Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stress in School. Some Empirical Hints on the Circadian Cortisol Rhythm of Children in Outdoor and Indoor Classes

This prospective longitudinal survey compared the stress levels of students taught using an outdoor curriculum in a forest, with children in a normal school setting. We were especially interested in the effect outdoor teaching might have on the children’s normal diurnal cortisol rhythm. 48 children (mean age = 11.23; standard deviation (SD) = 0.46) were enrolled, with 37 in the intervention group (IG), and 11 in the control group (CG). The intervention consisted of one full school day per week in the forest over the school year. Stress levels were measured in cortisol with three samples of saliva per day. Furthermore, the data allowed for statistical control of physical activity (PA) values. For data analysis, we used a linear mixed-effects model (LMM) with random intercept and general correlation matrix for the within-unit residuals. The LMM yields that IG have expected greater decline of cortisol compared to CG; rate 0.069 µg/L vs. 0.0102 µg/L (log-units/2 h), p = 0.009. PA does not show a statistically significant interaction with cortisol (p = 0.857), despite being higher in the intervention group (p < 0.001). The main effect in our measures was that the IG had a steady decline of cortisol during the school day. This is in accordance with a healthy child’s diurnal rhythm, with a significant decline of cortisol from morning to noon. This effect is constant over the school year. The CG does not show this decline during either measurement day. Further research is needed to fully explain this interesting phenomenon.
Implementation and performance of low complexity SIMO OFDM timing synchronization

A user terminal must first be timing synchronized with a base station to continue with further actions. Critical issues in timing synchronization are timing accuracy and complexity of the algorithms. In this paper, we present a low complexity downlink timing synchronization implementation for the mobile IEEE802.16e OFDMA WiMAX system. The design can use information from multiple receiver antennas. In addition, averaging of estimates over a number of successive frames is possible. The implementation compensates DC offset from the signal before actual synchronization. Performance of different options of the design in terms of estimation accuracy is demonstrated.
Recent developments on silicon photomultipliers produced at FBK-irst

In this contribution, new developments on the silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) fabricated at FBK-irst (Trento, Italy) are reported. With respect to the first series of devices produced in 2005/2006, there have been major improvements on both the the layout and the technology. Concerning the first aspect we fabricated SiPMs with increased fill factor and with different geometries (square/circular devices, arrays and matrices of SiPMs) to meet the requirements of different applications. Concerning the technology, we identified a process technique able to reduce significantly the dark count rate. In this paper we will describe the main electro-optical characteristics of these devices.
On variable sampling frequencies in speech recognition

In this paper we describe a novel approach to address the issue of different sampling frequencies in speech recognition. In general, when a recognition task needs a different sampling frequency from that of the reference system, it is customary to re-train the system for the new sampling rate. To circumvent the tedious training process, we propose a new approach termed Sampling Rate Transformation (SRT) to perform the transformation directly on speech recognition system. By re-scaling the mel-fil-ter design and ﬁltering the system in spectrum domain, SRT converts the existing system to the target spectral range. New systems are obtained without using any data from the test environment. Preliminary experiments show that SRT reduces the word error rate from 29.89% to 18.17% given 11KHz test data and a 16KHz SI system. The matched system for 11KHz has an error rate of 16.17%. We also examine MLLR and MAP. The best result from MLLR is 17.92% with 4.5 hours of speech. In the speaker adaptation mode, SRT reduces the error rate from 15.48% to 9.71% given 11KHz test data and a 16KHz SA system while the matched 11KHz SA system has an error rate of 9.33%.
ADVANCING GERIATRIC NURSING PRACTICE; A Specialized Home Care Intervention Improves Survival Among Older Post‐Surgical Cancer Patients

CONTEXT: Changes in the healthcare system have resulted in shortened hospital stays, moving the focus of care from the hospital to the home. Patients are discharged post‐operatively with ongoing needs, and whether they receive nursing care post‐hospitalization can influence their recovery and survival. Little information is available about the factors that influence outcomes, including the survival of older cancer patients after cancer surgery.
Beyond nine years of continuous subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is an effective treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease. The benefits of bilateral subthalamic stimulation are well documented, and some studies reported outcomes with a follow‐up of 5 to 6 years; nevertheless, few data are available beyond 5 years. We report a long‐term prospective evaluation of 14 consecutive parkinsonian patients, treated by bilateral subthalamic stimulation for at least 9 years. Motor symptoms, activity of daily living, and motor complications were evaluated by means of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, while cognition and mood were assessed with a specific neuropsychological test battery; medication intake, stimulation parameters, comorbidity, and adverse events were also recorded. Patients were evaluated before surgery and at 1, 5, and ≥9 years after surgery. At last follow‐up, deep brain stimulation significantly improved the motor score by 42% compared to baseline, whereas activities of daily living were no longer improved; there was a 39% reduction in the dosage of dopaminergic drugs and a 59% improvement of L‐dopa–related motor complications. The neuropsychological assessment showed that 4 patients (29%) developed a significant cognitive decline over the follow‐up period. These results indicate a persistent effect of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus on the cardinal motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson's disease patients in the long‐term; however, a worsening of patients' disability, mainly due to disease progression, was observed. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Integration of a Multilevel Transport System Model into Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning

