Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cube-Lifecycle Management and Applications

A common operation involved with the majority of algorithms relevant to On-Line Analytical Processing is aggregation, which can be extremely time-consuming if applied over large datasets. To overcome this drawback, scientists have proposed the precomputation and materialization of a large volume of aggregated data into a structure called data cube. Nevertheless, the construction and usage of the data cube itself has been found very demanding in terms of computational and storage resources. In the thesis summarized here [1] (hereafter called the thesis), we study this problem in depth and propose comprehensive suites of scalable algorithms that perform efficient cube construction, storage, query answering, incremental updating, indexing, and caching. Our extensive experimental evaluation indicates that our solutions are viable even when applied over very large datasets with arbitrary hierarchies. Some key points in our work include the introduction of a novel storage scheme for cubes that is based on the use of row-id references, a new external partitioning algorithm, an efficient construction plan, and the use of on-demand approaches for processes that are too expensive to perform in a given window of time. A unique property of all our algorithms is their compatibility with the relational model, which makes them easy to incorporate into existing relational servers. Finally, as an application in data mining, we study the usage of aggregate queries for solving the problems of feature selection and classification and propose a disk-based, lazy, and accurate solution, which exhibits great potentials in a broad range of applications.
Mix-distribution modeling for overcomplete denoising

Abstract Localized or windowed data denoising based on linear transforms equipped with some thresholding operator is a usual approach in modern signal and image processing. With overlapping windows, techniques of this kind can be interpreted as overcomplete (redundant) data transforms (representations). In the simplest formulation, the final estimatesfor points belongingtomultiple overlapping windows are calculated as themean of the estimates independently obtained for each of the windows. In this paper we propose a general approach leading to a mix-distribution modeling of the overcomplete data and to least-squares optimal final estimates in the form of weighted average of the least-square estimates for the windowed data. Experiments demonstrate the advanced performance of this class of the algorithms, in particular in comparison with the standard ones using the sample averaging of the windowed estimates.
Peak bagging for peptide mass fingerprinting

MOTIVATION Mass Spectrometry (MS)-based protein identification via peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) is a key component in high-throughput proteome research. While PMF was the first commonly used protein identification method, provided higher throughput than the tandem MS-based method, its accuracy is lower than that of the tandem MS method. Thus, it is desirable to develop PMF-based algorithm with higher protein identification accuracy to facilitate proteome research. RESULTS We propose a peak bagging method for single MS-based protein identification. It combines results from multiple PMF algorithms, where each PMF algorithm takes a random peak subset as input. Evaluation with a set of real MALDI-TOF MS spectra shows that the new peak bagging method provides consistent improvements over the single PMF algorithm.
On the angular correlation function of SZ clusters: Extracting cosmological information from a 2D catalog

We discuss the angular correlation function of Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ)-detected galaxy clusters as a cosmological probe. As a projection of the real-space cluster correlation function, the angular function samples the underlying SZ catalog redshift distribution. It oers a way to study cosmology and cluster evolution directly with the two-dimensional catalog, even before extensive follow-up observations, thereby facilitating the immediate scientific return from SZ surveys. As a simple illustration of the information content of the angular function, we examine its dependence on the parameter pair (M;8 )i n fl at cosmologies. We discuss sources of modeling uncertainty and consider application to the future Planck SZ catalog, showing how these two parameters and the normalization of the SZ flux-mass relation can be simultaneously found when the local X-ray cluster abundance constraint is included.
Rethinking the progress bar

Progress bars are prevalent in modern user interfaces. Typically, a linear function is employed such that the progress of the bar is directly proportional to how much work has been completed. However, numerous factors cause progress bars to proceed at non-linear rates. Additionally, humans perceive time in a non-linear way. This paper explores the impact of various progress bar behaviors on user perception of process duration. The results are used to suggest several design considerations that can make progress bars appear faster and ultimately improve users' computing experience.
Understanding the Associations between Social Support and Physical Activity Participation among Adults

