Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Waste-aware dilution and mixing of biochemical samples with digital microfluidic biochips

A key challenge in design automation of digital microfluidic biochips is to carry out on-chip dilution/mixing of biochemical samples/reagents for achieving a desired concentration factor (CF). In a bioassay, reducing the waste is crucial because the waste droplet handling is cumbersome and the number of waste reservoirs on-chip needs to be minimized to use limited volume of sample and expensive reagents and hence to reduce the cost of a biochip. The existing dilution algorithms attempt to reduce the number of mix/split steps required in the process but focus little on minimization of sample requirement or waste droplets. In this work, we characterize the underlying combinatorial properties of waste generation and identify the inherent limitations of two earlier mixing algorithms (BS algorithm by Thies et al., Natural Computing 2008; DMRW algorithm by Roy et al., IEEE TCAD 2010) in addressing this issue. Based on these properties, we design an improved dilution/mixing algorithm (IDMA) that optimizes the usage of intermediate droplets generated during the dilution process, which in turn, reduces the demand of sample/reagent and production of waste. The algorithm terminates in O(n) steps for producing a target CF with a precision of 1/2n. Based on simulation results for all CF values ranging from 1/1024 to 1023/1024 using a sample (100% concentration) and a buffer solution (0% concentration), we present an integrated scheme of choosing the best waste-aware dilution algorithm among BS, DMRW, and IDMA for any given value of CF. Finally, an architectural layout of a DMF biochip that supports the proposed scheme is designed.
‘Money makes the world go around’: Social workers in parliamentary finance committees in Israel

Summary The study examined social workers’ participation in two powerful parliamentary committees in Israel: the Finance Committee (FC) and the Economics Affairs Committee (EAC). It sought to better understand the characteristics of social workers who participated in these committees, their inputs, and to uncover differences between these findings and those on social workers in other parliamentary committees. Qualitative and quantitative content analyses were conducted on the minutes of the committees’ sessions between 1999–2013. Findings At least one social worker spoke in 50 of the FC sessions and in 26 of the EAC sessions. These sessions dealt with a wide range of subjects, including national and local social services budgets, social problems, and vulnerable populations. The social workers expressed opinions on deficiencies in social policies and made recommendations for dealing with social problems. Their opinions conveyed support for social provision in a period in which the neo-liberal discourse was in ascendant. They also provided information on diverse aspects of current social policies. Most of the social worker participants were employed in the government sector. Implications In terms of theory, the study augments our knowledge of social workers as policy actors. In terms of practice, it shows that finance committees are relevant and accessible arenas of social work activity. Awareness of the inputs and the roles identified can enable social workers to better understand their potential contribution to the discussions of such committees and conceptualize their possible roles in them.
The centre cannot hold : the experiences of post-apartheid migrants from South Africa to Australia

The aim of the study is to explore the migration experiences of a group of post-apartheid white South Africans to Australia. The work is grounded in relational psychoanalytic thinking while using the constructivist grounded theory method (GTM), as proposed by Charmaz (2006), to analyse the data. The combination of these two frames represents an extension of the GTM by including a focus on the co-creation of data, and provides a structured approach to psychoanalytic research.
The Immune Protective Effect of the Mediterranean Diet against Chronic Low-grade Inflammatory Diseases

Dietary patterns high in refined starches, sugar, and saturated and trans-fatty acids, poor in natural antioxidants and fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and poor in omega-3 fatty acids may cause an activation of the innate immune system, most likely by excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines associated with a reduced production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is a nutritional model inspired by the traditional dietary pattern of some of the countries of the Mediterranean basin. This dietary pattern is characterized by the abundant consumption of olive oil, high consumption of plant foods (fruits, vegetables, pulses, cereals, nuts and seeds); frequent and moderate intake of wine (mainly with meals); moderate consumption of fish, seafood, yogurt, cheese, poultry and eggs; and low consumption of red meat, processed meat products and seeds. Several epidemiological studies have evaluated the effects of a Mediterranean pattern as protective against several diseases associated with chronic low-grade inflammation such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome and cognition disorders. The adoption of this dietary pattern could counter the effects of several inflammatory markers, decreasing, for example, the secretion of circulating and cellular biomarkers involved in the atherosclerotic process. Thus, the aim of this review was to consider the current evidence about the effectiveness of the MedDiet in these chronic inflammatory diseases due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may not only act on classical risk factors but also on inflammatory biomarkers such as adhesion molecules, cytokines or molecules related to the stability of atheromatic plaque.
An algorithm for cross-lingual sense-clustering tested in a MT evaluation setting

