Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intestinal gas distribution determines abdominal symptoms

Background: Patients with functional gut disorders manifest poor tolerance to intestinal gas loads but the mechanism of this dysfunction is unknown. Aim: Our aims were firstly, to explore the relative importance of the amount of intestinal gas versus its distribution on symptom production, and secondly, to correlate gut motility and perception of gas loads. Subjects: Fourteen healthy subjects with no gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods: In each subject a gas mixture was infused (12 ml/min) either into the jejunum or rectum for one hour during blocked rectal gas outflow, and subsequently gas clearance was measured over one hour of free rectal evacuation. We measured abdominal perception, distension, and gut tone by duodenal and rectal barostats. Results: Similar magnitude of gas retention (720 ml) produced significantly more abdominal symptoms with jejunal compared with rectal infusion (perception score 4.4 (0.4) v 1.5 (0.5), respectively; p<0.01) whereas abdominal distension was similar (15 (2) mm and 14 (1) mm girth increment, respectively). Jejunal gas loads were associated with proximal contraction (by 57 (5)%) and colonic loads with distal relaxation (by 99 (20)%). Conclusion: The volume of gas within the gut determines abdominal distension whereas symptom perception depends on intraluminal gas distribution and possibly also on the gut motor response to gas loads.
Assessing Behavior Stage Progression From Social Media Data

Important work rooted in psychological theory posits that health behavior change occurs through a series of discrete stages. Our work builds on the field of social computing by identifying how social media data can be used to resolve behavior stages at high resolution (e.g. hourly/daily) for key population subgroups and times. In essence this approach opens new opportunities to advance psychological theories and better understand how our health is shaped based on the real, dynamic, and rapid actions we make every day. To do so, we bring together domain knowledge and machine learning methods to form a hierarchical classification of Twitter data that resolves different stages of behavior. We identify and examine temporal patterns of the identified stages, with alcohol as a use case (planning or looking to drink, currently drinking, and reflecting on drinking). Known seasonal trends are compared with findings from our methods. We discuss the potential health policy implications of detecting high frequency behavior stages.
Randomized Experimental Design for Causal Graph Discovery

We examine the number of controlled experiments required to discover a causal graph. Hauser and Buhlmann [1] showed that the number of experiments required is logarithmic in the cardinality of maximum undirected clique in the essential graph. Their lower bounds, however, assume that the experiment designer cannot use randomization in selecting the experiments. We show that significant improvements are possible with the aid of randomization - in an adversarial (worst-case) setting, the designer can then recover the causal graph using at most O(log log n) experiments in expectation. This bound cannot be improved; we show it is tight for some causal graphs. We then show that in a non-adversarial (average-case) setting, even larger improvements are possible: if the causal graph is chosen uniformly at random under a Erdos-Renyi model then the expected number of experiments to discover the causal graph is constant. Finally, we present computer simulations to complement our theoretic results. Our work exploits a structural characterization of essential graphs by Andersson et al. [2]. Their characterization is based upon a set of orientation forcing operations. Our results show a distinction between which forcing operations are most important in worst-case and average-case settings.
Regularity of a free boundary for viscosity solutions of nonlinear elliptic equations

Our objective in this paper is to analyze the regularity of the boundary of a set Omega2 that admits a solution u to the following overdetermined problem: F(D(2)u) = chi (Omega) in B, u = \ delu \ = 0 in B \ Omega. Here F is a convex, uniformly elliptic operator of homogeneity one, B is the unit ball in R-n, and the equation is satisfied in the viscosity sense. We also consider the case of concave F in R-2.
Data Traffic Costs and Mobile Browsing User Experience

Cost of mobile data traffic is seriously restraining mobile browsing from becoming commonplace. Our user studies with 35 international interviewees show that cost is a major influencer in mobile browsing user experience, and it is hard to understand, follow, and control mobile data traffic costs. In this paper, we discuss different billing models for mobile data traffic, how users perceive these billing models, and how they try to control costs. We discuss the different solutions for improving mobile browsing user experience on client, gateway, and carrier sides.
Response latencies of cells in the cat's lateral geniculate nucleus are less variable during burst than tonic firing

