Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of High- versus Low-Intensity Supervised Aerobic and Resistance Training on Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes; The Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study (IDES)

Background While current recommendations on exercise type and volume have strong experimental bases, there is no clear evidence from large-sized studies indicating whether increasing training intensity provides additional benefits to subjects with type 2 diabetes. Objective To compare the effects of moderate-to-high intensity (HI) versus low-to-moderate intensity (LI) training of equal energy cost, i.e. exercise volume, on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Design Pre-specified sub-analysis of the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study (IDES), a randomized multicenter prospective trial comparing a supervised exercise intervention with standard care for 12 months (2005–2006). Setting Twenty-two outpatient diabetes clinics across Italy. Patients Sedentary patients with type 2 diabetes assigned to twice-a-week supervised progressive aerobic and resistance training plus exercise counseling (n = 303). Interventions Subjects were randomized by center to LI (n = 142, 136 completed) or HI (n = 161, 152 completed) progressive aerobic and resistance training, i.e. at 55% or 70% of predicted maximal oxygen consumption and at 60% or 80% of predicted 1-Repetition Maximum, respectively, of equal volume. Main Outcome Measure(s) Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c and other cardiovascular risk factors; 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk scores. Results Volume of physical activity, both supervised and non-supervised, was similar in LI and HI participants. Compared with LI training, HI training produced only clinically marginal, though statistically significant, improvements in HbA1c (mean difference −0.17% [95% confidence interval −0.44,0.10], P = 0.03), triglycerides (−0.12 mmol/l [−0.34,0.10], P = 0.02) and total cholesterol (−0.24 mmol/l [−0.46, −0.01], P = 0.04), but not in other risk factors and CHD risk scores. However, intensity was not an independent predictor of reduction of any of these parameters. Adverse event rate was similar in HI and LI subjects. Conclusions Data from the large IDES cohort indicate that, in low-fitness individuals such as sedentary subjects with type 2 diabetes, increasing exercise intensity is not harmful, but does not provide additional benefits on cardiovascular risk factors. Trial Registration www.ISRCTN. org ISRCTN-04252749.
Design & evaluation of hybrid framework for Software Maintenance

In present times software reengineering has become an important domain of research to increase the shelf life of legacy system. The major objective for reengineering revolves around reducing the cost of investment in Information Technology (IT) infrastructure by reducing the maintenance cost and capitalizing on the current existing IT infrastructure. This can be achieved by making it more adaptable to the changing requirements. The decision for reengineering system is quite challenging as one has to select from the available option of investing in new system or legacy system. Further cost of reengineering is not a true decisive parameter for taking up reengineering. A better approach is finding out return on investment (ROI). ROI of reengineering a system is difficult to calculate as one has to assume the cost of project and the project also depends on the requirement of reengineering. This paper gives a generalized approach towards decision making for reengineering the legacy system. This paper presents a requirement specific approach of cost estimation and proposes ROI computation for the assessment of reengineering.
Cross-species outlier detection reveals different evolutionary pressures between sister species

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) hybridize in western Canada, an area of recent mountain pine beetle range expansion. Given the heterogeneity of the environment, and indications of local adaptation, there are many unknowns regarding the response of these forests to future outbreaks. To better understand this we aim to identify genetic regions that have adaptive potential. We used data collected on 472 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci from 576 tree samples collected across 13 lodgepole pine-dominated sites and four jack pine-dominated sites. We looked at the relationship of genetic diversity with the environment, and we identified candidate loci using both frequency-based (arlequin and bayescan) and correlation-based (matsam and bayenv) methods. We found contrasting relationships between environmental variation and genetic diversity for the species. While we identified a number of candidate outliers (34 in lodgepole pine, 25 in jack pine, and 43 interspecific loci), we did not find any loci in common between lodgepole and jack pine. Many of the outlier loci identified were correlated with environmental variation. Using rigorous criteria we have been able to identify potential outlier SNPs. We have also found evidence of contrasting environmental adaptations between lodgepole and jack pine which could have implications for beetle spread risk.
Evaluation Criteria for Self-Management Features in DBMSs Technical Report FIU-SCIS : 03-24-2007

The cost and difficulty of maintaining large scale heterogeneous systems has caused a paradigm shift towards self-managing systems. Large-scale systems typically require intensive data management services and hence many database management systems now incorporate features such as self-configuration, selfoptimization, self-protection, and self-healing. This paper proposes criteria for evaluating self-management features in database management systems and uses those criteria to evaluate popular databases such as DB2, SQL Server 2005, Oracle 10g, Teradata and Sybase ASE.
Dynamic Load Balancing Protocol (DLBP) for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are resource-constrained networks that have been applied in many applications. Many researchers have presented routing protocols to prolong the lifetime of WSNs. In this paper we present a Dynamic Load Balancing Protocol (DLBP) that exploits all network nodes to achieve load balancing and prolong the lifetime of WSN. DLBP has succeeded to build a load balanced tree, eliminate the need for control messages during data routing, keep the load of the WSN balanced during data routing, send messages to next hops without route-discovery delay, quickly maintain and fix network errors and failures. Simulation results show that the network success ratio has reached 97%. Routing overhead has decreased by 72% and network lifetime has increased by 20% comparing to other tested algorithms.
Persistence and ability in the innovation decisions