The aim of this dissertation was to explore the multidimensional operationalization of social support (SS) in the context of physical activity (PA) and associations between SS and PA among young adults. In study one, a systematic review of 20 longitudinal studies found that the strength as well as positive and negative associations between SS and PA were variable across studies, with effect sizes ranging from small to large and from negative to positive. The variability of these findings were attributed to the diverse facets of SS being examined and the distinct PA contexts. In study two, the relationship between structural, functional and perceptual SS dimensions and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) participation was tested crosssectionally exploring the effects of gender among 819 first year students. In the model, being male as well as having more active friends and family (structural) were significant predictors of MVPA yet the relationships were not moderated by gender. In study three, the relationships among SS and PA (both MVPA and strength training) were tested over three time points spanning the first year of university. Students completed measures in the first semester (n=819), spring semester (n = 265), and the beginning of the second year of university (n =190). Having more active friends and family (structural), receiving more SS from friends and satisfaction with
Groundwater occurrence and flow pattern in the Enugu coal-mine area, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract The distribution of major geological units, static water level data, water chemistry data, and observations of surface features influenced by groundwater seepage were used to ascertain the nature of groundwater occurrence and flow pattern in the Enugu coal field, Nigeria. Considerations of the geological units, the static groundwater levels and groundwater seepages in the mines indicate that the coal sequence is a multiaquifer system in which sandstone and coal aquifers alternate with shale aquitards. Based on the hydraulic head data, the groundwater flow is predominantly downwards. Groundwater velocity calculation across the multiaquifer system using the Darcy equation gave a flow velocity of about 1 m day−1. For groundwater systems, such a calculated velocity is considered high. The high velocity is most probably due to the high fracture porosity as well as the presence of other stratigraphic and structural features such as alluvial fills that provide high hydraulic conductivity pathways across.
A Survey on Multi-view Learning

In recent years, a great many methods of learning from multi-view data by considering the diversity of different views have been proposed. These views may be obtained from multiple sources or different feature subsets. In trying to organize and highlight similarities and differences between the variety of multi-view learning approaches, we review a number of representative multi-view learning algorithms in different areas and classify them into three groups: 1) co-training, 2) multiple kernel learning, and 3) subspace learning. Notably, co-training style algorithms train alternately to maximize the mutual agreement on two distinct views of the data; multiple kernel learning algorithms exploit kernels that naturally correspond to different views and combine kernels either linearly or non-linearly to improve learning performance; and subspace learning algorithms aim to obtain a latent subspace shared by multiple views by assuming that the input views are generated from this latent subspace. Though there is significant variance in the approaches to integrating multiple views to improve learning performance, they mainly exploit either the consensus principle or the complementary principle to ensure the success of multi-view learning. Since accessing multiple views is the fundament of multi-view learning, with the exception of study on learning a model from multiple views, it is also valuable to study how to construct multiple views and how to evaluate these views. Overall, by exploring the consistency and complementary properties of different views, multi-view learning is rendered more effective, more promising, and has better generalization ability than single-view learning.
Circuitry for Associative Plasticity in the Amygdala Involves Endocannabinoid Signaling

Endocannabinoids are crucial for the extinction of aversive memories, a process that considerably involves the amygdala. Here, we show that low-frequency stimulation of afferents in the lateral amygdala with 100 pulses at 1 Hz releases endocannabinoids postsynaptically from neurons of the basolateral amygdala of mice in vitro and thereby induces a long-term depression of inhibitory GABAergic synaptic transmission (LTDi) via a presynaptic mechanism. Lowering inhibitory synaptic transmission significantly increases the amplitude of excitatory synaptic currents in principal neurons of the central nucleus, which is the main output site of the amygdala. LTDi involves a selective mGluR1 (metabotropic glutamate receptor 1)-mediated calcium-independent mechanism and the activation of the adenylyl cyclase-protein kinase A pathway. LTDi is abolished by the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor antagonist SR141716A and cannot be evoked in CB1 receptor-deficient animals. LTDi is significantly enhanced in mice lacking the anandamide-degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase. The present findings show for the first time that mGluR activation induces a retrograde endocannabinoid signaling via activation of the adenylyl cyclase-protein kinase A pathway and the release of anandamide. Furthermore, the results indicate that anandamide decreases the activity of inhibitory interneurons in the amygdala. This disinhibition increases the activity of common output neurons and could provide a prerequisite for extinction by formation of new memory.
The role of the T-helper/T-suppressor ratio in the adaptive immune response: a dynamical model

Recent experimental studies have suggested the ratio between T-helper and T-suppressor lymphocytes as an index of immunosuppression in HIV, cancer, immunosenescence and inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. However, a quantitative understanding of the impact of this ratio on the immune response has lagged behind data and its validity as a tool for prognostic monitoring or therapeutic target remains an open question. In this work, we use statistical physics and dynamical systems approaches to analyze the time-dependent response to an antigen, of a simplified model of the adaptive immune system, which comprises B, T-helper and T-suppressor lymphocytes. The model is remarkably robust against changes in the noise level and kinetic parameters, but it is very sensitive to changes in the ratio between T-helper and T-suppressor lymphocytes, exhibiting, in particular, a transition from a responsive to an immuno-suppressed phase, as the ratio is lowered below a critical value, which is in line with experiments. This result supports the validity of the T-helper/T-suppressor ratio as an index of immunosuppression and may provide a useful theoretical benchmark to interpret and compare experiments.
A Multilevel Approach to Youth Physical Activity Research

