Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collaborative PCA/DCA Learning Methods for Compressive Privacy

In the Internet era, the data being collected on consumers like us are growing exponentially, and attacks on our privacy are becoming a real threat. To better ensure our privacy, it is safer to let the data owner control the data to be uploaded to the network as opposed to taking chance with data servers or third parties. To this end, we propose compressive privacy, a privacy-preserving technique to enable the data creator to compress data via collaborative learning so that the compressed data uploaded onto the Internet will be useful only for the intended utility and not be easily diverted to malicious applications. For data in a high-dimensional feature vector space, a common approach to data compression is dimension reduction or, equivalently, subspace projection. The most prominent tool is principal component analysis (PCA). For unsupervised learning, PCA can best recover the original data given a specific reduced dimensionality. However, for the supervised learning environment, it is more effective to adopt a supervised PCA, known as discriminant component analysis (DCA), to maximize the discriminant capability. The DCA subspace analysis embraces two different subspaces. The signal-subspace components of DCA are associated with the discriminant distance/power (related to the classification effectiveness), whereas the noise subspace components of DCA are tightly coupled with recoverability and/or privacy protection. This article presents three DCA-related data compression methods useful for privacy-preserving applications: —Utility-driven DCA: Because the rank of the signal subspace is limited by the number of classes, DCA can effectively support classification using a relatively small dimensionality (i.e., high compression). —Desensitized PCA: By incorporating a signal-subspace ridge into DCA, it leads to a variant especially effective for extracting privacy-preserving components. In this case, the eigenvalues of the noise-space are made to become insensitive to the privacy labels and are ordered according to their corresponding component powers. —Desensitized K-means/SOM: Since the revelation of the K-means or SOM cluster structure could leak sensitive information, it is safer to perform K-means or SOM clustering on a desensitized PCA subspace.
Structural Requirements for Function of Yeast GGAs in Vacuolar Protein Sorting, α-Factor Maturation, and Interactions with Clathrin

ABSTRACT The GGAs (Golgi-localized, gamma-ear-containing, ARF-binding proteins) are a family of multidomain adaptor proteins involved in protein sorting at the trans-Golgi network of eukaryotic cells. Here we present results from a functional characterization of the two Saccharomyces cerevisiae GGAs, Gga1p and Gga2p. We show that deletion of both GGA genes causes defects in sorting of carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) and proteinase A to the vacuole, vacuolar morphology, and maturation of α-factor. A structure-function analysis reveals a requirement of the VHS, GAT, and hinge for function, while the GAE domain is less important. We identify putative clathrin-binding motifs in the hinge domain of both yeast GGAs. These motifs are shown to mediate clathrin binding in vitro. While mutation of these motifs alone does not block function of the GGAs in vivo, combining these mutations with truncations of the hinge and GAE domains diminishes function, suggesting functional cooperation between different clathrin-binding elements. Thus, these observations demonstrate that the yeast GGAs play important roles in the CPY pathway, vacuole biogenesis, and α-factor maturation and identify structural determinants that are critical for these functions.
Systemic SIRT1 insufficiency results in disruption of energy homeostasis and steroid hormone metabolism upon high‐fat‐diet feeding

SIRT1 is a highly‐conserved NAD+‐de‐pendent protein deacetylase that plays essential roles in the regulation of energy metabolism, genomic stability, and stress response. Although the functions of SIRT1 in many organs have been extensively studied in tissue‐specific knockout mouse models, the systemic role of SIRT1 is still largely unknown as a result of severe developmental defects that result from whole‐body knockout in mice. Here, we investigated the systemic functions of SIRT1 in metabolic homeostasis by utilizing a whole‐body SIRT1 heterozygous mouse model. These mice are phenotypically normal under standard feeding conditions. However, when chronically challenged with a 40% fat diet, they become obese and insulin resistant, display increased serum cytokine levels, and develop hepatomegaly. Hepatic metabolomic analyses revealed that SIRT1 heterozygous mice have elevated gluconeogenesis and oxidative stress. Surprisingly, they are depleted of glycerolipid metabolites and free fatty acids, yet accumulate lysolipids. Moreover, high‐fat feeding induces elevation of serum testosterone levels and enlargement of seminal vesicles in SIRT1 heterozygous males. Microarray analysis of liver mRNA indicates that they have altered expression of genes involved in steroid metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism. Taken together, our findings indicate that SIRT1 plays a vital role in the regulation of systemic energy and steroid hormone homeostasis. —Purushotham, A. , Xu, Q. , Li, X. Systemic SIRT1 insufficiency results in disruption of energy homeostasis and steroid hormone metabolism upon high‐fat‐diet feeding. FASEB J. 26, 656–667 (2012). www.fasebj. org
Approximate simulation of linear continuous time models driven by asymmetric stable Lévy processes

