Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing the Utility of a Data-Driven Approach for Assessing BMI from Face Images

Several lines of evidence suggest that facial cues of adiposity may be important for human social interaction. However, tests for quantifiable cues of body mass index (BMI) in the face have examined only a small number of facial proportions and these proportions were found to have relatively low predictive power. Here we employed a data-driven approach in which statistical models were built using principal components (PCs) derived from objectively defined shape and color characteristics in face images. The predictive power of these models was then compared with models based on previously studied facial proportions (perimeter-to-area ratio, width-to-height ratio, and cheek-to-jaw width). Models based on 2D shape-only PCs, color-only PCs, and 2D shape and color PCs combined each performed significantly and substantially better than models based on one or more of the previously studied facial proportions. A non-linear PC model considering both 2D shape and color PCs was the best predictor of BMI. These results highlight the utility of a “bottom-up”, data-driven approach for assessing BMI from face images.
Follow the Money: Remittance Responses to FDI Inflows

Abstract Migrant networks are an important catalyst for promoting FDI flows between countries. Migrants also send increasingly large remittances to their home countries. This paper considers how these two capital flows are related, specifically examining how remittance flows respond to the amount of FDI inflows to a country. Using a panel of 118 countries over 1980–2010, we estimate a random effects model and find a positive and significant effect of FDI flows on remittances, while controlling for other standard determinants of remittance flows. We account for the potential endogeneity of FDI to remittances by utilizing a two-stage Instrumental Variables approach. These findings suggest that FDI complements remittances, rather than crowding out emigrant investment to the home countries. We find the relationship is strongest for low income countries, highlighting the importance of remittances as a source of investment capital in these countries.
Atmospheric effects on cratering efficiency

Laboratory experiments permit quantifying the effects of an atmosphere on cratering efficiency by hypervelocity impacts. Three separable processes have been identified: ambient atmospheric pressure, aerodynamic drag, and projectile-atmosphere interactions. The effect of ambient atmosphere can be described by a dimensionless pressure ratio, P/δv2 for a pressure P, target density δ, and impact velocity. The use of a helium atmosphere minimized potential effects of aerodynamic drag (low density) and projectile-atmosphere interactions (low mach numbers) and revealed a power-law exponent of −0.23 for the dimensionless pressure term for impacts into pumice. Similar exponents but different degrees of reduced cratering efficiency are observed for targets composed of loose fine-grained sand, low-density microspheres, and mixtures of coarse sand with small amounts (<10%) of fine-grained particulates. Consequently, cratering efficiency in an atmosphere does not appear to depend on material properties of the target (internal angle of friction) but on atmospheric pressure and constituent grain size. Correcting the data for atmospheric pressure allowed testing for the possible role of aerodynamic drag through the use of higher-density atmospheres (same pressure) and various targets with contrasting ejecta sizes but the same bulk density. The results reveal that the effect of aerodynamic drag deceleration d can be viewed as a correction to gravity g in the dimensionless gravity-scaling π2 parameter. The derived power law exponent for drag-controlled crater growth in an atmosphere closely matched the exponent for gravity-controlled crater growth in a vacuum. If it is further assumed that a combination of pressure and drag jointly limit crater growth, then the empirical power law exponent reasonably matches values derived from dimensional analysis and a coupling parameter theory. After correcting for pressure and drag, systematic offsets of the data remained and appeared to depend on Mach number. The possible role of the supersonic wake trailing the projectile was tested by performing projectile-less impacts where only the wake was allowed to interact with the target. The colliding projectile wake was found to affect crater scaling in two ways. At low mach numbers, the trailing wake gases augmented cratering efficiency by creating backpressure in the transient cavity; that is, the effect of the projectile wake was decoupled from the impact and could be viewed as a negative ambient pressure. At high mach numbers, the disturbed wake gas became coupled with the impactor, thereby changing the effective size of the energy source. Both effects could be documented in the data and in observed phenomena during impact. These results not only reconcile previous studies where atmospheric pressure effects were found to be minimal but could have potential implications for interpreting the cratering record on planets with atmospheres.
Axioms for Knowledge and Time in Distributed Systems with Perfect Recall

