Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sparse Decomposition and Modeling of Anatomical Shape Variation

Recent advances in statistics have spawned powerful methods for regression and data decomposition that promote sparsity, a property that facilitates interpretation of the results. Sparse models use a small subset of the available variables and may perform as well or better than their full counterparts if constructed carefully. In most medical applications, models are required to have both good statistical performance and a relevant clinical interpretation to be of value. Morphometry of the corpus callosum is one illustrative example. This paper presents a method for relating spatial features to clinical outcome data. A set of parsimonious variables is extracted using sparse principal component analysis, producing simple yet characteristic features. The relation of these variables with clinical data is then established using a regression model. The result may be visualized as patterns of anatomical variation related to clinical outcome. In the present application, landmark-based shape data of the corpus callosum is analyzed in relation to age, gender, and clinical tests of walking speed and verbal fluency. To put the data-driven sparse principal component method into perspective, we consider two alternative techniques, one where features are derived using a model-based wavelet approach, and one where the original variables are regressed directly on the outcome.
QTLs Regulating the Contents of Antioxidants, Phenolics, and Flavonoids in Soybean Seeds Share a Common Genomic Region

Soybean seeds are a rich source of phenolic compounds, especially isoflavonoids, which are important nutraceuticals. Our study using 14 wild- and 16 cultivated-soybean accessions shows that seeds from cultivated soybeans generally contain lower total antioxidants compared to their wild counterparts, likely an unintended consequence of domestication or human selection. Using a recombinant inbred population resulting from a wild and a cultivated soybean parent and a bin map approach, we have identified an overlapping genomic region containing major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that regulate the seed contents of total antioxidants, phenolics, and flavonoids. The QTL for seed antioxidant content contains 14 annotated genes based on the Williams 82 reference genome (Gmax1.01). None of these genes encodes functions that are related to the phenylpropanoid pathway of soybean. However, we found three putative Multidrug And Toxic Compound Extrusion (MATE) transporter genes within this QTL and one adjacent to it (GmMATE1-4). Moreover, we have identified non-synonymous changes between GmMATE1 and GmMATE2, and that GmMATE3 encodes an antisense transcript that expresses in pods. Whether the polymorphisms in GmMATE proteins are major determinants of the antioxidant contents, or whether the antisense transcripts of GmMATE3 play important regulatory roles, awaits further functional investigations.
Employee Attitudes within the Federal Aviation Administration

Prompted by Congressional direction, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instituted a means of assessing employee attitudes following the 1981 air traffic controller's strike. As a result, the FAA first administered the Employee Attitude Survey (EAS) to its employees in 1984. The survey has been administered 9 times since its inception, most recently, in 2003. Approximately 48,900 surveys were mailed to all FAA employees. The 2003 EAS contained 129 items organized into three major sections: indicators of satisfaction, management and work environment, and respondent demographics. In addition, the survey invited respondents to provide comments. 22,720 valid surveys were returned (46%). 79% of respondents indicated that they were somewhat or very satisfied with their jobs. Most FAA employees (81%) were committed to the FAA, largely satisfied with their compensation (65%), and satisfied with their immediate supervisors (61%). However, only 38% of respondents were satisfied with the recognition they received for doing a good job.
POSTER - Firestorm: Operating systems for power-constrained architectures

Moore's law paved the way for doubling the transistors in the same chip area with every generation. However, with the end of Dennard's scaling, voltage and hence the power draw of transistors is no longer dropping proportionally to size. As a result, modern processors cannot use all parts of the processor simultaneously without exceeding the power limit. This manifests as an increasing proportion of dark silicon [4]. In other words, the compute capacity of current and future processors is and will be over-provisioned with respect to the available power. Power limits are influenced by different factors such as the capacity of power distribution infrastructure, battery supply limits, and the thermal capacity of the system. Power limits in datacenters can arise from underprovisioning power distribution units relative to peak power draw. Energy limits are also dictated by the limited capacity of batteries. However, in many systems, the primary limit comes not from the ability to acquire power, but instead from the ability to dissipate power as heat once it has been used. Thermal limits are dictated by the physical properties of the processor materials and also comfort of the user.Thus, power is limited to prevent processor chips from overheating, which can lead to thermal breakdown. As a result, the maximum performance of a system is limited by its cooling capacity, which determines its ability to dissipate heat. Cooling capacity varies across the computing landscape, from servers with external chilled air to desktops with large fans to laptops to fan-less mobile devices.
MICROTUBULES IN THE NERVE FIBERS OF THE TOAD BUFO ARENARUM HENSEL

