Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endogenous Sex Hormones and Progression of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Elderly Men

Background—The burden of atherosclerosis especially afflicts the increasing older segment of the population. Recent evidence has emphasized a protective role of endogenous sex hormones in the development of atherosclerosis in aging men. Methods and Results—We studied the association between endogenous sex hormones and progression of atherosclerosis in 195 independently living elderly men. Participants underwent measurements of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) at baseline in 1996 and again in 2000. At baseline, serum concentrations of testosterone (total and free) and estradiol (total and free E2) were measured. Serum free testosterone concentrations were inversely related to the mean progression of IMT of the common carotid artery after adjustment for age (β=−3.57; 95% CI, −6.34 to −0.80). Higher serum total and free E2 levels were related to progression of IMT of the common carotid artery after adjustment for age (β=0.38; 95% CI, −0.11 to 0.86; and β=0.018; 95% CI, −0.002 to 0.038, respectively). These associations were independent of body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, presence of hypertension and diabetes, smoking, and serum cholesterol levels Conclusions—Low free testosterone levels were related to IMT of the common carotid artery in elderly men independently of cardiovascular risk factors.
An adaptive timer for RPL to handle mobility in wireless sensor networks

This paper focuses on the performance of wireless sensor networks characterized by a hybrid topology composed of mobile and static sensor nodes. The Routing Protocol for Low power and lossy networks (RPL), which is standardized as an IPv6 routing protocol for low power and lossy networks, uses the trickle timer algorithm to handle changes in the network topology. However, this algorithm is not well adapted to dynamic environments. This paper enhances the trickle timer in order to fit with mobility requirements. Most of previous works have improved this algorithm without considering the random movement of nodes. In this work, the proposed timer algorithm takes into consideration the random trajectory of mobile nodes, pause time and node's velocity. It is also dynamically adjusted to prevent from node disconnections. The performance of the modified protocol is evaluated and compared with native RPL, MERPL and RPL with reverse Trickle. The results show that our protocol optimization offers better performance.
On multiple classifier systems for pattern recognition

Difficult pattern recognition problems involving large class sets and noisy input can be solved by a multiple classifier system, which allows simultaneous use of arbitrary feature descriptors and classification procedures. Independent decisions by each classifier can be combined by methods of the highest rank, Borda count, and logistic regression, resulting in substantial improvement in overall correctness. <<ETX>>
A Lightweight Snapshot-based Algorithm for Software Transactional Memory

Software transactional memory (STM) is a generic synchronization construct that enables automatic conversion of correct sequential objects into correct nonblocking concurrent objects. We investigate a novel lightweight snapshot-based validation and conflict detection (LSVCD) algorithm for STM that provide scaling and strong consistency. In LSVCD, each transaction maintains a local snapshot version variable used to indicate the snapshot state it views. Whether the snapshot of memory observed by a transaction is consistent or not can be verified quickly by comparing lsv with Global Version Number. LSVCD can greatly reduce the cost of read and write operations, conflict detection and validation of STM. Transactions proceed without interference or contention unless they access overlapping data sets. Experimental results show that LSVCD is simple and quite competitive, and gains a notably improvements of performance over existing STM implementation.
Long-Term Evolution of Massive Black Hole Binaries. III. Binary Evolution in Collisional Nuclei

In galactic nuclei with sufficiently short relaxation times, binary supermassive black holes can evolve beyond their stalling radii via continued interaction with stars. We study this "collisional" evolutionary regime using both fully self-consistent N-body integrations and approximate Fokker-Planck models. The N-body integrations employ particle numbers up to 0.26 × 106 and a direct-summation potential solver; close interactions involving the binary are treated using a new implementation of the Mikkola-Aarseth regularization algorithm. Even at these large values of N, two-body scattering occurs at high enough rates in the simulations that they cannot be simply scaled to the large-N regime of real galaxies. The Fokker-Planck model is used to bridge this gap; it includes, for the first time, binary-induced changes in the stellar density and potential. The Fokker-Planck model is shown to accurately reproduce the results of the N-body integrations and is then extended to the much larger N-regime of real galaxies. Analytic expressions are derived that accurately reproduce the time dependence of the binary semimajor axis as predicted by the Fokker-Planck model. Gravitational wave coalescence is shown to occur in ≤10 Gyr in nuclei with velocity dispersions below ~80 km s-1. Formation of a core results from a competition between ejection of stars by the binary and resupply of depleted orbits via two-body scattering. Mass deficits as large as ~4 times the binary mass are produced before coalescence. After the two black holes coalesce, a Bahcall-Wolf cusp appears around the single hole in one relaxation time, resulting in a nuclear density profile consisting of a flat core with an inner, compact cluster, similar to what is observed at the centers of low-luminosity elliptical galaxies.
Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome The Clinical Problem

