Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-Intensity Interval Training as a Tool for Counteracting Dyslipidemia in Women

Abstract Sedentary overweight or obese adult (age<60 years) women, allocated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, n=13), dyslipidemia alone (DYS, n=12), dyslipidemia associated with hyperglycaemia (DYSHG, N=12), or healthy control (CON, n=10) groups, had their lipid, glucose, blood pressure, endurance performance, and anthropometry variables assessed before and after 16 weeks of a thrice-weekly high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program. Triglycerides reduced significantly (P<0.05) in all groups, and high-density lipoprotein increased (P<0.01) in T2DM, DYS and DYSHG; however, low-density lipoprotein reduced (P<0.05) only in DYSHG, and total cholesterol reduced (P<0.01) only in DYS and DYSHG. Fasting glucose reduced (P<0.05) significantly in T2DM, DYS and DYSHG, but with higher decreases in T2DM and DYSHG. Blood pressure, endurance performance and body composition improved (P<0.05) in all groups. The HIIT program was effective for restoring lipid profile of DYS and DYSHG, and fasting glucose of DYSHG to levels similar to those of CON, with a weekly time commitment 25% to 56% lower than the minimum recommended in current exercise guidelines. These findings suggest that HIIT may be a time-efficient intervention for counteracting dyslipidemia.
Investigation of smoke gases and temperatures during car fire – large‐scale and small‐scale tests and numerical investigations

The hazards for passengers during vehicle fires result from the increasing temperature and the emitted smoke gases. A fire was set on a car to investigate the development of temperature and of gaseous fire products in the passenger compartment. The study was based on a full‐scale test with a reconstructed scene of a serious car fire. The aim of this work was to identify the conditions for self‐rescuing of passengers during a car fire. A dummy, equipped with several thermocouples, was placed on the driver's seat. Also, the smoke gases were continuously collected through a removable probe sensor corresponding to the nose of the dummy in the passenger compartment and analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Additionally, several car components were investigated in the smoke density chamber (smoke emission and smoke gas composition). It was found that the toxic gases already reached hazardous levels by 5 min, while the temperatures at the dummy were at that time less than 80 °C. The toxicity of smoke gases was assessed using the fractional effective dose concept. The various experimentally parameters (temperature and smoke gas composition) were implemented into numerical simulations with fire dynamics simulator. Both the experimental data and the numerical simulations are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reverberation robust multi-channel post-filtering using modified signal presence probability

A multi-channel post-filtering algorithm in reverberant environment based on detection and estimation scheme is proposed. The key estimator of signal presence probability (SP-P), which is in consideration of reverberation, is modified with direct-to-reverberate ratio (DRR). A new desired signal detection scheme is proposed to instruct the updating of transient noise and residual interference estimation, which takes advantage of SPP in the time-frequency domain. The proposed multi-channel post-filtering is tested in different non-stationary noisy and reverberant environments. Experimental results show that it outperforms the comparative algorithms on signal preservation of the desired speech with more noise reduction.
Divergence of annual and perennial species in the Brassicaceae and the contribution of cis‐acting variation at FLC orthologues

Variation in life history contributes to reproductive success in different environments. Divergence of annual and perennial angiosperm species is an extreme example that has occurred frequently. Perennials survive for several years and restrict the duration of reproduction by cycling between vegetative growth and flowering, whereas annuals live for 1 year and flower once. We used the tribe Arabideae (Brassicaceae) to study the divergence of seasonal flowering behaviour among annual and perennial species. In perennial Brassicaceae, orthologues of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), a floral inhibitor in Arabidopsis thaliana, are repressed by winter cold and reactivated in spring conferring seasonal flowering patterns, whereas in annuals, they are stably repressed by cold. We isolated FLC orthologues from three annual and two perennial Arabis species and found that the duplicated structure of the A. alpina locus is not required for perenniality. The expression patterns of the genes differed between annuals and perennials, as observed among Arabidopsis species, suggesting a broad relevance of these patterns within the Brassicaceae. Also analysis of plants derived from an interspecies cross of A. alpina and annual A. montbretiana demonstrated that cis‐regulatory changes in FLC orthologues contribute to their different transcriptional patterns. Sequence comparisons of FLC orthologues from annuals and perennials in the tribes Arabideae and Camelineae identified two regulatory regions in the first intron whose sequence variation correlates with divergence of the annual and perennial expression patterns. Thus, we propose that related cis‐acting changes in FLC orthologues occur independently in different tribes of the Brassicaceae during life history evolution.
Tobacco use among firefighters in the central United States.

