Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COPD lifestyle support through self-management (CALS)

A dramatic shift in population ageing is taking place, which is subsequently leading to a rise in the prevalence of chronic conditions. COPD is one such condition that places a heavy burned on national Health Services. A healthier lifestyle can greatly reduce the speed of conditional decline in those with COPD and therefore provide a better quality of life. This paper investigates how technology can be utilized for lifestyle support through self-management providing participants with the ability to monitor information on their lifestyle, behavior and physiological parameters. This information is analyzed and presented to the participant providing a comprehensive picture of their health and wellbeing. With this information at hand, informed lifestyle decisions and behavioral changes can be made and lead to a better quality of life.
Analysis of 1/f noise on LWIR HgCdTe photodiodes with different passivation

We study the 1/f noise currents and dark currents in LWIR HgCdTe photodiodes with different passivation. The diodes are fabricated by ion implanting boron on MBE HgCdTe with x=0.2173. One kind of photodiodes was passivated by ZnS and the other kind was passivated by CdTe/ZnS. Both dark currents and 1/f noise currents were measured at several reverse bias voltages. The measured dark currents of the photodiodes are analyzed using current model fitting methods. The different dark current components, such as diffusion current, generation-recombination current, trap assisted tunneling current and band-to-band tunneling current, at various biases voltages can be separated from the measured dark currents. The measurement results demonstrate that the dominant mechanism that produces 1/f noise in HgCdTe photodiodes with either passivation is tunneling. When the reverse bias voltages are less than 200mv, the main mechanism that produces 1/f noise is trap assisted tunneling. In this case, the 1/f noise currents of the photodiodes passivated by ZnS are smaller than those passivated by CdTe/ZnS. When the reverse biases are larger than 200mv, the band-to-band tunneling currents of the photodiodes passivated by ZnS are much larger than the photodiodes passivated by CdTe/ZnS. And the 1/f noise currents of the ZnS passivated photodiodes are larger than the different passivated one. In order to investigate the effect of surface passivation on the stability of two kinds of diodes, R-V characteristics and 1/f noise of the diodes were measured after vacuum baking for 10 hour at 80°C, the photodiodes passivated by CdTe/ZnS show higher performance compared with the diodes passivated by ZnS after baking.
Bayesian Network Based XP Process Modelling

A Bayesian Network based mathematical model has been used for modelling Extreme Programming software development process. The model is capable of predicting the expected finish time and the expected defect rate for each XP release. Therefore, it can be used to determine the success/failure of any XP Project. The model takes into account the effect of three XP practices, namely: Pair Programming, Test Driven Development and Onsite Customer practices. The model’s predictions were validated against two case studies. Results show the precision of our model especially in predicting the project finish time.
A novel intermediate filament-associated protein, NAPA-73, that binds to different filament types at different stages of nervous system development

The antigen recognized by the E/C8-monoclonal antibody is expressed in various avian embryonic cell types known also to express neurofilament (NF) immunoreactivity. To determine whether the E/C8-antigen corresponds to any of the known NF components, we compared their subcellular locations, immunocross-reactivities, and electrophoretic behaviors. We found that the E/C8-antibody binds to NF bundles in electron microscope preparations of neurons, but does not correspond to any of the known NF proteins by immunological or electrophoretic criteria. Immunoadsorption with the monoclonal antibody resulted in co- purification of a 73,000-D protein with one of the known NF proteins in homogenates from 20-d embryonic chick brains, but with vimentin intermediate filament protein in similarly prepared homogenates from 4- d embryonic chicks. We suggest that the E/C8-antigen is an intermediate filament-associated protein that binds to different filament types at different stages of development. We have named it NAPA-73, an acronym for neurofilament-associated protein, avian-specific, 73,000 D, on the basis of its binding specificity in mature neurons.
Mutual information based weighted fuzzy clustering

Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) is one of the most widely used fuzzy clustering algorithm and finds its application in a variety of domains. There exists huge number of works on variations of FCM such as Weighted FCM, FCM based on different distance metrics, FCM with different clustering criterion etc. This paper studies weighted FCM. Most of weighted FCM are based on Lagrange methods of weighting either memberships of objects or attributes. These methods estimate weights based on similarity between different data objects. Mutual information, an information theoretic based measure, estimates, how much one random variable tells us about another. It can be thought of as the reduction in uncertainty about one random variable given knowledge of another. There are many variations of fuzzy c-means clustering approaches available using mutual information or variations of mutual information as a distance metric for finding the coherent clusters. In this paper, we explore this mutual information for determining feature weights. We present weighted FCM, where weighting is based on mutual information between two variables. From the experiments, it is seen that the proposed method performs better in terms of accuracy and finds a reasonable structure in data, which is evident from the calculated average silhouette width. Additionally, the evaluated kappa co-efficient of the clusters also show the improvement achieved by the proposed method.
The COMBO-17 survey: Evolution of the galaxy luminosity function from 25,000 galaxies with 0.2 < z < 1.2

