Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma lipids and their interrelationship in Turkish adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim was to describe the plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride profiles in a random sample of Turkish adults and analyse the effects of certain coronary risk factors on these levels. DESIGN--This was a cross sectional population based survey. SETTING--59 communities scattered in all seven geographical regions of Turkey were surveyed in the summer of 1990. SUBJECTS--A random sample of 3689 men and women 20 years of age and over was studied. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose (using Reflotron and with partial validation in reference laboratory), weight, height, and blood pressure were measured, and information on smoking, physical activity, and family income obtained. Hypercholesterolaemia (> or = 6.5 mmol/litre, 250 mg/dl) prevailed in 8.5%, and hypertriglyceridaemia (> 2.25 mmol/litre, 200 mg/dl) in 16.6% among men and women aged 40-59 years of age. Age adjusted total cholesterol values were 4.8 mmol/litre (185 mg/dl) in men and 5 mmol/litre (192 mg/dl) in women. A steep rise appeared in mean cholesterol levels between the ages of 20-29 and 40-49 years, in a ratio greater than the available data from some other populations indicated. Mean total cholesterol values increased substantially in both genders with diminishing grades of physical activity, rising serum triglyceride levels, in urban (opposed to rural) residents, in men with increasing income levels, and in the younger adults with rising body mass index. CONCLUSIONS--Turkish adults have comparatively low levels of total cholesterol and medium to moderately high levels of triglycerides. Lifestyle factors affect these levels in Turks as in other populations.
Unsupervised Classifier Self-Calibration through Repeated Context Occurences: Is there Robustness against Sensor Displacement to Gain?

Achieving a robust recognition of physical activities or gestures despite variability in sensor placement is highly important for the real-world deployment of wearable context-aware systems.It provides robustness against unintentional displacement of sensors, such as when doing intense physical activities or wearing sensors over extended periods of time.Here we focus on the problem of context recognition when sensors are displaced on body segments. We present an online unsupervised classifier self-calibration algorithm.Upon re-occurring context occurrences, the self-calibration algorithm adjusts the decision boundaries through online learning to better reflect the classes statistics, effectively allowing to track and adjust when classes drift in the feature space.We characterize the theoretical behavior of the system on a synthetic two-class problem dataset.We then analyze the real-world applicability of the method on a 5-class HCI related dataset, and a 6-class fitness scenario dataset.Our results show that the calibration increases the classification accuracy for displaced sensor positions by 33.3% in the HCI scenario and by 13.4% in the fitness scenario.
Three-phase unity-power-factor VIENNA rectifier with unified constant-frequency integration control

A unified constant-frequency integration (UCI) controller for a three-phase three-switch three-level rectifier (VIENNA) with unity-power-factor-correction is proposed. One advantage of the VIENNA rectifier is that the switch voltage stress is one half of the total output voltage so that MOSFETs can be used. The proposed control approach is based on one-cycle control and features great simplicity and reliability: all three phases will be power factor corrected using one integrator with reset along with several flips-flops, comparators and logic and linear components. It does not require multipliers to scale the current reference according to the output power level as used in many other control approaches. In addition, the input voltage sensor is eliminated. It employs constant switching frequency modulation that is desirable for industrial applications. The proposed controller can operate by sensing either the inductor currents or the switching currents. If the switching currents are sensed, the cost is further reduced because switching currents are easier to sense compared with inductor currents. The proposed approach is supported by experimental results.
Genetic and biochemical analyses of the biosynthesis of the yellow carotenoid 4,4'-diaponeurosporene of Staphylococcus aureus

The major pigment produced by Staphylococcus aureus Newman is the deep-yellow carotenoid 4,4'-diaponeurosporene; after prolonged cultivation, this pigment is in part converted to the orange end product staphyloxanthin. From this strain a 3.5-kb DNA fragment was identified which after being cloned into Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus carnosus conferred the ability to produce 4,4'-diaponeurosporene. DNA sequencing of this fragment revealed two open reading frames (ORFs) which are very likely cotranscribed. ORF1 encodes a 254-amino-acid hydrophobic protein, CrtM (M(r), 30,121). The deduced sequence of CrtM exhibits in three domains similarities to the sequences of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human squalene synthases and phytoene synthases of various bacteria. ORF2 encodes a 448-amino-acid hydrophobic protein, CrtN, with an M(r) of 50,853 whose deduced sequence is similar to those of phytoene desaturases of other bacteria. At the N terminus of CrtN a classical FAD-, NAD(P)-binding domain is found. Spectrophotometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of the carotenoid production of E. coli and S. carnosus clones containing either ORF1 or both ORFs together suggest that ORF1 and ORF2 represent the dehydrosqualene synthase gene (crtM) and the dehydrosqualene desaturase gene (crtN), respectively. The results furthermore suggest that the biosynthesis of 4,4'-diaponeurosporene starts with the condensation of two molecules of farnesyl diphosphate by dehydrosqualene synthase (CrtM); it is shown that the reaction product of this enzyme is dehydrosqualene and not squalene. Dehydrosqualene (4,4'-diapophytoene) is successively dehydrogenated by a desaturase (CrtN) to form the yellow main intermediate 4,4'-diaponeurosporene.
THz backward-wave oscillators for plasma diagnostic in nuclear fusion

