Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intel SGX Enabled Key Manager Service with OpenStack Barbican

Protecting data in the cloud continues to gain in importance, with encryption being used to achieve the desired data protection. While there is desire to use encryption, various cloud components do not want to deal with key management, which points to a strong need for a separate key management system. OpenStack Barbican is a platform developed by the OpenStack community aimed at providing cryptographic functions useful for all environments, including large ephemeral clouds. Barbican exposes REST APIs designed for the secure storage, provisioning and management of secrets such as passwords, encryption keys, and X.509 certificates, and supports plugins for a variety of crypto solutions in the backend. Crypto plugins store secrets as encrypted blobs within the Barbican database. Software based crypto plugins offer a scalable solution, but are vulnerable to system software attacks. Hardware Security Module or HSM plugins offer strong security guarantees, but they are expensive and don't scale well. We propose to build an Intel Software Guard Extension or SGX based software crypto plugin that offers security similar to an HSM with the low cost and scalability of a software based solution. We extend OpenStack Barbican API to support attestation of an Intel SGX crypto plugin, to allow clients higher confidence in the software they are using for storing keys. In addition, the API provides support for mutual attestation for Intel SGX enabled clients, multi-user key distribution, and extensions for protecting the confidentiality and integrity of the backend database.
Sensitivity analysis and power for instrumental variable studies

In observational studies to estimate treatment effects, unmeasured confounding is often a concern. The instrumental variable (IV) method can control for unmeasured confounding when there is a valid IV. To be a valid IV, a variable needs to be independent of unmeasured confounders and only affect the outcome through affecting the treatment. When applying the IV method, there is often concern that a putative IV is invalid to some degree. We present an approach to sensitivity analysis for the IV method which examines the sensitivity of inferences to violations of IV validity. Specifically, we consider sensitivity when the magnitude of association between the putative IV and the unmeasured confounders and the direct effect of the IV on the outcome are limited in magnitude by a sensitivity parameter. Our approach is based on extending the Anderson–Rubin test and is valid regardless of the strength of the instrument. A power formula for this sensitivity analysis is presented. We illustrate its usage via examples about Mendelian randomization studies and its implications via a comparison of using rare versus common genetic variants as instruments.
Comparative measurements of total body water in healthy volunteers by online breath deuterium measurement and other near-subject methods.

BACKGROUND We developed a new near-subject approach, using flowing afterglow-mass spectrometry (FA-MS) and deuterium dilution, which enables the immediate measurement of total body water (TBW) from single exhalations. OBJECTIVES The objectives were to show the efficacy of the new FA-MS method in measuring TBW in healthy subjects and to compare these measurements with values derived from multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, skinfold-thickness (SFT) measurements, and both recent and historical published regression equations. DESIGN After baseline measurement of breath deuterium abundance, 24 healthy subjects ingested 0.3 g D(2)O/kg body wt. A second breath sample was taken after 3 h to measure the increase in deuterium, from which TBW was calculated. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was carried out with a multifrequency analyzer, and SFT was measured by a single trained observer. Methods were compared with the use of Pearson's correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analyses. RESULTS TBW measures obtained by all methods were highly correlated (r = 0.95-0.98, P < 0.001), especially those between FA-MS, SFT measurement, and recent regression equations. The mean values obtained were within 2% of those published for age-matched control subjects and varied by 1-6% when all methods were compared. Systematic bias was greatest when FA-MS was compared with bioelectrical impedance analysis, which tended to underestimate TBW in smaller, female subjects. No bias related to subject size was observed in a comparison of FA-MS with SFT measurement or with more recent regression equations. CONCLUSIONS FA-MS is a simple and effective new approach to TBW measurement in healthy subjects. The difficulty of using population-derived equations to estimate TBW in individual subjects is emphasized.
Multi-View Subspace Clustering via Relaxed L1-Norm of Tensor Multi-Rank

