Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope in normal healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND To elucidate the intertest agreement of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) in comparison with those of the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT). METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A comparative study. SETTING Institutional practice. A total of 19 healthy volunteers underwent two sessions of maximal exercise testing with an interval of no more than 7 days. The testing was conducted on a cycle ergometer with the work rate increased by either 20, 30, or 40 Watts (W)/min so that the subject would reach exhaustion within 9 to 12 min of exercise. VAT was defined as the level of oxygen uptake (VO2) at which either an increase in the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen without a concomitant increase in the ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide or a change in the slope of the linear relationship between carbon-dioxide production (VCO2) and VO2 occurred. OUES was determined by the following equation: VO2 = a log VE + b, where VE was minute ventilation and "a" was the OUES. Intertest reproducibility was assessed by coefficient of repeatability (COR). RESULTS The intertest reproducibility of VO2max and OUES were excellent (COR = 570 ml/min [16%] and 740 [20%], respectively). VAT showed poor agreement between the two tests (COR = 650 ml/min [31%]). CONCLUSIONS Results show that OUES is reproducible and reliable, supporting the clinical usefulness of this index.
Reference values of reticulocyte counts in five age groups of healthy infants at Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES To determine the reference range values of reticulocyte counts among various infantile age groups at tertiary care hospitals. METHODS The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Haematology Department of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi, from March 2010 to March 2011. The sample size was 2000 which was equally distributed between males and females across five age groups. < 27 days Group I; 03 months Group II; 06 months Group III; 09 months Group IV; and 1 year Group V. Each group had 400 patients. Reticulocyte staining was used to calculate the percentage of reticulocyte in all the groups. SPSS 15 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Gender had no effect on reticulocyte count in all the five groups. The average range of reticulocyte count was 5.1 to 7.5 in Group I, observed in 272 (68%) infants, with a mean value of 1.58 +/- 0.65. For all the remaining groups, 7.6 to 10 was the average range. The mean reticulocyte count value in Group II was 0.73 +/- 0.37, while the values were 0.83 +/- 0.44, 0.82 +/- 0.44 and 0.80 +/- 0.43 in Group III, Group IV and Group V respectively. A significant difference was seen between Group I and the remaining four (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Reference values of reticulocyte counts currently used in our region were somewhat different from those currently used.
Design space exploration and optimization of path oblivious RAM in secure processors

Keeping user data private is a huge problem both in cloud computing and computation outsourcing. One paradigm to achieve data privacy is to use tamper-resistant processors, inside which users' private data is decrypted and computed upon. These processors need to interact with untrusted external memory. Even if we encrypt all data that leaves the trusted processor, however, the address sequence that goes off-chip may still leak information. To prevent this address leakage, the security community has proposed ORAM (Oblivious RAM). ORAM has mainly been explored in server/file settings which assume a vastly different computation model than secure processors. Not surprisingly, naïvely applying ORAM to a secure processor setting incurs large performance overheads. In this paper, a recent proposal called Path ORAM is studied. We demonstrate techniques to make Path ORAM practical in a secure processor setting. We introduce background eviction schemes to prevent Path ORAM failure and allow for a performance-driven design space exploration. We propose a concept called super blocks to further improve Path ORAM's performance, and also show an efficient integrity verification scheme for Path ORAM. With our optimizations, Path ORAM overhead drops by 41.8%, and SPEC benchmark execution time improves by 52.4% in relation to a baseline configuration. Our work can be used to improve the security level of previous secure processors.
Degrees of Freedom for a Class of MIMO Networks with Random Medium Access Control Mechanism

This paper studies a multiple access network with K users and one Access Point (AP). It is assumed that users and the AP are equipped with M and N antennas, respectively. To access the network, each user in d pe dently decides whether to transmit in a time slot or not (no coordina tio between users). In this paper, we first focus on two-user random access networks and determine the optimal v alue of network average Degrees of Freedom (DoF). We further present a simple transmission scheme which achie ves this maximum value. Generalizing the results to K-user networks, we propose an upper-bound for the network av erage DoF. This upper-bound is then analyzed for different network configurations and we determine the ne twork classes in which the proposed upper-bound is tight. It is also shown that in most network settings the uppe r-bound can be achieved using simple single stream data transmission. However, for some network configuration s we need to apply multi-stream data transmission in conjunction with interference alignment to reach to the upp er-bound. Some illustrative examples are also presented in the paper.
University of Birmingham Time-and Temperature-Dependent Activation of Hepatitis C Virus for Low-pH-Triggered Entry

