Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dementia in Older Adults With Intellectual Disabilities—Epidemiology, Presentation, and Diagnosis

As life expectancy of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) extends into older age, dementia is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality. To update and summarize current knowledge on dementia in older adults with ID, the authors conducted a comprehensive review of the published literature from 1997-2008 with a specific focus on: (1) epidemiology of dementia in ID in general as well as in specific genetic syndromes; (2) presentation; and (3) diagnostic criteria for dementia. The review drew upon a combination of searches in electronic databases Medline, EMBASE, and PsycINFO for original research papers in English, Dutch, or German. The authors report that varied methodologies and inherent challenges in diagnosis yield a wide range of reported prevalence rates of dementia. Rates of dementia in the population with intellectual disability not because of Down syndrome (DS) are comparable with or higher than the general population. Alzheimer's disease onset in DS appears earlier and the prevalence increases from under 10% in the 40s to more than 30% in the 50s, with varying prevalence reported for those 60 and older. Incidence rates increase with age. Few studies of dementia in other genetic syndromes were identified. Presentation differs in the ID population compared with the general population; those with DS present with prominent behavioral changes believed to be because of frontal lobe deficits. Authors recommend large-scale collaborative studies of high quality to further knowledge on the epidemiology and clinical presentation of dementia in this population.
An Immunoinhibition Assay for Determination of Creatine Kinase Isoforms in Serum

We report a preliminary evaluation of an immunoinhibition assay for creatine kinase isoform quantification. The procedure employs the monoclonal antibody CKM-G01, which inhibits the native M subunit of creatine kinase. The antibody does not inhibit the M subunit modified by removal of lysine by plasma carboxypeptidase N. Residual activity after treatment with the antibody is therefore due to serum delysinated isoforms. The ratio inhibited/residual activity correlated directly with the ratio tissue/serum isoforms. Analysis of the total imprecision of isoform ratio measurement gave a coefficient of variation between 5.9 and 21.1%. Reference intervals for the ratio were 0.14-0.79 in females and 0.19-0.95 in men (p = 0.0046). Analytical and clinical comparison with alternative isoform procedures gave good results, showing that this assay can be used as alternative to the widely accepted electrophoretic method for measurement of the creatine kinase isoform ratio.
Theoretical Foundations of Iterative Combinatorial Auctions with Side Constraints: Computational Properties of Generic Pricing Rules

Combinatorial auctions are nowadays used in a variety of application domains such as transportation or industrial procurement using a variety of bidding languages and different side constraints. This flexibility in the bidding languages and the side constraints is essential in these domains, but has not been considered in the theoretical literature so far. In this paper, we analyze different pricing rules introduced by Adomavicius and Gupta (2005), which can be used in iterative combinatorial auctions allowing for side constraints and provide complexity results. While the computation of winning levels is an NP -complete problem, the computation of deadness levels is actually a Π2 -complete problem, if we do not restrict bidders to a pure OR bidding language without side constraints. The paper should provide algorithms and theoretical bounds for practical auction designs.
Coupling of Folding and Binding of Thymosin β4 upon Interaction with Monomeric Actin Monitored by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance*

Thymosin β4 is a major actin-sequestering protein, yet the structural basis for its biological function is still unknown. This study provides insight regarding the way this 43-amino acid peptide, mostly unstructured in solution, binds to monomeric actin and prevents its assembly in filaments. We show here that the whole backbone of thymosin β4 is highly affected upon binding to G-actin. The assignment of all amide protons and nitrogens of thymosin in the bound state, obtained using a combination of NMR experiments and selective labelings, shows that thymosin folds completely upon binding and displays a central extended region flanked by two N- and C-terminal helices. The cleavage of actin by subtilisin in the DNase I binding loop does not modify the structure of thymosin β4 in the complex, showing that the backbone of the peptide is not in close proximity to segment 42-47 of actin. The combination of our NMR results and previously published mutation and cross-link data allows a better characterization of the binding mode of thymosins on G-actin.
Focal cortical dysplasias: MR imaging, histopathologic, and clinical correlations in surgically treated patients with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) covers a spectrum of conditions in which the neuropathologic and electroclinic presentations and the surgical outcomes vary. The aim of this study was to identify the MR features of histologic subtypes of FCD that would be useful for differential diagnosis. METHODS We reviewed the MR data of 49 patients treated surgically for intractable partial epilepsy, who received a histologic diagnosis of FCD not associated with other brain abnormalities except hippocampal sclerosis and who were classified by histologic criteria as having architectural dysplasia (28 patients), cytoarchitectural dysplasia (six patients), or Taylor's FCD (15 patients). RESULTS From the MR features, it was generally possible to distinguish Taylor's FCD from architectural or cytoarchitectural dysplasias (non-Taylor's FCD). Findings suggesting Taylor's FCD were focal cortical thickening, blurring of the gray-white matter junction, and hyperintensity (on T2-weighted images) of subcortical white matter often tapering toward the ventricle. Focal brain hypoplasia with shrinkage and moderate signal intensity alterations in the white matter core were present in most patients with architectural dysplasia. The lesion was generally extratemporal in Taylor's FCD and temporal in architectural dysplasia. Ipsilateral hippocampal sclerosis was often present in architectural dysplasia (dual abnormality). CONCLUSIONS In patients with FCD, Taylor's FCD and non-Taylor's FCD can usually be distinguished with MR imaging, although some overlap exists. A provisional MR diagnosis is important for presurgical investigations and surgical planning and may have prognostic implications.
Fuzzy Concepts and the Perception of Emotion in Facial Expressions