Recen t studies on cytoplasmic microtubules have provided evidence for regarding t hem as gel components susceptible to solational weakenings. Micro tubule s tructure in various cell types has been shown to be sensitive to temperature , pH, pressure, and other envi ronmenta l conditions (Masser and Philpott , 1966; Ti lney et al., 1966; Ti lney and Porter, 1967). In the present work, the sciatic nerve of the toad was studied to determine whe ther low tempera tures may also affect the integrity of neurona l microtubules. These microtubules were found to be sensitive to t empera tu re and not to be dependen t on the per ikaryon for re-formation. M A T E R I A L A N D M E T H O D S
- Adrenoceptor blockade modifies neurally induced atrial arrhythmias

Louis-Philippe Richer, Alain Vinet, Teresa Kus, René Cardinal, Jeffrey L. Ardell, and John Andrew Armour Centre de Recherche, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montréal, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada; and Department of Pharmacology, East Tennessee State University, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, Tennessee
Temporal Patterns of Nucleotide Misincorporations and DNA Fragmentation in Ancient DNA

DNA that survives in museum specimens, bones and other tissues recovered by archaeologists is invariably fragmented and chemically modified. The extent to which such modifications accumulate over time is largely unknown but could potentially be used to differentiate between endogenous old DNA and present-day DNA contaminating specimens and experiments. Here we examine mitochondrial DNA sequences from tissue remains that vary in age between 18 and 60,000 years with respect to three molecular features: fragment length, base composition at strand breaks, and apparent C to T substitutions. We find that fragment length does not decrease consistently over time and that strand breaks occur preferentially before purine residues by what may be at least two different molecular mechanisms that are not yet understood. In contrast, the frequency of apparent C to T substitutions towards the 5′-ends of molecules tends to increase over time. These nucleotide misincorporations are thus a useful tool to distinguish recent from ancient DNA sources in specimens that have not been subjected to unusual or harsh treatments.
Towards automated monitoring of adult zebrafish

Over the last two decades, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as an efficient model to aid in the research of a broad range of human diseases as well as such diverse applications as environmental modelling and drug discovery. Economically, the large number, low price and low maintenance requirements of this fish species encouraged its use for research. In addition to this, the study of zebrafish is being used to improve the understanding of fish physiology, with implications for fish welfare. In order to thoroughly model the behaviour, development and growth of these fish, it is important to be able to scrutinise the characteristics of individual fish as they respond to a range of stimuli, and to this end off-line fish recognition and on-line tracking using video data is employed. Tracking and identifying such small and fast-moving objects is a challenge, and this paper seeks to address this using a behavioural analysis approach. Utilising single high resolution camera and two low-cost synchronised video cameras, the proposed systems captures front (face) and side (profile) pictures of each isolated fish as they swim past a given marker. The acquired images are then subject to three separate processing routes in order to satisfy three complementary but distinct objectives. Initially, fish face and profile features are extracted to aid the identification of individual fish. Then, for each fish identified, behavioural features such as the frequency and intensity of the operculum beat rate or breathing cycle are quantified in order to assess aspects of the fish welfare. Additionally, the volume of each fish is estimated based on its profile dimensions, enabling the weight of the fish to be monitored throughout its lifetime. This paper presents preliminary experimental considerations and findings of this on-going research project. Results to date have been both encouraging and promising, validating the approach and the experimental configuration adopted.
Factors in novice programmers' poor tracing skills

Novice programmers' program tracing skills have been found to be poor but the difficulties leading to inefficient tracing are not well known. To study this issue, we conducted exploratory interviews that included program comprehension tasks with novice students and analyzed comprehension protocols to identify specific difficulties affecting novices' ability to trace programs. Based on the qualitative analysis, we describe four specific difficulties students had with program tracing-single value tracing, confusing function and structure, inability to use external representations, and inability to raise abstraction level-and discuss ways to help students to overcome these difficulties.
International Criminal Justice and the Politics of Compliance

International Criminal Justice integrates theoretical debates on compliance into international justice scholarship. Through the use of three models of compliance, based on coercion, self-interest and norms, International Criminal Justice explores the domestic and international politics of compliance with ICTY orders on the part of states and international organizations in the former Yugoslavia and efforts by external actors such as the European Union, the United States and the Tribunal itself to induce compliance outcomes. Through a comprehensive exploration of the politics of compliance in Croatia, Serbia (formerly the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, International Criminal Justice demonstrates that that compliance with ICTY orders can only be understood through both material and ideational incentives. Moreover, International Criminal Justice imparts that compliance outcomes often do not translate into a changed normative understanding of international criminal justice on the part of target states.
Integration of optimal reconfiguration tools in advanced distribution management system