The Clinical Problem Functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS) is a state of chronic recurrent abdominal pain that is not due to structural, organic, or metabolic diseases, as far as can be detected by current routine clinical examinations [7]. Abdominal pain in FAPS is unrelated to provocation, exaggeration, or relief by everyday physiological stimuli such as eating, exercise, defecation, or menstruation [7]. FAPS is one of the functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and is distinct from other categories of FGIDs such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), unspecified functional bowel disorder, epigastric pain syndrome in functional dyspepsia, functional chest pain of presumed esophageal origin, functional gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi disorders, and functional anorectal pain in adults [10]. Infant colic in neonates and toddlers, as well as IBS, abdominal migraine, functional dyspepsia, and FAPS in children and adolescents, can also be related to pain [10]. For instance, IBS is characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort that is perceived as a weak sensation of abdominal pain and is characterized by more than two of the following three conditions: relief by defecation, onset associated with changes in stool frequency, and onset associated with changes in stool form [19]. Epigastric pain syndrome in functional dyspepsia is defined by chronic pain or burning localized to the epigastrium of at least moderate severity, at least once per week, and by intermittent pain, not generalized or localized to other abdominal or chest regions, that is not relieved by defecation or passage of flatus and does not fulfill the criteria for gallbladder or sphincter of Oddi disorders [25]. The gastrointestinal symptoms of these pain-related FGIDs have different features. However, the basic mechanisms of pain may not be mutually exclusive among these disorders.
Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP/ABCG2) Is Expressed by Progenitor Cells/Reactive Ductules and Hepatocytes and Its Expression Pattern Is Influenced by Disease Etiology and Species Type: Possible Functional Consequences

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) is an ATP-binding cassette transport protein that is expressed in several organs including the liver. Previous studies have shown that ABC transport proteins play an important pathophysiological role in several liver diseases. However, to date, expression pattern and possible role of BCRP in human liver diseases and animal models have not been studied in detail. Here we investigated the expression pattern of BCRP in normal liver, chronic parenchymal and biliary human liver diseases, and parallel in different rat models of liver diseases. Expression was studied by immunohistochemistry and additionally by RT-PCR analysis in Thy-1-positive rat oval cells. Bile ducts, hepatic progenitor cells, reactive bile ductules, and blood vessel endothelium were immunoreactive for BCRP in normal liver and all types of human liver diseases and in rat models. BCRP was expressed by the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes in normal and diseased human liver, but never in rat liver. Remarkably, there was also expression of BCRP at the basolateral pole of human hepatocytes, and this was most pronounced in chronic biliary diseases. In conclusion, BCRP positivity in the progenitor cells/reactive ductules could contribute to the resistance of these cells to cytotoxic agents and xenotoxins. Basolateral hepatocytic expression in chronic biliary diseases may be an adaptive mechanism to pump bile constituents back into the sinusoidal blood. Strong differences between human and rat liver must be taken into account in future studies with animal models.
DEPEND: a design environment for prediction and evaluation of system dependability

The development of DEPEND, an integrated simulation environment for the design and dependability analysis of fault-tolerant systems, is described. DEPEND models both hardware and software components at a functional level, and allows automatic failure injection to assess system performance and reliability. It relieves the user of the work needed to inject failures, maintain statistics, and output reports. The automatic failure injection scheme is geared toward evaluating a system under high stress (workload) conditions. The failures that are injected can affect both hardware and software components. To illustrate the capability of the simulator, a distributed system which employs a prediction-based, dynamic load-balancing heuristic is evaluated. Experiments were conducted to determine the impact of failures on system performance and to identify the failures to which the system is especially susceptible. <<ETX>>
CD4+ T-Cell Responses to Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen EBNA1 in Chinese Populations Are Highly Focused on Novel C-Terminal Domain-Derived Epitopes

ABSTRACT Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen EBNA1, the one viral protein uniformly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), represents a prime target for T-cell-based immunotherapy. However, little is known about the EBNA1 epitopes, particularly CD4 epitopes, presented by HLA alleles in Chinese people, the group at highest risk for NPC. We analyzed the CD4+ T-cell responses to EBNA1 in 78 healthy Chinese donors and found marked focusing on a small number of epitopes in the EBNA1 C-terminal region, including a DP5-restricted epitope that was recognized by almost half of the donors tested and elicited responses able to recognize EBNA1-expressing, DP5-positive target cells.
A Review of Speech Signal Enhancement Techniques

Speech is the most natural and the most effective way of communication between human. During the speech communication, the signals contains some noise so when processing the digital speech signals; speech signal enhancement is very important step. The field speech processing is an applied area of signal processing. The motive of speech enhancement is to enhance the understandability and comprehensibility of speech signal. There are numbers of techniques proposed using which speech signal enhancement is performed. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of speech enhancement algorithms which are used for enhancement of speech signal.
Reading Books and Reading Minds: Differential Effects of Wonder and The Crossover on Empathy and Theory of Mind