DUNCAN, S. C. , T. E. DUNCAN, L. A. STRYCKER, and N. R. CHAUMETON. A multilevel approach to youth physical activity research. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 32, No. 3, pp. 95–99, 2004. Social environment factors are hypothesized to interact with individual-level factors to influence youth physical activity. Multilevel analytic approaches are ideal for examining the influence of the social environment on youth physical activity as they allow examination of research questions across multiple contexts and levels ( e.g. , individual, family, and neighborhood levels).
Common SNPs in FTO Gene Are Associated with Obesity Related Anthropometric Traits in an Island Population from the Eastern Adriatic Coast of Croatia

Background Multiple studies have provided compelling evidence that the FTO gene variants are associated with obesity measures. The objective of the study was to investigate whether FTO variants are associated with a broad range of obesity related anthropometric traits in an island population. Methodology/Principal Findings We examined genetic association between 29 FTO SNPs and a comprehensive set of anthropometric traits in 843 unrelated individuals from an island population in the eastern Adriatic coast of Croatia. The traits include 11 anthropometrics (height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, bicondilar upper arm width, upper arm circumference, and biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and abdominal skin-fold thicknesses) and two derived measures (BMI and WHR). Using single locus score tests, 15 common SNPs were found to be significantly associated with “body fatness” measures such as weight, BMI, hip and waist circumferences with P-values ranging from 0.0004 to 0.01. Similar but less significant associations were also observed between these markers and bicondilar upper arm width and upper arm circumference. Most of these significant findings could be explained by a mediating effect of “body fatness”. However, one unique association signal between upper arm width and rs16952517 (P-value = 0.00156) could not be explained by this mediating effect. In addition, using a principle component analysis and conditional association tests adjusted for “body fatness”, two novel association signals were identified between upper arm circumference and rs11075986 (P-value = 0.00211) and rs16945088 (P-value = 0.00203). Conclusions/Significance The current study confirmed the association of common variants of FTO gene with “body fatness” measures in an isolated island population. We also observed evidence of pleiotropic effects of FTO gene on fat-free mass, such as frame size and muscle mass assessed by bicondilar upper arm width and upper arm circumference respectively and these pleiotropic effects might be influenced by variants that are different from the ones associated with “body fatness”.
Measuring the interference at an RFID tag: Where does it have an impact?

In this paper we consider reader collisions in an Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) system, especially how interference impacts the ability of a passive UHF tag to respond. We propose two innovative applications for using interference: 1) Blocking a tag response, and 2) cooperative reading of a tag. In order to investigate their applicability we focus on the experimental evaluation, where we impose interference on the download and uplink, respectively, and on both links simultaneously. The results are positive with respect to blocking the tag, where modulated Co-Channel Interference (CCI) shows most effective. Based on the measurements it is however not possible to read a tag cooperatively, i.e. the tag is unable to utilize the interference as an additional energy source.
Integrated modeling and evaluation of electric mining trucks during propel and retarding modes

Mining trucks are sophisticated equipment that must operate continuously under difficult environmental conditions at the limit of their capacities. Hence, any tool that helps to evaluate the stress of mechanical components and/or overloading of electrical components will be of great benefit. This paper presents the development of an integrated electric-mechanical hauling truck model capable of determining all the variables of interest of the powertrain, traction and retarding systems. The developed model is first evaluated on idealized uphill and downhill routes, giving a clear view of the behavior of each component. These results are applied to the analysis of a complete downhill-uphill truck cycle in a copper mine. Finally, selected sectors of the mine road are evaluated to compare field records to the corresponding signals of the developed model. Results show a good agreement with errors between 2% and 5%.
Comparison of Visuospatial and Verbal Abilities in First Psychotic Episode of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder: Impact on Global Functioning and Quality of Life

