Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy c-Means Classifier for Incomplete Data Sets with Outliers and Missing Values

A novel membership function and a fuzzy clustering approach derived from a viewpoint of iteratively reweighted least square (IRLS) techniques resolve the problem of singularity in the regular fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering. An FCM classifier using the membership function and Mahalanobis distances makes class memberships of outliers less clear-cut, which thus resolve the problem of classification based on normal populations or normal mixtures. The ways of handling singular covariance matrices and missing values are also furnished, which improve the generalization capability of the classifier. Computational experiments show high classification performance on several well-known benchmark data sets
Quantifying Soil Structure and Preferential Flow in Intact Soil Using X‐ray Computed Tomography

Computed tomography (CT) provides a nondestructive means of observing soil structure and monitoring solute breakthrough in real time. We investigated an intact soil column 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm in length using industrial CT with a resolution of 105.5 by 105.5 by 125.25 μm. The satiated soil column was scanned to obtain overall soil structure. Then 60 g L -1 KI solution was injected at 6.6 mL min -1 for about 23 h and solute transport was monitored in real time by scanning two critical positions in the column and taking digital radiographs. At the end of the experiment, the whole column was scanned again to obtain the overall solute mass distribution. The voxel-based soil porosity and solute concentration were quantified. The three-dimensional visualization of the pore network and solute distribution with time showed that both the pore network and the flow pattern varied considerably with soil depth, in part due to the soil horizonation and different macropores involved. Although the macroporosity below the Apl horizon was much lower, macropores were more continuous and less tortuous as a result of limited agricultural disturbance and more earthworm activities. Only part of the macropores at the subsurface were effective, however, in transporting the solute. The results revealed a sequential initialization of the transport process from the macropore domain to the matrix domain and a decreased degree of interaction between the two domains with soil depth. Point-specific breakthrough curves were obtained from real-time point-specific solute concentration and porosity, from which point-specific pore velocity was determined. Preferential flow pathways in this intact structured soil consist of a complex network of earthworm burrows, root channels, interaggregate macropores, and mesopores or even micropores in the soil matrix. Modeling of this flow network and its dynamics requires a new approach different from the classical continuous-domain approach.
Does hydration prevent radiocontrast-induced acute renal failure?

15. Fagerudd JA, Tarnow I, Jacobsen P et al. Predisposition to 17. Chen JW, Jen SL, Lee WL et al. Differential glucose tolerance in dipper and nondipper essential hypertension. Diabetes Care essential hypertension and development of diabetic nephropathy in IDDM patients. Diabetes 1998; 47: 439–444 1998; 21: 1743–1748 18. Schernthaner G, Ritz E, Philipp Th, Bretzel R. Die Bedeutung 16. Strojek K, Grzeszczak W, Morawin E et al. Nephropathy in type 2 diabetes: evidence for hereditary factors? Kidney Int 1997; der 24-Stunden Blutdruckmessung bei Patienten mit Diabetes mellitus. Dtsch Med Wochenschr (in press) 51: 1602–1607
Optimal size integer division circuits

