Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between high-sensitivity troponin T and cardiovascular risk in individuals with and without metabolic syndrome: The ARIC study

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, but there is heterogeneity in this risk. We evaluated whether high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT), a marker associated with cardiovascular disease, can stratify risk in MetS. Methods We evaluated associations between MetS (and groups with similar number of MetS components) and incident heart failure hospitalization, coronary heart disease, stroke and death using hs-cTnT categories after adjusting for risk factors/markers between 1996 and 2011 in 8204 individuals in the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities study. Results The mean age of the population was 63 years (56% women, 19% Blacks). hs-cTnT levels were higher with MetS and with increasing MetS components. In individuals with MetS, higher hs-cTnT levels were associated with increased hazard ratios for heart failure, coronary heart disease and death. Within each number of MetS components, higher hs-cTnT was associated with progressively higher heart failure, coronary heart disease and death hazards. The association was particularly strong for heart failure. With increasing hs-cTnT categories, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for heart failure in individuals with MetS increased gradually from 1.68 (1.31–2.16) to 3.76 (2.69–5.26) (p-trend < 0.001) compared with those with MetS and hs-cTnT < 5 ng/l; and respective hazard ratios with increasing hs-cTnT categories in those with all five MetS components ranged from 2.22 (1.17–4.21) to 4.23 (1.89–9.50) (p-trend 0.004) compared with those with all five MetS components and hs-cTnT < 5 ng/l. However, mostly there were no significant interactions of hs-cTnT with MetS or its components. Conclusion hs-cTnT is useful for identifying MetS patients with increased hazards for coronary heart disease, death and particularly heart failure.
An algorithm of decentralized encircling coverage and termination of a moving deformable region by mobile robotic sensor/actuator networks

The paper introduces the problems of encircling coverage and termination of a moving a deformable planar region by a mobile sensor/actuator network. We propose a decentralized randomized algorithm for self-deployment of a network of mobile robotic sensors/actuators for these problems. In the encircling coverage problem, the aim is to deploy sensors around a bounded connected region so that any point of a certain neighbourhood of the region is sensed by at least one mobile robotic sensor. In the termination problem, the aim is to terminate a moving region that may represent an oil spill or a hazardous chemical field. In this case, the moving robots are equipped with not only sensors but with actuators releasing neutralizing chemical so that the shape of the polluted region is controlled. The proposed algorithm is based only on information about the closest neighbours of each sensor. The moving region is of an arbitrary shape and not known to the sensors a priori. We give mathematically rigorous proofs of asymptotic optimality and convergence with probability 1 of the proposed randomized algorithm.
ARCoins. An Augmented Reality App for Learning about Numismatics

Museum visitors need support tools to facilitate their informal learning. In this paper, we present ARCoins, an augmented reality app to support informal learning about numismatics. Our app helps museum visitors to read the deteriorated text of coins and also shows additional information that offers a clear idea of the general meaning of the coinage of the coins. The app recognizes the real coins. We carried out a study to determine the potential of the app. A total of twenty-eight subjects between 19 and 65 years old participated in the study. The participants observed the real coins using ARCoins and a magnifying glass. From the results, ARCoins allows the participants to read the deteriorated text and even observe the most imperceptible details of the coins. There were statistically significant differences for reading the text when the participants used ARCoins and the magnifying glass in favour of ARCoins. The participants preferred ARCoins for a more enriching museum experience. ARCoins could be a valuable AR app for informal learning about numismatics in museums.
Copper-based composites strengthened with carbon nanotubes

The paper presents the preliminary results of studies on obtaining copper-based composite materials strengthened with carbon nanotubes modified with copper nanoparticles. The nanotubes modification was carried out by chemically attaching copper nanoparticles originating from copper acetate. Electrolytically obtained copper powders were used as the matrix. The materials were consolidated by one-sided pressing followed by sintering. Microscopic examinations both of the powders and of the finished sinters were carried out using an Olympus GX41 optical microscope. Additionally, quantitative analysis of the sinters structure on non-etched microsections was performed. Computer software Image Pro Plus was used to calculate the nanotubes surface fraction and their average surface area; the studied micro-particles aspect ratio was also determined. It has been shown that the nanotubes in the sinters, depending on the sintering method, differ in size and arrangement in the composite.
Nanoscratch and nanowear testing of TiN coatings on M42 steel

Constant load, progressive load and multipass nanoscratch (nanowear) tests were carried out on 500 and 1500 nm TiN coatings on M42 steel chosen as model systems. The influences of film thickness, coating roughness, scratch direction relative to the grinding grooves on the critical load in the progressive load test and number of cycles to failure in the wear test have been determined. Progress towards the development of a suitable methodology for determining the scratch hardness from nanoscratch tests is discussed.
Routing Algorithm for Application-Specific Network-on-Chip with Irregular Core Sizes

