Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-vigorous physical activity and all-cause mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

BACKGROUND Although previous studies have found physical activity to be associated with lower mortality, the dose-response relationship remains unclear. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we quantify the dose-response relationship of non-vigorous physical activity and all-cause mortality. METHODS We aimed to include all cohort studies in adult populations with a sample size of more than 10 000 participants that estimated the effect of different levels of light or moderate physical activity on all-cause mortality. We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane (DARE), Web of Science and Global Health (June 2009). We used dose-response meta-regression models to estimate the relation between non-vigorous physical activity and mortality. RESULTS We identified 22 studies that met our inclusion criteria, containing 977 925 (334 738 men and 643 187 women) people. There was considerable variation between the studies in their categorization of physical activity and adjustment for potential confounders. We found that 2.5 h/week (equivalent to 30 min daily of moderate intensity activity on 5 days a week) compared with no activity was associated with a reduction in mortality risk of 19% [95% confidence interval (CI) 15-24], while 7 h/week of moderate activity compared with no activity reduced the mortality risk by 24% (95% CI 19-29). We found a smaller effect in studies that looked at walking alone. CONCLUSION Being physically active reduces the risk of all-cause mortality. The largest benefit was found from moving from no activity to low levels of activity, but even at high levels of activity benefits accrue from additional activity.
Innovation and Diffusion

The contribution made by innovation and new technologies to economic growth and welfare is largely determined by the rate and manner by which innovations diffuse throughout the relevant population, but this topic has been a somewhat neglected one in the economics of innovation. This chapter, written for a handbook on innovation, provides a historical and comparative perspective on diffusion that looks at the broad determinants of diffusion, economic, social, and institutional, viewed from a microeconomic perspective. A framework for thinking about these determinants is presented along with a brief nontechnical review of modeling strategies used in different social scientific literatures. It concludes with a discussion of gaps in our understanding and potential future research questions.
An alternative model of the blocking of dislocations at grain boundaries

Abstract The blocking of dislocations at a slip barrier, such as a grain boundary, is modelled by considering, in the domain of distribution of dislocations ahead of the slip band, a small zone representing a locked source or the width of the boundary itself. The ‘friction stress’ in this small zone is calculated so that no infinite stresses appear in the analysis. Hall–Petch type relationships are derived for the yield stress and the fatigue limit. When the length of the additional zone is sufficiently small in comparison to the total length of the array, the solution is very close to the one obtained by the common modelling of the block by an infinite delta-type function.
Inverse effect in simultaneous thermal and radiation aging of EVA insulation

Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) insulation of the cable applied in nuclear power plants was accelerated aged by gamma-rays at two various temperatures, namely 55 and 85 degrees C. Radiation degradation in the dose range of 01500 kGy was monitored using a Differential Scanning Calorimetry method by measuring oxidative induction temperature (OITp), gel fraction, mechanical and electrical tests. It was confirmed that a dose rate effect in the range of 420-1500 Gy/h was negligible whereas progress of degradation with increasing dose was strongly temperature dependent. For the insulation accelerated aged at 85 degrees C the OITp and permittivity measurements confirmed lower degradation than for the specimens radiation treated at 55 degrees C at the same dose rates. It was postulated that an inverse thermal effect resulted from radiation induced cross-linking facilitated by melting of EVA crystallites at 85 degrees C.
The Importance of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Human Medicine

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most important bacterial opportunistic pathogens in humans. It easily adapts to the various environmental conditions. Very important is rapid development of resistance to different antimicrobial agents. Especially important is the resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics (so called methicillin-resistant S. aureus: MRSA). MRSA strains differ according to the setting they cause infections to healthcare-acquired strains, community-acquired strains and animal strains. Healthcare-acquired MRSA strains were responsible for the largest epidemic of healthcare-associated infections that ever occurred in the world; community-acquired MRSA strains are huge problem in USA, not so important in Europe. Animal MRSA strains are new addition to human pathogens, but they are not very frequent. In Croatia, MRSA strains are big problem in hospitals but with the tendency of decreasing in recent years; community-acquired MRSA strains are so far very rare, and infections caused by animal MRSA strains are still not described in humans, although they are present in pig farms.
Improving the K6 short scale to predict serious emotional disturbance in adolescents in the USA

