Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Being old in an always-on culture: Older people's perceptions and experiences of online communication

ABSTRACT Research on the digital divide has moved beyond connectivity to skills and usage disparities. Yet for many older people lack of connectivity remains a challenge, and for those who do have access, skills and usage remain an issue. We report findings of an in-depth qualitative study of older people's perceptions of online communications and also their actual experiences. Findings indicate that older people who are already socially well connected benefit from online communication more than those who are not.
Structural anisotropy of magnetically aligned single wall carbon nanotube films

Thick films of aligned single wall carbon nanotubes and ropes have been produced by filtration/deposition from suspension in strong magnetic fields. We measured mosaic distributions of rope orientations in the film plane, for samples of different thicknesses. For an ∼1 μm film the full width at half maximum (FWHM) derived from electron diffraction is 25°–28°. The FWHM of a thicker film (∼7 μm) measured by x-ray diffraction is slightly broader, 35±3°. Aligned films are denser than ordinary filter-deposited ones, and much denser than as-grown material. Optimization of the process is expected to yield smaller FWHMs and higher densities.
Numerical Approximation for Functionals of Reflecting Diffusion Processes

The aim of this paper is to approximate the expectation of a large class of functionals of the solution (X,xi) of a stochastic differential equation with normal reflection in a piecewise smooth domain of Rd . This also yields a Monte Carlo method for solving partial differential problems of parabolic type with mixed boundary conditions. The approximation is based on a modified Euler scheme for the stochastic differential equation. The scheme can be driven by a sequence of bounded independently and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables, or, when the domain is convex, by a sequence of Gaussian i.i. d. random variables. The order of (weak) convergence for both cases is given. In the former case the order of convergence is 1/2, and it is shown to be exact by an example. In the last section numerical tests are presented. The behavior of the error as a function of the final time T, for fixed values of the discretization step, and as a function of the discretization step, for fixed values of the final.
Antibacterial Activities of Bacteria Isolated from the Marine Sponges Isodictya compressa and Higginsia bidentifera Collected from Algoa Bay, South Africa

Due to the rise in multi-drug resistant pathogens and other diseases, there is renewed interest in marine sponge endosymbionts as a rich source of natural products (NPs). The South African marine environment is rich in marine biota that remains largely unexplored and may represent an important source for the discovery of novel NPs. We first investigated the bacterial diversity associated with five South African marine sponges, whose microbial populations had not previously been investigated, and select the two sponges (Isodictya compressa and Higginsia bidentifera) with highest species richness to culture bacteria. By employing 33 different growth conditions 415 sponge-associated bacterial isolates were cultured and screened for antibacterial activity. Thirty-five isolates showed antibacterial activity, twelve of which exhibited activity against the multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli 1699, implying that some of the bioactive compounds could be novel. Genome sequencing of two of these isolates confirmed that they harbour uncharacterized biosynthetic pathways that may encode novel chemical structures.
Reliability of the Dutch translation of the Kujala Patellofemoral Score Questionnaire

Objective. There are no Dutch language disease‐specific questionnaires for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome available that could help Dutch physiotherapists to assess and monitor these symptoms and functional limitations. The aim of this study was to translate the original disease‐specific Kujala Patellofemoral Score into Dutch and evaluate its reliability. Methods. The questionnaire was translated from English into Dutch in accordance with internationally recommended guidelines. Reliability was determined in 50 stable subjects with an interval of 1 week. The patient inclusion criteria were age between 14 and 60 years; knowledge of the Dutch language; and the presence of at least three of the following symptoms: pain while taking the stairs, pain when squatting, pain when running, pain when cycling, pain when sitting with knees flexed for a prolonged period, grinding of the patella and a positive clinical patella test. The internal consistency, test–retest reliability, measurement error and limits of agreement were calculated. Results. Internal consistency was 0.78 for the first assessment and 0.80 for the second assessment. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICCagreement) between the first and second assessments was 0.98. The mean difference between the first and second measurements was 0.64, and standard deviation was 5.51. The standard error measurement was 3.9, and the smallest detectable change was 11. The Bland and Altman plot shows that the limits of agreement are −10.37 and 11.65. Conclusions. The results of the present study indicated that the test–retest reliability translated Dutch version of the Kujala Patellofemoral Score questionnaire is equivalent of the test–retest original English language version and has good internal consistency. Trial registration NTR (TC = 3258).
Magnetic Field Diagnostics Based on Far-Infrared Polarimetry: Tests Using Numerical Simulations