Routers, physical links and routing algorithms together perform the task of routing a message between different cores on a Network-on-Chip (NoC) architecture, they are among the most important parts of its structure because of their huge power consumption compared to other components of a NoC. In order to minimize the power consumed by these components it is essential to design an efficient routing algorithm. In this paper we propose an application specific routing algorithm for mesh based topologies with irregular core sizes. While there are algorithms already present for this purpose the aim of this study is to develop a more efficient algorithm by reducing the length of the path between the two communicating cores. The algorithm proposed in this paper follows wormhole switching and uses XY routing algorithm as a basis and improves on it. In this algorithm routing is performed in two steps, Mapping in X-direction followed by Y-direction. Efficiency of the proposed algorithm has been tested on different mesh networks with varying sizes and also with different locations of oversized cores in the network. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm performs better compared to existing algorithms in the literature.
Bilingual brain training: A neurobiological framework of how bilingual experience improves executive function

Individuals who develop bilingually typically outperform monolinguals on tests of executive functions. This advantage likely reflects enhanced prefrontal function, but the mechanisms that underlie this improvement are still poorly understood. This article describes a theory on the nature of the neural underpinnings of improved executive function in bilinguals. Specifically, we propose that growing up in a bilingual environment trains a gating system in the striatum that flexibly routes information to the prefrontal cortex. This article is divided into three sections. Firstly, literature establishing a three-way connection between bilingualism, executive function, and fronto-striatal loops is summarized. Secondly, a computational model of information processing in the basal ganglia is described, illustrating how the striatal nuclei function to transfer information between cortical regions under prerequisite conditions. Finally, this model is extended to describe how bilingualism may “train the brain,” enabling improved performance under conditions of competitive information selection during information transfer. Theoretical implications and predictions of this theory are discussed.
Preview : Published ahead of advance online publication Inhibition of Melanogenesis by the Antidiabetic Metformin

This is a PDF file of an unedited peer-reviewed manuscript that has been accepted for publication. NPG are providing this early version of the manuscript as a service to our customers. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting and a proof review before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.
MIMO Transmit Beampattern Matching Under Waveform Constraints

In this paper, the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmit beampattern matching problem is considered. The problem is formulated to approximate a desired transmit beampattern (i.e., an energy distribution in space and frequency) and to minimize the cross-correlation of signals reflected back to the array by considering different practical waveform constraints at the same time. Due to the nonconvexity of the objective function and the waveform constraints, the optimization problem is highly nonconvex. An efficient one-step method is proposed to solve this problem based on the majorization-minimization (MM) method. The performance of the proposed algorithms compared to the state-of-art algorithms is shown through numerical simulations.
Finite-Time Distributed State Estimation Over Sensor Networks With Round-Robin Protocol and Fading Channels

This paper considers finite-time distributed state estimation for discrete-time nonlinear systems over sensor networks. The Round-Robin protocol is introduced to overcome the channel capacity constraint among sensor nodes, and the multiplicative noise is employed to model the channel fading. In order to improve the performance of the estimator under the situation, where the transmission resources are limited, fading channels with different stochastic properties are used in each round by allocating the resources. Sufficient conditions of the average stochastic finite-time boundedness and the average stochastic finite-time stability for the estimation error system are derived on the basis of the periodic system analysis method and Lyapunov approach, respectively. According to the linear matrix inequality approach, the estimator gains are designed. Finally, the effectiveness of the developed results are illustrated by a numerical example.
Comparative benchmarking of causal discovery algorithms

In this paper we present a comprehensive view of prominent causal discovery algorithms, categorized into two main categories (1) assuming acyclic and no latent variables, and (2) allowing both cycles and latent variables, along with experimental results comparing them from three perspectives: (a) structural accuracy, (b) standard predictive accuracy, and (c) accuracy of counterfactual inference. For (b) and (c) we train causal Bayesian networks with structures as predicted by each causal discovery technique to carry out counterfactual or standard predictive inference. We compare causal algorithms on two publicly available and one simulated datasets having different sample sizes: small, medium and large. Experiments show that structural accuracy of a technique does not necessarily correlate with higher accuracy of inferencing tasks. Further, surveyed structure learning algorithms do not perform well in terms of structural accuracy in case of datasets having large number of variables.
Spectral Tensor-Train Decomposition

