Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘Catalytic’ doses of fructose may benefit glycaemic control without harming cardiometabolic risk factors: a small meta-analysis of randomised controlled feeding trials

Contrary to concerns that fructose may have adverse metabolic effects, there is evidence that small, ‘catalytic’ doses ( ≤ 10 g/meal) of fructose decrease the glycaemic response to high-glycaemic index meals in human subjects. To assess the longer-term effects of ‘catalytic’ doses of fructose, we undertook a meta-analysis of controlled feeding trials. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library. Analyses included all controlled feeding trials ≥ 7 d featuring ‘catalytic’ fructose doses ( ≤ 36 g/d) in isoenergetic exchange for other carbohydrates. Data were pooled by the generic inverse variance method using random-effects models and expressed as mean differences (MD) with 95 % CI. Heterogeneity was assessed by the Q statistic and quantified by I2. The Heyland Methodological Quality Score assessed study quality. A total of six feeding trials (n 118) met the eligibility criteria. ‘Catalytic’ doses of fructose significantly reduced HbA1c (MD − 0·40, 95 % CI − 0·72, − 0·08) and fasting glucose (MD − 0·25, 95 % CI − 0·44, − 0·07). This benefit was seen in the absence of adverse effects on fasting insulin, body weight, TAG or uric acid. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses showed evidence of effect modification under certain conditions. The small number of trials and their relatively short duration limit the strength of the conclusions. In conclusion, this small meta-analysis shows that ‘catalytic’ fructose doses ( ≤ 36 g/d) may improve glycaemic control without adverse effects on body weight, TAG, insulin and uric acid. There is a need for larger, longer ( ≥ 6 months) trials using ‘catalytic’ fructose to confirm these results.
INSTRUCTOR STRATEGIES FOR RESPONDING TO DISCLOSURES OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ON CAMPUS

While increasing attention has been paid to the issue of sexual violence (SV) on university and college campuses, there is a paucity of research about how post-secondary instructors should respond to student disclosures of SV and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV). The limited amount of evidence suggests instructors who receive disclosures are often confused about their role in supporting students. We address this gap by providing a reflexive examination of autobiographical data, and mobilize this analysis to recommend a set of strategies for post-secondary instructors to use when responding to disclosures of SV and GBV in higher education.
Coronary anatomy predicts presence or absence of renal artery stenosis. A prospective study in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for suspected coronary artery disease.

AIMS This study aimed to determine the prevalence of renal artery stenosis (RAS) and associated risk factors in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS One hundred and seventy-seven consecutive patients (62 females) with a serum creatinine concentration <2.0mg. dl(-1) were studied. Abdominal aortography followed cardiac catheterization to screen for RAS. RESULTS In 110 patients (62%) CAD and in 19 patients (11%) significant RAS (luminal narrowing of >or=50%) were detected, 12 of whom had high grade (>or=70%) RAS, and two subjects had significant RAS without CAD. Patients with RAS were older (67+/-8 vs 61+/-11 years, mean+/-SD;P =0.004), had higher systolic blood pressure (150+/-15 vs 138+/-20 mmHg;P =0.005), a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR; 61+/-16 vs 80+/-22 ml.min(-1), P<0.001) and more often diabetes mellitus (69% vs 30%; P=0.004). In multivariate analysis a low GFR and the extent of CAD were independent predictors of RAS. The presence of >2 significant coronary lesions predicted RAS (sensitivity 0.84, specificity 0.77, positive predictive value 0.30, negative predictive value 0.98). CONCLUSION Screening for RAS in patients with >2 diseased coronary segments has a high diagnostic yield, which is even greater in the presence of a reduced GFR, diabetes mellitus, and elevated systolic blood pressure.
SMALL MENU COSTS AND LARGE BUSINESS CYCLES : A MACROECONOMIC MODEL OF MONOPOLYX

The conflict between modern neoclassical and traditional Keynesian theories of the business cycle centers upon the pricing mechanism. ' In neoclassical models, prices are fully flexible. They represent the continuous optimization of economic agents and the continuous intersection of supply and demand. In Keynesian models, prices are often assumed to be sticky. They do not necessarily equilibrate all markets at all times. One of the reasons for the resurgence of the equilibrium approach to macroeconomics has been the absence of a theoretical underpinning for this Keynesian price stickiness. This note shows that sticky prices can be both privately efficient and socially inefficient. The business cycle results from the suboptimal adjustment of prices in response to a demand shock. To the extent that policy can stabilize aggregate demand, it can mitigate the social loss due to this suboptimal adjustment. In some Keynesian models, prices are simply exogenously fixed.2 In others, agents must set their prices in advance of the transaction date.3 The act of altering a posted price is certainly costly. These costs include such items as printing new catalogs and informing salesmen of the new price. Yet these "menu" costs are small and, therefore, generally perceived as providing only a weak foundation for these fixed-price models. However, this inference is flawed. Small menu costs can cause large welfare losses. The claim that price adjustment costs are small does not rebut the claim that they are central to understanding economic fluctuations.
Image enlargement using symmetric B-spline basis on closed periodic zone

