Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anthropogenic food provisioning and immune phenotype: Association among supplemental food, body condition, and immunological parameters in urban environments

Abstract Direct or indirect supplemental feeding of free‐ranging animals occurs worldwide, resulting in significant impacts on population density or altered demographic processes. Another potential impact of increased energy intake from supplemental feeding is altered immunocompetence. As immune system maintenance is energetically costly, there may be trade‐offs between immune responses and other energy‐demanding physiological processes in individual animals. Although increased availability of food sources through supplemental feeding is expected to increase the overall immunocompetence of animals, empirical data verifying the association between supplemental feeding and different immune parameters are lacking. Understanding the potential influence of supplemental feeding on immune phenotypes is critical, as it may also impact host–pathogen dynamics in free‐ranging animals. Using urban stray cats as a study model, we tested for associations between the intensity of supplemental feeding due to cat caretaker activity (CCA); body condition; and immune phenotype (bacterial killing assay (BKA), immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration, and leukocyte counts). Significantly higher bacterial killing ability was observed in cats from high CCA districts, whereas higher IgG concentration and eosinophil counts were observed in cats from low CCA districts. Other leukocyte counts and body condition indices showed no significant association with CCA. We observed varying patterns of different immune components in relation to supplemental feeding. Out data suggest that supplemental feeding influences immune phenotype, not only by means of energy provisioning, but also by potentially reducing exposure rates to parasite infections through stray cat behavioral changes.
Deformable Controllers: Fabrication and Design to Promote Novel Hand Gestural Interaction Mechanisms

When compared to mainstream touch/button-centric devices, deformable devices enable a more organic and tangible way for human-computer interaction. This studio provides participants an opportunity to have hands-on experience in fabricating controllers that use various deformation inputs (e.g., bending, stretching), and promote novel interaction mechanisms using hand gestures. Participants will learn different types of deformation inputs and create their own sensors. They will work in groups to design deformable controllers using both the sensors they make in-session and/or pre-built ones, to afford novel hand gestural inputs beyond conventional touches and clicks. The main objectives of this studio are to facilitate exchange of experience in fabricating deformable sensors/materials, and to foster creativity in using such controllers as inputs with hand gestures.
The fitness effects of delayed switching to sex in a facultatively asexual insect

Abstract Facultative reproductive strategies that incorporate both sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction should be optimal, yet are rarely observed in animals. Resolving this paradox requires an understanding of the economics of facultative asexuality. Recent work suggests that switching from parthenogenesis to sex can be costly and that females can resist mating to avoid switching. However, it remains unclear whether these costs and resistance behaviors are dependent on female age. We addressed these questions in the Cyclone Larry stick insect, Sipyloidea larryi, by pairing females with males (or with females as a control) in early life prior to the start of parthenogenetic reproduction, or in mid‐ or late life after a period of parthenogenetic oviposition. Young females were receptive to mating even though mating in early life caused reduced fecundity. Female resistance to mating increased with age, but reproductive switching in mid‐ or late life did not negatively affect female survival or offspring performance. Overall, mating enhanced female fitness because fertilized eggs had higher hatching success and resulted in more adult offspring than parthenogenetic eggs. However, female fecundity and offspring viability were also enhanced in females paired with other females, suggesting a socially mediated maternal effect. Our results provide little evidence that switching from parthenogenesis to sex at any age is costly for S. larryi females. However, age‐dependent effects of switching on some fitness components and female resistance behaviors suggest the possibility of context‐dependent effects that may only be apparent in natural populations.
Power Minimisation for Real-Time Dataflow Applications

Energy efficient execution of applications is important for many reasons, e.g. time between battery charges, device temperature. Voltage and Frequency Scaling (VFS) enables applications to be run at lower frequencies on hardware resources thereby consuming less power. Real-time applications have deadlines that must be met otherwise their output is devalued. Dataflow modelling of real-time applications enables off-line verification of the application's temporal requirements. In this paper we describe a method to reduce the combined static and dynamic energy consumption using a Dynamic VFS (DVFS) technique for dataflow modelled real-time applications that may be mapped onto multiple hardware resources. We achieve this by using an application's static slack in order to perform DVFS while still satisfying the application's temporal requirements. We show that by formulating a dataflow modelled application and its mapping as a convex optimisation problem, with energy consumption as the objective function, the problem can be solved with a generic convex optimisation solver, producing an energy optimal constant frequency per application task. Our method allows task frequencies to be constrained such that, e.g. one frequency per application or per processor may be achieved.
Betel Quid Dependency and Associated Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Environmental Factors among Adolescents: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