When planning their transport policy, cities usually focus on developing sustainable transport systems and reducing the negative consequences of transport. One way to deliver transport policies is to use the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), a strategic document designed to meet the demand for mobility whilst ensuring adequate quality of life for the residents. The process of Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP process) can be supported by using a transport model. The objective of this article is to analyse the efficacy of the Multilevel Model of Transport Systems—referred to by its acronym, MST—for the SUMP process. With its ability to represent the transport system’s behaviour depending on the level of detail, the MST can significantly benefit the SUMP process. The proposed concept of integration of the MST into the SUMP process has already been tested and applied in delivering Gdynia’s (Poland) SUMP. The paper suggests ways to use the MST at different levels of planning and modelling and describes the outcomes. Using the multilevel structure helps to fully realise the transport model’s potential to improve the effectiveness of urban mobility planning. The conclusions show that the methods proposed in the article are worthwhile and cities should consider them when planning the SUMP process.
Information Policy and the Spatial Constitution of Digital Geographic Information Markets

abstract Information policy has become one of the key instruments for the commodification and marketization of goods in contemporary capitalism. However, the spatializing role of this and other legal regimes has not been explored in depth. Among the categories of goods whose production and circulation is shaped by information policy, geographic information is increasingly salient in the digital economy due to the strategic and economic value derived from its integration of location and context. This article explores the role of information policy regimes in spatially bounding, structuring, and regulating digital geographic information markets. This is conducted through a Polanyian economic geographic approach that contextualizes, integrates, and synthesizes two types of geographic information market formations, and focuses on the institutional dimension of information policy regimes. In developing this approach, the article argues that legal regimes (in this case information policy) are capable of spatializing markets by structuring, integrating, and delimiting the actions of states and other actors, such as private corporations and consumers, within particular jurisdictions. The empirical section of the article illustrates this argument by showing how three aspects of information policy—(1) intellectual property, (2) infrastructure, and (3) commercialization—shape specific configurations of digital geographic information markets within the various administrative scales in the European Union, a globally influential jurisdiction for information policy, and where a regional digital market is in the process of construction. The article concludes by arguing that a Polanyian economic geographic approach provides a solid basis with ample versatility to account for the necessary integration of a legal perspective into the analysis of new kinds of goods (such as digital geographic information) and the spatialities of their emerging market configurations.
Correlates of child–father and child–mother attachment in the preschool years

ABSTRACT The increase in fathers’ involvement in childrearing, particularly beyond infancy, warrants research exploring factors influencing the quality of child–father attachment relationships, and the impact of these relationships on children’s social development. The current investigation explored various correlates of preschoolers’ child–father attachment security to both parents, including contextual factors (i.e., socioeconomic status, child temperament, parenting stress), parental play sensitivity, and child social adaptation. Participants included 107 preschool-aged children (59 girls; M = 46.67 months, SD = 8.57) and their fathers and mothers. Results revealed that both mothers’ and fathers’ play sensitivity were associated with child attachment security after controlling for different contextual factors. Furthermore, the magnitude of the association between child conduct problems and child–father attachment insecurity was stronger than the corresponding association with child–mother attachment insecurity. Findings provide important information on caregiving factors associated with child–father attachment security in the preschool years and the importance of this bond to children’s social adaptation.
Hyal‐1 but not hyal‐3 deficiency has an impact on ovarian folliculogenesis and female fertility by altering the follistatin/activin/Smad3 pathway and the apoptotic process

Ovarian follicle development is a process regulated by various endocrine, paracrine and autocrine factors that act coordinately to promote follicle growth. However, the vast majority of follicles does not reach the pre‐ovulatory stage but instead, undergo atresia by apoptosis. We have recently described a role for the somatic hyaluronidases (Hyal‐1, Hyal‐2, and Hyal‐3) in ovarian follicular atresia and induction of granulosa cell apoptosis. Herein, we show that Hyal‐1 but not Hyal‐3 null mice have decreased apoptotic granulosa cells after the induction of atresia and an increased number of retrieved oocytes after stimulation of ovulation. Furthermore, young Hyal‐1 null mice had a significantly higher number of primordial follicles than age matched wild‐type animals. Recruitment of these follicles at puberty resulted in an increased number of primary and healthy preantral follicles in Hyal‐1 null mice. Consequently, older Hyal‐1 deficient female mice have prolonged fertility. At the molecular level, immature Hyal‐1 null mice have decreased mRNA expression of follistatin and higher levels of phospho‐Smad3 protein, resulting in increased levels of phospho‐Akt in pubertal mice. Hyal‐1 null ovarian follicles did not exhibit hyaluronan accumulation. For Hyal‐3 null mice, compensation by Hyal‐1 or Hyal‐2 might be related to the lack of an ovarian phenotype. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that Hyal‐1 plays a key role in the early phases of folliculogenesis by negatively regulating ovarian follicle growth and survival. Our findings add Hyal‐1 as an ovarian regulator factor for follicle development, showing for the first time an interrelationship between this enzyme and the follistatin/activin/Smad3 pathway. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 1911–1922, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of Aspirin on Platelet Count and Volume in Humans

