Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alcohol consumption and risk of breast cancer: the Framingham Study revisited.

Although many studies report that moderate-to-heavy alcohol intake increases breast cancer risk, the effect of light alcohol consumption remains controversial, and a consistent pattern of association with different types of alcoholic beverages is not evident. The authors examined the relation of average alcohol consumption and of different beverages to the risk of breast cancer in the Framingham Study (Framingham, Massachusetts). Of 2,764 women followed more than 40 years in the Original Cohort from 1948 to 1993 and 2,284 followed up to 24 years in the Offspring Cohort from 1971 to 1993, 221 and 66 incident breast cancer cases occurred, respectively. Breast cancer incidence decreased from 3.60 per 1,000 person-years to 2.47, 2.30, and 2.33 in increasing categories of average alcohol consumption (none, < 5.0, 5.0-< 15.0, and > or = 15.0 g/day) among the Original Cohort and from 3.07 to 1.26, 1.24, and 2.22, respectively, among the Offspring Cohort. With the two cohorts combined, multivariate-adjusted rate ratios of breast cancer in each increased category of alcohol consumption were 1.0 (nondrinkers), 0.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6-1.1), 0.7 (95% CI 0.5-1.1), and 0.7 (95% CI 0.5-1.1), respectively. Breast cancer was not associated with wine, beer, or spirits consumption when assessed separately. The findings suggest that the light consumption of alcohol or any type of alcoholic beverage is not associated with increased breast cancer risk.
A statistical model for over rooftop propagation

A novel statistical model for over rooftop (ORT) propagation in an urban environment is presented in this paper. The proposed algorithm is based on an automatic extraction of the relevant environment parameters from the urban map. These parameters are used to build up a statistical description of the environment geometry through analytical pdf functions from which statistical estimates of the propagation loss are derived by mathematical processing and the use of simple, deterministic ORT models. Finally, analytical formulas for the direct derivation of the average ORT loss and its variance from the environment parameters are proposed.
Improving passenger boarding in airplanes using computer simulations

It goes without saying that airplanes only make money when they are in the air. Considering today's tough competition and the pricing pressures in the passenger carrying business, this insight becomes especially important. On the one hand, airplanes have to work at full capacity and idle times have to be avoided. On the other hand, punctuality as an important contribution to the passenger’s service has to be ensured. Masses of passengers waiting for hours in overcrowded airport facilities during the holiday season speak a different language, however. Reducing idle times on the ground will lead to improved airplane utilization and a more flexible time management. How could these idle times be reduced? Optimizations of turn-around times can start at any point between arrival and departure. The deplanation process, aircraft cleaning, refueling, cargo (un-)loading and passenger boarding are main elements of the turn-around time. Passenger boarding is the part that takes the longest time and because cargo loading can be done at the same time it is also the most important one.
The Use of Rap Music in Music Therapy Treatment with Adolescents and Young Adults: A Survey

This study examined how music therapists who work with adolescents and young adults use rap music in music therapy treatment. The use of rap music in music therapy with any age group or population is not well examined in the existing literature; however, it is standard practice for music therapists to incorporate the preferred music of clients, and it is likely that rap music is the preferred music of some adolescent and young adult clients. A survey was sent to 512 board-certified music therapists who reported working with adolescents and young adults. A total of 71 respondents (14% response rate) provided information about their use of rap music in music therapy treatment and their perceptions of rap music. The results indicated that rap music is being used frequently in music therapy treatment with adolescents and young adults, and it is being used in a wide variety of settings and interventions. The results also indicated that while music therapists often use rap music for rapport building and connection making, music therapists might not be well educated about rap music. The study also included recommendations for music therapists to be further educated on rap music and the ways it may be incorporated into treatment.
Characterization of breast cancer subgroups in an African population

