Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Informal Caregiver Burden and Benefits and Older Adult Mortality: A Survival Analysis.

OBJECTIVE Informal caregivers are crucial to maintaining older adults' health, but few studies examine how caregiving receipt is associated with older person longevity. In a nationally representative sample, we prospectively explore whether and how having an informal caregiver is associated with older adult overall mortality, and how caregivers' burden and benefits perceptions relate to care recipient mortality. METHODS We match six National Health and Aging Trends Study waves (2011-2016) with 2011 National Study of Caregiving data, conducting survival analysis on 7,369 older adults and 1,327 older adult-informal caregiver dyads. RESULTS Having an informal caregiver is associated with 36% (p<0.001) higher mortality risk over 6-year follow-up, adjusting for demographic, economic and health factors. Older adults whose caregivers perceive only burden have 38% higher (p<0.05) mortality risk than those with caregivers reporting neither burden nor benefits. This risk is reduced from 38% higher to 5% higher (p<0.001) for older adults with caregivers reporting benefits alongside burden, compared to those with caregivers reporting neither perception. DISCUSSION Having a caregiver may signal impending decline beyond known mortality factors. However, interventions to increase caregivers' benefit perceptions and reduce their burden may decrease mortality risk for older adults with declining health and functional ability.
Network and cellular mechanisms underlying heterogeneous excitatory/inhibitory balanced states

Recent work has explored spatiotemporal relationships between excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) signaling within neural networks, and the effect of these relationships on network activity patterns. Data from these studies have indicated that excitation and inhibition are maintained at a similar level across long time periods and that excitatory and inhibitory currents may be tightly synchronized. Disruption of this balance—leading to an aberrant E/I ratio—is implicated in various brain pathologies. However, a thorough characterization of the relationship between E and I currents in experimental settings is largely impossible, due to their tight regulation at multiple cellular and network levels. Here, we use biophysical neural network models to investigate the emergence and properties of balanced states by heterogeneous mechanisms. Our results show that a network can homeostatically regulate the E/I ratio through interactions among multiple cellular and network factors, including average firing rates, synaptic weights and average neural depolarization levels in excitatory/inhibitory populations. Complex and competing interactions between firing rates and depolarization levels allow these factors to alternately dominate network dynamics in different synaptic weight regimes. This leads to the emergence of distinct mechanisms responsible for determining a balanced state and its dynamical correlate. Our analysis provides a comprehensive picture of how E/I ratio changes when manipulating specific network properties, and identifies the mechanisms regulating E/I balance. These results provide a framework to explain the diverse, and in some cases, contradictory experimental observations on the E/I state in different brain states and conditions.
Operative Results of Plantar Plating for Fifth Metatarsal Stress Fracture

Background: The treatment of fifth metatarsal stress fractures can be challenging. Various operative fixation methods have been reported for fracture management. Among them, intramedullary screw fixation has become increasingly popular. However, recent reports have described failures after screw fixation in athletes. The aim of this study was to determine the rates of clinical and radiographic healing, time to return to sport, and complications of elite athletes with proximal fifth metatarsal fractures treated with plantar plating. Methods: Thirty-eight athletes with fifth metatarsal stress fractures treated using a plantar plating technique in 3 hospitals from 2013 to 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic data, radiographic evaluation, and the time until union and return to sports activities were collected and analyzed. A total of 38 patients underwent the plantar plating for a fifth metatarsal stress fracture with a mean follow-up of 23 (range, 12-49) months. Results: The mean time to the radiologic union, as determined by plain radiography, was 9.3 (range, 8-16) weeks. Although there were no nonunions or delayed unions during follow-up, 4 refractures developed (10.5%). All but 1 patient were able to return to their previous levels of sporting activity at 22.2 ± 4.5 (range, 12-40) weeks. Conclusion: With a minimum of 1-year follow-up, the described plantar plating technique could be an alternative method for the operative treatment of fifth metatarsal stress fractures without nonunion problems. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
SELF-CONCEPT AND ANXIETY OF SLOVAK STUDENTS

The purpose of this study is to examine the self-concept and anxiety of Slovak university students as future leaders. A positive self-concept and emotional stability are considered important characteristics of an effective leader. Our research sample consisted of 199 (mean age=20.04; SD=1.58) university students (field of study: management and education). The available and intentional sampling was used. Data were obtained by means of the State-trait anxiety inventory and the Piers-Harris self-concept scale for children and adolescents. The reliability (inner consistency) of the measured variables was acceptable (Cronbach alpha from .56 to .90). Correlation tests and a comparative research study were conducted. Our findings prove negative moderate statistically significant correlation between all self-concept dimensions and state and trait anxiety (from -.26 to -.67; p .˂01). A strong significant relationship between the total self-concept and state and trait anxiety (-.56; -.68; p˂0.01) was shown. No differences among students in terms of field of study were found. The limitation of this study is the sample size and the use of self-reported data. This study presents a contribution to the research of relevant personal factors of tomorrow ́s leaders in education and economics in Slovakia.
Brain Mimicry: The Ultimate Challenge

