Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The common rs9939609 gene variant of the fat mass- and obesity-associated gene FTO is related to fat cell lipolysis Published, JLR Papers in Press, November 29, 2007.

We investigated the rs9939609 single nucleotide polymorphism of the FTO gene in relation to fat cell function and adipose tissue gene expression in 306 healthy women with a wide range in body mass index (18–53 kg/m2). Subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were taken for fat cell metabolism studies and in a subgroup (n = 90) for gene expression analyses. In homozygous carriers of the T-allele, the in vitro basal (spontaneous) adipocyte glycerol release was increased by 22% (P = 0.007) and the in vivo plasma glycerol level was increased by ∼30% (P = 0.037) compared with carriers of the A allele. In contrast, there were no genotype effects on catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis or basal or insulin-induced lipogenesis. We found no difference between genotypes for adipose tissue mRNA levels of FTO, hormone-sensitive lipase, adipose triglyceride lipase, perilipin, or CGI-58. Finally, the adipose tissue level of FTO mRNA was increased in obesity (P = 0.002), was similar in subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue, was higher in fat cells than in fat tissue (P = 0.0007), and was induced at an early stage in the differentiation process (P = 0.004). These data suggest a role of the FTO gene in fat cell lipolysis, which may be important in explaining why the gene is implicated in body weight regulation.
Handling service allocation in combined Fog-cloud scenarios

The recent technological advances related to computing, storage, cloud, networking and the unstoppable deployment of end-user devices, are all coining the so-called Internet of Things (IoT). IoT embraces a wide set of heterogeneous services in highly impacting societal sectors, such as Healthcare, Smart Transportation or Media delivery, all of them posing a diverse set of requirements, including real time response, low latency, or high capacity. In order to properly address such diverse set of requirements, the combined use of Cloud and Fog computing turns up as an emerging trend. Indeed, Fog provides low delay for services demanding real time response, constrained to support low capacity queries, whereas Cloud provides high capacity at the cost of a higher latency. It is with no doubt that a new strategy is required to ease the combined operation of cloud and fog infrastructures in IoT scenarios, also referred to as Combined Fog-Cloud (CFC), in terms of service execution performance metrics. To that end, in this paper, we introduce and formulate the QoS-aware service allocation problem for CFC architectures as an integer optimization problem, whose solution minimizes the latency experienced by the services while guaranteeing the fulfillment of the capacity requirements.
Fluorine-18: a new isotope for bone scanning.

The possibility of detecting bone lesions by isotope scanning after the administration of F/sup 18/ is discussed. The ies, preparation, and half life of F/sup 18/ are reviewed. Eighteen patients with known bone lesions were given F/ sup 18/. Concentrations of F/supn 18/in the lesions were adequate for good visualization. The uptake in normal bones was very low compared to sites of active bone lysis or deposition. In two patients uptake was demonstrated in sites of bone pain where no lesions were shown by x rays. The possibility of early metastases at these sites is considered. (C.H.)
PoLAR: A Portable Library for Augmented Reality

We present here a novel cross-platform library to facilitate research and development applications dealing with augmented reality (AR). Features include 2D and 3D objects visualization and interaction, camera flow and image manipulation, and soft-body deformation. Our aim is to provide computer vision specialists' with tools to facilitate AR application development by providing easy and state of the art access to GUI creation, visualization and hardware management.We demonstrate both the simplicity and the efficiency of coding AR applications through three detailed examples. PoLAR can be downloaded at http://polar.inria. fr and is distributed under the GPL licence.
G-quadruplex structure and stability illuminated by 2-aminopurine phasor plots

The use of time-resolved fluorescence measurements in studies of telomeric G-quadruplex folding and stability has been hampered by the complexity of fluorescence lifetime distributions in solution. The application of phasor diagrams to the analysis of time-resolved fluorescence measurements, collected from either frequency-domain or time-domain instrumentation, allows for rapid characterization of complex lifetime distributions. Phasor diagrams are model-free graphical representations of transformed time-resolved fluorescence results. Simplification of complex fluorescent decays by phasor diagrams is demonstrated here using a 2-aminopurine substituted telomeric G-quadruplex sequence. The application of phasor diagrams to complex systems is discussed with comparisons to traditional non-linear regression model fitting. Phasor diagrams allow for the folding and stability of the telomeric G-quadruplex to be monitored in the presence of either sodium or potassium. Fluorescence lifetime measurements revealed multiple transitions upon folding of the telomeric G-quadruplex through the addition of potassium. Enzymatic digestion of the telomeric G-quadruplex structure, fluorescence quenching and Förster resonance energy transfer were also monitored through phasor diagrams. This work demonstrates the sensitivity of time-resolved methods for monitoring changes to the telomeric G-quadruplex and outlines the phasor diagram approach for analysis of complex time-resolved results that can be extended to other G-quadruplex and nucleic acid systems.
The course of depression in mothers of premature infants in hospital and at home