The accurate approximation of high-dimensional functions is an essential task in uncertainty quantification and many other fields. We propose a new function approximation scheme based on a spectral extension of the tensor-train (TT) decomposition. We first define a functional version of the TT decomposition and analyze its properties. We obtain results on the convergence of the decomposition, revealing links between the regularity of the function, the dimension of the input space, and the TT ranks. We also show that the regularity of the target function is preserved by the univariate functions (i.e., the “cores'') comprising the functional TT decomposition. This result motivates an approximation scheme employing polynomial approximations of the cores. For functions with appropriate regularity, the resulting spectral tensor-train decomposition combines the favorable dimension-scaling of the TT decomposition with the spectral convergence rate of polynomial approximations, yielding efficient and accurate sur.
Upregulation of Foreign Body Response in Obese Mice

Obesity is a highly prevalent multifactorial metabolic condition in which the need for functional bioengineered substitutes (e.g., scaffolds for tissue engineering) is likely to occur. However, the adverse foreign body response (FBR) that invariably takes place adjacent to implant devices impairing their function is poorly characterized in this condition. This study investigated the influence of obesity on the host response to a synthetic matrix implanted subcutaneously in high‐fat‐fed obese mice.
Tranexamic acid for trauma: Filling the ‘GAP’ in evidence

Following findings of the Clinical Randomisation of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant Haemorrhage (CRASH‐2) trial, tranexamic acid (TxA) use post trauma is becoming widespread. However, issues of generalisability, applicability and predictability beyond the context of study sites remain unresolved. Internal and external validity of the CRASH‐2 trial are currently lacking and therefore incorporation of TxA into routine trauma resuscitation guidelines appears premature. The Pre‐hospital Antifibrinolytics for Traumatic Coagulopathy and Haemorrhage (PATCH)‐Trauma study is a National Health and Medical Research Council‐funded randomised controlled trial of early administration of TxA in severely injured patients likely to have acute traumatic coagulopathy. The study population chosen has high mortality and morbidity and is potentially most likely to benefit from TxA's known mechanisms of action. This and further trials involving appropriate sample populations are required before evidence based guidelines on TxA use during trauma resuscitation can be developed.
Evaluation of Polarized Remote Sensing of Aerosol Optical Thickness Retrieval over China

The monitoring capability of a polarized instrument (POLDER) under high aerosol loading conditions over China is investigated. The aerosol optical thickness (AOT), which infers the aerosol burden, is used to measure the satellite monitoring capabilities. AOT products retrieved from POLDER on low aerosol loading days, and products from a radiometric instrument (MODIS) on high and low aerosol loading days, are presented for comparison. Our study reveals that for high aerosol days, the monitoring capability of the polarized instrument is lower than that of the traditional instrument. The accuracy of matched POLDER fine-AOTs is lower than that of MODIS-matched AOTs. On low aerosol loading days, the performance of the polarized instrument is good when monitoring the aerosol optical thickness. Further analysis reveals that for the high aerosol loading days, the mean relative errors of matched POLDER fine AOTs and MODIS AOTs with respect to AERONET measurements are 44% and 16%, respectively. For the low aerosol loading days, the mean relative errors of POLDER and MODIS measurements with respect to AERONET measurements are 41% and 40%, respectively. During high aerosol days, POLDER-retrieved fine-AOTs reveal a poor accuracy with only 14% of matches falling within the error range, which is nearly one fourth of the MODIS regression results (51.59%). For the low aerosol loading days, the POLDER regression results are good. Approximately 62% of the POLDER measurements fall within the expected error range ±(0.05 + 15%) compared with the AERONET observed values.
Liquid Film Migration in Aluminium Brazing Sheet?

From literature and own observations it is known that the clad and core alloys that make up aluminium brazing sheet can show severe interaction during the brazing cycle. This interaction leads to a complete re-distribution of elements, changing essential properties like strength and corrosion resistance. This interaction has been reported many times but up to present time no clear explanation is given why this interaction is actually occurring. There are a number of publications addressing the circumstances under which the interaction is more severe. Chemistry and low levels of strain applied before brazing have a significant influence on the severity of the interaction. As a yet possible mechanism behind the interaction Liquid Film Migration is mentioned. The observations done so far are in line with this described mechanism but no ultimate proof has been given so far. The question why the interaction takes place cannot be answered yet, clearly a change of free energy of the system is involved but the mechanism or mechanisms behind the change is unclear.
Universals and Cultural Variations in 22 Emotional Expressions Across Five Cultures

