Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms in the matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐2 and the risk of human adenomyosis

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may contribute to the development of adenomyosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter regions of MMP‐2 (−1306C/T and −735C/T) and TIMP‐2 (‐418G/C) genes were related to the risk of adenomyosis development. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) assay in 180 adenomyosis patients and 324 frequency‐matched control women in a Chinese population. There were significant differences in allele frequencies and genotype distributions of the MMP‐2 −1306C/T polymorphism between patients and control women (P = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). The frequency of C allele in patients (92.2%) was significantly higher than in the controls (87.0%) (P = 0.01). Compared with the C/T+T/T genotypes, the C/C genotype could significantly increase the risk of adenomyosis development, with an odds ratio of 1.83 (95% CI = 1.13–2.96). However, no statistically significant difference was found in allele frequencies and genotype distributions of MMP‐2 −735C/T and TIMP‐2 −418G/C SNPs between the two groups (all P values > 0.05). Two polymorphisms of MMP‐2 displayed linkage disequilibrium (D′ = 0.74). The haplotype analysis suggested no significant association of four haplotypes with the risk of adenomyosis development. Our results indicated an association of MMP‐2 −1306C/T polymorphism with the risk of adenomyosis, suggesting a potential role in adenomyosis development in North Chinese women. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Programmable analog device array (PANDA): A platform for transistor-level analog reconfigurability

The design and development of analog/mixed-signal (AMS) ICs is becoming increasingly expensive, complex, and lengthy. Lacking a reconfigurable platform, analog designers are denied the benefits of rapid prototyping, hardware emulation, and smooth migration to advanced technology nodes. To overcome these limitations, this work proposes a new approach that maps any AMS design problem to a transistor-level reconfigurable vehicle, thus enabling fast validation and a reduction in post-Silicon bugs, and minimizing design risk and costs. The unique features of the approach include: (1) transistor-level programmability that emulates each transistor behavior in an analog design, reproducing the system and achieving very fine granularity of reconfiguration; (2) programmable switches that are treated as a design component during analog transistor mapping, and optimized with the reconfiguration matrix; (3) parasitics reduction that leverages the aggressive scaling of CMOS technology. Based on these principles, a digitally controlled PANDA platform is designed at a 32nm node. Several 90nm analog blocks are successfully emulated with the 32nm platform, including a folded-cascode operational amplifier, a sample-and-hold module (S/H), and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). A solid basis to future efforts on the architecture, hierarchical optimization, and related design automation tools is demonstrated.
Test generation through programming in UDITA

We present an approach for describing tests using non-deterministic test generation programs. To write such programs, we introduce UDITA, a Java-based language with non-deterministic choice operators and an interface for generating linked structures. We also describe new algorithms that generate concrete tests by efficiently exploring the space of all executions of non-deterministic UDITA programs. We implemented our approach and incorporated it into the official, publicly available repository of Java PathFinder (JPF), a popular tool for verifying Java programs. We evaluate our technique by generating tests for data structures, refactoring engines, and JPF itself. Our experiments show that test generation using UDITA is faster and leads to test descriptions that are easier to write than in previous frameworks. Moreover, the novel execution mechanism of UDITA is essential for making test generation feasible. Using UDITA, we have discovered a number of bugs in Eclipse, NetBeans, Sun javac, and JPF.
Valuing animal genetic resources: a choice modeling application to indigenous cattle in Kenya

In an effort to improve productivity and profits, many farmers have replaced traditional livestock breeds with higher yielding alternatives. While such changes may bring about short-term economic gains, the loss of traditional livestock breeds could result in the loss of an important genetic resource as a variety of important genetic traits adapted to local conditions gradually become less common in the population. This is a particular problem in Africa, where livestock make a substantial contribution to human livelihoods. Using the example of cattle in Kenya's pastoral livestock markets this study uses a choice experiment approach to investigate buyers' preferences for indigenous breeds such as the Maasai Zebu. The analysis employs a latent class approach to characterize heterogeneity in valuations both within and across respondents buying cattle for breeding, slaughter, or resale. The results show that there are at least three classes of buyers with distinct preferences for cattle traits and that most buyers favor exotic rather than indigenous breeds. Such preferences have implications for the conservation of indigenous cattle in Kenya and in other developing countries and suggest that some form of intervention may be required to ensure the preservation of this important animal genetic resource.
Selected Topics in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Scanning Probe Techniques: Scanning Probe Microscopy-based Nanoscale Patterning and Fabrication (X N Xie et al.) Nanoscale Characterization by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (H Xu et al.) Nanofabrication: EUV Lithography for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Nanofabrication (H Kinoshita et al.) Synchrotron-Radiation-Supported High-Aspect-Ratio Nanofabrication (A Chen et al.) Functional Nanomaterials: Chemical Interactions at Noble Metal Nanoparticle Surfaces - Catalysis, Sensors and Devices (A S Nair et al.) Nanoparticles of Biodegradable Polymers for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment (S S Feng) Diamond-like Carbon: A New Material Base for Nanoarchitectures (D H C Chua et al.) Hotplate Technique for the Synthesis of Nanomaterials and Their Applications (Y Zun et al.) Molecular Engineering: -d Interaction-based Molecular Conducting Magnets: How to Increase the Effects of the -d Interaction (A Miyazaki et al.) Recent Developments on Porphyrin Assemblies (K Ariga et al.) Bionanotechnology: Nanostructures from Designer Peptides (S Valiyaveettil et al.).
Crack Initiation Process of DCB Specimens Based on First-order Shear Deformation Theory

