Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased Serum Levels of Uric Acid Are Associated with Sudomotor Dysfunction in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The aim of this paper was to assess serum uric acid (SUA) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with or without sudomotor dysfunction (evaluated by the Neuropad test). We included 36 T2DM patients with sudomotor dysfunction (group A: mean age 63.1 ± 2.6 years) and 40 age-, gender-, renal function- and T2DM duration-matched patients without sudomotor dysfunction (group B: mean age 62.1 ± 3.1 years). SUA was significantly higher in group A (P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between SUA and Neuropad time to colour change in both groups (group A: r s = 0.819, P < 0.001; group B: r s = 0.774, P < 0.001). There was also a significant positive correlation between SUA and CRP in both groups (group A: r s = 0.947, P < 0.001; group B: r s = 0.848, P < 0.001). In conclusion, SUA levels were higher in T2DM patients with sudomotor dysfunction than those without this complication. The potential role of SUA in sudomotor dysfunction merits further study.
BOP, a regulator of right ventricular heart development, is a direct transcriptional target of MEF2C in the developing heart

The vertebrate heart is assembled during embryogenesis in a modular manner from different populations of precursor cells. The right ventricular chamber and outflow tract are derived primarily from a population of progenitors known as the anterior heart field. These regions of the heart are severely hypoplastic in mutant mice lacking the myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) and BOP transcription factors, suggesting that these cardiogenic regulatory factors may act in a common pathway for development of the anterior heart field and its derivatives. We show that Bop expression in the developing heart depends on the direct binding of MEF2C to a MEF2-response element in the Bop promoter that is necessary and sufficient to recapitulate endogenous Bop expression in the anterior heart field and its cardiac derivatives during mouse development. The Bop promoter also directs transcription in the skeletal muscle lineage, but only cardiac expression is dependent on MEF2. These findings identify Bop as an essential downstream effector gene of MEF2C in the developing heart, and reveal a transcriptional cascade involved in development of the anterior heart field and its derivatives.
The Undergraduate-Oriented Framework of MOOCs Recommender System

One of the challenges of MOOCs is to recommend appropriate courses to match individual characteristics of a special learner, although MOOCs are an excellent supplement of traditional higher education. Based on the effects of individual characteristics on learning, a novel framework is proposed for designing an undergraduate-oriented recommender system of MOOCs in which the particular characteristics of the participants, such as cognitive level, knowledge background, personal expectation, learning interest, learning motivation and learning style are emphasized. More specifically, the particular characteristics of undergraduates are introduced into the discussion of the recommendation methods including contentbased recommendation and collaborative filtering recommendation. Meanwhile, the recommendation strategies and recommendation algorithms are analyzed in the discussion.
KNOWROB — knowledge processing for autonomous personal robots

Knowledge processing is an essential technique for enabling autonomous robots to do the right thing to the right object in the right way. Using knowledge processing the robots can achieve more flexible and general behavior and better performance. While knowledge representation and reasoning has been a well-established research field in Artificial Intelligence for several decades, little work has been done to design and realize knowledge processing mechanisms for the use in the context of robotic control. In this paper, we report on KNOWROB, a knowledge processing system particularly designed for autonomous personal robots. KNOWROB is a first-order knowledge representation based on description logics that provides specific mechanisms and tools for action-centered representation, for the automated acquisition of grounded concepts through observation and experience, for reasoning about and managing uncertainty, and for fast inference — knowledge processing features that are particularly necessary for autonomous robot control.
Robust Control for Nonlinear Systems Using Passivity-Based Robust Right Coprime Factorization

The robust control for nonlinear feedback system with unknown perturbations is discussed based on the robust right coprime factorization and passivity property. Firstly, based on passivity property, the right factorization of the perturbed plant is realized. Secondly, a robust control scheme is proposed considering the tracking property for the nonlinear system with nominal plant and perturbed plant. Finally, we show the connection between the passivity and robust right coprime factorization for the obtained nonlinear system. A numerical example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed design scheme.
Tom Is Not More Likely to Imitate Lisa Than Ying: The Influence of a Model’s Race Indicated by Physical Appearance on Children’s Imitation