Research on how well one person can recognize the emotion expressed in another person's face has resulted in controversy: accuracy versus inaccuracy; discrete categories versus dimensions versus structural models of emotion. These seemingly disparate conclusions can be reconciled when natural language concepts of emotion (“happiness,” “anger,” “tear,” “sadness,” etc.) are thought of as overlapping and fuzzy, rather than as mutually exclusive and properly defined. The research literature on the perception of emotion in facial expressions is reviewed from this vantage point, and four studies testing predictions from this thesis are reported. When rating the degree to which either posed or spontaneous facial expressions exemplify emotion categories, subjects produced reliably graded responses and indicated that individual (even prototypical) expressions belong to more than one category. The graded “prototypicality” ratings (1) predicted the probability with which the expression was said to be a member of the.
Resistência aeróbia e força de membros inferiores de idosos praticantes e não-praticantes de ginástica recreativa em um centro de convivência

OBJECTIVE: To assess aerobic endurance and lower limbs strength of non-practitioners and practitioners of a recreational gymnastics program at an adult daycare center. METHODS: 54 volunteers participated of the study - 26 non- practitioners (71.2 ± 6 years and 26 ± 4.7 kg/m2) and 28 practitioners of recreational gymnastics (68.6 ± 7.7 years and 27.5 ± 4.5 kg/m2). All were tested with the sit-up chair test (assessment of lower limbs strength) and six-minute walk test (assessment of aerobic endurance). RESULTS: The practitioners of the gymnastics program obtained better results in sit-up chair test (16.1 ± 2.8 vs. 12.1 ± 2.7 executions - p <0.001) and six-minute walk test (439.2 ± 46.1 vs. 373.1 ± 58.5 meters - p <0.001) than non- practitioners. CONCLUSION: According to the results, we conclude that the elderly practitioners of recreational gymnastics program at an adult daycare center analyzed has a better indicator of aerobic endurance and lower limbs strength, suggesting a higher level of functional capacity in relation to the non-practitioners.
binOb+: a framework for potent and stealthy binary obfuscation

Reverse engineering is the process of discovering a high-level structure and its semantics from a lower-level structure. In order to prevent malicious use of reverse engineering against binaries, various techniques have been developed called binary obfuscation. Obfuscated binary is a transformed binary which retains original binary's executing behavior while its outer representation obstructs the reverse engineering. In this paper we propose three novel approaches to improve the binary obfuscation. First we propose a generalized binary obfuscation algorithm that covers any specific or whole part of a binary code by using confusing code and redirecting control-flow using exceptions. Second, we employ a data-mining method to make our obfuscated binary look like a normal binary. And third, we address the issue that the previous techniques could not be applied to Windows binaries by designing a new exception hooking mechanism in Windows. Experimental results show that our obfuscated binary can hide 60--90% of the original instructions from reverse engineering tools, while its execution slows down a little, and moreover the obfuscated binary's stealth can be guaranteed.
Modeling Groups In Social Networks

Studies in social network analysis consider the behavior of a group to be equivalent to the "sum" of individual behaviors. However, a group has to be considered as a complex system where emerging phenomena can appear. In this paper, a formalism is proposed to resolve this problematic by modeling groups in social networks using pretopology as a generalization of the graph theory. We also give an example of simulation using our formalism.
Repetitive DNA of Candida albicans: nuclear and mitochondrial components

We report the isolation and analysis of the rapidly reassociating DNA of the pathogenic, dimorphic fungus Candida albicans. Minicot analysis of whole-cell repetitive DNA suggested that a significant portion of this component was mitochondrial DNA. Genomic blot hybridizations in which radioactive whole-cell repetitive DNA was used as a probe revealed eight major EcoRI bands in the molecular weight range resolved by the gel system used. Isolation and analysis of high-purity mitochondrial DNA have shown that five of these bands are of mitochondrial origin. The remaining three bands are of nuclear origin and represent repetitive sequences that are found in the nuclear genome. Attempts to isolate nuclear DNA that was completely free of mitochondrial DNA contamination were unsuccessful.
Mild cognitive impairment in clinical care

