Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of General and Abdominal Obesity in a Nationally Representative Sample of Iranian Children and Adolescents: The CASPIAN-IV Study

Background: Pediatric obesity is one of the predisposing risk factors for many non-communicable diseases. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate the national prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Iranian children and adolescents. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional nation-wide study was performed in 30 provinces in Iran among 14880 school students aged 6 – 18 years, selected by multistage random cluster sampling. The World Health Organization growth curve was used to categorize Body Mass Index (BMI). Obesity was defined as BMI equal to or higher than the age- and gender-specific 95th percentile; abdominal obesity was considered as waist-to-height ratio of more than 0.5. Results: Data of 13486 out of 14880 invited students were complete (response rate of 90.6%). They consisted of 6543 girls and 75.6% urban residents, and had a mean age of 12.45 (95% CI: 12.40 - 12.51) years. The prevalence rate of general and abdominal obesity was 11.89% (13.58% of boys vs. 10.15% of girls) and 19.12% (20.41% of boys vs. 17.79% of girls), respectively. The highest frequency of obesity was found in the middle school students (13.87% general and 20.84% abdominal obesity). The highest prevalence of general obesity was found in Boushehr (19%) followed by Guilan and Mazandaran (18.3%, 18.3%), while the lowest prevalence was observed in Hormozgan (2.6%). The highest frequency of abdominal obesity was found in Mazandaran (30.2%), Ardabil (29.2%) and Tehran (27.9%). Provinces such as Sistan-Baloochestan (8.4%), Hormozagan (7.4%), and Kerman (11.4%) had the lowest prevalence of abdominal obesity. The Southern and South Eastern provinces had the lowest prevalence of general obesity (2.6% and 5.6%) and abdominal obesity (7.4% and 8.8%). Moreover, the highest prevalence of obesity was found in North and North West Iran by maximum frequency of 18.3% general obesity and 30.2% of abdominal obesity. Conclusions: The results showed a high prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among boys living in the Northern provinces of Iran. The present study provides insights that policy makers should consider action-oriented interventions for prevention and control of childhood obesity at national and sub-national level.
Populating a Release History Database from version control and bug tracking systems

Version control and bug tracking systems contain large amounts of historical information that can give deep insight into the evolution of a software project. Unfortunately, these systems provide only insufficient support for a detailed analysis of software evolution aspects. We address this problem and introduce an approach for populating a release history database that combines version data with bug tracking data and adds missing data not covered by version control systems such as merge points. Then simple queries can be applied to the structured data to obtain meaningful views showing the evolution of a software project. Such views enable more accurate reasoning of evolutionary aspects and facilitate the anticipation of software evolution. We demonstrate our approach on the large open source project Mozilla that offers great opportunities to compare results and validate our approach.
Tried in the Court of Public Opinion

This study expands the empirical study of Benoit’s image repair theory by serving two purposes using a sports context. First, this study will specifically examine criminal transgressions by comparing the effectiveness of image repair attempts by athletes facing domestic violence charges compared to other crimes. Second, this study will look at the effectiveness of using the mortification (apology) strategy in combination with other predominant strategies used by athletes in order to repair one’s image. Using a 3 × 8 factorial experiment involving 490 participants, results showed that athletes facing domestic violence charges are perceived more negatively regardless of their response to the transgression. In addition, results also showed that using mortification in combination with corrective action is the best response for athletes, regardless of the crime. Finally, using the mortification strategy in combination with other strategies is more effective to repair an athlete’s image, suggesting that it may be better to use combination strategies to respond to transgressions.
Traversable terrain classification for outdoor autonomous robots using single 2D laser scans

Interpreting laser data to allow autonomous robot navigation on paved as well as dirt roads using a fixed angle 2D laser scanner is a daunting task. This paper introduces an algorithm for terrain classification that fuses seven distinctly different classifiers: raw height, roughness, step size, curvature, slope, width and invalid data. These are then used to extract road borders, traversable terrain and identify obstacles. Experimental results are shown and discussed. The results were obtained using a DTU developed mobile robot, and the autonomous tests were conducted in a national park environment.
Introduction to a theory of b-functions

