Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of activity limitations in older adults with MCI or Alzheimer's disease through evaluation of perceived difficulty in use of everyday technology: A replication study

Objectives and methods: Earlier research indicates that the ability to use everyday technology (ET) may be sensitive to subtle functional change. People with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have been identified as significantly more disabled in ET use compared to controls, albeit less disabled than people with dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate the replicability of these findings using an improved version of the Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire (ETUQ) to compare perceptions of relevance and difficulty in ET use in participants with MCI or Alzheimer's disease (AD) and controls. Additional aims were to explore the validity of ETUQ, and the relationships between perceived difficulty in ET use and cognitive status, mood state, and involvement in everyday life activities. In total, 118 participants were included, 37 with AD, 37 with MCI, and 44 controls. Results: Analyses confirmed that the rating scale of the ETUQ functioned well. The three groups overlapped but differed significantly in their perceptions of ETs relevance (p < 0.05) as well as of difficulties in ET use (p < 0.001). Moderate correlations were also found between ETUQ measures and cognitive status, mood, and involvement in activities, the strongest being that between ETUQ measures and involvement in activities (r = 0.563). Conclusion: Taken together, the findings underscore the plausibility of disability already in people with MCI, as the use of ET strongly correlates to involvement in activities. It is therefore important that professionals who meet older adults with cognitive impairment take this aspect of function into account in assessments and targeted interventions.
Making robust assessments of specialist trainees’ workplace performance

Background. Workplace-based assessments should provide a reliable measure of trainee performance, but have met with mixed success. We proposed that using an entrustability scale, where supervisors scored trainees on the level of supervision required for the case would improve the utility of compulsory mini-clinical evaluation exercise (CEX) assessments in a large anaesthesia training program. Methods. We analysed mini-CEX scores from all Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists trainees submitted to an online database over a 12-month period. Supervisors’ scores were adjusted for the expected supervision requirement for the case for trainees at different stages of training. We used generalisability theory to determine score reliability. Results. 7808 assessments were available for analysis. Supervision requirements decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased duration and level of training, supporting validity. We found moderate reliability (G > 0.7) with a feasible number of assessments. Adjusting scores against the expected supervision requirement considerably improved reliability, with G > 0.8 achieved with only nine assessments. Three per cent of trainees generated average mini-CEX scores below the expected standard. Conclusions. Using an entrustment scoring system, where supervisors score trainees on the level of supervision required, mini-CEX scores demonstrated moderate reliability within a feasible number of assessments, and evidence of validity. When scores were adjusted against an expected standard, underperforming trainees could be identified, and reliability much improved. Taken together with other evidence on trainee ability, the mini-CEX is of sufficient reliability for inclusion in high stakes decisions on trainee progression towards independent specialist practice.
Epidemiological investigation of a severe rumen fluke outbreak on an Irish dairy farm

Abstract Although the rumen fluke, Calicophoron daubneyi is now very common and widespread throughout Western Europe, reports of clinical cases are still rare. This study explores the epidemiological background to a severe rumen fluke outbreak in 6-month-old heifers on a dairy farm in Ireland. Sequence analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1) gene of the rumen fluke metacercariae on pasture failed to identify predominant, possibly pathogenic subtypes. However, estimates of metacercarial load indicated that the animals were exposed to a daily dose of about 5334 C. daubneyi metacercariae for a period of 3 weeks resulting in the build-up of very large numbers of immature worms in the small intestine. It is hypothesized that specific environmental conditions may favour this parasite over its competitor, the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, possibly by allowing it to emerge earlier. The possibility that C. daubneyi may be better adapted to the Irish climate than F. hepatica together with the fact that selective treatment against F. hepatica effectively frees the niche for C. daubneyi, may result in the gradual replacement of F. hepatica by C. daubneyi.
Extraction of cell surface‐associated proteins from living yeast cells

To extract cell surface‐associated proteins from living fungal cells, reducing agents such as β‐mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol are often used. We show here that both compounds are moderately lipophilic and may perturb the plasma membrane, thus causing the release of cytosolic proteins, especially at high extraction temperatures. To avoid artifacts, we recommend using (a) a low concentration of the reducing agent for only a short period of time, and (b) an extraction temperature of 4 °C to protect the integrity of the plasma membrane. Similarly, biotinylation of cell surface proteins should be carried out at low temperatures in the absence of dimethylsulphoxide. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gradients and forward spreading of vertebrate Hox gene expression detected by using a Hox/lacZ transgene