BACKGROUND This study provides a comprehensive, population-based examination of tobacco use among both career and volunteer firefighters. METHODS Data are from a population-based cohort study of randomly selected career (N = 11) and volunteer (N = 13) departments comprised of 677 male firefighters. RESULTS Unadjusted rates of smoking were 13.6% and 17.4% for career and volunteer firefighters, respectively. Smoking rates were less than a comparable occupational group (military personnel) and adult males in the states represented. Smokers were more likely to have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder (OR = 5.8; P = 0.010), have an elevated CAGE alcohol problem score (OR = 2.9; P = 0.040), and more likely to report driving after drinking too much (OR = 4.5; P = 0.020) compared to never-smokers. Large percentages of career (18.4%) and volunteer (16.8%) firefighters used smokeless tobacco. CONCLUSIONS Smoking among firefighters is associated with other significant health and safety risks. High rates of smokeless tobacco use suggest that the fire service is an important target for intervention. Thus, despite strong statements against smoking by the fire service, the need to maintain high levels of health and fitness and relatively low smoking rates, a significant proportion of firefighters continue to use tobacco products.
Salt solution treatment to prevent the low temperature reduction degradation of haematite pellet

Most of the Indian haematite ore shows very high reduction degradation index (RDI) mainly due to high alumina content (>2.2%) and adverse Al2O3/SiO2 ratio (2.0). Several investigators have reduced RDI mostly by suitable flux addition. However, high flux addition makes the pellet basic. In blast furnace, the charge combination of acidic pellet and basic sinter is preferred because, the burden with acidic pellet can accept highly basic sinter. In the present study, the acidic or mildly basic pellets were treated with different aqueous solutions such as, CaO, MgO, MgCl2, CaCl2 and NaCl of varying concentration under vacuum (45 mm Hg) to reduce RDI. MgCl2 solution (8%) has very minor effect on reducing RDI. On the other hand, CaCl2 and NaCl solutions show encouraging result. The treatment with 10% CaCl2 solution reduces RDI of acidic pellet from 86% to 5.8%; while, treatment with 6% NaCl solution reduces RDI to a very low level (2.5%). However, it shows poor degradation resistance at relatively higher (>800°C) temperature. Therefore, to reduce this degradation and chloride input in pellet, basicity of the pellets were increased slightly to 0.25 and treated with 1–2% NaCl solution at room temperature under vacuum. This shows very low RDI (6–10%) with good cold crushing strength (330 kg/pellet), reducibility (75%) and swelling index (13%) with minor degradation at higher temperature unlike acidic pellet. This pellet will be useful for blast furnace operation.
Heat Conductivity of Rubber at Low Temperatures

WHILST examining the possibilities of applying rubber in low-temperature work, we were hampered by the lack of available data of its physical properties at low temperatures. We were quite aware of the difficulties to be expected in making accurate measurements in that temperature region, and this applies specially to the heat conductivity in which we were particularly interested. In order to obtain at least an estimate of the order of magnitude, we carried out some measurements of the heat conductivity of commercial rubber (tyre rubber, North British) at room temperature and the temperature of liquid air.
A Continuous-Time MASH 1-1-1 Delta–Sigma Modulator With FIR DAC and Encoder-Embedded Loop-Unrolling Quantizer in 40-nm CMOS

This paper presents a continuous-time multistage noise-shaping (MASH) delta–sigma modulator (CT-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta \Sigma \text{M}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) employing finite impulse response (FIR) digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and encoder-embedded loop-unrolling (EELU) quantizers. The proposed MASH 1-1-1 topology is a cascade of three single-loop first-order CT-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta \Sigma \text{M}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> stages, each of which consists of an active <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$RC$ </tex-math></inline-formula> integrator, a current-steering DAC, and an EELU quantizer. An FIR filter in the main 1.5-bit DAC improves the modulator’s jitter sensitivity performance. FIR’s effect on the noise transfer function of the modulator is compensated in the digital domain, thanks to the MASH topology. Instead of employing a conventional analog direct feedback path for excess loop delay compensation, a 1.5-bit EELU quantizer based on multiplexing comparator outputs is proposed; this approach is suitable for high-speed operation. Fabricated in a 40-nm low-power CMOS technology, the modulator’s prototype achieves a 67.3 dB of signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio, 68 dB of signal-to-noise ratio, and 68.2 dB of dynamic range within 50.5 MHz of bandwidth, while consuming 19 mW of total power.
Working Memory Updating Function Training Influenced Brain Activity

