Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Race, Social Class, and Bulimia Nervosa

In this paper we explore a serious eating disorder, bulimia nervosa (BN), which afflicts a surprising number of girls in the US. We challenge the long-held belief that BN primarily affects high income White teenagers, using a unique data set on adolescent females evaluated regarding their tendencies towards bulimic behaviors independent of any diagnoses or treatment they have received. Our results reveal that African Americans are more likely to exhibit bulimic behavior than Whites; as are girls from low income families compared to middle and high income families. We use another data set to show that who is diagnosed with an eating disorder is in accord with popular beliefs, suggesting that African American and low-income girls are being under-diagnosed for BN. Our findings have important implications for public policy since they provide direction to policy makers regarding which adolescent females are most at risk for BN. Our results are robust to different model specifications and identifying assumptions.
Impaired FGF signaling contributes to cleft lip and palate

Nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NS CLP) is a complex birth defect resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Several members of the FGF and FGFR families are expressed during craniofacial development and can rarely harbor mutations that result in human clefting syndromes. We hypothesized that disruptions in this pathway might also contribute to NS CLP. We sequenced the coding regions and performed association testing on 12 genes (FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, FGF2, FGF3, FGF4, FGF7, FGF8, FGF9, FGF10, FGF18, and NUDT6) and used protein structure analyses to predict the function of amino acid variants. Seven likely disease-causing mutations were identified, including: one nonsense mutation (R609X) in FGFR1, a de novo missense mutation (D73H) in FGF8, and other missense variants in FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR3. Structural analysis of FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGF8 variants suggests that these mutations would impair the function of the proteins, albeit through different mechanisms. Genotyping of SNPs in the genes found associations between NS CLP and SNPs in FGF3, FGF7, FGF10, FGF18, and FGFR1. The data suggest that the FGF signaling pathway may contribute to as much as 3–5% of NS CLP and will be a consideration in the clinical management of CLP.
Technostress in the age of information communication technology: A case study of distance education

The study assessed symptoms and manifestations of technostress among workers. The study was carried out to determine the levels of technostress among academic and administrative staff of an open and distance learning institution, ascertained the influence of age and gender on manifestations of technostress and inquired the relationship between computer hassles and stress manifestations. 101; academic (52) and administrative (49) participants, in the age range of 20-69, mean age: 35 years, were randomly selected for the study. They responded to a 22 item, likert-type, two sub-scale, technostress questionnaire designed for the study. Their responses were analyzed with mean, SD, t-test, ANOVA and correlation statistics. (i) Academic staff manifested significantly higher levels of technostress than the non-academic staff (at t = 6.97 (computer hassles); 6.89 (stress reaction), critical t = 1 69). (ii) Older respondents manifested higher levels of technostress than younger respondents. (iii) No significant differences were obtained for male and female participants on technostress manifestation. (iv) A positive correlation was observed between computer hassles and stress reaction (at obtained value .55, Critical r = .195). Improved ICT training and stress management interventions were suggested as important process for enhancing individual and professional well-being.
New experimental results and asymptotic representation for ground wave propagation over land-to-sea mixed-path

In this paper it derived the asymptotic solution for the ground wave propagation over the land-to-sea mixed-path by applying the aperture field method and the high-frequency technique. The validity of the asymptotic solution has been confirmed by comparing with the reference solution calculated numerically, the conventional mixed-path theory, and the experimental results. Also confirmed both theoretically and experimentally is the recovery effect of the electromagnetic field appeared on the portion of the sea over the land-to-sea mixed-path propagation.
The Impact of Nitrogen Engineering in Silicon Oxynitride Gate Dielectric on Negative-Bias Temperature Instability of p-MOSFETs: A Study by Ultrafast On-The-Fly $I_{\rm DLIN}$ Technique

Degradation of p-MOSFET parameters during negative-bias temperature instability (NBTI) stress is studied for different nitridation conditions of the silicon oxynitride (SiON) gate dielectric, using a recently developed ultrafast on-the-fly IDLIN technique having 1-mus resolution. It is shown that the degradation magnitude, as well as its time, temperature, and field dependence, is governed by nitrogen (N) density at the Si/SiON interface. The relative contribution of interface trap generation and hole trapping to overall degradation as varying interfacial N density is qualitatively discussed. Plasma oxynitride films having low interfacial N density show interface trap dominated degradation, whereas relative hole trapping contribution increases for thermal oxynitride films having high N density at the Si/SiON interface.
The shape Jacobian of a manipulator with hyper degrees of freedom