We give an introduction to a theory of b-functions, i.e. Bernstein-Sato polynomials. After reviewing some facts from D-modules, we introduce b-functions including the one for arbitrary ideals of the structure sheaf. We explain the relation with singularities, multiplier ideals, etc., and calculate the b-functions of monomial ideals and also of hyperplane arrangements in certain cases.
Scaling Limits and Critical Behaviour of the 4-Dimensional n-Component |φ|4 Spin Model

We consider the n-component |φ|4 spin model on Z4, for all n ≥ 1, with small coupling constant. We prove that the susceptibility has a logarithmic correction to mean field scaling, with exponent n+2 n+8 for the logarithm. We also analyse the asymptotic behaviour of the pressure as the critical point is approached, and prove that the specific heat has fractional logarithmic scaling for n = 1, 2, 3; double logarithmic scaling for n = 4; and is bounded when n > 4. In addition, for the model defined on the 4-dimensional discrete torus, we prove that the scaling limit as the critical point is approached is a multiple of a Gaussian free field on the continuum torus, whereas, in the subcritical regime, the scaling limit is Gaussian white noise with intensity given by the susceptibility. The proofs are based on a rigorous renormalisation group method in the spirit of Wilson, developed in a companion series of papers to study the 4-dimensional weakly self-avoiding walk, and adapted here to the |φ|4 model.
Impact of nano titanium dioxide exposure on cellular structure of Anabaena variabilis and evidence of internalization

The present study investigated the impact of nano titanium dioxide (nTiO2) exposure on the cellular structures of the nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacteria Anabaena variabilis. Results of the present study showed that nTiO2 exposure led to observable alteration in various intracellular structures and induced a series of recognized stress responses, including production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), appearance and increase in the abundance of membrane crystalline inclusions, membrane mucilage layer formation, opening of intrathylakoidal spaces, and internal plasma membrane disruption. The production of total ROS in A. variabilis cells increased with increasing nTiO2 doses and exposure time, and the intracellular ROS contributed to only a small fraction (<10%) of the total ROS measured. The percentage of cells with loss of thylakoids and growth of membrane crystalline inclusions increased as the nTiO2 dose and exposure time increased compared with controls, suggesting their possible roles in stress response to nTiO2, as previously shown for metals. Algal cell surface morphology and mechanical properties were modified by nTiO2 exposure, as indicated by the increase in cell surface roughness and shifts in cell spring constant determined by atomic force microscopy analysis. The change in cell surface structure and increase in the cellular turgor pressure likely resulted from the structural membrane damage mediated by the ROS production. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of nTiO2 aggregates size distribution seems to suggest possible disaggregation of nTiO2 aggregates when in close contact with microbial cells, potentially as a result of biomolecules such as DNA excreted by organisms that may serve as a biodispersant. The present study also showed, for the first time, with both TEM and Raman imaging that internalization of nTiO2 particles through multilayered membranes in algal cells is possible. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:861–869. © 2010 SETAC
The Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway Mediates Gelsolin Protein Downregulation in Pancreatic Cancer

A well-known observation with respect to cancer biology is that transformed cells display a disturbed cytoskeleton. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain only partly understood. In an effort to identify possible mechanisms, we compared the proteome of pancreatic cancer with matched normal pancreas and observed diminished protein levels of gelsolin—an actin filament severing and capping protein of crucial importance for maintaining cytoskeletal integrity—in pancreatic cancer. Additionally, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas displayed substantially decreased levels of gelsolin as judged by Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of tissue micoarrays, when compared with cancerous and untransformed tissue from the same patients (P < 0.05). Importantly, no marked downregulation of gelsolin mRNA was observed (P > 0.05), suggesting that posttranscriptional mechanisms mediate low gelsolin protein levels. In apparent agreement, high activity ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in both patient samples and the BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cell line was detected, and inhibition of the 26s proteasome system quickly restored gelsolin protein levels in the latter cell line. The status of ubiquitinated gelsolin is related to lymph node metastasis of pancreatic cancer. In conclusion, gelsolin levels are actively downregulated in pancreatic cancer and enhanced targeting of gelsolin to the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is an important contributing factor for this effect.
Cohesiveness in Sport Groups: Interpretations ani Considerations