Effective screening for emotional and behavioral disorders among youth requires brief screening scales with good validity to identify youth requiring further evaluation and to estimate prevalence of target disorders in populations of interest such as schools or neighborhoods. This paper examines the psychometric properties of a very short (six‐item) screening scale, the K6, to assess serious emotional disturbance (SED) among youth. The K6, which is made up of symptoms of depression and anxiety, has been shown in previous research to be a strong predictor of serious mental illness (SMI) in adults, but no information is available on the ability of the scale to screen for SED among youth. The current report examines the K6 as a screen for SED in a national survey of US adolescents, the National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent Supplement (NCS‐A). The K6 is shown to provide fairly good prediction of SED [area under curve (AUC) = 0.74] that is somewhat higher for internalizing (AUC = 0.80) than behavior (AUC = 0.75) disorders. Based on this result, we augmented the K6 with questions about symptoms of behavior disorders. This improved prediction of SED (from AUC = 0.74 to AUC = 0.83) as well as of SED associated with pure behavior disorders (from AUC = 0.53 to AUC = 0.78). These results show that although the symptoms of depression and anxiety in the K6 are sufficient to detect SMI among adults, high rates of behavior disorders among adolescents require indicators of behavior disorders to be added to the K6 to screen adequately for adolescent SED. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correcting Grain-Errors in Magnetic Media

This paper studies new bounds and code constructions that are applicable to the combinatorial granular channel model previously introduced by Sharov and Roth. We derive new bounds on the maximum cardinality of a grain-error-correcting code and propose constructions of codes that correct grain-errors. We demonstrate that a permutation of the classical group codes (e.g., Constantin-Rao codes) can correct a single grain-error. In many cases of interest, our results improve upon the currently best known bounds and constructions. Some of the approaches adopted in the context of grain-errors may have application to related channel models.
Bayesian nonparametric comorbidity analysis of psychiatric disorders

The analysis of comorbidity is an open and complex research field in the branch of psychiatry, where clinical experience and several studies suggest that the relation among the psychiatric disorders may have etiological and treatment implications. In this paper, we are interested in applying latent feature modeling to find the latent structure behind the psychiatric disorders that can help to examine and explain the relationships among them. To this end, we use the large amount of information collected in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) database and propose to model these data using a nonparametric latent model based on the Indian Buffet Process (IBP). Due to the discrete nature of the data, we first need to adapt the observation model for discrete random variables. We propose a generative model in which the observations are drawn from a multinomial-logit distribution given the IBP matrix. The implementation of an effcient Gibbs sampler is accomplished using the Laplace approximation, which allows integrating out the weighting factors of the multinomial-logit likelihood model. We also provide a variational inference algorithm for this model, which provides a complementary (and less expensive in terms of computational complexity) alternative to the Gibbs sampler allowing us to deal with a larger number of data. Finally, we use the model to analyze comorbidity among the psychiatric disorders diagnosed by experts from the NESARC database.
THE CAHN-HILLIARD EQUATION

1. Steady states. There are many two component systems in which phase separation can be induced by rapidly cooling the system. Thus, if a two component system, which is spatially uniform at temperature T1, is rapidly cooled to a second sufficiently lower temperature T2, then the cooled system will separate into regions of higher and lower concentration. A phenomenological description of the behavior of such systems can be obtained by energy arguments. The claim would be that there exists a critical temperature Tc, such that for T > Tc the free energy F (c, T ) of the system is a single welled function of the concentration c of one of the species, whereas for T < Tc the free energy is double welled. Referring to Figure 1, a system which was spatially uniform at temperature T1, when cooled to temperature T2, would find it energetically preferrable to separate itself into two systems, one at concentration cA and one at concentration cB. To be more specific consider now the system at temperature T < Tc. Assume that the free energy F (c) per unit volume (Gibbs free energy or Landau-Ginzburg free energy) of the spatially homogeneous system has the convex/concave shape indicated in Figure 2. More precisely F is concave in the spinodal interval cA < c < c s B and convex elsewhere. The points cA and cB where the supporting tangent touches the graph are sometimes referred to as the binodal points. The derivative f(c) = F (c) is depicted in Figure 3. The free energy of a spatially heterogeneous system would then be given by
Consolidated Tree Construction Algorithm: Structurally Steady Trees

This paper presents a new methodology for building decision trees or classification trees (Consolidated Trees Construction algorithm) that faces up the problem of unsteadiness appearing in the paradigm when small variations in the training set happen. As a consequence, the understanding of the made classification is not lost, making this technique different from techniques such as bagging and boosting where the explanatory feature of the classification disappears. The presented methodology consists on a new metaalgorithm for building structurally more steady and less complex trees (consolidated trees), so that they maintain the explaining capacity and they are faster, but, without losing the discriminating capacity. The meta-algorithm uses C4.5 as base classifier. Besides the meta-algorithm, we propose a measure of the structural diversity used to analyse the stability of the structural component. This measure gives an estimation of the heterogeneity in a set of trees from the structural point of view. The obtained results have been compared with the ones get with C4.5 in some UCI Repository databases and a real application of customer fidelisation from a company of electrical appliances.
The Development of Validation Technique in Variable Amplitude Loadings Strain Repetitive Data Collection