The shape Jacobian, which is the counterpart of the manipulator Jacobian, plays a key role to control the shape of a manipulator with extraordinarily many degrees of freedom. In this paper, we show some significant properties of the shape Jacobian, the structure, boundedness, determinant and singularity, in geometric aspects.
A new iterative soft decision subcarrier PIC scheme for CI/MC-CDMA system

This paper introduces an improved iterative soft decision subcarrier parallel interference cancellation (SDSub-PIC) technique for the carrier interferometry/multicarrier code division multiple access (CI/MC-CDMA) system that significantly reduces the multiple access interference (MAI) for the desired user. Carrier interferometry (CI) codes are used to minimize the cross-correlation between different users. In this paper, the interference cancellation is done by taking the soft decision estimates of transmitted data bit at the subcarrier level. MAI estimates become more reliable with multistage iterative structure of the receiver, which ensures improved bit error rate (BER) performance. Simulation results show that SDSub-PIC provides average BER of 1e-04 at 10 dB SNR which is about 1.5 dB off from single user bound in an AWGN channel at 50% overloading. In slow frequency selective Rayleigh fading channel, SDSub-PIC ensures BER of 4e-05 at 25 dB SNR with four-fold diversity at 100% overloading. We have observed that the new scheme performs considerably better than Block-PIC [14] and Sub-PIC [15] proposed earlier for CI/MC-CDMA system. Complexity of SDSub-PIC is O(N) while for conventional PIC and Block-PIC, it is O(2N-1) and 2O(N) respectively.
An Intelligent Power Distribution Service Architecture

Conventional power distribution boxes have many problems for monitoring electricity consumption. This paper presents an intelligent power distribution service architecture, using a standard MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) protocol and open source Big data processing software packages. This solution provides real-time electricity information checking, power consumption comparison, remote control, and historical data analysis. The evaluations and practical usage show that our proposed solution has high availability, very convenient for achieving smart building solutions.
Efficient routeing in Poisson small-world networks

In a recent paper, Kleinberg (2000) considered a small-world network model consisting of a d-dimensional lattice augmented with shortcuts. The probability of a shortcut being present between two points decays as a power, r -α, of the distance, r, between them. Kleinberg showed that greedy routeing is efficient if α = d and that there is no efficient decentralised routeing algorithm if α ≠ d. The results were extended to a continuum model by Franceschetti and Meester (2003). In our work, we extend the result to more realistic models constructed from a Poisson point process wherein each point is connected to all its neighbours within some fixed radius, and possesses random shortcuts to more distant nodes as described above.
Genetic relationship between lactation curve traits in the first three parities of dairy cattle

In Kenya, selection of dams for the national contract mating scheme is based on 305-day lactation milk yield (TMY) performance across parities. At farm level, only cows that had good TMY performance in previous parity are retained for the subsequent lactation. This strategy has resulted in improved milk production performance, although increased incidences of physiological disorders, mastitis and reduced fertility have been reported in high-yielding cows. Records on functional traits relative to milk yield are scant. Properties of lactation curves could be used indirectly to explain the productive and functional efficiency of dairy cows. This study assesses the relationship between lactation traits, based on the lactation curve, to evaluate the effects of selection for TMY on lactation curve properties and to assess the effects of selection decisions based on first lactation on performance in later lactations. A repeatability analysis revealed negative genetic correlations between peak milk yield (MYmax) and persistency (S); MYmax and days in milk at peak (DIMP); and TMY and DIMP. Genetic correlations were positive between DIMP and S, and TMY and MYmax. This implies that selection for high TMY would result in high MYmax and a reduction in DIMP. This alters the shape of the lactation curve, shifting production pressure to early lactation, which aggravates a negative energy balance, thus compromising the physiological integrity of the cow. Continuous selection for high TMY could be responsible for the reported decline in reproductive efficiency and lactation physiology. Correlation estimates between traits in different parities were bidirectional (correlation estimates changed signs (+/-) in different parities), implying that selection decisions made in lactation 1 may not have similar outcomes in lactations 2 and 3. Selection at farm level should be optimised by using records from three parities, as is done in the contract mating scheme.
Inhibition of aspartyl and serine proteinases in the midgut of sugarbeet root maggot with proteinase inhibitors