The purpose of the paper was to outline (a) the present conceptual perspective associated with important constructs in the area of cohesiveness, (b) the manner in which these have been operationally defined or considered in sport research, (c) the implications and/or limitations of the sport approach, and (d) possible future directions.
Dynamic intratubular biomineralization following root canal obturation with pozzolan‐based mineral trioxide aggregate sealer cement

Summary The application of mineral trioxide aggregates (MTA) cement during the root canal obturation is gaining concern due to its bioactive characteristic to form an apatite in dentinal tubules. In this regard, this study was to assess the biomineralization of dentinal tubules following root canal obturation by using pozzolan‐based (Pz‐) MTA sealer cement (EndoSeal MTA, Maruchi). Sixty curved roots (mesiobuccal, distobuccal) from human maxillary molars were instrumented and prepared for root canal obturation. The canals were obturated with gutta‐percha (GP) and Pz‐MTA sealer by using continuous wave of condensation technique. Canals obturated solely with ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental) or Pz‐MTA sealer were used for comparison. In order to evaluate the biomineralization ability under different conditions, the PBS pretreatment before the root canal obturation was performed in each additional samples. At dentin‐material interfaces, the extension of intratubular biomineralization was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy. When the root canal was obturated with GP and Pz‐MTA sealer, enhanced biomineralization of the dentinal tubules beyond the penetrated sealer tag was confirmed under the SEM observation (p < 0.05). Mineralized apatite structures (calcium/phosphorous ratio, 1.45–1.89) connecting its way through the dentinal tubules were detected at 350–400 μm from the tubule orifice, and the pre‐crystallization seeds were also observed along the intra‐ and/or inter‐tubular collagen fiber. Intratubular biomineralization depth was significantly enhanced in all PBS pretreated canals (p < 0.05). Pz‐MTA cement can be used as a promising bioactive root canal sealer to enhance biomineralization of dentinal tubules under controlled environment. SCANNING 38:50–56, 2016. © 2015 The Authors. Scanning Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cysteinyl Leukotriene Signaling Aggravates Myocardial Hypoxia in Experimental Atherosclerotic Heart Disease

Background Cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cys-LT) are powerful spasmogenic and immune modulating lipid mediators involved in inflammatory diseases, in particular asthma. Here, we investigated whether cys-LT signaling, in the context of atherosclerotic heart disease, compromises the myocardial microcirculation and its response to hypoxic stress. To this end, we examined Apoe−/− mice fed a hypercholesterolemic diet and analysed the expression of key enzymes of the cys-LT pathway and their receptors (CysLT1/CysLT2) in normal and hypoxic myocardium as well as the potential contribution of cys-LT signaling to the acute myocardial response to hypoxia. Methods and principal findings Myocardial biopsies from Apoe−/− mice demonstrated signs of chronic inflammation with fibrosis, increased apoptosis and expression of IL-6, as compared to biopsies from C57BL/6J control mice. In addition, we found increased leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) and CysLT1 expression in the myocardium of Apoe−/− mice. Acute bouts of hypoxia further induced LTC4S expression, increased LTC4S enzyme activity and CysLT1 expression, and were associated with increased extension of hypoxic areas within the myocardium. Inhibition of cys-LT signaling by treatment with montelukast, a selective CysLT1 receptor antagonist, during acute bouts of hypoxic stress reduced myocardial hypoxic areas in Apoe−/− mice to levels equal to those observed under normoxic conditions. In human heart biopsies from 14 patients with chronic coronary artery disease mRNA expression levels of LTC4S and CysLT1 were increased in chronic ischemic compared to non-ischemic myocardium, constituting a molecular basis for increased cys-LT signaling. Conclusion Our results suggest that CysLT1 antagonists may have protective effects on the hypoxic heart, and improve the oxygen supply to areas of myocardial ischemia, for instance during episodes of sleep apnea.
Exploring the Effect of Cognitive Map on Decision Makers’ Perceived Equivocality and Usefulness in the Context of Task Analyzability and Representation

