Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COMBINATION OF MLS, GA & CG FOR THE REDUCTION OF RCS OF MULTILAYERED CYLINDRICAL STRUCTURES COMPOSED OF DISPERSIVE METAMATERIALS

In this paper the electromagnetic wave scattering from multilayered cylindrical structures is studied for a normally incident plane wave with linear (TE or TM), circular and elliptical polarizations. The cylindrical layers may be composed of any combination of dispersive common materials and metamaterials. The addition theorems for the cylindrical waves are used for the EM wave analysis. The objective of this study is to decrease or increase the Radar Cross Section (RCS) in an ultra wide band width. The optimization is based on the Method of Least Squares (MLS), employing a novel combination of the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Conjugate Gradient (CG), where the global search for the minimization point is performed by GA and the local search is done by CG, which greatly speeds up the search algorithm. The behaviors of various combinations of common materials and metamaterials for reduction of RCS are studied. Furthermore, the procedures for selection of correct signs for metamaterial parameters, namely e, µ, k and η are presented.
Runoff and Soil Erosion Assessment on Forest Roads Using a Small Scale Rainfall Simulator

Forestry operations can significantly alter hydrological and erosional processes in a catchment. In the course of developing timberland, a network of persistent roads and skid trails causing soil compaction is usually established. Hereby, the infiltration rate of the soil is distinctly reduced, which leads to the generation of overland flow—this may also cause soil erosion. In this study, a small-scale rainfall simulator is used to investigate hydrological and erosional processes on forest roads and skid trails. The results show increased runoff rates on forest roads, up to 25 times higher than on undisturbed forest topsoil. On skid trails, the runoff rates were altered especially in rutted areas (16 times higher) while unrutted parts showed a lesser change (four times higher). With sufficient overland flow, soil erosion rates also rose, particularly when the vegetation cover of the surface was removed: bare road surfaces featured higher mean erosion rates (195 g·m−2) than partly or completely vegetated skid trails (13 g·m−2) and undisturbed sites (5 g·m−2). The findings presented in this study indicate the need for the use of compaction reducing technology during forestry operations and a revegetation of road surfaces in order to minimize the detrimental factor of roads and skid trails on water retention and soil conservation.
Coa2 Is an Assembly Factor for Yeast Cytochrome c Oxidase Biogenesis That Facilitates the Maturation of Cox1

ABSTRACT The assembly of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) in yeast mitochondria is dependent on a new assembly factor designated Coa2. Coa2 was identified from its ability to suppress the respiratory deficiency of coa1Δ and shy1Δ cells. Coa1 and Shy1 function at an early step in maturation of the Cox1 subunit of CcO. Coa2 functions downstream of the Mss51-Coa1 step in Cox1 maturation and likely concurrent with the Shy1-related heme a3 insertion into Cox1. Coa2 interacts with Shy1. Cells lacking Coa2 show a rapid degradation of newly synthesized Cox1. Rapid Cox1 proteolysis also occurs in shy1Δ cells, suggesting that in the absence of Coa2 or Shy1, Cox1 forms an unstable conformer. Overexpression of Cox10 or Cox5a and Cox6 or attenuation of the proteolytic activity of the m-AAA protease partially restores respiration in coa2Δ cells. The matrix-localized Coa2 protein may aid in stabilizing an early Cox1 intermediate containing the nuclear subunits Cox5a and Cox6.
Multiple health behaviors among overweight, class I obese, and class II obese persons.

OBJECTIVES Recent studies suggest an association between excess weightand increased risk of some cancers. Health disparities are evident for both obesity and cancer, each of which disproportionately affects African American adults. We examine the relationship between weight and selected health behaviors related to colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention (fruit and vegetable consumption, recreational physical activity, and CRC screening). We also examine behavioral psychosocial correlates including knowledge, perceived benefits and barriers, self-efficacy, and social support for these behaviors. METHODS The WATCH (Wellness for African Americans through Churches) Project was a CRC prevention study implemented in African American churches in rural North Carolina. We analyzed the baseline data of 813 church members who provided information on their height and weight through a telephone-based survey. RESULTS Most (78%) respondents were classified as overweight or obese. Self-rated health and level of physical activity were lower at higher weight levels, but little difference in fruit and vegetable consumption was observed among participants. Weight was negatively associated with past-year CRC testing among women but not among men. Levels of knowledge and self-efficacy were similar across weight groups, but some perceived barriers were significantly higher among obese participants. CONCLUSIONS Obesity was associated with some health behaviors and psychosocial correlates associated with increased cancer risk. Cancer prevention programs in African American populations where overweight is prevalent may wish to specifically address these issues.
Ketone bodies, glycolysis, and KATP channels in the mechanism of the ketogenic diet

