Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Policy Considerations for Improving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program : Making a Case for Decreasing the Burden of Obesity

The epidemic of overweight and obesity and its multiple causes have captured the attention of researchers, program administrators, politicians, and the public alike. Recently, a number of stakeholder groups have started investigating the role that food and nutrition assistance programs may play in the etiology of the problem and in identifying possible solutions. As a result, policy changes have been recommended and implemented for programs such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to improve the nutritional quality of foods they offer to their participants. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is also attracting attention as a potential vehicle to reduce the burden of obesity among its users. Because of the tough economic and political climate in which all federal programs currently operate, the need for making nutrition assistance programs more efficient and effective in addressing health-and nutrition-related problems affecting the country has never been greater. This document proposes a set of strategies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of SNAP. These strategies are based on a review of research literature, recommendations from expert groups, and prior experiences from other communities and states. We include information pertaining to potential stakeholder arguments for and against each strategy, as well as political feasibility, financial impact and logistical requirements for implementation. We drew candidate strategies from the range of options that have been tested through research, and from policies that have been implemented around the country. The order of strategies in this document is based on overall strength of supportive research, as well as political and implementation feasibility. The four proposed strategies include: improving access to healthy foods to provide better choices; incentivizing purchase of healthy foods; restricting access to unhealthy foods; and maximizing education to more effectively reach a larger population of SNAP participants. To improve access to healthy foods, we propose establishing guidelines that require SNAP vendors to carry healthier options. We argue that improved selection of food at SNAP-authorized stores will not only improve the choices for SNAP participants, but will also improve the overall food environments in the communities where SNAP participants reside. Such an effort will also carry with it the benefit of stimulating sales at small local stores as SNAP participants will not have to travel to distant supermarkets to redeem their benefits. In addition, building on the President " s and Congress " Healthy …
Brane-world astronomy

Unified theories suggest that space is intrinsically 10 dimensional, even though everyday phenomena seem to take place in only 3 large dimensions. In “Brane World” models, matter and radiation are localized to a “brane” which has a thickness less than ≈(TeV)−1 in all but the usual three dimensions, while gravity propagates in additional dimensions, some of which may extend as far as submillimeter scales. A brief review is presented of some of these models and their astrophysical phenomenology. One distinctive possibility is a gravitational wave background originating in the mesoscopic early universe, at temperatures above about 1 TeV and on scales smaller than a millimeter, during the formation of our 3-dimensional brane within a 10-dimensional space.
An infrared image processing system for mobile remote sensing

This paper presents an infrared image processing system for monitoring and mapping the thermal distribution of regions in mobile remote sensing applications. The processing system consists of five modules: non-uniformity correction, trajectory segmentation, odd even correction, image projection and visualization. It has been designed to perform thermal mapping efficiently and meet the special requirements of fast data processing. The processing system allows for the viewing of thermal distribution in a 2-d map model. The efficiency and effectiveness of the developed system are evaluated and tested by several image processing tasks.
Performance of transmitter preprocessing assisted DSTTD over frequency-selective wireless communication channels

Double space-time transmit diversity (DSTTD) is currently one of the promising techniques for realizing both spatial diversity and multiplexing gains concurrently. In this paper, in contrast to previous work [6], we consider the performance of double space time transmit diversity (DSTTD) system with multi-user transmitter preprocessing (MUTP) over correlated and uncorrelated frequency-selective fading channels. The transmitter preprocessing (TP) is realized by singular value decomposition (SVD) which exploits the channel state information (CSI) of all the users at the base stations (BSs). This scheme can greatly bring down the complexity of the mobile terminals as well as obviate the need for complex MUDs. Specifically, we investigate the effects of four types of delay spread distributions on MUTP assisted DSTTD system. In a multi-cell scenario, users conflict co-channel interferences (CCI) which can severely degrade the system performance. It is shown through simulation that multi-user transmitter preprocessing (MUTP) can mitigate CCI in addition to retaining the low complexity nature of the mobile terminals. Comparisons for correlated and uncorrelated frequency-selective channels with and without TP are also provided.
Sketch-Based Image Queries in Topographic Databases

In this paper we present the development of a system prototype for sketch-based queries for the content-based retrieval of digital images from topographic databases. We discuss our overall strategy and associated algorithmic and implementation aspects, and we present associated database design issues. The query tools devised in this research are employing user-provided sketches of the shape and spatial configuration of the object(s) which should appear in the images to be retrieved. Our matching tool is inspired by least-squares matching (lsm) and represents an extension of lsm to function with a variety of raster representations. Our strategy makes use of a hierarchical organization of feature shapes within a feature library. The results are ranked according to statistical scores and the user can subsequently narrow or broaden his/her search according to the previously obtained results and the purpose of the search. Our approach combines the design of an integrated database environment with the development of a feature library and the necessary matching tools. We discuss our overall strategy and individual database components and present some implementation results.
Impact of Metal Pollution and Thlaspi caerulescens Growth on Soil Microbial Communities