We collected and Facial Action Coding System (FACS) coded over 2,600 free-response facial and body displays of 22 emotions in China, India, Japan, Korea, and the United States to test 5 hypotheses concerning universals and cultural variants in emotional expression. New techniques enabled us to identify cross-cultural core patterns of expressive behaviors for each of the 22 emotions. We also documented systematic cultural variations of expressive behaviors within each culture that were shaped by the cultural resemblance in values, and identified a gradient of universality for the 22 emotions. Our discussion focused on the science of new expressions and how the evidence from this investigation identifies the extent to which emotional displays vary across cultures.
Pathogenesis of the antiphospholipid syndrome revisited: time to challenge the dogma

For more than a decade the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) has been reported to be caused mainly by antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), which are not directed against phospholipids but against a complex of phospholipids and phospholipid binding proteins, so called cofactors (e.g. β2‐glycoprotein I [β2GPI]). In fact, many researchers propose that the only relevant antigens in the APS are the cofactors themselves, with β2GPI being the most important. Antibodies that bind to phospholipids in a cofactor‐independent manner are considered insignificant for the pathogenesis of the APS. We review the evidence for this current pathophysiologic concept and argue that it has never been proven and is now clearly no longer tenable. First, there is undisputable evidence that cofactor‐independent aPL are pathogenic and present in the blood of APS patients. Second, available epidemiologic and clinical studies do not support a dominant pathogenic role for anti‐β2GPI.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Early-Life Mortality in the United States

Abstract U.S. early-life (ages 1–24) deaths are tragic, far too common, and largely preventable. Yet demographers have focused scant attention on U.S. early-life mortality patterns, particularly as they vary across racial and ethnic groups. We employed the restricted-use 1999–2011 National Health Interview Survey–Linked Mortality Files and hazard models to examine racial/ethnic differences in early-life mortality. Our results reveal that these disparities are large, strongly related to differences in parental socioeconomic status, and expressed through different causes of death. Compared to non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks experience 60 percent and Mexican Americans 32 percent higher risk of death over the follow-up period, with demographic controls. Our finding that Mexican Americans experience higher early-life mortality risk than non-Hispanic whites differs from much of the literature on adult mortality. We also show that these racial/ethnic differences attenuate with controls for family structure and especially with measures of socioeconomic status. For example, higher mortality risk among Mexican Americans than among non-Hispanic whites is no longer significant once we controlled for mother’s education or family income. Our results strongly suggest that eliminating socioeconomic gaps across groups is the key to enhanced survival for children and adolescents in racial/ethnic minority groups.
A Trajectory Splitting Model for Efficient Spatio-Temporal Indexing

This paper addresses the problem of splitting trajectories optimally for the purpose of efficiently supporting spatio-temporal range queries using index structures (e.g., R-trees) that use minimum bounding hyper-rectangles as trajectory approximations. We derive a formal cost model for estimating the number of I/Os required to evaluate a spatio-temporal range query with respect to a given query size and an arbitrary split of a trajectory. Based on the proposed model, we introduce a dynamic programming algorithm for splitting a set of trajectories that minimizes the number of expected disk I/Os with respect to an average query size. In addition, we develop a linear time, near optimal solution for this problem to be used in a dynamic case where trajectory points are continuously updated. Our experimental evaluation confirms the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed splitting policies when embedded into an R-tree structure.
Distributed Privacy Preserving Information Sharing

In this paper, we address issues related to sharing information in a distributed system consisting of autonomous entities, each of which holds a private database. Semi-honest behavior has been widely adopted as the model for adversarial threats. However, it substantially underestimates the capability of adversaries in reality. In this paper, we consider a threat space containing more powerful adversaries that includes not only semi-honest but also those malicious adversaries. In particular, we classify malicious adversaries into two widely existing subclasses, called weakly malicious and strongly malicious adversaries, respectively. We define a measure of privacy leakage for information sharing systems and propose protocols that can effectively and efficiently protect privacy against different kinds of malicious adversaries.
DASI: A truthful double auction mechanism for secure information transfer in cognitive radio networks

This paper investigates the secure information transfer issue for cognitive radio networks that have multiple non-altruistic primary users, secondary users and eavesdroppers. The design objective is to improve the secrecy rates of the primary users, and create the transmission opportunities for the secondary users. To achieve this goal, we propose to incentivize the non-altruistic users to cooperate by a barter-like exchange. Specifically, the primary users leverage the assist of the secondary users in the form of cooperative transmitting or friendly jamming, and in return, yield certain licensed spectrum accessing time to the aided secondary users. We propose a truthful Double Auction mechanism for Secure Information transfer in cognitive radio networks, namely DASI, to jointly formulate the cooperator/jammer assignment and the corresponding resource allocation problems. We prove that DASI preserves nice economic properties that are critical for the auction design, including truthfulness, individual rationality and budget balance. We also evaluate DASI in terms of aggregated throughput and spectrum utilization ratio by simulations.