Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of knowledge and attitudes about diet and health among 35- to 75-year-old adults in the United States and Geneva, Switzerland.

OBJECTIVES This study compared responses of US and Geneva residents to items on analogous questionnaires concerning knowledge and attitudes about diet and health. METHODS Comparable data were available from 2 population-based sample surveys: the Cancer Control Supplement of the 1987 National Health Interview Survey and the 1994 Bus Santé 2000 in Geneva, Switzerland. Samples included 10,366 US respondents and 698 Geneva respondents, aged 35 to 74 years. The analysis involved descriptive statistics, contingency tables, and linear regression models. RESULTS In both the United States and Geneva, health consciousness was greater among women and more highly educated persons than among other groups. Compared with Americans, Genevans assigned more importance to avoiding salt, sugar, and overweight (odds ratio = 1.6, 2.9, and 5.9, respectively) and less importance to lowering cholesterol (odds ratio = 0.6). Genevans were more likely to recognize the relatively high fiber content of lettuce, carrots, and apples. Recognition of low-fat foods was slightly better in the United States. CONCLUSIONS Knowledge and attitudes differed despite high general diet and health awareness in both populations. Identifying why generally similar dietary guidance messages are embraced to different extents across cultures may facilitate global implementation.
A Clinical Audit to Assess the Efficacy of the Coolsense® Pain Numbing Applicator for Intravenous Cannulation in Children

The Coolsense® device is a topical applicator that is used to anaesthetise the skin before a painful procedure. It is a handheld device with a temperature-controlled head that acts on application, without chemicals, to cool and anaesthetise the site of injection. This prospective observational audit of 100 children and adolescents aged six to 18 years studied the analgesic efficacy and patient and carer satisfaction rating of the device during intravenous cannulation and complications arising from its use. The audit demonstrated effective skin analgesia for intravenous cannulation in children and adolescents. Ninety-four percent of patients rated the pain during cannulation as less than or equal to three on a numerical pain rating scale of zero to ten. Patient and carer satisfaction with the device and cannulation success rates were high; 66% of patients and 82% of carers ‘really liked’ the device and 28% of patients and 12% of carers ‘liked’ it. Ninety-five percent of patients were cannulated on the first attempt. The incidence of complications using the device was low. The Coolsense device appears to be a useful tool that provides effective analgesia for intravenous cannulation in children with minimal complications. Comparative studies with topical local anaesthesia creams are warranted.
PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTIONS: CROSS-TALK BETWEEN PROTEIN AGGREGATION AND DISEASES O5-06-01 TDP-43 SUPPRESSES TAU EXPRESSION VIA PROMOTING ITS MRNA INSTABILITY

heimer’s disease (AD) could facilitate screening and enrollment of better defined participants into clinical trials, and enable disease progression and treatment response monitoring. Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including AD, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), may begin with a prolonged asymptomatic stage. Further, many NDs can present with similar clinical manifestations at early stages. While early stages of NDs affect different brain regions, most NDs are characterized by early synapse dysfunction/loss. We have developed a novel approach for early detection and monitoring of neurodegeneration based on targeted selection and quantitative analysis of microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers enriched in certain brain regions, present in synapses, and detectable in plasma. Effective miRNA biomarker “pairs” are comprised of one miRNA enriched in synapses of brain regions affected by disease (e.g. hippocampus for AD) and a miRNA enriched in different brain regions. Methods: RNA was extracted from patient and control plasma samples. Plasma concentrations of miRNAs were analyzed by individual RT-qPCR and statistical analysis of miRNA ratios was performed using customized software, essentially as described in Sheinerman et al. Aging 2013.Results:Recent, unpublished data will be presented. In collaboration with Washington University, plasma samples from 30 cognitively normal (CDR 0) amyloid negative subjects and 29 amyloid positive subjects with very mild/mild dementia, CDR 0.5-1, were analyzed and differentiated with 86% accuracy. In the second study, 84 plasma samples from donors cognitively normal at enrollment were analyzed. 42 subjects later have progressed to CDR>0 (“progressors”), and 42 have remained cognitively normal during 3-12 years observation period (“non-progressors”). miRNA biomarkers differentiated “progressors” from “non-progressors” with 78% accuracy, and amyloid positive and negative “progressors” with 79% accuracy. In the cohort recruited at University of Pennsylvania, levels of miRNAs were measured in plasma of 250 subjects with AD, PD, FTD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and controls. miRNA pairs capable of effectively differentiating each ND from control with >90% accuracy and from each other with 87%-98% accuracy have been established. Conclusions: These data strongly support applicability of the proposed approach to early detection and differential diagnosis of AD. Larger, longitudinal studies are ongoing.
Estimated genetic correlations between disease and yield traits in dairy cattle.

