Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Birth Weight, Ethnicity, and Exposure to Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids in Drinking Water during Pregnancy in the Born in Bradford Cohort

Background: Evidence for a relationship between trihalomethane (THM) or haloacetic acid (HAA) exposure and adverse fetal growth is inconsistent. Disinfection by-products exist as complex mixtures in water supplies, but THMs and HAAs have typically been examined separately. Objectives: We investigated joint exposure at the individual level to THMs and HAAs in relation to birth weight in the multi-ethnic Born in Bradford birth cohort. Methods: Pregnant women reported their water consumption and activities via questionnaire. These data were combined with area-level THM and HAA concentrations to estimate integrated uptake of THMs into blood and HAA ingestion, accounting for boiling/filtering. We examined the relationship between THM and HAA exposures and birth weight of up to 7,438 singleton term babies using multiple linear regression, stratified by ethnicity. Results: Among Pakistani-origin infants, mean birth weight was significantly lower in association with the highest versus lowest tertiles of integrated THM uptake (e.g., –53.7 g; 95% CI: –89.9, –17.5 for ≥ 1.82 vs. < 1.05 μg/day of total THM) and there were significant trends (p < 0.01) across increasing tertiles, but there were no associations among white British infants. Neither ingestion of HAAs alone or jointly with THMs was associated with birth weight. Estimated THM uptake via showering, bathing, and swimming was significantly associated with lower birth weight in Pakistani-origin infants, when adjusting for THM and HAA ingestion via water consumption. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the largest DBP and fetal growth study to date with individual water use data, and the first to examine individual-level estimates of joint THM–HAA exposure. Our findings demonstrate associations between THM, but not HAA, exposure during pregnancy and reduced birth weight, but suggest this differs by ethnicity. This study suggests that THMs are not acting as a proxy for HAAs, or vice-versa. Citation: Smith RB, Edwards SC, Best N, Wright J, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ, Toledano MB. 2016. Birth weight, ethnicity, and exposure to trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids in drinking water during pregnancy in the Born in Bradford cohort. Environ Health Perspect 124:681–689; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1409480
Implementation of Trench Schottky Barrier Diodes on InGaAs for Power Integrated Circuits

In this paper, we compare the performance of three lateral Schottky-barrier diodes namely conventional Schottky-barrier (CSB), Trench Side-wall Schottky-barrier (TSSB) and Trench Oxide Schottky-barrier (TOSB) implemented on InGaAs. These Schottky diodes can be suitably integrated with other power devices in high speed power integrated circuits. Two dimensional numerical simulations have been performed to analyse and compare the performance of these devices. Our results show that an appreciable amount of improvement in reverse blocking voltage and reverse leakage current can be obtained from trench structures without degradation in forward voltage. The TOSB structure is shown to achieve two times higher breakdown voltage with 23% reduction in reverse leakage current in comparison to the CSB diode. The reason for large improvement in reverse characteristic is suppressed barrier lowering effect due to reduction in electric field at the Schottky contact in TOSB structure. The forward voltage drop of all the devices is as low as 0.4V at a forward current density of 100 A/cm2.
The Perceptions of “Healing” in BL (Boys’ Love) Reading and the Situational Triggers

Boys’ Love (BL) is a fiction genre now enjoying high visibility and popularity among the young women in Taiwan. Inspired by the reader response theory, this study adopted a grounded theory approach to analyze female readers’ perception of “healing” generated from BL reading. Based on the in-depth interviews with 22 readers, this study revealed three types of “healing” perception and four types of situations that prompted the emergence of the feelings. The three types of “healing” perception included the perceptions induced from the descriptions of interpersonal relations in the stories (i.e., the feeling of sweetness from reading about romantic love, coziness from reading about family love and friendships, and the pain and joy of looking back at the self’s past), perceptions triggered by storylines or story characters (i.e., feeling relieved, feeling soothed, feeling of completion and satisfaction, feeling hilarious, feeling pampering toward story characters), and perceptions triggered by visual or audio sensations. The four types of situations for the emergence of the healing perception included the matching of textual characteristics and readers’ romantic experiences, the matching of textual characteristics and readers’ life experiences, an atmosphere of tenderness and softness induced by textual characteristics, and the reading of derivative creation based on other popular original fiction works that bring about satisfaction and completion. Based on the findings, this paper further discusses on the significance of the healing effects generated from everyday pleasure reading as well as the contribution of the analysis approach used in this study for future genre reading research.
Lightning Mapping Array flash detection performance with variable receiver thresholds

