Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Caregiver Burden in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Objective Caregivers for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) suffer from psychological and financial burdens. However, the results of the relationship between burden and cognitive function, performance of activities of daily living, and depressive symptoms have remained inconsistent. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine which factors are more significant predictors of heightened burden, cognitive impairment or functional decline, besides neuropsychiatric symptoms. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample comprised of 1,164 pairs of patients with AD and caregivers from the Clinical Research of Dementia of South Korea study cohorts. The cognitive function of each sub-domain, functional impairments, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burden were assessed using the dementia version of Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB-D), Barthel Index for Daily Living Activities (ADL), Seoul-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (S-IADL), the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Box (CDR-SB), the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), the Korean version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (K-NPI), and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Results We found that higher severity (higher CDR-SB and GDS scores) and more functional impairment (lower ADL and higher S-IADL scores) were significantly associated with higher caregiver burden. In addition, depressive symptoms of patients (higher Geriatric Depression Scale scores) were associated with higher caregiver burden. Conclusion Therefore, interventions to help maintain activities of daily living in patients with AD may alleviate caregiver burden and improve caregiver well-being.
International engagements: The characteristics of international students’ engagement with university

The international student market is important and lucrative for Australian universities and the Australian economy in general. In 2006, nearly 15 per cent of all income of Australian tertiary providers was derived from international student fees, a total of $2.3 billion (Rout, 2008). This makes international education Australia’s largest service export and its third largest export industry overall (Rout, 2008).
Algal-diet Enhances Sexual Ornament, Growth And Reproduction in the Guppy

Carotenoids often influence male coloration, and the carotenoid-based coloration is used for female mate choice in some animals. The positive influence of carotenoids on a variety of physiological systems in animals is also known. Because animals have to obtain carotenoids from their food, the conspicuousness of carotenoid-based coloration may indicate the male's foraging ability for carotenoid-rich food. It is possible, therefore, that females can obtain benefits of the high-foraging ability and, thus, health or vigor of their offspring through their mate preference for the male coloration. In order to test this prediction, we examined the influence of algae-intake (carotenoid-resource in nature) on guppies. By algae-supplement, not only male orange coloration but also growth of both sexes and female reproduction were enhanced compared with fish in control groups, although they got the same amount of energy from their food. However, carotenoid-supplementation did not show the positive influence on growth and reproduction, though male orange coloration became conspicuous. It is possible to explain the difference of the influence on growth and reproduction between algae- and carotenoid-supplement groups in two ways. First, some kinds of carotenoids within algae other than carotenoids used for carotenoid-supplementation play an important role for enhancement of growth and reproduction. Second, other substances (e.g. non-digestible carbohydrates) within algae influenced growth and reproduction through the positive effect on digestive system. Since algae-intake enhanced not only male orange coloration but also growth and reproduction, female guppies may obtain benefits through mate preference for males having brighter coloration and, hence, greater foraging ability for algae.
Marketing culture and the arts

Arts and Cultural ManagementCreating Cultural CapitalStrategy: Get ArtsCreative Arts MarketingArts, Culture and the Making of Global CitiesThe Entrepreneurial Arts LeaderThe Oxford Handbook of Creative IndustriesReturn on EngagementConsumer Behaviour and the ArtsInvitation to the PartyArts MarketingMarketing Crafts and Visual ArtsMarketing Planning for Culture and the ArtsLe marketing des arts et de la cultureIn Praise of Commercial CultureMarketing the Arts to DeathThe Art of Global PowerMuseum MarketingMarketing Cultural OrganisationsEnter Culture, Exit Arts? Museum MarketizationStrategic Management in the ArtsGreat Art and Culture for EveryoneThe Production of CultureUnderstanding Audience Engagement in the Contemporary ArtsFestival and Events ManagementThe Artist as Culture ProducerMarketing Learning in Arts, Culture and HeritageOrchestra Management HandbookMarketing Culture and the ArtsThe Current State of Business Disciplines: MarketingCulture is bad for youCultural Heritage and Value CreationManagement and CreativityCulture ManagementThe Art of RelevanceMaking Art WorkMarketing Culture and the ArtsResearching Art MarketsThe Routledge Companion to Arts Management
A secure cryptosystem based on affine transformation

