Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of Bariatric Surgery as a Strategy for Secondary Prevention in Cardiovascular Disease: A Report from the Swedish Obese Subjects Trial

Aims. Evaluation of bariatric surgery as secondary prevention in obese patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Methods. Analysis of data from 4047 subjects in the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOSs) study. Thirty-five patients with IHD are treated with bariatric surgery (n = 21) or conventional treatment (n = 14). Mean follow-up is 10.8 years. Results. Bariatric surgery resulted in sustained weight loss during the study period. After 2 years, the surgery group displayed significant reductions in cardiovascular risk factors, relief from cardiorespiratory symptoms, increments in physical activity, and improved quality of life. After 10 years, recovery from hypertension, diabetes, physical inactivity, and depression was still more common in the surgery group. There were no signs of increased cardiovascular morbidity or mortality in the surgery group. Conclusion. Bariatric surgery appears to be a safe and feasible treatment to achieve long-term weight loss and improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, symptoms, and quality of life in obese subjects with IHD.
Normative notions in descriptive dialogues

Developments in the theory of individual decision‐making have been partly shaped by two criteria: a desire for models consistent with experimental evidence; and a pre‐commitment to models built on normatively appealing axioms. This paper explores the compatibility of these two selection criteria. The paper reconstructs and scrutinises an argument due to Friedman and Savage asserting that the normative appeal of axioms provides a source of ‘indirect’ evidence. I judge their argument questionable and, at best, incomplete. As such it does not provide a convincing rationale for normative appeal to be used as a criterion for selection among descriptive theories.
Higher-order functions considered unnecessary for higher-order programming

It is often claimed that the essence of functional programming is the use of functions as values, i.e., of higher order functions, and many interesting examples have been given showing the power of this approach. Unfortunately, the logic of higher order functions is diicult, and in particular, higher order uniication is undecidable. Moreover (and closely related), higher order expressions are notoriously diicult for humans to read and write correctly. However, this paper shows that typical higher order programming examples can be captured with just rst order functions, by the systematic use of parameterized modules, in a style that we call parameterized programming. This has the advantages that correctness proofs can be done entirely within rst order logic, and that interpreters and compilers can be simpler and more eecient. Moreover, it is natural to impose semantic requirements on modules, and hence on functions. A more subtle point is that higher order logic does not always mix well with subsorts, which can nonetheless be very useful in functional programming by supporting the clean and rigorous treatment of partially deened functions, exceptions, overloading, multiple representation, and coercion. Although higher order logic cannot always be avoided in speciication and veriication, it should be avoided wherever possible, for the same reasons as in programming. This paper contains several examples, including one in hardware veriication. An appendix shows how to extend standard equational logic with quantiication over functions, and justiies a perhaps surprising technique for proving such equations using only ground term reduction.
Stochastic Analysis of Transient Flow in Heterogeneous, Variably Saturated Porous Media: The van Genuchten–Mualem Constitutive Model

In this study, on the basis of the van Genuchten–Mualem constitutive relationship, we develop a general nonstationary stochastic model for transient, variably saturated flow in randomly heterogeneous media with the method of moment equations. We first derive partial differential equations governing the statistical moments of the flow quantities by perturbation expansions and then implement these equations under general conditions with the method of finite differences. The nonstationary stochastic model developed is applicable to the entire domain of bounded, multidimensional vadose zones or integrated unsaturated–saturated systems in the presence of random or deterministic recharge and sink–source and in the presence of multiscale, nonstationary medium features. We demonstrate the model with some two‐dimensional examples of unsaturated and integrated unsaturated–saturated flows. The validity of the developed stochastic model is confirmed through high‐resolution Monte Carlo simulations. We also investigate the relative contributions of the soil variabilities (KS, α, and n) as well as the variability in recharge Q to the pressure head variance. It is found that the pressure head variance is sensitive to these variabilities, in the order of n, α, KS, and Q Though the variability of α and n is usually smaller than that of KS and Q, their effect on the pressure head variance should not be ignored.
The Ets-1 transcription factor controls the development and function of natural regulatory T cells

