Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum Cardiac Markers in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: Oxidative Stress, C-Reactive Protein and N-Terminal Probrain Natriuretic Peptide

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of an oxidative stress, C-reactive protein (CRP) and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The study population contained 100 patients with AMI and 40 healthy subjects. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Total antioxidant status (TAC) was assayed with colorimetric method. CRP and NT-proBNP was quantitated by immunoassay. MDA, CRP and NT-proBNP levels were found significantly high in patients with AMI as compared to healthy controls (p<0.01). Patients were divided into six groups based on the presence of disease history before AMI. In patients with non-disease before AMI. MDA, CRP and NT-proBNP levels were lowest among the patient groups. MDA levels in patients with hyperlipidemia/ diabetes/renal disease were higher than the other groups. TAC levels in patients with hypertension were lower than as compared to healthy controls (p<0.05). CRP levels in hypertension + hyperlipidemia patients and NT-proBNP levels in cardiovascular + hypertension patients were found high as compared to other patient groups. It is concluded that serum levels of MDA, CRP and NT-proBNP were significantly increased in patients with AMI and these markers were strongly predictive in AMI.
The impact of welfare benefits on the conjugal status of single mothers in Canada.

This paper focuses on the determinants of the likelihood of a remarriage (marriage) for female heads with children. Using retrospective data from Statistics Canadas 1990 Family History Survey the study attempts to identify which socioeconomic characteristics of single mothers are conducive to conjugal union formation (formal or informal). Particular attention is given to external time-varying economic covariates so as to disentangle the impact they exert on single mothers propensity to start living with a (new) partner. The empirical analysis is carried out using a proportional hazards model which permits the estimation of the effects of various covariates on the hazard of exiting single parenthood. The most striking result is the strong effect of provincial welfare benefits on conjugal union formation. However the analysis reveals that single motherhood far from representing a final state remains a transitory situation for a majority of women. (EXCERPT)
Identification of a Novel Regulator for the Escherichia coli fit Iron Transport System

The Escherichia coli fit iron transport system consists of 6 genes, fitA, B, C, D, E and fitR. Based on in silico analysis, FitA-E composes a typical bacterial iron transporter, while FitR was deduced to be a regulator. In this paper the regulation of fit expression by FitR was studied using a quantitative RT-PCR technique and a lacZ reporter assay. It was found that fit expression was repressed when FitR was over-expressed and de-repressed when fitR was knocked out by mutation. When the mutation in fitR was complemented in trans- with the wild type fitR gene, repression of fit expression by FitR was restored. Finally, recombinant FitR was found to bind to the fit promoter DNA when employed in an electrophoretic mobility-shift assay. These results demonstrated that fitR encodes an auto-repressor for the E. coli fit system.
Inference of Population History by Coupling Exploratory and Model-Driven Phylogeographic Analyses

Understanding the nature, timing and geographic context of historical events and population processes that shaped the spatial distribution of genetic diversity is critical for addressing questions relating to speciation, selection, and applied conservation management. Cladistic analysis of gene trees has been central to phylogeography, but when coupled with approaches that make use of different components of the information carried by DNA sequences and their frequencies, the strength and resolution of these inferences can be improved. However, assessing concordance of inferences drawn using different analytical methods or genetic datasets, and integrating their outcomes, can be challenging. Here we overview the strengths and limitations of different types of genetic data, analysis methods, and approaches to historical inference. We then turn our attention to the potentially synergistic interactions among widely-used and emerging phylogeographic analyses, and discuss some of the ways that spatial and temporal concordance among inferences can be assessed. We close this review with a brief summary and outlook on future research directions.
Latent Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Infection of Endothelial Cells Activates Hypoxia-Induced Factors

ABSTRACT Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV-8) is the etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma, a highly vascularized, endothelial-derived tumor. A direct role for KSHV-mediated induction of angiogenesis has been proposed based upon the nature of the neoplasia and various KSHV gene overexpression and infection model systems. We have found that KSHV infection of endothelial cells induces mRNA of hypoxia-induced factor 1α (HIF1α) and HIF2α, two homologous alpha subunits of the heterodimeric transcription factor HIF. HIF is a master regulator of both developmental and pathological angiogenesis, composed of an oxygen-sensitive alpha subunit and a constitutively expressed beta subunit. HIF is classically activated posttranscriptionally with hypoxia, leading to increased protein stability of HIF1α and/or HIF2α. However, we demonstrate that both alpha subunits are up-regulated at the transcript level by KSHV infection. The transcriptional activation of HIF leads to a functional increase in HIF activity under normoxic conditions, as demonstrated by both luciferase reporter assay and the increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1), an HIF-responsive gene. KSHV infection synergizes with hypoxia mimics and induces higher expression levels of HIF1α and HIF2α protein, and HIF1α is increased in a significant proportion of the latently infected endothelial cells. Src family kinases are required for the activation of HIF and the downstream gene VEGFR1 by KSHV. We also show that KS lesions, in vivo, express elevated levels of HIF1α and HIF2α proteins. Thus, KSHV stimulates the HIF pathway via transcriptional up-regulation of both HIF alphas, and this activation may play a role in KS formation, localization, and progression.
Model risk for barrier options when priced under different lévy dynamics

