Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Measurement of Loudness

T ! jHE ultimate significant subI jective destination of original or _1_ reproduced sound and noise is the human ear. Therefore, the varied responses of the auditory system are particularly important factors in the re production of sound. One of the re sponse functions of the human hearing mechanism is loudness. The purpose of this paper is to describe a loudness meter based upon the fundamental principles of the loudness response of the human hearing mechanism. When a sound or noise of any quality or structure impinges upon the human ear, the magnitude of the resultant sensation is termed the loudness. It is the intensive attribute of an auditory sensation in terms of which sounds may be ordered on a scale extending from soft to loud. Loudness depends pri marily upon sound pressure but it also depends upon frequency and waveform of the stimulus. The units on the scale of loudness should agree with common experience estimates about the magni tude of the sensation. The measurement of loudness is a significant part of the audio art because the loudness of a sound or noise plays an important role in the reproduction of sound. Loudness is functionally related to sound pressure level, frequency, and waveform. Turning this around, the sound pressure level as measured by a sound level meter does not indicate the loudness of a sound. However, a con version can be made in the readings of a sound level meter employing octave band pass filters to obtain the loudness. This is indeed a long and tedious pro cess, as the exposition in this paper will show. What is required is a loud-
Apolipoprotein E E4 allele and risk of dementia.

In Reply. —The clinical diagnosis of vascular dementia is a matter of considerable debate. The ratio between AD and vascular dementia cases in pathological series ranges from 2.4:1 to 4.9:1. 1 This ratio in our consecutive series is 4.6:1, indicating that vascular dementia was not overdiagnosed. Furthermore, the effect of E4 on age of onset, which we found in familial and sporadic late-onset AD, was not present in vascular dementia cases. Finally, other authors found similar frequencies of E4 in multiinfarct and AD patients. 2 However, we agree with Dr Roses and colleagues and Dr Pirttila and colleagues that the issue will be settled only by neuropathological studies. Furthermore, the following observations on illness history of the sporadic late-onset AD patients reported in our original letter, as well as of some new cases, suggest that magnitude of association of E4 with the disease, and perhaps its biologic meaning, should be
Endocrine complications after busulphan and cyclophosphamide based hematopoietic stem cell transplant: A single tertiary care centre experience

Introduction: Endocrine complications are common after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Although HSCT is performed at various centers in India, no study is available for endocrine dysfunctions among them. This study was carried out with the objective to evaluate endocrine dysfunction among patients undergone HSCT in the past. Materials and Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study in a 50 post-HSCT recipients (39 allogenic, 11 autologous). All relevant data were collected from patient's records. Samples for hormonal estimation were collected and stimulation tests for cortisol and growth hormone were interpreted based on peak values achieved during insulin tolerance test. Results: The mean age of patients was 26.3 ± 16.9 years (range 4-74). Adrenal insufficiency (AI) was present in 60%, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) in 60%, growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in 54%, hypothyroidism in 4%, hyperprolactinemia in 4%, new onset diabetes after transplant in 4%, and impaired fasting glucose in 6%. Multiple endocrine complications were common. GHD was present in 77% of children (n = 22) although height standard deviation score was not statistically different compared to those who didn’t have GHD. HH was present in 36% of children. In adults (n = 28), 36% had GHD, all females had HH, and 89% of males had HH. Germ cell dysfunction with compensated Leydig cell dysfunction was the most common pattern of HH in males. Fifteen patients had graft versus host disease (GVHD). GVHD had no bearing on development of endocrine deficiencies. AI was related to duration after and type of transplant, but was unrelated to steroid intake. Conclusions: Endocrine manifestations are common after HSCT; they can occur as early or late complications. All HSCT recipients should have endocrine evaluation as per prevailing guidelines.
Global Lipschitz Invariant Center Manifolds for ODEs with Generalized Trichotomies

