Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Importance of HDL cholesterol levels and the total/ HDL cholesterol ratio as a risk factor for coronary heart disease in molecularly defined heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.

AIMS To assess the relationship of the lipid profile to coronary heart disease in a group of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects with similar age, sex, body mass index, prevalence of angiotensin converting enzyme DD genotype and type of low density lipoprotein receptor mutation. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 66 molecularly defined heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects, 33 of whom had coronary heart disease, were studied. Clinical features, cardiovascular risk factors and lipid parameters were compared in both groups. Familial hypercholesterolaemic patients with coronary heart disease showed significantly lower values of mean plasma HDL cholesterol and a higher total/HDL cholesterol ratio as compared with familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects free of coronary heart disease. Total and LDL cholesterol concentrations were higher in patients with coronary heart disease, without reaching statistical significance. No differences in plasma lipoprotein(a) levels on absolute and log-transformed values were observed between the two groups. In the whole familial hypercholesterolaemia group, plasma HDL cholesterol levels were related to plasma triglyceride values and to LDL receptor gene 'null mutations'. CONCLUSIONS In familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects of similar age, gender, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and genetic factors that could influence coronary heart disease risk, plasma HDL cholesterol values and total/HDL cholesterol ratios are two important coronary risk factors. Hence, treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia should focus not only on lowering total and LDL cholesterol levels, but also on increasing HDL cholesterol values for coronary heart disease prevention. More prospective and intervention trials should be conducted to establish the relationship of HDL cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease in familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Effect of intracerebroventricular orexin-B on food intake in sheep.

Orexin is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that regulates feeding behavior in rats. Orexin-B has recently been cloned in pigs and was shown to stimulate food intake after intramuscular injection. This study was designed to determine whether intracerebroventricular (ICV) and intravenous injections of orexin could regulate appetite in sheep. Suffolk wethers were moved to indoor facilities, adapted to diets for 6 wk, and trained to stand in stanchions for 3 to 6 h each day for 2 wk before indwelling ICV cannulas were installed. These sheep were provided water and they consumed feed ad libitum. On the day before an experiment, each sheep was cannulated in a jugular vein. On the day of an experiment, sheep were placed in stanchions and allowed to stand for 1 h before use. Sheep were then monitored over a 2-h control period before i.v. injection with saline or porcine orexin-B (3 micrograms/kg BW) or ICV injection with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), orexin (0.03, 0.3, or 3 micrograms/kg BW) or in a second experiment with either orexin B (0.03, 0.3, 3 micrograms/kg BW), neuropeptide-Y (NPY; 0.3 microgram/kg BW), or orexin plus NPY. Food intake was monitored for consecutive 2-h periods. The i.v. injections of orexin did not affect food intake or metabolite or hormone concentrations. In ICV sheep, orexin increased food intake at 2 (P < 0.04) and at 4 h (P < 0.02). Food intake was greatest with the 0.3 microgram/kg BW dosage of orexin (P < 0.05). In the first 2 h after injection, orexin had an effect similar to that of NPY (0.23 kg for orexin and 0.2 kg for NPY). The combination of NPY and orexin had a greater effect on food intake (to 0.34 kg) than did either orexin (P < 0.05) or NPY (P < 0.008) alone. Differences were not apparent in the subsequent 2-h interval. No differences were noted in free fatty acid, glucose, growth hormone, luteinizing hormone, or insulin concentrations following orexin injection. There was an effect of ICV orexin treatment on plasma cortisol concentrations (P < 0.002). Cortisol was increased by orexin at the 0- to 2-h (P < 0.008) and in the 2- to 4-h (P < 0.009) intervals after orexin injection. These data indicate that central administration of orexin stimulates feed intake in sheep.
A New 3D Model-Based Tracking Technique for Robust Camera Pose Estimation

In this paper we present a new robust camera pose estimation approach based on 3D lines features. The proposed method is well adapted for mobile augmented reality applications We used an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to incrementally update the camera pose in real-time. The principal contributions of our method include first, the expansion of the RANSAC scheme in order to achieve a robust matching algorithm that associates 2D edges from the image with the 3D line segments from the input model. And second, a new powerful framework for camera pose estimation using only 2D-3D straight-lines within an EKF. Experimental results on real image sequences are presented to evaluate the performances and the feasibility of the proposed approach in indoor and outdoor environments.
A stochastic uncoupling process for graphs

