Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterizing artefact in the normal human 24-hour RR time series to aid identification and artificial replication of circadian variations in human beat to beat heart rate using a simple threshold

The authors present an investigation into the incidences of ectopy and artefact as a function of time of day, heart rate and state changes for 19 normal subjects. State changes are defined to be a statistically significant change in mean or variance over a window of a few minutes. Artefact incidence is shown to be significantly correlated with state change and heart rate in normal humans, whereas ectopy exhibits no significant relationship. Artefact is therefore shown to be a source of information which can aid identification of activity or state changes and facilitate abnormality detection inpatient populations. Timing thresholds are proposed which differentiate between artefact, ectopy and sinus beats. A classification system based upon the frequency of artefact occurrences in relation to state changes is presented which correctly separates 78% of the the real (normal) and artificial RR interval time series in event 2 of the CinC Challenge 2002 (entry number 38).
Privatization and Its Benefits: Theory and Evidence

Privatization has been a key component of structural reform programs in both developed and developing economies. The aim of such programs is to achieve higher microeconomic efficiency and foster economic growth, as well as reduce public sector borrowing requirements through the elimination of unnecessary subsidies. Microeconomic theory tells us that incentive and contracting problems create inefficiencies due to public ownership, given that managers of state-owned enterprises pursue objectives that differ from those of private firms (political view) and face less monitoring (management view). Not only are the managers' objectives distorted, but the budget constraints they face are also softened. The soft-budget constraint emerges from the fact that bankruptcy is not a credible threat to public managers, for it is in the central government's own interest to bail them out in case of financial distress. Empirical evidence shows a robust corroboration of theoretical implications: privatization increases profitability and efficiency in both competitive and monopolistic sectors. Full privatization has a greater impact than partial privatization and monopolistic sectors show an increase in profitability that is above the component explained by increases in productivity, which reflects their market power. From the macroeconomic perspective, no conclusive evidence can be drawn, but the trends are favorable. (JEL D21, D61, D62, E65)
Interacting with the ubiquitous computer: towards embedding interaction

Computing and communication technology is widely used and integrated in devices, environments, and everyday objects. Even with major advances in technology the vision of ubiquitous computing - from a user perspective - is not yet achieved. In this paper we look at new forms of interaction that will help to interact with the ubiquitous computer. In particular we introduce the concept of embedded interaction, and implicit use. The focus of the research is on embedding information into people's environments. Currently massive amounts of information are available. However, delivering it to the user in a way that is pleasant and not annoying is still a challenge. Observing mobile phone information push services, it appears that endless information is available; however, much of the information is interesting only in a very specific context of use. We investigate how information can be provided to users - exactly when and where it is needed. Our approach is based on a variety of information displays unobtrusively embedded into the user's everyday environment. We place the information displays in context. In contrast to the traditional approach on context-awareness where a context is recognized and then the appropriate information is delivered, we look at providing information already in context. It is up to the user to make use of the provided information or not.
Statisticall Directions Joseph

A volume of appreciation for Sir Ronald Fisher pienberg and Hinkley, 1980) was recently re-issued on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of his birth in 1890. The book reviews his contributions to what may now be considered the classical elements of mathematical statistics, namely analysis of variance, foundations of theoretical statistics, randomization and design, statistical estimation, analysis of categorical data and discriminant analysis. Fisher died in 1962, but his influence remained substantial well into the 1980s, as did also Neyman's (b.1894, d.1981) and Wald's (b.1902, d.1950). It is interesting to note that in 1990, Mathematical Reviews still uses the following classifications for Statistics: foundations, multivariate analysis, sufficiency, regression and correlation, decision theory, experimental design, sampling theory, sample surveys, sequential methods, distribution theory, inference from stochastic processes, parametric inference, non-parametric inference, engineering statistics, applications. There has clearly been much activity in these areas over the past 20 years; but excepting for inference from stochastic processes and engineering statistics, one might well ask if much had changed on the statistical scene since the Fisher-Neyman era. In probability, which is regarded as the basis of statistical theory, a standard text of the 1960s was the book by Lokve (1960). This consisted of six main parts on: elementary probability theory, notions of measure theory, general concepts and tools of probability theory, independence, dependence, and elements of random analysis. The 1990 classifications of Mathematical Reviews refer not only to Probability but also to Stochastic Processes, already indicating a change from the narrower purview of Lokve's text. These sections include for Probability: foundations, probability theory on algebraic and topological structures, combinatorial probability, stochastic geometry, random sets, distribution theory, limit theorems, and for Stochastic Processes: stochastic analysis, Markov processes, special processes.
The possiblity of detection of ultracool dwarfs with the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey

We present predictions for the numbers of ultracool dwarfs in the Galactic disc population that could be detected by the WFCAM/UKIDSS Large Area Survey and Ultra Deep Survey. Simulated samples of objects are created with masses and ages drawn from different mass functions and birthrates. Each object is then given absolute magnitudes in different passbands based on empirically derived bolometric correction versus effective temperature relationships (or model predictions for Y dwarfs). These are then combined with simulated space positions, velocities and photometric errors to yield observables such as apparent magnitudes and proper motions. Such observables are then passed through the survey selection mechanism to yield histograms in colour. This technique also produces predictions for the proper motion histograms for ultracool dwarfs and estimated numbers for the as yet undetected Y dwarfs. Finally, it is shown that these techniques could be used to constrain the ultra-low-mass mass function and birthrate of the Galactic disc population.
A Two Stage Algorithm for Denoising of Speech Signal

Spectral Subtraction based speech denoising suffers the major problem of introduction of new type of noise called musical noise. In this paper we introduce a two stage algorithm for denoising of noisy speech signal by minimizing the musical noise and additive white Gaussian noise. The algorithm works in two stages. First spectral subtraction method is applied on the noisy speech signal after applying pre-emphasis filter. Since the speech is highly corrupted by white Gaussian noise (3 dB SNR), the method introduces a musical noise. The enhanced speech is the processed using Savitzky-Golay smoothing filter to reduce the musical noise. The various objective as well as subjective measures are evaluated for the two stage method and compared against the individual methods. The two stage algorithm produces enhanced speech signal having high perceptual quality and intelligibility.
Influence of Apolipoproteins on the Association Between Lipids and Insulin Sensitivity

OBJECTIVE We evaluated whether the association of insulin sensitivity with HDL cholesterol (HDL) and triglycerides is influenced by major plasma apolipoproteins, as suggested by recent experimental evidence. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This study included a cross-sectional analysis of the RISC Study, a multicenter European clinical investigation in 1,017 healthy volunteers balanced in sex (women 54%) and age strata (range 30–60 years). Insulin sensitivity (M/I in µmol ⋅ min−1 ⋅ kgFFM−1 ⋅ nM−1) was measured by the clamp technique and apolipoproteins (ApoB, -C3, -A1, and -E) by Multiplex Technology. RESULTS The center-, sex-, and age-adjusted standardized regression coefficients (STDβ) with M/I were similar for HDL and triglycerides (+19.9 ± 1.9 vs. −20.0 ± 2.0, P < 0.0001). Further adjustment for triglycerides (or HDL), BMI, and adiponectin (or nonesterified fatty acid) attenuated the strength of the association of M/I with both HDL (STDβ +6.4 ± 2.3, P < 0.01) and triglycerides (−9.5 ± 2.1, P < 0.001). Neither ApoA1 nor ApoE and ApoB showed any association with M/I independent from plasma HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. ApoC3, in contrast, in both men and women, was positively associated with M/I independently of plasma lipids. A relative enrichment of plasma lipids with ApoC3 is associated with lower body fat percentage and lower plasma alanine amino transferase. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that HDL cholesterol modulates insulin sensitivity through a mechanism that is partially mediated by BMI and adiponectin but not by ApoA1. Similarly, the influence of triglycerides on insulin sensitivity is in part mediated by BMI and is unrelated to ApoE or ApoB, but it is significantly modulated by ApoC3, which appears to protect from the negative effect of plasma lipids.
A Medicaid primer

By far the largest portion of the poor—nearly 43 percent—are covered through Medicaid. Not quite 16 percent have private coverage or are insured through the military’s program of coverage, CHAMPUS (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services). Another 12.5 percent are covered through Medicare. Nearly 29 percent have no insurance coverage at all. Among the near-poor, the proportion without coverage is nearly as great—28 percent; of those covered, far fewer fall under Medicaid, far more have private insurance. Within these two income groups, young children (under 6 years of age) are the most likely to be covered by Medicaid (64 percent), young adults the least likely to be covered; while 42 percent of people aged between 19 and 44 are without health insurance.
Why Do Animals Have So Many Receptors? The Role of Multiple Chemosensors in Animal Perception

Many animals have an abundance and diverse assortment of peripheral sensors, both across and within sensory modalities. Multiple sensors offer many functional advantages to an animal’s ability to perceive and respond to environmental signals. Advantages include extending the ability to detect and determine the spatial distribution of stimuli, improving the range and accuracy of discrimination among stimuli of different types and intensities, increasing behavioral sensitivity to stimuli, ensuring continued sensory capabilities when the probability of damage or other loss of function to some sensors is high, maintaining sensory function over the entire sensory surface during development and growth, and increasing the richness of behavioral output to sensory stimulation. In this paper, we use the crustacean chemosensory system as the primary example to discuss these functions of multiple sensors. These principles may be applicable to the function of autonomous robots and should be considered in their design.
Vitamin D has wide regulatory effects on histone demethylase genes

