Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of body build with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypertension among Chinese adults: a 4-year follow-up study.

Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies on the association of body build with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and hypertension were conducted in Taiwan during the period 1986-1990. The cross-sectional study, was carried out in 1986 in Ta-An District of Taipei City and five rural areas evenly distributed in Taiwan Province. A total of 11,478 randomly selected subjects aged 40 years or over were surveyed. World Health Organization designations of diabetes and hypertension were followed. The longitudinal observation was made in 1990 for the cohort living in Taipei City who had neither diabetes nor hypertension in 1986. Of 2822 subjects, 1873 individuals participated in the follow-up study and 52 had died, giving a response rate of 67.6%. In comparison with Caucasian or Polynesian populations, Chinese adults have a much lower prevalence of obesity (body mass index [BMI] greater than 30 kg/m2). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed both diabetes and hypertension increased as body build became heavier. The age-adjusted prevalence ratio and relative risk for the fourth quartile of BMI compared to the first quartile were 2.72 and 2.87, respectively, for diabetes as well as 2.96 and 2.24, respectively, for hypertension. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed a slightly higher increase in prevalence of hypertension than that of diabetes for every 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI (1.16-fold and 1.12-fold, respectively), while a similar increase in BMI resulted in a slightly higher relative risk of diabetes than that of hypertension (1.14-fold and 1.11-fold, respectively). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
How Much Does It Cost ? Applying ONTOCOM to DILIGENT

Ontology Engineering is currently advancing from a pure research topic to real applications. This state of the art is emphasized by the wide range of European projects with major industry involvement and, in the same time, by the evergrowing interest of small and medium size enterprizes asking for consultancy in this domain. A core requirement in all of these efforts is, however, the availability of proved and tested methods which allow an efficient engineering of high-quality ontologies, be that by reuse, new building or automatic extraction methods. Several elaborated methodologies, which aid the development of ontologies for particular application requirements, emerged in the last decades. Nevertheless, in order for ontologies to be built and deployed at a large scale, beyond the boundaries of the academic community, one needs not only technologies and tools to assist the engineering process, but also means to estimate and control its overall costs. These issues are addressed only marginally by current engineering approaches though their importance is well recognized in the community. Different approaches exist to estimate costs for engineering processes. We will present the parametric cost estimation model ONTOCOM and its alignment with the DILIGENT engineering methodology. Based on the resulting cost function some analytical evaluations of application scenarios for the DILIGENT model are provided.
Molecular architecture of the ribosome‐bound Hepatitis C Virus internal ribosomal entry site RNA

Internal ribosomal entry sites (IRESs) are structured cis‐acting RNAs that drive an alternative, cap‐independent translation initiation pathway. They are used by many viruses to hijack the translational machinery of the host cell. IRESs facilitate translation initiation by recruiting and actively manipulating the eukaryotic ribosome using only a subset of canonical initiation factor and IRES transacting factors. Here we present cryo‐EM reconstructions of the ribosome 80S‐ and 40S‐bound Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) IRES. The presence of four subpopulations for the 80S•HCV IRES complex reveals dynamic conformational modes of the complex. At a global resolution of 3.9 Å for the most stable complex, a derived atomic model reveals a complex fold of the IRES RNA and molecular details of its interaction with the ribosome. The comparison of obtained structures explains how a modular architecture facilitates mRNA loading and tRNA binding to the P‐site. This information provides the structural foundation for understanding the mechanism of HCV IRES RNA‐driven translation initiation.
Energy-Efficient Video Multicast in 4G Wireless Systems

Layer-based video coding, together with adaptive modulation and coding, is a promising technique for providing real-time video multicast services on heterogeneous mobile devices. With the rapid growth of data communications for emerging applications, reducing the energy consumption of mobile devices is a major challenge. This paper addresses the problem of resource allocation for video multicast in fourth-generation wireless systems, with the objective of minimizing the total energy consumption for data reception. First, we consider the problem when scalable video coding is applied. We prove that the problem is NP-hard and propose a 2-approximation algorithm to solve it. Then, we investigate the problem under multiple description coding, and show that it is also NP-hard and cannot be approximated in polynomial time with a ratio better than 2, unless P = NP. To solve this case, we develop a pseudopolynomial time 2-approximation algorithm. The results of simulations conducted to compare the proposed algorithms with a brute-force optimal algorithm and a conventional approach are very encouraging.
A Practical Solution to Mitigate Vibrations in Industrial PM Motors Having Concentric Windings