Abstract In this paper, it is proved that Lin et al.'s scheme that tried to strengthen the Hill cipher against the known-plaintext attack has several security flaws and is vulnerable to the chosen-ciphertext attack. This paper also introduces a secure and efficient symmetric cryptosystem based on affine transformation. The proposed cryptosystem includes an encryption algorithm that is an improved variant of the Affine Hill cipher, and two cryptographic protocols that are introduced for the proposed cryptosystem. 1. Introduction The Hill cipher was invented in 1929 by Lester S. Hill [1, 2]. It is a famous polygram and classical ciphering algorithm based on matrix transformation that its attributes, including its cryptanalysis are described in some cryptographic textbooks [3, 4]. Although susceptibility of the Hill cipher to cryptanalysis has rendered it unusable in practice, it still serves an important pedagogical role in both cryptology and linear algebra. The Hill cipher is a block cipher that has several advantages such as disguising letter frequencies of the plaintext, its simplicity because of using matrix multiplication and inversion for encryption and decryption, and its high speed and high throughput [5] but it is vulnerable to the known-plaintext attack [6]. Several researchers tried to improve the security of the Hill cipher. Yeh et al. [7] used two co-prime base numbers that are securely shared between the participants but their scheme is not efficient and requires many manipulations. Saeednia [8] tried to make the Hill cipher secure using some random permutations of columns and rows of the key matrix but it is proved that his cryptosystem is vulnerable to the known-plaintext attack [9], the same vulnerability of the original Hill cipher. Ismail et al. [5] tried to improve the Hill cipher's security by introduction of an initial vector that multiplies successively by some orders of the key matrix to produce the corresponding key of each block but it has several inherent security problems [10]. Lin et al. [9] claimed that taking some random numbers and using a one-way hash function thwarts the known-plaintext attack to the Hill cipher but their scheme is not so
An analog neural network processor with programmable topology

The architecture, implementation, and applications of a special-purpose neural network processor are described. The chip performs over 2000 multiplications and additions simultaneously. Its data path is particularly suitable for the convolutional topologies that are typical in classification networks, but can also be configured for fully connected or feedback topologies. Resources can be multiplexed to permit implementation of networks with several hundreds of thousands of connections on a single chip. Computations are performed with 6 b accuracy for the weights and 3 b for the neuron states. Analog processing is used internally for reduced power dissipation and higher density, but all input/output is digital to simplify system integration. The practicality of the chip is demonstrated with an implementation of a neural network for optical character recognition. This network contains over 130000 connections and was evaluated in 1 ms. >
Non-commercial Research and Educational Use including without Limitation Use in Instruction at Your Institution, Sending It to Specific Colleagues That You Know, and Providing a Copy to Your Institution's Administrator. All Other Uses, Reproduction and Distribution, including without Limitation Comm

Music videos are a particularly influential, new form of mass media for adolescents, which include the depiction of scantily clad female models whose bodies epitomise the ultra-thin sociocultural ideal for young women. The present study is the first exposure experiment that examines the impact of thin models in music videos on the body dissatisfaction of 16–19-year-old adolescent girls (n = 87). First, participants completed measures of positive and negative affect, body image, and self-esteem. Under the guise of a memory experiment, they then either watched three music videos, listened to three songs (from the videos), or learned a list of words. Affect and body image were assessed afterwards. In contrast to the music listening and word-learning conditions, girls who watched the music videos reported significantly elevated scores on an adaptation of the Body Image States Scale after exposure, indicating increased body dissatisfaction. Self-esteem was not found to be a significant moderator of this relationship. Implications and future research are discussed.
Effectiveness of different irrigation systems on smear layer removal: A scanning electron microscopic study

Objectives: To evaluate effectiveness of the apical negative pressure irrigation (EndoVac), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), and conventional needle irrigation (CI) systems on smear layer (SR) removal. Materials and Methods: Sixty single-rooted canines were prepared using NiTi rotary files and subjected to different irrigation regimens: EndoVac with NaOCl (Group 1) or NaOCl/EDTA (Group 2); PUI with NaOCl (Group 3) or NaOCl/EDTA (Group 4); CI with NaOCl (Group 5) or NaOCl/EDTA (Group 6). The roots were split longitudinally. SEM images were taken to evaluate the amount of residual SR. Results: In Groups 1, 3, and 5, there was no removal of SR (P > 0.05). The coronal thirds within Groups 2, 4, and 6 were cleaned completely, but the middle and the apical thirds was achieved partially or completely (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Regardless of which irrigation system was used, the use of NaOCl alone failed to remove the SR. In NaOCl/EDTA combination groups, the SR was removed partially or completely and no statistical significance. This study demonstrated that in order to remove the SR should be used EDTA solution for final irrigation in the root canal, regardless of the technique in each of the three.
Task Complexity and Time Pressure: Impacts on Activity-Travel Choices

