Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body mass index categories and mortality risk in US adults: the effect of overweight and obesity on advancing death.

OBJECTIVES We examined the association of body mass index with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-specific mortality risks among US adults and calculated the rate advancement period by which death is advanced among the exposed groups. METHODS We used data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) linked to the National Death Index mortality file with follow-up to 2006 (n = 16 868). We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the rate of dying and rate advancement period for all-cause and CVD-specific mortality for overweight and obese adults relative to their normal-weight counterparts. RESULTS Compared with normal-weight adults, obese adults had at least 20% significantly higher rate of dying of all-cause or CVD. These rates advanced death by 3.7 years (grades II and III obesity) for all-cause mortality and between 1.6 (grade I obesity) and 5.0 years (grade III obesity) for CVD-specific mortality. The burden of obesity was greatest among adults aged 45 to 64 years for all-cause and CVD-specific mortality and among women for all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the impact of the obesity epidemic on mortality risk and premature deaths among US adults.
An accurate active power sharing study in virtual flux angle droop method

This paper investigates the problem of accurate active power sharing in virtual flux droop where flux angle droop control is used for DG controllers instead of traditional frequency droop control. Firstly, the virtual flux droop control method is introduced. Then, the reasons for inaccurate active power sharing in flux angle droop are analysed. Further, to solve this problem, an active power compensation sheme is added to flux angle droop control loop, which can achieve accurate active power sharing without affecting system stability. Finally, the proposed active power compensation strategy based on virtual flux droop is verified in a simplified microgrid model with two parallel DGs. The simulation results show that the proposed control strategy can achieve accurate power distribution and zero frequency deviation simutaneously and also has advantages of simple control and excellent dynamic and static performance.
Formulation of Joint Trajectories for Industrial Robots Using B-Splines

In this paper, we describe a new procedure for constructing robot trajectories. The procedure uses the theory of B-splines. The motion of the robot, as specified by a time sequence of position and orientation knots of the end effector, is first transformed into sets of joint displacements. B-splines are then used to fit these sequences for each joint. The procedure consists of a simple recursive algorithm and allows constraints to be imposed on the magnitudes of the joint velocities and accelerations as well as on their initial and final values. A trajectory constructed by this method has the property that a local modification can be made quickly and easily without recomputing the entire trajectory. The method has been used for generating trajectories for a PUMA 560 robot.
The upper gastrointestinal safety of rofecoxib vs. NSAIDs: an updated combined analysis*

SUMMARY Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are nonspecific cyclo-oxygenase (COX-1/COX-2) inhibitors and are associated with gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity attributable to COX-1 inhibition. Rofecoxib, a COX-2 specific inhibitor, was developed to provide similar efficacy and less GI toxicity than NSAIDs. Objective: To update the results of a previously performed analysis of the incidence of upper GI perforations, symptomatic gastroduodenal ulcers, and upper GI bleeding (PUBs) with rofecoxib compared with non-selective NSAIDs. Research design and methods: We compared the incidence of PUBs in a combined analysis of 20 randomized, double-blind, clinical trials of rofecoxib versus NSAIDs. Men and women (N = 17 072) from multinational trial sites with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis were studied. There was no upper age limit in any of the trials. Investigator-reported PUBs were reviewed by a blinded, external adjudication committee using pre-specified criteria. The incidence of confirmed PUBs, the main outcome measure, among patients treated with rofecoxib 12.5 mg, 25 mg, or 50 mg (combined, N = 10 026) was compared to that among patients treated with ibuprofen, diclofenac, nabumetone, or naproxen (combined, N = 7046). Results: The incidence of PUBs over 24.8 months was significantly lower with rofecoxib vs. NSAIDs (cumulative incidence 1.6% vs. 3.1%, p < 0.001; rate/100 patient-years 0.74 vs. 1.87; relative risk 0.36, 95% CI 0.24, 0.54). Results of subgroup analyses and comparisons of rofecoxib with individual NSAID comparators were consistent with the primary result, as was an analysis in patients with no PUB risk factors. Discussion: The analysis demonstrated a consistently lower incidence of confirmed PUBs with rofecoxib than with NSAIDs over 24.8 months. These results confirm those of a previous smaller combined analysis of clinical trials with rofecoxib vs. non-selective NSAIDs in OA patients only, in which the risk reduction for confirmed PUBs was approximately 50%. In addition, this analysis demonstrated risk reductions with rofecoxib vs. NSAIDs in risk subgroups and in patients who did not have any known risk factors for PUBs consistent with the primary result. Some of the studies in this analysis required scheduled endoscopies. Asymptomatic upper GI ulcers or bleeding diagnosed during scheduled procedures were not included in the primary endpoint, which may have caused a bias against rofecoxib. Conclusions: Treatment with rofecoxib was associated with a statistically significantly (p < 0.001) lower incidence of PUBs than was treatment with NSAIDs. The difference was maintained in subgroups of patients with risk factors, as well as in those with no risk factors, for PUBs.
The association of thyroid peroxidase antibody risk loci with susceptibility to and phenotype of Graves' disease

