Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What are the links between hypoxia and Alzheimer’s disease?

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Histological characterization of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brains of AD patients, alongside genetic studies in individuals suffering the familial form of the disease, has fueled the accumulation of the amyloid-β protein as the initial pathological trigger of disease. Association studies have recently showed that cerebral hypoxia, via both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, increase amyloid-β deposition by altering expression levels of enzymes involved in the production/degradation of the protein. Furthermore, hypoxia has also been linked to neuronal and glial-cell calcium dysregulation through formation of calcium-permeable pores, dysregulated glutamate signaling, and intracellular calcium-store dysfunction. Hypoxia has also been strongly linked to neuroinflammation; however, this relationship to AD has not been thoroughly discussed in the literature. Here, we highlight and organize critical research evidence showing that in both hypoxic and AD brains, there are similarities in terms of 1) the substances mediating/modulating the neuroinflammatory environment and 2) the immune cells that drive the formation of these substances.
Kinect-ed Piano

The authors describe a gesturally controlled improvisation system for an experimental pianist, developed over several laboratory sessions and used during a performance at the 2011 conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME). They discuss the architecture and performative advantages and limitations of the system, and reflect on the lessons learned throughout its development.
Non-point source pollution estimation in the Pingqiao River Basin, China, using a spatial hydrograph-separation approach

ABSTRACT For efficient and targeted management, this study demonstrates a recently developed non-point source (NPS) pollution model for a year-long estimation in the Pingqiao River Basin (22.3 km2) in China. This simple but physically reasonable model estimates NPS export in terms of land use by reflecting spatial hydrological features and source runoff measurements under different land-use types. The NPS export was separately analysed by a distributed hydrological model, a spatial hydrograph-separation technique, and an empirical water quality sub-model. Simulation results suggest that 57 890 kg of total nitrogen (TN) and 1148 kg of total phosphorus (TP) were delivered. The results, validated with observed stream concentrations, show relative errors of 23.3% for TN and 47.4% for TP. Countermeasures for urban areas (5.3% of total area) were prioritized because of the high contribution rate to TN (14.1%) and TP (26.2%) which is caused by the high degree of runoff (8.5%) and pollution source.
Understanding Airline and Passenger Choice in Multi-Airport Regions

This report provides insight into the business models airlines use to establish service in regions with multiple airports and how passengers select an airport within a multi-airport region. Chapter 1 provides a background and summary of the research objectives and approach. Chapter 2 highlights key features of multi-airport regions, including market size, catchment area, geography, air service, and other factors. A summary of relevant literature is provided in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 describes the factors passengers consider when selecting an airport in a multi-airport region, while Chapter 5 provides insight into the process airlines use to evaluate the most profitable way of serving a multi-airport region. Five regional case studies are presented in Chapter 6 to provide real-world examples of the interplay of the various factors described in the previous chapters. The case studies include two classic examples of multi-airport regions (the Los Angeles Basin and the San Francisco Bay Area) and three diverse examples (Western Carolina, the Northern Gulf Coast, and Central Wisconsin). The findings and conclusion of the research are provided in Chapter 7. A glossary and annotated bibliography are included as appendices. The report’s findings will help airports and their stakeholders focus limited resources on strategies that can provide sustainable levels of service within the context of their multi-airport environment.
Assessment of land-use changes and their impacts on ecosystem services in two Slovenian rural landscapes

This study shows the link between land use, landscape changes, and ecosystem services. Two pilot areas were investigated for how land use changes from 1824 to 2013 affect the provision of ecosystem services. It was found that low-intensity managed traditional land use is disappearing due to the intensification of agricultural production on the one hand, and the retreat of agriculture from unfavorable areas on the other hand. However, such traditional land use contributes to more diverse and more numerous ecosystem services and helps preserve the cultural landscape. Therefore, intensification and overgrowth should be restricted, and less intensive agriculture should be encouraged. The approach presented can be used as a support tool for decision-making in managing and governing landscapes.
Belastung und Beanspruchungen durch die Mensch-Roboter-Kollaboration an industriellen Arbeitsplätzen: ein Überblick über den aktuellen Forschungsstand

