Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
State of the Art: A Family-Related Foresight Approach

This state-of-the-art report discusses the substantive and methodological background for the construction and application of a family-related foresight method. The substantive part includes a brief presentation of two preceding family-oriented foresight methods: one run by the OECD in 2012 (producing two scenarios) and the other by the FamilyPlatform (producing four scenarios), the forerunners of the FamiliesAndSocieties project. The methodological background focuses on microsimulation and agent-based models, two quantitative models that will serve as new tools for foresight. Their application is considered in a systematic framework along with other standard foresight tools such as workshops and focus groups.
A General Actuator Model Based on Nonlinear Equivalent Networks

To facilitate interaction control, variable-impedance actuators have been developed; however, they are fundamentally nonlinear. A general nonlinear actuator model which could be identified unambiguously from observations with the actuator in situ would be useful. Equivalent circuits seem promising because they separate forward path dynamics from interactive dynamics. Can this linear circuit concept be applied to nonlinear systems? In this paper, equivalent circuits are first generalized to comprise two nonlinear parts joined by a linear connector. Modeling actuators in this way reveals an important insight: a Thévenin-type network does not permit unambiguous identification of the forward path dynamics, whereas a Norton-type network does. That is because the Norton source is a zero of the interaction-port operator, whereas the Thévenin source is not. With that insight, an equivalent circuit is further generalized to a network of two nonlinear parts joined nonlinearly, with the restriction that the source/forward path is a zero of the interaction port operator. A Norton-type network in that nonlinear form is unambiguously identifiable. It appears to provide a versatile representation of nonlinear actuators.
Quantifying the similarity of multiple point processes with application to early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease from EEG

A novel approach is proposed to quantify the similarity (or “synchrony”) of multiple multi-dimensional point processes. It is based on a generative stochastic model that describes how two or more point processes are related to each other. As an application, the problem of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) from multi-channel EEG recordings is considered. The proposed method seems to be more sensitive to AD induced perturbations in EEG synchrony than classical similarity measures.
Analysis of User Interests Based on Integrated-Graph Model

An Integrated-Graph model for user interests in personalized recommendation, which is based on Small-World network and Bayesian network, is presented. The Integrated-Graph model consists of two layers. One is user’s layer for representing users or customers and the other is merchandise’s layer for representing goods or produce. The relationships among users are described by Small-World network at lower layer. The implications among merchandises are represented by Bayesian network at higher layer. Directed arcs denote the interests and tendency between user’s layer and merchandise’s layer. Several algorithms for clustering and interest analysis based on Small-World network are introduced. The experimentation shows that the model can well represent the relationships among users to users, merchandise to merchandise, and users to merchandise. The result of interest recommendation based this Integrated-Graph mode is better than others.
Unified ASR system using LGM-based source separation, noise-robust feature extraction, and word hypothesis selection

In this paper, we propose a unified system that incorporates speech source separation and automatic speech recognition for various noise environments. There are three features in the proposed system. The first feature of the proposed method is the LGM (local Gaussian modeling) based source separation with the efficient permutation alignment method that integrates a power spectrum correlation based method and a direction-of-arrival (DOA) based method. Evaluation results show that using the separated speech with the baseline acoustic modeling method reduces the word error rate (WER) significantly. The second feature of the proposed method is multi-condition training with per-utterance normalized features and noise-aware features in the acoustic modeling step. In this paper, we show that the proposed training method is effective even when an input signal has been distorted through the source separation step. The third feature is the word hypothesis selection method for integrating multiple recognition results. The proposed selection method estimates correct words based on a recognizer's confidence and co-occurrence characteristics. The evaluation results show that the proposed selection method outperforms the conventional recognizer output voting error reduction (ROVER) method. The proposed system is evaluated using the third CHiME challenge dataset. Evaluation results show that the proposed system resulted in an improvement of 66.1% over the baseline system.
[Children's oral hygiene: healthy mouth, families supervise?].

