Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age-Related Association of Refractive Error with Intraocular Pressure in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background To investigate the distribution of intraocular pressure (IOP) and refractive errors according to age group in a representative sample of non-glaucomatous Korean adults. Methods A total of 7,277 adults (≥19 years) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2008 to 2011 underwent ophthalmic examination were divided into three groups according to age: the young- (19–39 years), middle- (40–59 years), and old- (≥60 years) age groups. Simple and multiple regression analyses between IOP and various parameters (including the refractive error) were conducted. Results The mean IOP of the total population was 14.0±0.1 mmHg [young: 13.9±0.1 mmHg; middle: 14.1±0.1 mmHg; old: 13.8±0.2 mmHg (P for trend = 0.085)]. Myopia and high myopia were more prevalent in the young- (70.8% and 16.1%, respectively), compared to the middle- (44.6% and 10.9%) and old- (8.9% and 2.2%) age groups. Univariate analysis in the total population showed that higher IOP was associated with myopic refractive error, the female gender, higher body mass index (BMI), diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia (all P<0.05). In the young- and middle-age groups, higher IOP was associated with myopic refractive error, the female gender, higher BMI, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes (all P<0.05). In the old-age group, the association between IOP and refractive error was not significant (P = 0.828). In multiple linear regression analysis, similar significant relationships between the refractive error and IOP were found in the young- and middle-age groups (beta = −0.08 and −0.12; P = 0.002 and <0.001 for young- and middle-age group, respectively), but not in the old-age group (beta = 0.03; P = 0.728), after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, region of habitation, diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. Conclusions Myopic refractive error was an independent predictor of higher IOP in non- glaucomatous eyes, and the association between refractive error and IOP differed according to age.
Threat understanding using multiple tracking-sensors and fuzzy-based evidence accrual

An intelligent evidence accrual technique is proposed as a means to achieve activity-based intelligence, which is the assessment of the situation and the potential threat observed. This technique is based upon a fuzzy Kalman filter that fuses various types of observations to monitor activities over a duration of time and provide an assessment of the situation. The approach incorporates a data-to-image mapping and correlation to allow combination of disparate elements. The technique is able to provide both a measure of evidence and a level of uncertainty for the state.
Flavor violation in supersymmetric SU(5) GUT at large tan beta

We study flavour violation in the minimal SUSY SU(5) GUT assuming all the third generation Yukawa couplings to be due to the renormalizable physics above GUT scale. At large $\tan\beta,$ as suggested by Yukawa unification in SU(5), sizable flavour violation in the left (right) slepton (down squark) sector is induced due to renormalization effects of down type Yukawa couplings between GUT and Planck scales in addition to the flavour violation in the right slepton sector. The new flavour physics contribution to $K-\bar K,$ $B-\bar B$ mixing is small but might be of phenomenological interest in the case of $b\to s\gamma. $ The sign of the latter contribution is the same as the sign of the dominant chargino contribution, thus making the constraints on SUSY scale coming from $b\to s\gamma$ somewhat more restrictive. The most important feature of the considered scenario is the large rate of lepton flavour violation. Given the present experimental constraints, the $\mu\to e\gamma$ and $\mu-e$ conversion branching ratios are above the sensitivity of the planned experiments unless the SUSY scale is pushed above one TeV.
A neural correlate of syntactic encoding during speech production

Spoken language is one of the most compact and structured ways to convey information. The linguistic ability to structure individual words into larger sentence units permits speakers to express a nearly unlimited range of meanings. This ability is rooted in speakers' knowledge of syntax and in the corresponding process of syntactic encoding. Syntactic encoding is highly automatized, operates largely outside of conscious awareness, and overlaps closely in time with several other processes of language production. With the use of positron emission tomography we investigated the cortical activations during spoken language production that are related to the syntactic encoding process. In the paradigm of restrictive scene description, utterances varying in complexity of syntactic encoding were elicited. Results provided evidence that the left Rolandic operculum, caudally adjacent to Broca's area, is involved in both sentence-level and local (phrase-level) syntactic encoding during speaking.
LightSet: enabling urban prototyping of interactive media façades

In this work we present our approach for creating interactive media façades by using purpose-built tools. They are intended to create prototypes and conduct field investigations in this domain. We share our vision of an extended design process which describes ways to engage large user groups by urban prototyping and experience novel interventions in public places. Architects, designers and researchers can receive first hand insights into the suitability of their chosen interaction design concept for media architecture by using our tools and approach.
Integrated 60-V class-D power output stage with 95% efficiency in a 0.13μm SOI BCD process

In this paper we present a highly-efficient 60V class-D power stage design in a 0. 13μm SOI-based BCD process. The integrated output stage consists of a full H-bridge, level shifter, ramp generator, comparator, integrator, and preamplifier. Its performance was found to be better than previously published output stages implemented in SOI based BCD processes, which are typically more complex and costly. The achieved results demonstrate that second-order class-D amplifiers can achieve total-harmonic-distortion (THD) performance compatible with the specifications of high end audio applications (THD & 0.029%). The output stage has a maximum efficiency of 95% and delivers up to 600mW into a 8Ω Bridge-Tied Load (BTL) with a total area of 1.5 mm2.
A realistic evaluation of integrated offender management in one English county: a partnership for desistance?

