Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low vitamin D status despite abundant sun exposure.

CONTEXT Lack of sun exposure is widely accepted as the primary cause of epidemic low vitamin D status worldwide. However, some individuals with seemingly adequate UV exposure have been reported to have low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration, results that might have been confounded by imprecision of the assays used. OBJECTIVE The aim was to document the 25(OH)D status of healthy individuals with habitually high sun exposure. SETTING This study was conducted in a convenience sample of adults in Honolulu, Hawaii (latitude 21 degrees ). PARTICIPANTS The study population consisted of 93 adults (30 women and 63 men) with a mean (sem) age and body mass index of 24.0 yr (0.7) and 23.6 kg/m(2) (0.4), respectively. Their self-reported sun exposure was 28.9 (1.5) h/wk, yielding a calculated sun exposure index of 11.1 (0.7). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured using a precise HPLC assay. Low vitamin D status was defined as a circulating 25(OH)D concentration less than 30 ng/ml. RESULTS Mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 31.6 ng/ml. Using a cutpoint of 30 ng/ml, 51% of this population had low vitamin D status. The highest 25(OH)D concentration was 62 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that variable responsiveness to UVB radiation is evident among individuals, causing some to have low vitamin D status despite abundant sun exposure. In addition, because the maximal 25(OH)D concentration produced by natural UV exposure appears to be approximately 60 ng/ml, it seems prudent to use this value as an upper limit when prescribing vitamin D supplementation.
An agent-based proxy cache cleanup model using fuzzy logic

This paper describes the use of fuzzy logic to improve the performance of the proxy cache. A multi-agent system has been developed to control the cache cleanup process on both parent and child sides. Fuzzy logic is used to combine LFU and LRU caching replacement policies on the child cache. Size, LFU, and LRU policies are used on the parent cache side. Agents use fuzzy logic to make an intelligent decision about clean up priority. Simulation results achieved a hit ratio of 86.36% in the best case and 73.33% in the worst case, and a byte hit ratio of 86.62% in the best case and 64.46% in the worst case on the parent cache side. Results for the child cache side are a hit ratio of 87.50% in the best case and 76.47% in the worst case, and a byte hit ratio of 89.04% in the best case and 64.76% in he worst case.
Characterization of Alternative Isoforms and Inclusion Body of the TAR DNA-binding Protein-43*

TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) has been recently identified as a major component of the ubiquitinated inclusions found in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-positive inclusions and in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, diseases that are collectively termed TDP-43 proteinopathies. Several amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-linked mutations of the TDP-43 gene have also been identified; however, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the neurodegeneration remain unclear. To investigate the biochemical characteristics of TDP-43, we examined truncation, isoforms, and cytoplasmic inclusion (foci) formation using TDP-43-expressing cells. Under apoptosis, caspase-3 generates two 35-kDa (p35f) and 25-kDa (p25f) fragments. However, in caspase-3(−/−) cells, novel caspase-3-independent isoforms of these two variants (p35iso and p25iso) were also detected under normal conditions. With a deletion mutant series, the critical domains for generating both isoforms were determined and applied to in vitro transcription/translation, revealing alternate in-frame translation start sites downstream of the natural initiation codon. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that p35 (p35f and p35iso) expression leads to the formation of stress granules, cellular structures that package mRNA and RNA-binding proteins during cell stress. After applying proteasome inhibitors, aggresomes, which are aggregates of misfolded proteins, were formed in the cytoplasm of cells expressing p35. Collectively, this study demonstrates that the 35-kDa isoforms of TDP-43 assemble in stress granules, suggesting that TDP-43 plays an important role in translation, stability, and metabolism of mRNA. Our findings provide new biological and pathological insight into the development of TDP-43 proteinopathies.
Community College Access, Mission, and Outcomes: Considering Intriguing Intersections and Challenges

Since their inception, community colleges have carried out a number of complex and often competing programs or foci. The transfer, vocational, developmental, and continuing and community service foci have become increasingly important as the mission of community colleges has evolved. During their early history, operating primarily as transfer institutions, the student population of junior colleges was not especially diverse-traditional age, male, White, college-bound students filled most classrooms. As times passed and as enrollments grew, community colleges became increasingly diverse in the students they serve and in their purposes for being. Today, community colleges fulfill a multiplicity of roles within their communities, offering a myriad of educational programs and services with a broad and sometimes contradictory set of intended outcomes. This article summarizes pertinent literature related to community college access, mission, and outcomes, exploring the complex intersections between these important constructs. It concludes that meeting the needs and goals of students should be paramount in conceptualizing outcomes, otherwise community colleges will continue to be criticized by populists who observe that they are not reaching enough students and elitists who believe they do not meet traditional outcomes linked to educational and economic attainment.
Atomistic mechanisms for the ordered growth of Co nano-dots on Au(788): comparison of VT-STM experiments and multi-scaled calculations