Industry applications involving torque brushless dc motors require high efficiency over a large speed range. In order to achieve such specifications, flux weakening is necessary, which could lead to relative high electromagnetically induced vibrations and consequently to audible noises. Furthermore, in order to decrease cogging torque and to satisfy motor manufacturing constraints, concentric windings are usually considered. Such motor configurations lead to harmonics of the electromagnetic forces being the sources of mechanical vibrations. This paper focuses on the electromagnetic forces created in surface-mounted permanent magnet and internal permanent magnet motors for two concentric windings: one and two coil sides per slot. These forces are determined using both lumped magnetic scheme and two-dimensional finite-element (FE) simulations. Then, three-dimensional FE simulations enable to predict the mechanical modes and the acoustic radiated power. Finally, the authors propose a simple method to mitigate the magnetic forces and their variations. This method deals with skewing the stator. The skewing angle is optimized differently as in the usual case of decreasing the cogging torque. This method is really interesting for industry applications, because does not require any important change in the motor construction. The acoustic measurements confirm the analysis and the proposed improvement technique (stator skewing).
Counting surface states in the loop quantum gravity

We adopt the point of view that (Riemannian) classical and (loop-based) quantum descriptions of geometry are macro- and micro-descriptions in the usual statistical mechanical sense. This gives rise to the notion of geometrical entropy, which is deﬁned as the logarithm of the number of diﬀerent quantum states which correspond to one and the same classical geometry conﬁguration (macro-state). We apply this idea to gravitational degrees of freedom induced on an arbitrarily chosen in space 2-dimensional surface. Considering an ‘ensemble’ of particularly simple quantum states, we show that the geometrical entropy S ( A ) corresponding to a macro-state speciﬁed by a total area A of the surface is proportional to the area S ( A ) = αA , with α being approximately equal to 1 / 16 πl 2 p . The result holds both for case of open and closed surfaces. We discuss brieﬂy physical motivations for our choice of the ensemble of quantum states.
X-ray monitoring of optical novae in M 31 from July 2004 to February 2005

Context. Optical novae have recently been identified as the major class of supersoft X-ray sources in M 31 based on ROSAT and early XMM-Newton and Chandra observations. Aims. This paper reports on a search for X-ray counterparts of optical novae in M 31 based on archival Chandra HRC-I and ACIS-I as well as XMM-Newton observations of the galaxy center region obtained from July 2004 to February 2005. Methods. We systematically determine X-ray brightness or upper limit for counterparts of all known optical novae with outbursts between November 2003 to the end of the X-ray coverage. In addition, we determine the X-ray brightnesses for counterparts of four novae with earlier outbursts. Results. For comparison with the X-ray data we created a catalogue of optical novae in M 31 based on our own nova search programs and on all novae reported in the literature. We collected all known properties and named the novae consistently following the CBAT scheme. We detect eleven out of 34 novae within a year after the optical outburst in X-rays. While for eleven novae we detect the end of the supersoft source phase, seven novae are still bright more than 1200, 1600, 1950, 2650, 3100, 3370 and 3380 d after outburst. One nova is detected to turn on 50 d, another 200 d after outburst. Three novae unexpectedly showed short X-ray outbursts starting within 50 d after the optical outburst and lasting only two to three months. The X-ray emission of several of the novae can be characterized as supersoft from hardness ratios and/or X-ray spectra or by comparing HRC-I count rates with ACIS-I count rates or upper limits. Conclusions. The number of detected optical novae at supersoft X-rays is much higher than previously estimated (>$30\%$). We use the X-ray light curves to estimate the burned masses of the White Dwarf and of the ejecta.
The Welfare Effects of Bundling in Multichannel Television Markets

We measure how the bundling of television channels affects welfare. We estimate an industry model of viewership, demand, pricing, bundling, and input market bargaining using data on ratings, purchases, prices, bundles, and input costs. We conduct simulations of a la carte policies that require distributors to offer individual channels for sale to consumers. We estimate that negotiated input costs rise by 103.0 percent under a la carte. These higher input costs offset consumer benefits from purchasing individual channels. Mean consumer and total surplus change by an estimated -5.4 to 0.2 percent and -1.7 to 6.0 percent, respectively.
An efficient method for maximum likelihood estimation of a stochastic volatility model

