Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mental Ability in Childhood and Cognitive Aging

Background: Identifying the determinants of cognitive aging is a research priority; however, few studies are able to examine the influence of pre-morbid cognitive ability on later changes in cognitive function. Objective: To examine the association between childhood cognitive ability and cognitive change from age 79 to 83 in the presence of other demographic and lifestyle indicators. Methods: The participants took a test of mental ability when aged 11 as part of the Scottish Mental Survey 1932. Cognitive ability based on Raven’s Matrices, Verbal Fluency, and Logical Memory was assessed at ages 79 and 83. We used both linear regression and latent variable growth curve modeling to compare methods and results. Results: Using linear regression, childhood mental ability was a significant predictor of cognitive change from 79 to 83, accounting for about 1.4% of the variance. Sex, education, social class, smoking status and alcohol intake were non-significant. In contrast, using latent variable growth curve modeling, there was no association between childhood mental ability and cognitive change. Sex (male), years of education, drinking status (positive), and childhood IQ were associated with better cognitive ability at age 79. The difference in results was due to the inability of linear regression to account completely for test-specific variance. Conclusion: Within a group of non-demented older people, greater childhood mental ability was associated with level of cognitive ability at age 79, but not with change in cognitive ability to age 83. To obtain accurate results regarding covariates of change, it is important to use methodology that can appropriately allocate all measured sources of variance.
Influence of PEGylation and RGD loading on the targeting properties of radiolabeled liposomal nanoparticles

Purpose Liposomes have been proposed to be a means of selectively targeting cancer sites for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The focus of this work was the evaluation of radiolabeled PEGylated liposomes derivatized with varying amounts of a cyclic arginyl–glycyl–aspartic acid (RGD) peptide. RGD peptides are known to bind to αvβ3 integrin receptors overexpressed during tumor-induced angiogenesis. Methods Several liposomal nanoparticles carrying the RGD peptide targeting sequence (RLPs) were synthesized using a combination of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, cholesterol, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-derivatized lipids for radiolabeling, a polyethylene glycol (PEG) building block, and a lipid-based RGD building block. Relative amounts of RGD and PEG building blocks were varied. In vitro binding affinities were determined using isolated αvβ3 integrin receptors incubated with different concentrations of RLPs in competition with iodine-125-labeled cyclo-(-RGDyV-). Binding of the indium-111-labeled RLPs was also evaluated. Biodistribution and micro single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography imaging studies were performed in nude mice using different tumor xenograft models. Results RLPs were labeled with indium-111 with high radiochemical yields. In vitro binding studies of RLPs with different RGD/PEG loading revealed good binding to isolated receptors, which was dependent on the extent of RGD and PEG loading. Binding increased with higher RGD loading, whereas reduced binding was found with higher PEG loading. Biodistribution showed increased circulating time for PEGylated RLPs, but no dependence on RGD loading. Both biodistribution and micro single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography imaging studies revealed low, nonspecific tumor uptake values. Conclusion In this study, RLPs for targeting angiogenesis were described. Even though good binding to αvβ3 integrin receptors was found in vitro, the balance between PEGylation and RGD loading clearly requires optimization to achieve targeting in vivo. These data form the basis for future development and provide a platform for the investigation of multimodal approaches.
An inverse and independent association between Helicobacter pylori infection and the incidence of shigellosis and other diarrheal diseases.

OBJECTIVES We examined the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and the incidence of diarrheal diseases. METHODS In a nested case-control study participants were sampled from cohorts of male Israeli soldiers aged 18-21 years, serving in field units and followed up for diarrheal diseases. Case patients (n = 177) were subjects who visited the base clinic because diarrhea and were positive for Shigella sonnei (n = 66), enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) (n = 31) or negative for bacterial pathogens (n = 80; diarrhea of unknown etiology). Controls (n = 418) were subjects who did not suffer from a diarrheal disease during the follow-up. They were matched to case patients by training unit and period. Serum samples were obtained from participants at the beginning of their field training and were tested for anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin (Ig) G and preexisting Shigella sonnei lipopolysaccharide IgG and IgA antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The proportion of H. pylori-infected subjects was significantly lower among case patients with infection of unknown etiology (36.3%) than among controls (56.0%) (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], .24-.77; P = .005). The proportion of H. pylori-infected subjects among case patients with S. sonnei shigellosis was also significantly lower than in the control group: 36.3% versus 56.0%. The association persisted after adjusting for sociodemographic variables and preexisting S. sonnei serum IgA antibodies (adjusted OR, 0.37; 95% CI, .14-.95; P = .03) and IgG antibodies (adjusted OR, 0.38; 95% CI, .14-.99; P = .04). The direction of the association between H. pylori infection and ETEC diarrhea was similar, albeit not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest an active role of H. pylori in protection against diarrheal diseases.
Model Predictive Control for rail condition-based maintenance: A multilevel approach