A distributed system, possibly asynchronous, is said to have perfect recall if at all times each processor's state includes a record of all its previous states. The completeness of a propositional modal logic of knowledge and time with respect to such systems is established. The logic includes modal operators for knowledge, and the linear time operators "next" and "until". >
P2X2R purinergic receptor subunit mRNA and protein are expressed by all hypothalamic hypocretin/orexin neurons

Neurophysiologic data suggest that orexin neurons are directly excited by ATP through purinergic receptors (P2XR). Anatomical studies, though reporting P2XR in the hypothalamus, did not describe it in the perifornical hypothalamic area, where orexinergic neurons are located. Here we report the presence of the P2X2R subunit in the rat perifornical hypothalamus and demonstrate that hypothalamic orexin neurons express the P2X2R. Double immunohistochemistry showed that virtually all orexin‐immunoreactive neurons are also P2X2R immunoreactive, whereas 80% of P2X2R‐immunoreactive neurons are also orexin positive. Triple‐labeling experiments, combining fluorescence in situ hybridization for P2X2R mRNA and P2X2R/orexin double immunofluorescence, confirmed these findings. In addition, in situ hybridization demonstrated that P2X2R mRNA is localized in cellular processes of orexinergic neurons. The present data support neurophysiologic findings on ATP modulation of orexinergic function and provide direct evidence that the entire population of orexin neurons expresses a P2XR subtype, namely, P2X2R. Thus, purinergic transmission might intervene in modulating key functions known to be controlled by the orexinergic system, such as feeding behavior and arousal. J. Comp. Neurol. 498:58–67, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gain-of-function mutation in TASK-4 channels and severe cardiac conduction disorder

Analyzing a patient with progressive and severe cardiac conduction disorder combined with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF), we identified a splice site mutation in the sodium channel gene SCN5A. Due to the severe phenotype, we performed whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and identified an additional mutation in the KCNK17 gene encoding the K2P potassium channel TASK‐4. The heterozygous change (c.262G>A) resulted in the p.Gly88Arg mutation in the first extracellular pore loop. Mutant TASK‐4 channels generated threefold increased currents, while surface expression was unchanged, indicating enhanced conductivity. When co‐expressed with wild‐type channels, the gain‐of‐function by G88R was conferred in a dominant‐active manner. We demonstrate that KCNK17 is strongly expressed in human Purkinje cells and that overexpression of G88R leads to a hyperpolarization and strong slowing of the upstroke velocity of spontaneously beating HL‐1 cells. Thus, we propose that a gain‐of‐function by TASK‐4 in the conduction system might aggravate slowed conductivity by the loss of sodium channel function. Moreover, WES supports a second hit‐hypothesis in severe arrhythmia cases and identified KCNK17 as a novel arrhythmia gene.
Inverse Compton X-rays from Giant Radio Galaxies at z 1

