Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International Journal of Health Geographics Open Access Methodology Smart Density: a More Accurate Method of Measuring Rural Residential Density for Health-related Research

Background: Studies involving the built environment have typically relied on US Census data to measure residential density. However, census geographic units are often unsuited to health-related research, especially in rural areas where development is clustered and discontinuous. Objective: We evaluated the accuracy of both standard census methods and alternative GIS-based methods to measure rural density. Methods: We compared residential density (units/acre) in 335 Vermont school neighborhoods using conventional census geographic units (tract, block group and block) with two GIS buffer measures: a 1-kilometer (km) circle around the school and a 1-km circle intersected with a 100-meter (m) road-network buffer. The accuracy of each method was validated against the actual residential density for each neighborhood based on the Vermont e911 database, which provides an exact geo-location for all residential structures in the state. Results: Standard census measures underestimate residential density in rural areas. In addition, the degree of error is inconsistent so even the relative rank of neighborhood densities varies across census measures. Census measures explain only 61% to 66% of the variation in actual residential density. In contrast, GIS buffer measures explain approximately 90% of the variation. Combining a 1-km circle with a road-network buffer provides the closest approximation of actual residential density. Conclusion: Residential density based on census units can mask clusters of development in rural areas and distort associations between residential density and health-related behaviors and outcomes. GIS-defined buffers, including a 1-km circle and a road-network buffer, can be used in conjunction with census data to obtain a more accurate measure of residential density. Background The built environment has traditionally been the focus of disciplines such as geography, transportation, and city planning. Recently, the potential impact of the built environment on public health has also gained recognition. Of particular interest is whether aspects of the built environment contribute to dietary intake, physical activity, and other behaviors related to obesity, which has increased dramatically in the US in recent decades [1-3]. For example,
Image adaptive selective encryption of vector quantization index compression

The foremost issues with most of the existing selective encryption (SE) schemes of images are vulnerability to cryptographic and application specific attacks, reduction in the compression performance, insubstantial computational savings relative to full encryption, and lack of bit stream compliance. This paper is the first one that proposes effective schemes for joint vector quantization (VQ) based image compression and SE. We introduce an image adaptive VQ index compression algorithm suitable for SE, effectively combining remapping of indices, entropy, predictive, differential, and search order coding. We then present SE through codebook pseudorandom shuffling and block ciphering of the VQ index image bit-planes, index usage map, prediction information tables and full indices. Experimentally, the results demonstrate the improved performance and effectiveness of the proposed schemes.
Asynchronous-Transition HMM for Acoustic Modeling

We propose a new class of hidden Markov model (HMM) which we call Asynchronous-Transition HMM (AT-HMM) to model asynchronous temporal structure of acoustic feature sequences. Conventional HMM models a sequence of feature vectors, while temporally changing patterns of acoustic features do not necessarily synchronize with each other. In this paper, AT-HMMs with and without sequential constraints are discussed. Algorithms for generating context-dependent AT-HMM and for deriving sequentially constrained AT-HMM are provided. A new concept of “state tying across time” is also introduced. Speaker-dependent speech recognition experiments demonstrated error reduction rates of more than 30% and 40% in phoneme and isolated word recognition, respectively, compared with conventional HMMs.
Water Vapor on Betelgeuse as Revealed by TEXES High-Resolution 12 μm Spectra

The outer atmosphere of the M supergiant Betelgeuse is puzzling. Published observations of different kinds have shed light on different aspects of the atmosphere, but no unified picture has emerged. They have shown, for example, evidence of a water envelope (MOLsphere) that in some studies is found to be optically thick in the mid-infrared. In this paper, we present high-resolution, mid-infrared spectra of Betelgeuse recorded with the TEXES spectrograph. The spectra clearly show absorption features of water vapor and OH. We show that a spectrum based on a spherical, hydrostatic model photosphere with Teff = 3600 K, an effective temperature often assumed for Betelgeuse, fails to model the observed lines. Furthermore, we show that published MOLsphere scenarios are unable to explain our data. However, we are able to model the observed spectrum reasonably well by adopting a cooler outer photospheric structure corresponding to Tmod = 3250 K. The success of this model may indicate that the observed mid-infrared lines are formed in cool photospheric surface regions. Given the uncertainties of the temperature structure and the likely presence of inhomogeneities, we cannot rule out the possibility that our spectrum could be mostly photospheric, albeit nonclassical. Our data put new, strong constraints on atmospheric models of Betelgeuse, and we conclude that continued investigation requires consideration of nonclassical model photospheres, as well as possible effects of a MOLsphere. We show that the mid-infrared water vapor features have great diagnostic value for the environments of K and M (super)giant star atmospheres.
Bordetella pertussis Isolates from Argentinean Whooping Cough Patients Display Enhanced Biofilm Formation Capacity Compared to Tohama I Reference Strain