This thesis presents the findings of an in-depth realistic evaluation of the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) approach in one English county. IOM is a multi-agency approach, promoted by government, to managing prolific offenders, with the aim of moving them towards desistance from crime. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative methods the findings demonstrate that IOM can be effective in supporting desistance, and is associated with reductions in the level and severity of reoffending and improvements in the circumstances and risk level of offenders. Using the realistic evaluation approach, three generative mechanisms were identified to explain these findings: the intense and structured approach to supervision; close multi-agency working; and caring and trusting relationships between practitioners and offenders. The findings also underscore the importance of offender readiness for change. This research confirms previous findings regarding the influence of interventions such as IOM on desistance and also identifies ways in which the operation and effect of IOM can be undermined. The confounding issues identified concern both the internal operation of IOM and the ways in which it fits into the wider criminal justice system, both locally and nationally. This research makes three contributions. Firstly, it adds to the literature and theory of IOM and assisted desistance within a multi-agency setting, through the development of a realist conception of the approach. Secondly it contributes to the literature on the use of realistic evaluation, an approach not employed in previous IOM evaluations. This research develops a method of presenting findings from realistic evaluation which reflect both generative mechanisms and ways they are confounded. Finally, it contributes to the policy and practice of IOM, and similar approaches, by outlining both its possibilities and limitations regarding offender rehabilitation and desistance. These findings are therefore of use to practitioners and policy makers in this constantly evolving field.
Regular Expressions as Violin Bowing Patterns

String players spend a significant amount of practice time creating and learning bowings. These may be indicated in the music using up-bow and down-bow symbols, but those traditional notations do not capture the complex bowing patterns that are latent within the music. Regular expressions, a mathematical notation for a simple class of formal languages, can describe precisely the bowing patterns that commonly arise in string music. A software tool based on regular expressions enables performers to search for passages that can be handled with similar bowings, and to edit them consistently. A computer-based music editor incorporating bowing patterns has been implemented, using Lilypond to typeset the music. Our approach has been evaluated by using the editor to study ten movements from six violin sonatas by W. A. Mozart. Our experience shows that the editor is successful at finding passages and inserting bowings; that relatively complex patterns occur a number of times; and that the bowings can be inserted automatically and consistently.
Adaptive execution and performance tuning of parallel jobs in computational desktop grid using GridGain

Desktop grids, which use the idle cycles of desktop PCs of small enterprises and institutions, usually are equipped with hundreds or thousands of desktops, mainly used for office tasks. Such grids vary markedly from conventional grids (multi-site clusters) in terms of their dynamic nature. This calls for the need of new scheduling algorithms, tailor-made for such systems. Since the nature of such desktop grids attract highly parallel algorithms, designing efficient scheduling algorithms of parallel jobs on desktop grids become worthwhile research issue. In this paper an adaptive scheduling mechanism for desktop grids has been presented, where tasks are initially assigned to different available grid resources based on a resource selection algorithm. The resource selection algorithm, which works in an online mode, selects resources based on given set of parameters and previous execution log in an adaptive (flexible) manner. Execution log helps to decide in choosing the most relevant computational parameter depending upon the tasks that are assigned to grid resources. Later, during task execution, if performance of any task degrades, then adaptive algorithm assists the scheduling policy to adapt the system to achieve the high throughput by rescheduling to either the server node or to the best available local node at present. This method can also deal with the unpredictable execution conditions commonly encountered on desktop grids. In this paper, GridGain 2.0 has been used for setting up desktop grid test bed and the performance of the aforesaid adaptive scheduling algorithm has been presented.
Extraction and Visualization of Implicit Social Relations on Social Networking Services

