Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF REPLACEMENT OF WHEAT FLOUR WITH FINGER MILLET FLOUR (ELEUSINE CORCANA) ON THE BATTER MICROSCOPY, RHEOLOGY AND QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF MUFFINS

Effect of replacement of wheat flour with 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% finger millet flour (FMF), 60% FMF, emulsifiers and hydrocolloids on the batter microscopy, rheology and quality characteristics of muffins were studied. The amylograph peak viscosity, breakdown and setback values decreased as the level of FMF increased. The muffin batter microscopy showed that addition of above 60% FMF in blend decreased the number of air cells, indicating poor air incorporation. With the increase in the FMF level from 0 to 100%, the muffin batter density, viscosity, volume and total score decreased, whereas crumb firmness increased. Adverse effect on the quality characteristics of cake was observed above 60% FMF. Use of a combination of polysorbate-60 and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose significantly improved batter characteristics of muffins with 60% FMF, with respect to viscosity, overall quality of muffin with reference to volume, grain and texture. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Muffins are normally made with wheat flour, and it is a very popular snack item largely consumed by children. Incorporation of finger millet flour, which is a good source of minerals, increases the nutritive value of muffins and also it is a value addition to the finger millet. The finger millet muffins have a familiar taste as it is widely consumed. This paper discusses the effect of replacement finger millet flour in muffins and the improving effect brought about by the use of additives. This information would benefit the baking industry.
Design of Two-Band Critically Sampled Rational Rate Filter Banks With Multiple Regularity Orders and Associated Discrete Wavelet Transforms

An approach for designing two-band rational rate critically sampled nonorthogonal filter banks with perfect reconstruction and multiple regularity orders is proposed. This approach relies on an updated result on the relationship between the filters in the filter bank to achieve all the desired properties. Filter responses are optimized to approximate ideal brick wall responses, subject to linear and nonlinear constraints derived from regularity and perfect reconstruction conditions, respectively. The obtained designs are approximately shift-invariant as a result of strong frequency selectivity and multiple regularity orders. Two methods for solving the nonconvex optimization design problem are presented and the results from the proposed approach are compared against existing designs in the literature.
Cataract prevalence and prevention in Europe: a literature review

This literature review is aimed at the evaluation of the potential for cataract prevention in Europe. It was performed using PubMed with Mesh and free‐text terms. Studies included were (i) performed on a population of Caucasian origin at an age range of 40–95 years, (ii) cataract was clinically verified, (iii) drug record of prescriptions, their indication, a record of every diagnosis, dosage and quantity of prescribed medicine were available, (iv) sample size >300 and (v) published between 1990 and 2009. The results of 29 articles were reviewed. Former [3.75 (2.26–6.21)] or current smoking [2.34 (1.07–5.15)], diabetes of duration >10 years [2.72 (1.72–4.28)], asthma or chronic bronchitis [2.04 (1.04–3.81)], and cardiovascular disease [1.96 (1.22–3.14)] increased the risk of cataract. Cataract was more common in patients taking chlorpromazine during ≥90 days with a dosage ≥300 mg [8.8 (3.1–25.1)] and corticosteroids >5 years [3.25 (1.39–7.58)] in a daily dose >1600 mg [1.69 (1.17–2.43)]. Intake of a multivitamin/mineral formulation [2.00 (1.35–2.98)] or corticosteroids [2.12 (1.93–2.33)] also increased the risk of cataract. Corticosteroids applied orally [3.25 (1.39–7.58)], parenteral [1.56 (1.34–1.82)] or inhalational [1.58 (1.46–1.71)] lead to cataract more frequently than those applied topically: nasal [1.33 (1.21–1.45)], ear [1.31 (1.19–1.45)] or skin [1.43 (1.36–1.50)]. Outpatient cataract surgery was negatively associated with total cataract surgery costs, and chlorpromazine, corticosteroids and multivitamin/mineral formation increase the risk of posterior subcapsular cataract dependent on dose, treatment application and duration. This review presented a comprehensive overview of specific and general cataract risk factors and an update on most recent experimental studies and randomized control trials directed at cataract prevention.
Effects of occipital lobectomy upon eye movements in primate.

