Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation and reproducibility of a semi-quantitative FFQ as a measure of dietary intake in adults from Puerto Rico

Abstract Objective We aimed to assess the relative validity and reproducibility of a semi-quantitative FFQ in Puerto Rican adults. Design Participants completed an FFQ, followed by a 6 d food record and a second administration of the FFQ, 30 d later. All nutrients were log transformed and adjusted for energy intake. Statistical analyses included correlations, paired t tests, cross-classification and Bland–Altman plots. Setting Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico. Subjects Convenience sample of students, employees and faculty members (n 100, ≥21 years). Data were collected in 2010. Results A total of ninety-two participants completed the study. Most were young overweight females. All nutrients were significantly correlated between the two FFQ, with an average correlation of 0·61 (range 0·43–0·73) and an average difference of 4·8 % between them. Most energy-adjusted nutrients showed significant correlations between the FFQ and food record, which improved with de-attenuation and averaged 0·38 (range 0·11–0·63). The lowest non-significant correlations (≤0·20) were for trans-fat, n 3 fatty acids, thiamin and vitamin E. Intakes assessed by the FFQ were higher than those from the food record by a mean of 19 % (range 4–44 %). Bland–Altman plots showed that there was a systematic trend towards higher estimates with the FFQ, particularly for energy, carbohydrate and Ca. Most participants were correctly classified into the same or adjacent quintile (average 66 %) by both methods with only 3 % gross misclassification. Conclusions This semi-quantitative FFQ is a tool that offers relatively valid and reproducible estimates of energy and certain nutrients in this group of mostly female Puerto Ricans.
Analyzing Interpersonal Empathy via Collective Impressions

This paper presents a research framework for understanding the empathy that arises between people while they are conversing. By focusing on the process by which empathy is perceived by other people, this paper aims to develop a computational model that automatically infers perceived empathy from participant behavior. To describe such perceived empathy objectively, we introduce the idea of using the collective impressions of external observers. In particular, we focus on the fact that the perception of other's empathy varies from person to person, and take the standpoint that this individual difference itself is an essential attribute of human communication for building, for example, successful human relationships and consensus. This paper describes a probabilistic model of the process that we built based on the Bayesian network, and that relates the empathy perceived by observers to how the gaze and facial expressions of participants co-occur between a pair. In this model, the probability distribution represents the diversity of observers' impression, which reflects the individual differences in the schema when perceiving others' empathy from their behaviors, and the ambiguity of the behaviors. Comprehensive experiments demonstrate that the inferred distributions are similar to those made by observers.
Increased seizure threshold in mice lacking aquaporin-4 water channels

Mice deficient in the glial water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) show decreased cerebral edema and improved neurological outcome following water intoxication or ischemic challenge. In this report, we tested seizure susceptibility in AQP4−/− mice. AQP4−/− mice and wild-type controls were given the chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and monitored for seizure activity. At 40 mg/kg PTZ, all wild-type mice exhibited seizure activity, whereas six of seven AQP4−/− mice did not exhibit seizure activity. At 50 mg/kg PTZ, both groups exhibited seizure activity; however, the latency to generalized (tonic-clonic) seizures was significantly lower in wild-type than AQP4−/− mice. These results suggest that glial water channels may modulate brain excitability and the initiation and generalization of seizure activity.
Toxoplasma gondii regulates recruitment and migration of human dendritic cells via different soluble secreted factors

