Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reciprocal Associations Between Parental Monitoring Knowledge and Impaired Driving in Adolescent Novice Drivers

Objective: Adolescent driving while alcohol/drug impaired (DWI) and parental monitoring knowledge may have notable interplay. However, the magnitude and direction of causality are unclear. This study examined possible reciprocal associations among adolescents between DWI and parental monitoring knowledge. Methods: The data were from waves 1, 2, and 3 (W1, W2, and W3) of the NEXT Generation Health Study, with longitudinal assessment of a nationally representative sample of 10th graders starting in 2009–2010 (n = 2,525 at W1) and analyzed in 2014. Those who had obtained an independent/unsupervised driving license were included for the analysis. Autoregressive cross-lagged path analysis was used to examine potential reciprocal associations between DWI and parental monitoring knowledge of both mothers and fathers, controlling for potential confounders. Results: Stability of fathers’ and mothers’ monitoring knowledge across 3 consecutive interview waves was identified. W1 monitoring knowledge of both fathers and mothers was prospectively associated with DWI at W2 but not for W2 with W3. A significant negative association between adolescent DWI at W2 and mothers’ monitoring knowledge at W3 was found but not between W1 and W2. None of the associations between DWI and fathers’ monitoring knowledge from W1 to W2 or from W2 to W3 were significant. Conclusions: Early (10th grade) parental monitoring knowledge may predict lower adolescent self-reported DWI in 11th grade. More notably, adolescent DWI did not seem to increase parental monitoring knowledge. Future interventions are needed to improve parental monitoring knowledge and enhance awareness of the DWI risk in their adolescent novice drivers.
Laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction in children.

INTRODUCTION The use of laparoscopy in the treatment of acute small bowel obstruction (SBO) faces inherent obstacles, including dilated loops of bowel, a limited working space, and postoperative adhesions. The objective of this study was to outline the efficacy of laparoscopic management of SBO in children. METHODS With Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, children who presented with a diagnosis of SBO and underwent management via a laparoscopic approach at our institution from January 2001 to December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Medical records were reviewed for age, weight, etiology of obstruction, radiographic findings, need for conversion, number of operations, length of stay, and postoperative complications. Statistical analyses of data comparison between those patients who were managed utilizing a laparoscopic approach and those in whom the laparoscopic approach was converted to a laparotomy were performed using a Chi-squared or a two-tailed Student's t-test with significance reported for P < 0.05. RESULTS Thirty-four patients underwent laparoscopic management of SBO. Mean age was 8.1 ± 5.9 years with a mean weight of 32.8 ± 24.6 kg. Sixty-seven percent were male. A preoperative computed tomography scan was obtained in 21 patients (62%). Eleven cases (32%) required conversion to laparotomy. The most common reason for conversion to the open approach was poor working space (45.4%) followed by intestinal volvulus (27.2%), inability to identify source of obstruction (18.2%), and enterotomy (9%). The most common cause of SBO was postoperative adhesions (73.5%), followed by Meckel's diverticulum (8.8%), volvulus (8.8%), and other (8.8%). Postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients (14.7%). One patient died within 30 days of exploration due to intestinal ischemia secondary to midgut volvulus and subsequent septic shock. Five patients (14.7%) had a recurrent SBO with a mean time to recurrence of 2.6 ± 2.1 months. There were no significant differences in demographic or preoperative variables between patients who were successfully managed with laparoscopy alone versus those patients in whom conversion to laparotomy was necessary. In patients who required conversion, the laparoscopic evaluation did aid in identifying the etiology and allowed for a directed surgical approach when appropriate. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopy for the management of SBO in children is safe and can be therapeutic in the majority of patients. We recommend that consideration for initial exploration in children with SBO be carried out via the laparoscopic approach, with an understanding that conversion to an open approach may be necessary to complete the operation.
Binding of Human Nucleotide Exchange Factors to Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70) Generates Functionally Distinct Complexes in Vitro*

Background: There has been an expansion of the number of Hsp70 cochaperones in mammals, providing the opportunity for combinatorial assembly of permutations with specialized functions. Results: We studied the chaperone activity of Hsp70 combined with four different NEFs and four J proteins. Conclusion: Some combinations were active, whereas others were inactive. Significance: Cochaperones appear to expand the functional diversity of Hsp70. Proteins with Bcl2-associated anthanogene (BAG) domains act as nucleotide exchange factors (NEFs) for the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70). There are six BAG family NEFs in humans, and each is thought to link Hsp70 to a distinct cellular pathway. However, little is known about how the NEFs compete for binding to Hsp70 or how they might differentially shape its biochemical activities. Toward these questions, we measured the binding of human Hsp72 (HSPA1A) to BAG1, BAG2, BAG3, and the unrelated NEF Hsp105. These studies revealed a clear hierarchy of affinities: BAG3 > BAG1 > Hsp105 ≫ BAG2. All of the NEFs competed for binding to Hsp70, and their relative affinity values predicted their potency in nucleotide and peptide release assays. Finally, we combined the Hsp70-NEF pairs with cochaperones of the J protein family (DnaJA1, DnaJA2, DnaJB1, and DnaJB4) to generate 16 permutations. The activity of the combinations in ATPase and luciferase refolding assays were dependent on the identity and stoichiometry of both the J protein and NEF so that some combinations were potent chaperones, whereas others were inactive. Given the number and diversity of cochaperones in mammals, it is likely that combinatorial assembly could generate a large number of distinct permutations.
Performance characteristics and parametric optimum criteria of a Brownian micro-refrigerator in a spatially periodic temperature field

