Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A review of devices using modern dietary assessment methods for reducing obesity

A sensor is a device that senses, perceives, or distinguishes and responds to an input from a physical location and provides an output that is human decipherable. As obesity levels all over the world are reaching the sky, especially in the U.S., China, and India, the use of sensors can help in managing rising obesity levels. There are many traditional dietary assessment methods such as doubly labeled water, 24-hour recall, paper-based food diaries, and food frequency questionnaires used for managing and reducing obesity, but they have many limitations. Therefore, modern dietary assessment methods such as acoustic-, image-, motion-based, unobtrusive, and multimodal methods have been developed. Devices that use these modern dietary assessment methods are automated wrist motion tracking system, WearSens necklace, and automatic ingestion monitoring system. This study provides a review of such devices that help in reducing obesity for better living in humans.
Linking scales of flow variability to lotic ecosystem structure and function

Obtaining a better knowledge of how flow variability affects lotic biota is of considerable importance to stream and river management. We contend that processes at different hierarchical levels of organization in lotic ecosystems are sensitive to variation in flow at related hierarchical temporal scales. Ecosystem disturbance caused by large‐scale events (i.e. infrequent, but high magnitude flow events with a recurrence interval of years to many days) tend to determine high‐level characteristics of ecosystem structure (e.g. determining species pools, periphyton versus macrophyte dominance) and function (e.g. balance between auto‐ and heterotrophy). The high‐level ecosystem characteristics then set the stage for processes that are influenced by flow variation that occurs at smaller temporal scale (i.e. minutes to milliseconds) such as colonization, biotic interactions and mass transfer enhancement of production. We contend that large‐scale temporal events predominantly affect lotic ecosystems through physical drag processes (‘drag‐disturbance’), whereas small‐scale flow variations affect ecosystems through mass‐transfer processes (including invertebrate and fish food‐uptake). Drag‐disturbance and mass‐transfer related processes mark the opposite ends of a continuum of flow variability controlled processes, with moderate temporal scale flow variability events affecting ecosystems through both drag‐disturbance and mass‐transfer processes in similar proportions. Flow variability, and associated effects on ecosystems, across these scales is discussed with reference to New Zealand rivers. We suggest that these concepts can be integrated across the full range of temporal scales based on a spectrum of velocity variations. This may provide a unifying conceptual model for how the structure and functioning of lotic ecosystems are linked to flow variability. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pregnant Women With HIV Infection Can Expect Healthy Survival: Three-Year Follow-Up

Objectives:To document postpartum disease-free survival of HIV-infected women taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy. Methods:Laboratory and clinical data were collected on all HIV-infected pregnant women delivering from 1998 to 2002 and followed up until September 2004 at 6 hospitals in London. Mothers were grouped according to receipt of zidovudine monotherapy (ZDVm), highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) given during and continued after pregnancy (cHAART), and short-term HAART given during pregnancy and discontinued on delivery (START). Results:Eight-five women took ZDVm, 155 took cHAART, and 71 took START. The mean follow-up for all mothers was 33 months, with a total of 847 person-years. At the first antenatal clinic (ANC) visit, 72% of women were in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stage A, 85% were treatment naive, and the ZDVm group had a median HIV viral load (VL) 10-fold less than those mothers who started HAART during pregnancy. At last follow-up, 1 patient had died and 6 (1.9%) had progressed to CDC stage C; 62% of all women, including a quarter of the ZDVm group, were receiving HAART for their own health; and 83% of all mothers had a VL <50 HIV RNA copies/mL of plasma regardless of whether they were on treatment or not. Conclusions:The median-term postpartum prognosis of HIV-infected pregnant women with access to HAART is good. Exposure to short-course ZDVm or START during pregnancy did not jeopardize their response to subsequent therapy.
Risk of fatal pulmonary embolism in patients with treated venous thromboembolism.