In this paper we extend to the multidimensional case the modified Poisson series representation of linear stochastic processes driven by α-stable innovations. The latter has been recently introduced in the literature and it involves a Gaussian approximation of the residuals of the series, via the exact characterization of their moments. This allows for Bayesian techniques for parameter or state inference that would not be available otherwise, due to the lack of a closed-form likelihood function for the α-stable distribution. Simulation results are presented to validate the introduced extension and the quality of the approximation of the distribution. Finally, we show an example of generation from the process.
Determination of Bone Age in Children With Cartilaginous Dysplasia (Multiple Hereditary Osteochondromatosis and Ollier's Enchondromatosis)

Cartilaginous dysplasias (multiple hereditary osteochondromatosis [MHO] and Ollier's enchondromatosis [OE]) are common pediatric orthopaedic conditions. Long bone growth deformities commonly develop in children with MHO and OE. The timing of procedures frequently used to treat these deformities is often dependent upon the bone age. It was the purpose of this study to investigate bone ages in a series of 40 children with MHO and OE. There were 6 girls and 9 boys with OE, and 9 girls and 16 boys with MHO. Each child's age, gender, race, and diagnosis were recorded. Hand-wrist radiographs obtained during routine evaluation of hand-wrist deformities or scanograms were identified, randomly numbered, and blinded regarding the identity and age of the child. Each radiograph was reviewed by five different observers at two different times separated by a minimum of 3 weeks. Statistical analyses were performed, looking at differences between bone and chronological age; inter- and intraobserver variability in bone age assessment; and differences by observer. The average chronological age (n = 40) was 7.8 ± 3.6 years, average bone age (n = 400) was 7.2 ± 3.7 years, and average difference between chronological and bone age (n = 400) was 0.6 ± 1.3 years (P < 10−6). Intra- and interobserver variability was ±1.5 and ±1.6 years. There were no differences between observers in the average chronological/bone age difference (P = 0.63). Clinicians should be aware of this average 0.6-year delay in bone age when planning an epiphysiodesis for limb length equalization in children with cartilaginous dysplasias.
Lex2B, a Phase-Variable Glycosyltransferase, Adds either a Glucose or a Galactose to Haemophilus influenzae Lipopolysaccharide

ABSTRACT Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae is a commensal that frequently causes otitis media and respiratory tract infections. The lex2 locus encodes a glycosyltransferase that is phase variably expressed and contributes to the significant intrastrain heterogeneity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) composition in H. influenzae. In serotype b strains, Lex2B adds the second β-glucose in the oligosaccharide extension from the proximal heptose of the triheptose inner core backbone; this extension includes a digalactoside that plays a role in resistance of the bacteria to the killing effect of serum. As part of our studies of the structure and genetics of LPS in nontypeable H. influenzae, we show here that there are allelic polymorphisms in the lex2B sequence that correlate with addition of either a glucose or a galactose to the same position in the LPS molecule across strains. Through exchange of lex2 alleles between strains we show that alteration of a single amino acid at position 157 in Lex2B appears to be sufficient to direct the alternative glucosyl- or galactosyltransferase activities. Allelic exchange strains express LPS with altered structure and biological properties compared to the wild-type LPS. Thus, Lex2B contributes to both inter- and intrastrain LPS heterogeneity through its polymorphic sequences and phase-variable expression.
Men's Sheds--Sharing Knowledge and Learning in the Company of Men.