A detailed prospective study of 58 consecutive breast cancer patients and contemporaneous controls, using age, duration of tumour and presence or absence of poor prognostic signs as clinical parameters, clearly showed that the patients fell into three distinct groups. Group A accounted for 30 per cent of cancers and consisted of young women (21–45 years) with advanced cancers, a short history (3 months or less) and poor prognostic signs; these patients had fast‐growing tumours. Group B, to which nearly 60 per cent of patients belonged, was made up of menopausal women (46–50 years) with advanced disease, a history of from 3 months to 1 year and poor prognostic signs; their tumour growth rate was intermediate. Group C made up slightly more than 10 per cent of cases and consisted of postmenopausal women (50 years and above) who gave a long history (1 year or more), and had resectable tumours without poor prognostic signs. Thus, although advanced breast cancer in tropical Africa is due to late presentation in the majority of cases, a small but significant proportion of women have advanced disease in spite of early presentation, attributable to fast tumour growth rate.
Effects of Aflatoxin on Some Haematological Parameters and Protective Effectiveness of Esterified Glucomannan in Merino Rams

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the toxic effects of aflatoxin on some hematological parameters and to determine the preventive effectiveness of added glucomannan. In the study, 32 Merino rams were used, and the rams were separated equally to four groups as control (C), glucomannan (G), glucomannan + aflatoxin (AG), and aflatoxin (A). Erythrocyte, leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels were decreased in A group compared with the other groups, and there was a reduction in similar parameters in AG group compared to control values. On the other hand, these parameters were tended to increase in AG group compared to A group values. Aflatoxicosis caused the lymphocytopenia and monocytopenia but increased percentage of neutrophil counts. In conclusion, the results determined in the study might be important to demonstrate the effects of aflatoxicosis and glucomannan on some haematological parameters before the clinical symptoms appear.
A Channel Adaptive Energy Efficient and Fair Scheduling Media Access Control Protocol for Mobile AdHoc Networks

Problem statement: A major drawback in the existing protocols in dealing with energy management issues is that the time varying nature of the wireless channels among the ad hoc nodes is ignored. Approach: This study proposed a channel adaptive energy efficient Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol, for efficient packets scheduling and queuing in an ad hoc network, with time varying characteristic of wireless channel taken into consideration. Every node in the proposed scheme estimates the channel and link quality for each contending flow based on which a weight value is calculated and propagated using the routing protocol. Since a wireless link with worse channel quality can result in more energy expenditure, the transmission was allowed only for those flows whose weight is greater than Channel Quality Threshold (CQT). For flows with weight less than CQT, the packets were buffered until the channel and link quality recovers or the weight becomes greater than CQT. To avoid buffer overflow and achieve fairness for the poor quality nodes, a fair scheduling and queuing algorithm is designed where in the CQT is adaptively adjusted on basis of the current incoming traffic load. Results: Simulation results showed that the proposed MAC protocol achieves substantial energy savings with better fairness and increased throughput. Conclusion: The designed protocol provided an efficient packets scheduling and queuing in an ad hoc network, with time varying characteristic of wireless channel taken into consideration.
Three essays on financial self-efficacy beliefs and the saving behavior of older pre-retirees

