Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early problematic eating behaviours are associated with lower fruit and vegetable intake and less dietary variety at 4–5 years of age. A prospective analysis of three European birth cohorts

Problematic eating behaviours during early childhood could be mediators of poor dietary habits. This study aims to prospectively relate early eating behaviours with fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake and a healthy diet variety score of children aged between 4 and 5 years. Eating behaviours were assessed in three European birth cohorts (Generation XXI from Portugal, ALSPAC from the UK and EDEN from France) at 4–6, 12–15, 24 and 48–54 months of age, based on the child’s feeding difficulties, mother’s perception of child’s poor eating (eating small quantities at each meal, not eating enough or needing to be stimulated to eat), food refusal and difficulties in the establishment of daily food routines. Daily servings of F&V (>1 v. ≤1 serving/d, except in Generation XXI: >3 v. ≤3) and the Healthy Plate Variety Score (categorised by the median score of each sample) were calculated using FFQ. Associations were tested by logistic regressions adjusted for maternal age, education, smoking during pregnancy, any breast-feeding and the child’s z-score BMI at 4–5 years of age. Children with more feeding difficulties, poor eating, food refusal/neophobia and difficulties in establishing a daily routine at 12–15, 24 and 48–54 months of age had in general lower F&V intake at 4–5 years of age. The association with vegetables was slightly stronger than with fruits. These early feeding problems were also inversely associated with the variety score at 4–5 years of age, particularly when eating behaviours were reported after 12–15 months of age. A better understanding of these early feeding difficulties may help define strategies to increase the dietary quality in children.
Expert-Finding Systems for Organizations: Problem and Domain Analysis and the DEMOIR Approach

Computer systems that augment the process of finding, in an organization or worldwide, the appropriate expert for a given problem are becoming more feasible than ever as a result of the prevalence of corporate intranets and the Internet. In this article, we investigate such systems in 2 parts. First, we explore the expert-finding problem in depth, review and analyze existing systems in this domain, and suggest a domain model that can serve as a framework for design and development decisions. Second, on the basis of our analyses of the problem and solution spaces, we bring to light the gaps that remain to be addressed. Finally, after this two-part investigation, we present our approach, called DEMOIR (dynamic expertise modeling from organizational information resources), which is a modular architecture for expert-finding systems that is based on a centralized expertise-modeling server but also incorporates decentralized components for expertise information gathering and exploitation.
Stretched membrane with electrostatic curvature (SMEC): a new technology for ultralightweight space telescopes

Very large space telescopes with primary mirrors made of flat segments have been recently proposed. The segments would be extremely lightweight, made like pellicles from stretched, reflective membranes. Here we consider the use of such membrane primary mirrors in which slight concave curvature is induced by electrostatic force, by application of a potential difference between the membrane and a control electrode behind. In this way segmented spherical or paraboloidal primaries of long focal length can be made directly, eliminating the correction optics needed when flat segments are used. The electric potential would be spatially and temporally controlled to obtain uniform curvature despite non-uniformity in membrane tension, to create slight asphericity if needed and to provide active damping of vibrations. We report the operation of a small prototype telescope with a SEMC primary.
SECRET: Smartly EnCRypted Energy efficienT non-volatile memories

Data persistence in emerging non-volatile memories (NVMs) poses a multitude of security vulnerabilities, motivating main memory encryption for data security. However, practical encryption algorithms demonstrate strong diffusion characteristics that increase cell flips, resulting in increased write energy/latency and reduced lifetime of NVMs. State-of-the-art security solutions have focused on reducing the encryption penalty (increased write energy/latency and reduced memory lifetime) in single-level cell (SLC) NVMs; however, the realization of low encryption penalty solutions for multi-/triple-level cell (MLC/TLC) secure NVMs remains an open area of research. This work synergistically integrates zero-based partial writes with XOR-based energy masking to realize Smartly EnCRypted Energy efficienT, i.e., SECRET MLC/TLC NVMs, without compromising the security of the underlying encryption technique. Our simulations on an MLC (TLC) resistive RAM (RRAM) architecture across SPEC CPU2006 workloads demonstrate that for 6.25% (7.84%) memory overhead, SECRET reduces write energy by 80% (63%), latency by 37% (49%), and improves memory lifetime by 63% (56%) over conventional advanced encryption standard-based (AES-based) counter mode encryption.
A Dynamic Programming Approach for Approximate Uniform Generation of Binary Matrices with Specified Margins