Vitamin D from the diet or synthesized in the skin upon UV-B irradiation is converted in the organism into the active metabolite 1α,25- dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3, calcitriol], a pleiotropic hormone with wide regulatory actions. The classical model of 1,25(OH)2D3 action implies the activation of the vitamin D receptor, which binds specific DNA sequences in its target genes and modulates their transcription rate. We have recently shown that 1,25(OH)2D3 induces the expression of the JMJD3 gene coding for a histone demethylase that is involved in epigenetic regulation. JMJD3 mediates the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on a subset of target genes and affects the expression of ZEB1, ZEB2 and SNAI1, inducers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Novel data indicate that 1,25(OH)2D3 has an unanticipated wide regulatory action on the expression of genes coding for histone demethylases of the Jumonji C (JmjC) domain and lysine-specific demethylase (LSD) families. Moreover, JMJD3 knockdown decreases the expression of miR‑200b and miR‑200c, two microRNAs targeting ZEB1 RNA. This may explain the upregulation of this transcription factor found in JMJD3-depleted cells. Thus, 1,25(OH)2D3 exerts an ample regulatory effect on the expression of histone-modifying enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation that may mediate its actions on gene transcription and cell phenotype.
Participatory Sensing for Smart Cities: A Case Study on Transport Trip Quality Measurement

Participatory sensing (PS), an emerging sensing paradigm through organizing people and their mobile devices as sensors, is regarded as a promising solution to solve large-scale urban issues. PS has been implemented in many applications such as transportation, environmental monitoring, public health, etc. These applications are of high relevance for smart cities. Smart cities rely on the infrastructures established by government and industrial agencies to sense urban dynamics. PS can complement these infrastructures by involving “human sensors” and obtaining insights into people's activities. In this paper, the key features and challenges of PS are surveyed. A prototype PS platform is designed for efficient collection and management of smartphone sensing and survey data. A transport trip quality measurement system (TQMS) has been developed using this platform. Our experience to organize PS activities through a novel collaboration driven incentive mechanism is elucidated. A comprehensive real-world PS case study on TQMS including platform promotion, project collaboration, participant recruitment, activity organization has been successfully completed. This paper is concluded by discussing the potential future applications of the PS platform.
The 1993 south equatorial belt revival and other features in the Jovian atmosphere: an observational perspective

Anexcellent-qualitysetofimagesofthe1993Jovian South Equatorial Belt (SEB) revival are shown and discussed. For the rst time, this major SEB event was recorded since the very early stages of its development to its end at a variety of wavelengths from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared region of the spectrum. Our analysis supports, at least for the locus B, the Reese theory of the presence of three sources uniformly rotat- ing with respect to System III from which the SEB disturbances develop. Other Jovian features were also present in these im- ages, such as the activity in the South Temperate Belt or the presence of the so-called methane spots, which are shown to be photometrically analogous to the Great Red Spot on Jupiter. A general characterization of all the Jovian regions at the time of the South Equatorial Belt disturbance is done by comput- ing the limb darkening coefcients as a function of latitude and wavelength. This provides a useful reference to compare with other future measurements. The limb darkening coefcient at the brightest spot associated to the SEB event in April shows a different behaviour in its wavelength dependence as compared to all the other Jovian regions, a result that would imply a dif- ferent particle loading and/or particle size distribution in those regions as a consequence of vigorous dynamics.
A Normalized Criterion of Spatial Clustering in Model-Based Framework

This paper presents a model-based criterion for assessing the clustering results of spatial data, where both geometrical constraints and observation attributes are taken into account. An extra parameter is often used in the aim of controlling the importance of each characteristic. Since the values of both terms vary according to different realizations of data, it becomes essential to determine the parameter value which has a large influence on the clustering criterion value. Thus, an `upper-lower bound' technique is proposed to solve that problem caused by stochastic properties in both terms. In addition, we apply a normalization method to regularize the parameter value. The effectiveness of this approach is validated through the experimental results by using simulated reliability data.
Large Cosmic Shock Waves as Sites for Particle Acceleration

The properties of cosmic shock waves are studied through numerical simulations in two cosmological scenarios (SCDM and LCDM). The scaling relations for the average radius and velocity associated with the accretion shocks are somewhat different, yet qualitatively similar to the self similar solutions for a flat Omega_M=1 universe. The energy supplied by infalling gas at accretion shock waves is large enough to sustain production of abundant cosmic ray populations if a viable acceleration mechanism can take place there. Finally, in addition to shocks created by the encounter of the merging ICMs of two clusters of galaxies, accretion shocks associated with the merging clusters generate strong ``relic'' shocks which propagate through the ICM producing additional heating of the ICM, and associated CR acceleration.
Self-organizing Dynamic Fractional Frequency Reuse Through Distributed Inter-cell Coordination: The Case of Best-E ort TraÆc

