Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IO-Top-k: index-access optimized top-k query processing

Top-k query processing is an important building block for ranked retrieval, with applications ranging from text and data integration to distributed aggregation of network logs and sensor data. Top-k queries operate on index lists for a query's elementary conditions and aggregate scores for result candidates. One of the best implementation methods in this setting is the family of threshold algorithms, which aim to terminate the index scans as early as possible based on lower and upper bounds for the final scores of result candidates. This procedure performs sequential disk accesses for sorted index scans, but also has the option of performing random accesses to resolve score uncertainty. This entails scheduling for the two kinds of accesses: 1) the prioritization of different index lists in the sequential accesses, and 2) the decision on when to perform random accesses and for which candidates.The prior literature has studied some of these scheduling issues, but only for each of the two access types in isolation. The current paper takes an integrated view of the scheduling issues and develops novel strategies that outperform prior proposals by a large margin. Our main contributions are new, principled, scheduling methods based on a Knapsack-related optimization for sequential accesses and a cost model for random accesses. The methods can be further boosted by harnessing probabilistic estimators for scores, selectivities, and index list correlations. In performance experiments with three different datasets (TREC Terabyte, HTTP server logs, and IMDB), our methods achieved significant performance gains compared to the best previously known methods.
METHYLENETETRAHYDROFOLATE REDUCTASE POLYMORPHISMS IN PREECLAMPSIA AND THE HELLP SYNDROME

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of the 677 (C → T) and 1298 (A → C) polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in our preeclamptic population. For a summary estimation of the risk of the 677 (C → T) polymorphism for preeclampsia, we also performed a meta-analysis on four previously published case-control studies to which our results were added. Methods: Genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme analysis. The results of 176 nonpregnant women, previously hospitalized for preeclampsia in a tertiary care center, were compared with 403 Dutch population-based controls.Results were statistically analyzed with a chi-square test. Mean Outcome Measures: The incidence of the 677 (C → T) and 1298 (A → C) polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene. Results: The incidence of both MTHFR missense polymorphisms was not significantly different between cases and controls. We found an odds ratio (OR) of 1.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8–0.6, p = 0.17] and an OR of 1.0 (95% CI 0.6–1.9, p = 0.23) for the 677 (C → T) and the 1298 (A → C) polymorphism, respectively, in cases comparing the prevalence of the homozygous genotype versus the other two genotypes. The meta-analysis resulted in a significant OR of 2.0 (95% CI 1.4–2.9). Conclusions: In contrast to four previous studies, we were neither able to confirm an increased risk for preeclampsia to the 677 (C → T) polymorphism nor did we find an increased risk for preeclampsia to the 1298 (A → C) polymorphism. From the meta-analysis, however, we conclude that it cannot be ruled out that the homozygous 677TT genotype is a modest but significant risk factor for preeclampsia.
Efficient Parity Update for Scaling RAID-like Storage Systems

It is inevitable to scale RAID systems with the increasing demand of storage capacity and I/O throughput. When scaling RAID systems, we will always need to update parity to maintain the reliability of the storage systems. There are two schemes, read-modify-write (RMW) and read-reconstruct-write (RCW), to update parity. However most existing scaling approaches simply use RMW to update parity. While in many scenarios for existing scaling approaches, RCW performs better in terms of the number of scaling I/Os. In this paper, we propose an algorithm, called EPU, to analyze which of RCW and RMW is better for a scaling scenario and select the more efficient one to save the scaling I/Os. We apply EPU to online scaling scenarios and further use two optimizations, I/O overlap and access aggregation, to enhance the online scaling performance. Using Scale-CRS, one of the existing scaling approaches, as an example, we show via numerical studies that Scale-CRS+EPU reduces the amount of scaling I/Os over the traditional Scale-CRS in many scaling cases. To justify the online efficiency of EPU, we implement both Scale-CRS+EPU and Scale-CRS in a simulator with Disksim as a working module. Through extensive experiments, we show that Scale-CRS+EPU reduces the scaling time and the online response time of user requests over Scale-CRS.
Sensitivity of net ecosystem exchange and heterotrophic respiration to parameterization uncertainty

