Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A cross-layer approach for efficient flooding in wireless sensor networks

Due to the high node density and stringent constraints on the energy consumption in wireless sensor networks, designing an energy efficient flooding scheme with high reachability is critical for the operation and the lifetime of sensor networks. Many existing flooding approaches address the needs of general ad hoc networks. In contrast, this paper presents a cross-layer approach tailored specifically to the needs of sensor networks. Without assuming location awareness, a novel MAC layer access-deferring scheme, based on the received signal power, is proposed to reduce the collision possibility and broadcast redundancy. Local neighborhood information is piggybacked onto the broadcast packet, and exploited to enhance the reachability. Simulation results show that compared with probabilistic flooding, this scheme has good performance in terms of reachability, average delay and energy efficiency. Moreover, we examine how the range estimation error and neighborhood information inaccuracy introduced by the fading environment affects the performance of our flooding scheme.
Mental health of the bisexual Veteran

ABSTRACT Despite evidence showing that bisexual individuals may be at greater risk for mental health issues than lesbian and gay individuals, they are often combined into a single group, with lesbian and gay individuals the actual focus of the research. This study aims to address this gap in the literature among US Veterans. Using data collected from a multicity purposive sample (N = 4,493), logistic regression was used to analyze whether the following groups differ in current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression: (a) bisexual (n = 101) vs. heterosexual Veterans (n = 4,271); (b) bisexual vs. lesbian/gay Veterans (n = 121); (c) lesbian/gay vs. heterosexual Veterans; and (d) combined group of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB; n = 222) vs. heterosexual Veterans. Controlling for significant covariates, bisexual Veterans had 2.5 times the risk of severe depression (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.34–4.67; p = 0.004) and 2.3 times the odds of PTSD (95% CI = 1.40–3.77; p = 0.001) relative to heterosexual Veterans. Bisexual Veterans had 3 times the risk of severe depression (95% CI = 1.22–7.44; p = 0.017) and 1.9 times the risk of PTSD (95% CI = 1.02–3.70; p = 0.045) compared to lesbian/gay Veterans. Lesbian/gay Veterans had no significant difference in risk for depression compared to heterosexual Veterans. However, the combined group of LGB Veterans had 1.6 times the odds of PTSD (95% CI = 1.12–2.15; p = 0.008) compared to heterosexual Veterans. These findings suggest that past research showing mental health disparities between LGB and heterosexual individuals may be driven by the inclusion of bisexual individuals. Research should assess bisexual individuals as a distinct group, and future studies should explore factors leading to depression and PTSD among bisexual Veterans.
The Ellipsoid Normal Distribution Function

The Ellipsoid NDF is a new normal distribution function (NDF) that we introduce and use in the accompanying paper. It can be used with microfacet BRDFs to model the reflection and refraction of light from surfaces. This distribution is a generalization of the widely used isotropic GGX/Trowbridge-Reitz distribution. The Ellipsoid model is based on the surface statistics of an arbitrary 3D ellipsoid allowing both anisotropy and rotations of the distribution. This document describes the derivation of the ellipsoid NDF along with a corresponding shadowing/masking term, which is needed for energy conservation, and a low-variance importance sampling strategy that guarantees that the sample weights never exceed one.
Children with Down syndrome improved in motor functioning and muscle tone following massage therapy

Twenty‐one moderate to high functioning young children (mean age, two years) with Down syndrome receiving early intervention (physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy) were randomly assigned to additionally receive two 0.5‐hour massage therapy or reading sessions (control group) per week for two months. On the first and last day of the study, the children’s functioning levels were assessed using the Developmental Programming for Infants and Young Children scale, and muscle tone was assessed using a new preliminary scale (the Arms, Legs and Trunk Muscle Tone Score). Children in the massage therapy group revealed greater gains in fine and gross motor functioning and less severe limb hypotonicity when compared with the children in the reading/control group. These findings suggest that the addition of massage therapy to an early intervention program may enhance motor functioning and increase muscle tone for children with Down syndrome.
Extending the GMR Current Measurement Range with a Counteracting Magnetic Field