We present a detailed empirical assessment of how the galaxy luminosity function and stellar luminosity density evolves over the last half of the universe's age (0.2 < z < 1.2) for galaxies of different spectral energy distributions (SED). The results are based on ∼25 000 galaxies (R < 24) with redshift measurements (σz ≈ 0.03) and SEDs across λobs ≈ 350 . 930 nm. The redshifts and SEDs were derived from medium-band photometry in 17 filters, observed as part of the COMBO-17 survey ("Classifying Objects by Medium-Band Observations in 17 Filters") over three disjoint fields with a total area of 0.78 square degrees. Luminosity functions (LF), binned in redshift and SED-type, are presented in the restframe passbands of the SDSS r-band, the Johnson B-band and a synthetic UV continuum band at 280 nm. We find that the luminosity function depends strongly on SED-type at all redshifts covered. The shape of the LF, i.e. the faint-end power-law slope, does depend on SED type, but not on redshift. However, the redshift evolution of the characteristic luminosity M ∗ and density φ ∗ depends strongly on SED-type: (1) Early-type galaxies, defined as redder than a present-day reference Sa spectrum, become drastically more abundant towards low redshift, by a factor of 10 in the number density φ ∗ from z = 1.1 to now, and by a factor of 4 in their contribution to the co-moving r-band luminosity density, jr. (2) Galaxies resembling present-day Sa- to Sbc-colours show a co-moving number density and contribution to jr that does not vary much with redshift. (3) Galaxies with blue spectra reflecting strong star formation decrease towards low redshift both in luminosity and density, and by a factor of 4 in their jr contribution. Summed over all SED types and galaxy luminosities, the comoving luminosity density decreases towards low redshift, between z = 1.1 and now, by a small amount in restframe r and B, but by a factor of ∼6 in restframe 280 nm. At z = 1.1, galaxies redder than Sbc's, contribute 40% to the total jr, which increases to 75% by z = 0. For λrest =280 nm, this increase is from 12% to 25% over the same redshift interval. Comparison of the three independent sight-lines shows that our results are not significantly affected by large-scale structure. Our lowest redshift bin at z = (0.2, 0.4) largely agrees with the recent assessment of the present-day galaxy population by SDSS and 2dFGRS and deviates only by an excess of "faint blue galaxies" at z ∼ 0.3 compared to very local samples. Overall our findings provide a set of new and much more precise constraints to model the waning of overall star formation activity, the demise of star-bursts and the strong emergence of "old" galaxies, with hardly any young population, over the last 6-8 Gigayears.
Methods of Attacking and Defending Cryptosystems

94.7 Steganography 1260 94.8 Key Distribution 1260 94.9 Key Management 1260 94.10 Public versus Proprietary Algorithms and Systems 1260 94.11 Classic Attacks 1260 94.12 Standard Cryptanalysis 1261 Reverse Engineering † Guessing † Frequency Analysis † Brute Force † Ciphertext-Only Attack † Known Plaintext Attack † Chosen Plaintext Attack † Birthday Attack † Factoring Attacks † Replay Attack † Man-in-the-Middle Attack † Dictionary Attacks † Attacking Random Number Generators † Inference
Stratified Wavelength Clusters for Efficient Spectral Monte Carlo Rendering

Wavelength dependent Monte Carlo rendering can correctly and generally capture effects such as spectral caustics (rainbows) and chromatic abberation. It also improves the colour accuracy of reflectance models and of illumination effects such as colour bleeding and metamerism. The stratified wavelength clustering (SWC) strategy carries several wavelength stratified radiance samples along each light transport path. The cluster is split into several paths or degraded into a single path only if a specular refraction at the surface of a dispersive material is encountered along the path. The overall efficiency of this strategy is high since the fraction of clusters that need to be split or degraded in a typical scene is low, and also because specular dispersion tends to decrease the source colour variance, offseting the increased amortized cost of generating each path.
Post–copulatory sexual selection and female fitness in Scathophaga stercoraria

Whether sexual selection increases or decreases female fitness is determined by the occurrence and relative importance of sexual–conflict processes and the ability of females to choose high–quality males. Experimentally enforced polyandry and monogamy have previously been shown to cause rapid evolution in the yellow dung fly Scathophaga stercoraria. Flies from polyandrous lines invested more in reproductive tissue, and this investment influenced paternity in sperm competition, but came at a cost to immune function. While some fitness consequences of enforced polyandry or monogamy have been examined when flies mate multiply, the consequences for female fitness when singly copulated remain unexplored. Under a good–genes scenario females from polyandrous lines should be of higher general quality and should outperform females from monogamous lines even with a single copulation. Under sexual conflict, costly adaptations will afford no advantages when females are allowed to mate only once. We investigate the lifetime reproductive success and longevity of females evolving under enforced monogamy or polyandry when mating once with males from these selection regimes. Females from polyandrous lines were found to have lower fitness than their monogamous counterparts when mating once. They died earlier and produced significantly fewer eggs and offspring. These results suggest that sexual conflict probably drove evolution under enforced polyandry as female fitness did not increase overall as expected with purely good–genes effects.
GALANX: An Efficient Peer-to-Peer Search Engine System

