Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coexisting Problems and Alcoholic Family Risk among Adolescents a

A substantial subset of nonclinical adolescents reported single or multiple problems with regard to drinking behavior, depressive symptoms, and delinquency. Similar to previous research, boys reported higher levels of heavy and problematic drinking, whereas girls reported higher levels of depressive symptoms. Higher levels of alcohol involvement were associated with higher levels of delinquency for both boys and girls. Family history of alcoholism was associated with an overrepresentation of problem drinkers (as well as abstainers). These findings are fairly consistent with the adult alcohol typology literature in identifying coexisting problem patterns for the triumvirate of problem drinking, depressive symptoms, and antisocial behavior. Furthermore, these data support the manifestation of these patterns prior to the onset of alcohol dependence (and maybe alcohol abuse). Future longitudinal research needs to focus on the short- and long-term patterns of problem behaviors among adolescents and to identify common and unique precursors, correlates, and consequences associated with varying levels of alcohol involvement.
On the Rate of Return and Risk Factors to International Oil Companies in Iran's Buy-Back Service Contracts

We analyze the rate of return (ROR) and risk factors faced by Shell Exploration, an international oil company (IOC), in its Soroosh and Nowrooz buy-back service contract in Iran. In particular, based on our models of cash flow, we analyze the buy-back contract specific risk factors that can contribute to a reduction in the rate of return for the international oil company. Our cash flow models resemble the cash flow of buy-back service contracts before the Iranian government changed the way it determined the capital cost ceiling and pre-defined the oil price in these contracts in 2008–2009. Our actual and contractual cash flow models reveal that Shell Exploration's actual ROR was much lower than the contractual level. Furthermore, we find that among the risk factors that we considered, a capital cost overrun has the greatest negative effect on the IOC's ROR. Moreover, we show that there is a potential for modifying the contracts in order for the IOC to face an actual ROR closer to the contractual ROR even if the contract faces cost overrun or delay, without exceeding the maximum contractual ROR that the National Iranian Oil Company is willing to give.
Muscle performance following an acute bout of plyometric training combined with low or high intensity weight exercise

Abstract To determine the time course of performance responses after an acute bout of plyometric exercise combined with high and low intensity weight training, a 3-group (including a control group), repeated-measures design was employed. Changes in performance were monitored through jumping ability by measuring countermovement and squat jumping, and strength performance assessment through isometric and isokinetic testing of knee extensors (at two different velocities). Participants in both experimental groups performed a plyometric protocol consisting of 50 jumps over 50 cm hurdles and 50 drop jumps from a 50 cm plyometric box. Additionally, each group performed two basic weight exercises consisting of leg presses and leg extensions at 90–95% of maximum muscle strength for the high intensity group and 60% of maximum muscle strength for the low intensity group. The results of the study suggest that an acute bout of intense plyometric exercise combined with weight exercise induces time-dependent changes in performance, which are also dependent on the nature of exercise protocol and testing procedures. In conclusion, acute plyometric exercise with weight exercise may induce a substantial decline in jumping performance for as long as 72 hours but not in other forms of muscle strength.
Designing a Tracking System Based on Cognitive Theory of Error

We will present an application for tracking research samples that has been designed based upon prior research in cognitive theories on error that has been applied successfully to fields such as aviation and anesthesiology. By anticipating where the errors are likely to occur in the human-computer interaction and workflow, we hope to reduce number of errors and minimize the effects of inevitable errors.
Captivity induces hyper-inflammation in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus)

SUMMARY Some species thrive in captivity but others exhibit extensive psychological and physiological deficits, which can be a challenge to animal husbandry and conservation as well as wild immunology. Here, we investigated whether captivity duration impacted the regulation of a key innate immune response, inflammation, of a common wild bird species, the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). Inflammation is one of the most commonly induced and fast-acting immune responses animals mount upon exposure to a parasite. However, attenuation and resolution of inflammatory responses are partly coordinated by glucocorticoid hormones, hormones that can be disregulated in captivity. Here, we tested whether captivity duration alters corticosterone regulation and hence the inflammatory response by comparing the following responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS; a Gram-negative bacteria component that induces inflammation) of birds caught wild and injected immediately versus those held for 2 or 4 weeks in standard conditions: (1) the magnitude of leukocyte immune gene expression [the cytokines, interleukin 1β and interleukin 6, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)], (2) the rate of clearance of endotoxin, and (3) the release of corticosterone (CORT) in response to endotoxin (LPS). We predicted that captivity duration would increase baseline CORT and thus suppress gene expression and endotoxin clearance rate. However, our predictions were not supported: TLR4 expression increased with time in captivity irrespective of LPS, and cytokine expression to LPS was stronger the longer birds remained captive. Baseline CORT was not affected by captivity duration, but CORT release post-LPS occurred only in wild birds. Lastly, sparrows held captive for 4 weeks maintained significantly higher levels of circulating endotoxin than other groups, perhaps due to leakage of microbes from the gut, but exogenous LPS did not increase circulating levels over the time scale samples were collected. Altogether, captivity appears to have induced a hyper-inflammatory state in house sparrows, perhaps due to disregulation of glucocorticoids, natural microflora or both.
Systematic Usability and User Experience Evaluation as a Basis for the Redesign of an e-learning Platform