Despite great progress, the genetic basis of Graves' disease (GD) remains poorly understood. Recently, a population‐based genomewide association study (GWAS) identified five novel loci (ATXN2/SH2B3, MAGI3, BACH2, TPO and KALRN) as significantly associated with the presence of thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies (TPOAbs), whereas several other loci showed suggestive association.
Electrical wavelength-tunable actively mode-locked fiber ring laser with a linearly chirped fiber Bragg grating

Electrical wavelength-tunable picosecond laser pulses were demonstrated in an actively mode-locked fiber ring laser with a linearly chirped fiber Bragg grating (FBG). Continuous wavelength tuning with a range of 7.2 or 5.8 mm was achieved by changing the modulation frequency respectively around 2.48 or 6.3 GHz. A pulsewidth of about 20 ps was obtained in the entire tuning range, which was limited mainly by the reflection bandwidth of the FBG.
Peripapillary vascular changes in radiation optic neuropathy: an optical coherence tomography angiography grading

Aims To investigate peripapillary vascular changes secondary to radiation optic neuropathy (RON) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and to propose a clinical grading of RON based on OCT-A findings. Methods Thirty-four patients affected by RON were consecutively included. Each patient underwent best corrected visual acuity measurement (ETDRS score) and OCT-A (Nidek RS-3000 Advance device, Nidek, Gamagori, Japan). The radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP) and the entire peripapillary capillary bed (EPCB) were analysed. Quantitative analysis of the OCT-A images was performed using open-source available ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA). Qualitative analysis based on the proposed clinical grading (Grades 0–4) was also performed by two masked graders. Results RON clinical (qualitative) classification based on RPCP correlated with the quantitative RPCP perfusion analysis (P=0.0001). RON clinical classification based on RPCP statistically correlated with ETDRS score (P=0.001). RON clinical classification based on EPCB also correlated with the quantitative EPCB perfusion analysis and ETDRS score (P=0.02 and P=0.01, respectively). Compared with the clinical classification based on EPCB, the qualitative classification based on RPCP reached a higher intergrader agreement (0.96 and 0.86, respectively). Conclusion OCT-A can be used to detect RPCP abnormalities and to clinically classify RON with a high interexaminer agreement. The proposed clinical classification is supported by the quantitative analysis based on the use of specific images elaboration techniques and correlates with visual acuity of the examined eyes.
Physiological parameters governing the action of pancreatic lipase

The most widely used pharmacological therapies for obesity and weight management are based on inhibition of gastrointestinal lipases, resulting in a reduced energy yield of ingested foods by reducing dietary lipid absorption. Colipase-dependent pancreatic lipase is believed to be the major gastrointestinal enzyme involved in catalysis of lipid ester bonds. There is scant literature on the action of pancreatic lipase under the range of physiological conditions that occur within the human small intestine, and the literature that does exist is often contradictory. Due to the importance of pancreatic lipase activity to nutrition and weight management, the present review aims to assess the current body of knowledge with regards to the physiology behind the action of this unique gastrointestinal enzyme system. Existing data would suggest that pancreatic lipase activity is affected by intestinal pH, the presence of colipase and bile salts, but not by the physiological range of Ca ion concentration (as is commonly assumed). The control of secretion of pancreatic lipase and its associated factors appears to be driven by gastrointestinal luminal content, particularly the presence of acid or digested proteins and fats in the duodenal lumen. Secretion of colipase, bile acids and pancreatic lipase is driven by cholecystokinin and secretin release.
Fourier optics of image formation in LEEM