Pertussis is a highly contagious disease mainly caused by Bordetella pertussis. Despite the massive use of vaccines, since the 1950s the disease has become re-emergent in 2000 with a shift in incidence from infants to adolescents and adults. Clearly, the efficacy of current cellular or acellular vaccines, formulated from bacteria grown in stirred bioreactors is limited, presenting a challenge for future vaccine development. For gaining insights into the role of B. pertussis biofilm development for host colonization and persistence within the host, we examined the biofilm forming capacity of eight argentinean clinical isolates recovered from 2001 to 2007. All clinical isolates showed an enhanced potential for biofilm formation compared to the reference strain Tohama I. We further selected the clinical isolate B. pertussis 2723, exhibiting the highest biofilm biomass production, for quantitative proteomic profiling by means of two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) coupled with mass spectrometry, which was accompanied by targeted transcriptional analysis. Results revealed an elevated expression of several virulence factors, including adhesins involved in biofilm development. In addition, we observed a higher expression of energy metabolism enzymes in the clinical isolate compared to the Tohama I strain. Furthermore, all clinical isolates carried a polymorphism in the bvgS gene. This mutation was associated to an increased sensitivity to modulation and a faster rate of adhesion to abiotic surfaces. Thus, the phenotypic biofilm characteristics shown by the clinical isolates might represent an important, hitherto underestimated, adaptive strategy for host colonization and long time persistence within the host.
A Review on the Toxicity and Non-Target Effects of Macrocyclic Lactones in Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments

The avermectins, milbemycins and spinosyns are collectively referred to as macrocyclic lactones (MLs) which comprise several classes of chemicals derived from cultures of soil micro-organisms. These compounds are extensively and increasingly used in veterinary medicine and agriculture. Due to their potential effects on non-target organisms, large amounts of information on their impact in the environment has been compiled in recent years, mainly caused by legal requirements related to their marketing authorization or registration. The main objective of this paper is to critically review the present knowledge about the acute and chronic ecotoxicological effects of MLs on organisms, mainly invertebrates, in the terrestrial and aquatic environment. Detailed information is presented on the mode-of-action as well as the ecotoxicity of the most important compounds representing the three groups of MLs. This information, based on more than 360 references, is mainly provided in nine tables, presenting the effects of abamectin, ivermectin, eprinomectin, doramectin, emamectin, moxidectin, and spinosad on individual species of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates as well as plants and algae. Since dung dwelling organisms are particularly important non-targets, as they are exposed via dung from treated animals over their whole life-cycle, the information on the effects of MLs on dung communities is compiled in an additional table. The results of this review clearly demonstrate that regarding environmental impacts many macrocyclic lactones are substances of high concern particularly with larval instars of invertebrates. Recent studies have also shown that susceptibility varies with life cycle stage and impacts can be mitigated by using MLs when these stages are not present. However information on the environmental impact of the MLs is scattered across a wide range of specialised scientific journals with research focusing mainly on ivermectin and to a lesser extent on abamectin doramectin and moxidectin. By comparison, information on compounds such as eprinomectin, emamectin and selamectin is still relatively scarce.
Physics of the soil medium organization part 1: thermodynamic formulation of the pedostructure water retention and shrinkage curves

The equations used in soil physics to characterize the hydro-physical properties of the soil medium cannot be other than empirical since they do not take into account the multi-scale functional organization of the soil medium that is described in Pedology. To allow researching the correct formulation of the physical equations describing the soil medium organization and properties, a new paradigm of hydrostructural pedology is being developed. This paradigm is to establish the conceptual link between the classical Pedology and the soil-water physics (hydrostructural characterization and modeling of the soil medium). The paradigm requires the exclusive use of the concept of Structural Representative Elementary Volume (SREV) instead of the classical Representative Elementary Volume (REV) in any physical modeling of the hydrostructural behavior of the soil medium and of the links with the biotic or abiotic processes evolving within it. This article presents the development of the physical equations of the shrinkage curve and the soil water retention curve from the thermodynamic point of view according to the new paradigm. The new equations were tested and the theory validated using data of simultaneous measurement of both curves on a cylindrical soil sample (pedostructure). Implications of these results on the physical modeling in agro-environmental sciences are discussed.
Enforcing Network Connectivity in Robot Team Missions