We measured the variability in latency of the first spike seen in cells of the cat's lateral geniculate nucleus following the onset of a visual stimulus. We found that, in each of the 11 cells tested, this variability was significantly lower during burst than during tonic firing. We suggest that this difference confers an advantage in signal detection during burst compared to tonic firing. This complements other reported advantages of burst firing for signal detection seen in signal-to-noise ratios and in the ability to efficiently drive postsynaptic cells.
Different Phosphate Transport in the Duodenum and Jejunum of Chicken Response to Dietary Phosphate Adaptation

Intestinal phosphate (Pi) absorption across the apical membrane of small intestinal epithelial cells is mainly mediated by the type IIb Na-coupled phosphate co-transporter (NaPi-IIb), but its expression and regulation in the chicken remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the mRNA and protein levels of NaPi-IIb in three regions of chicken small intestine, and related their expression levels to the rate of net phosphate absorption. Our results showed that maximal phosphate absorption occurs in the jejunum, however the highest expression levels of NaPi-IIb mRNA and protein occurs in the duodenum. In response to a low-Pi diet (TP 0.2%), there is an adaptive response restricted to the duodenum, with increased brush border membrane (BBM) Na-Pi transport activity and NaPi-IIb protein and mRNA abundance. However, when switched from a low- (TP 0.2%) to a normal diet (TP 0.6%) for 4 h, there is an increase in BBM NaPi-IIb protein abundance in the jejunum, but no changes in BBM NaPi-IIb mRNA. Therefore, our study indicates that Na-Pi transport activity and NaPi-IIb protein expression are differentially regulated in the duodenum vs the jejunum in the chicken.
A robust digital watermarking algorithm based on SVD of compressive sampling measurements

Recently there has emerged a lot of work that integrates the compressive sampling theory into watermarking schemes. The subtle changes in local space domain of the signal can lead to distinct disturbance in all the measurements. It will lead to the poor robustness when the watermark is directly embedded into the compressive sampling measurements. To solve this problem, a robust digital watermarking algorithm based on singular value decomposition of compressive sampling measurements is presented in this paper. The watermark is embedded into the singular values of the host image in CS transform domain. Simulation results have shown that the proposed algorithm meets the demand of the transparency and achieves the better robustness to common image processing and geometric attacks. Our algorithm also helps to realize the synchronization of imaging and the watermark embedding.
Is a linear space contained in a variety? - On the number of derivatives needed to tell

Let $X^n\subset C^{n+a}$ or $X^n\subset P^{n+a}$ be a patch of an analytic submanifold of an affine or projective space, let $x\in X$ be a general point, and let L^k be a linear space of dimension k osculating to order m at x. If m is large enough, one expects L to be contained in X and thus X contains a linear space of dimension kthrough almost every point. We show that $L\subset X$ in the following cases: k=1 and m=n+1; k=n-1, $a\geq 2$, and m=2; $n\geq 4$, k=n-2 and m=4. We prove these results by first deriving the order of osculation that generically implies containment and then showing that in these cases containment must occur. If X is a patch of a projective variety, we address the question as to whether X can be a smooth variety. We show that if there is a P^k through each point and $codim(X)<\frac{k}{n-k}$ then X cannot be a smooth variety.
Gibbs Properties of the Fuzzy Potts Model on Trees and in Mean Field

We study Gibbs properties of the fuzzy Potts model in the mean field case (i.e. on a complete graph) and on trees. For the mean field case, a complete characterization of the set of temperatures for which non-Gibbsianness happens is given. The results for trees are somewhat less explicit, but we do show for general trees that non-Gibbsianness of the fuzzy Potts model happens exactly for those temperatures where the underlying Potts model has multiple Gibbs measures.
Persistent Organic Pollutants in Norwegian Men from 1979 to 2007: Intraindividual Changes, Age–Period–Cohort Effects, and Model Predictions