A Fourier optics calculation of image formation in low energy electron microscopy (LEEM) is presented. The adaptation of the existing theory for transmission electron microscopy to the treatment of LEEM and other forms of cathode lens electron microscopy is explained. The calculation incorporates imaging errors that are caused by the objective lens (aberrations), contrast aperture (diffraction), imperfect source characteristics, and voltage and current instabilities. It is used to evaluate the appearance of image features that arise from phase objects such as surface steps and amplitude objects that produce what is alternatively called amplitude, reflectivity or diffraction contrast in LEEM. This formalism can be used after appropriate modification to treat image formation in other emission microscopies. Implications for image formation in the latest aberration-corrected instruments are also discussed.
Combining the Performance Strengths of the Logistic Regression and Neural Network Models: A Medical Outcomes Approach

The assessment of medical outcomes is important in the effort to contain costs, streamline patient management, and codify medical practices. As such, it is necessary to develop predictive models that will make accurate predictions of these outcomes. The neural network methodology has often been shown to perform as well, if not better, than the logistic regression methodology in terms of sample predictive performance. However, the logistic regression method is capable of providing an explanation regarding the relationship(s) between variables. This explanation is often crucial to understanding the clinical underpinnings of the disease process. Given the respective strengths of the methodologies in question, the combined use of a statistical (i.e., logistic regression) and machine learning (i.e., neural network) technology in the classification of medical outcomes is warranted under appropriate conditions. The study discusses these conditions and describes an approach for combining the strengths of the models.
A lens-integrated on-chip circular slot antenna for a 240 GHz power source in SiGe technology

This paper reports on the design of a broadband lens-integrated differentially-driven circular slot on-chip antenna for a 240 GHz power source implemented in a SiGe HBT technology. The circular slot is excited by 2 sectorial patch probes located in the antenna aperture, whereby the mutual coupling between them is exploited to extend the antenna operation bandwidth in the lower range of the operation frequency. The antenna allows a frequency-unlimited operation of the multiplier-chain based power source with a peak radiated power of at least 1.18mW at 250 GHz and in excess of 100μW for 222-276 GHz.
Stable Isotopic (&dgr;13C and &dgr;15N) Characterization of Key Faunal Resources from Norse Period Settlements in North Iceland

Abstract During the Viking Age, Norse peoples established settlements across the North Atlantic, colonizing the pristine and near-pristine landscapes of the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and the short-lived Vinland settlement in Newfoundland. Current North Atlantic archaeological research themes include efforts to understand human adaptation and impact in these environments. For example, early Icelandic settlements persisted despite substantial environmental impacts and climatic change, while the Greenlandic settlements were abandoned ca. AD 1450 in the face of similar environmental degradation. The Norse settlers utilized both imported domestic livestock and natural fauna, including wild birds and aquatic resources. The stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen (expressed as &dgr;13C and &dgr;15N) in archaeofaunal bones provide a powerful tool for the reconstruction of Norse economy and diet. Here we assess the &dgr;13C and &dgr;15N values of faunal and floral samples from sites in North Iceland within the context of Norse economic strategies. These strategies had a dramatic effect upon the ecology and environment of the North Atlantic islands, with impacts enduring to the present day.
High Maneuvering Target Tracking Based on Self-adaptive Interaction Multiple-Model

This study establishes a target motion model and an observation model under the condition of colored noise by using the Kalman filter based on an improved IMM (interactive multiple model) for maneuvering target tracking. To improve the overall performance of IMM algorithm, we proposed to combine the CV (constant velocity) and CA (constant acceleration) models with the "current" statistical model, in which its acceleration extremum is not fixed. Since the system model information is implicit in the current measurement, the Markov transition probability is computed online and real-timely, so as to obtain more accurate a posterior estimation and improve the model fusion accuracy. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out for the experiments and the results reveal that the proposed algorithm can get better performance in comparison with traditional IMM which adopts the "current" statistical model and CV-CA models.
A portable, open-source implementation of the SPC-1 workload

