Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of gender and body composition method on the apparent decline in lean mass-adjusted resting metabolic rate with age.

BACKGROUND Declining resting energy expenditure (REE) is a hallmark of normal aging, but the cause of this decline remains controversial. Some, but not all, studies have shown that the decline in REE with age is eliminated after adjustment for fat-free mass (FFM). METHODS We examined the effect of four body composition methods used to assess FFM (underwater weighing [UWW], bioimpedance analysis [BIA], tritium dilution, and total body potassium [TBK]) on the relationship between REE and age in 30 healthy men and 101 healthy women aged 18 to 87 years. RESULTS The decline in REE with age was significant in women (-80.3 kJ/d/y, p < .004) but not in men (-46.9 kJ/d/y, p = .328). After adjustment for FFM, the decline in REE with age persisted when FFM was measured by BIA, UWW, or tritium dilution, but no decline was seen when TBK was used to adjust for FFM. In both women and men, fat mass was significantly associated with REE after adjusting for age and FFM. CONCLUSION It is the decline in cell mass with age, detectable by TBK but not by other methods, rather than any metabolic alteration, that explains the decline in FFM-adjusted REE with age.
Amplitude Modulation Filters as Feature Sets for Robust ASR: Constant Absolute or Relative Bandwidth?

Many research efforts in the field of feature extraction for automatic speech recognition are focused on analyzing slow amplitude fluctuations of speech. In this study the importance of spectral and temporal resolution for the amplitude modulation frequency analysis are investigated in order to provide guidance for the appropriate filter design. Therefore, different wavelet and Fourier transform like filter time scales are examined, i.e. the importance of time and frequency separation is compared. The results demonstrate that analyzing three separate amplitude modulation frequency bands of constant absolute bandwidth that cover the range from about 2 to 16 Hz are sufficient for automatic speech recognition.
Return of the right whale: Assessment of abundance, population structure and geneflow in the New Zealand southern right whale

Any use you make of these documents or images must be for research or private study purposes only, and you may not make them available to any other person. Authors control the copyright of their thesis. You will recognise the author's right to be identified as the author of this thesis, and due acknowledgement will be made to the author where appropriate. You will obtain the author's permission before publishing any material from their thesis.
MIDI Conversion to Musical Notation

Nowadays, music has become an integral part of human life. People live with music surrounding them. Almost everywhere in the world there is music playing. Playing music is no longer the work of musician only, as all humans like music. Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) was created to help people play numerous musical instruments alone and to help musicians enrich their music. As the development of music, people can only rely on hearing to know how to play/sing a song. However, not everybody is a capable singer. If the singer sing a wrong pitch, everybody learning from him will be false as well. To solve this problem, musical notation is needed. It is the same with MIDI. People cannot reproduce a song in MIDI if they do not know the chords to play it. Thus, musical notation is the solution. Converting MIDI file into musical notation is the goal of this project. The musical notation produced will help people who want to learn a certain song contained in a MIDI file which can be found across the internet for free or for a small fee.
A single-chip ring-based multiprocessor with region-level filtering of coherence traffic

This paper presents the architecture and prototype hardware implementation of a single-chip shared-memory multiprocessor based on a ring interconnect with support for adaptive filtering of coherence traffic. Our implementation is suitable for application-specific designs and avoids the complexity associated with directory-based cache coherence by limiting writes to addresses that are local to the requesting node while maintaining cache coherence for shared data throughout the system. In addition, we seek to adaptively restrict the scope of coherence operations by employing filter structures in hardware with modest storage requirements. To characterize the logic utilization of the proposed filters relative to other system components, a prototype multiprocessor system has been described in 4250 lines of synthesizable SystemVerilog code and implemented in field-programmable logic. Synthesis results are presented to characterize the logic overhead of the filter structures, and operational results are presented to demonstrate their behavior.
Frequency-domain robust performance condition for plant and controller uncertainty in SISO LTI systems

This paper addresses the robust performance issue in the presence of controller uncertainty for single-input single-output LTI systems. All system uncertainties are modeled as additive, and the final result is a frequency-domain upper bound for controller uncertainty weighting function which acts as a sufficient condition for maintaining the systempsilas robust performance. The bound is calculated in a simple way which makes it suitable for real-time applications needing multiple controller design attempts due to changes in system components or environmental conditions.
The Proprotein Convertase PC5A and a Metalloprotease Are Involved in the Proteolytic Processing of the Neural Adhesion Molecule L1*