ABSTRACT We report XMM-Newton observations of three FR II radio galaxies at redshifts between 0.85and 1.34, which show extended diffuse X-ray emission withinthe radio lobes, likely due toinverse-Comptonup-scattering of the cosmic microwave background.Under this assumption,through spectrum-ﬁtting together with archival VLA radio observations, we derive an inde-pendent estimate of the magnetic ﬁeld in the radio lobes of 3C 469.1 and compare it with theequipartition value. We ﬁnd concordance between these two e stimates as long as the turnoverin the energydistribution of the particles occurs at a Lorentz factor in excess of ∼ 250. We de-termine the total energy in relativistic particles in the radio emitting lobes of all three sourcesto range between 3 − 8 × 10 59 erg. The nuclei of these X-ray sources are heavily-absorbedpowerful AGN.Keywords: X-rays: galaxies— galaxies:jets — galaxies: high-redshif t— X-rays: individual(3C469.1, MRC2216-206, MRC0947-249). 1 INTRODUCTIONEmission from inverse-Compton scattered CMB (ICCMB) pho-tons, in the form of diffuse, extended X-rays between the nucleusand radio hot spots, has been detected in a number of radio galaxiesat cosmological distances (e.g. Fabian et al. 2003; Blundell et al.2006; Erlund et al. 2008; Johnson et al. 2007) and at low redshift(e.g. Croston et al. 2005). ICCMB is a tracer of old, spent syn-chrotron plasma and its usefulness as a diagnostic of the magneticﬁeld and electron energy distribution in AGN lobes stems fro m thefact that it is not redshift-dimmed (Schwartz 2002), unlikeothersources of continuum X-ray emission.Together with radio observations, ICCMB X-ray ﬂuxes can beused to constrain the local magnetic ﬁeld experienced by the radio-emitting plasma in the lobes of giant FR II (Fanaroff & Riley 1974)radio sources (see e.g. Erlund et al. 2006). Previous observationsof ICCMB X-rays from radio galaxies have found deviations ofthe observed magnetic ﬁeld from predictions based on equipa rtitionarguments (see Croston et al. 2005, and references therein). Whilethis can be resolved if the energy distribution turns over at the low-energy end (Blundell et al. 2006) at relatively high Lorentz factors(γ
A 65nm CMOS high-IF superheterodyne receiver with a High-Q complex BPF

We propose a highly reconfigurable superheterodyne receiver that employs a 3rd-order complex IQ charge-sharing band-pass filter (BPF) for image rejection and 1st-order feedback based RF-BPF for channel selection filtering. The operating RF input frequency of the receiver is 500 MHz-1.2 GHz with varying high-IF range of 33-80 MHz. All the gain stages are merely inverter-based gm stages. The total gain of the receiver is 35dB and in-band IIP3 at midgain is +10 dBm. The NF of the receiver is 6.7dB, which is acceptable for the receiver without an LNA. The architecture is highly reconfigurable and follows the technology scaling. The RX occupies 0.47 mm2 of active area and consumes 24.5 mA at 1.2V power supply.
Does the Bad Outweigh the Good? An Examination of the Effects of Team Member Citizenship Behavior and Deviance on Team Performance

Little research has considered team functioning, citizenship behavior, and deviance simultaneously or attempted to integrate these streams of research to better understand how to promote team effectiveness. Therefore, the purpose of the research was to examine organizational citizenship behavior and deviance in a nomological net of antecedents (personality) and outcomes (performance, satisfaction, and viability) at the team-level. Specifically, team member deviance and citizenship behavior were examined as both configural (aggregated via minimum, maximum, variance, mean) and shared (norms demonstrating within group agreement) properties in their relationship to team outcomes. By examining both constructs in the same study, the relative effects of citizenship and deviance could be explored. In addition, deviance was explored as a multidimensional construct at the team-level and found to have two dimensions: lack of effort and interpersonal deviance. Results from a study of 56 student teams provided evidence that team member deviance and team member citizenship behavior are distinct constructs. Lack of effort (mean, maximum, variance) was negatively related to team grades, but only citizenship behaviors operationalized as the lowest scorer in the team was related to task performance. In contrast, citizenship behaviors (mean, maximum, minimum) demonstrated consistent positive relationships with both team satisfaction and viability, whereas team satisfaction was only found to relate to maximum lack of effort. Overall, team member deviance outweighed citizenship behavior as a predictor of task performance, but citizenship behavior outweighed deviance as a predictor of team satisfaction and viability. Citizenship norms were positively related and deviance norms were negatively related to team grade, team satisfaction and team viability. With the exception of a positive relationship between extraversion and minimum citizenship behavior, relationships between hypothesized Big Five personality traits and deviance, as well as citizenship behaviors, were not significant.
Radiobiology and Reproduction—What Can We Learn from Mammalian Females?