This paper describes an open-source implementation of the Storage Performance Council's SPC benchmark-1 (SPC-1). Although this implementation cannot be used to generate official SPC-1 results, the code can be used for research and other unofficial work. We begin with a brief introduction to SPC-1, concentrating on qualities necessary to understand and use our implementation. Then we discuss important features of our open-source implementation and how it was validated against the official SPC-1 benchmark implementation.
Molecular Characterization of the Leucine Cluster in Buchnera sp. Strain PSY, a Primary Endosymbiont of the Aphid Pemphigus spyrothecae

ABSTRACT Buchnera strains from most aphid subfamilies studied to date have been found to carry the leucine gene cluster (leuA, -B, -C, and -D) on a plasmid, an organization unique among bacteria. Here, however, we demonstrate a classical chromosomal location of the cluster in Buchnera sp. strain PSY from the aphid Pemphigus spyrothecae (subfamily Pemphiginae). The genes that flank leuABCD in Buchnera sp. strain PSY appear to be adjacent in the genome of Buchnera sp. strain APS, a strain carrying a leucine plasmid. We propose that the presence of a leucine plasmid predates the diversification of symbiotic Buchnera and that the chromosomal location observed in Buchnera sp. strain PSY arose by a transfer of the leucine genes from a plasmid to the chromosome.
Functional Role for Heat Shock Factors in the Transcriptional Regulation of Human RANK Ligand Gene Expression in Stromal/Osteoblast Cells*

RANK Ligand (RANKL) is a critical osteoclastogenic factor that is expressed on stromal cells and osteoblasts. Most resorption stimuli induce osteoclast formation by modulating RANKL gene expression in marrow stromal/osteoblast cells. However, it is unclear how these stimuli modulate RANKL gene expression in the bone microenvironment. To characterize the transcriptional control of human RANKL gene expression in stromal/osteoblast cells, we PCR-amplified and cloned a 2-kb 5′-flanking sequence of the RANKL gene, using normal human osteoblast derived genomic DNA as a template. Sequence analysis identified the presence of several potential Heat Shock Factor (HSF) responsive elements (HSE) in the human RANKL gene promoter region. Co-expression of HSF-1 or HSF-2 with the RANKL gene promoter-luciferase reporter plasmid in human osteoblastic cells (NOBC) demonstrated a 2-fold and 4.5-fold increase in promoter activity, respectively. RT-PCR analysis for HSF-1 and 2 mRNA expression in human bone marrow-derived stromal cells (SAKA-T) and osteoblast cells detected only HSF-2 expression. As evident from EMSA analysis, in contrast to 1,25(OH)2D3 SAKA-T cells treated with b-FGF demonstrated increased levels of HSF-2 binding to the HSE present in the RANKL gene promoter region. Immunocytochemical staining further confirmed nuclear localization of HSF-2 in both SAKA-T transformed stromal cells and human bone marrow derived primary stromal/preosteoblastic cells in response to b-FGF treatment. Furthermore, b-FGF treatment of SAKA-T cells transfected with the luciferase reporter plasmid containing the hRANKL HSE region (-2 kb to -1275 bp) upstream to a heterologous promoter showed increased levels of transactivation. Western blot analysis further demonstrated enhanced levels of RANKL expression and HSP-27 phosphorylation in SAKA-T cells treated with b-FGF. In addition, overexpression of HSF-2 in SAKA-T cells resulted in a 5-fold increase in the levels of RANKL expression in these cells. These data further suggest that HSF-2 is a downstream target of b-FGF to induce RANKL expression in stromal/osteoblast cells, and that HSF may play an important role in modulating RANKL gene expression in the bone microenvironment.
Optimized Local Kernel Machines for Fast Time Series Forecasting