The paper presents results of a smart grid project, currently on-going, in collaboration with an Italian electricity distribution company (DisCo). The project is aimed at defining new optimization tools to be integrated in the SCADA/DMS that is already implemented within the DisCo control center. In this paper, a DMS architecture that includes Optimal Network Reconfiguration (ONR) functions is presented. ONR, being based on data received through a metering infrastructure and a topology processor, can be performed not only for planning, but also in extended real-time during system operation. Test results are presented for two different operative problems and are carried out on a realistic sized model of a distribution network.
The life course of severe obesity: does childhood overweight matter?

OBJECTIVES A life course perspective is used to examine the epidemiology of severe obesity in adulthood, defined as a body mass index > or = 35 kg/m(2). METHODS Data from adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I: Epidemiologic Followup Study, including their reports of childhood overweight, were used to examine the risk of severe obesity and mortality over 20 years (N = 6,767). All multivariate models control for age, sex, race, smoking, and socioeconomic resources. RESULTS Childhood overweight was significantly associated with severe obesity for both women and men, although the effect was stronger for men. The prevalence of severe obesity was highest between 45 and 64 years of age than for persons under 45 or over 65, and higher for African Americans than White Americans. Childhood overweight was associated with lower mortality risk for women, but not for men. Mortality risk was higher for persons with severe obesity (relative risk = 1.571, 95% confidence interval = 1.335-1.849, p <.001). DISCUSSION The findings demonstrate the importance of childhood overweight as a risk factor for severe obesity over the life course. Nevertheless, overweight children who did not become severely obese were not at greater risk of mortality.
Androgen Receptor Mutations Associated with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome: A High Content Analysis Approach Leading to Personalized Medicine

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a rare disease associated with inactivating mutations of AR that disrupt male sexual differentiation, and cause a spectrum of phenotypic abnormalities having as a common denominator loss of reproductive viability. No established treatment exists for these conditions, however there are sporadic reports of patients (or recapitulated mutations in cell lines) that respond to administration of supraphysiologic doses (or pulses) of testosterone or synthetic ligands. Here, we utilize a novel high content analysis (HCA) approach to study AR function at the single cell level in genital skin fibroblasts (GSF). We discuss in detail findings in GSF from three historical patients with AIS, which include identification of novel mechanisms of AR malfunction, and the potential ability to utilize HCA for personalized treatment of patients affected by this condition.
A VR-based self-rehabilitation system

This paper proposed a VR-based self-rehabilitation system which utilizes the virtual training model rendered by OpenGL and collects electromyography (EMG) signals from the subjects to perform hand motion recognition. EMG signals are biomedical signals generated in muscles and can be applied in many fields such as clinical diagnosis and biomedical applications. The subjects were asked to manipulate a haptic device (Phantom Premium) to operate a virtual hand to catch a ball in the virtual environment which displayed on the computer's screen. A dry electrode was attached on the subject's skin to collect sEMG signals and recognize the action of grasping. Once caught by subjects, the virtual ball will appear in another location at random on the computer's screen. Therefore, the subject needs to manipulate the Phantom to the new destination and catch the ball once again. Combining sEMG with VR Technology, the proposed self-rehabilitation system could provide enhanced visual feedback about movement trajectory, which is beneficial to improve motor function task learning and execution compared with traditional therapy. By this method, stroke patients can realize self-rehabilitation exercise of upper limb at home. The effectiveness of the proposed rehabilitation system has been verified by experiments.
FBG-based smart textiles for continuous monitoring of respiratory movements for healthcare applications

The potential impact of optical fiber sensors embedded into medical textiles for the continuous monitoring of the patients is presented. We report on a novel non-intrusive optical sensing technology designed to measure the elongation due to abdominal and thoracic motions during breathing. The developed sensor can successfully sense textile elongation between 0.1% and 5%, while maintaining the stretching properties of the textile substrates for a good comfort of the patient. The solution prototyped shows a high stability and good reproducibility allowing consideration of a mobile or static application with an easier integration in all kinds of garment by stitching the sensor to the garment. The sensor is coupled to a compact, real time and accurate monitoring system which could be interfaced to a conventional monitor for medical application or to a wireless system for all mobile and ambulatory applications.
Scarcity and growth revisited: Natural resources and the environment in the new millennium