Background: Longitudinal monitoring studies of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in human populations are important to better understand changes with time and age, and for future predictions. Objectives: We sought to describe serum POP time trends on an individual level, investigate age–period–cohort effects, and compare predicted polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations to measured values. Methods: Serum was sampled in 1979, 1986, 1994, 2001, and 2007 from a cohort of 53 men in Northern Norway and analyzed for 41 POPs. Time period, age, and birth cohort effects were assessed by graphical analyses and mixed-effect models. We derived the predicted concentrations of four PCBs for each sampling year using the CoZMoMAN model. Results: The median decreases in summed serum POP concentrations (lipid-adjusted) in 1986, 1994, 2001, and 2007 relative to 1979 were –22%, –52%, –54%, and –68%, respectively. We observed substantial declines in all POP groups with the exception of chlordanes. Time period (reflected by sampling year) was the strongest descriptor of changes in PCB-153 concentrations. Predicted PCB-153 concentrations were consistent with measured concentrations in the study population. Conclusions: Our results suggest substantial intraindividual declines in serum concentrations of legacy POPs from 1979 to 2007 in men from Northern Norway. These changes are consistent with reduced environmental exposure during these 30 years and highlight the relation between historic emissions and POP concentrations measured in humans. Observed data and interpretations are supported by estimates from the CoZMoMAN emission-based model. A longitudinal decrease in concentrations with age was evident for all birth cohorts. Overall, our findings support the relevance of age–period–cohort effects to human biomonitoring of environmental contaminants. Citation: Nøst TH, Breivik K, Fuskevåg OM, Nieboer E, Odland JØ, Sandanger TM. 2013. Persistent organic pollutants in Norwegian men from 1979 to 2007: intraindividual changes, age–period–cohort effects, and model predictions. Environ Health Perspect 121:1292–1298; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1206317
2 Reverse Takeovers : The Other Side of the Poor Man ’ s IPO

Reverse takeovers (RTOs), or Reverse Mergers (RMs) as they are usually referred to in the US, have been the subject of considerable public debate and regulatory scrutiny in recent years. The marked differences between the US and UK regulatory frameworks related to reverse takeovers in terms of definition, listing requirements, approval and the scope of such transactions offer the opportunity to reassess the effectiveness of such public listings. For private firms using the RTO route to go public, we identify three distinct groups of public entities which they acquire, ranging from non-operating, often bankrupt, mature shells to recently listed ‘cash shells’ and other active listed firms offering clear synergy potential. In sharp contrast to the US experience, we find that the latter group accounts for a significant proportion of UK RTOs, undertaken by firms looking for expansion through simultaneously conducting a synergetic acquisition and a public listing. Furthermore, these companies are often actively involved in acquisitions and SEOs soon after their public listing. All three types of UK RTO survive longer than their US counterparts and there is no evidence to suggest that their aftermarket performance is fundamentally different from their peers which opt for a traditional IPO listing.
The effect of pleasant and unpleasant music on judgments of learning and memory recall

Previous research has suggested that if music is perceived as pleasant, it will evoke a positive mood and if music is perceived as unpleasant or aversive, it will evoke a negative mood. Mood has an effect on memory, as a positive mood enhances cognitive processes, and a negative mood impairs cognitive processes. Research has suggested that Judgments-of-Learning (JOLs) or the predictions of the likelihood of future recall, are generally accurate. According to the CueUtilization-Framework (Koriat, 1997), JOLs depend on intrinsic, mnemonic and extrinsic cues. Extrinsic cues include environmental factors such as background music. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of music as a potential extrinsic cue, as perceived as pleasant or unpleasant, on the accuracy of JOLs and memory recall. It is examined whether or not a congruency in music between the learning and testing periods had an effect on the accuracy of JOLs and memory recall. 62 Undergraduate students attending Laurentian University were randomly assigned to one of four conditions including: Pleasant music during learning, negative music during recall, unpleasant music during learning and negative during recall, pleasant music during both and negative music during both. Participants were asked to complete a six-scale mood rating five times throughout the experiment that included items such as cheerful, content, relaxed, irritated, frustrated, and upset. There were two word lists containing 20 words each, and participants were required to progress through a timed PowerPoint where a word would display for 5 seconds and a JOL was made immediately after (in 4 seconds). They were given 5 minutes to recall at the end of each word list. Results did not support the notion that music is an extrinsic cue affecting JOLs as there were no significant differences between conditions. Also, mood dependent memory did not exert an effect on JOLs and Recall, as incongruent conditions had significantly higher mean JOL-Recall than congruent condition (an opposite effect). Overall, JOLs appear to be an accurate predictor of performance. RUNNING HEAD: THE EFFECT OF MUSIC ON JOL’S AND MEMORY 4 Table of
Online brand community practices and the construction of brand legitimacy