Although peer-to-peer systems have recently emerged as a popular way to share data on the Internet, most applications still rely on centralized services, such as Google, to find relevant data. This paper presents the design and implementation of GALANX, a peer-to-peer search engine that was implemented using the Apache HTTP server and BerkeleyDB. GALANX directs user queries to relevant nodes by consulting a local peer index that is maintained on each node. The use of peer indices to direct searches was experimentally evaluated using a 100 processor cluster. A number of alternative query routing strategies were also implemented and evaluated in the GALANX framework. Experimental results clearly demonstrate that the use of peer indices can significantly improve performance.
Association with Spontaneous Hepatitis C Viral Clearance and Genetic Differentiation of IL28B/IFNL4 Haplotypes in Populations from Mexico

Aim To analyze the genetic heterogeneity of the Amerindian and admixed population (Mestizos) based on the IL28B (rs12979860, rs8099917) and IFNL4 (rs368234815) haplotypes, and their association with spontaneous clearance (SC) and liver damage in patients with hepatitis C infection from West Mexico. Methods A total of 711 subjects from West Mexico (181 Amerindians and 530 Mestizos) were studied for the prevalence of IL28B (rs12979860C/T, rs8099917G/T) and IFNL4 (rs368234815∆G/TT) genotypes. A case-control study was performed in 234 treatment-naïve HCV Mestizos (149 chronic hepatitis C and 85 with SC) for the association of haplotypes with SC and liver damage. A real-time PCR assay was used for genotyping, and transitional elastography staged liver damage. Results Significant Fst-values indicated differentiation between the studied populations. The frequencies of the protective C, T, TT alleles were significantly lower in the Amerindians than in Mestizos (p<0.05). The r2 measure of linkage disequilibrium was significant for all variants and the T/G/ΔG risk haplotype predominated in Amerindians and secondly in Mestizos. The protective C/T/TT haplotype was associated with SC (OR = 0.46, 95% IC 0.22–0.95, p = 0.03) and less liver damage (OR = 0.32, 95% IC 0.10–0.97, p = 0.04) in chronic patients. The Structure software analysis demonstrated no significant differences in ancestry among SC and chronic patients. Conclusions West Mexico´s population is genetically heterogeneous at the IL28B/IFNL4 polymorphisms. The T/G/ΔG high-risk haplotype predominated in Amerindians and the beneficial alternative haplotype in Mestizos. The C/T/TT haplotype was associated with SC and less liver damage in chronically infected Mestizo patients.
Codex: a dual screen tablet computer

The Codex is a dual-screen tablet computer, about the size of a 4"x 6 day planner, with a self-supporting binding and embedded sensors. The device can be oriented in a variety of postures to support different nuances of individual work, ambient display, or collaboration with another user. In the context of a pen-operated note taking application, we demonstrate interaction techniques that support a fluid division of labor for tasks and information across the two displays while minimizing disruption to the primary experience of authoring notes.
Preliminary investigations into the action of nitric oxide in the control of biodeterioration

Abstract Environmental control is the preferred and often the most appropriate response in the prevention of biodeterioration of cultural materials. For immoveable heritage or objects housed under conditions where temperature and humidity favour the processes of biodecay, however, chemical-based biocide treatments are often required. Unfortunately, the potential for treatment damage, and the significant adverse environmental and personal health implications of using chemical biocides are a major consideration in their use. Therefore investigation into, and development of, less invasive and less toxic treatment methodologies are sought (Young et al. 2008). The observed antimicrobial properties of the free radical molecule nitric oxide (NO•) have led to the application of nitric oxide donor compounds in the control of biofilm formation on medical implants, and as antifoulants in the marine biofouling and coating industries (Barraud et al. 2006; Nablo, Rothrock & Schoenfisch 2004). In researching alternative methods for the treatment of biodeterioration in conservation, preliminary investigations into the suitability of nitric oxide-based treatments were undertaken. The NO• used in this study originates from two sources: a direct source in the form of a nitric oxide releasing compound, the nitric oxide donor DETA/NO•; and an indirect source in which NO• is produced from the reduction of nitrate by nitrate reducing bacteria. Test populations for this study included Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, a known nitrate reducer, and a mixed population representative of microorganisms from various samples of cultural material.
Fast text searching for regular expressions or automaton searching on tries