\newcommand{\dpsd}{$\mathit{dpsd}$} A discrete stochastic uncoupling process for finite spaces is introduced, called the \emph{Markov Cluster Process} (MCL~process). The process takes a stochastic matrix as input, and then alternates flow expansion and flow inflation, each step defining a stochastic matrix in terms of the previous one. Flow expansion corresponds with taking the~$k^{th}$~power of a stochastic matrix, where~$k\in\N$. Flow inflation corresponds with a parametrized operator~$\Gamma_r$, $r\geq 0$, which maps the set of (column) stochastic matrices onto itself. The image~$\Gamma_r M$ is obtained by raising each entry in~$M$ to the~$r^{th}$~power and rescaling each column to have sum~$1$ again. In practice the process converges very fast towards a limit which is idempotent under both matrix multiplication and inflation, with quadratic convergence around the limit points. The limit is in general extremely sparse and the number of components of its associated graph may be larger than the number associated with the input matrix. This uncoupling is a desired effect as it reveals structure in the input matrix. The inflation operator~$\Gamma_r$ is shown to map the class of matrices which are diagonally similar to a symmetric matrix onto itself. The term \emph{diagonally positive semi-definite} (\dpsd) is used for matrices which are diagonally similar to a positive semi-definite matrix. It is shown that for $r\in\N$ and for~$M$ a stochastic \dpsd\ matrix, the image~$\Gamma_r M$ is again \dpsd. Determinantal inequalities satisfied by a \dpsd\ matrix~$M$ imply a natural ordering among the diagonal elements of~$M$, generalizing a mapping of nonnegative column allowable idempotent matrices onto overlapping clusterings. The spectrum of~$\Gamma_{\infty} M$, for \dpsd\ $M$, is of the form~$\{0^{n-k}, 1^k\}$, where~$k$ is the number of endclasses of the ordering associated with~$M$, and~$n$ is the dimension of~$M$. Reductions of \dpsd\ matrices are given, a connection with Hilbert''s distance and the contraction ratio defined for nonnegative matrices is discussed, and several conjectures are made.
The nuclear region of low luminosity flat radio spectrum sources - II. Emission-line spectra

We report on the spectroscopic study of 19 low luminosity Flat Radio Spectrum (LL FRS) sources selected from Marcha's et al. (1996) 200 mJy sample. In the optical, these objects are mainly dominated by the host galaxy starlight. After correcting the data for this effect, we obtain a new set of spectra clearly displaying weak emission lines; such features carry valuable information concerning the excitation mechanisms at work in the nuclear regions of LL FRS sources. We have used a special routine to model the spectra and assess the intensities and velocities of the emission lines; we have analyzed the results in terms of diagnostic diagrams. Our analysis shows that 79% of the studied objects harbour a Low Ionization Nuclear Emission-line Region (or LINER) whose contribution was swamped by the host galaxy starlight. The remaining objects display a higher ionization spectrum, more typical of Seyferts; due to the poor quality of the spectra, it was not possible to identify any possible large Balmer components. The fact that we observe a LINER-type spectrum in LL FRS sources supports the idea that some of these objects could be undergoing an ADAF phase; in addition, such a low ionization emission-line spectrum is in agreement with the black hole mass values and sub-Eddington accretion rates published for some FRS sources.
Sensitivity analysis of maintainability-based risk factors for software architectures

Software architecture is a key discipline in software engineering as it performs a central role in many modern software development paradigms. For an evolving complex architecture, assessing the change impact for the components considering all maintenance scenarios is a difficult problem. In this paper, we present a methodology to conduct sensitivity analysis of maintainability-based risk factors for software architectures. The methodology can assist the software architect to determine the components with the least change impact. Two case studies are used to illustrate the methodology. Results show that only small subset of components are highly sensitive to change.
Sense of place in natural resource recreation and tourism: an evaluation and assessment of research findings.

Farnum, Jennifer; Hall, Troy; Kruger, Linda E. 2005. Sense of place in natural resource recreation and tourism: an evaluation and assessment of research findings. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-660. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 59 p. Understanding sense of place and related concepts often presents challenges for both managers and researchers. Inconsistent application of terms, questions regarding their origin, and a lack of awareness of research findings contribute to the ambiguity of these concepts. This integrative review of research provides relevant, current information on the role of sense of place in natural-resourcebased recreation and tourism. Special focus is given to the foundations of place attachment, how place attachment may differ among user types, and the relation of place attachment to other psychological phenomena such as attitudes. The role of theory in place attachment also is addressed, and gaps in theoretical and empirical work are identified. This review provides specific recommendations for managers and others wanting to better understand the dynamics of sense of place.
Traffic Engineering Model and Algorithm Based on Bi-level Programming in Hybrid Software Defined Network