We investigated in vitro the properties of soluble factors produced by Toxoplasma gondii on the recruitment, maturation and migration of human dendritic cells (DC) derived from CD34+ progenitor cells. We used soluble factors including excreted secreted antigens (ESA) produced under various conditions by the virulent type I RH strain (ESA‐RH) and the less virulent PRU type II strain (ESA‐PRU). Soluble factors of both T. gondii strains appeared to possess a chemokine‐like activity that attracted immature DC. This recruitment activity required the presence of functional CCR5 molecules on the cell membrane. Incubation of DC for 24 h with ESA triggered the migration of a large percentage of these cells towards the chemokine MIP‐3β; ESA‐PRU was more efficient than ESA‐RH. ESA produced in absence of exogenous protein and crude extract did not induce DC migration but retained recruitment activity. These data indicate that recruitment activity and migration‐inducing activity are not governed by the same factors. Moreover, incubation of DC for 48 h with ESA did not modify the expression of costimulation or maturation markers (CD83, CD40, CD80, CD86 or HLA‐DR), but induced a decrease in CCR6 expression associated with an increased expression of CCR7. Taken together, these results suggest that T. gondii controls recruitment and migration of immature DC by different soluble factors and may induce a dysfunction in the host‐specific immune response.
Infrared-Based Measurements of Velocity, Turbulent Kinetic Energy, and Dissipation at the Water Surface in a Tidal River

Thermal infrared (IR)-based particle image ve locimetry (PIV) is used to measure the evolution of velocity, turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), and the TKE dissipation rate at the water surface in the tidally influenced Snohomish River. Patterns of temperature variability in the IR imagery arise from disruption of the cool-skin layer and are used to estimate the 2-D velocity field. Comparisons of IR-based PIV mean velocity made with a colocated acoustic velocimeter demonstrate high cor relation (r<sup>2</sup> >; 0.9). Over a tidal period, surface TKE computed from the IR velocity varies from 10<sup>-4</sup> to 3 × 10<sup>-3</sup> J · kg<sup>-1</sup>, with an average difference from the in situ measurements of 8%. IR-derived TKE dissipation rates vary from approximately 3 × 10<sup>-6</sup> to 2 × 10<sup>-4</sup> W · kg<sup>-1</sup> at peak ebb, agreeing on average to within 7% of the in situ velocimeter results. IR-based PIV provides detailed measurements of previously inaccessible surface velocities and turbulence statistics.
Use of LIDAR for Forest Inventory and Forest Management Application

A significant impediment to forest managers has been the difficulty in obtaining large- area forest structure and fuel characteristics at useful resolutions and accuracies. This paper demonstrates how LIDAR data were used to predict canopy bulk density (CBD) and canopy base height (CBH) for an area in the Sierra National Forest. The LIDAR data were used to generate maps of canopy fuels for input into a fire behavior model (FARSITE). The results indicate that LIDAR metrics are significant predictors of both CBD (r 2 = 0.71) and CBH (r 2 = 0.59). In sum- mary, LIDAR is no longer an experimental technique and has become accepted as a source of accurate and dependable data that are suitable for forest inventory and assessment.
Simple Type Theory with Undefinedness, Quotation, and Evaluation

This paper presents a version of simple type theory called ${\cal Q}^{\rm uqe}_{0}$ that is based on ${\cal Q}_0$, the elegant formulation of Church's type theory created and extensively studied by Peter B. Andrews. ${\cal Q}^{\rm uqe}_{0}$ directly formalizes the traditional approach to undefinedness in which undefined expressions are treated as legitimate, nondenoting expressions that can be components of meaningful statements. ${\cal Q}^{\rm uqe}_{0}$ is also equipped with a facility for reasoning about the syntax of expressions based on quotation and evaluation. Quotation is used to refer to a syntactic value that represents the syntactic structure of an expression, and evaluation is used to refer to the value of the expression that a syntactic value represents. With quotation and evaluation it is possible to reason in ${\cal Q}^{\rm uqe}_{0}$ about the interplay of the syntax and semantics of expressions and, as a result, to formalize in ${\cal Q}^{\rm uqe}_{0}$ syntax-based mathematical algorithms. The paper gives the syntax and semantics of ${\cal Q}^{\rm uqe}_{0}$ as well as a proof system for ${\cal Q}^{\rm uqe}_{0}$. The proof system is shown to be sound for all formulas and complete for formulas that do not contain evaluations. The paper also illustrates some applications of ${\cal Q}^{\rm uqe}_{0}$.
Comparative Study of Improved Energy Generation Maximization Techniques for Photovoltaic Systems

