Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EM-LDA model of user behavior detection for energy efficiency

In energy efficient analysis, user behavior detection related to the dynamic demands of energy is a critical aspect to support the intelligent control schema of Building Management System. In this paper, anomalous occupancy of user behavior tends to be figured out from multiple time-series of occupancy record. The problems in this issue include the time-stamp detection and time-span identification of anomaly events. Most inference model based on Markov Chain can illustrate the time-stamp detection problem reasonably, but the time-span identification problem is just vaguely explained. Therefore, a Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model is declared to figure out those two problems efficiently. First, the discrete data of occupancy are expressed as mixture model of Poisson distribution, and are transformed to a dataset with several semantic concepts via Expectation-Maximization Algorithm. Then, the denotation of LDA components (including the words, the topic, the document, and the relevant parameters and hyper-parameters) are illustrated, according to the semantic dataset. Finally, particle filter algorithm is leveraged to sample latent variable of topic, according to the conditional posterior probability of word for specific topic. After iterations, the probability of samples is closely approximated the true marginal distribution of words with specific topic. Through the relation matrix of words and topic, the most possible topic can be explained for the specific document. If a document's topic is different with other document's topic, this document can be identified as a bias of point anomaly (noting generally the amount of topics setup to two). Due to a word can involve several time-stamps of the time-series in a time, other contextual anomalies nearby the point anomaly can be marked, and they are the notation of time-spans for anomalous events. With a step by step along the time-series, all time-stamps can be ergodic as the documents, then all the contextual anomalies can be explained as following the happening of point anomalous event.
Alcohol use disorder in women: Risks and consequences of an adolescent onset and persistent course.

Women are more vulnerable to the deleterious effects of both acute and protracted alcohol use than men, but women's lower levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder (AUD) have resulted in a paucity of investigations on the development of alcohol problems in women. In particular, it is not clear to what extent the cascading effects of key etiological factors that contribute to an especially severe course of AUD in men also underlie the development of AUD in women. To fill this gap, we examined the adolescent risk factors and adult consequences associated with an adolescent onset and persistent course of AUD in a community sample of women (n = 636) from ages 17 to 29. Women with AUD exhibited greater psychopathology and psychosocial impairment than those without, with an adolescent onset and persistent course indicative of the greatest severity. Notably, high levels of impairment across all women with AUD reduced the utility of onset and course to differentiate profiles of risk and impairment. In contrast to previous work in men, even women whose AUD symptoms desisted continued to exhibit impairment, suggesting that an adolescent onset of AUD is associated with enduring consequences for women's health and functioning, even after ostensible "recovery. "
A magnetic resonance imaging study of patients with Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment and dementia using voxel-based morphometry

Background: Dementia is common in Parkinson’s disease, but the underlying brain pathology is not yet fully understood. Aim: To examine the changes in the brain of patients with Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, using structural magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: Using voxel-based morphometry, the grey matter atrophy on brain images of patients with Parkinson’s disease and dementia (PDD; n = 16) and Parkinson’s disease without dementia (PDND; n = 20), and healthy elderly subjects (n = 20) was studied. In the PDND group, 12 subjects had normal cognitive status and 8 had MCI. Standardised rating scales for motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms were used. Results: Widespread areas of cortical atrophy were found in patients with PDD compared with normal controls (in both temporal and frontal lobes and in the left parietal lobe). Grey matter reductions were found in frontal, parietal, limbic and temporal lobes in patients with PDD compared with those with PDND. In patients with PDND with MCI, areas of reduced grey matter in the left frontal and both temporal lobes were found. Conclusion: These findings show that dementia in Parkinson’s disease is associated with structural neocortical changes in the brain, and that cognitive impairment in patients with PDND may be associated with structural changes in the brain. Further studies with larger groups of patients are needed to confirm these findings.
Estimating Exceptionally Rare Germline and Somatic Mutation Frequencies via Next Generation Sequencing

