Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Sherbrooke Questionnaire predicts use of emergency services.

BACKGROUND the National Service Framework for Older People mandates the introduction of 'intermediate care services' to reduce emergency admissions to hospital from the population aged 75 years or more. We evaluated the predictive performance of one of the screening instruments used to identify older people who might most benefit from such services. METHODS using multiple logistic regression, we compared responses to the six-item, self-administered Sherbrooke Questionnaire with subsequent patterns of emergency attendance and admission to hospital among the elderly population of one borough in West London. RESULTS excess risk of both emergency attendance and admission became significant when two or more risk factors were present, and rose progressively with each additional factor, regardless of their nature. With each additional year of age, risks of emergency attendance and admission to hospital increased by 8% (95% CI = 6-10) and 9% (95% CI = 7-12), respectively. There were also significant independent risks associated with reporting memory problems (typical odds ratio (OR) 1.41, 95% CI = 1.14-1.75) and taking three or more medications (OR 1.65, 95% CI = 1.34-2.02), as well as large risks associated with attendance or admission in the year before screening. CONCLUSION the Sherbrooke Questionnaire is a good measure of likely need for emergency visits to hospital among the elderly. However, programmes attempting to reduce such events should also take into account the individual's recent history of emergency attendance at hospital.
The effect of computerised Verb Network Strengthening Treatment on lexical retrieval in aphasia

Background: A number of computerised treatments have been developed for aphasia, but few have remediated typing, an important functional task, and/or been implemented over the Internet via teletherapy, which can increase access to therapeutic services. The current study created a computerised version of Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) and administered it via telerehabilitation over the Internet. VNeST is a semantic treatment which seeks to improve lexical retrieval of words through the conceptual connection between verbs and thematic roles. Previous iterations of VNeST have shown improvement in both spoken and written lexical retrieval for people with moderate and moderate-to-severe aphasia. Aims: This study investigates changes to lexical retrieval with four hierarchical outcome measures. The research questions were: Does treatment using Computerised VNeST (VNeST-C) result in pre- to post-treatment increases in: (1) spoken and typed lexical retrieval of trained (e.g., The farmer is weighing the apples.) and untrained words (e.g., The carpenter is measuring the lumber.) in a picture description task, (2) untreated single-word naming accuracy of nouns and verbs in spoken and typed modalities, (3) spoken and typed lexical retrieval as measured by informative words, efficiency of production and complete utterances within discourse, and (4) standardised measures of cognitive and language abilities? Methods & Procedures: Two people with aphasia were treated three times per week for 8 weeks using the VNeST-C program. A single-subject experimental design was used to evaluate changes in trained and untrained stimuli and tasks. Additional pre-treatment and post-treatment testing was also conducted. Outcomes & Results: Results indicate improvements on lexical retrieval during sentence production of trained and untrained stimuli. Additional improvement was observed for single-word naming of untrained nouns and verbs in spoken and typed modalities and standardised measures of aphasia and writing-by-hand. Limited generalisation to discourse was also observed, including a general increase in word output and decrease in typed neologisms. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the VNeST-C program and protocol have promise as a broadly generalising treatment for people with aphasia. With refinement of duration and intensity of the protocol, it may be a viable option for treating aphasia.
Causal attributions, health locus of control beliefs and lifestyle changes among pre-operative coronary patients.

Abstract This paper investigates the relationships between causal attributions, health locus of control beliefs and reported lifestyle changes among 81 male, middle-aged, pre-operative coronary artery by-pass graft patients. The results revealed a close correspondence between reported lifestyle changes and the endorsement of such factors as causal antecedents. For example, those patients who had made efforts to reduce or quit smoking as a result of their illness were also likely to rate smoking as a causal antecedent. In contrast, more general health locus of control beliefs were not associated with reported lifestyle changes. These results, when taken in conjunction with those of earlier studies, suggest that the making of particular kinds of causal attributions may be an important step in recovery from a life-threatening illness.
Congruence and co-operation in social workers' assessments of children in need

This paper examines the concepts of congruence and co-operation in social work practice with children and families. It describes findings from the author’s own research and attempts to deconstruct the interaction of the two phenomena. Using material from other published research, the paper proposes a model and suggests methods for analysing congruence and co-operation in the practice context. The key implication is that the depth of a social worker’s understanding of a family situation may affect his or her assessment of parental co-operation.
Activation of the immune system incurs energetic costs but has no effect on the thermogenic performance of house sparrows during acute cold challenge