Regulatory T cells (T reg cells) constitute a population of CD4+ T cells that limits immune responses. The transcription factor Foxp3 is important for determining the development and function of T reg cells; however, the molecular mechanisms that trigger and maintain its expression remain incompletely understood. In this study, we show that mice deficient for the Ets-1 transcription factor (Ets-1−/−) developed T cell–mediated splenomegaly and systemic autoimmunity that can be blocked by functional wild-type T reg cells. Spleens of Ets-1−/− mice contained mostly activated T cells, including Th2-polarized CD4+ cells and had reduced percentages of T reg cells. Splenic and thymic Ets-1−/− T reg cells expressed low levels of Foxp3 and displayed the CD103 marker that characterizes antigen-experienced T reg cells. Thymic development of Ets-1−/− T reg cells appeared intrinsically altered as Foxp3-expressing cells differentiate poorly in mixed fetal liver reconstituted chimera and fetal thymic organ culture. Ets-1−/− T reg cells showed decreased in vitro suppression activity and did not protect Rag2−/− hosts from naive T cell–induced inflammatory bowel disease. Furthermore, in T reg cells, Ets-1 interacted with the Foxp3 intronic enhancer and was required for demethylation of this regulatory sequence. These data demonstrate that Ets-1 is required for the development of natural T reg cells and suggest a role for this transcription factor in the regulation of Foxp3 expression.
Rats Bred for Low Aerobic Capacity Become Promptly Fatigued and Have Slow Metabolic Recovery after Stimulated, Maximal Muscle Contractions

AIM Muscular fatigue is a complex phenomenon affected by muscle fiber type and several metabolic and ionic changes within myocytes. Mitochondria are the main determinants of muscle oxidative capacity which is also one determinant of muscle fatigability. By measuring the concentrations of intracellular stores of high-energy phosphates it is possible to estimate the energy production efficiency and metabolic recovery of the muscle. Low intrinsic aerobic capacity is known to be associated with reduced mitochondrial function. Whether low intrinsic aerobic capacity also results in slower metabolic recovery of skeletal muscle is not known. Here we studied the influence of intrinsic aerobic capacity on in vivo muscle metabolism during maximal, fatiguing electrical stimulation. METHODS Animal subjects were genetically heterogeneous rats selectively bred to differ for non–trained treadmill running endurance, low capacity runners (LCRs) and high capacity runners (HCRs) (n = 15–19). We measured the concentrations of major phosphorus compounds and force parameters in a contracting triceps surae muscle complex using 31P-Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) combined with muscle force measurement from repeated isometric twitches. RESULTS Our results demonstrated that phosphocreatine re-synthesis after maximal muscle stimulation was significantly slower in LCRs (p<0.05). LCR rats also became promptly fatigued and maintained the intramuscular pH poorly compared to HCRs. Half relaxation time (HRT) of the triceps surae was significantly longer in LCRs throughout the stimulation protocol (p≤0.05) and maximal rate of torque development (MRTD) was significantly lower in LCRs compared to HCRs from 2 min 30 s onwards (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION We observed that LCRs are more sensitive to fatigue and have slower metabolic recovery compared to HCRs after maximal muscle contractions. These new findings are associated with reduced running capacity and with previously found lower mitochondrial content, increased body mass and higher complex disease risk of LCRs.
The reverb challenge: A common evaluation framework for dereverberation and recognition of reverberant speech

Recently, substantial progress has been made in the field of reverberant speech signal processing, including both single- and multichannel dereverberation techniques, and automatic speech recognition (ASR) techniques robust to reverberation. To evaluate state-of-the-art algorithms and obtain new insights regarding potential future research directions, we propose a common evaluation framework including datasets, tasks, and evaluation metrics for both speech enhancement and ASR techniques. The proposed framework will be used as a common basis for the REVERB (REverberant Voice Enhancement and Recognition Benchmark) challenge. This paper describes the rationale behind the challenge, and provides a detailed description of the evaluation framework and benchmark results.
QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY A Power Primer

One possible reason for the continued neglect of statistical power analysis in research in the behavioral sciences is the inaccessibility of or difficulty with the standard material. A convenient, although not comprehensive, presentation of required sample sizes is provided here. Effect-size indexes and conventional values for these are given for operationally defined small, medium, and large effects. The sample sizes necessary for . 80 power to detect effects at these levels are tabled for eight standard statistical tests: (a) the difference between independent means, (b) the significance of a product-moment correlation, (c) the difference between independent rs, (d) the sign test, (e) the difference between independent proportions, (f) chi-square tests for goodness of fit and contingency tables, (g) one-way analysis of variance, and (h) the significance o f a multiple or multiple partial correlation. The preface to the first edition of my power handbook (Cohen, 1969) begins: During my first dozen years o f teaching and consulting o n applied statistics with behavioral scientists, 1 became increasingly impressed with the importance of statistical power analysis, an importance which was increased an order of magnitude by its neglect in our textbooks and curricula. The case for its importance is easily made: What behavioral scientist would view with equanimity the question of the probability that his investigation would lead to statistically significant results, i.e., its power? (p. vii) This neglect was obvious through casual observation and had been confirmed by a power review of the 1960 volume of the Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, which found the mean power to detect medium effect sizes to be . 48 (Cohen, 1962). Thus, the chance of obtaining a significant result was about that of tossing a head with a fair coin. I attributed this disregard of power to the inaccessibility of a meager and mathematically difficult literature, beginning with its origin in the work of Neyman and Pearson (1928,1933). The power handbook was supposed to solve the problem. It required no more background than an introductory psychological statistics course that included significance testing. The exposition was verbal-intuitive and carried largely by many worked examples drawn from across the spectrum of behavioral science. In the ensuing two decades, the book has been through revised (1977) and second (1988) editions and has inspired dozens of power and effect-size surveys i n many areas of the social and life sciences (Cohen, 1988, pp. xi-xii). During this period, there has been a spate of articles on power analysis in the social science literature, a baker's dozen of computer programs (re
An Evaluation Framework for Intrusion Detection Dataset

