarios observed from diverse software executions into an abstract representation that can then be used to extract coverage models and generate test programs. Our experiments show that our solution is able to identify frequently exercised scenarios, extract coverage models, and generate compact, high-quality tests for two completely different SoC designs.
Hides Taguchi 2 Kinmchi Miura 3

<0.005), and fewer subjects with TSH >4.0 mJ1JIL in the normal-UI group (1.9%) than in the high-UI group (4.3%) (f = 7.62, P <0.01). These findings suggest that excessive iodine intake may affect the reference range for TSH in an iodinesufficient area. Although the UI result for a single urine specimen must be interpreted cautiously, considering the marked individual variation of iodine intake of Japanese (1), the large number of subjects studied at least partly supports our conclusion. The upward trend in TSH in the high-UI group may be partly explained by the normal TSH response to administration of excessive iodide (2). Alternatively, if subjects with autoimmune thyroid diseases who are not detected by the present method for TAA were unknowingly included in our population, such subjects would be more susceptible to excess iodine intake, resulting in an increase in TSH (4); such subjects are difficult to distinguish from normal healthy control subjects. In practice, if 4.0 and 0.4 mIU/L were adopted as the upper and lower limits for normal concentrations of TSH, more subjects would be diagnosed as hypothyroid, and fewer in the high-UI group would be considered hyperthyroid. We suggest that, when considering whether to accept or reject a TSH value as normal, the UI should be estimated; when thyroid dysfunction is suspected, especially in hypothyroidism without TAA, the TSH should be reevaluated after iodine restrictions, as was suggested by others (5). This may result in more acceptable and truer values for the normal range of TSH concentration.
Experiences with a Layered Approach to Local Area Network Design

The Nestar Plan 4000 network was designed using the ISO Open Systems Interconnection model. The Xerox Network Systems Internet Transport Protocols (XNS) were chosen for the network and transport layers, a token-passing protocol (Arcnet) for the physical and datalink layers, and existing Nestar server software for the highest layers. The physical and datalink layers are supported by a VLSI chip and their implementation was straightforward. In spite of their detailed specification, implementing the network and transport layers presented some unanticipated challenges. This paper discusses details of our experience in implementing the network with emphasis on the problems encountered and how they were solved.
Design and Construction of a Variables Repetitive Group Sampling Plan for Unilateral Specification Limit

This paper attempts to develop a repetitive group sampling (RGS) plan by variables inspection for controlling the process fraction defective or the number of nonconformities when the quality characteristic follows a normal distribution and has only the lower or upper specification limit. The proposed sampling plan is derived by the exact sampling distribution rather than the approximation approach. The plan parameters are solved by a nonlinear optimization model which minimizes the average sample number required for inspection and fulfills the classical two-point conditions on the operating characteristic (OC) curve. The efficiency of the proposed variables RGS is examined and also compared with the existing variables single sampling plan in terms of the sample size required for inspection. The results indicate that the proposed variables RGS plan could significantly reduce samples required for inspection compared to the traditional variables single sampling plan.
Pair Programming Strategies for Middle School Girls

A large gender gap exists with who designs and produces new computer technology; men overwhelmingly dominate the field. Studies have shown that women are more likely to pursue and persist in computer science when they have the confidence to problem-solve and explore without fear of breaking the computer, see social aspects of computing, and see a value to computing consistent with their self identity. Pair programming, developed for use in software design as part of the extreme programming methodology, puts two people working together at all phases of software development. Pair programming is also a collaborative, instructional approach, shown to increase learning, investment, and interest in computer science among both male and female university students, in particular females. We are studying pair programming with middle school girls for the purpose of devising a controlled study of the benefits. This paper will describe how we have implemented pair programming in the middle school environment and what we have learned so far about how this approach may benefit girls. We describe our current strategies so that others may use this collaborative approach both for experimentation and for practical application.
Inherently safe backup routing with BGP

The Internet consists of a large number of autonomous systems (ASes) that exchange routing information using the border gateway protocol (BGP). Each AS applies local policies for selecting routes and propagating routes to others, with important implications for the reliability and stability of the global system. In and of itself, BGP does not ensure that every pair of hosts can communicate. In addition, routing policies are not guaranteed be safe, and may cause protocol divergence. Backup routing is often used to increase the reliability of the network under link and router failures, at the possible expense of safety. This paper presents a general model for backup routing that increases network reliability while allowing each AS to apply local routing policies that are consistent with the commercial relationships it has with its neighbors. In addition, our model is inherently safe in the sense that the global system remains safe under any combination of link and router failures. Our model and the proof of inherent safety are cast in terms of the stable paths problem, a static formalism that captures the semantics of interdomain routing policies. Then, we describe how to realize our model in BGP with locally-implementable routing policies. To simplify the specification of local policies, we propose a new BGP attribute that conveys the avoidance level of a route. We also describe how to realize these policies without modification to BGP by using the BGP community attribute.