Zur Analyse der Faktoren eines Mensch-Roboter-Arbeits-platzes, die die Belastung / Beanspruchung in einem industriellen Umfeld beeinflussen wurde eine strukturierte Literaturrecherche in den Datenban-ken IEEE Explore, Scopus und World of Science durchgefuhrt. In dieser wurden uber 35 empirische Studien identifiziert, die die einzelnen Eigen-schaften des Arbeitsplatzes auf die Belastungen / Beanspruchungen des Menschen in einem industriellen Umfeld darstellen. Dabei lag innerhalb der untersuchten Studien der Fokus klar auf der mentalen Beanspru-chung. Abschliesend lasst sich sagen, dass in den analysierten Studien sowohl der Einsatz von Robotern fur die physische Belastungsreduktion untersucht wird, als auch die Auswirkungen auf die mentale Beanspru-chung, die zeigt, dass die Arbeit mit dem Roboter eine mentale Belastung darstellen kann. Jedoch liegt noch keine integrierte Bewertung von beiden -relevanten- Belastungen vor.
HEMOTOXIC AND GENOTOXIC EFFECTS OF LEAD ACETATE AND CHLORPYRIFOSE ON FRESHWATER CAT FISH (Calarias gariepinus)

This study was conducted to evaluate hemotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by lead acetate and chlorpyrifos in catfish (Clarias gariepinus) as a model for checking genotoxic pollutants in aquatic surroundings. Lead acetate was added by a dose of 24.4 mg/L (20% of the LC50) daily, chlorpyrifos was added by a dose of 1.65 mg/L (1/10 LC50) daily. Fish were kept in standard condition in which water temperature (25°C± 2); pH (7.6 ± 0.4) and dissolved oxygen (5.4±0.4 mg/L). Blood and liver were sampled after 4 weeks. The result revealed a significant reduction of RBCs count, Hb, hematocrit in fish exposed to lead and chlorpyrifos. Furthermore, MDA level and catalase activity showed significant increase and decrease, respectively in groups exposed to lead acetate and chlorpyrifos in comparison with the control fish. Toxic effect of lead acetate and chlorpyrifos confirmed by histopathological changes in liver sections which showed marked hepatic vacuolation and parenchymal hemorrhage. DNA damage detected by comet assay also revealed a significance increase in tail length, tail DNA% and tail moment at sub-lethal concentration of lead acetate and chlorpyrifos. This study concluded that lead acetate and chlorpyrifos have hemotoxic and genotoxic effect probably through, at least in part, induction of reactive oxygen species and chlorpyrifos has more hemotoxic and genotoxic effect than lead acetate. Key words : catfish; lead acetate; chlorpyrifos; DNA damage
Uma Abordagem para Avaliar Aderência ao Tema e Estrutura Dissertativa-Argumentativa de Redações

This paper presents an approach for automatic evaluation of the argumentative structure and adherence to the theme of essays. The approach can be integrated into a solution that addresses the other competencies involved in the correction of essays. Promising results were achieved in the initial phase of the work on indicators of mean error and Pearson correlation.
Plausible Deniability and Cooperation in Trust Games

What motivates agents to choose pro-social but dominated actions in principal-agent interactions like the trust game? We investigate this by exploring the role higher-order beliefs about payoffs play in an incentivized laboratory experiment. We consider a variety of ways of distributing higher order information about payoffs, including an asymmetrical distribution that generates â€œplausible deniabilityâ€ : one agent (B) knows the other (A) doesnâ€™t know that B knows how Aâ€™s payoffs are impacted by Bâ€™s actions. Agents, in turn, exploit this: otherwise trustworthy types are tempted into defecting when they have plausible deniability.
Does public outreach impede research performance? Exploring the ‘researcher’s dilemma’ in a sustainability research center