The growing number of security threats on the Internet and computer networks demands highly reliable security solutions. Meanwhile, Intrusion Detection (IDSs) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPSs) have an important role in the design and development of a robust network infrastructure that can defend computer networks by detecting and blocking a variety of attacks. Reliable benchmark datasets are critical to test and evaluate the performance of a detection system. There exist a number of such datasets, for example, DARPA98, KDD99, ISC2012, and ADFA13 that have been used by the researchers to evaluate the performance of their intrusion detection and prevention approaches. However, not enough research has focused on the evaluation and assessment of the datasets themselves. In this paper we present a comprehensive evaluation of the existing datasets using our proposed criteria, and propose an evaluation framework for IDS and IPS datasets.
Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglows as Probes of Environment and Blast Wave Physics. I. Absorption by Host-Galaxy Gas and Dust

We use a new approach to obtain limits on the absorbing columns toward an initial sample of 10 long gamma-ray bursts observed with BeppoSAX and selected on the basis of their good optical and near-infrared (NIR) coverage, from simultaneous fits to NIR, optical, and X-ray afterglow data, in count space and including the effects of metallicity. In no cases is a Milky Way-like (MW) extinction preferred when testing MW, LMC, and SMC extinction laws. The 2175 Å bump would in principle be detectable in all these afterglows, but is not present in the data. An SMC-like gas-to-dust ratio or lower value can be ruled out for four of the hosts analyzed here (assuming SMC metallicity and extinction law), while the remainder of the sample have too large an error to discriminate. We provide a more accurate estimate of the line-of-sight extinction and improve on the uncertainties for the majority of the extinction measurements made in previous studies of this sample. We discuss this method for determining extinction values in comparison with the most commonly employed existing methods.
Characterization of electro-adhesives for robotic applications

Recent research in the field of climbing robots indicates that electro-adhesion may provide an attachment method for robots to adhere to a wide range of materials. This study compares the use of several different styles and shapes of electrodes while maintaining a similar electrode area. Electro-adhesion shear force testing was performed on electro-adhesive samples made with four different insulating polymers. These results are compared in order to indicate the best type of insulating material for electro-adhesives. Shear force adhesion tests are carried out on and compared for a wide range of common building materials.
Genetic Polymorphism in Extracellular Regulators of Wnt Signaling Pathway

The Wnt signaling pathway is mediated by a family of secreted glycoproteins through canonical and noncanonical mechanism. The signaling pathways are regulated by various modulators, which are classified into two classes on the basis of their interaction with either Wnt or its receptors. Secreted frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs) are the member of class that binds to Wnt protein and antagonizes Wnt signaling pathway. The other class consists of Dickkopf (DKK) proteins family that binds to Wnt receptor complex. The present review discusses the disease related association of various polymorphisms in Wnt signaling modulators. Furthermore, this review also highlights that some of the sFRPs and DKKs are unable to act as an antagonist for Wnt signaling pathway and thus their function needs to be explored more extensively.
Purinergic and Muscarinic Modulation of the Cell Cycle and Calcium Signaling in the Chick Retinal Ventricular Zone Materials and Methods

