Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TV viewing time is associated with increased all‐cause mortality in Brazilian adults independent of physical activity

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between television (TV) viewing and all‐cause mortality among Brazilian adults after 6 years of follow‐up. This longitudinal study started in 2010 in the city of Bauru, SP, Brazil, and involved 970 adults aged ≥50 years. Mortality was reported by relatives and confirmed in medical records of the Brazilian National Health System. Physical activity (PA) and TV viewing were assessed by the Baecke questionnaire. Health status, sociodemographic and behavioral covariates were considered as potential confounders. After 6 years of follow‐up, 89 deaths were registered (9.2% [95% CI=7.4%‐11%]). Type 2 diabetes mellitus was associated with higher risk of mortality (P‐value=.012). Deaths correlated significantly with age (ρ=.188; P‐value=.001), overall PA score (ρ=−.128; P‐value=.001) and TV viewing (ρ=.086; P‐value=.007). Lower percentage of participants reported TV viewing time as often (16%) and very often (5.7%), but there was an association between higher TV viewing time (“often” and “very often” grouped together) and increased mortality after 6 years of follow‐up (P‐value=.006). The higher TV viewing time was associated with a 44.7% increase in all‐cause mortality (HR=1.447 [1.019‐2.055]), independently of other potential confounders. In conclusion, the findings from this cohort study identified increased risk of mortality among adults with higher TV viewing time, independently of PA and other variables.
Analysis of Covariance: A Delicate Instrument1

we would emphasize that the analysis of variance [and covariance], like other statistical techniques, is not a mill which will grind out results automatically without, care or forethought on the part of the operator. It is a rather delicate instrument which can be called into play when precision is needed, but requires skill as well as enthusiasm to apply to the best advantage. The reader who roves among the literature of the subject will sometimes find elaborate analyses applied to data in order to prove something which was almost obvious from careful inspection right from the start; or he will find results stated without qualification as "significant" without any attempt at critical appreciation.
CALIBRATION OF A MOBILE MAPPING CAMERA SYSTEM WITH PHOTOGRAMMETRIC METHODS

The road network is an essential economic factor for the German industry. Until now, the whole horizontal and vertical alignment parameters are not known. To determine these parameters the Technische Universitat Dresden has implemented a measurement system which is realised in a mobile mapping vehicle. The car includes the following sensors: Position and orientation system Applanix POS LV 420, radar sensor, eye movement gaze detection and stereo cameras. The two cameras record the road parameters as well as traffic signs with high accuracy. To assure a high accuracy over time it is necessary to calibrate the stereoscopic camera system. The stationary calibration is carried out on a self-made calibration field with thirty control points. A retro reflecting marking material allows an easy and robust detecting and measuring even without additional light sources. The vector from vehicle’s origin to the principle points of the two cameras can be calculated based on the local calibration and the UTM coordinates of the control points. Finally, this vector and the IMU angles define the orientation of the two cameras during the measurement drive. During operational use, the stationary calibration is not practicable. Mainly a new calibration is necessary if one of the cameras has to be detached during operation. The reference bar calibration is a technique where a bar with a known length is moved in object space. The targets will be detected with a matching algorithm, followed by an adjustment to determine the centres of those with subpixel accuracy. A self-calibration bundle adjustment is used to evaluate the relative orientation parameters. On every position, the constant length of the reference bar describes additional restriction equations. These restrictions stabilise the whole adjustment and should allow a complete calibration of both cameras, including the interior orientation parameters.
A Formal Security Analysis of Secure AODV ( SAODV ) using Model Checking

In this paper, we present current state of our research on using model checking to analyze security properties of secure routing protocols for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). We provide a formal security analysis of Secure AODV (SAODV) using SPIN, a well-known model checker. First, we formally specify two security properties in the presence of an external attacker and model the protocol using PROMELA, the specification and modeling language of SPIN. Then, we present and discuss two attacks automatically found by SPIN and propose solutions to these attacks for some specific cases.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISON BETWEEN UNICAST AND MULTICAST PROTOCOLS IN VANETS

Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET) is an emerging new technology, a type of ad hoc network, combination of various technologies to achieve intelligent inter-vehicle communications and improve road traffic safety and efficiency.This paper shows the performance comparison between unicast and multicast routing in VANETs. This paper evaluate the performance of vehicular ad hoc network using various QoS metrics, which affects the performance of network communication, also analyze the QoS performance metrics( routing overhead, packet delivery ratio and average delay) for unicast and multicast applications in highway and urban environment with packet size 512 bytes. This paper calculate the efficiency for VANET network in unicast routing protocols(AODV,DSR) and multicast routing protocols(ADMR,ODMRP), also breaking link between nodes during transmission in DSR and compare their efficiency for result, while nodes are in mobile form.
The comprehensive areas of change questionnaire: Assessing marital couples' presenting complaints

