Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wide faces or large canines? The attractive versus the aggressive primate

Hominids display marked body size dimorphism, suggestive of strong sexual selection, yet they lack significant sex differences in canine size that are commonly associated with intrasexual competition in primates. We resolve this paradox by examining sex differences in hominoid facial morphology. We show that chimpanzees, but not gorillas, exhibit clear sexual dimorphism in face width, over and above that expected based on sex differences in body size. We show that this facial dimorphism, expressed as an index, is negatively correlated with canine dimorphism among anthropoid primates. Our findings suggest that a lack of canine dimorphism in anthropoids is not owing to weak sexual selection, but rather is associated with strong sexual selection for broader face width. Enlarged cheekbones are linked with attractiveness in humans, and we propose that the evolution of a broad face and loss of large canines in hominid males results from mate choice.
On the semantics of place/transition Petri nets

Place/transition (PT) Petri nets are one of the most widely used models of concurrency. However, they still lack, in our view, a satisfactory semantics: on the one hand the ‘token game’ is too intensional, even in its more abstract interpretations in terms of nonsequential processes and monoidal categories; on the other hand, Winskel's basic unfolding construction, which provides a coreflection between nets and finitary prime algebraic domains, works only for safe nets. In this paper we extend Winskel's result to PT nets. We start with a rather general category PTNets of PT nets, we introduce a category DecOcc of decorated (nondeterministic) occurrence nets and we define adjunctions between PTNets and DecOcc and between DecOcc and Occ, the category of occurrence nets. The role of DecOcc is to provide natural unfoldings for PT nets, i.e., acyclic safe nets where a notion of family is used to relate multiple instances of the same place. The unfolding functor from PTNets to Occ reduces to Winskel's when restricted to safe nets. Moreover, the standard coreflection between Occ and Dom, the category of finitary prime algebraic domains, when composed with the unfolding functor above, determines a chain of adjunctions between PTNets and Dom.
ANALYSIS ON THE QUALITY OF AEROSOL OPTICAL THICKNESS DATA DERIVED FROM NPP VIIRS AND AQUA MODIS OVER WESTERN REGION OF INDONESIA

Preliminary analysis on quality data of Aerosol Optical Thickness/Depth or AOT/AOD derived from NPP VIIRS EDR (Environmental Data Record) has been done in previous work. Qualitative analysis of the previous work revealed that AOT data of VIIRS had insufficient quality due to some factors such as sun glint and cloud cover. However the accuracy of AOT VIIRS data over western area of Indonesia has not been investigated. Therefore this paper describes further analysis on AOT VIIRS data quality and accuracy. Comparison with AOT derived from Aqua MODIS data was implemented since AOT of MODIS has verified well with AOT data from field observation. Examination on cloud masking intermediate product of VIIRS was done for its importance in AOT data processing and persistent cloud cover obstacle over Indonesia. We used VIIRS and MODIS data archieved by LAPAN ground station. Further analysis on sun glint and cloud masking images indicates that these two intermediate products predominantly affect the quality of AOT from VIIRS and MODIS over the study areas. Compared with AOT of MODIS, AOT of VIIRS seems to result more pixels consisting AOT information over the same area and date. The statistical results showed that AOT values of VIIRS highly correlated with AOT values of MODIS with R 2 of 78%. The accuracy of AOT derived from VIIRS was adequate as indicated by RMSE of 0.0977 or less than 0.5 for the samples over Sumatra, Borneo, and Java islands. Visual comparison of AOT images indicates that VIIRS data could result more detailed AOT values than MODIS data. Therefore the AOT of VIIRS data could be recommended for further applications in western area of Indonesia.
Putting desire on a budget: dopamine and energy expenditure, reconciling reward and resources

