Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survival and growth of C57BL/6J mice lacking the BK channel, Kcnma1: lower adult body weight occurs together with higher body fat

Big conductance potassium (BK) channels contribute to K+ flow and electrical behavior in many cell types. Mice made null for the gene (Kcnma1) producing the BK channel (BKKO) exhibit numerous deficits in physiological functions. Breeding mice lacking a single allele of Kcnma1 (C57BL/6J background) had litter sizes of approximately eight pups. For the period of maternal care (P0–P21), pup deaths peaked at P1 with a second less severe interval of death peaking near P13. Early deaths were twice as likely during a 20‐month period of building construction compared with the quiescent period after cessation of construction. Births during construction were not consistent with Mendelian predictions indicating the likelihood of a specific disadvantage induced by this environmental stressor. Later BKKO pup deaths (~P13) also were more numerous than Mendelian expectations. After weaning, weight gain was slower for BKKO mice compared with wild‐type littermates: 5 g less for male BKKO mice and 4 g less for female BKKO mice. Body composition determined by quantitative magnetic resonance indicated a higher fat proportion for wild‐type female mice compared with males, as well as a higher hydration ratio. Both male and female BKKO mice showed higher fat proportions than wild‐type, with female BKKO mice exhibiting greater variation. Together, these results indicate that BKKO mice suffered disadvantages that lead to prenatal and perinatal death. A metabolic difference likely related to glucose handling led to the smaller body size and distinct composition for BKKO mice, suggesting a diversion of energy supplies from growth to fat storage.
Efficient and Accelerated Online Learning for Sparse Group Lasso

The batch-mode group lasso algorithms suffer from the inefficiency and poor scalability, and online learning algorithms for group lasso, is a promising tool for attacking the large-scale problem. However, the low time complexity of current online algorithm often be accompanied by low convergence rate, and the faster convergence rate is a key problem to guarantee the online learning algorithms. We develop a novel accelerated online learning algorithm to solve sparse group lasso model. The sparse group lasso model can achieve more sparsity in both the group level and the individual feature level. By adopting dual averaging method, its worst-case time complexity and memory cost at each iteration are both in the order of O (d), where d is the number of dimensions. Moreover, our online algorithm has a accelerated capability, and its theoretical convergence rate is O (1/T2) up to T-th step. The experimental results on synthetic and real-world datasets demonstrate the merits of the proposed online algorithm for sparse group lasso.
Ensemble Classifiers for Steganalysis of Digital Media

Today, the most accurate steganalysis methods for digital media are built as supervised classifiers on feature vectors extracted from the media. The tool of choice for the machine learning seems to be the support vector machine (SVM). In this paper, we propose an alternative and well-known machine learning tool-ensemble classifiers implemented as random forests-and argue that they are ideally suited for steganalysis. Ensemble classifiers scale much more favorably w.r. t. the number of training examples and the feature dimensionality with performance comparable to the much more complex SVMs. The significantly lower training complexity opens up the possibility for the steganalyst to work with rich (high-dimensional) cover models and train on larger training sets-two key elements that appear necessary to reliably detect modern steganographic algorithms. Ensemble classification is portrayed here as a powerful developer tool that allows fast construction of steganography detectors with markedly improved detection accuracy across a wide range of embedding methods. The power of the proposed framework is demonstrated on three steganographic methods that hide messages in JPEG images.
Three-Dimensional Simulations of Magnetized Thin Accretion Disks around Black Holes: Stress in the Plunging Region

We describe three-dimensional general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations of a geometrically thin accretion disk around a nonspinning black hole. The disk has a thickness h/r ∼ 0.05–0.1 over the radial range (2–20) GM/c2. In steady state, the specific angular momentum profile of the inflowing magnetized gas deviates by less than 2% from that of the standard thin disk model of Novikov and Thorne. Also, the magnetic torque at the radius of the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) is only ~2% of the inward flux of angular momentum at this radius. Both results indicate that magnetic coupling across the ISCO is relatively unimportant for geometrically thin disks.
Chronic respiratory diseases and risk factors in 12 regions of the Russian Federation