Traditionally, current transformers are often used for current measurement in low voltage (LV) electrical networks. They have a large physical size and are not designed for use with power electronic circuits. Semiconductor-based current sensing devices such as the Hall sensor and Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor are advantageous in terms of small size, high sensitivity, wide frequency range, low power consumption, and relatively low cost. Nevertheless, the operational characteristics of these devices limit their current measurement range. In this paper, a design based on using counteracting magnetic field is introduced for extending the GMR current measurement range from 9 A (unipolar) to ±45 A. A prototype has been implemented to verify the design and the linear operation of the circuit is demonstrated by experimental results. A microcontroller unit (MCU) is used to provide an automatic scaling function to optimize the performance of the proposed current sensor.
Proof Composition for Deductive Verification of Software Product Lines

Software product line engineering aims at the efficient development of program variants that share a common set of features and that differ in other features. Product lines can be efficiently developed using feature-oriented programming. Given a feature selection and the code artifacts for each feature, program variants can be generated automatically. The quality of the program variants can be rigorously ensured by formal verification. However, verification of all program variants can be expensive and include redundant verification tasks. We introduce a classification of existing software product line verification approaches and propose proof composition as a novel approach. Proof composition generates correctness proofs of each program variant based on partial proofs of each feature. We present a case study to evaluate proof composition and demonstrate that it reduces the effort for verification.
Gender Difference in the Prevalence and Pattern of Conduct Disorder Among Adolescent Students of Senior Secondary Schools in Dala Education Zone, Kano State-Nigeria

The study investigated gender difference in the prevalence and pattern of conduct disorder among adolescent students of senior secondary schools in Dala Education Zone, Kano State-Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of conduct disorder among senior secondary school students in the study area and to determine gender difference in the rate and pattern of conduct disorder among senior secondary school students of the study area respectively. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design, 381 out of 57,238 students were selected as sample through multi-stage cluster sampling technique from the 42 senior secondary schools in Dala Education Zone, Kano state. The data collection instrument used in the study was Adolescent Conduct Disorder Scale (ACD-Scale) adapted from the American National Youth Survey Scale. The reliability of internal consistency of the scale was sought using Cronbach’s alpha formula with alpha value (α) of0.89. The findings of the study revealed that the most frequent conduct disorder among senior secondary school students of Dala education zone, Kano State-Nigeria are; fighting, destruction of school properties, telling lies, graffiti drawing, tearing examination report sheets and examination malpractice. The study also revealed that there is a significant gender difference in the rate and pattern of conduct disorder among senior secondary school students of Dala education zone, Kano State-Nigeria where male students are significantly higher than the female students in rate of conduct disorder in the study area. Based on the findings above, the study recommends that government should come up with the two early intervention strategies that have been tested by other developed countries such as Chicago Area Project in America and found them useful in minimizing conduct disorder among adolescents. The first one comprises interventions on parents who are at risk for neglecting their children and thereby stopping adverse consequences of such action on students.
Human Ape2 protein has a 3′–5′ exonuclease activity that acts preferentially on mismatched base pairs

DNA damage, such as abasic sites and DNA strand breaks with 3′-phosphate and 3′-phosphoglycolate termini present cytotoxic and mutagenic threats to the cell. Class II AP endonucleases play a major role in the repair of abasic sites as well as of 3′-modified termini. Human cells contain two class II AP endonucleases, the Ape1 and Ape2 proteins. Ape1 possesses a strong AP-endonuclease activity and weak 3′-phosphodiesterase and 3′–5′ exonuclease activities, and it is considered to be the major AP endonuclease in human cells. Much less is known about Ape2, but its importance is emphasized by the growth retardation and dyshematopoiesis accompanied by G2/M arrest phenotype of the APE2-null mice. Here, we describe the biochemical characteristics of human Ape2. We find that Ape2 exhibits strong 3′–5′ exonuclease and 3′-phosphodiesterase activities and has only a very weak AP-endonuclease activity. Mutation of the active-site residue Asp 277 to Ala in Ape2 inactivates all these activities. We also demonstrate that Ape2 preferentially acts at mismatched deoxyribonucleotides at the recessed 3′-termini of a partial DNA duplex. Based on these results we suggest a novel role for human Ape2 as a 3′–5′ exonuclease.
Role of nonproteolytically activated prorenin in pathologic, but not physiologic, retinal neovascularization.