Cognitive map (CM) has been widely accepted as a robust decision support mechanism with which decision makers can analyze causal relationships existing among relevant variables, and represent tacit knowledge explicitly in a form of causal relationships. In literature, there are many successful cases with CM. Nevertheless, there is no study that clearly investigates the potentials of CM in reducing decision maker’s perceived equivocality, and enhancing perceived usefulness. To pursue the research objective like this, we organized an experiment in which participants are given two types of tasks (analyzable vs less-analyzable) and two types of task representation (text-based vs CM-based). Results clearly showed that the CM can provide significantly improved performance in decision making support. Keywords-cognitive map; task analyzabilit; perceived equivocality; perceived usefulness
The preventive role of transurethral antibiotic delivery in a rat model

Purpose There is currently an emerging need for developing improved approaches for preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) occurring during diagnostic or interventional procedures of the lower urinary tract. We aimed to establish a rat model to assess the use of transurethral antibiotic administration and to provide evidence that this could be used as a preventive therapy. Methods Animals received fosfomycin trometamol (FOF) either urethrally or orally prior to the procedure. A third group was generated as treatment controls and did not receive any medication. Urethral dilation was conducted to recapitulate an interventional procedure prior to intravesical Escherichia coli administration in all three groups. Finally, sham-operated animals were introduced as a fourth group which did not receive antibiotics or E. coli. Colony counts of urine and tissue cultures for the identification of E. coli and histopathological examinations of the bladder and prostate were conducted. Results Evaluation of infection intensities in cultures as well as histopathological examination of the bladder and prostate demonstrated a preventative role of transurethral FOF administration. In terms of efficiency, local administration of FOF was similar to oral administration. Conclusions These results suggest that transurethral antibiotic administration is a promising alternative for preventing UTIs occurring during diagnostic or interventional procedures of the lower urinary tract.
Canadian Police Mothers and the Boys’ Club: Pregnancy, Maternity Leave, and Returning to Work

This article explores police mothers’ perceptions of their workplace experiences during pregnancy and maternity leave and returning to work. Using Charmaz’s (2014) constructivist grounded theory with a critical feminist lens, qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 police mothers in the province of Ontario, Canada. Our analysis reveals that policewomen work inordinately hard to prove physical and emotional strength in an attempt to be accepted into policing’s boys’ club; encounter negative workplace responses to pregnancy; are often demoted or reassigned during maternity leave; and need to re-prove themselves as officers upon returning to work. Our research aims to enhance retention and foster changes that will best support police mothers, police organizations, and the communities they serve.
Neural correlates of spatial and nonspatial attention determined using intracranial electroencephalographic signals in humans