The risk of continuing depression in mothers of very premature infants after discharge has not been studied in any depth. This study compared reports of maternal depressive symptomatology at one month after infant birth (Phase 1) and three months following infant hospital discharge (Phase 2). Fifty-two mothers completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at these two points in time. Results indicate that the percentage of mothers who reported high levels of depressive symptoms significantly decreased between Phase 1 and Phase 2. Logistic regression analysis indicated that depression scores at Phase 1 and maternal stress at Phase 2 were important factors in explaining depression scores at Phase 2.
The Hidden Curriculum of Youth Policy

Youth policy is more than a mere response to the actual behavior of children, but it is equally influenced by values and beliefs of policy makers. These values are however rarely made explicit and, therefore, the authors refer to them as “the hidden curriculum” of youth policy. The study investigation explicates this hidden curriculum by empirically analyzing policy reports and interviews with policy makers. The study design is based on an existing theory on the content and structure of values. The results show that Dutch youth policy is most dominantly guided by security values. The results also show that there are differences between the social groups the policy measures target. Policy measures regarding “normal” families are becoming increasingly empowering, for example, by putting an emphasis on the competencies of parents. For families at risk, however, the focus is on control over these families by both professionals and citizens.
Effect of acupuncture on sleep quality and hyperarousal state in patients with primary insomnia: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction Primary insomnia (PI) is commonly defined as a state of having disturbed daytime activities due to poor night-time sleep quality. Studies have demonstrated that it is a disorder of 24 h hyperarousal, expressed in terms of physiological, cognitive and cortical activation. Acupuncture is considered to be beneficial to restore the normal sleep–wake cycle. The aim of the trial is to assess the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on sleep quality and hyperarousal state in patients with PI. Methods and analysis This study is a randomised, patient-assessor-blinded, sham controlled trial. –88 eligible patients with PI will be randomised in a ratio of 1:1 to the intervention group (real acupuncture) and control group (sham acupuncture, superﬁcial insertion at irrelevant acupuncture points). Acupuncture intervention will be given to all participants three times a week for 4 weeks, followed up for 8 weeks. The primary outcome measures are the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hyperarousal scale (HAS). The secondary outcomes are Fatigue scale-14 (FS-14), polysomnography (PSG), heart rate variability (HRV) and Morning Salivary Cortisol Level (MSCL). Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, post-treatment period and 8 weeks follow-up. All main analyses will be carried out on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle. Ethics/dissemination This protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (Beijing TCM Hospital) on 5 January 2015. The permission number is 2014BL-056-02. The study will present data concerning the clinical effects of treating primary insomnia with acupuncture. The results will help to demonstrate if acupuncture is an effective therapy for improving sleep quality in association with a decreased hyperarousal level as a possible underlying mechanism. The findings from this study will be shared with the healthcare professionals, general public and relevant organisations through publication of manuscripts and conference presentations. Trial registration number ISRCTN16079489; Pre-results.
Artificial intelligence modelling methodologies applied to a polymerization process

A series of modelling methodologies based on artificial intelligence tools are applied to solve a complex real-world problem. Neural networks and support vector machines are used as models and differential evolution and clonal selection algorithms as optimizers for structural and parametric optimization of the models. The goal is to make a comparative analysis of these methods for the case study of the free radical polymerization of styrene, a complex, difficult to model process, where the monomer conversion and molecular masses are predicted as a function of reaction conditions, i.e. temperature, amount of initiator and time. Four modelling methodologies are developed and evaluated in terms of accuracy.
PHAETON: A SAT-Based Framework for Timing-Aware Path Sensitization