ABSTRACT Soil microorganisms drive critical functions in plant-soil systems. As such, various microbial properties have been proposed as indicators of soil functioning, making them potentially useful in evaluating the recovery of polluted soils via phytoremediation strategies. To evaluate microbial responses to metal phytoextraction using hyperaccumulators, a microcosm experiment was carried out to study the impacts of Zn and/or Cd pollution and Thlaspi caerulescens growth on key soil microbial properties: basal respiration; substrate-induced respiration (SIR); bacterial community structure as assessed by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE); community sizes of total bacteria, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, and chitin-degrading bacteria as assessed by quantitative PCR (Q-PCR); and functional gene distributions as determined by functional gene arrays (GeoChip). T. caerulescens proved to be suitable for Zn and Cd phytoextraction: shoots accumulated up to 8,211 and 1,763 mg kg−1 (dry weight [DW]) of Zn and Cd, respectively. In general, Zn pollution led to decreased levels of basal respiration and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, while T. caerulescens growth increased the values of substrate-induced respiration (SIR) and total bacteria. In soils polluted with 1,000 mg Zn kg−1 and 250 mg Cd kg−1 (DW), soil bacterial community profiles and the distribution of microbial functional genes were most affected by the presence of metals. Metal-polluted and planted soils had the highest percentage of unique genes detected via the GeoChip (35%). It was possible to track microbial responses to planting with T. caerulescens and to gain insight into the effects of metal pollution on soilborne microbial communities.
A Brief Introduction to Probability Theory

If a coin is tossed, then there are two possible outcomes: heads and tails. Statements such as ‘the chance that the outcome will be heads is 50%’ are formalized in probability theory, giving a better way to reason about the odds of a certain outcome of an experiment. The possible outcomes of an experiment are called the sample space. For example, the sample space of the coin tossing experiment is Ω = {head, tail}. Certain subsets of the sample space are called events, and the probability of these events is determined by a probability measure. For instance, if we roll a dice, then one of its six face values is the outcome of the experiment, so the sample space is Ω = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}. An event is a subset of the sample space Ω. The event {1, 2} occurs when the dice shows a face value less than three. The probability measures describes the odds that a certain event occurs, for instance Pr[{1, 2}] = 1/3 means that the event {1, 2} will occur with probability 1/3. A probability measure is not necessarily defined on all subsets of the sample space Ω, but just on all subsets of Ω that are considered events. Nevertheless, we want to have a uniform way to reason about the probability of events. This is accomplished by requiring that the collection of events form a σ-algebra. A σ-algebra F is a collection of subsets of the sample space Ω such that the following requirements are satisfied: S1 The empty set is contained in F . S2 If a set E is contained in F , then its complement Ec is contained in F . S3 The countable union of sets in F is contained in F .
Passive Recovery of Vegetation after Herbivore Eradication on Santa Cruz Island, California

Understanding how insular ecosystems recover or are restructured after the eradication of an invasive species is crucial in evaluating conservation success and prioritizing island conservation efforts. Globally, herbivores have been removed from 762 islands, most with limited active restoration actions following eradication. Few studies have documented the effects of invasive herbivore removal after multiple decades of passive recovery. Here we evaluate recovery of vegetation on Santa Cruz Island, California, after the removal of feral sheep (Ovis aries) in 1984. We repeat a study conducted in 1980, and examine vegetation changes 28 years after the eradication. Before eradication, grazed areas were characterized by reduced plant cover, high exposure of bare ground, and erosion. After 28 years of passive recovery, transect data showed a 23% increase in woody overstory, whereas analysis of photographs from landscapes photographed pre‐ and post‐eradication showed a 26% increase in woody vegetation. Whole island vegetation maps similarly showed a transition from grass/bare ground (74.3% of cover) to woody plants (77.2% of cover), indicating the transition away from predominantly exotic annual grassland toward a community similar to the overstory of coastal scrubland but with an understory dominated by non‐native annual grasses. We estimate that replacement of grasses/bare ground by native woody vegetation has led to 70 and 17% increases in the stored carbon and nitrogen pools on the island, respectively. Our results demonstrate that these island ecosystems can experience significant recovery of native floral communities without intensive post‐eradication restoration, and results of recovery may take decades to be realized.
Radix-10 addition with radix-1000 encoding of decimal operands

