Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining the effects of prevention programs on the incidence of new cases of mental disorders: the lack of statistical power.

OBJECTIVE In the past few decades about 1,000 controlled studies have examined the effects of mental health prevention programs, but few studies have examined the effects of such programs on the incidence of new cases of mental disorders defined according to diagnostic criteria. A major reason why so few studies have examined this important question is that very large numbers of subjects are needed to provide sufficient statistical power for these studies. In this article this power problem is explored. METHOD Power calculations are presented for studies examining universal prevention (aimed at the general population regardless of risk status), selective prevention (aimed at high-risk groups), and indicated prevention (aimed at subjects who have some symptoms of a disorder without meeting full diagnostic criteria). RESULTS Studies examining universal prevention are hardly feasible, as the number of subjects required amounts to tens of thousands at least. Research examining selective prevention is more feasible, but the number of subjects needed for these studies is still very high. Studies of indicated prevention are possible. Three major studies of indicated prevention examining the effects on the incidence of new cases of mental disorders are described. CONCLUSIONS There are several strategies for increasing statistical power in prevention studies: 1) focus on high-incidence groups (by concentrating on indicated prevention, by targeting high-risk groups with multiple risk factors, by targeting groups with multiple disorders), 2) strengthen the effects of prevention programs, and 3) make more efficient use of other trials through cumulative meta-analyses.
A case for the accountable cloud

For many companies, clouds are becoming an interesting alternative to a dedicated IT infrastructure. However, cloud computing also carries certain risks for both the customer and the cloud provider. The customer places his computation and data on machines he cannot directly control; the provider agrees to run a service whose details he does not know. If something goes wrong - for example, data leaks to a competitor, or the computation returns incorrect results - it can be difficult for customer and provider to determinewhich of themhas caused the problem, and, in the absence of solid evidence, it is nearly impossible for them to hold each other responsible for the problem if a dispute arises. In this paper, we propose that the cloud should be made accountable to both the customer and the provider. Both parties should be able to check whether the cloud is running the service as agreed. If a problem appears, they should be able to determine which of them is responsible, and to prove the presence of the problem to a third party, such as an arbitrator or a judge. We outline the technical requirements for an accountable cloud, and we describe several challenges that are not yet met by current accountability techniques.
Knowing When to Trust Others: An ERP Study of Decision Making After Receiving Information from Unknown People

To address the neurocognitive mechanisms that underlie choices made after receiving information from an anonymous individual, reaction times (Experiment 1) and event-related brain potentials (Experiment 2) were recorded as participants played three variants of the coin toss game. In this game, participants guess the outcomes of unseen coin tosses after a person in another room (dubbed 'the reporter') observes the coin toss outcomes and then sends reports (which may or may not be truthful) to participants about whether the coins landed on heads or tails. Participants knew that the reporter's interests were aligned with their own (common interests), opposed to their own (conflicting interests) or opposed to their own, but that the reporter was penalized every time he or she sent a false report about the coin toss outcome (penalty for lying). In the common interests and penalty for lying conditions, participants followed the reporter's reports over 90% of the time, in contrast to <59% of the time in the conflicting interests condition. Reaction time results indicated that participants took similar amounts of time to respond in the common interests and penalty for lying conditions and that they were reliably faster than in the conflicting interests condition. Event-related potentials timelocked to the reporter's reports revealed a larger P2, P3 and late positive complex response in the common interests condition than in the other two, suggesting that participants' brains processed the reporter's reports differently in the common interests condition relative to the other two conditions. Results suggest that even when people behave as if they trust information, they consider communicative efforts of individuals whose interests are aligned with their own to be slightly more informative than those of individuals who are made trustworthy by an institution, such as a penalty for lying.
Predicting Precipitation Events Using Gaussian Mixture Model

In this paper, a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) based classifier is described to tell whether precipitation events will happen on a certain day at a certain time from historical meteorological data. The classifier deals with a two-class classification problem where one class represents precipitation events and the other represents non-precipitation events. The concept of ambiguity is introduced to represent cases where weather conditions between the two classes like drizzles, intermittent or overcast are more likely to happen. Six groups of experiments are carried out to evaluate the performance of the classifier using different configurations based on the observation data released by Shanghai Baoshan weather station. Specifically, a typical classification performance of about 75% accuracy, 30% precision and 80% recall is achieved for prediction tasks with a time span of 12 hours.
AUDIOVISUAL SPEECH RECOGNITION WITH ARTICULATOR POSITIONS AS HIDDEN VARIABLES