This study characterizes Lightning Mapping Array performance for networks that participated in the Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry field program using new Monte Carlo and curvature matrix model simulations. These open‐source simulation tools are readily adapted to real‐time operations or detailed studies of performance. Each simulation accounted for receiver threshold and location, as well as a reference distribution of source powers and flash sizes based on thunderstorm observations and the mechanics of station triggering. Source and flash detection efficiency were combined with solution bias and variability to predict flash area distortion at long ranges. Location errors and detection efficiency were highly dependent on the station configuration and thresholds, especially at longer ranges, such that performance varied more than expected across different networks and with azimuth within networks. Error characteristics matched prior studies, which led to an increase in flash distortion with range. Predicted flash detection efficiency exceeded 95% within 100 km of all networks.
The application of camera calibration methods based on structured-light measurement

There are two steps in using 3D computer vision to extract metric information from 2D images. Camera calibration is the first step, and this paper analyses and compares the three popular calibration methods: typical linear calibration, Tsaipsilas two-stage calibration and Zhangpsilas planar pattern calibration by measuring the position of space points. It is concluded that Zhangpsilas method has the best practicability and validity, and this has been verified by experiment. In the structured light vision system, the accuracy of center position of the stripe is of great importance for that of the whole measuring system. Processing the image of stripe is the second important step. We adopted an improved arithmetic based on Harris to extract the points of the planar pattern. At last, using it to obtain a cylinderpsilas radius and prove it simple and available.
Euler diagram codes: interpretation and generation

Euler diagrams (EDs) are a popular means of visualizing set-based relationships. We describe the advancement of EulerSketch, based on a novel encoding of EDs. In particular, EulerSketch allows a user to sketch and interact with EDs and automatically produce a code representation for them. It also enables code storage and retrieval and permits to automatically re-draw an ED from its code representation. Some features are inspired by earlier works [4, 6, 3].
Coping with an Acute Psychosocial Challenge: Behavioral and Physiological Responses in Young Women

Despite the relevance of behavior in understanding individual differences in the strategies used to cope with stressors, behavioral responses and their relationships with psychobiological changes have received little attention. In this study on young women, we aimed at analyzing the associations among different components of the stress response and behavioral coping using a laboratory psychosocial stressor. The Ethological Coding System for Interviews, as well as neuroendocrine, autonomic and mood parameters, were used to measure the stress response in 34 young women (17 free-cycling women in their early follicular phase and 17 oral contraceptive users) subjected to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and a control condition in a crossover design. No significant differences in cardiac autonomic, negative mood and anxiety responses to the stressor were observed between the two groups of women. However, women in the follicular phase showed a higher cortisol response and a larger decrease in positive mood during the social stress episode, as well as greater anxiety overall. Interestingly, the amount of displacement behavior exhibited during the speaking task of the TSST was positively related to anxiety levels preceding the test, but negatively related to baseline and stress response values of heart rate. Moreover, the amount of submissive behavior was negatively related to basal cortisol levels. Finally, eye contact and low-aggressiveness behaviors were associated with a worsening in mood. Overall, these findings emphasize the close relationship between coping behavior and psychobiological reactions, as well as the role of individual variations in the strategy of coping with a psychosocial stressor.
THE EFFECTS OF AGE AND GENDER ON FINGER TAPPING SPEED IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

The assessment of children’s motor control is very important in detecting potential motor deficits. The Finger Tapping Test (FTT) is a widely used test in various clinical and non-clinical populations. FTT is a neuropsychological test designed to measure motor control. Age and gender are significant pre dictors of finger tapping speed in school-aged children. The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of age and gender on finger tapping speed in preschool children. The sample for this study included 111 preschool children, aged 3 to 6 years (mean age4.6; SD0.9), of both genders (59 boys, 52 girls). As a measure of finger tapping speed we used the Finger Tapping Test from the Psychology Experi ment Building Language (PEBL). The results of this study found a significant effect of age on finger tapping speed. Contrary to the existing studies, there was no gender effect on the tapping speed in preschoolers. A one way analysis of variance showed that older children performed significantly better than younger children. There is a linear trend of improved performance on FTT with an increasing age. The child’s gender was not a significant predictor of FTT for preschool children. Motor control and speed can be improved through exercise.
Clustering Textures with EHG Algorithm for Modelling Video

: In this paper we present a novel approach for common recognition of group activities for video surveillance applications. We propose a Energetic-based approach for detecting abnormal events in surveillance video. It requires the appropriate definition of similarity between events. Human pose estimation via motion tracking systems can be considered as a regression problem within a discriminative framework. We defined the overfitting problem was handled by Hidden Markov Model based similarity. We propose in this paper a multi model-based similarity measure. In this measure, the Hidden Markov Model training and distance measuring are based on multiple samples. The novel Energetic Hierarchical Group (EHG) method acquired the multiple training data. By iteratively reclassifying and retraining the data groups at different clustering levels, the initial training and clustering errors due to overfitting will be sequentially corrected in later steps. Experimental results on real surveillance video show an improvement of the proposed method over a stand column method that uses single sample-based similarity measure and spectral clustering.
Multiple Subunit Fitting into a Low-Resolution Density Map of a Macromolecular Complex Using a Gaussian Mixture Model