admits a very general type of trichotomy. Center manifolds are a powerful tool in the study of stability and in the study of bifurcations because in many cases allow the reduction of the dimension of the state space (see Carr [8], Henry [18], Guckenheimer and Holmes [15], Hale and Koçak [16] and Haragus and Iooss [17]). The first results on the existence of center manifolds were obtained by Pliss [26] in 1964 and by Kelley [19, 20] in 1967. After that many authors studied the problem and proved results about center manifolds. A good expository paper for the case of autonomous differential equations in finite dimension was written by Vanderbauwhede [29] (see also Vanderbauwhede and Gils [31]) and for the case of autonomous differential equations in infinite dimension we recommend Vanderbauwhede and Iooss [30]. For more details in the finite dimensional case see Chow, Liu and Yi [11, 10] and for the infinite dimensional case see Sijbrand [28], Mielke [23], Chow and Lu [12, 13] and Chicone and Latushkin [9]. For nonautonomous differential equations the concept of exponential trichotomy is an important tool to obtain center manifolds theorems. This notion goes back to Sacker and Sell [27], Aulbach [1] and Elaydi and Hajek [14] and is inspired by the notion of exponential dichotomy that can be traced back to the work of Perron in [24, 25]. However, as in the case of exponential dichotomies, the notion of exponential trichotomy is very demanding and several generalizations have appeared in the literature. Essentially we can find two ways of generalization: on one hand replace the exponential growth rates by nonexponential growth rates and on the other hand consider exponential trichotomies that also depend on the initial
Using the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index on Asian Nurses

Background:Researchers have used the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) to examine the perception of practice environment among U.S. nurses in general; however, the scale has not been used to measure perceptions specifically among Asian nurses working in the United States, the largest group of international nurses in the nation. Objective:The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and the validity of the PES-NWI scale when applied to Asian nurses working in the United States. Methods:The study used a cross-sectional design with snowball sampling. Data from 230 Asian nurses who were born in Far Eastern countries and had worked at least 6 months in their current job at a U.S. hospital were analyzed, using Cronbach's alpha, item-total and interitem correlation, and factor analysis. Results:The Cronbach's alpha for the PES-NWI was.96, and the item-total correlation coefficients ranged from.49 to.79. Five factors, which explained 59.12% of variance in the perception of practice environment, emerged: Nurse Participation and Development; Nurse Manager Ability, Leadership, and Support of Nurses; Nursing Foundations for Quality of Care; Staffing and Resource Adequacy; and Collegial Nurse-Physician Relations. Four derived factors were reconstructed, and one factor was renamed based on the meanings of scale items that were included in the factor. Discussion:Study findings demonstrate that the PES-NWI is a reliable and a valid scale when applied to Asian nurses working in the United States. Findings also indicate that Asian nurses perceive practice environments differently than do American nurses, most likely due to dissimilar cultural beliefs. A better understanding of these differences may help develop more individualized support for Asian nurses as they adapt to working in the United States.
Relationship between Belief in Good Luck and General Health

62 undergraduate university students were administered the 12-item Belief in Good Luck Scale of Darke and Freedman and the General Health Questionnaire of Goldberg and Williams. Scores on belief in good luck showed a significant correlation of −. 29 with anxiety and −. 35 with depression but correlations were not significant for somatic symptoms (.15) and social dysfunction (.15).
A taxonomy of preferences for physically assistive robots

Assistive devices and technologies are getting common and some commercial products are starting to be available. However, the deployment of robots able to physically interact with a person in an assistive manner is still a challenging problem. Apart from the design and control, the robot must be able to adapt to the user it is attending in order to become a useful tool for caregivers. This robot behavior adaptation comes through the definition of user preferences for the task such that the robot can act in the user's desired way. This article presents a taxonomy of user preferences for assistive scenarios, including physical interactions, that may be used to improve robot decision-making algorithms. The taxonomy categorizes the preferences based on their semantics and possible uses. We propose the categorization in two levels of application (global and specific) as well as two types (primary and modifier). Examples of real preference classifications are presented in three assistive tasks: feeding, shoe fitting and coat dressing.
Weed seeds recognition using Locally Linear Embedding