Abstract This study reviews two instruments designed to assess marital complaints as related to marital behavior: the Areas of Change Questionnaire (AC) and the Comprehensive Areas of Change Questionnaire (CAC). Although the AC is a reliable measure, it evaluates only 13 of the 29 categories of marital problems (Mead&Vatcher, 1985) described by Geiss and O'Leary (1981). The CAC was developed to measure all 29 categories. Fifty distressed and 50 nondistressed couples were administered the CAC and the Marital Adjustment Test (MAT: Locke&Wallace, 1959). The CAC is reliable overall, r=. 84 and 20 out of 29 categories are reliable r=. 40 or greater. Test-retest reliability was greater than r=. 82 for all but one scoring method and for 21 of the 29 categories for all respondents with 2 additional categories stable for men and 2 different categories stable for women. The CAC differentiates distressed from nondistressed couples M=59.96 and 11.74 and individuals M=29.98 and 5.87, respectively. The CAC correlates with.
Training customers: an organizational experience

Purpose – To analyze, through a case study, the essential premises on the basis of which a training plan for the customers of any given firm can be designed, implemented and evaluated.Design/methodology/approach – This paper starts with a review of the literature on customer service training, which is followed by a discussion on how a training plan for customers could be elaborated. After that, the case method is applied (mainly through semi‐structured interviews) to a firm that approaches this type of training in an innovative way.Findings – Concludes that a training plan for the firm's internal staff cannot be extrapolated to customers. Describes how training plans must be modified so as to adapt them to customers.Research limitations/implications – It will be nesessary to identify other cases and check to what extent the methodology resembles the one we have applied and how successful it is, so that a standard action protocol can be established.Practical implications – Presents a real case of success a.
Optimal search strategies for retrieving systematic reviews from Medline: analytical survey

Abstract Objective: To develop optimal search strategies in Medline for retrieving systematic reviews. Design: Analytical survey. Data sources: 161 journals published in 2000 indexed in Medline. Main outcome measures: The sensitivity, specificity, and precision of retrieval of systematic reviews of 4862 unique terms in 782 485 combinations of one to five terms were determined by comparison with a hand search of all articles (the criterion standard) in 161 journals published during 2000 (49 028 articles). Results: Only 753 (1.5%) of the 49 028 articles were systematic reviews. The most sensitive strategy included five terms and had a sensitivity of 99.9% (95% confidence interval 99.6% to 100%) and a specificity of 52% (51.6% to 52.5%). The strategy that best minimised the difference between sensitivity and specificity had a sensitivity of 98% (97% to 99%) and specificity of 90.8% (90.5% to 91.1%). Highest precision for multiterm strategies, 57% (54% to 60%), was achieved at a sensitivity of 71% (68% to 74%). The term “cochrane database of systematic reviews.jn. ” was the most precise single term search strategy (sensitivity of 56% (52% to 60%) and precision of 96% (94% to 98%)). These strategies are available through the “limit” screen of Ovid's search interface for Medline. Conclusions: Systematic reviews can be retrieved from Medline with close to perfect sensitivity or specificity, or with high precision, by using empirical search strategies.
Facial identity and facial expression matching in 5–12‐year‐old children and adults

Facial identity and facial expression matching tasks were completed by 5–12-year-old children and adults using stimuli extracted from the same set of normalized faces. Configural and feature processing were examined using speed and accuracy of responding and facial feature selection, respectively. Facial identity matching was slower than face expression matching for all age groups. Large age effects were found on both speed and accuracy of responding and feature use in both identity and expression matching tasks. Eye region preference was found on the facial identity task and mouth region preference on the facial expression task. Use of mouth region information for facial expression matching increased with age, whereas use of eye region information for facial identity matching peaked early. The feature use information suggests that the specific use of primary facial features to arrive at identity and emotion matching judgments matures across middle childhood. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On-chip Scan-Based Test Strategy for a Dependable Many-Core Processor Using a NoC as a Test Access Mechanism

Periodic on-chip scan-based tests have to be applied to a many-core processor SoC to improve its dependability. An infrastructural IP module has been designed and incorporated into the SoC to function as an ATE. This paper introduces the reuse of a Network-on-Chip as a test access mechanism. Since the scan-based test is performed on-chip via the NoC at application run-time, it needs to share the NoC bandwidth with other applications. Instead of reserving sufficient NoC bandwidth for the test, the authors propose a novel way to carry out scan-based tests by dynamically pausing and resuming the test data flow to accommodate the fluctuating communication bandwidth available on the NoC. The test stimuli application and test response collection processes are decoupled to meet the global timing constraint. The many-core processor, IIP and the NoC have been implemented in synthesizable VHDL. Simulation results show the correct application of standard structural test patterns to the processing tiles and the test response collection at run-time using the proposed approach.
Optimal sample-based fusion for distributed state estimation