—In this paper, we address the multi-view subspace clustering problem. Our method utilize the circulant algebra for tensor, which is constructed by stacking the subspace representation matrices of different views and then shifting, to explore the high order correlations underlying multi-view data. By introducing a recently proposed tensor factorization, namely tensor-Singular Value Decomposition (t-SVD) [16], we can impose a new type of low-rank tensor constraint on the shifted tensor to capture the complementary information from multiple views. Different from traditional unfolding based tensor norm, this low-rank tensor constraint has optimality properties similar to that of matrix rank derived from SVD, so that complementary information among views can be explored more efﬁciently and thoroughly. The established model, called t-SVD based Multi-view Subspace Clustering (t-SVD-MSC), falls into the applicable scope of augmented Lagrangian method, and its minimization problem can be efﬁciently solved with theoretical convergence guarantee and relatively low computational complexity. Extensive experimental testing on eight challenging image dataset shows that the proposed method has achieved highly competent objective performance compared to several state-of-the-art multi-view clustering methods.
An update on treatment for post-menopausal metastatic breast cancer in elderly patients

ABSTRACT Introduction: Elderly patients make up a significant proportion of patients with metastatic breast cancer. With several options available in the metastatic setting for hormone positive breast cancer, these patients require an individualized approach to decision-making that considers multiple factors beyond performance status and chronologic age. Areas covered: The authors review the literature on endocrine monotherapy and combinations for hormone positive metastatic breast cancer, with specific commentary on the efficacy and toxicity for elderly patients. The authors describe the role of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and highlight the considerations for the use of bone modifying agents, and HER2-targeted therapy for hormone positive/HER2+ patients. Expert opinion: Evidence for elderly patients is largely based on subgroup analyses, which should be interpreted with caution. Nonetheless, elderly patients with metastatic hormone receptor positive breast cancer appear to derive similar benefit from treatments as younger patients. Similarly, for most drugs, these patients have no significant worsening of toxicity compared to younger patients. In addition to tumor biology, patient values and information from the CGA should be used to guide treatment decisions.
in Middle Eastern and North African Economies Quinlan School of Business 9-1-2013 Oil Prices Once Again : The Link Towards Middle East Economies

Recently, it is observed that current account surplus in oil exporting countries have been rising with the help of peaking oil prices. Expansionary monetary policies of major central banks boosting the speculation on commodity prices, political turmoil in Middle East region which is called the “Arab Spring,” and most importantly rising energy demand in the world economy due to high average growth rates of developing countries are argued to be the main reasons for the rising oil prices. This study aims to clarify the global stance of oil prices examining causes and how this affects Middle East economies (MEEs) separately from the rest of the world. The focus of the study will be on the demand pull factors for the rise in oil prices. As for causes, Chinese and Indian economic growth levels are examined since the oil demand of these countries constitutes a crucial ratio of the world oil demand. As for effects, the rise in oil price brings about a trade surplus which contributes to the growth of MEEs. Shortly, this study investigates whether there is a transmission mechanism from South and East Asia to MEEs via oil prices. For the time series analysis, Pesaran et al. (2001) bounds testing are used. Empirical findings confirm the link towards MEEs.
Advanced Glycation End Products, Oxidation Products, and the Extent of Atherosclerosis During the VA Diabetes Trial and Follow-up Study