Contemporary marketers build online brand communities to communicate with the organization’s social surroundings, yet there is a lack of understanding of how brand legitimization unfolds in these platforms. To understand how legitimacy is constructed and contested every day, the current study adopts a practice-theoretical lens and discourse analysis to investigate two online communities. The contribution of the study is twofold: First, the insights from the discursive praxis, online community posts, comments and reactions illustrate the connections between multiple levels of legitimization discourse. Second, this study builds a theoretical framework for legitimization practice. Individual perceptions, judgements of the texts and actions on them in the online community intertwine with the organizational and societal context shaping the legitimacy of the brand in the community and beyond. This practice supports or challenges the brand as an institution and may legitimize or delegitimize the brand.
X-Ray-emitting Young Stars in the Orion Nebula

The Orion Nebula Cluster and the molecular cloud in its vicinity have been observed with the ACIS-I detector on board the Chandra X-ray Observatory with 23 hr exposure in two observations. We detect 1075 X-ray sources, most with subarcsecond positional accuracy. Ninety-one percent of the sources are spatially associated with known stellar members of the cluster, and an additional 7% are newly identified deeply embedded cloud members. This provides the largest X-ray study of a pre-main-sequence stellar population and covers the initial mass function from brown dwarfs up to a 45 M☉ O star. Source luminosities span 5 orders of magnitude from log LX ≃ 28.0 to 33.3 ergs s-1 in the 0.5-8 keV band, plasma energies range from 0.2 to >10 keV, and absorption ranges from log NH < 20.0 to ~23.5 cm-2. Comprehensive tables providing X-ray and stellar characteristics are provided electronically. We examine here the X-ray properties of Orion young stars as a function of mass; other studies of astrophysical interest will appear in companion papers. Results include: (a) the discovery of rapid variability in the O9.5 31 M☉ star θ2A Ori, and several early B stars, inconsistent with the standard model of X-ray production in small shocks distributed throughout the radiatively accelerated wind; (b) support for the hypothesis that intermediate-mass mid-B through A type stars do not themselves produce significant X-ray emission; (c) confirmation that low-mass G through M type T Tauri stars exhibit powerful flaring but typically at luminosities considerably below the "saturation" level; (d) confirmation that the presence or absence of a circumstellar disk has no discernable effect on X-ray emission; (e) evidence that T Tauri plasma temperatures are often very high with T ≥ 100 MK, even when luminosities are modest and flaring is not evident; and (f) detection of the largest sample of pre-main-sequence very low-mass objects showing flaring levels similar to those seen in more massive T Tauri stars and a decline in magnetic activity as they evolve into L and T type brown dwarfs.
A Radio Supernova Remnant Associated with the Young Pulsar J1119–6127