The dynamical state of star-forming molecular clouds cannot be understood without determining the structure and strength of their magnetic fields. Measurements of polarized far-infrared radiation from thermally aligned dust grains are used to map the orientation of the field and estimate its strength, but the accuracy of the results has remained in doubt. In order to assess the reliability of this method, we apply it to simulated far-infrared polarization maps derived from three-dimensional simulations of supersonic magnetohydrodynamical turbulence, and we compare the estimated values to the known magnetic field strengths in the simulations. We investigate the effects of limited telescope resolution and self-gravity on the structure of the maps. Limited observational resolution affects the field structure such that small-scale variations can be completely suppressed, thus giving the impression of a very homogeneous field. The Chandrasekhar-Fermi method of estimating the mean magnetic field in a turbulent medium is tested, and we suggest an extension to measure the rms field. Both methods yield results within a factor of 2 for field strengths typical of molecular clouds, with the modified version returning more reliable estimates for slightly weaker fields. However, neither method alone works well for very weak fields, missing them by a factor of up to 150. Taking the geometric mean of both methods estimates even the weakest fields accurately within a factor of 2.5. Limited telescope resolution leads to a systematic overestimation of the field strengths for all methods. We discuss the effects responsible for this overestimation and show how to extract information on the underlying (turbulent) power spectrum.
The Impact of an Active Lifestyle on the Functional Fitness Level of Older Women

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that to maintain health, adults should engage in 150 min of moderate/vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the lowest MVPA dose possible to maintain functional fitness. Functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test in 101 women (75.0 ± 7.2 years) from two Midwestern communities. Accelerometer determined daily activity level was assessed for 7 days as participants went about their normal daily activities. MVPA was determined via proprietary filtering, and time spent in this intensity was calculated. A 5-day average of time spent in MVPA was organized into four groups. ANOVAs revealed significant differences between activity groups on all functional fitness measures except back scratch and sit and reach. Results indicate that to maintain lower body function in older women, a threshold of 20 min/day of MVPA for 5 days is needed.
TLRs to cytokines: Mechanistic insights from the imiquimod mouse model of psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease of the skin affecting 2–3% of the population, characterized by a thickening of the epidermis and immune infiltrates throughout the dermis and epidermis, causing skin lesions that can seriously affect quality of life. The study of psoriasis has historically been hampered by the lack of good animal models. Various genetically induced models exist, which have provided some information about possible mechanisms of disease, but these models rely mostly on intrinsic imbalances of homeostasis. However, a mouse model of psoriasiform dermatitis caused by the repeated topical application of Aldara™ containing 5% imiquimod was described in 2009. The mechanisms of action of Aldara™ are complex. Imiquimod is an effective ligand for TLR7 (and TLR8 in humans) and also interferes with adenosine receptor signaling. In addition, isostearic acid present in the Aldara™ vehicle has been shown to be biologically active and of importance for activating the inflammasome. Interestingly, the repetitive application of Aldara™ reveals a complex aetiology involving multiple cell types, cytokines, and inflammatory pathways. In this review, we will dissect the findings of the imiquimod model to date and ask how this model can inform us about the immunological aspects of human disease.
What are validated self‐report adherence scales really measuring?: a systematic review