ABSTRACT Background: Betel quid (BQ) is one of the fourth most commonly used substance globally. Though BQ is a psycho-active substance, yet little has been explored regarding dependency on it particularly among adolescents. Objectives: Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine adolescents' dependency on BQ, along with their intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental determinants of dependency. Methods: This cross-sectional study focused on 2200 school-going adolescents of Karachi, Pakistan in 2016. Primary outcome was dependency on BQ among adolescents. Both univariate and multivariate regressions were used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (after adjustments for all intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors) with 95% confidence level. Results: Out of 2200 students, 874 (39.7%) were found to be BQ users amongst whom 69 (7.9%) were dependent on BQ. Comparing the groups with only areca nut users as reference category, betel quid with tobacco additives chewers were considerably dependent (OR = 14.08, 95% CI 3.64–54.16). The individuals who chewed >5 chews per day (OR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.08–3.29) and chronic users (>1year) (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.09–3.74) were more likely to be dependent. Older students (>12 years) (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.06–4.23), and who studied in government schools were significantly dependent (OR = 3.32, 95% CI 1.80–6.10) than those who studied in private schools. Conclusions: In conclusion, intrapersonal characteristics like more than 5 chews per day, chronic chewers of more than a year, BQ with tobacco chewers, older adolescents and children studying in government schools were significantly associated with BQ dependency.
SAW resonators as vapor sensors

The application of SAW (surface acoustic wave) resonators as substance-of-abuse vapor sensors is described. High-Q SAW resonators configured as vapor/mass detectors are an optimally sensitive SAW geometry. The SAW resonator is able to achieve sensitivities approaching femtogram levels and exhibits a nearly true fourth-order sensitivity vs. frequency dependence. Detection of drugs at the 1-10 femtogram level was achieved. Scale factors of 20000 Hz/nanogram have been achieved by using very-high-frequency SAW resonators and by confining the depositions to the active area of the resonators. <<ETX>>
Lipid regulatory genes polymorphism in children with and without obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors: The CASPIAN-III study

Background: Genetically, predisposed children are considered as at-risk individuals for cardiovascular disease. In this study, we aimed to compare the frequency of four-lipid regulatory polymorphism in obese and normal-weight children with and without cardiometabolic risk factors. Materials and Methods: In this nested case–control study, 600 samples of four groups of participants consisted of those with normal weight with and without cardiometabolic risk factors and obese with and without cardiometabolic risk factors. Allelic and genotypic frequencies of GCKR (rs780094), GCKR (rs1260333), MLXIPL (rs3812316), and FADS (rs174547) polymorphisms were compared in the four studied groups. Results: Data of 528 samples were complete and included in this study. The mean (standard deviation) age of participants was 15.01 (2.21) years. Frequency of tt allele (minor allele) of GCKR (rs1260333) polymorphism was significantly lower in normal weight metabolically healthy participants than metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUHNW) and obese children with and without cardiometabolic risk factor (P = 0.01). Frequency of ga allele of GCKR (rs780094) polymorphism was significantly higher in normal weight children with cardiometabolic risk factor than in their obese counterparts with cardiometabolic risk factor (P = 0.04). Frequency of cg and gg alleles (minor type) of MLXIPL (rs3812316) polymorphism in normal weight metabolically healthy participants was significantly higher than MUHNW (P = 0.04) and metabolically healthy obese children (P = 0.04). Conclusion: The findings of our study indicated that the minor allele of GCKR (rs1260333) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could have pathogenic effect for obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors. Ga allele of GCKR (rs780094) SNPs had a protective effect on obesity. Minor alleles of MLXIPL (rs3812316) could have a protective effect for obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors.
The Political Determinants of Government Bond Holdings

This paper analyzes the link between political factors and sovereign bond holdings of US investors in 60 countries over the 2003–2013 period. We find that, in general, US investors hold more bonds in countries with few political constraints on the government. Moreover, US investors respond to increased uncertainty around major elections by reducing government bond holdings. These effects are particularly significant in democratic regimes and countries with sound institutions, which enable effective implementation of fiscal consolidation measures or economic reforms. In countries characterized by high current default risk or a sovereign default history, US investors show a tendency towards favoring higher political constraints as this makes sovereign default more difficult for the government. Political instability, characterized by the fluctuation in political veto players, reduces US investment in government bonds. This effect is more pronounced in countries with low sovereign solvency.
Evolution of the Karyopherin-β Family of Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Factors; Ancient Origins and Continued Specialization