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important human pathogen associated with chronic liver disease. Recently, based on a genotype 2a isolate, tissue culture systems supporting complete replication and infectious virus production have been developed. In this study, we used cell culture-produced infectious HCV to analyze the viral entry pathway into Huh-7.5 cells. Baﬁlomycin A1 and concanamycin A, inhibitors of vacuolar ATPases, prevented HCV entry when they were present prior to infection and had minimal effect on downstream replication events. HCV entry therefore appears to be pH dependent, requiring an acidiﬁed intracellular compartment. For many other enveloped viruses, acidic pH triggers an irreversible conformational change, which promotes virion-endosomal membrane fusion. Such viruses are often inactivated by low pH. In the case of HCV, exposure of virions to acidic pH followed by return to neutral pH did not affect their infectivity. This parallels the observation made for the related pestivirus bovine viral diarrhea virus. Low pH could activate the entry of cell surface-bound HCV but only after prolonged incubation at 37°C. This suggests that there are rate-limiting, postbinding events that are needed to render HCV competent for low-pH-triggered entry. Such events may involve interaction with a cellular coreceptor or other factors but do not require cathepsins B and L, late endosomal proteases that activate Ebola virus and reovirus for entry. Hepatitis C virus (
Development of Miniature Camera Module Integrated With Solid Tunable Lens Driven by MEMS-Thermal Actuator

The design, fabrication, assembly, and characterization of a miniature adjustable-focus camera module driven by MEMS-thermal actuators are presented. The camera module consists of one solid tunable lens for optical power variation, two identical MEMS-thermal actuators integrated with displacement amplifiers for lens element driving, a CMOS image sensor for recording, and necessary CNC fabricated components for supporting and housing. Fully 3D-multiphysics simulations with valid material properties are performed to explore the design and, hence, optimize the performance of the system. In this paper, the fabricated MEMS-devices are clearly demonstrated, and followed by the detailed characterization of the camera module. Static characterizations of the system, including the temperature distribution on actuators, electric resistance change with temperature increase, displacement-voltage curve of actuator, and the focal length tuning capability, are tested. Dynamic response speed and imaging performance of the camera module are also covered. Results show that the designed MEMS actuator is able to provide a maximum output displacement of 135 $\mu \text{m}$ when a 10 V driving voltage is applied. Driven by the thermal actuator, the solid tunable lens presents a repeatable focal length tuning from 9.2 to 7.9 mm with precise focus control. The adjustable-focus capability of the miniature camera module is experimentally demonstrated by clearly focusing targets placed at different object distances. [2016-0072]
Approximation Algorithms for Route Planning with Nonlinear Objectives

We consider optimal route planning when the objective function is a general nonlinear and non-monotonic function. Such an objective models user behavior more accurately, for example, when a user is risk-averse, or the utility function needs to capture a penalty for early arrival. It is known that as non-linearity arises, the problem can become NP-hard and little is known on computing optimal solutions when in addition there is no monotonicity guarantee. We show that an approximately optimal non-simple path can be efficiently computed under some natural constraints. In particular, we provide a fully polynomial approximation scheme under hop constraints. Our approximation algorithm can extend to run in pseudo-polynomial time under an additional linear constraint that sometimes is useful. As a by-product, we show that our algorithm can be applied to the problem of finding a path that is most likely to be on time for a given deadline.
Alternative confidence intervals for the assessment of bioequivalence in four‐period cross‐over designs

Bioequivalence studies are conducted to demonstrate equivalence in the bioavailability of the active ingredient in different formulations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires pharmaceutical companies to show bioequivalence between different formulations or generic companies to show bioequivalence between generic drugs and brand drugs before approval. A recent FDA guidance on bioequivalence proposes criteria for assessment of population bioequivalence (PBE) and individual bioequivalence (IBE) in a four‐period cross‐over design. In this paper, computer simulation is used to compare modified large sample (MLS) upper bounds with those proposed by the FDA to test for both PBE and IBE. The comparison criteria are the ability to maintain the stated test size and the simulated power of tests based on these bounds. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imperatives and Challenges in using E-Government to Combat Corruption: A Systematic Review of Literature and a Holistic Model

Corruption, both bureaucratic and political, exists in various forms. Causes and effects of corruption have been documented in various academic and practitioner forums. Developing countries are plagued by rampant corruption caused by several economic, cultural, social and regulatory factors and are struggling to make changes to control and combat corruption. e-Government and e-Participation systems can substantially reduce corruption. Through a comprehensive literature review of over 100 published papers, we analyze the different theoretical models, empirical data and conclusions relating to e-government and its role in combating corruption. We decoct and synthesize the review to evolve four dominant themes relating to the association of e-government with corruption and propose a holistic model of the same. We also examine the challenges associated with each of the themes. We believe this model can be validated by researchers in different contexts while such a holistic understanding can help practitioners view potential solutions differently.
Moral Entitlements and Aspiration Formation in Asymmetric Bargaining: Experimental Evidence from Germany and China

