Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Energy Efficiency Reduce Emissions and Peak Demand? A Case Study of 50 Years of Space Heating in Melbourne

This paper examines the relationship between space heating energy efficiency and two related but distinct measures; greenhouse mitigation, and peak demand. The historic role of Melbourne’s space heating provides an opportunity to assess whether improvements in energy efficiency lead to sustained reductions in energy consumption or whether rebound factors “take back” efficiency gains in the long run. Despite significant and sustained improvements in appliance efficiency, and the thermal efficiency of new building fabrics, the per-capita heating energy consumption has remained remarkably stable over the past 50 years. Space heating efficiency is bound up with notions of comfort, sufficiency and lifestyle, and the short-run gains from efficiency become incorporated into a new set of norms. It is this evolution of cultural norms that reconciles the contradiction between the short-run gains from efficiency measures, with the efficiency rebound that becomes evident over the long-term. The related, but distinct peak demand measure can be influenced by efficiency measures, but energy efficiency measures will not alter the requirement for large-scale conventional energy to provide affordable and reliable winter heating.
Enhanced Streaming Based Subspace Clustering Applied to Acoustic Scene Data Clustering

Labelled data are often required to train an acoustic scene classification system. However, it is time-consuming and expensive to label the data manually. An unsupervised clustering algorithm can be used to facilitate the labelling process by dividing the acoustic data into different categories. Nevertheless, it can be problematic to run a clustering algorithm with growing data volume and dimension due to the sharp increase in the computational and memory costs. We propose a new streaming based subspace clustering algorithm which allows the data to be clustered on the fly, and also resolves data points in the overlapping regions of two subspaces by augmenting the learned low-rank representation with the original data samples. Experimental results show that our method can achieve the clustering objective for overwhelmingly high-volume data in an online fashion, while retaining good accuracy and reducing the memory cost significantly.
Peroxisomal Targeting, Import, and Assembly of Alcohol Oxidase in Pichia pastoris

Alcohol oxidase (AOX), the first enzyme in the yeast methanol utilization pathway is a homooctameric peroxisomal matrix protein. In peroxisome biogenesis-defective (pex) mutants of the yeast Pichia pastoris, AOX fails to assemble into active octamers and instead forms inactive cytoplasmic aggregates. The apparent inability of AOX to assemble in the cytoplasm contrasts with other peroxisomal proteins that are able to oligomerize before import. To further investigate the import of AOX, we first identified its peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS). We found that sequences essential for targeting AOX are primarily located within the four COOH-terminal amino acids of the protein leucine-alanine-arginine-phenylalanine COOH (LARF). To examine whether AOX can oligomerize before import, we coexpressed AOX without its PTS along with wild-type AOX and determined whether the mutant AOX could be coimported into peroxisomes. To identify the mutant form of AOX, the COOH-terminal LARF sequence of the protein was replaced with a hemagglutinin epitope tag (AOX–HA). Coexpression of AOX–HA with wild-type AOX (AOX-WT) did not result in an increase in the proportion of AOX–HA present in octameric active AOX, suggesting that newly synthesized AOX–HA cannot oligomerize with AOX-WT in the cytoplasm. Thus, AOX cannot initiate oligomerization in the cytoplasm, but must first be targeted to the organelle before assembly begins.
The response of physician groups to P4P incentives.