Recent research has shown that infants and young children up to the age of 5 years are more likely to imitate in-group members than out-group members. Cues like gender, race, age, and language are robust indicators for social categories and, thus, for group membership. Concerning imitation, research mainly focuses on language and accent, whereas race indicated by physical appearance is rarely investigated. Research has shown that the aforementioned factors served as indicators of group membership and influenced children’s imitative behavior in such ways that the in-group member was more likely to be imitated. Nevertheless, the question arises how physical appearance of a person itself influences the imitative behavior. In this study, we investigated the effect of group membership (in-group vs. out-group) in 4-year-old children (N = 48) on children’s imitative behavior. Children observed either an in-group or an out-group model (German vs. Chinese), defined by physical appearance only, which presented novel manual actions in four different tasks. After each presentation, children got the opportunity to imitate the target actions. Furthermore, children were either assigned to a live or a video condition to control for the influence of the presentation mode. Results indicated that 4-year-old children did not imitate the in-group model more often than the out-group model. Furthermore, there was no difference between the two presentation modes. Results were discussed on the basis of research on the in-group-out-group effect. We suggested that a pure difference in the model’s physical appearance might not be sufficient to elicit an in-group-out-group effect.
Improved Method to Select the Lagrange Multiplier for Rate-Distortion Based Motion Estimation in Video Coding

The motion estimation (ME) process used in the H.264/AVC reference software is based on minimizing a cost function that involves two terms (distortion and rate) that are properly balanced through a Lagrangian parameter, usually denoted as λmotion. In this paper we propose an algorithm to improve the conventional way of estimating λmotion and, consequently, the ME process. First, we show that the conventional estimation of λmotion turns out to be significantly less accurate when ME-compromising events, which make the ME process to perform poorly, happen. Second, with the aim of improving the coding efficiency in these cases, an efficient algorithm is proposed that allows the encoder to choose between three different values of λmotion for the Inter 16x16 partition size. To be more precise, for this partition size, the proposed algorithm allows the encoder to additionally test λmotion=0 and λmotion arbitrarily large, which corresponds to minimum distortion and minimum rate solutions, respectively. By testing these two extreme values, the algorithm avoids making large ME errors. The experimental results on video segments exhibiting this type of ME-compromising events reveal an average rate reduction of 2.20% for the same coding quality with respect to the JM15.1 reference software of H.264/AVC. The algorithm has been also tested in comparison with a state-of-the-art algorithm called context adaptive Lagrange multiplier. Additionally, two illustrative examples of the subjective performance improvement are provided.
Effect of Laser Acupuncture on Anthropometric Measurements and Appetite Sensations in Obese Subjects

Purpose. A patient-assessor-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled crossover trial was performed to investigate the effectiveness of laser acupuncture on anthropometric measurements and appetite sensation in obese subjects. Methods. Fifty-two obese subjects were randomly assigned to either the laser acupuncture group or the sham laser acupuncture group. Subjects within each group received the relevant treatment three times a week for 8 weeks. After a two-week washout period, the subjects then received the treatment of the opposite group for another 8 weeks. BMI, body fat percentage, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference, hip circumference, and appetite sensations were measured before and after 8 weeks of treatment. Results. BMI, body fat percentage, WHR, waist circumference, and hip circumference decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the laser acupuncture group compared to baseline but there was no decrease in those variables in the sham laser acupuncture group. Laser acupuncture significantly improved scores on the fullness, hunger, satiety, desire to eat, and overall well-being relative to the baseline (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Laser acupuncture is well tolerated and improves anthropometric measurements and appetite sensations in obese subjects.
The Genome of the Predominant Equine Lactobacillus Species, Lactobacillus equi, Is Reflective of Its Lifestyle Adaptations to an Herbivorous Host

