Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measures of Human Mobility Using Mobile Phone Records Enhanced with GIS Data

In the past decade, large scale mobile phone data have become available for the study of human movement patterns. These data hold an immense promise for understanding human behavior on a vast scale, and with a precision and accuracy never before possible with censuses, surveys or other existing data collection techniques. There is already a significant body of literature that has made key inroads into understanding human mobility using this exciting new data source, and there have been several different measures of mobility used. However, existing mobile phone based mobility measures are inconsistent, inaccurate, and confounded with social characteristics of local context. New measures would best be developed immediately as they will influence future studies of mobility using mobile phone data. In this article, we do exactly this. We discuss problems with existing mobile phone based measures of mobility and describe new methods for measuring mobility that address these concerns. Our measures of mobility, which incorporate both mobile phone records and detailed GIS data, are designed to address the spatial nature of human mobility, to remain independent of social characteristics of context, and to be comparable across geographic regions and time. We also contribute a discussion of the variety of uses for these new measures in developing a better understanding of how human mobility influences micro-level human behaviors and well-being, and macro-level social organization and change.
Implementation of the direct force measurement method in optical tweezers

Les pinces optiques son una eina que permet la manipulacio d'objectes de mida micrometrica mitjancant llum laser. En no ser necessari el contacte mecanic directe sobre una mostra, els dona la caracteristica de ser una eina no invasiva, fet que obre moltes aplicacions en nombrosos camps de la biologia, com ara en estudis de mecanica cel·lular en teixits. A mes a mes, una pinca o trampa optica pot emprar-se per tal de realitzar mesures quantitatives, com ara posicions i forces amb precisio de nanometres (10-9) i femto-Newtons (10-15). D'aquesta manera, magnituds que altrament foren inaccessibles, com ara la forca en un contacte cel·lular, poden obtenir-se i engegar aixi una nova dimensio en la recerca en biomecanica. El metode de mesura directa de forces analitza els canvis en el moment lineal dels fotons que conformen el feix per tal de mesurar forces optiques. Aquest metode permet de mesurar forces sense dependre d’un alt control experimental, cosa que fa possible la mesura de forces, per exemple, en objectes irregulars. Per contra, aixo es gracies a un disseny experimental capac de capturar tota la llum que crea la pinca optica i de mesurar-ne els canvis de moment. En la meva tesi doctoral, demostrem l’aplicabilitat del metode en situacions en que la forca no es pot obtenir de manera indirecta a partir de tecniques de calibracio. En primer lloc, analitzem les millores tecniques que fan del metode de deteccio de moment una eina robusta per tal de realitzar mesures de forca en un ampli ventall de situacions experimentals. Seguidament, emprem pinces optiques controlades holograficament per tal d’atrapar objectes irregulars, com ara sistemes de multiples esferes i micro-cilindres, i mostrem la capacitat de mesurar l’intercanvi de moment entre el feix i les particules que dona lloc a les forces optiques. Un altre aspecte ampliament analitzat gracies a aquesta tecnica de mesura es l’escalfament que origina una pinca optica sobre el medi que envolta la particula atrapada. Finalment, ens endinsem en la biologia de teixits per esbrinar com la dispersio a traves d’aquests afecta el moment del feix i, per tant, les mesures. Les meves conclusions demostren l’aplicabilitat del metode de mesura en situacions en que la calibracio in situ pot esdevenir-se molt complicada o, fins i tot, impossible. Podem considerar que, per tant, el camp d’aplicacio de les pinces optiques anira creixent i trobara nous experiments en que s’elucidaran alguns dels interrogants mes importants de la biologia.
Local stress analysis of partial dislocation interactions with symmetrical-tilt grain boundaries containing E-structural units

ABSTRACT Grain boundaries containing porous E-structural units (SUs) are known to readily emit dislocations under tension. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we study the interactions between <112>{111} Shockley partial dislocations and <110> symmetrical-tilt Ni grain boundaries containing E-SUs. We show that the incoming Shockley partials can be accommodated by porous E-SUs along the grain boundary. However, the partial-absorption process disrupts the short-range interactions of incipient dislocations along the boundary, which generates high local tensile and compressive stress regimes emanating from the impingement sites. For the favoured grain boundary comprising only of E-SUs, incipient Shockley partials originating from E-SUs located within the tensile stress regime are subsequently re-emitted into the neighbouring grain. We demonstrate that the critical strength for re-emission of Shockley partials can be delineated into contributions from tensile stress generated by partial-absorption, intrinsic grain boundary tractions, as well as external loading. In the presence of other types of SUs, the incoming Shockley partials can also be transmitted through the boundary, or be stably absorbed by the boundary with no subsequent re-emission, depending on the impingement site.
2 Multi-Criteria Markov Decision Processes