We tested sixth graders for empathy and theory of mind before and after an academic unit on either Wonder or The Crossover. Wonder was associated with improved perspective-taking; students who read The Crossover increased in concern for others. Faux pas detection increased in both genders with Wonder, and in girls with The Crossover. Students who read The Crossover in print showed improved understanding of facial expressions, while students who used iPads declined. Young adult fiction is associated with improved social cognitive skills, but effects depend on gender and reading format, as well as on the choice of individual book.
Escala de depresión geriátrica de Yesavage : análisis de versiones cortas con datos de la Encuesta Salud Bienestar y Envejecimiento (SABE) para Bogotá

Objective: To analyze abbreviated versions of the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) according to the data obtained in the SABE survey in Bogota. Materials and methods: This study has a descriptive retrospective cross-sectional design, using the database of the SABE survey, with 2000 records, analyzing 1957 of them according to exclusion criteria. For data analysis SPSS v21 software was used, and through Cronbach's alfa coefficient reliability of the scale was estimated by internal consistency. Conclusions: The 10 item version of the scale Yesavage has the highest internal consistency, which would catalogues it a better option in depression screening.
Activation of the Lectin Pathway by Natural IgM in a Model of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury1

Reperfusion of ischemic tissues elicits an acute inflammatory response involving serum complement, which is activated by circulating natural IgM specific to self-Ags exposed by ischemia. Recent reports demonstrating a role for the lectin pathway raise a question regarding the initial events in complement activation. To dissect the individual roles of natural IgM and lectin in activation of complement, mice bearing genetic deficiency in early complement, IgM, or mannan-binding lectin were characterized in a mesenteric model of ischemia reperfusion injury. The results reveal that IgM binds initially to ischemic Ag providing a binding site for mannan-binding lectin which subsequently leads to activation of complement and injury.
MESH CUTTING ALGORITHM FOR USE IN AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY SIMULATOR

In order to develop a podiatric orthopaedic training simulator the obstacle of simulating podiatric bone surgery must be overcome. In order to simulate this surgery appropriately, it is necessary to be able to cut through a virtual representation of a patient’s foot on-screen in real-time. We investigate several methods of cutting through simulated objects in general, and evaluate their usefulness in simulating real-time interactive bone surgery. We determine that none of these conventional methods are fully suitable and instead propose, develop and test a method using planar slicing of polyhedral mesh geometry.
Nonlinear Pulse Propagation in a Weakly Birefringent Optical Fiber Part 1: Derivation of Coupled Nonlinear Schrodinger Equations (Cnlse)

A systematic derivation of the Coupled Nonlinear Schrodinger Equations (CNLSE) governing nonlinear pulse propaga- tion in a weakly birefringent monomode optical flber based on a multiple-scale perturbation solution of the semilinear vector wave equa- tion for the electric fleld in a (randomly) birefringent flber medium is presented. The analysis of the nonlinear propagation characteristics of optical pulses based on a numerical solution of the CNLSE is deferred to the second part of this contribution.
The Declining U.S. Equity Premium

This study demonstrates that the U.S. equity premium has declined significantly during the last three decades. The study calculates the equity premium using a variation of a formula in the classic Gordon stock valuation model. The calculation includes the bond yield, the stock dividend yield, and the expected dividend growth rate, which in this formulation can change over time. The study calculates the premium for several measures of the aggregate U.S. stock portfolio and several assumptions about bond yields and stock dividends and gets basically the same result. The premium averaged about 7 percentage points during 1926 70 and only about 0.7 of a percentage point after that. This result is shown to be reasonable by demonstrating the roughly equal returns that investments in stocks and consol bonds of the same duration would have earned between 1982 and 1999, years when the equity premium is estimated to have been zero.
Preparation of Bio-Based Polyamide Elastomer by Using Green Plasticizers

The purpose of this work was to study the effects of three green plasticizers H2O, glycerol, and soybean oil, on the properties of bio-based BDIS polyamides. The BDIS polyamides synthesized from the following biomass monomers: 1,4-butanediamine (BD), 1,10-decanediamine (DD), itaconic acid (IA), and sebacic acid (SA). It is interesting to note that the amorphous BDIS (IA-80%) polyamide was changed from the glassy state to the rubbery state after water soaking and induced crystallization at the same time. The H2O-plasticized non-crosslinked BDIS (IA-80%) polyamides can be very useful for the preparation of physical water gel. The glycerol- and soybean oil-plasticized BDIS (IA-80%) polyamides displayed excellent toughness. The plasticized BDIS (IA-80%) polyamides were characterized by Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical testing, and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
Amygdala Volume and Social Anxiety Symptom Severity: A Mutli-method Study