1. Eye movements were recorded before and after bilateral occipital lobectomy in six rhesus monkeys trained to fixate and to follow small targets. Striate cortex was completely removed in two animals; small islands islands remained in the others. In all animals portions of extrastriate cortex were also removed but the medial superior temporal area in the superior temporal sulcus was largely spared. Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) was markedly altered but not abolished in all animals. The immediate pursuit component of OKN was eliminated leading to a poor response to stimuli comprised of high frequencies. The velocity-storage component of OKN was present, but the maximum value of OKN that could be achieved was decreased to 6 and 16 degrees/s in the two most severely affected animals (preop, 65-116 degrees/s). The residual OKN was similar to that of afoveate animals with a diminished response to high velocities of retinal-image motion and a temporal to nasal predominance during monocular viewing. 2. In the initial postoperative period all animals appeared completely blind. Within 1-6 mo, however, they regained an ability to make visually guided saccades to, and smooth pursuit of, small targets. Saccades were nearly as accurate as preoperatively, but saccade amplitudes were more variable and saccade latencies increased. In the two animals with a complete removal of striate cortex, gains (eye velocity/target velocity) of smooth pursuit during sinusoidal tracking (60 degrees/s, 0.5 Hz) were 0.9 and 0.95. During tracking of step-ramp (Rashbass) stimuli with 60 degrees/s ramps, the average acceleration of the eyes during the first 120 ms of smooth pursuit was 189-278 degrees.s-1.s-1 (preop range, 154-418 degrees.s-1.s-1). In other respects, though, smooth pursuit was not normal. Latencies were increased two- to threefold, and tracking was more variable. 3. Paradoxically, as visually guided saccades and pursuit recovered, some other ocular motor functions deteriorated. Spontaneous and gaze-evoked nystagmus developed 3-6 mo after occipital lobectomy; the time constant of the neural eye-position integrator dropped to values as low as 2.6-4.8 s. The maximum slow-phase velocity of OKN also decreased. 4. The findings immediately after occipital lobectomy indicate that in normal primates occipital cortex is necessary for visually guided saccades and smooth pursuit as well as for the immediate component of OKN. Occipital cortex also makes the predominant contribution toward the generation of the velocity-storage component of OKN. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Complexity, Parsing, and Factorization of Tree-Local Multi-Component Tree-Adjoining Grammar

Tree-Local Multi-Component Tree-Adjoining Grammar (TL-MCTAG) is an appealing formalism for natural language representation because it arguably allows the encapsulation of the appropriate domain of locality within its elementary structures. Its multicomponent structure allows modeling of lexical items that may ultimately have elements far apart in a sentence, such as quantifiers and wh-words. When used as the base formalism for a synchronous grammar, its flexibility allows it to express both the close relationships and the divergent structure necessary to capture the links between the syntax and semantics of a single language or the syntax of two different languages. Its limited expressivity provides constraints on movement and, we posit, may have generated additional popularity based on a misconception about its parsing complexity. Although TL-MCTAG was shown to be equivalent in expressivity to TAG when it was first introduced, the complexity of TL-MCTAG is still not well understood. This article offers a thorough examination of the problem of TL-MCTAG recognition, showing that even highly restricted forms of TL-MCTAG are NP-complete to recognize. However, in spite of the provable difficulty of the recognition problem, we offer several algorithms that can substantially improve processing efficiency. First, we present a parsing algorithm that improves on the baseline parsing method and runs in polynomial time when both the fan-out and rank of the input grammar are bounded. Second, we offer an optimal, efficient algorithm for factorizing a grammar to produce a strongly equivalent TL-MCTAG grammar with the rank of the grammar minimized.
Constrained Application Protocol for Low Power Embedded Networks: A Survey

