Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does high educational level protect against intellectual decline in older adults?: A 10‐year longitudinal study

This study examined the relation between educational level and intellectual change in Japanese older adults. Participants (age = 65–79 years, n = 593) comprised the first-wave participants of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA). They were followed for 10 years and were tested six times. Educational levels were divided into two groups (low-educated or high-educated), and intellectual changes for the 10 years were assessed using the Japanese Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Short Forms (JWAIS-R-SF); subtests included Information, Similarities, Picture Completion, and Digit Symbol. General linear mixed-model analyses revealed that education had not affected 10-year changes of the Information, Similarities, and Picture Completion subtest scores. In contrast, education was significantly associated with a change in the Digit Symbol subtest score; individuals with higher levels of education showed greater decline than those with less education, although they had higher ability at every time point. These findings suggest that higher education does not protect against intellectual decline in late life, although it is associated with long-term individual differences in intelligence.
Human Walk Modeled by PCPG to Control a Lower Limb Neuroprosthesis by High-Level Commands

Current active leg prostheses do not integrate the most recent advances in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) and bipedal robotics. Moreover, their actuators are seldom driven by the subject’s intention. This paper aims at showing a summary of our current results in the field of human gait rehabilitation. In a first prototype, t he main focus was on people suffering from foot drop problems, i.e. people who are unable to lift their feet. However, curre nt work is focusing on a full active ankle orthosis. The approach is threefold: a BCI system, a gait model and an orthosis. Thanks to the BCI system, patients are able to generate high-level commands. Typically, a command could represent a speed modification. Then, a gait model based on a programmable central pattern generator is used to generate the adequate kinematics. Finally, the orthosis is tracking this kinematics when the foot is in the air, whereas, the orthosis is mimicking a spring when the foot is on the ground.
A Generic Primal-dual Interior Point Methods Based on a New Kernel Function

In this paper we present a generic primal-dual interior point methods (IPMs) for linear optimization in which the search direction depends on a univariate kernel function which is also used as proximity measure in the analysis of the algorithm. The proposed kernel function does not satisfy all the conditions proposed in [2]. We show that the corresponding large-update algorithm improves the iteration complexity with a factor n 1 6 when compared with the method based on the use of the classical logarithmic barrier function. For small-update interior point methods the iteration bound is O( √ n log n ), which is currently the best-known bound for primal-dual IPMs. AMS Subject Classification: 90C05, 90C31
The Split Bregman algorithm of Chan-Vese model without re-initialization

In this paper, we designed the Split Bregman algorithm for Chan-Vese model (i.e., active contours without edges) without re-initialization. By introducing an auxiliary vector variable, a vector Bregman parameter, and using alternating minimization technique, original optimization problem of the classical variational image segmentation model is transformed into two sub-problems of minimization in an alternating form. The former is a simpler PDE that can be solved by a more conventional finite difference scheme; the latter is a generalized soft thresholding formula in analytical form. It means we can build a more efficient algorithm than the existing numerical algorithm built on the traditional PDE. We apply the proposed algorithm to both simulated and real images with different features and get promising results.
Or-parallel prolog execution on multicores based on stack splitting

Many or-parallel Prolog computational models exploiting implicit parallelism have been proposed in the past. The Muse and YapOr systems are arguably two of the most efficient systems exploiting or-parallelism on shared memory architectures, both based on the environment copying model. Stack splitting emerged as an alternative model specially geared to distributed memory architectures as it basically splits the computation in such a way that no further, or just minimal, synchronization is required. With the new multicore architectures, it just makes sense to recover the body of knowledge there is in this area and reengineer prior computational models to evaluate their performance on newer architectures. In this paper, we focus on the design and implementation of stack splitting in the YapOr system. Our aim is to take advantage of its robustness to efficiently implement stack splitting support using shared memory, and then be able to directly compare the original YapOr with the YapOr using stack splitting. We consider two splitting models, vertical splitting and half splitting, and have adapted data structures, scheduling and incremental copy procedures in YapOr to cope with the new models. Experimental results, on a multicore machine with 24 cores, show that YapOr using stack splitting is, in general, comparable to the original YapOr, obtaining in some cases better performance than with only environment copying.
The Hepatitis Aggressiveness Score (HAS): A Novel Classification System for Post–Liver Transplantation Recurrent Hepatitis C