Accumulating evidence indicates integration of dopamine function with metabolic signals, highlighting a potential role for dopamine in energy balance, frequently construed as modulating reward in response to homeostatic state. Though its precise role remains controversial, the reward perspective of dopamine has dominated investigation of motivational disorders, including obesity. In the hypothesis outlined here, we suggest instead that the primary role of dopamine in behavior is to modulate activity to adapt behavioral energy expenditure to the prevailing environmental energy conditions, with the role of dopamine in reward and motivated behaviors derived from its primary role in energy balance. Dopamine has long been known to modulate activity, exemplified by psychostimulants that act via dopamine. More recently, there has been nascent investigation into the role of dopamine in modulating voluntary activity, with some investigators suggesting that dopamine may serve as a final common pathway that couples energy sensing to regulated voluntary energy expenditure. We suggest that interposed between input from both the internal and external world, dopamine modulates behavioral energy expenditure along two axes: a conserve-expend axis that regulates generalized activity and an explore-exploit axes that regulates the degree to which reward value biases the distribution of activity. In this view, increased dopamine does not promote consumption of tasty food. Instead increased dopamine promotes energy expenditure and exploration while decreased dopamine favors energy conservation and exploitation. This hypothesis provides a mechanistic interpretation to an apparent paradox: the well-established role of dopamine in food seeking and the findings that low dopaminergic functions are associated with obesity. Our hypothesis provides an alternative perspective on the role of dopamine in obesity and reinterprets the “reward deficiency hypothesis” as a perceived energy deficit. We propose that dopamine, by facilitating energy expenditure, should be protective against obesity. We suggest the apparent failure of this protective mechanism in Western societies with high prevalence of obesity arises as a consequence of sedentary lifestyles that thwart energy expenditure.
Integrated Assessment of Shallow-Aquifer Vulnerability to Multiple Contaminants and Drinking-Water Exposure Pathways in Holliston, Massachusetts

Half of U.S. drinking water comes from aquifers, and very shallow ones (<20 feet to water table) are especially vulnerable to anthropogenic contamination. We present the case of Holliston, a Boston, Massachusetts suburb that draws its drinking water from very shallow aquifers, and where metals and solvents have been reported in groundwater. Community concerns focus on water discolored by naturally occurring manganese (Mn), despite reports stating regulatory aesthetic compliance. Epidemiologic studies suggest Mn is a potentially toxic element (PTE) for children exposed by the drinking-water pathway at levels near the regulatory aesthetic level. We designed an integrated, community-based project: five sites were profiled for contaminant releases; service areas for wells were modeled; and the capture zone for one vulnerable well was estimated. Manganese, mercury, and trichloroethylene are among 20 contaminants of interest. Findings show that past and/or current exposures to multiple contaminants in drinking water are plausible, satisfying the criteria for complete exposure pathways. This case questions the adequacy of aquifer protection and monitoring regulations, and highlights the need for integrated assessment of multiple contaminants, associated exposures and health risks. It posits that community-researcher partnerships are essential for understanding and solving complex problems.
Lestaurtinib (CEP701) is a JAK2 inhibitor that suppresses JAK2/STAT5 signaling and the proliferation of primary erythroid cells from patients with myeloproliferative disorders.

Recent studies have demonstrated that patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) frequently have acquired activating mutations in the JAK2 tyrosine kinase. A multikinase screen determined that lestaurtinib (formerly known as CEP-701) inhibits wild type JAK2 kinase activity with a concentration that inhibits response by 50% (IC(50)) of 1 nM in vitro. We hypothesized that lestaurtinib would inhibit mutant JAK2 kinase activity and suppress the growth of cells from patients with MPDs. We found that lestaurtinib inhibits the growth of HEL92.1. 7 cells, which are dependent on mutant JAK2 activity for growth in vitro and in xenograft models. Erythroid cells expanded from primary CD34(+) cells from patients with MPDs were inhibited by lestaurtinib at concentrations of 100 nM or more in 15 of 18 subjects, with concomitant inhibition of phosphorylation of STAT5 and other downstream effectors of JAK2. By contrast, growth of erythroid cells derived from 3 healthy controls was not significantly inhibited. These results demonstrate that lestaurtinib, in clinically achievable concentrations, inhibits proliferation and JAK2/STAT5 signaling in cells from patients with MPDs, and therefore holds promise as a therapeutic agent for patients with these disorders.
A Text-Messaging and Pedometer Program to Promote Physical Activity in People at High Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: The Development of the PROPELS Follow-On Support Program

