Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neonatal Citrulline Supplementation and Later Exposure to a High Fructose Diet in Rats Born with a Low Birth Weight: A Preliminary Report

A low birth weight (LBW) leads to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Literature suggests that citrulline supplementation in adulthood prevents the effect of a high fructose diet on energy metabolism. Whether neonatal citrulline supplementation would alter early growth or energy metabolism in the long-term in rats with LBW is unknown. LBW pups born from dams fed a low (4%) protein diet, were nursed by normally-fed dams and received isonitrogenous supplements of either l-citrulline or l-alanine by gavage from the sixth day of life until weaning, and were subsequently exposed to 10%-fructose in drinking water from weaning to 90 days of age. The oral glucose tolerance was tested (OGTT) at 70 days of age, and rats were sacrificed at 90 days of age. Pre-weaning citrulline supplementation failed to alter the growth trajectory, OGTT, plasma triglycerides, or fat mass accretion in adulthood; yet, it was associated with increased liver triglycerides, decreased liver total cholesterol, and a distinct liver lipidomic profile that may result in a predisposition to liver disease. We conclude that pre-weaning supplementation with citrulline does not impact early growth, but might impact liver fat metabolism in adulthood upon exposure to a high fructose diet.
Compliance and the Subjective Audit Probability

This paper studies the role of beliefs about how own appearance and performance affect the subjective probability of being audited in a compliance situation, e.g. at customs. In an experiment in which underreporting has a higher expected payoff than truthful reporting we find an increase in compliance of about 80% if subjects have reason to believe that their appearance or performance influences their subjective audit probability. We find that higher compliance is driven by subjective beliefs, rather than by social and psychological effects of personal contact. In contrast, we do not find evidence for individuals who believe that their personal performance can reduce the subjective probability of an audit. Our results suggest that individuals’ beliefs about their subjective audit probability are important. An institutional framework with personal contact and with discretion about whom to audit can therefore improve compliance.
The New Aptima HBV Quant Real-Time TMA Assay Accurately Quantifies Hepatitis B Virus DNA from Genotypes A to F

ABSTRACT Sensitive and accurate hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA detection and quantification are essential to diagnose HBV infection, establish the prognosis of HBV-related liver disease, and guide the decision to treat and monitor the virological response to antiviral treatment and the emergence of resistance. Currently available HBV DNA platforms and assays are generally designed for batching multiple specimens within an individual run and require at least one full day of work to complete the analyses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the newly developed, fully automated, one-step Aptima HBV Quant assay to accurately detect and quantify HBV DNA in a large series of patients infected with different HBV genotypes. The limit of detection of the assay was estimated to be 4.5 IU/ml. The specificity of the assay was 100%. Intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation ranged from 0.29% to 5.07% and 4.90% to 6.85%, respectively. HBV DNA levels from patients infected with HBV genotypes A to F measured with the Aptima HBV Quant assay strongly correlated with those measured by two commercial real-time PCR comparators (Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HBV test, version 2.0, and Abbott RealTime HBV test). In conclusion, the Aptima HBV Quant assay is sensitive, specific, and reproducible and accurately quantifies HBV DNA in plasma samples from patients with chronic HBV infections of all genotypes, including patients on antiviral treatment with nucleoside or nucleotide analogues. The Aptima HBV Quant assay can thus confidently be used to detect and quantify HBV DNA in both clinical trials with new anti-HBV drugs and clinical practice.
A Model-Based Validation Scheme for Organ Segmentation in CT Scan Volumes

In this study, we propose a novel approach for accurate 3-D organ segmentation in the CT scan volumes. Instead of using the organ's prior information directly in the segmentation process, here we utilize the knowledge of the organ to validate a large number of potential segmentation outcomes that are generated by a generic segmentation process. For this, an organ space is generated based on the principal component analysis approach using which the fidelity of each segment to the organ is measured. We detail applications of the proposed method for the 3-D segmentation of human kidney and liver in computed tomography scan volumes. For evaluation, the public database of the MICCAI's 2007 grand challenge workshop has been incorporated. Implementation results show an average Dice similarity measure of 0.90 for the segmentation of the kidney. For the liver segmentation, the proposed algorithm achieves an average volume overlap error of 8.7% and an average surface distance of 1.51 mm.
Demand-aware centralized traffic scheduling in Wireless LANs