Barrier options are options whose payoff depends on whether or not the underlying asset price hits a certain level – the barrier – during the life of the option. Closed–form solutions for the prices of these path–dependent options are available in the Black–Scholes framework. It is well–known, however, that the Black–Scholes model does not price even the so–called vanilla options correctly. There are a number of popular asset price models based on exponential Lévy dynamics which are all able to capture the volatility smile, i.e. reproduce market–observed prices of vanilla options. This thesis investigates the potential model risk associated with the pricing of barrier options in several exponential Lévy models. First, the Variance Gamma, Normal Inverse Gaussian and CGMY models are calibrated to market–observed vanilla option prices. Barrier option prices are then evaluated in these models using Monte Carlo methods. The prices obtained are then compared to each other, as well as the Black–Scholes prices. It is observed that the different exponential Lévy models yield barrier option prices which are quite close to each other, though quite different from the Black–Scholes prices. This suggests that the associated model risk is low. University of Stellenbosch: http://scholar.sun.ac.za
Lost & Found in Translation: Impact of Machine Translated Results on Translingual Information Retrieval

In an ideal cross-lingual information retrieval (CLIR) system, a user query would generate a search over documents in a different language and the relevant results would be presented in the user’s language. In practice, CLIR systems are typically evaluated by judging result relevance in the document language, to factor out the effects of translating the results using machine translation (MT). In this paper, we investigate the influence of four different approaches for integrating MT and CLIR on both retrieval accuracy and user judgment of relevancy. We create a corpus with relevance judgments for both human and machine translated results, and use it to quantify the effect that MT quality has on end-to-end relevance. We find that MT errors result in a 16-39% decrease in mean average precision over the ground truth system that uses human translations. MT errors also caused relevant sentences to appear irrelevant – 5-19% of sentences were relevant in human translation, but were judged irrelevant in MT. To counter this degradation, we present two hybrid retrieval models and two automatic MT post-editing techniques and show that these approaches substantially mitigate the errors and improve the end-to-end relevance.
Information-theoretic feature selection algorithms for text classification

A major characteristic of text document classification problem is extremely high dimensionality of text data. In this paper, we present four new algorithms for feature/word selection for the purpose of text classification. We use sequential forward selection methods based on improved mutual information criterion functions. The performance of the proposed evaluation functions compared to the information gain which evaluate features individually is discussed. We present experimental results using naive Bayes classifier based on multinomial model, linear support vector machine and k-nearest neighbor classifiers on the Reuters data set. Finally, we analyze the experimental results from various perspectives, including precision, recall and F/sub 1/-measure. Preliminary experimental results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed feature selection algorithms in a text classification.
Pairwise coupled hybrid vanadium dioxide-MOSFET (HVFET) oscillators for non-boolean associative computing

Information processing applications related to associative computing like image / pattern recognition consume excessive computational resources in the Boolean processing framework. This motivates the exploration of a non-Boolean computing approach for such applications. In this work, we demonstrate, (i) novel hybrid set of pair-wise coupled oscillators comprising of vanadium dioxide (VO2) metal-insulator-transition (MIT) system integrated with MOSFET; (ii) degree of synchronization between oscillators based on input analog voltage difference; (iii) implementation of hardware platform for fast and efficient evaluation of Lk fractional distance norm (k<;1); (iv) improved quality of image processing and ~20X lower power consumption of the coupled oscillators over a CMOS accelerator.
Patterns of Photometric and Chromospheric Variation among Sun-like Stars: A 20 Year Perspective

We examine patterns of variation of 32 primarily main-sequence Sun-like stars [selected at project onset as stars on or near the main sequence and color index 0.42 ≤ (B - V) ≤ 1.4], extending our previous 7-12 yr time series to 13-20 yr by combining Strömgren b, y photometry from Lowell Observatory with similar data from Fairborn Observatory. Parallel chromospheric Ca II H and K emission data from the Mount Wilson Observatory span the entire interval. The extended data strengthen the relationship between chromospheric and brightness variability at visible wavelengths derived previously. We show that the full range of photometric variation has probably now been observed for a majority of the program stars. Twenty-seven stars are deemed variable according to an objective statistical criterion. On a year-to-year timescale, young active stars become fainter when their Ca II emission increases, while older less active stars such as the Sun become brighter when their Ca II emission increases. The Sun's total irradiance variation, scaled to the b and y stellar filter photometry, still appears to be somewhat smaller than stars in our limited sample with similar mean chromospheric activity, but we now regard this discrepancy as probably due mainly to our limited stellar sample.
Context-enhanced vessel prediction based on Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes using historical AIS traffic patterns: Real-world experimental results

