Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Will You Still Want Me Tomorrow? The Dynamics of Families’ Long-Term Care Arrangements

ABSTRACT:With data from the Assets and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old Survey, we estimate dynamic models of three dimensions of families’ eldercare arrangements: the use of each potential care arrangement, namely care provided by a spouse, care provided by an adult child, formal home healthcare, and/or institutional care; the selection of the primary care arrangement; and hours in each care arrangement. Our results indicate that both observed heterogeneity and positive true state dependence contribute to the persistence of care arrangements. Evidence of positive true state dependence for most or all modes of care in all models suggests that inertia generally dominates caregiver burnout. Our results indicate that formal care decisions depend on the cost and quality of care. As a result of inertia, the effectiveness of long-term care policy depends on timing: initial caregiving decisions are more sensitive than subsequent decisions to economic incentives.
EvALL: Open Access Evaluation for Information Access Systems

The EvALL online evaluation service aims to provide a unified evaluation framework for Information Access systems that makes results completely comparable and publicly available for the whole research community. For researchers working on a given test collection, the framework allows to: (i) evaluate results in a way compliant with measurement theory and with state-of-the-art evaluation practices in the field; (ii) quantitatively and qualitatively compare their results with the state of the art; (iii) provide their results as reusable data to the scientific community; (iv) automatically generate evaluation figures and (low-level) interpretation of the results, both as a pdf report and as a latex source. For researchers running a challenge (a comparative evaluation campaign on shared data), the framework helps them to manage, store and evaluate submissions, and to preserve ground truth and system output data for future use by the research community. EvALL can be tested at http://evall.uned. es.
LEPTIN SIGNALLING IN THE HIPPOCAMPUS – MEMORY MODULATION

Leptin is a peptide hormone and growth factor. While it has become well known in the area of diabetes research and its effect on re-sensitising insulin signaling, its properties as a growth factor and its neuroprotective effects are less known. Leptin crosses the blood brain barrier and activates second messenger cell signaling pathways that are neuroprotective, activate cell repair, protect synapses and synaptic functions, normalise energy utilisation and mitochondrial dysfunction, and reduce chronic inflammation. This review summarises the impressive results of leptin in cell culture and in preclinical research of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ischemia and epilepsy. Leptin has shown good effect in protecting neurons from stressors, reducing apoptosis, and in preventing or reducing key pathological markers of these diseases in animal models. As leptin analogues are developed for the treatment of diabetes and the first drugs have been licensed to treat patients, the potential of testing such drugs in patients with neurodegenerative disorders has opened up. However, key questions have to be addressed such as leptin de-sensitisation in the brains of patients with chronic neurodegenerative disorders.
Paving the Road to Algal Biofuels with the Development of a Genetic Infrastructure

It is anticipated that the global demand for energy will double within the next forty years (Hoffert et al., 1998). This leaves a relatively short period of time for a momentous shift in the fundamental sources of global energy. Nonetheless, satisfying our energy requirements with alternative sources can be achieved while allowing for continued technological progress, economic growth, and political stability over this period. The need for clean, sustainable energy sources is even more urgent when considered in light of the environmental consequences related to the liberation of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels. For instance, increased production of electricity will undoubtedly necessitate a rapid expansion of nuclear, wind, solar, and hydropower generation. Even if these sources of energy are aggressively developed, few alternatives appear to be available for the continued expansion of coal-based electricity extending to mid-century; thus, there is a pressing need for mechanisms of carbon dioxide (CO2) abatement. Energy derived from biomass presents a means of both capturing CO2 and reducing the need for a fossil fuel-based infrastructure. As such, bioenergy has the advantage of being carbon neutral and will prove to be an important asset in our repertoire of renewable energy solutions. In addition to producing energy from sustainable sources that maintain carbon neutrality, the obligation to use energy efficiently has never been more important — not only in our daily lives, but also in the mechanisms through which we will generate energy at large scales in the future. In biological systems, the utilization of energy is accomplished by a cascade of biochemical reactions mediated by tightly regulated metabolic networks, which are substantially more efficient than the internal combustion engine. One of the most important and impressive molecular mechanisms for harvesting energy is the photosynthetic process. While photovoltaic technology has improved considerably in recent decades, the plants and algae that have been refined over billions of years of evolution represent a fully developed living framework for solar energy collection.
Development of highly thermoconductive epoxy composites