Elucidation of the kinetics with which vertebrate Hox expression patterns develop may help us to choose between various models already proposed to explain this process. The chick Hoxa‐7/lacZ transgene, expressed in mouse embryos, changes over time in the distribution of its activity along the developing posterior to anterior axis. During an establishment (E) phase (lasting at least up to 10 days) expression is graded from highest levels posteriorly, to low levels anteriorly. Within the graded domain, the overall level of expression spreads forward with time along both neurectoderm and paraxial mesoderm. Spreading in expression is not due to movement of cells, but to increases in both the proportion of lacZ expressing cells and the intensity of expression per cell. By 10.8 days, embryos have reached a late (L) phase in which an anterior up‐regulation in expression, together with a posterior down‐regulation, cause the graded nature of the expression to be lost. E and L phases are also seen for Hox gene expression detected by in situ hybridization. The switch from E to L occurs at progressively later times as we move 3′ to 5′ along the Hox cluster. The results are in keeping with models in which Hox genes become differentially expressed according to a graded concentration of an inducer. Binding motifs for the caudal (cdx) proteins, already proposed as such inducers, are conserved in mouse and chick Hoxa‐7 enhancer elements. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alpha/Beta Interferon Protects Adult Mice from Fatal Sindbis Virus Infection and Is an Important Determinant of Cell and Tissue Tropism

ABSTRACT Infection of adult 129 Sv/Ev mice with consensus Sindbis virus strain TR339 is subclinical due to an inherent restriction in early virus replication and viremic dissemination. By comparing the pathogenesis of TR339 in 129 Sv/Ev mice and alpha/beta interferon receptor null (IFN-α/βR−/−) mice, we have assessed the contribution of IFN-α/β in restricting virus replication and spread and in determining cell and tissue tropism. In adult 129 Sv/Ev mice, subcutaneous inoculation with 100 PFU of TR339 led to extremely low-level virus replication and viremia, with clearance under way by 96 h postinoculation (p.i.). In striking contrast, adult IFN-α/βR−/− mice inoculated subcutaneously with 100 PFU of TR339 succumbed to the infection within 84 h. By 24 h p.i. a high-titer serum viremia had seeded infectious virus systemically, coincident with the systemic induction of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12) p40, IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-6. Replicating virus was located in macrophage-dendritic cell (DC)-like cells at 24 h p.i. in the draining lymph node and in the splenic marginal zone. By 72 h p.i. virus replication was widespread in macrophage-DC-like cells in the spleen, liver, lung, thymus, and kidney and in fibroblast-connective tissue and periosteum, with sporadic neuroinvasion. IFN-α/β-mediated restriction of TR339 infection was mimicked in vitro in peritoneal exudate cells from 129 Sv/Ev versus IFN-α/βR−/− mice. Thus, IFN-α/β protects the normal adult host from viral infection by rapidly conferring an antiviral state on otherwise permissive cell types, both locally and systemically. Ablation of the IFN-α/β system alters the apparent cell and tissue tropism of the virus and renders macrophage-DC-lineage cells permissive to infection.
The Great Observatories All-Sky LIRG Survey: Herschel Image Atlas and Aperture Photometry

Far-infrared images and photometry are presented for 201 Luminous and Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies [LIRGs: log , ULIRGs: log ], in the Great Observatories All-Sky LIRG Survey (GOALS), based on observations with the Herschel Space Observatory Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) and the Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) instruments. The image atlas displays each GOALS target in the three PACS bands (70, 100, and 160 μm) and the three SPIRE bands (250, 350, and 500 μm), optimized to reveal structures at both high and low surface brightness levels, with images scaled to simplify comparison of structures in the same physical areas of ∼100 × 100 kpc2. Flux densities of companion galaxies in merging systems are provided where possible, depending on their angular separation and the spatial resolution in each passband, along with integrated system fluxes (sum of components). This data set constitutes the imaging and photometric component of the GOALS Herschel OT1 observing program, and is complementary to atlases presented for the Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and Chandra X-ray Observatory. Collectively, these data will enable a wide range of detailed studies of active galactic nucleus and starburst activity within the most luminous infrared galaxies in the local universe.
Trends in the prevalence of Chagas’ disease among first‐time blood donors in São Paulo, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Screening of blood donors for Chagas’ disease is mandatory in Brazil. Data about the prevalence of Chagas’ disease among first‐time blood donors has not been previously reported. The objective of this study was to report the trends in the prevalence of Chagas’ disease among first‐time blood donors in São Paulo, Brazil according to gender, age, and type of donation.
Studies on FOX-7 Based Melt Cast High Explosive Formulations