Despite evidence of the benefits of learning for well-being across diverse groups, little is known about older men’s experiences of learning, the factors that influence whether they choose to engage in learning activities and what role learning plays in their lives as they grow older. The present study examines the attitudes and learning behaviours of older men participating in Men’s Sheds in Ireland. Our findings point to the importance of Men’s Sheds as sites of informal learning that encourage the sharing of skills, knowledge and wisdom between older men. We conclude that Men’s Sheds facilitate sensitive conversations between older men as they actively engage in constructing masculine behaviours and identities in later life.
DEWFALL AS A WATER SOURCE FREQUENTLY ACTIVATES THE ENDOLITHIC CYANOBACTERIAL COMMUNITIES IN THE GRANITES OF TAYLOR VALLEY, ANTARCTICA 1

Endolithic photosynthetic microorganisms like cyanobacteria and algae are well known from savannas and deserts of the world, the high Arctic, and also Antarctic habitats like the Dry Valleys in the Ross Dependency. These endolithic microbial communities are thought to be at the limits of life with reported ages in the order of thousands of years. Here we report on an extensive chasmoendolithic cyanobacterial community inside granite rocks of Mt. Falconer in the lower Taylor Valley, Dry Valleys. On average, the cyanobacterial community was 4.49 ± 0.95 mm below the rock surface, where it formed a blue‐green layer. The community was composed mainly of the cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. , with occasional Cyanothece cf. aeruginosa (Nägeli) Komárek and Nostoc sp. Mean biomass was 168 ± 44 g carbon · m−2, and the mean chl a content was 24.3 ± 34.2 mg · m−2. In situ chl fluorescence measurements—a relative measure of photosynthetic activity—showed that they were active over long periods each day and also showed activity the next day in the absence of any moisture. Radiocarbon dating gave a relatively young age (175–280 years) for the community. Calculations from microclimate data demonstrated that formation of dew or rime was possible and could frequently activate the cyanobacteria and may explain the younger age of microbial communities at Mt. Falconer compared to older and less active endolithic microorganisms reported earlier from Linnaeus Terrace, a higher altitude region that experiences colder, drier conditions.
Exchange rate Pass-through and Monetary Policy in Transition Economy: Evidence from Tunisia with disaggregated VAR Analysis

The issue of exchange rate pass-through has raised interest in international economy, a necessary step for adopting an adequate monetary policy, which accentuated in 2000 given its impacts on the monetary policy. Yet, on the academic level, research attempts at studying small open economy in a transitory period, e.g. Tunisia, seem to bring about only a few responses. Relying on monthly and quarterly data, from 2000 to 2015, this paper keeps up with SVAR modeling and price chain study, but through two different approaches: a direct aggregate approach that aims at checking the direct impact of exchange rate transmissions on the global prices, and a disaggregate approach that aims at analyzing the exchange rate degree of transmission on the various components of consumer price. To our knowledge, this study is the first attempt at exchange rate pass-through estimation through a disaggregate approach for the consumer price indexe. The main preliminary findings show that the total exchange rate pass-through is about 20% after 2011. Specifically, 10% of pass-through on the administered prices. More accurately, there is a 6% of pass-through degree for food administered prices as well as 7% of pass-through degree for energy prices (after 2011 revolution date), which contradicts the prevailing theory that admits the inexistence of pass-through for administered prices. On the whole, our findings confirm the importance of a disaggregate analysis for studying exchange rate pass-through, and can help policy makers in Tunisia to adopt the appropriate strategies for implementing monetary policy and containing inflation.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors reduce polyglutamine toxicity

Polyglutamine diseases include at least nine neurodegenerative disorders, each caused by a CAG repeat expansion in a different gene. Accumulation of mutant polyglutamine-containing proteins occurs in patients, and evidence from cell culture and animal experiments suggests the nucleus as a site of pathogenesis. To understand the consequences of nuclear accumulation, we created a cell culture system with nuclear-targeted polyglutamine. In our system, cell death can be mitigated by overexpression of full-length cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP) or its amino-terminal portion alone. CBP is one of several histone acetyltransferases sequestered by polyglutamine inclusions. We found histone acetylation to be reduced in cells expressing mutant polyglutamine. Reversal of this hypoacetylation, which can be achieved either by overexpression of CBP or its amino terminus or by treatment with deacetylase inhibitors, reduced cell loss. These findings suggest that nuclear accumulation of polyglutamine can lead to altered protein acetylation in neurons and indicate a novel therapeutic strategy for polyglutamine disease.
Time-dependent effects of elevated intraocular pressure on optic nerve head axonal transport and cytoskeleton proteins.