Background Estimation suggests that at least 4 million people die, annually, as a result of chronic respiratory disease (CRD). The Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) was formed following a mandate from the World Health Assembly to address this serious and growing health problem. Objectives To investigate the prevalence of CRD in Russian symptomatic patients and to evaluate the frequency of major risk factors for CRD in Russia. Methods A cross-sectional, population-based epidemiological study using the GARD questionnaire on adults from 12 regions of the Russian Federation. Common respiratory symptoms and risk factors were recorded. Spirometry was performed in respondents with suspected CRD. Allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic bronchitis (CB) were defined by the presence of related symptoms according to the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma and the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines; asthma was defined based on disease symptoms; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was defined as a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume per 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio <0.7 in symptomatic patients, following the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines. Results The number of questionnaires completed was 7,164 (mean age 43.4 years; 57.2% female). The prevalence of asthma symptoms was 25.7%, AR 18.2%, and CB 8.6%. Based on patient self-reported diagnosis, 6.9% had asthma, 6.5% AR, and 22.2% CB. The prevalence of COPD based on spirometry in patients with respiratory symptoms was estimated as 21.8%. Conclusion The prevalence of respiratory diseases and risk factors was high in Russia when compared to available data. For bronchial asthma and AR, the prevalence for related symptoms was higher than self-reported previous diagnosis.
Fear of Missing Out, Social Media Abuse, and Parenting Styles

With the increasing rise in technology use, particularly engagement in social media, it is important for researchers to gain a better understanding of the usage patterns along with the antecedents and consequences of heavy social media usage. In addition to the rise in social media usage, a new anxiety driven phenomenon is storming the research world, FoMO (Fear of Missing Out). To date, there has been little empirical research on the relationship between social media usage and psychological adjustment. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between FoMO, social media abuse, and parenting styles. It is theorized that because FoMO is an anxiety-driven problem, it can lead individuals to the addiction or abuse of social media by engaging in safety behaviors that are similar to behaviors associated with abuse, dependence, or withdrawal, to the addiction. Previous research has shown a correlation between parenting styles and child social anxiety; therefore, it was theorized that parenting styles would be related to FoMO. Participants completed a 71-item questionnaire composed of six scales: FoMO, Social Media Engagement, Self-Esteem, Parenting Styles, and two Social Media Abuse scales. The questionnaire was deployed to middle school, high school, and college students (n = 661) with statistical evaluation of bivariate correlation and mean difference analyses to test study hypotheses. Results indicated that self-esteem was significantly negatively correlated with both FoMO and social media abuse, FoMO was significantly positively correlated with social media abuse, and neglectful parenting style had the highest mean value for self-reported FoMO. Fear of Missing Out, Social Media Abuse, and Parenting Styles A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the Graduate School Abilene Christian University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science Clinical Psychology By Kylie Richter May 2018 This thesis, directed and approved by the candidate's committee, has been accepted by the Graduate Council of Abilene Christian University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
The Effect of Classroom Red Walls on the Students’ Aggression

Background: Color is one of the most important physical features of the environment that affects the architectural quality of space, behavior, and human feelings. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of classroom red walls on the aggression of female high school students. Methods: The sample size in this study included 70 female high school students studying in Shiraz, Iran, during the academic year of 2017 to 2018. The research sample was obtained using cluster random sampling. In this way, one area was selected randomly from four educational districts of Shiraz. Then, one school was selected randomly from all female high schools in a selected district. Classes were randomly divided to two groups of 35 students, control and intervention group, among all the school classrooms. At first, a pre-test including Buss and Perry aggression questionnaire was performed. Then, the classroom walls of the intervention group were painted red. While the classroom walls of the control group were white. After 12 weeks, aggression tests were performed for each group. The means and standard deviations were used at descriptive level and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used at inferential level. Results: Pre-test and post-test score of aggression in the intervention group was 76.89 ± 25.494 and 101.00 ± 25.121. In the control group, the mean of pre-test and post-test were 79.54 ± 19.655 and 76.60 ± 19.820. The results of ANCOVA analysis showed that the classroom with red walls could significantly increase the level of aggression in general (P < 0.001) and its subscales, including verbal aggression (P < 0.001), physical aggression (P < 0.001), anger (P < 0.001), and hostility (P < 0.001). Conclusions: According to the results, red color of the classroom walls increased the aggression and its dimensions, including verbal aggression, physical aggression, anger, and hostility among female high school students.
The Nesting Synchronisation Process of New Breeders in a White Stork Ciconia ciconia Colony