Researchers and universities are increasingly urged to communicate their findings to the general public. Despite the broad consensus about the necessity of this task, researchers are still reluctant to engage in public outreach activities. One major reason is that while being somewhat time consuming, engagement in public outreach is not adequately reflected in the metrics that are relevant for career advancement. The study at hand examines to what extent this dilemma is empirically justified. A series of statistical analyses are carried out on the basis of data from a sustainability science research center in Switzerland. The study comes to the conclusion that research performance is overall positively associated to engagement in public outreach activities. This insight has implications for the academic incentive and evaluation system.
Active Tracking Control for Steer-by-Wire System With Disturbance Observer

The operation of the steer-by-wire (SBW) system without physical transmission mechanism is relied on the control of steering actuation. The main disturbance during the tracking control of steering actuation is the nonlinear rack force caused by the vehicle tire-road interaction. To improve the steering performance of SBW system, a steering controller with an active rack force compensation concept is proposed in this paper for the tracking control algorithm design. Three kinds of disturbance observers are established to show the efficiency of rack force estimation during the steering control. By utilizing an extended disturbance observer into a robust sliding mode control, an active tracking controller with feedforward compensation is designed for the SBW system. The proposed algorithms are validated with different driving test cycles from ISO standards in software-in-loop and hardware-in-loop experiments. The results have shown the effectiveness of the rack force estimation and tracking performance by the proposed controller, even in the extreme testing conditions.
High-performance hybrid composites made of recycled Nomex, Kevlar, and polyester selvages: mechanical property evaluations

Abstract In modern age, prosperous business, industrial, social, and leisure activities improve and ensure the quality of lives considerably, but are inevitably accompanied with insecurity and dangers that lurk anywhere anytime. People are concerned about safety and have increasing demands on self-protection in terms of working/living environment, accidents, and raising crime rates. The increasing demands of protective textiles cause the mass production of high performance fabrics, leaving considerable amount of high performance selvages. In this study, three kinds of high performance recycled selvages, including Nomex, Kevlar, and PET selvages, are used to make high-performance hybrid composites. The recycled selvages are smashed into staple fibers using a nonwoven manufacturing process. Each recycled staple fibers are individually combined with low-melting-point polyester (LPET) fibers at ratios of 9:1, 7:3, and 5:5, and processed with thermal compression. The LPET fibers contribute to the hybrid composites with thermal bonding points, which decrease the voids between fibers, limit the fiber slide, and enhance the friction force between fibers. The shearing, expelling, and friction functionalities of LPET fibers are expected have a positive influence on the mechanical properties of the high-performance hybrid composites. The morphology of hybrid composites is observed using a scanning electron microscope, and the air permeability, tensile strength, tearing strength, and bursting strength of hybrid composites are evaluated, examining the optimal parameters.
Stylistics: Towards a Linguistic Analysis of Literature

A linguistic analysis of literature has caused debates among linguists and between linguists and literary critics. The debate among linguists occurs because they have different opinions regarding the nature of literary language, while the debate between linguists and literary scholars arises as literary scholars question the authority of linguistics to study literary writings. Therefore, in this paper I argue that the language of literature is similar to that of non-literary texts, and I also believe that because the centrality of language in literary writings, linguistics, as the study of language, has the authority to study literature. One linguistic approach to literature is stylistics, which studies the forms, functions, and meanings of literary language in a detailed and systematic way. Keywords: linguistics; literature; literary language; stylistics;
Performing and analyzing high-resolution anorectal manometry

