Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
American Journal of Epidemiology Original Contribution Health Behaviors from Early to Late Midlife as Predictors of Cognitive Function the Whitehall Ii Study

The authors examined associations of health behaviors over a 17-year period, separately and in combination, with cognition in late midlife in 5,123 men and women from the Whitehall II study (United Kingdom). Health behaviors were assessed in early midlife (mean age A score of the number of unhealthy behaviors (smoking, alcohol abstinence, low physical activity, and low fruit and vegetable consumption) was defined as ranging from 0 to 4. Poor (defined as scores in the worst sex-specific quintile) executive function and memory in late midlife (phase 7) were analyzed as outcomes. Compared with those with no unhealthy behaviors, those with 3–4 unhealthy behaviors at phase 1 (odds ratio (OR) were more likely to have poor executive function. A similar association was observed for memory. The odds of poor executive function and memory were the greater the more times the participant reported unhealthy behaviors over the 3 phases. This study suggests that both the number of unhealthy behaviors and their duration are associated with subsequent cognitive function in later life. In developed countries, dementia prevalence is about 1.5% at age 65 years, and it doubles every 4 years to reach more than 30% at 80 years of age (1). There is growing evidence of an association between health behaviors and cognitive aging. Smoking (2, 3), alcohol abstinence (4–9), lack of physical activity (10–13), and poor dietary behavior (14–16) have all been found to be associated with cognitive decline and dementia. The core hypothesis linking health behaviors to cognitive aging involves cerebro-and cardio-vascular diseases as mediators (17, 18), and their association with cognitive impairment is well established (19). The extent to which health behaviors are related to cognitive outcomes is of substantial public health relevance, especially because health behaviors are potentially modifiable. Although prospective studies have shown individual health behaviors to be associated with cognition (2, 6, 11, 15), their combined impact on cognition remains unex-plored. Risk factors for dementia are hypothesized to involve effects over many years, making the investigation into cumulated exposures to unhealthy behaviors crucial to understanding their associations with cognitive aging (20, 21). Increasingly, midlife risk factors are seen to be important for dementia and poor cognitive status at older ages (19, 20, 22, 23). Research on the relation between health behaviors and cognitive aging among the elderly is complicated, as preclinical dementia itself modifies behaviors (24). This has led to studies that examine risk factors for cognitive …
On the capacity region of a multiple access channel with common messages

The capacity region for a multiple access channel (MAC) with arbitrary sets of common messages was derived by Han in 1979, extending a result by Slepian and Wolf from 1973. The general characterization by Han involves one auxiliary random variable per message and one inequality per subset of messages. In this paper, at first, a special hierarchy of common messages is identified for which the capacity region is characterized with generally fewer auxiliary random variables and inequalities. It is also shown that this characterization requires no auxiliary random variable for certain message structures. A procedure is then proposed to transform any common message structure to this special hierarchy, leading to a general capacity characterization which generally requires fewer auxiliary random variables than the one given by Han.
Enteric-Coated Mycophenolate Sodium Versus Mycophenolate Mofetil in Renal Transplant Recipients Experiencing Gastrointestinal Intolerance: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized Study

Background. Two open-label studies demonstrated that conversion from mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) significantly reduces gastrointestinal (GI) symptom burden and improves GI-specific health-related quality of life. Using a randomized design, this study evaluated changes in GI symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients converted from MMF to EC-MPS versus patients who continued with MMF-based treatment. Methods. In this 4-week, multicenter, randomized, prospective, double-blind, parallel-group trial, renal transplant recipients with GI symptoms receiving MMF plus a calcineurin inhibitor±corticosteroids were randomized to an equimolar dose of EC-MPS+MMF placebo or continue on their MMF-based regimen+EC-MPS placebo. The primary efficacy outcome was a change from baseline in total Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale score of a minimally important difference of more than or equal to 0.3. Results. Three hundred ninety-six patients (EC-MPS group: n=199; MMF group: n=197) were included. A greater proportion of EC-MPS patients (62%) reached the primary efficacy outcome compared with MMF patients (55%); however, the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.15). EC-MPS patients had a significantly greater decrease in the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale indigestion syndrome dimension versus MMF patients. Within the subgroups of patients with diabetes, patients transplanted 6 to 12 months of study enrollment, and patients on steroids, a statistically significant greater proportion of EC-MPS versus MMF patients reached the primary efficacy outcome. Conclusions. Conversion from MMF to EC-MPS may be associated with improvements in presence and severity of GI symptoms, particularly in patients with indigestion, diabetes, on steroids, and in patients converted between 6 and 12 months posttransplantation.
PIASγ Is Required for Faithful Chromosome Segregation in Human Cells