This dissertation employed a psychological framework to investigate the saving behavior of older pre-retirees through three essays using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Understanding the connection between psychological characteristics and saving behavior is critical as this population attempts to bridge the retirement saving gap. Of these characteristics, financial self-efficacy beliefs (FSE) are theoretically vital to saving behavior. With the FSE beliefs of older adults weak and vulnerable to decline, more research is needed to understand how FSE beliefs affect saving behavior and how FSE beliefs can be supported. Essay one investigated the psychological characteristics associated with FSE beliefs according to the Meta-Theoretic Model of Motivation and Personality (3M). Using a sample of 2,070 pre-retirees aged 50 to 70, essay one revealed that FSE beliefs can be supported through the frequent experience of positive affect, reduced negative affect, a stronger perception of mastery, and a higher task orientation, holding all else constant. Essay two investigated the relationship between FSE beliefs and saving behavior (i.e., change in net worth from 2008 to 2012) through the Social Cognitive Theory of Self-Regulation. Using a sample of 844 pre-retirees aged 50 to 70, results revealed that FSE beliefs are significantly and positively related to saving behavior, after controlling for the financial ability and motivation to save. Essay three employed a structural equation model to investigate an integrated psychological approach to saving behavior based upon the 3M. Using a sample of 1,370 preretired and partially retired adults aged 50 to 70, essay three revealed that FSE beliefs facilitated the connection between elemental traits (i.e., openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism), compound traits (i.e., positive affect, negative affect, mastery, and task orientation), and saving behavior. Overall, significant evidence was generated supporting a psychological approach to the saving behavior of older pre-retirees. Financial and mental health professionals can utilize this framework to provide holistic retirement saving advice that acknowledges the psychological roots of behavior. Moreover, results established empirical support for the role FSE beliefs play in executing saving behavior. Lastly, results supported the importance of domain specific measurement for self-efficacy beliefs in future research. THREE ESSAYS ON FINANCIAL SELF-EFFICACY BELIEFS AND THE SAVING BEHAVIOR OF OLDER PRE-RETIREES
n approximation algorithm for fuzzy polynomial interpolation with Artificial ee Colony algorithm

In this paper, a novel approximation algorithm for fuzzy polynomial interpolation using Artificial Bee Colony algorithm to interpolate fuzzy data is discussed. However, we use our modified ABC (MABC; eceived in revised form 5 November 2012 ccepted 19 November 2012 vailable online 13 December 2012 eywords: uzzy polynomial interpolation Mansouri et al. [13]) to perform the required task. Some examples (including the benchmark functions Griewank and Rastrigin) illustrate the rationality of the method and the validity of the solution. We compare our results with other methods including Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Algorithm (PSO). The results show that proposed method outperforms the other algorithms. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. rtificial Bee Colony algorithm
Muscle CSA, Force Production, and Activation of Leg Extensors during Isometric and Dynamic Actions in Middle-Aged and Elderly Men and Women

Forty-two healthy men and women in two age groups (40 and 70 years) were examined for muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), maximal voluntary bilateral isometric force, force-time characteristics, maximal concentric 1 RM. and power performance of the leg extensors in a sitting position, squat jump, and standing long-jump. The results suggested that the decline in maximal strength with increasing age is related to the decline in muscle CSA; however, particularly in older women, the force/CSA ratio may also be lowered. Explosive force seems to decrease with increasing age even more than maximal strength. suggesting that muscle atrophy with aging is greater in fast-twitch fibers. The voluntary activation of the agonist and antagonist muscles seems to vary depending on the type of muscle action and/or velocity and time duration of the action in both age groups but to a greater extent in older people. There appears to be an age-related increase in antagonist co activation. especially in dynamic explosive movements.
Gpr40 Is Expressed in Enteroendocrine Cells and Mediates Free Fatty Acid Stimulation of Incretin Secretion

OBJECTIVE—The G-protein–coupled receptor Gpr40 is expressed in β-cells where it contributes to free fatty acid (FFA) enhancement of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (1–4). However, other sites of Gpr40 expression, including the intestine, have been suggested. The transcription factor IPF1/PDX1 was recently shown to bind to an enhancer element within the 5′-flanking region of Gpr40 (5), implying that IPF1/PDX1 might regulate Gpr40 expression. Here, we addressed whether 1) Gpr40 is expressed in the intestine and 2) Ipf1/Pdx1 function is required for Gpr40 expression. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—In the present study, Gpr40 expression was monitored by X-gal staining using Gpr40 reporter mice and by in situ hybridization. Ipf1/Pdx1-null and β-cell specific mutants were used to investigate whether Ipf1/Pdx1 controls Gpr40 expression. Plasma insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and glucose levels in response to acute oral fat diet were determined in Gpr40 mutant and control mice. RESULTS—Here, we show that Gpr40 is expressed in endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract, including cells expressing the incretin hormones GLP-1 and GIP, and that Gpr40 mediates FFA-stimulated incretin secretion. We also show that Ipf1/Pdx1 is required for expression of Gpr40 in β-cells and endocrine cells of the anterior gastrointestinal tract. CONCLUSIONS—Together, our data provide evidence that Gpr40 modulates FFA-stimulated insulin secretion from β-cells not only directly but also indirectly via regulation of incretin secretion. Moreover, our data suggest a conserved role for Ipf1/Pdx1 and Gpr40 in FFA-mediated secretion of hormones that regulate glucose and overall energy homeostasis.
Nonlinear extraction of 'Independent Components' of elliptically symmetric densities using radial Gaussianization