Consider the collection of all binary matrices having a specific sequence of row and column sums and consider sampling binary matrices uniformly from this collection. Practical algorithms for exact uniform sampling are not known, but there are practical algorithms for approximate uniform sampling. Here it is shown how dynamic programming and recent asymptotic enumeration results can be used to simplify and improve a certain class of approximate uniform samplers. The dynamic programming perspective suggests interesting generalizations.
Combined genome-wide association studies of cannabis dependence and personality traits

Background: Cannabis dependence (CaD) and component behaviors of personality are highly heritable, but the genetic basis of these traits is poorly understood. Since several attributes of personality (e.g. neuroticism) are strongly correlated with cannabis use, we hypothesized that specific combined genetic underpinnings contribute to both CaD and to certain aspects of personality. Methods: Personality was quantified with the Revised NEO Personality Inventory that asked questions from the five personality domains. Personality information was acquired from 1931 African Americans (AAs) and 1517 European Americans (EAs). CaD was measured as a summation of the seven binary DSM-IV diagnosis symptoms within a separate set of 1311 AAs and 2752 EAs in the NIH-funded “Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment” (SAGE). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed after filtering out single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with low minor allele frequency (MAF) and poor imputation quality. The personality trait was used as the outcome in the primary data set while CaD was used in the SAGE data set. Meta-analysis was used to combine the results for both traits within and across ethnic groups. Additionally, while honing in on the personality / CaD comparison, the analysis further investigated component facets of the NEO domain most strongly correlated to CaD.
Cache-aided interference channels

Over the past decade, the bulk of wireless traffic has shifted from speech to content. This shift creates the opportunity to cache part of the content in memories closer to the end users, for example in base stations. Most of the prior literature focuses on the reduction of load in the backhaul and core networks due to caching, i.e., on the benefits caching offers for the wireline communication link between the origin server and the caches. In this paper, we are instead interested in the benefits caching can offer for the wireless communication link between the caches and the end users. To quantify the gains of caching for this wireless link, we consider an interference channel in which each transmitter is equipped with an isolated cache memory. Communication takes place in two phases, a content placement phase followed by a content delivery phase. The objective is to design both the placement and the delivery phases to maximize the rate in the delivery phase in response to any possible user demands. Focusing on the three-user case, we show that through careful joint design of these phases, we can reap three distinct benefits from caching: a load balancing gain, an interference cancellation gain, and an interference alignment gain. In our proposed scheme, load balancing is achieved through a specific file splitting and placement, creating a particular pattern of content overlap at the caches. This overlap allows to implement interference cancellation. Further, it allows us to construct several virtual transmitters, each responsible for a part of the requested content, which increases interference alignment possibilities.
Opacity-Associated Protein A Contributes to the Binding of Haemophilus influenzae to Chang Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT Opacity-associated protein A (OapA), which is responsible for the transparent-colony phenotype of Haemophilus influenzae, has been implicated in the colonization of the nasopharynx in an infant rat model of carriage. In this report, we show that OapA mediates attachment to Chang epithelial cells examined by using genetically defined type b and nontypeable H. influenzae strains with or without OapA. We also showed that OapA was conserved among H. influenzae strains by comparing deduced amino acid sequences. Both recombinant OapA and polyclonal anti-OapA antiserum blocked the binding of H. influenzae to Chang epithelial cells, suggesting that the interaction of H. influenzae is specific to OapA. Moreover, the binding of recombinant OapA to epithelial cells further provided evidence that OapA can promote attachment of H. influenzae. Expression of oapAgene in a nonadherent Escherichia coli strain significantly increased the binding to Chang epithelial cells, and disruption of theoapA gene with kanamycin resistance cassette insertion resulted in a significant loss of binding. These findings demonstrate that OapA plays a role in H. influenzae binding to human conjunctival epithelial cells.
mMWeb - An Online Platform for Employing Multiple Ecological Niche Modeling Algorithms

