Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Associated With QT Prolongation in the General Population

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is independently associated with QT prolongation among patients with diabetes. It has not yet been determined whether this association remains valid in the general population. We designed an observational study to explore this association. Methods and Results We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 31 116 consecutive participants in our health management program. Heart rate–corrected QT (QTc) interval was derived from 12-lead electrocardiography and by Bazett’s formula. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography and classified as none, mild, moderate, or severe, according to the ultrasonographic criteria. A multivariable linear regression model was fitted for the association between QTc interval and potential predictors (including demographic, anthropometric, biochemical factors, and comorbidities). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were fitted to assess the association between the severity of NAFLD and QTc prolongation, with the adjustment of significant predictors derived from multivariable linear regression. The mean QTc interval was 421.3 ms (SD 45.4 ms). In the multivariable linear regression analyses, mild, moderate, and severe NAFLD were associated with increases of 2.55, 6.59, and 12.13 ms, respectively, in QTc interval compared with no NAFLD (all P<0.001). In the multivariable logistic regression analyses, mild, moderate, and severe NAFLD were associated with an increased risk for QTc prolongation, with odds ratios of 1.11 (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.21, P<0.05), 1.61 (95% CI: 1.36 to 1.9, P<0.001), and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.16 to 2.24, P<0.01), respectively, in women, and 1.11 (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.21, P<0.05), 1.39 (95% CI: 1.22 to 1.59, P<0.001), and 1.87 (95% CI: 1.16 to 2.24, P<0.001), respectively, in men, after adjusting for predictors known to be associated with the QTc interval. The association remained significant among subgroups with or without diabetes. Conclusions The severity of NAFLD was associated with a higher risk for QTc prolongation in the general population with and without diabetes.
Video mining using combinations of unsupervised and supervised learning techniques

We discuss the meaning and significance of the video mining problem, and present our work on some aspects of video mining. A simple definition of video mining is unsupervised discovery of patterns in audio-visual content. Such purely unsupervised discovery is readily applicable to video surveillance as well as to consumer video browsing applications. We interpret video mining as content-adaptive or "blind" content processing, in which the first stage is content characterization and the second stage is event discovery based on the characterization obtained in stage 1. We discuss the target applications and find that using a purely unsupervised approach are too computationally complex to be implemented on our product platform. We then describe various combinations of unsupervised and supervised learning techniques that help discover patterns that are useful to the end-user of the application. We target consumer video browsing applications such as commercial message detection, sports highlights extraction etc. We employ both audio and video features. We find that supervised audio classification combined with unsupervised unusual event discovery enables accurate supervised detection of desired events. Our techniques are computationally simple and robust to common variations in production styles etc.
A taxonomy and survey on scheduling algorithms for scientific workflows in IaaS cloud computing environments

Large‐scale scientific problems are often modeled as workflows. The ever‐growing data and compute requirements of these applications has led to extensive research on how to efficiently schedule and deploy them in distributed environments. The emergence of the latest distributed systems paradigm, cloud computing, brings with it tremendous opportunities to run scientific workflows at low costs without the need of owning any infrastructure. It provides a virtually infinite pool of resources that can be acquired, configured, and used as needed and are charged on a pay‐per‐use basis. However, along with these benefits come numerous challenges that need to be addressed to generate efficient schedules. This work identifies these challenges and studies existing algorithms from the perspective of the scheduling models they adopt as well as the resource and application model they consider. A detailed taxonomy that focuses on features particular to clouds is presented, and the surveyed algorithms are classified according to it. In this way, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of existing literature and aid researchers by providing an insight into future directions and open issues.
An Improved Face Verification Approach Based on Speedup Robust Features and Pairwise Matching

Human faces are known to present large variability due to factors like pose and facial expression variations, changes in illumination and occlusion, among others, thus making face verification a very challenging problem. In this paper we address the problem of face verification with special interest on how to reduce degradation usually associated with face images acquired under uncontrolled environments. The approach we propose in this paper starts with a preprocessing step to correct in-plane face orientation and to compensate for illumination changes. SURF features are then extracted, which adds to the method a certain degree of invariance to pose, facial expression and other sources of variation. Taking the SURF features as input, an original pair wise face matching procedure is performed. The resulting matching scores are stored in a similarity matrix, which is then evaluated. An experimental study has revealed that the proposed approach produced the best ROC curve when compared to published work regarding the unsupervised setup of the Labeled Faces in the Wild (LFW) [1] face database.
A qualitative comparative analysis(QCA) of innovation network attributes

