Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expanded safety and acceptability of the candidate vaginal microbicide Carraguard ® in South Africa B , BB The Carraguard Phase II South Africa Study Team 1

Background: Carraguard's safety and acceptability was assessed among women in Gugulethu and Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa. Study Design: A randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind trial was conducted in HIV-negative, nonpregnant women who inserted Carraguard or placebo at least three times a week, including before vaginal sex, for 6 to 12 months. Monthly visits included pelvic examination, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing/treatment and HIV counseling/testing. Acceptability was assessed quarterly. Results: Of 400 women (205 Carraguard, 195 placebo) enrolled, 328 (77%) completed at least 6 months. Incidence of genital epithelial disruption was similar between the Carraguard (13.6 per 100 woman-years) and placebo (21.3 per 100 woman-years) groups (relative risk, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–1.10); there were no significant differences in rates of HIV/STI, though the study was not powered to determine effectiveness. Only 2% of adverse events were judged possibly related to (either) gel. More than 94% of women reported at least once liking the gel very much. Conclusions: Carraguard was not associated with more vaginal, cervical or external genital irritation than placebo, and it was acceptable when used approximately 3.5 times per week, including during sex. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Using Wavelets to Classify Documents

Currently, Fourier and cosine discrete transformations are used to classify documents. This article proposes a new strategy that uses wavelets in the representation and reduction of data text. Wavelets have been extensively used for dimensionality reduction in the field of signal processing. In this work, we show that a text document, after being subjected to a simple process of reorganization of its terms, can be treated like a signal and analyzed by signal processing tools. We demonstrate that this new representation is able to describe the most relevant features of documents in a synthetic representation and this new perspective improves the performance of the classification algorithm.
Distributed Long-Term Base Station Clustering in Cellular Networks Using Coalition Formation

Interference alignment (IA) is a promising technique for interference mitigation in multicell networks due to its ability to completely cancel the intercell interference through linear precoding and receive filtering. In small networks, the amount of required channel state information (CSI) is modest and IA is, therefore, typically applied jointly over all base stations. In large networks, where the channel coherence time is short in comparison to the time needed to obtain the required CSI, base station clustering must be applied however. We model such clustered multicell networks as a set of coalitions, where CSI acquisition and IA precoding are performed independently within each coalition. We develop a long-term throughput model, which includes both CSI acquisition overhead and the level of interference mitigation ability as a function of the coalition structure. Given the throughput model, we formulate a coalitional game where the involved base stations are the rational players. Allowing for individual deviations by the players, we formulate a distributed coalition formation algorithm with low complexity and low communication overhead that leads to an individually stable coalition structure. The dynamic clustering is performed using only long-term CSI, but we also provide a robust short-term precoding algorithm, which accounts for the intercoalition interference when spectrum sharing is applied between coalitions. Numerical simulations show that the distributed coalition formation is generally able to reach long-term sum throughputs within 10% of the global optimum.
Symbolic evaluation for parallelizing compilers

In this paper we describe efficient symbolic evaluation techniques to compute the values of variables and symbolic expressions, and to determine the condition under which control flow reaches a program statement at compile time. Computations are represented as algebraic expressions over the input data which maintains the crucial relationship between input data and the resulting analysis information. Our symbolic evaluation techniques comprise accurate modeling of assignment and conditional statements, loops, recurrences, arrays (including indirect accesses) and procedures. Efficiency and accuracy is highly improved by aggressive usage of simplification techniques. Examples including program verification, dependence analysis, array privatization, communication vectorization, and elimination of redundant communication are used to illustrate how our symbolic evaluation techniques support program optimization in the context of a distributed memory parallelizing compiler.
Speeded-up robust features (SURF) as a benchmark for heterogeneous computers

Heterogeneous computers performance measurement is not a trivial task. Because of the implicit diversity of the architectures, it is hard to define a clear performance metric. We used SURF as a benchmark for heterogeneous computers. We measure results on multiple computers using OpenCL and CUDA implementations. Results show consistent measurements among platforms, implementations, and dataset size. Finally, we conclude that the relevant factor for this kind of application is the amount of GPU cores.
Enabling Efficient Time Series Analysis for Wearable Activity Data

Long-term activity recognition relies on wearable sensors that log the physical actions of the wearer, so that these can be analyzed afterwards. Recent progress in this field has made it feasible to log high-resolution inertial data, resulting in increasingly large data sets. We propose the use of piecewise linear approximation techniques to facilitate this analysis. This paper presents a modified version of SWAB to approximate human inertial data as efficiently as possible, together with a matching algorithm to query for similar subsequences in large activity logs. We show that our proposed algorithms are faster on human acceleration streams than the traditional ones while being comparable in accuracy to spot similar actions, benefitting post-analysis of human activity data.
Plasma Concentrations of Efavirenz and Nevirapine among HIV-Infected Patients with Immunological Failure Attending a Tertiary Hospital in North-Western Tanzania