The ketogenic diet (KD) has shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of drug‐resistant childhood epilepsy. Our understanding of how the KD produces its anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic effects remains incomplete, which is perhaps not surprising for a biological manipulation as sweeping as dietary change. Several hypotheses focus on ketone bodies, fuel molecules that circulate at millimolar concentrations in the blood of patients on a KD, as causative agents. Here I consider some recent evidence for one such hypothesis, involving a possible role for altered glycolysis and consequent activation of a class of potassium channels called K ATP channels.
Enhancing the mental health promotion component of a health and personal development programme in Irish schools

This study set out to examine the impact of a health and personal development programme (the Social, Personal and Health Education Programme) which had been ‘enhanced’ by the addition of a mental health promotion component. Students aged 12–16 years attending 17 secondary schools were randomly allocated as clusters to participate in either the standard programme (SP) or the enhanced programme (EP). Both programmes were delivered over an eight-month period. Questionnaires assessing help-seeking, emotional and behavioural difficulties and students' views of school social environment were completed by students in both groups at pre-intervention, post-intervention and at six-month follow-up. One thousand and seventy-two students participated. Analyses were carried out on the 782 students (72.9%) for whom data were available at all three time points. Both groups showed improvement over time in terms of emotional and behavioural difficulties, with male students identified as ‘at risk’ in the EP showing significantly greater improvements than males ‘at risk’ in the SP. Although there were few differences in outcomes between the groups, males identified as ‘at risk’ appeared to benefit selectively from the EP.
An international multicenter association study of the serotonin transporter gene in persistent ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common behavioral disorder affecting children and adults. It has been suggested that gene variants related to serotonin neurotransmission are associated with ADHD. We tested the functional promoter polymorphism 5‐HTTLPR and seven single nucleotide polymorphisms in SLC6A4 for association with ADHD in 448 adult ADHD patients and 580 controls from Norway. Replication attempts were performed in a sample of 1454 Caucasian adult ADHD patients and 1302 controls from Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and USA, and a meta‐analysis was performed also including a previously published adult ADHD study. We found an association between ADHD and rs140700 [odds ratio (OR ) = 0.67; P = 0.01] and the short (S) allele of the 5‐HTTLPR (OR = 1.19; P = 0.06) in the Norwegian sample. Analysis of a possible gender effect suggested that the association might be restricted to females (rs140700: OR = 0.45; P = 0.00084). However, the meta‐analysis of 1894 cases and 1878 controls could not confirm the association for rs140700 [OR = 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.67–1.09; P = 0.20]. For 5‐HTTLPR, five of six samples showed a slight overrepresentation of the S allele in patients, but meta‐analysis refuted a strong effect (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.00–1.21; P = 0.06). Neither marker showed any evidence of differential effects for ADHD subtype, gender or symptoms of depression/anxiety. In conclusion, our results do not support a major role for SLC6A4 common variants in persistent ADHD, although a modest effect of the 5‐HTTLPR and a role for rare variants cannot be excluded.
Expression of the chemokine receptor CCR6 in human renal inflammation.

BACKGROUND Nodular inflammatory cell infiltrates with defined microarchitecture, i.e. tertiary lymphoid organs, develop in the tubulointerstitium during chronic renal inflammation. CCR6 and the corresponding ligand CCL20 are involved in the formation of gut-associated lymphatic tissue. We hypothesized that CCR6 might be involved in the formation of nodular infiltrates in the kidney. METHODS CCR6- and CD20-positive B cells were localized in renal biopsies with IgA nephropathy (n = 13), membranous nephropathy (n = 12), crescentic glomerulonephritis (cGN, n = 11) and chronic interstitial nephritis (n = 13), and in pre-implantation biopsies as controls (n = 8). The mRNA expression of CCR6 and the ligand CCL20 was quantified by real-time RT-PCR in 51 renal biopsies of the same disease entities. RESULTS In the pre-transplant biopsies, CCR6 was expressed by endothelial cells of peritubular and glomerular capillaries. In patients with glomerulonephritis, infiltrating cells were positive particularly in areas of nodular inflammatory cell accumulations. A major part of the CCR6-positive cells were CD20-positive B cells, but a part of the CD3-positive T cells were also found to be positive. The constitutive expression of CCR6 on the endothelium of glomerular capillaries was lost in biopsies with progressive injury. Tubular epithelial cells expressed CCR6 in inflamed kidneys, most commonly on the basolateral side. CONCLUSIONS CCR6 and the corresponding ligand CCL20 might therefore be involved in the recruitment of T and B cells to organized nodular infiltrates in chronic renal inflammation. The functional role of endothelial CCR6 needs to be evaluated in further studies.
Revisiting trough interactions and tropical cyclone intensity change