From the automobile to the computer, the light bulb to the micro-chip, the emergency of new technology has been the story of human development over the past 150 years. Technology has become a part of our lives. The issue of decide if this part is or not good for life is a controversial one. But in many aspects or we can say in every aspects contribution technology has made to modern life has been really positive and effective. The key technology in many of today's novel applications is Artificial Intelligence (AI), ranging from banking systems that detect attempted credit card fraud, to telephone systems that understand speech, to software systems that notice when you're having problems and offer appropriate advice, to the medical technology which improved the quality of human lives. These technologies would not exist today without the sustained federal support of fundamental AI research over the past three decades. In this paper, we have covered the one of the advance research of AI i.e. ARTIFICIAL BRAIN (A-Brain) which is also called the reverse engineering of the brain. In recent years, half a dozen major research groups have simulated or constructed sizeable networks of artificial neurons, with the ultimate goal to emulate the entire human brain. While the outputs of the simulations demonstrate some features of biological neural networks, it is not even clear how to prove that artificial neural network behavior is identical in any way to biological behavior. However, enough progress has been made to draw some conclusions and make comparisons between the leading projects. Some approaches are more scalable, some are more practical with current technologies, and some are more accurate in their emulation of biological neurons. In this paper, we will discuss some challenges and predictions about the future prospects of brain emulation or the A-Brain.
Textured multilayered piezoelectric structures for energy conversion

Piezoelectric materials are essential for the conversion between mechanical and electrical energy, for example in ultrasound imaging and vibrational energy harvesting. Here, we are making and exploring the effects of a new design: co-sintered multilayers with texture (grains of a preferential crystallographic direction). The motivation is the combination of increased piezoelectric response in certain crystallographic directions; multilayer structures where thick films rather than bulk materials can allow higher frequency operation and large area; and co-sintering to avoid detrimental effects from gluing layers together. Samples of the lead-free piezoelectric material Li0.06(K0.52Na0.48)0.94Nb0. 71Ta0.29O3 with 0.25 mol% Mn (KNNLTM) were made by tape casting and co-sintering. NaNbO3 platelets with (100) orientation which were used as templates to introduce texture, and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was used as a pore forming agent for making porous substrates. The electrical impedances of the co-sintered samples were recorded and analyzed by equivalent electrical circuit modelling. A texture up to 85% in the [100] crystallographic direction was obtained. The samples displayed ferro- and piezoelectricity, with a maximum thickness coupling coefficient (kt = 0.18) between mechanical and electrical energy in the most textured sample. This demonstrates that the introduction of texture in multilayered, co-sintered piezoelectrics shows promise for improving devices for ultrasound imaging or energy harvesting.
’ s response to reviews Title : Ticagrelor and clopidogrel suppress NF-kB signaling pathway to alleviate LPS-induced dysfunction in vein endothelial cells

Title: Ticagrelor and clopidogrel suppress NF-kB signaling pathway to alleviate LPS-induced dysfunction in vein endothelial cells Authors: Zhuyin Jia (jzydexd@126.com) Yiwei Huang (cocobea@sina.com) Xiaojun Ji (2186742147@qq.com) Jiaju Sun (125335494@qq.com) Guosheng Fu (fugs@zju.edu.cn) Version: 2 Date: 04 Nov 2019 Author’s response to reviews: Dear Editor in Chief: Thank you very much for your careful review and constructive suggestions with regard to our manuscript (BCAR-D-19-00665). We appreciate editor's comments and thoughtful suggestions that greatly improve the quality of our manuscript. We have carefully evaluated these comments and suggestions, and responded to them point-by-point and revised the manuscript accordingly. In addition, all the authors agreed and approved the contents of the manuscript. Please feel free to contact us with any further questions and we are looking forward to your positive consideration.
Author's personal copy Water sorption on martian regolith analogs: Thermodynamics and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

