Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, adiposity, and blood pressure in the Yakut of Siberia

C‐reactive protein (CRP), an acute‐phase reactant and marker of inflammatory response, is known to be an important predictor of future cardiovascular mortality, independent of other risk factors. The purpose of this research was to investigate the association between CRP, adiposity, and blood pressure in the Yakut, an indigenous Siberian population undergoing rapid cultural change. We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 265 healthy Yakut adults in six villages in rural northeastern Siberia. Plasma CRP was measured by high‐sensitivity immunoturbidimetric assay. The median CRP value was 0.85 mg/l, with values for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles of 0.30, 0.85, and 2.28 mg/l, respectively. CRP was positively associated with age (r = 0.19; P = 0.002), but not plasma lipids or smoking status. CRP was associated with measures of central adiposity and characteristics of the metabolic syndrome, particularly in women. We found significantly higher CRP across quintiles (Q) of waist circumference for women (difference = 0.7 mg/l; P = 0.035), but not men (difference = 0.36 mg/l; P = 0.515). CRP was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure in men (difference, Q1 vs. Q5 = 1.1 mg/l; P = 0.044) but not women (difference, Q1 vs. Q5 = 0.03 mg/l; P = 0.713) after adjusting for age, waist circumference, and smoking status. CRP in the Yakut was considerably lower than was reported for other populations. The low CRP levels may be explained in part by a low prevalence of abdominal obesity. Among the Yakut, the high physical‐activity demands of a traditional herding lifeway likely play a role through high energy expenditure and maintenance of negative energy balance. Our findings underscore the need for further research on the metabolic activity of adipose tissue, blood pressure, and inflammatory activation in non‐Western populations. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 18:766–775, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
RISDM: A requirements inspection systems design methodology: Perspective-based design of the pragmatic quality model and question set to SRS

The quality of the SRS (Software Requirements Specification) is the key to the success of software development. The inspection for the verification and validation of SRS are widely practiced, however, the techniques of inspection are rather ad hoc, and largely depend on the knowledge and skill of the people. This article proposes RISDM (Requirements Inspection Systems Design Methodology) to design the RIS (Requirements Inspection System) to be conducted by a thirdparty inspection team. The RISDM includes a meta-model and design process of RIS, PQM (Pragmatic Quality Model) of SRS, and a technique to generate inspection question set based on the PQM and PBR (Perspective-Based Reading). We have been applying the RIS designed by the proposed RISDM to more than 140 projects of a wide variety of software systems in NTT DATA for five years. By analyzing the statistics from the experience, we discovered some key quality characteristics of SRS reveal strong correlation to the project cost and level of quality to be used for evaluating the maturity of the SRS and predicting the risk.
Historical Narration: Foundation, Types, Reason

What is historical narration? Most historians will feel bored when they hear this question, since they will not feel concerned with this problem; and probably will think, leave this matter to the people in the literature and philosophy departments. But in fact this question bears on the fundamentals of their own work and brings philosophy and linguistics much nearer than usual to historical studies. Hayden White, with elaborate sagacity, labored to convince historians of this fact when he treated "the historical work as what it most manifestly is: a verbal structure in the form of a narrative prose discourse. " But since he explicated this discourse of historians as "generally poetic, and specifically linguistic, in nature,"' he shocked most historians. They felt consigned to the uncomfortable and ambiguous vicinity of poetry and robbed of their hard-earned dignity as scholars of a highly rationalized, methodologically confirmed discipline. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to enter the poetical sphere. The word "poetical" should be understood in the original sense of poiesis, which simply means making or producing something. Indeed, no historian could deny the fact that there is a creative activity of the human mind working in the process of historical thinking and recognition. Narration is the way this activity is being performed and "history" more precisely, a history is the product of it. I will not enter into a complex, epistemological discussion of the narrative structure of historical knowledge.3 Instead, I want to demonstrate the narrative fundamentals of historical consciousness by quoting an inconspicuous argumentation: despite the prejudice against locating poetry with the fundamentals of
Combined feedforward-feedback noise reduction schemes for open-fitting hearing aids

Over the past years, the usage of open-fitting hearing aids has been steadily increasing, due to the fact that they largely alleviate occlusion-related problems. However, existing noise reduction (NR) schemes that only use the external microphones on the hearing aid do not take into account the ambient noise leaking through the open fitting, such that this leakage may even counteract the noise reduction performed by the hearing aid. Integrating active noise control (ANC) motivated algorithms into existing NR schemes by exploiting a built-in internal (error) microphone in the ear canal, enables to partially compensate for this noise leakage. This paper presents a combined feedforward-feedback ANC (FF-FB ANC) scheme for open-fitting hearing aids. For different gains of the hearing aid, it is shown that the SNR improvement of the combined FF-FB ANC scheme outperforms a feedforward ANC and a classic Multichannel Wiener Filter noise reduction scheme without ANC. In addition, the frequency-dependent SNR improvement is analysed for different microphone positions, i.e., at the entrance of the ear canal and at the eardrum.
Character and document research in the Open Mind Initiative