IPv6 will make it possible to provide Internet connectivity to any object embedding a communication device. In the same line, Web technologies will make managing, communicating and visualizing any information provided by these devices attractive to the end users and application developers. Most of the new devices connected to this Web of Things (WoT) will be embedded and wirelessly connected. However, current Web technologies have been developed with powerful devices in mind not being suited for this kind of constrained environment. In order to make the WoT a reality for low power embedded networks, specialised protocols that consider the energy, memory and processing constraints of wireless embedded devices must be designed. The IETF recently created the CoRE group whose first goal has been developing a Restful application layer protocol for communications within embedded wireless networks referred to as Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP). The year 2011 has seen a big push in the research community towards evaluating the performance and features of CoAP protocol, indicating a growing interest in the community towards Restful interactions in low power wireless embedded networks. This paper analyses those recent advances to provide a clear picture on what has been achieved so far in the evaluation and development of the Constrained Application Protocol.
Life-span investigations of piezoceramic patch sensors and actuators

The performance and reliability of piezoceramic patches based on Lead-Zirconate-Titanate (PZT) wafers were investigated under both quasi-static and cyclic loading conditions in sensor and actuator applications. A 4-point bending setup was used to study the patches' loading limits and damage behavior under mechanical tensile and compressive loading at varied strain levels. The patches' performance under electric actuation was tested in a bending actuator setup. As opposed to irreversible damage by cracking of the PZT wafers under tensile loading (strain at failure: ca. 0.35 %), no mechanical damage was observed under compressive loading at strain levels of up to -0.6 %. Instead a partly reversible degradation of the piezoceramic's electromechanical properties was noted. A strain-cycle diagram was established for tensile loading at room temperature. Finite-element analyses were performed using 3D material modeling with electro-mechanical coupling behavior. Very good predictability of the sensor and actuator performance was achieved by FE-simulation. Through numerical investigations the degradation of the patches' sensor performance under tensile loading could be correlated to the increasing number of cracks in the PZT wafers.
Compressed sensing for OFDM UWB systems

This paper considers compressed sensing (CS) techniques for signal reconstruction and channel estimation in OFDM-based high-rate ultra wideband (UWB) communication systems. We employ a parallel CS structure that exploits frequency domain sparsity. We also consider multipath UWB channels in both the line-of-sight and non line-of-sight environments. UWB signal detection and channel estimation from sub-Nyquist analog projections is carried out using an optimized orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm and the smoothed ℓ0 algorithm. Simulation results demonstrate significant gains in the form of reliable signal recovery and channel estimation as well as dramatically sub-Nyquist sampling rates for the analog-to-digital converters while maintaining high data rates.
Sparse terrain pyramids

Bintrees based on longest edge bisection and hierarchies of diamonds are popular multiresolution techniques on regularly sampled terrain datasets. In this work, we consider Sparse Terrain Pyramids as a compact multiresolution representation for terrain datasets whose samples are a subset of those lying on a regular grid. While previous diamond-based approaches can efficiently represent meshes built on a complete grid of resolution (2k +1)2, this is not suitable when the field values are uniform in large areas or simply non-existent. We explore properties of diamonds to simplify an encoding of the implicit dependency relationship between diamonds. Additionally, we introduce a diamond clustering technique to further reduce the geometric and topological overhead of such representations. We demonstrate the coherence of our clustering technique as well as the compactness of our representation.
N-Type Calcium Channel α1B Subunit (CaV2.2) Knock-Out Mice Display Hyperactivity and Vigilance State Differences