We examine the uncertainty in net ecosystem exchange due to the model treatment of heterotrophic respiration in a variety of hydroclimatic conditions using a land surface model. Multiple soil temperature‐respiration functions and soil moisture‐respiration functions are incorporated into the Carnegie‐Ames‐Stanford Approach with Carbon‐Nitrogen‐Phosphorus (CASA‐CNP) biogeochemical model coupled to the Community Atmosphere Biosphere Land Exchange land surface model. Every possible combination of the newly implemented functions is then used to simulate heterotrophic respiration and net ecosystem exchange at 10 different flux towers covering a large range of global vegetation types. Results show that a large uncertainty in the simulated net ecosystem exchange is attributable to differences in the soil respiration parameterization. No single combination of soil temperature and moisture‐respiration functions appears to show superior performance across all sites. Large variations in the simulated evolution of soil carbon storages emphasize the problem that to use an observationally based soil temperature or soil moisture response function requires a land surface model to capture the observed soil temperature and soil moisture mean and variability correctly. Land surface models are known to vary dramatically in their simulation of the soil moisture state and probably in their simulation of soil temperature. Resolving how to simulate heterotrophic respiration and net ecosystem exchange will therefore require an accurate simulation of temperature and moisture combined with a realistic soil heterotrophic respiration parameterization, and these cannot be developed and implemented in isolation.
The procurement and use of knappable glassy volcanic raw material from the late Pleistocene Pilauco site, Chilean Northwestern Patagonia

In this study we used a multidisciplinary approach, coupling morphological, geological, geochemical, and statistical analyses to investigate the provenance of rhyodacitic and dacitic glass knapped at the Pilauco site (40°34′11” S, 73°06′17” W; 13,570 ± 70–12,540 ± 90 14C year BP) in northwestern Chilean Patagonia. A morphotechnological analysis was performed on the entire lithic assemblage, which is composed of cores, retouched and unretouched unifacial flakes, and small pieces of debitage, some of them closely associated with Notiomastodon aff. N. platensis gomphothere bones. Sixty‐two archeological and geological samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry revealing a wide range of basaltic to rhyodacitic compositions. The archeological knappable dacitic and rhyodacitic glasses were recovered from pebbles deposited mainly on a beach away from the site, as deduced by the presence of minute and dense crescentic percussion marks on the cortexes. Geochemical trace element analysis suggests that the Puyehue–Cordón Caulle Volcanic Complex is the most likely source for the volcanic glass artifacts at Pilauco. The new morphotechnological and provenance record and improved stratigraphic sequences highlight the Pilauco site as an important contribution for the diversity of the South American geoarchaeological context.
Analysis of nonspecific reactions in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing for human rotavirus

Solid-phase enzyme immunoassays can be utilized to detect antigens directly in clinical specimens. However, a small number of stools which we tested for human rotavirus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were found to have nonspecific activity in the absence of rotaviral antigen. Similar nonspecific activity was found in eight of eight sera which contained rheumatoid factor. This nonspecific activity was markedly reduced by pretreatment of the specimens with reducing agents, normal goat serum, and anti-human immunoglobulin M (IgM). Thus, it is likely that these specimens contain an IgM antibody capable of reacting nonspecifically with the other components of the assay. Although pretreatment with the mild reducing agent N-acetylcysteine markedly reduced this nonspecific activity, such treatment did not reduce the specific ELISA activity due to rotavirus. Other treatments did produce a reduction in specific activity. Thus pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine offers a practical means to increase the specificity of ELISA systems without reducing their sensitivity.
Realtime Multiple-pitch and Multiple-instrument Recognition For Music Signals using Sparse Non-negative Constraints

In this paper we introduce a simple and fast method for realtime recognition of multiple-pitches produced by multiple musical instruments. Our proposed method is based on two important facts: one that timbral information of any instrument is pitch-dependant and two, that the modulation spectrum of the same pitch seems to result into a persistent representation of the characteristics of the instrumental family, as discussed in the paper. Using these basic facts, we construct a learning algorithm to obtain pitch templates of all possible notes on various instruments and then devise an online algorithm to decompose a realtime audio buffer using the learned templates. The learning and decomposition proposed here are inspired by non-negative matrix factorization methods but differ by introduction of an explicit sparsity control. Our test results show significant recognition rate for a realtime system and on real music recordings. We discuss further improvements that can be made over the proposed system.
OF FIBRIC ACID DERIVATIVES IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PREVENTION OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE

Volume 22, Issue 11 August 2007 1 line therapy for dyslipidemia based on their efficacy in reducing levels of LDL-C, they exhibit only modest effects by decreasing triglycerides about 15-35% and increasing HDL up to 15%. The safety and efficacy of fibrates have been reviewed in six major clinical trials during the past 30 years. The results have generated mixed findings when evaluating overall mortality, cardiovascular events, and adverse effects. The inconsistent outcomes may be a result of differences among individual fibrates and highly varied study populations. In this article, the pharmacology of the fibrates is discussed along with evaluating their role in the primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD).
Simplified modeling of a PV panel by using PSIM and its comparison with laboratory test results

This paper presents an easy and accurate procedure of the modeling of a commercially available Photovoltaic Panel by using Solar Module (Physical Model) Simulator embedded in a very powerful Simulation software known as PSIM. Methods of Photovoltaic Panel modeling including mathematical modeling and software based modeling are also discussed in this paper. Apart from modeling types, I-V (Current-Voltage) and P-V (Power-Voltage) Characteristics and some other useful results obtained from PSIM Simulation are further evaluated and compared with the laboratory test results. Limitations of PSIM Solar Module (Physical Model) are also discussed in this paper.
A hybrid MPC approach to the design of a Smart adaptive cruise controller