Unsupervised sense induction methods offer a solution to the problem of scarcity of semantic resources. These methods automatically extract semantic information from textual data and create resources adapted to specific applications and domains of interest. In this paper, we present a clustering algorithm for cross-lingual sense induction which generates bilingual semantic inventories from parallel corpora. We describe the clustering procedure and the obtained resources. We then proceed to a large-scale evaluation by integrating the resources into a Machine Translation (MT) metric (METEOR). We show that the use of the data-driven sense-cluster inventories leads to better correlation with human judgments of translation quality, compared to precision-based metrics, and to improvements similar to those obtained when a hand-crafted semantic resource is used.
Social adversity, migration and hospital admissions for childhood asthma in Sweden

The number of children admitted to hospitals because of asthma has been reported to decrease in Sweden in recent decades despite an increasing prevalence of childhood asthma. This decrease has been explained by improved maintenance therapy of children with severe asthma. In this study we used data on hospital admissions for asthma from the Swedish National Patient Discharge Registers in Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg 1990‐1994 to identify social and ethnic characteristics of children 2‐18‐y‐old in need of improvement in disease management. Children in families on social welfare (adjusted odds ratios (OR): 1.3 and 1.5) and children in single‐parent households (adjusted OR: 1.3 and 1.4) were more often admitted to hospital because of asthma at least once during a calendar year in the 2‐6‐ and 7‐18‐y‐old groups. Children in families on social welfare had a particularly high risk of being admitted more than once during a calendar year (adjusted OR: 1.6 in the younger age group and 2.9 in the older group). Exposure to smoking during pregnancy was more common in socially disadvantaged families and increased the risk of hospital admission in children below 3 y of age. Children born outside Western Europe, the USA and Australia were less commonly admitted to hospital because of asthma than other children in the population (adjusted OR: 0.1‐0.5). Swedish‐born children with mothers who were born in Eastern and Southern Europe were also at lower risk for admission to hospital with a diagnosis of asthma (adjusted OR: 0.2–0.6). This probably indicates a lower prevalence of asthma in these ethnic groups. Further studies are needed to identify factors that can explain these ethnic differences in childhood asthma.
Nonprofit Brand Heritage

Volunteer organizations operate in a challenging environment and their management practices toward volunteers have become increasingly influenced by the private sector. This case study explores the impact of brand heritage on the experience of volunteering in such managed environments. We use data from the U.K. Scouts to show that brand heritage has a positive bearing on the level of engagement volunteers experience and on their reported attitude to the way(s) in which they are managed within the volunteer organization. We then use these findings to establish the salience of brand heritage to both long established and recently formed organizations, extending current volunteer management theory; consequently, we suggest volunteer managers utilize the power of brand heritage through unlocking its ability to retain engaged and satisfied volunteers.
Serum-Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Concentrations Are Inversely Associated with Atherosclerotic Diseases in Humans

Background and Objectives Atherosclerotic changes of arteries are the leading cause for deaths in cardiovascular disease and greatly impair patient’s quality of life. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a signaling sphingolipid that regulates potentially pro-as well as anti-atherogenic processes. Here, we investigate whether serum-S1P concentrations are associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and carotid stenosis (CS). Methods and Results Serum was sampled from blood donors (controls, N = 174) and from atherosclerotic patients (N = 132) who presented to the hospital with either clinically relevant PAD (N = 102) or CS (N = 30). From all subjects, serum-S1P was measured by mass spectrometry and blood parameters were determined by routine laboratory assays. When compared to controls, atherosclerotic patients before invasive treatment to restore blood flow showed significantly lower serum-S1P levels. This difference cannot be explained by risk factors for atherosclerosis (old age, male gender, hypertension, hypercholesteremia, obesity, diabetes or smoking) or comorbidities (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney insufficiency or arrhythmia). Receiver operating characteristic curves suggest that S1P has more power to indicate atherosclerosis (PAD and CS) than high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). In 35 patients, serum-S1P was measured again between one and six months after treatment. In this group, serum-S1P concentrations rose after treatment independent of whether patients had PAD or CS, or whether they underwent open or endovascular surgery. Post-treatment S1P levels were highly associated to platelet numbers measured pre-treatment. Conclusions Our study shows that PAD and CS in humans is associated with decreased serum-S1P concentrations and that S1P may possess higher accuracy to indicate these diseases than HDL-C.
"Union Yes": The Moderating Effects of Union Instrumentality on Psychological Contract Violations