We used targeted next generation deep-sequencing (Safe Sequencing System) to measure ultra-rare de novo mutation frequencies in the human male germline by attaching a unique identifier code to each target DNA molecule. Segments from three different human genes (FGFR3, MECP2 and PTPN11) were studied. Regardless of the gene segment, the particular testis donor or the 73 different testis pieces used, the frequencies for any one of the six different mutation types were consistent. Averaging over the C>T/G>A and G>T/C>A mutation types the background mutation frequency was 2.6x10-5 per base pair, while for the four other mutation types the average background frequency was lower at 1.5x10-6 per base pair. These rates far exceed the well documented human genome average frequency per base pair (~10−8) suggesting a non-biological explanation for our data. By computational modeling and a new experimental procedure to distinguish between pre-mutagenic lesion base mismatches and a fully mutated base pair in the original DNA molecule, we argue that most of the base-dependent variation in background frequency is due to a mixture of deamination and oxidation during the first two PCR cycles. Finally, we looked at a previously studied disease mutation in the PTPN11 gene and could easily distinguish true mutations from the SSS background. We also discuss the limits and possibilities of this and other methods to measure exceptionally rare mutation frequencies, and we present calculations for other scientists seeking to design their own such experiments.
A Waveform Distortion Evaluation Method Based on a Simple Half-Cycle RMS Calculation

This paper presents a simple and efficient power-quality (PQ) evaluation method based on the half-cycle root-mean-square (H-RMS) calculation, which can be easily applied to waveform distortions processed from instantaneous values. PQ disturbances, especially related to voltage magnitude variations, can be generally divided into two categories by the measuring method: One is the rms-based PQ events, which include voltage sag, swell, undervoltage, overvoltage, and interruption, which are defined by the magnitude variations in terms of rms values. The other is the instantaneous value-based PQ events, which include transient, noise, harmonics, interharmonics, and flicker (or voltage fluctuation), some of which are assessed by the raw data or processed through frequency analysis and filtering. According to the fundamental characteristic and definition of each PQ event, the acquired signal data should be processed through the different routes. This study shows that the H-RMS-based measuring process can be usefully applied to quantify the instantaneous value-based PQ events, especially in regards to waveform distortions, such as harmonic distortion and flicker, which can be assessed by the IEC flicker severity index (Pst) and the equivalent 10-Hz flicker index (ΔV10).
Hardware–Software Codesign of Automatic Speech Recognition System for Embedded Real-Time Applications

We present a hardware-software coprocessing speech recognizer for real-time embedded applications. The system consists of a standard microprocessor and a hardware accelerator for Gaussian mixture model (GMM) emission probability calculation implemented on a field-programmable gate array. The GMM accelerator is optimized for timing performance by exploiting data parallelism. In order to avoid large memory requirement, the accelerator adopts a double buffering scheme for accessing the acoustic parameters with no assumption made on the access pattern of these parameters. Experiments on widely used benchmark data show that the real-time factor of the proposed system is 0.62, which is about three times faster than the pure software-based baseline system, while the word accuracy rate is preserved at 93.33%. As a part of the recognizer, a new adaptive beam-pruning algorithm is also proposed and implemented, which further reduces the average real-time factor to 0.54 with the word accuracy rate of 93.16%. The proposed speech recognizer is suitable for integration in various types of voice (speech)-controlled applications.
The use of bisphosphonates in men with hormone-refractory prostate cancer: a systematic review of randomized trials.