Objective: To assess how neurologists view mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as a clinical diagnosis and how they treat patients with mild cognitive symptoms. Methods: Members of the American Academy of Neurology with an aging, dementia, or behavioral neurology practice focus were surveyed by self-administered questionnaire. Results: Survey respondents were 420 providers (response rate 48%), and 88% reported at least monthly encounters with patients experiencing mild cognitive symptoms. Most respondents recognize MCI as a clinical diagnosis (90%) and use its diagnostic code for billing purposes (70%). When seeing these patients, most respondents routinely provide counseling on physical (78%) and mental exercise (75%) and communicate about dementia risk (63%); fewer provide information on support services (27%) or a written summary of findings (15%). Most (70%) prescribe cholinesterase inhibitors at least sometimes for this population, with memantine (39%) and other agents (e.g., vitamin E) prescribed less frequently. Respondents endorsed several benefits of a diagnosis of MCI: 1) involving the patient in planning for the future (87%); 2) motivating risk reduction activities (85%); 3) helping with financial planning (72%); and 4) prescribing medications (65%). Some respondents noted drawbacks, including 1) too difficult to diagnose (23%); 2) better described as early Alzheimer disease (21%); and 3) diagnosis can cause unnecessary worry (20%). Conclusions: Patients with mild cognitive symptoms are commonly seen by neurologists, who view MCI as a useful diagnostic category. Information and treatments provided to patients with MCI vary significantly, suggesting a need for practice guidelines and further research on clinical decision-making with this population.
Porous / Gold surface Preparation for Protein Microarray Applications

Surface chemistry is extremely important in microarray technology, since it determines the successful attachment of the molecules, spot morphology or signal intensity. This paper describes development of functionalised gold layer surfaces deposited onto porous silicon as substrates for microarray experiments. Two gold textures were studied in order to find the best ratio between signal intensity and spot morphology. The experiments revealed: (i) that porous silicon substrate ensures spots uniformity and good response of the signal intensity with respect to concentration; (ii) saturation bands for high concentrations for both types of substrates. Key-words: protein microarray, porous silicon, gold layer.
A review on wireless sensor node architectures

During the last few years, WSN (Wireless Sensor Network) has emerged and deployed in a wide range of applications attracting many research and industrial communities. Low power is one such crucial constraint where these systems are supplied with small battery. Several technologies and architectures have been proposed for design ultra-low power motes. In this paper, we present a survey on wireless sensor node architectures proposed to optimize the performances in particular real-time, low power, cost and time to market. Despite their variety, these architectures are consisted basically of processing unit, acquisition unit, transmission unit and power supply unit. The difference resides on components and technologies that constitute these units. Each technology is discussed in relation to its advantages and limitations.
Heterogeneity and hierarchy within the most primitive hematopoietic stem cell compartment

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have been extensively characterized based on functional definitions determined by experimental transplantation into lethally irradiated mice. In mice, HSCs are heterogeneous with regard to self-renewal potential, in vitro colony-forming activity, and in vivo behavior. We attempted prospective isolation of HSC subsets with distinct properties among CD34−/low c-Kit+Sca-1+Lin− (CD34−KSL) cells. CD34−KSL cells were divided, based on CD150 expression, into three fractions: CD150high, CD150med, and CD150neg cells. Compared with the other two fractions, CD150high cells were significantly enriched in HSCs, with great self-renewal potential. In vitro colony assays revealed that decreased expression of CD150 was associated with reduced erythroblast/megakaryocyte differentiation potential. All three fractions were regenerated only from CD150high cells in recipient mice. Using single-cell transplantation studies, we found that a fraction of CD150high cells displayed latent and barely detectable myeloid engraftment in primary-recipient mice but progressive and multilineage reconstitution in secondary-recipient mice. These findings highlight the complexity and hierarchy of reconstitution capability, even among HSCs in the most primitive compartment.
Os Stakeholders e as Instituições de Ensino Superior

