Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Managing Human Services in a Market Environment: What Role for Social Workers?

International research suggests that the market reform of human services is leading to reduced opportunities for social workers to achieve organizational management positions. This paper explores the future of social workers as managers of human service organizations. It examines the tensions between the social justice principles that guide social work and the emerging contexts of social welfare management. The exploration draws on in-depth interviews with thirty-four social welfare managers working in the non-profit sector in Australia. These managers were identified by their peers as progressive, that is, as championing social justice values such as access, equity and social inclusion. This paper will report on their approaches to social welfare management and their perceptions of the threats and opportunities for progressive management practices in a climate of public sector reform. The paper will consider how social work educators can better prepare service professionals for social welfare management positions
Induced Spreading Depression Evokes Cell Division of Astrocytes in the Subpial Zone, Generating Neural Precursor-Like Cells and New Immature Neurons in the Adult Cerebral Cortex

Background and Purpose— New immature neurons appear out of the germinative zone, in cortical Layers V to VI, after induced spreading depression in the adult rat brain. Because neural progenitors have been isolated in the cortex, we set out to determine whether a subgroup of mature cells in the adult cortex has the potential to divide and generate neural precursors. Methods— We examined the expression of endogenous markers of mitotic activity, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and vimentin as a marker for neuronal progenitor cells, if any, in the adult rat cortex after spreading depression stimulation. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed using antibodies for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, for vimentin, and for nestin. Nestin is a marker for activity dividing neural precursors. Results— At the end of spreading depression (Day 0), glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells in the subpial zone and cortical Layer I demonstrated increased mitotic activity, expressing vimentin and nestin. On Day 1, nestin+ cells were found spreading in deeper cortical layers. On Day 3, vimentin−/nestin+, neural precursor-like cells appeared in cortical Layers V to VI. On Day 6, new immature neurons appeared in cortical Layers V to VI. Induced spreading depression evokes cell division of astrocytes residing in the subpial zone, generating neural precursor-like cells. Conclusions— Although neural precursor-like cells found in cortical Layers V to VI might have been transferred from the germinative zone rather than the cortical subpial zone, astrocytic cells in the subpial zone may be potent neural progenitors that can help to reconstruct impaired central nervous system tissue. Special caution is required when observing or treating spreading depression waves accompanying pathological conditions in the brain.
Deferasirox and Vitamin D Improves Overall Survival in Elderly Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia after Demethylating Agents Failure

The prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in elderly (≥65 years) patients is poor and treatment remains non-consensual especially for those who are not eligible for intensive therapies. Our group has shown that in vitro the iron chelator deferasirox (DFX) synergizes with vitamin D (VD) to promote monocyte differentiation in primary AML cells. Herein, we present results from a retrospective case-control study in which the association of DFX (1–2 g/d) and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (100,000 IU/week) (DFX/VD) was proposed to patients following demethylating agents failure. Median survival of patients treated with DFX/VD combination (n = 17) was significantly increased in comparison with matched patients receiving best supportive care (BSC) alone (n = 13) (10.4 versus 4 months respectively). In addition, the only factor associated to an increased overall survival in DFX/VD-treated patients was serum VD levels. We conclude that DFX/VD treatment correlated with increased overall survival of AML patients in this retrospective cohort of elderly patients.
Report: GPU Based Massive Parallel Kawasaki Kinetics In Monte Carlo Modelling of Lipid Microdomains

This paper introduces novel method of simulation of lipid biomembranes based on Metropolis Hastings algorithm and Graphic Processing Unit computational power. Method gives up to 55 times computational boost in comparison to classical computations. Extensive study of algorithm correctness is provided. Analysis of simulation results and results obtained with classical simulation methodologies are presented.
Multi-lane perception using feature fusion based on GraphSLAM

An extensive, precise and robust recognition and modeling of the environment is a key factor for next generations of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and development of autonomous vehicles. In this paper, a real-time approach for the perception of multiple lanes on highways is proposed. Lane markings detected by camera systems and observations of other traffic participants provide the input data for the algorithm. The information is accumulated and fused using GraphSLAM and the result constitutes the basis for a multi-lane clothoid model. To allow incorporation of additional information sources, input data is processed in a generic format. Evaluation of the method is performed by comparing real data, collected with an experimental vehicle on highways, to a ground truth map. The results show that ego and adjacent lanes are robustly detected with high quality up to a distance of 120 m. In comparison to serial lane detection, an increase in the detection range of the ego lane and a continuous perception of neighboring lanes is achieved. The method can potentially be utilized for the longitudinal and lateral control of self-driving vehicles.
An Experimental System for Studying the Tradeoff between Usability and Security