Recent studies demonstrated that working memory could be improved by training. We recruited healthy adult participants and used adaptive running working memory training tasks with a double-blind design, combined with the event-related potentials (ERPs) approach, to explore the influence of updating function training on brain activity. Participants in the training group underwent training for 20 days. Compared with the control group, the training group's accuracy (ACC) in the two-back working memory task had no significant differences after training, but reaction time (RT) was reduced significantly. Besides, the amplitudes of N160 and P300 increased significantly whereas that of P200 decreased significantly. The results suggest that training could have improved the participants' capacity on both inhibitory and updating.
Health Behaviors and Calcific Aortic Valve Disease

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common form of valvular heart disease worldwide and is associated with increased mortality across the spectrum of severity of disease. [1][1] The 1‐year mortality rates among individuals with untreated severe symptomatic aortic stenosis nears 50%. [2
Masting behaviour in a Mediterranean pine tree alters seed predator selection on reproductive output.

Context-dependency in species interactions is widespread and can produce concomitant patterns of context-dependent selection. Masting (synchronous production of large seed crops at irregular intervals by a plant population) has been shown to reduce seed predation through satiation (reduction in rates of seed predation with increasing seed cone output) and thus represents an important source of context-dependency in plant-animal interactions. However, the evolutionary consequences of such dynamics are not well understood. Here we describe masting behaviour in a Mediterranean model pine species (Pinus pinaster) and present a test of the effects of masting on selection by seed predators on reproductive output. We predicted that masting, by enhancing seed predator satiation, could in turn strengthen positive selection by seed predators for larger cone output. For this we collected six-year data (spanning one mast year and five non-mast years) on seed cone production and seed cone predation rates in a forest genetic trial composed by 116 P. pinaster genotypes. Following our prediction, we found stronger seed predator satiation during the masting year, which in turn led to stronger seed predator selection for increased cone production relative to non-masting years. These findings provide evidence that masting can alter the evolutionary outcome of plant-seed predator interactions. More broadly, our findings highlight that changes in consumer responses to resource abundance represent a widespread mechanism for predicting and understanding context dependency in plant-consumer evolutionary dynamics.
Mild functionalization of carbon nanotubes filled epoxy composites: Effect on electromagnetic interferences shielding effectiveness

The effect of nitric acid mild functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of epoxy composites was examined. MWCNTs were oxidized by concentrated nitric acid under reflux conditions, with different reaction times. The dispersion of MWCNTs after functionalization was improved due to the presence of oxygen functional groups on the nanotubes surface. Functionalization at 2 h exhibits the highest EMI SE and electrical conductivity of MWCNTs filled epoxy composites. However, EMI shielding performance of MWCNTs filled epoxy composite declined when the functionalization reaction time was prolonged. This was due to extensive damage on the MWCNT structure, as verified by a Raman spectroscope. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42557.
Image Classification by a Probabilistic Model Learned from Imperfect Training Data on the Web

PCT No. PCT/GB83/00312 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 30, 1984 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 30, 1984 PCT Filed Nov. 30, 1983 PCT Pub. No. WO84/02171 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 7, 1984.A break-away coupling device for use with a hoseline or pipeline for conveying hazardous fluids. The coupling comprises coupling members (10, 11) of generally tubular form for connection at their outer ends (14, 15) to a hoseline, pipeline or other fluid-supply or fluid-delivery point, and provided at their inner ends with complementary faces (12, 13) which are held in sealing engagement by frangible connectors (18). The coupling members have valve seats (45), and valve members (30, 31) which are urged towards closing engagement with said seats but are usually being held against the springs (36) and out of engagement with the seats until the coupling members are separated on breaking of the connectors. An annular separating ram (51) is provided to apply pressure between the coupling members which will break the connectors and separate the coupling members, whereupon the valve members will seat under spring action and minimize spillage of the fluid being conveyed.
Association of Body Iron Status with the Risk of Premature Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Pakistani Population

