Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parallel Sorting on the Biswapped Network

Biswapped network (BSN) is a recently proposed network model of parallel computing, which is built of 2n copies of an n-node basic network, and its basic network may be hypercube, mesh and other networks, hence we can construct BSN-Hypercube and BSN-Mesh by using hypercube and mesh as basic network. BSN uses a simple rule for connectivity to ensure its regularity and some topological properties of BSN have been investigated. In this paper, we present sorting algorithm on the n processors BSN whose basic network has Hamiltonian path, and if the basic network of BSN is mesh, sorting n unordered elements will complete in time radic(2n) + O(n3/4).
Nonlinear least-squares modeling of 3D interaction position in a monolithic scintillator block

This paper presents a study of possible models to describe the relation between the scintillation light point-of-origin and the measured photo detector pixel signals in monolithic scintillation crystals. From these models the X, Y and depth of interaction (DOI) coordinates can be estimated simultaneously by nonlinear least-square fitting. The method depends only on the information embedded in the signals of individual events, and therefore does not need any prior position training or calibration. Three possible distributions of the light sources were evaluated: an exact solid-angle-based distribution, an approximate solid-angle distribution and an extended approximate solid-angle-based distribution which includes internal reflection at side and bottom surfaces. The performance of the general model using these three distributions was studied using Monte Carlo simulated data of a 20 × 20 × 10 mm lutetium oxyorthosilicate (Lu2SiO5 or LSO) block read out by 2 Hamamatsu S8550 avalanche photo diode arrays. The approximate solid-angle-based model had the best compromise between resolution and simplicity. This model was also evaluated using experimental data by positioning a narrow 1.2 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) beam of 511 keV photons at known positions on the 20 × 20 × 10 mm LSO block. An average intrinsic resolution in the X-direction of 1.4 mm FWHM was obtained for positions covering the complete block. The intrinsic DOI resolution was estimated at 2.6 mm FWHM.
Validation of a single-stage submaximal treadmill walking test

Abstract The single-stage treadmill walking test of Ebbeling et al. is commonly used to predict maximal oxygen consumption ([Vdot]O2max) from a submaximal effort between 50% and 70% of the participant's age-predicted maximum heart rate. The purpose of this study was to determine if this submaximal test correctly predicts [Vdot]O2max at the low (50% of maximum heart rate) and high (70% of maximum heart rate) ends of the specified heart rate range for males and females aged 18 – 55 years. Each of the 34 participants completed one low-intensity and one high-intensity trial. The two trials resulted in significantly different estimates of [Vdot]O2max (low-intensity trial: mean 40.5 ml · kg−1 · min−1, s = 9.3; high-intensity trial: 47.5 ml · kg−1 · min−1, s = 8.8; P < 0.01). A subset of 22 participants concluded their second trial with a [Vdot]O2max test (mean 47.9 ml · kg−1 · min−1, s = 8.9). The low-intensity trial underestimated (mean difference = −3.5 ml · kg−1 · min−1; 95% CI = −6.4 to −0.6 ml · kg−1 · min−1; P = 0.02) and the high-intensity trial overestimated (mean difference = 3.5 ml · kg−1 · min−1; 95% CI = 1.1 to 6.0 ml · kg−1 · min−1; P = 0.01) the measured [Vdot]O2max. The predictive validity of Ebbeling and colleagues' single-stage submaximal treadmill walking test is diminished when performed at the extremes of the specified heart rate range.
Percutaneous estrogen in prevention of early postmenopausal bone loss in Chinese women.