It is shown that a microscopic system consisting of Brownian particles moving in a spatially asymmetric but periodic potential (ratchet) and contacting with the alternating hot and cold reservoirs along space coordinate and an external force applying on the particles may work as a refrigerator. In order to clarify the underlying physical pictures of the system, the heat flows via both the potential energy and the kinetic energy of the particles are considered simultaneously. Based on an Arrhenius' factor describing the forward and backward particle currents, expressions for some important performance parameters of the refrigerator, such as the coefficient of performance, cooling rate and power input, are derived analytically. The maximum coefficient of performance and cooling rate are numerically calculated for some given parameters. The influence of the main parameters such as the external force, barrier height of the potential, asymmetry of the potential and temperature ratio of the heat reservoirs on the performance of the Brownian refrigerator is discussed. The optimum criteria of some characteristic parameters are given. It is found that the Brownian refrigerator may be controlled to operate in different regions through the choice of several parameters.
Transmission Over SSMF at 850 nm: Bimodal Propagation and Equalization

The combination of 850 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) presents an effective and low-cost interface to increase the reach provided by multi-mode fiber links. At 850 nm, SSMF propagates two modes, and in this study, it has been experimentally shown that the different commercially available SSMF's present dissimilar values of differential mode delay. To cope with this unequal behavior of modal dispersion, we propose a scheme based on bidirectional decision feedback equalization (BiDFE) to overcome limited performance of other solutions as mode filtering or classical equalizers. A single span SSMF cabling model, including a measurement-derived statistical characterization of optical connectors, is simulated to evaluate the reach provided by the equalizer attending to both the conditions of the fiber excitation and the characteristics of the VCSEL. A minimum 1.45 km link length at 10 Gb/s is achieved if a linear combining BiDFE (LC-BiDFE) equalizer is included in the receiver, whatever laser launching condition and employing a single-transverse mode VCSEL. If a multi-transverse mode VCSEL is used, the reach provided by LC-BiDFE is slightly reduced but assuring a minimum coverage of 1.15 km.
Attitudes towards blood donation and transfusion in Bamenda, Republic of Cameroon

Objectives: This study was conducted in Bamenda, Cameroon. The objectives of the study were to develop a theoretical framework to better understand local attitudes towards blood donation and transfusion, to identify factors that motivate and deter blood donation and to identify interventions to improve the supply of blood for transfusion at Bamenda Regional Hospital.
High Dynamic Torque Control for Industrial Engine Test Beds

In this paper, an approach for high dynamic torque control of an industrial engine test bed is proposed. The main goal is to develop a control concept that is capable of periodic reference tracking at high control bandwidth while at the same time sufficiently rejecting disturbances coming from external excitations. For that reason, model predictive control (MPC) is utilized which offers two major benefits as compared to classical controllers. On the one hand, its capability to explicitly consider constraints can be applied to limitations of the actuating variable on the test bed. On the other hand, it can also be used to increase control bandwidth by anticipating future reference trajectories. For MPC, an accurate test bed model is of vital importance. Therefore, a system model is developed and validated using measurements obtained from the engine test bed. Moreover, a robustifying approach is proposed based on an extended system model to overcome hardly observable, weakly damped engine block suspension dynamics which are difficult to model. The proposed control concept is discussed and validated through simulations as well as through experimental results.
IL-1β Is Upregulated in the Diabetic Retina and Retinal Vessels: Cell-Specific Effect of High Glucose and IL-1β Autostimulation