Objectives: Deficit in visuospatial functions can influence both simple and complex daily life activities. Despite the fact that visuospatial deficit was reported in schizophrenia, research on visuospatial functions as an independent entity is limited. Our study aims to elucidate the impact of visuospatial deficit in comparison with verbal deficit on global functioning and quality of life in the first psychotic episode of schizophrenia spectrum disorder (FES). The significance of clinical symptoms and antipsychotic medication was also studied. Methods: Thirty-six FES patients and a matched group of healthy controls (HC group) were assessed with a neuropsychological battery focused on visuospatial (VIS) and verbal (VERB) functions. Using multiple regression analysis, we evaluated the cumulative effect of VERB and VIS functions, psychiatric symptoms (PANSS) and antipsychotic medication on global functioning (GAF) and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) in the FES group. Results: The FES group demonstrated significant impairment both in VIS and VERB cognitive abilities compared to the HC group. Antipsychotic medication did not significantly affect either VIS or VERB functioning. PANSS was not related to cognitive functioning, apart from the Trail Making Test B. In the FES group, the GAF score was significantly affected by the severity of positive symptoms and VERB functioning, explaining together 60% of GAF variability. The severity of negative and positive symptoms affected only the Physical health domain of WHOQOL-BREF. The degree of VERB deficit was associated with both Physical and Psychological health. Although we did not find any relation between VIS functioning, GAF, and WHOQOL-BREF, a paradoxical finding emerged in the Environment quality domain, where a worse quality of the environment was associated with better VIS functioning. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the deficit in VIS functions is an integral part of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, rather than a side effect of symptomatology or antipsychotic medication. Moreover, VERB functioning was a better predictor of GAF and WHOQOL-BREF than VIS functioning. Given the findings of negative or missing effect of VIS deficit on WHOQOL-BREF and GAF, the accuracy of these measures in evaluating the impact of global cognitive deficit on everyday life in schizophrenia could be questioned.
Control of glomerular filtration rate by renin-angiotensin system.

HALL,JOHN E. , ARTHUR C. GUYTON,THOMAS E. JACKSON, THOMAS G. COLEMAN, THOMAS E. LOHMEIER, AND NICK C. TRIPPODO. Control of glomerular filtration rate by reninangiotensin system. Am. J. Physiol. 233(5): F366-F372, 1977 or Am. J. Physiol. : Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 2(5): F366-F372, 1977. -The role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in autoregulating renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) during reductions in renal artery pressure (RAP) was examined in the following groups of anesthetized dogs: group I, normal controls, n, 10; group II, normal dogs after intrarenal infusion of angiotensin II antagonist (AIIA), n, 7; group III, sodium-depleted controls, n, 7; group IV, sodium-depleted dogs after intrarenal infusion of AIIA, n, 10. In groups I and III, RBF and GFR did not change significantly between RAP’s of 85-127 mmHg, and decreased only 5-14% below control values at an RAP of approx. 70 mmHg. After AIIA in normal dogs (group II), RBF increased above control values when RAP was lowered; GFR remained relatively constant in group II as RAP was reduced to 85 mmHg, but decreased to 71 t 5% of the control value at 70 mmHg. After AIIA in sodium-depleted dogs (group IV), RBF autoregulation was well maintained, but GFR decreased progressively to 43 t 6% of the control value when RAP was reduced in steps to 70 mmHg. Although filtration fraction (FF) and calculated efferent arteriolar resistance in groups I and III remained relatively constant when RAP was reduced, in groups II and IV (in which the RAS was nonfunctional because of angiotensin II blockade) FF and efferent arteriolar resistance decreased progressively at all RAP’s below control. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the RAS plays an important role in controlling GFR through an efferent arteriolar constrictor mechanism, especially during high renin states such as sodium depletion.
Non-deterministic processors: FPGA-based analysis of area, performance and security

Finding a suitable balance between performance and physical security can be a significant challenge when implementing cryptographic software. Although asymmetric primitives often afford inexpensive countermeasures against side-channel attack as a result of flexibility in the underlying mathematics, symmetric primitives are generally not as fortunate. The previously proposed NONDET processor architecture attempts to address this problem by securing generic workloads via micro-architectural countermeasures against DPA attack; in this paper we present the first concrete investigation of NONDET using AES as a case study. Our results indicate that versus an implementation of AES with no countermeasures, NONDET can significantly increase the number of acquisitions required for a successful DPA attack. Alternatively, versus an implementation using traditional software-based countermeasures such as randomisation and masking, NONDET can produce significant improvements in performance and memory footprint.
Analysis of transcriptional activity mediated by Drosophila melanogaster ecdysone receptor isoforms in a heterologous cell culture system

Ecdysteroid regulation of gene transcription in Drosophila melanogaster and other insects is mediated by a heterodimer comprised of Ultraspiracle (USP) and one of three ecdysone receptor (EcR) isoforms (A, B1 and B2). This study revealed that the EcR/USP heterodimer displays isoform‐specific capabilities. EcRB1 is normally induced with a form of USP that is missing its DNA‐binding domain (DBD), although potentiation by juvenile hormone (JH) III is reduced. The EcRA and B2 isoforms, however, display almost no response to ecdysteroids with the DBD− USP. A mutation, K497E, in the shared ligand‐binding domain of the EcR isoforms caused elevated EcRB2‐specific affinity for a canonical ecdysone response element. The effects of directed modification and mutagenesis offer a strategy for developing hypotheses and considerations for studying in vivo function.