BACKGROUND Macromolecular transport across the nuclear envelope (NE) is achieved through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and requires karyopherin-βs (KAP-βs), a family of soluble receptors, for recognition of embedded transport signals within cargo. We recently demonstrated, through proteomic analysis of trypanosomes, that NPC architecture is likely highly conserved across the Eukaryota, which in turn suggests conservation of the transport mechanisms. To determine if KAP-β diversity was similarly established early in eukaryotic evolution or if it was subsequently layered onto a conserved NPC, we chose to identify KAP-β sequences in a diverse range of eukaryotes and to investigate their evolutionary history. RESULTS Thirty six predicted proteomes were scanned for candidate KAP-β family members. These resulting sequences were resolved into fifteen KAP-β subfamilies which, due to broad supergroup representation, were most likely represented in the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA). Candidate members of each KAP-β subfamily were found in all eukaryotic supergroups, except XPO6, which is absent from Archaeplastida. Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed the likely evolutionary relationships between these different subfamilies. Many species contain more than one representative of each KAP-β subfamily; many duplications are apparently taxon-specific but others result from duplications occurring earlier in eukaryotic history. CONCLUSIONS At least fifteen KAP-β subfamilies were established early in eukaryote evolution and likely before the LECA. In addition we identified expansions at multiple stages within eukaryote evolution, including a multicellular plant-specific KAP-β, together with frequent secondary losses. Taken with evidence for early establishment of NPC architecture, these data demonstrate that multiple pathways for nucleocytoplasmic transport were established prior to the radiation of modern eukaryotes but that selective pressure continues to sculpt the KAP-β family.
NEDA status in highly active MS can be more easily obtained with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation than other drugs

The no evidence of disease activity (NEDA) composite measure has emerged as one attractive new target of therapies in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), consisting of the following features: (1) no relapses, (2) no disability progression, and (3) no magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity (new or enlarging T2 lesions or Gd-enhancing lesions). Achievement of NEDA status in patients receiving a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) seems to be an ambitious but ideal goal for therapies in RRMS. Recently, published post hoc analyses of clinical trials reported percentages of RRMS patients maintaining the NEDA status after 2 years of therapy ranging between 13% and 46%. Long-term assessment of NEDA patients in real-life settings showed very low probability to be NEDA in the long run. Against this scenario, immunoablative therapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) demonstrated the potential to maintain a much higher proportion of NEDA patients at 2 years (ranging from 78% to 83%) and also at 5 years (ranging from 60% to 68%). This is even more relevant when considering that MS patients who underwent aHSCT are much more active than patients usually enrolled in clinical trials. The emerging evidence of the efficacy of this therapeutic approach in early aggressive and treatment-resistant RRMS calls for the organization of a randomized comparative trial to fully evaluate the risk–benefit profile of aHSCT in patients with highly active MS not responding to DMTs.
Learning With End-Users in Distribution Grids: Topology and Parameter Estimation

Efficient operation of distribution grids in the smart-grid era is hindered by the limited presence of real-time nodal and line meters. In particular, this prevents the easy estimation of grid topology and associated line parameters that are necessary for control and optimization efforts in the grid. This article studies the problems of topology and parameter estimation in radial balanced distribution grids where measurements are restricted to only the leaf nodes and all intermediate nodes are unobserved/hidden. To this end, we propose two exact learning algorithms that use balanced voltage and injection measured only at the end users. The first algorithm requires time-stamped voltage samples, statistics of nodal power injections, and permissible line impedances to recover the true topology. The second and improved algorithm requires only time-stamped voltage and complex power samples to recover both the true topology and impedances without any additional input (e.g., number of grid nodes, statistics of injections at hidden nodes, and permissible line impedances). We prove the correctness of both learning algorithms for grids where unobserved buses/nodes have a degree greater than three and discuss extensions to regimes where that assumption doesn't hold. Further, we present computational and, more important, the sample complexity of our proposed algorithm for joint topology and impedance estimation. We illustrate the performance of the designed algorithms through numerical experiments on the IEEE and custom power distribution models.
Digitally Enchanted Wear: a Novel Approach in the Field of Dresses as Dynamic Digital Displays

We introduce the term Digital Dresses as Dynamic Displays as an emergent field in the domains of Wearable Computing and Embodied Interactions. This recent approach consists of turning clothing into visual - and sometimes audiovisual - displays to enable novel forms of interaction between the wearer, the viewer, the tangible clothing and the embedded content. In this context, we present Enchanted Wearable, a new optimized low cost approach to create Digital Dresses as Dynamic Displays. Enchanted Wearable is a technologically embellished and augmented garment containing a portable rear dome projection system that transforms the clothing fabric into a blank canvas displaying audiovisual content. With this system, we create a new form of expression through clothing to reflect identity, personality, emotions and inner states of the wearer. In this paper we first present the growing field of Digital Dresses as Dynamic Displays, then we survey and analyse existing prior art in this field using a specific list of characteristics: display technology, wearability, interactivity, brightness, context. Finally we present the design and technology behind our new Enchanted Wearable system and explain how it brings new perspectives to the field.
Extracting the Source Code Context to Predict Import Changes using GPES