CONTEXT The most serious complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or nonfatal pulmonary embolism (PE) is fatal PE. However, reliable estimates as to the risk of fatal PE in patients with treated DVT or PE are lacking. OBJECTIVE To provide reliable estimates of the risk of fatal PE and the case-fatality rate of recurrent DVT or PE among patients presenting with symptomatic DVT or PE, during and following 3 months of anticoagulant therapy. DATA SOURCES A MEDLINE literature search was performed to identify prospective studies in which patients with symptomatic DVT or PE were treated with 5 to 10 days of heparin and 3 months of oral anticoagulants. We searched the years 1966 to September 1997 using the search terms thrombophlebitis, diagnosis, drug therapy, and prognosis. Current Contents and bibliographies were also scanned. DATA EXTRACTION Of 137 retrieved studies, 25 studies satisfied predetermined methodologic criteria and were included in the analysis. DATA SYNTHESIS Among patients presenting with DVT, the rate of fatal PE during anticoagulant therapy was 0.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2%-0.6%); following anticoagulant therapy it was 0.3 per 100 patient-years (95% CI, 0.1-0.8). The case-fatality rate of recurrent DVT or PE during anticoagulant therapy was 8.8% (95% CI, 5.0%-14.1%); following anticoagulant therapy it was 5.1% (95% CI, 1.4%-12.5%). Among patients presenting with PE, the rate of fatal PE during anticoagulant therapy was 1.5% (95% CI, 0.9%-2.2%); following anticoagulant therapy it was 0 per 265 patient-years (95% CI, 0-3.6). The case-fatality rate of recurrent DVT or PE among patients presenting with PE was 26.4% (95% CI, 16.7%-38.1%). CONCLUSION Among patients with symptomatic PE or DVT who are treated with anticoagulants for 3 months, fatal PE is rare during and following anticoagulant therapy. Patients presenting with PE are more likely to die of recurrent PE or DVT than are patients presenting with DVT.
Disentangling Value-Enhancing and Cost-Increasing Effects of Knowledge Management

Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to provide large‐scale empirical evidence on the value‐enhancing and cost‐increasing effects of knowledge management (KM) techniques.Design/methodology/approach – The authors conduct structural equation analyses, using data from the Community Innovation Survey 2007 and from annual accounts of 705 innovative Belgian firms.Findings – Results confirm that the use of KM techniques has an indirect positive impact on financial performance via increased innovation performance. In addition, a direct cost‐increasing effect of KM practices on financial performance is observed. In the short term, this direct cost‐increasing effect exceeds the indirect value‐generating effect of KM techniques.Research limitations/implications – This study investigates the short‐term effects of KM techniques. Future research should study the long‐term costs and benefits. Data were collected in Belgium and may not reflect the impact of KM practices in other geographic, economic or cultural se.
Long-time video stabilization using point-feature trajectory smoothing

This paper presents a new video stabilization algorithm for digital video cameras. The proposed technique directly estimates correction motion through point-feature trajectories, so that our method can be free from the error accumulation as time goes on. Furthermore, an adaptive RANSAC is proposed to estimate a robust correction motion. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can robustly stabilize very long videos in the end.
60V-class power IC technology for an intelligent power switch with an integrated trench MOSFET

New 60V-class intelligent power switch (IPS) technology implementing a vertical trench MOSFET has been developed for automotive applications. We have realized the method to integrate a 60V-class vertical trench MOSFET with high voltage surge robustness and 5V- and 60V-class lateral planar MOSFETs on one chip. The integrated vertical trench MOSFET is designed by 0. 35μm-rule in order to reduce its specific on-resistance (Ron·A). As a result, our integrated vertical trench MOSFET has the Ron·A below 0. 6mΩ·cm2 which is about 40% Ron·A of the vertical planar MOSFET integrated in the conventional IPS. This paper reports our newly developed 60V-class power IC technology for the IPS.
Liquidity—How to Capture a Multidimensional Beast

Despite its importance, there currently exists no universally agreed upon and adopted measure or model that adequately captures cost and time to liquidation in bond (over-thecounter) markets. To fill this gap, we reviewed 40 years’ worth of research and summarize our findings in this article. We claim that the lack of concurrence on a definition can be attributed to the lack of consistent methodology. Connecting the dots within the vast body of literature, we find the key ingredients of such a novel measure: Taking market impact models as a natural starting point and adding the necessary math to quantify the inherent uncertainty of such a measure. We further suggest that machine learning methods are a natural candidate to overcome the main obstacles in this process, as they can help extract useful information from the extremely sparse data that form the main difference between equity and bond markets.
Reasons Women in Appalachia Decline CenteringPregnancy Care.

INTRODUCTION CenteringPregnancy, a proprietary form of group prenatal care, reduces rates of preterm birth when compared to traditional prenatal care. Appalachian women have high rates of preterm birth, yet several regional providers have struggled to recruit and retain women in CenteringPregnancy care. The purpose of this study was to survey women from one rural birth center in southern Appalachia on their reasons for declining CenteringPregnancy care. METHODS Twenty-nine women whose charts noted they had declined CenteringPregnancy care were interviewed for this qualitative descriptive study. Conventional (inductive) content analysis of manifest content was used to analyze interview transcripts. RESULTS There were 3 broad reasons women did not use CenteringPregnancy care: they preferred one-to-one care, they experienced barriers to CenteringPregnancy participation, and they did not know group care was an option. Women who preferred one-to-one care gave reasons for their preference that included a dislike of groups, a fear of bodily or emotional exposure in the group, no need for change from existing individual care, and concerns about partner involvement. DISCUSSION Barriers to CenteringPregnancy found at the sample institution included a preference for individual care, including a dislike of groups and fears of exposure, and logistical concerns. Clinicians should consider adjusting promotional materials to use locally acceptable terminology and address privacy concerns. Modifications may increase utilization of this effective model. However, even with these changes, CenteringPregnancy may not meet the needs of all women. A large subset of women was averse to group care in any form. Clinics should continue to provide diverse options for prenatal care delivery to increase access to prenatal care for vulnerable women.
Early maternal, genetic and environmental components of antioxidant protection, morphology and immunity of yellow‐legged gull (Larus michahellis) chicks