In this paper, we present a novel approach to optimally fuse estimates in distributed state estimation for linear and nonlinear systems. An optimal fusion requires the knowledge of the correct correlations between locally obtained estimates. The naive and intractable way of calculating the correct correlations would be to exchange information about every processed measurement between all nodes. Instead, we propose to obtain the correct correlations by keeping and processing a small set of deterministic samples on each node in parallel to the actual local state estimation. Sending these samples in addition to the local state estimate to the fusion center allows for correctly reconstructing the desired correlations between all estimates. In doing so, each node does not need any information about measurements processed on other nodes. We show the optimality of the proposed method by means of tracking an extended object in a multi-camera network.
Gene trapping uncovers gender‐specific mechanisms for upstream stimulatory factors 1 and 2 in angiotensinogen expression

A single‐nucleotide polymorphism (C/A) located within an E‐box sequence at the −20 position of the human angiotensinogen (AGT) promoter may regulate AGT transcriptional activation through differential recruitment of the transcription factors Upstream Stimulatory Factor (USF) 1 and 2. To study the contribution of USF1 vs USF2 binding to AGT gene expression, mice carrying a (−20C) human AGT transgene (hAGT) were bred with mice harboring a USF1 gene trap designed to knockdown USF1 expression [USF1Gt (XG830) Byg]. USF1 mRNA was significantly reduced in liver (9±1%), perigenital adipose (16±3%), kidney (17±1%), and brain (34±2%) in double‐transgenic mice of both genders. This decrease was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analyses revealed a decrease in USF1 binding (2.2±0.6 vs. 0.9±0.1 fold of IgG) with retention of USF2 binding (7.2±0.4 vs. 5.9±0.5 fold of IgG) at the hAGT promoter in the liver of male liver. Surprisingly, hAGT expression was reduced in liver of female (45±6%) but not male mice (113%±3%). Treatment of USF1 knockdown males with intravenous adenoviral shRNA targeting USF2 resulted in reduced expression of USF1, USF2 and hAGT protein. In conclusion, both USF1 and USF2 are essential for AGT transcriptional regulation, and distinct gender‐specific mechanisms are involved in the activities of these transcription factors in vivo.
On-line semantic mapping

Human Robot Interaction is a key enabling feature to support the introduction of robots in everyday environments. However, robots are currently incapable of building representations of the environments that allow both for the execution of complex tasks and for an easy interaction with the user requesting them. In this paper, we focus on semantic mapping, namely the problem of building a representation of the environment that combines metric and symbolic information about the elements of the environment and the objects therein. Specifically, we extend previous approaches, by enabling on-line semantic mapping, that permits to add to the representation elements acquired through a long term interaction with the user. The proposed approach has been experimentally validated on different kinds of environments, several users, and multiple robotic platforms.
Skewed Wealth Distributions: Theory and Empirics

Invariably, across a cross-section of countries and time periods, wealth distributions are skewed to the right displaying thick upper tails, that is, large and slowly declining top wealth shares. In this survey, we categorize the theoretical studies on the distribution of wealth in terms of the underlying economic mechanisms generating skewness and thick tails. Further, we show how these mechanisms can be micro-founded by the consumption–savings decisions of rational agents in specific economic and demographic environments. Finally we map the large empirical work on the wealth distribution to its theoretical underpinnings. (JEL C46, D14, D31, E21, J31)
Refining the estimation of the available bandwidth in inter-cloud links for task scheduling

In hybrid clouds, the available bandwidth in inter-cloud links is quite variable. Overestimating the available bandwidth on theses channels at scheduling time can enlarge the makespan and cause deadline misses. In this paper, we propose a procedure for deflating the estimated available bandwidth used as input to cloud schedulers since schedulers are not usually designed to cope with inaccurate information on available bandwidth. The procedure is based on a multiple linear regression procedure which utilizes historical information of previous executions of workflows. Results showed that the proposed procedure can increase the number of valid schedules without increasing the makespan and cost estimations, regardless the variability in the available bandwidth during the execution of an application workflow.
The Impact of Social Pressure and Monetary Incentive on Cognitive Control

