Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Variants That Confer Resistance to Malaria Are Associated with Red Blood Cell Traits in African-Americans: An Electronic Medical Record-based Genome-Wide Association Study

To identify novel genetic loci influencing interindividual variation in red blood cell (RBC) traits in African-Americans, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 2315 individuals, divided into discovery (n = 1904) and replication (n = 411) cohorts. The traits included hemoglobin concentration (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), RBC count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Patients were participants in the electronic MEdical Records and GEnomics (eMERGE) network and underwent genotyping of ~1.2 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms on the Illumina Human1M-Duo array. Association analyses were performed adjusting for age, sex, site, and population stratification. Three loci previously associated with resistance to malaria—HBB (11p15.4), HBA1/HBA2 (16p13.3), and G6PD (Xq28)—were associated (P ≤ 1 × 10−6) with RBC traits in the discovery cohort. The loci replicated in the replication cohort (P ≤ 0.02), and were significant at a genome-wide significance level (P < 5 × 10−8) in the combined cohort. The proportions of variance in RBC traits explained by significant variants at these loci were as follows: rs7120391 (near HBB) 1.3% of MCHC, rs9924561 (near HBA1/A2) 5.5% of MCV, 6.9% of MCH and 2.9% of MCHC, and rs1050828 (in G6PD) 2.4% of RBC count, 2.9% of MCV, and 1.4% of MCH, respectively. We were not able to replicate loci identified by a previous GWAS of RBC traits in a European ancestry cohort of similar sample size, suggesting that the genetic architecture of RBC traits differs by race. In conclusion, genetic variants that confer resistance to malaria are associated with RBC traits in African-Americans.
Cycle decompositions of the complete graph

For a positive integer n, let G be Kn if n is odd and Kn less a one-factor if n is even. In this paper it is shown that, for non-negative integers p, q and r, there is a decomposition of G into p 4-cycles, q 6-cycles and r 8-cycles if 4p+6q+8r = |E(G)|, q = 0 if n < 6 and r = 0 if n < 8.
PSNR vs . quality assessment metrics for image and video codec performance evaluation

One of the most important performance metrics for evaluation and comparison of image or video codecs is the Rate/Distortion (R/D) where quality is measured in terms of PSNR (Peak Signal-toNoise Ratio). It is well known that PSNR does not always rank quality of an image or video sequence in the same way that a human being. There are many other factors considered by the human visual system and the brain. So, a lot efforts were performed to define an objective video quality metric that is able to measure the quality distortion close to the one perceived by the destination user. We analyze the behaviour of some of the most relevant objective quality metrics when they are applied to video sequences, compressed by different video codecs at different bit-rates taking as reference the classical PSNR metric. So we try to find if there is a more accurate metric in terms of human quality perception that could substitute PSNR in the R/D plots used in the performance evaluation of different coding proposals.
SIMULTANEOUS MULTIWAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF MAGNETIC ACTIVITY IN ULTRACOOL DWARFS. IV. THE ACTIVE, YOUNG BINARY NLTT 33370 AB (= 2MASS J13142039+1320011)

We present multi-epoch simultaneous radio, optical, Hα, UV, and X-ray observations of the active, young, low-mass binary NLTT 33370 AB (blended spectral type M7e). This system is remarkable for its extreme levels of magnetic activity: it is the most radio-luminous ultracool dwarf (UCD) known, and here we show that it is also one of the most X-ray luminous UCDs known. We detect the system in all bands and find a complex phenomenology of both flaring and periodic variability. Analysis of the optical light curve reveals the simultaneous presence of two periodicities, 3.7859 ± 0.0001 and 3.7130 ± 0.0002 hr. While these differ by only ∼2%, studies of differential rotation in the UCD regime suggest that it cannot be responsible for the two signals. The system's radio emission consists of at least three components: rapid 100% polarized flares, bright emission modulating periodically in phase with the optical emission, and an additional periodic component that appears only in the 2013 observational campaign. We interpret the last of these as a gyrosynchrotron feature associated with large-scale magnetic fields and a cool, equatorial plasma torus. However, the persistent rapid flares at all rotational phases imply that small-scale magnetic loops are also present and reconnect nearly continuously. We present a spectral energy distribution of the blended system spanning more than 9 orders of magnitude in wavelength. The significant magnetism present in NLTT 33370 AB will affect its fundamental parameters, with the components' radii and temperatures potentially altered by ∼+20% and ∼−10%, respectively. Finally, we suggest spatially resolved observations that could clarify many aspects of this system's nature.
Automatic Analysis of Facial Actions: Learning from Transductive, Supervised and Unsupervised Frameworks