A heavy deployment of IEEE 802.11 Wireless LANs and limited number of orthogonal channels make lots of Access Points (APs) overlap their interference regions, which greatly increases interferences between APs and stations. In order to cope with the performance degradation caused by the interferences, we propose Co-Fi, a centralized Wi-Fi architecture that effectively coordinates downlink transmissions by APs and improves network performance in terms of throughput and end-to-end delay. Co-Fi adaptively allocates time slots for APs and stations based on both traffic demands on the stations and a conflict graph that represents interference relationships among the devices. The scheme allows APs in exposed node relationship to use the channel simultaneously by setting the same backoff time. It also effectively avoids downlink conflicts created by hidden node and non-hidden/non-exposed node, by allocating non-overlapping time slots to interfering stations. To implement these adaptive traffic schedules, we design CoMAC, a hybrid MAC protocol at APs. Our evaluation results show that when APs are densely deployed and the network is highly loaded, the scheme achieves 3-5 times more throughput gain than Centaur, a state-of-the-art scheme while its end-to-end delays are 10-90% lower than those of Centaur and CSMA/CA.
Indexing method for moving sensor node retrieval

Most of previous studies attempted to solve problems resulting from the frequent update of moving sensor node data by extending R-tree, the representative space index structure. Some recent studies consider the distribution of moving sensor nodes using histogram as an additional structure. Nevertheless, it is not easy to process non-uniform distribution because in such related works uniform distribution is processed simply based on histogram of fixed split. In this paper, we propose RGP-tree (R-tree with dynamic non-uniform grid and sub R-tree), which integrates the dynamic non-uniform grid method and the sub R-tree method. Because RGP-tree can split space dynamically and non-uniformly even if moving sensor nodes are distributed densely in a specific area, it is possible to process moving sensor node data effectively.
Improving power in genome‐wide association studies: weights tip the scale

The potential of genome‐wide association analysis can only be realized when they have power to detect signals despite the detrimental effect of multiple testing on power. We develop a weighted multiple testing procedure that facilitates the input of prior information in the form of groupings of tests. For each group a weight is estimated from the observed test statistics within the group. Differentially weighting groups improves the power to detect signals in likely groupings. The advantage of the grouped‐weighting concept, over fixed weights based on prior information, is that it often leads to an increase in power even if many of the groupings are not correlated with the signal. Being data dependent, the procedure is remarkably robust to poor choices in groupings. Power is typically improved if one (or more) of the groups clusters multiple tests with signals, yet little power is lost when the groupings are totally random. If there is no apparent signal in a group, relative to a group that appears to have several tests with signals, the former group will be down‐weighted relative to the latter. If no groups show apparent signals, then the weights will be approximately equal. The only restriction on the procedure is that the number of groups be small, relative to the total number of tests performed. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Conditional Alignment Random Fields for Multiple Motion Sequence Alignment

We consider the multiple time-series alignment problem, typically focusing on the task of synchronizing multiple motion videos of the same kind of human activity. Finding an optimal global alignment of multiple sequences is infeasible, while there have been several approximate solutions, including iterative pairwise warping algorithms and variants of hidden Markov models. In this paper, we propose a novel probabilistic model that represents the conditional densities of the latent target sequences which are aligned with the given observed sequences through the hidden alignment variables. By imposing certain constraints on the target sequences at the learning stage, we have a sensible model for multiple alignments that can be learned very efficiently by the EM algorithm. Compared to existing methods, our approach yields more accurate alignment while being more robust to local optima and initial configurations. We demonstrate its efficacy on both synthetic and real-world motion videos including facial emotions and human activities.
Mind the Gap : Activity Theory and Design Daisy Mwanza

This paper describes the application of the Activity Theory framework to the analysis of work practices in an organisation, to inform the design of a computer system for supporting collaborative learning in the workplace. A study involving the analysis of an organisation and using Engeström's expanded triangle model of human activity [5] is described. A methodology developed during the study for breaking down the extended triangle and applying it is given, together with practical examples. The paper concludes by highlighting strengths and weaknesses of the model, and suggests a number of refinements for its practical application.
IGG and complement receptor expression on peripheral white blood cells in uraemic children.