We consider the problem of efficiently encoding a signal by transforming it to a new representation whose components are statistically independent (also known as factorial). A widely studied family of solutions, generally known as independent components analysis (ICA), exists for the case when the signal is generated as a linear transformation of independent non-Gaussian sources. Here, we examine a complementary case, in which the signal density is non-Gaussian but elliptically symmetric. In this case, no linear transform suffices to properly decompose the signal into i ndependent components, and thus, the ICA methodology fails. We show that a simple nonlinear transformation, which we call radial Gaussianization (RG), provides an exact solution for this case. We then examine this methodology in the context of natural image statistics, demonstrating that joint statistics of spatially proximal coefficients in amulti-scale image representation are better described as elliptical than factorial. We quantify this by showing that reduction in dependency achieved by RG is far greater than that achieved by ICA, for local spatial neighborhoods. We also show that the RG transformation may be closely approximated by divisive normalization transformations that have been used to model the nonlinear response properties of visual neurons, and that have been shown to reduce dependences between multi-scale image coefficients.
Weak gravitational lensing by voids

We consider the prospects for detecting weak gravitational lensing by underdensities (voids) in the large-scale matter distribution. We derive the basic expressions for magnification and distortion by spherical voids. Clustering of the background sources and cosmic variance are the main factors that limit in principle the detection of lensing by voids. We conclude that only voids with radii larger than ∼100 h−1 Mpc have lensing signal-to-noise ratio larger than unity.
Deconstructing the overhead in parallel applications

Performance problems in parallel programs manifest as lack of scalability. These scalability issues are often very difficult to debug. They can stem from synchronization overhead, poor thread scheduling decisions, or contention for hardware resources, such as shared caches. Traditional profiling tools attribute program cycles to different functions, but do not generate immediate insight into issues limiting scalability. Profiling information is very program-specific and is usually processed manually by a human expert in a time-consuming and cumbersome process. Our experience in tuning performance of parallel applications led us to discover that performance tuning can be considerably simplified, and even to some degree automated, if profiling measurements are organized according to several intuitive performance factors common to most parallel programs. In this work we present these factors and propose a hierarchical framework composing them. We present three case studies where analyzing profiling data according to the proposed principle led us to improve performance of three parallel programs by a factor of 6-20×. Our work lays foundation for new ways of organizing and visualizing profiling data in performance tuning tools.
VISCOELASTIC FLOW IN AXISYMMETRIC CONTRACTIONS: THE EFFECT OF CONTRACTION RATIO

Numerical simulations of PTT fluids in axisymmetric sudden contractions were carried out to investigate the effect of contraction ratio on the flow patterns under conditions of negligible inertia. The PTT model selected has a linear stress coefficient, and contraction ratios (CR) in the range 4:1 to 100:1 were investigated. The simulations are based on a finite volume methodology using very fine meshes and a purposely developed high-resolution scheme for the discretization of advective terms in the viscoelastic constitutive equation. In contrast to Newtonian fluids, where the contraction ratio has no significant influence for CR larger than 4, for these shear-thinning viscoelastic fluids the corner vortex increases with flow elasticity and, of more interest, a lip vortex is formed at large contractions ratios. This lip vortex also grows with elasticity, then merges and later engulfs the corner vortex, much like the situation for plane contraction flows. In this work, maps are presented outlining regions of different vortex behaviour.
Respiratory effects on experimental heat pain and cardiac activity.