Using a unique experimental data set, we investigate how asymmetric legal rights shape bargainers’ aspiration levels through moral entitlements derived from equity norms and number prominence. Aspiration formation is typically hard to observe in real life. Our study involves 15 negotiations from Germany and China. Over the course of the negotiation, bargainers discuss the distribution of an amount of money by alternating offers until they consent or break off. Legal rights are randomly assigned by asymmetric outside options. We videotape and code the in-group discussions. In total, verbal data from 30 groups, 1100 pages of transcripts, and 65 h of discussions are content-analyzed. Our main finding is that strong groups derive and defend moral entitlements from equity concerns with regard to their outside options. They strive for equitable but unequal distributions (e.g., proportional split and split the difference). Moral entitlements materialize in the recorded aspiration levels and final payoffs, which exceed the equal split. By contrast, weak groups aim at equality. Over the course of the negotiation, equity tends to lose, while the prominence of round numbers gains importance. Similarities between the subject pools are found in that equity and prominence are both decisive for the formation of aspiration levels. Chinese negotiations are characterized by long periods of stagnation, only minimal concessions, and the communication of false goals. By contrast, Germans steadily reduce their goals and make concessions.
Comparison of direct and indirect immunofluorescence staining of clinical specimens for detection of respiratory syncytial virus antigen

Immunofluorescence staining methods for respiratory syncytial virus antigen detection were compared. Of 50 specimens originally positive for respiratory syncytial virus by direct immunofluorescence and culture, 49 were positive by repeat direct immunofluorescence and 32 were positive by indirect immunofluorescence. Additional results obtained on specimens originally negative for respiratory syncytial virus by direct immunofluorescence, culture, or both indicate that direct immunofluorescence staining for respiratory syncytial virus antigen was more sensitive than was indirect immunofluorescence.
A fast and efficient algorithm for low-rank approximation of a matrix

The low-rank matrix approximation problem involves finding of a rank k version of a m x n matrix A, labeled Ak, such that Ak is as "close" as possible to the best SVD approximation version of A at the same rank level. Previous approaches approximate matrix A by non-uniformly adaptive sampling some columns (or rows) of A, hoping that this subset of columns contain enough information about A. The sub-matrix is then used for the approximation process. However, these approaches are often computationally intensive due to the complexity in the adaptive sampling. In this paper, we propose a fast and efficient algorithm which at first pre-processes matrix A in order to spread out information (energy) of every columns (or rows) of A, then randomly selects some of its columns (or rows). Finally, a rank-k approximation is generated from the row space of these selected sets. The preprocessing step is performed by uniformly randomizing signs of entries of A and transforming all columns of A by an orthonormal matrix F with existing fast implementation (e.g. Hadamard, FFT, DCT.). Our main contribution is summarized as follows. 1) We show that by uniformly selecting at random d rows of the preprocessed matrix with d = ( 1/η k max {log k, log 1/β} ), we guarantee the relative Frobenius norm error approximation: (1 + η) norm{A - Ak}F with probability at least 1 - 5β. 2) With d above, we establish a spectral norm error approximation: (2 + √2m/d) norm{A - Ak}2 with probability at least 1 - 2β. 3) The algorithm requires 2 passes over the data and runs in time (mn log d + (m+n) d2) which, as far as the best of our knowledge, is the fastest algorithm when the matrix A is dense. 4) As a bonus, applying this framework to the well-known least square approximation problem min norm{A x - b} where A ∈ Rm x r, we show that by randomly choosing d = (1/η γ r log m), the approximation solution is proportional to the optimal one with a factor of η and with extremely high probability, (1 - 6 m-γ), say.
Automatic Numeric Characters Recognition of Kilowatt-Hour Meter

Measurements of electricity use can be used in many ways. They allow a utility customer to control electricity consumption (and demand), determine typical consumption, and evaluate opportunities for improving energy efficiency. The most common device to measure electricity consumption is a kilowatt hour meter which can display the quantity of electric power used at fixed periods. In this paper we present an algorithm for characters recognition of Watt-hour meters M1A-T - Nansen model. The proposed algorithm consists of three major stages. First the homomorphic filter is applied to reduce the effects of non-homogenous illumination. Then the extraction of specific area including characters is performed. The last stage of the method consists of using the K-Nearest Neighbors (K-NN) algorithm to recognize automatically the numeric characters of the kilowatt-hour meters. Based on the experimental results, we noted that our algorithm achieved a high accuracy.
Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis in the Czech Republic