BACKGROUND Phagocytosis of IgG- or complement-opsonized bacteria and antibody production by lymphocytes are regulated by cell surface receptors for IgG (FcgammaRI, FcgammaRII and FcgammaRIII) and complement (CR1 and CR3). We measured the effect of uraemia and dialysis treatment on FcgammaR and CR expression on leukocytes in blood. METHODS Blood samples were obtained from children: 40 treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD), 23 with haemodialysis (HD), 46 not yet dialysed (CRF) and 33 healthy (HC). White blood cells, isolated from EDTA-blood by centrifugation after cell fixation with paraformaldehyde, were labelled with FITC-conjugated CD16 (FcgammaRIII), CD32 (FcgammaRII), CD64 (FcgammaRI), CD11b (CR3) and CD35 (CR1) monoclonal antibodies and analysed by flow cytometry. RESULTS In PD, HD, CRF and HC, monocytes and neutrophils were all positive for FcgammaR and CR, except for CD16 on monocytes (20% positive). Lymphocytes expressed CD16 and CD32 but not CD64. PD, HD and CRF children had lower percentages of CD16(+) and CD32(+) lymphocytes compared with HC. The percentage of CD11b(+) lymphocytes was lower only in PD and the percentage of CD35(+) lymphocytes was lower in HD and CRF compared with HC. The median CD32 mean fluorescense intensity (MFI) on lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils was lower in PD, HD and CRF compared with HC. On the other hand, CD11b MFI on lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils was higher in PD, HD and CRF children compared with HC. CD16 and CD64 MFI were not different among the groups and CD35 MFI was only lower on lymphocytes from PD, HD and CRF compared with HC. CONCLUSIONS In children with chronic renal failure, whether dialysed or not, FcgammaRII expression on lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils was reduced and CR3 expression was increased. Furthermore, CR1 expression on lymphocytes, important for the humoral response, was lower in children with renal failure. Age and uraemia are associated with these abnormalities and might contribute to impaired immune function in children with chronic renal failure.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Long-Term Survivors of Relapsed Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background Relapses occur in about 20% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Approximately one-third of these children can be cured. Their risk for late effects is high because of intensified treatment, but their health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was largely unmeasured. Our aim was to compare HRQOL of ALL survivors with the general population, and of relapsed with non-relapsed ALL survivors. Methodology/Principal Findings As part of the Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (SCCSS) we sent a questionnaire to all ALL survivors in Switzerland who had been diagnosed between 1976–2003 at age <16 years, survived ≥5 years, and were currently aged ≥16 years. HRQOL was assessed with the Short Form-36 (SF-36), which measures four aspects of physical health and four aspects of mental health. A score of 50 corresponded to the mean of a healthy reference population. We analyzed data from 457 ALL survivors (response: 79%). Sixty-one survivors had suffered a relapse. Compared to the general population, ALL survivors reported similar or higher HRQOL scores on all scales. Survivors with a relapse scored lower in general health perceptions (51.6) compared to those without (55.8;p=0.005), but after adjusting for self-reported late effects, this difference disappeared. Conclusion/Significance Compared to population norms, ALL survivors reported good HRQOL, even after a relapse. However, relapsed ALL survivors reported poorer general health than non-relapsed. Therefore, we encourage specialists to screen for poor general health in survivors after a relapse and, when appropriate, specifically seek and treat underlying late effects. This will help to improve patients’ HRQOL.
Performance Analysis of Handoff Algorithms for Multihop Ad Hoc Wireless Network

In this paper, performance analysis of handoff algorithms for multihop ad hoc wireless network has been performed. Handover algorithms considered here are based on relative signal strength measurements with hysteresis and combined signal strength measurements. Combined signal strength measurement includes both relative and absolute signal strength measurements. WLAN can be of infrastructure less type i.e., ad hoc type. In such a network, mobile station acts as a relay station in a multihop transmission. Mobile node (MN) has the ability to support base station functionality. In this paper, we considered Ad Hoc type wireless network with access point (AP) that can connect to wired LAN. Average number of handoff and average handoff delay are considered as performance metrics.
Semi-supervised Estimation of Perceived Age from Face Images

We address the problem of perceived age estimation from face images and propose a new semi-supervised age prediction method that involves two novel aspects. The first novelty is an efficient active learning strategy for reducing the cost of labeling face samples. Given a large number of unlabeled face samples, we reveal the cluster structure of the data and propose to label cluster representative samples for covering as many clusters as possible. This simple sampling strategy allows us to boost the performance of a manifold-based semisupervised learning method only with a relatively small number of labeled samples. The second contribution is to take the heterogeneous characteristics of human age perception into account. It is rare to misregard the age of a 5-year-old child as 15 years old, but the age of a 35-year-old person is often misregarded as 45 years old. Thus, magnitude of the error is different depending on subjects’ age. We carried out a largescale questionnaire survey for quantifying human age perception characteristics and propose to encode the quantified characteristics by weighted regression. Consequently, our proposed method is expressed in the form of weighted least-squares with a manifold regularizer, which is scalable to massive datasets. Through real-world age estimation experiments, we demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method.
Adaptação e validação das sub-escalas de controlo flexível e rígido do comportamento alimentar

Our aim was to adapt for Portuguese and validate the flexible and rigid control subscales of eating behaviour proposed by Westenhoefer et al. (1999) and to analyse their relationship with socio-demographic and anthropometric variables. One sample from the general population (n = 231) and another composed by higher education students (n = 257) were evaluated. The adaptation of the subscales involved their translation, back translation and cultural adaptation. The subscales’ final version showed unifactorial structure and acceptable internal consistency in both samples (Cronbach’s alpha between 0,750 and 0,817). Higher scores in each subscale correspond to higher dietary restraint. Women had higher levels of both types of control. For men age was positively associated with flexible control, and for women education was positively associated with both types of restraint. In the students’ sample, rigid control significantly predicted BMI (positive asso ciation). The present study supplies an instrument to assess flexible and rigid control of eating behaviour adapted to the Portuguese population.
Site-specific approach for setting water quality criteria for selenium : differences between lotic and lentic systems