In this paper, a novel technique for the recognition of weed seeds, known as Locally Linear Embedding (LLE), is presented. This experiment contains two steps: dimensionality reduction with LLE and classification. In dimensionality reduction part, LLE, which is an unsupervised non-linear technique, is used to map high dimensional data into low dimensional, neighborhood-preserving embeddings and extract features. In classification part, minimum Euclidean distance classifier is used to recognize different weed seeds. This paper presents a comparison between LLE and PCA. Experimental results demonstrate that the representation of LLE is superior significantly as expected and gains much higher recognition rates, amounting to 96%, which is 8% higher than those of PCA.
Fusebox dialects: Central appliance recognition for a smarter grid

More intuitive and direct information can help engage end-consumers in the smart grid. Ongoing research in the field of appliance recognition could prove to be a solution by recognizing and reporting energy usage at the appliance level in a cost efficient manner. In order to embed such a system on a smart grid scale, a thorough understanding of how the appliance profiles data will "look" when measured from a central point, like the fusebox, is needed in order to build robust algorithms that can be recycled between buildings. In this paper seven appliances with different characteristics are evaluated in four different buildings. The results show that appliances with a more reactive load are more affected by already present appliances on that phase. In extreme cases the centrally measured fluctuations of smaller appliances are perceived as consecutive on and off switches. Care has to be taken to these effects when designing a practical appliance recognition system to be applied on a wide smart grid scale.
Apolipoprotein B polymorphism and altered apolipoprotein B concentrations in Congolese blacks

The immunoreactivity of apolipoprotein B (apo B) in plasma obtained from 238 unrelated black African male subjects from the People's Republic of Congo was analysed by non‐competitive Enzyme Linked‐Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) with monoclonal BIP 45 anti‐LDL antibody. The polymorphism detected by BIP 45 monoclonal antibody is identical to the Ag(c,g) polymorphism. Antibody BIP 45 distinguishes three apo B allotypes (immunopheno‐types) encoded by the two allelic genes apo B Ag(c) and apo B Ag(g). Because of co‐dominant transmission, genotypes may be inferred from allotypes, and it has been shown that BIP 45 binds strongly to the Ag(c) factor and only weakly to the allelic Ag(g) factor. Analysis of the Congolese plasma samples indicated that 67.65% of them bound BIP 45 with low affinity (Ag(c‐,g+) genotype), 28.15% with intermediate affinity (Ag(c+,g+) genotype) and 4.20% with high affinity (Ag(c+,g‐) genotype). According to the Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrum, this corresponds to gene frequencies of 0.817 and 0.183 for the type Ag(g)/Ag(c) alleles, respectively. After adjustment for age and body‐mass index, it was found that the Ag(c) allele decreases the apo B level by 9.62 mg/dl and that the Ag(g) allele increases apo B by 0.43 mg/dl. Therefore, as much as 4.30% of the genetic variance for apo B level could be accounted for by the Ag(c,g) gene locus.
Increased lean body mass as an early indicator of olanzapine-induced weight gain in healthy men

One of the primary limitations of many psychiatric medications is weight gain, the mechanism of which remains to be fully elucidated. We conducted a 2-week double-blind placebo-controlled study on weight gain with olanzapine, which is frequently but unpredictably associated with this side effect, to address the possible mechanisms of weight gain independent of changes in the psychiatric condition for which it is prescribed. Healthy male volunteers were randomly assigned to olanzapine (5 mg/day for 7 days, then 10 mg/day for 7 days) or a matching placebo. Of the 24 participants, 19 completed the study (olanzapine, n=13; placebo, n=6). Body weight, glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, lipid, leptin, insulin, and aldosterone levels, resting metabolic rate, body composition, physical activity, and 24-h dietary intake were assessed. A significant increase in weight as well as triglyceride, insulin, and leptin levels were found in the olanzapine group as a whole. In participants receiving olanzapine who actually gained weight (n=8), lean but not fat mass increased, as did insulin, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and non-high-density lipoprotein levels, whereas aldosterone levels decreased. There were no significant metabolic or endocrine changes in participants receiving placebo or in those receiving olanzapine who did not gain weight. Early metabolic changes appear to be independent of accumulation of fat.
Mammography Interventions for 65- to 74-Year-Old HMO Women

