Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unequal Competition as an Impediment to Personal Development: A Review of the Relative Age Effect in Sport☆

Abstract Children born shortly before the cutoff date for age grouping in youth sport programs suffer from being promoted to higher age groups earlier than their later-born peers. Skewed birthdate distributions among participants in youth sport and professional sport leagues have been interpreted as the result of this disadvantage. A growing body of research shows that this Relative Age Effect in sport is a worldwide phenomenon and that it exists in many, but not all, competitive sports. Both physical and psychological mechanisms that may be responsible for the effect are identified. Negative consequences on personal development and possible remedies to the problem are discussed. Finally, desirable and necessary directions for future research are formulated.
Effects of ketamine on serum and tracheobronchial aspirate interleukin-6 levels in infants undergoing cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE Corrective surgery for congenital heart defects in children frequently requires cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Serum and bronchoalveolar levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) may be useful in assessing the severity of the systemic inflammatory response after CPB. In the present study, the authors aimed to compare the effects of ketamine anesthesia and isoflurane anesthesia with respect to serum and tracheobronchial aspirate (TBA) IL-6 levels in infants undergoing CPB for cardiac surgery. DESIGN Prospective and randomized controlled study. SETTING University-based teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-four infants aged 2 to 24 months were randomized into 2 groups. INTERVENTIONS In group K (n = 17), anesthesia was induced with intravenous (IV) ketamine, 1 to 2 mg/kg, and fentanyl, 1 to 2 microg/kg, and was maintained with infusions of ketamine, 25 to 75 microg/kg/min, and fentanyl, 10 microg/kg/h. In group I (n = 17), induction was achieved with IV thiopental sodium, 3 to 5 mg/kg, and fentanyl, 1 to 2 microg/kg, and was maintained with 1% isoflurane and fentanyl, 10 mug/kg/h. Blood and TBA samples were obtained at 6 and 4 stages, respectively. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Serum IL-6 and TBA IL-6 levels were similar in the 2 groups at all stages (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The present results show that ketamine anesthesia does not provide superiority over isoflurane anesthesia with respect to serum and TBA IL-6 levels.
Genotypic Analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Two Distinct Populations Using Molecular Beacons: Implications for Rapid Susceptibility Testing

ABSTRACT Past genotypic studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosismay have incorrectly estimated the importance of specific drug resistance mutations due to a number of sampling biases including an overrepresentation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. An accurate assessment of resistance mutations is crucial for understanding basic resistance mechanisms and designing genotypic drug resistance assays. We developed a rapid closed-tube PCR assay using fluorogenic reporter molecules called molecular beacons to detect reportedly common M. tuberculosis mutations associated with resistance to isoniazid and rifampin. The assay was used in a comparative genotypic investigation of two different study populations to determine whether these known mutations account for most cases of clinical drug resistance. We analyzed samples from a reference laboratory in Madrid, Spain, which receives an overrepresentation of MDR isolates similar to prior studies and from a community medical center in New York where almost all of the resistant isolates and an equal number of susceptible controls were available. The ability of the molecular beacon assay to predict resistance to isoniazid and rifampin was also assessed. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the assay for isoniazid resistance were 85 and 100%, respectively, and those for rifampin resistance were 98 and 100%, respectively. Rifampin resistance mutations were detected equally well in isolates from both study populations; however, isoniazid resistance mutations were detected in 94% of the isolates from Madrid but in only 76% of the isolates from New York (P = 0.02). In New York, isoniazid resistance mutations were significantly more common in the MDR isolates (94%) than in single-drug-resistant isolates (44%; P < 0.001). No association between previously described mutations in thekasA gene and isoniazid resistance was found. The first mutations that cause isoniazid resistance may often occur in sequences that have not been commonly associated with isoniazid resistance, possibly in other as yet uncharacterized genes. The molecular beacon assay was simple, rapid, and highly sensitive for the detection of rifampin-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates and for the detection of isoniazid resistance in MDR isolates.
Coenzyme Q10 Inhibits the Aging of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induced by D-Galactose through Akt/mTOR Signaling

Increasing evidences indicate that reactive oxygen species are the main factor promoting stem cell aging. Recent studies have demonstrated that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) plays a positive role in organ and cellular aging. However, the potential for CoQ10 to protect stem cell aging has not been fully evaluated, and the mechanisms of cell senescence inhibited by CoQ10 are still poorly understood. Our previous study had indicated that D-galactose (D-gal) can remarkably induce mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) aging through promoting intracellular ROS generation. In this study, we showed that CoQ10 could significantly inhibit MSC aging induced by D-gal. Moreover, in the CoQ10 group, the expression of p-Akt and p-mTOR was clearly reduced compared with that in the D-gal group. However, after Akt activating by CA-Akt plasmid, the senescence-cell number in the CoQ10 group was significantly higher than that in the control group. These results indicated that CoQ10 could inhibit D-gal-induced MSC aging through the Akt/mTOR signaling.
The CE 1303 Hongdong Earthquake and the Huoshan Piedmont Fault, Shanxi Graben: Implications for Magnitude Limits of Normal Fault Earthquakes