Several histopathologic features have been described in cases of fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis C (FCH-C). We investigated whether FCH-associated features can be utilized as the basis of a novel grading system for the entire population of post–liver transplantation (LT) recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Liver biopsies obtained at a median (interquartile range) of 12.3 (10.4-13.8) months post-LT from 170 patients with recurrent HCV were included. Biopsies were assessed for the following FCH features: (1) ductular reaction, (2) cholestasis, (3) hepatocyte ballooning, and (4) periportal sinusoidal fibrosis. A Hepatitis Aggressiveness Score (HAS) was assigned on the basis of the number of FCH features as follows: 0 features=HAS 1; 1 to 2 features=HAS 2; and 3 to 4 features=HAS 3. We analyzed the performance of this novel system in predicting clinicopathologic outcomes compared with conventional grading systems after a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 24 (13-45.5) months. The HAS classification was highly predictive of fibrosis progression (P<0.001) and was the best predictor of graft loss in a multivariable analysis model, which included all conventional hepatitis grading systems (adjusted hazard ratio=5.5, confidence interval 2.9-10.7, P<0.001 for HAS 3 vs. HAS 1 and 2, compared with adjusted hazard ratio=1.0, confidence interval 0.5-1.9, P=0.94 for the presence of moderate to severe necroinflammation by at least 1 conventional grading system). Presence of at least 3 of 4 FCH features (HAS 3 group) characterized a subset of patients with distinctly worse prognosis and severe cholestatic disease (ie, FCH-C). We propose a novel approach to the histologic grading of post-LT recurrent HCV based exclusively on FCH features. This system allows accurate identification of FCH-C cases and stratification of all recurrent HCV patients into distinct prognostic categories.
Evidence for "twisted plane" undulations in golden hamster sperm tails

Motile spermatozoa from the golden hamster have been arrested by rapid freezing and then fixed with glutaraldehyde at low temperature after substitution with ethylene glycol. As far as can be judged, the flagellar waveforms thus stabilized are similar to those seen in living sperm; in contrast, fixation in glutaraldehyde, without prior freezing, induces agonal changes in flagellar conformation. The characteristics waveform after freeze substitution contains three bends. Approx. half of these flagella are entirely planar. The rest are three dimensional, with the third bend displaced in a regular way from the plane containing the proximal two bends. From the geometry of these flagella, it is concluded that the plane of action of a given bending cycle undergoes a clockwise twist (from a forward viewpoint) as the cycle is succeeded by new bending cycles. This "twisted plane" undulation is quite different from helical movement. The twisting seems to occur abruptly, between cycles, as if each bending cycle has a preferred plane of action. The mechanism underlying the twisting is uncertain. However, on the basis of the angular displacements between the preferred planes, and the findings from electron microscopy, the following idea is presented as a working hypothesis: that, if the most proximal plane of bending is topographically determined by peripheral doublet 1, then successive distal planes of action are influenced predominantly by doublets 2, 3, etc., in clockwise sequence. The merits and weaknesses of this hypothesis are discussed.
Inequalities for Shannon entropies and Kolmogorov complexities

Since the very beginning the notion of complexity of finite objects was considered as an algorithmic counterpart to the notion of Shannon entropy. Kolmogorov's paper (1965) was called "Three approaches to the quantitative definition of information"; Shannon entropy and algorithmic complexity were among these approaches. It was mentioned by Kolmogorov later (1968) that the properties of algorithmic complexity and Shannon entropy are similar. We investigate one aspect of this similarity. Namely, we are interested in linear inequalities that are valid for Shannon entropies and for Kolmogorov complexities. It turns out that (1) all inequalities that are valid for Kolmogorov complexities, are also valid for Shannon entropies and vice versa; (2) all inequalities that are valid for Shannon entropies, are valid for ranks of finite subsets of linear spaces; (3) the opposite statement is not true: Ingleton's inequality (1971) is valid for ranks but not for Shannon entropies; (4) for some special cases all three classes of inequalities coincide and have simple description. We present an inequality for Kolmogorov complexities that implies Ingleton's inequality for ranks; another application of this inequality is a new simple proof of one of Gacs-Korner's results on common information. The paper investigates connections between linear inequalities that are valid for Shannon entropies and for Kolmogorov complexities.
Density functional study of the structural and electronic properties of aluminium-lithium clusters

The reactivity between lithium and the Al$_{13}$ cluster is studied using the density functional theory and the local density approximation (LDA) for exchange and correlation. The effects caused by the addition of two Li atoms on the structural and electronic properties of the Al cluster are analyzed by calculating equilibrium geometries, binding energies and ionization potentials. The corresponding positively and negatively charged species are also studied. The influence of the alkali atoms on the geometrical structure of the cluster is small, but the influence on the electronic structure is much larger. The cluster Al$_{13}$Li, with 40 valence electrons, has closed electronic shells and Al$_{13}$Li$_{2}$ has a single electron in the next shell. A striking result is the large drop of the ionization potential of the cluster induced by the addition of the second Li atom. These properties have been related to the changes of the electronic density by the analysis of density difference maps and atomic Hirshfeld charges. The photoabsorption spectrum has been calculated using the time-dependent version of the density functional theory.
Digital Harmony of Sound and Light