OBJECTIVE To identify the optimal dosage of 17beta-estradiol gel + oral progestin for preventing bone loss in postmenopausal Chinese women. METHODS A 3-year open label, randomized, prospective clinical trial was conducted. Sixty healthy women who had been postmenopausal for 1 to 5 years were recruited and divided into following 4 groups: group 1, percutaneous gel 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) 1.5 mg/d plus micronized progesterone (MP) 100 mg/d; group 2, percutaneous gel 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) 1.5 mg/d plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 2 mg/d; group 3, percutaneous gel 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) 0.75 mg/d plus micronized progesterone (MP) 100 mg/d; and group 4, percutaneous gel 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) 0.75 mg/d plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 2 mg/d. Estrogen and progestin were given continuously for 25 days per month. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) for trabecular bone of L2-5 and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for L2-4 and hip 5 times during the trial at baseline and at the 6-, 12-, 18-, 24- and 36-month visits. RESULTS Fifty-nine patients (98.3%, 59/60) stayed in the study for 1 year, 56 patients (93.3%, 56/60) for 2 years, and 51 (85%, 51/50) for 3 years. On average, menopausal symptoms were relieved by 80% after 6 months of treatment. By the 24th month, the mean increase in BMD ranged from 4.3% to 7.5% in trabecular bone; and by the 36th month, it ranged from 4.2% to 6.2% in L2-4 and 1.61% to 3.77% in the neck. There were significant difference after treatment (P < 0.05). Among the four groups, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found in improvement of symptoms, levels of bone markers or BMD. CONCLUSION A daily dose of estradiol gel, either 0.75 mg or 1.5 mg, is effective in preventing early postmenopausal bone loss and relieving menopausal symptoms. After 3-year treatment, spinal BMD could increase steadily, so does hip BMD, especially in the first 2 years.
A probabilistic fusion strategy for audiovisual emotion recognition of sparse and noisy data

Due to diverse expression styles in real-world scenarios, recognizing human emotions is difficult without collecting sufficient and various data for model training. Besides, emotion recognition of noisy data is another challenging problem to be solved. This work endeavors to propose a fusion strategy to alleviate the problems of noisy and sparse data in bimodal emotion recognition. Toward robust bimodal emotion recognition, a Semi-Coupled Hidden Markov Model (SC-HMM) based on a state-based bimodal alignment strategy is proposed to align the temporal relation of states of two component HMMs between audio and visual streams. Based on this strategy, the SC-HMM can diminish the over-fitting problem and achieve better statistical dependency between states of audio and visual HMMs in sparse data conditions and also provides the ability to better accommodate to the noisy conditions. Experiments show a promising result of the proposed approach.
Super-resolution imaging with occlusion removal using a camera array

In this paper, a novel algorithm which combines the super-resolution imaging and occlusion removal into a single and automatic procedure is proposed. By utilizing the visual parallax of objects at different depths and the sub-pixel information of the images captured by a camera array, we can estimate the shape of the occlusion and reconstruct the background at a higher resolution iteratively. The occlusion shape estimation is achieved by a new method called “seed growth”, which treats the detected feature points of the occlusion as “seeds”. These “seeds” will gradually grow until they reach the occlusion boundary. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can well remove the occlusion while super-resolving the background. It performs equally well when there are multiple occlusion objects or the object has irregular shape.
A power balance model for handcycling

Purpose. To demonstrate the applicability of the power balance model to elite handcycling and to obtain values for gross efficiency (GE). Methods. Four members of the Dutch Paralympic team performed trials on a 250-m indoor track. Velocity (v) and power output (PO) were measured in conjunction with physiological measures to obtain values for GE. The data were used to construct and validate a power balance model of handcycling. Results. The empirically derived relationship between PO and velocity was: PO = 0.20v3 + 2.90v (R2 = 0.95). Mean GE during submaximal performance was 17.9% ± 1.6%. Conclusion. Handcycling performance can successfully be modelled with a power balance model. The model provides insight into the magnitude of power production and dissipation during elite handcycling. Handcycling is a relatively efficient upper body mode of propulsion with associated high metabolic demand at race velocities.
Generation of widely tunable picosecond pulses with large SMSR by externally injecting a gain-switched dual laser source