The main concern of this paper is to analyse the complementarities between the decisions to carry out both product and process innovations. We also try to identify the main determinants of the innovation activity as well as to separate the experience effect of the firm (capacities, routines as organization) from the experience effect of the manager (skills, abilities). It has been common when facing the study of technological change, to consider innovation as a homogeneous activity. The main analyses have focused on the determinants of such activity trying to explain decisions, counts or R and D expenses in the context of a unique activity. Several recent works, however, are worried about the possibility of analysing innovation distinguishing among different types according to the final purpose of this activity. We focus on two different decisions, product and process innovations, using typical discrete choice specifications (univariate and bivariate models) and also binary choice models with heterogeneity. Among the results, we find complementary but asymmetric effects concerning both decisions in static models even controlling heterogeneity. We also test whether the persistence in conducting innovation activities matter. We do so in an extensive database that provides information about manufacturing firms. Our results point towards the importance of both ability of the manager (unobserved heterogeneity) and experience of the firm (dynamics in the equation indicator).
Spinal Substance P Receptor Expression and Internalization in Acute, Short-Term, and Long-Term Inflammatory Pain States

Inflammatory pain involves the sensitization of both primary afferent and spinal cord neurons. To explore the neurochemical changes that contribute to inflammatory pain, we have examined the expression and ligand-induced internalization of the substance P receptor (SPR) in the spinal cord in acute, short-term, and long-term inflammatory pain states. These inflammatory models included unilateral injection of formalin (8–60 min), carrageenan (3 hr), and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA; 3 d) into the rat hindpaw as well as adjuvant-induced polyarthritis (21 d). In acute inflammatory pain there is ongoing release of substance P (SP) as measured by SPR internalization in lamina I neurons at both 8 and 60 min after formalin injection. Although there is no tonic release of SP in short-term inflammatory pain, at 3 hr after carrageenan injection, SP is released in response to both noxious and non-noxious somatosensory stimulation with SPR internalization being observed in neurons located in both laminae I and III-IV. In long-term inflammatory pain models (CFA and polyarthritis) the same pattern of SP release and SPR activation occurs as is observed in short-term inflammation with the addition that there is a significant upregulation of the SPR in lamina I neurons. These results suggest that SPR internalization might serve as a marker of the contribution of ongoing primary afferent input in acute and persistent pain states. These stereotypical neurochemical changes suggest that there are unique neurochemical signatures for acute, short-term, and long-term inflammatory pain.
A design of user authentication system using QR code identifying method

Smart Phones, greatly expanding in the recent mobile market, are equipped with various features compared to existing feature phones and provide the conveniences to in several ways. The camera, one of the features of a smartphone, creates the digital contents, such photos and videos, and plays a role for the media which transmits information, such as video calls and bar code reader. QR-Code recognition is also one of camera features. It contains a variety of information in two-dimensional bar code type in matrix format, and makes it possible to obtain the information by using smart phones. This paper analyzes the method of QR-Code recognition, password method-the existing user-authentication technique, smart card, biometrics and voice recognition and so on and then designs a new user-authentication technique. This proposed user-authentication technique is the technique in which QR-Code, which can be simply granted is read by smart phones and transmitted to a server, for authentication. It has the advantages in view that it will simply the process of authentication and contract the disadvantages, such as brute force attack, man-in the-middle attack, and keyboard hacking, which may occur in other authentication techniques.
A steganography approach for sequential data encoding and decoding in video images

The recent growth in computational supremacy and communication technology has propelled today's security technique called steganography to foremost. Essentially, a steganography system uses encoding and decoding algorithms to hide the secret data in cover-medium to produce stego-medium. A data hiding approach for embedding secret data in video images is presented. This paper is aimed to transmit maximum hidden data without losing the video quality and size. In order to achieve this goal, in this system we are using the encryption key for sequential data encoding and decoding. The system is implemented in MATLAB environment. The performance of the steganography approach has been evaluated using video images in bit mapped (bmp) format in Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) components. The experimental results prove that the sequential encoding based steganography system is simple and produces imperceptible distortions in resulting bmp images.
Inflation: How Much Is Too Much For Economic Growth in Nigeria