Load mismatch in photovoltaic (PV) systems may lead to considerable energy extraction losses. A DC-DC converter is usually used to match the load to the PV modules while keeping the module operating at the maximum power point (MPP), for power transfer maximization purpose. In this manner, up to 15% from the common energy extraction losses can be saved, i.e. about 6 GW when considering the 40 GW photovoltaic power generated in 2010. The converter is then driven by a pulse width modulation (PWM) scheme obtained from a MPP tracking (MPPT) controller. In this paper, two improved design approaches of the MPPT are illustrated and compared for both slow and fast changing insulation values. Both improved Incremental Conductance (INC) and improved Fuzzy MPPT techniques are fast and accurate in tracking the MPP for both slow and fast changing conditions. Some slight differences in the tracking speed, accuracy, simplicity, and cost factors make one of these two MPPT techniques superior to the other one for a certain application. Evaluation factors of both techniques are simulated and tested in this comparative study.
Chronology of Fabry-Perot Interferometer Fiber-Optic Sensors and Their Applications: A Review

Optical fibers have been involved in the area of sensing applications for more than four decades. Moreover, interferometric optical fiber sensors have attracted broad interest for their prospective applications in sensing temperature, refractive index, strain measurement, pressure, acoustic wave, vibration, magnetic field, and voltage. During this time, numerous types of interferometers have been developed such as Fabry-Perot, Michelson, Mach-Zehnder, Sagnac Fiber, and Common-path interferometers. Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) fiber-optic sensors have been extensively investigated for their exceedingly effective, simple fabrication as well as low cost aspects. In this study, a wide variety of FPI sensors are reviewed in terms of fabrication methods, principle of operation and their sensing applications. The chronology of the development of FPI sensors and their implementation in various applications are discussed.
STUDY OF LASER-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE SIGNA- TURES FROM LEAVES OF WHEAT SEEDLINGS GROWING UNDER CADMIUM STRESS

Steady state LIF spectra using 488 nm of cw Ar + laser and 355 nm of pulsed Nd:YAG laser, fluorescence induction kinetics using 488 nm laser light were studied in wheat seedlings exposed to increasing cadmium (Cd) concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 mM). In addition, some growth parameters and pigment content were also measured. The LIF spectra of the leaves exhibited two characteristic bands at 685 nm and 730 nm registered at 488 nm excitation wave length and four bands at around 450 nm, 520 nm, 685 nm and 735 nm at 355 nm excitation wave length. The peak parameters of the bands were calculated by Gaussian curve fitting of the LIF spectra. The result showed higher intensity of the red band (685 nm) as compared to the far-red band (730 nm) in the case of 488 nm excited spectra, however, 355 nm excited chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence spectra exhibited a higher value in the far-red intensity. The plant vitality index (Rfd) of the plants was also calculated for both Chl fluorescence bands using the fluorescence induction kinetics curve. The decrease in plant growth parameters as well as Rfd values at 685 nm and 735 nm in response to increasing Cd concentrations could be considered as symptoms of Cd toxicity. Variations in the Chl FIR and other fluorescence ratios of intensities, bandwidth and band area were also observed. Thus, we demonstrate the use of the LIF spectra for rapid detection of Cd stress in wheat plants.
T4 Phage Tail Adhesin Gp12 Counteracts LPS-Induced Inflammation In Vivo

Bacteriophages that infect Gram-negative bacteria often bind to the bacterial surface by interaction of specific proteins with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Short tail fiber proteins (tail adhesin, gp12) mediate adsorption of T4-like bacteriophages to Escherichia coli, binding surface proteins or LPS. Produced as a recombinant protein, gp12 retains its ability to bind LPS. Since LPS is able to exert a major impact on the immune response in animals and in humans, we have tested LPS-binding phage protein gp12 as a potential modulator of the LPS-induced immune response. We have produced tail adhesin gp12 in a bacterial expression system and confirmed its ability to form trimers and to bind LPS in vitro by dynamic light scattering. This product had no negative effect on mammalian cell proliferation in vitro. Further, no harmful effects of this protein were observed in mice. Thus, gp12 was used in combination with LPS in a murine model, and it decreased the inflammatory response to LPS in vivo, as assessed by serum levels of cytokines IL-1 alpha and IL-6 and by histopathological analysis of spleen, liver, kidney and lungs. Thus, in future studies gp12 may be considered as a potential tool for modulating and specifically for counteracting LPS-related physiological effects in vivo.
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Initial results and long-term follow-up after Morrow septal myectomy.