Improving cell edge data rates and self-optimization of the network are important objectives for next generation cellular systems. Towards realizing these goals, we propose algorithms that automatically create eÆcient, soft fractional frequency reuse (FFR) patterns for enhancing performance of orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) based cellular systems for forward link best e ort (BE) traÆc, in particular for cell edge users. The Multi-sector Gradient (MGR) algorithm adjusts the transmit powers of the di erent sub-bands by systematically pursuing local maximization of the overall network utility. We show that the maximization can be done by sectors operating in a semi-autonomous way, with only some gradient information exchanged periodically by neighboring sectors. The Sector Autonomous (SA) algorithm adjusts its transmit powers in each sub-band independently in each sector using a non-trivial heuristic to achieve out-of-cell interference mitigation. This algorithm is completely autonomous and requires no exchange of information between sectors. Through extensive simulations, we demonstrate that both algorithms can improve the cell edge data throughputs signi cantly, by up to 66% in some cases for the MGR, while maintaining the overall sector throughput at the same level as that achieved by the traditional approach. The simulations also show that both algorithms lead the system to "self-organize" into eÆcient, soft frequency reuse patterns with no a priori frequency planning.
Synchronization in single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic systems under grid faults

The highly increasing penetration of single-phase photovoltaic (PV) systems pushes the grid requirements related to the integration of PV power systems to be updated. These upcoming regulations are expected to direct the grid-connected renewable generators to support the grid operation and stability both under grid faulty conditions and under normal operations. Grid synchronization techniques play an important role in the control of single-phase systems in order to fulfill these demands. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate the behaviors of grid synchronization methods in single phase systems under grid faults. The focus of this paper is put on the benchmarking of synchronization techniques, mainly about phase locked loop (PLL) based methods, in single-phase PV power systems operating under grid faults. Some faulty mode cases are studied at the end of this paper in order to compare these methods. It is concluded that the Enhanced PLL (EPLL) and the Second Order Generalized Integrator based PLL (SOGI-OSG PLL) technique are the most promising candidates for future single-phase PV systems due to their fast adaptive-filtering characteristics.
Classifier-Based Policy Representation

Motivated by recent proposals that view a reinforcement learning problem as a collection of classification problems, we investigate various aspects of policy representation using classifiers. In particular, we derive optimal policies for two standard reinforcement learning domains (inverted pendulum and mountain car) in both deterministic and stochastic versions and we examine their internal structure. We then proceed in an evaluation of the representational ability of a variety of classifiers for these policies, using both a multi-class and a binary formulation of the classification problem. Finally, we evaluate the actual performance of the policies learned by the classifiers in the original control problem as a function of the amount of training examples provided. Our results offer significant insight in making the reinforcement-learning-via-classification technology successfully applicable to hard learning problems.
Low-complexity intra/inter mode-decision for H.264/AVC video coder

We present a novel mode decision scheme with which a portion of the macroblocks' intra/inter coding mode is determined without performing the exhaustive spatial estimation and motion estimation searches. The coding modes of such macroblocks are determined utilizing the correlation across spatially and temporally close macroblocks' prediction modes. By bypassing a large amount of spatial estimation and motion estimation searches, the scheme can reduce the computational complexity substantially. Simulation results show that the coding performance using the proposed mode decision scheme is perceptually as good as using traditional mode decision. The proposed scheme can be applied to any modern video codec that employs predictive coding, including H.263, MPEG-4, and H.264/AVC.
Enhanced tumorigenicity by mitochondrial DNA mild mutations

To understand how mitochondria are involved in malignant transformation we have generated a collection of transmitochondrial cybrid cell lines on the same nuclear background (143B) but with mutant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants with different degrees of pathogenicity. These include the severe mutation in the tRNALys gene, m.8363G>A, and the three milder yet prevalent Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) mutations in the MT-ND1 (m.3460G>A), MT-ND4 (m.11778G>A) and MT-ND6 (m.14484T>C) mitochondrial genes. We found that 143B ρ0 cells devoid of mtDNA and cybrids harboring wild type mtDNA or that causing severe mitochondrial dysfunction do not produce tumors when injected in nude mice. By contrast cybrids containing mild mutant mtDNAs exhibit different tumorigenic capacities, depending on OXPHOS dysfunction. The differences in tumorigenicity correlate with an enhanced resistance to apoptosis and high levels of NOX expression. However, the final capacity of the different cybrid cell lines to generate tumors is most likely a consequence of a complex array of pro-oncogenic and anti-oncogenic factors associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Our results demonstrate the essential role of mtDNA in tumorigenesis and explain the numerous and varied mtDNA mutations found in human tumors, most of which give rise to mild mitochondrial dysfunction.