Innovation network is a prime source of innovation performance and a hot topic in research. However, nearly all empirical study stands on the impact of individual network attribute on innovative performance. We propose a different, holistic framework, which posits that innovation performance doesn't depend on individual network attribute, but on specific configurations of such attributes. This study conducts a qualitative comparative analysis of innovation network attributes based on the data from 156 small medium enterprises (SMEs)in Beijing Hi-Tech Industrial Development Area, China. Result indicates that individual network attributes have complex trade-off effects and that 4 specific combinations of attributes act as sufficient conditions for innovative performance. Our findings contribute to managerial practice by providing new sights for reasonable utilization of innovation network.
Arithmetic and Boolean Operations on Recursively Run-Length Compressed Natural Numbers

We study arithmetic properties of a new tree-based canonical number representation, recursively run-length compressed natural numbers, defined by applying recursively a run-length encoding of their binary digits. We design arithmetic and boolean operations with recursively runlength compressed natural numbers that work a block of digits at a time and are limited only by the representation complexity of their operands, rather than their bitsizes. As a result, operations on very large numbers exhibiting a regular structure become tractable. In addition, we ensure that the average complexity of our operations is still within constant factors of the usual arithmetic operations on binary numbers. Arithmetic operations on our recursively run-length compressed are specified as pattern-directed recursive equations made executable by using a purely declarative subset of the functional language Haskell.
A Ca2+ Threshold for Induction of Spike-Timing-Dependent Depression in the Mouse Striatum

The striatum is the principal input nucleus of the basal ganglia, receiving glutamatergic afferents from the cerebral cortex. There is much interest in mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the corticostriatal synapses. We used two-photon microscopy and whole-cell recording to measure changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) associated with spike-time-dependent plasticity in mouse striatum. Uncaging glutamate adjacent to a dendritic spine caused a postsynaptic potential at the soma and a rise in spine [Ca2+]i. Action potentials elicited at the soma raised both dendrite and spine [Ca2+]i. Pairing protocols in which glutamate uncaging preceded action potentials by 10 ms (pre-post protocol) produced supralinear increases in spine [Ca2+]i compared with the sum of increases seen with uncaging and action potentials alone, or timing protocols in which the uncaging followed the action potentials (post-pre protocols). The supralinear component of the increases in [Ca2+]i were eliminated by the voltage-sensitive calcium channel blocker nimodipine. In the adjacent parent dendrites, the increases in [Ca2+]i were neither supralinear nor sensitive to the relative pre-post timing. In parallel experiments, we investigated the effects of these pairing protocols on spike-timing-dependent synaptic plasticity. Long-term depression (t-LTD) of corticostriatal inputs was induced by pre-post but not post-pre protocols. Intracellular calcium chelators and calcium antagonists blocked pre-post t-LTD, confirming that elevated calcium entering via voltage-sensitive calcium channels is necessary for t-LTD. These findings confirm a spine [Ca2+]i threshold for induction of t-LTD in the corticostriatal pathway, mediated by the supralinear increase in [Ca2+]i associated with pre-post induction protocols.
Dissociation of mitochondrial depolarization from cytochrome c release during apoptosis induced by photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with the phthalocyanine photosensitizer Pc 4 induces rapid apoptosis in mouse lymphoma (LY-R) cells, initiating with the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. It has been proposed that the opening of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pores, which results in the dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), is essential for the escape of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol as well as for apoptotic cell death. Therefore, we have assessed the correlation between the loss of Δψmand the release of cytochrome c following PDT. Treatment of LY-R cells with 300 nM Pc 4 and 60, 90 or 120 mJ/cm2of red light resulted in apoptosis of 80–90% of the cells, accompanied by >20-fold elevation in caspase-3-like activity within one h. At all 3 doses of PDT employed here, the majority of the cytochrome c was released from mitochondria at 15 min after irradiation, as determined by an immunohistochemical method. In contrast, the loss of Δψmfollowing PDT, as monitored by the uptake of JC-1 or Rh-123, depended on the PDT dose and the post-treatment time. In spite of the release of cytochrome c at 15 min after each of the 3 doses, a corresponding loss of Δψmwas observed only for those cells that received the highest dose of PDT. Virtually all cells that received one of the lower doses of PDT (300 nM Pc 4 plus 60 or 90 mJ/cm2) maintained normal Δψm. Hence, our results support the conclusion that the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria resulting from Pc 4-PDT-induced photodamage is independent of the loss of Δψm. Therefore, it is important to consider a range of doses of this or other apoptotic stimuli in deciphering the relationship of metabolic responses that contribute to apoptosis. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign
Classifying and selecting UX and usability measures