We describe the Open Mind Initiative, a framework for large scale collaborative efforts in building components of "intelligent" systems that address common sense reasoning, document and language understanding, speech and character recognition, and so on. Based on the Open Source methodology, the Open Mind Initiative allows domain specialists to contribute algorithms, tool developers to provide software infrastructure and tools, and non specialist "e-citizens" to contribute training data and information to large databases. An important challenge is to make it easy and rewarding for e-citizens to provide such information. The paper illustrates the initiative through several demonstration projects of modest scale, including some related to character and document problems, and identifies general challenges and opportunities.
Identification of Liver X Receptor-Retinoid X Receptor as an Activator of the Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 1c Gene Promoter

ABSTRACT In an attempt to identify transcription factors which activate sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) transcription, we screened an expression cDNA library from adipose tissue of SREBP-1 knockout mice using a reporter gene containing the 2.6-kb mouse SREBP-1 gene promoter. We cloned and identified the oxysterol receptors liver X receptor (LXRα) and LXRβ as strong activators of the mouse SREBP-1c promoter. In the transfection studies, expression of either LXRα or -β activated the SREBP-1c promoter-luciferase gene in a dose-dependent manner. Deletion and mutation studies, as well as gel mobility shift assays, located an LXR response element complex consisting of two new LXR-binding motifs which showed high similarity to an LXR response element recently found in the ABC1 gene promoter, a reverse cholesterol transporter. Addition of an LXR ligand, 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol, increased the promoter activity. Coexpression of retinoid X receptor (RXR), a heterodimeric partner, and its ligand 9-cis-retinoic acid also synergistically activated the SREBP-1c promoter. In HepG2 cells, SREBP-1c mRNA and precursor protein levels were induced by treatment with 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol and 9-cis-retinoic acid, confirming that endogenous LXR-RXR activation can induce endogenous SREBP-1c expression. The activation of SREBP-1c by LXR is associated with a slight increase in nuclear SREBP-1c, resulting in activation of the gene for fatty acid synthase, one of its downstream genes, as measured by the luciferase assay. These data demonstrate that LXR-RXR can modify the expression of genes for lipogenic enzymes by regulating SREBP-1c expression, providing a novel link between fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism.
gfp-Based N-Acyl Homoserine-Lactone Sensor Systems for Detection of Bacterial Communication

ABSTRACT In order to perform single-cell analysis and online studies ofN-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL)-mediated communication among bacteria, components of the Vibrio fischeri quorum sensor encoded by luxR-PluxI have been fused to modified versions of gfpmut3∗ genes encoding unstable green fluorescent proteins. Bacterial strains harboring this green fluorescent sensor detected a broad spectrum of AHL molecules and were capable of sensing the presence of 5 nMN-3-oxohexanoyl-l-homoserine lactone in the surroundings. In combination with epifluorescent microscopy, the sensitivity of the sensor enabled AHL detection at the single-cell level and allowed for real-time measurements of fluctuations in AHL concentrations. This green fluorescent AHL sensor provides a state-of-the-art tool for studies of communication between the individuals present in mixed bacterial communities.
MODELING STUDENTS ’ LEARNING ON MATHEMATICAL PROOF AND REFUTATION

Based on a national survey and some further studies of mathematical proof and refutation of 7 through 9 graders, this paper will show evidence of the existence of continuity between refuting as a learning strategy and the production of conjectures, and between a more effective teaching strategy and the traditional teaching strategy. A detailed analysis of students’ refutation schemes will be presented, and a model of their refuting process will be described based on both their refutation schemes and an expert’s thinking process on refutation.
Performance Analysis in Ad-Hoc Network

Ad hoc networking allows portable devices to establish communication independent of a central infrastructure. However, the fact that there is no central infrastructure and that the devices can move randomly gives rise to various kind of problems, such as routing and security. In this paper the problem of routing is considered. There are several ad hoc routing protocols, such as AODV1 , DSR2 , OLSR3 and ZRP4 , that propose solutions for routing within a mobile ad hoc network. However, since there is an interest in communication between not only mobile devices in an ad hoc network, but also between a mobile device in an ad hoc network and a fixed device in a fixed network (e.g. the Internet), the ad hoc routing protocols need to be modified. In this thesis the ad hoc routing protocol AODV is used and modified to examine the interconnection between a mobile ad hoc network and the Internet. For this purpose Network Simulator 2, NS 2, has been used. Moreover, three proposed approaches for gateway discovery are implemented and investigated.
The Roles of Emotion, Morality, and Political Affiliation in Predicting Retaliation of Workplace Incivility between Democrats and Republicans