In any experiment, there is a need to verify the reliability of the collected data. One of the solutions is to measure the data repetitively. It will lead to measurement of inconsistency that exists in the data. Similar things also happen in variable amplitude (VA) loading strain data collection where the data also need to be measured repetitively in order the collected data is reliable. The main objective of this study is to validate the reliability of collected VA loading strain data. Two techniques will be used for identifying the similarity in the pattern for strain signal which was measured repetitively. The probability distribution function (PDF) and power spectral density (PSD) diagrams of the strain data were used as the main tool to construct profile plots for the case study data. Then, each profile plot will be compared to each other in order to identify any similarities that exist in the case study data. For the purpose of the study, a set of nonstationary VA loadings strain data that exhibits random behaviour was used. This random data was measured in the unit of microstrain on the lower suspension arm of a car. The data was repetitively measured for 60 seconds at the sampling rate of 500Hz, giving 30,000 discrete data points. The distribution of the collected data was analysed using the PDF and PSD. Based on the analysis, it was found that PSD can produce better results at identifying the similar features that exist in the profile plot compared to PDF.
Human Amniotic Membrane–Derived Products in Sports Medicine

Background: Amniotic membrane (AM)–derived products have been successfully used in ophthalmology, plastic surgery, and wound care, but little is known about their potential applications in orthopaedic sports medicine. Purpose: To provide an updated review of the basic science and preclinical and clinical data supporting the use of AM-derived products and to review their current applications in sports medicine. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted using the Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. The search term amniotic membrane was used alone and in conjunction with stem cell, orthopaedic, tissue engineering, scaffold, and sports medicine. Results: The search identified 6870 articles, 80 of which, after screening of the titles and abstracts, were considered relevant to this study. Fifty-five articles described the anatomy, basic science, and nonorthopaedic applications of AM-derived products. Twenty-five articles described preclinical and clinical trials of AM-derived products for orthopaedic sports medicine. Because the level of evidence obtained from this search was not adequate for systematic review or meta-analysis, a current concepts review on the anatomy, physiology, and clinical uses of AM-derived products is presented. Conclusion: Amniotic membranes have many promising applications in sports medicine. They are a source of pluripotent cells, highly organized collagen, antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory cytokines, immunomodulators, and matrix proteins. These properties may make it beneficial when applied as tissue engineering scaffolds, improving tissue organization in healing, and treatment of the arthritic joint. The current body of evidence in sports medicine is heavily biased toward in vitro and animal studies, with little to no human clinical data. Nonetheless, 14 companies or distributors offer commercial AM products. The preparation and formulation of these products alter their biological and mechanical properties, and a thorough understanding of these differences will help guide the use of AM-derived products in sports medicine research.
A Low-Noise Design Technique for High-Speed CMOS Optical Receivers

A careful comparison between alternative topologies to realize low-noise wideband TIAs is carried out in this work. In order to break the tradeoff between noise and bandwidth, the proposed front-end uses two stages, i.e. a low-noise narrowband transimpedance interface followed by an equalizer aimed at restoring the required bandwidth. The technique is especially effective for white noise components. The core first-stage amplifier exploits current reuse for minimum power consumption and is optimized for colored noise reduction. A net 4 × noise power reduction is achieved if compared with a design approach based on a traditional shunt-feedback TIA with the same bandwidth. A complete receiver, interfacing a commercial photodiode, and including the proposed two-stage front-end (TSFE), a limiting amplifier and a wideband output buffer has been realized in 65 nm CMOS. Optical communications tailored to 100GBASE-LR4 standard, which is specified for mid-to-long range transmissions at a channel rate of 25 Gb/s, are targeted. Realized prototypes show a sensitivity of -11.9 dBm at a BER of 10-12 with a PRBS31 input pattern and a transimpedance gain of 83 dBΩ, while tolerating an overall input capacitance of 160 fF. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the best sensitivity performance achieved by 25-Gb/s optical receivers in CMOS, comparable to state-of-the-art BiCMOS realizations.
West Nile virus: pending crisis for greater sage-grouse

Scientists have feared that emerging infectious diseases could complicate efforts to conserve rare and endangered species, but quantifying impacts has proven difficult until now. We report unexpected impacts of West Nile virus (WNv) on radio-marked greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species that has declined 45‐80% and is endangered in Canada and under current consideration for federal listing in the US. We show that WNv reduced late-summer survival an average of 25% in four radio-marked populations in the western US and Canada. Serum from 112 sage-grouse collected after the outbreak show that none had antibodies, suggesting that they lack resistance. The spread of WNv represents a significant new stressor on sage-grouse and probably other at-risk species. While managing habitat might lessen its impact on sage-grouse populations, WNv has left wildlife and public health officials scrambling to address surface water and vector control issues in western North America.
Effects of green tea extracts on non-shivering thermogenesis during mild cold exposure in young men

The effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and caffeine on non-shivering thermogenesis (NST) during cold exposure is unknown. The purpose of the present study was to quantify the effects of co-ingesting EGCG and caffeine on the thermogenic responses of a 3 h cold exposure. A total of eight healthy males were exposed to mild cold, using a liquid-conditioned suit perfused with 15°C water, on two occasions and consumed a placebo or an extract of 1600 mg of EGCG and 600 mg of caffeine (Green tea). Thermic, metabolic and electromyographic measurements were monitored at baseline and during the cold exposure. Results showed that the AUC of shivering intensity over the cold exposure period was reduced by approximately 20 % in the Green tea (266 (sem 6) % maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) × min) compared with the Placebo (332 (sem 69) %MVC × min) (P= 0·01) treatments. In contrast, the total AUC for energy expenditure (EE) was approximately 10 % higher in the Green tea (23·5 (sem 1·4) kJ/kg × 180 min) compared with the Placebo (327 (sem 74) kJ/kg 180 min) (P= 0·007) treatments. The decrease in shivering activity combined with an increase in EE, following the ingestion of EGCG and caffeine during the cold exposure, indicates that NST pathways can be significantly stimulated in adult human subjects. The present study provides an experimental approach for human investigations into the potential role of diet and bioactive food ingredients in modulating NST during cold exposure. Stimulating NST pathways in such a manner may also provide important targets in the search of targets for the management of obesity and diabetes.
Size at birth, the metabolic syndrome and 24‐h salivary cortisol profile

objective Individual variation in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPAA) function has been suggested to be important in linking small size at birth with adult cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, in particular the metabolic syndrome. Human studies have, however, so far only been performed in clinic settings, and their results have not been consistent. Our aim was to assess whether HPAA activity in everyday living circumstances is related to the metabolic syndrome and size at birth.
Genetic resources for methane production from biomass described with the Gene Ontology

Methane (CH4) is a valuable fuel, constituting 70–95% of natural gas, and a potent greenhouse gas. Release of CH4 into the atmosphere contributes to climate change. Biological CH4 production or methanogenesis is mostly performed by methanogens, a group of strictly anaerobic archaea. The direct substrates for methanogenesis are H2 plus CO2, acetate, formate, methylamines, methanol, methyl sulfides, and ethanol or a secondary alcohol plus CO2. In numerous anaerobic niches in nature, methanogenesis facilitates mineralization of complex biopolymers such as carbohydrates, lipids and proteins generated by primary producers. Thus, methanogens are critical players in the global carbon cycle. The same process is used in anaerobic treatment of municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes, reducing the biological pollutants in the wastes and generating methane. It also holds potential for commercial production of natural gas from renewable resources. This process operates in digestive systems of many animals, including cattle, and humans. In contrast, in deep-sea hydrothermal vents methanogenesis is a primary production process, allowing chemosynthesis of biomaterials from H2 plus CO2. In this report we present Gene Ontology (GO) terms that can be used to describe processes, functions and cellular components involved in methanogenic biodegradation and biosynthesis of specialized coenzymes that methanogens use. Some of these GO terms were previously available and the rest were generated in our Microbial Energy Gene Ontology (MENGO) project. A recently discovered non-canonical CH4 production process is also described. We have performed manual GO annotation of selected methanogenesis genes, based on experimental evidence, providing “gold standards” for machine annotation and automated discovery of methanogenesis genes or systems in diverse genomes. Most of the GO-related information presented in this report is available at the MENGO website (http://www.mengo.biochem.vt.edu/).
HTTP Framework for Time-Based Access to Resource States - Memento

The HTTP-based Memento framework bridges the present and past Web. It facilitates obtaining representations of prior states of a given resource by introducing datetime negotiation and TimeMaps. Datetime negotiation is a variation on content negotiation that leverages the given resource's URI and a user agent's preferred datetime. TimeMaps are lists that enumerate URIs of resources that encapsulate prior states of the given resource. The framework also facilitates recognizing a resource that encapsulates a frozen prior state of another resource.
An incremental ADC sensor interface with input switch-Less integrator featuring 220-nVrms resolution with ±30-mV input range

An incremental ADC for Wheatstone CMOS stress sensor systems is described. A switched-capacitors integrator without switches toward virtual ground avoids spur signals, clock feed-through, residual offset and glitches. The circuit, fabricated in a 0.35-μm CMOS technology, consumes 42 μW at 500-kHz clock and 2.8-V supply. Low speed chopping cancels offset and limits the 1/f noise contribution. The signal-to-noise ratio with measures lasting 220 periods is 114 dB at ±100 mV full-scale range. The active area is 0.32 mm2.