The key driving force in modern explosive research is the development of low vulnerable high explosive (LOVEX) compositions for future applications in insensitive munitions (IMs). The increasing demand for LOVEX has led to exhaustive studies on low vulnerable explosives as a replacement for conventional cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine (RDX) in 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) melt cast high explosive formulations. In the present study, 1,1-diamino-2,2dinitroethene (FOX-7) has been evaluated as a possible RDX replacement in TNT based, non-aluminized as well as aluminized, melt cast formulation. FOX-7 based melt cast formulations were characterized for their sensitivity to mechanical/shock stimuli, velocity of detonation (VOD), blast parameters and thermal decomposition behavior. These characteristics are compared with the corresponding RDX based compositions as reference standard. The studies show that with little sacrifice on performance parameters, FOX-7 based, non-aluminized and aluminized, melt cast formulations are found to be less vulnerable, compared with the corresponding RDX based formulations.
A Two–Film versus a Four–Film Bite–Wing Examination for Caries Diagnosis in Adults

The aim of this study was to compare the caries diagnostic outcome of a two–film and a four–film routine bite–wing examination undertaken in an adult population. A digital bite–wing examination using two and four films, respectively, was performed in 174 patients. The radiographs from the two examinations were assessed jointly by 2 observers for the number of imaged surfaces in the area from the distal surface of the canine to the distal surface of the third molar and for the detection of carious lesions. Significantly more surfaces were available for examination by the four–film than by the two–film examination. Overlapping surfaces were recorded in 14 and 10%, respectively, of the surfaces imaged by the two–film and four–film set. The prevalence of primary enamel and dentinal caries was 6.8% with the two–film and 5.6% with the four–film method. In 1,684 surfaces only imaged by the four–film method caries was detected in 20 surfaces. If these extra lesions were added to the number of lesions found by the two–film method the total disease prevalence using the last–mentioned method would increase by 2‰. The majority (92–99%) of all recorded lesions were detected in surfaces located between the occlusal surface of the first premolar and the mesial surface of the third molar. The little additional diagnostic outcome obtained by the use of four instead of two films did not seem to match the extra resources (double patient charge and radiation dose, and extended scan/developing and recording time for the dentist) connected to the four–film method. Thus, it may be recommended that a routine bite–wing examination undertaken in young adults should be performed with only two films: one in each side of the mouth, placed behind the premolars and the first and second molars.
Late angiographic result of using the right gastroepiploic artery as a graft.

OBJECTIVE The angiographic patency of the right gastroepiploic artery graft used for coronary artery bypass grafting was studied during the late (5-10 years) postoperative period. METHODS Among 936 patients undergoing a gastroepiploic artery graft for coronary artery bypass grafting between 1986 and 1999, postoperative angiographic restudy was conducted on 685 patients within 1 year (mean, 2.2 months), on 102 patients between 1 and 5 years (mean, 2.3 years), and on 52 patients between 5 and 10 years (mean, 7.8 years). RESULTS The patency rate of the gastroepiploic artery graft was 94%, 88%, and 83% in each restudy group. The cumulative patency rate estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method was 96.6% at 1 month, 91.4% at 1 year, 80.5% at 5 years, and 62.5% at 10 years. Causes of late occlusion were primary anastomotic stenosis and anastomosis to a less critically stenosed coronary artery. Once the gastroepiploic artery was perfectly anastomosed to the coronary artery, which has tight stenosis and good runoff, late patency was good, and new stenosis in both the gastroepiploic artery trunk and the anastomotic site was uncommon. CONCLUSION The gastroepiploic artery graft can be used effectively for coronary artery bypass for the long term with proper target selection.
Mapping Entrepreneurs’ Orientation towards Sustainability in Interaction versus Network Marketing Practices

By gliding sustainability into the mainstream areas of marketing strategy, the purpose of the current research is to analyze the influence of the entrepreneurs’ orientation towards sustainability on relational marketing practices—i.e., interaction versus network marketing. Placed within a comparative setup, the investigation included a sample of 104 business owners of Romanian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the services sector, the selection of participants being subject to well-defined pre-established criteria. Acknowledging the research gap which addresses the type of business strategy fit for entrepreneurs’ orientation towards sustainability, the conceptual model integrated a categorical moderator variable (Planned/Emergent Business Strategies) as indicative of the potential heterogeneity among the hypothesized relationships. Both measurement and structural models were appraised by means of a structural equation modeling technique, respectively, component-based partial least squares (PLS-SEM). As the findings concluded, the entrepreneurs’ orientation towards sustainability accounts for almost 35% of variance in interaction marketing practices and 16% of variance in network marketing practices, thus positing a higher influence on the former. Moreover, evidence was provided that the reification of the entrepreneurs’ orientation towards sustainability in relational marketing practices was not significantly dependent on the type of business strategy.
802.11ah - LPWA interworking