Background Predicting the ecological niche and potential habitat distribution of a given organism is one of the central domains of ecological and biogeographical research. A wide variety of modeling techniques have been developed for this purpose. In order to implement these models, the users must prepare a specific runtime environment for each model, learn how to use multiple model platforms, and prepare data in a different format each time. Additionally, often model results are difficult to interpret, and a standardized method for comparing model results across platforms does not exist. We developed a free and open source online platform, the multi-models web-based (mMWeb) platform, to address each of these problems, providing a novel environment in which the user can implement and compare multiple ecological niche model (ENM) algorithms. Methodology mMWeb combines 18 existing ENMs and their corresponding algorithms and provides a uniform procedure for modeling the potential habitat niche of a species via a common web browser. mMWeb uses Java Native Interface (JNI), Java R Interface to combine the different ENMs and executes multiple tasks in parallel on a super computer. The cross-platform, user-friendly interface of mMWeb simplifies the process of building ENMs, providing an accessible and efficient environment from which to explore and compare different model algorithms.
TLR Signaling Modulates Side Effects of Anticancer Therapy in the Small Intestine

Intestinal mucositis represents the most common complication of intensive chemotherapy, which has a severe adverse impact on quality of life of cancer patients. However, the precise pathophysiology remains to be clarified, and there is so far no successful therapeutic intervention. In this study, we investigated the role of innate immunity through TLR signaling in modulating genotoxic chemotherapy-induced small intestinal injury in vitro and in vivo. Genetic deletion of TLR2, but not MD-2, in mice resulted in severe chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis in the proximal jejunum with villous atrophy, accumulation of damaged DNA, CD11b+-myeloid cell infiltration, and significant gene alterations in xenobiotic metabolism, including a decrease in ABCB1/multidrug resistance (MDR)1 p-glycoprotein (p-gp) expression. Functionally, stimulation of TLR2 induced synthesis and drug efflux activity of ABCB1/MDR1 p-gp in murine and human CD11b+-myeloid cells, thus inhibiting chemotherapy-mediated cytotoxicity. Conversely, TLR2 activation failed to protect small intestinal tissues genetically deficient in MDR1A against DNA-damaging drug-induced apoptosis. Gut microbiota depletion by antibiotics led to increased susceptibility to chemotherapy-induced mucosal injury in wild-type mice, which was suppressed by administration of a TLR2 ligand, preserving ABCB1/MDR1 p-gp expression. Findings were confirmed in a preclinical model of human chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis using duodenal biopsies by demonstrating that TLR2 activation limited the toxic-inflammatory reaction and maintained assembly of the drug transporter p-gp. In conclusion, this study identifies a novel molecular link between innate immunity and xenobiotic metabolism. TLR2 acts as a central regulator of xenobiotic defense via the multidrug transporter ABCB1/MDR1 p-gp. Targeting TLR2 may represent a novel therapeutic approach in chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis.
Three Essays on Semiparametric Econometric Evaluation Methods

Acknowledgements I would like to thank Enno Mammen for supporting this thesis as second supervisor, for hints and comments on various parts of the thesis, and also for his lectures on empirical processes held at the University of Mannheim in winter term 2005/2006. I am also grateful to Michael Lechner for detailed comments on the three papers of the thesis. Helpful comments, hints and suggestions were also given
XMM-Newton spectroscopy of high-redshift quasars

