Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Childbearing May Increase the Risk of Nondiabetic Cataract in Chinese Women's Old Age

Backgrounds. Ocular changes may arise during pregnancy and after childbirth, but very few studies have reported the association between childbearing and cataract among older adults. Methods. 14,292 individuals aged 60+ years were recruited in Xiamen, China, in 2013. Physician-diagnosed cataract and diabetes status were assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. Childbearing status was measured by number of children (NOC). Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among NOC, diabetes, and cataract. Gender-specific logistic models regressing nondiabetic cataract on NOC were performed by adjusting some covariates. Results. 14,119 participants had complete data, of whom 5.01% suffered from cataract, with higher prevalence in women than men (6.41% versus 3.51%). Estimates of SEM models for women suggested that both NOC and diabetes were risk factors for cataract and that no correlation existed between NOC and diabetes. Women who had one or more children faced roughly 2–4 times higher risk of nondiabetic cataract than their childless counterparts (OR [95% CI] = 3.88 [1.24, 17.71], 3.21 [1.04, 14.52], 4.32 [1.42, 19.44], 4.41 [1.46, 19.74], and 3.98 [1.28, 18.10] for having 1, 2, 3, 4-5, and 6 or more children, resp.). Conclusions. Childbearing may increase the risk of nondiabetic cataract in Chinese women's older age.
GaSb Inversion-Mode PMOSFETs With Atomic-Layer-Deposited Al 2 O 3 as Gate Dielectric

GaSb inversion-mode PMOSFETs with atomiclayer-deposited (ALD) Al2O3 as gate dielectric are demonstrated. A 0.75-μm-gate-length device has a maximum drain current of 70 mA/mm, a transconductance of 26 mS/mm, and a hole inversion mobility of 200 cm/V · s. The OFF-state performance is improved by reducing the ALD growth temperature from 300 ◦C to 200 ◦C. The measured interface trap distribution shows a low interface trap density of 2 × 10/cm2 · eV near the valence band edge. However, it increases to 1 − 4 × 10/cm2 · eV near the conduction band edge, leading to a drain current on–off ratio of 265 and a subthreshold swing of ∼600 mV/decade. GaSb, similar to Ge, is a promising channel material for PMOSFETs due to its high bulk hole mobility, high density of states at the valence band edge, and, most importantly, its unique interface trap distribution and trap neutral level alignment.
The Chronological Position of the Dalton Horizon in the Southeastern United States

The chronological placement of the Dalton horizon in the southeastern United States has traditionally been between 10,000 and 8,000 B.P. (8000–6000 B.C.). A review of previous dating approaches questions the basis for that assignment and casts serious doubts about the validity of alleged associations between Dalton remains and C-14 dates in caves and shelters. The significance of two Dalton-associated C-14 dates from the alluvial terrace of the Rodgers Shelter site is discussed in regard to their age and contexts. Excavations of Dalton open sites during the 1970s revealed pure Dalton assemblages with no side-notched and corner-notched points present. Radiocarbon dates spanning the period from 9,500 to 9,000 B.P. for side-notched and corner-notched points indicate that the Dalton point had ceased to be made by that time. It is argued that the interval from 10,500 to 9,900 B.P. (8500–7900 B.C.) is the correct temporal position of the Dalton horizon. The importance of correctly estimating the age and duration of the Dalton adaptation is emphasized, particularly for relating technological and settlement strategies to the paleoenvironmental changes of the early Holocene.
Chemokine expression precedes inflammatory cell infiltration and chemokine receptor and cytokine expression during the initiation of murine lupus nephritis.