UNLABELLED Dental caries results from a complex interaction between the host and environmental factors and it is an important public health issue. AIMS To determine the prevalence of dental caries in a school population of six and 12 years old children from Leiria; to establish a relationship between dental caries and related known risk factors; parental dental health care, parental control of their children oral hygiene and to compare our results with the National Dental Care Study of 1999. METHODS Descriptive and statistical analysis based on a questionnaire and dental examination. RESULTS In our sample of 248 children, 43% were six years old and 57% 12 years old; 52% were female and 72% reside in a suburban area. The prevalence of dental caries was 42% (48% for the six year and 33% for the 12 years old groups. Dental caries were more prevalent in males (p = 0, 01) and 25% of these had three or more caries. Analysis of the questionnaire revealed that 87% of children brushed their teeth daily, findings that were unrelated to gender, age or residential area. Of this group, 68% brushed their teeth twice or more daily (p = 0,008). This routine was commenced in 32% of children prior to the age of three and these had less dental caries (p = 0,022). With regard to the children's dietary habits, we found them to be similar in both groups. The children who did not sweeten their milk (23 and 24% of the six and 12 years group, respectively) had fewer dental caries (p = 0,031). Dental treatment was required in 53% of 12 year old group and in 41% of six year old group. Dental caries was also less prevalent in children who also had taken fluoride (p = 0,045). We found a significant statistical relationship between parental and their children's dietary habits (p = 0,000). Parents who brushed their teeth twice daily had children with similar oral hygiene habits and had fewer caries (p = 0,002). Parents who oversee their children's dental care (52%) include the group of parents and children that brush their teeth at least twice daily (p = 0,003). CONCLUSIONS Dental caries was more prevalent in the six year old group with a male predominance. Children who brushed their teeth twice a day had less caries and the 12 year old group had more visits to the dentist. To ensure adequate oral hygiene habits it is important that parents supervise their children' habits.
PARENTAL PERCEPTION OF BODY WEIGHT IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SELECTED PARENT-RELATED FACTORS AND THE ASSESSMENT OF THEIR CHILDREN'S WEIGHT.

INTRODUCTION The efforts parents make to maintain the correct body weight in children indicates parental awareness of overweight and obesity-related health risks. AIM The objective of the analysis was to define the accuracy of the appraisal of weight-to-height proportions in preschool children, as assessed by their parents and to analyse the connection of selected parental factors with the assessment conducted. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were collected from 230 children (121 males and 109 females aged 6.28 ± 0.56 years) attending preschools in the city of Wroclaw, Poland. Body height and weight were measured to calculate BMI; cut-offs referenced by the International Obesity Task Force were used to determine weight status (underweight, overweight, obese). The participants' parents completed a weight-height assessment of their child and provided information on how often the child's body weight was checked. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used as a statistical measure of inter-rater agreement between actual child weight and parental perception of child weight. Selected parental factors influencing the correctness of assessing child body weight was tested using the chi-square test. RESULTS This study showed that 42.1% of underweight children and 60.9% overweight and obese children are perceived as having normal weight. In the group of children with normal weight-to-height proportions, 13.3% of the parents declared their normal-weight children to be underweight. No relationship was found in the study between the correct assessment of body weight and the parents' own body weight, their education, or such factors as sex and the frequency of checking the child's body weight. CONCLUSIONS The incompatibility between actual and perceived weight status indicates the need for health education among parents in assessing and monitoring the child's body weight during the developmental period.
Evaluation of steady‐state pharmacokinetic interactions between ritonavir‐boosted BILR 355, a non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, and lamivudine/zidovudine in healthy subjects

