Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High basal metabolic rate is a risk factor for mortality: the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

BACKGROUND Despite longstanding controversies from animal studies on the relationship between basal metabolic rate (BMR) and longevity, whether BMR is a risk factor for mortality has never been tested in humans. We evaluate the longitudinal changes in BMR and the relationship between BMR and mortality in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) participants. METHODS BMR and medical information were collected at the study entry and approximately every 2 years in 1227 participants (972 men) over a 40-year follow-up. BMR, expressed as kcal/m(2)/h, was estimated from the basal O(2) consumption and CO(2) production measured by open-circuit method. Data on all-cause and specific-cause mortality were also obtained. RESULT BMR declined with age at a rate that accelerated at older ages. Independent of age, participants who died had a higher BMR compared to those who survived. BMR was a significant risk factor for mortality independent of secular trends in mortality and other well-recognized risk factors for mortality, such as age, body mass index, smoking, white blood cell count, and diabetes. BMR was nonlinearly associated with mortality. The lowest mortality rate was found in the BMR range 31.3-33.9 kcal/m(2)/h. Participants with BMR in the range 33.9-36.4 kcal/m(2)/h and above the threshold of 36.4 kcal/m(2)/h experienced 28% (hazard ratio: 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.61) and 53% (hazard ratio: 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.96) higher mortality risk compared to participants with BMR 31.3-33.9 kcal/m(2)/h. CONCLUSION We confirm previous findings of an age-related decline of BMR. In our study, a blunted age-related decline in BMR was associated with higher mortality, suggesting that such condition reflects poor health status.
Bacillus cereus eﬄux protein BC3310 – a multidrug transporter of the unknown major facilitator family, UMF-2

Phylogenetic classification divides the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) into 82 families, including 25 families that are comprised of transporters with no characterized functions. This study describes functional data for BC3310 from Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579, a member of the “unknown major facilitator family-2” (UMF-2). BC3310 was shown to be a multidrug eﬄux pump conferring resistance to ethidium bromide, SDS and silver nitrate when heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli DH5α ΔacrAB. A conserved aspartate residue (D105) in putative transmembrane helix 4 was identified, which was essential for the energy dependent ethidium bromide eﬄux by BC3310. Transport proteins of the MFS comprise specific sequence motifs. Sequence analysis of UMF-2 proteins revealed that they carry a variant of the MFS motif A, which may be used as a marker to distinguish easily between this family and other MFS proteins. Genes orthologous to bc3310 are highly conserved within the B. cereus group of organisms and thus belong to the core genome, suggesting an important conserved functional role in the normal physiology of these bacteria.
IL28B Genotype Does Not Correlate with HIV Control in African Americans

Background: HIV‐1 natural viral suppressors (NVS) are individuals that control HIV replication without antiretrovirals (also know as HIV elite controllers). We have recently shown that these individuals have an elevated rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance. Given the association of IL28B genotype, specifically the rs12979860 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based CC genotype, with HCV clearance, we studied its association with HIV control in 172 African American HIV subjects and 173 race‐matched controls.
Aberrant expression of CXCR4 and β-catenin in pancreatic cancer.

AIM The stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) axis and Wingless and INT-1 (Wnt)/β-catenin pathway has been related to cancer progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CXCR4 and β-catenin in pancreatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 48 pancreatic cancer samples and 8 normal pancreatic tissues were selected to detect CXCR4 and β-catenin expression by an immunohistological technique. Spearman and Chi-square analyses were used to study the relation between the protein expression and clinical characteristics. Survival analysis was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier product limit method. RESULTS The proportions of CXCR4 and β-catenin expression on pancreatic cancer cells were significantly higher than in normal pancreas tissues. There was a significant difference in CXRC4 expression levels, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. Clinical Significance was observed for β-catenin expression and lymph node metastasis; Kaplan-Meier curves suggested that clinical prognosis is poor for patients expressing CXCR4. Multivariate analysis showed that CXCR4 expression was an independent prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION Both CXCR4 and β-catenin are abnormally expressed in pancreatic cancer. CXCR4 may be an important marker for pancreatic cancer progression.
Benefits of and barriers to involving users in medical device technology development and evaluation