The growing interest in robot teams for surveillance or rescue missions entails new technological challenges. Robots have to move to complete their tasks while maintaining communication among themselves and with their human operators, in many cases without the aid of a communication infrastructure. Guaranteeing connectivity enables robots to explicitly exchange information needed in collaborative task execution, and allows operators to monitor or manually control any robot at all times. Network paths should be multi-hop, so as not to unnecessarily restrict the team’s range. In this work we contribute a complete system which integrates three research aspects, usually studied separately, to achieve these characteristics: a multi-robot cooperative motion control technique based on a virtual spring—damper model which prevents communication network splits, a task allocation algorithm that takes advantage of network link information in order to ensure autonomous mission completion, and a network layer which works over wireless 802.11 devices, capable of sustaining hard real-time traffic and changing topologies. Link quality among peers is the key metric used to cooperatively move the robots and maintain uninterrupted connectivity, and the basis for novel ideas presented in each subsystem. Simulations and experimental results with real robots are presented and discussed.
A potential role for the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus in mediating individual variation in Pavlovian conditioned responses

There is ample evidence to suggest that the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) mediates cue-reward learning, especially as it relates to drug-seeking behavior. However, its exact role in these complex processes remains unknown. Here we will present and discuss data from our own laboratory which suggests that the PVT plays a role in multiple forms of stimulus-reward learning, and does so via distinct neurobiological systems. Using an animal model that captures individual variation in response to reward-associated cues, we are able to parse the incentive from the predictive properties of reward cues and to elucidate the neural circuitry underlying these different forms of cue-reward learning. When rats are exposed to a classical Pavlovian conditioning paradigm, wherein a cue predicts food reward, some rats, termed sign-trackers, approach and manipulate the cue upon its presentation. This behavior is indicative of attributing incentive salience to the cue. That is, the cue gains excessive control over behavior for sign-trackers. In contrast, other rats, termed goal-trackers, treat the cue as a mere predictor, and upon its presentation go to the location of reward delivery. Based on our own data utilizing this model, we hypothesize that the PVT represents a common node, but differentially regulates the sign- vs. goal-tracking response. We postulate that the PVT regulates sign-tracking behavior, or the attribution of incentive salience, via subcortical, dopamine-dependent mechanisms. In contrast, we propose that goal-tracking behavior, or the attribution of predictive value, is the product of “top-down” glutamatergic processing between the prelimbic cortex (PrL) and the PVT. Together, data from our laboratory and others support a role for the PVT in cue-motivated behaviors and suggest that it may be an important locus within the neural circuitry that goes awry in addiction and related disorders.
Ieee Computer Graphics and Applications Applications Strad Wheel: Web-based Library for Visualizing Temporal Data Strad Wheel Library Visual Design

R ecent advances in web development, including the introduction of HTML5, have opened a door for visualization researchers and developers to quickly access larger audiences worldwide. Open source libraries for the creation of interactive visualizations are becoming more specialized but also modular, which makes them easy to incorporate in domain-speci c applications. In this context, general-purpose libraries such as D3 1 provide a variety of prebuilt graphical layouts for the representation of different data types (such as charts, maps, histograms, and graphs). However, different application domains pose speci c requirements that necessitate the development of more specialized libraries. One of these requirements is the exploration of temporal data within multiple temporal granularities (years, months, days, hours, and so forth). Examples such as the D3 Timeline chart (goo.gl/XhUyma) and Cross lter.js (goo.gl/ UIBTs) are efforts toward this specialization for the management and visualization of temporal data. The D3 Timeline chart uses the D3's default functionality of axes and timescales to facilitate the default labeling of the time axis. Then, the lower granularities are displayed by adding zoom functionalities, but the comparison among values in these granularities is still dif cult. Cross lter. js presents a coordinated-views system where the date and time of the day are displayed in separate bar charts. It supports an interactive exploration of the temporal data via brushing and linking. Although these examples have made valuable contributions to the web-based temporal data analysis body of work, there is still important work to be done in order to generate more intuitive visu-alizations using multiple granularities in different application domains. Based on previous work on the design of a visual exploration tool for the analysis of location-based events in social networks, 2 we developed STRAD (Spatio-Temporal-Radar) Wheel, a web-based library that focuses on the visualization and interactive query of temporal data in a compact view with multiple temporal granularities. STRAD Wheel is based on D3.js and the radar.js (goo .gl/zSD441) and circularbrush.js (goo.gl/aYSf3T) libraries, which were adapted to support our design decisions. Here, we provide two application examples in urban planning to help illustrate the proposed visualization's use in practice. The STRAD Wheel's visual design consists of four concentric rings that display the distribution of events within one year based on different tempo-g2app.indd 99 2/14/17 3:47 PM
Apoptosis of Breast Cancer Cells Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand to Induce − Factor Synthetic Triterpenoids Cooperate with Tumor Necrosis

Tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL or Apo2L) has been shown to induce apoptosis specifically in cancer cells while sparing normal tissues. Unfortunately not all cancer cells respond to TRAIL; therefore, TRAIL sensitizing agents are currently being explored. We have identified synthetic triterpenoids, including 2-cyano3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO) and its derivative 1-(2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oyl) imidazole (CDDO-Im), which sensitize TRAIL-resistant cancer cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Here we show that TRAIL-treated T47D and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells fail to initiate detectable caspase-8 processing and, consequently, do not initiate TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Concomitant treatment with CDDO or CDDO-Im reverses the TRAIL-resistant phenotype, promoting robust caspase-8 processing and induction of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in vitro . The combination of triterpenoids and monoclonal anti-TRAIL receptor-1 (DR4) antibody also induces apoptosis of breast cancer cells in vitro. From a mechanistic standpoint, we show that CDDO and CDDO-Im down-regulate the antiapoptotic protein c-FLIPL, and up-regulate cell surface TRAIL receptors DR4 and DR5. CDDO and CDDO-Im, when used in combination with TRAIL, have no adverse affect on cultured normal human mammary epithelial cells. Moreover, CDDO-Im and TRAIL are well tolerated in mice and the combination of CDDO-Im and TRAIL reduces tumor burden in vivo in an MDA-MB-468 tumor xenograft model. These data suggest that CDDO and CDDO-Im may be useful for selectively reversing the TRAILresistant phenotype in cancer but not normal cells. (Cancer Res 2005; 65(11): 4799-808)
Aspects of strength training in athletics

^i The first two parts of this arlicle illustrate the strength r-equiremenis for high level athletics and explain the various aspecis of sii-cngih and their respective influence on an alhlete's performance. The last pan deals with the use and effectiveness of a selection of slrenglh ii-aining methods, m m In order to cover at least the mosl imporlani parts of such a complex subject, it seems useful to choose a 'three step approach' of iraining science; The first step consists of an 'analysis' of those specific requirements which confront high level sprinters, jumpers. ihrowers and combined event athleles. The second step refers to the 'diagnosis' of strength. The third step concentrates on 'therapy', i.e, slrength iraining 'methods'.
A System of Systems Service Design for Social Media Analytics

Most social media analyses such as sentiment analysis for microblogs are often built as standalone, endpoint to endpoint applications. This makes the collaboration among distributed software and data service providers to create composite social analytic solutions difficult. This paper first proposes a system of systems service architecture (SoS-SA) design for social media analytics that support and facilitate efficient collaboration among distributed service providers. Then we propose a novel Twitters sentiment analysis service implemented on top of this design to illustrate its potentials. Current sentiment classification applications based on supervised learning methods relies too heavily on the chosen large training datasets, approaches using automatically generated training datasets also often result in the huge imbalance between the subjective classes and the objective classes in the sentiment of tweets, making it difficult to obtain good recall performance for the subjective ones. To address this issue, our proposed solution is based on a semi-supervised learning method for tweet sentiment classification. Experiments show that the performance of our method is better than those of the previous work.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of a New Series of Biphenyl/Bibenzyl Derivatives Functioning as Dual Inhibitors of Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia in adults, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the brain characterized by loss of memory and steady deterioration of cognition. Here, a series of symmetrical molecules containing biphenyl/bibenzyl scaffolds (12–36) were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their ability to inhibit both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). A biological evaluation showed that most of these biphenyl derivatives were potent AChE and BuChE inhibitors. Among them, compound 15 displayed the greatest ability to inhibit BuChE (IC50 = 0.74 µM) and was also a good AChE inhibitor (IC50 = 1.18 µM). Compound 19 was not only a potent AChE inhibitor (IC50 = 0.096 µM), but also a mild BuChE inhibitor (IC50 =1.25 µM). Overall, these results suggested that compound 19 may be a promising agent in the treatment of AD.