The current work develops an analytical model which can consider the crack initiation process of double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens. The current model is based on the first-order shear deformation beam theory, and thus includes the effect of shear deformation in the beams on the crack initiation process. The relationship between the remote peel load P and loadline deflection u is explicitly established based on a parametric equation of crack tip separation δ for the crack initiation process. The nonlinear response in the ascending branch of the loading process is captured by the present analytical model. With properly defined cohesive laws (such as exponential type), it might not be necessary to define a clear final separation δf for the crack propagation. The comprehensive comparisons with test and numerical results validate the accuracy of the present model for predicting the crack initiation and propagation of DCB specimens. This model can be used for predicting the debonding process of adhesively bonded composite joints.
Achievable safety of driverless ground vehicles

Safety is an important issue of driverless car. Yet, most current approaches fail to ensure safety even in a fully informed situation. In this paper we discuss how the safety criteria apply when the robot uses its on board sensors to evolve in an environment populated with static and moving obstacles. The sensors can only provide a partial and uncertain knowledge of the surroundings. We show that the usual safety notion does not apply for this relevant case and discuss which safety guarantees can be given and how to achieve them.
Refining processes of selected copper alloys

The analysis of the refining effectiveness of the liquid copper and selected copper alloys by various micro additions and special refining substances – was performed. Examinations of an influence of purifying, modifying and deoxidation operations performed in a metal bath on the properties of certain selected alloys based on copper matrix - were made. Refining substances, protecting-purifying slag, deoxidation and modifying substances containing micro additions of such elements as: zirconium, boron, phosphor, sodium, lithium, or their compounds introduced in order to change micro structures and properties of alloys, were applied in examinations. A special attention was directed to macro and micro structures of alloys, their tensile and elongation strength and hot-cracks sensitivity. Refining effects were estimated by comparing the effectiveness of micro structure changes with property changes of copper and its selected alloys from the group of tin bronzes.
Improvements in the calibration of 109Cd K x-ray fluorescence systems for measuring bone lead in vivo.

A 109Cd K x-ray fluorescence (XRF) system using a point source in a back-scatter geometry is described. The suitability of plaster-of-Paris phantoms as targets for intercalibration standards was evaluated. When the phantom concentrations were measured by inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMs), the calculated phantom concentrations underestimated true concentrations by an average of 15%. Since calculated values are used to calibrate the K XRF system, in vivo bone-lead concentrations may be similarly underestimated. The difference between calculated and measured concentration is attributable to impurities in the plaster of Paris (e.g. calcium carbonate). The ICPMS-measured concentrations were used to calibrate the K XRF system. The same phantoms were also measured as 'unknowns' by a bone-lead measurement system (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA). The commercial system overestimated the lowest-concentration phantoms and underestimated the phantoms with concentrations above 15 microg Pb/g plaster of Paris. The commercial system and our system were compared by measurement of the new phantoms in air and in water. The K XRF system exhibited better precision in both situations. On the basis of this work, we recommend that plaster-of-Paris phantoms used to calibrate K XRF measurement systems be analysed first by ICPMS or another valid analytical technique.
Endoscopic surgery in weightlessness: the investigation of basic principles for surgery in space.

