Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are psychotherapeutic effects on family caregivers of people with dementia sustainable? Two-year long-term effects of a telephone-based cognitive behavioral intervention

ABSTRACT Objectives: Evaluation of long-term effects of an individualized short-term telephone intervention (seven sessions), based on a comprehensive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach. The study goal was to evaluate the maintenance of intervention effects regarding well-being, quality of life, and health at two years post treatment. Method: Participants (n = 105) were (partly) randomized after baseline assessment in a two-arm study (intervention, control group/usual care). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the German version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Caregivers’ physical complaints were measured with the Gießener Beschwerdebogen (GBB-24), and quality of life with the World Health Organization quality of life -BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Emotional well-being and perceived health status were assessed using thermometer scaling. Data were analyzed by intention-to-treat analyses, including for those who terminated the intervention prematurely but still delivered data, using ANCOVAs. Results: Long-term intervention effects were found for emotional well-being (p = 0.019). For the subgroup of caregivers who were still caring at home at follow-up, the intervention led to an increased health status (p = 0.023), fewer bodily complaints (global measure p= 0.014, rheumatic pain p = 0.027, heart trouble p = 0.042), and a higher quality of life (overall p = 0.044 and subscale environment p = 0.030). Conclusion: The short-term CBT intervention via telephone showed long-term effects two years after treatment on emotional well-being, health status, bodily complaints, and quality of life.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Rhinovirus Bronchiolitis Are Associated With Distinct Metabolic Pathways

Background Bronchiolitis, the leading cause of hospitalization among infants in the United States, is most commonly caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), followed by rhinovirus (RV). Conventional perception is that bronchiolitis is a single entity, albeit with different viral etiologies and degrees of severity. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of nasopharyngeal aspirates from 106 infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis due to either RSV only (80 patients) or RV only (26 patients). We performed metabolomics analysis and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing on all samples and metagenomic sequencing on 58 of 106 samples. Results Infants with RSV-only and RV-only infections had significantly different nasopharyngeal metabolome profiles (P < .001) and bacterial metagenome profiles (P < .05). RSV-only infection was associated with metabolites from a range of pathways and with a microbiome dominated by Streptococcus pneumoniae. By contrast, RV-only infection was associated with increased levels of essential and nonessential N-acetyl amino acids and with a high relative abundance of Haemophilus influenzae. These co-occurring species were associated with driving the bacterially derived metabolic pathways. Multi-omic analysis showed that both the virus and the microbiome were significantly associated with metabolic function in infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis. Conclusion Although replication of these findings is necessary, they highlight that bronchiolitis is not a uniform disease between RSV and RV infections, a result with future implications for prevention and treatment.
SuperDepthTransfer: Depth Extraction from Image Using Instance-Based Learning with Superpixels

In this paper, we primarily address the difficulty of automatic generation of a plausible depth map from a single image in an unstructured environment. The aim is to extrapolate a depth map with a more correct, rich, and distinct depth order, which is both quantitatively accurate as well as visually pleasing. Our technique, which is fundamentally based on a preexisting DepthTransfer algorithm, transfers depth information at the level of superpixels. This occurs within a framework that replaces a pixel basis with one of instance-based learning. A vital superpixels feature enhancing matching precision is posterior incorporation of predictive semantic labels into the depth extraction procedure. Finally, a modified Cross Bilateral Filter is leveraged to augment the final depth field. For training and evaluation, experiments were conducted using the Make3D Range Image Dataset and vividly demonstrate that this depth estimation method outperforms state-of-the-art methods for the correlation coefficient metric, mean log10 error and root mean squared error, and achieves comparable performance for the average relative error metric in both efficacy and computational efficiency. This approach can be utilized to automatically convert 2D images into stereo for 3D visualization, producing anaglyph images that are visually superior in realism and simultaneously more immersive.
Keeping the person with dementia and the informal caregiver together: a systematic review of psychosocial interventions

ABSTRACT Background: Social support, relationships, and closeness are emphasized as important by both people with dementia and their informal caregivers. Psychosocial interventions might be helpful to reinforce the relationship between a person with dementia and his or her informal caregiver. Therefore, this review explores what types of psychosocial interventions have been provided for people with dementia and their informal caregivers together, and the effectiveness of these interventions. Methods: PubMed, PsychInfo, Cinahl, and references of key papers were searched for studies describing a psychosocial intervention for people with dementia and their informal caregivers together. Psychosocial interventions were defined as focusing primarily on psychological or social factors. Results: A total of seven publications describing six studies were identified as eligible for inclusion in this review. Interventions ranged in focus from skills training to viewing/making art. The methodology of the studies varied, especially regarding the outcome measures used. The results of individual studies were mixed. A narrative synthesis of the included studies is given. Conclusion: Although caregiving dyads emphasize the importance of their relationship, this is mostly not taken into consideration in the design and effect evaluations of the interventions. Improved research is needed on this subject, which focuses on people with dementia living in the community and those living in nursing homes.
Data preparation for neural network data analysis

