Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of 6-month soccer and traditional physical activity programmes on body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammatory, oxidative stress markers and cardiorespiratory fitness in obese boys

ABSTRACT Physical activity is important in obesity prevention, but the effectiveness of different physical activity modalities remains to be determined among children. The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a 6-month soccer programme and a traditional physical activity programme on changes in body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammatory and oxidative markers, cardiorespiratory fitness and perceived psychological status in obese boys. Eighty-eight boys (8–12 years; BMI > +2 standard deviations of WHO reference values) participated in one of three groups: soccer, traditional activity and control. Soccer and traditional activity programmes involved 3 sessions per week for 60–90 min at an average intensity of 70–80% of maximal heart rate. Control group participated in activities of normal daily living. All boys participated in school physical education, two sessions per week of 45–90-min. Measurements were taken at baseline and after 6 months, and included body size and composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammatory and oxidative markers, cardiorespiratory fitness and perceived psychological status. Physical activity and dietary intake were assessed before and immediately following the intervention. The three groups had similar characteristics at baseline. After 6 months, both intervention groups had significantly lower relative fatness (% fat), waist circumference and total cholesterol, and higher cardiorespiratory fitness, self-esteem, perceived physical competence and attraction to physical activity compared with control group. In conclusion, physical activity interventions over 6 months positively influenced several indicators of health status among obese boys. The results also suggested that soccer has the potential as an effective tool for the prevention and reduction of childhood obesity and associated consequences.
A Multi-Hop Broadcast Protocol for Emergency Message Dissemination in Urban Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

In vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), multi-hop wireless broadcast has been considered a promising technology to support safety-related applications that have strict quality-of-service (QoS) requirements such as low latency, high reliability, scalability, etc. However, in the urban transportation environment, the efficiency of multi-hop broadcast is critically challenged by complex road structure, severe channel contention, message redundancy, etc. In this paper, we propose an urban multi-hop broadcast protocol (UMBP) to disseminate emergency messages. To lower emergency message transmission delay and reduce message redundancy, UMBP includes a novel forwarding node selection scheme that utilizes iterative partition, mini-slot, and black-burst to quickly select remote neighboring nodes, and a single forwarding node is successfully chosen by the asynchronous contention among them. Then, bidirectional broadcast, multi-directional broadcast, and directional broadcast are designed according to the positions of the emergency message senders. Specifically, at the first hop, bidirectional broadcast or multi-directional broadcast conducts the forwarding node selection scheme in different directions simultaneously, and a single forwarding node is successfully chosen in each direction. Then, directional broadcast is adopted at each hop in the message propagation direction until the emergency message reaches an intersection area where multi-directional broadcast is performed again, which finally enables the emergency message to cover the target area seamlessly. Analysis and simulation results show that the proposed UMBP significantly improves the performance of multi-hop broadcast in terms of one-hop delay, message propagation speed, and message reception rate.
TURNING MUSIC THEORY ON ITS EAR

Revisiting some of the hundreds of children's drawings of simple rhythms and melodies that I have collected over the years, I found myself marveling all over again at how it is we ever learn to turn the continuous flow of our own singing or our inner, bodily feel for continuous, rhythmic actions clapping, bouncing a ball, swinging on the park swing into static, discrete descriptions that hold still to be looked at "out there. " I continue to be fascinated by children's spontaneous invention of notations because they show the complexity of this conceptual work and the evolution of leaming involved as it is happening. Sometimes this complexity emerges by comparing one child's work with that of another's, and sometimes it can be seen in watching one child as from moment-to-moment she transforms for herself the very meaning of the phenomena she is working with (Bamberger, 1991 a). But in looking back at all these drawings, I was struck once again by how easy it is to miss these marvelous transformations from action into description if we limit our looking and take as givens just those kinds of entities that are selected by our conventional notational symbols. Indeed, the children's drawings reveal for scrutiny things that we have forgotten we ever did not know. Can you imagine what it was like before you learned how to read words, numbers, equations, standard music notation? That piece of the past for most of us is simply wiped out. And I am going to argue that this wipe-out phenomenon plays a big role in our instructional dis-abilities. Watching children invent ways of representing the music they have made, and also listening closely to the efforts of my MIT students as they try to say what they hear in more complex compositions, has helped to turn my beginning music theory classes on their ears. And to support this small revolution, I have developed an interactive, computer-based music environment where beginning music students are composers. Interrogating their intuitive abilities to compose coherent melodies and rhythms, asking questions that they put to themselves to account for what they are able to do, they are developing these powerful musical intuitions and going beyond
In vitro modeling of hyperpigmentation associated to neurofibromatosis type 1 using melanocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells

Significance There are few suitable laboratory models for human pigmentation disease. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common neurocutaneous disease whose initial symptoms in all patients are “café-au-lait” macules and overall skin hyperpigmentation. To analyze the molecular mechanisms associated with this phenotype, we have developed an in vitro model of NF1 based on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Melanocytes derived from NF1 hESCs reproduced the hyperpigmentation phenotype in vitro and were characterized by deregulation of melanogenesis factors. The model allowed us to identify the cellular pathways involved in this phenotype. The hyperpigmentation phenotype could be rescued by small molecules, demonstrating the potential of pluripotent stem cells as models for pigmentation disorders. “Café-au-lait” macules (CALMs) and overall skin hyperpigmentation are early hallmarks of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). One of the most frequent monogenic diseases, NF1 has subsequently been characterized with numerous benign Schwann cell-derived tumors. It is well established that neurofibromin, the NF1 gene product, is an antioncogene that down-regulates the RAS oncogene. In contrast, the molecular mechanisms associated with alteration of skin pigmentation have remained elusive. We have reassessed this issue by differentiating human embryonic stem cells into melanocytes. In the present study, we demonstrate that NF1 melanocytes reproduce the hyperpigmentation phenotype in vitro, and further characterize the link between loss of heterozygosity and the typical CALMs that appear over the general hyperpigmentation. Molecular mechanisms associated with these pathological phenotypes correlate with an increased activity of cAMP-mediated PKA and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, leading to overexpression of the transcription factor MITF and of the melanogenic enzymes tyrosinase and dopachrome tautomerase, all major players in melanogenesis. Finally, the hyperpigmentation phenotype can be rescued using specific inhibitors of these signaling pathways. These results open avenues for deciphering the pathological mechanisms involved in pigmentation diseases, and provide a robust assay for the development of new strategies for treating these diseases.
On radial Fourier multipliers and almost everywhere convergence

We study almost everywhere ( a.e.) convergence on Lp and Lorentz spaces Lp,q , for variants of Riesz means at the critical index λ(p)=d(1/2–1/p)–1/2 for p>2d/(d–1) . For the classical Riesz means Stλ(p) , we show a.e. convergence for f∈Lp,1 . We derive more general results for radial and quasi‐radial Fourier multipliers and associated maximal functions, acting on L2 spaces with power weights and their interpolation spaces. We also include a characterization of boundedness of such multiplier transformations on weighted L2 spaces, and a sharp endpoint bound for Stein's square function associated with the Riesz means.
Coactivation of the Human Vitamin D Receptor by the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Coactivator-1 α

The vitamin D Receptor (VDR) belongs to the superfamily of steroid/thyroid hormone receptors that is activated by 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Traditional targets for 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 action include tissues involved in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis and bone development and remodeling. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), a transcriptional coactivator that plays a role in mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism, is predominantly expressed in kidney, heart, liver, and skeletal muscle. Because VDR and PGC-1α display an overlapping pattern of expression, we investigated the possibility that PGC-1α could serve as a coactivator for VDR. Transient cotransfection assays demonstrate that PGC-1α augments ligand-dependent VDR transcription when either full-length VDR or Gal4 DNA binding domain-VDR-ligand binding domain chimeras were analyzed. Furthermore, mammalian two-hybrid assays, coimmunoprecipitation analyses, and biochemical coactivator recruitment assays demonstrate a ligand-dependent interaction between the two proteins both in cells and in vitro. The coactivation potential of PGC-1α requires an intact AF-2 domain of VDR and the LXXLL motif in PGC-1α. Taken together, these results indicate that PGC-1α serves as a coactivator for VDR.
Modeling volatility of Baltic dry bulk freight index

The paper is to investigate features of fluctuation of international dry bulk shipping market using Baltic dry bulk freight index. After fundamental statistical analysis on data, R/S and GPH tests are employed to model long memory of volatility of the indices, which interprets the existence of long memory and then leverage effect in the market subdivided by ship types including Handymax, Panamax, and Capesize. Moreover, VaR (value-at-risk) of spot freight rates in the dry bulk shipping market with EGARCH (Exponential ARCH) VaR model is used to further the study on volatility of the indices because of the daily return series with factors of volatility clustering and significant ARCH (Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedastic) and the distribution with characteristics of fat tail. The empirical results suggest the operators and investors in the dry bulk shipping market to increase operational profits and reduce investment risks according to the long memory and the VaR.
Chemical Variability, Antifungal and Antioxidant Activity of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Essential Oil from Sardinia