PURPOSE Recently, it was revealed that the inhibition of nonproteolytic activation of prorenin led to significant suppression of ocular inflammation in endotoxin-induced uveitis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether nonproteolytically activated prorenin plays a role in ischemia-induced retinal neovascularization. METHODS C57BL/6 neonatal mice were reared in an 80% concentration of oxygen from postnatal (P) day 7 to P12, followed by room-air breathing to P17 to induce ischemia-initiated retinal neovascularization. Tissue localization of activated prorenin and prorenin receptor was examined by immunohistochemistry. Animals received intraperitoneal injections of handle-region peptide (HRP), a decoy peptide corresponding to the handle region of prorenin, which inhibits prorenin receptor-mediated upregulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). A concanavalin A lectin perfusion-labeling technique was used to evaluate the areas of physiologic and pathologic retinal new vessels and the number of leukocytes adhering to the vasculature. Retinal mRNA expression and protein levels of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-1, and VEGFR-2 were examined by RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS Retinal vessels in ischemic retinopathy eyes were positive for activated prorenin and prorenin receptor. Pathologic, but not physiologic, retinal neovascularization was significantly attenuated in HRP-treated mice compared with vehicle- or control peptide-treated animals. The number of adherent leukocytes was also significantly reduced. Retinal mRNA expression and protein levels of ICAM-1, VEGF, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 in ischemic retinopathy were also significantly suppressed by the application of HRP. CONCLUSIONS The present findings suggest that nonproteolytic activation of prorenin selectively promotes pathologic, but not physiologic, retinal neovascularization through the inflammatory processes related to pathologic neovascularization.
Dynamics of dry friction: A numerical investigation

We perform extended numerical simulation of the dynamics of dry friction, based on a model derived from the phenomenological description proposed by Baumberger et al. [Nature (London) 367, 544 (1994)] and Heslot et al. [Phys. Rev. E 49, 4973 (1994)]. Under a quasistationary approximation, the model is related to the Dieterich-Ruina aging (or slowness) law, which was introduced by Dieterich [Pure Appl. Geophys. 116, 790 (1978); J. Geophys. Res. 84, 2161 (1979); in Mechanical Behavior of Crustal Rocks, edited by N. L. Carter et al., Geophysics Monograph No. 24 (AGU, Washington, DC, 1981), p. 103] and Ruina [J. Geophys. Res. 88, 10 359 (1983)] on the basis of experiments on rocks. We obtain a dynamical phase diagram that agrees well with the experimental results on the paper-on-paper systems. In particular, the bifurcation between the stick-slip motion and steady sliding is shown to change from a direct (supercritical) Hopf type to an inverted (subcritical) one as the driving velocity increases, in agreement with the experiments.
The Impact of Shariah Approved Companies on the Relationship between Corporate Governance Structure and Voluntary Disclosure of Interim Financial Reporting in Jordan