OBJECTIVE To determine whether plasma levels of advanced glycation end products and oxidation products play a role in the development of atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) over nearly 10 years of the VA Diabetes Trial and Follow-up Study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Baseline plasma levels of methylglyoxal hydroimidazolone, Nε-carboxymethyl lysine, Nε-carboxyethyl lysine (CEL), 3-deoxyglucosone hydroimidazolone and glyoxal hydroimidazolone (G-H1), 2-aminoadipic acid (2-AAA), and methionine sulfoxide were measured in a total of 411 participants, who underwent ultrasound assessment of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and computed tomography scanning of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and abdominal aortic artery calcification (AAC) after an average of 10 years of follow-up. RESULTS In risk factor–adjusted multivariable regression models, G-H1 was associated with the extent of CIMT and CAC. In addition, 2-AAA was strongly associated with the extent of CAC, and CEL was strongly associated with the extent of AAC. The combination of specific advanced glycation end products and oxidation products (G-H1 and 2-AAA) was strongly associated with all measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS Specific advanced glycation end products and metabolic oxidation products are associated with the severity of subclinical atherosclerosis over the long term and may play an important role in the “negative metabolic memory” of macrovascular complications in people with long-standing T2D.
Metabolic adaptation to caloric restriction and subsequent refeeding: the Minnesota Starvation Experiment revisited.

BACKGROUND Adaptive thermogenesis (AT) is the fat-free mass (FFM)-independent reduction of resting energy expenditure (REE) to caloric restriction (CR). AT attenuates weight loss and favors weight regain. Its variance, dynamics, and control remain obscure. OBJECTIVES Our aims were to address the variance and kinetics of AT, its associations with body composition in the context of endocrine determinants, and its effect on weight regain. DESIGN Thirty-two nonobese men underwent sequential overfeeding (1 wk at +50% of energy needs), CR (3 wk at -50% of energy needs), and refeeding (2 wk at +50% of energy needs). AT and its determinants were measured together with body composition as assessed with the use of quantitative magnetic resonance, whole-body MRI, isotope dilution, and nitrogen and fluid balances. RESULTS Changes in body weight were +1.8 kg (overfeeding), -6.0 kg (CR), and +3.5 kg (refeeding). CR reduced fat mass and FFM by 114 and 159 g/d, respectively. Within FFM, skeletal muscle (-5%), liver (-13%), and kidneys (-8%) decreased. CR also led to reductions in REE (-266 kcal/d), respiratory quotient (-15%), heart rate (-14%), blood pressure (-7%), creatinine clearance (-12%), energy cost of walking (-22%), activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) (-38%), and plasma leptin (-44%), insulin (-54%), adiponectin (-49%), 3,5,3'-tri-iodo-thyronine (T3) (-39%), and testosterone (-11%). AT was 108 kcal/d or 48% of the decrease in REE. Changes in FFM composition explained 36 kcal, which left 72 kcal/d for true AT. The decrease in AT became significant at ≤3 d of CR and was related to decreases in insulin secretion (r = 0.92, P < 0.001), heart rate (r = 0.60, P < 0.05), creatinine clearance (r = 0.79, P < 0.05), negative fluid balance (r = 0.51, P < 0.01), and the free water clearance rate (r = -0.90, P < 0.002). SNS activity and plasma leptin, ghrelin, and T3 and their changes with CR were not related to AT. CONCLUSION During early weight loss, AT is associated with a fall in insulin secretion and body fluid balance. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01737034.
Pulmonary hypertension: Barrier or just a bump in the road in transplanting adults with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of death in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). Identification of disease progression and timing of referral for advanced therapies is often delayed. However, increased awareness and understanding of ACHD and improvements in the approach to treatment have led to improved outcomes. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common barrier to HT. In ACHD, the approach to PH and HT is quite complicated, given the anatomic heterogeneity and lower prevalence and experience. However, in some cases, PH is a result of elevated systemic filling pressures and low output. METHODS We describe the approach used to successfully transplant an ACHD patient with severe pre-HT PH performing HT alone. We review the literature and describe the one patient's journey from primarily palliative, to a combined heart-lung transplant candidate, to successful HT patient. RESULTS We discuss the methodology used to successfully transplant a patient, with significantly elevated pulmonary pressures and an initial pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) > 13 Wood units. CONCLUSIONS There are a number of complexities associated with the ACHD population and it is of utmost importance to carefully identify the underlying hemodynamic milieu and inform the appropriate treatment course in order to have successful transplant outcomes.
Obtaining Highly Selective Responses from a Bulk Tin Oxide Gas Sensor