Task complexity and time pressure may have impacts on travellers’ choices in the context of highly synchronised mobility networks. However, it is unclear at the moment how these two aspects should be properly modelled simultaneously and what these impacts of the two aspects really are on travellers’ choices. Consequently, this research aims to capture these possible impacts, by developing relevant discrete choice models and collecting relevant Stated Preference data.
Long-term Determinants of Government Expenditure: A Disaggregated Analysis for Nigeria

This study examines the long-term determinants of marked expansion of government expenditure in Nigeria. Using annual time series data for a period of 51 years (1960-2010) and a single equation estimation approach, we overcome an omitted variable bias by testing a wide range of leading hypothesis (on the determinants of government expenditure) in a comprehensive specification. The result yields a variety of interesting and qualified evidence. Among other results, we found that inflow of foreign aid contributes to expansion of government recurrent expenditure at the expense of capital spending; debt servicing reduces all components of government expenditure; revenue is a major factor that accounts for long-term government growth; openness has a significant negative association over government expenditure; higher population (mostly in urban areas) leads to higher government spending; military regime is favorable to capital expenditure expansion in Nigeria than the civilian administration; election period is associated with higher government expenditure than would otherwise be the case. To ensure fiscal sustainability and the overall growth of the Nigerian economy, some useful policy options have been suggested. These include cautious trade liberalization policy, diversification of the Nigerian economy and internally revenue generation improvement initiative, fiscal restraint on further foreign debt, population reduction programme or legislation, reduction in the cost of election, etc.
SVD-based watermarking scheme in complex wavelet domain for color video

In this paper, we propose an SVD-based watermarking scheme in complex wavelet domain for color video. Video watermarking is well known as the process of embedding copyright information in video bit streams. It has been proposed in recent years to solve the problem of illegal manipulation and distribution of digital video. In this study, an effective, robust and imperceptible video watermarking algorithm is proposed. This algorithm was based on a cascade of two powerful mathematical transforms; the 2-level Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DT-CWT) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). This hybrid technique shows high level of security and different levels of robustness against attacks. The proposed algorithm was tested for imperceptibility and robustness and excellent results were obtained. We compared our proposed algorithm with DWT-SVD based scheme and showed that it is considerably more robust and effective.
Age-Related Retinopathy in NRF2-Deficient Mice

Background Cumulative oxidative damage is implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that plays key roles in retinal antioxidant and detoxification responses. The purposes of this study were to determine whether NRF2-deficient mice would develop AMD-like retinal pathology with aging and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods and Findings Eyes of both wild type and Nrf2−/− mice were examined in vivo by fundus photography and electroretinography (ERG). Structural changes of the outer retina in aged animals were examined by light and electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence labeling. Our results showed that Nrf2−/− mice developed age-dependent degenerative pathology in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Drusen-like deposits, accumulation of lipofuscin, spontaneous choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and sub-RPE deposition of inflammatory proteins were present in Nrf2−/− mice after 12 months. Accumulation of autophagy-related vacuoles and multivesicular bodies was identified by electron microcopy both within the RPE and in Bruch's membrane of aged Nrf2−/− mice. Conclusions Our data suggest that disruption of Nfe2l2 gene increased the vulnerability of outer retina to age-related degeneration. NRF2-deficient mice developed ocular pathology similar to cardinal features of human AMD and deregulated autophagy is likely a mechanistic link between oxidative injury and inflammation. The Nrf2−/− mice can provide a novel model for mechanistic and translational research on AMD.
QoE-aware FEC mechanism for intrusion detection in multi-tier Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks

Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (WMSNs) play an important role in pervasive and ubiquitous systems. The multimedia content in such networks has the potential of enhancing the level of information collected, enlarging the range of coverage, and enabling multi-view support. For WMSN applications, the multi-tier network architecture has proven to be more beneficial than a single-tier in terms of energy-efficiency, scalability, functionality and reliability. In this context, a multimedia intrusion detection application appears as a promising application of multi-tier WMSNs, where the lower tier can detect the intruder using scalar sensors, and the higher tier camera nodes will be woken up to send real time video sequences from the detected area. The transmission of multimedia content requires a certain quality level from the user perspective, while energy consumption and network overhead should be minimized. Among the existing mechanisms for improving video transmissions, Forward Error Correction (FEC) can be regarded as a suitable solution to improve video quality level from the user point-of-view. In this work, we propose a Quality of Experience (QoE)-aware FEC mechanism for WMSNs, which creates redundant packets based on impact of the frame on the user experience. According to the simulation results, our proposed mechanism achieved similar video quality level compared with standard FEC, while reducing the transmission of redundant packets, which will bring many benefits in a resource-constrained system.
Repeat Sales Index for Real Estate Prices: a Structural Time Series Approach