Background The precision of the metaphase-anaphase transition ensures stable genetic inheritance. The spindle checkpoint blocks anaphase onset until the last chromosome biorients at metaphase plate, then the bonds between sister chromatids are removed and disjoined chromatids segregate to the spindle poles. But, how sister separation is triggered is not fully understood. Principal Findings We identify PIASγ as a human E3 sumo ligase required for timely and efficient sister chromatid separation. In cells lacking PIASγ, normal metaphase plates form, but the spindle checkpoint is activated, leading to a prolonged metaphase block. Sister chromatids remain cohered even if cohesin is removed by depletion of hSgo1, because DNA catenations persist at centromeres. PIASγ-depleted cells cannot properly localize Topoisomerase II at centromeres or in the cores of mitotic chromosomes, providing a functional link between PIASγ and Topoisomerase II. Conclusions PIASγ directs Topoisomerase II to specific chromosome regions that require efficient removal of DNA catenations prior to anaphase. The lack of this activity activates the spindle checkpoint, protecting cells from non-disjunction. Because DNA catenations persist without PIASγ in the absence of cohesin, removal of catenations and cohesin rings must be regulated in parallel.
Unconscious and Conscious Processing of Color Rely on Activity in Early Visual Cortex: A TMS Study

Chromatic information is processed by the visual system both at an unconscious level and at a level that results in conscious perception of color. It remains unclear whether both conscious and unconscious processing of chromatic information depend on activity in the early visual cortex or whether unconscious chromatic processing can also rely on other neural mechanisms. In this study, the contribution of early visual cortex activity to conscious and unconscious chromatic processing was studied using single-pulse TMS in three time windows 40–100 msec after stimulus onset in three conditions: conscious color recognition, forced-choice discrimination of consciously invisible color, and unconscious color priming. We found that conscious perception and both measures of unconscious processing of chromatic information depended on activity in early visual cortex 70–100 msec after stimulus presentation. Unconscious forced-choice discrimination was above chance only when participants reported perceiving some stimulus features (but not color).
Asymptotic normality of the k-core in random graphs

We study the k-core of a random (multi)graph on n vertices with a given degree sequence. In our previous paper [Random Structures Algorithms 30 (2007) 50–62] we used properties of empirical distributions of independent random variables to give a simple proof of the fact that the size of the giant k-core obeys a law of large numbers as n→∞. Here we develop the method further and show that the fluctuations around the deterministic limit converge to a Gaussian law above and near the threshold, and to a non-normal law at the threshold. Further, we determine precisely the location of the phase transition window for the emergence of a giant k-core. Hence, we deduce corresponding results for the k-core in G(n, p) and G(n, m).
Not invented here: Knowledge transfer and technology licensing from a German public research organization

Using a new dataset encompassing more than 2,000 inventions made by Max Planck Society researchers from 1980 to 2004, we study the effects of information asymmetry and imperfect knowledge transfer on the licensing and successful commercialization of technologies from public research, distinguishing among types of licensees as well as invention and inventor characteristics. Technologies licensed to foreign firms and spin-offs are less often commercialized, while collaborative inventions are more often commercialized. Senior scientists are more successful in licensing, but their inventions are less often commercialized. Our findings suggest a specific role of spin-offs in transferring technologies invented by senior scientists.
Possible impact of the diabatic heating over the Indian subcontinent on heat waves in South Korea

We investigate the impact of the diabatic heating (Q1) over the Indian subcontinent and Tibetan Plateau (TP) sensible heat on the heat waves in South Korea in July and August over a recent 42‐year period. In particular, we emphasize the role of the convective activity across the region from northeastern Pakistan to northwestern India (PWI) induced by the heat from the TP, especially over the western and eastern TP. A composite analysis indicates that the composite differences between the heat‐wave summers (HWS) and non‐heat‐wave summers (NHWS) resemble the circum‐global teleconnection (CGT) pattern, which generates a high‐pressure anomaly over the Korean Peninsula, producing favourable conditions for heat waves in South Korea. The first coupled mode of the geopotential height at 250 hPa with the daily maximum temperature (TM) for July and August in South Korea is consistent with the composite pattern, suggesting that the diabatic heating over the Indian subcontinent induces a high‐pressure anomaly over the Korean Peninsula through a CGT‐like mechanism. The regression analysis of the wind vectors in the upper troposphere also indicates that the diabatic heating over the PWI region and associated TP sensible heating generates the strong convection over the PWI region, which corresponds to the anomalous anticyclonic circulation at 250 hPa over the western TP and the cyclonic circulation at 850 hPa over the PWI region. Moreover, the correlation patterns of the 250‐hPa geopotential height with the normalized rainfall amount index (IMRI) over the PWI region and the wave activity flux pattern confirm that the strong convective activity over the PWI region contributes to the anomalous high pressure and heat waves over the Korean Peninsula.
Overlay self-organization for traffic reduction in multi-broker publish-subscribe systems