Few empirical studies of psychological contracts have examined the role of unions and unfulfilled psychological contracts. This study has developed and tested a model proposing that union instrumentality moderates the relationship between psychological contract breach (PCB) and psychological contract violations (PCVs), and has investigated the mediating effects of such violations on the relationships between PCB and union commitment and trust in management (n = 215). Moderated regression analyses revealed that there was a significant interaction between PCB and union instrumentality in predicting PCVs. Specifically, the positive relationship between PCB and PCVs was weakened among employees endorsing high union instrumentality. Further, PCVs were associated with increased union commitment and decreased trust in management. Analyses also revealed that PCVs partially mediated the relationships between PCB and union commitment and trust in management. The importance of the findings is discussed and recommendations for future research are provided.
Alternative topogenic signals in peroxisomal citrate synthase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The tripeptide serine-lysine-leucine (SKL) occurs at the carboxyl terminus of many peroxisomal proteins and serves as a peroxisomal targeting signal. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has two isozymes of citrate synthase. The peroxisomal form, encoded by CIT2, terminates in SKL, while the mitochondrial form, encoded by CIT1, begins with an amino-terminal mitochondrial signal sequence and ends in SKN. We analyzed the importance of SKL as a topogenic signal for citrate synthase, using oleate to induce peroxisomes and density gradients to fractionate organelles. Our experiments revealed that SKL was necessary for directing citrate synthase to peroxisomes. C-terminal SKL was also sufficient to target a leaderless version of mitochondrial citrate synthase to peroxisomes. Deleting this tripeptide from the CIT2 protein caused peroxisomal citrate synthase to be missorted to mitochondria. These experiments suggest that the CIT2 protein contains a cryptic mitochondrial targeting signal.
Web-based alcohol screening and brief intervention for university students: a randomized trial.

IMPORTANCE Unhealthy alcohol use is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease, particularly among young people. Systematic reviews suggest efficacy of web-based alcohol screening and brief intervention and call for effectiveness trials in settings where it could be sustainably delivered. OBJECTIVE To evaluate a national web-based alcohol screening and brief intervention program. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A multisite, double-blind, parallel-group, individually randomized trial was conducted at 7 New Zealand universities. In April and May of 2010, invitations containing hyperlinks to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) screening test were e-mailed to 14,991 students aged 17 to 24 years. INTERVENTIONS Participants who screened positive (AUDIT-C score ≥4) were randomized to undergo screening alone or to 10 minutes of assessment and feedback (including comparisons with medical guidelines and peer norms) on alcohol expenditure, peak blood alcohol concentration, alcohol dependence, and access to help and information. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES A fully automated 5-month follow-up assessment was conducted that measured 6 primary outcomes: consumption per typical occasion, drinking frequency, volume of alcohol consumed, an academic problems score, and whether participants exceeded medical guidelines for acute harm (binge drinking) and chronic harm (heavy drinking). A Bonferroni-corrected significance threshold of . 0083 was used to account for the 6 comparisons and a sensitivity analysis was used to assess possible attrition bias. RESULTS Of 5135 students screened, 3422 scored 4 or greater and were randomized, and 83% were followed up. There was a significant effect on 1 of the 6 prespecified outcomes. Relative to control participants, those who received intervention consumed less alcohol per typical drinking occasion (median 4 drinks [interquartile range {IQR}, 2-8] vs 5 drinks [IQR 2-8]; rate ratio [RR], 0.93 [99.17% CI, 0.86-1.00]; P = .005) but not less often (RR, 0.95 [99.17% CI, 0.88-1.03]; P = .08) or less overall (RR, 0.95 [99.17% CI, 0.81-1.10]; P = .33). Academic problem scores were not lower (RR, 0.91 [99.17% CI, 0.76-1.08]; P = .14) and effects on the risks of binge drinking (odds ratio [OR], 0.84 [99.17% CI, 0.67-1.05]; P = .04) and heavy drinking (OR, 0.77 [99.17% CI, 0.56-1.05]; P = .03) were not significantly significant. In a sensitivity analysis accounting for attrition, the effect on alcohol per typical drinking occasion was no longer statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE A national web-based alcohol screening and brief intervention program produced no significant reductions in the frequency or overall volume of drinking or academic problems. There remains a possibility of a small reduction in the amount of alcohol consumed per typical drinking occasion. TRIAL REGISTRATION anzctr.org. au Identifier: ACTRN12610000279022.
Exploring Acceptance of Using an Online Platform to Teach Parents of Children with Autism Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Exploring Acceptance of Using an Online Platform to Teach Parents of Children with Autism Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Marwah S. Zagzoug Seton Hall University 2016 Dr. Deborah DeLuca, Chair Background and Purpose of the Study: A diagnosis of autism can lead to lifelong struggles for parents and children. These families face profound difficulties in coping with stress while seeking out early interventions and managing imperative service needs. Parents are increasingly turning to the internet for information, advice, and even formal training. Breakthroughs in technology have made the internet more accessible and more sophisticated. The involvement of parents in applying intervention strategies to help their autistic children has long been advocated as a useful approach. Enabling parents as interventionists provides renewed confidence and reduced stress for parents as well as developmental improvements for the child. Conversely, issues of time, cost, and travel restrict accessibility for parents in need of such training. For these cases, utilizing online programs is explored as an alternative option. Methods: The study design was descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational, utilizing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to
A Review of Glycated Albumin as an Intermediate Glycation Index for Controlling Diabetes