Results of an in-depth review of the literature indicates there are significant differences in the bioaccumulation of selenium by fishes and invertebrates from lotic (flowing) and lentic (standing) water bodies and that selenate is much less bioaccumulative than selenite. Bioaccumulation in fish is a factor of 10 or more higher in lentic systems as compared to lotic systems. These differences are a function of selenium’s site-specific biogeochemical cycling. Further, we observed considerable variation in bird accumulation of selenium from site to site. To account for differences in bioaccumulation potential of selenium we developed a residue-based Bayesian Monte Carlo model to derive site-specific selenium water quality criteria protective of fish and sensitive avian species. The approach uses data from a given site of interest to calibrate a model based on data from several other similar sites. When evaluating a specific site, the range of water and tissue concentrations is typically limited. This makes it difficult to use site-specific data to identify a water concentration sufficiently low that tissue concentrations do not exceed the tissue-effect threshold. Data from several similar sites provide a broader range of water and tissue residue concentrations that allow for an appropriate statistical extrapolation of the data to the site of interest. The Bayesian Monte Carlo model accounts for the significant site-to-site variability that exists in the relationship between water selenium and the mean tissue residue. In practice, data from similar sites are pooled to define a set of possible water and mean tissue residue relationships. This set of possible relationships is then used with data from the site of interest to determine which relationships, from the set of possibilities, best fit the specific site. Once we have determined which set of possible relationships fit the specific site, we extrapolate from the observed water concentration to a water concentration that results in a tissue residue concentration less than or equal to a chronic effect threshold. This value becomes the chronic water quality criterion. Adams, W.J., J.E. Toll, K.V. Brix, L.M. Tear and D.K. DeForest. 2000. Site-specific approach for setting water quality criteria for selenium: differences between lotic and lentic systems. Proceedings Mine Reclamation Symposium: Selenium Session; Sponsored by Ministry of Energy and Mines, Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada, June 21-22, 2000.
Improving Retrieval by a Similarity Thesaurus based on Hyperlink Structure

One strategy to enhance the retrieval effectiveness of search engines is to apply automatic query expansion. For this purpose a similarity thesaurus may be applied in order to find new search terms. The similarity thesaurus may be constructed using a model for term comparison. Common methods to define term distances are based on the occurrence frequencies of terms in documents. In this article we develop a new measure for term distances that is based on the hyperlink structure connecting documents. Hyperlinks frequently point to documents that concern similar topics. Based on this assumption in the presented system term distances between terms in linked documents are decreased. We apply a search engine based on automatic query expansion to evaluate this approach. In the experiments simulated hyperlink graphs are applied to show the effect of different hyperlink topologies on the retrieval quality.
Analyses on on-line evolutionary optimization performance for pose tracking while eye-vergence visual servoing

In this research, Genetic algorithm (GA) is used as pose-tracking method “1-step GA,” to solve on-line optimization problem for 3-D visual servoing. A correlation function between the target object projected in camera flame and model defined in the control computer is used for a fitness function to be optimized by the 1-step GA. The optimization process for real-time object tracking has been examined on a view point of realizing real-time pose estimation utilizing eye-vergence function. We have confirmed that the 1-step GA optimization method together with eye-vergence correlation fitness function worked cooperatively and how the eye-vergence helped real-time optimization processes in time-domain during visual servoing.
The Research of Intelligent Vision System for Smart Substation

In order to further enhance the security, stability and reliability of smart substation operation, we research and develop an intelligent vision system for monitoring the operational environment of smart substation and the operational status of intelligent substation equipment. At the recent stage, this system includes the intelligent environment surveillance subsystem based on visual tracking technology and machine learning algorithm, and the intelligent equipment surveillance subsystem based on feature matching and image fusion technology.
A galois lattice based approach to lexical inheritance hierarchy learning

Lexical inheritance hierarchies are used widely as a means of representing lexical information efficiently but there have been few attempts to construct them automatically. This paper presents a two-step construction algorithm in which a Galois lattice is built and then pruned into an inheritance hierarchy. The pruning step utilises a maximum entropy model. This is compared to a pruning method which prunes nodes in the hierarchy randomly. To asses the performance of the two methods an automatic evaluation method has been implemented which matches an automatically derived hierarchy to a manually built hierarchy for the same lexicon and defines precision and recall as a distance function between the two hierarchies.