Studies related to the use of neural networks require certain data preparation. Data preparation is an important step in modeling the neural network. The procedure for the preparation of the data affects many important parameters. It reduces the modeling errors, speeds up the process of training the neural network and leads to simplification of the system as a whole. In the literature, some studies on the preparation of data are presented, but the information is highly scattered and the complete, systematic overview of this procedure is poorly brought into limelight. Neural network studies should have a clear understanding of what the data neural network works with and how to coordinate it with the neural network for correct and efficient analysis.
Towards Additive Manufacture of Functional, Spline-Based Morphometric Models of Healthy and Diseased Coronary Arteries: In Vitro Proof-of-Concept Using a Porcine Template

The aim of this study is to assess the additive manufacture of morphometric models of healthy and diseased coronary arteries. Using a dissected porcine coronary artery, a model was developed with the use of computer aided engineering, with splines used to design arteries in health and disease. The model was altered to demonstrate four cases of stenosis displaying varying severity, based on published morphometric data available. Both an Objet Eden 250 printer and a Solidscape 3Z Pro printer were used in this analysis. A wax printed model was set into a flexible thermoplastic and was valuable for experimental testing with helical flow patterns observed in healthy models, dominating the distal LAD (left anterior descending) and left circumflex arteries. Recirculation zones were detected in all models, but were visibly larger in the stenosed cases. Resin models provide useful analytical tools for understanding the spatial relationships of blood vessels, and could be applied to preoperative planning techniques, but were not suitable for physical testing. In conclusion, it is feasible to develop blood vessel models enabling experimental work; further, through additive manufacture of bio-compatible materials, there is the possibility of manufacturing customized replacement arteries.
Development and validation of the PROMIS Pediatric Sleep Disturbance and Sleep-Related Impairment item banks

Study Objectives To develop and evaluate the measurement properties of child-report and parent-proxy versions of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Sleep Disturbance and Sleep-Related Impairment item banks. Methods A national sample of 1104 children (8-17 years old) and 1477 parents of children 5-17 years old was recruited from an internet panel to evaluate the psychometric properties of 43 sleep health items. A convenience sample of children and parents recruited from a pediatric sleep clinic was obtained to provide evidence of the measures' validity; polysomnography data were collected from a subgroup of these children. Results Factor analyses suggested two dimensions: sleep disturbance and daytime sleep-related impairment. The final item banks included 15 items for Sleep Disturbance and 13 for Sleep-Related Impairment. Items were calibrated using the graded response model from item-response theory. Of the 28 items, 16 are included in the parallel PROMIS adult sleep health measures. Reliability of the measures exceeded 0.90. Validity was supported by correlations with existing measures of pediatric sleep health and higher sleep disturbance and sleep-related impairment scores for children with sleep problems and those with chronic and neurodevelopmental disorders. The sleep health measures were not correlated with results from polysomnography. Conclusions The PROMIS Pediatric Sleep Disturbance and Sleep-Related Impairment item banks provide subjective assessments of child's difficulty falling and staying asleep as well as daytime sleepiness and its impact on functioning. They may prove useful in the future for clinical research and practice. Future research should evaluate their responsiveness to clinical change in diverse patient populations.
Genetic Etiologies for Phenotypic Diversity in Sickle Cell Anemia

The clinical course of patients with sickle cell anemia, a Mendelian trait, is characteristically highly variable. HbF concentration and the presence of a thalassemia are established modulators of the disease, but cannot account for all of its clinical heterogeneity. To find additional genetic modulators of disease, genotype-phenotype association studies, where single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes are linked with a particular phenotype, have been informative. SNPs in several genes of the TGF-ß/MP superfamily, and some other genes linked to the endothelial function, and nitric oxide biology are associated with the subphenotypes of stroke, osteonecrosis, priapism, leg ulcers, pulmonary hypertension, and a more general measure of overall disease severity. Genome-wide association studies should help to confirm these observations and also to find hitherto unsuspected genetic modulators. Genetic association studies can have immediate prognostic value; they might also help to identify new pathophysiological pathways that could be susceptible to modulation.
Ecological Pleiotropy Suppresses the Dynamic Feedback Generated by a Rapidly Changing Trait