Epoxy resins with controlled high-order structures show higher thermal conductivity than conventional ones, because the ordered-structure domains consisting of self-arranged ‘mesogen’ groups of epoxy monomers promote smooth phonon transportation. In this report, we investigated composites consisting of these resins and ceramic fillers to obtain epoxy resin composites having both high isotropic thermal conductivities and electrical insulation. Though these epoxy monomers are difficult to handle because of their crystallinity and poor solubility in solvents, we confirmed that the conventional processes for thermosetting resin forming, such as "varnish coating" and "transfer molding", are applicable to these composites by optimizing the molecular architectures of hardeners, the composition of solvents, etc. As a result, excellent thermal conductivity (i.e., higher than 10 W/mK) was attained for the composites using the developed mesogen type epoxy monomers.
Roles of different coli surface antigens of colonization factor antigen II in colonization by and protective immunogenicity of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in rabbits

The roles of the subcomponents of colonization factor antigen II, the coli surface antigens CS1, CS2, and CS3, as colonization factors and protective antigens was studied in a nonligated rabbit intestine model (RITARD). Infection with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) carrying CS3 alone or CS1 plus CS3 induced diarrhea in most (80%) of the rabbits, whereas nonenterotoxigenic strains expressing CS1 or CS2 rarely induced diarrhea. Strains carrying CS1, CS2, or CS3 alone were all shed in stools for a significantly longer period than normal fecal flora-type E. coli. Initial infection with ETEC positive for CS1 plus CS3 induced significant protection against disease caused by reinfection with a highly diarrheagenic dose of the homologous strain; rabbits previously infected with serotype-heterologous, nontoxigenic bacteria carrying CS1 only were also protected against this challenge, whereas no such protection was induced by serogroup-homologous E. coli carrying CS2 only. Animals previously infected with CS1-, CS3-, or CS1-plus-CS3-positive bacteria excreted the CS1-plus-CS3 challenge strain for a significantly shorter period than did "nonimmunized" rabbits, whereas initial infection with bacteria carrying CS2 only did not result in such reduced shedding. Monoclonal antibodies against CS1, CS2, or CS3 all protected against experimental infection with ETEC carrying the corresponding CS factor. These results suggest that all the subcomponents of colonization factor antigen II are colonization factors and may induce anticolonization immunity.
Testing Open Defects in Memristor-Based Memories

Memristor-based memory technology, also referred to as resistive RAM (RRAM), is one of the emerging memory technologies potentially to replace conventional semiconductor memories such as SRAM, DRAM, and flash. Existing research on such novel circuits focuses mainly on the integration between CMOS and non-CMOS, fabrication techniques, and reliability improvement. However, research on (manufacturing) test for yield and quality improvement is still in its infancy stage. This paper presents fault analysis and modeling for open defects based on electrical simulation, introduces fault models, and proposes test approaches for RRAMs. The fault analysis reveals that unique faults occur in addition to some conventional memory faults, and the detection of such unique faults cannot be guaranteed with just the application of traditional march tests. The paper also presents a new Design-for-Testability (DfT) concept to facilitate the detection of the unique faults. Two DfT schemes are developed by exploiting the access time duration and supply voltage level of the RRAM cells, and their simulation results show that the fault coverage can be increased with minor circuit modification. As the fault behavior may vary due to process variations, the DfT schemes are extended to be programmable to track the changes and further improve the fault/defect coverage.
Photoacoustic Trace Detection of Methane Using Compact Solid-State Lasers†

Methane was excited in the near-infrared (NIR) region using a pulsed grazing-incidence periodically poled lithium niobate optical parametric oscillator (OPO) and modulated diode laser radiation at 1650 nm as light sources and detected photoacoustically employing single tube and double tube acoustic resonators coupled with acoustic filters. The output power of the OPO was 60 mW at the acoustic resonance frequency of 2.12 kHz, and therefore much higher than that of the diode laser radiation with 2 mW. By combining the more powerful OPO with the more sensitive differential cell with two resonator tubes (sensitivity: RminW ) 1.2 10 -9 cm -1 W), an ultimate sensitivity of 20-30 parts per billion (ppbV) is estimated for methane detection with the signal beam of the OPO in the near-infrared and sub-ppbV sensitivity in the mid-infrared region with the idler beam.
Robust dexterous telemanipulation following object-orientation commands

Purpose This paper aims to present a procedure to change the orientation of a grasped object using dexterous manipulation. The manipulation is controlled by teleoperation in a very simple way, with the commands introduced by an operator using a keyboard. Design/methodology/approach The paper shows a teleoperation scheme, hand kinematics and a manipulation strategy to manipulate different objects using the Schunk Dexterous Hand (SDH2). A state machine is used to model the teleoperation actions and the system states. A virtual link is used to include the contact point on the hand kinematics of the SDH2. Findings Experiments were conducted to evaluate the proposed approach with different objects, varying the initial grasp configuration and the sequence of actions commanded by the operator. Originality/value The proposed approach uses a shared telemanipulation schema to perform dexterous manipulation; in this schema, the operator sends high-level commands and a local system uses this information, jointly with tactile measurements and the current status of the system, to generate proper setpoints for the low-level control of the fingers, which may be a commercial close one. The main contribution of this work is the mentioned local system, simple enough for practical applications and robust enough to avoid object falls.
Business process re-engineering of surgical instruments sterilization process: A case study