In this work we propose a heuristic-based strategy to modify the broker overlay of a multi-broker publish-subscribe system for optimizing the message flow. The approach we adopt is inspired by self-organization in biology and makes the broker overlay behave as an autonomic distributed system. We define our approach in the case of a topic-based publish-subscribe system, and show experimentally that it is able to reduce the overall network traffic in a faster way when compared to similar approaches.
Do Smartphone Addiction and Self-Regulation Failures Affect Students’ Academic Life Satisfaction? The Role of Students’ Mind Wandering and Cognitive Failures

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate how smartphone addiction and self-regulation failure influence students’ academic life satisfaction considering the impacts of students’ mind wandering and cognitive failures. It also sought to look at how students’ minds wander, and cognitive failures are affected by smartphone addiction and self-regulation failure among university students. Methods The WarpPLS-SEM software was used to analyze the research data retrieved from a sample of 950 undergraduate students from universities in Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Results In both countries, the findings revealed that students’ smartphone addiction and self-regulation failures negatively affect students’ academic life satisfaction and positively affect students’ mind wandering and cognitive failures. Additionally, smartphone addiction is positively related to failures of students’ self-regulation. Besides the negative influences of students’ cognitive failures on their academic life satisfaction, cognitive failures mediated negatively the relationship between mind wandering and students’ academic life satisfaction. Finally, students’ mind wandering mediated the relationship between smartphone addiction, self-regulation failure, and academic life satisfaction. Discussion The study introduces fresh insights into the study variables that can be used to expand the literature on academic life satisfaction. The study provides theoretical and practical contributions to students, educators, and policymakers of education.
AN EVOLUTIONARY PARADIGM FOR DUSTY ACTIVE GALAXIES AT LOW REDSHIFT

We apply methods from Bayesian inferencing and graph theory to a data set of 102 mid-infrared spectra, and archival data from the optical to the millimeter, to construct an evolutionary paradigm for z < 0.4 infrared-luminous galaxies. We propose that the ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRG) lifecycle consists of three phases. The first phase lasts from the initial encounter until approximately coalescence. It is characterized by homogeneous mid-IR spectral shapes, and IR emission mainly from star formation, with a contribution from an active galactic nucleus (AGN) in some cases. At the end of this phase, a ULIRG enters one of two evolutionary paths depending on the dynamics of the merger, the available quantities of gas, and the masses of the black holes in the progenitors. On one branch, the contributions from the starburst and the AGN to the total IR luminosity decline and increase, respectively. The IR spectral shapes are heterogeneous, likely due to feedback from AGN-driven winds. Some objects go through a brief QSO phase at the end. On the other branch, the decline of the starburst relative to the AGN is less pronounced, and few or no objects go through a QSO phase. We show that the 11.2 μm polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon feature is a remarkably good diagnostic of evolutionary phase, and identify six ULIRGs that may be archetypes of key stages in this lifecycle.
Twilight and Photoperiod Affect Behavioral Entrainment in the House Mouse (Mus musculus)

The effect of twilight transitions on entrainment of C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice (Mus musculus) was studied using light-dark cycles of different photoperiods (6, 12, and 18 h) and twilight transitions of different durations (0, 1, and 2 h). Phase angle differences of the onset, center of gravity, and offset of activity, activity duration (α), as well as free-running period (τ) in continuous darkness were analyzed. The main finding was that for all conditions the onset of activity was close to dusk or lights-off except for the short photoperiod with 2 h of twilight where activity onset was on average 5.3 (SEM 1.07) h after lights-off. This finding contrasts with the results of Boulos and Macchi for Syrian hamsters where a 5.9-h earlier activity onset was observed when similar photoperiod and twilight conditions are compared with a rectangular LD cycle. The authors suggest the opposite effects of 2 h of twilight in the 2 species may be related to their different free-running periods under DD conditions following entrainment to short photoperiod with 2-h twilight conditions. Since the authors observed larger variation in phase angle of entrainment in longer twilight conditions, twilight does not necessarily form a stronger zeitgeber.
Visual and Haptic Matching of Perceived Orientations of Lines