Generic gas sensors are commonly used for the detection of different airborne contaminants due to their high sensitivity, long life and low cost, but they generally suffer from the variety of drifts and the lack of selectivity. Different techniques have been developed for selectivity enhancement in metal oxide gas sensors, among which operating temperature modulation is well known. It has been observed that sharp pallet temperature changes provide more analyte-related information. Due to the high thermal capacitance of the device, applying step voltage pulses to a bulk tin oxide gas sensor fails to provide step pallet temperature variations. On the other hand, the low thermal capacity of the custom made microheater gas sensors renders them vulnerable to all kinds of thermal noise and agitations. A novel technique is reported for temperature modulation, which facilitates sharp temperature rises of the gas sensitive pallets in generic gas sensors [. In this technique, a sharp heating voltage spike, considerably surpassing the nominal heating voltage, is applied prior to each heating voltage step. The thermal impact of these spikes is adjusted by controlling v2dt for obtaining the closest variations to the ideal temperature profile. Here, the advantages and effectiveness of the technique are demonstrated by differentiating among iso-butanol, tert-butanol, 1-butanol and 2-butanol contaminations in a wide concentration range in air using only a single generic tin oxide gas sensor.
5-1-2006 Permeability Hysteresis in Gravity Counterflow

Hysteresis effects in two-phase flow in porous media are important in applications such as waterflooding or gas storage in sand aquifers. In this paper, we develop a numerical scheme for such a flow where the permeability hysteresis is modeled by a family of reversible scanning curves enclosed by irreversible imbibition and drainage permeability curves. The scheme is based on associated local Riemann solutions and can be viewed as a modification of the classical Godunov method. The Riemann solutions necessary for the scheme are presented, as well as the criteria that guarantee the well-posedness of the Riemann problem with respect to perturbations of left and right states. The numerical and analytical results show strong influence of the permeability hysteresis on the flow. In addition, the numerical scheme accurately reproduces the available experimental data once hysteresis is taken into account in the model.
MGMT promoter-enhancer single nucleotide polymorphism rs16906252 is associated with MGMT promoter methylation in cancer

The methylation of the O(6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter is frequently observed in several cancer types. The potential correlation between the C>T allele at SNP rs16906252 and methylation in MGMT are being actively investigated and remain largely elusive. We studied the allelic pattern of MGMT methylation through meta-analysis. All eligible studies were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using fixedor random-effect model. Genotype and allelic frequency compared between cases and controls together with further subgroup analyses were carried out by cancer type. A total of 6 studies involving 1775 cancer cases were analyzed. Meta-analysis from this study indicated that the T allele of the rs16906252 SNP were strongly associated with increased risk for MGMT methylation in allelic model (OR = 9.70, 95% CI 4.12-22.86, Pheterogeneity = 0.021), heterozygote comparison OR = 11.28, 95% CI 4.46-28.52, Pheterogeneity = 0.024) and dominant model (OR = 6.61, 95% CI 3.23-13.54, Pheterogeneity = 0.003). Stratified analysis by cancer type indicated that the association became more prominent among glioblastoma, colorectal cancer and other cancer. Our study provides strong evidence that the T allele of a MGMT promoter-enhancer SNP is a key determinant for MGMT methylation in cancer. Clarifying this association could advance our knowledge of the influence of MGMT promoter-enhancer single nucleotide polymorphism rs16906252 on MGMT promoter methylation in cancer.
Towards a Hybrid World - The Fuzzy Quality of Collaboration/Interaction (FuzzyQoC/I) Hybrid Model in the Semantic Web 3.0