Essential oil (EO) from aerial parts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. , growing wild in different localities of Sardinia (Italy), was extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) FID and GC-ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS). The yields of EO (v/dry wt) ranged between 0.2-0.5%. Samples were harvested between April and December to study the seasonal chemical variability of the EO. The chemical composition varied depending on the different origins and showed strong fluctuation during the vegetative stage. Thirty-seven compounds, accounting for at least 97.7% of the total EOs were identified, the major components being p-cymene (27.8-42.7%), 1,8-cineole (4.1-39.5%), β-phellandrene (3.9-23.8%), spathulenol (2.1-15.5%) and cryptone (3.2-10.2%). The oils possessed moderate amounts (1.4-4.7%) of two uncommon aldehydes, cuminal and phellandral. The essential oils were screened for their antifungal activities against common phytopathogenic fungi using the paper disk diffusion method and they showed activity at low doses against the fungi tested. The antioxidant activity, assessed by DPPH-test and expressed as Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, showed values ranging between 0.5 and 5.8 mmol/L.
Attitudes Toward Women as Managers: Does Interaction Make a Difference?

This research was designed to explore the relationship between interaction with women managers and attitudes toward women as managers. Data were collected from 101 male bank managers on the extent of their interaction with women managers and their attitudes toward women as managers. Results showed little relation between the extent of interaction with women managers and participants' attitudes. However, there was a significant positive relationship between satisfaction with interaction with women managers and attitudes toward women as managers. Discussions with participants indicated the possibility of their attitudes toward women as managers being influenced by their interaction with women clerks. A second study was carried out on another set of 99 participants with a comparable profile to explore the relationship between interaction with women clerks and attitudes toward women as managers. The earlier pattern of relationships persisted: the extent of interaction with women clerks was not associated with attitudes toward women as managers. But satisfaction with interaction with women clerks, and attitude toward women as managers appeared to relate. Implications for theory, practice, and research are presented.
Lung Cancer in Never Smokers: Molecular Profiles and Therapeutic Implications

The majority of lung cancers are caused by long term exposure to the several classes of carcinogens present in tobacco smoke. Although a significant fraction of lung cancers in never smokers may also be attributable to tobacco, many such cancers arise in the absence of detectable tobacco exposure, and may follow a very different cellular and molecular pathway of malignant transformation. Recent studies summarized here suggest that lung cancers arising in never smokers have a distinct natural history, profile of oncogenic mutations, and response to targeted therapy. The majority of molecular analyses of lung cancer have focused on genetic profiling of pathways responsible for metabolism of primary tobacco carcinogens. Limited research has been conducted evaluating familial aggregation and genetic linkage of lung cancer, particularly among never smokers in whom such associations might be expected to be strongest. Data emerging over the past several years show that lung cancers in never smokers are much more likely to carry activating mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a key oncogenic factor and direct therapeutic target of several newer anticancer drugs. EGFR mutant lung cancers may represent a distinct class of lung cancers, enriched in the never-smoking population, and less clearly linked to direct tobacco carcinogenesis. These insights followed initial testing and demonstration of efficacy of EGFR-targeted drugs. Focused analysis of molecular carcinogenesis in lung cancers in never smokers is needed, and may provide additional biologic insight with therapeutic implications for lung cancers in both ever smokers and never smokers. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(18):5646–61)
Identification of interspecific grain yield heterosis between two cultivated rice species Oryza sativa L. and Oryza glaberrima Steud.