Summary form only given. The understanding of plasma turbulence in nuclear fusion is related to the availability of powerful THz sources and the possibility to map wider plasma regions. A novel approach to realize compact THz sources to be implemented in the plasma diagnostic at NSTX experiment (Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, USA) is reported.Two novel 0.346 THz Backward-Wave Oscillators (BWOs) have been designed and are presently in the fabrication phase. One BWO is based on the Double Staggered Grating (DSG) that supports a sheet electron beam to provide a high output power; the second BWO is based on the Double Corrugated Waveguide (DCW) that supports a cylindrical electron beam generated by a conventional Pierce gun. The performance of both the BWOs was computed by Particle-in-cells (PIC) simulations. The DSG-BWO provides about 1W of output power with a beam current of 10 mA and a beam voltage of 16.8 kV. The DCW-BWO provides 0.74W output power with 10 mA beam current and 13 kV beam voltage. The DSG and the DCW have been realized by state of the art prototype nano-CNC milling machine (DMG Mori-Seiki) that permits one to achieve performance, in term of cost and surface finishing, unavailable with any other technology. It is the first time that this technique is applied to structures above 0.3 THz. The high output power of both the BWOs demonstrates the importance of novel approaches in the emerging field of THz vacuum electron devices.
Properties of atypical graphs from negative complexities Olivier Rivoire

The one-step replica symmetry breaking cavity method is proposed as a new tool to investigate large deviations in random graph ensembles. The procedure hinges on a general connection between negative complexities and probabilities of rare samples in spin glass like models. This relation between large deviations and replica theory is explicited on different models where it is confronted to direct combinatorial calculations. PACS: 02.10. Ox 05.50. +q 75.10. Nr
A Meta-Technique for Increasing Density of Local Stereo Methods through Iterative Interpolation and Warping

Despite much progress in global methods for computing depth from pairs of stereo images, local block matching methods are still immensely popular largely due to low computational cost and ease of implementation. However, such methods usually fail to produce valid depths in several image regions due to various reasons such as violations of a fronto-parallel assumption and lack of texture. In this paper, we present a simple and fast meta-technique for increasing the percentage of valid depths (depth map density) for local methods while keeping the percentage of pixels with erroneous depths, low. In the method, the original disparity map computed by a local stereo method is iteratively improved through a process of depth interpolation and image warping based on the interpolated depth. Image warping gives a mechanism for testing the validity of the interpolated depths allowing for incorrect depths to be discarded. Our results on the KITTI stereo data set demonstrate that, on average, we can increase density by 7-13% after a single iteration, for a 15-29% increase in computation and only a slight change in the outlier percentage, depending on the cost function used for matching.
Kurt Lewin's model of change revisited in a Brazilian Higher Education context

The initiative we report here came out of a belief that the university needed to become a learning organization through the development of its professionals and the formation of a community of practice. Consequently we took Lewin’s Normative-Re-educative approach. It was our view that only the introduction of Action Research as a professional practice by the staff of the institution through a ‘T’-group approach, epitomizing Lewin’s beliefs, held the potential to deliver the participation, empowerment, and democratic process that could bring about the revitalization of the institution. The success of this project was rooted in four key principles: neutrality, voluntary participation, time flexibility, and sensibility of motivation. Our initial understanding that the process of change would go through three linear and discreet phases was replaced by the recognition that these are not distinguishable, sequential phases in time but occur simultaneously and overlap. The interweaving of objectives through time may be represented through the
Interviewing Suspects with Avatars: Avatars Are More Effective When Perceived as Human