As a decision support tool, a hybrid modelling can offer the ability to better understand the dynamics of a particular ecosystem. This paper proposes a hybrid approach that may serve as a means to synthesize/represent knowledge obtained from the data, in order to explore online learning environment (OLE) states, based on different scenarios. The potentiality of the quality of collaboration (QoC) within an Internet-based computer-supported collaborative learning environment and the quality of interaction (QoI) with a learning management system (LMS), both involving fuzzy logic-based modeling, as vehicles to improve the personalization and intelligence of an OLE is explored. In this approach, a novel framework could be established, when bridging the fields of blended- and collaborative-learning into an enhanced educational environment. The combined measures (i.e., QoC, QoI) can form the basis for a more realistic approach of OLEs within the concept of semantic Web and the associated Web 3.0 features, as they effectively capture the behaviour of the stakeholders involved in the context of Higher Education. Finally, a potential case study of the examined hybrid modelling (FuzzyQoC/I), referring to the âi-Treasuresâ European FP7 Programme, is discussed, to explore its functionality/applicability under pragmatic learning scenarios, serving as a proof of concept.
Preparation of Pb(Zr_1−xTi_x)O_3 powders from complex alkoxide and their lower-temperature crystallization

Pb(Zr_ x Ti_ x )O_3 (PZT) powders of 0.2–0.4 μm particle sizes could be obtained from the complex alkoxides synthesized from lead acetate, Zr(OBu^ n )_4, and Ti(OEt)_4. The powders crystallized to well-crystalline perovskite phases at a temperature as low as 250 °C, independent of the compositional ratio of the B site (Zr/Ti). For the preparation of powders, the complexing of alkoxides, addition of the second solvent such as acetone, acetonitrile, or methyl acetate, and base-catalyzed hydrolysis with ammonia water were essential.
Towards a Practical Subject-Independent Affective State Recognition Based On Time-Domain EEG Feature Extraction

This work presents an evaluation of two time domain-based features, i.e., fractal dimension (FD) and higher-order crossings (HOC), for the subject-independent EEG-based recognition of four affective states as a preliminary step towards a practical real-time affective brain computer interface. EEG data were acquired from an experiment targeting the elicitation of four emotions using affective sounds. Features were computed for each electrode individually and tested in terms of classification using the k-nearest neighbors classifier. Results show that the valence of affective states can be recognized effectively, when the arousal level is specified. Moreover, an above chance level classification accuracy was achieved using a single electrode for the four affective states recognition. Both FD and HOC performed similarly, while the best classification rates were achieved from frontal electrode locations.
Georgopoulos, S. P. and Parkin, T. D.H. (2017) Risk factors for equine fractures in Thoroughbred flat racing in North America. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 139(Pt

The aim of this paper is to identify risk factors associated with equine fractures in flat horse racing of Thoroughbreds in North America. Equine fractures were defined as any fracture sustained by a horse during a race. This was a cohort study that made use of all starts from the racecourses reporting injuries. The analysis was based on 2,201,152 racing starts that represent 91% of all official racing starts in the USA and Canada from 1 st January 2009–31 st December 2014. Approximately 3,990,000 workout starts made by the 171,523 Thoroughbreds that raced during that period were also included in the analysis. During this period the incidence of equine fractures was 2 per 1000 starts. The final multivariable logistic regression models identified risk factors significantly associated (p < 0.05) with equine fracture. For example, horses were found to have a 32% higher chance of sustaining a fracture when racing on a dirt surface compared to a synthetic surface; a 35% higher chance if they had sustained a previous injury during racing and a 47% higher chance was also found for stallions compared to mares and geldings. Furthermore, logistic regression models based on data available only from the period 2009–2013 were used to predict the probability of a Thoroughbred sustaining a fracture for 2014. The 5% of starts that had the highest score in our predictive models for 2014 were found to have 2.4 times (95% CI: 1.9–2.9) higher fracture prevalence than the mean fracture prevalence of 2014. The results of this study can be used to identify horses at higher risk on entering a race and could help inform the design and implementation of preventive measures aimed at minimising the number of Thoroughbreds sustaining fractures during racing in North America.