In this paper an efficient, simulation-based, maximum likelihood (ML) method is proposed for estimating Taylor’s stochastic volatility (SV) model. The new method is based on the second order Taylor approximation to the integrand. The approximation enables us to transfer the numerical problem in the Laplace approximation and that in importance sampling into the problem of inverting two high dimensional symmetric tri-diagonal matrices. A result recently developed in the linear algebra literature shows that such an inversion has an analytic form, greatly facilitating the computations of the likelihood function of the SV model. In addition to provide parameter estimation, the new method offers an efficient way to filter, smooth, and forecast latent log-volatility. The new method is illustrated and compared with existing ML methods using simulated data. Results suggest that the proposed method greatly reduces the computational cost in estimation without sacrificing the statistical efficiency, at least for the parameter settings considered.
Food Restriction Compromises Immune Memory in Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) by Reducing Spleen‐Derived Antibody‐Producing B Cell Numbers

Immune activity is variable in many wild animals, despite presumed strong selection against immune incompetence. Much variation may be due to changes in prevalence and abundance of pathogens (and/or their vectors) in time and space, but the costs of immune defenses themselves may also be important. Induction of immune activity often increases energy and protein expenditure, sometimes to the point of compromising fitness. Whether immune defenses are expensive to maintain once they are generated, however, is less well appreciated. If so, organisms would face persistent challenges of allocating resources between immunity and other expensive physiological processes, which would mandate trade‐offs. Mild food restriction (70% ad lib. diet) reduces secondary antibody responses in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), functionally representing a cost of immune memory. In this study, we asked whether compromised immune memory was mediated by a decrease in size of the B cell population responsible for producing antibodies (i.e., spleen‐derived B lymphocytes producing immunoglobulin G [IgG]). Two weeks of food restriction reduced total splenocytes, total splenic B lymphocytes (B220+ cells), and splenic B lymphocytes producing IgG (B220+/IgG+ cells) but did not affect body mass or two circulating antibody subclasses (IgG1 and IgG2a) in deer mice. These results further indicate that maintenance of immune memory is expensive and may be subject to trade‐offs with other physiological processes.
Chrome dermatitis: a study of the chemistry of shoe leather with particular reference to basic chromic sulfate.

Dermatitis from shoes may be a most disabling type of eruption, especially if the cause is not recognized. Treatment for such eruptions of the feet, when the cause is not removed, is not successful. The physician is usually able, after appropriate study and experimentation, to pinpoint the cause, remove it, and then clear the eruption. Dermatoses of the feet have been proved to be due to dyes or other chemicals in the leather,1,2to the thermoplastic material used in the box toes of shoes,3to rubber adhesives in shoes,4and to the myriad other substances that go into the leather.5-9 In his attempt to elicit the cause of an eruption of the feet, however, the physician has been guided for years by certain accepted dicta: first, that the chromium which is used in tanning most hides into shoe leather cannot cause such
Design of RFICs in 0.35 /spl mu/m Si/SiGe BiCMOS technology for a 5GHz domotic transmitter

This paper deals with the basic building blocks of a 5GHz WLAN transmitter for domotic applications. These building blocks have been designed exploiting a commercial 0.35 mum Si/SiGe BiCMOS technology with the purpose to avoid the necessity of external components. On-wafer measurements have been carried-out on the realized prototypes showing a good agreement with simulated performances
Cross-Species Comparison of Drosophila Male Accessory Gland Protein Genes

Drosophila melanogaster males transfer seminal fluid proteins along with sperm during mating. Among these proteins, ACPs (Accessory gland proteins) from the male's accessory gland induce behavioral, physiological, and life span reduction in mated females and mediate sperm storage and utilization. A previous evolutionary EST screen in D. simulans identified partial cDNAs for 57 new candidate ACPs. Here we report the annotation and confirmation of the corresponding Acp genes in D. melanogaster. Of 57 new candidate Acp genes previously reported in D. melanogaster, 34 conform to our more stringent criteria for encoding putative male accessory gland extracellular proteins, thus bringing the total number of ACPs identified to 52 (34 plus 18 previously identified). This comprehensive set of Acp genes allows us to dissect the patterns of evolutionary change in a suite of proteins from a single male-specific reproductive tissue. We used sequence-based analysis to examine codon bias, gene duplications, and levels of divergence (via dN/dS values and ortholog detection) of the 52 D. melanogaster ACPs in D. simulans, D. yakuba, and D. pseudoobscura. We show that 58% of the 52 D. melanogaster Acp genes are detectable in D. pseudoobscura. Sequence comparisons of ACPs shared and not shared between D. melanogaster and D. pseudoobscura show that there are separate classes undergoing distinctly dissimilar evolutionary dynamics.
Emotional intelligence and demographic differences among students in public universities