PURPOSE A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to assess the benefits of bisphosphonate therapy in men with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). METHODS The literature was searched to identify RCTs or meta-analyses comparing treatment with bisphosphonates to placebo or no treatment. RESULTS Ten trials that studied clodronate (five trials, 404 patients), pamidronate (two trials, 350 patients), alendronate (one trial, 49 patients), etidronate (one trial, 51 patients), and zoledronic acid (one trial, 643 patients) in men with HRPC and bone metastases met the eligibility criteria. Pain response was the most frequently reported primary outcome (eight trials). Only the smallest trial demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in pain, but other non-statistically significant trends and subgroup analyses showing improvement in pain were observed in six clodronate and pamidronate trials. Three trials reported skeletal-related events (SREs). A trial studying zoledronic acid reported a statistically and clinically significant reduction in the number of patients having at least one SRE; however, there were higher rates of some adverse effects, and quality of life was not improved. CONCLUSION Zoledronic acid appears to reduce the number of patients having at least one SRE in men with bone metastases from HRPC that are causing minimal or no pain. This benefit should be weighed against the associated toxicities, and the neutral effect on quality of life. Bisphosphonates may reduce bone pain in men with HRPC, but the evidence is less robust. Further investigations to identify the role of bisphosphonates alone and in combination with other therapies proven effective for men with HRPC are warranted.
An Online Modulation Strategy to Control the Matrix Converter Under Unbalanced Input Conditions

Due to absence of a dc-link energy storage element in the direct matrix converter (MC), any abnormality/disturbance in the input voltages is directly reflected on the output voltages. In this paper, a new modulation strategy to control the 3×3 MC under unbalanced input voltage conditions is proposed. The proposed strategy is based on modification of the space vector modulation strategy, which formulates and solves an optimization problem to determine the best switching states and their corresponding optimal duty cycles, such that the errors in the output voltages and the input currents under unbalanced input voltage conditions are minimized. The salient feature of the proposed strategy is its capability to extend the output operating range of the MC. The proposed strategy ensures that optimal performance of the MC over the entire operating range, including the case when the converter operates with an output voltage greater than the maximum attainable balanced output voltage under unbalanced input voltage conditions, is achieved. Performance of the proposed strategy is evaluated and validated based on time-domain simulation studies in the MATLAB/Simulink software environment and experimentation on a scaled-down laboratory prototype.
Comprehensive Gene Expression Analysis of Rice Aleurone Cells: Probing the Existence of an Alternative Gibberellin Receptor1

A single mechanism exists of gibberellin perception for gene expression in rice aleurone cells. Current gibberellin (GA) research indicates that GA must be perceived in plant nuclei by its cognate receptor, GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE DWARF1 (GID1). Recognition of GA by GID1 relieves the repression mediated by the DELLA protein, a model known as the GID1-DELLA GA perception system. There have been reports of potential GA-binding proteins in the plasma membrane that perceive GA and induce α-amylase expression in cereal aleurone cells, which is mechanistically different from the GID1-DELLA system. Therefore, we examined the expression of the rice (Oryza sativa) α-amylase genes in rice mutants impaired in the GA receptor (gid1) and the DELLA repressor (slender rice1; slr1) and confirmed their lack of response to GA in gid1 mutants and constitutive expression in slr1 mutants. We also examined the expression of GA-regulated genes by genome-wide microarray and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses and confirmed that all GA-regulated genes are modulated by the GID1-DELLA system. Furthermore, we studied the regulatory network involved in GA signaling by using a set of mutants defective in genes involved in GA perception and gene expression, namely gid1, slr1, gid2 (a GA-related F-box protein mutant), and gamyb (a GA-related trans-acting factor mutant). Almost all GA up-regulated genes were regulated by the four named GA-signaling components. On the other hand, GA down-regulated genes showed different expression patterns with respect to GID2 and GAMYB (e.g. a considerable number of genes are not controlled by GAMYB or GID2 and GAMYB). Based on these observations, we present a comprehensive discussion of the intricate network of GA-regulated genes in rice aleurone cells.
Relationship Between Foot Pronation and Rotation of the Tibia and Femur During Walking