Maternal effects mediated by egg quality are important sources of offspring phenotypic variation and can influence the course of evolutionary processes. Mothers allocate to the eggs diverse antioxidants that protect the embryo from oxidative stress. In the yellow‐legged gull (Larus michahellis), yolk antioxidant capacity varied markedly among clutches and declined considerably with egg laying date. Analysis of bioptic yolk samples from clutches that were subsequently partially cross‐fostered revealed a positive effect of yolk antioxidant capacity on embryonic development and chick growth, but not on immunity and begging behaviour, while controlling for parentage and common environment effects. Chick plasma antioxidant capacity varied according to rearing environment, after statistically partitioning out maternal influences mediated by egg quality. Thus, the results of this study indicate that egg antioxidants are important mediators of maternal effects also in wild bird populations, especially during the critical early post‐hatching phase.
An Apparent Cellulase Complex in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Fruit.

Four enzyme-containing fractions were separated by ammonium sulfate fractionation of 2-day, postbreaker tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. cv. Manhattan). The pH optima and substrate specificities are reported. The enzymes were identified as a nonspecific beta-glucosidase, an exo-beta-1,4-glucanase, and two endocellulases. Both endocellulase fractions were able to catalyze the hydrolysis of various insoluble cellulose materials.Together, the enzymes studies are capable of completely degrading insoluble cellulose to short chain cellodextrins and glucose. Ripening tomato fruit apears to contain a complex of cellulases similar to that of cellulolytic bacteria and fungi.
Ethics in Government as a Problem in Executive Management

W HENEVER a public official goes astray, a large audience runs at his heels. Disclosures of misconduct and corruption fascinate both the general public and the professional student of government. No matter how frequently instances of misbehavior occur, each generates its own outburst of popular indignation and spate of expert commentary designed to prevent future wrongdoing. The public outcry is likely to have immediate and decisive political effect. The Internal Revenue Service and Reconstruction Finance
Análise Numérica Comparativa entre Lajes Maciças e Nervuradas com Diferentes Tipos de Materiais de Enchimento

O presente artigo apresenta uma aplicacao do Metodo dos Elementos Finitos na mecanica estrutural atraves de um estudo tecnico comparativo entre lajes macicas e nervuradas com diferentes tipos de materiais de enchimento, tais como: blocos de EPS, blocos cerâmicos e caixotes reaproveitaveis de polipropileno. As simulacoes numericas foram efetuadas utilizando o software CYPECAD versao 2010b, fundamentado na norma NBR 6118 de 2003 da Associacao Brasileira de Normas Tecnicas. Os calculos dos esforcos e deformacoes, assim como o dimensionamento da estrutura, foram determinados atraves do referido programa, obtendo-se os quantitativos referentes aos esforcos cortantes, momentos fletores, deslocamentos, consumo de formas, consumo de concreto, taxa de armadura e a composicao do custo total da estrutura para cada sistema estrutural analisado.
Species Difference in the Inhibitory Effect of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on the Uptake of Methotrexate by Human Kidney Slices

Simultaneous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), probenecid, and other drugs has been reported to delay the plasma elimination of methotrexate in patients. Previously, we have reported that inhibition of the uptake process cannot explain such drug-drug interactions using rats. The present study quantitatively evaluated the possible role of the transporters in such drug-drug interactions using human kidney slices and membrane vesicles expressing human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. The uptake of methotrexate by human kidney slices was saturable with a Km of 45 to 49 μM. Saturable uptake of methotrexate by human kidney slices was markedly inhibited by p-aminohippurate and benzylpenicillin, but only weakly by 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. These transport characteristics are similar to those of a basolateral organic anion transporter (OAT) 3/SLC22A8. NSAIDs and probenecid inhibited the uptake of methotrexate by human kidney slices, and, in particular, salicylate, indomethacin, phenylbutazone, and probenecid were predicted to exhibit significant inhibition at clinically observed plasma concentrations. Among ABC transporters, such as BCRP/ABCG2, multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) 2/ABCC2, and MRP4/ABCC4, which are candidates for the luminal efflux of methotrexate, ATP-dependent uptake of methotrexate by MRP4-expressing membrane vesicles was most potently inhibited by NSAIDs. Salicylate and indomethacin were predicted to inhibit MRP4 at clinical plasma concentrations. Diclofenac-glucuronide significantly inhibited MRP2-mediated transport of methotrexate in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas naproxen-glucuronide had no effect. Inhibition of renal uptake (via OAT3) and efflux processes (via MRP2 and MRP4) explains the possible sites of drug-drug interaction for methotrexate with probenecid and some NSAIDs, including their glucuronides.
Natural Resource Exploration and Extraction in Northern Canada: Intersections with Community Cohesion and Social Welfare