This paper introduces a methodology and results of the usability and user-experience evaluation of OpenScout portal which aims at providing skilland competency-based federated search and retrieval web services that enable users to easily find, access, adopt, use, tag and exchange free content for management education and training. Why usability and user-experience evaluation? In the process of developing such complex (web) applications and systems, developers are often not sufficiently aware of the criteria of usability as a key qualitative factor of the system, which measures the consistency of the product with the needs, goals and requirements of end users. Therefore many users have difficulties when interacting with a system which adversely effects on their effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction and have possible negative influence on decision to its future adoption. In our case a combination of usability evaluation methods (UEMs) were deployed: Eye-tracking, Retrospective Think-Aloud, Heuristic Evaluation, different Questionnaires and System Usability Scale to address the particularities of the portal and specific research goals: identification of usability problems (UPs) as well as user experience (UX) from which HCI experts can prepare redesign proposals for the prototype improvement.
Evaluation of modifiable risk factors for stroke in Bangladesh : A tertiary level hospital experience

Background: there is limited study describing such stroke in tertiary level hospital experiences from developing countries like Banglade sh Objectives: The aim study is to evaluate the modifiable risk factors stroke in both young and old age group. Methods: A retrospective audit of medical records of all patie nts presenting between July 2011 to November 2012 with a stroke was conducted. Informat ion about clinical presentation, modifiable risk factors laboratory and radiological investigations was collected. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS14.0. Results: O f total 183 cases 31 were young adults and 152 old patients between 18 to 100 years . Mean age young adult was 38.76 (± 6.379) and old age was 64.06 (± 11.238). 65.02% wer e male & 34.97% were female and the ratio was 1.9:1. Among patients majority had th e Ischemic stroke in both age groups. In young age group 18 patients were diagnosed with isc emic stroke (58.06%) while 13 patients presented with hemorrhagic stroke (41.94%) . In old age group 103 patients were diagnosed with ischemic stroke (67.76%) while 49 pa tients presented with hemorrhagic stroke (32.24%). Hypertension was the most common m difiable risk factor seen in both in the young (54.8.0%) and in old age group (55.9%) , followed by previous history of transient ischemic attack (19.4%) and oral contrace ptiv pills (16.1%) in young age group and dyslipidaemia (23.7%), previous history o f transient ischemic attack (20.4) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (19.7%) in old age group . Conclusion: A high prevalence of modifiable risk factors such as hypertension in bot h groups in stroke patients was observed in the tertiary level hospital in Banglade sh.
Myocardial storage of chondroitin sulfate‐containing moieties in Costello syndrome patients with severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Costello syndrome is a distinctive multiple congenital anomaly syndrome, characterized by loose soft skin with deep palmar and plantar creases, loose joints, distinctive coarse facial features, skeletal abnormalities, cardiac abnormalities (cardiovascular malformation (CVM), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, tachycardia), predisposition to malignancy, developmental delays, and mental retardation. Previous studies with cultured fibroblasts from individuals with Costello syndrome demonstrate excessive accumulation of chondroitin sulfate‐bearing proteoglycans, associated with both impaired formation of elastic fibers and an unusually high rate of cellular proliferation. Despite multiple clinical reports of cardiac abnormalities, there has been only one previously published report describing post‐mortem findings in hearts from Costello syndrome patients. Here we provide a detailed description of the post‐mortem findings of the hearts of three children with Costello syndrome. Routine histological examination and results of targeted histochemical and immunohistochemical studies revealed that in addition to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, these hearts also demonstrated massive pericellular and intracellular accumulation of chondroitin sulfate‐bearing proteoglycans and a marked reduction of elastic fibers. Normal stroma was replaced by multifocal collagenous fibrosis. Most peculiar was the finding that the bulk of the chondroitin sulfate accumulated in these Costello syndrome hearts is a chondroitin‐6‐sulfate. In contrast, deposition of chondroitin‐4 sulfate was below the level detected in normal hearts. We propose that an imbalance in sulfation of chondroitin sulfate molecules and subsequent accumulation of chondroitin‐6‐sulfate in cardiomyocytes contribute to the development of the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy of Costello syndrome. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A passive auxiliary circuit for load and line independent zero voltage switching in full bridge converters with reduced conduction losses for transportation applications