An updated climatology of Atlantic basin tropical cyclone (TC) intensity change in the presence of upper tropospheric trough forcing is presented. To control for changes in the background thermodynamic environment, a methodology that normalizes intensity change by the potential intensity of the TC is used to more narrowly focus on the effect of troughs compared to previous studies. Relative to the full sample of Atlantic TCs, troughs are a negative influence on intensification: trough interaction cases are 4% less likely to intensify and 5% more likely to weaken. Troughs are especially detrimental compared to TCs without trough forcing: trough interaction cases are 14% less likely to intensify and 13% more likely to weaken. Additionally, eddy flux convergence of angular momentum, previously shown to positively affect TC intensity change, is shown to be a weak predictor of intensity change compared to vertical wind shear, which is enhanced during a trough interaction.
Learning Styles of Undergraduate Medical Students

Introduction: According to the experiential learning theory, each person develops a learning style that characterizes his/her preferred way to acquire and transform experiences to create knowledge. The objective of this study was to identify the learning styles of undergraduate medical students. Methods: The Kolb Learning Style Inventory was applied to first-year medical students at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogota, Colombia) during the second period of 2009. Results: 204 students completed the questionnaire (the average age was 18.5 years; 55% were women). Students preferred the abstract styles of learning, including assimilating (47%) and converging (27%) styles. Conclusions: Having information about medical students learning style preferences can help educators to design teaching strategies that promote a more effective learning. Teachers should provide a variety of learning contexts to stimulate the strengthening of their abilities.
Evaluation of the Effects of Cornus mas L. Fruit Extract on Glycemic Control and Insulin Level in Type 2 Diabetic Adult Patients: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Background. The plant Cornus mas L. (cornelian cherry) is traditionally used as an antidiabetic supplement; however, there is no related clinical trial. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the fruit extract of this plant on biomarkers of glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods. Sixty patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to two groups to receive either the extract or placebo capsules (2 capsules twice daily) for 6 weeks. Each drug capsule contained 150 mg of anthocyanins. Fasting plasma levels of glucose, insulin, HgbA1C, and triglyceride as well as 2-hour postprandial glucose level (2Hpp) were measured before and after the intervention and finally the mean values were compared between groups. Results. After 6 weeks of intervention, significant increase in insulin level (1.13 ± 1.90 versus −0.643 ± 1.82, P < 0.05) as well as decrease in HgbA1C (−0.24 ± 0.429 versus 0.023 ± 0.225, P < 0.05) and TG (−23.66 ± 55.40 versus 2.83 ± 15.71, P < 0.05) levels was observed in drug group compared to placebo. Conclusion. Daily consumption of the fruit extract of Cornus mas L. improves glycemic control by increasing insulin level and reduces TG serum level in type 2 diabetic adult patients.
Genetic variability and selection for laticiferous system characters in Hevea brasiliensis

Six laticiferous system characters were investigated in 22 three-year-old, half-sib rubber tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell. -Arg. ] progenies, evaluated at three sites (Votuporanga, Pindorama and Jau, all in the Sao Paulo State, Brazil). The traits examined were: average rubber yield (Pp), average bark thickness (Bt), number of latex vessel rings (Lv), average distance between consecutive latex vessel rings (Dc), density of latex vessels per 5 mm per ring averaged over all rings (Dd) and the diameter of the latex vessels (Di). The joint analysis showed that site effect and progeny x sites interaction were significant for all traits, except Lv. Estimates of individual heritabilities across the three sites were high for Bt; moderate for Lv, Pp and Dc; low for Dd and very low for Di. Genetic correlations in the joint analysis showed high positive correlations between Pp and the other traits. Selecting the best five progenies would result in genetic gains of 24.91% for Pp while selecting best two plants within a progeny would result in a Pp genetic gain of 30.98%.
The role of frontostriatal impairment in freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a disabling symptom of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) that leads to an increased risk of falls and nursing home placement. Interestingly, multiple lines of evidence suggest that the manifestation of FOG is related to specific deficits in cognition, such as set shifting and the ability to process conflict-related signals. These findings are consistent with the specific patterns of abnormal cortical processing seen during functional neuroimaging experiments of FOG, implicating increased neural activation within cortical structures underlying cognition, such as the Cognitive Control Network. In addition, these studies show that freezing episodes are associated with abnormalities in the BOLD response within key structures of the basal ganglia, such as the striatum and the subthalamic nucleus. In this article, we discuss the implications of these findings on current models of freezing behavior and propose an updated model of basal ganglia impairment during FOG episodes that integrates the neural substrates of freezing from the cortex and the basal ganglia to the cognitive dysfunctions inherent in the condition.
QCD analysis of first b cross section data at 1.96 TeV