Summary. Many studies have focused on the colonial behaviour of birds but information on the processes related to the addition of new breeders to colonies is still scarce. The breeding parameters of new, young, breeders in a colony differ from those of experienced breeders initially. Hence, there must be an underlying process to synchronise such parameters of the new additions to the original colony values. To determine how this synchronisation process takes place, we surveyed a White Stork colony in the northern Madrid province (Spain) for five consecutive breeding seasons. Given the high nest site fidelity of this species, we established a relationship between nest age (new or old) and breeding pair age (young breeder or established adult). Newcomers occupy new nests whereas established breeders use old nests. We compared the laying dates at new nests over a 3-4 year period with those at the old nests in the colony to determine whether new breeding pairs were synchronising their laying dates to those of the existing colony. Young breeders require up to three breeding seasons to synchronise their laying dates with those of the established colony. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such a synchronisation process has been described for storks. Nest age should also be considered when analysing breeding parameters that may differ between young and old breeders. —Cabodevilla, X. & Aguirre, J.I. (2019). The nesting synchronisation process of new breeders in a White Stork Ciconia ciconia colony. Ardeola, 66: 279-289.
Infrared Behavior of Graviton-graviton Scattering

The quantum effective theory of general relativity, independent of the eventual full theory at high energy, expresses graviton-graviton scattering at one loop order O E 4 � with only one parameter, Newton’s constant. Dunbar and Norridge have calculated the one loop amplitude using string based techniques. We complete the calculation by showing that the 1 d 4 divergence which remains in their result comes from the infrared sector and that the cross section is finite and model independent when the usual bremsstrahlung diagrams are included.
International Migration, Segmented Labour Markets and Competitiveness: Amalgamating the Lewis and Balassa-Samuleson Models

We integrate three hitherto unconnected strands of economic theory; Lewis’ dual economy model, the Balassa-Samuelson model and, segmented labour market theory. With our hybrid model we investigate the implications of migration with labour market segmentation for an economy’s internal competitiveness, where migrants are concentrated in the secondary labour market and this segment supplies unskilled labour to the non-traded goods and services sectors. Our model reveals a number of original and counterintuitive insights that conventional models are unable to address. We show how international migration allows an economy to prevent appreciation of its real exchange rate, forestalling the loss of competitiveness predicted by Balassa-Samuelson to accompany economic growth. The essential transmission mechanism is through the relative prices of traded to non-traded goods, rather than unit wage costs in the traded goods sectors.
What is the Relationship between Benefit Conditionality and Mental Health? Evidence from the United States on TANF Policies

Abstract This article provides new evidence on the relationship between benefit conditionality and mental health. Using data on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families policies (TANF) – the main form of poverty relief in the United States – it explores whether the mental health of low-educated single mothers varies according to the stringency of conditionality requirements attached to receipt of benefit. Specifically, the article combines state-level data on sanctioning practices, work requirements and welfare-to-work spending with health data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and evaluates the impact of conditionality on mental health over a fifteen-year period (2000 to 2015). It finds that states that have harsher sanctions, stricter job search requirements and higher expenditure on welfare-to-work policies, have worse mental health among low-educated single mothers. There is also evidence that between-wave increases in the stringency of conditionality requirements are associated with deteriorations in mental health among the recipient population. It is suggested that these findings may reflect an overall effect of ‘intensive conditionality’, rather than of the individual variables per se. The article ends by considering the wider implications for policy and research.
Circumferential pulmonary-vein ablation for chronic atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND We conducted a randomized, controlled trial of circumferential pulmonary-vein ablation for the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation. METHODS A total of 146 patients with a mean (+/-SD) age of 57+/-9 years who had chronic atrial fibrillation were randomly assigned to receive amiodarone and undergo two cardioversions during the first three months alone (the control group) or in combination with circumferential pulmonary-vein ablation. Cardiac rhythm was assessed with daily telephonic transmissions for one year. The left atrial diameter and the severity of symptoms were assessed at 12 months. RESULTS Among the 77 patients assigned to undergo circumferential pulmonary-vein ablation, ablation was repeated because of recurrent atrial fibrillation in 26 percent of patients and atypical atrial flutter in 6 percent. An intention-to-treat analysis showed that 74 percent of patients in the ablation group and 58 percent of those in the control group were free of recurrent atrial fibrillation or flutter without antiarrhythmic-drug therapy at one year (P=0.05). Among the 69 patients in the control group, 53 (77 percent) crossed over to undergo circumferential pulmonary-vein ablation for recurrent atrial fibrillation by one year and only 3 (4 percent) were in sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic-drug therapy or ablation. There were significant decreases in the left atrial diameter (12+/-11 percent, P<0.001) and the symptom severity score (59+/-21 percent, P<0.001) among patients who remained in sinus rhythm after circumferential pulmonary-vein ablation. Except for atypical atrial flutter, there were no complications attributable to circumferential pulmonary-vein ablation. CONCLUSIONS Sinus rhythm can be maintained long term in the majority of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation by means of circumferential pulmonary-vein ablation independently of the effects of antiarrhythmic-drug therapy, cardioversion, or both. The maintenance of sinus rhythm is associated with a significant decrease in both the severity of symptoms and the left atrial diameter.
A High-Power Packaged Four-Element  $X$-Band Phased-Array Transmitter in ${\hbox{0.13-}}\mu{\hbox {m}}$ CMOS for Radar and Communication Systems