Aiming at the weakness of ignoring symmetry property and using complicated iterative algorithms to solve for interpolation coefficients in the existing time domain B-spline interpolation methods, this paper presents a novel B-spline interpolation method using symmetric B-spline basis on closed periodic zone where interpolation coefficients can be fast computed by parallel algorithms. First we shift naïve B-spline basis to establish symmetric B-spline basis, next we use orthogonality properties of complex exponentials to establish orthogonal B-spline basis on closed periodic zone and derive parallel computing formula for coefficients of orthogonal Bspline basis; we further use relation between coefficients of orthogonal B-spline basis and coefficients of symmetric B-spline basis to achieve parallel computing formulas for interpolation coefficients of symmetric B-spline basis. At last, we extend the method to image enlargement. Experiment results show that, the new theory established in this paper can be used to explain result of B-spline interpolation from standpoint of signal processing. The method presented in this paper can easily carry out parallel computation for interpolation coefficients of symmetric B-spline basis and brings no phase deviation to enlarged image. Compared with neighborhood-based bilinear and bicubic interpolation methods, the new method produces enlargement with higher Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and sharper visual quality.
GLTP Mediated Non-Vesicular GM1 Transport between Native Membranes

Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are emerging as key players in lipid homeostasis by mediating non-vesicular transport steps between two membrane surfaces. Little is known about the driving force that governs the direction of transport in cells. Using the soluble LTP glycolipid transfer protein (GLTP), we examined GM1 (monosialotetrahexosyl-ganglioside) transfer to native membrane surfaces. With artificial GM1 donor liposomes, GLTP can be used to increase glycolipid levels over natural levels in either side of the membrane leaflet, i.e., external or cytosolic. In a system with native donor- and acceptor-membranes, we find that GLTP balances highly variable GM1 concentrations in a population of membranes from one cell type, and in addition, transfers lipids between membranes from different cell types. Glycolipid transport is highly efficient, independent of cofactors, solely driven by the chemical potential of GM1 and not discriminating between the extra- and intracellular membrane leaflet. We conclude that GLTP mediated non-vesicular lipid trafficking between native membranes is driven by simple thermodynamic principles and that for intracellular transport less than 1 µM GLTP would be required in the cytosol. Furthermore, the data demonstrates the suitability of GLTP as a tool for artificially increasing glycolipid levels in cellular membranes.
Saúde mental no contexto universitário

In a report published by FONAPRACE in 2011, almost half of the university students complaint about emotional struggles experienced in twelve months. The levels of depression and anxiety in university students is higher than the levels found in the general population, bringing to light that the academic environment is a strong risk factor for the development of conditions like depression. The excessive amount of academic work is pointed as a key stressing factor for students, but financial struggles, difficulties about moving cities and difficulties in interpersonal relationships also contribute to their emotional fragility. During their academic term, these difficulties can affect their cognitive performance and their
Rainfall threshold definition using an entropy decision approach and radar data

Flash flood events are floods characterised by a very rapid response of basins to storms, often resulting in loss of life and property damage. Due to the specific space- time scale of this type of flood, the lead time available for triggering civil protection measures is typically short. Rain- fall threshold values specify the amount of precipitation for a given duration that generates a critical discharge in a given river cross section. If the threshold values are exceeded, it can produce a critical situation in river sites exposed to al- luvial risk. It is therefore possible to directly compare the observed or forecasted precipitation with critical reference values, without running online real-time forecasting systems. The focus of this study is the Mignone River basin, located in Central Italy. The critical rainfall threshold values are eval- uated by minimising a utility function based on the infor- mative entropy concept and by using a simulation approach based on radar data. The study concludes with a system performance analysis, in terms of correctly issued warnings, false alarms and missed alarms.
E-democracy: A new challenge for measuring democracy