Stephen E. Wilhite 1, Thomas C. Elden 1, Vida Puizdar 2, Scott Armstrong3 & Ann C. Smigocki4,∗ 1Soybean and Alfalfa Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; 2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 3Plant and Soil Sciences Department, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA;4Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; ∗Author for correspondence (Fax: (301) 504-5728; E-mail: smigocki@asrr.arsusda. gov)
Stability analysis and H/sub /spl infin// controller design of fuzzy large-scale systems based on piecewise Lyapunov functions

This paper presents a novel approach to stability analysis of a fuzzy large-scale system in which the system is composed of a number of Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy subsystems with interconnections. The stability analysis is based on Lyapunov functions that are continuous and piecewise quadratic. It is shown that the stability of the fuzzy large-scale systems can be established if a piecewise Lyapunov function can be constructed, and, moreover, the function can be obtained by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) that are numerically feasible. It is also demonstrated via a numerical example that the stability result based on the piecewise quadratic Lyapunov functions is less conservative than that based on the common quadratic Lyapunov functions. The H/sub /spl infin// controllers can also be designed by solving a set of LMIs based on these powerful piecewise quadratic Lyapunov functions.
An Algorithm for Compensating Secondary Currents of Current Transformers

Current transformer (CT) saturation may cause power system relays to malfunction. The conventional method used to deal with the problem is overdimensioning of the transformer core so that CTs can carry up to 20 times the rated current without exceeding 10% ratio correction. However, this not only reduces the sensitivity of power system relays, but also increases the CT core size. This paper presents a technique of estimating the secondary current corresponding to the CT ratio under CT saturation. The proposed algorithm can improve the sensitivity of relays to low level internal faults, minimize the instability of relays for external faults, and might ultimately assist in reducing the dimension of the required CT core cross-section.
Improving the effectiveness of interventions to balance conservation and development: a conceptual framework

There are numerous case studies around the world describing integrated conservation and development projects (ICDPs). Recently some localized syntheses have been published that use sophisticated statistics to identify patterns and causal linkages, but no attempt has yet been made to draw together lessons from across the globe. This paper is an attempt to provide a framework for such an analysis. A set of lessons is proposed for improving the prospects of ICDPs by giving consideration to each of the five capitals: natural, social, human, built, and financial. The language of ICDPs has been adopted by development agencies of all persuasions. There is now some urgency to identify the characteristics of the environment and the community in which success is most likely. This paper is intended as a step in that direction.
Nanostructured Porous Silicon Scaffolds for Enhanced Biocompatibility of Multichannel Microelectrodes

Nanostructured Porous Silicon Scaffolds for Enhanced Biocompatibility of Multichannel Microelectrodes Stefanie Joy Hallman Karen Moxon, Ph.D. Many different types of microelectrodes have been developed for use as a direct Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) to chronically record singleneuron action potentials from ensembles of neurons and control an effector. For example, a BMI device designed for human quadriplegic patients successfully used single neuron activity to move a cursor on a computer screen. However, these devices eventually failed. This failure was not due to failure of the microelectrodes, but more likely due to damage to surrounding tissue that results in the formation of a non-conductive glial scar. The use of nanostructured microelectrode surfaces to mimic the extracellular environment has been previously shown in vitro to positively affect neural survival and decrease glial cell proliferation. In this thesis, we tested whether nanostructured porous silicon would reduce glial activation around the microelectrode compared to smooth silicon. To accomplish this, we first designed a semi-automated process to quantify immunological staining around the microelectrode hole. We then examined the effect of implanting different surfaces for 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Our immunohistochemical quantification process showed that porous surfaces decreased astrocytic up-regulation around the microelectrode insertion site, including less hypertrophied astrocytic cell bodies. Additionally, survival of neurons increased and recruitment of macrophages was
Measuring surface water from space