OBJECTIVES Despite substantial enthusiasm among insurers and federal policy makers for pay-for-performance incentives, little is known about the current scope of these incentives or their influence on the delivery of care. To assess the scope and magnitude of pay-for-performance (P4P) incentives among physician groups and to examine whether such incentives are associated with quality improvement initiatives. STUDY DESIGN Structured telephone survey of leaders of physician groups delivering primary care in Massachusetts. ASSESSED METHODS: Prevalence of P4P incentives among physician groups tied to specific measures of quality or utilization and prevalence of physician group quality improvement initiatives. RESULTS Most group leaders (89%) reported P4P incentives in at least 1 commercial health plan contract. Incentives were tied to performance on Health Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) quality measures (89% of all groups), utilization measures (66%), use of information technology (52%), and patient satisfaction (37%). Among the groups with P4P and knowledge of all revenue streams, the incentives accounted for 2.2% (range, 0.3%-8.8%) of revenue. P4P incentives tied to HEDIS quality measures were positively associated with groups' quality improvement initiatives (odds ratio, 1.6; P = .02). Thirty-six percent of group leaders with P4P incentives reported that they were very important or moderately important to the group's financial success. CONCLUSIONS P4P incentives are now common among physician groups in Massachusetts, and these incentives most commonly reward higher clinical quality or lower utilization of care. Although the scope and magnitude of incentives are still modest for many groups, we found an association between P4P incentives and the use of quality improvement initiatives.
Autosomal Dominant Mutations Affecting X Inactivation Choice in the Mouse

X chromosome inactivation is the silencing mechanism eutherian mammals use to equalize the expression of X-linked genes between males and females early in embryonic development. In the mouse, genetic control of inactivation requires elements within the X inactivation center (Xic) on the X chromosome that influence the choice of which X chromosome is to be inactivated in individual cells. It has long been posited that unidentified autosomal factors are essential to the process. We have used chemical mutagenesis in the mouse to identify specific factors involved in X inactivation and report two genetically distinct autosomal mutations with dominant effects on X chromosome choice early in embryogenesis.
INSTI-Based Triple Regimens in Treatment-Naïve HIV-Infected Patients Are Associated With HIV-RNA Viral Load Suppression at Ultralow Levels

Abstract Background During antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-1-infected patients may present with ultralow (UL) HIV-RNA viral loads (VLs) below quantification levels of current assays. Reasons for UL-VL detection and its relation to virological rebound (VR) are unclear. Methods HIV-1-infected, ART-naïve patients followed at 2 university hospitals were included. All participants had an HIV-RNA >200 copies/mL at ART initiation and achieved a VL <50 copies/mL during ART. UL-VL was determined by the presence/absence of polymerase chain reaction signal detected using a commercially available assay (COBAS, TaqMan, Roche). Random-effects Poisson regression was used for assessing determinants of UL-VL not detected overtime and conditional risk set analysis for VR (1 VL > 200 copies/mL or 2 VL > 50 copies/mL) while accounting for frequency of VL measurements. Results Between 2009 and 2013, 717 patients initiated ART containing 2 nucleos(-t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) plus a non-NRTI (29.4%), a protease inhibitor (58.4%), or an integrase-strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI; 12.1%). During a median (interquartile range) 3.4 (2.3–4.6) years, 676 (94.3%) patients achieved UL-VL not detected. In multivariable analysis, UL-VL not detected overtime was associated with younger age (P < .001), female gender (P = .04), lower baseline VL (P < .001), baseline CD4+ >500 vs <350/mm3 (P < .001), and INSTI-containing ART (P = .009). One hundred thirty-one (18.3%) patients had VR during follow-up, which was independently associated with a CD4/CD8 ratio <0.8 during follow-up (P = .01) and time spent with UL-VL not detected (P < .001). When UL-VL not detected occurred for ≥50% of the follow-up duration (n = 290), faster time to reach UL-VL not detected (P < .001), faster CD4+ T-cell count increase (P = .03), and faster CD4/CD8 ratio increase (P = .001) were observed. Conclusions VL suppression at an ultralow level is associated with INSTI-class ART initiation. Extensive VL suppression below ultralow detection could improve immune reconstitution.
Capacity allocation with competitive retailers

This paper addresses a problem in supply chain management that how scarce resources can be efficiently allocated among competing interests. We present a formal model of allocation mechanisms for such settings that a supplier with limited production capacity allocates its products to a set of competitive retailers. In contrary to the existing allocation mechanisms in which retailers are local monopolists, the new model exhibits much more complicated market behaviors. We show that the widely-used proportional allocation mechanism is no longer necessarily Pareto optimal, even if all retailers are in a symmetric situation. A necessary and sufficient condition for the proportional allocation to be Pareto optimal is given. We propose a truth-inducing allocation mechanism based on our capacity allocation model, which is more intuitive and applicable than the existing truth-inducing mechanisms.
EFFECT OF NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC FOOD COLORANTS ON SPERMATOGENESIS AND THE EXPRESSION OF ITS CONTROLLING GENES