Traffic route analysis and prediction are both essential for maritime security. Specifically, the prediction of a vessel position is useful to provide alerts about upcoming events (e.g., opportunities and threats). However, accurate prediction along a route in the maritime domain is a challenging task, due to the complex and dynamic nature of traffic patterns. This paper presents a vessel prediction method, based on the popular Ornstein-Uhlenbeck stochastic processes, whose parameters are estimated from historical patterns of life. The historical traffic routes are obtained by pre-processing Automatic Identification System (AIS) data via the CMRE tool called Traffic Route Extraction for Anomaly Detection (TREAD). These recurrent routes allow prediction of the position of a vessel that is following one of these routes, surprisingly, by several hours. The method is validated using a case study related to the second data campaign of the EC FP7 Project New Service Capabilities for Integrated and Advanced Maritime Surveillance (NEREIDS)1. We demonstrate that the prediction accuracy is well represented by the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model.
Scavenger Receptor BI Prevents Nitric Oxide–Induced Cytotoxicity and Endotoxin-Induced Death

Nitric oxide (NO)-induced oxidative stress contributes to a variety of diseases. Although numerous mechanisms have been described controlling the production of NO, the mechanisms to prevent NO-induced cytotoxicity after NO synthesis are largely unknown. Here we report that scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) prevents NO-induced cytotoxicity. Using CHO cell lines expressing wild-type and single-site mutant SR-BI protein, we demonstrate that SR-BI prevents NO-induced cytotoxicity and that a highly conserved CXXS redox motif is required for the anti-NO cytotoxicity activity of SR-BI. Using genetically manipulated mice, we demonstrate that SR-BI–null mice have a 3- to 4-fold increase in tyrosine nitrated proteins in aorta and liver compared with wild-type littermates, indicating that expression of SR-BI prevents peroxynitrite formation in vivo. Using lipopolysacharide (LPS)-challenged mice as an in vivo model of NO-induced cytotoxicity, we found that a single dose of LPS (120 000 U/g IP) induced 90% fatality of SR-BI–null mice within 3 days, whereas all of the wild-type littermates survived (n=20), demonstrating that SR-BI is highly protective against NO cytotoxicity in vivo. Importantly, SR-BI prevents LPS-induced death without eliminating NO production, suggesting that SR-BI prevents NO-induced cytotoxicity post-NO synthesis. Our study describes a novel observation that may shed new light on the treatment of nitric oxidative stress–associated diseases, such as septic shock.
Capacity Provisioning, Failure Recovery and Throughput Analysis for Low Earth Orbit Satellite Constellations

We investigate the capacity needed to build a restorable satellite network and design routing schemes to achieve high throughput. Speci cally, the rst part of this thesis considers the link capacity requirement for a LEO satellite constellation. We model the constellation as an N N mesh-torus topology under a uniform all-to-all traÆc model. Both primary capacity and spare capacity for recovering from a link or node failure are examined. In both cases, we use a method of \cuts on a graph" to obtain lower bounds on capacity requirements and subsequently nd algorithms for routing and failure recovery that meet these bounds. Finally, we quantify the bene ts of path based restoration over that of link based restoration; speci cally, we nd that the spare capacity requirement for a link based restoration scheme is nearly N times that for a path based scheme. In the second part of this thesis, we consider a packet switching satellite network in which each node independently generates packets with a xed probability during each time slot. With a limited number of transmitters and bu er space onboard each satellite, contention for transmission inevitably occurs as multiple packets arrived at a node. We consider three routing schemes in resolving these contentions: Shortest Hops Win, Random Packet Win and Oldest Packet Win; and evaluate their performance in terms of throughput. Under no bu er case, the throughput of the three schemes are signi cantly di erent. However, there is no appreciable di erence in the throughput when bu er is available at each node. Also, a small bu er size at each node can achieve the same throughput performance as that of in nite bu er size. Simulations suggests that our theoretical throughput analysis is very accurate. Thesis Supervisor: Eytan Modiano Title: Assistant Professor
An Overview of Monitoring Tools for Big Data and Cloud Applications

This paper makes a short overview of current state of the art monitoring tools for cloud and big data frameworks. In order to effectively create, test and deploy new algorithms or frameworks one needs suitable monitoring solutions. Hence we aim on creating a critical overview for some of the monitoring solutions existing on the market. Also we present relevant metrics used for monitoring cloud and big data applications, focused mainly on cloud deployment scenarios for big data frameworks.
The personal norm of reciprocity