One of the difficulties developers encounter in maintaining tasks of a large-scale software system is the updating of suitable libraries on time. Developers tend to miss or make mistakes when searching for and choosing libraries during the development process, or there may not be a stable library for the developers to use. We present a novel approach for helping developers modify software easily and on time and avoid software failures. Using a tool previously built by us called GPES, we collected information of projects, such as abstract syntax trees, tokens, software metrics, relations, and evolutions, for our experiments. We analyzed the contexts of source codes in existing projects to predict changes automatically and to recommend suitable libraries for the projects. The collected data show that researchers can reduce the overall cost of data analysis by transforming the extracted data into the required input formats with a simple query-based implementation. Also, we manually evaluated how the extracted contexts are similar to the description and we found that a sufficient number of the words in the contexts is similar and it might help developers grasp the domain of the source codes easily.
Wave Mechanics in Media Pinned at Bravais Lattice Points

The propagation of waves through microstructured media with periodically arranged inclusions has applications in many areas of physics and engineering, stretching from photonic crystals through to seismic metamaterials. In the high-frequency regime, modeling such behavior is complicated by multiple scattering of the resulting short waves between the inclusions. Our aim is to develop an asymptotic theory for modeling systems with arbitrarily shaped inclusions located on general Bravais lattices. We then consider the limit of pointlike inclusions, the advantage being that exact solutions can be obtained using Fourier methods, and go on to derive effective medium equations using asymptotic analysis. This approach allows us to explore the underlying reasons for dynamic anisotropy, localization of waves, and other properties typical of such systems, and in particular their dependence upon geometry. Solutions of the effective medium equations are compared with the exact solutions, shedding further light on the underlying physics. We focus on examples that exhibit dynamic anisotropy as these demonstrate the capability of the asymptotic theory to pick up detailed qualitative and quantitative features.
Stratégie de contrôle haptique pour la réhabilitation du membre supérieur atteint de l'enfant hémiplégique. (Haptic control strategy development for the upper limb of hemiplegic children rehabilitation)

L'hemiplegie est une preoccupation mondiale pour la sante; C'est une partie de la Paralysie Cerebrale (PC) ou une moitie verticale du corps est affectee. Cela peut avoir un impact significatif sur le niveau du handicap. Les deficiences motrices concernant les membres superieurs, sont frequentes chez les personnes hemiplegiques. Ces handicaps surviennent en raison de la perte de la communication entre le cerveau et le cote affecte du corps. Dans cette these, une stimulation visuelle, audio et tactile a ete fournie aux patients pour une rehabilitation de ces membres affectes. La strategie de controle haptique a ete developpee en utilisant des dispositifs haptiques, qui sont moins couteux. Des scenarios de Realite Virtuelle (RV) pour la therapie haptique-RV, ont ete developpes afin de s'assurer la coherence entre les flux visuels, audio et tactiles. Un dispositif haptique a 3 degres de liberte (DDL) (Novint Falcon) que nous avons associe a un dispositif de rotation avec 1 DDL, que nous avons realise, a ete utilise pour appliquer cette strategie de controle en mode-actif. La strategie developpee fournit des trajectoires libres dans des scenes RV et force feed-back dans d'autres directions, autrement dit modele ‘resistant aux besoins’. Deux methodes ont ete developpees pour evaluer les performances des membres superieurs cibles. La premiere methode a ete developpee en utilisant une kinectTM pour Windows. Cet appareil a ete choisi et utilise dans notre systeme en raison sa portabilite, de son espace de travail, de sa facilite d'utilisation et de son prix bas. Le but principal de cette methode d'evaluation est de valider la relation entre les differents scenarios de RV et le type de mouvement effectue par les membres superieurs affectes des enfants. La deuxieme methode d'evaluation a ete developpee en utilisant les donnees collectees du systeme lui-meme afin de fournir aux therapeutes la qualite et la quantite de performance a chaque type de mouvements. Cette methode a ete construite en utilisant l'approche de la logique floue. Enfin, trois experiences ont ete realisees. Deux experiences de therapie et une experience d'evaluation. Les resultats illustrent la faisabilite de notre approche. Des perspectives ont ete donnees en vue d’une validation au pres d’un groupe d’enfant hemiplegique plus important dans l’avenir. Ce travail necessite une preparation importante et une coordination sur le tres long terme avec le corps medical et les familles des enfants atteints.
Broadband delivered entertainment services: forecasting Australian subscription intentions

This study estimates a nested multinomial logit (NMNL) model of broadband delivered entertainment service subscription that allows for the impact of an installation fee and rental price, service attributes and household demographic variables on subscription. The model is estimated on stated-preference data obtained from an Australia-wide survey of capital cities and provincial centres. Nested multinomial logit model estimates are used to provide forecasts that suggest 65 per cent of separate residences passed are likely to subscribe at 2000. This percentage translates into 1,237,744 subscribers. Copyright 2002 by The Economic Society of Australia.