This paper develops a multilevel decision making approach based on model predictive control (MPC) for condition-based maintenance of rail. We address a typical railway surface defect called “squat”, in which three maintenance actions can be considered: no maintenance, grinding, and replacement. A scenario-based scheme is applied to address the uncertainty in the deterioration dynamics of the key performance indicator for each track section, and a piecewise-affine model is used to approximate the expected dynamics, which is to be optimized by a scenario-based MPC controller at the high level. A static optimization problem involving clustering and mixed integer linear programming is solved at the low level to produce an efficient grinding and replacing schedule. A case study using real measurements obtained from a Dutch railway line between Eindhoven and Weert is performed to demonstrate the merits of the proposed approach.
Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium and Typhi as model organisms

The lifestyle of intracellular pathogens has always questioned the skill of a microbiologist in the context of finding the permanent cure to the diseases caused by them. The best tool utilized by these pathogens is their ability to reside inside the host cell, which enables them to easily bypass the humoral immunity of the host, such as the complement system. They further escape from the intracellular immunity, such as lysosome and inflammasome, mostly by forming a protective vacuole-bound niche derived from the host itself. Some of the most dreadful diseases are caused by these vacuolar pathogens, for example, tuberculosis by Mycobacterium or typhoid fever by Salmonella. To deal with such successful pathogens therapeutically, the knowledge of a host-pathogen interaction system becomes primarily essential, which further depends on the use of a model system. A well characterized pathogen, namely Salmonella, suits the role of a model for this purpose, which can infect a wide array of hosts causing a variety of diseases. This review focuses on various such aspects of research on Salmonella which are useful for studying the pathogenesis of other intracellular pathogens.
Genotype Prediction with SVMs

A tuned SVM appears competitive with the FastPhase HMM (Stephens and Scheet, 2006), which is the current state of the art in genotype prediction. To improve the performance of the SVM, a large number of simulated training examples must be created by randomly pairing haplotypes in the training set. A window size parameter which determines how many adjacent SNP’s act as features was also investigated and it is coarsely tuned by cross validation.
Improving recognition performance by modelling pronunciation variation.

This paper describes a method for improving the performance of a continuous speech recognizer by modelling pronunciation variation. Although the improvements obtained with this method are small, they are in line with those reported by other authors. A series of experiments was carried out to model pronunciation variation. In the first set of experiments word internal pronunciation variation was modelled by applying a set of four phonological rules to the words in the lexicon. In the second set of experiments, variation across word boundaries was also modelled. The results obtained with both methods are presented in detail. Furthermore, statistics are given on the application of the four phonological rules on the training database. We will explain why the improvements obtained with this method are small and how we intend to increase the improvements in our future research.
Exploring perspectives for improving students’ motivation in pre-vocational secondary education

Students’ motivation in pre-vocational secondary education is lower and dropout rates are higher than in other forms of secondary education. In this dissertation we studied the learning environment and self-regulation of motivation as two feasible intervention points to enhance and increase the motivation of these students. Students in a student-centred learning environment reported more need-satisfaction and motivational engagement than students in a teacher-centred learning environment. Boys also showed less absenteeism. Our studies on self-regulation showed that most students prefer learning goals, social goals and well-being goals above goals on material gain, superiority and individuality. Few goals were related to motivational engagement. The use of motivational regulation strategies functions as a partial mediator between the value students attach to schoolwork and motivational engagement: more use of strategies leads to more pleasure and effort, and more value leads to more strategy use. In conclusion, schools can support students’ motivation by designing learning environments according to social constructivist principles, thereby feeding their basic psychological needs. Further research is necessary to link students’ goals to their motivational engagement. Furthermore, the training of motivational strategies and emphasizing the value of schoolwork may increase students’ use of motivational strategies and thereby their motivational engagement.
Social Preferences in Inter-Group Conflict