Data included observations on more than 200,000 first lactations of Norwegian cattle. Milk yield, fat and protein percentages, and observations on mastitis, ketosis, and presence of disease (binary coding of 0 or 1) were analyzed. Following Bayesian principles and applying the threshold concept, dispersion parameters for the binary traits (on the underlying scale) with continuous production traits were estimated. Heritabilities were . 27, . 34, and . 43 for milk yield, fat percentage, and protein percentage, respectively. Heritabilities for the disease traits were . 05 to . 13 but may be inconsistent because of methodology problems with small sire by herd-year-season subclass size. Genetic correlations between milk yield and all three disease traits were above . 5, indicating an undesirable relationship. Genetic correlations between ketosis and the content traits were -. 38 to -. 65; low component percentages were associated with high ketosis frequencies. Ignoring diseases in breeding programs may lead to undesirable correlated selection responses when selecting on milk yield.
Chord Label Personalization through Deep Learning of Integrated Harmonic Interval-based Representations

The increasing accuracy of automatic chord estimation systems, the availability of vast amounts of heterogeneous reference annotations, and insights from annotator subjectivity research make chord label personalization increasingly important. Nevertheless, automatic chord estimation systems are historically exclusively trained and evaluated on a single reference annotation. We introduce a first approach to automatic chord label personalization by modeling subjectivity through deep learning of a harmonic interval-based chord label representation. After integrating these representations from multiple annotators, we can accurately personalize chord labels for individual annotators from a single model and the annotators' chord label vocabulary. Furthermore, we show that chord personalization using multiple reference annotations outperforms using a single reference annotation.
Cellular location of a Treponema denticola chymotrypsinlike protease and importance of the protease in migration through the basement membrane

A number of immunological methods were used to localize a cell-associated Treponema denticola chymotrypsinlike protease. Indirect immunofluorescence staining, immunogold labeling, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay all indicated that the protease was attached to the outside of the cell envelope. The invasive capability of T. denticola was evaluated by following the degradation of a reconstituted basement membrane material (Matrigel) and the release of spirochetes from the gel. Under conditions where the chymotrypsinlike activity was increased, more spirochetes migrated from the gel. Protease inhibitors strongly reduced the number of cells that moved out of the gel. The purified chymotrypsinlike protease degraded the basement membrane components type IV collagen, laminin, and fibronectin. The study suggests that the T. denticola chymotrypsinlike protease may play an important role in the invasion and destruction of basement membrane.
Nanosecond Analog Programming of Substoichiometric Silicon Oxide Resistive RAM

Slow access time, high power dissipation, and a rapidly approaching scaling limit constitute roadblocks for existing nonvolatile flash memory technologies. A new family of storage devices is needed. Filamentary resistive RAM (ReRAM) offers scalability, potentially sub-10 nm, nanosecond write times and a low power profile. Importantly, applications beyond binary memories are also possible. Here, we look at aspects of the electrical response to nanosecond stimuli of intrinsic resistance switching TiN/SiOx/TiN ReRAM devices. Simple sequences of identical pulses switch devices between two or more states, leading to the possibility of simplified programmers. Impedance mismatch between the device under test and the measurement system allows us to track the electroforming process and confirm it occurs on the nanosecond timescale. Furthermore, we report behavior reminiscent of neuronal synapses (potentiation, depression, and short-term memory). Our devices therefore show great potential for integration into novel hardware neural networks.
HYPOXIA‐INDUCED ASTROCYTES PROMOTE THE MIGRATION OF NEURAL PROGENITOR CELLS VIA VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL FACTOR, STEM CELL FACTOR, STROMAL‐DERIVED FACTOR‐1α AND MONOCYTE CHEMOATTRACTANT PROTEIN‐1 UPREGULATION IN VITRO