Many molecular and cellular abnormalities detected in the diabetic retina support a role for IL-1β-driven neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. IL-1β is well known for its role in the induction and, through autostimulation, amplification of neuroinflammation. Upregulation of IL-1β has been consistently detected in the diabetic retina; however, the mechanisms and cellular source of IL-1β overexpression are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high glucose and IL-1β itself on IL-1β expression in microglial, macroglial (astrocytes and Müller cells) and retinal vascular endothelial cells; and to study the effect of diabetes on the expression of IL-1β in isolated retinal vessels and on the temporal pattern of IL-1β upregulation and glial reactivity in the retina of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. IL-1β was quantified by RealTime RT-PCR and ELISA, glial fibrillar acidic protein, α2-macroglobulin, and ceruloplasmin by immunoblotting. We found that high glucose induced a 3-fold increase of IL-1β expression in retinal endothelial cells but not in macroglia and microglia. IL-1β induced its own synthesis in endothelial and macroglial cells but not in microglia. In retinal endothelial cells, the high glucose-induced IL-1β overexpression was prevented by calphostin C, a protein kinase C inhibitor. The retinal vessels of diabetic rats showed increased IL-1β expression as compared to non-diabetic rats. Retinal expression of IL-1β increased early after the induction of diabetes, continued to increase with progression of the disease, and was temporally associated with upregulation of markers of glial activation. These findings point to hyperglycemia as the trigger and to the endothelium as the origin of the initial retinal upregulation of IL-1β in diabetes; and to IL-1β itself, via autostimulation in endothelial and macroglial cells, as the mechanism of sustained IL-1β overexpression. Interrupting the vicious circle triggered by IL-1β autostimulation could limit the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Leptin‐like immunoreactivity in the muscle of juvenile sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The mammalian hormone, leptin, is mainly synthesized in adipose tissue along with other tissues. Leptin plays a role in numerous processes such as in the control of food intake, homeostasis, immune function and reproduction. In this study, we detected and localized leptin immunoreactivity to the muscle of early juvenile sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. A leptin immunopositive band with a molecular weight of ∼16 kDa, corresponding to mammalian leptin, was identified in trunk skeletal muscle homogenate. Furthermore, leptin immunopositive cells were detected in the endomysium of skeletal muscular fibers. These cells showed immunostained cytoplasmic granules and roundish and oval nuclei. The most intense immunostaining was observed in the endomysial space among the superficial red muscular fibers of the trunk. These findings suggest that in early juvenile sea bass, leptin is mostly produced by skeletal muscles. Therefore, during the developmental stage lacking adipose tissue, skeletal muscles can be considered an important source of leptin. As already suggested in mammals, we can hypothesize the potential roles of leptin not only in energy expenditure for muscle contraction but also during muscle differentiation and growth. Microsc. Res. Tech. 73:797–802, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Games, gods and gambling: The origins and history of probability and statistical ideas from the earliest times to the Newtonian era

The development of gambling techniques led to the beginning of modern statistics, and this absorbing history illustrates the science's rise with vignettes from the lives of Galileo, Fermat, Pascal, and others. Fascinating allusions to the classics, archaeology, biography, poetry, and fiction endow this volume with universal appeal. 1962 edition.
Parents ’ beliefs about appropriate infant growth and feeding : implications for the prevention of childhood obesity

Background A number of modifiable risk factors are associated with the development of childhood obesity, in particular early feeding behaviour. However, there is little guidance as to how health professionals should assess infants and children “at risk” or what the support or intervention should be Parental beliefs and understanding are crucial determinants of infant feeding behaviour; therefore any intervention would need to take account of this. This study aimed to explore parents’ beliefs concerning their infant’s size and growth and their receptiveness to early intervention aimed at reducing the risk of childhood obesity. Method Focus group methodology, thematic analysis. Results Six focus groups were undertaken in a range of different demographic areas, in the UK, with a total of 38 participants who had an infant less than one year old. Five main themes emerged. These were a) overweight or obese womens’ rationalisation for their infant’s larger size, b) parents’ understanding of breastfed infants’ growth, particularly in relation to the growth centile charts, and age-related behaviour, c) parents’ understanding of infant growth, developmental norms and feeding practices, especially in relation to weaning, d) belief that nothing can be done about overweight/obese infants and e) intentions and behaviour in relation to a healthy diet.
Software Development Effort Estimation Using Fuzzy Logic - A Survey

Most of the software estimates should be performed at the beginning of the life cycle, when we do not yet know the problem we are going to solve. Effort estimation is used to predict how many hours of work and how many workers are needed to develop a project. The effort invested in a software project is probably one of the most important and most analyzed variables in recent years in the process of project management. Estimating the effort with a high grade of reliability is a problem which has not yet been solved and even the project manager has to deal with it since the beginning. Fuzzy systems try to emulate cognitive processes of the brain with a rule base. The basic concept is inspired by the human processes where the decisional criteria are not clear cut, but blurred and it is difficult to find objective to make the decisions more precise and clear. Fuzzy decision systems are based on fuzzy logic that tries to reproduce the fuzzy human reasoning. The aim of this survey is to analyze the use of fuzzy logic in the existing models and to provide in depth review of software and project estimation techniques existing in industry and literature, its strengths and weaknesses.
General Steady-State Analysis and Control Principle of Electric Springs With Active and Reactive Power Compensations