Digital media is ascribed significant potential for democratizing political communication and processes. There is still, however, a lack of empirical evidence and adequate understanding concerning the question of whether digital media can contribute to an improvement in democratic quality. In response to this question, the present article proposes a concept of e-democracy and an analytical framework for measuring it. The added value of such an e-democracy index is, firstly, that it provides a basis for assessing online-enhanced democratic processes (something which has previously been lacking) and, secondly, that it enables a finer-grained perspective on digital processes in democracies, something which is essential for scholars and practitioners.
A New Supervised Clustering Algorithm for Data Set with Mixed Attributes

Because of the complexity of data set with mixed attributes, the traditional clustering algorithms appropriate for this kind of dataset are few and the effect of clustering is not good. K-prototype clustering is one of the most commonly used methods in data mining for this kind of data. We borrow the ideas from the multiple classifiers combing technology, use k- prototype as the basis clustering algorithm to design a multi-level clustering ensemble algorithm in this paper, which adoptively selects attributes for re-clustering. Comparison experiments on Adult data set from UCI machine learning data repository show very competitive results and the proposed method is suitable for data editing.
Light Weight Finger Tracking Using a Single Point Permanent Magnetic Field Reference

The aim of this paper is to develop a permanent magnet finger tracking technique for use in day to day computer interaction as well as in the field of medical diagnostics such as stroke rehabilitation. Although several finger tracking techniques are available today, they are either bulky and power intensive or provide low accuracy with regards to tracking ability. In areas such as stroke rehabilitation and virtual-reality interaction, the weight and size of wearable sensors is critical to performance. As such a light weight, compact, tracking system, is desired. This paper discus the design of such a system which includes modeling and experimental confirmation.
Conceptualizing and investigating the contextual variability of stuttering: The speech and monitoring interaction (SAMI) framework

Researchers, clinicians, and people who stutter find it difficult to adequately explain the variability across contexts in the frequency and severity of stuttering. The purpose of this paper is to present the speech and monitoring interaction framework of stuttering that incorporates potential deficits within the speech production system and a contextually modulated monitoring system to provide a biologically plausible explanation for the contextual variability of stuttering. SAMI incorporates trait and state factors within the speech production system and the monitoring system that can account for stuttering variability. The specificity of the neural substrates of the monitoring system and how the monitor interacts with the speech production system can be used to drive hypotheses based research and computational modeling of the contextual variable stuttering. The framework can also be used clinically to inform clients of the social and emotional factors contributing to their stuttering; while highlighting the importance of addressing these factors in therapy.
Evaluating the Impact of China’s Rail Network Expansions on Local Accessibility: A Market Potential Approach

This paper uses a market potential approach to examine the evolution of the rail transport network of China and its spatial distributional impacts on local accessibility, with a particular focus on high-speed rail improvements. Accessibility is measured by using a “market potential” function that was derived from the general equilibrium model of the economic geography literature, and is empirically calculated based on Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques. A key finding, albeit from a highly stylized model, is that rail improvements may help raise territorial polarizing patterns across counties. The results point to the profound implications of railroad network expansion on the accessibility dynamics in periphery regions relative to core regions.
Understanding Travel Constraints: Application and Extension of a Leisure Constraints Model

The study of constraints to participation in leisure activities has been a growing theme of research during the past three decades. More recently, this research has been extended to the study of nonparticipation in leisure travel. One model that has been employed to facilitate the study of constraints uses the three categories of constraints as a conceptual framework: intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural. This article extends this framework by testing whether multiple dimensions exist within the structural constraints construct along with the other two dimensions and compares these against demographic variables. A survey of in-state and out-of-state travelers was conducted to measure travel constraints. As expected, three dimensions emerged within the structural constraints construct, including place attributes, lack of time, and lack of money. Several demographic differences with respect to constraints also emerged. Knowing why people do not travel can suggest strategies that can be used to overcome constraints.
Mechanistic analysis of RNA polymerase III regulation by the retinoblastoma protein

The tumour suppressor protein RB restricts cellular growth. This may involve inhibiting the synthesis of tRNA and 5S rRNA by RNA polymerase (pol) III. We have shown previously that RB can repress pol III transcription when overexpressed either in vitro or in vivo. We also demonstrated that pol III activity is elevated substantially in primary fibroblasts from RB‐deficient mice. Here we address the molecular mechanism of this regulation. RB is shown to repress all types of pol III promoter. It can do this even if added after transcription complex assembly. Functional assays demonstrate that RB targets specifically the general pol III factor TFIIIB. A physical interaction between TFIIIB and RB is indicated by fractionation, pull‐down and immunoprecipitation data. We show that TFIIIB activity is elevated in primary fibroblasts from RB‐deficient mice. TFIIIB is a multisubunit complex that includes the TATA‐binding protein (TBP) and a TFIIB‐related factor called BRF. We show that RB itself contains regions of homology to both TBP and BRF and propose a model in which RB disrupts TFIIIB by mimicking these two components.
Generative structural representation of tonal music

