Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Limit distribution theory for block estimators in multiple isotonic regression

We study limit distributions for the tuning-free max-min block estimator originally proposed in [FLN17] in the problem of multiple isotonic regression, under both fixed lattice design and random design settings. We show that, if the regression function $f_0$ admits vanishing derivatives up to order $\alpha_k$ along the $k$-th dimension ($k=1,\ldots,d$) at a fixed point $x_0 \in (0,1)^d$, and the errors have variance $\sigma^2$, then the max-min block estimator $\hat{f}_n$ satisfies \begin{align*} (n_\ast/\sigma^2)^{\frac{1}{2+\sum_{k \in \mathcal{D}_\ast} \alpha_k^{-1}}}\big(\hat{f}_n(x_0)-f_0(x_0)\big)\rightsquigarrow \mathbb{C}(f_0,x_0). \end{align*} Here $\mathcal{D}_\ast, n_\ast$, depending on $\{\alpha_k\}$ and the design points, are the set of all `effective dimensions' and the size of `effective samples' that drive the asymptotic limiting distribution, respectively. If furthermore either $\{\alpha_k\}$ are relative primes to each other or all mixed derivatives of $f_0$ of certain critical order vanish at $x_0$, then the limiting distribution can be represented as $\mathbb{C}(f_0,x_0) =_d K(f_0,x_0) \cdot \mathbb{D}_{\alpha}$, where $K(f_0,x_0)$ is a constant depending on the local structure of the regression function $f_0$ at $x_0$, and $\mathbb{D}_{\alpha}$ is a non-standard limiting distribution generalizing the well-known Chernoff distribution in univariate problems. The above limit theorem is also shown to be optimal both in terms of the local rate of convergence and the dependence on the unknown regression function whenever such dependence is explicit (i.e. $K(f_0,x_0)$), for the full range of $\{\alpha_k\}$ in a local asymptotic minimax sense.
AN MR DAMPER-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM INTRODUCING ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION PART

This paper investigates the feasibility and efficacy of an MR damper-based control system introducing an electromagnetic induction (EMI) part, for suppressing vibration of building structures subjected to seismic loadings. In the proposed control system, the EMI part composed of a permanent magnet and a coil converts the kinetic energy of the relative motion between a building and an MR fluid damper into the electric energy, which is used for a change in damping characteristics of the MR fluid damper. Since the EMI part can be used as a controller, which determines the command voltage input according to structural responses, as well as a power source, the proposed control system can be much more compact, convenient, and economic than a conventional active/semiactive system that needs a power supply, a controller and sensors. To verify the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed control system, a shaking table test of a small-scale building model employing the MR fluid damper with the EMI part is conducted. The performance of the proposed control system is compared with that of conventional control systems using an MR fluid damper.
sion Patterns in Tanzanian Children with Ocular Chlamydia trachomatis Infection, Active Trachoma and Scarring: Baseline Results of a 4-Year Longitudinal Study. Frontiers in cellular and infection

Ramadhani, AM; Derrick, T; MacLeod, D; Massae, P; Mtuy, T; Jeffries, D; Roberts, CH; Bailey, RL; Mabey, DCW; Holland, MJ; +1 more. Burton, MJ; (2017) Immunofibrogenic Gene Expression Patterns in Tanzanian Children with Ocular Chlamydia trachomatis Infection, Active Trachoma and Scarring: Baseline Results of a 4-Year Longitudinal Study. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 7. ISSN 2235-2988 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2017. 00406 Downloaded from: http://researchonline.lshtm. ac.uk/4574262/ DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2017. 00406
Pneumatic Tourniquet in Pediatric Surgery-Is it not Time to Break the Pressure of Habits?