Differential properties of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels have been primarily ascribed to the α1 subunit, of which 10 different subtypes are currently known. For example, channels that conduct the N-type Ca2+ current possess the α1B subunit (Cav2.2), which has been localized, inter alia, to the piriform cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, locus coeruleus, dorsal raphe, thalamic nuclei, and granular layer of the cortex. Some of these regions have been previously implicated in metabolic and vigilance state control, and selective block of the N-type Ca2+ channel causes circadian rhythm disruption. In this study of Cav2.2-/- knock-out mice, we examined potential differences in feeding behavior, spontaneous locomotion, and the sleep-wake cycle. Cav2.2-/- mice did not display an overt metabolic phenotype but were hyperactive, demonstrating a 20% increase in activity under novel conditions and a 95% increase in activity under habituated conditions during the dark phase, compared with wild-type littermates. Cav2.2-/- mice also displayed vigilance state differences during the light phase, including increased consolidation of rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep and increased intervals between non-REM (NREM) and wakefulness episodes. EEG spectral power was increased during wakefulness and REM sleep and was decreased during NREM sleep in Cav2.2-/- mice. These results indicate a role of the N-type Ca2+ channel in activity and vigilance state control, which we interpret in terms of effects on neurotransmitter release.
Non-breeding feather concentrations of testosterone, corticosterone and cortisol are associated with subsequent survival in wild house sparrows

Potential mechanistic mediators of Darwinian fitness, such as stress hormones or sex hormones, have been the focus of many studies. An inverse relationship between fitness and stress or sex hormone concentrations has been widely assumed, although empirical evidence is scarce. Feathers gradually accumulate hormones during their growth and provide a novel way to measure hormone concentrations integrated over time. Using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, we measured testosterone, corticosterone and cortisol in the feathers of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) in a wild population which is the subject of a long-term study. Although corticosterone is considered the dominant avian glucocorticoid, we unambiguously identified cortisol in feathers. In addition, we found that feathers grown during the post-nuptial moult in autumn contained testosterone, corticosterone and cortisol levels that were significantly higher in birds that subsequently died over the following winter than in birds that survived. Thus, feather steroids are candidate prospective biomarkers to predict the future survival of individuals in the wild.
Credit Constraints in the Market for Consumer Durables: Evidence from Micro Data on Car Loans

We investigate the significance of borrowing constraints in the market for consumer loans. Using data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey on auto loan contracts we estimate the elasticities of loan demand with respect to interest rate and maturity. We find that, with the exception of high income households, consumers are very responsive to maturity and less responsive to interest rate changes. Both elasticities vary with household income, with the maturity elasticity decreasing and the interest rate elasticity increasing with income. We argue that these results are consistent with the presence of binding credit constraints in the auto loan market.
Modeling and Analysis of Driving Behavior Based on a Probability-Weighted ARX Model

This paper proposes a probability-weighted autoregressive exogenous (PrARX) model wherein the multiple ARX models are composed of the probabilistic weighting functions. This model can represent both the motion-control and decision-making aspects of the driving behavior. As the probabilistic weighting function, a “softmax” function is introduced. Then, the parameter estimation problem for the proposed model is formulated as a single optimization problem. The “soft” partition defined by the PrARX model can represent the decision-making characteristics of the driver with vagueness. This vagueness can be quantified by introducing the “decision entropy. ” In addition, it can be easily extended to the online estimation scheme due to its small computational cost. Finally, the proposed model is applied to the modeling of the vehicle-following task, and the usefulness of the model is verified and discussed.
Culture and the Development of Eating Disorders: A Tripartite Model