The near-infrared reflectance spectra of the martian surface present strong absorption features attributed to hydration water present in the regolith. In order to characterize the relationships between this water and atmospheric vapor and decipher the physical state of water molecules in martian regolith analogs, we designed and built an experimental setup to measure near-IR reflectance spectra under martian atmospheric conditions. Six samples were studied that cover part of the diversity of Mars surface mineralogy: a hydrated ferric oxide (ferrihydrite), two igneous samples (volcanic tuff, and dunite sand), and three potential water rich soil materials (Mg-sulfate, smectite powder and a palagonitic soil, the JSC Mars-1 regolith stimulant). Sorption and desorption isotherms were measured at 243 K for water vapor pressure varying from 10 5 to 0.3 mbar (relative humidity: 10 4 to 75%). These measurements reveal a large diversity of behavior among the sample suite in terms of absolute amount of water adsorbed, shape of the isotherm and hysteresis between the adsorption and desorption branches. Simultaneous in situ spectroscopic observations permit a detailed analysis of the spectral signature of adsorbed water and also point to clear differences between the samples. Ferric (oxy)hydroxides like ferrihydrite or other phases present in palagonitic soils are very strong water adsorbent and may play an important role in the current martian water cycle by allowing large exchange of water between dust-covered regions and atmosphere at diurnal and seasonal scales. 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Temporal Stability, Cross-Validity, and External Validity of Risk Taking Measures: Experimental Evidence from a UK Representative Sample

We conduct an “artefactual” field experiment to incorporate different risk taking measures within the Innovation Panel (IP) of the UK Household Longitudinal Survey (UKHLS). We randomly allocate to an experimental module a nationally representative sample of 661 adult respondents to the IP Wave 6 (IP6) who complete the incentive-compatible tasks by Holt and Laury (2002) and by Binswanger (1980) and Eckel and Grossman (2008). They also respond to the survey questions by Dohmen et al. (2011) for self-reported willingness to take risks in general, in finance, and in health. One year later (IP7) the same measures are repeated for 411 of these respondents. This design allows us to systematically test the validity of the measures along three dimensions. First, we look at cross-validity by investigating their associations at one point in time. Second, we look at temporal stability by comparing the responses between IP6 and IP7. Third, we look at external validity by considering a range of health and financial behaviors. Concerning cross validity, we find evidence that the different risk taking measures correlate and map into each other, although only imperfectly. When the analysis accounts for individual observed heterogeneity and for the appropriate degree of nonlinearity, the experimental measures of risk aversion and the self-reported willingness to take risks predict each other. About temporal stability, we find significant persistence of the measures over time. Finally, we find mixed evidence concerning external validity.
Emotional Competence and Sexting among University Students

The aim of this paper is to study the relationship between sexting and emotional competence. A total of 440 students from the University of Mostar took part in this research, aged from 18 to 25 years (M=21.32, SD=1.84). The participants completed the Scale of Sexting Behaviour, and The Emotional Skills and Competence Questionnaire. The results of the study showed that 23.64% students had participated in receiving and sending sexually suggestive or provocative contents, whilst 10.23% had openly publicized such content. Young men participated to a greater extent in sexting in comparison with young women, and were less successful in recognition and understanding emotions, as well as in regulating and managing emotions. The data analysis revealed that the participants with lower results on the scale of emotional competence were involved more often in receiving, sending or publishing sexually suggestive or provocative contents. Sex and the ability to regulate and manage emotions were statistically significant predictors of receiving and sending sexually explicit content. These predictors, alongside the ability to understand emotions, proved to be significant in prediction of publication of sexually explicit contents. The results indicate the importance of emotional competence in explaining and prevention of sexting in young men and women. ________________________________________________________________________
The Growth Impact of Foreign Direct Investment in A Technologically Interdependent World∗

This study analyzes the effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic activity through a spatially augmented Solow growth model that takes technological interdependence into account. The technological interdependence manifests itself through spatial externalities that allow technology level of a country to depend on technology levels of its neighbors. The modified growth model yields regression specifications that are insightful to study the impact of FDI on economic growth. The correlations across sections–often cited in the empirical growth literature– is properly accounted for. Estimations are carried out with the tools from spatial econometrics. Our findings indicate that FDI inflows have a significant positive effect on the growth rate of host countries. JEL-Classification: F3, F4, C1, C5, O1
LIFE TEST OF AN INDUSTRIAL STANDARD AND OF A STAINLESS STEEL HARMONIC DRIVE

Due to a longer delivery schedule of the space stainless steel version [4] of the HFUC-11 harmonic drive gear, the life test actuator #1 was mounted first with the industrial standard HD version. After receipt of the stainless steel gear version the life test actuator #2 was integrated. Both gear stages have a ratio of 50:1 and were lubricated with MAPLUB PF 101-a in the harmonic drive gear stage and BRAYCOTE 601 EF in the motor and gear shaft bearings. In order to allow comparison of the two different gear versions and characteristics, a lifetime test identical to the #1 test was performed for actuator #2. Both actuators passed the lifetime test successfully.
Profile of Death in Burn Cases: A Post-mortem Study

