Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Associations of Metabolic Syndrome and its Components With Mortality in the Elderly

Abstract Available evidence shows that metabolic syndrome (Mets) has clear adverse effects for middle-aged and pre-elderly adults; however, the effect of Mets on mortality among elderly adults remains unclear. In addition, the comparative utility of Mets and its component for predicting mortality among the elderly has not been clearly established. Using data from a large Taiwanese cohort, we evaluated the effect of Mets and its components on subsequent all-cause and cause-specific mortality overtime among the elderly. A total of 73,547 elders (age ≥65 years) participated in the Taipei Elderly Health Examination Program from 2007 to 2010. Mets was diagnosed using the adult treatment panel III criteria, and mortality was ascertained by using national death records. Time-dependent analysis was used to evaluate associations of Mets and its components with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, and expanded CVD mortality. This retrospective cohort study found that 42.6% of elders had Mets. During 194,057 person-years of follow-up, 2944 deaths were observed. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities, Mets was associated with increased risk of expanded CVD mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.27; 95% CI, 1.10–1.46) but not all-cause or CVD mortality. Among Mets components, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.13–1.37) and hyperglycemia (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.12–1.31) were associated with a significant increase in all-cause mortality. Hypertension and low HDL-C were predictors of CVD mortality and expanded CVD mortality, and, as compared with Mets, were associated with a higher risk of expanded CVD mortality. The present findings indicate that, in elderly adults, individual components of Mets are better predictors of all-cause and cause-specific mortality than is Mets as a whole. Our results suggest that future efforts should focus on preventing and managing individual risk factors (particularly hypertension, low HDL-C, and hyperglycemia) rather than on “diagnosing” Mets in elders.
The Gluon Propagator without lattice Gribov copies

We study the gluon propagator in quenched lattice QCD using the Laplacian gauge which is free of lattice Gribov copies. We compare our results with those obtained in the Landau gauge on the lattice, as well as with various approximate solutions of the Dyson-Schwinger equations. We find a finite value;(445 MeV) 22 for the renormalized zero-momentum propagator ~taking our renormalization point at 1.943 GeV! and a pole mass ;6406140 MeV.
Identification, Biology, Impacts, and Management of Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) of Soybean and Corn in the Midwestern United States

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) are an emerging threat to soybean and corn production in the midwestern United States. An invasive species, the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Sta˚l), is spreading through the region. However, little is known about the complex of stink bug species associated with corn and soybean in the midwestern United States. In this region, particularly in the more northern states, stink bugs have historically caused only infrequent impacts to these crops. To prepare growers and agricultural professionals to contend with this new threat, we provide a review of stink bugs associated with soybean and corn in the midwestern United States. Descriptions and images of common stink bug species are provided as a diagnostic aid. The biologies and impacts of stink bugs to crops are discussed, with particular attention to differences among species. Based primarily on information from southern states, scouting, thresholds, and insecticide-based management of these pests are discussed. It is hoped that this review will provide stakeholders sufﬁcient information for management of these pests, until more region-speciﬁc research can be performed on stink bugs in soybean and corn in the midwestern United States.
The Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Gene and Kidney Cancer

The von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene (VHL), which resides on chromosome 3p25, is mutated or silenced in >50% of sporadic clear cell renal cell carcinomas. Germ-line VHL mutations give rise to VHL disease, which is characterized by an increased risk of blood vessel tumors (hemangioblastomas) and renal cell carcinomas. In this setting, VHL inactivation gives rise to premalignant renal cysts. Additional genetic alterations are presumably required for conversion of these cysts to renal cell carcinomas. Restoration of VHL function in VHL−/− renal cell carcinomas is sufficient to inhibit tumorigenesis in vivo. On the basis of these and other data, VHL appears to be a critical gatekeeper with respect to the development of renal cell carcinoma. The VHL gene product, pVHL, is the substrate recognition module of an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) for destruction in the presence of oxygen. Hypoxic cells, or cells lacking pVHL, accumulate high levels of HIF, which activates the transcription of a variety of genes, including vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor B, and transforming growth factor α. We have demonstrated that inhibition of HIF is necessary and sufficient for tumor suppression by pVHL in renal cell carcinoma nude mouse xenograft assays. This provides a rationale for treating VHL−/− renal cell carcinoma with inhibitors of HIF or its downstream targets. Genotype-phenotype correlations in VHL disease suggest, however, that pVHL has targets in addition to HIF. Elucidating these targets should provide a more complete picture of how pVHL suppresses tumor growth.
Side-Channel Analysis for Detecting Protocol Tunneling