Background Mobile technologies for health (mHealth) represent a promising strategy for reducing type 2 diabetes (T2DM) risk. The PROPELS trial investigates whether structured group-based education alone or supplemented with a follow-on support program combining self-monitoring with pedometers and tailored text-messaging is effective in promoting and maintaining physical activity among people at high risk of T2DM. Objective This paper describes the iterative development of the PROPELS follow-on support program and presents evidence on its acceptability and feasibility. Methods We used a modified mHealth development framework with four phases: (1) conceptualization of the follow-on support program using theory and evidence, (2) formative research including focus groups (n=15, ages 39-79 years), (3) pre-testing focus groups using a think aloud protocol (n=20, ages 52-78 years), and (4) piloting (n=11). Analysis was informed by the constant comparative approach, with findings from each phase informing subsequent phases. Results The first three phases informed the structure, nature, and content of the follow-on support program, including the frequency of text messages, the need for tailored content and two-way interaction, the importance of motivational messages based on encouragement and reinforcement of affective benefits (eg, enjoyment) with minimal messages about weight and T2DM risk, and the need for appropriate language. The refined program is personalized and tailored to the individual’s perceived confidence, previous activity levels, and physical activity goals. The pilot phase indicated that the program appeared to fit well with everyday routines and was easy to use by older adults. Conclusions We developed a feasible and innovative text messaging and pedometer program based on evidence and behavior change theory and grounded in the experiences, views, and needs of people at high diabetes risk. A large scale trial is testing the effectiveness of this 4-year program over and above structured group education alone. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 83465245; http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN83465245/83465245 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6dfSmrVAe)
Effectiveness of back school for treatment of pain and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of the addition of back school to exercise and physical treatment modalities in relieving pain and improving the functional status of patients with chronic low back pain. DESIGN A randomized controlled trial. PATIENTS A total of 146 patients with chronic low back pain were enrolled in the study. METHODS Subjects were divided into 2 groups: the back school group received exercise, physical treatment modalities and a back school programme; and the control group received exercise and physical treatment modalities. Treatment efficacy was evaluated at the end of treatment and 3 months post-treatment, in terms of pain, measured with the Visual Analogue Scale, and functional status, measured with the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire. RESULTS In both groups, Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire were significantly reduced after therapy (p < 0.01), but the difference between the scores at the end of treatment and 3 months post-treatment was not significant. There was a significant improvement in Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire in the back school group compared with the control group at the end of therapy and 3 months post-treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The addition of back school was more effective than exercise and physical treatment modalities alone in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain.
Liquid Crystal Elastomers

PREFACE Liquid crystals are unusual materials. As their name suggests, they inhabit the grey area between liquids and solids. They have long range orientational order, typically of the unique axes of their component rod-like or plate molecules. Spatial variations of this average direction of molecular orientation are resisted by so-called curvature (Frank) elasticity. On the other hand liquid crystals can flow, albeit as anisotropic liquids. Polymers too are unusual materials. Above the glass transition, the physics is mostly dominated by the high entropy inherent in the disorder of their component long chain molecules. Resistance to molecular shape change arises mostly from the imperative to maintain high entropy. Viscoelastic flow and rubber elasticity are macroscopic manifestations of this principle. Thus rubber, where the long molecules are linked together, also inhabits the grey region between liquids and solids. Though nominally a solid, rubber is capable of very high deformations, greater than any other type of solid. Its internal molecular motion is rapid, as in a liquid, with the resulting amorphous solid being highly extensible rather than glassy. If it were not for the few crosslinks holding the chains into a percolating network, rubber would flow under stress, as ordinary polymers and other liquids do. The bulk (compression) modulus of typical rubber is of the same order as that of all liquids, and solids, but the shear modulus is about 10 −4 − 10 −5 times smaller. Thus rubber essentially deforms as a liquid, that is by shearing at constant volume. It is a weak solid and therein lies its enormous technological importance. This book is concerned about the phenomena arising when these two marginal materials , liquid crystals and polymers, are combined into one even more mysterious material – polymer liquid crystals. For two compelling reasons we shall concentrate on such polymers crosslinked into networks, that is, on elastomers and gels made from polymer liquid crystals: 1. Liquid crystal elastomers exhibit many entirely new effects that are not simply enhancements of native liquid crystals or polymers. We shall see their thermal phase transformations giving rise to spontaneous shape changes of many hundreds of per cents, transitions and instabilities induced by applied mechanical stress or strain, and some unusual dynamical effects. Strangest of all, we shall see elastomers under some conditions behaving entirely softly, deforming as true liquids do without the application of stress. All these new forms of elasticity have their genesis …
RelaXML: bidirectional transfer between relational and XML data

In modern enterprises, almost all data is stored in relational databases. Additionally, most enterprises increasingly collaborate with other enterprises in long-running read-write workflows, primarily through XML-based data exchange technologies such as Web services. However, bidirectional XML data exchange is cumbersome and must often be hand-coded, at considerable expense. This paper remedies the situation by proposing RELAXML, an automatic and effective approach to bidirectional XML-based exchange of relational data. RELAXML supports re-use through multiple inheritance, and handles both export of relational data to XML documents and (re-)import of XML documents with a large degree of flexibility in terms of the SQL statements and XML document structures supported. Import and export are formally defined so as to avoid semantic problems, and algorithms to implement both are given. A performance study shows that the approach has a reasonable overhead compared to hand-coded programs.
Race, ethnicity, and the use of services for mental disorders: results from the National Survey of American Life.