What is known and Objective: BILR 355 is a second generation non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. It has shown promising in vitro anti‐HIV‐1 activities and favourable human pharmacokinetic properties after co‐administration with ritonavir (RTV). Lamivudine (3TC) is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. It is excreted predominantly in urine by a transporter‐mediated pathway. These two drugs are likely to be given together to HIV‐infected patients. The objective of this study was to investigate any steady‐state pharmacokinetic interactions between RTV‐boosted BILR 355 and 3TC/zidovudine (ZDV).
Prevalence and follow‐up of abnormal thyrotrophin (TSH) concentrations in the elderly in the United Kingdom

Increasing use of assays for TSH with improved sensitivity as a first‐line test of thyroid function has raised questions regarding prevalence and clinical significance of abnormal results, especially values below normal. We have assessed the thyroid status of 1210 patients aged over 60 registered with a single general practice by measurement of serum TSH using a sensitive assay. High TSH values were more common in females (11.6|X%) than males (2.9|X%). TSH values below normal were present in 6.3|X% of females and 5.5|X% of males, with values below the limit of detection of the assay present in 1.5|X% of females and 1.4|X% of males. Anti‐thyroid antibodies were found in 60|X% of those with high TSH but only 5.6|X% of those with subnormal TSH. Eighteen patients were hypothyroid (high TSH, low free thyroxine) and one thyrotoxic (low TSH, raised free thyroxine) at initial testing. Seventy‐three patients with elevated TSH but normal free T4 were followed for 12 months; 13 (17.8|X%) developed low free T4 levels and commenced thyroxine, TSH returned to normal in four (5.5|X%) and 56 (76.7|X%) continued to have high TSH values. Sixty‐six patients with TSH results below normal were followed. Of the 50 subjects with low but detectable TSH at initial testing, 38 (76|X%) returned to normal at 12 months; of those 16 with undetectable TSH followed, 14 (87.5|X%) remained low at 12 months. Only one subject (who had an undetectable TSH) developed thyrotoxicosis. In view of the marked prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in the elderly, we suggest that screening of all patients over 60 should be considered. It is important that those with high TSH are followed in view of the risk of progression to overt hypothyroidism, but the risk of thyrotoxicosis in those with TSH values below normal appears small.
Effectiveness and Safety of Tocilizumab: Postmarketing Surveillance of 7901 Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Japan

Objective. An all-patient postmarketing surveillance program was conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of tocilizumab (TCZ) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the real-world clinical setting in Japan. Methods. Patients received 8 mg/kg TCZ every 4 weeks and were observed for 28 weeks. Data were collected on patient characteristics, and drug safety and effectiveness. Results. A total of 7901 patients were enrolled. Percentages of total and serious adverse events (AE) were 43.9% and 9.6%, respectively. The most common serious AE were infections (3.8%). Logistic regression analysis identified the following risk factors for the development of serious infection: age ≥ 65 years, disease duration ≥ 10 years, previous or concurrent respiratory disease, and concomitant corticosteroid dose > 5 mg/day (prednisolone equivalent). The incidence rate of serious infections in patients with ≥ 3 risk factors was 11.2%, compared with 1.2% for patients without risk factors. The Week 28 rates of 28-joint Disease Activity Score–erythrocyte sedimentation rate remission, Boolean remission, and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Good Response were 47.6%, 15.1%, and 59.4%, respectively. Contributing factors for effectiveness were body weight ≥ 40 kg, less advanced RA, no previous biologics, no concomitant corticosteroids or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and low disease activity at baseline. From the benefit-risk balance analysis, patients with a high probability of remission and a low probability of developing serious infection were most likely to have less advanced RA and to have not received biologics previously. Conclusion. These data confirm the safety and effectiveness of TCZ in patients with RA in the real-world clinical setting in Japan and identify factors that contribute to the successful use of TCZ for RA.
Mitochondrial dynamics: biology and therapy in lung cancer