Introduction: This article reviews glycated albumin (GA) as a potential intermediate-term glycation index to fill the gap between self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and hemoglobin A1c testing in diabetes management. The introduction gives an assessment of available short-, medium-, and long-term glycemic indicators. Methodologies and Utility: Methods of GA measurement are summarized, and the variance of normal and diabetic GA values are discussed. Greatest uniformity in GA measurement is generally associated with immunoassay and the newer affinity chromatography methodologies utilized by reference laboratories. Utility of GA measurement includes its value as a marker for glycation, its substantial relationship to diabetes complications such as nephropathy and coronary artery disease, and as an unambiguous indicator of glycemic control in diabetes patients undergoing hemodialysis. Studies support the utility of GA in detecting short-term changes in glycemic control, and GA testing has been strongly recommended for gestational diabetes. Results and Discussion: The results of a survey with mailings to over 3500 diabetes care professionals primarily in the United States are outlined and analyzed (margin of error: +/-6.5%, 95% confidence). Respondents strongly supported the need for a test for intermediate glycemic control as well as the utility of a rapid GA test as a monthly glycemic indicator. Conclusions: Such a test, as yet unavailable, could increase compliance and enhance empowerment among diabetes patients. It also has the potential to reduce the number of recommended SMBG tests, which may result in significant health care cost savings.
Impact of AlN Interfacial Dipole on Effective Work Function of Ni and Band Alignment of Ni/HfO2/In0.53Ga0.47As Gate-Stack

AlN has successfully been applied to passivate the oxide/III-V interface; however, it changes both the metal work function (WF) and band alignment of the gate-stack and, thus, affects the power consumption of the devices. We found that the AlN layer induces a dipole δ = 0.18 eV between HfO2 and substrate. The dipole value obtained from capacitance- voltage characteristics performs good agreement with the results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic measurements. The effective WF of Ni is found to be 5.55 eV, which is larger than its WF in vacuum. The valance band offset and the conduction band offset of HfO2 with AlN/In0.53Ga0. 47As are found to be 2.82 and 2.06 eV, respectively.
Long-term response to growth hormone therapy in a patient with short stature caused by a novel heterozygous mutation in NPR2

Abstract Background: Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the natriuretic peptide receptor B gene (NPR2) are responsible for short stature in patients without a distinct phenotype. Some of these patients have been treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy with a variable response. Case presentation: The proband was a healthy boy who presented at the age of 5.1 years with familial short stature (height SDS of −3.1). He had a prominent forehead, a depressed nasal bridge, centripetal fat distribution and a high-pitched voice resembling that of children with GH deficiency. His hormonal evaluation showed low insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) but a normal GH peak at a stimulation test. During the first year of rhGH treatment, his growth velocity increased from 3.4 to 10.4 cm/year (height SDS change of +1.1). At the last visit, he was 8.8 years old and still on treatment, his growth velocity was 6.4 cm/year and height SDS was −1.8. Results: We identified through exome sequencing a novel heterozygous loss-of-function NPR2 mutation (c.2905G>C; p.Val969Leu). Cells cotransfected with the p.Val969Leu mutant showed a significant decrease in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) production compared to the wild type (WT), suggesting a dominant negative effect. Conclusions: This case reveals a novel heterozygous loss-of-function NPR2 mutation responsible for familial short stature and the good response of rhGH therapy in this patient.
Behavioral and psychological effects of immune activation: implications for 'depression due to a general medical condition'

Infectious and many non-infectious diseases are associated with immune activation and the production of cytokines in the periphery and in the brain. Studies on experimental animals indicate that cytokines within the brain induce a depression-like behavioral syndrome, characterized by anhedonia, diminished interest in the environment, reduced libido, anorexia, weight loss, hypersomnia, psychomotor retardation, fatigue, and diminished cognitive functioning. Similar symptoms accompany medical conditions that involve immune activation in humans. Moreover, depressed mood and other depressive symptoms are induced in humans following cytokine administration. Brain cytokines also affect the neurochemical systems that are implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. Based on these findings, it is suggested that immune activation is involved in the etiology and symptomatology of 'depression due to a general medical condition'.