Purpose: Pneumatic tourniquet is commonly used in limb surgery including in pediatric population. Despite the potential benefits on operating condition, its use is not without risk and can lead to disastrous adverse effects. In daily practice, tourniquet cuff pressures are commonly set arbitrary at standard pressures, based on empirical formulas or surgeon's experience or habits. In children, anatomical and physiological characteristics are rarely taken into account. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the impact of a low tourniquet cuff pressure setting on operative field quality and surgical satisfaction. Methods: All children less than 16 years of age scheduled for elective extremity surgery were consecutively included. The tourniquet cuff pressure was defined on the base of the child's baseline systolic blood pressure increased by 50 mmHg. At the same time, the surgeon, who remained blind on the tourniquet cuff pressure applied, was asked to indicate the desired cuff pressure according to the usual individual practice. At the end of procedure, operative field quality and surgical satisfaction were collected. The applied tourniquet pressure was compared with the cuff pressure desired by the surgeons. Results: Thirty-two children (10 ± 4.5 years, 39 ± 20 kg) were included. The mean cuff pressure desired by surgeons was 207 ± 37 mmHg. In comparison, tourniquet cuff pressure applied was 146 ± 11 mmHg (difference in means: ΔTP: 28% [CI 95% 26-33%], p<0.001). The mean surgical satisfaction score referring to the quality of the operative field and operative conditions was 9 ± 1 with an excellent or good surgeon satisfaction in 100% of cases. Conclusion: In children up to 16 years, adjustment of tourniquet cuff pressure 50 mmHg above the baseline systolic blood pressure has resulted in a reduction of almost 30% of the cuff pressure compared to current practice without compromising the quality of the operative field. These preliminary data suggest the possible use of low tourniquet cuff pressure in children and the need to promote guidelines on the best practices for safer use of pneumatic tourniquet in pediatric surgery.
Selection of intermittent drought tolerant lines across years and locations in the reference collection of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Introduction Drought is by far the most important factor contributing to crop ield loss in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) characterized by low and rratic rainfall. Therefore, identification of genotypes that have a etter ability to use limited available water is important to enhance ∗ Corresponding author. Tel. : +91 40 3071 3463; fax: +91 40 4071 3074. E-mail address: v.vadez@cgiar.org (V. Vadez). 378-4290/$ – see front matter © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. oi:10.1016/j.fcr. 2011.10. 009 © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. crop productivity in the SAT. Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important food and cash crop grown mainly under rainfed conditions in the semi-arid regions. Unpredictable and intermittent periods of water deficit commonly occur during its growth period (Vorasoot et al., 2003). Drought stress has depressive effects on groundnut productivity (Nageswara Rao et al., 1989; Nautiyal et al., 2002; Nigam et al., 2005; Songsri et al., 2008a,b). The depressive effect of drought on growth and yield components depends on the time, the intensity and/or the duration of drought stress (Nautiyal et al., 2002; Nigam et al., 2005). Intermittent drought, which is
Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012.

IMPORTANCE More than one-third of adults and 17% of youth in the United States are obese, although the prevalence remained stable between 2003-2004 and 2009-2010. OBJECTIVE To provide the most recent national estimates of childhood obesity, analyze trends in childhood obesity between 2003 and 2012, and provide detailed obesity trend analyses among adults. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Weight and height or recumbent length were measured in 9120 participants in the 2011-2012 nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES In infants and toddlers from birth to 2 years, high weight for recumbent length was defined as weight for length at or above the 95th percentile of the sex-specific Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts. In children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years, obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile of the sex-specific CDC BMI-for-age growth charts. In adults, obesity was defined as a BMI greater than or equal to 30. Analyses of trends in high weight for recumbent length or obesity prevalence were conducted overall and separately by age across 5 periods (2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, and 2011-2012). RESULTS In 2011-2012, 8.1% (95% CI, 5.8%-11.1%) of infants and toddlers had high weight for recumbent length, and 16.9% (95% CI, 14.9%-19.2%) of 2- to 19-year-olds and 34.9% (95% CI, 32.0%-37.9%) of adults (age-adjusted) aged 20 years or older were obese. Overall, there was no significant change from 2003-2004 through 2011-2012 in high weight for recumbent length among infants and toddlers, obesity in 2- to 19-year-olds, or obesity in adults. Tests for an interaction between survey period and age found an interaction in children (P = .03) and women (P = .02). There was a significant decrease in obesity among 2- to 5-year-old children (from 13.9% to 8.4%; P = .03) and a significant increase in obesity among women aged 60 years and older (from 31.5% to 38.1%; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Overall, there have been no significant changes in obesity prevalence in youth or adults between 2003-2004 and 2011-2012. Obesity prevalence remains high and thus it is important to continue surveillance.
A Prototype Photoplethysmography Electronic Device that Distinguishes Congestive Heart Failure from Healthy Individuals by Applying Natural Time Analysis