Lupus nephritis is characterized by immune complex deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration. Therefore, the initiation and progression of lupus nephritis in MRL/MpJ Fas(lpr/lpr) (MRL/lpr) mice were investigated, with a focus on the expression of several chemokines and chemokine receptors. Mice were monitored for proteinuria from 6 to 20 wk of age, and kidneys were examined every 2 wk by light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunohistologic analyses. Furthermore, the expression of chemokines, chemokine receptors, and proinflammatory cytokines was analyzed in ribonuclease protection assays. MRL/lpr mice demonstrated increased expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, regulated upon activation, normal T cell-expressed and -secreted protein, inducible protein of 10 kD, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta at week 8. At that time point, levels of circulating and glomerular immune complexes were increased, and no proteinuria or histopathologic signs of renal damage could be observed. As assessed in immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization analyses, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and regulated upon activation, normal T cell-expressed and -secreted protein expression was preferentially located in the glomeruli and interstitium. Mononuclear cell infiltration of the kidney was observed by weeks 10 to 12. At week 12, the renal expression of chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1), CCR2, and CCR5 was increased, mice became proteinuric, and renal damage was histologically evident. Finally, the expression of proinflammatory cytokines was detected (weeks 12 to 14). In summary, (1) chemokines are upregulated before inflammatory cell infiltration, proteinuria, and kidney damage are observed; (2) chemokine generation is restricted to sites of subsequent inflammatory cell infiltration, i.e., glomeruli and interstitium; (3) chemokine receptor expression parallels mononuclear cell infiltration; and (4) proinflammatory cytokines are upregulated later, in parallel with inflammatory cell infiltration and the onset of proteinuria. These results support the hypothesis that chemokines initiate leukocyte infiltration and precede proteinuria and renal damage in MRL/lpr mice.
Cardiolipin Polyspecific Autoreactivity in Two Broadly Neutralizing HIV-1 Antibodies

The design of a human immunodeficiency virus–1 (HIV-1) immunogen that can induce broadly reactive neutralizing antibodies is a major goal of HIV-1 vaccine development. Although rare human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) exist that broadly neutralize HIV-1, HIV-1 envelope immunogens do not induce these antibody specificities. Here we demonstrate that the two most broadly reactive HIV-1 envelope gp41 human mAbs, 2F5 and 4E10, are polyspecific autoantibodies reactive with the phospholipid cardiolipin. Thus, current HIV-1 vaccines may not induce these types of antibodies because of autoantigen mimicry of the conserved membrane-proximal epitopes of the virus. These results may have important implications for generating effective neutralizing antibody responses by using HIV-1 vaccines.
The Orthopædic Management of Hæmophilia

(3) Loss of nociceptor reactions: As a result of damage to the spinothalamic tracts, the protective influence of pain is lost. It is of the utmost importance that the analgesic areas should be protected from burns by hot water bottles in the initial stages. The individual himself must also be taught to protect such areas from injuries of all kinds, so that when he is discharged from hospital such care is second nature to him. In addition, patients should be warned about the dangers to their joints from injuries. One patient in this series developed a Charcot type of joint, which ultimately necessitated an arthrodesis of his knee.
Intercomparison of retrieval codes used for the analysis of high-resolution , ground-based FTIR measurements

A rigorous and systematic intercomparison of codes used for the retrieval of trace gas pro<les from high-resolution ground-based solar absorption FTIR measurements is presented for the <rst time. Spectra were analyzed with the two widely used independent, retrieval codes: SFIT2 and PROFFIT9. Vertical pro<les of O3, HNO3, HDO, and N2O were derived from the same set of typical observed spectra. Analysis of O3 was improved by using updated line parameters. It is shown that pro<les and total column amounts are in excellent agreement, when similar constraints are applied, and that the resolution kernel matrices are also consistent. Owing to the limited altitude resolution of ground-based observations, the impact of the constraints on the solution is not negligible. It is shown that the results are also compatible for independently chosen constraints. Perspectives for re<ned constraints are discussed. It can be concluded that the error budget introduced by the radiative transfer code and the retrieval algorithm on total columns deduced from high-resolution ground-based solar FTIR spectra is below 1%. 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
An Integrated Expert User with End User in Technology Acceptance Model for Actual Evaluation