Ionizing radiation damages DNA and induces mutations as well as chromosomal reorganizations. Although radiotherapy increases survival among cancer patients, this treatment does not come without secondary effects, among which the most problematic is gonadal dysfunction, especially in women. Even more, if radio-induced DNA damage occurs in germ cells during spermatogenesis and/or oogenesis, they can produce chromosomal reorganizations associated with meiosis malfunction, abortions, as well as hereditary effects. However, most of our current knowledge of ionizing radiation genotoxic effects is derived from in vitro studies performed in somatic cells and there are only some experimental data that shed light on how germ cells work when affected by DNA alterations produced by ionizing radiation. In addition, these few data are often related to mammalian males, making it difficult to extrapolate the results to females. Here, we review the current knowledge of radiobiology and reproduction, paying attention to mammalian females. In order to do that, we will navigate across the female meiotic/reproductive cycle/life taking into account the radiation-induced genotoxic effects analysis and animal models used, published in recent decades.
Novel Multistub Loaded Resonator and Its Application to High-Order Dual-Band Filters

A novel multistub loaded resonator and its application to high-order dual-band bandpass filters are presented in this paper. A key merit of the filter configuration is that the characteristics of the second passband can be conveniently controlled, whereas that of the first passband are fixed. As the multistub loaded resonator contains six symmetric stubs, which can provide sufficient coupled sections between adjacent resonators, it is realizable to build the high-order dual-band filters using the proposed resonators. To illustrate the concept, two dual-band filters of third and sixth order are designed, fabricated, and measured. The measured results are in good agreement with the full-wave simulation results.
A Cohort Study of People With Diabetes and Their First Foot Ulcer

OBJECTIVE—The aim was to evaluate over 18 months whether depression was associated with mortality in people with their first foot ulcer. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A prospective cohort design was used. Adults with their first diabetic foot ulcer were recruited from foot clinics in southeast London, U.K. At baseline, the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry 2.1 was used to define those who met DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)-IV criteria for minor and major depressive disorders. Potential covariates were age, sex, marital status, socioeconomic status, smoking, antidepressant use, A1C, macro- and microvascular complications, and University of Texas classification–based severity and size of ulcer. The main outcome was mortality 18 months later, and A1C was the secondary outcome. The proportion who had an amputation, had recurrence, and whose ulcer had healed was recorded. RESULTS—A total of 253 people with their first diabetic foot ulcer were recruited. The prevalence of minor and major depressive disorder was 8.1% (n = 21) and 24.1% (n = 61), respectively. There were 40 (15.8%) deaths, 36 (15.5%) amputations, and 99 (43.2%) recurrences. In the adjusted Cox regression analysis, minor and major depressive disorders were associated with an approximately threefold hazard risk for mortality compared with no depression (3.23 [95% CI 1.39–7.51] and 2.73 [1.38–5.40], respectively). There was no association between minor and major depression compared with no depression and A1C (P = 0.86 and P = 0.43, respectively). CONCLUSIONS—One-third of people with their first diabetic foot ulcer suffer from clinical depression, and this is associated with increased mortality.
A REVISED TECHNIQUE FOR FORECASTING HURRICANE MOVEMENT BY STATISTICAL METHODS

Abstract The NHC-64 statistical equations for predicting the movement of hurricanes have been in operational use for 4 yr. These equations have continued to perform well. Following the 1966 hurricane season, however, it was apparent that the equations could be improved. A new forecast technique, based on additional data and additional predictors, has been derived. Tests on independent data for 1966 and on an operational basis during 1967 indicate that the 1967 method is slightly superior to NHC-64.
Advances in the treatment of children with phonological disorders