This study follows the methodology of Khan and Sendhadji (2001) to examine the existence of threshold effects in the inflation-growth relationship, using Nigeria data for the period 1970 to 2003. The results suggest the existence of inflation threshold level of 6 percent. Below this level, there exists significantly positive relationship between inflation and economic growth, while above this threshold level, inflation retards growth performance. Sensitivity analyses conducted confirmed the robustness of these results. This finding suggests that bringing inflation down to single digits should be the goal of macroeconomic management in Nigeria, while the optimal inflation target for policy in Nigeria is 6 percent.
Mechanisms Involved in Systemic Nicotine-Induced Glutamatergic Synaptic Plasticity on Dopamine Neurons in the Ventral Tegmental Area

Systemic exposure to nicotine induces glutamatergic synaptic plasticity on dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), but mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we report that single, systemic exposure in rats to nicotine (0.17 mg/kg free base) increases the ratio of DA neuronal currents mediated by AMPA relative to NMDA receptors (AMPA/NMDA ratio) assessed 24 h later, based on slice-patch recording. The AMPA/NMDA ratio increase is evident within 1 h and lasts for at least 72 h after nicotine exposure (and up to 8 d after repeated nicotine administration). This effect cannot be prevented by systemic injection of either α7-nAChR (nicotinic ACh receptor)-selective [methyllycaconitine (MLA)] or β2*-nAChR-selective [mecamylamine (MEC)] antagonists but is prevented by coinjection of MLA and MEC. In either nAChR α7 or β2 subunit knock-out mice, systemic exposure to nicotine still increases the AMPA/NMDA ratio. Preinjection in rats of a NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801((+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate), but neither DA receptor antagonists [SCH-23390 (R-(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine) plus haloperidol] nor a calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporine), prevents the nicotine-induced increase in AMPA/NMDA ratio. After systemic exposure to nicotine, glutamatergic (but not GABAergic) transmission onto rat VTA DA neuronal inputs is enhanced. Correspondingly, DA neuronal firing measured 24 h after nicotine exposure using extracellular single-unit recording in vivo is significantly faster, and there is conversion of silent to active DA neurons. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that systemic nicotine acting via either α7- or β2*-nAChRs increases presynaptic and postsynaptic glutamatergic function, and consequently initiates glutamatergic synaptic plasticity, which may be an important, early neuronal adaptation in nicotine reward and reinforcement.
Science and religious education teachers in Scottish secondary schools: aspirations for greater collaboration

One of the key aims of CfE is an increase in interdisciplinary learning and this is reflected in the section on Religious and Moral Education in Building the Curriculum 1 (2006). There are important connections between themes in Religious and Moral education and, for example, in history, science and the arts. These connections can reinforce and enrich learning (our italics). This report is focused on quantitative research funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and undertaken by researchers at the University of Glasgow (2011-2013). The research examined (1) the current practice in collaboration and (2) potential for collaboration between Science and Religious Education teachers in a large sample of Scottish secondary schools in eight local authorities (124 schools). The findings indicate that there is evidence of limited collaboration, but also a genuine and widespread aspiration for greater collaboration among many teachers. The findings also indicate that there is a dismissive attitude towards collaboration between Science and Religious Education teachers in a limited number of cases.
Exponential Synchronization of Coupled Stochastic Memristor-Based Neural Networks With Time-Varying Probabilistic Delay Coupling and Impulsive Delay

This paper deals with the exponential synchronization of coupled stochastic memristor-based neural networks with probabilistic time-varying delay coupling and time-varying impulsive delay. There is one probabilistic transmittal delay in the delayed coupling that is translated by a Bernoulli stochastic variable satisfying a conditional probability distribution. The disturbance is described by a Wiener process. Based on Lyapunov functions, Halanay inequality, and linear matrix inequalities, sufficient conditions that depend on the probability distribution of the delay coupling and the impulsive delay were obtained. Numerical simulations are used to show the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
PROMOTING CONTRIBUTIONS TO ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS

A perennial issue confronting administrators is the degree to which employees' behavior should be directed to assure attainment of organizational goals. This issue takes on an even more complex dimension when the organization is a professional organization. Individual professional goals can come into conflict with organizational goals. This conflict can be evidenced in many social welfare organizations. The administrative response to this issue will be determined to some extent by implicit theoretical assumptions about how professionals' behaviors are regulated and what shapes professionals' activities toward the attainment of organizational goals. Two theoretical models purported to explain the control of performance in professional organizations are analyzed. The first model emphasizes the concepts of selection and socialization. The second model emphasizes organizational processes, structure, and evaluation of performance. An assessment of the two models reveals that the second model provides a more co.
A Framework to leverage Cloud for Modernization of Indian Agricultural Produce Marketing System