ABSTRACT We report the draft genome sequence of Lactobacillus equi strain DPC6820, isolated from equine feces. L. equi is a predominant Lactobacillus species in the horse hindgut microbiota. An examination of the genome identified genes and enzymes highlighting L. equi adaptations to the herbivorous gastrointestinal tract of the horse, including fructan hydrolases. This genome sequence may help us further understand the microbial ecology of the equine hindgut and the influence lactobacilli have on it.
The private life of echidnas: using accelerometry and GPS to examine field biomechanics and assess the ecological impact of a widespread, semi-fossorial monotreme

ABSTRACT The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is a monotreme and therefore provides a unique combination of phylogenetic history, morphological differentiation and ecological specialisation for a mammal. The echidna has a unique appendicular skeleton, a highly specialised myrmecophagous lifestyle and a mode of locomotion that is neither typically mammalian nor reptilian, but has aspects of both lineages. We therefore were interested in the interactions of locomotor biomechanics, ecology and movements for wild, free-living short-beaked echidnas. To assess locomotion in its complex natural environment, we attached both GPS and accelerometer loggers to the back of echidnas in both spring and summer. We found that the locomotor biomechanics of echidnas is unique, with lower stride length and stride frequency than reported for similar-sized mammals. Speed modulation is primarily accomplished through changes in stride frequency, with a mean of 1.39 Hz and a maximum of 2.31 Hz. Daily activity period was linked to ambient air temperature, which restricted daytime activity during the hotter summer months. Echidnas had longer activity periods and longer digging bouts in spring compared with summer. In summer, echidnas had higher walking speeds than in spring, perhaps because of the shorter time suitable for activity. Echidnas spent, on average, 12% of their time digging, which indicates their potential to excavate up to 204 m3 of soil a year. This information highlights the important contribution towards ecosystem health, via bioturbation, of this widespread Australian monotreme. Highlighted Article: The locomotor biomechanics of wild, free-living echidnas is assessed using accelerometers and GPS units.
Coetzeea brasiliensis gen. nov., sp. nov. isolated from larvae of Anopheles darlingi.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped strain, Braz8T, isolated from larvae of Anopheles darlingi was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Braz8T was related most closely to species of the genus Thorsellia, with 95.6, 96.5 and 96.6 % similarity to the type strains of Thorsellia anophelis, Thorsellia kandunguensis and Thorsellia kenyensis, respectively, and formed a separate branch in the phylogenetic tree next to the monophyletic cluster of the genus Thorsellia. Chemotaxonomic data supported the allocation of the strain to the family Thorselliaceae. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and C14 : 0. The quinone system was composed of ubiquinones Q-8 and Q-7 (1 : 0.3), the predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol, and the polyamine pattern showed the major compound putrescine. However, qualitative and quantitative differences in the major polyamine, polar lipid profile and fatty acid patterns distinguished strain Braz8T from species of the genus Thorsellia. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, average nucleotide identity, DNA-DNA hybridization, multilocus sequence analysis as well as physiological and biochemical tests distinguished strain Braz8T both genotypically and phenotypically from the three Thorsellia species but also showed its placement in the family Thorselliaceae. Thus, strain Braz8T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus most closely related to the genus Thorsellia, for which the name Coetzeea brasiliensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Coetzeea brasiliensis is Braz8T (=LMG 29552T=CIP 111088T).
The international Genome sample resource (IGSR): A worldwide collection of genome variation incorporating the 1000 Genomes Project data