This paper provides a general analysis on the steady-state behavior and control principles of a recently proposed concept of “electric springs” that can be integrated into electrical appliances to become a new generation of smart loads. The discussion here is focused on how different real and/or reactive load powers can be canceled or altered using the electric springs. Mathematical derivations supporting the theoretical framework of the concept are detailed in the paper. Experimental results validate the theoretical discussions and solutions proposed. It is demonstrated that the electric spring is capable of providing different types of power/voltage compensations to the load and the source.
Apg16p is required for the function of the Apg12p–Apg5p conjugate in the yeast autophagy pathway

Autophagy is an intracellular bulk degradation system that is ubiquitous for eukaryotic cells. In this process, cytoplasmic components are enclosed in autophagosomes and delivered to lysosomes/vacuoles. We recently found that a protein conjugation system, in which Apg12p is covalently attached to Apg5p, is indispensable for autophagy in yeast. Here, we describe a novel coiled‐coil protein, Apg16p, essential for autophagy. Apg16p interacts with Apg12p‐conjugated Apg5p and less preferentially with unconjugated Apg5p. Moreover, the coiled‐coil domain of Apg16p mediates self‐multimerization that leads to cross‐linking of Apg5p molecules and formation of a stable protein complex. Apg16p is not essential for the Apg12p–Apg5p conjugation reaction. These results suggest that the Apg12p–Apg5p conjugate requires Apg16p to accomplish its role in the autophagy pathway, and Apg16p is a key molecule as a linker to form the Apg12p–Apg5p–Apg16p multimer.
Group exercise and self-management for older adults with osteoarthritis: a feasibility study

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition expected to be the fourth leading cause of disability by the year 2020. Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is problematic in older adults (>75 years) where the presence of comorbidities is more prevalent. Exercise has been recommended irrespective of age and comorbidity. The purpose of this project was to develop a combined exercise and self-management intervention to help older adults with OA to manage their comorbidities. Methods Literature reviews were conducted to inform the development of an intervention followed by a pilot study to assess feasibility and test outcome measures. Participant interviews and session observation were used to evaluate the pilot study. Results Evidence from the literature reviews suggested that a combined intervention consisting of behavioural change/self-management education and exercise was the most appropriate. Each component was developed and then tested as a combined package in a pilot study which comprised 12 sessions delivered over six weeks. Four males and six females aged between 75 and 92 years took part. The average attendance was 89%. Most participants reported some benefit and satisfaction with the programme along with changes in physical ability. The majority of participants continued with some form of exercise at three months. Conclusion The intervention was well received and has encouraged 80% of participants to continue exercising after the programme. The small but positive changes seen in comorbidities, benefit of the intervention, satisfaction and general health are promising. Randomised controlled trial evidence of effectiveness and cost effectiveness is needed before such interventions can be recommended.
Information Systems Success in the Context of Different Corporate Cultural Types: An Empirical Investigation

Previous studies surrounding the DeLone and McLean model of information systems (IS) success have called for future research and further examination of its measure in different contexts. We draw from the literature on strategic IS planning and organizational culture to contextualize the DeLone and McLean model. There is some evidence that a high-quality information technology (IT) plan leads to system success; therefore, we empirically examine the inclusion of the IT plan quality construct as an antecedent to IS success. We also empirically examine the relationships among constructs in the model of IS success in the context of different corporate cultural types—entrepreneurial and formal. The results provide strong support for the research model and suggest that variations in IS success are explained by the quality of the IT plan and the corporate culture exhibited by a firm. We discuss implications related to our finding that IT plan quality has a greater impact on IS success in organizations that exhibit an entrepreneurial corporate culture than in those that exhibit a formal corporate culture. Furthermore, we discuss how the relationships in the DeLone and McLean model of IS success differ in diverse corporate cultural types and the meaning of these differences.
A reassessment of the efficacy of Anglo-Saxon medicine

Laboratory in vitro testing of various remedies from the Old English Leechbooks and Lacnunga does not support previous assertions that Anglo-Saxon medical remedies would have been efficacious. For example, the remedy for a stye in the eye takes ingredients that individually have anti-bacterial properties and compounds them into a mixture with no effect on common bacteria. We conclude that Anglo-Saxon remedies were not likely to have cured the ailments for which they were prescribed and that researchers, rather than asserting the probable prowess of the Anglo-Saxon læce, should instead focus on what people in the time period believed would have helped them.
On the Linearization of Weighted T-Systems

This paper deals with the possibility to study the behavior of a large class of Petri net: weighted T-systems (WTS). We recall recent results which propose to linearize WTS on a marked graph (MG), in order to obtain a model which can be analyzed using tropical algebra like (max, +) or (min, +). In the last part, we present a transformation to extend the previous results. The idea is to introduce synchronization in the model, this kind of transition enrich the model and gives the opportunity to apply the different results