Recently, electron microscopy measurement of single particles has enabled us to reconstruct a low-resolution 3D density map of large biomolecular complexes. If structures of the complex subunits can be solved by x-ray crystallography at atomic resolution, fitting these models into the 3D density map can generate an atomic resolution model of the entire large complex. The fitting of multiple subunits, however, generally requires large computational costs; therefore, development of an efficient algorithm is required. We developed a fast fitting program, “gmfit”, which employs a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to represent approximated shapes of the 3D density map and the atomic models. A GMM is a distribution function composed by adding together several 3D Gaussian density functions. Because our model analytically provides an integral of a product of two distribution functions, it enables us to quickly calculate the fitness of the density map and the atomic models. Using the integral, two types of potential energy function are introduced: the attraction potential energy between a 3D density map and each subunit, and the repulsion potential energy between subunits. The restraint energy for symmetry is also employed to build symmetrical origomeric complexes. To find the optimal configuration of subunits, we randomly generated initial configurations of subunit models, and performed a steepest-descent method using forces and torques of the three potential energies. Comparison between an original density map and its GMM showed that the required number of Gaussian distribution functions for a given accuracy depended on both resolution and molecular size. We then performed test fitting calculations for simulated low-resolution density maps of atomic models of homodimer, trimer, and hexamer, using different search parameters. The results indicated that our method was able to rebuild atomic models of a complex even for maps of 30 Å resolution if sufficient numbers (eight or more) of Gaussian distribution functions were employed for each subunit, and the symmetric restraints were assigned for complexes with more than three subunits. As a more realistic test, we tried to build an atomic model of the GroEL/ES complex by fitting 21-subunit atomic models into the 3D density map obtained by cryoelectron microscopy using the C7 symmetric restraints. A model with low root mean-square deviations (14.7 Å) was obtained as the lowest-energy model, showing that our fitting method was reasonably accurate. Inclusion of other restraints from biological and biochemical experiments could further enhance the accuracy.
Classification of Carotid Stenosis by Millimeter CT Angiography Measures: Effects of Prevalence and Gender

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies quantifying moderate and severe carotid stenosis by direct millimeter measures on CT angiography (CTA) did not consider how prevalence and gender may influence classification cutoff values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred nineteen carotid arteries were evaluated in consecutive patients with known or suspected carotid artery disease. Millimeter measures were obtained of the stenotic carotid bulb lumen and distal internal carotid artery (ICA). Interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) defined interobserver and intraobserver agreement. North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET)-style percent stenosis ratios were calculated per carotid artery and used in linear regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to define equivalent millimeter quantification and classification values. Likelihood ratios and prevalence-specific positive/negative predictive values (PPV/NPV) were calculated to determine the most appropriate millimeter cutoff values to classify stenosis. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement was excellent for stenosis measures (0.90) and good for distal ICA measures (0.79). Gender-specific regression curves and ROC curves indicated that millimeter stenosis is an excellent tool to quantify and classify carotid stenosis. Assuming a 10% prevalence of severe stenosis, we found that the cutoff value maximizing NPV and PPV was 1.1 mm for both genders (female: PPV = 86.2, NPV = 97.7; male: PPV = 83.2, NPV = 95.9). Assuming a 40% prevalence of moderate stenosis, we found that the cutoff values differed between genders: female = 2.0 mm (PPV = 91.3, NPV = 91.5), male = 2.1 mm (PPV = 91.6, NPV = 92.4). Specific millimeter cutoffs will vary depending upon the clinical scenario, prevalence, and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Direct millimeter stenosis measures are an excellent tool to classify moderate and severe carotid artery stenosis. Millimeter classification cutoff values that best approximate NASCET classifications vary depending on prevalence and gender.
Examining human walking characteristics with a telescopic compass-like biped walker model

A model for biped walking is proposed. The model has a compass-like mechanism with telescopic type legs, and uses a simple leg stretch-contraction motion pattern. The model with a point shaped foot is able to represent human walking characteristics. A systematic conversion from the point shaped foot to the equivalent of a normal surface foot - resembling the shape that of humans, this extension preserves the same human-like walking characteristics while gaining the benefits of added stability and the reduction of impact forces during foot contact.
AraSenTi: Large-Scale Twitter-Specific Arabic Sentiment Lexicons