Platelet volume and total platelet mass are parameters of platelet activity and have become a prognostic factor in coronary heart disease. We have studied the influence of aspirin on platelet count, volume and total platelet mass in vitro and in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 20 healthy young male volunteers in vivo. Aspirin had no influence in vitro on either platelet count, volume or mass. Repeated blood sampling during a 7-day treatment with 250 mg aspirin daily showed an increased platelet count (7.3% on day 1, 3.0% on day 2, 6.8% on day 4 and 9.3% on day 7; p < 0.01) and total platelet mass (7.2, 5.0, 8.6 and 11.5% on days 1, 2, 4 and 7, respectively, p < 0.01). Aspirin treatment without repeated blood withdrawal had no effect. These data indicate that aspirin may affect the circulating platelet mass under certain conditions.
Assessing glycemia in diabetes using self-monitoring blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c.

CONTEXT With the increasing prevalence of diabetes, successful management of blood glucose control is increasingly important. Current approaches to assessing glycemia include the use of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). OBJECTIVES To assess the evidence underlying the use of these 2 modalities, to evaluate confounders and sources of error in each test, to describe upcoming developments, and to reach evidence-based conclusions on their optimal use. DATA SOURCES, STUDY SELECTION, AND DATA EXTRACTION Reports identified from MEDLINE searches (1976-2005) using relevant terms were selected for quality and relevance to the stated questions. Particular attention was paid to larger cohort studies, clinical trials, meta-analyses, and established recommendations. DATA SYNTHESIS If used properly SMBG gives an acceptably accurate reflection of immediate plasma glucose levels. Study results vary, but in general, the evidence supports a positive effect of regular SMBG for improving glycemia, particularly in individuals treated with insulin. The best timing of SMBG and its frequency are controversial issues, but the clinical recommendation is for regular monitoring with frequency depending on the treatment and the instability of glycemia. In the relatively near term, SMBG could gradually be replaced by continuous glucose monitoring. HbA1c measures long-term glycemic control, reflecting a time-weighted mean over the previous 3 to 4 months. There are a number of physiologic and methodologic confounders that can affect HbA1c, but standardization of assays has been well established. The main value of HbA1c is its use as a predictor of diabetic complications and the proven effect of improved control of HbA1c on complication risk. A reasonable target value for HbA1c is less than 7%. A new method for measuring HbA1c may cause significant changes in the recommended levels, the numbers reported, and even the name of the test. CONCLUSION Assessing glycemia in diabetes can be a challenge, but approaches are available that promote successful management of blood glucose and may thereby lead to a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality related to diabetes.
UbiRE: A game for teaching requirements in the context of ubiquitous systems

Considering the Computer Science challenge related to quality in technology development, the teaching and learning process of Software Engineering (SE) takes an important role because it impacts the formation of human resources. However, SE does not explore the broader development and use of didactic material such as games. These resources can propitiate an experience that reflects typical situations of real world and motivate students. This paper presents UbiRE, a game to understand Requirements Engineering in the context of ubiquitous systems. Its design, development and initial evaluation experience is discussed from a development process of educational game perspective, contributing to improve this process in the SE education scenario.
Hypertension, white matter change and response to cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease

Cholinesterase inhibitors are used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Their role in patients with concurrent cerebrovascular disease has been less well studied, and the influence of vascular risk factors on response to treatment is uncertain. We investigated the effect of hypertension and white matter lesions (WML) on response.
The effectiveness of policy evaluation: insights from the health care sector in Mexico and Chile