This work aims at developing a new procedure, based on RFID technology, in order to reduce clinical risk and to streamline surgical instruments sterilization processes. An automatic identification and data storage will allow the hospital to minimize problems connected with bacterial infection, loss of surgical instruments and waste of time due to instruments counting and tracking. This procedure was developed at an Italian hospital of medium size, with particular attention to the processes that are carried out in Sterile Surgical Unit (SSU), in operating theatre and in the business units. The sterilization process of surgical instruments has been analysed as it was always implemented up until the year 2013, identifying any related problems. The process has been then reengineered in order to assess the changes involved and pinpointing further opportunities for improvement. Processes were modelled using the AIO WIN software, which supports the IDEF0 method. The activities, related to different management options, have been analysed and compared in terms of costs and savings.
Case–control and within-family tests for an association between conduct disorder and DAT1

Background Conduct disorder (CD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of violating age-appropriate norms and the rights of others, and is one of the most frequently diagnosed disorders among children. CD is moderately heritable, but we know of no reliable associations with specific genes. Evidence suggests that a variable number tandem repeat polymorphism of the dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene may be associated with externalizing behavior in children. Objective To test for an association between the DAT1 gene and CD. Design Case–control analyses and a transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) were conducted. Setting/participants Cases were (n=210) adolescents enrolled in a Colorado treatment program for conduct and substance use problems. Controls included adolescents matched to the probands in the treatment program and their siblings (n=162). The TDT was conducted using case families in which DNA from both parents was available (95 trios). Results The case–control analysis of the full sample did not result in a significant association [χ2 (2,372)=0.13, P=0.94]. Cases with early-onset conduct problems had slightly more 10-repeat alleles than controls, although this difference was not significant [χ2 (2,264)=2.19, P=0.33, 9/10 odds ratio (OR)=1.58, 10/10 OR=2.14]. The TDT also did not result in a significant association [χ2(1)=0.12, P=0.94]. Conclusion Results did not support an association between this polymorphism of the DAT1 gene and CD in adolescents.
The role of radiation dose in a combined therapeutic protocol for the prevention of heterotopic ossification after total hip replacement.

PURPOSE To present the results of a prospective study which aimed to evaluate the efficacy of radiation dose in a combined protocol using postoperative radiotherapy (RT) and indomethacin for the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and are at high risk for HO development. METHODS Seventy-one patients with a mean age of 63 years received either a single dose of 7 Gy or a fractionated dose of 10 Gy in 5 fractions of 2 Gy within the 3 postoperative days. Concurrently all patients received 75 mg of indomethacin for 15 days. Patients were analysed for radiographical evidence of HO development and clinically with the Merle d'Aubigné score at 1 year. RESULTS At 12 months combined RT and indomethacin achieved excellent prophylaxis of HO. The overall radiographical incidence of HO was 7.04% (95% CI 2.33-15.67), while no patient with clinically significant HO (Brooker III-IV) was seen. There was no statistically significant difference between the two RT protocols. In a subgroup of 12 patients with bilateral THA the incidence of HO in the non-irradiated hips was statistically significantly higher compared with the irradiated hips. All patients had improved joint mobility and function during follow up compared with the preoperative period. No statistically significant differences regarding the Merle d'Aubigné score was documented between the 2 RT groups. No acute or late side effects related to RT were noted. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the efficacy of combined RT and indomethacin in preventing heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty. Fractionated total dose of 10 Gy seems to offer no further benefit compared to a single dose of 7.0 Gy.
Putative role of hepatitis B virus X protein in hepatocarcinogenesis: Effects on apoptosis, DNA repair, mitogen‐activated protein kinase and JAK/STAT pathways

Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathogenesis of HBV‐induced malignant transformation is, however, incompletely understood. HBx, the protein encoded by the X open reading frame, is a transcriptional activator that has been implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis. HBx inhibits the function of the tumour suppressor protein p53 in what is thought to be an early event in hepatocyte transformation before the later accumulation of inactivating p53 point mutations. HBx inhibits apoptosis but also exerts pro‐apoptotic effects. The effects of HBx on apoptosis may be important not only for the development of HCC but also for the establishment of HBV infection. Further implication of HBx in hepatocyte transformation has been the demonstration that it inhibits the repair of damaged hepatocyte DNA. This effect may be mediated by interaction with p53 or through binding to the damaged DNA binding protein (DDB), which plays an accessory role in nucleotide excision repair. In addition, HBx activates cell signalling cascades involving mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Janus family tyrosine kinases (JAK)/signal transducer and activators of transcription (STAT) pathways. The implications of these modulating effects of HBx are not fully understood, but they are likely to have wide‐ranging effects on hepatocyte proliferation, apoptosis and the regulation of cell growth checkpoints. The cellular functions ascribed to HBx are unusually diverse, and defining the biologically important role of HBx during HBV replication will go some way to understanding the sequelae of chronic HBV infection.
A minimum population search hybrid for large scale global optimization