PURPOSE To study the time-dependent effects of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) on axonal transport and cytoskeleton proteins in the porcine optic nerve head. METHODS Fifteen pigs were used for this study. Rhodamine-beta-isothiocyanate was injected into the vitreous of each eye to study axonal transport. IOP in the left eye was elevated to 40 to 45 mm Hg, and IOP in the right eye was maintained between 10 and 15 mm Hg. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure was also continually monitored. IOP was elevated for 3 hours (n = 7) or 12 hours (n = 8) before animal euthanatization. Antibodies to phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (NFHp), phosphorylation-independent neurofilament heavy (NFH), neurofilament light, neurofilament medium (NFM), microtubule, and microtubule-associated protein (MAP) were used to study the axonal cytoskeleton. Confocal microscopy was used to compare axonal transport and cytoskeleton change between control and high IOP eyes in different laminar regions and quadrants of the optic nerve head. Results from these experiments were also compared with 6-hour elevated IOP data from an earlier study. RESULTS Three hours of IOP elevation caused a decrease in NFH, NFHp, and NFM within laminar regions, with no demonstrable change in axonal transport. Changes to MAP and microtubules were only seen after 12 hours of IOP elevation. Axonal transport change occurred in a time-dependent manner with peripheral nerve bundle changes occurring earlier and being greater than central nerve bundle changes. CONCLUSIONS Time-dependent changes in axonal transport and cytoskeletal structure in the optic nerve head provide further pathogenic evidence of axonal damage caused by elevated IOP.
Randomized clinical trial on antimicrobial prophylaxis for flexible urethrocystoscopy.

OBJECTIVES One of the main drawbacks of flexible urethrocystoscopy is the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI). In order to reduce this risk, antimicrobial prophylaxis has been considered, however there is not a unanimous view regarding indications, dosage, type of antibiotic, and so on. To clarify this uncertainty, we practiced a pilot and experimental study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis with 3 grams of fosfomycin trometamol in the prevention of UTI after urethrocystoscopy. METHODS Sixty patients were entered into a pilot randomized clinical trial between March and August 2011. Thirty patients were assigned to a control group without receiving any antibiotic dose, and the intervention group (30 patients) received 3 g fosfomycin trometamol. Ten days later urine culture and sediment analysis were performed in all patients. Significant bacteriuria was considered from > 105 CFU /ml. One month later a telephone survey was developed to assess urinary symptoms, and assistance to the family doctor. We estimated the cumulative incidence of bacteriuria, pyuria and microhematuria in both groups, and we compared the results using a strategy of analysis per protocol and intention to treat. RESULTS The incidence of bacteriuria, pyuria and microhematuria in the control group was 10%, 23.3% and 26.7% respectively and in the intervention groups the values differed depending on the type of analysis. Considering only the 27 patients (per protocol analysis), the incidence would be 11.1%, 37.0% and 29.6% respectively. If we include the three patients who did not completed the study (per intention to treat analysis) and considering their results as negative, the results were 10%, 33.3% and 26.7% respectively. Finally, in the case the three cultures not performed in this group had produced a positive result, the impact would have been 20.0%, 43.3% and 36.7%. In any of the three cases, the differences with the control group were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS In a selected population and with appropriate aseptic measures, antibiotic chemoprophylaxis does not appear to show a clinically relevant reduction in the incidence of UTI in patients undergoing flexible urethrocystoscopy.
Gonadal function in male patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objective: To assess reproductive function in male ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in comparison to healthy controls. Methods: Twenty AS patients were compared to 24 healthy male subjects with regard to demographic data, urological examination, testicular ultrasound (US), semen analysis, anti-sperm antibodies, and hormone profile. Exclusion criteria were present use of sulfasalazine or methotrexate, and ever use of biological/cytotoxic agents. Disease activity of AS was evaluated by clinical and laboratory assessments. Results: Demographic data were similar in AS and controls (p = 0.175). Varicocele was found significantly more frequently in AS patients than in controls (40% vs. 8%, p = 0.027). Semen analysis revealed no significant differences in sperm quality between AS patients and controls (p > 0.05). By contrast, the median of normal sperm forms was significantly lower in AS patients with vs. those without varicocele [13.5 (range 2–27) vs. 22 (range 10–32.5)%, p = 0.049] whereas no difference in sperm morphology was observed comparing AS patients and controls without varicocele (p = 0.670). Comparison of AS patients with and without varicocele showed that anti-sperm antibodies, hormones, inflammatory markers, and disease activity scores did not contribute to the impaired sperm morphology observed in AS patients with varicocele. Conclusions: An increased frequency of varicocele was found in AS patients associated with sperm abnormalities but independent of therapy, anti-sperm antibodies, hormonal alterations, or disease parameters. Investigation for varicocele should be routine in AS patients with fertility problems.
Application of stochastic differential equations to option pricing