Identifying who engages in inter-group conflict – and if they do so why – may help to predict and potentially prevent inter-group conflicts. Yet, little is known about the heterogeneity of individuals’ social preferences in inter-group conflict. We derive a typology and measure of group-dependent social preferences from a social preference model. We gather representative, incentivized field data before and after the heated 2016 Austrian presidential election. We find considerable heterogeneity in individuals’ social preferences. Out-group spitefulness is associated with higher age and group identity as well as lower education and in-group prosociality. Group-dependent social preferences predict voting decisions.
Mitigation of neutrophil infiltration in a rat model of early Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE Infectious endophthalmitis is characterized by neutrophil migration into the eye. The purpose of this study was to determine whether systemic neutrophil depletion mitigates the ocular influx of neutrophils during the early phases of experimental endophthalmitis. METHODS Endophthalmitis was induced in rats by intravitreal injection of Staphylococcus aureus. Animals received a single systemic dose of an anti-neutrophil-depleting antibody (dAb) or normal rabbit serum (NRS) 6 or 12 hours after intravitreal injection. Inflammation was graded both in vivo and by histopathology. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) was used as a biomarker of neutrophil infiltration. Bacterial clearance was evaluated by determining the amount of viable bacteria recovered from ocular specimens. RESULTS Rats that received dAb 6 hours after bacterial injection exhibited significantly lower clinical scores, MPO activity, fewer vitreous exudates, and higher vitreous bacterial counts at 24 hours (P < 0.05). As the neutrophil population returned in this group, measured by the number in the peripheral blood, increasing intraocular inflammation was observed. Rats receiving dAb 12 hours after vitreous injection also demonstrated significantly lower clinical scores, MPO activity and less vitreous exudates at the 24-hour time point (P < 0.05). No significant differences from the control were detected at any of the subsequent time points, except in bacterial counts and MPO activity. CONCLUSIONS Depletion of neutrophils early in the inflammatory response delayed the onset of severe ocular inflammation but also prevented adequate bacterial clearance. These results confirm the important role of neutrophils in ocular host defense during the early stages of experimental endophthalmitis.
Effects of clopidogrel, aspirin and combined therapy in a porcine ex vivo model of high-shear induced stent thrombosis.

AIMS Use of ticlopidine in coronary stenting is limited by delayed onset of action. We studied the effects of clopidogrel, a rapidly acting analog of ticlopidine alone, and in combination with aspirin, in inhibiting stent thrombosis. METHODS Unpolished nitinol stents were deployed in a porcine ex vivo arteriovenous shunt and exposed to flowing arterial blood at a shear rate of approximately 1500. s-1. Stent thrombus, platelet aggregation and bleeding times were measured at baseline and after treatment. RESULTS Intravenous clopidogrel produced a rapid (within 30 min) and dose-dependent inhibition of stent thrombosis, with 87% reduction at a dose of 10 mg.kg-1 (P < 0.001). Aspirin alone (10 mg.kg-1) was minimally effective (20% inhibition P > 0.05) in inhibiting stent thrombosis. Combined treatment with clopidogrel and aspirin produced 95-98% inhibition of stent thrombosis, even at low doses of clopidogrel (2.5-5.0 mg.kg-1) (P < 0.0001). At effective doses both clopidogrel and combined therapy produced significant prolongation of bleeding time (P < 0.05) and inhibition of platelet aggregation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Clopidogrel, either alone or combined with aspirin, may have a potential role in preventing stent thrombosis in high-risk clinical situations.
A Short Excursion into Semi-Algebraic Hierarchies

This brief survey gives a (roughly) self-contained overview of some complexity theoretic results about semi-algebraic proof systems and related hierarchies and the strong connections between them. The article is not intended to be a detailed survey on “Lift and Project” type optimization hierarchies (cf. Chlamtac and Tulsiani [12]) or related proof systems (cf. Grigoriev et al. [16]).
Design of Microstrip Patch Antenna Array for Traffic Speed Detector Application

In this paper a compact rectangular and circular micro strip patch antenna array is designed using series feed network for traffic speed detector application. Proposed antenna array has been designed using method of moment based IE3D software. Proposed antenna array operates at the resonant frequency 10.40GHz. Roger/RT duroid with dielectric constant 2.2 and height 1.588 mm has been used as a substrate material for the design of this antenna. RF power to the antenna patch has been fed by quarter wave transformer feeding method. Comparison of these antenna arrays have been done by demonstrating example of 8x1 antenna arrays. The different parameters such as return loss, gain, directivity, VSWR, antenna efficiency and radiation efficiency have been computed and compared using the IE3d simulator.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Large-Scale Carbon Nanotubes on a Shared-Memory Architecture

Classical molecular dynamics simulations employing Brenner's reactive potential with long range van der Waals interactions have been used in mechanistic response studies of carbon nanotubes to external strains. Elastomechanic response behavior of single and multiwall carbon nanotubes to externally applied compressive strains is simulated and studied in detail. Due to inclusion of non-bonded long range interactions, the simulations show the redistribution of strain and strain energy from sideways buckling to the formation of highly localized strained kink sites. We describe the results and discuss their implication towards the stability of any molecular mechanical structure made of carbon nanotubes.
Three-dimensional numerical simulation of lightning discharge based on DBM model