45 In the late 1980s and early 1990s I was privileged to work with the computer animation pioneer John Whitney Sr. and was profoundly influenced by his ideas on how to apply musical concepts of harmony to visual arts of motion. At the time of his death in 1995, he and I were planning composition software in which an artist could apply these concepts to create harmonic patterns simultaneously in sound and animation. Though this idea was never realized beyond certain tests, I have taken this step in my subsequent work in computer-generated music and video in ways inspired by, if distinct from, Whitney’s early artworks. This article examines ways in which Whitney’s ideas can be applied to musical composition, and in particular to ways in which I have extrapolated principles from these ideas to create an artistic correspondence between abstract animation and computer music.
Pharmacology of Milrinone in Neonates With Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn and Suboptimal Response to Inhaled Nitric Oxide*

Objectives: Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn is a common problem with significant morbidity and mortality. Inhaled nitric oxide is the standard care, but up to 40% of neonates are nonresponders. Milrinone is a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor which increases the bioavailability of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and has been shown to improve pulmonary hemodynamics in animal experimental models. The primary objective was to investigate the pharmacological profile of milrinone in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Secondary objectives were to delineate short-term outcomes and safety profile. Subjects and Methods: An open label study of milrinone in neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn was conducted. Patients received an intravenous loading dose of milrinone (50 &mgr;g/kg) over 60 mins followed by a maintenance infusion (0.33–0.99 &mgr;g/kg/min) for 24–72 hrs. Physiologic indices of cardiorespiratory stability and details of cointerventions were recorded. Serial blood milrinone levels were collected after the bolus, following initiation of the maintenance infusion to determine steady state levels, and following discontinuation of the drug to determine clearance. Echocardiography was performed before and after (1, 12 hrs) milrinone initiation. Interventions: Milrinone. Measurements and Main Results: Eleven neonates with a diagnosis of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn who met eligibility criteria were studied. The median (SD) gestational age and weight at birth were 39.2±1.3 wks and 3481±603g. The mean (± sd) half-life, total body clearance, volume of distribution, andsteady state concentration of milrinone were 4.1±1.1 hrs, 0.11±0.01L/kg/hr, 0.56±0.19L/kg, and 290.9±77.7ng/mL. The initiation of milrinone led to an improvement in PaO2 (p = 0.002) and a sustained reduction in FIO2 (p < 0.001), oxygenation index (p < 0.001), mean airway pressure (p = 0.03), and inhaled nitric oxide dose (p < 0.001). Although a transient reduction in systolic arterial pressure (p < 0.001) was seen following the bolus, there was overall improvement in base deficit (p = 0.01) and plasma lactate (p = 0.04) with a trend towards lower inotrope score. Serial echocardiography revealed lower pulmonary artery pressure, improved right and left ventricular output, and reduced bidirectional or right-left shunting (p < 0.05) after milrinone treatment. Conclusions: The pharmacokinetics of milrinone in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn is consistent with published data. The administration of intravenous milrinone led to better oxygenation and improvements in pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics in patients with suboptimal response to inhaled nitric oxide. These data support the need for a randomized controlled trial in neonates.
The Image of the Engineer in the Popular Imagination, 1880-1980

It is the thesis of this presentation that the image of the engineer in the popular imagination is a direct reflection of the American attitude towards technology and technological development in general; as American attitudes toward technology grew more favorable, the image of the engineer was presented in a favorable light, and as the American attitudes towards technology became less enthusiastic, the image of the engineer became confused and problematic. The image of the engineer in the popular imagination can be seen in a variety of forms; here it will be discussed as it is shown primarily through popular fiction and film, If one were to chart the popularity of the engineer as represented in American culture during the last 150 years, the curve representing the engineer's popularity would first appear around 1850, show a rapid rise to its greatest height just before World War I, decline slowly until after the end of World War II, and then fall drastically in the 1960s, when American involvement in Vietnam began to be seriously questioned.
Why Right is Might: How the Social Science on Radicalisation suggests that International Human Rights Norms actually help frame Effective Counterterrorism Policies

Many states appear to turn instinctively to hard power resources when confronted with a terrorist threat. Yet existing research on violent extremism and radicalisation leading to terrorism suggests that such responses might well exacerbate the problem. Terrorist groups actively seek to exploit the push-pull dynamic that drives radicalisation and violent extremism, while one case study after the other indicates that states thereby appear to play actively into their hands. Social science research suggests that international human rights norms assist compliant states to moderate responses, build legitimacy, and ultimately craft effective counterterrorism strategies. A close reading of the literature on radicalisation and terrorist group formation offers qualitative evidence to support this conclusion. “We also have to work, though, sort of the dark side, if you will… That’s the world these folks operate in, and so it’s going to be vital for us to use any means at our disposal, basically, to achieve our objective”. ‐ Former US Vice President Dick Cheney. [1]
INCREASING STUDENTSâ€™ SPEAKING ABILITY THROUGH PROBLEM SOLVING