Speech recognition, by both humans and machines, benefits from visual observation of the face, especially at low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). It has often been noticed, however, that the audible and visible correlates of a phoneme may be asynchronous; perhaps for this reason, automatic speech recognition structures that allow asynchrony between the audible phoneme and the visible viseme outperform recognizers that allow no such asynchrony. This paper proposes, and tests using experimental speech recognition systems, a new explanation for audio-visual asynchrony. Specifically, we propose that audio-visual asynchrony may be the result of asynchrony between the gestures implemented by different articulators, such that the most visibly salient articulator (e.g., the lips) and the most audibly salient articulator (e.g., the glottis) may, at any given time, be dominated by gestures associated with different phonemes. The proposed model of audio-visual asynchrony is tested by implementing an “articulatory-feature model” audiovisual speech recognizer: a system with multiple hidden state variables, each representing the gestures of one articulator. The proposed system performs as well as a standard audiovisual recognizer on a digit recognition task; the best results are achieved by combining the outputs of the two systems.
Factors Affecting Consumer Decision Making For Purchasing Selected Home Appliance Products Based On Market Segmentation-A Feedback Study of People Associated With Management Education

Technological up-gradation as a crucial criterion for societal growth resulted in drastic change in consumer’s taste and preferences. People are shifting from traditional one to modern lifestyle product. During mid of twentieth century the marketing concept has been developed with hard core materialistic exchange concept. But introduction of service sector changed the scenario with value concept based on psychological view point of the consumer. In this research paper we have drawn sample from Kolkata, segmented by people associated with management education. This study is to establish empirically the external and internal influences on customers’ decision making. Several market segmentation factors over consumers’ perception towards selected home appliances products have been taken. We have tried to judge market segmentation factors like demographic (age, gender, education, occupation) and psychographic (lifestyle, social class, personality, behavioral (values, status and Convenience), self concept and their impact on Customers’ decision Making. It scrutinizes the association between above mentioned independent variables with dependent one (purchase intention). This paper reveals the fact that ‘psychographic’ is the most significant market segmentation factor. It also reveals most important combination of factors behind people’s buying intension is ‘occupation’, ‘life style’ and ‘value’. The result may lend a hand towards organization to percept consumers’ perception for the benefit of organization as well as customers.
GROUPZ Internals

GROUPZ is a small and simple implementation of the virtually synchronous group communication abstraction [1] using the ZOOKEEPER distributed coordination service [3]. It provides view synchrony with sending view delivery and totally ordered multicast in a closed group [2]. The programming interface is minimalist and closely follows the naming and semantics of most literature on the topic. GROUPZ is open source and hosted at http://gitorious.org/groupz. This document is a quick-and-dirty hackers guide to the implementation, structured as follows: Section 2 describes the system model assumed, which explains how we make use of ZOOKEEPER and expect a predictable correct outcome, even in the presence of local concurrency and exceptions. Section 3 delves into the details and should be read with an eye on the Java source code. Section 4 contrasts the abstractions offered by virtual synchrony and ZOOKEEPER. Finally, Section 5 lists some loose ends that need to be dealt with in the future.
Integrate, yes, but what and how? A computational approach of perceptuo-motor fusion in speech perception

We consider a computational model comparing the possible roles of "association" and "simulation" in phonetic decoding, demonstrating that these two routes can contain similar information in some "perfect" communication situations and highlighting situations where their decoding performance differs. We conclude that optimal decoding should involve some sort of fusion of association and simulation in the human brain.
High-k materials for nonvolatile memory applications

The paper proposes solutions for the future scaling of tunnel and interpoly dielectrics (IPD) in flash memories based on high-k materials. The concept of engineered barriers is reviewed as well as the main reliability issues associated with the introduction of these materials in nonvolatile memory (NVM) devices. For completeness, the application of high-k materials in charge trapping devices is also addressed.
Association of β1 Integrin with Focal Adhesion Kinase and Paxillin in Differentiating Schwann Cells

Schwann cells (SCs) differentiate into a myelinating cell when simultaneously adhering to an axon destined for myelination and basal lamina. We are interested in defining the signaling pathway activated by basal lamina. Using SC/sensory neuron (N) cocultures, we identified β1 integrin and F-actin as components of a pathway leading to myelin gene expression and myelination (Fernandez-Valle et al., 1994, 1997). Here, we show that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin are constitutively expressed by SCs contacting axons in the absence of basal lamina. Tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin increases as SCs form basal lamina and differentiate. FAK and paxillin specifically coimmunoprecipitate with β1 integrin in differentiating SC/N cocultures but not SC-only cultures. Paxillin coimmunoprecipitates with FAK and fyn kinase in differentiating SC/N cocultures. A subset of tyrosine-phosphorylated β1 integrin, FAK, and paxillin molecules reside in the insoluble, F-actin-rich fraction of differentiating cocultures. Cytochalasin D, an actin depolymerizing agent, decreases tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin and their association with β1 integrin and causes a dose-dependent increase in the abundance of insoluble FAK and paxillin complexes. Collectively, our work indicates that β1 integrin, FAK, paxillin, and fyn kinase form an actin-associated complex in SCs adhering to basal lamina in the presence of axons. This complex may be important for initiating the process of SC differentiation into a myelinating cell.
Virtual classes: a powerful mechanism in object-oriented programming