There are several networking technologies that are being designed for low power operation of IoT devices. We consider a deployment scenario where networks based on IEEE802.11ah and LoRaWAN type of technologies are deployed in a geographical area (such as in a city). In some parts of this area, only one of these networks is available while in some other parts both of these networks are deployed. A single mode IoT device could support one of these radio access technologies while a multimode device to support both these RATs in this scenario. Each such access technology also support different classes of operation for end devices and results in different types of traffic scenarios that can be supported by the IoT devices. We propose a framework for 802.11ah and LoRaWAN interworking in this paper. We consider issues such as selection of suitable access technology and class for each end device, resource management and support for limited mobility in our proposed solution framework here. This framework also allows network and IoT providers to implement various policies while taking such decisions.
Managerial Power and CEO Compensation in Financially Distressed Firms

We study the dynamics of managerial influence and Chief Executive Officers' (CEOs) compensation over the course of financial distress during 1992 to 2012. Using a matching estimator to identify suitable controls, we find that under distress firms reduce managerial board appointments, intensify board monitoring, and increase CEO turnover. They also pay considerably less to their CEOs, even to new CEOs from outside the firms. Against the backdrop of secular improvements in corporate governance, the effects on managerial influence and CEO compensation become smaller and larger, respectively, after 2002. Distressed firms cut CEO compensation and escalate board monitoring before reducing managerial board appointments. Financial distress does not seem to materially affect CEO compensation unrelated to firm performance, even among the firms that have high managerial influence before distress and substantially curtail the influence thereafter. A panel vector autoregression and impulse-response analysis shows prominent lead-lag relations between CEO compensation and managerial influence, suggesting that the CEO compensation changes are not necessarily due to the board structure changes.
Docking-based 3D-QSAR study of pyridyl aminothiazole derivatives as checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitors

Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) is a promising target for the design of novel anticancer agents. In the present work, molecular docking simulations and three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D-QSAR) studies were performed on pyridyl aminothiazole derivatives as Chk1 inhibitors. AutoDock was used to determine the probable binding conformations of all the compounds inside the active site of Chk1. Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) models were developed based on the docking conformations and alignments. The CoMFA model produced statistically significant results with a cross-validated correlation coefficient (q2) of 0.608 and a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.972. The reliable CoMSIA model with q2 of 0.662 and r2 of 0.970 was obtained from the combination of steric, electrostatic and hydrogen bond acceptor fields. The predictive power of the models were assessed using an external test set of 14 compounds and showed reasonable external predictabilities (r2pred) of 0.668 and 0.641 for CoMFA and CoMSIA models, respectively. The models were further evaluated by leave-ten-out cross-validation, bootstrapping and progressive scrambling analyses. The study provides valuable information about the key structural elements that are required in the rational design of potential drug candidates of this class of Chk1 inhibitors.
Programming Expert Systems In Ops5 An Introduction To Rule Based Programming The Addison Wesley Series In Artificial Intelligence

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On Optimal Route of a Calibrating Mobile Sink in a Wireless Sensor Network

In a wireless sensor network containing fixed positioned sensor nodes and a sink node that moves around the sensor field calibrating the sensors, the problem of computing the optimal route for the sink is evolved. In this paper, the determination of such a route is formulated and defined as problem belonging to the class of travelling salesperson problems. The complexity being NP-hard, the problem is solved by reducing it to an instance of the well known travelling salesperson problem with neighbourhoods.
The Contingent Effects of Management Support and Task Interdependence on Successful Information Systems Implementation

Management support is considered to be a critical factor in the successful implementation of information systems innovations. The literature suggests a complex relationship between management support and implementation success. However, the empirical literature typically hypothesizes and tests a simple main-effects model. Drawing upon the role of the institutional context and metastructuration actions, we propose a contingent model in which task interdependence moderates the effect of management support on implementation success. A meta-analysis of the empirical literature provides strong support for the model and begins to explain the wide variance in empirical findings. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Wafer-to-wafer transportable gold particle plug for spot vacuum sealing of MEMS

We have developed a spot vacuum sealing method utilizing conventional thermo-compression bonding at 160 °C with a transportable Au particle plug on a silicon through hole. The plug of which diameter is around 200 μm is composed of sub-micron-size Au particles and an Au thin film. The easy deformability of sintered Au particles leads to the hermeticity with changing the structure to closed pore state. The compliance with bond surface irregularity as well as the insensitivity to surface flatness are advantageous to hermetic sealing. From the deflection of Si diaphragms over the sealed cavity, the inside pressure was estimated below 100 Pa. The small leak rate of Kr-85 was below 4.7 × 10−12 Pa-m3/s detection limit, which was sufficient for the integration technology of MEMS.