Planning under uncertainty is a central problem in developing intelligent autonomous systems. The traditional representation for these problems is a Markov Decision Process (MDP). The MDP model can be extended to a Multi-criteria MDP (MMDP) for planning under uncertainty while trying to optimize multiple criteria. However, due to the trade-offs involved in multi criteria problems there may be infinitely many optimal solutions. The focus of this project has been to find a method that efficiently computes a subset of solutions that represents the entire set of optimal solutions for bi-objective MDPs.
New Oral Anticoagulants Are Not Superior to Warfarin in Secondary Prevention of Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attacks, but Lower the Risk of Intracranial Bleeding: Insights from a Meta-Analysis and Indirect Treatment Comparisons

Purpose Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and prior stroke are classified as high risk in all risk stratification schemes. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of New Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) to warfarin in patients with AF and previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including total 14527 patients, comparing NOACs (apixaban, dabigatran and rivaroxaban) with warfarin were included in the analysis. Primary efficacy endpoint was ischemic stroke, and primary safety endpoint was intracranial bleeding. Random-effects models were used to pool efficacy and safety data across RCTs. RevMan and Stata software were used for direct and indirect comparisons, respectively. Results In patients with AF and previous stroke or TIA, effects of NOACs were not statistically different from that of warfarin, in reduction of stroke (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73- 1.01), disabling and fatal stroke (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.71-1.04), and all-cause mortality (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.79 -1.02). Randomization to NOACs was associated with a significantly lower risk of intracranial bleeding (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.25-0.70). There were no major differences in efficacy between apixaban, dabigatran (110 mg BID and 150 mg BID) and rivaroxaban. Major bleeding was significantly lower with apixaban and dabigatran (110 mg BID) compared with dabigatran (150 mg BID) and rivaroxaban. Conclusion NOACs may not be more effective than warfarin in the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in patients with a prior history of cerebrovascular ischemia, but have a lower risk of intracranial bleeding.
Breaking the Hydrophobicity of the MscL Pore: Insights into a Charge-Induced Gating Mechanism

The mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) is a protein that responds to membrane tension by opening a transient pore during osmotic downshock. Due to its large pore size and functional reconstitution into lipid membranes, MscL has been proposed as a promising artificial nanovalve suitable for biotechnological applications. For example, site-specific mutations and tailored chemical modifications have shown how MscL channel gating can be triggered in the absence of tension by introducing charged residues at the hydrophobic pore level. Recently, engineered MscL proteins responsive to stimuli like pH or light have been reported. Inspired by experiments, we present a thorough computational study aiming at describing, with atomistic detail, the artificial gating mechanism and the molecular transport properties of a light-actuated bacterial MscL channel, in which a charge-induced gating mechanism has been enabled through the selective cleavage of photo-sensitive alkylating agents. Properties such as structural transitions, pore dimension, ion flux and selectivity have been carefully analyzed. Besides, the effects of charge on alternative sites of the channel with respect to those already reported have been addressed. Overall, our results provide useful molecular insights into the structural events accompanying the engineered MscL channel gating and the interplay of electrostatic effects, channel opening and permeation properties. In addition, we describe how the experimentally observed ionic current in a single-subunit charged MscL mutant is obtained through a hydrophobicity breaking mechanism involving an asymmetric inter-subunit motion.
Delegating via Quitting Games

Delegation allows an agent to request that another agent completes a task. In many situations the task may be delegated onwards, and this process can repeat until it is eventually, successfully or unsuccessfully, performed. We consider policies to guide an agent in choosing who to delegate to when such recursive interactions are possible. These policies, based on quitting games and multi-armed bandits, were empirically tested for effectiveness. Our results indicate that the quitting game based policies outperform those which do not explicitly account for the recursive nature of delegation.
Identification of load current influences on position estimation errors for sensorless SPMSM drives

For low-speed sensorless Surface mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (SPMSM) drives, the position is often estimated based on the rotor magnet saliency. Magnetic field distortion caused by load current may change the orientation of the rotor magnet saliency and it is therefore no longer aligned with the rotor mechanical saliency. This paper analyzes the cross-saturation effects caused by load current influence on SPMSM sensorless drives with respect to position estimation error; a new method is proposed to reliably detect the saturation dependent position estimation error that may influence the performance of sensorless SPMSM drives. Motor parameters are not required in the proposed saturation dependent position estimation error detection method and there is no need to lock the rotor. The method is suitable to use at any initial rotor position without causing noticeable rotor movement. Experimental results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Analysis and design of load independent ZPA operation for P/S and PS/S tank networks in IPT applications