In practices we often expect a fast learning such as real-time or online time series forecasting. However standard algorithms learning the machines from the whole data set are often time consuming. To this end, in this paper we introduce local learning strategy considering only a subset of candidates in the neighborhood of the test point and present a general form of local kernel machines for regression. To optimize these machines, based on leave-one-out errors or bounds of the kernel machines, pattern search method is adopted for model selecting. In addition, multiple-kernels are developed for performance improving. Intensive experiments on a real world electricity load forecasting have been carried out and the results demonstrate the feasibility of our methods of obtaining an improved generalization performance at a reduced computation cost.
Adaptive tracking control of nonholonomic mobile robots considering actuator dynamics: Dynamic surface design approach

In this paper, we propose an adaptive tracking control of nonholonomic mobile robots considering actuator dynamics. All parameters of robot kinematics, robot dynamics, and actuator dynamics are assumed to be uncertain. For the simple controller design, the dynamic surface control methodology is applied and extended to multi-input multi-output systems (i.e., mobile robots) that the number of inputs and outputs is different. From the Lyapunov stability theory, we derive adaptation laws and prove that all signals of a closed-loop system are semi-globally uniformly ultimately bounded. Finally, we perform compute simulations to demonstrate the performance of the proposed controller.
Presynaptic μ and δ Opioid Receptor Modulation of GABAA IPSCs in the Rat Globus Pallidus In Vitro

The role of enkephalin and the opioid receptors in modulating GABA release within the rat globus pallidus (GP) was investigated using whole-cell patch recordings made from visually identified neurons. Two major GP neuronal subtypes were classified on the basis of intrinsic membrane properties, action potential characteristics, the presence of the anomalous inward rectifier (Ih), and anode break depolarizations. The μ opioid receptor agonist [d-Ala2-N-Me-Phe4-Glycol5]-enkephalin (DAMGO) (1 μm) reduced GABAAreceptor-mediated IPSCs evoked by stimulation within the striatum. DAMGO also increased paired-pulse facilitation, indicative of presynaptic μ opioid receptor modulation of striatopallidal input. In contrast, the δ opioid agonistd-Pen-[d-Pen2,5]-enkephalin (DPDPE) (1 μm) was without effect. IPSCs evoked by stimulation within the GP were depressed by application of [methionine 5′]-enkephalin (met-enkephalin) (30 μm). Met-enkephalin also reduced the frequency, but not the amplitude, of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) and increased paired-pulse facilitation of evoked IPSCs, indicative of a presynaptic action. Both DAMGO and DPDPE reduced evoked IPSCs and the frequency, but not amplitude, of mIPSCs. However, spontaneous action potential-driven IPSCs were reduced in frequency by met-enkephalin and DAMGO, whereas DPDPE was without effect. Overall, these results indicate that presynaptic μ opioid receptors are located on striatopallidal terminals and pallidopallidal terminals of spontaneously firing GP neurons, whereas presynaptic δ opioid receptors are preferentially located on terminals of quiescent GP cells. Enkephalin, acting at both of these receptor subtypes, serves to reduce GABA release in the GP and may therefore act as an adaptive mechanism, maintaining the inhibitory function of the GP in basal ganglia circuitry.
Acute variation of leucocytes counts following a half‐marathon run

There is growing interest on haematological changes following elite and recreation sports. However, no information is available on leucocyte variations after an intermediate‐distance run. Complete blood cell count was assessed on 17 trained, middle‐aged males before a 21‐km half‐marathon, at the end and 3, 6, 24 h thereafter. Statistically significant variations by one‐way analysis of variance were observed for all the parameters tested. Haematocrit, haemoglobin and red blood cells and platelet count increased significantly by the end of the run and returned to pre‐run values 3 h thereafter. White blood cells, neutrophils, monocytes and basophils counts increased after the run, reached the peak at 3 h and returned to the baseline after 24 h. Conversely, the eosinophils count significantly decreased after the run, reached a nadir at 3 h and slowly returned to pre‐run values at 24 h. The lymphocytes count significantly increased after the run, decreased 3 h thereafter and returned to pre‐run values after 6 h. These results show that an intermediate‐distance run, which is a popular form of recreational sports worldwide, is associated with transitory leucocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis and basophilia, but it also induces acute eosinopenia, all changes being completely reversed 24 h thereafter.