Objectives: This study investigated the benefits of and barriers to user involvement in medical device technology development and evaluation. Methods: A structured review of published literature in peer-reviewed journals was conducted. Results: This literature review revealed that the main benefits of user involvement were an increased access to user needs, experiences, and ideas; improvements in medical device designs and user interfaces; and an increase in the functionality, usability, and quality of the devices. On the other hand, resource issues, particularly those of time and money were found the key impediments to involving users in the development and evaluation of medical device technologies. This study also has categorized both the benefits of and barriers to user involvement. Conclusions: The involvement of users in medical device technology development and evaluation requires resources, which are limited; however, this involvement is essential from both users and manufacturers perspectives.
Quasi-cyclic LDPC codes based on pre-lifted protographs

Quasi-cyclic Low-Density Parity-Check (QC-LDPC) codes based on protographs are of great interest to code designers because of their implementation advantages and algebraic properties that make them easy to analyze. However, the protograph structure imposes undesirable fixed upper limits on important code parameters. In this paper, we show that the upper bound on the minimum Hamming distance of protograph-based QC codes can be improved by the careful application of a two-step lifting procedure applied to the protograph. The promised improvement is validated by constructing codes with minimum distance exceeding the upper bound for QC codes based on a particular protograph.
Minimality of non-σ-scattered orders

We will characterize—under appropriate axiomatic assumptions—when a linear order is minimal with respect to not being a countable union of scattered suborders. We show that, assuming PFA, the only linear orders which are minimal with respect to not being σ-scattered are either Countryman types or real types. We also outline a plausible approach to demonstrating the relative consistency of: There are no minimal non-σ-scattered linear orders. In the process of establishing these results, we will prove combinatorial characterizations of when a given linear order is σ-scattered and when it contains either a real or Aronszajn type.
A NEW MEASURE OF RETRIEVAL EFFECTIVENESS (OR: WHAT’S WRONG WITH PRECISION AND RECALL)

Most common effectiveness measures for information retrieval systems are based on binary relevance (either a document is relevant to a given query or it is not) and binary retrieval (either a document is retrieved or it is not). These assumptions are questioned, and a new measure named ADM (Average Distance Measure) is proposed. ADM turns out to be both adequate to measure the effectiveness of information retrieval systems, and useful for revealing some problems about precision and recall.
Visualization techniques in field geology education: A case study from Western Ireland

Geoscience students often have difficulty interpreting real-world spatial relationships from traditional two-dimensional geologic maps. This can be partly addressed with direct, tactile field experiences, although three-dimensional (3-D) cognition can still be hampered by incomplete exposure of all spatial dimensions. Many of these barriers can be overcome by incorporating computer-based, virtual 3-D visualizations within undergraduate field-oriented curricula. Digital field equipment is fast becoming a standard tool in environmental, engineering, and geoscience industries, in part because of the increased accessibility of ruggedized computers equipped with global positioning system (GPS) receivers. Handheld computers with geo graphic information systems (GIS) software record and display data in real time, which increases the accuracy and utility of draft field maps. New techniques and software allow digital field data to be displayed and interpreted within virtual 3-D platforms, such as Google Earth. The James Madison University Field Course provides a field geology curriculum that incorporates digital field mapping and computer-based visualizations to enhance 3-D interpretative skills. Students use mobile, handheld computers to collect field data, such as lithologic and structural information, and analyze and interpret their digital data to prepare professional-quality geologic maps of their field areas. Student data and maps are incorporated into virtual 3-D terrain models, from which partly inferred map features, such as contacts and faults, can be evaluated relative to topography to better constrain map interpretations. This approach familiarizes students with modern tools that can improve their interpretation of field geology and provides an example of the way in which digital technologies are revolutionizing traditional field methods. Initial student feedback suggests strong support for this curriculum integrating digital field data collection, map preparation, and 3-D visualization and interpretation to enhance student learning in the field. ©2009 The Geological Society of America. All rights reserved.
Major Depressive Disorder Alters Perception of Emotional Body Movements

Much recent research has shown an association between mood disorders and an altered emotion perception. However, these studies were conducted mainly with stimuli such as faces. This is the first study to examine possible differences in how people with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls perceive emotions expressed via body movements. Thirty patients with MDD and thirty healthy controls observed the video scenes of human interactions conveyed by point-light displays (PLDs). They rated the depicted emotions and judged their confidence in their rating. Results showed that patients with MDD rated the depicted interactions more negatively than healthy controls. They also rated interactions with negative emotionality as being more intense and were more confident in their ratings. It is concluded that patients with MDD exhibit an altered emotion perception compared to healthy controls when rating emotions expressed via body movements depicted in PLDs.
Mixed Marriages in Ireland a Century Ago