The CE 1303 Hongdong earthquake, with ~270,000 deaths, has been suggested as the first magnitude 8 earthquake recorded in North China. We use 31 AMS‐14C ages to date earthquakes recorded in the Huoshan Piedmont Fault, which is interpreted to be the causative fault for the event. We interpret fault traces and map the Hongdong earthquake surface rupture in detail. Four events are identified with timings constrained at 1,060–590 year BP (corresponding to the Common Era 1303 event), 3,310–3,210 year BP, 5,460–5,380 year BP, and 26,380 year BP, respectively. The later three events have a recurrence interval of ~2,000–3,000 years. We find that the Hongdong earthquake had a rupture length of ~98 km, a maximum throw of 5.0 m and a best estimate for magnitude in the range Mw 7.2–7.6. We suggest that previous magnitude estimates are overestimates. Normal fault earthquakes have smaller upper limits to their magnitudes than thrusts, because their relatively steep dips produce intersections at the base of the seismogenic layer at smaller downdip widths than gently dipping thrust faults. The Hongdong event was not an exception to this pattern. The historic released seismic moment may be closer to the accumulated moment than previously calculated.
Inhalational Anthrax Outbreak among Postal Workers, Washington, D.C., 2001

In October 2001, four cases of inhalational anthrax occurred in workers in a Washington, D.C., mail facility that processed envelopes containing Bacillus anthracis spores. We reviewed the envelopes’ paths and obtained exposure histories and nasal swab cultures from postal workers. Environmental sampling was performed. A sample of employees was assessed for antibody concentrations to B. anthracis protective antigen. Case-patients worked on nonoverlapping shifts throughout the facility. Environmental sampling showed diffuse contamination of the facility, suggesting multiple aerosolization events. Potential workplace exposures were similar for the case-patients and the sample of workers. All nasal swab cultures and serum antibody tests were negative. Available tools could not identify subgroups of employees at higher risk for exposure or disease. Prophylaxis was necessary for all employees. To protect postal workers against bioterrorism, measures to reduce the risk of occupational exposure are necessary.
Pleasure and pain in doing well, together: an investigation of performance-related affect in close relationships.

In a series of four studies, the self-evaluation maintenance (SEM) model is used to predict peoples' self-reported affective responses to doing better or worse than their partners. Both self-protective reactions to comparison (i.e., those predicted by the original SEM model) and empathic reactions to the partner's response (i.e., those predicted by the extended SEM model) were obtained. In addition, as predicted on the basis of both models, comparisons with romantic partners resulted in a different pattern of self-reported affect than did comparisons with strangers. Unexpectedly, it appeared that empathic effects were minimal or absent among dating partners when comparisons were in areas of high self-relevance.
Cancer Incidence among Pesticide Applicators Exposed to Cyanazine in the Agricultural Health Study

Background Cyanazine is a common pesticide used frequently in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s. Animal and human studies have suggested that triazines may be carcinogenic, but results have been mixed. We evaluated cancer incidence in cyanazine-exposed pesticide applicators among the 57,311 licensed pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS). Methods We obtained detailed pesticide exposure information from a self-administered questionnaire completed at enrollment (1993–1997). Cancer incidence was followed through January 2002. Over half of cyanazine-exposed applicators had ≥ 6 years of exposure at enrollment, and approximately 85% had begun using cyanazine before the 1990s. We used adjusted Poisson regression to calculate rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of multiple cancer sites among cyanazine-exposed applicators. We calculated ptrend values, and all statistical tests were two-sided. Two exposure metrics were used: tertiles of lifetime days of exposure (LD) and intensity-weighted LD. Results A total of 20,824 cancer-free AHS applicators reported ever using cyanazine at enrollment. Cancer incidence comparisons between applicators with the lowest cyanazine exposure and those with the highest exposure yielded the following for the LD metric: all cancers, RR = 0.99 (95% CI, 0.80–1.24); prostate cancer, RR = 1.23 (95% CI, 0.87–1.70); all lymphohematopoietic cancers, RR = 0.92 (95% CI, 0.50–1.72); non-Hodgkin lymphoma, RR = 1.25 (95% CI, 0.47–3.35); lung cancer, RR = 0.52 (95% CI, 0.22–1.25). Conclusions We did not find any clear, consistent associations between cyanazine exposure and any cancer analyzed. The number of sites was small for certain cancers, limiting any conclusion with regard to ovarian, breast, and some other cancers.
Reform of the Coal Sector in an Open Economy: The Case of China