This study examines the impact of shariah approved companies on the relationship between corporate governance structure and voluntary disclosure of half-yearly reports in Jordan, focusing on variables that affect voluntary disclosure of the ASE Jordanian listed companies. The dynamic panel system GMM estimation was employed on the data from 72 selected ASE listed companies for the period of 2009-2013, and the results show that a substantial level of voluntary disclosure is demonstrated in high level corporate governance awareness and implementation in Jordan. Specifically, the factors of board compensation, number of shareholders, government ownership and Shariah approved company significantly impact voluntary disclosure. In addition, this study shown that the effect imparted by the presence of audit committee, board size, and block-holder ownership on the level of voluntary disclosure appear to be greater among the Shariah approved companies. Aside from that, voluntary disclosure in the half-yearly reports has potential impact on market capitalization. The findings may provide some implications for research regarding the voluntary disclosure and Shariah approved companies of financial reporting in Jordan.
Mutation screening of HSF4 in 150 age-related cataract patients

Purpose Heat shock transcription factor 4 (HSF4) regulates the expression of several heat shock protein (HSP) genes. HSPs are one of the major components responsible for lens protein organization. Recently, we found that mutations of HSF4 result in hereditary cataract. In this study, we explore the role of HSF4 in the development of age-related cataract. Methods We screened sequence variants of HSF4 in age-related cataract patients and the natural population from Shanghai, China. Results In individuals of natural populations, we detected no single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with a frequency higher than 5% in a complete coding region or in their exon–intron boundaries. In 150 age-related cataract patients, we identified seven sequence changes. We found an intronic G→A transition (c.1020–25G>A) in one patient, a missense mutation (c.1078A>G) in exon 4 in two patients, a silent mutation (c.1223 C>T) in exon 5 in two patients, an intronic C→T transition (c.1256+25C>T) in one patient, and a silent mutation in exon 6 (c.1286 C>T) in one patient. These five variants were not represented in 220 control individuals. We also identified an intronic C→T transition (c.1019+9C>T) and a missense mutation (c.1243G>A) in exon 3 in three patients, but these two variants were also present in 100 control subjects. Conclusions We identified five new HSF4 mutations in 150 age-related cataract patients, enlarging the spectrum of HSF4 mutations in cataract patients. This result indicates that HSF4 mutations account for only a small fraction of age-related cataracts.
Resetting of the carotid arterial baroreflex during dynamic exercise in humans.

Recent investigations have demonstrated that at the onset of low-to-moderate-intensity leg cycling exercise (L) the carotid baroreflex (CBR) was classically reset in direct relation to the intensity of exercise. On the basis of these data, we proposed that the CBR would also be classically reset at the onset of moderate- to maximal-intensity L exercise. Therefore, CBR stimulus-response relationships were compared in seven male volunteers by using the neck pressure-neck suction technique during dynamic exercise that ranged in intensity from 50 to 100% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2 max)). L exercise alone was performed at 50 and 75% VO(2 max), and L exercise combined with arm (A) exercise (L + A) was performed at 75 and 100% VO(2 max). O(2) consumption and heart rate (HR) increased in direct relation with the increases in exercise intensity. The threshold and saturation pressures of the carotid-cardiac reflex at 100% VO(2 max) were >75% VO(2 max), which were in turn >50% VO(2 max) (P < 0.05), without a change in the maximal reflex gain (G(max)). In addition, the HR response value at threshold and saturation at 75% VO(2 max) was >50% VO(2 max) (P < 0.05) and 100% VO(2 max) was >75% VO(2 max) (P < 0.07). Similar changes were observed for the carotid-vasomotor reflex. In addition, as exercise intensity increased, the operating point (the prestimulus blood pressure) of the CBR was significantly relocated further from the centering point (G(max)) of the stimulus-response curve and was at threshold during 100% VO(2 max). These findings identify the continuous classic rightward and upward resetting of the CBR, without a change in G(max), during increases in dynamic exercise intensity to maximal effort.
Effect of clear-cutting on the understory vegetation, soil and diversity of litter beetles in scots pine-dominated forest