Summary Introduction: Treatment of phonological disorders considering extra-linguistic and linguistic variables are important to ensure that the alteration is resolved promptly and in the best manner as possible. Aim: To analyze therapeutic advances (phonetic inventory, phonological system, and distinctive features) in children with phonological disorders by considering the therapeutic approach used, the severity of the phonological disorder, age, and the number of therapeutic sessions. Methods: We conducted a case series study of 94 children aged 3 years, 9 months through 8 years, 5 months. The children were divided into groups based on the therapeutic approach used (Modified Cycles, Maximal Oppositions, ABAB-Withdrawal, and Multiple Probes), the severity of their phonological disorder, age, and the number of therapy sessions with each individual. Phonetic inventory, the phonological system, and the number of altered distinctive features were analyzed. Results: The greater the number of therapy sessions, the greater the number of sounds acquired. The number of sounds present in the phonetic inventory and phonological system increased and the severity of the phonological disorder decreased with all of the therapeutic approaches studied. There was also a reduction in the incidence of altered distinctive features. Conclusion: There was a favorable evolution in phonetic inventory and phonological system acquisitions as well as a reduction in the number of altered distinctive features for all 3 therapeutic models regardless of the severity of the phonological disorder, age, or number of sessions.
A Nonparametric Measure of Convergence Toward Purchasing Power Parity ∗ Mototsugu Shintani

It has been claimed that the deviations from purchasing power parity are highly persistent and have quite long half-lives under the assumption of a linear adjustment of real exchange rates. However, inspired by trade cost models, nonlinear adjustment has been widely employed in recent empirical studies. This paper proposes a simple nonparametric procedure for evaluating the speed of adjustment in the presence of nonlinearity, using the largest Lyapunov exponent of the time series. The empirical result suggests that the speed of convergence to a long-run price level is indeed faster than what was found in previous studies with linear restrictions.
Mitotic activation of Akt signalling pathway in Han:SPRD rats with polycystic kidney disease

Aim: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by an imbalance between tubular epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis. We have previously shown that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway is aberrantly activated in the cystic kidneys of Han:SPRD rats with ADPKD. Because the Akt kinase is an upstream regulator of mTOR, we hypothesized that the activity of Akt could be enhanced in the kidneys of Han:SPRD rats.
An Analysis of Monte Carlo Tree Search

Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) is a family of directed search algorithms that has gained widespread attention in recent years. Despite the vast amount of research into MCTS, the effect of modifications on the algorithm, as well as the manner in which it performs in various domains, is still not yet fully known. In particular, the effect of using knowledge-heavy rollouts in MCTS still remains poorly understood, with surprising results demonstrating that better-informed rollouts often result in worse-performing agents. We present experimental evidence suggesting that, under certain smoothness conditions, uniformly random simulation policies preserve the ordering over action preferences. This explains the success of MCTS despite its common use of these rollouts to evaluate states. We further analyse non-uniformly random rollout policies and describe conditions under which they offer improved performance.
Reflections on the 2006 IEEE Joint Communications/ Information Theory Paper Award

Suppose the binary images shown in Figure 1 were transmitted over a binary symmetric channel (BSC). What could be done to clean up or denoise the resulting noisy images? A quick scan of the image processing literature suggests the use of such algorithms as median filtering and morphological filtering. In the binary case a median filter replaces each pixel in the noisy image by the color of the majority of pixels in a neighborhood about that pixel, while a morphological filter carries out dilation and erosion operations to denoise a pixel, again based on the values of nearby pixels. Indeed, many of the simplest and most practical denoising algorithms in the image processing literature are of this form. They denoise any given pixel by applying a function to the pixel values in a nearby neighborhood. The denoising scenario above, however, raises an important issue with this class of algorithms, namely that a neighborhood function that works well for denoising one image may be disastrous for another. For example, a median filter would be an excellent choice for denoising the text image side of Figure 1, but would obliterate the half-toning in the Einstein image, and thereby actually amplify the distortion. Thus, in general, we are faced with the following problem: Given a noisy binary image and a neighborhood size of k, which of the 22 k binary valued denoising functions should be used? If a genie were to reveal the underlying clean image we could determine the “best” function that would lead to the smallest distortion between the denoised and clean images. Can we hope to even come close to this level of performance with access only to the noisy image? It turns out that with the additional knowledge of the BSC cross-over probability, the answer is yes in a very strong sense, and, further, that it can be done using an eminently practical algorithm, which we call DUDE, as defined and analyzed in our paper [1].