This paper explores the characteristics associated with marriages between Roman Catholics and members of other religious denominations ('mixed marriages') in 1911 Ireland. Using the recently-digitized returns of the 1911 census of population, we find that such marriages were relatively rare, varying from two to three percent of all mar- riages in Dublin to less than half a percent in Connacht. However, at the turn of the century in the Dublin area mixed marriages represented 12 per cent or more of mar- riages where at least one of the partners was a non-Catholic. When mixed marriages did occur the Catholic partner was more likely to be the wife. Using regression analysis we examine the individual characteristics of the partners to these marriages and find a number of characteristics significantly associated with them. However, the strength and even the direction of predictors like socioeconomic status vary substantially across regions, most notably between Ulster and the rest of Ireland. In Ulster mixed marriages tended to occur between partners in lower socioeconomic positions, whereas in the rest of Ireland the partners tended to be from higher social strata. Since the religion of the children born to mixed marriages was a contentious issue, we match our sample of partners of mixed religions to their children and find that the religion of the children was strongly influenced by the mothers religion. Couples of mixed religions had lower fertility than the general population, even when the influence of socioeconomic class and other potentially confounding variables is allowed for. This, as well as the evi- dence of higher infant-child mortality among families of mixed marriages, potentially indicates a lack of family and social support due to the general public disapproval of couples who married across the religious divide.
An Experimental Investigation Into the Colonization of Concealed Cadavers by Necrophagous Blowflies

We used seven baited boxes with different combinations of access holes and odor diffusion surfaces to study the arrival of necrophagous flies. During laboratory experiments, 30 gravid Lucilia sericata females were kept in a chamber with one of the boxes. The box with the largest odor diffusion surface (99 cm2) combined with the lowest accessibility (one 1 cm2 entrance hole) was entered least (5 ± 3.7 flies per run). In contrast, the most frequently entered box (one 9 cm2 entrance hole with no additional odor diffusion surface) caught a mean of 24.6 ± 3.4 flies per run. These results indicate that 1) L. sericata entered nearly inaccessible places and 2) both odor diffusion and accessibility impacted the number of flies caught. During field experiments, the seven boxes were placed together outdoors. The box with the most entrances (ten 9-cm2 holes) caught the most flies (55.6–99.4% of the total). Only a few flies entered the other boxes. Access to the less accessible boxes (poor odor diffusion and small entrances) was also delayed. The major conclusions of the field experiments are that 1) boxes with low accessibility took longer to be accessed; 2) larger odor diffusion surfaces were more attractive to flies; and 3) flies accessed boxes more readily through larger holes than through an equivalent surface area made up of smaller holes. With these conclusions in mind, attempts to quantify the preappearance interval or to interpret the number of flies observed in indoor forensic entomology cases should be approached with caution.
Conditions of Children's Talent Development in Sport

This is a comprehensive study of sports impact on childhood skill acquisition. The text takes multiple factors into account, including activities in which children participate during their development, and personal and social variables that affect their growth. Authorities in the fields of sport psychology and motor development and learning share their insights in each chapter, guaranteeing a comprehensive exploration of childrens talent development through sport. The book is structured around the fourth stage of talent development research, which takes into account not only practice activities, but also the importance of play and the sampling of various sports throughout childhood. This stage considers psychosocial influences as well as training aspects. Chapters cover a variety of topics, such as implicit motor learning, self-efficacy, perfectionisms impact on emerging talent in youth, and the influence of coaches, peers, and family members.
Comparison of mesothelin and fibulin-3 in pleural fluid and serum as markers in malignant mesothelioma

Purpose of review Malignant mesothelioma is an asbestos-induced, aggressive tumour, which frequently presents with pleural effusion. There are over 60 reported causes that can result in the development of a pleural effusion. Currently, there are no tumour biomarkers in widespread clinical use for the differential diagnosis of mesothelioma from other diseases. With the incidence of mesothelioma expected to continue to increase, it is timely to review the current status of effusion-based biomarkers for mesothelioma diagnosis. Recent findings The majority of recent studies have evaluated soluble mesothelin in effusions in a diagnostic setting for mesothelioma. However, at high specificity, the sensitivity of the assay is limited to approximately 60% at the time of diagnosis. There is considerable research effort directed toward the identification of new markers for mesothelioma through a variety of genomic, proteomic and immunomic based platforms. One of the few new biomarkers to be identified through a biomarker discovery pipeline and evaluated in pleural effusions is fibulin-3. Preliminary results on the diagnostic accuracy of fibulin-3 have been inconsistent. Summary To date, soluble mesothelin remains the best available biomarker for mesothelioma and a positive result is clinically useful in patients with pleural effusions in whom the diagnosis is uncertain.
The Myth of Media Violence: A Critical Introduction