Automatic analysis of facial actions (AFA) can reveal a person’s emotion, intention, and physical state, and make possible a wide range of applications. To enable reliable, valid, and efficient AFA, this thesis investigates automatic analysis of facial actions through transductive, supervised and unsupervised learning. Supervised learning for AFA is challenging, in part, because of individual differences among persons in face shape and appearance and variation in video acquisition and context. To improve generalizability across persons, we propose a transductive framework, Selective Transfer Machine (STM), which personalizes generic classifiers through joint sample reweighting and classifier learning. By personalizing classifiers, STM offers improved generalization to unknown persons. As an extension, we develop a variant of STM for use when partially labeled data are available. Additional challenges for supervised learning include learning an optimal representation for classification, variation in base rates of action units (AUs), correlation between AUs and temporal consistency. While these challenges could be partly accommodated with an SVM or STM, a more powerful alternative is afforded by an end-to-end supervised framework (i.e., deep learning). We propose a convolutional network with long short-term memory (LSTM) and multi-label sampling strategies. We compared SVM, STM and deep learning approaches with respect to AU occurrence and intensity in and between BP4D+ [282] and GFT [93] databases, which consist of around 0.6 million annotated frames. Annotated video is not always possible or desirable. We introduce an unsupervised Branch-and-Bound framework to discover correlated facial actions in un-annotated video. We term this approach Common Event Discovery (CED). We evaluate CED in video and motion capture data. CED achieved moderate convergence with supervised approaches and enabled discovery of novel patterns occult to supervised approaches.
Adaptive Evaluation of Portal Quality: An eGovernment Case

In this paper we describe a knowledge-based approach that enables the subjective evaluation of portal and e-service quality by users in an adaptive manner. The model for adaptive quality measurement (MAQM) comprises different ontologies including concepts regarding quality aspects, questions and questionnaires, portal characteristics and problems encountered by users while using the portal. A prototype adaptive questionnaire system (SALT) which uses the MAQM model is also described. The system applies three axes of adaptation: based on real-time feedback from users through questionnaires, based on problems encountered by the user and based on metadata of the pages visited by the user. The results of evaluating SALT, compared to a static questionnaire, in an Austrian e-Government portal, are indicative of the value added of our approach.
Le travail entre fonctionnement et développement

L'article porte sur les rapports entre fonctionnement et développement de l’activité psychologique dans l’analyse du travail. Il propose une situation de travail - celle de facteurs de la Poste - comme instrument de compréhension de ce problème. On montre d’abord comment Vygotski abordait ces questions en utilisant, ici, comme objet de réflexion, une expérimentation avec des enfants, mise au point par lui. On termine par l’énoncé, en conclusion, des quelques enseignements généraux qu’on peut tirer de ces analyses.
Energy Efficiency of Cross-Tier Base Station Cooperation in Heterogeneous Cellular Networks

Heterogeneous cellular networks (HetNets) are to be deployed for future wireless communication to meet the ever-increasing mobile traffic demand. However, the dense and random deployment of small cells and their uncoordinated operation raise important concerns about energy efficiency. Base station (BS) cooperation is set to play a key role in managing interference in the HetNets. In this paper, we consider BS cooperation in the downlink HetNets where BSs from different tiers within the respective cooperative clusters jointly transmit the same data to a typical user, and further optimize the energy efficiency performance. First, based on the proposed clustering model, we derive the spatial average rate using tools from stochastic geometry. Furthermore, we formulate a power minimization problem with a minimum spatial average rate constraint and derive an approximate result of the optimal received signal strength (RSS) thresholds. Building upon these results, we effectively address the problem of how to design appropriate RSS thresholds, taking into account the trade-off between spatial average rate and energy efficiency. Simulations show that our proposed clustering model is more energy-saving than the geometric clustering model, and under our proposed clustering model, deploying a two-tier HetNet is significantly more energy-saving compared to a macro-only network.
Model predictive control with repetitive control for periodic signal tracking and constraint handling of fast sampled-data control systems

This paper presents design and implementation of model predictive control with repetitive control for periodic signal tracking and constraint handling of fast sampled-data systems. An internal model based discrete time repetitive control law is integrated with the model predictive controller and the original problem is then transformed to a quadratic programming problem to deal with the given constraints. This heavy computational control was implemented on a piezo-actuated system at a 10 kHz sampling rate. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach for asymptotic error tracking of periodic reference profiles with constraint handling.
Real Time Enzyme Inhibition Assays Provide Insights into Differences in Binding of Neuraminidase Inhibitors to Wild Type and Mutant Influenza Viruses