Background Sub-therapeutic and supra-therapeutic plasma concentrations of antriretrovirals are the significant causes of treatment failure and toxicity respectively among HIV-infected patients. We conducted this study to determine the pattern of efavirenz and nevirapine plasma drug concentrations among adult HIV-infected patients with immunological failure attending at a tertiary hospital in North-western Tanzania. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult HIV-infected patients with immunological failure who have been on either efavirenz or nevirapine based antiretroviral regimen for more than 6 months. Patients were serially enrolled through routine Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC) activities. Plasma drug concentrations for efavirenz and nevirapine were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC) respectively. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data such as viral load and CD4 counts were collected. Data analysis was done using STATA 12. Results Of the 152 patients with immunological failure enrolled, the sub-therapeutic, therapeutic and supra-therapeutic plasma antiretroviral drug concentrations were found in 43/152 (28.3%), 76/152 (50.0%) and 33/152 (21.7%) respectively. Half of the patients were outside therapeutic window with either sub-therapeutic or supra-therapeutic plasma ARV drug concentrations. There was a significant difference in distribution of ARV adherence (p-value<0.001), NRTI backbone (p-value = 0.039), HIV stage (p-value = 0.026) and viral load (p-value = 0.007) within sub-therapeutic, therapeutic and supra-therapeutic ARV plasma drug concentrations. Conclusion There is a wide inter-individual variability of plasma ARV concentrations among HIV patients with immunological failure, with a large proportion of patients being outside therapeutic window. This variability is significant based on ARV adherence, NRTI backbone, viral load and HIV stage. Routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) could assist identifying these patients early and making timely correction to avoid virological failure, poor immunological outcome and prevent associated drug toxicities. Nonetheless, ARV adherence should be strictly emphasized on HIV patients with immunological failure.
Image-based modeling and rendering from multiple views: a multiple cues based propagation approach

In this paper we present a method for modeling a complex scene from a small set of images and then synthesizing a new view. Consider one of input images as the reference image, a small set of reliable pixel matches are initially selected and then propagated to neighboring pixels based on the clustering-based light invariant photoconsistency constraint and the data-driven depth smoothness constraint, which are integrated into a pixel matching quality function to deal with occlusions, light changes and depth discontinuity. The mismatched points in propagation are then iteratively rectified. Thus, the 3D structures of the scene are expressed by a large set of densely matched 3D points. For a new view, we initialize it by projecting these matched points. Both match propagation and mismatch rectification are used to complete the whole rendering task.
Logical coordinate assignment for geographic routing in wireless sensor networks

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a distributed protocol to build a logical coordinate system based on the hop counts of each node to four selected landmarks, and the real location information is not needed.Design/methodology/approach – The designed protocol uses the sink node as one of the landmarks and then selects three other sensor nodes near the corners of the sensor network as landmarks.Findings – The simulation results show that the proposed protocol has the superior performance in packet delivery ratio, average hop counts among nodes, and communication overhead to previous works.Originality/value – This paper presents a distributed protocol to build a logical coordinate system based on hop counts to landmarks.
An approach to Illumination and Expression Invariant Multiple Classifier Face Recognition

recognition is still a challenging task due to the different problems such as pose, illumination, expression and occlusions. Due to these problems, it needs an extensive research. Various face recognition techniques exists but they suffer from one or the other limitations. One technique could not provide robust solution. Therefore, a combination of different face classification techniques can lead to robust solution. Here, the individual output of three different classifiers PCA, KPCA and Fisher face are normalized and combined using SUM rule, with their individual normalized matching score as the input feature vector. The system is tested on AT&T Face Database in which our proposed system is robust against illumination and expression as well as increasing the recognition performance. KeywordsComponent Analysis (PCA), Linear Discriminant
The Role of AMPA Receptor Gating in the Development of High-Fidelity Neurotransmission at the Calyx of Held Synapse

