Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct Interruptability Prediction and Scenario-based Evaluation of Wearable Devices: Towards Reliable Interruptability Predictions

In this paper we introduce the approach of direct interruptability inference from accelerometer and audio data and show that it provides highly accurate and robust predictions. Furthermore, we argue that scenarios are central for evaluating the performance of interruptability predicting devices and prove it on our setup. We also demonstrate that scenarios provide the foundation for avoiding misleading results, assessing the results’ generalizability, and provide the basis for a stratified scenario-based learning model, which greatly speedsup the training of such devices.
“Zebrafishing” for Novel Genes Relevant to the Glomerular Filtration Barrier

Data for genes relevant to glomerular filtration barrier function or proteinuria is continually increasing in an era of microarrays, genome-wide association studies, and quantitative trait locus analysis. Researchers are limited by published literature searches to select the most relevant genes to investigate. High-throughput cell cultures and other in vitro systems ultimately need to demonstrate proof in an in vivo model. Generating mammalian models for the genes of interest is costly and time intensive, and yields only a small number of test subjects. These models also have many pitfalls such as possible embryonic mortality and failure to generate phenotypes or generate nonkidney specific phenotypes. Here we describe an in vivo zebrafish model as a simple vertebrate screening system to identify genes relevant to glomerular filtration barrier function. Using our technology, we are able to screen entirely novel genes in 4–6 weeks in hundreds of live test subjects at a fraction of the cost of a mammalian model. Our system produces consistent and reliable evidence for gene relevance in glomerular kidney disease; the results then provide merit for further analysis in mammalian models.
A Comparison of Quiet Time Thermospheric Winds Between FPI Observations and Model Calculations

We investigate local time, seasonal, and longitudinal variations of thermospheric horizontal winds at midlatitudes during geomagnetically quiet times by comparing winds from observations, an empirical wind model, and a numerical model. The observations are from three Fabry‐Perot interferometers (FPIs), the empirical model is the most recent version of the Horizontal Wind Model 14 (HWM14), and the numerical model is the Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General Circulation Model of the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The three FPI stations are located at Xinglong (geographically 40.2°N, 117.4°E; geomagnetically 35°N) and Kelan (geographically 38.7°N, 111.6°E; geomagnetically 34°N) in China and at Millstone Hill (geographically 42.6°N, 71.5°W; geomagnetically 52°N) in United States. The results show that the winds at Millstone Hill are more southward and more westward than those at Xinglong and Kelan in all seasons; the directional reversal time of zonal winds is also earlier at Millstone Hill than at the other two stations. Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General Circulation Model shows better agreement with FPI observations in the winter months compared to summer, and in general best replicates those measurements taken at Millstone Hill. HWM14 generally produces agreement with quiet time midlatitude neutral wind measurements, with HWM14 meridional winds comparing very well throughout most of a year. HWM14 model‐data discrepancies occur mainly in the zonal winds during the winter season. Overall, HWM14 predicts MH FPI observations slightly better than it does for the data from the two Asian stations.
Prevalence and predictors of fragility fractures in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective: To establish the prevalence of reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures, and risk factors for fractures, in a cross sectional study of a large cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: All SLE patients willing to take part in the study had bone densitometry in 1999/2000 and completed a questionnaire on risk factors for osteoporosis and on drugs used. Accumulated damage was scored using the SLICC/ACR damage index (SDI). Only fractures occurring since the onset of SLE and unrelated to trauma were included, and the SDI score was modified to exclude osteoporotic fractures. Statistical analysis was by χ2 test, Fisher’s exact test, and binary logistic regression. Results: 242 patients were studied, median age 39.9 years (range 18 to 80), median disease duration 7.0 years (range 0 to 42). Of these, 123 (50.8%) had reduced BMD (T score <−1.0) and 25 (10.3%) were in the osteoporotic range (T score <–2.5). Fragility fractures had occurred in 22 patients (9.1%) since diagnosis of SLE. Of these, two (9.1%) had normal BMD and 20 (90.9%) had reduced BMD, while seven (31.8%) were within the osteoporotic range. Non-Afro-Caribbean race and exposure to prednisolone >10 mg daily were significantly associated with reduced BMD, while age and menopause were associated with osteoporosis. The risk factors for fractures were reduced BMD and age. Conclusions: Reduced BMD, osteoporosis, and fragility fractures appear to be prevalent in patients with SLE. Steroids were not an independent risk factor for fractures, although their effect could be mediated through reduced bone mineral density.
Spike protein of SARS‐CoV stimulates cyclooxygenase‐2 expression via both calcium‐dependent and calcium‐independent protein kinase C pathways