The Roles of Emotion, Morality, and Political Affiliation in Predicting Retaliation of Workplace Incivility between Democrats and Republicans. (August 2011) Amanda Danielle Pesonen, B. A. , Stephen F. Austin State University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Kathi Miner The present study examines differences in political perspectives and moral identity as facilitators of retaliation of workplace incivility. It is proposed that following uncivil treatment, emotional appraisals of uncivil treatment will influence targets’ retaliatory behavior; individuals who feel angry or demoralized after being treated uncivilly will be more likely to retaliate than individuals who do not negatively appraise incivility. In addition, political affiliation and moral identity are posited as moderators of the relationship between experiencing incivility and emotionally appraising the experience, as well as the relationship between emotional appraisal and retaliation. This study utilized a sample of 355 participants who completed an online survey regarding their experiences with incivility three weeks before and one week after the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Results indicate that Democrats most frequently retaliated against Republicans at high levels of received incivility from Republicans, yet Republicans engaged in the most retaliatory incivility against Democrats at low levels of incivility from Democrats. Furthermore, internalization buffered the likelihood of
Effect of penehyclidine hydrochloride on the incidence of intra‐operative awareness in Chinese patients undergoing breast cancer surgery during general anaesthesia

Intra‐operative awareness can lead to serious adverse psychological consequences. We conducted a prospective, randomised, double‐blinded trial in 920 patients undergoing breast cancer surgery under bispectral index‐guided total intravenous anaesthesia to evaluate the effect of penehyclidine hydrochloride on intra‐operative awareness. Patients were randomly divided to receive 0.01 mg.kg−1 penehyclidine hydrochloride or saline intravenously 30 min before surgery. The pre‐administration, pre‐operative anxiety levels were assessed using a 100‐mm visual analogue scale. Intra‐operative awareness was defined as recall of intra‐operative events using a modified Brice interview administered 2–6 h postoperatively, and in the next 24–48 h. A committee of three experts, blinded to the study conditions, independently scrutinised all reported recollections. We found no differences in depth of anaesthesia and patients' pre‐operative anxiety levels between the two groups. The incidence of awareness with penehyclidine hydrochloride (0/456 patients; 0%) was significantly lower than with saline (5/452; 1.1%), p = 0.030. We conclude that penehyclidine hydrochloride reduced the incidence of intra‐operative awareness in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery during general anaesthesia.
In Vivo Optical Properties of Melanocytic Skin Lesions: Common Nevi, Dysplastic Nevi and Malignant Melanoma

We present an in vivo study of the optical properties of common nevi, dysplastic nevi and malignant melanoma skin lesions in human subjects. Reflectance spectra were measured on 1379 skin lesions, in the visible and near‐infrared spectral regions, using a spectral imaging system, in a clinical setting. Analysis of the data using a reflectance model revealed differences between the optical properties of melanin present in nevi and melanoma lesions. These differences, which are in agreement with our previous observations on average reflectance spectra, may be potentially useful for the noninvasive characterization of pigmented skin lesions and the early diagnosis of melanoma.
Area-Efficient FPGA Implementations of the SHA-3 Finalists

Secure cryptographic hash functions are core components in many applications like challenge-response authentication systems or digital signature schemes. Many of these applications are used in cost-sensitive markets and thus slow budget implementations of such components are very important. In the present paper, we focus on the new SHA-3 competition, started by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which searches for a new hash function in response to security concerns regarding the previous hash functions SHA-1 and the SHA-2 family. This work adds new valuable data to the competition, by providing an evaluation of area-efficient implementations of all finalists. Our results show, that it is possible to implement all candidates reasonably small. We focus on area-efficiency and therefore we do not rank the candidates by absolute throughput, but rather by the area and the throughput-area ratio. The results hint that Grøstl and Keccak are the best overall performers for compact implementations, if the throughput-area ratio is most important. The following candidate is BLAKE, while the Skein and JH implementations trail behind. The area ranking changes the results and puts JH on the top, followed by BLAKE, Grøstl, Keccak and Skein.
Polymorphic effect systems

We present a new approach to programming languages for parallel computers that uses an effect system to discover expression scheduling constraints. This effect system is part of a 'kinded' type system with three base kinds: types, which describe the value that an expression may return; effects, which describe the side-effects that an expression may have; and regions, which describe the area of the store in which side-effects may occur. Types, effects and regions are collectively called descriptions. Expressions can be abstracted over any kind of description variable -- this permits type, effect and region polymorphism. Unobservable side-effects can be masked by the effect system; an effect soundness property guarantees that the effects computed statically by the effect system are a conservative approximation of the actual side-effects that a given expression may have. The effect system we describe performs certain kinds of side-effect analysis that were not previously feasible. Experimental data from the programming language FX indicate that an effect system can be used effectively to compile programs for parallel computers.
An algorithm for fast convergence in training neural networks