SUMMARY Trade-offs between the immune system and other condition-dependent life-history traits (reproduction, predator avoidance and somatic growth) have been well documented in both birds and mammals. However, no studies have examined the impact of immune activation on thermoregulatory performance during acute cold exposure. Because of their high surface-area-to-volume ratios, small birds incur high energetic costs associated with thermoregulation during cold exposure. Consequently, we predicted that the immune system and the thermoregulatory system would compete for energetic resources. To test this, we immunologically challenged adult house sparrows (Passer domesticus) with 5 mg kg−1 of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an acute phase response and measured both resting (RMR; minimum metabolic rate) and summit (; maximal metabolic rate during cold exposure) metabolic rates. We found that birds injected with LPS had significantly higher RMR and than birds injected with phosphate-buffered saline, indicating that LPS-treated birds were able to support the cost of both immune activation and thermoregulation under conditions eliciting maximal thermogenic performance. These results suggest that, in the absence of a pathogen, birds that experience short-term activation of the immune system have higher energetic costs during cold exposure, but immune activation does not compromise maximum thermoregulatory performance.
Sabanci-Okan System at ImageClef 2012: Combining Features and Classifiers for Plant Identification

We describe our participation in the plant identication task of ImageClef 2012. We submitted two runs, one fully automatic and another one where human assistance was provided for the images in the photo category. We have not used the meta-data in either one of the systems, for exploring the extent of image analysis for the plant identication problem. Our approach in both runs employs a variety of shape, texture and color descriptors (117 in total). We have found shape to be very discriminative for isolated leaves (scan and pseudoscan categories), followed by texture. While we have experimented with color, we could not make use of the color information. We have employed the watershed algorithm for segmentation, in slightly dierent forms for automatic and human assisted systems. Our systems have obtained the best overall results in both automatic and manual categories, with 43% and 45% identication accuracies respectively. We have also obtained the best results on the scanned image category with 58% accuracy.
On the Bipolar Resistive Switching Memory Using $ \hbox{TiN/Hf/HfO}_{2}/\hbox{Si}$ MIS Structure

TiN/Hf/HfO2/poly-Si structure was employed as the platform to investigate the resistive switching mechanism of metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS)-based resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices. Based on the presence of a HfSiOx interfacial layer containing a large amount of oxygen vacancy defects, a resistive switching model is proposed to explain the observed bipolar switching behavior which is of opposite operation polarity as compared to metal-insulator-metal (MIM)-based TiN/Hf/HfO2/TiN RRAM devices. The dependence of dopant type/concentration on operation voltage is explained by depletion/accumulation effect of poly-Si bottom electrode. In addition, the MIS-based RRAM devices exhibit good reliability performance in terms of stable dc switching endurance up to 100 cycles and ten-year retention ability at 85 °C, with memory window higher and close to 100, respectively. The results suggest that MIS-based RRAM using Hf/HfO2 is a promising alternative for next-generation nonvolatile applications.
Designing for Enjoyment and Informal Learning: A Study in A Museum Context

This study reports a qualitative exploratory study from the end users’ perspective of the design of websites that encourage enjoyable web experiences and informal online learning. As the mission of museums is to provide the general public with educational materials for study and enjoyment, museum websites offer an excellent opportunity to study learning environments designed for enjoyable web experiences. The concept of enjoyable online learning experiences – specifically when learning is not part of a formal instructional undertaking – has not been well studied and thus is not well understood. This study seeks to redress this gap in the literature by reporting on hundreds of end users’ opinions and perspectives. The study identifies a set of characteristics for encouraging online learning experiences for the general public and suggests a number of conceptual guidelines for developing an online learning website for enjoyment based on the online end user’s view.
Reduction of contrast material dose and artifacts by a saline flush using a double power injector in helical CT of the thorax.

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate a combined method of contrast material bolus followed by saline solution flush for thoracic helical CT and statistical comparison with a uniphasic injection protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty patients underwent helical CT of the thorax using 60 ml of contrast material (370 mg I/ml) followed by flushing with 30 ml of physiologic saline solution. These 50 patients had been examined before using our previous protocol, 75 ml of the same contrast material without a subsequent saline solution. Mean attenuation values for both protocols were measured in the superior vena cava, the pulmonary trunk, and the ascending aorta. Image artifacts and mediastinal and hilar depiction were graded and compared. RESULTS Mean attenuation values in the superior vena cava were considerably higher in the regimen without saline solution flush (459 H versus 352 H) and in the pulmonary trunk and the ascending aorta were almost identical for both protocols. Injection of saline solution diminished surrounding artifacts (p = 0.001). Grading results for the evaluation of mediastinal and hilar structures were not significantly different in the two protocols (p = 0.564). CONCLUSION Injection of contrast material followed by a saline solution bolus using a double power injector when performing thoracic helical CT allows a 20% reduction of contrast material volume to 60 ml with a similar degree of enhancement. In addition, perivenous artifacts in the superior vena cava are significantly reduced.
A New Analytical Method to Calculate the Characteristic Impedance Zc of Uniform Transmission Lines