BACKGROUND Performing a surgical procedure in weightlessness, also called 0-gravity (0-g), has been shown to be no more difficult than in a 1-g environment if the requirements for the restraint of the patient, operator, surgical hardware, are observed. The performance of laparoscopic and thorascopic procedures in weightlessness, if feasible, would offer several advantages over the performance of an open operation. Concerns about the feasibility of performing minimally invasive procedures in weightlessness have included impaired visualization from the absence of gravitational retraction of the bowel (laparoscopy) or thoracic organs (thoracoscopy) as well as obstruction and interference from floating debris such as blood, pus, and irrigation fluid. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of performing laparoscopic and thorascopic procedures and the degree of impaired surgical endoscopic visualization in weightlessness. METHODS From 1993 to 2000, laparoscopic and thorascopic procedures were performed on 10 anesthetized adult pigs weighing approximately 50 kg in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Microgravity Program using a modified KC-135 airplane. The parabolic simulation system for advanced life support was used in this project, and 20 to 40 parabolas were used for laparoscopic or thorascopic investigation, each containing approximately 30 s of 0-g alternating with 2-g pullouts. The animal model was restrained in the supine position on a floor-level Crew Medical Restraint System, and the abdominal cavity was insufflated with carbon dioxide. The intraabdominal and intrathoracic anatomy was visualized in the 1-g, 0-g, and 2-g periods of parabolic flight. Bleeding was created in the animals, and the behavior of the blood in the abdominal and thoracic cavities was observed. In the thoracic cavity, gas insufflation and mechanical retraction was used at times unilaterally to decrease pulmonary ventilation enough to increase the thoracic domain. RESULTS Visualization was improved in laparoscopy, from tethering of the bowel by the elastic mesentery, and from the strong tendency for debris and blood to adhere to the abdominal wall because of surface tension forces. The lack of adequate thoracic domain made thorascopy more difficult. Fluid in the thoracic cavity did not impair visualization because the fluid at 0-g does not loculate posteriorly, but disperses along the thoracic wall and mediastinal reflections. CONCLUSIONS Performing minimally invasive procedures instead of open surgical procedures in a weightless environment has theoretical advantages, especially in the ability to prevent cabin atmosphere contamination from surgical fluids (blood, pus, irrigation). Visualization will become more important and practical as the endoscopic hardware is miniaturized from its current form, as endoscopic technology becomes more advanced, and as more surgically capable medical crew officers are present in future long-duration space exploration missions.
Estimation of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in South Korea, revisited

Two-phase designs in epidemiological studies of autism prevalence introduce methodological complications that can severely limit the precision of resulting estimates. If the assumptions used to derive the prevalence estimate are invalid or if the uncertainty surrounding these assumptions is not properly accounted for in the statistical inference procedure, then the point estimate may be inaccurate and the confidence interval may not be a true reflection of the precision of the estimate. We examine these potential pitfalls in the context of a recent high-profile finding by Kim et al. (2011, Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in a total population sample. American Journal of Psychiatry 168: 904–912), who estimated that autism spectrum disorder affects 2.64% of children in a South Korean community. We reconstructed the study’s methodology and used Monte Carlo simulations to analyze whether their point estimate and 95% confidence interval (1.91%, 3.37%) were reasonable, given what was known about their screening instrument and sample. We find the original point estimate to be highly assumption-dependent, and after accounting for sources of uncertainty unaccounted for in the original article, we demonstrate that a more reasonable confidence interval would be approximately twice as large as originally reported. We argue that future studies should give serious consideration to the additional sources of uncertainty introduced by a two-phase design, which may easily outstrip any expected gains in efficiency.
Exploiting upper and lower bounds in top-down query optimization

System R's bottom-up query optimizer architecture forms the basis of most current commercial database managers. The paper compares the performance of top-down and bottom-up optimizers, using the measure of the number of plans generated during optimization. Top down optimizers are superior according to this measure because they can use upper and lower bounds to avoid generating groups of plans. Early during the optimization of a query, a top-down optimizer can derive upper bounds for the costs of the plans it generates. These bounds are not available to typical bottom-up optimizers since such optimizers generate and cost all subplans before considering larger containing plans. These upper bounds can be combined with lower bounds, based solely on logical properties of groups of logically equivalent subqueries, to eliminate entire groups of plans from consideration. We have implemented such a search strategy, in a top-down optimizer called Columbia. Our performance results show that the use of these bounds is quite effective, while preserving the optimality of the resulting plans. In many circumstances this new search strategy is even more effective than heuristics such as considering only left deep plans.
Manpower to coerce and co-opt—State capacity and political violence in southern Sudan 2006–2010