It has been consistently demonstrated that deceivers generally can be discriminated from truth tellers by monitoring an increase in their physiological response. But is this still the case when deceivers interact with a virtual avatar? The present research investigated whether the mere “belief” that the virtual avatar is computer or human operated forms a crucial factor for eliciting physiological cues to deception. Participants were interviewed about a transgression they had been seduced to commit, by a human-like virtual avatar. In a between-subject design, participants either deceived or told the truth about this transgression. During the interviews, we measured the physiological responses assessing participants' electrodermal activity (EDA). In line with our hypothesis, EDA differences between deceivers and truth tellers only were significant for participants who believed they interacted with a human operated (compared to a computer operated) avatar. These results have theoretical as well as practical implications which we will discuss.
A Self-Managed Distributed Channel Selection Algorithm for WLANs

In this paper we consider the problem of a wireless LAN selecting a channel to minimise interference with other WLANs. We focus on interfering infrastructure-mode networks, where each access point (AP) or base station has a wired backhaul link. We introduce a new fully distributed and self-managed channel selection algorithm that does not require direct communication between APs nor explicit estimation of the network interference graph. The sole information required by the algorithm is feedback to each WLAN on the presence of interference on a chosen channel; such feedback is already commonly provided by WLAN protocols such as 802.11. We establish that convergence of the distributed algorithm is guaranteed provided that the channel selection problem is feasible. Extensive simulation results are presented that demonstrate rapid convergence under a wide range of network conditions and topologies. While the scope of the present paper is confined to infrastructure networks with static topology, the utility of the proposed algorithm in situations where the network topology is time-varying is briefly discussed.
Depression--a review.

Depression is a common problem in the population and is frequently encountered in the underwriting environment. What makes it difficult to evaluate is the wide range of findings associated with the condition and the significant number of comorbid factors that come into play in assessing the mortality risk associated with it. Thus, more than with many other medical conditions, there is a true “art” to evaluating the risk associated with depression. Underwriters really need to understand and synthesise all of the key elements contributing to outcomes and develop a composite picture for each individual to adequately assess the mortality risk.
Visualization, characterization, and turnover of CD8+ memory T cells in virus-infected hosts

The cellular basis of T cell memory is a controversial issue and progress has been hampered by the inability to induce and to trace long- term memory T cells specific for a defined antigen in vivo. By using the murine model of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection and an adoptive transfer system with CD8+ T cells from transgenic mice expressing an LCMV-specific T cell receptor, a population of authentic memory T cells specific for LCMV was generated and analyzed in vivo. The transgenic T cells that have expanded (1,000-fold) and then decreased (10-fold) in LCMV-infected C57BL/6 recipient mice exhibited the following characteristics: they were (a) of larger average cell size than their naive counterparts but smaller than day 8 effector cells; (b) heterogeneous with respect to expression of cell surface "memory" markers; and (c) directly cytolytic when isolated from recipient spleens. The time-dependent proliferative activity of these LCMV-specific memory T cells was analyzed in the recipients by bromodeoxyuridine labeling experiments in vivo. The experiments revealed that LCMV-specific CD8+ memory T cells can persist in LCMV- immune mice for extended periods of time (>2 mo) in the absence of cell division; the memory population as a whole survived beyond 11 mo.
Role of the midbrain dopaminergic system in modulation of vocal brain activation by social context

In a well‐studied model of social behaviour, male zebra finches sing directed song to court females and undirected song, used possibly for practice or advertisement. Although the two song types are similar, the level of neural activity and expression of the immediate early gene egr‐1 are higher during undirected than during directed singing in the lateral part of the basal ganglia song nucleus AreaX (LAreaX) and its efferent pallial song nuclei lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium (LMAN) and the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA). As social interactions are dependent on brain motivation systems, here we test the hypothesis that the midbrain ventral tegmental area–substantia nigra pars compacta (VTA–SNc) complex, which provides a strong dopaminergic input to LAreaX, is a source of this modulation. Using egr‐1 expression, we show that GABAergic interneurons in VTA–SNc are more active during directed courtship singing than during undirected singing. We also found that unilateral removal of VTA–SNc input reduced singing‐dependent gene expression in ipsilateral LAreaX during both social contexts but it did not eliminate social context differences in LAreaX. In contrast, such lesions reduced and eliminated the social context differences in efferent nuclei LMAN and RA, respectively. These results suggest that VTA–SNc is not solely responsible for the social context gene regulation in LAreaX, but that VTA–SNc input to LAreaX enhances the singing‐regulated gene expression in this nucleus and, either through LAreaX or through direct projections to LMAN and RA, VTA–SNc is necessary for context‐dependent gene regulation in these efferent nuclei.
Design methodologies and architecture solutions for high-performance interconnects