Los desórdenes anorrectales afectan al 20% de la población. Los trastornos comunes inclu-yen la incontinencia fecal, el dolor anorrectal funcional, la defecación disinérgica y otros trastornos de la defecación funcional. La manometría anorrectal, especialmente en la últi-ma década, ha surgido como una herramienta valiosa para la evaluación y el diagnóstico de estas afecciones. En esta revisión describimos nuestro enfoque para realizar un estudio meticuloso y de alta calidad, así como cumplir con los estándares mínimos para el proce-dimiento. Asimismo, describimos: instrucciones de preparación; composición del equipo, que incluye sonda, hardware y software; detalles técnicos del procedimiento, incluyendo varias maniobras; un análisis sistemático de los datos obtenidos mediante manometría anorrectal de alta resolución y, finalmente, functional defecation disorders. Anorectal manometry (ARM), especially over the past decade, has emerged as a valuable tool for the evaluation and diagnosis of these conditions. In this review, we describe our approach for performing a meticulous and high-quality study as well as adhering to minimum standards for the procedure. We describe preparation instructions to the subject; the equipment including probe, hardware, and software; technical details of the procedure including various maneuvers followed by a systematic analysis of the data obtained using high-resolution ARM, and finally, how to interpret and generate a standard report.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hypoxemia after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: The Time to Change Our Conceptions

Background: Acute hypoxemia is the main characteristic of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is one of the most critical complications of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Given the dearth of data on acute hypoxemia, we sought to determine its prevalence and risk factors among post-CABG patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on on-pump CABG patients in Tehran Heart Center in 2 consecutive months in 2012. The effects of arterial blood gas variables, age, gender, the duration of the pump and cross-clamping, the ejection fraction, the creatinine level, and the body mass index on the prevalence of hypoxemia at the cutoff points of ARDS and acute lung injury were assessed. Results: Out of a total of 232 patients who remained in the study, 174 (75.0%) cases were male. The mean age was 60.60±9.42 years, and the mean body mass index was 27.15±3.93 kg/m2. None of the patients expired during the current admission. The ratio of partial pressure arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) 1 hour after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), before extubation, and at 4 hours after extubation was less than 300 mmHg in 66.6%, 72.2%, and 86.6% of the patients and less than 200 mmHg in 20.8% 17.7%, and 30.2% of the patients, respectively. Among the different variables, only a heavier weight was associated with a PaO2/FiO2 ratio of less than 300 mmHg at 1 hour after ICU admission and at 4 hours after extubation (P=0.001). A rise in the cross-clamp time showed a significant association with the risk of a PaO2/FiO2 ratio of less than 200 mmHg at 4 hours after extubation (P=0.014). Conclusion: This study shows that hypoxemia following CABG is very common in the first 48 postoperative hours, although it is a benign and transient event. The high prevalence may affect the accuracy of the ARDS criteria and their positive or negative predictive value.
User Experience Evolution Lifecycle Framework

Perceptions of quality from both designers and user s perspective have now stretched beyond the tradition al usability, incorporating abstract and subjective concepts. Thi s has led to a shift in human computer interaction research communities’ focus; a shift that focuses on achieving user experience (UX) by n ot o ly fulfilling conventional usability needs but also those that go beyond them. The term UX, although widely spread and given significa nt importance, lacks consensus in its unified definition. In this paper, we survey various UX definitions and modeling frameworks and examine them as the foundation for proposing a UX evolution life cycle framework for understanding UX in detail. In the proposed fra mework we identify the building blocks of UX and discuss how UX evolve s in various phases. The framework can be used as a tool to unde rstand experience requirements and evaluate them, resulting in better UX design and hence improved user satisfaction. Keywords—Usability, user experience lifecycle, user satisfac tion
Aurora A promotes chromosome congression by activating the condensin-dependent pool of KIF4A