1 The aim of the present study was to examine if and how rat hypoxia‐induced astrocytes affect the migration of neural progenitor cells (NPC) and to investigate the expression patterns of some chemokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stem cell factor (SCF), stromal‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α), fractalkine and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) in hypoxia‐induced astrocytes and their contribution to NPC migration in vitro. 2 Costar Transwell inserts were used for the chemotaxis assay and quantified changes in the chemokines mRNA for between 0 h and 24 h posthypoxia were tested using real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. The results showed that the chemotaxis of astrocyte cells exposed to hypoxia for 18 h reached a peak value, whereas the chemotaxis of astrocytes exposed to hypoxia for 24 h began to decrease compared with those exposed to hypoxia for 18 h. Hypoxia upregulated chemokine VEGF, SCF, SDF‐1α and MCP‐1 expression in a time‐dependent manner but downregulated fractalkine expression in astrocytes. In addition, the time points of the peak expressions for VEGF, SCF, SDF‐1α and MCP‐1 were similar to the time point of maximum NPC migration. 3 Specific inhibitors that block the binding of specific chemokines to its receptors were used for analysing the contribution of the chemokine to NPC migration. When VEGF, SCF, SDF‐1α and MCP‐1 were each inhibited independently, NPC migration was reduced. When they were inhibited together, NPC migration was obviously inhibited compared with both the control and single‐block cultures, which implies that the migratory effect of hypoxia‐induced astrocytes was synergetic by several chemokines. 4 In conclusion, we demonstrated the time‐dependent manner of NPC migration promotion by hypoxia‐induced astrocytes. We also provide evidence that soluble factors, such as VEGF, SCF, SDF‐1α and MCP‐1, released from astrocytes, direct the migration of NPC under hypoxic circumstances. Given that astrocytes were activated to all hypoxia–ischaemia diseases, these results indicate an important role for astrocytes in directing NPC replacement therapy in the central nervous system.
Design and assembly process effects on lead free solder joint reliability of bare die and lidded flip chip ball grid array packages

Board level temperature cycle and drop test reliability data was collected for 23 × 23 mm FCBGA packages. Two different bare die thicknesses, the effect of lidded configuration, and two different board thicknesses were evaluated as key design factors. Different package warpage shapes modulated by two different assembly process flows, two different ball attach reflow profiles and ball attach rework were evaluated as key package process parameters. Two temperature cycle conditions were applied including JESD22-A104D Condition G and Condition N. Drop-shock test was also performed under JESD22-B104C Condition A and Condition B. The data suggested that bare die thickness and lidded configuration had significant impact on both temperature cycle and drop test reliability while the process parameters studied did not have a statistically significant effect. Composite substrate and board mechanical properties were characterized. Finite element analysis was conducted to interpret temperature cycle solder ball failure location considering both peeling stress and inelastic strain energy density.
Therapeutic outcomes of methotrexate injection in unruptured interstitial pregnancy

Objective To examine the therapeutic outcomes of methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of unruptured interstitial pregnancy. Methods We reviewed the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with interstitial pregnancy and received MTX as first-line treatment between January 2003 and July 2014 at CHA Gangnam Medical Center. The treatment success rates and subsequent pregnancy outcomes were examined. Results Ninety-seven patients were diagnosed with interstitial pregnancy between January 2003 and July 2014. Of them, 38 initially received MTX treatment. The diagnosis was made at a median of 6+3 weeks (5+0 to 11+3 weeks). Thirty patients received a systemic MTX injection, while the other 8 received a local MTX injection. Systemic treatment composed of an 8-day alternating MTX regimen, single-dose regimen, or high-dose regimen (100 mg/m2 + 200 mg/m2 intravenously over 12 hours). The local injection consisted of a direct MTX injection into the gestational sac with or without systemic MTX injection. Twenty-one patients (55.3%) were successfully treated with MTX. However, MTX therapy failed in 17 patients (44.7%), who required surgery. Mode of MTX treatment was the only predictive variable of MTX treatment success (P=0.039). Treatment success was seen in 7 of 8 patients (87.5%) in the local MTX group vs. 14 of 30 patients (46.7%) in the systemic MTX group. After treatment, 13 patients attempted a successive pregnancy; of them, 10 patients had a confirmed clinical pregnancy and healthy live birth. Conclusion Combined MTX treatment including a local injection might be an initial approach to the treatment of interstitial pregnancy.
Human MoAbs produced from normal, HIV‐1‐negative donors and specific for glycoprotein gp 120 of the HIV‐1 envelope

Human MoAbs of IgM class were developed against three regions of the HIV‐1 envelope. Uninfected donor lymphocytes were immunized in vitro with recombinant protein pBI. Four out of five antibodies were directed to different parts of the V3 region, which contains a major neutralizing site. Two out of these antibodies were directed to more than one amino acid sequence, indicating reactivity to discontinuous sites. Two of the human MoAbs inhibited viral spread between cells in tissue culture, interpreted as reactivities to conserved amino acid sequences exposed during viral maturation. No MoAb neutralized virus, which may be explained by the relatively low avidity of the antibodies. One MoAb was directed to a region containing amino acids participating in CD4 binding. This technique appears to allow formation of antibodies with fine specificities other than those obtained in infected hosts.
Employee collective voice and short-term sickness absence in Europe

This article analyses the relationship between employee collective voice, measured by union density and institutionalized forms of employee representation at enterprise level, and short-term sickness absence rates in 24 European countries over the period 1996–2010. It relies on individual-level data on sickness absence from the European Labour Force Survey combined with country-level data on employee collective voice. There is a small but significant and non-trivial, negative relationship between employee collective voice and short-term sickness absence. Regression analysis suggests that if union density had remained at the 1996 level, short-term sickness absence would have been, on average, 2.5 hours lower per year than in 2010.
Severe Defect in Proglucagon Processing in Islet A-cells of Prohormone Convertase 2 Null Mice*