The transmembrane and multidomain neural adhesion molecule L1 plays important functional roles in the developing and adult nervous system. L1 is proteolytically processed at two distinct sites within the extracellular domain, leading to the generation of different fragments. In this report, we present evidence that the proprotein convertase PC5A is the protease that cleaves L1 in the third fibronectin type III domain, whereas the proprotein convertases furin, PC1, PC2, PACE4, and PC7 are not effective in cleaving L1. Analysis of mutations revealed Arg845 to be the site of cleavage generating the N-terminal 140-kDa fragment. This fragment was present in the hippocampus, which expresses PC5A, but was not detectable in the cerebellum, which does not express PC5A. The 140-kDa L1 fragment was found to be tightly associated with the full-length 200-kDa L1 molecule. The complex dissociated from the membrane upon cleavage by a protease acting at a more membrane-proximal site of full-length L1. This proteolytic cleavage was inhibited by the metalloprotease inhibitor GM 6001 and enhanced by a calmodulin inhibitor. L1-dependent neurite outgrowth of cerebellar neurons was inhibited by GM 6001, suggesting that proteolytic processing of L1 by a metalloprotease is involved in neurite outgrowth.
Human reliability from a social-psychological perspective

Human reliability is usually investigated either from a technical perspective, in terms of probability models, or from a general psychological perspective using information processing or decision models. Both approaches view human actions at the level of the individual. Based on a re-analysis of 100 accidents at sea (Wagenaar & Groeneweg, 1987), it is shown that focusing solely on the individual, or an aggregation of several individuals, has severe shortcomings. The statistical analysis reveals that the individuals? contributions are not mutually independent; rather, they seem to be affected by social interactions manifested in the two-person case. These results may be explained by theories of social influence.
A Novel SUMO1-specific Interacting Motif in Dipeptidyl Peptidase 9 (DPP9) That Is Important for Enzymatic Regulation*

Background: Interactions of SUMO isoforms/paralogs involve a groove on SUMO1–3 and a SIM on the downstream effector. Results: A novel motif in DPP9 binds to a loop on SUMO1, leading to allosteric activation of DPP9. Conclusion: The SUMO1-loop is an additional surface for noncovalent interactions, allowing discrimination between SUMO1–3. Significance: Learning how SUMO isoforms/paralogs are recognized advances our understanding on events downstream of sumoylation. Sumoylation affects many cellular processes by regulating the interactions of modified targets with downstream effectors. Here we identified the cytosolic dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9) as a SUMO1 interacting protein. Surprisingly, DPP9 binds to SUMO1 independent of the well known SUMO interacting motif, but instead interacts with a loop involving Glu67 of SUMO1. Intriguingly, DPP9 selectively associates with SUMO1 and not SUMO2, due to a more positive charge in the SUMO1-loop. We mapped the SUMO-binding site of DPP9 to an extended arm structure, predicted to directly flank the substrate entry site. Importantly, whereas mutants in the SUMO1-binding arm are less active compared with wild-type DPP9, SUMO1 stimulates DPP9 activity. Consistent with this, silencing of SUMO1 leads to a reduced cytosolic prolyl-peptidase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that SUMO1, or more likely, a sumoylated protein, acts as an allosteric regulator of DPP9.
A Concise History of Economic Thought: From Mercantilism to Monetarism

Foreword S.G. Medema PART I: CLASSICAL POLITICAL ECONOMY, 1600-1870 1. Seventeenth Century Pioneers 2. Development in French Economics 3. Towards a Mature Classical Political Economy 4. The First Full Systems of Classical Political Economy 5. The 'Golden Age' of Classical Political Economy PART II: MODERN DEVELOPMENTS, 1870-1960 6. The First Generation 7. The Development of Marginalist Economics: Distribution and Capital Theory 8. Pioneers of Macro-Economics 9. Further Developments in Micro-Economics 10. The Foundations of Modern Macro-Economics
Comparing measures of injury severity for use with large databases.