In this paper we investigate the possibility of applying the hybrid Model Predictive Control (MPC) framework to solve a control problem regarding tracking of a moving vehicle. The study originates from the design of an adaptive cruise controller (ACC) of a Smart car, that aims to closely follow a reference trajectory transmitted by a leading vehicle. The physical behavior of the Smart and the constraints arising from the specifications related to safety and security issues make the hybrid MPC framework suitable for this task. An adaptation of the terminal cost and constraint set MPC approach, which is commonly used for fixed set-point regulation, is employed in order to achieve good tracking of a time-varying reference trajectory. The simulation results indicate the effectiveness of the developed hybrid MPC algorithm and the industrial feasibility with respect to on-line computation restrictions.
Data-Oriented Translation

In this article, we present a statistical approach to machine translation that is based on Data-Oriented Parsing: Data-Oriented Translation (DOT). In DOT, we use linked subtree pairs for creating a derivation of a source sentence. Each linked subtree pair has a certain probability, and consists of two trees: one in the source language and one in the target language. When a derivation has been formed with these subtree pairs, we can create a translation from this derivation. Since there are typically many different derivations of the same sentence in the source language, there can be as many different translations for it. The probability of a translation can be calculated as the total probability of all the derivations that form this translation. We give the computational aspects for this model, show that we can convert each subtree pair into a productive rewrite rule, and that the most probable translation can be computed by means of Monte Carlo disambiguation. Finally, we discuss some pilot experiments with the Verbmobil corpus.
Fatigue and Sleep in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Comparison of Self-Report and Performance-Based Measures

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients suffer very often from MS fatigue and sleep problems. Despite the detrimental impact on the activities of daily living, a short and objective quantification of fatigue and sleep problems is currently lacking. Objective The objective of the study was to systematically investigate tonic, intrinsic, and phasic alertness and the relationship of these performance-based measures with self-report measures of fatigue and quality of sleep. Methods Thirty-three MS patients without (MS−) and 26 with selected comorbid disorders (MS+) and 43 healthy controls (HCs) performed the pupillographic sleepiness test (measuring tonic alertness) and the alertness subtest of the Test of Attentional Performance (measuring intrinsic and phasic alertness). Results Self-reported and performance-based measures revealed poorer performance for both MS groups compared to HC. MS+ patients presented higher rates of MS fatigue, sleep problems and depressive symptoms but similar alertness scores compared to MS− patients. However, tonic alertness was only higher in MS− patients compared to HC. Intrinsic and phasic alertness correlated moderately with fatigue ratings. Conclusion In the diagnostic process of MS fatigue and quality of sleep comorbid disorders (depression, anemia, thyroid dysfunction) and performance-based measures such as alertness should be considered in daily clinical practice.
Significant modulation of variability and projected change in California winter precipitation by extratropical cyclone activity

Extratropical cyclones give rise to much of the precipitation over California. Observed California winter precipitation is highly correlated to a metric of extratropical cyclone activity over the Eastern Pacific. The lack of precipitation over the recent winters is coincident with consecutive winters of much below average cyclone activity. Analysis of variability in cyclone activity and California precipitation simulated by models participating in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 indicates that most models can simulate the relationship between cyclone activity and precipitation well. Examination of projected change suggests (1) no evidence of a long‐term downward trend in California region cyclone activity within the examined scenarios and (2) that the intermodel spread in California precipitation projection can be largely explained by the spread in the projection of extratropical cyclone activity. This highlights the need to further understand physical mechanisms for the variation in projection of cyclone activity in this region.
Progression of Selective IgA Deficiency to Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Selective IgA deficiency (IgAD) is the most common primary immunodeficiency in Caucasians. Although it is often asymptomatic, selected patients show an increased frequency of infections, allergies and autoimmune manifestations. Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary antibody deficiency disease that shares many clinical features with IgAD. A common genetic basis for IgAD and CVID has been suggested based on their occurrence in members of the same family and the similarity of the underlying B cell defects. Progression from IgAD to CVID has also been reported in several cases. Here we present 4 patients with IgAD and autoimmune features who subsequently developed CVID. All symptomatic IgAD patients, especially those with associated IgG subclass deficiency or autoimmune features, should be monitored for evolution to CVID. Early diagnosis of this conversion and institution of immunoglobulin therapy is effective in preventing severe bacterial infections and pulmonary insufficiency.
ROLE OF GAMMA GLOBULINS IN PATHOGENESIS OF RENAL LESIONS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS AND CHRONIC MEMBRANOUS GLOMERULONEPHRITIS, WITH AN OBSERVATION ON THE LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS CELL REACTION