We have previously shown that the nucleocapsid protein of SARS‐associated coronavirus (SARS‐CoV) activated cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression (1). In this study, we identified another viral protein, the spike of SARS‐CoV, which played an important role in virus‐stimulated COX‐2 expression after screening all genes from the SARS‐CoV genome. We found that an upstream calcium‐dependent PKC isozyme PKCα that modulates the downstream ERK/ NF‐κB pathway through an influx of extracellular Ca2+ is induced by the spike protein of SARS‐CoV. The ERK/NF‐κB was identified to be involved in the activation of COX‐2 promoter and production of COX‐2 protein in HEK293T cells. We also demonstrated that another unusual pathway, the calcium‐independent PI3K/PKCε/JNK/CREB pathway, functioned in cooperation with the calcium‐dependent pathway to induce COX‐2 expression upon stimulation by spike protein. This pathway can be blocked by PKCε‐specific, small interfering RNA, PI3K/JNK kinase‐specific inhibitors as well as dominant negative JNK. PKCε‐specific siRNA also attenuated the phosphorylation of JNK. Our results provide evidence that helps us understand the function of SRAS‐CoV spike protein in SARS pathogenesis. —Liu, M. , Yang, Y. , Gu, C. , Yue, Y. , Wu, K. K. , Wu, J., Zhu, Y. Spike protein of SARS‐CoV stimulates cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 expression via both calcium‐dependent and calcium‐independent protein kinase C pathways. FASEB J. 21, 1586–1596 (2007)
Stability of intraindividual variability as a marker of neurologic dysfunction in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis

Background: Impairments in information processing speed are common in multiple sclerosis (MS), with affected individuals demonstrating slower responses and more intraindividual variability (IIV) in their performance on timed tasks. Evidence suggesting that IIV provides novel information about cognitive deficits in MS is accumulating; however, little is known about the stability of IIV across multiple assessments. In this study, we investigated IIV in response speed in persons with MS across 6 monthly sessions using the Attention Network Test–Interaction (ANT-I). Method: Individuals with relatively mild relapsing remitting MS and healthy controls completed the ANT-I at 6 monthly intervals. Clinical assessments (Sessions 1 and 6) and conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies (Sessions 1–6) were examined for individuals with MS. Results: The MS group’s clinical and neuroimaging measures were stable during the 6-month period. Individuals with MS were slower and more variable in reaction time performance on the ANT-I than were controls. Differences in IIV between groups were maintained across the 6 sessions, with IIV demonstrating less susceptibility to across-session practice effects than mean latency scores. Conclusions: IIV provides a stable measure of cognitive performance in mildly affected persons with MS who are clinically and radiologically stable. Further studies exploring its utility as a clinical outcome are warranted.
Prognostic Value of Very Low Plasma Concentrations of Troponin T in Patients With Stable Chronic Heart Failure