Cheap, abundant and easy to transport and store, coal has been produced and consumed to meet people’s energy needs. The last decade’s growth in global coal use has been driven mainly by developing economies like China, whose phenomenal economic growth has been powered by coal-fired electricity and promoted by the export of manufactured goods. A recent reform focus in China’s coal sector is on coal taxation. The paper develops a game-theoretic model tailored to the context of China where coal taxation reform takes place against the background of privatisation of coal firms and an open economy. It finds that the adoption of special coal taxes is optimal for social welfare under most circumstances, but may induce coal firms to commit opportunistic behaviour in the process of privatisation. The paper also cautions about potential resistance to the reform from consumers, coal firms and government officials.
Proximal Thresholding Algorithm for Minimization over Orthonormal Bases

The notion of soft thresholding plays a central role in problems from various areas of applied mathematics, in which the ideal solution is known to possess a sparse decomposition in some orthonormal basis. Using convex-analytical tools, we extend this notion to that of proximal thresholding and investigate its properties, providing, in particular, several characterizations of such thresholders. We then propose a versatile convex variational formulation for optimization over orthonormal bases that covers a wide range of problems, and we establish the strong convergence of a proximal thresholding algorithm to solve it. Numerical applications to signal recovery are demonstrated.
A comparison between methods of measuring anaerobic work capacity.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between anaerobic work capacity (AWC) and anaerobic capacity (AC) from the Critical Power (CP) and ‘Wingate’ tests, respectively. A secondary purpose was to determine the reliability of AWC and CP. Twenty-five females (mean±s.d. = 21·88±2·49 years) volunteered to perform a ‘Wingate’ test and two Critical Power tests all on separate days. Anaerobic capacity was defined as the total work performed during the 30-second ‘Wingate’ test. The relationship between work limit (total work to exhaustion) and time limit (total time to exhaustion), calculated for each of the three work bouts of the CP test, was linear (r 2 =0·98−1·00) for all of the subjects. The slope and Y intercept of this relationship represented CP and AWC, respectively. Anaerobic capacity and AWC were significantly (p 0·05) differences between the test-retest means for CP or AWC. Test-retest correlations for CP (r=0·94) a.
Multiple operating points model-based control of a two-wheeled inverted pendulum mobile robot

Literature review shows that, most of the linear controllers proposed for control of a Two-Wheeled Inverted Pendulum (TWIP) mobile robot are based on dynamic models that are linearized around a single operating point. Thus, this paper presents the controller design for a TWIP mobile robot based on its multiple operating point linearized model. The nonlinear dynamical equations of motion of the TWIP mobile robot were firstly obtained. The nonlinear equations were then linearized around different operating points resulting in a number of linear models with each represented a local region of the original nonlinear system. Based on the multiple operating points linearized models a state feedback control scheme was proposed using pole placement technique for balancing and tracking control of the TWIP mobile robot. The performance of the proposed controller investigated in terms of reference command tracking, parameter variation and external disturbance rejection via simulations. The simulation result shows the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Indexing and retrieval of digital video sequences based on automatic text recognition

Efficient indexing and retrieval of digital video is an importantaspect of video databases. One powerful index for retrieval is the text appearing in them. It enables content- based browsing. We present our methods for automatic segmentation and recognition of text in digital videos. The algorithms we propose make use of typical characteristics of text in videos in order to enable and enhance segmentation and recognition performance. Especially the inter-frame dependencies of the characters provide new possibilities for their refinement. Then, a straightforward indexing and retrieval scheme is introduced. It is used in the experiments to demonstrate that the proposed text segmentation and text recognition algorithms are suitable for indexing and retrieval of relevant video scenes in and from a video data base. Our experimental results are very encouraging and suggest that these algorithms can be used in video retrieval applications as well as to recognize higher semantics in video.
A protocol performance comparison in modular WSNs for data center server monitoring

Industrial applications based on Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have three main desirable requirements, i.e. low end-to-end latency, low packet loss and low power consumption. Such parameters depend on the network topology as well as on the protocol used to collect data. In the case of WSNs for server monitoring in large data centers, a modular cluster-tree topology is the preferable solution due to the intrinsically clustered nature of this application. However, choosing the most efficient and reliable data collection protocol is not an easy task. In this paper, three protocols for WSNs (i.e. CTP, MultiHopLQI and BLIP 6LowPAN) are experimentally compared with the purpose to assess the performances in terms of latency and packet loss. The obtained results, although preliminary, represent a good starting point to determine the best protocol for WSNs with a modular cluster-tree topology.
Learning better image representations using ‘flobject analysis’