Knowledge about sensitizable paths through combinational logic is essential for numerous design tasks. We present the framework PHAETON which identifies sensitizable paths and generates test pairs to exercise these paths using Boolean satisfiability (SAT). PHAETON supports a large number of models and sensitization conditions and provides a generic interface that can be used by applications. It incorporates a novel application-specific unary representation of integer numbers to integrate timing information with logical conditions within the same monolithic SAT formula. Due to a number of further elaborate speed-up techniques, PHAETON scales to industrial circuits. Experimental results show the performance of PHAETON in classical K longest path generation tasks and in new post-silicon validation and characterization scenarios.
The Contribution of Eduard Lindeman to the Development of Theory and Philosophy in Adult Education

This paper attempts to assess the extent to which Eduard Lindeman has created the framework of discourse and analysis predominant in adult education. Six contributions to, the development of conceptual frameworks, philosophical imperatives and substantive foci are identified: (1) the conceptualization of adult education as a collaborative, informal, yet critical exchange between learners and teachers, (2) the critical theory of adult learning in which adults become aware of the historicity of their individual existence and social environment, and through which adults discover the roots of their personal and social conduct, (3) the introduction and articulation of the concept of andragogy into the American literature of adult education, (4) the emphasis on the social mission of adult education, (5) the identification of the small discussion group as the pedagogic mode unique to adult education, and, (6) the specification of a curricular domain for adult education.
Injecting trust to cryptographic Key Management

Notwithstanding the adoption of strong cryptographic mechanisms, the anticipated degree of security in the protection and management of privacy sensitive data can only be achieved, if secret keys can be shielded adequately. In practice, most implementations are based on software tokens that shall guard the keys against eavesdropping. This fact alleviates the hardness of circumvention of used cryptographic protocols and with this the disclosure of secret keys. In this paper we propose a key management architecture which - based on the capabilities of Trusted Computing Technology - will provide a higher level of security.
Towards explaining the speed of k-means

The $k$-means method is a popular algorithm for clustering, known for its speed in practice. This stands in contrast to its exponential worst-case running-time. To explain the speed of the $k$-means method, a smoothed analysis has been conducted. We sketch this smoothed analysis and a generalization to Bregman divergences.
Grief and the reflective self: toward a clearer model of loss resolution and growth

Abstract Despite pervasive reference to the self in grief literature, theorists have failed to offer a compelling model of how the self functions in loss, recovery and growth. A dyadic model is proposed wherein a “reflective” side of the self is seen as acting on a “core” repository of identity, interpreting feelings and formulating meaning. The reflective self is developed and sustained by attachment figures, and thus severely disrupted in their loss. The core remains intact. Grief work enhances the reflective self's insight, affirmative strength, and ability to make life matter—all aspects of growth. Implications for grief counselling are discussed.
Selective Impairment of the Central Executive Component of Working Memory - a Single Case-study

We report the case of a head-injured patient (AM) with a specific short-term memory impairment. He did not show any deficit in long-term memory and presented no sign of either intellectual or frontal dysfunction. His spans for verbal and nonverbal material were reduced and he showed a lack of recency effect in free recall for visually presented words. We observed word length and phonological similarity effects as well as the abolition with articulatory suppression of the visual and auditory word length effect and of the visual phonological similarity effect, indicating that both the phonological store and the articulatory rehearsal mechanism were functioning. Furthermore, our investigations did not evidence any structural defect in either the control and planning functions of the central executive, or in its storage functions. The deficit AM presented on a verbal and nonverbal Brown-Peterson task, especially when the distractor tasks were more demanding, suggests that AM's central executive disposed of fewer processing resources. This resource reduction seemed to affect only short-term storage but not processing, and was interpreted as the consequence of strategic adaptation by the patient. Finally, the resource reduction did not cause interference on those divided attention tasks not requiring storage. As such, these results call for a more accurate specification of the allocation of resources in dual tasks.
Video Object Segmentation by Hierarchical Localized Classification of Regions

Video Object Segmentation (VOS) is to cut out a selected object from video sequences, where the main difficulties are shape deformation, appearance variations and background clutter. To cope with these difficulties, we propose a novel method, named as Hierarchical Localized Classification of Regions (HLCR). We suggest that appearance models as well as the spatial and temporal coherence between frames are the keys to break through bottleneck. Locally, in order to identify foreground regions, we propose to use Hierarchial Localized Classifiers, which organize regional features as decision trees. In global, we adopt Gaussian Mixture Color Models (GMMs). After integrating the local and global results into a probability mask, we can achieve the final segmentation result by graph cut. Experiments on various challenging video sequences demonstrate the efficiency and adaptability of the proposed method.
A CONTRASTIVE STUDY OF COMPLIMENT RESPONSES AMONG PERSIANS AND AUSTRALIANS: THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO A NEW SPEECH COMMUNITY