The modeling and simulation of lightning discharge are very important for the lightning protection engineering and lightning research. In this paper, with the thundercloud electrostatic model and potential equation in the space, a three-dimensional(3-D) numerical simulation of lightning discharge at 50-m resolution was presented. The dielectric breakdown model(DBM) based on fractal theory and bidirectional leaders independent develop mechanism were employed to simulate the lightning leader progression. The effects of probability exponent η and internal E-field Ein along the channel on the on-ground E-field distribution were analyzed respectively. The results show that the distribution of E-field at the ground level below the stepped leader is similar to Gauss distribution. The peak value of the E-field at the ground level increases with the probability exponent and internal E-field along the channel decreasing.
Exploring the Potential of Gamification Among Frail Elderly Persons

The application of game elements a in non-gaming context offers a great potential regarding the engagement of senior citizens with information systems. In this paper, we suggest the application of gamification to routine tasks and leisure activities, namely physical and cognitive therapy, the gamification of real-life activities which are no longer accessible due to age-related changes and the application of game design elements to foster social interaction.
Modafinil in the treatment of excessive sleepiness

The wake-promoting agent modafinil is approved for the treatment of excessive sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), shift work disorder (SWD), and narcolepsy. In OSA, modafinil is recommended for use as an adjunct to standard therapies that treat the underlying airway obstruction. This article reviews the literature on modafinil (pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, tolerability, and abuse potential), with emphasis on use of modafinil in the treatment of excessive sleepiness in patients with OSA, SWD, and narcolepsy. In large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, modafinil improved objectively determined sleep latency, improved overall clinical condition related to severity of sleepiness, and reduced patient-reported sleepiness. Improvements in wakefulness were accompanied by improvements in behavioral alertness, functional status, and health-related quality of life. In patients with SWD, diary data showed modafinil reduced the maximum level of sleepiness during night shift work, level of sleepiness during the commute home, and incidence of accidents or near-accidents during the commute home when compared with placebo. Modafinil was well tolerated, without adversely affecting cardiovascular parameters or scheduled sleep. These findings and those of extension studies which reported improvements were maintained suggest modafinil has a beneficial effect on daily life and well-being in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with OSA, SWD, or narcolepsy.
Deletion of the G6pc2 Gene Encoding the Islet-Specific Glucose-6-Phosphatase Catalytic Subunit–Related Protein Does Not Affect the Progression or Incidence of Type 1 Diabetes in NOD/ShiLtJ Mice

OBJECTIVE Islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit–related protein (IGRP), now known as G6PC2, is a major target of autoreactive T cells implicated in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes in both mice and humans. This study aimed to determine whether suppression of G6p2 gene expression might therefore prevent or delay disease progression. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS G6pc2−/− mice were generated on the NOD/ShiLtJ genetic background, and glycemia was monitored weekly up to 35 weeks of age to determine the onset and incidence of diabetes. The antigen specificity of CD8+ T cells infiltrating islets from NOD/ShiLtJ G6pc2+/+ and G6pc2−/− mice at 12 weeks was determined in parallel. RESULTS The absence of G6pc2 did not affect the time of onset, incidence, or sex bias of type 1 diabetes in NOD/ShiLtJ mice. Insulitis was prominent in both groups, but whereas NOD/ShiLtJ G6pc2+/+ islets contained CD8+ T cells reactive to the G6pc2 NRP peptide, G6pc2 NRP-reactive T cells were absent in NOD/ShiLtJ G6pc2−/− islets. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that G6pc2 is an important driver for the selection and expansion of islet-reactive CD8+ T cells infiltrating NOD/ShiLtJ islets. However, autoreactivity to G6pc2 is not essential for the emergence of autoimmune diabetes. The results remain consistent with previous studies indicating that insulin may be the primary autoimmune target, at least in NOD/ShiLtJ mice.
A Ubiquitous Computing environment for aircraft maintenance

Ubiquitous Computing bears a high potential in the area of aircraft maintenance. Extensive requirements regarding quality, safety, and documentation as well as high costs for having aircrafts idle during maintenance demand for an efficient execution of the process. Major weaknesses that impact the efficiency of the process are an inadequate tool management, human erros, and labour intensive manual documentation and check procedures. In this paper we propose a solution using ubiquitous computing technologies that improves aircraft maintence and provides a high level of usability. A scenario, a systems architecture, and maintenance applications are presented. The Smart Toolbox and the Smart Tool Inventory were implemented as proof of concept.