The use of food additives is controversial. However, data regarding their effects on fertility genes are still very sparse. The present study was designed to assess the effects of two coloring agents, carmoisine (synthetic) and curcumin (natural) on the expression of some genes with fertility impact. Sixty three male Sprague-Dawley albino rats were orally administered carmoisine and curcumin in three doses, acceptable daily intake (ADI), 5x- and 10x- ADI for 15, 30, and 45 days. Sperm analysis and testicular expression level of biomarkers Testin, Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), tyrosine kinase receptor (c-KIT), follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), A kinase anchor protein 3 (PRKA3), spermatogenesis associated 7 (Spata7), Stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA1) genes were measured and supported with histopathological studies on rat testes tissues. The recorded results revealed significant down regulation of the tested genes in rats supplemented with carmoisine in time and dose dependent manner. However, these declines were also observed after treatment with medium and high doses of curcumin. Sperm counts were significantly decreased after carmiosine treatment in a dose dependent manner, it was 74.6±6.36, 74.00±6.63, 49.00±0.28 and 147.00±3.2 for ADI, 5xADI, 10xADI and control group respectively, without any changes after curcumin treatment. Also, histopathological studies indicated deleterious effect with medium and high doses of carmiosine. In Conclusion, carmoisine induced hazardous effects on fertility at different levels when consumed in concentrations higher than the acceptable daily-authorized level (50 mg/kg b.wt). However, curcumin as a natural food color is saver than carmoisine up to certain levels. Key words: carmoisine; curcumin; spermatogenesis genes; rat testis
Cloning of a Streptococcus sobrinus gtf gene that encodes a glucosyltransferase which produces a high-molecular-weight water-soluble glucan

The gtf gene coding for glucosyltransferase (GTF), which produces a water-soluble glucan, was cloned from Streptococcus sobrinus OMZ176 (serotype d) into plasmid vector pBR322. This gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the product was purified to near homogeneity. The antigenicity of recombinant GTF (rGTF) was examined with the antisera raised against purified GTF P1, P2, P3, and P4 obtained from S. sobrinus AHT (serotype g). The rGTF reacted only with anti-GTF P1 serum in a Western blot (immunoblot) analysis. The rGTF closely resembled GTF P1 in its molecular mass, Km value for sucrose, optimal pH, primer dependency, and immunological properties. The high-molecular-weight, water-soluble glucan produced by the rGTF also resembled that of GTF P1, which is the most efficient primer donor for primer-dependent, water-insoluble glucan synthesis. Properties of the rGTF were also compared with those of rGTFS, which was purified from E. coli carrying the gtfS gene isolated from Streptococcus downei (previously S. sobrinus serotype h) MFe28. Both rGTF and rGTFS synthesized water-soluble glucan from sucrose without primer dextran, but their characteristics in Km values for sucrose, optimal pHs, and polymer sizes of the glucan were different. Furthermore, the gtf gene did not hybridize with the gtfS gene in a Southern blot analysis. These results showed that rGTF is similar to S. sobrinus AHT GTF P1 but distinct from rGTFS that has been previously purified from E. coli carrying the gtfS gene.
Vesicular Release of L- and D-Aspartate from Hippocampal Nerve Terminals: Immunogold Evidence