In this paper, a prototype photoplethysmography (PPG) electronic device is presented for the distinction of individuals with congestive heart failure (CHF) from the healthy (H) by applying the concept of Natural Time Analysis (NTA). Data were collected simultaneously with a conventional three-electrode electrocardiography (ECG) system and our prototype PPG electronic device from H and CHF volunteers at the 2nd Department of Cardiology, Medical School of Ioannina, Greece. Statistical analysis of the results show a clear separation of CHF from H subjects by means of NTA for both the conventional ECG system and our PPG prototype system, with a clearly better distinction for the second one which additionally inherits the advantages of a low-cost portable device.
Generic Enzymatic Rate Equation

Kinetic modeling of large-scale metabolic network require a generic enzymatic rate equation.In the generic form,kinetic parameters are clear and precise enough to correlate to experimental data and construct a database.Such a uniform form is easy to deal with arbitrary number of substrates and products in computation of dynamic modeling.The generic rate equation is symmetrical in both directions of reversible reaction and formally exact under the quasi-steady state condition.Here presented the rigorous derivation of generic rate equation from further three classical enzymatic rate equations and discussed the characters and uses of the generic form.
Metabolite Profiling and Classification of Developing Styrax tonkinensis Kernels

Background: Styrax tonkinensis is an economic tree species with high timber, medicine, oil, and ornamental value. Its seed, containing a particularly high oil content, are widely studied for their biodiesel properties by nutritional components and oil body ultrastructure. However, their comprehensive biochemical compositions have not been studied. Methods: During S. tonkinensis kernel development, we collected samples from four time points for metabolite profiling and classification through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: A total of 187 and 1556 metabolites were obtained, respectively. All of the metabolites were grouped into 19 and 21 classes by their chemical properties and into 8 clusters based on their change trends, respectively. Among all the metabolites, carboxylic acids and derivatives, flavonoids, fatty acyls, glycerophospholipids, organooxygen compounds, prenol lipids, and steroids and steroid derivatives were the main components. Alanine, glutamine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine were the five most abundant amino acids. Palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid were the four major free fatty acids. Flavans, flavonoid glycosides and o-methylated flavonoids were the three major flavonoids. The differential metabolites distributions between different time points were identified. A pathway enrichment was performed, which was mainly focused on three groups, amino acids metabolism, carbon flow from sucrose to lipid and secondary metabolites biosynthesis. Conclusions: It’s the first time to analyze the metabolite fingerprinting for developing S. tonkinensis kernels and identify varied kinds of flavonoids. We performed metabolite profiling, classification and pathway enrichment to assess the comprehensive biochemical compositions. Our results described the change in major metabolites and main metabolic processes during S. tonkinensis kernel development and provided a variety of bases for seed applications as biofuel or medicine.
Infection Load and Prevalence of Novel Viruses Identified from the Bank Vole Do Not Associate with Exposure to Environmental Radioactivity