Protocol tunneling is widely used to add security and/or privacy to Internet applications. Recent research has exposed side channel vulnerabilities that leak information about tunneled protocols. We first discuss the timing side channels that have been found in protocol tunneling tools. We then show how to infer Hidden Markov models (HMMs) of network protocols from timing data and use the HMMs to detect when protocols are active. Unlike previous work, the HMM approach we present requires no a priori knowledge of the protocol. To illustrate the utility of this approach, we detect the use of English or Italian in interactive SSH sessions. For this example application, keystroke-timing data associates inter-packet delays with keystrokes. We first use clustering to extract discrete information from continuous timing data. We use discrete symbols to infer a HMM model, and finally use statistical tests to determine if the observed timing is consistent with the language typing statistics. In our tests, if the correct window size is used, fewer than 2% of data windows are incorrectly identified. Experimental verification shows that on-line detection of language use in interactive encrypted protocol tunnels is reliable. We compare maximum likelihood and statistical hypothesis testing for detecting protocol tunneling. We also discuss how this approach is useful in monitoring mix networks like The Onion Router (Tor).
Baade-Wesselink distances and the effect of metallicity in classical cepheids

Context. The metallicity dependence of the Cepheid PL-relation is of importance in establishing the extra-galactic distance scale. Aims. The aim of this paper is to investigate the metallicity dependence of the PL-relation in V and K based on a sample of 68 Galactic Cepheids with individual Baade-Wesselink distances (some of the stars also have an HST-based parallax) and individually determined metallicities from high-resolution spectroscopy. Methods. Literature values of the V-band, K-band and radial velocity data have been collected for a sample of 68 classical cepheids that have their metallicity determined in the literature from high-resolution spectroscopy. Based on a (V − K) surface-brightness relation and a projection factor derived in a previous paper, distances have been derived from a Baade-Wesselink analysis. PL -a nd PLZ-relations in V and K are derived. Results. The effect of the adopted dependence of the projection factor on period is investigated. The change from a constant p-factor to one recently suggested in the literature with a mild dependence on logP results in a less steep slope by 0.1 unit, which is about the 1-sigma error bar in the slope itself. The observed slope in the PL-relation in V in the LMC agrees with both hypotheses. In K the difference between the Galactic and LMC slope is larger and would favour a mild period dependence of the p-factor. The dependence on metallicity in V and K is found to be marginal, and independent of the choice of p-factor on period. This result is severely limited by the small range in metallicity covered by the Galactic Cepheids.
Non-Negative Residual Matrix Factorization with Application to Graph Anomaly Detection

Given an IP source-destination traffic network, how do we spot mis-behavioral IP sources (e.g., port-scanner)? How do we find strange users in a user-movie rating graph? Moreover, how can we present the results intuitively so that it is relatively easier for data analysts to interpret? We propose NrMF, a non-negative residual matrix factorization framework, to address such challenges. We present an optimization formulation as well as an effective algorithm to solve it. Our method can naturally capture abnormal behaviors on graphs. In addition, the proposed algorithm is linear wrt the size of the graph therefore it is suitable for large graphs. The experimental results on several data sets validate its effectiveness as well as efficiency.
The probable role of trauma in a case of foot and shoe fetishism: aspects of the psychotherapy of a 6-year-old girl

Une fillette un peu garcon manque, manifeste un gout tres prononce pour les chaussures des autres. La mere rappelle la fascination du nourrisson de sept mois pour les chaussures luisantes du pere. L'enfant emportait dans son lit les vieilles chaussures de cette mere. Un petit frere nait et lui vole a jamais l'affection des parents. Le pere meurt dans un accident quand elle a 4 ans. Bientot elle frequentera les psychiatres. On la dit psychotique
A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE AGRICULTURAL PERCEPTIONS OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR THE "I LOVE FARMERS…THEY FEED MY SOUL!"

The purpose of this study is to identify a target market of the " I Love Farmers…They Feed My Soul! " (ILF) organization and establish marketing techniques for the organization. ILF is a non-profit organization committed to connecting the younger generations with information about agriculture and how food is produced. This study thoroughly investigated the markets in three geographic areas throughout California. Surveys were administered to three high school's English classes to gather data for analysis. The analysis identified the target market of the ILF organization and the associations between each target market and responses to questions regarding their agricultural knowledge, social media use, and grocery shopping preferences that will identify marketing strategies for the organization. The survey results have determined the preferences of the target market and associated marketing techniques that will help the ILF organization. The survey results also provided the ILF organization with data regarding the high school students' general knowledge of agriculture. This information will help the organization better connect to the young audience and start a conversation about agriculture and how food is produced.
Cost and Profit Efficiency of Financial Conglomerates and Universal Banks in Europe