Glutamate is established as the most important excitatory transmitter in the brain. The transmitter status of as- partate is debated. There is evidence that aspartate is released from nerve terminals by exocytosis. However, release through excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) could be an alternative mechanism. We further investigated this by use of light and quantitative electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. The nerve terminal localisation of aspartate was compared to that of glutamate using antibodies specifically recognising the amino acids. Rat hippocampal slices were in- cubated under normal (3 mM) and depolarising (55 mM) concentrations of K + with and without the excitatory amino acid transporter inhibitor threo-beta-benzyloxyaspartate (TBOA). If aspartate is released either through reversal of the EAATs or through exchange with synaptically released glutamate, we would expect that TBOA would block the depolarisation induced release of aspartate. We found, however, that there was a substantial depletion of aspartate, as well as of gluta- mate, from hippocampal nerve terminals during K + induced depolarisation in the presence of TBOA. The possibility that aspartate is released through exocytosis from synaptic vesicles was further investigated by the use of a D-aspartate uptake assay, including exposure of the slices to exogenous D-aspartate and the use of D-aspartate immunogold cytochemistry to localise D-aspartate in the fixed tissue. We found that D-aspartate taken up into the terminals was concentrated in synaptic vesicles as opposed to in the cytoplasmic matrix. This is in line with the presence in synaptic vesicles of the recently iden- tified vesicular transporter for aspartate.
Effect of vitamin A supplementation on morbidity of low-birth-weight neonates.

BACKGROUND Low-birth-weight (LBW) infants (< 2,500 g) are at increased risk of respiratory infection in the first few months of life and have low liver stores of vitamin A. As retinol is essential for respiratory epithelial cell differentiation, deficiency could result in pathological changes in the respiratory epithelium, with respiratory problems. OBJECTIVE A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effect of vitamin A supplementation on the incidence and severity of respiratory infections in LBW infants during their first year of life. METHOD One hundred and thirty LBW infants (gestational age < 36 weeks and birth weight 950-1,700 g) were enrolled in the study. The infants were randomly allocated to a vitamin A or placebo group. Infants in the vitamin A group received 25,000 IU of vitamin A (retinyl palmitate, Arovit drops, Roche, Basle, Switzerland) on study days 1, 4 and 8. Study day 1 was between 36 and 60 hours after delivery. Infants in the placebo group received a placebo (formulated by Roche) with a similar appearance and packed in the same dropper bottles as the vitamin A drops. RESULTS Vitamin A supplementation markedly improved serum retinol levels. After the last vitamin A dose, the vitamin A group had higher mean serum retinol concentrations than the placebo group (45.77 +/- 17.07 micrograms/dl v. 12.88 +/- 6.48 micrograms/dl, P = 0.0001). There was no evidence of improvement in neonatal or post-neonatal respiratory problems associated with vitamin A supplementation. Vitamin A and placebo groups did not differ in the occurrence or duration of respiratory distress or the need for head-box oxygen. There were also no significant differences in the cumulative probability of developing lower or upper respiratory tract infection through the first year of life. There was a slight suggestion of an increase in the risk of hospitalisation with pneumonia associated with vitamin A supplementation. The cumulative probability of being hospitalised with pneumonia by 6 months of age was 24.6% (7 hospitalisations) in the vitamin A group compared with 7.4% (2 hospitalisations) in the placebo group (log rank test P = 0.04). After adjusting for risk factors this difference was no longer significant. CONCLUSION Vitamin A supplementation in LBW neonates may not reduce incidence or severity of respiratory infections. These results do not negate the importance of improving vitamin A status in children as an important public health measure to reduce morbidity and mortality from other childhood infections.
Limited feedback Grassmann precoding for threaded algebraic space-time codes

This paper proposes a novel limited feedback Grassmann precoding method for threaded algebraic space-time (TAST) codes. The basic Grassmann precoding techniques are first introduced by David J. Love, which are based on spatial multiplexing (SM) and space-time block coding (STBC) systems, respectively. According to the different performance bounds and optimal objects, there are different codebook construction and selection criteria. To the TAST coding case, which has full diversity order and full rate properties, however, the original Grassmann precoding method should be modified delicately to meet to the special structure. We observe that the determinant of the effective channel matrix is a better metric to optimize the system performance in the proposed scenario from both reliability and outage capacity respects. Simulation results show this proposed method provides a better tradeoff between system performance and complexity compared with the previous limited feedback Grassmann precoding methods.
An aliasing detection algorithm based on suspicious colocalizations of Fourier coefficients