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mencari tahu apakah ada perbedaan yg signifikan dari kemampuan berbicara siswa setelah diajar menggunakan problem solving dan untuk mengetahui topik yang paling efektif untuk mengajar berbicara. Sampel penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas sepuluh (X1). Penelitian ini menggunakan times series designsembilan pertemuan. Untuk mengumpulkan data tes berbicara menggunakan penampilan berbicara. Untuk memberi penilaian terdapat dua penilai. hasil perlakuan pertamaÂ 26.187 (t-value ), perlakuan dua 22.079 ( t-value ) , perlakuan tiga 43.847 ( t-value ) > 2. 048 ( t-table ) berarti terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan pada kemampuan berbicara siswa setelah menggunakan problem solving . Oleh karena itu perkiraan pertama diterima. Â Lebih dari itu, rata rata berbicara nilai pada topik friend adalah 66.86 dan meningkatkan pada 67.66 di topik family dan dan topik terakhir adalah 68.18 di topik holiday. Maka, topik family adalah topik yang paling efektif. There are two main objectives of this research (1) To find out whether there is any significant different of studentsâ€™ speaking ability after being taught through problem solving (2) To know most effective topic for teaching speaking. The sample was students of tenth grade ( X1). The study employed times series design nine times. There were two raters to score studentsâ€™ speaking performance. The result is 1 st treatmentÂ 26.187 (t-value),Â 2 nd Â Â treatment 22.079 (t-value) , 3 rd Â Â treatment 43.847 (t-value) > 2. 048 (t-table) means that there are significant differences of studentsâ€™ speaking ability after being taught through problem solving. Â Therefore, the first hypothesis is accepted. Moreover, the result of mean score for friend topic is 66.86 and is up to 67.66 in family topic and then the last topic is up 68.18 (gain of 0.52) in holiday topic. So, the most effective topic is family. Keywords : increasing, problem solving, speaking. Â
Age estimation using development of third molars in South Indian population: A radiological study

Aim: To assess the estimation of chronological age based on the stages of third molar development following the eight stages (A-H) method of Demirjian et al. in Chennai population of South India. Materials and Methods: A sample consisting of 848 individuals (471 males and 377 females) aged between 14 and 30 years was randomly selected for the clinical evaluation and 323 orthopantomograms with clinically missing third molars were taken for radiological evaluation using Demirjian′s method from a Chennai population of known chronological age and sex. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson′s Chi-square test and mean values were compared between the study groups using t-test or analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey′s highly significant difference (HSD). In the present study, P < 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results: The results showed that the mean age of having clinically completely erupted maxillary third molars was 22.41 years in male subjects and 23.81 years in female subjects and that of mandibular third molars was 21.49 years in male subjects and 23.34 years in female subjects. Mandibular third molars were clinically missing more often in females than in males. Eruption of mandibular third molars was generally ahead of the emergence of maxillary third molars into the oral cavity. Third molar development between male and female subjects showed statistically significant differences at calcification stage F and stage G in maxillary third molars and stage F in mandibular third molars (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There are differences indicating that maxillary and mandibular third molar eruption reached Demirjian′s formation stages earlier in males than in females. It is suggested that in future studies, to increase the accuracy of age determination, indications of sexual maturity and ossification should also be evaluated in addition to third molar mineralization.
The Longitudinal Study of Aging in Human Young Adults: Knowledge Gaps and Research Agenda

Background: To prevent onset of age-related diseases and physical and cognitive decline, interventions to slow human aging and extend health span must eventually be applied to people while they are still young and healthy. Yet most human aging research examines older adults, many with chronic disease, and little is known about aging in healthy young humans. Method: This article explains how this knowledge gap is a barrier to extending health span and puts forward the case that geroscience should invest in researching the pace of aging in young adults. As one illustrative example, we describe an initial effort to study the pace of aging in a young-adult birth cohort by using repeated waves of biomarkers collected across the third and fourth decades to quantify the pace of coordinated physiological deterioration across multiple organ systems (eg, pulmonary, periodontal, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, metabolic, and immune function). Results: Findings provided proof of principle that it is possible to quantify individual variation in the pace of aging in young adults still free of age-related diseases. Conclusions: This article articulates research needs to improve longitudinal measurement of the pace of aging in young people, to pinpoint factors that slow or speed the pace of aging, to compare pace of aging against genomic clocks, to explain slow-aging young adults, and to apply pace of aging in preventive clinical trials of antiaging therapies. This article puts forward a research agenda to fill the knowledge gap concerning lifelong causes of aging.