During early postnatal development of auditory synapses, the decay time course of AMPA receptor (AMPAR) EPSCs accelerates markedly, but the mechanisms underlying this process remain uncertain. Using the developing calyx of Held synapse in the mouse auditory brainstem, we have examined presynaptic and postsynaptic elements that may regulate decay kinetics of AMPAR EPSCs. We found that the decay time kinetics was voltage dependent in both immature and mature synapses, being slower at positive potentials than negative potentials. By recording evoked miniature events in extracellular Ca2+ or Sr2+, we revealed a significant decrease in decay time constants of EPSCs as maturation progresses. On the basis of internal and external polyamine block of AMPAR EPSCs and immunohistochemistry assays with subunit-specific antibodies, we demonstrated that the glutamate receptor (GluR) 2 subunit is virtually absent at all developmental ages. Antibody staining patterns suggest a gradual shift in subunit composition from GluR1- to GluR3/4-dominant phenotypes. Kinetic analyses of deactivation, desensitization, and recovery from desensitization in outside-out patches in response to ultrafast application of glutamate lend supportive evidence that such a shift in the gating phenotype likely accounts for the accelerated time course throughout development. Finally, by pharmacologically manipulating AMPAR gating and using simulated EPSCs to evoke action potentials, we demonstrated that rapid decay kinetics of AMPAR EPSCs is essential for this synapse to accommodate high-frequency firing without compromising spike amplitude. Hence, developmental alterations in the subunit composition likely dictate changes in the time course of AMPAR EPSCs and play an indispensable role in the refinement of high-fidelity neurotransmission at the calyx of Held synapse.
ColorPIN – Securing PIN Entry through Indirect Input

Automated teller machine (ATM) frauds are increasing drastically these days. When analyzing the most common attacks and the reasons for successful frauds, it becomes apparent that the main problem lies in the PIN based authentication which in itself does not provide any security features (besides the use of asterisks). That is, security is solely based on a user’s behavior. Indirect input is one way to solve this problem. This mostly comes at the costs of adding overhead to the input process. We present ColorPIN, an authentication mechanism that uses indirect input to provide security enhanced PIN entry. At the same time, ColorPIN remains a one-to-one relationship between the length of the PIN and the required number of clicks. A user study showed that ColorPIN is significantly more secure than standard PIN entry while enabling good authentication speed in comparison with related systems.
The extent of irregular stress distribution in a two-layer cylindrical bars subjected to the change of temperature

The change of temperature in layered structures usually induces thermal stresses, which affect their strength. Furthermore, those stresses are not fixed along the layer, but vary especially near the edges. Consequently, two zones with a steady and variable stress distribution can be virtually distinguished. Here the results on the length of irregular stress distribution in two–layered, solid cylindrical bars subjected to change of temperature are presented. The results were obtained by means of finite element analysis. Eighty–one structures with different values of geometry and mechanical properties were analyzed. It was found that the length of irregular stress distribution zone varies approximately from one–tenth to one and a four tenths of the bar external diameter. The length depends mainly on the values of the Young’s modulus and on the areas of layers cross–section. A set of design parameters which minimizes/maximizes the length of irregular stress distribution are identified. Some representative stress distributions along the axis at the layers contact are also presented. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.mech. 20.2. 6939
A constraint approach to mastermind in logic programming

Logic programming is a convenient tool for stating combinatorial problems due to its nondeterminism and its relational form. It is not surprising that simple and declarative programs can be written for problems like mastermind. However, due to their search strategy, logic languages are also very inefficient for solving the natural formulation of problems. Moving away from this natural formulation leads to much programming effort and to less modifable and extensible programs. This paper shows, on the mastermind example, that it is possible to write very declarative programs which will be executed efficiently by an extended logic programming language. The key idea is to embed consistency techniques inside logic programming. Within this approach, constraints are used actively to prune the search space in an "a priori" way instead of the passive way (for testing values) of usual languages. The resulting program outperforms all the proposed algorithms and achieves a speed-up of 40 over Shapiro's program in the average and a speed-up of 72 on Powers' benchmark.
Investment-Specific Technology Shocks and International Business Cycles: An Empirical Assessment

In this paper, we first introduce investment-specific technology (IST) shocks into an otherwise standard international real business cycle model and show that a thoughtful calibration of them along the lines of Raffo (2009) successfully addresses several of the existing puzzles in the literature. In particular, we obtain a negative correlation of relative consumption and the terms of trade (Backus-Smith puzzle), as well as a more volatile real exchange rate, and cross-country output correlations that are higher than consumption correlations (price and quantity puzzles). Then we use data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development for the relative price of investment to build and estimate these IST processes across the United States and a "rest of the world" aggregate, showing that they are cointegrated and well represented by a vector error–correction model. Finally, we demonstrate that, when we fit such estimated IST processes into the model, the shocks are actually powerless to explain any of the existing puzzles.
Lighting with laser diodes