This paper proposes a new design of compensation capacitors for two resonant Inductive power transfer (IPT) topologies to obtain load independent zero-phase-angle (ZPA) operation at inverter output. Parallel tank network is used in the primary side to achieve high quality IPT coil current, lower inverter switch current stress and zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) of inverter devices. Conventional design techniques of these IPT topologies ensures ZPA operation for a specific load impedance only i.e. the ZPA operation is load dependent. Therefore, either the operating inverter switching frequency or the compensation capacitors are required to be modified dynamically to reach new ZPA point. In this proposed design both the primary and secondary tank capacitors are designed such that this ZPA point is always maintained irrespective of load variation. This design is based on passive selection of circuit parameters, thereby making is suitable for practical use. Detail mathematical analysis is reported and experimental results obtained from a 1 kW lab-prototype are demonstrated to verify the analysis and performance.
Adherence, risk factors of non-adherence and patient’s preferred treatment strategy of mesalazine in ulcerative colitis: multicentric observational study

Abstract Objectives: Compliance to therapy is a key factor in the efficacy of treatment in clinical practice. The aim of our study was to evaluate the rate of compliance with mesalazine in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), to examine risk factors of noncompliance and especially find ways on how adherence can be improved. Materials and methods: A total of 198 outpatients with UC completed two anonymous questionnaires including information on basic demographics, details of patient´s disease and the use of mesalazine medication and quality of life. Results: We found noncompliance (percentage of used medication per day less than 80%) with 5-ASA in 21.2% patients. Our study proved that the education level of patients significantly influenced the compliance of patients using mesalazine. A significant difference (p = .014) was found between the compliance of patients with secondary school education (84.1 ± 16.73) and those with university education (94.1 ± 9.9). The majority of patients preferred mesalazine once daily and are less likely to forget to take medication in the morning. Better quality of life was observed based on our data from WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire in statistically significant way in patients using concomitant therapy of immuosuppressive or biological therapy, lower daily doses and using sachets not tablets. Conclusions: Our study proved that compliance with mesalazine in patients with UC was related only to education level. If we target mesalazine therapy based on patient’s preferences, we can improve the adherence with mesalazine. Our data could be beneficial for the treatment strategy in clinical practice.
Similarities between obesity in pets and children: the addiction model

Obesity in pets is a frustrating, major health problem. Obesity in human children is similar. Prevailing theories accounting for the rising obesity rates – for example, poor nutrition and sedentary activity – are being challenged. Obesity interventions in both pets and children have produced modest short-term but poor long-term results. New strategies are needed. A novel theory posits that obesity in pets and children is due to ‘treats’ and excessive meal amounts given by the ‘pet–parent’ and child–parent to obtain affection from the pet/child, which enables ‘eating addiction’ in the pet/child and results in parental ‘co-dependence’. Pet–parents and child–parents may even become hostage to the treats/food to avoid the ire of the pet/child. Eating addiction in the pet/child also may be brought about by emotional factors such as stress, independent of parental co-dependence. An applicable treatment for child obesity has been trialled using classic addiction withdrawal/abstinence techniques, as well as behavioural addiction methods, with significant results. Both the child and the parent progress through withdrawal from specific ‘problem foods’, next from snacking (non-specific foods) and finally from excessive portions at meals (gradual reductions). This approach should adapt well for pets and pet–parents. Pet obesity is more ‘pure’ than child obesity, in that contributing factors and treatment points are essentially under the control of the pet–parent. Pet obesity might thus serve as an ideal test bed for the treatment and prevention of child obesity, with focus primarily on parental behaviours. Sharing information between the fields of pet and child obesity would be mutually beneficial.
β-Aminobutyric acid-mediated enhancement of resistance in tobacco to tobacco mosaic virus depends on the accumulation of salicylic acid

Abstract A number of chemical and biological agents are known as inducers of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in tobacco plants. In the present study, a local spray application of the non-protein amino acid DL-β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) was effective in enhancing resistance to TMV in tobacco plants containing the N gene. In contrast, the isomer α-aminobutyric acid (AABA) showed a much lower activity whereas γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was completely inactive, indicating a strong isomer specificity of aminobutyric acid in triggering enhanced virus resistance. Rapid cell death was detected in tobacco leaf tissues after foliar application of BABA, subsequently resulting in the development of macroscopically visible, necrotic lesions. BABA-induced cell death was associated with the rapid generation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. As further consequences, the occurrence of lipid peroxidation in treated tissues, a local and systemic increase of salicylic acid (SA) levels and the expression of PR-1a, a molecular marker of SAR in tobacco, could be observed. None of these responses was detectable after treatment with GABA. Enhancement of virus resistance by BABA was found to be strictly dependent on SA-mediated signal transduction since it could not be detected in salicylate hydroxylase (nahG) expressing transgenic tobacco plants. These findings suggest that in tobacco, primary processes triggered by foliar application of BABA, resemble those initiated by microbes during a hypersensitive response (HR) that result in SAR activation.
Using Dental Enamel Wrinkling to Define Sauropod Tooth Morphotypes from the Cañadón Asfalto Formation, Patagonia, Argentina