Eating disorders are often conceptualized as “culture-bound problems;” however, the processes by which culture contributes to eating disorders have yet to be elucidated by researchers. This manuscript moves beyond research's current emphasis on evaluating the prevalence rates of eating disorders among ethnic groups, and presents a tripartite model to aid in understanding how cultural processes influence eating disorders. Cultural influences on the development of eating behaviors, body image ideals, and conceptions of health and illness are discussed. It is hoped that the ideas presented will be used to direct efforts to further develop models of the relations between culture and eating disorders and will be considered in the development of programs seeking to aid in the prevention and treatment of maladaptive eating patterns.
Relation of Abdominal Fat Depots to Systemic Markers of Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Both visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) have been linked to systemic inflammation in nondiabetic cohorts. We examined the relationships between VAT and SAT and systemic inflammatory markers in a large well-characterized cohort of subjects with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Three hundred eighty-two subjects with type 2 diabetes in the CHICAGO (Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Atherosclerosis Using Pioglitazone) study cohort underwent abdominal computed tomography to determine SAT and VAT distribution. Fasting blood was obtained for measurement of inflammatory markers. The relationships between inflammatory markers and BMI, SAT, and VAT were examined using regression models adjusted for age, sex, diabetes treatment, duration of diabetes, smoking, statin use, and A1C. RESULTS VAT was positively related to CRP, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP), intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) antigen before adjustment for BMI. After adjustment for BMI, the relationship to CRP was lost but positive associations with MCP (P < 0.01), PAI-1 (P < 0.0001), ICAM-1 (P < 0.01), and vascular cell adhesion molecule (P = 0.01) were evident. BMI was positively related to CRP (P < 0.0001) and IL-6 (P < 0.01) even after adjustment for VAT and SAT. SAT was not related to any inflammatory marker after adjustment for BMI. CONCLUSIONS In this large group of subjects with type 2 diabetes, BMI was most strongly associated with CRP and IL-6 levels. SAT was not associated with markers of systemic inflammation. The size of the VAT depot provided information additional to that provided by BMI regarding inflammatory markers that are strongly related to vascular wall remodeling and coagulation. Our findings suggest that adipose tissue distribution remains an important determinant of systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetes.
Friction and Wear Characteristics of Carbon-epoxy and Glass-epoxy Woven Roving Fiber Composites

Polymer materials when reinforced with high modulus fibers yield higher strength, higher stiffness, better toughness, and good dimensional stability. Fiber reinforcements are effective in reducing wear in adhesive situations in addition to increasing the strength and stiffness. The adhesive conditions are generally encountered in automotive and aerospace applications. In such applications, the types of reinforcement material used are important from the point of improved performance under different tribo situations. In this particular investigation, carbon-epoxy (C-E) composite is compared with that of glass-epoxy (G-E) composites for tribological properties using a pin-on-disc set up. The tests are conducted by subjecting C-E samples sliding against a hard steel disc (62 HRC) under different sliding and loading conditions. This article highlights the friction and wear behavior of these composites run for a constant sliding distance, where in the C-E composites show lower friction and lower slide wear loss compared to G-E composites irrespective of the load or speed employed. Some of the wear data are supported by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images.
Real-time gait planning for Rh-1 humanoid robot, using Local Axis Gait algorithm

It is proposed the local axis gait algorithm in order to generate real-time gait patterns for a humanoid robot. The 3D foot motion planning for the humanoid global motion is developed in order to walk in any surface as plane, ramp, climbing stairs. Furthermore, it is possible continuous change the step length and orientation in real time. The cart-table model is used for planning COG and ZMP motion. The proposed algorithm takes into account physical robot constraints as joint angles, angular velocity and torques. Torques are computed by Lagrange method under Lie groups. Some results are shown and discussed.
Detection of Ancient Settlement Mounds - Archaeological Survey Based on the SRTM Terrain Model

In the present study we demonstrate the value of the SRTM three arcsecond terrain model for a virtual survey of archaeological sites: the detection and mapping of ancient settlement mounds in the Near East. These so-called “tells” are the result of millennia of occupation within the period from 8000‐1000 BC, and form visible landmarks of the world’s first farming and urban communities. The SRTM model provides for the first time an opportunity to scan areas not yet surveyed archaeologically on a supra-regional scale and to pinpoint probable tell sites. In order to map these historic monuments for the purpose of settlement-study and conservation, we develop a machine learning classifier which identifies probable tell sites from the terrain model. In a test, point-like elevations of a characteristic tell shape, standing out for more than 5 to 6 m in the DEM were successfully detected (85/133 tells). False positives (327/(600*1200) pixels) were primarily due to natural elevations, resembling tells in height and size.