Background— Circulating cardiac troponin T, a marker of cardiomyocyte injury, predicts adverse outcome in patients with heart failure (HF) but is detectable in only a small fraction of those with chronic stable HF. We assessed the prognostic value of circulating cardiac troponin T in patients with stable chronic HF with a traditional (cTnT) and a new precommercial highly sensitive assay (hsTnT). Methods and Results— Plasma troponin T was measured in 4053 patients with chronic HF enrolled in the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial (Val-HeFT). Troponin T was detectable in 10.4% of the population with the cTnT assay (detection limit ≤0.01 ng/mL) compared with 92.0% with the new hsTnT assay (≤0.001 ng/mL). Patients with cTnT elevation or with hsTnT above the median (0.012 ng/mL) had more severe HF and worse outcome. In Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for clinical risk factors, cTnT was associated with death (780 events; hazard ratio=2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.72 to 2.52; P<0.0001) and first hospitalization for HF (655 events; hazard ratio=1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 1.93; P<0.0001). HsTnT was associated with the risk of death in unadjusted analysis for deciles of concentrations and in multivariable models (hazard ratio=1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 1.07 for increments of 0.01 ng/mL; P<0.0001). Addition of hsTnT to well-calibrated models adjusted for clinical risk factors, with or without brain natriuretic peptide, significantly improved prognostic discrimination (C-index, P<0.0001 for both outcomes). Conclusions— In this large population of patients with HF, detectable cTnT predicts adverse outcomes in chronic HF. By the highly sensitive assay, troponin T retains a prognostic value at previously undetectable concentrations.
Bilateral, double-blind, randomized comparison of 3 doses of botulinum toxin type A and placebo in patients with crow's feet.

BACKGROUND Optimum dosing for botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in crow's feet remains to be defined. OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to compare the efficacy and safety of 3 doses of BTX-A and placebo in patients with crow's feet. METHODS Patients were treated with 6, 12, or 18 units of BTX-A in orbicularis oculi muscle on one side and placebo contralaterally (double-blind design). At 16 weeks after injection, patients were treated with 12 or 18 units of BTX-A bilaterally (open-label design). Trained observers and patients rated the wrinkles on a scale of 0 (none) to 3 (severe) at maximum contraction and repose and at baseline and 4-week intervals over a 16-week period after injection. RESULTS All doses of BTX-A were significantly superior to placebo with no clear dose-response relationship. Benefits of the second injection lasted longer than the first. Few and mild adverse events were seen. CONCLUSION BTX-A is a safe and effective treatment for crow's feet. Benefits are more sustained with repeat treatment.
Higher-Order Correlation Clustering for Image Segmentation

For many of the state-of-the-art computer vision algorithms, image segmentation is an important preprocessing step. As such, several image segmentation algorithms have been proposed, however, with certain reservation due to high computational load and many hand-tuning parameters. Correlation clustering, a graph-partitioning algorithm often used in natural language processing and document clustering, has the potential to perform better than previously proposed image segmentation algorithms. We improve the basic correlation clustering formulation by taking into account higher-order cluster relationships. This improves clustering in the presence of local boundary ambiguities. We first apply the pairwise correlation clustering to image segmentation over a pairwise superpixel graph and then develop higher-order correlation clustering over a hypergraph that considers higher-order relations among superpixels. Fast inference is possible by linear programming relaxation, and also effective parameter learning framework by structured support vector machine is possible. Experimental results on various datasets show that the proposed higher-order correlation clustering outperforms other state-of-the-art image segmentation algorithms.
Analyzing Optimization for Statistical Machine Translation: MERT Learns Verbosity, PRO Learns Length

We study the impact of source length and verbosity of the tuning dataset on the performance of parameter optimizers such as MERT and PRO for statistical machine translation. In particular, we test whether the verbosity of the resulting translations can be modified by varying the length or the verbosity of the tuning sentences. We find that MERT learns the tuning set verbosity very well, while PRO is sensitive to both the verbosity and the length of the source sentences in the tuning set; yet, overall PRO learns best from highverbosity tuning datasets. Given these dependencies, and potentially some other such as amount of reordering, number of unknown words, syntactic complexity, and evaluation measure, to mention just a few, we argue for the need of controlled evaluation scenarios, so that the selection of tuning set and optimization strategy does not overshadow scientific advances in modeling or decoding. In the mean time, until we develop such controlled scenarios, we recommend using PRO with a large verbosity tuning set, which, in our experiments, yields highest BLEU across datasets and language pairs.
Current Status of Older and New Purine Nucleoside Analogues in the Treatment of Lymphoproliferative Diseases