Utilizing the fluorescent antibody method for the histologic demonstration of localized γ-globulins, we have made the following observations (in contradistinction to the lack of such findings in a variety of normal and pathologic, control kidneys). In systemic lupus erythematosus (a) γ-globulins were localized in the thickened capillary walls, the "wire-loop" lesions, and the so called "hyaline thrombi" in glomeruli; (b) these sites of localization of γ-globulins were correlated to a considerable degree with the pattern of accentuated eosinophilia of the glomeruli, as seen in hematoxylin-eosin sections, or with the pattern of PAS-positive areas in the glomeruli in sections stained with the periodic acid-Schiff reaction; (c) and γ-globulins were localized rarely in large cytoplasmic granules in tubular epithelium and occasionally in glomerular capsular crescents, tubular protein casts, and inflammatory cells, particularly in the cytoplasm of cells identified as immature and mature plasma cells. In nephrotic glomerulonephritis (a) γ-globulins were localized in the glomerular basement membrane and appertaining structures in chronic membranous glomerulonephritis; (b) γ-globulins were apparently localized in the altered mesangium in chronic lobular glomerulonephritis; and (c) in the tubular protein casts, presumably representing abnormal glomerular filtrates, γ-globulins were present in a lesser concentration and other serum proteins in a greater concentration than found in the glomeruli. In positive lupus erythematosus preparations the nuclei of leukocytes, while undergoing transformation and subsequent phagocytosis to form lupus erythematosus cells, were the sites of localization of γ-globulin (presumably the lupus erythematosus factor) whereas in control preparations no nuclear localization of γ-globulin occurred. These observations are discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of renal lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic membranous glomerulonephritis, and amyloidosis.
Lagrangian Modeling of Arctic Ocean Circulation Pathways: Impact of Advection on Spread of Pollutants

Sea-ice-free summers are projected to become a prominent feature of the Arctic environment in the coming decades. From a shipping perspective, this means larger areas of open water in the summer, thinner and less compact ice all year round, and longer operating seasons. Therefore, the possibility for easier navigation along trans-Arctic shipping routes arises. The Northern Sea Route (NSR) is one trans-Arctic route, and it offers a potential 10 day shortcut between Western Europe and the Far East. More ships transiting the NSR means an increased risk of an accident, and associated oil spill, occurring. Previous research suggests that current infrastructure is insufficient for increased shipping. Therefore, should an oil spill occur, the window for a successful clean-up will be short. In the event of a failed recovery, the long-term fate of the unrecovered pollutants must be considered, at least until the next melt season when it could become accessible again. Here we investigate the role of oceanic advection in determining the long-term fate of Arctic pollutants using a high-resolution ocean model along with Lagrangian particle-tracking to simulate the spread of pollutants. The resulting “advective footprints” of pollutants are proposed as an informative metric for analyzing such experiments. We characterize the circulation along different parts of the NSR, defining three main regions in the Eurasian Arctic, and relate the distinctive circulation pathways of each to the long-term fate of spilled oil. We conclude that a detailed understanding of ocean circulation is critical for determining the long-term fate of Arctic pollutants.
A survey on the heavy metal contents in Chinese traditional egg products and their potential health risk assessment

Pb, Zn and Cu were determined in 35 Preserved Egg (PE) samples, 25 Salted Egg (SE) samples and 40 Egg Preserved in Rice Wine (EPRW) samples collected from Jiangxi province by ICP-MS. The corresponding health risk for consumers was assessed by the target hazard quotients (THQ) and hazard index (HI). Average Pb, Zn and Cu content in all samples was 0.125 mg/kg, 10.939 mg/kg and 2.094 mg/kg, respectively. Average Pb content in PE was significantly higher than in SE and EPRW. THQ and HI values were less than 1, indicating that intake of heavy metals from PE, SE and EPRW will not pose a significant hazard risk to humans. However, more attention should be paid to control the ingestion by PE, which is the main source of Pb, Zn and Cu for consumers among these three egg products.
Calculating Pollution Equivalent of Electric Heating with Heat Storage Technology Accommodating Wind Based on LCA

Electric heating with heat storage technology can effectively reduce the abandoned wind of wind farms located in north china during the winter, improving the consumptive capacity of wind power. Considering the poor economy and singleness of electric heating with heat storage technology, life cycle assessment method is applied to analyze each stage of electric heating boiler with heat storage technology, including production, transportation, construction, operation and dismantling scrap. Meanwhile, the pollution emissions of each stage are calculated and compared with the cogeneration of heat and power in order to analyze its superiority and expansibility. The research result shows that the electric heating with heat storage technology consuming abandoned wind will reach a obviously lower pollutant discharge level than cogeneration heating mode. Therefore, from the point of environmental protection, electric heating with heat storage technology has extensive popularization significance in north China where abandoned wind phenomenon is serious.