A new analytical method to calculate the characteristic impedance of transmission lines embedded in identical, symmetrical and reciprocal connectors is herein presented. To calculate the characteristic impedance of transmission lines, the proposed method uses S-parameter measurements performed on two uniform transmission lines having the same characteristic impedance and propagation constant but different lengths. The method was successfully applied to characterize microstrip lines printed on an FR4 substrate in the 0.45-4GHz frequency range.
Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Two Brassica napus Near-Isogenic Lines Reveals a Network of Genes That Influences Seed Oil Accumulation

Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is an important oil seed crop, providing more than 13% of the world’s supply of edible oils. An in-depth knowledge of the gene network involved in biosynthesis and accumulation of seed oil is critical for the improvement of B. napus. Using available genomic and transcriptomic resources, we identified 1,750 acyl-lipid metabolism (ALM) genes that are distributed over 19 chromosomes in the B. napus genome. B. rapa and B. oleracea, two diploid progenitors of B. napus, contributed almost equally to the ALM genes. Genome collinearity analysis demonstrated that the majority of the ALM genes have arisen due to genome duplication or segmental duplication events. In addition, we profiled the expression patterns of the ALM genes in four different developmental stages. Furthermore, we developed two B. napus near isogenic lines (NILs). The high oil NIL, YC13-559, accumulates significantly higher (∼10%) seed oil compared to the other, YC13-554. Comparative gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of lipid biosynthesis-related regulatory genes in YC13-559, including SHOOTMERISTEMLESS, LEAFY COTYLEDON 1 (LEC1), LEC2, FUSCA3, ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 3 (ABI3), ABI4, ABI5, and WRINKLED1, as well as structural genes, such as ACETYL-CoA CARBOXYLASE, ACYL-CoA DIACYLGLYCEROL ACYLTRANSFERASE, and LONG-CHAIN ACYL-CoA SYNTHETASES. We observed that several genes related to the phytohormones, gibberellins, jasmonate, and indole acetic acid, were differentially expressed in the NILs. Our findings provide a broad account of the numbers, distribution, and expression profiles of acyl-lipid metabolism genes, as well as gene networks that potentially control oil accumulation in B. napus seeds. The upregulation of key regulatory and structural genes related to lipid biosynthesis likely plays a major role for the increased seed oil in YC13-559.
Validating self-reported language proficiency by testing performance in an immigrant community: the Wellington Indo-Fijians

The Wellington Indo-Fijians are recent immigrants to New Zealand, having arrived in the country after the 1987 Fiji military coups. A performance test was developed and implemented to validate self-reported first language proficiency of 35 teenagers in this immigrant community. The main drawback of self-report studies is the likelihood of gathering inaccurate data, particularly if the first language, like Fiji Hindi in this community, is preliterate and perceived by the community members as a lower-status, less useful language than English. The performance test consisted of an oral interview, a listening comprehension test and a vocabulary test. The results of the performance test correlated strongly with the self-report data, thereby demonstrating the validity of the self-report scale. Significant differences between oral performances and self-reports as well as general trends in data suggested, however, that the respondents were often reporting their oral Fiji Hindi ability at a level higher than their judged level of performance.
Planning and verifying service composition

A static approach is proposed to study secure composition of services. We extend the λ-calculus with primitives for selecting and invoking services that respect given security requirements. Security-critical code is enclosed in policy framings with a possibly nested, local scope. Policy framings enforce safety and liveness properties. The actual run-time behaviour of services is over-approximated by a type and effect system. Types are standard, and effects include the actions with possible security concerns - as well as information about which services may be invoked at run-time. An approximation is model checked to verify policy framings within their scopes. This allows for removing any run-time execution monitor, and for determining the plans driving the selection of those services that match the security requirements on demand.
High School Extracurricular Activities: Closed Structures and Stratifying Patterns of Participation