Large-scale global optimization is a challenging task which is embedded in many scientific and engineering applications. Among large scale problems, multimodal functions present an exceptional challenge because of the need to promote exploration. In this paper we present a hybrid heuristic specifically designed for optimizing large scale multimodal functions. The hybrid is based on the unbiased exploration ability of Minimum Population Search. Minimum Population Search is a recently developed metaheuristic able to efficiently optimize multimodal functions. However, MPS lacks techniques for exploiting search gradients. To overcome this limitation, we combine its exploration power with the intense local search of the CMA-ES algorithm. The proposed algorithm is evaluated on the test functions provided by the LSGO competition of IEEE Congress of Evolutionary Computation (CEC 2013).
Fluorescence image analysis of the association between Porphyromonas gingivalis and gingival epithelial cells

We have developed a fluorescence imaging technique using a DNA‐binding dye to visualize, over time, the physical interactions between Porphyromonas gingivalis and human gingival epithelial cells in vitro. The results extend previous observations of P. gingivalis invasion of gingival epithelial cells based on indirect measurements. An intracellular location for P. gingivalis was established by optical sectioning of images in the z‐plane. Kinetic analysis showed that P. gingivalis invasion of epithelial cells is a rapid and efficient process, reaching completion after 12 min. Imaging of infected monolayers revealed that over 90% of a population of gingival epithelial cells contained bacteria. Furthermore, only vital bacteria were capable of invasion, and intracellular bacteria congregated in the perinuclear region of the epithelial cells. P. gingivalis remained inside the epithelial cells over a 24 h period and induced rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton along with alteration of the size and shape of the epithelial cells. These findings provide direct evidence that entry rates of P. gingivalis into gingival epithelial cells are high and rapid, and that internalized bacteria initially localize in a specific region of the epithelial cells.
Autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells for chronic wounds of the lower extremity: a retrospective study.

Recent evidence suggests that stem cells derived from bone marrow have the potential to treat many disorders given their plastic- ity and ability to differentiate into various types of tissues, including skin cells. Stem cells are known to participate in cell migration and proliferation, contributing to the repair and regeneration of injured tis- sue, as observed in chronic wounds. This retrospective review of patients treated with autologous bone marrow aspirate (BMA) was per- formed to determine whether the treatment will help heal lower extremity ulcers by expediting wound closure and reducing the risk of lower limb amputation. The applied technique also exemplifies a sim- ple, safe, and effective method of collecting the aspirate and applying it to the wound directly. Eight patients, 32- to 96-years-old, under- went this procedure between January 2010-March 2010. The sub- jects had previously undergone at least 1 year of conventional wound care treatment without any signs of healing. Wounds were evaluated and measured at each visit. Three subjects showed a decrease in wound size, and three subjects utilized alternative therapies, includ- ing biologic dressings or grafts at week 6, 11, and 16 following sur- gery since no significant improvement was noted. Although topically applied bone marrow derived stem cells may lead to dermal rebuild- ing and aid in healing, more research is needed to support their use in chronic wounds.
Potassium transport at the plasma membrane of the food spoilage yeast Zygosaccharomyces bailii

Zygosaccharomyces bailii is a commercially important spoilage yeast capable of growth at low pH in the presence of weak organic acid preservatives, such as benzoic acid. A patch‐clamp electrophysiological analysis of plasma membrane K+ transport revealed a high conductance pathway for low‐affinity K+ uptake. In contrast to the equivalent K+ transporter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, this system remained operative at low extracellular pH and may therefore facilitate K+ uptake in K+‐rich and acidic beverages. Benzoate inhibited growth, increased intracellular K+ content, yet decreased the magnitude of the K+ uptake conductance; specifically, the hyperpolarization‐activated inwardly‐rectifying component was reduced. It is proposed that this adaptation helps maintain a hyperpolarized membrane voltage to effect continued ATPase‐mediated H+ extrusion and so combat preservative‐induced cytosolic acidosis. Again in contrast to S. cerevisiae, the K+ conductance was relatively insensitive to increased extracellular Ca2+. Paradoxically (and unlike S. cerevisiae) increasing extracellular Ca2+ inhibited growth, suggesting a simple expedient to limit spoilage by Z. bailii. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.