The notions of class, subclass and virtual procedure are fairly well understood and recognized as some of the key concepts in object-oriented programming. The possibility of modifying a virtual procedure in a subclass is a powerful technique for specializing the general properties of the superclass. In most object-oriented languages, the attributes of an object may be references to objects and (virtual) procedures. In Simula and BETA it is also possible to have class attributes. The power of class attributes has not yet been widely recognized. In BETA a class may also have virtual class attributes. This makes it possible to defer part of the specification of a class attribute to a subclass. In this sense virtual classes are analogous to virtual procedures. Virtual classes are mainly interesting within strongly typed languages where they provide a mechanism for defining general parameterized classes such as set, vector and list. In this sense they provide an alternative to generics. Although the notion of virtual class originates from BETA, it is presented as a general language mechanism.
Effects of Aldosterone on the Vasculature

Aldosterone is a steroid with mineralocorticoid activity produced mostly by the adrenal glomerulosa. Aldosterone may also be generated in the heart and blood vessels, although there is controversy on whether the amounts produced are physiologically relevant. The classical target of aldosterone is the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney, where it acts on cytosolic mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) that translocate to the nucleus and via different mechanisms (serum and glucocorticoid-induced kinase-1 [SGK-1], neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4 [nedd4], nedd4 isoform 2 [nedd4-2], K-Ras2A, and capsaicin)1 modulating the epithelial sodium channel and renal outer medullary potassium channels to induce increased reabsorption of sodium and excretion of potassium, thus regulating sodium, potassium, and body fluid balance. Over the past few years it has become increasingly evident that aldosterone exerts powerful effects on blood vessels,2 independent of actions that can be attributed to blood pressure (BP) rise mediated via regulation of salt and water balance. Some deleterious consequences of aldosterone and, accordingly, some benefits derived from MR antagonism, may be BP dependent.3 However, the aldosterone effects on which this review will concentrate are the direct, BP-independent ones, although these may, indeed, contribute together with salt and water retention to BP elevation. The reader should be cautioned, however, that many of the vascular actions of aldosterone mentioned in this article were obtained with large unphysiological doses of aldosterone, which may raise questions regarding their physiological significance. Aldosterone has been reported to be synthesized,4 MRs demonstrated,5 and the presence of the cortisol-inactivating enzyme 11-β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase-2 identified in blood vessels.6 However, the production of aldosterone by blood vessels and the heart remains controversial (see below). 7,8 In addition to its classical genomic mechanisms, aldosterone exerts effects through rapid nongenomic pathways that may also be important in hypertension.9 Some studies …
Structured FRW universe based on LTB junctions along the past light cone

We present a new model universe based on the junction of FRW to flat LTB solutions of Einstein equations along our past light cone, bringing structures within the FRW models. The model is assumed globally to be homogeneous, i.e. the cosmological principle is valid. Local inhomogeneities are modeled as a flat LTB in the vicinity of the observer along the light cone matched to a FRW. As a result it turns out that the Hubble parameter is uniquely defined and differences between different LTB Hubble parameter definitions and that of FRW vanishes. The model is singularity free, always FRW far from the observer along the past light cone, gives way to a different luminosity distance relation as for the CDM/FRW models, a negative deceleration parameter near the observer, and correct linear and non-linear density contrast.
Capillary and Venous Samples of Total Creatine Kinase Are Similar After Eccentric Exercise

Knoblauch, MA, O'Conner, DP, and Clarke, MSF. Capillary and venous samples of total creatine kinase are similar after eccentric exercise. J Strength Cond Res 24(12): 3471-3475, 2010-Circulating creatine kinase (CK) levels are often monitored as an indirect biomarker of muscle damage after resistive exercise. The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate whether capillary whole-blood sampling, a simpler and less invasive method for obtaining a venous blood sample, would allow for a reliable measurement of total CK compared to venipuncture. Fifteen untrained subjects performed 50 maximal eccentric elbow extensions to induce muscle damage of the biceps brachii. Capillary (fingerstick) and venous whole-blood samples were collected contemporaneously at baseline and again at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours post-exercise. Using a commercial CK analysis kit with a protocol modification to account for a reduced sample size, total CK activity of the capillary and venous samples was analyzed concurrently via spectrophotometry. Results indicated a 0.997 correlation between sampling sites for total CK, with disagreement between the venous and capillary samples estimated at <12% across the range of CK values. These findings indicate capillary sampling for total CK activity provides a valid alternative to venipuncture and should be considered by researchers, clinicians, and strength and conditioning specialists as an alternate sampling technique when indirectly evaluating muscle damage after exercise.
Detection and motion estimation of moving objects based on 3D-warping