There are many different types of measures of usability and user experience (UX). The overall goal of usability from a user perspective is to obtain acceptable effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction (Bevan, 1999, ISO 9241-11). This paper summarises the purposes of measurement (summative or formative), and the measures of usability that can be taken at the user interface level and at the system level. The paper suggests that the concept of usability at the system level can be broadened to include learnability, accessibility and safety, which contribute to the overall user experience. UX can be measured as the user’s satisfaction with achieving pragmatic and hedonic goals, and pleasure. WHY MEASURE UX/USABILITY? The most common reasons for measuring usability in product development are to obtain a more complete understanding of users’ needs and to improve the product in order to provide a better user experience. But it is also important to establish criteria for UX/usability goals at an early stage of design, and to use summative measures to evaluate whether these have been achieved during development. Summative measures
Disambiguate: An open-source application for disambiguating two species in next generation sequencing data from grafted samples [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

Grafting of cell lines and primary tumours is a crucial step in the drug development process between cell line studies and clinical trials. Disambiguate is a program for computationally separating the sequencing reads of two species derived from grafted samples. Disambiguate operates on alignments to the two species and separates the components at very high sensitivity and specificity as illustrated in artificially mixed human-mouse samples. This allows for maximum recovery of data from target tumours for more accurate variant calling and gene expression quantification. Given that no general use open source algorithm accessible to the bioinformatics community exists for the purposes of separating the two species data, the proposed Disambiguate tool presents a novel approach and improvement to performing sequence analysis of grafted samples. Both Python and C++ implementations are available and they are integrated into several open and closed source pipelines. Disambiguate is open source and is freely available at https://github.com/AstraZeneca-NGS/disambiguate.
Identification and immunohistochemical localization of protein precursors to human axillary odors in apocrine glands and secretions.

OBJECTIVES To determine the cellular localization in male and female axillary tissue for apocrine secretion odor-binding proteins 1 (ASOB1) and 2 (ASOB2) and the electrophoretic pattern of female apocrine proteins and to begin characterization of the ASOB1 protein. DESIGN Immunohistochemical techniques were used with biopsy samples from axillary tissue of male and female subjects. Immunological techniques and microsequencing were used to characterize several of the proteins in male and female apocrine secretions. SETTING A university medical center. PARTICIPANTS Healthy male and female volunteers who donated apocrine secretions and/or axillary tissue. RESULTS Specific immunoreactivity was localized only to the apocrine glands in both sexes. Furthermore, only preabsorption with a mixed apocrine secretion sample eliminated all immunoreactivity. The electrophoretic pattern of proteins in female apocrine secretions is similar to that in male secretions. Western blotting of the separated proteins from female samples using serum samples containing antibodies to ASOB1 and ASOB2 yielded identical results to those found with separated proteins from male samples. Partial sequence data obtained from the N-terminus of ASOB1 suggested that it shares homology with the alpha-chain of apolipoprotein J (Apo J). Apocrine secretion odor-binding protein 1 is not immunologically similar to ApoJ, but 2 other apocrine secretion proteins are. CONCLUSIONS Male and female subjects appear to have the same glycoprotein carriers for (E)-3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid localized to the apocrine glands. The N-terminal sequence for ASOB1 may be homologous to Apo J, but it is not immunologically similar to it. However, 2 other proteins in the apocrine secretion appear to be the monomer and dimer forms of Apo J.
Performance analysis of amplify-and-forward relaying using fractional calculus

The paper provides a simple approach for analysing the performance of Amplify-and-Forward relaying systems that are subject to block Rayleigh fading. The PDF of equivalent Source-to-Relay-to-Destination (S-R-D) link SNR involves modified Bessel functions of the second kind. Using fractional calculus mathematics, a simple, yet novel approach is introduced to rewrite the modified Bessel functions in series form using simple elementary functions. Then, we derive a novel S-R-D link SNR model which is mathematically convenient to work with. By obtaining a simple SNR model for S-R-D link, we derive the PDF of the equivalent total SNR which is observed by the destination (including both the S-R-D and S-D channels). By having a simple expression for the equivalent total SNR, performance analysis of the relaying system turns to be a simple task. Finally, we derive novel theoretical expressions for bit error probability of the system using simple elementary functions. The theoretical results are confirmed with Monte-Carlo simulations.
Using Social Network Analysis Techniques to Examine Online Interactions