In this work, two modifications on Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm for feedforward neural networks are studied. One modification is made on performance index, while the other one is on calculating gradient information. The modified algorithm gives a better convergence rate compared to the standard LM method and is less computationally intensive and requires less memory. The performance of the algorithm has been checked on several example problems.
Cyclic loss of open solar flux since 1868: the link to heliospheric current sheet tilt and implications for the Maunder Minimum

[1] Open solar flux (OSF) variations can be described by the imbalance between source and loss terms. We use spacecraft and geomagnetic observations of OSF from 1868 to present and assume the OSF source, S, varies with the observed sunspot number, R. Computing the required fractional OSF loss, χ, reveals a clear solar cycle variation, in approximate phase with R. While peak R varies significantly from cycle to cycle, χ is surprisingly constant in both amplitude and waveform. Comparisons of χ with measures of heliospheric current sheet (HCS) orientation reveal a strong correlation. The cyclic nature of χ is exploited to reconstruct OSF back to the start of sunspot records in 1610. This agrees well with the available spacecraft, geomagnetic, and cosmogenic isotope observations. Assuming S is proportional to R yields near-zero OSF throughout the Maunder Minimum. However, χ becomes negative during periods of low R, particularly the most recent solar minimum, meaning OSF production is underestimated. This is related to continued coronal mass ejection (CME) activity, and therefore OSF production, throughout solar minimum, despite R falling to zero. Correcting S for this produces a better match to the recent solar minimum OSF observations. It also results in a cycling, nonzero OSF during the Maunder Minimum, in agreement with cosmogenic isotope observations. These results suggest that during the Maunder Minimum, HCS tilt cycled as over recent solar cycles, and the CME rate was roughly constant at the levels measured during the most recent two solar minima.
Design of a photonic crystal fiber for dispersion compensation over telecommunication bands

This paper presents a microstructure optical fiber based on an hexagonal structure for dispersion compensation in a wideband transmission system. According to simulation, negative dispersion coefficient of - 562 ps/(nm.km) and relative dispersion slope (RDS) close to that of single mode fiber (SMF) of about 0.0036 nm-1 is obtained at 1550 nm wavelength. Besides the proposed hexagonal microstructure optical fiber (H-MOF) offers high birefringence of 3.06×10-2. Due to having better optical properties, this proposed fiber can be effectively used in broadband dispersion compensation and sensing applications.
On the estimation of azimuth distributions and azimuth spectra

The increased popularity of array antennas for wireless communication, has inspired investigations of the spatio-temporal properties of the radio channel, among others the azimuthal shape of the scattering clusters. Based on a statistical analysis, we show that trying to estimate the shape of the scattering is an ill-posed problem and that the heavy-tailed power azimuth spectra reported in the literature may be an artifact stemming only from the measurement procedure.
Secure Cooperative Sensing Techniques for Cognitive Radio Systems

The most important task for a cognitive radio (CR) system is to identify the primary licensed users over a wide range of spectrum. Cooperation among spectrum sensing devices has been shown to offer various benefits including decrease in sensitivity requirements of the individual sensing devices. However, it has been shown in the literature that the performance of cooperative sensing schemes can be severely degraded due to presence of malicious users sending false sensing data. In this paper, we present techniques to identify such malicious users and mitigate their harmful effect on the performance of the cooperative sensing system.
The Role of Risk Preferences in Pay-to-Bid Auctions

We analyze a new auction format in which bidders pay a fee each time they increase the auction price. Bidding fees are the primary source of revenue for the seller but produce the same expected revenue as standard auctions (assuming risk-neutral bidders). If risk-loving preferences are incorporated in the model, expected revenue increases. Our model predicts a particular distribution of ending prices, which we test against observed auction data. The degree of fit depends on how unobserved parameters are chosen; in particular, a slight preference for risk has the biggest impact in explaining auction behavior, suggesting that pay-to-bid auctions are a mild form of gambling. This paper was accepted by Peter Wakker, decision analysis.
Holographic decays of large-spin mesons

We study the decay process of large-spin mesons in the context of the gauge/string duality, using generic properties of confining backgrounds and systems with flavour branes. In the string picture, meson decay corresponds to the quantum-mechanical process in which a string rotating on the IR ``wall'' fluctuates, touches a flavour brane and splits into two smaller strings. This process automatically encodes flavour conservation as well as the Zweig rule. We show that the decay width computed in the string picture is in remarkable agreement with the decay width obtained using the phenomenological Lund model.