BACKGROUND This study was performed to assess the initial results and long-term follow-up of Morrow septal myectomy for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). METHODS AND RESULTS We studied 38 consecutive patients with HOCM (age, 13 to 74 years) who underwent a Morrow septal myectomy between 1977 and 1992. There were no perioperative deaths, and the postoperative course was uneventful for all except 2 of the patients. One patient required implantation of a pacemaker due to a complete heart block, and in 1 patient a small ventricular septal defect was caused. Follow-up (mean, 6.8 years) was 100% complete. No patient was reoperated for recurrent HOCM. All except 1 patient experienced a major functional improvement with a decrease of the mean New York Heart Association functional class from 3.0 before operation to 1.5 at follow-up (P < .001). Symptoms persisting during follow-up were angina pectoris in 3 of 22 patients (14%), dyspnea in 6 of 30 patients (20%), dizzy spells in 2 of 12 patients (17%), and syncope in 2 of 10 patients (20%). During follow-up no HOCM related death occurred. All patients were restudied by Doppler echocardiography. The peak gradient in the left ventricular outflow tract decreased from 72 +/- 30 mm Hg (range, 31 to 144 mm Hg) to 6 +/- 4 mm Hg (range, 0 to 20; P < .001). A systolic anterior movement was seen in 8 patients (21%) compared with 32 patients (97%) before the operation (P < .001). The left ventricular outflow tract diameter increased from 17 +/- 3 mm (range, 10 to 23 mm) to 22 +/- 3 mm (range, 15 to 33 mm; P < .001), and the mean subaortic septal thickness decreased from 23 +/- 5 mm (range, 15 to 35 mm) to 15 +/- 6 mm (range, 8 to 30 mm; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Morrow septal myectomy for patients with HOCM is a safe procedure with an excellent clinical and Doppler echocardiographic long-term follow-up.
Reference place conditioning procedure with cocaine: increased sensitivity for measuring associatively motivated choice behavior in rats

Place conditioning is widely used to study the conditioned rewarding effects of drugs. In the standard version, one reward (cocaine) is compared with no reward (saline). A modified variant of this task, ‘reference-conditioning’ procedure, compares two potentially rewarding stimuli (high vs. low cocaine dose). There has been little research on the utility of this procedure. Experiment 1 used the standard protocol with saline administered before confinement to the reference compartment of a place conditioning chamber. On alternate days, saline, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, or 20 mg/kg cocaine was administered before confinement to the opposite compartment. In experiments 2 and 3, reference-compartment saline was replaced with 5 and 7.5 mg/kg cocaine, respectively. Relative to saline, 7.5–20 mg/kg cocaine had comparable conditioned rewarding effects (i.e. similar increase in time in paired compartment). When cocaine replaced saline, there was competition at doses lower than 7.5 mg/kg. Rats that received 7.5 versus 2.5 mg/kg spent similar time in each compartment, indicating competition. Competition was not seen with 5 versus 20 mg/kg; preference was for the 20 mg/kg compartment. Experiment 4 showed that the competition at 2.5 mg/kg was not due to reward sensitization. The reference-conditioning procedure has increased the sensitivity for measuring associatively motivated choice behavior.
MODELING OF MONOCRYSTALLINE MAGNESIUM MICROBEAM BENDING

This paper presents a numerical simulation of a micro-scale experiment on a magnesium alloy. Micro cantilever beams were fabricated using Focused Ion Beam technology in a single crystal of Mg. The cantilever beams have dimensions in the order of a few micrometers and a pentagonal cross section. Nanoindenter was used for cantilever beam bending and load-displacement curve was received. Cantilevers with two different crystallographic orientations were chosen for the experiment. Three dimensional numerical FE model with elastoplastic behavior respecting crystal anisotropy was used to fit experimental load displacement curves. Strengths and deformation energy were evaluated from the models for each cantilever.
Asymmetric Transfer of Auditory Perceptual Learning

