Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antioxidants and Polyphenols: Concentrations and Relation to Male Infertility and Treatment Success

Oxidative stress is induced by reactive oxygen substances (ROS) that are known to affect male fertility. The aims of this study were to prospectively investigate and characterize total antioxidant and specifically polyphenols concentrations and their relations to sperm quality and fertility treatment success. During their infertility treatment, sixty-seven males were prospectively recruited to this study. After separation of the sperm from the semen sample, the semen fluid samples antioxidants and polyphenols concentrations were determined. Antioxidant concentration was significantly associated with sperm concentration and total motile count. Antioxidants concentration in the group of male with sperm concentration ≥ 15 × 106 was significantly higher than in the group of male with antioxidants concentration < 15 × 106 (830.3 ± 350 μM and 268.3 ± 220 μM, resp., p < 0.001). Polyphenols concentration did not differ between the groups of sperm concentration above and below 15 × 106 (178.7 ± 121 μM and 161.7 ± 61 μM, resp., p-NS). No difference was found between fertilization rates and antioxidants or polyphenols concentrations. This is the first study that reports on polyphenols concentration within semen fluid. More studies are needed in order to investigate polyphenols role in male fertility.
ASKAP PAF ADE — Advancing an L-band PAF design towards SKA

The Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) is a new survey telescope, using phased-array feeds (PAFs) to provide a wide field of view, with 300MHz instantaneous bandwidth over the frequency range 0.7-1.8 GHz. ASKAP is currently under construction in outback Western Australia at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO). ASKAP will consist of an array of thirty-six 12-metre diameter dishes, each equipped with a PAF with a `chequerboard' planar feed structure to provide a field of view of 30 square degrees.
EMOS / 1 : An Evolution Metrics Model for Open Source Software

Open Source Software (OSS) has become the subject of much commercial and academic interest of last. Providing quantitative metrics for OSS evolution has also become an urgent issue. However, most existing studies of software evolution have been performed on systems developed within a single company using traditional management techniques. These metrics models are not suitable for measuring OSS evolution. In this paper, we designed a preliminary evolution metrics model named EMOS/1 which contains a set of new metrics defined for evaluating OSS specially. The most significant novelty of this model is that it takes some properties of Open Source Community (OSC) into consideration. In another word, we measure the evolution of OSS and OSC together. We also provide a lightweight case study on Ubuntu project using EMOS/1. We find out the Open Source Community and its members also play essential role in OSS evolution. We expect our model can bring better understandings and explanations of phenomena in open source development and evolution.
Lattice-Based Precoding And Decoding in MIMO Fading Systems

In this thesis, different aspects of lattice-based precoding and decoding for the transmission of digital and analog data over MIMO fading channels are investigated: 1) Lattice-based precoding in MIMO broadcast systems: A new viewpoint for adopting the lattice reduction in communication over MIMO broadcast channels is introduced. Lattice basis reduction helps us to reduce the average transmitted energy by modifying the region which includes the constellation points. The new viewpoint helps us to generalize the idea of lattice-reduction-aided precoding for the case of unequal-rate transmission, and obtain analytic results for the asymptotic behavior of the symbolerror-rate for the lattice-reduction-aided precoding and the perturbation technique. Also, the outage probability for both cases of fixed-rate users and fixed sum-rate is analyzed. It is shown that the lattice-reduction-aided method, using LLL algorithm, achieves the optimum asymptotic slope of symbol-error-rate (called the precoding diversity). 2) Lattice-based decoding in MIMO multiaccess systems and MIMO point-to-point systems: Diversity order and diversity-multiplexing tradeoff are two important measures for the performance of communication systems over MIMO fading channels. For the case of MIMO multiaccess systems (with single-antenna transmitters) or MIMO point-to-point systems with V-BLAST transmission scheme, it is proved that latticereduction-aided decoding achieves the maximum receive diversity (which is equal to the number of receive antennas). Also, it is proved that the naive lattice decoding (which discards the out-of-region decoded points) achieves the maximum diversity in
Improving on the Naïve Bayes Document Classifier

The Naïve Bayes document classifier has been used in many document classification algorithms [1], but is only really useful on a small subset of documents due to it’s many shortcomings [2]. By augmenting the basic functionality of the simple Naïve Bayes classifier, the classification algorithm can be applied to a much wider range of documents. This paper investigates the advantages which can be obtained by adding Feature Selection, Binary Independence, and the Multinomial model to the Naïve Bayes classifier.
Approximation properties of multivariate wavelets