Division is a fundamental problem for arithmetic and algebraic computation. This paper describes Boolean circuits (of bounded fan-in) for integer division (finding reciprocals) that have size <italic>&Ogr;</italic>(<italic>M</italic>(<italic>n</italic>)) and depth <italic>&Ogr;</italic>(log<italic>n</italic>log log<italic>n</italic>), where <italic>M</italic>(<italic>n</italic>) is the size complexity of <italic>&Ogr;</italic>(log<italic>n</italic>) depth integer multiplication circuits. Currently, <italic>M</italic>(<italic>n</italic>) is known to be <italic>&Ogr;</italic>(<italic>n</italic>log<italic>n</italic> log,<italic>n</italic>), but any improvement in this bound that preserves circuit depth will be reflected by a similar improvement in the size complexity of our division algorithm. Previously, no one has been able to derive a division circuit with size <italic>&Ogr;</italic>(<italic>n</italic> log<supscrpt><italic>c</italic></supscrpt> <italic>n</italic>) for any <italic>c</italic>, and simultaneous depth less than &OHgr;(log<supscrpt>2</supscrpt> <italic>n</italic>). Our circuits are logspace uniform; that is, they can be constructed by a deterministic Turing machine in space <italic>&Ogr;</italic>(log <italic>n</italic>). Our results match the best known depth bounds for logspace uniform circuits, and are optimal in size. The general method of high order iterative formulas is of independent interest as a way of efficiently using parallel processors to solve algebraic problems. In particular, our algorithm implies that any rational function can be evaluated in these complexity bounds. As an introduction to high order iterative methods we also present a circuit for finding polynomial reciprocals (where the coefficients come from an arbitrary ring, and ring operations are unit cost in the circuit) in size <italic>&Ogr;</italic>(<italic>PM</italic> (<italic>n</italic>)) and depth <italic>&Ogr;</italic>(log <italic>n</italic> log log <italic>n</italic>), where <italic>PM</italic>(<italic>n</italic>) is the size complexity of optimal depth polynomial multiplication.
Empirical Performance of IPv6 vs. IPv4 under a Dual-Stack Environment

As we continue to see the increasing global-scale deployment of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) networks, it is equally important to evaluate the performance of these IPv6 networks. In this paper, we present comprehensive empirical measurements of the IPv6 network performance from an end- user's perspective. In particular, by sending probing traffic from our dual-stack IPv6/IPv4 testbed to over 2,000 dual-stack hosts worldwide, we quantify the performance differences of using IPv6 vs. IPv4, in terms of various network metrics like network connectivity, hop count, RTT, throughput, operating systems dependencies as well as the address configuration latency. We also investigate the performance impact of using IPv6 tunneling brokers instead of native IPv6 services. Whenever possible, we also compare our measurement results with previously published ones to reflect on the progress of IPv6 deployment/performance improvements in the past few years. In general, our results indicate that in these past few years, the IPv6 backbone has improved considerably to provide more than 95% network connectivity to various IPv6 sites. The end-user-perceived performance offered by some IPv6 tunnel brokers are also comparable to that of native IPv6 services.
Reference Profile Correlation Reveals Estrogen-like Trancriptional Activity of Curcumin

Background: Several secondary metabolites from herbal nutrient products act as weak estrogens (phytoestrogens), competing with endogenous estrogen for binding to the estrogen receptors and inhibiting steroid converting enzymes. However, it is still unclear whether these compounds elicit estrogen dependent transcription of genes at physiological concentrations. Methods: We compare the effects of physiological concentrations (100 nM) of the two phytoestrogens Enterolactone and Quercetin and the suspected phytoestrogen Curcumin on gene expression in the breast cancer cell line MCF7 with the effects elicited by 17-β-estradiol (E2). Results: All three phytocompounds have weak effects on gene transcription; most of the E2 genes respond to the phytoestrogens in the same direction though to a much lesser extent and in the order Curcumin > Quercetin > Enterolactone. Gene regulation induced by these compounds was low for genes strongly induced by E2 and similar to the latter for genes only weakly regulated by the classic estrogen. Of interest with regard to the treatment of menopausal symptoms, the survival factor Birc5/survivin and the oncogene MYBL1 are strongly induced by E2 but only marginally by phytoestrogens. Conclusion: This approach demonstrates estrogenic effects of putative phytoestrogens at physiological concentrations and shows, for the first time, estrogenic effects of Curcumin.
A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the STAT5 Gene Favors Colonic as Opposed to Small-Bowel Inflammation in Crohn’s Disease