Surface fresh water is essential for life, yet we have surprisingly poor knowledge of the spatial and temporal dynamics of surface freshwater discharge and changes in storage globally. For example, we are unable to answer such basic questions as “What is the spatial and temporal variability of water stored on and near the surface of all continents? ” Furthermore, key societal issues, such as the susceptibility of life to flood hazards, cannot be answered with the current global, in situ networks designed to observe river discharge at points but not flood events. The measurements required to answer these hydrologic questions are surface water area, the elevation of the water surface (h), its slope (∂h/∂x), and temporal change (∂h/∂t). Advances in remote sensing hydrology, particularly over the past 10 years and even more recently, have demonstrated that these hydraulic variables can be measured reliably from orbiting platforms. Measurements of inundated area have been used to varying degrees of accuracy as proxies for discharge but are successful only when in situ data are available for calibration; they fail to indicate the dynamic topography of water surfaces. Radar altimeters have a rich, multidecadal history of successfully measuring elevations of the ocean surface and are now also accepted as capable tools for measuring h along orbital profiles crossing freshwater bodies. However, altimeters are profiling tools, which, because of their orbital spacings, miss too many freshwater bodies to be useful hydrologically. High spatial resolution images of ∂h/∂t have been observed with interferometric synthetic aperture radar, but the method requires emergent vegetation to scatter radar pulses back to the receiving antenna. Essentially, existing spaceborne methods have been used to measure components of surface water hydraulics, but none of the technologies can singularly supply the water volume and hydraulic measurements that are needed to accurately model the water cycle and to guide water management practices. Instead, a combined imaging and elevation‐measuring approach is ideal as demonstrated by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), which collected images of h at a high spatial resolution (∼90 m) thus permitting the calculation of ∂h/∂x. We suggest that a future satellite concept, the Water and Terrestrial Elevation Recovery mission, will improve upon the SRTM design to permit multitemporal mappings of h across the world's wetlands, floodplains, lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.
A simply fall-detection algorithm using accelerometers on a smartphone

Every year, several thousands of elderly people experience with falling accident. Falling is then a main problem about healthiness of elders. This paper tries to find out a simple algorithm to detect a fall. With less calculation, the device can quickly distinguish between a fall and a normal activity of daily living (ADL). As the smartphone technology is currently in very advance, it includes several sensors to come along. The sensors building in the smartphone are very useful in every field of measurements even in medical engineering. The tri-axial accelerometer is one sensor available on the smartphone and one application is to use for fall detection. From the study, the simple algorithm can be applied for fall detection by observing any change of x-, y-, or z-acceleration 10g within time limited obtaining from ADLs in terms of lying down. The advantages of using the smartphone as a fall detector are that it can alarm or call out for help. It is also getting cheap, widely used, and comfortable to use or mount.
Analysis and design of fully integrated very low quiescent current LDOs

We introduce two extremely low quiescent current (I<sub>Q</sub>) low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulators. The Low I<sub>Q</sub>-LDO (LI<sub>Q</sub>-LDO) has a minimum ground current of 13 μA and is designed for a maximum load current of 50 mA. The Micro I<sub>Q</sub>-LDO (MI<sub>Q</sub>-LDO) has a minimum ground current of 1.2 μA and is designed for a maximum load current of 5 mA. Detailed pole/zero analysis is performed to aid in the design of the LDOs. Two LHP zeros cancel the two non-dominant poles which extend the bandwidth and improve transient response. Both designs are fully integrated, stabilized with an on-chip capacitive load of 100 pF. A process-independent figure of merit (FOM) is proposed to compare LI<sub>Q</sub>-LDO and MI<sub>Q</sub>-LDO with other published work.
Phylogenomic Analysis of the LI Retrotransposons in Deuterostomia

—LI retrotransposons constitute the largest single component of mammalian genomes. In contrast to the sin- gle remaining lineage of LI retrotransposons in mammalian genomes, some teleost fishes contain a highly diverse LI retrotransposon repertoire. Major evolutionary changes in LI retrotransposon repertoires have therefore taken place in the land vertebrates (Tetrapoda). The lack of sequence data for LI retrotransposons in the basal living Tetrapoda lineages prompted an investigation of their distribution and evolution in the genomes of the key tetrapod lineages, am- phibians and reptiles, and in lungfishes. In this study, we combined genome database searches with PCR analysis to demonstrate that LI retrotransposons are present in the genomes of lungfishes, amphibians, and lepidosaurs. Phyloge- nomic analysis shows that the genomes of Deuterostomia possess three highly divergent groups of LI retrotransposons, with distinct distribution patterns. The analysis of LI diversity shows the presence of a very large number of diverse LI families, each with very low copy numbers, at the time of the origin of tetrapods. During the evolution of synapsids, all but one LI lineage have been lost. This study establishes that the loss of LI diversity and explosion in copy num- bers occurred in the synapsid ancestors of mammals, and was most probably caused by severe population bottlenecks.