The influenza neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors zanamivir, oseltamivir and peramivir were all designed based on the knowledge that the transition state analogue of the cleaved sialic acid, 2-deoxy,2,3-dehydro N-acetyl neuraminic acid (DANA) was a weak inhibitor of NA. While DANA bound rapidly to the NA, modifications leading to the improved potency of these new inhibitors also conferred a time dependent or slow binding phenotype. Many mutations in the NA leading to decreased susceptibility result in loss of slow binding, hence this is a phenotypic marker of many but not all resistant NAs. We present here a simplified approach to determine whether an inhibitor is fast or slow binding by extending the endpoint fluorescent enzyme inhibition assay to a real time assay and monitoring the changes in IC50s with time. We carried out two reactions, one with a 30 min preincubation with inhibitor and the second without. The enzymatic reaction was started via addition of substrate and IC50s were calculated after each 10 min interval up to 60 min. Results showed that without preincubation IC50s for the wild type viruses started high and although they decreased continuously over the 60 min reaction time the final IC50s remained higher than for pre-incubated samples. These results indicate a slow equilibrium of association and dissociation and are consistent with slow binding of the inhibitors. In contrast, for viruses with decreased susceptibility, preincubation had minimal effect on the IC50s, consistent with fast binding. Therefore this modified assay provides additional phenotypic information about the rate of inhibitor binding in addition to the IC50, and critically demonstrates the differential effect of incubation times on the IC50 and K i values of wild type and mutant viruses for each of the inhibitors.
The Insulin Receptor and Its Cellular Targets

The pleiotropic actions of insulin are mediated by a single receptor tyrosine kinase. Structure/function relationships of the insulin receptor have been conclusively established, and the early steps of insulin signaling are known in some detail. A generally accepted paradigm is that insulin receptors, acting through insulin receptor substrates, stimulate the lipid kinase activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. The rapid rise in Tris-phosphorylated inositol (PIP3) that ensues triggers a cascade of PIP3-dependent serine/threonine kinases. Among the latter, Akt (a product of the akt protooncogene) and atypical protein kinase C isoforms are thought to be involved in insulin regulation of glucose transport and oxidation; glycogen, lipid, and protein synthesis; and modulation of gene expression. The presence of multiple insulin-regulated, PIP3-dependent kinases is consistent with the possibility that different pathways are required to regulate different biological actions of insulin. Additional work remains .
Perceived Benefits of Adopting Continuous Delivery Practices

Context: In continuous delivery, the aim is that every feature passes through the integration and deployment pipeline, resulting in an immediately deployable product. This practice has been proposed to accelerate value delivery, improve software quality and increase developer productivity. Goal: We investigate the adoption of continuous delivery practices and evaluate the related benefits in a single customer-supplier organization. We focus on the perceived benefits of supplier and customer organizations during a five-year transition period. Method: We performed an exploratory case study. We used semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Results: Increased communication and collaboration between developers and customer was perceived as one of the core benefits. Other reported benefits were increased productivity, improved product quality, improved developer morale as well as infrastructural independence and organizational agnosticism. Conclusions: The results indicate that the adoption of continuous software engineering practices bring various benefits for both customers and developers, beyond mere increased pace of production deployments.
Trilobite G : A programming architecture for autonomous underwater vehicles

Programming autonomous systems can be challenging because many programming decisions must be made in real time and under stressful conditions, such as on a battle field, during a short communication window, or during a storm at sea. As such, new programming designs are needed to reflect these specific and extreme challenges. TrilobiteG is a programming architecture for buoyancy-driven autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), called gliders. Gliders are designed to spend weeks to months in the ocean, where they operate fully autonomously while submerged and can only communicate via satellite during their limited time at the surface. Based on the experience gained from a seven year long collaboration with two oceanographic institutes, the TrilobiteG architecture has been developed with the main goal of enabling users to run more effective missions. The TrilobiteG programming environment consists of a domain-specific language called ALGAE, a lower level service layer, and a set of real-time and faster-than-real-time simulators. The system has been used to program novel and robust glider behaviors, as well as to find software problems that otherwise may have remained undetected, with potentially catastrophic results. We believe that TrilobiteG can serve as a blueprint for other autonomous systems as well, and that TrilobiteG will motivate and enable a broader scientific community to work on extreme, realworld problems by using the simulation infrastructure.
Does collaborative hypertext support better engagement in learning of the basics in informatics?

