Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hyperacute Directional Hearing and Phonotactic Steering in the Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus deGeer)

Background Auditory mate or prey localisation is central to the lifestyle of many animals and requires precise directional hearing. However, when the incident angle of sound approaches 0° azimuth, interaural time and intensity differences gradually vanish. This poses a demanding challenge to animals especially when interaural distances are small. To cope with these limitations imposed by the laws of acoustics, crickets employ a frequency tuned peripheral hearing system. Although this enhances auditory directionality the actual precision of directional hearing and phonotactic steering has never been studied in the behaviourally important frontal range. Principal Findings Here we analysed the directionality of phonotaxis in female crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) walking on an open-loop trackball system by measuring their steering accuracy towards male calling song presented at frontal angles of incidence. Within the range of ±30°, females reliably discriminated the side of acoustic stimulation, even when the sound source deviated by only 1° from the animal's length axis. Moreover, for angles of sound incidence between 1° and 6° the females precisely walked towards the sound source. Measuring the tympanic membrane oscillations of the front leg ears with a laser vibrometer revealed between 0° and 30° a linear increasing function of interaural amplitude differences with a slope of 0.4 dB/°. Auditory nerve recordings closely reflected these bilateral differences in afferent response latency and intensity that provide the physiological basis for precise auditory steering. Conclusions Our experiments demonstrate that an insect hearing system based on a frequency-tuned pressure difference receiver achieves directional hyperacuity which easily rivals best directional hearing in mammals and birds. Moreover, this directional accuracy of the cricket's hearing system is reflected in the animal's phonotactic motor response.
Genomic Analysis of the Function of the Transcription Factor gata3 during Development of the Mammalian Inner Ear

We have studied the function of the zinc finger transcription factor gata3 in auditory system development by analysing temporal profiles of gene expression during differentiation of conditionally immortal cell lines derived to model specific auditory cell types and developmental stages. We tested and applied a novel probabilistic method called the gamma Model for Oligonucleotide Signals to analyse hybridization signals from Affymetrix oligonucleotide arrays. Expression levels estimated by this method correlated closely (p<0.0001) across a 10-fold range with those measured by quantitative RT-PCR for a sample of 61 different genes. In an unbiased list of 26 genes whose temporal profiles clustered most closely with that of gata3 in all cell lines, 10 were linked to Insulin-like Growth Factor signalling, including the serine/threonine kinase Akt/PKB. Knock-down of gata3 in vitro was associated with a decrease in expression of genes linked to IGF-signalling, including IGF1, IGF2 and several IGF-binding proteins. It also led to a small decrease in protein levels of the serine-threonine kinase Akt2/PKBβ, a dramatic increase in Akt1/PKBα protein and relocation of Akt1/PKBα from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27kip1, a known target of PKB/Akt, simultaneously decreased. In heterozygous gata3 null mice the expression of gata3 correlated with high levels of activated Akt/PKB. This functional relationship could explain the diverse function of gata3 during development, the hearing loss associated with gata3 heterozygous null mice and the broader symptoms of human patients with Hearing-Deafness-Renal anomaly syndrome.
Community acquired acute kidney injury: findings from a large population cohort

Background The extent of patient contact with medical services prior to development of community acquired-acute kidney injury (CA-AKI)is unknown. Aim We examined the relationship between incident CA-AKI alerts, previous contact with hospital or primary care and clinical outcomes. Design A prospective national cohort study of all electronic AKIalerts representing adult CA-AKI. Methods Data were collected for all cases of adult (≥18 years of age) CA-AKI in Wales between 1 November 2013 and 31 January 2017. Results There were a total of 50 560 incident CA-AKI alerts. In 46.8% there was a measurement of renal function in the 30 days prior to the AKI alert. In this group, in 63.8% this was in a hospital setting, of which 37.6% were as an inpatient and 37.5% in Accident and Emergency. Progression of AKI to a higher AKI stage (13.1 vs. 9.8%, P < 0.001) (or for AKI 3 an increase of > 50% from the creatinine value generating the alert), the proportion of patients admitted to Intensive Care (5.5 vs. 4.9%, P = 0.001) and 90-day mortality (27.2 vs. 18.5%, P < 0.001) was significantly higher for patients with a recent test. 90-day mortality was highest for patients with a recent test taken in an inpatient setting prior to CA-AKI (30.9%). Conclusion Almost half of all patients presenting with CA-AKI are already known to medical services, the majority of which have had recent measurement of renal function in a hospital setting, suggesting that AKI for at least some of these may potentially be predictable and/or avoidable.
Information and Communication Technologies in the Care of the Elderly: Systematic Review of Applications Aimed at Patients With Dementia and Caregivers