Bank voles (Myodes glareolus) are host to many zoonotic viruses. As bank voles inhabiting areas contaminated by radionuclides show signs of immunosuppression, resistance to apoptosis, and elevated DNA repair activity, we predicted an association between virome composition and exposure to radionuclides. To test this hypothesis, we studied the bank vole virome in samples of plasma derived from animals inhabiting areas of Ukraine (contaminated areas surrounding the former nuclear power plant at Chernobyl, and uncontaminated areas close to Kyiv) that differed in level of environmental radiation contamination. We discovered four strains of hepacivirus and four new virus sequences: two adeno-associated viruses, an arterivirus, and a mosavirus. However, viral prevalence and viral load, and the ability to cause a systemic infection, was not dependent on the level of environmental radiation.
Evaluation of human papilloma virus communicative education strategies: A pilot screening study for cervical cancer

Background: High-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) is highly prevalent in sexually active men and women; HR-HPV has been classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and as a necessary, but not sufficient, causal agent for cervical cancer. Women who test positive for HPV often experience serious psychosocial consequences such as fear, shame, fatalism and stigmatisation, as the result of popular perceptions of questionable moral and sexual conduct. To improve this situation, public health sector HPV communication and education strategies need to be improved. Objective: To evaluate the HPV communicative education strategies used in a pilot study for cervical cancer screening in Colombia using the HPV DNA test. Methodology: Analytic, qualitative research involving 10 focus groups (FGs) with women 30–65 years of age, grouped according to their test results (positive or negative) and age (younger or older than 50 years). Women participated in HPV communication and educational activities which included radio announcements, cartoon novel story books, flip charts and face-to-face communication. Content analysis of FGs discussions was conducted. Results: After participating in HPV communication and education activities, women were unable to differentiate clearly between infection and disease. HPV-negative women classified HPV as dangerous, primarily due to the vaccine communication strategies. The most remembered media were the cartoon novel story books, from which women were able to recall more details about the love story content than about the natural history of HPV. HPV-positive women felt afraid and fatalistic regarding their own HPV infection; face-to-face communication alleviated their anxiety and helped them recognise an HPV-positive report as good news. Conclusion: High-quality HPV vaccine communication strategies need to be implemented alongside screening messages. Face-to-face communication proved to be the most effective strategy for reducing the burden of stigmatisation among HPV-positive women, but timing is an essential component of communication.
Determination of protein-ligand affinity by spectral correlation interferometry

A method for protein-ligand affinity determination by spectral correlation interferometry (SСI) [1] has been developed. It is a heterogeneous method, therefore protein or ligand needs to be immobilized on the solid phase, which is a surface of a sensor chip. The interaction of biomolecules from solution with those on a surface increases the thickness of biolayer on the chip and, thus, changes the output signal. The SCI measures biolayer thickness with a precision of tens picometers, which provides the detection limit as low as 1/1000 of a protein monolayer. The spectral correlation interferometry was earlier applied for immunoassay development [2], investigation of drugs mechanism of action [3] and properties of polymer brushes [4].
Emotions, Argumentation and Argumentativity

The present paper examines how discursive representations and emotive constructions underpin an argumentative dynamic that emerges from apparently non-argumentative statements, like those found in newspaper headlines. Our data comes from Greek broadsheet newspapers in the polarized context of the Greek crisis. First, we outline an analytic synergy that scrutinizes representational meaning and the semiotization of emotions in headlines. We then move towards the reconstruction of the inferential passage, contained in the headlines, that unites the implicit standpoint with its supporting argument.
Distillery residue – waste with high biochemical methane potential

INTRODUCTION Distillery residue is generated as a by-product of alcohol production from cereals, potatoes, or fruit. Because Poland is one of the largest producers of spirit in the world, and 1 litre of produced alcohol generates as much as 12 litres of residue, management of this type of waste is a serious challenge. One of the ways to reuse distillery residue is its use as substrate for the production of biogas in the process of anaerobic digestion. The electricity and heat generated from the resulting biogas constitute an added value to the used residue, meeting the assumptions of the circular economy model. Scarce literature references document high biogas potential of distillery residues at a level of 0.3-0.7 m/kg VTS. In Poland, distillery residue is co-digested with other agro waste in agricultural biogas plants (it is often used as a diluting co-substrate). The goal of the study was to evaluate the possibility of applying distillery residue as a cosubstrate in anaerobic digestion of thickened excess sludge, with consideration of the possibility of an increase in the efficiency of co-digestion through the application of hydrodynamic disintegration. For this purpose, biochemical methane potential tests were performed. Moreover, the effect of pre-treatment of feedstock on the characteristics of digestate and its dewatering capacity was analysed.
EFFECTS OF REDUCED AND CONVENTIONAL TILLAGE ON WEED COMMUNITIES : RESULTS OF A LONG-TERM EXPERIMENT IN SOUTHWESTERN SPAIN