We present algorithms for efficient searching of regular expressions on preprocessed text, using a Patricia tree as a logical model for the index. We obtain searching algorithms that run in logarithmic expected time in the size of the text for a wide subclass of regular expressions, and in sublinear expected time for any regular expression. This is the first such algorithm to be found with this complexity.
Micro ultrasonic powder molding for semi-crystalline polymers

The present paper introduces micro ultrasonic powder molding (micro-UPM), a novel method for forming micro semi-crystalline polymer parts. In the proposed method, semi-crystalline polymer powder is rapidly heated and plasticized by ultrasonic vibration, after which the microcavity is filled with the melt under sonotrode pressure (PU) to form a variety of micro polymer parts. Differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and nanoindentation tests demonstrate that micro-UPM UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) parts consists of nascent and melt-recrystallized phases and that energy concentrated at particle interfaces as a result of high-frequency friction, compressive deformation, and ultrasonic radiation leads to rapid diffusion and interpenetration of the chain segment. The particle interface melts result in strong co-crystallization during cooling. To investigate the effect of ultrasonic duration time (TU) on the quality of micro-UPM UHMWPE parts, different TU values are utilized to form UHMWPE parts at a PU of 16 MPa and a holding time of 5.0 s. As TU increases, the number and sizes of interparticle voids gradually decrease. A rise in the melting peak of the melt-recrystallized phase and a drop in the melting peak of the nascent phrase as well as crystallinity are further observed. When TU is only 1.5 s, the crystallinity of the micro plastic part reaches a minimum value of 54.3% and the melt-recrystallized phase fraction reaches a maximum value of 98.3%. Powder particle interfaces almost disappear in this case, and optimum quality of the micro-UPM UHMWPE part is achieved.
Estimating Three-Dimensional Orientation of Human Body Parts by Inertial/Magnetic Sensing

User-worn sensing units composed of inertial and magnetic sensors are becoming increasingly popular in various domains, including biomedical engineering, robotics, virtual reality, where they can also be applied for real-time tracking of the orientation of human body parts in the three-dimensional (3D) space. Although they are a promising choice as wearable sensors under many respects, the inertial and magnetic sensors currently in use offer measuring performance that are critical in order to achieve and maintain accurate 3D-orientation estimates, anytime and anywhere. This paper reviews the main sensor fusion and filtering techniques proposed for accurate inertial/magnetic orientation tracking of human body parts; it also gives useful recipes for their actual implementation.
Epidemiology of sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome and sleep-disordered breathing

Epidemiological studies have revealed a high prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in the community (up to 20%). A subset of these patients has concurrent symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness attributable to their nocturnal breathing disorder and is classified as having obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (4–5% of the middle-aged population). There is strong evidence for an association of sleep apnoea with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity, as well as adverse public health consequences. Treatment and diagnosis have remained largely unchanged over the past 25 yrs. In moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome, treatment with continuous positive airway pressure has been shown to be effective. Questions remain as to how to screen patients with sleep-disordered breathing. Should time-consuming diagnostic procedures with high sensitivity and specificity be employed, or should simpler methods be applied for screening populations at risk, e.g. in the primary care sector?
Predicting effects on aquatic organisms from fluctuating or pulsed exposure to pesticides

Exposure of aquatic nontarget organisms to pesticides almost always occurs as pulses or fluctuating concentrations. Extrapolation from laboratory to field thus depends on an understanding and ability to simulate effects resulting from these types of exposure. This paper reviews models that may be used to predict effects on aquatic organisms resulting from time‐varying exposure to pesticides. We evaluate and compare the theoretical basis of these models and their applicability to the simulation of effects from fluctuating exposures. The many different models rest on only a few basic concepts with differing degrees of mechanistic character. Building on this critical review, we select the most appropriate models and propose modifications. Two process‐based models, the threshold hazard model and the modified damage assessment model, represent the optimum descriptions that are available at present. They could facilitate a better understanding of the ecotoxicity of different compound and species combinations and even mixtures of noninteracting compounds. The possibility to model lethal and sublethal effects allows applications in risk assessment, standard setting, and ecological modeling.
Structure Index for RDF Data

In recent years, the amount of structured RDF data available on the Web has been increasing rapidly. Efficient query processing that can scale to large amounts of RDF data has become an important topic. Significant efforts have been dedicated to the development of solutions for RDF data management. Along this line of research, we elaborate on a novel data partitioning strategy, which leverages the structure of the underlying data. This structure is represented in form of a parameterized structure index we propose for (RDF) data graphs called PIG. It is not only used for data partitioning but also has been designed to accelerate the matching of graph-structured queries against RDF data. In our benchmark against state-of-theart techniques, our structure-based approach for partitioning and query processing exhibits 7-8 times faster performance.