Abstract Much existing research documents the benefits gained by students when they participate in high school extracurricular activities (Camp, 1990; Eidsmore, 1964; Haensly, Lupkowski, & Edlind, 1986; Holland & Andre, 1987; McNeal, 1995; Yarworth & Gauthier, 1978). However, we know little about the patterns of participation (i.e., who is more likely to participate in which activities? ). A finding in this research was that extracurricular activities are not equitably participated in by various subgroups of the high school population. To some degree, members of various racial and ethnic minority groups have greater likelihood(s) of participating in all types of extracurricular activities studied (athletics, cheerleading, fine arts, academic organizations, newspaper/yearbook, student government/service organizations, and vocational activities). Girls have an increased likelihood of participating in all the activities except athletics, which are dominated by boys. Finally, evidence also supports the hypothe.
Detecting and attributingAustralian climate change: a review

Climate has always varied. In Australia, the impact of the El Niño – Southern Oscillation on variations in rainfall over centuries has been documented (e.g. Nicholls 1988, 1989). Other natural, internal processes also affect climate on different time-scales. As well, volcanic activity is known to cause cooling of the surface temperature, and variations in solar activity and orbital changes that affect the interception of sunlight by the earth also have a clear effect. Such impacts on the climate, i.e. those due to natural internal climate processes, and those resulting from natural external forcings (such as orbital variations), will continue to Aust. Met. Mag. 55 (2006) 199-211
Inference for the identified set in partially identified econometric models

This paper provides computationally intensive, yet feasible methods for inference in a very general class of partially identified econometric models. Let P denote the distribution of the observed data. The class of models we consider is defined by a population objective function Q(θ, P) for θ is an element of Θ. The point of departure from the classical extremum estimation framework is that it is not assumed that Q(θ, P) has a unique minimizer in the parameter space Θ. The goal may be either to draw inferences about some unknown point in the set of minimizers of the population objective function or to draw inferences about the set of minimizers itself. In this paper, the object of interest is Θ 0 (P)=argmin θ is an element of Θ Q(θ, P), and so we seek random sets that contain this set with at least some prespecified probability asymptotically. We also consider situations where the object of interest is the image of Θ 0 (P) under a known function. Random sets that satisfy the desired coverage property are constructed under weak assumptions. Conditions are provided under which the confidence regions are asymptotically valid not only pointwise in P, but also uniformly in P. We illustrate the use of our methods with an empirical study of the impact of top-coding outcomes on inferences about the parameters of a linear regression. Finally, a modest simulation study sheds some light on the finite-sample behavior of our procedure. Copyright 2010 The Econometric Society.
Recent advances in understanding lung function development

Recent years have witnessed critical contributions to our understanding of the determinants and long-term implications of lung function development. In this article, we review studies that have contributed to advances in understanding lung function development and its critical importance for lung health into adult life. In particular, we have focused on early life determinants that include genetic factors, perinatal events, environmental exposures, lifestyle, infancy lower respiratory tract infections, and persistent asthma phenotypes. Longitudinal studies have conclusively demonstrated that lung function deficits that are established by school age may track into adult life and increase the risk of adult lung obstructive diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Furthermore, these contributions have provided initial evidence in support of a direct influence by early life events on an accelerated decline of lung function and an increased susceptibility to its environmental determinants well into adult life. As such, we argue that future health-care programs based on precision medicine approaches that integrate deep phenotyping with tailored medication and advice to patients should also foster optimal lung function growth to be fully effective.
Glutamine synthetase induction by glucocorticoids in the glucocorticoid‐sensitive human leukemic cell line CEM‐C7

Treatment of CEM‐C7 cells with glucocorticoids produces a 2.5‐fold increase in the activity of the enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS). This increase is specific for steroids with glucocorticoid activity and occurs over a range of steroid concentrations consistent with a receptor‐mediated mechanism. Half‐maximal and maximal inductions by dexamethasone (dex) occur at 2 × 10−8M and 2 × 10−7 M dex, respectively, concentrations approximately equal to those necessary to produce half and full occupancy of glucocorticoid receptors. GS activity began to increase 1 hour after dex treatment and was complete by 12 hours. This is well before any of the growth inhibitory or cytolytic effects of dex on this cell line occur. This increase was dependent on the presence of glucocorticoid receptors and required both RNA and protein synthesis. Removal of dex following stimulation to maximal levels resulted in a decrease of GS activity to preinduced levels with a half‐time of 5 hours. Glutamine deprivation of cells resulted in increased GS activity. However, even in the total absence of glutamine, dex treatment elicited a 2.0–2.5‐fold increase in GS activity, ruling out inhibition of glutamine uptake as a mechanism for the dex‐induced increase. Experiments with 5′‐bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) demonstrated that GS elevation was sensitive to BrdU substitution of DNA, while dex‐induced growth inhibition was not. Therefore GS elevation and growth inhibition in this cell line appear to be independently expressed steroid responses.