Deaths due to fire or burns usually result from application of dry heat to the body. In India there are several thousands of deaths occurring due to fire or burns. Unfortunately vast majority of these cases occur in the home and are due to smoking, defective electrical wiring, defective kerosene stove bursts, attempted suicides by self-immolation, homicidal burns of young women by husband or in-laws (Dowry deaths/bride burning). The present study was based on retrospective analysis of burn cases in the period from January 2013 to December 2013 from autopsies done in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, SAIMS Medical College & PG Institute, Indore, M.P. It was observed that more than half of the victims died of burn injuries were married women. Females are mostly involved in cooking and most common cause is accidental burn. Burns having total body surface area (TBSA) more than 40% were fatal. The different aspects of burn deaths are analyzed and discussed in detail.
Mode of Delivery and Post-partum Depression: A Cohort Study

Objective: Postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety have serious complications on the mother and the infant. Multiple risk factors are associated with PPD and anxiety, namely Mode of delivery, in this study we aimed to examine the association of delivery mode and these disorders. Methods: In this cross-sectional study 250 women were recruited from the delivery ward of Valiasr hospital at Imam Khomeini hospital Complex, Tehran, Iran. Depression and anxiety were measured using the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Mode of delivery, health related and demographic data were also assessed. Data was analyzed on SPSS v19 software. Results: Overall prevalence of PPD was 23.2% (25% in CS and 18.3% in NVD) and prevalence of anxiety was 23.6% (22.9% CS and 25.4% in NVD). Our findings did not show any significant relationship between mode of delivery and PPD or anxiety. Whereas other factors such as previous history of mood disorders and depressed mood immediately after delivery and suicidal thoughts were significantly associated with PPD and Anxiety. Conclusion: Mode of delivery was not significantly associated with Post-partum depression or anxiety, 3 most important risk factors were: a history of mood disorder, early depressive mood postpartum, and suicidal thoughts.
Living with stroke in Bangladesh: Factors influencing quality of life (QoL)

ABSTRACT This study examined factors that may predict the quality of life (QoL) of stroke survivors in Bangladesh. The objectives were: to examine the relationship between QoL and health-related variables (i.e. disability status, cognitive status, mobility status, self-care, getting along with people, life activities, social participation, and psychological state); and also to examine the influence of demographically related variables (i.e. gender, age, level of education, marital status, and living arrangements) on QoL. Data were collected from 110 stroke survivors in Bangladesh. Data collection tools included a semi-structured questionnaire along with WHOQOL-BREF, WHODAS 2.0, and DASS21. A regression analysis was undertaken to determine the significant independent predictors of QoL. Post stroke psychological distress was found to be the key predictor of QoL. Therefore, psychological interventions need to be incorporated in rehabilitation to enhance better QoL post stroke. Other health and demographically related predictor variables had no influence on overall QoL post stroke.
The chemical and morphological properties of oleaster

This study investigated the morphological characteristics and chemical properties of the wood and the chemical properties of the bark of the oleaster ( Elaeagnus angustifolia) tree, which grows in a variety of climatic conditions in different regions of Turkey. The study materials were taken from three different regions of Turkey having different climatic conditions and elevations with the aim to determine the chemical properties of the bark and wood and the fiber properties of the wood. According to chemical analyses, no significant differences in the core components of the cell wall were observed between the heartwood and the sapwood. The samples collected from the Cankiri region had the highest holocellulose content (84,9%), while the proportions of alpha cellulose (52,3%) and lignin (24,0%) in samples taken from the Balikesir region were found to be higher than in samples from the other regions. According to the sugar analysis, glucose and xylose were found to be higher in the heartwood than in the sapwood. When the sugar ratios were evaluated by region, the glucose and xylose ratios were the highest in the Cankiri region (43,7% and 22,8%) and the lowest in the Konya region (38,3% and 20,5%). When looking at the inner bark (phloem) and outer bark (rhylidome) rates, the amounts of holocellulose and alpha cellulose were higher in the inner bark and the lignin rates were higher in the outer bark. The wood solubility values for cold and hot water, ethyl alcohol and the 1% NaOH were highest in samples from the Cankiri region and lowest in those from the Konya region, whereas bark solubility rates were highest in the samples taken from the Balikesir region. When morphological characteristics were examined, no obvious differences were seen among the regions in terms of the fiber length, fiber width, lumen diameter or double wall thickness. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the oleaster tree wood was suitable for papermaking, but that the produced paper would exhibit a low resistance value because the average felting rate among the three growing regions was low (39,87%)