The early Middle Jurassic is regarded as the period when sauropods diversified and became major components of the terrestrial ecosystems. Not many sites yield sauropod material of this time; however, both cranial and postcranial material of eusauropods have been found in the Cañadón Asfalto Formation (latest Early Jurassic–early Middle Jurassic) in Central Patagonia (Argentina), which may help to shed light on the early evolution of eusauropods. These eusauropod remains include teeth associated with cranial and mandibular material as well as isolated teeth found at different localities. In this study, an assemblage of sauropod teeth from the Cañadón Asfalto Formation found in four different localities in the area of Cerro Condor (Chubut, Argentina) is used as a mean of assessing sauropod species diversity at these sites. By using dental enamel wrinkling, primarily based on the shape and orientation of grooves and crests of this wrinkling, we define and describe three different morphotypes. With the exception of one taxon, for which no cranial material is currently known, these morphotypes match the local eusauropod diversity as assessed based on postcranial material. Morphotype I is tentatively assigned to Patagosaurus, whereas morphotypes II and III correspond to new taxa, which are also distinguished by associated postcranial material. This study thus shows that enamel wrinkling can be used as a tool in assessing sauropod diversity.
Acute intracerebral haemorrhage complication after carotid artery stenting

Abstract Intracranial hemorrhage following carotid artery stenting is a recognized rare complication but with potentially devastating evolution. Reports of acute cerebral hemorrhage injury following internal carotid artery (ICA) angioplasty are few, and usually were discussed in correlation with hyperperfusion syndrome. In this article we present a patient who experienced a fatal ipsilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage within 10 minutes after carotid angioplasty and stent placement
Circumstances and Signs of Approaching Death in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Undergoing Noninvasive Ventilation in Home Care Settings

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to elucidate the circumstances and symptoms of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in whom death was approaching, to understand how to provide palliative care to dying patients with ALS receiving NPPV management. The participants were 6 home visiting nurses who were head or subhead nurses of a home visiting nursing agency. Data were collected conducting individual semistructured interviews and then group interviews. The results were based on qualitative analysis of the circumstances of death and prognostication and showed 5 categories: difficulties with knowing about approaching death, several signs and symptoms of knowing about approaching death, importance of feeling prepared and provision of palliative care to die at home, death caused by accident, and fate determined by the caregiver’s ability. Further research is needed to collect rich data about predicting approaching death to improve end-of-life care for NPPV-dependent ALS patients who do not receive sufficient benefits from NPPV.
An Extension of Risk Measures Using Non-Precise a-Priori Densities

In this paper we propose a fuzzy risk measure. Risk measure is an important concept in order to analyze risk under uncertainty. However, in the real world, we need more exible risk measures including human intelligence. In order to overcome this diculty we consider the fuzzy risk measure using nonprecise a-priori densities. c
A soluble form of CTLA‐4 generated by alternative splicing is expressed by nonstimulated human T cells

CTLA‐4, expressed by activated T cells, transduces an inhibitory signal. We show here that PCR amplification of the coding sequence of CTLA‐4 in nonstimulated human T lymphocytes results in the amplification of two transcripts of 650 and 550 bp. Sequencing shows that the larger form codes for membrane CTLA‐4 and the 550‐bp transcript is a spliced variant in which exon 2 coding for the transmembrane region is deleted. This spliced cDNA has been named CTLA‐4delTM. The splicing induces a frame shift which results in the addition of 22 extra amino acids before a translational termination. Activation of T cells with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate plus ionomycin or anti‐CD3 plus anti‐CD28 monoclonal antibodies induces a suppression of CTLA‐4delTM mRNA expression associated with a preferential expression of the membrane CTLA‐4 mRNA, showing that CTLA‐4delTM mRNA expression is restricted to nonactivated T cells. A soluble immunoreactive form of CTLA‐4 was detected in the serum of 14 / 64 healthy subjects. These results suggest that nonstimulated T cells may constitutively produce a soluble form of CTLA‐4 which may have an important role in the regulation of immune homeostasis.