BACKGROUND: Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory ailment that can affect the colon and/or small intestine. A genetic basis for disease distribution is being sought, although the available data are seminal. The STAT5 gene is known to influence colonic permeability, mucosal regeneration, and interleukin 2 production, although its role in the distribution of Crohn’s disease is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with Crohn’s distribution, with the goal of distinguishing disease subcategories and differing pathophysiologies. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The study was conducted in a single tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: A total of 173 patients with Crohn’s disease who were identified from our biobank were segregated by disease distribution (colitis, n = 28; ileocolic disease, n = 116; enteritis, n = 29) and were genotyped for 258 Crohn’s-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms. Patients with ulcerative colitis (n = 119) were also genotyped to confirm the association of identified single nucleotide polymorphisms with small-bowel sparing, colonic pathology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We investigated an association between single nucleotide polymorphisms and Crohn’s disease distribution. RESULTS: Single nucleotide polymorphism rs16967637 in the STAT5 gene was associated with small-bowel sparing Crohn’s disease when the enteritis group was compared with either a combined colitis/ileocolic group (p = 0.025) or those with only ileocolic disease (p = 0.04). Homozygosity for the at-risk allele (C) was present in 59% of patients with sparing of the small bowel. The association of this single nucleotide polymorphism with small-bowel sparing disease persisted when patients with ulcerative colitis were compared with the group with Crohn’s enteritis (p = 0.036), as well as after combining patients with ulcerative colitis with both the Crohn’s colitis group (p = 0.009) and the Crohn’s ileocolitis/colitis group (p = 0.00008). LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by the small numbers of study subjects with isolated enteritis or colitis. CONCLUSIONS: Single nucleotide polymorphism rs16967637 in the STAT5 gene was the only single nucleotide polymorphism associated with Crohn’s disease without enteritis. Homozygosity for the at-risk allele demonstrated the strongest association with this phenotype. These results suggest a role for this single nucleotide polymorphism in the development of inflammatory bowel disease of the large intestine.
Paper defects detection via visual attention mechanism

An improved paper defects detection method based on visual attention mechanism computation model is presented. First, multi-scale feature maps are extracted by linear filtering. Second, the comparative maps are obtained by carrying out center-surround difference operator. Third, the saliency map is obtained by combining the conspicuity maps, which is gained by combining the multi-scale comparative maps. Last, the seed point of watershed segmentation is determined by competition among salient points in the saliency map and the defect regions are segmented from the background. Experimental results show the efficiency of the approach for paper defects detection.
Isolation of the Antioxidant Pyranonigrin-A from Rice Mold Starters Used in the Manufacturing Process of Fermented Foods

Rice mold starters prepared from Aspergillus species are commonly used for the manufacture of koji in the production of oriental fermented foods. Methanol extracts of rice mold starters fermented by the Aspergillus species, A. awamori, A. kawachii, A. oryzae, A. saitoi, and A. sojae, were examined for their antioxidative activity by using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging system. The extracts of A. awamori, A. kawachii, and A. saitoi exhibited higher activity than those of A. oryzae and A. sojae. An antioxidant was isolated from the extract of A. saitoi and identified as pyranonigrin-A by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and FAB-MS analyses. The antioxidative activity of pyranonigrin-A was approximately equivalent to that of ferulic acid, an antioxidant in cereal grain. It was present in rice mold starters prepared by A. awamori, A. kawachii, and A. saitoi, although there was no pyranonigrin-A in the A. oryzae and A. sojae starters. The results suggest that the content of pyranonigrin-A in rice mold starters has a correlation with the antioxidative activity, and that it is induced in rice mold starters at the sporulation stage.
‘Poking’ microtubules bring about nuclear wriggling to position nuclei