An ideal system should be usable and secure. However, increasing the security of a system often makes its use more cumbersome and less efficient. This tradeoff between usability and security poses major challenges for system designers. System security may be impaired when users override or ignore security features to facilitate the use of the system. Little empirical data are available on user behavior regarding the tradeoff between security and usability. To obtain such data we developed a controlled research environment (i.e., a microworld) for studying users’ tendency to take precautionary actions as a function of the tradeoff between a system’s usability and the level of security the system provides. It is a modified version of a “Tetris” game and includes an alert system that warns about possible virus attacks, which, if not prevented, can cause losses of monetary earnings. Users could alter the threshold settings of the security system. The system allows us to manipulate the usability cost of using a security feature, the severity of the consequences of an attack, the likelihood that a threat will occur, and the statistical properties of the security system. In a preliminary experiment two groups of 10 participants each used the system for three 20-minutes sessions. The likelihood for an attack was 4 times higher for one group than for the other group. The likelihood of an attack clearly affected participants' behavior. When attacks were more likely, participants altered thresholds more frequently, selected more cautious thresholds, and tended to respond more to security system alerts. This microworld is a step towards the development of quantitative predictive models of user interactions with security features while using a system.
Acetate Oxidation Is the Dominant Methanogenic Pathway from Acetate in the Absence of Methanosaetaceae

ABSTRACT The oxidation of acetate to hydrogen, and the subsequent conversion of hydrogen and carbon dioxide to methane, has been regarded largely as a niche mechanism occurring at high temperatures or under inhibitory conditions. In this study, 13 anaerobic reactors and sediment from a temperate anaerobic lake were surveyed for their dominant methanogenic population by using fluorescent in situ hybridization and for the degree of acetate oxidation relative to aceticlastic conversion by using radiolabeled [2-14C]acetate in batch incubations. When Methanosaetaceae were not present, acetate oxidation was the dominant methanogenic pathway. Aceticlastic conversion was observed only in the presence of Methanosaetaceae.
Impact of dialysis modality on survival after kidney transplant failure.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES An increasing number of patients are returning to dialysis after allograft loss (DAGL). These patients are at a higher mortality risk compared with incident ESRD patients. Among transplant-naïve patients, those treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) enjoy an early survival advantage compared with those treated with hemodialysis (HD), but this advantage is not sustained over time. Whether a similar time-dependent survival advantage exists for PD-treated patients after allograft loss is unclear and may impact dialysis modality selection in these patients. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS We identified 2110 adult patients who initiated dialysis after renal transplant failure between January 1991 and December 2005 from The Canadian Organ Replacement Register. Multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of initial dialysis modality on early (2 years), late (after 2 years), and overall mortality using an intention-to-treat approach. RESULTS After adjustment, there was no difference in overall survival between HD- and PD-treated patients (hazard ratio((HD:PD)), 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 1.31), with similar results seen for both early and late survival. Superior survival was seen in more contemporary cohorts of patients returning to DAGL. CONCLUSIONS The use of PD compared with HD is associated with similar early and overall survival among patients initiating DAGL. Differences in both patient characteristics and predialysis management between patients returning to DAGL and transplant-naive incident dialysis patients may be responsible for the absence of an early survival advantage with the use of PD in DAGL patients.
Early probabilistic noise estimation for capacitively coupled interconnects

One of the critical challenges in today's high performance IC design is to take noise into account as early as possible in the design cycle. Current noise analysis tools [1, 7} are effective at analyzing and identifying noise in the post-route design stage when detailed parasitic information is available. However, noise problems identified at this stage of design cycle are very difficult to fix due to the limited flexibility in the design and may cause additional iterations of routing and placement, adding costly delays to time-to-market. In this paper, we introduce an estimated, congestion-based pre-route noise analysis approach to identify post-route noise failures before the actual detailed route is completed. We introduce new methods to estimate the RC characteristics of victim and aggressor lines, their coupling capacitances and the aggressor transition times before routing is performed. The approach is based on congestion information obtained from a global router. Since the exact location and relative position of wires in the design is not yet available at this point, we propose a novel probabilistic method for capacitance extraction. We present results on two high performance microprocessors in 0. 18μ technology that demonstate the effectiveness of the proposed approac.
The Use of Prescription Drugs and Drugs of Abuse for Neuroenhancement in Europe