In contrast to the United States, where the banking system has historically been fragmented, the Second Banking Directive allows European banks both to form financial conglomerates and hold equity stakes in nonfinancial companies. This paper analyzes the cost and profit efficiency of European financial conglomerates and universal banks. I find that conglomerates are more revenue efficient than their specialized competitors and that the degree of both cost and profit efficiency is higher in universal banks than in nonuniversal banks. These results indicate that the current trend toward further de-specialization may lead to a more efficient banking system. An investigation of the equity betas under varying business cycle conditions supports the hypothesis of superior monitoring capabilities on the part of universal banks. Finally, profit regressions suggest that operational efficiency has become the major determinant of bank profitability and that oligopolistic rents have become less prevalent in European banking.
Fee or Free: When Should Firms Charge for Online Content?

Many online content providers aim to compensate for a loss in advertising revenues by charging consumers for access to content. However, such a choice is not straightforward because subscription fees typically deter customers, and a resulting decline in viewership further reduces advertising revenues. This research examines whether firms that offer both free and paid content can benefit from adjusting the amount of content offered for free. We find that firms should offer more free—and not paid—content in periods of high demand. We motivate theoretically that this policy, which we term “countercyclical offering,” may be optimal for firms when consumers are heterogeneous in their valuation of online content and this heterogeneity varies over time. Using unique data from an online content provider, we then provide empirical evidence that firms indeed engage in countercyclical offering and increase the share of free content in periods of high demand. This paper was accepted by Matthew Shum, marketing.
The reason of decline of leatherback turtles ( Dermochelys coriacea ) in French Guiana : a hypothesis

Beaches of French Guiana host the nests of more than half of the worldwide number of leatherback marine turtle females (Dermochelys coriacea). This species has shown a strong decline at other major nesting beaches, which makes the actual trend in French Guiana of major importance. We present the data of nest counts from the 1998 nesting season and show that the French Guiana/Suriname population is also declining. We suggest that the potential cause of this decline could be a two step process that began 25 years ago: since 1973, almost all females nesting in this region were concentrated on the beaches of the Maroni and Mana rivers estuary. These beaches appear to be very bad for nest incubation and therefore the juvenile recruitment in the population was very low. However, this effect could have been masked by the very high longevity of females. Development of industrial fishing performed illegally in the estuary for the past 6-7 years enhanced the adult mortality and could also provok the actual observed decline. We propose several ways to test this hypothesis.
Assistant professors of color confront the inequitable terrain of academia: a community cultural wealth perspective

Abstract This qualitative study adopted Yosso’s community cultural wealth (CCW) framework to examine how 16 assistant professors of color (APOC) drew upon various forms of capital (navigational, aspirational, social, resistant, linguistic, familial) to deal with racism and marginalization in academia. Findings revealed how APOC: dealt with students’ stereotypes of them, maintained their authentic selves to make academia more accessible and relevant, persevered with integrity despite hostility or marginalization, self-advocated for quality mentorship, and engaged in strategic service while avoiding cultural taxation and tokenism. Findings highlighted the positive cultural assets APOC enact within the academy while reiterating the need to address racist and marginalizing policies and practices in higher education. Variations in experiences based on gender and international status that can be explored further in future research also emerged. Working at a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) also did not eliminate or lessen racist or marginalizing experiences for participants.
Blood pressure in professional male football players in Norway

Objectives: Scarce data exist on blood pressure (BP) and secondary effects in young athletes. Hence, we aimed to study prevalence of high BP (≥140/90 mmHg) and the association to arterial compliance, left ventricle mass and left atrium volume. Methods: A Norwegian preparticipation cardiac screening of male professional football players enrolled 493 white European, 47 matched controls, 49 black and 53 players of other ethnicity. BP was measured as a mean of two measurements. Height and weight were self-reported, and body surface area (BSA) was calculated. The echocardiographic parameters were indexed to BSA. Heart rates (HRs) by electrocardiography and pulse pressure (PP) were considered as surrogates for sympathetic activity. Arterial compliance was calculated as stroke volumeBSA/PP. Results: The players mean age was 25 years (18–38) and mean BP 122/69 ± 11/8 mmHg. There were no significant differences in prevalence of hypertension between all players, 39 (7%), and controls, four (9%), or between white, 32 (7%), and black, five (10%), players. There was a significant positive linear relationship between BP and left ventricle massBSA, left atrium volumeBSA, stroke volumeBSA, HR and PP, and negative relationship to arterial complianceBSA. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of high BP in professional football players was low, our data indicate a novel association between elevated BP and reduced arterial compliance, increased left ventricle mass and left atrium volume even in young athletes. This emphasizes closer focus on BP measurements and standardized follow-up after preparticipation screening of athletes.
Scheduling Parallel Applications on Utility Grids: Time and Cost Trade-off Management