Summary Nuclei wriggle in the cells of the follicle epithelium of the Drosophila pre-vitellogenic egg primordia. Although similar phenomena have been reported for a number of cultured cell types and some neurons in the zebrafish embryo, the mechanism and importance of the process have remained unexplained. Wriggling involves successive sudden and random minor turns of the nuclei, approximately three twists per minute with roughly 12° per twist, one of which lasts typically for 14 seconds. Wriggling is generated by the growing microtubules seeded throughout the cell cortex, which, while poking the nuclei, buckle and exert 5–40 piconewtons over ∼16 seconds. While wriggling, the nuclei drift ∼5 µm in a day in the immensely growing follicle cells along the apical–basal axis from the apical to the basal cell region. A >2-fold excess of the microtubules nucleated in the apical cell region, as compared with those seeded in the basal cell cortex, makes the nuclei drift along the apical–basal axis. Nuclear wriggling and positioning appear to be tightly related processes: they cease simultaneously when the nuclei become anchored by the actin cytoskeleton; moreover, colchicine or taxol treatment eliminates both nuclear wriggling and positioning. We propose that the wriggling nuclei reveal a thus far undescribed nuclear positioning mechanism.
Further results on active magnetic bearing control with input saturation

We study the low-bias stabilization of active magnetic bearings (AMBs) subject to voltage saturation based on a recently proposed model for the AMB switching mode of operation. Using a forwarding-like approach, we construct a stabilizing controller of arbitrarily small amplitude and a control-Lyapunov function for the AMB dynamics. We illustrate our construction using a numerical example
Overfitting and Diversity in Classification Ensembles based on Feature Selection

This paper addresses Wrapper-like approaches to feature subset selection and the production of classifier ensembles based on members with different feature subsets. The paper starts with the observation that if an insufficient amount of data is used to guide the Wrapper search then the feature selection will overfit the data. If the objective of the feature selection exercise is to build a better predictor, rather than identify important features for data mining reasons, then ensembles offers a solution. Overfitting may be used to provide diversity in ensembles provided the overfitted members have variety. The paper concludes with an assessment of entropy as a measure of diversity in classifier ensembles. A tentative conclusion is that diversity is not such a problem where a large number of features is involved but needs to be monitored for problems with smaller numbers of features – say less than 25.
Representing Systems with Hidden State

We discuss the problem of finding a good state representation in stochastic systems with observations. We develop a duality theory that generalizes existing work in predictive state representations as well as automata theory. We discuss how this theoretical framework can be used to build learning algorithms, approximate planning algorithms as well as to deal with continuous observations.
H∞ control for linear systems with interval time-varying delay

This paper considers the H∞ control for a class of interval time-varying delay systems. Based on Lyapunov stability theory and linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, a delay-dependent stability condition with less conservatism and H∞ performance criterion is proposed by using the idea of delay partition and convex optimization approach. Furthermore, state feedback H∞ controller design is presented. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed results.
Patients’ problems with new medication for chronic conditions

Objectives: To assess patients’ adherence to new medication for a chronic condition (and whether non-adherence was intentional), patients’ problems with their medication, and their further information needs. Methods: A longitudinal survey with data collection at 10 days and 4 weeks was performed on 258 patients recruited from 23 community pharmacies in south east England. Patients were eligible to participate if they were starting a new chronic medication and were either 75 years or older or had one of the following chronic conditions: stroke, coronary heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. At each time point a semi-structured telephone interview was conducted and a postal questionnaire was sent. Main outcome measures: Self-reported adherence, causes of non-adherence, problems with medication, information needs. Results: Sixty seven (30%) of 226 patients still taking their medication at 10 days and 43 of 171 (25%) still taking their medication at 4 weeks were non-adherent. At 10 days 55% of the non-adherence was unintentional and the remainder was intentional; these proportions were similar at 4 weeks. 138 of 208 (66%) participants still taking their new medication at 10 days reported at least one problem with it. 137 of 226 patients (61%) expressed a substantial and sustained need for further information at 10 days and 88 of 171 (51%) at 4 weeks. Several patients who were adherent or reported no problems at 10 days were non-adherent or had problems at 4 weeks. Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients newly started on a chronic medication quickly become non-adherent, often intentionally so. Many have problems with their medication and information needs. Patients need more support when starting on new medication for a chronic condition and new services may be required to provide this.
Comparative Study of Cultured Burkitt Tumor Cells by Immunofluorescence, Autoradiography, and Electron Microscopy