BACKGROUND After recent debate about the best measure of anatomic injury severity, this study aimed to compare four measures based on Abbreviated Injury Scale scores derived using ICDMAP-90-the Modified Anatomic Profile (ICD/mAP), Anatomic Profile Score (ICD/APS), Injury Severity Score (ICD/ISS), and New Injury Severity Score (ICD/NISS)-with the International Classification of Diseases-based Injury Severity Score (ICISS). METHODS Data were selected from New Zealand public hospital discharges from 1989 to 1998. There were 349,409 patients in the dataset, of whom 3,871 had died. Models were compared in terms of their discrimination and calibration using logistic regression. Age was included as a covariate. RESULTS The ICISS and ICD/mAP were the best performing measures. Adding age significantly improved the discrimination and calibration of almost all the models. CONCLUSION The ICISS is a viable alternative to ICDMAP-based measures for coding anatomic injury severity on large datasets.
Principles of robust design methodology

The literature on robust design has focused chiefly on the development of methods for identifying robust design solutions. In this paper we present a literature review of conflicts and agreements on the principles of robust design. Through this review four central principles of robust design are identified: awareness of variation, insensitivity to noise factors, application of various methods, and application in all stages of a design process. These principles are comprised into the following definition of robust design methodology: Robust design methodology means systematic efforts to achieve insensitivity to noise factors. These efforts are founded on an awareness of variation and can be applied in all stages of product design. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal Lyapunov function selection for reaching time estimation of Super Twisting algorithm

In this paper we propose a whole family of quadratic-like strong Lyapunov functions for the Super Twisting algorithm. They show that all trajectories converge in finite time to the origin, and a formula to estimate the convergence time for the considered family of Lyapunov functions is proposed. A methodology to select the Lyapunov function, providing for better estimation of the convergence time, is presented. The obtained results are illustrated through simulation.
Relative formation control of mobile agents for gradient climbing and target capturing

Cooperative controllers are designed to force a group of N mobile agents with limited communication using only relative position between the agents to form a desired formation structure. The centre of the formation structure is the mean position of all the agents. The agents are stabilised at desired positions with respect to the centre of the structure. The proposed controllers also preserve initial communication connectivity and guarantees no collisions between the agents. The control design is based on smooth step functions and potential functions. The proposed control design is applied to solve gradient climbing and target capturing problems in both two- and three-dimensional spaces. The gradient average of a distributed field in nature or artificially generated by a target is first estimated over a bounded region using the field measurement by the agents. The gradient average is then used as the reference velocity to guide the agents.
Tremor detection using smartphone-based acoustic sensing

In this demo, we present a tremor detection application on smartphones for early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Our tremor detection scheme uses inaudible sound emitted by the built-in speaker on the smartphone. We measure the movement of the hand by extracting the phase of sound waves reflected by the hand. Our application can classify whether the hand is static, moving, or trembling, without requiring the patient to hold the phone. The application can also determine the intensity of the tremor by measuring parameters such as the trembling frequency and the trembling magnitude.
Local stability analysis of continuous-time Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems: An LMI approach

This paper deals with the problem of estimating invariant subsets of the domain of attraction (DA) for continuous-time Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy systems. By employing the fuzzy Lyapunov function, a new sufficient condition is formulated in the form of linear matrix inequalitys (LMI) or eigenvalue problems (EVPs). For better solutions, an iterative LMI algorithm is also provided. Finally, examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in comparison with existing methods in the literature.
Exploring the Anticancer Activity of Grape Seed Extract on Skin Cancer Cell Lines A431

In this study, grape seeds were extracted using ethyl acetate and petroleum ether by solvent-solvent extraction method. The phytochemical tests were performed to identify different phytochemical compounds present in the grape seed extract (GSE). Antibacterial activity of the GSE was determined using agar diffusion method against Gram- positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was done to identify the presence of bioactive compounds and their functional groups. The GC-MS results revealed a total of four compounds, known to have potent activity against cancer cells, viz, squalene, the most potent compound found in ethyl acetate extract and diethyl phthalate, ethyl-9- cis -11- trans octadecadienoate and (R)-(-)-14,-methyl-8-Hexadecyn-1-ol in petroleum ether extract. Cytotoxic activity of the GSE was observed against skin cancer cell lines A4321 using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) MTT assay. The IC50 value of the GSE against A431 skin cancer cell line was 480 µg/mL. This is first such report against A4321 cell lines. The study gives the overall perception about importance of GSE in medicine and nutraceuticals purposes.
A comparative study on non-linear state estimators applied to sensorless AC drives: MRAS and Kalman filter

In this paper, two different nonlinear estimators applied to sensorless AC drives, Kalman filtering techniques (EKF and UKF) and model reference adaptive system (back emf and reactive power models), are discussed and compared to each other. Both of the observer types are studied and analyzed both experimentally and theoretically. In order to compare the observers precisely, the observers are tested under the identical conditions.
Maternal caregiving and girls' depressive symptom and antisocial behavior trajectories: An examination among high-risk youth