Hetero-epitaxial growth on a strain-relief vicinal patterned substrate has revealed unprecedented 2D long range ordered growth of uniform cobalt nanostructures. The morphology of a Co sub-monolayer deposit on a Au(111) reconstructed vicinal surface is analyzed by Variable Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (VTSTM) experiments. A rectangular array of nano-dots (3.8 nm x 7.2 nm) is found for a particularly large deposit temperature range lying from 60 K to 300 K. Although the nanodot lattice is stable at room temperature, this paper focus on the early stage of ordered nucleation and growth at temperatures between 35 K and 480 K. The atomistic mechanisms leading to the nanodots array are elucidated by comparing statistical analysis of VT-STM images with multi-scaled numerical calculations combining both Molecular Dynamics for the quantitative determination of the activation energies for the atomic motion and the Kinetic Monte Carlo method for the simulations of the mesoscopic time and scale evolution of the Co submonolayer.
Relacionamentos de marketing em empresas varejistas: aspectos positivos e negativos

O objetivo deste trabalho e compreender as relacoes de trocas comerciais sob a otica dos clientes, funcionarios e proprietarios de empresas varejistas. A pesquisa, de natureza qualitativa, foi feita utilizando-se como metodo a etnografia. Os dados foram coletados em cinco empresas varejistas de um municipio de pequeno porte no Sul de Minas Gerais – um supermercado, uma farmacia, uma panificadora, um posto de combustiveis e uma loja de hortifrutigranjeiros – durante o periodo de um ano (dez/2008 a dez/2009). A observacao participante e a entrevista em profundidade foram utilizadas como tecnicas de coleta de dados. Para tratamento dos mesmos, utilizou-se a analise de conteudo. Por meio da analise empreendida, identificou-se que os relacionamentos de marketing sao compostos tanto por aspectos positivos quanto negativos. Contudo, os aspectos positivos sao predominantes, especialmente pelo fato de que o cultivo de relacionamentos nas empresas varejistas analisadas e uma ocorrencia natural, podendo, portanto, ser caracterizado como “genuino”. Em termos teoricos, uma das principais descobertas feitas nesta pesquisa e que o relacionamento de marketing pode trazer tambem implicacoes negativas para as empresas confirmando as descobertas de Grayson and Ambler (1999) quando eles afirmam que o marketing de relacionamento pode trazer beneficios, mas tambem desvantagens inerentes. Em termos gerenciais, ha que se ressaltar o papel fundamental que os funcionarios exercem na construcao de relacionamentos duradouros. Sendo assim, maior atencao deveria ser dispensada ao desenvolvimento de habilidades de relacionamentos daqueles que estao face a face com o cliente. DOI: 10.5585/remark.v12i3. 2513
Semantic Cohesion for Image Annotation and Retrieval

We present methods for image annotation and retrieval based on semantic cohesion among terms. On the one hand, we propose a region labeling technique that assigns an image the label that maximizes an estimate of semantic cohesion among candidate labels associated to regions in segmented images. On the other hand, we propose document representation techniques based on semantic cohesion among multimodal terms that compose images. We report experimental results that show the effectiveness of the proposed techniques. Additionally, we describe an extension of a benchmark collection for evaluation of the proposed techniques.
A BRANCHED ANDREEV-THURSTON THEOREM FOR CIRCLE PACKINGS OF THE SPHERE

ANDREEV-THURSTON THEOREM. Let r be a triangulation of S which is not simplicially equivalent to a tetrahedron and let <£: r—»[0, \n\ be given, where T denotes the set of edges of x. Suppose that (A) if eu e2, e3 e r (1) form a closed loop on S and if 2? =i ^(e^^n, then (eif e2, e3) are the three edges of a two-simplex of x; (B) if ex, e2, e3) eA e r (1) form a closed loop on S and if 2? =i <&{e,) = 2K, then (ex, e2, e2, e4) form the boundary of the union of two adjacent twosimplexes of x.
Visual simulator for ILP dynamic OOO processor

The purpose of this article is to provide an introduction to the SuperSim simulator for ILP processors as a teaching tool for computer architecture related courses. It presents the various aspects of the simulator, including the user interface, the instruction set, the configuration possibilities and applications. The main focus is on the educational usage of the simulator, through the experience gained in its actual application.
A business communication design for information technology (IT) organizations based on information technology infrastructure library (ITIL)