Perceptual skills can improve dramatically even with minimal practice. A major and practical benefit of learning, however, is in transferring the improvement on the trained task to untrained tasks or stimuli, yet the mechanisms underlying this process are still poorly understood. Reduction of internal noise has been proposed as a mechanism of perceptual learning, and while we have evidence that frequency discrimination (FD) learning is due to a reduction of internal noise, the source of that noise was not determined. In this study, we examined whether reducing the noise associated with neural phase locking to tones can explain the observed improvement in behavioral thresholds. We compared FD training between two tone durations (15 and 100 ms) that straddled the temporal integration window of auditory nerve fibers upon which computational modeling of phase locking noise was based. Training on short tones resulted in improved FD on probe tests of both the long and short tones. Training on long tones resulted in improvement only on the long tones. Simulations of FD learning, based on the computational model and on signal detection theory, were compared with the behavioral FD data. We found that improved fidelity of phase locking accurately predicted transfer of learning from short to long tones, but also predicted transfer from long to short tones. The observed lack of transfer from long to short tones suggests the involvement of a second mechanism. Training may have increased the temporal integration window which could not transfer because integration time for the short tone is limited by its duration. Current learning models assume complex relationships between neural populations that represent the trained stimuli. In contrast, we propose that training-induced enhancement of the signal-to-noise ratio offers a parsimonious explanation of learning and transfer that easily accounts for asymmetric transfer of learning.
On the Implicit Learning of Novel Associations by Amnesic Patients and Normal Subjects

This study examined whether amnesic patients and normal subjects can acquire novel associations implicitly and whether such learning can occur rapidly in a single trial. In two experiments, subjects studied novel word pairs either once or multiple times and were then asked to read old, new, and recombined word pairs as quickly as possible. In this paradigm, the learning of novel associations would be indicated by slower reading times for recombined word pairs than for old word pairs. In a third experiment, a perceptual identification paradigm was used to assess implicit learning of new associations. One-trial learning of new associations was not observed in the first two experiments, but learning of new associations did occur after multiple learning trials. An advantage of old versus recombined word pairs was obtained after a single trial only in Experiment 3 (using perceptual identification) when the results were combined across subject groups.
Computer Assisted Assessment of SQL Query Skills

Structured Query Language (SQL) is the dominant language for querying relational databases today, and is an essential topic in introductory database courses in higher education. Even though the language is syntactically simple, relatively concise, and highly structured, students experience many difficulties while learning to express queries in SQL. In recent years a small number of software tools have been proposed to help students learn to write query statements and to assess their querying skills. In this paper we compare and evaluate existing tools mainly from the perspective of database theory and practice, but also from a pedagogical perspective. Addressing the deficiencies and opportunities uncovered by the evaluation, we then introduce SQLify, a new tool that extends the current state of the art by incorporating semantic feedback, enhanced automatic assessment based on database theory, and peer review to arrive at a richer learning experience for students, as well as consistent assessment results and reduced marking for instructors.
Functional brain mapping at 9.4T using a new MRI‐compatible electrode chronically implanted in rats

There is a need for acute and chronic stimulation of the brain within the MRI for studies of epilepsy, as well as deep brain stimulation for movement and behavioral disorders. This work describes the production and characteristics of carbon fiber–based electrodes for acute and chronic stimulation in the brain. Increasing MRI field strengths are making it increasingly difficult to introduce foreign objects without a susceptibility artifact. We describe the production of, and the characteristics of carbon fiber–based electrodes. These are biocompatible and can be implanted for chronic studies. We show the use of these electrodes at 9.4T for studying functional activation. Data are presented showing regional connectivity. Activation not only occurs near the electrode, but at sites distant and often contralateral to the electrode. In addition, there were sites showing strong negative activation to stimulation both with direct stimulation and during a kindling‐associated seizure. Magn Reson Med 61:222–228, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.