Aurora kinases create phosphorylation gradients within the spindle during prometaphase and anaphase. These locally regulate factors that promote spindle organisation, chromosome condensation and movement, and cytokinesis. We show that one such factor is the kinesin KIF4A, which is present along the chromosome axes throughout mitosis and the central spindle in anaphase. These two pools of KIF4A depend on condensin I and PRC1, respectively. Previous work has shown KIF4A is activated by Aurora B at the anaphase central spindle. However, whether or not chromosome-associated KIF4A bound to condensin I is regulated by Aurora kinases remain unclear. To determine the roles of the two different pools of KIF4A, we generated specific point mutants that are unable to interact with either condensin I or PRC1, or are deficient for Aurora kinase regulation. By analysing these mutants, we show that Aurora kinases phosphorylate the condensin I dependent pool of KIF4A and thus actively promote chromosome congression from the spindle poles to the metaphase plate.
Study of Three Potential Variables that May Impact the Maximum Shear Force and Shear Variation During the Growth and Transport of Mixed Sex Broilers Grown in Commercial Poultry Houses

Temperature conditions during the transportation to the processing facility of commercial broilers have a direct impact on the meat texture, specifically maximum shear force and shear variation of cooked breast meat. Analysis of a calendar year of flock data (N=346), reveals that the largest impact of transport conditions, specifically temperature, is on the standard deviation of the flocks range of cooked shear values. The optimal transport temperature that yields broiler breast meat with average flock minimum shear and standard deviation values is approximately 60°F. The shear values for flocks at or near 60°F are on average 1 kg less than during temperatures less than 40°F. The location of the test was not subject to an extreme number of high temperature days preventing reporting the impact of high transport temperatures on meat texture. Chemical analysis of the raw Pectoralis Major (PM) muscle revealed no significant correlation between key minerals and the maximum shear force of the cooked PM muscle. There was a weak correlation of 8% between calcium and maximum shear force. The analysis was intended to lead further tests around intentional water chemistry modifications that would have a positive impact on meat texture. Based on the lack of correlation between minerals found in the raw tissue and cooked meat texture no further actions were pursued. Cortisone accumulations in the flight feathers are a proven indication of the stress history of the bird. Ultra high performance gas liquid chromatography (UHPGLC) detectible levels of cortisone in the flight feathers were found to range from 2 to 8 ppb in a limited number of samples. Norepinephrine levels ranged from 220 ppb to 1872 ppb. The highest levels of norepinephrine were found in the section of the broiler house at the service entry point. This section of the house also had the lowest sample shear and shear variation of the four sections samples. This may indicate a potential relationship between chronic stresses and improved cooked meat texture. ©2018 by Mark A. Christie All Rights Reserved
Parents, Children and Internet Use. Family Socialization on the Internet

Previous research has shown mixed results regarding the effectiveness of parental mediation in the Internet use. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of parents on adolescent’s Internet use. Sample consisted in 938 Spanish families with adolescents aged between 12-to-17 years old. Regression analysis confirmed the relationship between adolescents’ Internet use and family variables, emphasizing the importance of modeling performed by parents. Specifically, results showed that the effect of parents’ actions over their children’s Internet use is mediated by the parent’s use of the Internet. This study points out the need for parents to be involved in the socialization processes related with Internet use.
The Emergence of Internet of Things (IoT): Connecting Anything, Anywhere

Internet of Things (IoT) plays the role of an expert’s technical tool by empowering physical resources into smart entities through existing network infrastructures. Its prime focus is to provide smart and seamless services at the user end without any interruption. The IoT paradigm is aimed at formulating a complex information system with the combination of sensor data acquisition, efficient data exchange through networking, machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data, and clouds. Conversely, collecting information and maintaining the confidentiality of an independent entity, and then running together with privacy and security provision in IoT is the main concerning issue. Thus, new challenges of using and advancing existing technologies, such as new applications and using policies, cloud computing, smart vehicular system, protective protocols, analytics tools for IoT-generated data, communication protocols, etc., deserve further investigation. This Special Issue reviews the latest contributions of IoT application frameworks and the advancement of their supporting technology. It is extremely imperative for academic and industrial stakeholders to propagate solutions that can leverage the opportunities and minimize the challenges in terms of using this state-of-the-art technological development.