The first data on bottom quark production in p collisions at 1.96 TeV have recently been obtained by the CDF collaboration. These data probe the region of pT ~ 0, providing a new invaluable input on the issue of the compatibility between next-to-leading-order (NLO) QCD and data. We reconsider the evaluation of the b cross section, in view of recent theoretical developments, and of the latest inputs on structure function fits. We show that the new CDF measurements are in good agreement with NLO QCD. If CDF preliminary data are confirmed, a long-standing discrepancy between NLO QCD predictions and hadron-collider data can be settled.
Applications of Compressed Sensing in Communications Networks

This paper presents a tutorial for CS applications in communications networks. The Shannon's sampling theorem states that to recover a signal, the sampling rate must be as least the Nyquist rate. Compressed sensing (CS) is based on the surprising fact that to recover a signal that is sparse in certain representations, one can sample at the rate far below the Nyquist rate. Since its inception in 2006, CS attracted much interest in the research community and found wide-ranging applications from astronomy, biology, communications, image and video processing, medicine, to radar. CS also found successful applications in communications networks. CS was applied in the detection and estimation of wireless signals, source coding, multi-access channels, data collection in sensor networks, and network monitoring, etc. In many cases, CS was shown to bring performance gains on the order of 10X. We believe this is just the beginning of CS applications in communications networks, and the future will see even more fruitful applications of CS in our field.
Remittances, Poverty and Economic Growth

Have remittance inflows helped economic growth and development in the top twenty remittance receiving countries? This paper attempts to answer this question via a descriptive data analysis of these countries. We find high remittance recipients to have had varied experiences with regard to economic growth. Most of them experienced an improvement in poverty but many witnessed worsening income inequality. Upon examining country specific factors, we find traditional resources of economic growth, aka physical capital, human capital and good governance, to be important complementary ingredients along with remittances in the growth and development process of a country.
Gene regulatory network plasticity predates a switch in function of a conserved transcription regulator

The rewiring of gene regulatory networks can generate phenotypic novelty. It remains an open question, however, how the large number of connections needed to form a novel network arise over evolutionary time. Here, we address this question using the network controlled by the fungal transcription regulator Ndt80. This conserved protein has undergone a dramatic switch in function—from an ancestral role regulating sporulation to a derived role regulating biofilm formation. This switch in function corresponded to a large-scale rewiring of the genes regulated by Ndt80. However, we demonstrate that the Ndt80-target gene connections were undergoing extensive rewiring prior to the switch in Ndt80’s regulatory function. We propose that extensive drift in the Ndt80 regulon allowed for the exploration of alternative network structures without a loss of ancestral function, thereby facilitating the formation of a network with a new function. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.23250. 001
Rule-based Machine Translation between Indonesian and Malaysian

We describe the development of a bidirectional rule-based machine translation system between Indonesian and Malaysian (id-ms), two closely related Austronesian languages natively spoken by approximately 35 million people. The system is based on the re-use of free and publicly available resources, such as the Apertium machine translation platform and Wikipedia articles. We also present our approaches to overcome the data scarcity problems in both languages by exploiting the morphology similarities between the two.
The Zero-Condition: a Simplifying Assumption in Qaly Measurement and Multiattribute Utility

This paper studies the implications of the "zero-condition" for multiattribute utility theory. The zero-condition simplifies the measurement and derivation of the Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) measure commonly used in medical decision analysis. For general multiattribute utility theory, no simple condition has heretofore been found to characterize multiplicatively decomposable forms. When the zero-condition is satisfied, however, such a simple condition, "standard gamble invariance," becomes available.
Effects of Orbital Eccentricity on Extrasolar Planet Transit Detectability and Light Curves

It is shown herein that planets with eccentric orbits are more likely to transit than circularly orbiting planets with the same semimajor axis by a factor of (1 - e2) -1. If the orbital parameters of discovered transiting planets are known, as from follow‐up radial velocity observations, then the transit‐detected planet population is easily debiased of this effect. The duration of a planet’s transit depends on its eccentricity and longitude of periastron; transits near periastron are shorter, and those near apoastron last longer, for a given impact parameter. If fitting for the stellar radius with the other transit parameters, this effect causes a systematic error in the resulting measurements. If the stellar radius is instead held fixed at a value measured independently, then it is possible to place a lower limit on the planet’s eccentricity using photometry alone. Orbital accelerations cause a difference in the planet’s ingress and egress durations that lead to an asymmetry in the transit light curve that could be used along with the transit velocity measurement to uniquely measure the planet’s eccentricity and longitude of periapsis. However, the effect is too small to be measured with current technology. The habitability of transiting terrestrial planets found by Kepler depends on those planets’ orbital eccentricities. While Kepler will be able to place lower limits on those planets’ orbital eccentricity, the actual value for any given planet will likely remain unknown.