The financial world is a world of random things and unpredictable events. Along with the innovative development of diversity and complexity in modern financial market, there are more and more financial derivative emerged in the financial industry in order to gain higher yields as well as hedge the risk . As a result, to price the derivative , indeed the future uncertainty, become an interesting topic in the field of mathematical finance and financial quantitative analysis. In this thesis, I mainly focus on the application of stochastic differential equations to option pricing. Based on the arbitrage-free and risk-neutral assumption, I used the stochastic differential equations theory to solve the pricing problem for the European option of which underlying assets can be described by a geometric Brownian motion. The thesis explores the Black-Scholes model and forms an optimal control problem for the volatility that is an essential parameter in the Black-Scholes formula. Furthermore, the application of backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs) has been discussed. I figured that BSDEs can model the pricing problem in a more clarifying and logical way. Also, based on the model discussed in the thesis, I provided a case study on pricing a Chinese option-like deposit product by using Mathematica, that shows the feasibility and applicability for the option pricing method based on stochastic differential equations. Keyword: stochastic differential equations, BSDEs, optimal control, option pricing, Mathematica, Black-Scholes model
Safety and efficacy of a new honey ointment on diabetic foot ulcers: a prospective pilot study.

OBJECTIVE To study the effectiveness and safety of PEDYPHAR ointment (a new ointment prepared from natural royal jelly and panthenol in an ointment base) in the treatment of patients with limb-threatening diabetic foot infections. METHOD Sixty patients presenting with limb-threatening diabetic foot infection were categorised into three groups, based on the severity of the lesions. Group I: full-thickness skin ulcer (Wagner grades 1 and 2); group 2: deep tissue infection and suspected osteomyelitis (grade 3); group 3: gangrenous lesions (grades 4 and 5). They were treated with PEDYPHAR ointment after irrigation and cleansing with normal saline, and surgical debridement if required. The lesions were covered with dressings and patients were followed up for six months or until full healing occurred. No other specific treatment was given apart from insulin treatment to control the diabetes. The primary endpoint was the clinical response at weeks 3, 9 and 24 from the start of treatment. RESULTS Ninety-six per cent of the patients in groups 1 and 2 responded well, with a complete cure, defined as'complete closure of the ulcer without signs of underlying bone infection' by the end of week 9 and for the duration of the six-month follow-up period. All of the ulcers in group 1 healed, as did 92% of those in group 2. All patients in group 3 healed following surgical excision, debridement of necrotic tissue and conservative treatment with PEDYPHAR ointment. CONCLUSION We can conclude from our pilot study that PEDYPHAR ointment may be a promising, safe conservative local treatment. However, further double-blind randomised controlled studies are needed to confirm this.