Because of the increasing dependence on electronic means for communication, people's experiences become more virtual and less tangible. But these digital experiences are usually recorded, and they could be traced and analyzed. The persistent data generated by online interactions could be analyzed with different methodologies, like content analysis or thread analysis. However, these methods could be time -consuming or overlook structural characteristics of the interactions. Social network analysis (SNA) techniques have been applied to a variety of problems and they have been successful in uncovering relationships not seen with any other traditional method. Also, visualization techniques are important aids in helping researchers understand social and conversational patterns in online interactions. SNA techniques paired with recent developments in software for visualization could help provide a clearer picture of what is happening in the online environment. In this work, SNA techniques and visualizations were used to examine interactions in an online asynchronous forum. The methodologies to create the visual objects that represent these online interactions are shown and the utility of these images as devices for data pattern recognition is discussed.
The Detection and Classification of Non-Functional Requirements with Application to Early Aspects

This paper introduces an information retrieval based approach for automating the detection and classification of non-functional requirements (NFRs). Early detection of NFRs is useful because it enables system level constraints to be considered and incorporated into early architectural designs as opposed to being refactored in at a later time. Candidate NFRs can be detected in both structured and unstructured documents, including requirements specifications that contain scattered and non-categorized NFRs, and freeform documents such as meeting minutes, interview notes, and memos containing stakeholder comments documenting their NFR related needs. This paper describes the classification algorithm and then evaluates its effectiveness in an experiment based on fifteen requirements specifications developed as term projects by MS students at DePaul University. An additional case study is also described in which the approach is used to classifying NFRs from a large free form requirements document obtained from Siemens Logistics and Automotive Organization
Supplier reputation and price premium: the case of groundnuts in Rotterdam

Firmâ€™s reputation depends on the quality of its goods and its reliability as a supplier. This may explain observed price differences between commodities from different origins but with the same observable characteristics. We analyse data for the Rotterdam market and use hedonic price analysis to show the existence of a price premium that favours the US over other origins. As secondary information points out exporter reliability as one explanation we formalise the relationship between reliability and price premiums in a theoretical model and analyse its implications.
SN 1987A: Rotation and a Binary Companion

In this paper we provide a possible link between the structure of the bipolar nebula surrounding SN 1987A and the properties of its progenitor star. A wind-blown bubble (WBB) scenario is employed in which a fast, tenuous wind from a blue supergiant expands into a slow, dense wind expelled during an earlier red supergiant phase. The bipolar shape develops because of a pole-to-equator density contrast in the slow wind (i.e., the slow wind forms a slow torus). We use the wind compressed disk (WCD) model of Bjorkman & Cassinelli to determine the shape of the slow torus. In the WCD scenario, the shape of the torus is determined by the rotation of the progenitor star. We then use a self-similar semianalytical method for WBB evolution to determine the shape of the resulting bipolar nebula. We find that the union of wind-compressed disk and bipolar WBB models allows us to recover the salient properties of the circumstellar nebula of SN 1987A. In particular, the size, speed, and density of the inner ring of SN 1987A are easily reproduced in our calculations. An exploration of parameter space shows that the red supergiant progenitor must have been rotating at ≳0.3 of its breakup speed. We conclude that the progenitor was most likely spun up by a merger with a binary companion. Using a simple model for the binary merger, we find that the companion is likely to have had a mass of ≳0.5 M☉.
Fuzzy adaptation for information access to digital libraries

Different models have been proposed to build systems that adapt to the user reducing the complexity in the information browsing process, saving user time and offering personalised interfaces. The work described in this paper named WAY-Z39.50, is an example of adaptive system specially built for accessing digital libraries. A fuzzy decision mechanism is used to implement the adaptation of both the user interface and the information searching process. This paper describes how this system has been designed and implemented, focusing on its fuzzy-based components. Finally, it also briefly discusses the advantages of using fuzzy logic to implement adaptability of the user interface and the searching process.
A series of national accounts-consistent estimates of poverty and inequality in South Africa

This paper makes a unique contribution to the South African literature in combining data from an alternative source of household survey data – the All Media and Product Survey (AMPS) – with national accounts income trends for this country, in the recent tradition of research on the world distribution of income performed by Bhalla (2002), Karshenas (2003), Bourguignon and Morrisson (2002), Sala-i-Martin (2002a; 2002b), and Quah (2002), amongst others. Its usefulness lies in arriving at alternative estimates of post-transition poverty and inequality that are consistent with the story that national accounts and other official data collectively tell us about the path of the South African economy during the post-transition period. While the method of scaling survey distribution data by national accounts means is somewhat controversial, it is not clear that the distributional trends obtained using the post-transition sets of either the IESs or the Population Censuses are more reliable, given serious deficiencies in both sources of data. Adjusted distributions yield lower levels of poverty and a stronger decline in poverty during the second half of the period than the figures obtained from the raw AMPS data. While the levels of poverty obtained using adjusted income distributions are artificially low, the derived downward trend is supported by a number of official data sources.