Sentiment Analysis (SA) is an active research area nowadays due to the tremendous interest in aggregating and evaluating opinions being disseminated by users on the Web. SA of English has been thoroughly researched; however research on SA of Arabic has just flourished. Twitter is considered a powerful tool for disseminating information and a rich resource for opinionated text containing views on many different topics. In this paper we attempt to bridge a gap in Arabic SA of Twitter which is the lack of sentiment lexi-cons that are tailored for the informal language of Twitter. We generate two lexicons extracted from a large dataset of tweets using two approaches and evaluate their use in a simple lexicon based method. The evaluation is performed on internal and external datasets. The performance of these automatically generated lexicons was very promising, albeit the simple method used for classification. The best F-score obtained was 89.58% on the internal dataset and 63.1-64.7% on the exter-nal datasets.
Sociodemographic characteristics of secondary- school students and social distance towards national and religious groups

Svrha rada je bila "snimiti" sociodemografske karakteristike srednjoskolaca i njihovu socijalnu distancu prema nacionalno-etnickim i religijskim skupinama te na tim rezultatima ukazati na mogucnosti implementacije interkulturalnog obrazovanja u skolski sustav. Sociodemografska struktura i socijalna distanca srednjoskolaca pokazuje vise faktora koji otežavaju interkulturalnu komunikaciju i njezinu prisutnost u obrazovnom i socio-kulturnom sustavu. Postoji vise cimbenika i okolnosti koje danas u nas uvjetuju ovakvo stanje: obiteljska socijalizacija, ksenofobicna indoktrinacija proslog drustvenog sustava, masoni mediji i osobito ratna agresija na R Hrvatsku.
4Y model: A novel approach for finger identification using KINECT

In Human Computer Interaction (HCI), one of the recent research areas is Hand Gesture Recognition (HGR). In hand gesture recognition, finger identification and fingertip detection is a challenging work. Because of the enormous applications like sign language, human robot interaction, gesture based applications this area is gaining researchers' attention. In this paper, a novel approach of finger identification named as 4Y model, is proposed. This model is based on geometric calculations and general biometric features. The experimental result for the model gives up to 92% accuracy based on its inputs.
GPU-Accelerated Large Scale Analytics

In this paper, we report our research on using GPUs as accelerators for Business Intelligence(BI) analytics. We are particularly interested in analytics on very large data sets, which are common in today's real world BI applications. While many published works have shown that GPUs can be used to accelerate various general purpose applications with respectable performance gains, few attempts have been made to tackle very large problems. Our goal here is to investigate if the GPUs can be useful accelerators for BI analytics with very large data sets that cannot fit into GPU’s onboard memory. Using a popular clustering algorithm, K-Means, as an example, our results have been very positive. For data sets smaller than GPU's onboard memory, the GPU-accelerated version is 612x faster than our highly optimized CPU-only version running on an 8-core workstation, or 200-400x faster than the popular benchmark program, MineBench, running on a single core. This is also 2-4x faster than the best reported work. For large data sets which cannot fit in GPU's memory, we further show that with a design which allows the computation on both CPU and GPU, as well as data transfers between them, to proceed in parallel, the GPU-accelerated version can still offer a dramatic performance boost. For example, for a data set with 100 million 2-d data points and 2,000 clusters, the GPUaccelerated version took about 6 minutes, while the CPU-only version running on an 8-core workstation took about 58 minutes. Compared to other approaches, GPU-accelerated implementations of analytics potentially provide better raw performance, better cost-performance ratios, and better energy performance ratios. External Posting Date: March 6, 2009 [Fulltext] Approved for External Publication Internal Posting Date: March 6, 2009 [Fulltext] © Copyright 2009 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. GPU-Accelerated Large Scale Analytics Ren Wu, Bin Zhang, Meichun Hsu HP Labs ren.wu, bin.zhang, meichun.hsu@hp.com
Prediction uncertainty of conceptual rainfall-runoff models caused by problems in identifying model parameters and structure

Abstract The uncertainties arising from the problem of identifying a representative model structure and model parameters in a conceptual rainfall-runoff model were investigated. A conceptual model, the HBV model, was applied to the mountainous Brugga basin (39.9 km”) in the Black Forest, southwestern Germany. In a first step, a Monte Carlo procedure with randomly generated parameter sets was used for calibration. For a ten-year calibration period, different parameter sets resulted in an equally good correspondence between observed and simulated runoff. A few parameters were well defined (i.e. best parameter values were within small ranges), but for most parameters good simulations were found with values varying over wide ranges. In a second step, model variants with different numbers of elevation and landuse zones and various runoff generation conceptualizations were tested. In some cases, representation of more spatial variability gave better simulations in terms of discharge. However, good results could.
Integration and Packaging of a Macrochip With Silicon Nanophotonic Links

The technologies associated with integration and packaging have a significant impact on the overall system. In this paper, we review a silicon photonic “macrochip” system and its associated packaging that will allow dense wavelength-division multiplexed optical links to be intimately integrated and co-manufactured with the switching electronics. For this to happen, we anticipate a number of integration and packaging advances.