The detection of objects in the surrounding environment is a key functionality for every Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). Otherwise, it is impossible to realize any kind of advanced assistance functionality as e.g. a Forward Collision Warning. Besides static obstacles that limit the drivable area, dynamic objects can even be more dangerous due to their ego-movement. Therefore, a detection and also motion estimation of moving objects in the surrounding is essential for every ADAS. In this contribution we present a novel way to detect moving objects only with 3D-measurements of the current surrounding environment that we called 3D-Warping. But we are not only able to detect but also to provide the direction and speed of moving objects in world coordinates. The method is generic and can be applied on any kind of depth sensor, as e.g. a stereo-camera, time-of-flight, and 3Dlaser scanner.
Transient Improvement by Window Transient Enhancement and Overshoot Suppression Techniques in Current Mode Boost Converter

In this paper, a current mode boost converter using window transient enhancement (WTE) and overshoot suppression (OSS) technique is presented for digital still camera (DSC) applications. The peak-to-peak transient overshoot voltage demand of a DSC motor driver is generally within 4%-5% of the regulated value. However, conventional boost converters usually fail to pass this criterion during large load transient. The OSS technique reduces the overshoot voltage when load current changes from heavy to very light. Experimental results show that compared with the use of a conventional current mode boost converter, the use of the technique reduces drop voltage about 62% and overshoot voltage about 51% when the load current has a load step of 400 mA. Moreover, the settling time improves to 43%, which is better than in the conventional case of a 400 mA load current step. The overhead of the silicon area is about 4.5% to achieve the overshoot reduction. The estimated high performance demonstrates that it is suitable for DSC applications.
A novel calcium‐dependent proapoptotic effect of annexin 1 on human neutrophils

The glucocorticoid‐inducible protein annexin (ANXA) 1 is an anti‐inflammatory mediator that down‐regulates the host response. Endogenously, ANXA1 is released in large amounts from adherent polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and binds to their cell surface to inhibit their extravasation into inflamed tissues. The present study determined the effects of exogenous ANXA1 on several functions of human PMN in vitro. Addition of 0.1–1 µM human recombinant ANXA1 to the PMN provoked rapid and transient changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations that were blocked by the Ca2+ channel inhibitor SKF‐96365. Although ANXA1 did not affect oxidant production and only minimally affected PMN chemotactic properties, the ANXA1‐promoted Ca2+ influx was associated with two important functional effects: shedding of L‐selectin and acceleration of PMN apoptosis. The latter effect was confirmed using three distinct technical procedures, namely, cell cycle, Hoechst staining, and ANXA5 binding assay. ANXA1‐induced PMN apoptosis was insensitive to inhibitors of L‐selectin shedding, whereas it appeared to be associated with dephosphorylation of the proapoptotic intracellular mediator BAD. In conclusion, exogenous ANXA1 displayed selective actions on human PMN. We propose that the new proapoptotic effect reported here may be part of the spectrum of ANXA1‐mediated events involved in the resolution of acute inflammation.
Growth inhibition and induction of differentiation and apoptosis mediated by sodium butyrate in caco-2 cells with algal glycolipids

SummaryGlycolipids should have potential effects as antitumor agents. However, very few studies have examined this property of digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG) and sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG) on colon cancer cells. Cell viability was determined every 24 h with sodium 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2, 4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium dye reduction assay up to 72 h. Alkaline phosphatase activity was measured for assessing cell differentiation. Apoptosis was tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. Growth of Caco-2 cells was inhibited apparently at 48 h after addition of SQDG and at 72 h with DGDG. Alkaline phosphatase activity of Caco-2 cells obviously increased in combination with DGDG or SQDG and sodium butyrate (NaBT) at 72 h, indicating that DGDG and SQDG enhanced cell differentiation induced with NaBT. An increased enrichment factor was found when the cell was treated in combination with DGDG or SQDG and NaBT. These results strongly suggest that DGDG and SQDG should be considered as the leading compounds of potentially useful colon cancer chemotherapy agents when NaBT is combined.