The authors demonstrate a procedure of generating picosecond optical pulses that are tunable over a wide wavelength range (65 nm) and have very high spectral purity side-mode suppression ratio [(SMSR)>60 dB]. The large tuning range is obtained by employing external injection into a gain-switched source containing two Fabry-Pe/spl acute/rot lasers. The use of a widely tunable Bragg grating at the output improves the SMSR such that it exceeds 60 dB over the entire tuning range.
Real-time data driven simulation of air contaminant dispersion using particle filter and UAV sensory system

Real-time prediction of the air contaminant dispersion is an important issue in hazard assessment and emergency management of air pollution. The conventional atmospheric simulation can seldom give the precise prediction results due to inaccurate input parameters. To improve the accuracy of the prediction of atmospheric model, a real-time data driven atmospheric dispersion simulation based on data assimilation is proposed by applying particle filer to the Gaussian puff based model. The coefficients of dispersion in this model are selected as the system state variables and updated by assimilating observed data into the model in real time. To obtain high-quality observed data, a UAV-based air contaminant sensory system is developed. Two experiments are designed and implemented to verify the performance of the method. The results show that the method proposed can update the model parameters and improve the accuracy of prediction results effectively.
Regulation of heparin‐binding EGF‐like growth factor expression in Ha‐ras transformed human Mammary epithelial cells

Heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor‐like growth factor (HB‐EGF) mRNA and protein expression is induced by EGF in MCF‐10A nontransformed and Ha‐ras transfected human mammary epithelial cells. The anti‐EGF receptor (EGFR) blocking monoclonal antibody (MAb) 225 and the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor PD153035 were able to inhibit the induction of HB‐EGF mRNA levels in MCF‐10A cells. However, the Ha‐ras transformed MCF‐10A cells were more refractory to inhibition by these agents and only a combination of the 225 MAb and PD153035 was able to significantly abrogate HB‐EGF induction by EGF. The anti‐erbB2 MAb L26 which interferes with heterodimer formation was able to block HB‐EGF induction in response to EGF in MCF‐10A cells and in the Ha‐ras transformed cells only when used in combination with either the 225 MAb or PD153035. The MEK inhibitor PD90859 completely blocked EGF induction of HB‐EGF mRNA levels in the nontransformed and Ha‐ras transformed MCF‐10A cells, which indicates that MAPK is involved in the signaling pathway of HB‐EGF induction by EGF. An increase in the levels of HB‐EGF may, therefore, be an important contributor to oncogenic transformation that is caused by Ha‐ras overexpression in mammary epithelial cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 186:233–242, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of cDNA for murine senile amyloid protein: nucleotide substitutions found in apolipoprotein A-Il cDNA of senescence accelerated mouse (SAM)

cDNA clones encoding the murine senile amyliod protein (ASSAM) have been isolated from animal models of accelerated senescence (SAM-P/1) and from normal aging (SAM-R/1). Immunochemical and protein sequence studies revealed that apolipoprotein (apo) A-II is a serum precursor of ASSAM. A 17-base synthetic oligonucleotide based on residues 39-44 of ASSAM was used as a hybridization probe for screening newly constructed SAM-P/1 and SAM-R/1 liver cDNA libraries. The structure of murine apo A-II cDNA is of interest because of the amino acid substitution found in ASSAM and serum apo A-II of SAM-P; in SAM-R or other random bred slc:ICR mice, amino acid residue 5 of mature apo A-II is proline but, in SAM-P, this amino acid is changed to glutamine. This amino acid replacement is caused by two nucleotide substitutions (CCA for proline codon to CAG for glutamine codon). The third base mutation may not be relevant to the substitution of amino acid. Attention is directed to the relation of this amino acid substitution to the specific deposition of apo A-II, as a tissue amyloid fibril.
From ambiguity to contestation: discourse(s) of non-traditional security in the ASEAN community