Population dynamics may carry a signature of an ecology-evolution-ecology feedback, known as eco-evolutionary dynamics, when functionally important traits change. Given current theory, the absence of a feedback from a trait with strong links to species interactions should not occur. In a previous study with the Didinium-Paramecium predator-prey system, however, rapid and large-magnitude changes in predator cell volume occurred without any noticeable effect on the population dynamics. Here I resolve this theory-data conflict by showing that ecological pleiotropy—when a trait has more than one functional effect on an ecological process—suppresses shifts in dynamics that would arise, given the links between cell volume and the species interaction. Whether eco-evolutionary dynamics arise, therefore, depends not just on the ecology-evolution feedback but on the net effect that a trait has on different parts of the underlying interaction.
Antigen-pulsed CD8α+ Dendritic Cells Generate an Immune Response after Subcutaneous Injection without Homing to the Draining Lymph Node

Two subsets of murine splenic dendritic cells, derived from distinct precursors, can be distinguished by surface expression of CD8α homodimers. The functions of the two subsets remain controversial, although it has been suggested that the lymphoid-derived (CD8α+) subset induces tolerance, whereas the myeloid-derived (CD8α−) subset has been shown to prime naive T cells and to generate memory responses. To study their capacity to prime or tolerize naive CD4+ T cells in vivo, purified CD8α+ or CD8α− dendritic cells were injected subcutaneously into normal mice. In contrast to CD8α− dendritic cells, the CD8α+ fraction failed to traffic to the draining lymph node and did not generate responses to intravenous peptide. However, after in vitro pulsing with peptide, strong in vivo T cell responses to purified CD8α+ dendritic cells could be detected. Such responses may have been initiated via transfer of peptide–major histocompatibility complex complexes to migratory host CD8α− dendritic cells after injection. These data suggest that correlation of T helper cell type 1 (Th1) and Th2 priming with injection of CD8α+ and CD8α− dendritic cells, respectively, may not result from direct T cell activation by lymphoid versus myeloid dendritic cells, but rather from indirect modification of the response to immunogenic CD8α− dendritic cells by CD8α+ dendritic cells.
Kinetics of phase growth in the Cu-Sn system and application to composite Nb3Sn strands

Nb{sub 3}Sn is the superconductor most used in the R and D of high field accelerator magnets by either the wind and react or the react and wind technique. In order to program the low temperature steps of the heat treatment, the growth kinetics of Cu-Sn intermetallics was investigated as a function of duration and temperature. The diffusion constants of {eta}, {var_epsilon} and {delta} phases between 150 and 550 C were evaluated using Cu-Sn model samples. Statistical and systematic errors were thoroughly evaluated for an accurate data analysis. Next the behavior of Internal Tin and Modified Jelly Roll Nb{sub 3}Sn composites was compared with the model predictions.
On 3-D Formation Control With Mismatched Coordinates

A typical formation shape control problem involves point agents sensing relative positions, that is, orientations and distances, of their neighbors and then moving so that these relative positions achieve some prespecified values. Such a procedure, requiring as it does sensing of orientations, implicitly presupposes that all agents have a shared understanding of the common orientations. On the other hand, there may be biases in sensors, variations in the earth's magnetic field interfering with compass-based sensing, or drift in inertial sensors, with the result that orientations are inconsistently measured or measured with error. In this paper, we investigate the formation control problem with mismatched coordinates in the 3-D space, considering the consequences of this error. First, the situation of a two-agent formation is considered. We show that the agents converge to a fixed but distorted formation exponentially fast. In contrast to the matched case, the formation is not asymptotically stationary, but rather instead translates with a certain constant velocity depending on the mismatches. The formation distortion between the actual one and the desired one is obtained, as well as the steady-state velocity of the formation for small mismatch orientations. The case of agents with double integrator dynamics is then considered and similar phenomena are observed. Based on the results, an estimation algorithm is given to obtain the mismatch rotation matrix, which allows a compensation algorithm to be proposed such that the desired formation is achieved with zero steady-state velocity for the formation as a whole. The case of $n$ -agent formations is finally considered, first with a star graph and then with a general graph. Simulations are provided to validate the theoretical results.
Inverse Normalization Method for Cross-Sectional Imaging and Velocimetry of Two-Phase Flows Based on Electrical Capacitance Tomography

Proper normalization of the measured capacitance data is a prerequisite in electrical capacitance tomography (ECT). Conventional methods, such as parallel and series normalization, assume a higher permittivity perturbation in a homogeneous (lower) permittivity background. Although this is applicable to a number of cases, some two-phase flows are better modeled instead as a lower permittivity perturbation in a homogeneous (higher) permittivity background. A different normalization method is proposed for such cases, which provides similar image quality as conventional but is particularly beneficial for velocimetry applications based on sensitivity gradient of the ECT sensor. Simulation and experimental results are provided to illustrate the advantages for the proposed normalization technique.
SMSlingshot: an expert amateur DIY case study