Unsupervised learning can be used to extract image representations that are useful for various and diverse vision tasks. After noticing that most biological vision systems for interpreting static images are trained using disparity information, we developed an analogous framework for unsu-pervised learning. The output of our method is a model that can generate a vector representation or descriptor from any static image. However, the model is trained using pairs of consecutive video frames, which are used to find representations that are consistent with optical flow-derived objects, or ‘flobjects’. To demonstrate the flobject analysis framework, we extend the latent Dirichlet allocation bag-of-words model to account for real-valued word-specific flow vectors and image-specific probabilistic associations between flow clusters and topics. We show that the static image representations extracted using our method can be used to achieve higher classification rates and better generalization than standard topic models, spatial pyramid matching and gist descriptors.
A Review on Integrated Weed Management in Green Gram

Greengram is the third important pulse crop of India in terms of area 3.77 million ha and production 1.52 million tons (DAC, 2015). It is the cheapest source of dietary protein. It can be grown in all the seasons of the year as seed crop also as fodder crop. Green gram improves the soil health and maintains its environment. Weed infestation is one of the major constraints in greengram cultivation and causes 50 to 90 % yield loss (Kumar et al., 2006). Competition with the weeds leads to 30 to 80 % reduction in grain yield of greengram during summer and kharif seasons while 70-80% during Rabi season respectively. (Algotar et al., 2015). (Sheoran et al., 2008) reported that the weed infestation if not checked within 20 DAS there would be a severe yield reduction to an extent of 38 per cent in contrast to 20 per cent yield reduction with unchecked weed infestation till 20 DAS in greengram. Losses due to uncontrolled weed growth up to95% in wet season and 77% in dry season (Ramanamurthy and Rao, 1996).
Super Resolution for Multiview Images Using Depth Information

In stereoscopic and multiview video, binocular suppression theory states that the visual subjective quality of 3-D experience is not much affected by asymmetrical blurring of the individual views. Based on these studies, mixed-resolution frameworks applied for multiview systems offer great data-size reduction without incurring in significant quality degradation in 3-D video applications. However, it is interesting to recover high-frequency content of the blurred views, to reduce visual strain due to long-term exposure and to make the system suitable for free-viewpoint television. In this paper, we present a novel super-resolution technique, in which low-resolution views are enhanced with the aid of high-frequency content from neighboring full-resolution views, and the corresponding depth information for all views. Occlusions are handled by checking the consistency between views. Tests for synthetic and real image data in stereo and multiview cases are presented, and results show that significant objective quality gains can be achieved without any extra side information.
Rapid coating of Ti 6 Al 4 V at room temperature with a calcium phosphate solution similar to 10 × simulated body fluid

In this paper, we report the utilization of high ionic strength (>1100 mM) calcium phosphate solutions in depositing 20–65m-thick, bonelike apatitic calcium phosphate on Ti6Al4V within 2–6 h, at room temperature. The super-strength solution used here multiplied the concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions in human plasma or simulated body fluid (SBF) by a factor of ten. The interesting features of the technique are given in the following. First, the solutions did not contain any buffering agents, such as Tris or Hepes. Second, during the process, homogeneous formation of calcium phosphate nano-clusters took place. However, their presence did not adversely affect the coating process. Third, other than simple surface treatments to begin with, no other additional intermediate steps were necessary. The only step needed after the preparation of the solution from reagents is the addition of proper amounts of NaHCO3 to raise the pH to 6.5 prior to the coating procedure. Fourth, there is no CO2 bubbling required, and hence, this is a robust process. Fifth, such a procedure led to a significant enhancement of coating rate enabling the formation in as little as 2–6 h. Coating proceeded with a linear rate. Sixth, the adhesion strength (12 ± 2 MPa) of the present coatings was comparable to coatings produced by soaking in 1.5× SBF solutions over a prolonged period of time, typically two to three weeks. Finally, the carbonate content (8 wt%) and Ca/P molar ratio (1.57) qualify the coating as bonelike.
T-cell production of matrix metalloproteinases and inhibition of parasite clearance by TIMP-1 during chronic Toxoplasma infection in the brain

Chronic infection with the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii leads to tissue remodelling in the brain and a continuous requirement for peripheral leucocyte migration within the CNS (central nervous system). In the present study, we investigate the role of MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) and their inhibitors in T-cell migration into the infected brain. Increased expression of two key molecules, MMP-8 and MMP-10, along with their inhibitor, TIMP-1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1), was observed in the CNS following infection. Analysis of infiltrating lymphocytes demonstrated MMP-8 and -10 production by CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. In addition, infiltrating T-cells and CNS resident astrocytes increased their expression of TIMP-1 following infection. TIMP-1-deficient mice had a decrease in perivascular accumulation of lymphocyte populations, yet an increase in the proportion of CD4+ T-cells that had trafficked into the CNS. This was accompanied by a reduction in parasite burden in the brain. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a role for MMPs and TIMP-1 in the trafficking of lymphocytes into the CNS during chronic infection in the brain.