Pharmacological neuroenhancement, defined as the misuse of prescription drugs, illicit drugs, or alcohol for the purpose of enhancing cognition, mood, or prosocial behavior, is not widespread in Europe - nevertheless, it does occur. Thus far, no drug has been proven as safe and effective for cognitive enhancement in otherwise healthy individuals. European studies have investigated the misuse of prescription and illicit stimulants to increase cognitive performance as well as the use of tranquilizers, alcohol, and cannabis to cope with stress related to work or education. Young people in educational settings report pharmacological neuroen- hancement more frequently than those in other settings. Although the regular use of drugs for neuroenhancement is not common in Europe, the irregular and low-dose usage of neuroenhancers might cause adverse reactions. Previous studies have revealed that obtaining adequate amounts of sleep and using successful learning techniques effectively improve mental performance, whereas pharmacological neuroenhancement is associated with ambiguous effects. Therefore, non- substance-related alternatives should be promoted to cope with stressful situations. This paper reviews the recent research on pharmacological neuroenhancement in Europe, develops a clear definition of the substances used, and formulates recommendations for practitioners regarding how to react to requests for neuroen- hancement drug prescriptions. We conclude that monitoring the future development of pharmacological neuroenhancement in Europe is important to provide effective preventive measures when required. Furthermore, substance use to cope with stress related to work or education should be studied in depth because it is likely more prevalent and dangerous than direct neuroenhancement.
State and impulsive time-varying measurement noise density estimation in nonlinear dynamic systems using Dirichlet Process Mixtures

In this paper, we focus on the challenging task of the online estimation of the state and the unknown measurement noise density in nonlinear dynamic state-space models. We are especially interested in making inference in the presence of impulsive and time-varying noise. A flexible Bayesian nonparametric noise model based on an extension of Dirichlet Process Mixtures, namely the Time Varying Dirichlet process Mixtures, is introduced. A novel method based on sequential Monte Carlo methods is proposed to perform the optimal online estimation. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency and the robustness of this method.
Information Sharing in a Long-Term Supply Chain Relationship: The Role of Customer Review Strategy

In this paper, we study the practice of forecast sharing and supply chain coordination with a game-theoretical model. We find that in a one-shot version of the game, forecasts are not shared truthfully by the customer. The supplier will rationally discount the forecast information in her capacity allocation. This results in Pareto suboptimality for both supply chain parties. However, we show that a more efficient, truth-sharing outcome can emerge as an equilibrium from a long-term relationship. In this equilibrium, forecast information is transmitted truthfully and trusted by the supplier, who in turn allocates the system-optimal capacity. This leaves both the customer and the supplier better-off, compared to the nontruthful-sharing equilibrium. We identify a multiperiod review strategy profile that supports the truthful-sharing equilibrium. The key element of this strategy is that the supplier computes a scoring index of the customer's behavior that is updated over time and used to evaluate if the customer has sufficient incentive to share his private information truthfully in each transaction of the repeated game. Compared to trigger strategies, review strategies are more tolerant but require diligence and more monitoring effort.
Redefining the Unconscious

The notion of the unconscious is central to Freudian theory, and is at the same time dependent on a network of other concepts and assumptions. The theory as a whole is best understood as a historical anthropology, in the double sense that it reflects a historical transformation of the human condition and that its frame of reference is embedded in the cultural universe of a historical epoch. A critical reconstruction of the psychoanalytical project, now urgently needed, therefore faces a double task: it must confront new experiences and developments which have changed the structures of human subjectivity and being-in-the-world, and it must involve a thoroughgoing examination of the conceptual blockages and imbalances built into Freud's successive systems. Both the 20th-century history of psychoanalysis and the new critical perspectives must be situated in the context of a long-term process of individualization; but they also reflect changing perceptions and interpretations of otherness, internal as well as external, and are, in that regard, related to the transformations of art and religion.
The CTX-M-15-Producing Escherichia coli Clone O25b: H4-ST131 Has High Intestine Colonization and Urinary Tract Infection Abilities