This study evaluated the impact of two interventions designed to encourage mammography use among HMO women aged 65-74 who had not had a mammogram within the past year and had not used their referral for a free mammogram. Ninety days after the referral mailing, women were randomized to receive (a) a survey, (b) a survey in addition to telephone mammography counseling, or (c) a survey, telephone counseling, and a letter. Follow-up data indicated that only 13% of control group women compared to 27% who received phone counseling and 32% who received counseling and a letter obtained a mammogram within 120 days following the baseline survey and/or intervention. Results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that having received either of the interventions, mammography history, access ease, breast cancer/mammography beliefs, and having a friend or family member with breast cancer were independently and significantly related to mammography use.
Design of new scan orders for perceptual encryption of H.264/AVC videos

In this study, a perceptual encryption algorithm is proposed for H.264/AVC video to enhance the scrambling effect and encryption space. Six new scan orders are designed for H.264/AVC encoder by analysing the energy distribution of discrete cosine transform coefficients. They are proven to have similar performance as the conventional zigzag scan order and its symmetrical scan order. These six new scan orders are combined with two existing scan orders to design a scan-order based perceptual encryption algorithm. Specifically, video encryption is achieved more specifically by randomly selecting one scan order from the eight scan orders with a security key, and the sign bit flipping of DC coefficients is also incorporated to further increase the encryption space. Experimental results show that the proposed approach has the advantages of both low bitrate increase and low computational cost. Furthermore, it is more flexible and has stronger security than the existing scan-order based video encryption schemes.
Life is determined by its environment

Abstract A well-developed theory of evolutionary biology requires understanding of the origins of life on Earth. However, the initial conditions (ontology) and causal (epistemology) bases on which physiology proceeded have more recently been called into question, given the teleologic nature of Darwinian evolutionary thinking. When evolutionary development is focused on cellular communication, a distinctly different perspective unfolds. The cellular communicative-molecular approach affords a logical progression for the evolutionary narrative based on the basic physiologic properties of the cell. Critical to this appraisal is recognition of the cell as a fundamental reiterative unit of reciprocating communication that receives information from and reacts to epiphenomena to solve problems. Following the course of vertebrate physiology from its unicellular origins instead of its overt phenotypic appearances and functional associations provides a robust, predictive picture for the means by which complex physiology evolved from unicellular organisms. With this foreknowledge of physiologic principles, we can determine the fundamentals of Physiology based on cellular first principles using a logical, predictable method. Thus, evolutionary creativity on our planet can be viewed as a paradoxical product of boundary conditions that permit homeostatic moments of varying length and amplitude that can productively absorb a variety of epigenetic impacts to meet environmental challenges.
Orientation specificity of the Lactococcus lactis Chi site

In Escherichia coli, the Chi sequence modulates the activity of RecBCD, a powerful double‐stranded (ds) DNA exonuclease/helicase. Chi attenuates RecBCD exonuclease activity and stimulates homologous recombination in an orientation‐dependent manner. ChiEc is frequent and over‐represented on its genome, which is thought to be related to its role in dsDNA break repair. We previously identified a Chi‐like sequence (referred to as ChiLl) and an exonuclease/helicase in the Gram‐positive bacterium Lactococcus lactis. ChiLl and RexAB are functional analogues of ChiEc and RecBCD.
Blocking DoS Attack Traffic in Network with Locator/Identifier Separation