Introduction: Lung cancer mortality rates remain at unacceptably high levels. Although mitochondrial dysfunction is a characteristic of most tumor types, mitochondrial dynamics are often overlooked. Altered rates of mitochondrial fission and fusion are observed in lung cancer and can influence metabolic function, proliferation and cell survival. Areas covered: In this review, the authors outline the mechanisms of mitochondrial fission and fusion. They also identify key regulatory proteins and highlight the roles of fission and fusion in metabolism and other cellular functions (e.g., proliferation, apoptosis) with an emphasis on lung cancer and the interaction with known cancer biomarkers. They also examine the current therapeutic strategies reported as altering mitochondrial dynamics and review emerging mitochondria-targeted therapies. Expert opinion: Mitochondrial dynamics are an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in lung cancer. Mitochondrial dysfunction, despite its molecular heterogeneity, is a common abnormality of lung cancer. Targeting mitochondrial dynamics can alter mitochondrial metabolism, and many current therapies already non-specifically affect mitochondrial dynamics. A better understanding of mitochondrial dynamics and their interaction with currently identified cancer ‘drivers’ such as Kirsten-Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene homolog will lead to the development of novel therapeutics.
Metal Concentrations in the Serum and Hair of Patients With Titanium Alloy Spinal Implants

Study Design. A retrospective study of serum and hair metal concentrations in patients with titanium alloy spinal implants was performed. Objective. To determine the incidence and possible causes of abnormal metal concentrations. Summary of Background Data. Several studies have demonstrated that metal debris are present in the tissues surrounding titanium alloy spinal implants. However, few studies suggest that metals dissolve, circulate in the body fluid, and accumulate in remote organs. Methods. Titanium, aluminum, and vanadium concentrations in serum and hair were measured after surgery in 46 patients with titanium alloy spinal implants (12 patients in the implant failure group and 34 patients in the no implant failure group) and 20 patients without spinal implants (control group). All the subjects were examined again 1 year after the first examination or implant removal. Results. Of the 46 patients with titanium alloy spinal implants, 16 patients (34.8%) exhibited abnormal serum metal concentrations and 11 patients (23.9%) exhibited abnormal hair metal concentrations. In the control group, three patients (15%) exhibited only abnormal serum and metal aluminum concentrations at the first examination. In both of the two patients who exhibited abnormal serum titanium concentrations and then had their spinal implants removed, the serum and hair titanium levels decreased to beneath the reference value limit in 1 year after the removal. Comparison of the implant failure and no implant failure groups showed no significant differences in the incidence of abnormal serum concentrations of titanium, aluminum, or both metals. Therefore, serum metal concentrations did not seem to be a useful indicator of hardware loosening or implant failure. Conclusions. Approximately one third of patients with titanium alloy spinal implants exhibited abnormal serum or hair metal concentrations at a mean time of mean 5.1 years after surgery. Titanium or aluminum may travel to distant organs after dissolution of metals from the spinal implants.
VIRAL AND CELLULAR DETERMINANTS OF APOPTOSIS INDUCED BY MAMMALIAN REOVIRUS

Mammalian reoviruses serve as important models for studies of viral replication and pathogenesis. These viruses have been isolated from many mammalian species, including humans, and cause disease primarily in the very young. Reoviruses induce apoptosis by a novel mechanism that requires engagement of cell-surface receptors, intracellular signal transduction, and activation of NF- s B. Reovirus binding to both cell-surface sialic acid and junctional adhesion molecule 1 is required for NF- s B activation and apoptosis. However, receptor binding alone is not sufficient to evoke these events. Viral disassembly acts in concert with receptor binding to induce NF- s B activation and apoptosis. Nuclear translocation of NF- s B is followed by activation of both extrinsic and intrinsic cell-death pathways. Importantly, potently apoptotic reovirus strains are highly virulent in newborn mice, suggesting that NF- s B-dependent apoptosis is essential for reovirus-induced disease.
A model of outcomes research: spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE To use spinal cord injury (SCI) care and research as a paradigm to illustrate how the principles and practices of outcomes research have been and can be applied to the sequelae of a specific disability. DATA SOURCES Review of data sources and literature pertaining to outcomes of SCI. STUDY SELECTION English language literature, health status and health services research agencies, academic and governmental research, and surveillance settings. DATA EXTRACTION A critical review of measures that have been and may be used to measure the outcomes of SCI. Special attention was paid to data sources; the need for methodologic accommodations: the research balance between generic and condition-specific methods; and the measurement outcomes that are highly relevant to people with SCIs. DATA SYNTHESIS There is a substantial research record related to the natural history, rehabilitation, survival, and long-term social reintegration of people with SCI, but relatively less addressing widely used generic health outcomes. CONCLUSION Contemporary outcomes research is relevant to people with SCI and those who provide treatment. One area of special attention is the occurrence of secondary conditions. To a large extent, SCI outcomes research can use conventional methods and generic instruments. There also is a need to modify research methods and to refine and apply some measures specific to people with SCI.
Mineração de Textos: Detecção automática de sentimentos em comentários nas mídias sociais