Twelve confirmed cases of equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA) and five additional suspected cases, showing a compatible clinical history and specific IgG titres of 1280 or above, were recorded in the Czech Republic during the period 2002 to 2008. The diagnosis was based on clinical signs, the detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum morulae in neutrophils in blood smears, serology and molecular methods. Pyrexia (39.8 to 41.3°C), depression, partial or total anorexia, limb oedema and icterus were the most frequently observed clinical abnormalities. Haematological examination revealed thrombocytopenia in all the horses, and mild anaemia and leucopenia in five of them. Several horses showed high titres of specific antibodies immediately after onset of the disease, suggesting that they had previously been exposed to A phagocytophilum. Genotyping of the A phagocytophilum strains distinguished two genetic variants, with divergence in the sequence of the ank gene of the bacterium, circulating in the Czech Republic.
Internet of Everything: A Large-Scale Autonomic IoT Gateway

Gateways are emerging as a key element of bringing legacy and next generation devices to the Internet of Things (IoT). They integrate protocols for networking, help manage storage and edge analytics on the data, and facilitate data flow securely between edge devices and the cloud. Current IoT gateways solve the communication gap between field control/sensor nodes and customer cloud, enabling field data to be harnessed for manufacturing process optimization, remote management, and preventive maintenance. However, these gateways do not support fully-automatic configuration of newly added IoT devices. In this paper, we proposed a self-configurable gateway featuring real time detection and configuration of smart things over the wireless networks. This novel gateway’s main features are: dynamic discovery of home IoT device(s), automatic updates of hardware changes, connection management of smart things connected over AllJoyn. We use the ‘option’ field for automatic configuration of IoT devices rather than modify standard format of CoAP protocol. Proposed gateway functionality has been validated over the large-scale IoT testbed.
Salicylic Acid Perturbs sRNA-Gibberellin Regulatory Network in Immune Response of Potato to Potato virus Y Infection

Potato virus Y is the most economically important potato viral pathogen. We aimed at unraveling the roles of small RNAs (sRNAs) in the complex immune signaling network controlling the establishment of tolerant response of potato cv. Désirée to the virus. We constructed a sRNA regulatory network connecting sRNAs and their targets to link sRNA level responses to physiological processes. We discovered an interesting novel sRNAs-gibberellin regulatory circuit being activated as early as 3 days post inoculation before viral multiplication can be detected. Increased levels of miR167 and phasiRNA931 were reflected in decreased levels of transcripts involved in gibberellin biosynthesis. Moreover, decreased concentration of gibberellin confirmed this regulation. The functional relation between lower activity of gibberellin signaling and reduced disease severity was previously confirmed in Arabidopsis-virus interaction using knockout mutants. We further showed that this regulation is salicylic acid-dependent as the response of sRNA network was attenuated in salicylic acid-depleted transgenic counterpart NahG-Désirée expressing severe disease symptoms. Besides downregulation of gibberellin signaling, regulation of several other parts of sRNA network in tolerant Désirée revealed similarities to responses observed in mutualistic symbiotic interactions. The intertwining of different regulatory networks revealed shows how developmental signaling, disease symptom development and stress signaling can be balanced.
Primary Social Attitudes as Related to Social Class and Political Party

tN A previous paper [42, the striter has reported an attempt to study the | organization of attitudes in a middle-elass urban British sample. Age, Aedueation and sex vvere earefully controlled, and the sample vas selected in sueh a way that the three major politieal parties were equally represented. A forty-item attitude questionnaire was answered by 250 eonservatives, 250 lilerals and 250 soeialists, equated for a^,e, sex and edueation; these 40 items ssere intereorrelated for the total sample of 750, and the resulting matrix faetor-analysed. Two major faetors emerged eonfirming essentially a former study analysing responses of I,500 subjeets [3]. One of the faetors *^as easily identifiable in terms of the radieal-eonservative diehotomy. Proof of the eorreet identifieation of this faetor was supplied in terms of an early applieation of the writer's teehnique of " eriterion analysis " [5], by eorrelating the eolumn of faetor saturations with a Criterion Column whieh was eonstrueted by tal;ing, for eaeh item, the differenee in endorsement of that item between the eonsenrative and soeialist groups. This eorrelation was highly signifieant (r 0 98), thus supporting the tentative identifieation of this faetor. The seeond faetor was less elearly identifiable with any existing soeiologieal or psrehologieal eoneept, and provisionally the terms " tender-mindedness " and " tough-mindedness " were adopted from W. James's xvritings to eharaeterize the extremes of this bi-polar faetor. Relatively high values for the index of reliability were shown to eharaeterize two fourteen-item seales derived from the original set of items to measure the two faetors R and T respeetively; these values show that both seales are measuring with a eertain amount of eonsisteney some hypothetieal underlying variables in terms of szrhieh the obsersFed intereorrelations ean be interpreted [2, 4]. The faet that the eorrelation bet^reen R and T is effeetisFely equal to zero (r _-*I2) iS further proof of the independenee of these two faetors. The three politieal parties studied sere shown to be differentiated very signifieantly with respeet to the