In this volume, a group of distinguished international scholars provides a fresh investigation of the most fundamental issues involved in our dependence on natural resources. In Scarcity and Growth (RFF, 1963) and Scarcity and Growth Reconsidered (RFF, 1979), researchers considered the long-term implications of resource scarcity for economic growth and human well-being. Scarcity and Growth Revisited examines these implications with 25 years of new learning and experience. it finds that concerns about resource scarcity have changed in essential ways. In contrast with the earlier preoccupation with the adequacy of fuel, mineral, and agricultural resources and the efficiency by which they are allocated, the greatest concern today is about the Earth? s limited capacity to handle the environmental consequences of resource extraction and use. Opinion among scholars is divided on the ability of technological innovation to ameliorate this ‘new scarcity. ’ However, even the book? s more optimistic authors agree that the problems will not be successfully overcome without significant advances in the legal, financial, and other social institutions that protect the environment and support technical innovation. Scarcity and Growth Revisited incorporates expert perspectives from the physical and life sciences, as well as economics. it includes issues confronting the developing world as well as industrialized societies. The book begins with a review of the debate about scarcity and economic growth and a review of current assessments of natural resource availability and consumption. The twelve chapters that follow provide an accessible, lively, and authoritative update to an enduring-but changing-debate. © 2005 by Resources for the Future.
Affine Algebras, Langlands Duality and Bethe Ansatz

We review various aspects of representation theory of affine algebras at the critical level, geometric Langlands correspondence, and Bethe ansatz in the Gaudin models. Geometric Langlands correspondence relates D-modules on the moduli space of G-bundles on a complex curve X and flat G^L-bundles on X. Beilinson and Drinfeld construct it by applying a localization functor to representations of affine algebras of critical level. We show that in genus zero the corresponding D-modules are closely related to the diagonalization problem in the Gaudin model associated to G. This allows us to give a new interpretation of the Bethe ansatz and Sklyanin's separation of variables in the Gaudin model in terms of Langlands correspondence.
The regulation of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis by phosphate in pea involves early and systemic signalling events

Most plants form root symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, which provide them with phosphate and other nutrients. High soil phosphate levels are known to affect AM symbiosis negatively, but the underlying mechanisms are not understood. This report describes experimental conditions which triggered a novel mycorrhizal phenotype under high phosphate supply: the interaction between pea and two different AM fungi was almost completely abolished at a very early stage, prior to the formation of hyphopodia. As demonstrated by split-root experiments, down-regulation of AM symbiosis occurred at least partly in response to plant-derived signals. Early signalling events were examined with a focus on strigolactones, compounds which stimulate pre-symbiotic fungal growth and metabolism. Strigolactones were also recently identified as novel plant hormones contributing to the control of shoot branching. Root exudates of plants grown under high phosphate lost their ability to stimulate AM fungi and lacked strigolactones. In addition, a systemic down-regulation of strigolactone release by high phosphate supply was demonstrated using split-root systems. Nevertheless, supplementation with exogenous strigolactones failed to restore root colonization under high phosphate. This observation does not exclude a contribution of strigolactones to the regulation of AM symbiosis by phosphate, but indicates that they are not the only factor involved. Together, the results suggest the existence of additional early signals that may control the differentiation of hyphopodia.
Language Games in Teaching and Learning English Grammar: A Literature Review

Traditional teaching and learning process referring to chalk-and-talk has become outdated in lessons. Teachers and learners are exposed to various task-based process to encourage a better participation among learners throughout the lesson. One of the most common and preferred teaching strategies is the use of language games to aid the teaching of various skills. The growth of digital learning tools and web applications being used in lessons taking the use of language games to a modern and advanced platform for learners to engage in lessons. The use of interesting and suitable materials along with the various approaches when conducting language games during lessons helps to cater to learners' needs and interests on the subject-matter especially in learning grammar in context. Many researches have used various language games to show its effects on learners ' knowledge, competency and motivation in learning a language, focusing on different targeted language areas and skills such as grammar. Therefore, this paper, based on reviews of past literature, will explore the use of language games in teaching and learning grammar, with reference to second language (ESL) learners. The findings indicate the beneficial usage of language games to teaching and learning of grammar in for ESL learners. This study is useful to prove the importance of language games as a teaching strategy to help enhance learners ' English grammar acquisition.