In this study we investigated the perception and production of line orientations in a vertical plane. Previous studies have shown that systematic errors are made when participants have to match oblique orientations visually and haptically. Differences in the setup for visual and haptic matching did not allow for a quantitative comparison of the errors. To investigate whether matching errors are the same for different modalities, we asked participants to match a visually presented orientation visually, haptically with visual feedback, and haptically without visual feedback. The matching errors were the same in all three matching conditions. Horizontal and vertical orientations were matched correctly, but systematic errors were made for the oblique orientations. The errors depended on the viewing position from which the stimuli were seen, and on the distance of the stimulus from the observer.
Performance-Guided Load (Un)balancing under Autocorrelated Flows

Size-based policies have been shown in the literature to effectively balance the load and improve performance in cluster environments. Size-based policies assign jobs to servers based on the job size and their performance improvements are an outcome of separating ";short"; from ";long"; jobs, by avoiding having short jobs waiting behind long jobs for service. In this paper, we present evidence that performance improvements due to this separation quickly vanish if the arrival process to the cluster is autocorrelated. Based on our observations, we devise a new size-based policy called D_EQAL that still strives to separate jobs to servers according to job size but this separation is now biased by an effort to reduce performance loss due to autocorrelation in the arrival flows to each server. As a result of this bias, all servers may not be equally utilized (i.e., the load in the system may be ";unbalanced";), but performance benefits become significant. D_EQAL can be used on-line as it does not assume any a priori knowledge of the incoming workload. Extensive simulations show the effectiveness of D_EQAL under autocorrelated and uncorrelated arrival streams and illustrate that the policy successfully self- adjusts the degree of load unbalancing based on monitored performance measures.
Procedures for Reducing the Size of Coverage-based Test Sets

This paper addresses the problem of reducing the size of test sets for regression testing and test output inspection. Since regression testing requires the execution of some, and in the worst case, all test cases, reducing the number of tests can have a large bene t. Additionally, testers generally have to examine the output of each test case, both during initial and regression testing. Since this is done by hand, reducing the number of outputs that need to be examined can reduce the cost of testing. We observe that for mutation-based test sets, the order in which the test cases are executed impacts the size of the test sets. This paper presents several strategies for selecting a smaller number of test cases by reordering the test tests. We illustrate our technique using a proof-of-concept empirically study using mutation testing, achieving approximately a 33% reduction in size, and a corresponding reduction in the cost of regression testing, with a cost of only one extra run of the test case set. We suggest that these results should be extendable to apply to any test strategy that includes a quanti able measure of test case e ectiveness, such as data ow testing and branch testing, and try it with statement coverage with positive results. Twelfth International Conference on Testing Computer Software, June 1995, Washington, DC, pp. 111--123.
Linguistic Resources for 2011 Knowledge Base Population Evaluation

The Knowledge Base Population (KBP) is an evaluation track of the Text Analysis Conference (TAC) workshop series organized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The KBP evaluation includes two tasks that target information extraction and question answering technologies: Entity Linking and Slot Filling. Cross-lingual Entity Linking and Temporal Slot Filling were introduced in 2011 to evaluate systems’ abilities to recognize multilingual and temporal information. Linguistic Data Consortium (LDC) supports the TAC KBP evaluation by producing linguistic resources including data, annotations, system assessment, tools and specifications. This paper describes the resource creation efforts in support of KBP 2011, with an emphasis on annotation and assessment procedures and methodologies.
Successful cultivation of a potentially pathogenic coccoid organism with trophism for gastric mucin

We have devised a procedure that permits the cultivation of a gram-positive coccoid species from biopsy material obtained from the antrum of the stomachs of patients with gastric disorders. Antibodies directed against surface proteins obtained from the coccoid isolates were detected in all patients with gastric disorders examined in this study, including both Helicobacter pylori-infected and H. pylori-uninfected patients. Several of these isolates, including a prototype designated strain SL100, have been characterized in some detail. Strain SL100 exhibits urease and exceptionally high catalase activities and assumes a variety of spherical morphologies as detected by electron microscopy. This isolate expresses an adhesin that binds to gastric mucin. The adhesin activity was detected only after the isolate was exposed to an acidic pH, suggesting that in the natural process of infection, the low pH of the stomach unmasks a cell surface component with adhesin activity. Strain SL100 grows best under a microaerophilic conditions (10% CO2, 5% O2, 85% N2), but it also grows quite well under aerobic conditions. Thus, this organism would be expected to proliferate outside of the human host as well as in the gastric mucosa. Oral infection of newborn piglets resulted in colonization of the gastric antrum and growth retardation. Preliminary taxonomic classification indicates similarity to the Staphylococcus DNA homology groups containing S. cohnii and S. xylosus. One of us (C.K.) apparently became infected with this organism as indicated by gastric symptoms and the subsequent presence of strain-specific antisera not present in other workers in the laboratory.