In this paper, the authors investigate whether Persians who have been exposed to Australian culture are still affected by their cultural norms—in particular by the politeness system taarof—in responding to compliments in an intercultural interaction. Compliment responses were elicited— through a Discourse Completion Task—from thirty participants (five males and five females in each of three groups): Persians in Iran, Persians in Australia, and Anglo-Australians. These responses were categorised according to Herbert's (1986) taxonomy and the results show that although there are similarities in the choice of compliment response types by Australians and Persians living in Australia, there are still some differences. This paper aims to contribute to knowledge of potential areas for miscommunications in intercultural interactions, and also to find ways to improve language teaching and learning.
Correlated evolutionarily stable strategies in random medium access control

In this paper we study a dynamic multiple access in distributed wireless networks with random number of users. We apply evolutionary game theoretic analysis to solve several problems: (a) We address the stability of Aloha-like systems with finitely many power levels. Specifically, we consider very large number of receivers distributed in several locations. Each of them receives packets from random number of users accessing the resource using Aloha-like algorithms. We provide an explicit expression for equilibria, correlated evolutionarily stable strategies, and prove some asymptotic stability results. (b) We apply correlation mechanism and evaluate the performance of random medium access when saturated users interact through interference. We introduce the benefit of correlation (BoC) to measure the gap between the probability of success at correlated evolutionarily stable strategies and the worst probability of success of evolutionarily stable strategies. We show that if only two power levels are available, the correlation mechanism reduces considerably the interference and the number of collisions. Moreover, the correlation mechanism is stable in long-term under several classes of bio-inspired evolutionary game dynamics. (c) Surprisingly, when the number of strategies is at least three, the correlation mechanisms do not improve the probability of success.
Social Capital, Knowledge Sharing, and Performance in The Government Savings Bank (GSB), Thailand

This study examines the linkage of the three dimensions of social capital which can enhance knowledge sharing and in  uence organizational performance. The linkage was studied through a structural equation model (SEM) utilizing the SPSS Amos 21.0 statistical software program. The SEM is based on Nahapiet and Ghoshal’s (1998) division of social capital into three dimensions, namely, cognitive social capital, structural social capital, and relational social capital. The SEM is, furthermore, premised on the proposals of Tsai and Ghoshal (1998) and Uphoff (1999) that the three dimensions of social capital are interrelated. Additionally, Bandura’s cognitive theory (1977, 1986, 1989, and 2001) is also incorporated into the SEM. The data that were analyzed by Amos 21.0 using path analysis and other statistical procedures were collected from 1,440 bank staff in 167 GSB branches. The results showed that all paths exhibited a strong positive and signifi cant effect on performance. The fi ndings revealed that cognitive social capital has the strongest total effect on performance, while relational social capital has the strongest direct effect on performance. The empirical evidence demonstrated that it is worthwhile building cognitive social capital in order to enhance organizational performance
Notice of RetractionA research in using genetic algorithm to optimize Haerbin's industrial structure of agriculture

Direct against the question of the agricultural structure of Haerbing, this text have set up the optimization model of the sustainable agricultural structure of this area after integrated survey of economy, ecology, society to optimize the model, utilize genetic algorithms improved to optimize the model, have offered the theoretical foundation for dependemand of Da Qing. The investigation has certain theories meaning of direction and praxis valuable application with regard to study and enact reasonable efficiency regulate policy of estate structure current, certainly promote to develop of sustain and high-speed about agriculture and countryside economy and raise peasant's income.
Establishing a relational field that fosters learning processes: Some tentative propositions derived from trainee experiences

In this article, we look at the recent introduction of more relational-oriented learning principles and how they translate into practice by documenting the experiences of both trainees and instructors. It became clear that actors held different opinions and viewpoints on learning objectives and process ingredients for achieving these objectives. This divergence in opinions resulted in an “impoverished” learning trajectory. We suggest that remedying this situation implies introducing reflexivity regarding learning processes or, stated otherwise, addressing “meta-cognitions” that participants inevitably bring to the process as they affect the way in which people engage in the relational field that encompasses the learning trajectory. Despite some recent arguments in favour of a distinction between cognitive and meta-cognitive mediation, we argue for a similar approach with respect to both types of mediation. We end this article by suggesting that designing learning trajectories with this dual concern in mind might open the road to “learning to learn”.