This paper examines the role that the search for and removal of non-renewable fossil fuels plays in northern, often Aboriginal, communities in Canada. Such settlements at the social, political, and geographic "periphery" or "frontier" of Canada are often characterized by transient populations and social welfare challenges. While the economic boom brought about by oil and gas development is undeniable, it is unevenly spread. Further, communities that would otherwise be facing sizable challenges now must address even greater and more urgent struggles. These rural and remote settlements have drawn strength from their social cohesion, but presently, the strain is heightened. Insiders may be at odds with outsiders; one generation may be divided against the generation before and after it. Environmental concerns and traditional culture may be displaced by competing interests. In this paper we provide an overview of the existing and proposed extraction of non-renewable natural resources in several parts of northern Canada and examine their economic impact, but also their social impact. In particular, we focus on their ramifications in terms of community cohesion in general and on Aboriginal communities more specifically. Keywords: Canada, north, Aboriginal, community cohesion, social welfare, economic development
Spillovers, Absorptive Capacity and Agglomeration

I study knowledge spillovers in an industry where firms are heterogeneous in their ability to adopt knowledge (absorptive capacity). I set up a model in which firms choose locations anticipating potential gains and losses from other firms’ RD firms that have higher absorptive capacity are sorted into more agglomerated counties; ignoring firm heterogeneity leads to biased estimates of gains from spillovers; spillovers play an important role in explaining the geographic distribution of firms, but only within regions with high R&D activity.
Centralized control for DC microgrid using finite state machine

In this paper, an autonomous communication-based centralized control for DC microgrids (MG) has been developed and implemented. The proposed controller enables smooth transition between various operating modes. Finite state machine (FSM) has been used to mathematically describe the various operating modes (states), and events that may lead to mode changes (transitions). Therefore, the developed centralized controller aims at optimizing the performance of MG during all possible operational scenarios, while maintaining its reliability and stability. Results of selected cases have been presented. These results show stable transition between modes, verifying the validity and applicability of the proposed controller.
Did Monetary Policy Fuel the Housing Bubble in Ireland?

This paper provides empirical evidence of the role of the euro in the genesis of the recent Irish financial-economic crisis caused by a regional housing boom and its inevitable bust. By using a Taylor-rule, estimated by Generalized Method of Moments, we measure the appropriateness of the ECB’s one-size-fits-all policy rate for the Irish economy. A counterfactual analysis suggests that the Irish interest rate should have been on average 6.5% higher. In addition, using a multivariate housing model, we provide econometric evidence for the causal relationship between the low interest rate and the Irish housing boom. Under an alternative sovereign monetary policy, the average house price would have been 25 to 30 percent lower just before the housing bust in the second quarter of 2007. In addition, it shows that a monetary policy tailored to the needs of the member state is enough to prevent housing prices from dramatically increasing and suggests that it is not necessary to include a lean against house price fluctuations in monetary policy strategies.
Nanoscale Topography and Chemistry Affect Embryonic Stem Cell Self‐Renewal and Early Differentiation

Adherent cells respond to a wide range of substrate cues, including chemistry, topography, hydrophobicity, and surface energy. The cell‐substrate interface is therefore an important design parameter in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications, where substrate cues are used to influence cell behavior. Thin films comprising 4.5 nm (average diameter) gold nanoparticles coated with a mixture of two alkanethiols can confer hemispherical topography and specific chemistry to bulk substrates. The behavior of murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) on the thin films can then be compared with their behavior on self‐assembled monolayers of the same alkanethiols on vapor‐deposited gold, which lack the topographical features. Cells cultured both with and without differentiation inhibitors are characterized by immunofluorescence for Oct4 and qPCR for Fgf5, Foxa2, Nanog, Pou5f1, and Sox2. Nanoscale chemistry and topography are found to influence stem cell differentiation, particularly the early differentiation markers, Fgf5 and Foxa2. Nanoscale topography also affects Oct4 localization, whereas the chemical composition of the substrate does not have an effect. It is demonstrated for the first time that ESCs can sense topographical features established by 4.5 nm particles, and these findings suggest that nanoscale chemistry and topography can act synergistically to influence stem cell differentiation. This study furthers the understanding of the effects of these substrate properties, improving our ability to design materials to control stem cell fate.