Wavelets are generated from refinable functions by using multiresolution analysis. In this paper we investigate the approximation properties of multivariate refinable functions. We give a characterization for the approximation order provided by a refinable function in terms of the order of the sum rules satisfied by the refinement mask. We connect the approximation properties of a refinable function with the spectral properties of the corresponding subdivision and transition operators. Finally, we demonstrate that a refinable function in W k-1 1 (R s ) provides approximation order k.
Rademacher Observations, Private Data, and Boosting

The minimization of the logistic loss is a popular approach to batch supervised learning. Our paper starts from the surprising observation that, when fitting linear classifiers, the minimization of the logistic loss is equivalent to the minimization of an exponential rado-loss computed (i) over transformed data that we call Rademacher observations (rados), and (ii) over the same classifier as the one of the logistic loss. Thus, a classifier learnt from rados can be directly used to classify observations. We provide a learning algorithm over rados with boosting-compliant convergence rates on the logistic loss (computed over examples). Experiments on domains with up to millions of examples, backed up by theoretical arguments, display that learning over a small set of random rados can challenge the state of the art that learns over the complete set of examples. We show that rados comply with various privacy requirements that make them good candidates for machine learning in a privacy framework. We give several algebraic, geometric and computational hardness results on reconstructing examples from rados. We also show how it is possible to craft, and efficiently learn from, rados in a differential privacy framework. Tests reveal that learning from differentially private rados brings non-trivial privacy vs accuracy tradeoffs.
Randomness criteria in binary visibility graph perspective

By means of a binary visibility graph, we present a novel method to study random binary sequences. The behavior of the some topological properties of the binary visibility graph, such as the degree distribution, the clustering coefficient, and the mean path length have been investigated. Several examples are then provided to show that the numerical simulations confirm the accuracy of the theorems for finite random binary sequences. Finally, in this paper we propose, for the first time, three topological properties of the binary visibility graph as a randomness criteria.
Parallel anxiolytic-like effects and upregulation of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors following chronic nicotine and varenicline.

INTRODUCTION Clinical and preclinical studies suggest that regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) maybe involved in the etiology of withdrawal symptoms. METHODS We evaluated heteromeric nAChR regulation via [³H]epibatidine binding following cessation of chronic nicotine or varenicline treatment. Animals were concurrently tested in the marble-burying test to evaluate treatment-related effects. RESULTS We found that both nicotine (18 mg/kg/day, free base) and varenicline (1.8 mg/kg/day) chronically administered for 14 days upregulated nAChRs significantly in the cortex, hippocampus, striatum, and thalamus. The duration of upregulation (up to 72 hr) was both drug and region specific. In addition to nAChR upregulation, chronic administration of both nicotine and varenicline had anxiolytic-like effects in the marble-burying test. This effect was maintained for 48 hr following cessation of varenicline but was absent 24 hr following cessation from nicotine. Additionally, marble-burying behavior positively correlated to the regulation of cortical nAChRs following cessation of either treatment. CONCLUSIONS Varenicline has been shown to be an efficacious smoking cessation aid, with a proposed mechanism of action that includes modulation of dopamine release in reward areas of the brain. Our studies show that varenicline elicits both anxiolytic effects in the marble-burying test as well as region- and time-specific receptor upregulation. These findings suggest receptor upregulation as a mechanism for its efficacy as a smoking cessation therapy.
Autonomously Secure Disks

Disks increasingly support multi-boot systems, are accessed remotely, attached to mobile devices, or used in other previously unanticipated operating environments. Because these uses further separate the storage from the data owners, they often lead to new security vulnerabilities. Such concerns call for a change to traditional disk security models. In this paper, we introduce and explore autonomously secure disks (ASD). ASDs enforce security at their interface–thus treating all systems as untrusted entities. Such architectures provide a means to protect user data from rogue or penetrated systems, and significantly reduces the trusted computing base (TCB) for enforcing data security. We introduce three example ASD security policy systems and develop an architecture based on recently introduced hybrid hard drives. Further, we augment the DiskSim simulator with NVRAM services to evaluate the costs associated with managing security contexts within confidentiality and integrity protected secure storage. These experiments show that proper tuning of system parameters can eliminate many of the costs associated with managing security metadata. We conclude by pondering the challenges involved with the integration of ASDs into current operating systems.
H i aperture synthesis and optical observations of the pair of galaxies NGC 6907 and 6908