CONTEXT Little is known about differences in the unmet need for mental health service use between African Americans and Caribbean blacks. OBJECTIVE To extend the National Survey of Black Americans by examining 12-month mental health service use for African Americans and Caribbean blacks from the recently completed National Survey of American Life. DESIGN AND SETTING National household probability samples of noninstitutionalized African Americans and Caribbean blacks (blacks from Caribbean area countries now living in the United States) conducted between February 2001 and June 2003, using a slightly modified World Mental Health version of the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview. PARTICIPANTS A total of 3570 African Americans and 1621 Caribbean blacks 18 years and older (N = 5191). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Proportion of respondents with 12-month DSM-IV disorders who sought help in the specialty mental health, general medical, human service, and complementary-alternative medicine treatment sectors. The percentage receiving minimally adequate treatment was also assessed. RESULTS Overall, 10.1% of respondents used some form of mental heath care services in the past year. Use of services was much higher among those who met criteria for a 12-month DSM-IV disorder (31.9%) than among those who did not (5.4%). Forty-nine percent of respondents with serious mental illness used services, whereas 39.3% had contact with mental health care specialists. The youngest and oldest age groups were least likely to obtain any services. Among African Americans, women were more likely than men to use general medical care and services from any sector. Respondents with the most years of education showed the highest use of services. CONCLUSIONS The underuse of mental health services among black Americans remains a serious concern. Educational interventions that focus on both consumers and mental health care professionals are needed.
ADAPTIVE PRUNED 4&#215;4 DCT ALGORITHM FOR H.264

A new integer 4times4 transform is adopted in the new video coding standard H.264/AVC. To reduce the computation load of the new transform, the SSAVT model for 8times8 transform is applied into H.264 4times4 transform with some modifications. Then, three classes of pruned block are defined and the corresponding simplified butterfly computation processes are designed. Furthermore, a fast DCT algorithm is proposed, with which we can identify the class of pruned block, so as to adopt simplified computation, with the help of modified model for 4times4 transform. Simulation results show that the proposed DCT algorithm saves about average 55% computation of DCT compared with full computation
Prescription of methylphenidate to children and youth, 1990-1996.

BACKGROUND There are concerns about the frequency and appropriateness of psychostimulant drug prescription to children. In order to identify unusual or unexpected patterns of use or prescribing, we reviewed prescription of methylphenidate (Ritalin) to children and adolescents aged 19 years or less in British Columbia between 1990 and 1996. METHODS We obtained information about patients, physicians and prescriptions from British Columbia's Triplicate Prescription Program database for controlled drugs. Prescription data were available for the period Jan. 1, 1990, to Dec. 31, 1996. Linkage with the BC Linked Health Dataset provided additional demographic and health information. RESULTS In 1990, 1715 children received at least 1 prescription for methylphenidate (1.9 per 1000 children). By 1996, the number had increased to 10,881 children (11.0 per 1000). Because some children were prescribed methylphenidate in more than 1 year, we also calculated the frequency with which the drug was prescribed to children who had never received it before. This rate increased from 1.0 per 1000 children in 1990 to 4.7 per 1000 in 1995; the rate fell in 1996 to 3.5 per 1000. The number of children receiving methylphenidate varied across health regions of the province, from 12.0 to 35.4 per 1000. Use also varied by socioeconomic status quintile: in the 2 lowest (least privileged) quintiles, 21.6 per 1000 children received methylphenidate, compared with 18.4 per 1000 in the 3 highest quintiles (relative risk 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.2). Pediatricians and psychiatrists wrote 23% and 21% of all prescriptions respectively. General practitioners accounted for 56% of all prescriptions and 41% of initial methylphenidate prescriptions. A claim for prior specialist consultation was found in 30% of such cases. Many of the children who received more than 10 prescriptions had seen 4 or more physicians. The average daily dosage prescribed differed little among general practitioners, pediatricians and psychiatrists, unlike the mean interval between successive prescriptions: 89.9 (standard deviation [SD] 68.2), 99.8 (SD 64.1) and 75.9 (SD 70.2) days respectively. Persistence with therapy was more likely when a psychiatrist provided the initial prescription, or with involvement of more than one specialty. INTERPRETATION Many trends and practices in the prescription of methylphenidate to children in British Columbia are consistent with other settings and accepted standards. Some aspects warrant closer investigation, including regional and socio-economic discrepancies in the distribution of patients, the relative involvement of primary and specialist care providers, continuity of care issues and time intervals between prescriptions.