Cultured Burkitt cells were examined by immunofluorescence, autoradiography, and electron microscopy in an effort to identify the stainable cells with those harboring herpes-type virus particles. Immediately after a 2-hr pulse of 3H-thymidine, from 30 to 60% of the cells revealed heavy nuclear labeling. In most cases the grains were evenly dispersed, but in about 3 to 5% the grains showed a focal distribution and occasionally they extended into the cytoplasm. Such nuclear foci were rarely seen at 8 hr after the pulse. When the analysis was restricted to preselected immunofluorescent cells, up to 80% showed label at 8 hr and cytoplasmic grains were prominent. To reduce cellular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis, cells were X-irradiated with 3,000 to 6,000 R, and the isotope pulse was applied 1, 4, or 7 days later. Whereas the total number of labeled cells decreased in roughly twofold steps at the respective intervals (from 40 to 10%), the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into fluorescent cells was not affected by X irradiation. In each series, about 70% of the fluorescent cells contained label when they were examined at 24 and 48 hr after the pulse, whereas at 8 and 72 hr fewer were positive. At the earlier intervals, unlabeled fluorescent cells most likely represented cells which had completed viral DNA synthesis prior to the pulse; at the later intervals, unlabeled fluorescent cells were probably cells which commenced viral replication after the pulse. These data support the conclusion that the immunofluorescent cells are the ones which harbor virus, and also confirm the expectation that the virus is a DNA virus from a member of the herpes group. This conclusion was firmly established by sectioning and electron microscopic examination of individual fluorescent cells, all of which contained numerous virus particles, whereas the nonstained cells prepared in a similar manner were free of them.
Mediators of Methylphenidate Effects on Math Performance in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective: Stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate (MPH), improve the academic performance of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the mechanism by which MPH exerts an effect on academic performance is unclear. We examined MPH effects on math performance and investigated possible mediation of MPH effects by changes in time on-task, inhibitory control, selective attention, and reaction time variability. Methods: Children with ADHD aged 7 to 11 years (N = 93) completed a timed math worksheet (with problems tailored to each individual's level of proficiency) and 2 neuropsychological tasks (Go/No-Go and Child Attention Network Test) at baseline, then participated in a 4-week, randomized, controlled, titration trial of MPH. Children were then randomly assigned to their optimal MPH dose or placebo for 1 week (administered double-blind) and repeated the math and neuropsychological tasks (posttest). Baseline and posttest videorecordings of children performing the math task were coded to assess time on-task. Results: Children taking MPH completed 23 more math problems at posttest compared to baseline, whereas the placebo group completed 24 fewer problems on posttest versus baseline, but the effects on math accuracy (percent correct) did not differ. Path analyses revealed that only change in time on-task was a significant mediator of MPH's improvements in math productivity. Conclusions: MPH-derived math productivity improvements may be explained in part by increased time spent on-task, rather than improvements in neurocognitive parameters, such as inhibitory control, selective attention, or reaction time variability.
Electromagnetic wave propagation on human trunk models excited by half-wavelength dipoles

This paper presents a numerical analysis (FDTD) of the electromagnetic wave propagation mechanism at f = 2.45 GHz around the human trunk. Different body models starting from planar models, to cylindrical models up to realistic trunk models are considered. In addition homogeneous and inhomogeneous model structures are compared with each other. For excitation a half-wavelength dipole in close proximity to the models is used in both tangential and normal orientation to the body. As a result of reflection and diffraction of the model the main propagation mechanism can be shown to be a surface wave which can be more effectively excited by a dipole in normal orientation to the body than in tangential orientation. In case of the curved trunk model the surface wave can be used to illuminate the non line of sight region e.g. in the back of the human body. However, the superposition of the two waves creeping from both sides around the body can lead to a standing wave profile in this region.