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the magnitude and timing of peak foot pronation would be predictive of the magnitude and timing of peak rotation of tibia and femur. Thirty subjects who demonstrated a wide range of pronation participated. Three-dimensional kinematics of the foot, tibia, and femur segments were recorded during self-selected free walking trials using a six-camera VICON motion analysis system. Regression analysis demonstrated that the magnitude and timing of peak pronation was not predictive of the magnitude and timing of tibial and femoral rotation. The lack of a relationship between peak foot pronation and the rotation of the tibia and femur is contrary to the clinical hypothesis that increased pronation results in greater lower extremity rotation. It would seem, therefore, that the relationship between foot pronation and rotation of the lower extremity segments should be assessed on a patient-by-patient basis.
The Role of Arabidopsis ABCG9 and ABCG31 ATP Binding Cassette Transporters in Pollen Fitness and the Deposition of Steryl Glycosides on the Pollen Coat[W]

This work identified two ABC transporters important for normal pollen coat deposition and, thus, critical for pollen fitness. The transporters are probably involved in the transfer of pollen coat material from maternal tissues to the pollen surface. The pollen coat protects pollen grains from harmful environmental stresses such as drought and cold. Many compounds in the pollen coat are synthesized in the tapetum. However, the pathway by which they are transferred to the pollen surface remains obscure. We found that two Arabidopsis thaliana ATP binding cassette transporters, ABCG9 and ABCG31, were highly expressed in the tapetum and are involved in pollen coat deposition. Upon exposure to dry air, many abcg9 abcg31 pollen grains shriveled up and collapsed, and this phenotype was restored by complementation with ABCG9pro:GFP:ABCG9. GFP-tagged ABCG9 or ABCG31 localized to the plasma membrane. Electron microscopy revealed that the mutant pollen coat resembled the immature coat of the wild type, which contained many electron-lucent structures. Steryl glycosides were reduced to about half of wild-type levels in the abcg9 abcg31 pollen, but no differences in free sterols or steryl esters were observed. A mutant deficient in steryl glycoside biosynthesis, ugt80A2 ugt80B1, exhibited a similar phenotype. Together, these results indicate that steryl glycosides are critical for pollen fitness, by supporting pollen coat maturation, and that ABCG9 and ABCG31 contribute to the accumulation of this sterol on the surface of pollen.
Transcription factor dynamics and neuroendocrine signalling in the mouse pineal gland: a comparative analysis of melatonin‐deficient C57BL mice and melatonin‐proficient C3H mice

In rodents, the nocturnal rise and fall of arylalkylamine N‐acetyltransferase (AANAT) activity controls the rhythmic synthesis of melatonin, the hormone of the pineal gland. This rhythm involves the transcriptional regulation of the AANAT by two norepinephrine (NE)‐inducible transcription factors, e.g. the activator pCREB (phosphorylated Ca2+/cAMP‐response element binding protein) and the inhibitor ICER (inducible cAMP early repressor). Most inbred mouse strains do not produce melatonin under standard laboratory light/dark conditions. As melatonin‐deficient mice are often the founders for transgenic animals used for chronobiological experimentations, molecular components of neuroendocrine signalling in the pineal gland as an integral part of clock entrainment mechanisms have to be deciphered. We therefore compared calcium signalling, transcriptional events and melatonin synthesis in the melatonin‐deficient C57BL mouse and the melatonin‐proficient C3H mouse. Pineal glands and primary pinealocytes were cultured and stimulated with NE or were collected at various times of the light/dark (LD) cycle. Changes in intracellular calcium concentrations, the phosphorylation of CREB, and ICER protein levels follow similar dynamics in the pineal glands of both mouse strains. pCREB levels are high during the early night and ICER protein shows elevated levels during the late night. In the C57BL pineal gland, a low but significant increase in melatonin synthesis could be observed upon NE stimulation, and, notably, also when animals were exposed to long nights. We conclude that the commonly used C57BL mouse is not completely melatonin‐deficient and that this melatonin‐deficiency does not affect molecular details involved in regulating transcriptional events of melatonin synthesis.
Sleep apnea in patients with chronic kidney disease: a single center experience