This paper investigates the role of state capacity for political violence. Most previous studies have suffered from inadequacies of country-level data, questionable validity of indicators or theoretical shortcomings. This paper aims at overcoming some of these challenges. We focus on one specific aspect of state capacity: the role of governmental manpower. We argue that its subnational effect on political violence follows a non-linear, inverted-U shape. We investigate this hypothesis in the context of southern Sudan, covering the period from 2006 to 2010. We use unique data on the geographical distribution of public personnel across 75 southern Sudanese counties. The data are matched with geocoded data on violent events as well as various socio-economic indicators. Our fixed-effects estimations indicate that particularly low or high levels of state capacity are associated with low levels of violence. Counties with intermediate numbers of state personnel experience the highest numbers of violent events.
Optimizing data locality using array tiling

Data transformation is one of the key optimizations in maximizing cache locality. Traditional data transformation strategies employ linear data layouts, e.g., row-major or column-major, for multidimensional arrays. Although a linear layout matches the linear memory space well in most cases, it can only optimize for self-spatial locality for individual references. In this work, we propose a novel data layout transformation framework that is able to determine a tiled layout for each array in an application program. Tiled layout can exploit the group-spatial locality among different references and improve cache line utilization. In our strategy, the data elements accessed by different references in one loop iteration are placed into a tile and fetched into the same cache line at runtime. This helps minimizing conflict misses in caches. We evaluated our data layout transformation framework using 30 benchmarks on a commercial multicore machine. The experimental results show that our approach outperforms state-of-the-art data transformation strategies and works well with large core counts.
Comparison of tactile, auditory, and visual modality for brain-computer interface use: a case study with a patient in the locked-in state

This paper describes a case study with a patient in the classic locked-in state, who currently has no means of independent communication. Following a user-centered approach, we investigated event-related potentials (ERP) elicited in different modalities for use in brain-computer interface (BCI) systems. Such systems could provide her with an alternative communication channel. To investigate the most viable modality for achieving BCI based communication, classic oddball paradigms (1 rare and 1 frequent stimulus, ratio 1:5) in the visual, auditory and tactile modality were conducted (2 runs per modality). Classifiers were built on one run and tested offline on another run (and vice versa). In these paradigms, the tactile modality was clearly superior to other modalities, displaying high offline accuracy even when classification was performed on single trials only. Consequently, we tested the tactile paradigm online and the patient successfully selected targets without any error. Furthermore, we investigated use of the visual or tactile modality for different BCI systems with more than two selection options. In the visual modality, several BCI paradigms were tested offline. Neither matrix-based nor so-called gaze-independent paradigms constituted a means of control. These results may thus question the gaze-independence of current gaze-independent approaches to BCI. A tactile four-choice BCI resulted in high offline classification accuracies. Yet, online use raised various issues. Although performance was clearly above chance, practical daily life use appeared unlikely when compared to other communication approaches (e.g., partner scanning). Our results emphasize the need for user-centered design in BCI development including identification of the best stimulus modality for a particular user. Finally, the paper discusses feasibility of EEG-based BCI systems for patients in classic locked-in state and compares BCI to other AT solutions that we also tested during the study.
Parallelization of Scan Matching for Robotic 3D Mapping

Robotic 3D Mapping of environments is computationally expensive, since 3D scanners sample the environment with many data points. In addition, the solution space grows exponentially with the additional degrees of freedom needed to represent the robot pose. Mapping environments in 3D must regard six degrees of freedom to characterize the robot pose. This paper extends our solution to the 3D mapping problem by parallelization. The availability of multi-core processors as well as efficient programming schemes as OpenMP permit the parallel execution of robotics task with on-board means.
High Volume Fraction SiCp/Al Composites Prepared by Pressureless Melt Infiltration: Processing, Properties and Applications

In this paper, a cost effective near-net-shape fabrication technolog y based on the pressureless infiltration of Al alloy melt into SiC preform wa s systematically investigated, the basic mechanical and physical properties of the high volume fraction (~70vol%) SiCp/Al composites were characterized. The advantages of the composites over traditiona l materials used as the optomechanical components for space-based optical systems and electroni c packages for avionics systems were analyzed. By developing and using a series of novel te chniques including the precise hot injection moulding for SiC perform and melt infilitration restri ctive coating for SiC preform surface, the composites were fabricated to highly near net-shape under no ex ter al pressure and high temperature mould. In details, taking a typical component of the high volum e fraction SiCp/Al composites with complex and thin wall structure as illustration, it s d mension deviation and configuration precision were controlled to 0.2%, the surface smoothness (R a) came up to 1.6 μm, and furthermore, its metallurgical quality was excellent. The pr operties of the SiCp/Al composites were noted for their high thermal conductivity of 200W/m-K or so, low coe ffi ient of thermal expansion (7.0×10 /K) and high specific stiffness ( more than 3 times that of Al alloys).