For the past few years more and more new cytotoxic agents active in the treatment of hematological malignancies have been synthesized and become available for either in vitro studies or clinical trials. Among them the class of antineoplastic drugs belonging to the purine nucleoside analogues group (PNAs) plays an important role. Three of them: pentostatin (DCF), cladribine (2-CdA) and fludarabine (FA) were approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Recently three novel PNAs: clofarabine (CAFdA), nelarabine (ara-G) and forodesine (immucillin H, BCX-1777) have been synthesized and introduced into preclinical studies and clinical trials. These agents seem to be useful mainly for the treatment of human T-cell proliferative disorders and they are currently undergoing clinical trials in lymphoid malignancies. However, there are also several studies suggesting the role of these drugs in B-cell malignancies. This review will summarize current knowledge concerning the mechanism of action, pharmacologic properties, clinical activity and toxicity of PNAs accepted for use in clinical practice, as well as new agents available for clinical trials.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and Regulation of EMT Factors by Steroid Nuclear Receptors in Breast Cancer: A Review and in Silico Investigation

Steroid Nuclear Receptors (SNRs) are transcription factors of the nuclear receptor super-family. Estrogen Receptor (ERα) is the best-studied and has a seminal role in the clinic both as a prognostic marker but also as a predictor of response to anti-estrogenic therapies. Progesterone Receptor (PR) is also used in the clinic but with a more debatable prognostic role and the role of the four other SNRs, ERβ, Androgen Receptor (AR), Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) and Mineralocorticoid Receptor (MR), is starting only to be appreciated. ERα, but also to a certain degree the other SNRs, have been reported to be involved in virtually every cancer-enabling process, both promoting and impeding carcinogenesis. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and the reverse Mesenchymal Epithelial Transition (MET) are such carcinogenesis-enabling processes with important roles in invasion and metastasis initiation but also establishment of tumor in the metastatic site. EMT is governed by several signal transduction pathways culminating in core transcription factors of the process, such as Snail, Slug, ZEB1 and ZEB2, and Twist, among others. This paper will discuss direct regulation of these core transcription factors by SNRs in breast cancer. Interrogation of publicly available databases for binding sites of SNRs on promoters of core EMT factors will also be included in an attempt to fill gaps where other experimental data are not available.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences a New Perspective on the Perceptual Selectivity of Attention under Load

The human attention system helps us cope with a complex environment by supporting the selective processing of information relevant to our current goals. Understanding the perceptual, cognitive, and neural mechanisms that mediate selective attention is a core issue in cognitive neuroscience. One prominent model of selective attention , known as load theory, offers an account of how task demands determine when information is selected and an account of the efficiency of the selection process. However, load theory has several critical weaknesses that suggest that it is time for a new perspective. Here we review the strengths and weaknesses of load theory and offer an alternative biologically plausible computational account that is based on the neural theory of visual attention. We argue that this new perspective provides a detailed computational account of how bottom-up and top-down information is integrated to provide efficient attentional selection and allocation of perceptual processing resources.
Regional rescue of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 phenotypes by 14-3-3ε haploinsufficiency in mice underscores complex pathogenicity in neurodegeneration

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of a CAG repeat encoding a polyglutamine tract in Ataxin-1 (ATXN1). Both WT and mutant ATXN1 interact with 14-3-3 proteins, and 14-3-3 overexpression stabilizes ATXN1 levels in cells and increases ATXN1 toxicity in flies. To determine whether reducing 14-3-3 levels might mitigate SCA1 pathogenesis, we bred Sca1154Q/+ mice to mice lacking one allele of 14-3-3ε. 14-3-3ε haploinsufficiency rescued cerebellar pathology and motor phenotypes but, surprisingly, not weight loss, respiratory dysfunction, or premature lethality. Biochemical studies revealed that reducing 14-3-3ε levels exerted different effects in two brain regions especially vulnerable in SCA1: Although diminishing levels of both WT and mutant ATXN1 in the cerebellum, 14-3-3ε haploinsufficiency did not alter ATXN1 levels in the brainstem. Furthermore, 14-3-3ε haploinsufficiency decreased the incorporation of expanded ATXN1 into its large toxic complexes in the cerebellum but not in the brainstem, and the distribution of ATXN1’s small and large native complexes differed significantly between the two regions. These data suggest that distinct pathogenic mechanisms operate in different vulnerable brain regions, adding another level of complexity to SCA1 pathogenesis.
Assessment of harmonic pollution by LED lamps in power systems