Medication non‐adherence is a significant health problem. There are numerous methods for measuring adherence, but no single method performs well on all criteria. The purpose of this systematic review is to (i) identify self‐report medication adherence scales that have been correlated with comparison measures of medication‐taking behaviour, (ii) assess how these scales measure adherence and (iii) explore how these adherence scales have been validated.
Replica selection in the Globus Data Grid

The Globus Data Grid architecture (I. Foster and C. Kesselman, 1998), provides a scalable infrastructure for the management of storage resources and data that are distributed across Grid environments. These services are designed to support a variety of scientific applications, ranging from high-energy physics to computational genomics, that require access to large amounts of data (terabytes or even petabytes) with varied quality of service requirements. By layering on a set of core services, such as data transport, security, and replica cataloging, one can construct various higher-level services. We discuss the design and implementation of a high-level replica selection service that uses information regarding replica location and user preferences to guide selection from among storage replica alternatives. We first present a basic replica selection service design, then show how dynamic information collected using Globus information service capabilities concerning storage system properties can help improve and optimize the selection process. We demonstrate the use of Condor's ClassAds resource description and matchmaking mechanism as an efficient tool for representing and matching storage resource capabilities and policies against application requirements.
Adult human neural crest–derived cells for articular cartilage repair

HOX-negative, differentiated neural crest–derived adult cells from the nasal septum display self-renewal capacity and environmental plasticity and are compatible for articular cartilage repair. Cells from Nose Repair Tissue in Joint Cartilage repair remains a yet unmet clinical need, with few viable cell therapy options available. Taking cells from the knee or ankle to repair worn cartilage requires additional surgery and, in turn, pain and healing for the patient. As such, a new, accessible cell source would greatly benefit these patients. Here, Pelttari and colleagues looked up the nose for cells that may have the capacity to regenerate cartilage. Nasal septum cells arise from the neuroectoderm—the tissue that gives rise to the nervous system—and are better at repairing tissues than their mesoderm counterparts. These regenerative capabilities have been attributed to a lack of homeobox (HOX) gene expression. The authors therefore investigated whether nasal chondrocytes (HOX-negative, neuroectoderm origin) were compatible with an articular cartilage environment, like the knee joint (HOX-positive, mesoderm origin). The authors discovered that adult human nasal chondrocytes were able to self-renew and also, to their surprise, adopt a HOX-positive profile upon implantation into a mesoderm environment; in goats, this led to repair of experimental articular cartilage defects. In an ongoing clinical trial, human nasal chondrocytes have been shown to be safe once transplanted, suggesting translation of this new, easy-to-access cell source for repairing damaged joints. In embryonic models and stem cell systems, mesenchymal cells derived from the neuroectoderm can be distinguished from mesoderm-derived cells by their Hox-negative profile—a phenotype associated with enhanced capacity of tissue regeneration. We investigated whether developmental origin and Hox negativity correlated with self-renewal and environmental plasticity also in differentiated cells from adults. Using hyaline cartilage as a model, we showed that adult human neuroectoderm-derived nasal chondrocytes (NCs) can be constitutively distinguished from mesoderm-derived articular chondrocytes (ACs) by lack of expression of specific HOX genes, including HOXC4 and HOXD8. In contrast to ACs, serially cloned NCs could be continuously reverted from differentiated to dedifferentiated states, conserving the ability to form cartilage tissue in vitro and in vivo. NCs could also be reprogrammed to stably express Hox genes typical of ACs upon implantation into goat articular cartilage defects, directly contributing to cartilage repair. Our findings identify previously unrecognized regenerative properties of HOX-negative differentiated neuroectoderm cells in adults, implying a role for NCs in the unmet clinical challenge of articular cartilage repair. An ongoing phase 1 clinical trial preliminarily indicated the safety and feasibility of autologous NC–based engineered tissues for the treatment of traumatic articular cartilage lesions.
Stiffening of the nucleus pulposus upon axial loading of the intervertebral disc: An experimental in situ study