With the growth of Utility Grids and various Grid market infrastructures, the need for efficient and cost effective scheduling algorithms is also increasing rapidly, particularly in the area of meta-scheduling. In these environments, users not only may have conflicting requirements with other users, but also they have to manage the trade-off between time and cost such that their applications can be executed most economically in the minimum time. Thus, choosing of the best Grid resources becomes a challenge in such a competitive market. This paper presents two novel heuristics for scheduling parallel applications on Utility Grids that manage and optimize the trade-off between time and cost constraints. The performance of the heuristics is evaluated through extensive simulations of a real-world environment with real parallel workload models to demonstrate the practicality of our algorithms. We compare our scheduling algorithms against other common algorithms used by current meta-schedulers. The results shows that our algorithms outperform other algorithms by minimizing the time and cost of application execution on Utility Grids.
A Characterization of approximate equilibria and cores in a class of coalition economies

This paper duplicates a 1979 revision S.U.N.Y-Stony Brook Working Paper No. 184. This revision has been freqently cited, cf. Bennett and Wooders (1979), Scotchmer and Wooders (1986), both to appear on-line at http://www.chass. utoronto.ca/ ̃wooders2. Further discussions of the origins of this work and some subsequent literature appears in “A history and brief summary,” on-line at http://www.chass. utoronto.ca/ ̃wooders2. Following is a brief summary of the paper and the results.
TAT: traffic analysis tool for the statistical study of IP networks

We present a new software package, TAT, that allows the statistical study of the IP traffic transmitted through an Internet node. This tool has been successfully tested under work carried out in a subnet of the regional network of Murcia (Spain) called Ciez@net. Cieza is a town of 30,000 people where the pilot network Ciez@net intends to give these people the opportunity to use the new emerging Internet applications in their daily life. The goal of the traffic analysis tool developed in this project has been to analyse the IP traffic transmitted in the regional network in order to figure out if the use that people make of the network services and infrastructure was worth the economic effort put into the network deployment and operation. The success of this software tool lies in its flexibility, easy handling and interface independence.
Psychiatric Disorders in Mildly and Severely Mentally Retarded Urban Children and Adolescents: Epidemiological Aspects

A total of 149 children aged 13–17 years were examined. 83 were mildly and 66 severely mentally retarded. These children, especially the severely retarded ones, are representative of all mentally retarded children born in 1966–1970 and living in Göteborg, Sweden. 64% of the severely mentally retarded and 57% of the mildly mentally retarded children were suffering from a handicapping psychiatric condition. Autism-like ‘psychotic behaviour’ was common in the severely retarded. 0.2% of the total child population aged 13–17 years suffering from the combination of mental retardation and ‘psychotic behaviour’. Epilepsy was associated with psychiatric abnormality, but Down's syndrome was generally not so associated.
The Development of Social Competence during Early Childhood: A Latent Growth Model

Social competence is an important aspect of children’s social adjustment, which has been recognized by a majority of developmental psychologists. Much research has been accumulated investigating the developmental dynamics of social competence. Relatively few studies, however, have examined the latent growth of social competence, particularly during early childhood. In addition, existing research on the development of social competence points to child temperament and family socioeconomic status as important predictors; however, the majority of longitudinal research has included just two time points. The present study sought to advance our current understanding of social competence by examining its growth during early childhood. A second goal was to investigate the additive and interactive effects of child temperament, gender, and maternal education on initial levels and growth in social competence. A sample of 119 preschoolers and their mothers was followed up for two years from preschool entry to the end of the second preschool year. Children’s social competence was evaluated by their mothers for three times, first at three months after preschool entry, second at the end of the first preschool year, and finally, at the end of the second preschool year. Children’s temperament and socio-demographic information were also collected at the first wave. Latent growth modeling was used to examine children’s initial levels and growth in social competence and the predictions of initial levels and growth from child temperament, gender, and maternal education. Results showed that children’s social competence increased linearly during the follow-up period. Significant variability in the initial levels and growth was also found. Girls had higher initial levels of social competence than boys did. Children whose mothers had more education had stronger social competence than their peers whose mothers had less education. Growth in social competence was predicted significantly by the interaction between temperamental rhythmicity and gender. These findings highlight the importance of examining latent growth in children’s social competence during early childhood. They also expand the existing research on temperament and social competence by testing interactive effects on latent growth.