Os avancos nas tecnicas de analise automatica de documentos possibilitaram o reconhecimento de aspectos subjetivos em textos extraidos de midias sociais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi implementar um modelo de sistema para classificar automaticamente sentimentos em bases textuais escritas em Portugues do Brasil, utilizando os conceitos da aprendizagem de maquina. O trabalho apresenta, ainda, uma revisao bibliografica e documental sobre os conceitos gerais da mineracao de textos, tecnicas de pre-processamento e classificadores de opinioes. Foi tambem realizada uma revisao sistematica de literatura com o objetivo de estabelecer as principais tecnicas, algoritmos e metricas utilizados na analise de sentimentos. A fim de guiar esta pesquisa, adotou-se o metodo design science research (DRS). O paradigma DSR e apropriado para orientar a conducao de pesquisas cientificas em gestao, tecnologia e sistemas de informacao. Utilizando a DSR, gera-se conhecimento no processo de concepcao de artefatos, no caso desta pesquisa, o modelo concebido de analise de sentimentos. Complementa-se esta escolha metodologica com dois experimentos, bem como a utilizacao do classificador supervisionado Naive Bayes, implementado a partir do Natural Language ToolKit. Os resultados demonstraram que, no geral, o desempenho do metodo proposto neste trabalho, para analisar mais de duas polaridades utilizando a tecnica de classificacao, foi inferior ao das outras ferramentas que testam apenas duas polaridades. Ainda que os resultados nao tenham sido expressivos, com relacao a acuracia da ferramenta, os achados mostraram que ha um grande caminho a percorrer no que diz respeito ao tratamento de dados, especificamente para a lingua portuguesa. Este trabalho contribui, entao, em grande parte, para a viabilizacao de trabalhos futuros em mineracao de textos para a lingua portuguesa utilizando modulos de reconhecimento de entidades linguisticas. Espera-se que a pesquisa possa subsidiar propostas de sistemas de tratamento automatico de textos publicados em midias sociais independentemente do dominio de negocio.
Cell signaling and receptors in toxicity of advanced glycation end products (AGEs): α-dicarbonyls, radicals, oxidative stress and antioxidants

Considerable attention has been paid to the toxicity of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), including relation to various illnesses. AGEs, generated nonenzymatically from carbohydrates and proteins, comprises large numbers of simple and more complicated compounds. Many reports deal with a role for receptors (RAGE) and cell signaling, including illnesses and aging. Reactive oxygen species appear to participate in signaling. RAGE include angiotensin II type 1 receptors. Many signaling pathways are involved, such as kinases, p38, p21, TGF-β, NF-κβ, TNF-α, JNK and STAT. A recent review puts focus on α-dicarbonyl metabolites, formed by carbohydrate oxidation, and imine derivatives from protein condensation, as a source via electron transfer (ET) of ROS and oxidative stress (OS). The toxic species have been related to illnesses and aging. Antioxidants alleviate the adverse effects.