Effective evaluation is necessary in order to ensure systems adequately meet the requirements and information processing needs of the users and scope of the system. Technology acceptance model is one of the most popular and effective models for evaluation. A number of studies have proposed evaluation frameworks to aid in evaluation work. The end users for evaluation the acceptance of new technology or system have a lack of knowledge to examine and evaluate some features in the new technology/system. This will give a fake evaluation results of the new technology acceptance. This paper proposes a novel evaluation model to evaluate user acceptance of software and system technology by modifying the dimensions of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and added additional success dimensions for expert users. The proposed model has been validated by an empirical study based on a questionnaire. The results indicated that the expert users have a strong significant influence to help in evaluation and pay attention to some features that end users have lack of knowledge to evaluate it.
Dynamics of reciprocal gait of adult paraplegics using the Para Walker (Hip Guidance Orthosis)

Force plate studies with nine adult traumatic complete paraplegics with lesion at thoracic level have shown that, unlike children walking in the Oswestry Hip Guidance Orthosis (Para Walker) system, they have to apply extra stabilizing forces through the crutches for safe walking. These forces are described and are attributed to an increased crutch force applied to prevent lateral deformation of the orthosis in stance phase.
Simultaneous Enhancement of Open‐Circuit Voltage, Short‐Circuit Current Density, and Fill Factor in Polymer Solar Cells

Simultaneous enhancement of open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, and fill factor in highly efficient polymer solar cells by incorporating an alcohol/water-soluble conjugated polymer as cathode interlayer is domonstrated. When combined with a low-bandgap polymer PTB7 as the electron donor material, the power efficiency of the devices is improved to a certified 8.370%. Due to the drastic improvement in efficiency and easy utilization, this method opens new opportunities for PSCs from various material systems to improve towards 10% efficiency.
A novel FDTD formulation for dispersive media

A novel FDTD formulation for dispersive media called piecewise linear JE recursive convolution (PLJERC) finite-different time-domain (FDTD) method is derived using the piecewise linear approximation and the recursive convolution relationship between the current density J and the electric field E. The high accuracy and efficiency of the PLJERC method is confirmed by computing the reflection coefficients of an electromagnetic wave through a collision plasma slab in one dimension.
Noise robust front-end processing with voice activity detection based on periodic to aperiodic component ratio

This paper proposes a front-end processing method for automatic speech recognition (ASR) that employs a voice activity detection (VAD) method based on the periodic to aperiodic component ratio (PAR). The proposed VAD method is called PARADE (PAR based Activity DEtection). By considering the powers of the periodic and aperiodic components of the observed signals simultaneously, PARADE can detect speech segments more precisely in the presence of noise than conventional VAD methods. In this paper, PARADE is applied to a front-end processing technique that employs a robust feature extraction method called SPADE (Subband based Periodicity and Aperiodicity DEcomposition). The noisy ASR performance was examined with the CENSREC-1-C database, which includes connected continuous digit speech utterances drawn from CENSREC-1 (Japanese version of AURORA-2). The result shows that the SPADE front-end combined with PARADE achieves average word accuracy of 74.22 % at signal to noise ratios of 0 to 20 dB. This accuracy is significantly higher than that achieved by the ETSI ES 202 050 front-end (63.66 %) and the SPADE front-end without PARADE (64.28 %). This result also confirmed that PARADE can improve the performance of front-end processing.
Effect of thermal cycling on tensile behaviour of SAC305 solder

Thermal cycling is typical working environment of electronic chips due to electronic equipment power on-offs and thermal excursions. Accelerated thermal cycling is widely employed to strictly examine the electronic products for aerospace usage to simulate the actual thermal environment throughout the service life. In this study, the effect of thermal cycling to mechanical property of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) solder material is investigated by performing three groups of experiments. Essentially, according to the temperature profile measured during a standard temperature cycling (12.5 cycles between −40°C and 60°C lasting for 210 h), two independent groups of experiments are subjected to the extreme low and high dwelling temperatures for 210 h, respectively. Regarding tensile behaviour, the dog-bone type specimens after thermal treatment are tested for at the strain rates of 1×10−4/s, 5×10−4/s and 1×10−4/s. Based on a concise creep-plasticity constitutive model, the thermal effect on solder material property is discussed. The validated constitutive model can be utilized for the predictions of solder property at extreme working conditions with constant or cyclic temperatures.
The relation between usability and product success in cell phones