-With the rapid development of Internet, the complexity of the network and control difficulty has increased dramatically. For the problem of fossilization network is more and more prominent, SDN (software defined network) arises at the historic moment. Due to SDN controller centralized control and the characteristics of shunt on SDN network equipment, this paper puts forward that part of nodes in the traditional network are changed to SDN nodes. In a hybrid SDN scenario, a new bi-level programming model in view of the virtual network by SDN nodes is proposed for traffic engineering algorithm. Using BLABG algorithm based on sensitivity analysis is to solve the model and to obtain the stability of the equilibrium solution. The traffic engineering model algorithm is more suitable for the network rush hour. It has good adaptability and can adjust the flow in the entire network to load balancing, and significantly reduces the delay effect of the underlying hybrid network and virtual network. Simulation results show that the proposed hybrid network traffic engineering algorithm is superior to the traditional network model. Key-Words: Hybrid SDN; Traffic Engineering; Bi-level Programming; Virtual Network
Improvement of the remote operability for the arm-equipped tracked vehicle HELIOS IX

This work presents the development of an arm-equipped tracked vehicle named HELIOS IX for search and rescue tasks in urban environments. HELIOS IX operator has to tele-operate several tasks such as opening of doors, negotiation of stairs and handling objects. However due to the complexity and kinematics of the system, these tasks are difficult to be carried out without some level of automation. This study proposes one of the shared autonomy type operator-supporting system for HELIOS IX. It is based on a laser range finder (LRF), finger-attached LED beam guiding systems and on a finger 3 axes force sensor interfaced by a novel reinforcing metal plate. Carrying out several experiments we could demonstrate that, tele-operation task can become easier by the introduction of the 3D space approaching assistance of the LRF, object grasping assistance of the LED beams attached on the fingers, and by the force following assistance of the force sensor attached to the wrist.
APC binds the Miro/Milton motor complex to stimulate transport of mitochondria to the plasma membrane

The role of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor at mitochondria is unclear. We show that APC associates with the Miro/Milton/kinesin complex to stimulate anterograde transport of mitochondria. This identifies the first regulatory role of APC in organelle transport. APC cancer mutations block this activity.
On the capacity of the relay channel with known state at the source

We investigate the general relay channel with state that is noncausally known at the source. We first present a multiletter characterization of the capacity using the Gelfand-Pinsker encoding scheme. We then tailor the result to the general Gaussian relay channel with additive interference noncausally known at the source and compute a closed-form lower bound to the capacity using the joint dirty paper coding (DPC) and multidimensional linear relaying. We finally demonstrate that a potentially suboptimal evaluation of the proposed lower bound can simultaneously outperform known state-of-art coding strategies including DPC with signal description or state description along with compress-and-forward, noisy network coding and decode-and-forward.
The Pragmatic Language Observation Scale

In Word of Mouth 15.1, I reviewed the Focus on the Communication Outcomes of Children Under Six (FOCUS), an assessment designed to measure change in preschool children receiving speech and language therapy. Attention is given to how children are communicating in naturalistic contexts. As I mentioned in that review, the Scope of Practice for the American Speech Language Hearing Association (2007) advocates the use of the World Health Organization–International Classification of Functioning (WHO-ICF) for all clinical and research work in speech. The ICF distinguishes between outcomes that are specific skills and outcomes that reflect functioning in naturalistic contexts. The Pragmatic Language Observation Scale (PLOS) is intended as a screener for students who exhibit pragmatic deficits in the classroom, but I believe it could also be used with students with specific language impairment to evaluate the ways they are communicating outside the therapy room. The PLOS uses teachers’ ratings to assess students’ everyday classroom oral language behaviors. It has 30 items that evaluate students on a variety of communication skills, the majority of which are considered pragmatic skills (e.g., shares information, sticks to the topic when speaking, adjusts language to different social situations), but items also assess phonological (e.g., has intelligible speech), semantic (e.g., retrieves words quickly), and syntactic skills (e.g., uses acceptable grammar). The PLOS is designed for students ages 8 years, 0 months through 17 years, 11 months. Teachers or professionals knowledgeable of the student rate the 30 communication behaviors on a 5-point Likert-type scale (i.e., 1 and 2 = below average, 3 = average, 4 and 5 = above average). The rating can be completed in 5 to 10 min. In completing the PLOS, the teacher or examiner compares the target students to other students in the class or age-range. The single form for the PLOS has the rating scale on one side and the summary sheet on the other. The student’s total score is converted to a standard score (called the Pragmatic Language Observation Index [PLOI]) and a percentile rank. Based on the PLOI, the examiner selects the best descriptive term—very poor, poor, below average, average, above average. There is also a section for interpreting the difference between the PLOI and the index score on another language test. This could be useful for students who may demonstrate language skills in structured test situations but who do not use them in social situations. The PLOS can be used to justify a referral, expand the scope of language assessment, and compare teacher ratings with students’ scores on formal tests.
Opportunities , Concerns and Challenges in the Adoption of Cloud Storage