Abstract The usefulness and desirability of representation schemes which explicitly show musical structure has often been commented upon. A particular aim of music theory and analysis has been to describe and derive musical structure, and this article discusses computational systems based on this work. Six desirable properties of a structural representation are described: that it should be constructive, derivable, meaningful, decomposable, hierarchical, and generative. Previous computational work based on the generative and reductional theories of Schenker and of Lerdahl and Jackendoff is examined in the light of these properties. Proposals are made for a representational framework which promises the desirable properties. The framework shares characteristics with earlier work but does not use pure trees as a representational structure, instead allowing joining of branches in limited circumstances to make directed acyclic graphs. Important issues in developing a representation scheme within this framework are discussed, especially concerning the representation of polyphonic music, of rhythmic patterns, and of up-beats. An example is given of two alternative representations within this framework of the same segment of music used to exemplify earlier work: the opening of the theme of Mozart's piano sonata in A major, K.331.
Reading disorders and dyslexia

Purpose of review We review current knowledge about the nature of reading development and disorders, distinguishing between the processes involved in learning to decode print, and the processes involved in reading comprehension. Recent findings Children with decoding difficulties/dyslexia experience deficits in phoneme awareness, letter-sound knowledge and rapid automatized naming in the preschool years and beyond. These phonological/language difficulties appear to be proximal causes of the problems in learning to decode print in dyslexia. We review data from a prospective study of children at high risk of dyslexia to show that being at family risk of dyslexia is a primary risk factor for poor reading and children with persistent language difficulties at school entry are more likely to develop reading problems. Early oral language difficulties are strong predictors of later difficulties in reading comprehension. Summary There are two distinct forms of reading disorder in children: dyslexia (a difficulty in learning to translate print into speech) and reading comprehension impairment. Both forms of reading problem appear to be predominantly caused by deficits in underlying oral language skills. Implications for screening and for the delivery of robust interventions for language and reading are discussed.
Coupled 3D tracking and pose optimization of rigid objects using particle filter

In order to track and estimate the pose of known rigid objects with high accuracy in unconstrained environment with light disturbance, scale changes and occlusion, we propose to combine 3D particle filter (PF) framework with algebraic pose optimization in a closed loop. A new PF observation model based on line similarity in 3D space is devised and the output of 3D PF tracking, namely line correspondences (model edges and image line segments), are provided for algebraic line-based pose optimization. As a feedback, the optimized pose serves as a particle with high weight during re-sampling. To speed up the algorithm, a dynamic ROI is used for reducing the line detection and search space. Experiments show our proposed algorithm can effectively track and accurately estimate the pose of freely moving 3D rigid objects in complex environment.
How Inefficient are Markets for Technology ?

Previous literature shows that contracting frictions may preclude valuable cooperation between innovators and commercializers in Markets for Technology. This literature, however, does not address the question of how large the implied inefficiency is. Focusing on licensing-based cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry and the enactment of the Medicare Part D program (which implied a large downstream demand shock for selected technologies), we provide evidence suggesting that efficiency is not severely undermined in this market. Our results suggest that while contracting frictions preclude some cooperation; they do not do so for the 75% of technologies for which potential gains of cooperation are the largest. The implied efficiency burden is therefore much lower than what could be estimated based on the number of “failed cooperation deals” alone. Our results further document a vigorous, short-termed cooperation response to the program’s enactment, suggesting that commercializers may effectively perform the intermediary role of sourcing from the Market for Technology to satisfy consumer demand.
Parallel-distributed model in three-dimensional soft-fingered grasping and manipulation

This paper focuses on three-dimensional grasping and manipulation by robotic fingers with soft fingertips. The authors have proposed two-dimensional parallel-distributed model of a soft fingertip to describe the dependency of its potential energy to the relative orientation between the fingertip and the object. Here we extend the previous two-dimensional model to three-dimensional model, incorporating the rotation in three-dimensional space. We formulate the elastic potential energy stored in a soft fingertip due to the contact with the planar surface in three-dimensional space. We sketch the Lagrangian of the system consisting of a rigid prism grasped by three fingers with soft fingertips.