This paper discusses the design process of VR/Urban's public tangible interface SMSlingshot, a real-time system for urban interventions on Media Façades, which we have exhibited in the last few years around the world. In this case study we investigate how the design collaboration between technologists and industrial designers contributed to the success of the urban intervention. The design process of this 'product' has many DIY aspects, with professional industrial designers and technologists becoming expert amateurs, often dealing with problems that pushed them outside of their professional comfort zone. Don't be afraid of being an amateur!
Competitive Abilities in Experimental Microcosms Are Accurately Predicted by a Demographic Index for R*

Resource competition theory predicts that R*, the equilibrium resource amount yielding zero growth of a consumer population, should predict species' competitive abilities for that resource. This concept has been supported for unicellular organisms, but has not been well-tested for metazoans, probably due to the difficulty of raising experimental populations to equilibrium and measuring population growth rates for species with long or complex life cycles. We developed an index (Rindex) of R* based on demography of one insect cohort, growing from egg to adult in a non-equilibrium setting, and tested whether Rindex yielded accurate predictions of competitive abilities using mosquitoes as a model system. We estimated finite rate of increase (λ′) from demographic data for cohorts of three mosquito species raised with different detritus amounts, and estimated each species' Rindex using nonlinear regressions of λ′ vs. initial detritus amount. All three species' Rindex differed significantly, and accurately predicted competitive hierarchy of the species determined in simultaneous pairwise competition experiments. Our Rindex could provide estimates and rigorous statistical comparisons of competitive ability for organisms for which typical chemostat methods and equilibrium population conditions are impractical.
Histogram Domain Ordering for Path Selectivity Estimation

We aim to improve the accuracy of path selectivity estimation in graph databases by intelligently ordering the domain of a histogram used for estimation. This problem has not, to our knowledge, received adequate attention in the research community. We present a novel framework for the systematic study of path ordering strategies in histogram construction and use. In this framework, we introduce new ordering strategies which we experimentally demonstrate lead to significant improvement of the accuracy of path selectivity estimation over current strategies. These positive results highlight the fundamental role that domain ordering plays in the design of effective histograms for efficient and scalable graph query processing.
A tripartite mode of action approach for investigating the impact of aneugens on tubulin polymerization

Chemical‐induced disruption of the cellular microtubule network is one key mechanism of aneugenicity. Since recent data indicate that genotoxic effects of aneugens show nonlinear dose‐response relationships, margins of safety can be derived with the ultimate goal to perform a risk assessment for the support of drug development. Furthermore, microtubule‐interacting compounds are widely used for cancer treatment. While there is a need to support the risk assessment of tubulin‐interacting chemicals using reliable mechanistic assays, no standard assays exist to date in regulatory genotoxicity testing for the distinction of aneugenic mechanisms. Recently reported methods exclusively rely on either biochemical, morphological, or cytometric endpoints. Since data requirements for the diverse fields of application of those assays differ strongly, the use of multiple assays for a correct classification of aneugens is ideal. We here report a tripartite mode of action approach comprising a cell‐free biochemical polymerization assay and the cell‐based methods cellular imaging and flow cytometry. The biochemical assay measures tubulin polymerization over time whereas the two cell‐based assays quantify tubulin polymer mass. We herein show that the flow cytometric method yielded IC50 values for tubulin destabilizers and EC50 values for tubulin stabilizers as well as cell cycle information. In contrast, cellular imaging complemented these findings with characteristic morphological patterns. Biochemical analysis yielded kinetic information on tubulin polymerization. This multiplex approach is able to create holistic effect profiles which can be individually customized to the research question with regard to quality, quantity, usability, and economy. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:188–201, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The age related markers lipofuscin and apoptosis show different genetic architecture by QTL mapping in short-lived Nothobranchius fish

Annual fish of the genus Nothobranchius show large variations in lifespan and expression of age-related phenotypes between closely related populations. We studied N. kadleci and its sister species N. furzeri GRZ strain, and found that N.kadleci is longer-lived than the N. furzeri. Lipofuscin and apoptosis measured in the liver increased with age in N. kadleci with different profiles: lipofuscin increased linearly, while apoptosis declined in the oldest animals. More lipofuscin (P < 0.001) and apoptosis (P < 0.001) was observed in N. furzeri than in N. kadleci at 16w age. Lipofuscin and apoptotic cells were then quantified in hybrids from the mating of N. furzeri to N. kadleci. F1 individuals showed heterosis for lipofuscin but additive effects for apoptosis. These two age-related phenotypes were not correlated in F2 hybrids. Quantitative trait loci analysis of 287 F2 fish using 237 markers identified two QTL accounting for 10% of lipofuscin variance (P < 0.001) with overdominance effect. Apoptotic cells revealed three significant- and two suggestive QTL explaining 19% of variance (P < 0.001), showing additive and dominance effects, and two interacting loci. Our results show that lipofuscin and apoptosis are markers of different age-dependent biological processes controlled by different genetic mechanisms.