The cell phone is not a simple communication tool. People use embedded mobile phone features such as games, cameras and wireless internet for various purposes of entertainment and shopping. In some cases usability problems impact negatively on product success, whereas in other cases they do not. The objective of our study was to develop a questionnaire for cell phones and investigate the relation between usability and product success. We reviewed existing usability studies and factors for product success to develop the questionnaire for cell phones. Subjects then evaluated the usability and success factors of cell phones. Finally, re-purchase intention and success scores including usability scores were analysed to determine whether they are positively related and which usability factors impact cell phone product success. Design, customer needs and innovativeness of cell phones were especially important among success factors, whereas more attention should be paid to satisfaction, feedback and efficiency among the usability dimensions.
Genetic Relatedness of Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates from Paired Blood and Respiratory Specimens

ABSTRACT To assess the relatedness of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates recovered concurrently from blood and respiratory tract specimens from patients with pneumonia, we analyzed 24 paired isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), serotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. PFGE, serotype, and/or susceptibility patterns were identical for 22 of 24 pairs. Susceptibility results for blood isolates should guide therapy.
Results of a real world trial with a mobile social service robot for older adults

Robots are an increasingly discussed solution for assistance of seniors. Importance of testing natural interaction therefore becomes crucial. This paper presents first results of a study with an autonomous mobile social service robot prototype that was deployed in 18 private households of senior adults aged 75 years and older for a total of 371 days. Findings show that utility met the users' expectations. However, the robot was rather seen as a toy instead of being supportive for independent living. Furthermore, despite of an emergency function of the robot, perceived safety did not increase. Reasons for this might be the good health conditions of our users, a lack of technological robustness and slow performance of the prototype. However, users believed that a market ready version of the robot would be vital for supporting people who are more fragile and more socially isolated.
The Theory of Optimum Currency Areas: A Survey

Dada la asimetria del mundo real, quiza no sea ventajoso que cada pais tenga una moneda distina y un tipo de cambio flexible. Cual es entonces el ambito apropiado de una zona monetaria? En las respuestas presentadas en la tesis tradicional se trata de singularizar una determinada caracteristica economica. Se proponen criterios como movilidad de los factores de produccion, proporcion de esta que es objeto de intercambio comercial, diversificacion de los productos, grado de integracion financiera y de la formulacion de politicas, y similitud en cuanto a tasas de inflacion. Estos criterios presentan varias dificultades. La movilidad de la mano de obra no es un sustituto adecuado de la variacion de los tipos de cambio teniendo en cuenta que en general no hay movilidad internacional; una elevada proporcion de productos objeto de intercambio tampoco constituye una razon imperiosa para mantener una paridad fija, que significa estabilidad de precios solo si el ambiente economico mundial es estable, supuesto que carece de validez en la decada de 1970. En otro metodo alternativo de costos-beneficios se comparan los beneficios de los tipos de cambio fijos – tales como estabilidad del valor de una moneda y erradicacion de la especulacion – con los costos tales como renuncia a una politica monetaria, empeoramiento de la relacion desempleo-inflacion, etc. Se sugiere que el costo de abandonar la politica de tipos de cambio es muy elevado. Despues de analizar diversos criterios, se llegaria a la conclusion de que, pese a algunas proposiciones academicas presentadas, la teoria de las zonas monetarias ofrece pocas soluciones para resolver los problemas practicos que presenta la politica de tipos de cambio en paises pequenos y la reforma monetaria. En la actualidad se diversifica cada vez mas el comercio de los paises pequenos con los grandes. Una politica mas racional es vincular el tipo de cambio a una cesta de monedas.
Total knee arthroplasty volume, utilization, and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries, 1991-2010.