OBJECTIVE Slow deep breathing has been proposed as an effective method to decrease pain. However, experimental studies conducted to validate this claim have not been carried out. DESIGN We measured thermal pain threshold and tolerance scores from 20 healthy adults during five different conditions, namely, during natural breathing (baseline), slow deep breathing (6 breaths/minute), rapid breathing (16 breaths/minute), distraction (video game), and heart rate (HR) biofeedback. We measured respiration (rate and depth) and HR variability from the electrocardiogram (ECG) output and analyzed the effects of respiration on pain and HR variability using time and frequency domain measures of the ECG. RESULTS Compared with baseline, thermal pain threshold was significantly higher during slow deep breathing (P = 0.002), HR biofeedback (P < 0.001), and distraction (P = 0.006), whereas thermal pain tolerance was significantly higher during slow deep breathing (P = 0.003) and HR biofeedback (P < 0.001). Compared with baseline, only slow deep breathing and HR biofeedback conditions had an effect on cardiac activity. These conditions increased the amplitude of vagal cardiac markers (peak-to-valley, P < 0.001) as well as low frequency power (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Slow deep breathing and HR biofeedback had analgesic effects and increased vagal cardiac activity. Distraction also produced analgesia; however, these effects were not accompanied by concomitant changes in cardiac activity. This suggests that the neurobiology underlying respiratory-induced analgesia and distraction are different. Clinical implications are discussed, as are the possible cardiorespiratory processes responsible for mediating breathing-induced analgesia.
Desempenho vocal do professor: avaliação multidimensional

O objetivo deste estudo foi propor uma avaliacao multidimensional, de variaveis influentes no desempenho vocal do professor do ensino fundamental. A amostra final, composta de 42 professores de ensino fundamental da cidade de campinas e subdividida em dois grupos, foi selecionada a partir de um grupo de 112 docentes, tendo-se como criterio principal, a queixa de tres ou mais sintomas vocais. O primeiro grupo foi composto por 22 docentes de escolas particulares e o segundo, por 20 sujeitos de escolas publicas. O estudo constou de tres etapas, com utilizacao de quatro instrumentos. Na primeira, utilizou-se um questionario sobre sintomas vocais a fim ed selecionarmos os sujeitos para compor a amostra final. Para a segunda etapa foi apresentado um questionario de auto-avaliacao do desempenho vocal, composto de tres partes e, finalmente, para a terceira parte, foram elaborados dois protocolos: um para avaliacao da qualidade vocal dos sujeitos e o outro para avaliacao das imagens laringoscopicas. Para as analises estatisticas foram utilizados Correlacao de Pearson, Teste t independente, Analise de Variância (ANOVA) e Teste de Fisher.Nao foram encontradas diferencas significativas entre professores de escolares particulares e publicas, no que se refere a prevalencia de sintomas vocais, alteracoes de qualidade vocal e desordens laringeas, as quais se mostraram bastante elevadas em ambos os grupos.Nao foram tambem encontradas diferencas estatisticamente significantes, entre os dois grupos com relacao as auto-avaliacoes de desempenho vocal, com excecao das diferencas significativas encontradas, entre docentes de escola publica, que apresentaram pior avaliacao de suas condicoes fisicas de trabalho e melhores avaliacoes quanto a habitos de alimentacao e hidratacao, em relacao aos da escola particular. Ressalta-se a relacao de significância encontrada, entre a analise perceptivo-auditiva das vozes do sujeitos e as alteracoes encontradas nas imagens laringoscopicas. Conclui-se da importância de uma visao multidimensional para avaliacao vocal do professor.