Abstract Purpose: The primary objective of this cross-sectional study was to test factors associated with sleep apnea in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The prevalence of sleep apnea was also assessed. Methods: We recruited patients with CKD Stage 3–5 who lived in the St. John’s area from September 2012 to December 2012. The Berlin Questionnaire and Short Form 36 Quality of Life Health Survey Questions (SF-36) were administered to all participants. Results: We recruited 303 patients (41% female). A total of 157 (51.8%) patients had a high risk for sleep apnea. Higher body mass index and young age were correlated with sleep apnea. Physical component score of SF-36 (PCS) tested as a continuous variable indicated a significant association with the risk for sleep apnea (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94–0.99, p = 0.03). The association implies 3% change per one point increase in PCS. We categorized mental component score of SF-36 (MCS) into four quartiles, as the linearity assumption was violated. There was a 61% risk increase for poor sleep in those with an MCS score less than the 75th percentile, when compared to those above the 75th percentile (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.21–0.71, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Sleep apnea is common in kidney patients. People who have low PCS and MCS scores are more prone to sleep apnea or vice versa. Our results also indicate that high BMI and young age are associated with sleep apnea.
Pilot Study of an Active Screen Time Game Correlates with Improved Physical Fitness in Minority Elementary School Youth.

OBJECTIVE The aim of our feasibility study was to examine the acceptability and utility of "Dance Dance Revolution" (DDR) (Konami of America, Redwood City, CA)) to increase physical fitness in 8-11-year-old black and Hispanic youth. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty-eight 4(th) and 5(th) grade children attending an afterschool program participated. Outcomes included physical activity, physical fitness, use of home DDR, survey of safety and acceptability, anthropometrics, and fasting metabolic profile measured at baseline, 12 weeks, and 30 weeks. RESULTS At 12 weeks, physical fitness (maximum O2 uptake [VO2max]) increased by 4.9±9.9 percent and was sustained through 30 weeks, when the VO2max was 105.0±9.9 percent (range, 93.0-133.9 percent) of baseline values. Absolute VO2max increased by 2.97±4.99 mL/kg/minute (95% confidence interval 0.75-5.19, P=0.013). Participants maintained an average of 1.12 hours/day of increased movement to music. Trends suggested increased total moderate-vigorous physical activity, decreased light activity, and a modest increase in sedentary screen time. There were no significant changes in body mass index, fasting lipids, or glucose. Participants and parents approved of the activity. CONCLUSION DDR appears feasible and acceptable to minority youth. DDR may increase moderate-vigorous physical activity and improve physical fitness in at-risk populations.
Fabrication and Characterization of Gate-All-Around Silicon Nanowires on Bulk Silicon

This paper reports on the top-down fabrication and electrical performance of silicon nanowire (SiNW) gate-all-around (GAA) n-type and p-type MOSFET devices integrated on bulk silicon using a local-silicon-on-insulator (SOI) process. The proposed local-SOI fabrication provides various nanowire cross sections: Omega-like, pentagonal, triangular, and circular, all controlled by isotropic etching using nitride spacers and silicon sacrificial oxidation. The reported top-down SiNW fabrication offers excellent control of wire doping and placement, as well as ohmic source and drain contacts. A particular feature of the process is the buildup of a tensile strain in all suspended nanowires, attaining values of few percents, reflected in stress values higher than 2-3 GPa. A very high yield (>90%) is obtained in terms of functionality of long-channel SiNW GAA mosfet. Device characteristics are reported from cryogenic temperature (T = 5 K) up to 150 degC, and promising characteristics in terms of low-field electron mobility, threshold voltage control, and subthreshold slope are demonstrated. Low field mobility for electrons up to 850 cm2 /Vmiddots is reported at room temperature in suspended devices with triangular cross sections; this mobility enhancement is explained by the process-induced tensile strain. In short, suspended SiNW GAA with small triangular cross sections, a single-electron transistor (SET) operation regime is highlighted at T = 5 K. This is attributed to a combined effect of strain and corner conduction in triangular channel cross sections, suggesting the possibility to hybridize CMOS and SET functions by a unique nanowire fabrication platform.