The repeat sales model is commonly used to construct reliable price indices in absence of individual characteristics of the real estate. Several adaptations of the original model of Bailey, Muth and Nourse (1963) are proposed in literature, but all of them have in common that they use a dummy variable approach for measuring the price index. The main drawback of these approaches is that the price levels for the different time periods are supposed to be independent. In the model proposed in this article, the dummy variables are replaced by a structural time series model, in this case a local linear trend model in which both the level and slope can vary over time. The main advantages of this approach are that it is a robust method and that it can be applied in thin markets where relatively few selling prices are available. Contrary to the dummy variable approach the structural time series model enables to predict the price level based on previous information, so even for time periods where no observations are available an estimate of the price level can be provided. Conditional on the variance parameters an estimate of the price level can be obtained by applying regression in the general linear model with a prior for the price level, induced by the local linear trend model. The variance parameters can be estimated by maximum likelihood. The model is applied to several subsets of selling prices in the Netherlands. Results are compared to standard repeat sales models.
Climate patterns in north central China during the last 1800 yr and their possible driving force

Abstract. We synthesized high-resolution precisely-dated stalagmite records and historical document records from north central China to reconstruct a decadal resolution precipitation record during the last 1800 years (190–1980 AD). The synthesized precipitation record shows coincident variations and significant positive correlations with the temperature reconstructions on centennial- to multidecadal-scale, suggesting warm-humid/cool-dry was the main climate pattern in north central China over the past 1800 years. Solar activity may be the dominant force that drove the same-phase variations of the temperature and precipitation in north central China.
Next-Generation Sequencing in the Understanding of Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) Biology

Non-Sanger-based novel nucleic acid sequencing techniques, referred to as Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), provide a rapid, reliable, high-throughput, and massively parallel sequencing methodology that has improved our understanding of human cancers and cancer-related viruses. NGS has become a quintessential research tool for more effective characterization of complex viral and host genomes through its ever-expanding repertoire, which consists of whole-genome sequencing, whole-transcriptome sequencing, and whole-epigenome sequencing. These new NGS platforms provide a comprehensive and systematic genome-wide analysis of genomic sequences and a full transcriptional profile at a single nucleotide resolution. When combined, these techniques help unlock the function of novel genes and the related pathways that contribute to the overall viral pathogenesis. Ongoing research in the field of virology endeavors to identify the role of various underlying mechanisms that control the regulation of the herpesvirus biphasic lifecycle in order to discover potential therapeutic targets and treatment strategies. In this review, we have complied the most recent findings about the application of NGS in Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) biology, including identification of novel genomic features and whole-genome KSHV diversities, global gene regulatory network profiling for intricate transcriptome analyses, and surveying of epigenetic marks (DNA methylation, modified histones, and chromatin remodelers) during de novo, latent, and productive KSHV infections.
Mechano-chemical coupling in growth process of actin gels and a symmetry breaking instability

It has been observed experimentally that the actin gel grown from spherical beads coated with polymerization enzymes spontaneously breaks the symmetry of its spherical shape, and yields a ``comet'' pushing the bead forward. We propose a mechano-chemical coupling mechanism for the initialization of this symmetry breaking. Key assumptions are that the dissociation of the gel takes place mostly in the region of the external surface, and that the rates of the dissociation depends on the tensile stress in the gel. We analyze a simplified two-dimensional model with a circular substrate. Our analysis shows that the symmetric steady state is always unstable against the inhomogeneous modulation of the thickness of the gel layer, for any radius of the circular substrate. We argue that this model represents the essential feature of the three-dimensional systems for a certain range of characteristic lengths of the modulation. The characteristic time of the symmetry breaking process in our model depends linearly on the radius of curvature of the substrate surface, which is consistent with experimental results, using spherical latex beads as substrate. Our analysis of the symmetry breaking phenomenon demonstrates aspects of mechano-chemical couplings that should be working in vivo as well as in vitro.