Abstract Contemporary white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are much more efficient than compact fluorescent lamps and hence are rapidly capturing the market for general illumination. LEDs are also replacing halogen lamps or even newer xenon based lamps in automotive headlamps. Because laser diodes are inherently much brighter and often more efficient than corresponding LEDs, there is great research interest in developing laser diode based illumination systems. Operating at higher current densities and with smaller form factors, laser diodes may outperform LEDs in the future. This article reviews the possibilities and challenges in the integration of visible laser diodes in future illumination systems.
Counteracting Autophagy Overcomes Resistance to Everolimus in Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Purpose: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive B-lymphoid neoplasm with poor response to conventional chemotherapy and short survival. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mTOR survival pathway is constitutively activated in MCL cells, thereby making the mTOR inhibition an attractive therapeutic strategy. The first clinical studies of everolimus (RAD001), an mTOR inhibitor, in relapsed MCL patients have reported a significant response. Our aim was to analyze the mechanism related to everolimus resistance/sensitivity in MCL cells. Experimental Design: Sensitivity to everolimus was analyzed in MCL cell lines and primary MCL cells. Everolimus mechanism of action was determined by flow cytometry and Western blot. Particularly, autophagy was studied by LC3BI/II expression, autophagolysosomes detection by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, and siRNA-mediated gene silencing. Results: Everolimus exerted antitumoral effect on MCL cells while sparing normal cells. In MCL cell lines, this phenomenon was associated to G1 cell-cycle arrest, dephosphorylation of the mTOR downstream targets, 4E-BP1 and S6RP, and rephosphorylation of Akt. A synergistic cytotoxic effect was observed between everolimus and an Akt inhibitor, which overcame the compensatory reactivation within the mTOR signaling pathway. Interestingly, MCL cells with low response to this combination showed high levels of autophagy. Accordingly, selective triple knockdown of the autophagy genes ATG7, ATG5 and ATG3, and pretreatment with the autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine, efficiently overcame the resistance to Akt/mTOR inhibitors, leading to the activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Conclusions: These results suggest that autophagy induction protects MCL cells from Akt/mTOR targeting and counteracting autophagy may represent an attractive strategy for sensitizing MCL cells to everolimus-based therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 18(19); 5278–89. ©2012 AACR.
Dependence of the inner dark matter profile on the halo mass

I compare the density profile of dark matter (DM) haloes in cold dark matter (CDM) N-body simulations with 1, 32, 256 and 1024 h - 1 Mpc box sizes. I compare the profiles when the most massive haloes are composed of about 10 5 DM particles. The DM density profiles of the haloes in the 1 h - 1 Mpc box at redshift z ∼ 10 show systematically shallower cores with respect to the corresponding haloes in the 32 h - 1 Mpc simulation at z ∼ 3 that have masses, M d m , typical of the Milky Way and are fitted by a Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) profile. The DM density profiles of the haloes in the 256 h - 1 Mpc box at z ∼ 0 are consistent with having steeper cores than the corresponding haloes in the 32 h - 1 Mpc simulation, but higher mass resolution simulations are needed to strengthen this result. Combined, these results suggest that the density profile of DM haloes is not universal, presenting shallower cores in dwarf galaxies and steeper cores in clusters. More work is needed to validate this finding at z = 0. Physically, the result sustains the hypothesis that the mass function of the accreting satellites determines the inner slope of the DM profile. However, the result can also be interpreted as a trend with the dynamical state in the assembly process of haloes of different mass. In comoving coordinates, r, the profile ρ d m with X = c Δ r/r Δ and a = (9 + 3n)/(5 + n) 1.3 + (M 1 / 6 dm,14 - 1)/(M 1 / 6 dm,14 + 1), provides a good fit to all the DM haloes from dwarf galaxies to clusters at any redshift with the same concentration parameter c Δ ∼ 7. Here, r Δ (M d m ) is the virial radius, n is the effective spectral index of the initial power spectrum of density perturbations and M d m , 1 4 = M d m /(3 × 10 1 4 M O .). The slope, y, of the outer parts of the halo appears to depend on the acceleration of the universe; when the scale parameter is a = (1+z) - 1 ≤ 1, the slope is γ 3 as in the NEW profile, but γ 4 at a > 1 when Ω Λ ∼ 1 and the universe is inflating. The shape of the DM profiles presents a significant scatter around the mean. It is therefore important to analyse a significant statistical sample of haloes in order to determine the mean profile. I compare the DM profiles in the 1 h - 1 Mpc box with the same simulation including stars, baryons and radiative transfer presented by Ricotti, Gnedin and Shull. Radiative feedback effects produce a larger scatter in the density profile shapes but, on average, do not affect the shape of the DM profiles significantly.