Introduction: The Media Violence Tower of Babble. 1. We Like to Watch: A Brief History of Media Violence. What is Media Violence? A Cacophony of Voices. 2. Watching Doesn't Make Us Violent: Assessing the Research on Media Violence. Media Violence in Historical Perspective. Regulation Efforts. Historical Continuities in Media Violence Debates. Media Hysteria and the Culture of Fear. The Media Hysteria Cycle. The Win-Win Situation. The Facts about Crime and Violence. 3. We Are Afraid: Media Violence and Society. Identity and Fear. Fear and Desire. Gender and Race. Crime and Politics. The War on Terrorism. 4. We Can't Stop the Violence: The Uses and Importance of Media Violence. Violence and Education. Violence and Art. Violence and News. The Media Violence Industry. The New Economics of Entertainment. The Movie Business. Disaster Movies. Science Fiction. Horror. Beyond the Theater and into the Toy Store. Television. Critical Viewing. Dramatic Programs. Reality Television. Music Television. TV News. Children's Programming. Sports on TV. 5. But We Can Understand It: Beyond Polemics in the Media Violence Debate. Publishing Violence. Computer and Video Games. The Desire for Media Violence. The Aesthetics of Violence. Narratives of Violence. The Ethics of Media Violence. Violence and Memory. Responding to Media Violence. Index
Consilience and Life History Theory: From Reproductive Strategy to Self-Regulation to Antagonistic Attitudes and Behaviors

The research described here examines individual differences in Life History (LH) strategy, antagonistic social attitudes/behaviors (e.g., social deviance), and self-regulation in adolescents and young adults from community and university populations. The primary hypotheses were that (1) LH strategy and self-regulation abilities are positively associated, (2) LH strategy and antagonistic attitudes/behaviors are negatively associated, (3) self-regulation mediates the relations between LH strategy and antagonistic attitudes/behaviors, (4) antagonistic attitudes and antagonistic behaviors are positively but moderately associated, (5) and that self-reported self-regulation and neuropsychological test scores of self-regulation correlate positively. The first four predictions were supported; the fifth prediction was not. The current research contributes to our understanding of self-regulation’s role within LH strategies and antagonistic attitudes/behaviors. Further, the identified near-orthogonality of neuropsychological test scores and self-report scores of self-regulation ought to be of interest to clinical science.
Contrasting dynamics of organizational learning : a process theory perspective

In this paper we analyze the process characteristics of organizational learning. A wide variety of process models of organizational learning have been proposed in the literature, but these models have not been systematically investigated. In this paper we use Van de Ven and Poole's (1995) taxonomy of process types to compare the extant conceptualizations of organizational learning. We show that the four types of process models - life cycle, evolution, teleology and dialectics - can also be found among prominent models of learning. In order to analyze the relationships between these different types of learning processes, we present observations from two field studies. These observations illustrate the existence of multiple processes, their coexistence and their complementarity in producing learning outcomes. But the observations also show that the coexistence of multiple process types can lead to tensions and conflicts that have to be dealt with by organization members. We conclude that the competing, complementary and conflicting relationships between process types underscores the importance of a process theory perspective on organizational learning and the necessity to study process models simultaneously and interactively.
A model explanation system

We propose a new methodology for explaining the predictions of black box classifiers. We use the motivating paradigm that predictive performance is of primary importance but human analysts (e.g., in fraud detection) desire a classifier's predictions to be augmented with useful explanations. To be truly general and principled, we derive a scoring system for finding explanations based on formal requirements. In this system, the explanations are assumed to take the form of simple logical statements. We derive an efficient Monte Carlo algorithm to find explanations for black box classifiers with finite sample guarantees. The methodology is then applied to interesting examples in facial recognition and credit data.
ON LIPSCHITZ CONTINUITY OF THE TOP LYAPUNOV EXPONENT OF LINEAR PARAMETER VARYING AND LINEAR SWITCHING SYSTEMS

We study families of time-varying linear systems, where time-variations have to satisfy restrictions on the dwell time, that is, on the minimum distance between discontinuities, as well as on the derivative in between discontinuities. For this class of systems we study continuity properties of the growth rate as a function of the systems' data. It is shown by example, that a straightforward topology on the space of systems does not yield the desired continuity result. A new natural metric is introduced and a continuity result is obtained. Furthermore, local Lipschitz continuity may be shown for the (generic) case of irreducible systems. The methods rely heavily on a recent converse Lyapunov theorem for the class under consideration.