Background The interest in applying information and communications technology (ICT) in older adult health care is frequently promoted by the increasing and unsustainable costs of health care services. In turn, the unprecedented growth of the elderly population around the globe has urged institutions, companies, industries, and governments to respond to older adults’ medical needs. Objective The aim of this review is to systematically identify the opportunities that ICT offers to health services, specifically for patients with dementia and their families. Methods A systematic review of the literature about ICT applications that have been developed to assist patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their primary caregivers was conducted. The bibliographic search included works published between January 2005 and July 2015 in the databases Springer Link, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Of the published papers, 902 were obtained in the initial search, of which 214 were potentially relevant. Included studies fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: (1) studies carried out between the years of 2005 and 2015, (2) studies were published in English or Spanish, (3) studies with titles containing the keywords, (4) studies with abstracts containing information on ICT applications and AD, and (5) studies published in indexed journals, proceedings, and book chapters. Results A total of 26 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria for the current review. Among them, 16 were aimed at the patient with AD and 10 at the primary caregivers and/or family members. The studies targeted applications that included assistive technology (44%, 7/16), telecare (37%, 6/16), and telemedicine (31%, 5/16). The information systems (56%, 9/16) and Internet (44%, 7/16) were the most commonly used enabling technologies for the studies. Finally, areas of attention more covered by the studies were care (56%, 9/16), treatment (56%, 9/16), and management (50%, 8/16). Furthermore, it was found that 20 studies (77%, 8/26) evaluated their ICT applications through carrying out tests with patients with dementia and caregivers. Conclusions The key finding of this systematic review revealed that the use of ICT tools can be strongly recommended to be used as a lifestyle in the elderly in order to improve the quality of life for the elderly and their primary caregivers. Since patients with AD are completely dependent in most activities, it is necessary to give attention to their primary caregivers to avoid stress and depression. In addition, the use of ICT in the daily life of caregivers can help them understand the disease process and manage situations in a way that is beneficial for both parties. It is expected that future developments concerning technological projects can support this group of people.
Internet of Things Enhanced User Experience for Smart Water and Energy Management

Smart environments can engage a wide range of end users with different interests and priorities, from corporate managers looking to improve the performance of their business to school children who want to explore and learn more about the world around them. Creating an effective user experience within a smart environment (from smart buildings to smart cities) is an important factor to success. In this article, we reflect on our experience of developing Internet-of-Things-enabled applications within a smart home, school, office building, university, and airport, where the goal has been to engage a wide range of users (from building managers to business travelers) to increase water and energy awareness, management, and conservation.
A practical approach to estimate the weighted CT dose index over an infinite integration length

The CT scanner-displayed radiation dose information is based on CT dose index (CTDI) over an integration length of 100 mm (CTDI100), which is lower than the CTDI over an infinite integration length (CTDI∞). In an adult or a pediatric body CT scan, the limiting equilibrium dose can be established near the central scan plane, and CTDI∞ more closely indicates the accumulated dose than CTDI100. The aim of this study was to (a) evaluate CTDI efficiencies, ϵ(CTDI100) = CTDI100/CTDI∞, for a multi-detector CT (MDCT) scanner, (b) examine the dependences of ϵ(CTDI100) on kV, beam width, phantom diameter, phantom length and position in phantom and (c) investigate how to estimate CTDI∞ based on the CT scanner-displayed information. We performed a comprehensive Geant4-based simulation study of a clinical CT scanner, and calculated ϵ(CTDI100) for a range of parameters. The results were compared with the ϵ(CTDI100) data of previous studies. Differences in the ϵ(CTDI100) values of these studies were assessed. A broad analysis of the ϵ(CTDI100) variations with the above-mentioned parameters was presented. Based on the results, we proposed a practical approach to obtain the weighted CTDI∞ using the CT scanner-displayed information. A reference combination of 120 kV and a beam width close to 20 mm can be selected to determine the efficiencies of the weighted CTDI by using either phantom measurements or computer simulations. The results can be applied to estimate the weighted CTDI∞ for 80–140 kV and the beam widths within 40 mm. Errors in the weighted CTDI∞ due to the variations of kV and beam width can be 5% or less for the MDCT scanners.
Willingness to Pay for Elderly Telecare Service Using the Internet and Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting

Background In Japan over the past few years, more attention has been focused on unnoticed solitary death in the context of an aging society and the trend toward nuclear family. A number of institutions and companies have implemented a prevention measure with digital terrestrial broadcasting telecare services for the elderly: Hokkaido University; TV-Asahi Corporation; Hitachi, Ltd; Iwamizawa City; Hokkaido Television Broadcasting Co, Ltd; and Hamanasu Information Co, Ltd. Although this system is provided free of charge as a demonstration test, determining the appropriate price for the service is required for its sustainable operation. Objective The aim of this study was to quantify individual willingness to pay (WTP) so as to test the tenability of digital terrestrial broadcasting service for elderly telecare. Methods We used the contingent valuation method (CVM) to estimate the WTP for this service among 305 citizens (valid response rate 76.0%) living in Japan. A questionnaire survey was conducted for people aged 18 to 100 years according to Japanese age distribution from September 2016. To elicit WTP, we adopted a double-bound dichotomous choice method to ask the respondents whether they agree or disagree with the price we offered. Results The median WTP for this service’s monthly fee is estimated to be 431 JPY (approximately US $3.7). The finding suggests that gender (0.66, P=.01), health consciousness (1.08, P=.01), willingness to use (2.38, P<.001), and seeing others less than once a week (1.00, P=.06) made a positive effect on WTP. Conclusions We conclude that reliable WTP was elicited by CVM based on an Internet survey. Calculated median WTP for digital terrestrial broadcasting service for elderly telecare was 431 JPY (approximately US $3.7). In the analysis of factors that affect WTP, constant factors, log-bid, health consciousness, gender, see others less than one time for week, and willingness to use made positive effect to probability of acceptance. In comparison of WTP in different groups, age groups showed that WTP of the elderly group was higher than WTP of the middle age group and younger age group. However, WTP surveys need to be carefully conducted to minimize the sampling bias and allocate accurate structure of gender distribution.
Ontology-Driven Search and Triage: Design of a Web-Based Visual Interface for MEDLINE

Background Diverse users need to search health and medical literature to satisfy open-ended goals such as making evidence-based decisions and updating their knowledge. However, doing so is challenging due to at least two major difficulties: (1) articulating information needs using accurate vocabulary and (2) dealing with large document sets returned from searches. Common search interfaces such as PubMed do not provide adequate support for exploratory search tasks. Objective Our objective was to improve support for exploratory search tasks by combining two strategies in the design of an interactive visual interface by (1) using a formal ontology to help users build domain-specific knowledge and vocabulary and (2) providing multi-stage triaging support to help mitigate the information overload problem. Methods We developed a Web-based tool, Ontology-Driven Visual Search and Triage Interface for MEDLINE (OVERT-MED), to test our design ideas. We implemented a custom searchable index of MEDLINE, which comprises approximately 25 million document citations. We chose a popular biomedical ontology, the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), to test our solution to the vocabulary problem. We implemented multistage triaging support in OVERT-MED, with the aid of interactive visualization techniques, to help users deal with large document sets returned from searches. Results Formative evaluation suggests that the design features in OVERT-MED are helpful in addressing the two major difficulties described above. Using a formal ontology seems to help users articulate their information needs with more accurate vocabulary. In addition, multistage triaging combined with interactive visualizations shows promise in mitigating the information overload problem. Conclusions Our strategies appear to be valuable in addressing the two major problems in exploratory search. Although we tested OVERT-MED with a particular ontology and document collection, we anticipate that our strategies can be transferred successfully to other contexts.
Trajectories of Personality Traits Preceding Dementia Diagnosis

Background Several retrospective studies using informant report have shown that individuals with dementia demonstrate considerable personality change. Two prospective studies, also using informant report, have shown that individuals who develop dementia show some personality changes prior to diagnosis. The current study is the first to assess personality trait change prior to dementia diagnosis using self-report measures from longitudinal data. Method This study used data from the Swedish OCTO-Twin Study, a longitudinal panel of 702 twins aged 80 and older. Analysis was restricted to 86 individuals who completed the Eysenck Personality Inventory and received a dementia diagnosis during follow-up occasions. Latent growth curve analyses were used to examine trajectories of extraversion and neuroticism preceding dementia diagnosis. Results Controlling for sex, age, education, depressive symptoms, and the interaction between age and education, growth curve analyses revealed a linear increase in neuroticism and stability in extraversion. Individuals who were eventually diagnosed with dementia showed a significant increase in neuroticism preceding diagnosis of dementia. Discussion Personality change, specifically an increase in neuroticism, may be an early indicator of dementia. Identification of early indicators of dementia may facilitate development of screening assessments and aid in early care strategies and planning.
AN ALTERNATIVE PROCESS TO IMMOBILIZE INTERMEDIATE WASTES FROM LWR FUEL REPROCESSING