Distant heterosis is a promising genetic phenomenon to achieve the yield ceiling of hybrid rice. Heterosis and agronomic performance of indica rice ( Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica) hybrids were studied using a partial diallel cross among 8 indica male sterile lines and 8 pollen parents. The pollen parents comprised of 4 indica restorer lines and 4 lines derived from interspecific crosses between indica rice ( Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica) and African rice ( Oryza glaberrima Steud.) varieties. Sixty-four hybrids and their pollen parents showed significant variation in field performance as well as heterosis for 8 studied agronomic traits. Field performance for all agronomic traits showed significant differences among the 64 crosses and their pollen parents at p� 0.05 and 0.01 probability level. The highest heterobeltiosis (heterosis over pollen parent) was scored for filled grain number per panicle (101.48%), followed by panicle yield (61.70%), spikelet number per panicle (73.33%), 1000-grain weight (46.00%), grain filling percentage (33.50%), panicle length (28.80%), plant height (27.74%) and days to flowering (16.00%). The parental lines of promising hybrids with higher yield potential showed relatively higher general combining ability. Two hybrids AF-zhong9A/RL1 and II-32A/RL1 with highest panicle yield were identified as partial interspecific hybrids. Their common pollen parent RL1 was derived from interspecific multiple crosses and contained about 12.5% genomic genes from Oryza glaberrima according to its pedigree. This study suggests the existence of interspecific heterosis between the two cultivated rice species in agronomic traits including grain yield.
CAUSATION IN A PHYSICAL WORLD

OF THE DISSERTATION Causation in a Physical World by Thomas Blanchard Dissertation Director: Barry Loewer This dissertation offers a new solution to the problem of causation in the physical world. Fundamental physics leaves little space for causation. Causation is local and asymmetric, but physical laws are global and time-symmetric. However, causal notions are indispensable. In particular we need causation to make sense of effective strategies. The problem of causation in the physical world is the challenge of reconciling the a-causal physical picture of the world with the need for causation. Chapter 1 describes the problem in detail and proposes a new methodology to solve it. The proper method to handle the problem isn’t conceptual analysis. Rather, solutions to the problem should be judged on how well they physically explain actual facts about effective strategies. Chapter 2 examines the main attempts to solve the problem. I argue that they all face various problems. In particular, current attempts to locate causation in the physical world all have trouble making sense of the fact that we need causal knowledge to make rational decisions. To solve this problem, the first step is to provide a satisfactory explanation of why only those correlations that are (intuitively) causal can be exploited for the purpose of securing desired outcomes. In chapter 3, I propose such an explanation. I argue that causal correlations are the only ones that can be exploited according to evidential decision theory (EDT). This is a surprising claim, since EDT is widely thought to recommend acting for the sake of outcomes one cannot cause. I argue
1.2 Fertilizing AIoT from Roots to Leaves

IoT with artificial intelligence, AIoT, enriches everything around the world. The application space is unlimited, ranging from fundamental research, enterprise, industry, transportation, services, and personal daily life. The impact of AIoT is far reaching. By 2030, with an average of 40 connected “things” per person and 8.6 billion population in the world, it is expected to have ~350 billion devices in operation, reaching $16 trillion, or 14% of global GDP, as illustrated in Figure 1.2. 1.
MIMO Broadcast Scheduling with Limited Channel State Information

We consider the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) broadcast channel in which there are m transmit antennas and n uncoordinated users with a single receive antenna. We examine the maximum throughput in such a system in the scenario when the number of users is much greater than the number of transmit antennas. We derive a lower bound the probability that there exists a set of users such that each user receives a specified rate. We show that through the use of a simple norm-threshold feedback protocol the maximal scaling of the sum rate is achievable and requires channel state information (CSI) about only O(1) users.
A study of blood utilization in a tertiary care hospital in South India

Background: Monitoring blood utilization helps in effective management of blood stock to meet present and future demands in a hospital. Hence, we analyzed the age, gender and frequency distribution of each blood product used in different diseases conditions. Materials and Methods: We included all blood products utilized from January 2008 to December 2012 in our tertiary care hospital in South India. The primary and secondary discharge diagnoses (International Classification of Diseases [ICD-10]) were matched with clinical information provided in the request forms. The most relevant indication requiring blood transfusion was selected for each recipient and grouped into broad diagnostic categories according to the headings of ICD-10. The utilization of stored whole blood, packed red blood cells (RBCs), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets was stratified according to age, gender and diagnosis. Results: Our results indicated decline in usage of whole blood and an increase in use of FFP and platelets over the years. While packed RBCs were frequently used for treating injury and poisoning conditions, platelets and FFP were preferred for infectious and parasitic diseases. Various blood products were used less frequently in patients aged over 60 years and the overall usage of blood products was higher in males. Conclusion: The patterns of blood products utilization is in contrast to the Western nations, which may be due to difference in age structure among Indian population and higher prevalence of infectious diseases such as Dengue in our region. Nevertheless, this study highlights the importance of understanding the epidemiology of blood transfusion locally to improve usage of blood and blood products.