An important drawback in adopting minimum tillage (MT) and notillage (NT) techniques is the frequently observed weed shift promoting adapted species and achieving poorer weed control. These changes can be detected best with long-term experiments, and results might differ depending on soil characteristics and the local flora. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the effect of reduced tillage on weed seed distribution in the soil profile and to identify possible consequences on weed diversity on a long-term experiment maintained during 24 years in Seville (Spain) with three tillage systems: NT, MT and conventional tillage (CT) including moldboard plow on a vertisol. For this purpose, soil seedbanks at 0-8 cm and 8-16 cm depths were enumerated in autumn 2005 and in-field emerged plants in autumn 2005 and winter 2006. Shannon diversity index (H) and evenness (J’) were calculated for seedbank and aboveground weed communities. Total weed seed density was highest for NT and lowest for CT. Some big-seeded species, such as Chrozophora tinctorea L. , showed highest seed density in CT. NT increased the relative density of Amaranthus blitoides S. Watson seeds in the seedbank and the abundance of emerged plants of Malva parviflora L. , Anagallis arvensis L. and Picris echioides L. Overall, MT led to a less diverse seedbank in the 0-8 cm depth of soil than CT. The frequent drought-induced deep fractures in the expandable clay soil caused natural tillage, which probably resulted in fewer differences in weed seed and seedling densities among tillage treatments compared to what might be expected in other soil types.
Experiments on Interference and Coexistence between Zigbee and WLAN Devices Operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM Band

As a ubiquitous network era is approaching, the demand for ubiquitous wearable computer terminals is higher to support diverse services. Many types of communication devices, such as WLAN, Zigbee, CDMA, and WiBro are expected to be integrated in a single wearable computer terminal. However, both wireless local area network (WLAN) and wireless personal area network (WPAN) devices may coexist in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. Even other devices like a microwave oven may interfere with WLAN and WPAN devices. Since there is no central control coordinator among them, they can interfere with each other. Therefore, the effect of interference and coexistence problems among them become very important and urgent issues. In this paper, we investigate the effect of mutual interference among Zigbee devices, WLAN devices, and a microwave oven operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. We focus on the effect of mutual interference from WLAN devices and a microwave oven on Zigbee devices and measure the performance of Zigbee devices in terms of frame error rate (FER). Experimental results show that the mutual interference degrades the FER performance of Zigbee. To overcome this interference, we propose a coexistence algorithm for Zigbee devices. The performance of the proposed coexistence algorithm is better than for the system without it. Therefore, it can be applied as a coexistence solution in the 2.4 GHz ISM band where several types of devices interfere with one another.
Penalised Additive Least Squares Models for High Dimensional Nonparametric Regression and Function Selection

We describe additive kernel regression (AddKR), a generalisation of kernel least squares methods for nonparametric regression. Nonparametric methods typically allow us to consider a richer class of functions over parametric methods. However, unlike their parametric counterparts they suffer from high sample complexity in high dimensions and cannot be used to identify structure in the function. A common assumption in high dimensional regression models is to assume that the function is additive. In this work, we leverage this assumption, but considerably generalise existing additive models. We propose a convex optimisation objective for our problem and optimise it using Block Coordinate Gradient Descent. We demonstrate that Add-KR significantly outperforms existing algorithms for nonparametric regression on moderate to high dimensional problems and can be used to identify and exploit structure in the function.