Modern energy-efficient LED lamps draw non-sinusoidal currents from the grid. The harmonic distortion level varies with the quality of lamp's non-linear driver circuit. This paper studies the problem of system-wide harmonic impact with consideration to both the variation in lighting load and difference in quality of LED lamps available in the market. An electrical classification model is proposed for LED lamps based on their harmonic spectrum and an analysis is carried out to quantify the distortion and losses possible in power system if such lamps are to be installed. Extending prior work in this area, we use advanced harmonic analysis techniques and conduct evaluation with voltage-dependent harmonic current model for LED driver. We built a harmonic analysis tool using Gauss-Seidel Method to carry out our evaluations on IEEE-30 test bus system. We report our results using IEEE standard 1459 which provides definitions of power quantities under non-sinusoidal conditions. Evaluations show that poor quality LED lamps can cause significant distortion in a power system and good quality LED lamps introduce significantly lower distortion while providing high economic and environmental benefits.
Margin Requirements, Volatility, and Market Integrity: What Have We Learned Since the Crash?

This study assesses the state of the policy debate that surrounds the federal regulation of margin requirements. A review of the literature finds no undisputed evidence that supports the hypothesis that margin requirements can be used to control stock return volatility and correspondingly little evidence that suggests that margin-related leverage is an important underlying source of “excess” volatility. The evidence does not support the hypothesis that there is a stable inverse relationship between the level of Regulation T margin requirements and stock returns volatility nor does it support the hypothesis that the leverage advantage in equity derivative products is a source of additional returns volatility in the stock market.
Thermoresponsive Drug Delivery Using Liquid Crystal-Embedded Cellulose Nitrate Membranes

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of thermotropic liquid crystalline (TLC) blends of 4-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (K15) and 4-heptyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (K21) with appropriate nematic to isotropic phase temperature (Tn − i) just above body temperature as a temperature-modulated drug permeation system. Using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) we showed that the phase transition temperature (Tn − i) of K15 and K21 were 34.2°C and 41.5°C respectively. However, the thermogram of K15 and K21 blends with different ratios was shown to be a single endothermic peak similar to that of pure TLCs. K15 and K21 blends did not behave as a physical blend of two thermotropic liquid crystals with different Tn − i. However, they are rather mixed together in such ways that behave like a single unit TLC. The Tn − i of these TLC mixtures was linearly proportionate to the ratio of K15:K21. Using appropriate ratio of K15:K21 TLC, a mixture with desirable phase transition temperature was obtained. A triple layer of cellulose nitrate membranes containing a 50:50 mixture of K15 and K21 was used for drug permeation studies. This composite membrane showed good pulsatile permeation of drug molecules in response to temperature changes below and above the Tn − i of the K15 and K21 blends in a reproducible and reversible manner. Paracetamol and methimazole were chosen as hydrophobic and hydrophilic drug models, respectively. Methimazole permeability through the TLC membrane was much higher (36.0 × 10−5 cm/s) at temperatures above the phase transition temperature of liquid crystal blends than that (7.2 × 10−5 cm/s) at temperatures below the phase transition temperature of liquid crystal blends (38.1°C).
Conformal measure and decay of correlation for covering weighted systems

We show that for a large class of piecewise monotonic transformations on a totally ordered, compact set one can construct conformal measures and obtain the exponential mixing rate for the associated equilibrium state. The method is based on the study of the Perron–Frobenius operator. The conformal measure, the density of the invariant measure and the rate of mixing are deduced by using an appropriate Hilbert metric, without any compactness arguments, even in the case of a countable to one transformation.