The main objective of this research project is to evaluate the extent to which business communication could contribute to an effective IT service management. In addition, this project intends to clarify the entire role of business communication in terms of organizing the information technology into the value chain of IT service providers. Two research questions are derived from the research model which predicts the intervention of business communication in the relationship between predictor and outcome variables of an IT organization. To answer the research questions, a quantitative approach based on a survey using the questionnaire utility is conducted. Business communication covers a variety of subjects. Each of them actually represents a research object in its own right. The focus of this study, however, is to analyze the business communication in terms of IT service management processes and its realization. ITIL as an IT service management concept is known predominantly in Europe as a de facto standard. Therefore the business communication for ITSM is analyzed based on ITIL. The chief result of the quantitative analysis is that there is a significant mediation effect of interaction, as one element of the business communication constructs, in the relationship between assets management and value generation.
A novel progressive lossy-to-lossless coding method for mesh models of images

A novel progressive lossy-to-lossless coding method is proposed for mesh models of images whose underlying triangulations have arbitrary connectivity. For a triangulation T of a set P of points, our proposed method represents the connectivity of T as a sequence of edge flips that maps a uniquely-determined Delaunay triangulation of P to T. The coding efficiency of our method is highest when the underlying triangulation connectivity is close to Delaunay, and slowly degrades as connectivity moves away from being Delaunay. Experimental results show our method to significantly outperform a simple baseline coding scheme and suggest our method to be superior to more traditional coding approaches for meshes whose connectivity does not deviate too far from being Delaunay.
R-C4.5 decision tree model and its applications to health care dataset

In this paper, a robust and practical decision tree improved model R-C4.5 and its simplified version are introduced. This model is based on C4.5 and improved efficiently on attribution selection and partitioning methods. R-C4.5 decision tree model avoids the appearance of fragmentation by uniting the branches which have poor classified effect. The simplified version of R-C4.5 model is implemented in data preprocessing. The experiments show that R-C4.5 and the simplified version enhance the interpretability of splitting attribute selection, reduce the numbers of insignificant or empty branches and avoid the appearance of over fitting. This paper focuses on applying the improved R-C4.5 decision tree model to the research on health care to predict inpatient length of stay. The result can be understood and accepted better by managers. It can also help health care organizations to arrange and make full use of hospital resources.
Perceptions and risky behaviors associated with Leptospirosis in an endemic area in a village of Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand.

BACKGROUND Leptospirosis, a disease caused by Leptospira species, a spirochaete bacterium that can develop in an appropriate environment and/or grow in human and/or animal hosts, is a serious problem for the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. OBJECTIVE To investigate people's perceptions and behavioral risks regarding leptospirosis infection. METHODS The cross-sectional descriptive study collected data in May, 2013. Data on individuals' perceptions and risky behaviors concerning leptospirosis were collected from 104 completed questionnaires. RESULTS Regarding perceptions of leptospirosis, we found them to be at a high level (97.1%) and risky behaviors regarding leptospirosis were reported at a moderate level (74.0%). The study found no correlation between perceptions and risky behaviors regarding leptospirosis (r 0.186, p-value 0.059). CONCLUSION This study suggest that people in these areas have good knowledge about leptospirosis. However, some people have risky behavior associated with leptospirosis. Thus, a behavioral change campaign should be promoted to encourage people awareness of the dangers of such behavior.
Myasthenia Gravis: A Review of Available Treatment Approaches

Patients with autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG) should be further classified before initiating therapy, as treatment response varies for ocular versus generalised, early onset versus late onset, and acetylcholine receptor antibody positive versus MuSK antibody positive disease. Most patients need immunosuppression in addition to symptomatic therapy. Prednisolone and azathioprine represent first choice drugs, whereas several second choice options are recommended and should be considered. Thymectomy should be undertaken in MG with thymoma and in generalised, early-onset MG. For MG crises and other acute exacerbations, intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg) and plasma exchange are equally effective and safe treatments. Children and females in child bearing age need special attention regarding potential side effects of immunosuppressive therapy. MG pathogenesis is known in detail, but the immune therapy is still surprisingly unspecific, without a pin-pointed attack on the defined disease-inducing antigen-antibody reaction being available.
Isolation-Improved Dual-Band MIMO Antenna Array for LTE/WiMAX Mobile Terminals

A compact dual-band multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array with eight elements is proposed for the Long Term Evolution (LTE)/Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) mobile applications. The dual-band MIMO array consists of four U-slit etched planar inverse-F antennas (PIFAs) and four L-slit etched PIFAs. The two types of PIFAs are placed orthogonally to reduce mutual coupling between them. With the presented decoupling methods in the design including the disconnection of ground plane, the parasitic resonant strips, and also the modified PIFAs, the excellent element isolation (above 20 dB) and other good MIMO performance are achieved. The overall dimension of the MIMO system is only 140 × 70 × 9.55 mm 3, and good return loss (above 10 dB) is achieved across the operating bands (2.6-2.8 and 3.4-3.6 GHz) for all the PIFA elements. The radiation patterns and envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) of MIMO system are also studied, showing quasi-omnidirectional radiation and accepted envelope correlation coefficient across the dual-band operation for mobile communications.
Social Stories™: a possible theoretical rationale