This paper presents a four-element X-band phased-array transmitter in 0.13-μm CMOS. The design is based on the all-RF architecture and contains a 5-bit phase shifter (lowest bit is used as a trim bit), 4-bit gain control (to reduce the rms gain error), and power amplifiers capable of delivering a PSAT of 13.5 dBm per channel at 8.5-10.5 GHz. The chip can be used in the linear mode for communication systems and in the saturated mode for frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar systems, and therefore, extensive analysis is done on the phase shifter distortion versus input power. Spectral regrowth and error vector magnitude measurements indicate that the chip can support at least 20-MSym/s quadrature phase-shift keying and binary phase-shift keying modulation at an output power of +5 dBm per channel. Packaging techniques based on chip-on-board and quad flat no-lead (QFN) modules have been implemented with the four-channel chip, and both show a nearest neighbor coupling of -30 dB at 8-10 GHz, limited by bond-wire coupling. The chip dimensions are 2.9×3.0 mm2 and it consumes 870 mW from 2- and 3-V power supplies.
A new transmitter concept for iteratively-decoded source-channel coding schemes

We address the optimization of joint source-channel coding schemes for iterative source-channel decoding (ISCD) of first-order Markov sources. The optimization requires source encoders, providing code words with a minimum Hamming distance dmin ges 2. Usually, specifically designed variable- length codes (VLCs) are applied for this purpose, leading, however, to an increased complexity of the decoder. In this paper, we propose a novel concept: a single parity-check code is employed for mapping the quantized source symbols to a binary representation. The additional redundancy introduced by this mapping is afterwards compensated by an inner channel code with rate R > 1. Simulation results for the AWGN channel show that the proposed scheme is superior to VLC- based approaches, while leading to a significantly reduced complexity at the same time.
An investigation into English language motivation of Thai university students : understanding students' motivation over time, and their visions of future L2 selves, through narrative inquiry

This qualitative study explores 16 Thai university students’ motivation to learn the English language over time through narrative inquiry. The students’ general attitude and orientation towards the English language, their motivational trajectories during their past English learning experiences, and their visions of their future second language (L2) selves were investigated. This study adopted a holistic approach to explore student motivation, with research methods dedicated to exploring the students’ past experiences (through Language Learning Histories), and the students’ concepts of their present and possible future selves (through semi-structured interviews). Adopting non-linear and socio-dynamic perspectives in understanding motivation, this study employed various theoretical frameworks, including self-determination theory (Deci and Ryan, 1985), the person-in-context relational view (Ushioda, 2009), the complex dynamic systems perspective (Dornyei, 2009b), and the L2 Motivational Self System (Dornyei, 2005, 2009a), to help conceptualise students’ motivation. The findings reveal that the instrumentality or utilitarian value of the English language played a significant role in fostering Thai students’ positive attitudes towards English. International posture (Yashima, 2009), personal interests, and a combination of different motivations were also found to associate with the students’ positive attitudes towards English. The results also show that the students’ motivation was complex and dynamic. Three broad patterns of motivational trajectories were identified among the students. The findings indicate that motivational changes across time was strongly related to their situated or immediate learning environment, critical incidents, and their cultural capital (Bourdieu, 1986). The data suggest that while the students’ sense of ‘ought-to L2 self’ was associated with a fear of being unemployed and the pressure of Thailand’s integration into the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, their sense of ‘ideal L2 self’ was strongly triggered by their imagined future careers, desires to go abroad, and international posture. Through examining dynamic changes in the students’ motivation, as well as exploring the ways in which the students identified themselves with the language in the future, this study adds to the knowledge base, aiding both L2 students and practitioners to understand and be aware of students’ different dispositions in language learning. This study also suggests pedagogical improvements in English language teaching in the context of Thailand.