ABSTRACT Currently, the aim of modern forest management is not only timber production but also the protection of biodiversity. The initial effects of clear-cut logging on forest understory vegetation, soil and the diversity of litter beetles have been studied. We examined unstudied effects of clear-cutting disturbance on understory vascular plant species abundance, forest soils, and understory vegetation nutrients as well as beetle diversity one year after clear-cutting. Substantial changes in the prominence values and above-ground mass of forest-related vascular plant and moss species were detected. Clear-cuttings resulted in fast appearance of new light-loving plant species. The significant decrease in understory plant biomass influenced the reduction of nutrient pools in clear-cut areas after one year. The clear-cut logging negatively influenced the richness of species and the number of individuals of stenobiontic forest-related beetles in the forest litter. However, forest clear-cuttings were beneficial for eurytopic and open land species.
Help or Hindrance: Female Probationers’ Navigation of Supervision Requirements Through Personal Support Networks

This study integrates egocentric social network analysis techniques and qualitative methods to examine (a) the characteristics of female offenders’ semiregular interaction partners and their provision of resources, (b) the relationship and key resources provided by the “most helpful” and “least helpful” network member, and (c) the characteristics of network members that offenders identify as having negative influence on them. In-person interviews were conducted with 41 female felons who provided information on 436 network members. Findings from the network data suggest that, on average, women possess 10 semiregular interaction partners, networks have a heavy concentration of substance users, and less than half of the network members provide any form of helpful supervision-related resources to the participants. Findings from the qualitative component of the research highlight the helpfulness of networks members who provided transportation, financial assistance, and emotional support. Helpful network members tended to be older, employed, more educated, and closer geographically.
Evaluation of Chosen Cytokine Levels among Patients with Herpes Zoster as Ability to Provide Immune Response

Aim and Background Herpes zoster is a viral disease caused by the reactivation of varicella–zoster virus (VZV) which remained latent in the cranial nerve or dorsal root ganglia. Cell-mediated immunity is known to decline with age as part of immunosenescence and can lead to the reactivation of VZV. Whereas herpes zoster is usually mild in healthy young persons, older patients are at increased risk for complications. In the present study we investigated the serum cytokine profile (IL-17, IL-23, IL-21, IL-4, IL-12), representing cellular and humoral immunity and assessed the level of VZV IgG antibodies in patients with herpes zoster. Methods We investigated the serum concentrations of IL-17, IL-23, IL-21, IL-4, IL-12 and the level of VZV IgG antibodies in 23 patients with herpes zoster who did not develop superinfection. The control group was represented by 21 individuals in similar age with no inflammatory and infectious diseases. Cytokine and antibodies levels were measured by ELISA method. Statistical analysis was performed using the ROC curve (receiver operating characteristic), t-test, Welch’s t-test, and nonparametric tests with STATISTICA 10 software. Results In patients with herpes zoster, the serum level of IL-17, IL-23, IL-21, IL-4 and IL-12 as well as VZV IgG antibodies titer were statistically significantly increased compared to control group. Conclusion Our results confirm the broad activation of the immune system involving humoral and cell-mediated immunity.
The Effect of Interactive Whiteboard Applications Supported by Visual Materials on Middle School Students' Listening Comprehension and Persistence of Learning

In this study, it was examined how interactive whiteboard applications supported by visual materials affected middle school students’ listening comprehension and persistence of learning. The sample of the study consisted of the students in the 8/D (experimental group) and 8/H (control group) cohorts of the Osman Gazi Middle School located in Palandoken central district of Erzurum province during the spring semester of the 2017–2018 school year. The study was carried out as a pre-test post-test experimental design. The data of the study were collected through the Listening Achievement Test, and t-tests were carried out to analyze the data. The reliability and validity study of the achievement test used in this study was carried out on 150 students studying in different middle schools. As a result of the analyses, the Cronbach’s alpha value was found to be 0.81 and the KMO (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin) test result was found to be 0.623 In conclusion, it was found that interactive whiteboard applications supported by visual materials were more effective in listening comprehension and persistence of knowledge according to the 2018 Turkish Course Curriculum.