Mice homozygous for a deletion in the gene encoding prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) are generally healthy but have mild hypoglycemia and flat glucose-tolerance curves. Their islets show marked alpha (A)-cell hyperplasia, suggesting a possible defect in glucagon processing (Furuta, M., Yano, H., Zhou, A., Rouille, Y., Holst, J., Carroll, R., Ravazzola, M., Orci, L., Furuta, H., and Steiner, D. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 94, 6646–6651). In this report we have examined the biosynthesis and processing of proglucagon in isolated islets from these mice via pulse-chase labeling and find that proglucagon undergoes essentially no processing in chase periods up to 8 h in duration. Only a small percent of cleavage at the sensitive interdomain site (residues 71 and 72) appears to occur. These observations thus conclusively demonstrate the essentiality of PC2 for the production of glucagon in the islet A-cells. Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical studies indicate the presence of large amounts of proglucagon in atypical appearing secretory granules in the hyperplastic and hypertrophic A-cells, along with morphological evidence of high rates of proglucagon secretion in PC2 null islets. These findings provide strong evidence that active glucagon is required to maintain normal blood glucose levels, counterbalancing the action of insulin at all times.
Pax3 and Pax7 interact reciprocally and regulate the expression of cadherin‐7 through inducing neuron differentiation in the developing chicken spinal cord

Pax3 and Pax7 are closely related transcription factors that are widely expressed in the developing nervous system and somites. In the CNS, both genes are expressed in the dorsal part of the neural tube during development. Pax3 and Pax7 are involved in the sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway and are inhibited by Shh overexpression. The present study confirms in vivo that Pax3 overexpression represses the expression of Pax7, whereas Pax7 overexpression endogenously enhances and ectopically induces the expression of Pax3 in the developing chicken spinal cord. Overexpression of Pax3 and Pax7 represses the endogenous expression of cadherin‐7, a member of the cadherin family of morphogenetic genes, and induces its ectopic expression. The present study also shows that overexpression of Pax3 and Pax7 changes the fate and morphology of cells in the neuroepithelial layer and induces the expression of postmitotic neuronal markers. We show that both Pax3 and Pax7 promote the differentiation of neural progenitor cells into neurons. Furthermore, the downregulation of Pax3 and Pax7 with specific shRNAs results in apoptosis in the developing spinal cord. Collectively, these results suggest that the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7 play important roles in regulating morphogenesis and cell differentiation in the developing spinal cord. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:940–962, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wind-turbine fault ride-through enhancement

Fault ride-through specifications listed in modern transmission and distribution grid codes specify that wind-turbine generators (WTGs) must remain connected to electricity networks at voltage levels well below nominal. Achieving reliable operation at greatly reduced voltage levels is proving problematic. A particular problem regarding power converter-based WTGs is that standard controllers designed for reliable operation around nominal voltage levels will not work as designed during low network voltages that can occur during a fault. A consequence of this is greatly increased converter currents, which may lead to converter failure. This paper presents a nonlinear controller design for a power converter-based WTG that ensures that current levels remain within design limits, even at greatly reduced voltage levels, thus enhancing the WTG's fault ride-through capability.
The Tech-Enabled Networked Home: An Analysis of Current Trends and Future Promise

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction: the Significance of the Networked Home, Family Networks: Some Prevailing Approaches, Evolution of Home Networking Since the 1980S, Some Conceptual Issues, Research Study of Social Networks and Communication in Families, Communication Technologies and Their Characteristics, Discussion and Conclusions, Acknowledgments, Notes, References
User Interface by Virtual Shadow Projection

This paper introduced a user interface based on virtual shadow derived by projector for spatial augmented reality (SAR) environment. Shadow is a daily phenomenon in our daily life and may contribute to build an effective and intuitive connection between physical and digital world. Taking advantage of spatial and optical characteristics of shadow, user can realize remote interaction for ubiquitous interface. The prototype system is implemented and adaptive image processing algorithms for shadow are proposed. The authors has demonstrated in this paper that shadow has possibility to realize simple but effective interface between human and computer systems, which may yield to many useful applications without massive device resources
Fault Tolerant Quantum Computation with a New Reversible Gate

Fault tolerance plays a major role in quantum computer design. As the quantum environment is not stable enough when the information is read from it, better designs with error correcting capability have to be designed to overcome the information loss due to decoherence in quantum circuits. This paper presents one such fault tolerant design using a new reversible gate.