In deep sub-micron (DSM) technologies, interconnects play a crucial role in the correct functionality and largely impact the performance of complex system-on-chip (SoC) designs. For technologies of 0.25 /spl mu/m and below, wiring capacitance dominates gate capacitance, thus rapidly increasing the interconnect-induced delay. Moreover, the coupling capacitance becomes a significant portion of the on-chip total wiring capacitance, and coupling between adjacent wires cannot be considered as a second-order effect any longer. As a consequence, the traditional top-down design methodology is ineffective, since the actual wiring delays can be computed only after layout parasitic extraction, when the physical design is completed. Fixing all the timing violations often requires several time-consuming iterations of logical and physical design, and it is essentially a trial-and-error approach. Increasingly tighter time-to-market requirements dictate that interconnect parasitics must be taken into account during all phases of the design flow, at different level of abstractions. However, given the aggressive technology scaling trends and the growing design complexity, this approach is only temporarily ameliorate the interconnect problem. We believe that in order to achieve gigascale designs in the nanometer regime, a novel design paradigm, based on new forms of regularity and newly created IP (intellectual property) blocks must be developed, to provide a direct path from system-level architectural exploration to physical implementation.
The Long-Term Recovery of New Orleans’ Population After Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina created a catastrophe in the City of New Orleans when the storm surge caused the levee system to fail on August 29, 2005. The destruction of housing displaced hundreds of thousands of residents for varying lengths of time, often permanently. It also revealed gaps in our knowledge of how population is recovered after a disaster causes widespread destruction of urban infrastructure and housing. In this article, I identify social, spatial, and temporal explanatory frameworks for housing and population recovery and use them to review research findings on mobility—both evacuation and migration—after Hurricane Katrina. The review reveals a need for a comprehensive social, spatial, and temporal framework for explaining inequality in population displacement and recovery.
Orchestrating Consent : Post-politics and Intensification of NatureTM Inc. at the 2012 World Conservation Congress

This article reports on the results of a collaborative event ethnography (CEE) conducted at the 2012 World Conservation Congress (WCC) on Jeju Island, South Korea. The WCC is organised every four years by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which bills the Congress as the world's most important conservation forum. Hence, analysis of the event illuminates current and future trends in the global conservation movement. This analysis builds on a previous study conducted at the 2008 WCC in Barcelona, Spain, which provides something of a baseline for assessing changes in conservation policy in the intervening period. I contend that one of the most salient trends at the 2012 WCC was a dramatic increase in emphasis on market-based mechanisms and corporate partnerships, elements of a growing global pattern that has been called 'neoliberal conservation' or 'Nature TM Inc.', on the part of IUCN leadership and its major partners, particularly the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). While this agenda remains actively contested by elements of the IUCN's membership, little of this contestation was reflected in the Congress's public spaces. I therefore describe the WCC as an effort to 'orchestrate' the appearance of general consent around a neoliberal agenda-a dynamic that I characterise, following recent theorisation, as 'post-political'-by means of a variety of strategies, including staging consensus, synchronising discourse, expanding alliances, disciplining dissent, appropriating a 'radical' agenda, and 'cynical' reasoning.
Project Capabilities and Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: Towards Effective Interviewing for a Better Social Participation

This practice-based paper presents a series of tips and techniques for interviewing for a better social participation. While we worked on Project Capabilities, we learned valuable lessons we wished to share with practitioners and researchers who work within an inclusive perspective. We argue that qualitative interviewing requires skillful means that are not always an integral part of research preparation, and we share tips and techniques that we developed throughout the process. As we collected the qualitative data through one-on-one interviews, and taught participants to selffilm using iPads, we found that traditional interviewing techniques were too rigid to engage with people living with an intellectual disability. Instead, we used a blend of motivational interviewing and collaborative inquiry techniques, and built rapport with the participants through online social networking. Mobile technologies were also used to build rapport, empowering participants and allowing non-intrusive filming of interviews.
Fighting noise with noise: DE with individuals shaking to tackle noisy problems

The idea of fighting noise with noise is introduced in this paper and it has been utilized to enhance Differential Evolution algorithm to solve noisy problems efficiently. The Monte-Carlo method is employed to investigate applicability of the proposed concept on a simple real-life problem. Based on the current concept, DE with population shaking (DEPS) and with individuals shaking (DEIS) are developed. Furthermore, the parent algorithm, DE, is experimentally compared with DEPS and DEIS on a benchmark test suite with nine well-known noisy functions. Detailed experimental verifications and corresponding analysis are presented for the 2D to 500D problems, for various noise levels and shaking rates.