Hardware support for decimal computer arithmetic is growing to meet the increasing user demands in many computer applications such that in the past decade some commercialized processors have been equipped with decimal hardware units and the latest IEEE standard for floating point arithmetic (IEEE-754-2008) has supported decimal representations and operations. In particular, the 10-bit densely packed encoding for compact storage of three decimal digits has been defined, which require pre and post conversions to make arithmetic operations and proper storage possible. In this paper, we offer the 10-bit radix-1000 (chiliad) encoding of three decimal digits that can be directly processed by decimal arithmetic operators. The 16-digit and 34-digit BCD operands (as defined in IEEE-754-2008) are converted to 54-bit and 114-bit chiliad operands, respectively. Following the practice of using word-wide binary adders for decimal operands with some off-the-critical-path correction logic, we device an adder architecture for intermediate chiliad operands. The same adders can be shared by the binary floating point units with the IEEE-754-2008 53-bit and 113-bit significands. The synthesis results show that the proposed scheme is more area and power efficient than the best previous method.
Role of Nfu1 and Bol3 in iron-sulfur cluster transfer to mitochondrial clients

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are essential for many cellular processes, ranging from aerobic respiration, metabolite biosynthesis, ribosome assembly and DNA repair. Mutations in NFU1 and BOLA3 have been linked to genetic diseases with defects in mitochondrial Fe-S centers. Through genetic studies in yeast, we demonstrate that Nfu1 functions in a late step of [4Fe-4S] cluster biogenesis that is of heightened importance during oxidative metabolism. Proteomic studies revealed Nfu1 physical interacts with components of the ISA [4Fe-4S] assembly complex and client proteins that need [4Fe-4S] clusters to function. Additional studies focused on the mitochondrial BolA proteins, Bol1 and Bol3 (yeast homolog to human BOLA3), revealing that Bol1 functions earlier in Fe-S biogenesis with the monothiol glutaredoxin, Grx5, and Bol3 functions late with Nfu1. Given these observations, we propose that Nfu1, assisted by Bol3, functions to facilitate Fe-S transfer from the biosynthetic apparatus to the client proteins preventing oxidative damage to [4Fe-4S] clusters. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.15991. 001
Automated Method Of Structural Characteristics Of "character Recognition System" Using Matlab Techniques

Character Recognition" is an offline recognition system developed to identify either printed characters or discrete run-on handwritten characters. It is a part of pattern recognition that usually deals with the realization of the written scripts or printed material into digital form. The main advantage of storing these written texts in digital form is that, it requires less space for storage and can be maintained for further references without referring to the actual script again and again. Character recognition has wide applications such as in postal services to sort the mails according to their destination using the addresses that are written on the envelope, in restoring old manuscripts, in digital signature verification and much more.
Substance Use and Access to Health Care and Addiction Treatment among Homeless and Vulnerably Housed Persons in Three Canadian Cities

Introduction We examined the prevalence of substance use disorders among homeless and vulnerably housed persons in three Canadian cities and its association with unmet health care needs and access to addiction treatment using baseline data from the Health and Housing in Transition Study. Methods In 2009, 1191 homeless and vulnerably housed persons were recruited in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa, Canada. Interviewer administered questionnaires collected data on socio-demographics, housing history, chronic health conditions, mental health diagnoses, problematic drug use (DAST-10≥6), problematic alcohol use (AUDIT≥20), unmet physical and mental health care needs, addiction treatment in the past 12 months. Three multiple logistic regression models were fit to examine the independent association of substance use with unmet physical health care need, unmet mental health care need, and addiction treatment. Results Substance use was highly prevalent, with over half (53%) screening positive for the DAST-10 and 38% screening positive for the AUDIT. Problematic drug use was 29%, problematic alcohol use was lower at 16% and 7% had both problematic drug and alcohol use. In multiple regression models for unmet need, we found that problematic drug use was independently associated with unmet physical (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.95; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43–2.64) and unmet mental (AOR 3.06; 95% CI 2.17–4.30) health care needs. Problematic alcohol use was not associated with unmet health care needs. Among those with problematic substance use, problematic drug use was associated with a greater likelihood of accessing addiction treatment compared to those with problematic alcohol use alone (AOR 2.32; 95% CI 1.18–4.54). Conclusions Problematic drug use among homeless and vulnerably housed individuals was associated with having unmet health care needs and accessing addiction treatment. Strategies to provide comprehensive health services including addiction treatment should be developed and integrated within community supported models of care.
Hormonal Regulation of CREB Phosphorylation in the Anteroventral Periventricular Nucleus

The anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) is a nodal point in neural circuits regulating secretion of gonadotropin and contains sexually dimorphic populations of hormonally regulated dopamine-, dynorphin-, and enkephalin-containing neurons. Because the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), prodynorphin (PDYN), and proenkephalin (PENK) genes contain cAMP response elements that control their expression in their promoters, we used histochemical methods to determine whether ovarian steroids alter expression of the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the AVPV. Because the ability of CREB to activate transcription depends on phosphorylation at Ser133, we also evaluated the effects of acute steroid treatment on levels of phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) in AVPV neurons by using an antibody that differentiates between CREB and pCREB. Treatment of ovariectomized rats with estradiol treatments caused a significant induction in the number of pCREB-immunoreactive nuclei within 30 min that was maintained for at least 4 hr, but did not alter CREB immunostaining in the AVPV. Pretreatment with the estrogen antagonist Nafoxidine blocked this induction. In contrast, acute administration of progesterone to estrogen-primed animals suppressed and then increased pCREB staining in the AVPV at 30 and 60 min, respectively; no significant differences between experimental and control animals were apparent by 2 hr after progesterone treatment. Double-labeling experiments showed that pCREB was colocalized with PDYN, PENK, or TH mRNA in the AVPV, suggesting that pCREB may mediate the effect of steroid hormones on gene expression in these neurons.
Do Doctoral Students&Apos; Financial Support Patterns Affect Their Times-to-Degree and Completion Probabilities

Projections of forthcoming shortages of Ph.D.s abound. Part of the reason is that American college graduates are much less likely to receive doctorates today than thcy were 20 years ago. Two important factors in this decline may be the increase in the length of time necessary for doctorate students to complete their programs that occurred over the period and the low completion rates of entrants into doctoral programs. Among the policies urged to prevent future Ph.D. shortages are increasing support for graduate students. Surprisingly little empirical evidence is available on how different types of support (fellowships. research assistantships, teaching assistantships) are likely to influence times-to-degree and completion rates. Our paper uses data on all graduate students who entered Ph.D. programs in four fields during a 25-year period at a single major doctorate producing university to estimate how graduate student financial support patterns influence these outcomes. We find that completion rates and mean durations of times-to-completion are sensitive to the types of financial support the students received. Other things held constant, students who receive fellowships or research assistantships have higher completion rates and shorter times-to-degree than students who receive teaching assistantships or tuition waivers, or who are totally self-supporting. A major finding Is that the Impact of financial support patterns on the fraction of students who complete programs is much larger than its impact on mean durations of times-to-degree.
Initial Evidence of a Failure to Activate Right Anterior Insula During Affective Set Shifting in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Objective: Interoception is the sense of one’s internal physiological, sensory, and emotional status. Extensive evidence supports a link between interoception and subjective experience. An altered ability to monitor or modulate interoception as it relates to subjective experience may provide a mechanistic explanation for the development of some forms of psychiatric illness. Methods: We investigated which neural networks are activated when anticipating a change in affective (and thus interoceptive) state, which we term “affective set-shifting,” in 15 women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to intimate partner violence, and in 15 nontraumatized healthy volunteers. Results: Although both groups activated the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during affective set shifting, the PTSD group showed significantly less activation in the right anterior insula than did the controls. Conclusions: These findings may suggest that although individuals with PTSD are cognitively aware of the impending shift in interoceptive state, they fail to appropriately activate neural circuitry involved in modulating interoceptive responses. AI = anterior insula; BA = Brodmann Areas; BOLD = blood oxygenation level dependent; CPT = continuous performance task; DLPFC = dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex; fMRI = function magnetic resonance imaging; IFG = inferior frontal gyrus; IPV = intimate partner violence; NTC = nontraumatized control; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder; ROI = region of interest; RT = reaction times (RTs).
Fundamental Technologies in Modern Speech Recognition

S peech recognition technology has left the research laboratory and is increasingly coming into practical use, enabling a wide spectrum of innovative and exciting voice-driven applications that are radically changing our way of accessing digital services and information. Most of today's applications still require a microphone located near the talker. However, almost all of these applications would benefit from distant-talking speech capturing, where talkers are able to speak at some distance from the microphones without the encumbrance of hand-held or body-worn equipment [1]. For example, applications such as meeting speech recognition, automatic annotation of consumer-generated videos, speech-to-speech translation in teleconferencing, and hands-free interfaces for controlling consumer-products, like interactive TV, will greatly benefit from distant-talking operation. Furthermore, for a number of unexplored but important applications, distant [ Robustness against reverberation for automatic speech recognition ]