We compare the effects of two prominent organizational control mechanisms—social pressure and monetary incentive—on cognitive control. Cognitive control underlies the human ability to regulate thoughts and actions in the pursuit of behavioral goals. Previous studies show that monetary incentives can contribute to goal-oriented behavior by activating proactive control. There is, however, much less evidence of how social pressure affects cognitive control and task performance. In a within-subject experimental design, we tested 47 subjects performing the AX-CPT task to compare the activation of cognitive control modes under social pressure and monetary incentive beyond mere instructions to perform better. Our results indicate that instructing participants to improve their performance on its own leads to a significant shift from a reactive to a proactive control mode and that both social pressure and monetary incentive further enhance performance.
Inferential Structure of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory: Construct Validity of the Big Four Personality Clusters

Quatre etudes ont examine la dimensionnalite du NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI; P. T. Costa & R. R. McCrae, 1992). Dans l'etude 1, quatre dimensions inferentielles et quatre groupes representaient le NEO-FFI ou 114 etudiants de premier cycle ont trie librement des articles en categories. La validite du concept de quatre groupes d'articles derives de l'espace inferentiel a ete obtenue dans l'etude 2 a partir d'une autoevaluation de 304 etudiants de premier cycle. L'etude 3 a valide ces groupes inferentiels a l'aide de l'autoevaluation et de l'evaluation par les pairs de 420 etudiants de premier cycle. L'etude 4 a valide les echelles de groupe pour predire la qualite de vie et les comportements sociaux et culturels significatifs de 110 etudiants de premier cycle. Les consequences sur la theorie de la personnalite implicite, le nombre de problemes de dimension dans la personnalite et le concept du test font l'objet de la discussion.
Bladder Cancer–Associated Gene Expression Signatures Identified by Profiling of Exfoliated Urothelia

Bladder cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed malignancy in the United States and one of the most prevalent worldwide. It harbors a probability of recurrence of >50%; thus, rigorous, long-term surveillance of patients is advocated. Flexible cystoscopy coupled with voided urine cytology is the primary diagnostic approach, but cystoscopy is an uncomfortable, invasive procedure and the sensitivity of voided urine cytology is poor in all but high-grade tumors. Thus, improvements in noninvasive urinalysis assessment strategies would benefit patients. We applied gene expression microarray analysis to exfoliated urothelia recovered from bladder washes obtained prospectively from 46 patients with subsequently confirmed presence or absence of bladder cancer. Data from microarrays containing 56,000 targets was subjected to a panel of statistical analyses to identify bladder cancer-associated gene signatures. Hierarchical clustering and supervised learning algorithms were used to classify samples on the basis of tumor burden. A differentially expressed geneset of 319 gene probes was associated with the presence of bladder cancer (P < 0.01), and visualization of protein interaction networks revealed vascular endothelial growth factor and angiotensinogen as pivotal factors in tumor cells. Supervised machine learning and a cross-validation approach were used to build a 14-gene molecular classifier that was able to classify patients with and without bladder cancer with an overall accuracy of 76%. Our results show that it is possible to achieve the detection of bladder cancer using molecular signatures present in exfoliated tumor urothelia. Further investigation and validation of the cancer-associated profiles may reveal important biomarkers for the noninvasive detection and surveillance of bladder cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(2):444–53)
Modulation of microRNA Expression in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome and Decrease of Cholesterol Efflux from Macrophages via microRNA-33-Mediated Attenuation of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 Expression by Statins

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complicated health problem that encompasses a variety of metabolic disorders. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between the major biochemical parameters associated with MetS and circulating levels of microRNA (miR)-33, miR-103, and miR-155. We found that miRNA-33 levels were positively correlated with levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol, but negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol levels. In the cellular study, miR-33 levels were increased in macrophages treated with high glucose and cholesterol-lowering drugs atorvastatin and pitavastatin. miR-33 has been reported to play an essential role in cholesterol homeostasis through ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) regulation and reverse cholesterol transport. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the linkage between miR-33 and statin treatment remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether atorvastatin and pitavastatin exert their functions through the modulation of miR-33 and ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages. The results showed that treatment of the statins up-regulated miR-33 expression, but down-regulated ABCA1 mRNA levels in RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages. Statin-mediated ABCA1 regulation occurs at the post-transcriptional level through targeting of the 3′-UTR of the ABCA1 transcript by miR-33. Additionally, we found significant down-regulation of ABCA1 protein expression in macrophages treated with statins. Finally, we showed that high glucose and statin treatment significantly suppressed cholesterol efflux from macrophages. These findings have highlighted the complexity of statins, which may exert detrimental effects on metabolic abnormalities through regulation of miR-33 target genes.