In India, Information and Communication technology (ICT) is being leveraged as a modernization tool in almost every sector of economy such as health, education, and transportation. But when we consider the agricultural scenario in the Indian context, we realise that the ICT remains to be exploited to accrue its invaluable benefits. In recent times, the Government of India has introduced several initiatives to promote the application of ICT in agriculture sector. But when we compare the scale of ICT application in Indian agriculture sector with other developing countries like China, Brazil, etc., we find that application of ICT in Indian agriculture is yet to be applied on a significant magnitude. In this paper, we propose a cloud deployment model "Agri-Bridge", which provides access to agricultural market related information to farmers facing market connectivity constraints and acute capital shortage. Also, this model will operate as a bridge between the farmers and consumers within the existing agricultural produce marketing chain. This model utilizes the existing Government services, Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) databases, retail market sources besides leveraging cloud computing, mobile phone services and Internet services to provide a solution to the problem of lack of access to real-time market information to the farmers, hence modernising the Indian agricultural produce marketing system.
FGF-23 Regulates CYP27B1 Transcription in the Kidney and in Extra-Renal Tissues

The mitochondrial enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1α-hydroxylase, which is encoded by the CYP27B1 gene, converts 25OHD to the biological active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). Renal 1α-hydroxylase activity is the principal determinant of the circulating 1,25(OH)2D concentration and enzyme activity is tightly regulated by several factors. Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) decreases serum 1,25(OH)2D concentrations by suppressing CYP27B1 mRNA abundance in mice. In extra-renal tissues, 1α-hydroxylase is responsible for local 1,25(OH)2D synthesis, which has important paracrine actions, but whether FGF-23 regulates CYP27B1 gene expression in extra-renal tissues is unknown. We sought to determine whether FGF-23 regulates CYP27B1 transcription in the kidney and whether extra-renal tissues are target sites for FGF-23-induced suppression of CYP27B1. In HEK293 cells transfected with the human CYP27B1 promoter, FGF-23 suppressed promoter activity by 70%, and the suppressive effect was blocked by CI-1040, a specific inhibitor of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2. To examine CYP27B1 transcriptional activity in vivo, we crossed fgf-23 null mice with mice bearing the CYP27B1 promoter-driven luciferase transgene (1α-Luc). In the kidney of FGF-23 null/1α-Luc mice, CYP27B1 promoter activity was increased by 3-fold compared to that in wild-type/1α-Luc mice. Intraperitoneal injection of FGF-23 suppressed renal CYP27B1 promoter activity and protein expression by 26% and 60% respectively, and the suppressive effect was blocked by PD0325901, an ERK1/2 inhibitor. These findings provide evidence that FGF-23 suppresses CYP27B1 transcription in the kidney. Furthermore, we demonstrate that in FGF-23 null/1α-Luc mice, CYP27B1 promoter activity and mRNA abundance are increased in several extra-renal sites. In the heart of FGF-23 null/1α-Luc mice, CYP27B1 promoter activity and mRNA were 2- and 5-fold higher, respectively, than in control mice. We also observed a 3- to 10-fold increase in CYP27B1 mRNA abundance in the lung, spleen, aorta and testis of FGF-23 null/1α-Luc mice. Thus, we have identified novel extra-renal target sites for FGF-23-mediated regulation of CYP27B1.
On the perception of qualitative and phonetic similarities among voices

A perceiver who learns to recognize an individual talker becomes familiar with attributes of the talker’s voice that are present in any utterance regardless of the linguistic message. Customary accounts of individual identification by ear presume that such durable personal aspects of an individual’s speech are graded qualities (e.g., vocal pitch and pitch range; melodious, breathy, or raspy timbre; etc.) independent of the acoustic properties that evoke segmental phonetic contrasts. Alternatively, some classic and recent studies alike suggest that familiarity includes attention to attributes of dialect and idiolect conveyed in the articulation of consonants and vowels. These linguistic phonetic properties of speech are effective for recognizing a talker when voice quality is eliminated as a source of information. The present investigation sought direct evidence of attention to qualitative and phonetic attributes of speech. Natural samples and sine wave replicas of sentences spoken by five male and five fe.
The effect of trade liberalization on exports, imports, the balance of trade, and growth: the case of Mexico

The aim of this paper is to disentangle the effects of trade liberalization during the mid-1980s from the liberalization involved in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on exports, imports, and the balance of trade in Mexico. The main empirical results suggest that the trade reforms during the mid-1980s had a significant effect on trade, exports, and imports; however, the effects of NAFTA, at least on exports, are negligible. Since the mid-1980s, the propensity to import has exceeded the propensity to export, and this has worsened the growth rate consistent with balanced trade, which is a major explanation of the slowdown of Mexico's growth in recent years. NAFTA has not delivered the improved growth performance that was promised by Mexico's political leaders at the time.