We report on Australia Telescope Compact Array observations in the direction of the young high magnetic-field pulsar J1119-6127. In the resulting images we identify a nonthermal radio shell of diameter 15', which we classify as a previously uncataloged young supernova remnant, G292.2-0.5. This supernova remnant is positionally coincident with PSR J1119-6127, and we conclude that the two objects are physically associated. No radio emission is detected from any pulsar wind nebula (PWN) associated with the pulsar; our observed upper limits are consistent with the expectation that high magnetic-field pulsars produce radio nebulae that fade rapidly. This system suggests a possible explanation for the lack of an associated radio pulsar and/or PWN in many supernova remnants.
Operational Effect Variables and Functional Ecosystem Classifications – a Review on Empirical Models for Aquatic Systems along a Salinity Gradient

This paper presents a comparative study based on a very comprehensive set of empirical data from many international data bases including fresh water systems, coastal brackish water areas and marine coastal areas. We present a general trophic level classification system (oligotrophic, mesotrophic, eutrophic and hypertrophic categories) for sites/areas characterised by a wide range of salinities. This classification system targets on the following operational effect variables (bioindicators), which are meant to reflect key structural and functional aspects of aquatic ecosystems and characteristic (median) values for entire defined areas (the ecosystem scale) for the growing season: Secchi depth (as a standard measure of water clarity), chlorophyll-a concentrations (a measure of primary phytoplankton biomass), the oxygen saturation in the deep-water zone (an indicator reflecting sedimentation, oxygen consumption, oxygen concentrations and the habitat conditions for zoobenthos, an important functional group) and the macrophyte cover (an important variable for the bioproduction potential, including fish production, and the "biological value" of aquatic systems). For a wide range of systems, these bioindicators can be predicted using practically useful models, i.e., models based on variables that can be accessed from standard monitoring programs and maps. These bioindicators are regulated by a set of abiotic factors, such as salinity, suspended particulate matter (SPM), nutrient concentrations (N and P), morphometry and water exchange. Empirical data ultimately form the basis for most ecological/environmental studies and this work uses maybe the most comprehensive data set ever related to trophic level conditions. It also gives compilations of empirically-based (statistical) models quantifying how the variables are interrelated and how they reflect fundamental aspects of aquatic ecosystems.
High-order quantum algorithm for solving linear differential equations

Linear differential equations are ubiquitous in science and engineering. Quantum computers can simulate quantum systems, which are described by a restricted type of linear differential equations. Here we extend quantum simulation algorithms to general inhomogeneous sparse linear differential equations, which describe many classical physical systems. We examine the use of high-order methods (where the error over a time step is a high power of the size of the time step) to improve the efficiency. These provide scaling close to Δt2 in the evolution time Δt. As with other algorithms of this type, the solution is encoded in amplitudes of the quantum state, and it is possible to extract global features of the solution.
Lower Pre-Treatment T Cell Activation in Early- and Late-Onset Tuberculosis-Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome

Background Tuberculosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) is an inflammatory complication in HIV-TB co-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The role of disturbed T cell reconstitution in TB-IRIS is not well understood. We investigated T cell activation and maturation profiles in patients who developed TB-IRIS at different intervals during ART. Methods Twenty-two HIV-TB patients who developed early-onset TB-IRIS and 10 who developed late-onset TB-IRIS were matched for age, sex and CD4 count to equal numbers of HIV-TB patients who did not develop TB-IRIS. Flow cytometry analysis was performed on fresh blood, drawn before and after ART initiation and during TB-IRIS events. T cell activation and maturation was measured on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells using CD45RO, CD38, HLA-DR, CCR7 and CD27 antibodies. Results CD8+ T cell activation before ART was decreased in both early-onset (77% vs. 82%, p = 0.014) and late-onset (71% vs. 83%, p = 0.012) TB-IRIS patients compared to non-IRIS controls. After ART initiation, the observed differences in T cell activation disappeared. During late-onset, but not early-onset TB-IRIS, we observed a skewing from memory to terminal effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations (p≤0.028). Conclusion Our data provide evidence of reduced CD8+ T cell activation before ART as a common predisposing factor of early- and late-onset TB-IRIS. The occurrence of TB-IRIS itself was not marked by an over-activated CD8+ T cell compartment. Late- but not early-onset TB-IRIS was characterized by a more terminally differentiated T cell phenotype.