Today social network services like blogs, communities, and social networking sites dominate the web. As Web 2.0 has evolved this way, analyzing social networks has become a promising research issue. There have already been several researches on social network analysis based on users' activities in social services. Most of them focus on the links among the users such as citation, trackback, and comment. However, few studies have analyzed the relations within message threads. In general, they considered the one-way relationship from a comment writer to a post writer. Since users communicate with each other primarily by posting comments one after another, the message threads are key to analyzing latent social relationships. In this paper, we propose a novel method to extract the social relations hidden behind message threads. To evaluate our algorithms, we developed an evaluation system and measured the performances. In addition, since the typical node-edge diagram for social network visualization is not intuitive or readable, we also introduce a novel visualization and interaction method suitable for social relation exploration. Further, we expect our work will help enhance social recommendations, advertisements and personalization.
The Power of Xymphonic TM Collaboration Executive summary

Collaboration between human beings is important in any civilized society. This paper discusses how computers can help people collaborate. Carefully note that there are several kinds of collaboration, and that only a particular kind will be discussed here; one which will be referred to as data-centric collaboration. Data-centric collaboration is characterized by two or more people working concurrently on a shared pool of data resources. Moreover, such work should not be considered collaborative, unless the people involved are working towards a common goal. An example of data-centric collaboration would be a group of people working simultaneously on a large document. Another example would be a group of engineers working together on the design of, say, an automobile, an airplane, or a ship.
A Clinical, Neuropathological and Genetic Study of Homozygous A467T POLG-Related Mitochondrial Disease

Mutations in the nuclear gene POLG (encoding the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase gamma) are an important cause of mitochondrial disease. The most common POLG mutation, A467T, appears to exhibit considerable phenotypic heterogeneity. The mechanism by which this single genetic defect results in such clinical diversity remains unclear. In this study we evaluate the clinical, neuropathological and mitochondrial genetic features of four unrelated patients with homozygous A467T mutations. One patient presented with the severe and lethal Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome, which was confirmed on neuropathology, and was found to have a depletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Of the remaining three patients, one presented with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), one with a phenotype in the Myoclonic Epilepsy, Myopathy and Sensory Ataxia (MEMSA) spectrum and one with Sensory Ataxic Neuropathy, Dysarthria and Ophthalmoplegia (SANDO). All three had secondary accumulation of multiple mtDNA deletions. Complete sequence analysis of muscle mtDNA using the MitoChip resequencing chip in all four cases demonstrated significant variation in mtDNA, including a pathogenic MT-ND5 mutation in one patient. These data highlight the variable and overlapping clinical and neuropathological phenotypes and downstream molecular defects caused by the A467T mutation, which may result from factors such as the mtDNA genetic background, nuclear genetic modifiers and environmental stressors.
Endothelial Ca2+ oscillations reflect VEGFR signaling-regulated angiogenic capacity in vivo

Sprouting angiogenesis is a well-coordinated process controlled by multiple extracellular inputs, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, little is known about when and how individual endothelial cell (EC) responds to angiogenic inputs in vivo. Here, we visualized endothelial Ca2+ dynamics in zebrafish and found that intracellular Ca2+ oscillations occurred in ECs exhibiting angiogenic behavior. Ca2+ oscillations depended upon VEGF receptor-2 (Vegfr2) and Vegfr3 in ECs budding from the dorsal aorta (DA) and posterior cardinal vein, respectively. Thus, visualizing Ca2+ oscillations allowed us to monitor EC responses to angiogenic cues. Vegfr-dependent Ca2+ oscillations occurred in migrating tip cells as well as stalk cells budding from the DA. We investigated how Dll4/Notch signaling regulates endothelial Ca2+ oscillations and found that it was required for the selection of single stalk cell as well as tip cell. Thus, we captured spatio-temporal Ca2+ dynamics during sprouting angiogenesis, as a result of cellular responses to angiogenic inputs. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.08817. 001
Entre Etat et marché : une nouvelle régulation sanitaire pour les pays en développement

Ce papier s'inscrit dans une perspective critique des recommandations les plus recentes des organisations internationales en matierede sante dans les pays en developpement et particulierement dans les pays d'Afrique subsaharienne. Un bref historique des politiques sanitaires subsahariennes montre que la promotion de ces nouveaux instruments est en grande partie issue de l'epuisement desmodeles etatique et marchand d'organisation des systemes de sante. Puis, a partir des fondements neo-institutionnels de ces nouvellespolitiques sanitaires, nous en montrons les implications et les limites, qui consistent entre autres a evacuer les dimensions de l'ethique ou du politique de la regulation des systemes de sante.
Influence of learner factors on soldier attitude toward army serious gaming