NGC 6908, an S0 galaxy situated in the direction of NGC 6907, was only recently recognized as a distinct galaxy, instead of only a part of NGC 6907. We present 21-cm radio synthesis observations obtained with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) and optical images and spectroscopy obtained with the Gemini-North telescope of this pair of interacting galaxies. From the radio observations, we obtained the velocity field and the H i column density map of the whole region containing the NGC 6907/8 pair, and by means of the Gemini multi-object spectroscopy we obtained high-quality photometric images and 5 A resolution spectra sampling the two galaxies. By comparing the rotation curve of NGC 6907 obtained from the two opposite sides around the main kinematic axis, we were able to distinguish the normal rotational velocity field from the velocity components produced by the interaction between the two galaxies. Taking into account the rotational velocity of NGC 6907 and the velocity derived from the absorption lines for NGC 6908, we verified that the relative velocity between these systems is lower than 60 km s−1. The emission lines observed in the direction of NGC 6908, not typical of S0 galaxies, have the same velocity expected for the NGC 6907 rotation curve. Some emission lines are superimposed on a broader absorption profile, which suggests that they were not formed in NGC 6908. Finally, the H i profile exhibits details of the interaction, showing three components: one for NGC 6908, another for the excited gas in the NGC 6907 disc and a last one for the gas with higher relative velocities left behind NGC 6908 by dynamical friction, used to estimate the time when the interaction started in (3.4 ± 0.6) × 107 yr ago.
Grammatically-based Genetic Programming

The genetic programming (GP) paradigm is a functional approach to inductively forming programs. The use of natural selection based on a tness function for reproduction of the program population has allowed many problems to be solved that require a non-xed representation. Attempts to extend GP have focussed on typing the language to restrict crossover and to ensure legal programs are always created. We describe the use of a context free grammar to deene the structure of the initial language and to direct crossover and mutation operators. The use of a grammar to specify structure in the hypothesis language allows a clear statement of inductive bias and control over typing. Modifying the grammar as the evolution proceeds is used as an example of learnt bias. This technique leads to declarative approaches to evolutionary learning, and allows elds such as incre-mental learning to be incorporated under the same paradigm.
From Visualization to Visually Enabled Reasoning

Interactive Visualization has been used to study scientific phenomena, analyze data, visualize information, and to explore large amounts of multi-variate data. It enables the human mind to gain novel insights by empowering the human visual system, encompassing the brain and the eyes, to discover properties that were previously unknown. While it is believed that the process of creating interactive visualizations is reasonably well understood, the process of stimulating and enabling human reasoning with the aid of interactive visualization tools is still a highly unexplored field. We hypothesize that visualizations make an impact if they successfully influence a thought process or a decision. Interacting with visualizations is part of this process. We present exemplary cases where visualization was successful in enabling human reasoning, and instances where the interaction with data helped in understanding the data and making a better informed decision. We suggest metrics that help in understanding the evolution of a decision making process. Such a metric would measure the efficiency of the reasoning process, rather than the performance of the visualization system or the user. We claim that the methodology of interactive visualization, which has been studied to a great extent, is now sufficiently mature, and we would like to provide some guidance regarding the evaluation of knowledge gain through visually enabled reasoning. It is our ambition to encourage the reader to take on the next step and move from information visualization to visually enabled reasoning.
Schwann cells and the pathogenesis of inherited motor and sensory neuropathies (Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease)

Over the last 15 years, a number of mutations in a variety of genes have been identified that lead to inherited motor and sensory neuropathies (HMSN), also called Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT). In this review we will focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that cause the Schwann cell pathologies observed in dysmyelinating and demyelinating forms of CMT. In most instances, the underlying gene defects alter primarily myelinating Schwann cells followed by secondary axonal degeneration. The first set of proteins affected by disease‐causing mutations includes the myelin components PMP22, P0/MPZ, Cx32/GJB1, and periaxin. A second group contains the regulators of myelin gene transcription EGR2/Krox20 and SOX10. A third group is composed of intracellular Schwann cells proteins that are likely to be involved in the synthesis, transport and degradation of myelin components. These include the myotubularin‐related lipid phosphatase MTMR2 and its regulatory binding partner MTMR13/SBF2, SIMPLE, and potentially also dynamin 2. Mutations affecting the mitochondrial fission factor GDAP1 may indicate an important contribution of mitochondria in myelination or myelin maintenance, whereas the functions of other identified genes, including NDRG1, KIAA1985, and the tyrosyl‐tRNA synthase YARS, are not yet clear. Mutations in GDAP1, YARS, and the pleckstrin homology domain of dynamin 2 lead to an intermediate form of CMT that is characterized by moderately reduced nerve conduction velocity consistent with minor myelin deficits. Whether these phenotypes originate in Schwann cells or in neurons, or whether both cell types are directly affected, remains a challenging question. However, based on the advances in systematic gene identification in CMT and the analyses of the function and dysfunction of the affected proteins, crucially interconnected pathways in Schwann cells in health and disease have started to emerge. These networks include the control of myelin formation and stability, membrane trafficking, intracellular protein sorting and quality control, and may extend to mitochondrial dynamics and basic protein biosynthesis. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Better global scheduling using path profiles