A novel auxiliary circuit to guarantee zero-voltage switching (ZVS) of full bridge converters is presented. A generalized time-domain analysis for steady-state behavior of the auxiliary circuit and a complete comparison with a single-inductor auxiliary are provided. For the same auxiliary peak current, a minimum of 20 percent less rms current is achieved to minimize conduction losses. Also in presence of adaptive peak current adjustment via switching frequency variation scheme 65 percent reduction in frequency variation range is obtained, reducing the need for a wide range of switching frequencies and extra gate driver losses. The theoretical results are experimentally verified.
An extended rotor-flux model for sensorless direct torque and flux control of interior permanent-magnet synchronous motor drives

Direct torque and flux control (DTFC) of interior permanent-magnet synchronous motors (IPMSMs) is known to deliver fast torque and flux dynamic responses. However, the poor flux estimation at very low speeds has been its largest drawback. A multitude of flux observers have been proposed for flux estimation but most of them fail to fare in the low-speed region. This paper proposes a new stator flux observer for improved flux estimation at very low speeds. The observer is based on the extended rotor flux concept, which does away with the saliency in an IPMSM. This observer is combined with the DTFC scheme to achieve a high performance sensorless IPMSM drive over a wide-speed range, including standstill. Experimental results at very low speeds - 0 rpm and 5 rpm without signal injection confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Identification of a Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Acyl-Coenzyme A Synthetase from the Diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana1

The draft genome of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana was searched for DNA sequences showing homology with long-chain acyl-coenzyme A synthetases (LACSs), since the corresponding enzyme may play a key role in the accumulation of health-beneficial polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in triacylglycerol. Among the candidate genes identified, an open reading frame named TplacsA was found to be full length and constitutively expressed during cell cultivation. The predicted amino acid sequence of the corresponding protein, TpLACSA, exhibited typical features of acyl-coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) synthetases involved in the activation of long-chain fatty acids. Feeding experiments carried out in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) transformed with the algal gene showed that TpLACSA was able to activate a number of PUFAs, including eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Determination of acyl-CoA synthetase activities by direct measurement of acyl-CoAs produced in the presence of different PUFA substrates showed that TpLACSA was most active toward DHA. Heterologous expression also revealed that TplacsA transformants were able to incorporate more DHA in triacylglycerols than the control yeast.
Towards automatic learning content sequence via linked open data

The paradigm of lifelong learning supported by technology is redefining the way we learn as well as the way we search and consume the ever growing corpus of information available in the Web to acquire knowledge on a particular subject. This research addresses the problem of finding and organizing learning content to support self-directed learners in achieving a learning goal through the search, selection and sequencing of Web content that might or might not have been conceived as learning resources. We plan to build an automatic process driven by the knowledge available in datasets belonging to the Linked Open Initiative and open non-structured information such as courses syllabi and books table of contents. Our proposed service have two main components: (i) a graph of interrelated learning concepts from which is possible infer what concepts must be addressed first before others in the learning process (prerequisite relationships), and (ii) a component for the creation of learning resources sequences based on a learning goal and a learner profile.
Histogram matching for music repetition detection

Repetition detection is a fundamental issue for music thumbnailing and summarization. In this paper, we propose a new feature, called chroma histogram, which enables us to find out repetitive segments from popular songs accurately and quickly. The feature is robust to tempo variation, because sequential information is removed during the process. The low dimensional feature guarantees a very low computational cost, which is proved by theoretic analysis and experimental evaluation. The objective evaluation results demonstrate that our algorithm outperforms previous approaches in terms of both detecting accuracy and efficiency.
Serielle Beurteilung der myokardialen Gadolinium-Anreicherung mittels Magnetresonanztomographie im akuten, subakuten und chronischen Stadium des Herzinfarktes

Ziel der Arbeit war die Beurteilung der myokardialen Kontrastmittel-(KM)-Anreicherung nach akutem Myokardinfarkt (AMI). Siebzehn Patienten mit AMI und erfolgreicher Reperfusion wurden in der kontrastunterstutzten Magnetresonanztomographie (k–MRT) 1, 7, 35 und 180 Tage nach dem akuten Ereignis untersucht. Die Grose der KM-Anreicherung verringerte sich signifikant von 18,3 %LV [8,4; 27,0] am Tag 1 auf 12,9 %LV [4,6; 19,8] am Tag 7 (p<0,001) und zeigte im weiteren Verlauf keine relevante Veranderung. Der Ruckgang der KM-Anreicherung war vor allem im Subepikardium zu verzeichnen. Die Grose der KM-Anreicherung am Tag 7 nach AMI zeigte eine enge Korrelation mit der Ejektionsfraktion am Tag 180 (r=-0,68), dem maximalen Troponin T-Wert (r=0,74) sowie mit der szintigraphisch bestimmten Infarktgrose zum gleichen Zeitpunkt (r=0,92). Die Durchfuhrung einer k-MRT eine Woche nach AMI erlaubt eine fruhzeitige Bestimmung der myokardialen Infarktgrose.
Convergence of HIV seroprevalence among injecting and non-injecting drug users in New York City