A new concept for converting the intermediate wastes which result from light water reactor (LWR) fuel reprocessing into a single phase material, sodium zirconium phosphate ([NZP]), has been established. This conversion utilizes such waste materials as metals (zirconium alloy, stainless steels, and nickel alloy), spent solvent tri-butyl phosphate (TBP), and concentrated solution of sodium nitrate, and is accomplished using a minimum amount of additional chemicals. The resulting multi-component [NZP] material is homogenous, and has a high mechanical, physical and chemical stability. In addition, the [NZP] can accommodate almost all kinds of fission product cations in the crystalline structure without significant change in its stable lattice structure; as a result, the [NZP] has a high leach resistance appropriate for geological disposal, eliminating the need for additional barrier materials. Taking into account of the equal contribution by boiling water reactors (BWR) and pressurized water reactor (PWR), the amount of immobilized intermediate wastes is predicted to be 1110 kg/MTU (metric ton of uranium before irradiation). After compositional formulation and synthesis of this mineral-like material, X-ray analysis was conducted to ensure single-phase and was followed by processing, microwave-sintering and characterization to demonstrate the fundamental technical feasibility of this concept.
Risk Prioritization in the Food Domain Using Deliberative and Survey Methods: Differences between Experts and Laypeople

This study examined how experts and laypeople using both a deliberative and a survey method prioritized 28 hazards related to food and everyday items. To enable them to make deliberative decisions, participants received detailed descriptions of the hazards. The participants prioritized the hazards before and after a group discussion, in which the group's average prioritization was discussed. The rankings of the hazards before and after the group discussion were highly correlated. However, laypeople and experts differed significantly in their rankings for 18 of the 28 hazards. Trust and confidence were important predictors for laypeople's risk rankings. To test the influence of the deliberative method (e.g., providing detailed information about each hazard), data from a second group of laypeople were collected with a no‐information survey. This group did not receive specific information about the hazards. The risk rankings of the laypeople who received information were highly correlated with the risk rankings of laypeople who did not receive information. Overall, the results suggest that deliberative methods of risk‐ranking or no‐information survey methods with no information about hazards provide similar results among laypeople. The conclusion is that government agencies should not only base their risk prioritization on evidence from risk assessments but also need to consider laypeople's hazard rankings. This procedure may result in an efficient and publicly accepted risk management strategy.
Content of Care in 15,000 Sick Child Consultations in Nine Lower‐Income Countries

Objective Describe content of clinical care for sick children in low‐resource settings. Data Sources Nationally representative health facility surveys in Haiti, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda from 2007 to 2015. Study Design Clinical visits by sick children under 5 years were observed and caregivers interviewed. We describe duration and content of the care in the visit and estimate associations between increased content and caregiver knowledge and satisfaction. Principal Findings The median duration of 15,444 observations was 8 minutes; providers performed 8.4 of a maximum 24 clinical actions per visit. Content of care was minimally greater for severely ill children. Each additional clinical action was associated with 2 percent higher caregiver knowledge. Conclusions Consultations for children in nine lower‐income countries are brief and limited. A greater number of clinical actions was associated with caregiver knowledge and satisfaction.
Association between the application of ISO 9001: 2008 alone or in combination with health-specific standards and quality-related activities in Hungarian hospitals

Objective To investigate how International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 and the Hungarian Health Care Standards (HHCS) certifications are associated with quality management, patient safety, patient rights and human resource management activities. Design A cross-sectional study was implemented using the 2009 Hungarian hospital survey's database. Setting Hungary. Participants Fifty-three general hospitals were included in the statistical analysis. Intervention No intervention was carried out in the study. Main Outcome Measures The outcomes included the percentage of compliance in the dimensions of quality management, patient safety, patient rights, human resource management and the overall score for each hospital, and they were grouped according to the hospitals' certifications. Results Sixteen hospitals did not have either ISO 9001 or HHCS certifications, 19 had ISO 9001 certification only and 18 had both. Hospitals with ISO 9001 alone or in combination with the HHCS significantly outperformed hospitals with no certifications in terms of quality management and human resource management activities but not in terms of patient safety or patient rights activities. Combined, the two models provided the highest median levels in all cases. Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed when the hospitals with both certifications were compared with hospitals with ISO 9001 only. Conclusions Although the combination of ISO 9001 and the HHCS showed the best results, the benefits were not decisive. Furthermore, although the HHCS include standards addressing patient safety, no direct association was found with regard to compliance. Thus, further investigation is required to understand this enigma.
Step‐up/step‐down DC‐DC converter with near zero input/output current ripples

A novel single switch two diode wide conversion ratio step down/up converter is presented. The proposed converter is derived from the conventional single‐ended primary inductor converter (SEPIC) topology, and it can operate as a capacitor‐diode voltage multiplier, which offers simple structure, reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI), and reduced semiconductor voltage stress. The main advantages of the proposed converter are the continuous input/output current, higher voltage conversion ratio, and near‐zero input and output current ripples compared with the conventional SEPIC converter. The absence of both a transformer and an extreme duty cycle permits the proposed converter to operate at high switching frequencies. Hence, the overall advantages will be: higher efficiency, reduced size and weight, simpler structure and control. The theoretical analysis results obtained with the proposed structure are compared with the conventional SEPIC topology. The performance of the proposed converter is verified through computer simulations and experimental results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.