Background Coronary artery disease is very common in Pakistani population. Some of the studies carried out on Western populations have shown a relationship between body iron status as determined by the ratio of concentrations of serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) to ferritin and the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In order to investigate whether increased body iron status has any relationship with the risk of premature AMI in Pakistani population, a case-control study was carried out. Methodology/Principal findings In this case-control study, 203 consecutive AMI patients [146 males and 57 females; age range 18–45 years] admitted to the National Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi, were enrolled with informed consent. In addition, 205 healthy controls whose gender and age (within 3 years) matched the patients, and who had a similar socio-economic background were recruited. Fasting venous blood was obtained and assessed for plasma/serum folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, sTfR and ferritin and blood lead. It was found that serum concentration of ferritin and blood lead levels were significantly higher in AMI patients compared to their age and gender-matched healthy controls (p value <0.05), while the concentrations of vitamin B12 and HDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in AMI patients compared to controls (p value <0.01). The ratio of sTfR to ferritin was significantly lower in AMI patients compared to controls [mean±SD/median (IQR) values 84.7±295/28.9 (38.4) vs 255±836/49.4 (83.8), respectively; p value <0.001]. Compared with the highest quartile of sTfR/ferritin (low body iron status), the OR for the risk of AMI was 3.29(95% CI, 1.54–7.03) for the lowest quartile (quartile 1) when the model was adjusted for vitamin B12 and HDL-cholesterol (p value for trend <0.01). Conclusions/Significance This study shows a positive association between total body iron status and risk of premature AMI in a Pakistani population.
How Do Practitioners Perceive Assurance Cases in Safety-Critical Software Systems?

Safety-critical software systems are those whose failure or malfunction could result in casualty and/or serious financial loss. In such systems, safety assurance cases (SACs) are an emerging approach that adopts a proactive strategy to produce structuralized safety justifications and arguments. While SACs are recommended in many software-intensive safety-critical domains, the lack of knowledge regarding the practitioners' perspectives on using SACs hinders effective adoption of this approach. To gain such knowledge, we interviewed nine practitioners and safety experts who focused on safety-critical software systems. In general, our participants found the SAC approach beneficial for communication of safety arguments and management of safety issues in a multidisciplinary setting. The challenges they faced when using SACs were primarily associated with (1) a lack of tool support, (2) insufficient process integration, and (3) scarcity of experienced personnel. To overcome those challenges, our participants suggested tactics that focused on creating direct safety arguments. Process and organizational adjustments are also needed to streamline SAC analysis and creation. Finally, our participants emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing about SACs across software-intensive safety-critical domains.
Embracing localization inaccuracy: A case study

In recent years, indoor localization has become a hot research topic with some sophisticated solutions reaching accuracy on the order of ten centimeters. While certain classes of applications can justify the corresponding costs that come with these solutions, a wealth of applications have requirements that can be met at much lower cost by accepting lower accuracy. This paper explores one specific application for monitoring patients in a nursing home, showing that sufficient accuracy can be achieved with a carefully designed deployment of low-cost wireless sensor network nodes in combination with a simple RSSI-based localization technique. Notably our solution uses a single radio sample per period, a number that is much lower than similar approaches. This greatly eases the power burden of the nodes, resulting in a significant lifetime increase. This paper evaluates a concrete deployment from summer 2012 composed of fixed anchor motes throughout one floor of a nursing home and mobile units carried by patients. We show how two localization algorithms perform and demonstrate a clear improvement by following a set of simple guidelines to tune the anchor node placement. We show both quantitatively and qualitatively that the results meet the functional and non-functional system requirements.
Extern Objects in P4: an ROHC Compression Case Study

P4 is an emergent packet-processing language where the user can describe how the packets are to be processed in a switching element. This paper presents a way to implement advanced operations that are not directly supported in P4. In this work, two different ways to add extensions to P4 are presented: i) using new native primitives and ii) using extern instances. As a case study, an ROHC entity was implemented and invoked in a P4 program. The tests show that both methods are effective, with similar performance in terms of average packet latency. However, extern instances utilization suggests being more suitable for target-specific switching applications, where the manufacturer/vendor can specify its own specific operations without changes in the P4 semantics, exporting them to P4 as a standard vendor-specific library.
Adaptive synthesis of indoor scenes via activity-associated object relation graphs

We present a system for adaptive synthesis of indoor scenes given an empty room and only a few object categories. Automatically suggesting indoor objects and proper layouts to convert an empty room to a 3D scene is challenging, since it requires interior design knowledge to balance the factors like space, path distance, illumination and object relations, in order to insure the functional plausibility of the synthesized scenes. We exploit a database of 2D floor plans to extract object relations and provide layout examples for scene synthesis. With the labeled human positions and directions in each plan, we detect the activity relations and compute the coexistence frequency of object pairs to construct activity-associated object relation graphs. Given the input room and user-specified object categories, our system first leverages the object relation graphs and the database floor plans to suggest more potential object categories beyond the specified ones to make resulting scenes functionally complete, and then uses the similar plan references to create the layout of synthesized scenes. We show various synthesis results to demonstrate the practicability of our system, and validate its usability via a user study. We also compare our system with the state-of-the-art furniture layout and activity-centric scene representation methods, in terms of functional plausibility and user friendliness.