Over time, the predominant tendency of many governments’ agencies has been to evaluate a programme or policy investing large amount of resources in supporting policy evaluation. However, recommendations suggested by policy evaluators are not always taken up. Moreover, there is relatively little evidence of the extent of policy evaluation effectiveness (i.e. the influence of evaluation on the programme evaluated) and the factors which have significant impact on it. This dissertation aims to shed light on this issue by focusing on the Mexican and Chilean experiences of policy evaluation in the health care sector. It provides a detailed analysis of the extent to which evaluations have led to changes in policies and programmes and reveals a rather limited effectiveness of policy evaluation in these countries. I argue that shortcomings in the effectiveness of policy evaluation can be explained by institutional and political factors, primarily the nature of Intra Governmental Relations (IGR), but also the quality of bureaucracy, the level of democracy, the autonomy of policy evaluators, and the type of policy evaluation framework. While all of these factors seem to have some influence, the relationship between the executive and legislature is clearly the key determinant of the take up of recommendations. Thus, the findings of this thesis suggest that strengthening coordination between the different parts of government is needed to enhance the effectiveness of policy evaluation. In addition, the analysis also suggests that policy evaluation is likely to be more effective when it incorporates budgetary incentives.
Stent endothelialization. Time course, impact of local catheter delivery, feasibility of recombinant protein administration, and response to cytokine expedition.

BACKGROUND Because prior studies have established the critical role of the endothelium in preventing vascular thrombosis and intimal thickening, we designed a series of experiments to determine the feasibility of percutaneous local catheter delivery of recombinant protein to accelerate development of an intact endothelial monolayer after stent implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS Balloon injury followed by percutaneous delivery of a 15-mm-long, balloon-expandable metallic stent was performed in 64 rabbit external iliac arteries (baseline diameter, 2.67 +/- 0.07 mm). Planimetric time-course analysis disclosed < 20% stent endothelialization at 4 days, < 40% at 7 days, and near-complete endothelialization at 28 days. The reporter protein horseradish peroxidase and the endothelial cell-specific recombinant protein vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were each effectively delivered from a local delivery catheter (channel balloon catheter, ChB) after stent implantation. Although local catheter delivery (of vehicle control) itself mildly retarded the extent of stent endothelialization (10.6 +/- 2.9%) versus no local delivery (25.5 +/- 6.6%, P = .045), local ChB delivery of 100 micrograms VEGF overcame this catheter effect: By day 7, stent endothelialization was nearly complete (91.8 +/- 3.8%) (P < .0001 versus no local delivery). Consequently, stent thrombus was reduced in the VEGF-treated group (mural thrombus, 5.3 +/- 3.7%) versus no local delivery (29.3 +/- 6.8%, P = .006). Occlusive thrombus was seen only in the absence of local VEGF administration. CONCLUSIONS (1) Local delivery of recombinant protein to the arterial wall is feasible after stent implantation, and (2) local delivery of the endothelial cell mitogen VEGF accelerates stent endothelialization, reducing stent thrombosis. These results thus establish a novel means by which the safety and/or bioactivity of endovascular stents may be further enhanced.
Clioquinol: Review of its Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Uses in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Clioquinol was produced as a topical antiseptic and marketed as an oral intestinal amebicide in 1934, being used to treat a wide range of intestinal diseases. In the early 1970s, it was withdrawn from the market as an oral agent because of its association with subacute myelo‐optic neuropathy (SMON), a syndrome that involves sensory and motor disturbances in the lower limbs and visual changes. The first methods for determining plasma and tissue clioquinol (5‐chloro‐7‐iodo‐8‐quinolinol) levels were set up in the 1970s and involved HPLC separation with UV detection, these were followed by a more sensitive GC method with electron capture detection and a gaschromatographic‐massspectrometric (GC‐MS) method. Finally, an HPLC method using electrochemical detection has proved to be as highly sensitive and specific as the GC‐MS. In rats, mice, rabbits, and hamsters, clioquinol is rapidily absorbed and undergoes first‐pass metabolization to glucuronate and sulfate conjugates; the concentrations of the metabolites are higher than those of free clioquinol. Bioavailabilty versus intraperitoneal dosingis about 12%. Dogs and monkeys form fewer conjugates. In man, single‐dose concentrations are dose related, and the drug's half‐life is 11–14 h. There is no accumulation, and the drug is much less metabolized to conjugates. Clioquinol acts as a zinc and copper chelator. Metal chelation is a potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) because zinc and copper are involved in the deposition and stabilization of amyloid plaques, and chelating agents can dissolve amyloid deposits in vitro and in vivo. In general, the ability of clioquinol to chelate and redistribute metals plays an important role in diseases characterised by Zn, Cu, Fe dyshomeostasis, such as AD and Parkinson's disease, as it reduces oxidation and the amyloid burden. Zinc chelators may also act as anticancer agents. Animal toxicity studies have revealed species‐specific differences in neurotoxic responses that are related to the serum levels of clioquinol and metabolites. This is also true in humans, who form fewer conjugates. The results of studies of Alzheimer patients are conflicting and need further confirmation. The potential therapeutic role of the two main effects of MPACs (the regulation of the distribution of metals and antioxidants) has not yet been fully explored.