ABSTRACT ‘Non-traditional security’ (NTS) is prominently featured in the agenda of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other ASEAN-led institutions in the Asia-Pacific. ‘NTS’ brings together a series transnational and non-military security threats that are considered common among regional states, urgent for them to attend to, and non-sensitive all at the same time. This a priori makes it a self-evident focus of attempts to bring regional security cooperation ‘to a higher plane’. However, this paper reveals that the uncontroversial character of NTS is overestimated, by shedding light on the co-existence of divergent – and potentially contradictory – interpretations of its meaning and implications in ASEAN and the wider region. In a context where ASEAN's relevance to the pursuit of regional security is increasingly being measured against its (in)ability to provide a coherent approach to security challenges that affect the region, the contested nature of NTS has important implications for the grouping's resilience in the twenty-first century.
Psychometric Properties of the Thai Version of the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background A self-reporting questionnaire is the most convenient and cheapest way to assess medication adherence. A new 8-item self-reported Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) has been developed and has shown better psychometric properties than the original 4-item Morisky scale. Objective To examine the validity, including convergent known-groups and construct validity, and reliability, including internal consistency and test–retest reliability, of the MMAS in Thai patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods The data were derived from a cross-sectional study. In a convenience sample, 303 type 2 diabetic outpatients were interviewed at the General Police Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, between January and June 2007. Face-to-face interviews included MMAS, medication adherence visual analog scale (MA-VAS), and sociodemographic data. Medical records were reviewed for clinical data such as hemoglobin A1c (A1C) levels. Results Internal consistency reliability was moderate (Cronbach's α = 0.61), whereas the test–retest reliability of the MMAS was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.83; p < 0.001). Concerning convergent validity, the MMAS had a high correlation with the 3-item Morisky scale (r = 0.77; p < 0.01) and a medium correlation with the MA-VAS (r = 0.57; p < 0 01). Regarding known-groups validity, a significant association between MMAS and A1C levels was found (χ2 = 6.7; p < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the MMAS were 51%, 64%, 71%, and 43%, respectively. Our factor analysis showed that the MMAS had 3 dimensions including forgetting to take medications, stopping medications when feeling better or worse, and the complexity of the drug regimen. Conclusions The 8-item MMAS can be a tool to aid in assessing medication adherence in diabetes. The poor sensitivity can be improved by increasing the number of the response choices and the cut-off score of the scale and by using specific words in some items. A modified Thai version of the 8-item MMAS may be needed.
Anti-apoptotic effect and the mechanism of orientin on ischaemic/reperfused myocardium

We investigated the anti-apoptotic effect of orientin, from bamboo leaves (Phyllostachys nigra), on rat heart after treatment with ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and on rat cardiomyocytes injured by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). I/R injury was induced by occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery for 45 min and restoring perfusion for 240 min. Orientin (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg kg− 1) or its vehicle was injected i.v. 10 min prior to ischemia. Cultured cardiomyocytes were subjected to hypoxia for 120 min, then reoxygenated for 60 min to induce H/R. Vehicle or orientin (3, 10, 30 μmol l− 1) was added 10 min before hypoxia and reoxygenated. TUNEL assay and DNA fragmentation assay demonstrated that myocardium apoptosis was attenuated by pretreatment with orientin (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg kg− 1). Flow cytometric analysis also showed that apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was reduced by pretreatment with orientin (3, 10 and 30 μmol l− 1). In addition, results of immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis showed that orientin increased the expression of bcl-2 and reduced Bax expression, resulting in up-regulation of the bcl-2/Bax ratio. Cytochrome c (Cyt-c) and caspase-3 expression was also reduced in myocardium and cardiomyocytes injured by I/R and H/R. These observations indicate that orientin exerts a potent cardioprotective effect on I/R- and H/R-treated myocardium and cardiomyocytes, and inhibits apoptosis by preventing activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway (cytochrome c–caspase-3).
The Fractionated Orthology of Bs2 and Rx/Gpa2 Supports Shared Synteny of Disease Resistance in the Solanaceae