Increasing numbers of pyelonephritis-associated uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are exhibiting high resistance to antibiotic therapy. They include a particular clonal group, the CTX-M-15-producing O25b:H4-ST131 clone, which has been shown to have a high dissemination potential. Here we show that a representative isolate of this E. coli clone, referred to as TN03, has enhanced metabolic capacities, acts as a potent intestine- colonizing strain, and displays the typical features of UPEC strains. In a modified streptomycin-treated mouse model of intestinal colonization where streptomycin was stopped 5 days before inoculation, we show that TN03 outcompetes the commensal E. coli strains K-12 MG1655, IAI1, and ED1a at days 1 and 7. Using an experimental model of ascending UTI in C3H/HeN mice, we then show that TN03 colonized the urinary tract. One week after the transurethral inoculation of the TN03 isolates, the bacterial loads in the bladder and kidneys were significantly greater than those of two other UPEC strains (CFT073 and HT7) belonging to the same B2 phylogenetic group. The differences in bacterial loads did not seem to be directly linked to differences in the inflammatory response, since the intrarenal expression of chemokines and cytokines and the number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils attracted to the site of inflammation was the same in kidneys colonized by TN03, CFT073, or HT7. Lastly, we show that in vitro TN03 has a high maximum growth rate in both complex (Luria-Bertani and human urine) and minimum media. In conclusion, our findings indicate that TN03 is a potent UPEC strain that colonizes the intestinal tract and may persist in the kidneys of infected hosts.
Religious Conversion of Adolescents: Testing the Lofland and Stark Model of Religious Conversion

In a study among 92 Dutch adolescents we tested the Lofland and Stark model of religious conversion. Our results show that the model offers a fairly adequate set of conditions of conversion, but is inadequate as a model for the process of conversion. Young people are attracted to religious groups for two reasons : First, the group offers them a new perspective on life and so liberates them from entrapment in their own problems. Second, the group provides them with a satisfying personal network
Extending the Impacts of Hostile Media Perceptions

Researchers recently have begun to examine how hostile media perceptions may promote discursive activities aimed at correcting the media’s perceived negative influence. We use nationally representative survey data to test a moderated-mediation model that finds that hostile media perceptions significantly affect support for climate mitigation policies through the mediator of discussion and that the link between discussion and policy support is moderated in a three-way interaction with social network heterogeneity and political ideology. Discussion in homogeneous social networks increases opinion polarization between liberals and conservatives by intensifying conservatives’ opinions, whereas discussion in heterogeneous social networks decreases polarization by moderating liberals’ opinions.
The impact of memory subsystem resource sharing on datacenter applications

In this paper we study the impact of sharing memory resources on five Google datacenter applications: a web search engine, bigtable, content analyzer, image stitching, and protocol buffer. While prior work has found neither positive nor negative effects from cache sharing across the PARSEC benchmark suite, we find that across these datacenter applications, there is both a sizable benefit and a potential degradation from improperly sharing resources. In this paper, we first present a study of the importance of thread-to-core mappings for applications in the datacenter as threads can be mapped to share or to not share caches and bus bandwidth. Second, we investigate the impact of co-locating threads from multiple applications with diverse memory behavior and discover that the best mapping for a given application changes depending on its co-runner. Third, we investigate the application characteristics that impact performance in the various thread-to-core mapping scenarios. Finally, we present both a heuristics-based and an adaptive approach to arrive at good thread-to-core decisions in the datacenter. We observe performance swings of up to 25% for web search and 40% for other key applications, simply based on how application threads are mapped to cores. By employing our adaptive thread-to-core mapper, the performance of the datacenter applications presented in this work improved by up to 22% over status quo thread-to-core mapping and performs within 3% of optimal.
A Novel Function for Human Rad9 Protein as a Transcriptional Activator of Gene Expression

The human Rad9 gene is evolutionarily conserved and plays important roles in several fundamental biological processes, including promotion of resistance to DNA damage, mediating cell cycle checkpoints, acting as a proapoptotic element, and maintaining genomic integrity in the presence or even in the absence of exogenous DNA damaging agents. Rad9 protein was recently found to have the capability of activating transcription of p21, a well-known p53 target gene and universal inhibitor of cyclins and CDKs. Rad9 can bind previously defined p53 consensus sequences in the promoter region of p21. Microarray gene expression screening coupled with northern analyses revealed that Rad9 activates transcription of multiple genes, a subset of which is also controlled by p53. In this review, the newly defined ability of Rad9 to transactivate p21 and other downstream target genes is discussed in terms of the activities already associated with this protein.