The International Genome Sample Resource (IGSR; http://www.internationalgenome.org) expands in data type and population diversity the resources from the 1000 Genomes Project. IGSR represents the largest open collection of human variation data and provides easy access to these resources. IGSR was established in 2015 to maintain and extend the 1000 Genomes Project data, which has been widely used as a reference set of human variation and by researchers developing analysis methods. IGSR has mapped all of the 1000 Genomes sequence to the newest human reference (GRCh38), and will release updated variant calls to ensure maximal usefulness of the existing data. IGSR is collecting new structural variation data on the 1000 Genomes samples from long read sequencing and other technologies, and will collect relevant functional data into a single comprehensive resource. IGSR is extending coverage with new populations sequenced by collaborating groups. Here, we present the new data and analysis that IGSR has made available. We have also introduced a new data portal that increases discoverability of our data—previously only browseable through our FTP site—by focusing on particular samples, populations or data sets of interest.
Antioxidative effect of schisanhenol on human low density lipoprotein and its quantum chemical calculation.

AIM To investigate the effect of schisanhenol (Sal) on copper ion-induced oxidative modulation of human low density lipoprotein (LDL). METHODS The antioxidative activity of eight schisandrins (DCL) on microsome lipid peroxidation induced by Vit C/NADPH system was first observed, and then, the effect of Sal on Cu2+-induced human LDL oxidation was studied. The generation of malondialdehyde (MDA), lipofuscin, reactive oxygen species (ROS), consumption of a-tocopherol as well as electrophoretic mobility of LDL were determined as criteria of LDL oxidation. Finally, the quantum chemical method was used to calculate the theoretical parameters of eight DCL for elucidating the difference of their antioxidant ability. RESULTS Sal was shown to be the most active one among eight schizandrins in inhibiting microsome lipid oxidation induced by Vit C/NADPH. Sal 100, 50, and 10 micromol/L inhibited production of MDA, lipofuscin and ROS as well as the consumption of a-tocopherol in Cu2+-induced oxidation of human LDL in a dose-dependent manner. Sal also reduced electrophoretic mobility of the oxidized human LDL. Further study of quantum chemistry found that Sal was the strongest one among eight DCL to scavenge O2, R, RO and ROO radicals. CONCLUSION Sal has antioxidative effect on human LDL oxidation. The mechanism of Sal against LDL oxidation may be through scavenging free radicals.
Improving Chinese text categorization by outlier learning

Text categorization is one of the typical machine learning tasks that suffer from an incomplete training data problem. A main reason is the existence of outliers in training data, such as non-sense documents, documents mislabeled or lying on the border between different categories, and documents that are out of the defined categories, etc. Therefore, in a text categorization task, outlier learning technique could be adopted to improve text categorization. In this paper, an outlier learning based text categorization system is proposed, where AdaBoost algorithm is adopted for outlier identifying. Simulation results reveal that the new system is successful in improving learning performance for text categorization.
The market for borrowing stock $ Gene

To short a stock, an arbitrageur must first borrow it. This paper describes the market for borrowing and lending U.S. equities, emphasizing the conditions generating and sustaining short-sale constraints. A large institutional lending intermediary provided eighteen months (4/ 2000–9/2001) of data on loan supply (‘‘shortability’’), loan fees (‘‘specialness’’), and loan recalls. The data suggest that while loan market specials and recalls are rare on average, the incidence of these short-sale constraints is increasing in the divergence of opinion among investors. Beyond some threshold, investor optimism itself can limit arbitrage via the loan market mechanism. r 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. JEL classification: G12; G14
An IMC based fuzzy self-tuning mechanism for fuzzy PID controllers