DoS attacks remain a most serious threat to the Internet currently, how to mitigate DoS attack is still an open issue. Besides, the current Internet faces serious scaling problems, and locator/identifier separation is widely recognized as a most promising solution for the future Internet. To block DoS attack traffic in network with locator/identifier separation, we propose a network layer defense system called BlockDoS. BlockDoS expands the mapping entries of the mapping system to store the block information, and enables any DoS attack victim to actively request the network to block unwanted traffic at tunnel routers. We implement a prototype of BlockDoS. The analysis and experiment results show that BlockDoS can block multi-million attackers’ traffic within tens of minutes, and the computing and storage costs added by BlockDoS won’t affect the performance of the mapping servers and tunnel routers.
The Human and Mouse GATA-6 Genes Utilize Two Promoters and Two Initiation Codons*

GATA-6 has been implicated in the regulation of myocardial differentiation during cardiogenesis. To determine how its expression is controlled, we have characterized the human and mouse genes. We have mapped their transcriptional start sites and demonstrate that two alternative promoters and 5′ noncoding exons are utilized. Both transcript isoforms are expressed in the same tissue-specific and developmental stage-specific pattern, and their ratio appears similar wherever examined. The more upstream noncoding exon showed a substantial degree of homology between the two mammalian species, suggesting a conserved regulatory function. Moreover, in transfection assays we show that elements within this exon act to promote its transcription. Positive regulatory elements that effect transcription from the more downstream exon were not apparent in this assay, revealing a regulatory distinction between the two promoters. We also demonstrate alternative initiator codon usage in both the human and mouse GATA-6 genes. Both isoforms of the protein are synthesized in vitro regardless of which 5′ noncoding exon is present in the RNA, although the larger protein has greater transcriptional activation potential in transfection assays. Thus, GATA-6 function in the cell is controlled by a complex interplay of transcriptional and translational regulation.
Symptoms and quality of life in heart failure: the muscle hypothesis.

Heart failure is a common and debilitating condition with a high mortality. ' Reductions in mortality in this condition have been achieved by treatment with vasodilators, in particular the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, but there remains a considerable burden of disability and mortality. The other mainstay, diuretic treatment, has never been shown to reduce mortality in heart failure but its ability to relieve life threatening pulmonary oedema and to help relieve fluid retention and dyspnoea in chronic heart failure is not seriously questioned. It is likely to be increasingly difficult to reduce mortality with newer treatments without specifically targeting the underlying processes leading to left ventricular dysfunction. There remain, however, many unrelieved symptoms in optimally treated patients, with a correspondingly low quality of life. This is a valid area for therapeutic intervention, but one in which objective measurements of benefit have proved difficult to obtain. Therapeutic strategies have also been limited by our poor understanding of the physiological bases of the cardinal symptoms, dyspnoea and fatigue.
Better conditioning the MEG/EEG inverse problem: the multivariate source prelocalization approach

The recently proposed multivariate source prelocalization (MSP) proved efficient and robust for restricting the solution space of the highly under-determined MEG/EEG inverse problem through the estimation of a probability-like coefficient of activation for each cortical area. It makes MSP a good candidate for initializing conventional inverse methods in order to improve electromagnetic source reconstruction. In this paper, we evaluate the benefit of MSP as a preprocessing step for a classical iterative weighted minimum norm algorithm, the FOCUSS approach, whose results highly rely upon its initialization. By using Monte Carlo simulations, we demonstrate the usefulness of such a coupling. Moreover, we quantify the benefits due on the one hand, to the reduction of the solution space and, on the other hand, to the explicit use as functional prior knowledge, of the activation probabilities inferred by MSP.
Targeted Outdoor Advertising Using Geo-Social Media Data

Exploring new techniques of targeted advertising across public spaces has attracted considerable attention. This research demonstrates a novel way of identifying suitable location and time for targeted advertising using geo-social media, by using London Underground stations as case study. The number of target users are estimated by integrating the passenger counts data and topic of interests from geo-social media data, which is more effective and efficient than traditional methods.