Spontaneous calcium transients occur in the ventricular zone of the chick retina and result from the endogenous release of neurotransmitters in the absence of action potentials. Calcium transients resulting from the activation of purinergic and mus-carinic receptors occur in a mixed population of interphase and mitotic cells, whereas those produced by ionotropic GABA and glutamate receptors are mostly restricted to the interphase population, the GABA responses primarily coming from cells that express the neuronal marker TuJ-1. Muscarinic and puri-nergic receptors can act respectively as a brake and an accelerator on mitosis, whereas GABA and glutamate receptors are without effect. Our results suggest that the balance between muscarinic and purinergic activation acts to control the rate of retinal proliferation in early development. The vertebrate eye originates from the optic vesicle, an evagina-tion of the neural tube, which in turn invaginates to form a two-layered structure, the optic cup. The inner layer develops to produce the neurons and radial glia of the neural retina, whereas the outer monolayer of epithelial cells forms the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Within the neural retina, mitosis is confined to the layer of progenitor cells immediately adjacent to the RPE, the ventricular zone (VZ); the nuclei of retinal progenitor cells undergo interkinetic nuclear migration, moving from the VZ to the prospective ganglion cell layer (GCL) in G 1 of the cell cycle, before duplicating their DNA in S phase, and returning to the VZ in G 2 and undergoing mitosis (Fig. 1) (for review, see Jacobson, 1978). The chick retina consists of ϳ200 million cells; nearly all of these are produced within the 10 d period after the formation of the optic cup. This corresponds to the production of ϳ250 cells/ sec. These must be produced in the correct numbers, adopt the correct fate, migrate to their final destination, and form synaptic connections with the appropriate partners. To ensure the proper function of the adult retina, these processes must be highly regulated. The production of cells by CNS progenitors and the determination of their fate are known to be regulated via an array of diffusible factors such as fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), which are thought to play key roles in the initial development of retinal ganglion cells from the undifferentiated neuroepithelium (Mc-Cabe et al., 1999). Contact-mediated interactions, such as those involving the transmembrane proteins notch and delta, play a critical role in the generation of neuronal diversity …
Understanding workplace deviant behaviours based on perceived gender discrimination, organizational justice and organizational attachment: A case of Chinese hotel employees

UNDERSTANDING WORKPLACE DEVIANT BEHAVIOURS BASED ON PERCEIVED GENDER DISCRIMINATION, ORGANIZATIONAL JUSTICE AND ORGANIZATIONAL ATTACHMENT: A CASE OF CHINESE HOTEL EMPLOYEES Yanjing Qu Advisors: University of Guelph, 2017 Professor WooMi Jo Professor HS Chris Choi This study examines the relationship among hotel employees’ perceived gender discrimination, organizational justice/injustice and workplace deviant behaviours, as well as the mediating effect of organizational attachment within the Chinese hospitality industry. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. Empirical results show that (a) perceived gender discrimination is negatively related to affective commitment and organizational identification, and positively related to turnover intention and organizational deviance, (b) distributive justice and procedural justice are positively related to affective commitment and organizational identification, and have no impact on turnover intention or organizational deviance, (c) turnover intention is positively related to organizational deviance, while affective commitment and organizational identification do not influence organizational deviance, (d) the impact of perceived gender discrimination on organizational deviance is mediated by organizational identification and turnover intention, whereas affective commitment has no mediating effect. The study findings provide theoretical and practical implications for future research and hotel human resource management practice.
Mood and maladaptive behaviour: the effect of emotional intelligence, personality, and mood on emotional manipulation

The current study aimed to investigate mechanisms of emotional manipulation, by examining the combined predictive utility of emotional intelligence, agreeableness, conscientiousness and mood, within a correlational design, with an experimental longitudinal component. Participants (155 male and female undergraduate students) completed measures of personality and emotional intelligence before undergoing a mood induction procedure (happy, sad, and neutral). Participants then reported their ability and willingness to emotionally manipulate, as well as to adopt specific emotional manipulation strategies. It was hypothesised that personality and emotional intelligence would predict emotional manipulation, with strongest effects with mood-worsening and inauthentic strategies. It was also expected that worse moods would be associated with greater emotional manipulation. Hypotheses received mixed support. Personality and emotional intelligence did predict emotional manipulation, however this did not differ across aspects of emotional manipulation. Only the use of inauthentic strategies was predicted by sad moods. Future research could explore these findings across different contexts, in addition to using ability measures of emotional manipulation. It can be concluded that emotional intelligence, agreeableness, and conscientiousness are predictors of emotional manipulation. The current study has implicated mood as predictor for the first time, however further research is needed clarify its role.
Gratitude and depressive symptoms: The role of positive reframing and positive emotion

Eight studies (N=2,973) tested the theory that gratitude is related to fewer depressive symptoms through positive reframing and positive emotion. Study 1 found a direct path between gratitude and depressive symptoms. Studies 2–5 demonstrated that positive reframing mediated the relationship between gratitude and depressive symptoms. Studies 6–7 showed that positive emotion mediated the relationship between gratitude and depressive symptoms. Study 8 found that positive reframing and positive emotion simultaneously mediated the relationship between gratitude and depressive symptoms. In sum, these eight studies demonstrate that gratitude is related to fewer depressive symptoms, with positive reframing and positive emotion serving as mechanisms that account for this relationship.
Nonlinear pulse shaping and polarization dynamics in mode-locked fibre lasers

We review our recent progress on the study of new nonlinear mechanisms of pulse shaping in passively mode-locked fibre lasers. These include a mode-locking regime featuring pulses with a triangular distribution of the intensity, and spectral compression arising from nonlinear pulse propagation. We also report on our recent experimental studies unveiling new families of vector solitons with precessing states of polarization for multi-pulsing and bound-state soliton operations in a carbon nanotube mode-locked fibre laser with anomalous dispersion cavity.