In this study, we will present a novel Internal Model Control (IMC) based Self-Tuning (ST) mechanism to tune the Scaling Factors (SFs) of the fuzzy PID controllers in an online manner. Moreover, we will present a fuzzy PI-D (FPI-D) structure in order to eliminate the derivative kick and the effect of noise on the control signal. The proposed IMC based fuzzy ST mechanism is constructed by two Fuzzy Inference Systems (FISs) and an IMC based SF (IMC-SF) parameter regulator. The two FISs will predict the current values of the system parameters by using the system output value and then the IMC-SF parameter regulator will tune the SFs of FPI-D with respect to presented tuning method. The performance of the proposed Self-Tuning FPI-D (ST-FPI-D) will be evaluated on a realtime laboratory scale extruder process with its discrete implementation via the ABB PLC PM573 industrial controller. We will compare and examine the control system performance of the proposed ST fuzzy control structure with an IMC based tuned ABB-PID and FPI-D structures. The real-time experimental results will show that the proposed ST-FPI-D structure enhanced significantly the control performance for various operating points and in the presence of uncertainties and nonlinearities when compared to the ABB-PID and FPI-D structures.
Infantile hemangioma: clinical resolution with 5% imiquimod cream.

Maria I. Martinez, MD; Ignacio Sanchez-Carpintero, MD, PhD; Paula E. North, MD, PhD; Martin C. Mihm, Jr, MD; Clinica las Americas, San Juan de Puerto Rico (Dr Martinez); University Clinic of Navarre, Spain (Dr Sanchez-Carpintero); Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, Boston (Drs Sanchez-Carpintero and Mihm); Arkansas Children’s Hospital and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock (Dr North)
Author ' s personal copy Unsupervised view and rate invariant clustering of video sequences q

Videos play an ever increasing role in our everyday lives with applications ranging from news, entertainment, scientific research, security and surveillance. Coupled with the fact that cameras and storage media are becoming less expensive, it has resulted in people producing more video content than ever before. This necessitates the development of efficient indexing and retrieval algorithms for video data. Most state-of-the-art techniques index videos according to the global content in the scene such as color, texture, brightness, etc. In this paper, we discuss the problem of activity-based indexing of videos. To address the problem, first we describe activities as a cascade of dynamical systems which significantly enhances the expressive power of the model while retaining many of the computational advantages of using dynamical models. Second, we also derive methods to incorporate view and rate-invariance into these models so that similar actions are clustered together irrespective of the viewpoint or the rate of execution of the activity. We also derive algorithms to learn the model parameters from a video stream and demonstrate how a single video sequence may be clustered into different clusters where each cluster represents an activity. Experimental results for five different databases show that the clusters found by the algorithm correspond to semantically meaningful activities. 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
A Study on the Loop Behavior of Embedded Programs

Software executing on a microprocessor contributes to much of the overall power and performance of an embedded system. A general rule-of-thumb for the behavior of both desktop and embedded systems has been that most execution time is spent in a small fraction of the software. We studied the behavior of 16 embedded system programs from the Powerstone benchmarks, with a focus specifically on those programs’ loop behavior. We examined such behavior for a popular 32-bit embedded microprocessor (MIPS) as well as a popular 8-bit mmicroprocessor (8051).
Is psychology hard or impossible ? Reflections on the conditional

We discuss the various explanations that have been offered to account for subjects’ behaviour in Wason’s famous selection task, and find them wanting. We argue that what is lacking is a good understanding of a subject’s semantics for the key expressions involved, and an understanding of how this semantics is affected by the demands the task puts upon the subject’s cognitive system.
Collaboration over IEEE 802.11p to enable an intelligent traffic light function for emergency vehicles

With the advent of cooperative automated functions a host of novel functions becomes feasible - cooperative driver assistance systems (CoDAS). We present an example for a novel collaborative vehicle-2-infrastructure interaction with the "automated emergency vehicle green-light" (AEVGL) function. In our approach we combine traffic light infrastructure with Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) over IEEE 802.11p to address a serious issue: accidents containing emergency vehicles at intersections. In AEVGL we utilize communication to preemptively switch traffic lights to red for crossing traffic to allow safe passage of the approaching emergency vehicle even in low communication penetration scenarios. This function can serve as blueprint for other novel lightweight CoDAS functions with a very specific scope. GLOSA and AEV are currently tested in the TEAM IP project to facilitate AEVGL.