Reciprocity is here considered as an internalized social norm, and a questionnaire to measure individual differences in the internalized norm of reciprocity is presented. The questionnaire, Personal Norm of Reciprocity (PNR), measures three aspects of reciprocity: positive reciprocity, negative reciprocity, and beliefs in reciprocity. The PNR has been developed and tested in two cultures, British and Italian, for a total of 951 participants. A cross‐cultural study provides evidence of good psychometric properties and generalizability of the PNR. Data provide evidence for criterion validity and show that positive and negative reciprocators behave in different ways as a function of the valence (positive or negative) of the other's past behaviour, the type of feasible reaction (reward versus punishment), and the fairness of their reaction. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Copper Response Element and Crr1-Dependent Ni2+-Responsive Promoter for Induced, Reversible Gene Expression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

ABSTRACT The Cpx1 and Cyc6 genes of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are activated in copper-deficient cells via a signal transduction pathway that requires copper response elements (CuREs) and a copper response regulator defined by the CRR1 locus. The two genes can also be activated by provision of nickel or cobalt ions in the medium. The response to nickel ions requires at least one CuRE and also CRR1 function, suggesting that nickel interferes with a component in the nutritional copper signal transduction pathway. Nickel does not act by preventing copper uptake/utilization because (i) holoplastocyanin formation is unaffected in Ni2+-treated cells and (ii) provision of excess copper cannot reverse the Ni-dependent activation of the target genes. The CuRE is sufficient for conferring Ni-responsive expression to a reporter gene, which suggests that the system has practical application as a vehicle for inducible gene expression. The inducer can be removed either by replacing the medium or by chelating the inducer with excess EDTA, either of which treatments reverses the activation of the target genes.
Mining Frequent Itemsets from Large Data Sets using Genetic Algorithms

Association Rules are the most important tool to discover the relationships among the attributes in a database. The existing Association Rule mining algorithms are applied on binary attributes or discrete attributes, in case of discrete attributes there is a loss of information and these algorithms take too much computer time to compute all the frequent itemsets. By using Genetic Algorithm (GA) we can improve the generation of Frequent Itemset for numeric attributes. The major advantage of using GA in the discovery of frequent itemsets is that they perform global search and its time complexity is less compared to other algorithms as the genetic algorithm is based on the greedy approach. The main aim of this paper is to find all the frequent itemsets from given data sets using genetic algorithm.
The Relation between Substance Use and Medication Adherence among HIV Positive Substance Users in Residential Treatment

Title of Thesis: THE RELATION BETWEEN SUBSTANCE USE AND MEDICATION ADHERENCE AMONG HIV POSITIVE SUBSTANCE USERS IN RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT Elana Hoffman, Master of Science, 2016 Thesis Directed By: Laura MacPherson, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology Poor medication adherence is problematic among HIV positive, low-income African-American substance users. Substance use has been shown to be associated with poor medication adherence, though we do not know the mechanism that underlies this relationship. Lack of positive environmental rewards and the propensity to discount delayed rewards may be possible mechanisms to explain this relationship. Using baseline data from a randomized controlled trial, we examined the relationships between substance use and medication adherence, testing both environmental rewards and delay discounting as independent mediators. There was a main effect of substance use on adherence, such that high frequency of substance use predicted poor adherence. There was also a main effect of environmental rewards on adherence, such that a lack of environmental reinforcement predicted poor adherence. This study shed light on the processes that contribute to low adherence, namely substance use and lack of environmental contingencies, and suggests important targets for intervention.
Task Switching : Accounting for Individual Differences in Switch Costs

The double-cued task switching procedure has recently been introduced as a new way to measure externally cued switch costs. In the present individual differences study, two hundred fifty young adults completed measures of task switching, inhibition, and long-term memory. A latent variable approach was taken to examine the relationships among these cognitive measures. Decomposing the externally cued task switching costs into a cue switch component and a task switch component indicated that individual differences in these costs could be explained by benefits of repeated cues rather than by changes in tasks. Individual differences in the cue switch component were predicted by long-term memory scores.
Cartelising Groups in Dynamic Hyperbolic Oligopoly with Antitrust Threshold

Empirical evidence, and theoretical results have shown that, in an industry, higher concentration index indicates higher price-cost margin. In order to detect collusive behaviour the antitrust authorities often monitor the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. We consider N-firm oligopolies where a group of firms partially cooperate with each other, and monitor the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index as well. After suspecting that the authorities might notice the violation of antitrust regulations, they stop their cooperation. The group will not cooperate again until the Index moves back to the legal domain. This flip-flop dynamical model is formulated, the equilibria are determined, and the asymptotic properties of the system are examined.