Abstract Past research has identified maternal depression and family of origin maltreatment as precursors to adolescent depression and antisocial behavior. Caregiving experiences have been identified as a factor that may ameliorate or accentuate adolescent psychopathology trajectories. Using a multilevel approach that pools the unique attributes of two geographically diverse, yet complementary, longitudinal research designs, the present study examined the role of maternal caregiver involvement as a factor that promotes resilience-based trajectories related to depressive symptoms and antisocial behaviors among adolescent girls. The first sample comprises a group of US-based adolescent girls in foster care (n = 100; mean age = 11.50 years), each of whom had a history of childhood maltreatment and removal from their biological parent(s). The second sample comprises a group of UK-based adolescent girls at high familial risk for depression (n = 145; mean age = 11.70 years), with all girls having biological mothers who experienced recurrent depression. Analyses examined the role of maternal caregiving on girls' trajectories of depression and antisocial behavior, while controlling for levels of co-occurring psychopathology at each time point. Results suggest increasing levels of depressive symptoms for girls at familial risk for depression but decreasing levels of depression for girls in foster care. Foster girls' antisocial behavior also decreased over time. Maternal caregiver involvement was differentially related to intercept and slope parameters in both samples. Results are discussed with respect to the benefits of applying multilevel (multisample, multiple outcome) approaches to identifying family-level factors that can reduce negative developmental outcomes in high-risk youth.
Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections by Adenovirus in Children: Histopathologic Findings in 18 Fatal Cases

Adenoviruses (Ads) are the 2nd-most common cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections of viral etiology in immunocompetent children who require hospitalization in Argentina. A new pathogenic genomic variant, Ad7h, has been identified and was associated with severe sequelae and a high mortality rate. A retrospective observational study was conducted in hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections between March 1988 and May 2005. Nasopharyngeal or tracheal aspirates, bacteriological analysis on blood samples and pleural fluids, and histopathologic studies on autopsies were performed. A total of 415 children were included in the study. Sixty-two patients died in the acute stage of illness (1–8 weeks), and postmortem examination was performed on 18 of them. Mean age was 8.25 months. The male to female ratio was 1.3:1. The Ad was genome typed in 9% of all children, of whom 29 corresponded to the Ad7h variant. This genome type was diagnosed in 7 of the autopsies performed. Necrotizing bronchitis and bronchiolitis with abundant typical adenoviral inclusion nuclear cells and diffuse alveolar damage were the most important findings. Superimposed bacterial infection occurred in 11 cases, and cytomegalovirus was found in 1. In our population, Ad respiratory infection was found to have a severe course with sequelae or death. No differences were observed between lesions caused by other previously described genome types and those found in cases in which Ad7h was identified.
Emergence of complex behaviors from coordinated predictive control in humanoid robotics. (Émergence de comportements complexes par commande prédictive coordonnée en robotique humanoïde)

Rising to the challenge of motor control for systems involved in multi-objective and highly-constrained activities is a requirement to enable the emergence of efficient and robust behaviors; the elaboration of complex motor coordination strategies is critical in ensuring performance, feasibility and safety.Although multi-objective predictive approaches enable the definition of complex and constrained strategies coordinating the motor activity of the system, their computational cost is a critical drawback from practical applications.The work presented in this dissertation aims at considering multi-objective predictive control for feasible and practical applications to humanoid robotics.A control architecture is proposed to this purpose as a multi-objective, two-layered controller exploiting the respective advantages of predictive and instantaneous formulations.The contribution of this work takes the form of the validation of the benefits from such an approach in its development for practical challenges and applications, in simulation and real-time implementation, on the iCub and TORO robots and virtual human models.Computational demand of the predictive level is contained with the introduction of reduced multi-objective predictive problems, enabling computationally-favorable formulations of the control problem using mixed-integer programming and sequential and parallel distributions.Despite the resulting approximations on the dynamics of the system at the predictive level, complex behaviors are emerging, exploiting elaborate coordination strategies between conflicting objectives and constraints to increase performance and robustness against disturbances.
Interaural Time Difference estimation using Cross-power spectrum phase with zerocrossings

ITD (Interaural Time Difference) estimation is an important part of the auditory signal process such as sound source localization. CPSP (Cross-power spectrum phase) is a popular ITD estimation method but requires FFT and IFFT that are involved with much computation. To reduce the amount of computation of CPSP, we propose an approximation method of CPSP using zero-crossing process and call it CPSP-ZC. The CPSP-ZC is structurally based on ZCTD which is a computationally efficient ITD estimation method using zero-crossing process. We believe that CPSP-ZC will be a good alternative of CPSP when only little computation is allowed.