Hypertext is a powerful cognitive tool supporting knowledge construction. We organized two courses about the basics in informatics using collaborative hypertext (experimental groups) based on the hyperbooks built by the students participating in the courses. Simultaneously, we ran two courses without collaborative hypertext (control groups). The study found that collaborative hypertext affects motivation equally regarding most themes of the basics in informatics.The result reflects the need for traditional uncomputerized learning methods in the basics of informatics or the need to concentrate on improving the truthfulness of hypertext-based learning. However, some students may benefit from collaborative hypertext under all circumstances.
A Novel Fast Intra-Mode Decision Algorithm for H.264/AVC

CABAC is the entropy coding method adopted in H.264/AVC main profile. RDO is the mode decision method commended by JVT, which can improve the performance of encoder markedly. However, the computation complexity of video encoding increases drastically. In this paper, we propose a novel fast intra-mode decision algorithm for H.264, based on transform-domain bit-rate estimation technique, using the estimated values of rate to calculate the Lagrange cost instead of the real values after entropy coding, thus avoiding the process of entropy coding in mode decision and reducing the computing time for video encoding. Besides, the intra-mode decisions for luma and chroma components are performed independently, which avoids the two-layer nested iteration in mode decision. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm saves about 80% of total encoding time while the losses of PSNR and bit-rate are negligible for IIII sequence.
A high-performance micropower switched-capacitor filter

A description is given of a high-performance fifth-order low-pass switched-capacitor filter operating form a single 5-V supply. The filter uses a fully differential topology combined with input-to-output class AB amplifier design, dynamic biasing, and switched-capacitor common-mode feedback. An experimental prototype fabricated in a 5-/spl mu/m CMOS technology requires only 350 /spl mu/W of power to meet the PCM channel filter requirements. Typical measured results are: a dynamic range of 92 dB; a supply rejection (PSRR) of 40 dB over the entire Nyquist range; and a total harmonic distortion of -73 dB for a 2-V r.m.s. differential output signal. The chip active area is about 3900 mil/SUP 2/.
Single Camera Stereo for Mobile RobotWorld

This paper introduces a single-camera-based stereo vision system used on a mobile robot, Boticelli. The design of the system is described, the range data error analysis is presented and the sensor model which assigns the values of evidence to the registered data is built. The application of the proposed system for mobile robot world exploration is shown.
Prototype of New Business Process Visualization Tool

Since around 2000, many companies have worked to create interorganizational cooperation, which can solve the problem of a lack of resources when creating new business. In the real world, many companies cannot find the holder of necessary resources, and they cannot conduct proper interor-ganizational cooperation. To solve these problems, we propose a business process visualization tool.
Student Projects in Language and Speech Technology

The paper reports on term homework and projects in correlation with Natural Language Processing courses delivered at the Faculty of Computer Science of the “Al.I. Cuza” University of Iaşi (UAIC-FII) to both undergraduate students in Computer Science and graduate students enrolled in the Master Programme in Computational Linguistics, during the university year 2003-2004. All projects make heavy use of language resources, in either written or spoken form.
Overexpression of Activating Transcription Factor-2 Is Required for Tumor Growth and Progression in Mouse Skin Tumors

Activating transcription factor (ATF)-2 is a member of the ATF/cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein family of transcription factors. It has been shown, in vitro, to possess growth factor-independent proliferation and transformation capacity. The information concerning the involvement of ATF-2 in carcinogenesis is rather limited. In a previous report, we showed a progressive increase in the levels of various activator protein (AP)-1 components, including phosphorylated ATF-2, in a series of mouse skin cell lines that represented developmental stages of the mouse skin carcinogenesis system. In the present study, we examined in detail the role of ATF-2 in the development of mouse skin spindle cells A5 and CarB, which correspond to the late and most aggressive stage of the mouse skin carcinogenesis model. To address this issue, we overexpressed a dominant negative form of ATF-2 in the A5 and CarB cell lines and examined their behavior in vitro and in vivo at the molecular and cellular level. The stable transfectants expressed decreased levels of phosphorylated ATF-2 and c-Jun. Subsequently, we observed that dominant negative ATF-2 affected the composition and reduced the activity of AP-1. The above biochemical changes were followed, both in vitro and in vivo in BALB/c severe combined immunodeficient mice, by suppression of the aggressive characteristics of the A5 and CarB mouse skin spindle cells. We attributed this behavior to the significant down-regulation of cyclin D1, cyclin A, and ATF-3, known AP-1 targets implicated in cell cycle control and promotion. In conclusion, our findings underscore a key regulatory role of ATF-2 in tumor growth and progression of mouse skin tumors.
Incremental and Hierarchical Document Clustering

Over the past few decades, the volume of existing text data increased exponentially. Automatic tools to organize these huge collections of documents are becoming unprecedentedly important. Document clustering is important for organizing automatically documents into clusters. Most of the clustering algorithms process document collections as a whole; however, it is important to process these documents dynamically. This research aims to develop an incremental algorithm of hierarchical document clustering where each document is processed as soon as it is available. The algorithm is based on two well-known data clustering algorithms (COBWEB and CLASSIT), which create hierarchies of probabilistic concepts, and seldom have been applied to text data. The main contribution of this research is a new framework for incremental document clustering, based on extended versions of these algorithms in conjunction with a set of traditional techniques, modified to work in incremental environments.