Comparative genomics provides a powerful tool for the identification of genes that encode traits shared between crop plants and model organisms. Pathogen resistance conferred by plant R genes of the nucleotide-binding–leucine-rich-repeat (NB–LRR) class is one such trait with great agricultural importance that occupies a critical position in understanding fundamental processes of pathogen detection and coevolution. The proposed rapid rearrangement of R genes in genome evolution would make comparative approaches tenuous. Here, we test the hypothesis that orthology is predictive of R-gene genomic location in the Solanaceae using the pepper R gene Bs2. Homologs of Bs2 were compared in terms of sequence and gene and protein architecture. Comparative mapping demonstrated that Bs2 shared macrosynteny with R genes that best fit criteria determined to be its orthologs. Analysis of the genomic sequence encompassing solanaceous R genes revealed the magnitude of transposon insertions and local duplications that resulted in the expansion of the Bs2 intron to 27 kb and the frequently detected duplications of the 5′-end of R genes. However, these duplications did not impact protein expression or function in transient assays. Taken together, our results support a conservation of synteny for NB–LRR genes and further show that their distribution in the genome has been consistent with global rearrangements.
Modeling recombination at the Si-Al2O3 interface

We present a complete set of data on the surface passivation parameters of APCVD Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> deposited with TEDA-TSB and H<sub>2</sub>O precursors at temperatures between 325 and 520 °C. Using measured values of the fixed charge Q<sub>f</sub>, and of the interface defect density D<sub>it</sub>(E), electron capture cross-section σ<sub>n</sub>(E) and hole capture cross-section σ<sub>p</sub>(E) as a function of the energy within the bandgap E, we calculate surface recombination velocities using the SRH model and compare these to measured values, finding excellent agreement when Q<sub>f</sub> is large, and reasonable agreement otherwise. It is shown that for typical values of Q<sub>f</sub>, recombination is dominated by a single defect species located just below midgap. These results confirm the direct correspondence between Q<sub>f</sub>, D<sub>it</sub>(E), σ<sub>n</sub>(E) and σ<sub>p</sub>(E) determined by capacitance and conductance measurements of MIS structures and the carrier lifetimes measured by photoconductance.
Does Variation in Selection Imposed by Bears Drive Divergence Among Populations in the Size and Shape of Sockeye Salmon?

Few studies have determined whether formal estimates of selection explain patterns of trait divergence among populations, yet this is one approach for evaluating whether the populations are in equilibria. If adaptive divergence is complete, directional selection should be absent and stabilizing selection should prevail. We estimated natural selection, due to bear predation, acting on the body size and shape of male salmon in three breeding populations that experience differing predation regimes. Our approach was to (1) estimate selection acting within each population on each trait based on an empirical estimate of reproductive activity, (2) test for trait divergence among populations, and (3) test whether selection coefficients were correlated with trait divergence among populations. Stabilizing selection was never significant, indicating that these populations have yet to attain equilibria. Directional selection varied among populations in a manner consistent with trait divergence, indicating ongoing population differentiation. Specifically, the rank order of the creeks in terms of patterns of selection paralleled the rank order in terms of size and shape. The shortest and least deep-bodied males had the highest reproductive activity in the creek with the most intense predation and longer and deeper-bodied males were favored in the creeks with lower predation risk.
Investigating the Dutch Movement-Specific Reinvestment Scale in people with stroke

Objective: Reinvestment is a phenomenon in which conscious control of movements that are best controlled automatically disrupts performance. The propensity for reinvestment may therefore play an important role in the movement rehabilitation process. The Movement-Specific Reinvestment Scale measures an individual’s propensity for reinvestment. The aim of this study was to translate the scale for use with Dutch participants with stroke and to assess its reliability. Design: A test–retest design. Setting: In community after discharge from rehabilitation centre. Subjects: Forty-five people with stroke. Measures: Reliability of the translated scale was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland–Altman plot. Results: The ICC was 0.85 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74–0.91). Limits of agreement ranged from −2.38 to 3.10. Conclusion: The Dutch Movement-Specific Reinvestment Scale appears to be a reliable tool with which to assess the propensity for movement-specific reinvestment by people with stroke.