XMM‐Newton observations of 29 high-redshift (z > 2) quasars, including seven radio-quiet, 16 radio-loud and six broad absorption line (BAL) objects, are presented; due to the high redshifts, the rest-frame energy bands extend up to ∼30‐70 keV. Over 2‐10 keV, the quasars can be well fitted in each case by a simple power law, with no strong evidence for iron emission lines. The lack of iron lines is in agreement both with dilution by the radio jet emission (for the radio-loud quasars) and the X-ray Baldwin effect. No Compton reflection humps at higher energies (i.e. above 10 keV in the rest frame) are detected either. Over the broad-band (0.3‐ 10 keV), approximately half (nine out of 16) of the radio-loud quasars are intrinsically absorbed, with the values of NH generally being 1 × 10 22 to 2 × 10 22 cm −2 in the rest frames of the objects. None of the seven radio-quiet objects shows excess absorption, while four of the six BAL quasars are absorbed. The radio-loud quasars have flatter continuum slopes than their radio-quiet counterparts (� RL ∼ 1.55; � RQ ∼ 1.98 over 2‐10 keV), while, after modelling the absorption, the underlying photon index for the six BAL quasars is formally consistent with the non-BAL radio-quiet objects. Ke yw ords: galaxies: active ‐ quasars: general ‐ X-rays: galaxies.
Television consumption and Institutional Anomie Theory

CONTACT Messner and Rosenfeld’s Institutional Anomie Theory (IAT) is based on the assumption that the “American Dream” produces a society that is dominated by the economy and obsessed with the pursuit of success. Thus, crime is prevalent in the United States because individuals are willing to cut corners in order to attain the “dream” for themselves. This article extends the work of Messner and Rosenfeld (1994), contending that the “American Dream” is transmitted directly to citizens through the consumption of television representations. Using over 6,000 cases from the public use portion of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (ADD Health), the author conducted regression analysis to assess the influence of television consumption on both the cultural and institutional dynamics of IAT. This research is also one of only a few to apply IAT at the individual level of analysis.
Nonlinear convolution and fourier series coefficients estimate

In the present the paper an original description of the procedure for the modeling of nonlinear systems based on the socalled non linear convolution approach [1, 2, 3] is reported. This approach relies on the modeling of a nonlinear system by means of the linear convolution and we show how, in the case of memoryless nonlinear systems, the method is related to the Fourier Series representation of nonlinear system's output. Based on these observations a Fourier Series implementation of the model is proposed, which allows a significant reduction in the associated computational cost. Experimental results confirm the validity of the proposed Fourier Series implementation of the nonlinear convolution based modeling technique.
Mast cell regulation of airway smooth muscle function in asthma

Asthma is a common disease affecting ≤10% of the adult Western population 1, 2. It is characterised by the presence of variable and potentially reversible airflow obstruction, which occurs as the result of bronchoconstriction, airway mucus plugging and airway oedema. Pathologically there is evidence of airway inflammation and remodelling 3–7. The mucosal inflammatory infiltrate commonly comprises activated T-cells, eosinophils and mast cells, while the accompanying structural changes include subepithelial collagen deposition, goblet cell- and mucous gland-hyperplasia, airway smooth muscle (ASM) hypertrophy and ASM hyperplasia. An important physiological feature of asthma is the presence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) 8. This means there is an exaggerated bronchoconstrictor response of the ASM to direct and indirect stimuli such as histamine and exercise, respectively. While BHR is aggravated in the presence of classic allergic eosinophilic airway inflammation, it persists once this inflammation is controlled and is not present in patients with eosinophilic bronchitis 8, 9. This suggests that there is either a fundamental abnormality of ASM behaviour in asthmatic subjects or that there are interacting factors that have not been previously recognised. In support of the former, several phenotypic differences are evident in ASM cells cultured from the airways of asthmatic subjects. For example, when compared with normal ASM cells, cultured asthmatic ASM cells proliferate faster due to an altered pattern of matrix protein deposition 10, 11, secrete greater amounts of connective tissue-derived growth factor in response to transforming growth factor-β stimulation 12, and secrete markedly increased amounts of the chemokine CXCL10 in response to activation by cytokines 13. There is decreased expression of prostaglandin (PG)E2 by the asthmatic ASM 14, and proliferation of asthmatic ASM is not inhibited by corticosteroids due to impaired expression of the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer …
EEG source reconstruction performance as a function of skull conductance contrast