INFLUENCE OF LEARNER FACTORS ON SOLDIER ATTITUDE TOWARD ARMY SERIOUS GAMING Mitchell L. Bonnett Old Dominion University, 2015 Director: Dr. Darryl Draper This study determined the influence of the learner factors on Soldier attitudes toward the use of serious gaming for U.S. Army training and leader development. It extended Selwyn's work (Selwyn, 1997a, 1997b, 2003,2004, 2006,2013; Selwyn, Gorard, Furlong, & Madden, 2003) identifying or measuring attitude toward using a technology and Bonanno and Kommers (2008) work extending Selwyn's work to measure the influence of learner factors on those attitude components toward the use of Army serious gaming for instructional purposes. The population studied was 709 Active duty U.S. Army Soldiers. This quantitative non-experimental descriptive research design methodology used a 21-item instrument derived from items created and validated by Selwyn and other researchers and modified by Bonanno and Kommers (2008). The revised instrument corrected Bonanno and Kommers items that combined two or more attitudinal objects in a single question that might have resulted in a response bias. It used terms familiar to the population to define more precisely their attitude toward Army Serious Gaming (ASG). This study found no statistically significant difference between active duty U.S. Army Soldiers in their general attitude toward Army Serious Gaming (ASG) based on their gender, age or military class. This study found statistically significant differences in their general attitude toward ASG between active duty U.S. Army Soldiers based on their education level and perceived gaming competence. Statistically significant differences between active duty U.S. Army Soldiers within specific affective, perceived control, perceived usefulness, and behavioral attitude constructs toward ASG are discussed.
Multiple minor mergers: formation of elliptical galaxies and constraints for the growth of spiral disks

Multiple, sequential mergers are unavoidable in the hierarchical build-up picture of galaxies, in particular for the minor mergers that are frequent and highly likely to have occured several times for most present-day galaxies. However, the effect of repeated minor mergers on galactic structure and evolution has not been studied systematically so far. We present a numerical study of multiple, subsequent, minor galaxy mergers, with various mass ratios ranging from 4:1 to 50:1. The N-body simulations include gas dynamics and star formation. We study the morphological and kinematical properties of the remnants, and show that several so-called “minor” mergers can lead to the formation of elliptical-like galaxies that have global morphological and kinematical properties similar to that observed in real elliptical galaxies. The properties of these systems are compared with those of elliptical galaxies produced by the standard scenario of one single major merger. We thus show that repeated minor mergers can theoretically form elliptical galaxies without major mergers, and can be more frequent than major mergers, in particular at moderate redshift. This process must then have formed some elliptical galaxies seen today, and could in particular explain the high boxiness of massive ellipticals, and some fundamental relations observed in ellipticals. In addition, because repeated minor mergers, even at high mass ratios, destroy disks into spheroids, these results indicate that spiral galaxies cannot have grown only by a succession of minor mergers.
Cannabinoid receptors as novel targets for the treatment of melanoma

Melanoma causes the greatest number of skin cancer‐related deaths worldwide. Despite intensive research, prevention and early detection are the only effective measures against melanoma, so new therapeutic strategies are necessary for the management of this devastating disease. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of cannabinoid receptor agonists, a new family of potential antitumoral compounds, at skin melanoma. Human melanomas and melanoma cell lines express CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. Activation of these receptors decreased growth, proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis, and increased apoptosis, of melanomas in mice. Cannabinoid antimelanoma activity was independent of the immune status of the animal, could be achieved without overt psychoactive effects and was selective for melanoma cells vs. normal melanocytes. Cannabinoid antiproliferative action on melanoma cells was due, at least in part, to cell cycle arrest at the G1‐S transition via inhibition of the prosurvival protein Akt and hypophosphorylation of the pRb retinoblastoma protein tumor suppressor. These findings may contribute to the design of new chemotherapeutic strategies for the management of melanoma. —Blázquez, C. , Carracedo, A. , Barrado, L. , Real, P. J., Fernández‐Luna, J. L. , Velasco, G. , Malumbres, M. , and Guzmán, M. Cannabinoid receptors as novel targets for the treatment of melanoma. FASEB J. 20, E2199–E2208 (2006)
Runtime characterisation of irregular accesses applied to parallelisation of irregular reductions

Irregular reduction operations are the core of many large scientific and engineering applications. There are, in the literature, different methods to solve these operations in parallel. In this paper we discuss a new technique which improves performance significantly, both in terms of execution time and memory overhead. These improvements are achieved in the preprocessing as well as in the resulting parallel code. Our proposal is based on the use of the Irregular Access Region Descriptor (IARD). This data structure is a compact characterisation of indirectly accessed arrays that can be used for the efficient parallelisation of a wide spectrum of irregular codes. In this paper we present its application to parallelise irregular reduction operations on a shared memory machine. We compare our proposal with two other competitive solutions.