We propose a new algorithm able to detect the presence and the localization of aliasing in a single digital image. Considering the image in Fourier domain, the fact that two frequencies in aliasing relation contribute to similar parts of the image domain is a suspicious coincidence, that we detect with an a-contrario model. This leads to a localization of the aliasing phenomenon in both spatial and spectral domains, with a detection algorithm that keeps control of the number of false alarms. Experiments on several images show that this new method favorably compares to the state of the art, and opens interesting perspectives in terms of image enhancement.
DecomposeMe: Simplifying ConvNets for End-to-End Learning

Deep learning and convolutional neural networks (ConvNets) have been successfully applied to most relevant tasks in the computer vision community. However, these networks are computationally demanding and not suitable for embedded devices where memory and time consumption are relevant. In this paper, we propose DecomposeMe, a simple but effective technique to learn features using 1D convolutions. The proposed architecture enables both simplicity and filter sharing leading to increased learning capacity. A comprehensive set of large-scale experiments on ImageNet and Places2 demonstrates the ability of our method to improve performance while significantly reducing the number of parameters required. Notably, on Places2, we obtain an improvement in relative top-1 classification accuracy of 7.7\% with an architecture that requires 92% fewer parameters compared to VGG-B. The proposed network is also demonstrated to generalize to other tasks by converting existing networks.
Optical receiver with voltage-controlled transimpedance in BiCMOS technology with a gain bandwidth product of 126 TΩHz

This paper describes an optical receiver with integrated PIN photodiode and voltage-controlled resistor-based transimpedance in 0.6 mum BiCMOS technology. Both current conveyor and voltage amplifier topology are used. Sensitivity range is increased by using a variable-gain voltage amplifier. Frequency bandwidth enhancement is enabled by applying a fixed-gain voltage amplifier and a current biasing of the current conveyor. A linearity error smaller than 2.8%, a sensitivity range of 541 (54.7 dB), an offset voltage less than 13.7 mV, a power consumption less than 4.3 mW, a frequency bandwidth up to 311 MHz, a slew-rate up to 386 V/mus, and a transimpedance bandwidth product up to 126 TOmegaHz are achieved.
Audio-visual speaker separation

Communication using speech is often an audio-visual experience. Listeners hear what is being uttered by speakers and also see the corresponding facial movements and other gestures. This thesis is an attempt to exploit this bimodal (audio-visual) nature of speech for speaker separation. In addition to the audio speech features, visual speech features are used to achieve the task of speaker separation. An analysis of the correlation between audio and visual speech features is carried out first. This correlation between audio and visual features is then used in the estimation of clean audio features from visual features using Gaussian MixtureModels (GMMs) andMaximum a Posteriori (MAP) estimation. For speaker separation three methods are proposed that use the estimated clean audio features. Firstly, the estimated clean audio features are used to construct aWiener filter to separate the mixed speech at various signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) into target and competing speakers. TheWiener filter gains are modified in several ways in search for improvements in quality and intelligibility of the extracted speech. Secondly, the estimated clean audio features are used in developing visually-derived binary masking method for speaker separation. The estimated audio features are used to compute time-frequency binary masks that identify the regions where the target speaker dominates. These regions are retained and formthe estimate of the target speaker’s speech. Experimental results compare the visually-derived binary masks with ideal binary masks which shows a useful level of accuracy. The effectiveness of the visually-derived binary mask for speaker separation is then evaluated through estimates of speech quality and speech intelligibility and shows substantial gains over the original mixture. Thirdly, the estimated clean audio features and the visually-derivedWiener filtering are used to modify the operation of an effective audio-only method of speaker separation, namely the soft mask method, to allow visual speech information to improve the separation task. Experimental results are presented that compare the proposed audio-visual speaker separation with the audio-only method using both speech quality and intelligibility metrics. Finally, a detailed comparison is made of the proposed and existing methods of speaker separation using objective and subjective measures.