A teoria dos stakeholders, influente teoria de gestao em termos empresariais e das organizacoes em geral, tem como um dos principais marcos a publicacao em 1984 da obra Strategic Management: A stakeholder approach de Edwar Freeman. O seu paradigma essencial baseia-se na ideia de que nao e suficiente ter uma abordagem interna para se compreender os padroes de eficiencia e de eficacia de uma organizacao, sendo necessario combinar essa abordagem com uma abordagens externa, nomeadamente em relacao aqueles a quem as organizacoes procuram satisfazer necessidades, naturalmente os clientes, mas de uma forma mais abrangente todos, pessoas ou organizacoes, que tem um interesse especifico e com os quais uma organizacao interage permanentemente. No âmbito das Instituicoes de Ensino Superior Publicas Portuguesas (IESPP), a massificacao, as novas perspetivas sobre o ensino e a globalizacao, enquanto tendencias de contexto nas decadas mais recentes, tem pressionado a uma maior abertura da sua atividade a sociedade e a todos os que as rodeiam. No mesmo sentido, as novas exigencias da administracao e a logica concorrencial de mercado, tem intensificado ainda mais a necessidade de as IESPP conhecerem e irem ao encontro das necessidades efetivas das suas partes interessadas. Tambem, no quadro do atual modelo de governacao das IESPP, a identificacao das diferentes partes interessadas e a capacidade de satisfacao das suas necessidades passou a ser um requisito essencial de desempenho organizacional. O presente artigo tem assim como objetivo contribuir para o conceptualizacao teorica do conceito dos stakeholders associados as Instituicoes de Ensino Superior, apoiada na revisao da literatura e ilustrado num estudo empirico efetuado junto de membros dos Conselhos Gerais das IESPP.
Toward employee work passion and performance: a validation of the Work Cognition Inventory in Korea

Desired employee performance is achieved, in part, through positive job attitudes such as employee engagement and work passion. Based on social cognitive theory and the theory of planned behaviour, this study aims at validating the factor structure of the Work Cognition Inventory (WCI) data in the Korean public sector in a preliminary effort to improve public employees’ work passion and performance. A sample of 480 public employees was broken into two subsamples for exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The effect of common method variance (CMV) on the factor structure was examined, with the results suggesting that the WCI is valid for use in the Korean public sector but that its factor loadings are biased by the congeneric effects of CMV.
Election Campaigning Online

This article presents an integrated quantitative analysis of the functional, formal and content-related aspects of German political party websites during the 2002 National Elections. The analysis is guided by the normalization hypothesis of cyberspace, which infers a transfer of ‘real-world’ features of politics to the Internet. Results provide empirical evidence of a limited normalization in German e-campaigning: indeed, German party websites primarily serve information functions while neglecting interactive features. Yet, no overall gap in professionalism is found between major and minor parties analysed. Finally, online campaigning is dominated by a high level of self-referentiality but lacks both the expected degree of personalization and characteristic differences in communication styles between incumbents and challengers.
A further historicodevelopmental study of the interpersonal circumplex

The interpersonal circumplex is a two-dimensional model of trait descriptive terms. Two fundamental dimensions underly the circle, Affiliation and Dominance. An historicodevelopmental analysis of the circumplex suggests that there should be several aspects of the circumplex which have undergone an historical process of development. Data derived from Wiggins's (1979b) Taxonomy of interpersonal trait descriptive terms is presented suggesting: that the major dimensions of the circumplex emerged before the minor dimensions; that at least one of the positive octants emerged before its negative opposite; that Affiliation emerged before Dominance; that semantically inconsistent octants only emerged after consistent ones; and that prototypical members of an octant emerged before nonprototypical members.
Random Linear Multihop Relaying in a General Field of Interferers Using Spatial Aloha

In our basic model, we study a stationary Poisson pattern of nodes on a line embedded in an independent planar Poisson field of interfering nodes. Assuming slotted Aloha and the signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio capture condition, with the usual power-law path loss model and Rayleigh fading, we explicitly evaluate several local and end-to-end performance characteristics related to the nearest-neighbor packet relaying on this line, and study their dependence on the model parameters (the density of relaying and interfering nodes, Aloha tuning and the external noise power). Our model can be applied in two cases. The first use is for vehicular ad-hoc networks, where vehicles are randomly located on a straight road. The second use is to study a “typical” route traced in a (general) planar ad-hoc network by some routing mechanism. The approach we have chosen allows us to quantify the non-efficiency of long-distance routing in “pure ad-hoc” networks and evaluate a possible remedy for it in the form of additional “fixed” relaying nodes, called road-side units in a vehicular network. It also allows us to consider a more general field of interfering nodes and study the impact of the clustering of its nodes on the routing performance. As a special case of a field with more clustering than the Poison field, we consider a Poisson-line field of interfering nodes, in which all the nodes are randomly located on random straight lines. In this case, our analysis rigorously (in the sense of Palm theory) corresponds to the typical route of this network. The comparison to our basic model reveals a paradox: clustering of interfering nodes decreases the outage probability of a single (typical) transmission on the route, but increases the mean end-to-end delay.