Neuroimaging research has strongly influenced a biologically-based conceptualization of social anxiety, which is the fear of evaluation from others. Functional neuroimaging research has shown consistently a robust association between atypical amygdala activation and social anxiety symptoms. However, there are disparities in the small structural imaging literature on the amygdala and social anxiety. The inconsistent findings may, in part, be a function of differences across studies in the methods used to obtain amygdala volumes. Freesurfer and manual tracings are two common segmentation techniques, and the use of one over the other involves different tradeoffs. The present study directly compared amygdala volumes generated based on Freesurfer’s boundaries to those generated based on manually corrected boundaries, in neurotypical adults with varying levels of social anxiety. Also, it examined whether amygdala volume predicted social anxiety symptom severity. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale – SelfReport version served as a measure of social anxiety. Participants (N = 76) were selected from three larger archival projects. They had social anxiety scores ranging from 0 108 (M = 54.59 ± 33.34). The results suggest Freesurfer’s boundaries consistently produced larger amygdala volumes than manually corrected boundaries. However, in neurotypical individuals with and without social anxiety, manual correction did not provide added benefit over the use of Freesurfer with regard to predicting social anxiety symptoms. The present findings strongly suggest that volumetric measurement of the amygdala is not helpful for understanding variability in social anxiety symptom severity and call into question numerous aspects of existing volumetric studies of the neural correlates of social anxiety. INDEX WORDS: Amygdala, Volume, Social anxiety, Structural neuroimaging, Freesurfer, SAD ASSOCIATION BETWEEN AMYGDALA VOLUME AND SOCIAL ANXIETY SYMPTOM SEVERITY: A MULTI-METHOD STUDY
Real-time painterly rendering for MR applications

In this paper we describe a real-time system for AR/MR rendering applications in a painterly style. Impressionistic images are created using a large number of brush strokes, which are organized as 3d particles to achieve frame-to-frame coherence. Reference pictures are used to compute the properties of each stroke.The presented technique is based on B. J. Meier's "Painterly Rendering for Animation". We modified the algorithm of Meier for real-time AR/MR environments by extensively using modern 3d hardware. Vertex and pixel shaders allow both the rendering of thousands of brush strokes per frame and the correct application of their properties. Direct rendering to textures allows rapid generation of reference pictures and assures great flexibility, since arbitrary rendering systems can be combined (e. g. painterly rendering of toon shaded objects, etc.).
Real-time simulation of deformable objects: tools and application

Presents algorithms for animating deformable objects in real time. We focus on computing the deformation of an object subject to external forces and detecting collisions among deformable and rigid objects. The targeted application domain is surgical training. This application relies more on visual realism than exact, patient-specific deformation, but requires that computations be performed in real time. This is in contrast with pre-operative surgical planning, where computations may be done offline but must provide accurate results. To achieve real-time performance, the proposed algorithms take advantage of the fact that most deformations are local, human-body tissues are well damped, and motions of surgical instruments are relatively slow. They have been integrated into a virtual reality system for simulating the suturing of small blood vessels (microsurgery).
Spatial Metrics based Landscape Structure and Dynamics Assessment for an emerging Indian Megalopolis

Human-induced land use changes are considered the prime agents of the global environmental changes. Urbanisation and associated growth patterns (urban sprawl) are characteristic of spatial temporal changes that take place at regional levels. Unplanned urbanization and consequent impacts on natural resources including basic amenities has necessitated the investigations of spatial patterns of urbanization. A comprehensive assessment using quantitative methods and methodological understanding using rigorous methods is required to understand the patterns of change that occur as human processes transform the landscapes to help regional land use planners to easily identify, understand the necessary requirement. Tier II cities in India are undergoing rapid changes in recent times and need to be planned to minimize the impacts of unplanned urbanisation. Mysore is one of the rapidly urbanizing traditional regions of Karnataka, India. In this study, an integrated approach of remote sensing and spatial metrics with gradient analysis was used to identify the trends of urban land changes. The spatial and temporal dynamic pattern of the urbanization process of the megalopolis region considering the spatial data for the ? ve decades with 3 km buffer from the city boundary has been studied, which help in the implementation of location specific mitigation measures. The time series of gradient analysis through landscape metrics helped in describing, quantifying and monitoring the spatial configuration of urbanization at landscape levels. Results indicated a signi? cant increase of urban built-up area during the last four decades. Landscape metrics indicates the coalescence of urban areas occurred during the rapid urban growth from 2000 to 2009 indicating the clumped growth at the center with simple shapes and dispersed growth in the boundary region with convoluted shapes.