Through simulated EEG we investigate the effect of the forward model's applied skull:scalp conductivity ratio on the source reconstruction performance. We show that having a higher conductivity ratio generally leads to improvement of the solution. Additionally we see a clear connection between higher conductivity ratios and lower coherence, thus a reduction of the ill-posedness of the EEG inverse problem. Finally we show on real EEG data the stability of the strongest source recovered across conductivity ratios.
Excitation of Low-Frequency QPOs in Black-Hole Accretion Flows

We present the results of global three dimensional magneto-hydrodynamic simulations of black hole accretion flows. We focus on the dependence of numerical results on the gas temperature Tout supplied from the outer region. General relativistic effects are taken into account using the pseudo-Newtonian potential. We ignore the radiative cooling of the accreting gas. The initial state is a torus whose density maximum is at 35rs or 50rs from the gravitating center, where rs is the Schwarzschild radius. The torus is initially threaded by a weak azimuthal magnetic field. We found that mass accretion rate and the mass outflow rate strongly depend on the temperature of the initial torus. The ratio of the average Maxwell stress generated by the magnetorotational instability (MRI) to gas pressure, α ≡ h BBϕ/4πi /h P i is α ∼ 0.05 in the hot torus (Tout ∼9.5 ×10 9 K at 50rs) and α ∼0.01 in the cool torus (Tout ∼1.1 ×10 9 K at 35rs). In the cool model, a constant angular momentum inner torus is formed around 4 − 8rs. This inner torus deforms itself from a circle to a crescent quasiperiodically. During this deformation, the mass accretion rate, the magnetic energy and the Maxwell stress increase. As the magnetic energy is released, the inner torus returns to a circular shape and starts the next cycle. Power spectral density (PSD) of the time variation of the mass accretion rate in the cool model has a low frequency peak around 10Hz when we assumed a 10M⊙ black hole. The PSD of the hot model is flat in 1 −30Hz. The slope of the PSD in the cool model is steeper than that in the hot model in 30 −100Hz. The mass outflow rate in the low temperature model also shows quasi-periodic oscillation. Intermittent
The Advancement of Niche Concepts and Their Modellings

In this paper, we briefly review the development of niche concept at first. In the later part, we fill the details of research working at a broad range of ecological modelling level. Because the literal description of concept is still a rough sketch and highly abstract, we pay more attention to connect it to the work of the modeling which set the stage for quantitative measurement. This will lead us move beyond the ideological abstractions, and get more explicit comprehension of concept.
Regularizing Structured Classifier with Conditional Probabilistic Constraints for Semi-supervised Learning

Constraints have been shown as an effective way to incorporate unlabeled data for semi-supervised structured classification. We recognize that, constraints are often conditional and probabilistic; moreover, a constraint can have its condition depend on either just observations (which we call x-type constraint) or even hidden variables (which we call y-type constraint). We wish to design a constraint formulation that can flexibly model the constraint probability for both x-type and y-type constraints, and later use it to regularize general structured classifiers for semi-supervision. Surprisingly, none of the existing models have such a constraint formulation. Thus in this paper, we propose a new conditional probabilistic formulation for modeling both x-type and y-type constraints. We also recognize the inference complication for y-type constraint, and propose a systematic selective evaluation approach to efficiently realize the constraints. Finally, we evaluate our model in three applications, including named entity recognition, part-of-speech tagging and entity information extraction, with totally nine data sets. We show that our model is generally more accurate and efficient than the state-of-the-art baselines. Our code and data are available at https://bitbucket.org/vwz/cikm2016-cpf/.