Objective:To compare HIV prevalence among injecting and non-injecting heroin and cocaine users in New York City. As HIV is efficiently transmitted through the sharing of drug-injecting equipment, HIV infection has historically been higher among injecting drug users. Design:Two separate cross-sectional surveys, both with HIV counseling and testing and drug use and HIV risk behavior questionnaires. Methods:Injecting and non-injecting heroin and cocaine users recruited at detoxification and methadone maintenance treatment from 2001–2004 (n = 2121) and recruited through respondent-driven sampling from a research storefront in 2004 (n = 448). Results:In both studies, HIV prevalence was nearly identical among current injectors (injected in the last 6 months) and heroin and cocaine users who had never injected: 13% [95% confidence interval (CI), 12–15%] among current injectors and 12% (95% CI, 9–16%) among never-injectors in the drug treatment program study, and 15% (95% CI, 11–19%) among current injectors and 17% (95% CI, 12–21%) among never injectors in the respondent driven sampling storefront study. The 95% CIs overlapped in all gender and race/ethnicity subgroup comparisons of HIV prevalence in both studies. Conclusions:The very large HIV epidemic among drug users in New York City appears to be entering a new phase, in which sexual transmission is of increasing importance. Additional prevention programs are needed to address this transition.
Are nursing home patients with dementia diagnosis at increased risk for inadequate pain treatment?

Mentally impaired and demented nursing home patients are at increased risk of undertreatment for pain. We wanted to examine pain assessment and complaints and pain treatment of nursing home patients according to mental state, and with special regard to treatment of patients with dementia diagnosis and cognitively impaired patients who did not have a dementia diagnosis.
Complementary metallo-dielectric electromagnetic band gap structures

The concept of complementary electromagnetic band-gap structures employing dipole elements as conductors and apertures is presented for the first time. An efficient numerical method based in method of moments (MoM) is used to simulate and predict the surface response of the complementary array. Conductor and aperture dipoles are placed in close proximity with a rotation of 90/spl deg/ between them, in order to produce maximum coupling, which proves to yield maximum miniaturisation in the order of 2.3:1. Dispersion curves have been produced to study the modes supported by the array. Simulated and measured surface wave responses are presented for finite size structures, excited by a transmission line. A substantial decrease of the stop band frequency is observed, as the width of the conducting elements is increased.
The Ubiquitous Cellular Transcriptional Factor USF Targets the Varicella-Zoster Virus Open Reading Frame 10 Promoter and Determines Virulence in Human Skin Xenografts in SCIDhu Mice In Vivo

ABSTRACT Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) open reading frame 10 (ORF10) is a determinant of virulence in SCIDhu skin xenografts but not in human T cells in vivo. In this analysis of the regulation of ORF10 transcription, we have identified four ORF10-related transcripts, including a major 1.3-kb RNA spanning ORF10 only and three other read-through transcripts. Rapid-amplification-of-cDNA-ends experiments indicated that the 1.3-kb transcript of ORF10 has single initiation and termination sites. In transient expression assays, the ORF10 promoter was strongly stimulated by the major VZV transactivator, IE62. Deletion analyses revealed approximate boundaries for the full ORF10 promoter activity between −75 and −45 and between +5 and −8, relative to the ORF10 transcription start site. The recombinant virus POKA10-Δpro, with the ORF10 promoter deletion, blocked transcription of ORF10 and also of ORF9A and ORF9 mRNAs, whereas expression of read-through ORF9A/9/10 and ORF9/10 transcripts was increased, compensating for the loss of the monocistronic mRNAs. The cellular factor USF bound specifically to its consensus site within the ORF10 promoter and was required for IE62 transactivation, whereas disrupting the predicted TATA boxes or Oct-1 binding elements had no effect. The USF binding site was disrupted in the recombinant virus, POKA10-proΔUSF, and no ORF10 protein was produced. Both ORF10 promoter mutants reduced VZV replication in SCIDhu skin xenografts. These observations provided further evidence of the contribution of the ORF10 protein to VZV pathogenesis in skin and demonstrated that VZV depends upon the cellular transcriptional factor USF to support its virulence in human skin in vivo.
Formal Synthesis of Cyber-Physical Systems (Dagstuhl Seminar 17201)

This report documents the program and the outcomes of Dagstuhl Seminar 17201 "Formal Synthesis of Cyber-Physical Systems. " Formal synthesis is the application of algorithmic techniques based on automata and logic to the design of controllers for hybrid systems in which continuous components interact with discrete ones. The Dagstuhl seminar brought together researchers from control theory and from computer science to discuss the state-of-the-art and current challenges in the field.