CONTEXT Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common and costly surgical procedures performed in the United States. OBJECTIVE To examine longitudinal trends in volume, utilization, and outcomes for primary and revision TKA between 1991 and 2010 in the US Medicare population. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Observational cohort of 3,271,851 patients (aged ≥65 years) who underwent primary TKA and 318 563 who underwent revision TKA identified in Medicare Part A data files. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We examined changes in primary and revision TKA volume, per capita utilization, hospital length of stay (LOS), readmission rates, and adverse outcomes. RESULTS Between 1991 and 2010 annual primary TKA volume increased 161.5% from 93,230 to 243,802 while per capita utilization increased 99.2% (from 31.2 procedures per 10,000 Medicare enrollees in 1991 to 62.1 procedures per 10,000 in 2010). Revision TKA volume increased 105.9% from 9650 to 19,871 while per capita utilization increased 59.4% (from 3.2 procedures per 10,000 Medicare enrollees in 1991 to 5.1 procedures per 10,000 in 2010). For primary TKA, LOS decreased from 7.9 days (95% CI, 7.8-7.9) in 1991-1994 to 3.5 days (95% CI, 3.5-3.5) in 2007-2010 (P < .001). For primary TKA, rates of adverse outcomes resulting in readmission remained stable between 1991-2010, but rates of all-cause 30-day readmission increased from 4.2% (95% CI, 4.1%-4.2%) to 5.0% (95% CI, 4.9%-5.0%) (P < .001). For revision TKA, the decrease in hospital LOS was accompanied by an increase in all-cause 30-day readmission from 6.1% (95% CI, 5.9%-6.4%) to 8.9% (95% CI, 8.7%-9.2%) (P < .001) and an increase in readmission for wound infection from 1.4% (95% CI, 1.3%-1.5%) to 3.0% (95% CI, 2.9%-3.1%) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Increases in TKA volume have been driven by both increases in the number of Medicare enrollees and in per capita utilization. We also observed decreases in hospital LOS that were accompanied by increases in hospital readmission rates.
Pre-Columbian Andean animal domesticates at the edge of empire

Native South American animal domesticates appear in the northern Andes well before the area was occupied by the Incan and, later, Spanish empires. They include camelids and cuy (guinea pig), both of which are allochthonous to the northern Andes, and muscovy duck. Throughout Ecuador, pertinent skeletal specimens at various sites in contexts antedating the first millennium AD tend to be rare, are often associated with specific non-utilitarian contexts, and are usually uncovered in locations to and from which spondylid oyster shell was circulated. Their early appearance in Ecuador suggests that non-native animals were imported via terrestrial and/or marine routes controlled by elites who were motivated by the acquisition of exotic resources from distant lands.
TMEM106B regulates progranulin levels and the penetrance of FTLD in GRN mutation carriers

Objectives: To determine whether TMEM106B single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) in patients with and without mutations in progranulin (GRN) and to determine whether TMEM106B modulates GRN expression. Methods: We performed a case-control study of 3 SNPs in TMEM106B in 482 patients with clinical and 80 patients with pathologic FTLD–TAR DNA-binding protein 43 without GRN mutations, 78 patients with FTLD with GRN mutations, and 822 controls. Association analysis of TMEM106B with GRN plasma levels was performed in 1,013 controls and TMEM106B and GRN mRNA expression levels were correlated in peripheral blood samples from 33 patients with FTLD and 150 controls. Results: In our complete FTLD patient cohort, nominal significance was identified for 2 TMEM106B SNPs (top SNP rs1990622, pallelic = 0.036). However, the most significant association with risk of FTLD was observed in the subgroup of GRN mutation carriers compared to controls (corrected pallelic = 0.0009), where there was a highly significant decrease in the frequency of homozygote carriers of the minor alleles of all TMEM106B SNPs (top SNP rs1990622, CC genotype frequency 2.6% vs 19.1%, corrected precessive = 0.009). We further identified a significant association of TMEM106B SNPs with plasma GRN levels in controls (top SNP rs1990622, corrected p = 0.002) and in peripheral blood samples a highly significant correlation was observed between TMEM106B and GRN mRNA expression in patients with FTLD (r = −0.63, p = 7.7 × 10−5) and controls (r = −0.49, p = 2.2 × 10−10). Conclusions: In our study, TMEM106B SNPs significantly reduced the disease penetrance in patients with GRN mutations, potentially by modulating GRN levels. These findings hold promise for the development of future protective therapies for FTLD.