Emotional intelligence is the grassroots of all intelligence dimensions. It provides individuals with the ability to understand one’s own emotions, managing it and hopefully be able to understand other people emotions as well.The purpose of this research is to determine the emotional intelligence level of Malaysian university students from demographic aspects (gender, academic background, place of residence, academic courses and cumulative grade point average (CGPA). The importance of studying emotional intelligence in students is imperative since it indicates other competencies such as communication and interpersonal relations. A total of 3101 final year students from 10 public universities were randomly chosen as samples. The Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory: Short (EQ-i:S) by Bar-On (1997) has been utilized for the purpose of measuring emotional intelligence. Scores were categorized into high and low emotional intelligence level. Results were analyzed based on demographic factors such as gender, academic background, place of residence, academic courses and cumulative grade point average (CGPA). It was found that in general, majority of students were quite low in terms of emotional intelligence.Other demographic factors showed varying results.This study implicates that more should be done in higher learning institutions to alleviate and enhance students’ emotional intelligence.
Resistance through Video Game Play: It’s a Boy Thing

The male youth in our study used video games to resist institutional authority, hegemonic masculinity, and femininity. Videogame play offered them a safe place to resist authority, which was often limited to small acts of adolescent defiance that could limit their future ability to engage thoughtfully and critically in the world. This resistance shaped and reinforced their identity formation and supported their resistance to traditional literacy practices they considered more feminine. Adults were absent from their play; hence they had no mentorship in critiquing the worldview presented in videogames. Key words: masculinity, identity, critical literacy, alternative literacies Dans cette etude, les garcons se sont servis de jeux video pour resister a l’autorite institutionnelle ainsi qu’a une representation hegemonique de la masculinite et de la la feminite. Ces jeux leur offraient un espace dans lequel ils pouvaient en toute securite opposer une resistance a l’autorite sous la forme de modestes gestes de defi typiques des adolescents. Ces gestes risquaient toutefois de limiter leur capacite future de s’engager dans le monde avec serieux et en faisant preuve d’un esprit critique. Cette resistance a faconne et renforce leur identite et concordait avec leur contestation des methodes de litteratie traditionnelles qu’ils consideraient comme plutot feminines. Les adultes etaient absents lors de leurs jeux ; les jeunes n’avaient donc pas de mentors pour critiquer la vision du monde presentee dans les jeux video. Mots cles : masculinite, identite, litteratie, esprit critique, litteraties alternatives.
Analysis and simulation of fault tolerance of a grid-connected PV inverter by Z-source impedance

This paper proposes the design of a monophasic inverter connected to a residential network by applying Z-Source topology. The proposed models were verified in normal operation “STC” and under short circuit conditions “SC”. The system is presented as coupled to a network without a transformer and with minimum electrical components. The tolerance of the overcurrent or short-circuit current is also analyzed on this topology. The signal's power is conditioned to find the MPP of the PV panels. Its architecture will be outlined, described and simulated in Matlab's Simulink®. In order to verify that the design is working properly.
The use of financial incentives to help improve health outcomes: is the quality and outcomes framework fit for purpose? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND The quality and outcomes framework (QOF) is one of the world's largest pay-for-performance schemes, rewarding general practitioners for the quality of care they provide. This review examines the evidence on the efficacy of the scheme for improving health outcomes, its impact on non-incentivized activities and the robustness of the clinical targets adopted in the scheme. METHODS The review was conducted using six electronic databases, six sources of grey literature and bibliography searches from relevant publications. Studies were identified using a comprehensive search strategy based on MeSH terms and keyword searches. A total of 21,543 references were identified of which 32 met the eligibility criteria with 11 studies selected for the review. RESULTS Findings provide strong evidence that the QOF initially improved health outcomes for a limited number of conditions but subsequently fell to the pre-existing trend. There was limited impact on non-incentivized activities with adverse effects for some sub-population groups. CONCLUSION The QOF has limited impact on improving health outcomes due to its focus on process-based indicators and the indicators' ceiling thresholds. Further research is required to strengthen the quality of evidence available on the QOF's impact on population health to ensure that the incentive scheme is both clinically and cost-effective.
The Politics of Environmental Discourse

A lightweight, compact, portable pull-testing device is disclosed which is especially adapted for testing the load capabilities of installed, relatively small earth anchors such as those utilized with hold-down equipment for mobile homes or the like. The device includes a tripod-mounted, vertically adjustable, hydraulically actuated piston and cylinder assembly securable to the upper protruding end of an earth anchor shaft, with generally upright tripod support legs positioned closely adjacent the protruding shaft end to permit use of the device by a single operator in crowded areas such as beneath a mobile home where space is at a premium. Novel creep indicator apparatus is also disclosed for the accurate measurement of anchor creepage independent of any settling of the device itself into the earth which may occur during pull testing.