Path profiles record the frequencies of execution paths through a program. Until now, the best global instruction schedulers have relied upon profile-gathered frequencies of conditional branch directions to select sequences of basic blocks that only approximate the frequently-executed program paths. The identified sequences are then enlarged using the profile data to improve the scope of scheduling. Finally, the enlarged regions are compacted so that they complete in a small number of cycles. Path profiles remove the need to approximate the frequently-executed paths that are so important to the success of the compaction phase. In this paper, we describe how one can modify a trace-based instruction scheduler and in particular a superblock schedule; to use path profiles in both the selection and enlargement phases of global scheduling. As our experimental results demonstrate, the use of more detailed profile data allows the scheduler to construct superblocks that are more likely to avoid early exits. This effect leads to more useful speculative code motions and an overall improvement in program performance. We also describe how a path-profile based approach can simplify the engineering of a trace-based scheduler by unifying several trace-enlargement heuristics into a single general mechanism.
Traction PMASR Motor Optimization According to a Given Driving Cycle

Electric motors are ideal candidates for traction applications due to their optimal electromechanical characteristic, high efficiency, and manufacturing simplicity. Nowadays, the most attractive solutions are represented by the synchronous machines, due to the great advantages in terms of high performance and mass saving. Motor optimization is often performed in one or few operating points, usually located along the continuous or overload torque profile. On the other hand, the actual motor operation depends on the driving cycle of the vehicle, which might be different than the rated conditions. This paper deals with the design and optimization of a permanent-magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motor according to two different duty cycles, one for city driving and another for mixed driving operation. A procedure is proposed to evaluate the most effective design areas by means of a series of representative points, which have been considered for the global optimization. The results and the advantages of the adopted methodology against the conventional procedure and optimized solutions are highlighted and discussed.
Radio Supernova SN 1998bw and Its Relation to GRB 980425

SN 1998bw is an unusual Type Ic supernova that may be associated with the γ-ray burst GRB 980425. We use a synchrotron self-absorption model for its radio emission to deduce that the synchrotron-emitting gas is expanding into a circumstellar medium of approximately r-2 density profile at a speed comparable to the speed of light. We assume that the efficiencies of production of relativistic electrons and magnetic field are constant through the evolution. The circumstellar density is consistent with that expected around the massive star core thought to be the progenitor of SN 1998bw. The explosion energy in material moving with velocity greater than 0.5c is ~1049 - (3 × 1050) ergs, with some preference for the high values. The rise in the radio light curves observed at days 20-40 is inferred to be the result of a rise in the energy of the blast wave by a factor of ~2.5. Interaction with a jump in the ambient density is not consistent with the observed evolution. We infer that the boost in energy is from a shell of matter from the explosion that catches up with the decelerating shock front. Both the high explosion energy and the nature of the energy input to the blast wave are difficult to reconcile with energy input from the shock-accelerated high-velocity ejecta from a supernova. The implication is that there is irregular energy input from a central engine, which is the type of model invoked for normal γ-ray bursts. The link between SN 1998bw and GRB 980425 is thus strengthened.
Measuring Urban Deprivation from User Generated Content

Measuring socioeconomic deprivation of cities in an accurate and timely fashion has become a priority for governments around the world, as the massive urbanization process we are witnessing is causing high levels of inequalities which require intervention. Traditionally, deprivation indexes have been derived from census data, which is however very expensive to obtain, and thus acquired only every few years. Alternative computational methods have been proposed in recent years to automatically extract proxies of deprivation at a fine spatio-temporal level of granularity; however, they usually require access to datasets (e.g., call details records) that are not publicly available to governments and agencies. To remedy this, we propose a new method to automatically mine deprivation at a fine level of spatio-temporal granularity that only requires access to freely available user-generated content. More precisely, the method needs access to datasets describing what urban elements are present in the physical environment; examples of such datasets are Foursquare and OpenStreetMap. Using these datasets, we quantitatively describe neighborhoods by means of a metric, called Offering Advantage, that reflects which urban elements are distinctive features of each neighborhood. We then use that metric to (i) build accurate classifiers of urban deprivation and (ii) interpret the outcomes through thematic analysis. We apply the method to three UK urban areas of different scale and elaborate on the results in terms of precision and recall.