Mechanical loading is inherently related to the function and degeneration of the intervertebral disc. We present a series of experiments aimed at measuring the effect of a loading/unloading cycle of the intervertebral disc on the mechanical properties of the nucleus pulposus. The study relies on our new minimally invasive microindenter, which allows us to quantify the storage and loss moduli of the nucleus pulposus by inserting an optomechanical probe in an intact (resected) intervertebral disk through the annulus fibrosis via a small needle. Our results indicate that, under the influence of compressive loading, the nucleus pulposus exhibits a more solid‐like behavior.
Parental attitudes, body image disturbance and disordered eating amongst adolescents and young adults: a review.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this paper was to review the existing literature regarding the contribution of parental influences to the sociocultural pressures on body image disturbance and disordered eating so as to highlight principal findings so that parents can be given practical information and identify areas that require further research. METHODS Relevant articles were located through Pubmed, Sciencedirect and PsychInfo, as well as the screening of bibliographies. RESULTS The available data suggest that parents are strong communicators of sociocultural pressures. Parental influences via verbal messages and active encouragement have been shown to have more impact on offspring's body concerns and eating behaviours than modelling effects. Both mothers and fathers are important sources of influence for their offspring. CONCLUSION Considering the role of parents could help improve public health management. Futher exploration of the way adolescents and young adults interpret and perceive parental attitudes and of potential protective factors is necessary.
Out-of-plane ordering in quaternary MAX alloys: an alloy theoretic perspective

ABSTRACT This letter is motivated by an apparent paradox, in that some quaternary systems (particularly in the Ti–Zr–Al–C system) have been shown to exhibit M-site out-of-plane ordering, while prior work and calculations by the present authors suggest endothermic interactions between Zr and Ti. In this letter we provide a resolution to this issue and provide a more extended analysis on the out-of-plane and in-plane ordering in the M sites of quaternary MAX alloys. The results provide further insights to develop criteria to predict potential out-of-plane ordering tendencies in other MAX systems.fx1 GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT IMPACT STATEMENT In this work, we resolve a recently evident contradiction between theoretical predictions for phase separation in the Ti–Zr–Al–C 312 MAX system and experimental observations that indicate out-of-plane ordering.
C‐fiber function assessed by the laser doppler imager flare technique and acetylcholine iontophoresis

Vasodilation induced by both acetylcholine iontophoresis (ACh Ionto) and the laser Doppler flare technique (LDIFT) can be used to measure small‐fiber function. The aim of this study was to compare the neurogenic nature of these methods. ACh Ionto and the LDIFT were performed on 10 controls, with and without local anesthetic cream. The local anesthetic cream blocks the axon reflex; thus, by determining the ratio of hyperemic area to stimulus area before and after anesthesia, the neurogenic nature of the hyperemia can be determined. The ratio of hyperemic area to stimulus area was significantly reduced by local anesthesia in the LDIFT [ratio (mean ± SD): 2.33 ± 0.67 with local anesthesia; 6.84 ± 1.33 without local anesthesia; P < 0.0001], whereas this ratio was unaffected by local anesthesia in the ACh Ionto group (2.61 ± 0.57 with local anesthesia; 2.67 ± 1.27 without local anesthesia). This study confirms that the LDIFT measures small‐fiber function. In contrast, hyperemia elicited by ACh Ionto outside the capsule is not blocked by local anesthesia and is thus non‐neurogenic. Muscle Nerve, 2009
A calculus for ideal triangulations of three‐manifolds with embedded arcs

Refining the notion of an ideal triangulation of a compact three‐manifold, we provide in this paper a combinatorial presentation of the set of pairs (M,α), where M is a three‐manifold and α is a collection of properly embedded arcs. We also show that certain well‐understood combinatorial moves are sufficient to relate to each other any two refined triangulations representing the same (M,α). Our proof does not assume the Matveev–Piergallini calculus for ideal triangulations, and actually easily implies this calculus. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermal buckling optimisation of composite plates using firefly algorithm