Few studies have directly compared the neural correlates of spatial attention (i.e., attention to a particular location) and nonspatial attention (i.e., attention to a feature in the visual scene) using well‐controlled tasks. Here, we investigated the neural correlates of spatial and nonspatial attention in humans using intracranial electroencephalography. The topography and number of electrodes showing significant event‐related desynchronization (ERD) or event‐related synchronization (ERS) in different frequency bands were studied in 13 epileptic patients. Performance was not significantly different between the two conditions. In both conditions, ERD in the low‐frequency bands and ERS in the high‐frequency bands were present bilaterally in the parietal cortex (prominently on the right hemisphere) and frontal regions. In addition to these common changes, spatial attention involved right‐lateralized activity that was maximal in the right superior parietal lobule (SPL), whereas nonspatial attention involved wider brain networks including the bilateral parietal, frontal, and temporal regions, but still had maximal activity in the right parietal lobe. Within the parietal lobe, spatial attention involved ERD or ERS in the right SPL, whereas nonspatial attention involved ERD or ERS in the right inferior parietal lobule. These findings reveal that common as well as different brain networks are engaged in spatial and nonspatial attention. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3041–3054, 2016. © 2016 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MODIFIED-DYNAMICS PREDICTIONS AGREE WITH OBSERVATIONS OF THE HI KINEMATICS IN FAINT DWARF GALAXIES CONTRARY TO THE CONCLUSIONS OF LO SARGENT AND YOUNG Mordehai

Lo, Sargent, and Young (1993) have recently published an analysis of the HI kinematics of nine faint dwarf galaxies. Among other things, they conclude that the masses of these systems, as deduced by the modified dynamics (MOND) from the observed velocity dispersions, are systematically smaller than even the HI masses that are observed in these systems, by a factor of ten or more. Such a state of things would speak strongly against MOND. We show here that the MOND mass estimator used by Lo et al. is smaller than the proper expression, by a factor of about twenty. We derive the proper mass estimator as an exact virial-like relation between the 3-D rms velocity, 〈v〉, and the total mass, M , of an arbitrary, self-gravitating system, made of light constituents, that is everywhere in the very-low-acceleration regime of MOND. This reads M = (9/4)〈v2〉2/Gao. (For a system that is not stationary, 〈v〉 involves also an average over time.) We do this in the Bekenstein-Milgrom formulation of MOND as a modification of gravity. This relation has been known before for the special case of a stationary, spherical system. We further generalize this relation to cases with constituent masses that are not small compared with that of the whole system. We discuss various applications of the M − v relation; inter alia, we derive an expression for the two-body force law in the large-distance limit. With the correct estimator the predictions of MOND are, by and large, in good agreement with the total observed masses (the observed gas mass plus a stellar mass corresponding to an M/L of order one solar unit).
The sacred and the profane: subject sub‐culture, pedagogical practice and teachers' perceptions of the classroom uses of ICT

Drawing on extensive interview data with 37 participants across six subject areas (maths, science, English, music, modern foreign languages and geography) this paper explores and explains the extent to which subject teachers and their various epistemic communities or subject sub‐cultures negotiate the relationship between ICT and learning in their subject contexts. The study uses Bernstein's (1996) conception of ‘the sacred and the profane’ as a heuristic to guide the dynamics of the process. Using a content analysis based on grounded themes, the findings show that with extended and supported use ‘transaction spaces’ emerge where subject teachers begin to negotiate with new technologies thus creating new meanings and accommodations. These changes are evolutionary rather than transformatory with the evidence pointing to a ‘new’ blend of technology and subject taking place; a trend that highlights the centrality of pragmatic pedagogy and the importance of the ‘pedagogic dependent ICT resource’.
Shifted Rayleigh filter: a new algorithm for bearings-only tracking

A new algorithm, the "shifted Rayleigh filter," is introduced for two- or three-dimensional bearings-only tracking problems. In common with other "moment matching" tracking algorithms such as the extended Kalman filter and its modern refinements, it approximates the prior conditional density of the target state by a normal density; the novel feature is that an exact calculation is then performed to update the conditional density in the light of the new measurement. The paper provides the theoretical justification of the algorithm. It also reports on simulations involving variants on two scenarios, which have been the basis of earlier comparative studies. The first is a "benign" scenario where the measurements are comparatively rich in range-related information; here the shifted Rayleigh filter is competitive with standard algorithms. The second is a more "extreme" scenario, involving multiple sensor platforms, high-dimensional models and noisy measurements; here the performance of the shifted Rayleigh filter matches the performance of a high-order bootstrap particle filter, while reducing the computational overhead by an order of magnitude.