The impact of Information and Communication Technologies on business models is posing new challenges. It has given birth to a new set of data and related applications. Changing business needs and the explosion of digital data have also created huge demand for massive and efficient storage. Increasing costs for electronic data storage and limited funds made people to think about cloud storage. Such infrastructures need reliable equipments and skilled manpower to handle it efficiently and effectively. Cloud Storage is an important part of cloud computing in which storage is provisioned, on-demand and pay-per usage basis from anywhere through Internet. The paper emphasizes on the adoption of Cloud storage. It reviews its evolution, design principles and different storage services. It presents a generalized architecture of Cloud storage along with opportunities, concerns and challenges in the adoption of Cloud Storage. Keywords—Cloud Computing, Cloud Storage, Virtualization, Design principles, Cloud Storage Architecture.
Rural Internet service system based on Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) using train system

A Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) technique is used in this research for approaching the digital divide problem in Indonesia. In this research, a train system was chosen as infrastructures as DTN routers using Wi-Fi. Tens/hundreds/thousands of remote areas are passed through by a train, this makes Internet services proposed having low costs and appropriate for remote areas. The complete Internet services system was successfully designed and implemented.
The pursuit of belonging in inclusive education – insider perspectives on the meshwork of participation

ABSTRACT According to the United Nations Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [UN 2006. Accessed May 7, 2016. https://www.un. org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html], full participation should be premised for everyone with a disability. However, the concept of ‘full participation’ is not clear. In this article, it is argued that the conceptualisation of participation is essential to create a welcoming context for all children in education. In a context characterised by a multiplicity of connections, children with special educational needs participate but at the same time also experience discrimination and exclusion. The aim of this study is to unravel the meaning of full participation, not as a state of being but as a process of becoming. In focus group dialogues, it is demonstrated how full participation is relationally formed inside and between the many connections that pupils seek in order to belong. It is thus a multi-layered concept, closely connected to accessibility and, due to its emergent and entangled nature, also very elusive. It revolves around a sense of belonging, with an important focus on interconnectivity, diminished conditionality and imagination.
Decreasing Neuroscience Anxiety in an Introductory Neuroscience Course: An Analysis Using Data from a Modified Science Anxiety Scale

To determine whether participation in a neuroscience course reduced neuroscience anxiety, a modified version of the Science Anxiety Scale was administered to students at the beginning and end of an introductory course. Neuroscience anxiety scores were significantly reduced at the end of the course and correlated with higher final grades. Reduced neuroscience anxiety did not correlate with reduced science anxiety, suggesting that neuroscience anxiety is a distinct subtype of anxiety.
Space Speedup and Its Relationship with Time Speedup

In the optimizing work of parallel program, especially in the realm of massively parallel computing, the parallel computing time and space must be concurrently carefully considered to cut down the computing time as much as possible, because lots of poor parallel space strategies would impact negative effects on computing time. Although, sometimes we have no choice but to sacrifice the space for the time’s further diminishing. What relationship should the computing time and space to keep and how are they going on are two problems, which deciding our optimizing direction directly and must be clear in parallel optimizing. This paper proposes a space theory, named as space speedup, to denote the scalability of memory requirement, and discusses the relationship of time speedup and space speedup, through which the speedups’ guidance capacity in optimizing parallel codes are given.
Author ' s personal copy Income dispersion and counter-cyclical markups

Recent advances in measuring cyclical changes in the income distribution raise new questions: How might these distributional changes affect the business cycle itself? We show how counter-cyclical income dispersion can generate counter-cyclical markups in the goods market, without any preference shocks or price-setting frictions. In recessions, idiosyncratic labor productivity shocks raise income dispersion, lower the price elasticity of demand, and increase imperfectly competitive firms’ optimal markups. The calibrated model explains not only many cyclical features of markups, but also cyclical and long-run patterns of standard business cycle aggregates. & 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Secure covert channels in multiplayer games

Steganography is the art of hidden communication. In recent years, some publications presented approaches to transmit hidden information for different purposes via covert channels provided by games. These approaches used rather ad-hoc techniques to reach their objectives without establishing notions of steganographic security in their domain and applying them to review their solution. Therefore, this paper both theoretically and practically tackles the question how to implement secure steganography for games. First, we recall the necessary game-theoretic basics from which we derive a notion of steganographic security for game-based methods that depends on strategy imitation. This is followed by a general information-theoretic analysis of games to calculate the total amount of information that is sent during a game and the share that can be used securely for game-theoretic steganography. Second, based on our game-theoretic framework, we present a secure steganographic system for a simplified version of poker that serves as a proof of concept. Its features are evaluated and compared to the theoretical results. Despite its security, the system can replace over 50% of the cover data with steganographic information. Further advantages of our method are that no large cover messages are needed and that it can be used for steganographic streaming.