Abstract Composite plates play a very important role in engineering applications, especially in aerospace industry. Thermal buckling of such components is of great importance and must be known to achieve an appropriate design. This paper deals with stacking sequence optimisation of laminated composite plates for maximising the critical buckling temperature using a powerful meta-heuristic algorithm called firefly algorithm (FA) which is based on the flashing behaviour of fireflies. The main objective of present work was to show the ability of FA in optimisation of composite structures. The performance of FA is compared with the results reported in the previous published works using other algorithms which shows the efficiency of FA in stacking sequence optimisation of laminated composite structures.
Exploring the effects of ERP systems on organizational performance: Evidence from Finnish companies

Purpose – Previous research showed that there are payoffs from IT investments, but the question is when and why such payoffs occur. This paper aims to adopt an “inside the black‐box” approach to the analysis of economic benefits of ERP systems by examining what business process (BP) changes take place in companies that have different motives for implementing ERP systems. This explorative study seeks to further examine the influence of these BP changes on organizational performance.Design/methodology/approach – In Spring 2006, 14 semi‐structured interviews were made in mid‐sized Finnish companies that use an ERP system. An ERP scorecard framework was applied to assess the perceived benefits of ERP.Findings – Companies that have a technologically‐led motivation perceive “improved service time in accounting tasks” as an internal efficiency benefit, “faster response to business change” as customer benefits, and financial benefits in terms of other improved efficiencies. Companies that have a business‐led moti.
Accepted Manuscript Title : Water-soluble yellow mustard mucilage : A novel ingredient with potent antioxidant properties

The antioxidant properties of the water-soluble yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) mucilage (WSM) were compared with citrus pectin and xanthan gum using in vitro methods. The antioxidants ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) were used as controls. The antioxidant activity, DPPH free radical scavenging ability, and reducing power on Fe were measured. Molecular weight (MW), uronic acid content, and viscosity for the three polysaccharides were obtained to investigate the relationships between the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of the three different polysaccharides. The results showed that the overall antioxidant activity of polysaccharides was lower than that for ascorbic acid and BHA. Of the three polysaccharides, WSM exhibited the strongest antioxidant properties, followed by citrus pectin and xanthan gum. Statistical analysis showed that the MW and uronic acid content had significant effects on antioxidant activity (P<0.05). MW, uronic acid and apparent viscosity had significant effects on reducing power on Fe (P<0.05). Concentration also significantly affected DPPH free radical scavenging effect and reducing power on Fe (P<0.05). The study indicated a great potential of using WSM as a novel ingredient in food industries due to its superior antioxidant activities compared to citrus pectin and xanthan gum.
Risks of energy drinks mixed with alcohol.

THE ENERGY DRINK MARKET IS A MULTIBILLIONdollar industry that uses aggressive and innovative marketing strategies to target teens and young adults. Consequently, 31% of young teens and 34% to 51% of 18to 24-year-olds report regular consumption of these products. Energy drinks contain caffeine and often other substances such as guarana (containing guaranine, similar to caffeine), taurine (an amino acid), and sugar derivatives. The primary active ingredient is caffeine, usually with 80 to 141 mg of caffeine per 8 oz (equivalent to a 5-oz cup of coffee or 2 cans of soda). The health effects of energy drinks have received attention from researchers and policy makers because there is limited knowledge about differential effects of caffeine on children and adults and the interaction of caffeine and alcohol. Alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AMED) has become increasingly popular, especially among adolescents and college students. In surveys of college students, as many as 56% report mixing energy drinks with alcohol in the past month. Alcohol mixed with energy drinks includes cocktails served at bars (eg, Red Bull and vodka), premixed caffeinated alcoholic beverages (eg, Four Loco), self-mixed beverages, and alcohol and energy drinks consumed separately but within the same drinking occasion.