Social Stories™ are an intervention widely used with individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This paper discusses a possible theoretical rationale that might account for the purported efficacy of Social Stories™. Attributes of individuals with ASD in relation to Social Story intervention including difficulties with theory of mind (involving perspective taking and emotion perception), weak central coherence, visual learning style, intellectual ability and comprehension, and stimulus overselectivity are considered. In addition, behavioural explanations are explored. Probably the most parsimonious explanation is that Social Stories may be viewed as loose contingency contracts, which highlight natural reinforcers. It is noted however, that the possible underlying mechanisms remain speculative and that there may be many factors involved.
Serum concentrations and tissue expression of a novel endocrine regulator fibroblast growth factor‐21 in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity

Objective Fibroblast growth factor‐21 (FGF21) is a novel endocrine and paracrine regulator of metabolic homeostasis. The aim of our study was to measure its serum concentrations in patients with obesity, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and healthy subjects (C), and to assess the changes of its circulating levels and mRNA expression after dietary and pharmacological interventions.
Detecting tremors in microelectrode recordings without using a spike detector

Tremor detection in extracellular neuronal recordings has required spike detection because tremors in extracellular neuronal recordings are caused by the fluctuation of action potential's firing rate. This work describes an automatic tremor detection algorithm of extracellular neuronal recordings without using a spike detector. The new algorithm is robust to noise and its performance is not affected by various morphologies of action potentials.
Reasons, rewards, regrets: privacy considerations in location sharing as an interactive practice

Rapid growth in the usage of location-aware mobile phones has enabled mainstream adoption of location-sharing services (LSS). Integration with social-networking services (SNS) has further accelerated this trend. To uncover how these developments have shaped the evolution of LSS usage, we conducted an online study (N = 362) aimed at understanding the preferences and practices of LSS users in the US. We found that the main motivations for location sharing were to connect and coordinate with one's social and professional circles, to project an interesting image of oneself, and to receive rewards offered for 'checking in. ' Respondents overwhelmingly preferred sharing location only upon explicit action. More than a quarter of the respondents recalled at least one instance of regret over revealing their location. Our findings suggest that privacy considerations in LSS are affected due to integration within SNS platforms and by transformation of location sharing into an interactive practice that is no longer limited only to finding people based on their whereabouts. We offer design suggestions, such as delayed disclosure and conflict detection, to enhance privacy-management capabilities of LSS.
Novel Vaccines to Human Rabies

Rabies, the most fatal of all infectious diseases, remains a major public health problem in developing countries, claiming the lives of an estimated 55,000 people each year. Most fatal rabies cases, with more than half of them in children, result from dog bites and occur among low-income families in Southeast Asia and Africa. Safe and efficacious vaccines are available to prevent rabies. However, they have to be given repeatedly, three times for pre-exposure vaccination and four to five times for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). In cases of severe exposure, a regimen of vaccine combined with a rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) preparation is required. The high incidence of fatal rabies is linked to a lack of knowledge on the appropriate treatment of bite wounds, lack of access to costly PEP, and failure to follow up with repeat immunizations. New, more immunogenic but less costly rabies virus vaccines are needed to reduce the toll of rabies on human lives. A preventative vaccine used for the immunization of children, especially those in high incidence countries, would be expected to lower fatality rates. Such a vaccine would have to be inexpensive, safe, and provide sustained protection, preferably after a single dose. Novel regimens are also needed for PEP to reduce the need for the already scarce and costly RIG and to reduce the number of vaccine doses to one or two. In this review, the pipeline of new rabies vaccines that are in pre-clinical testing is provided and an opinion on those that might be best suited as potential replacements for the currently used vaccines is offered.
New Localism, Old Retrenchment: The “Big Society”, Housing Policy and the Politics of Welfare Reform

Abstract This article considers the ideology underpinning the 2010 UK Government’s welfare reform agenda in order to foreground what we see as the contradictions of localism and its justification in housing policy through the “Big Society” agenda. The article has three sections. It begins by discussing some of the methodological challenges that arise in interpreting contemporary policy and the value of a historically informed approach to understand the wider “politics” underpinning the “Big Society” agenda. To support our argument, the second part of the article traces the “localist” agenda back from the 1970s to the defeat of Labour in the 2010 general election to show how both Conservative and Labour administrations deployed localism as a justification for welfare reform and in different ways created opportunities for market-based reforms. The third section of the article considers the contemporary period, in particular the reforms presented to parliament in 2011 that offer new avenues for interest groups to influence decisions that hitherto have been mainly the preserve of local government. The conclusion provides a summary of the key policy implications and theoretical issues that arise from the analysis.